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This is the final T20I series for them before the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June

Alex Malcolm19-Feb-20241:43

Where does Glenn Maxwell rank in T20 cricket?

Should Steven Smith be picked for the World Cup?

Steven Smith’s role in Australia’s T20I side has been diminishing in recent years. In 2019-20 when Australia were the No. 1 ranked T20I side he was locked in at No. 3. In the 2021 T20 World Cup triumph he was shifted to a floating No. 4, behind Mitchell Marsh, who would only bat there if Australia lost powerplay wickets. He lost his place from the first-choice XI for the 2022 T20 World Cup when Australia opted to promote Glenn Maxwell to No. 4 and select Tim David at No. 6, with Smith only playing the final game when Aaron Finch and David were injured. He has only played twice for Australia in the format since. He was supposed to get the opportunity to open in a series in South Africa last year but suffered a wrist injury then played the first two games of a five-match series in India but was clearly fatigued and went home to rest from the final three.Australia’s first-choice top three looks fairly settled with the ballistic Travis Head likely to open alongside David Warner with Marsh at No. 3. Australia will want to replicate their powerplay pyrotechnics from the ODI World Cup. Smith can’t match Head’s aggression as he has only struck at more than 146 once in his last 21 T20I innings, and there is an expectation that anchors are going to be rendered obsolete in this World Cup.Related

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There will be those questioning how he is even playing in this series against New Zealand, let alone be in the frame for the World Cup when someone like Matthew Short could be given a chance at the top. The issue is that Smith has outperformed Short at BBL level in the last two seasons, even though Short has been player of the tournament for two seasons running. The sample size is small, but Smith has two hundreds and two fifties from seven innings, averaging 67.83 and striking at 168.87 opening the batting for Sydney Sixers. Short has one hundred in 25 innings for Adelaide Strikers, averaging 45.40 and striking at 149.10. Smith’s career BBL record is far superior to Short’s, highlighting the difficulty for the selectors of rewarding BBL performances when Australia’s Test players don’t get to play.There is one other factor in Smith’s favour. Whilst the World Cup could be a power-hitting bonanza, which would play against Smith’s inclusion in Australia’s final 15, there is always the possibility that a knockout game is played on a worn, spinning surface. Smith’s prowess against spin at the top of the order in a low-scoring game could be a valuable resource. He will get an opportunity in very different conditions in New Zealand. What he will need to show is an ability to go up the gears, like he has done at BBL level, to prove he can be an asset in more scenarios than just low-scoring scraps on spinning tracks.

Is the middle order set in stone?

Australia’s middle-order has long been a weak point in T20I cricket but it has become a strength in the last three years with the axis of Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David and Matthew Wade proving a very versatile and powerful combination in a multitude of different scenarios.Stoinis’ injury is untimely, and his injury history would have the selectors wary going into a World Cup. Many have conflated his underwhelming batting form in ODI cricket with his T20I place, but he has been very consistent for Australia in the shortest form and his bowling has become invaluable. Taking him out of the middle-order, even temporarily, disrupts Australia’s balance.Josh Inglis could force his way into Australia’s middle order•Getty ImagesMaxwell will be Australia’s first-choice fifth bowler in spinning conditions but Stoinis is a vital sixth option if an opponent collars Maxwell or Australia’s quicks in the powerplay on a slow surface. Stoinis’ cutters and changes of pace are crafty. If he’s not there, that role falls to Marsh, who is not as skilled, and Head’s offspin is the only other option.Josh Inglis will be in Australia’s World Cup squad as the second wicketkeeper and a versatile back-up batter. His skill against spin would mean he is an easy option to slide into No. 5 and could even be a better batting option than Stoinis in certain conditions against opponents with high-quality spinners. But that robs Australia of a bowler. The other option to strengthen Australia’s batting against spin is to play Inglis instead of Wade and rejig the order slightly with David moving lower. That may happen in game one against New Zealand in Wellington with Wade missing on paternity leave. But Wade is Marsh’s vice-captain and his presence at No. 7 is highly valuedHe has proven the ability to get either 41 off 17 or 7 off 3 depending on what is required. He is one of Australia’s best death overs pace-hitters and the only left-handed batter outside of Warner and Head.Short gets the chance to push their case in New Zealand as a back-up allrounder in that middle-order, especially with Aaron Hardie also ruled out. But he does not have much experience in the specialised role and although New Zealand may provide him with chances, it will be very different to the conditions and pressure of a World Cup in the Caribbean. The only other allrounder in the mix for the World Cup is Cameron Green. But he is not in New Zealand with the selectors preferring him to focus on his Test preparations. He will have to prove his case in the IPL and like the other two, is better suited to batting up the order.

