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‘Ideally we would want two three- or four-day games before a Test series,’ India’s head coach has told ESPNcricinfo. ‘But do you have the time?’

Nagraj Gollapudi13-Sep-2018India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that the team management has asked the BCCI to arrange “a couple” of warm-up matches ahead of their four-Test series in Australia, which begins on December 6. In an exclusive interview with ESPNcricinfo, Shastri also made it clear that he was leaving the UK in a “positive” frame of mind and had not received any communication from the board to review India’s 4-1 series defeat in the Pataudi Trophy.The debate over India’s preparation ahead of major away Test series has raged over the last nine months. The team opted to skip the one-off warm-up match ahead of the three-Test series in South Africa in January in favour of high-intensity training sessions. In England, India played only one warm-up game, against an Essex second XI, ahead of the five-Test series. The visitors raised eyebrows by shortening the four-day match into a three-day affair.In a conversation with the former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding on during the Test series in England, India captain Virat Kohli had explained why he felt warm-up games weren’t always useful. The opposition in such games, he said, was often of poor quality, and pitches unlike the ones prepared for the Test matches. In those circumstances, he felt intense practice sessions were often a better way to prepare.Shastri has now said he is not against playing warm-up games.”Absolutely not. Why would we be?” he asked. “You can only see the results (in the England Tests). Every time after the second Test we have improved. You can still get better. But why can’t we be in that position in the first Test match?”He however said it was not always possible to play as many warm-up matches as the team would like, given the choked international calendar.”If you have two or three games against weaker sides we don’t mind because it is a game,” Shastri said. “But when you have a schedule as tight as this and when you have a memorandum of understanding that has already been formulated, with a choc-a-bloc calendar, there is very little you can do. Now, we have requested for a couple of (warm-up) games in Australia before the Test series. But is there space (to play those matches)? That is the question.”India start their Australia tour with a three-match T20I series, beginning on November 21. This leaves them with only a ten-day gap before the first Test.”Ideally we would want two three- or four-day games before a Test series,” Shastri said. “But do you have the time? For example, we have a T20 series in Australia preceding the Test series. There is a 10-day gap before the first Test. These are things that have been approved earlier. It is not in our control.”The 4-1 defeat in England has led numerous critics to question the role of India’s support staff, including Shastri. He, however, said he had full faith that India’s support staff could lead the team in the right direction.”Absolutely not,” Shastri said, when asked if he was distracted by the criticism. “Last one to press the panic button when I see so many positives. I head back home with a very positive state of mind. I know exactly what we do. I know exactly and clearly where the team is heading – it is heading in the right direction.”People are entitled to their opinions. As long as we know the job we are doing and we are honest to our jobs, as long as support staff we are helping players channelise their energies in the right direction, we are not worried about what critics say.”

Hosts arrest five-match losing streak at Chinnaswamy courtesy Umesh’s three-for and de Villiers’ half-century

The Report by Sreshth Shah13-Apr-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:02

