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Joe Root fronts up, but ECB is to blame for end to seven-year home record

George Dobell13-Jun-2021There was to be no miracle. Even before the clock on the Thwaite scoreboard at Edgbaston had ticked round to 11 o’clock, England’s second innings had been ended. And a target of 38 in a minimum of 177 overs was never likely to test New Zealand.Before noon, they had completed their first Test series win in England since 1999 (and their third in all) and England had succumbed to their first home Test series defeat since 2014. New Zealand were, indisputably, the better side. India and Australia will be, figuratively at least, licking their lips.It is inevitable at such a moment that we will look for quick fixes. And it’s true that the form of senior players such as Joe Root (whose top-score was 42) and James Anderson (who took three wickets in the series; none of them with a new ball) did nothing to help. Equally, a well-balanced side would no doubt have included a spinner. But that’s not what cost England in this match.No, England’s problems are more substantial than that. And they basically come down to this: if you take one brick out of a dam it will probably hold. If you take two, three or even four it might well hold. But when you start removing foundations, you risk the viability of the entire structure. Eventually, the dam breaks.That’s what’s happened in England cricket. Instead of nurturing and protecting our County Championship, we have squeezed it into the margins of the season and robbed it of many of its best players. We have played it in conditions which bear little relation to Test cricket in the rest of the world and in circumstances where spinners and fast bowlers become close to irrelevant.Meanwhile, we have pushed a generation of experienced county performers into premature retirement by introducing incentives for young players; we have encouraged the government to end the Kolpak influence and we have made it ever more difficult to make overseas signings. Our best Test players have been encouraged to pursue opportunities in T20 cricket ahead of sharing their wisdom in county cricket or working at their games against the red, moving ballAt the same time, we’ve given the prime weeks of summer to limited-overs tournaments and prioritised white-ball success. Young batters have been encouraged to learn short-format skills and excel at performing in conditions where the pitches are perfect and the white-ball hardly leaves the straight. They can afford to be mediocre in the first-class game. Attack has been prioritised over defence.Joe Root has fronted up for England’s failures on and off the field, but the ECB has been silent•PA Photos/Getty ImagesTechnical coaching has been replaced by something very close to cheerleading – correcting a player’s technique is believed to undermine their confidence, though less than failing at international level, you would have thought – and a scouting system has been introduced which has led to such gems as Jason Roy opening and James Bracey keeping in Test cricket. Really, whoever thought those were good ideas needs to be in a different line of work.English cricket might have been able to withstand one or two of these errors. But in combination, they have decimated the competition which develops Test players. For it’s not one or two top-order batters who have failed. It’s a generation of them. And when that happens, you have to look at the system. Finally, the dam has broken.England has, in the past, masked some of these issues with an ability to utilise home advantage. For just as only very fine teams win Test series away in India or Australia, it has tended to be only very fine teams who win away in England.But the current management have decided to try to do things differently. In an attempt, essentially, to prepare for the Ashes, they have challenged their players to perform in conditions where they can expect far less assistance from the Dukes ball and seaming surfaces. They have basically unpicked something that works in the hope of building back better.That is not by any means an unreasonable tactic. It may even be viewed as brave and ambitious. But there is not another country in the world who would spurn home advantage in the same way. England are becoming terrifically generous hosts.Related

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Joe Root: England were 'outplayed in all three departments' by New Zealand

It was telling that it was Root who appeared before the media after this defeat. Just as it was telling that it has been Root (or other members of the playing and coaching staff) who has been obliged to answer questions about the Ollie Robinson affair, a rest-and-rotation policy over which he has little control, or a million other issues.Root was in an impossible position here, really. But he defended his team, he took responsibility for underperforming personally and he refused to hide behind excuses. Some will never take to Root’s style – his soft voice, his refusal to roar and his inclination towards consensus- but there are different ways to lead. Root really wasn’t dealt a fistful of aces with this team.And that’s relevant. For while Eoin Morgan is about to have his strongest squad – injuries permitting – for a second successive T20I series, Root has probably not had his strongest squad available to him since the first Test of the series against Pakistan at the start of August. That’s 11 Tests ago. England’s priorities are very clear.In contrast to Root, Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, hasn’t given an open press conference this year. For any National Governing Body, that seems odd. For one which is currently introducing a new format of the game; contesting allegations of institutional racism, and wrestling with the issue of historic social media posts which demonstrate the sexist and racist attitudes which pervaded in the past, it feels inappropriate. Now is the time for some accountability in English cricket.So let us not quibble over whether Jack Leach should have played at Edgbaston or whether England’s slip cordon is standing at the correct angle. The problems go far deeper than that.

