The Newcastle fans in and around the Transfer Tavern are optimistic for next season, despite there being a lack of transfer activity in and out the club this summer so far.
Rafa Benitez has proven his worth to the board but thus far hasn’t been rewarded with any new players. If Newcastle want to achieve another 10th place finish or even higher, they need to entrust Benitez with significant funds to strengthen his squad. The current squad have reached their maximum capabilities and now our punters deem it necessary for the Magpies to target new, hungry players like Ollie Watkins, who is valued at £3.1 million on Transfermarkt.
The Brentford forward produced some eye-catching performances in his first season for the Championship side since arriving from Exeter. Watkins managed 10 goals and 5 assists during his 45 league appearances, only missing one game which shows just how vital he was for Brentford in achieving a 9th place finish. Newcastle could certainly be the team to ensure another lower league player has made the top flight and seeing as Kenedy has gone back to parent club Chelsea, Watkins has the potential to equal at least the quality the Brazilian showed when on-loan with the Magpies.
The Englishman has pace to burn, good crossing ability and adds versatility to the front line seeing as Ollie Watkins can play on either side, upfront as the main man or an attacking midfielder role. Newcastle should look to the 22-year-old as a player with great potential and one they must sign this summer.
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There was such a vast chasm in performance between Arsenal and Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final that it feels almost futile to document the numerous differences between the two sides, but one of the most crucial was the frequency in which they won the ball back.Indeed, just seven Arsenal players made tackles on Sunday, just three made more than one and none made more than two.
While that’s partly a consequence of Arsene Wenger’s containment tactics, it’s still a glaringly modest return for a side who set out to produce the perfect rearguard display and hit Pep Guardiola’s team on the counter-attack. When Arsenal famously beat City 2-0 at the Eithad in 2015, a style of performance they hoped to replicate in the Carabao Cup final, the Gunners made twelve more tackles and 24 more interceptions – winning the ball back 36 more times.
A damning gap and the obvious difference between the two Arsenal teams is how Sunday’s lacked a genuine ball winner in the engine room. Whereas Francis Coquelin produced one of his best performances for the Gunners at the Etihad three years ago, Wenger elected a midfield of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka in the cup final – three talented players in possession, but often ineffectual without it.
Following Coquelin’s departure to Valencia, the closest Arsenal now have to a ball-winner is Mohamed Elneny, but his all-round quality leaves much to be desired. It’s more a case of him being willing to undertake those duties rather than actually excelling at them.
And thus, adding the Premier League’s top ball-winner to Arsenal’s squad is a logical solution. That title currently belongs to Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, who has made the most tackles of any player in the division this season and ranks joint-first throughout Europe (excepting Bruno Zuculini who has just left Hellas Verona for River Plate) for tackles per match as well, his only rival at 4.1 challenges each game being Atletico Madrid’s much-revered left-back Felipe Luis.
Players of Ndidi’s mould are certainly coming back into style, too. A few years ago, occupying space and anticipating play with interceptions was the real art of the defensive midfield trade. But amid an era in which counter-attacks reign supreme and dynamism is required in practically every position, a more classical breed of ball-winner has really come to the fore; the Nigerian international belongs in a similar bracket to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate, City’s Fernandinho and Everton’s Idrissa Gueye – defensive-minded midfielders who also add energy into the game and seek the ball more proactively, often high up the pitch, than to the likes of Sergio Busquets or John Obi Mikel.
But Ndidi knows how to hold ground and provide a screen in front of the defence too, something Arsenal also painfully lack. Gunners defenders are often harshly criticised and in some instances rightly so, but it’s easily forgotten they have amongst the toughest job of any backline in the Premier League because there’s such little protection in front of them. Few defences are so readily and easily exposed, especially on the counter.
Ndidi though can be that extra layer of protection; he’s won the most aerial duels of any Premier League midfielder this season, easing the burden on his centre-backs, and committed the most fouls – while that may not win Arsenal the ball back and can lead to dangerous set pieces at times, it also vitally slows down the opposition on the counter.
Arsenal are without a player prepared to take such pragmatic steps to stopping the opposition from breaking; tellingly, only three Gunners players have averaged more than one foul per match this term – Xhaka, Ramsey and Kolasinac.
