All posts by h716a5.icu

Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett look to be the likely beneficiaries of the decision by Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan to miss the tour of Bangladesh

Andrew Miller16-Sep-2016Surrey offspinner Gareth Batty has been given the chance for a shock return to Test cricket, more than a decade after his most recent appearance in 2005, after being named in a 17-man squad for next month’s tour of Bangladesh.Batty, who will be 39 by the time the first Test gets underway in Chittagong on October 20, will travel as back-up to England’s frontline spin pairing of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, but with five Tests against India following directly on from the Bangladesh leg, he has been given a golden opportunity to add to the 11 wickets he claimed in his previous seven Test appearances.Batty will compete for a spin-bowling berth with his Surrey team-mate Zafar Ansari who might have made his Test debut in the UAE last winter, but for a horrific dislocated thumb that he suffered while fielding at Old Trafford on the very day of his call-up last year. Despite another injury-dogged season, in which he has claimed 22 wickets at 31.40, England’s selectors admire his all-round potential, and he would retain valuable balance in England’s batting ranks if he were offered his opportunity.”Selecting four spinners for the Test matches will give the coaches and captain plenty of options,” James Whitaker, England’s national selector, said. “Alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, we are excited about the qualities that Zafar Ansari and Gareth Batty bring to the squad. Zafar has great potential both with bat and ball and Gareth’s experience as one of the country’s best slow bowlers and his ability to be effective in subcontinent conditions will be beneficial this winter.”At the top of the order, Lancashire’s Haseeb Hameed has, as widely anticipated, been named in his first Test squad and is the favourite to become Alastair Cook’s latest opening partner – a decision that was aided by Alex Hales’ unavailability due to the security situation in Bangladesh.Aged just 19 and with fewer than 20 first-class games behind him, Haseeb’s selection would, in some ways, constitute a gamble. But he has impressed with his tight technique and unflustered temperament – his director of cricket at Lancashire, Ashley Giles, compares his hatred of losing his wicket as similar to that of Jonathan Trott’s – and England’s head coach, Trevor Bayliss, is understood to have been impressed by the footage he has seen of him in action.”Haseeb Hameed, for someone so young, has had an impressive season in the Specsavers County Championship with Lancashire,” said Whitaker. “He has been a consistent performer and his four centuries, against some of the best bowling attacks in the country are testament to his outstanding temperament and attitude. We feel he fully deserves an opportunity to compete for a place at the top of the order in our Test side.”However, Hameed will face competition for the opening role from Ben Duckett, the Northamptonshire batsman, who is also named in the 17-man squad following a stellar season in which he has amassed more than 2700 runs in all forms of cricket.Duckett may seem more likely to make his mark in the three-match ODI series that gets underway at the start of October, when he is expected to open the batting in Hales’ absence, alongside Jason Roy, with Joe Root also rested from that leg of England’s winter.However, it has also been announced that Alastair Cook, England’s Test captain, will miss England’s two two-day warm-up matches in Bangladesh, scheduled to start on October 14 and October 16, to attend the birth of his second child. Although Cook is planning on flying out a week ahead of the rest of the squad before returning to Bangladesh in time for the first Test in Chittagong, which starts on October 20, his absence from the warm-ups could mean a straight shoot-out between the two newcomers, who can expect to open the batting together.”Ben Duckett merits his call-up to both squads after showing his qualities as an attacking batsman, both in the county game and for the England Lions,” Whitaker said. “Throughout the campaign, he has scored heavily for Northamptonshire in first-class cricket, including two double-hundreds. His 220 not out for the England Lions in a 50-over game against Sri Lanka A earlier this summer was very special and we look forward to seeing Ben continue his development at the highest level in the game.”Jos Buttler, England’s stand-in one-day captain, is back in England’s Test squad for the first time since last winter’s tour of UAE, despite having played a solitary red-ball match in 12 months, and will travel as reserve wicketkeeper to the incumbent, Jonny Bairstow, having seen off the claims of Surrey’s emerging star, Ben Foakes.There is a recall, too, for Durham’s Mark Wood, who underwent ankle surgery after experiencing problems during the Test series against Pakistan last winter, but who has been in scintillating form since his return to action, particularly in white-ball cricket. With his ability to bowl in excess of 90mph, and find reverse swing, he will doubtless prove an asset on the slow pitches of the subcontinent, even though it is unlikely he will feature in all seven of England’s Tests. Steven Finn is also back in the Test squad, having proven his fitness in recent weeks since tweaking a hamstring in the final Test of the summer, at The Oval in August.It has also been announced that Ottis Gibson will stand in for Paul Farbrace as Bayliss’s assistant during the Bangladesh Test series, before returning to their posts for the India leg of the tour. Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, will assist the England management for the two Tests in Bangladesh, while the former England ODI captain Paul Collingwood and Andy Hurry, the head coach of the England Under-19s, will link up with the squad for the ODIs.”After a summer of progress at home across all formats, we can expect another test of our credentials this autumn,” Whitaker said. “The challenge we face will be very different and the structure of our squads reflects the conditions we expect to encounter in Bangladesh.”England Test squad for Bangladesh: Alastair Cook (Essex) captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Zafar Ansari (Surrey), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Gareth Batty (Surrey), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Ben Duckett (Northamptonshire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Haseeb Hameed (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)England ODI squad for Bangladesh: Jos Buttler (Lancashire) captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Ben Duckett (Northamptonshire), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Vince (Hampshire), David Willey (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)

Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Martin Odegaard would only leave Arsenal this summer if a "ridiculous offer" came in.

What's the latest on Arsenal and Martin Odegaard?

With the Premier League season now over, the club captain can reflect on what's been an impressive individual season.

After all, the 24-year-old finished the season as the division's highest-scoring midfielder with 15 goals to his name, while he also provided seven assists.

His displays have been so good, in fact, it seems one top European side have been keeping tabs and may now look to place a bid this summer.

Indeed, as per the Daily Mail, French giants Paris Saint-Germain are keen on signing Odegaard in what could be a "shock move".

However, while talking about it on his YouTube channel, Watts seemed pretty dismissive of the transfer happening.

He said (10:00): "I cannot see any way that Martin Odegaard goes to Paris Saint-Germain or anywhere this summer, I just cannot see it.

"And it pains you to say that because you know anything can happen in football and you can end up looking very, very stupid.

"But you've got Arsenal's captain here who is so into the project. Who is so intertwined with the manager and is just connected with the fans, he's had this fantastic season. It just would not happen.

"Arsenal wouldn't entertain it unless someone came in with some ridiculous offer – you know, like a world record transfer – why would you even consider selling Martin Odegaard in the summer?

How much does Odegaard earn at Arsenal?

With Granit Xhaka looking likely to join Bayer Leverkusen and Declan Rice potentially heading to the Emirates, Arsenal will be busy enough trying to rebuild their midfielder without having to worry about selling and replacing Odegaard.

Certainly, on paper, it doesn't make a lot of sense for the Gunners to sell their captain. Of course, though, you can never say never in football and a huge offer could change plans in an instant.

Still, the good news for Arsenal is that they don't seem to have any plans of selling. Quite the opposite in fact as they could be set to renew his £115k-p/w contract.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has explained that the club have the option to extend until 2026 but negotiations will take place soon over a new long-term deal instead.

He added: "Odegaard loves the club and Arsenal want Martin to be part of their long-term project."

Ben Stokes capped a supreme allround performance with two wickets in three balls as Bangladesh’s hearts were broken on the fifth and final morning of an epic Test match at Chittagong.

