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Fleming also put forward the name of Daniel Vettori – who also works in the T20 format – but made clear he remained impressed by Mike Hesson’s achievements

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-2018Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming would be keen to work with the national T20 side if there was a push to restructure the coaching set-up to reduce Mike Hesson’s workload.Fleming, who coaches in the IPL and Big Bash League, also put forward the name of Daniel Vettori – another who now works in the T20 format – but made clear he remained impressed by Hesson’s achievements. However, he believes that the packed international schedule will eventually lead to more specialised coach appointments.Simon Doull, the former New Zealand paceman, recently suggested that Hesson – and captain Kane Williamson – should move aside from the T20 international game, while England coach Trevor Bayliss said he would not have a problem if the coaching roles in his team were split.”It’s based on my passion and love for New Zealand cricket,” Fleming told . “I’ve got a very good relationship with Craig McMillan [the current batting coach] and spend a lot of time talking to him about where the game is going and what he sees. So I enjoy passing on that knowledge and it comes back to wanting the New Zealand team to be strong.”I enjoy going away and having a strong New Zealand team performing well around the world, it helps my job and I enjoy getting the New Zealand players in the sides that I’ve got.”At some stage, who knows and I think Daniel would be the same. I’d love to help, but I certainly appreciate and admire the work Mike has done.”At the conclusion of the England series in early April, Hesson will be able to have some downtime as New Zealand do not play again until a series against Pakistan in October, but Fleming still thinks that being in charge of all three formats could become too great a task for one man.”You’ve got to think for a modern day coach these days, to be spending 250-300 days away, or involved in the job, travelling and hotels and being away from the family, that’s unsustainable,” he said.”So Simon [Doull] makes some good points there about looking after your coaches and maybe T20 is one form of the game where there’s an opportunity for the head coach to have some time off.”Whether you develop a Craig McMillan or another young coach coming forward, or you get an old dog in and maybe Vettori or myself come in to spend a bit of time there?”It’s whether it keeps Mike Hesson fresh, it’s whether it falls into line with what Mike wants. But I think it’s worth discussing going forward as the schedule gets more cluttered. What I’ve heard from NZ Cricket and Mike right now is that the balance is pretty good, so he’s pretty happy to continue what he’s doing. But it needs to be explored.”New Zealand’s T20 form took a dive after a strong start earlier in the season. Pakistan came from 1-0 down to take the three-match series in January, when New Zealand conceded their No. 1 ranking, then they managed just a single victory – against England in Wellington – during the T20 tri-series. The next World T20 will take place in Australia in 2020.”If you’re bouncing from each form, sometimes you can miss the subtleties of the game that are developing behind closed doors, because you’re so focused on a Test or one-day series,” Fleming said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re relevant in all forms and have got the selectors, coaches and personnel looking at the right things.”

The return of former players to decision-making roles and the revamp of the domestic structure spell better days ahead for Zimbabwe

