All posts by h716a5.icu

Solid stand between Billy Root, Eddie Byrom sees hosts to safety after early danger

ECB Reporters Network09-Apr-2023A Graeme van Buuren hundred led a brilliant Gloucestershire comeback in their LV= Insurance County Championship match against Glamorgan in Cardiff to secure a very creditable draw.Having trailed by 239 runs after the first innings, Gloucestershire made 569 for 7 in their second innings to set Glamorgan 331 to win.Three early wickets gave Gloucestershire a slim chance of pulling off the unlikeliest of wins, but a solid stand between Billy Root and Eddie Byrom saw the home side to safety at 110 for 3.The pitch in Cardiff continued to improve for the batters as the match wore on, with all the bowlers struggling to slow the scoring or claim wickets. The draw gives Glamorgan 12 points and Gloucestershire eight from this first-round match.Having started the day at 373 for 5, Gloucestershire still had work to do to make this game safe. Van Buuren resumed on 36 not out and brilliantly held things together on his way to his fifth first-class hundred for his county.With support from Ollie Price, Zafar Gohar, Jack Taylor and Tom Price, van Buuren guided his team well past 500. That took Gloucestershire into a position where the draw was the most likely result and they had a chance, albeit a remote one, of pulling off a remarkable comeback win.The real attacking intent came from Price, who backed up his excellent bowling performance in Glamorgan’s first innings with a 60-ball fifty. Given how this pitch just got better for batting as the match progressed, Gloucestershire were perhaps understandably cautious with their declaration. When it did come, they had set Glamorgan 331 runs to win in 46 overs.With the required rate starting at above seven runs an over it was always going to be a tough ask for Glamorgan to chase this down, but captain David Lloyd certainly showed some intent when he opened their second innings. He had made it to 6 from five balls when he scooped a ball into the leg side off Price that was caught on the deep square leg boundary by Marcus Harris.Looking to attack against the high-class spin of Zafar was more difficult. The Pakistani slow left-armer was once again given the new ball and he rewarded his captain with the wicket of Colin Ingram when he bowled him between bat and pad. That left Glamorgan at 35 for 2 with 38 overs left to be bowled.When Kiran Carlson poked at a ball from Price that was well taken on the second attempt by Jack Taylor at first slip, it left Glamorgan 38 for 3 at the tea break.With Gloucestershire now the team most likely to secure victory, they were impressive in the final session. Zafar was the most consistent threat, but Marchant de Lange was also beating the bat regularly. But the pitch won out in the end, with the two teams shaking hands for the draw with nine overs left unbowled.Glamorgan have a two-week wait until their next match against Durham, with Gloucestershire set to take on Yorkshire in Bristol on Thursday. Both teams will feel they have a lot of positives to take away from this game, especially given how the weather hampered pre-season preparations.

A £50 million-plus Manchester United player is open to the idea of leaving Old Trafford, as a European club have held transfer talks over his signing, according to a new report.

Man Utd eyeing several new arrivals ahead of Amorim's first full season

Ruben Amorim will be pleased to see his United side turn their form around in recent weeks, but the Portuguese will still be urging the summer to arrive so he can make the necessary changes to this underperforming squad.

Amad upgrade: INEOS lodge bid to bring "Europe's best player" to Man Utd

Man Utd could be looking to sign a potential upgrade on Amad this summer

ByRobbie Walls Mar 18, 2025

Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen look set to leave Old Trafford when their contracts expire, but there are many more expected to follow them out the exit door. High-profile departures may allow United to enter the market and bring in some high-performing players who fit into Amorim’s system. One player who appears to be a target for United is Barcelona winger Raphinha, as the Red Devils have already made a move to secure his services.

United are said to have tabled a £58 million offer to sign the Brazilian, who has 27 goals in 42 games in all competitions, as Amorim is keen for him to come to Old Trafford. The Premier League side are also in the market for a new centre-forward, and it’s been reported that United have made contact over a deal to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys look set to return to the Championship, and United, along with Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Chelsea, are interested in signing Delap. But despite their relegation, Ipswich are looking to get £50 million for their striker, which could potentially be an issue for the Red Devils.

