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Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has defended Nicolas Jackson against criticism, calling his impact "outstanding" despite his wait for a first Bundesliga goal. The Bayern boss insists the Chelsea loanee is "where he needs to be" and has interpreted his tactical role perfectly, even as club legend Lothar Matthaus claims he looks "out of place."

Kompany's 'objective' praise for under-fire Jackson

Jackson, 24, joined the German champions on a season-long loan from Chelsea for a reported €16.5 million (£14m/$19m) fee, which includes a €65m (£54m/$71m) purchase option. However, the Senegalese international has failed to score in his first six Bundesliga appearances, leading to questions over his suitability.

Despite the mounting external pressure, Kompany was unequivocal in his support, stating he has a "completely different opinion" to the public and explaining his reasoning.

"He's working very well," Kompany said. "We talked about his integration last week, and it's gone very quickly for him. I know why the question comes up, but I have no problem having a completely different opinion. I'll explain why objectively."

"In the first half against Dortmund, for example, he played an outstanding role, and the same against Pafos. He interpreted the game very quickly, understood what we wanted from him, and also got off to a good start against Club Brugge."

Kompany dismissed the goal-centric criticism as simplistic: "He's a striker; when he scores, we say he's the best. When he doesn't score, we say maybe he's not good enough. I'm happy that we have Jackson here; he'll be important for us this season. In terms of his playing ability, he's already where he needs to be, if only the goals would come."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMatthaus criticises Jackson amid wait for league goal

The public debate Kompany referenced is fuelled by Jackson's unconvincing statistics. In 13 appearances across all competitions, he has clocked just 457 minutes of action.

His two goals have come in the Champions League, against Pafos and Club Brugge. In the Bundesliga, he has not had a direct goal contribution in 244 minutes of playing time, a stark contrast to his attacking teammates Harry Kane (20 goals), Michael Olise (seven), and Luis Diaz (eight).

The striker's form has drawn sharp criticism from club legend Lothar Matthaus, who claimed Jackson looks "out of place".

"He gets little playing time and when he has played, he still seems a bit out of place," Matthaus said. "With Olise, Kane, Diaz, [Joshua] Kimmich, [Aleksandar] Pavlovic, the ball moves well. With him, it always gets a little stuck, or rather, his passing isn't quite sharp enough yet."

Matthaus also warned that Jackson's minutes could "decrease even further" when Jamal Musiala returns from injury.

Jackson 'happy' in Bavaria after summer transfer

For his part, Jackson maintains he is settling well in Bavaria. Speaking to the club's official website earlier in the week, the 24-year-old expressed his happiness.

"I'm really happy to be here and to be playing alongside such big names," Jackson said. "Oktoberfest was something very special… It gave me the chance to get to know an important part of Bavarian culture. Everything has been fantastic so far. I already feel very much at home here.”

The former Villarreal forward also spoke glowingly of his partnership with Kane, who has often played in a deeper No.10 role to accommodate Jackson as the central striker.

"It's incredible. I looked up to Harry even as a child," he added. "Now playing in the same team as him makes me very proud. I learn from him every day and try to pick up a few things from him."

Jackson's stated aim is to "make our fans happy and repay the trust my teammates and the coach have placed in me."

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Kompany's support for his striker comes ahead of a crucial fixture. Bayern host Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday, taking on a side they have not beaten in the last five Bundesliga meetings. The manager acknowledged the "rivalry" is "still there" and that Leverkusen, who have 16 from a possible 18 points under new coach Kasper Hjulmand, remain a "dangerous attacking team".

While Kompany insists "nobody is assured of their place," his public backing suggests Jackson remains a key part of his tactical plan as he awaits his first, and badly needed, Bundesliga goal.

Legendary coach Fabio Capello has lauded the breathtaking impact of Cristian Chivu at Inter, calling the in-form Serie A side "a spectacle to watch." Capello praised the new manager for reconnecting the squad and implementing a more direct, vertical style of play that has propelled the Nerazzurri to second in the table with a difference of one point for the top.

• Capello hails 'spectacle' of Chivu's growing Inter

  Capello has heaped praise on Chivu's Inter, declaring the team "a spectacle to watch" and crediting the new coach with reconnecting the squad and implementing a dynamic, vertical style of play. Speaking in his regular column for , the former AC Milan and Real Madrid boss hailed the transformation at the Nerazzurri, who have won four of their last five Serie A matches.