Martin Williamson28-Dec-2009For the last five years the end-of-year report on Zimbabwe has grown gloomier and gloomier. Twelve months ago Steve Price wrote that just keeping the game alive against the backdrop of political chaos represented a major achievement.And yet, a year on there are finally signs that a corner might have been turned. There’s a long way to go, especially on the field, where half a decade of neglect cannot be turned around in a few months, but there are glimmers of hope.The changes have largely been made possible by the improvement in the country’s political fortunes. Zimbabwe, so long an international pariah, has started to rebuild, although the situation remains fragile, and if Robert Mugabe has one of his notorious mood swings then the dark days of 2007 and 2008 could return in weeks.But for now, Zimbabwe Cricket, berated by many, including me, for years, deserves credit for a number of initiatives, the main one being a complete revamping of a tattered and discredited domestic structure. The old system has been swept away and heavily politicised provinces replaced with five new self-contained franchises. Time will tell how independent they are, but it’s a start and the early signs are promising.That change was allied to a decision to embrace the country’s players, including those who had been at the heart of the battle with the board, and many returned as either players or coaches. Perhaps the biggest sign of returning normality was the sight of overseas cricketers such as Chris Silverwood and Steve Tikolo turning out for the franchises.Internationally there was little to write home about. With fixtures hard to come by, the year was spent playing Bangladesh and Kenya. The results highlighted Zimbabwe’s status as being too good for Associates and way short of being able to mix it with the big boys. Only four of 14 ODIs against Bangladesh were won, while only one of 10 against Kenya was lost. The three ODIs against Full Members resulted in comprehensive defeats.Until the on-field results improve, talk of Zimbabwe returning to Test cricket is premature. Unfortunately they were a notable absentee from the ICC World Twenty20 – a competition in which they bloodied Australia’s noses in 2007 – because of political tensions between England, the hosts, and the Mugabe regime.Another reason was that Peter Chingoka, ZC’s chairman, who has been in situ for almost two decades, was banned from the European Union as well as Australia and New Zealand. That caused a few dicey situations as the ICC sought a balance between backing one of its own and not risking a major standoff over someone increasingly hard to support. Common sense prevailed and Chingoka appeared to become increasingly marginalised even in his own country, handing over day-to-day control to chief executive Ozias Bvute, who embarked on a largely successful media charm offensive.The ICC commissioned a fact-finding report from Julian Hunte, the head of the West Indies Cricket Board. The irony of someone whose own board remains a bigger shambles than the one he was supposed to be advising on caused more than a few wry smiles. The end result was the common-sense move to include a Zimbabwe side in the ICC Intercontinental Cup, as well as a number of other supportive moves from Full Members. Sadly, that generosity did not seem to spill over to neighbours South Africa, who insisted on being paid almost $100,000 to host two ODIs against the Zimbabweans in November.New kid on the block
Twenty-year-old fast bowler Kyle Jarvis, who represented Zimbabwe at the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, was brought straight into the national side and showed enough promise to suggest he could be a feature of the team for some time. Quick if raw, he should benefit from guidance from bowling coach Heath Streak.Tatenda Taibu had a turbulent year•Bangladesh Cricket BoardFading star
It’s hard not to feel for Tatenda Taibu, who was left keeping Zimbabwe’s head above water, often almost single-handed, during the dark days. His talent as a keeper-batsman is not in doubt, but his fortunes off the field have sent his career into reverse. Too often he was missing from the side because of off-field rows. He refused to play in Kenya because his kit had been left in Bangladesh, and was then slapped with a 10-match ban after admitting he lied to a Harare court when accused of assaulting a ZC employee.High point
Returning from a three-year self-imposed exile, Charles Coventry smashed an unbeaten 194 against Bangladesh in August, equalling the world record for the highest score in an ODI. His previous best in any format had been 106. Perhaps it underlined Zimbabwe’s weaknesses that despite his innings boosting his side to a post-300 total they were easily beaten.Low point
The final ODI of the year, against South Africa, was almost like watching the Zimbabwe team in the dark days of two or three years ago. South Africa eased to 331 for 5 without ever breaking sweat and then Zimbabwe all but waved the white flag as they were bowled out for 119 in under 35 overs. If anyone who matters had been watching – and the banks of empty stands suggested few were – it would have reminded them how far Zimbabwe have to go.What 2010 holds
A real watershed, both on and off the field. David Coultart, a minister in the power-sharing government, is likely to turn his attention to cricket, but whatever happens, it has to be hoped it won’t deflect too much from the advances made in 2009. With experience back on the playing and coaching side, the national team needs to start producing more consistent performances to back the goodwill the international community has for it.

Glasgow Rangers secured just their second Europa League victory of the season as they overcame Sparta Prague 2-1 at Ibrox on Thursday evening.

The turnaround under Philippe Clement has been incredible, with the Belgian winning five of his opening six matches in charge of the Light Blues, conceding just three goals in the process.

Everything seems to be clicking at exactly the right time and with another two European ties to come along with a League Cup final before Christmas, the 49-year-old will be aiming for success before 2024.

The positive start is an indication of the direction Clement wants to take the team, and by asserting his tactical ideologies onto the senior squad already, a campaign that looked set to be disastrous could well be salvaged.

The Belgian is having to work with a team that he inherited from Michael Beale and, despite offering a clean slate to everyone in the squad, there could be some activity in the upcoming January transfer window.

A few players may be shipped out, while it looks as though the former Club Brugge boss is already identifying potential targets in order to bolster his team ahead of the second half of the season.

Rangers January transfer news

Heading towards the winter window, the rumour mill begins to circle and, according to 90min, Rangers have shown interest in Everton defender Ben Godfrey.

They will face some competition, however, as Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are also seemingly keen on securing a move for the centre-back.

Under Sean Dyche this season, Godfrey has dropped way down the pecking order and has featured for a grand total of just one minute in the league, signifying that his future lies away from Goodison Park.

With this in mind, Clement could potentially make a swoop for the player and, with his contract expiring in 2025, Everton may not stand in his way should a club come in for him in the winter.

The Gers signed just one centre-back in the summer transfer window – Leon Balogun – and he only signed a one-year deal, with Michael Beale missing out on a few targets in the position.

Godfrey could be an ideal acquisition for the club as Clement could restore his confidence by giving him regular game time north of the border, while his talents would allow him to thrive in Scotland.

It wouldn’t be the first time that the Light Blues have signed a player from England who had a bright future, yet their form had taken a dip, as Todd Cantwell has become an integral player in the Ibrox side.

