Now it’s time for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United to show their ability to pass through adversity once again. But then they’ve done it before.

Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford should join the St. James’ Park ranks, but there are still glaring openings in central defence, up front and out on the attacking right flank.

Stepping back into the Champions League, the 2024/25 Carabao Cup champions need more depth, especially so in the final third.

Newcastle's hunt for new forwards

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo rattled suitors when stating he would only jump ship for Manchester United this summer, turning his head at interest from Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur.

And now, Joao Pedro is set to join Chelsea having hitherto been listed as one of Newcastle’s top targets, if not the top target.

This is deeply frustrating, for Newcastle are yet to bolster their attacking ranks whatsoever, having entered the window with this principal priority. It’s not for the want of trying, at least.

West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus has since been earmarked, while an offer for Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, worth £50m, has already been rejected.

It’s Elanga who is the priority, with Football Insider now reporting that the Magpies are preparing an improved offer for the Sweden international.

Elanga, 23, has been a defining member of a Forest team who will compete in Europe next year, and the Tricky Trees are indeed proving tough negotiators, demanding £60m for the right winger.

He’d bring a lot to the United cause, with a silky skill set that practically demands to be combined with Alexander Isak’s.

What Anthony Elanga would bring to Newcastle

Pace, and plenty of it. Elanga left Manchester United to sign for Nottingham Forest in 2023 for just £15m, and he’s only gone from strength to strength since.

The fastest & slowest players in the Premier League (2024/25)

Over his two terms, he’s helped pull his club away from the relegation fodder and onto the continental stage, so electric and incisive down the right flank.

Nuno Espirito Santo hailed him a “special player” after one blistering counter-attack against Manchester United, bagging the sole goal in a 1-0 win back in March.

Elanga’s last two seasons

Stats (* per game)

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

36 (25)

38 (31)

Goals

5

6

Assists

9

11

Shots (on target)*

1.5 (0.6)

1.2 (0.6)

Big chances missed

10

6

Pass completion

75%

78%

Big chances created

14

9

Key passes*

0.9

1.3

Dribbles*

0.8

0.7

Tackles*

0.9

0.5

Duels won*

2.9

3.0

Stats via Sofascore

Having kept a pretty consistent level throughout his time at the City Ground, Elanga has now proven that he’s worth the money, athletic, purposeful and reliable with his output. The stream of assists is certainly something Isak will have his eye on.

He also demonstrated an uptick in shooting accuracy, missing as many big chances as he scored (six) in 2024/25 after squandering ten chances the year prior, bagging only five times.

This must be to the delight of Isak, who is a superstar unto himself but will perhaps raise his game even higher (just pause and imagine that) with such a presence beside him, for Isak is not just a goalscorer, but a creator and an influencer; the perfect focal point.

Forest’s star winger might have only averaged 0.7 dribbles per Premier League match last term, but that’s a tactical quirk.

This is a man who self-proclaims to be “one of the fastest players in the league”, and when you observe him in his barnstorming groove, you wouldn’t argue against it.

Isak would relish the chance to play with such a pacy winger, reliant on their creativity. We’ve seen the marksman’s prowess with Murphy, now imagine that with his countryman Elanga, faster and just as tenacious.

Related More important than Elanga: Newcastle close in on signing "world-class" ace

Eddie Howe looks close to making his first summer signing at Newcastle United.

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jun 30, 2025

India captain signs off as the highest run-scorer in the format

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jun-20241:35

Rohit Sharma announces retirement from T20Is

Rohit Sharma has joined Virat Kohli in retiring from T20 internationals after India won the World Cup by beating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados. He confirmed that he would continue to play ODIs and Tests.”This was my last [T20I] game as well,” Rohit said at the press conference after the final. “No better time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted, I wanted to win the cup.”I wanted this badly. Very hard to put in words. It was a very emotional moment for me. I was very desperate for this title in my life. Happy that we eventually crossed the line.”Related

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Rohit leaves the format as its highest scorer – 4231 runs in 159 matches – and also holds the record for the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals. He’s won two T20 World Cup titles: the inaugural one as a player in 2007 and now as captain in 2024.Rohit and Kohli’s retirement from the T20I format was not entirely unexpected. Both players had not played any T20Is after India’s semi-final defeat in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, and only resumed playing T20Is in January this year – with the focus on the 2024 T20 World Cup.Rohit finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer – 257 at a strike rate of 156.70 – in difficult batting conditions in the USA and the West Indies. He took on the responsibility of giving India fast starts with his attacking approach, and scored crucial match-winning half-centuries in their last Super Eight game against Australia and the semi-final against England.

