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The summer of 2025 was a significant one for Everton. David Moyes’ side moved into their new stadium on Bramley Moore Docks, and are yet to lose in the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Some of their new signings this summer have already made a real impression.

In particular, one of the standouts has been Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The former Leicester City star joined from Chelsea and has gone on to make seven appearances so far for the Merseysiders. Operating as a number ten, the 27-year-old has one goal and one assist in the Premier League so far.

Dewsbury-Hall is not the only new signing flying under Moyes, with Jack Grealish in sparkling form.

What Grealish has said about working under Moyes

After joining Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City this summer, Grealish has shown the kind of form that earned him the £100m move to the Etihad Stadium four years ago.

He has been sensational under Moyes so far.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 30-year-old gave his new manager plenty of credit for how well he’s playing.

Grealish said his form is thanks to the Scot “for giving me that platform to go and play the way I’ve been playing.” The attacker went on to explain that Moyes says, “when you get the ball just go and do what you want to do.”

Well, that seems to be working perfectly for the former Aston Villa star. He’s already assisted four goals and scored once in seven Premier League games under Moyes, playing 90 minutes five times and 88 minutes once.

The England international has put in some huge contributions, too. His first goal in that famous Blue shirt came last weekend, in the 93rd minute, to secure all three points against Crystal Palace.

He also assisted both goals in a 2-0 home win over Brighton and set up two more away to Wolves in a 3-2 win.

Yet, there is no guarantee that Grealish will stay at the club beyond this summer. He’s only at the club on a season-long loan, and whilst there is a £50m buy option, there is no saying Everton will trigger it.

Whatever Grealish’s future may be, the Toffees have a youngster in the academy who could be seen as the homegrown version of their number 18.

Everton’s homegrown Grealish

Over the years, there have been some iconic footballers to have played in Everton’s academy. Of course, the most famous has to be Wayne Rooney, an academy graduate who went on to become one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Well, representing the Toffees in their academy now is 17-year-old winger Justin Clarke. The former AFC Wimbledon star has already played professional football, making his debut for the League One side as a 15-year-old back in November 2023.

Having now signed a professional contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the youngster has impressed for Everton’s academy. In the under-21s, he’s scored three goals and assisted one in eight appearances.

In the under-18s, Clarke has shone, with 11 goals and one assist in 19 games. It is easy to see why Liverpool Echo journalist Joe Thomas called him ‘outstanding’, having also highlighted how “thrilling” it is to see such “fearlessness” in action.

The former Wimbledon star has already had a taste of first-team football in preseason, where he even had the chance to get on the pitch. In a later interview, Clarke said he will “always be confident, and I’ll never abandon my gameplan,” even in a senior environment.

That courageousness is certainly similar to Grealish, described by England teammate Phil Foden as a “fearless” operator.

Earlier in the season, Toffees fans might have seen more similarities between the pair. Clarke shone in the EFL Trophy against Doncaster Rovers, where he scored a late goal and completed four dribbles.

Clarke stats vs. Doncaster

Stat

Number

Touches

43

Passes completed

12/16

Dribbles completed

4

Ground duels won

7

Fouls won

3

Shots

2

Goals

1

Stats from Sofascore

That performance against a group of experienced senior players highlighted the confidence Clarke plays with. It is easy to see how he is like Grealish, in that sense, who is also unlikely to shy away from a challenge.

Whatever Grealish’s future is on Merseyside, Everton fans can certainly get excited about Clarke, who seems to be a player with a bright future.

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Dele Alli was seen as a youngster with huge potential at Tottenham Hotspur, but despite his early success at the club, he struggled to maintain his top-level performances.

The Englishman joined the Lilywhites in a £5m deal from MK Dons back in the summer of 2015, taking the Premier League by storm in his first couple of seasons.

He scored 37 times in his first three years in North London, registering a further 26 assists – helping him win the PFA Young Player of the Year award two years in a row.

However, it would all come crashing down for the midfielder, subsequently dropping down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, with off-field issues rearing their head and leading to his demise.

