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Only 11.5 overs of cricket was possible in the first two sessions of the Kolkata Test, but they were 11.5 difficult overs for India, asked to bat on a damp green pitch under overcast skies

The Report by Sidharth Monga16-Nov-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
4:47

Chopra: Lakmal was absolutely top class

Only 11.5 overs of cricket were possible in the first two sessions of the Kolkata Test, but they were 11.5 difficult overs for India, asked to bat on a damp green pitch under overcast skies. Suranga Lakmal made good use of the conditions to send back the openers and Virat Kohli without conceding a run in his six overs. If the impression that India had been thinking of South Africa even before finishing this series is correct, they were given a decent simulation with the ball seaming around quite a bit.It was only the third Test in India since 2006 that a side winning toss had chosen to bowl. That decision was arrived at four hours after scheduled time with rain keeping the players indoors. With Lakmal running amok, India were lucky to avoid a more persistent examination thanks to further drizzle and deteriorating light.All this time waiting for the game to begin and resume might make India rethink their opening strategy. M Vijay and KL Rahul had been stellar in the last home season, but an injury to Vijay opened the door for Shikhar Dhawan to barge in with two hundreds on the tour of Sri Lanka in July-August. India persisted with Dhawan and Rahul even with Vijay fit now, but Dhawan proceeded to play a loose drive to be bowled for 8. A cover drive away from the body is just the shot India might be advised against when they go to South Africa.Before that, Rahul had got the perfect delivery to start the Test. Lakmal bowled it on a length, just outside off, making the batsman play. The seam movement from the juicy surface did the rest to take the edge. The golden duck ended Rahul’s run of seven successive half-centuries in Test cricket.Cheteshwar Pujara, at the other end, showed the discipline required on such a pitch, playing only two scoring shots in the 43 balls he faced. That he could do so was thanks in part to Lahiru Gamage, Lakmal’s new-ball partner, who didn’t make the batsmen play often enough. He was generally too short, and also provided width. Pujara used that to get his eye in, leaving balls alone studiously before he opened the mark with a soft edge past third slip off the 22nd ball he faced. Twenty-seven out of the 43 balls that Pujara faced came at the easier end.Dhawan too cut the bad ball for four but, at the other end, against good bowling, and not to ignore the significance of intent on such pitches, he picked the wrong one to go hard at.Kohli walked out to a nightmare delivery that seamed away from a fullish length. He played the line as opposed to following the movement, which helped him avoid the edge. Soon rain brought an early tea break, but when play resumed, Kohli got the one that seamed back in from a similar length. This time – having scored 0 off 10 balls, stuck at Lakmal’s end all the while – he drove at it. A defensive shot would perhaps have produced an inside edge and prevented the lbw.Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane didn’t have to fight for too long before bad light brought an early end to an extraordinary day’s Test cricket. Sri Lanka had gone into it with Dasun Shanaka, a seam-bowling allrounder, alongside two specialist quicks, a combination India could have chosen had they not rested Hardik Pandya keeping South Africa in mind. Who would have known back then that weather and the re-laid Kolkata surface would provide them preparation for South Africa during home Tests?

Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has shared what he's heard on the possibility of Ajax star Mohammed Kudus joining West Ham this summer.

Who will West Ham sign?

It's set to be a busy final few weeks of this summer window for manager David Moyes, transfer chief Tim Steidten, sporting director Mark Noble and the Hammers hierarchy.

Indeed, after sealing deals for both Mexico international Edson Alvarez and ex-Southampton star James Ward-Prowse, there have been suggestions that West Ham could make five new signings in total before September 1.

Journalist Dean Jones, commenting on the club's links to Trevoh Chalobah recently, claimed to GiveMeSport that Moyes' side could be set for a "massive" month.

"It feels like a good opportunity West Ham could take advantage of," said Jones.

"I think he could actually survive at Chelsea, just about, but I also think he has bigger aspirations than that, and I’ve heard he has been open to listening to new opportunities.

"We’re looking at a massive month ahead for the Hammers, they will sign five players and have to find a way to make this all add up so they have a much stronger squad."

This comes as Brazil international star Lucas Paqueta, after just one year at West Ham, could follow both Declan Rice and Gianluca Scamacca out the door.

The former Lyon star has agreed personal terms with last season's imperious treble-winners Man City, meaning West Ham need to start looking at possible replacements.

Kudus, as reliably reported by the press, could be that player with Sky Sports reporter Sheth dropping a small update on X.

