There is a plan for Martin Guptill to challenge for a Test middle-order berth in the future, but he is priceless to New Zealand’s one-day side, and that should remain his priority

Andrew McGlashan02-Mar-2017New Zealand was talking about cricket on Thursday morning. There has been significant interest in the contests against South Africa, but there was a hint of the 2015 World Cup vibe in the aftermath of Martin Guptill’s unbeaten 180 in Hamilton.It was a shame the innings did not have a bigger crowd to witness it than 2264 – a result, largely, of the reasonably late change of venue when the game was moved from Napier – but Guptill was a main topic of breakfast TV and radio while there was a bigger-than-average media huddle to speak to coach Mike Hesson in Auckland.”As good as it gets,” Hesson said. “It’s hard to beat quarter-final 200 [against West Indies], but that came close. He hit the ball well at training, but I don’t think anyone expected that. His composure in the chase showed he was never satisfied.”Guptill is a cricketer of contrasts. A one-day record to stand up against anyone – and above many – but Test numbers that, despite the occasional sparkle, are nondescript. That should not matter a jot. It is perfectly natural for Guptill to want the chance to improve his long-form numbers, but he changes the dynamic of New Zealand’s one-day top order so much that it should remain the priority.If he is part of a New Zealand side that wins the Champions Trophy this year, or the World Cup in 2019, that will be his legacy. Not whether he can lift his Test average from 29 to 32. Against the white ball, there is no one in New Zealand who can replicate what Guptill provides. It certainly looks like Kings XI Punjab have picked up a bargain for the IPL.He was dropped from the Test side at the beginning of the home summer and won’t be making a swift return. Hesson is not a man to suddenly make a u-turn and confirmed he would not feature against South Africa.His latest run, from being recalled against England in 2015, was 16 matches in which he averaged 28.93. That came after a stellar World Cup – further evidence that success in one format does not mean success in another. There was the occasional highlight, such as his 156 against Sri Lanka, but only five other half-centuries in 30 innings, although one of those did come in his last Test against India at Indore.If there is a future for Guptill in Test cricket, it will be in the middle order with New Zealand having hatched a plan with Auckland for him to bat in that position when he returns to Plunket Shield action. He averages 43.37 from nine innings in positions four to six, mostly in 2010, though that is padded considerably by 245 runs in one match against Bangladesh.”Martin and I have certainly talked about Test cricket a lot and he certainly gave batting at the top of the order a fairly good crack,” Hesson said. “But the middle order is something we are keen to explore at the first-class level first. Martin and Auckland Cricket are certainly receptive to that, which is great. At the moment, it’s a difficult spot to find. Our Test team has won four on the bounce and the middle order is performing well, but certainly something we’ll look to explore.”While Guptill’s most recent spell in the Test side was ultimately unconvincing, Hesson said that a greater experience had helped him deal with the fluctuating fortunes of the game, as evidenced by the fact that while his Test form oscillated, the two years from the start of the 2015 World Cup have seen him become the second-most prolific one-day batsman behind David Warner, who he is quickly catching.”Cricket does that, you have more failures than success, and as a young player, you have to cope with that,” Hesson said. “Martin’s confident in his game and has reached a level of maturity where he’s consistent and perhaps doesn’t ride the highs and lows younger players do. He’s comfortable in his skin and batting well.”Batting well is an understatement, and Guptill can stand among the finest limited-overs batsmen of all-time. New Zealand will hope starting at Eden Park on Saturday he gets the country talking again.

Tottenham Hotspur have a few key decisions to make this summer in regard to the futures of certain players, right after manager Ange Postecoglou attempts to finish the campaign as strongly as possible and guide them through this injury crisis.

Tottenham players who could leave this summer

Understandably, given the severe shortage of Spurs players right now, the last thing on anybody’s mind is who could leave N17 this summer.

Tottenham hold direct talks with £55m star as Bayern give up on keeping him

He could feasibly link up with Mathys Tel next season.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 13, 2025

That being stated, reports in the press are still linking some notable names with high-profile departures from north London.

Tottenham are considering selling captain Son Heung-min despite recently triggering his one-year contract extension clause, according to GiveMeSport, with the same outlet reporting that both Timo Werner and Richarlison are facing uncertain futures as well.

