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da esport bet： Is there a worse sight in football than an opposition player racing to the away end to silence the travelling fans? Or when a player rubs salt in the wounds of rival stars by replicating the celebration often seen in front of their supporters? For fans, the answer will be a resounding no. For football's greatest wind-up merchants, however, there will be no sweeter feeling.

da bet nacional： After Neal Maupay recently hit a James Maddison-esque bullseye into the minds of Tottenham Hotspur fans, Football FanCast has taken a look at the top 10 best football wind-up merchants, based on who fans of other teams love to hate the most.

10 Robbie Savage

Now known for leaving some fans frustrated in the gantry, there was once a time when Robbie Savage was leaving his opponents on the pitch just as frustrated. Though he was never a standout player, the Welshman was someone you'd rather have on your team rather than provoking you in the heat of battle in the Premier League.

It is fitting that Savage's voice is now often the one associated with the mute button among English football fans, given that it's an option that many of his opponents likely wish they had during his playing days.

9 Pepe

If this was a list of football's most brutal players, then Pepe would undoubtedly sit top. During his early Real Madrid days in particular, the veteran defender was as violent with his challenges as they come, often seen losing his head at opposition players.

That temper has often come at a cost throughout his career, however, having received 17 red cards and once even banned for 10 games during his time in La Liga. The Portugal defender is not one to mess with, as he took a more lethal approach than light-hearted teasing.

Ultimately, the fact that Pepe will go down as one of football's hotheads rather than one of the most impressive defenders to grace the game perfectly sums up just how many moments he had to forget.

8 Alfredo Morelos

Mention the name Alfredo Morelos to Celtic fans and you'll see the impact that the striker made during his time in the Scottish Premiership. In fact, mention his name to many Rangers fans and they'll likely have a mixed reaction, for the Colombian was often the man behind his own downfall at Ibrox.

By the time Morelos left the Gers last summer, he had built a reputation for saying the wrong things, receiving red cards at the worst possible times and clashes with Celtic captain Scott Brown. The forward just couldn't help himself on the biggest stages but will go down as one of the most famous players to pull on the Rangers colours in recent history, nonetheless.

7 Joey Barton

Stealing the headlines for his controversial comments about women's football ever since losing his managerial role at Bristol Rovers, Joey Barton wasn't exactly a well-liked character during his playing career, either, and that's without mentioning his sudden French accent whilst at Marseille.

The midfielder, often dubbed as one of football's villains, has a whole list of moments to forget, even spending time in prison for assault and affray and getting into a fight with teammate Ousmane Dabo. The list could go on, too. The fact is, it's not a real surprise that Barton is once again stealing the headlines for all the wrong reasons even after retirement.

6 Sergio Ramos

A serial winner and one of football's greatest-ever centre-backs, Sergio Ramos has taken every chance he can get to wind up rival fans throughout his career, all whilst winning every top honour possible. No matter the stage, though, Ramos has played up to his role as a pantomime villain.

The Spaniard particularly left Liverpool fans angered when he dragged star man Mohamed Salah down in the 2018 Champions League final, dislocating the Egyptian's shoulder and ending his night in the process. The Reds went on to lose in Kyiv and Ramos went on to lift a third consecutive Champions League trophy.

Months later, in an awkward moment, Ramos tapped Salah on the same shoulder on his way back from collecting his UEFA Defender of the Year award.

5 Emiliano Martinez

Whether it's celebrating in the faces of Manchester United fans after denying Bruno Fernandes from the spot or showing off his best dance moves in David Moyes-esque fashion, Emiliano Martinez is quick to rub salt in the wounds.

The Argentine hero's biggest wind-up moment came on the biggest stage when he won the World Cup Golden Glove following Argentina's penalty-shootout win over France in the final. Presented with the award, Martinez gestured towards the on-watching France fans, before later admitting: "I did it because the French booed me."

4 Neal Maupay

Quickly rising up the ranks for his antics is Maupay. The Brentford striker rarely misses the chance to take aim at the opposition and recently stole the headlines for copying Maddison's famous darts celebration at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But that's not the first time that the Frenchman has left plenty of north London fans unhappy.

