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South Africa are looking to rotate the gloves with Quinton de Kock rested for the series, and Matthew Breetzke and Donovan Ferreira might get a go later on

Firdose Moonda29-Aug-2023Tristan Stubbs will keep wicket for South Africa in the opening T20I against Australia in Durban as the hosts look to rotate the gloves in the absence of the rested Quinton de Kock. Stubbs is one of three options for the three-match series and has been chosen to start in the position ahead of Matthew Breetzke and Donovan Ferreira, who have both yet to play an international match.”He has been working really hard over the last couple of weeks and those that know Stubbo well, know he is the kind of guy that will never really leave a stone unturned,” Aiden Markram, South Africa’s T20I captain, said at the pre-match press conference. “He has spent hours and hours practicing his keeping and it’s been great to see.”This will be just the second time that Stubbs is the designated wicketkeeper in an official match after he also did the job in a first-class match between Warriors and Boland last summer. In that encounter, which Warriors won by 168 runs, Stubbs took two catches in the first innings and six in the second. He also scored 52 in Warriors’ second innings to help them set Boland a target of 343.Related

• South Africa ready to shake off the rust and stack up for ODI World Cup

• Six players to watch in South Africa-Australia T20Is

• Brevis ready to 'just run straight into' Australia as SA debut beckons

Add to that the fact that Stubbs also bowls offspin – most regularly in T20 cricket – and South Africa have a “real all-dimension player”, as Markram put it. “From his personal game, it adds another element for him to take forward in his cricketing journey,” Markram said. “We’ve seen him do well with the ball and we all know what he can do with the bat, now all of a sudden he has got the gloves.”But he may not keep them for all three matches. Prior to the series, South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter confirmed the wicketkeeping role will be rotated while de Kock is rested and one or both of Breetzke and Ferreira will also get an opportunity. The first thing would be to get them in the starting XI and Markram could not confirm whether either would debut immediately. “We’ve not finalised our team completely. We will be having our team meeting at 6pm [on Tuesday night] and if there are debutants, we will make it a special ceremony for them, to remember for the rest of their lives.”Also in line for their first T20I caps are Dewald Brevis, who is expected to bat in the middle order, and Gerald Coetzee, who has played at the Test and the ODI level for South Africa.Keshav Maharaj had injured himself earlier in the year•AFP/Getty Images

Not in line for Wednesday’s match is left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who is making a comeback from a ruptured Achilles’ ahead of schedule. Maharaj tore the ligament in a Test against West Indies in March and was expected to be out for the rest of the year but has been included in the South Africa squad for the second and third T20Is and the ODI series that follows.Maharaj spent Tuesday playing his first competitive match since his injury, a warm-up match between Dolphins and Tuskers. “It’s fantastic to see him back on the park,” Markram said. “He has been incredibly committed and motivated to get ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery and today is probably a very special day for him. It’s huge for his career and it’s something he can be incredibly proud of, to get back on the park this soon.”If match fit, South Africa will consider Maharaj for their 50-over World Cup squad, which will be announced on September 5, with alterations permitted until September 28. With those dates in mind, both the T20I and ODI series against Australia are auditions of sorts and though Markram said the squad is focused on results first, there’s no doubt the World Cup is at the back of their minds.South Africa prepared to take on Australia with a two-day camp in Kruger National Park, with all their white-ball hopefuls. “It was fantastic,” Markram said. “Being a bush lover, I was in my element. There are certain guys for whom it was outside their comfort zone. You also have to appreciate that. But all in all, the guys loved it. We camped out, in the middle of the Kruger, had rangers and trackers around us. The camp was a tracking camp, so being able to track animals, follow animals, go on bush walks, things like that, which is quite a rare thing to be able to do in the middle of Kruger. The boys loved it.”

Ian Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.

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• Rashford has shone on loan at Aston Villa
• Villa have £40m option to sign him permanently
• Wright feels Newcastle should be in the mix.

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford has been urged to consider a move to Newcastle come the end of the season, as the ex-Arsenal star believes a link-up with Magpies talisman Isak would make for a frightening combination at St James’ Park.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rashford is on loan at Aston Villa until the end of the season having fallen out of favour under United manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

  The England forward played just six times under Amorim following the Portuguese’s appointment in November. However, he was loaned to Villa in January and has thrived under Unai Emery, scoring four goals and registering six assists in 17 appearances.

