ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2016His opening partner Rohit Sharma, however, was unperturbed as he showed intent right from the start, scoring freely all around the wicket•Getty ImagesVirat Kohli, who joined him in the 7th over, built on the solid start as the the two brought up India’s 100 in the 22nd over•Getty ImagesKohli brought up his half-century with a superbly timed pull over fine leg. It came off 61 deliveries•Getty ImagesRohit then brought up his third ODI century in Australia off 122 balls courtesy seven fours and three sixes•AFPThe pair put on 207 for the third wicket; the mammoth stand studded with authoritative stroke play and fearless ball striking•AFPKohli fell in 45th over, caught at the long-on boundary, nine runs short of his century•Associated PressRohit continued his onslaught, powering India to 3 for 309 with an unbeaten 171 off 163 – breaking Viv Richard’s record of the highest score against Australia in Australia•AFPDebutant Barinder Sran got rid of Aaron Finch and David Warner in successive overs to give India a strong start in the chase•Getty ImagesBut Australia’s captain Steven Smith showed nothing had chanced since last summer and dominated the Indian bowling again•Getty ImagesGeorge Bailey, who could have been caught behind first ball, also had a grand time on a flat WACA pitch•Getty ImagesBoth batsmen reached centuries at rapid pace during their 242-run partnership for the third wicket•Getty ImagesR Ashwin dismissed Bailey (112) and then had Glenn Maxwell (6) caught at long-on, but Australia, by then, were in total control•Getty ImagesSmith held firm for 149 runs off 135 balls. All had seemed perfect for him to hit the winning runs, but he fell with Australia needing two runs off five balls. James Faulkner had no trouble taking care of that•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Arsenal have firmly planted themselves in the Premier League title race this season, and while some might say they dropped two points against Manchester City, most will look at the draw as a point gained.
Mikel Arteta's side put in a steely, organised, and impressive defensive performance that only solidified their title credentials, and while it may have bored the neutral, they won't care.
It was an impressive showing from the entire team, although Eddie Nketiah failed to make it off the bench, and with another academy graduate tearing it up in the youth teams, his time at the club could be coming to an end.
Arsenal strikerEddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah this season
Nketiah enjoyed a relatively successful season at the Emirates last year, filling in for Gabriel Jesus after he injured his knee at the World Cup and made 39 appearances across all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing two assists.
However, the Lewisham-born poacher has had a tougher time of it this year.
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah
Despite Jesus again missing a large chunk of the campaign through problems with his knee, the 24-year-old Englishman has been limited to just 33 appearances, although that has only amounted to 1360 minutes, compared to the 1859 he received last year.
In his reduced game time, the 5 foot 11 forward has scored just six goals – three of which came at home against bottom side Sheffield United – and provided three assists, meaning he is averaging a goal involvement every 3.66 games.
Season
2022/23
2023/24
Appearances
39
33
Goals
9
6
Assists
2
3
Goal Involvements per Match
0.28
0.27
With Jesus back in the XI and Arteta clearly favouring both Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard ahead of Nketiah in that nine position, it looks like his time at the club is up, especially with the emergence of an incredibly talented youngster in the academy.
Why fans should be excited about Chidozie Obi-Martin
The Hale End gem in question is 16-year-old Chidozie Obi-Martin, who has been scoring for fun this season.
The Danish youth international has been a promising talent in the Gunners academy for some time now, consistently playing above his age group. However, he really grabbed the headlines in November last year when he scored ten goals against Liverpool for the U16s – yes, ten goals.
Team
U18s
U21s
UEFA Youth League
Appearances
13
2
3
Goals
8
0
0
Assists
2
0
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.76
0.00
0.00
With it abundantly clear that the U16 level was too easy for the Glostrup-born gem, he was moved up to the U18s for this season, where he has scored eight goals and provided two assists in just 13 games before once again being given the chance to play with the U21s and in the UEFA Youth League squad.
