All posts by h79snht.top

It’s safe to say no Tottenham Hotspur fan could’ve predicted what the club have been through over the last couple of weeks, with Thomas Frank enduring quite the start to his reign at the club.

The Dane was appointed as the Lilywhites’ new boss back in June, looking to build on the Europa League success achieved by Ange Postecoglou at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

He’s certainly looked to add to his squad, completing the £55m deal of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United last week, with the Ghanaian becoming the first major signing of his spell in charge.

It looked almost certain that the 24-year-old would be joined by Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White in North London, but a deal has appeared to hit a huge stumbling block.

Such a scenario is something you would usually see when watching a Hollywood movie, but it’s something that has to be taken into consideration when dealing with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Spurs decided to trigger Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause in his contract last Thursday, with a deal rapidly developing, so much so that he was set for a medical the following day.

However, a deal has been far from ideal to date, with Forest threatening legal action over an illegal approach, which could be seen as an added money-making exercise given the bargain clause.

Whilst that deal appears on hold for the time being, the same can’t be said for centre-back Koni de Winter, with progress being made for his signature, according to The i Paper.

They claim that the Lilywhites have made an approach to land the Belgian international who could be available for as little as £22m during the ongoing window.

However, it also states that they face tough competition from Intern Milan for the 23-year-old’s services, potentially leading to a battle to land the star in the coming weeks.

Why Spurs’ £22m target would be a better signing than Gibbs-White

Given his tally of seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season, there’s no denying that Gibbs-White would be a superb addition for Frank’s side ahead of 2025/26.

He has the opportunity to further his career, playing in the Champions League whilst also potentially cementing his place within Thomas Tuchel’s England set up on a consistent basis.

However, despite the work of Marinakis to stop such a move, there’s also the question of where the 25-year-old would feature in North London, given the addition of Kudus and the current option of James Maddison.

There’s no denying that his best position is in the number ten role behind the striker, potentially being a waste of money, should the manager land him and decide to play him out of position.

Such a decision could make De Winter a better addition this summer, especially considering the lack of depth currently available in the centre-back department.

The Belgian would offer a superb option for Frank’s side ahead, potentially having the tools to cement his place in the side in the long term, given his tender age.

De Winter, who’s been labelled “imperious” by journalist Sacha Tavolieri, won 58% of the tackles he entered last year, whilst winning 3.2 aerials per 90, handing Frank’s side a talented defensive option to help bolster the backline.

Koni de Winter’s stats for Genoa in Serie A (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

25

Goals scored

3

Pass accuracy

87%

Passes into final third

1.7

Tackles won

58%

Aerials won

3.2

Recoveries made

4.8

Stats via FotMob

He also made 1.1 interceptions per 90 and 4.8 recoveries, helping the Italian side keep double figures for clean sheets – something which is desperately needed in North London, given their measly tally of 65 goals conceded.

At just 23, he’s already racked up over 100 senior appearances, having the ability, but also the potential to be a real asset for the club in the present and the years ahead.

Gibbs-White would certainly excel in North London, but the need for added reinforcements at the back is just as important during the current window.

De Winter would provide just that, and at just £22m he would be a massive bargain, one that could also see the hierarchy make a tidy profit on their investment in the near future.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jul 16, 2025

The fast bowler hopes some technical changes can put him on track to revive his Australia career

AAP15-Aug-2024Jhye Richardson has returned to the run up that earned him three Tests for Australia, with the hope that his horror run of hamstring woes are behind him.Richardson has made a successful return to competitive cricket this week, playing as part of a Perth Scorchers side in the Top End T20 series in Darwin.Related

