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A lot of drama unfolded in Coffs Harbour where Australia and South Africa played out only the fifth tie in the history of women’s ODIs

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by ball- detailsMasabata Klaas’ run-out on the last ball led to the tie•Getty ImagesA fourth straight ODI fifty for Ellyse Perry, second consecutive for Nicole Bolton, a four-for from Suné Luus, and a match-changing all-round performance from Dane van Niekerk combined to a dramatic tie in the fourth ODI in Coffs Harbour. South Africa women needed eight off the last over and later five off two, when Masabata Klaas slapped a four but was run-out on the last ball as both teams were all out for 242 in only the fifth tie in women’s ODIs. South Africa have still not beaten Australia in any format.South Africa were reeling in their chase at the score of 40 for 4, rattled by the Australian quicks and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. After Jonassen broke the opening stand, Perry bowled Lara Goodall, Rene Farrell bowled Luus and debutant Amanda-Jade Wellington had Mignon du Preez stumped with her very first ball. Kapp and van Niekerk joined forces that only steadied them but also brought the chase on track with a massive partnership that lasted 30.3 overs. Wellington would have had her second wicket, of van Niekerk, in the 16th over but Meg Lanning could not hold on to a low chance at slip after the ball flicked the keeper’s glove on the way.Kapp and van Niekerk scored 144 runs together, the third-highest stand for the fifth wicket overall, and took South Africa towards 200. While Kapp was more circumspect in her sixth ODI half-century, van Niekerk scored at more than run a ball against Jonassen, Perry and Farrell.It took a run-out to break the stand when Kapp backed up too much at the non-striker’s end and walked back for a 104-ball 66, starting Australia’s fight back. South Africa needed 57 off eight overs and Van Niekerk’s fours during her third ODI fifty brought the asking rate under six before Jonassen bowled her for 81. Another run-out and nine runs later, the visitors needed eight from six but Elyse Villani, bowling for the first time in her international career, conceded seven. When they needed one to win, Klaas struck a full delivery to midwicket but could not reach the non-striker’s end on time.Australia had opted to bat and Bolton and Perry, who missed the last match with a groin injury, steered them for over 16 overs after Beth Mooney, who was promoted to open, and Lanning fell cheaply. Bolton and Perry’s partnership yielded 80 runs before Luus dismissed Bolton, for 63, and Jonassen in her consecutive overs.Alex Blackwell then allied with Perry with a quick 35 off 30 but van Niekerk disturbed their lower order. Perry helped them cross 200 and took them to the last five overs before Luus sent her back too and van Niekerk struck on consecutive balls with the wickets of Alyssa and Villani. The stutter meant Australia struck only 26 runs in their last five overs as debutants Wellington and Tahlia McGrath were dismissed off consecutive balls in the last over.Luus finished with 4 for 37 from her 7.5 overs and Van Niekerk returned figures of 3 for 52 from nine overs.

Arsenal will make an offer worth more than £90m for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, with a verbal agreement already reached with the player, according to reports.

What’s the latest Arsenal transfer news involving Rice?

The Gunners have seemingly made Rice their top target and have been planning to make their move in recent weeks.

Fabrizio Romano suggested last month that Arsenal were waiting for the Hammers to clarify their final price tag, while also being respectful by allowing the midfielder to focus on helping West Ham lift the Europa Conference League.

Rice helped the club win the trophy following a 2-1 win over Fiorentina last week, and co-owner David Sullivan admitted shortly after that the England international will leave the London Stadium over the coming months, with three of four clubs interested in his services. One of those is Arsenal, and an update has emerged over their plans to bid for Rice.

According to Football Insider, an official bid will be submitted in the coming days. ‘The deal to be tabled is believed to be worth ‘£90million-plus as Arenal look to wrap up what would comfortably smash their club transfer record.’

The report adds that a verbal agreement has been reached with Rice, who has said ‘yes’ to joining Mikel Arteta's squad.

How much is Declan Rice worth?