Who is the back-up quick?

Australia will go to the well for a fourth straight limited-overs World Cup with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as their first-choice pace trio in a four-man attack alongside Adam Zampa. But it’s worth remembering that Cummins and Starc have not played a T20I since the 2022 World Cup when Starc was dropped for the final game.Nathan Ellis currently leads the race to be Australia’s back-up quick at the T20 World Cup•Getty ImagesNathan Ellis is the fourth quick chosen on the tour of New Zealand and has edged ahead of Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff and Spencer Johnson as the fourth option for the World Cup although Johnson has been called into the squad after Stoinis and Hardie were withdrawn. Death bowling in New Zealand is as difficult as it gets, and he will get the chance to cement his place although he will also have a full IPL with Punjab Kings in conditions that are far closer to what Australia will face at the World Cup.

Do Australia need two spinners in the World Cup 15?

Based on Australia’s last two World Cup triumphs in the T20 version in the UAE and the 50-over version in India, the answer is no. Zampa has been the main spinner and Maxwell the second option. Head also chipped in with vital wickets in the ODI World Cup semi-final. But the pitches in the Caribbean can sometimes spin even more than the UAE or India.The chair of selectors George Bailey did state on record recently that a second spinner would travel to the World Cup. The question for the selectors is then, do they carry a spare spinner in the 15 on the off chance they need to play two in the same side? Or do they do what they did in India and carry a 16th travelling reserve in case Zampa gets injured? The problem is each equation potentially requires a different player.Tanveer Sangha was Zampa’s reserve in India as the 16th player who could only play if Zampa was ruled out of the tournament. But they won’t want to play two legspinners in the same XI. If they wanted a second spinner in the XI, then left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar comes back into the mix.The problem for Agar and Sangha is neither will get any cricket between now and the Caribbean, as neither were selected for New Zealand. Both have one 50-over Marsh Cup final to play in the domestic summer and neither are involved in the IPL.

On every major metric they outperformed the New Zealand and India attacks, including the short-ball strategy

Osman Samiuddin07-Jul-2022This has been the summer of England’s batting. It’s impossible to not come to that conclusion. Not only have they performed record-breaking feats, they have done so in an ultra-aggressive, impossible-to-ignore style. But this is Test cricket and as much as England have tried to bring one-day clarity to the batting side of things, one truism hasn’t changed: you don’t win Tests without taking 20 wickets. Across four Tests this summer, England have taken all 80 wickets.It was a point not lost on Ben Stokes or Joe Root after Edgbaston. “We’ve taken 80 wickets in the last four weeks and that’s not something we’ve always been able to do,” Root said, wondering perhaps why, when he was captain, they were struggling to do precisely this.Related

