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Tottenham have a few decisions to make on the futures of first-team players, with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, star defender Cristian Romero and other highly-rated prospects tied down to new contracts.

Tottenham extend deals of highly-rated stars in boost for Thomas Frank

Luca Williams-Barnett, Tynan Thompson, Dante Cassanova, George Abbott, Yusuf Akhamrich and Callum Olusesi are on the long list of exciting talents who’ve committed their futures to Spurs this year, while more senior players have joined them.

Mikey Moore, Djed Spence and Cristian Romero have also put to paper on fresh terms recently, and the latter comes as a particularly welcome boost for Thomas Frank after the Argentine attracted summer interest from Atlético and Real Madrid.

Most recently, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, whose deal was due to expire next summer, agreed to extend his stay in North London as well, coming amid his stellar partnership with summer signing Joao Palhinha in the engine room.

The Uruguay international, who’s made over 120 senior appearances since his move from Juventus, has been a key player for Frank so far, and the Dane is thrilled by Bentancur’s prolonged involvement at N17.

Reports suggest that Tottenham are also prepared to double Micky van de Ven’s wages in an effort to convince the Dutchman to sign a new deal of his own, coming as both Real Madrid and Chelsea express an interest.

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

8.08/10

Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

7.44/10

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

6.76/10

Tottenham 1-1 Wolves

6.72/10

Tottenham 0-1 Bournemouth

6.58/10

via WhoScored

However, despite their contracts expiring in under two years, the future is far more uncertain for both Yves Bissouma and Richarlison.

The former was left out of both Tottenham’s Super Cup squad and 22-man Champions League list, with Bissouma tipped to leave either in January or next summer once his terms run out at the end of the season.

Richarlison, meanwhile, has attracted some criticism for his inconsistent displays, with MLS side Orlando City already flying to London and holding talks over a potential transfer next year, even if he’s a “key player” for Spurs right now (Fabrizio Romano).

Richarlison has "already" held talks over Tottenham exit next year

This is backed up by former Tottenham employee and scout Mick Brown, who told Football Insider that Richarlison’s exit past the new year is a real possibility.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a major purple patch midway through Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge, but his 2024/2025 campaign was marred by injuries.

Richarlison also bagged a brace against Burnley on the opening Premier League weekend, including a phenomenal overhead kick, which was an early contender for goal of the season.

Before the Brazilian eventually departs, with all signs pointing towards a 2026 exit, he could still have a significant role to play, and certain sections of the media believe he’s actually quite “underrated”, as Micah Richards claimed in 2022.

Back in the summer of 2008, very few Tottenham Hotspur fans would have recognised the name of Luka Modrić as the club secured his signature from Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb.

The hierarchy forked out a reported £16m, with real hope and expectation on his shoulders to provide the goods in the midfield department in North London.

It’s safe to say his spell with the Lilywhites surpassed the expectations of everyone involved, with Modric going on to feature 156 times during his four years at the club.

However, his incredible displays in the Premier League attracted the attention of Real Madrid during the summer of 2012 – resulting in a £30m switch to the Santiago Bernabéu.

13 years on, the club are still searching for their next version of the Croatian superstar, with current boss Thomas Frank having two youngsters at his disposal who could reach such levels in the years ahead.

Spurs’ most impressive youngsters in 2025/26

Archie Gray may have cost the Spurs hierarchy a pretty penny at £40m, but it appears as though it’s an investment for the immediate and long-term future.

The 19-year-old has already racked up over 50 appearances for the Lilywhites, operating in various different positions such as right-back, centre-back, left-back and his natural central midfield role.

Given his tender age, he likely has a future ahead of him in North London, with Frank already having trust in the teenager to produce the goods – as seen by his start in the Champions League this week.

However, Gray isn’t the only youngster who’s already cemented himself within the new manager’s plans, with Lucas Bergvall thriving with valuable first-team minutes.

The Swede also arrived at the club last summer, with the Lilywhites hierarchy forking out a fee in the region of £8.5m for his signature from homeland club Djurgarden.

Many expected him to originally link up with the youth side, but he rapidly cemented his place in the first-team setup – registering a total of 57 appearances in the last 15 months.