Fast-forward to 2025, manager Thomas Frank has another talented player in the same situation, which could lead to his own exit from the club in the near future.

The latest on Yves Bissouma’s Tottenham future

Despite being a regular in Ange Postecoglou’s plans, making 44 appearances in all competitions, midfielder Yves Bissouma looks set to be sold by Spurs in the coming weeks.

The Malian international, who cost £35m from Brighton in the summer of 2022, has ultimately failed to impress new boss, Frank, but mainly due to his off-the-field issues rather than on-field performances.

He was left out of the Super Cup clash with PSG due to disciplinary reasons and has failed to be a part of any squad since then, not even making the bench for the Lilywhites.

It’s not the first time the 29-year-old has been involved in off-the-field antics, being spotted inhaling nitrous oxide – leading to a suspension from the hierarchy.

However, he looks set to be sold to Turkey in the coming days, with Fenerbahce interested in his signature, but he should also be joined by another player out of the exit door.

The Spurs player who should be axed alongside Bissouma

Whilst this summer was mainly about incomings at Spurs, decisions have been made to offload players to create wriggle room for Frank to work with after taking the reins.

The Dane splashed upwards of £100m on the signatures of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus – adding needed quality into the club’s forward line for 2025/26 and beyond.

Such moves have added to the likes of Brennan Johnson and Richarlison, with the pair already opening their account for the new campaign under Frank.

However, despite joining on a permanent basis this summer, attacker Mathys Tel could find himself on the periphery after the latest development in North London.

The Frenchman joined the Lilywhites in a £30m deal from Bayern Munich, re-joining the club after spending the second half of the previous campaign on loan with Spurs.

At just 20, he has bags of time to fulfill his potential, but it’s unclear whether he will be able to achieve his goal under Frank after the new emerging from the club this week.

Tel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was left out of the Lilywhites’ Champions League squad for the 2025/26 campaign – casting doubt over his long-term future.

Games played

21

Minutes played

1287

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Yellow cards

3

Red cards

0

Average rating

6.75

Such a situation is similar to that of Dele, subsequently being alienated from the first-team squad, which could see the player move closer to the exit door.

However, such a scenario could eventually see the club lose Tel for a minimal fee, just like they did with Dele a couple of years ago – needing to cash in on his services if he currently isn’t in Frank’s plans.

The decision to leave the youngster out may prove to be an unpopular one with the fanbase, especially after the hierarchy forked out £30m for his signature a matter of months ago.

The player himself would also undoubtedly be angry with the latest development, with the board needing to fund a move away from the club for Tel alongside Bissouma to allow them to kick on their development elsewhere.