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“A lot of credit has to go to the bowling group, four back-to-back games. Seeing Jimmy Anderson bowling bouncers at 7 o’clock at night the other day was pretty impressive, and it shows the total commitment and belief in what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to go about bowling sides out. That’s a big improvement for us as a group, to be able to do that and set up the opportunity for us to go and chase these totals down.”The first bit of surprise is perhaps that England have outperformed with the ball two sides who made the WTC final last year, two sides currently in possession of the greatest attacks their countries have ever had (though New Zealand were ultimately hampered by the injury to Kyle Jamieson and arguably got the Neil Wagner non-selection wrong). On paper, England’s bowling attack was widely thought to be the weakest of the three, not least because of the extensive pace bowling injury list they were having to work around. As many as eight fast bowlers who might have been picked ahead of Matthew Potts are out with injuries.Yet on every major metric, they have been better than their opponents.ESPNcricinfo LtdJames Anderson is, remarkably still, pure and unadulterated James Anderson, Potts has been the season’s breakout star, Stuart Broad has had… moments, Jack Leach will always have Headingley and Stokes has mopped up behind them, hovering somewhere between and under-utilised swing bowler and an enforcer. Had it not been for Leach’s concussion at Lord’s or Anderson’s ankle niggle after Trent Bridge, England would’ve played the same attack all four Tests. No rotation, no rest, no messing around. The best attack plays, every game.Where England’s attack has really made a difference is when the ball has become older and softer. With the new ball, England’s figures are more or less identical to New Zealand’s: 16 wickets for both sides, average around 27. England have been nearly a run more economical, which in a summer about run rates, has been important. But performances with an older ball became even more significant, given that the Dukes ball has been a problem all summer, losing shape or going soft so often as to require regular change. The final day’s play at Edgbaston lasted 90 minutes, but within it the ball was changed twice.ESPNcricinfo LtdThat probably affects this data in ways that are not clear. But the gulf in averages and economy rate from overs 30-80 between England and their opponents is so vast that it is clear England did something much more right than the others. Being able to call upon Potts, Stokes and Leach (and Broad when needed) has highlighted a depth that New Zealand, for example, couldn’t match. Not bowling to their own batters has helped that economy rate – strike rates are similarly poor (83.1 for England and 85.6 for New Zealand and India combined). But for all the problems Stokes has had with no-balls, he has the best strike rate and average (44.72 and 33 respectively) during that phase of the innings.The plan with that older, softer ball has been simple: go short. Overall, England’s fast bowlers have bowled a short ball, on average, every 12 balls this series; New Zealand one every 19 balls and India one every 18.ESPNcricinfo LtdBut the majority of the short-pitched bowling has come when the ball has become old. Maybe it’s because the ball hasn’t reversed or that the pitches, like a bouncier Trent Bridge, have encouraged it. England have not been reckless with it either, specifically targeting the lower order with it. The top-of-mind Jasprit Bumrah assault on Broad (and memories of the hour of bouncers at Lord’s last summer) mean the strategy might be recalled as a dud. Why not just bowl a good length and hit the top of off?Except that bumping the lower order has proved very successful. England have picked up 15 wickets off short-pitched deliveries this summer (of which Broad, the one-time enforcer, has nearly half); 12 of the 15 have been batters at No. 8 or below and 12 of 15 have come post the 50th over.That includes the swift wrapping up of New Zealand lower order (5 for 57) in the first innings at Trent Bridge (when they looked on course to get 600-plus); more crucially, it includes the three wickets in the second innings when New Zealand were hustled out on a blameless surface to leave an imposing, rather than impossible, target. Even in what now feels like the only normal Test of the summer, the first at Lord’s, Anderson was bouncing out Jamieson and Tim Southee in the first innings.At Edgbaston, that Bumrah over apart, it worked beautifully. Three wickets in the first innings and four in the second, hurrying out India in a collapse of 7 for 92. That was the difference between a target of 450-plus and 378. The batting has still literally had to operate at an all-time level to get to those targets, but it wouldn’t have been possible in the first place without the bowling.England averaged just under 15 with the short ball, New Zealand nearly 49 and India 61. New Zealand’s strike rate with the short ball was nearly double that of England; India’s was double. Broad, Stokes and Potts were England’s main men for this plan, their short balls not only likelier to get a wicket, but as the run rate suggests, more difficult to score off.ESPNcricinfo LtdAs much as the batting had that ODI feel to it, there’s been times when England were switching to this plan that it appeared as if they were bowling the grunt overs of an ODI, just more attacking with the fields. It wasn’t the kind of late-innings Test match bowling you necessarily expect in England – as Root said, even Anderson. It didn’t look especially attractive or even – at times – well-thought out. Make no mistake though: It was. It got the job done and how.

