Category Uncategorized

West Indies put in a spirited second-innings batting display to give themselves a chance at salvaging something from the Wellington Test, ending the third day 172 runs behind

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando03-Dec-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsNew Zealand hurtled to a profoundly commanding position in the first seven sessions of the Wellington Test, but the opposition began to resist on the third day. West Indies were still a long way back – 172 in arrears with two second-innings wickets already spent. But thanks to Kraigg Brathwaite’s fortitude, a spark from Kieran Powell, and a little flash from Shimron Hetmyer, their hopes of making something out of this match are not yet extinguished. Brathwaite remained at the crease on 79, with Shai Hope for company.But perhaps this was always going to be a batting day – the Basin Reserve pitch tends to flatten dramatically as matches wear on. In the morning, Tom Blundell had progressed from an overnight 57 not out to triple figures, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batsman to make a debut Test century since Matt Prior in 2007.What was remarkable was that he scored 52 of his eventual 107 not out in the company of Trent Boult – the pair putting on an unbeaten stand of 78 for the last wicket. Soon after Blundell reached his century, New Zealand declared on 520 for 9, taking a 386-run advantage into the second innings.Few might have expected West Indies to claim momentum as dramatically as they did after lunch, however. If one aspect of play epitomised the vigour they brought to those sessions, it was their bristling confidence when facing their tormentor from the first dig: Neil Wagner. On day one, Wagner had collected 7 for 39 in 14 overs, as batsmen almost raced each other back to the pavilion.On Sunday, Wagner again deployed his familiar lifters from around the wicket, but suddenly, the West Indies top order was almost disdainful of the tactic, pulling, hacking, and cracking him through the leg side throughout the afternoon and evening sessions. Wagner was left nursing figures of 0 for 89 from 15 overs by stumps, having suffered 14 fours and two sixes. Unable himself to make a breakthrough, Trent Boult was also visibly frustrated by the closing stages of the day.Getty Images

That it is around their senior opener that West Indies’ resistance built was unsurprising. Brathwaite did as Brathwaite does, leaving judiciously, defending solidly, and awaiting the bad balls to dispatch to the fence. His two early boundaries were the result of wayward leg-side deliveries that he simply nudged fine. He was a little more ambitious in the evening session, even running at Mitchell Santner to launch him over the deep midwicket boundary.His patience and assuredness at the start of the innings allowed Powell to take risks at the other end. It was Powell who began the assault on Wagner by hitting two sixes and a four off consecutive Wagner balls. Having survived a close lbw shout off Boult early in his innings – a not-out decision that would have been overturned had New Zealand reviewed – Powell went on to make 40 off 55 balls before losing concentration and giving Matt Henry a simple return catch.Hetmyer’s 66 was sprightly and attractive, as he and Brathwaite combined for a second-wicket stand worth 94. Having been reprieved via a batting review on seven, Hetmyer took to playing Wagner with particular aplomb, driving and pulling imperiously. He didn’t always keep his shots on the ground, but found empty space whenever he went aerial, once lofting Boult for a straight six with sublime timing. That Boult over, the 42nd of the innings, also featured two Hetmyer fours: down the ground, and over midwicket.Like for Powell, it was a misjudgement of Henry’s pace that brought his wicket, after the tea break. Attempting to turn Henry towards the leg side, Hetmyer succeeded only in sending a leading edge to extra cover.Hope and Brathwaite ensured there were no further wickets before the end of the day by showing a little reticence as stumps drew near, but the bad balls were still punished. All up, day three saw 287 runs scored for the fall of just two wickets. New Zealand will hope to get early breakthroughs on day four, to ensure the match does not progress to a fifth day, but if West Indies bat as they have so far in the innings, victory will have to be hard-won, for New Zealand.

Leeds United are running out of time to get transfer business over the line in the summer transfer window, but a hugely encouraging update has now emerged.

Who are Leeds signing?

The Whites were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship back in May, bringing an end to a three-year stay in the top flight after a bitterly disappointing season.

The hope is that Leeds are able to make a speedy return to arguably the best league in the world this season, though, although they haven't started in particularly convincing form, failing to win any of their opening three matches in 2023/24. They have drawn two and lost one of them, sitting 19th in the table in the process.

