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حقق فريق توتنهام فوزًا على خصمه وست هام، في مباراتهما مساء يوم السبت، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.

وحل توتنهام ضيفًا على وست هام في ملعب “لندن الأولمبي” في الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث حقق الضيوف فوزًا بثلاثة أهداف دون رد. أهداف مباراة توتنهام ووست هام في الدوري الإنجليزي

ولم تُسجل الأهداف إلا في الشوط الثاني، حيث بدأ اللاعب باب ماتار سار ثلاثية توتنهام بتسجيله هدفًا في الدقيقة 47 من عمر المباراة.

واضطر وست هام إلى اللعب بـ10 لاعبين فقط منذ الدقيقة 54، بعدما تحصل لاعب الفريق توماس سوتشيك على بطاقة حمراء.

وفي الدقيقة 57، تزايدت معاناة وست هام بعدما سجل اللاعب لوكاس بيرجفال الهدف الثاني لصالح توتنهام، قبل أن يحرز ميكي فان دي فن الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 64.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد توتنهام إلى 9 نقاط في المركز الثاني، بينما تجمد رصيد وست هام عند 3 نقاط في المركز الثامن عشر.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin is set to bring a new style of play to Ibrox when his team takes to the field for the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

The former Scotland international plays a ball-dominant style that will see the Gers look to dominate possession and break teams down next term.

In order to build a squad that is suited to the way that the former Southampton manager wants to play, though, there will be players who have to move on in order to make way for new recruits.

One player who looks set to be on his way out of Ibrox is centre-back Robin Propper, as it was recently reported in his home country that he has agreed a deal to return to FC Twente on a three-year contract.

The Rangers Review also recently claimed that the Dutch giant is ‘expected’ to leave the club, amid interest in Leicester City central defender Conor Coady, who could come in as his replacement.

Why selling Robin Propper is a good move by Rangers

This proposed move back to FC Twente is a good move by Rangers and a good move for the defender because he did not settle in well at Ibrox on the pitch.

Propper did not do enough in his performances to show that he was ready for the physicality of the Scottish Premiership, which was a clear problem early on in his career in Glasgow.

In December 2024, the centre-back lost 100% (2/2) of his duels and was substituted at half-time against St. Johnstone, which led to him being criticised by former Gers midfielder Derek Ferguson.

The BBC Sportsound pundit said: “Propper is struggling. He’s been pretty vocal over the last couple of weeks that he’s finding it tough in our league. He’s been asked the question early on. It’s quite worrying when you see him struggling as bad as that. Look at the body language – he’s looking for a way out already.”

As you can see in the table above, the 31-year-old centre-back also struggled with the physicality of European football in the Europa League, as he lost the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air.

These statistics and the criticism of his play in the Premiership illustrate exactly why the decision to allow him to move back to the Netherlands is a good one for all parties involved.

Propper may not be the only first-team player to move on from Ibrox before the Martin era officially gets underway on the pitch, though, as another dud is attracting interest from elsewhere.

Five teams eyeing deal for Rangers forward

According to the Daily Record, a number of teams are showing an interest in Rangers winger Ross McCausland during the summer transfer window.

The report claims that FC Cincinnati, Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City, Basel, and OH Leuven are all eyeing up a potential swoop for the Northern Ireland international.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It states that they are all keeping tabs on his situation at Ibrox heading into the summer, which shows that there is plenty of interest from clubs across the globe and in the UK.

The Daily Record adds that McCausland is keen to remain at Rangers and would like to be a part of Martin’s project, but that the Scottish head coach could be willing to listen to offers for the academy graduate.

It reveals that the former Norwich City centre-back is still assessing the squad and that no final decisions have been made either, which means that the attacker’s future is still up in the air.

However, Rangers must take advantage of the level of interest in McCauland, with five teams eyeing him up, and cash in on him this summer.

Why selling McCausland is as important as Propper

As aforementioned, it is a good call to sell Propper because he did not deliver on the pitch and the Light Blues need more strength and quality in that area of the park to be successful under Martin next season.

Since making the breakthrough as a first-team regular under Philippe Clement in 2023, McCausland has failed to prove that he is good enough to be a key player for the Scottish giants moving forward.

The 21-year-old attacker has shown some promise at times, including scoring his first goal for the club in the Europa League in the clip above, but has not delivered consistently enough in the final third.

To date, McCausland has scored three goals and provided six assists in 44 appearances in the Premiership, and racked up seven goals and seven assists in 66 games in all competitions for the first-team.