Kalra: The game was decided in the first innings

Royal Challengers Bangalore collected two points against Kings XI Punjab, extending the streak of chasing teams winning full-length matches at IPL 2018. Umesh Yadav’s three wickets in one over set the game up for the hosts early on, after which the South African duo of Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers overcame a slight hiccup to take them to a relatively comfortable four-wicket win. The win meant RCB had arrested a five-match losing streak at the Chinnaswamy from 2017.At one point, it didn’t look easy for RCB, especially after they lost both Brendon McCullum and the captain Virat Kohli inside the Powerplay. But the 54-run partnership between de Kock and de Villiers did enough to take the pressure off the chase.In the first innings, Kings XI made 155; they should’ve made more after a blazing start courtesy KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. At the end of the match, the losing captain R Ashwin confessed that Kings XI were “20 runs short”, and that – one could say – was the eventual difference between the two sides.Umesh extinguishes blazing startThis may have been an away game for Kings XI, but two local boys walked out to open. For KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, the Chinnaswamy is where they ply their trade during the domestic season, and the duo wasted no time in making full use of the familiar surroundings.Rahul, fresh off his 14-ball fifty against Delhi Daredevils, started exactly where he left off on Sunday. After seeing off the game’s first two balls, he creamed consecutive sixes and then a boundary to take 16 off the first six balls. Next over, Agarwal showed no mercy to Umesh Yadav either, walloping him for two boundaries.At 32 for no loss after three overs, King XI were looking at another excellent Powerplay but Umesh had other plans for his second over. The first ball, a tempting full-pitched delivery, was edged by Agarwal to the keeper de Kock diving to his right. Aaron Finch, playing his first game after his wedding, lasted one ball as Umesh trapped him in front first up. Then Yuvraj Singh fell off the over’s final delivery. He looked tentative, managing to defend the hat-trick ball and then almost holing out to deep backward square, but Umesh got his man soon after. Coming around the wicket for the fourth over’s final ball, he fired one in and Yuvraj was too slow to get in position. The end result: Yuvraj’s middle stump on the floor and Kings XI at 36 for 3 after four overs.Rahul fails at late surge but Ashwin saves faceKarun Nair was tasked with rehabilitating the Kings XI’s innings and together with KL Rahul found the occasional boundary while knocking the ball into the gaps and rotating the strike. With Kings XI at 84 for 3 at the halfway stage and still needing a lot more on a batting-friendly surface, Rahul looked to change gears once again but perished trying to accelerate.He fell to Washington Sundar, who started his spell after the Powerplay for only the second time in the IPL. Rahul’s slog sweep found short third man and, with that dismissal, the Kings XI batting began to unravel once more.Nair fell for a 26-ball 29 next over and Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel and Andrew Tye didn’t last long either. Captain R Ashwin (21-ball 33) played a mature innings, though, to push the visitors past 150. He hit three fours and a flat-batted six off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 19th over, but fell next ball looking for another big hit. Kings XI were eventually dismissed for 155, but Ashwin’s cameo ensured their bowlers had something to bowl at.De Kock and de Villiers deliverThe target of 156 was always gettable on this surface, but a poor start with the bat did not help RCB’s cause. McCullum fell slashing the chase’s second ball to backward point, after which a wrong ‘un from Mujeeb Zadran hit Kohli’s middle stump. With RCB at 33 for 2, the game could’ve swung either way, but the South Africans saw the Powerplay off with no further damage.A careful batting approach often corresponds to a bloating required run-rate, and just as RCB looked to have fallen off the pace de Kock and de Villiers hit back. Both batsmen enjoyed the extra pace that Mohit Sharma offered, and smashed 16 runs – including a six and two fours – off the eighth over. With the pressure dropping off, de Kock freed his arms further, clearing the long-on boundary off a R Ashwin dolly and then smacking two more boundaries off the Kings XI captain and Axar Patel to give RCB’s innings a push.Ashwin eventually won the battle against de Kock and so, when he was bowled in the 12th over, it needed a composed show from de Villiers.With 69 runs still to win and 54 balls remaining, de Villiers took his time and chipped away at the target before going after Mujeeb (19 runs came in one over when 41 were required off 24) to bring the equation under control. He fell in the 19th over, holing out to deep point off Andrew Tye, but Washington Sundar’s two boundaries off the last over ensured RCB managed to draw curtains on the horrid run endured last season.Mohit Sharma was expensive for the visitors, conceding 45 in 3.3 overs. In contrast, the other Kings XI bowlers went at 7.50 or less per over.

A 2-1 result across five Tests in Asia is certainly not a failure, but things went pear shaped over the last few days

Alex Malcolm12-Jul-2022A reality check, indeed. Pat Cummins’ first defeat as Australia Test captain in Galle, by an innings inside four days, was more than just a blip on the radar.It doesn’t quite warrant the vitriolic email former Cricket Australia head of high-performance Pat Howard sent from a Dhaka cafe the day after their first-ever Test loss to Bangladesh in 2017.Nor does it warrant the resignation of the chair of selectors and wholesale team changes, as happened after Australia’s last Test match innings defeat in Hobart in 2016.It is the first defeat in 10 Tests for the new captain and the first defeat in five under new coach Andrew McDonald. Winning teams can have bad games and there are a lot of credits in the bank. If you had offered Cummins and McDonald a score line of two wins, two draws, and a loss from five consecutive subcontinental Tests prior to leaving for Pakistan in late February, especially in the wake of the messy departure of former coach Justin Langer, they would have gleefully accepted it.Related