Yankees star Aaron Judge said he's unsure whether he'll require surgery on his right elbow this offseason while speaking to reporters following New York's season-ending loss to the Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday night.

"We'll do some work on it [the elbow]," Judge said. "We'll do some work on it and get it right."

When asked whether he'll have surgery, Judge replied, "I'm not a doctor, I don't know."

When did Judge suffer the elbow injury?

During the seventh inning of a July 22 win over the Blue Jays, Judge grimaced in pain after throwing the ball into the infield following a running catch. He was in the Yankees lineup as the designated hitter the following day, then experienced discomfort while playing the outfield in a July 25 loss to the Phillies. He underwent tests on the elbow, which revealed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, but Judge on July 26 was placed on the 10-day injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow.

He returned to the lineup on Aug. 5 as the designated hitter, but didn't resume throwing to bases until Aug. 24. In the midst of Judge's six-week throwing rehab, Yankees manager Aaron Boone raised eyebrows when he said he doubted Judge would get back to "throwing like he normally does at any point this year." Judge himself pushed back against the comments and Boone later walked them back.

How did the injury affect Judge's arm strength?

But upon Judge's return to the outfield on Sept. 5, the Blue Jays tested his throwing arm, and the hulking slugger lacked the velocity on his throws from the outfield that he had prior to sustaining the elbow injury. Judge, who routinely hit 90-plus mph on the radar gun on throws from the outfield, had just two throws exceed 80 mph during his return to the outfield in the regular season, which saw him split time between right field and designated hitter. During the wild-card series, the Red Sox tested Judge's throwing arm in a key situation, leading to a slower throw from the Yankees outfielder, who downplayed the lower velocity number after the game.

And while his throwing arm remained somewhat compromised, he did hit 90.2 mph on the radar gun on one throw during Game 1 of the ALDS.

Fortunately for the Yankees, Judge's bat was not compromised. On the heels of winning his first batting title and compiling his second straight season with 50-plus home runs, Judge authored his best playoff performance to date, slashing .500/.581/.692 with one home run, a pair of doubles, seven RBI and five runs scored in seven games played.

Judge is the odds-on favorite to win his second straight AL MVP award.

تحدث مدرب ريال مدريد تشابي ألونسو في تصريحات أعقبت الفوز أمام أتلتيك بلباو في منافسات الدوري الإسباني، وأشاد بمهاجم الفريق كيليان مبابي.

وتغلب ريال مدريد على أتلتيك بلباو بثلاثية نظيفة، وسجل مبابي هدفين وصنع هدفًا، ونشرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية تصريحات تشابي عقب المباراة.

وقال تشابي: “كيليان مبابي في حالة رائعة، يتمتع بحركة ممتازة وتناغم قوي مع فينيسيوس، دخل الفريق المباراة عازمًا على الفوز منذ الدقيقة الأولى، كانت لحظة مهمة للعودة إلى سكة الانتصارات خارج أرضنا، وسنعود إلى أرضنا يوم الأحد”.

وتابع: “مبابي كان أداؤه جميلًا وسلسًا في هدفيه الأول والثاني، وتعاون بشكل رائع مع فينيسيوس، نحن بحاجة إليه”.

وعن تصديات كورتوا، أضاف: “ليس من المستغرب أن يقوم بتصديات حاسمة، لقد سمح لنا بالحفاظ على تقدمنا ​​ومواصلة اللعب”.

