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Dancing down the track to Rangana Herath has proved a productive tactic for India’s batsmen in this series, with the knock-on effect of creating opportunities to score off the back foot as well

Sidharth Monga at the SSC04-Aug-2017Ajinkya Rahane has revealed that India have made a conscious effort to attack the spinners on their tour of Sri Lanka, and in particular use their feet against Rangana Herath, the prime threat. As a result they have piled on successive 600-plus first-innings totals, and have all but neutralised the threat of Herath, whose average against India since fashioning the Galle win in 2015 is 53.61, and economy rate 3.58.In all, India’s batsmen have left the crease 84 times when facing Herath in this series, taking 123 runs off those balls while losing two wickets, Wriddhiman Saha the batsman dismissed on both occasions. It is not just the runs scored off those balls, though. There are also the short balls earned in the bargain.”When we played last time here against Sri Lanka, especially after Galle Test match, we decided that using footwork against him was very important,” Rahane said. “Here again in the first Test, Shikhar [Dhawan, scoring 190] batted really well, but throughout against him and their spinners we wanted to use our footwork so we could get more runs on the back foot. Especially on this kind of wicket, it is very slow and dry, so we knew that if we use our footwork we will get more runs on the back foot.”So when I went in to bat with Pujara we decided to change our momentum because Virat [Kohli] got out and we wanted to put pressure back on them, and that’s what we did. So we knew using footwork we would get more runs on the front foot as well as the back foot.”This was Rahane’s first century since Indore last year, but he said he was confident his batting was in good enough shape. “It was important, but for me I was confident,” Rahane said. “Even throughout that time, not getting a hundred for 9-10 Tests, I was confident about myself. I knew that if I get in I will get to a big one. It was all about thinking positive even throughout that period.”Coming to Sri Lanka, I was batting well in West Indies as well so wanted to carry that form forward. And batted well in the first Test. So here I decided if I play positively I will convert it to a big one.”The result was what Rahane called one of his best innings against spinners. He has historically had some issues against spin even though he has proved himself against quick bowling in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia. As a No. 5, he often comes in at a time when the ball has begun to turn and reverse. The case here was similar: India had lost two quick wickets, and were 133 for 3 with the ball taking turn. He came out and began to attack the spinners.”My mindset was completely blank coming into this innings,” Rahane said. “I wanted to take my time initially but later on, we thought if we dominate, if we change the momentum, they will be on the back foot straightaway, and that’s what happened. Because the same thinking was in Melbourne [in December 2014] in Australia, wanted to dominate them and that’s what we did.”But here the challenge was slightly different, a spinning-friendly wicket and we knew that if we get a good partnership – because I was talking to Virat in the dressing room before lunch that if we get a 150-200 partnership, one big partnership, they will be on the back foot and that’s what actually happened. Me and [Cheteshwar] Pujara got that partnership.”

Eoin Morgan largely exonerated his batsmen despite a record-breaking collapse at the start of the third ODI against South Africa

