Category Uncategorized

Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr have now submitted an offer for a Manchester United star who is not wanted under head coach Ruben Amorim, according to a recent report.

Amorim confident Bruno Fernandes will have help this season

The Red Devils started their tour of the USA in an excellent manner, as they put in a strong display to earn a 2-1 win over West Ham United in what was their first of three games in the Premier League summer series.

United had captain fantastic Bruno Fernandes to thank for the victory, as the Portugal international netted in the opening five minutes from the penalty spot after a foul on Ayden Heaven. Then, Fernandes doubled their lead through a wonderful curled effort from outside the box to claim their first win of preseason 2025.

Fernandes has been heavily relied upon by United to be their creative force, but Amorim is now confident the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will help the attacking midfielder in the upcoming campaign.

“He will have more help this season.

Sesko 2.0: Man Utd make £50m CF who's "like original Ronaldo" a top target

Benjamin Sesko looks to be heading elsewhere, although Manchester United may have a perfect alternative lined up

1 ByRobbie Walls Jul 27, 2025

“It’s impossible to play all the positions. Last year, I felt sometimes I pushed him back to have more possession in the build-up, and then we missed Bruno near the box. Cunha and Bryan have different characteristics.”

Al-Nassr submit bid to sign £52m Man Utd forward

As Amorim looks to gel Cunha and Mbeumo into the United team, the Red Devils have now been presented an opportunity to sell a player who is no longer needed. According to Foot Mercato, Al-Nassr have made an offer to sign Antony from Manchester United.

The report states that it is unknown how much Al-Nassr have offered, but United are holding out for a fee of €60 million for the Brazil international, which is roughly £52 million. Antony is under contract at Old Trafford until 2027, but he spent the second half of last season on loan at La Liga side Real Betis.

The 25-year-old, who earns a weekly wage of £200,000 at United, scored nine goals and recorded five assists in 26 games for Real Betis, but that form has done nothing to earn him a chance under Amorim. In fact, it was well publicised at the start of the summer transfer window that United are looking to sell Antony alongside other players such as Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, who has now joined Barcelona.

Apps

17

Starts

15

Goals

5

xG

2.87

Shots per game

2.5

Chance conversion

12%

Assists

2

Big chances created

8

Key passes per game

2.2

Antony has been at United since the summer of 2022, when he joined for a hefty price tag from Ajax, as former manager Erik ten Hag wanted to link up with the winger once again. However, the Brazilian failed to make the same impact as he did in the Netherlands, as he scored just 12 goals over three seasons.

It must feel like Christmas Day every day for Arsenal fans at the moment.

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have already sealed the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and look set on spending even more.

Noni Madueke has reportedly passed his medical, and a deal has been agreed for Valencia’s promising centre-back Christian Mosquera.

On top of all of that, Viktor Gyokeres could be announced as an Arsenal player at any point this week, and if reports are to be believed, the club are closing in on another international who’d be his dream ten.

Arsenal target dream ten for Gyokeres

After years of looking for an out-and-out nine to lead the line for them, Arsenal have settled on Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

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

The Swedish international has been linked with the club in prior windows, and even looked to be second-choice behind Benjamin Sesko at one point this summer, but finally, a deal has been agreed for the Sporting star.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Gunners will pay an initial fee of £55m for the 27-year-old, with £9m coming in the way of performance-related add-ons.

It feels like a good deal for someone who’s scored goals for fun over the last two years, and now it looks like the North Londoners are trying to bring in an attacking midfielder who’ll get even more out of him.

At least that’s according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who reported for Football Insider that Arsenal are still very much interested in Eberechi Eze.

O’Rourke has revealed that the Gunners are closing in on the Crystal Palace star, and that they would be willing to pay his full £68m release clause to get the deal done.

However, due to FFP and PSR concerns, they will not be able to pay it all upfront, and are therefore in talks with the South Londoners over paying it in instalments.

It’d still represent a serious investment from Arsenal, but Eze has proven he’d be worth it, and he’d also be the perfect ten for Gyokeres.

Why Eze would be Gyokeres' perfect ten

It might sound simplistic, but as Gyokeres is quite traditional in the sense that he does most of his work in the penalty area, one of the key reasons he’d love playing with Eze is that he’d be able to get the ball to him.

For example, he can move the ball up the pitch with his dribbling, as FBref ranked him in the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers for successful take-ons in the Premier League last season and the top 11% for general shot-creating actions, all per 90.

Crucially, he also makes things happen when he gets into dangerous areas, as he racked up 14 goals and 11 assists in just 43 games last season.

Appearances

43

45

Minutes

3303′

3447′

Goals

14

6

Assists

11

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.40

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

191.5′

That was a far better return than the Gunners’ current first-choice attacking midfielder, Martin Odegaard, who racked up 18 goal involvements in 45 games.

In short, the Sporting star will be able to play ahead of the Palace ace, safe in the knowledge that he’ll be provided with a regular supply of chances, and even have the opportunity to turn provider himself at points.

Finally, what is one of the main drivers behind the former Coventry City star’s desperate desire to join the North Londoners this summer?

It’s to have the chance to win the biggest prizes in the club game, and the English “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, proved that he’s the man for the big occasion last season.

He scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and then the final of the FA Cup, so Gyokeres would surely feel confident that his creative midfielder would perform at his very best in the crunch games and not let him down.

Ultimately, while it’d be another massive outlay, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Eze this summer, as he’d be a brilliant addition to the squad and someone who could help get the best out of the Swedish goal machine.

Alongside Gyokeres: Arsenal now in "very advanced" talks to sign £17m ace

The Gunners are closing in on a deal to sign a “magnificent” player.

ByDominic Lund Jul 14, 2025

The start of Glasgow Rangers’ season is now fast approaching with the Gers’ first pre-season fixture taking place a week on Saturday, with the start of European qualifying coming up as soon as 22 July.

That’s all before the new Rangers manager, Russell Martin, will commence his Scottish Premiership campaign on Saturday 2 August.

Ahead of that busy fixture list, the Light Blues have been busy off the field overhauling their squad, so could they secure a “phenomenal” new signing in the process?

Rangers' busy transfer activity

On Wednesday, Max Aarons put pen to paper, joining Rangers on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.

He is the club’s second signing of the summer, after Lyall Cameron, but many more are forecast in the coming days and weeks.

Indeed, according to a report by EFL analysis, new manager Martin is targeting a move to bring in goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who he signed for Southampton just 12 months ago, for a reported fee of £25m.

Bailey adds that, due to the fact he is earning £120,000-per-week, the Saints are willing to sanction a loan ‘with an option to buy’ for Ramsdale this summer; Wolves and Leeds United also ‘interested’,

A fee could prove prohibitive for Rangers, given that their record-signing of the post-liquidation era is the £7.5m spent on Ryan Kent in 2019.

Nevertheless, with Southampton looking to offload, thereby open to a loan move, could the England international end up in Glasgow?

Why Aaron Ramsdale would be a game-changing signing for Rangers

Max Aarons has arrived at Rangers to much excitement, and rightly so.

The 24-year-old did just endure a pretty miserable campaign, barely featuring for Bournemouth, thereby spending the second half of the season on loan at Valencia, albeit he then made only five appearances for los Murciélagos, totalling a miserly 208 minutes.

Nevertheless, the youngster is still a player of great potential, almost joining Tottenham for £15m as a teenager, with Tom Quartly of Breaking the Lines asserting that he offers ‘fluidity in both attacking and defensive phases’ from full-back.

Aarons’ arrival does bring into question the future of Rangers’ two existing right-backs, namely captain and long-serving stalwart James Tavernier, as well as the promising Dujon Sterling, as this was not an area of obvious need.

The same, however, cannot be said about goalkeeper, with the potential arrival of Ramsdale addressing a pressing issue.

After arriving two years ago, for so long, Jack Butland was Rangers’ undisputed number one, starting 102 of his first 111 matches at the club, before being dropped by interim manager Barry Ferguson, following a sequence of high-profile errors, hence why deputy Liam Kelly got the nod for the Europa League quarter-final tie against Athletic Club.

Even though the Scotland international shot-stopper dramatically saved Álex Berenguer’s late penalty in the first leg at Ibrox, the table below emphasises that neither Kelly nor Butland are perhaps what Martin is looking for.

Goals against per 90

1.11

3rd

1

2nd

Save %

65.5%

17th

67.9%

11th

Clean sheet %

37.5%

5th

40%

4th

So, would Ramsdale be a major upgrade?

Well, former Arsenal goalkeeper asserted that Ramsdale’s performances for the Gunners as “phenomenal”, while manager Mikel Arteta described him as “exceptional”, following a man of the match performance during a 2-2 draw at Anfield two seasons ago.

So, let’s take a deeper look at his statistics in the Premier League.

Saves

120 (2nd)

94 (10th)

Save %

67.6% (15th)

70.6% (11th)

Post-shot xG – goals conceded

-0.08 (17th)

-0.05 (12th)

% of crosses stopped

5.5% (16th)

5.8% (16th)

Short passes attempted

1,026 (9th)

956 (8th)

The table includes last season, when Ramsdale was plying his trade for a historically terrible Southampton team, hence why only Mark Flekken made more saves than he did, as well as his final campaign as Arsenal’s number one, this 2022/23.

While the England international’s statistics don’t all leap off the page, it is clear that he is certainly a Premier League-level goalkeeper and a very good one at that, one that should not be playing for the team at the bottom of the division, that’s for sure.

His passing numbers are also impressive, which would very much fit into Martin’s style that prioritises control through possession.

Thus, if Rangers are able to lure him north of the border, this would be a massive coup, especially considering the trials and tribulations endured by Butland and Kelly last season.

Big Propper upgrade: Rangers open talks to sign 2nd defender after Coady

Rangers are looking to bring a couple of defenders to Ibrox amid the news that Robin Propper could depart.

ByBen Gray Jun 26, 2025

Aston Villa faces an important summer ahead. Throughout the transfer window, Unai Emery will be keen on attracting yet more high-profile players to the Midlands.

While it will be the Europa League, rather than the Champions League, that the club will partake in next season, Villa’s stature as one of the Premier League’s elite sides will help massively when the window opens.

Despite a promising season, the club failed to end its 29-year wait for a major trophy, and this is clearly the next step in the Spaniard’s project.

