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Royal Challengers blasted their highest powerplay total, after having consigned Titans to their worst showing in the phase

Sampath Bandarupalli04-May-20241 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 92 runs in the powerplay against Gujarat Titans were by far the most by the franchise in this phase in any IPL game. The previous highest was 79 against Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011 and against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this year. The 92 runs today also ranked joint-fifth among the highest totals in the powerplay in IPL.69 – Difference in runs between the powerplay totals of RCB (92 for 1) and Gujarat Titans (23 for 3). It is the biggest difference in powerplay totals in an IPL match, surpassing the 65-run difference for Kolkata Knight Riders (105 for 0) against RCB (40 for 3) in 2017.18 – Balls Faf du Plessis needed for his fifty. It is now the second-fastest fifty for the RCB, behind the 17-ball fifty by Chris Gayle against Pune Warriors in 2013.Related

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64 – Runs scored by du Plessis before his dismissal in the sixth over. These are the most runs scored by a batter for RCB in the powerplay in an IPL match. The previous highest was by Gayle, who scored exactly 50 runs in the powerplay on three occasions. The 64 runs by du Plessis are the sixth-most by any batter in powerplay overs in an IPL match.23 for 3 – GT’s total in the powerplay on Saturday is their lowest in the IPL. Their previous lowest was 30 for 4 against Delhi Capitals earlier this year when they were bundled out for 89. Gujarat’s 23 for 3 is also the lowest powerplay total by any team in this year’s IPL.38 – Balls remaining when RCB reached their target. It is the biggest win for any team in terms of balls to spare in the IPL when having lost six or more wickets. The previous biggest in such a case was by 34 balls for KKR, who chased down a 161-run target against Sunrisers in 14.2 overs despite losing six wickets.8 – Runs aggregated by RCB’s Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the chase. These are the second-fewest runs by a team’s Nos. 3-6 in an IPL innings. Kochi Tuskers Kerala’s 3, 4, 5 and 6 bagged ducks against Deccan Chargers in 2011.8 – Eight out of the 11 wickets taken by pacers today came off short and short-of-a-good-length deliveries – four in the GT innings and four in the RCB chase.

In a match that swung wildly one way, then the other, the optimists among you had reason enough to believe this Sri Lanka team is resurgent

Andrew Fidel Fernando02-Sep-20222:51

Maharoof: I would call Asitha Fernando a warrior

Are you watching the Sri Lanka men’s side play this year? I guess, unless you are invested in their fortunes, there is no obvious reason to. They are ranked seventh in Tests, eighth in ODIs, and eighth in T20Is. They are very decidedly not a world-beating team.But in terms of fun had, surprises delivered, heart-stopping moments provided, they are living on the edge, folks. If you’re a pessimist, they are a side on the verge of falling into cricketing irrelevance, having allowed their domestic cricket to regress for decades. In this reading, the wins are merely the final, powerful palpitations of a once-great side, raging against the dying light.Related

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If you’re an optimist, they are resurgent. They have a world-class legspinner in Wanindu Hasaranga, a solid fingerspinner in Maheesh Theekshana, and a captain who is finding his batting groove in T20Is, with others in the top order contributing sporadically. They are fighting back, getting back to their punching-above-weight ways.This win against Bangladesh, in a match that careened in one direction, swung wildly to the other, and then back and forth several more times, provided evidence for either argument.The pessimists can point to the spectacular luck Sri Lanka had. Kusal Mendis’ innings is a case study. He could easily have been out for two, when he edged Taskin Ahmed behind, but was dropped by a diving Mushfiqur Rahim. He could have been even more easily out on 29, when Mushfiqur actually did catch him. But the bowler, Mahedi Hasan, had overstepped, and he was called back. On 31, he lightly gloved a ball that was going down the legside, but Bangladesh failed to review the not-out decision. He went on to make 60 off 37 – essentially providing the base to Sri Lanka’s chase.Asitha Fernando (left) on T20I debut hit the winning runs for Sri Lanka•AFP/Getty ImagesThe finish was monumentally lucky too. Asitha Fernando had batted in only eight T20 innings before this match (his T20I debut), and had hit four fours off the 25 balls he’d faced. In this game, he walked in with Sri Lanka needing 13 off seven, and banged two fours off the three legal deliveries that came at him, essentially sealing the match.Even Bhanuka Rajapaksa was surprised. “Asitha Fernando hit runs that we didn’t expect him to hit, and won the game for us.”The optimists have a case too. Hasaranga, the best bowler in the team, got taken apart, but the batters came through, however fitfully. Dasun Shanaka, in the T20I year of his life, hit 45 off 33 to take the game deep. Chamika Karunaratne then pushed it even deeper, until the win was in striking distance for even the tailenders. They will point to the intangibles – to Fernando’s tenacity, to the excellent groundfielding that prevented a truly monstrous score, to the team’s increasing tendency to win tight games.They are in for a tough week ahead, though. Afghanistan have already thrashed them. Pakistan and India are much better teams on paper. Their players have had established domestic T20 leagues over the course of the last few years, while Sri Lanka have been scrambling to make their own tournament an annual fixture. If you were a pessimist, you might argue this is a Sri Lanka team running on cricketing fumes.But if you’re the other kind of person, they had a bad day against Afghanistan, found a way to chase down 184 against a decent Bangladesh attack, and will ride into the next stage on that confidence.

