After their Scottish Premiership triumph last season, Celtic are looking to solidify their position at the summit of Scottish football by bringing in a number of new players this summer.

Schmeichel just the start of Celtic's summer plans

The big news out of Parkhead is that Brendan Rodgers seems to have finally found the man to replace the retiring Joe Hart this summer. A report on the X account of Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Celtic are close to announcing the signing of Kasper Schmeichel with the free agent set to join the Glasgow outfit on a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

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At 37 years of age, the veteran keeper brings with him a wealth of both international and domestic experience, in particular his key role in Leicester City's Premier League winning campaign in 2015/16. The Danish shot-stopper will be a familiar face for the Hoops boss who managed the keeper for numerous seasons at Leicester.

Other recent rumours have linked Celtic with a move for Middlesbrough ace Riley McGree. A report this week claimed that Ange Postecoglou attempted to bring the Australian to Parkhead during his tenure at the club and that the Hoops will look to reignite this interest over the course of the summer transfer window.

The interest in McGree has likely come off the back of growing rumours linking Celtic star Matt O'Riley with a move away from the club this summer. Leicester appear to be the current front-runner for the Danish midfielder with a fee in the region of £25 million said to be enough to tempt O'Riley away from Parkhead this summer.

With Celtic showing no signs of slowing down this summer, it now appears that the club have set their sights on their next target with a signing set to be announced next week.

Celtic want backup option before pre-season starts

As first reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Celtic are working on signing a second goalkeeper. The outlet claims that the Hoops are in talks for a second keeper who can act as a backup to new number one Schmeichel.

O'Rourke goes on to state that the club expects this second deal to be completed before Celtic depart for their pre-season tour of the United States next week. It is claimed that the club want the new second-choice shop-stopper to embed himself within the Hopps' squad before the start of the next campaign.

Whilst the name of this new signing is not yet known, the deal could be for one of the players previously linked with the club. Serbia keeper Martin Dubravka is one name that has done the rounds in Celtic circles in recent weeks, however, it is not known whether the 35-year-old would be interested in being a backup option.

Despite the identity of the player in question remaining unknown for the time being, Celtic fans may only have to wait a matter of days to find out who their latest signing is.

Real Salt Lake star Diego Luna has been recognized as MLS Young Player of the Year, the league announced on Thursday.

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Luna wins Young Player of the YearProvided eight goals and 12 assistsYoungest member of MLS All-StarsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowIMGANWHAT HAPPENED?

Diego Luna developed into a star for Real Salt Lake this season and his impressive campaign was rewarded by being named Major League Soccer's Young Player of the Year.

The league announced Luna's award on Thursday, highlighting a strong season from the 21-year-old contributed to 20 goal contributions, scoring eight and assisting 12, joining only Diego Rossi to become the second player in league history to hit that mark before 21. In addition, Luna was the youngest member of the MLS All-Star team this summer.

In total, Luna ended up with 35.66 percent of the vote, narrowly edging out second-place finisher Diego Gomez from Inter Miami, who garnered 33.21 percent. LAFC's Cristian Olivera finished third with 5.55 percent.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

A dynamic creative midfielder, Luna could wind up being a U.S. men's national team contributor in the years to come. He earned his first USMNT cap during the 2024 January camp, but declined an offer to be an alternate for the U.S. U-23s at the Summer Olympics in Paris. Luna is also eligible to represent Mexico and could file a one-time switch to play for .

Thus far, Luna has played 76 MLS matches, scoring 15 goals, with all of those goals coming over the last two seasons.

FC DallasDID YOU KNOW?

Luna joins some illustrious company as winner of MLS Young Player of the Year, which was rebranded from MLS Rookie of the Year in 2020. Rossi won that inaugural award before FC Dallas stars took home back-to-back trophies with Ricardo Pepi and Jesus Ferreira in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Argentina World Cup winner and ex-Atlanta United star Thiago Almada won the award in 2023.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LUNA?