A solid core has been built, no doubt about that, but there are several positions which need to be strengthened before the start of 2025/26.

As such, what could the club’s dream starting XI look like when the league season begins in August? Well, we’ve taken a deeper look.

1 GK – Lucas Chevalier

It appears as though Emiliano Martinez is set to leave the Midlands after five years as the club’s number one.

Throughout that time, he has kept 70 clean sheets across 212 matches, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League in the process. Manchester United have shown previous interest in the goalkeeper, and he will have no shortage of offers this summer.

His replacement could be Frenchman Lucas Chevalier. Emery has targeted the £40m Lille shot stopper as the ideal man to replace the enigmatic Argentinian from next season onwards.

Given his excellent form in Ligue 1, it could be a shrewd move by the manager.

2 RB – Matty Cash

Cash may not be the flashiest player, and in time, he will be replaced as the starting right-back. This summer, however, Emery may well focus on other positions.

He made 38 appearances last season, registering three goal contributions. The English-born full-back will turn 28 in August and still has a few years left at the very top.

3 CB – Diego Coppola

Jacob Tanswell of the Athletic claims that the club could prioritise signing a right-sided centre-back this summer. According to reports, Emery has earmarked Italian defender Diego Coppola as a player who could fit his system well.

His superb displays for Hellas Verona – winning 60% of his total duels and making 5.7 clearances per game in Serie A – have led to Villa showing plenty of interest in him.

The best part? He would only cost £8.5m.

4 CB – Pau Torres

Pau Torres will likely continue to be one of the starting centre-backs for Villa next season.

The 28-year-old is at the peak of his career and could continue to go from strength to strength under Emery in 2025/26.

5 LB – Ian Maatsen

The Dutchman made 45 appearances for Villa last term, playing in ten of their Champions League fixtures.

Emery must ensure he is the starting left-back from next season, as Maatsen will only continue to get better.

6 CM – Youri Tielemans

Throughout the whole squad, Tielemans was arguably Villa’s most improved player last season.

Indeed, he was named Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season at Aston Villa’s End of Season Awards.

15 goal contributions were registered across 53 matches. If he carries that type of form into next term, he will be unstoppable.

7 CM – Amadou Onana

The Belgian midfielder showed glimpses of his quality after moving from Everton, but he will be keen to avoid injury issues next term.

He managed just 34 games for the club, but he still managed to score five times in all competitions.

8 RW – Tyler Dibling

Villa have shown interest in Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, who could cost around £55m this summer.

Despite the Saints suffering relegation from the Premier League, the 19-year-old was one of their brightest sparks. Across 38 games, he scored four goals and registered three assists.

He succeeded with 1.4 dribbles per game in the top flight while also creating three big chances. Despite the price demanded by the Championship side, the teenager could turn out to be an impressive long-term star for Emery as he bids to improve his options out wide.

9 AM – Morgan Rogers

Rogers’ 2024/25 season was arguably one that turned him from a talented attacking midfielder into a player in high demand.

Not only did he score 14 goals in all competitions for the club, but the Englishman also recorded 15 assists for Villa.

Four goals were netted in the Champions League, proving that he has what it takes to perform at the very highest level. Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing the player, but Emery will be doing all he can to keep hold of Rogers for as long as possible.

10 LW – Jadon Sancho

Marcus Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa, but it doesn’t look as though he will return permanently, amid his desire for a switch to Barcelona.

They are looking to target a move for Jadon Sancho instead according to reports, with the winger returning from his temporary stint at Chelsea.

With his future at United all but over, Sancho could gain plenty of game time should he choose a move to the Midlands this summer. Interest is also high from the likes of Napoli and AC Milan.

No price has been mentioned as yet, but if Emery can work out a deal that benefits all parties, signing Sancho – who is valued at £31m by Football Transfers – may be a wise piece of business.

Leeds United have already secured promotion back to the Premier League and the next step for them will be how they plan to avoid an instant relegation.

The Whites can hit 100 points in the Championship with a win over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, having beaten Bristol City 4-0 at Elland Road on Monday, but then all focus will be on how the club can build a team for the top-flight.

Daniel Farke will have some incredibly difficult decisions to make, and one player whom he will have to make a quick decision on is Sam Byram, whose contract at Elland Road is up this summer.

What the English defender will not want to hear at this moment, though, is that Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a new player in his position.

Leeds eyeing move for new right-back

According to a claim from Turkish reporter, as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, Leeds are one of a number of clubs who want to sign Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons in the summer transfer window.

The journalist claims that the Whites will attempt to swoop for the former England U21 international in a loan deal when he returns from his loan spell at Valencia ahead of next season.

Marseille, Lille, and Sheffield United are also said to be keen on the English right-back, however, which means that there could be plenty of competition for his services.

Transfer Focus

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

Leeds could have a unique advantage in the race, though, because Farke is the manager who gave Aarons his first-team debut and won two Championship titles with him during their time together at Norwich City.

Why this is bad news for Sam Byram

The news that the West Yorkshire outfit are interested in signing another right-back this summer will come as bad news to Sam Byram, who has started just 15 league matches this term, and any hope he has of penning a new contract at the club.