£50m+ Man Utd ace open to leaving Old Trafford

For the Red Devils to sign someone like Delap, they may have to let a current forward leave, and according to reports in Italy, relayed by Man Utd News, Napoli have placed Man United’s Rasmus Hojlund at the top of their transfer list ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report states that the Italian side, managed by Antonio Conte, want to sign a striker in the summer, and Hojlund is one of the names they have under consideration. It goes on to add that the Denmark international would “gladly” return to Italy after he played for Atalanta before joining United.

Apps

82

Goals

24

Assists

4

Man United signed Hojlund for £63 million back in 2023, and if he were to leave in the summer, they would look to get £51 million for the striker, as that would allow them to avoid a loss in their financial books. However, that price could be a problem for Napoli, but despite that, they have held “first exploratory talks”, as they consider Hojlund as someone who could compete with current striker Romelu Lukaku at the top end of the pitch.

It’s safe to say that the 22-year-old has really struggled at Old Trafford this season, scoring just three goals in 24 Premier League games, his latest coming in the 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday.

Hojlund has performed better in the Europa League in this campaign, but it may still not enough for Amorim to be fully convinced he is the forward to lead the team. He is under contract until 2028, but his sale could be considered by everyone at United, as it may allow them to bring in a striker Amorim believes will suit his team and system better.

This summer is a huge opportunity for Ruben Amorim to make the changes he wants to his Manchester United first-team squad, allowing for the best possible chance of success in his first full year at the helm.

During the January transfer window, the 40-year-old only had a couple of weeks to make changes to the side, allowing numerous players to depart the North West on loan.

Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony all departed the club for various temporary stints away, with it unknown whether any of the trio have a future at Old Trafford.

Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven were the first additions of the Amorim era, with the pair both already excelling in the first-team, showing signs of being worth their respective transfer fees.

Hopefully he can continue his excellent early start in the transfer market this summer, potentially returning for a deal to land a player who he’s previously managed.

Man Utd’s potential move to land Viktor Gyokeres this summer

The 2024/25 Premier League season is yet to reach its conclusion, but the transfer rumours are already starting to gather momentum ahead of the summer.

United have already been touted as a possible destination for striker Viktor Gyokeres, who previously featured under Amorim during his time as Sporting CP manager.

The Swedish international has been in phenomenal goalscoring form over the last couple of months, notching a total of 40 goals in 41 outings across all competitions this campaign.

Gyokeres has registered a total of 83 goals in 91 appearances for the Portuguese outfit and is rumoured to be available for around the £60m mark this summer.

However, the club may have made a mistake in allowing one player to depart the club, possessing similar characteristics to the former Coventry City ace – highlighting the wrong call in allowing him to depart.

The former United ace who’s been like Gyokeres in 2024/25

Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær is responsible for numerous impressive pieces of business which has seen the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo move to the club.

The Norwegian led the club to a second-placed finish in 2020/21, coming within touching distance of claiming the first league title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure – offering stability which has often been lacking in Manchester.

However, the 52-year-old also made the call to part ways with Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku in the summer of 2019, ending his two-year stint in the North West.

The Red Devils forked out a staggering £75m for his signature in the summer of 2017, looking to transform the club’s front line and edge them closer to a top-flight triumph.

He managed to find the net 27 times in his first year, before scoring 15 in the following year, leaving in a £73m deal to join Inter Milan and ending his short stint in Manchester.

However, the “unplayable” talisman, as dubbed by pundit Alan Shearer, has consistently scored goals everywhere he’s been since his departure six years ago, notching double figures in every single season.

He’s now plying his trade for Napoli in Serie A, with FBref ranking him as a similar player to Gyokeres based off their respective numbers from the current season – with the comparison understandable when delving into their figures.

Games played

27

25

Goals & assists

18

33

Shot-on-target accuracy

47%

45%

Times dispossessed

1.6

2.5

Aerials won

1.2

0.6

Aerial success rate

44%

31%

Take-on success

27%

27%

Lukaku may have registered fewer goals to date, but he’s managed to achieve a higher shot on target accuracy rate – showcasing that he’s been unlucky not to have more goals than he currently does.

He’s also won more aerials per 90, whilst losing possession fewer times per game, offering that all-round focal point which the side have been desperately missing.

There’s no denying that Gyokeres would be a phenomenal addition to the side, certainly handing them the goalscoring threat they’ve been after in recent years.