Real Salt Lake's MLS season is over following the club's first-round MLS Playoff exit at the hands of Minnesota United, who won both matches in penalty kick shootouts. Luna will look ahead to a potential January Camp call-up under new USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Shakib al Hasan, Usman Khawaja, Sherfane Rutherford and Rilee Rossouw are among the leading names to have registered to compete in the Lankan Premier League, Sri Lanka’s premier T20 franchise competition. The LPL is scheduled to begin from July 30 this year and run for three weeks, and despite concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic derailing plans, several top T20 cricketers from around the world are set to take part.James Faulkner, Ben Cutting, Temba Bavuma, Brendan Taylor and Nicholas Pooran have also made themselves available for the draft, as are former Indian all-rounders Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. Pakistan, too, are well represented, with Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Shan Masood and Mohammad Hasnain having registered.Sri Lanka Cricket vice-president Ravin Wickremaratne said: “Last year’s success has certainly made a difference with more players from many cricket playing countries looking forward to play in the LPL, which is a very good sign for the League and Sri Lanka cricket.”The inaugural edition of the LPL was won by the Jaffna Stallions last year, one of five teams that took part in the tournament. According to SLC, 135 million viewers across television and digital platforms tuned in to watch the final between the Stallions and the Galle Gladiators, with fan engagement throughout the tournament generally quite high.SLC will be hoping for similar numbers this time around, though Sri Lankan fans hoping for live action will have to wait a little longer, with the tournament likely to once again be held behind closed doors in Hambantota.Concerns over the LPL being hosted in July-August first arose following the postponement of the Indian Premier League earlier this year. Despite SLC’s successful hosting of the inaugural LPL, there were growing doubts over SLCs ability to guarantee a secure bio-bubble for players and staff amidst the growing number of cases.”It’s definitely going to be a challenge, there’s no question,” head of SLC’s Medical Committee Prof. Arjuna de Silva had told ESPNcricinfo. “Last time we were in the middle of the second wave, but this time it’s a totally different ball game.”SLC, for their part, have remained firm in their stance, assuring player safety citing the success of several inbound international series in the past year. De Silva also added that SLCs intention to hold all matches at a single stadium, the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, and the fact that it was close to a scarcely used airport in Mattala, meant the LPL was less likely to suffer the same pitfalls as the IPL.Bangladesh: Shakib-ul-Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mehdy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das, Soumya SarkarAustralia: Usman Khawaja, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner,Ben Dunk, Callum FergusonWest Indies: Sherfane Rutherford, Nocolas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Rayad Emrit, Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Johnson Charles, Rowman PowellPakistan: Haris Sohail, Waqas Maqsood, Muhammed Hasnain, Mohammed Irfan, Shoaib Maqsood, Shan Masood, Anwar Ali, Ammad Butt, Usman ShinwariSouth Africa: Temba Bavuma, Rilee Rossouw, David Wiese, Jon Jon Trevor Smuts, Morne Morkel, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Hardus ViljoenAfghanistan: Asghar Afghan, Mohammed Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen Ul Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Naveen ul Haq, Qais Ahmad

da bet sport： Leeds United completed their second outfield signing of the summer transfer window earlier this week as they confirmed the arrival of Joe Rothwell.

da betano casino： The central midfielder has joined the club on a season-long loan from Premier League outfit Bournemouth, and follows Joe Rodon in signing ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Rothwell was part of the Southampton team that earned promotion out of the Championship, beating Leeds in the play-off final, during a loan spell at St. Mary's during the second half of last term.

The 29-year-old maestro produced four goals in 16 league appearances for the Saints and may look to bring an attacking spark to the squad from midfield.

Leeds must now avoid a big howler during the summer transfer window by ensuring that they do not cash in on Glen Kamara, who could be a dream partner for Rothwell.

Transfer interest in Glen Kamara

Football Insider recently reported that Ligue 1 side Rennes have submitted a contract proposal to the Finland international after talks with his representatives.

The outlet claimed that a transfer to the French team has been gathering 'momentum' after those negotiations between the club and the players.

It also revealed that Leeds are willing to cash in on the former Arsenal youth prospect, but only for a 'significant' fee. It remains to be seen exactly how much they would deem to be a significant amount of money.

The Whites, who reportedly paid Rangers £5m for Kamara last summer, must now fight to keep hold of the Finnish star, as he could thrive alongside Rothwell.

Why Glen Kamara and Joe Rothwell are made for each other

They could be perfect for each other as Daniel Farke's midfield tank has the athleticism and defensive attributes to make up for the Cherries loanee's struggles in those departments.

