Big Picture

How do you solve a problem like Galle? Well, winning the toss and batting first would be a start. But what else can you do?The fact is, there are few grounds in world cricket where the toss plays such a significant role – on pitches that are known for taking exponential turn as the game wears on, only twice have teams batting fourth chased down a triple-digit total successfully here.On both those instances, the first by Sri Lanka in 2019 and the other by England earlier this year, the wins were borne out of substantial top-order contributions and a whole lot of discipline – both of which were lacking from the visitors the first time around in this series.But, despite the nature and scale of the West Indies’ 187-run first-Test defeat, they would do well to put that out of their minds swiftly – better teams than them have suffered worse at this venue after all. In fact, rather than being alarmed, they should instead look at the seeds of potential that sprouted from the game and look to nurture them.While their top order collapsed rather ignominiously in both innings, the way the lower order – particularly Joshua Da Silva – provided resistance, should give those batting further up a bit more confidence in showing positive intent; shouldering arms is quantifiably not the way to go in Galle.As for their top order, Nkrumah Bonner’s second-innings 220-ball sojourn showed that application and resolve wasn’t beyond them. More of the same, and the visitors could be in with a shout.The home side, meanwhile, will simply want to avoid complacency. The win was certainly of the feel-good variety, and one that would have cast the mind back to when such thrashings were de rigueur in Galle. But captain Dimuth Karunaratne, speaking ahead of the second Test, gave the air of a man that refused to be blinded by the nature of the victory.He sounded out the prospect of potentially drafting in an extra batter on a pitch that is expected to take on turn even earlier this time around, and it would be little surprise to see Sri Lanka turn up with just the solitary seamer on Monday morning.

Form guide

Sri Lanka WWDDD(last five Tests, most recent first)
West Indies LLWLL

In the spotlight

Nkrumah Bonner was the only West Indian top order batter to record a 50-plus total in the first Test, and that too came amid what turned out to be West Indies’ death throes as they toiled in vain to halt Sri Lanka’s spin barrage. But what Bonner showed was that – even on a spiteful day-five turner – application and intent could get you far. In fact, he had already shown how adept he was at handling subcontinent pitches in West Indies’ remarkable series win over Bangladesh earlier this year; there, across two Tests Bonner racked up 231 runs at an average of 57.75. Bonner clearly has the chops to handle what Galle and Sri Lanka’s spinners throw at him, and West Indies will need for him to lead the way if they are to salvage anything from this series.Like Bonner, Oshada Fernando has seemingly been entrusted with that all important No. 3 three slot, however he seems to have a peculiar hang-up about performing in front of his home fans. Oshada first broke on to the scene in Sri Lanka’s now near-mythical Test series win in South Africa, while he was also among Sri Lanka’s better batters in their Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year. However, his home average of 17.42 pales in comparison to his away one of 47.66. He looked largely uncomfortable at the crease in his two outings in the first Test, and Sri Lanka will be hoping for a much better showing this time around.

Team news

Sri Lanka will likely make just the one change from the first Test, with Dushmantha Chameera probably making way for an extra batter – likely Charith Asalanka, who is in line for his Test debut.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt.), 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Oshada Fernando, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 7 Charith Asalanka, 8 Ramesh Mendis, 9 Lasith Embuldeniya, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Praveen Jayawickrama.The concussion suffered by Jeremy Solazano resulted in Shai Hope being drafted in as a concussion substitute in the first Test. If Solazano does not recover in time, Hope will likely retain his place in the side. The visitors also went with a spin-heavy attack in the first Test and that is unlikely to change.West Indies (possible): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt.), 2 Jeremy Solozano/Shai Hope, 3 Nkrumah Bonner, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Jermaine Blackwood, 6 Kyle Mayers, 7 Rahkeem Cornwall, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Joshua da Silva (wk), 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Jomel Warrican/Jayden Seales

Pitch and conditions

The pitch is expected to be dry, which means we could see notable turn even as early as the first day. The weather though is what will keep the game from folding too early, with rain expected periodically across the five days.