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Held back by injuries since his Test debut in 2019, Richardson has suffered four separate hamstring setbacks since his most recent limited-overs international in June 2022.He was initially named to return to Australia’s white-ball squad last summer, before being ruled out when he suffered his latest hamstring injury in the BBL.In the months since, Richardson has been able to get a solid block of net bowling in while only playing one game in the IPL, before pre-season stints in Perth and Brisbane.”I’m trying to avoid problem areas and build that resilience that I haven’t had in the past couple of years,” Richardson told AAP. “I’ve played two games [in Darwin], the body has been good. It’s obviously a different intensity playing competitive cricket again.”Richardson had tinkered with his run up before his most recent hamstring injury, only reaching top speed closer to the crease in a bid to make it more efficient. But he has since returned to his more traditional style, which sees him sprinting in at speeds of close to 22.5kph from earlier in his run up.Jhye Richardson’s injury issues have limited him to three Tests•Getty Images

“We wanted to explore what that looked like, with the goal of getting back to red-ball cricket,” Richardson said. “But I am back to my old run up now, understanding that what I had done previously for 10 years had probably somewhat worked.”I probably just felt a bit rushed. I didn’t feel as balanced. Everyone speaks about rhythm and feeling balanced and strong at the crease. And the ultimate goal is to perform, right? I have put a lot of work into my hamstring, so everyone is comfortable with the fact I can go back to what has worked previously.”Richardson’s fitness comes as a big few years loom for the 27-year-old. Selectors have kept the faith in the West Australian, retaining him on the national contract list despite the long run of injuries.Change is also coming in the Test team, with all three frontline quicks over the age of 30 and back-up paceman Scott Boland 35. Richardson appears the most credentialed man to one day lead the attack, with 11 wickets at 22.09 in his three Tests to date.”I think [it is important to be fit then], but we are looking pretty far into the future there,” he said. “Taking it one step at a time, getting the body right and making sure everything is right on my end, and not worrying about what is happening externally.”We obviously know there will be a transition point at some stage. When that happens, I am not too sure. But ultimately being fit at any time is my goal. Regardless of when the transition happens. And to be able to play Test cricket regardless of who is in the team.”

أثيرت أنباء خلال الساعات الماضية عن اقتراب انتقال المهاجم الفلسطيني أسد الحملاوي، لاعب كرايوفا الروماني، إلى الأهلي في يناير المقبل.

وتحدثت تقارير عن وجود اتفاق بالفعل ودفع الشرط الجزائي، وهو ما أثار ضجة كبيرة بين جماهير القلعة الحمراء الباحثة عن مهاجم جديد.

اقرأ أيضًا | مجدي عبد الغني عن تصريحات حسام غالي: لماذا تعلّمنا مبادئ الأهلي؟.. وسيجعلوني “أبو لهب”

مصادر خاصة لـ بطولات، نفت بشكل قاطع صحة هذه الأخبار، مؤكدة أنه لا يوجد أي اتفاق من قريب أو بعيد بين الأهلي واللاعب.

وأضافت أن كل ما يتداول لا يتعدى كونه شائعات واجتهادات إعلامية، وأن النادي لم يدخل في أي تواصل رسمي مع الحملاوي.

كما أوضحت المصادر أن الحديث عن انتقال اللاعب مقابل مليون يورو غير صحيح إطلاقًا، حيث يبلغ الشرط الجزائي في عقده مع كرايوفا 10 ملايين يورو.

وتأتي هذه الشائعات بالتزامن مع رغبة الأهلي في تدعيم خط الهجوم، خاصة مع ضغط المباريات وأزمة التهديف.

من جانبه، أكد ياسين طاهري، المدير الرياضي لنادي كرايوفا، في تصريحات تلفزيونية قبل أيام قليلة، أنه ليس هناك أي عرض رسمي من الأهلي أو غيره بشأن الحملاوي.

وأضاف طاهري أن اللاعب يركز حاليًا مع الفريق الروماني ولا يفكر في الرحيل خلال الموسم الجاري.

وشدد طاهري على أن إدارة كرايوفا لن تناقش مستقبل اللاعب إلا إذا جاء عرض رسمي بعد نهاية الموسم.

Glasgow Rangers navigated an error-laden first-half performance to secure a brilliant 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier.