The journalist claims one source has told him that the Ghana international could be open to joining West Ham after they opened talks for his signing.

"West Ham remain in talks with Ajax over the signing of midfielder Mohammed Kudus," wrote Sheth.

"One source has told us West Ham are getting encouragement that he's open to the move."

How good is Mohammed Kudus?

The 22-year-old dazzled for both Ajax and Ghana last term.

Indeed, Kudus set his name alight on the biggest stage during Ghana's 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar late last year, where he managed two goals in three group games.

The African also scored 11 goals and assisted three others in Eredivsie outings last season, all while completing more successful take-ons per 90 than any current Ajax player over 2022/2023 (WhoScored).

Former Ghana star Derek Boateng was particularly impressed with Kudus at the World Cup, as the ex-Black Cats star told Sky Sports just how popular the player is back home.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

"Kudus is massive here," said Boateng.

"Every time he is playing, it does not matter whether it is the Champions League or a friendly match, you will see all the kids get up and watch Kudus. Just Kudus.

“They just want him to score. When he scores, everyone is all over the place.”

Depending on the possible price tag, Kudus would be an exceptional signing for West Ham, and could provide that cutting edge threat in the final third if Paqueta does indeed depart for the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester United have reportedly identified their latest transfer target after getting their season underway in questionable fashion against Wolves.

Despite claiming three points at home to Gary O’Neil’s new side, the Red Devils were far from impressive, falling short to last campaign’s lowest scorers on expected goals over 90 minutes, via Sofascore.

Erik ten Hag saw his side put to the test by the struggling Midlands club at home, sparking rumours that further reinforcements should be made while the opportunity is present late in this summer transfer window.

Who could Manchester United sign this summer?

While it has been a busy summer at Old Trafford, the opening day signalled that the additions aren’t quite enough to see proof that the squad had been bolstered over the break.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

With Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana captured already, another Onana could be on the way to Manchester, with the club linked to Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

As reported by journalist Jacob Steinberg via The Guardian, United have approached the Blues over the prospect of signing the 22-year-old in the bid to improve his squad in the middle of the park.

The report claims that a bid in the region of £50m would need to be made in order to even be considered, with Everton not keen on selling the influential midfielder just a year after capturing him from Lille.

What is Amadou Onana’s style of play?

Having previously been described as “brilliantly versatile” and a “physical specimen” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the 6 foot 4 commander impressed during his debut season in the Premier League.

Deployed in central midfield, the Belgian possesses the attributes key to conducting play in the engine room, being a competent passer as well as a combative force protecting the back line.

In 33 appearances for the Toffee’s last campaign, the 22-year-old won an average of 57% of his total duels with an average of 6.0 wins per game, as well as making 2.2 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

Maintaining a pass completion rate of 84% last term, the United target ranked in the top 1% of midfielders in the Premier League in terms of the average percentage of dribblers he tackled per 90, with 71.4%, via FBref.

The numbers tell the story of just how mature the Everton gem’s talents are at such a young age, making him a strong acquisition for Ten Hag to chase this summer.

Following the opening fixture on Monday night, club legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville blasted the midfield on show as being “non-existent” and a team that needed some added “balance” in the engine room.

In a three made up of Casemiro, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes, only the Brazilian could be classed as a defensive-minded player, suggesting just how much of a helping hand the arrival of Onana could be to the 31-year-old powerhouse.

The former Real Madrid commander was an integral addition to the side last season, where he averaged a monstrous 3.77 tackles and 1.44 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League, excelling in areas identical to the Everton starlet.

Combining the two could be Ten Hag’s ticket to identifying perfect balance in the midfield once more, in a move that could benefit not just United, but their influential Brazilian general too.

Mark Stoneman and James Vince added a century stand for the second wicket as England doused some of Australia’s fire in the opening Ashes exchanges

