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Final marred by number of erroneous umpiring calls; Markram tops run charts

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Mar-2019Aiden Markram scored his third hundred of the Momentum One-Day Cup to set up a 135-run win for Titans over Dolphins in the final of the competition at Centurion on Sunday.Markram plundered eight sixes and five fours to score 127 from 88 deliveries, boosting Titans to 356 for 5. Dolphins’ response never got going, and an attack containing five Protea bowlers (if Markram and Dean Elgar are included) shared the wickets around to skittle them for 221.Markram’s hundred took him to the very top of the competition’s run tables, with his 542 runs having come in half as many games as the next highest scorer, Cape Cobras’ Kyle Verreynne, who scored 453 runs in 10 matches. It was Markram’s seventh List A ton overall, and his fourth eye-catching innings of the competition after he recorded scores of 169, 139 and 85 during Titans’ run to the final. With his latest hundred, made from No. 4, he propelled Titans to the highest total batting first in any day game at SuperSport Park.Before he arrived to bat, however, the batsmen that preceded him did an excellent job giving the Titans a flying start after they lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Theunis de Bruyn’s half century put them on the front foot early, and Titans had set a platform by cruising past 100 with just one wicket down in the 20th over.It was not until he had almost reached his fifty that Markram’s strike rate reached a run a ball, but thereafter he accelerated rapidly, reaching his hundred from the 75th ball he faced in the 45th over amid a flurry of boundaries. He hit his eighth six – and third off Andile Phehlukwayo – off the first ball of the 49th over, but then top edged a big hit to be caught at backward point. By then, Titans’ score was well beyond 300, Markram having added 56 in quick time alongside Farhaan Behardien.Dolphins suffered an early setback in their pursuit when Dale Steyn had Vaughn van Jaarsveld in his second over, and by the end of the Powerplay the required rate had already inflated to 7.82. After his second ball was slapped for six, Tabraiz Shamsi came back strongly to nip out two wickets in his second over, and Dolphins started to slide.Phehlukwayo and Dane Vilas then launched a spirited fightback, bringing up the 150 in the 24th over to get the chase back on track before Phehlukwayo was trapped lbw by Steyn. The decision to give him out appeared to be the incorrect one, however, Phehlukwayo having got some bat on it, but without recourse to DRS, which was not used in this game, it could not be challenged.Indeed, the final was somewhat marred by some iffy umpiring decisions from Umpires Adrian Holdstock and Shaun George. Khaya Zondo might have got some bat on the delivery that Shamsi removed him lbw with, and certainly showed his displeasure, while an inside edge was clearly evident when Steyn had an lbw appeal against Phehlukwayo upheld. Phehlukwayo had reached 43 at better than a run a ball when he was dismissed, having staged a revival alongside Vilas with a stand that was worth 92 when it was broken.There was further controversy when third umpire Bongani Jele ruled Sibonelo Makhanya run out despite Titans wicketkeeper Sizwe Masondo appearing to have disturbed the stumps before Markram’s direct hit. While Titans were undoubtedly favourites to win the game, and probably would have done so regardless, the match might have been much closer had those decisions not gone against Dolphins.As it was, they folded quickly as Titans made inroads into their tail. Elgar got rid of Keshav Maharaj, caught at mid off for 20, and seamer Matthew Arnold then wrapped up the game when he had Preneland Subrayen caught at backward point in the 40th over. For the Dolphins, it was another disappointing end to a final as they were left still searching for an elusive first outright one-day title in the franchise era, while Titans bagged their fourth 50-over crown in six seasons.

“On my part, it was very instinctive. It was not planned or anything like that. It’s there within the rules of the game,” says Kings XI captain

