Aakash Chopra analyses Mitchell Starc’s short and devastating spells on the second day

Aakash Chopra24-Feb-2017He bowled only nine overs and that too in three spells of three overs each but that was more than enough to ascertain why Mitchell Starc is considered the best fast bowler in the world. His economy rate of 4.22 runs per over (in an innings where 2.6 per over was the norm) might suggest that he leaked runs and, perhaps, wasn’t as penetrative in spite of the two wickets that he picked; but the fact is something else. Runs were leaked because he bowled every ball with a single-point agenda of picking wickets and that meant bowling it a yard fuller, which in turn led to runs being scored. To know what he brought to the table, you must watch every single ball of the nine overs he bowled.With the new ballMitchell Starc’s speed barely dipped below 90mph during his nine overs•ESPNcricinfoIt wasn’t surprising to see that Starc cranked up the pace right from the beginning, for that’s his strength. He’s one of those rare fast bowlers who don’t have to bowl at 75-80% of optimum pace to find swing, and he did find early swing. KL Rahul flicked him for a boundary off the fourth ball of his first over and even though it looked an easy shot to execute, it conveyed the hidden message – be wary of the full ball that will tail back in. The moment a left-arm fast bowler brings the ball into the right-hander, the batsman becomes cautious of two things – making sure that the front foot doesn’t go too far across, and making sure to play it late.2.1. Starc to Rahul. Driven through covers for fourWhile the focus is on keeping the front-foot stride short, the natural angle taking the ball away brings about the second challenge. A few balls later, Starc slanted it away from Rahul and pitched it full. To Rahul’s credit, in spite of the threat of the incoming delivery, he went out with a long stride and drove it through covers. Top shot.2.2 Starc to Rahul. Slightly wider. Rahul plays and missesAfter getting driven for a boundary, Starc pushed the next one slightly wider luring Rahul to have a go again. Since he had hit the previous ball for a four and the line of this one wasn’t too wide, Rahul went for another expansive drive. He played and missed.2.6 Starc to Rahul. Wide and full, Rahul lets it goStarc pushed it really wide to finish the over but this time Rahul saw the ball starting from way outside off and therefore, left it alone. As a batsman, you create an imaginary line slightly outside off, because anything that starts from outside of that line is likely to slant across with the angle. They say that to judge a good fast bowler, you must look at his speeds for the full ball. A lot of fast bowlers are sharp with the short ball but not so much with the fuller deliveries. Starc is different. Therefore, batsmen get sucked into playing at deliveries that are leaving them.Bowls a little short, angling away, Vijay leaves. Same ball consumes PujaraMitchell Starc’s pitch map on the second day•ESPNcricinfoStarc dragged the length short, angled it away from M Vijay who shouldered arms to let it go to the wicketkeeper harmlessly. It looked like an innocuous delivery when handled well. But the same delivery consumed Cheteshwar Pujara a few overs later. Starc’s pitch map suggests that he either bowled really full or reasonably short, for he had realised that the good length on this surface could be negotiated easily. The short, climbing ball – not short enough to be ducked under – pitched on leg stump and forced Pujara to play at it. The angle kept taking the ball away from Pujara and the bounce didn’t allow him to either drop his wrists or shoulder arms, and he ended up gloving it to the wicketkeeper.Two balls later…Starc bowled fast and wide. Virat Kohli couldn’t resist having a go and edged it to slips. It almost felt like the ball was a magnet and Kohli’s bat was made of iron. And it happens often to a batsman in the early part of his innings – the bowler has already found his bearings, while the batsman is still looking around. But a little detail about the ball that got Kohli might have gone unnoticed. The ball was reversing, the shine was facing midwicket but the ball didn’t follow the plan. Instead of coming back in, it rocketed away from Kohli. Perhaps, it was just a decoy and served its purpose. Whatever it was, it did show Starc’s class. In this series, Kohli v Starc is one of the battles to watch out for and the first round has gone to the bowler.

Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly had some strong words for his Real Madrid squad as they try to overturn a hefty Champions League deficit to Arsenal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Madrid beaten 3-0 by Arsenal
• Los Blancos eye UCL comeback
• Ancelotti laws down the law to team

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Several days after Madrid's thumping 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, manager Ancelotti is said to have held a meeting with his players as they seek a "remontada" (a comeback). According to journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz, the Italian was 'very energetic' and 'even raised his voice' to his squad at an animated team meeting on Monday ahead of the Gunners game.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Madrid's season is in danger of falling apart as they are four points behind Barcelona in La Liga and face a huge task to overturn this deficit against Arsenal. Question marks have continued over Ancelotti's future so he will want Los Blancos to come out firing for the remainder of the season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Madrid may yet end this season with some silverware, after a Champions League and league double last term, as they take on Barca in the final of the Copa del Rey next month.

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Ancelotti's Madrid will hope to pull off an improbable comeback against Arsenal at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. After that, it's a clash with Athletic Club in La Liga.

GOAL takes a look at three managers whose seats are heating up just over one-fourth of the way through the MLS campaign

Two have already been two managerial changes in the 2025 MLS season as CF Montreal and Sporting Kansas City have already moved on from the coaches they began the 2025 campaign with. Montreal sacked Laurent Courtois, and Sporting mutually parted ways with longtime manager Peter Vermes and there could be a few more names joining them as patience is running thin on several underperforming teams.

D.C. United sit 13th in the Eastern Conference and have just two total wins under their belt. Manager Troy Lesesne has struggled to figure out his defense, and they've conceded 22 goals in 10 games as a result – tied for the most in the league with the Chicago Fire.

Meanwhile, reigning champions LA Galaxy have become a case study. They're winless to begin the campaign, with seven losses under their belt. Could we see Greg Vanney removed from his position just months on from claiming MLS Cup? Or will LA allow him to try and turn things around as the season goes on?

Then, there's Atlanta United. So much money spent, but they're arguably the biggest underperformers in the Eastern Conference – and potentially all of MLS – to begin 2025. They appointed a former MLS Cup-winning coach in Ronny Deila during the offseason, but he's managed just two wins in 10 games so far. They have to trust that he'll figure things out, right? …. Right?

GOAL takes a look at the coaches on the hot seat 10 weeks into the 2025 MLS campaign.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportTroy Lesesne, D.C. United

D.C. had a rough 2024 season, and things aren't much better this time around. Of course, Christian Benteke – the lone bright spot last campaign – is still performing at an exemplary level, but is now sidelined for "a few weeks," per Lesesne. The Belgian striker is dealing with a quadriceps strain, and without him available, things are going to get even worse if something doesn't change. Nothing is really going to plan, and it's up to their embattled manager to figure out why.

They missed out on the playoffs last year, and to begin the 2025 campaign, D.C. is 2-5-3 with a -11 goal differential – the second-worst in MLS, only trailing the Galaxy.

The club has an expected xG of 18.26 through 10 games, but they've only scored 11 goals – five of which have come from Benteke himself. Defensively, D.C. has allowed the fourth-most shots with 57 in 10 games, and has just one clean sheet under its belt. The club has also committed the second-most fouls in the league, with a whopping 145 leading to 29 yellow cards – the most in MLS.

They've played chaotic soccer without much structure, and outside of their Belgian talisman, they have very little going for them. Perhaps that's a front office issue as well, by not utilizing funds and resources properly to build around Benteke, but ultimately it's on Lesesne to get the most out of his squad and the players he has available.

If things don't turn around fast, a change in personnel could be on the cards.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGreg Vanney, LA Galaxy

If you asked Riqui Puig the question, he would give you a resounding "no," about sacking Vanney. Literally, he made the exact post saying so on social media after a Galaxy fan page on X floated the idea to its followers.

However, it's not up to the players what happens on the touchline – even if their emotions are taken into consideration. Rather, this is entirely a front office and ownership decision, and coming off an MLS Cup to be the worst-performing MLS team in history has implications. There's a certain sense of, as harsh as it sounds, mediocrity with LA at the moment. No team fears them, and frankly, LA hasn't given them a reason to this season.