The Report by Andrew Miller22-Nov-2017England 196 for 4 (Vince 83, Stoneman 53) v Australia
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsWhen England’s Ashes tourists were dubbed the “Un-name-ables”, it was the likes of James Vince and Mark Stoneman whom the detractors would have had in mind – if only they could have picked them out of the crowd. Two first-time visitors to Australia, with a solitary half-century from ten previous Tests between them, their reputations were so lowly that they could only get better, or so the selectors’ logic would have you believe.But lo and behold, by the close of another frenetic, absorbing first day at the Gabba, Vince had replaced that blanked-out question mark on his profile page with a perfect array of no-filter cover-drives, while Stoneman – in reaching his fifth consecutive half-century of the tour – had announced himself as the sort of imperturbable left-handed nugget upon whom English Ashes victories Down Under have recently been founded.But before anyone starts to equate Vince’s elegance with Michael Vaughan’s tour de force in 2002-03, or Stoneman’s insouciance with Chris Broad’s and Alastair Cook’s efforts in 1986-87 and 2010-11 respectively, it’s worth taking a second look at a scorecard that confirms how hard England were forced to battle for even a share of the spoils.Despite enjoying periods of rare dominance in the midst of a second-wicket stand of 125 that, remarkably, outshone any England partnership at any stage of their dismal last visit in 2013-14, England started and finished the day in a rare old scrap – first with Mitchell Starc exploiting once again Cook’s weakness against quality left-arm seam to bag him for 2 in the third over, and then in the twilight, as Nathan Lyon in particular backed up his extreme pre-match lippiness with one of the finest wicketless spells of first-day offspin ever witnessed in an Ashes contest.Lyon did, however, produce the single most significant moment of Australia’s day – a pinpoint pick-up-and-shy from the covers to run out Vince for a career-best 83. It was the opening that his side desperately needed, and while it may not have been fully exploited before the close, the loss of Joe Root, lbw to the persevering Pat Cummins for 15, did leave Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan clinging on to the close. They did so in a gutsy 33-run stand, but when play was controversially suspended moments after a tight lbw appeal from Starc against Malan, the day’s honours had been left more or less even at 196 for 4, even if Australia’s second new ball was a mere three deliveries old.How much of a difference would it have made to the balance of power had Vince made it through to the close? It’s not the sort of rhetorical question that had been predicted when he was recalled – amid scenes of barely surpressed mockery – to be England’s nailed-on Ashes No. 3. After all, his Test career had appeared dead in the water when he was dropped after the 2016 home summer, with 212 runs at 19.27 to his name.But the selectors evidently saw something in the quality of his shot-making that deserved a second chance, and in powering past his previous Test best of 42, he returned that faith in spades.Under overcast skies and with palpable humidity in the air, there must have been a temptation for England’s captain, Root, to bowl first after winning the toss – not that such a course of action is remotely acceptable in Ashes contests these days, given what happened when Nasser Hussain went down that route in 2002-03.Mark Stoneman and James Vince take a run•Getty ImagesInstead, Root trusted in his untested top order to deliver the goods, and from the moment the shine went off the new ball and the sluggish nature of Kevin Mitchell Jnr’s final Test wicket was fully revealed, any lingering doubts about his wisdom had been vanquished. Not that he really wanted Vince to be involved in the action as early as the third over – but, having avoided temptation in Mitchell Starc’s first over, Cook had no riposte to a perfect off-stump outswinger that kissed the edge through to Peter Handscomb at first slip.But right from the outset, Vince had his game brain in full working order. With Australia’s three seamers favouring a full-length approach, there was ample opportunity for Vince to unfurl his favourite cover drive, and one stroke in particular – off Josh Hazlewood in the 11th over – was pure Vaughan in poise and execution. He had one significant let-off on 68, when Tim Paine, of all people, shelled a snick behind the stumps off Lyon to leave the wicketkeeper’s card marked seven years after his last Test. Fortunately, Lyon himself made sure that the damage wasn’t irreparable.At the other end, Stoneman showed that Cook’s influence persists even when his form isn’t quite as it might be. His judgement outside off was impeccable, particularly against the probing Starc, as the pair’s partnership was stretched across 52 overs plus a lengthy rain delay that pushed the tea interval back by an hour and 20 minutes, and effectively forced them to make two separate starts to their innings.At the culmination of a month of ceaseless Ashes hype, crowned with a week of the purest trash-talk in Brisbane, the manner in which they drew the sting of the most feared Australian venue of them all was inspiring, and at times distantly reminiscent of England’s famous second innings on this ground in 2010-11.But, having nudged coolly along to a Test-best second half-century, it took the ball of the day from the energetic Cummins, a reverse-swinging howitzer that trimmed the top of his bails, to send Stoneman on his way in the closing moments of the afternoon session.It was a telling breakthrough, with Australia just beginning to make the old ball talk, and though that ball did have to be changed after landing in a puddle by the boundary’s edge, Cummins soon found the length and the skill with the replacement to thud a big inswinger into Root’s pad to pin him lbw for 15.At 163 for 4, England were a couple of quick blows from squandering their hard-fought position, and with Lyon settling into a edge-threatening rhythm against the left-handed pairing of Moeen and Malan, the prospect of the Gabba making a Kraken-like awakening could not be remotely ruled out.Both men lived dangerously, beaten time and again outside off, as the floodlights blinked into action to add a further layer of threat to England’s position. But it was Starc’s trio of deliveries with the second new ball that offered the starkest reminder of the threat that persists in Australia’s ranks. Despite being made to toil, they stayed very emphatically in the hunt.