Meanwhile, Rothwell has the potential to make attacking contributions from a midfield position in a way that Kamara has so far been unable to do in West Yorkshire.

23/24 Championship

Glen Kamara

Joe Rothwell

Appearances

37

16

Goals

0

4

Pass accuracy

93%

92%

Ball recoveries per game

4.1

1.1

Ground duel success rate

58%

39%

Aerial duel success rate

54%

14%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Englishman lost the majority of his battles on the deck and in the air with Southampton, whilst the Finnish maestro, who ex-boss Neil McCann claimed is "made of iron", won the majority of his duels.

However, Rothwell did score an eye-catching four goals in just 16 games from midfield, starting just four of those matches, whilst Kamara failed to score a single goal.

In the 2021/22 campaign for Blackburn Rovers, the new Leeds signing assisted ten goals, created ten 'big chances', and averaged 1.7 key passes per game in 36 Championship starts, which shows that the potential is also there for him to offer quality as a creator.

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These statistics show that the pair could combine to form a fantastic pairing due to Rothwell's ability to make attacking contributions and Kamara's athletic, physical, defensive play, whilst they both retain possession at an exceptional rate with their 92% and 93% pass accuracy respectively.

Therefore, it would be a big howler to cash in on him this summer as the club would be allowing a player with the quality to help their latest signing thrive to depart.

Following another disappointing season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is seemingly feeling ruthless and Manchester United are now reportedly willing to show one star forward the door this summer.

Man Utd transfer news

Ratcliffe, of course, surprisingly kept hold of Erik ten Hag this summer despite initial doubts over the Dutchman's job security even after his side defeated Manchester City to win the FA Cup at the end of the season. The same fate may not be afforded to certain struggling stars, however, with Casemiro already linked to clubs in Saudi Arabia ahead of a potential Old Trafford departure.

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The Brazilian midfielder struggled to repeat his debut season form in the last campaign and at 32 years old may well be past his best. If the Red Devils can cash in on the former Real Madrid star, then they may not be able to resist in the coming months. Casemiro would join the likes of Raphael Varane out the door following the Frenchman's exit at the end of the season following a two-year spell often disrupted by injuries.

It's not the exit of Casemiro that would send shockwaves around Old Trafford, however. According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Manchester United are now willing to sell Marcus Rashford this summer amid incoming interest from Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions are looking to replace Kylian Mbappe, who swapped Paris for Real Madrid, and could turn towards the United academy graduate in pursuit of that.

Earning a reported £300k-a-week at United, Rashford was one of the biggest disappointments under Ten Hag last season after such a strong campaign a year prior. Dropped from Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad as a result, the England international could now leave the Red Devils in pursuit of finding his best form once again. An academy graduate, it's certainly not a decision that either party will make lightly.

"Strong" Rashford is at a career crossroads

Now 26 years old, Rashford should be at the top of his game but found himself at a level below his best standards at Manchester United last season. It represents an all too familiar story regarding the forward's form, who was one of the Premier League's standout players in the previous season before drifting through a campaign to forget last time out.

Appearances

35

33

Goals

17

7

Assists

5

2

Expected Goals

15.4

7.4

As the numbers show, Rashford's overall goals tally significantly dropped off last season and that goes hand in hand with the fact that he underperformed when it comes to expected goals, struggling to finish at times. In some contrast, he outperformed his expected goals in the season prior to score a sensational 17.

The England international showed similar form under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who praised Rashford, via BBC Sport: "That is what the Stretford End wants to see. They love to see forwards play with courage. He was mature and strong against good Premier League players. Today he played like he was in the backyard, the garden or back on the playground with his mates. He is enjoying himself."

Arne Slot explained "three elements" that are central to Liverpool's strong defensive structure amid an excellent start to the Premier League season.

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• Reds have best defensive record in Premier League
• Have conceded just three times in eight matches
• Slot revealed the secret to success

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With an exceptional record of seven clean sheets in 12 games across all competitions, Slot’s Liverpool have only allowed five goals in total. In the Premier League, they have shipped in three goals, while Nottingham Forest, the next closest, had conceded six before facing Leicester City on Friday.

