There is no denying it: Arsenal are an incredible team at the moment.

Mikel Arteta's side have launched two serious bids for the Premier League title in the last two seasons and look set to make it three for three this year.

However, while the Gunners have quality in almost every position, there is still a general belief among fans that a clinical number nine is needed to take the club to the next level. So, links to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres this summer have caught people's attention.

That said, recent reports have now placed the North Londoners in the conversation for another superstar centre-forward, and he might even be a better option.

Arsenal's striker search

According to a recent report from respected Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio, Arsenal could be about to make a surprise bid for Napoli star Victor Osimhen.

DiMarzio has revealed that the Nigerian superstar's reported move to Paris Saint-Germain has been put on hold as the Parisians 'wait' for his price to come down, a price set by his massive €130m – £109m – release clause.

The Italian claims this stand-off could see the Gunners come in with an offer for the 25-year-old 'sooner or later.'

Whether Arsenal makes an offer to match the release clause or not, bringing Osimhen to the Emirates this summer would send shockwaves around the Premier League and seriously boost the club's chances of winning the title – and he may be the ideal alternative to Gyokeres.

How Osimhen compares to Gyokeres

Okay, so let's just imagine, for a second, then, that Arsenal really are set to decide between Osimhen and Gyokeres for the striker they want to lead the line next season. Who comes out on top?

Well, when it comes down to the most important metric of all for strikers, output, it's not quite as straightforward as you may have imagined it would have been.

For example, if you were to judge them on last season alone, it would be the Swede who comes out well ahead, as he scored a whopping 43 goals and provided 15 assists in 50 games, while his potential rival could only muster 17 goals and four assists in 32 appearances, meaning that the pair averaged a goal involvement every 0.86 and 1.52 games, respectively.

However, when you go back just one season prior, the shoe is on the other foot.

For example, in just 39 appearances in 22/23, the "world-class" Nigerian, as dubbed by José Mourinho, scored 31 goals and provided five assists. In comparison, the then Coventry City forward scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 50 appearances, meaning that the pair averaged a goal involvement every 1.08 and 1.47 games, respectively.

Appearances

39

50

Goals

31

22

Assists

5

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.92

0.68

Appearances

32

50

Goals

17

43

Assists

4

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.65

1.16

So, while it does look relatively even between the two poachers, the one thing the Napoli ace has is that he has been performing in a top-five league, whereas the Swedish international moved from the Championship to Portugal and has yet to prove himself at the top level.

Ultimately, it looks like Arsenal would do well to sign either Osimhen or Gyokeres this summer, but given the former's experience in Serie A and the Champions League, it might be wiser to go for him, even at a higher price.

Key target: Arsenal want to sign a £76m upgrade on Martinelli

The incredible youngster could become a world-beater in the future.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 24, 2024

Chelsea are willing to make a near-£50 million bid for one player who Joe Cole said made history, as Enzo Maresca's side scour the market for squad upgrades ahead of the Italian's debut campaign.

Chelsea undergoing busy summer transfer window

Having already sealed the signings of Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham and Omari Kelleyman in a £19 million move from Aston Villa, alongside Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian, it has already been a quick start to this summer window for Chelsea.

Todd Boehly now willing to make significant Chelsea bid for £85 million PSG star

The Ligue 1 champions are demanding a premium.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 26, 2024

Todd Boehly is expected to make multiple attacking signings on top of this, with Chelsea in advanced talks over a deal for Barcelona forward Marc Guiu.

They've missed out on a move for Michael Olise, who has chosen to join Bayern Munich instead, but the Blues have wasted no time in identifying alternatives to the 22-year-old.

Chelsea's top scorers in all competitions last season	Goals
Cole Palmer	25
Nicolas Jackson	17
Raheem Sterling	10
Noni Madueke	8
Conor Gallagher	7

One of them is Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, coming after an excellent campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini. There have been reports that Chelsea are prepared to bid for Lookman, and now another report explains how much they could offer for the Nigerian.