Back in 2020, the Frenchman took aim at Arsenal fans after scoring against Southampton. A week prior, the then-Brighton & Hove Albion man had inadvertently injured Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Hitting the crying celebration to the cameras, Maupay admitted after the game that it was a dig aimed at those at the Emirates.

3 Jamie Vardy

No matter how far Jamie Vardy has come in the world of football, his knack for winding rival fans up has not changed. The Leicester City legend is often the first player booed by rival fans and, in turn, the first to celebrate right in front of them. He's even prone to mocking the mascots of opposition teams whilst celebrating, having once flapped his arms like an eagle against Crystal Palace and howled in front of the Wolves fans.

Where there is a Vardy goal, there is likely a celebration aimed at rival fans that follows to cement his place alongside some of football's greatest-ever wind-up merchants.

2 Diego Costa

One of the Premier League's craziest strikers, where there was drama, there was often Diego Costa. During his time at Chelsea, the forward somehow came away with just one red card, with his focus instead on ensuring his opponents were dismissed themselves. The most famous example of this came against Arsenal, as Costa somehow found a way to avoid red himself while getting Gabriel Paulista dismissed.

A natural goalscorer and one of the greatest wind-up merchants around, it will be a long time before Chelsea find a striker quite like Costa again, allowing Premier League fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

1 Luis Suarez

If you're Branislav Ivanovic and Giorgio Chiellini, look away now, as Luis Suarez enters number one as football's greatest wind-up merchant with his most famous moment in that regard coming at the expense of David Moyes.

The Uruguayan was accused of diving by the then-Everton boss in the build-up to Liverpool's Merseyside derby clash against the Toffees, leading to the infamous celebration. Clearly catching wind of the accusation, Suarez wheeled away in celebration after netting for the Reds, before diving right in front of Moyes' technical area.

Suarez, more so than anyone on this list, was often at the centre of football's dark arts all whilst earning a place in history as one of the best players to grace the beautiful game he made rather ugly at times. There was simply no beating the former Liverpool and Barcelona man, who is now plying his trade and likely winding up opposition fans in MLS with Inter Miami.

da esport bet： Glasgow Rangers returned to the summit of the Premiership table for the first time since 2022 following their professional 3-0 victory over St Johnstone last weekend and it represents a stunning turnaround.

da winzada777： Philippe Clement has certainly rejuvenated a squad which was clearly stagnating under Michael Beale and losing 3-1 to Aberdeen back in September has proven to be a major blessing in disguise.

All that matters between now and the end of the season is wins, and they can deliver a major psychological blow to Celtic by defeating Hearts this afternoon and extending their advantage – temporarily at least – to five points.

The previous three games against the Jambos this season have all ended up in victories for the Light Blues and Clement will be aiming for more of the same today.

The key question is, will the Belgian make any changes to his starting XI from the win last weekend?

While the majority of players performed well, there were still a few who may be benched for the home clash today, with Scott Wright being one of the most notable players who delivered yet another dismal display for the Gers.

Scott Wright’s performance against St Johnstone in numbers

Given the club had played four games across the first 18 days of February prior to the trip to McDiarmid Park last week, it was evident Clement was going to freshen up things.

This meant Ross McCausland dropped to the bench in order to be given a rest, and he was replaced by Wright, who was making only his seventh start of the campaign.

With the side under pressure to win the game in order to move top of the table, it was certainly a big gamble to start the winger, especially as he had scored just twice all season.

In the end, he was only given 45 minutes to showcase his talents before he was hooked for Dujon Sterling at half-time.

In the first half, Wright failed to really get involved in the game, taking just 21 touches, making one key pass and winning only two of his seven contested duels in what was a rather underwhelming performance.

Sterling certainly offered more in an attacking sense, and he is a natural full-back, which goes to show just how poor Wright had been against the Saints.

Scott Wright’s season in numbers

It is not Clement’s fault that he is still having to rely on Wright, as Beale failed to add anyone of value to the right-wing area during the summer transfer window.

