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Middlesex overcame a 153-run deficit on first innings, as well as a Craig Overton hat-trick, to secure a tense one-wicket win over MCC in Abu Dhabi.

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Mar-2017
ScorecardCraig Overton’s hat-trick couldn’t rescue MCC•Getty ImagesMiddlesex overcame a 153-run deficit on first innings, as well as a Craig Overton hat-trick, to secure a tense one-wicket win over MCC in Abu Dhabi. John Simpson’s unbeaten 89 provided the crucial plank in Middlesex’s chase of 305, as the wicketkeeper helped the last three wickets chisel out 64 runs after Overton had appeared to swing the match towards MCC.Harry Podmore and Tom Helm, who had shared six wickets to help skittle MCC for 151 in their second innings, kept Simpson company in partnerships of 36 and 22 respectively and, although Mason Crane removed both as part of a four-wicket haul, No. 11 Ravi Patel hung on to help complete victory.Simpson was the hero when Middlesex chase 302 eight down at Taunton last year, on the way to the club’s first title in 23 years. MCC’s Somerset trio of Overton, Lewis Gregory and Jack Leach did their best to undermine Middlesex again, taking 15 wickets between them, but the champions ultimately proved too strong.MCC saw their last two wickets fall on the third morning with only four added to the overnight score; Liam Plunkett was unable to bat after straining a calf earlier in the match. That still meant Middlesex needing to score considerably more than the 179 they managed in the first innings for victory.They were given a much stronger base by the top order second time around. Nick Gubbins and Nick Compton both struck half-centuries and they looked to be cruising to their target on 242 for 4 in the 54th over.Enter Overton, wicketless to that point. He pinned Steve Eskinazi lbw for 44, had Middlesex captain James Franklin caught behind first ball and then won another lbw decision against James Harris to change the complexion of the innings. Simpson, however, stayed calm and ticked off the runs with the lower order to ensure Middlesex would start their season with a win under lights.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the India Test batsman, has signed for a four-match Championship stint with Nottinghamshire

ESPNcricinfo staff04-May-2017Cheteshwar Pujara, the India Test batsman, has signed for a four-match Championship stint with Nottinghamshire. He comes in as a replacement for Nottinghamshire’s main overseas signing, James Pattinson, who has been called up by Australia for the Champions Trophy.Pujara, who has previously played county cricket with Derbyshire and Yorkshire, will arrive in the UK later this month for the resumption of Championship cricket following the Royal London Cup group stage. He will be available for Notts’ trip to play Glamorgan starting on May 19, as well as home and away fixtures against Gloucestershire and the visit of Derbyshire to Trent Bridge.Nottinghamshire have made an excellent start to life in Division Two, with three wins from three putting them top. Pattinson has been a particular success, with 20 wickets at 11.15; although, less encouragingly, he was also the second-leading run-scorer, with Riki Wessels the only Notts batsman to reach three figures so far this season.”We have looked around the world to find the right player,” Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, Mick Newell, said. “The most important thing was to sign someone with the quality to make us better, rather than limiting our options by saying it had to be a bowler.”We have depth in our squad with regards bowling and – particularly as we’ll be without Alex Hales during that period – we’re more than happy to welcome a world-class batsman to the club.”Pujara finished India’s domestic season with 1316 runs at 62.66, which included two centuries against England on their November-December tour, but was not picked up for the IPL and spent April either practising in the nets or working on his fitness.One of the few India players to take part in the Championship in recent years, Pujara has averaged more than 50 on both of his previous stints, in 2014 and 2015. He has twice played at Trent Bridge – on India’s 2014 tour and while with Yorkshire.”I’m ready for it. I’m already working on my skills and preparing for competitive cricket,” Pujara said. “I love playing county cricket and Trent Bridge is a great venue. I’m really looking forward to my first experience there as a home player. The aim is to win as many games as possible so the team stays on top of the points table.”

Liverpool have already strengthened their first-team squad but could move to bring in a younger talent soon, with AS, via Sport Witness reporting that the Reds want Assane Diao from Real Betis.

Who is Assane Diao?

The Anfield outfit have already poached Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig and Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, but it appears the Premier League side may be changing tack with one of their newest targets.