However, this whole scouting mission could’ve been saved had Solskjaer not parted ways with the Belgian six years ago, with his presence potentially helping the club fight at the top end once again.

Bigger wonderkid than Mainoo: Man Utd begin work on signing £38m sensation

Manchester United have wasted no time in targeting reinforcements for the summer.

1 ByEthan Lamb Mar 27, 2025

Allrounder gives Surrey something to think about with unbeaten 77

Vithushan Ehantharajah18-May-2023Surrey 88 for 1 (Sibley 35*) trail Kent 278 (Evison 77*, Lawes 3-41) by 190 runsThe oldest game in county cricket. The Brown Caps versus the Spitfires. Defending champions versus relegation candidates. Actual South London versus Claiming to be South London.It’s been 314 years of this fixture between Surrey and Kent, and it has rarely lacked narrative. Even the first game back in 1709 had £50 on it. But even given the history and the contrasting presents of these two teams, the focus heading into this opening day at the Kia Oval was dominated by two cricketers in particular.It is two days since Surrey’s Ben Foakes was axed from the squad for the first Test of the summer. Ultimately for Jonny Bairstow, but essentially for Kent’s Zak Crawley.If you’re not up to speed with the situation, search “Foakes” and “Crawley” on Twitter and let the discourse wash over you and dissolve the meat off your bones. Essentially: Bairstow was always coming back in. Foakes had done a lot right. And a side who do things differently could have done things differently by promoting someone to open at the expense of an opening batter averaging 25.86 across 12 Tests under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.Whatever your view on all this, the relief of actual cricket offered sanctuary. Foakes would have certainly regarded it as such. Had he kept his place with England, there’s a chance he would have opted to sit out to preserve his back ahead of the Ireland Test which begins on June 1. Instead, here he was, getting on with his life.Crawley, similarly. This was a chance to focus on the stuff that actually matters. And when Surrey opted to bowl first upon winning the toss, here was the perfect opportunity to get to the middle and away from the noise. At the ground where his unbeaten 69 took England to a series-winning target of 130 against South Africa at the end of last summer, no less.Soon after the Test announcement on Tuesday, Crawley was interviewed by the BBC as the criticism of Foakes’ snub had already gone from zero to 100 on social media. Presented with the reaction, the opener indulged a familiar misguided swipe – this time at “the average punter” and their opinions, “which, of course, I don’t care [about] anyway”.Your heart sinks a little to read that because it’s a little out of character, and very much the words of a man done with the condemnation. He went on to explain that hundreds, actually, aren’t all they are cut out to be. “I could play brilliantly for 20 and get a good ball,” he said. “You could play terribly for a hundred and everyone says ‘well batted’, when actually I played better for the 20.”A shame, then, that he managed just 19, edging Jordan Clark to third slip an over after tucking Dan Worrall away for a couple of fours through square leg. The bat came down at an angle, offering the outside half when he could have perhaps left on length.By that point Kent were 30 for 2. Worrall had pocketed Ben Compton with a perfect delivery from around the wicket that clipped the top of off after the left-hander did opt to leave. Clark was promoted to open the bowling alongside Worrall after Kemar Roach had to cut short his stint with Surrey to return home for family reasons.There’s an argument to be made that Clark is one of the club’s best domestic signings. The extra bounce off a length to snare Crawley was replicated to get rid of Jack Leaning two balls after the lunch break for his 100th first-class wicket for Surrey.Two overs from that end later, Clark bowled Jordan Cox, going wider on the crease and sneaking one through the right-hander’s defence. Up ticked the tally to 101 and down went the average under the 30 mark by a sliver (29.99).There was a sense this was all a bit too one-sided for Division One. But for a few starts up top, Kent were powerless to stop Surrey stomping all over their top and middle order. The sight of skipper Sam Billings flashing Tom Lawes through to Foakes, who dived across first slip to take his second catch, felt like a key indicator of a batting group in disarray. At 118 for 7, the end looked nigh. Then Joey Evison happened.And he really did happen. A remarkable unbeaten 77 dragged Kent to a hugely unlikely 278, picking up only their third batting point of the season to boot. Since making the move down to Canterbury from Nottinghamshire last summer, the softly-spoken 21-year-old has shown the kind of fight you’d usually associate with a much rowdier individual.Stands of 74 with Wes Agar and 82 with Michael Hogan, for the eighth and tenth wicket respectively, began with the allrounder protecting the bowlers until they were comfortable enough to hold their own. Even while protecting them, Evison indulged in some outrageous shots, driving on the up, flicking over midwicket for six, and occasionally stepping out and blasting so straight down the ground that he threatened to punch a hole through the standing umpire. One of those, off his 77th delivery, took him to a second half-century of the season.The first was a four-hour act of defiance against Warwickshire, ending with Evison being dismissed for 99 by Hasan Ali. Not only was it Kent’s last second-innings wicket, but it confirmed defeat deep into the final day. Nevertheless, this knock was desperately required and upheld his reputation as the fourth emergency service as far as Kent are concerned.The addition of 160 for the last three wickets was especially frustrating for Surrey as it delayed tea to 4.39pm, before Lawes snared Hogan for Foakes’ third catch midway through the first over of the restart. With the momentum a little more Kent’s way, Hogan dismissed Surrey captain Rory Burns at the start of the eighth over.That, however, was as good as it got for the visitors. Fresh from his official appointment as Test vice-captain, Ollie Pope strolled out and looked as comfortable as you’d expect on his favourite ground. Along with an engaging early evening workout from Dom Sibley, the pair ensured Surrey are 190 behind heading into Friday, with plenty of scope for a lead going into the second half of this match.There was one other bright spot for Kent in the field. Seamer Arafat Bhuiyan, having signed on Wednesday until the end of the season, sent down his first five overs for the county.Arafat, born in Bangladesh with UK residency, was one of three graduates from the South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) to make his first-class debut on Thursday, along with Zaman Akhter for Gloucestershire and Zain-ul-Hassan for Glamorgan. Formed ahead of the 2022 season, the work SACA have already done to correct the under-representation of British South Asians in the professional set-up is remarkable given its standing start.Arafat is the seventh player to move from the scheme into a full-time deal, and he bowled tidily from the Vauxhall End after being brought on for the 12th over. Earlier in the day, the 26-year-old’s first run was cheered by the Kent dressing room, with applause eventually rippling around the ground.His spell with the ball began with a maiden to Sibley which eased the nerves, bowling with decent pace. Given the calibre of Surrey’s XI, a maiden wicket will likely be a noteworthy one, and any incision he can provide will be vital if Kent are to push back on their more vaunted opponents.Even for a fixture with as much history and a match with plenty of talking points, Arafat and his story were welcome additions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has posted a motivational message on Instagram before Portugal's Nations League final against Spain on Sunday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Ronaldo's Portugal face SpainCR7 scored winner in semi-finalsSpain beat France 5-4Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo sent a motivation message to his Portugal team-mates before their Nations League final against Spain on Sunday. The legendary forward has the chance to win more silverware with the Selecao, having won the same tournament in 2018-19 as well as Euro 2016.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo is still captaining Portugal at 40 years of age and registered his 137th senior international goal when he tapped in the winner in the semi-final against Germany. However, Sunday sees them battle a Spain team that put five goals past France on Thursday, with Lamine Yamal netting twice in the ridiculous 5-4 victory.

