League leaders buck the earlier trend where teams batting first were winning in the PSL

Danyal Rasool20-Apr-2025

The Islamabad United players celebrate a wicket•PCB

Islamabad United kept their stranglehold on PSL 2025, swatting aside Karachi Kings and romping to a seven-wicket victory on Sunday night. Bucking the trend of sides struggling to chase, United inserted Kings and kept their batters in a vice-like grip with regular wickets. Shadab Khan led the way with both ball and bat, taking 2 for 17 in his four before steering the chase with a composed 40-ball 47. It meant United made short work of Kings’ 128, winning with three overs to spare.United flew in the face of recent history; the last six matches this tournament have seen the side batting first win with ease. Upon winning the toss, they put Kings in, and Naseem Shah wasted no time cleaning up David Warner with a slower delivery that cut in. He was followed up by Jason Holder, the tournament’s lead wicket-taker, seaming one away to rock James Vince’s off stump.United’s bowling quality prevented Kings from getting off to the kind of powerplay start teams commonly have this season. The first five overs produced just 29 runs, with Shadab and Imad Wasim posing further difficulties after the powerplay. The two spinners combined for three wickets and conceded just 34 in eight overs, with Saad Baig’s 17-ball 20 the only instance of a top-seven batter succeeding in scoring at over a run-a-ball.Abbas Afridi slammed a 9-ball 24•PCB

It was only in the final two overs that Kings truly cut loose. Abbas Afridi smashed Naseem for a pair of sixes and flew to an unbeaten 24 off the nine balls he faced, helping Kings get past 120.It never looked enough for a United side so adroit at working their way through low targets and storming to big wins. Sahibzada Farhan’s dream season continued as a cameo broke the back of the chase early on, his 30 off 18 enough to guarantee the required rate would not pose problems for his side. Azam Khan, opening alongside Farhan, was uncharacteristically subdued, but in a chase that only required him to anchor, he did just that.Hasan Ali’s two-wicket over, which got rid of Farhan and Colin Munro, offered a brief moment of optimism for his side, but just as United did on the opening day chasing a low total, they hunkered down and made sure they weren’t giving wickets away cheaply.Shadab and Azam combined for 65 in 52 balls to take the sting out of Kings’ attack, a masterclass in drawing jeopardy out of a modest T20 chase. With the scores level and Shadab three away from a half-century, Afridi knocked his middle stump back, but the rueful smile he exchanged with Shadab made clear who really had the upper hand. The winning run was knocked off the following delivery to confirm United’s fourth win in as many games.

Glamorgan claimed the ascendency at 336 for 6 as they still search for a first win in the Rothesay County Championship in 2025.Young Jersey international Asa Tribe led the way with a proactive half-century in his first start this season making Derbyshire’s bowlers toil in the first hour.Captain Sam Northeast and unbeaten Colin Ingram also passed 50 in experienced knocks to send the hosts past 300 for the first time on the opening day this season.There was frustration for high flyers Derbyshire as Luis Reece pulled up injured for a second consecutive game with a suspected hamstring problem after finding his form with two wickets in quick succession and Ingram was dropped twice, once on 32, again on 70.After being inserted by Derbyshire on a green pitch under sunny skies at Sophia Gardens, Glamorgan took little time in making their presence at the crease known. A loose full toss by Reece was carved to the boundary off just second ball of the game by Zain Ul Hassan, followed by Tribe clipping New Zealand quick Blair Tickner away off the pads with comfort for a three on his first ball faced in a sign of things to come.The decision to bring in recent second XI double-centurion Tribe for Eddie Byrom continued to reap rewards, with three straight drives for four off the same Reece over. Ul Hassan also continued to show increasing enjoyment as an opening batter until he was dismissed just short of the century partnership hooking a Reece short delivery, then Tribe was bowled attempting a drive with his continued confidence, both within 10 balls of the left-armer’s second spell.Despite the momentum ending with Derbyshire, it was still Glamorgan’s session at lunch at 102 for 2.Tickner continued to show extra pace and looked troublesome when the ball did move around off the wicket, Northeast fending past gully to get off the mark and Kiran Carlson edging past three lurking slips first ball after lunch.Elsewhere, the balance of the attack still had to work hard as Wayne Madsen’s decision to field for a third consecutive innings across two matches showed its effect: bowlers withering and batters comfortable when not playing recklessly.Carlson came and went after a brisk 35, another falling to a hook, Zak Chappell with a well-deserved reward after an economical start. Ingram showed the wicket not to be as easy as the scorecard suggested being on just three from 24 balls before hitting Alex Thomson for a straight six in more Ingram-like fashion.Just one wicket came in the second session as the third half-century partnership passed, but still Glamorgan struggled to accelerate since Tribe’s blistering start and Carlson’s flamboyant knock ending prematurely.Ingram’s patience alongside the captain’s season best frustrated the ever-changing bowlers as they both passed 50s before Anuj Dal struck, Northeast out lbw after tea.Despite Thomson’s 38th-over introduction, the off-spinner with a 12-wicket haul in Cardiff last season went wicketless in 21 overs as the final session hung in the balance, the visitors claiming three wickets for 99 runs. Importantly for the hosts, Ingram will enter day two at the crease.

