Category Uncategorized

While Newcastle United appear to be done and dusted during the 2023 transfer window, Eddie Howe is still mulling over fresh faces to bolster his thriving outfit in the future.

Having qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-placed Premier League finish last term, the Magpies have worked diligently on the transfer front this summer to ensure that the squad is ready for European football and a challenge to emulate last year's feats.

Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have all been added to the first team, and while the spending is ostensibly complete, one exciting star remains of a vested interest.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

According to i news, Newcastle are plotting their next move and have identified Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, with the 21-year-old 'under consideration' for a swoop when Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations permit.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

Believed to hold a £42m release clause in his contract, Williams is now in the final year of his contract, and Howe could soon land his man on a cut-price deal.

How good is Nico Williams?

Although Williams is only young, he has already captured the awe of the masses in Basque Country and has been praised for his "daring" approach on the pitch by former manager Marcelinho.

Last season, the eight-cap Spain star scored nine goals and supplied six assists from 43 matches across all competitions as he dazzled in his wide attacking role, receiving praise for his ability in 1v1 situations, pace, and progressive nature.

This is showcased through his ranking among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, and, as such, Howe could have his hands on the next version of Allan Saint-Maximin by securing the winger's signature.

Saint-Maximin departed St. James' Park for £23m in July after forging 124 appearances for the Magpies, posting just 13 goals and 21 assists.

The 26-year-old ranks among the top 14% of positional peers for assists, and the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, and has also been dubbed a "wizard" by journalist Graeme Bailey for his brilliant, fleet-footed displays on the pitch.

Alas, the 26-year-old never quite ignited the kind of cutting edge that Howe covets, which is evidenced through his Tyneside exit and the subsequent £39m signing of Harvey Barnes, who scored 13 Premier League goals last term and ranks among the top 5% of positional peers for goals per 90.

However, given Williams' youthful age and inexperience, Howe will likely feel he can craft a refined version of the Magpie fan favourite by nurturing the whiz to the fore, maintaining his blistering pace and dribbling skills while adding goals and assists with regularity.

Described as a "sensation" by journalist Shina Oludare, Howe is wise to get in on the action, and while this is a transfer that likely will not occur over the next week, the winter transfer market could prove to be a tantalising time indeed as the burgeoning Premier League side assess their next move.

Newcastle United are now eyeing up Marc Cucurella this summer, and a new report has revealed they have two targets on their shortlist in the left-back position.

Will Newcastle sign a left-back?

The Magpies couldn't have asked for a more pleasing start to the 2023/24 Premier League season, following their stunning 5-1 victory at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Once again, they look like a formidable football team who may potentially have gone up another gear from last year, although this weekend's trip to treble-winners Manchester City will be a far bigger test of how far they have come.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

While Eddie Howe has built an excellent squad since coming in – arguably their best of the Premier League era – a few more additions are needed to finish off a perfect summer.

Left-back is certainly one position that requires a little more depth, with Dan Burn an outstanding option there, but a lack of quality behind him in the pecking order and the flank still not really his perfect position.

Marc Cucurella of Chelsea has been linked with a move to St James' Park this summer and it looks as though Newcastle's interest in him hasn't gone away.

Will Newcastle sign Tierney or Cucurella?

Providing an update on Newcastle's left-back search, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards claimed that Cucurella is being looked at as a loan signing, as well as Arsenal's Kieran Tierney:

"Newcastle United are looking to sign a left back on loan before the close of the transfer window with both Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella of interest to them.

"Both deals would include either an option or an obligation to buy the player next summer and there is some confidence a breakthrough can be reached with at least one of their Premier League rivals."

It is great to hear that Newcastle are still pushing hard in their pursuit of a new left-back, with that area of the pitch a key one to strengthen in, as well as centre-back.

Burn has been so impressive there, even though he doesn't fit the bill as a natural in the role, but signing Cucurella or Tierney would provide Howe with a more typical left-back option, giving them more natural width and balance, particularly on the ball.

