The incumbent No. 3 has been suggested as an opening candidate although he believes the selectors will opt for a specialist
AAP23-Oct-2024
Marnus Labuschagne’s name has been suggested for a move up to open•Getty Images
Marnus Labuschagne says the race for the vacant Test opening spot is an open field, but insists it is fitting Steven Smith is no longer in that frame after his guaranteed switch back to No. 4 for the India series.Smith, speaking this week about the termination of his opening experiment, said Test opener Usman Khawaja and No. 3 Labuschagne made it clear they preferred him to bat behind them.”They hated me up top…so that was a big part of it,” Smith said. “They call it security behind them – I don’t know, ask them about it. Honestly, I’m not that fussed. They didn’t like it at all…I can understand that.”Labuschagne said Smith’s return to the position he had shone in for most of his career was not rocket science.”One of the best players for Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in is a pretty simple fix,” he said. “Cameron Green is unavailable for the summer. There is no one batting at No. 4 as we currently stand in our team. Why not have the person who has done it best for Australia batting in that position? It just makes sense.”People want to know if there is something more [to it], but that is the reality.”Labuschagne added Smith was naturally suited to the spot.”I think it is his ability to read match scenarios and adapt his game to whatever the game needs,” he said. “At No. 4 you have to be good at playing spin, work on when you need to push, when you need to hold and when you need to get through a tough spell. That has always been his strength.”Labuschagne said he laughed when he read that David Warner had put his hand up to come out of retirement to open, if asked.”I don’t know if he was serious or whether he was joking. It is always hard to tell,” he chuckled. “I don’t know what to make of that.”Warner had also floated the possibility of Labuschagne moving up the order to fill the void, a concept the Test No. 3 answered forthrightly.”I will bat wherever they tell me to bat. Currently I would say that how I have played at No. 3 has been relatively successful,” he said.”Hopefully it should be more successful, but that’s where I have batted. If [selectors] think I should move and that is best for the team that is what will happen, but at this stage I think they have made it clear they are going to look down the opener route. Who that is…is anyone’s guess. It is a very open field.”New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas, Victorian opener Marcus Harris and Western Australia’s suddenly out-of-form Cameron Bancroft are the three specialist openers in contention and all will feature for Australia A against India A next week.
The left-hand opener scored 24 hundreds across 269 international appearances for India
Shashank Kishore24-Aug-20241:37
Dhawan’s top 10
Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket through a social media post on Saturday morning. Dhawan’s last competitive game was in April, leading Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. He retires with 24 hundreds (17 in ODIs and seven in Tests) across 269 international matches.”It’s important to turn the page to move forward in life and that’s why I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket,” Dhawan said in a video message. “I am leaving with peace in my heart that I played for so long for India. I tell myself not to feel sad that you will not play for India anymore, but to feel happy that you played for your country.”Dhawan, who made his India debut in 2010, retires as one of only eight ODI batters with over 5000 runs at a 40-plus average and a 90-plus strike rate (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the other Indians in the list). In all, he scored 6793 runs in 167 ODIs at an average of 44.11 and a strike rate of 91.35. His last ODI was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December 2022.Related
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In 34 Tests, he scored 2315 runs at an average of 40.61, and in 68 T20Is, 1759 at a strike rate of 126.36.Dhawan’s ODI numbers towered over his records in the other two formats, even though it was in Tests when he first burst onto the scene with an 85-ball hundred against Australia in Mohali in 2013, the fastest by a debutant. He went on to make 187 in a match-winning effort.Dhawan’s career hit the high notes in 2013. That year, he made 1162 runs in 26 ODIs at an average of 50.52 and a strike rate of 97.89. The icing on the cake was his chart-topping 363 runs in five innings, including two centuries, in India’s title-winning run at the Champions Trophy, which was his first ODI series after five forgettable outings across 2010 and 2011.That tournament was the start of a glorious opening partnership with Rohit. In terms of run aggregates, the pair is the fourth-best among ODI openers, and their 18 century stands at the top are second only to Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s 21.ESPNcricinfo LtdDhawan’s glorious run extended well past the Champions Trophy 2013 as he established himself as a key member of the ODI team over the next few years. He was the highest scorer for India in each of the next few ODI tournaments: Asia Cup 2014, World Cup 2015, Champions Trophy 2017 and Asia Cup 2018.In 2019, Dhawan’s ODI career hit the first major hurdle after he was out with a thumb injury midway through the World Cup in England, soon after scoring a century against Australia at The Oval. Dhawan’s contributions were rewarded with short captaincy stints during the last leg of his international career when he led India’s second-string sides in the absence of regulars.Dhawan represented Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in the IPL, where he is the second-highest run-getter behind Kohli. His 6769 runs came across 222 matches at a strike rate of 127.14.In domestic cricket, Dhawan’s early years coincided with the Ranji Trophy success for Delhi; he was part of the title-winning team in 2007-08 when Delhi beat Uttar Pradesh at the Wankhede. He was also the top run-scorer at the Under-19 World Cup in 2004.
