England captain left confused by penalty after fourth-day win dents New Zealand’s WTC hopes
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Dec-2024Ben Stokes was left bemused by over-rate penalties imposed on his England side after their eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Christchurch, responding with three shrugging emojis and sarcastically writing: “Good on you ICC.”New Zealand and England were both docked three World Test Championship (WTC) points and all their players have been fined 15% of their match fees for maintaining slow over-rates in the first Test at Hagley Oval.Stokes, England’s captain, responded to the sanctions by writing on his Instagram story: “Good on you ICC. Finished the game with 10 hours of play still left.” England have now been docked 22 WTC points in the 2023-25 cycle for their slow over-rates, having previously lost 19 of the 28 points they gained during the 2023 Ashes series for the same reason.Before the first Test, Stokes described the WTC as “utterly confusing” and said that he had never given the competition serious consideration. England finished fourth in the first two editions of the WTC, and are sixth in the ongoing cycle, meaning they will miss out on a chance to play the final on home soil for the third time in a row.The penalty meant that New Zealand, who won the inaugural WTC, dropped from fourth to fifth on the WTC table and their chances of making the final next year has taken a further hit after their loss in the first Test.New Zealand now have 47.92% points, and can only move as high as 55.36% with wins from their remaining two fixtures in the series.ESPNcricinfo LtdBoth teams were found to have fallen three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, with sides penalised one point for each over they were found to be short.On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth official Kim Cotton levelled the charges, which Stokes and Tom Latham, the two captains, accepted, and match referee David Boon imposed the sanctions.The top two positions in the WTC table are currently occupied by India and South Africa, respectively, with Australia at No. 3 and Sri Lanka at No. 4. With 15 Tests to go in the current WTC cycle, no team is assured of a place in the top two.After winning the Test series 3-0 in India, New Zealand’s sloppy fielding in Christchurch, which resulted in an eight-wicket loss, ruined any realistic chance of them making their second WTC final.
أرسل النادي الأهلي خطابًا للاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، يطالب فيه بالتحقيق مع حكم تقنية الفيديو، طارق مجدي، في مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا أمس في بطولة الدوري المصري.
والتقى الأهلي مع سيراميكا كليوباترا، على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات الجولة السابعة من الدوري المصري.
طالع| سيد معوض: لاعب الأهلي “غلبان”.. ويجب الفوز بالثلاث مباريات القادمة
واستطاع الأهلي تحقيق الفوز بهدف دون رد، سجله محمود حسن تريزيجيه في الدقيقة 26، بعدما مراوغة رائعة داخل منطقة الجزاء ثم سدد كرة قوية R2 سكنت شباك محمد بسام.
وأوضح الخطاب، بحسب بيان الأهلي إلى اتحاد الكرة، أن حكم تقنية الفيديو أصر على عدم استدعاء حكم الساحة في ثلاثة أخطاء مؤثرة لمصلحة الاهلي.
وتابع: “فيما كان الاستدعاء الوحيد في خطأ للفريق المنافس، وطالب النادي باتخاذ ما يلزم للحفاظ على ثوابت العدالة ونجاح المسابقة”.
وشهدت المباراة بعض الحالات المثيرة للجدل، منها كرة طالب فيها لاعبو الأهلي باحتساب ركلة جزاء، لكن الحكم رفض وارتدت الكرة بهجمة خطيرة لسيراميكا الذي اعترض أيضا مطالبًا بركلة جزاء، وبالفعل عاد الحكم للفار لمراجعة لقطة الأخير دون احتساب شيء.
كذلك أيضًا شهدت المباراة اعتراضًا من لاعبي الأهلي بعد تسديدة محمود تريزيجيه الذي طالب باحتساب هدف ثان بعد تخطي الكرة خط المرمى، لكن الحكم رفض احتسابها مؤكدًا أن محمد بسام سيطر عليها قبل أن تعبر الخط.
Nottingham Forest have submitted an offer for a “superb” player, who is now pushing for a move to the City Ground, according to a report.
