كشف الدكتور أشرف عمر، أستاذ الكبد والجهاز الهضمي كلية طب القصر العيني ورئيس جمعية سرطان الكبد، موعد تعافي إمام عاشور لاعب الأهلي من فيروس A.
وقال الطبيب في تصريحات لبرنامج “لعبة والتانية” على “راديو ميجا إف إم”، مع كريم رمزي: “فيروس A مثل فيروس الدم لا يسبب أي أزمات مزمنة على الكبد، ولكن أزمته أنه يسبب التهاب وارتفاع درجة الحرارة”.
طالع| طبيب كبد يكشف تفاصيل مثيرة حول مرض إمام عاشور.. ويحذر من انتكاسة خطيرة للاعب
وتابع أستاذ الكبد والجهاز الهضمي، أن خطورة الفيروس على كبار السن، إذ ينتقل عن طريق الطعام والشراب، وهو معد للغاية، ولكنه غير خطير.
وأضاف: “الفرق التي تسافر خارج مصر أكثر عرضة للإصابة بالفيروسات المعدية، لذلك لا بد من التطعيم بشكل جيد قبل السفر لا سيما إلى البلاد الإفريقية”.
واختتم: “إمام عاشور ممنوع تمامًا أن يبذل أي مجهود عضلي في الوقت الحالي، ويحتاج ما لا يقل عن 3 أسابيع من أجل التعافي بشكل تام ويكون جاهزًا للمباريات مع الأهلي”.
Nottingham Forest are working hard to secure new arrivals and could be given a helping hand by claiming a sizeable windfall from one of their first-team assets, according to reports.
Nottingham Forest remain in deadlock over Morgan Gibbs-White
Truthfully, nothing of note has changed in Morgan Gibbs-White’s precarious situation at Nottingham Forest after they threatened to take legal action against Tottenham Hotspur following the latter triggering the England international’s release clause.
While it remains to be seen whether the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man stays in the Midlands, the Tricky Trees have reportedly identified Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey as a replacement.
Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey in action
Everton and West Ham United are also interested in the midfielder, though Ben Jacobs has also confirmed that Bilal El Khannouss is another Nottingham Forest option.
Addressing their interest in the Leicester City playmaker, he stated: “It’s buying Forest time and in the time taken, Forest are looking at Morgan Gibbs-White replacements, which tells you they still think there’s a chance he could go to Spurs.
“Bilal El Khannouss, at Leicester, is one name to watch. He has a 26m euro relegation release clause, and Forest are one of at least three Premier League clubs that have expressed an interest in the Moroccan international.”
Dream Elanga replacement: Nottingham Forest in contact to sign £25m "menace"
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ByJoe Nuttall Jul 15, 2025
Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus have arrived at the City Ground from Botafogo, albeit Nuno Espirito Santo has struggled to follow up on bringing in the duo as the marketspace becomes increasingly competitive.
Nevertheless, there is plenty of time left to secure new arrivals, offering optimism that he will eventually put together the components needed for Nottingham Forest to have a successful window, though he will also need to sell players to balance the books.
Botafogo agree deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Danilo
According to Globo Esporte, Botafogo have agreed to sign Nottingham Forest star Danilo and only the final details of a deal remain to be ironed out before his transfer back to Brazil is sealed.
An agreement is in place between all parties, and it is said that the value of his move equates to around £19 million. The former Palmeiras man will sign a four-year contract after negotiations accelerated due to Gregore’s departure to Al-Rayyan.
Danilo’s record at Nottingham Forest
Appearances
62
Goals
6
Assists
4
Labelled “wonderful” by Nuno after unfortunately breaking his ankle, the Salvador-born man has struggled to get back to his best form since and now appears set to reignite his career back in familiar surroundings.
It should be noted that he was initially hesistant to commit to Botafogo amid his association with their rivals, Palmeiras, but he is now ready to take the plunge under Davide Ancelotti’s stewarship.
Nottingham Forest may be losing a talented squad player, though his exit may offer up further funds to pursue reinforcements in the engine room once all documentation is signed and sealed.
Having secured Champions League qualification by the skin of their teeth last season, Newcastle United are under no pressure to sell players this summer.
Of course, Eddie Howe will still have to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations in order to make sure the club are balancing the books this summer.
The last time Newcastle played in Europe’s premier club competition, they failed to make it out of the group stages.
Howe will be expecting a much better showing this time around, although this means simultaneously keeping his star players while adding in much-needed squad depth.
