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Tottenham are one of several Premier League clubs being linked with a move for a defender with "huge potential".

Tottenham transfer rumours

Spurs have endured a mixed 2023/24 campaign so far. They are once again set to go without a trophy and after a 10-game unbeaten run at the start of the season suggested there was hope of a Premier League title push, Spurs have now dropped out of the top-four.

The Lilywhites could still knock Aston Villa out of the final Champions League place in their remaining two games but it does seem likely that the north Londoners will have to settle for Europa League football next term. This is by no means a terrible achievement for Tottenham, especially after the loss of Harry Kane, but it does highlight their need to continue improving their squad this summer.

Recently, Tottenham have been linked with a number of attacking options. Spurs are said to be one of the clubs who have been in contact over signing RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo – who is thought of as a potential bargain despite being valued at around £56 million. They are also believed to be one of several teams interested in Genoa's talented Icelandic attacker, Albert Gudmundsson, ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, while those players would no doubt improve Tottenham, it appears Ange Postecoglou would prefer to strengthen at the other end of the pitch. The Australian tactician spoke at length earlier in 2023/24 about his desire to sign a centre-back:

"If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at,” said Postecoglou on Spurs signing another centre-back. "With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else. If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club.

"So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit into what we’re trying to build here. I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment."

Tottenham join Liverpool in race to sign 22 y/o defender with "huge potential"

Now, it appears as though Postecoglou may finally get his wish when it comes to shoring up his backline.

This comes with Football Insider reporting that Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace all sent scouts to watch Brest defender Bradley Locko on Friday as they weigh up moves to sign him this summer.

The French left-back has been a standout player for the Ligue 1 club this season, providing three assists in 33 league games, as they close in on a place in the Champions League.

The report adds that Brest are bracing themselves for offers to sign Locko and are unlikely to reject any sizeable bids that may come in to acquire his services this summer. The 22-year-old is currently valued at around £9m by Transfermarket, with sources stating earlier this week that Premier League trio Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham see the defender as having “huge potential”.

Reassured by the board, he now has his eyes on the back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022

Andrew McGlashan21-Aug-2020Andrew Tye was overcome with emotion and broke down on the phone when he suffered an elbow injury last year, which ruled him out for most of the season, but conversations with the Australia selectors gave him belief that he would get another chance at the top level.Now, Tye has been included in Australia’s 21-man squad for the limited-overs tour of England, which could see him return to the side after nearly two years. Tye last played for Australia in November 2018, but was part of the T20I squad early last summer against Sri Lanka when he went down injured during training before the series began. Subsequent surgery meant he missed the BBL for Perth Scorchers.Covid-19 has since put paid to any off-season cricket for him, with the IPL delayed – Tye will join Rajasthan Royals in the UAE after the England tour – and a county deal with Gloucestershire shelved, which meant last October’s Marsh Cup was the last time he performed at the professional level, although he did manage to play club cricket late last summer.”When I first did [the injury], it was definitely the toughest; I broke down on the phone crying to my partner,” Tye said. “I’d worked so hard to get back in the team and then this happened. It was a tough summer watching a lot of cricket and not playing, being frustrated at the injury which wasn’t coming along quite as quickly as it could and getting close to playing the back-end of the Big Bash.”Since all that I’ve had a lot of time at home and really enjoyed it. It’s been the best preparation really, the longest time in ten years I’ve spent at home. [I’ve] had a nice pre-season and slowed things down once there was no IPL. It’s given me a real good chance to make sure my body is in the best shape it can be.”While the time sidelined was difficult, he had been given early reassurances that he would remain firmly in Australia’s T20I plans and now has his eyes on the back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022.”When I injured myself, it was a possibility I wouldn’t get back in,” he said. “I was hopeful, though, that there would still be a chance and they would give me a crack to get my spot back. Then when the coronavirus happened. You are uncertain and you just never know, so [I am] very pumped to be back in Australia colours.”I have every faith in the Aussie set-up that they would have given me every chance to get back. From what they had communicated after I injured my elbow, [they said] we had picked you in the strongest possible T20 team; you will get a chance to get back. It’s a great opportunity to put my best foot forward for the next couple of years.”Andrew Tye could play for Australia after a gap of almost two years•Getty Images