Leeds already have Jayden Bogle as the first-choice right-back at Elland Road and bringing in another player in that position could mean that there is no place for the veteran Englishman in the squad at Premier League level, with Aarons competing with Bogle for a starting berth.

Whilst it remains to be seen what the club’s decision will be in regards to Byram’s future, this latest news does not suggest that they are planning to give him an extension to be a key first-team player next season.

Max Aarons (Championship)	18/19	20/21
Starts	41	45
Goals	2	2
Assists	6	2
Clean sheets	11	17
Tackles + interceptions per game	2.7	1.6
Duel success rate	58%	53%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Aarons provided defensive strength and offensive quality during Farke’s two title-winning seasons at Carrow Road.

The German head coach, as shown in the clip above, described him as “outstanding”, which shows how highly he rates the £34k-per-week full-back.

Aarons, whose most recent appearance came in a 2-1 win for Valencia over Real Madrid, has only started 14 Premier League matches since the start of last season for Bournemouth, and Farke could provide him with a chance to revive his top-flight career.

Farke could sign Piroe upgrade in Leeds swoop for "electric" £40m "monster"

Leeds could immediately land an upgrade on Joel Piroe by swooping for this £40m star.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 29, 2025

Leeds would then have healthy competition between him and Bogle for the right-back spot, whilst it could mean that Byram’s time at Elland Road comes to an end this summer.

Nottingham Forest have exceeded the expectations set by everyone ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, with Champions League football firmly on the cards.

Nuno Espírito Santo has masterminded the Reds to third place in England’s top flight, boasting a five-point gap to sixth place with just seven league outings remaining.

The thought of welcoming Europe’s elite to the City Ground was a distant dream for supporters after two near-misses with relegation after promotion, but such hopes could come to fruition in the coming months.

However, if they are to be competitive in Europe and the Premier League next season, additions are desperately needed, handing Nuno the squad depth to rotate when needed.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has wasted no time in targeting reinforcements for 2025/26, with one name remerging on their shortlist after previous interest in his signature last summer.

Nottingham Forest plot move for £40m talisman this summer

According to TBR, Forest are plotting a summer move for Evanilson after his impressive debut campaign in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

The Brazilian, who joined the Cherries for £40m last summer, has scored 11 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions, sitting as their second top scorer behind Justin Kluivert.

It’s not the first time the Reds have targeted the 25-year-old, after being firmly in the race for his signature just under 12 months ago before his subsequent move to the Vitality.

The report claims that Newcastle and Aston Villa are also in the race for Evanilson’s signature, with Nuno looking for reinforcements whilst also trying to move Taiwo Awoniyi on this window.

It’s unclear whether Andoni Iraola’s side would be open to parting ways with their star striker, but he could provide an alternative to one other forward currently on Marinakis’ radar.

Why Evanilson would be the perfect Gyokeres alternative

As a result of their impressive form, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has emerged on Forest’s radar, with the Portuguese side demanding £60m to part with their star man.

The Swedish international has been in incredible goalscoring form since his move from Coventry City back in the summer of 2023, registering 87 goals in his 94 appearances.

However, despite their interest, the Reds aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 26-year-old this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United also in the race for the forward.

Given the nature of the clubs also keen on the talisman, the Forest hierarchy could turn their attention to Evanilson in the coming months, with the Cherries attacker a more than capable alternative.

When comparing his figures with Gyokeres from the ongoing campaign, he’s managed to match or better the Swede in numerous key areas, highlighting how much of an impressive addition he would be.

Games played

25

27

Goals & assists

9

37

Shot-on-target accuracy

49%

40%

Shots on target per 90

1.5

1.3

Take-on success

32%

27%

Fouls won

2.1

1.6

Aerials won

38%

30%

The “world-class” Cherries ace, as dubbed by content creator Kirk Tovey, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists than Gyokeres, but has managed more shots on target per 90 at a higher accuracy rate – showcasing his accuracy in the final third.

He’s also completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst also winning more of the aerial duels he’s contested, offering a more all-round centre-forward option than the Sporting star.

Whilst the Swedish international undoubtedly remains as many of the supporter’s first-choice attacking signing this summer, a deal for Evanilson would be just as impressive as seen by the numbers procured this year.

Investment will be needed in various areas of the first-team squad throughout the upcoming window, with funds needed elsewhere, potentially leading the Reds to pursue a move for the Brazilian sensation.

£25m release clause: Nottingham Forest join hectic race for "superb" star

They could trigger his release clause.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 7, 2025

The New Zealand allrounder is closing in on 20 years of international cricket, but is yet to represent her country in the longest format

Vishal Dikshit04-Sep-20251:33

Bates: Will be ‘over the moon’ to play a Test match

Closing in on 20 years in international cricket, New Zealand allrounder Suzie Bates is still keeping her dreams alive of playing a Test match before she retires. Bates has represented New Zealand in 171 ODIs and 177 T20Is, captained them full-time from 2012 to 2018, has featured in nine T20 World Cups and is ready to play her fifth ODI World Cup starting later this month.But she remains without a Test cap as New Zealand last played one 21 years ago, against England at Scarborough. Bates made her international debut 19 months later and has gone on to become the top run-scorer in T20Is and sits third on the list in ODIs, behind Mithali Raj and Charlotte Edwards.New Zealand are not scheduled to play a women’s Test as per the current FTP that runs until April 2029, but Bates keeps her hopes alive while watching the other women’s teams play Test cricket, as was the case even 10 years ago, when she had said she “felt cheated”.Related

