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Mason Crane looks set to make his Test debut in the final match of the Ashes series in Sydney.Crane, the 20-year-old leg-spinner, is set to come into the team in place of either Moeen Ali or Tom Curran as England take the opportunity to blood a new player with the series already decided and the whitewash averted.While it remains possible that Moeen could retain his place if it seems conditions will justify the selection of two spin bowlers, it appears Crane will be first choice if England go in with only one slow bowler.The selection would continue a remarkable journey for Crane. Just over a year ago, he was in Sydney playing Grade cricket for Gordon in a bid to gain experience. So well did it go – he claimed four five-fors and three seven-fors on the way to becoming the leading wicket-taker in New South Wales premier cricket – he was selected for New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield side. That made him their first overseas player since Imran Khan in 1984-85, and their first English player since William Caffyn in the 1960s. He performed admirably, too, with five wickets in the match.But his selection for a Test would be a huge promotion. He claimed only 16 Championship wickets in 2017 – at a cost of 44.68 apiece – and was far from an automatic piece in Hampshire’s side. On this Ashes tour, he has claimed five wickets in first-class matches at a cost of 58.29 apiece.

MacGill backs Crane debut

Stuart MacGill, the former Australia legspinner and a mentor of Mason Crane, is adamant that his Test career should have got underway earlier in the Ashes series.
“I think England’s missed a trick by not playing him earlier in the series to be honest, particularly seeing the bowling hasn’t had the penetration they could have hoped for,” he said.
“One of the big differences between me and Mayso, he’s very resilient. When I was young, it took me a long time to be able to cope with getting smacked around a bit.
“I know this guy has got what it takes to cope with a bad day. I’m a big believer in that being a real guide whether or not a slow bowler will make the grade – and Mayso can.”

Moeen has endured a grim tour, however. As well as claiming just three wickets in the first four Tests at a cost of 135 apiece, he has looked devoid of confidence with the bat and averaged just 19.42. That miserable run culminated in a reckless, frantic innings of 20 in 14 deliveries in Melbourne that suggested he had lost faith in his defensive game against both spin and pace and ended with a catch in the covers.Now, with the Ashes gone and England deciding that Moeen may benefit from a spell out if the firing line, Crane looks set to win his Test debut.But while Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, admits that Moeen has had a miserable tour, he remains confident that, in the “long term” he will again prove himself a top England player.”There’s no time like the present to find out if Mason is ready,” Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, said. “We think he’s a guy that has got the goods and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You have got to start somewhere.”Like any player, you go through highs and lows. The number of runs and wickets makes it one of his lows. But just a couple of months ago we were singing his praises as one of the best all-rounders in the world. Conditions are a bit different here and it’s taken him longer than he would have liked to feel comfortable; there’s not a lot of spin.”He’s different to Nathan Lyon, who gets over-spin. Mo doesn’t and things don’t happen as quickly, without the bounce that Lyon gets. Mo is a free spirit and one or two shots or wickets and he will be off and running. So I’m not concerned long term.”The fact that Australia have called up slow left-armer Ashton Agar suggests they, too, feel that the pitch will spin. And, if England are of the same mind, it seems inevitable they will want both spin options in the side.Mason Crane in action in an England practice session•Getty Images

“The type of wicket we play on might play a part too,” Bayliss said. “Normally that you can easily play two spinners but looking at the wicket it looked like it had a decent covering of grass.”I think it will still spin towards the end of the game – it’s still the same soil – but we will just have to take a look. There’s been no decision right now. And with the series lost it gives us an opportunity to look at some different people.”Meanwhile England confirmed that Saqlain Mushtaq and Stuart MacGill – both spin bowling consultants – would be working for England in the coming weeks. Saqlain, who has worked for England in a part-time capacity for some time, has recently signed a new contract committing him to more hours than ever in 2018, while MacGill, who worked with Crane when he was playing Grade cricket a few months ago, will join the squad ahead of the Sydney Test.