It appears as if the Gunners will be making a club-record move over the coming days for Rice, and his Transfermarkt valuation has increased over the last three years.

Since 2020, Rice has seen his valuation go from €49.5m (£42.5m) to a career-high €80m (£68m) today. Meanwhile, Football Transfers have his valuation at €62.5m (£53.7m), so you could argue that the Gunners are overpaying for a player who will soon be into the final 12 months of his deal.

However, West Ham have been asking for £120m from a Champions League club for Rice, who is a man in demand this summer. Therefore, you could say that Arsenal appear to be meeting in the middle with an opening £90m+ offer.

Hailed as "sensational" by members of the media, Rice once again starred in 2022/23 and was West Ham’s top-rated performer, as per WhoScored. Making 50 appearances in all competitions, the England international would add another quality option to Arteta’s midfield, and it’ll be interesting to see if the club’s first offer is accepted ahead of a possible short move across London.

England have twice come from 1-0 down to win in India but it will be a herculean task for the side to replicate that feat

Andrew McGlashan25-Nov-2016Match FactsNovember 26-30, 2016
Start time 9.30 local (0400GMT)2:53

Compton: Buttler may not be a long-term option

Big pictureIt was route-one to victory for India in Vizag: win the toss, bat big, get the spinners to work, allow the pitch to wear, then back to the spinners. But they have been challenged enough by England – more than by recent visitors – over the first two Tests to suggest they can’t afford a slip.In the past, a trip north to Mohali may have brought the encouragement of some extra assistance for the quicks, but that was not the pattern last year against South Africa and, judging by the look of the pitch this time, the pacemen will not be leaping out of bed in the morning.There are five members of the England squad, including captain Alastair Cook, who will have fond memories of fighting back from 1-0 down on the 2012-13 tour but as Nick Compton, another member of that side recalled, that was a team chock full of experience. For this England to emulate that comeback would be astonishing, but it is not impossible.As has been the theme throughout the Bangladesh tour, and now India, England will tinker with their XI but, fundamentally, they will need runs from Cook and Joe Root if they are to compete. The middle order is strong – the development of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow continues to impress – but it is mighty difficult if you fall behind.With that in mind, England have to be able to stay in the contest should India put a big first-innings score on the board. They played some impressive cricket on days three and four in Vizag, but the game was lost during the final session of the second day when they slipped to 80 for 5.There was an understandable air of confidence from Virat Kohli as he spoke after the second Test: it was a solid performance and he contributed 248 runs with batting on a different level to anything else seen in the contest. His opening-day century was the first time in 13 innings against England that he had passed fifty and with R Ashwin claiming his first five-wicket haul against them, they were two significant boxes ticked by India’s match-winners. For England to fight back, they will have to keep both quiet in Mohali, which is easier said than done.Form guide(completed matches, most recent first)
India WDWWW
England LDLWL
In the spotlightHe has played only one first-class match in more than 12 months, but now Jos Buttler is set to be given the task of providing an x-factor to England’s middle order. Trevor Bayliss has lauded Buttler’s qualities over the last six months and the feeling is if he had his own way the recall may have come sooner, but now Ben Duckett’s struggles and Gary Ballance’s travails in Bangladesh have left England nowhere else to look to refresh the batting. Buttler has been told to play his natural game, which means, one way or the other, his time at the crease is unlikely to be dull.It was only three Tests ago that Ajinkya Rahane scored 188 against New Zealand, so he has plenty of credit in the bank – and the small matter of a Test average of 48.34 – but he has had a difficult start to this series. Two ugly dismissals against spin in Rajkot and a couple of tentative prods in Vizag cost him his wicket. With just five specialist batsmen, India can’t afford an over-reliance on Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.Team newsThere is one confirmed change for India with Parthiv Patel – whose last Test came eight years ago – replacing the injured Wriddhiman Saha as wicketkeeper.India (likely) 1 KL Rahul, 2 M Vijay, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 R Ashwin, 7 Parthiv Patel (wk), 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Jayant Yadav, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Mohammad ShamiEngland will make three changes through a mixture of form and fitness issues. Buttler’s recall in place of Ben Duckett, and Chris Woakes’ return for the injured Stuart Broad are confirmed. Gareth Batty is expected to replace Surrey team-mate Zafar Ansari, who is unavailable. There is an argument that England should go with their strength and play four quicks, but that does not appear to be their thinking.England (probable) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Haseeb Hameed, 3 Joe Root, 4 Moeen Ali, 5 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jos Buttler, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Gareth Batty, 11 James AndersonPitch and conditionsThe pitch was dry and shaved. It did not look an extreme surface but there was nothing there to encourage seamers. It is also expected to be slow. Winter is arriving in the north of India and the weather is pleasantly cool, which means the pitch won’t bake much.Stats and triviaMoeen Ali needs five wickets to reach 100 in TestsIndia have not lost in Mohali since 1994, against West Indies, in the ground’s first Test. Since then they have six wins and five drawsVirat Kohli needs 109 runs for 4000 in Tests; Alastair Cook needs 105 for 11,000England’s collapse from 75 without loss to 158 all out was their second worst for all ten wickets against IndiaQuotes”To me, back in 2014, every bowler looked difficult because I wasn’t in a good mindset. But when you are playing well, when you are in a good zone, you feel that you have an upper hand against any bowler that you play and that’s something that you need to carry onto the field as well.”
“He’s right up there with the best short-form players in the world and he’s earned an opportunity to come and play here.”