Tottenham Hotspur salvaged their 2024/25 campaign when a goal from Brennan Johnson was enough to secure the Europa League against Manchester United.
Ange Postecoglou ended the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy by winning that game, securing Champions League football in the process, and was subsequently relieved of his duties.
Daniel Levy has, since, replaced the Australian head coach with former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who will now be looking to kick the team on to win even more silverware in the years to come.
The Danish manager could look to the transfer market to bolster his squad, although deals for Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso have already been agreed and will be made official at the start of July.
Spurs bringing in new recruits to improve the team could help them to kick on in the Premier League, after finishing closer to relegation than the top four, but it could also mean that some members of the current squad could have to make way.
One player whose future remains up in the air is Dejan Kulusevski, who is a reported target for Italian giants AC Milan and Napoli in the summer transfer window.
Why Spurs should cash in on Dejan Kulusevski
The 25-year-old star joined the club on loan from Juventus at the start of 2022 before eventually signing on a permanent deal, and has been a solid performer over the years for Spurs.
To date, Kulusevski has racked up 25 goals and 30 assists in 146 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham, which is a very respectable return and shows that he can provide quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
However, the Sweden international is one of the top earners in the squad and has not delivered enough consistent quality in the final third to justify that.
Heung-min Son
£190k
Cristian Romero
£170k
James Maddison
£165k
Dejan Kulusevski
£110k
Dominic Solanke
£90k
Richarlison
£90k
Pedro Porro
£85k
Radu Dragusin
£85k
Ben Davies
£80k
Rodrigo Bentancur
£75k
As you can see in the table above, Kulusevski is one of only four players in the squad who earn more than £90k-per-week, on a weekly wage of £110k, which suggests that he should someone the team can rely on week-in-week-out.
The left-footed forward, though, has never produced more than eight goals or eight assists in a single Premier League season for Tottenham, failing to hit double digits in either type of goal contribution.
Therefore, Spurs should look to cash in on this reported interest from Napoli and Milan in order to make room for a new attacker to come in this summer, with a view to them delivering more quality, through goals and assists, in the Premier League next season.
In fact, Tottenham are already reportedly eyeing up a Bundesliga star who could come through the door as an upgrade on Kulusevski in the coming months.
Spurs eyeing deal for Bundesliga star
According to GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham Hotspur have identified RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons as one of a number of targets in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Netherlands international, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, is on the club’s radar as they consider their options in the number ten role.
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It adds that Tottenham are also among a number of teams keeping tabs on Harvey Elliott’s situation at Liverpool, and are interested in Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze.
Simons represents a slightly more left-field option, as he is unproven in the Premier League, and the Dutch playmaker is said to be open to a move to the English top-flight this summer.
Leipzig failed to qualify for any European competition ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and are reportedly looking for a fee in the region of £60m to part ways with the 22-year-old talent.
Why Spurs should sign Xavi Simons
Described by one data analyst as “one of the best 10s in the world”, the Lilywhites should press ahead with a deal to sign the young attacking midfielder because he is a player who has the potential to deliver goals and assists more frequently than Kulusevski has for Spurs to date.
Simons could come in as a big upgrade on the Swedish forward in the attacking midfield and wide areas, if he can translate his form for Leipzig in the Bundesliga over to the Premier League in North London.
The Dutch starlet, who was once described as a “pocket rocket” by analyst Raj Chohan, has hit double figures for goals in each of the last three seasons for Leipzig and PSV combined, and racked up double figures for assists in two of the last three seasons.