WHAT RONALDO SAID

Posting on Instagram, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote: "It's because of us. This is for you guys. It's by Portugal. Tomorrow is the day to make history again."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Yamal is one of the hopefuls for this year's Ballon d'Or but Ronaldo recently admitted he believes players who make decisive contributions in the Champions League should win it. Ousmane Dembele, who led Paris Saint-Germain to a historic 2024-25 treble, is the current favourite.

The English actor sat down with GOAL at TST 2025 for an exclusive interview about him donning the Clarets badge for the tournament this year

CARY, N.C. – Hero Fiennes Tiffin, best known for his role as Hardin Scott in the famed 'After' Netflix franchise – a four-film series of romantic dramas based on the Anna Todd-authored novels – is taking a break from the film set this week and returning to his roots.

The 27-year-old actor is lacing up his boots and putting on the shirt of his first love: West Ham United.

"It's an honor and a privilege," he told GOAL at media day for The Soccer Tournament 2025, where he will be playing for the Clarets in the competition.

"I think it will always will be… It will always be that way anytime I put on the West Ham shirt. I feel like it's hard not to repeat myself, because the emotions are the same. It’s surreal for me to be amongst the people I looked up to when I was growing up, and wear the top that I've supported and watched for years. It's surreal, and the kid in me can't believe it."