Rangers’ attacking options at Ibrox look very different now compared to just a few weeks ago.

All of last season’s top three scorers have departed this summer, with Václav Černý not returning following his loan spell, while Hamza Igamane departed for £10.4m, before Cyriel Dessers was sold for £3.5m on deadline day.

To replace them, wingers Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman have both arrived at Rangers while, in terms of centre-forwards, striker Bojan Miovski has come in from Girona for £2.6m, thrown in for his debut against Celtic last weekend.

Then, on deadline day, with Dessers Athens-bound, the new 49ers ownership group sanctioned one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history, but would they simply have been better off keeping a “rapid” forward?

Youssef Chermiti's move to Rangers

Last Monday, Rangers signed Youssef Chermiti from Everton in an £8m deal that could rise to £10m with performance-based add-ons.

This makes him Rangers’ most-expensive signing of the post-liquidation era, smashing Ryan Kent’s record, behind only Tore André Flo’s £12m move to Ibrox from Chelsea in 2000.

Well, the 21-year-old’s career on Merseyside does not leap off the page as someone who warrants a record-breaking transfer fee.

Chermiti began his career at Sporting CP, scoring three goals in 22 senior appearances for the Lisbon-based club, but this was enough to convince Everton to pay £11.5m to secure his signature in August 2023.

Well, fair to say this did not prove to be a shrewd investment, given that Chermiti did not score a single goal in 24 appearances for the Toffees, albeit these totalled just 295 minutes, with 22 of them as a substitute, of which 16 were cameos of ten minutes or fewer, in his defence.

Thus, it very much remains to be seen if Chermiti will be a success in Glasgow or not, making him a very expensive gamble.

So, would Rangers simply have been better off keeping hold of their “rapid” forward, rather than selling him for £4m?

Rangers' forgotten forward

Four years ago, Rangers signed forward Fashion Sakala on a free transfer, arriving from Oostende after his contract had expired at the Belgian club.

During two seasons in Glasgow, the Zambian international certainly made his mark, bagging 24 goals for Rangers, registering nine and then 12 during his two Premiership campaigns.

Speaking on Sportscene following Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road in March 2023, in which Sakala scored and bagged two assists, Steven Thomson praised his “immense” performance, while Leanne Crichton labelled him “rapid”.

Then, somewhat out of the blue, Sakala joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha for a reported fee of £4m and, well, he hasn’t stopped scoring since then.

During his first season with the Orange, he bagged 19 Saudi Pro League goals, a tally only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrović, as the table below documents.

Sakala 23/24 Saudi Pro League
Statistics	Sakala	SPL rank
Goals	19	3rd
Assists	6	19th
G + A	25	3rd
Shots	105	3rd
Shots on target	42	3rd
Big chances missed	13	11th
Successful dribbles	84	1st
Average SofaScore rating	7.31	4th*
*minimum 25 apps; among forwards only.
Stats via FBref & SofaScore

As the table documents, Sakala was outstanding during his debut season in Saudi Arabia, ranking third for goals, shots and shots on target, completing the joint-most dribbles alongside Allan Saint-Maximin.

Last season, his form did dip, bagging only eight times in the Saudi Pro League, but this still means he has accumulated 30 goals across all competitions during two seasons with Al-Fayha, registering an assist against Al-Fateh on the opening day of this season.

During the same time frame, new signing Chermiti has scored, well, zero goals, having bagged just three in his entire senior career.

Thus, all available evidence suggests that the Zambian would certainly be more of a sure-fire thing in attack, rather than the recently arrived, expensively recruited Portuguese U21 international.

