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Dele Alli is being backed to make a sensational return to Tottenham despite suffering a "big dip" in his career by former Spurs ace Clive Allen.

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Dele currently in Italy with ComoWaiting to make debutTipped for future return to TottenhamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dele is currently with Serie A side Como and is aiming to get his career back on track in Italy after an injury-ravaged time in the Premier League with Everton. The 28-year-old is yet to make his debut for Cesc Fabregas's side but has been on the bench for the team's last two matches and is expected to make his first appearance for the club before the end of the current campaign.

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Dele has signed an 18-month contract with Como, with an option for another campaign dependent on appearances. It remains to be seen if he will remain in Italy after his contract ends or head back to England. Former Tottenham striker Allen feels that there may be a role for Dele at Tottenham in the future, even if it's not on the pitch.

WHAT ALLEN SAID

He told : "Maybe that [a return to Tottenham] could be possible. Every football supporter will be wishing him well at Como. He’s had a big dip, which can happen. The fact that he’s bouncing back and getting back into the game, let’s hope he can do it. Maybe one day he can get back up to the level we know. A role at Tottenham maybe. I’m not sure if he’s a coach or a possible manager, an academy coach to give knowledge to young people. He may look at educating young players around depression and avoiding certain situations.“

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Getty Images EntertainmentWHAT NEXT FOR DELE

Dele will be hoping to be in the squad once again on Saturday when Como take on AC Milan in Serie A. Fabregas' team are currently 13th in the table, and a win against the Rossoneri would leave them with an outside chance of securing a top-half finish.

Todd Greenberg, the ACA chief executive, said players were aware how important it was to keep the game going

Alex Malcolm28-Feb-2022The Australian Cricketers’ Association is hopeful the key parts of a new pay deal between the players and Cricket Australia could be resolved in the coming months with chief executive Todd Greenberg vowing that there will be no repeat of the ugly dispute that unfolded when the last deal was struck in 2017.Discussions on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been ongoing between Greenberg and CA chief executive Nick Hockley with the pair currently in Pakistan together on tour with the Australian men’s team for the first Test in Rawalpindi.They have been speaking regularly since coming into their respective posts in 2021 in a bid to form a stronger bond than the almost non-existent relationship between predecessors James Sutherland and Alistair Nicholson back in 2017 when an ugly 10-month pay dispute led to the players being unemployed for 34 days and an Australia A tour being cancelled before a resolution was found.”I’d be surprised if we haven’t got something resolved in the coming months,” Greenberg told ESPNcricinfo. “First and foremost, we don’t anticipate having any of the MoU discussions conducted in the same manner that it was way back in 2017. I think a lot of that has changed.”Cricket Australia have recognised the revenue share model and the importance of that for cricket. The game has continued to grow during this period of time, and I think despite the difficulties of the Covid pandemic, what it has demonstrated is there is a really strong alignment of partnering between the game and the players because there’s a real need for each other to be aligned on that. So the model works. Effectively if games aren’t being played, revenue is not being earned.”We’ve made some good progress already on the MoU discussions. Nick and I have been leading those on behalf of our respective teams. And I’m hopeful we can come to an agreement in a relatively short space of time, which will see both the players and Cricket Australia in a really strong position to come out of the pandemic.”Bubbles have been a strain on finances and the players•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesGreenberg was pleased he had been able to forge a relationship with Hockley over the last year to create a greater dialogue between the ACA and CA on a range of issues.”We’ve spent a lot of time together,” Greenberg said. “And I’m pleased that we are spending time together because it’s really important when we said we can talk about different issues in the game and I can certainly give him perspectives on behalf of the players both male and females.”That relationship is really strong. I came into this role knowing the history of the last MoU and the difficulties that the game faced, and I was pretty determined to try to repair some bridges and try to mend some of those relationships. And so Nick and I both being new in our roles have an opportunity to do that.”The new MoU is one of a number of key issues for Cricket Australia to resolve in the coming months. New CA chairman Lachlan Henderson outlined a new cricket strategy with refreshing the BBL at the top of the agenda, particularly with a new TV broadcast rights deal set to be negotiated in 2024, after the new MoU is already in place.Covid has also affected CA’s bottom line with Henderson revealing the administration had spent $40 million on biosecurity over the past two seasons, money it needs to recoup.The players are hopeful the bio-bubbles will not be required next summer after two years of playing in such environments both home and abroad.”We’re really hopeful that we can return to some level of normality next summer by the time that rolls around,” Greenberg said. “But it’s certainly not lost on me and it shouldn’t be lost on the fans that the players have made enormous sacrifices to keep the game underway.”The players have made it very clear to me that at any point in time, the most important thing for them is to continue to play cricket and if you go back over the last 24 months the sacrifices players have made to be away from families to be in isolated environments, some of the sacrifices from players from Western Australia who have literally not been home since the middle of last year is nothing short of phenomenal.”They know that they’ve got a huge responsibility to do that, a responsibility to keep the show on the road but a responsibility to play cricket so that the revenues are still coming into the game. Because the revenues are there to generate grassroots participation and to keep the game flowing from top to bottom.”

