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Manchester United are now set to make an offer worth £34m for an “immense” defender, as Ruben Amorim believes he would be the ideal player to strengthen his backline, according to a report.

Man Utd looking to strengthen in all areas

A lack of goals was the real problem for Man United last season, finding the back of the net just 44 times in the Premier League, so it is little wonder that they have now set out to sign a new striker, having identified a number of targets.

Target

Current club

Goals in 24/25

Luis Suarez

Almeria

31

Hugo Ekitike

Eintracht Frankfurt

22

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Free agent

3

Victor Osimhen

Napoli

37

However, after finishing 15th in the Premier League, very few players are likely to be safe, with Atalanta star Ederson being targeted to strengthen the midfield, while the Red Devils are also racing Tottenham Hotspur for Genoa centre-back Koni De Winter.

United are already relatively well-stocked in the centre-back department, but with Lisandro Martinez still recovering from an ACL injury, it could be worth bringing in another option, and they now plan to make a bid for one of Amorim’s former players.

That is according to a report from Football Transfers, which states Man United are set to propose a loan deal for Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, which would include an obligation to make the deal permanent for a fee of €40m (£34m).

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Amorim clearly holds Inacio in very high regard, with the manager viewing him as the ideal player to strengthen the Red Devils’ backline, and an official bid could be made soon.

Sporting have previously been hesitant to sell the centre-back, but they could now be willing to listen to offers, and United should be well-positioned to win the race, despite interest from Borussia Dortmund, given Amorim’s pre-existing relationship with him.

"Immense" Inacio could be solid signing for Man Utd

Analyst Raj Chohan has singled the Sporting star out for high praise in the past, lauding him as “immense”, and the defender put in some impressive performances en-route to his side securing the Liga Portugal title last season.

The 23-year-old, who shares the same agency as Bruno Fernandes, was one of the most consistent performers in the squad, averaging a 6.97 WhoScored match rating, while also showcasing his ability on the front foot by picking up three goals and two assists.

Journalist Zach Lowy claims that Amorim has “worked miracles” with the Almada-born defender in the past, and he has now gone on to gain more top-level experience, having established himself as a 16-time Portugal international.

As such, Inacio could be a solid signing for Man United, but their main priority should be to bring in a new striker, given that they struggled considerably in front of goal last season.

Leeds United are now keen on signing an “unplayable” forward, who could be brought in as an alternative to Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao, according to a report.

Farke looking to sign new winger

With Leeds looking to avoid relegation in their first season back in the Premier League, they are vying to sign a new winger that would guarantee goals, and Paixao has emerged as a major target over the past few days.

The Whites are said to be chasing the Brazilian winger, who performed remarkably well in the Netherlands last season, while also proving himself in the Champions League.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Eredivisie

34

16

14

Champions League

11

2

5

Given the level of the forward’s performances last season, however, there is widespread interest in his signature, with the likes of AS Roma, Atalanta and Marseille also being named as potential suitors this summer.

Consequently, it could be difficult for Daniel Farke’s side to get a deal over the line, but the Feyenoord star is not the only option on the shortlist.

Indeed, according to a report from Leeds Live, Leeds are expected to make further additions to their squad this summer, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon could be among them, given that he remains well-liked by Farke.

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Solomon has expressed a desire to remain at Tottenham and prove himself to Thomas Frank upon returning from injury, but Spurs may choose to cash-in before the end of the summer transfer window, opening the door for a move to Elland Road.

As such, a move may not be in the offing anytime soon, with Frank also expected to take a look at the former Leeds loan star when he recovers from a minor calf injury, in order to make a decision over his future.

"Unplayable" Solomon ready to test himself in the Premier League

The Israeli was one of the driving forces behind the Whites’ promotion to the Premier League last season, collecting 10 goals and 12 assists in 39 Championship games, with former Leeds boss Neil Redfearn lauding him after an impressive performance against Hull City.

Redfearn said: “I thought Manor Solomon was probably the man of the match to be honest. He’s got a quality that is better than this level, you can obviously see that. Initially in the first 20 minutes it was like tackling smoke. He was unplayable at times.”

With Tottenham setting an asking price of £20m back in May, a deal for the 25-year-old could be on the expensive side, but he is clearly ready to make the step-up to the top flight.

However, Paixao could also be an attainable target for Leeds this summer, with widespread reports suggesting Marseille’s pursuit of the forward is at a standstill, and given his performances in the Champions League last season, he could be the preferable option.