Godfrey could have a similar sort of impact to that of Cantwell and this could give the Gers a monumental boost heading into the final few months of the season.

Todd Cantwell’s statistics since he joined Rangers

Once touted as a player who was worth £40m just over two years ago during his spell with Norwich City, Cantwell’s form was underwhelming during the first half of the 2022/23 season.

This was a talent who had starred in two promotion campaigns and had scored six Premier League goals, yet he had made only ten starts for the East Anglian side before the transfer window opened in January.

Beale came to the rescue and secured his signature for just £1.5m, and it is beginning to look like one of the best pieces of business the club has done in years.

The Englishman registered 11 goal contributions – six goals and five assists – across just 20 games for the Glasgow side in the second half of last season and gave them some added attacking dynamism.

While he began the current season slowly, not helped by Beale’s tactics and an injury picked up against Celtic, Cantwell scored his first goal of the season against Sparta Prague in midweek, and it looks as though he is shining under the Belgian.

If the playmaker can displace Sam Lammers and return to his favoured number ten role, the next few months could be profitable for the former Norwich starlet.

Godfrey is an ex-teammate of Cantwell’s and his return to prominence could give the current Everton defender something to think about regarding his next career move, as he could become a key player at Rangers.

Ben Godfrey’s career statistics

The 25-year-old made 78 appearances for Norwich before signing for the Toffees in a £20m deal in October 2020 and he made a solid impression during his maiden season on Merseyside.

Godfrey made 36 appearances across all competitions and he ranked sixth out of the whole squad for accurate passes per game in the Premier League (33.3), along with ranking in the top five for clearances (3.5) and interceptions (1.1) per game, showcasing his growing talent and maturity, while it looked like Everton had a wonderful talent who could become a mainstay in their defence over the years.

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0

78

5

51

1

15

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He was even dubbed as a “revelation” by former professional boxer and Everton supporter Tony Bellew, yet just when things were looking rosy at the club, his appearances became less frequent.

Indeed, over the subsequent two seasons, Godfrey made 27 and then just 15 appearances under a succession of managers, with the low point coming during the current term.

His one start came during the EFL Cup clash against Doncaster Rovers as Dyche prefers the likes of James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite to play at the heart of the defence.

This opens the door for Rangers, who could rescue the 6 foot gem from what has been a year to forget and give him a platform to showcase his talents.

It has worked extraordinarily well for Cantwell since joining the Gers from Norwich and Godfrey could follow in his footsteps, putting a poor spell behind him in England in order to shine north of the border while challenging for domestic trophies.

Clement still has plenty of time to work out potential transfer targets, but he will be keen on bringing another one or two fresh faces to the club if he aims to end Celtic’s recent domestic hegemony.

It is an exciting time to be a supporter of the Light Blues, especially with the 49-year-old bringing the feel-good factor back to Ibrox and if he can sign someone like Godfrey in the coming months, it will do his reputation no harm at all.

James Vince, Rory Burns and Joe Denly feature prominently in England’s thoughts ahead of selection meeting

George Dobell12-Sep-2018Trevor Bayliss has admitted Keaton Jennings faces a “nervous” wait to see whether he will be included in England’s squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.Jennings averaged just 18.11 in the five-Test series against India and, while Bayliss suggested his decent form on the tour to India a couple of years ago may count in his favour, he declined to confirm that it would be enough to ensure him another tour.With Alastair Cook having retired, England are searching for at least one new top-order batsman and Bayliss confirmed that James Vince, Joe Denly and Rory Burns are all vying for a spot in the squad. Whether Jennings is retained will decide whether England have one or two spots available for them.Ed Smith, the national selector, has previously expressed some confidence in Jennings despite the run of low scores. Pointing out that batting in the top order was treacherously tough during the India series, Smith noted Jennings’ impressive “demeanour” and method and appeared to offer his tour hopes some encouragement.In Jennings’ favour is the fact he made a century on Test debut in Mumbai in December 2016 and followed it with an innings of 54 in Chennai. England expect to encounter similar spinning pitches in Sri Lanka. Those scores are, however, his only half-centuries in a 12-Test career and, in going 10 Tests in succession without passing fifty, he has set a grim new record for an England opening batsman.”We have a selection meeting in a week’s time and I am sure it will be discussed,” Bayliss said. “I’m sure he will be a bit nervous about which way it will go. His history will be in his favour: he scored runs in India on spinning wickets.”But he is a big boy and he knows runs on the board count as well. All of those points will have to be discussed and I can’t say at this stage or another whether he will go or not.”If Jennings is not retained, it could mean a recall for Vince. Although he averages a modest 24.90 after 13 Tests, he averages 30.54 from the No. 3 position. As a result, Bayliss rated him England’s “best No. 3” excluding Joe Root over the last few years. And, having gone back to county cricket and scored heavily in recent months – Vince is the second highest run-scorer in Division One this season behind Burns and is averaging 42.66 – Bayliss said he “had done what we asked of him since he was out of the team”.”If you take Joe out of the equation, Vince has probably been our best No. 3 over the last few years,” Bayliss said. “I gave him the challenge when we dropped him to go back and score plenty of runs. Averaging 40 in county cricket is not good enough. You have got to average 50 or 60 and, take out this last game, he was close to that and made some big hundreds so he has done what we asked of him. Whether he makes the cut or not we will find out in a week.”While Bayliss admitted he had not seen much of Denly, he has had good reports from the team of scouts the England management now employ and confirmed he was being considered for a place in the squad.”I have not seen him in the last couple of years,” Bayliss said. “He has made some runs this year and apparently he is a decent player of spin. He can play the short ball but so can a few others. Vince for example. And obviously Burns is making a lot of runs at The Oval.”I am sure all three guys will get a hearing and there might be more than one spot in the touring party.”Burns is, by a distance, the leading run-scorer in the Championship season. He is approaching the 1,200 run mark – nobody else has made 1,000 – and, while there is a suggestion he has made most of his runs on the flat Oval surfaces, three of his four centuries have come at New Road, Nottingham and Southampton. He also made 90 in Chelmsford and, at the time of writing, averages 95 away from home this season.England expect to announce the limited-overs squad on Monday or Tuesday and the Test squad on the 23rd or 24th. Bayliss returns to Sydney for a brief holiday on Thursday, so will take part in the selection meeting via conference call.