Tied with Montreal for the lowest point total at just three, they've scored just eight goals total this season and have averaged two goals conceded per match through 10 matches. They're winless at home with a 0-4-1 record – the ground they lifted MLS Cup just this past December.

Sure – there are some bigger-issue things going on at the club level – but this ultimately rests on Vanney's shoulders. He still has two elite forwards in Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil, as well as the same back line that lifted last season's trophy. Right now, they're playing at an unacceptable level, and if that doesn't change soon, he could be looked at as replaceable.

Getty Images SportRonny Deila, Atlanta United

Ronny Deila was expected to hit the ground running in Atlanta. Backed by an offseason spending spree north of $30 million – headlined by Emmanuel Latte Lath and the return of Miguel Almirón – the Five Stripes had built a squad that, on paper, looked stronger than the NYCFC team Deila once guided to an MLS Cup title.

So… what’s gone wrong?

Despite the investment and talent, Atlanta sits 12th in the Eastern Conference with just two wins from 10 matches. Both victories came at home – they've gone winless in four road games – and they've scored just 11 goals all season. For a club with top-four expectations, it's a worrying start.

Yes, some growing pains were to be expected. Latte Lath is adjusting to a new league, unfamiliar pace and physicality, and Atlanta’s artificial surface. But 10 games in, those explanations are wearing thin. The results simply haven’t matched the resources poured into this squad.

Deila was hired to elevate this group. Instead, they’re slipping further behind the East’s elite. A team expected to compete for a home playoff game – or even a conference title – is underperforming across the board.

It may feel premature to question Deila’s job security just months into his tenure. But in a league evolving as quickly as MLS, patience is no longer a given. If the Five Stripes continue down this path, the questions will only get louder.

GettyOthers to watch

+ LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo has announced he is stepping down at the end of the 2025 season, and moving back to Germany – a country where the majority of his professional career was played.

+ St. Louis CITY SC's Olof Mellberg is still adapting to life in MLS, but he's struggled to find any solutions to the club's issues in the final third. With just two wins in 10, and seven total goals scored to begin the season, criticism will start to come his way if the club doesn't find itself competing for a playoff spot by the halfway point of the campaign.

+ Toronto FC are off to a rough start to life under manager Robin Fraser, with just one win in 10 matches to begin 2025. If things don't turn around by the time Leagues Cup starts, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the club look in another direction on the touchline.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is personally eager for the club to move for a “versatile” player who’s impressed club scouts, as the Lilywhites continue pursuing their second January signing after missing out on Randal Kolo Muani.

Juventus win race for Kolo Muani as Tottenham miss out

Over the last week and beyond, Spurs and Juventus were reliably believed to be tussling for Kolo Muani’s signature – but a winner of the race has now been confirmed by reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

£27m player ready to join Tottenham if clubs can agree January deal

Spurs hold a serious advantage over fellow competitors.

3

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 11, 2025

On Tuesday evening, Romano dropped his famous “here we go” as Juve pipped Spurs in the battle for Kolo Muani’s signature – dealing bad news for Postecoglou, technical director Johan Lange and chairman Daniel Levy, as they are forced to return to the drawing board.

The 26-year-old PSG outcast was deemed by Spurs one of the best attackers available for hire on the January market (David Ornstein), so this news will come as a real blow for the club as they also prepare for a tense North London Derby against Arsenal this evening.

Following their snubbed advances to sign Kolo Muani, Postecoglou’s side remain in the market for a new forward, and the Australian has pleaded for his side to bring in some “help” for striker Dominic Solanke.

“If we can get him some help, yeah. Dom has just been outstanding in the way he’s carried the frontline for us during this period,” said Postecoglou on support for Solanke.

“With Dom being a new player, it probably would have been easier for him to slip in and do his job but he’s taken on the responsibility of helping the whole team. He’s been great for us. I really feel there is more to him and his game. We’ll be able to get more out of him if we can him some help.”

As well as another attacking option, reports suggest they’re in the market for another midfielder. Tottenham are targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi as one option for that role, while it is believed Palmeiras star Richard Rios is on their agenda as well.