That’s not to suggest Ndidi’s game is perfect, and what will concern Wenger particularly is his pass success rate this season – just 76%. Fluidity in midfield is an integral part of Arsenal’s philosophy and even if the deepest-lying midfielder isn’t necessarily contributing to that by taking a more passive role in possession, he must at the very least be consistent on the ball. That side of Ndidi’s game requires obvious improvement, although apologists will argue Leicester’s direct passing style has skewed that statistic somewhat.
But aged 22, boasting 18 months of experience in English football and a fixture on the international scene with Nigeria, the potential is certainly there for the 14-cap international to quickly improve. He’s got age on his side and is being regularly exposed to top-level football on two different fronts, so the next few years could see Ndidi really flourish. And if he rediscovers last season’s scoring touch, thrice netting across all competitions with some incredible long-range finishes, he’ll only be more of an asset for a club of Arsenal’s calibre.
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In terms of signing Ndidi this summer though, Arsenal may have their work cut out. Transfermarkt value him at £16.2million but Leicester could easy demand more than double that sum as his contract doesn’t expire until 2022, and the King Power Stadium outfit will be reluctant to lose a second key midfielder in the same transfer window with Riyad Mahrez’s summer departure now seemingly inevitable. But because Ndidi is so young, he could prove worth the investment in the long-term, should he inject vital ball-winning ability and balance into this Arsenal side.
So, Gunners fans, would you back a swoop for the Foxes ace? Let us know by voting below…
Although Radamel Falcao stole the big headlines on transfer deadline day, the man he replaced at Manchester United should not be forgotten. Arsenal pounced to take advantage of the situation by snapping up Danny Welbeck in a £16m deal, and his two goal haul for England last night has kicked off genuine worry among some Red Devils supporters and football experts that Louis van Gaal has let a good one get away.
So will United regret flogging Welbeck to one of their rivals despite the big fee? Here are FIVE reasons we at FFC Towers think they may…
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Football – West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United – Barclays Premier League – The Hawthorns – 8/3/14Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring their third goalMandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex MortonLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your acco
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Goals…
In his one start since making his deadline day move, Welbeck has managed two goals. Impressive, right? Yes. In a high pressure environment the versatile forward found the all important efforts to ensure that England’s EURO 2016 qualification process got off to a good start – albeit the first came off of his shin…
Welbeck was never been a prolific marksman for United – he averaged less than a goal every three games – but with a massive chunk of his game time having been served from a wide role, the stats can be misleading. Arsene Wenger looks set to use the 23-year-old as a centre-forward given Olivier Giroud’s injury woes, which could allow him the opportunities he missed out on under Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes.
Potential
At 23, Welbeck has the best years of his career ahead of him. But despite this he’s vastly experienced at club and international level, which would appear to give him much scope for improvement.
Daniel Sturridge found himself in a similar role to Chelsea at a similar age, and his move to Liverpool has paid dividends. Welbeck may also be moved into his favoured role, and with a little confidence his form could elevated and the goals could flood into his fine all-round game.
Home grown
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In an era where foreign imports are the trend, home grown stars are becoming ever important (just ask Manchester City). In selling Welbeck, United have lost a player born and raised in the city and schooled in the art of being a Manchester United player in their academy. Although the numbers in squads may not be a real worry given the amount of player the Red Devils have produced, the loss of a local lad – which has been slammed by former members of United’s hierarchy – could be a major blow in the coming years.
Experts think it’s a mistake
Football – Milton Keynes Dons v Manchester United – Capital One Cup Second Round – Stadium MK – 26/8/14Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck looks dejected at the end of the matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex MortonLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your
Even the footballing experts think United have dropped a clanger in letting Welbeck leave. The increasingly vocal Paul Scholes used his Independent column to voice his frustrations, while David Beckham has also spoken out to suggest that Arsenal have got themselves a gem of a player.
The latest figure to wade in is England hero Terry Butcher, who told talkSPORT this morning that he thinks United will “regret” their decision:
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“Man United will regret selling Danny Welbeck to Arsenal, he’s got blistering pace, is a good team player and finishes very well.
“The way Arsenal play, and the chances they’ll give him, will make Man United regret their decision.
“He’s enjoying his football at the moment. Arsene Wenger must be purring because it is a superb piece of business.”
