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Virat Kohli said winning the Kolkata Test taught his team important lessons. “This was a Test match that players took as an opportunity to build character rather than pressure.”

Sidharth Monga in Kolkata03-Oct-20161:22

‘We wanted to boost Jadeja’s confidence’ – Kohli

“A challenging situation in Test cricket is the most exciting thing a viewer can see, and for a player playing to feel. You can sense that energy, which no other format can provide for you.”When India’s most popular current cricketer, their Test captain who can lead crowds like the Pied Piper, says these words, you can relax that at least for this generation Test cricket is safe in India, and that as a player he will do his best to hand it down.Through the second Test, which India won to become the No. 1 Test team in the world, Virat Kohli kept asking the small Eden Gardens crowd – still often big enough to fill out some stadiums – to make noise every time New Zealand put together a partnership. He entertained them with a sparkling knock of 45 in a crisis situation in the second innings, which was cut short by a shooter.”It’s our responsibility to keep Test cricket where it belongs,” Kohli said, “and if we play cricket like this – you saw how engaged the crowd was, they like to see exciting cricket, and we have to provide it. You have to interact with them, you have to make sure they are a part of the whole thing. You feed off their energy. It happens so much in limited overs, so why not in Test cricket?”A loud crowd, Kohli said, makes a big difference for the home team. “We experience that when we go to Australia, when we go to England, South Africa. They get a couple of wickets, the crowd gets behind really loud and as a batsman you understand that it creates a lot of pressure, you feel nervous. So I just try to think as a batsman, how I would feel. Walking in, the ball is reverse-swinging and the crowd’s going mad behind a bowler who is warm, who is willing to take a wicket. It makes a huge difference.”We were able to pick up two, three wickets. The crowd also loves it, you engage them for the betterment of the team. A bowler who is tired… Shami would have bowled three overs but he fed off the energy and he bowled 12 more balls for the team, got another wicket. So we will not be waking up at 6:30 again tomorrow.”Virat Kohli applauded the crowd at the end of the second day in Kolkata•BCCIIn the process, Kohli said, this Test showed them important lessons too. “This was a Test match that had to be fought out,” he said. “Which took character from all the players. This was a Test match that players took as an opportunity to build character rather than pressure. The more we win Test matches like this the more we will understand how Test cricket is played, how Test matches can be won. So we can keep repeating those things. It’s all about feeding those things into your head and keep repeating it.”If it was Ravindra Jadeja scoring crucial lower-order runs in Kanpur, Wriddhiman Saha did it in Kolkata. Rightly they won the Man-of-the-Match awards. Kohli said their batting was the biggest gain from these Tests. “The batting contributions of Jadeja and Umesh Yadav a little bit in the first game – Jadeja in both innings. And Wriddhiman Saha both innings in this game,” Kohli said of the gains. “The rest of the guys, we obviously understand that given their day and in a good frame of mind, they will come good. But these two guys are batting at positions that are very important in Test cricket.”For them to understand their own abilities and get confident, that was one of the main reasons why we waited for three more overs [for the declaration] in Kanpur, to let Jadeja cross 50. Because that way you understand how to get to that again and again. If you declare on 45, he will never get that extra boost of having gotten a half-century in a Test match.”So it was all about building confidence for a particular individual, because we understand how important his character can be in a situation where maybe you need to play out an hour or you need 40 quick runs again. And that is the guy who is confident and can do the job for you. So as a captain, I think the contribution by Jadeja in the first game and Saha here (were the main gains). Saha has been doing really well this year, I wish him well to keep going. Obviously a keeper coming good for you is an added bonus.”

Rumoured Leeds United managerial candidate Steven Gerrard is interested in taking the Elland Road job, according to a fresh update regarding the situation.

Who is in the running for Leeds job?

The Whites are now searching hard for their next manager, following the departure of Sam Allaydyce after he failed to keep them in the Premier League.

A host of names have already been thrown into the hat, with former Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers one to emerge, as well as West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who was once in charge of Leeds' Under-21s team.

This is likely to be an extensive search, though, and now a new name has been chucked into the mix, as the Whites look to ensure that they get the appointment right.

Does Gerrard want to take charge of Whites?

According to The Telegraph, Gerrard is keen on the idea of taking charge at Elland Road, as he looks to rebuild his managerial career, with Scott Parker and Corberan also getting a mention:

"Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker and Carlos Corberán are among the managers being considered by Leeds United after it was confirmed that Sam Allardyce has left the club following relegation from the Premier League.