While Rahul was dropped from the squad for the upcoming ODI series, Karn has been rewarded for an impressive show in the A series

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2017KL Rahul and Karn Sharma have been added to the Board President’s XI squad that will play New Zealand in two warm-up games in Mumbai on October 17 and 19.Rahul, who didn’t feature in the ODI series against Australia, was dropped for the ODIs against New Zealand, while Karn replaced the injured 18-year old legspinner Rahul Chahar after an impressive run for India A against New Zealand A across formats.Karn picked up 16 wickets in the two unofficial Tests, which India A swept, and collected nine more, including a five-for, in the four one-dayers. In the final match, his unbeaten 38 helped steer India A home in a tense chase.Karn, who was a late call-up to the India A squad, also picked up two five-fors in two Duleep Trophy matches at the start of the season last month.Updated Board President’s XI squad: Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Shivam Chaudhary, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Karun Nair, Gurkeerat Singh, Milind Kumar, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shahbaz Nadeem, Karn Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Avesh Khan.

Aston Villa have been 'offered' the chance to sign a winger with top-flight experience who is capable of moments of 'absolute brilliance', according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Which clubs are interested in Wilfried Gnonto?

As per Gianluca Di Marzio, Leeds United are not keen on selling Gnonto permanently, though they could be open to sanctioning a loan exit for the Italy international in the final stages of the window, which has alerted Aston Villa and Everton.

The Daily Mail understand that Gnonto asked to be left out of the Whites' squad for their 2-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this week as he continues to try and force a way out of Elland Road.

Nevertheless, Leeds United have been 'steadfast' in adopting a no-sale approach regarding Gnonto as boss Daniel Farke looks to safeguard one of his prize assets; however, Gnonto is growing frustrated at the club and fears for his place in Italy's side at EURO 2024 next summer.

Of course, Leeds United also rejected a bid worth in the region of £15 million for Gnonto last month from Everton and have been stung with player departures over the course of the window, leading to their decision to try and keep the former Zurich winger in Yorkshire, as per the same outlet.

In his time at Elland Road, Gnonto has made 29 appearances in all competitions for Leeds United, chipping in with four goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones revealed that West Ham United and Fulham could also rival Aston Villa for Gnonto's signature between now and the end of the window.

Jones stated: "Gnonto was impressive on Sunday, but obviously alarm bells are ringing now because of it becoming pretty clear he wants to leave.

"We saw flashes of absolute brilliance last season, and he’s proven to himself and other clubs that he’s Premier League quality. He’s got options here and in Italy that are still being explored.

"He could be an option for West Ham, while Everton like him, and I’ve heard him mentioned as someone Fulham have had half an eye on too, while they look to recruit a creative player if Callum Hudson-Odoi was to fall flat.

"Aston Villa have been offered the chance to sign him and are making a decision on that at the moment."

What next for Aston Villa?

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will be keen to add in the wide areas following news that Emiliano Buendia has been ruled out for up to eight months with a knee ligament injury, as per BBC Sport.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitter X, Galatasaray winger Nicolo Zaniolo could be a potential arrival at Villa Park, as the Italian journalist stated: "Understand Aston Villa are working on deal to sign Nicoló Zaniolo. It’s concrete possibility being discussed, one of the top names in the list. Villa director Monchi signed Zaniolo at Roma from Inter and negotiations will follow with Galatasaray. Deal on."

In terms of departures, Sheffield United are believed to be looking to move for Aston Villa striker Cameron Archer after his impressive spell at Middlesbrough last term, as per Yorkshire Live.

Youngster Aaron Ramsey also looks primed to leave the Villans for Burnley in a deal worth £14 million that will include a buyback clause, as per Football Insider.