During the winter, Tye also lost his contract with Western Australia after the state decided he was not in their red-ball plans – Tye has only played nine first-class matches and none since February 2018. However, everything was done with very open communication and on good terms, with Tye saying he was treated as though he was still on Western Australia’s list.”I’m very faithful to WA, they have looked after me incredibly well over the years and I always want to play for them as much as I can,” he said. “They have said to me they don’t have me in their plans for red-ball but am very much in their white-ball team, so this year I got squeezed out. I’m just glad they could keep one of the younger guys on and give them a chance, the same way they gave me a chance.”He believes his bowling – known for his range of variations such as the knuckle ball – “feels the best it ever has” and he has used the downtime of recent months to make some small technical changes working closely with Western Australia bowling coach Matt Mason. “I believe that the changes that I’ve made can only help my game so I’m really excited by it and hopefully it makes my variations even better,” he said.Although Tye is unlikely to be in Australia’s initial planning for the ODI side, the tour may also be a chance to revive his career in that format which is stalled on seven caps, all of which have come against England. The last of those was on the previous tour in 2018, in the match at Trent Bridge, where the home side racked up a world record 481 for 6 with Tye going none for 100 off nine overs – the second-most expensive figures for Australia in ODI cricket.”I quite often get reminded of it,” he said. “I see it as a good challenge, my last game there probably wasn’t the greatest. It’s a good challenge to come back and learn from those lessons.”

Harry Kane continues to pile on the goals for both club and country, breaching another significant milestone in England's 1-0 win over Andorra.

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• Kane scored the lone goal in win over Andorra
• Englishman grabbed 450th career goal
• Bayern forward is England NT's all-time top scorer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kane scored the only goal in England's laborious 1-0 win over 173rd-ranked Andorra in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday. Although the English skipper was unhappy with his teammates, he had plenty to be happy about as his goal allowed him to complete an incredible career milestone. Indeed, Kane's goal against Andorra was his 450th professional goal.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane made his first-ever senior appearance on January 15, 2011, for Leyton Orient, whom he had joined on loan from Spurs. However, he made his debut with the Lilywhites on August 25, 2011, in a Europa League qualifying game against Hearts. After a couple more loan stints away from London, Kane scored his first goal for Spurs in a League Cup tie against Hull City, an equaliser in extra time. With his boyhood club, the 31-year-old scored 280 goals in 435 games, becoming their all-time goal scorer. He moved to Bayern Munich in 2023 and has since scored 82 goals in 91 games for the German giants. With the national team, Kane continues to extend his record as the record goal scorer. Indeed, the No. 9 has 72 goals in 106 games for the Three Lions, 19 more than second-placed Wayne Rooney. In all, Kane's record in professional football reads: 450 goals in 632 games.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Although Kane will turn 32 in July, he still has a lot of football left in him. At 106 caps, he is already the player with the joint seventh-most appearances for England. The record for most caps is held by legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who made 125 appearances in an international career spanning 20 years (between 1970 and 1990). Kane, thus, needs just 20 caps to become the outright record holder for most caps for England.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HARRY KANE?

  The striker will be hoping to continue his fine form in front of goal on Tuesday, when England face Senegal in a friendly on Tuesday, June 10. He will then travel to the United States with Bayern Munich to partake in the revamped Club World Cup, which begins on June 14.

Celtic are back in action once again in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday as they travel away from Glasgow to take on Hearts at Tynecastle.

The Hoops head into this match off the back of a staggering 7-1 win over Dundee at Parkhead on Wednesday night, which was their second win in succession.

Brendan Rodgers' side are competing for the top-flight title with their closest rivals and know that every single match is vitally important as any dropped points could cost them by the end of the season.

The Scottish giants now come up against Hearts, who recently lost 5-0 to Rangers, and will be hoping to make it three straight league wins.