For the Whites to improve, new signings need to arrive between now and next Friday, when the transfer window closes until the beginning of January. They have been eyeing a host of names, with Joel Piroe coming in from Swansea City and Bayer Leverkusen's Nadiem Amiri linked too, in what looks like some hugely exciting business.

What's the latest on Leeds' transfer business?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Dean Jones claimed Leeds could also look to sign Genk's Joseph Paintsil:

"Thursday and Friday this week are viewed as really key days for Leeds with a bid for Kamara ready to be lodged but other serious interest in players also being stepped up.

"They are close to three other deals that I know of and those are Amiri, Piroe and Paintsil from Genk. I have it on good authority that those are being worked on.'

And Phil Hay has now brought even more exciting news, revealing on Twitter: "Leeds United have tabled an offer for Genk forward Joseph Paintsil. Bid worth 10m Euros (£8.5m). Southampton were keen but that move has fallen through."

This is exactly what Leeds fans will want to hear in the lead-up to deadline day, with their early performances under Daniel Farke suggesting that new faces are badly needed. Granted, it is still very early in the season and the Whites should still be considered one of the promotion front-runners, but more depth and quality is required.

If they could snap up both Amiri and Paintsil, it could go a long way towards making Leeds look like a far more daunting proposition.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Both are exciting midfielders who have shone for their respective clubs, and having them in the starting lineup as well as Piroe could suddenly making them so much more dangerous in the attacking third, especially with winger Wilfried Gnonto seemingly staying put after threatening to leave throughout the summer.

Painstil has been hailed as part of a "superb" group of young players at his current club by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and he already has two assists in as many Jupiler Pro League starts this season.

There is no guarantee that Leeds will get this business over the line, however, but it is vital that they get it done and kick on the Championship, overcoming this disappointing start and suddenly finding their groove in the coming weeks and months.

Arsenal are reportedly keen to strengthen their centre-back ranks yet again this summer following the prior signing of Jurrien Timber, amid reports that the Gunners are leading the way in the race to land Croatian international, Josip Sutalo.

How much would Josip Sutalo cost?

According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, the north Londoners – as well as Premier League rivals West Ham United – are said to be among the frontrunners in the battle to sign the 23-year-old, with the Bundesliga duo of RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen also named as the clubs who are in the 'front row' at present.

As per the piece, the defender's current side, Dinamo Zagreb, are seemingly in 'no hurry' to sell the 6 foot 3 ace, with the player's valuation said to be continuing to rise 'more and more', amid the growing list of suitors.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

The report also hints that Mikel Arteta's side have 'already exceeded the €20m [£17m] threshold', thus inferring that a bid may have already been made by the Emirates outfit.

How good is Josip Sutalo?

With the likes of Gabriel, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Rob Holding and the aforementioned Timber – who signed on a £34m deal from Ajax earlier this summer – already on the books, it may be difficult to see the logic in forking out to land yet another central defender before the September deadline.

That being said, however, Sutalo could potentially represent "a big bargain" for any interested party – as talent scout Jacek Kulig suggested last year – with the towering ace arguably "one of the most underrated CBs in Europe", as per Kulig.

Also dubbed "complete & elegant" by the respected insider, the eight-cap international could well aid Declan Rice in strengthening the spine of Arteta's side next season, with excitement building at seeing the Englishman in action in 2023/24 following his £105m switch from West Ham.

While the 24-year-old showed 'huge promise' while operating on the left of a midfield three against Monaco earlier this week, as per the Evening Standard's Matt Verri, the one-time Chelsea youth asset also has the capability to be deployed in a deep-lying, number six berth – as he did so regularly during his time at the London Stadium.

If Rice is to take on that latter role with the Gunners, he could establish a formidable partnership with Sutalo behind him, with the pair likely to prove a real stern test for any opposition forward line due to their ball-winning prowess.

In the case of Rice, the 6 foot 1 gem is a master at sniffing out the danger and regaining possession as he ranks in the top 5% among his European peers for interceptions made per 90, having also averaged 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League last season – a greater record than his new teammate, Thomas Partey achieved, for instance (2.9 tackles and interceptions per game).