Former United States men’s national team captain Michael Bradley has been appointed head coach of the New York Red Bulls, the club announced Monday. The 38-year-old New Jersey native steps into the first-team role just six months into his professional coaching career, after leading New York Red Bulls II to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro championship.

Returns to club where playing career began

Bradley's appointment represents a homecoming for the Princeton, New Jersey-born midfielder, who began his professional career with the franchise – then known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars – in 2004 under his father, Bob Bradley. His playing journey would later take him to six clubs across five countries during a decorated 19-year career that included an MLS Cup title with Toronto FC and a Coppa Italia triumph with AS Roma.

The former midfielder, who earned 151 caps for the United States national team (third-most in program history), transitioned to coaching shortly after retiring as a player in 2023.

“I am excited for the opportunity to be Head Coach of the club that I started my professional career with and also in the state that I call home,” Bradley said in the press release.

AdvertisementGettyMeteoric coaching rise

Bradley’s promotion follows a highly successful stint with New York Red Bulls II, where he took charge of the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side midway through 2025. In his first professional head coaching role, the former U.S. men’s national team captain guided RBNY II to the MLS NEXT Pro championship, earning praise for his leadership, tactical clarity, and ability to connect with younger players.

“Michael had an exceptional playing career and has demonstrated a bright future in coaching, especially after leading our Red Bull New York II to the MLS NEXT Pro Cup this past season,” De Guzman said in the press release.

“He leads with calm confidence and has a great way of connecting with people. We are excited for Michael to bring his philosophy to our first team and continue to lead our club towards success.”

A reset after a disappointing season

Bradley replaces former Red Bulls manager Sandro Schwarz, who departed in October after Red Bull New York failed to qualify for the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The missed postseason ended the club’s league-record streak of 15 consecutive playoff appearances, a year removed from reaching the MLS Cup Final.

The coaching change was part of a broader reset. Head of sport Jochen Schneider also exited the club and was replaced by Julian de Guzman, signaling a new leadership structure aimed at restoring Red Bull New York’s identity and competitiveness.

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Getty Images SportPressure and expectation from Day 1

At 38, Bradley steps into the role with minimal margin for error. Red Bull New York are one of MLS’s most consistent regular-season performers historically, and expectations remain high despite last year’s setback.

Tottenham Hotspur have seen almost everything go their way this season, enjoying a near-faultless start to the new Premier League term, with everyone from within the squad pulling their weight.

Therefore, to see anyone struck down with injury would mark a major blow. Even Manor Solomon, who was enlisted on a shrewd free transfer in the summer has contributed heavily, and could now be a major miss for Ange Postecoglou.

How long is Manor Solomon injured for?