وعن تواجد أردا جولر بديلاً ومشاركته في الدقيقة 69، علّق: “بالطبع يمكنه اللعب مع بيلينجهام (في وسط الملعب) لقد لعب ثلاث مباريات متتالية، ونحن نلعب كل ثلاثة أيام، كان هذا قرارًا خاصًا بمباراة اليوم فقط، إنه مجرد قرار تكتيكي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيك بلباو في الدوري الإسباني

وأردف: “أداء الفريق، والجودة الجماعية، وكيف سيطرنا على المباراة، كان الأداء متسقًا للغاية، بعد التعادل أمام جيرونا، كانت لحظة مهمة، والآن علينا التفكير في سيلتا فيجو، جدول المباريات حافل بالمباريات ولا يسمح بأي تأجيل”.

وواصل: “قدمنا ​​مباراة متكاملة ومركزة للغاية، تقدمنا ​​بجدارة، نافسنا بشكل جيد، كنا بحاجة إلى ذلك، وحافظنا على هدوئنا، علينا مواصلة التقدم، كانت تلك اللحظة مهمة، ولعبنا واحدة من أكثر مبارياتنا اكتمالًا”.

وأشار: “لقد لعبنا ست مباريات خارج أرضنا، ونفتقد بالفعل ملعبنا وجماهيرنا، وعلينا أن نحافظ على هذا الزخم، كانت مباراة مهمة؛ أردنا كسر سلسلة الهزائم، دخلنا المباراة بهدوء واستعداد”.

وأكد: “كان أداءً متكاملاً للغاية، كنا في غاية التركيز طوال التسعين دقيقة، ولم نتلقَّ أي فرص تُذكر، بل خلقنا العديد منها بأنفسنا، كان أداؤنا الأكثر اكتمالاً في ملعبٍ مُتطلب، لكننا نأخذ الأمور ببساطة ونمضي قدمًا”.

وعن هدف كامافينجا، أتم: “كان لديّ شعور جيد حياله، وجدنا ترينت على الجناح الأيمن، كانت الأهداف الثلاثة رائعة، برأيي، كانت جميلة جدًا، وسلسة للغاية”.

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول في تحقيق فوز مهم على حساب وست هام يونايتد، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وواجه الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، نظيره وست هام يونايتد، اليوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “ويمبلي”.

ونجح الريدز في تحقيق فوز ثمين على حساب وست هام يونايتد، بنتيجة 2/0، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات البريميرليج.

واضطر وست هام إلى اللعب منقوصًا، منذ الدقيقة 83 بعدما طُرد اللاعب لوكاس باكيتا لحصوله على بطاقة حمراء، حيث كان الأمر في البداية مقتصرًا على بطاقة صفراء بسبب اعتراضه على الحكم نتيجة تدخل نيكلاس فولكروج على دومينيك سوبوسلاي.

اقرأ أيضًا | نونو سانتو: الخسارة أمام ليفربول ليست خطوة للوراء.. ويجب أن أتحدث مع باكيتا

وحاول لاعبو وست هام تهدئة باكيتا والذي استمر في معارضته للحكم، الذي أشهر البطاقة الصفراء الثانية ثم الحمراء، ثم صفق له اللاعب ساخرًا وهو يغادر الملعب.

وعلق محللو “سكاي سبورتس” على سلوك باكيتا ووصفوه بأنه “عنيف” وهو ما رفضه اللاعب البرازيلي، وكتب عبر حسابه على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس”: “من السخيف أن تتأثر حياتك ومسيرتك المهنية لمدة عامين دون أي دعم نفسي من الاتحاد”.

وأكمل: “ربما يكون هذا السلوك السخيف مجرد انعكاس لكل ما تحملته، ويبدو أنني مضطر للاستمرار في تحمله! أنا آسف إن لم أكن مثاليًا”.

وأضاف: “أتفهم أنني مضطر الآن لأداء دور الشرير، من الصعب عليّ التعايش مع كل ما حدث في حياتي وصحتي النفسية، سأواصل محاولة تجنب التأثر أكثر، هذا لا يبرر طردي وأعتذر للجماهير وزملائي في الفريق عن ذلك”.

وتلقى باكيتا 36 بطاقة صفراء وبطاقة حمراء واحدة في 133 مباراة خاضها منذ انضمامه إلى وست هام، كما سجل 22 هدفًا وقدم 14 تمريرة حاسمة.