Simons produced ten goals and 13 assists in all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign, creating 14 ‘big chances’ and averaging 2.5 key passes per game in the Bundesliga, which speaks to the kind of quality he can provide in front of goal on a regular basis.
Appearances
25
32
xG
5.11
4.23
Goals
10
7
Big chances created
12
9
Key passes per game
2.0
2.1
xA
5.98
3.94
Assists
7
4
As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman’s form in the 2024/25 Bundesliga season also suggests that he has more to offer to Tottenham than Kulusevski moving forward, with more xA, more assists, more ‘big chances’ created, and more goals, despite playing seven fewer matches.
The Leipzig star is also on a reported wage of roughly £98k-per-week, per Capology, which suggests that he could arrive on similar wages to the Sweden international, unless he demands a significant pay hike to make the move.
Xavi Simons celebrates
If Spurs can bring Simons to the club on a similar wage to Kulusevski, the Dutch star’s performances for Leipzig in recent seasons suggest that he would arrive as a big upgrade on what Frank currently has to work with.
The 22-year-old maestro has the potential to provide more goals and more assists as an attacking midfielder, as a player who can finish his chances with more efficiency, whilst also creating more high-quality opportunities for his teammates.
Frank's next Mbeumo: Spurs discussing move to sign "world-class" £70m star
Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a move for a star who could star under Thomas Frank.
1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 29, 2025
Therefore, Spurs should sign the £60m-rated star to bolster Frank’s squad before the summer transfer window slams shut, to improve their options at the top end of the pitch.
As Newcastle United continue to chase a move to sign Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace could reportedly accept a player-plus-cash deal which would see them welcome an experienced defender.
Newcastle pushing to sign Guehi
Newcastle’s interest in Guehi is far from new. The Magpies were in pursuit of his signature last summer before Crystal Palace ultimately priced them out of a move. At the time, those at St James’ Park had PSR issues to consider, whilst Palace were in no position to budge from their strong negotiation position. One year on, however, the script has seemingly flipped.
As things stand, the England international has just one year left on his contract at Selhurst Park, which means that unless anything changes, this summer will be the first of just two more chances for Crystal Palace to cash in.
Glasner wants Crystal Palace to sign £40m ace as possible Guehi replacement
Oliver Glasner has identified a defender he would like to bring to Selhurst Park if his captain departs.
ByBrett Worthington Jun 9, 2025
Unlike last summer, their position in negotiations with Newcastle is far weaker. They can no longer price the Magpies out of a move. Instead, reports have suggested that Newcastle could end up paying just £50m to sign Guehi this summer in a deal that is more or less done if recent rumours are to be believed.
The defender’s departure would be a major blow for all involved in South London, who already had to replace Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen last summer. As doubts creep in over their Europa League spot too, the last thing that Crystal Palace need is to lose one of Oliver Glasner’s most important players.
If Guehi is to depart, though, the Eagles would be wise to get something in return. Whilst they can no longer price Newcastle out of a move, Palace could yet form an interesting swap deal which would solve an immediate problem within Glasner’s side. It would far from make up for Guehi’s exit, of course, but it would see the South London club at least come away with something.
Crystal Palace could sign Targett in Guehi swap deal
As reported by Andrew Musgrove on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Crystal Palace could now sign Matt Targett in a surprise swap deal for Guehi this summer which would of course also include a transfer fee. A player-plus cash deal, Palace would get the chance to solve their left-back problem following the end of Ben Chilwell’s loan spell and cash in on their star defender.
Musgrove revealed: “I’ve been told that Matt Targett could potentially hold the key. Now we know Targett is probably going to leave this summer, but interestingly, it has been said that he could move this deal along slightly because Ben Chilwell has gone back to Chelsea after he was on loan at Palace as back up to Tyrick Mitchell.
Matt Targett
“Now they want another left back to provide that competition, but really back up to Mitchell, and maybe that could be ideal for both Newcastle and Matt Targett. It has been suggested that Palace would not be against the idea of taking Targett as part of a cash per player deal.”
A player who Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described as “reliable” in September, Crystal Palace could yet have a decision to make as to whether they deem Targett a suitable arrival in return for Guehi this summer.
If this season has proven anything for Arsenal, it’s that they desperately need another striker in the team.