Jack Butland had to be called into action to make a series of fine stops to keep a clean sheet in the opening 45 minutes, before goals from Findlay Curtis and Djedi Gassama sealed the win in the second half.

Despite the nervy moments defensively that were littered throughout the 90 minutes, there were some impressive individual performances for Russell Martin’s side, as Curtis grasped his opportunity with both hands.

Findlay Curtis' performance in numbers

The academy graduate was given the nod to start on the left flank, with Gassama unfit to start and Thelo Aasgaard out injured, and stepped up to the plate with a fantastic showing.

It was an all-action and forward-thinking display from the 18-year-old starlet, who ended the game with four tackles and one interception made, which shows the hard work that he put in defensively.

As you can see in the clip above, Curtis also opened the scoring with a stunning goal, brilliantly taking the ball inside on the run before bending a shot, via a slight deflection, into the bottom corner from distance.

The teenage whiz attempted three dribbles and had two shots on goal, one of which was his goal, and this shows that he was constantly probing and looking to put the Gers on the front foot in the match, which the supporters at Ibrox were loving.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

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Whilst Curtis shone on one wing, Kieran Dowell started on the opposite flank and was only able to show why the Gers must replace him with a new forward before the end of the window.

Why Rangers must replace Dowell

The left-footed flop has only produced two goals and two assists in 33 appearances for Rangers as an attacking midfielder or wide player, and was sent out on loan to Birmingham City in January because of his disappointing performances.

However, Martin has seemingly seen something in him because he selected Dowell to start on the right wing against Panathinaikos, but it was not a decision that was backed up by the performance.

Vs Panathinaikos

Kieran Dowell

Minutes played

75

Shots on target

0

Big chances missed

1

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

Duels won

5/7

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Norwich man, who was outshone by Curtis, did put himself about to win duels but he was ineffective at the top end of the pitch, once again in a Rangers shirt.

Dowell, who was described as “non-existent” in the first half by the Heart & Hand Podcast, does not impose himself on matches in the final third, hence his lack of goal contributions throughout his Gers career, and that was the case against Panathinaikos, notably taking fewer touches (29) than Butland (31),.

Rangers have lost Vaclav Cerny, who was on loan from Wolfsburg last season, and the 12 goals and four assists that he provided in the Scottish Premiership from a right wing position.

This means that the Light Blues need to find another right-sided attacker who can score and create goals at an impressive rate, and Dowell’s performance on Tuesday, coupled with the rest of his career at Ibrox to date, suggests that he does not fit the bill.

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Therefore, Rangers should be looking to replace the English flop with a new right winger, who can contribute in the final third on a regular basis, to start week-in-week-out for Martin this season, before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Australia lost 10 for 93 after a blistering powerplay but still had enough in the bank to overcome the home side

Matt Roller11-Sep-2024

England’s new era started with a familiar result: a second heavy defeat to Australia in three months. After a 36-run loss at Barbados’ Kensington Oval in June’s T20 World Cup, the margin was only eight runs smaller over 4,000 miles away at Hampshire’s Utilita Bowl, with Travis Head’s powerplay blitz setting up Australia’s win.An England side with an interim captain and coach – Phil Salt and Marcus Trescothick respectively – gave off an air of impermanence, quickly slipping to 52 for 4 in pursuit of 180. Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran – both dropped from next week’s ODI squad – added 54 for the fifth wicket, but the innings fell away in the chill.Sent in after a rain shower which delayed the toss, Australia failed to capitalise on their flying start, losing all 10 wickets for 93 runs after reaching 86 for 0 with one ball remaining of the powerplay. Head and Matt Short hit 15 of the first 35 balls for either four or six, with Head scoring only slightly slower than during his remarkable 80 off 25 against Scotland a week ago.England’s bowlers fought back once the field spread, with their two legspinners – Livingstone and Adil Rashid – returning combined figures of 4 for 45 from seven overs. Regular wickets through the second half of the innings meant Australia were bowled out with three balls unused – not that it proved costly, with Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa proving a cut above.Travis’ HeadstartConditions could hardly have been more different from the sides’ last meeting, with temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler than in Barbados on this bitter mid-September evening. Yet for England’s bowlers, the two powerplays felt remarkably similar: Australia’s early onslaught brought Will Jacks and Mark Wood’s 22-run overs in Bridgetown to mind.Short, who missed the Scotland series on paternity leave, replaced Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top of the order and pitched a strong case to be David Warner’s long-term replacement. They could hardly be more different in stature but Short proved just as imposing, flicking Reece Topley over square leg for consecutive sixes in the second over.Travis Head blazed a 19-ball fifty for Australia•Getty Images