Over the weekend, the right-footed forward scored another flurry of goals, netting four times against Fulham's U18s, as the Gunners ran out 5-2 victors, leading to U18 coach Jack Wilshere to say:
"Chido has always had a knack for finding the back of the net. His impact on the team has been immense this season."
It's not just at club level where the Hale End marvel has excelled, though.
In his six games for Denmark's U16 squad, he has scored three goals, while he's managed to bag ten in 14 games for the U17s, showing that he's able to find the back of the net regardless of the team he's playing for.
Team
Denmark U16s
Denmark U17s
Appearances
6
14
Goals
3
10
Assists
0
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.71
Ultimately, while he might need another season in the academy to truly get up to speed, Chido-Obi seems destined to break into the first team sooner rather than later, and with Nketiah's disappointing season this year, it could be at his expense.
Arteta struck gold selling Arsenal flop who's now worth less than Nelson
He’s had a terrible campaign since leaving the Emirates.
Nottinghamshire declaration leaves hosts scrapping to save game
ECB Reporters Network24-Aug-2020Captain Colin Ackermann led Leicestershire’s resistance after Nottinghamshire looked to complete a quick victory by declaring at lunch on the third day of the Bob Willis Trophy match at Grace Road.Ackermann finished the day unbeaten on 58, the South African’s fourth half-century in eight innings in the competition this season, as the Foxes finished the day leading by 22 runs with seven second innings wickets intact.A day of contrasting cricket began with an exciting and at times chaotic morning session during which Notts hit 122 runs but lost six wickets before declaring with a lead of 121.Resuming on 221 for 2, the visitors lost a wicket to the second ball of the day, Joe Clarke top-edging a pull at a short ball from Ben Mike and skying a catch to Gavin Griffiths, moving to his left at mid-on.Ben Duckett looked in good touch in moving to 37 but he too was dismissed pulling at Mike, Harry Dearden making a tough catch look simple as he ran along the boundary from midwicket to square leg. Steven Mullaney, on 18, became Mike’s third victim of the morning when he bottom-edged a pull at a delivery that didn’t get up into his stumps.Tom Taylor took the new ball and his first delivery with it cut back to bowl Samit Patel for 13, but his sixth was hit out of the ground, lofted high over square leg by Trego. Tom Moores came and went quickly, losing his off stump to a Griffiths yorker, but Trego was joined by Lyndon James.The young right-handed all-rounder, who opens the batting for Notts second team, showed he could hit the ball just as far as Trego, clearing the stanbds with a leg-side hit that bounced out of the ground and into a shop.James was on 36 when Trego top-edged Griffiths and was caught at third man, prompting Mullaney, conscious of the bad weather currently forecast for the final day, to declare.Foxes opener Hassan Azad, who earlier in the day signed a contract extension keeping him at the Fischer County Ground until the end of 2022, edged a catch behind off the bowling of Trego for 6, and Harry Dearden – having been fortunate to be dropped at second slip off Trego when on just 4 – went leg before on the back foot to Mullaney for 16.Sam Evans dug in, however, batting through the afternoon session for 24, and he continued to bat obdurately after tea, reaching 48 and adding 93 for the third wicket with Ackermann before an inside edge of the pad gave short leg a catch off Patel’s left-arm spin.
British boxer Chris Eubank Jr sported the new Manchester United away kit as he trained with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount stateside.
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Eubank dropped in Man Utd's training sessionFlew from Vegas to LA to meet the football starsShared pictures in the new Man Utd away kitWHAT HAPPENED?
The 34-year-old, a dedicated fan of the Red Devils, flew from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to join the squad during their pre-season tour in the United States. During the training session in Los Angeles, Eubank Jr wore the club's latest blue away kit, emblazoned with the number 10 on the back. He shared a video on his Instagram story, capturing moments where he was seen stretching and also doing a bit of ball work.
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Eubank Jr further delighted fans by posting pictures on social media with Rashford and Mount. He even reached out to Erik ten Hag and humorously suggested the manager sign him up as he is ready to make a "career change".