Under the former Club Brugge coach, the Scot has started only four matches, and it is clear he favours McCausland as his main choice on the right flank.

Among the rest of the squad, Wright currently ranks in a lowly 17th spot for shots on target per game (0.2), while ranking 21st for big chances created (one), 17th for key passes per game (0.6) and 15th for successful dribbles per game (0.4), and these figures clearly suggest he has failed to have any sort of positive influence when given a chance in the team.

Against Hearts, Clement must ditch Wright and unleash McCausland, as the Northern Irishman will be fresh and ready for the challenge.

Ross McCausland’s statistics this season for Rangers

The youngster has come on leaps and bounds since being given an opportunity by interim manager Steven Davis following Beale’s sacking in October.

He enjoyed a brief cameo in the defeat to Aris Limassol, before enjoying a 49-minute spell against St Mirren as he came on for fellow academy gem Zak Lovelace in a win over St Mirren just a few days later, and he has been part of the senior side ever since.

Indeed, the winger has failed to play in just two games since the clash in Paisley and there is no doubt he can be a key player for the future if he maintains his current level.

Two goals and three assists across 25 matches is a solid, if unspectacular return, but the talent is clearly there.

He was hailed by journalist Josh Bunting in 2022, who said: “Ross McCausland looks like a superb talent for Rangers and Northern Ireland, that’s a stunning strike to equalise against Celtic B in the Glasgow Cup, such a nice technique to even hit the target, so good at picking up the little pockets of space to get shots in on goal.”

Premiership statistics this season

Scott Wright

Ross McCausland

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

2

Key passes per game

0.6

1.7

Big chances created

1

2

Successful dribbles per game

0.4

0.9

Against Hearts in December, McCausland delivered a decent performance as he made two key passes, succeeded with two of his four dribble attempts, and won over half of his ground duels, proving he is no lightweight despite his slender frame.

Another display like this against the same opposition today could see plenty of chances being created as they chase another league victory.

Among his teammates in the top flight this season, McCausland has impressed. Not only does he rank fourth for key passes per game (1.7), but he is also seventh for successful dribbles per game (0.9) and this shows that he can be a key attacking threat.

It is clear that after his performance last weekend, Wright should no longer be starting matches for the Gers, especially with the club in a title race with Celtic.

Every point will need to be earned with good performances, but the Scot is currently the weak link whenever he starts and there could be a time when this will come back to haunt Clement.

From now on, it should be McCausland and Sterling who are the main contenders for a spot on the right flank and this will surely be an area in which the manager seeks to improve once the summer transfer window comes around.

Chalkboard

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

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Unfortunately, he does not have that luxury and the moment and must work with what he has, but the 20-year-old talent should have enough in his locker to terrorise the Hearts defence.

The clash against the high-flying Jambos today will be as tricky a match as the Gers have faced in recent weeks, but if the starting XI can step up and perform well, then all three points should be secured.

Smaller increase for women’s top earners, as ECB seek to stave off threat from overseas leagues

Matt Roller12-Dec-2024Top salaries in the men’s Hundred have been boosted by 60 percent for 2025 as the ECB pushes to attract the world’s best players to the competition in its transitional season. The board mooted even bigger hikes to prospective investors earlier this year, with further increases expected once the ongoing sales process is fully complete.The biggest women’s salaries have also increased, though only by 30 percent, and the highest male earner in the Hundred will earn more than three times as much as the highest female earner. Two years ago, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) called for gender pay parity in the Hundred by 2025, though the ECB pushed back against the timeframe in its response to the report.The Hundred attracted leading women’s players including Smriti Mandhana, Ash Gardner and Ellyse Perry in 2024, but missed out on several top men’s players. Shaheen Shah Afridi pulled out of a deal to play for Welsh Fire in favour of the Global T20 Canada, while Pat Cummins admitted the Hundred hadn’t crossed his mind when he signed a long-term Major League Cricket contract.ESPNcricinfo LtdESPNcricinfo understands that each team will be permitted to use one of their 10 retention spots to make a direct overseas signing next year, enabling them to negotiate with players rather than relying on the draft. Teams will also be allowed a fourth overseas player in their squad, though only three in their playing XI.The salary increases in both the men’s and women’s game mean that the Hundred’s top wages are now near-identical to those on offer in Australia’s Big Bash Leagues. The top men’s salary in the Hundred is £200,000, which falls into the A$360,000-420,000 range for platinum BBL picks; the top women’s salary is £65,000, slightly more than the A$110,000 on offer in the WBBL.Rob Hillman, the ECB’s director of major events, described salary increases as “imperative in the current landscape of global cricket”. He said: “We want the best players participating in the Hundred to keep entertaining the millions of fans who’ve come through the doors in the four years of the competition, particularly families, young people and fans who are new to the game.Related