Versatility
Football – England Media Day – 2014 FIFA World Cup Training Camp – Vale Do Lobo Resort, Portugal – 21/5/14England’s Danny WelbeckMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Perhaps an Achilles heel for Welbeck in some ways, his versatility is of use to those who manage him. Most confortable, but often not used, as a centre-forward, the attacker is also capable of playing from either flank thanks to his pace and can operate as a deeper lying forward.
United are currently adapting their system, but should LVG change his approach, the options Welbeck would have given him could be much needed. Arsenal are known for their fluid approach, which could see the England international pop up anywhere in the final third.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insisted he was happy with his team’s 2-0 Premier League win over Wigan, despite the below par performance of his side.
The Sky Blues came away from the scrappy affair with all three points after some tactical tinkering from the Italian.
He brought off star striker Sergio Aguero for full-back Aleksandar Kolarov in what initially appeared to be a defensive move.
However, City went on to take the lead and eventually the win.
Mancini explained his reasoning for his decision after the game and praised his team for grinding out a positive result:
“Wigan play with three defenders and two in the channels. I wanted to put players in the same positions as them and when we changed it, we scored the first goal. After that, the match changed.” He told SkySports.
“I am happy. We didn’t play very well in the first half, we know Wigan are a good team. They play good football. We knew this before the game.
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“When we have played against Wigan it has been a difficult match because they play very well.”
Mario Balotelli gave the champions the lead after showing persistence in the Wigan area, before James Milner smashed home a second late on.
According to a report by Turkish media outlet Sabah on June 23, Leicester City have launched a €12m (£10.5m) offer for Besiktas centre-back Domagoj Vida, and Championship side Birmingham City should be watching developments closely.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Sabah report that the Foxes are keen to bring the 29-year-old defender to the King Power Stadium this summer, and they have lodged a bid in order to try and beat Premier League rivals West Ham United, Everton and Fulham to his signature.
The Croatian, who is currently starring alongside Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren at the heart of his nation’s defence at the 2018 World Cup, only joined the Turkey giants during the January transfer window, but Sabah report that he could be set to leave already.
Should Vida link up with Claude Puel’s men he would likely line up alongside England ace Harry Maguire in the backline, and his arrival in the east Midlands would surely push captain Wes Morgan closer to the exit door.
Why should Birmingham be monitoring the situation?
Well, while the Blues have decent centre-back options with the likes of skipper Michael Morrison, Harlee Dean and Marc Roberts, Monk will always be looking to improve his squad and it would be difficult to see how Morgan wouldn’t be a great addition for them if he became available.
It is only just over two years since he captained the Foxes to the Premier League title, and while he is 34 years of age there is no doubt that he could be a big hit for them in what could be a crucial Championship campaign for the club.
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The Jamaica international would bring some real strength, steel and vital experience to the Birmingham backline, and it could be vital to have a leader like him in the spine of the XI if City, who would be making their best signing in years if they snap up a 19-year-old World Cup starlet, are aiming for the play-offs in the upcoming season.
Bristol City threw away another comfortable lead as they slipped up in the race to secure a playoffs spot in the Championship, and City’s fans were not best pleased at the team’s continued inability to hold a lead.Having taken the lead through Famara Diedhiou and Bobby Reid goals within the first 20 minutes, Bristol missed the opportunity to move level on points with fifth placed Fulham as Pierre-Michel Lasogga and then Kemar Roofe brought Leeds level in the game’s final stages.City gaffer Lee Johnson accepted that tactics probably played a part in his side’s capitulation in the final stages, but refused to criticise his players.He said:”We dropped too deep in the second half. I won’t chastise my players and in the end we could have lost it.”We’re still a young group and work in progress – coming to an atmosphere like this will help them learn.”The club’s fans were somewhat less sympathetic towards their players. Here is a selection of their Twitter responses…https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/twitter-report-1.mp4
Like Johnson, fans said that Bristol’s strategy at the end of the game led to their undoing. Lasogga’s goal came from a cross and fans thought their side sat back too deep and narrow in the second half.
Regardless of Calum Chambers’ recent £16million arrival, Arsenal desperately need to add a centre-back to their squad before deadline day.Former captain Thomas Vermaelen left for Barcelona earlier this month, and although he hasn’t been integral to the first team over the last few seasons, the Belgium international leaves a major hole in the Gunners’ squad depth.The summer transfer window may have entered it’s final stages but there are still some options out there for Arsene Wenger to consider.And being the lovely bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve listed SIX centre-halves the north Londoners could realistically sign between now and September 1st.