Rodgers could make some changes to the starting XI that hammered Dundee in order to avoid fatigue amid the busy fixture list, and with internationals coming up.

With that in mind, here is FFC's predicted Celtic line-up to take on Hearts in the capital this weekend…

1

Joe Hart

Joe Hart, who is set to retire at the end of the season, should start in goal for the Hoops. He has started 27 of their 28 league matches so far this term, which shows that the 36-year-old veteran is the firm first-choice option between the sticks for Rodgers.

2

Alistair Johnston

At right-back, Alistair Johnston should line-up in the defence after an exceptiona performance against Dundee on Wednesday night, which led to FFC hailing him as one of the stars of the game.

The Canada international had 156 touches of the ball – more than any other player on the pitch – and assisted Adam Idah for the second time in as many matches.

Johnston bombed down the right flank and whipped a fantastic cross in for the Ireland international to head past Trevor Carson, which made it 2-0 at the time.

3

Stephen Welsh

On the right side of the defence, Rodgers could manage Cameron Carter-Vickers' fitness with three games in one week after his injury issues.

The USA international only played 59 minutes against Dundee but it remains to be seen whether or not he can start two games in quick succession yet, which is why Stephen Welsh could slot in – with Maik Nawrocki out injured.

As you can see in the table above, Celtic have struggled when Carter-Vickers has not had any involvement in a match – with more dropped points from fewer games without him – and that is why they must manage him carefully.

There is no need to rush him into regular action too soon, particularly with his hamstring injury earlier this term, and risk more time on the treatment table, which is why he could be used off the bench – as was the case against Motherwell recently – on Sunday.

4

Liam Scales

Alongside the former Tottenham Hotspur defender, Liam Scales could line up on the left side of the central defensive pairing for the Scottish giants.

The left-footed defender has started 26 league matches and won 64% of his duels, which shows that opposition attackers have found it difficult to get the better of him.

5

Greg Taylor

Greg Taylor is another player who should keep their position in the team after the Scotland international produced a phenomenal display on Wednesday.

The former Kilmarnock star showcased his attacking quality with two assists and a goal, which came after an assist against Motherwell in the previous match.

6

Callum McGregor

The captain – Callum McGregor – should line up again in the middle of the park as he has started all 28 of the club's Premiership matches this season, and scored against Dundee.

7

Paulo Bernardo

The second change to the starting XI could come in midfield. Tomoki Iwata could be dropped, for rotation reasons, to provide Paulo Bernardo with an opportunity to play.

Iwata was composed and controlled in possession, with a 94% pass accuracy, against Dundee but the Portuguese gem, who has scored two goals and provided two assists in nine league starts, could provide more attacking intent.

The "tenacious" – as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango – whiz could be motivated to showcase his qualities after watching on as the team hammered Dundee on Wednesday.

8

Matt O'Riley

The third and final midfield spot should go to Matt O'Riley after the Denmark international ran the show for Celtic alongside Johnston earlier this week.

He assisted Carter-Vickers' opening goal and Daizen Maeda's strike. The former Fulham prospect also got himself on the scoresheet with a diving header during the first half.

9

Hyun-jun Yang

Hyun-jun Yang could keep his place in the starting XI after two assists in his last two appearances for Celtic. He set up Luis Palma against Motherwell and Daniel Kelly against Dundee with crosses into the box.

The 21-year-old speedster may want to finally nail down a regular place in the starting XI as he has only started eight of his 20 league outings so far this term.

10

Adam Idah

Another player who should retain their position in the side is Ireland international Adam Idah, who has enjoyed a terrific start to life at Celtic.

The 23-year-old whiz has scored five goals and provided one assist in five Premiership appearances, including three starts, since his deadline day loan from Norwich City.