A combination of lacklustre finishing and a torrent of injuries to key offensive players has left the Gunners 15 points off Liverpool in the Premier League.
Moreover, as things stand, the Reds have scored 17 goals more than Mikel Arteta’s side, which is something that desperately needs to be addressed in the summer.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetalooks dejected after the match
Fortunately, that’s something the club appear to be working on, as, over the last week or so, their supposed interest in Viktor Gyokeres has seriously intensified, even if they already have a player worth millions more than him in the squad.
How much Arsenal have to pay for Gyokeres
Arsenal were reportedly interested in Gyokeres at points last summer, but it’s really been since new Sporting Director Andrea Berta turned up that things seem to be heating up regarding the Swedish superstar.
Moreover, while there remains some disagreement over the exact price that Sporting CP might demand for their prolific striker once the window opens, a recent report from The Athletic has claimed that it will likely be somewhere between £60m and £70m.
While the upper figure would undoubtedly represent a significant financial investment from the North Londoners, it would be hard to argue that it’s not a reasonable valuation from the Portuguese giants.
For example, since moving to Lisbon in 2023, the former Coventry City star has made 100 appearances for the club, totalling 8207 minutes, in which he has found the back of the net 95 times and provided 28 assists.
In other words, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has averaged 1.23 goal involvements per game since moving to Lisbon, or one every 66.72 minutes, which is frankly absurd.
Gyokeres’ unreal record
Season
23/24
24/25
Appearances
50
50
Minutes
4169′
4038′
Goals
43
52
Assists
15
13
Goal Involvements per Match
1.16
1.3
Minutes per Goal Involvement
71.87
62.12′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In all, it’s not hard to see why Arsenal are so interested in signing Gyokeres this year, although even if he joins for £70m, he’ll be competing with someone with an even higher valuation next season: Kai Havertz.
How much Kai Havertz is currently worth
Yes, believe it or not, the player in question is none other than Kai Havertz.
Kai Havertz celebrates for Arsenal
The former Chelsea star joined Arsenal for around £65m in the summer of 2023 but was then placed in the CIES Football Observatory’s top 100 most valuable players in world football earlier this year, with a staggering valuation of €130m, which converts to about £109m.
Now, we know that for some of you, that will seem like an absurd number, and while it is probably a little inflated, it would be hard to argue that the German international hasn’t improved his reputation and standing in the game since his initial move two years ago, so perhaps a fairer price tag would be somewhere in between.
With that said, and while he might still divide opinion, the “magnificent” footballer, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has been a handy player for the Gunners, especially since moving up top halfway through last season.
Moreover, prior to his injury in February, the Aachen-born poacher was actually enjoying a decent enough campaign leading the line, racking a tally of 15 goals and five assists in 34 appearances across 2776 minutes of action.
Havertz’s 24/25
Competition
Prem
UCL
EFL Cup
FA Cup
Appearances
21
8
4
1
Goals
9
4
2
0
Assists
3
2
0
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.57
0.75
0.50
0.00
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That means the “superb” attacker, as dubbed by Arteta, was averaging a goal involvement every 1.7 games, or every 138.8 minutes, which, again, for a makeshift striker in arguably the toughest league in the world, is not bad going.
Ultimately, Arsenal should still go out and sign Gyokeres as he looks to be a lean, mean goalscoring machine, but in Havertz, the club have a reliable backup who can also do a job in the middle of the park.
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With promotion to the Premier League confirmed with two games to go, Leeds United can finally turn their attention towards trying to build a side capable of staying in England’s top flight.
Such a feat might be easier said than done, with every promoted side from the Championship in the last two years returning straight back after just one season in the top division.
However, despite the achievements of boss Daniel Farke throughout 2024/25, it emerged yesterday that the hierarchy may consider sacking him to appoint a more proven Premier League manager to aid their ambitions next season.
Daniel Farke
Undoubtedly, such a decision would be extremely harsh after the German secured promotion, but football is a cutthroat industry with bold decisions needing to be made to avoid relegation in 2025/26.
That being said, bold decisions will need to be made in the market to create a side capable of consolidating next campaign, with money needing to be spent by the hierarchy to aid their attempts.