Manchester United have Sofyan Amrabat on their wanted list this summer and are set to battle Barcelona to get a deal done, as reported by Calciomercato via Sport Witness.

Who is Sofyan Amrabat?

Amrabat has once more been a regular first-team player for current club Fiorentina this season, managing 29 league appearances for the club with one assist. He's now played more games for the Italian side in the league than any other club over the course of his career too, with 83 outings to his name to date. It shows just how important the midfielder has become to the side since his move from Club Brugge in Belgium.

In fact, the 26-year-old has now become one of the most impressive players in his position for passing in the Big Five leagues. His 67.12 passes per 90 means that he is in the 89th percentile for that figure (or the top 11%). Even more impressive is that despite attempting so many passes, he actually ranks in the top five percent in his position for pass completion rate and the top eight percent for progressive passes.

His vision and ability to control the player and get the ball forward with his excellent passing range has now caught the eye of two big European sides. According to a report from Calciomercato via Sport Witness, both Manchester United and Barcelona are keen to sign the player after he said "goodbye" to his current team following their Europa Conference League final defeat.

However, the report adds that United may have the upper hand though because of their financial power compared to the Catalan outfit. Fiorentina have slapped a 40 million Euro (or £34m) price tag on his head and the Red Devils are more able to pay that fee compared to Barcelona.

Should Amrabat join Man United?

The midfielder could certainly help bolster the Premier League side's ranks in the centre of the field if he was to join. Erik Ten Hag would be getting a player that is not only a good passer of the ball as previously shown but can also get the ball forward himself, with a knack for dribbling and driving the play forward himself. His rate of 1.62 progressive carries per 90 mark him out as better than average in his position (67th percentile) for example and his 70.6% successful take on rate show that he is able to not only get the ball forward but beat his man too.

In addition, football journalist Josh Bunting has previously hailed the player as "outstanding," admitting that during the Europa Conference League Final the midfielder "ran the game."

Amrabat then is certainly talented and his ability to dictate the play could come in useful at Old Trafford if they did sign him.