The former would be a strong choice, as he looks to bounce back from an underwhelming spell in a Chelsea shirt, having shone greatly for Brighton in a more settled side to the mess that he walked into at Stamford Bridge last season.

He still averaged 2.8 tackles per game in the league for the Blues, though, showing that he contributed positively at times, and his consistent tackling numbers and constant yellow cards throughout his career paint the picture of a feisty and passionate player St James' Park would adore.

The Scot would be a good option, but he has lost his place for Arsenal, so we think Cucurella, dubbed "fantastic" by a UEFA panel for his displays in Europe with Chelsea last season, deserves a chance away from the chaos that is Stamford Bridge's revolving door.

Stokes once again selected, subject to police investigation, as Moeen and Bairstow are rested after Ashes

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-2018James Vince has been given the chance to convert his fluent but unfulfilled Test form into the 20-over format, after being handed a recall for the T20 Tri-series against Australia and New Zealand that gets underway in February.Vince was singled out for criticism by England’s assistant coach, Paul Farbrace, following an Ashes campaign in which he made 242 runs at 26.88, but consistently gave away his wicket after a promising start, making scores of between 15 and 25 in six of his nine innings.However, the selectors have not yet lost faith in Vince’s ability to make the grade at international level, and have included him in a 16-man squad in place of Moeen Ali, who has been rested after a torrid time in the Ashes.England T20 Squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood

Jonny Bairstow, who also featured in all five Ashes Tests, is another squad regular to sit this series out, with Sam Billings, the Kent wicketkeeper-batsman, taking his place in the tour party.There is no respite, however, for England’s Test captain, Joe Root, who might have been considered worthy of a break as he hands the reins over to the regular one-day captain, Eoin Morgan. However, both he and another Ashes batsman, Dawid Malan, have been included in a tri-series that is the first of its kind and potentially the start of a new departure for international T20 cricket.”We felt with that it was important for Dawid Malan and Joe Root, who have had an intense period of Test cricket over the past few months, to play in the series and continue to develop their T20 experience and skills,” said James Whitaker, the chairman of selectors.On the bowling front, the notable inclusion is Mark Wood, the Durham quick bowler who was briefly considered for an Ashes call-up when England’s lack of out-and-out pace became apparent after two early defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide.In the end, he was not considered sufficiently match-fit to play a Test match, but looked to be approaching his best rhythm during his time with the England Lions, as he continued his recovery from persistent ankle issues.In what is now a familiar turn of events, Ben Stokes has once again been named in the squad, even though his involvement remains subject to any relevant legal or disciplinary developments in relation to the incident in Bristol in September.Should the ECB Board receive formal confirmation that Stokes has either been charged or that he will face no charges, they would convene within 48 hours to make a decision on his availability for the team at that stage.”The IT20 Tri-Series will be very competitive against quality opposition in Australia and New Zealand,” said Whitaker. “Our limited-overs cricket has been progressing nicely across both formats so this tournament will be another indicator on where we are heading as a team over the long-term.”Our aim is to become the best T20 side in the world and a strong performance in this series will give us the chance to progress up the team rankings.The series gets underway on February 7 in Hobart, when England take on Australia, and will conclude on February 21 with the final at Eden Park in Auckland.

Manchester United are reportedly close to signing defender Jonny Evans on a one-year deal following a successful pre-season spell.

Are Man United signing Jonny Evans?

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag have already brought in two players so far this summer in Mason Mount and Andre Onana from Chelsea and Inter Milan.

A third big-money signing in Atalanta centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund is all but complete, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that the player has completed a medical and the first part of his media duties, with documents to be completed today.

Another player who was brought in over the summer was Evans, with Ten Hag saying he allowed the 35-year-old to initially come in and train while searching for a new club.

"I know him for a long time, so I know his place was here, in Manchester.