Guyana’s pace duo Keon Joseph and Keemo Paul took a combined 16 wickets to haul Guyana to their fourth win in five matches

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2017Pacers Keon Joseph and Keemo Paul took a combined 16 wickets in the match as Guyana secured an eight-wicket victory over Barbados at home.Paul took his second first-class five-wicket haul, while Joseph took three wickets as Barbados posted 294 after electing to bat. They then returned to take four wickets each in Barbados’ second innings before half-centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Leon Johnson helped them run down a 178-run target with eight wickets to spare.Having lost the toss, Guyana won the early exchanges, with Joseph snaring three wickets in a new-ball burst that reduced Barbados to 32 for 3. A 78-run fourth-wicket stand between Kevin Stoute followed, which ended with a run out of Moseley. Stoute fell for 47 to left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie as Barbados lost half their side for 123. Then came the substantial partnership of the match, between Kenroy Williams (68) and Justin Greaves, who top-scored with 72. The duo’s sixth-wicket stand of 121 hauled Barbados close to the 250 mark before Paul wiped out the lower order as Barbados lost five wickets for 50 runs to be bowled out for 294.Tagenarine (52) and Chandrapaul Hemraj (79) kickstarted Guyana’s replay with half-centuries and a 115-run first-wicket partnership. Barbados chipped away at the wickets thereafter, but Gudakesh Motie’s unbeaten 72 steered them to 314 all out. Ashley Nurse and Jomel Warrican took three wickets each.Joseph and Paul quickly reduced Barbados to 109 for 7 in the second innings. Jonathan Carter prolonged the innings with 53 and a ninth-wicket stand of 86 with Mario Rampersaud, before Barbados folded for 197.Chanderpaul and Johnson, the Guyana captain, took their team close to the target with a second-wicket partnership of 117 after Hemraj’s dismissal for 21. Johnson was bowled by Harding for 61 with Guyana 25 away from the target, but Tagenarine (62*) and Vishaul Singh (22*) sealed Guyana their fourth win in five matches.

ألمح نادي باريس سان جيرمان إلى مستقبل نجم الفريق، كيليان مبابي، في منشور رسمي عبر حساباته بمواقع التواصل الاجتماعي.

وينتهي العقد الحالي للنجم الفرنسي مع باريس سان جيرمان في يونيو المقبل.

ولا يوجد اتفاق بين كيليان مبابي ومسؤولي باريس سان جيرمان فيما يتعلق بتوقيعه على عقد جديد.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سبورت تكشف موعد إعلان ريال مدريد الرسمي لصفقة مبابي

وظهرت تقارير صحفية في الأشهر الماضية تفيد أن مبابي سيغادر باريس سان جيرمان مجانًا نهاية الموسم الحالي، حيث سينضم إلى ريال مدريد.

ونشر باريس سان جيرمان عبر حساباته الرسمية بمواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، اليوم الجمعة، مقطع فيديو للإعلان عن طقمه الجديد الخاص بالموسم المقبل 2024/25.

ولم يظهر كيليان مبابي في مقطع الفيديو المنشور، مما يعني رحيله عن باريس سان جيرمان بمجرد انتهاء هذا الموسم.

وظهر عدد من لاعبي باريس سان جيرمان في الفيديو، بما في ذلك ماركينيوس، نونو مينديز ولوكاس هيرنانديز وغيرهم، دون مبابي.

✨👀

❤️💙 #ICICESTPARIS | #AI

pic.twitter.com/pAr9RvhGnS — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 10, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to secure a shock summer signing, bolstering their attacking ranks even further…

Who are Tottenham Hotspur signing this summer?

That's according to reports in Spain, who suggest that the Lilywhites are now interested in signing Yannick Carrasco from Atletico Madrid.

The Belgian dynamo would join a host of new additions to supplement the start of Ange Postecoglou's reign, including Manor Solomon, James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

With his future in the Spanish capital decidedly up in the air, the north London outfit could capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding this star wide man.

FootballTransfers value the Belgian flyer at €18.8m (£16m), as the 29-year-old has just one year left on his current deal.

How good is Yannick Carrasco?

The pacey left winger has silently been impressing in Spain ever since return in 2020, recapturing his form from his first stint which was interrupted by his two years in China.

Having racked up 263 appearances for the Madrid outfit, just last term saw him score ten and assist a further five across all competitions despite his side being nowhere near the LaLiga winners Barcelona.

Diego Simeone has even singled him out for praise too in the past, once claiming after he had notched a hat trick:

"He is a very complete player, with a bright future ahead of him."

Carrasco boasts speed, quick feet, a lethal finish and a scything right foot, so it is not farfetched to suggest that the Belgium international could seek to emulate one of his compatriots in Eden Hazard. By moving to the Premier League, all the pieces would be in place for him to achieve such a feat.

Should this transfer come to fruition and he were to be half as successful as the 32-year-old free agent was, it would certainly mark a deal worth making.

After all, the former Chelsea man featured 352 times for the club before leaving for Real Madrid, lighting up England with his signature silkiness and dynamism.

He would score 110 times across this period and assist a further 92, with former Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson even claiming in 2018:

"Hazard is the best player in the Premier League."