Eu entendo que agora eu tenha q parecer o vilão, é difícil conviver com tudo oq foi causado na minha vida e no meu psicológico! Seguirei tentando com que eles não me afetem ainda mais
Isso não justifica a minha expulsão e por isso peço desculpas aos fans e meus companheiros! 🏝️🎉 https://t.co/12t071CxT1 — Lucas Paquetá (@LucasPaqueta97) November 30, 2025

It will be a while before Shohei Ohtani is pitching in a major league game again.

On Thursday, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Jim Rome that Ohtani's recovery from Tommy John surgery is ongoing. While he gave a lot of positive updates, there was a negative tossed in at the end.

Roberts told Rome that Ohtani had thrown another bullpen session and looked good.

"So, he looked great," Roberts said. "It's just easy velocity and this guy, he's a unicorn, I mean he is physical, he's big. He's throw his fastball, four-seam, two-seamer and his split. And he's kind of easy 92, 93."

L.A.'s manager then updated what's next.

"I know he's got another light bullpen today, he's got a full one Saturday and hopefully soon Romey he's going to start facing some hitters," Roberts said.

Then he dropped the bomb. "Time of return, we're still a couple of months away."

Roberts did add that he does expect Ohtani to pitch for the Dodgers this season.

Even without his work on the mound, Ohtani has been contributing this season. The reigning National League MVP is hitting .288 with six home runs and eight RBIs. He carries an on-base percentage of .380 and an OPS of .930.

Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who is a die-hard supporter of Manchester United, has publicly pleaded with Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand to approach the team management and offer his help to fix a glaring issue. United blew a one-goal lead to draw 2-2 for the second week in a row away at Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, missing the chance to move into the top four.

United's topsy-turvy start to the season

United staged a remarkable comeback in October after a rocky start to their 2025-26 campaign as Ruben Amorim's side won three successive Premier League matches against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. It was finally looking like the star-studded attack that the club had assembled in the summer transfer window was finally delivering as they quickly climbed up the table.

However, the Red Devils have experienced yet another dip in form at the start of November, recording back-to-back draws 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. 

AdvertisementAFP'Stressed out' Bolt reaches out to Ferdinand

Eight-time Olympic champion Bolt has admitted to being "stressed out" by United's performances this season. After the Spurs draw, Bolt reached out to United legend Ferdinand with a voice note and pleaded with the former England star to help the club fix a glaring issue.

In the voice note, played on Rio Ferdinand's podcast, Bolt said: "I just watched the United game, one of our biggest problems is when we invite pressure onto ourselves. They're always running back, all we do is invite pressure. Please (Rio), I'm begging you man. Get to the team and say something. You are one of the greatest defenders Man United ever had, please bro, it's stressing me out. I know you have nothing to do with this but tell the guys to pass the ball quicker. Oh my God, bro. They don't know how to defend one-on-one. Shaw is the only one who seems like he understand. All they know is system, lineup and play well. 'They don't know how to step up, push the defender and then go back into your line. I push up (as a defender) and the midfield slots in. Please, Rio, get to somebody."

'We're still in this rebuilding phase'

Unlike Bolt, Ferdinand was less scathing with his analysis of Amorim's side as he said: "There were times against Spurs where it (United's defence) wasn't working as a cohesive unit. We're still in this rebuilding phase and I think that's why we've got to manage the expectations of fans. I've seen some people going off on one, going crazy saying, 'the manager ruined it with his substitutions'. But if he didn't make any subs and we still got the same result, everyone would be going, 'why didn't he change it?'. He's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't sometimes. Arne Slot won the league last year, went to [Manchester] City this year and got it totally wrong. It does happen."

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AFPAmorim admits to United's flaws

Amorim agrees that there is still plenty of work to do to further improve the team's performances, as he told after the Tottenham game: "During the game we felt like the three points were there to take home. But then with everything that happened, Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals… we scored again and it's a point. When you cannot win you don't lose, once again we did that. We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game. 