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Australia sent a statement to the current world champions New Zealand as to why they are still ranked No.1 with stunning twin half-centuries from Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll and a frugal bowling performance setting up a dominant eight-wicket win with 36 balls to spare in the opening T20I in Auckland.The only dampener on the victory was a significant right index finger injury to star allrounder Ashleigh Gardner who was sent for scans after copping a blow trying to take a return catch while bowling.She would not have batted in any case but she would not have been required if she was fit as Mooney and Voll mowed down New Zealand’s target of 138, which was underpinned by Amelia Kerr’s 51 not out off 46 and Sophie Devine’s 39 not out off 36.But their unbeaten 90-run stand off 76 balls proved too slow as Australia’s opening pair set a slew of records with a staggering display of sustained boundary hitting with Mooney finishing with 75 not out from just 42 balls while Voll made 51 off 30.They posted 77 in the powerplay, which was the most Australia’s women have ever produced in a T20I. They brought up their century stand in 8.2 overs and posted the highest opening partnership, 123, by an Australian female pair against New Zealand in a T20I.Mooney celebrated her 200th international for Australia across all formats by racing to her 26th half-century in T20Is from 28 balls, to go with her two centuries. Voll cruised to her maiden T20I half-century in 30 balls but played second fiddle as Mooney accelerated past her by facing more of the strike.Mooney was brutal going both off side and leg side with trademark lofted cover drives mixed with pick-ups over midwicket. Voll was savage on anything straight, mowing it repeatedly over the leg side with her powerful bottom hand until she finally picked out deep square off Lea Tahuhu with just 15 runs to win.New Zealand’s total was always well under par after winning the toss and batting first. Australia’s attack, which did not feature Ashes star Alana King who was left out of the line-up, was frugal throughout. They could have restricted New Zealand even further had they not dropped two catches and missed three clear-cut run out chances.Darcie Brown made the first breakthrough, claiming Suzie Bates caught behind for a run-a-ball 14, and bowled superbly to finish with 1 for 22 from four overs with 13 dot balls. Georgia Plimmer briefly threatened, accelerating to 27 off 23 but then picked out long-on trying to loft Tahlia McGrath down the ground.Devine, playing her first game since January after taking a mental health break, showed clear signs of rust as she battled for fluency. She was 16 off 27 at one point as all of Australia’s bowlers tied her down. Annabel Sutherland was particularly tough to get away in the middle overs, conceding just 21 off her four.Gardner’s dropped catch seemed to spark Devine. Gardner left in clear pain with blood flowing from a cut on her right index finger and was unable to complete her third over due to the power of Devine’s strike. She found the boundary four more times after that, having scored just one across her first 27 deliveries.Kerr was more consistent across her innings but only found the rope five times in her fourth T20I half-century. New Zealand scored just 17 boundaries in total with Kerr and Devine striking five each. Mooney struck ten fours herself, plus a six, while Voll crunched nine boundaries.Australia claim a 1-0 series lead, with matches to come at Mount Maunganui on Sunday and Wellington on Wednesday.

With Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal continuing to do battle over Eberechi Eze’s signature, the Lilywhites have reportedly set their sights on an impressive alternative who is fighting with the Crystal Palace star for an England place.

Latest on Tottenham's Eze pursuit

With the Premier League season now underway, Spurs have just two weeks to strengthen Thomas Frank’s side. So far, the North London club have welcomed Joao Palhinha, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, with the latter particularly impressing against Paris Saint-Germain. Following the news that James Maddison is likely to miss the majority of the campaign, however, they must return to the transfer market to welcome one last star.

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Having his own say on potential incomings recently, Frank told reporters: “We are definitely in the market in general. Of course, when players get a long term injury we need to look into that.”

The former Brentford boss will be well aware just how important it is to add a crucial creative spark back to his side in Maddison’s absence, and one player who would add that in abundance is Eze.

The Crystal Palace star has been the subject of a transfer battle between both Tottenham and Arsenal this summer, but it now looks as though it is the Lilywhites who are in pole position ahead of their North London rivals.

As Fabrizio Romano reported, Tottenham are preparing formal talks with Palace over a move to sign Eze and the player himself is now keen on the move. But even as all signs point towards Frank’s side, those in North London are still reportedly considering an alternative option.

Tottenham ready to make Rogers move

According to The Daily Mail, Tottenham are now ready to make their move for Morgan Rogers if Aston Villa open the exit door amid their PSR struggles this summer. The England midfielder is seen as a game-changing signing in North London, but whether the Villans intend to sell their star man may well be another question entirely.

In terms of Eze alternatives, Rogers should sit top of Spurs’ shortlist if they are beaten to the Palace star’s signature by Arsenal. The Aston Villa midfielder went stride for stride with his England teammate last season and even outperformed him in total output.

Villa boss Unai Emery is well aware of the talent that he has on his hands too, having previously told reporters: “He is a player. He is intelligent. He understands football. When we analysed and we signed him, it was because we analysed his ability to adapt quickly to our structure.”

With a matter of weeks left until the transfer window slams shut, Rogers could yet emerge as one to keep an eye on.

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Chelsea are now in negotiations to sign a “beautiful footballer”, and they have discussed the possibility of sending Christopher Nkunku in the opposite direction, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Blues looking to offload Jackson and Nkunku

Once again, it has been a summer of heavy spending for the Blues, which means Enzo Maresca has been left with a somewhat bloated squad, and the manager may need to get two of his current forwards off the books.