Alexander Isak has been the subject of links to Liverpool recently, following on from another wonderful campaign on Tyneside.
The Toon are not willing to let their star striker leave, never mind selling to a Premier League rival. As such, they have placed a valuation of around £150m on his head.
Whether this deters potential suitors or not remains to be seen, but the Swedish centre-forward does appear happy at the club.
He isn’t the only player attracting interest of late. Indeed, winger Anthony Gordon is another who enjoyed a productive season in 2024/25.
While Isak appears indispensable to the club’s success next term, could Gordon be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in?
The latest on Anthony Gordon's future at Newcastle
The English starlet has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League after a few impressive seasons at Newcastle.
Liverpool showed interest last summer, but nothing materialised. Could Arne Slot return this year and finally secure his signature?
Anthony Gordon
Any move may cost around £75m as both Chelsea and Arsenal have joined the Anfield side in declaring their interest in the former Everton sensation.
Last season, Gordon registered 16 goal contributions – nine goals and seven assists – in all competitions for the Magpies.
While he didn’t play in the League Cup final, the winger scored twice on the club’s road to the trophy, and his efforts in the Premier League sealed a top-five finish for the Toon.
Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle stats in 2024/25 (PL only)
Goals
6
Assists
5
Big chances created
6
Key passes per game
1.5
Successful dribbles per game
1.1
Shots per game
1.7
Via Sofascore
When compared to his positional peers in the top flight last season, Gordon ranked in the top 7% for crosses into the penalty area (0.63) per 90 and in the top 5% for fouls drawn (2.63) per 90, proving how much of a menace he is down the flanks.
It is perhaps no wonder that so many clubs are keen on signing the Englishman, especially as he isn’t even the finished article yet.
Will Howe be prepared to accept an offer worth around £75m for the player? Especially as it could fund a few potential signings this summer?
That much remains to be seen, but if so, the club will need to spend in order to sign an able replacement. That’s for sure.
It appears as though Howe has already targeted a youngster who could potentially fill the void left by Gordon. Should he depart Newcastle, that is.
Newcastle eye move for French sensation
Howe has been working hard on trying to make something happen this summer in terms of incoming signings.
Players such as Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, and even Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have all been linked with moves to Newcastle in recent weeks.
All three would be excellent signings, without a shadow of a doubt, but the lack of progress is slightly worrying.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Now, according to ESPN, Newcastle are one of the clubs lining up a deal for Lyon starlet Malick Fofana this summer, although they face some stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Brighton, and Fulham for his signature.
As per the report, Fofana could cost around £45m, which, for a player of his age and lack of experience, is an astronomical amount. His ceiling for development is massive, however, which could entice Howe into making a swoop for the 20-year-old, especially if Gordon goes.
Fofana is a right-footed winger who likes to play on the left, and he would be the perfect replacement for the Englishman.
Why Newcastle must sign Malick Fofana
The youngster has already made his senior debut for Belgium after what was a breakthrough season with Lyon in 2024/25.
Indeed, across 41 games in all competitions for the French side, he scored 11 goals and grabbed a further six assists, showcasing his ‘explosive’ skillset, as it was labelled by Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines.
It was in the Europa League where the talented winger really demonstrated his talents. Not only did he record an impressive eight goal contributions in the competition, but he shone in a range of metrics.
When compared to his positional peers, he ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, while also ranking in the top 1% for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) and for progressive carries (7.88) per 90 in the tournament.
This certainly proves that he loves taking on defenders regularly, while taking the ball into dangerous zones during matches.
His eye for goal could also be advantageous for Howe, who would look for a goalscoring winger to replace Gordon. Fofana is only going to get better, too, that’s for sure.
Fofana was hailed by U23 scout Antonio Mango for his “game-changing potential” late last year and certainly showcased his talents for Lyon throughout 2024/25.
He even starred in Ligue 1 for the French side. The youngster created six big chances and succeeded with 0.8 dribbles per game.
Lyon's Malick Fofana against AC Milan.
There is no doubt that he is ready to take the next step. After shining in the Europa League, could the Champions League be the platform for him to continue his development?
Howe must think so, and while a fee of £45m is big, especially given his lack of experience on the biggest stage, he must think of the long-term future.
Fofana could be a player who eventually brings the club a major profit a few years down the line, which will go a long way in his thinking, given his impressive form for Lyon, which suggests that he could be a brilliant replacement for Gordon.