As you can see in the table above, the Northern Irish dud ended the 2024/25 campaign without a single goal to show for his efforts in the league, whilst he had as many red cards as goal contributions.

McCausland was once described as an “explosive” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, but he has failed to kick on since exploding onto the first-team scene at Ibrox. The winger has gone from an exciting young talent to just another one of the players, like Propper, who needs to be replaced.

Put simply, the Gers academy graduate does not offer enough in front of goal to be a key attacking figure for Martin moving forward, as shown by his lack of end product in the Premiership in particular, which is why it is as important to sell him as it is to sell Propper.

This could provide the new Rangers manager with a chance to replace him with another winger in the summer transfer window, with the hope that any new recruit could come in to offer more goals and assists to win vital points for the team moving forward.

The new Lundstram: Martin wants to make £18m star his first Rangers signing

As Russell Martin starts his overhaul of Rangers’ squad, could he sign a “class” midfielder in a deal reminiscent of John Lundstram’s move to Ibrox?

By
Ben Gray

Jun 8, 2025

It is now down to Kevin Thelwell and Martin, though, to field offers and work with the interested parties to find the best solution for all parties involved.

Celtic’s connection to Ireland is deep-rooted and historic.

The club was founded back in 1888 by Irish Marist Brother Walfrid, with the stated objective of integrating Irish immigrants into Scottish life and society.

To this day, the Hoops remain one of the most popular clubs in Ireland, while many of their greatest-ever players are Irish: Patrick Bonner, Patsy Gallacher, Neil Lennon, Sean Fallon and Aiden McGeady, to name but a few.

Now, could the Scottish Premiership champions be about to add another current Republic of Ireland international to their ranks, one that has the potential to be a superstar?

Celtic's search for a new centre-forward

According to a report by the Daily Record, Celtic are willing to ‘gamble on a permanent transfer’ to sign Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson, if the Seagulls are unable to find another buyer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Ferguson spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United but, as Hammers supporter Martin Treasure puts it, his stint in East London was a ‘disaster’, making just eight appearances that totalled a miserly 151 minutes, scoring zero goals.

Two years ago, as an 18-year-old, he burst onto the scene by scoring a hat-trick against Newcastle; only three players, namely Chris Bart-Williams, Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, have bagged a Premier League treble at a younger age.

Since 2 September 2023 however, he has scored just three club goals, enduring a 336-day goal drought, so could he move north of the border in an attempt to get his career back on track?

How Ferguson could fit in at Celtic

Of course, Celtic already have one Republic of Ireland international striker in their squad; after a successful six-month loan spell, Adam Idah’s move to Parkhead was made permanent for £9.5m last summer, a fee Amy Canavan of BBC Sport described as ‘eye-watering’.

The 24-year-old has so far scored 29 goals in 72 appearances for the club, most notably bagging a stoppage-time winner in the Scottish Cup Final against Rangers, albeit he’s been unable to cement himself as the undisputed first-choice, despite the departure of Kyōgo Furuhashi in January.

So, let’s assess how the two Irish strikers compare to one another.

Age

20

24

Senior appearances

92

188

Senior goals

17

46

Premier League appearances

68

29

Premier League goals

13

1

Republic of Ireland caps

22

32

Republic of Ireland goals

5

5

Current market value

£21.4m

£5.5m

Peak market value

£55m

£5.5m

As the table outlines, Idah does have more senior experience, which shouldn’t be too surprising as he is four years older, albeit Ferguson is vastly more experienced at Premier League level, also scoring the same number of international goals in ten fewer caps.

What is also revealing is their respective Transfermarkt values, given that they believe Ferguson was worth over £55m in the autumn of 2023, still valued at in excess of £20m right now, despite his decline.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “big talent”, Beth Limb of Total Football Analysis is impressed by his ‘all-round game’, while Ryan Kilbane of Football Talent Scout outlines how he boasts ‘clever movement’ and is ‘comfortable with his back to goal’.

In short, not so long ago, everyone was forecasting that Ferguson would go to the top although, since then, as documented by Andy Naylor of the Athletic, injuries have massively hampered his development, citing Alan Shearer, who labelled him a “special talent… that needs to be nurtured”.

Thus, it is clear that Ferguson is a top-quality talent so, if Celtic are able to get a deal done, it would surely be a no-brainer, even if there is obvious risk.

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1 ByBen Gray Jun 17, 2025

Glasgow Rangers face one of the most important summer transfer windows in their recent history.

After yet another trophyless season combined with Celtic’s domestic dominance, patience is wearing thin among the Ibrox faithful.