Chelsea prepared to bid nearly £50 million for Lookman

Calciomercato explains that Chelsea are willing to offer nearly £50 million to sign Lookman, but are not alone, with Liverpool and Man United also in the chase.

The 26-year-old, who can operate as a second striker, racked up 17 goals and 10 assists across 45 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A side last season.

Lookman also ended Bayer Leverkusen's incredible unbeaten run last season in dramatic style, bagging a hat-trick against Xabi Alonso's side as Atalanta beat Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final.

“Honestly, this is why you play football,” said former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch on TNT Sports.

“Somebody like Lookman, who’s been around, a footballing nomad at times, somebody who’s been Sunday League, to Charlton, to Fulham on loan, Leicester, Leipzig, he’s gone around the houses to get to the moment where he’s found a home today and scored a hat-trick in a European final. It’s an amazing story. Those fans will never forget the name of Ademola Lookman. It’s absolutely sensational.

"It’s really emotional for him. Obviously his family, I’m sure. It was a footballing masterclass from Gasperini. They were brilliant as a team, but I’m so pleased for Lookman.”

Meanwhile, fellow TNT pundit Joe Cole claimed he made history with his Europa League final heroics.

“For Lookman, a kid from Wandsworth, who played in the cages, playing street football, going around the houses, not finding a place where he’s at home, he’s found a home here,” Cole said.

“They will love him forever. His name will be etched into the club’s history. This is what the moments are all about. A kid, who couldn’t find a club, couldn’t find a home, super talented, he’s gone and done it. Fair play to him and his family. Enjoy the moment.”

One of the biggest debates in English football is which club has the best academy. Manchester United’s esteemed Carrington academy is one that has produced some legendary players, and some of the Premier League’s top players at the moment revived their footballing education there.

Three of the most notable academy players currently on United’s books are Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Rashford has represented the Red Devils on 402 occasions and has scored 131 times so far. Garnacho and Mainoo both won the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and just two years later were both goalscorers as United lifted the FA Cup at Wembley over Manchester City.

In fact, the Citizens are another academy that can boast some excellent products. The most notable two are Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. Both represented Pep Guardiola’s side, with Palmer now plying his trade at Chelsea and Foden still a key player at the club.

Two London academies, Chelsea’s Cobham and Arsenal’s Hale End, have also produced some excellent players. The best current examples include Mason Mount, a Cobham graduate, and Bukayo Saka, who came through at Hale End.

In total, United boast nine academy graduates in their squad. However, rumours have been circling this week that one of those could depart Old Trafford during the transfer window.

Man Utd academy graduate could leave

The Carrington graduate in question here is Scotland international Scott McTominay. The 27-year-old midfielder has played an important role under Erik ten Hag so far during his time as manager but could leave the club this summer.

According to CaughtOffside, the Red Devils could cash in on McTominay this summer. The report suggests that one club in England and another in Europe are interested in signing the Scot.

One is West Ham United, who are rumoured to be preparing to 'open talks again' for the United number 39. The club in Europe are believed to be Galatasaray, who would prefer a loan move for the midfielder.

Recently, their vice-president Ibrahim Hatipoglu confirmed the club’s interest, explaining that Galatasaray 'are interested in a player from the Premier League and Manchester United'.

McTominay’s transfer value in 2024

In 43 games in all competitions last season, McTominay found the back of the net on ten occasions, registering three assists along the way.

Premier League

32

1892

7

1

Champions League

6

502

2

1

FA Cup

5

381

1

1

In the words of Danny Murphy, he has been "a nightmare to play against" at times, scoring some vital strikes in 2023/24. That included two in stoppage time against Brentford to help United come from behind and win 2-1 and first-ever Champions League goal away to the club that now wishes to sign him, Galatasaray.