An “outstanding” Liverpool player is now reportedly on the verge of leaving the club this summer, with the Reds reaching an agreement with a new club and a medical set to take place next week.

Players who could leave Liverpool this summer

While much focus is on the shiny new signings arriving at Anfield, with Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz already brought in and Milos Kerkez on the way, there are a host of Reds players who are expected to depart ahead of next season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has already moved on to Real Madrid and his great friend and fellow full-back Andy Robertson has been strongly linked with a summer switch to Atletico Madrid, potentially bringing an end to eight legendary years at the club in the process.

Jarell Quansah has also been backed to seal a summer exit, having struggled to kick on during the 2024/25 season, and the same applies to Harvey Elliott, who has hinted at leaving the club he grew up supporting in recent weeks and has been linked with a move to Brighton.

In attack, Mohamed Salah genuinely feels like the only player whose future isn’t up in the air, with Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez feeling particularly likely to wave goodbye to the Premier League champions.

Indeed, a busy summer is on the horizon at Liverpool as Arne Slot looks to build a squad capable of dominance across multiple competitions.

"Outstanding" player on the verge of Liverpool exit

According to the reliable Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo on X, Liverpool have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of Quansah in a £35m deal.

Quansah is currently away with England Under-21s at the European Championships, and started their 3-1 quarter final win over Spain on Saturday. He will undergo a medical when the tournament finishes, which is next Saturday, so it could be into next week before this deal is fully ratified.

Opinion may be split over Liverpool selling Quansah, with some feeling that he has the potential to grow into an elite-level centre-back as the years pass.

On the flip side, though, the England international didn’t kick on as much as many hoped last season, and there is an argument to say that the Reds will never be able to sell him for more than £35m in his career.

It is a risk by Liverpool, not least because Virgil van Dijk is a big admirer of the defender, calling him “outstanding” and saying the “sky is the limit for him”, but the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes need to be trusted.

The Reds must be ruthless after their title win, which includes dispatching of players not deemed good enough to take the team forward, and the brutal reality may be that Slot doesn’t quite feel Quansah is at the level required.

Liverpool "issue" resolved as medical booked for next signing on 5-year deal

This is great news for the Reds.

1

By
Henry Jackson

Jun 22, 2025

If Liverpool were able to sign Marc Guehi as his replacement this summer, as Gorst hints at in his update, it could immediately strengthen Slot’s squad, increasing their chances of defending their title next term.

Gareth Bale lit up the footballing world with both Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid during his career, becoming a five-time Champions League winner at the Bernabeu.

Regarded as Wales’ greatest ever player, Bale somewhat surprisingly called time on his career at the age of just 33 back in 2023.

Appearances

258

Goals

106

Assists

67

La Liga titles

2016/17, 2019/20, 2021/22

Champions League titles

2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2021,22

Since then, Bale’s obsession with golf has grown and the former winger now spends even more time on the course, with his handicap down to an impressive 0.5.

Talking last year, now Grand Slam champion Rory McIlroy was impressed with what he saw from Bale on the course, saying the ex-footballer has the potential to get his handicap to zero (scratch).

Bales has also made guest appearances at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, BMW PGA Pro-Am, the All-Star Ryder Cup match at Marco Simone and The Dunhill Links, but what’s in Bale’s bag out on the course? The whole lot will cost you just shy of £3,000…

Gareth Bale: British manager toughened me up and made me one of the best players in the world

The Welshman gave a lot of credit to his former manager.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 15, 2025 Gareth Bale’s golf clubs in detail TaylorMade Stealth Driver

Starting with the longest club in the bag, the driver. Bale is currently using the TaylorMade Stealth Driver which has an RRP of £499.