The fallout from Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign has claimed its first victims, with Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq both sacked as selectors from the national side. Razzaq, who was appointed to the selection committee for both the men’s and women’s side just weeks ago, will no longer serve as a selector for the women’s team, either.As ESPNcricinfo reported last month, Wahab’s job was in danger following Pakistan’s group stage exit from the T20 World Cup. Despite being removed as chief selector earlier this year, and officially appointed as one of seven selectors to a committee that had no chief at all, Wahab was widely viewed as the de facto head of the committee. Internally, Wahab had raised frustrations at this public perception, primarily because it resulted in him bearing the brunt of any criticism for decisions the committee made, and it was a frustration that he also expressed on X after he was sacked.In a statement on Wednesday, the PCB confirmed that “it has notified” the duo that “that their services will no longer be required in the national selection committee setup”.As reported earlier, the nature of the selection committee is also likely to be reconstituted, with a chief selector eventually expected to be reappointed. The numerical strength of the panel is expected to be reduced, making it unlikely that Wahab and Razzaq will be replaced to make up the numbers.Related

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Wahab’s departure is a speedy fall from grace for a man viewed as extremely close to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Wahab had served in his cabinet as caretaker sports minister while Naqvi was appointed caretaker chief minister of Punjab, and followed him to the PCB, where he was initially appointed chief selector. Wahab had also travelled with the Pakistan side to the T20 World Cup as senior team manager, another duty he is likely to be stripped of. Naqvi, for his part, is understood to have been keen to demonstrate no one was immune from adverse consequences.The decision effectively means the PCB has performed another U-turn on the procedure by which players are picked for the Pakistan national side. The seven-member committee was only announced less than four months ago, with Wahab demoted from chief selector, with each of the seven members carrying an equal vote, and Naqvi saying at the time that the committee would “make a majority decision based around debate and argument to reach a satisfactory conclusion”.It also indicates a continuation of the instability that has plagued the selection committee over recent years. The PCB has seen five chief selectors since January 2022, with Wahab, Haroon Rashid (twice), Shahid Afridi and Inzamam-ul-Haq all serving brief stints; Mohammad Wasim and Misbah-ul-Haq also served stints in the preceding period.The remaining five selection committee members are the head coach and captain of the respective formats, Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq and Bilal Afzal.

England have booked their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a commanding 10-wicket win over USA in their final Super Eight match. Using just 9.4 overs to chase down 116, thanks to Jos Buttler’s 83 not out from 38 deliveries, the defending champions have boosted their net run rate (NRR) to 1.992 for good measure.Such a dominant win was set-up by Chris Jordan, who became the first England player to take a men’s T20I hat-trick. Jordan, brought back into the XI for Mark Wood, took four wickets from his final five deliveries – joining Ireland’s Curtis Campher as the only other bowler to achieve that feat at a T20 World Cup – as the USA collapsed from 115 for 5 to 115 all out.The co-hosts had started well enough in Bridgetown, reaching 48 for 2 in their first six overs. But Adil Rashid continued a stellar campaign with a miserly 2 for 13 from his four overs. Aaron Jones, one of the USA’s stronger players of spin, and top-scorer Nitish Kumar were bowled by Rashid, who equalled Stuart Broad’s tally of 30 dismissals in T20 World Cups. Both Rashid and Livingstone ensured only 25 runs were scored in the six overs after the powerplay.The target of 116 needed to be chased down in 18.4 overs to ensure England’s NRR would go ahead of South Africa’s and ensure they had a firm grasp on second-place in the group. Buttler, however, was aiming higher.After a quiet start, Buttler raced to 44 from 26 deliveries at the end of the powerplay – in which England scored 60 – which included cracking a solar panel with the first of two consecutive sixes off Saurabh Netravalkar.

He saved his most brutal assault for Harmeet Singh’s second over – the ninth – getting the strike for the second ball and striking five sixes. The first took him to his first half-century of the tournament, from 32 deliveries. An over later, Buttler’s late cut took England over the line with 62 balls to spare.It means England will finish top of the group if West Indies beat South Africa in Group 2’s final fixture by a margin fewer than 52 runs. A South Africa win, taking them to six points, will see England finish second.

Jordan gets his moment

Chris Jordan did not expect to be at this World Cup. A back injury to Jamie Overton handed him what is probably one last shot on the biggest stage. Today in Barbados, he seized it with both hands with that hat-trick and overall figures of 4 for 10 that took him to 105 T20I wickets.The crescendo of the hat-trick was dripping with emotion. Jordan is not exactly the biggest celebrator, but who could begrudge him this moment? The Bajan-born cricketer grew up watching plenty of cricket at the Kensington Oval before making the move to the UK on a scholarship to Dulwich College. The locals in the stadium cheered him as one of their own.Chris Jordan is welcomed back into the dressing room after his four-wicket 19th over•ICC/Getty Images

Jordan was actually at home in Barbados when he heard of his call-up to the provisional squad at the end of April. Later that day, he was training in the nets with Jofra Archer, who initially put the session live on Instagram before taking it down.Having started in the XI for the washout against Scotland and loss to Australia – both in Bridgetown – Jordan returned for the final Group B match against Namibia before sitting back on the bench for the start of the Super Eights.Even after this display, he may find himself sidelined once more if Buttler opts for Mark Wood’s extra pace, depending on England’s opponents and semi-final venue. Either way, Jordan’s place in history has been secured.