• Swepson on red-ball ambitions: 'I've had one eye on the India tour for a while'

• Glenn Maxwell still hungry to succeed in Test cricket

• Jimmy Peirson's unbeaten tour: 'I'm not even meant to be here'

• Jayasuriya's 12-wicket haul, Chandimal's 206* give Sri Lanka series-levelling win

• Cummins: Innings defeat a 'good reality check'

However, if you’d offered the same at 329 for 5 on the second morning of the second Test in Galle would they have taken it?”It’s a good reality check,” Cummins said post-match. “For people touring over here, it’s really hard. I think there’s so many positives out of last week that we did find methods that work. One small hiccup doesn’t mean you’ve got to change everything about your game.”This is true. Reacting to one loss emotionally, no matter how large, would go entirely against the grain of this team’s new philosophy of being cool, calm and composed at all times.But this was a little more than a hiccup. This capitulation had a very familiar feel to it for Australian teams on the subcontinent. For all the good work of Pakistan and the first Test in Galle, this would have felt like two steps forward and one decent step back.Australia’s collapse on the second morning was a reminder to make strong positions count•Getty ImagesTo the batting firstly. India’s Ravindra Jadeja would have been licking his chops as he watched during his morning coffee in England, as 30-year-old left-arm orthodox Prabath Jayasuriya tore through Australia twice to take the fourth-best figures in history by a Test debutant.Australia had mauled Lasith Embuldeniya last week to the point where Sri Lanka could not afford to pick him again. But the same methods did not work against Jayasuriya, who franked his tremendous first-class record with two spells of bowling that belied his Test inexperience.Where the sweep and reverse sweep had been so productive for Australia’s batters in the first Test, it caused no end of problems in the second. What was noticeable was how many Australia batters fell trying to sweep off the stumps, with Cameron Green (first innings), David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Nathan Lyon all trapped lbw attempting to sweep.Contrast that with the diligence of Dinesh Chandimal, who used the sweep prodigiously but judiciously during his superb 206 not out. He barely once swept Mitchell Swepson’s legspin or Lyon when he bowled from around the wicket, given lbw was very much in play. He only swept Lyon when he pitched wide of off, so he could get his front pad outside the line and he could sweep with the turn, something Steven Smith prefers to do.The reverse sweep also yielded plenty of runs in the series but caused the downfall of Alex Carey at a critical time in the first innings. It would be rash and ill-advised for all of Australia’s top order to abandon their sweeping and reverse sweeping plans for India next year as a few did in Sri Lanka in 2016, but some refinement of those plans will certainly be needed.”I think it’s just those individual methods,” Cummins said. “Everyone does it in their own way, slightly different. But just trying to get a little bit better at everything you try to do. We’ll obviously sit down after this and review it and look at different areas and maybe tactics, but I think it’s just those methods, which might be quite different to what we experience back home in trying to be good enough overseas.”Likewise, with Australia’s batting selection on the subcontinent, refinement might be needed. Some of the areas were already known going in but it would have taken courage to make a change ahead of time.Travis Head’s record against spin was a watching brief for Australia’s selectors and he only confirmed what they already suspected. He could not protect his off stump nor could he score with any freedom. He was the only Australia batter not to make a half-century across the Pakistan and Sri Lanka series, with a highest score of 26. He now averages just 21.30 in Asia from seven Tests and has passed 50 only once.There will be loud calls for Glenn Maxwell for India next year, as he was close to playing in this series. But Maxwell averages just 26.07 in Asia from seven Tests and has also passed 50 just once, albeit it was a superb hundred in Ranchi in 