Arsenal’s fourth Premier League win in a row yesterday has seen the Gunners take a huge stride towards finally ending their drought for a league title.

Mikel Arteta’s men secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates – a result that takes his side four points clear at the summit.

It was far from a vintage display for the Spaniard’s outfit, but the manager will be pleased that his side managed to battle through the adversity and claim three more vital points.

The likes of Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres endured quiet afternoons in North London and were unable to add to their tallies in the 2025/26 campaign.

However, one player did manage to step up to the plate and produce the goods and subsequently pop up with the vital contribution yesterday afternoon.

Eberechi Eze’s display against Crystal Palace

Back in the summer transfer window, Arsenal forked out a fee in the region of £67.5m for the signature of Eberechi Eze – in an attempt to bolster their depth and quality in the final third.

Since arriving from Crystal Palace, the England international had only netted one goal, with such an effort coming against League One side Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.

Ahead of the clash, there was a sense of inevitability he would score against his former employers – and that he did, firing home a loose ball just minutes before half-time.

Alongside his first Premier League goal, Eze also impressed with his creativity, subsequently registering seven passes into the final third, which saw him create two chances in the process.

The 27-year-old also won five of the seven duels he entered, whilst also completing 100% of the duels he entered – producing a really impressive all-round showing in North London.

However, despite Eze’s showing, one other Gunner managed to impress in the triumph, with the regular starter now becoming one of the manager’s most important players.

The Arsenal star who’s becoming one of Arteta’s most important players

Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s star men over the last couple of years, with his performances at both ends having a real impact on the club’s ability to challenge for a title.

The Brazilian’s showing against Palace yesterday was yet another example of his quality, with the centre-back hitting the woodwork and coming perilously close to his third goal of the campaign.

Out of possession, he led the Gunners to a sixth Premier League clean sheet of the campaign, after making six clearances and winning 100% of the ground duels he entered.

However, the 27-year-old isn’t alone in becoming a key man for Arteta, with midfielder Declan Rice producing a phenomenal display against Palace yesterday afternoon.

The Englishman had huge expectations placed upon him after his £105m transfer from West Ham United, but it’s safe to say he’s massively surpassed all of the supporters’ expectations.

He’s started all but one league game this campaign, with his showing against the Eagles one of his most impressive over the last couple of months.

Rice created three chances and made two tackles during the victory, both of which were the highest tallies of any player on the pitch throughout the 90-minute match.

Minutes played

82

Touches

72

Chances created

3

Tackles won

2

Passes completed

38

Passes into final third

12

Interceptions made

2

Aerials won

100%

Other figures, such as 38 passes completed, with 12 being into the final third, showcase his incredible composure with the ball to dictate the play at the heart of the side.

However, out of possession, the Englishman was just as impressive, as he made two interceptions and won 100% of the aerial duels he entered against Oliver Glasner’s men.

To top off his excellent display, Rice was handed a superb 8/10 match rating by The Express’ Tom Parsons – topping off what was a phenomenal afternoon at the Emirates.

After such a showing, there’s little debate that the Englishman is once again becoming one of the club’s first names on the teamsheet in the hunt for a Premier League title.

If he can continue to perform alongside Gabriel and Eze, there’s no reason why Arteta’s men can’t go all the way and end the generational wait for a top-division title.

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Tristan Lavalette07-Nov-2025Ashleigh Gardner will further her leadership development after taking the reins from Ellyse Perry as captain of Sydney Sixers, a WBBL franchise hoping to recapture their former standing.The transition signals a new era after Perry had captained Sixers since the inaugural season in 2015-16, yielding back-to-back titles in the second and third seasons of WBBL. But Sixers’ status as an on-field powerhouse has faded away having failed to qualify for the finals in five of the past six seasons.Related