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WINSTON REID
Football – West Ham United v Sampdoria – Pre Season Friendly – Upton Park – 14/15 – 9/8/14Winston Reid – West Ham UnitedMandatory Credit: Action Images / Tony O’BrienEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
It’s becoming less and less likely that Winston Reid will extend his contract at West Ham, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, and speculation this morning suggests Arsenal are already planning to take advantage:
The 26 year-old may be no world-beater but he’s been incredibly consistent since the East Londoners returned to the Premier League in summer 2012, claiming the Hammer of the Year award the twelve months later. He was in prominent form at the start of last term too, leading him to be linked with an Emirates switch ahead of the January 2014 transfer window. Here’s a look at his stats from the campaign:
A move failed to materialise due to the New Zealand skipper being sidelined with an ankle injury, and by no great coincidence, West Ham’s league form tanked in his absence. The 6 foot 3 centre-back is more rugged than your average Arsenal defender but he’s a reliable performer, proven at Premier League level, who would fit into the hierarchy of the Emirates squad well. Here’s a look at the All Whites captain in action:
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Toby Alderweireld
Toby Alderweireld was strongly linked with an Arsenal move last summer, having clearly outgrown his surroundings at Ajax after winning three consecutive Eredivisie titles. The Belgium international went on to join Atletico Madrid instead, but their sensational rise to the La Liga title and the 2014 Champions League final saw him make just ten league starts last season. But Alderweireld is certainly a talented defender – he produced solid displays when called upon by the Mattress Makers last season and also impressed for his country at the World Cup, as viewable below:
A product of Ajax’s total football academy, Alderweireld comes with an impressive all-round game. He’s technically sound and versatile too, regularly featuring at right-back for Belgium and in midfield during his Amsterdam Arena days. Here’s a look at him in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RFL2-xH2cis?rel=0
The 6 foot 2 centre-back-come-full-back has already made known his intentions to leave Vincente Calderon via his father, and it’s believed the Spanish champions have set an asking price of £10million. Arsenal have unsurprisingly been linked again but West Ham and Spurs have also emerged as potential suitors:Â
FEDERICO FAZIO
Football – SL Benfica v Sevilla – UEFA Europa League Final – Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy – 13/14 – 14/5/14Federico Fazio – Sevilla Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Matthew ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Another La Liga option for the Gunners to consider is Sevilla star Federico Fazio, who has been linked with a wealth of Premier League sides over the last 12 months in no small part due to an incredibly enticing £8million release clause.
Despite not making Albiceleste’s World Cup squad, the Argentina international was a vital factor in Los Palanganos claiming the Europa League title last season, as viewable below:
The 27 year-old measures in at whopping 6 foot 5 but also offers quality in possession, with defensive midfield considered to be his secondary position. Thus, many have labelled him as a potential like-for-like understudy to Per Mertesacker.
Oh, and don’t mess with him, or he’ll punch you in the stomach:
But if the Gunners want to land Fazio’s signature they’ll have to act quickly; rumours over the last week suggest he’s on the verge of joining North London rivals Tottenham:
FABIAN SCHAR
Football – Argentina v Switzerland – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Second Round – Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil – 1/7/14Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action with Switzerland’s Fabian ScharMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason CairnduffLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
With Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny undoubtedly Arsene Wenger’s first choice at the heart of defence, it would make sense for the Gunners gaffer to invest in a young centre-half who won’t immediately command a plethora of game-time.
Enter FC Basel prodigy Fabian Schar, who is quickly emerging as one of Europe’s most sought after youngsters. Statistically, the Switzerland international was the best defender in the Champions League last season, as detailed below:
And his World Cup performances weren’t too bad either, making eight interceptions during two outings at Brazil 2014.
The 22 year-old comes with an interesting knack for scoring goals. He takes penalties for Bebbi and once netted this astounding strike during his FC Wil days:
Schar epitomises the growing trend of front-footed centre-backs, complimenting his all-action defensive style with quality and composure on the ball. He’s even played in midfield on occasion for Basel, which should make him perfect for Arsenal’s progressive style.