2017. He also hasn’t played a first-class game in three years and is unlikely to play one prior to the India tour.The notion that he is a miles better horse for the course is not backed up by the numbers. Australia A’s concurrent tour to Sri Lanka yielded some excellent batting performances on similar pitches to that produced for the second Test. That Maxwell was called into the squad above any of those players did go against the high-performance philosophy they have been trying to move to in recent times.Warner’s form in Asia is also worthy of discussion. He scored two half-centuries across the two tours. He has the unenviable record now of being one of only three players in Test history to have batted in the top four more than 25 times in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka without making a century. He averages just 26.13 in those three countries with a highest score of 71. He has three centuries in the subcontinent, two in Bangladesh and one in the UAE, but only once has he faced more than 200 balls. The need to bat long in the subcontinent, as shown by Usman Khawaja, is every bit as valuable as big runs and Warner has not been able to provide it over his career despite being unequivocally one of Australia’s greatest ever openers.Travis Head did not make a half-century across the two tours•AFP/Getty ImagesFrom a bowling perspective, as well as Australia have played in these tours, they have only taken 20 wickets twice and have failed to bowl an opposition out inside 160 overs three times. One of those was on a flat wicket in Rawalpindi that yielded just 14 wickets in five days. But both in Karachi and Galle, opponents have batted for more than 170 overs on pitches where other innings in the game have seen 10 wickets fall inside 54 overs.There will be questions raised about the composition of the attack and the form of Australia’s spinners, as they were unchanged for four of the five Tests. However, Australia’s fielding and reviewing were as much to blame in Galle. The bowlers created as many as 19 clear-cut chances to take just 10 wickets. Lyon and Swepson are lightning rods for opinion, but they had three missed stumpings (two were extremely difficult), a dropped catch, and four lbws between them that would have been out if either the umpire’s call had gone their way or reviews had been kept.Mitchell Starc also had Chandimal caught behind on 30. Australia fans will make noise around some of the umpiring decisions, but it’s worth noting Sri Lanka overturned three incorrect decisions against them in the Test because they kept reviews up their sleeve.Nathan Lyon shouldered a huge workload•Associated PressJayasuriya did, though, prove the value of a left-arm orthodox in the subcontinent, particularly on a decent pitch, where the angle to the right-handers and the odd ball not spinning can often cause more problems than a legspinner can muster. But Australia do not have a left-arm orthodox who averages 25.08 and strikes at 44.3 as Jayasuriya does, with their first-choice option Ashton Agar (whose tour was ended with a side strain) averaging 41.28 and striking at 80.7.Cummins admitted he could have managed his bowlers better, with Swepson and Starc under-bowled in Galle compared to Lyon’s marathon 64 overs.”I think field placements and using the spin bowlers, I hadn’t had a lot of experience with that,” Cummins said. “And just managing the tempo and even the bowling spells, 180 overs out here happens quite a bit overseas. Just managing different bowlers trying to keep relative control on the scoreboard and the scoring rate. It felt like I learned quite a bit.”It has been a useful learning experience for Australia. A deciding third Test against Sri Lanka would have been even more valuable. But alas, they now wait until February next year for the date with India in their conditions. Five Tests against West Indies and South Africa at home will not aid their preparation for that tour in the slightest.Therefore they cannot afford to brush this loss under the carpet, despite the positive nature of some of the gains over the previous four Tests. Sri Lanka have rather easily exposed some cracks that Australia thought they might have filled in. India have the skill to make them gaping holes next year.