The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of new signings
There’s no denying that the Whites will likely be linked with a whole host of players after their return to the Premier League, but it’s important that quality over quantity arrives at Elland Road.
One name that has been constantly linked with a summer switch to Yorkshire is Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Julian Weigl, after previously featuring under Farke during their time together in the Bundesliga.
The 29-year-old, who’s made 29 appearances in the league this campaign, has been firmly on the club’s radar, but no deal is currently on the cards, leading to potential moves for other targets.
The hierarchy could subsequently look to pursue a move for West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek this summer, with the Czech international reportedly open to a move to Yorkshire.
According to IDNES, the 30-year-old is unhappy after losing his place under Graham Potter, opening the door for a transfer to join Leeds with just 12 months left on his contract.
They revealed that the newly-promoted side a strongly considering a move this summer.
Why Leeds should prioritise a move for a PL star over Weigl
There’s no denying Weigl would be an excellent addition to the Leeds squad, having the quality and experience to make a real difference at the heart of the side.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkecelebrates after the match
During his professional career, he’s featured for the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Benfica, often being a key member of the respective sides in the Champions League.
Such experience is key, especially heading into a season which could be a challenge for the Whites – that’s if the last couple of campaigns for newly-promoted sides are anything to go by.
However, given the fact he’s never played in England’s top-flight, such a deal could be seen as a risk, with the right additions needing to be made – potentially seeing them prioritise a move for Soucek as a result.
When comparing the duo’s respective stats from the ongoing season, the West Ham star has massively outperformed him, highlighting why the club should opt for his signature instead.
Games played
30
29
Goals & assists
8
2
Shots taken
1.9
0.6
Key passes
0.6
0.3
Tackles won
0.8
0.7
Clearances made
3.1
2.5
Aerials won
3.6
1.2
The Czech star, who’s been labelled “superb” by EXWHUEmployee, has registered more goals and assists this season, whilst also notching a higher tally of shots per 90 – showcasing the attacking threat he possesses from deep-lying positions.
He’s also managed to complete more key passes per 90, whilst also winning more tackles and aerials – offering Farke an all-round presence at the heart of the midfield next season.
Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for Soucek would set the club back in the coming months, it would undoubtedly be a worthwhile investment, having the experience to help them in their Premier League quest.
With just 12 months left on his current deal at the London Stadium, it could be worth getting him on the cheap, possibly becoming their first signing back amongst England’s elite.
A dream first deal after promotion: £15m star wants to sign for Leeds
The player is reportedly keen to secure a permanent move to Leeds United this summer.
Cameron Green and Travis Head both earned player of the match awards in the IPL last week
Alex Malcolm13-May-20244:04
McClenaghan: RCB’s whole bowling unit made contributions
Green’s growth in a new role bodes well for AustraliaCameron Green has had an outstanding week for Royal Challengers Bengaluru to keep their playoff hopes alive playing a pivotal role in two wins over Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Against Punjab, Green made 46 off 27 at No. 5 with five fours and a six and shared in a 92-run stand with Virat Kohli that came off just 46 balls as RCB racked up a match-winning total of 241 for 7. He followed up that performance with an accomplished all-round display against Capitals, scoring 32 not out off 24, taking 1 for 19 from four overs and producing an excellent direct hit run out to earn player of the match honours. Green appears to be getting more comfortable with the unfamiliar and highly specialised No. 5 role. He has started brightly with five men out in his last two innings and has slowed down at the death as wickets have fallen around him. He was 27 off 16 against Capitals but could not find the rope in his last eight balls and only managed to score five runs.Cameron Green winds up for a big hit•BCCIHe still hasn’t quite unlocked the secret to death hitting but Australia’s coaching staff will be thrilled with his development in the role as it only adds to his versatility for the upcoming World Cup. He also bowled well against Capitals, conceding one boundary in four overs. His second over, the 11th of the chase, was his best where he conceded three singles and three dots and ran out Tristan Stubbs with a stunning direct hit having sprinted to the striker’s end to collect the ball in his follow-through before swivelling and hitting at the non-striker’s to beat Stubbs after he was sent back by Axar Patel.Warner misfires on return while Fraser-McGurk’s scintillating form continuesJake Fraser-McGurk hit the first ball he faced for a six•BCCIDavid Warner finally returned from his finger injury against RCB but it did not go as planned. He was unable to field due to the bone bruising that is still causing some discomfort but he was cleared to bat as the impact sub. He only lasted two balls. He was a little unfortunate as he nailed an arm ball from left-arm orthodox Swapnil Singh straight to a very well-placed man at wide long-on. Some more elevation would have seen it sail into the stands. His frustration was evident as he threw his head back after seeing Will Jacks pouch the catch.Related