George Dobell at Lord's29-May-2017Eoin Morgan largely exonerated his batsmen despite a record-breaking collapse at the start of the third ODI against South Africa.England were 20 for 6 after 30 deliveries – the first time in history a side has lost six wickets in the first five overs of an ODI – as they struggled against a fine attack in conditions offering assistance to bowlers. While Jonny Bairstow engineered a partial recovery, he could not prevent England slipping to their first defeat in nine ODIs.But Morgan, the England captain, felt the wicket was more to blame than the batsmen and praised South Africa’s seamers – Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell – for harnessing conditions expertly.Suggesting the pitch was not suitable for ODI cricket, Morgan hinted that the toss – which was won by South Africa’s captain, AB de Villiers – was disproportionately important and went a long way towards deciding the game.”I’d be disappointed if we did come across surfaces like that in the ICC Champions Trophy,” Morgan said. “To win or lose the game on the toss in a major tournament is hard to take. Any side batting first has the potential to lose the game.”I don’t think it was an ODI wicket. It makes it one-sided which I don’t think is good for anybody. There was a lot of live, green grass on the wicket.”We saw the shots they played when they batted. We couldn’t play shots like that early this morning.”But South Africa bowled beautifully. They did not give us anything to hit and if they did we managed to nick it. Credit goes to South Africa, they came back really well.”While Morgan did accept that England might do well to reflect on the platform they built at the start of their innings in the second ODI in Southampton – they were 42 for 1 at the end of the first 10-over Powerplay- he did not think his batsmen had taken an overly aggressive approach in conditions that might have necessitated a more calculated game plan.”You earn the right to play positive cricket,” he said. “And we do need to keep our feet on the ground. But we didn’t play too aggressively. A lot of our shots were defensive shots. When it moves around like that, you nick the half-volleys.”The good news for England is that they can expect much more batting-friendly conditions on the grounds used for their Champions Trophy game. But there may be some disquiet in the camp if they find themselves inserted on an overcast morning on a pitch showing any sign of moisture.Still, Morgan is unlikely to admit any such fears at this stage – his team has been built on a commitment to attacking cricket that will only be inhibited by doubts – and will instead hope his batsmen can put this reverse out of their mind and continue to play the fearless cricket that has served them so well in recent months.Morgan also hinted that England will keep faith with Jason Roy in their Champions Trophy side.Roy endured a miserable series against South Africa, scoring just 13 runs in three innings. And with Bairstow continuing his fine run of form with another half-century – his third in his four most recent ODI innings – there might be a temptation to bring him into the side in place of Roy.But despite admitting telling Bairstow he was not selected was “the hardest thing,” Morgan remains committed to selecting Roy for the start of the Champions Trophy and agreed that last minute changes to the side – something of a characteristic of England going into global tournaments in recent times – might send out an unhelpful message.”It’s the hardest thing telling Jonny he’s not playing when he’s done nothing wrong and he scores a huge amount of runs,” Morgan said. “I’m very, very impressed by him. He never lets us down. Whenever he comes in he scores runs and he continues to bang on the door.”But as regards selection, Jason is the No.1 pick at the moment. Him and Alex Hales have been our 1 and 2 for quite a long time. They have had ups and downs but ultimately they have played in the fashion that we have played as a team and they have been very important to that.”England remain confident that all the first choice players who missed this match will be fit for Thursday’s opening Champions Trophy encounter against Bangladesh. Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes could, according to Morgan, have played on Monday if required, while the seamers, Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett, were just rested to ensure they remain fresh. Chris Woakes, too, was said to have “pulled up really well” with Morgan anticipating he will be “fully fit for Thursday.”Whether, in the case of Stokes, that means as an allrounder or a specialist batsman remains to be seen. Such is his long-term importance to England, they will be loathe to risk his fitness.”He can run around in the field like a mad man,” the coach, Trevor Bayliss, told Sky Sports. “And when he got his hundred over the weekend, he didn’t even feel it. I’s just when he’s bowling at full tilt. Hopefully that means it’s not much and hopefully an extra day or two and it’ll come good.He’s a very important part of the team. He brings energy to the team. And, as we saw, he can hold his position in the team as a batter as well, so I’m sure he’ll be there on Thursday.”

An update has emerged on Manchester United and their plans to bolster their options in the middle of the park during the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Taylor Booth to Manchester United?

According to the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are weighing up a bid to sign FC Utrecht central midfielder Taylor Booth ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that Erik ten Hag is a fan of the American international and has been impressed by his performances in the Netherlands.

An approach is now being considered as the Premier League giants eye up alternative targets to Mason Mount, with their pursuit of the Chelsea ace currently at a standstill after an offer of £55m was submitted.

It states that Celta Vigo, Stuttgart, and Lyon are also interested in snapping the 22-year-old talent, who has been valued at €12m (£10m) by the Dutch side.

What is Taylor Booth's style of play?

The Utrecht star is a creative midfield player who could help United to unlock opposition defences in the years to come, while being the dream long-term heir to Christian Eriksen's position.

A technically excellent number eight with the ability to make things happen in possession, the Denmark international enjoyed a strong debut campaign at Old Trafford.