The series was long-since won, but the most thrilling passage of play was left for the end as an incredible innings unfolded at Old Trafford

George Dobell at Old Trafford24-Jun-20182:03

Great to win games you might not deserve to – Buttler

Jos Buttler has been hailed as “the best white-ball wicketkeeper batsman in the world” in the aftermath of England’s dramatic victory at Old Trafford.Buttler helped England recover from an apparently hopeless position of 114 for 8 to secure a one-wicket victory and, with it, a first 5-0 whitewash over Australia in ODI cricket. He finished unbeaten on 110. Nobody else in the England side passed 20.He also completed a smart stumping to account for Shaun Marsh – pouncing when the batsman lifted his back foot for a moment – and running out Tim Paine with a wonderful direct hit from a lightening fast pick-up and throw.That left Australian captain – and fellow wicketkeeper batsman – Paine full of praise for Buttler and admitting his own side’s batsman could learn plenty from watching him.”He’s good; he’s very good,” Paine said of Buttler. “Right now, at the moment, he’d have to be the best white-ball wicket-keeper batsman in the world. I don’t think there’s too many guys to challenge him. MS Dhoni is pretty good, but right at this moment, Jos is at the absolute peak of his powers. He understands his one-day game so well and knows his strengths inside out and just doesn’t go away from him.”He’s someone for our batters to watch and see first hand. Those experiences are going to be really good for D’Arcy Short or Travis Head to see him and Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy at their best.”While Buttler has often provided example of his extravagant stroke-making ability in the past – he made a 46-ball century against Pakistan in 2015 – it was more his clear head and game awareness that impressed here. So while his 50 – which occupied 74 balls – was slower than four of his ODI centuries, it was so well-paced that he never allowed the run-rate to get out of control always seemed to be able to produce the shot required to release the pressure.He did make one miscalculation, however. Finally left with just Jake Ball – the only real tailender in the side – for company, Buttler told his new partner they would only run if they could be sure Buttler could get back on strike. “But then I smashed it to long-off,” Buttler said, “didn’t see the guy and just ran. It was a poor decision from me.”That left Ball to see out a nerve-wracking over from Ashton Agar – “He was fighting his instincts,” Buttler joked later, “I think he wanted to run down the pitch and smack it” – before Buttler, back on strike, was able to ease a Marcus Stoinis delivery to the cover boundary to seal the victory.”It was pure elation,” Buttler said of the moment that followed. “You’ll probably never match that. I knew I had to be there at the end. Then plucking it from nowhere with one wicket left when we didn’t really have the right to win the game… it was very enjoyable. Winning games when you didn’t deserve to, they’re almost the more enjoyable ones.”While accepting there were areas that needed attention in England’s batting display, in particular, England’s captain, Eoin Morgan felt the ability to win from an almost hopeless position would serve England well.”When he plays like that he creates a lot of belief in the changing room that rubs off,” Morgan said. “He’s used all his experience and he’s somehow managed to get us over the line. It’s outstanding.”Could anybody else in the side have done it? Probably not. But it shows the fight and the character we have in the locker when we need it.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has now hailed one of his Gunners teammates for "always" working hard behind-the-scenes.