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It is a major reset for Sixers under the fresh leadership of Gardner and new head coach Matthew Mott, the former coach of the Australia women’s team and England men’s white-ball sides.Gardner, 28, has been an integral part of the Sixers from the start, holding the club record for games (135) and wickets (102), while also sitting third for runs (2607). She has long been viewed as an Australia captain in the making, particularly impressing over the years in promoting Indigenous culture and history.Gardner should be in the mix to succeed Alyssa Healy, who confirmed the recent ODI World Cup would be her last in that format. Earlier this year, Gardner was the vice-captain on the T20I tour of New Zealand, where Tahlia McGrath captained in Healy’s absence.Her Sixers appointment follows being handed the captaincy of Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League and Trent Rockets in the Hundred.”I’m honoured to be appointed captain of the Sydney Sixers, a club I’ve proudly represented for my whole career,” Gardner said. “Over the past decade I’ve learned from some amazing leaders, including Pez [ Perry] and Midge [Healy] at the Sixers, and I can’t wait to lead the team.”Perry, 35, will remain at Sixers for at least the next three seasons. “It’s been an immense pleasure to have the opportunity to lead the Sixers over the last ten years,” she said.”Ash has offered so much to Sixers on-and-off the field and her strong interest in giving her best as a leader will be an exciting starting point for our team this season.”Healy will miss Sixers’ season-opener due to a minor thumb injury sustained in the World Cup semi-final. The injury will be monitored when she returns to training next week.Sixers start their campaign against Perth Scorchers on Sunday at the WACA.Meanwhile, Melbourne Renegades captain Sophie Molineux will miss the opening two matches as she manages a minor quad strain. Georgia Wareham will take the captaincy in her absence.

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Manchester United have a conundrum in midfield which needs to be solved sooner rather than later.

Ruben Amorim’s infamous 3-4-2-1 system, which he is insistent on sticking to, operates with a double pivot. Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro are his first choices in that role this season.

That has left a few players out in the cold this season, without regular minutes. The two players who have tended to be left on the sidelines are Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte. The England international is yet to start a Premier League game this season, and former Sporting man Ugarte has not been able to get into the side over Casemiro.

It seems as though the Red Devils are targeting a new midfielder who can slot into the side.

Man Utd looking to sign England international

The Manuncian side have already begun a mini-revolution in the centre of the park. They have recently signed young Colombian Cristian Orozco, who will perhaps start in the youth team but could well be considered a first-teamer in the future.

Elliot Anderson is a name who is regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford but he’s not the only England international in the crosshairs of INEOS.

Indeed, according to a report from Football Insider, Atletico Madrid and England midfielder Conor Gallagher is a player the club continue to ‘monitor’ ahead of the January transfer window.

There has been previous interest in the former Chelsea star from Premier League clubs. Crystal Palace wanted him last summer, and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested.

However, Amorim’s side are described as ‘frontrunners’ for Gallagher. As far as a fee is concerned, it has been reported that a bid in the region of £26m could be accepted.

Why Gallagher would be a good signing

The signing of Gallagher could well be a strong addition to United’s midfield. Described as a “warrior” in the middle of the park by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, he would bring Premier League experience.

Indeed, Gallagher has made 136 appearances in the English top flight, for boyhood side Chelsea, as well as loan spells at Crystal Palace and West Brom. That ready-made experience in the Premier League could be vital for Amorim, as he would need little to no adaptation period.

Of course, over the last 18 months, the former Chelsea star has been plying his trade in La Liga for Atleti. He’s played 69 times for Diego Simeone’s side, chipping in with six goals and six assists. That included a strike against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

If the Red Devils were to sign Gallagher this winter, he could prove to be the long-term replacement for Casemiro. United’s Brazilian midfielder is out of contract soon, and it seems like he could be on his way at the end of the campaign.

Indeed, he is a hard man to replace. The former Los Blancos star has been a key figure in that midfield pivot for Amorim, making 12 appearances and chipping in with three goals.

That included this effort against Gallagher’s former side, Chelsea, at Old Trafford.

Replacing Casemiro in that United midfield would not be easy for Gallagher. Aside from his potent threat in the final third, the Brazilian, of course, is a master at breaking up play and winning the ball back.

However, when looking at the stats, it suggests that the Atleti star possesses the skills to do just that. For example, he’s averaged 4.12 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes this season, compared to just 3.6 each game for Casemiro.