As a result, his transfer value has spiked considerably. According to reports, the Scotland international is now valued at £29m by his club. Interestingly, that is more than one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfielders Adam Wharton.

The young Crystal Palace midfielder is worth slightly less, at £17m as per Football Transfers, a few months on from when the Eagles signed him from Blackburn Rovers.

Why is this relevant? Well, the newly-capped England international has been linked with United in recent days and could coincidentally arrive as McTominay's dream replacement, sliding in alongside the equally as talented Kobbie Mainoo. The teenager is now valued at £20m by Football Transfers, although it's safe to say both players would fetch a bit more than that when accounting for inflation in the modern game.

Although Wharton would be a superb signing for the Red Devils, there is no doubting the unique profile that McTominay brings to the squad. Described as a "physical monster" by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he's certainly more of a box-crasher, as evidenced by his goal tally for Ten Hag's side last term.

Despite that, selling him represents pure profit, given he is an academy graduate. That money could be reinvested into other areas of the squad – such as the Palace midfielder – who would better fit the manager's game model and ideas.

For a potential fee of around £29m, it is perhaps too good of a deal for United to turn down. There is no doubt that McTominay has been a wonderful servant to United, but his sale could help improve the squad for the season ahead. They have already struck gold by raising an academy graduate to regular first-team football but a big sale wouldn't go amiss.

Man Utd want "outstanding" England ace who could be their own Rice

Manchester United are focusing on midfield recruits.

ByMatt Dawson Jul 16, 2024

da bwin： Glasgow Rangers have made their eighth signing of the summer as winger Vaclav Cerny joins the Ibrox side on a season-long loan deal.

da casino： Arriving from Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg, it is clear the Czech international – who represented his nation at Euro 2024 – has the skills required to shine in Scotland.

Philippe Clement was full of praise for the player upon his arrival, saying: “I am delighted to welcome Václav to the squad, he is an exciting player, with valuable experience in European football.”

Hopefully, this is a signing which is the catalyst for more players to join the Light Blues ahead of their first league match against Hearts next week.

Clement will be aiming for a couple of more experienced bodies to join the club, but he is still keen on signing youngsters with extraordinarily high ceilings.

Could the South American market be looked at once again? It looks like the experienced manager has targeted a signing from the continent…

Rangers eye move for Colombian talent

According to reports, Rangers are keen on signing right-back Edier Ocampo in the next few weeks.

The 20-year-old could be close to leaving Colombian outfit Athletico Nacional after coach Pablo Repetto left him out of the previous match against Millonarios due to the interest expressed in the young defender.

Indeed, Rangers, Hellas Verona and French side Toulouse have tabled offers for him, according to the report, while interest in the MLS comes from the Vancouver Whitecaps, indicating that Clement has some competition to fend off.

The Belgian is eyeing up signings from all over the pitch and, with the future of James Tavernier in doubt, could Ocampo be an ideal replacement for the captain should he make the move from South America to Scotland this summer?

Latest on James Tavernier’s Ibrox future

While there have been several new arrivals this summer, Clement is now at a stage where he needs to move a few first-team players on. Not only to create space in the squad, but to also raise vital funds for one or two marquee signings.

There is still plenty of time to go until the summer transfer window closes, yet the return of the new season is fast approaching, with players who clearly aren’t good enough looking like they could start the league opener against Hearts.

Tavernier is one member of the senior leadership team who could be about to end their stay at Ibrox, as several clubs are keen on signing him.

James Tavernier's Rangers statistics

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

58

24

12

2022/23

55

18

10

2021/22

58

18

17

2020/21

46

19

16

2019/20

46

3

15

2018/19

57

17

20

2017/18

46

9

9

2016/17

44

2

7

2015/16

50

15

23

Via Transfermarkt

Former Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst – who is now in charge of Besiktas – wants to reunite with the Englishman. Fellow Turkish side Trabzonspor are also interested, having made an offer last week to secure his services.