From that unforgettable 5 for 6 to the less heralded but no less scintillating none for 19

Danyal Rasool17-Oct-20204-0-15-3 – Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final
Halfway through this game, New Zealand sat relatively comfortably at 72 for 1, with Scott Styris and Brendon McCullum at the crease, as they looked for a strong finish. Shoaib Malik threw the ball to Gul in the 12th over, and as he began to grind through his gears, New Zealand’s momentum was cut to ribbons. The first over yielded three, before Gul sent down the first of the yorkers that would become a trademark. Two wickets in his second over saw the back of both Styris and Peter Fulton, before Gul went around the wicket to the big hitting Jacob Oram, a full delivery coaxing an edge through to the keeper. He would tie Ross Taylor up in the 18th over too, allowing just four runs, to finish his spell having given away just 15 runs. By this time, NZ were seven down for 120, and Gul had made the job much easier for Pakistan in the chase.4-0-28-3 – Pakistan vs India, 2007 T20 World Cup final
One of Gul’s best international performances, yet without doubt the most bittersweet. Once more, he was thrust in after India had begun well. Gautam Gambhir had just smashed Shahid Afridi for six, and at 82 for 2 in 11, India were slightly ahead. A wayward first over was followed by the wicket of the in-form Yuvraj Singh, the batsman too early on the shot with Gul completing a smart return catch. It would get better in his next when MS Dhoni tried to smash him out of Johannesburg. Gul’s delivery was like a guided missile locked in on its target, and as Dhoni connected with air, Gul left his stumps in a mess. There was time enough to snare Gambhir off his last ball, an attempted yorker the left-hander tried to paddle sweep, only to find Mohammad Asif at short fine-leg. Gul had single-handedly given Pakistan a huge sniff, even though they ended up agonisingly short.To many, Umar Gul’s 3-0-6-5 remains the best T20 spell ever•PA Images via Getty Images4-0-23-4 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2008
Gul was a high-value pick in the inaugural edition of the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders, and he made good on the hype; only two bowlers – Sohail Tanvir and Shoaib Akhtar – had a better average than him all season. But it was in his final match that Gul served up his best IPL performance. Opening the bowling, he trapped James Hopes in front, before returning at the death to consign Kumar Sangakkara, who had raced to 64, to the same fate. The lower-middle order would then be no match for the yorker specialist, with Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla cleaned up in successive balls to restrict Kings XI Punjab to 174. He would go on to play a role with the bat, too, blitzing 24 off 11 to set up a final-over victory for his side alongside Sourav Ganguly.3-0-6-5 – Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2009 T20 World Cup
If Gul wanted to have his achievements tattooed on his person, his figures in this match would make the cut. The best T20I figures at the time – to many, the best spell in T20I history no matter what the record books say – Gul ripped the heart out of New Zealand to convert a contest into a cakewalk. Only introduced in the 13th over, Gul made sure New Zealand were done before he could finish his spell. The wicket of Styris – thanks to a 35-metre running catch from Afridi – set things in motion, but it was all Gul thereafter. His devastating yorkers sent Peter McGlashan back, before he returned to rattle the stumps of Nathan McCullum and James Franklin with toe-crushers far better batsmen would have been helpless against. Kyle Mills’ scalp completed the five-for, and New Zealand were shot out for 99.3-0-19-0 – Pakistan vs South Africa, 2009 T20 World Cup semi-final
An unlikely candidate based on the figures, perhaps, but you’d have to remember the game, and the extraordinary tautness of the mood, to understand why this makes the list. Pakistan had set South Africa 150 to chase down for a spot in the final, and Jacques Kallis looked like he had set the foundation for the chase. Gul himself was spanked for ten in his first, but a splendid 17th over, just after Fawad Alam had conceded 15, saw the asking rate soar above 12.He wouldn’t get any wickets, but the length meant Kallis could never get under the ball, and the pendulum swung Pakistan’s way. It came down to the penultimate over, with South Africa needing 28, and Gul needed to rein in Albie Morkel and JP Duminy. In a glorious chapter of Golden Age Umar Gul, South Africa had to face six yorkers in a row; they might well have all landed in the same spot for their accuracy. Just six singles were scavenged from that over, and Gul had booked his side another shot at T20 glory.