The Report by Andrew Miller24-Oct-2016England 293 and 240 (Stokes 85, Bairstow 47, Shakib 5-85) beat Bangladesh 248 and 263 (Sabbir 64*) by 22 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsBen Stokes capped a supreme allround performance with two wickets in three balls – his fifth and sixth of the match, to go alongside his total of 103 runs – as Bangladesh’s hearts were broken on the fifth and final morning of an epic Test match at Chittagong.Resuming on 253 for 8, with 33 runs still required, Bangladesh had visions of securing only their eighth Test victory in 94 attempts, and their first against England in nine. However, a brace of lbws in the fourth over of the morning – the first reviewed in optimism by England, the second in desperation by the last man, Shafiul Islam – left their hero of the second innings, Sabbir Rahman, high and dry on 64 not out.Facing a dilemma when play resumed, Alastair Cook showed his hand from the outset, handing Stuart Broad the first over of the morning, following on from his marathon nine-over spell on the fourth evening, and partnering him with Stokes, the man whose mastery of reverse swing had proven so illegible to Bangladesh’s tail in the first innings.But Bangladesh began their morning’s work with confidence. Sabbir opened his account with a push through the covers for two, before Taijul Islam – once again trusted to hold his own with the bat – flashed a Stokes short ball over the keeper’s head for four.The new ball was available after two overs but Cook opted to persevere with the old, with the long-sleeved Joe Root once again charged to preserve its precious shine. But the hooping reverse of the first innings remained elusive as Bangladesh chiselled out their singles, every run greeted with ecstasy by a small contingent of Bangladesh fans who made an otherwise echoing stadium sound packed to the rafters.However, Stokes’ determination could not be denied, and after coming round the wicket to Taijul, he persuaded Cook to gamble one of England’s two reviews – which had been topped up at the 80-over mark – as the No. 10 stepped too far across his stumps and was pinned in front of middle and leg.The verdict was greeted with a huge roar from the huddle of England players watching the big screen, and there was an extra sense of expectation as Shafiul shuffled out to face the pumped-up Stokes. Five years ago, on this very ground, he had been Bangladesh’s hero with a brilliant 24 not out in Bangladesh’s two-wicket World Cup win over England. This time, however, he was trapped on the crease second-ball and, though he was struck outside the line of off stump, Kumar Dharmasena felt that he had not quite been playing a shot as he raised his finger for the final time in the game. And this time, it stayed raised, as victory was confirmed via a record 26th DRS decision of the match.Afterwards, Cook was relieved but happy to have overseen such a tense finale to the contest. “It was a really good Test match,” he said during the post-match presentations. “It was such a tight game, so credit to both sides. I’m glad we held our nerve, with the quality we have in our attack, we got it reversing.”Cook admitted that the option of turning to the new ball with his spinners would have been a “gamble”, which was not a ringing endorsement of the trio at his disposal. But ultimately he was grateful to have a competitor of Stokes’ quality in his ranks.”Not just with ball in hand but the way he batted, he balances the side,” he said. “Those cricketers don’t come around very often and he’s got an enormous heart as well. He’s a seriously good cricketer.”Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s captain, put a brave face on another near-miss for his team, and credited his players for a hugely spirited performance in their first Test match since August 2015.”Probably it was not in our favour, 33 runs and two wickets, but the boys put in so much effort over the last five days, after 15 months, I’m really proud. Our boys fought it out which is really impressive and hopefully we’ll do the same in the next match.”

Celtic are in the market for a new head coach as they prepare for the 2023/24 campaign after they were rocked by the loss of Ange Postecoglou this week.

The Hoops enjoyed a terrific weekend as they beat Inverness at Hampden in the Scottish FA Cup final to secure the domestic treble, after winning the double with the Australian boss last term, and it only took a few days for that joy to turn to disappointment.

Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur came calling and Postecoglou was officially confirmed as their new manager on Tuesday, as they finally landed their replacement for Italian boss Antonio Conte.

Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and chairman Peter Lawwell, along with the rest of the board, must now appoint his successor. 90min recently reported that Brendan Rodgers, Jesse Marsch, Matthias Jaissle, and David Moyes are possible candidates.

Who is Matthias Jaissle?

Desmond could find the dream Postecoglou replacement by appointing 35-year-old RB Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle, who has been in charge of the Austrian giants for the past two seasons.

The now-former Hoops boss is a proven winner who has been able to manage successful teams throughout his career. He has a points-per-game average of 1.92 and has won 177 of his 306 domestic league matches, while losing just 73 in his time in Australia, Japan, and Scotland.

This allowed him to be a huge success at Parkhead as the 57-year-old won 2.64 points per game across 66 regular season Scottish Premiership outings, which led to two titles for the club.