Bale’s driver has a loft of 10.5˚ and the Mitsubishi Tensei 85 TX-Flex shaft, being described as ‘hugely impressive’ with a ‘strong ball flight consistency, especially in the wind’.

TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fairway Wood

Often considered the hardest club to hit in the bag, the fairway wood Bale uses has been labelled ‘a cheat code’ by Golf Monthly.

His TaylorMade Stealth 2 Fairway 4 Wood has a 16.5˚ loft and, like his driver, the Mitsubishi Tensei 85 TX-Flex shaft. The RRP for this wood is £299.

TaylorMade P770 Irons

Continuing the TaylorMade theme, Bale uses the TaylorMade P770 Irons starting at a 3 iron and all the way down to the pitching wedge.

The P770 irons are recommended for golfers with handicaps ranging from scratch to 10 and are ‘designed for golfers who consistently strike the ball well and have a solid understanding of their swing’.

In limited edition phantom black, the P770 irons have an RRP of £1400, and Bale’s grip is the Golf Pride MCC.

TaylorMade MG3 Wedges Clubs: GW, SW, LW

Bale’s current wedges are the TaylorMade MG3’s, one down from McIlroy and Collin Morikawa’s MG4s.

The Welshman has 50˚, 54˚, 58˚ in his bag, which are thought to be worth around £400 in total. They have a 4.5/5 star rating on Golf Monthly, who state the wedges are ‘extremely high-spinning’ and ‘delivers the control golfers are looking for with ample versatility and a soft, solid feel’.

TaylorMade Spider Tour X Putter

Finishing the bag with one of the most important clubs, the putter, and Bale’s TaylorMade Spider Tour X Putter is the same as McIlroy, who has put it to good use in 2025 as he sits in the top 10 on the PGA tour in strokes gained putting.

With a SuperStroke grip, the RRP is around £299 and is described as ‘one of the most forgiving putters on the market’, with ‘the Spider Tour X design one of the best TaylorMade putters’.

It wouldn’t be all that controversial to claim that this season was a bit of a bust for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s men did well to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, but failing to win a domestic cup and finishing ten points off Premier League champions Liverpool was undeniably disappointing.

However, while the Gunners’ attack failed to spark this year, there were still some players who could go into the summer with their heads held high, like Declan Rice.

The former West Ham United captain was a force of nature in the middle of the park and was justifiably named the club’s Player of the Year for his efforts.

Fortunately, he could get even better next year, as reports have now heavily linked Arsenal to a dangerous goalscorer who’d be a dream teammate for the Englishman.

Arsenal target prolific goalscorers

As Arsenal still managed to create the best defence in the Premier League during their lacklustre campaign, it’s hardly a surprise that most of the players they have been linked with in recent weeks and months have been goalscorers.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, the most significant saga for the North Londoners so far has been around Benjamin Sesko, who scored 21 goals for RB Leipzig in 45 games this year.

Then, off the left, the primary target seems to be Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who’s scored 14 goals in 52 games for the Spanish giants.

Interestingly, the Gunners were even linked with Bryan Mbeumo, who found the back of the net 20 times in 42 games for Brentford this year, at one point this summer.

Yet, another name has now firmly reentered the picture, and when it comes to scoring goals, nobody can hold a candle to him: Viktor Gyokeres.

Yes, according to a recent report from the Portuguese outlet Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, the Sporting CP star is now desperate to leave the club and join Arsenal this summer.

The report has revealed that the striker has expressed his desire to the Lisbon side’s president and informed them that he would not be returning to the club this summer in an attempt to force their hand into accepting offers totalling €70m, which comes to £60m, and stands at around €5m – £4m – less than the unofficial offer the Gunners made prior, per the report.

It might be an expensive transfer for Arsenal to get over the line, but given Gyokeres’ unreal ability in front of goal, it’s one they should pursue, especially as he could be a superb teammate for Rice.

Why Gyokeres would be a dream teammate for Rice

It will come as no surprise that the number one reason Gyokeres would be a dream teammate for Rice is his utterly absurd output, but there are two reasons for this, and the first is that he’d surely help the midfielder improve his own output.