Chelsea are now determined to win the race for a “decisive creator”, and they are readying a €30m (£26m) offer for his services, according to a report.

Blues pursuing new attacking midfielder

Throughout the campaign, Enzo Maresca’s side have largely done a good job crafting opportunities for Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku in attack, having created 83 big chances in the Premier League, the joint-second highest total in the division.

Those figures suggest a lack of cutting edge from the strikers may be a problem for the Blues, so it is little wonder they are set to pursue a new striker in the summer transfer window, and they are now leading the race for Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy.

However, Maresca is also clearly keen to bring in a new playmaker this summer, with Lyon assist king Rayan Cherki among the potential targets, alongside Como’s Nico Paz, who has impressed manager Cesc Fàbregas with his performances in Italy this season.

He's like Lampard: Chelsea want to sign one of 'Europe's best young stars'

Chelsea could be about to sign an attacking midfield star who plays like former Blues icon Frank Lampard.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 21, 2025

There has now been a new update on Chelsea’s pursuit of Paz, with a report from Spain revealing the west Londoners are now readying a €30m (£26m) offer for the 20-year-old, as they are determined to win the race for his signature.

Doing so could be a tall order, however, with the Argentine attracting attention from some of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, who retain the option to re-sign their former player for the bargain fee of less than €10m (£8.6m), which could be appealing.

The report states the youngster has been one of the Serie A’s stars this season, so it is little wonder he has garnered interest from some European giants, and he is said to be a prime target for the Blues, whose model is built around signing young players.

"Decisive creator" Paz impressing in Italy

Although Real Madrid have a buy-back clause, they may be ruing the decision to let the Como star leave in the first place, given the level of his performances in the Serie A this season.

The Spain-born maestro has six goals and seven assists to his name in 30 appearances, and his displays have earned him a call-up to national side Argentina, setting up a goal on his debut against Bolivia back in October.

The starlet has developed a strong relationship with Como forward Assane Diao, and Ben Mattinson lauded him as a “decisive creator” after setting up the Senegal international’s goal in the 3-0 victory against Lecce last time out.

Paz’s performances for Como suggest he is now ready for a move to a top club, so it is exciting news that Chelsea are stepping up their transfer pursuit, but Real Madrid’s cheap buy-back clause could pose a major problem.

Having returned to form and constructed a three-match winning streak in the Premier League after a tough spell, news that Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero was set for a spell on the sidelines cast a shadow over preparations for the trip to face Brighton & Hove Albion.

Not for the first time, Ange Postecoglou fielded a makeshift backline consisting of four full-backs across the backline, but once again this patchwork effort failed to yield a winning result.

Losing 4-2 at the AMEX Stadium, Spurs have sqaundered the opportunity to draw level with third-placed Aston Villa, and while the defence was arguably at fault, Postecoglou will be disappointed with the efforts of some of his attacking players.

Brennan Johnson's performance vs Brighton

Earning his seventh start from eight fixtures in the English top-flight, Brennan Johnson flattered to receive on the right wing and will have left Postecoglou unconvinced that he deserves a starting spot going forward.

Bemoaning the 22-year-old winger is perhaps unfair, while he cost Tottenham £47.5m to sign from Nottingham Forest in the summer, the fee is outside of his control and there are many attractive qualities that hint at a successful career in north London.

#

Player

Signed from

Fee

1

Tanguy Ndombele

Lyon

£63m

2

Richarlison

Everton

£60m

3

Brennan Johnson

Nottingham Forest

£47.5m

4

Cristian Romero

Atalanta

£42m

5

James Maddison

Leicester City

£40m

*Sourced via Football Transfers

So far, he has posted one goal and three assists in the league, averaging 1.1 key passes and 3.0 ball recoveries per game; he has been described as a "nightmare" for defenders to stop by content creator HLTCO.

But the Wales international was ineffective against a relentless Brighton side that implemented their gung-ho approach to near perfection, firing a fusillade of attacks on the ever-impressive Guglielmo Vicario's goal.

As per Sofascore, Johnson took just 28 touches – almost half of Vicario's – before being hooked after 70 minutes, completing ten passes and attempting only one blocked shot.

While he made one key pass and won four of his six contested ground duels, the £70k-per-week ace failed to make a single tackle, clearance or interception – while he is a forward, this shows a lack of defensive application against a surging home side.

Branding him with a lowly 4/10 score in his post-match ratings, football.london's Alasdair Gold said: 'Had an opportunity when running through in the first half but hesitated and fluffed his effort. Threatened to make an impact but never really did.'

Why Brennan Johnson must be dropped

After the disappointing defeat, Postecoglou might be inclined to shift Dejan Kulusevski back into his favoured right-wing role and allow Johnson to take a breather on the bench.

While injuries have shaped the troubles that have plagued the Lilywhites' campaign after such a resounding start, Tottenham's midfield was outfought and outthought in the crucial central battle.

The No. 10 is a necessary component of Postecoglou's system but it might be wise to indeed move the lively Kulusevski onto the right and bolster the engine room with the likes of Giovani Lo Celso or Oliver Skipp – who missed Thursday's clash with a knock – to establish an additional branch of control.

That's not to say that Johnson should be excluded from contention, nor even that he should not receive a starting berth for the forthcoming period, but it could just be a prudent move to make a tweak and allow Spurs to rekindle their verve, having fought so gallantly in the face of adversity this season.