Fiennes Tiffin, 27, will be playing with the likes of West Ham legends Anton Ferdinand and Mauro Zarate in the 7v7 competition this year, as he features for the second time after he debuted for in 2023 in the inaugural year of TST.

Fans around the world know the English actor from his role as Scott in the romantic films, but as a child, where his fandom was born, he also played the role of a young Tom Riddle in the sixth installment of the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

GOAL sat down with the English actor to talk about his West Ham fandom, where it stemmed from, and what fans should expect from him on the pitch at TST this year.

The Soccer TournamentEarly beginnings

When Fiennes Tiffin was just a child, he wasn't surrounded by a footballing family, but rather, a community that took him in and introduced him to the Clarets and what it means to be a West Ham fan.

"No one in my family really cares much for football, but growing up in South London, you're never more than a meter away from someone who does. And I had neighbors two doors down called the Gatehouses, and they were all big West Ham fans – a family of like six or seven – and they always had season tickets," Fiennes Tiffin said.

The actor remembers playing with the family's kids, getting hand-me-down West Ham tops, and even eventually playing on the same youth football team. It all led to his initial experiences with the club.

"Before you know it, they were asking me if I wanted to come to Upton Park to watch games. My best mate at school was a West Ham fan, and by the time I could even name five teams in the Prem [Premier League], I knew I was a West Ham fan, and I had the kit and I was going to games," he said.

"So yeah, it kind of happened through neighbors and friends, and yeah, your team picks you, I guess."

It was a rather unorthodox approach to finding passion for the club, but through it, he found a pure and dedicated passion for the club, even while his acting career kicked off as a child.

AdvertisementThe Soccer TournamentFinding love for the Clarets

Through his love for the club, he was selected along with a group of ' legends and other players to represent them in the U.S. as they fight for the $1 million prize in the men's division of the tournament this year. As a kid, Fiennes Tiffin looked up to a lot of players who donned the crest, and now that he has an opportunity to do so as well alongside some of them, it means the world to him.

"From my lifetime, Mark Noble's got to be – I mean, he's Mr. West Ham, isn't he? So if I'm going to name one, it's him. But then the players who I can think back to when I first was watching games," he said. "Anton [Ferdinand] is up there. And they say, never meet your heroes, but Anton is the most respectful, accommodating, welcoming person, but also fun and smart, and knows what he's doing. I can't sing his praises enough. So yeah, he's probably the person who, when I think back to the earliest memories of West Ham for when I was alive, games that I actually watched, it'd be Anton."

With one year of experience under his belt from 2023 already, he's hoping to help lead the Premier League side to the podium this year – but recognizes it won't be easy, wth so much talent on display at TST this year.

The Soccer TournamentCompetition awaits

The men's Group Stage bracket features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. West Ham's group includes La Liga side Villarreal, Brown Ballers FC, and TenFifteen FC.

If the Clarets advance, Hero Fiennes Tiffin already has his dream matchups in mind: Sergio Agüero's Selección Portero and Luis Nani’s Nani SC.

"Agüero… man, he's just a Premier League legend, and everyone can still hear that commentator screaming, ‘Agüerooooo!’ Nani as well—he’s massive. But I'm locking in Agüero as the person I'm probably most excited to see play or play against," he said.

Though unsure how many minutes he'll get, Fiennes Tiffin is just proud to wear the West Ham crest alongside fellow fans of the club. His competitive side, however, still hopes to see some action.

"When I’m on the bench, I’m obviously itching to play," he said. "But I’ve been working a lot and haven’t had as much time to train as I’d like. We’ve got a team full of strong players who play regularly at a high level. So I’ve told the coach and the others – I’m here to help however I can. If that means fewer minutes for me, I’m fine with that. I’ll be happy just to put on the kit, get a little run around, and contribute however I can."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

The Soccer TournamentThe future

Fiennes Tiffin is thrilled to take some time to step away from the big screen for the competition, as he feels it's "nice" to take a break from the world he often surrounds himself with. The 27-year-old is currently in the midst of production for the series 'Young Sherlock' on Amazon Prime Video, where he will play a youthful Sherlock Holmes, but right now, his focus is on the competition.