Progressive passes

3.73

5.07

Key passes

0.59

0.93

Progressive carries

2.75

0.67

Tackles and interceptions

4.12

3.60

Ball recoveries

4.71

5.60

Finding the man who can eventually step into Casemiro’s shoes was never going to be easy for Amorim. Yet, in Gallagher, United may have landed upon the perfect player. He still has plenty of quality on the ball and final third threat, whilst also being an efficient ball winner.

Furthermore, he’s also got energy, something Casemiro lacks. Indeed, he has been described as an “intensity monster” and as “one of the best midfielders in the sport when it comes to running long distances” by one notable analyst on social media.

£26m is a small fee in the current market, and should the Red Devils choose to pay it, they could have finally found the perfect player to replace Casemiro.

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There were concerns that Aston Villa would wane under Unai Emery’s management after a frustrating and turbulent summer transfer window that left the club with more questions than answers.

But the emphatic 4-0 win over Bournemouth before the November international break sealed Villa’s fifth win from six Premier League matches, lifting them up to sixth in the standings, just two points off third-place Chelsea.

That Anfield defeat stands as the one dot on the recent copybook, rather than a new and wider concern for Emery as his side lose their form and verve once again.

This team is ready to challenge for a Champions League spot and compete for silverware, domestically and abroad. The stars are rising to the occasion – again. Two of the club’s most important players stepped up big time against the Cherries.

The Villa stars who are stepping up

Aston Villa smashed Bournemouth on Sunday and four different Villans got themselves on the scoresheet. But it was the defensive third that arguably shone brightest, limiting the visitors to just 0.23 xG (expected goals) from open play.

Credit to Ezri Konsa – again. The 28-year-old has grown into one of the finest defenders in the country since joining Villa Park from Bristol City in July 2019.

Now, maturing as a leader, Konsa’s completeness at the rear has led Sky Sports’ Dan Bardell to claim he “gets into every Premier League team” apart from table-toppers Arsenal.

And, again, we must draw praise toward Emi Martinez, whose stormy summer on an individual level saw him come close to joining Manchester United. He wanted this move and left Villa Park at the end of the 2024/25 campaign with tearful eyes and grateful gesticulations toward the fans.

But the Argentina goalkeeper has been as strong as ever this year, and his penalty save against Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo proved significant in snuffing out danger and capitalising.

There was another star away from the offensive action at the weekend who continued his rise in form. Indeed, this defender has shaped into one of the Premier League’s finest in one regard.

The Villa star now "among the best in the league"

Continuity. At times, an underrated facet in football. Aston Villa’s backline have developed together over three campaigns, largely unaltered. This has drawbacks, because the football is always evolving and it never stops, but the intuitiveness across the back four and Martinez too emphasises the strength of Emery’s tactics.

He makes players better, and Matty Cash is a perfect example of this. The right-back joined Villa from Nottingham Forest for £16m in 2020, and he has since played 195 matches for the Midlands outfit, posting 12 goals and 12 assists apiece.

Now, the 28-year-old is considered a core part of the side, having started all 11 matches in the Premier League this season.

With such energy and gusto to blend attacking and defensive sides of the right-back game, Cash has made headway after an up-and-down 2024/25 season, thus negating the chinks in the right-side armour.

This was showcased perfectly against Andoni Iraola’s south coast side. So dangerous are Bournemouth on the counter, their forwards as electric as they come. But they left with neither points nor consolation strikes last weekend, and Cash was instrumental in that.

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

53

Accurate passes

19/27 (70%)

Shots (on target)

1 (1)

Tackles won

1/2

Clearances

2

Ground duels won

3/7

Up against it, Cash kept the Cherries’ threatening forwards at bay while contributing offensively, enjoying the first chance of the game and providing a dynamic outlet down the right channel. For this, Birmingham Live’s John Townley awarded him an 8/10 match rating.

This was corroborated by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, in fact, who marvelled at the full-back’s display and hailed him as being “among the best in the league” when it comes to defending, aggression and mentality.