Although the Israeli wide man has only enjoyed two starts in the league thus far, his creativity and dynamic play style has proven effective from the bench on more than one occasion, resulting in the two assists he has provided across five games, via Sofascore.

The 24-year-old seemed poised to enjoy a standout year in north London as a backup pushing for a starting spot, until news broke this week confirming the Lilywhites' worst fears.

Journalist Paul O'Keefe would take to Twitter and issue a devastating update: "Manor Solomon has suffered an MCL injury and faces potentially 2-3 months out."

Such a blow adds to the ever-growing list of casualties for the campaign, with Ivan Perisic likely to be ruled out for the bulk of the term, whilst Rodrigo Bentancur and Ryan Sessegnon are both fighting for a November return. Even the likes of Brennan Johnson and Giovani Lo Celso have been ruled out more recently.

Who could replace Manor Solomon?

In Bryan Gil, who will hopefully be hopping off the treatment table soon, they may have a readymade replacement for their freshly injured star.

Although the young Spaniard has endured a tough period in England since making his switch in 2021, there will arguably be no better time for him to reignite a once-promising career, under Postecoglou's revolutionary leadership.

After all, the likes of Pedro Porro, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison have all overcome hardships to become important members of the squad once again this season, with Gil set to be the latest.

Especially given that there have been glimpses of his immense potential, with the 22-year-old briefly shining last term under Antonio Conte.

Having been handed a start as they travelled to Crystal Palace back in January, his Italian manager was effusive in his praise after the 22-year-old recorded an assist in their 4-0 rout: "We are talking about a player who was born to play football.

"He understands football quickly. He’s so clever, so intelligent to understand the situation. This league is difficult because you have to be good in quality and be fast and to have good endurance, and he has this type of quality." Journalist Rob Guest would supplement this notion back in 2021, highlighting the "magic" of the Spanish U21 international.

The £40k-per-week wizard had begun to justify the Italian's claim back during the 2020/21 season, as he scored four and assisted three as a teenager, lighting up La Liga, via Sofascore.

Although chances have been stuttered, perhaps now the Australian manager could seek to use this as an opportunity to instead hand Gil some much-needed minutes over someone like Dejan Kulusevski, who whilst also impressing is perhaps better suited to his right-wing role.

The Swedish trickster could actually form a fine creative partnership with the former Sevilla star, as the two seek to rally together and combine in an effort to continue Heung-min Son's blistering goalscoring start to the new term, and offset Solomon's absence.

It is not clear why Amir’s visa was issued later than the rest of the squad’s, but his arrival will no doubt boost an inexperienced pace attack

Osman Samiuddin24-Apr-2018Pakistan will not have to wait long to be reunited with Mohammad Amir, after the fast bowler’s UK visa was issued on Tuesday. The PCB confirmed that Amir will fly out to join the rest of the squad – who flew earlier this week – on Wednesday morning. That should place him in contention to play Pakistan’s first game on the tour, a four-day game against Kent in Canterbury that starts on April 28.It is not clear why Amir’s visa was issued later than the rest of the squad’s. Speculation centred on an application he has made for a longer-term UK visa, on the basis that he is married to a British citizen, but that was denied by the PCB.He faced a similar delay when Pakistan toured England in 2016, and the PCB had to ultimately engage the ECB for support in the process. It could be linked to the time Amir spent in jail in the UK after he admitted his guilt in the spot-fixing scandal on the 2010 tour.His arrival will be a boost to Pakistan and especially to a relatively inexperienced pace attack. Even though he has played just 30 Tests, he is by far the most experienced of the four specialist fast bowlers in the squad. Rahat Ali, who is returning after a spell out of the Test side, is the next most-experienced with only 20 Tests.Mohammad Abbas, who has made an impressive start to his Test career and is already playing county cricket for Leicestershire, has played just five Tests while Hasan Ali has just two.