• NZ begin World Cup prep with Chennai camp

• McMillan named full-time NZ assistant coach

“The feeling [of not having played a Test] is just like I’m envious,” Bates told ESPNcricinfo. “Like I think I’ve said this in another interview when I watch the [women’s] Ashes and even when I watch men’s Test cricket and they talk about it being the toughest game, it tests your skills, it tests you mentally, it tests you physically as an athlete and a sportsperson I want to be tested. So you sort of watch when there are women’s Test matches on and you’re like, ‘oh I wonder what I’d do in this situation or how I’d go about it’, and to not have that opportunity when others are playing it, you do want to experience it.”But I understand the decisions and the politics of it at times but just as a player I’m like, ‘I’d love to have a taste of how I would handle that mentally and physically’. If it happens and I’m still playing I will be over the moon. I do just think for the future of the game – I think Virat Kohli’s talked about it saying that is still where you learn the most about the game and where you are tested and if young players, if a young New Zealand player gets to go over and play a four or five-day Test match in India in those conditions with the ball turning, the amount of learning that you do and that compared to a 20-over game is you just can’t compare. So yeah, I think there’s space for it, but those decisions aren’t up to me.”171 ODIs, 177 T20Is, and nearly 20 years of international cricket, but Suzie Bates is yet to play a Test•ICC/Getty ImagesEven if Test matches aren’t scheduled for New Zealand Women in the current FTP, extra bilateral matches can be added to the schedule if there is an agreement between two boards. Bates will be 38 later this month before the World Cup starts, but was willing to work further on her fitness, tempted by the possibility of playing a Test match, if the chance came in the next year or so.”Yes, it would motivate me but there is a long time between now and then and I am just focused on contributing at this 50-over World Cup and then we will see what happens after that.”New Zealand begin their World Cup campaign against defending champions Australia on October 2 in Indore before taking on South Africa (October 6, Indore) and Bangladesh (October 10, Guwahati). They will then fly to Colombo to face Sri Lanka (October 14) and Pakistan (October 18), before returning to India for their final two league games in Navi Mumbai, against India on October 23 and England on October 26.

His contributions to both the feel and the narrative of Ashes feels typical of his Test career: entertaining, endearing and inconsistent

Vithushan Ehantharajah03-Aug-2023Ben Stokes is hidden away at the back of the home dressing room at Headingley, puffing on a cigarette. He had entered moments earlier after being caught down the leg side off Mitchell Starc. England needed 90 more runs to win the third Test and keep their Ashes hopes alive, but their talisman in these pressure situations was out.Stokes was furious but focused on adhering to a post-dismissal routine he had refined as captain. The ethos he and head coach Brendon McCullum have cultivated relies on dressing room calm, something the Durham allrounder cedes is not his strong point after getting out. But he has developed coping mechanisms, starting with a smoke, then a systematic packing of both his cricket bags. Once that was done, he made his way to the outdoor viewing area and sat himself down next to Moeen Ali.In the tense periods, Moeen and Stokes chatted nonsense. At one point, when the partnership between Harry Brook and Chris Woakes was swelling, Moeen commented about how easily they were winning this. Stokes, speaking from experience, reminded him “there is always a twist”, which duly came when Brook was dismissed. Moeen congratulated his skipper on the call, before Woakes and Mark Wood eventually saw things home.Related

'That's me done' – Moeen says no to McCullum's request to stay on

England lose 19 WTC points and Aus ten for slow over-rates during the Ashes

A record-breaking series for England's Bazballers

'If Stokesy messages me again, I'm going to delete it' – Moeen bows out of Tests on a high