"He came to train with us, to work on his fitness, and when I said: yeah, not all the players are in – internationals are out, still having their break, so I thought it was a good idea to help each other out. Jonny can work on his fitness and he can help us out."

However, Evans then penned a short-term deal which allowed him to feature in friendlies against Lyon and Wrexham, and by the looks of things, a new deal appears to be close which would see him become a United player for the 2023/24 season.

Read The Latest Man United Transfer News HERE…

The Belfast Telegraph shared an update regarding Man United and Evans on Tuesday evening. The report states that the Red Devils and Ten Hag have been impressed with the player who has exceeded expectations, and that he is set to sign a 12-month contract at Old Trafford.

They also shared comments from Steven Davis, who played alongside Evans for Northern Ireland, admitting he wouldn’t be surprised if the defender, who doesn't have a weak foot, earned himself a longer stay.

"Having played with him for so many years I know the quality he possesses and what he brings with his experience to a dressing room.

"I'm sure that was noticed quite early on having been away from the club for a few years. I wouldn't put it past him extending his stay there beyond pre-season. I think we were all surprised when Man United let him go because whenever you play with him and see the quality he has first hand, it is a player every one rates very highly."

Who else could Man United sign?

Evans, hailed as "intelligent" by Brendan Rodgers, could well provide more cover at centre-back for Ten Hag as the season goes on, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez seemingly the first-choice pairing ahead of the new season.

Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly could leave before the window closes, which could leave Evans and Victor Lindelof as potential experienced back-up options. However, Man United may not stop there when it comes to new signings, with another new midfielder thought to be on the cards.

Reports have claimed that Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is close to a £26m move to Old Trafford to reunite with Ten Hag, so that could be the next focus after deals for Hojlund and Evans, meaning it could be a busy month both on and off the pitch.

The celebrations belonged to Essex but the inquest will surely be felt byYorkshire as a county that imagined itself as champions a year ago took a thorough pounding