Stats and trivia

• With six consecutive 50-plus scores in Tests, Dimuth Karunaratne is one short of equalling the world record.
• Sri Lanka are now unbeaten in five consecutive Tests, their longest such run since 2016, when they went six without defeat (including five straight wins).
• In 28 attempts, the team batting fourth in Galle has won on nine occasions – though only two of those chases have been of three-digit targets.

Newcastle United take on a resurgent Chelsea side this afternoon and Eddie Howe will be hoping for a much better performance than the one his team gave last weekend.

The Magpies succumbed to an impressive Brighton side who look like they are ready to take the next step up under Fabian Hurzeler. The same cannot be said, at this moment anyway, of Howe’s Newcastle.

Failing to rejuvenate the squad properly in the summer is coming back to haunt him, no doubt about that.

Against the Blues, the Englishman could perhaps make a few changes to freshen things up, as a few members of the side were disappointing last weekend, including Jacob Murphy.

Jacob Murphy’s game in numbers vs Brighton

Alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, Murphy was unleashed as part of a front three hoping to cause havoc to the Brighton defence.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Despite having 21 shots, the Magpies failed to score, and the winger was fairly subdued throughout the game.

Murphy may have attempted two dribbles, made a key pass and had two shots blocked, but aside from this, he wasn’t at his best.

The Englishman lost possession ten times, won just one of his five attempted duels and was dribbled past once during his 65 minutes on the pitch, being replaced by Harvey Barnes, who won 100% of his duels and succeeded with 100% of his dribbles, showing much more dynamism than Murphy.

It thus should be the former Leicester City man who comes back into the starting XI vs Chelsea, meaning Murphy will drop to the bench.

Howe must unleash Harvey Barnes vs Chelsea

Barnes simply possesses a more direct attacking threat in the final third. This season, the 26-year-old has scored three goals while chipping in with a single assist in ten games.

Murphy, on the other hand, has grabbed just two assists in eight games, while failing to score in the Premier League.

Barnes has also created three big chances, averages 0.9 key passes and succeeds with 50% of his dribble attempts. Compare this to the 29-year-old, who has created one big chance, and also averages 0.9 key passes per game, but succeeds with just 33% of his dribble attempts.

Metric

Barnes

Murphy

Goals

3

0

Assists

1

2

Big chances created

3

1

Successful dribble percentage per game

50%

33%

Key passes per game

0.9

0.9

Total shots per game

1.9

0.9

It is evident who Howe should unleash in the starting XI, especially if he aims to secure a positive result against Enzo Maresca’s men today.

The £80k-per-week dynamo is in wonderful form and his cameo last weekend proves he is ready to be unleashed from the first whistle against the Blues.

Howe lavished praise on the winger earlier this campaign following his stunning late winner against Wolves, saying: “His qualities are unbounded and he is a goalscoring winger and there are not many around. He is one of the best finishing wingers I’ve seen.”

If he starts today, Barnes can potentially be a game-changer for Newcastle. For that there is no doubt.

Mitchell racing to sign £20m Premier League winner for Newcastle in January

He’s once scored a hat-trick against the Magpies…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2024

Roberto De Zerbi sent out a fiery warning towards Paris Saint-Germain as he outlined his target with Marseille.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

De Zerbi throws warning at PSGMarseille 10 points behind PSG Les Phoceens beat Angers 2-0 on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After finishing eighth in the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign, Marseille saw a change in their fortunes when Roberto De Zerbi walked into the club in the summer. The club's performances have significantly improved under the former Brighton manager as Les Phoceens currently find themselves second in the league, 10 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After a comfortable 2-0 win over Angers in a difficult Ligue 1 away fixture on Sunday, the Italian coach has urged his players to push hard for the league title and give PSG a run for their money. He also outlined his ambitions with the French side in the future.

WHAT ROBERTO DE ZERBI SAID

Speaking to reporters after the Angers clash, De Zerbi said: "If you don’t have the ambition to aim higher, it can be frustrating and even humiliating. Obviously, you may not achieve your goals, but that’s okay. If you want to be part of this club, you have to be ambitious, obsessed with looking ahead, with humility, but always with respect.

"It’s something that will not necessarily come right away, but in my adventure, just like with Pablo Longoria, Medhi Benatia, but also players like Rulli, Rabiot, Højbjerg, Bennacer, and Kondogbia – I’m not here to finish second."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MARSEILLE?