WHAT EUBANK JR SAID
The two-time IBO super-middleweight interim champion wrote on Instagram: "Too late for a career change? PUT ME IN COACH!! @manchesterunited."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Eubank Jr's passion for Manchester United is no secret. Last year, he also spent time with the team during their pre-season preparations in America. In a 2023 interview with the club's website, he spoke about his connection with the players, saying: "I know these guys, I’ve followed them for years. They’re a great bunch of boys. I’m close with a few of them. We’re athletes and they appreciate the things that I do in the boxing ring."
Chris Woakes takes five as England beat the weather to complete 2-1 series win
The Report by Valkerie Baynes28-Jul-2020It was all about one man.Stuart Broad, in claiming his 500th Test wicket on the last day, sealed his dominance over West Indies in this third and final Test at Emirates Old Trafford and delivered England’s fight back from 0-1 down in the series to reclaim the Wisden Trophy 2-1.Broad’s ten wickets for the match, not to mention his highly anticipated step into the 500 club, overshadowed Chris Woakes’ five-wicket haul. But Woakes’ contribution was no less important, given that England had to take eight wickets on a rain-affected last day to place their hands on the trophy, which will now be retired at Lord’s.Broad’s 6 for 31 helped bowl West Indies out for 197 in response to England’s first-innings 369, to which he had contributed a valuable 62 from just 45 deliveries after a mini-collapse had left the hosts 280 for 8.Rory Burns’ 90 plus half-centuries to Joe Root and Dom Sibley in England’s second innings pushed their lead to 398 runs and Broad then claimed the wickets of opener John Campbell and nightwatchman Kemar Roach late on the third day to put his side in command before Monday’s washout. In doing so, Broad spent from the close of play on Sunday until the final morning on Tuesday on 499 Test wickets.Broad joined the 500 club – becoming the seventh man, and fourth seam bowler, in history to claim 500 Test wickets – after a brief rain interruption early in the first session when he had Kraigg Brathwaite out lbw with a ball that kept low and struck the back pad in line with off stump.Incidentally, Brathwaite was the 500th Test wicket for James Anderson, the other England player on the list, at Lord’s in 2017. Anderson now has 589 and, before play, backed Broad, who is four years his junior, to “take as many wickets as he wants”.Milestone achieved, Broad made way for Woakes to do his thing, but he returned to the attack to claim West Indies’ final wicket with his first ball back, Jermaine Blackwood caught down the leg side by Jos Buttler. Broad finished as the leading wicket-taker for the series with 16 from two Tests at an average of 10.93.ALSO READ: Stats: Broad’s career in milestones, and momentum-seizing momentsIf the scriptwriters had handed Broad a blank sheet of paper and asked him to pen the episode himself, it’s unlikely he would have changed a thing down to the timing of the rain, which had caused minimal disruption through the final day but began to fall heavily within minutes of the close.Woakes played his part beautifully as England’s “Mr Dependable” and, one suspects in light of his reputation as one of the nicest blokes in cricket, he probably didn’t begrudge Broad stealing the spotlight away from his fourth five-for in Tests.Broad even had a hand in Woakes claiming his first scalp for the innings when Shai Hope skied his attempted pull and Broad ran in from mid-on to take the catch. Hope had reached his highest score of the series with 31 but with his side needing to bat out the day for the draw to retain the trophy, they needed much more.There was still the potential for West Indies to hold on, with the likes of Shamarh Brooks, Blackwood, Roston Chase and Jason Holder in their line-up but it was going to take something special. Woakes negated the threat of Brooks, whom he had caught behind for 22.The tourists underlined how not to bat long with the run-out of Chase. Blackwood pushed Woakes towards cover point and set off for a run as Dom Bess swooped from backward point and fired the ball in brilliantly to the striker’s end, catching Chase short of his ground.Woakes then had Holder, Dowrich and Cornwall out, all lbw and all cheaply, before making way for Broad’s finale to dismiss Blackwood, whose 95 in West Indies’ first-Test victory remained their highest individual score of the series.Broad missed that Test, much to his chagrin, but he responded beautifully with a new-ball spell of 3 for 1 in 14 balls that helped set up England’s series-levelling victory in the second Test. It was the kind of spell that leaves team-mates, including Anderson, in awe but it was just the beginning.The third Test, the final installment of the Wisden Trophy – England and West Indies will contest the Richards-Botham Tropy next time they meet – was iconic in many ways. Two sides with it all to play for, behind closed doors in the first international cricket to be played since the Covid-19 lockdown. It was the first time in Test history that a side had come back to win a series from 1-0 down twice in a row following England’s triumph in South Africa earlier this year.But ultimately, it was all about one man.
