New Zealand 141 for 8 in 46 overs (Tiffen 35) beat England 129 in 41 overs (Brindle 34*, Milliken 3-29, Steele 3-14) by 18 runs (D/L method); England won series 3-2 Scorecard
New Zealand won the rain-affected final match of the NatWest Series at Old Trafford. It was a timely boost for the world champions, who had already lost this one-day series, ahead of the solitary Test of their tour, at Scarborough next weekend (August 21-24).It was a low-scoring match, with New Zealand managing only 141 for 8 from 46 overs before the heavens opened. Sara McGlashan made 22, and Haidee Tiffen 35 from 71 balls, as New Zealand struggled to get the bowling away. England’s new-ball pair of Lucy Pearson – tight throughout this series – and Jenny Gunn kept the runs down, going for only 29 and 23 runs respectively from their ten-over allocations.The rain brought a long interruption, and for a while it seemed as if the match would have to be abandoned. But eventually the skies relented, and England came out to bat, facing an adjusted target of 148 from 46 overs. They started slowly, then three run-outs derailed the innings. Arran Brindle (formerly Arran Thompson) applied herself for 34 in 79 balls, but no-one else exceeded Charlotte Edwards’s 23 from the top of the order. Louise Milliken and Rebecca Steele both took three wickets, with Steele’s costing her only 14 runs from 10 overs.England eventually fell 18 runs short of their revised target, being bowled out with five overs left, but had the consolation of taking the series 3-2.
A week that started in chaos and confusion in West Indies’ cricket ended with another contentious, controversial issue last night.As the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) tried to establish whether Chris Gayle had violated its eligibility rule, the selectors refused to pick the Jamaican opening batsman for the first Cable & Wireless Test against Australia in spite of advice from the board that Gayle was eligible until the matter had been fully investigated.Gayle’s decision not to represent Jamaica in the Carib Beer International Challenge final against Jamaica at Kensington Oval and instead play in the lucrative Double Wicket World Championship in St Lucia, has left the WICB seeking legal advice to ensure that the right procedure was followed in determining whether Gayle was in breach of the eligibility rule.`Not aware’Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Jackie Hendriks, who is serving as tournament referee in the Double Wicket World Championship, submitted a report to the WICB in which he said he was "not aware that any formal permission was given by the JCA for Gayle to miss the [Carib] final".The WICB has also asked Gayle to submit a report on the circumstances that led to his non-participation in the Carib final, before making a decision on whether he was in breach of the eligibility rule.Meanwhile, the WICB advised chief selector Sir Vivian Richards that until such time as a decision has been made to the contrary, Gayle was eligible for selection on the West Indies team.One is left to presume that the 23-year-old Gayle, who had seemingly established himself as the West Indies’ premier opening batsman in the past two years and whose 28 Tests have brought him 1 588 runs (ave. 35.28), has been dropped.In deciding on a review, the WICB considered that, on the face of it, Gayle could be in breach of the eligibility rule which states in part:"A player becomes eligible for selection to the senior West Indies team when he makes himself available for selection to his national side in a competition immediately preceding the selection of a West Indies team for an international series."During the course of yesterday’s third day of the Carib International final, there was the feeling that a dramatic announcement was in store.A Press release was promised early in the day, but it did not come until after 7 p.m.