Marseille will be back in action on Saturday in the Ligue 1 when they take on St-Etienne at Stade Velodrome.

Nuno Espírito Santo will be looking to secure a fourth successive Premier League win for Nottingham Forest this afternoon when they face Newcastle United at the City Ground.

The Reds come into the meeting off the back of a convincing 3-0 win against West Ham United, a victory that took them up to third in the table after the first ten matches.

They enjoyed a run of a draw and two wins in October which secured Nuno the division’s Manager of the Month award, ahead of the likes of Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola.

After such a good run in England’s top flight, it’s unlikely that the 50-year-old will make an array of changes to the starting lineup for the visit of Eddie Howe’s side.

One player looks certain to start once again, looking to continue his fine form from the early stages of the campaign.

Chris Wood’s stats at Nottingham Forest

In January 2023, Forest agreed a deal with Newcastle to sign striker Chris Wood on loan with an obligation to buy for £15m in the summer.

At the time, many turned their noses up at the deal, looking to be a waste of money, but he quickly proved to be worth every penny after his sensational display against his former employers on Boxing Day last season.

The New Zealand international scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory, coming back to haunt the Magpies, in what was one of his best performances as a Forest player.

The 32-year-old ended the 2023/24 season with 14 goals, the most of any player in the squad, but this campaign he’s taken his game to the next level.

Wood has already scored eight times, including a double against fellow East Midlands outfit Leicester City – with his unbelievable form securing him the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for October, making him the first player in the club’s history to claim the trophy.

He’s only been outscored by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland so far this campaign, a signal as to how impressive he has been for the Reds in front of goal.

Today, he could once again haunt his former side, but if he is to do so, Nuno must recall one player to the starting lineup.

The man who Nuno has to recall against Newcastle

Midfielder Elliot Anderson arrived at the City Ground over the summer from Newcastle, taking advantage of the Magpies’ PSR and financial issues.

Their loss has been the Reds’ gain, with the England U21 international making an impressive start to life in the East Midlands – but he’s found himself behind Morgan Gibbs-White in the pecking order.

The former Wolves ace returned to the starting lineup after his recent ankle issue, with Anderson dropping to the bench as a result of Gibbs-White’s recall.

However, when looking at the 22-year-old’s figures from the first few months of the season, he has taken to life in Nottingham like a duck to water, with his chance creation undoubtedly helping Wood against the Magpies this afternoon.

Games played

10

=1st

Assists

3

1st

Big chances created

4

1st

Successful dribbles per 90

2.2

1st

Goals & assists

3

2nd

Chances created

14

2nd

Successful tackles per 90

2.1

2nd

The “sensational” Anderson, as dubbed by Forest fan and podcast host Matt Forde, has the most assists of any player in the first-team, along with the most big chances created – giving Wood the opportunities to add to his impressive tally later on today.

Winger Anthony Elanga – who hasn’t scored this season – has been poor in recent weeks, potentially being the man to make way, which could see Anderson operate in a slightly wider role off the right-hand side.

However, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s featured in such a role, doing so against Liverpool in the 1-0 win at Anfield – and starring before his withdrawal on the hour mark.

It’s a great opportunity for Nuno’s side to extend their winning run this afternoon, taking on a Newcastle side who are yet to reach the heights they’ve previously hit under Howe.

If the Reds are to be victorious, the recall of Anderson will give them the added quality in attacking areas needed to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot.

Perhaps, both he and Wood can terrorise their former employers…

Edu simply must offload Nottingham Forest dud who earns more than Murillo

Nottingham Forest’s big-money signing has been a huge flop during his time at the City Ground.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 7, 2024

Taylor and Nation put together a 128-run stand as West Indies romped to a six-wicket win