However, that's not to say he hasn't thought about a potential crossover in the near future – in fact, there's a crossover in the back of his head between West Ham, soccer and his acting career that could come to fruition soon, though he's kept his lips sealed… for now.

"Let me not speak so much on this. I'm itching to, but there is one project in particular that is very West Ham oriented, that, if we can make it into a good script, and it's worth turning into a film, and all the stars aligned… and then I'll be involved in that, and that would be a massive crossover. That would be two massive parts of my life coming together. But no, and I guess as an actor, there's something nice about playing roles that are far away from home, but as I say, I'm itching to say more, but I can't right now.

"Hopefully, in the future, we'll see me work on a project that is heavily West Ham-oriented."

For fans who want to catch a glimpse of Fiennes Tiffin on the pitch this week, they can tune in and watch TST 2025, as he dons the badge of the Clarets once more.

West Ham United are now in the race to sign a “phenomenal” goalkeeper who has been likened to Liverpool star Alisson, and a deal could be done for £30m, according to a report.

Potter searching for a new goalkeeper

Graham Potter is in the somewhat unusual position of having two goalkeepers of a similar level, rather than an undisputed number one, with Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski both being given runs in the side in the Premier League this season.

However, Fabianski is now 39-years-old, and the Pole’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, while Areola is hardly in the infancy of his career either, at 32, which means the Hammers could need to bring in at least one new goalkeeper this summer.

AS Roma’s Mile Svilar has emerged as an option for the Irons, with the Serbian yet to sign a new contract to extend his stay with the Italian club, while a new target has also now entered the frame.

West Ham want to sign new "complete" forward who's scored 16 goals in 24/25

Graham Potter wants some firepower to ignite his West Ham attack.

BySean Markus Clifford Mar 23, 2025

According to a report from the Sunday Mirror (via West Ham Zone), West Ham are one of the clubs tracking Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, with Potter looking to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited from Julen Lopetegui.

Lammens’ performances in Belgium this season have attracted the attention of a number of other Premier League clubs, however, so there could be fierce competition for his signature, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers also keen.

Given the widespread interest in the goalkeeper, Royal Antwerp believe they could hold out for a fee of £30m, and they may be willing to accept an offer in that ballpark this summer.

"Phenomenal" Lammens likened to Alisson

The Belgian goalkeeper has been an indispensable member of the Royal Antwerp side this season, having worked his way up the pecking order since arriving from Club Brugge, making 30 league appearances, during which time he’s picked up seven clean sheets.

Recently, the 22-year-old’s performances have even earned him comparisons to Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson from freelance scout Ben Mattinson.

Having also been lauded as “phenomenal” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig this season, there is every sign the Royal Antwerp shot-stopper could go on to become a top goalkeeper, so it is little wonder some big Premier League clubs are queuing up for his signature.

Fabianski is now in the twilight years of his career and seemingly set to leave in the summer, while Areola has received criticism at times this season, meaning Lammens could be a much-needed addition to Potter’s squad.

The pitch in Ahmedabad is expected to be a belter and the expectation is that there won’t be a lot of dew

Sreshth Shah25-May-20237:57

Moody: Suryakumar vs Rashid and Noor will be fascinating to watch

Big picture: Defending champions vs Serial winnersFor probably the first time in the franchise’s young history, Gujarat Titans will be feeling the pressure in a knockout game. Freshly jolted by a defeat in Qualifier 1, this is the first time they’re ever playing an IPL game to stay alive. The best team from the league stage didn’t really play like it against Chennai Super Kings to the point that it suddenly seems like they aren’t entirely sure of their best XI. Getting that wrong in the playoff stages usually proves expensive.On the other hand, Mumbai Indians are peaking at the right time. They produced one of their most complete performances in the Eliminator to go with four wins in their last five games in the group stages. From the batting point of view, everyone has unlocked the most dangerous version of themselves, and among bowlers, Piyush Chawla and Jason Behrendorff are doing enough for Akash Madhwal to shine at the death.Related

Tactics board: Mumbai Indians to target Shami? Time to bring back Little?