Ange Postecoglou really wants Richard Rios at Tottenham

As per CaughtOffside, sharing an update on their links to the Colombia international, Postecoglou is personally “very keen” for Tottenham to sign Rios.

This follows reports that Spurs had an official bid rejected for Rios very recently, and while it is unclear how much they offered, he could actually be snapped up for much cheaper than his £84 million release clause.

The 24-year-old signed a new contract in October 2024, including the seismic clause, but reports in South America claimed soon afterward that Palmeiras won’t sell for any less than £13 million (Hoy Diario del Magdalena via Sport Witness).

Rios is said to have really impressed N17 scouts as well. However, Spurs face stiff competition from Everton and Nottingham Forest, who are pushing hard to land the South American.

“Richard is a versatile player who can fit into several roles in midfield,” said Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira. “His ability to both defend and attack makes him a valuable asset for any team. We are excited to see what he brings to our squad.”

It’s no secret that Tottenham Hotspur have been in the transfer market for numerous defenders in recent days as the hierarchy looks to provide Ange Postecoglou with the tools he needs to succeed.

Injuries have decimated his squad, with Radu Dragusin the latest player to suffer a long-term issue, after it was confirmed that the Romanian tore his ACL – subsequently ruling him out for around nine months.

Marc Guehi was on their radar first thing this morning after it emerged that Spurs had a £70m bid for the Crystal Palace ace rejected, which has seen them since move on to different targets.

Axel Disasi is another name who’s been mentioned as of late, but it remains unclear whether the Frenchman would be interested in a move to North London before tonight’s deadline.

As a result, they’ve shifted their focus onto another potential target, submitting a late offer for one player who could move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the coming hours.

Spurs submit late £20m bid for French talent

According to journalist Loic Tanzi, Spurs have submitted a late £20m bid to sign Burnley star Maxime Esteve before the 11pm transfer deadline.

The Frenchman joined the Clarets 12 months ago from Ligue 1 side Montpellier but was unable to stop them from suffering relegation back to the Championship at the end of last season.

However, he’s since starred in England’s second tier, being part of a backline that has conceded just nine times in 30 matches – currently enjoying an eight-game streak without conceding a goal.

Tanzi confirmed that the bid had been made for the 22-year-old who’s started every league game this campaign, but that Scott Parker’s side are demanding £30m to part ways with the youngster before the end of the window.

Any deal could allow Postecoglou’s side to forget about a move for Disasi, with Esteve undoubtedly the better option out of the pair for the current Spurs first-team squad.

Why Esteve would be a better option than Disasi for Spurs

Both aforementioned options would provide the cover needed in North London, especially after Dragusin’s latest injury setback, but if they are to progress as a club, the right addition needs to be made.

Kevin Danso arrived over the last couple of days, with the club finally landing the reinforcement they’d been craving, but he was yet another right-footed option, with Micky van de Ven the only left-footed centre-back in the ranks.

However, a move for Disasi would see yet another right-footed player join, with Esteve having the chance to offer a more balanced option for Postecoglou, especially in the absence of the Netherlands international.

When comparing the Burnley star’s stats with the Chelsea ace from the ongoing campaign, Esteve has massively outperformed him, having the potential to improve further given his tender age.

Esteve, who’s previously been dubbed a “quality left-footed CB” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has won more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst winning more aerials – making him the better defensive option out of the pair.

Games played

30

6

Minutes played

2615

364

Pass accuracy

90%

90%

Tackles won

56%

54%

Blocks made

1.2

1

Interceptions made

1.1

0.5

Clearances made

4.2

2.8

Aerials won

1.8

1.3

He’s also made more blocks and interceptions per 90, having the all-round skill set to be a key member of the squad, even upon the regular starters return to action.

Whilst £30m may seem like an expensive addition for a player in the second tier, Esteve has the ability to make the jump and star at the heart of the defence, having the chance to improve further in the years ahead.

Given his impressive stats compared to Disasi, it would be a no-brainer, with the Burnley star able to slot in and make an immediate impact given the huge difference in minutes played – offering a consistent figure, something which has greatly been lacking of late.

Perfect Guehi alternative: Spurs lead race to sign another star after Tel

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to land the centre-back they have been craving in recent days.