Sutalo, meanwhile, was just as effective last term from his centre-back berth after averaging 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game in Croatia's top tier, while he also ranks in the top 18% for tackles made per 90 among his European peers – amid his displays in the Champions League in 2022/23.

With the Zagreb ace also typically looking to drive out with the ball – as he ranks in the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90 – he would seemingly be able to bomb forward in the knowledge that Rice could step in to cover him, with the latter man having regularly played as a centre-back during his early days with the Hammers.

That combination could well prove to be a dream partnership for Arteta moving forward, with the wait now on to see if Arsenal can win the intense race for Sutalo's signature.

Determined hundreds from both Shaun Marsh and Alex Lees ensured Yorkshire’s escape with a hard-earned draw against Surrey at the Kia Oval despite having been being forced to follow-on in their Specsavers County Championship match.Marsh finished unbeaten on 125, from 263 balls, in a dedicated demonstration of crease occupation across five and a half hours, and he had guided Yorkshire to safety at 281 for 2 in their second innings – an overall lead of 83 – when bad light prevented the last 31 overs of the match from being bowled. There was just one over sent down after tea before umpires Michael Burns and Neil Mallender took the players off, never to return.It was a fine effort from Marsh and Lees, with the five draw points highly valuable to a Yorkshire team who are facing a fight to avoid relegation from Division One in the upcoming last fortnight of the season. The 10 points they take from this match leaves them on 124, just one point ahead of both Somerset and Middlesex and with one of those three counties seemingly destined to join already relegated Warwickshire in the second division next season.

So many could go down – Gale

Andrew Gale (Yorkshire head coach): “There are so many teams down there who can go down. Surrey aren’t out of it just yet, either. We’ve got two massive games, but for me the key is not to look at the table. We just need to perform like we have done with the bat here. Our home form has been good for a number of years, and we back ourselves at home.”
Michael Di Venuto (Surrey head coach): “We thought the pitch was going to break up a bit more than it did. The guts of the wicket was still very good for batting. There was a bit of rough there for the spinners to work with, but it was only slow turn.”

Marsh and fellow left-hander Lees put on 215 in 67 overs, a Yorkshire second wicket record against Surrey. The previous record, of 196 between Herbert Sutcliffe and Edgar Oldroyd, dated back to 1922 and was also at the Oval.The 24-year-old Lees, having completed his first century of what has been a difficult, low-scoring season for him, reached 102 from201 balls before chopping on attempting to cut slow left-arm spinner Freddie van den Bergh. It was the 12th first-class hundred of Lees’ career.Yorkshire resumed on 59 for one, still 139 runs adrift, and Marsh was largely untroubled as he moved on from his overnight 27. Lees, however, who started the day on 19, was close to being leg-before to Sam Curran’s left-arm seam and swing when on 24 and, after being beaten by the same bowler on 32, he survived a confident appeal for a catch behind off Curran on 33.On a last day pitch still good for batting, and against a Surrey bowling attack surely growing weary on a third successive day in the field, Marsh took the opportunity to underline his claims for inclusion in Australia’s Ashes Test plans.This was his 22nd first-class hundred, four of which have been made in his 23 Test appearances to date. Next week, his place as overseas batsman in Yorkshire’s team passes to Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies opener signed for the last two games of the championship season with a view to an extended stint going into next summer. Gary Ballance kept Marsh company with 28 not out before the bad light brought a premature finish to the game.Surrey, who take 12 points from the game and now have 136 in total, are not yet totally out of the relegation picture themselves – even third-placed Hampshire could yet be sucked in. Surrey host Somerset at the Kia Oval next week, before a visit in the last week of the season to play Lancashire at Old Trafford.

Manchester United are extremely active in the transfer market after having a slow start to their recruitment drive this summer, with only Andre Onana and Mason Mount joining so far.

The Red Devils have moves for Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat reportedly in the works, with Erik ten Hag eager to strengthen his team ahead of their return to Champions League football and challenge for trophies once again next season.