And Head soon took over, making the sort of lightning-fast start that has become his trademark in his second coming as a T20 player. After thrashing Jofra Archer for three fours in four balls, Head successfully overturned a caught-behind decision off Saqib Mahmood. It seemed to prompt a realisation of his impermanence, with Curran bearing the brunt.Curran conceded a boundary off each of his first six balls, with half of those clearing the rope. Head was a step ahead, predicting where each ball would pitch: whether they were short or full, straight or wide, they disappeared to the rope. After losing his place in England’s ODI squad, this was not how Curran would have wanted to start the T20I leg.Head pulled Mahmood to six to reach a 19-ball 50, the seventh time he had brought up his half-century inside the powerplay this year alone. He fell to the final ball of the powerplay for 59, holing out to deep backward square leg, but Australia’s six-over total of 86 for 1 was the third-highest in their T20I history.Legspin to winSalt backed his spinners to put the brakes on through the middle and was vindicated straightaway when Rashid’s legbreak knocked back Mitchell Marsh’s off stump. Josh Inglis kept things moving in his 37 from No. 4, punishing Jacob Bethell when he dropped short, but Livingstone – the seventh bowler Salt used – proved the standout.Phil Salt was aghast after holing out in the deep•Getty Images

He had Short well caught by Curran at deep backward square leg, then struck twice in two balls. Marcus Stoinis crunched Livingstone back over his head for six but was trapped lbw on the reverse-sweep, and Tim David was smashed on the front pad while sweeping his first ball to leave Australia 132 for 5 in the 13th over.Curran recovered from his early struggles to bowl a reverse-scooping Inglis, before Archer and Mahmood rearranged the lower order’s stumps with a series of yorkers and low full tosses at the death.Australia catch England coldTemperatures dropped to single figures during the run chase, and England’s batters could only rarely warm the 15,011-strong crowd by prompting the pyrotechnics that greeted every boundary. Hazlewood, returning after a calf complaint, struck in his first over to have Jacks caught at long leg and England struggled to keep the required rate in check.A superb outfield catch from David, running back from mid-on to deep midwicket and diving at full stretch, accounted for Jordan Cox on international debut. When Salt picked out Short at deep square leg off the final ball of the powerplay, England were in trouble – and it got even deeper Bethell misjudged the length of Zampa’s legbreak to chop onto his stumps.Livingstone, promoted to No. 4 from his usual finishing role, took Stoinis for 17 in an over to give England a glimmer but when he and Curran fell within four balls of one another, the game was done. The only blemish for Australia came in the form of an apparent side strain for Xavier Bartlett: Cameron Green had to complete his fourth over, and later took an extraordinary diving catch running back from mid-off to remove Rashid.

تحدث محمد بركات، نجم الأهلي ومنتخب مصر السابق، عن الأسابيع الأولى من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بعد مرور 7 جولات.

وقال محمد بركات، عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “بعد 7 أسابيع ممكن أعطي المستوى 5 من 10 لا أكثر”.

وتابع بخصوص رأيه في التحكيم: “أنا دائمًا حريص على أن أؤكد أن الحكام في مصر في منتهى النزاهة، ولكن عندنا حكام قليلي الخبرة، أو شخصيتهم تهبط مع الضغط والثقة هاربة، مع أنهم كانت لديهم فرصة جيدة طوال السنوات التي كان يُلعب فيها الدوري بدون جمهور”.