تحدث آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول، حول ما إذا كان يشعر بدعم النادي له في ظل المعاناة التي يعيشها الفريق هذا الموسم خاصة مع نتائجه بالدوري الانجليزي الممتاز.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات نشرتها “سكاي سبورت” البريطانية: “أولاً، عائلتي داعمة جداً، سواء فزنا أو خسرنا وربما أكثر عندما نخسر، الأمر نفسه ينطبق على الجميع في النادي وحوله من المالك إلى مايكل إدواردز إلى ريتشارد هيوز إلى مسؤولي الصحافة أو أي شخص آخر”.

وأضاف: “أعضاء الجهاز الفني متعاونون جداً، كما كانوا دائماً إيجابيين جداً، ويحاولون بذل المزيد من الجهد لتحقيق النتائج المرجوة”.

وواصل: “لذا لا أشعر بالوحدة إطلاقاً، بالطبع هناك لحظات صعبة قد تشعر فيها بالوحدة أحياناً ولكن بشكل عام، أشعر بالدعم الكبير”.

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وأكمل سلوت: “النقطة الأخيرة لا أنساها بالتأكيد، لأنك كنت تتحدث للتدقيق والضغط وما إلى ذلك، لكنني أعتقد أن المباريات الثلاث الأخيرة شهدت، ربما أكثر، شعوراً بدعم الجماهير في كل مباراة ولم أشعر به فحسب، بل أستطيع سماعه أيضاً، لذا في الملعب ضد وست هام وسندرلاند ، أستطيع سماع دعم الجماهير وأشعر بذلك”.

وسئل سلوت عن إيزاك: “أعتقد أنه يقترب أكثر فأكثر من المشاركة بانتظام، مما يعني أنه قد يلعب المباراة القادمة أو الثلاثاء، أعتقد أنه بدنياً، بعد ثلاث او أربعة أشهر من الآن يقترب أكثر فأكثر من الحالة التي تسمح له باللعب أكثر وهذا ما رأيناه بالفعل لأنه لعب مباراتين متتاليتين”.

وقال سلوت أيضاً عن المهاجم السويدي: “أفضل طريقة لتقييم ذلك، هي تسجيل خمس أو ست أهداف في ثلاث أو أربع مباريات، لكني لا أعتقد أنه يمكن مقارنته مع هالاند من حيث الحضور والطول والحجم، لكن إيزاك والذي سجل عدة أهداف مع نيوكاسل وكان قد لعب ضدنا في نهائي كأس الرابطة وكنت أتمنى لو كان في فريقي ويتمتع بحضور قوي، والذي يأتي مع الثقة والثقة تأتي مع التسجيل والانتصارات، وأعتقد أن لاعبي فريقي شعروا بذلك أيضاً عندما لعبنا ضده الموسم الماضي”.

وختم عنه: “نحن وقعنا معه لسنوات وليس ثلاث أشهر، الفرق الرئيسي بالنسبة لإيزاك أننا نواجه مباريات كثيرة تلعب فيها فرق بدفاع منخفض، وهذا لم يحدث في نيوكاسل أو ليس بالقدر نفسه، الدوري أعتقد أنه تغير هذا الموسم ونشهد هذه الفرق بشكل أكثر بكثير، لكنني لا أرى أن هذا ضدنا فقط وأراه في العديد من المباريات، هذا يصعب الأمور عليه مقارنة بفترته مع نيوكاسل ولكن أعتقد أنه يتأقلم مع زملائه في الفريق وهما يتأقلمون معه”.