For example, in just 52 appearances for Sporting this season, totalling 4248 minutes, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, was able to score 54 goals and provide 13 assists, which comes out to an out of this world average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

Just imagine a striker as devastatingly effective as the Swedish international playing ahead of the Englishman, who has himself become more of an attacking threat since becoming the team’s left-eight; he’d certainly rack up more assists than the ten he managed this year and probably even a few more goals than the nine he scored to boot.

Appearances

52

Minutes

4248′

Goals

54

Assists

13

Goal Involvements per Match

1.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

63.40′

On top of helping his own tally, though, it would also be a serious signal of intent to bring in someone so prolific and hopefully be the difference in getting the team over the line next year, in turn putting any potential doubt that the 25-year-old could start to have to rest.

Finally, on top of the mountain of goals the former Coventry City star might bring to the Emirates, he could also allow the Englishman the space to further develop his skills as a proper out-and-out left-eight.

We say this as the Sporting star’s heatmap from this season shows that he doesn’t drop into midfield very much at all, instead preferring to spend time in and around the penalty area, which in turn should give the former Irons star space to operate in without worrying about where his striker is.

Ultimately, while it won’t be cheap, Arsenal should do all they can to sign Gyokeres this summer, as not only could he fire the team to glory, but he could also help Rice reach another level entirely.

Arteta's own Mbeumo: Arsenal hold talks to sign £85m "generational talent"

The sensational attacker would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are “contenders” to sign an “unbelievable” defender who’s now set to cost £50m, reporter Pete O’Rourke has revealed.

Spurs looking to bolster defensive options

Spurs completed the signing of West Ham United winger Mohammed Kudus last week, with the Ghanaian arriving for a fee of £55m, while they also remain confident about sealing a deal for Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who said: “They want to proceed with the deal, they want to sign the player. Nottingham Forest are prepared to fight. So, let’s see what’s going to happen there.

“But, for sure, the Gibbs-White deal now has an issue to be solved between the two clubs. That’s going to be one to watch in the coming days and hours, with Tottenham still hopeful and confident to get the player.”

Should Spurs get a deal for Forest star over the line, they may turn their attentions to bolstering their backline, given that they had the fifth-worst defensive record in the Premier League last season.

Club 24/25

Goals conceded

Southampton

86

Ipswich Town

82

Leicester City

80

Wolverhampton Wanderers

69

Tottenham Hotspur

65

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke has now dropped an update on one of the centre-back’s Tottenham could target, Burnley’s Maxime Esteve saying: “Everton showed a lot of interest in him as well, now Tottenham are being mentioned as contenders for a signature if he leaves Burnley this summer.

“Spurs did try to sign him in the January window when he was doing so well; Burnley don’t want to lose Esteve, and they’ve put a £50million price tag on his head.

“I don’t think Spurs would go near that level to try and sign Esteve, but Burnley are in a really strong position to negotiate here. He’s under contract until 2029 and they can demand a substantial fee because of his contract – that price tag will probably scare off most clubs.”

"Unbelievable" Esteve could allay Spurs' defensive problems

At this stage, Burnley hold all the cards in the negotiations, but should the French defender push for a move this summer, there are clear signs that he could help allay Spurs’ defensive problems.

Remarkably, the Clarets shipped just 16 goals in the Championship en-route to promotion last season, and the Frenchman played every single game, during which time he managed to impress manager Scott Parker.

Related Tottenham make contact for "world-class" £47m maestro alongside Gibbs-White

Spurs have made an approach to sign another midfielder, having also come forward for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

Posts 3 ByDominic Lund Jul 13, 2025

Parker said: “First and foremost he’s a great kid and an unbelievable professional. Just his general aura about him and his humility about the boy and his professionalism, just everything about him is a top, top boy and of course you see his quality as well.”

That said, £50m would be a huge fee to pay for a player yet to prove himself at Premier League level, and with Burnley in a strong negotiating position, it would not be a surprise if Tottenham decide to move on to other targets.