His future still remains uncertain, yet this is surely the ideal chance for the club to cash in on the player, who has two years left on his current contract.

Since joining Rangers back in the summer of 2015, Tavernier has played 460 competitive games for the club, scoring a quite remarkable 125 goals. Add in a further 129 assists during his spell in Glasgow, and it becomes evident that the club may never have a right-back who can replicate these kinds of numbers again.

The last few seasons, despite the goal involvements, have seen the likes of Tavernier and Connor Goldson fail to inspire the team to more domestic honours, stumbling when it really matters.

Ocampo might not be the finished product, but Clement’s new strategy is clearly signing youngsters with significant potential in order to secure a major profit for them in the future.

Could the Colombian gem send the captain packing? Only time will tell.

Edier Ocampo’s career statistics

Despite not turning 21 until October, the starlet has already made 58 senior appearances for Athletico Nacional. Add to that another 21 games for the Colombia U20 side, and it is clear he is ready for a fresh challenge.

While primarily a right-back, Ocampo can also operate in a more advanced role as a right-winger, which means, regardless of where he plays, Clement can expect the player to get forward and contribute towards the attack.

In 21 club matches during 2024, the 20-year-old – who has "seriously high potential", as noted above – scored three goals and chipped in with an assist in the Colombian top flight, showcasing his attacking qualities.

During the opening Apertura section of the league, Ocampo ranked second among his teammates for goals and assists (four), while also ranking second for big chances created (two), third for key passes per game (1.4), first for successful dribbles per game (1.3) and fifth for shots on target per game (0.7), yet more evidence of his growing attacking qualities.

The more he plays, the better Ocampo will get. With a move to Europe looking like it could be the most likely option, Clement will need to act swiftly to bring this deal over the line.

If Tavernier does leave, it opens up space for the youngster to develop further at Rangers at right-back, while even pushing forward to a more attacking position should the opportunity arise.

This will depend on Clement managing to secure a deal to send the captain packing in the next week or so, however.

Related Their best ST since Morelos: Rangers lining up dream 31-goal star

Philippe Clement desperately needs a goal scorer ahead of next season

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 25, 2024

If Ocampo is available for a decent fee, then this is a move which the club should be doing everything they can to get over the line.

He is young, ready to play senior football and clearly has a limitless ceiling when it comes to future potential. With Cerny arriving through the doors at Ibrox, more should be ready to follow suit in the coming weeks, that’s for sure.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has opened up on the conversation he had with Pep Guardiola after his side's win against Manchester City.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Brighton beat Man City 2-1 in the Premier LeagueGuardiola and Van Hecke seen in heated discussionDefender has explained what was saidFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The City manager and the Dutch centre-back were seen having an animated discussion following the final whistle of the Premier League clash on November 9, which the Seagulls won 2-1.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola was asked about the exchange, and explained that he praised the Netherlands international's strength against star striker Erling Haaland and gave him some advice. A week later, Van Hecke has given his recollection of the encounter.

WHAT VAN HECKE SAID

"After the game, City manager Pep Guardiola came to me. It was a nice conversation: he congratulated me on the win and said we had played well," he told . "Then he talked about my last duel with Haaland, where he thought I should have stayed on my feet. I replied that I went down but I got up again straight away – and that was it. We continued talking quietly in the players' tunnel.

"Because the conversation on the pitch was in full view, everyone asked about it. Fellow players made jokes about it, everyone wanted to know what exactly had been said. But Guardiola was also very complimentary, he said I was a good player. So I thought it was fine."

DID YOU KNOW?

While Haaland scored the opening goal, he was unable to provide a result for his side as Brighton fought back to steal the three points, and Van Hecke's Netherlands team-mates were looking for the Norwegian forward in his pockets days later.

"A few guys at Oranje looked in my pocket on Monday night as a joke, to see if Erling Haaland was supposedly still in it," he added. "But I have to be critical. We won against City, but Haaland did score, so he wasn't completely in my pocket. It went really well on Saturday. I played well, and when you win 2-1 against Manchester City, you automatically get a lot of compliments."