That's because they appear to have one eye on the future and a more youthful addition in this transfer window in the shape of Real Betis' Diao. The 17-year-old has yet to feature in the first-team for his club, but has already featured heavily for their reserve side despite his youth. In fact, he has played 20 times for them in the Segunda Federacion and the signs are promising – in 20 games for the Spaniards, he has already bagged four goals and two assists.

He hasn't just shone for his club's reserve side though. The forward has also been capped for his country's youth team as well, featuring once for the Spain Under-19 team. Diao also qualifies for Senegal citizenship, but it is Spain he plans to play for at the time of writing.

The wonderkid, who can play as either a central striker or on the wing, joined his current side from Balon de Cadiz back in 2021 but only began to really feature for the Betis Under-19 team last year. However, he hasn't let his age hold him back and he has now caught the eye of teams from afar because of his showings in Spain.

Are Liverpool signing Assane Diao?

That's because, according to a report from AS, via Sport Witness, Premier League side Liverpool are now circling the player and are considering a move to bring him to Anfield this summer.

It won't be a straightforward deal to pull off though, with the club also facing competition for his signature from RB Leipzig. Both clubs look set to launch moves for Diao this window and with his deal expiring in 2024, there is every chance that they could get it done. That's because the report adds that he is yet to put pen-to-paper on a fresh agreement with his current side, who are panicked by the interest from both suitors.

There isn't much to go off with Diao yet, who is described as "powerful" in the same report. With very little in terms of first-team appearances, this would be a signing for the future from either club if they did manage to land the player.

Considering that he is still only 17-years-old, he would not slot straight into the Liverpool first-team, and he wouldn't be able to head to England under new rules that forbid foreign youngsters from moving below the age of 18.

Therefore, any signing would only take real effect on his next birthday, and one has to assume the Reds may struggle to land a work permit immediately, so we could see what the teenager is made of during loan spells if FSG can get a deal done.

Manchester United have reportedly offered Atalanta at least three players in part exchange for Rasmus Hojlund in a “sensational” swap move.

Are Man United signing Rasmus Hojlund?

Hojlund has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a number of months now, and it has been reported that Erik ten Hag has had multiple video calls with the Denmark international over a transfer.

A new forward appears to be required ahead of Ten Hag’s second season in charge, with Anthony Martial the only senior centre-forward on the books at this moment in time. The Frenchman is reportedly one of 13 players who could leave Man United this summer, though, further highlighting the need for a new number nine.

Football Insider shared an update regarding Man United and Hojlund in the last 48 hours, claiming the Red Devils have proposed a “sensational” new swap move. It is believed that the club have offered the Serie A side at least three players in a part-exchange player-plus cash move, but Atalanta are holding out for a cash-only deal.

The report says that Hojlund has already agreed on personal terms and wants to make the move to Old Trafford. Atalanta value their player at £60m, with negotiations set to continue as United have made a new forward their next top priority after Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

How good is Rasmus Hojlund?

Hojlund contributed to 14 goals in 34 games for Atalanta last season, resulting in his Transfermarkt valuation increasing to a career-high €45m.

Still just 20 years of age, the forward ranks in the top 1% of forwards for progressive passes received and long pass completion and the top 16% for non-penalty expected goals, as per FBref, showing he can get into good areas, has an eye for a pass and knows where the back of the net is.

Former boss Christian Ilzer praised the forward’s "incredible maturity" and the fact that he is believed to be "similar to Erling Haaland", whereas Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini hailed Hojlund, picking up on the forward’s pace and describing his technical quality as “remarkable”.

“Hojlund has this spirit, energy, intensity, but also technical quality that is just remarkable.

"He still has so much margin for improvement, too. He is so quick, he’s under 11 seconds over 100m and that’s not even trying very hard. Considering his height, he has a low centre of gravity and can move his legs very fast. I am convinced he’ll have a great career, he just gets stronger every day.”

Something that could end up working in United’s favour is the player’s desire to move to Manchester, with Hojlund revealing earlier this year that he is a “huge” Red Devils supporter.

"Now that you ask, I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan.

"So personally, it would be one of the biggest things for me, but of course that doesn’t mean that I would turn down other big clubs if the offers come at some point."