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• GOAL/Getty
  

  WHAT SLOT SAID

  Slot attributes Liverpool’s defensive resilience to three key elements: dominance in possession, the high-calibre players in defence, and remarkable teamwork during challenging game phases. Speaking to the press, the Dutch manager explained: "One of them is that we – most games, almost all of them, maybe except for one – we dominated and controlled for large parts of the game. So it helps if you dominate, if you have the ball. But I also like that if there were difficult parts in the game, or for large parts in the game like we had against Chelsea, that the work rate is incredible. That is something that’s very important.

  “If you combine that with having the likes of Virgil and Ibou and the two goalkeepers we’ve used until now, that is probably one of the reasons why we haven’t conceded that much. Then to be aware of the fact that we also have Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez, we’re in a good place when it comes to centre-backs – and the goalkeeper speaks for itself I think.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although Liverpool have maintained a tight defence, recent games have seen the Reds securing victories by narrow margins. Each of their last three league matches has been won by just one goal, a trend that also appeared in their recent Champions League fixture against RB Leipzig. Nonetheless, Slot is not concerned with the margin of victories and added: "I think every game has its own story. The Leipzig game, I said about the difference in the period of rest we had in between the games, so that could be a factor where Leipzig were, in the end of the game, a bit better than we were.

  “I don’t know if it had anything to do with it, but it could. I think when I look at the Crystal Palace game it was one or two transition moments where we were still, in my opinion, dominating the game but we were a bit unlucky or we didn’t have a good enough rest defence – combined with some set-pieces. I liked the last six minutes of injury time we had in Leipzig where we constantly had the ball and controlled it. Those moments were not difficult.

  “Also the Leipzig game, the first chance they had in the last 10 to 15 minutes was from a second phase set-piece. But yeah, you also concede the set-pieces, the other team is a bit stronger than you at that moment. I’m not worried, but I would prefer to see that we dominate until the end of the game. But it’s also good to see that, if we have to defend, that we have a team that defends with 11, with two outstanding centre-backs and a goalkeeper that makes saves as well.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Liverpool’s commanding start to the season sees them narrowly leading Manchester City by a single point at the top of the Premier League standings. However, Slot's defence will be tested by a free-flowing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, who have scored 15 times in eight matches.

MatériaMais Notícias

da pinup bet： Após a vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Nova Iguaçu, com destaque para os golaços de Matheus Nascimento, o treinador Enderson Moreira voltou a responder sobre a necessidade de reforçar o elenco do Botafogo e a expectativas pelas primeiras chegadas na gestão do clube com os investimentos do John Textor. Paciente, o técnico reforçou a confiança nos processos que estão sendo postos em prática.

RelacionadasBotafogoEnderson Moreira admite primeiro tempo ruim do Botafogo e faz elogios a Matheus Nascimento: ‘Maduro’Botafogo07/02/2022BotafogoMatheus Nascimento comemora gols e busca sequência no Botafogo: ‘Dar continuidade ao meu trabalho’Botafogo07/02/2022BotafogoDos Estados Unidos, John Textor assiste jogo do Botafogo e vibra com golaços de Matheus NascimentoBotafogo07/02/2022

da betano casino： -É uma coisa já conversada, já está determinado pelo John Textor qual o caminho. Estamos trabalhando e fazendo o que podemos fazer no momento, da melhor forma possível, e concentrados em ver esses jovens também. É um papel importante nesse momento e, na hora certa, as contratações certas serão feitas. Não no tempo da urgência, de fazer de qualquer forma, e sim da maneira equilibrada, como deve ser – afirmou Enderson, antes de completar:

– É claro que todo clube precisa de processos bem definidos de contratação. É isso que está construindo. Com esse processo, a tendência é de menos erros. É um momento de transição, no qual precisamos de paciência para que as coisas sejam feitas da melhor forma possível, buscando o maior nível de atletas. Isso é claro nas palavras do John Textor. Isso deixa o treinador tranquilo – finalizou.

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What is the objective for Liverpool next season? Arne Slot has already suggested that he expects to compete for the Premier League title but is principally seeking to enhance and tinker away at some blemishes in a highly talented Anfield squad.

Liverpool are in an exciting position but they are not without their weaknesses. Slot is facing some pressing concerns that will need redressing, such as the profligacy of Darwin Nunez, the incessant injuries that have picked at fortunes for several years, the ongoing need for a long-term No. 6, the thinness in defence.