One high-profile event likely to replace another, while the WTC will have to be considerably reworked

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jul-20203:33

ICC CEO: Stature of T20 World Cup, people’s safety both important

.Brace yourself for the IPLReplace one high-profile T20 tournament with another. The prime beneficiary of this postponement will be the IPL, itself indefinitely postponed in May this year because of the impact of the pandemic in India. But the tournament is now very likely to be held in its entirety in the UAE, with a tentative window set from September 26 to November 7. The BCCI had been waiting for a public announcement from the ICC about the T20 World Cup, and the path is now clear for the BCCI to confirm those arrangements.Given the IPL’s place in the international calendar and the fact that very little bilateral cricket is played when it is on ordinarily, as well as that the window was originally cleared in the calendar for the T20 World Cup, there is likely to be very little – if any – other cricket on at that time. “It won’t change anything for us immediately,” said CSA’s acting CEO, Jacques Faul. “If they play the IPL in that window, then it blocks out bilateral cricket anyway.”Will we see a World Test Champion next year?After the T20 World Cup and the IPL, the status of the World Test Championship (WTC) is arguably of most interest. Given that it is essentially bilateral cricket squeezed into a league format, this will take longer to figure out. Each member will have to take stock of the situation in their own country and work out what feasible timelines are for a return of bilateral cricket.The league stage of the WTC was originally scheduled to end by March next year, before a one-Test final between the top two teams in the table next summer in the UK. England’s ongoing series with West Indies and one with Pakistan are, for now, part of the WTC. India’s trip to Australia at the end of the year will also, presumably, be part of it. But given the number of bilateral series that have been hit by the pandemic and the short amount of time left between now and next March, the league will have to be reworked considerably for it to be completed.There does remain a broad commitment to it among members and with the question of the T20 World Cup out of the way now, attention will switch to resolving the WTC.We will still see an ODI Super LeagueThe ODI Super League was supposed to start in May this year, another league format squeezed onto the framework of bilateral cricket. But it was one of the early casualties of the pandemic. The 13-team league (12 Full Members and Netherlands), in which members play eight series against each other over two years, will stay, though when it starts and when it concludes is yet to be decided.The top seven teams in the league, will join the hosts, India, at the 2023 World Cup. The remaining sides will play in a qualifier with five teams from the lower tiers, with the top two from there going to the World Cup, which has been shifted from a February-March window to October-November, allowing more time for the league and the qualifying tournament to be played out.Members still get paidOne of the main concerns of a group of smaller boards outside the Big Three was of the financial fallout if the T20 World Cup did not go ahead this year. The ICC makes revenue distribution payments to all members twice a year based on a financial model agreed on in 2017. While those payments happen every year and are not dependent on ICC events, there was a worry that this year’s second payment – in July (the first comes in January) – may be affected by the unusual circumstances created by the pandemic.ESPNcricinfo understands, however, that the July payments have gone through, a relief to boards such as CWI, PCB, SLC and BCB, who rely heavily on these distributions. On current projections, each round of payments come to around USD 7-8 million for each of these boards. The BCCI and ECB receive a bigger share.

The spinner has not had the best time over the last two years, but he’s itching to wear his Test jersey again

Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi03-Feb-20214:39

Kuldeep Yadav: ‘Perhaps it is now my time to stand up for the team’

It is close to 760 days since Kuldeep Yadav bagged a five-for at the SCG on the 2018-19 Australia tour. That was also the last time Yadav bowled in a Test for India. Since then India have played 13 Tests, including a return trip to Australia recently, during which Yadav watched them win the series 2-1 from the sidelines. With Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of the forthcoming England Tests series due to a finger injury, Yadav is a frontrunner to share spin bowling duties for India with R Ashwin. In this interview, conducted during India’s six-day quarantine in Chennai, Yadav says he is now ready to make a comeback – one that will feel like a second Test debut.“Kuldeep, it was tough for you. I know you didn’t play a game here, but I think your attitude was really good.” Ajinkya Rahane said that during his speech to the dressing room after India’s win in Brisbane recently. It must have been good to hear that?

