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The second day saw 15 wickets fall on a pitch aiding the quicks as Australia’s Test opening debate continued to rage

Alex Malcolm21-Oct-2024

Will Sutherland was in the wickets•Getty Images

Australia’s next Test opener is yet to announce himself after Sam Konstas and Marcus Harris both missed out on an action-packed second day at the MCG where Steven Smith also fell cheaply as Fergus O’Neill and Mitchell Starc ran riot with the ball but Victoria claimed a significant lead over New South Wales.As two of Australia’s selectors, coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide, watched from the stands Konstas and Harris failed to elevate their case while Smith also fell for 3 for 29 balls as O’Neill, who is in the Australia A squad, bagged four wickets in a skillful display of seam bowling in friendly conditions. Starc then tore through Victoria’s top order late in the day with a blistering spell that claimed three scalps, including Harris caught down the leg side for the second time in the match.Related

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It came on a day where openers around the country struggled with Matt Renshaw (2) and Cameron Bancroft (8) also falling cheaply.After Victoria were bowled out for 272, all eyes were on the battle between Konstas and Australia’s back-up Test quick Scott Boland in the morning and the latter held sway, albeit with some help from umpire Sam Nogajski. Boland delivered 10 balls at Konstas who scarcely laid bat on him. The 19-year-old was nearly bowled first ball, hit on the inner thigh pad and got a thick inside edge on one that flew in the air past the diving short leg for his only two runs.Boland then nipped one back from a fuller length to hit Konstas below the knee roll and Nogajski adjudged him lbw. Replays suggested it may have been doing too much to hit leg stump.O’Neill and Will Sutherland then tightened the screws with some frugal bowling as the prodigious movement in the MCG surface never abated at any stage throughout the day.O’Neill was a little fortunate to claim Smith, who tickled a glance down the leg side to Sam Harper. But it was reward for outstanding control as Smith scored just three runs from 29 deliveries.Josh Philippe took a brilliant leg-side catch to remove Marcus Harris•Getty Images

Nic Maddinson had earlier nicked one trying to punch Sutherland forcefully off the back foot before O’Neill found the outside edge of Moises Henriques to leave NSW reeling at 28 for 4.Ollie Davies and Josh Philippe shared a steadying partnership and both looked comfortable at various stages driving impressively down the ground whenever a rare overpitched delivery was offered.But Davies got sucked into a short ball plan from Sutherland and holed out hooking to deep square for 37. Sean Abbott fell in exactly the same way two overs later to leave the Blues 83 for 6. Philippe tried to shepherd the tail with an unbeaten 45 and did get a contribution of 17 from Nathan Lyon but O’Neill and Todd Murphy cleaned up the last four to bowl NSW out for 136 and hand the home side a significant 136-run lead.Starc ensured that Victoria did not build on that advantage easily with a sparkling spell of fast bowling. Backing up after some excellent work on day one he tore through Victoria’s top order. The second ball of the innings was a vicious off-cutter that leapt at Ash Chandrasinghe and ricocheted off his back elbow onto the stumps. In the third over he pinned Campbell Kellaway lbw with a delivery that was full and too fast for the left-hander.Peter Handscomb fell edging Jackson Bird to second slip before Starc claimed Harris again in his fifth over of the spell. Just like the first innings, a quick rising delivery at the hip caused Harris to glance without control, it came off glove onto thigh pad and ballooned behind for Philippe to pouch at full stretch in the right glove.It left Harris with scores of 26 and 16 for the match and Victoria struggling at 32 for 4. But Harper and Tom Rogers steadied late in the day to help reclaim control for the home side extend the lead beyond 200.

The left-arm spinner picked up 6 for 90 in the third innings of the Galle Test, his second five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Sep-2024Ajaz Patel has 70 Test wickets at 28.50, but he has only featured in 17 of the 45 Tests New Zealand have played since his debut. This is down to New Zealand’s seam-focused strategy at home. If they need a spinner at all on pitches that tend to start out with plenty of grass on the surface, plus bounce and carry that often lasts through the course of the Test, they tend to prefer spinners who can offer more with the bat – Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and the like.Patel, therefore, has become something of an Asia specialist, playing more than 70% of his Tests on the continent. He has thrived in Sri Lanka in particular, and on Sunday he wrapped up a second five-wicket haul in the country to finish with 6 for 90 in the second innings in Galle. Only Richard Hadlee has previously taken more than one five-wicket haul on the island for New Zealand.Related