  Following a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Roma, Capello asserted that the team has now fully taken on the identity of their new manager. He lauded the visible progress and cohesive spirit, highlighting the post-match celebrations at the Stadio Olimpico as a clear indicator of the bond Chivu has forged.

  "Yes, we can now say it: this is Chivu's Inter. And it's a spectacle to watch," Capello stated. "It's wonderful to see the players rally around their coach like the other night at the Olimpico, because that embrace captures the bond that has been created. But it's also wonderful to see the Nerazzurri play, because everything is working wonderfully now and the team continues to grow. From game to game, from victory to victory."

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  How Chivu 'reconnected' with the squad and boosted self-esteem

  Capello was keen to emphasise that Chivu's primary impact has been on the players' mentality and unity, rather than overhauling an already talented group. The decorated coach believes Chivu has successfully won over the entire dressing room, from established stars to promising youngsters, by improving their self-belief.

  "This is Chivu's Inter because now all the players, from Lautaro [Martinez] to [Nicolo] Barella, from [Alessandro] Bastoni to [Hakan] Calhanoglu and [Federico] Dimarco, right down to the explosive youngsters like [Ange-Yoan] Bonny and Pio Esposito, are perfectly in tune with Cristian," Capello explained. "Chivu has got into the players' heads and reconnected. He hasn't improved the level, because that was already very high and the value of the Nerazzurri squad is beyond question, but he has improved their self-esteem, that's true, and that's a huge credit to him."

  Before Inter, Chivu had been in charge of Parma for just over a year and guided them to a 16th place finish in Serie A last season. When Simone Inzaghi left Inter for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, he took the opportunity to return to San Siro, having previously coached the club's youth teams. As a player, he won three Serie A titles and the Champions League crown with the Nerazzurri.

• Vertical thinking and forward pressing: The new Nerazzurri style

  Beyond the psychological improvements, Capello pinpointed a clear and effective tactical shift under the former Inter defender. He praised the move away from a dogmatic, possession-based build-up in favour of a more direct and aggressive approach that prioritises forward momentum.

  "Beyond the team's spirit and resources, there's the play, and in this sense too, Chivu has more than one reason to be proud," he wrote. "Because Inter thinks vertically, always presses forward, and has finally minimized the obsession with building from the back for its own sake." This change has yielded impressive results, with Inter scoring 18 goals in their opening seven league games, the highest tally in Serie A.

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  What next for Chivu's Inter?

  The Nerazzurri's excellent form has them sitting second in the Serie A table, just one point behind city rivals AC Milan. Chivu’s side now faces a demanding run of fixtures that will test their title credentials and European ambitions. They travel to Belgium to face Union Saint-Gilloise in a crucial Champions League group stage match on Wednesday, before a top-of-the-table clash away to third-placed Napoli next Saturday. A home fixture against Fiorentina follows shortly after, completing a challenging period that could define the next phase of their season. Maintaining their new-found momentum will be crucial if they are to challenge on multiple fronts.

Manchester United's newest star Senne Lammens supposedly became a goalkeeper to 'avoid running and being substituted', with his brother revealing the secrets of the Belgian stopper. Signed from Royal Antwerp this summer for £18.2 million ($24.5m), the 23-year-old has quickly caught attention with his commanding presence between the sticks. His clean sheet on debut in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break gave United fans a glimpse of his potential.

Lammens' trial of character awaits at Liverpool

On Sunday, the young Belgian goalkeeper will walk out at Anfield to take on champions Liverpool, in what promises to be the most intimidating test of his career. However, away from the glitz of the Premier League, his footballing story started in Erpe-Mere, a quiet town nestled between Brussels and Ghent. There, in the modest surroundings of KRC Bambrugge, one of four local clubs that would later merge to form Erpe-Mere United, he kicked his first football. The sport runs deep in the Lammens family. His great uncle Paul is now the honorary chairman of the club, while uncle Steven serves as the sporting director. His father, Eddy, a former Bambrugge player, used to coach youth teams that included Senne’s elder brother, Tom. And it was Tom who first noticed Senne’s unusual determination to stand out right from his childhood. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLazy Lammens turns goalkeeper

For the first few years, Lammens played as a striker. Fast, physical, and strong, he was a nightmare for defenders. But at just 10 years old, everything changed, not because of a tactical tweak, but because he disliked running. 

In an interview with Tom revealed why Senne went in goal: "Mainly because he didn’t want to get substituted. He also didn’t like all the running in training." 