The saving grace is that 49ers Enterprises appear to be closing in on their takeover of the Light Blues, which could bring plenty of positive changes at the club heading into next season.

Members of the US consortium were given a tour of Ibrox during the week, and everyone associated with the club will be hoping a deal is signed, sealed and delivered sooner rather than later.

While a permanent manager is top of the to-do list, the first-team squad needs a major overhaul when the transfer window finally opens. No longer can the Gers splurge millions on players who won’t live up to expectations, nor waste wages on those who miss far too many games due to injury.

This could be seen as a change of approach in the summer. Lyall Cameron has already signed a pre-contract with the Gers, while they are also keen on bringing Josh Mulligan to Glasgow.

Signing young talents with a high ceiling appears to be the next strategy, much in a similar mould to the prior capture of Ryan Kent.

Ryan Kent’s Rangers statistics

Kent signed for Rangers on an initial season-long loan deal at the start of the 2018/19 campaign. By the end of that season, he had registered 15 goal contributions – six goals and nine assists – while even punching Scott Brown during an Old Firm clash.

Not a bad way to endear yourself to the supporters, and this led to calls for Steven Gerrard to splash the cash on him permanently in the summer of 2019.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2022/23

44

3

10

2021/22

46

3

19

2020/21

52

13

14

2019/20

33

8

4

2018/19

43

6

9

The next two seasons saw Kent at his very best. A tally of 14 goals were scored, and the winger recorded an impressive 18 assists, underlining how good he had become for the club.

The 2020/21 campaign was particularly impressive. Rangers went the entire league season undefeated, securing their first title in a decade, and Kent was unplayable at times.

Kent recorded 2.3 shots per game in the top flight that term, along with creating nine big chances, averaging 1.9 key passes and succeeding with 1.9 dribbles per match for the Ibrox side.

He gave opposition defenders no chance when driving towards them at full throttle, and this is what made him arguably the best winger in the country at the time.

His final two seasons saw him score only six goals before he left the club in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract.

Those first three years saw Kent at his very best. Could a certain Bobby Clark offer the same sort of qualities from the heart of the midfield?

Rangers transfer news

During the January transfer window, the Light Blues wanted to bring Clark to the club on a short-term loan deal until the end of the campaign. He made the move to RB Salzburg in the summer of 2024 for a fee believed to be around the £6m mark, but he failed to truly settle in Austria.

Transfer Focus

No move ever materialised for the youngster, but could he be back on the market this summer?

The £3.5k-per-week starlet could be ready to leave on loan as Salzburg are keen on letting him leave temporarily for the 2025/26 season. This could put the Ibrox side on high alert following their early attempts to secure his signature.

A former Liverpool academy graduate, much like Kent, the youngster could well look to emulate his compatriot at Ibrox…

Why Rangers should sign Bobby Clark

Starting his youth career at Newcastle United – aiming to follow in the footsteps of his father, Lee, who played for the Magpies – Clark ended up at Liverpool in the summer of 2021.

The youngster made his mark on the youth teams at Anfield before finally making his senior debut during the 2022/23 campaign under Jürgen Klopp.

He made 12 appearances for the Reds the following season, scoring once and grabbing two assists. His future looked bright indeed.

Journalist Lee Ryder discussed his potential in the past and compared him to a former Newcastle legend, saying Clark “reminds me a little bit of Gazza at the same age.” Which is high praise indeed.

Clark moved to Salzburg last summer, linking up with former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders, although he was sacked just a few months into the role, and Clark failed to settle under new manager Thomas Letsch.

Despite his lack of game time in the Austrian Bundesliga, Clark still managed to record 0.4 shots per game, while also averaging 0.7 key passes and succeeding with 0.4 dribbles per match in the league.

Considering he averages only 41 minutes for the club domestically, these statistics aren’t the worst. If he can move to a club where playing consistently becomes a regular theme, Clark can continue his development.

A loan move to Ibrox would be an excellent chance for him to prove the doubters wrong, especially as he could feature in European competition.

Across six Champions League matches for the Austrian side this season, Clark showcased his abilities, averaging 1.7 tackles, winning 2.8 total duels and succeeding with 89% of his passes.

Playing against teams such as PSG, Atlético Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen gave Clark the chance to perform at the highest level against some of the finest clubs on the continent.

It may not have gone well for the Englishman since the start of 2025, but all he needs is a fresh start and a chance to impress.

In that regard, Rangers is the perfect place for him – as it was for Kent.

Rangers can revive Tavernier by hiring manager who's "a level above Gerrard"

As the 49ers continue their search to find a new Rangers manager, they should hire “one of the most promising coaches in world football”.