Boyd Rankin snuffs out four wickets in tight chase to put an end to Scotland’s unbeaten run in the tournament

The Report by Liam Brickhill in Harare18-Mar-2018Ireland kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 25-run victory over Scotland at Harare Sports Club. They still have an outside chance of making the final if they win their final match against Afghanistan. Should Scotland and Zimbabwe both win their next games, however, the efforts of Andy Balbirnie, in particular, may have been in vain.Put in by Scotland under grey, leaden skies, Ireland were carried to 271 for 9 by Balbirnie, who shared in a 138-run partnership with Niall O’Brien and went on to register his second one-day international century.On a pitch that offered decent pace and bounce and played true throughout the day, Scotland had every chance of chasing down the runs, especially during Kyle Coetzer’s early assault. Coetzer was particularly severe on Boyd Rankin, but the Irish seamer overcame a difficult start to take 4 for 63, securing the victory as the clouds parted and the ground was bathed in afternoon sunshine.Ireland’s day had begun in rather more overcast conditions, and in the knowledge that they had to win this game to keep their qualifying campaign alive. Balbirnie has opened the batting for Ireland before, and was virtually an opener today as Paul Stirling fell to Brad Wheal’s pace, through a bat-pad caught and bowled, in the very first over.He started nervously, playing and missing at a Safyaan Sharif outswinger, but also enjoyed the good fortune of a reprieve from Umpire Paul Wilson when it appeared Wheal had trapped him plumb in front with one that hooped in.Overcoming the early wobble, Balbirnie began to find increasingly fluency through the off side, moving into the 30s with silken boundaries past point in consecutive overs. With Porterfield chopping Wheal on to give the Scotland quick his second scalp in his opening spell, Balbirnie forged an association with O’Brien, their contrasting styles complementing each other. O’Brien was quick to turn the strike over, while Balbirnie soaked up pressure and brought up a 78-ball fifty in the 22nd over.While the pitch generally played true, there were spells during which it was very difficult to get Scotland’s spinners away. Here, O’Brien’s contribution was especially vital, and he collected swept boundaries off Michael Leask and Calum MacLeod’s offspin to keep Ireland’s run rate above four. He brought up his own fifty in the 32nd over, belting his sixth boundary down the ground to reach the mark at close to a run a ball.The pair collected nine boundaries between the 30th and 37th overs, stretching their partnership to 138 (equalling the Irish record for the third wicket), before a confused, stop-start attempt at a single allowed Craig Wallace to run O’Brien out for 70.One O’Brien then replaced another, and Kevin was quickly into his stride, lifting massive legside sixes off Wheal and Leask. Balbirnie reached his hundred – the second of his ODI career, and his second this year after his ton against UAE in January – in the 43rd over. The innings was an important one for the team, and for the man: his previous scores in the tournament were 7, 9, 7 and 2.With two set batsmen at the crease, Ireland might have had eyes on a total close to 300, but Scotland’s quicks returned to stall their charge. Balbirnie and O’Brien fell in consecutive overs, and after they were gone the lower order struggled to reach the boundary. In the last 10 overs, Ireland managed just 68, losing six wickets for 30 in the last five.That finish seemed to shift the momentum Scotland’s way, and it stayed with them even after Tim Murtagh’s three maidens in his opening spell, and his early dismissal of Matthew Cross, thanks mainly to Coetzer’s efforts. The Scotland captain has had a consistent tournament with the bat, registering scores of 2, 41*, 88*, 39 and 43 before today, and once again he got the innings off to a quick start.Coetzer was particularly severe on Rankin, swiping three fours off his first over, and then three in a row in his second, striking the ball with ferocious power through – or over – the off side. To make matters worse, Rankin then dropped Coetzer at third man, an extremely difficult chance as the ball dipped well in front of him.Coetzer ran to a 49-ball fifty in the 18th over, and though wickets had fallen at the other end, while he remained, Scotland seemed to have the chase under control. But in the 24th over, Rankin returned to devastating effect, quickly derailing Scotland with pace and bounce as he took three wickets in 11 balls.First to go was Coetzer, bowled by one that nipped back. A flat-footed George Munsey then presented a regulation catch to the wicketkeeper, and Craig Wallace tapped back a simple caught and bowled chance to a short one that followed him. Richie Berrington and Sharif briefly rallied to put on 55 for the seventh wicket, but when Berrington was bowled swinging across the line at Murtagh for 44, Ireland took control.They never lost it, even as Wheal and Mark Watt refused to surrender with a daring tenth wicket partnership that included five fours and two sixes. Fittingly, it was Rankin who snared the final scalp, Niall O’Brien flying to his right to hold a thick edge off Wheal’s bat.