Unseasonal rain, accompanied by more seasonal cold, brought an end toZimbabwe’s longest season after West Indies, chasing 348 to win, had progressed from 42 for one overnight to 98 for one. The play that did take place suggested a draw would have resulted anyway, so West Indies won the two-match series by virtue of their victory in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe’s sole consolation was that they had fought back at the last ditch with great honour.Zimbabwe continued their surge for victory in miserable weather in front of an almost empty ground, as no schoolchildren were bussed in for the final day, no doubt to the benefit of their health. The cricket was not quite as dismal as the weather, but Zimbabwe’s seam bowlers could find no assistance from the pitch or conditions. Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan simply took batting practice, under no pressure, and after half-an-hour a tame draw seemed the most likely result.It took over an hour for Zimbabwe to turn, in desperation, to a spinner, and immediately Raymond Price found some sharp turn. West Indies seemed to have no vision of victory, and perhaps, had the weather allowed, Price might have caused them some flutters.20-minutes before lunch the drizzle began and the players were able to seek the shelter of the pavilion; not so the media, who had no escape from the makeshift media centre still in existence at this ground, which has proved unsuitable throughout the winter.Less than 10-minutes were lost, though, and immediately on resumption Taibu missed stumping Sarwan off Price. Hamilton Masakadza bowled his leg-breaks for the first time immediately before lunch, and missed a low, hard return catch from Gayle.Only 20 minutes after lunch drizzle drove the players off the field again. This time it developed into a heavy downpour, while the ground staff stayed out in it, trying desperately to save a match that, in such unpleasant climatic conditions, probably nobody wanted. The rain had stopped by tea, which was taken early.The end came rather farcically. Five further balls were bowled, enough for Gayle to reach his 50, when further rain drove the players off the field; it stopped, the players returned, so did the drizzle . . . they played on briefly until common sense finally won the day. Another downpour then made it clear that the match was ‘de facto’ over long before the ‘de jure’ announcement was made. West Indies finished with 98 for one (Gayle 52, Sarwan 31).
Liverpool have rekindled their connection with their academy in recent years. There is Jurgen Klopp to thank for that. The German manager’s illustrious tenure oversaw the birth of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and a host of prospects emerged too.
Toward the end of his journey, ‘Klopp’s Kids’ played an instrumental role in steadying the ship in 2023/24, winning the Carabao Cup against Chelsea, odds stacked against the injury-hit Reds, who prevailed all the same against the “billion-pound bottle-jobs”, as infamously asserted by pundit Gary Neville.
Arne Slot parted with many of Liverpool’s up-and-comers when replacing Klopp in 2024. FSG were reworking Liverpool’s strategy, and such youngsters would be afforded little more than bit-part roles.
However, the Anfield side have ushered in a new wave. They might not be getting much of a look in right now, but there is young talent abundant in this team, and Rio Ngumoha is the new cream of the crop.
Rio Ngumoha's future at Liverpool
Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for about £65.5m in August, and they did not directly replace him. Partly, this was because sporting director Richard Hughes had already added a host of attacking talent to the squad, and Alexander Isak was still to come, but the emergence of left winger Ngumoha was another important factor.
Now, the Reds are setting their sights on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause in his contract and is being lined up by all the Premier League’s heavyweights.
Ngumoha has such talent and potential, and he has been a part of Liverpool’s first-team squad for the duration of the campaign. Despite this, his match action has been limited, only featuring eight times. Moreover, he has recently featured for Rob Page’s U21 side, ostensibly to build up match fitness.
After scoring a dramatic winner at St. James’ Park in August, Ngumoha, 17, announced himself as a new star-in-waiting for the Merseysiders.
Youngest Scorers in Premier League History
#
Player
Age
1
James Vaughan
16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days
2
James Milner
16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days
3
Wayne Rooney
16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days
4
Rio Ngumoha
16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days
5
Cesc Fabregas
17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days
He is the most exciting youngster Liverpool have, but that’s not to say those lower down the pecking order don’t have what it takes to leapfrog the former Chelsea prospect, with one in particular standing out.
The Liverpool youngster who could rival Ngumoha
The pathway from the youth group to superstardom in Liverpool’s senior side is not a particularly well-trodden one, but Joshua Abe has the quality to mimic Ngumoha and those before him in taking the leap.
Aged 15, Abe is punching well above his weight, having established himself in the U18 side, and The Secret Scout called him “the best winger in the country” for his age bracket. High praise indeed, that.
In the U18 Premier League, Abe has already scored two goals and provided two assists across five outings. He has scored three times across five caps for England U16s.
A natural scoring sense and desire to cut inwards from the right wing, arcing toward the centre and striking on goal, Abe has the directness and explosiveness to become Liverpool’s own version of Semenyo down the line, with one scout suggesting he has the potency and natural physicality to emulate the playing style of someone like Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
Perhaps that is why the Gunners have developed a reported interest in the wide forward, with their scouts having watched him this season ahead of a potential swoop in 2026. Liverpool cannot allow him to join a rival, even with plans to sign someone like Semenyo.