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2021
Stafanie Taylor’s 117-ball 102 not out took West Indies to a 3-0 series sweep against Pakistan. Chasing 226 in the third ODI in Karachi, Taylor and Chedean Nation put together a 128-run fifth-wicket stand as West Indies romped to a six-wicket win.Put in to bat, Pakistan were off to a good start, with openers Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar stitching together a 49-run stand. Aaliyah Alleyne drew first blood, dismissing Zafar for 13. Muneeba, though, stuck around, bringing up her half-century off 75 balls.Pakistan then lost three wickets in the space of 16 balls, following which Iram Javed and Aliya Riaz resurrected the innings with a 44-run stand for the fifth wicket. Riaz hit an unbeaten 57-ball 44 to take Pakistan to 225.In reply, West Indies got off to a shaky start, Anam Amin and Diana Baig reducing them to 15 for 3. But Taylor and Hayley Matthews lifted them with an 83-run stand off 104 balls. Sadia Iqbal provided the breakthrough by removing Matthews for 49, but Taylor kept the runs flowing, bringing up her half-century off 72 balls.Nation joined Taylor at the crease in the 22nd over and the two kept the scoreboard moving. Taylor got to her seventh ODI century in 113 balls, and on her way, she also brought up 5000 runs in ODIs, becoming just the third woman to the milestone. Nation also brought up a fifty of her own as the duo finished things off quickly, sealing the match in 44 overs.”I love scoring runs and I love batting and once the team wins I’m really happy about that,” Taylor said after the match. “It’s never happened before… and I’m hoping I get a hundred against one of the (higher-ranked) teams. It’s really nice to reach such a milestone and I hope I continue to do that for West Indies.”I think this is huge. seeing that we were coming off a (series) defeat to South Africa and to come here and win 3-0, we haven’t done that in a while and it’s really nice that we can do that and get ourselves match ready.”

The U.S. captain ran the show in the middle of the park as the Cherries secured all three points

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Bournemouth defeat Southampton 3-1
• Tyler Adams runs midfield show
• in stellar form

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Tyler Adams and Bournemouth defeated Southampton 3-1 on Saturday, thanks to goals from Dango Ouattara, Ryan Christie, and Marcus Tavernier.

  Adams, meanwhile, ran the midfield show with a 91 percent passing completion percentage and 69 total touches of the ball over 90 minutes of action. He also created two attacking chances in the match, as the continued their miraculous climb up the Premier League standings.

  With three points on Saturday, they leapfrog Chelsea due to criteria points into fifth place in the standings, trailing fourth-place Manchester City by one point in the hunt for European soccer in 2025-26.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Adams and Bournemouth have gone on an incredible run since the start of December, losing just one match across all competition in a 15-game stretch. The lone defeat came at the hands of league-leaders Liverpool on Feb. 1, when the defeated them 2-0 in Premier League action.

  Manager Andoni Iraola has praised the squad of late, including Adams, who has broken out at the flip of the calendar year after suffering a series of injuries through the first few months of the season.

  The 26-year-old has started seven-straight matches for them now, and he has accumulated three assists during that span. Pulling strings in the center of the park, he appears to be back to his best.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The have scored 12 total goals in their last four Premier League matches combined; including a 5-0 pummeling over Nottingham Forest and a 4-1 thumping of Newcastle in addition to Saturday's result and their loss to Liverpool.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT FOR ADAMS AND BOURNEMOUTH?

  The are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 22 when they take on fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton in domestic action.

Gayle and Paul Stirling smash 97 in five overs together as Team Abu Dhabi get off to a flyer