He even netted his first Premier League goal earlier this campaign, scoring the superb 3-0 triumph over city rivals West Ham United at the London Stadium.

Despite showings of the aforementioned duo, one other player currently on their books could prove to be their perfect answer to former fan-favourite, Modric.

The Spurs star who could be their next Modric

As seen by the additions of Gray and Bergvall in recent years, the Spurs hierarchy have shifted their recruitment to land younger talents to decrease the age of the squad.

The current age of the first-team squad is 25.3, making Frank’s side one of the youngest in the division – but it’s not stopped them from making an excellent start to the new season.

His men currently sit in sixth position after eight outings and ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, just five points off pace setters and North London rivals, Arsenal.

However, their investment hasn’t stopped numerous academy talents from thriving and staking their claims for regular roles within the first-team.

Luca Williams-Barnett has already made his senior debut at the age of just 16, coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup triumph over Doncaster Rovers back in September.

Numerous of their impressive young talents are currently out on loan, with attacking midfielder Tyrese Hall gaining valuable first-team action at League Two side Notts County.

The 20-year-old has spent numerous years in the youth setup, but he’s taken his first leap into professional football with the Magpies in the 2025/26 season.

Games played

9

Goals & assists

5

Pass completion rate

81%

Chances created

1.2

Successful dribbles

1.9

Shots on target

1.2

Tackles won

3.4

Duels won

6.8

He’s wasted no time in impressing for Martin Patterson’s side, subsequently scoring five times and registering one assist across all competitions to date.

Hall has already netted three match-winning goals during his temporary stint in Nottingham – already cementing himself as a key member of the squad during their promotion push.

As a result of his impressive form in recent years, former Lilywhites star Jermaine Defoe has been singing his praises, claiming that he has a “Luka Modric sort of vibe” to his current playstyle.

Given the jump between League Two and the Premier League, it will certainly take time for the youngster to make his impression on Frank’s first-team squad.

However, his recent form is evidence that he has bags of talent within his game at present, with the midfielder having the chance to prove Defoe right in the coming years.

Better than Kudus: Paratici plots Spurs move for "one of the best" PL stars

Tottenham Hotspur are already drawing up potential targets for the upcoming January transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 24, 2025

Anderson claims two early wickets before visiting captain takes command for his side

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 23-Jun-2025

Ben Compton heaves the ball leg side•Luke Adams

Having watched Kent bat for nearly a day and a half to make 374, Lancashire produced a determined response in the long evening session at Blackpool to finish on 120 for one and leave this Rothesay County Championship match fairly evenly poised with two days left to play.Ben Compton’s 135 was the centrepiece of his side’s 374 but Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings put on 119 to give supporters a faint hope they might bat past the visitors’ score and give their bowlers a chance of forcing their team’s first Championship victory of the season on the final day.For their part, Kent’s supporters will have been encouraged by the departure of Jennings, who was lbw to Joey Evison for 49 three overs before the close, and by the help Jack Leaning extracted from this slow pitch, especially when bowling outside the two left-handers’ off stumps. It all suggests that this match between the bottom sides in Division Two could be set for a fascinating conclusion over the next two days.The morning began almost perfectly for Lancashire when James Anderson had both Leaning and Evison caught at short midwicket by Josh Bohannon inside his opening two overs.But having dismissed Leaning for four and Evison for a 12-ball nought, the home side enjoyed no further successes in the first session. Instead, Compton reached his fourth century of the season -and also his fourth against Lancashire – off 201 balls when he back cut Mitch Stanley to the rope.By lunch, the Kent skipper was unbeaten on 124 and Harry Finch was 28 not out. The pair had put on 60 for the sixth wicket and the second new ball, which was eleven overs old, was hitting the middle of their bats.That trend continued for the first 40 minutes of the afternoon session. But just at the point when it was tricky to see where Lancashire’s next wicket might come from, Anderson’s bowlers removed both batsmen, Finch, caught behind off Balderson for 52, and Compton, similarly snaffled by Hurst in the next over when nibbling at a ball from Green, for 135. The Kent skipper has batted 402 minutes, faced 296 balls and hit 15 fours and a six.Grant Stewart followed five overs later when his skier was caught at mid-off by Bohannon, whose third catch of the day also gave Mitch Stanley his maiden first-class wicket. Matt Parkinson perished to Wells’ leg spin for 11 but Wes Agar enlivened the play before tea by smashing three big sixes in his 41 before he was caught at long off by Stanley long-off Bailey.That wicket ended the Kent innings on 374 with the wickets spread among six bowlers. Balderson was the best and most successful with three for 54. Anderson took two for 51 and Green bagged two for 104 from 37 overs.Despite frequent appeals and a few near things Wells and Jennings batted with increasing confidence in the 38-over evening session, Wells reaching his fifty off 97 balls with seven fours and a six and finishing unbeaten on 57. Nightwatchman Tom Bailey was nought not out at the close