طالع.. طلب عاجل من الأهلي إلى اتحاد الكرة بشأن حكم الفار في مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا

وأضاف: “عندنا مشكلة كبيرة أن كل حكم له وجهة نظره في لعبة، لكن في أوقات كثيرة نجد أن الحكم نفسه تتغير وجهة نظره في نفس اللعبة خلال نفس المباراة”

وتابع: “مثلما حدث في مباراة أمس في لعبة طاهر ولعبة إسلام عيسى، الحكم لم تكن له وجهة نظر مختلفة في اللعبتين، ولكن حكم الفار هو الذي كان له وجهتا نظر”.

وأكمل: “لذلك أنا مع الأهلي في بيانه الذي صدر اليوم بشأن طلب التحقيق مع حكم تقنية الفيديو، الميزان لا بد أن يكون واحدًا، هذه الأمور هي التي تثير التعصب عند الجماهير”.

Leeds United are in the market for Premier League experience and have now been offered the chance to sign an established star who wants to return to England, according to a report.

Leeds United take strict stance on transfers

Despite the urge to get quality through the door at Elland Road, Daniel Farke won’t be bullied into carrying out drastic measures to improve the chances of his side surviving in the top-flight this term.

Providing a case study, Alex Crook has confirmed Leeds United have dropped their pursuit of Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to the England international’s exorbitant £150,000 per week wage demands.

He stated on talkSPORT’s Youtube channel: “I was told that Calvert-Lewin is looking for 150k a week. Which is why he held talks with Leeds and they backed off.”

Moving on to other matters, Leeds have made contact with Benfica over midfielder Florentino Luis and the Primeira Liga giants may be willing to offload the 25-year-old after Ricardo Rios joined from Palmeiras.

Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara has emerged as a Whites’ alternative to Igor Paixao after Farke’s men lost out on the Feyenoord man to Marseille, illustrating their willingness to move swiftly in the market when things take a turn in the wrong direction.

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Through the middle, Roma striker Artem Dovbyk could be a high-profile Leeds addition, offering a major upgrade on the likes of Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph amid the duo being set to leave the Yorkshire giants.

Introducing top-flight experience will also be key to staying up, and Farke has now been offered the chance to bring in a Premier League veteran who wants a return to familiar surroundings.

Leeds "offered" chance to sign Lyon's Ainsley Maitland-Niles

According to Graeme Bailey in conversation with Leeds United News, Leeds have been offered the chance to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Lyon as they search for full-back options.

He stated: “Leeds are one of the clubs who have been offered Ainsley Maitland-Niles. I’m told lots of Premier League clubs have been offered him. He’s the sort of player Leeds need in terms of both full-back positions.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the Premier League

Appearances

109

Goals

1

Assists

5

“Leeds are one of the teams who have been offered him. He’s available, intermediaries doing the work, he’s been pushed to a few clubs. What I can say, is he does want to come back to England.”

With the former Arsenal man keen on a move back to the Premier League, Leeds fans will be encouraged to note that he registered one goal and seven assists in 44 appearances last season.

Versatile by nature, the 27-year-old can feature in either full-back slot or in midfield, while he would also carry the carrot of being a homegrown star in line with squad regulations.

The London-born man has two years left on his deal at Lyon, opening up the prospect of a financially favourable deal in light of the French giants’ recent financial problems.

خاض فريق باريس سان جيرمان، بقيادة المدرب لويس إنريكي، مباراته في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الفرنسي لكرة القدم 2025/26، مساء يوم السبت ضد نظيره أوكسير.

واستضاف ملعب “حديقة الأمراء” مباراة فريقي باريس سان جيرمان وأوكسير، في خضم منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري الفرنسي، حيث حقق حامل اللقب فوزًا بهدفين دون رد. أهداف مباراة باريس سان جيرمان وأوكسير في الدوري الفرنسي

تقدم باريس سان جيرمان بهدف أول في الدقيقة 32 من عمر الشوط الأول، عن طريق اللاعب إليا زبارني.