Rashid’s wrong ‘un so right

Like Lionel Messi shifting onto his left foot and Steph Curry pulling up from long range, everyone knows Adil Rashid has a googly. The problem with all three is doing something about it.Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar were both felled by the legspinner’s delivery that goes the other way. The former tried to combat it with his trusty slog sweep. The latter opted to blaze up and over extra cover. Both had their stumps rearranged.

That’s now five of Rashid’s nine wickets that have come from googlies at this World Cup. Their menace is disguised by full lengths and outside-off-stump lines, similar to where he looks to land his leggies.Rashid has been England’s standout white-ball bowler for some time, and, aged 36, has been at his best throughout this tournament despite coming into the summer with little competitive cricket.Here in Bridgetown, he was unplayable, with just 10 runs conceded from his four boundary-less overs. It was hard not to feel sorry for USA’s batting line-up as he tied them in knots. If it’s any comfort, more seasoned batters, with plenty more exposure to Rashid, have been made to look just as clueless.

Underwhelming Corey Anderson

A lot was expected from Corey Anderson. Having made his debut for the USA in April, the former New Zealand international was meant to bring nous and X-factor to the team after 93 caps and three World Cups as a Blackcap. Things have not panned out as such.It is as much a credit to the rest of the squad that their highest-profile cricketer coming into this tournament has been a footnote on a valiant campaign.Anderson was averaging 13 coming into this final fixture. With six overs to go, he looked relatively set on 24, especially after breaking a boundary-less run of 34 deliveries in the previous by heaving Liam Livingstone for six over gully with a reverse-sweep. Now was his time to show why he was once one of the most sort-after allrounders on the circuit.While there was a hurry-up, it came at the end other end as Harmeet Singh struck 21 in a 27-run stand between them, with a couple of fours and a six of his own.Corey Anderson could not find his rhythm on the day•Getty Images

Singh would fall at the end of the 18th over, leaving Anderson on strike for the penultimate over. Jordan bowled a full toss, and Anderson swung for the hills. Alas, he could only find Harry Brook, who did not have to move an inch from his position a good 10 yards in front of the sponge at long-on.Off he walked for 29, his highest score of the competition, taking his overall tally to 66 from 72 deliveries. A tournament to remember for the USA is perhaps one to forget for Anderson.

Buttler peaking at the right time for England?

It has been an odd tournament for the England captain. Barring one or two tactical errors – the costliest being his gut decision to bowl Will Jacks in the second over against Australia – his captaincy has been sound. Behind the stumps, he has been immaculate. In front of them, however, he hadn’t quite launched.A 28-ball 42 in the defeat to Australia and 24 off eight deliveries in the shellacking of Oman was tempered by a duck against Namibia. Across the first Super Eight matches against West Indies and South Africa, he managed just 42 from as many balls.1:18

Buttler’s innings will give England faith in this team combination – Dasgupta

As such, you could attribute this unbeaten 83 – Buttler’s second-highest score in T20 World Cups – to a release of frustration. That’s certainly how it seemed by the end, even if Buttler attributed the boundary bloodlust as merely the pursuit of a surer path to the knockout stages. His takedown of Harmeet Singh saw him become the second player in a T20I World Cup to strike five sixes in an over after Yuvraj Singh lit up the Durban skies against Stuart Broad in 2007.Having started the month in a foul mood, fed up of addressing the 50-over shambles in India last winter, Buttler looks far more at ease. And why not – after a few bumps, this title defence remains on track.

Well, that was just about the perfect performance from Tottenham Hotspur last night.

Yes, it would have been even better had they kept a clean sheet and taken a three-goal lead to Norway next week, but as things stand, Ange Postecoglou’s side look well-placed to make it to the Europa League Final.

Moreover, apart from a few minutes towards the end, it was a pretty comfortable affair, and if anyone looked like scoring more goals, it was the Lilywhites and not FK Bodø/Glimt.

Practically every starter put in a shift to be proud of, but two stood out in particular: James Maddison and someone who now must start the next game.