Whilst incomings are desperately needed at Old Trafford, there is still a strong desire to offload the players who aren't in the future plans of the Dutch coach with many fringe players put up for sale this summer.

One of those players was former club captain and centre-back Harry Maguire, who has found himself falling out of favour since the arrival of Ten Hag last summer, and now it is looking like he may end his nightmare tenure with Man United once and for all.

Will Harry Maguire be sold this summer?

According to BBC Sport, Man United have rejected a £20m bid from West Ham United for the England centre-back.

Hammers boss David Moyes is eager to snap up the services of Maguire this summer and with over £100m to spend following Declan Rice's departure is clearly keen to strengthen his squad in key areas.

The Manchester giants are willing to listen to offers that meet their valuation, but only if Maguire is keen to leave the club this summer.

The approach from West Ham comes just a few days after it was revealed by Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg that Benjamin Pavard is a target for Man United:

"Benjamin #Pavard, he still wants to leave FC Bayern this summer as he has no intention to extend his contract beyond 2024.

"It’s still a race between Man City, Man Utd and Juventus at this stage. Swap deal with Kyle Walker has been no hot topic in the last days. #MCFC"

"Bayern bosses are waiting for a concrete offer. @SkySportDE".

How good is Benjamin Pavard?

Bringing in a replacement for Maguire wouldn't be essential, but would be massively advantageous to add quality depth into the defensive set-up at Old Trafford.

In contrast to Maguire, the 27-year-old titan ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots in total, shot-creating actions, progressive passes, progressive carries, touches and tackles, demonstrating that he is an attacking-minded defender who would suit the style of play Ten Hag is keen to encourage.

Not only that, Pavard boasts many similarities to Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, a player who has been a huge success in English football with a Premier League title, FA Cup and League Cup to his name in domestic competition, as well as a Champions League, suggesting that Pavard could also be perfectly suited in the top-flight.

According to Opta's Player Radar, the Netherlands captain is one of the most comparable players to the World Cup winner, demonstrating a likeness in their strong abilities in possession and in dominating opponents.

Those traits are shown by the fact that Pavard ranks among the very best for touches made among his European peers – showcasing his willingness to get on the ball at every opportunity – as well as in the top 26% for possession won, while Van Dijk ranks in the top 2% and the top 36% in those same two metrics.

Unsurprisingly, Pavard – who has a reported €30m (£26m) price tag – has been the recipient of high praise over his impressive career so far, with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel waxing lyrical about the Frenchman:

"He is an underrated player. He can adapt to the highest level and he defends rigorously. He is a top team player, he immediately had my confidence and proved to me that I had been right."

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Man United to sign Pavard this summer, especially if they can offload Maguire in the process, as he would not only be a worthy successor, but an instant upgrade due to his ability to play efficiently in Ten Hag's system.

Nottinghamshire boosted their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Royal London Cup with a six-wicket victory over Leicestershire at Welbeck