Chelsea are actively trying to convince one Arsenal star to join them next year following discussions with his representatives, according to a report this week.

Chelsea enjoy triumphant 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League

While the January window is fast approaching, Enzo Maresca’s side are currently riding high off a statement 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Chelsea dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, pressing Barcelona aggressively and preventing the Spanish champions from establishing any rhythm in possession.

The Blues’ high-octane approach paid dividends when Jules Kounde’s unfortunate own goal broke the deadlock after 27 minutes, deflecting Pedro Neto’s effort beyond his own goalkeeper.

Barcelona’s evening unraveled further when captain Ronald Araujo received his marching orders just before halftime, collecting a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Marc Cucurella. The dismissal effectively ended any realistic hopes of a Catalan comeback and allowed Chelsea to dictate throughout thcond period.

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The standout moment arrived ten minutes after the restart when teenage sensation Estevao produced a moment of individual magic. The 18-year-old Brazilian embarked on a mazy dribble from out wide, leaving Pau Cubarsi trailing before cutting inside and firing a thunderous strike into the top corner.

The goal showcased his immense potential on the biggest stage and marked his third consecutive Champions League scoring performance, with Estevao making all the headlines for outshining Barca’s own sensation Lamine Yamal.

Substitute Liam Delap wrapped up the victory with 17 minutes remaining, capitalizing on Enzo Fernández’s clever pass to slot home calmly. The goal initially appeared offside, but VAR intervened to overturn the decision.

Cucurella earned widespread praise for his defensive masterclass against Yamal, with the left-back’s discipline and tactical awareness proving instrumental in keeping the visitors’ attack quiet.

Marc Cucurella’s game v Barça

Minutes

93′

Expected Assists

0.59

Tackles (Won)

5 (4)

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Blocked Shots

1

Recoveries

4

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Key Passes

1

Passes

55/63

Touches

97

All Stats via Sofascore

Chelsea’s stupendous display comes as the perfect warm-up for their pivotal Premier League clash this weekend against league leaders Arsenal, a match which will define their credentials as genuine title contenders.

Off the field, BlueCo are apparently eyeing one of Mikel Arteta’s young stars.

Chelsea actively tempting Myles Lewis-Skelly into joining them

That is according to journalist Simon Phillips, who reports that Chelsea have held talks with the representatives of Hale End academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The England rising star was recently told by Thomas Tuchel that he’d have to play more to stand any chance of getting into the Three Lions squad for next year’s World Cup, with Riccardo Calafiori’s form severely limiting his minutes this season.

That being said, neither the teenager nor Arsenal want to part ways any time soon.

However, this hasn’t stopped Maresca’s side from testing the water, and it is believed that Chelsea are making a ‘bold’ attempt to convince Lewis-Skelly that Stamford Bridge is the place for him.

This comes as Chelsea make future contingency plans for when Cucurella leaves, even if that doesn’t appear to be in the immediate future.

The Spain international eventually wants to return to play in La Liga before he reaches his twilight years, with Lewis-Skelly viewed as an ideal long-term successor.

Everton have now reportedly joined the race to sign Daizen Maeda in the January transfer window after the Japan international made his exit stance clear to Celtic.

The Toffees’ search for a striker is beginning to become an open secret ahead of the winte window. Neither Beto nor Thierno Barry have hit the heights that those in Merseyside were expecting, with the latter yet to even score a goal this season, and they are now reportedly on the hunt for an extra reinforcement.

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On that front, a number of names have already been mentioned as potential options. including Ivan Toney and Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee. There is a belief that the former will have to complete a return to Europe if he wants to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup. Whether that will see Everton make their move remains to be seen, however.

Zirkzee would also be an interesting choice. The Dutchman has lost his place at Man United ever since the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and now needs a similar revival to the one that Jack Grealish is currently enjoying.

Whether he’d solve their goalscoring problems is another question, though. The forward is more of a false nine than an out-and-out goalscorer, which suggests that he wouldn’t solve David Moyes’ current issue.

The Toffees may not necessarily turn to Premier League experience in 2026 either, with Maeda now also an option.