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Patel conceded that there was “an element of frustration” at having played so few Tests despite his record. But “the hunger grows more every time you don’t get an opportunity that you want”, he said. “Every time you do get an opportunity you’re pretty hungry.”That hunger has allowed him to make the best of being in a unique subset of cricketers – an Asia specialist from New Zealand.”As a spinner you have the luxury of the ball doing a little more in these conditions,” he said. “It can be challenging as well, because when you come to these conditions you’re up against good players of spin as well. It’s a double-edged sword.”It’s about presenting the ball in good areas for long periods and using what is available to us on the day – sometimes it may be the breeze, it may be the surface, it may be the pace of the wicket.”It is responsibility I thrive on, and something I really enjoy.”Control was of course a key component of Patel’s success, but at a venue such as Galle, which presents unique conditions, so was working with his environment. There is almost always a breeze across the venue as it is bordered on two sides by the ocean. Patel needed to know how to use it.Patel has played only 17 of New Zealand’s 45 Tests since his debut•Associated Press”Bowling into a strong breeze as a spinner is sometimes quite nice because you know you can hang the ball up there and the wind will do some work to bring it down. It’s just about using the subtle changes of pace, and using that to your advantage.”The Galle surface is also one of those on which spinners find more purchase when the seam is harder. In the second innings, Patel got to use both the new and old ball, opening the bowling alongside Will O’ Rourke before coming back when the seam was softer.Four of his wickets came with the second new ball.”There two separate phases – one with the old ball, and one with the new ball. With the old ball it was really about trying to get as much overspin as I could and trying to get something out of that surface. As the ball gets older and softer it doesn’t react off the surface as much.”Patel and the other New Zealand spinners have been working with Rangana Herath through this tour, with the Sri Lanka great having taken up the role of spin consultant. Herath, having taken 102 Test wickets at this venue, has had plenty to add, Patel said.At the end of day three, Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne said he suspected Herath to be directly responsible for his own downfall in the second innings, with Patel taking that wicket.”It’s awesome having Rangana in our side,” Patel said. “He’s someone I grew up watching bowl. In terms of stature and build we’re very similar, and he was world class. So [it has been great] having him in our corner and being able to talk me through the conditions and what’s given me success in Galle previously, and what conditions to expect.”He’s also helped me tackle different angles, different fields, and different mindsets. It’s been a privilege and we’re very fortunate to be able to tap into that knowledge. He’s been very successful at this ground.”

Manchester United are now in pole position to complete the signing of a “fantastic” midfielder in the summer transfer window, having also finally agreed a deal Bryan Mbeumo.

Man Utd agree £71m deal for Mbeumo

After the early-summer signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, the Red Devils’ transfer business has stalled a little, with their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford not going as smoothly as some hoped.

That said, significant progress now appears to have been made in that respect, with United submitting a third offer for the Cameroonian, which was accepted on Friday.

Mbeumo is exactly what Ruben Amorim is crying out for at Old Trafford, in terms of signing a wide attacker who can provide relentless end product, rather than having hit-and-miss figures such as Antony, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho.

United’s summer transfer business needs to continue after they likely get a deal for Mbeumo over the line, though, with more legs needed in midfield, for starters.

Man Utd leading race to sign "fantastic" midfielder

According to a new claim from Stretty News, Manchester United are now leading the race to sign Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer.

While the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are all name-checked in the report, it is the Red Devils who are the “front-runners” to snap up the 26-year-old.

Hjulmand ticks so many boxes for United, not least the fact that Amorim already knows him well, hailing him as “fantastic” during their time working together in Portugal.

Last season, the Dane averaged 2.6 tackles per game in the Champions League, highlighting his tenacity off the ball, but he also completed 90.7% of his passes in the Primeira Liga, showing that he is also a force in possession.

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Hjulmand would add much-needed legs for United in midfield, at a time when there are continued doubts about the ground that Casemiro can cover at this point in his career.

He is now a 19-cap Denmark international, and has won two Portuguese titles with Sporting, so the Red Devils would be signing an experienced winner who is still at a good age.

Arsenal are making an effort to restructure and revitalize their squad ahead of an all-important 2025/2026 campaign, with Mikel Arteta under some pressure to deliver a trophy after five years without major silverware, discounting the Community Shield.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 10, 2025

Arsenal registered an incredible 89 points during the 2023/2024 season, which would have been enough to win the Premier League title in many of the previous campaigns, but Man City’s imperiousness ultimately thwarted Arteta.

It was a similar story during the 22/23 campaign, but Arsenal were miles off this year’s eventual title winners Liverpool, having missed out on the domestic crown by a seismic 10 points.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)	Money on new signings
19/20 – winter	£0
20/21 – summer	£81.5m
20/21 – winter	£900k
21/22 – summer	£156.8m
21/22 – winter	£1.8m
22/23 – summer	£121.5m
22/23 – winter	£59m
23/24 – summer	£208m
23/24 – winter	£0
24/25 – summer	£101.5m
24/25 – winter	£0

The Gunners have also failed to deliver in all other domestic and European cup competitions since 2020, with Arteta now facing a vital next season where he simply must deliver glory to the Emirates after many years of building an elite-level squad.

“There’s no doubt next season the pressure will be on Arteta massively in terms of winning something and winning something big,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

“If they don’t do that, the Arsenal board will have a massive issue, because they won’t want to change the manager, but there will be lots of people saying ‘five or six years without a trophy’ and they will be looking at how many managers can make that next step.

“The problem with changing Mikel Arteta is that Arsenal could easily become what Chelsea are now, a team finishing second year in, year out, to a team not getting into the Champions League.

“That’s the big conundrum Arsenal will have in 12 months if they go close again but don’t get over the line. It feels like next season has to be the season.”

Trimming the deadwood and making room for vital new additions is imperative, and they’ve now managed to get previous highly-rated youngster Marquinhos off the books for good.