Nottingham Forest eyeing new signings amid Gibbs-White saga
Having already lost Anthony Elanga this summer, it would be a blow for Forest if Morgan Gibbs-White were to move on too, but there has now been a twist in the ongoing transfer saga.
It has emerged that Gibbs-White hasn’t travelled with the squad for the start of the pre-season tour in Portugal, although Forest have stated the reason isn’t transfer-related, while Ola Aina has revealed that his teammate is still maintaining professionalism.
Nottingham Forest's MorganGibbs-Whitecelebrates scoring their first goal with a shirt in support of their injured teammate Taiwo Awoniyi
Aina said: “He’s keeping it professional; I don’t know the ins and outs of that. He was here today, playing, and he’s training, keeping fit as normal.
“At the end of the day, we’re all professionals – we’ve got a job to do and that’s what Morgan is doing right now. He’s keeping it professional.”
Nuno Espirito Santo will be faced with the very difficult task of finding a replacement for the attacking midfielder, should he move on, while the manager is also keen to bolster his options in defence, and there has now been a new update on the pursuit of RCD Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo.
According to a report from Marca (via Sport Witness), Nottingham Forest submitted an improved offer for Maffeo over the weekend, increasing their proposal to €5m plus €1.5m in bonuses, around £6m in total.
The La Liga club do not plan to accept Forest’s most recent bid, as they are looking to receive €8m (£7m), which Forest are hesitant to pay, meaning the deal could be at a standstill.
Nottingham Forest to advance deal to sign "incredible" £25m ace this week
Nottingham Forest are ready to progress with a deal to sign a Premier League player who has many admirers.
ByBrett Worthington Jul 21, 2025
However, the player himself is seemingly very keen on a move, with the 28-year-old said to be putting on the pressure, and he hopes Nuno’s side are able to finalise a deal quickly.
"Superb" Maffeo could be solid Nottingham Forest signing
There are signs the Spaniard could make an impact in both an attacking and defensive sense, given that he ranks in the 93rd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the 93rd percentile for clearances.
Once described as “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Argentina-born defender has been a dependable option for Mallorca across a number of seasons, most recently making 30 La Liga appearances as his side secured a 10th-placed finish.
That said, it may be very difficult for the defender to displace Aina in the starting XI, given that the former Chelsea man impressed across the 2024-25 campaign.
As such, while it would be nice to have Maffeo as a back-up option, with a Europa League campaign on the horizon, it would not be the end of the world if Forest were unable to get a deal over the line.
Newcastle exceeded expectations when winning the Carabao Cup and rolling out the carpet for the forthcoming Champions League campaign, qualifying as they did via the Premier League.
Given that Eddie Howe was forced to contend with less than fluent form in the early stages of the season as a by-product of a disappointing summer transfer window that was itself preceded by a crushing end to their 2023/24 season, missing out on Europe after Manchester United won the FA Cup, this is a truly remarkable feat.
Newcastle United manager EddieHowebefore the match
And now, during this current window, more adversity has been met. Newcastle need new forwards, but they’ve struggled to reel them in thus far.
That is, up until a breakthrough in regard to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.
Why Newcastle are signing Anthony Elanga
When Newcastle parted ways with Miguel Almiron midway through the 2024/25 campaign, it was expected they would sign a replacement.
They have needed a right-sided forward for a while, but Jacob Murphy’s incredible form has tempered the urgency over the past 12 months, having chalked up 20 goals and assists in the league alone last season.
Now, though, Elanga could provide the perfect competition, bringing a high-speed, high-energy and high-creativity style of football to Howe’s team, already so impressive in transitional sequences.
Having already seen a £45m offer knocked back, the Magpies have demonstrated their intent by returning with an improved £55m bid, with anticipation growing that their efforts will prove fruitful.
Having already missed out on a slew of top targets such as Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United are in need of some uplifting news.
They will strike gold with Elanga, who has posted 31 goal contributions across his two top-flight terms with Forest, after initially signing from Man United for £15m in 2023.
Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga
However, Elanga’s high stock doesn’t mean he automatically qualifies as the cream of Newcastle’s wide attacking crop.
Murphy and Harvey Barnes have both been exceptional for the Toon; however, Anthony Gordon would wager himself the best of the bunch.
Newcastle have hit gold with Anthony Gordon
Gordon didn’t start his Newcastle career on the firmest footing. Indeed, after forcing his way out of Everton and joining the Toon in a £45m deal back in January 2023, he played a peripheral role that lacked a potent finish over the business months of that campaign.
Anthony Gordon celebrates for Newcastle
However, he’s since come alive; now a fully-fledged Three Lions star and one of Howe’s most talented forwards, fearsome alongside the world-class Alexander Isak, Gordon is regarded as “one of the best wingers around” by retired manager Harry Redknapp.
It bears testament to his quality that even after an up-and-down year, only scoring nine goals (and providing seven assists) across 42 games, the 24-year-old has still retained the admiration of the fans and indeed potential suitors, who have circled over recent weeks.
Anthony Gordon in the Premier League
Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
35 (34)
34 (28)
Goals
11
6
Assists
10
5
Shots (on target)*
2.3 (0.9)
1.7 (0.6)
Pass completion
82%
81%
Key passes*
1.6
1.5
Big chances created
16
6
Dribbles*
1.5
1.1
Ball recoveries*
3.6
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
1.1
Duels (won)*
5.3 (49%)
4.4 (52%)
Data via Sofascore
Gordon might not have had the finest season in the world, but he showcased his high-level quality across the previous year, racking up 21 goal contributions in the Premier League and dazzling with underlying creative and physical metrics that were certainly still on show last term.
His efforts across his first full term on Tyneside saw the England international crowned the club’s Player of the Year, a talisman through an injury-hit spell that hampered Howe’s project considerably.
The goal involvements act as a neat barometer for assessment of Gordon’s talent, but his performances on the field almost defy such statistical analysis. His driven, tough and intelligent performances have made him an instrumental part of Howe’s success, especially as he’s so versatile, playing dutifully as a right-winger or even as a makeshift centre-forward.
But Gordon’s high ceiling was rubber-stamped when Liverpool came calling, the Anfield side being offered their one-time academy member as St. James’ Park sweated over compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
Ultimately, United managed to weave around any costly breaches by offloading more peripheral members of the squad – like Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh – but the fact remains that fans got a glimpse of the financial reckoning their winger is held in, with the Reds looking to strike a deal for £75m.
That figure in itself underscores Gordon’s superior value to Elanga, who could leave the City Ground for £55m, but Gordon has actually seen his stock rise higher still this year, with the £150k-per-week talent now valued at an eye-watering £100m.
His might seem over-expensive, but this is the modern market we’re talking about, and it illustrates Gordon’s reputation as being one of the most talented wingers on the continent.
Anthony Gordon
Confident in his skills, Gordon has declared himself a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, owing to his combative and electric running style, his willingness to take on his man and get stuck in during defensive phases.
Having extended his contract with Newcastle in October 2024, Howe must well and truly feel that he has hit the jackpot with this wonderful player, whose left-sided predilection will perhaps see him partner Elanga for years to come, servicing the focal Isak in the middle.
Market Movers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?
Newcastle have come a long way over the past few years, but with Howe engineering such exciting and precise signings with a regularity that eludes many of their divisional rivals, there’s every chance that the best is yet to come.
Howe's next Tonali: Newcastle preparing bid for £43m "monster"
Newcastle may need to sign a midfielder this summer.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca wasn’t hanging about when he acted swiftly to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town in a deal worth £30m.
“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.”
Those were the words Delap said upon arriving at Stamford Bridge, and he will have plenty of chances to lift titles next term.
The Blues are back among Europe’s elite and this could give Delap a perfect chance to continue his development.
The 22-year-old is a rising star, no doubt about that. Will Maresca be keen on signing even more young starlets throughout the duration to complement Delap?