Newcastle readying bid and fighting to land centre-back wanted by Real Madrid
The Magpies are well in the fight to land their man…
Liverpool are in the final stages of wrapping up a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, having already signed the Werkself’s electric right flanker Jeremie Frimpong after meeting his £29.5m release clause.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez should follow, with the two Premier League clubs engaged in advanced discussions for the Hungarian’s transfer this summer.
While bringing in a new centre-forward is also on the agenda, Liverpool may have to contend with one or two reluctant sales, most notably of which concerns Luis Diaz.
The latest on Luis Diaz
Diaz has been a key component of Liverpool’s Premier League triumph this season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists for the Reds across all competitions.
However, aged 28 and entering the penultimate year, it would make sense to cash in if a handsome offer were presented to FSG. With Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League’s Al Nassr both keen, this is something bound to be on sporting director Richard Hughes’ mind.
With a bid worth around €85m (£72m) being pieced together by Al Nassr, Liverpool could take the money and invest in a new star, especially with a world-class player in Wirtz already heading to Merseyside.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Especially when there’s a rising talent who’s been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent months who might just be the perfect long-term investment.
Liverpool could sign Wirtz-esque Diaz replacement
While Cody Gakpo has nailed down the left-sided forward spot at Liverpool, Diaz’s departure would require a direct replacement being brought in, even if Liverpool secured a new centre-forward too.
That’s why FSG should consider increasing their interest in Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, who has enjoyed a promising emergence in Bundesliga.
The 20-year-old has been hailed as a “very good finisher” by former Yellow Wall boss Nuri Sahin, also noted for being “incredible one-on-one”, and though he’s young, there’s enough there to suggest he could be the perfect Diaz heir.
He’s still got levels to scale, but Gittens has made an impressive start to life on the major stage, with his silky approach even leading data-driven site FBref to liken him to Wirtz.
24/25
48 (34)
12
5
23/24
34 (18)
2
8
22/23
20 (5)
3
1
21/22
4 (1)
0
0
Ranked among the top 15% of Bundesliga attacking midfielders and wingers in 2024/25 for goals scored, and the top 1% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, you can see he’s got some of the ball-carrying similarities of Wirtz, though Gittens is more of an out-and-out winger.
Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley even pronounced him “England’s best left-winger in 2024/25” earlier in the campaign, which is lofty praise indeed, given the calibre of competition he’s against.
Thomas Tuchel’s recently selected summer Three Lions squad perhaps doesn’t reflect that, but then Gittens is still in the fledgling phase of a promising career, having laid the foundations for something special.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
As per Sofascore, Gittens averaged 4.9 successful duels per top-flight fixture this year too, showcasing a tenacious side to his game that could bear dividends in the Premier League.
The same could be said for Wirtz, who marries his absurd technical level with a combative underbelly. Given that the German has been profiled by FSG’s analysts and targeted in a club-record deal, Gittens might just fit the bill.
While he won’t be at the top of Liverpool’s shopping list, this could be a shrewd move to keep the champions firing on all cylinders over the coming years.
Just another Nunez: Liverpool add "outrageous" £67m forward to shortlist
Liverpool have turned their attention to a new target as they seek out a centre-forward.
Manchester City have not set the Premier League alight by their lofty standards this season, but there are still some positive green shoots beginning to appear.
Indeed, the likes of Nico O’Reilly and Omar Marmoush have settled in swimmingly to first-team life in Manchester, with the exciting academy product a first-team regular now, alongside his entertaining Egyptian teammate who already has six Premier League goals to his name.
That’s the case despite the City number seven only being on the books of Pep Guardiola’s men since January, meaning there will plenty of optimism in the air that deals happening this coming transfer window can be equally as impactful.
How Man City could replace De Bruyne in the transfer window
The main area of the pitch that could do with some reinforcements is the number ten spot with Kevin De Bruyne edging ever closer to exiting the Etihad the more the season ticks away.
This has led City down the path of pursuing some statement buys with both names such as Florian Wirtz and Morgan Gibbs-White on their agenda to try and adequately replace the constant heroics of De Bruyne.
But, Guardiola’s titans could plug the gap left behind by their iconic Belgian by snapping up Sporting winger Francisco Trincao instead, despite the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man’s main preference to line up down the flanks.
The Portuguese was linked with a move to the Etihad earlier this week but it won’t be an easy deal to get over the line.