All told, Cash is a perfect example of a player who has embraced a manager’s tactics and worked tooth and nail toward an influential role. Villa are looking to go all the way in the Europa League, but also fight for the ascendancy in the Premier League and continue a journey which has gripped the fanbase since returning to the big time.

He has been one of the defining elements of this story, and he’s now one of the best in the division.

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ByAngus Sinclair Nov 4, 2025

Middlesex promotion push takes a hit as Gloucestershire No. 3 notches maiden century

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Aug-2025Gloucestershire 404 for 9 dec (Phillips 136, Hammond 71, Bancroft 58) drew with Middlesex 445 (Williamson 153, Hollman 60, De Caires 58, Du Plooy 57)Gloucestershire’s Joe Phillips hit his maiden first class century as the rain-ruined Rothesay County Championship Division Two match with Middlesex ended in an inevitable draw.After the third day washout, a still wet outfield prevented any play until 1.25pm, with a minimum of 68 overs left in the game. Resuming their first innings on 54 for 1, a deficit of 391, Gloucestershire extended it to 400 for 9 by stumps, 21-year-old Cornishman Phillips making 136 from 182 balls, with 19 fours.Miles Hammond contributed an attractive 71 and Cameron Bancroft 58. But there had been too little time on a placid pitch for the teams to conjure a decisive outcome and both had to settle for 15 points.Following an early lunch at 12.45pm, Phillips and skipper Bancroft played confidently on a pitch still proving surprisingly straightforward to bat on considering it was shaved at both ends.Unbeaten on 11 at the start, Phillips had a scare on 34 when advancing down the pitch to offspinner Josh De Caires and edging between wicketkeeper and first slip for four. It was a rare moment of anxiety for Gloucestershire as Bancroft was first to his half-century, off 104 balls, with nine fours.The experienced Aussie was looking in prime form and it was a surprise when, with the total advanced to 126, he was bowled off a bottom edge aiming to pull a boundary off left-arm seamer Noah Cornwell.By then Phillips was treating the sparse crowd to a range of sweetly-timed strokes off front and back foot, a single to deep cover off Luke Hollman’s legspin taking him to fifty off 92 deliveries, with five fours. Two more boundaries followed from fierce pull shots in the same Cornwell over.Ollie Price was soon looking equally at home on the two-tone coloured surface. A glorious square drive for four off Ryan Higgins took Truro-born Phillips past his previous best first-class score of 80, made on the same ground against Worcestershire in 2023.By tea, he had moved to 96 and, with Price unbeaten on 33, Gloucestershire were 209 for 2, still trailing by 236. A looping full toss from Sam Robson gave Phillips the chance to strike the boundary that brought up his century off 145 balls. It was his 15th four and he raised a clenched fist in the air to celebrate.Price departed soon afterwards for 34, caught behind top-edging a sweep off Robson’s leg-breaks. The dismissal meant a first bowling point for Middlesex on a day their promotion hopes suffered a damaging blow with Glamorgan’s victory over Lancashire.Phillips and Hammond took Gloucestershire to 250 and a batting point. With more bonus points up for grabs, neither team wanted to shake hands on the draw.Using his feet well to attack the spinners, Phillips continued on his merry way, while Hammond also went on the attack at every opportunity. Their entertaining stand of 66 in 12.1 overs ended when Phillips holed out to long-on off Higgins.Cheltenham-born Hammond, who often flourishes at the Festival, advanced to smack a straight six off De Caires as Gloucestershire progressed to a second batting point, losing James Bracey cheaply, caught at mid-on off De Caires with the total on 299.Hollman earned Middlesex a second bowling point when having Graeme van Buuren caught at slip. But Hammond moved to a fluent half-century off 63 balls before Zaman Akhter was seventh man out, caught at backward square leg sweeping a ball from Hollman with eight overs remaining.A Hammond six off Hollman took Gloucestershire to a third batting point before he fell aiming to clear long-on off Higgins. With three overs remaining, Middlesex took the second new ball and Cornwell had Matt Taylor caught behind to give his side maximum bowling points.There was still time for a Josh Shaw six off Higgins as he and Todd Murphy helped the hosts reach 400 in the very last over. Both teams could feel happy at the end of a thoroughly entertaining final hour.