  Villa have an option to buy Rashford for £40 million ($53m) but have still decide whether to use it. Rashford is under contract at United until 2028, but there are doubts whether he would be able to force his way back into Amorim’s plans.

• WHAT WRIGHT SAID

  Wright told the podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: “It’s the kind of signing Newcastle should be making.

  “That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I really like that for Rashford. Rashford at Newcastle can be dangerous.”

  Asked if there was any possibility of Rashford returning to United, Wright replied: “Nope. No chance.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  The immediate focus for Rashford is Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace. Neither Villa nor Newcastle will be thinking about the transfer window yet, as they are each involved in a tight battle for Champions League football. Newcastle occupy the fifth and final qualification spot and have two-point lead over Villa in seventh with a game in hand.

  Similarly, United will be concentrated on their quest to reach the Champions League by winning the Europa League. The Red Devils face Athletic Club in the first leg of their semi-final tie next Thursday.

  There could be competition for Rashford’s services from Barcelona, who have been credited with an interest. Newcastle are in need of better strength in depth behind Isak and, like United, have been linked with Ipswich striker Liam Delap.

Griffiths battles with 92, including century stand with Scrivens, before Gregory seals victory

ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2023Tazmin Brits’ blistering 66-ball hundred headlined South East Stars’ 19-run win over Sunrisers at Beckenham.The South Africa international hit 10 fours and five sixes on her way to an unbeaten 112 off 72 deliveries as the Stars put up 290 for 9.Sunrisers looked well-positioned to chase down the target after an opening stand worth 143 between Cordelia Griffith and Grace Scrivens was followed by some fine hitting from captain Dane van Niekerk. With 10 overs left, 80 runs were required for victory with nine wickets still in tow.But leg-spinner Danielle Gregory, not introduced into the attack until the 37th over, took four wickets in the space of three overs to turn the tide and end the Stars’ three-match losing streak in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Brits’ blast came after the Stars’ openers had established a fine base, with Alexa Stonehouse and Kira Chathli putting on 111 together.The 19-year-old Stonehouse had some fortune, surviving two dropped chances, but she was the first to fifty, which came off 65 deliveries.A fifty for Chathli arrived in the 23rd over, but Stonehouse departed for 51 from the very next delivery, smacking spinner Jodie Grewcock straight into the safe hands of van Niekerk at mid-off.Chathli impressed with her ball-striking down the ground to spin but saw Bryony Smith dismissed for 2 from the other end; attempting to clip Grewcock through the leg-side, the right-hander lobbed a simple catch to van Niekerk at mid-off.The Grewcock and van Niekerk combination struck again in the 29th over when Chathli also couldn’t beat mid-off, her knock ended on 71.Brits had already entered the fray by this stage and enjoyed some fortune, dropped on 1 by Florence Miller in the deep. She found her flow, though, a pair of boundaries in a Grewcock over followed by a six over long-on off Amu Surenkumar.She was given another reprieve on 44 off the final ball of the 35th over and went on to reach her half-century off 41 balls.The 32-year-old then went on to thump her compatriot van Niekerk for two sixes off consecutive legitimate deliveries, and her century arrived in the 48th over.Wickets tumbled from the other end as the innings came to a close, but Brits reverse-swept the final ball for four to finish with a flourish.Griffith and Scrivens then set about eclipsing the opening partnership that Stonehouse and Chathli had put together. The pair brought up 50 in the 13th over of the innings before two brief interruptions of rain followed, the second one taking two overs off the innings and revising the target to 282.Griffith was the more aggressive of the pair, her half-century taking 64 balls while Scrivens took 87 deliveries to get to her fifty. The latter seemed ready to up her rate, hitting Smith down the ground for four off the first ball of the 32nd over. But an attempted reverse-swat two balls later saw her bowled for 59.Van Niekerk was in next, showing her power down the ground and through cover with four boundaries off one Ryana MacDonald-Gay over.Gregory then arrived to made a crucial breakthrough; Griffith was adjudged lbw on 92 as she missed out on a flick off the pads. The leggie struck again in her next over, with Mady Villiers’ attempted cover drive resulting in a thick edge that lobbed up to Kalea Moore at third man. Grewcock was Gregory’s third, but the most vital delivery was the one to remove van Niekerk, the batter sweeping hard but into the hands of short fine leg for 44.Amara Carr hit a quickfire 29 but Gregory’s intervention was a match-winning one.