That’s because top four rivals Newcastle United and Arsenal are also after the wide forward, while city rivals Manchester United have a vested interest too.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Trincao could replace De Bruyne's creativity
If Trincao were to relocate back to the Premier League, he would have a burning desire to prove any naysayers wrong after a turbulent stint at Molineux.
After all, the 25-year-old attacker – who was once hailed as “special” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – has proven himself to be an assist king ever since returning to his native Portugal, which could lead to De Bruyne’s sad exit being quickly forgotten about.
The on-fire Sporting number 17 was more cold than hot donning a Wolves strip, with Trincao only capable of picking up a mere three goals and one assist from 30 appearances for the Old Gold, before then retreating to a more comfortable environment in Lisbon.
Sporting Club's Francisco Trinaco and Viktor Gyokeres.
Now, he is front and centre of Sporting’s devastating attacking arsenal alongside goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, with this season alone seeing the reinvigorated forward pick up a substantial 18 assists from 51 total contests.
His career total of 53 assists – away from this season’s count – is some way off eclipsing De Bruyne’s unbelievable 177 tally at the Etihad, but the powers that be at City will just pray he can be as classy as the departing 33-year-old when cutting defences open if he joins, having also once been openly praised as “really exciting” by Wolves technical director Scott Sellars.
RW
171
27
36
LW
53
11
6
SS
24
7
3
RM
11
0
1
CF
8
3
1
LM
6
1
2
AM
1
0
0
To further back up Trincao as a likely heir to De Bruyne’s playmaking throne, the Portuguese superstar has also shown across his career to date that he can shine in multiple different positions.
Of course, the assist-heavy Belgian is most commonly known as lining up as a number ten for Guardiola’s giants, but he has lined up in eight different positions during his lengthy stay at the club, including as a main striker in recent times, a role Trincao can fulfil too.
Therefore, this is yet another box that Trincao ticks if he’s going to be the next ace up Guardiola’s sleeve, similar to De Bruyne’s high standards.
Adding in a player of the 25-year-old’s creative calibre can only be a positive for those at City, with a further low price-tag next to his name of just £34m making this potential summer move a must to complete.
Their answer to Wirtz: Man City preparing bid for "world-class" £85m star
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Manchester United were less than seven minutes away from disaster. Seven minutes away from essentially the end to the campaign. Then Old Trafford worked its magic…
The euphoria of Thursday’s gripping 5-4 win over Lyon has still not dissipated, with the debate raging over just where that special night ranks among the litany of magic moments in United’s European history.
Yes, it may not have been a titanic Champions League tussle with a Barcelona or a Real Madrid, yet for those chaotic, final exchanges, it certainly felt like it. Even at their lowest ebb, this United side can still conjure up memories to last a lifetime.
What this result must represent, however, is the start of something, a turning point in the Ruben Amorim regime – for the Red Devils not to go on to lift the Europa League trophy now would be a real tragedy.
Not only would success in the competition mark a fitting way to plaster over the cracks of a dismal domestic season, but it would also bring with it the potential riches that the Champions League can offer.
Man-Utd-Lyon-Europa-League
The difference between securing qualification or not could play a crucial role in the club’s summer transfer business…
Latest on Man Utd's transfer search
Regardless of how this season finishes up for United, the Old Trafford hierarchy are likely to already be plotting just how they can improve the squad next season, with recent reports outlining their apparent interest in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
Indeed, Sky Sports have revealed that United are deemed to be leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, albeit with there set to be intense competition from almost every top-six Premier League club – excluding Arsenal.
The former Bristol City man – who is said to be valued at around £70m by the Cherries – isn’t the only talent within the top-flight that Amorim is believed to be chasing, with ESPN’s Mark Ogden reporting that the Red Devils are keen on Southampton starlet, Tyler Dibling.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Ogden, INEOS will step up their interest in the 19-year-old sensation this summer, provided that Amorim’s men are successful in their pursuit of Europa League glory.
As per the piece, the England youth international has reportedly been valued at around £100m by the Saints in an attempt to ward off interest, albeit with that said to be an ‘unlikely valuation’ considering their relegated status.
Turning to a player who has been part of a grim campaign at St Mary’s may appear a bizarre move, although all the signs point to Dibling proving a real superstar in the years to come.
Why Man Utd could be targeting their own Cole Palmer
It was recently revealed by United youth coach Colin Little – speaking to The Athletic – that the Red Devils had actually come close to sign boyhood fan, Cole Palmer, as a 16-year-old, albeit with the young playmaker ultimately staying put at rivals Manchester City, prior to his £40m switch to Chelsea in 2023.