"We need to look at ourselves, we were not pressing with the same intensity, we felt comfortable but we need to understand that if we had more bravery we kill the game. But sometimes this happens, you have a better first half than second. We believe in our capacity to score goals until the last minute. It's a little frustration, but also pride at the response of the players at the response to second goal of Tottenham. This is the tip of the iceberg, we are at the beginning of becoming a strong team, so we have a lot to do."

Durham 343 for 9 (Lees 125, Robinson 79, Worrall 4-49) trail Surrey 820 for 9 dec by 477 runsA brilliant three-wicket burst with the second new ball by Dan Worrall resurrected Surrey’s victory ambitions just when it looked as if Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson’s 152-run stand had raised Durham hopes of being able to force a draw at the Kia Oval.Lees scored a superb 125 and Robinson a 105-ball 79 as Durham eventually reached 343 for 9 by stumps on day three, but earlier both fell to paceman Worrall, as did New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham, in a slide from 266 for 3 to 284 for 7.When Matt Fisher removed George Drissell with the last ball before tea, Durham had lost four wickets for 29 runs in 12 overs immediately before the interval. Afterwards, though, Graham Clark and Matthew Potts added 46 for the eighth wicket in 25 overs to hold up Surrey again as the Kookaburra ball lost its shine and hardness.Potts resisted 79 balls for his 23, until Dan Lawrence spun an offbreak to pin him leg-before on the back foot, and then Worrall returned to hit Clark’s middle stump with his fifth ball back to end a defiant 30.A hobbling Ben Raine, injured when bowling on day one, bravely emerged at No. 11 to keep Daniel Hogg company until the end of play, with Hogg even taking two fours off Fisher in the closing overs.Overall, however, bat has overwhelmingly dominated ball on an essentially flat pitch in a Rothesay County Championship match on which the draw still seems the likeliest outcome despite Durham, in reply to Surrey’s mammoth 820 for 9 declared, still being 477 runs adrift going into the final day.Opener Lees showed immense stamina, as well as notable skill and determination, to frustrate Surrey’s attack for almost six hours in all. The Durham captain began day three on 33, with his side 59 for 1, and forged a fine partnership with Robinson after seeing both Will Rhodes and Colin Ackermann depart before lunch.Rhodes edged the impressive Fisher to keeper Josh Blake to go for 26 in the morning’s eighth over, and Ackermann’s 24 was ended by an excellent piece of bowling from Sam Curran. Angling one across the right-hander, left-armer Curran saw Will Jacks cling on to a sharp catch at first slip.Robinson was fortunate to nick Curran between first and second slips for four, a technical but low chance, before he had reached double-figures and, after lunch, Curran had an impassioned appeal for lbw against Lees, on 64, turned down – much to the allrounder’s dismay.Otherwise, however, the fourth-wicket pair progressed serenely and successive fours off Fisher took Lees to 80 while Robinson went to a 76-ball half-century in style by pulling Jordan Clark powerfully off the front foot for six over midwicket.The 32-year-old Lees, capped 10 times in Tests by England, went to his 31st first-class hundred in the 74th over of Durham’s innings and – having been on the field in sweltering 90-degree temperatures for almost eight sessions – he was finally forced to leave it at 3.41pm on day three.Robinson had just been bowled by a full inswinger from Worrall, and the leader of Surrey’s attack made it three strikes overall in his second, third and fourth overs with the second new ball – taken with Durham on 255 for 3 – when he quickly added the scalps of Lees and Neesham.Lees, who faced 240 balls and hit 18 fours, nibbled fatally at a fine ball that lifted and left him and Neesham’s thicker edge to a similar delivery flew to Jacks at first slip.Clark survived a big lbw appeal from Fisher on 4 and then a mishit pull at Worrall on 5 dropped inches short of Curran, diving forward from the squarer of two midwickets, but Drissell top-edged a pull at Fisher to mid-on as Durham’s sudden decline continued apace.Durham’s innings was steadied, however, by Clark and Potts who made sure of a second batting bonus point while also denying Surrey a third bowling point. As batting conditions eased at the end of another long, hot day, it was noticeable that Worrall and Fisher were given only another five overs between them just before the close.Worrall has figures of 4 for 49 from 23 overs and, if anyone is searching for even one positive from the widely-condemned decision to deploy the lower-seamed Kookaburra (widely-used in Tests overseas) in four prime mid-summer Championship fixtures, it is that the newly England-qualified Australian displayed once again the skill and know-how with it that makes him an intriguing possible selection for this winter’s Ashes series Down Under.