Latest Arsenal news

Mikel Arteta's men have enjoyed a solid start to the new Premier League season and remain unbeaten following their latest triumph – a 1-0 win away to struggling Everton on Sunday.

Leandro Trossard's strike with just 20 minutes remaining ensures that Arteta and co keep pace with Pep Guardiola's imperious Man City at the top of the table.

Arsenal have tasted victory in four out of their opening five top flight matches, with Fulham being the only side to get a result against them so far. The north Londoners had to dig deep on Merseyside but yet again displayed real grit to come away with all three points.

Arteta, commenting after Arsenal ended their hoodoo of six years without an away win at Everton, praised his side's display.

“Six years without a win here is a long time, so we had to learn some lessons, we had to be better." said Arteta.

"I am delighted for the win but especially the way we won it, the way we played, how dominant we were, the presence that we showed on the pitch. We fully deserved to win the game.

“I think we had many other openings to put the ball in the last line and to put somebody in the box and finalise. Credit to Everton, they defended the box extremely well, and they had some big, big blocks when we opened them up. It’s great to have other ways to score goals, it gives you different resources and be more unpredictable."

In and around the contest, there were question marks as to why goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was dropped in favour of summer signing David Raya.

The 25-year-old hadn't set a foot wrong before their trip up north, with Arteta even having to defend his decision to the media.

It appears the contest for Arsenal's number one spot is now hotting up, but club captain Odegaard has moved to defend Ramsdale.

Indeed, the Norway international insists he is a player of real quality and is "always" working behind-the-scenes.

"I think he will just keep working hard, like he is always doing," Odegaard said on Ramsdale (via The Standard).

"Today he was there supporting us, cheering for us, helping us. He is a great character and he showed a very good response today by backing the team. It was excellent from him.

"We have two good goalkeepers and big competition. They have different qualities. They are both so good on the ball and in goal as well. So, we are lucky to have two such good goalkeepers and we will see who plays."

How good is Aaron Ramsdale?

Arsenal signed Ramsdale on a long-term deal from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021, for a fee which could rise to £30m including add-ons.

The Englishman has gone on to make 83 appearances in all competitions, all while performing at a high enough level to earn multiple England caps.

The presence of Raya could motivate him to play even better as he attempts to keep his spot as Arsenal's go-to shot-stopper.

The former batsman, umpire, coach and now commentator answers readers’ questions on bowlers who frightened him, being diplomatic, England’s dry run in the 80s and 90s, and more

19-Nov-2010David Lloyd has done everything in cricket: debuting for Lancashire in 1965 as a spinner, he ended up playing nine Tests as an opening bat for England, hitting a double-century against India in his second game, in 1974. Six months after that, Lloyd played his last Test, one of many casualties of England’s 4-1 Ashes trouncing down under by Lillee and Thomson’s Australia. The left-handed Lloyd was a key part of the Lancashire side that dominated English one-day cricket in the early 70s, winning the first two Sunday Leagues (1969 and 1970) and three Gillette Cups in a row from 1970. By the time he played his last game, in 1985, he had made nearly 27,000 runs all told in a 21-season career.In retirement Lloyd turned first to umpiring and then to coaching, first with Lancashire before being rapidly promoted, to the England job. He was in charge of the national team between 1996 and 1999 before retreating to the Sky gantry. His time as England coach was mixed. Using specialist coaches alongside his own Churchillian approach to team talks, Lloyd’s tenure laid foundations for the future: the win over South Africa in 1998 was England’s first in a major series for 11 years and the side was at least competitive despite losing the Ashes 3-1 the following winter. But failing to win a game on tour in Zimbabwe in 1996 and the debacle of the 1999 World Cup exit cast a shadow.Steeped in cricket and always entertaining, in his decade with Sky, Bumble has become the natural heir to Dickie Bird as cricket’s No. 1 maverick national treasure, and this month he embarks on a national theatre tour to meet his public. There’s plenty of them: at last count he had over 90,000 followers on his Twitter account.When you retired as a player, did you think you would be an umpire for the rest of your career?
No. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a good time in my life. But I probably knew I would go into coaching because I’d done lots of coaching badges. But when I was an umpire my ambition was to be an international umpire – and if I’d got that far, I would maybe still have been doing that, I don’t know.Who first called you Bumble?
John Sullivan, who was at Lancashire in the 60s. He gave me the nickname because I looked like one of the characters on Michael Bentine’s show, the that was very much like .When was the first time you spoke in public?
It would be when I was captain of Lancashire, mid-70s. I’d have a good guess at it being Liverpool Cricket Club. I think I just had to introduce the team and told a couple of anecdotes about each one. Someone in the audience said they’d like to book me to speak at a function and I said, “No, I don’t do any of that.” But it moved on from there…Do you think you should you have played more times for England?
[] No! I came back [into the one-day side] in 1980 and I should never have been picked. Botham was captain and you know how bad a captain he was – he chose me to play in that game. He must have been mad. I couldn’t see, for a start. I mean, I could see all right for county cricket but he brought me back against West Indies. And there was no chance of seeing them.