Arsenal confirm Marquinhos has joined Cruzeiro permanently

The 22-year-old Brazilian, according to Arteta, was actually a “very popular” player behind-the-scenes at London Colney, but he could never quite cement himself as a part of the manager’s long-term plans on the field.

Marquinhos has been on loan at Brazilian side Cruzeiro since January, which included an obligation to buy based on certain conditions, and that now appears to have been triggered.

Arsenal announced on Monday that Marquinhos has joined Cruzeiro on a permanent deal, bringing an end to his three-year stay at N5, which initially brought so much promise, only for the forward to be deemed surplus.

“He’s very popular, with no English, just with his smile and attitude,” said Arteta about Marquinhos in 2022.

“He has earned the respect and admiration of everybody here.”

Marquinhos’ move to Cruzeiro was initially under threat, according to some reports in South America, but he’s now officially set to start a new chapter back in his homeland.

Chelsea are now eyeing a summer move for a “composed” defender, with manager Enzo Maresca believed to be a keen admirer, according to a report.

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Axel Disasi has spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, and it looks as though the 27-year-old could be heading for a permanent exit at the end of the season, with the Villans now opening talks over a summer deal.

Maresca’s side have been faring well in their pursuit of the Champions League without Disasi, and they are now just one win away from securing qualification for Europe’s elite competition next season, with the crucial trip to Nottingham Forest pencilled in for next weekend.

As such, it could make sense to sanction the Frenchman’s departure, but Maresca may be keen on bringing in a top-level replacement, should his side return to the Champions League, with FA Cup-winning captain Marc Guehi among the potential targets.

After leading his Crystal Palace side to FA Cup glory, Guehi is likely to have no shortage of interest this summer, but the 24-year-old is not the only English centre-back of interest to the west Londoners.

According to The Telegraph’s John Percy, Chelsea are now interested in signing Leicester City defender Ben Nelson, who caught the eye with his impressive performances for Oxford United in the Championship last season.

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The Blues have been keen on Nelson for quite some time, having also considered a move back in the January transfer window, and their interest seems like it stems from their manager, with Maresca believed to be an admirer.

The Italian has previously described his former player as “ideal”, while also adding: “He’s quick. He can play right or left – it’s perfect.”

"Composed" Nelson destined for the top

Not only is Maresca a big fan of the Leicester ace, but he also impressed teammate Peter Kioso during his time with the U’s, with the fellow defender saying: “Nels has come in and done what he’s needed to do. Credit to him, he’s still a young lad and I feel like he’ll go to the very top in football, just from his mentality and how he reads the game, and how composed he is.”

Player

Current club

Potential cost

Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace

£60m

Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid

Unknown

David Hancko

Feyenoord

£42m

Ousmane Diomande

Sporting CP

£68m

The 21-year-old missed large parts of the campaign with injury problems, but he remained a key player when fit, making 17 appearances for Oxford in the Championship, featuring at centre-back on every occasion.

Having put in some solid performances in the second tier at a young age, the £5k-a-week defender may soon be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, but Chelsea should also make sure to bring in a more experienced centre-back, having identified a number of targets.

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Manchester City are now reportedly readying a formal proposal to sign a talented South American defender for Pep Guardiola.

Pep reveals Man City's FA Cup pride

Whilst it’s been a fairly disappointing season in the Premier League and arguably Guardiola’s toughest, Manchester City still have the FA Cup final to look forward to this weekend. In what is the third year in a row that the Citizens have reached the final at Wembley, they will be desperate to avoid an upset against Crystal Palace and fall at the final hurdle for the second consecutive year.

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Guardiola knows exactly what the occasion means and spoke about how proud he and his side are of their FA Cup achievements in recent years. The Spaniard told reporters earlier this week: “I say it every time we are in this position, but I will say it again: it is such a privilege to be able to play in this incredible stadium and have a chance to win this beautiful trophy,” said Guardiola, ahead of his squad’s trip to north-west London.

“This is our third year in a row in the FA Cup Final, which is something we are very, very proud of. In the FA Cup, you play all the top teams from the Premier League and the Championship and always there are times when it is difficult.

“To have made three Finals in a row shows how consistent we have been. It says everything about this generation of players and the club itself. The FA Cup is the most challenging and beautiful domestic cup competition in the world, there is no doubt about that.”

Away from their potential Wembley success this weekend, meanwhile, those at The Etihad have already reportedly set their sights on welcoming a defensive reinforcement when the summer transfer window arrives.

Man City readying Wesley proposal

According to Coluna do Fla, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City are now readying a formal proposal worth €35m (£29m) to sign Wesley Franca from Flamengo this summer. The Brazilian right-back is reportedly keen on a move to Man City, but has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Liverpool as a result of his impressive campaign.

Their £29m proposal will reportedly fall short of Flamengo’s valuation, however, with the Brazilian club demanding as much as €45m (£38m) to sell Wesley before the Club World Cup begins.

Dubbed “pacy” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Wesley looks set to have quite a decision to make this summer. With a whole host of Premier League clubs chasing his signature, the 21-year-old looks destined for England and may well end up in a Manchester City side who desperately need a right-back.