[…]

"Gerrard, who was sacked by Aston Villa last October, is understood to be interested and is also on the list being reviewed by Kinnear who will carry on in his role even if the takeover goes through."

The jury is certainly out with Gerrard when it comes to his expertise as a manager, considering he had a fairly underwhelming spell in charge of Aston Villa, with Unai Emery since showing him up hugely.

That being said, he did very well to seal Scottish Premiership glory with Rangers back in 2020/21, wrestling the title away from rivals Celtic, and he remains a young manager with a big personality.

This is someone who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his generation – Michael Owen once called him "second only to Zinedine Zidane in terms of his world-class status", when it came to players he shared a dressing room with – and while playing ability doesn't make you a great manager, Gerrard is someone who earns immediate respect.

Leeds' players could even benefit from sharing the training pitch with such an iconic figure, learning how to become the best they can possibly be, and getting advice from someone with incredible mental fortitude.

Shane Watson has been named as the new captain of the Sydney Thunder following the retirement earlier this year of Michael Hussey

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Oct-2016Shane Watson has been named as the new captain of the Sydney Thunder following the retirement earlier this year of Michael Hussey.Hussey led the Thunder to the BBL title last summer but then stepped away from his playing role to take up a position as the team’s director of cricket.Watson, who retired from all international cricket following the World Twenty20 in March, will lead the side in their title defence this season.”I’m very excited to be chosen as captain of the Sydney Thunder,” Watson said. “I’ve got big shoes to fill with Mike Hussey doing an incredible job over the past couple of years. I’m going to have to be at my best to live up to what Mike’s done.”I’ve got my own personality and style on how I like to play T20 cricket from my experiences of playing a lot of T20 cricket. Things won’t change that much but I have my own ideas on how the team can get the best out of themselves against world class opposition.”

As Manchester United look to strengthen this summer, the major priorities for manager Erik ten Hag appear to be the signing of a new number nine and central midfielder, with the Dutchman seemingly hoping to improve the spine of his team ahead of next season.

With regard to midfield additions, Manchester Evening News reported earlier this season that the Red Devils were considering a fresh approach for Borussia Dortmund starlet, Jude Bellingham, with the England international having previously snubbed United's advances back in 2020.

Any potential move for the 19-year-old now appears almost impossible following the news that Real Madrid have reached an agreement with the Bundesliga side regarding a €100m (£86m) deal for the teenager, with the former Birmingham City man looking all but set to be plying his trade in the Spanish capital next season.

To have missed out on a player who is "going to be the best midfielder in the world" – according to Three Lions colleague, Phil Foden – is undoubtedly a blow for the Old Trafford outfit, with Ten Hag needing to find another midfield solution over the coming weeks and months.

The 53-year-old could already be lining up a perfect alternative to the Dortmund ace, however, in the form of Leon Goretzka, with the Bayern Munich machine believed to be a target for the Carabao Cup winners, according to reports in his native Germany.

Should Man United sign Goretzka?

The signing of the £301k-per-week maestro could allow Ten Hag to find his own version of Bellingham, with the two Bundesliga stars said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, as per FBref.

That likeness between the 6 foot 2 German and his English counterpart – who is also a towering figure at 6 foot 1 – is not just due to their physical stature, with the pair able to make a stellar impact at both ends of the pitch.

That is showcased by the duo's defensive strength, with Goretzka ranking in the top 3% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for blocks made, while Bellingham ranks in the top 7% in that regard.

Equally, the two men also have the desire to bomb forward and get involved in the final third, with Goretzka averaging 2.2 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 across the last 365 days, while Bellingham is only slightly ahead as he averages 3.6 touches per 90 for the same metric.

With the latter man a player who can "do absolutely everything" – according to United legend Gary Neville – the Bayern ace is also something of an all-action star in his own right, with former boss Julian Nagelsmann describing him as "one of the best box-to-box players in Europe".

Much like Bellingham – who has 24 goals and 25 assists to his name in 132 games for his current side – the former Schalke man also possesses an "incredible goal threat", according to Nagelsmann, having registered 34 goals and 35 assists in 179 games for the Bavarian giants.

While the Bochum native is less of a long-term option having turned 28 earlier this year – in contrast to the teenage Bellingham – his similar attributes to that of the Madrid-bound superstar should make him a perfect fit for Ten Hag at the Theatre of Dreams.