It is very important when your captain sees you work hard. It was very difficult for [Rahane] as well as the team management [to leave me out of the side during the Australia Test series]. But there was no difference in my process and my work. I believed in both. I felt really good about the words he [Rahane] said because if your captain is backing you and appreciating you [when you are not in the side], it counts a lot and motivates you very much.Both Ajju and the team management completely backed me and I never felt I was sitting out. From the support staff to Ravi bhai [Shastri] to the captain, all kept a close watch on me. When you are not playing it is not easy for the team management to focus on the player who is sitting out [but they did it].Related

• Kuldeep Yadav: 'I didn't understand what length to bowl against England'

• Kohli confirms Pant in playing XI, Kuldeep in 'team plans' for home season

• 'My job is to take a back seat and help Kohli' – Rahane happy to return to vice-captaincy role

• New year, new plans for ever-evolving Kuldeep Yadav

• Kuldeep Yadav's coach to him: 'Stop wanting to be Wasim Akram, become Shane Warne'

It has been a while since you took your first Test wicket, David Warner, in 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala. It was Rahane you happened to hug first after that wicket.

I remember. When you make your Test debut and you get your first wicket on the first day itself, it is a different feeling, a lot of emotions pour out. My journey started that day and since then I have had a good understanding with my captains and coaches and that is a good thing for me. You have played six Tests in nearly four years. Your last Test was in January 2019. Does it now feel like you are going to make a second debut now if you get to play against England?

I would be playing a Test match after nearly after two years, so it would be similar to making your debut. I want to perform for the team and give 100%, like always. You will naturally feel the same nervousness [as on debut]. There will also be pressure to do well. Everyone is watching you, expectations are big, and when the team is playing well, you want to contribute – big or small, put in the effort, and when you do that, your role is praised. When you don’t play you feel like, yes, you should be playing. But then for the sake of team you have to understand that you need to sit out.”In cricket you can’t perform at all times, but if you carry on doing the hard work, you create better chances to become successful”•Daniel Kalisz/Getty ImagesThough you’ve been out of teams for a while, you always seem to wear a smile, whether in the IPL dugout or the Indian dressing room. How do you manage that?

I learned one thing from my dad – that you should not think about the thing that is not in your control. He said, 100% you feel bad that you are not playing, but when you get the opportunity, to perform and bowl well are things that are under your control, so focus on that. It is tough, no doubt. But if your team is winning 2-1 in Australia, I have no problem sitting out. The big achievement for me is that I have been part of teams that have been successful in Australia in back-to-back series.How much do you miss playing Test cricket?

A lot. Missed it very much. Because there were times I felt I could play, but the team combinations sometimes, and the conditions at other times, did not allow that.What was the lowest point over these two years?

Personally I felt the 2020 IPL did not got well for me. I should have played more matches [for the Kolkata Knight Riders]. I felt I was in pretty good rhythm, I was bowling well, but just that I did not get many overs. So, perhaps, if I got more opportunities then it would have been good. I am not saying that was the lowest, to be honest. Even in 2019 I did not have a good IPL. Until you fail, you can’t handle the pressure. Now I feel I understand things better – I have seen failure in my life now, so even if I don’t perform, it will not be new. In cricket you can’t perform at all times, but if you carry on doing the hard work, you create better chances to become successful.It is possible now that you might play all four Tests against England. Something like that has not happened for you yet in your short Test career. How do you prepare mentally?

When you play regular cricket, the confidence comes automatically. If I play the first match, I will be in a better position to play the next game. Mentally I have kept myself very relaxed. Accordingly, my confidence level will be peaking.England recently won 2-0 in Sri Lanka. Some of their batsmen are in good rhythm. But you must have plans against them?

England have definitely played pretty good cricket in Sri Lanka. The way they countered spin bowling in Sri Lanka, they are in pretty good rhythm and touch. It will be a little challenging for me to execute my plans because I am playing after such a long time. But having seen these batsmen play in one-day cricket and having seen them play against Sri Lanka, I do have good plans. I hope I can execute them. Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes will be England’s key batsmen. How do you assess them?
Root has time to play his strokes. He also plays spin well off the back foot. Buttler dominates the bowlers really well. That is his strength. Stokes too is similar and keeps the bowler under pressure. Having said that, it will not be so easy for them to perform in India considering they are playing in India [in Test cricket] after a long time. That also matters. If they perform, then credit will go to them.Yadav, far right, on the sidelines during the Sydney Test in January: “I never felt I was sitting out”•Getty ImagesYou have been working on the loading part of your bowling action, including using the right hand better. Can you talk about that?