Arguably the “best player in the Premier League”, prior to his recent wobble in 2025 – in the words of pundit Jamie Carragher – United will be kicking themselves at having missed the boat on such a talismanic talent.
While Dibling is far from the levels of a player who boasts 63 goals and assists in just 83 games at Stamford Bridge, he has actually been described as “like Cole Palmer” by one-time United man, Dion Dublin, due to the way he plays “free and easy”.
Non-penalty goals
0.11
0.37
Assists
0.00
0.27
Shot-creating actions
2.92
5.94
Pass completion
80.8%
76.6%
Progressive passes
3.19
6.24
Progressive carries
3.51
3.26
Successful take-ons
2.32
1.46
Progressive passes received
4.64
5.40
Touches in opposition box
2.11
4.14
Like his fellow left-footer, the Southampton sensation has that almost kid-in-a-playground quality to him, with such natural brilliance having seen former boss Russell Martin describe the teenager as “the most talented player I’ve ever seen”.
Capable of playing off the right flank, in an attacking midfield role or even as a number eight – much in a similar mould to Palmer – the silky talent memorably dazzled on his first Premier League start against United back in September, having earned a penalty for his side after being hauled down by a desperate Diogo Dalot.
Such a performance – which also saw Dibling sting the palms of Andre Onana with a fierce effort in the first-half – may well have made the Manchester side sit up and take notice, albeit with technical director Jason Wilcox seemingly fully aware of his talents, having handed the youngster his first professional contract during his previous role at Southampton.
With four goals and three assists to his name in all competitions this season, Dibling hasn’t exactly set the world alight, albeit while no doubt hampered by the fact that he is part of currently the joint-worst Premier League team ever.
Southampton's TylerDiblingcelebrates scoring their third goal with Mateus Fernandes
Semenyo, meanwhile, has 16 goal involvements in 2024/25 thus far, albeit with the Palmer-like quality of his fellow forward ensuring it is Dibling who could represent the bigger talent.
If United are planning to build for the future under Amorim, making the 19-year-old the centrepiece of that project could certainly be an exciting move.
The perfect Rashford replacement: Man Utd in talks over deal for £50m star
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Opener adapts his game to go deep and delivers when it most matters
Alan Gardner14-Sep-2025Will Smeed was relieved to have finally produced the goods when it mattered for Somerset after his perfectly paced innings of 94 off 58 balls helped secure the club’s third T20 Blast title, and second in the last five years.Smeed had never previously scored a half-century in a T20 knockout match – a record that stretched back to his breakthrough season in 2021, and encompassed 13 innings for Somerset (five quarter-finals, five semi-finals and three finals), as well as one for Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred.He fell one hit away from becoming only the second player to score a century on Blast Finals Days – after Chris Lynn broke new ground for Hampshire in Saturday’s second semi-final – and the first to do so in the final of the competition. But he said he was happy to hand over to his captain, Lewis Gregory, whose ruthless five-ball onslaught sealed the game for Somerset with an over to spare.Related
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Smeed 94 powers Somerset to Blast glory in record 195-run chase
“To be honest, I just wanted to win the game. I was gutted about not getting us over the line, but Lewis did it, so now I couldn’t care less. I just wanted to make sure we won it. That was the main thing.”Asked if it was his best innings, Smeed said: “It’s the first time I’ve done it in a knockout game. So it’s nice to nice to get that under my belt, and hopefully can take that on going forward. But tonight I’m just gonna celebrate with my mates.”The innings was also evidence of Smeed’s efforts to “add a few more dimensions” to his game as an all-or-nothing power hitter opening the batting. He was 18 off 15 balls when losing opening partner, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and steadily increased his tempo through the chase, reaching a 35-ball fifty. His first and only six of the night came in the 17th over, from the 53rd ball he had faced.Lewis Gregory and Sean Dickson celebrate the moment of Somerset’s victory•Getty Images”We knew one of the top order had to take it deep, just the way the game panned out meant I had to take some more sensible options than I’m used to,” he said. “But it felt like you could hit fours if you hit gaps.”I think that’s been something I’ve tried to work on this year, is trying to add a few more dimensions to the game, as opposed to going gung-ho. TKC did it in the first game brilliantly [with 81 off 52 to set up victory over Lancashire], and I tried to take some learnings from that. We’ve got so much faith in guys down the order that if the rate does creep up, we can always get it back down. So yeah, it worked out today.”The