England’s bowlers produced a superb collective effort to lead a stirring fightback and secure a five-run victory in the first ODI against West Indies in Jamaica

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Oct-2016
ScorecardAlex Hartley took three wickets to lead England’s turnaround in the field•WICB Media/Athelstan BellamyEngland’s bowlers produced a superb collective effort to lead a stirring fightback and secure a five-run victory in the first ODI against West Indies in Jamaica.Giddings receives official warning

West Indies quick Erva Giddings has received an official warning for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct, during their five-run loss to England during the first women’s ODI in Jamaica.
Giddings, who made her debut at the age of 30 on Sunday, breached Article 2.1.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.” The incident happened in the 45th over of West Indies’ innings when Giddings, who was adjudged lbw, showed her bat to the umpire to indicate that she had edged the ball first.
In accordance with Article 7.3 of the revised Code, which came into effect last month, one demerit point was also added to her record. If she reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, her demerit points will be converted into, at least, two suspension points which will equal to a ban from her next match(es). Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

Katherine Brunt clinched the win to finish with 3 for 24 to follow Alex Hartley’s 3 for 26 and an impressive debut for Sophie Ecclestone.On a slow pitch, the preparation of which had been effected by Hurricane Matthew, scoring was hard work throughout. Danni Wyatt’s career-best 44 nudged England to 149, but when West Indies were 53 without loss they appeared well on course.The openers, Hayley Matthews and Shaquana Quintyne, hit more boundaries between then (eight) than England managed in total before spin changed the course of the innings. Ecclestone, the left-arm spinner, removed both openers in consecutive overs before fellow left-armer Hartley picked up three and Laura Marsh also struck.West Indies’ innings had also been set back when Stafanie Taylor had to retire hurt before facing a delivery. She left the field in an ambulance with a leg injury, before returning a short while later at the fall of the fourth wicket. However, she fell lbw to Hartley and was one of three wickets to fall on 100 including the key scalp of Deandra Dottin who was well caught at mid-off by Georgia Elwiss off Brunt.At for 100 for 7, England were suddenly favourites but Shemaine Campbelle and Afy Fletcher chipped together a stand of 23 before Fletcher was lbw to Marsh. Campbelle then managed to clear the ropes with just the second six of the day before losing Shamilla Connell to a dubious lbw decision against Brunt.That left Campelle with the No. 11, debutant Erva Giddings, for company and the pair whittled it down to six required when Giddings was also trapped lbw by Brunt.Earlier, Brunt was last out for England having made what would end up being a vital 17 off 49 balls. The innings was tough going throughout with openers Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont unable to find the tempo they did against the less challenging attack of Pakistan in the English season.Dottin claimed the first wicket in the 14th over and soon had three to her name including captain Heather Knight first ball to put her on a hat-trick.At 62 for 5, England were floundering but Wyatt and Amy Jones added 45. Wyatt was closing in on a maiden international fifty when she fell to Fletcher and the last four wickets could only muster 17.

Round-up of the CSA T20 Challenge matches on November 25, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2016Cameron Delport’s all-round performance and Dolphins’ top order steered them to a comfortable eight-wicket win against Knights in Bloemfontein, to earn their second win from five matches. Knights, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat in four matches.Knights’ openers Patrick Kruger and Andries Gous scored 28 each, after they opted to bat, but both were removed in Delport’s consecutive overs after the Powerplay. Captain Theunis de Bruyn then led them to a competitive 153 for 8 with an unbeaten 63 off 41. It was his fourth T20 fifty in his first match of the tournament and featured six fours and a six. Delport finished with 3 for 26.Dolphins hardly stuttered in their chase. They reached 50 in 5.1 overs but lost Delport for a 24-ball 36 on the next ball. Morne van Wyk, the other opener, and Cody Chetty combined for a commanding stand of 86 runs in only 11.1 overs to keep them ahead of the asking rate. Van Wyk fell for 56 of 43 in the 17th over and soon Khaya Zondo sealed the chase with a four in the penultimate over. Chetty was unbeaten on 46 off 38.Lions fell to a third loss in four games, with Christiaan Jonker helping Warriors breeze to their target of 153 with 13 balls and six wickets to spare. The win bumped Warriors up to No. 2 on the points table.Lions elected to bat and were off to a decent start, getting to 97 for 1 in the 15th. But none of their middle over could get going, and it was up to No. 3, Mangaliso Mosehle, who struck 49 off 28, to take the total past 150. JJ Smuts was the most effective of the Warriors bowlers: his left-arm spin accounted for both the openers after they were set, and he was miserly in taking 2 for 15 in his four.Smuts and Somila Seyibokwe laid the platform in the chase, before both were out in quick succession, and a couple more quick wickets followed to put the wobbles on Warriors. However, Jonker then launched his counterattack, thumping 49 off 18 with three fours and five sixes to seal the deal for Warriors.Titans v Cape Cobras in Centurion was a no result, with only 11 overs possible across both innings. The teams shared points, taking two each. The match was reduced to ten overs a side, and Cobras got to 115 for 4 in their allotment, with Richard Levi setting up the innings with 45 off 27 before Rory Kleinveldt put on the finishing touches with 28 off eight with four sixes. Titans could manage only one over in their reply, before play was called off.