During the lockdown I worked really hard with my coach [Kapil Pandey]. He told me at the time of loading in my run-up, to try and bring my right arm towards third man [for the left-hand batsman]. If it comes from there, he felt my right hand would be straighter. I did a lot of drills to get into that position. I started initially by standing still and getting the right arm in that position and then steadily practised with the run-up.Using the right hand is very important – basically I can generate pace, I can get a lot of control, because my body is always [moving] forward, facing the batsman. When the right arm drops to the side, the pace drops and you don’t get the required bounce. That is why, by keeping the right arm straight, by bringing it [down towards] the third man region, I can generate extra bounce and pace.In late 2019, India bowling coach Bharat Arun told us about one change he wanted you to work on which he thought would make you a more attacking spinner. “As a coach I would love him to add a yard of pace into his delivery, without compromising on the revolutions on the ball, and he is working hard on it. He’s bowling early 80s [kph]. Ideally if he’s bowling between 85 to 90, he’ll be outstanding.” Where are you with that?

I have had a lot of discussions with Arun sir and we have worked on that aspect a lot. At the time my pace was slow, around 77kph. The fastest I would get to would be 80kph at times. In the Australia tour [in the nets] I was getting a nice pace, close to 84-85kph, with good revolutions on the ball. That will help me on slower pitches.The SG Test ball, which turns soft relatively quickly, will be used in the England series. Is that a challenge?

Actually it looks like we have a new set of SG Test balls now. These are good ones. They are similar to the SG balls I bowled with when I started playing cricket. You will see in the Test series. The leather on the ball is very good, the grip is good. When I returned home after Australia, I got the new SG Test ball. It was pretty good. I felt it will be pretty helpful for spinners.Tail-end batting is an area India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has said he has set himself a target for the team to improve in. He said that you have been batting the most in the nets, and he hoped that it will come in handy against England.

I was fulfilling my tasks and batting after that. Every day I would ask Vicky paaji [Rathour] to let me bat and he would give me the opportunity, be it only for five or ten minutes. So I worked a lot on my batting because when you bat No. 8 or 9 in Test cricket, the 25-30 runs you make has a lot of meaning. They are important runs. I feel I can contribute to the team with the bat.You have a first-class hundred and six fifites.

Yes, that is what I am saying: if I carry on working on my batting, it can be important for me in Test cricket.Yadav with Bharat Arun (second from right), with whom he worked on boosting his bowling pace•BCCIDuring the Australia tour, did you manage to speak to anyone there about your bowling?

I did speak quite a lot to Nathan Lyon. I asked him about his routines. He told me he maintains simple drills, what his skills are, how he runs the fingers over the ball while spinning, which is his strength. He asked me to follow my routines, find the spot where I should be pitching and enjoy my bowling with a smile.What about R Ashwin? Do you speak to him about your bowling?

He has given me quite a few ideas. He said at times I should quicken my rhythm, try bowling straighter, make slight tactical changes. He has a lot of knowledge not just about bowling but also game plans. During the Australia tour we spoke about plans for the England series – if Joe Root is batting, which fielders should be close, what areas to bowl. When he did not play in Brisbane I had good discussions with him.Talking with Deep Dasgupta during the lockdown for Cricketbaazi, you singled out Steve Smith as the best batsman you had bowled against because he plays you off the back foot. Is that something batsmen have started doing more, in limited-overs cricket too – play you off the pitch mostly off the back foot?

I am not sure that batsmen have picked me off the pitch. Shane Warne had 700 wickets – he [basically] bowled just one ball, the legspinner. Batsmen used to read him too, but he still got wickets. If I am bowling the wrong’un, it is not like the batsmen is unable to read me – 100% he can read me, but mistakes happen. As you play more and more, the batsman gets an idea about your bowling plans.
I have worked on my variations during the lockdown. I have learned that I should not give the batsman too much time to play shots, especially in India, where the pitches are slower and such things can come in handy.
“You are going to India now. Your time will come. Just keep working hard.” Those were Rahane’s parting words to you in that Brisbane speech. Do you feel your time has come?