His father, suspecting this might just be a phase, sent him to a goalkeeper training camp, thinking it would cure his boredom. Instead, it did the opposite. Senne thrived as his height and agility made him a natural fit. 

"As a player, he was always quite tall and strong for his age, and had a powerful shot," Tom added.

After two years at his hometown club, Lammens followed his brother to F.C.V. Dender, a professional side not far from home. It was there that he began his transformation into one of Belgium’s most promising young goalkeepers. From Dender, he progressed rapidly through the youth ranks, catching the attention of scouts and earning a move to Club Brugge, where he developed his reputation for commanding his area and handling pressure. When Royal Antwerp offered him first-team football, he seized the opportunity, and his performances there soon put him on United’s radar.

Courtois has some advice for Lammens

Ahead of the clash at Anfield, Lammens received some tongue-in-cheek advice from Belgium team-mate Thibaut Courtois, who knows the challenge of Liverpool’s fortress. 

"It’s a hard stadium," he told Belgian media. "Maybe I should tell him to clap the home fans when he arrives at the Kop!"

Courtois who has 107 caps for Belgium and two Champions League titles with Real Madrid, made clear the enormity of the task. "His first game was a flavour of what United will get," he said. "He’s a tall guy, he is not afraid to come on crosses, and he’s a kid with personality. I’m sure he can do a good job. He has a tough game this weekend, so I hope if he plays, it will go well for him. All the best to him."

The Real Madrid star will visit Anfield on November 4 for a Champions League fixture and added: "I will go there myself in a few weeks. It’s always a tough game there, and I guess Liverpool also have to bounce back after losing a few games."

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AFPA monumental challenge for Lammens

Liverpool’s recent form has been shaky, with three defeats in a row across all competitions, but that makes them even more dangerous. Whereas, for United, it’s about momentum. Amorim’s side have found some rhythm, thanks to a win over Sunderland, and with the backline looking solid, they’ll count on their new Belgian shot-stopper to hold firm under relentless pressure. For a 23-year-old who once switched to goal just to avoid running laps, this could be a night that defines him.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a minor injury for RCB, who picked Yash Dayal, and handed caps to Phil Salt and Tim David

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-20255:47

Kane Williamson on what it takes to be a good IPL captain

Toss Just like 17 years ago at the first-ever IPL match, RCB won the toss and asked KKR to bat first with rain and dew not ruled out at the IPL 2025 opener. RCB were hopeful of not allowing a repeat of a blowout on that night when Brendon McCullum set the tournament alight. This was the first time these two teams were kicking off the IPL season since 2008.Defending champions KKR had a new captain, and wore a new look, with at least the official team sheet not slating Sunil Narine as the opening batter. Wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock and left-arm quick Spencer Johnson made their KKR debuts, edging out Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Anrich Nortje, who was nevertheless named in the list of substitutes. Whether KKR were going to open with Narine was going to be revealed in earnest.RCB’s new captain, Rajat Patidar, got off to an auspicious start, calling correctly at the toss. He didn’t quite remember the names of the possible Impact Players, but made what is expected to be the beneficial call in evening games in T20 cricket: chase. However, there was a new aid for the sides defending – a ball change they can claim after the tenth over of the second innings.RCB handed caps to Phil Salt, who represented KKR last year, and Tim David, let go by Mumbai Indians. Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya were their spinners, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had a minor injury, missed out. RCB instead went with the left-arm pace of Yash Dayal.Kolkata Knight Riders: 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt) 4 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 5 Venkatesh Iyer, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Varun Chakaravarthy, 11 Spencer Johnson/Anrich Nortje, 12 Vaibhav AroraSubstitutes: Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy, Luvnith SisodiaRoyal Challengers Bengaluru: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rajat Patidar (capt), 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Rasikh Salam, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Yash Dayal, 11 Suyash SharmaSubstitutes: Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh, Manj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh

Manchester City have now held talks with the agents of a “world-class” star, who is also being targeted by Arsenal.

Man City keen on new forward despite dominant victory over Wolves

Man City got off to a fantastic start to the new Premier League season, laying down a marker by winning 4-0 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and two of Pep Guardiola’s summer additions marked their league debuts with a goal.

Indeed, both Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders got on the scoresheet, with the latter also providing an assist for Erling Haaland’s second goal, in what was a dominant display from the Blues.