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Arne Slot has done a sensational job in charge at Liverpool during his first campaign at the helm, producing a seamless transition after taking over from Jürgen Klopp last summer.

Their latest win over Tottenham Hotspur secured their second Premier League title with four games to spare, highlighting the impressive work conducted by the Dutchman.

The success endured has been made even more impressive given the fact that only one addition was made last summer in the form of Federico Chiesa, who’s only featured for 33 league minutes in 2024/25.

However, if they are to build on their achievements in Slot’s second season, additions are needed to bolster the squad and inject further quality in key areas of the pitch.

With the title secured, undoubtedly attention will now shift onto the transfer window, with numerous names already thrown into the mix over a switch to Anfield.

An update on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers

In recent days, it’s emerged that Liverpool are one of a number of Premier League clubs in the race for Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman during the summer window.

The Nigerian, who has scored 18 goals this campaign, also has admirers from Chelsea and Manchester United, with the Serie A side demanding a £50m fee for his signature.

However, despite the interest in his services, the Reds have also made a move for Monaco’s 20-year-old forward Eliesse Ben Seghir, making an approach for him, according to French outlet L’Equipe.

The report also states that Slot’s side have been keeping a close eye on his progress in Ligue 1, with Manchester City also in the race to land the Moroccan international.

It also goes on to state that he’s frustrated at his current outfit, potentially being open to a move to England should the side give the attacker first-team assurances.

Why Liverpool’s target would be an upgrade on Luis Diaz

After joining in January 2022, many expectations were placed on winger Luis Diaz to succeed, especially after Sadio Mané departed Merseyside just a few months after his arrival.

Whilst he’s managed to net 40 goals in his 145 appearances to date, frustrations have been growing around the Colombian in recent months, leading to rumours around his future at the club.

Barcelona have recently been credited with an interest in signing the 28-year-old, whose current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027 – but could yet extend his stay on Merseyside.

Such a situation could lead to a move for Ben Seghir in the months ahead, offering Slot an upgrade on the former Porto ace, adding a new dimension to his already impressive front line.

The Moroccan, who’s been labelled a future “£100m” star by The Athletic’s Euro Expert, may have registered fewer goals and assists, but has managed more progressive carries and carries into the final third per 90 – highlighting the threat he poses in attacking areas.

Games played

30

33

Goals & assists

9

17

Progressive passes

6.5

4.1

Progressive carries

4.5

4.1

Carries into final third

4.5

2.1

Take-ons attempted

4.9

4.4

Fouls won

2.9

1.2

Aerials won

37%

26%

Ben Seghir has also managed to achieve a higher tally of take-ons, whilst also winning more of the aerial duels he’s entered, offering Slot an excellent all-round option within the final third.

His talents don’t stop there, winning more fouls per 90, along with more progressive passes completed, demonstrating his relentless athleticism, which has seen countless defenders struggle to contain him.

At just 20, he has the current ability and potential to transform into an elite-level talent, having all the tools to back up the Euro Expert’s predictions around his future at the top level of the professional game.

Whilst it’s unclear what the situation is with Diaz heading into the summer, a move for the Monaco gem would allow the club to cash in should no contract be agreed – also landing a star who could improve tenfold and secure his place in the side for many years to come.

Worth as much as Huijsen: Liverpool struck gold on "special" £4m signing

Liverpool could sell this young star for a significant profit this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 30, 2025

He was nearly unplayable on some surfaces, made a strong case for catch of the tournament, and made useful contributions as a batter

Matt Roller30-Jun-20243:54

DP World Going Beyond Boundaries – Axar Patel

A spell of 2 for 23 in three overs. Hardly an uncommon set of figures in a T20 match but in the context of an innings of 176, there is an obvious question to ask: why only three overs? Keshav Maharaj took two wickets in his first over of Saturday’s T20 World Cup 2024 final and went at 7.66 runs per over, compared to an innings run rate of 8.80. But after the ninth over, he was not seen again.Maharaj bowled his full four-over allocation in each of his first six appearances at the World Cup, and might well have done the same in the semi-final if his team-mates had not rolled Afghanistan over for 56. And yet, in a final of fine margins, his fourth over went unused.The reason behind it was straightforward: it was because of Axar Patel.Related