He would win two Premier League titles and two Europa Leagues as well as Footballer of the Year in 2015. Whilst Carrasco is yet to achieve heights similar to this, few on the planet can even admit to reaching such a level.

That is not to suggest they are not worthy of comparison though, especially when the former AS Monaco man is compared against other wingers across Europe, as he ranks in the top 1% for total shots, non-penalty expected goals, progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as well as the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90, via FBref.

He can beat a man and forge chances for himself, just like Hazard did in his prime.

During his final 2018/19 season in the English top-flight, where his 16 goals and 15 assists helped earn him a deserved 7.84 average rating, his 17% shot conversion, 2.6 key passes per game and 67% dribble success rate underpinned his success, via Sofascore.

Meanwhile, Carrasco's exploits in 2021/22 marked clear similarities, naturally omitting the insane goalscoring and assisting figures. His 12 goal contributions in LaLiga gave way to his 12% shot conversion, 1.6 key passes per game and 65% dribble success rate, via Sofascore.

Few will ever reach the levels Hazard maintained in England, but Atletico's speedster certainly has all the attributes to try.

An update has emerged on Celtic and their plans to bolster the playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign…

What's the latest Celtic transfer news?

According to Football Scotland, the Hoops have an interest in signing Gremio attacker Ferreira before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that they are eyeing up the 25-year-old attacker as they also close in on a deal to sign Legia Warsaw centre-back Maik Nawrocki for a fee in the region of £4m.

This comes after the same outlet stated earlier this week that it could take around £6m for the Bhoys to secure a deal for the Brazilian winger, who has been the subject of an enquiry from the Scottish giants.

How good is Ferreira?

The Gremio ace has endured an injury-disrupted couple of years in Brazil and this transfer would be about how Brendan Rodgers is able to uncover the best of his form, which was showcased throughout 2021.

Ferreira has missed 31 competitive matches through injury since August 2022, due to a muscle problem and a hamstring issue, and this has stunted his development.

The tricky left winger, who has scored three goals and provided three assists in 14 games this season, has the potential to be a big upgrade on current Hoops forward Daizen Maeda if he is able to get back to his best.

During the 2021 campaign, the £6m-rated sensation produced 14 goals and 13 assists across 52 outings in all competitions for Gremio. This works out as a direct goal contribution every 1.93 matches on average – more than one every other game from a wide position.

Maeda, meanwhile, has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 71 appearances for Celtic during his time in Scotland, which is an average of an involvement every 2.29 clashes.

Last season, the Japan international was directly involved in a goal every 2.72 outings with 11 strikes and seven assists over 49 competitive games.

These statistics suggest that Ferreira could provide a greater threat on the left wing if Rodgers is able to get him back to top form at Parkhead, due to his impressive numbers in 2021 for Gremio.

During the 2021 Serie A season, the Brazilian magician completed 84% of his attempted passes and created 1.4 chances per match for his teammates.

Out of Celtic's wingers, only Jota (1.9), who has since moved on to join Al Ittihad, produced more key passes per game throughout the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign, as Maeda ranked 15th among the entire squad with only 0.8 per clash.

This indicates that Ferreira could provide his fellow attackers with more opportunities in front of goal to add to their own tallies, to go along with his superior goal involvement figures.

Of course, this transfer would be a gamble for the Hoops given the 25-year-old wizard's recent injury woes but it is one that has the potential to be worth it due to his sublime form when fully fit for Gremio.

Rodgers could uncover a big upgrade on Maeda on the left flank and it is now down to Rodgers to push for this deal to get over the line over the coming weeks.

Celtic have been linked with Manchester United star Scott McTominay this summer; however, the Red Devils could now elect to keep the Scotland international for another season, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the state of play involving Scott McTominay's future?

McTominay looks to be at a crossroads in his Manchester United career and was used primarily as a squad player last term, making 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times and laying on a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

The Independent have revealed that McTominay could be put up for sale by Manchester United as part of a four-player cull that may also involve Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Fred.

With his future unclear, suitors have started to circle to try and offer the 26-year-old an escape route from Old Trafford. According to CBS Sports via The Daily Mail, Serie A giants Roma and Premier League high-flyers Brighton & Hove Albion are keen to bring in McTominay this window.

West Ham United and Newcastle United are believed to be 'monitoring' McTominay's situation and could offer the Scot a new challenge in the English top flight.

Celtic are another side that have been touted as a potential destination for McTominay, who could slip further down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrival of Mason Mount, as per Football Scotland.