How to Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for Free
Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.
ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025 Chelsea enter race to sign English sensation
Indeed, Brazilian talent Estevao is set to link up with the Blues this summer. As too is Sporting CP talent Dario Essugo.
It appears as though Maresca is keen on bringing the average age of the squad down, and it might go even lower should he succeed in signing the latest player to be linked with a move.
Southampton'sTylerDiblingcelebrates scoring their third goal
According to Caught Offside, the Blues have now entered the race to sign Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling but face competition from a wealth of sides, namely Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United.
The €60m (£51m) asking price may deter Maresca, especially considering how much the club have spent already this window.
Still only a teenager, Dibling has an extraordinarily high ceiling and may even be a bigger talent than Delap.
Why Chelsea must sign Tyler Dibling
Delap scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich last season in what was his maiden season in the top flight.
Considering the club was relegated, scoring only 36 goals all season, that’s not a bad tally. Such was Delap’s impact, his goal involvement accounted for 39% of the club’s total throughout the season.
Goals
2
Assists
0
Big chances created
3
Key passes per game
0.6
Successful dribbles per game
1.4
Shots per game
0.8
A move to Stamford Bridge will give him the chance in the Champions League, but a move for Dibling could see Chelsea sign an even bigger talent.
While Delap struggled to earn game time at City in his teenage years, Dibling is already a bona fide star despite his young age. He made his debut for the Saints aged just 17 in August 2023, having returned to the Saints after a brief spell with Chelsea U18s.
Southampton's TylerDiblingin action with AFC Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen
His breakthrough came last term. The teenager made 38 appearances in all competitions for the south coast side, scoring four goals and grabbing three assists.
Given how poor the club were in the top flight, Dibling was arguably the brightest spark, but it is unlikely he will want to play Championship football.
Hailed as a “special talent” by journalist Josh Bunting, Dibling put himself in the shop window with his displays last season.
Despite his tender years, the youngster is currently ranked in the top 19% when compared to his peers across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons (2.16) per 90 over the previous 365 days, rubberstamping his exceptional potential.
Given the talent among those divisions, this stat proves that Dibling loves getting the better of his opposite man.
The question is, will Maresca take a gamble on him this summer? If so, then a bigger talent than Delap is set to be unleashed.
A better move than Ekitike: BlueCo submit bid to sign £50m star for Chelsea
Chelsea have submitted a bid to sign a Serie A talent.
Newcastle United are enjoying some special times under Eddie Howe and they could now beat elite competition to land an in-demand player this summer, per a report.
Newcastle United look to enjoy productive summer
The Magpies are firmly in contention for a Champions League slot and will hope to rubber-stamp a place in Europe’s premier competition to boost their scope for recruiting talent this summer.
Eddie Howe has done a tremendous job in the North East and will play in the Europa Conference League at a minimum after their EFL Cup victory over Liverpool. Still, there is plenty of work to do on Tyneside.
Heading into the window, Newcastle could launch a move to sign Bryan Mbeumo following his sensational form at Brentford, even if his £60 million price-tag means they have to take stock before fully committing to the pursuit.
On the same token, the Magpies are hopeful they can beat Real Madrid to Albacete’s Christian Kofane after making contact over a potential £4 million deal that could see the Spanish champions ousted.
Heart of Midlothian striker James Wilson is another Newcastle target, following a similar trend to Kofane in the sense that they would likely be brought in as developmental players as opposed to first-team starters.
Newcastle ready to launch move to sign lead target after year-long mission
The Magpies are ready to attack the transfer market…
ByTom Cunningham May 2, 2025
Clearly, there is space for both types of profile to exist at St James’ Park, with PIF’s ambition likely to attract some of the world’s best talent alongside untapped potential from lesser-known markets.
Footballing excellence can exist in all types of climates, and Newcastle are now reportedly looking to edge Barcelona to the signing of a talented youngster from the continent of Africa.