Nottinghamshire’s promotion at the first time of asking completed a rewarding season that also included two limited-overs trophies

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Hove28-Sep-20172:24

Championship round-up: Somerset stay up, but despair for Middlesex

It took just one season. Nottinghamshire, relegated from Division One in 2016, have won promotion in 2017. Having led Division Two with distinction, a trail-blazing start seeing them set the standard that, for a while, few could match, they make do with second-place. The treble may not have come to pass, but nothing of what Nottinghamshire have done in all forms of the game, winning the Royal London Cup and the NatWest T20 Blast, has a whiff of failure about it. Essex might have won the County Championship, but Nottinghamshire were the best team in the country. Quite a feat for Peter Moores’ first season in charge.Only recently has there been reason to doubt that. They came into this final match against Sussex needing 12 points to secure promotion, and 12 was exactly what they got. A wayward performance with the ball, saw them concede 565 in Sussex’s first innings, after reducing the hosts to 107 for 5. Then, requiring all five batting points to adequately supplement points for a draw, they crashed to 65 for 5. Chris Read, for one last time, dragged his side out of a hole and, eventually, to the promised land.A delayed 1pm start ended with handshakes at 4.30pm: Sussex not asking Nottinghamshire to bat, instead biding their time as Luke Wells completed a magnificent hundred. Upon handshakes, the bails were flicked off on Read’s career.He was hugged by all, walking through a guard of honour on the field before a bigger one, reinforced by spectators and the entire Sussex squad, greeted him off and up the stairs towards the Nottinghamshire dressing room. He told BBC Nottingham that it was only when he walked off and saw the ovation in his honour that it dawned on him. And us, too. English cricket will go on, but it will do so without Read.Read’s quality and longevity can be seen in his numbers: 348 first class appearances – 15 of which Test matches for England – along with 333 List A and 119 T20s matches. A first class tally of 16,237 runs from 525 innings, 25 hundreds and a batting average of 37.07 underlines his class in front of the stumps, transitioning from an era of wicketkeeping as a specialist skill, to present day, when they are required to pull their weight with the bat. His 124 in the first innings hauled Nottinghamshire towards the bonus points haul that confirmed their promotion. Naturally, it was behind the stumps where he set the standard that many will aspire to but few can follow.Read collected 1580 dismissals in all forms , with 1101 dismissals in the first class game – the 1101st of them, today, when he cleared out three fielders to take a popped-up catch from Michael Burgess for Sussex’s seventh second-innings wicket. He is likely to be the last English wicketkeeper to take over a thousand catches. Against Derbyshire at the start of August, he beat Thomas Oates’ record for the most dismissals for a Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper. That now stands at 982 – 938 catches and 44 stumpings.Chris Read heads off into retirement•Getty ImagesThere was one quirk that could have been rectified as he took to the field after tea for the last time. Read has no wicket – first-class, one-day or T20 – to his name. He has bowled 16-overs worth in first-class cricket. He was egged on by some of his Nottinghamshire team-mates to bring himself on to bowl and nab a maiden wicket on his final bow. However, Moores, his head coach, a former wicketkeeper himself, had some sage advice: “You’ve kept wicket for 20-years and that’s how you should walk off – with your pads on.”Typically for Read, it is not the personal milestones or accolades he will miss. He ran his hands through his hair a few times as he walked from the middle and up the Pavilion steps, taking in the applause, cheers and every last moment. He even had to be reminded to hold on to a frame that Sussex had made for him to commemorate his last first-class game.”I will miss the wonderful friends I have made in the game,” he said. “Not only at Trent Bridge but in the opposition too. I’ll miss my little disorganised corner of the dressing room and sharing a beer afterwards and celebrate a win or chew the fat if it’s gone wrong.”Trying to maintain the level of performance you expect of yourself gets harder and harder, that’s why I have decided to retire. I feel that my performance levels are only going to drop off but I’d like to think I go out maybe not at the top but not too far off. It’s been an enjoyable last day of my career.”Nottinghamshire have done the last part of this the hard way. The Division Two title was all theirs up until T20 Blast Finals Day, when the second-part of a what looked a nailed-on treble was secured.They took their foot off the gas and, first, lost their unbeaten record against Worcestershire. Then, they lost their claim to first-place with defeat to Northamptonshire. Both victors coming into the final round of matches looking to sneak the Division Two trophy and promotion respectively.However well they played in this match, when the sentiments of promotion and Read’s retirement die down – and it will be a while yet – they must count themselves very fortunate. Had Northamptonshire not let their over rate slide in the match at Trent Bridge and incurred a five-point penalty, Nottinghamshire, taking second-place by a single point, would not be welcoming Division One cricket to Trent Bridge in 2018.The final throes of the Championship season at Hove were a mixed bag. Wells produced a sparkling fourth Championship century of the season to finish 2017 with his best first-class haul in a calendar year. His 103 – his hundred came off 97 balls – saw him lead Division Two with 1292 Championship runs. Only Surrey’s retiring great Kumar Sangakkara, with a remarkable 1491 in Division One, has more in the competition.Wells belted four sixes in his innings, all off offspinner Matt Carter, all straight and true down the ground, above and beyond the sight screen and the deckchairs at the Cromwell Road End. When he was dismissed, Carter set about bettering his figures, as Sussex’s batsmen came in, slogged a few and then went on their way. The young off-spinner finished with figures of four for 106 from just 17 overs.With Division One status confirmed, Nottinghamshire can go about recruiting ahead of next season. Over the last two years, they have lost a number of key first-team players, such as James Taylor and Michael Lumb, and now Read. While Paul Coughlin is joining the club, they missed out on Keaton Jennings, who opted to join Lancashire. Further deals are being worked on behind the scenes.In the short-term, it is straight back up to Nottingham as the festivities begin on the road before a player’s do on Saturday. They drink to promotion and, for one last time, they will drink to Chris Read.As Read’s last post-match interview as captain and cricketer wound down, he offered a perfect summation for Nottinghamshire’s 2017 and his illustrious career: “It worked out well in the end.”