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“I’m glad in the men’s competition we’ve been able to boost our top earners to £200,000, while to be at £65,000 for our top earners in the women’s competition is another step forward. That we are now offering four times what we were able to offer in the first year of the women’s competition is telling of the game’s continued growth, and clearly not the end of our journey.”We’re really excited about where the Hundred goes next, conversations with potential investors continue to be incredibly positive, and we’re committed to continue delivering a world class competition that excites fans across the globe.”The Hundred is expected to run from August 5-31 next year, with fixtures due to be released early next year.

Big Picture

After a 3-0 drubbing in the ODI series, Afghanistan had many things going in their favour in the first T20I. First of all, it was the format they prefer the most. Secondly, their captain Rashid Khan won an important toss and made the right decision to bowl. Then their bowlers restricted West Indies to a chaseable total of 164.During the seventh over of the chase, Fabian Allen hobbled off the field due to what looked like a knee injury, leaving West Indies a bowler short. There was a decent amount of dew as well to make things difficult for West Indies.Despite all this, the result didn’t go in Afghanistan’s favour. The West Indies seamers showed great skill with the wet ball, bowling cross-seam and using all sorts of slower balls to make the run-scoring difficult. The fact that Afghanistan didn’t have a great start didn’t help their cause either. With the series on the line, they need to regroup quickly.Under Kieron Pollard, West Indies look a more determined outfit, ready to fight out for victories. Despite losing Allen and Sheldon Cottrell bowling just two overs, they still managed to bowl 20 overs. That speaks of the depth they have in the bowling department.Apart from Evin Lewis and Pollard, their batsmen struggled to score freely, but it may not be a concern for now as they look to wrap up another series win.

Form guide

Afghanistan LLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)West Indies WLLLL

In the spotlight

Rashid Khan might not have had a great year in ODIs, having taken 15 wickets at 50.60, but he is still not easy to get away in the shortest format. After going for 15 off his first over in the opening game of the series, he bounced back to concede only 19 from his next three while dismissing a set Shimron Hetmyer. Afghanistan, though, would want their captain to pick up more wickets.Shimron Hetmyer‘s struggles with the bat continued. He might have the six-hitting ability but the left-hand batsman needs to work on his strike-rotation skill. During the first T20I, he was stuck on 8 off 13 balls at one stage before perishing for a run-a-ball 21. If he fails to adapt quickly, he might find it difficult to get into the XI when Nicholas Pooran returns from his ban.

Team news

There wasn’t much wrong with the Afghanistan selection for the first match. What they need is better execution. Although there is a case for replacing Hazratullah Zazai with Javed Ahmadi, it won’t be a surprise if they go with an unchanged XI.Afghanistan XI (probable): 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Asghar Afghan, 5 Najibullah Zadran, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Gulbadin Naib, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Fareed Malik, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Mujeeb Ur RahmanIn case Allen fails to recover in time for the second T20I, West Indies could replace him with another left-arm spinner Khary Pierre.West Indies XI (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Fabian Allen/Khary Pierre, 9 Kesrick Williams, 10 Hayden Walsh Jr, 11 Sheldon Cottrell

Pitch and conditions

All three T20Is are to be played on the same dark-soil surface. With dew expected later in the evening, making the ball come on to the bat better and causing problems to bowlers, it should be an obvious choice to bowl first. The temperature in Lucknow is supposed to be hovering around the 22-degree Celsius mark.