England’s series win over West Indies has handed Australia the ICC Women’s Championship with games to spare

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2016Australia have won the ICC Women’s Championship with their last set of matches still to go.Australia, currently on 30 points, emerged the winners after England beat West Indies by five wickets in Kingston. It was West Indies’ last match of the Championship, and they are in third place with 22 points, behind England who moved to second with 23 points after the win.The Championship, which started in June 2014, is scheduled to end on November 23 with Australia facing South Africa in the tournament’s last fixture. As things stand, England can finish with a maximum of 29 points, which won’t be enough even if Australia were to be whitewashed by South Africa in that series.Australia have won all six series on their way to the top. Among them are whitewashes of West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as a 2-1 victory over England during the Women’s Ashes in July 2015.Meg Lanning, their captain, has led the Australian batting effort in the Championship with 1000 runs, including four centuries with a highest score of 135 not out. Allrounder Ellyse Perry is the second-highest scorer with 797 runs.On the bowling front, Australia’s spinning duo of Jess Jonassen – leading with 29 wickets – and Kristen Beams have shared 50 wickets between them, while Perry has picked up 20 wickets with her medium pace.With their victory, Australia also become the first team to achieve automatic qualification for the 2017 World Cup in England and Wales.

West Ham United play one of the biggest games in their history this evening – their first European final since 1976 will take place when they face Fiorentina in Prague.

The Europa Conference League has been an important source of distraction and confidence during a troubled domestic season.

The Hammers ended the term with inconsistent results, winning four and losing as many in the final eight games of the campaign.

However, most importantly, this run included two vital victories of AZ Alkmaar to ensure progression to the final hurdle.

David Moyes and his squad know there is no room for error and complacency – so after naming a rotated side against Leicester City in the previous game, the Scotsman is expected to revert to his strongest lineup.

How will West Ham line up against Fiorentina?

There could be as many as four changes from the 2-1 defeat to the Foxes.

In goal, Alphonse Areola has started every game in this competition, keeping six clean sheets in 12 outings, and will take over from Lukasz Fabianski.

The centre-back pairing is expected to be Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma, as the former Chelsea ace will replace Vladimir Coufal in a reshuffled backline. The Frenchman has the highest average Sofascore rating (6.68) of any Hammers defender this season and his European experience could be crucial this evening.

This alteration will see Thilo Kehrer move across to right-back instead of Coufal, where the former Paris-Saint Germain man has performed admirably in recent weeks. Aaron Cresswell will retain his place at left-back.

Unsurprisingly, club captain Declan Rice will begin the encounter in what is likely to be his final appearance for the Irons, amid reports that he will join a Champions League outfit this summer.

The third change will see Tomas Soucek come in for Flynn Downes. The 6 foot 4 titan has made 49 appearances this season and is one of Moyes’ most trusted assets, even if he has been "woeful" at times, as per talkSPORT's Tom Rennie.

The ridiculously talented Lucas Paqueta will start behind the striker. The Brazilian has flourished in recent weeks, notably bagging an assist against Leeds, and his intricate creativity could be vital.

The reliable pairing of Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen will start on the wings. The latter was rested in the recent loss to Leicester but is Moyes’ preferred option to the "unbelievable" Pablo Fornals, as described by the Independent's Karl Matchett.

The £50k-per-week Spaniard is likely to still be involved in some capacity off the bench, especially after netting the winner in the away victory over AZ Alkmaar in the semi-final second leg.

Whilst Michail Antonio, who is the club’s top scorer (13) in all competitions this season, will keep his spot up top.

Predicted West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Rice; Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio.

Jason Roy is little more than a year into ODI career but he will be the senior opener as England take on Bangladesh this month