1 ByEthan Lamb Feb 3, 2025

da stake casino： Derby County supporters would have been equal amounts of sad but optimistic for the future when news filtered through of Paul Warne’s dismissal from the Pride Park hot seat.

da supremo： Warne exited his job post with seven straight defeats to his name and the Rams looking to be heading straight back down to League One, leaving the Derby hierarchy in a sticky situation to sack the still popular 51-year-old, considering Warne was the man to get the Midlands side back into the Championship.

Unfortunately for the ex-Rotherham United boss, there was no time for sentimental feelings with Derby engulfed in a battle against relegation, with an ambitious replacement in the form of John Eustace now reportedly in the pipeline.

What John Eustace has said about links to Derby

As per various different reports, Derby have allegedly now made an approach to try and poach Eustace away from play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers to be Warne’s immediate replacement.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Expand Collapse

It has been revealed that Derby have triggered the manager’s £500k buy-out clause at Ewood Park and the boss is aware of interest in his services.

There is a method to Derby’s madness here, considering Eustace is formerly a Rams player and has connections to the Midlands courtesy of Birmingham City, meaning he could be tempted by relocating to Pride Park.

Whilst Warne has proven himself to be a serial promotion expert in getting teams up to the Championship, Eustace could be the best possible predecessor when you take into account his transformative roles at both the Riversiders and the Blues at the level.

Why Eustace is being targeted by Derby

Before his shock dismissal from Birmingham last year, Eustace had the St. Andrew’s outfit all the way up in a dizzy sixth spot in the league.

After sacking Eustace, the Blues did end up dramatically slipping down to League One, whilst the ex-Birmingham boss managed to rebuild his reputation as a solid second-tier option for struggling clubs at Ewood Park.

In the here and now, the in-demand 45-year-old has managed to pick up 19 wins from 53 games in charge of Blackburn, with an early patch of form this season during November and December even seeing his side pick up five Championship wins on the trot without shipping a single goal.

He could be just what Derby needs to stabilise, therefore, with Warne very much sending the Rams down on their current trajectory, which would have ended up being his staggering fourth relegation from the division.

Away from Eustace’s numbers at Blackburn in terms of wins, draws and losses, his track record with getting more out of the group he has at his disposal could also be music to the ears of a struggling Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

After all, in Lancashire to date, the Solihull-born boss has managed to get an experienced Andreas Weimann firing on all cylinders again, with the ageing Austrian up to eight goals and one assist from 30 appearances this season.

Mendez-Laing G/A record at Derby

Season

Games

Goals scored

Assists

24/25

34

2

4

23/24

50

10

18

22/23

51

8

11

Sourced by Transfermarkt

It’s been quite the drop-off for the former Cardiff City winger, in contrast, who has just a measly six goal contributions next to his name from 34 contests, compared to his bumper 28 goal contributions during Derby’s promotion heroics.

The Derby captain’s trickery and eye for a goal could be key to the Rams attempting to leap away from their current lowly predicament, and with Eustace notably getting more out of a 33-year-old Weimann at Blackburn, he could well be just what Mendez-Laing needs too, who is just one year shy of his ex-Bristol City counterpart.

Derby fans won’t have been revelling in delight about Warne leaving, but if the relegation-threatened Rams were able to win the services of the “excellent” Eustace – as he was once labelled by journalist Alan Biggs – to replace their out-going manager, survival might well be on the cards.

Related Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

Posts ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

أوضح محمد حامد، المدير الفني لفريق بروكسي، أن تصريحاته التي أُدلي بها عقب المباراة الودية أمام الزمالك قد فُسرت بشكل خاطئ، مشددًا على أنه لم يقصد الإساءة إلى الأبيض أو التقليل من شأن لاعبيه.

وكان فريق بروكسي قد حقق فوزًا وديًا على الزمالك بنتيجة ثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، ضمن استعدادات الفريقين لانطلاق الموسم الكروي الجديد.