Stats and trivia

• The win on Thursday was West Indies’ first in seven T20Is this year.
• During the first T20I, Walsh became the ninth player to represent two teams in T20Is. He played eight T20Is for USA earlier this year.
• Since scoring an unbeaten 162 against Ireland, Zazai has managed just 146 runs at a strike rate of 120.66 in his next six innings.

Quotes

“A lot of dew [in the first T20I] but you have to practice for it. Practice bowling with a wet ball, that’s what I usually do when I am at home because you may have to do so in these sort of conditions. So it’s nothing new. No excuses, you just have to do what your captain asks and win games for West Indies.”

The disagreement arose over a project to refurbish Newlands and led to CSA suspending WPCA board

Firdose Moonda26-Nov-2019Cricket South Africa has lost its arbitration case against the Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA), with costs. That means the WPCA board, which was suspended by CSA in September over concerns relating to their governance and financial affairs, will need to be reinstated. On Wednesday morning, CSA confirmed it will not be challenging the decision.On September 22, CSA disbanded the WPCA board and installed veteran administrator Andre Odendaal in its place. CSA and the WPCA had disagreements over a construction project at Newlands Cricket Ground. CSA provided WPCA with a loan of R81 million (US$5,5 million) to complete the building work, which will house a college, offices and several other facilities but then expressed concerns over the progress of the project. CSA also hinted that spectator safety could be compromised during the New Year’s Test and suggested the fixture would be moved but then confirmed Newlands will host England from January 3.Three weeks after the board was suspended, the WPCA launched an urgent application for CSA’s decision to be overturned. The WPCA argued that CSA had “no right or entitlement,” to step-in and should have held a hearing before suspending the board. CSA and the WPCA went to mediation to attempt to resolve the issue but failed and then proceeded to arbitration, which was won by WPCA.CSA is also facing a second legal battle, against the South African Cricketers’ Association, who have taken the board to court over a proposed restructure to the domestic system. CSA wants to implement a 12-team provincial competition from the 2020-21 season which would wipe out the existing six-team franchise structure and create one domestic tier (South Africa currently has two).

Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt is keen on a reunion with Erik ten Hag, however, Manchester United are reportedly holding up the deal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• De Ligt keen on Ten Hag reunion
• United holding up deal over transfer fee
• Bayern want €50m for defender

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Sky Germany, De Ligt has decided that he definitely wants to move to Old Trafford this summer to reunite with Ten Hag. He worked under the United boss at Ajax during the famous 2018-19 season, which saw them go on to win the domestic double and reach the Champions League semi-final, defeating Real Madrid and Juventus before losing to Tottenham in heartbreaking fashion.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As per the report, Bayern have set an asking price of €50 million (£42m/$54m) and with agreements having already been reached with De Ligt by the Red Devils, all that remains is for United to reach Bayern's expectations. Sky expects the agreement to be reached within the next few days, but a medical is yet to be scheduled.

• Getty/GOAL
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  United are also reportedly set to sign De Ligt's Netherlands team-mate Joshua Zirkzee this summer from Bologna for a reported fee of €42.5 million (£36m/$46m).

• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  The Red Devils will hope to complete the signing of De Ligt as soon as possible as they will want to have him join their pre-season tour to the United States.

As Rangers’ search for a manager continues, a TalkSPORT pundit has shared what he’s heard from one candidate’s camp that reflects badly on Kevin Thelwell and the Ibrox higher ups.

Latest on Rangers' search for a manager

After confirming that Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, Rhys Owen and Sal Bibbo will lead Rangers against Dundee United this weekend, it’s clear that the 49ers are still finalising their next manager.

It’s no real surprise that they’ve shown plenty of patience when deciding the next man for the job, however. After all, Russell Martin lasted just 123 days and represents the dire start that the 49ers have endured at Ibrox. Simply put, after that failure, they must get their next appointment right.

With their patience has come several candidates, ranging from the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all the way to current favourite Kevin Muscat. The latter has emerged as an option for the second time in his career, having been linked with the job before Philippe Clement arrived in 2023.