Chelsea hit the jackpot when they signed Cole Palmer from Manchester City in a £42.5m deal last summer. The attacking midfielder has gone from strength to Herculean strength since his advent, with many even viewing him as a genuine superstar of the Premier League.

The 22-year-old scored 25 goals and supplied 15 more for the Blues during his maiden campaign, thus called up to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for Euro 2024, scoring and assisting for England in the semi-final and final.

1.

Cole Palmer

34

33

2.

Erling Haaland

31

32

2.

Ollie Watkins

37

32

4.

Mohamed Salah

32

28

5.

Phil Foden

35

27

5.

Heung-min Son

35

27

It's been a rocky ol' road for Chelsea these past few years, but Palmer is the shining light of a difficult era – and with optimism building with Enzo Maresca at the helm, Stamford Bridge now seems eager to repeat the feat.

Chelsea transfer news

According to Chelsea transfer insider Simon Phillips, Todd Boehly and Co are preparing to raid Manchester City for a top talent once again, with Oscar Bobb being considered for transfer.

Blues chief Joe Shields is understood to be a big fan of the Norwegian, who has played a bit-part role under Pep Guardiola these past few seasons and could now look to entice the player with a path successfully trodden by Palmer one year ago.

Why Chelsea should sign Oscar Bobb

Bobb is a dynamic and versatile player, with experience playing across the frontline and in a centre-midfielder role too.

Having only broken into City's first team last season after several years in the academy, the 21-year-old might hope for greater opportunity this year, but surely he'd be tempted to take a leaf from Palmer's book?

Chelsea's main man featured 14 times across the 2022/23 Premier League term for Man City and grew over the summer to start last season with a bang, bagging in the Community Shield and then again in the UEFA Super Cup as his side defeated Sevilla.

It was obvious, however, that he wasn't going to be handed a regular starting berth at the Etihad Stadium, and thus a move to Chelsea proved providential. Bobb – who has already been described as "electrifying" by journalist Antonio Mango – must emulate.

While he only played a small role in Man City's campaign, Bobb did showcase his skills to a great effect, completing 88% of his passes in the Premier League and succeeding with 65% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Moreover, he ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for pass completion, the top 20% for progressive passes, the top 18% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

Of course, such metrics are drawn from a limited amount of match action, but it does give a good indication of Bobb's ball-playing and carrying talents.

Palmer's meteoric rise might not be the same for every player to split from a club such as Manchester City in search of promising new land, but Bobb is an immense talent himself and he could explode under Maresca's management this year.

While the all-conquering Premier League champions have yet to name their price, the Blues should get this one done to increase their depth and dynamism and to enrich a staggering crop of up-and-coming prospects.

Maresca wants £25m signing who could ignite Mudryk's Chelsea career

He could play a huge role in allowing the Ukrainian to thrive.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 21, 2024

It was deja vu on day one in Colombo as Mahela Jayawardene again played an innings to confirm his status as among the best of a generation