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Mar-20191:15

Buttler dismissal was ‘within the rules of the game’ – Ashwin

R Ashwin has reignited the spirit-of-cricket debate by running out non-striker Jos Buttler without bowling the ball. It turns out the dismissal was touch and go when it comes to being within the laws of the game.Running in to deliver the penultimate delivery of his final over, Ashwin stopped after entering his delivery stride. Buttler didn’t have his eye on the bowler and slipped out of the crease. As soon as he saw that, Ashwin simply turned around and broke the stumps at the non-strikers’ end with the batsman out of his crease. The decision was sent up to the third umpire, who didn’t need much time to send Buttler on his way.Rajasthan Royals’ Buttler had an unpleasant exchange with Ashwin, the Kings XI Punjab captain, while the third umpire made his decision. He walked off angry, and was seen shouting in the general direction of one of the dugouts.Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ashwin said of the incident: “Look, it was very instinctive. On my part, it was very instinctive. It was not planned or anything like that. It’s there within the rules of the game. I don’t understand where the spirit of the game comes, naturally if it’s there in the rules it’s there.”Responding to a comparison drawn between this incident and the 1987 World Cup match between West Indies and Pakistan – where Courtney Walsh did not run non-striker Saleem Jaffar out in the last over of the match, despite the latter being well out of his crease – Ashwin said the question of ‘sporting’ didn’t arise when it came to rules.”I don’t understand the point of sporting or sportive in that point because it’s rules. What applies for one man does not apply for everyone else. Neither was Jos Buttler playing there nor was I played so it’s very pertinent to just not compare two people…”This was not the first time Buttler had been run out backing up too far. On air in host broadcaster Star Sports’ “Dugout”, Kumar Sangakkara pointed out how, in a game against Sri Lanka in 2014, Buttler was run out in a similar fashion after two warnings by Sachithra Senanayake. Ashwin, too, had attempted dismissing a batsman in similar fashion a few years ago. During an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2012, Ashwin had run out Lahiru Thirimanne for backing up too much. The appeal was withdrawn by then India captain Virender Sehwag, who stated that Ashwin had warned Thirimanne before attempting the dismissal.The question here, though, was whether Buttler would have been inside his crease had Ashwin not stopped at the point of delivery. The updated Law 41.16 says: “If the non-striker is out of his/her ground from the moment the ball comes into play to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him/her out.”The wording “expected to release the ball” leaves room for subjectivity, which is where Ashwin’s assertion that he hadn’t even loaded becomes critical. If the bowler hadn’t even loaded, as Ashwin said, is it possible to estimate a time when he was “expected to release the ball”?Royals’ coach Paddy Upton, though, didn’t bother about the technicalities. He was miffed, and it showed in the press conference. “I think R Ashwin’s actions tonight speak for him and represent him, when I looked at his team-mates,” Upton said, “and I’m not sure it represented his team-mates. I think we’ll leave it up to the IPL fans to decide if that’s the kind of things they want to see, and we’ll leave it up to the cricket world to judge R Ashwin’s actions tonight. But for us, we’re certainly here to play cricket and entertain the fans and be good role models for people who love the game.”R Ashwin mankads Jos Buttler•BCCIButtler was looking in control of the chase of 185 at that time, having scored 69 off 43. His wicket, though, triggered a collapse as hosts Rajasthan Royals lost seven wickets for 16 runs to lose by 14 runs. Every wicket brought about loud boos from the Sawai Mansingh Stadium crowd.At the end of the match, Buttler shook Ashwin’s hand, but refused to look his way. Just behind Buttler, Upton seemed to have said something to Ashwin while shaking his hand, which made Ashwin stop in his tracks and give them a bemused look.”Part and parcel,” Royals’ captain Ajinkya Rahane said at the post-match presentation. “Sadly we are not allowed to comment on controversial issues. I am sure the match referee will take a call. We take these decisions sportingly.”

France superstar Olivier Giroud has confirmed he is leaving AC Milan for MLS this summer – with a move to LAFC on the cards.

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Giroud confirms Milan exitSays he will sign in MLSRumored to be joining LAFCGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?

The legendary France striker confirmed he is departing Milan after nearly four years with the Rossoneri, having joined them in the summer of 2021 from Chelsea. The 38-year-old confirmed that MLS is his next destination and, although he did not name where, he has been continually linked with a move to LAFC.

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Giroud had a phenomenal campaign for the Rossoneri in 2023-24, netting 14 goals and notching eight assists in Serie A. He will be a major addition to LAFC this summer, who have yet to fill the void that former MLS MVP Carlos Vela left after departing as a free agent last summer. Giroud will play alongside 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, and immediately create one of the most lethal attacking partnerships in the league. He'll also link up with longtime friend and former France international Hugo Lloris in Los Angeles.

WHAT GIROUD SAID

The Frenchman revealed that the final two matches of the campaign for Milan this season will be his last, and that he's headed to MLS this summer.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GIROUD?

Although he has not confirmed LAFC as his destination, the Frenchman is all but a player from Los Angeles, per multiple reports. He will wrap up his time in Milan before signing with the Los Angeles outfit.