Stokes regarded the spot next to Moeen as his best way of keeping the tension to a minimum. It is largely in keeping with the 36-year-old’s presence in the set-up outright, which has been seen as a success behind closed doors.Both Stokes and McCullum made moves to get him out of retirement last summer, specifically for the Pakistan series later that winter, believing his attacking verve with bat and ball fit the set-up perfectly. They also believed his laidback demeanour, allied with his reading of the game, would boost an already positive group.It was only when Jack Leach was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the back on the eve of the series that Stokes made a second approach. Having worked on Moeen’s appetite for a return this summer during their IPL stint together for Chennai Super Kings, he dropped him a text to ask if he was up for it – “Ashes?”. He was.Seven weeks on, Moeen walks into the sunset once more. His contributions to both the feel and the narrative of an engaging series typical of his Test career. Entertaining, endearing, inconsistent and, at times, infuriating.A wound to his spinning finger reopened because it had been a while since he had bowled with a Dukes ball, and then a fan sent him a jar of medical honey which accelerated its healing. When Ollie Pope was ruled out with a shoulder injury, Moeen approached Stokes and McCullum on the penultimate evening of the third Test and asked to bat three in the fourth innings. He wanted to put his mark on the series and protect Brook, who moved back to five, and produced a vital 75 in pursuit of the target of 251.Moeen Ali added 121 for the second wicket with Zak Crawley at Old Trafford•Getty ImagesHalf-century number 15 in Manchester – only his second at No.3 – came during a thrilling stand of 121 with centurion Zak Crawley. Moeen was ranking their shots while out in the middle, giving himself the “shot of the day” tag for a glorious cover drive off Pat Cummins. Having hurt his abductor while batting in the first innings at the Oval, he decided to tee off as he could not run, and carted Cummins into the stands over square leg. He then closed it all out with 3 for 76 on the last day of his 68th and final Test to help England to a series-squaring victory.There are the other bits that don’t really matter but are worth a mention. The constant arguments with Crawley greatly amused the rest of the team. One of them being which part of the country was best at Twenty20 cricket. Crawley ultimately won that one when all four T20 Blast Finals Day teams came from the south group. He is also revered as the slickest bucket hat wearer going, rocking it with the brim turned up, like a turquoise trilby. A few players tried to copy him but couldn’t quite nail the look.This series has been as much about Moeen the vibesman as Moeen the allrounder. At the end of the match, Stokes stated he wanted Moeen “because I know what he can do on his best days”. The last day of the Ashes was exactly that.As for the others, well it’s a hard one to square. His nine dismissals were big ones – Travis Head (three times), Marnus Labuschagne (twice), Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith who he might have had twice had Stokes not botched a catch at leg sip on that final day. But the average of 51.44 reflects the lack of control, likewise the 180 runs at an average of 25.17. At the same time, he brought balance by covering for the loss of spinner and number three. A selfless, up-and-down career ends with a quietly impressive 3,094 runs and 204 wickets.When Stokes sent that message in June, Moeen immediately replied “lol”. And while lols were had, Moeen reflected he was not wholly pleased with how things went, but satisfied this Ashes and his career climaxed with a thrilling finale. Ultimately, he was grateful to himself for accepting the SOS call. He would have regretted it later in life had he not.At the end of the match, Stuart Broad insisted Moeen shared the ovation of their final Test. Broad had alerted the world a couple of nights before that this would be it. With Moeen, it felt like we knew all along.Moeen Ali is regarded among the group as the slickest bucket hat wearer going•Getty Images”I was a little bit embarrassed to be walking off with a great,” he said of leading the team off with Broad. “It proves the man he is. I didn’t want to do it and he said I had to.”I was really reluctant, but it was great. You have mates and build relationships and Broady is one of those guys. From the start, he was always amazing with me. I’ve always got on well with him and really pleased he’s finished the way he has.”With the deserved fanfare around Broad and the perfect ending for one of England’s greatest fast bowlers, you wonder whether Moeen got any closure from this last dance. Or whether he even needed it beyond a more pleasing conclusion after slinking away two years ago with little cause or opportunity for celebration.”When I played a few nice shots I thought, ‘I can still bat’,” he said. “I would have loved to get some more, but it was a great challenge. White ball is great, I love the [franchise] leagues. But there is nothing better than playing against the best attack with a new ball in their hand. It’s a challenge. It’s nice to finish knowing that [I can still bat], it was decent.”The bowling was always a fight,” he admitted. However, the challenge of a final day in the field appealed to him even while crocked, particularly at the ground where he spun England to victory against South Africa with a hat-trick. As it happens, his fourth innings strike rate of 40.2 is better than those of Shane Warne or Graeme Swann.”Maybe it’s because I’m a spinner [that fourth innings appeal to him] but I’ve never felt like a proper spinner like those guys. I don’t overthink bowling on the last day. It’s ragging so I’ll try to get it spinning as much as I can, through the gate, try to nick the lefties off.”The encouragement I got from Baz and Stokesy to go and bowl my best ball, through the gate and things like that. I think that brings the best out of me. My bowling has always been up and down, but one thing I do know is that I’ve always loved bowling in the fourth innings.”

“White ball is great, I love the [franchise] leagues. But there is nothing better than playing against the best attack with a new ball in their hand”Mooen Ali

If anything, it seems this Ashes was a combination of things Moeen got to enjoy one last time. Challenging himself against an accomplished pace attack, sending down a few magical deliveries, and ribbing his team-mates. Fitting given how English cricket has experienced Moeen since debuting in 2014.His inconsistency is part of the thrill. Even in a barrage, he could hook one for six, or when the game is at its most tense, produce a surface-busting off break. Moments of joy and relief out of nowhere, making the top edges when things have calmed down and full tosses a little more palatable. Perhaps not for some, but as all corners of the Kia Oval rose to a rendition of “Stand up if you love Moeen” prior to his penultimate over in Test cricket, it is clear he occupies a unique place in the hearts of most.When he retired at the end of the 2021 summer, his father Munir, was dismayed his son finished tantalisingly short of milestones, on 2,914 runs and 195 dismissals. He was as ecstatic as anyone when Moeen decided to return.”As soon as I got that milestone, my dad checked out,” laughed Moeen. “He wants me to do well, but he checked out – he was just buzzing. That was the one thing in his head more than anything. Things happen for a reason, and it was meant to be.”Gratification in the joy he brings others. Selfless to the cause of the team. Two traits synonymous with Moeen which he underlined over the last seven weeks.The career averages probably mean history will not be kind to quantifying what Moeen Ali truly was as a Test cricketer. But at least England fans and his team-mates could experience him one last time.