ECB Reporters Network07-May-2017
ScorecardSamit Patel ensured Nottinghamshire’s chase had few alarms•Getty ImagesNottinghamshire boosted their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Royal London Cup with a six-wicket victory over Leicestershire at Welbeck.James Pattinson took 4 for 42 as Leicestershire were bundled out for 217 in only 43.5 overs, after being asked to bat first.Mark Cosgrove, with 80, played the only innings of any substance for the visitors but when he fell the visitors lost their way and slipped from 179 for 4 to 194 for 9.Samit Patel gave the run chase a timely boost by speeding to 79 from 60 balls and it was left to a fourth wicket stand of 80 between Brendan Taylor and Steven Mullaney, who both made half centuries, to take Notts to the finishing line.In cold, blustery conditions Cosgrove arrived at the crease in the seventh over of the morning after Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney had reduced the visitors to 18 for 2.Cameron Delport was denied a couple of early boundaries when two straight drives both crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. His luck appeared to be changing when he top-edged a delivery from Gurney high over third man for the only six of the innings.He’d only made 8 when he nicked behind, one of three catches for Chris Read. Mark Pettini made 39, sharing in a third wicket stand of 65 with Cosgrove, before becoming Pattinson’s first wicket.The Australian then spent most of the next hour trying to keep warm on the boundary edge before returning to blow the middle and lower order apart with three wickets in four balls.Both Lewis Hill, who made a breezy 30, and Rob Sayer, who fell first ball, were sent on their way after bellowed lbw appeals. Tom Wells was then yorked for just 3.Pattinson also thudded a thunderbolt onto the boot of Zak Chappell, who was still hobbling when he tamely fell to Gurney at the other end.Cosgrove, who is yet to score a one-day hundred in England, seemed about to correct that anomaly but was undone by Gurney and ballooned the ball up to Patel in the covers.Gurney finished with 3 for 29 and Stuart Broad claimed 2 for 48, which included the final wicket to fall, that of skipper Clint McKay, bowled for 14.Nottinghamshire’s innings got off to the worst possible start as Chappell trapped Michael Lumb lbw first ball. Patel made the most of his early arrival in the middle to race to an impressive 50, which included 10 boundaries in only 30 balls.Riki Wessels, with scores of 85 not out and 114 in the last two years at Welbeck, only made 20 before nicking Tom Wells behind but the home side overcame his loss with another punishing stand.Patel and Taylor put on 58 in only 10 overs to take the game completely away from Leicestershire. Patel, who had hit 14 fours in his punishing innings, tossed away the chance of a century by hitting Chappell out to Jamie Sykes, the substitute fielder, on the point boundary.Mullaney hit both Wells and Aadil Ali for sixes as he raced to his second fifty in consecutive matches, getting there from only 42 deliveries but he fell to his next ball, hoisting Aadil Ali out to deep midwicket.Taylor’s own 50 had come from 72 balls faced and he was unbeaten on 51 as Billy Root stroked the winning run with 70 balls remaining.The win moves Nottinghamshire on to six points and enables them to leap-frog Leicestershire into third place in the North Group.

Sky Sports journalist Massimo Marianella has teased a potential Tottenham Hotspur swoop for marquee Napoli striker Victor Osimhen if Harry Kane leaves.

Who will Spurs sign this summer?

The incoming arrival of new manager Ange Postecoglou has birthed many transfer rumours in the last few weeks with Spurs sealing a deal for Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Lead by chairman Daniel Levy, in the absence of an out-and-out sporting director, Tottenham are looking to bolster many key areas of the squad this summer with fresh faces.

Vicario will come in to succeed the potentially departing Hugo Lloris but Spurs are also rumoured to have given the green-light for a central defensive signing.

Postecoglou apparently wants a new attacking midfielder on top of that, leading to their serious and advancing interest in Leicester City star James Maddison.

Kane, who starred for Spurs last season, is also being linked with a move away again and reports out of Germany state that Bayern Munich are hotting up their pursuit.

Man United and Chelsea are in the running for Kane too, with Sky reporter Marianella hinting that they could move for Osimhen if the England international departs.

Speaking on Sky Sport 24, via Tutto Napoli.net, the journalist hinted at an ambitious swoop for Osimhen from Spurs with Chelsea also apparently set to make contact.

"Tottenham are a team with medium-high ambitions that are changing everything," said Marianella.

"They say that even Chelsea are about to make a phone call to Napoli for Osimhen. It seems that one door is closed, which is that of Real Madrid, the two most open to catch a striker remain Manchester United and PSG. At that point, a place would also open up at Tottenham."

Who is Victor Osimhen?

Signing the Nigeria international would be an ambitious and sensational move by Spurs, though his marquee reported €120 million (£103m) price tag is quite a large barrier.

There is little doubting Osimhen's quality, though, with the former Lille star notching an incredible 26 goals and four assists in just 32 Serie A appearances last season.

Gary Lineker has called the 24-year-old's form "consistently impressive", while members of the press like ESPN's Colin Udoh believe he is a "monster" in the final third.

Arsenal could be set to add another midfield general to their ranks, following on from the expected capture of their top target.

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Arsenal?

That's according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who took to Twitter to issue an update on the Gunners' pursuit of Romeo Lavia.

Having been relegated with Southampton, the young star showed more than enough in his first year in senior football to merit widespread interest.