Andrew McGlashan in Colombo03-Apr-2012This Test series has moved to Colombo, the captains have tossed up again and a new match has started. That may all sound blindingly obvious but for long periods of the opening day at the P Sara Oval it was as though the action was still down the coast in Galle.James Anderson was outstanding with the new ball, as he is on virtually every occasion these days, and England stuck to their task after Andrew Strauss lost another important toss. But most significantly, there was the man standing between the visitors and, in all likelihood, taking control of this Test as Mahela Jayawardene followed his 180 from last week with a sublime 105.It was an almost faultless display. He did not offer a full-blooded chance until being trapped lbw by Graeme Swann. In Galle he was given three clear-cut lives. The closest he came on this occasion was a fine edge to first slip off Anderson on 79. By the time he had reached 20 it felt almost inevitable that he would play a leading role. And all this after starting his innings facing a hat-trick ball for second consecutive Test. Jayawardene is not the type to fret but he certainly has not had long to ponder what batting might be like before getting his chance.Last week he defended the hat-trick ball to mid-off, this time he clipped it off his pads to fine leg. During the innings he added another 10 boundaries and a six mostly with that same deftness of touch. Few other batsmen have caused England such trouble in recent times; Mike Hussey was prolific for the first three Ashes Tests in 2010-11 and Rahul Dravid took huge efforts to dismiss during the series last year. That is both immense credit to the England bowlers and also adds to the brilliance of Jayawardene.The crucial stand, which zapped England’s early momentum, came with Thilan Samaraweera as the pair added 124. Samaraweera could not survive until tea and, perhaps crucially, Jayawardene fell 45 minutes before the close but he had kept his team in the match.He has a simple philosophy of play late, play straight and at the moment is more than a few notches above anything else in the Sri Lanka team with the possible exception of Angelo Mathews who played excellently to see out the day. Tillakaratne Dilshan is playing in one-day mode – and even then some of shots would be classed as reckless – Lahiru Thirimanne looks out of his depth and Kumar Sangakkara is out of form. No wonder Jayawardene is in early these days.”We have trouble at the top of the order,” Samaraweera said. “Thirimanne is young and needs to have a chance and I think Dilshan will come good in the second innings. But Mahela is in tremendous form. He gave me plenty of advice in the middle.”Jayawardene can comfortably sit among the finest batsmen of his generation yet, you sense, has never quite got the acclaim of some of his contemporaries. He is one of nine batsman with over 10,000 Test runs, a milestone he achieved during the series in South Africa in December and January. Yet that great moment, when it arrived, came with far less fanfare than it had for a Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting or Jacques Kallis.Being away from home will have played a part in that and it will not have helped that he was run out at Centurion going for the 10,000th run before crossing the line in Durban a few days later. Yet it sums up how Jayawardene can slip under the radar despite a Test average over 50 and a career-best of 374. Twenty-two centuries on home soil put him level with Kallis and Tendulkar leaving only Ponting (23 hundreds) ahead. Even with the fact that many of his runs have come in batting-friendly subcontinent conditions it remains a phenomenal record.He had also entered this series without a Test fifty in 12 innings but the odds were always in favour of him making amends against England, a team he has rarely failed to prosper against. This is the second time he has made hundreds in consecutive Tests against them, following his 195 and 213 during the previous series in 2007.He was clearly unhappy when given out lbw, even though the DRS fully supported Asad Rauf, but he will have sensed his departure had given England an opening he had fought so hard to keep shut. This pitch will not get any better for batting so if Sri Lanka can push their way over 300, as they did in Galle, they will be well placed. After all the effort he has put in, anything less than a series victory would not be just reward for Jayawardene.