It looks as if a move is proving complex, but with talks still ongoing, it appears as if it will be one to monitor over the coming weeks, with United seemingly extremely keen on getting their man.

Chris Woakes knew his Champions Trophy was over when he left the field against Bangladesh after bowling just two overs with a side strain which felt like ‘someone sticking a knife in my side’

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-20171:29

Agarkar: Woakes a huge loss at the death

Chris Woakes knew his Champions Trophy was over as soon as he left the field against Bangladesh after bowling just two overs, having sustained a side strain which felt like “someone sticking a knife in my side”.Scans following the match on Thursday evening revealed the extent of his injury, which could also make him a doubt for the start of the Test series against South Africa which begins on July 6. A replacement for England’s Champions Trophy squad is expected to be named late on Saturday after England Lions – who include two contenders in Steven Finn and Tom Curran – complete their second one-day match against South Africa A.”I finished two overs but it was probably on the third or fourth ball of the second over that it felt like something had become tight in my side,” Woakes said. “I managed to finish the over but, by the last ball, I knew that something really wasn’t right. To a certain extent, it felt like someone was sticking a knife in my side. That was why I didn’t come back out.”I knew yesterday that it wasn’t going to be good news. It was then a matter of seeing how bad it would be on the scan results.”The toughest thing as a bowler is having to come off after only bowling a couple of overs. Leaving the guys out there with almost 10 men is difficult to take, so I’m really pleased the boys managed to get over the line with a win.”Woakes had gone into the Bangladesh match nursing a tight quad that led to his omission from the final two matches of England’s recent ODI series against South Africa, but he seemed back to his best when he opened the tournament with a maiden to Tamim Iqbal.He was one of three players – along with Ben Stokes, who is also managing a knee injury, and Jos Buttler – who had extended stays at the IPL, but Woakes insisted he returned from the tournament feeling in tip-top condition.”When I came back from the IPL, my body felt as good as it can be. I felt in a good space physically and mentally, and I was confident too because I bowled well out there,” he said. “There were no signs of my side being tight or sore before the game yesterday, so it’s just one of those things and you have to take it on the chin.”England captain Eoin Morgan said after the Bangladesh game that Woakes had not been rushed back from the quad niggle. “He was chomping at the bit to play,” he said. “If we rushed him, he might have played the last game of the [South Africa] one-day series but we didn’t want to rush him.”While a timescale for Woakes’ recovery remains uncertain, things can get especially tricky if the injury involves damage to the intercostal muscles, because, even when fully recovered, fast bowlers in particular find it hard to hit the crease with their usual aggression for fear of suffering a relapse.”I will rehab it as well as I can,” Woakes said. “I’ll listen to the medical staff, they know exactly what they are doing. We will be as professional as possible and try and get back as soon as possible.”I don’t want to set a target to come back, I want to take it day-by-day and build it back up to return as soon as possible. I’ve never had a side strain before but, as a bowler, it’s one of those injuries that is important not to risk.”In Woakes’ absence, England’s remaining bowlers did enough to limit Bangladesh to an obtainable 305 for 6. However, their seam attack remains a cause for concern. Jake Ball – included in place of the legspinner Adil Rashid – struggled for form, conceding 82 runs in his ten overs, while doubts still linger over Stokes’ ability to bowl a full spell following his knee injury.The likeliest replacement is Finn, who was considered unlucky to have missed out on original selection for the squad, in spite of his occasionally erratic form in recent months. He signalled his readiness for a recall by claiming three wickets for England Lions against South Africa A on Thursday.Other candidates could be Toby Roland-Jones, the Middlesex seamer who made his debut against South Africa at Lord’s and offers batting ability, or Surrey’s Tom Curran who was called up to the tour of West Indies earlier this year.Given that England are now in the midst of a global tournament, another strong candidate could have been Stuart Broad, a proven international performer who has not been a regular member of the one-day set-up since the end of the 2015 World Cup, but was drafted into the tour of South Africa last winter. However, it is understood that he is not under consideration.

Kylian Mbappe most likely will not be joining the Premier League and Arsenal this summer according to Paul Brown.