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Meanwhile, at the other end Jake Fraser-McGurk continued his spectacular form and was unfortunate not to post another blistering half-century. Having thumped a 19-ball fifty in Capitals’ win over Rajasthan Royals last week where he torched Avesh Khan for 28 off an over, he looked on again against RCB. He flat-batted Swapnil for six first ball and then clubbed Mohammed Siraj over his head and through cover to race to 21 off 8. But he was cruelly run out backing up too far when a Shai Hope straight drive ricocheted off Yash Dayal’s fingers onto the stumps at the non-striker’s.Capitals have all-but been eliminated from the IPL playoff race, but Warner has one more chance against Lucknow Super Giants to find some time in the middle before the World Cup while Fraser-McGurk can put an exclamation point on his incredible debut season and push his case further for a World Cup travelling reserve spot.Head’s heroics continue while Cummins keeps on keeping on2:15
Rapid Fire Review: Head and Abhishek, or Salt and Narine?
Travis Head’s IPL form is reaching a ridiculous realm. He and his Sunrisers Hyderabad opening partner Abhishek Sharma produced the most brutal batting beatdown of the tournament to date against Justin Langer’s Super Giants, mowing down a target of 166 in just 9.4 overs. He made 89 not out off 30 balls with eight fours and eight sixes to finish player of the match.This came just two days after Head also made a comparatively pedestrian 48 off 30 in a losing effort against Mumbai Indians. Head is the IPL’s third-highest run-scorer with 533 runs in 11 innings. He is the only one of the top 12 run-scorers to be striking at a rate higher than 183, having scored his runs at a staggering 201.83 per 100 balls across the tournament. Only Abhishek (205.64) and Fraser-McGurk (237.41) have scored quicker across the tournament among players with 60 runs or more.Meanwhile, SRH captain Pat Cummins continued his solid form with a great all-round showing against Mumbai. He made an outstanding 35 not out off 17 balls with two fours and two sixes to lift his side from a deep hole with the bat, before being one of the few SRH bowlers to survive Suryakumar Yadav’s onslaught, taking 1 for 35 from four with a maiden. He was more expensive against Lucknow but mainly in his last over where he conceded 19 including four boundaries, although several came via skewed mishits into gaps.
Among India’s uncapped players to keep an eye on are Kiran Navgire, Sujata Mallik and V Chandu
Annesha Ghosh22-May-2022Kiran Navgire Kiran Navgire scored a record-breaking 162 off 76 in a domestic T20 recently•Kiran NavgireThe buzz around the 27-year-old batting allrounder from Maharashtra is that the upcoming Women’s T20 Challenge could be what the 2019 edition was for Shafali Verma and women’s cricket in India: as much an advertisement of individual big-hitting abilities as of the collective world-class talent pool waiting to be discovered in the country.Not one bit of the burgeoning weight of expectations around Navgire, as with Shafali three summers ago, is misplaced. Last month, Navgire’s 76-ball 162 in Nagaland’s opening game of the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy etched her name in records books as the first Indian to score more than 150 in a T20.Related
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Women's T20 Challenge from May 23
Granted, the opposition were Arunachal Pradesh, a fledgling domestic side like Nagaland who debuted only in the 2018-19 season, but Navgire’s 35 sixes and 54 fours in seven innings in her chart-topping 525 runs in the tournament provided a measure of the power-hitting potential the former athletics medallist carries.If Navgire can replicate some of her batting pyrotechnics for Velocity – she has already been showcasing plenty of it at training, confirmed captain Deepti Sharma on Saturday – the MS Dhoni fan is sure to make heads turn.Alana King Alana King took 3 for 64 in the World Cup final last month•ICC via Getty ImagesThe Australia wristspinner’s breakout year just keeps getting better. Impactful international debuts across formats in an Ashes-winning campaign in January-February. A maiden World Cup appearance that culminated in Australia reclaiming the 50-overs champions’ throne. Elevation to the country’s top 15 roster that saw her break into the central contracts pool last month. And, now, a return to the country of her Anglo-Indian