Michael Beale picked up his second win as Sunderland manager to start 2024 off for the Black Cats in great fashion, the Championship promotion hopefuls comfortably overcoming Preston North End 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Beale's men were clinical in front of goal instead of spurning chances in this encounter, Alex Pritchard's stunning opener early on setting the pace whilst Nazariy Rusyn looked relieved scoring his first Sunderland strike at the tenth time of asking to secure the three points.

Pritchard coming back into the starting eleven was a masterstroke of a selection decision by Beale, replacing an unfit Patrick Roberts in the lineup and playing the role of a livewire throughout for his team in the win over the Lilywhites.

Alex Pritchard's game vs Preston in numbers

Although the Sunderland number 21 was put down as a winger when the teamsheet was announced, Pritchard was far more comfortable drifting into pockets of space centrally in the game and exploiting a lack of Preston shirts closing him down.

Drifting into a free part of the Stadium of Light turf allowed the experienced midfielder to open the scoring in the game, the 30-year-old midfielder almost egged on to shoot from distance by the Preston shirts failing to pick him up.

Expertly taken by Pritchard – a wonderful swerving effort tricking Freddie Woodman in the North End net – the goal was surprisingly the former Huddersfield Town's man first strike of the season.

The attacking midfielder was lively away from just this wondergoal, successful with three dribble attempts in the game – as per Sofascore – when advancing forward alongside getting stuck in when needed with three ground duels won.

This stellar individual display against Ryan Lowe's Lilywhites means he will more than likely get more first-team opportunities in the weeks to come, an infrequent starting player under the previous managerial reign of Tony Mowbray.

Minutes Played

85

Touches

55

Accurate Passes

32/39 (82%)

Crosses

0/5

Shots on target

2

Dribbles

3/5

Duels Won

3/6

Possession Lost

16x

One player who has been a colossus all season shone also in the 2-0 win, Pritchard's standout display stealing the headlines but Pierre Ekwah was equally important in helping the Black Cats comfortably beat the visitors from Lancashire.

Pierre Ekwah's performance vs Preston in numbers

Ekwah might not have had an audacious strike up his sleeve in the game, but the current Nottingham Forest transfer target was solid and dictated play from a holding position.

Amassing 71 touches in the game, the Black Cats number 39 only misplaced five passes in total with one of those accurate passes going down as an assist for Pritchard's sensational strike.

The 21-year-old showcased his defensive capabilities in the contest as well, winning six of his seven ground duels to thwart the Lilywhites venturing forward and to help his side keep a clean sheet.

It led to football journalist Andy Tomlinson of the Roker Report handing out an 8/10 rating to Ekwah in his post-match thoughts, stating that the ex-West Ham United youngster was a 'big presence' all over the pitch in the 2-0 win.

Sunderland sit pretty in sixth spot now after that assured victory on their own patch, with a mouth-watering Tyne-Wear Derby up next for Beale's Black Cats in Cup action as a New Year treat.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic has been named a finalist for Serie A's Midfielder of the Season award alongside two rival contenders.

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Pulisic finalist for Serie A Midfielder of Season awardU.S. star has 19 goal contributions in 35 apps.Calhanoglu & Koopmeiners competitors for accoladeGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Pulisic has had a stellar maiden campaign with the Rossoneri, netting 19 goal contributions across Serie A action. As such, he's been named a finalist for alongside Inter's Hakan Calhanoglu and Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners.

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Calhanoglu scored 13 goals for the Serie A title winners, while Koopmeiners found the back of the net 12 times for fifth-place Atalanta. The duo had fantastic campaigns themselves, meaning Pulisic is in both good company and among strong competition.