Maddison's game vs Bodø/Glimt

While it was a big night for the whole team, it was a massive one for Maddison.

With Spurs being at home and undoubtedly firm favourites ahead of kickoff, it was down to the former Leicester City star to assert himself on proceedings and act as his side’s chief creator, which he did with aplomb.

In fact, for much of the first half, he was near enough unplayable, popping up here, there and everywhere before grabbing his goal in the 34th minute to secure a two-goal cushion for the North Londoners.

It might sound somewhat hyperbolic, but it’s an opinion shared by Spurs writer Alasdair Gold, who awarded the Englishman a 9/10 match rating at full-time, describing it as ‘a really creative performance.’

The only negative from the game for Maddison, which could be a massive one, was that he went off injured in the 65th minute, and until his fitness is cleared up, it’ll be a nervous wait for fans.

However, as superb as the mercurial number ten was, another starter was just as good, if not a little better.

Spurs' other stand-out star

While the likes of Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson all put in serious shifts for Spurs last night, the starter in question is none other than Pedro Porro.

The Spanish full-back has received his fair share of scathing criticism this season – sometimes justifiably – for his occasionally haphazard defending, but against the Norwegian champions, he hardly put a foot wrong in that regard.

Moreover, and far more importantly, it was a match in which he showcased his game-breaking offensive qualities.

For example, on several occasions in the first half, the “titanic” right-back, as dubbed by The Athletic’s former Spurs correspondent Charlie Eccleshare, managed to ping a sensational ball over their opposition’s backline for his teammates to latch onto, and it was that saw Maddison score his goal.

We weren’t the only ones impressed with the 25-year-old either, as Gold also awarded him a 9/10 match rating, describing him as ‘Tottenham’s best player on the night’ and crediting him for preventing ‘what likely would have been a goal’ in the 70th minute.

Porro’s game in numbers
Minutes	95′
Expected Assists	0.47
Assists	1
Big Chances Created	1
Key Passes	4
Clearances	4
Interceptions	2
Dribbled Past	0
Fouls	0
All Stats via Sofascore

His statistics also make for decent reading, as in 95 minutes of action, he provided one assist from an expected assists figure of 0.47, made four clearances, wasn’t dribbled past a single time, made two interceptions, didn’t commit a foul, created one big chance and played four key passes.

Ultimately, Spurs put in what was almost the perfect performance last night, and while the entire team deserve serious praise, Maddison and Porro stood out that little bit more.

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Arsenal are “ready to pay” the price needed to sign a Premier League star who manager Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta both want at the Emirates, according to reliable journalist David Ornstein.

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With no games to worry about this weekend, Arsenal are currently anticipating their most important game of the season so far – a blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Ligue 1 champions PSG.

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Arsenal blew away Real Madrid in the last round, knocking Carlo Ancelotti’s 15-time European champions out in the quarter-finals via a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, and they’ll take plenty of encouragement from what was a truly dominant display over two legs against one of the continent’s most feared sides.

Luis Enrique’s side pose an equally tough test, if not more so, having enjoyed an excellent Champions League campaign to date whilst remaining unbeaten in Ligue 1.

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

PSG are the media’s favourites to win this year’s Champions League, but you can never discount an Arsenal side absolutely brimming with quality.

Arsenal's transfer plans for this summer

Away from the pitch, Berta and co are already planning for next season by identifying the club’s preferred summer signings. According to some reports, Arsenal want to reinforce the goalkeeping department, full-back area and in midfield, whilst also potentially signing a new left-winger, right-winger and striker (GiveMeSport).

A new centre-back to rotate with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba isn’t out of the question either, with Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen reliably believed to be a top target for the Gunners.

Arsenal have held talks with Huijsen’s representatives ahead of the summer window, according to multiple media sources, after his excellent debut season in the Premier League where he’s seriously impressed under Andoni Iraola.

The 20-year-old, who actually scored against north London rivals Tottenham earlier this season, will be allowed to leave for £50 million – the value of his release clause.

Arsenal "ready to pay" release clause for Dean Huijsen

Now, as per Ornstein in a Q&A for The Athletic, Arsenal are “ready to pay” Huijsen’s release clause after negotiating with his camp recently. It is also believed that Arteta and Berta are both huge fans of the ex-Serie A centre-back, but they still face stiff competition from rivals.

“It is strong and they remain in contention,” said Ornstein on Arsenal’s interest in Huijsen.