“Botham was captain and you know how bad a captain he was – he chose me to play in that game. He must have been mad. I couldn’t see, for a start”

Has anyone been as frightening to watch or play against as Jeff Thomson was on that 1974-75 Ashes tour?
One I played with who was ferocious was Colin Croft – and against, Sylvester Clarke [of Surrey]. He was frightening. Both nasty on the field. They didn’t like cricket, I think, basically. They thought the faster we can get this bloke out or kill him, the quicker I can get off.[]
Well, I hope all fast bowlers go out to hurt people. That’s part of the make-up: “I’m gonna hurt you, you’re not going to bat”. Having a ruthless streak is part of it. We had Malcolm Marshall come to Lancashire as a specialist bowling coach once and he said to the fast bowlers: “The first thing you do is break the spin bowlers’ hands.”Who had the best one-day team in the 1970s: Kent or Lancashire?
There’s only one winner there! Bloody hell! () They were good, Kent were a good side. But we kept having to go down to London to play in finals. It were bloody costly to keep going down there to play! You had to pay for your wife… you got a bob or two but you’d spend more than that. I don’t think we got a share of the prize money…Ian Austin opened the bowling for England in the 1999 World Cup. When you were England coach, were you biased towards Lancashire players?
[] No. In Austin’s case we canvassed every opening batsman in county cricket and asked them who were the two most difficult bowlers to play against and they said Chris Lewis and Ian Austin.Andy Flower’s set-up is very different to yours: could you be England coach now or would it not suit your style?
Central contracts are the be-all and end-all. That’s what made England a competent team. Andy Flower is a wonderful bloke, he has a wonderful team. His management set-up is perfect and he has a world-class team, a cracking team. We suggested central contracts when I was coach, then Duncan Fletcher took them on and now Andy is getting the full benefit of it.Is it true that being given a Fall CD changed your musical taste for good? Who gave you the CD and what were you listening to before?
Paul King, who is executive producer of Sky cricket, gave me the Fall CD. And he said, “You’ll either get this or you won’t”, and I got it immediately. But I’m still into the Rolling Stones. You’re either the Stones or the Beatles… and I’m the Stones. I mean, I like Sinatra, I think he’s terrific, but I’m a bit more punk rock.What has been your greatest achievement in cricket?
Beating South Africa, when I was England coach in 1998. They were a hell of a side: Cronje, Klusener, Pollock and Donald opening the bowling. They were a good set of lads and a bloody good side. They had a team and a half.Why did England go 11 years without a major series win in the 1980s and 1990s?
Well, we were playing fewer major series for one thing: we were just embarking on split tours – an odd game here and two Tests there – I remember in ’96 we were just getting our teeth into what would now be a fantastic series against India, but it was over after three matches. We won that 1-0, then Waqar and Wasim’s Pakistan came with a great side and beat us 2-0 and we beat them 2-1 in the one-dayers. The ultimate in that came straight after that South Africa series: we’d given everything to beat them 2-1 and then they stuck a single Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval onto the end. You might as well have played on Galle beach. We just gave Murali a pitch that he wanted. I was up in arms about that. He took 16 wickets and it was just like an exhibition: “Look at these lovely chaps.” They turned us over good and proper.Did you find it hard to keep schtum and be diplomatic when you were England coach?
I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t tow any diplomatic line. If that’s what they wanted when they employed me, then they had the wrong bloke. I come from an area where if someone kicks you once you kick ’em twice. So it wasn’t difficult for me! I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t be anything different. I assumed they knew what they were getting.”John Player cricket came in because the rest of it was completely on its arse”•PA PhotosWas that 1974-75 Ashes tour England’s nadir during your whole time following of being involved with or following the England team?
The result was terrible, but as a tour it was enjoyable… I’d never been out of England before. I come from a rough area. We didn’t go abroad. I didn’t come from Weybridge or Maidenhead, I came from Accrington! And there were plenty more on the trip who’d never been out of England. I know Ken Shuttleworth, who went in 1971, had never been out of England…How much have you grown into your role at Sky? How “cast” is it? Don’t you wish you could play the grumpy old man sometimes?
No, no, they pay for what they get and I ain’t changing. I like a bit of fun, I enjoy myself – but I can be serious and fight my corner. There’s no casting. But there are plenty of times where they despair and they’ve got their heads in their hands!Who is the funniest man in cricket?
The man who I think is fantastic – in fact, he’s on my ringtone – is Bill Lawry. “Got him!” I think he’s fabulous. Just the enthusiasm… he’s well into his 70s and his patriotism, his love of the game and his enthusiasm is fantastic. He was a dour player, a very dour player. But as a commentator he brings it all alive. But my all-time broadcasting hero is Fred Trueman. He was the first northern voice on commentary, as far as I can remember. The first one who didn’t speak like Mr Cholmondeley-Warner.Lancashire won the first two 40-over Sunday Leagues, in 1969 and 1970. Was that tournament the Twenty20 of its day: half of cricket people saying it will save the game and half saying it will kill it?
Duncan Edwards. I was 11 when he died in the Munich air disaster. But he was the complete footballer.Who is the best player you’ve seen who never made it at the highest level?
Don Shepherd of Glamorgan. Spin bowler. Just check his record: 2000-plus wickets! [2200 wickets at 21 each, between 1950 and 1972]. I played against him. He was playing into the 1970s and he’s still totally involved in the game now, at 80-odd. He overlapped Jim Laker a little bit, and Fred Titmus and Ray Illingworth, so he never got a chance with England. But he was a wonderful bowler. The lad who’s missed out right now is Glen Chapple. It’s just never quite happened for him: wrong place, wrong time… he’s been in that many squads and missed out.Should England players be banned from tweeting?
No. Definitely not. I’d be quite the other way. Engage with the fans. Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson are very clever with it. They tell you if they’ve had a bad day – but don’t go into any details – but there’s also little nice snippets. Swanny’s a card, he’ll have some fun. But they don’t go into anything in-depth that they shouldn’t do. It’s vital. In any sport, players are so isolated from the public – particularly soccer – you just never see them about now.