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (away)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Sergio Reguilon is also likely to leave Spurs after his contract expires, while star defender Cristian Romero is believed to be attracting serious interest from Real Madrid.

Long-serving defender Ben Davies’ deal also runs out at the end of this campaign, but Tottenham intend to trigger a one-year extension clause in his contract, just as they did with Son – keeping the veteran for yet another season (Dan Kilpatrick).

There is also the matter of their senior crop out on loan, with both Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon enjoying excellent temporary spells away at Girona and Leeds United respectively.

Girona possess an option to buy the former for around £12.5 million, which they could well take up considering the 24-year-old’s impressive La Liga performances.

Gil has been a mainstay under Michel, with the attacking midfielder starting 18 Spanish top flight matches and sitting third in their squad when it comes to their best-performing players by average match rating, according to WhoScored.

The former Sevilla starlet has also averaged their highest rate of successful take-ons per 90, and is joint-top in their squad with Yaser Asprilla for attempts at goal on average as well.

It is fair to say that Gil has found a new lease of life back in his homeland, and Girona are holding internal talks right now over whether to trigger his buy-out clause.

Girona debating summer deal to sign Bryan Gil from Tottenham

That is according to Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo, via Sport Witness, who write that Girona chiefs are debating a permanent deal to sign Gil from Tottenham amidst his exceptional 2024/2025 campaign.

It is added that they recently dropped a hint his way on social media, sending Gil a happy birthday message with the words ‘for many years’ thrown in – suggesting that they could be intending to keep him beyond this year.

However, it is not a forgone conclusion either, as £12.5 million is still seen as a fair bit of cash for the club to part with – and they may well elect not to either.

Sporting director Quique Cárcel is one of the Girona chiefs in favour of keeping the “very exciting” Spaniard, and believes Gil could multiply the £12.5 million over years to come.

One of Chelsea’s main transfer targets during the January transfer window was Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho.

The Argentinian emerged as a shock target for the Blues a few weeks ago, as Enzo Maresca was aiming to add yet more players to his already well-stocked attacking department.

Sadly, a move didn’t quite happen…

Chelsea's failed move for Alejandro Garnacho

It was reported towards the final week of the transfer window that Chelsea had made a formal bid to sign Garnacho in an attempt to bolster their forward line.

However, as we know, he remained at Old Trafford, although Fabrizio Romano did report on the penultimate day of the window that the Blues could perhaps make a last-gasp bid for the winger.

Maresca already has the likes of Jadon Sancho, João Félix, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke as options in the final third. This embarrassment of riches was clearly not stopping the manager from making a late move to bring someone else in but, considering Felix ended up leaving on loan, perhaps another body would have been beneficial.

That said, the Stamford Bridge side may have sold their answer to Garnacho back in 2023…

Chelsea's own Garnacho was sold by Boehly

A certain Callum Hudson-Odoi swapped London for Nottingham, departing for a ridiculously low transfer fee in the process two years ago.

The winger burst onto the scene during the 2018/19 campaign for Chelsea, scoring four goals in nine Europa League games as the club defeated Arsenal to win the competition.

The next couple of seasons saw the talented winger become an important part of the squad, playing seven times as the Blues won their second Champions League crown in 2021, although he didn’t make it onto the pitch in the final.

The following season saw injury problems hamper his impact and he was then sent on loan to Bayer Leverkusen for the 2022/23 campaign, making just 21 appearances for the German side.

Hudson-Odoi then moved to Nottingham Forest for a fee of just £5m in the summer of 2023. A far cry from the numbers that were being discussed just a few years prior amid his stunning impact as a teenager.

Goals

3

Assists

2

Key passes per game

1.8

Big chances created

3

Shots per game

1.4

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

A tally of eight Premier League goals last term meant the City Ground outfit secured a wonderful return on their investment. This season, the 24-year-old has registered five goal-contributions for the club as Forest have been superb all term, reaching third in the league table.

Hudson-Odoi has also created three big chances and has succeeded with 68% of his dribble attempts, proving his effectiveness in the final third for the club. In short, his dazzling wing play is certainly reminiscent of the aforementioned Garnacho.