In comparison, Jaissle, whose coaching was once hailed as "top quality" by journalist Josh Bunting, has only been in senior management for three years, after spending two seasons at U18 level, but has averaged 2.47 points won per game across 103 matches in his career so far.

The young tactician has only lost three of his 63 Austrian Bundesliga fixtures with Salzburg and has won the title in both of his seasons in charge, to go along with one Austrian Cup.

These statistics show that the German, who typically deploys a 4-3-1-2 formation, knows how to instil a winning mentality and is capable of leading teams to back-to-back titles, much in the same way that Postecoglou did with Celtic before his move to Spurs this week.

Therefore, Jaissle could be the dream replacement for the Australian; he is a young, up-and-coming coach who has already shown promise as a manager who turns his teams into winning machines, something the Hoops should be looking for to continue their dominance of Scottish football.

Whilst the German boss is a young head who has not proven himself in a major European league, or in Scotland, his work at Salzburg suggests that he has the qualities required to be an excellent appointment for Celtic.

Everton are believed to be interested in a potential move for the Dutch striker Wout Wegorst over the coming months following their Premier League survival.

How many goals did Weghorst score?

Once again, the Toffees found themselves scrapping away at the wrong end of the table in the English top flight and relied on a final-day victory to secure their safety.

As a result, it would be expected Sean Dyche would be keen to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign with the addition of further quality.

Everton have now spent the last two campaigns battling away at the bottom end of the table and with a new stadium being constructed, they cannot really afford to be relegated.

Weghorst is now set to leave Manchester United following the end of his loan spell at Old Trafford and Alex Crook has told TalkSPORT that the Red Devils are not expected to take up his permanent option.

This is probably a result of his largely underwhelming time under Erik ten Hag where he was not able to return a single goal in his 17 Premier League appearances.

However, it seems as if his former manager, Dyche, could be keen to keep him in the English top flight for next season having previously coached him at Burnely:

"Yeah, I think it's fairly obvious that Manchester United won't be taking up the option to sign Weghorst permanently. He didn't score a single Premier League goal."

"Everton I'm told are very keen. Obviously played under Sean Dyche at Burnley, he's a very Sean Dyche-type player probably isn't a Vincent Kompany-type player when you look at the way that they [Burnley] played their way out of the Championship last season. So certainly I think there's interest there it would come down to a transfer fee and maybe wages as well."

How much does Weghorst earn?

During his time at Burnley under Dyche, Weghorst was only able to provide a return of one goal in 12 appearances in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

This probably won't provide many Evertonians with much confidence over a potential move for the 30-year-old considering the issues they've had in front of goal this season.

Indeed, only one other side – Wolves (31) – had scored fewer goals than the return of 35 from Everton in the top flight this season.

The Dutchman is believed to be earning in the region of £35k-per-week during his time on loan at Old Trafford which would make him a player who could provide good value.

However, his lack of firepower in front of goal has to be a real concern considering Everton's top-scoring striker from this season was Dominic Calvert-Lewin with just two.

Weghorst was hailed as a "pressing monster" by TalkSPORT's Mark Goldbridge, but it seems Everton may need more than just a team player if they are to break away from the relegation battle next season.

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has warned that Ben Stokes risks burn-out if England heap too many expectations onto his shoulders

