Only local pride at stake with Derbyshire confirmed as wooden-spoonists

ECB Reporters Network28-Sep-2024After two days lost to the weather, Leicestershire finished on 264 for eight after their season-ending Vitality County Championship with East Midlands neighbours Derbyshire at last saw some action.With Derbyshire’s 17th Championship wooden spoon confirmed by Glamorgan’s victory over Gloucestershire, this match has little at stake beyond local pride, although Leicestershire could overtake Northamptonshire to finish fourth in Division Two.Leicestershire opener Sol Budinger will remember it at least for a career-best 87. There was a half-century, too, for Liam Trevaskis.Derbyshire’s spinners prospered in the final session of an 80-over day. Mitch Wagstaff, in his sixth first-class match, finished with two for 24 from his leg breaks, his best figures so far, with skipper David Lloyd picking up three wickets from his offies.Glamorgan and Gloucestershire, similarly hit by the late-September rain, forfeited an innings each to facilitate a positive result in Cardiff. For there to be a winner here, it may need a similar arrangement.After the downpours of the first two days, the start of day three was delayed until noon. On a green-tinged pitch, Derbyshire opted to bowl first after the toss had gone their way and should have had early wickets to show for it.But catching has not been their strong suit this season – not much has, by the evidence of the table. Ian Holland, on three and again on nine, plus Budinger on 42 were given lives in the hour of play before lunch.All three chances were created at the pavilion end. Holland was spilled by wicketkeeper Brooke Guest off Zak Chappell, before Martin Andersson saw Aneurin Donald give Holland his second let-off at gully and Budinger put down by Lloyd at first slip in his next over.At the other end, Budinger had profited from five boundaries in the same over as the 17-year-old pace prospect Harry Moore struggled to find the right length and Leicestershire were 54 without loss at the first interval.Holland, his luck plainly in, enjoyed a third escape not long after the restart, Guest again unable to cling on down the leg side as the former Hampshire all-rounder top-edged a pull on 28, Moore having returned at the more favourable end.They were not inexpensive mistakes. Budinger, a left-hander with natural ball-striking talent, reached 51 from 40 deliveries with his ninth four and went on to pass his previous first-class best of 72 with his 14th boundary. A maiden century looked his for the taking until, 13 runs away from it, he shaped to drive the left-arm seamer Luis Reece but somehow managed to spoon the ball into the hands of the bowler.The wicket was all-rounder Reece’s 200th in all formats for Derbyshire to go with more than 8,000 runs. He is the first to achieve both those milestones for the county since Dominic Cork in the 1990s.Budinger’s partnership with Holland, which was worth four at the moment of the first dropped catch, had put on 120. Reece picked up his second wicket in the same spell when Holland cut straight to the man at backward point for 44.Lewis Hill, in his first appearance since announcing he would step down as captain at the end of the season, twice cut Chappell to the boundary before driving him handsomely down the ground for another but was adjudged leg before to Chappell – Derbyshire’s player of the year – just before tea.Harry Swindells, making only his second Championship appearance of the season, helped Trevaskis take the total beyond 200 but departed in comically dreadful fashion, ballooning an awful full toss straight to mid-on as Wagstaff took a wicket with his fourth delivery.Trevaskis completed his second half-century of the season before being bowled by Lloyd for 57, before Ben Mike and Ben Green were both caught behind to give the two spinners another wicket apiece, Lloyd picking up his third as Tom Scriven was leg before sweeping.

Know your Bash Brothers, look out for the Pope and the must-watch Melbourne and Sydney rivalries

Srinath Sripath18-Dec-2018Big Bash, what’s that like, a fun party?
Sort of, if you’re an Australian kid finding ways to enjoy your summer holidays. Even otherwise, the Big Bash League (the BBL, henceforth) is a city-based T20 tournament that has been a big hit among Australian fans – hardcore and casual – in recent times.A T20 tournament?
Yes, an eight-team tournament like the IPL and others of its kind that’s now into its eighth edition.Ah, so who are these teams?
Two teams each from the two biggest cities – Melbourne and Sydney, and one each from the rest – Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and HobartWhat are they called?
Melbourne’s got the Renegades and the Stars, Sydney Thunder and Sixers, Hobart has the Hurricanes, Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers.Two teams from Melbourne and Sydney, why would that be?
Cross-town rivalries are a big deal in sports across the world, and the BBL is no different. “Derbies” between the two same-city franchises are a big draw.While we are at it, you should totally watch the Melbourne Derby on New Year’s Day. It’s become the BBL’s showpiece fixture, and over 80,000 turn up to watch it at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and television audiences are known to dig it too.These derbies, how many of them are there in a season?
Ok, so make a note. Two Melbourne derbies and two Sydney derbies. The Melbourne derbies are on New Year’s Day (Jan 1) and Jan 19, while the Sydney derbies are on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and Feb 2.Crowds packed into the MCG for the Melbourne derby•Getty ImagesBig teams mean big stars, right? Are David Warner and Steven Smith playing?
Not yet, no. Those two are still serving their suspensions, although Cameron Bancroft, the third guy in that whole ball-tampering thing, is completing his nine-month ban and will be available for Perth Scorchers from December 30.In any case, Warner and Smith are usually out for the best part of the BBL, since the Australian international summer coincides with it.None of that’s a buzzkill. There’s enough star power for you to keep you interested. Here are some of the biggest draws from different parts of the world.