These impressive displays also mean that the former Chelsea gem has increased his market valuation. According to Transfemarkt, Hudson-Odoi is now currently worth £20m which is a solid rise on the initial £5m fee they paid to sign him from the Blues just 18 months ago.

This works out as a staggering 300% rise in value since arriving at the City Ground, thus ensuring the club has hit the jackpot on the 24-year-old Englishman.

Chelsea, on the other hand, must be rueing the decision to sell him for such a low fee.

5/10 Chelsea dud proved why Maresca should have spent big on deadline day

Chelsea secured three vital points against West Ham United last night, taking them back into the top four.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 4, 2025

Tony Cozier encouraged me to pursue a career in journalism and was a source of motivation and support all through

Firdose Moonda12-May-2016″The thing about Rihanna,” Tony Cozier said to me, “is that she just can’t stop calling me.”Just as I was about to take him seriously, he started to chuckle.”Come on, kid, it’s a joke.”I was in my early twenties and had just landed my first proper job. I was a production assistant for a company that worked on live cricket coverage for South Africa’s public broadcaster, SABC. It was the summer of 2007, West Indies were touring and Cozier was the guest commentator. My responsibilities included arranging his travel and accommodation, letting him know when he would be on air and with who, passing him any statistical titbits, and just generally being around to help. My ring tone was Rihanna’s smash hit “Umbrella” and it gave me an immediate connection to Mr Cozier, who insisted I call him Tony. So Tony it was.In spare moments during that series, I would often find myself talking to Tony. I wanted to become a print journalist and I wanted his advice on how to go about it. Tony told me about his father’s newspaper, how he got his first gig at 15, and his degree from Ottawa. He advised me to do the same – get some extra education – and to be as persistent as I could. He also showed me pictures of his granddaughters, whom he loved dearly.Once, after a lunch in which I wolfed down a pasta and Tony ate only fruit salad because “I can’t eat in the day time when it’s this hot”, he gave me what I considered an endorsement, especially as he had seen some of my earliest work. “Keep asking, keep writing and have a bit of fun along the way. That’s the important thing. Have some fun.” We ended the afternoon with a Bacardi Breezer and a chilled Sauvignon Blanc.When Tony said goodbye at the end of that summer, he bought me a gift – Rihanna’s first album – and advised me to do my journalism honours degree, keep trying to get published and change my ringtone. I did all three.Tony was one of the first people I emailed when I wrote my first story for ESPNcricinfo, two years after that. He followed my career, often emailing me when he thought I had written something that caught his eye.In 2011, after a longer-than-usual break in communication, Tony told me he had been ill but was “on the improve” after having his gall bladder removed. By 2012, he talked about being “just about fully back to normal”, and even told me there was a chance we would cross paths at the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Tony bought me a gift – Rihanna’s first album – and advised me to do my journalism honours degree, keep trying to get published and change my ringtone. I did all three

Although I had seen Tony on television before that, when I saw him in Cardiff, at the match between South Africa and West Indies, I was taken aback by how different he looked. “You’ve lost so much weight,” I remember telling him. “So have you,” came his sharp reply. We had promised to make a plan to have dinner but with the schedule the way it was, we never did.When West Indies toured South Africa in the 2014-15 season, I expected to see Tony again but he said he would not be making the trip. Although he was pleased with how my career was progressing, he had also had enough of watching West Indies’ decline. “I look forward to more of it [your work] during the West Indies series,” he wrote to me. “Let me rephrase that. I dread what depressing news you’ll bring during the West Indies series.”Tony advised me to try and interview Kragg Braithwaite and Jason Holder, both members of his club, Wanderers, in Barbados. “They are two really good lads,” he said. “Tell them you’d been in touch with me.”I got to do a proper piece on Holder a few months later, at the 2015 World Cup, when I was analysing him as a young leader. I emailed Tony for some information and he began his reply with what I consider some of the finest praise I have ever received: “Whenever I turn on my computer, you’re all over it, video and audio reporting and interviewing and on the byline of articles. I’m not complaining! It’s good to see, hear and read you and know that you’ve so successfully pressed on since 2007.” I knew if it hadn’t been for Tony, I might never have got to that point. I thanked him for believing in me.The last time I heard from Tony was earlier this year, when he told me he was “as fine as could be expected for someone for whom the years are passing by far too quickly”. Something was different about his tone.When I heard yesterday that Tony was in hospital, I sent him an email, in hope. Communication with friends in the West Indies soon led me to realise it was unlikely Tony would ever read it. A few hours later I heard the news of his passing. I lost my grandmother a little over a week ago and today, it felt like I lost a grandfather. I will listen to that Rihanna CD in his memory.