Aadam Patel19-Nov-2021

Chris Gayle and Paul Stirling put on 97 for the fourth wicket•Abu Dhabi T10

Less than a fortnight ago, Chris Gayle walked off at this ground to a guard of honour from the eventual world champions, Australia, after what many believed was his last international appearance.Then on Thursday, he tweeted a simple – if slightly cryptic – message stating “I Ain’t Leaving…”Judging by the way Gayle helped to get Team Abu Dhabi’s campaign off to a flyer on Friday evening at the Zayed Cricket Ground, he seems a man who, even at the age of 42, still has more than enough in his armoury to destroy bowling attacks around the world, regardless of the format of the game or the colour that he wears.Alongside Paul Stirling, in the bright yellow of Team Abu Dhabi, the pair of them shone and added a remarkable 97 runs in just five overs, taking much of the Bangla Tigers attack to the cleaners and in doing so, taking the game away from Faf du Plessis’ side in quite brutal fashion.Stirling ended with 59 off 23, including six fours and five sixes, whilst Gayle finished unbeaten on 49 off 23, with five sixes of his own. Their combined tally was more than Bangla Tigers could manage in their entire innings. It was an exhibition of explosive and ferocious six-hitting for the Abu Dhabi crowd that earlier got to witness Delhi Bulls defeat the defending champions, Northern Warriors.”It’s a great way to start from a team point of view,” Gayle said. “All of the guys played their part, Stirling batted well, [Marchant] de Lange with the ball, the captain with the ball as well – everyone played their part.”Stirlo was fantastic and we were just having fun out there. He executed well today and I think he’ll love this wicket and score a lot of runs on this wicket.”On his own performance, Gayle added: “It’s good to be in the runs and hopefully it can continue tomorrow.”The numbers alone spoke of carnage. Sixty runs came in the space of the fifth and sixth overs. Spare a thought for Sabir Rao who was smashed for 29 in an over and Qais Ahmed, dispatched for 31 in the next. Neither of them returned to the attack. Such is the brutality of this format, no bowler is permitted more than two overs and the last thing that du Plessis would have thought about doing would be to give Gayle and Stirling another sniff.Related

Gayle hasn't retired yet, hopes for farewell game in Jamaica

Liam Livingstone expects T10 format to 'suit my game down to the ground'

At the end of the sixth over, the Abu Dhabi score was a ludicrous 112 for 2 and a third of the deliveries had gone the distance: 12 sixes in 36 deliveries.For all the talk about the importance of a toss (both sides that won the toss chose to field on opening night), given the numbers in the T20 World Cup which highlighted the value of chasing, this Team Abu Dhabi batting order will strike fear into opposition, regardless of whether they bat first or second.Captain Liam Livingstone said in the build-up that it was about “trying to hit as many sixes as we can” and that is exactly what they did. Each of the first four batters hit at least one six and finished with a strike rate of 200-plus.Phil Salt pulled his second delivery over the midwicket fence, before getting run out off the next. And Livingstone himself thumped James Faulkner for two consecutive maximums before getting bowled by the Australian. The skipper’s dismissal simply welcomed the “Universe Boss” to the crease, who alongside Stirling wreaked havoc.Rao was clobbered around the ground, as Gayle hammered, pulled and smeared him for three sixes in his first four legitimate deliveries. He returned with a brilliant yorker that went for a bye, only for Stirling to add to the pain by dispatching a slower delivery next ball for six more. For Rao, his first ever T10 appearance was one he’ll want to forget.As if that wasn’t enough. Stirling added three more sixes in the next over, hammering a length delivery, flicking away a full toss, before gracefully getting down on one knee and sending one sailing over long-on. It was raining sixes in Abu Dhabi.By the time Stirling was dismissed, the damage was already done. Despite managing to restrict Team Abu Dhabi to 145 for 4, given the start they had, the task was always going to be an uphill one for Tigers.Livingstone also emphasised the need to “take as many wickets as possible” to try and stem the flow of runs in this format and in Marchant de Lange, he had just the man. When Sheldon Cottrell’s opening over was blasted for 18 by Andre Fletcher, Tigers had got off to a belter – only for de Lange to bowl both du Plessis and Fletcher in the next. The South African finished off the job with only the second five-for in Abu Dhabi T10 history as he ripped through the Tigers middle order.”It was phenomenal to watch. We back ourselves to hit sixes and thanks to Chris and Paul, we probably got 20 or 30 more than par,” Livingstone said.For Fletcher, it was an all too familiar story seeing his fellow West Indian take the game to to the Tigers. “As we’ve got to know with Gayle, it’s do or die.” Friday night in the desert belonged to Team Abu Dhabi.