Mohammad Isam03-Oct-2016Jason Roy is little more than a year into his ODI career but he will be the senior opener as England take on Bangladesh this month. In the absence of Alex Hales, who pulled out of the tour over fears about security, Roy will take to the field alongside a new partner, beginning with England’s first warm-up match in Fatullah on Tuesday.Roy has opened with Hales in 27 of his 29 innings, building an impressive record together since the 2015 World Cup. The hugely impressive but uncapped Ben Duckett has been tipped to take Hales’ place, although England appear to be considering a return to the top of the order for Moeen Ali.”Whoever comes in deserves a go,” Roy said. “They are going to get a huge opportunity to state their mark on international cricket. Whether it’s Duckett or Moeen, I’ve been batting with a few of the guys, I don’t know yet – I just get on with it. We get on that well we don’t need to worry.”Joining up with the boys now, been away for a couple of weeks, it’s straight back in. We have great team cohesion. I won’t think of myself as the senior partner – we are all equal, just crack on and maybe try help whoever it is out. If it is the new man Duckett, he might be nervous, but he deserves to be here.”Moeen has only opened once in ODIs since the World Cup, when Hales hurt his back in the field against Sri Lanka at The Oval earlier this year. If he is asked to open, that could leave Duckett competing with James Vince for a spot at No. 3.Roy is among a handful of batsmen to have scored 1000-plus ODI runs at a 100-plus strike rate and he said that he will try to bat the way he has so far in his short career, in which he has found early success. He said he considers himself far from being the finished product as an international batsman and is focused on developing himself as a consistent match-winner.”I still have lots of work to do, loads more runs, a few more hundreds,” Roy said. “I don’t really settle for mediocrity. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. I want to improve and win more games for England but I’m pretty happy with where my game is. I’ve matured playing in big games.”I probably won’t change my approach mentally, but maybe a couple of things technically. Really it’s all very similar, trying to get the team off to a good start – the first 15-20 balls are going to be huge, getting myself in. Like I said, we have just had one real net session today so we will assess how the game goes tomorrow and go from there.”Roy said that the hot and humid conditions in Bangladesh – the temperature was around 33C in Mirpur on Monday, with 75% humidity – will need some time to get acclimatised, but he hopes to be prepared for the first ODI on Friday. Roy suffered a dizzy spell in a game against Pakistan in August and will know the importance of taking on fluids.”You don’t really think about it too much,” he said. “You’ve just got to get on with your job. It can be draining but that’s what training days and practice matches are for, so that when we come to Friday we are ready.”You don’t realise how much you are sweating and the next minute you can feel a bit weird. Concentration will be key, just keeping yourself ticking over and batting for as long as possible.”

After six years and 124 goals, Glasgow Rangers will be saying goodbye to Alfredo Morelos at the end of the season, with the Ibrox side deciding against offering him a new contract.

Michael Beale will now be tasked with finding a heir for the departing Colombian this summer, with goals required next term in order to compete both domestically and in the Champions League.

The Light Blues have recently been linked with a move for striker Matija Frigan according to Football Insider, with its report also stating that he is on a shortlist of potential targets that the club want in order to alleviate the blow of losing Morelos ahead of next term.

The Gers could face competition from MLS side New York City FC and Dinamo Zagreb, although Beale will be looking to beat both teams to the youngster.

Could Rangers sign Matija Frigan?

The HNK Rijeka striker has a contract until 2025 and this means the Glasgow side will likely have to splash the cash to sign him – something which Beale may not have much of this summer.

With Morelos gone, Antonio Colak is the only senior recognised out-and-out striker and reinforcements are in desperate need, especially as the likes of Kemar Roofe simply can't be trusted to make an impression next term.

The 30-year-old is sensational on his day, scoring 36 goals in 78 matches for the Gers, yet he has missed more games than he has played during his three-year spell with the club, and it is perhaps time for both parties to move on and secure a fee for him this summer.

Frigan does offer all the goalscoring qualities that Roofe has, yet he is ten years younger and is much more reliable, which is exactly what Beale needs next season.

He has scored 15 goals in 28 league matches this season while taking 2.7 shots per game and scoring every 158 minutes. Meanwhile, football talent scout Jacek Kulig listed pace and finishing as two of his key strengths, suggesting he’d be an ideal heir.

The Croatian is still raw and could take a while to get used to the physical nature of Scottish football, however, Morelos arrived at Rangers having just turned 21, and he adapted fairly quickly to the rigours of the Premiership.

Beale could well have to take a few gambles during the summer transfer window, but following a season of stagnation, maybe risks are what’s required in order to achieve glory.