Nicolas Jackson and Nkunku have been the subjects of widespread interest this summer, with the former now keen on joining Premier League rivals Newcastle United, while Bayern Munich have been named as potential suitors for the French striker.

Of course, Nkunku flourished during his previous stint in the Bundesliga, which led to his move to Stamford Bridge, with the former RB Leipzig man amassing a remarkable 35 goal contributions in 34 league outings during the 2021-22 campaign.

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As such, a move back to Germany could appeal to the forward, and a return could now be on the cards, according to Fabrizio Romano, who recently took to X to reveal that Chelsea have discussed swapping Nkunku for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

The same applies to Tyrique George, with the Blues looking to orchestrate a swap deal for the RB Leipzig star, having perhaps been unwilling to match the German club’s reported £67m asking price outright.

In order to make room for the attacking midfielder and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, the west Londoners are trying to get Jackson and Nkunku off the books, but negotiations over a deal for Simons remain ongoing in the meantime.

Simons keen on move to Stamford Bridge

Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed the RB Leipzig attacker is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, and there are plenty of indications that he would be an excellent addition to Maresca’s squad.

Josh Bunting was left very impressed with the maestro’s performance in his side’s 4-2 victory over Werder Bremen back in January, singling him out for high praise on X.

The 22-year-old chipped in with ten goals and seven assists in 25 Bundesliga outings last season, which is a solid return, with the Dutchman also catching the eye against Spain at international level.

There should be some caution about the potential signing of Simons, given that Nkunku also flourished in the Bundesliga, before failing to kick on in the Premier League, but the Netherlands international clearly has the ability to succeed at Stamford Bridge.

Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs eased to Test centuries in the first two sessions, making South Africa’s lead gargantuan, before the quicks snapped up five Sri Lanka wickets. Having utterly dominated the match since lunch on day two, South Africa finished the third day only five wickets short of going 1-0 up in a vital World Test Championship series. Sri Lanka are 413 runs adrift, on a surface on which the bounce can no longer be fully trusted.The late Sri Lanka wickets produced some drama, but it was the 249-run partnership – which equalled a record for the fourth wicket at this ground – that was the centerpiece of Friday’s action. Stubbs and Bavuma had laid the groundwork for their centuries in the morning, negotiating some occasionally testing early overs.It was clear that by then, however, the Kingsmead pitch had lost much of the nip it had had in the first few sessions of this match. South Africa raised their tempo in the second session, going at 4.81 runs an over in the afternoon.The Sri Lanka quicks were down on pace on day three, as perhaps could be expected of an attack that was closing in on 150 overs for the match. They did, eventually manage to dismiss Stubbs and Bavuma late in the second session. But by that stage, South Africa’s lead had ballooned to more than 500. When they declared at tea, only five wickets down, they had set Sri Lanka 516 to win.It was the two South Africa batters’ hundreds, however, that most enthused the crowd at Kingsmead, and the more dramatic of the trips to triple figures was Bavuma’s. He had appeared tentative in the 90s, with Sri Lanka raising lbw appeals against him, and forcing plays and misses as well.Kagiso Rabada struck in his first spell•AFP/Getty Images