Liverpool recently confirmed that star attacker Mohamed Salah has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with the club to extend his stay at Anfield beyond the summer.

His old deal was due to expire at the end of the current season, which would have made him a free agent ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but the Reds will have Salah running down the wing again next term.

That should come as a huge relief to the Anfield supporters because he has scored 243 goals for the club to date, including 27 goals in the Premier League so far this term.

The Egypt international consistently carries a big threat at the top end of the pitch, and his decision to extend his contract will come as a big boost for Arne Slot, who will be able to call upon his services on the right flank again next season.

Salah is not the only key Liverpool star who has decided to remain at Anfield, though, as Virgil van Dijk has reportedly agreed a two-year contract extension, although that has yet to be officially confirmed by the club.

Why keeping Virgil van Dijk is a big boost for Liverpool

Keeping the Netherlands international beyond the summer, when his deal is currently due to expire, is set to be a big boost for the club when it is made official.

The former Southampton defender is on the verge of winning his second Premier League title with the Reds, and his first whilst wearing the captain’s armband.

Van Dijk has played every single minute of the current league season for the Reds, starting all 32 of their matches, and has been a rock at the heart of the defence.

Liverpool have kept 13 clean sheets and conceded 31 goals – the second-lowest tally in the division – in that time, thanks to his exceptional performances at centre-back.

24/25 Premier League

Virgil van Dijk

Starts

32

Pass accuracy

92%

Clean sheets

13

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

Clearances per game

5.2

Ground duel success rate

61%

Aerial duel success rate

70%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Van Dijk has dominated opposition attackers in duels on the ground and in the air, whilst being incredibly reliable with the ball at his feet.

The Dutch defender, who scored the winning goal in their clash with West Ham United at Anfield last weekend, has been a consistent and brilliant performer at centre-back, playing a pivotal role in their soon-to-be title success.

This is why keeping the defender at the club is set to be a big boost for Liverpool and Klopp, particularly as he is now at an age – 33 – where it is all about his performances, rather than any sell-on value.

At the time of writing (17/04/2025), Transfermarkt have Van Dijk’s market value at roughly £23.9m, which is even less than they reportedly want for one of their young talents this summer.

The latest on Jarell Quansah's Liverpool future

According to CaughtOffside, there are six clubs interested in a deal to sign Jarell Quansah from Liverpool in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that Newcastle United have a long-standing interest in the England U21 international and that they are one of the six clubs eyeing him up.

It states that Everton, Bournemouth, and Brentford are among the other Premier League teams keen on the versatile defender, who can play at right-back or centre-back.

CaughtOffside adds that there is also interest from abroad in the young starlet, as Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen could emerge as suitors for him.

The outlet also reveals that Liverpool would be willing to listen to offers for the academy graduate if any teams come in with bids worth around £30m, but it remains to be seen whether or not any of the aforementioned clubs are prepared to meet their demands.

This latest report shows that the Reds have hit the jackpot on Quansah, who is now worth even more than club captain and leading centre-back Van Dijk.

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He was not an expensive signing at academy or first-team level who has come into the senior set-up with expectations or potential that has to be fulfilled to live up to a price tag.

Quansah, instead, rose through the ranks as a homegrown prospect and enjoyed a loan spell at Bristol Rovers before his emergence in the squad under Jurgen Klopp last term.

As shown in the clips above, the English colossus showcased his qualities in and out of possession in his debut campaign to earn himself a senior England call-up last year.

The 22-year-old ace, who was described as a “monster” by scout Jacek Kulig last term, has failed to kick on after his promising performances in the 2023/24 season, though, as he has struggled for game time under Slot.

Jarell Quansah (Premier League)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

17

11

Goals

2

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.5

1.4

Clearances per game

2.3

1.3

Ground duel success rate

60%

50%

Aerial duel success rate

67%

39%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Quansah has played fewer matches, completed fewer defensive actions, and been weaker in duels on the floor and in the air in the Premier League this season compared to last.

Instead of developing and improving with age, it appears as though the English defender has regressed, or stagnated at best, under the Dutch head coach.

This suggests that now could be the right time for Liverpool to cash in on the 22-year-old, who is now valued at £30m, as this could be the peak of his value.

The Reds could run the risk of his form continuing to regress, resulting in his value dropping, if they do not decide to make the most of the current interest in his services from teams across Europe, which is why they should move on from him this summer.

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Their contribution to ODI cricket has been rooted in identity and belief

Greg Chappell23-Oct-2025Author and Philosopher Bo Bennett once said “Success is not what you have but who you are.”In an era where cricket often bends to the whims of fleeting formats and instant gratification, two Indian giants stood tall, not just for the runs they scored but for the men they became. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two pillars of modern Indian cricket, carved their legacies through distinct journeys, both marked by immense skill, fierce preparation, and an abiding respect for the 50-over format. Their contribution to ODI cricket wasn’t accidental – it was deeply personal, rooted in identity and belief.Kohli was never just a batter, he was a movement. He arrived on the ODI scene in 2008 with raw promise, and by 2017, when he was full-time captain in the format, he had seized the reins of a side in transition and reshaped it. He brought what few dared to – a warrior’s mindset. He turned India’s ODI side into a sharp, focused and supremely fit unit that played to win, home or away.But what truly set him apart, even from the legends who came before him, was his detachment from personal statistics. While the world raved about centuries and aggregates, Kohli cared only about the outcome. He once said that he played for India, not for records – a statement that defined his leadership. Individual feats were often the focal point of India’s cricketing narrative; Kohli sought something larger. His currency was legacy, not numbers.Related