Gary Neville has even been forced to reconsider his predictions for the season, in light of City’s fantastic performance, saying: “We could look back in six months and be saying it was staring us in the face because City have got a treble-winning spine, they’ve got new players in who look outstanding and they’ve got the best forward in the league.”

Neville is correct to point out that Guardiola is blessed with some top-quality attacking options, but one forward who didn’t feature against Wolves is Savinho, as the Brazilian is being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, according to a report from The Boot Room, Manchester City have identified Real Madrid star Rodrygo as their ideal replacement for Savinho, and they have now made fresh contact with the Brazilian’s agents.

Man City now targeting "fantastic" Chelsea gem who Maresca wants to keep

The Citizens could deal their rivals a blow.

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Arsenal are also in the race for the Madrid forward, however, with sporting director Andrea Berta currently working on a deal, which could be on the expensive side, with a potential transfer fee of £86m recently being touted.

With Savinho keen on a move to Tottenham, it is looking more likely that City may pursue the Madrid star, but it could be difficult to win the race, given that the Gunners have a strong relationship with the Spanish side.

However, since then, Guillem Balague has stated that City, right now, are set to keep Savinho, which would rule out any move for Rodrygo in the process.

"World-class" Rodrygo could be Savinho upgrade

Not only is Rodrygo far more experienced than Savinho at the top level, having amassed 39 goal contributions in 64 Champions League appearances, but he has also outperformed his compatriot in front of goal over the past year.

Indeed, despite a promising debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium on the assist front, with the 21-year-old setting up 10 Premier League goals, the youngster has averaged just 0.08 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, compared to the 24-year-old’s 0.33.

The former Santos man has also received high praise from Real Madrid legend Luka Modric, who dubbed his former teammate as “world-class”.

As such, Rodrygo could be an upgrade on Savinho, but the reported £86m asking price is prohibitive, and rival interest from Arsenal could hamper a deal.

The pair also put on the second-highest partnership in all men’s T20 cricket: 241

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2025This morning, Litton Das was left out of Bangladesh’s squad for the Champion’s Trophy 2025. By the evening, he was taking his frustrations – if any – out on Durbar Rajshahi at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He slammed his maiden T20 hundred and batted through the innings for Dhaka Capitals, finishing on 125 not out off 55 balls with ten fours and nine sixes and a strike rate of 227.27. At his side for most of this was Tanzid Hasan, who will be going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The pair added 241 off 118 – the second-highest stand in all men’s T20 cricket – and Dhaka finished with 254 for 1, which is the highest total in the BPL.Related

Litton Das: 'I was dropped because I wasn't performing'

Litton and Shakib left out of Bangladesh's Champions Trophy squad

Litton got to his hundred off 44 balls, which makes it the second-fastest by a Bangladeshi player in men’s T20s, behind Parvez Hossain’s 42-ball hundred for Fortune Barishal in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup in December 2020. He finished fourth on the list of highest scores at the BPL, behind two efforts from Chris Gayle and one from Tamim Iqbal.Rajshahi had elected to bowl in the game and it seemed like a sound decision when Dhaka got to 22 for 0 after four overs. But then Tanzid took 21 off a Sunzamul Islam over, and Dhaka never looked back. By the end of this over, the fifth, Litton was 10 off 9, but he got going in the next, the last of the Powerplay, hitting SM Meherob for 4, 6, 4 off consecutive deliveries.Litton Das got to his hundred off 44 balls, the second-fastest by a Bangladeshi in men’s T20s•Dhaka CapitalsLitton brought up his fifty in the ninth over, with a six off a no-ball. By the end of ten overs Dhaka were 115 for 0 and they just kept going. Tanzid also brought up his fifty with a six, off Ryan Burl to end the 11th. Litton continued the pair’s pattern of bringing up their landmarks with a boundary, getting to his hundred in the 16th with a four off Shafiul Islam.Tanzid completed the set in the final over, taking four first ball to bring up his hundred, before hitting Shafiul for six more and then holing out for 108 off 64 balls (six fours, eight sixes, strike rate 168.75).By then Dhaka already had the record for highest total in the BPL, and the wicket hardly slowed them down with Sabbir Rahman and Litton hitting one more six apiece to close out the innings on a dazzling 254 for 1.In response, Rajshahi quickly wilted, falling to 34 for 5 before an unbeaten 47 from Ryan Burl held off the inevitable. Eventually, they were bowled out for 105 in the 16th over, falling short of their target by 150 runs.