Rangers have found the new Cerny in £2m star who Martin thinks is "exciting"

Václav Černý was always going to be a difficult player for Rangers to replace, but could their “exciting” £2.2m signing actually prove to be better?

By
Ben Gray

Sep 8, 2025

The USMNT boss has a roster emerging that he can trust, with several playing their way into – or out of – World Cup contention

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Even as he raved about the performance of some of his U.S. men's national team stars, Mauricio Pochettino continued to offer caveats. Yes, some players shined in this camp. No, that wouldn't guarantee them anything in the future. 

"It's open," Pochettino said Tuesday night. "It's open for every single USA player that is playing here or outside of this country. I think we need to feel that possibility."

Pochettino does genuinely mean that. He is assessing all options, particularly now that the team is in a better place than it was earlier this year. The focus is no longer on which players are committed and passionate, but rather the players that fit into the system and the players that will, ultimately, make this team better on the road to and during the 2026 World Cup.

Several made their cases during this international break, which began with a 1-1 draw with Ecuador last weekend and concluded with a 2-1 win over Australia on Tuesday night. Both performances were, by and large, strong. Both were huge improvements on what we saw even last window. And both offer a glimpse into the style and substance the USMNT could play with next summer.

Pochettino is assembling his pieces. There seems to be a group emerging that he can trust, with several playing their way into – or perhaps out of – that group over the last few days. 

"Not only do you need good players, but you also need good teammates, good people, people that put the interest of the national team above their own interests," Pochettino said. "That's is important to see: the behavior in situations when you're not playing well. We take notes and then, of course, we'll see when we decide the roster."

Who stood out? Whose stock rose, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.

• Getty Images
  

  Stock up: Tanner Tessmann

  For months, there’s been a defensive midfielder-sized hole next to Tyler Adams. Who would fill it? Would Johnny Cardoso step up? Couldn Weston McKennie slot in? What about Yunus Musah? At the moment, the player seemingly best equipped to play next to Adams is actually Tanner Tessmann.

  Tessmann didn’t do anything flashy this camp, although he did have one ridiculous pass at the end of the Australia game. He, generally, won’t be asked to do anything flashy. What Pochettino wants from that spot is someone who can hold space while Adams roams and destroys. He also wants someone who can play the ball forward in ways that Adams can’t. 

  In that sense, Tessmann seems like a perfect fit. His defensive awareness has improved massively and he’s always had the athleticism and skill on the ball required for the position. Because of that, he’s in a good spot right now. 

  "The goal is for the U.S. to win the World Cup," he told GOAL last week. "It's not about me winning the World Cup. When you win, your country wins the World Cup. Whatever I can do to make that happen, I'm going to do it. That's my No. 1. So, even when I'm left off, it's personally disappointing, but when I see the guys go out there and play well, I love seeing that. I just want to be available, be healthy and be there controlling what I can control.

  "At the end of the day, the decision is up to other people. They select the team, and I trust their decision. At the end of the day, it's about America winning the World Cup, not me winning the World Cup."

  Much can change over the next few months, something Pochettino has said time and time again. At the moment, though, Tessmann seems like the best answer to a question that’s been on the minds of USMNT fans for some time.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Stock down: Cameron Carter-Vickers

  Throughout camp, Pochettino did his rotating. Much like previous camps, Pochettino wanted a look at different things but he also wanted to manage the altitude that impacted everyone in that second game outside of Denver. Despite all that, we never saw Cameron Carter-Vickers – and that means that the Celtic star missed a chance. 

  We haven’t seen Carter-Vickers since that messy Nations League window in March, and Celtic’s European elimination in the early weeks of this season will do him no favors. This seemed a good camp for him to get into the team and prove he can play in a back three, something he generally doesn’t do on the club level.

  Instead, Chris Richards and Miles Robinson started twice with Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie handing off the spot beside them. That leaves Carter-Vickers staring down the reality of the depth chart.

• Getty Images
  

  Stock up: Haji Wright

  Of the USMNT's strikers, none are in better form than Haji Wright. He showcased that on Tuesday, as he ensured that that form carried over on his cross-Atlantic trip.

  Handed his first USMNT start in a year, Wright made the most of his opportunity. After missing much of the Gold Cup due to injury, Wright responded with both goals in the 2-1 win over Australia. The first was the finish of a striker in-form as the Coventry City star blasted a shot into a place where no goalkeeper could stop it.

  The second was a bit of finesse: a curled effort that was preceded by a dribble that saw Wright totally breeze past his defender. It was a statement game from a player that has been making a lot of statements on the club level, where he currently leads the English Championship in goals. Wright now has 11 goals and his last 11 games for club and country.