da fazobetai： Everton had a quiet January transfer window, bringing in just one signing, Carlos Alcaraz. Perhaps it is a bit of a surprise that the Toffees did not strengthen further, given their precarious league position. They sit 16th in the Premier League, seven points clear of relegation at the moment.

da aposte e ganhe： Reports did circulate that they made a late bid to try and sign winger Tom Fellows from West Bromwich Albion. However, reports from TEAMTalk suggest they never actually lodged an offer for the England under-21 international.

So, as it happened, Alcaraz became the only player the Merseysiders brought in during the January transfer window. He will certainly add strength and depth to David Moyes’ squad.

Why Everton signed Alcaraz

Everton brought their new versatile attacking option in on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo until the end of the season. There is confusion about the buy clause at the end of the loan, with the Toffees claiming it is an option, whereas Flamengo say it is obligatory.

Regardless, in the short term, the Argentine will provide lots of versatility and quality to Moyes’ squad in forward areas. With that being said, his contribution in Brazil has been slightly underwhelming. As per Fotmob, he has five goal contributions in 19 games for Flamengo.

The 22-year-old has previously played in the top flight, featuring for 48 games in total for the Saints. In that time, the Argentine managed to score eight goals and register five assists, which included a strike away to Arsenal in the Premier League.

The word versatility is one that springs to mind when you think of the former Saints man. He is able to play in a multitude of positions, including out wide on the left, as an advanced number eight or as a number ten.

Moyes could well see decide to start him as a number ten, or at least as the most advanced of the Toffees midfielders. That might mean he drops a player from the starting XI who has been a key player for the Merseysiders in recent years.

The Everton star who Alcaraz could replace

The player in question here is Abdoulaye Doucoure. Having played at Goodison Park for the past five years, he has had some memorable moments. According to Fotmob, the midfielder has played 155 games for the club and has 19 goals and 13 assists in that time.

His most recent strike, in the 4-0 win over Leicester City, was a record-breaker for an Everton player. He scored after 10.18 seconds, the fourth fastest in the Premier League, and the fastest in Everton’s history.

Yet, he has generally struggled for form in the 2024/25 campaign. Doucoure has played 23 times for the club across all competitions but has managed just one goal in the top flight and once in the Carabao Cup. Given his role is a box-crashing number ten, his goal contributions have arguably left a little to be desired.

Indeed, the stats from Doucoure’s campaign this season have been perhaps a little underwhelming. On average per game, he has created 1.01 chances and has 1.81 touches in the opposition box. With that being said, his work off the ball is impressive and includes 5.17 ball recoveries.

Doucoure key stats 2024/25 PL

Stat (per 90)

Number

Expected goals

0.09xG

Chances created

1.01

Touches in opposition box

1.81

Ball recoveries

5.17

Aerial duel win rate

42.2%

Stats from Fotmob

Once described as a “shining light” by former manager Sean Dyche, the midfielder has not quite been at his best this season. With the signing of Alcaraz, Moyes may well decide to drop Doucoure from the side and unleash the Argentine.

They will certainly play similar roles, but there is a trade-off to the swap. Whilst Alcaraz perhaps adds more quality on the ball, the Malian midfielder is brilliant out of possession. It is certainly a dilemma for Moyes, but maybe trailing their new addition in the side would be a good experiment.

The Scottish boss has a big call to make at the weekend, but Alcaraz will surely be pushing for a start and could stake his claim for a permanent place in the team with a good performance.

Related Everton have hit gold on "magic" ace who's worth millions more than Alcaraz

Everton signed Flamengo’s club-record signing on transfer deadline day.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Feb 5, 2025

Arsenal have had to deal with plenty of setbacks this season, but after their win on Wednesday night, there is a sense of positivity around the club.

Mikel Arteta’s side knew it was a must-win game against Tottenham Hotspur, and instead of crumbling under pressure, they rose to the occasion and came back from a goal down to win 2-1, which is even more impressive considering the absence of star attacker Bukayo Saka.