Despite primarily playing on the wing in the attack, the U.S. international has been included in candidacy for the award, and he's now close to ending his debut campaign with a prize of his own.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pulisic is the first Milan midfielder since former Ballon d'Or winner Ricardo Kaka to reach double digits in goals and assists for the Rossoneri across all competitions in one season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

The Rossoneri have one match left this campaign, which will round out Pulisic's first full season in Milan. Milan are set to close the season with a visit from Salernitana and the award winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Half-centuries to James Vince and Rilee Rossouw take defending champions home in tough chase against Lancashire

Valkerie Baynes12-May-2019A five-wicket haul to Gareth Berg contained Lancashire and, while Hampshire had to toil in a modest chase, they won the right to defend their title in the Royal London Cup final against Somerset.Berg bowled superbly at the death to claim a career-best 5 for 26 off 6.4 overs as Lancashire were bowled out for 241 with 14 balls remaining. And it was Berg who was there at the finish, sharing a tidy cameo with James Fuller – who hit the winning runs as he drove Liam Livingstone down the ground for four after Berg had levelled the scores – for a four-wicket win and a berth in the decider at Lord’s on May 25.The match lacked the fireworks of England’s thrilling 12-run ODI victory over Pakistan, which yielded 734 runs on the same pitch the previous day, but there was plenty of drama at the Ageas Bowl.James Vince, who had sat on the sidelines a day earlier as part of the England squad when opener Jason Roy returned, and Rilee Rossouw had to steady the innings after a devastating opening spell from Saqib Mahmood had Hampshire reeling at 23 for 3.In the closing stages, James Anderson could not finish his spell when he was struck on the inside of his left knee when Fuller slapped the ball straight back to the bowler. Hit on the full, the England Test star fell in a heap on the ground and took time to get up and when he did, he was still in some discomfort.James Anderson lies on the ground after being struck on the knee with a ball hit by James Fuller•Getty ImagesMahmood claimed 3 for 11 in 17 balls to account for top-order batsmen Tom Alsop, Aneurin Donald and Sam Northeast cheaply.As Alex Hales was posting a half-century in Nottinghamshire’s losing cause against Somerset, the man vying to replace him in England’s World Cup squad set about rebuilding Hampshire’s prospects. Vince played a typically attractive knock for his 79 off 86 deliveries, including seven fours and an effortless six off Livingstone, which was followed immediately by a near-miss.When he and Rossouw appeared to hesitate while dashing off for a single, Vince would have been out had Rob Jones’ throw been on target. The pair chanced Jones’ arm again a short time later and this time it proved Vince’s downfall after he had been slow out of the blocks and Jones fired the ball in to catch him well shy of his ground.Vince was set to join the England one-day squad in Bristol in the evening but was unsure whether he would play in the third ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday.”There’s still three games left so hopefully I can play a part in the rest of the series,” Vince told Sky Sports. “I’m going to travel down tonight and train tomorrow.”With Rossouw and Liam Dawson looking settled, Hampshire needed just 43 runs of the last 10 overs. Dawson should have been out on 26 when he sent a Mahmood delivery sailing towards fine leg, where Matt Parkinson put the catch down. Parkinson made amends a short time later when bowling, however, when he had Dawson caught at backward point by Keaton Jennings for 28. Rossouw went on to reach 85 before he was bowled by Livingstone, leaving it to Berg and Fuller to negotiate the home stretch.Earlier in the day, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow appeared to be enjoying some down time, taking in the action from the balcony of the hotel overlooking the ground where they had played the previous day.Mason Crane bowled superbly for his three wickets, while Dawson chimed in with one, as did Fidel Edwards, the 37-year-old former West Indies bowler who had originally signed a red-ball only contract but returned early from a break in the Caribbean to bolster the seamer’s ranks before Hampshire’s final group-stage game against Somerset last Sunday.Crane, who became England’s youngest legspinner in 2018 before a long stretch out of the game with back fractures, produced some clever bowling to claim 3 for 42 off his 10 overs, including the important wickets of Jennings, the discarded Test opener who reached 63 off 74 balls, and captain Dane Vilas for just 15.But the day belonged to Berg, the 38-year-old veteran who ensured Lancashire never really got going again once the two-pronged spin attack of Crane and Dawson had removed Jennings and Jake Lehmann, whose valiant attempt to steady things ended on 62 off 65 balls.Hampshire wicketkeeper Alsop took an excellent catch reaching high to his right to dismiss Steven Croft cheaply for Berg’s first wicket.Jones chewed through 62 deliveries for his 38 runs before he looked to take on a Crane slower ball that turned and was caught by Dawson at long-on.From there Berg went on a roll, claiming two wickets in an over when he pinned Josh Bohannon down with a gem of a yorker and enticed a poor shot from Graham Onions three balls later. Berg then foxed James Anderson with a slower ball that was right on target, crashing into the top of middle stump and finished the job when Mahmood swung wildly to be caught by Vince.Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple said Anderson would see the team physio again in the morning.”It is a nasty blow in a painful area,” Chapple said. “We don’t know but we think that it will be a nasty bruise that will settle down in the next few days.”It is a difficult area, as soon as there is any swelling in there it will restrict your movement and limit your strength. I imagine it will be painful for a few days.”