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Under his watch, India beat Australia 2-1 in an ODI series in 2018-19. They held fort at home like a colossus, dominating bilateral contests and ICC events. Kohli made chasing a priority, fielding a crop of finishers who could rattle teams even in high-pressure chases. He transformed India’s attitude from reactive to relentlessly proactive.Where Kohli’s rise was meteoric and defined by intensity, Rohit’s journey was more about a slow-burn path to greatness. For years he dazzled in limited-overs cricket; his timing, poise and flair made him a household name. But it didn’t come easy: though he made his debut in 2007, inconsistency and middle-order struggles kept him from cementing a place, especially in big tournaments.Then came 2013. Promoted to open during a home series against England, he seized the opportunity with quiet confidence. There was a double-century against Australia. Elegant hundreds, of which the first came also against Australia that year. Sudden comfort against the swinging ball. Something had changed – not just in technique but in belief. What followed was one of the most remarkable second winds in Indian cricket. Rohit didn’t just adapt to ODI cricket, he conquered it.

Where Kohli’s rise was meteoric and defined by intensity, Rohit’s journey was more about a slow-burn path to greatness

His batting, so often described as “effortless”, now carried the weight of responsibility. The short-arm pull, the nimble footwork against spin, the patience outside off stump – all made for a batter who could both grind and grace. A blistering 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 cemented his credentials as a record-breaker, while his measured leadership in the 2023 ODI World Cup showed a cricketer at peace with pressure.When Kohli stepped down as captain in 2021, it was Rohit who inherited the mantle – not by clamour but by quiet readiness. Where Kohli roared, Rohit observed. His captaincy was marked by calm decisions, clear planning, and unwavering support for younger players. He doesn’t chase the camera. He lets his cricket speak – and speak it does, fluently.Their captaincies were a study in contrasts, but both chased one of the same ends – Indian excellence in ODIs. Kohli led in 95 ODIs, winning 65 – among the top two highest by an Indian captain. His win rate of over 68% came against the best teams, in the toughest conditions. Rohit, newer in the role, led in just a little under half as many matches as Kohli and had an even better win percentage – 75%. Together they ensured that India remained an ODI superpower, not just a red-ball giant.Technically, Kohli’s game was forged in fire. His mastery of pace, particularly the searing quicks of Australia, England, and South Africa, made him a modern-day gladiator. His cover-drive became a symbol not just of class but of courage. Off the field, his dedication to fitness, diet and relentless improvement made him a trendsetter.Rohit, on the other hand, thrived on rhythm. His strokeplay is a masterclass in timing. Few play spin better; fewer still can pull like he does. He doesn’t impose himself on bowlers initially – he outsmarts them, and then dismantles them relentlessly. Mentally, both men were titans – Kohli driven by the fire of legacy, Rohit by the calmness of knowing his time would come.There were moments when they didn’t just shine, they paused the game itself. Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, in a high-pressure chase, showed he wasn’t afraid of the big stage. His leadership in the 2018-19 Australia series win remains a defining Indian cricket moment.It’s one last time into the breach in Australia for the two•ICC/Getty ImagesFor Rohit it was the 264 against Sri Lanka, the innings that declared him an ODI phenomenon. Then the five centuries at the 2019 World Cup, where he tamed global attacks with poise. And more recently, his tactical nous through the 2023 World Cup campaign as captain.But beyond individual brilliance in ODIs lay something rarer: their love of and devotion to Test cricket. Kohli wasn’t shy about it – he spoke often, and passionately, about the purity of the format. He made it cool again to care about playing in whites. Rohit, through his transformation, showed that Test cricket rewards those who respect its tempo.In an age where players often chase leagues, fame, and IPL contracts, Kohli and Rohit were naturals who became the face of their franchises for over a decade. No matter the format, they dominated. They were never trying to be viral. They were trying to be vital.Praise for them came from everywhere. Michael Vaughan was effusive in his admiration of Kohli as an ODI player, and Ravi Shastri lauded his obsession with chasing success. Ben Stokes admired Rohit’s calm control. Steve Smith admired Kohli’s competitiveness. Ajinkya Rahane said once that Rohit always made you feel like the team came first. Their team-mates loved them. Their opponents respected them. Their fans, like us, will remember them as more than just batters, as torchbearers.Now, as the cricketing world moves forward, new names will rise. New captains will lead. But this golden chapter – the Kohli-Rohit era – will remain engraved not just in record books but in the hearts of every fan who understood what they stood for. Kohli’s passion, his refusal to settle, his belief in legacy over statistics. Rohit’s elegance, his humility, and his redemption arc, which reminded us all that timing is everything – in cricket, and in life.What they gave the game can’t be fully measured in runs or centuries or wins. They gave it belief, dignity, and character – which, as Bo Bennett reminded us, is the true measure of success.