“They are among the clubs (with Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham) who have met his representatives, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta keen to sign the Spain international. Whether or not Arsenal win the race is unclear because it’s still open and I’m not aware of a front-runner between them, Chelsea and Liverpool to date. Real Madrid has always carried huge appeal to Huijsen, we hear, but so far they haven’t moved on this situation, and I’m sure he is philosophical about that. Previously, I think Kiwior exiting Arsenal was highly possible… that might be less certain following his recent rise to prominence.

“Either way, Huijsen would play a lot of football at Arsenal, and they can now show him many examples of how, under Arteta, players have developed extremely well and become top-level talents. Now, this doesn’t mean he will opt for them; there are pros and cons to each of the suitors, all of whom are ready to pay the release clause. Huijsen and Bournemouth want it sorted sooner rather than later. Let’s see what he decides.”

The Spain international was handed his first senior caps in a very competitive national team as well this season, highlighting just how well he’s performed, and Huijsen now looks set to be one of this summer’s most in-demand defenders.

Sheffield United are thought to be one of the sides in the lead to sign a new 6ft 4 defender for Chris Wilder.

Sheffield United planning for Premier League return

The Blades, despite starting the Championship season with a two-point deduction, are on course for an immediate return to the Premier League.

With seven games to go, Wilder’s side sit top of the second tier ahead of Leeds United and Burnley and look good for one of two automatic promotion spots.

Leeds (81 pts)

Sheffield United (83 pts)

Burnley (81 pts)

Luton Town (a)

Oxford United (a)

Coventry City (a)

Middlesbrough (a)

Millwall (h)

Derby County (a)

Preston North End (h)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Norwich City (h)

Oxford United (a)

Cardiff City (h)

Watford (a)

Stoke City (h)

Burnley (a)

Sheffield United (h)

Bristol City (h)

Stoke City (a)

QPR (a)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Blackburn Rovers (h)

Millwall (h)

With the club hoping they’ll be preparing for Premier League football in 2025/26, those behind the scenes at Bramall Lane have already been identifying transfer targets.

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They could look to raid the Championship, similar to how Ipswich Town operated last summer, with a move for Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard on the cards.

January target Jimmy Dunne from Queens Park Rangers remains of interest to the Blades, whereas Norwich City attacker Borja Sainz is another transfer target for Sheffield United.

However, away from the Championship, another defensive option is believed to be on the Blades’ radar.

Sheffield United in the lead for defender Terry Yegbe

According to reports from Sweden, relayed by Sport Witness, Sheffield United are in the race to sign Elfsborg defender Terry Yegbe. There were claims that Brighton & Hove Albion were about to sign Yegbe for around €5.4m (£4.5m), however, it is stated that Elfsborg would want up to €6.98m (£5.9m).

It is added that Sheffield United are still one of three clubs leading the race to sign Yegbe alongside Crystal Palace and Fulham.

The 24-year-old moved to Elfsborg in February 2024 from Finish side SJK Seinajoki for €550,000 and is under contract until 2028. Over the last 12 months, Yegbe, who stands at 6 foot 4, has made 44 appearances for his current employers, scoring three goals and even playing in the Europa League.

A centre-back who can also play as a left-back, Yegbe has also represented Ghana at international level and, over the last 365 days, ranks in the 99th percentile for clearances when compared to other centre-backs. [FbRef]

By the looks of things, a move to Yorkshire for Yegbe could be one to keep an eye on, especially if the Blades win promotion over the coming weeks.

It’s not rocket science: the more they play at one venue, the more their game will develop, especially with the red ball. But where is that one venue?

Vishal Dikshit14-Sep-2024Where do you feel at home?Maybe where you’re most comfortable. Or most loved. Or have a strong support system. Or where you think you truly belong.It doesn’t have to be all of the above. A couple, maybe even one, could do the job. Unfortunately, Afghanistan don’t even have that much when it comes to a “home” venue.Since June 2017, when they were granted Full Member status, Afghanistan have played their home internationals in the three major cities of the UAE, in Dehradun, Lucknow and Greater Noida in India (which was also home before they became a Full Member). In between that, there’s been an ODI series in Sri Lanka, and even one in Qatar in early 2022. Credit to Afghanistan, that despite playing their home ODIs and T20Is across Asia – except never in their actual home – they have improved immensely in the white-ball formats.Of the five home Test matches Afghanistan have played so far – the one against New Zealand in Greater Noida would have been their sixth – they have not played more than twice at any one ground. They have played Tests in Dehradun and Lucknow, two at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and one at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi; even within Abu Dhabi, they have had to play at two different grounds.Related