The Frenchman has told Paris Saint Germain that he intends to leave following the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2024.

What is the situation with Kylian Mbappe and PSG?

It is just another year of the Mbappe circus at PSG.

Last summer the Frenchman signed a new deal with the Parisians that was suggested to be a three-year deal, with the player holding up a shirt reading 2025. However, in reality, the deal wasn't a full three-year contract, but rather two guaranteed years with the option of a third that could only be activated by Mbappe himself by July 31st 2023.

Recently, the French international released a letter, detailing that he would not be taking up the option to extend his contract, with many believing that the forward had already set plans in motion for a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was reportedly furious with the decision and sent a letter back to Mbappe, informing him that should he decide to not take up the option to extend his deal until 2025, he will be sold to the highest bidder in August as the French club do not want to lose their star man for free.

The most recent development has been the news that both Mbappe and Al-Khelaifi are set for a meeting this week, with the hope being that more clarity is shed on the situation and an agreement can be reached between all parties.

Reports have stated recently that Arsenal may be interested in bringing the 24-year-old to the Premier League, with the Independent stating that Mikel Arteta's side would be the strikers preference for an English club should he make the move.

However, speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, journalist Brown revealed that he doesn't believe Mbappe will make the move to North London, with his heart set on Los Blancos.

What did Paul Brown say on the matter?

When asked about the rumours, Brown stated: "Whether Arsenal would be Mbappe's first choice port of call in the Premier League, I really couldn't say. What I do know is that ever since he was a boy, he's grown up wanting to play for Real Madrid. And as far as I'm aware, everyone in France thinks that he will end up at Real Madrid at some point.

It looks unlikely that he's going to leave PSG this summer. I think a lot of people suspect that he may already be, you know, in the process of agreeing to sign for Real Madrid next summer, so we'll have to see but I genuinely can't see Mbappe ending up in the Premier League either this summer or next to be quite honest. I think he's his heart and his mind are probably elsewhere."

Will Mbappe leave join Arsenal this summer?

Like Brown said, it is hard to see a world where Mbappe leaves PSG this summer.

Even if the Frenchman decides to not take up his option to extend his contract and PSG try to sell him, the club reportedly value the striker at £150m, which might price the Gunners out of a move for the striker.

Should the club find a potential suitor however, the forward may well just turn down any contract offers that aren't from Real Madrid if the idea that he already has his heart set on a move to Madrid are true, and should Arsenal manage to convince Mbappe to swap Paris for London, it's hard to see the 24-year-old wanting to take a pay cut from his €1m per week (£857k per week) salary, which Arsenal definitely won't be able to match after their business this summer.

It is a messy situation, like it has been the past couple of summers now, and this one may not get the clean conclusion the other sagas have had.

While the result of a Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe match would be predictable in normal circumstances, the first ODI may give Zimbabwe a chance to break their drought in Sri Lanka