Andrew Miller01-Nov-2016Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has warned that Ben Stokes risks burn-out if England heap too many expectations on to his shoulders during the forthcoming Test tour of India. However, he also reckons that getting the ball out of Stokes’ hand in the big moments of the series will prove to be a management challenge for Alastair Cook.Stokes was England’s outstanding player during the 1-1 series draw with Bangladesh last month, especially during the first Test at Chittagong where he almost single-handedly hauled England to a 22-run victory. His total of 103 runs included a vital second-innings 85, while his six wickets in the match featured a key spell of reverse swing in Bangladesh’s first innings as he claimed 4 for 10 to secure a priceless first-innings lead.Throughout the two matches it was notable how Cook, a naturally conservative captain, turned to his seam bowlers in times of strife, especially given how little control he was able to exert with his spin attack. Stokes fronted up admirably with 11 wickets from 48.3 overs in the series – fewer than the first-choice spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, but more than any of the other quicks on show.However, he appeared to be hobbling when he came out to bat in England’s second innings at Dhaka and, with five Tests to come in the space of six weeks in India, Vaughan believes that Stokes may have to be protected from himself if England are to get full value from their most precious asset.”Stokes has got that ability to get in the opposing team’s faces with expertise,” Vaughan said during the launch of BT Sport’s cricket coverage. “Many players have tried to wind up the opposition by being forceful and aggressive without having the game [to back it up] but, with Stokes, you just know, every time he goes to the crease, things are going to happen.”I think the problem that Alastair will have is getting the ball out of his hands. He wants to bowl, he wants to compete – speak to Paul Collingwood, he bowls marathon spells for Durham, 16-17 overs – and he’s got that ability to produce magic with the old ball.”And even when he’s bowled badly, and sprayed the ball all over the place, he’s always created opportunities. Beefy Botham took a lot of wickets with long-hops and Ben Stokes is very similar, because he’s got that physical presence out in the middle. He does intimidate opposition batsmen, so he will create opportunities.”Vaughan sees inevitable parallels with England’s last genuine allrounder, Andrew Flintoff, whom he captained throughout the prime of his career from 2003 to 2006. And, like Flintoff, Stokes has already shown that his body may be vulnerable to the workload that he puts upon it, having undergone knee surgery early in the English season, before missing the final two Tests of Pakistan series with a calf tear.”The real question is injury,” Vaughan said. “We saw in the summer against Pakistan, he missed the two Tests that England lost [at Lord’s and The Oval]. The Chittagong Test win was 22 runs … without Ben Stokes England would have lost.”Many would say as a captain, did you go to bed at night and not sleep because of the toss or opposing team. No, the one thing that Cook will be saying at night is: ‘Please, Ben Stokes, don’t get injured’ because he’s that important to the team.”Like Flintoff, Stokes’ has a larger-than-life personality that can, on occasions, get him into scrapes. He was infamously sent home from England Lions’ tour of Australia in 2012-13 for persistently breaking the team curfew, and ruled himself out of the World T20 in Bangladesh in 2014 after punching a locker during a poor run of form during the ODI tour of the Caribbean.But Vaughan believes that Stokes’ exploits in recent months have shown a different side to his character. “He’s a quick learner and I think people possibly don’t see the amount of work he puts in. He’s a free spirit, and every now and again he will be talked about for doing the wrong things – punching a dressing-room door, partying too hard – but he wants to learn and get better, and I can only see that he is going to get better.”They will have to be wary of the amount of bowling he does in India, but he’s the kind of guy who wants to be in the game. I remember Duncan Fletcher used to say to the team, ‘get in the game’. If the game is flat, do something.”That’s the kind of player he is. Whatever the situation, you are looking at him and he’s in the game. Whether at backward point, or on the drive, or with the ball in hand, or striding out to bat. You just know things are going to happen.”Watch the first Test of the Australia v South Africa series exclusively live on BT Sport 3 from 2am on Thursday, November 4. BT Sport is your new home for Australia’s home international matches and Big Bash League, including the 2017-18 Ashes

Manchester City are close to signing Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, with a verbal agreement reached, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news involving Kovacic?

Pep Guardiola’s side completed a historic treble, sealing the achievement with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last weekend. There have been plenty of celebrations between everyone involved at the club and the supporters, however, it looks as if those at the Etihad are already working on summer signings.

One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester is Kovacic, who has been on the books at Stamford Bridge since 2018. The Croatia international, hailed as an "unbelievable footballer" in the media, will soon be entering the final 12 months of his Chelsea deal and a move north looks to be on the cards.

Plettenberg took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide an update on the transfer talk between City and Kovacic. He said that a move is close, with a verbal agreement reached.

“Everything is going in the right direction. Kovacic is close to join MCFC & Pep. Verbal agreement is done confirmed. Negotiations between Man City and CFC should follow this week.”

How much does Mateo Kovacic earn?