West Ham United are admirers of an exciting young coach should they decide to sack David Moyes, according to a reliable journalist.

West Ham's up and down season continues

The Irons have made an extremely mixed start to the new campaign having won five, drawn two and lost five of their opening 12 games, meaning that they currently find themselves ninth in the top-flight table heading into the international break.

Following Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest, which just about epitomised their campaign, Moyes’ side will have gained some confidence that they are able to go on a positive run of form upon their return to domestic action, but regardless, there have been some questions asked about the manager’s position in the dugout.

According to 90min, David Sullivan is happy for the Scotsman to see out his contract until the end of the season unless a candidate that fits the profile of what he’s looking for was to become available between now and then, but it’s not the first time that chiefs have assessed their options in the market.

The London Stadium outfit have previously been credited with an interest in Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca, as per the same report, and they have now set their sights on an alternative who has experience playing in the Premier League.

West Ham chiefs considering Michael Carrick

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Dean Jones revealed that Michael Carrick is of interest to West Ham and admitted that he has the attributes to match what the board are searching for.

“My expectation would be that they look to be forward-thinking. Unless West Ham suddenly find themselves in crisis and need crisis management, that's the only time I could see them going for somebody with huge experience as their next appointment.

“I would expect them though to go for somebody who's younger, more forward-thinking and is more in tune with the way that the game is heading in the next 10 years, rather than how it's been for the last 10 years. That's what I would be thinking. Carrick is a really interesting one, but we have to see which direction his career goes in right now. But he's definitely somebody who is on West Ham's radar.”

Michael Carrick's record at Middlesbrough

Since being appointed at Middlesbrough, Carrick has won 29, drawn eight and lost 16 of his 53 games in charge, taking a total of 95 points from a possible 159 whilst averaging 1.79 points per match (Transfermarkt – Carrick statistics), so he’s really settled into life at the helm at the Riverside Stadium.

The Wallsend-born coach, who is 42 years of age, was also named last week’s Championship Manager of the Week for successfully beating Leicester City, so he’s proven that he’s capable of overcoming a squad of mostly Premier League players.

Furthermore, Carrick, who is “perfect” at bringing out the best in his stars and developing younger talents, according to journalist Josh Bunting, led the northeast outfit to the second tier playoffs at the end of last season, so for a manager who already knows what it takes to compete and be successful under big pressure, he could be the ideal candidate for West Ham.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke enjoyed a busy transfer window ahead of his first season in charge of the club after his arrival earlier this year.

The German tactician was brought in after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League after three years at the top level and is tasked with helping them to return at the first time of asking.

Who did Leeds sign this summer?

He was backed by the board throughout the summer in an attempt to give him the best possible chance of a strong start to life in the Championship.

Jaidon Anthony, Joel Piroe, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Glen Kamara, Djed Spence, Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, and Sam Byram all came in to bolster the squad.

These new signings have helped Leeds to fifth place in the division as it stands, after 11 matches, but there could be more business to come at the start of next year.

Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear recently revealed that funds could be available to Farke to use in the upcoming January transfer window, with loan or permanent deals possibly on the cards for the German head coach if needed.

It was recently suggested by LeedsLive that the club could improve their squad by adding a natural number ten to complement their current options, as they stated that supporters were keen to see one brought in over the summer.

With this in mind, Farke must reignite his interest in Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill to bring him in as a dream alternative to Joel Piroe in that position.

Were Leeds interested in Josh Brownhill?

TEAMtalk reported over the summer that the Whites were keen on a deal to sign the former Bristol City star from the newly promoted club.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Leicester City, and Middlesbrough were also said to be interested in the English maestro after his impressive performances at Championship level last term.

Burnley were, ultimately, able to keep hold of the midfield ace but there could be an opportunity for Leeds, or one of the other clubs eyeing him up, to sign the gem in January.

His current contract at Turf Moor is due to expire at the end of the season and this means that clubs from outside of England will be able to negotiate a pre-contract deal with him at the start of next year.

Due to this, the Clarets could be forced to consider offers from the likes of Leeds, and others, in January in order to avoid the possibility of him leaving for nothing in the summer.