MatériaMais Notícias

A tarde deste sábado (12) foi movimentada para o Campeonato Cearense. A 12ª rodada contou com goleadas do Iguatu e Caucaia, que se manteve no topo da tabela de classificação. Enquanto isso, Crato não conseguiu escapar da zona de rebaixamento. Confira o resumo:

RelacionadasAmérica MineiroEm duelo equilibrado, Atlético-MG vence o América-MG e mantém escrita diante do rivalAmérica Mineiro12/02/2022Futebol NacionalCom dois a menos, Avaí cria boas chances, se segura na defesa e empata com o JoinvilleFutebol Nacional12/02/2022Mundial de ClubesA tristeza da torcida do Palmeiras no estádio e no BrasilMundial de Clubes12/02/2022

Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

Maracanã 1 x 2 Pacajus
O duelo foi bastante equilibrado e marcado por muitas faltas – o que rendeu os gols da partida. No primeiro tempo, o Maracanã saiu na frente do placar. Aos 23, José Elenilton converteu um pênalti e abriu o placar do Estádio Domingão. No entanto, a segunda etapa foi totalmente do Pacajus. Também de pênalti, Testinha também aproveitou e converteu pênalti, deixando tudo igual. Já no final do duelo, aos 34, João Victor decretou a vitória da equipe visitante.
​
Iguatu 7 x 0 Crato
O duelo mais movimentado da rodada terminou com a vitória dos donos da casa, o que piorou a situação do Crato na tabela. Becker, aos 20, abriu o marcador. Nove minutos depois, Hugo Freitas ampliou a vantagem. Aos 35, mais um gol de Freitas. Antes do intervalo, Patuta anotou o quarto. Na segunda etapa, Romario marcou mais um. Para encerar, Davi Tibúrcio mandou duas bolas para o fundo das redes, finalizando o 7 x 0.

Icasa 1 x 1 Ferroviário
No terceiro confronto da rodada, o único empate. Em um primeiro tempo mais apagado, as equipes só foram balançar as redes na segunda etapa. Aos 9, Mauri aproveitou e abriu a vantagem no O Inaldão. No entanto, no final do duelo, aos 45, a arbitragem marcou pênalti para o Icasa. Leandro Mendes foi para a cobrança e não desperdiçou, guardando no fundo e garantiu o empate no confronto.

Caucaia 5 x 2 Atlético-CE
As equipes protagonizaram o outro duelo mais movimentado da rodada. Logo aos 3 minutos, Jayson abriu o placar para os donos da casa. Na pressão, o Atlético conseguiu o empate aos 16, com Ari, que deixou tudo igual. No final do primeiro tempo, Goiaba fez o segundo do Caucaia. Na volta do intervalo, Vanderlan precisou apenas quatro minutos para ampliar a vantagem. Matheus Manguape também marcou o seu. Aos 22, Andson não desperdiçou e diminuiu a vantagem, deixando no 4 a 2. Já aos 51, em cobrança de pênaltis, Adailton deu números finais ao placar.

Experienced wicketkeeper was axed as captain in mid-summer

Matt Roller16-Dec-2021Ben Brown has been released from his contract with Sussex two years early at his own request after losing the captaincy in mid-summer, making him the latest high-profile departure from the club after Chris Jordan and Phil Salt.Brown has been a Sussex player since Under-11 level and has been a first-team player since 2007. He was awarded the club captaincy on a full-time basis in 2018 after taking on the role midway through the 2017 season and signed a contract extension in 2020, but Sussex announced midway through last summer that they had decided “the time is right for new leadership”.He was briefly dropped from their Royal London Cup squad and when he returned to the squad he was selected as a specialist batter rather than a wicketkeeper. Despite the upheaval – and being asked to bat out of position at No. 3 in the final month of the season – Brown had the most prolific Championship season of his career, with 976 runs at 51.36 and four hundreds.Related

Rashid Khan returns to Sussex for 2022 Blast

Sussex rock-bottom as Derbyshire seal first win of season

Rock-bottom Sussex wholehearted but callow as recruitment falls under scrutiny

Wright: 'We can't be losing our best players all the time'