طالع.. خالد الغندور: لاعب الزمالك لم يخضع للكشف الطبي قبل ضمه.. ورحيله سيسعد الجماهير

وقال حامد في تصريحات إذاعية عبر راديو “ميجا إف إم”: “الزمالك نادٍ كبير ولا يصح أن يقلل أحد من شأنه، فهو خير ممثل للكرة المصرية، ولا شك أن الأهلي والزمالك هما قطبا الكرة في مصر”.

وأضاف: “أنا مشجع زملكاوي، وجميع أفراد عائلتي يشجعون الزمالك، وحديثي جاء بدافع الحزن على الحالة التي وصل إليها الفريق، وليس من منطلق الهجوم أو التقليل”.

واستكمل:” أبلغت الصحفي بأن الوقت لا يزال مبكرًا للحكم على اللاعبين الجدد، إلا أنني فوجئت برد فعل هجومي من قناة الزمالك، رغم أنني كنت أتحدث بمحبة وصدق نابعين من انتمائي للنادي”.

وأردف: “المنافسة بين الأهلي والزمالك هي روح الكرة في مصر، وبدونها تفقد اللعبة طعمها، أما عن المقارنة بين الصفقات، فالأهلي يبدو أفضل حتى الآن، ولكن الحكم الحقيقي سيكون في المباريات الرسمية”.

واستطرد:”مصطفى شلبي أفضل فنيًا من جميع الصفقات الجديدة التي تشغل مركزه حاليًا، ولم أرَ لاعبًا في المباراة الودية يقترب من مستواه”.

Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign a “world class” Portugal international, who Unai Emery believes could become a key part of his project, according to a report.

Villa still pushing for Europe

Villa still remain in the hunt for the top four, sitting just six points behind Chelsea, but they have struggled to emulate last season’s form in the Premier League, perhaps as a result of the extra fixtures that come with playing in the Champions League.

As such, Emery strengthened his squad considerably in the January transfer window, bringing in big-name signings such as Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen to bolster his attacking options.

In order to shore up the backline, centre-back Axel Disasi arrived on loan from Chelsea, while right-back Andres Garcia was signed from Levante, but there is a feeling the Villans still want to bring in an additional full-back in the summer.

Aston Villa make contact to sign two teenage talents ahead of the summer

Aston Villa are looking to win the Premier League race to sign two exciting young talents.

ByBrett Worthington Feb 11, 2025

That is according to reports from Spain, which suggest Aston Villa have now entered the race to sign Joao Cancelo, who could be in line for a return to Europe after impressing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

Cancelo’s performances in Saudi Arabia have attracted the attention of a number of clubs, including Manchester United and AC Milan, so there could be stiff competition for his signature this summer.

Emery is clearly a big fan of the former Manchester City man, with the report revealing the Spanish manager believes he could be a key part of his project at Villa Park.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Midlands outfit would be able to tempt the full-back monetarily, given that he rakes in a whopping £247k-per-week at Al-Hilal.

Cancelo showing signs he is still "world class"

The Portugal international has played for some of Europe’s top clubs, spending time with Man City, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, during which time he has become well-known for his ability going forward.

Since signing for Al-Hilal, the 30-year-old continues to look promising from an attacking point of view, picking up two goals and 10 assists in 27 appearances in all competitions this season.

The former Barca man has been lauded as “world-class” by members of the media in the past, and his displays this season indicate he is still very much at that level, so it is exciting news Villa are now in the race for his signature.

The only potential stumbling block is seemingly the huge wages the right-back is on at Al-Hilal, and given that he is contracted until the summer of 2027, the Saudi side are not in a position where they will need to sell anytime soon.

If the opportunity arises to sign Cancelo, however, Villa should definitely pursue it, as he has proven himself at the highest level in the past, and continues to impress in the Saudi Pro League.