absence of Tom Banton with England, which led to Kohler-Cadmore moving up from his usual berth at No. 3, “probably put a bit more responsibility on me,” Smeed said. “But we’ve not exactly got bad players filling in for him, we’ve got guns coming in. So yeah, it doesn’t change much in terms of the balance of the team or anything. I think that’s been our strength, everyone knows what the team needs from them, and they just go and try and do that.”In the middle alongside Gregory for the moment of victory was Sean Dickson, twice Somerset’s top-scorer when they prevailed on Finals Day in 2023 and the man who dragged them through the quarter-finals last weekend with a scintillating innings against Birmingham Bears. This was likely his last innings for the club, having agreed a move to Glamorgan after not being offered a new contract.”He’s been unbelievable for us. I think, probably the best number five in the country, and I think he shows that time and time again. So yeah, gutted to be losing hm, I’m not looking forward to playing against him next year. But yeah, he’s been so good for us, he brings that calm composure and the ability to execute under pressure, and he can smack any kind of bowler. So he’s a serious, serious player. We’re very grateful for what he’s done for the club over the last few years.”Smeed hailed Sean Dickson’s influence after his key role in the campaign•Getty ImagesHampshire, who were aiming for a record fourth T20 title, had appeared to be favourites after posting the joint-highest total in a Blast final on the back of Toby Albert’s 85 and a partnership of 97 off 59 balls with their captain, James Vince. They squeezed Somerset’s requirement up to 12.66 an over, with six overs left in the game, only for Smeed and Dickson reel it back in as dew descended and it became harder for bowlers to hold the ball.”They obviously got off to a flyer, but we bowled so well, like we have done in the last few games, through that middle period. At the halfway stage, we felt really in the game. We knew we’d have to bat well, but we felt in it. It was a great wicket and the outfield got quicker. So yeah, just absolutely buzzing to have won.”Both teams were playing at Finals Day for the 11th time – a joint-record – and while Somerset have the better record of reaching the final (this was their eighth), Hampshire had never previously been beaten with the trophy on the line.”They’re a great side. Every time we play them, it seems like a really close game, so I’m sure we’ll have lots of close games in the future. You’ve just got to look at their side, they’re full of good players. They know how to win, they know how to get to finals day, and it’s nice to get one over on them this time, but I’m sure they’re going to come back with a vengeance next year.”
New Zealand left-arm spinner set to play his 100th ODI, with Australia sweating over his kind of bowling in Dharamsala
Sidharth Monga27-Oct-20231:01
What makes Mitchell Santner so effective?
Every little while during Australia’s training session in Dharamsala, one of their coaches would go to the tent in the back where the net bowlers sat, and signal for a left-arm spinner. Almost every batter either wanted to face left-arm spin, or was asked to face left-arm spin.It should come as no surprise. In their two defeats in this World Cup, against India and South Africa, Australia were tripped up by left-arm spin. Ravindra Jadeja got Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to derail their innings in Chennai, and Keshav Maharaj returned figures of 10-0-30-2 in Lucknow. And now Australia are coming up against one of the best bowlers in the tournament – Mitchell Santner, who has taken 12 wickets and has gone at just 4.25 runs an over. Only Adam Zampa has taken more wickets, but he hasn’t exerted the kind of control Santner has.Santner doesn’t have the late release of Jasprit Bumrah, the wristspin of Kuldeep Yadav or the height of Marco Jansen. He is a fingerspinner who has done a defensive job for far too long; who is now a kid in a candy shop because there are pitches with a little bit of purchase at this World Cup. Santner has drawn a false response every five balls in this tournament: pretty similar to Kuldeep, and behind Bumrah, Maharaj and Josh Hazlewood, who have been doing it once every four balls.Related
Santner emulates Vettori and rouses Chepauk
Being 'aggressive' the way to go for Santner in spinning conditions
Back in fashion: fingerspin's resurgence in ODIs