Allrounder hits 115 to set up win against Leicestershire, whom he represented in the Blast this year

ECB Reporters Network18-Aug-2024

Lewis Goldsworthy launches into a cut shot•MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lewis Goldsworthy hit a career-best 115 not out as Somerset progressed to the final of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup with a 23-run victory over holders Leicestershire Foxes at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The hosts posted 334 for 4 after losing the toss, Goldsworthy blasting five sixes and six fours in a brilliant 86-ball innings against the team he represented on loan in this season’s Vitality Blast. James Rew contributed 71 and Andy Umeed 57.In reply, Leicestershire made 311 for 9, Peter Handscomb leading the way with 111 off 86 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes, while Ben Cox hit 49. Somerset go forward to face Glamorgan in the final at Trent Bridge on September 22.Somerset openers Umeed and George Thomas took time to assess the pace of the pitch with a solid stand of 91 in 19 overs. It ended when Thomas, on 47, departed lbw to Tom Scriven falling across his stumps, having struck seven fours.Umeed’s half-century was the tenth in his last 15 One-Day Cup innings. His 76-ball knock concluded when he tried to lift a ball from Roman Walker over mid-on and was well caught by the back-pedalling Ian Holland above his head.After 30 overs, Somerset were becalmed on 135 for 2. But Goldsworthy and Rew soon began to raise the tempo, Goldsworthy going to fifty off 52 balls and Rew quickly following off 44.The pair had taken the score to 251 in the 44th over when Rew was superbly caught by the diving Louis Kimber on the midwicket boundary off Chris Wright. By then Goldsworthy was in full flight, smashing two of his sixes in the same Holland over as Somerset plundered 119 off the last ten overs of their innings.Goldsworthy, the 23-year-old Cornishman, raised his second List A century off 79 deliveries and he went past his previous career-best score of 111 with a pulled four off Walker. Skipper Sean Dickson made a rapid 18 and Ben Green, another Leicestershire loanee this summer, cleared the ropes off Walker.Peter Handscomb’s century was not enough for Leicestershire•MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

It was Somerset’s highest-ever List A total against Leicestershire. But soon Sol Budinger and Holland were eating into it, putting on 54 in eight overs before Budinger, on 33, pulled a catch to deep square off Josh Davey.Holland and Lewis Hill then accumulated sensibly and had taken the total to 92 in the 17th over when Hill top-edged a pull off Green to be caught for 19. Holland followed in Green’s next over, bowled by a slower ball that kept low, having moved comfortably to 40.Green struck a third and vitally important blow when Ajinkya Rahane pulled a short ball straight to substitute fielder Ned Leonard at deep backward square and Leicestershire were in disarray at 106 for 4 in the 21st over.Kasey Aldridge bowled his first five overs for 11 runs to increase the pressure and at halfway in their innings the Foxes were 126 for 4, needing a further 209 at more than eight an over.While Handscomb was going strong there was hope. The experienced Aussie went to a 42-ball half-century with a six off Goldsworthy, whose second over went for 18 runs. Cox provided impressive support as the fifth-wicket partnership reached the century mark off 13.4 overs.Aldridge switched to the Marcus Trecothick Pavilion End to have Cox caught behind, having faced 55 balls. Kimber quickly followed, skying a catch off Jack Leach to long-on and Aldridge took a steepling caught and bowled to remove Liam Trevaskis.Scriven provided some belligerent blows and Handscomb went to a deserved hundred by lofting Aldridge over mid-off for four, having faced 75 balls. But when he holed out to long-on off Davey with 42 still needed, Leicestershire were a spent force.

تجرى حاليًا مواجهة برشلونة ضد فالنسيا على ملعب يوهان كرويف، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

وكان فيرمين لوبيز قد افتتح التسجيل في الدقيقة 29 بتسديدة رائعة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، وأضاف رافينها الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 53 بصناعة من ماركوس راشفورد.

وفي الدقيقة 56 عزز فيرمين لوبيز تقدم برشلونة بالهدف الثالث بتسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء.