  "I think I have to just continue to perform", Wright said after the game. "If I just shut off now, my chances will probably diminish. I'm happy it happened, but can I try to build off that now?"

  He'll have to do that. Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are seemingly penciled in as the top two options, with the former asserting himself as the No. 1 with his own goal this window and Pepi still bouncing back from injury. Wright seems to be the one just behind.

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  Stock down: Josh Sargent

  Speaking of other strikers in the pool, it feels unfair to pick on a guy that wasn't in camp. But such is the reality of Sargent's current situation. Everyone knows the scenario: Sargent scores boatloads for his club, but hasn't scored for his country since 2019. It's a problem, one that could have and should have been solved by now.

  It hasn't, though, and while Sargent has been unable to change that trend, others have popped in with goals. This camp it was Balogun and Wright. Over the summer, it was Patrick Agyemang. At the moment, it seems like all four of those guys are ahead of the Norwich City star.

  Now the big question is how – or if – Sargent can fix it. Scoring goals at Norwich is great, and he's proven he can do that for years. The big question will remain if he can do it for the USMNT. With only two international windows remaining before the World Cup and a need to see more from the four strikers ahead of him, there may not be a chance for Sargent to change perceptions.

  Because of that, it's getting tougher to see a scenario for Sargent to push his way into the World Cup picture. Strikers, however, are tricky, as one run of form either way can change a roster. That said, Sargent's runs of form tend to come in the wrong shirt as his USMNT struggles seemingly continue to haunt him.

After taking the reins during the summer, new boss Thomas Frank will want to bring added success to Tottenham Hotspur after the Europa League triumph last season.

The Dane has key Premier League experience, spending four years in charge at Brentford after getting the Bees promoted back in the 2020/21 campaign.

However, his appointment is undoubtedly the next step in his career, but his tactical knowledge could see him be a huge hit with the Lilywhites faithful in the years ahead.

The 51-year-old has already made an immediate impact in the role, winning two of his three outings in England’s top-flight – one of which was against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Despite his impressive start to life at the club, Frank will undoubtedly be wishing that he had one former player to rely upon in his hunt for trophies in North London.

Gareth Bale’s time at Tottenham Hotspur

After arriving from Southampton as a 17-year-old, Gareth Bale originally moved to Spurs as a left-back, but that quickly changed during his time in North London.

His trajectory changed massively after transitioning into a more attacking role, with his hat-trick in the Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the San Siro back in 2010 certainly aiding his claim for a forward-minded position.

In the following campaign, the Welsh international registered 26 combined goals and assists – catching the eye of various sides across Europe, but staying put to continue his impressive development.

The former Saints youngster became settled in a right-wing position, with such a move helping him achieve the best season of his career for goal contributions in 2012/13.

Bale scored 26 times that year, subsequently becoming known for his trademark cut-in off the right-hand side before finding the top corner – which made him one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Real Madrid would win the race for his signature that summer, moving to the LaLiga side for a reported £85m fee – a then world-record fee, overtaking the money forked out for Cristiano Ronaldo a few years prior.

The Spurs star who could be Frank’s own Bale

Whilst Bale was a player who endured huge levels of success at Spurs, his time at the club wasn’t all plain sailing – he nearly departed the Lilywhites back in the summer of 2009.

It was previously reported that Nottingham Forest made a £2m bid for the Welshman, with the hierarchy even accepting the offer to allow him to depart after just a couple of years in North London.

Whilst a deal appeared close at one stage, the player himself, in the end, had a change of heart, deciding to stay and fight for his place in the first-team rather than starting afresh.

The decision proved to be a blessing in disguise for the club and the player himself, with no one anticipating such a rise at the time of his proposed move to the City Ground.

Such a situation has reoccurred over the last couple of years, with full-back Djed Spence a player who looked almost certain to leave the Lilywhites at one point.

Djed Spence – Spurs PL stats (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	25
Goals & assists	3
Progressive carries	3.1
Progressive passes	5.3
Tackles won	2.4
Interceptions made	1.1
Aerials won	1.1
Aerial success rate	60%
Stats via FBref

The 25-year-old joined the club back in the summer of 2022, arriving in a £20m deal from Middlesbrough – even though manager Antonio Conte was against the signing at the time.