Sorting out the central defence is something that FSG must turn to sooner rather than later but recent reports are actually linking Liverpool to a wide defender – but in fairness, it could be a corker of a signing.

Liverpool eyeing new defender

As per Football Insider, Liverpool have set their sights on signing Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri as Slot looks to bolster his backline.

The Algerian ace – who has the same agent as Nunez and Diogo Jota – would be signed to provide competition to Andy Robertson, so sealing a deal would only materialise with the sale of Kostas Tsimikas, who has been linked with a move away recently.

Journalist Abdel Hamed has claimed that the 23-year-old is set to depart Molineux this summer, and now Liverpool must ensure they are at the front of the pack – though will FSG sanction the likely £60m outlay to snap him up?

Why Rayan Ait-Nouri would be perfect for Liverpool

Robertson has been a stalwart for Liverpool, completing 297 appearances since signing from Hull City for £10m in 2017, winning silverware in barrels and passing his way into the lead as the top assist-maker (for defenders) in Premier League history, with 59.

But the 30-year-old Scot has faced criticism over the past few years – perhaps unjustly, but still. With Slot now assuming Jurgen Klopp's place in the dugout, the shift in system could be an opportune time for a player like Ait-Nouri to arrive and ruffle some feathers.

Especially considering he was hailed as "one of the Premier League’s best players in 2024" by Sky Sky Sports' Dougie Critchley, having played an instrumental role in Gary O'Neil's side's surprising season away from relegation trouble.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 20% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 14% for pass completion, the top 2% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for tackles per 90.

Such a dynamically spread skill set only comments effusively on Ait-Nouri's quality and how he would fare in Slot's high-energy, high-output system.

He might even prove to be the perfect partner down the left flank for Anthony Gordon, should the England international wind up at Anfield at some point over the next two months.

Imagine Ait-Nouri & Anthony Gordon

Newcastle canvassed a proposal Liverpool's way at the end of June, offering Gordon's signature in a cash-plus-player offer that would have seen Jarell Quansah head toward St. James' Park.

It was unacceptable. FSG likely turned their nose away, vexed by the audacity of trying to pluck one of Kirkby's finest away at the maiden stage of his career. Nonetheless, the interest remains.

Indeed, it's also been reported recently that Liverpool are prepared to move back in for Gordon and could launch a bid toward the later stage of the window.

Newcastle's 2023/24 Player of the Season was in fine fettle last year, scoring 12 goals and supplying 11 assists from left wing as he wreaked havoc through his ball-carrying style of play, driving forwards with frightening constancy.

Robertson is an excellent left-back but given the heavy energy that's needed for the success of Slot's brand, Ait-Nouri may well be a better pick, particularly alongside a talent like Gordon, averaging 1.9 dribbles per game (with a 61% success rate) to Robertson's 0.2 per game (29% success) in the top flight last year.

Matches played

35

Matches started

34

Goals

11

Assists

10

Big chances created

16

Pass completion

82%

Shots taken per game

2.3

Key passes per game

1.6

Tackles per game

1.6

Ball recoveries per game

3.6

Dribbles per game

1.5

Duels won per game

5.3

Gordon, moreover, created 16 big chances in the Premier League last season – Luis Diaz, for reference, created only five – and given Ait-Nouri is frequently overlapping and seeking to strike on goal, this truly could be a partnership for the ages.

Whether Liverpool manage to sign both talents this summer (or indeed either) remains to be seen, but one thing's for certain, Liverpool must pull no punches in strengthening their side at the dawn of a new era, one which could yet carry all the silver of the chapter recently finished.

Liverpool hit gold with Klopp signing who's now worth more than Trent

This “special” star could explode under Arne Slot’s management.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 8, 2024

Chris Green gave Tallawahs a glimmer late in the game but they failed to make the semi-finals