Subscribe to our newsletter for Liverpool youth scouting Curious about Liverpool’s next superstar? Subscribing to our newsletter unlocks detailed scouting reports, player development analysis and transfer context on rising talents like Ngumoha and Abe—plus broader club coverage and insight. Subscribe to our newsletter for Liverpool youth scouting Curious about Liverpool’s next superstar? Subscribing to our newsletter unlocks detailed scouting reports, player development analysis and transfer context on rising talents like Ngumoha and Abe—plus broader club coverage and insight.
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If Abe can translate his potency onto the major stage, taking the baton from the legendary Mohamed Salah, he might just become a more exciting asset than Ngumoha for the Reds.
Liverpool’s interest in Semenyo is real, but perhaps they will only forge ahead with plans for the two-sided winger if Salah leaves in January, as is feared.
But with prospects like Ngumoha and Abe on their way to the fore, you can understand the hesitance.
Bad news for Wirtz: Liverpool have made calls to sign "world-class" PL star
Liverpool are in the market for attacking reinforcements this January.
Newcastle United grabbed another vital point towards their hopes of survival with a 1-1 draw away at West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Former Arsenal midfield player Joe Willock came up with the crucial equaliser after Craig Dawson had given the hosts the lead.
It was a stellar performance from the Magpies, who recorded more possession and shots on goal than the Hammers, but some may not have been pleased with their own individual displays, as The Transfer Tavern use statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for the visitors on the day:
Ryan Fraser – 6.7
Admittedly joint with second in terms of rating (6.7), Fraser ranks in third here having not played the full 90 minutes.
The Scotland international lost out on three of his duels, and also failed to record a single shot on target, dribble, key pass or accurate long ball, losing possession 10 times.
Joelinton – 6.7
Playing in his now familiar central midfield role, Joelinton was also given a 6.7 overall rating.
The Brazilian lost nine duels in total, and failed with both of his attempts on goal, while he also lost the ball seven times.
Emil Krafth – 6.4
With a 6.4 rating, Krafth was ranked as the St. James’ Park faithful’s worst performer.
The right-back found himself booked just after the half hour mark, which set the tone for the rest of his game.
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He was unsuccessful in three of his duels, and recorded no dribbles, interceptions, tackles, key passes or accurate long balls, while he also gave the ball away on 18 occasions in total, the third-most out of his teammates.
In other news, find out who PIF are watching over a potential summer move here!
One of the off-field entertainments in place during this tournament is the dancers placed around the boundary edge who jump onto stage with each boundary that’s hit or wicket which falls. It’s a miracle none of them collapsed of exhaustion the way Bangladesh flew out of the blocks at Newlands. Few, if any, innings, even in Twenty20, have begun in such astonishing style and after 4.2 overs the score line read 58 for 4. There’d barely been a ball where the dancers hadn’t been up on their podiums.Bangladesh batted with a freedom of a team who knew they were already in the next stage, but you sense that they wouldn’t have played much differently if the situation hadn’t been so comfortable. They have some of the most naturally aggressive batsmen in the game – one of the reasons their Test growth has been much more stunted than in limited-overs cricket – and once the big shots began it was hard to stop them.There has never been any doubting their ability to play shots, but even in Twenty20 there is a judgment call to be made. Mohammad Ashraful opened his innings with a majestic first-ball six over square leg then scooped his next delivery over short fine leg. Ten in two balls is plenty, but the adrenalin was coursing through Ashraful’s veins and he couldn’t stop, miscuing his third ball to Graeme Smith at mid-on.Aftab Ahmed also quickly found his over drive setting, mauling Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini in the early overs. It was an audacious period of striking and the packed crowd were lapping it up. England captain Paul Collingwood was spotted in the crowd, trying to collect a few tips for Sunday’s key Super Eights game, but he seemed as equally baffled by what was going on.If the likes of Ashraful and Ahmed are going to play with such abandonment, they also need to learn when to step back for a moment. The phrase, ’20 overs is more than you think’ has been used so much by domestic players that, in five years, it is already a cliché but it does hold true. Ahmed had given his side such an early kick-start, he could have taken a few overs to consolidate, but instead fell to an awful swing across the line.