As David Moyes sets his sights on a summer overhaul at the club, Everton have now reportedly submitted an opening bid to beat rivals Liverpool to an exciting target.

Moyes aiming for Everton overhaul

Speaking at a Men in Blazers event in New York, Moyes revealed that he still wants nine or 10 fresh faces at Everton this summer, despite already welcoming Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal.

This follows reports that The Friedkin Group are in a position to spend as much as £150m this summer if they please and have set their sights on a number of targets as a result.

Among those targets is Bayern Munich left-back Adam Aznou. According to fresh reports, the Toffees have now agreed a deal worth around £10m and the teenager is set to undergo a medical at the club.

Likely to become Everton’s fourth signing of the summer, Aznou will push Vitaliy Mykolenko all the way for a starting place and perhaps even force himself into Moyes’ strongest side.

But those at the Hill Dickinson Stadium are unlikely to be done there. The Friedkin Group are out to make a statement and, as such, the likes of James McAtee are still on what is an extensive summer shortlist.

The Manchester City starlet often found his game time limited last season even as Pep Guardiola’s side faltered for the first time in four seasons. Now, the midfielder looks likely to be on the move in search of the minutes he so desperately craved.

It’s worth pointing out that, even as he failed to work his way into Guardiola’s starting plans, the City boss was often still full of praise – describing him as “special” following a hat-trick against Salford City.

Special players seems to be the memo in Merseyside this summer too, with Everton now also reportedly in talks to sign an impressive winger.

Everton submit opening Fofana offer

According to Fabrizio Romano, Everton have now submitted an opening offer to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon this summer, with talks at an “advanced” stage.

The talented winger has attracted interest from several sides this summer, including from Liverpool, who were reportedly preparing an offer, but it is the Toffees who are now advancing.

Everton advancing in deal to sign "generational talent" for Moyes

The Toffees mean business this summer.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

Following underwhelming performances from loanees Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, Moyes reportedly earmarked the need for a new, more dangerous winger before Everton turned towards Fofana to offer them exactly that.

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24

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25

33

In a season that saw him score 11 goals and create six more in all competitions last season, the Belgian earned the praise of analyst Ben Mattinson, who was left in awe of his “explosive” running ability down Lyon’s left-hand side.

Now, it’s Everton who could be about to benefit from that ability and so much more as they push to land another major upgrade this summer.

Here’s all we know about the players who are set to be retained by their respective franchises

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-202410:37

Who will RCB retain apart from Kohli?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)MS Dhoni is one of five players set to be retained by CSK, along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana. The amounts CSK are paying to each retained player is yet to be confirmed but they will lose at least INR 65 crore from their overall purse of INR 120 crore.
Gujarat Titans (GT)Gujarat Titans are likely to retain Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match card (RTM) option at the upcoming IPL mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)The franchise is set to retain Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy. Their 2024 title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star allrounder Andre Russell are unlikely to be retained.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, along with the uncapped pair of Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni, are set to be retained by LSG for IPL 2025. KL Rahul, who has led the franchise since its inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma are the four players set to be retained by Rajasthan Royals. ESPNcricinfo has learned that England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and India legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal are not part of the retention list.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)South Africa power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen is set to be the top retention for SRH and will get INR 23 crore (US$ 2.74 million approx.) as the first retained player. Pat Cummins, who was SRH captain in 2024, is set to be retained at INR 18 crore (US$ 2.14 million approx.), and India allrounder Abhishek Sharma at INR 14 crore (US$ 1.67 million approx). Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also set to be retained as their final two capped retained players ahead of the auction.
Delhi Capitals (DC)Rishabh Pant is all set to go into the auction after not being retained by DC. ESPNcricinfo has learned that talks between DC’s ownership group and Pant failed after stretching over the past few months and Wednesday. The franchise has retained four players: the spin pair of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, South Africa batter Tristan Stubbs and uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)Punjab Kings are likely to retain only two uncapped players – batters Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh – from their IPL 2024 squad. They will go into the upcoming mega auction with the largest purse, likely in excess of INR 100 crore, and also have four right-to-match options which can be used to buy back their players.
Mumbai Indians (MI)Mumbai Indians are set to retain their four major Indian players – Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav – along with Tilak Varma ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.With those five capped players retained, MI can use their one right-to-match option only on an uncapped player at the auction. While the individual amounts for each of their retained player is yet to be ascertained, MI will lose at least INR 75 crore from their purse of INR 120 crore, or more if they have paid a higher aggregate amount to the five.