Manchester United would love to also add Declan Rice to their midfield this summer if their financial situation was to allow a potential move.

How much is Declan Rice worth?

Champions League football in on the menu at Old Trafford for next season and it seems they are not looking to waste any time in bringing in some new faces this summer.

Indeed, reports would suggest the Red Devils are keen to acquire the services of Chelsea's Mason Mount to provide Erik ten Hag some strength in midfield.

It has been claimed that the Londoners would be looking for a fee in the region of £68m this summer for their 24-year-old who only has one-year remaining on his current deal.

However, there is another 24-year-old midfielder from London who finds himself surrounded in transfer speculation this summer.

And it happens to be Mount's best friend, Rice, who now looks set to leave West Ham United following their Europa Conference League triumph.

Reports would suggest the Hammers are looking for a fee in excess of £100m this summer for their England international with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal said to be interested.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, insider Alex Crook has claimed those at Old Trafford would love to bring Rice to the Theatre of Dreams this summer but the finances could prove an issue:

"I think United would love to try and sign Declan Rice but again it comes down to economics. We know they want a number nine they want a centre-back as well."

What is Man United's transfer budget?

There have been some suggestions that United will only be handed around £100m to spend this summer which will leave them in need of selling some of their players to create funds.

Adding to their limitations as a result of the FFP regulations, it may be a tricky summer of spending to navigate for the Red Devils.

However, their reported interest in Mount and Harry Kane would potentially see that figure swallowed up immediately over the two potential deals.

Indeed, with Chelsea believed to be holding out for close to £70m for Mount, a possible deal for Kane would see United needing to raise some significant cash.

It is believed Tottenham Hotspur will be doing everything they can this summer to keep their all-time record goalscorer in north London.

But if the England captain is to force a move away, then Spurs will be looking for a figure in excess of £100m for the 29-year-old striker.

And with all of this in mind, you do have to question where a potential move for Rice could fit in?

Potentially if moves for Kane and Mount fall flat then United could look at a deal for the "absolute monster", Rice, however, it looks as if Arsenal are not going to waste any time in their pursuit of the 24-year-old.

Joe Root is expected to be available for the opening ODI of the series between England and India after missing the start of the tour to witness the birth of his first child

George Dobell09-Jan-20171:10

Root will be back in time for the first ODI – Morgan

Joe Root is expected to be available for the opening ODI of the series between England and India after missing the start of the tour to witness the birth of his first child.Root, England’s highest rated ODI batsman (he is currently No. 7 in the ICC’s rankings), is expected to fly to India on Wednesday (January 11) having been by his partner’s side as she gave birth to their son. The rest of the squad flew to India on January 5, which was the baby’s due date.England play two warm-up matches in Mumbai on January 10 and 12 before the first ODI in Pune on January 15. While Root’s plans have not been confirmed, the ECB hope he will be able to play in that second warm-up game and anticipate him being available for the first ODI.Speaking at the Brabourne Stadium ahead of Tuesday’s fixture, England’s one-day captain, Eoin Morgan, confirmed that the plan was for Root to slot back into the starting line-up at the earliest opportunity, adding that England’s itinerary in the coming weeks is sufficiently light to allow him plenty of time off before English season begins.”Joe is probably one of three players first on the list to be rested if there is an opportunity,” Morgan said. “We feel certainty given that this is a very short series and we have three weeks at home before the [tour of] West Indies, which is a bit of a light load of a series as well.”We have about two-and-a-half weeks to play three or four games, and then the lead into our summer is pretty casual really, when you look at the international calendar and the opportunity for him to rest.”I think the weigh-up for is international cricket over domestic cricket – the last thing we want to do is rest Joe in an international game and let him go back and play cricket for Yorkshire, feeling that pressure to play cricket for Yorkshire. So, there is always a debate between both, and we feel at the moment there is enough rest in between here and the Champions Trophy for him to feel fresh come the start of June.”Nevertheless, the lack of time available for Root to spend with his new family is symptomatic of the pressures created by England’s busy schedule. Alastair Cook faced a similar journey in October when he flew back to England from Bangladesh to witness the birth of his second child, but was only able to spend a few hours with his family before re-joining the tour in time for the first Test.England’s schedule once the English summer gets fully underway is one of the most intense of all time – they depart for Australia and New Zealand in October and, for those playing all formats, will not return until April – therefore such journeys are likely to become the norm.