واضطر المدرب لويس إنريكي إلى إجراء تغيير في الدقيقة 36 من عمر الشوط الأول بعد تعرض اللاعب فيتينها للإصابة، حيث دفع بزميله أشرف حكيمي.

وتوالت الأخبار السيئة على باريس سان جيرمان، حيث اُجبر إنريكي على تبديل جديد مع بداية الشوط الثاني بسبب إصابة خفيتشا كفاراتسخيليا حيث دخل برادلي باركولا مكانه.

وعزز باريس سان جيرمان تفوقه على أوكسير بعدما سجل اللاعب لوكاس بيرالدو الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 54.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد باريس سان جيرمان إلى 15 نقطة في المركز الأول، بينما تجمد رصيد أوكسير عند 6 نقاط في المركز الثالث عشر.

وتُعد تلك هي البروفة الأخيرة لـ باريس سان جيرمان قبل صدامه المرتقب ضد برشلونة في الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري من دوري أبطال أوروبا، يوم الأربعاء المقبل.

West Indies succumb to brutal batting from Salt and Bethell as 183-run target is hunted down

Valkerie Baynes09-Nov-2024

A superb unbeaten century by Phil Salt led England to a convincing eight-wicket victory over West Indies for a 1-0 lead in their five-match T20I series in Barbados.Saqib Mahmood took career-best figures of 4 for 34, including three wickets in the powerplay and a tight over at the death, but in the meantime West Indies blitzed their way through three key partnerships to set England a lofty target, despite having lurched to 117 for 8.Nicholas Pooran, who top-scored for the hosts, and captain Rovman Powell put on 41 runs together from just 17 balls but it was Pooran and Andre Russell who defied a steady flow of wickets to add 39 from 26 and then tailenders Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd with 49 off 26 who pumped up the hosts.Their efforts were ultimately futile, however, in the face of Salt’s remarkable 103 not out off just 54 balls in which he attacked from the outset, helping himself to 22 runs off one Shamar Joseph over and never looked back.It was a case of two second-home lads doing good as Salt, who spent six of his pre-teen and teenage years living in Barbados, shared an unbroken 107-run stand with Jacob Bethell, the latter raising his maiden T20I fifty to enthusiastic support from the crowd, having been born and raised in Barbados up to the age of 13.All-out (as)SaltWhen Salt struck five consecutive boundaries off Joseph to take his side past the 50-mark in the fourth over of the run-chase, England looked all business. He brought up his own half-century off 25 balls with the second of three sixes to come off Motie’s first over, crunched over deep midwicket before Will Jacks launched the third over long-on. Jacks fell on the next ball, bowled middle stump attempting to sweep, but by that time England had closed out the powerplay at 73 for 1, compared to West Indies’ 58 for 3. Motie couldn’t stay away from the action, his brilliant one-handed take at third removing Jos Buttler, batting at No. 3 on his return to action after a five-month injury lay-off, for a first-ball duck.For all his big hitting, Salt’s deft punch for four just behind backward point off Joseph in the ninth over was prettier than any of his four sixes up to that moment and highlighted the range of shots which comprised his innings. Bethell mimicked the shot, slightly finer off Shepherd, as he settled into just his third innings in T20Is, playing the perfect supporting role to Salt, his unbeaten 58 coming off 36 balls and including an elegant six over cover off the penultimate ball.He followed that immediately with the winning runs, pulling Shepherd for two to seal victory with 3.1 overs to spare. Salt had moved into the nineties swinging Shepherd to square leg, where the ball shot through the fingertips of Sherfane Rutherford as he tumbled over the boundary for six more before he brought up his ton in what turned out to be the last over of the game with four down the ground. It was Salt’s third century in T20Is, all of them coming in the Caribbean against West Indies.Saqib Mahmood celebrates dismissing Brandon King•Getty Images