He is not batting too differently to 2018, but how long can he trust his method and technique with the number of Tests without a century growing?

Sidharth Monga30-Aug-20214:30

Virat Kohli: ‘We will not be demoralised by this loss’

For a batter whose troubles centre on the outside edge of the bat, it is instructive that it is all underlined by the ball coming in. Virat Kohli has now nicked off in six successive innings in England, but the battle he is fighting is perhaps on the inside edge.Take the fourth morning of the Headingley Test. Resuming on 45 overnight, Kohli began the day beautifully, leaving alone all outswingers from James Anderson. He left 11 of the first 14 deliveries he faced on the fourth morning. Enough for there to be packages on the broadcast on how well he is leaving the same line that has been getting him out.Here is the difference: all these balls were bowled with the outswing release, and he picked them early and then let them go. The 15th ball Kohli faced was different. It was the wobble-seam ball from Anderson, which shaped in late, a repeat of the ball that got him out in the first innings. Kohli went to cover for the inward movement, and the ball seamed away to miss the edge this time. Only when the threat of the incoming delivery materialised did the indecisive period begin.Related

Ajinkya Rahane: a career waiting to be seized

India's batting and selection in focus against upbeat England

Selection questions for India: Does Vihari get in? And what about Ashwin?

Kohli and Pujara in slumps? Let's look at what the control data says

Virat Kohli eager to prove doubters wrong

Kohli’s horrible 2014 really began when he left one alone from Liam Plunkett in the second innings at Lord’s only for it seam back up the slope and bowl him for a golden duck. This current extended lean patch began in New Zealand with Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme trapping him lbw beating the inside edge. These were all balls that looked like they would go away but changed direction upon pitching.About the 2014 rut, Kohli himself told Nasser Hussain in 2016-17 that his problem then was that he was expecting the incoming ball too much. He was worried about the stumps and kept pushing at balls he could have left alone. England’s job this summer was half done by New Zealand: Kyle Jamieson got Kohli lbw again in the World Test Championship final, and by the second innings he was ended up in the same shape as in 2014: pushing away at the ball and his right shoulder showing.That is a peculiar shot that Kohli plays. Those defensive pushes have an adverse risk-to-reward ratio. If you middle them, you get no runs. On the face of it, it is a lose-lose shot. But it is a precursor to the cover-drive, a shot Kohli has mastered. The defensive push gets him into positions to play the drive. Kohli’s reaction in 2014 was to not shelve the drive, but to start playing it better.There is a tendency to, post-facto, assign noble reasons to his great 2018 series in England. The popular memory of Edgbaston is a monk who eschewed the drive or the push away from the body. Now he has become the indulgent billionaire who can’t help but drive away. It is a narrative Kohli himself propagated by saying you have to leave your ego at home when you bat in England.In actual fact, Kohli flashed at the sixth ball he faced in 2018. It fell short of gully. He chased the next ball. The 13th ball he drove on the up, but the edge fell safe. The 15th he looked to work to leg and got a leading edge.By the time Kohli was dropped for the first time, off the 55th ball he faced, pushing away from the body, he had made 14 mistakes at an alarming rate of one every four balls. In this series, he has made 43 mistakes in 277 balls but that has been enough to get him out five times.Also the rate of leaves could be higher this time because they are not having to bowl straight at him, which they had to in 2018 once he got away with his early errors outside off. It is possible that nicking off the first ball of the series as opposed to, say, getting beaten by it as he might have had in 2018 has created just that bit of indiscernible, intangible doubt in Kohli when he is going for the push or the drive. He is himself a big proponent of absolute clarity at what you are doing in a game of fine margins.In the 2018 series Kohli left alone 211 balls of pace out of 818; this series he has not offered a shot 70 times out of 207. He is actually leaving alone much more frequently this series; make allowance for the rate to come down as innings go longer, and you will have him leaving at a similar rate as in 2018. He is defending more and driving less, but that too will change as innings get longer.In 2018, Kohli made 173 false responses to 818 deliveries of pace bowling, a control percentage of under 79, which is worse than the 2021 series where he has made 36 mistakes in 207 balls.Virat Kohli leaves the field after being dismissed by Ollie Robinson•Getty ImagesPlaying with more control and yet getting out five times to 36 mistakes as against seven dismissals in 173 false responses does point to a significant role of luck. And with Kohli, good luck and bad luck tend to arrive in droves: while he made 54 mistakes for 10 dismissals in the 2014 series, in the one Edgbaston innings alone in 2018, he survived 55 false responses. Neither of these events makes him any better or worse batter than he is.However, as it was observed by @flighted_leggie on Twitter, Kohli seems to have undone a technical change he made. Kohli had told Hussain that to better react to the ball that moved away from in front of him, he made sure his back foot stayed parallel to the crease when he first moved it, thus making sure his hip didn’t open up. His back foot is not, according to some footage seen from side-on this series, parallel to the crease, but in this string of dismissals, only once has his hip opened up: against Jamieson in Southampton. So it is possible he is happy with his alignment as opposed to being unaware that his back foot is not parallel.Kohli is just up against a highly skilful bowler surrounded by a highly accurate attack. It is not like he is going chasing every other outswinger, they are earning the mistakes he is making by creating the doubt that his inside edge is in play. His response to this bowling has been more or less similar to how he has played across a career of 7671 runs at an average of 51.14 in an incredibly tough era for batting.Batting technique can have an impact on how often you survive false responses. To a defensive batter, technique is something that saves you when you make a mistake. You misjudge the length, for example, but because you are playing under the head, the ball moves past your edge. To an attacking batter, technique is what gets you in positions to score runs. That is why they are able to score off balls some others dare not mess with.Cheteshwar Pujara gets out once every 13.71 mistakes, Kohli 11.3. Pujara is a defensive batter, Kohli aggressive, and these are choices they make. Pujara survives more mistakes, Kohli scores more by the time he makes those mistakes. Steven Smith is the rare genius who makes as many mistakes as Pujara to get out once but scores as quickly as Kohli. Both Kohli and Pujara are highly successful at what they do.If Kohli wants to make that change and wait for the bowlers to bowl at him, play a higher-percentage game in other words, he will have to give up some of the runs he scores through the covers. He was not willing to do that in 2014, he is unlikely to do so now. The only reason for doing that will be when the hand-eye coordination starts to become weaker, but that is not likely at the age of 32.How long then does Kohli keep faith in his methods and his technique despite the number of Tests without a century growing? Bat like results don’t matter while knowing that on that cold scoresheet, they are the only thing that do matter. If anything, this phase tells you how freakishly difficult what peak Kohli made look easy was.