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Sep-2017Sam Cook, a complete unknown only a fee weeks ago, personified a season of excellence as he took 5 for 20 to skittle Yorkshire for 74 and round off a tumultuous season for Essex during which they have remained unbeaten in the Specsavers County Championship for the first time in their history.The champions’ 10th victory of the 14-game campaign was followed by resounding applause and sprays of champagne post-match as they received the Championship trophy for the first time in 25 years. It was the moment they had waited for since the title was claimed a fortnight ago when they still had two games to play.For Yorkshire, who were in the same celebratory mood just two summers ago, their total was their lowest since 1999 as they succumbed by a massive 376-run defeat in just 29 overs. There were still 25 overs remaining in the day when Matt Fisher was left on his back by Neil Wagner to end the season. It was as well they claimed the points required to avoid relegation on the first day otherwise their feeble effort could have been terminal.Cook, who made his first-class debut for his home county less than two months ago, had taken a career-best 5 for 18 in the second innings at Southampton in the last game. The second five-fer of his embryonic career came before he returns next week to Loughborough University for the final year of his history degree course.Cook put the skids under a Yorkshire top-order chasing an unlikely 451 to win with four wickets in 32 balls in a six-over, pre-tea burst.Adam Lyth looked surprised to be given out caught behind to Cook’s second ball, and Kraigg Brathwaite played down the wrong line to be lbw to Porter in the next over. Alex Lees’s middle stump was sent cartwheeling by Cook and Yorkshire were already on an inexorable slide at 17 for three in the sixth over.Cook claimed his third wicket for 11 runs when the Ashes-bound Gary Ballance fell lbw for just five. Jack Leaning was stuck in his crease playing forward and edging to James Foster to give Cook wicket No4.Simon Harmer joined the party when Andrew Hodd became his latest lbw victim. Thirty-five for six.Essex announced at the tea interval that Porter had signed a two-year contract extension taking him through to the end of the 2020 season. He had a double celebration first ball after the break when he had Steven Patterson caught behind to claim his 200th first-class wicket for the county.That preceded Cook’s fifth wicket with his first ball upon his return for a second spell. Jack Brooks hung out his bat and played tamely into Varun Chopra’s hands at first slip. Thirty-seven for six at tea had become 38 for eight.Karl Carver helped Matt Fisher put on 34 for the penultimate wicket in nine overs to give some respectability to the score before he departed lbw for nine. Fisher, who had taken three Essex second-innings wickets for 69, was the only batsman to make it into double figures. He was the last man to go for 25, caught behind for Foster’s eighth catch of the match, after Wagner had him flailing with a bouncer.It meant Division One’s leading wicket-takers had shared 147 Championship wickets with Porter leading the way with 75 from Harmer.At the start of the day, Essex’s overnight second-wicket century stand ended in the fourth over when Dan Lawrence went lbw to give Coad his 50th and last Championship wicket of the season. Lawrence’s 83 came from 156 balls, and with Nick Browne he put on 139 in 49 overs to lift Essex from 6 for 2 on the second afternoon.Browne followed on the same personal score when Lyth made amends for a difficult dropped catch chance when the opener was 59. This time, Lyth held on to a snick at second slip to end Browne’s 166-ball innings that including 11 boundaries. James Foster then became the 10th lbw victim of the match to give Fisher the first of three wickets.That brought together ten Doeschate and Harmer, who put on 75 in 21 overs for the sixth wicket. Ten Doeschate’s innings was full of nudges and nurdles, eight of them going to the boundary, and a ninth clearing the ropes at long leg.He was finally out straight after lunch, in Fisher’s second over with the new-ball when ten Doeschate tried to withdraw his bat and was caught behind. The partnership with Harmer was worth 75 in 21 overs with the captain departing for a 92-ball 57 with eight fours and a six.Harmer claimed his second half-century of the match, following his 64 in the first innings, when he clubbed Fisher through the covers from the 79th ball he faced. The seventh-wicket pair added 42 in eight overs with Neil Wagner, whose bright and breezy 23 came from 26.before he edged to second slip to give Fisher his third wicket at a personal cost of 69.Ten Doeschate called his batsmen in 50 minutes after lunch following the second ball of the 96th over, when Porter hit the second of two fours in a five-ball 10. Essex had reached 334 for 7 without the requirement for the injured Tom Westley to bat.