A century from former England Test captain Alastair Cook helped secure Essex Eagles’ progress into the knockout stages of the Royal London Cup following an extraordinary tie with Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford.Essex, who were eight wickets down, had required 22 off the last over to win before Simon Harmer stepped up and hit three successive straight sixes off Steven Croft with a scrambled two off the last ball leaving the scores level.The result meant the visitors finish second in Group 2 behind leaders Durham and will play a home eliminator against the third-placed team in Group 1. It was heartbreak for Lancashire, who had to win to qualify. They dropped to fourth, with their total of 250 for 6 always looking a shade under par.The hosts endured a stodgy start with Jack Plom and Ben Allison’s accuracy justifying Essex’s decision to field first. The opening pair had battled their way to 49 when Harmer struck in the 16th over to remove Luke Wells with a beautifully flighted turner for 26 which brought Croft to the middle.Together with Josh Bohannon, the veteran batsman took the game to the visitor’s bowlers before the opener scooped a full toss from Ryan ten Doeschate straight to Harmer at mid off for 34.When a frenetic Rob Jones was caught soon after for three thanks to a one-handed effort by Josh Rymell off ten Doeschate it looked like the innings could go either way until the incoming George Lavelle had other ideas.The 21-year-old quickly took a liking to Aron Niijar and at one stage deposited the unfortunate spinner into the balcony of the famous Emirates Old Trafford pavilion for a massive six as he and Croft built an entertaining century partnership for the fourth wicket.By the time Lavelle holed out to Paul Walter on the leg side boundary for 52, Lancashire had progressed to 203 and with Danny Lamb keen to keep up the momentum with a flurry of innovative shots the host’s were creeping towards respectability.Croft eventually fell seven short of his century hitting out in the penultimate over with Lamb dismissed three balls later as Lancashire closed on 250 for six.In reply Cook and Josh Rymell had eased their way to 44 off 8.3 overs when the 20-year-old edged Baily to Wells at slip, before Essex suffered a severe wobble with Morley trapped in front by Jack Morley for 19 and Feroze Khushi run out by Bohannon for 10 following a mix up with Cook.When Paul Walter was dismissed by a stunning one-handed catch at point from Taylor Cornall, Essex looked in trouble, but with Cook joined by ten Doeschate, the experienced pair were able to add 89 runs for the fifth wicket and take the Eagles to what looked a secure position at 212 for 5 with 33 balls left when the Dutch international was out for 45.But as scoreboard pressure increased, the Eagles plummeted as Cook (110) and Adam Wheater fell in successive deliveries to Croft’s off spin and Nijjar skied Wells to Liam Hurt off his first ball before Harmer’s heroics ensured a thrilling finish.

The captain admitted conditions were a challenge for Ireland as they fell for 101

Andrew Fidel Fernando20-Oct-2021Ireland have to win their match against Namibia on Friday, to qualify for the Super 12s. But if they do, their batters will need to quickly adapt to facing the kind of skiddy pace they struggled with against Sri Lanka.On Wednesday, Ireland were visibly troubled by Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, both of whom frequently clocked speeds in excess of 145kph. On the UAE’s pitches, which don’t offer a lot of bounce to begin with, and seem to skid on when the ball gets a little bit of evening dew on it, those two bowlers were especially tough to face, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said.Ireland lost three wickets and scored only 38 runs across Chameera and Kumara’s combined seven overs.”We don’t get wickets like this and we don’t get pace like that too often like that at home,” Balbirnie said. “But the more we go up the levels – and if we go well on Friday, looking ahead to next week – it’s only going to get quicker. They were quite skiddy, the bowlers. They bowled good short balls. But that’s what you expect at the international level and you’ve got to find ways to cope.”Related

• Graham Ford: 'Desperate to go through to the next phase'

• Mickey Arthur: SL's bowling attack is 'almost ideal' for T20 World Cup challenge

• Hasaranga, Nissanka, Theekshana down Ireland to seal Sri Lanka's Super 12s spot

• Stats – From 8 for 3 to 171 for 7, the Sri Lanka recovery in numbers

If Ireland win against Namibia on Friday, they will likely be in Group 2, where their batters will face the attacks of India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. Although Ireland are not accustomed to playing bowling at high speeds on the lower UAE decks, that is not a challenge they will balk at.”Look, we’re perfectly capable of playing that kind of bowling. I’m not saying we’re not,” Balbirnie said. “We played some of the quickest bowlers in the summer back home – against South Africa – and we did pretty well. It’s slightly different out here. It’s skiddier than what we’re used to. Particularly under lights it skids on.”But I love that challenge, and a lot of our batters do, to get out there and having the ball zinging past your head – that’s the battle we want to be in. We’re not going to be able to change that over the course of the week if we do qualify. But we’ve just got to back our skills and take it head on and not back away from it. That’s a mental thing, rather than a technical thing. But we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. We’ve got a big game on Friday.”Sri Lanka are through to the Super 12s following their 70-run win. Balbirnie was Ireland’s top-scorer with 41 off 39, as they attempted a target of 172.”Our batting just didn’t get going at all,” he said. “We couldn’t get any momentum. I scored forty-odd, and it took me quite a few balls, and I certainly found it tricky enough. Sri Lanka are a good team. They deserve to go through. We’ll be eyeing up the second spot.”