The January transfer window officially opened for business at the start of last week and Tottenham Hotspur have wasted little time in bolstering their squad.

They have already confirmed the arrival of Germany international Timo Werner on loan from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig until the end of the season.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has also revealed that the club have an option to make the deal permanent in the summer for a fee of €17m (£14.6m).

The same reporter has also confirmed that Spurs are on the verge of a move for Genoa central defender Radu Dragusin to improve Ange Postecoglou's options at the heart of his defence.

Tottenham have reached an agreement with the Serie A side for a fee in excess of €30m (£25.8m) and is now set to complete the formalities before the transfer can become official, whilst Djed Spence is due to go the other way on loan.

That may not be the end of their transfer dealings this month, though, as they have now been linked with a swoop for a winger to add to their attacking options.

Spurs transfer news – Roony Bardghji

It has been reported by HITC that Spurs are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Roony Bardghji from Danish side Copenhagen in January.

The outlet claim that the teenage winger is regarded as one of the top prospects in Scandanavia and a host of top European clubs have been keeping tabs on his situation.

They state that Postecoglou is eyeing a Tottenham swoop to sign the impressive youngster, who was recently in England for commercial reasons.

Aston Villa, Brentford, Newcastle United, and Manchester United have also been spoken to about Bardghji's potential availability and could be in the race to secure his signature.

However, all of the aforementioned English teams look set to be joined by clubs across Europe. Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, and Juventus are all interested in the 18-year-old whiz.

HITC state that Copenhagen are prepared to do business this month and would like a fee of at least £20m for their star performer, although they would like to keep him until the end of the season if possible.

A January transfer is a real possibility for the impressive prospect and, as this report shows, there does not appear to be a shortage of suitors for him.

This means that it could be a difficult transfer for Spurs to complete amid interest from a host of top clubs. However, the ambition being shown in the market – with the signings of Dragusin and Werner – could show Bardghji that they mean business and are the right place for him to continue his development.

If Postecoglou can lure the Copenhagen star to the Lilywhites this month, or even in the summer, then he could unearth his own version of Bukayo Saka, who – of course – currently stars for the club's bitter rivals across North London.

Saka's Premier League form over the last 18 months

Since the start of last season, the Arsenal academy graduate has been a terrific Premier League performer who has proven himself to be a lethal operator in the final third.

The Gunners failed to secure the top-flight title ahead of Manchester City by the end of the 2022/23 campaign but Saka's sensational form on the right wing was a big factor in them being in the running to lift the trophy throughout the season.

He produced a staggering 14 goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League appearances as the young gem showcased his ability as a scorer and a creator of goals.

His outstanding performances were recognised by his peers as the England international was named the PFA Young Player of the Year for the campaign.

This term, Saka has racked up six goals, six assists, and ten 'big chances' created in 19 league outings for Mikel Arteta's side as a left-footed forward on the right flank.

Assists (0.33)

Top 15%

Expected Assisted Goals (0.29)

Top 15%

Shot-creating actions (5.75)

Top 4%

Progressive carries (4.88)

Top 22%

Non-penalty goals (0.22)

Top 48%

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old has been a terrific creative threat for his team and one of the top performers in the Premier League.

The statistics that show Bardghji could be Spurs' Saka

Postecoglou could now land his own version of Saka in a swoop to sign Bardghji, although this is a move that the club could benefit from in the future rather than the here and now.

The Copenhagen star only turned 18 in November of last year and has plenty of time left on his side to develop and improve, which is why this could be a long-term addition to the squad.

He is yet to prove himself in a major European league but has showcased his potential in Denmark and in the Champions League so far this season.

Bardghji caught the eye in Europe with an impressive cameo against Manchester United earlier this term. He played 27 minutes off the bench and completed all three of his dribble attempts to go along with the winning goal in a 4-3 victory for his side.

The left-footed right winger, who was hailed as an "outrageous" talent by scout Jacek Kulig, has been lethal in front of goal in the Superliga during the 2023/24 campaign with seven goals and zero 'big chances' missed in 14 starts.