Jack Leach claimed a five-wicket haul•Getty Images

It says a lot about why Warwickshire are in their present predicament that after Jonathan Trott (804 Championship runs) their next most successful batsman is Keith Barker, their 30-year-old opening bowler.Granted, Barker is more technically proficient with bat in hand than most in his trade. Accomplished enough to be regarded as an allrounder, Barker has averaged around 500 runs and 50 wickets every year since he became established in the Warwickshire side and his contribution this year has been in line with that, although he is a little behind on wickets.He went to 536 runs with his half-century here, his sixth of the season. Yet he is the only Warwickshire player, other than Trott, to get even halfway towards a thousand. Ian Bell has managed just 388 in Division One, fewer than wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose and offspinner Jeetan Patel.Barker, in fact, has passed 50 as many times as Trott – and this was a particularly worthy effort in the circumstances, following the departures of Trott, Bell and Ambrose in consecutive overs against Jack Leach’s left-arm spin.The dismissal of that once prized trio left Warwickshire 40 for 5 in reply to Somerset’s increasingly formidable-looking 282. But Barker shared partnerships of 53 with young Matthew Lamb and 49 with Chris Wright, which were enough to ensure that his side avoided the follow-on, even though they may not dodge defeat. He had one significant slice of luck on 33, when Steven Davies failed to pull off a routine stumping, but that apart he dealt with Leach and Dom Bess better than anyone on this pitch of extravagant turn.Indeed, it was Barker’s resistance that persuaded captain Tom Abell to give Craig Overton a second spell he may have thought would not be required. It was Overton who dismissed Barker in the end, before ripping out Wright’s middle stump. He went off with figures of 4 for 33, having earlier removed both openers to catches in the slips in a new-ball spell that was comfortably the most impressive contribution among the seamers on both sides.Barker, though, was in some pain at that stage, having been moving gingerly for an over or so, periodically stopping to flex his back. He did not emerge when Somerset began their second innings, although happily a rubdown was all that was required.Bell, facing the possibility now of completing an English summer without a century for the first time in 15 years, perished for 14 on this occasion, although to be fair to him it was to a ball that would have done for most batsmen, spinning sharply from well outside leg stump. Bell prodded at it and Marcus Trescothick, standing well forward and almost square at second slip, took a good catch.No such excuses could be forwarded in defence of Trott, who drove to a precisely placed short extra cover, or Ambrose, who carved straight to backward point. Lamb succumbed to a moment of extravagance, too, in the end, although he had at least been vigilant for an hour or so.Bess, who possibly deserved more for his 17 overs, spun one past Patel’s bat to pick up his solitary wicket and Leach made Sunny Singh his fifth victim, Davies taking the chance to atone for his earlier error.Warwickshire have been short of much to be positive about in this match. There is a sense that relegation will be not so much likely as inevitable should they lose – and it is difficult to imagine that they will not from this position.They can at least enthuse to a small degree about Singh, their tall Indian-born left-arm spinner. Somerset, already in a position of strength after Davies and Abell had put on 85 for the fifth wicket, lost their last six wickets for 66, shared equally between Patel and his 21-year-old apprentice.Singh, the first professional cricketer to emerge from the Cricket Foundation’s Chance to Shine scheme, finished with 5 for 72. He had the luxury of a pitch more helpful than most he will come across and the added benefit of being an unknown quantity at this level, yet two five-wicket hauls in his first five first-class matches bodes well.A lack of emerging talent has been as much a factor as the rising age profile of their established players in Warwickshire’s demise. Perhaps Singh is one to buck the trend.Ryan Sidebottom removed the two rookies in the Somerset top order when he dismissed Eddie Byrom and George Bartlett with consecutive balls but Trescothick and James Hildreth ended the day looking ominously well set.

An impressive debut from Dawid Malan helped England seal the T20 series over South Africa with a 19-run victory at Cardiff

The Report by George Dobell in Cardiff25-Jun-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMason Crane was overjoyed at claiming AB de Villiers as a maiden international wicket•Getty Images