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Axar had been deployed as a floater by India, making a vital 20 from No. 4 in a low-scoring game against Pakistan in the group stage. But it came as a surprise even to him when he was sent in ahead of Shivam Dube in the final: “Suddenly, Rahul [Dravid] asked me to pad up. I didn’t get to think anything about my batting and that worked for me,” he explained afterwards.The idea was simple enough. Axar was carded to bat at No. 8 and therefore the value on his wicket was relatively low. He rarely gets the chance to face many balls, and if India lost another quick wicket, at least they would have Dube, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja to come. His promotion artificially lengthened their batting line-up.But it also ensured that Maharaj’s impact on the game would be limited, particularly when Axar played a shot that proved vital in the context of the final. Axar hit the first six of India’s innings when slog-sweeping Aiden Markram over midwicket, hitting with the wind, but in the following over, he played the same shot the breeze off Maharaj and cleared the boundary.In Markram’s eyes, it effectively rendered Maharaj unbowlable while India had a left-hander at the crease. This was not a case of blindly following match-ups, or the guiding principle that fingerspinners turning the ball into batters is high-risk: Markram took the gamble, and the on-field evidence suggested that even with the wind helping him, Maharaj was too vulnerable.Axar’s stand with Virat Kohli was the biggest of the final – and he dominated the partnership. They added 72 off 54 for the fourth wicket, of which Kohli’s contribution was 21 boundary-less runs off 23 balls; Axar hit 47 off 31, including a four and four sixes. Without Axar’s impetus, Kohli would have felt compelled to take more risks earlier: that would have made India more likely to reach 190, but would also have increased the chance of them folding for 140.

“This time, I felt that I had to do something good for India. Finally, I did it. I’m feeling so proud”Axar Patel

The slog-sweep was the defining shot of Axar’s innings, with another off Tabraiz Shamsi just about evading Kagiso Rabada’s sprawling dive at long-on. But this was not just a tailender promoted to have a swing: it was an innings of high skill, exemplified by his straight-bat, high-elbow on-drive for six off Rabada.Axar even timed his dismissal well, midway through the 14th over. Perhaps he was a little dozy when running through to the non-striker’s end, only for Quinton de Kock’s direct hit to find him short of his ground. But it meant Dube had the chance to impact the game from No. 6 and gave Kohli a free hand at attacking at the death without fear of failure, with Hardik and Jadeja still waiting.Few would have sincerely nominated Axar for Player of the Tournament, but he has been the sort of player that every champion team needs: a regular contributor with the versatility to be useful in all facets. He bowled dry on New York’s seaming pitches, took a stunning catch against Australia in St Lucia, and played this vital hand with the bat against South Africa in Barbados.Axar Patel gave the India innings some impetus in the final•Getty ImagesThat is not to forget his spell of 3 for 23 against England in the semi-final, a throwback to his performances against the same opposition in two Ahmedabad Tests in 2021. Axar is not the most talented player India have, but he is a master of working out how he can be effective in certain conditions: in Guyana, the turn and low bounce on offer made his straighter ball deadly.The final could have been very different for Axar. If South Africa had held their nerve with 30 needed off 30 balls or if Suryakumar Yadav’s foot had brushed the boundary cushion, his abiding memory of the final would have been his over to Heinrich Klaasen which cost 24 runs, including two huge sixes – one onto the roof, another into the pavilion. In a cricketing culture where idolisation turns into vilification overnight, Axar’s over would not have been forgotten in a hurry.And yet, for all the ignominy it involved, standing at the top of his mark and waiting for the ball to be fetched, perhaps that was when the final turned in India’s favour. The ball was retrieved from the stands, rather than replaced; barely two overs later, Jasprit Bumrah was getting it to reverse-swing. Maybe it would have done anyway, but it goes to show how fickle sport – and life – can be.”This time, I felt that I had to do something good for India,” Axar said in the moments after India’s victory. “Finally, I did it. I’m feeling so proud.” Kohli, Bumrah and Rohit Sharma rightly took the plaudits, but Axar was India’s unsung hero.

This series has lit up the island in ways that turbines, fossil fuels, and generators never could

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Jun-2022Is this it? Have they arrived? Is this the new Sri Lanka? The future? Bright? Blinding as the sun?Energy. Remember that? Batters who will whisk the team out of a hole. Bowlers who will make an anthill of a target seem like a forbidding Himalayan peak. Fielders who don’t comically clang into each while circling under a gently descending catch. It has been long enough. Too long. Years since #SangaMahelaDilshanMalingaHerathMurali.Okay, but wait. What is the future, even? This is a nation run by a government essentially living hand-to-mouth. They are awaiting the next fuel shipments at the end of the week, desperately scrambling for money to pay for them. Meanwhile, fuel queues choke the roads like metal pythons, getting longer and fatter by the day. Trains and buses are crammed evermore with commuters who have no choice but to cling for life on the brimming footboards. The vegetable stalls and grocery shelves, though, are empty.Related