Nicklas Bendtner has backed Rasmus Hojlund to thrive under Antonio Conte at Napoli, praising the Italian’s "killer mentality and relentless desire to win". The former Juventus forward believes Conte can unlock his compatriot’s full potential as the young striker rebuilds confidence following a mixed spell at Manchester United.

• Hojlund resurging under Conte at Napoli

  Hojlund’s time at Napoli has quickly become a story of redemption. After a disappointing season at United, where he managed just 10 goals in 52 appearances, the Danish striker’s move to Italy has reignited his career. Joining on loan in the summer, he has already scored four times in six matches, rediscovering the sharp movement and finishing touch that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting prospects.

  The 22-year-old has adapted well to Conte’s high-intensity system, showing better link-up play, sharper pressing, and improved composure in front of goal. His resurgence has impressed the club hierarchy so much that they are now pushing to make his transfer permanent as early as January, despite the original clause that tied the €44 million (£38m/$51m) deal to Champions League qualification.

  Hojlund’s current spell on the sidelines caused by a minor thigh injury has slowed his momentum, but he is expected to return in Napoli’s upcoming clash with Lecce, where fans hope to see him pick up where he left off.

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  Bendtner hails Conte’s ‘killer mentality’ and winning culture

  Few players know Conte’s methods better than Nicklas Bendtner, who played under him at Juventus during the 2012-13 season. The former Arsenal striker, who won his only league title that year, spoke glowingly about the Italian manager’s influence and believes his compatriot Hojlund will benefit enormously from working under him.

  “I immediately thought he was a fantastic coach, very loyal and very honest," ex-Arsenal and Denmark striker Bendtner said in an interview with . "I admired his killer mentality and relentless desire to win. He knew how to get the best out of his players, and I think he can do the same today with my compatriot Rasmus Hojlund.”

  Bendtner also reflected on his own short spell in Turin, admitting he regretted not being able to show more under Conte’s leadership.

  “I really enjoyed my time at Juventus, but unfortunately, I had an injury at a very unfortunate time that kept me out for much of the season. I would have liked to stay longer and prove myself more, because I felt we were a really good fit, Juventus and I.”

• Conte’s system proving a good fit for Hojlund

  The ex-United strikers' athleticism, pressing instinct, and direct approach make him an ideal fit for Conte’s vertical, fast-paced brand of football. Under Conte, Hojlund has looked sharper in transition and more confident attacking space between defenders. His early success alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay reflected how seamlessly he has slotted into Gli Azzurri's dynamic frontline. However, De Bruyne’s recent thigh injury sustained while scoring a penalty against Inter has disrupted that partnership, forcing Conte to rethink his attacking combinations.

  Still, Hojlund’s impact has been enough to convince both clubs to move quickly. The Partenopeiand the Red Devils are already in talks to finalise a permanent deal in January, a move that would allow the Premier League side to move on and the Serie A outfit to secure their long-term striker.

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  What’s next for Hojlund and Napoli

  Hojlund has already resumed training and is expected to be back in action soon, with Serie A leaders Napoli carefully managing his return. His comeback will be crucial as the team navigates a busy run of fixtures in the Italian top flight and the Champions League, where they hope to cement their place among the continent’s elite.

  Conte’s belief in structure, mentality, and tactical discipline could prove invaluable for Hojlund’s development. The Italian has a history of moulding forwards into complete players from Diego Costa and Romelu Lukaku to Lautaro Martínez and his track record suggests Hojlund could be next in line.