Burnley are also 18th in the Premier League as it stands and the prospect of joining a club that could be on the way up to the top-flight could be an attractive proposition for Brownhill, rather than facing a possible relegation back to the second tier with his current side.

How did Brownhill perform last season?

The £45k-per-week ace was an outstanding performer at Championship level last term as his performances resulted in him being named as a contender for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year for the second division, and these accolades suggest that the Leeds target was one of the best midfielders within the league throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Brownhill made an impact at both ends of the pitch as he showcased his ability to be a difference-maker within the opposition's third whilst also being able to make vital contributions to cut out attacks for the other team.

Defensively, the 27-year-old whiz made 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game and won 50% of his duels over the course of his 41 league appearances.

Only Ethan Ampadu (2.3) has made more tackles per match (2.2) this season for Leeds out of Farke's current crop of midfielders than Brownhill did for the Clarets last term.

The English magician also caught the eye with seven goals and eight assists from an attacking midfield position as he displayed his quality in the final third on a regular basis.

In fact, he ranked within the top 15% of his Championship positional peers for non-penalty goals (0.18) and shot-creating actions (3.70) per 90 respectively. The talented gem also placed within the top 10% for assists (0.20) per 90, which speaks to the significant impact the Burnley star can make at this level.

How many goals has Piroe scored this season?

Piroe, who joined from league rivals Swansea during the summer transfer window, has been utilised as a number ten behind Georginio Rutter this season and has found the back of the net five times thus far.

The Dutch marksman has scored five goals in eight Championship matches for the Whites so far this season and has three more strikes than any of his teammates.

However, the former Swans star does not offer a regular threat as a creator for his fellow attackers. He has only produced 0.6 key passes per match and 11 other players within the squad have averaged more.

In fact, Rutter (2.4) is the only central-based player with more than one key pass per game for Farke's side this season and this suggests that Brownhill, who made 1.8 key passes per outing last term, would be a much-needed addition.

Should Leeds sign Brownhill?

Farke should, therefore, swoop to snap up the "fabulous" – as he was dubbed by Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie – midfielder in January.

Sofascore rating

7.00

Appearances

Seven

Goals

One

Key passes per game

1.3

Tackles per game

1.4

His contractual situation and the respective positions of the two clubs suggest that a move could be viable for the Whites if they decide to reignite their interest in his services.

It will, however, be down to Leeds to beat off competition from any other interested parties in order to secure a deal for his services for the second half of the campaign and beyond.

If they can do that then Farke would have a dream alternative to Piroe, as a creative number ten who could thrive in matches where the opposition deploy a low block and need to be carved open.

He could also be used in a central midfield role behind the Dutch forward and use his creativity to produce opportunities for the former Swansea ace and Rutter to find the back of the net.

Mary Earps was left in stitches by Ella Toone’s lobster-themed presents, sent to the Manchester United forward in reference to a hotel prank.

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Earps got Toone a lobster costume and leopard heelsThe forward showed off themed presentsEarps couldn't contain joy at such unique giftsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Lobsters, Earps and Toone – the three appear to be an inseparable combination. It all started during Euro 2022 when the Manchester United forward was forced to dress up in an inflatable lobster costume along with a pair of leopard-print heels as part of a hilarious prank. On that occasion, Toone could hardly walk and kept falling when her heels got stuck on the decking of the hotel.

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Earps showcased how this story has obviously gone viral, with her Instagram story showing how Toone had received a lobster-themed gift hamper from an unknown sender. The set included a coffee cup, bag and a pair of socks – of course, all of which carried the lobster emblem!

@1maryearps InstagramWHAT EARPS SAID

Earps shared a picture of Toone with the presents in her Instagram story and wrote: "This makes me so happy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🦞🦞 Whoever did this. 10/10 for effort 🤣".

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

The duo can afford a hearty laugh after a clinical performance against Brighton in the Women's FA Cup on Saturday that saw United emerge triumphant by a 4-0 scoreline. They will return to WSL action next Sunday against Bristol City.