The Englishman is undoubtedly the Gunners’ most important player, but fortunately, his partner in crime and club captain, Martin Odegaard, looked back to his very best and helped run the show from midfield.

Arteta will be hoping that he can continue that form into the rest of the campaign now, but he could soon have some fresh competition, as recent reports have linked the club with a sensationally talented midfielder who could be the Odegaard to Ethan Nwaeri’s Saka a few years down the line.

Arsenal chase midfield gem

According to a recent report from the Telegraph, Arsenal are one of several sides incredibly interested in signing Norwegian wonderkid Sverre Nypan.

The 18-year-old talent is already a mainstay in Rosenborg’s first team, shares an agent with Erling Haaland, and according to the report, a decision on his future will be made in ‘the coming weeks.’

If the Gunners want to secure the phenom’s services this month, they’ll need to stump up around £10m, which might not be a lot in the grand scheme of modern football, but it is undoubtedly significant for a teenager outside of the top five leagues.

That said, it could well prove to be a bargain a few years from now, especially if the sensational midfielder can form a brilliant partnership with Nwaneri in the mould of Odegaard and Saka.

Why Arsenal should sign Nypan

It would be fair to say that in this Arsenal team, the most important attacking partnership is between Saka off the right and Odegaard playing his hybrid ten/eight role, which Arteta could recreate a few years from now with Nwaneri and Nypan.

We have already seen this season that, in the absence of the Gunners’ number seven, the manager prefers to start the 17-year-old off the right due to his ability to cut inside and fire off a shot with his left or go on the outside and lay off the ball from the corner.

So, if the young Englishman is already being used as a backup for his older compatriot, there is no reason to think the same couldn’t happen with the two Norwegians, if the Rosenberg ace signs, that is.

In fact, he played a similar role for the Norwegian side last season, starting 22 games in central midfield and, as his heat map shows, floating out wide during games.

Now, he did favour playing on the left-hand side last season, but as analyst Ben Mattinson says, he’s “completely ambipedal,” meaning he favours neither foot and could therefore dictate play from practically anywhere on the pitch with no problem at all.

On top of that, Mattinson actively describes the teenager as an “all-phase midfielder with the ability to control the pace of the game” which, again, at his very best is what the Arsenal captain can do.

With that said, there is every chance that the “elite level talent,” as Mattinson dubbed him, could end up being even better than his national team teammate, as despite being so young, he’s already racked up 60 senior appearances in which he’s scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists, which is incredibly impressive.

Nypan’s senior career
Appearances	60
Goals	13
Assists	11
Goal Involvements per Match	0.40
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Ultimately, £10m is a lot to spend on a teenager, but based on his performances in Norway, the way he is spoken about by those in the know and the prospect of seeing him develop alongside Nwaneri, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Nypan to N5 this month.

Way better than Wissa: Arsenal target £361k-p/w star who can leave in Jan

The incredible international would make Arsenal far more dangerous.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 17, 2025

Glasgow Rangers suffered heartbreak in the Europa League on Thursday evening, with Philippe Clement’s side conceding a late Bruno Fernandes goal as Manchester United secured a 2-1 victory.

The two sides were aiming for three points to boost their chances of finishing in the top eight, thus securing a spot in the last 16.

Man United scored first courtesy of a Jack Butland howler, and it looked as though the Old Trafford side were cruising to victory.

However, with just two minutes of normal time left, a mistake by Harry Maguire gave Cyriel Dessers a sniff. Often guilty of profligacy, the striker took one touch, before firing a shot devastatingly into the corner of the United goal.

Despite this, there was more late drama as Fernandes got on the end of a cross to score what turned out to be the winner.

There were a few decent performances by the away side, while a few youngsters managed to secure some game time.

Rangers' biggest underperformer against Man United

While it was Butland who scored an unfortunate own goal against his former employers, he wasn’t the main culprit at Old Trafford, far from it.

One of them was full-back Jefte who with the clock running down, switched off at the back post and allowed that man Fernandes to ghost in relatively unmarked and find the back of the net.

It was never going to be a game full of chances for the Gers but Clement will no doubt find himself disappointed with some of the forwards, most notably Nedim Bajrami.