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Jun-2017Match FactsJune 30, 2017
Start time: 1000 local (0430GMT)Big PictureNormally the outcome of a Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe match is among the more straightforward to predict. Sri Lanka may not always be among the best one-day nations, but they have in the past been adept at putting away the weaker sides – star players rarely passing up the chance to buff their stats a little.This time, however, Zimbabwe may have an opportunity. Not only has the opposition ventured a green squad, Sri Lanka are also in some turmoil – the head coach having been pushed out by SLC, and their spearhead having been effectively placed on probation. On top of all this, the side was also subjected to uncommonly caustic criticism after their Champions Trophy exit, which was seen to be the result of poor fielding.Zimbabwe, meanwhile, come into the series with the unusual record of having won almost as many matches as they have lost this year – though both of their series so far had been against Associates. They narrowly lost the five-match series against Afghanistan, going into the decider tied 2-all before Afghanistan’s spinners made short work of them in Harare. And though Zimbabwe lost the first match to Scotland in Edinburgh two weeks ago, they romped to a six-wicket victory in the second game, and followed that up with a 2-1 win in a List A series against the Netherlands.Still, despite their depleted state, Sri Lanka will be the more confident side in the approach to the game. Even if things go badly for the junior players, in Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Upul Tharanga, they will feel they have enough experience to prevail.Form guideSri Lanka LWLWL (completed matches, most recent first)
Zimbabwe WLLWWIn the spotlightLasith Malinga has been at the centre of the fallout from Sri Lanka’s Champions Trophy exit, and will be especially keen to underscore his value to the Sri Lankan team, following a frustrating campaign in England. Zimbabwe are just the kind of opponents he could bounce back against. Though many in Zimbabwe’s XI have played against him before, they will not have faced him at length. And while he’s not as quick as he once was, the yorkers remain accurate, and the slower ball is still difficult to parse.Though he didn’t play in that five-match series against Afghanistan, captain and legspinner Graeme Cremer has recently put together an impressive run of form – taking a five-for in that ODI victory against Scotland, having also claimed 14 wickets in six List A games for the Mid West Rhinos in Zimbabwe’s Pro50 competition. He has not taken a wicket in two previous matches in Sri Lanka, but may perhaps break that duck on a Galle pitch that has traditionally been known to take turn.Kusal Mendis is 28 runs away from becoming the joint second-fastest Sri Lanka batsman to score 1000 ODI runs•Getty ImagesTeam newsAmila Aponso, the left-arm spinner who impressed against Australia last year, was a late addition to Sri Lanka’s squad. With so many young players in the mix, the XI is difficult to predict, but is likely to feature a healthy phalanx of spinners. Danushka Gunathilaka will likely open alongside Niroshan Dickwella, displacing Upul Tharanga to the middle order.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Upul Tharanga, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Lahiru Madushanka, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Lakshan Sandakan,10 Akila Dananjaya/Amila Aponso, 11 Lasith MalingaZimabwe have played with an unchanged XI in three consecutive wins against Scotland and the Netherlands. They may opt for that combination again.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Solomon Mire, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Sikander Raza, 6 Ryan Burl, 7 Peter Moor (wk), 8 Malcolm Waller, 9 Graeme Cremer (capt.), 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Chris MpofuPitch and conditionsThe Galle pitch is unlikely to be the snake pit it is in the back end of Test matches, but is likely to take some slow spin. As ever during this time of year, there is a chance of showers in Galle.Stats and trivia Zimbabwe have won two and lost 26 matches against Sri Lanka since 2000. They have never beaten Sri Lanka on the island, in eight attempts.Kusal Mendis needs 28 more runs to complete 1000 in ODI cricket. If he does it in the next innings – his 28th – he will become the joint second-fastest Sri Lankan to the milestone, behind Roy Dias (27).This will be Galle’s first ODI since July 2000.Quotes”We rely heavily on our spinners. If there’s a bit of spin we can exploit that. After the Holland and Scotland tours we found that we have lot of batting depth. We bat all the way up to number ten.”
” Consistency is something we are looking for, and we saw it in the Champions Trophy where we didn’t meddle with the batting order too much. It’s one aspect we are not trying to experiment too much with. We will try and go with the same six to eight batters in the next few months.”

Defending champions Northants must win one of their last two matches to reach the quarter-finals after a heavy defeat against Leicestershire