Shimron Hetmyer has recovered from the illness that kept him out of West Indies’ last Test against Sri Lanka to return to the squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh.Left-handed batsman Hetmyer was not picked in the XI for the first two Tests of the series against Sri Lanka, before being taken ill ahead of the third Test. Keemo Paul, the right-arm fast bowler who had replaced Hetmyer in the squad, keeps his place in the squad.There was only one change, with the uncapped reserve wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton left out.

West Indies Squad

Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith

West Indies drew the series against Sri Lanka 1-1. They won the first Test by 226 runs, while a somewhat rain-affected second Test was drawn, but Sri Lanka came back well in the final match for a four-wicket win.While commending the team for the performance against Sri Lanka, the West Indies selection panel said they wanted more runs from the top-order. The selection panel “expects to see a greater effort from the top 5 batters and see them return to the focus and discipline we know they are capable of in the upcoming series against Bangladesh… We congratulate the team on a drawn series [against Sri Lanka] but recognise that victory was within our reach. The selection panel also acknowledge and commend the strong performances of captain Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and man of the series Shane Dowrich.”This series is also an opportunity for West Indies to go past Bangladesh in the Test rankings. Bangladesh are currently in eighth position with 75 points, with West Indies ninth on 72 points. A win for the home side will see them overtake Bangladesh, while a drawn series will maintain the status quo. Bangladesh will remain in the eighth spot even if they win 2-0, though they will narrow the gap with seventh-ranked Pakistan.

Nick Gubbins, touted as an opener for England’s first Test of the summer against Pakistan, gave a wonderful audition for the role with an innings of 99

ECB Reporters Network11-May-20181:50

Nick Gubbins again advertised his England credentials

ScorecardMiddlesex’s England stars of present and possibly near future dominated day one of their Specsavers County Championship match with Gloucestershire at Lord’s.Nick Gubbins, touted as an opener for England’s first Test of the summer against Pakistan later this month, gave a wonderful audition for the role, before falling one short of a deserved century. Skipper Dawid Malan, a current red-ball incumbent for the national side, and England’s white-ball captain Eoin Morgan weighed in with 76 apiece – the latter in his first County Championship appearance in almost three years.The persevering Daniel Worrall was Gloucester’s standout bowler with 3 for 59, as Middlesex passed 300 in the first innings for the first time in 13 matches.Gubbins wasted no time making Gloucestershire regret their decision to forego the toss and bowl. He survived a couple of early scares, the first when wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick dropped him down the leg side off the bowling of Worrall when on just 17. The second shortly after saw him almost run out by a direct hit from Graham van Buuren, the ball ricocheting to the boundary for a rare 5.Gubbins’ cover-drives were a joy to behold and the opener was also quick to savagely cut anything short and wide. Sam Robson, perhaps fortunate to retain his place at the expense of Max Holden, by contrast looked edgy early on but found some batting rhythm particularly with some punchy drives through midwicket.The pair added 77 before the excellent Worrall squared up Robson who edged a low catch to Roderick. Gubbins though carried on unperturbed, hitting 10 boundaries in reaching 50 off 73 balls.Nick Gubbins works the ball away•Getty Images

Stevie Eskinazi proved a good foil either side of lunch before playing a poor shot to a wide one from Worrall, which Kieran Noema-Barnett palmed upwards before claiming at the second attempt.It was the beginning of an excellent spell from Australian quick Worrall who ended Gubbins’ hopes of back-to-back Championship centuries when the left-hander gloved a rising delivery to give Roderick a second catch behind the stumps.Sadly, for the visitors, none of Worrall’s team-mates found the same life or bowled with the same control, meaning Malan and Morgan wrestled back the initiative with a century stand. Malan, buoyed by last week’s century against Sussex, was the early aggressor with some stylish off drives, but Morgan caught the mood, hoisting van Buuren for a straight six.Such was the duo’s dominance it was a shock when Malan fell to the second new ball, trapped lbw by Matthew Taylor to a delivery which pitched and rolled along the floor – surely ominous for Gloucestershire whose earlier decision to bowl means they must bat last.Taylor soon struck again when new batsman Hilton Cartwright wafted a catch to slip and departed without scoring, and Morgan fell lbw just before the close to another ball which kept low from former Middlesex allrounder Ryan Higgins.