The Albanian looked like an interesting signing when he joined the Ibrox side last summer. He has often played out of position on the left wing during his first few months due to injury issues with other members of the squad.

Across all competitions, Bajrami had scored four goals and grabbed four assists, but given how much the Gers paid for him, this figure should be higher.

Against United, Bajrami was utilised as an attacking midfielder, operating directly behind Hamza Igamane and if there was a game to prove to the supporters that he belonged in the team, this was it.

Unfortunately, he was arguably one of the poorest players in the team on Thursday evening. The former Sassuolo man completed just 13 passes during his time on the pitch, while taking only 25 touches – two fewer than Butland – proving how little he was involved.

Man Utd vs Rangers – Key statistics
Statistic	Highest-Ranked
Accurate passes	Lisandro Martínez (75)
Key passes	Bruno Fernandes (4)
Ground duels won	Nico Raskin (7)
Shots on target	Alejandro Garnacho (2)
Tackles	Nico Raskin (4)
Via Sofascore

From an attacking standpoint, he made zero key passes, attempted zero dribbles and created zero big chances during the game, along with registering no total shots.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The midfielder also gave the ball away seven times in what was a dismal performance. Writer Andy Mckellar even claimed that Bajrami was “not offering enough on the ball.”

Who could replace Bajrami in the Rangers side

Given how poor he was against Man United, the Albanian could well lose his place in the starting XI for the clash against Dundee United on Sunday afternoon.

Ianis Hagi wasn’t included in the Europa League squad, but he should be taking over from Bajrami this weekend.

The 25-year-old has been poor for a number of weeks now and considering there are plenty of youngsters such as Bailey Rice, Zak Lovelace and Findlay Curtis knocking on the door, the Albania international will need to improve, and fast.

Despite the loss, a positive display next week in their final European match should see the club secure a place in the knockout playoffs.

Rangers’ 10 best managers of all time ranked by win percentage

The Gers missed out on the league title in his first season, but where does Philippe Clement rank among his predecessors?

By
Charlie Smith

Jan 4, 2025

James Vince has had eight innings in which to convert his elegance into output. But he is still making the same unnerving mistakes.

George Dobell at Edgbaston03-Aug-2016It’s not hard to see how James Vince’s batting could seduce you.If you were to walk past a net session in which he was batting, you could not help but be impressed. The sweetness of the timing and the range of his shots would set him apart from most. At times, he makes batting look beautiful.You would never say that about Alastair Cook or Gary Ballance. If you were to walk past them in the nets, you could be forgiven for concluding that they are far more limited players. With their reluctance to drive, their determination not to be drawn into high-risk strokes and their emphasis on crease occupation and accumulation, you might conclude they were not in Vince’s class.But not everything we like the look of is good for us. While Vince puts away the poor ball with pleasing style, he is now eight innings into his Test career and has yet to register a half-century. And while Cook and Ballance may not be the prettiest batsmen, they have developed a method that works for them and understand that batting is just as much about patience as it is about hand-eye coordination. There are no extra runs for artistic impression in Test cricket. Vince’s continued selection is a victory for style over substance.His dismissal here exposed a familiar fault. Unsure whether to play or leave a delivery just outside off stump, he ended up doing a bit of both and a lot of neither. It was a decent ball, for sure, but it was the sort of ball that Test players will receive often. If he is to sustain a career at this level, it is the sort of delivery he needs to be able to handle.Vince could have been out several times before that. Early in his innings he flicked one from Rahat Ali through midwicket. The crowd applauded and the ball whistled to the boundary, but it was an unnecessarily high-risk stroke. Instead of playing the ball on the ground, Vince had flicked it up and over the midwicket fielder. Next delivery, Rahat angled one across him and Vince flashed at it. He made no contact, but it was a familiar error.And that’s the problem. For, six Tests into his career, he does not appear to be learning quickly enough to justify extending his stay in the side. He has not learned that batting, at Test level at least, is as much about denial as flair, as much about the balls you don’t play as those you do, as much about discipline as it is about dashing.James Vince played fluently for his 39, but fell to another loose shot•AFPSix Tests into his career, he has done nothing to refute the suggestion that he is an unusually elegant destroyer of mediocre bowling, but that he lacks the defensive technique to cope with more demanding attacks. That difference between his batting average in each division of the County Championship – about 50 in the second division and about 30 in the first – remains telling.There is another telling statistic that speaks volumes for Vince’s approach. While he has scored 69 percent of his Test runs in boundaries (admittedly in a small sample size), England’s two best batsmen, Alastair Cook and Joe Root, have both scored 47 percent of their Test runs from fours and sixes.This suggests that, while Root and Cook are prepared to wait for the poor ball to punish, Vince goes looking for it. It suggests, too, that while Root has the all-round game required to score freely without taking undue risk, Vince is over-reliant upon the ‘big shot’ to keep the scoreboard moving. It suggests he is lacking in temperament or technique. That those flashing drives are as much a weakness as they are a strength.Ballance provided an example for Vince to follow on the first day at Edgbaston. While there is sometimes little that is pretty about his batting – to be fair, he played some lovely strokes here – he knows his game, he understands his limitations and he has the patience to wait for the poor ball before launching into an aggressive stroke. It is, in short, substance over style.He has not changed his technique much. Despite a mountain of criticism towards the end of his first run in the side, he stuck with his method – he admits he attempted to change but felt less comfortable at the crease and scored fewer runs – and resolved to execute it better. It would be premature to suggest that this, his highest Test score since April 2015, cements his place in the side, but it was a significant step in that direction.Whether his contribution helped England to a competitive total is debatable. While Ballance suggested England thought 300 was “around par”, pitches at Edgbaston tend to be at their best for batsmen on day two and three. When England reflect on their dismissals, they may conclude that several of their batsmen were the architects of their own downfall – none more so than Root, who pushed at one that left him, and Jonny Bairstow, who wafted away from his body – and that Pakistan have been given an opportunity to take advantage.