An impressive debut from Dawid Malan helped England seal the T20 series over South Africa with a 19-run victory at Cardiff.Malan, the fourth England debutant in the series, contributed a classy 78 to help his new team cope with the absence of their captain, Eoin Morgan, and take the three-match series 2-1.Morgan had decided to leave himself out in order to provide another opportunity for England to take a look at some of their fringe players. Specifically, he said they were keen to provide another game for Liam Livingstone, who endured a nervous debut at Taunton.And while some ticket-holders were upset at the lack of star players in the England side – Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali were among those to be rested for this series, while Jonny Bairstow had returned to Yorkshire to prepare for the day-night Championship fixtures starting on Monday – Morgan’s decision might have helped England build some depth ahead of a typically relentless winter schedule during which resources will be stretched.Malan, in particular, took advantage in a strikingly assured performance. Having left his first ball outside off stump, he pulled his second – from the distinctly sharp Morne Morkel – for six to kick-start an innings that displayed timing, power and an ability to improvise. It was, by some distance, the highest score by an England player on T20I debut.He was not the only new-ish player to impress. Mason Crane, back in the side after making his debut in Southampton, survived an early assault at the hands of AB de Villiers in a display that hinted at a wonderfully calm temperament. At one stage, de Villiers, who was playing his final match of the tour, swept Crane for 16 in three balls – two sixes and a four – but the young legspinner retained his nerve and his flight and, by the end of the over, had de Villiers well held by Alex Hales on the square-leg fence as he attempted a repeat. Crane, whose celebrations of his maiden international wicket were something to behold, finished his spell by conceding just two from his final over.”He handled it really well,” de Villiers said of Crane afterwards. “He was always the one to get after, but he stuck to his guns. Well played to him.”Livingstone, however, was unable to take advantage of his second outing. He would have been the man to miss out had Morgan played, and might have wished he had after falling first ball as he went across his stumps and attempted to scoop over the leg side.There was also no debut for Craig Overton. Despite England having intimated that all their new faces would win an opportunity at some point during the series, Overton – who was declared fully sit – was not utilised. It left Somerset’s director of cricket, Matt Maynard, unimpressed. He tweeted that he was “gutted” for Overton and then added “#brokenword”.”We couldn’t get him in today,” Morgan said. “We wanted to retain our seamers from the second game who bowled well. Craig is aware and all is fine.”Perhaps, had England failed to win, they would have been criticised for their decision to rotate to the extent they did. But with impressive performances over the series from the likes of Malan, Crane, Bairstow and Tom Curran, who again looked to have the skills and temperament to thrive at this level, England will feel it was a worthwhile experiment. It is probably also fair to suggest that, while both sides would have wanted to win this game, it was hardly the most meaningful confrontation either has played even this month. The calls for greater context for such matches are certain to increase.”We recognise the series as a big opportunity to have a look at a younger group of players,” Eoin Morgan told Sky Sports. “It’s an important part of our development and our success in 50-over cricket and T20 has been down to the strength in depth we’ve had in the side. We’ve always had a lot of competition in the playing XI.”Ideally, I would play, yes. Given the rotation system that we have had in the past, it’s unfortunate. If it was a case where I could go on and captain, I would. But this is an important part of our development for this series. You have to look to the long-term.”Besides, Malan looked every inch an international-quality player. British-born but raised in South Africa, his debut has come relatively late – he is aged 29 – but he has put himself at the head of the queue of those pressing for places.Here he added 105 in 63 balls with Hales, who survived a simple chance to Andile Phehlukwayo on 10, bringing up his fifty with a beautifully-played scoop to the boundary off Imran Tahir, while a driven straight six off Morkel also caught the eye.South Africa’s fielding was oddly fallible, though. De Villiers reckoned they “gave away around 20 runs” which, considering the margin of defeat, was crucial. “We let ourselves down in the field,” he said.Once the pair were parted, England fell away against some excellent death bowling from South Africa. England managed only 54 from the final 39 balls of their innings, culminating in a spell where they lost five wickets for 14 runs from 13 balls against Dane Paterson, who was twice on a hat-trick, and Phehlukwayo.But only for a moment, when de Villiers was partnered by JJ Smuts, did it appear South Africa might get close. With Liam Plunkett again bowling at sharp pace and gaining some assistance for his back-of-a-length bowling from the River Taff End, South Africa subsided to 91 for 6 in the 14th over.Phehlukwayo and Mangaliso Mosehle narrowed the margin with some impressive strokeplay – Willey was plundered for 34 from his final couple of overs – but once de Villiers had gone, there was only ever likely to be one result.

Match facts

Final, Mumbai Indians v Rising Pune Supergiant
Hyderabad, May 21, 2017
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)2:45

Agarkar: Mumbai have gained from lesser-known players

Form guide

• Rising Pune Supergiant: beat Mumbai by 20 runs; beat Kings XI by 9 wickets; lost to Daredevils by 7 runs.

• Mumbai Indians: beat KKR by six wickets; lost to Rising Pune by 20 runs; beat KKR by 9 runs.

Head-to-head

Overall: It’s 4-1 to Rising Pune Supergiant. Mumbai Indians’ most recent win against their opponents in the final came last year.This season: Rising Pune won home and away in the league stage, and then shocked Mumbai again at the Wankhede in the first qualifier.