West Bromwich Albion return to action in the Championship after the first international break of the season as they travel away to face Bristol City this afternoon.

What was West Brom's last result?

The Baggies head into the match today off the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield at The Hawthorns at the start of this month.

Jack Rudoni scored a 96th-minute winner for the away side, after John Swift had equalised for Carlos Corberan's men, to secure all three points for Neil Warnock.

West Brom are currently sat 11th in the Championship table with two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their first five matches of the campaign, and now have a chance to move up the division with a win against the Robins.

Will Grady Diangana start against Bristol City?

In order to improve the club's chances of coming away with all three points today, Corberan should ruthlessly ditch Matt Phillips in favour of Grady Diangana out wide.

The former Blackpool star lined up on the left flank against Huddersfield before the international break and produced a disappointing performance, which could open the door for the ex-West Ham man to come in.

Diangana is a skilful forward who could split open the opposition's defence and provide a moment of brilliance that could win West Brom the game. Journalist Graeme Brown once claimed that he was the only player within the squad who has the "potential for magic" at the top end of the pitch.

The £25k-per-week wizard has only played 13 minutes of Championship football, which came off the bench against the Terriers, but showed signs of promise with four goals and six 'big chances' created in 21 league starts last season.

Phillips, on the other hand, scored two goals and created three 'big chances' for his teammates in 25 second division outings during the 2022/23 campaign.

The 32-year-old has scored once and created zero 'big chances' in five Championship starts so far this season and struggled against Huddersfield.

As per Sofascore, Phillips created one chance and completed one dribble in 90 minutes of action at The Hawthorns, whilst he also failed to produce any shots on target.

Whereas, Diangana created a 'big chance' and completed one dribble in just 13 minutes off the bench for the Baggies, as per Sofascore, which suggests that he had a greater impact in far fewer minutes.

The former England U21 international, who produced eight goals and six assists in 23 league starts throughout the 2019/20 campaign, appears to be more likely than Phillips to make something happen at the top end of the pitch.

When you compare their respective form since the start of last season at Championship level, Diangana stands out as the best option for Corberan on the flank in regards to offering a threat as a scorer or creator in the final third against the Robins this afternoon.

Therefore, the former Leeds United assistant must ruthlessly drop Phillips for the first time this term and finally unleash the ex-West Ham starlet from the start to allow him to showcase his talent.

Leeds United exploded into life late on in the window, as they scrambled to put together a side capable of catapulting them up the table…

Who did Leeds United sign?

The Whites spent a strange summer putting business together, with Daniel Farke likely enduring a far tougher process than he expected when he first took over the recently relegated club.

Overseeing the departure of various first-team stars due to the arrogance of the previous regime, he was forced to work within their new financial restraints whilst also finding enough quality to sustain a push for promotion.

Given the quality he eventually welcomed, the German managed an admirable job.

However, reports from Wednesday suggested that things could have got even better, with journalist Tom Collomosse taking to Twitter to issue an update on their pursuit of then Leicester City left-back Luke Thomas.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Despite tabling a bid, it was Sheffield United who won the race, with the Foxes reason for snubbing Leeds outlined by Ben Jacobs: "Leeds also tried, but Leicester didn't want to send Thomas to a Championship rival."

How good is Luke Thomas?