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Cricket cannot solve SL's massive problems but it can be a distraction

In normal times you ask what things will be like down the line. Will this batter develop into the next guy to get 10000 runs? Oh and that bowler has something about him, no? Five years time, just watch. He’ll have won so many games by then. He’ll have such an aura.What about us, though? Where will we be in five years’ time? Still struggling? In queues? Skint? Abroad, after giving up on a country we love? In daily fits of rage at the news out of parliament?Stop. Save yourself the spiral. It’s not worth thinking about. For one night, you tune it out.It’s easy when they play like this. Dhananjaya de Silva, spindly arms in those long sleeves, turning his wrists to drive a fast bowler past a diving backward point. Charith Asalanka camping on his back foot to launch no less a bowler than Pat Cummins over the deep midwicket boundary, with a half-pull, half short-arm jab, that leaves a stadium breathless for half a second.Together, they put on 101 to rescue Sri Lanka from 34 for 3, and the is pouring out over the stands like a joyous waterfall, and the kids are dancing, the teenagers are selfie-ing, and a local pop hit comes on at the end of an over that has brought two boundaries, so in a second the entire stand is in voice, and you can feel it right? These are real smiles, not the barely-keeping-it-together smile when you learn that the bicycle you’re trying to buy to save on motorbike fuel, costs twice what it did two months back. This is real laughter, and happy hugs, not the we-made-it-through-another-day-without-collapsing ones.Look, it’s not real life. Everyone knows that. We all have powercuts to go back to. But then why is it that these two guys putting on a century stand is what makes life feel good again?

Right through the tour, in Pallekele as well as Khettarama, there have been these moments of pure elation, which even the unrelenting press that Sri Lanka’s daily life has become, has not been able to corrupt

Right through the tour, in Pallekele as well as Khettarama, there have been these moments of pure elation, which even the unrelenting press that Sri Lanka’s daily life has become, has not been able to corrupt. Dasun Shanaka’s manic hitting to win the third T20. The Wanindu Hasaranga googlies that batters still have not deciphered. Pathum Nissanka’s big, bold hundred.This was a Tuesday night, and traveling even a couple of kilometres is a trial because there’s so little petrol into the country. But more than 30,000 have made it to Khettarama, a ground which, at times like this, it seems especially fitting, is in one of Colombo’s most working-class neighourhoods. Who deserves this fun more than those who have been battered hardest and longest by the collapsing economy?Will this team, full of potential young stars, be the one that drags Sri Lanka’s men’s team into a glowing new age? Maybe. In Hasaranga, there is a potential global phenomenon. In Nissanka and Asalanka, two reliable operators. In Dushmantha Chameera a rapid and increasingly clever quick. So is this it? Have they arrived? Is this the future?It seems a silly question to ask right now. Because the future is the thing that poverty obliterates. And in this article, we’re living in the now.Sri Lanka celebrate after clinching victory•AFPThis series, which in cricketing terms is of no real use beyond preparation for an ODI World Cup that is more than a year away, and whose results don’t count towards the Super League, and which in most other countries would not be nearly this well-attended, has lit up the island in ways that turbines, fossil fuels, and generators never could.At Khettarama, on a Tuesday night, a team packed full of spinners turned derailed an opposition chase. There were close catchers in past the 40th over. Mid-pitch conferences on strategy as things got tight. A glimpse of a normal time.Even Lasith Malinga, who has raised as many roars at this stadium as anyone, was in attendance in his role as Sri Lanka’s bowling consultant. In that nerve-wracking final over that Sri Lanka should have had no trouble getting through, he was fuming outside the square-leg boundary like he wanted to beat up the universe for its failure to arrange for him to be the guy bowling to close out the game. An angry Malinga is, in its own way, a marker of normal Sri Lankan life too.They won off the final ball, and Khettarama exploded. The last few moments in this parallel universe. One in which, thank god, finally, there might be a future.

The format, the players, the rules… and the possibility of a gesture or two in support of the BLM movement

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-20203:55

What exactly is the 3TC?