Duckett scored 149 after Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped him on 97, the latter’s third drop of the match

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-2025

Tea Shardul Thakur blew the first Test back open with two wickets in two balls to keep India’s hopes alive after Ben Duckett set England on their way to another famous Headingley run chase. Thakur had been a passenger for the first four-and-a-half days of the Test but was thrown the ball by Shubman Gill, and dismissed Duckett and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries.Duckett and Zak Crawley added another 71 in quick time after batting through the morning session, with Duckett racing to his hundred – his sixth in Tests, and his first in England’s second innings – off 121 balls. He was reprieved on 97 by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped his third catch of the match – this time on the square-leg boundary – as Duckett punched the air on reaching three figures.After a brief interruption for rain, Crawley pulled Prasidh Krishna through wide mid-on for four but fell to his next ball, edging to slip for 65. England’s first-innings centurion Ollie Pope followed soon after, chopping Prasidh on to his own stumps, but Duckett continued to cruise; his most outrageous shot was a reverse slap for six over cover off Ravindra Jadeja.But Thakur’s reintroduction gave India a foothold, as he struck with two innocuous balls. Duckett slapped the first, a wide half volley, straight to substitute fielder Nitish Kumar Reddy at extra cover; Harry Brook strangled the second, a freebie angling a long way past leg stump, through to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps, becoming only the fifth man out for 99 and 0 in the same Test.Ben Stokes started scratchily against Jadeja, missing a pair of reverse sweeps – the first of which Shubman Gill unsuccessfully reviewed for a catch at short leg, only for replays to confirm the ball had hit him on the biceps. Stokes and Joe Root will resume with 102 more runs required after the tea interval, which arrived early due to another rain shower.

Jadon Sancho to Aston Villa looks to be a matter of when and not if, with the Englishman following Marcus Rashford in moving to the Midlands side from Old Trafford.

It has not been made clear whether there will be an option or obligation to buy the winger at the end of the season, but he will spend 2025/26 in the West Midlands.

He might not be the only creative player who joins Villa before the window slams shut at 7pm today, either.

Aston Villa exploring another deal alongside Sancho

With the deal to sign Sancho on loan all but confirmed, Villa will move on to their next target. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Villans are now closing in on a move for Harvey Elliot to join Unai Emery’s ranks.

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The Liverpool star is set to sign on a season-long loan deal, although it would include an obligation to buy as part of that initial temporary switch. According to Ornstein, the Reds are looking for a fee in the region of £35m, should such a clause be included.

Why Elliot would be a good signing

Described as a “diamond” by football scout Antonio Mango, England under-21 international Elliot has impressed for Liverpool. However, with the quality they have in creative areas, such as Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, it is hard for him to break into the side.

However, his quality is undeniable. He has made 149 appearances for the Reds, with 15 goals and 21 assists to his name. His best campaign came in 2023/24, which was Jurgen Klopp’s final season. Elliot scored three goals and assisted nine in 33 Premier League games.

The former Fulham player shone in the recent under-21 European Championships, too. He was a pivotal part of England retaining their title, scoring five goals in six games and even skippering the side in their final group stage clash.

It is easy to see how Elliot could become the second coming of Morgan Rogers at Villa Park. The newly-crowned PFA Young Player of the Year winner has been sensational under Emery since his move to the West Midlands.

In 73 appearances so far, he’s found the back of the net on 17 occasions and has also chalked up the same number of assists.

Last season in the Premier League, he scored eight times and created 11 goals for his teammates.

It is easy to draw comparisons between the two players. Both are young English talents who excel at operating between the lines and creating chances.

On top of that, they’ve each played for huge clubs, with Rogers coming through the Manchester City academy, and Elliot, of course, at Liverpool.

Statistically, you can compare the players and see the similarities. In the last two Premier League campaigns, Elliot has averaged 2.46 key passes and 2.83 progressive carries per 90 minutes.

As for Rogers, he’s played an average of 1.44 key passes and completed 3.26 progressive carries on average each game.

Goals and assists

0.63

0.53

Key passes

2.46

1.44

Progressive passes

9.01

3.62

Progressive carries

2.83

3.26

Ball recoveries

4.87

3.6

Signing Elliot could be a huge addition for Villa. He is certainly similar to Rogers, given the playmaking ability he possesses in the final third. For a fee of around £40m, this could be a bargain for Emery and for Monchi on deadline day.

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