Kovacic, sponsored by Nike, can play in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role, so should provide Guardiola with a versatile midfield option next season. He also has a history of winning plenty of honours, for example, he has won the Champions League on four separate occasions and the Europa League once.

A player like Kovacic could be needed over the coming month, especially if captain Ilkay Gundogan decides against renewing his Etihad contract over the coming weeks, as has been speculated.

Kovacic also has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, turning out on 142 occasions in the top flight. And ranks in the 98th percentile for passes into the final third, so could prove to be a shrewd addition in midfield.

He currently picks up £150,000-a-week in London, the biggest wage of his career to date, so it’ll be interesting to see the terms he has seemingly agreed with City. A transfer fee still needs to be agreed between the two clubs, though, but at this moment in time, it appears as if Kovacic could be the first through the door this summer to link up with the treble winners.

Dawid Malan and Shahriar Nafees gave Barisal Bulls a big win after Chittagong Vikings failed to capitalise on a good start from Tamim Iqbal

Mohammad Isam14-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDawid Malan turned the match in Barisal Bulls’ favour with three consecutive sixes in a crucial over•BCBFifties from Dawid Malan and Shahriar Nafees helped Barisal Bulls chase down 164 with five balls to spare against Chittagong Vikings. The pair added 150 runs for the second wicket to ease a chase that looked tense at one stage.Malan was unbeaten on 78 off 48 balls with three fours and seven sixes, most of them hit high into the stands beyond the midwicket boundary. Nafees made a 59-ball 65 that had seven fours and a six, but his dismissal, followed by Thisara Perera’s wicket in the penultimate over gave Chittagong a hint of a chance before Mushfiqur Rahim finished the win with two boundaries in the last over.Malan and Nafees came together in the second over when Josh Cobb was undone by Subashis Roy’s slower delivery for six. But the pace bowler dropped Malan on 8 off his own bowling in the sixth over. The pair batted well together, feeding each other the strike when one of the batsmen found boundaries frequently.They got into the groove after the Powerplay but after the 13th over, the asking rate kept rising and Barisal went into the last three overs needing 34. Malan took pressure off the side and turned the match for them with three successive sixes off Dwayne Smith in the 18th over. Mushfiqur meanwhile, reached a milestone during his last-over heroics, becoming the first batsman to score more than 1,000 runs in the BPL.Earlier when Chittagong batted first, Tamim Iqbal began with a lofted drive over cover in the third over before his trademark cuts, pulls, flicks and charge at bowlers brought him nine more fours and two sixes. He brought up his highest score in the BPL with his 75, moving past the 69 he scored in 2015. He fell to a slower ball from Kamrul Islam Rabbi in the 14th over after sharing 116 runs for the opening partnership. Jahurul, who fell in the following over, made 36 with four boundaries.Tamim and Jahurul’s partnership came at 8.92 per over, which was also the first 100-plus opening partnership in this season. Chittagong, however, could not cash in on the base – they only added 47 runs in the remaining 6.5 overs, when Anamul Haque and Dwayne Smith conjured two fours and two sixes.

Glasgow Rangers are keen to sign defender Auston Trusty as Michael Beale looks to continue his recruitment drive at the Ibrox side.

What’s the latest on Auston Trusty to Rangers?

According to The Athletic, Rangers are still interested in signing Arsenal centre-back Trusty this summer, having first been linked with him at the start of May.

A fee of around £2m was suggested last month as being enough to tempt him away from the Premier League, and this is a figure that Beale could certainly afford, especially with the Gers looking to move on some deadwood over the coming weeks.

Beale is looking at making his fifth signing of the summer, with Dujon Sterling, Kieran Dowell, Jack Butland and Sam Lammers all arriving in Glasgow since the end of 2022/23.

Could Auston Trusty replace Ben Davies at Rangers?

With the need for a total rejigging of the playing squad this summer, Beale will have to offload some players in order to raise funds for future purchases, and Ben Davies – who was only signed in 2022 – could be someone that might generate a solid transfer fee.