If the likes of Ashraful and Ahmed are going to play with such abandonment, they also need to learn when to step back for a moment
Deriders of Twenty20 say it is not much more than glorified slogging. But the innings of Chris Gayle and Sanath Jayasuriya already in this tournament have been a compacted version of how they play in ODIs. Jehan Mubarak’s 13-ball 46 against Kenya was clean, straight hitting, not slogging. However, some of Bangladesh’s shot selection did lurch back towards the hit-and-hope variety. “We wanted to play our natural game,” said Ashraful. “We have good strikers in the top six but while the run-rate was good we lost too many wickets.”Their age can be put forward as a significant factor in their defence – no one in the side is older than 25 – and the passion they put into their cricket is a joy to watch. They want to succeed every time and Ashraful could barely tear himself away from the crease after his dismissal. Against West Indies Ashraful and Ahmed guided the team to victory, but even though the batting was no less aggressive there was a touch more selection. That, however, was in a chasing situation and, as expected, it is quickly becoming clear that hunting down runs is the way to go.In the end they weren’t a million miles away from a decent total, which is where some restraint would have paid dividends. It is still difficult to judge what a defendable score is when batting first and as Bangladesh’s approach suggested they did really know what they were aiming at. But it cost them nothing having a go and if ever there was a game to try something different this was it. As with everything in their development, it will have been a valuable learning experience.
West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Ken Gordon has addressed in detail the issues leading to the cancellation of the Stanford 20/20 Super Match and the resignation of Windies great Michael Holding from the WICB’s Cricket Committee.At a news conference at the WICB office on Carlos Street, Woodbrook, yesterday, Gordon provided the media with e-mail documentation between billionaire Allen Stanford and himself, the WICB and the International Cricket Council (ICC), as well as correspondence between himself and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he said “outlines the detailed sequence of events”.Addressing what he termed “the major allegation which has been made”, Gordon disputed the claim that the WICB “did not seriously attempt to facilitate the Stanford 20/20 Super Series”.”What are the facts?” Gordon asked rhetorically, before referring the media to a letter written by ICC cricket operations manager Clive Hitchcock.Hitchcock’s correspondence, dated September 8, was in response to Stanford’s request to the ICC official for an explanation of how the dates of November 10 to 12, given to the Stanford Board as “open” by the ICC, “came to be in direct conflict with” the West Indies tour of Pakistan.Hitchcock detailed 25 points describing the entire process of the sequence of events from October 6, 2005, when Laurie-Ann Holding of Stanford 20/20 tournament organiser Kelly Holding Ltd wrote the ICC advising of the Stanford 20/20 initiative to the announcement of the cancellation of the US$5 million Super Match between a Stanford All Star selection and South Africa.Figuring among Hitchcock’s concerns was the need for ICC approval for the Super Match, which originally was to include ICC full members South Africa and Australia.According to Hitchcock, ICC approval was only granted on March 22, and not on January 22, as indicated by Stanford.”The All Star matches were approved on the basis that they would take place on the weekend of November 8 to 11, 2006,” Hitchcock reminded in his reply to Stanford. “These dates were acceptable on the basis that they did not clash with the ICC Future Tour Programme (FTP).”It went on: “You will note that the ICC Champions Trophy was scheduled to conclude by the first week of November and the West Indies tour to Pakistan was scheduled to commence in the third week of November 2006 after the date of the proposed Stanford 20/20 Super Match.”The ICC official further explained that in June the dates of the WI-Pakistan tour became known and only then did the ICC note the conflict before immediately advising the WICB of the clash in dates. He added that official confirmation of the commencement of the tour only came on July 25.And after discussions between ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed and Gordon, the WICB president decided to take up Speed’s offer made by e-mail on August 21 for the ICC to approach the PCB to resolve the issue.However, the PCB stuck to their original schedule, stating that a scheduled 20/20 tournament of their own, to take place at the end of the West Indies tour, was mandatory for their national players, following which they would need at least a two-week break to recuperate before the Pakistanis left for their next tour of South Africa on January 1.When advised of the PCB’s position on August 22 , Gordon was to then raise the option with PCB chairman Shahryar Khan of them shifting their 20/20 competition to the start of the tour. That became redundant after the cancellation of the Stanford 20/20 Super Match.Dealing with Holding’s allegations of side-stepping the Cricket Committee, Gordon said “there is absolutely no merit to this argument”.