اقرأ أيضاً.. في 3 دقائق.. رافينها وفيرمين لوبيز يسجلان هدفين لـ برشلونة أمام فالنسيا

وعاد البرازيلي رافينها ليضيف الهدف الشخصي الثاني له والرابع لبرشلونة بعد أن استغل ارتباط خط دفاع فالنسيا، ليسدد تسديدة رائعة في شباك حارس الفريق الضيف في الدقيقة 66.

وكان برشلونة قد بدأ حملة الدفاع عن لقب الدوري الإسباني بالفوز ضد ريال مايوركا بثلاثية نظيفة، قبل أن يفوز ضد ليفانتي بثلاث اهداف لهدفين، وتعادل ضد رايو فاليكانو بهدف لمثله في المباراة الماضية.

ويستعد برشلونة لبدء مرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد هذه المباراة، حيث يلتقي نيوكاسل يونايتد على ملعب سانت جيمس بارك يوم الخميس المقبل 18 سبتمبر.

Central Districts

Uncapped right-arm seamer Grace Foreman has been awarded her maiden contract. Foreman, who hails from New Plymouth, has impressed through Taranaki and Central Districts’ pathway systems in recent years.She represented the team at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels and was part of the side that won the 2022 NZC Under-19 national championship. She debuted for a Districts A side last season and was also invited to a NZC Under-19 national camp last season.Related

• Dodd opts out of Hinds' list, U-19 star Browning moves to Otago

Foreman joins right-arm quick Anna Gaging as the new face on the list and completes the Districts’ contracted player roster for the 2024-25 season.”I’m really grateful and honoured to get this opportunity with the Hinds,” Foreman said. “I was shocked when [head coach] Jacob Oram phoned me to offer me the contract as it has been a goal of mine for some time now. The prospect of playing with some of my role models is surreal, and I am really looking forward to joining the team.”Foreman hails from a cricketing family. Her elder sister Amy Foreman has coached the Taranaki women’s team in the past and was on NZC’s pathway-to-performance coaching scholarship last season. Their mother, Helen, has also been involved in Taranaki cricket.This list of 15 players also consists of two NZC-contracted players Rosemary Mair and Hannah Rowe who will represent the team when available. Captain Natalie Dodd was unavailable as she is expecting her first child later this year.Contracted players: Aniela Apperley, Georgia Atkinson, Ocean Bartlett, Flora Devonshire, Grace Foreman, Anna Gaging, Kate Gaging, Claudia Green, Mikaela Greig, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Thamsyn Newton, Kerry Tomlinson
NZC contracts: Rosemary Mair, Hannah Rowe

Canterbury

Canterbury have signed batter Emma Irwin as their 13th and final signing for the season. This will be Irwin’s second stint with Canterbury. Irwin, 20, was part of the New Zealand Under-19 side at the World Cup in January last year.Contracted players: Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Natalie Cox, Jodie Dean, Harriet Graham, Abigail Hotton, Laura Hughes, Frankie Mackay, Izzy Sharp, Jess Simmons, Gabby Sullivan, Emma Irwin

Auckland

Fast bowler Sophie Court is Auckland’s final signing for the season. Court’s elevation to the contract list comes after her rise through Auckland Cricket’s Talent and Pathway programme, where she represented Auckland Under-19 and Auckland A. She was part of the Auckland Under-19 team that won the women’s national under-19 tournament in Lincoln earlier this year.”There were a lot of emotions when I got the call,” Court, 19, said. “I would like to thank my parents and all my coaches. Their support over the years has been great. It means a lot to me and I’m excited and honoured to be a part of this group. I’m looking forward to learning heaps and gaining lots of experience.”Contracted players: Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Elizabeth Buchanan, Prue Catton, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal, Cate Pedersen, Josie Penfold, Saachi Shahri, Anika Todd, Sophie Court

Northern Districts

Allrounder Carol Agafili is Northern Districts’ 13th signing as they round up the contracts list for the season. Agafili has represented Districts in the past and also turned out for Samoa in three T20Is earlier this year.Contracted players: Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Caitlin Gurrey, Eve Wolland, Holly Topp, Jess Watkin, Jesse Prasad, Kayley Knight, Marama Downes, Marina Lamplough, Nensi Patel, Shriya Naidu, Tash Wakelin, Carol Agafili