Stoke City are keeping tabs on the centre-back, and although he played more during the second half of the season, as per Sofascore, he only ranked 14th in the squad for overall rating (6.94/10), 16th for tackles per game (0.9) and seventh for interceptions per game (0.8), suggesting that he hasn’t exactly shone across these defensive metrics in relation to his teammates.

Kenny Miller even dubbed him as “very poor” following a mistake during an Old Firm clash back in April, when he failed to clear a simple ball over the top and Trusty may be the man to come in and replace him.

Meanwhile, Trusty enjoyed a solid season out on loan at Birmingham City in 2022/23, ranking third in the squad for rating (6.97/10), second for tackles per game (2.3) and first for interceptions per game (1.5), underlining his importance to the team while also averaging better numbers than Davies across these metrics.

The £13.8k-per-week brute is only 24 years old and has arguably yet to his peak years, which suggests that Beale could get the best out of the American should he make a move to Glasgow in the coming weeks. Having won the fans’ Player of the Year Award for his performances at St Andrew's, it indicates that he is able to settle in well at a club and takes no time in showcasing his ability, which could be a big bonus for the 42-year-old, as a fast start is a must next term.

Trusty was dubbed “incredible” by teammate George Friend back in October while also saying that he took to the Championship “so easily” – which surely bodes well ahead of a potential move to the Premiership.

Making a move for the American could be a shrewd investment by Beale and it looks set to be bad news for Davies if his signing is announced.

Peter Handscomb scored his third score of fifty-plus in as many Tests, before Steven Smith hit a hundred to help Australia take the lead against Pakistan on day four

The Report by Daniel Brettig at the MCG29-Dec-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAustralia’s captain Steven Smith beat encroaching bad weather by a matter of minutes to post his 17th Test hundred before a monsoonal downpour all but ensured a drawn Boxing Day Test at the MCG.Moments after Smith reached his 100, the umpires suspended play, a decision followed soon after by a deluge that was more tropical Brisbane than Melbourne’s more typical southerly climate. It would take a pair of highly imaginative declarations from here to manufacture a result, with the hosts likely to be happy to sit on their 1-0 series lead.Smith’s ease at the crease contrasted with two more low scores for Nic Maddinson and Matthew Wade, neither of whom can be sure of their places in the XI, and made life difficult for the visitors who were also inconvenienced when Azhar Ali was helped from the field after suffering a stunning blow to the helmet when fielding at short leg.Usman Khawaja fell three runs short of a century for the second time this summer but the emerging No. 5 Peter Handscomb also made a useful contribution in Smith’s company before the monsoonal rain arrived. Whether either side is inclined to creativity to set-up a final-day run chase from here is a matter for conjecture.As he had done in the Perth Test against South Africa, Khawaja made it to 97 before being dismissed, this time trying to cover drive Wahab Riaz and edging through to Sarfraz Ahmed. He had shelved the stroke when making an excellent century against South Africa under lights in Adelaide.That wicket brought the Victorian Handscomb to the crease on his home ground, and he showed plenty of attacking intent to outpace Smith and close the gap with the visitors’ total. On a pitch offering precious little to the bowlers, Pakistan reverted largely to a short-pitched angle of attack with a leg-side field.Neither Handscomb nor Smith had too many awkward moments before the second new ball was taken, the former passing 50 for the third time in as many Tests. However in Mohammad Amir’s first over with the fresh projectile, Handscomb was beaten by one delivery then, next ball, pushed a difficult return catch back to the bowler, who dropped it.While Amir continued to bowl well, it was Sohail Khan who claimed the wicket, when Handscomb sliced an attempted drive to backward point. Maddinson accompanied Smith to lunch and made it as far as 22 after it, before yorking himself when dancing down the wicket to Yasir Shah to be bowled.Wade connected with several meaty blows, one of which felled the double-centurion Azhar at bad pad, before he edged Sohail Khan to depart for another underwhelming score. It was around this time that the weather began to close in on the ground, and the umpires conferred over the matter of bad light before Smith forced one through an off-side gap for three runs to go to his second century in as many Tests.That, then, was more or less that. A further 42 scheduled overs were lost from the match, meaning a more optimistic weather forecast for day five is most probably a moot point.