David Moyes is pushing Everton to sign a “quality” £30m-rated player as a replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite should he leave in the summer, according to a reliable reporter.

Everton news and updates

After snatching a last-minute equaliser against Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Moyes went on to confirm that the Toffees had suffered a blow, as Iliman Ndiaye is facing weeks on the sidelines after going off injured in tears against the Reds.

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ByBen Browning Feb 15, 2025

“Iliman has got a medial [knee] ligament injury. It’s not looking great at the moment. We’re probably not sure how long it’s going to be. We’ll get a bit more on that, but it’s certainly going to be a few weeks.”

That would have been devastating news for Everton, but in their first game without the attacker, they managed to pick up three points away at Crystal Palace.

Away from injury news, it’s been reported that Moyes could be looking to bring Tom Fellows to Everton in the summer, as he wants to add a talented youngster to his side in the off-season. Fellows is reportedly keen on the move to Everton, though West Brom are reportedly after £20m for their academy product.

Moyes pushing Everton to sign £30m ace

Fellows is not the only player on Moyes’ radar, as according to reporter Alan Nixon (as relayed by Football League World), Everton are interested in signing Maxime Esteve from Burnley as a replacement for Branthwaite should he depart.

Nixon stated that Everton’s interest in the Burnley defender comes as the Toffees prepare for the potential departure of Branthwaite, who could leave for around £60m in the summer.

Moyes has identified Esteve as an adequate replacement, which could come as a source of frustration for Burnley, as he’s been key to them being one of the standout sides in the Championship.

The 22-year-old joined the Clarets on loan in February last year before joining on a permanent basis in the summer. The centre-back, who could cost Everton as much as £30m in the summer, has started all 33 Championship games to date.

The Toffees’ chances of signing the defender could be increased if Burnley fail to seal promotion to the Premier League.

Apps

33

Clean sheets

24

Interceptions per game

0.9

Tackles per game

1.0

Balls recovered per 90

3.6

Clearances per 90

4.2

Passing accuracy per game

62.4 (91%)

Esteve, who has been labelled a “quality” centre-back by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is a left-footer like Branthwaite and is the same age as the Everton defender, making him an ideal like-for-like replacement.

However, as Everton had to with Branthwaite, they may have to be patient with Esteve, as he’s only got 16 appearances to his name in the top flight, and it will be a different environment going from Burnley in the Championship to Everton in England’s biggest league.