“Those scoring runs are doing it comfortably. We have skillful batters, so we should do well here,” says Najmul Hossain Shanto

Mohammad Isam12-Oct-20231:06

Shanto: We have a plan against Santner

Najmul Hossain Shanto thanked one of the coaches as he slowly walked away from the nets at Chepauk, having just completed a long batting session. Shanto got nods of acknowledgement from head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, assistant coach Nic Pothas and team director Khaled Mahmud. Chief selector Minhajul Abedin, standing nearby, was in deep thought. Technical consultant S Sriram was minding the nets while Allan Donald, the fast bowling coach, observed his group keenly.These were all tense faces in the Bangladesh practice session on the eve of the game against New Zealand. Bangladesh are on two points from two games. They were found out by England’s powerful batting, and they have in front of them three opponents – New Zealand, India and South Africa – showing formidable form in the World Cup.Related

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England exposed Bangladesh’s lack of a plan B in Dharamshala, but the more obvious problems have been their struggle to match horses for courses. Observing their training session on Thursday, it became apparent that their final XI wasn’t set in stone just yet. Spinners Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed bowled for long sessions on what was an optional training session in Chennai. Fast bowlers Tanzim Hasan and Hasan Mahmud bowled and batted, before doing a separate fielding session inside the main stadium.Shanto, who has been Bangladesh’s most improved batter over the last 12 months, said that they wanted to bat with courage, open-mindedness and freedom in order to get big scores.”We have to bat with courage. We have to bat open-mindedly and with freedom,” Shanto said. “Those scoring runs are doing it comfortably. We have skilful batters, so we should do well here. The coaching staff and captain have given us that freedom.”Shanto’s leadership instincts kicked in when he was asked a question about Tanzid Hasan’s poor form. The left-handed rookie has scored just 40 runs in six ODIs, prompting speculation about his position in the team. Shanto felt that Tanzid should be allowed a bit of time and space.”I think we should stop thinking about the openers. We leave the thought of the openers. Every top order batter came with good preparations. I think one or two good innings will give the batters a bit of confidence. I think nobody is relaxed. They are all trying to do something for the team. We are hopeful there will be more scores from the top order.”I think he has played five or six games. Personally I feel some need more time, some need less time. Everyone should believe him. We should support him. We have a capable side, so I am hopeful we will all perform well.”Bangladesh have also not got the performance from their fast bowling group that they would expect. It has been only two games but given their consistency of the last two years, the lack of breakthroughs have been surprising.Shanto said that the fast bowlers’ good showing of the last two years will not go to waste. “Firstly, none of the fast bowlers are disappointed. Everyone is fine. The wicket is such that there will be a lot of runs. We don’t see our fast bowlers going for 60-70 runs in their ten overs, so suddenly when we see them do it, we might think they are bowling badly. It is certainly not that.”We know how these wickets are, so we have to find ways to get wickets with the new ball or in the middle overs. I believe that the fast bowlers need to improve by 10% to get into a good space.”Shanto said that Mahedi and Nasum showed them in the Asia Cup, against India in Colombo, that they can win through lower-order resistance. “They played well in the Asia Cup. We don’t know how this wicket will behave. The captain and coach will decide on the side after taking a look at the pitch – on the number of pacers or spinners.”Everyone has become a performer. We are all capable players. We won that game against India because the lower middle-order batted well in that game. They certainly have an important role.”Bangladesh, however, don’t have great memories at Chepauk. In their only international match here, they lost to Kenya by 28 runs, in 1998. Abedin, the selector on tour and a former Bangladesh captain, was in that side. Team director Mahmud, too, played that game against Kenya. It’s a good thing the current Bangladesh team is not too caught up with history.

The former South Africa fast bowler has some tips for Bumrah, Shami and Co

Dale Steyn29-Jul-20212:28

Steyn: “You just have to become aware of where batters like to score their runs”

Dale Steyn, one of the best swing bowlers of the modern era, has considerable experience bowling in England, and was part of two South African teams that won Test series there, in 2008 and 2012. He talks to Sanjay Manjrekar about dealing with the weather, learning to control the swing of the Dukes ball, and how India should to bowl to Joe Root and Ben Stokes in their upcoming series.Get your sweat on
I just went out there and tried to get as warmed up as possible. We’d play a little bit of football, I’d do a lot of running around and get a good sweat on. In South Africa, I usually go out and do my warm-ups and then I want to be back in the dressing room 20-30 minutes before the start of play – I might want to have a shower, relax and get ready for a long day’s play. In England, it was kind of the other way around. I’d try and get into the dressing room with about 15 minutes to go to play, so that when I went out there to bowl, I was still a little bit sweaty and good to go and my body hadn’t cooled off just yet.That might sound like we’re playing in Iceland. It isn’t, but you have to get your body going and I would just bowl, do a lot of running around. I wasn’t a big fan of sitting there and stretching for long periods of time, like I was doing yoga or something. I wanted to move around, get the body flowing, so when it was time to go, I was ready and sort of clicked into first gear.Related