Aston Villa recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The result means the Midlands side leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur back into fourth place in the league table, strengthening their chances of securing a Champions League space for next season.
Unai Emery deployed a 4-4-2 formation which has worked wonders throughout the current season, partnering Ollie Watkins with Moussa Diaby up top.
The Frenchman enjoyed one of his finest displays in a Villa shirt. Not only did he open the scoring towards the end of the second half, but the winger also provided an assist for Ezri Konsa to score Villa’s second with 25 minutes left.
It was plain sailing after that as the club now head into the tie against Manchester City in a confident mood.
It was Morgan Rogers who perhaps enjoyed his best display since joining from Middlesbrough in January, enhancing his chances of a start in midweek.
Morgan Rogers’ game in numbers vs Wolves
Rogers started on the left of a four-man midfield, but he looked to get forward down the flank as often as possible.
Goals
0
Dribble attempts (successful)
5(5)
Ground duels (won)
12(8)
Lost possession
4
Touches
22
Indeed, the youngster succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts (5/5), while showing he was no pushover in his one-on-one battles, winning eight of his 12 ground duels during his time on the pitch.
Rogers also lost possession just four times, along with being fouled twice, and it finally looks as though he belongs in this Villa side.
Journalist John Townley hailed Rogers’ performance against Wolves, giving him a match rating of 7/10 while saying that the winger ‘caused problems when he drifted inside and carried the ball forward’, which is further evidence of how well he played last night.
Morgan Rogers must now start against Manchester City
John McGinn will serve the final game of his three-match suspension against City, while Nicolo Zaniolo and Jacob Ramsey have been less than convincing on the left wing when utilised there this term.
Following his display on Saturday evening, Rogers has done his chances no harm at all with regard to securing a spot in the starting XI against the champions in midweek.
Morgan Rogers
During the reverse match earlier this season, Emery tactically outmanoeuvred his compatriot Pep Guardiola to secure a 1-0 win for the Villa Park side and plenty of bragging rights.
Heading into the clash undefeated across their previous three fixtures, it is clear Emery will be aiming for a positive result against City, while a win could have serious ramifications with regard to where the Premier League title ends up at the end of the season.
In his five top-flight matches, Rogers has succeeded with an impressive 92% of his dribbles, indicating that he could be a major attacking threat against the City backline.
He could use the display against Wolves as a platform to push even harder against the side who are going for their fourth league crown in a row.
Should Villa win, it could be the catalyst which sees them end the season on a high note.