ECB Reporters Network11-Aug-2017Mark Cosgrove set a new Leicestershire record•Getty ImagesMark Cosgrove’s best T20 score for Leicestershire help keep their NatWest T20 Blast campaign alive with a commanding 48-run win over champions Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Cosgrove’s 76 from 48 balls helped Leicestershire make 193 for 5 – their highest total in the fixture – and it was easily defended with only Adam Rossington showing for Northants with a season’s-best 67 in 46 balls.Northants failed to seal a quarter-final spot and will now need to beat Yorkshire at Headingley or Durham at home to reach the last eight.They were well beaten here and Cosgrove and Luke Ronchi did the damage. The pair shared 72 for the second wicket before Cosgrove accelerated in the final half of the innings. He struck two sixes swung down the ground off Saif Zaib’s left-arm spin and another over midwicket from Azharullah in passing fifty in 32 balls and threatened to steer Leicestershire over 200.They fell marginally short as Cosgrove was run out trying to keep the strike in the final over. An earlier run out chance to Steven Crook at midwicket when Cosgrove had just 3 was a moment Northants were left to rue.Cosgrove finished the work began by Ronchi, who got the innings underway with a well-timed flick over midwicket for six and jammed out a yorker to fine leg to take 12 from the first over. He found another boundary to the final ball of the Powerplay that brought 58 runs.Cameron Delport also played his part with 26 in 15 balls. He punched Rory Kleinveldt for his first boundary over mid-on and then lifted two sixes over square leg and midwicket as 17 came from the fourth over of the innings. But trying to swing Ben Sanderson’s first ball down the ground, was splendidly caught by Rob Keogh running back from point, taking a whirl of a top edge over his shoulder. But it was the only wicket Northants took until the 13th over.Outside the Powerplay, Ronchi whipped his hands to lift Crook’s first ball over deep square leg on his way to fifty in 30 balls and struck a third six over long-off as Keogh proved expensive, three overs for 30, as Leicestershire built an excellent platform at 117 for 1 after 12 overs.Ronchi eventually fell trying to heave a Sanderson slower ball over midwicket and only found Crook running in from the fence. His 59 from 36 balls was his second half-century in the competition this year and helped set a target far beyond the reach of Northants.The chase was knifed inside the first three overs as two cheap wickets fell – Richard Levi for just 12 top-edging a sweep off Callum Parkinson to deep midwicket and Ben Duckett lbw to Clint McKay for just 1. Rossington tried to stem the bleeding with his best effort of the season to ignite the chase, stepping to leg to take boundaries over the off-side with the field up and then sweeping Parkinson.Rossington’s 31-ball fifty momemtarily patched up the early wound as he and Alex Wakely added 85 for the third wicket to leave the home side in touch at 87 for 2 after 10 overs. But Delport’s crafty seamers – he finished with 3 for 19 from his four overs – proved a turning point. With the required rate climbing over 11-an-over, first Wakely holed out to midwicket for 20 and then Rossington to long-on. The damage to Northants chase proved terminal.

Tottenham Hotspur have told versatile winger Ivan Perisic he can leave this summer, according to reports in the English press.

Who will leave Tottenham?

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has some deadwood to clear out of the squad, especially if he wishes to see more major signings come through the door this summer.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, midfielder James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon have officially joined Tottenham – following on from their permanent deals for both Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski.

It is also believed that the north Londoners wish to add multiple star centre-backs to their roster, leading to their links with Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet and Juventus star Gleison Bremer.

Meanwhile, to succeed the potentially departing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Spurs have a few midfielders in their sights – with the club holding an interest in Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz and Barca star Franck Kessie.

Star striker Harry Kane could be on the move as well, with Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic and Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani among the options to replace him.

To facilitate these possible transfers, Postecoglou's squad size must be trimmed, with Hugo Lloris, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Sergio Reguilon and Perisic mentioned as exit candidates previously (The Telegraph).

The latter player, who signed just last summer from Inter Milan, could be on the move already as The Daily Mail and journalist Matt Barlow share a brief update on his future.

It is believed Perisic has been told he can leave Tottenham this summer, should a suitable offer come in for the Croatian footballing legend.

The 34-year-old has actually played very well in pre-season as part of a Spurs front three, as explained by Barlow, and looks far more effective than he did at points over 2022/2023.

How good is Ivan Perisic?

The ex-Wolfsburg star is a very versatile option for Postecoglou, with Perisic featuring in as many as nine different positions throughout his career.

The 127-cap international was deployed as a left-wing-back by former Spurs boss Antonio Conte last season, and while he came under criticism at points, Perisic did display some quality.

Indeed, he finished 22/23 with the most assists of any Tottenham player in England's top flight, all the while featuring regularly over 34 league appearances (WhoScored).

"It is very important we sign a player like Ivan Perisic," said Conte last summer.

“We are talking about a real important player and top player. Sometimes it is good to bring a player in your team who is a bit over age but at the same time a good player with experience who can improve a young player in your squad.”

Perisic was also praised by members of the media for some of his displays for Spurs, with reporter John Hayes calling him a "game changer" after his brilliant early-season display against Wolves.

Meanwhile, journalist Josh Bunting called him a "beautiful" and "intelligent" footballer after the same match.

"He’s a beautiful footballer," said Bunting.