The Sri Lankan captain has the skill to stand up to England’s bowlers, so why did he not use a review? Whatever the situation, it was surely worth it

Jarrod Kimber at Headingley20-May-2016Sri Lanka hold the trophy between these two sides. Not because of a win over England earned in dust pits at Colombo and Galle, but one they claimed in early season England, at Headingley, with Yorkshire-coloured clouds. That was a spectacular effort.Yet, when they arrived this time, people were whispering about England going unbeaten during the entire summer. That was before Sri Lanka had even played a tour match. Not one of their batsmen have been mentioned more than the two they didn’t bring, Mahela and Kumar. In their last five series they had won one. And their chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya played one of the most audacious shots, even for him, when he claimed that Sri Lanka had the world’s best bowling attack.The holders of the trophy suddenly were being treated like an appetiser for an English banquet, with their best players not here, their form seemingly retired with them, and their bowling attack had been put under more pressure than a violent Ben Stokes attack.Angelo Mathews is used to playing in tricky situations, this was tricky before the coin toss.Then they arrived at Headingley, and the pitch was green. So they bowled. Those bowlers, Sanath’s best men, struggled with the new ball. The first drinks break happened, and then the sun came out, this team that had been written off was staring at a big first innings score. They threw the ball to their latest gamble, an allrounder who can make two T20 hundreds in a week, but one who his own former team-mate, Mahela Jayawardene, seemed confused about when he came on to bowl.Then it was magic, it was like the Headingley of two years ago. Dasun Shanaka didn’t bowl within-himself medium-pace, he seemed to throw everything he had at the other end, and in a moment, he had two more Test wickets than he had given up runs, and over 10% of his career first-class wicket tally.It didn’t stop. England had lost their first five wickets before they had scored 100. Mathews was in control, his bowlers were swinging the ball, Shanaka had been bowling pure fairy dust and Sri Lanka were a solid hour from heading for victory.There is a theory that Jonny Bairstow doesn’t like the short ball. That at Test level, when the ball is at him, he is weak. Sri Lanka had certainly heard that. They decided from the start that Bairstow would be bounced out. They tried two men out on the hook. They tried leg-side heavy fields. They tried men in leg-side catching positions. They tried around the wicket. They tried, and failed.Bairstow often gets bowled. But a look at the seamers’ beehive to Bairstow would suggest the stumps were some kind of a forbidden zone the ball physically couldn’t hit. Like Bairstow had brought a forcefield with him, rather than it just being stupid bowling. Even when the umpire gave him out lbw the ball wasn’t hitting the stumps and it was overturned.Bairstow wasn’t playing an innings of carnage and destruction, he wasn’t taking Sri Lanka apart one blow at a time, he was just batting, and with him and Alex Hales together, they put on the sort of partnership that changes the game, and makes momentum look like a buzzword.But Sri Lanka had another chance to end it. Nuwan Pradeep dropped a catch. A simple catch. What he saw was a death ball covered in razor wire that was operated by a super villain, and he had the balance of a building that was being imploded. What we saw was a mistimed shot heading slowly towards a man who seemed more destined to end up swallowing the pitch than catching a simple caught and bowled. All this while Hales was scoring three runs in 50 minutes, a near Nick Compton state of self-denial. It could have been Sri Lanka’s morning, instead it was Hales and Bairstow’s, and then Finn and Bairstow’s, but mostly Bairstow’s.But Sri Lanka weren’t batting with a massive total to chase, they were batting in the afternoon when the Test should be at its calmest. And 32 balls into their innings their captain arrived in one of those tricky positions he knows so much about: 12 for 3.No one was mentioning Mahela and Kumar, no one had time. Sri Lankan batsmen were checking in and out quicker than you would a hotel made of giant alien rats. If they had a tactic to overcome the swinging ball, they forget to use it. If they had an idea of how to play in England, they forgot it. They never even flirted with something that should be called a total.It was only Angelo that looked right. It was Angelo who very nearly had Bairstow lbw. It was Angelo who very nearly had Hales caught at slip. It was now Angelo, striding out, having to calm and carry his team. At one stage he was saving wickets at his end, but also stopping Chandimal from a suicidal second run. He couldn’t save him forever, but Sri Lanka’s first, and only, partnership of note was when Angelo batted with Lahiru Thirimanne.It was as calm as you can be with your first four men gone, a green pitch, Yorkshire coloured-clouds, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn moving the ball, Mahela in the comm box, and Kumar playing for Surrey. But Angelo had been there before, his batting style should be called “right hand rearguard”.Then Anderson hit his pad, and the umpire thought it was out. But Angelo was across the crease, and asked Thirimanne if he should review. Obviously he should. If Mathews had taken a flame thrower to his stumps after being caught at mid-on slogging, he should review in this situation. Sri Lanka hadn’t used one review, and they were one Angelo innings from complete annihilation. There were people travelling on buses going past the ground who thought it was obvious he should review. The entire nation of Sri Lanka agreed with them.Except Thirimanne.He told his captain, his best batsman, his country’s only hope, to leave the crease. Suddenly this didn’t look like a team with the best bowling attack, a team that had won last time, or even a team that Angelo could save. It looked like a team that was in rush, a mad dash, a screaming naked panic-riddled sprint to get the trophy back into England’s hands.Angelo has been in tricky positions before, and he has saved Sri Lanka so many times from those tricky positions. This time he turned and walked. Sri Lanka’s hopes went with him.