Wellington

Right-hand batter Gemma Sims is the final addition to Wellington’s roster. Sims played six Super Smash matches last season for Wellington but failed to deliver a big performance.Contracted players: Antonia Hamilton, Caitlin King, Hannah Francis, Jess McFadyen, Kate Chandler, Leigh Kasperek, Tash Codyre, Nicole Baird, Phoenix Williams, Rachel Bryant, Rebecca Burns, Xara Jetly, Gemma Sims

Otago

Isy Parry has been awarded her maiden Otago contract and is their final signing for the upcoming season.Contracted players: Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Harriet Cuttance, Chloe Deerness, Olivia Gain, Bella James, Louisa Kotkamp, Felicity Robertson, Molly Loe, PJ Watkins, Saffron Wilson, Isy Parry

Somerset lose last five wickets for 12 runs to conceded dominant position on day one

ECB Reporters Network09-Sep-2024Tom Banton hit his third first-class century as Somerset posted 317 all out on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Division One match with leaders Surrey at Taunton.The battle of the top two in the table began with the home side winning the toss and electing to bat first on a pitch expected to offer increasing turn as the match progresses. Banton hit a brilliant 132, one short of his career-best, with 16 fours and a six, while Tom Abell contributed 49 and James Rew 38.But Surrey launched a determined fightback with the second new ball to limit the damage from 305 for 5 at one stage. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, signed solely for this game, claimed 4 for 97 and Dan Worrall 3 for 41.Needing to close a 24-point gap on their opponents at the start of play, Somerset made a poor start when Lewis Goldsworthy was bowled by the second ball of the match, a Kemar Roach inswinger that clipped off stump.Archie Vaughan was promoted to form a new opening partnership and the 18-year-old son of England Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan looked more than up to the task as his side set about recovering from the early shock.He and Tom Lammonby took the score to 33 before Lammonby, on 21, fell to Jordan Clark’s first delivery of the game, a ball that bounced more than he expected and forced an edge to Dom Sibley at second slip.Vaughan, who had taken 18 balls to get off the mark, appeared commendably unperturbed in batting through the morning session to be unbeaten on 44 from 105 deliveries at lunch. He was given a life on 41 when Sibley failed to hold a sharp slip chance, diving to his right, off Tom Curran, making his first Championship appearance for nearly two years.Abell, seeking to build on hundreds in the previous two Championship home games, again played with confidence and was 27 not out at the interval, with Somerset having recovered to 93 for 2. But hopes that the third-wicket partnership would flourish in the afternoon session were soon dashed as Worrall had Vaughan caught behind off the second ball, edging a defensive push.Heavily depleted by international call-ups, Surrey were relying heavily on the experienced Shakib. Emerging from a watchful start, Banton reverse swept him from two boundaries in an over.Abell became Shakib’s first victim when he played back to a delivery that skidded through and bowled him one short of a half-century. Banton went to fifty off 90 balls, with six fours, and found a reliable partner in Rew as the pair blossomed in the afternoon sunshine.By tea, they had taken the total to 197 for 4, with Banton 65 not out, having survived a difficult chance to slip on 59. Rew was unbeaten on 16 and the final session saw both players prosper.Banton reverse swept Cameron Steel for four and pulled his next ball for six to move into the nineties. He earned Somerset’s first batting point with a two off Curran and the following over from Clark saw him edge a single, raising both arms as he ran to celebrate a 132-ball century.Content to play a supporting role, Rew brought up the hundred partnership off 137 balls in moving to 35 with a single off Curran and at 255 for 4 Somerset were building a position of strength. With seven added, Rew played forward defensively to Curran and edged through to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.It was 264 for 5 when the second new ball was taken at the earliest opportunity. Worrall struck a key blow when Banton launched a big hit at a slower ball and was bowled, having faced 172 balls. The following over from Shakib saw Kasey Aldridge fall in similar fashion and Craig Overton stumped, to strangely attacking shots in the circumstances.When Lewis Gregory was bowled by Worrall for a duck, Somerset had lost four wickets in the space of 14 balls. Kiwi seamer Brett Randell was last man out on debut for 3, Shakib and Surrey ending the day on a high.