Ryder: Newcastle look to sign wonderkid Aboubacar Maiga
According to Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder, Newcastle United want to sign Academie Africa Foot wonderkid Aboubacar Maiga, who has been likened to global superstar Lionel Messi in his homeland of Mali.
Despite Barcelona’s offer of a pre-contract agreement for the 16-year-old, he dreams of starring in England one day and thus would prefer a move to Tyneside, though he has also been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.
Newcastle United’s remaining fixtures in 2024/25
Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Amex Stadium
Chelsea (H)
St James’ Park
Arsenal (A)
Emirates Stadium
Everton (H)
St James’ Park
The attacking midfielder is also the captain of Mali’s Under-16 side and could now have a shot at life at one of the world’s elite clubs should the Magpies manage to force a deal over the line.
Admittedly, it is difficult to judge the pull of clubs as a direct comparison when it comes to youth stars, but if Newcastle were able to beat Barcelona to his signature, it would say a lot about PIF’s ambitious project in the North East.
Securing developing talent is crucial to any club with aspirations of establishing themselves as a dominant force and can also save millions down the line. Now, supporters will wait patiently to see how this one plays out, with the prospect of Newcastle shoving Barcelona to one side alive and kicking.
One player who dazzled in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night is “now looking” to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to a report.
Arsenal make history with stunning victory over Real Madrid
Mikel Arteta watched on from the sidelines as his side dominated European champions Real, in what was a statement performance from the Gunners.
Arsenal want to finalise £17m deal for Fabregas target "as soon as possible"
The former Gunners star is apparently eyeing him for Como.
By
Emilio Galantini
Apr 8, 2025
Declan Rice made all the headlines with his stunning pair of free-kicks, with makeshift striker Mikel Merino also adding to his tally of strikes this season by scoring Arsenal’s third of the contest.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
The Premier League side have placed one huge foot in the Champions League semi-finals, and Carlo Ancelotti will be debilitated for the second leg after midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the dying minutes of Real’s heavy defeat.
That being said, Los Blancos still pose a huge threat, and have made some truly historic comebacks on big nights in Europe over the last decade. Taking this into account, Arteta is definitely not counting his chickens just yet.
“I know how much work and how many decisions a lot of people have made in this football club, to live the night that we had tonight,” said a joyous Arteta after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real.
“I told them, thank you so much for making us enjoy the journey, to come here, and thank you, for me feeling so convinced that tonight we’re going to do it, and we’re going to make it happen. It was a genuine feeling because I think we are prepared to do that, and now we have to go to the Bernabeu and do it, and that will be another step.”
Alongside the likes of Rice, another key performer who’s attracted serious praise for his display against Real comes in the form of £200,000-per-week midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian has been lavished by media for his “masterclass” in front of the back four, helping to break up Real’s play and averaging an impressive 94% passing accuracy over the 90 minutes. Partey also made more tackles than any other Arsenal player bar Jurrien Timber (WhoScored), and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Thomas Partey "now looking" to leave Arsenal this summer
The 31-year-old has been very useful for Arteta this term, impressing both at both right-back and in midfield, but his contract is currently set to expire this summer as things stand.
There has been little noise regarding a potential new deal for Partey, with journalist Sergi Sole providing an update on his future in a piece for Mundo Deportivo.
Indeed, it is believed that Partey is “now looking” to leave Arsenal this summer, as he is keen to embark on a new chapter at this stage in his career, and Barcelona are thought to be his preference.
Performances like Tuesday night’s showcase why losing the African for nothing is a real blow for Arsenal, and new sporting director Andrea Berta should very seriously consider the possibility of attempting to change his mind and negotiating fresh terms.
Partey could still have a pivotal role to play and could prove a useful asset to have yet again next season, when Arteta will be hoping to end Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title.
Stats highlights from the third day’s play between England and India at Headingley
Sampath Bandarupalli22-Jun-20252:29
Why were Siraj and Prasidh ineffective?