Peter Della Penna13-Sep-2021Falling for a first-ball duck to an Imad Wasim arm ball, Odean Smith went back to the dugout with TV cameras showing his eyes welling up as Guyana Amazon Warriors slipped to 75 for 7 having chosen to bat first as a CPL playoff berth appeared to be slipping away. But a little over two hours later those impending tears of sadness turned to joy for Warriors thanks to one of the great all-round shows in CPL history from Romario Shepherd, who smashed an unbeaten 72 off 31 balls before following it up with 3 for 31 in the field to help his side clinch a 14-run win over Jamaica Tallawahs, sealing the playoff fates for both teams in the process.The loss by Tallawahs also clinched the final playoff berth for St Lucia Kings, who needed help from the Warriors after a shock loss to Barbados Royals earlier in the day left the playoff door ajar for the Tallwahs before Shepherd slammed it shut.Following an 80-minute delayed start that caused the match to be reduced to 18 overs, the Tallawahs’ decision at the toss to leave out Veerasammy Permaul for Fidel Edwards looked all the more foolish after Imad Wasim and Chris Green took a combined 5 for 34 in eight overs. Edwards leaked 0 for 27 in his two overs, and was hit out of the attack by Shepherd who ended the 14th with two sixes having been felled earlier in the over by a bouncer to the helmet.But the biggest punishment was meted out by Shepherd to Russell, who regularly misfired on the length of his attempted wide yorkers only for Shepherd to crunch him for a trio of sixes and two more fours in the final three overs to take Warriors up to 142 for 7. Gudakesh Motie did his best to stay out of the way during their 67-run partnership, contributing five runs while Shepherd wisely turned down multiple singles in the final three overs.The inability of Tallawahs’ attack to dislodge Motie and get through the rest of the tail cost them dearly in the end. Imran Tahir bowled a double-wicket maiden in the second over of the chase, removing Kennar Lewis with a googly before Kirk McKenzie missed a sweep to another wrong’un and was given leg before. Shepherd then produced a double-strike of his own in the eighth, getting Rovman Powell to heave a catch to deep square leg before Imad Wasim gifted his wicket away with a loose cut to Nicholas Pooran at backward point to make it 42 for 6.Russell could be held back no longer and entered to strike 19 off 13, but Shepherd’s angle coming around the wicket to bowl wide yorkers slanted across the right-hander finally paid off with a catch sliced to Pooran at long-off. Needing 54 from the last pair, Green kept the faintest hope alive hitting a trio of sixes and headed into the final over on strike with Tallawahs needing 15 to win. But he was controversially given out next ball to Smith to end the match after swinging and missing at a length ball with replays showing no noise and a clear gap between bat and ball.

St Lucia Kings qualify for play-offs despite defeat

Danyal Rasool12-Sep-2021

Kyle Mayers got over a scratchy start to play a match-winning knock•CPL T20/ Getty Images

An unbeaten 134-run third wicket partnership between Kyle Mayers and Glenn Phillips saw Barbados Royals close out a disappointing CPL campaign on a high, chasing down 190 and beating St Lucia Kings by eight wickets. Mayers smashed 81 off 62 balls while Phillips blitzed 80 off 39 as they cantered to what looked a stiff target with seven balls to spare. Despite the defeat, the Kings eventually qualified for the play-offs in fourth place, after other results on the day went in their favour.After being set 191, the Royals began shakily, shackled in the powerplay by Jeavor Royal, before a double-wicket maiden looked to have put them on the brink of defeat early. Johnson Charles holed out to cover-point the first ball of Roston Chase’s spell, while Shai Hope was run out at the non-striker’s end off the next one, dismissed without even getting the chance to get on strike. With Mayers struggling for fluency, it was Phillips who grabbed control of the game early on, setting the tone by smashing Chase for a six over cow corner in his next over. From that point onwards, the two continued to chip away at the runs, and as they began to draw closer, the asking rate always remained well under control.Even when Wahab Riaz bowled a tight 18th over to crank the pressure up slightly, Phillips released it emphatically in the penultimate one. Three of the next four balls went for six as Alzarri Joseph’s horror day (0-49) came to an appropriately miserable end, and the side that will prop up the table finished with their most impressive batting display of all.It looked like it might have been a different story when the Kings shrugged off the absence of Faf du Plessis. Rakheem Cornwall and Andre Fletcher blitzed through the Powerplay. Cornwall struck a breezy 26-ball 40 to set the tone before the irrepressible Chase top-scored with 56 as the Kings began to eye up a big finish. With no Mohammad Amir, the Royals lacked a bit of guile both at the top and tail of their bowling effort, and Raymon Reifer and Mayers came in for hefty punishment towards the death. At that stage, the Kings looked like they had seized control of their own destiny. Phillips, and the Royals, ensure they will have to wait for the night games instead.