Unlike 2023, however, the job could now be Muscat’s to take. The 52-year-old has enjoyed an excellent spell at Shanghai Port and is on course to win the Chinese Super League with just four games to go. But that hands Rangers quite the dilemma.

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The Gers will hope for a bounce back result at Ibrox.

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Ben Goodwin

Oct 16, 2025

If they want to hire Muscat, then they may be forced to wait until November 22 before he officially arrives. That means that they’d have to find a temporary solution for the next seven games in a decision that would certainly do Thelwell no favours.

The sporting director is already under pressure and one talkSPORT pundit has now shared news that may only compile his misery at Ibrox.

Tanner shares "rumbles" in Gerrard camp

Speaking about the Liverpool legend’s recent decision to reject a return to Ibrox, talkSPORT pundit David Tanner shared what he’s heard from Steven Gerrard’s camp about Rangers, the 49ers and Thelwell.

Given how things have started for Thelwell, from appointing Martin to signing a group of players that are yet to make their mark, more criticism is the last thing that he needs.

In the end, however, the 49ers were seemingly not ready to compromise their sporting director’s role to welcome Gerrard back to Ibrox. Whether they live to regret that decision will certainly be interesting to watch in the coming months.

With a deal already edging closer to signing Jorrel Hato from Ajax, Chelsea have also now reportedly made their first contact to sign a fresh attacking reinforcement.

Chelsea closing in on Hato

As ever, Chelsea have welcomed several fresh faces this summer. As Enzo Maresca gears up for his second season in charge, he now has the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens at his disposal in what remains a squad filled to the brim with quality in depth.

The Blues haven’t quite wrapped up their summer business just yet, however. After showing the door to Noni Madueke, who joined London rivals Arsenal, and Saudi-bound Joao Felix, those at Stamford Bridge still have money to spend and have turned towards Hato as a result.

The 19-year-old left-back now looks destined to become the latest young talent to arrive in West London, as Chelsea continue to build one of the youngest squads in the Premier League.

Hato’s tender age is unlikely to stand in the way of first-team opportunities, though. The Dutchman already has plenty of experience on that front and even graced the Europa League for Ajax last season.

One of many to have praised Hato, Statman Dave recently told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Big Transfer Talk: “When you look at his stats over the season, we are starting to see a player who is very composed and creative. He could potentially go on a similar path to Trent Alexander-Arnold – that is the player I would liken him to in Europe.”

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With Xavi Simons set to sign for Chelsea, are the Blues about to bring in an even better attacker from a PL rival described as “electric”?

ByBen Gray Jul 30, 2025

Alas, it’s not just their backline that Chelsea still want to improve. The Blues have also reportedly made their first move to sign a Serie A star.

Chelsea make first approach to sign Weah

According to SpazioJ, Chelsea have made their first approach to sign Timothy Weah from Juventus, only for the American to turn down a summer switch to Stamford Bridge.

It’s not the first time that the winger has turned down the chance to join a Premier League club, either. Earlier this summer, reports emerged that he had handed Nottingham Forest the same answer that he has now given Chelsea and Tottenham. Just where his future now lies as a result is the big question.

Juventus are still willing to sell Weah for around €20m (£17m) ahead of next season, but it remains to be seen whether the likes of Chelsea come calling with a second attempt to convince the 25-year-old.

After scoring six goals and providing five assists in all competitions last season, former Juventus boss Thiago Motta took the chance to praise Weah – telling reporters: “I see him very well, the first thing for a full-back is to defend, be aggressive, win duels, and he is winning a lot of them. He is aggressive, he can still improve, I am very happy with what I see, and on top of that, he also manages to score goals.”