“My all-time broadcasting hero is Fred Trueman. He was the first northern voice on commentary, as far as I can remember. The first one who didn’t speak like Mr Cholmondeley-Warner”

Do you find it odd that we don’t have a 50-over domestic competition in England, when international cricket is still 50 overs?
Yeah. I think you’ve got to try and mirror international cricket. The 18 counties rule the roost because they are the ECB. But my mild criticism is that I’m not sure they put the England team on the pedestal. I think it should be.Everything should be geared towards the England team, and I’m not sure all the counties take that on board. I’d like the distribution of wealth to be a bit more thought out. Not to give 18 counties £1.5m every year and let them spend it on what they want. It’s unbelievable that so many of them are struggling, on those terms. I like the Australian model. Take the WACA: the money goes to the Western Australia Cricket Association and the state teams get money from the WACA, but a lot of money goes on grass roots. And – just in my opinion – the English game is awash with money, awash with it, and I’m not sure the money gets to grassroots the way it should do.Have you ever “died” when you have been doing after-dinner speaking?
Loads of times! Loads. But I haven’t done after-dinner speaking for years. This tour isn’t like after-dinner speaking. I don’t have to sit next to some bloke I’ve never clapped eyes on before for four hours and drink water… I got out of that game a long time ago because standards were dropping. People were chatting on their mobile phones while you were up there doing your best and getting home at two in the morning. So I took a view: why am I doing this? I could be tucked up in bed!

يستأنف فريق ليفربول مبارياته تحت قيادة مدربه آرني سلوت، بمواجهة في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، اليوم السبت، أمام أكرينجتون ستانلي.

وتعرض ليفربول للهزيمة في مباراته الماضية أمام توتنهام بهدف نظيف في كأس كارباو، وتعادل قبل ذلك أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بهدفين لمثلهما.

ومن المرجح أن يُجري سلوت تغييرات على تشكيل ليفربول وإراحة بعض العناصر الأساسية، حيث يستعد الفريق عقب ذلك لمواجهة نوتينجهام ثم برينتفورد خارج أرضه.

وقد يلجأ سلوت لإراحة نجم ليفربول محمد صلاح، وعدم الدفع به أساسيًا في المواجهة أمام أكرينجتون.

طالع.. تشكيل ليفربول الرسمي أمام أكرينجتون ستانلي في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام أكرينجتون ستانلي

حراسة المرمى: كيليهر.

خط الدفاع: كونور برادلي، جاريل كوانساه، أمارا نالو، كوستاس تسيميكاس.

خط الوسط: واتارو إندو، تري نيوني، هارفي إليوت.

خط الهجوم: فيديريكو كييزا، جايدن دانس، داروين نونيز.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

Manchester United haven't had the greatest recent history when it comes to transfers, with Antony's stats representing a player who is yet to get going at Old Trafford, whilst Andre Onana's mistakes have stolen the headlines at times this season. It is a recruitment issue that the Red Devils must solve if they are to take their place among the Premier League's best sides every season.