12 of Jasprit Bumrah’s 14 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket have come away from home, the joint highest by any India bowler, alongside Kapil Dev.3 – Five-wicket hauls for Bumrah in Tests in England, the most by an India bowler. Bumrah has 42 Test wickets in England, only behind Ishant Sharma (51) and Kapil (43) among India bowlers.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Five-wicket hauls by India bowlers in Tests since the end of the 2024-25 home season, all by Bumrah. He took three five-fors in Australia. Only Anil Kumble (five between 1992 and 1994) and R Ashwin (five in 2016) have had longer streaks for India without another bowler taking a five-for.13 – Number of catches dropped off Harry Brook in Tests in the past 12 months, out of 26 chances off legal deliveries. No other batter has been let off as often in this period.Brook was dropped twice during his 99 against India in Headingley and was also caught off a no-ball.ESPNcricinfo Ltd99 – Brook became the 14th England batter to be dismissed on 99 and the first since Jonny Bairstow against South Africa at Old Trafford in 2017. Bairstow had an unbeaten 99 at the same venue against Australia in 2023.6.4 – Prasidh Krishna’s economy rate during his 3 for 128 in the first innings at Headingley – the worst in an innings for India while bowling at least 120 balls. Only five bowlers have had a higher economy rate in men’s Tests while bowling a minimum of 120 balls.4.38 – Run rate across the two first innings at Headingley, the fourth-highest in men’s Tests where both teams scored 400-plus totals.
And have England found a way to counter the extraordinary Steven Smith?
Mark Nicholas24-Jul-2023You’d be unlucky if it rained pretty much solid for two consecutive days in July, said someone. Really? In Manchester? And so it was that Clive Rice’s old barb about England having nine months of winter and three months of bad weather came to haunt Ben Stokes. This was the gods of cricket at their meanest.As Test cricket continues its fight for salvation in the face of the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut that is all things T20 and private, 2-2 going to The Oval was what any level-headed lover of the game ached for. Such anticipation is rare: most five-match Test series are done before the scheduled denouement, upon which we hear all that witless rhetoric about playing for pride when we would prefer daggers. Still, in this instance The Oval will roar its emotion. The English feel cheated, claiming their team to be better than Australia’s, and gratifyingly, more entertaining. If the weather is a cheat, they may be right. If run rate is the benchmark, they are certainly so.The England team gave itself the best chance at Old Trafford by going at a lick for the 592 total and the 275 lead. In trying to write this without mentioning the “B” word, the players have been chosen specifically for the job. Years ago, in South Africa, Graeme Hick asked the England batting coach John Edrich how best to get out of his rut. “Keep buggering on,” replied the former Surrey and England grafter, as was his special subject in the days when batting was more about occupation of the lines than bursting out of the traps. That was the tour when Michael Atherton saved the Johannesburg Test with a valiant, unbeaten 185 across two days of gunfire from Allan Donald and Company. On return to the dressing room, he was seen punching the air, a rare moment of animation from one so introverted. Atherton faced 492 balls in that defiance, balls that included the first and the last.Related
That was then, this is now for Steven Smith
Zak Crawley: 'I do doubt myself but I have to keep being me'
Pat Cummins: 'Good to retain Ashes but work to do for next week'
Ben Stokes rues Old Trafford rain after 'pretty much perfect' performance
Zak Crawley bats like no one is watching
On Thursday last, Zak Crawley opened up, and out, for England, making four more runs than Atherton in 310 fewer balls. Of course, their ambitions were very different but the point is that neither could have done the other’s job. The Lancastrian was chosen for his resilience, concentration and accomplished technical skills against the new ball; the Kentish man for his strokeplay. Perhaps the most telling of all of Stokes’ comments on selection is: “We pick teams and players for what they can do on their best days”. It is a leap of faith.This was one of Crawley’s best days. He rode both his luck and the race at hand with a splendid sense of adventure. There really was no telling what would come next. He flapped around against Mitchell Starc pre-lunch and panned him into the bleachers post. He treated Pat Cummins like a medium-pacer, Josh Hazelwood like a has-been, and Travis Head as an imposter. If only the great Ted Dexter was still with us to rejoice. Ted loved Crawley’s batting and the reasons make for good reading.