Gordon also reiterated that he had been truthful when he reported that the selectors had decided to defer selection of the West Indies team based on the recommendation of WI skipper Brian Lara.As for Holding’s claims that Gordon had changed the terms of reference of the Cricket Committee, the WICB president said a special advisory committee, which was to involve Holding, was not approved by the WICB. He also said Holding declined membership of the “Win World Cup” and was never part of this committee which is entirely different to the advisory status of the Cricket Committee. “It is therefore a non-issue to suggest that there was some duplicity about changing the terms of reference,” Gordon stated.Gordon expressed disappointment about Holding’s approach. “I regret that one whom I have long admired as one of our cricketing greats should have so readily descended to personal abuse and even defamation without regard to the facts,” he stated.
Michael Vaughan praised the character of his team and admitted thatEngland “were on the brink of something special” after theirnerve-shredding three-wicket in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge, a resultthat carried them into a 2-1 series lead and to within touching distanceof their first Ashes series win since 1986-87.”Anyone who expected England to stroll after watching the previous threegames should probably have realised it was going to be hard work,” said arelieved Vaughan in the post-match press conference. “Shane Warne andBrett Lee bowled really, really well but full credit to our team. Onceagain they produced a performance of high standard and really putAustralia under pressure for sustained periods.””Simon Jones bowled exceptionally well in the first innings, so afterlosing him, the bowlers in the second innings deserve a lot of credit,”added Vaughan. “They kept running in on a placid wicket that was reallyvery slow. We had to use all our resources to whittle out those tenwickets and restrict them to a total where we only had to chase 130.”Even so, that target almost proved too much, as England’s top-orderimploded in the face of Shane Warne and Brett Lee. “When you’re chasing atotal of 220, you tend to bat time,” explained Vaughan, “A lot of teamshave done similar to us in the past, when they’ve lost a few wicketstrying to play their shots. The bowlers get a bit of momentum and thepressure mounts and sometimes it can be tricky. But I’m just delighted wegot over the line. To go 2-1 up in an Ashes series is not something we’vedone for a long, long time.”The obvious question on everyone’s lips is now: Can England win the Ashes.”We’re playing good cricket,” said an understandably evasive Vaughan.”Challenges have been thrown at us over the last few weeks and we’ve donealright in the last few. The Oval I’m sure will be an epic like the lastthree. Can we do it for the last game? I’m not too sure if we can but surewe will do.”If the match was unbearable for the spectators, then Vaughan was quick toremind them that the real nerve-jangler has already been and gone. “It wastense, but it wasn’t as tense as being out on that pitch at Edgbaston thatSunday morning,” he said, still wincing at the horrific alternativeuniverse that the team flirted with that day. “It helps that we’ve wongames like this before – we chased down runs against New Zealand here lastyear. We’ve liked to have won by a few more wickets, but that wasn’t tobe.”Vaughan added that he’d been happy enough to enforce the follow-on,despite the risks it entailed. “At the time there were clouds about and ithad swung nicely in the morning, and we expected the same in theafternoon. But to lose Simon Jones, ten overs in, was a huge blow, so fullcredit to the remaining four bowlers and Ian Bell. To restrict them to40-odd in a session this morning was a tremendous effort on that wicket.”Ricky Ponting, meanwhile, rued his team’s first-day performance as hefaced up to the reality of Australia’s situation – that they need to winat The Oval next month to save the Ashes. “It’s difficult to cope whenyou’ve given away too big a start,” he admitted. “We didn’t make as manyas we should, and ended up with our backs against the wall. If I’m beingrealistic, we once again got closer than we should have done.”The fight was there but not for long enough,” Ponting continued. “Englandhave been on top from the moment the last ball of the first Test wasbowled and now we’ve got no option. If the guys can’t get up for a gamelike the one we’ve got coming up, then they shouldn’t be playing.”