Australian’s 78 leads side to 13-run win at Taunton as Babar Azam, tom Banton hit fifties in vain

ECB Reporters Network28-Jul-2019Alex Carey marked his Sussex Sharks debut with a brilliant 78 to set up a 13-run Vitality Blast victory over Somerset at Taunton.Australian Carey cracked seven fours and four sixes in a 46-ball innings that entertained a crowd of 7,400. Laurie Evans and David Wiese gave good support in a score of 184 for 8 after losing the toss, while Lewis Gregory claimed 3 for 30.In reply, Somerset could make only 171 for 5, despite an opening stand of 96 in less than 12 overs by Babar Azam, who struck 83 off 50 balls, and Tom Banton, who reached 51 off 45. Tymal Mills was the most economical Sussex bowler with 1 for 27 from 4 overs.The Sharks had managed only 34 for 2 in their six-over power play, losing the wickets of Phil Salt, caught at extra cover off the second ball of the innings, sent down by Max Waller, and Luke Wright, bowled off stump by Jerome Taylor, who had dropped him off Gregory two overs earlier.But the arrival of Carey soon changed the tempo of the innings. The left-hander hit the first six of the match over mid-wicket off Roelof van der Merwe in the eighth over. Soon Carey was timing the ball sweetly and he took a particular liking to the left-arm spin of van der Merwe, lofting him for two straight sixes in the 11th over.Evans provided positive support, claiming a maximum off Craig Overton’s bowling before being caught at deep cover off Somerset’s young left-arm seamer Tom Lammonby, having faced 27 balls and added 73 with Carey.The Aussie went to an impressive fifty from 30 deliveries, with four fours and two sixes, in the 14th over. And, with Wiese also striking the ball cleanly, 49 runs came off just four overs before Carey was brilliantly caught by Lammonby at long-off.It had been an eventful week for Carey, who played in the World Cup but missed out on selection in Australia’s final Ashes squad then had to fly to Geneva to renew his visa so that he could play for Sussex.”It was a crazy build-up to the game for me,” Carey said. “Australia’s Ashes camp in Hampshire did not end until Thursday night and on Friday I travelled to Sussex, but could only watch the game because I didn’t have my visa stamped. To get that done, I had to fly to Geneva at 8 o’clock Saturday morning. I flew back last night and travelled to Taunton today.”Although things did not work out for Australia in the World Cup, I really enjoyed the experience and have been loving my time in England. Today has built on that.”Gregory was the successful bowler at the start of the 19th over, which also saw him dismiss Weisse with the next ball after the batsmen had crossed, caught at deep mid-wicket, and clean bowl Delray Rawlins with the fourth delivery.Sussex lost two late batsmen to run outs by Somerset wicketkeeper Tom Banton but still added 15 to their total off the last over.Somerset were given an encouraging start by Banton and Babar, the pair taking the score to 49 after six overs.Both players quickly gauged the pace of the pitch. Banton swept Danny Briggs for a flat six over deep square in the seventh over and soon Babar cleared the ropes too with a big hit over long-on off the same bowler.At the halfway stage, Somerset were well placed at 85 without loss. But Mills stemmed the flow of runs by conceding only three from the 11th over.Banton hit six fours and a six on the way to his fifty, but the next delivery saw him caught at short fine-leg top-edging an attempted pull off Ollie Robinson.Babar then brought up his second Blast half-century in as many home games, having faced 32-balls and hit five fours and a six.Peter Trego smashed Rashid Khan for a maximum over mid-wicket, but with five overs left Somerset still required 67 and when Babar fell to Khan in the 18th over, the home side’s last chance had gone.