Jordan, Salt to leave Sussex for Surrey, Lancs at end of season

“Ben had two seasons remaining on his contract and, as you’d expect with a player of his quality, was very much a part of our plans for the future,” Rob Andrew, Sussex’s chief executive, said in a statement.”We’ve tried hard to find a way forward that keeps him at the club and until very recently thought that would be something we could achieve. However, it’s now clear that Ben is set on a change, and it would be in nobody’s interests to keep him at Sussex against his will.”Despite hoping it wouldn’t be necessary, once Ben first mentioned that he was feeling unsettled it was only prudent that we began exploring potential replacements for next summer. Ben has been part of Sussex for over two decades and has a record he can be extremely proud of. He has always given everything with the bat, the gloves or with his captaincy.”Under tapping-up regulations, Brown has not been permitted to speak to other counties but is likely to prove an attractive signing. He has 22 first-class hundreds and a career average above 40, is widely recognised as one of the best wicketkeepers in the country and has leadership experience. He has little T20 experience but as a result is not involved in the Hundred and made his first List A hundred against Middlesex in August.Chris Jordan and Phil Salt have also left Sussex this year•Getty Images”As this chapter of my career draws to a close, I would like to say an enormous thank you to Sussex for the opportunities I have been afforded over a twenty-two-year association with the club,” Brown said in a statement. “Since I was first selected as an eleven-year-old I have made life-long friends, travelled the world, and made memories for life playing cricket for Sussex.”To have had the opportunity to play as much as I have for my home club makes me immensely proud and I am hugely grateful to everyone at Sussex over the years who have helped turn my dreams into a reality. I am also thankful for the opportunity to become club captain, a job that gave me immense pride and pleasure to do, and I look forward to returning to Hove in the future to reflect on seeing my name on the captain’s board, alongside so many great names of Sussex Cricket.”I would like to wish the current squad and support staff all the best in the coming years, and I look forward to seeing the young squad flourish over seasons to come at Hove. For me personally it is time to return to being a Sussex supporter as I look forward to a new chapter of my cricket career.”Sussex have been in a state of transition in four-day cricket since their relegation from Division One of the Championship in 2015. They were expected to compete for promotion under Jason Gillespie but never managed to finish in the top two and they won the wooden spoon in Ian Salisbury’s first season in charge in 2021 while fielding the youngest team in the country and using as many as 26 different players.Luke Wright, the club’s T20 captain, said Sussex “can’t be losing our best players all the time,” ahead of Jordan and Salt’s final appearances for the club, following the departures of Laurie Evans, Danny Briggs, Luke Wells, Chris Nash, Reece Topley and Michael Burgess in recent seasons. Stiaan van Zyl and Aaron Thomason also left the club at the end of the 2021 season, while Stuart Meaker and Mitchell Claydon have both retired and Will Beer has signed a T20-only contract despite admitting his desire to play across formats.They have recruited Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Steven Finn this winter, but were beaten to the signing of Ross Whiteley by Hampshire and Brown’s departure represents another blow.However, several of their best young players – including 50-over captain and leading Championship run-scorer Tom Haines, George Garton, Jack Carson and Delray Rawlins – have signed contract extensions, as have senior T20 players like Wright, Tymal Mills and Ravi Bopara. Travis Head, who struggled with the bat in his first season at the club but scored an 85-ball hundred in the first Ashes Test last week, will return as Championship captain in 2022, while the club are due to announce a major overseas signing on Thursday afternoon.

Tottenham Hotspur had hoped to see significant progress this season, but so far, there has been no such rapidity. Ange Postecoglou has implemented an exciting and aggressive style of football, but the holes are many.

With five defeats from 11 matches in the Premier League, there’s a lack of backbone about this talented bunch that is costing the fans faith dearly.

The underlying metrics would suggest that Tottenham are one of the most incisive and creative teams in the division, but significant lapses have allowed opponents to take the lead all too often.

The silver lining is that Spurs, who are tenth in the table, have 16 points from 11 top-flight fixtures, which puts the north Londoners within three points of third-placed Chelsea.

Premier League Top Scorers 2024/25 (Club)

Rank

Club

Position

Goals scored

1.

Tottenham

10th

23

2.

Man City

2nd

22

2=

Brentford

11th

22

4.

Liverpool

1st

21

4=

Chelsea

3rd

21

Sourced via BBC Sport

Moreover, Postecoglou was hardly hesitant to fix holes last January, signing Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £27m and landing Timo Werner on loan. An impressive deal was also struck in advance for young midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who has earned minutes this year.