Record stand rescues defending champions after Worrall wrecks top-order in powerplay

Alan Gardner14-Sep-2024The face-off between Surrey and Somerset, locked in a tussle for the County Championhip and semi-final opponents at last year’s Blast Finals Day, was always likely to be compelling. Somerset went on to lift the T20 trophy in 2023 and their hopes of becoming the first team to retain the title remain alive after a magnificent stand of 144 from 98 balls between Sean Dickson and James Rew lifted them from the wreckage of 7 for 3 to set up an unlikely stroll to victory.It was Surrey’s second humbling of the week by their main rivals for silverware, following the dramatic defeat at Taunton that loosened their grip on a third consecutive Championship pennant. A patched-up team, deprived of four first-choice players by England call-ups, looked far from fluent after being inserted, Lewis Gregory taking 3 for 15 – but they seemed firm favourites after Dan Worrall and Tom Curran combined to remove Somerset’s top three inside the first 13 balls of the chase.But Dickson and 20-year-old Rew, playing his first game of the campaign – and second T20 of his professional career – turned the innings on its head with the highest-ever partnership on Finals Day. Between them, they allowed the Somerset supporters who had made the pilgrimage to Edgbaston to enjoy the closing stages in relative comfort.Both Dickson and Rew, who was only called into the squad on Friday as a replacement for the injured Tom Banton, produced career-best T20 innings to send the defending champions through. Dickson fell with three needed for 78 off 57, while Rew finished unbeaten on 62 off 44 to keep Somerset’s pursuit of an unprecedented domestic treble – having already reached the final of the One-Day Cup – on track.Frankie panky tickles Surrey
It had been a stuttering batting effort from Surrey, but they had at least put a score on the board. Chasing 154 would not usually daunt a team with Somerset’s top-order prowess, though the absence of leading run-scorer Banton – injured during the Championship heist at Taunton – had reduced their firepower from the off. They were then hobbled by Worrall’s very first ball, which swung violently from a leg-stump line to trap Tom Kohler-Cadmore plumb in front (at least this time, it was a quick kill for Kohler-Cadmore, who was pinned down by Worrall for 10 consecutive dots in the Hundred last month).At the other end, Tom Curran had to wait until his third delivery for success, straightening one off a length to take Tom Abell’s leading edge. Worrall then removed a footwork-less Will Smeed, wafting an edge to the keeper, to leave Somerset three down in the third over and already facing a mountain to climb in defence of their title.Dickson to the rescue (again)
Somerset won two low-scorers at 2023 Finals Day, defending 142 and 145 – with Dickson the top-scorer in both games. He rose to the occasion again, steering the partnership with Rew as it grew from minor impediment to Surrey’s chances of a first T20 title since the inaugural 2003 edition, into a major roadblock.Dickson was the first to hit his stride, taking a brace of fours off Jordan Clark as Somerset reached 29 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. They were behind the rate but soon playing catch-up against Surrey’s spinners: Dickson slog-swept Cameron Steel into the Hollies for the first six of the innings, then Rew launched Dan Lawrence high to the same part of the ground, just clearing the man at deep midwicket. The follow-up was lashed past extra cover for four, Surrey captain Chris Jordan left face down on the turf after diving for the catch in vain.Dickson heaved Steel for six more, just beyond the reach of the diving Sibley at deep midwicket, then punched the next ball clean over long-off on the way to a 31-ball half-century. Rew added another six when swivel-pulling Clark over deep backward square leg and the required rate dropped below a run a ball in the following over, thanks to two more boundaries off Jordan. Somerset’s stand-in wicketkeeper eventually went to fifty from 38 balls, by which point Surrey’s hopes were all but extinguished.Lewis Gregory dismissed Ollie Pope in a superb spell•Getty ImagesSibley throws some shapes
Asked to bat in potentially nibbly September conditions, Surrey’s initial impetus came from Lawrence, one of three England Test players back in the side (counterbalanced by Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton and Reece Topley being away on T20I duty). Lawrence merrily hacked and swiped – in much the manner of his final Test innings of the Sri Lanka series – to reach 19 off 11 inside the first two overs, before skying Josh Davey to cover.Sibley had only faced one delivery at that point, and had prodded and poked to 4 off 6 before showcasing some of the improved T20 chops that have underpinned his most productive Blast season since 2017. Davey was walloped unceremoniously into the crowd over long-on, before Jake Ball’s arrival into the attack was greeted with an impudent ramp to fine leg. With Ollie Pope clipping, pulling and driving three of his first ten balls for four, Surrey were in good shape at the end of the powerplay on 62 for 1.Gregory goes bang-bang
Gregory’s first noticeable contribution – aside from winning the toss – was to jog past one at mid-off, as Lawrence picked up his third boundary. At 32, with a long day in prospect, perhaps Gregory realised diving was not the best option; and he certainly proved he knew what he was doing when he came on to bowl the eighth over of the contest. Gregory’s canny mediums were perfectly suited to this late-season Edgbaston deck, though there was plenty of skill involved as Pope was done by a legcutter that toppled off stump. Jamie Smith then played around a slightly fuller one to the same effect and Surrey’s solid start and been replaced by a scorecard reading 69 for 3.Surrey scrap in vain for a score
Surrey’s rebuild began with a partnership of Test match graft between the two former England opening partners, Sibley and Rory Burns. With Burns, the only left-hander in the line-up, pushed above Laurie Evans to bat at No. 5, a partnership of 36 off 28 steadied the ship for Surrey. Although they both departed in the space of eight balls, Sibley becoming a third wicket for Gregory as he picked out deep midwicket, Evans helped drag the innings up towards 150.Evans walloped Ball flat into the Hollies Stand for the second six of the innings but, in contrast to Somerset’s chase, there were few cleanly struck attacking shots – Surrey only managed six boundaries outside the powerplay, while Somerset went on to pillage 16.