parents’ birth as the sole representative from Australia across the three squads.The 26-year-old could be a handful on the MCA Stadium’s black-soil surface, which has traditionally assisted spinners. That, provided she gets the nod ahead of Sune Luus, the second overseas frontline legspinner in Supernovas led by Harmanpreet Kaur, who ranks with more established batting credentials.The joint fifth-highest wicket-taker in WBBL 2021-22 and Australia’s standout bowler with 3 for 64 in their rout of England in the ODI World Cup final last month, King majorly relies on variations in trajectories and imparting the ball a good rip. Her tandem with England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone could be a winning combination for two-time champions Supernovas.Sujata Mallik
The medium pacer from Bhubaneswar is one of the two Odisha players, alongside offspinner Priyanka Priyadarshini, in Smriti Mandhana’s Trailblazers. A four-season East Zone campaigner and a veteran of over 12 years for her state’s senior side, Mallik was the second-leading wicket-taker in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, where Odisha lost to eventual champions Railways in the semi-final.The presence of India internationals Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh might consign the uncapped Mallik, who opens the bowling for Odisha, to the bench in the Women’s T20 Challenge. That’s down to the make-up of the competition, which allows for a maximum of two matches for each side in the round-robin stage. But the 28-year-old’s red-hot form, her knack for swinging the ball away from right-hand batters, keeps her in contention for a match or two.At the highest level of cricket she has been selected for, an unlikely place in the defending champions’ starting XI could, as Mallik tells ESPNcricinfo, be the “doorway to a brighter and more stable future after years of toil and struggle as the breadwinner” of her family.Sophia Dunkley Sophia Dunkley hit 18 fours and three sixes in her unbeaten 123 recently•FairBreak GlobalThe batting allrounder has established herself as a key cog in England’s wheel in the past year. Having made her international debut in 2018, Dunkley has gone from strength to strength since a breakout performance in the longer-formats leg of the multi-format home series against India last summer.She was the highest run-getter for Southern Brave in the inaugural Hundred that followed soon after and showcased her ability to switch gears during her vital 60 in a century stand with Danni Wyatt in the ODI World Cup semi-final against South Africa. In the recently concluded FairBreak Invitational T20 tournament in Dubai, she struck a blistering 73-ball unbeaten 123 in the third-place playoff, stealing the thunder from Deandra Dottin’s 53-ball 111.Her part-time legspin fetched her six wickets in seven innings in that tournament, and it won’t be a surprise if her Trailblazers captain and Brave team-mate, Mandhana, deploys Dunkley’s all-round skills in what is the 23-year-old’s maiden bow in the Women’s T20 Challenge.V Chandu
The right-arm offspinner topped Karnataka’s wicket chart at the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, with eight strikes, a five-for included, in five innings at an average of 14.97 and economy rate of 6.69. She has been a regular on the state team since the 2014-15 season and often shoulders new-ball duties.Daughter to a ward boy and a housemaid, 27-year-old Chandu, like India internationals Veda Krishnamurthy, Vanitha VR, and Karuna Jain, is a product of the Karnataka Institute of Cricket. Her selection in the Supernovas squad comes on the back of a consistent run across limited-overs cricket in the domestic circuit.In the Senior 50-over Challenger Trophy last December, the India B bowler finished as the leading wicket-taker. A month earlier, she was joint second on the wicket-takers’ list in the Senior One Day Trophy, guiding Karnataka to a runners-up finish with 14 strikes in six innings, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick in her five-for against Saurashtra in that tournament.Natthakan Chantham Natthakan Chantham will play in her second Women’s T20 Challenge•FairBreak GlobalThailand’s first-ever half-centurion in a World Cup was relegated to the No. 9 position in the batting line-up in her former side Trailblazers’ title-clinching win against Supernovas in 2020. Yet, Chantham left an indelible mark on that edition with an astonishing, four-saving cartwheel-like fielding exhibit at the boundary.In her second Women’s T20 Challenge season, Chantham gears up to turn out for Velocity, with her former Trailblazers team-mate Deepti leading the side. She carries impressive nick into the tournament thanks to her 163 runs, a fifty included, at an average of nearly 33 in six innings for semi-finalists Spirit at the FairBreak Invitational.A memorable outing for Velocity should make more fulfilling what’s set to be an extended stay in India for the 26-year-old top-order batter, for she will link up with her Thailand team-mates and Indian national coach, Harshal Pathak, for offseason preparatory camps in Pune and Puducherry after the Women’s T20 Challenge.