"Really intelligent and precise in everything that he does. Won everything that he’s faced."

A fourth-wicket stand of 246 gave West Indies control at Headingley, Shai Hope making an unbeaten 147 – his maiden Test hundred – on a memorable day for the visitors alongside Kraigg Brathwaite’s sixth Test century

The Report by Andrew McGlashan26-Aug-2017
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAt Edgbaston, two completed innings from West Indies mustered 305 runs and neither lasted even 50 overs. On the second day at Headingley, one West Indies partnership added 246 runs in 68 overs as Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope turned a promising revival with the ball into a full-blown resurgence.Brathwaite’s 134 was his sixth Test century, brought up from 189 balls with a six off Tom Westley in the final over before tea, while for Shai Hope – who took 159 deliveries – it was his first. After a lean start to his Test career, Hope’s century came three matches after his previous best of 90 and offered, dare we say, hope that the investment in him will bring long-term returns. The pair had come together inside the first hour of the day with West Indies 35 for 3 and the memories still fresh of the 19-wicket day last week.By the time England broke through, deep in the final session, when Broad burst through Brathwaite’s defence with the second new ball, West Indies were in the lead – the first time they had been ahead on first innings in England since Old Trafford in 2004 – and the partnership was West Indies’ biggest in England for more than 30 years, since Gordon Greenidge and Larry Gomes famously made David Gower regret his declaration at Lord’s in 1984.At the close, the lead stood at 71 with five wickets in hand. Ben Stokes had removed Roston Chase, edging a short delivery to first slip and there was the prospect of the fantastic work being undone. However, Jermaine Blackwood – whose idea of playing for the close was to continue to attack – ensured the day ended on a strong note. Hope’s unbeaten 147 was West Indies’ highest individual innings in England since Brian Lara’s 179 at The Oval in 1995.Until the new ball defeated him, Brathwaite’s 249-ball stay was a chanceless affair although he was twice grateful for DRS. On 34 he was given lbw to Broad but there had been an inside edge, while on 46 he was given the same way against Moeen Ali but was outside the line – one ball later he deposited Moeen into the stands for his fifty, the shot he would repeat a couple of hours later for the century.The team performance at Edgbaston brought much ridicule, but West Indies’ previous away Test had been a victory over Pakistan in Sharjah in which Brathwaite carried his bat for 142 in the first innings before marshalling the chase with an unbeaten 60 in the second.As the only member of the current squad with over 2000 Test runs, Brathwaite had already established his credentials at this level. The same could not said of Shai Hope who started this innings with an average under 20. However, he has been highly rated in the Caribbean since before his debut against England in 2015 and here that promise shone through.His fifty came from 72 balls with a strong straight drive against Chris Woakes and he came through Stokes’ attempts to unsettle him which included a hefty blow on the back of the helmet from a slippery bouncer. Ten minutes before tea, on 72, he flicked a delivery from Moeen to short leg but Mark Stoneman couldn’t cling on – it would have been an unfortunate way to go and West Indies’ effort deserved a few things to go their way.Whereas Brathwaite generally fed off short-of-a-length deliveries – of which England’s quicks offered up too many – Hope was eye-catching off the front foot (although his one-legged pull off Stokes to reach 99 was a reverse image of Lara). But for both the century-makers it was the early work in the morning session, when there was cloud cover and a new ball zipping around, that was most important to back up West Indies’ talk between matches that they had the batsmen to stand up to England in their conditions.England were off-colour with the ball; Broad struggled to consistently hit a full length (the sort that eventually dismissed Brathwaite) and after a promising first seven-over spell where he was unlucky not to pick up a wicket, Woakes looked more like a man making his way back into Test cricket after a lengthy lay-off.James Anderson was the pick of England’s bowlers and another bounty looked on the cards in the early forays of the day. He removed nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo in the fifth over of the day and then gave Kyle Hope another tough examination early in his Test career. A series of outswingers was followed by the inswinger, which brought the outside edge and Joe Root took a sharp catch at second slip. But for the rest of the day, Anderson remained stalled on 495 Test wickets, as did England’s hopes of forging a position from which they could take control of the match. That control, at least overnight, belonged to West Indies.