• Australia – Glenn Maxwell
  (Melbourne Stars), Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat), apart from a horde of young talent

• Afghanistan – Mujeeb ur Rahman (Brisbane Heat), Rashid Khan (Adelaide Strikers)
  (Cheat code: Mujeeb’s the first male player born in the 21st century to play international cricket)

• Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka fans, so what if none of your compatriots are playing? Join the Nepalese in rooting for Sandeep Lamichhane (Melbourne Stars)
• England – Joe Root, Jos Buttler (both Sydney Thunder) Jofra Archer (Hobart Hurricanes)
• Pakistan – Usman Shinwari
  (Melbourne Renegades)
  (PS: This other Usman will probably get you more excited)

• West Indies – Dwayne Bravo (Melbourne Stars)
• New Zealand – Brendon McCullum (Brisbane Heat)
• South Africa – Colin Ingram
  (Adelaide Strikers)

Aaron Summers bowls on his T20 debut against Melbourne Renegades•Getty ImagesIt’s not just your Gabba and your MCG where the Big Bash will be played. From Renegades’ Marvel Stadium in Melbourne and Thunder’s Spotless Stadium to – for the first time in the tournament’s history – Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium, the Big Bash spreads its wings far and wide across Australia.Know your Bash Brothers, the powerhouse opening pair for Brisbane Heat – Lynn (of “Lynnsanity” fame) and “Baz” McCullum. A nickname that’s borrowed from ’90s American Baseball, these two have proved a huge hit among Heat fans over the years.And talking of baseball, watch out for 22-year-old Hurricanes quick Aaron Summers, who switched from baseball to cricket when he was 13, and has already clocked 150 km/h on the speed gun last year. Summers might be just one T20 match old, but he already has a Pakistan Super League contract. Loves his KFC zingers, delivers some with the white ball in hand too.There’s a new Pope in town – Australia’s next big spin-bowling hope, Sixers’ Lloyd Pope is a wristspinner who impressed with his bag of tricks at last year’s Under-19 World Cup. He is set for his Big Bash bow this time.If you’re an Australian kid reading this, Big Bash isn’t all that far from backyard (or street) cricket at all: there will be “hills” or “flats” this year instead of the toss. Who needs coins when you have bats?And if you’re from England and want to watch your big superstars in action, most of the games provide some terrific morning viewing. Who doesn’t like cricket with their cornflakes, or nice distraction when in the office (don’t worry, we won’t tell the boss).Before you go, know that there are kids who grew up supporting a Big Bash side now old enough to play for one: Sydney Thunder’s Jason Sangha, for one, Australia’s batting hope like bowling’s Pope.

Club Brugge CEO Bob Madou wants AC Milan to recognise 'the elephant in the room' and up their bid should they wish to sign Ardon Jashari.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Club Brugge rejects AC Milan's first bid for Jashari
• Midfielder disappointed with the rejection
• Belgian side's CEO asks Serie A team to pay more

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Belgian club rejected Milan's initial bid of €35 million (£30m/$38m) for their star midfielder. The feeling within the Brugge camp is that they can command a record transfer for the Swiss star. However, this has disappointed Jashari, as a move to San Siro would be a dream transfer for the 22-year-old. Brugge's CEO claims the Italian side needs to accept that they'll have to pay significantly more than their initial bid to bring Jashari to Milan.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Jashari caught the eye of top clubs in Europe after his impressive performances last year with Brugge, where he won both the Belgian Pro League Player of the Year and the division's Young Player of the Year. The Swiss midfielder scored four goals and provided six assists in 52 games for the club, leading the team to a second-place finish in the Belgian league and to the round of 16 in the Champions League. After Milan's pursuit of Javi Guerra failed, the club identified Jashari as the replacement for Tijjani Reijnders. However, the Belgian club are playing hardball, as they recognise Jashari's potential and won't part ways with him easily.

• WHAT MADOU SAID

  Speaking on rejecting Milan's bid and emphasising the club's stance on Jashari, Madou told : "We met with AC Milan. Out of politeness. And without mentioning money.Three hours without talking about money was a long time in this case. No, seriously – that matter is the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room. Everyone knows what Ardon has achieved, but we don't see this as the end of a cycle as far as he's concerned."