Santner has survived this long in limited-overs cricket primarily because of his pace variations. He has a wider range of pace variations than perhaps any other spinner: he can go from under 70kph to around 105kph without really settling on a “stock speed”. Watch him from square on and you can appreciate the beauty of his release points: early to bowl slower and flight it, but holding it back when trying to bowl into the pitch and quicker.Tom Latham, Santner’s captain for the moment, spoke highly of his left-arm spinner. “We’ve seen the work that he’s put in day in day out,” Latham said. “And the performances that he’s had not only in the one-day game, but also in the T20 game. He’s had many experiences over here and the IPL for a few years now, so he understands what he brings; and conditions back home obviously don’t suit spin as much.”Seeing him come here and apply his skill, and do what he’s pretty much done for us for a long period of time… It’s nice for him to get a few rewards for the hard work that he’s put in. So he’s obviously been a valued member of the side for a long time and I guess he’s able to bowl in every situation – whether that be at the top, in the first ten, through the middle and at the back end.””I had to learn my trade a little bit on the job in international cricket” – Mitchell Santner ahead of his 100th ODI•ICC/Getty ImagesIn this World Cup, Santner’s guile has been assisted by the conditions, and what better place than this then to bring up his 100th ODI. He looked back at how much he had to develop after entering international cricket just after the 2015 World Cup.”You are kind of just happy to play one game for your country,” Santner said. “Looking back now, it’s pretty special, and I guess at the time [in] 2015, I had played one-and-a-half seasons of domestic cricket. So when I did get the call-up, it was a bit surprising. But I probably wouldn’t have had it any other way. I had to learn my trade a little bit on the job in international cricket.”A lot of the bowling coaches along the way have helped me. Obviously Jugo [Shane Jurgensen, New Zealand’s bowling coach] has played a big part later on. In the early days, it was a bit more of bowling with Daniel Vettori, which was quite cool. And then, Jeetan Patel at times as well.”What we’ve done really well as a spin unit is talk between each other a lot. I guess me and Ish [Sodhi] have done it for a little while now, and you know, at times I am his bowling coach and at times he’s my bowling coach. I still obviously keep in contact with Jeet and Dan, which is quite cool.”Vettori is an assistant coach in the opposition camp now. An opposition that is sweating on just his kind of bowling even though the conditions in Dharamsala might be more conducive for seam bowlers. That is tribute enough.
Whether it’s bowling at the death or playing the ukulele, this has been a season of learnings for the left-arm spinner
Deivarayan Muthu21-Nov-2021In the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, R Sai Kishore had an economy rate of 4.63 – the best among bowlers who had bowled at least 20 overs. In the 2020-21 tournament, the left-arm fingerspinner had an economy rate of 4.82 – the second-best with the same cut-off.This season his economy rate has jumped to 6.50, which is nevertheless impressive, considering his new role as Tamil Nadu’s middle-and-death-overs spin option in their run to their third straight T20 final.In the last couple of years, when Dinesh Karthik was the captain, Sai Kishore was the side’s new-ball specialist. He has now fronted up to bowl at the slog for the Vijay Shankar-led side, in the absence of their designated death bowler T Natarajan, and Sonu Yadav, who did the job during Tamil Nadu’s run to the title last season.”When DK was the captain, I think we were a little sorted in terms of our death bowling,” Sai Kishore tells ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the final. “It was in the powerplay that he wanted me to bowl, but this year we were playing around our roles a little bit because we weren’t particularly sure of who will bowl when.”I also bowled at the death in the TNPL and this year I had a slot to bowl at the death. I read [the intentions of batters] Vijay (Vijay Shankar) and Jaggi (N Jagadeesan) when I bowl at the nets and the coaching staff has so much belief in me to bowl anywhere. Whenever they want to plug the runs or go for the wickets, they’re trying to use me.”On his 25th birthday, in Lucknow, Sai Kishore netted a hat-trick in the last over against Puducherry, pinning them down to 129 for 8. Sai Kishore says the birthday hat-trick hasn’t sunk in yet and that his job isn’t done yet.”I really didn’t know it was a hat-trick. Jaggi only told me it was a hat-trick,” Sai recalls. “I was worried because the first ball went for six, so I just wanted to end the over well because they had scored 120-125. I didn’t necessarily go for wickets and I just tried to be as defensive as possible. It happens in T20 when you get wickets by luck… I didn’t feel much and it didn’t hit me and I’ve to perform the next match. So, maybe after some time, in hindsight, it will hit me.”Being part of the CSK squad has made Sai Kishore ‘more confident in my game and my game-reading skills have improved’•R Sai KishoreSai Kishore hasn’t got a game for Chennai Super Kings in the past three years but being part of an IPL set-up and a stint as net bowler for India on their Sri Lanka tour last year have helped him grow into a more rounded T20 bowler. He has bowled in various phases for TN in the past three years in both the Vijay Hazare (50 overs) and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments, forging a potent partnership with legspinner M Ashwin.”In the last two years my game has gone up, having been part of CSK, though I didn’t get a game,” Sai Kishore says. “I would have learned, but