He’s been linked with Arsenal already this summer but recent speculation suggests Tottenham are significantly closer to landing his signature:
BENEDIKT HOWEDES
Football – Germany v Ghana – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 21/6/14Benedikt Howedes celebrates after Miroslav Klose (not pictured) scored the second goal for GermanyMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jed LeicesterLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
One prime transfer opportunity that’s come Arsenal’s way in the last month is German World Cup winner Benedikt Howedes, who recently revealed his desire to play in a different league:
Despite being labelled his country’s weak link, the Schalke captain produced impressive form at Brazil 2014, as detailed below:
Here’s some of his highlights from the World Cup campaign:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DE4LYksdMEA?rel=0
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The 6 foot 2 defender isn’t the fastest but proved his ability to play at full-back to a high level during the tournament and that versatility would seriously strengthen Arsene Wenger’s options in defence.
The 26 year-old is known to be on Arsenal’s radar, but he’s got three years left on his Veltins Arena contract and after loaning out Kyriakos Papadopoulos to Bayer Leverkusen, it could take a sizeable offer to convince the Miners to sell.
KOSTAS MANOLAS
This “Man” definitely can star for Arsenal
Arsene Wenger distanced himself from rumoured target Kostas Manolas last week but rumours linking the Greek international with an Emirates switch just won’t die:
In fact, they’ve been further amplified by the defender’s absence during Olympiakos’ season opener against Niki Volou on Saturday.
Arsenal’s alleged interest stems from an impressive World Cup campaign where the 23 year-old featured in every minute for his country and produced strong form throughout, as detailed below:
He was equally eye-catching in last term’s Champions League tournament, where he netted twice in seven appearances:
Manolas is strong, quick and composed on the ball, making him an ideal fit for Arsenal’s possession-based style. Here’s a look at the 6 foot 1 defender’s highlights from Brazil 2014:
//www.youtube.com/embed/zRU63idhLP8?rel=0
Allegedly available for just £6.5million, Manolas could prove to be a major coup. But there are reports that he’ll turn down at Gunners move due to a lack of assurances over first team football.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that he has set himself a target of achieving 15 Premier League goals this season, as he aims to fire the Gunners to success.
The former Montpellier ace has started to hit some form of late scoring his 6th goal of the season against Fulham on the weekend.
However, the French centre forward feels it is important that he pushes on his individual game and starts hitting the back of the net more often.
The £12 million signing feels that he has settled into a rhythm and that he can help the fans forget about the influence of Robin Van Persie by having a similar impact of his own.
Giroud spoke to the Daily Mirror adding: “Last year, I scored 21 goals in the league and only one of them was with my head, but it’s true that I’m getting a lot more crosses here.
“I’m trying to build an understanding with my new team-mates and we are getting to know each other more and more.
“I’d be happy to get between 12 and 15 goals in the league this season. I am confident about my qualities.
“I never give up. When I didn’t score at the beginning of the season, I stayed confident, and I always work on my mind and my game. So it’s not a surprise for me.
“But I want to play a lot of good games and to win a lot of games with my new club. I have to score and to continue.”
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England decline to enforce follow-on after remarkable maiden hundred sets up 231-run lead
Andrew Miller30-Aug-2024Gus Atkinson’s magnificent maiden Test century set the tone for another dominant England performance at Lord’s.By the end of a second day that had begun with England sitting pretty on 358 for 7 in their first innings, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were back out there in their second, nudging the lead along to an already imposing 256. Pope, in need of a score after 13 runs in his first three innings as captain, endured a handful of jitters but endured to the close unscathed, after Dan Lawrence had been given out on review for 7, England’s only truly duff note of the day.In between whiles, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 196 in 55.3 overs, a first-innings deficit of 231, having relied once more on the indomitable skills of Kamindu Mendis to haul them out of a familiar top-order tail-spin.By the time he was last man out for a punchy 74 from 120 balls, Kamindu had rescued his side from a nadir of 118 for 7 – and briefly lifted his remarkable Test average back above 100 – with his sixth fifty-plus score in only eight Test innings. However, none of his colleagues could manage more than Dinesh Chandimal’s 23 and, with more than three days remaining on a pitch that is already showing signs of turn, England never gave the follow-on any serious consideration.While it lasted though, Kamindu’s latest onslaught was proof of the spirit that still courses through this Sri Lanka team, even in the midst of another desperate display. On his watch, a previously dominant England attack were given the run-around by an innings containing eight fours and three sixes, one which flew through the window of the MCC Committee Room, and another which left a spectator by the pavilion steps needing treatment for a painful, but thankfully non-serious, blow to the head.Olly Stone dismissed two of Sri Lanka’s top-three on Test return•AFP/Getty Images