England won comfortably, of course they did. They were chasing, after all, and the last time they lost an ODI at home batting second, the word “Brexit” was almost as unfamiliar (and the event as unlikely) as the scale of transformation this England side has undergone since that dreadful World Cup campaign Down Under.What were they chasing? It doesn’t really matter, though for the record, it was 359. England scoffed, as though merely posing the question was an insult to their abilities, and then, like a group of players with better things to do than dismantle Pakistan’s bowling attack, cakewalked to the finish line more than five overs ahead of time, having barely broken a sweat.It looked like almost anyone in that top seven was capable of gunning down what was, after all, England’s second-highest successful chase ever, but they were grateful for a pair as marvellous as Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy. England had won 15 consecutive ODIs when chasing a total at home, and the two openers were a major reason for that record. By the second over, Roy’s twin boundaries had put Pakistan on the backfoot, and what followed was an hour and a half of such glorious hitting even the most churlish of Pakistan fans would have had to applaud.Shaheen Shah Afridi dropping Roy was unquestionably a sliding doors moment, not just because of the devastation he wreaked thereafter but how simple the catch was. It plopped straight out of his hands at cover, and that may as well have been the match gone for Pakistan.Every strike was pure, every stroke convincing. There were no half-measures; Imad Wasim, usually Pakistan’s economical option, was smashed for a straight six by Roy off his first ball and then again a couple of overs later, while Bairstow seemed to pick up any length thanks to a strong bottom hand and lift the ball over midwicket for regular boundaries. By the time the hundred was brought up in the 13th over with a swept Bairstow six off Imad, England still needed 260 runs to win, but the game had the sense of a foregone conclusion already.It didn’t help the pitch was flat as a pancake, with no assistance whatsoever for the bowlers; one of the more amusing moments occurred after Hasan Ali swung a couple back into Bairstow, and took the surprised reaction of the batsman as an affront to his integrity. Pakistan’s fielding was sorely lacking, and the three simple catches they dropped didn’t help against an England side that needed no leg-up anyway. By the time Roy found the point fielder on 76, England had added 159 in 17.2 overs.Bairstow continued to hammer away at some hapless bowling without fear of retaliation; nothing Pakistan did appeared to hamper him. When Sarfaraz Ahmed brought Haris Sohail into the attack, Bairstow launched him for successive sixes that led to the loss of at least one ball, bringing up the 200 with the same shot.Bairstow eventually dragged on having raced to a remarkable 128 off 93 – he looked good for a double-hundred at one point – and Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali then took advantage of perfect batting practice conditions for what remained of the chase. There was never any real pressure, and Stokes found some of the aggression that has been missing in his game of late, while Root and Moeen played themselves into decent form. By the 45th over the chase was officially done, but in effect, England had had this game wrapped up a good couple of hours earlier.Imam-ul-Haq leaves the field after his 151•AFP

Put in to bat, Pakistan’s 358 was a particular surprise given the architect of their big score in Southampton, Fakhar Zaman, was dismissed inside the first over, reverting to recent form and nicking the fourth ball he faced off Chris Woakes into the slips for a simple catch.The total owed itself to Fakhar’s more consistent (but less explosive) opening partner Imam-ul-Haq, whose splendid innings of 151 formed the backbone of the innings. Having lost Fakhar and, shortly after, Babar Azam to a brilliant spell of opening bowling from Woakes, Imam consolidated with the maturity of a seasoned professional with Haris at the other end, crucially ensuring Pakistan maintained a healthy run rate on a small ground and an excellent surface for batting.Haris found some touch that should hold him in good stead for World Cup consideration, but a moment of carelessness may yet cost him. With the partnership standing at 68 and Haris having raced to 41, he cantered through for a single that was best run hard. Tom Curran sprinted the length of the pitch and sidefooted the ball, which cannoned into the stumps, replays showing Haris making no effort to stretch his bat into the crease. It cost him his wicket at a crucial time, and allowed England back into the game.Asif Ali came in at six and immediately put the spotlight on the selectors’ decision to leave him out of the preliminary squad again. Moeen was lofted into the sightscreen to get him going, and from there onwards, Asif got stuck in. Pakistan’s run rate picked up in a partnership that amassed 125 runs in 90 balls, with Asif posting a career-best 52 off 43, his second half-century in as many games.Imam wasn’t taking a backseat by any means, though, his thoughts having squarely turned to his sixth ODI hundred. Plunkett was worked away for successive boundaries to move Imam through to the 90s, and a whip off the pads got him through to three figures. It was then that he properly cut loose, smashing the final 51 runs off 35 balls. The feisty cockiness that endears and enrages so many in Pakistan had found its way back into his game, a kiss blown in David Willey’s direction following a tonked six over long-on unlikely to have enamoured him to the Bristol crowd.They could make their peace, though, with the revenge England dished out thereafter, and Pakistan can walk away wondering what indeed might have been enough to keep England at bay. Next up? Trent Bridge, the land of 481 and 444. Pakistan’s bowlers have been forewarned, but what they can do to be forearmed is anybody’s guess.