Manchester United have reportedly identified a left-field option to help strengthen their centre-back ranks this summer, amid reports that Erik ten Hag is showing an interest in Everton youngster, Jarrad Branthwaite.

How much would Jarrad Branthwaite cost?

According to journalist Simon Jones – writing in his Transfer Confidential for the Daily Mail – the 21-year-old is a 'surprise name' that has been mentioned by those at Old Trafford, with the England youth international having 'impressed scouts' during his spell on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season.

That stint in the Netherlands saw the Carlisle native – who has two years left to run on his existing deal with the Toffees – link up with United legend, Ruud van Nistelrooy, albeit with the 6 foot 5 starlet having since made his return to Goodison Park.

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

If the Red Devils are to prise him from the Merseyside outfit then it has previously been suggested that a fee of around £20m could be required, albeit with alternative reports indicating that the one-time Blackburn Rovers loanee could fetch as little as £5m-£6m.

How good is Jarrad Branthwaite?

The Toffees sensation has clearly been on the radar of Ten Hag and co in recent times with reports last year indicating that the Premier League giants were targeting a move for the then-teenager, ahead of their first window with the Dutchman at the helm.

That interest is likely to have only been heightened by the towering rock's form while at PSV last season, with the Eredivisie clearly a league that Ten Hag continues to keep a close eye on, with the former Ajax boss having recruited the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia from his homeland during his United tenure to date.

The hope will be that Branthwaite can emerge as a dream heir to that man Martinez as a natural fit in a left-sided centre-back berth, with the Carabao Cup winners having been forced to deploy Luke Shaw in that role at times last season due to the lack of adequate cover.

While physically somewhat different to the 5 foot 9 Argentine, the Everton ace does appear to share the 25-year-old's quality on the ball, with former Carlisle boss Steven Pressley having previously stated:

"The truth is, I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer."

Also dubbed "complete" by Van Nistelrooy, Branthwaite's ability to play out from the back is shown by the fact that he has averaged 3.61 progressive passes per 90 across the last 365 days, with that a similar record to what Martinez has achieved in that time (3.96 per 90).

That is significant as the latter man has been lauded for his ball-playing prowess during his time at the Theatre of Dreams, having been described as "so clean and composed" by ex-United man, Patrice Evra.

Defensively, Martinez has also been an "absolute monster" – according to teammate Luke Shaw – having averaged an impressive 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League in 2022/23, with young Branthwaite only just behind after averaging 2.3 in that regard in Holland.

With the World Cup winner having arguably been a "huge miss" after he was ruled out of the final stretch of the season through injury, as per Paul Scholes, it would make sense to bring in a suitable understudy, like Branthwaite, who can help to plug the gap, while also proving a dream successor in the long run at the heart of the defence.

England will play their first day-night Test against West Indies this week, a side who have been able to prepare with a warm-up match and have previous pink-ball Test experience

Alan Gardner14-Aug-20171:55

Are West Indies more ‘pink ball ready’?