Who's ready for some afternoon baseball on Thursday?

Nine teams are in action in Major League Baseball today, starting at 1:05 p.m. EST with the Arizona Diamondbacks taking on the Washington Nationals.

As we do every day here at SI Betting, we're going to pick every MLB game today, with a short breakdown as to why we're leaning in that direction.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals Prediction and Pick

Shockingly enough, the Washington Nationals have a better record than the Arizona Diamondbacks entering Thursday's matinee matchup.

I'm rolling with Washington with MacKenzie Gore on the bump, as he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts and has a 2.92 Fielding Independent Pitching on the season. Arizona's Ryne Nelson hasn't fared nearly as well, posting a 5.49 ERA and 4.30 FIP in 2024.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction and Pick

Minnesota is one of the best home teams in baseball (23-15) this season, and Simeon Woods Richardson has pitched extremely well in 11 starts. He's posted a 3.29 ERA this season, leading the Twins to an 8-3 record in his starts.

The Rays should have a chance with Zack Littell on the bump — he's posted a 3.62 FIP — but they've gone just 6-8 record in his starts.

Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction and Pick

I getting Luis Castillo as an underdog in this matchup, as Logan Allen (5.30 ERA) is on the mound for the Guardians.

Castillo has a 3.32 ERA this season, and since April 14 he's allowed two or fewer runs in all but one start. I think he's a must-bet at these odds on Thursday.

Houston Astros vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction and Pick

One of the easiest bets to make in baseball this season?

The other team when the Chicago White Sox are starting Chris Flexen.

Flexen hasn't been good at all in 2024, posting a 5.35 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP, but the worst part is that he's led the Sox to a 2-13 record in 15 outings. I have to take the Astros — who are a much better team — to win outright in this one.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies Prediction and Pick

Gavin Stone (3.01 ERA) has been great for the Dodgers this season, leading them to a 10-3 record in his 13 starts and holding all but two teams to three earned runs or less. He also has five innings of shutout ball against these Rockies under his belt already in 2024.

I love the Dodgers' offense to tee off on Ty Blach, who has a 4.65 ERA and a dreadful 1.41 WHIP in 2024.

Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics Prediction and Pick

Seth Lugo has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball, posting a 2.40 ERA and leading his Royals to a 10-5 record in his 15 starts.

The A's have won two in a row to snap an eight-game skid, but I'm not sold on them beating one of the American League's best arms so far this season.

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees Prediction and Pick

I'm all about Luis Gil, who pitched 6.1 innings of two-hit ball against the O's earlier this season, to get a win on Thursday.

The Yankees are 12-2 in Gil's starts, and I think they're well equipped to beat lefty Cole Irving (3.03 ERA, 3.41 FIP) in this game. Irvin has been solid in 2024, but his ERA has risen from 2.84 to 3.03 in three starts this month.

San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction and Pick

The Giants have struggled on the road in 2024, going 16-22 straight up, and I'm not sold on them picking up a win on Thursday with Keaton Winn (6.66 ERA) on the mound.

San Fran is just 3-8 in Winn's outings, and while the Cardinals are 3-10 in Andre Pallante's appearances, they're 2-2 in his four starts and he's lowered his ERA nearly two runs over his last two outings.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Diego Padres Prediction and Pick

The Milwaukee Brewers haven't gotten the best stuff from Bryse Wilson as of late, with his ERA rising from 2.40 to 3.84 since the start of May. However, I still think he has the advantage over youngster Adam Mazur, who has a 7.82 ERA in three outings in 2024.

The Padres ar 0-3 with Mazur on the mound, and I don't love backing them as favorites in that spot on Thursday.