There are various issues to address. Let’s take a look at just where Postecoglou and Daniel Levy might opt to strengthen.

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

Last summer, Guglielmo Vicario joined Tottenham in a deal initially worth £17m from Italian team Empoli, and he’s yet to miss a minute in the Premier League.

Even so, questions marks linger, namely around the 27-year-old’s ability to deal with set pieces, his aerial command. Still, he’s still an excellent goalkeeper, and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

Transfer rumours concerning Pedro Porro have abounded in recent weeks, with Real Madrid particularly keen on the Spaniard if they are unable to entice Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Porro hasn’t quite been at his best this season, though Postecogolou persists in playing him higher up than perhaps he’d like. Even so, the dynamic defender won’t be going anywhere during this season’s midpoint.

3 CB – Cristian Romero

Another to have fallen off a proverbial cliff, Cristian Romero has yet to blend smoothness with fierce aggression, as he has done so well since joining from Atalanta in a £42m transfer back in 2021.

It’s a matter of when, not if, the Argentine will be back at the top of his game though. Spurs must hold onto him with steel-strong fingers.

4 CB – Micky van de Ven

One of the most athletic and awe-inspiring central defenders across Europe, Micky van de Ven has become a prominent name in the Premier League since signing from Wolfsburg last year.

He’s not infallible, but the Dutchman’s pace and power have foiled many a hopeful forward across the past year. Let’s just hope he can soon put his injury woes behind him.

5 LB – Patrick Dorgu

Last season, journalist Hunter Godson said that Destiny Udogie “gets into nearly every team in the world already.” Now, however, the Italian gem, 21, is flattering to deceive.

Branded with a 5/10 match score (by football.london) as Spurs lost to Ipswich, he’s in need of a bounce-back. There are also rumours that he’s fallen out with his Australian manager having also been singled out for criticism by Dimitar Berbatov following Tottenham’s capitulation against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Some competition would be good, and thus, Levy and co must move to sign Patrick Dorgu, who’s been riding the crest of a wave with Lecce and is on the London club’s radar, with Chelsea and Manchester United also interested.

The athletic and versatile defender ranks among the top 3% of positional peers for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, and could add a wonderful dimension to test Udogie for that number one spot.

6 DM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Chelsea and Spurs aren’t pals at the best of times and transfer dealings between the two teams are few and far between. It can happen though, as with Jude Soonsup-Bell’s switch to north London in January 2023, having cut his teeth within the Cobham Academy.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could take that scarcely-trodden path in 2025, with The Daily Briefing revealing that the Chelsea midfielder, who joined from Leicester City for £30m in the summer, is already being pushed toward the exit.

He’s industrious and multi-functional and could be the perfect counterbalancing force behind the tried-and-tested duo that we shall look at next.

7 CM – Dejan Kulusevski

A revelation this season. Dejan Kulusevski is regarded as Tottenham’s most consistent player, and it’s a fair claim at that.

Refashioned into a robust and roaming central midfielder after principally playing as a winger throughout his career, the 24-year-old is so important to the success of Postecoglou’s system.

8 CM – James Maddison

James Maddison has ebbed and flowed down at N17, but none can dispute that this is one of the most talented playmakers in the English top flight.

He brings something to the table that no other Lilywhite can match, and when at the top of his game, the England international saunters into Tottenham’s starting line-up.

9 RW – Takefusa Kubo

Brennan Johnson scored in seven successive matches for club and country earlier this season, but the Welsh winger still has much to learn.

As such, he could do with some more competition on the right flank, especially now that Kulusevski spends time in the centre. Enter Takefusa Kubo.

Spanish sources – via Caught Offside – have revealed that Tottenham have joined Liverpool in the race for the Real Sociedad winger, who is valued at £50m and hailed for his “special talent” by journalist John Bunting.

10 LW – Heung-min Son

Is Heung-min Son starting to show the signs of father time this season? If he is, the club captain is still performing at an elite level, capable of shifting from deadly marksman to all-seeing creator so seamlessly.

Postecoglou has heaped so much praise on his “world-class” talisman, who he also said is the best attacker in the Premier League, and it’s hard to envisage an immediate future without the South Korean at the heart of the project.