He only made six appearances for the first-team, before three unsuccessful loan spells at Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa – with the latter having an option to buy at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, the immense injury crisis last season handed the right-back the opportunity to impress – one that he took with both hands – subsequently going on to make 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.

Spence, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has played in every minute of Frank’s tenure to date – earning himself a maiden England call-up during the recent international break.

No supporter could’ve predicted such a rise given his lack of action in previous seasons, but it’s safe to say the Englishman now looks a bargain and a player who will play a huge part in any success during the Dane’s tenure.

Should he continue on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why the defender can’t be a part of the 2026 World Cup squad – not to mention further impressing in North London.

His situation is extremely similar to that of Bale, with the Lilywhites once again having another huge talent on their hands, which could see another massive payday in the years ahead.

Frank's new Wissa: Spurs striker sold for just £12m is now outscoring Kane

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one youngster to depart the club.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 12, 2025

Cameron Green held his nerve to steer Gloucestershire to a hard-earned three-wicket victory over Kent on the final day of a thrilling Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Set a modest 162 to win in a minimum 57 overs, the home side made heavy weather of the chase as they were reduced to 57 for 4 and 138 for 7, Nathan Gilchrist claiming 4 for 43 to threaten an unlikely Kent comeback. But Australia international Green performed admirably under pressure to post a crucial match-winning innings of 67 not out from 90 balls, including a six and six fours, as the hosts dug in to reach their target with 13.5 overs to spare.Ben Charlesworth had earlier produced a startling cameo with the ball to set up Gloucestershire’s first home win in nearly three years. Regarded as an occasional bowler after being restricted by injury in recent times, the right arm seamer took three wickets in a devastating 14-ball burst as Kent were dismissed for 253 inside 89 overs in their second innings.Chris Benjamin and Grant Stewart appeared to be making a decent fist of saving the game when staging a half century partnership for the fifth wicket, only for the latter to fall to Charlesworth shortly before lunch and spark a collapse in which the visitors lost their last five wickets for 20 runs in 10.5 overs.This was Gloucestershire’s first home win in 16 attempts since beating Warwickshire at Bristol in September 2022 and this first victory of the season was greeted with glee by long-suffering supporters. The home side banked 24 points to climb the table, while Kent took six after suffering a second defeat in as many outings.Resuming on 135 for 4, a slender lead of 43, Kent batters Benjamin and Jack Leaning extended their defiant partnership to 82 in the face of a probing examination from Gloucestershire’s seamers, who bowled well as a unit to build pressure.Imaginative in his field settings, Gloucestershire skipper Cameron Bancroft deployed a short midwicket and invited a mistake. Leaning fell into the trap, attempting to force a ball from Josh Shaw into the on side and looping a catch up to Ollie Price to afford Gloucestershire the breakthrough they craved. He had contributed a patient 34 from 86 balls and frustrated the home bowlers for best part of an hour on the final morning.Ahead by 88, Kent were now pinning their hopes on Stewart and Benjamin mustering a repeat of the huge partnership that formed the basis of their first-innings total on day one. Benjamin upheld his end of the bargain, going to a watchful half-century from 129 deliveries. Rather more robust in his approach, Stewart played his natural game, taking on the seamers and scoring 41 at better than a run a ball to dominate a progressive stand of 53.That was the cue for Bancroft to throw the ball to Charlesworth, who effected a crucial double breakthrough shortly before lunch. Stewart’s high-risk strategy backfired, the Italy international dragging the ball on to his stumps, and when Charlesworth bowled Jaydn Denly for 5 soon afterwards, Kent were 241 for 7, and in trouble. The lead was 149, but the new ball was two overs away and Gloucestershire sensed an opportunity.Before even the new ball could be taken, Charlesworth made a further intervention, inducing Jake Ball to send a leading edge to point where a full-length Miles Hammond took a startling catch on the run to reduce the visitors to 243 for 8. Having previously sent down a mere 33 overs and taken three wickets at an average of 47.3 this season, the 24-year-old allrounder had doubled his tally in the space of six overs from the Ashley Down Road end to utterly transform his team’s prospects.The rout continued after Gloucestershire took the new ball, Ajeet Singh Dale dismissing Kashif Ali lbw for three on his way to career-best match figures of 9 for 179, eclipsing the 7 for 41 he took against Worcestershire at New Road in April 2023. Benjamin was last man out, edging Tom Price to second slip after chiseling 58 from 149 balls.If Gloucestershire believed the route to victory would be straightforward, they were made to think again, losing both openers inside three overs. Pushing half forward to a length ball from Gilchrist, Charlesworth was brilliantly caught by Leaning at second slip, while Ball produced an excellent delivery to have Bancroft caught behind as the hosts slipped to 12 for 2. Gilchrist then held a return catch off his own bowling after squaring up Ollie Price to further reduce Gloucestershire to 37 for 3.It was 57 for 4 soon afterwards, Hammond inexplicably playing at a wide delivery from Stewart and nicking off to Tawanda Muyeye at first slip for 18. Their nerves jangling, Gloucestershire then received a crucial let-off when the diving Leaning put down a sharp chance at second slip off the bowling of Kashif, affording Green a life on 3. Gloucestershire managed to reach the tea interval without further loss on 65 for 4, requiring 97 more to win in 38 overs.A period of stability was called for and Green and James Bracey calmed any nerves, raising a 50 partnership from 58 deliveries, and then accelerating as the ball softened and Kent’s bowlers wavered. Making good his earlier escape, Green hoisted Kashif over midwicket for an imposing six and mustered five fours on his way to a 71-ball half century.But Kent still fancied their chances when Gilchrist returned to take two wickets in as many balls, Bracey holing out to deep midwicket for 19 and Graeme van Buuren offering a catch behind to bag a pair as Gloucestershire slipped to 121 for 6 with 41 still needed. Tom Price pursued a ball down the leg side and was caught behind off the bowling of Stewart to set-up a tense finale, but the indomitable Green and Zaman Akhter carried the home side over the line.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the RCB quick is expected to return to India after a period of rehab on a shoulder niggle back in Australia