Zak sets up to attack and is therefore, in theory at least, in the best position to defend when required.
His best form has come when he plays the ball alongside his body, a detail he should pursue always.
He has a clear idea of the way in which he wants to play whatever is in front of him. This suggests a strong mind.
He appears completely unfazed by the opponent and therefore plays the ball, not the man. This is not so easy as it sounds.
On the outside, it appears as if he doesn’t much care what others think. Ted loved that.
In fact, it’s all quite Dexter. Richie Benaud used to say similar things about Norman O’Neill, the brilliant Australian batter of the 1960s. At the time, the two of them stood out: both tall and powerful right-handers whose games were based on an organised technique and a complete lack of fear. When they walked to the wicket, the spectators took their seats. There is no greater compliment. It will apply to Crawley now.In the face of criticism and the many feeble digs about the Kent opener being the luckiest England cricketer to have retained his place in the team, he has had to look within. His father, Terry, once said, “My dad was the toughest man I ever knew until I met my son.” Aha, so that fresh, boyish face is a disguise. And if you don’t trust his dad, ask the England dressing room; there are no cheap shots at him in there.It is not easy to stick with a method that is publicly scrutinised and frequently criticised. But having tinkered a little with his footwork along the way, he has done so and now has 385 runs in the series. Some innings that might not have seemed much have meant a great deal, not least the start at Edgbaston when he creamed the first ball of the match through extra cover and went on to 61 without raising a sweat. There have been other accomplished 30s and 40s against a fine new-ball attack that critics then complain about when he “nicks off”.Steve Smith hasn’t been at his best in this series, but expect some big runs from him at The Oval•Getty ImagesOf course, if you get in, you should go on. But if only it were that simple. The mindset of the current England players is for the moment, not its future. There were little somethings of Ian Botham’s two great, freewheeling 1981 innings in Crawley’s buccaneering assault on the Australian attack. It is an approach that all of us on the outside should buy into as enthusiastically as those on the inside. We continue to live, and judge, in a world pre-Stokes and McCullum, but we must awake to the zeitgeist.Somewhere in approach between the Atherton trot and the Crawley gallop is Steven Smith’s canter. Smith averages 58.56 in Test matches – a rare dip, he has been 60 and more for the most part. It is a number nothing short of mind-blowing once you have looked anywhere other than the Don Bradman page. He began as a legbreak bowler and No. 7 batter. They said he was the next Shane Warne; it turns out he was the next Bradman. This is a guy who concentrates like Atherton and can take you apart like Crawley. He can mark time or push on; defend gallantly or attack with venom. He is not one for the aesthetics but neither is his play unattractive. Rather, it is a fascination.Were you asked how many teams Smith had played for in his career at the top level, you might say six or seven. It is nearer 20. He has been from New South Wales to Worcestershire and Sussex and back again via Toronto, Antigua and Barbados, Bangalore, Rajasthan, Kochi, Delhi and many more. He is wedded to the game, one-dimensional perhaps but no worse a team man for that. In Australia he’d be known as a cricket tragic, which is mainly a compliment.At Lord’s, Smith peeled off a Smith classic – all angles and gaps and fidgets and squawks. He cover-drove better than ever, occasionally cut square, and otherwise manoeuvred the ball to the leg side with dancing feet and contorted wrists. He defies lbw like it was a law for everyone else, walking deliberately across his stumps and standing right there in front of all three as if it were French not Anglo-Australian cricket he was playing. Come to think of it, you could read Bradman’s The Art of Cricket and wonder if the Don and Smithy were even at the same game. For certain, they are two of the strongest minds to have played the game.England fans can take heart that their team has played entertaining cricket throughout the summer•Getty ImagesHas anyone ever batted like Smith before? Will anyone? Does he have the best hand-eye coordination of them all? Can it last forever? At both Headingley and Old Trafford, he has looked fallible. Is this simply the fading of the light or are we witnessing an unravelling? Have