Also, what is the highest total in Tests that didn’t include a hundred partnership?

Steven Lynch08-Aug-2017We were talking during the Oval Test about home advantage, and wondered which Surrey player had scored the most Test runs there. Was it Stewie or Hobbs? asked David Humphries from Surrey
You’ve chosen the right two, and it’s very close: Alec Stewart scored 624 Test runs at The Oval, and Jack Hobbs 619. “The Master” had the edge on “The Guv’nor” in one important respect, though: Hobbs averaged 56.27 and Stewart 31.90. Two other legendary Surrey names are close at hand as well: Ken Barrington scored 596 Test runs at The Oval, and Graham Thorpe 586. Kevin Pietersen scored 897 Test runs at The Oval, but only 374 of them after joining Surrey in 2010. For the list of the leading run-scorers in Oval Tests, click here. The leading Surrey wicket-taker there is Jim Laker, who claimed 40, while his partner-in-spin Tony Lock lies second, with 34.What is the highest total in Tests that didn’t include a hundred partnership? asked Kieron McArthur from Barbados
There have been three totals of 500-plus (and one of 499) in Tests without a partnership of 100 or more. England made 515 against Pakistan at Headingley in 2006 despite the highest stand of their innings being 86, while India made 520 against Australia in Adelaide in 1985-86 (the first wicket put on 95, and the last 94). But top of the list remains Australia’s 533 against West Indies, also in Adelaide, in 1968-69: the highest partnership was 93, between Doug Walters and Paul Sheahan. That was a high-scoring match, with a total of 1764 runs – a record for a time-limited Test ¬- and 17 individual scores of 50 or more, still the overall Test record.It took Stuart Broad 19 balls to get the first five of his eight wickets at Trent Bridge•Getty ImagesI wondered during the Oval Test whether Toby Roland-Jones would complete the fastest five-for on debut – but he got stuck on four wickets for quite a while. Who does hold this record? asked Giles Taylor from England
I think this record belongs to the Jamaican fast bowler Lester King, who took five wickets in the first five overs of his Test debut, for West Indies in Kingston in 1961-62 as India nosedived to 26 for 5. King was unfortunate that his heyday coincided with that of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith (plus a useful third seamer in Garry Sobers). In fact King played only one further Test, against England in Georgetown in 1967-68, when Griffith was injured.The fastest five-fors in any innings, after first coming on to bowl, were achieved in 19 balls – by the Australian left-armer Ernie Toshack, against India in Brisbane in 1947-48 (he took 11 for 31 in the match), and by Stuart Broad, at the start of his 8 for 15 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015.Who scored the most runs in Tests before being dismissed? asked Michael Fox from England
My first thought that it would be hard to beat Reginald “Tip” Foster, who scored 287 on his debut for England against Australia in Sydney in 1903-04, which remains the highest score by anyone in their first Test. But someone did manage more runs before being dismissed: Jacques Rudolph, the South African left-hander, kicked off his Test career with 222 not out against Bangladesh in Chittagong in April 2003, and added 71 in his next innings, in Dhaka, to make it 293 runs before he was out for the first time. Brendon Kuruppu of Sri Lanka scored 220 Test runs (201 not out and 19) before getting out, while Lawrence Rowe of West Indies and New Zealand’s Mathew Sinclair both started with an innings of 214.Of living people, who has gone the longest since playing in a Test match? asked Karthik Subramaniam from India
There are two men, still alive as I write, whose Test careers finished over 67 years ago in 1950. The hard-hitting Eastern Province batsman Ronald Draper played two Tests for South Africa against Australia in 1949-50, the second of which finished on March 6. Later that year the Cambridge University and Sussex batsman Hubert Doggart played twice for England, his Test career coming to a close on June 29 after West Indies’ famous victory at Lord’s. Doggart, who was later president of MCC, is now 92, while Draper is 90.Women’s cricket, however, boasts an even longer time gap: the remarkable Eileen Ash, who rang the bell before the start of the recent women’s World Cup final at Lord’s, played the last of her seven Test matches in March 1949. As Eileen Whelan she had made her debut against Australia in Northampton in 1937, and is the last surviving pre-war Test cricketer of either sex. She is now 105 years old.Leave your questions in the comments