Eriksen averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.95 across 28 Premier League appearances and conjured six 'big chances' for his teammates to go along with one goal. Only Jadon Sancho (1.7) and Bruno Fernandes (3.2) created more chances per game than the 31-year-old maestro (1.3) last term.

Booth, who was hailed as "wonderfully direct" by The Athletic journalist Jeff Rueter, is a player with the quality to make an almost identical impact in the final third.

The USMNT dynamo delivered 1.3 key passes per match across 24 Eredivisie outings and produced six 'big chances' for his colleagues, alongside an average Sofascore rating of 6.85.

Both players have averaged between 0.19 and 0.20 xAG (Expected Assisted Goals) per 90 over the last 365 days, which indicates that they both create opportunities of similar quality from a midfield position.

Defensively, Eriksen did not rank in the top five United players for tackles or interceptions per match and Booth's 1.7 combined defensive interventions per clash for Utrecht does not crack that list either.

These statistics suggest that United would be bringing in a player with comparative qualities to the former Tottenham Hotspur magician as Booth is a number eight who has the potential to be one of the club's most creative outlets.

At the age of 22, he could be the long-term heir to Eriksen, 31, at Old Trafford and come in as a signing with the scope to improve over time, rather than one with the aim of him hitting the ground running with high expectations.

Playing his first International in over a year last week, Morne Morkel is set to do what’s necessary to “prolong his career”

Firdose Moonda13-Mar-2017The job of the crowd at a sporting event is to create the best possible atmosphere for their team. They need to be noisy in their support of the home team, nicely nasty when the opposition are around and never short of a contribution to the sporting spectacle in front of them. Dunedin’s university crowd got that exactly right, especially when it came to Morne Morkel, who had a cunning plan to win them over.”The best way to get them on your side for the rest of the day is to do something funny and I thought I will join the crowd and have a down-down,” Morkel said, referring to his antics on the third afternoon when the students were sculling their beers on the embankment and a thirsty Morkel suspected if he wanted to quench his thirst, he would have to copy their methods.”I knew if I went to the cooler box, they were going to shout ‘down down’. It has happened to me before, in Australia,” Morkel said. “After that Faf came to me and he wanted me to bowl another over but I was too bloated. So I said, ‘Faf, you need to give me half an hour here.'”Luckily for Morkel, a full stomach – and not his bad back – was the only thing that kept him from bowling at that point as he confirmed his return to the Test cricket, after 14 months out of the side. Morkel had not been part of the Test XI since January 2016, had not played an international match since June last year and had been nursing a bulging disc in his back since. During his rehabilitation, he had played just one full first-class game and coming into this Test series, the only game time he had was two List A matches.”I was more nervous that I don’t pull up [a back strain]. That’s the last thing you want, especially when you are playing three seam bowlers. I was a little bit nervous because I hadn’t been in the field for longer than 50 overs. In the back of my mind it was going to be a real test going for more 20 overs with the ball and 100 overs in the field,” Morkel said. “One of my biggest worries was that in Dunedin I knew it was going to be cold, so I was wondering if my muscles would recover. There were a lot of ifs and buts.”In total, Morkel spent 102 overs in the field and bowled 24 overs. Results aside, just to have put in that amount of time is reason enough for Morkel to declare his comeback a success. “For me to break that mental barrier was quite pleasing.and now I can put those things to rest and just focus on cricket,” he said. “All those demons that were on my mind, I managed to control it and get through it. I have that peace of mind that I can play Test matches again.”Over the last few months, Morkel has received some medical opinion that his injury would end his career. “In the back of my mind, I didn’t believe it,” he said.But he knew that in order to return, he would have to do extensive strengthening work. “The main issue was that my lower core was weak and in a way I needed to rewire my body,” he explained. “I had so many bad movements, mechanically with my body that created tension and inflammation. I had a massive bulge in the top of the core which caused spasms and all those sorts of things.”With an important tour of England coming up, Morkel has decided to skip the 2017 IPL•BCCI