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The least a growing side like Afghanistan deserves is a dedicated home venue that they can reach without crisscrossing international borders and adjusting to different conditions. They have played half of their Tests against the other non-World Test Championship (WTC) Full Members, Ireland and Zimbabwe, and facing a much higher-ranked team like New Zealand would have been “historic”, according to their head coach Jonathan Trott.”I think we could have gained whether we won or lost,” Trott said after the one-off Test in Greater Noida was abandoned on Friday without a ball bowled across the five days. “I think the players would have learnt a hell of a lot in this format of the game, which is the challenge going forward in red-ball cricket for Afghanistan.”So why don’t Afghanistan have a dedicated home venue? Why do they have to hop between the UAE and India, and play on Indian grounds (barring Lucknow) that do not even host domestic matches regularly?Because of the political situation in Afghanistan, of course. The UAE is Afghanistan’s adopted cricketing home, which is why they have played three of their five home Tests there. But when those grounds there are not available, Afghanistan are forced to play in India.Once the Test against New Zealand lost the first two days because of a wet outfield, despite the pitch being baked by the sun and no rain during the hours of play, questions started to crop up about why this little-used ground with seemingly substandard facilities was hosting a Test match in the first place. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) explained that the match could not be held in the UAE because of extreme heat at this time of the year (the only Test to take place in the country in September started on September 28, between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2017).The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was washed out without a ball being bowled•AFP/Getty ImagesDehradun also usually witnesses rainfall in September, so the options the ACB was left with were Bengaluru, Kanpur and Greater Noida. Bengaluru and Kanpur, which host international matches regularly, were unavailable because of India’s domestic games, so the ACB had no choice but to go to Greater Noida. At least there would have been a feeling of familiarity. They had already played 11 international games there (six T20Is and five ODIs) since 2017, and logistically too it made relatively more sense, with limited connectivity by commercial flight in and out of Kabul these days. “You can get a flight maybe from Kabul and from Dubai to Delhi, and then [the ground is] two hours drive from there,” Menhajuddin Raz, ACB’s international cricket manager, had said during the Test.But the big risk they were running was handing a Test debut to a ground that is rarely used even for domestic cricket and last hosted an international game in March 2020. The last first-class match played there was between Afghanistan and Ireland, part of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, in March 2017. Apart from that, the venue has hosted just eight first-class games, all between December 2015 and December 2016.To add to that, Greater Noida is the suburb of a suburb – outside Delhi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and the ground comes under the control of the local administrative authority (Greater Noida Authority), not under the BCCI or the state association (UPCA). The Greater Noida stadium’s first-class matches are almost a part of forgotten history and accountability for its maintenance is hard to trace. All in all, the Afghanistan team once again suffered for no fault of their own.Afghanistan have started playing Tests relatively more regularly in the current FTP cycle (21 from 2023 to 2027, as opposed to 13 in the previous five-year cycle), but it’s home advantage they are desperately missing. It’s not rocket science that the more Afghanistan play at one venue, the quicker they will figure out ideal combinations and strategies based on the conditions and oppositions. Their Test captain Hashmatullah Shahidi rightly pointed out before the scheduled start of the New Zealand game that the opposition has played more Tests in India than them, and probably had better knowledge of local conditions than the “hosts” Afghanistan.”If you see, India is our home but when we host teams, the other nations have played more cricket than us here,” Shahidi had said. “So hopefully we will get one good venue here in India and we stick with that. If we stick with one venue, it will be more effective for us.”The fans in Afghanistan have to content themselves with watching international games on TV screens•Associated PressThis problem does not seem to have a ready solution but Afghanistan at least have some time to figure it out. Their next Test series consists of two away games in December against Zimbabwe, whom they are slotted to play again in another away series in October 2025, after a one-off Test in Ireland in July. Their next Test against a significantly higher-ranked side will come after a wait of nearly two years, when India host them for a one-off Test in June 2026.For now, Afghanistan pack their bags and prepare to fly to Sharjah – their original home away from home – to host South Africa for three ODIs. Since becoming a Full Member, Afghanistan have won seven of their ten completed ODIs in Sharjah, all against either Ireland or Zimbabwe. South Africa, at the same venue, have beaten teams like India and Pakistan with a 10-2 win-loss record in ODIs.The question arises again. Who really has the home advantage?

Head’s replacement fell for a duck, but what does this decision do to his confidence if he’s needed later in the series?