Until his intervention, Sri Lanka’s performance had been every bit as off-colour as their dreadful display on the third day of the first Test at Old Trafford. Then, as now, their foothold in the contest came loose during a muddled morning with the ball, with Atkinson the prime beneficiary as he converted his overnight 74 not out into a sublime 103-ball hundred. It was the first of his professional career, and the first by a designated England No.8 or lower since Stuart Broad’s 169 on this same ground against Pakistan in 2010.Despite having had the chance, overnight, to overthink his opportunity, Atkinson’s cool head proved to be almost as remarkable as the feat itself. Just as had been the case on his debut against West Indies in July, when Atkinson had earned himself a total of three honours-board entries with five-fors in each innings and 12 wickets in the match – the prospect of another remarkable slice of Lord’s history could not faze him in the slightest.Facing up to a ball that was only eight overs old, Atkinson launched his day with back-to-back boundaries as Kumara strayed either side of the wicket, and though he was then given out lbw by Paul Reiffel third-ball, the collective groan of the Lord’s crowd quickly turned to cheers as Atkinson’s review showed the ball to be missing leg.From then on, there was no stopping him. Milan Rathnayake offered him another leg-stump freebie, tickled through fine leg, and having powered through to 99 with another pull and a drive off the erratic Kumara, Atkinson needed just three more balls – compared to Joe Root’s 12 on day one – before another firm and focussed push through long-off landed him his milestone from just 103 balls, the sixth-fastest century in a Lord’s Test.Kamindu Mendis was at the centre of Sri Lanka’s resistance again•Getty Images
Atkinson’s disbelieving smile as he saluted all four corners of the ground was the only slight hint that this was no ordinary day out. Matthew Potts, who had played a key role in an 85-run stand for the eighth wicket, fell soon afterwards as Asitha was belatedly called into the attack to strike with a third-ball outswinger.Sri Lanka soon reverted to a short-ball tactic, which initially suited Atkinson fine as he thrashed two more fours behind square off Asitha. But, in his attempt to dump the same bowler into the Grandstand, he finally came a cropper, courtesy of a wonderfully timed leap from Rathnayake at deep midwicket, who dived towards the rope – feet in the air – to cling on over his shoulder and end a mighty innings.And though the bumper ploy wasn’t the best use of Asitha’s merits, he did at least land a deserved moment of personal glory when Stone swung through another short ball to pick out deep fine leg for 15. With figures of 5 for 102, that made him the first Sri Lanka bowler to claim five wickets at Lord’s since Rumesh Ratnayake in 1991.That left Sri Lanka with a tricky 45 minutes to negotiate before the break, and for the third innings in a row, Nishan Madushka wasn’t up to the task. He should have fallen for a duck in Woakes’ second over when Jamie Smith failed to react to a snick that Root couldn’t reach at first slip, but he had made just 7 – his highest score of the series – when Woakes instead found an inside-edge onto his stumps.Then, in the final over of the session, Stone capped his return to the side with his first Test wicket in three long years, by inducing another inside-edge, this time off Dimuth Karunaratne, who wrecked his own stumps as his poor series continued with 7 from 26 balls.Forty minutes and five balls later, Stone had his second. Pathum Nissanka, who could have been run out on 3 by Dan Lawrence’s instinctive shy from short leg, instead fell for 12 as he aimed a gullible flick off the toes and picked out Potts, stationed for that precise shot at leg slip.Angelo Mathews and Chandimal, two of the mainstays of Sri Lanka’s fightback at Old Trafford, picked up the pieces in a fourth-wicket stand of 48. But into the attack came Potts, who was excellent if under-rewarded in the second innings of that first Test.With a relentless stump-to-stump line, allied to a hint of each-way movement, Potts duly struck with the first ball of his fourth over, as Mathews was turned inside-out by one that nipped round his edge and into the top of off. Then, three balls later, Dhananjaya de Silva was caught for a duck, off the splice at second slip by another ball that straightened off the pitch, and Kamindu’s innings had barely begun when Chandimal, looking tentative after another blow to his injured thumb, flicked weakly off his toes to Lawrence at leg gully to leave the innings in tatters on 87 for 6.Thereafter, however, England didn’t find the going quite so easy. Rathnayake, like Atkinson, is flushed with confidence after his unlikely batting heroics at Old Trafford, and he launched his own innings with 14 runs from four balls before Woakes returned to the attack to snick him off for 19, with Smith completing a fine diving take.England then turned to spin, with Shoaib Bashir – finally given a spell at Lord’s after going unused in the West Indies Test – settling into an excellent rhythm before prising out Jayasuriya for a previously resolute 8 from 46 balls, as he finally lost patience to be bowled through the gate on the charge.Kamindu then got a life on 62 at Root, at deep square leg, made a hash of a top-edged pull off Stone and, with sturdy support from Kumara, whose 22-ball duck ended with a direct-hit run-out from Pope, he set about restoring a veneer of respectability. Atkinson, however, lured him into one too many liberties to finish his day on the high it had deserved. By the close, and even allowing for Lawrence’s latest disappointment as a makeshift opener, it didn’t look like changing the destiny of this match, or this series.