Rohit proud of Mumbai for 'scrappy' show this year after deflating IPL 2022

Shubman Gill raises his game to the heavens

Akash Madhwal – from tennis-ball cricket to Rohit Sharma's main man

Mumbai Indians overcome LSG in Chennai by playing 100% pure T20 cricket

Mumbai beat Titans the last time the two sides met in IPL 2023, and purely based on recent results and recent vibes, Mumbai would appear to have the edge. Their bowling unit has been red-hot of late but that wasn’t quite the case early on in the tournament. Titans on the other hand have proven performers with the ball, including the season’s top two wicket-takers. How Madhwal and co can match up to Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan may well decide the outcome of this game.Titans’ batting though, at least in the present moment, lacks the clarity their bowling has. They need to figure out if Dasun Shanaka is offering enough. And also do more to ensure Vijay Shankar bats when he can have the most impact. Most of all, they have to find a way for Hardik Pandya – the batter – to make the best use of his skills. If that clarity is there, Titans will feel that the Qualifier defeat was a mere blip on their journey towards defending their IPL title. It won’t come easy against a side that just knows how to win crunch games.Form guideGujarat Titans: LWWLW
Mumbai Indians: WWLWWTeam news: Worry for Titans seamers?Titans played Darshan Nalkande against Super Kings for Yash Dayal, but Nalkande was hobbling after his bowling spell. If Nalkande is unfit, one could see Dayal coming back in. Titans could also bring in Josh Little as a replacement, but that would see Shanaka dropped. Little is a frontrunner for his experience and better bowling numbers compared to the uncapped Indians, more so in a knockout game.With Tilak Varma returning to their side against Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai have no injury concerns.Nehal Wadhera scored quick runs coming in as an Impact sub•AFP/Getty ImagesImpact Player strategy: What will Mumbai do?Mumbai could use an extra batter – like in the Eliminator with Nehal Wadhera – and sacrifice an extra bowling option to give their first-innings total a push if they bat first. Otherwise, the default route is Suryakumar Yadav being used as an Impact sub for an Indian bowler.Mumbai Indians (probable XII): 1 Ishan Kishan (wk), 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Cameron Green, , 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Tim David, , 8 Chris Jordan, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Jason Behrendorff, 11 Akash Madhwal, 12 Kumar KartikeyaTitans are likely to go with Vijay as the Impact Player in a chase or bring in a fast bowler if they are defending.Gujarat Titans (probable XII): 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3 Hardik Pandya (capt), , 5 David Miller, 6 Sai Sudharsan/Abhinav Manohar, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Noor Ahmad, , 11 Mohit Sharma, 12 Mohammed Shami.Stats that matter: Watch out for Rohit vs Rashid Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have contrasting numbers against Rashid Khan. Rohit has been dismissed four times in six innings, but Suryakumar has scored 67 runs in 47 balls without ever being dismissed in the IPL. Titans and Mumbai are the two best chasing sides in IPL 2023, having won six of their nine chases. In IPL 2023, Hardik averages 40 at the No. 3 position in eight innings, but at No. 4, he struggles, averaging 11.4 in five innings. Mumbai’s powerplay bowling has steadily improved. In their first ten games, their powerplay economy of 9.2 came with an average of 54.9. In their last five games, their powerplay economy has dropped to 8.2, with an average of 27.3. Pitch and conditionsIt has touched 43 degrees in Ahmedabad. Curators have covered the pitch to ensure it doesn’t break down abnormally. The pitch for the game is among the least used strips – the centre has nine surfaces – and is being brought in to seemingly provide a run fest.It has been watered adequately to ensure some amount of moisture helps bind it underneath. The curator expects good pace and bounce like all season. Dew isn’t expected to be a major factor, helped by the chemical they use to prevent its formation.

Search begins for new head coach after Nixon took leave last month

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2023Paul Nixon will leave his position as Leicestershire head coach after reaching a “mutual agreement” with the club.Nixon had held the post for five-and-a-half years but took leave last month.Sean Jarvis, Leicestershire’s chief executive, said at the time he would be “investigating comments and allegations” but did not elaborate, citing “wishes of lawyers”.Related