What exactly is the 3TC?
Well, three-team cricket is what it is, but that can’t mean much to you unless you have been following the updates from the first day. In case you don’t, here’s the lowdown. There will be three teams (obviously), of eight players each, called Eagles, Kingfishers and Kites. But it’s no triangular series, because the three teams will play the match, with the proceeds helping with relief for people, within the cricket industry in South Africa, who have been affected by Covid-19. The match – between teams led by AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks – will be played over 36 overs in two halves of 18 overs each. Each team will bat for one combined innings of 12 overs, facing the two opponents for six overs each, one of them in the first half and one in the second. The sequence for each team will be: bat, bowl, dugout, with a draw (toss of sorts) deciding which team bats first. Once the first half is done, the team with the highest score will bat first and the one with the lowest score will bat last – in case of a tie, the order of the first half is reversed.Getty Images It might make for odd viewing, but if a team loses seven wickets, the unbeaten batsman can continue batting. All right, clarification: if a team loses seven wickets with some balls remaining in their first six overs, their first hit ends there and then, some balls unused. But the not-out batsman can come out and bat alone in the second half, but can only score in even numbers – 2, 4 and 6. For the bowling side, each bowler can bowl three overs, and all their 12 overs are bowled with the same ball. And, finally, whoever gets the most runs wins gold, followed by silver and bronze, and in case of a tie among the top-two teams, we get a Super Over. If all three teams end on the same number of runs, they all win gold. And if we have a clear winner but a tie between the other two, they both win silver.ALSO READ: No more player tests, CSA certain of Covid-19-free 3TCHopefully that makes sense, even if it’s a bit difficult to visualise it. But it might be fun. The tournament website promises “an unrelenting and ever-changing contest that keeps captains (and fans) on a knife-edge as they strategise against two opponents at the same time”. It will be quite frenetic, that’s for sure.Also, DYK: Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher were involved in the developmental phase of the format.Who are playing?
Of the three captains named at the start, only de Villiers remains. Kagiso Rabada was originally named captain of Kingfishers, but dropped out because of the death of a family member, and was replaced as the captain by Heinrich Klaasen. But on the eve of the game, Klaasen was replaced by Reeza Hendricks as the organisers lent their support to the Black Lives Matter movement.Then, on the morning of the match*, it was announced that de Kock, the original captain of Kites, was out because of personal reasons, and had been replaced by Temba Bavuma.ALSO READ: Rabada, Morris to miss 3TC carnival in CenturionHere’s what the squads look like at the end of all the updates, including Kingfishers losing the services of Chris Morris and Eagles Sisanda Magala.Kingfishers: Reeza Hendricks (capt), Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Faf du Plessis, Thando Ntini, Gerald Coetzee, Glenton Stuurman, Tabraiz Shamsi
Coach: Mignon du Preez
Kites: Temba Bavuma (capt), Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Anrich Nortje, Ryan Rickleton
Coach: Wandile Gwavu
Eagles: AB de Villiers (capt), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi
Coach: Geoffrey Toyana
Hang on, is it safe to play right now, with the pandemic still very much on?
Erm…Okay, first things first: the game is at Centurion, which is in Gauteng province, which is currently being seen as the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.But Cricket South Africa is pretty confident of things working out fine. And here are a couple of experts, who might not have the same points of view, but give us a pretty good picture.”The players were tested before they left their homes to enter the bubble which means the risk of asymptomatic carriers was addressed. It is expected that players will be asked symptom questions daily and will report if they are feeling unwell. Any further testing would be a waste of limited testing supplies” – Prof Ian Sanne”The current government protocols do not ensure complete safety but we need to balance out the need to get the economy and sport going against the growing pandemic” – Dr Jason SuterIf you want more on the subject, or want some other details about the tournament and the players, here’s what Firdose Moonda sent in earlier today.Faf du Plessis has indicated that he might take a knee during the game•Getty ImagesWasn’t there a delay of some sort?
Yes, and it might not have been a bad thing, considering the pandemic. Not that it’s gone away, but still…They had planned to have it on June 27, but the South African government scuppered those plans because CSA hadn’t obtained the necessary approvals from the sports ministry. CSA also required an approval from the country’s department of health, which it didn’t have at that stage. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, CSA had jumped the gun in announcing the date, which came after Smith, the CSA director of cricket, announcing that all boxes had been ticked.It’s happening now, though, so all is well. And we hope it ends well too.ALSO READ: du Plessis on racism in South African cricket: ‘All lives don’t matter until black lives matter’And what about the developments around the Black Lives Matter movement – should we expect to see any gestures?
Indeed. It started in South African cricket with Lungi Ngidi, and has since snowballed into a big debate. Soon after Ngidi spoke of “making a stand”, some former white cricketers, including prominent ones like Pat Symcox and Brian McMillan, criticised him for not bringing up the killings of predominantly white farmers in South Africa. Since then, some of the biggest names in the country have come out in support of Ngidi and BLM, including Hashim Amla and, in the latest update, Faf du Plessis and four other white Afrikaans cricketers.On the eve of the game, Hendricks replaced Klaasen as Kingfishers’ captain after the tournament organisers threw their support behind the Black Lives Matter movement. “It is important to stand by our convictions and to set the right example in everything we do,” CSA Acting CEO Dr Jacques Faul said in a statement. “Cricket South Africa stands for equal opportunity and showcasing our country’s talent and its diversity.”What should we expect to see on the field – well, no BLM logos on the shirts, it seems, because the kits had already been printed, but Smith did say last week that the players were thinking about innovative ways to show their support. Dwaine Pretorius and du Plessis have indicated that they would be taking a knee during the game. So enough to watch out for on Saturday, that’s for sure.