Alex Davies, Rob Yates fire chase of 147 before Ben Raine gives Durham a glimmer
ECB Reporters Network20-Jun-2023Jacob Bethell held his nerve under pressure in the final over to guide Birmingham Bears to a two-wicket victory over Durham in a thriller at Seat Unique Riverside, keeping the visitors on top of the Vitality Blast North Group.The Bears were miserly with the ball after winning the toss. Hasan Ali was excellent at the top of the order and collected figures of 2-15 from his four overs, while Danny Briggs also claimed two strikes. Ollie Robinson and Ashton Turner notched fifties, but Durham’s total of 146 for 5 looked short of par at the interval.Alex Davies and Rob Yates led an explosive start to the Bears’ chase, sharing an opening stand of 80 to put the visitors ahead of the rate. But, Nathan Sowter continued his impressive campaign with two wickets to halt the Birmingham charge. Ben Raine then set nerves jangling with two in two in the 17th over and he performed heroics again with the same feat in the 19th.The game turned again when Bethell held his composure from the final over to smash a six and a four in back-to-back balls to steer Birmingham over the one with three balls to spare, edging them closer to a quarter-final berth.After Graham Clark scored three early boundaries, Durham’s momentum was halted by losing both openers within three balls. Chris Woakes made the breakthrough on his return as Alex Lees was undone by a slower delivery before Clark was bowled by Hasan.Hasan produced a brilliant spell with the new ball, bowling three overs for the cost of just seven runs, limiting the hosts to 29 from the powerplay.The Bears continued to restrict the Durham batting ranks as the run rate hovered at just below six an over. The pressure to score allowed Briggs to strike in successive deliveries. Michael Jones was caught on the fence by Jake Lintott, who produced a clever catch on the rope to prevent a maximum, while Brydon Carse fell first ball.At 60 for 4, the hosts could ill afford to lose further wickets. Robinson and Turner duly responded with an excellent partnership worth 86 to allow Durham to post a competitive total. Turner found his timing against the Birmingham spinners and raced to his half-century from only 29 balls with seven fours and slog-sweep six against Lintott.Robinson was more sedate compared to his team-mate, but still brought up his fourth fifty of the season with a massive strike over the rope against Woakes. He tried to add another off the final ball from Hasan, only to be caught on the relay by Lintott and Ed Barnard.Birmingham had no difficulty adjusting to the pitch in the powerplay and made the chase seem straightforward. Davies and Yates found the boundary with ease without taking risks, racing to fifty after 4.2 overs. The Bears were a staggering 37 runs ahead of the home side at the end of the powerplay, ending the opening six overs 66 without loss.Davies and Yates both fell for 40 as Liam Trevaskis and Wayne Parnell prevented the visitors from racing away with the chase. On his 400th T20 appearance, Glenn Maxwell’s attempt to reverse-sweep Sowter to the rope ended his knock for 14 and the legspinner sent Dan Mousley on his way to put the pressure on.Raine set up a tense finale by matching Briggs’ exploits removing Chris Benjamin and Ed Barnard in successive deliveries. The right-armer then performed similar heroics to dismiss Woakes and Hasan with two in two in the 19th. But, Bethell dispatched Trevaskis for a six and four to guide his team to victory in the final over.