Although he perhaps would have been an unassuming signing, especially given the excitement that Djed Spence's arrival brought on the opposite flank, the 22-year-old defender may well have actually proven to be one of their most important acquisitions given the solidity his presence would have immediately offered.

Not only would it have allowed the on-loan Tottenham Hotspur ace to shine, with his patented dynamism down the right, but the winger ahead of him could have soared to new heights given the freedom Thomas provides.

Therefore, to sign the young Foxes ace would have helped the new manager to truly unleash Luis Sinisterra on the Championship, had he not agreed to a late loan move on transfer deadline day to Bournemouth.

After all, whilst the Colombian has struggled with injuries after joining last summer, when fit he has remained a constant threat, able to both terrorise defenders with his quick feet, as well as find the net with relative regularity.

Before making his move to Elland Road, he had recorded 37 goal contributions across all competitions in the Netherlands, failing to translate that form into England.

Although, seven goals and one assist across 22 appearances for a side that would eventually fall to the drop did mark an admirable return, it is one that is set to be comfortably surpassed this season.

With one goal in just two league matches already this season, his 7.40 average rating across those fixtures bode well for the remainder of the year before joining the Cherries. This is a figure buoyed by his unrelenting creativity, as alongside his 91% pass accuracy he is also maintaining 2.5 successful dribbles, two key passes and five ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

What was most exciting about Thomas' potential move was that the latter figure would have been able to decrease massively in order to boost the other offensive numbers. He would have offered the 24-year-old speedster immense freedom to focus solely on attacking, with his performances in the 2021/22 season supporting such a notion.

With a solid 6.75 average rating, the £10k-per-week gem recorded 1.8 interceptions, 2.3 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore. For comparison, only three Leeds defenders recorded more tackles per game in the Premier League last term, showcasing his solidity.

It was therefore no surprise to see him lauded by manager Brendan Rodgers, who claimed: "He defends, so aggressive and tenacious and he can pass the ball which is important for someone who plays me for me. Teammate Johnny Evans would agree: "I thought he was outstanding. Everything he did was immaculate."

Should Leicester have sanctioned him to continue his development in Yorkshire, allowing his defensive intelligence to expand, the left-back could have provided the perfect foundation to allow Sinisterra to terrorise this division, propelling them back to where they would feel they belong.

The 50-over format has become England’s calling card while New Zealand have a strong record at home but a slow pitch in Hamilton may challenge aggressive batting