Ruben Amorim stood before Old Trafford at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and he declared that Manchester United would rise again after a wretched year for the club. His promise was couched in specific terms.

It felt genuine and rousing, but the frustrating start to the new campaign has done little to overturn the issues of last year, with United finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

One step forward, two steps back. However, there have been signs of improvement this season. Namely, much has been made of the Red Devils’ chance creation, underperforming right now in front of goal.

Man United

7

11.8

Man City

14

11.3

Crystal Palace

8

11.2

Brighton

9

10.3

Chelsea

11

9.9

Still, this points toward potential success in the final third, and perhaps vindicates Amorim’s decision to get rid of the controversial ‘bomb squad’.

Why Amorim got rid of the bomb squad

Amorim’s decision to axe a number of Man United players pushing for moves away was an understandable decision, but one which indeed came with more than a measure of notoriety.

Comprised by Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho, INEOS have succeeded in offloading, permanently or otherwise, 80% of that fodder, with recent news telling the story of Malacia’s reintegration into the United fold.

Amorim has been working tirelessly toward creating a new culture at the Theatre of Dreams, a hothouse for player development and success on the field. There have been a few bumps in the road to put it mildly, but he continues to work toward this goal.

The departure of Rashford, who has joined Barcelona on loan after falling out of favour under Amorim and spending a spell with Aston Villa last term, stings most of all. His United career has been punctuated with immense bursts of form, but also many frustrating moments.

Treble winner Teddy Sheringham even made the unflinching remark that the Three Lions man has earned “a step up that he hasn’t deserved”.

However, few could deny Rashford has earned his flowers across these opening months in Catalonia, two goals and five assists across nine matches in all competitions.

Likewise, Antony and Garnacho and Sancho won’t be remembered too fondly, with a mix of high salaries, high transfer fees and high expectations, leaving a bitter taste indeed.

Perhaps it’s an indication of the scale of the rebuild required at Man United that Amorim might need to turn a new variation of the bomb squad away. Indeed, there are a number of first-teamers who must be axed from the first team.

Man Utd's new bomb squad

Manchester United are still performing below expectations and below the ostensible level they are capable of. Signings such as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha spoke of a promising strategy from INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but there are still too many stragglers.

Some stars have been at the club for too long and need to be shipped out so as to reshape and redefine this team. There are three in particular, of a defensive persuasion, who cannot wear the Red Devil shirt this time next year. Having played a combined 760 appearances for the club, enough football has been played for a decision to have been made: they need to go.

Harry Maguire, at least, is out of contract at the end of the season, and so will likely be bid farewell and allowed to venture off for a new chapter. However, Luke Shaw is in the penultimate year of his contract, and he’s not pulling his weight.

Man United’s wage bill is a mountainous thing. Fourth in the standings is Maguire, whose £190k-per-week pay packet is possibly not an accurate reflection of his quality, of his role in the Old Trafford system.

Likewise, the £150k-per-week Shaw’s once-prodigious potential has been eroded by injuries, so many injuries. A shame, for he was once billed for greatness and has still played a solid part over the past decade, but the 30-year-old operates as a left-sided centre-back in Amorim’s system, and there’s an upgrade out there, for sure.