ECB Reporters Network09-Aug-2020Matt Lamb top-scored with 65 as Warwickshire were made to battle hard for a first-innings lead on the second day of the Bob Willis Trophy match with Gloucestershire at the Bristol County Ground.Going in with his side 55 for 3 in reply to 210, Lamb faced 193 balls and hit 12 fours to help the visitors to 230 for 8 at the close of a day of attritional cricket on a slow pitch that made anything but slow scoring difficult.The start of play had seen Oliver Hannon-Dalby complete career-best figures of 6 for 33 from 23.3 overs by taking the two remaining Gloucestershire wickets after they resumed their first innings on 191 for 8.Tom Smith ensured the home side of a batting point with 24 not out, but Josh Shaw and Matt Taylor fell to the tall seamer, again bowling accurately from the Ashley Down Road End. It was Hannon-Dalby’s first six-wicket haul in a first class innings.Warwickshire’s reply began poorly when Rob Yates appeared to edge a low catch to wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick in the opening over from Ryan Higgins, but in fact was adjudged leg-before for a duck.It was 15 for 2 when Sam Hain, on 8, fell lbw playing across a straight ball from Taylor and, with the skies overcast in contrast to the first day, Gloucestershire’s seamers scented a big opportunity.They struck again in the final over before lunch when Ian Bell edged George Scott to George Hankins at second slip and fell for 13 to make the score 55 for 3 at the interval.It was Scott’s first wicket for Gloucestershire on his debut following a move from Middlesex last autumn and a major blow to the visitors’ hopes.Warwickshire skipper Will Rhodes looked solid in progressing to 41 in the afternoon session as the sun began to shine, but he was undone when opposite number Chris Dent introduced Ben Charlesworth to the attack.The 19-year-old, who bats left-handed, but bowls right-arm seam, yorked Rhodes with his fourth ball to end an innings that had spanned 107 deliveries and featured six fours.Patience was required with bat and ball. Lamb employed sensible shot selection to be unbeaten on 43 at tea, which was taken at 133 for 4, with Michael Burgess on 14. Gloucestershire needed an early breakthrough in the final session. Instead, a flurry of boundaries from the fourth-wicket pair advanced the Warwickshire total as they looked to adopt a more positive approach.They had added 69 in 20 overs when Burgess, who was just starting to blossom, was bowled off an inside edge by Scott (two for 34), who impressed from the Pavilion End.A further 28 runs had been added when Lamb edged Higgins (2 for 47) to first slip where Dent took a good low catch. By then Warwickshire were only 20 runs behind.Tim Bresnan was looking to follow up a century on debut for the visitors and the experienced former Yorkshire all-rounder looked more comfortable than most on the testing pitch.There was just enough swing to encourage the Gloucestershire bowlers as their opponents secured a batting point and closed in on their total.Bresnan was unbeaten on 34 at stumps, having faced 75 balls and hit 4 fours. But Taylor (3 for 48) struck twice in the penultimate over of the day, clean bowling Alex Thomson, playing no shot, for 15 and Henry Brookes for a duck as Gloucestershire ended on a high.
The romance between Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds and his Deadpool and Wolverine co-star Hugh Jackman just keeps on growing.
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Reynolds promoting his new filmWill appear on online showFeatures alongside Hugh JackmanWHAT HAPPENED?
The Hollywood actors are on a long run of media appearances as they promote their latest blockbuster film and their publicity tour is culminating in an appearance on popular YouTube show Chicken Shop Date hosted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, which will be released on Friday.
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Reynolds and Jackman recently appeared on British radio and Wrexham's star striker Paul Mullin made a surprise appearance. The Red Dragons hitman had a pop at his club's co-chairman as he named fellow actor Rob McElhenney as the team's best owner, while Wolverine star Jackman revealed his admiration for the forward.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
While Reynolds is out promoting his new film, his Wrexham side are in North America for a pre-season tour. They will soon head to Reynolds' hometown in Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps in the last leg of the tour.
Tottenham have made contact to sign an "exemplary" attacker, and could hijack a big club's move for him in the process.
Spurs aiming to complete forward deal this summer
A plethora of different media sources have backed that Spurs are seeking new attacking options later this year, whether that's a natural striker or further back in midfield.
Ledley King has now told Tottenham chiefs to sign "wonderful" 24-year-old
He’s a recommendation of the Spurs legend.
ByEmilio Galantini Mar 19, 2024
Reports suggest that the north Londoners are firm contenders to sign Pedro Neto from Wolves among others, with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams also among Tottenham's transfer targets for later in the year.
Ange Postecoglou already has an abundance of attacking quality in his side, but uncertainty surrounds the futures of Bryan Gil and Manor Solomon, with it still yet to be officially confirmed that they will trigger the £15 million buy-out clause in Timo Werner's deal.
Son Heung-min
14
Richarlison
10
Dejan Kulusevski
6
Brennan Johnson
4
Cristian Romero
4
"Raphinha has been mentioned as well," said journalist Dean Jones on Tottenham's hunt for new wingers.