England found a way to counter this extraordinary, unorthodox talent?Some yeses and no’s there. Mark Wood trapped him lbw the other day, then bounced him out in the second dig. At Headingley, he nicked off against Stuart Broad and walked off embarrassed against Moeen Ali after a miscalculated chip into the hands of the man at midwicket. Four very different outs.England are right to bowl gun-barrel straight at Smith and pack the leg side. Heaven knows why everyone hasn’t been at it for years. Given the extreme trigger movements and the fact that he ends up in front of all three, lbw has to be brought into play. One former captain told me they didn’t dare bowl too straight because he picked them off so easily. I guess it depends who “they” are. A strength is invariably a weakness too. Stokes has posted fielders in both old-fashioned places (leg slip and gully) and new-fashioned places (square leg and midwicket sweepers, short mid-on, short square leg, short, fine third man) and Smith has had to adapt. By definition, the tactics have worked to good effect.Occasionally – Wood in the first innings at Old Trafford, for example – the England bowlers have switched to wide of off stump, drawing Smith across almost to fourth stump in his final position of guard. Upon which Wood zoomed in on middle and off and trapped his man. Given out by review, Smith looked perplexed not so much by the decision as by the place at which the replay showed his feet to be.This needed Wood’s fierce pace to be effective – remember Jofra Archer against him four years ago and imagine Harold Larwood thundering in to Bradman – because even a player this good is wary of looking to get back into the ball by edging forward, in case the skidding bouncer is up next. When we all bang on about the brilliant cricket we have seen in the series, such vignettes drive our excitement. Finding ways to outsmart Australia’s prolific No. 4 are uppermost in the minds of all opponents. Random hook shots have cost his wicket in this series; the bouncer is now on the list of options.Smith will come to The Oval bloodied but by no means beaten. Generally, with the true bounce it is a good place for batters, so he may well be licking his lips. This is not yet the fading of the light, not at 34 years and with energy to spare. It is reasonable to assume no one before has batted quite like him and worth adding how we will miss the often bizarre idiosyncrasies when they have gone.Right now, Smith is not listed in the top five run-scorers of the series. Expect that to be corrected in South London. Crawley, it is worth repeating, is top of that list. Don’t change a thing, Zak.
All the stats from the second day’s play of the first England-India Test in Nottingham
Sampath Bandarupalli05-Aug-202137.3 Overs batted by Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, the most by an opening pair for India in Tests outside Asia since 2008. Four of India’s top five longest opening partnerships outside Asia in this period came in 2021.97 Opening stand between Sharma and Rahul, the second-highest opening partnership for India in Test matches in England since 1980. Only Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik pair had a higher partnership, 147 in 2007, also in Nottingham.Sharma and Rahul’s partnership is the highest for the first wicket by a visiting pair in England since Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva’s 108-run stand in 2016 at Lord’s.It is also the second-highest opening stand in Tests by any team in the last five English seasons. Rory Burns and Dom Sibley’s 114 against West Indies in Manchester is the highest in this period.ESPNcricinfo Ltd454 Balls faced by Virat Kohli against James Anderson between his last two dismissals against the veteran pacer in Test cricket. The last time Kohli got out to Anderson before his golden duck in Nottingham was during the 2014 Manchester Test. Anderson has dismissed Kohli on six occasions in Test cricket so far, including twice for a duck.22 Balls faced by India’s No. 3 (Cheteshwar Pujara), No. 4 (Kohli) and No. 5 (Ajinkya Rahane) collectively in the first innings. Only twice did India’s No. 3, 4 and 5 faced fewer balls in a Test innings since 2000. Pujara, Kohli and Rahane lasted only eight balls in the second innings of the 2018 Melbourne Test while Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly collectively faced only 14 balls in the first innings of the 2008 Galle Test.9 Ducks, including three on the first ball, for Kohli as a Tests captain, the most by an Indian captain in this format. Four of Kohli’s nine ducks as Test skipper came while playing against England, including three in 2021.