Then, at a lesser cost to the club, but still a sizeable drainage, is Diogo Dalot, who earns £85k per week and has had his ups and downs in Manchester, but is also at odds in Amorim’s set-up.

The Portuguese international’s contract expires in 2028, but given that he is only 26 years old, there are surely suitors out there who would pay to take him off INEOS’s hands. Last season, YouTuber AliceTalksFooty claimed the full-back had “fallen off a cliff”, so poor was his form.

As Amorim continues to piece together a fluent and sustainable system at Man United, perhaps it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to get rid of these defenders, all long-serving stars and all epicentral to the turmoil at the club.

These defenders, moreover, make up about 14% of Man United’s towering wage structure, a total of £425k per week, and that’s a sizeable amount which could be applied to new additions, strengthening key areas and shrewdly bringing over more defensive additions for cheaper fees and on lesser salaries, as is Racliffe and technical director Jason Wilcox’s objective.

While Rashford, Garnacho and co are all talented players, Amorim is ultimately the one in charge, and he felt that cutting out deadwood who weren’t fully committed to the cause was for the greater good of his United team.

Maybe the scale is that much larger, and maybe more change is needed if Manchester United are finally going to stop the rot.

Not just Hojlund: Man Utd must rue selling a CF who's outperforming Mbeumo

Manchester United may have made a mistake in allowing one former player to depart Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 3, 2025

In an attempt to solve one of their biggest problems, Manchester United are now reportedly willing to submit a big-money offer to sign a Real Madrid star in 2026.

Ruben Amorim sack update

Having been handed the benefit of the doubt last season, Ruben Amorim simply had to get off to a good start in the current campaign. After just one win in four Premier League games and a shock Carabao Cup defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town, however, time is running out for the former Sporting Club boss to save his job at Old Trafford.

Reports are now suggesting that he has just three games to turn things around and keep hold of his position. That would mean that this weekend’s clash against rivals Chelsea, next weekend’s trip to face Brentford and then the visit of Sunderland are all must-not-lose games for the Red Devils. Failure to avoid defeat, especially against Brentford and Sunderland, may leave INEOS with no choice but to bid farewell to Amorim.

Whether those reports spark a change in system at Man United is the big question. Amorim was adamant once again last weekend that the problem is not with the system and when asked whether he would change it, he told reporters: “I’m not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.”

It's not Hojlund: Man Utd let "incredible" Sesko upgrade go for just £16m

Manchester United may now be regretting letting go of one former star who’s better than Benjamin Sesko.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 18, 2025

The solution could, instead, be to bolster his system with further reinforcements, with transfer reports already indicating the big-money target that Man United have set their sights on for 2026.

Man Utd willing to bid £87m for Valverde

According to reports in Spain, Man United and INEOS are now willing to submit an offer to sign Federico Valverde from Real Madrid worth as much as €100m (£87m) in 2026.

The impressive midfielder would be an instant upgrade on Manuel Ugarte and would finally provide Amorim with the technician that he needs to make his double pivot work. Whether the Real Madrid star decides to ditch the Spanish giants for a side in turmoil remains to be seen, however.

Minutes

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1,785

Progressive Passes P90

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3.08

Goals

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1

Ball Recoveries P90

5.16

6.16

When compared, it’s Valverde’s passing ability and knack for goals that stands out, whilst Ugarte’s struggles to do the same represent why his Man United career is yet to take off.

In the Real Madrid man, United would be signing one of the best midfielders that European football has to offer and those in Spain have been well aware of that for some time.

Full of praise for Valverde, former Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “I make the decisions, but the player is always available. He never asks for anything. That is his strength, and that’s why I believe he’s arguably the most complete player in football. He could even play as a center-back without any problem.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras terá uma rodada de concorrência no ano que vem para definir a empresa responsável pelo patrocínio máster do futebol masculino. O contrato da Crefisa/FAM, empresa que é de propriedade da presidente palmeirense Leila Pereira, se encerra no fim da próxima temporada, mesmo período em que também termina o mandato de Leila – com possibilidade de reeleição até 2027.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

O Lance! entrou em contato direto com a mandatária do clube alviverde, que confirmou a informação.