Preview by Andrew McGlashan24-Feb-2018Big PictureNeither of these teams hit their straps during the T20 tri-series, clinching a win apiece, with New Zealand edging into the final then underwhelming with the bat. But this series is a meeting between two confident 50-over outfits. England have had a week to dust themselves down from the T20 setbacks – which has included a couple of days off – and readjust their sights back to the format which is becoming their calling card, while New Zealand have eight victories on the bounce this season.Whenever these sides meet the conversation quickly turns to England’s humiliation at the 2015 World Cup – particularly the shredding in Wellington – and the conversation that ensued between Eoin Morgan and Brendon McCullum, which persuaded the England captain there was only one way to go in 50-over cricket. There was no saving that tournament, but since then England have blazed a trail. It’s a narrative that is likely to be revisited over the next couple of weeks.Thoughts are now turning towards the next World Cup, starting in 15 months in England. There is still time for some tinkering if it’s required, but teams will want to start having a firm idea of the 15 they will use at the tournament. Both teams are probably not far from that position already.There is one notable addition to the England squad from last month with the return of Ben Stokes. Away from the debate about whether he should be on the tour or not, who makes way for his return will be one of the intriguing aspects of the series.West Indies and Pakistan were disappointing opposition earlier in New Zealand’s season, while Australia hit a post-Ashes wall (and picked the wrong side) against England last month. This series promises a more compelling tussle.Ben Stokes bowls in the nets•Getty ImagesForm guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand WWWWW
England WLWWWIn the spotlightApart from Ben Stokes, okay? Jason Roy started the one-day series in Australia with a bang, his 180 in Melbourne setting a new record for England, but since then his top score has been 49 including three single-figure scores in the T20 tri-series. Yes, mixing formats when looking at statistics is not really the done thing, but it’s all a little hit-or-miss for Roy at the moment. He appears safe despite Stokes’ return and the top-order rejig required, but a significant score early in the series wouldn’t go amiss.This is an important series for Tom Latham who has yet to nail down the wicketkeeper-batsman role, a position New Zealand are struggling to fill in both white-ball formats since the retirement of Luke Ronchi. This season his top score is 37 in seven ODI innings – off the back of a very productive series in India – but he has been given the backing of selector Gavin Larsen (his wicketkeeping has been tidy) and this New Zealand set-up likes to give players an extended run. Still, they won’t want uncertainty over a key position leading into the World Cup.Team newsQuick bowler Lockie Ferguson has been released from the squad to play in Saturday’s Ford Trophy final for Auckland. Mitchell Santner (knee) and Todd Astle (side) have carried recent injuries with Astle’s still providing the more pressing concern. If he isn’t fit then Ish Sodhi would slot into the side.New Zealand 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Todd Astle, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent BoultBarring a late reaction to his workload, Stokes will return. That means a batsman making way, as England revert to six main bowlers, with Alex Hales seemingly the most vulnerable. Tom Curran and David Willey are likely to contest the final pace-bowling slot with Craig Overton having to wait for his chance.England 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Tom Curran, 11 Mark WoodPitch and conditionsIt will be a used surface and is expected to get slower as the match progresses. Seddon Park is a venue where spin can come to the fore, although that can be countered by evening dew making the toss a tricky decision. Last year, Martin Guptill plundered 180 off 138 balls to chase down 280 against South Africa with five overs to spare. The forecast for the afternoon and evening is good.Stats and trivia England have won eight of their last nine bilateral ODI series Ross Taylor needs 37 runs to reach 7000 in ODIs; Kane Williamson needs 23 to reach 5000 – if he does it in this match the New Zealand captain will be joint fourth-fastest to 5000 runs equal with Brian Lara England have lost both their ODIs at this venue: a 10-wicket trouncing in 2008 and a much tighter three-wicket loss in 2013.Quotes”They went a long stretch of winning one-day international cricket so they are a strong side particularly at home and we are going to have reproduce similar performances or better than we produced in Australia to win the series.”
“I think we park the T20 for now and focus on a lot of the good one-day cricket we’ve been playing. The plans are fairly different so it’s important we go back to that. We know it’s a tough challenge in England.”

South Africa had to win Saturday’s game to keep the series alive, and they did so in emphatic style, hitting Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal for 119 runs in 11.3 overs

The Report by Alagappan Muthu10-Feb-2018
Scorecard and ball-by- ball detailsIt was thrill-a-minute at the Bull Ring, testing the mettle of both teams and the nerves of packed crowd. For the longest time, India were dominant, Shikhar Dhawan’s 109 leading the way. Then lightning struck, literally, to stop play and allow South Africa some time to regroup. Led by a miserly Kagiso Rabada, they conceded only 92 runs in the last 16 overs and earned themselves a target of 290. That was top work considering the Wanderers rarely entertains ODI chases of less than 300.South Africa handed over-rate fine

South Africa were ruled to have missed their over-rate target by one over in Johannesburg, after allowing for various delays. Match referee Andy Pycroft subsequently – in accordance with the ICC’s rules – fined captain Aiden Markram 20% of his match fee, and the rest of the team 10% each. If South Africa pick up another over-rate offence under Markram in an ODI over the next 12 months, Markram will face a suspension.