Tom Abell gave a reminder of his immense promise as Somerset responded positively to Hampshire’s first innings score of 338 on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network24-Aug-2016
ScorecardTom Abell anchored Somerset’s reply to Hampshire’s 388•Getty ImagesTom Abell gave a reminder of his immense promise as Somerset responded positively to Hampshire’s first innings score of 338 on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match at Taunton.The 22-year-old opener, who has not enjoyed the best of seasons in four-day cricket, hit 79, off 132 balls with 11 fours, sharing an opening stand of 87 with Marcus Trescothick, who made 36, as the hosts closed on 257 for 5.Peter Trego contributed 42, James Hildreth 40 and Jim Allenby 37 not out, but none of the home batsmen were able to push on to the big score needed to establish control of the game.Earlier, Jack Leach had finished with 6 for 108 as Hampshire added 57 to their overnight score of 281 for 6, David Wainwright making a valuable 35 not out. The left-arm spinner now has 43 first class wickets to his name this season.The ball turned from ball one of the day, but more for the Somerset spinners, whose counterparts were unable to settle on the right pace to exploit the pitch to the full.From an overnight 281 for 6, the visitors slipped to 303 for 9 before a valuable last-wicket stand of 35 between Brad Wheal and David Wainwright, who contributed 35 not out with the ball deviating considerably for Leach and fellow left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe.Leach sent back Lewis McManus, Mason Crane and Wheal. But Hampshire could feel satisfied with their efforts as both sides collected three bonus points from the innings.Somerset were left with nine overs to bat before lunch and reached the interval on 40 without loss, Trescothick and Abell surviving comfortably against six overs of seam and three of spin.Trescothick looked in little bother until trying to hit Wainwright over the top and falling to a catch at long-on. His disappointment was matched by that of Chris Rogers, who had made only 11 when giving legspinner Mason Crane the charge and offering a leg-side stumping to McManus.

Newcastle United are 'one to watch' in the race for Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney this summer as Eddie Howe goes about strengthening his squad, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest transfer news involving Kieran Tierney?

As per Football Insider, Newcastle United are said to be in 'pole position' to sign Tierney this summer and is regarded by the Magpies as a 'top target' for the summer.

Aston Villa and Manchester City are also keen to secure his signature, though the Scotland international would prefer a move that would see him be closer to his family in Scotland.

FootballTransfers have reported that Tierney has been touted as being part of a potential swap deal with regard to Manchester City's attraction towards the 25-year-old, who could head to the Etihad in an exchange that may see Citizens' full-back Joao Cancelo head to the Emirates in return.

The Sun claim that a move to Newcastle United is seen as an 'increasingly likely' prospect in the forthcoming transfer window, with £30 million believed to be enough to seal an agreement.

Capology understand Tierney earns around £110,000 per week at the Gunners on a contract that runs until June 2026.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jacobs has indicated that Newcastle United are a significant player in the race to sign Tierney this summer.

Jacobs said: "I think Newcastle are one to watch there, simply because left-back is an area where I think Eddie Howe can still strengthen. Matt Targett and Dan Burn have been playing on the left-hand side, but I still think that somebody like Tierney would be an upgrade for Newcastle United.

"So that one could be a possibility in terms of an outgoing [at Arsenal], but that will depend on Tierney, really, because Arsenal really rate Tierney. It's just a case of whether or not he's happy with his squad role at this point."

Would Kieran Tierney be a good signing for Newcastle United?

Tierney, who has been hailed as "immense" by the Daily Record, has earned a reputation as a passionate, hardworking consistent performer at Arsenal and would be a brilliant asset for Newcastle United heading into 2023/24 if he was to move to the North East.

In 2022/23, the former Celtic man has made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, registering one goal and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

As per FBRef, Tierney has also maintained a tackle success rate of 80% regarding oncoming dribblers, illustrating his ability to dispossess his opponent regularly.

Dan Burn has predominantly featured at left-back for Newcastle United; however, Tierney would be a high-profile upgrade on the Blyth-born man who would add some extra steel to the Magpies ahead of next term, which may well see the Toon Army return to the Champions League stage for the first time since 2003/04.