Former Celtic player and now pundit Mark Wilson has endorsed the notion of a move, stating: "I really like him and for Scotland he has been a star. He has that composure and he has played at a certain level where I think he would fit into the side. It's one, transfer fee and two, the wage – that is what it all comes down to."

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has indicated that Manchester United may look to keep McTominay around for at least another season at Old Trafford.

Jones stated: “I can see a situation whereby United perform a U-turn on Scott McTominay and end up keeping him for the season and just offload Fred instead, seeing how slowly their recruitment is going.

“At the moment, it's very difficult to see that they could move on Fred and McTominay in the same window. I've got reservations about this happening for a few reasons.”

Who else could Celtic look to recruit in the transfer window?

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will have plenty of money to play with this summer and has a budget reported to be worth around £30 million to play with in order to recruit top talent ahead of 2023/24 getting underway, as per The Scottish Sun.

Ukrainian outlet Sport Novyny via 67 Hail Hail report that former Leicester City winger Tete is a target for the Hoops and they are believed to be strong contenders to sign the 23-year-old amid concerns for his safety at Shakhtar Donetsk due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph hinted that former Celtic star Mohamed Elyounoussi is on the radar of the Glasgow giants to strengthen their left flank, stating in an interview with GIVEMESPORT: "He'll be on Celtic's radar. I'm sure he'd love a return to Celtic as well. They could do worse than signing Elyounoussi again."

90min claim that Rodgers has taken a shine to Manchester United forgotten man Donny van de Beek and could offer him the chance to revive his stalling career at Parkhead.

ScorecardBen Foakes continued his run-making streak•Getty Images

An unbroken fourth wicket stand of 117 in 19 overs between Rory Burns and Ben Foakes took Surrey to victory by seven wickets in their Royal London One-Day Cup match against Middlesex at the Oval. Middlesex, with just one victory in four matches, are now facing an uphill struggle to progress.Surrey were chasing a slightly under-par Middlesex total of 243 for 9. Middlesex made the urgent breakthrough they needed when Toby Roland-Jones bowled Mark Stoneman for ten in the fifth over.But Surrey responded well, as Scott Borthwick flicked Tom Helm over square-leg for six. And Kumar Sangakkara got into his stride when he hit Helm for successive fours, on-driving and then lofting over mid-on.This pair put Surrey firmly in control with a second wicket partnership of 91. But Borthwick then chipped Dawid Malan to long-off and Sangakkara, who had been untroubled throughout his innings, suddenly drove Malan straight to cover for a 68-ball 59 to leave the game in the balance at 127 for 3. But then Burns and Foakes took charge.When Middlesex batted they only looked capable of a formidable total when first Nick Gubbins and then John Simpson were at the wicket, but neither player survived to play the much-needed major innings.They were already depleted without their England and Ireland representatives, and then they decided to play Nick Compton ahead of the impressively in form Stevie Eskinazi.Tom Curran broke through for Surrey with the last ball of the ninth over when Malan pulled to Stoneman at deep square-leg for just 14.That brought Compton to the wicket but the former England batsman’s innings lasted just five deliveries. He was caught behind nibbling outside his off stump, and that meant Middlesex were 42 for 2 after ten overs.Gubbins kept swashbuckling away at one end but at the other Adam Voges soon perished when he was caught down the leg-side for nine. Gubbins, it seemed, would need to make a century, and he looked well capable of it until he swiped Ravi Rampaul to Stuart Meaker for an 86-ball 65.Simpson then took responsibility for the Middlesex innings. He was almost caught at long leg when he had made 51 but the missed half-chance didn’t cost Surrey too dearly because he was lbw to Gareth Batty for 75, attempting to shovel the ball to leg. Batty’s ten overs cost just 38 runs, while Rampaul took 4 for 40After Gubbins and Simpson the highest Middlesex scorer was James Franklin, with 35, and they needed ten wides from the Surrey bowlers to get as many as they did.

William Porterfield and the spinners helped Ireland thrash United Arab Emirates by 85 runs in the first ODI in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Mar-2017
ScorecardWilliam Porterfield was bowled soon after completing his seventh ODI hundred•Chris Whiteoak

William Porterfield struck his seventh ODI ton to lift Ireland to 270, a total they defended by 85 runs with the help of George Dockrell and Andy McBrine’s spin.Ireland, after being asked to bat, lost two early wickets. Fast bowler Mohammad Naveed had Paul Stirling caught behind for 4, and in his next over, removed Andy Balbirnie. Porterfield then led Ireland’s rebuild with partnerships of 59,124 and 56 with Niall O’Brien, Kevin O’Brien and Gary Wilson respectively. Kevin O’Brien struck a 53-ball 69 that included seven fours and one six.Fast bowler Zahoor Khan took three wickets in three balls, with a wide in between his second and third victims, to stall Ireland’s momentum towards the end. Ireland lost their last six wickets for 17 runs in 24 balls, Zahoor took all of them to finish with 6 for 34, the best figures by a UAE bowler.Rohan Mustafa hammered a 29-ball 43 to lead UAE’s reply, but their chase withered away as they lost regular wickets. Off spinner McBrine and left-arm spinner Dockrell took wickets between them to reduce UAE to 112 for 7. Ahmed Raza struck a 69-ball 45 at No. 8. UAE were bowled out for 185 in the 42nd over.