"Nico Williams, at Athletic Bilbao, is another player that they're continuing to monitor. It will be interesting. Pedro Neto will be a very difficult one to get because of the competition that there will be to actually sign him. But Tottenham have signed a couple of players recently, that they've done well to get through the door, and they will believe that anything is possible."
Spurs could well look to add more star quality in that area, and there have been previous links to talent from abroad – like Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson.
The Iceland international has been a star player for the Serie A side this season, and Tottenham already boast a good business relationship with Genoa, having agreed a £25 million deal over defender Radu Dragusin in the January transfer window.
Tottenham could hijack Inter move for Gudmundsson
Inter Milan have actually taken some steps to sign Gudmundsson behind the scenes, but according to newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), they face a fierce transfer rival in Spurs.
Tottenham are said to have made contact to sign Gudmundsson and could well foil Inter's plans for the attacking midfielder, coming after his brilliant campaign in Italy where he's bagged 10 goals and three assists over 27 league appearances.
The 26-year-old is an interesting option and can play anywhere across the attacking midfield, including central and out wide.
“If he keeps improving, he won’t stay at Genoa for long,” said KevinStrootman to Il Secolo XIX newspaper (via Football Italia).
“He reminds me of Salah when he was at Roma, in that every now and then he disappears. Much like Salah then, he would have four or five chances per match and only score at most one.
“They used to say that if Salah was more clinical, he would be playing for Liverpool, and that is exactly what happened. All joking aside, Gudmundsson is a devastating player and also an exemplary professional.”
UK government gives green light for resumption of professional sport as West Indies finalise plans
ESPNcricinfo staff30-May-2020CWI has approved West Indies’ scheduled tour of England in principle following a meeting via teleconference on Thursday. The Test series, part of the World Test Championship, was originally slated to start on June 4 but was pushed back because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The boards are now looking at an early July start, with the West Indies team arriving in June and isolating prior to the series, which, if it goes ahead, will be played behind closed doors.The board’s formal approval came days after CWI chief executive Johnny Grave told ESPNcricinfo that he was “increasingly confident” that the tour would take place. A CWI statement said the decision was made after detailed discussions between its medical representatives and those of the ECB, including plans around logistics and creating a bio-secure environment during the tour.With the UK government on Saturday* releasing stage three guidance for the resumption of elite sport, which permits the return of competition from June 1, the tour now awaits approvals from the various national governments in the Caribbean region for player and staff movement via chartered planes. Players and staff would be screened regularly through the tour as part of comprehensive ECB “bio-security” planning.The decision follows weeks of discussions between the two boards, including a phase where CWI wasn’t as confident as they have been this past week, given the marked difference in Covid-19 cases between the two regions. But the ECB’s safety plans have changed the CWI’s mind.The proposed schedule for West Indies’ tour of England•ESPNcricinfo Ltd”What has changed is the ECB have got more confident that they’ve got a robust and safe plan to deal with cricket in a biosecure environment behind closed doors,” Grave had said during the interview. “Our medical team are getting more confident and comfortable with those plans. Our players and support staff who we have met with [on conference calls] are beginning to understand what a seven-week tour behind closed doors might look like.”Subject to a negative Covid-19 test result, the squad is expected to be chartered to Antigua from various parts of the Caribbean, following which they will fly together to the UK. Upon getting there, the team will spend three weeks in their quarantine and training facility.The CWI statement said that the board “is now in the process of seeking to put all of the approvals and logistics in place within the Caribbean, including seeking permission from the various National Governments to facilitate the movement of players and support staff, using private charter planes and conducting medical screenings and individual COVID-19 testing for all members of the touring party”.”If someone tests positive at any stage in the tour they would be removed from the main squad and will be placed into isolation within the biosecure environment and will be treated by the team doctor along with the other on-site medical support staff,” Grave said. “Should any player have more serious symptoms, they will be treated in hospital at pre-arranged facilities.”It is also expected that player replacement during a match, along the lines of a concussion substitute, will be mulled by the ICC cricket committee when it meets in June.*1900 BST – This story was updated following the UK government announcement