In the MahmoodMahmood struck early when Brandon King, a centurion as West Indies won the third and final ODI for a 2-1 series win, slammed his fifth ball – the 11th of the match – straight to short cover. In his next over, Mahmood had two wickets in as many balls as Bethell took an excellent low catch running in from the rope at deep backward square to remove Evin Lewis and then luring Shimron Hetmyer with a superb length ball that moved away ever so slightly as it took an edge through to Salt. It was quite the comeback from Mahmood, playing just his third T20I since January 2022 after suffering two stress fractures in his back. His two other matches in the format since had yielded 2 for 21 and no wicket for 37 against Australia in September, but now he had 3 for 12 from two overs.Meanwhile fellow seamer Reece Topley conceded 20 runs from 15 balls, including Powell’s nurdled four through deep third then six over square leg immediately before Topley slipped in his follow-through clutching his right knee. Topley was visibly limping as a brief rain shower arrived, sending the players from the field for just over half an hour. Topley returned after the stoppage, only to be greeted by a lofted drive for six by Powell and that was enough to send the bowler from the field for the rest of the innings with what was later confirmed as a jarred knee as Jamie Overton finished his third over. Mahmood returned to have his figures blighted by conceding 18 runs off his third over, Pooran heaving over the fence at wide long-on, threading four through deep backward point and swinging over deep midwicket for another six.No fearAdil Rashid entered the attack in the seventh over and struck with his second ball, Powell going big again but unable to clear a leaping Overton just inside the boundary at long-on. Although he had handed the wicketkeeping gloves to Salt, returning captain Buttler sprung with the reflexes of a cat to snare a brilliant one-handed catch at slip in Rashid’s next over to remove Rutherford. Pooran and Russell forged a defiant partnership, Russell slamming back-to-back sixes off Rashid and moving to a 16-ball 30. But Liam Livingstone managed to end their union when he responded to seeing his third ball deposited back over his head for six by having Russell caught at deep cover by Dan Mousley. Pooran followed for 38, falling to another spectacular catch by Buttler, launching himself high and twisting in the air in the covers off Overton.West Indies looked determined to go down blazing. Rashid claimed his third when he pinned Akeal Hosein at the second attempt with an excellent leg-break. But just as it looked like the hosts’ fightback might fizzle, Motie strode to the crease at No. 10 and struck 16 runs off the first three balls he faced, including back-to-back sixes off Rashid. He had raced to 33 off just 14 balls by the time Mahmood had him caught on the deep midwicket boundary to claim his fourth wicket of the match. It ended Motie’s ninth-wicket stand with Shepherd, who ended with an unbeaten 35 off 22, their union helping West Indies to a total which had seemed so unlikely earlier.

Rana’s five-for saw West Indies go from 85 for 1 to 146 all out before a counter-attacking start helped Bangladesh take a lead of 211