The pulls, the flicks, the pulls, the cuts, the… did we mention pulls?
Andrew Fidel Fernando15-Jun-2020What We’re WatchingDon’t bowl short If all you knew were averages, you might look at Aravinda de Silva’s numbers – 42.97 in Tests and 34.90 in ODIs – and wonder what the fuss is about. So forget the averages. Watch this collection of de Silva’s hooks and pulls instead. This is no textbook technique. The way he holds his bat, face open to the bowler, the backlift almost perpendicular to the body (like an over-large table-tennis racquet), it’s almost as if he built his whole personality around playing the short ball – something he would have often had to do as a five-foot-two-inch batsman. There’s a homespun imprecision to the set-up and foot movement. But then a genius and a swagger to the execution – that front leg swinging around like a gate caught in a gust. Like all great players of the hook and pull, he could just as easily thump you straight of midwicket as flick you fine of fine leg. All this without a grille on his helmet.The stereotype about South Asian batsmen is that they are typically not good players of the short ball, but Sri Lanka have actually had quite a few exemplary pullers: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews, to name just three who have been active in the last decade. No one, though, was capable of playing devastating pull shots to a range of deliveries quite how de Silva managed. He would fetch them from way outside off stump and blast them into the stands, or pick them up from just about knee height and whip them flat over square leg. There were times in his career where he would repeatedly be out playing far too aggressively early in his innings. But on good days, no one was more imperious.Those World Cup innings You knew these were coming, right? No appreciation of the man is complete without what is arguably the greatest performance in knockouts across all World Cups. In the semi-final against India in 1996, de Silva played the kind of innings only he could really even conceive, let alone execute. Coming in with the score 1 for 2 in the first over, both vaunted openers back in the dressing room and 100,000 India fans in full voice, de Silva unleashed a counterattack of rare venom and majesty. He had switched to a heavy bat midway through the tournament, and just watch the square drives and flicks off his pads here, and how the ball basically explodes off the bat. He made 66 off 47 balls, and set Sri Lanka on track to what proved a comfortably winning total.The 107 in the final was a masterclass in driving. De Silva could drive anywhere from backward point to straight midwicket, and he showcased almost that entire spectrum of strokes during this innings. Additionally, there were his three wickets and two catches to help restrict Australia to 241 (The ripping offbreak to bowl Ricky Ponting was a particular highlight). There’s a genuine argument to be had over whether his performance in the field was even more consequential to Sri Lanka’s win than his century.The mind-bending shots Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya are Sri Lanka’s patron saints of outrageous six-hitting, but de Silva wasn’t far behind. Just check out these hits off Brett Lee at the 2003 World Cup – right at the end of de Silva’s career. Or this advancing inside-out strike against Geoff Lawson.Thankfully there is a compilation of de Silva sixes on YouTube. Unfortunately it’s a potato-quality clip.What We’re Watching
In the wake of a bruising series between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, three of the series finale's principal actors will have to serve suspensions.
Padres pitcher Robert Suarez has been suspended three games, Major League Baseball announced in a Friday evening release. In addition, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and San Diego manager Mike Shildt have been suspended one game apiece. Roberts will serve his suspension during Friday's game against the Washington Nationals, and Shildt will serve his during the Padres' game against the Kansas City Royals.
Suarez hit Los Angeles designated hitter Shohei Ohtani with a pitch Friday evening in the bottom of the ninth inning, and was immediately ejected because of what had taken place in the top half of the inning. Prior, Dodgers pitcher Jack Little had hit Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. with a pitch—forcing him from the game and drawing both Roberts and Shildt from their dugouts.
Suarez is appealing the suspension and will be eligible to play until his appeal has been heard.
Ultimately, San Diego won the game 5–3—its only win of the four-game series.
The Padres currently trail Los Angeles by five games in the National League West division race.