Segundo ela, a ideia é levar ao Conselho Deliberativo possíveis empresas interessadas em patrocinar o Verdão e que esses conselheiros decidam o melhor contrato para se firmar a partir de 2025.

O vínculo atual da Crefisa/FAM com o Palmeiras é de R$ 81 milhões fixos, podendo chegar a R$ 120 milhões em premiações referentes a bons resultados e conquistas de títulos no futebol masculino. Esse acordo foi firmado em agosto de 2022, quando Maurício Galiotte ainda estava à frente da presidência palmeirense. Leila Pereira, por sua vez, já era candidata, em pleito que venceria em dezembro daquele ano.

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A presidente do Palmeiras também abriu mão da exclusividade na exposição das marcas no futebol feminino, o que rendeu mais R$ 14 milhões ao clube palestrino, com os acordos firmados com a Allianz, Betfair e Cimed.

+ Pressionado por vitória, Abel Ferreira completa 200 jogos no comando do Palmeiras

No clube social, Leila Pereira disse ao Lance! que assumirá o compromisso de reformar as piscinas usando recursos próprios.

– (A reforma) deve ficar em torno de R$ 20 milhões. Vou cumprir a promessa que eu fiz aos associados – afirmou a mandatária palestrina.

A relação entre Leila Pereira e Palmeiras começou em 2015, quando o primeiro acordo de patrocínio da Crefisa com o clube alviverde foi firmado, ainda na gestão do ex-presidente Paulo Nobre. Durante o período, Leila ganhou espaço no cenário político do clube, se tornando conselheira, assim como o seu marido José Roberto Lamacchia, e, posteriormente, presidente da instituição.

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يلتقي منتخب الجزائر مع نظيره أوغندا، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات المباراة الختامية من عمر التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

منتخب الجزائر يلاقي أوغندا، ضمن مواجهات الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة، من عمر منافسات المجموعة السابعة لـ تصفيات كأس العالم.

منتخب الجزائر، حسم التأهل بشكل رسمي إلى بطولة كأس العالم، للمرة السادسة في تاريخ محاربي الصحراء، بعد الفوز في الجولة التاسعة على الصومال 3-0.

ويتواجد منتخب الجزائر في المجموعة السابعة من تصفيات كأس العالم، بجانب منتخبات الصومال وأوغندا وموزمبيق وبوتسوانا وغينيا.

ويتصدر منتخب الجزائر، ترتيب المجموعة من تصفيات كأس العالم، برصيد 22 نقطة، حيث فاز في 7 مباريات وتعادل في واحدة وخسر في لقاء.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة الجزائر في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

بينما منتخب أوغندا، يتواجد في المركز الثاني في ترتيب المجموعة ذاتها، برصيد 18 نقطة، يأمل في الفوز لضمان تواجده في المحلق القاري للتأهل إلى كأس العالم. موعد مباراة الجزائر وأوغندا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

تقام مباراة الجزائر وأوغندا، اليوم الثلاثاء 14 أكتوبر، إذ تنطلق المواجهة في تمام الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، 5 بتوقيت الجزائر. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الجزائر وأوغندا اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

تنقل مباراة الجزائر وأوغندا، عبر قناة الجزائرية المفتوحة على النايل سات، بالإضافة إلي منصة شاهد.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

In Multan, WI knew they had to get their runs before the ball with their name on it came and they did that

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jan-2025

Kraigg Brathwaite gave West Indies a positive start in their second innings•AFP/Getty Images

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said that batters had to be brave and trust their plans to succeed on the difficult pitches in Multan, after they won the second of two Tests to level the series and also create a little bit of history. This 120-run victory was their first in Pakistan for 34 years.Brathwaite led by example. After being part of a collapse that left West Indies 38 for 7 in the first innings, he chose a far more aggressive approach in the second. In fact, he made his fastest fifty in Tests, consciously taking chances against the Pakistan spinners. This approach earned West Indies a lead of 254 and it proved plenty more than enough.”Both Test matches the pitch was tough to bat on and we knew that so as I said I just wanted us to be brave, to do whatever plans we have, to go there and execute them as good as possible, because regardless of what there will be a ball with your with your name on it on this pitch,” Brathwaite told reporters after the second Test in Multan on Monday.Related