Andrew McGlashan23-May-2025Josh Hazlewood is firming to make a return to the IPL 2025 for the playoffs with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after coming through a period of rehab on a shoulder niggle back in Australia.Hazlewood, who missed RCB’s last match before the IPL was suspended, returned home during the hiatus and has since been training in Brisbane as part of Australia’s preparations ahead of the World Test Championship final.ESPNcricinfo understands that he has emerged from those sessions well and is expected to return to India although it has yet to be confirmed. Hazlewood has had an outstanding tournament with 18 wickets at 17.27 from ten matches.Related

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RCB are assured of progressing and have two matches remaining in the league phase – against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 27 – which will determine their route through the playoffs.The IPL was Hazlewood’s return to action after an injury-hit home summer where he did not feature again after suffering a calf strain in the third Test against India, which followed a side problem that kept him out of the second Test in Adelaide. He subsequently missed the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy.He is expected to return to the side for the WTC final against South Africa, edging Scott Boland out of the XI, having narrowly missed out on the 2023 decider against India amid recovery from Achilles and side injuries.The Australia players and staff who have remained at home will leave for the UK on May 29 with those at the rescheduled IPL joining as their tournaments conclude. Only Hazlewood and Josh Inglis (Punjab Kings) will be involved in the playoffs from those in the Test squad. The IPL final takes place on June 3, leaving just under a week to prepare for South Africa should either remain at the tournament until the end.Captain Pat Cummins and Travis Head will finish their season with Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 25. Mitchell Starc opted not to return to the tournament with Delhi Capitals.Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster and travelling reserve Brendan Doggett are currently playing county cricket.

Manchester United supporters are clinging on to all and any green shoots of recovery right now.

On Saturday, Rúben Amorim’s team claimed a much-needed victory going into the international break, beating Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Mason Mount and then Benjamin Šeško.

​Next up, the Red Devils take on champions and fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield, before tough-looking fixtures against Brighton, Nottingham Forest and then Tottenham.

​​​​​Ahead of this challenging period, has Amorim unearthed a deadly attacking duo reminiscent of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole from Manchester United’s glory days?

In numbers: Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole at Man United

Back in 1998/98, Manchester United famously won the treble, beating Newcastle in the FA Cup Final, pipping Arsenal to the Premier League title by a solitary point on the final day, before that historic comeback against Bayern Munich to snatch the Champions League.

Fair to say, Yorke and Cole were key figures in this success, scoring 29 and 24 goals respectively across all competitions.

As the table below documents, this makes them one of the most dangerous attacking duos in Premier League history.