There was plenty to see at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, when K-pop star V, of BTS fame, was in the house to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

And among other notable moments from his appearance, which also included him bowing toward pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto ahead of his big throw, V was spotted linking up and sharing a brief hug with two-way Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani in the dugout before later getting on the mound.

Very cool stuff; two sensations in their own right, teaming up for what would eventually be a blowout win over the Reds. L.A. crushed Cincinnati 7-0, and V was lucky enough to be featured on the ensuing social media graphic.

Watch that meet-up with Ohtani below:

The appearance comes as BTS works to re-enter the zeitgeist after breaking for mandatory military service in South Korea. The plan right now is to release a new album next spring … if V isn't first signed to the Dodgers, that is.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has apologised after he was spotted using nitrous oxide for a second time during his spell with the north London club. The Mali international explained that he has been suffering mentally following a number of thefts at his home in which countless items were stolen, leaving him feeling broken, paranoid, and depressed.

• Bissouma in hot water

  Bissouma is yet to feature in a competitive fixture for Spurs this season, having been excluded due to repeated lateness and then suffering with injury for much of the campaign. The former Brighton star was filmed inhaling laughing gas for a second time in just over a year last month and is facing disciplinary action from the club following this latest behavioural breach.

  Following last year’s incident, Spurs handed the player a one-match ban, but there is little to suggest they will be as lenient a second time. It has been reported that the Malian has been transfer listed by the club who are determined to offload the 29-year-old after yet another off-field incident.

  Possession of nitrous oxide – a class C drug – for recreational use has been illegal in the UK since 2023 with criminal penalties potentially including up to a two-year prison sentence. On the second incident, Bissouma’s boss Thomas Frank said: "It's an internal matter we are dealing with at the moment, and when we have dealt with that, then I will comment on it.”

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  Bissouma apologises to fans

  Speaking to the , Bissouma has offered an apology to Spurs fans, insisting that it is "not who I am".

  The midfielder explained that he has been suffering from mental health difficulties following a series of burglaries at his home. Bissouma has had his house raided on three occasions, with masked thieves hammering down his front door on the most serious occasion. He adds that a friend of his also has taken £1million off him, a total he is still trying to recoup.

  "I am sorry. This incident broke something in me I didn’t even know I could break," he said. "I apologise to the fans. The trauma added to my life — fear, panic, depression and paranoia."

  Bissouma said that he is a strong person and, "I hate feeling like a victim, but what I lost wasn’t just material. It was what the trauma added to my life — fear, panic, depression, paranoia, sleepless nights, and a constant loss of trust."

• Trauma takes its toll on Bissouma

  In the same interview, Bissouma continued to share just how impacted he has been by these robberies. He said that his mental health is not an excuse for taking the nitrous oxide, but "I hope people can maybe understand me a bit more because of this."

  He shared that he was too scared to sleep at his own home in fear of being present amid another robbery and so would sometimes sleep at Spurs’ training ground.

  "For like three, four, sometimes five days, I was sleeping there because I did not want to be at home. Even talking about this is hard. All these things were going on in my head, worrying about my dad who is not well, and sometimes I think as a human, it’s a bit hard," Bissouma said.

  The midfielder spoke with a therapist as many as five times a week to help cope with the trauma and depression he was feeling. Bissouma has also not given up hope of playing for Spurs again. "I want to move on from my mistakes. I like playing for ­Tottenham. I’m just thinking about being fit again and ­trying to enjoy football," he added.

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  Spurs and Bissouma at crossroads

  It remains to be seen if Bissouma can regain the trust of Frank or whether his time in north London will come to a close in the next transfer window. Fenerbahce had been interested in signing the Spurs man in the summer, but pulled the plug late in the window. The Turkish giants had decided against signing Bissouma after he picked up an injury, but could return in January to take him to Istanbul.