it would have taken more time had I not been there at CSK. I’m more confident in my game and my game-reading skills have improved. So, in a game situation, I’m even willing to go for extra runs, if I can finish the match for the team.”I’m also grateful to have been picked in the India squad from domestic cricket without having played IPL. That experience has given me a lot of confidence as to what that level of cricket is, what is actually needed there and for all those things I’m grateful.”Previously, I also had the ego of bowling one more ball to dare him [the batter] to hit it. If they need 15 runs an over, I can actually be smart here and if I bowl tightly at my end, the other guy has the chance of picking the wicket. When me and Ash (M Ashwin) bowl together, we plan like that. If the target is huge, we can finish it off if both me and Ash bowl well together. That game-reading skills have gotten better that way.”On the flip side, Sai Kishore has had to shift from one bubble to another in recent times, going from the one in Sri Lanka to the TNPL to CSK to Tamil Nadu. Two days after the Sri Lanka tour, Sai Kishore joined the TNPL bubble and bowled Chepauk Super Gillies to victory with 4 for 30. Sai Kishore says he has learned to embrace the bubble life and that he has found other ways to keep him occupied.”CSK bubble was good fun,” he says. “I had Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) with me and the atmosphere was very good. In Sri Lanka, the first one month was spent in quarantine and moving around the hotel. In the TN bubble, I always enjoy being with these boys, so I’m just trying to look at things that are working well.”If I don’t play here and be at home, I know I definitely won’t be happy. After coming from Sri Lanka, I felt I needed match-time, so I played the TNPL, and we won the tournament, so it was a very good feeling.'[Variety] has been there in the repertoire for some time, but I haven’t been able to use it’•TNPL”The bubble has gotten us closer and I’ve got into a bit of music and trying to learn new instruments. I tried violin and the mouth organ but didn’t work for me [laughs]. Ukulele, I guess, came decently to me.”Sai Kishore has also expanded his variations, but has put them back in his locker, instead trying to fit into roles defined by the team management. However, he hints that it might not be too long before he goes funky and unveils those variations.”It’s a work in progress,” he says. “There was one game in the TNPL where I tried to do something different, and I guess sometimes I should come out of the shell sometime soon. I’ve been working on a few variations, but I haven’t bowled anywhere. [when the team wants you to bowl that over for them], it’s slightly harder to go out of the pattern and maybe I should work on a way to bring it out somewhere. It [variety] has been there in the repertoire for some time, but I haven’t been able to use it. It’s similar to a batsman having a sweep and him not having the need to use it right now.”Sai Kishore was padded up in the dug-out when Tamil Nadu suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat at the hands of Karnataka in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final in 2019 in Surat. Two years on, he has become a more versatile bowler and one of the faces of a new-look Tamil Nadu side that continues to dominate T20 cricket despite the absence of Karthik, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, M Vijay and Abhinav Mukund.Sai Kishore and Tamil Nadu are now set to face Karnataka in another T20 final in Delhi, and he believes the 2019 result will not have an impact on Monday’s game.”To be honest, there aren’t too much emotions [from the 2019 final],” Sai Kishore says. “When we lost then, I was in my second [full] season – that was when guys like Jaggi, Hari [Nishaanth], Momi [M Mohammed] got regular game-time. Since then, most of these guys have played consistently together but at that time we didn’t have that much experience of playing a final.”I feel we haven’t played to our best yet this season – we’ve been here, been there, but yet to put together a complete game. So, we’re just trying to learn from the semis, quarters and just try and put on a show.”
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoener wasn't expecting to hit a low slider by Reds relief pitcher Yosver Zulueta in the eighth inning of Wednesday afternoon's game. He attempted a check swing, but ended up hitting the ball instead of avoiding contact.
Luckily for Hoerner, his swing had enough power behind it for him to hit a single to left field. As he eyed the ball to make sure it dropped, Hoerner got extremely excited when he realized his mistaken hit was turning into an RBI for him and a run for the Cubs. He was able to bring in his teammate Matt Shaw from second base to home.
Marquee Network caught the perfect shot of Hoerner's reaction once he realized his hit was a happy accident.
Hoerner's RBI single brought in the sixth and final run of the day for the Cubs. Chicago beat Cincinnati 6-1, pushing the Cubs to a 66-48 record to secure a stronger second-place hold in the NL Central behind the MLB-best Brewers.