Andy Cole &

Dwight Yorke

Manchester United

1998/99

53

Chris Sutton &

Alan Shearer

Blackburn Rovers

1994/95

52

Didier Drogba &

Frank Lampard

Chelsea

2009/10

63

Thierry Henry &

Robert Pirès

Arsenal

2003/04

58

Harry Kane &

Son Heung-min

Tottenham Hotspur

2017/18

59

Wayne Rooney &

Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United

2007/08

60

Julián Álvarez &

Erling Håland

Manchester City

2022/23

69

Sadio Mané &

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

2018/19

53

Yorke, who is currently the manager of Trinidad and Tobago, bet you didn’t know that, arrived at Old Trafford from Aston Villa, later representing Blackburn, Birmingham and Sunderland.

Cole meantime, was poached from Newcastle, where he’d been a massive star, turning out for 12 English clubs in total.

Now, does the current iteration of Manchester United have a duo who could replicate the famous Yorke and Cole duo?

Manchester United's modern-day Yorke and Cole

As Amorim searches for a winning formula, while they may not be a traditional strike partnership, Amad Diallo alongside Bryan Mbeumo could be the pair of attackers to fire Manchester United up the table.

Amad was arguably the Red Devils’ most dangerous attacker last season, registering 11 goals and ten assists, most memorably scoring a stoppage-time winner in the Manchester derby at the Etihad.

After arriving as a teenager from Atalanta for up to £37m, the Ivorian endured an underwhelming loan spell at Rangers, before showcasing his talents at Sunderland, scoring 14 goals for the Black Cats, firing them into the EFL Championship play-offs.

Now, Amad is earning plaudits for his performances back at Man United, with Darren Bent, speaking on talkSPORT, labelled him a “wonderkid”, adding that he is the club’s “best [player] by some distance” after he scored a hat-trick against Southampton in January.

Mbeumo, meanwhile, joined for a reported fee of £71m this summer, having scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season.

The Cameroonian international opened his Man United league account against Burnley in August, while he has had more shots (17) of any player at the club so far this season.

An electric winger, Carl Anka of the Athletic has asserted that he is certainly ‘one of the better forwards in the Premier League’.

So now, how does Amorim get both into the same starting lineup?

Well, Man United signed an entirely new front three in the summer, with Matheus Cunha yet to get off the mark, but Šeško has scored against both Brentford and Sunderland, thereby opening his account for the club.

In a solution to get them all in, Amad was deployed at wing-back for Sunderland’s visit, a decision that proved successful.

At the weekend, as outlined by Adam Bate of Sky Sports, Amad and Mbeumo as a duo were very ‘impressive’, with the Ivorian attempting six dribbles, his highest figure in any home league game under Amorim, with the manager himself stating that “he can help Bryan to play more inside and worry more with the runs behind the defenders”.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Well, Black Cats boss Régis Le Bris certainly agreed, noting afterwards that Man United “are really strong on the side”, adding that this forced him into making a lesser-spotted tactical substitution in the first half.

Meantime, journalist Muhammad Butt labelled them a “superb double-act”, praising their “wonderful chemistry and creativity”, with Carl Anka of the Athletic concluding that this match was 2the best pair have played with each other” to date.

Thus, Amad’s form both last season and at the weekend necessitates getting him into the side somehow.

For tougher fixtures, he should potentially be used at Cunha’s expense in attack, while in games where the onus is on Manchester United to create and break down the opposition, he has to be chosen over Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui at right-wing-back, given that they offer so little going forward.

In summary, it is still early days, but this duo could be Man United’s best partnership since the glory days of the late-90s.

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Manchester City are leading the race for a “world-class” star, and they are now prepared to explore a deal in the January transfer window.

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Man City’s opening match was full of promise, picking up an impressive 4-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they have since gone on to lose their last two matches, and Rodri was very critical of the performance in the 2-1 loss at Brighton.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner said: “Some of the mistakes we are making are kids’ mistakes; you are not concentrating and paying attention. The reality is that we have to raise the level if we want to compete.”

Pep Guardiola initially attempted to ‘raise the level’ by overhauling his squad during the summer transfer window, although there were very few additions in forward areas, with the now injured Rayan Cherki the only outright attacker to move to the Etihad Stadium.

That is despite City being heavily linked with a new winger, and at one stage they were preparing an offer for Rodrygo, but the Brazilian ultimately ended up remaining at Real Madrid.

However, there has now been a new update on Man City’s pursuit of Rodrygo, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they are leading the race for the 24-year-old’s signature. It is claimed that the forward is seen as a “perfect fit” and a “key piece” in City’s fluid attacking system.

During the summer transfer window, Arsenal were informed that Madrid would be prepared to listen to offers of around €80m (£69m), which suggests it may take a similar amount to get a deal done this winter, with City now willing to explore a January move.