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Warrican dominates a series made for spinners in Multan

“I mean it was a difficult pitch to bat on so it was good to see the confidence we went about doing it and you know as I said very proud of this team.”It was just for the batsmen to be brave you know. I mean as batsmen, as I said everyone’s going to have their plans. Be brave in whatever you want to do as batsmen,” Brathwaite said about West Indies’ strategy. “Bowling wise bring forward the batsmen as much as possible and there will be 20 balls that you will get 20 wickets because as I said the pitch is a difficult pitch so there’s no second guessing.Brathwaite maintained that the pitch was “very, very difficult” but had no complaints about PCB preparing spinning tracks.”I would say Pakistan could prepare the pitch how they want. What I’ll say is batsman will not be averaging high on these pitches. You would average 15-20 and obviously the spinners will do well. and as I said it’s a difficult Test pitch to score runs. You’re going to get out regardless, it’s just a matter of when. So you know as batters we had to come up with a plan of how we want to score and put runs on the board.”Jomel Warrican finished the series as the leading wicket-taker•AFP/Getty Images

Brathwaite also heaped praise on Jomel Warrican. The left-arm spinner finished the series with 19 wickets – the most by a visiting bowler in a two-Test series in Pakistan.”Jomel was outstanding. To see how he went about his bowling and the pressure he built from from ball one, I mean it was amazing,” Brathwaite said.Warrican also put in a crucial contribution with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 36 in the first innings, with his 68-run stand for the last wicket with Gudakesh Motie key in reviving West Indies from being 38 for 7 after they won the toss and chose to bat.”With the bat you can’t count him out, I think he did a fantastic job with the bat as well. But bowling wise I know he’s worked hard over the years. He’s been in and out of the team but it’s good to see him get the chance and he grabbed it. very very proud of him uh he was outstanding.”West Indies’ triumph in Multan came almost exactly a year after Gabba 2024, and Brathwaite said it showed their ability to adapt to different conditions.”It’s a very important win for us it just shows that we can get it done in any conditions once we believe and always have a plan,” he said. “It’s right up there with some amazing Test wins because coming here, playing here in Pakistan, it’s never easy to win a test match you know so coming up with a win is fantastic.”

Roughly 20 days after the women’s team won the T20 World Cup, and about a week after the men’s Test team completed a whitewash of India at home, New Zealand’s cricketers continue to do the near-impossible.On this occasion they defended 108 all out on a tricky – but far from unplayable – Dambulla surface. Lockie Ferguson bowled only two overs before having to leave the field because of a calf injury, but he claimed a hat-trick to rip out Sri Lanka’s top order, as he collected figures of 3 for 7.As has often been the case on this long South Asian sojourn, Glenn Phillips was vital to New Zealand’s victory too. He’d been out for 4 off 9, but took three wickets in the final over – which he had only had to bowl because of Ferguson’s absence. The most prized of those wickets was that of Pathum Nissanka, who had been Sri Lanka’s backbone, making 52 off 50, until he tried to smash Phillips over long-on, but could not clear the fielder.He was the last recognised batter to be dismissed, however. Zakary Foulkes, Mitchell Santner, and Michael Bracewell had all been effective in keeping Sri Lanka on a leash, as they squeezed wickets out of the batters’ frustrations. New Zealand have never defended a lower total in T20Is. Only twice have Full Members failed to finish off a chase of such modest proportions. (Zim vs Nam in 2023 and WI vs Zim in 2010)Sri Lanka would have thought themselves almost certain to win, when they earlier had the opposition 52 for 6 in the 11th over. But New Zealand cobbled together what looked an unimpressive total between Will Young’s 30, Santner’s 19, and Josh Clarkson’s 24. All of those innings came at less than a run-a-ball.This result ties the series 1-1, Sri Lanka having eased to victory on Saturday.