When the January transfer window swings open, Erik ten Hag could once again welcome changes when it comes to both departures and incomings. And that could see one particular player depart after his most recent admission regarding game time at Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news

Lying outside of the Premier League's top four and on the brink of a Champions League group stage exit, United haven't had the greatest start to the season, with off-field issues such as Jadon Sancho's falling-out with Ten Hag playing a part. Heading into the festive period, the Manchester club will be well aware of the need to pick up some consistency before the January transfer window arrives to potentially deal them a frustrating blow.

Man Utd could ease Eriksen blow by unleashing their "new Van de Beek"

This £250k-p/w midfielder has already been called the “new Donny van de Beek”.

ByAdam Scully Nov 12, 2023

Speaking to De Telegraaf recently, Donny van de Beek admitted his need for minutes on the pitch and hinted at a potential winter exit, saying: "I have to start playing matches very soon, if not at Manchester United, then at another club. I think this is a healthy ambition.

“Look, I’ve always been an enthusiast. I’m absolutely crazy about football. I earn a good living at Manchester United, but money has never been my motivation. I want to enjoy my work every day. Last season, I was sidelined for months due to my knee injury. You miss it terribly and appreciate even more that you have a wonderful profession. I am at a legendary club and I am still proud every day to wear the Manchester United shirt. But I’m bursting with energy now that I’m in great shape again and I’m training like crazy. Then the moment comes when you have to make a choice.

“I’m excited to play matches again. The manager now makes different choices. We have a great selection and I’m not the only one knocking on the door. We’ll see what happens in January.”

"Fantastic" Van de Beek needs move

It just hasn't happened for the Dutchman at Manchester United, as Van de Beek's stats at the club show. The former Ajax man has made just 62 appearances since joining the club in 2020, scoring and assisting just twice each. Van de Beek's price tag of £35m put instant pressure on his shoulders, but whether it's been through not receiving the opportunities or failing to perform, he has not reached the standards that Ten Hag demands.

A move away could revive the midfielder, who earned praise from Frank Lampard while on loan at Everton. Speaking after a clash against Leeds United in 2022, the former manager said (via Manchester Evening News): Him [Van de Beek] and Allan were fantastic, also Donny on the ball giving us a sense of calm and intelligence, and a nice rhythm in the team, and he’s going to get better and better."

The proposed takeover of Everton continues to be a big talking point at the moment, and now a new update has emerged regarding 777 Partners and the current situation.

Everton's takeover talk

The Blues picked up a hugely impressive and much-needed Premier League victory on Sunday afternoon, battling their way to a 1-0 triumph away to a good West Ham, thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal. It was one of Everton's best results of the season so far, and it steadied the ship greatly after some poor matches recently, as Sean Dyche continues to improve in the Goodison Park hot seat.

Away from the pitch, there has been a period of grieving, following the sad passing of legendary chairman Bill Kenwright at the age of 78 earlier this month, while the constant talk surrounding the takeover of the club has also carried on. Many Everton supporters are desperate for a deal to be struck as soon as possible, bringing an end to the Farhad Moshiri era on Merseyside, but it is clearly not going to be easy for 777 Partners to come in.

Everton takeover latest

Speaking on the Sport Unlocked podcast [via Goodison News], reporter Tariq Panja provided an update on Everton's takeover and explained how 777 Partners' payments could be made if the Blues suffer relegation from the Premier League to the Championship:

"From what I hear from the 777 deal, that will still go ahead with a bunch of contingencies in that contract based on Everton being relegated.

"If this deal goes through, these guys will still pay a similar amount, but slightly less if Everton do not come back up within two years, over a staggered payment scheme."

The idea of Everton being relegated from the Premier League for the first time in their history doesn't bear thinking about for supporters, especially with the exciting move to Bramley Moore Dock happening at the end of the season, as the Blues plan to move into a wonderful new stadium.

On the plus side, it is at least good to know that some planning is being done should the worst-case scenario happen next May, ensuring that Everton are hit as little as possible in a financial sense, should 777 Partners' takeover be completed in the coming months.

Sunday's aforementioned triumph at West Ham was a timely reminder of what this Blues side are capable of, however – they have also won away impressively at Brentford this season – and they should be looking for more of a mid-table finish in the league than worrying about going down, assuming Everton's potential 12-point deduction doesn't happen.

In Dyche, they appear to have a good manager who has made Everton difficult to break down, with even Liverpool struggling to break the deadlock in the Merseyside derby at Anfield prior to a penalty decision, and it would be a big surprise if they fared worse than they have in the past two seasons, just avoiding relegation each time.

A completed takeover would only make things easier for Dyche and his players, bringing more of a settled feeling to the club and also potentially generating more funds for transfer further down the line, but 777 Partners are putting contingency plans in place.