Everton join race to sign Maeda

As reported by TeamTalk, The Friedkin Group and Everton are now racing to sign Maeda after he told Celtic that he wants to leave the club in 2026. The forward was denied a move in the summer, much to his frustration, but has now told the Bhoys that he’s ready to complete an exit away from Glasgow.

Sending the Premier League on high alert, Everton, Brentford, Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United have all reportedly formed the early race to secure Maeda’s signature, which is available for just £15m.

Although the versatile forward has struggled for goals so far this season – scoring just four goals in 17 games – it’s worth taking Celtic’s own struggles into accout and looking back to just how impressive Maeda was last season.

The 28-year-old scored 33 goals in all competitions last time out and eared justified praised from former manager Brendan Rodgers, who said: “If you are a young player coming through and want to give your honesty to the game, work, intensity and everything.

“No cheating, no nothing – even away at St Mirren, the penalty we got last week he tried to stay on his feet – he’s so honest to the game. Natural isn’t it? He’s been absolutely brilliant.”

Everton now exploring James Ward-Prowse move with Janaury exit expected

A searing burst from Josh Tongue put Nottinghamshire back in the box seat after Worcestershire fought back well on the second day of their Rothesay County Championship match at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Nottinghamshire’s first-innings lead was restricted to 25 after they were bowled out for 207. Freddie McCann defied for 56 (106 balls) but Tom Taylor took 4 for 70 and Ben Allison 3 for 41 while wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick took five catches.The game had evened right up but Worcestershire closed the second day on 93 for 5 after Tongue took out the top three in a fiery burst of 9-1-24-3. With the pitch still helping seamers, Nottinghamshire won’t want to chase many in the fourth innings, but are well-placed to push for a win to keep them on the shoulders of leaders Surrey ahead of their mouth-watering meeting at The Oval next week.Nottinghamshire resumed on the second morning on 46 for 1 to find the pitch still lively. Allison soon produced a perfect away-cutter that Ben Slater edged to Roderick.McCann and Joe Clarke added 50 in 17 overs before McCann, having gritted out a valuable half-century, drove at a wide ball from Matthew Waite and Roderick accepted another catch. The slip cordon remained on high alert. Jake Libby, at second, pouched Jack Haynes off Allison. Clarke dug in for 122 minutes before nicking a waft at the same bowler.From an uneasy 121 for 5, the title-chasers were rebooted by Lyndon James’ punchy 42-ball 35 but Taylor ended the counter-attack by inducing another nick and pinned Liam Patterson-White lbw two balls later. Kyle Verreynne steered his side in front then edged Taylor to second slip.Former Pears pair Dillon Pennington and Tongue added a handy 23 before falling in five balls, the former lbw to Allison and the latter supplying Roderick with his fifth catch, off Waite.With the game so evenly-poised, a mammoth evening session – 49 overs – promised to be pivotal. Only 36 were possible before bad light intervened but Nottinghamshire made serious inroads.Tongue trapped Rehaan Edavalath lbw and dismissed Libby, caught at second slip, with a lifter so brutal it invoked comparison with Allan Donald, Curtly Ambrose and Percy Jeeves. Catching of similar quality followed from McCann, a one-handed, diving grab at second slip to remove Dan Lategan off James that invoked comparison with Graham Roope, Rikki Clarke and Ashley Giles.Tongue then knocked out Kashif Ali’s off-stump and James hit Brett D’Oliveira’s. At 68 for 5, Worcestershire were in danger of speeding to a defeat which would pretty much seal their relegation but Roderick and Ethan Brookes stayed firm until the light closed in to keep this fascinating match very much alive.

West Ham United are now eyeing a January move for Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, who is also being targeted by the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

West Ham risk being cut adrift if their form doesn’t start to improve soon, with Nuno Espirito Santo so far being unable to instigate a major turnaround in results, and they have another tough test on the horizon against Newcastle United later today.

The 2-1 loss against Leeds United last time out could prove to be a real six-pointer at the end of the season, and the Hammers looked particularly weak in midfield, with Andy Irving and Tomas Soucek both struggling.

Both midfielders lost the majority of the duels they contested, with Irving winning just one of five, while they also failed to create a big chance throughout the match, which suggests Nuno may need to strengthen his options in the middle of the park this January.

The need to bring in a new midfielder is also exacerbated by Guido Rodriguez not being part of Nuno’s plans, with the midfielder being benched for the majority of the campaign, having seemingly failed to impress the manager.