Part of Morkel’s recovery has included the use of Pilates, some of it has concentrated on his action and a lot of it has been in his mind. “I’ve had a lot of work in getting certain muscles to switch on and switch off at certain times,” he said. “I needed to find a way to relax my upper core so my lower core could work.”Getting that right took time, which is why Morkel’s return was postponed several times. He was originally due to play Tests in Australia in November last year and went on the tour but only took part in the warm-up matches, he was then ruled out of the Sri Lanka series at home with a view to playing in the ODIs but a recurrence of symptoms meant he could only return for these Tests. And still, he cannot be absolutely certain the issue has disappeared.”I don’t think I have solved it. I need to take a lot of responsibility now, to look after my body. I can’t take any shortcuts with my training and my gym work. I need to manage my load with cricket outside the South African season and just be clever with that,” Morkel said.He is already doing that. Morkel opted out of this year’s IPL auction with a view to prolonging his international career as long as possible. “Because I haven’t played any cricket for South Africa for so long, if I put my name in the auction, it will be frowned upon, plus we have some big cricket coming in England. I thought if I go well in this New Zealand series, then I’ve got four weeks at home to really get strong. For me that was the important thing: to get myself fit for South Africa and to play well for South Africa,” Morkel said.He has not put a timeframe on how much longer he is looking to play at the highest level beyond “as long as possible”. But he is expecting to take his place in the team later this week at the Basin Reserve, where he took career-best figures of 6 for 23 the last time South Africa were in New Zealand, five years ago. He hopes he can draw on his experience to enjoy similar success this time.”I bowled quite well in that [2011-12] series and for some reason my length was a touch fuller. Depending on the sort of surfaces they are going to prepare – and it looks like they are going to go with slow, turning wickets – it’s going to be crucial for me to play with my lengths. Even though It looks pretty and you can control the right with back of a length, I reckon if you want to strike and you want to get wickets you have to go a touch fuller. It worked for me last time,” Morkel said. “Then again, I also need to play to my strengths. If I just bowl full, its going to be easy for the batsmen so I need to bowl that intimidating length and get the guys on the back foot and try and strike from there. It’s about the intensity that I bowl with and to have body language. It’s about reading the situation and knowing when to go fuller.”And about reading the crowd and when to join in the fun. Now that Morkel is in the twilight years of his career, he wants to do that as much as possible.

Everton are unlikely to complete the signing of Burnley striker Wout Weghorst this summer, according to a key update regarding his future.

What next for Weghorst this summer?

The 30-year-old joined Manchester United on loan during the January transfer window, but it was a move that ultimately failed to work out. He failed to score a single goal in 17 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, and it became clear that he was not at the level required.

That's not to say that Weghorst didn't have the odd moment to cherish in 2022/23, however – Erik ten Had hailed his "great personality" at Old Trafford – scoring twice for the Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina, including a last-gasp strike that took the game to extra-time.

With United not deciding to sign the Dutchman permanently, though, and his Burnley contract expiring in the summer of 2025, his future could be up in the air this summer.

Everton have been linked with a move for the towering striker, with the Blues potentially seeing him as an effective addition to their attack before the start of next season, but a new claim suggests that such reports are wide of the mark.

Are Everton expected to sign Weghorst?

According to Football Insider, Everton are "not in the race" to snap up Weghorst in the summer, with the report stating that a "well-placed source has told this site that the Merseysiders will be in the market for a new forward – but the 30-year-old does not figure on Sean Dyche’s wanted list."

While he "doesn’t figure in the plans of Vincent Kompany at parent club Burnley", it seems highly unlikely that Goodison Park will be his next destination.

In truth, Weghorst would feel like a risky signing by Everton this summer, considering the struggles he endured at United, lacking ruthlessness in the final third and looking too one-dimensional, given his height and lack of pace.

The Blues need to be bringing in someone who can guarantee a more regular stream of end product, not to mention an individual who possesses more pace and trickery, ensuring the Merseysiders become a more potent attacking force next season.