Big picture

It’s groundhog day in the IPL, and Mumbai have gone to great lengths to make it happen. Now all they have to do is figure out a way to end the loop and get the girl. But if not that, then at least the trophy.Twice in the league, and again in the first qualifier earlier this week, Rohit Sharma and his men have come up against Rising Pune, done everything they can, only to wake up and see its still February 2. Bill Murray’s character – spoiler alert – eventually escaped his fate by accepting his curse. While that makes rom-com fans go “aww”, those that frequent the Wankhede would go “&^%$*”. Mumbai are two-time champions. Rising Pune won’t even exist in the IPL after Sunday. They want a win before this rivalry ends.Krunal Pandya was seen receiving treatment to his groin during the second qualifier but Rohit has said he should be okay to play. Mitchell McClenaghan, who did not play that game, will be assessed on the morning of the final in Hyderabad.

The likely XIs

Mumbai Indians 1 Parthiv Patel (wk), 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Rohit Sharma (capt), 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Krunal Pandya, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Karn Sharma, 9 Mitchell Johnson/Mitchell McClenaghan, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Jasprit BumrahRising Pune Supergiant 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Rahul Tripathi, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Manoj Tiwary, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Dan Christian, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Lockie Ferguson, 10 Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Adam Zampa

Strategy punt

There are statistics to suggest the legspinner Karn Sharma, Mumbai’s unexpected trump card, and left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya, should be saved for the Rising Pune middle order. They have been hit for 20 runs off nine balls by Rahul Tripathi and 25 runs off 13 balls by Steven Smith. But they have managed five dots in nine balls to MS Dhoni and 11 dots in 22 balls to Manoj Tiwary, at an economy rate of six or less.

Stats that matter

• Rising Pune have kept a lid on Mumbai’s power players. Rohit and Kieron Pollard average 20.66 and 14.33 against them this season.
• In three matches, Rising Pune have only allowed Mumbai to hit 23 sixes and 35 fours. In comparison, Mumbai thrashed 29 sixes against Kings XI after only two meetings, and 47 fours after three rounds against Knight Riders.
• One of Rising Pune’s biggest strengths is their ability to strangle teams in the middle overs. They have taken the most wickets – 41 – established the lowest run-rate – 7.16 – and accumulated the most dots – 321 – between overs seven and 15 this IPL.
• Mumbai, with 10, have the record for the most fifty-plus scores from the middle order in 2017. But only one of them has come against Rising Pune. Rohit’s batsmen from No. 3 to No. 7 average only 13.86 and strike at 113 against Smith’s bowlers.
• Dhoni, who will be playing his seventh final in ten IPLs, averages 64.66 and strikes at 161.66 against Mumbai in IPL playoff and knockout matches.
• Among those who have bowled at least six overs against Mumbai in this IPL, offspinner Washington Sundar’s economy-rate of 5.25 is the second best, behind Rashid Khan’s 5.12.
• Ajinkya Rahane has struggled all season, but he has contributed two of the four fifties Rising Pune have against Mumbai. No other team has managed more than two 50-plus scores against Mumbai.
• These statistics indicate how Rising Pune have kept the head-to-head in their favour so far, but Mumbai are big-match specialists. Lendl Simmons had three successive fifties in IPL play-off and knockout games before this year.
• Jasprit Bumrah has bowled more deliveries (152) in the last five overs than anyone else, and was resplendent when he bowled the first Super Over of his career earlier this season. He will go into the final on the high of recording his best figures in T20s – 3-1-7-3 – in the second qualifier against KKR on Friday.
• Pollard has faced 273 balls in the 2017 season – his second-highest tally in 10 IPLs. Nine more and he’ll eclipse his personal best. But here’s the kicker: Mumbai have won the title in two out of three previous seasons that he has batted more than 200 balls.
• In 12 innings this season, Krunal has conceded runs at only 6.72 per over. Here are the strike-rates of batsmen who have faced at least 10 balls from him. Tiwary (83), Manish Pandey (117), AB de Villiers (118), Hashim Amla (133), Rahane (135) and Suryakumar Yadav (161).