A big update has emerged on Arsenal and their efforts to lure Chelsea centre-forward Kai Havertz to The Emirates ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

What's the latest on Kai Havertz to Arsenal?

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have made a second offer to sign the German international after they had a £50m proposal turned down by their London rivals.

The report claims that Mikel Arteta's side have submitted a £60m bid, with a guaranteed £55m, in the hope of convincing the Blues to part ways with the talented attacker.

It states that they have the contract ready for the 24-year-old marksman as they are prepared to offer him at least £210k-per-week to make the switch across the city.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano followed up on this story by tweeting: "Understand deal could be done around £65m fee. Talks to follow. Havertz has been clear: he wants Arsenal move."

The reporter then added that a five-year deal is actually "already agreed" with the player and that the Gunners are hoping to strike an agreement with Chelsea this week.

Where would Havertz fit in at Arsenal?

The German maestro is far from a prolific number nine who will come in and lead the team to the Premier League title in the same way that Erling Halaand did for Manchester City.

However, Havertz could provide value to Arteta's side in a false nine role as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have shown that they have the quality to carry the goalscoring burden from out wide – they managed 29 top-flight goals combined last term.

He could be a Dennis Bergkamp-esque player for Arsenal in the sense that the 24-year-old magician could feature as more of a second-striker, with the Dutch legend having scored 118 goals and assisted 95 in 416 matches for the club.

In 2021, former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel compared the left-footed whiz to the former Arsenal star:

"I see a bit of Dennis Bergkamp, Robin Van Persie, [Dimitar] Berbatov kind of player. He can play in the half position because he has good runs, but also feels free from the nine and creates overload to one side."

Havertz has only scored 32 goals in 139 games for Chelsea but has showcased his ability to help the team in other, less direct, ways.

Over the last 365 days, the mercurial ace ranks in the top 9% or higher of players in his position in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for passes attempted, pass success rate, and progressive passes per 90.

This shows that Havertz excels at progressing the ball up the pitch and is actively involved in matches even when he is not on the scoresheet, which means that the £65m-rated marksman could thrive with two goalscoring wingers on either side of him in Arteta's system, as they would be able to provide direct running and goals to complement his playmaking.

Glasgow Rangers look set to be in for their busiest summer transfer window in quite some time as Michael Beale aims to overhaul a playing squad which has become stagnant across the previous 12 months.

Out go the likes of Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander as the wage budget has been trimmed, while Beale has quickly signed four players – and there will be more as the weeks go on.

Another squad player who could leave this summer is Scott Wright, as Preston North End had two bids rejected recently and it surely won't be long before he departs Ibrox after a woeful season.

The £5.6k-per-week dud played 34 times during 2022/23 and registered a paltry two assists – a dreadful return from the winger, and it’s clear he isn’t of the required quality needed going forward.

Could Beale turn to a January transfer target that is back on his radar in order to replace Wright if he does in fact move on from Rangers this summer? As Morgan Whittaker remains firmly in the 42-year-old's plans, according to The Daily Record, perhaps the Gers boss has a plan in place.

Could Rangers sign Morgan Whittaker this summer?

In all honesty, a move should have occurred back in January, as the Gers had three bids rejected by Swansea City for the pacey winger, with their final offer of £2m not enough to prise him away from Wales.

During the first half of last season, he spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle in the English third tier and was arguably their standout performer, registering nine goals and seven assists across just 25 league games, demonstrating his abilities from the right wing.

His form on the south coast was so devastating that he ranked second out of the whole squad for overall rating (7.1/10), despite playing just half a season, while also ranking third for goals and assists, as well as key passes per game and big chances created, underlining his importance to Plymouth.

His output dropped once he returned to Swansea, however, scoring just once in 15 Championship games, although he did only start two matches.

Beale is clearly a big fan of the 22-year-old winger, having previously lauded him as “excellent” – and the chase for him still appears to be very much alive.

The next few weeks could prove crucial with regard to a potential move, as the manager is aiming to get the vast majority of his business done early in order to focus on the Champions League qualifiers at the start of August.