Tottenham Hotspur's failure to appoint a director of football ahead of their pre-season tour to Australia is a concern, podcaster Chris Cowlin has claimed.

What's going on at Tottenham?

Spurs are still facing a difficult period off the pitch, as despite finding a manager in Ange Postecoglou, a director of football is yet to be appointed to replace Fabio Paratici, and no signings have been made in the transfer window.

A dismal campaign saw Spurs finish in eighth place, and Paratici was dismissed from his role after receiving a ban from football for his involvement in illicit activities during his time at Juventus.

The lack of director means that there may be difficulties operating in the transfer market without a recruitment strategy in place, and with just a few weeks to go until pre-season, this comes at quite a concern for Spurs.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Cowlin bemoaned the lack of progress in appointing a director, whilst also acknowledging the other major changes taking place around the club.

"There are so many players, this is what I mean about this rebuild, this is absolutely massive. This is a huge job. And it does slightly worry me that we're off to Australia in three weeks for the preseason tour and we don't have a director of football," he stated.

"Of course there's been a restructure as well in the academy. Although the academy won two cups at the end of the season, the under 17 and 18s, there's been a complete restructure there.

"That's going to be interesting, Yaya Toure and Dean Rastrick recently leaving, and Greta Stevenson on the verge of leaving. So that's a big thing."

How important is a director of football for Spurs?

Despite the way it ended, Paratici's spell at Spurs saw him use his expertise to help recruit Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus, and both signings were instrumental as Spurs beat rivals Arsenal to a top four spot in 2022.

With a director of football in place, the club can form a strategy about the types of players they bring in, as well as hiring managers to build upon a structure already in place.

Spurs have been catastrophic when hiring managers in recent years, with the likes of Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho all failing to make an impact, with no long-term plan in place of how to replace them.

Hiring a director as soon as possible will be beneficial for Postecoglou's aims in the transfer market, and a long-term strategy in recruitment and sales could help Spurs recover from their slump, both on and off the pitch.

Arsenal target Declan Rice will demand £300,000 per week to join Arsenal in the summer as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his engine room, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Declan Rice?

According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are said to have 'agreed' personal terms with Rice ahead of a potential move to the Emirates in the summer transfer window.

Sky Sports News report that West Ham United would be willing to let Rice depart the London Stadium in the off-season; however, they will demand the best part of £120 million to sanction his departure.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have all previously retained an interest in Rice as the England international mulls over his options in the next few weeks.

As per The Sun, Arsenal are willing to make Rice one of their highest earners and prepare a five-year deal worth around £300,000 per week, which would be a significant increase on the £60k-a-week deal he is currently tied to at West Ham United.

Also, the Telegraph claim that Arsenal are planning to offer a structured deal worth around £92 million for Rice.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Rice would be right to demand a significant wage before joining Arsenal due to the importance he would hold in their side.

Jones told FFC: "If you look at this in the cold light of day, the type of player he is and what his profile is. He's 24; he's played over 200 games in the Premier League, he's an England international. Compare that to Bukayo Saka, who's 21 and just got a deal worth £300,000 per week. If you're Declan Rice's representatives, then you're using that straight away as a yardstick to say, okay, well, I fully understand that Saka is a game changer, but we've got the player here that is going to be the driving force in your engine room and we don't see that there's much difference here in terms of value."

Would Declan Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?

Rice, who has been hailed as "industrious", has established himself as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League and deserves a chance to shine at an elite-level side like Arsenal.

In 2022/23, the 24-year-old has been in fine form, registering five goals and four assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored also show that Rice has been a trustworthy presence in possession this term, maintaining an average pass accuracy of 88% in the English top flight.

Driving forward from midfield is one of Rice's main strengths and he has successfully managed to carry out 111 shot-creating actions in total this season, as per FBRef.

Interest in Rice will be vast this summer and it is important that Arsenal endeavour to meet his demands to avoid missing out on his services.