The transfer window may only have been open for a week, but already Burnley have found themselves linked with a couple of different goalkeepers ahead of their Premier League return.

What are the latest Burnley transfer rumours?

Following reports Anderlecht 'keeper Bart Verbruggen is on Vincent Kompany's radar, L'Equipe now claims Royal Antwerp's Jean Butez has been approached by the Clarets.

Is Jean Butez an upgrade on Arijanet Muric for Burnley?

Given Burnley boasted the best defensive record in the Championship en route to storming to promotion last season, bringing in a replacement for Arijanet Muric may seem strange on the face of it.

But Muric – on a reported £20,000 a week, according to Capology – came in for criticism at times last season for perceived errors and was also criticised for his passing out from the back.

As Burnley Express Sports writer Chris Boden put it following February's 1-1 draw with Watford, Muric's "passing was poor" and he "makes a number of mistakes".

Kompany brutally opted to bring off Muric at half-time for Bailey Peacock-Farrell after his number one gifted Joao Pedro the game's opening goal.

That is not to say former Manchester City stopper Muric is a bad keeper – a Championship-best 0.77 goals conceded per 90 minutes last season and a division-high 76.7% of shots saved says as much.

But Butez boasted similar numbers in Belgium's Jupiler Pro League – which is near enough on a par with the English Championship in terms of quality, according to Global Football Rankings – as the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets.

Indeed, on the face of it there are plenty of similarities between Muric and Butez, such as goals against per 90 minutes (0.77 v 0.76 respectively) and save percentage (76.6% and 76%), as per FBref.

Butez has many admirers across Europe, with La Liga side Villarreal also reportedly showing an interest, having built up a showreel of impressive saves.

As football writer Josh Bunting pointed out, Butez looked "very impressive" in the Antwerp goal when making a couple of big stops in a 1-0 win against Gent.

As a commanding presence (he measures in at 6 foot 2) and someone comfortable with the ball at his feet, as his 74.15% pass-completion rate showed last season, Kompany may well decide that he is prepared to twist by signing Butez, rather than sticking with what he has in Muric.

Max Holden and George Bartlett earned a select place in the history of England Under-19s cricket with a new batting record in the Youth Test against India in Nagpur

ECB Reports Network14-Feb-2017

Max Holden and George Bartlett earned a select place in the history of England Under-19s cricket as they extended their marathon partnership on the second day of the first four-day match against India in Nagpur.They were finally separated after a stand of 321 in 82 overs, a new record for any wicket for England which has only been beaten once in all international Under-19 cricket, in 2001 by an Indian opening pair including Gautam Gambhir who put on 391 against an England attack including Monty Panesar and Chris Tremlett, and captained by Ian Bell.Bartlett was the first to go, stumped for 179 off 249 balls including 25 fours and three sixes. That became the highest score by an England Under-19s batsman overseas, beating 170 by Nasser Hussain against Sri Lanka in Kandy in 1986-87.There are still 10 batsmen ahead of Bartlett in the all-time England list, but all of them made their runs on home soil – including his Somerset seniors Marcus Trescothick with 206 against India at Edgbaston in 1994, and James Hildreth against Bangladesh in Taunton a decade later.After Bartlett’s dismissal, Holden batted on, for almost 20 more overs and into a fifth session, until after eight hours and 47 minutes at the crease the opener was finally dismissed for 170 – leaving him joint second with Hussain on England’s overseas list.Still the agony wasn’t over for India as Delray Rawlins, the Sussex allrounder who had been England’s batting star of the one-day series ended unbeaten on 70 from 94 balls before Holden declared on 501 for 5 – England’s second highest total against India in Under-19 cricket, and the third highest by anyone in India.