He has also created two 'big chances' for his teammates and has not been rewarded with an assist, which suggests that his fellow forwards have let him down in the final third.

The £20m-rated phenom has racked up 11 goals in 31 outings in all competitions and these statistics suggest that he has the potential to be an impressive goalscorer coming in on his left foot from the right flank, just like Saka, given what the exciting gem is already doing at such a young age.

Postecoglou could also work with him to improve his creative output. Bardghji assisted four goals in 21 U19 games for Copenhagen but has only registered one assist at first-team level.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

At the age of 18, the Spurs target has the time on his hands to develop those skills to go along with his already-impressive goalscoring quality to become Tottenham's own version of Saka on the right wing as a supremely talented young left-footed dynamo.

Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos sent a message to his former team-mates after their latest Champions League triumph

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Real Madrid won a 15th European Cup on SaturdayRamos won title five times with MadridHas congratulated four of his former team-matesWHAT HAPPENED?

After Real Madrid won their record-extending 15th European Cup on Saturday evening, the club's former skipper Sergio Ramos was quick to congratulate four of his ex-teammates in a social media post. "4 legends, 24 champions congratulations," he posted on his Instagram Stories with a picture of Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, Nacho and Toni Kroos celebrating with the trophy.

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The significance of the four players pictured was not lost on Ramos, as the quartet were all celebrating a sixth Champions League win. Caravajal, Modric and Nacho have won all of their titles with Madrid, while Kroos has five with Los Merengues and one with his former side Bayern Munich.

WHAT RAMOS SAID

Ramos also posted about Madrid's triumph, writing on Instagram stories: "A true love story. Don't try to understand it. Congratulations Real Madrid x 15 Champions League."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Real Madrid have won six Champions League titles since 2014, one more than any of the rest of teams combined over this period (Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munichn, Chelsea and Man City, one title each).

Top of the Premier League and on course to reach a League Cup final, things can't get much better for Liverpool at the moment. But with the January transfer window well underway, Jurgen Klopp could still solve his defensive injury crisis with the arrival of a player that the Reds have already held talks about.

Liverpool's defensive injury crisis

After losing Joel Matip to an ACL injury which not only likely ended his season but also perhaps even his Liverpool career, with his contract due to expire in the summer, Klopp has been left with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and the young Jarell Quansah to choose from. Further injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas soon forced the Liverpool boss to shift Gomez over to left-back, however, leaving him with just three central defenders.

Given Konate's injury history at Anfield too, already missing four games this season, the Reds could do with finding another option this month. And that has seen them linked with the likes of Goncalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande and Jean-Clair Todibo in three options that could instantly hand them a boost. Instead, though, Liverpool's attention has reportedly turned towards Feyenoord's David Hancko.

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According to Branislav Jasurek, the player's agent, Liverpool are in contact about a potential deal for Hancko. Jasurek told TN: “As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs (Liverpool and PSG), but also with others who are looking into David’s situation.

"I estimate that, 80 to 90 per cent, David will stay in Rotterdam, because Feyenoord is fighting for the Champions League and the people at Feyenoord know that David Hancko will be sold even in the summer. It would have to be one of the big clubs. He will certainly not go from Feyenoord, which is going to play in the Champions League, to a club that will play in the bottom half of the Premier League.”

Hancko's versatility could be key

Hancko's versatility certainly makes him an ideal option for Liverpool to turn to either in this month's transfer window or during the summer, which seems more likely given the words of Jasurek. The Feyenoord man can play as both a centre-back and left-back, meaning that Klopp would have himself another player able to provide cover in similar fashion to how Gomez's invaluable ability does.

Hancko's stats, meanwhile, represent a player at the top of his game this season, despite Feyenoord finding themselves behind in the Eredivisie title race. Here's how his numbers compare to those of Van Dijk, Gomez and Konate this season:

David Hancko

50

143

13

27

Ibrahima Konate

16

74

14

40

Virgil van Dijk

17

94

13

92

Joe Gomez

23

44

16

20

So, the Slovakian appears to have the ability to keep up with Liverpool's current central defenders, with his passing ability particularly impressive. Hancko's reported price tag of £39m could yet see the Reds make their move, though his agent believes a summer switch is more likely.