Just 34 goals in 38 Premier League games in 2022/23 sums up their struggles in that area, and if at least one top-quality striker isn't added, they could again find themselves in trouble towards the bottom of the table.

ScorecardWayne Madsen’s century saved the innings defeat for Derbyshire but Worcestershire prevailed in the end•Getty Images

For the first time in 92 years Derbyshire finished a County Championship season without a single victory after losing to Worcestershire by nine wickets in their final Specsavers Division Two fixture at New Road.Having started the last day at 15 for 1, still 212 behind, they held off the home side for five hours until they were dug out for 266. Worcestershire had to make 40 and lost Brett D’Oliveira before securing third place behind Essex and Kent.At least the division’s bottom county went down on a note of defiance thanks to Wayne Madsen’s sixth championship century of the season and Harvey Hosein’s achievement in becoming only the fourth Derbyshire wicketkeeper to make a hundred and a fifty in a match.The last Derbyshire player to score six hundreds was Chris Rogers in 2009, and there was another milestone for Madsen in closing the campaign with a personal-best total of 1,292 runs, the fourth year in a row that he has topped 1,000.There was also a distinction on the bowling side as Joe Leach took 7 for 108 in the match and ended his summer with 65 wickets, the most in Division Two.Leach had given Worcestershire encouragement in his second over of the day. Alex Hughes went forward and drove hard but edged to Tom Kohler-Cadmore.More trouble for Derbyshire followed when Billy Godleman hoisted a ball from Miguel Cummins straight to Ed Barnard at fine leg, a shot that was perhaps not in keeping with a side battling to avoid defeat.At 29 for 3, Derbyshire were still 198 behind but Madsen gave them some hope with Tom Wood’s help until his younger partner was caught behind the wicket off Barnard after making 10 out of 45 in 10 overs.It was the appearance of Hosein that injected new conviction. In making his fifth consecutive score of 50 or more, the 20-year-old judged his role to perfection, allowing Madsen to take the main role but scoring consistently himself as they put on 124 in 26 overs.Another New Road pitch conformed to the pattern of the season in becoming flatter the longer the game went on.Even Madsen’s dismissal, leg-before to Charlie Morris for exactly 100 after hitting 15 fours and a six, did not immediately open the door to Worcestershire.Hosein maintained his unflappable tempo and Tom Milnes brought a bolder approach until Daryl Mitchell intervened with two wickets in eight ballsThe seventh bowler in the attack, the home captain bowled Milnes for 36 and Greg Cork for 4. Suddenly Worcestershire’s challenge was reignited and in the next over, D’Oliveira accounted for Hosein, caught at short leg for 59, and Will Davis, lbw without scoring, in successive deliveries.Cummins then took the new ball and when Tony Palladino was given out leg-before, the last five wickets had fallen for the addition of 11 runs.

It’s no secret that Glasgow Rangers are keen on a move to sign goalkeeper Jack Butland this summer, with Michael Beale looking at bolstering his options between the posts ahead of next season.

However, according to The Scottish Sun, Manchester United are looking to double his salary in a bid to keep the Englishman with the club for 2023/24, which could scupper any potential move to Rangers.

Butland hasn’t played a minute for the Red Devils since joining from Crystal Palace on a six-month loan deal, yet Erik ten Hag looks like he wants to retain his services, meaning Beale may have to move onto other targets.

According to the Daily Mail, the 42-year-old has shown an interest in Fortuna Sittard goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, with the report claiming that the Light Blues have sent scouts to watch the Croatian gem in action against PSV Eindhoven last weekend.

He is on loan at the Eredivisie club from Hellas Verona, though he will make the switch permanent this summer after they tied him down until 2027.

Who is Ivor Pandur?

With Allan McGregor looking increasingly likely to hang up his gloves at the end of the season and Jon McLaughlin’s future uncertain, it could leave Robby McCrorie as the only senior ‘keeper in the squad come the summer, and Beale will be looking to provide plenty of competition for the Scot.

Pandur has displayed some impressive form in the Dutch top flight this term, earning a 7.01/10 Sofascore rating for his performances, making the team of the week twice.