Somerset fight through Aldridge, Rew and Lammonby but concede sizeable lead

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2024

James Rew and Kasey Aldridge rebuilt from a sticky position•Getty Images

Ed Barnard’s five-for lifted Warwickshire into the ascendancy against Somerset on the second day of their Vitality County Championship match at Edgbaston.After Warwickshire, still looking for their first championship win of the season, extended their first innings to 337, Barnard took five for 54 as the visitors were bowled out for 239.Michael Burgess (69, 90 balls), Jake Bethell (64, 143) and some aggressive tail-wagging gave the home side a solid total against an attack led by Josh Davey (four for 80) and Craig Overton (four for 88).Somerset then lurched to nought for two and 65 for five against Barnard and Chris Rushworth (three for 42 in his first first-team bowl since April) before partially recovering through Kasey Aldridge’s elegant 84 (139), supported by James Rew (49, 75) and Tom Lammonby (44, 66).Warwickshire closed on 27 for one second time round and will be hoping the forecast third-day rain stays away to allow them to try to press home their advantage.The second day started with a highly entertaining 45 minutes as Warwickshire, resuming on 277 for six, added 60 for four in ten overs. Burgess and Bethell took their partnership to 122 in 29 balls before both fell in five balls. Burgess edged Overton and was superbly caught by wicketkeeper Rew, standing up. Bethell’s middle stump was knocked out by Davey.At 287 for eight, Warwickshire were in danger of coming in light but the last two wickets clubbed 50 from 40 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Michael Rae struck 28 from 22 before he skied a slog at Overton.After all the fluctuations, Warwickshire appeared to have finished with a total around par, but it appeared dominant when Somerset’s first five wickets fell in 20 overs. Their reply began in bizarre fashion when Tom Kohler-Cadmore charged at the first two balls from Olly Hannon-Dalby, missing the first and edging the second. When Rushworth knocked out Andy Umeed’s off stump, it was nought for two.Lammonby and Tom Abell added 36 but Barnard then struck twice as Abell fell lbw offering no shot and Tom Banton edged to Will Rhodes at first slip. Lammonby rose above the top order wreckage to score a polished 44 out of 65 but perished carelessly when he scooped Rushworth to long leg.Aldridge settled stylishly after a slightly sketchy start to add 87 with Rew and, after the latter edged Rushworth, 49 with Overton before the captain was castled by Hannon-Dalby. When Barnard bowled Davey and had Jack Leach caught at second slip in the space of four balls, Aldridge was 34 runs short of a ton with just last man Jake Ball for company. He acquired 18 of them before chipping a full-toss to extra cover to complete Barnard’s five-for.Warwickshire soon lost Rob Yates, who fatally edged Overton’s fifth ball, in their second innings but closed very strongly placed, 125 ahead with nine wickets intact, after Alex Davies and Will Rhodes survived until bad light lopped off the last 13 overs.