If the rain stays away, two of the best bowling units may be able to coax the ground away from its high-scoring ways

The Preview by Alagappan Muthu12-Jun-20195:04

Agarkar: Vijay should slot in at No. 4

Big PictureWell, we won’t be seeing a repeat of that warm-up game. For one, the weather’s being a pest. The UK Met Office predicts at least 50% chance of rain in Nottingham on Thursday.But just for a moment, let’s dare to dream. We know Trent Bridge no longer entertains outlandish notions like an even contest between bat and ball. So maybe it’s a good thing that the forecast is for grey skies. It’ll add even more spectacle to what Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah can already do. This World Cup has offered some tasty cricket, especially when conditions are tilted in favour of the bowlers. And both these teams have batsmen capable of standing up to such a test.ALSO READ: Mitchell Santner – the X factor is in his instinct and his braveryIndia’s top order has been an immense strength for them but it’s been in a bit of flux heading into this game with Shikhar Dhawan injured and KL Rahul expected to take his place.That’s no big advantage to New Zealand because their opening partnership has been among the least productive since the 2015 World Cup. They rely on their middle order for most of their runs, but even there India have them beat because they have the better quality hitters. Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni are perfect to build on the typically good starts that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli give them.So, to even things out, let’s have a grey, gloomy, non-rainy, bowler-friendly day and watch who can rise above.Shikhar Dhawan and Trent Boult are in high spirits•IDI via Getty ImagesForm guide(Last five completed matches, most recent first)
India: WWLLL
New Zealand: WWWWWIn the spotlightKL Rahul has started to become an all-purpose fix-it kind of player. At Kings XI Punjab this IPL, he was given the role of anchor. For the same team in the previous IPL, he was asked to forget about everything and just go berserk. For India, he’s the back-up opener, but then showed he has the game to be their No. 4 bat. That really is the thing here. Rahul has the game – when he’s switched on he can even find a way through those nasty inswingers that keep getting him out and that’s why he’s able to adapt to all the roles given to him. Just a question of staying switched on.ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra on what India need to do to beat New ZealandTom Latham might understand those sentiments. He too is an opener by trade but has had to take up a middle order position because New Zealand needed stability there and he’s got the skills to tackle the kind of bowling most No. 5s usually face – spin, spin and more spin. Plus, he’s taken on wicketkeeping duties as well and has become a very safe presence behind the stumps.Team newsThe only question around the Indian team is who will come in at No. 4. Vijay Shankar was the first batsman to hit the nets. Is that enough of a hint that he’ll make his World Cup debut?India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Dinesh Karthik/Vijay Shankar, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Jasprit BumrahHardik Pandya plays a drive•Getty ImagesColin Munro was worked out the last time these team teams played against each other, so there may be a case of having Henry Nicholls back as opener. Plus, seeing as Tim Southee is fit, he could make a return to the XI, if only because of his record against Kohli: 188 runs, 179 balls and five dismissals.New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro/ Henry Nicholls, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 James Neesham, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Colin de Grandhomme, 9 Tim Southee/Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent BoultPitch and conditionsThis game will be played on a fresh strip, one that is more centrally located and therefore helping even out the boundary distances. They’ll still be short though and that’s why most teams prefer chasing here. But if you truly do prefer setting a total, just know that, since July 8 2015, the average first innings score that’s resulted in a win is 390. #GoooooodLuckStrategy punt Hardik goes at a strike rate of 114 in his first 20 balls. Out of all the batsmen that have scored at least 500 runs since the last World Cup, that is the absolute best and that is why he is so dangerous. He hits from from ball one; hits any kind of bowling from ball one. But New Zealand might just have a way to get the better of him. His head-to-head with Trent Boult reads 32 runs in 35 balls and three dismissals. Attack Kane Williamson with spin. He’s got a very modest record against all the options India might consider throwing at him: 53 runs in 69 balls and two dismissals against Yuzvendra Chahal, 18 runs in 25 balls and two dismissals against Kuldeep Yadav and 64 runs in 81 balls and two dismissals against…. drumroll please… Kedar Jadhav.Stats and Trivia Kohli needs 57 runs to complete 11,000 in ODIs. And considering he’ll only be playing his 222nd innings, he will be the quickest to the mark, beating Sachin Tendulkar who took 276 innings to get there. Ross Taylor has been New Zealand’s best ODI player for the past couple of years – average 79 – and he’ll be ultra-crucial against India because of his record against spin: 87 runs in 101 balls and one dismissal against Chahal, 42 runs in 47 balls and no dismissals against Kuldeep