Ferguson takes out 3, 4, and 5

Although Ferguson only bowled half his overs (he’d only just recovered from a right hamstring complaint to make it into this XI), he essentially broke the game open in overs six and eight. Having allowed only three singles off his first five balls, he delivered a spectacular, swinging almost-yorker just on off stump, to take Kusal Perera’s outside edge, nicely caught by a diving Mitchell Hay.Next over, he nailed Kamindu Mendis in front of the stumps with a rapid yorker the batter was way to late on, and for his hat-trick wicket got a little luck. He pushed the ball – another attempted yorker – to Charith Asalanka a little far down leg. But Asalanka, in good form, got a little edge to that ball, which Hay received, low to the ground.Sri Lanka, suddenly were 34 for 4.Wanindu Hasaranga picked up four wickets while playing through an injury•AFP/Getty Images

Phillips puts in a death-bowling shift

With Ferguson unavailable through the back end of the innings, and Santner choosing to keep the pressure on Sri Lanka by bowling his frontliners relatively early, it fell to Phillips to bowl the big-pressure final over.Sri Lanka needed eight from it, which is not a huge amount when you have a top-order player batting on a half-century at the crease. Phillips found a way.When Nissanka got on strike for the second ball, he went down low and tried to slog-sweep it, only to find the long-on fielder. Next ball, Phillips slid a ball past the outside edge of Matheesha Pathirana, who stumbled forward, and was duly stumped.Sri Lanka could have still won – or at least tied – the game going into the final two deliveries. Maheesh Theekshana, who can occasionally produce boundaries, was on strike. But Phillips bowled bravely, slowing up a big offbreak outside off, with a little extra top spin. Theekshana swung, and only got a top edge, that Hay tracked down with his gloves to spark New Zealand jubilation.

Hasaranga bosses the first innings on one leg

It was clear there was big turn on this track from the outset. On top of which, Wanindu Hasaranga was in especially devastating touch. First ball, he bowled Phillips attempting what may have been a pre-meditated reverse slap. It was the googly that did that damage. Later in the over, he ripped a big legbreak, bowled slow through the air, beat Bracewell’s outside edge and took the top of his offstump – a classical legspinner’s dismissal.Hay was dismissed similarly next over, before getting Young overbalanced attempting a sweep, with Kusal Mendis collecting the ball down the leg side and flinging down the stumps while Young was out of the crease – an especially sharp piece of wicketkeeping after Mendis had been struck on the knee the previous over.That Wanindu did all this with a leg injury he’d picked up early in the game, made it even more impressive. He was hobbling through many of his deliveries.

Ben Manenti has masterminded a 4 for 7 collapse to spin South Australia into a strong position at the halfway stage of their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at Adelaide Oval.The offspinner was the central figure behind the visitors’ 45-delivery collapse from 59 for 0 to 66 for 4 in the middle session, before wicketkeeper Sam Harper saved his side from embarrassment, joined in the middle late in the evening by Peter Siddle.Related

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Manenti had Jonathan Merlo caught at backward square leg by Lloyd Pope, before bowling Ashley Chandrasinghe, then taking a sharp catch at second slip to dismiss Campbell Kellaway. Manenti dismissed Peter Handscomb, squeezing a catch to Henry Hunt at short leg, and added Tom Rogers to his list, miscuing a pull shot to Pope at backward point.Victoria captain Will Sutherland feathered a catch to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, as did Mitchell Perry, Liam Scott striking immediately with the second new ball.Harper, who has looked in decent touch, remained the key scalp for SA.In the corresponding fixture last summer, Harper thumped nine sixes in an astonishing 151 off 109 balls to lead Victoria to a thrilling, low-scoring victory.”We’ve still got to get these last three wickets,” Manenti said after stumps on Saturday. “Harps is batting nicely and Sids has been around for years – he can obviously chip in as well.”Get these last three, then get to work with the bat and give ourselves a real good shot tomorrow afternoon or early day four to have a crack and put ourselves in a position to win it.”After resuming at 286 for 9 overnight, SA’s stubborn tail frustrated the Victorian attack on the second morning before their innings concluded when No.11 Pope, who scored a personal-best 17, edged Cameron McClure to Harper.Evergreen ex-Test quick Siddle, who turns 40 this month, was the pick of Victoria’s bowlers, capturing 3 for 57.