Glasgow Rangers officially confirmed the departure of head coach Russell Martin on Sunday night after the Ibrox side failed to win for a sixth time in seven Scottish Premiership matches.

The former Scotland international only won five of his 17 matches in charge of Rangers, losing six times, and departs with the the Light Blues sat eighth in the league table.

Martin simply did not get enough wins on the board to win the Ibrox crowd over during his short tenure in Glasgow, which left the club to make a decision this early into the season.

Title-winning manager keen on Rangers job

The attention now turns to his successor. Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart must find a manager who is a better fit at Ibrox to get the season back on track.

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According to Football Insider, Steven Gerrard would jump at the chance to make a ‘sensational’ return to Glasgow to manage Rangers for a second time.

The report claims that the Light Blues will discuss a potential move for the out-of-work English manager when they sit down to identify a long-term replacement for Martin.

It adds that Gerrard is one of the ‘leading’ candidates for the job at this moment in time, although the outlet does not name any of the other contenders for the role.

Stewart and Thelwell could win the fans back over and get Ibrox rocking again by swooping to bring the Liverpool legend back to the club for a second stint in the dugout.

Why Steven Gerrard would get Ibrox rocking again

Rangers welcome Dundee United to Ibrox in the Premiership in the first match after the international break and the home crowd could be rocking for that clash if they see Gerrard back on the sidelines.

It could be a hero’s welcome for the English tactician around four years on from his move to Aston Villa from the Gers, which came after an incredibly successful time on the pitch.

He is, after all, a title-winner for the Light Blues. No manager has won the Premiership title for the club since he lifted the trophy at the end of the 2020/21 campaign. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, Philippe Clement, Barry Ferguson, and Russell Martin all failed where he succeeded.

As you can see in the table above, Gerrard’s last 50 matches in charge of the Gers in the league were almost faultless, losing one game, as he turned the Gers into a winning machine.

The former Villa boss, once dubbed “amazing” by Glen Johnson, knows what Rangers are all about, he knows what the supporters want to see, and he knows how to win the Premiership.

Gerrard is the closest thing that the Light Blues can get to a proven manager, given his success at the club before, and that is why he could be the safest option for Stewart and Thelwell to bring in.

It is also why the club could get Ibrox rocking again for that clash with Dundee United after the international break because the fans know that he is a proven tactician who can get the team back on track, and may support and cheer for him accordingly.

He's like Mourinho: 54-year-old manager wants to replace Martin at Rangers

Russell Martin’s job as Rangers manager is no more, so who could be his replacement?

By
Matt Dawson

Oct 6, 2025

تحدث عبد الحليم علي مهاجم فريق الزمالك السابق، عن تأهل الفريق إلى نهائي بطولة كأس السوبر المصري بعد الفوز على بيراميدز. 

وتمكن فريق الزمالك من التأهل لنهائي كأس السوبر المصري لمواجهة الأهلي، عقب الفوز على بيراميدز بركلات الترجيح، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين اليوم على ملعب آل نهيان. 

طالع.. رجل مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز في كأس السوبر المصري

وقال عبد الحليم في تصريحات على قناة “أبو ظبي الرياضية”: “أحمد عبد الرؤوف يثبت أنه مدرب جيد وحساباته تحققت، الزمالك فريق كبير ويعود في أي وقت، ولا تأمن مكر الزمالك والأندية الكبيرة”.

وأضاف: أحمد عبد الرؤوف مدرب ولد كبيرا ولديه ثقة بالنفس، وأدار المباراة بشكل جيد أمام مدير فني كبير في ظروف صعبة، ويستحق كل الأحترام والتقدير”.

وتابع: “جماهير الزمالك بالنسبة لي عشق، وهم كل شيء في حياتنا، هم التاريخ ويبنى عليهم كل شيء، جمهور الزمالك حاضر في أي مكان بالعالم، جماهير الزمالك حضرت، جمهور الزمالك قوة لناديهم، كأننا نلعب في القاهرة”.