The lights are going to be on but will anyone feel at home? Stuart Broad has admitted this week’s day-night Investec Test against West Indies – the first of its kind to be played in the UK – will be a “step into the unknown” and warned that England will have to be on their guard against a side with more experience of the pink ball than them.The Edgbaston Test will provide a number of challenges, from the question of how the pink Dukes balls will perform, to the difficulties of batting as darkness falls, to the issue of whether starting later and the use of floodlights might require different tactics. Even sleep patterns and meal times will have to be adjusted: the Test will feature a 40-minute interval at tea and only a 20-minute break in the evening.”This week, I promise you, we are stepping into the unknown,” Broad said. “I just don’t know what to expect.  I’ve tried to speak to a few people – obviously the Australians are a bit different because they have played day-nighters with a different ball [the Kookaburra]. The county lads said it’s not shined up very well at all, that it’s gone really soft really quickly – it’s given different bounce for the spinners but not really turned.”This is a big series for us and this is the first Test of the series – it’s quite nerve racking. You’re playing something that is completely unknown to you but you still have to stamp your authority on the series. It think it really opens up the series to start with.”England will go in as clear favourites against a side ranked eighth in the world – and with their own ranking up No. 3 after completing a 3-1 victory against South Africa last week – but Broad pointed to the fact that West Indies have not only played a pink-ball Test before, against Pakistan in Dubai last year, they have also enjoyed an encouraging workout under floodlights, with four individual centuries either side of bowling out Derbyshire for 181 in their latest tour match.By contrast, the pink-ball matches in the Championship were six weeks ago and, in several cases, rain affected – in Yorkshire’s match against Surrey, Joe Root faced 13 balls and Jonny Bairstow did not bat. Broad, meanwhile, missed out after suffering a recurrence of his heel problem and has only ever bowled with a pink ball once, during a demonstration on Sky.”There is always pressure in Test cricket and we have just come off the back of a good series against South Africa, but with areas where we can still improve a lot,” he said. “Following the scores in the West Indies’ warm-up match at Derby, it looked like they had a great week with the pink ball. They have probably had more experience than us with the pink ball – they played in Dubai against it recently – so you could almost say they have an advantage over us having played a pink-ball game this week, going into the first Test.  Whereas we are having one training session under lights and that is the only time we’re getting training under the lights.”It is going to be really interesting and I think every batsman will be praying they don’t come in at that twilight period to face their first ball because you want it to be as normal as possible when you first get to the crease. So, as a team, we’ll have to try and make sure we have batsmen ‘in’ during that period because you could lose three or four wickets in that tricky period and it could cost you the Test match.  Whoever is in – whoever is 30 not out, or 70 not out – will be getting a telling off if they get out.”Ottis Gibson a huge influence on me – Broad

Stuart Broad has said that he would be “gutted” to see Ottis Gibson leave his job as England’s bowling coach. Gibson has worked closely with Broad over two spells with England but is expected to be offered the job as South Africa’s new head coach.
“Ottis has been a huge influence on my career, not just as a bowler but as a person,” he said. “I opened the bowling with him at Leicestershire. He knows my action better than I know my action, to be brutally honest. I don’t know if he’s going to take the job, but those sorts of opportunities don’t come around too often, do they? I know he’s been keen to do a head role again, and that’s a hugely exciting job to be talked about.
“He’s got a great job at the minute, travelling the world and getting to work with different bowlers. But any coach who has ambition would want to take on a full role. So if he gets offered it I’d be surprised if he didn’t take it. But yeah, I would be gutted to see him leave. He’s been a huge influence on me.”