West Ham eyeing move for Angelo Stiller

According to a report from Fussball Europa (via Sport WItness), West Ham are now eyeing a January move for Stuttgart midfielder Stiller, who could be brought in to replace Rodriguez, if they are able to move the 31-year-old on.

The £75k-a-week midfielder wants to leave this winter, and the Hammers are eager to get him off the books, with the German maestro being targeted as a direct replacement.

David Sullivan & co clearly mean business, given that the 24-year-old is held in very high regard, with the likes of Man United and Real Madrid also being named as potential suitors.

Once lauded as “special” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, the central midfielder has been tipped to go on and play for a big club by Ben Mattinson, given his ability to dictate the tempo.

As such, it is somewhat difficult to envisage West Ham competing for the Germany international in January if they don’t claw themselves out of relegation trouble beforehand, but it would be a major statement of intent if they were able to get a deal done.

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The Stuttgart star is particularly impressive at setting up chances for his teammates, placing in the 98th percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, having averaged 0.30.

Stiller could be a real difference-maker in the Hammers’ quest to avoid relegation, but results must start improving soon if they are to tempt him into a move, starting against Newcastle today.

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West Ham United boss Nuno Espírito Santo has swung the axe on midfielder James Ward-Prowse, but one player has impressed him behind-the-scenes at Rush Green.

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West Ham have looked as soft as butter in all respects defensively, especially when it comes to set-pieces, and threatening from dead ball situations is something that Arsenal seriously specialise in.

Mikel Arteta’s side could have a field day if the Hammers don’t shore up in that regard and quickly, with Nuno looking to build upon his solid 1-1 draw at Everton on Monday.

Further up the field, Nuno has already decided that Ward-Prowse won’t be a part of his long-term plans – just under a year after Nottingham Forest cut his loan spell short with the 51-year-old still in charge – so he clearly doesn’t rate the midfielder that much at all.

Ward-Prowse was axed from the matchday squad for West Ham’s trip to Everton, and credible reports since then have claimed that the 30-year-old is expected to leave in January.

Fabrizio Romano has backed up the Englishman’s potential winter departure too, with journalist Dean Jones suggesting that Ward-Prowse could re-join Southampton as his exit looks nailed on.

However, while Ward-Prowse seems as if he’s being pushed out the door, Nuno has quite the opposite opinion on defender Max Kilman.

Nuno says Max Kilman has absolutely shone in West Ham training

The former Wolves boss worked with Kilman at Molineux for years, and Nuno says that the centre-back has impressed him at Rush Green so far with his work ethic in training.

Nuno’s arrival could be exactly what Kilman needs to rediscover his very best form, as the pair enjoyed a very productive relationship at Wolves.

The 28-year-old seriously credited Nuno for his development when they worked in the Midlands together, telling the Birmingham Mail in 2020 that West Ham’s boss helped him understand the game a lot better.

Interestingly, Kilman stood out as West Ham’s joint-best performer alongside Alphonse Areola against Everton (WhoScored), and supporters will be hoping that will spur on a string of convincing defensive displays.

Australia spinner had been due to play full group stage before calf injury

ESPNcricinfo staff13-May-2025Northamptonshire have signed Australian legspinner Lloyd Pope as one of their overseas players for the Vitality Blast* after Ashton Agar was ruled out with a calf strain.Agar helped Northants reach the quarter-finals of last year’s Blast, and was due back for the entirety of the group stage. He will be replaced by the uncapped Pope, 25, who was named in the 2024-25 Big Bash League team of the tournament.”I’m so excited to come to Northamptonshire, I can’t wait to meet everyone and to join my new teammates.” Pope said. “I’m really looking forward to hopefully contributing to some wins for the Steelbacks and going deep in the tournament.”There is also uncertainty over the availability of South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke for the start of the Blast, following the interruption of the IPL. Breetzke is contracted to Lucknow Super Giants – although he has not played a game this season – and is understood to be returning to India for the rearranged finish to the competition.Agar said: “I’m extremely disappointed to be missing this year’s Vitality Blast with Northamptonshire. I loved my time there last season, it’s a fantastic club with great people and I’ll be watching and supporting the boys from Perth.” He added.Northants head coach, Darren Lehmann, said: “We’re all very disappointed for Ashton, but we wish him well in his recovery.”*11.45am BST – Story updated with Pope signing