Alex Malcolm09-Feb-20232:45

Ian Chappell on Australia leaving out Travis Head

Travis Head cut a forlorn figure in the Australian dressing room a day out from the first Test having been told he had been dropped after scoring 525 runs at 87.50 in his last five Test matches during the home summer.Matt Renshaw, his horse for course replacement, cut an equally forlorn figure as he trudged off for a first-ball duck.Australia’s horses-for-courses selection backfired as they were spun out for 177 on Nagpur’s carefully curated pitch. Time will tell whether that score is a decent one or not as the pitch is only going to deteriorate further. But Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul made it look underwhelming with an assured partnership in the final session.Related

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Regardless, Head’s non-selection will cause a stir either way the result falls. Jaws dropped collectively in both Nagpur and Australia when the team sheet landed without Head’s name on it.This Australian selection panel, comprising chairman George Bailey, coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide, has been suggesting for some time that they wanted to be adaptable with the team depending on conditions. They have never talked about picking the best XI cricketers, but rather they have been consistent in picking the best team for specific conditions.They have done that consistently with the bowling unit, playing two spinners in four out of five Tests in Asia last year at the cost of leaving out Josh Hazlewood. They picked Michael Neser for two pink-ball Tests at home when the opportunity presented. They picked Scott Boland for the MCG, albeit they didn’t get the flat conditions they felt they needed him for.They did it too with Ashton Agar in Sydney. Although that selection now has some questions attached to it given he too was left out for Todd Murphy in Nagpur. In Sydney, they were adamant they needed the left-arm orthodox to complement Nathan Lyon, as opposed to the next best spinner who was Murphy. The rain conspired against them, and Agar didn’t get to bowl in the sharp-spinning conditions that were expected. But his lack of control was a worry. And his lack of control and form in the training camp in Bengaluru meant he was not selected for tailor-made conditions in Nagpur – even better than those anticipated in Sydney – where Ravindra Jadeja scythed through Australia’s middle order with 5 for 47.Agar’s experience exposes the problem with the plug-and-play horses-for-courses philosophy. The theory is perfectly sound. Play your best players in conditions where they are best set up to succeed and avoid setting players up to fail. But what it does not do is account for the fluctuation of form in cricket. The greatest bowlers in the world need match-play to find rhythm and can be adaptable in all conditions. The best batters of all time have fallen in and out of form but have eventually problem-solved most challenges that are thrown at them.Apart from his below-par returns in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year, Travis Head struggled in the training camp in Bengaluru as well•Getty ImagesTo ask players to have short-term success for short-term assignments belies the continuity that the great players throughout history have needed.The theory to leave out Head in Nagpur was sound. His experience in Asia last year had already raised red flags. On far better batting tracks than the one in Nagpur, with the exception of Galle, Head scored just 91 runs at 15.16. Either side of those tours he plundered 882 runs in nine Tests at home averaging 73.50 with three centuries and five half-centuries.But his ability on fast, bouncy pitches in Australia is nullified significantly on the low, spinning subcontinental tracks. He struggled in the training camp in Bengaluru having fallen out of form in the BBL after a long home summer.The Nagpur pitch with dry, bare patches outside the left-handers off stump caused Australia’s selectors to think long and hard about the number of left-handers they would pick. In the end, they were right to pick Peter Handscomb as a right-handed horse for the course at No. 6. His defence was as assured as anyone’s against Jadeja and R Ashwin while Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith both looked in sublime touch until Jadeja knocked them over.Leaving Head out on that basis could well have been the right call. But the flow-on effect is significant. Renshaw was picked for his superior play against spin, yet he fell to Jadeja plonking his front pad lazily into line first ball. Players can fail when they first walk to the crease, and Renshaw should be allowed more chances in this series having been given a start based on his skill set. But that footwork pattern to Jadeja cannot have been a better method than whatever Head might have brought.What does it do for Head’s mindset if he is needed later in the series knowing his own selection panel doesn’t believe in his ability against spin?And further to that, when do the same horses-for-courses principles apply to David Warner? He was bowled through the gate from around the wicket by Mohammed Shami. It was a dismissal more akin to those inflicted by Stuart Broad in England as opposed to his previous struggles in India. But as it stands, Warner averages 22.88 from 17 Test innings in India with just three half-centuries. He also struggled in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year, just as Head did.Ultimately Australia did not bat well enough despite the selection decisions. They had planned meticulously for the spin threats of Jadeja and Ashwin only for Warner and Usman Khawaja to be knocked over by pace in the first 13 balls of the Test. Labuschagne, Smith, Handscomb and Alex Carey all batted beautifully at times for their respective starts, yet none could go on.They knew big runs were needed in India and failed at the first time of asking. The horses picked for the course were slow out of the gates early. There is time to rectify it but only time will tell whether these horses can.