With the Premier League runners-up one of the teams interested, the Italian journalist expanded upon this:

"Understand Arsenal are advancing in talks to sign Roméo Lavia. Negotiations ongoing with Southampton and player’s camp, still no official bid."

Manchester City, his former club, do retain a £40m buy-back clause which would expire should he make the switch to north London.

Would Romeo Lavia be a success at Arsenal?

The 19-year-old "diamond" – as dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig – may have suffered the drop in just his first campaign in the top flight, but many would argue that his performances did not deserve such a fate.

He was the ever-present heartbeat of a struggling Saints side, forming a fine partnership with James Ward-Prowse in the engine room.

His workmanlike exploits allowed the English maestro to push on and shine in a more advanced role, and in the end, the 28-year-old recorded 16 goal contributions with Lavia as the catalyst for such success.

Should the £25k-per-week Belgian now opt to move to the Emirates, he could once again strike up a similar partnership if Mikel Arteta manages to get his hands on Declan Rice too.

After all, recording 1.1 interceptions and 2.1 tackles per game in the league offer this defensive foundation, whilst Lavia marries this with an 86% pass accuracy and 68% dribble success rate too, via Sofascore.

He is as press resistant as he is solid, and is only set to grow with age too. This makes for a scary prospect, given that journalist, Benjy Nurick already views him as a "monster".

He could soon be one of the best defensive midfielders in the division, which could allow West Ham United's captain to flourish into a true creative threat too, something Ward-Prowse was able to do for the Saints despite their relegation.

The West Ham skipper did manage to record four goals and two assists last term, alongside his 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and one key pass per game in the league, via Sofascore.

It is the former figures that Arteta will be keen to help stand out, given he is set to lose the 14 goal contributions that Granit Xhaka offered with his expected exit.

To think that Rice did all this beside Tomas Soucek, with someone like Lavia in his place and the qualities of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and more to supplement him, this midfield hero could soon be set to explode into an imperative cog that helps to topple Pep Guardiola's current monopoly on English football.

Unai Emery kickstarted Aston Villa's summer transfer business over the weekend with a swoop for Youri Tielemans on a free transfer.

The Belgian will officially join the group at the start of next month, upon the expiry of his contract at Leicester City, to bolster the club's options in the middle of the park.

He could be joined by Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is also set to be a free agent at the end of June. talkSPORT have claimed that Villa have held talks with the former England international over a possible move to be their second addition.

The Villans are also reportedly eyeing up West Ham United ace Manuel Lanzini, who is another Premier League player who is on the verge of being available on a free transfer.

How did Manuel Lanzini perform this season?

The Argentine attacking midfielder only played 19 times in the Premier League and the Europa Conference League combined but produced impressive progressing passing numbers that suggest he could be a bargain signing for Villa.

Over the last 365 days, Lanzini ranks in the top 12% or higher of players in his position in the Men's Next Eight Competitions for shot-creating actions, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.

This means that the West Ham ace has been one of the best midfielders in that group of players at moving his team up the pitch and opening up space to either create a chance or allow one of his teammates to provide the creativity.

The Hammers wizard, who was once hailed as "magical" by West Ham Fan TV co-founder Nicky Hawkins, excels at breaking lines and dribbling past the opposition to make things happen in the final third, suggesting that Lanzini could be an excellent option for Villa when they are trying to break down a low block.

Emery could call upon the 30-year-old in tight matches where his side will need to find ways of progressing the ball up the pitch quickly and effectively, which the Argentine gem is seemingly superb at doing.

Lanzini, who has scored 27 goals in 179 Premier League appearances, is a proven top-flight performer in England and could be a shrewd addition to Villa's squad as they would be getting someone who can hit the ground running and instantly perform.

This is also the case with Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has featured in 235 games in the division throughout his career, and Tielemans, who played 151 times in the league during his time with the Foxes.

Such a dynamic and fluid midfield trio would no doubt boost Emery's ranks next term and to get three hugely experienced Premier League players for £0 would be remarkable business.

Indeed, this has the potential to be a masterclass from Emery if he can get these three deals over the line and, hopefully, the Spaniard will be able to do just that in the coming weeks.

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.