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Interestingly, Madrid are open to cashing-in on the Brazil international this summer, which may be music to Pep’s ears, given that the 54-year-old is known to be a long-term admirer.

"World-class" Rodrygo could take Man City's attack to next level

Oscar Bobb has made a decent start to the season, scoring at the Club World Cup, before going on to pick up an assist against Wolves on the opening day, but the Norwegian is still yet to truly establish himself at the top level.

As such, Pep may be keen to bring in a more proven winger this winter, and the Real Madrid forward is now a seasoned Brazil international, scoring seven goals in 33 appearances for his country, while also picking up 119 goal contributions in 272 outings for his current employers.

Journalist Kyle Bonn has previously praised the former Santos man for his ability to put away chances, which is evidenced by the fact he has averaged 0.35 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, despite being expected to score 0.21 per 90.

Rodrygo could take Man City’s attack to the next level, so it is exciting news that they have now moved into pole position in the race for his signature.

While success hasn’t always followed, West Ham United have had some genuine world-beaters represent the club over the years.

For example, the likes of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst are more than just club legends; they are true icons of the English game.

Then, in the modern day, while he’s not quite matched their achievements, Jarrod Bowen is in with a real chance of being the club’s greatest ever Premier League player.

However, there is another man who might have an equal shout for that title: Dimitri Payet.

The Frenchman was utterly incredible during his time with the club, and in great news, Nuno Espírito Santo has someone in his current squad with shades of the midfielder in his game.

Payet's West Ham career

West Ham signed Payet from Marseille for a fee of around £10.7m, and while the move received little media attention at the time, it would soon be looked at as one of the best deals that summer.

It didn’t take long at all for the mercurial midfielder to make his mark, as on his debut, against Arsenal, he provided an assist for Cheikhou Kouyaté from a well-taken free-kick.

From that point onwards, the Saint-Pierre-born genius would continue to turn up for the Hammers, and by the end of the season, he had racked up a brilliant haul of 12 goals and 15 assists in 38 games, totalling 3223 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, such an incredible debut campaign for the club saw him named the Premier League Player of the Year at the 2016 London Football Awards, shortlisted for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and named West Ham United Player of the Year.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after telling the club he didn’t want to play for them anymore, he left for £25m in January.

Payet’s West Ham record

Appearances

60

Minutes

4981′

Goals

15

Assists

22

Points per Game

1.52

All Stats via Transfermarkt

It’s hard to overstate how brilliant Payet was to watch at West Ham, and while there isn’t anyone just like him in the current squad, there is someone with shades of him in their game.

West Ham's star with shades of Payet

Now, there are a number of players in this current West Ham side who could go on to do great things at the club, as Bowen already has.

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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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However, when it comes to someone who has shades of Payet in their game, it’s hard to look past Crysencio Summerville and the potential he has.

It’s important to say the word potential, as it would be crazy to suggest that the former Leeds United star has reached the levels the Frenchman did at the club.

However, that is not the point, as this isn’t a comparison to say he will be as good as the 38-year-old; it’s to point out the elements of his game that feel Payet-esque.

One such element is his brilliant ability with the ball at his feet, specifically when it comes to dribbling and beating opponents.

This was on full display in his Man of the Match-winning display against Everton on Monday night, as the Dutchman was able to complete three of five dribbles, which was the most of anyone on the pitch, including Jack Grealish.

More than that, he utilises this ball-carrying ability to create numerous chances for his teammates, whether through winning fouls or outmanoeuvring opponents.

Summerville’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

SCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.52

Top 1%

Fouls Drawn

2.58

Top 3%

Penalty Kicks Won

0.10

Top 4%

Pass Completion % (Medium)

88.1%

Top 5%

SCA (Take-On)

0.72

Top 7%

GCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.10

Top 8%

All Stats via FBref

For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions coming from fouls won, the top 4% for penalties won, the top 7% for shot-creating actions coming from take-ons and more, all per 90.

Finally, while his output hasn’t been ideal since his move to East London, there is undoubtedly a star waiting to come out in the “unstoppable” game-changer, as dubbed by Statman Dave.

This was on show in his final campaign with Leeds, when he racked up 21 goals and ten assists in 49 games and won the Championship Player of the Year.

Ultimately, Summerville isn’t as talented as Payet, but with his ability on the ball and dynamism, there are certainly shades of the Frenchman in his game.

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