Where once such success might have been accompanied by whispers of Kolpak, Nortje isn’t going anywhere

Firdose Moonda03-Jan-2021Let’s get this out of the way: of all the things CSA has to worry about, Anrich Nortje signing a Kolpak deal is not one of them.We’re mentioning it both because of his career-best haul and because it’s that time of year and against this opposition when South Africa’s most promising quicks have historically sprung surprises about the directions of their careers. Kyle Abbott signed off at Newlands during the New Year’s Test against Sri Lanka four years ago and Duanne Olivier’s last appearance came in February two years later, after an altogether different Sri Lankan side became the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa. But Nortje is staying – or at least he isn’t going to the UK.Britain’s now-concluded divorce from the European Union has brought the Kolpak-era to an end, and in fact makes Abbott and Olivier eligible to play for the country of the birth again, but unless the Major League in the United States can lure Nortje, he is all South Africa’s and thank goodness for it.Nortje is everything South Africa wants from a headline fast bowler. He gets the speedometer inching towards 150kph and occasionally beyond, he has a mean bouncer, and has shown an ability to adjust his lengths to bowling fuller when required. All that would be fearsome on its own, but it is even more effective when he is able to operate within an attack that provides a foil. That’s what South Africa showed on the opening day at the Wanderers.Related

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Despite their inexperience, Wiaan Mulder and Lutho Sipamla have adapted quickly to their roles and it was with their support that Nortje enjoyed most of his rewards. Mulder, specifically, described himself as a holding bowler in the first Test, which gives Nortje the freedom to “scatter it” a little, as Shaun Pollock put it, and invite the batsmen to attack even more. “It’s very important to bring the run rate down and bowl dot balls because that generally creates wickets,” Nortje said.Mulder’s miserliness brought rewards for himself first, with a pre-lunch spell of 3 for 1 in three overs, and for Nortje later. Post-lunch, with Mulder at one end, Nortje took 2 for 11 in four overs, bowling slightly fuller and getting both Niroshan Dickwella and Dasun Shanaka to play away from their bodies without moving their feet. He returned for two more to end the Sri Lanka innings with Sipamla working his end with deliveries outside off, one of which found Wanindu Hasaranga’s edge.Ultimately, South Africa didn’t do anything exceptional, which Nortje acknowledged. “We try to keep things as simple as possible. We are not trying to make miracles when we go out and bowl,” he said.And that, along with the way the opposition batted, makes it difficult to laud this effort, despite it producing Nortje’s career-best figures.Sri Lanka came into this match ripe for being railroaded. They are without seven first-choice players, they opted to bat first on a surface that has a reputation for being unkind to batsmen who are wary of bounce and even though it wasn’t as green as it could have been, in their two previous visits here, they have not managed to cross 200.Their approach quickly made clear they might fall short again. While there’s much to admire about attacking intent – and Kusal Perera showed that it can work – the Wanderers is a surface that demands batsmen are able to leave well. The wide ball, the half-volley and the ones that stray down leg, like those Lungi Ngidi delivered, can be punished but anything pitched up, on third, fourth and fifth stumps needs to be treated with care, and Sri Lanka didn’t do that.Wiaan Mulder took three wickets in as many overs before lunch on the first morning•AFP via Getty ImagesApart from Dimuth Karunaratne, done by a lifter, and Dushmantha Chameera, who was bounced out, the others threw their bats at deliveries they could have left alone. If they trusted their defences, perhaps they would have been more cautious and willing to spend time at the crease. Instead they opted for the same get-runs-before-you-get-out strategy they employed in Centurion. There, it brought them their highest total in South Africa against an attack that was still finding its feet. Here, they had no such luck.”At Centurion, we were maybe too wide at times and we bowled both sides of the wicket,” Nortje said. “Here, we wanted to keep it tight and get into the channel. That also created some opportunities. We want to have some bowling partnerships and try and get as many dots as possible and then they will have to look to score runs.”South Africa’s bowling still has a lot of work to do, particularly Ngidi who has not looked his best in this series, but they have found depth in their reserves and a balance to the XI that allows them to play four quicks, who are all wicket-takers. If Mulder and Sipamla stay injury-free, Ngidi finds form, Kagiso Rabada returns, Glenton Stuurman and Migael Pretorius get opportunities and Nortje continues to have a licence to thrill, South Africa will not just get freedom from Kolpak but may not even need to call on the Kolpak-returnees.Abbott, Olivier and Simon Harmer are the trio that come to mind immediately but all of them have been engaged as overseas players for their counties, which would limit their availability for South Africa. And that’s just the practicality of it. Their departures left a bitter taste in the mouths of administrators here and they would all need to find their way back into a team that has moved on, and also has transformation targets to adhere to. When they left, they all cited security, in both the financial and cricketing senses, as one of the main reasons for them leaving. With an IPL deal that can only increase and a fast-growing reputation as South Africa’s mean man, it’s Nortje who has those things now.