  Madou further added on Jashari's disappointment stating: "I understand he's disappointed, but it has to be right. I'm convinced he'll make a move to an absolute top club, but today it doesn't feel right."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JASHARI?

  Milan sporting director Igli Tare's stance on transfers remains the same: the club will not overspend to bring in a player and may switch to a Plan B should they decide it's not worth it.

Alex Lees and Colin Ackermann scored unbeaten half-centuries to take Durham to an eight-wicket victory over Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast match at Derby.Lees made 72 off 60 balls and Ackermann 54 from 30 with the pair sharing an unbroken stand of 88 as Durham ended on 159 for 2 to claim the remaining quarter-final place in the North Group.Durham’s victory was set up by excellent bowling from Nathan Sowter, Ben Raine and Callum Parkinson, who took two wickets each to restrict Falcons to 155 for 8.Most of the Falcons got a start on a slow pitch but no one could go on with Wayne Madsen and Alex Thomson top scoring with 22.The home side fought hard to defend a modest total but Lees and Ackermann showed experience and nous to take Durham into the knock-out stages.Falcons had motored to 64 in the powerplay with Paul Coughlin leaking 33 from two overs but their adventure came at the cost of three wickets.Luis Reece went in the first over, bowled stepping across to Parkinson before David Lloyd cut Coughlin for four and six.Aneurin Donald drove Parkinson over the long off boundary but then top edged a sweep to backward square.Coughlin was cut over third man for six by Madsen but responded by having Lloyd caught behind for 20.Madsen made a brilliant century against Durham in the Blast two years ago so they were relieved when he mistimed a drive at Sowter and holed out to long off to leave the Falcons 65 for 4.Coughlin returned to have Brooke Guest caught behind and his next ball saw Ross Whiteley edge to slip where Ashton Turner spilled the chance.Samit Patel cut Matthew Potts over third man for six but Sowter was tying the Falcons down and he struck again when he trapped Patel lbw for 20.When Whiteley edged a drive at Raine, Falcons were 110 for 7 but Thomson pulled Coughlin for six before Mohammad Amir smashed Parkinson into the front of the media centre.Raine bowled Amir as he and Potts conceded only 15 from the last three overs to leave Durham chasing 156.Lees drilled Daryn Dupavillon for two fours but Amir was giving nothing away, conceding only five from his first two overs before taking a smart catch at short third off Pat Brown to remove Graham Clark.Lees pulled and drove Amir for two fours to take Durham to 45 for 1 at the end of the powerplay but they were being made to work hard by some disciplined bowling.Although David Bedingham pulled Thomson for six, he dragged the next ball to mid-wicket and after 10 overs, Durham were 75 for 2, needing another 81.Ackermann eased the pressure with two big sixes over midwicket off Thomson in the 13th over and drove Reece for another off the last ball of the 15th.Patel conceded only four off his final over but Lees and Ackermann took no risks to see Durham home with seven balls to spare.

Wolves have edged past AC Milan in the race to sign Almeria and former Spain Under-21 right-back Marc Pubill.

Wolves lead the race for Pubill's signatureMilan in contact with player's agentAlmeria open to sell Pubill, but with inflated price tagFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Almeria are open to selling Pubill; however, they have attached an asking price of €19m (£16.5m/$22.1m) with a 20% sell-on clause, which has to be paid to his former club Levante. Milan are after his signature, as they deem him to be a perfect fit under manager Massimiliano Allegri; however, their 'would be' formal offer of €15m (£13m/$17.4m) is falling short of Almeria's demands. Now, Wolves have emerged as favourites to sign him.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Wolves are short in defence as Nelson Semedo left the club after his contract expired this summer. Now, they have identified Pubill, 22, as the perfect replacement. The defender featured 36 times in the Spanish second-tier last season and seems ready for a higher level. The two-way fight between Milan and Wolves might end soon if the latter succeeds in convincing Almeria.

DID YOU KNOW?

The right-back, who has an existing contract at Almeria until 2029, was a Spain Under-21 international and scored a goal against Slovakia in the Under-21 Euros last June.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PUBILL?

One-time capped Catalonia player Pubill, who spent some time in Espanyol's academy before joining Levante in 2021, will now weigh up these offers and settle for the most convenient one in the coming weeks.

Believe it or not, Liverpool fans, the summer transfer window hasn’t actually opened yet. You’d be forgiven for assuming the contrary, with sporting director Richard Hughes moving like a man possessed before the Premier League campaign has even concluded.

Arne Slot has bagged the league title in his maiden year at the helm, and will celebrate in front of the fans as Anfield hosts FA Cup winner Crystal Palace in the final fixture of the top-flight season tomorrow afternoon.

The frustration and negativity around Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave at the end of his contract and join Real Madrid has been offset by a flurry of exciting activity, to be sure.