Mohammad Isam02-Dec-2024

Bangladesh’s counter-attacking batting and accurate fast bowling gave them their best day on this West Indies tour so far. At stumps on the third day of the Jamaica Test, the visitors led by 211 runs after they bowled out the hosts for 146. This was only the second time in their history that Bangladesh took a first-innings lead after being bowled out for less than 200 runs.They fared much better in their second innings – and the game’s third – finishing the day on 193 for 5, coming on the back of some hostile bowling from the West Indies fast bowlers. The fielders, too, brought some heat with their words. Bangladesh, for the most part, appeared to show restraint. Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Asif Yaqoob intervened several times to talk to a fielder or West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite.Earlier in the day, West Indies had thrown away a solid position to fold for 146, losing their last nine wickets for only 61 runs. Nahid Rana, the sensational fast bowler, led Bangladesh with a maiden five-wicket haul, that included some intimidating bowling. Rana’s figures of 5 for 61 in the afternoon also included a bruising of Kemar Roach, who got hit twice on his shoulder while batting. Roach would later come out to bowl only in the 31st over of the third innings, allowing Bangladesh to avoid facing the man with a devastatingly good record against them.Rana’s morning burst that left West Indies limping was a continuation of his performance on the second evening. Apart from his pace, his height generated extra bounce on the Sabina Park pitch. It helped remove Brathwaite with a 142kph snorter that caught the batter hopping at the crease. The fend-off resulted in a loopy low catch to substitute Zakir Hasan at gully.Rana forced Kavem Hodge into a mistimed pull shot shortly afterwards, but Taskin Ahmed couldn’t latch on to the catch running in from fine leg. It didn’t cost Bangladesh a run, when later in the same over, Litton Das took a superb behind the stumps catch to remove Hodge.Taskin got into the act when he bowled Alick Athanaze off the under edge. But it wasn’t just pace that knocked West Indies down. Taijul Islam got one to turn between Justin Greaves’ bat and pad, bowling him for just 2. Mehidy Hasan Miraz too picked up a wicket, when he trapped Shamar Joseph lbw shortly after the lunch break.Rana and Taskin were fired up, and Hasan Mahmud wasn’t too far behind. He trapped Joshua Da Silva lbw and got Keacy Carty caught behind, down the leg side, in the space of three deliveries.Rana then made light work of Alzarri Joseph, forcing him on the back foot, before foxing him with a slower ball which Alzarri timed straight to mid-off where Mehidy took a tumbling catch. It ended a fine morning session for the visitors, who took seven wickets for 65 runs in 25 overs. West Indies lasted three more overs after the lunch break when Rana had Kemar Roach lbw, to complete his five-for and give Bangladesh an 18-run lead.Shadman Islam was solid again for Bangladesh•Athelstan Bellamy

Before Bangladesh’s innings began, umpire Dharmasena could be seen speaking to Brathwaite and also with the slip cordon. Jayden Seales wouldn’t back down, however, continuing to engage with the Bangladesh batters before gesticulating towards the Bangladesh dressing room when he dismissed Mahmudul Hasan Joy for a duck.The chatter from the West Indies bowlers and fielders, though, lost its voice when Shahadat Hossain, promoted to No. 3, started going after the bowling. He miscued a couple of lofted shots before he cracked Alzarri for a four with a square cut.He curled one through mid-on off Shamar before Brathwaite dropped him on 22. Shahadat, however, didn’t back off, as he slammed Alzarri through mid-off shortly afterwards, for another four.But Shahadat fell trying one lofted shot too many. Seales took the catch at mid-off when Shahadat miscued Alzarri, but his 26-ball 28 with four fours had lifted Bangladesh’s mood.It resulted in a burst of fours from Shadman Islam and Mehidy, who batted at No. 4 in the absence of the ill Mominul Haque. Mehidy struck Shamar for four fours in a row in the next over. He struck two straight drives before edging two through the slip cordon. Shadman and Mehidy then hit three pull shots to get as many fours in the following over bowled by Seales. Shadman then struck Seales for two more fours, to make it ten fours in the space of four overs.Shadman, however, fell shortly after the tea break, edging Shamar in a similar fashion for the second time in the game. He scored 46 off 82 balls, including seven fours and his dismissal ended a whirlwind 70-run stand for the third wicket. Mehidy followed Shadman shortly afterwards, strangled down the leg side by Shamar and given out after West Indies successfully reviewed a not-out call. Mehidy also struck seven fours in his 39-ball 42.Litton and Jaker Ali then struck Seales and Shamar for two fours each, before Da Silva dropped Litton off Shamar’s bowling. It was a slightly difficult chance down the leg side but wicketkeepers are often seeing taking such catches. Litton fell for 25, almost against the run of play, when he missed Greaves’ offcutter.Jaker stayed firm, taking Bangladesh past the 200-run lead as West Indies captain Brathwaite struggled to rotate his bowlers around in Roach’s absence. Greaves filled in but the main bowlers struggled to keep the visitors quiet. Bangladesh fought tooth and nail against West Indies’ bouncers – of various kinds – to claim a memorable day in Jamaica.