Liverpool are in the market for forwards this summer, and they’ve already agreed a £100m deal for Florian Wirtz (which could rise to a British-record £116m).

Wirtz, 22, is a “truly generational talent”, as per sports media professional Cristian Nyari, and he’s only going to get better, having led Bayer Leverkusen to the 2023/24 Bundesliga title (winning the division’s Player of the Year), and breathing life into his side whenever he collects the ball, gambolling his way into the danger area.

Liverpool have got themselves a player, all right, and Arne Slot now has an elite-level playmaker in the attacking third of the field – all the more important with Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid.

Though FSG would like to turn their attention toward the front of the pitch, there’s little question that a replacement for Luis Diaz would need to be sourced, should he leave this summer.

It’s for this reason that rumours have gathered apace regarding Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.

Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon

Last summer, Liverpool were offered the chance to sign Gordon as Newcastle sweated over PSR; after failing to qualify for Europe, the Magpies were forced to stare at their jewels and decide which to sell.

Liverpool were curious, but Newcastle found other ways to offset their troubles, selling more outlying members of Eddie Howe’s squad.

Now, the Merseysiders are keen once again, and Newcastle might be open to selling if their £100m valuation is met.

Liverpool are hardly going to meet such exorbitant demands, but if Diaz does leave, with suitors in Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League, then Reds intrigue in their former academy member, who left and joined Everton when he was 11, could take a more solid shape.

Would Liverpool be getting bang for their buck by signing Gordon for such a figure? Would they really? What about an alternative, one who would arrive for a similar fee but pack a far meatier punch under Slot’s wing?

Liverpool leading race for Diaz heir

Liverpool could sign an even bigger talent than Gordon if they advance their long-standing interest in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Spanish reports claiming that the Brazilian forward could be sold for €90m (£77m) this summer.

More to the point, the Anfield side are considered alongside Manchester City to be the favourites in the race for the talented winger, though further Premier League sides are keen. Arsenal, in previous reports, have been credited with an interest.

Coming off the back of a difficult year, both Slot and Pep Guardiola believe a poor Club World Cup campaign could leave Rodrygo isolated, and with his valuation slashed toward a more agreeable €75m (£64m) ballpark.

How Rodrygo would perform for Slot

Picture this: it’s a decade ago, and Liverpool have fallen by the wayside under Brendan Rodgers. The staple of Liverpool’s summer 2015 transfer window was the £32.5m acquisition of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.

Ten years later and Liverpool are among the frontrunners for superstars like Rodrygo, having won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and plenty more across the intervening years.

It was over ten years ago that Liverpool released Gordon when he was a youngster, and though the England international is talented and a boyhood fan of the club, Rodrygo is the superior player, even if he only notched 14 goals and ten assists across 51 matches last season.

That’s not exactly a terrible haul, though the 24-year-old did only score six goals and six assists across the La Liga season, albeit missing just one big chance in front of goal, as per Sofascore, to emphasise his clinical ability.

The crux of Rodrygo’s Madrid malaise is that he’s routinely fielded out on the right, despite feeling the alternate flank as being his best position. Indeed, the right-footer has been far more prolific when playing as a left winger.

The problem, however, is that Vinicius Junior holds down the fort in that area, with focal frontman Kylian Mbappe also preferring the left side to the right, as can be observed through his league season heatmap.

Given that Mohamed Salah is staying at Liverpool for the next two years, it hardly seems likely that Liverpool would make a marquee move and bring Rodrygo into the fold just for him to play second fiddle to the Egyptian.

Instead, he could replace Diaz, who, at 28, isn’t indispensable, and prove an upgrade on Gordon, with the 24-year-old also enduring something of a tough term in front of goal for the Toon, equal to Rodrygo in that he posted six goals and six assists in the Premier League.

As Liverpool plan to foray deep into next year’s Champions League knockout stage, putting themselves on a platform to claim number seven, Rodrygo would be the perfect fit, for his pedigree on the biggest stage speaks for itself.