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Talk to those who’ve been there, done that
When I was starting off my first-class career, it was a lot more accessible to get yourself over to England, play a bit of club cricket. I know a lot of foreign players that used to go and play club cricket or got themselves into a county – maybe even play for the 2nds, because they play so much cricket: they are playing five, six days a week. When you’re doing that on repeat all the time, you get used to the conditions a lot quicker, you get used to the weather and become acclimatised to everything. Nowadays, unfortunately, it’s not that easy, but it just boils down to training, really.You’ve got to speak to someone who’s been there before, who’s done well there, or a coach that’s been there. Measure the distance where you think the ball is going to be on a good length, get a cone, put it down, and if the only nets you have are indoor nets, practise as though you’re playing at Lord’s or Durham or Edgbaston. You just create your own environment wherever you are through the help of other people who have been there. That seems to be the way we do it now. I know when I’m preparing for an IPL or something like that, I’m not in India but I have to go to the nets and imagine that this is where I am and this is who I’m playing against, this is the length that I have to bowl. It’s different to bowling in South Africa and Australia. I put my cone down and just try and nail it ball after ball.If you don’t control the swing, it’ll run away with you
The Dukes ball does tend to swing more and for longer than the Kookaburra. The Kookaburra swings but really late. You speak to somebody who’s probably one of the world’s best swing bowlers, Jimmy Anderson – I don’t think he particularly enjoys bowling with the Kookaburra. He enjoys the Dukes and he’s figured out a way to control that ball. But for foreigners, going to a place like England, you get there and suddenly you’re swinging it 10 to 15cm more than the ball you’re used to bowling with. Now, all of a sudden, to try and get the ball in the right place is a bit of a mission. So just the ball alone can be quite difficult to learn how to control.In South Africa we used to try and get a bunch of Dukes down here a month before we were going to England or to India with the SG. We’d start bowling with them to acclimatise our fingers – those seams are very pronounced – and just get used to the amount of swing and the volume of swing the balls actually have in them.”Jacques Kallis used to say, ‘What’s the game plan for any batter? Top of off or the odd bouncer'”•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesThe balls these days, especially the white Kookaburra ball, doesn’t swing nearly as much as I found it did a couple of years ago. Then you’ll see guys get into a Test match and get this Dukes ball and it’s swinging. It looks pretty, but the control is a whole other ball game.Get that wobble going
In hindsight, I wish I’d taken some of the advice that Kyle Abbott [former South Africa fast bowler] gave me later in my career. I went to England and bowled okay. I wish my stats would have been slightly better, but I found that if I’d done what I did when I was with Hampshire in 2018 and just held the ball more almost cross-seam and didn’t worry too much about the swing, the ball was still going to swing. It kind of wobbled a little bit and still swung – and it moved a lot later. It looks so pretty when you bowl these big swingers and the guy plays forward and you’re going up, “Ooh he’s played and missed” – I’m kinda hoping that every ball he plays and misses or nicks it, so it shouldn’t really be a surprise for me when he plays and misses!So I wish that I’d done that earlier when I was in England. I think I would have found the edge a lot more. The ball wouldn’t have swung as much, but I think I would have been a lot more effective in the way that I’d taken wickets. We see guys now and they still swing it beautifully but it almost goes too much. Anderson’s a master of it. He swings it, swings it, swings it, and then you just see this wobble seam and it confuses the batter. Then the next one he bowls a big swinger and they chase it and nick it off or something like that. Playing in those conditions, he’s obviously a lot more skilled than the rest of us, but I wish I’d done that earlier in my career.Know where to land it to hit top of off
Jacques Kallis used to say, “What’s the game plan for any batter? Top of off or the odd bouncer.” In every meeting. It just became like this running joke. And it is the truth – top of off or the odd bouncer is going to do many a batter over. The difficult part is trying to find what length top of off is. Different grounds have different bounce. Some are low, some bounce more, and that’s something you have to work out, and obviously why you want to go to a stadium a couple of days or weeks earlier to prep and play a couple of warm-up games to find that length.”I’m not going to say Root is a nick-off candidate, but a lot of the ways I have seen him get out are caught behind or caught at slips, especially in England”•Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesI was always trying to look for that length where I was hitting the stumps. I found that if I was hitting the stumps, especially for a batter’s first 20 balls, that’s where I’m going to cause him the biggest amount of trouble. After that I might want to drag my length back a little so that I can get him more on the back foot and then throw the odd one fuller and hope his weight was on the back foot. But ideally the length you’re always looking at is where it’s going to be clipping the top of the stumps.It was more on feel for me. I wanted to feel the ball out of my hand and I could almost close my eyes and feel, yep, that’s it, I’ve got that length, just make a note in my brain that that’s where I need to let it go. Not everybody can do that and it’s not a very easy thing to coach. However, you get a coach like Ottis Gibson, who was brilliant. You could go to the Wanderers, you could go to Chennai, you could go anywhere and he’d pull out his little book and give you the exact measurements in metres from the stumps as to what length you have to bowl for the ball to hit the top of the stumps. Then he’d go put these little markers out there and say, “Boys, this is your length.” You’d be playing in Australia and you would go from Perth to Hobart and it could change by 30 or 40cm, almost half a metre in length, though you’re playing in the same country. Ottis was fantastic at making a note as to every ground where you went to what was the length bowlers bowled to hit the stumps – especially in the last game you played there.Length, length, length
Different batters do different things. You look at Virat Kohli and others – they are coming out of their crease now and they’re trying to negate that swing. So it feels like you have to drag your length back, but the moment you do that, the ball is not hitting the stumps anymore.So you have to find ways of getting the batter back in his crease. You might go two overs or three overs where you go a little bit shorter and you’re forcing him to say, “Okay, cool, he’s not going to go full, I’m going to have to go back in my crease.” And the guys at point or square leg will send a message to mid-off or mid-on to tell the bowler that the batter is batting a little bit out of his crease or he’s batting deeper in the crease.2:45