“I still keep in touch with him and will continue to do that during this World Cup,” says Miller

Firdose Moonda20-Oct-2021

Hashim Amla’s influence looms large over the current crop of South African cricketers, especially David Miller•Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Most professional sportspeople consider themselves only as good as their most recent game, but Hashim Amla has taught David Miller to look at that in a slightly different way.”The famous old saying is that you are only as good as your last game, but Hashim always said to me [you’re only as good as] your next game,” Miller said.Essentially, that wisdom gives Miller and South Africa the opportunity to believe there’s always another chance to change their major tournament record, which has seen them go without a trophy since 1998. “It’s about resetting the clock and the mind, and trying to control and really be in the present,” Miller said.Close your eyes and imagine Amla saying those words. You can, right? That’s because if there was one South African who never seemed to carry any baggage, it was Amla.Though he is not part of this squad, Amla has been involved in every South African World Cup squad for the last decade – the 2011, 2015 and 2019 fifty-over tournaments and 2012, 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups – and his influence looms large over the current crop, especially Miller.”I had the privilege to play with him for many, many years and I suppose what I have learnt from him is to not let failure get you down,” Miller said. “We are striving for consistency in performance and, off the field, trying to be a consistent person as well. That’s what I have really enjoyed about Hashim and his influence, being nice and calm, being a pillar of strength; the silent assassin. He was about getting the job done but more so, being nice and consistent as a person. It has been a good journey with him and I still keep in touch with him and will continue to do that during this World Cup for any advice.”David Miller is the most-capped T20I player for South Africa•Sportsfile via Getty Images

While Amla can’t tell South Africa how to win the tournament, he can offer plenty on the batting front, especially as he is still in good touch himself. He was the sixth-highest run scorer in the County Championship this year and has significant experience in the UAE. Amla played three Tests, eight ODIs and three T20Is here between 2010 and 2013. In those, he has averaged 78.40, 50.00 and 30.50 respectively.Miller was also part of the 2013 ODI squad that played in the UAE, and hopes he can reflect on that and the knowledge he has gained during the last two seasons of the IPL. “In terms of leadership, it’s really nice to be a part of the group and share my experiences,” he said. “I feel like we [some of the senior members of the squad] have got a lot to add off the field – what we’ve learnt in the IPLs, in the previous IPLs and when we played here in Dubai for South Africa against Pakistan. Leadership is something we are taking on more and more, and hopefully, it all plays itself out in results.”For all Miller’s behind-the-scenes work, he knows he also has to put in a big effort with the bat. He is South Africa’s most-capped men’s T20I player, with 90 matches to his name, and has been part of T20 World Cups since 2010. His role has always been that of a big-hitting finisher and he may find himself with an opportunity to contribute more than just the death-over runs in this competition. South Africa’s top-heavy squad is laden with four opening batters, three of whom are likely to play, and though Rassie van der Dussen is pencilled in at No.4, if the start is solid enough, Miller could find himself promoted to take care of the middle overs, which he has identified as crucial.”There have been really good starts [in these conditions] and it’s really important that teams control the middle phase – the middle overs. It’s about extending that and controlling that.”He also downplayed suggestions that South Africa’s batting line-up may be too short, with only six specialist batters in most of their XI and a tail that starts at No. 8. “We’ve got a strong enough batting unit. There might be a game or two where we need our bowlers to pull through with the bat but ultimately you want to be scoring the bulk of your runs from the top six. If we don’t do that, we don’t deserve to win games. There’s a sense of responsibility from the batting side of things.”