Gordon failed to register a goal involvement across his six games in the 2023/24 Champions League, and while he’ll have the chance to rectify that over the coming year, Rodrygo is tried and tested, hailed as a “special striker” who can “play in all positions” by former Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.

A fierce blend of speed, skills and strength, Rodrygo would be a statement signing for a Liverpool side who are undergoing a good amount of change this summer. While the Brazil star would be a new part, he’d arrive with a wealth of experience at the highest level, and Slot’s sharp tactics would surely whip him back into an elite standard.

Slot's own Mane: Liverpool enter race to sign "unbelievable" £51m star

Liverpool are presented with a unique market opportunity to sign a talented youngster.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 16, 2025

Serie A side Genoa have paid homage to their historic connection with England by releasing a St. George's Cross-themed kit for the 2025-26 campaign.

• Genoa release England-inspired kit
• Serie A side celebrating historic connection
• Coined 'It's coming home' slogan after Lionesses' triumph

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Following on from the Lionesses' claiming back-to-back European crowns, Italian side Genoa have paid tribute to England by releasing an away kit inspired by the Cross of St. George for the 2025-26 campaign.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The kit was designed to 'celebrate the historic bond between Genoa and England' and features the bold red cross across a striking white background. The cross features again on the collar and symbolises the founding of Italy's oldest football club by English citizens in 1893.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The club's launch campaign, partnered with Goal Global, has also coined the iconic 'It's coming home' slogan, referencing Genoa’s English roots and football’s journey "back" to one of its most historic homes. During the Middle Ages, Genoa granted the English permission to sail under the Cross of St. George in exchange for tribute, forging a connection that still stands today.

• Sam Gregg/Genoa/Kappa
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR GENOA?

  Genoa will likely debut their stunning new away strip during pre-season. The Serie A side take on Villarreal this Thursday, before facing Rennes on August 9.

The former captain is likely to return to the XI to replace Bairstow, but has he come to terms with just being a player?

Hemant Brar17-Sep-2021″Facing something new can mean fear or excitement. This time I’m going for excitement.”David Warner was promoting his bat sponsor but these could very well have been his inner thoughts as he resumes the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad. This time, only as a player.Warner has a special relationship with the IPL. It’s the only T20 league in the world he regularly features in. When he returned to the tournament in 2019, after missing the 2018 season because of his ball-tampering ban, Sunrisers’ coach at the time, Tom Moody, said Warner was “jumping out of his skin” to start the campaign.Related

• T Natarajan in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19

• Williamson replaces Warner as Sunrisers captain

• Warner takes 'full responsibility' for 'very slow' knock

In 2020, Warner was reinstated as Sunrisers captain and helped them reach the playoffs for the fifth straight season.But the IPL is a cruel beast. It has got little space for emotions, and players are often evaluated on cold numbers. In 2021, when Warner registered an underwhelming strike rate of 110.28 across six games, Sunrisers didn’t hesitate to drop him, which meant he also lost the captaincy.There are times when a batter is short of runs but not out of form. For Warner, it was the opposite. He was still managing some runs but was not able to score them freely on Chennai’s sluggish pitches. Sunrisers played their first five games in Chennai; Warner’s scores in the last three of them were 36 off 34, 37 off 37 and 6 off 8.Even when Sunrisers moved to Delhi, Warner’s struggles didn’t end. Against Chennai Super Kings, he consumed 55 balls for his 57 and then watched the opposition chase down 172 in 18.3 overs. Warner knew his innings had done more harm than good to his team. After the game, he put his hand up and took “full responsibility” for the defeat.With Sunrisers having only one win from six games, something had to give. The team management decided two batters, one allrounder, and Rashid Khan was the best combination for their four overseas slots. Jonny Bairstow and Kane Williamson were faring much better, so it was Warner who had to make way for an allrounder.Warner is Hyderabad’s adopted son. While most franchises in the IPL have an Indian superstar in their ranks, Warner has been the face, heart and soul of Sunrisers for more than half a decade. Plus, he has been their most successful captain and by far the most prolific batter. In his six seasons for Sunrisers, Warner has crossed the 500-run mark every single time. No other batter in the tournament has been as consistent.

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