I have worked hard a lot. I feel that perhaps it is now my time to stand up for the team, to perform for the team. I am ready completely.What is your jersey number?
Jersey No. 23. If I play it will be my first Test match with this jersey. So it is like a debut ().

The Blue Jays are headed back to Toronto with a 3-2 lead over the Dodgers in what has been an excellent World Series thus far. Game 5's hero was unexpected, too.

Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage got the starting nod for the pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday night and was spectacular. The 22-year-old righty struck out 12 batters in seven innings to set a new World Series record and gave up only one run. The legendary outing led to a critical Blue Jays win and will go down in the history books no matter what happens next. On top of it all, the young pitcher had a funny and relatable admission after the game that gave fans everywhere a good laugh.

About an hour before his start, Yesavage was captured staring intently at his phone with headphones on during the Fox Sports pregame broadcast. The clip apparently made the rounds on social media as an example of how "locked in" Yesavage was before he dominated the Dodgers.

It turns out he saw that and admitted he was not actually locked in on anything. Instead, he was just scrolling TikTok and Instagram.

"I saw something on Instagram that someone took a video of me on my phone saying I was locked in," Yesavage said, via ESPN. "But I was just doomscrolling on TikTok and Instagram reels. I just keep it as chill as possible. I don't change anything I say to myself, but I'm also just here to go to work. I try not to think about anything."

In today's modern society, the blank stare Yesavage had on his face means he's either completely focused on something or he's just swiping through videos. In this instance, it was the latter.

Boy, did it work out. Yesavage came up huge for his team, an unlikely hero amidst the sea of extremely well-paid stars who dot both rosters in this Fall Classic. His work is probably done this season but he can scroll easy knowing he delivered.

The American prodigy shared some moments from training camp with the Cityzens, marking the occasion by posting a viral TikTok compilation

Sullivan's video includes City and Union highlightsTeenager rejoins Union ahead of crucial run of games in Eastern ConferenceUnion face New York Red Bulls next in the US Open CupGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Philadelphia Union's 15-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan shared an extensive highlights compilation on his TikTok account after returning from his two-week training stint with Manchester City in England. The nostalgia-tinged video juxtaposes Sullivan's experiences at City's state-of-the-art Etihad Campus facilities with footage from his development at Philadelphia Union's academy.

AdvertisementWATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

@cavan.sullivan6

Diff scenery #fyp #viral

♬ Balanced – Headie One

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Sullivan's social media tribute to both clubs highlights the unique position of the American teenager who represents both the present and future of two distinct soccer ecosystems. The midfielder signed MLS's largest-ever homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union in 2024.

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Sullivan rejoins Philadelphia Union for their upcoming MLS fixtures, with the club set to face New York Red Bulls next in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal on Aug. 13.

Hosts ended Day 2 with a 185-run first-innings lead, with Jayasuriya bagging 5 for 102 for visitors

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Aug-2024In their only tour match ahead of their three-match Test series in England, Sri Lanka face a fight to save the game after conceding a heavy first-innings deficit to an inexperienced Lions team in Worcester.Sri Lanka were bowled out for 139 in just 43.5 overs on Wednesday, with no batter reaching 30 and Gloucestershire’s Zaman Akhter taking 5 for 32, the second five-wicket haul of his first-class career. Lions took a six-run lead heading into the second day after losing four wickets on the first evening, three of them to Prabath Jayasuriya’s left-arm spin.But by the time rain brought the second day to an early finish, Lions had secured a first-innings lead of 185. Hamza Shaikh, the 18-year-old Warwickshire batter on first-class debut, made 91 from No. 4, sharing a 104-run stand for the seventh wicket with Kasey Aldridge, the Somerset allrounder, who himself made 78.Related