And there would be more. Rain reduced the game to 28 overs and South Africa were told they needed 202 to keep the series alive. It was under this pressure – with their two best batsmen already dismissed – that they played shots that were absolutely jaw dropping and won moments that were nothing short of match-changing. At the centre of it all was a newbie.Heinrich Klaasen, the stand-in wicketkeeper, took a ball of wristspin – you know, the thing that’s made South Africa spontaneously combust in this series – from outside the cut strip and pulled it for a one-bounce four to square leg. He then launched a free hit delivery so far into the night sky that it came down with a bit of star dust. An unbeaten 43 off 27 in a highest of pressure scenarios to seal victory is a grand return. “Best feeling in my career,” the 26-year old gushed at the presentation.David Miller, at the other end, was equally destructive. He even one-upped his partner, sending a six so far into the crowd that the ball had to be changed. Clearly, he hasn’t taken too well to India making him look like a walking wicket. Ironically, it was he was bowled neck and crop by Yuzvendra Chahal, off a no-ball, that he unfurled his full and devastating power. By the end of the night, India’s wristspinners nursed figures that read 6-0-51-2 and 5.3-0-68-1.Heinrich Klaasen struck some lusty blows•AFPIndia would feel rather hard done by considering the weather in Johannesburg played a part in spoiling their batting effort in the middle overs and returned later in the day to give South Africa the kind of clarity that they did not seem capable of when playing Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav earlier in the series. It was hit out or get out and with almost nothing to lose, Klaasen and Miller indulged in batting that was very near maniacal. Andile Phehlukwayo was worse. He faced five balls, and walked back with 23 runs, including the winning hit.Those cameos put the highest scorer of the day wondering what if. Bowlers cramping Dhawan for room is normal in any form of cricket. His abandoning that trademark, off-side dominant game and still managing to be a threat? Not so much. A century on his 100th ODI needs no added frills, not after it came with the addendum that he was the first Indian to do so, but sending out a message that he isn’t as one-dimensional as he seems must have felt sweet.South Africa did not allow him any runs on the cut until the 43rd delivery he faced. He went for the shot often enough, and was lucky to avoid chopping onto his stumps, but eventually decided that there were other ways to score and he was good enough to exploit them. At one point, he was 85 off only 75 balls, with flicks reminiscent of Sanath Jayasuriya and drives – the first one especially – that could fit into a Matthew Hayden highlight reel. Dhawan made 69 runs in the arc from long-on to long leg, and only 21 between long-off and third man.But with India on 197 for 2 in the 35th over, a break in play for nearly an hour upset the momentum to such an extent that their top-scorer ended up spooning a catch to mid-off seven balls after play resumed. No sooner had Dhawan walked back that Ajinkya Rahane pulled a short ball straight to deep midwicket. Suddenly, two new batsmen were at the crease: Shreyas Iyer, playing his first innings on this tour and MS Dhoni, who needs time early in his innings to be properly destructive.South Africa recognised their chance, which was a miracle in itself considering Virat Kohli has had them under his thumb this series. He was outstanding on Saturday too, moving to fifth place on the list of top ODI run-getters for India, but his wicket for 75 in the 32nd over, minutes before the weather soured, changed the game.Rabada had a lower-middle order in front of him. And he turned so very hostile. He didn’t care that he held an older ball in his hand, didn’t care that it wasn’t zipping through as before, he kept digging it hard into the pitch, cramping batsmen and hitting them on the body. His final five overs – bowled from the 33rd to the 49th – cost only 28 runs and yielded only one boundary.Rabada also took out India’s hitter Hardik Pandya – with ample help from Aiden Markram. South Africa’s stand-in captain was at cover when a full-blooded slash came his way. He took a split second to position himself, then leapt back, stuck his right hand up and pulled off a screamer that would have had the man he was standing in for – Faf du Plessis – nodding with approval. With Rabada in charge of the final 10 overs, India could scramble only 59 runs. Even Dhoni could only get seven runs off 10 balls in the head-to-head.South Africa ended the day with a sixth straight victory on pink day, while off the field, 1.6 million Rand was raised to fight breast cancer.