The 23-year-old has saved 67% of the shots he has faced this term, which works out as 3.7 saves per game while also achieving a 100% runout success – proving to not only be an excellent shot-stopper, but also effective at coming off his line to prevent goalscoring opportunities.

He also ranks seventh out of all the ‘keepers in the Eredivisie for saves made this season, showing how often he is called into action, and if he makes the move to Rangers, it could be argued that the improved quality of defence compared to his current side will mean he shouldn’t have to make this number of saves.

His ability to save shots from close range has also been on show, with Pandur ranking fifth in the league with 72 saves inside the box – another impressive number. Therefore, if Beale manages to secure a deal, they could land a top ‘keeper.

Fortuna technical manager Sjoerd Ars has lavished praise on him, labelling the player as a “top professional”, and although playing for Rangers would be a major step up, there is surely no doubt that he could handle himself well in Scotland.

Jermaine Blackwood returned to form with a patient half-century while R Ashwin scalped three wickets in the second innings as the Indians’ warm-up game against West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI petered out into a draw in Basseterre

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2016
ScorecardJermaine Blackwood compiled a patient 143-ball 51•AFP

West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood returned to form with a patient half-century while R Ashwin scalped three wickets in the second innings as the Indians’ warm-up game against West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI petered out into a draw in Basseterre.Resuming from their overnight deficit of 158, batsmen Joel Campbell and Shai Hope started slowly. After striking Ravindra Jadeja for two sixes, Campbell holed out to mid-on for a 59-ball 31.Five overs later, Hope was caught by Virat Kohli at leg slip and the President’s XI were 70 for 3. However, Blackwood, who is part of West Indies’ Test squad for the India series, and Vishaul Singh expelled the Indians’ hopes of a win with a 62-run fourth-wicket partnership off 31 overs.”I’m fully confident,” Blackwood said after play. “The first innings [I] was looking to bat as long as possible, [I] have the feel of the bowlers. Now I know what they have to offer. I tried to pick the gap, not try to be as aggressive as my normal self and changed my approach. [I’m] always going to be confident, even if I get one ball or make a hundred, I’m still going to be the same Jermaine Blackwood.”Vishaul was run-out for 39 and Blackwood was bowled by Ashwin for 51 off 143 balls, but Montcin Hodge and Rahkeem Cornwall added 39 for the sixth wicket. Cornwall was caught behind for 21 off Mohammed Shami but with an Indian win seeming unlikely, the game was drawn with 78 overs bowled in the day.Seamers Shami and Shardul Thakur bowled 11 and 12 overs respectively, while spinners Ashwin, Jadeja and Amit Mishra shared 43 overs among them.”In both the (warm-up) games, pitches in St Kitts were slow,” Thakur said after the game. “We are expecting slower wickets in the Test matches. If there is a slow wicket the next time we play, it won’t surprise us. We are ready for it. Doesn’t matter what the pitch is – slow or fast. Effort matters. To put in that effort is my job.”India begin their four-Test series against West Indies in North Sound, Antigua from July 21.

Allan Donald has stated his desire to be Australia’s reverse swing sage after he was announced as the national team’s bowling coach for the tour of Sri Lanka