Dan Lawrence fifty guides Essex to Finals Day berth in thriller at Edgbaston

Durham confirm signings of Ackermann, Parkinson

Chris Wright, Danny Lamb complete Sussex moves

Paul Nixon relieved of duties as Leicestershire head coach

Leicestershire 'investigating allegations' amid Nixon's sudden departure

On Thursday, Leicestershire announced that Nixon would depart and that Alfonso Thomas and James Taylor, Leicestershire’s assistant coach and batting coach respectively, would assume responsibility for the first team for the remainder of the season, assisted by director of cricket Claude Henderson and second team head coach Dips Patel.After a decorated playing career with the Foxes, Nixon returned to Grace Road in October 2017, leading the club to the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast in 2020 and the quarter-finals of the Royal London Cup in 2022.Nixon said in a statement released by the club: “I am immensely proud of my time at Leicestershire and would like to thank the players, both past and present, staff and most of all the fans for the unconditional support I have received during my tenure. The club will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish them all the best for the future.”Henderson said in the statement: “Paul has been a true servant to Leicestershire County Cricket Club since he first joined the club in 1988, in two stints as a player then as Head Coach since 2017. He’s shown relentless commitment, enthusiasm and passion during his time as head coach and has been a fantastic ambassador for the club. We wish him every success in the next steps of his career.”Our attention now turns to the process of finding a new head coach to work alongside Alfonso Thomas and James Taylor, whilst ensuring we also remain competitive for the second half of the 2023 season.”The squad possesses a wealth of exciting young talent and has shown some encouraging progress in the early stages of the summer. We believe we have established an effective coaching structure and we are keen to build on our strong culture and values.”Whilst it has been a difficult fortnight for both parties, now is a time for collectiveness. We as supporters, players and staff need to stick together to ensure that our trajectory as a club continues upwards in the months ahead.”Leicestershire are second in Division Two of the County Championship but have struggled in the Blast this year, losing 12 of their 14 fixtures, including a 92-run defeat at the hands of Northants and a 71-run loss to Derbyshire.Three senior players – Colin Ackermann, Callum Parkinson and Chris Wright – have announced their departures from Leicestershire at the end of the season. Ackermann and Parkinson will head to Durham, while veteran seamer Wright has signed for Sussex.

Ramos and Monterrey face Inter Milan in Club World Cup at the Rose Bowl, with Veteran defender expected to start

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Monterrey in Group E with Inter Milan, Urawa Red Diamonds, River Plate

Veteran defender Sergio Ramos expected to start

Mbappé, Real Madrid make CWC debut Wednesday

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

As Monterrey prepares for its debut at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan, veteran defender Sergio Ramos took a moment to weigh in on one of football’s most talked-about topics: the Ballon d'Or.

While anticipation builds over who will win this year's award, Ramos named Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé as his top pick – unsurprising given his long-standing ties to the Spanish club. However, Ramos acknowledged that despite Mbappé's prolific scoring season, the Frenchman may face stiff competition from players who enjoyed greater team success.

“He won the Golden Boot, but didn’t secure the major trophies others have," he said. "These are individual awards, not team titles. But in football, those collective achievements often tip the scales. There are some top-level players out there who’ve won the Champions League, domestic leagues, even the Nations League. Those things matter.”

Mbappé’s name has consistently surfaced among candidates for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, despite Real Madrid's underwhelming season. Still, the former Madrid captain believes Mbappé has what it takes to dominate the award in the years to come.

“If it were up to me, Kylian would win four or five Ballon d'Ors in the next decade – maybe even more,” Ramos said. “He’s got the talent, and he’s already proven that on the biggest stages.”

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Mbappé claimed the Golden Boot in his debut season in Spain, netting 31 goals – a remarkable individual tally even as Real Madrid came up short in all major competitions, including La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

While players such as Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to be front-runners in the Ballon d’Or race, Ramos says Mbappé’s goalscoring record speaks louder than silverware.

“He was the top scorer this season. That alone puts him above the rest,” said the veteran defender.

Getty Images SportWHAT SERGIO RAMOS SAID

Sergio Ramos also addressed the presence of his former club, Real Madrid, in the Club World Cup, acknowledging that Los Blancos remain favorites in any international competition they enter.

“Madrid is always a contender in big tournaments,” he said.

While he admitted it would be special to face some of his former teammates, Ramos was honest about what would be best for Monterrey.

"It’s always nice to play against former teammates," he said, "but if we can avoid them, even better – we’d all save ourselves the heartbreak.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MONTERREY?

 will remain in Los Angeles for the duration of the group stage, where they play Inter Milan on Tuesday, followed by River Plate (June 21) and Urawa Red Diamonds (June 25).