Chris Wilder will be hoping he can add a third promotion to his Sheffield United CV come the end of the Championship season, as the Blades continue to flirt with the idea of being automatically promoted via the top two positions.

Of course, there will be many twists and turns ahead in the race to return to the Premier League with the Blades already aware that no teams in the tricky division can be underestimated, having been handed a 3-0 reality check courtesy of Hull City last time out at Bramall Lane – before bouncing back away to Derby County.

The Blades boss will just be praying all the new signings in through the door click on the way to a heroic return to the top-flight being clinched, with one of his fresh recruits in Tom Cannon putting in an underwhelming showing in that shock Tigers loss.

Cannon's importance to United

A lot will be expected of the former Stoke City loanee as he becomes more acclimatised to his new surroundings, with his debut handed to him against Hull a matter of days after joining.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a great shock that Cannon was a little rusty-looking as he tried to get up to speed with his teammates in the heat of the moment.

Indeed, the hyped-up striker would only touch the ball a slim 20 times across the course of the 90 minutes, with just one shot also registered on target from the attacker who has previously fired home nine league strikes for the Potters.

Everyone associated with the Blades will have to be patient and hope Cannon – who did pick up the assist for Ben Brereton against the Rams – goes on to show off this same ice-cold goalscoring edge in South Yorkshire, with a lot of pressure on his back already to live up to his hefty £10m price tag.

Whilst Cannon attempts to fit in, another Blades first-teamer has adjusted to the Championship this season swimmingly, as a new more forward-thinking role in Wilder’s XI has gone down a treat.

The Blades star who is worth more than Cannon

The player in question here is Gustavo Hamer, who has stood out for Wilder’s men all season long, even when recent conversations have been dominated by frantic transfer talk.

The ex-Coventry City man has picked up a mightily impressive 11 goal contributions from 27 league games, with that amount actually bettering Cannon’s count for the campaign who has ten in contrast.

Hamer could be as key as Cannon, therefore, in United tasting promotion success by the end of the season, with the “beautiful” attacking midfielder – as he was labelled by football journalist Josh Bunting – wanting to get back up to the top-flight having been instantly relegated last campaign when departing the Sky Blues.

On top of that, if the Blades were to cash in on Hamer down the line for whatever reason, United would be able to gain more money for the 27-year-old than they forked out on Cannon, with the £30k-per-week gem worth around the £12.5m region, according to Transfermarkt.

Date

Transfer value

Now

£12.5m

June 2023

£6.6m

May 2022

£2.5m

June 2021

£1.6m

October 2020

£1.2m

Sourced by Transfermarkt

As can be seen looking at the table above, Hamer was once worth just £1.2m when initially joining the English game, only to now be worth a far more handsome amount.

United will be glad that they gambled on his services when they did, therefore, with a hope their risky move for Cannon pays off too as his £10m value also potentially rises.

Regardless of any comparative values, Wilder will know that both Hamer and Cannon linking up to devastating effect could give them a big edge in the ongoing automatic promotion race.

Their next McBurnie: Sheffield United in the race to land "heroic" talent

Sheffield United could strike gold snapping up this new recruit.

ByKelan Sarson Jan 28, 2025