“Ideally the length you’re always looking at is where it’s going to be clipping the top of the stumps”

For me, I always felt like it didn’t matter whether the batter was coming at me or going deeper in the crease. I still needed to hit the stumps. I needed to find the length that was going to hit the stumps because regardless of where he was batting, if the ball wasn’t hitting the stumps, my bowled or my lbw was out the window. Then I’m only looking for one mode of dismissal and that’s not what I was about. I was always looking for caught behind, lbw and bowled. So then I’d have to figure out a way of getting the batter into a position where I could find that length again.I think just being absolutely relentless on length will be the biggest thing. In England, it really always boils down to length. The pitches aren’t particularly fast, so when you drop it a bit short, it does tend to be a bit spongy and a little bit slower. Glenn McGrath was absolutely relentless in bowling that length. He made you play every ball. You just felt that every ball he bowled, he was in business and you were in trouble, and that’s why he was so successful.India’s pace line-up: plenty in the quiver
I like what they have got right now. All those bowlers bring something different to the party. My advice is to stay fit. Five Test matches – that requires a lot of bowling. It’s a lot of wickets to take, and if you’re going to rely on your seamers to do a lot of bowling, you have to stay fit.I like Shardul Thakur. He does swing the ball beautifully, and when he learns how to get the ball that stays straight on batters, that’s when he might find a lot more edges. He’s another guy like Tim Southee that can swing it beautifully, but he needs to learn how to bowl that kind of scrambled ball that just holds the line and he can find the edges.Bhuvneshwar Kumar is fantastic. He can bowl in any ground in the world and he could be successful because he bowls such a wonderful length. He can swing it and he’s got the skill in his wrist to be able to seam the ball too. India have all the arsenal they need.”I think we’re putting a lot of emphasis on the seamers when someone like R Ashwin might be the biggest key for India [in England]”•Adam Davy/PA Photos/Getty ImagesMohammed Siraj is somebody who could come in. I think he brings a good attitude to the game. That’s another thing we tend to forget when you’re playing in England conditions. It’s not just about where you put the ball but also the attitude you bring, getting in people’s faces, making them play shots they don’t particularly want to play – I think Siraj is somebody who can do that. I saw parts of that little bit of fight when he played in Australia and I immediately knew he’s going to have a good Test career. Don’t forget about the attitude of a fast bowler too. Maybe that’s something India would have really relished in the World Test Championship final, but it would have come with the sacrifice of some more runs.Umesh Yadav – quick through the air, swings it beautifully. And then you can decide whether it’s Umesh or Mohammed Shami you pick. For me, they do a similar kind of thing – similar heights, both swing the ball. It just boils down to who’s bowling better in the nets, who’s higher in confidence, in the better mental space.How to deal with Stokes and Root
Against the best players in the world, you almost have the same plans – Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, AB de Villiers, you’re looking to get them out with those three modes of dismissal, lbw, caught behind and bowled. You throw in the odd bouncer every now and then.You just become aware of where they like to score their runs. Root might score more runs through third man, so you might go, “Okay, we don’t need the cover [fielder]. We’re going to put him in gully”. I’m not going to say Root is a nick-off candidate, but a lot of the ways I have seen him get out are caught behind or caught at slips, especially in England, where there is a bit of cloud cover. In the three Test matches I have watched so far in England this year, the ball has been swinging. Probably the one area I’d focus on primarily is to get him out caught in the slips or caught behind.Ben Stokes – depends on what mood he’s in! Such a good player. I know that when we played against him, we liked to come around the wicket at him. He’s comfortable against right-arm seamers coming over the wicket, so coming round the wicket and trying to straighten the ball was an option we liked. But it depends on what kind of mood you get Ben Stokes in. If he’s in a free-scoring kind of mood, he could score really quickly, but he’ll give you chances. If he’s in a defensive kind of mood, he can knuckle down. Not in the way Cheteshwar Pujara does, but Stokes puts a lot of value on his wicket.It might come down to the spinners
Maybe it’s out-of-the-box thinking here from me, but I think we’re putting a lot of emphasis on the seamers when someone like R Ashwin might be the biggest key for India. As these five Test matches go on, I think spin will be the difference. Ashwin is the kind of bowler that bowls tons and tons of overs. Teams like England and Australia, who are so good at playing seamers and seamer-friendly conditions, don’t tend to play spin particularly well. So Ashwin might be the biggest trump card that India have going forward. And the same thing for England – can they find somebody who can spin out Rishabh Pant? So it might be the fight of who the better spinners are in the series.