A flu bug that has already laid low Marvan Attapattu, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chaminda Vaas, has seriously handicapped Sri Lanka’s preparations for their crucial second-stage Asia Cup encounter against Pakistan.Atapattu, the first to be laid low as the team travelled to Dambulla lastweek, was so weak that he was forced to hand over the captaincy to Mahela Jayawardene during Sri Lanka’s 12-win against India on Sunday night. Both Atapattu and Dilshan are receiving antibiotics and the managementremains hopeful that they will be able to play on Wednesday. Vaas firstcomplained of the bug on Tuesday morning and the seriousness of hiscondition was not yet known.”There is not really a lot we can do about the situation apart from makingsure they take on plenty of fluids and rest,” said CJ Clarke, the team physio, talking to reporters. “The problem is that the players are very tired after Australia and all the travel, and their resistance to these bugs is therefore very low.”There was better news, though, on Sanath Jayasuriya, who appeared to berecovering well from his side strain, an injury that forced him out of thematch against India . He resumed bowling on Tuesday morning and should be available for selection.Meanwhile, John Dyson, the coach, was delighted with Sri Lanka’s performancein the first round, an effort that he believes has now set the team up wellfor the next stage. “The team played very well in both games in Dambulla and they are feeling pleased with their game and looking forward to the rest of the tournament,” said Dyson. “It was good boost for the rest of the tournament. It lifts you up and makes you look forward to the next game.”It was difficult to come straight in from Australia as it is a long journeyback and when you add the bus drive to Dambulla the guys were pretty tired.They have recovered pretty quickly. They are pretty fit and watch what theyeat and make sure they get enough sleep so they are ready to play.”But Dyson remained wary of Pakistan. “Pakistan are a very exciting anddangerous team and they are a side that can do anything and our boys willneed to be right on their game.”
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, March 11 AFP – Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower says he will retire from international cricket as soon as his team’s World Cup campaign comes to an end.And he insisted that he has no regrets about the black armband protest he staged, along with teammate Henry Olonga, to register his anger at the deteriorating conditions in his strife-torn country.”I have no regrets about what I have done at this tournament,” said the 34-year-old batsman.”The only thing I regret is getting run out when I had made 37 in the last match against New Zealand.”That incident contributed to his team’s six-wicket defeat which has meant tonight’s Super Six clash with Kenya at Goodyear Park here has become a must-win situation if Zimbabwe are to have any hope of reaching the semi-finals.Flower, who has come under intense pressure to abandon his anti-Robert Mugabe protest, has been linked with South Australia.But SA Cricket Association (SACA) communications manager Jane Elliott said today no deal had been done and refused to comment further on the possibility of Flower playing for SA.”We can’t talk about any possibilities until it’s actually done,” Elliott told AAP.”As soon as we have any contract news we will announce it.”Flower has said he would once again play for Essex in the English county championship later this yearFurthermore, he revealed that wife Rebecca, children, Jamie, four, Sam, two and one-month-old Danielle had already left for England.”I always find it strange when people say they have no regrets about what they have done in the last 20 years,” said Flower.”I have made mistakes both on and off the field but I have kept learning.”Flower, whose brother Grant also plays in the Zimbabwe World Cup team, had been threatened with being dropped from the squad if he did not give up on his protest which bitterly attacked the Mugabe regime.He refused and his place was secured when other senior players said they would not take the field if their star batsman was axed.Olonga, who hasn’t played since the first match against Namibia, has already been sacked by his domestic club for his part in the protest.Despite his anger with the authorities in Zimbabwe, Flower is adamant that he hasn’t given up hope of his team making it to the semi-finals and is confident of wins in the next two matches – against Kenya and against Sri Lanka in East London on Saturday.”We have been lucky to have got as far as we have but we need to win the next two games,” he said.”We can make the semi-finals. We can beat Kenya and Sri Lanka are not at the top of their game at the moment.”I don’t want to leave the World Cup just yet.”