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Jayasuriya finished with 5 for 102 from his 31.2 overs, with Kasun Rajitha taking 2 for 51 from 19. But Lahiru Kumara, who has not played a competitive match since June, was expensive, leaking 92 runs from his 18 overs and dismissing only tailender Ajeet Singh Dale.Lions are fielding an under-strength side, with two first-class debutants in Shaikh and Farhan Ahmed, whose elder brother Rehan has played in all three formats for England. The ECB have only pulled one player – Josh Hull, who has made two appearances for Manchester Originals – out of the Hundred, which features most of the country’s best young players.Sri Lanka have not played a Test since their tour to Bangladesh earlier this year, which ended at the start of April, and most of their squad have not played any first-class cricket since the domestic four-day tournament finished in early May. Vishwa Fernando, who is not playing against Lions, took 12 wickets in two appearances for Yorkshire in June.Sri Lanka’s 18-man squad will travel from Worcester to Manchester after the tour game ahead of the first of three Tests against England, which starts on Wednesday at Emirates Old Trafford. They will be joined in Manchester by former England batter Ian Bell, who has been recruited as a batting coach for the series to provide local knowledge.

Australian was halfway through four-year contract, Marcus Trescothick will take over on interim basis

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jul-20242:32

Miller: Mott was most dispensable of an uninspiring pairing

Matthew Mott has stepped down as England Men’s white-ball head coach with immediate effect.Mott was halfway through a four-year contract, during which time he presided over triumph at the 2022 T20 World Cup as well as the side’s failure to defend that title this year or the 50-over crown they won in 2019 at the 2023 edition, where they won just three of their nine games.He will be replaced by assistant coach Marcus Trescothick on an interim basis for the rest of the home summer, which includes three T20Is and five ODIs against Australia in September.Related

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On Sunday, Mott met with Rob Key, ECB managing director of England men’s cricket, to gauge his view on the last nine months as part of a review into the drop in team’s limited-overs performances.”I am immensely proud to have coached the England Men’s team; it has been an honour,” Mott said. “We have put everything into trying to achieve success over the past two years, and I am incredibly proud of the character and passion that the team has displayed during that period, including a magnificent T20 World Cup victory in 2022.”I would like to thank the players, management, and everyone at the ECB for their commitment, support, and hard work during my time. I leave with many great friendships and incredible memories. Finally, I would like to thank the England fans, who have always backed us and given us fantastic support wherever we have travelled around the world.”Appointed in May 2022, Mott also led England to white-ball series victories against Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand and Pakistan. But it appears that England’s most recent campaign, where they were knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the semi-finals by eventual winners India, was pivotal to the decision.Matthew Mott was halfway through his contract•Getty ImagesKey said the search for a full-time replacement would begin immediately. He believed the rapport between Trescothick and white-ball captain Jos Buttler “will help us maintain continuity and stability”.”On behalf of everyone connected to England cricket and me personally, I would like to thank Matthew for all he has done for the team since his appointment,” Key said. “He can be proud of his achievements as he leaves his post as one of only three coaches who have won a Men’s World Cup with England.”After three World Cup cycles in a short space of time, I now feel the team needs a new direction to prepare for the challenges ahead. This decision was not made lightly, but I believe it is the right time for the team’s future success. With our focus shifting towards the Champions Trophy early next year and the next cycle of white-ball competition, it is crucial that we ensure the team is focused and prepared.”Trescothick, added: “England cricket is in a strong position, and the potential is huge, given the quality we have available. It is about harnessing that potential and developing the work that has already been put in place by Matthew Mott and the rest of the set-up. I’m excited about the challenge and shaping how we want to play.”Eoin Morgan, England’s former World Cup-winning captain who now works as a commentator, recently dismissed reports that he could replace Mott as nothing more than “speculation”.Other names such as Andrew Flintoff, currently in his first coaching role with Northern Superchargers in the men’s Hundred, Mike Hussey, who was part of the coaching staff for the successful 2022 T20 World Cup campaign, and Kumar Sangakkara have also been touted for the role. However, it is understood no prospective successors to Mott have been sounded out at this juncture.