His direct replacement, Jeremie Frimpong, has completed his medical and will likely be announced next week. Meanwhile, talks for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez are advancing, Fabrizio Romano confirming the news.

These deals in themselves are rather spectacular, but that’s without even acknowledging Florian Wirtz, who looks set to move to Merseyside.

The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool

This one’s moving apace. Liverpool have long held an admiration for Bayer Leverkusen’s Wirtz and have joined Manchester City and Bayern Munich in pursuing a deal for the Germany international, but developments in the past day or two have swung the pendulum in Anfield’s favour.

With Pep Guardiola’s side having pulled out of the race earlier in the week, Liverpool were poised to lock horns with the Bundesliga champions for German football’s brightest talent, and they’ve won the battle.

As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool are engaged in official talks with Leverkusen for the talented number ten, having already opened communications through the nearly-complete transfer of Frimpong.

Leverkusen value Wirtz at about €150m (£126m), though whether FSG can engineer a more agreeable figure, and how the structure of the deal will play out, remains to be seen at this stage.

Any move for the German would make him the most expensive in his country’s history and indeed Liverpool’s record signing – but maybe not for all that long.

But, Liverpool could also be in the market to add another attacking player on top of Wirtz, and he could an even better signing for the club…

Liverpool confident about signing new striker

As per GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are growing increasingly confident they can convince Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak to jump ship this summer, financially secure after several windows on the low.

The windfall from winning the Premier League and returning to the Champions League will have helped, of course. However, it will prove strenuous to drive a deal toward completion, for United are holding out for around £120m, though other reports suggest that figure could stretch toward the £150m mark.

Liverpool know that Eddie Howe will fight tooth and nail to keep his focal frontman at St. James’ Park, but FSG are willing to test Newcastle’s resolve with a formal offer in the coming months.

Why Liverpool should sign Alexander Isak

The justification behind an official bid for Newcastle’s star striker is pretty self-explanatory: he’s an incredible goalscorer, and with a dynamic and nuanced skill set which would be perfect for Slot’s specific system.

It’s hard to see a world in which Isak wouldn’t hit the ground running at Liverpool. He’s powerful, athletic, pacy and deadly in front of goal. He’s the finishing piece from which someone like Wirtz could target to create an unstoppable attacking line.

Leverkusen’s man has been hailed as “a defender’s nightmare” by journalist Bence Bocsak, now imagine him combining with Isak, a terror in his own right.

The 25-year-old joined Howe’s side from Real Sociedad in 2022 for a club-record £63m fee and has since hit 73 goal contributions from 108 matches in all competitions, bringing a completeness that could be perfect for Slot’s fluent system.

Described as “the best striker in Europe” by Toon teammate Anthony Gordon, Isak would of course be a stunning addition to a winning Liverpool formula, replacing the flagging Darwin Nunez, the declining Diogo Jota, and taking Slot’s system to the next level.

It’s for this reason that Isak could be the better signing, surpassing Wirtz, especially with an overreliance on a soon 33-year-old Mohamed Salah being a dangerous thing moving forward.

Isak has just produced his finest campaign, behind only Salah in the Premier League’s scoring charts. It’s frightening to think the pair could ply their trade side by side next term, and with Wirtz nestled in behind them too.

1.

Mohamed Salah

37

28

2.

Alexander Isak

33

23

3.

Erling Haaland

30

21

4.

Chris Wood

35

20

5.

Yoane Wissa

34

19

5=

Bryan Mbeumo

37

19

Salah is one of the greatest goalscorers the Premier League has ever known, but Isak is proving himself quite the menace on Tyneside, five goals behind the Egyptian but having played five matches fewer.

He’s also missed just 18 big chances in the top flight this term, as per Sofacore, denoting a cutting edge that Liverpool’s central striking options simply haven’t showcased since Slot took to the dugout.

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Now that is a style Wirtz would delight in playing with. The German ranks among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe this season for assists and the top 7% for both shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, illustrating an approach which would overwhelm Liverpool’s opponents.

While Wirtz has also created 17 big chances in the Bundesliga this season, his creativity is only one facet of a kaleidoscopic skill set. His combativeness, tenacity and workrate all make him the player he is, a superstar in the making.

This just goes to show he’s tailor-made for a place in Slot’s title-winning squad. For sure, Liverpool have a load of technical quality in their ranks, but they are built on their determination and application, flair enabled through hard graft and toil.

Make no mistake, if Liverpool manage, somehow, to sign both Isak and Wirtz, they will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come, if they are not already.

Isak, however, might just take the cake as the cream of an audacious transfer window, should he sign.

Open to leaving: Liverpool “machine” would be finished if FSG sign Wirtz

Liverpool are going punch-for-punch with Bayern Munich in the fight to sign Florian Wirtz.

ByAngus Sinclair May 23, 2025