England will hope they learn quickly because day-night Tests are going to be a feature of their winter, with an Ashes fixture at Adelaide and the prospect of one on the New Zealand tour in March – subject to Eden Park gaining approval to use its floodlights.The Ashes, inevitably, are looming ever closer and England must use the West Indies series to try and improve a brittle recent record – while also attempting to settle the positions of opener, No. 3 and No. 5/No. 8. Victory over South Africa gave England their first series win in a year, and you have to go back to 2013 for when they last won home Tests encounters against both touring sides, but Broad was encouraged by the early signs for the team under Root.”This England side is a really exciting team to play in and we’ve got players who can do really special things,” he said. “We’re aware of the slight inconsistency that’s been in our game for a little period of time but when a team becomes aware of something like that, generally you put it right.”You’d say if this team had any weakness if we have a bad hour it’s a really bad hour so if we can turn that five-wicket hour into a two-wicket hour and rebuild we’re going to be a really hard team to beat. You look at Australia and I think both teams look similar. Both teams have got experienced players who have been around quite a long time and can perform relatively consistently and both have got players who do unbelievably world-class things one day and, with a bit of inexperience, make mistakes the next. I think this will be up there with the most fascinating Ashes series of recent times and that’s exciting.”This isn’t disrespecting this series, because we’re talking about West Indies and it is hugely important, but we want to go to Australia with a consistent team because if we get the consistency right we’ve got the flair to blow any team away. It’s pretty exciting time to be involved in this Test team actually.”Although England are beginning to evolve, they still rely heavily on the bowling of Broad and James Anderson. Both are approaching significant milestones – Broad is set to pass Ian Botham as England’s second-leading Test wicket-taker, while Anderson is closing in on becoming the third fast bowler to reach 500 – and they will be expected to lead the attack in Australia.Anderson finished the South Africa series with 20 wickets at 14.10 and Broad said it was “probably the best I’ve seen him bowl” since his six-for helped see off Australia at Edgbaston during the 2015 Ashes.”He’s bowling brilliantly,” Broad said. “It didn’t swing a lot in this series, but he’s started to look to swing it less and just seam it on a length, which has been very dangerous. I know he’s got a huge hunger for cricket, a huge passion for cricket, and I certainly want him to carry on for as long as possible. If that means he has to miss the odd Test here and there to get another year out of him then that can happen.”You don’t get many bowlers playing until 37 or 38 these days at the top level, do you? But he is a bit of a freak in that way, in the fact that he’s incredibly fit, and he’s bowled that much with his action that he knows it. He’s very much a rhythm bowler. It just looks easy. When you’re stood at mid-on to him, it just looks like there’s a rhythm and an ease to his action. The Ashes this winter means so much to me personally and I don’t want to look too much further beyond that, but you know if we start with him at the Gabba we’ve certainly got a better chance in Australia.”Broad and Anderson have taken more than 700 wickets in Tests together, so it will seem fitting to have them side-by-side at the top of the list for England. But when it comes to the Ashes, it will be Botham’s example that Broad attempts to follow. “He’s been an inspiration to me in how to take on Australia. I grew up in our era from 86-87 to 2005 when it was horrible watching the Ashes. That was an influence on me because it made me very determined that if ever I got the chance to play against them we’d have to win.”

Crystal Palace are interested in a deal to sign Everton forward Demarai Gray this summer, according to fresh reports.

Is Demarai Gray leaving Everton?

The Premier League’s left-sided winger first arrived on Merseyside from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2021 and has since gone on to make a total of 75 appearances during his two years at Goodison Park, but there’s a chance that he could secure an exit before the end of the current window.

The Jamaica international’s contract is set to expire in less than a year meaning that now is Sean Dyche’s last chance to cash in on his prized asset having so far failed to reach an agreement regarding a new contract, and having been his side’s third best-performing offensive player last season, he won’t be short of potential suitors should he depart.

Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor recently confirmed that the 27-year-old is indeed a “target” for Roy Hodgson and is a player that has “admirers” among the SE25 hierarchy, and there would already be a place in the first-team waiting for him should he make the switch.

Wilfried Zaha has now officially left the club to join Galatasaray so the Eagles will need to enter the market for a suitable replacement in the final third, and if the following update is to be believed, the attacker appears to be one of the candidates that they are chasing.

Are Crystal Palace signing Demarai Gray?

According to Football Insider, Gray is "wanted" by Crystal Palace and Fulham ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Everton's forward additionally has "huge money" offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and he's "edging towards an exit" having made "no progress" in talks over extending his stay on Merseyside.

The Toffees would "prefer" to retain their star's services for the long-term, but as it stands, they could be set to receive a "huge profit" on the £1.7m they initially paid for him two years ago.

How good is Demarai Gray?

Whilst Everton survived relegation last season, Gray was one of the standout performers in a struggling side which has clearly been acknowledged by Crystal Palace, and having previously been hailed an "attacking threat" in the final third by journalist Josh Bunting, the winger would be a hugely exciting recruit for Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman.

Sponsored by Adidas, Dyche's £25k-per-week earner racked up five top-flight goal contributions during the previous term (four goals and one assist) and proved to be a constant threat even when the ball didn't hit the back of the net.

The Birmingham-born talent recorded 57 shots over the course of the campaign which was more than any other member of his squad and whipped 173 crosses into the box which was the second-highest total at Goodison, via FBRef.

Finally, Gray has the ability to operate in an outstanding seven various positions across the pitch, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, so he would provide the boss with wonderful versatility should he decide to put pen to paper.