Daniel Brettig28-Apr-2016Allan Donald has stated his desire to be Australia’s reverse swing sage after he was formally announced as the national team’s bowling coach for the tour of Sri Lanka in July, with the possibility of a longer term appointment to follow.Cricket Australia confirmed the appointment on Thursday, with Donald revealing he had first been approached by Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann during the brief tour of South Africa that preceded the World Twenty20 in India. Donald’s record of success as a bowler on the subcontinent was a key factor in the choice, as Australia face tours of Sri Lanka and India either side of the next home summer.”From a Test match point of view you need to be using that new ball and using it really well, and being very disciplined,” Donald said of bowling on the subcontinent. “You take the conditions, not only the pitch but the heat the players have got to deal with, the humidity and that sort of thing but reverse swing is massive in the subcontinent. I’ve played enough against Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to know what it takes to be able to execute that, it’s a massive key.”I certainly want to take reverse swing to another level – I think Australia have done it pretty well but I think there’s a lot more to it and a lot more skill to take a lot further. That for me is going to be a massive skill over there. To take 20 wickets over there you’ll need patience, discipline and skill, but reverse swing will be a massive key to making that happen.”Lehmann said he expected Donald to challenge conventional Australian thinking as the team tries to find ways to succeed away from familiar conditions. “He brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around,” Lehmann said.”His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation. He has also had considerable success in subcontinent conditions and will bring a fresh perspective, and challenge some of our thinking.”Donald worked with South Africa’s bowlers from 2011 to 2015 but his contract was not renewed following last year’s World Cup. He said it was vital that he took time to build relationships with the current crop of fast men including Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, in what he hopes will grow into a longer term posting.”There’s no question if that opportunity does come a long then I’d love to work with Boof and his team without a shadow of a doubt,” Donald said. “For the moment it’s an opportunity just to come in and spend some time with the Australian culture … being part of that now is very special for me and very humbling. But if it does happen to be a long-term thing I’d absolutely love to do that. We’ll take it small steps at a time and see how that goes.”You can’t sit sit down and say ‘what am I trying to do’, I’ll be trying to sit down and get to know these guys for a period of time and then do what I can to help. I played cricket a lot against Australia and one thing that I have a lot of respect for is the way the Australians play their cricket.”It’s always giving it a crack and always willing to take a risk to give it a crack. Something I’ve always prided myself on as a bowler myself, so that sort of positive energy will help to get that across to some of the young guys in this Australian attack.”CA also named Stuart Law as interim batting coach for the tour, with Greg Blewett to be unavailable on parental leave. Sridharan Sriram, who worked with Australia prior to the World T20, will take the reins as fielding coach.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Inter defender Denzel Dumfries this summer and the Dutchman could be a Reece James clone at Stamford Bridge.

Could Chelsea sign Denzel Dumfries?

Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this week that the Netherlands international had joined the Wasserman agency in an attempt to force through a summer transfer, with a move to the Premier League his preference.

Romano mentions the interest that was shown by Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months but suggests that the race is very much open for the 26-year-old this summer.

Inter have previously slapped a €60m (£53m) price tag on the versatile defender's head but given the investment we have seen at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of Todd Boehly, this would be a mere drop in the ocean for the Blues if they decided to reignite their interest in Dumfries this summer.

While Malo Gusto was signed from Lyon in the January transfer window as a long-term competitor for James at Stamford Bridge, their respective injury concerns this season suggest that Graham Potter could still be in the market for a more reliable option in his defence.

James has mustered just 12 Premier League appearances due to a number of injury problems, while Gusto was ruled out after picking up a hamstring injury back on loan in Ligue 1, with his last appearance coming in early February. The former has only managed two goal contributions too.

Therefore, it is easy to see why Boehly might target a player such as Dumfries, who has been a constant force in Inter's back line so far this campaign, notching one goal and six assists in 24 Serie A appearances.

The former PSV Eindhoven man, like James, has cultivated a reputation as an attacking wing-back, registering five goals and four assists in Italy's top-flight last season.

NBC Sports Editor Joe-Prince Wright perhaps put it best when describing the Dutchman's impressive athletic ability during Euro 2020.

He said: "Denzel Dumfries has been my favourite player at this tournament. Every time you look up he's seemingly surging forward on the right or left. Incredible."

James has shown regular attacking intent since breaking into the first team at Stamford Bridge, contributing five goals and nine assists in the Premier League in the 2021/22 campaign, and Dumfries could perhaps do a similarly-impressive job if he is trusted to play instead of the injury-prone Englishman.

FBref suggests that the Inter star scores in the top 1% for non-penalty expected goals and progressive passes received when compared with other full-backs across Europe's top leagues, which emphasises his attacking ability and knack of being in the right place at right time.

Therefore, if Boehly does feel the need to sign another right wing-back this summer, Dumfries could be the ideal candidate.