Bavuma getting to his third century provided the most dramatic moment of the day. Batting on 98, he had got low to lap sweep Prabath Jayasuriya, and was hit on the pad. The umpire turned down the lbw appeal as the batters ran three.But having removed his helmet to celebrate, he was made to wait a little longer, when Sri Lanka reviewed the decision. Thankfully for Bavuma, real-time snicko had caught the very slight deflection off his glove into pad, and as soon as this was shown on the big screen, Bavuma swung his bat in the air, and the crowd acknowledged him, even before the final “not out” decision came. This was only his third career ton, but his second as captain.Stubbs got to his second Test hundred in more straightforward fashion. He had spent only 14 balls in the 90s, before working Asitha Fernando through midwicket for a couple to complete the milestone. Stubbs was given lbw in the next over, off Lahiru Kumara, but he reviewed and the ball was found to have struck him outside the line of off. In the first session, he had also been dropped for 33 off Vishwa Fernando, by Angelo Mathews, who spilled a chance low to his left at slip.Although conditions had eased, Bavuma and Stubbs batting out the entire first session was nevertheless extraordinary, given 19 wickets had fallen the previous day. Both were cautious to start with, as Kumara went short at the batters, and Jayasuriya flighted the ball, searching for early dismissals.Stubbs, typically, was stronger down the ground, while Bavuma was more adept at hitting square, often using his feet to the spinner, and occasionally playing the hard, flat sweep in addition to the dinky one past the keeper. Aside from that one chance off Stubbs, both batters appeared largely in control, though there were occasional lbw shouts – none of which was especially close.Marco Jansen finished day three with nine wickets in the match•Associated Press

In the final session, South Africa’s quicks were rampant again, and Sri Lanka’s batters continued to be indisciplined, even as the light waned and the opposition was still running hot. Sri Lanka also managed to burn all three of their reviews, with Pathum Nissanka and Angelo Mathews reviewing lbw decisions that were more or less plumb, before Kamindu Mendis reviewed after providing a feather edge to the wicketkeeper.When confirmed out, it was Kamindu’s first twin failure in his nine Tests so far, having fallen for 13 in the first innings, and 10 in this one.South Africa’s taller quicks got more out of the surface than Sri Lanka’s seamers had earlier in the day, though Mathews’ lbw in particular was down to low bounce – the ball shooting through into his pads, although he had expected it to bounce up to perhaps waist height. That was off the bowling of Marco Jansen, who now has nine wickets in the match.But it was Kagiso Rabada who had made the first breakthrough, having Dimuth Karunaratne caught at third slip, as the opening batter drove on the up at a ball well outside off stump in the fifth over of the innings. Rabada also took the last wicket of the day – that of nightwatcher Jayasuriya, who fell to a spectacular reflex catch by short leg Tony de Zorzi.

There’s something fitting about Heung-min Son’s decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, ending this lengthy chapter with a trophy, but it still hurts.

The 33-year-old forward revealed during a pre-season press conference in Seoul, South Korea, that he has “decided to leave the club this summer.”

He joined as a 23-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a £22m fee, and fought tirelessly and expertly in his forward berth across so many years, crowning his career with victory in the Europa League final, which was Tottenham’s first major honour since lifting the League Cup in 2008.

Son leaves with Tottenham’s blessing, and he leaves as one of the greatest left wingers in Premier League history, having scored 173 goals and supplied 101 assists across 454 games in a Lilywhites shirt.

To enter the Thomas Frank era without him will be a poignant thing, but there’s no denying Son is no longer at his rip-roaring best, and he has earned the chance for a new challenge as he stares at the autumn years of his professional career.

Change is afoot down N17, and this just underlines that point. Frank needs more forwards, and no mistake, but the frontline isn’t the only area in need of a reshuffle.

Spurs planning August shake-up

Tottenham have already signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United in a £55m deal this summer, which softens the blow from Son’s departure somewhat.

However, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are both considered expendable, with the latter attracting interest from a range of clubs.

Those first-teamers surely know they should pursue moves away, for Tottenham have agreed a deal with Bayern Munich for Joao Palhinha, who formerly rose to prominence in England with Fulham.

A defend-first holding midfielder, Palhinha reinforces Frank’s project, but the Danish tactician feels that a more dynamic central partner is needed to complete the set.

Spurs plotting bid for new midfielder

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are plotting a bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, who joined the Spaniards from Chelsea for £33m last summer.

It won’t be easy. Diego Simeone would undoubtedly look to turn a profit on the England international, with a fee in excess of £40m previously mooted.

Tottenham’s “long-term interest” in the 25-year-old is genuine, and it’s uncertain as to whether he would be open to a return to the Premier League, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United also interested.

What Conor Gallagher would bring to Spurs

Gallagher didn’t start every fixture for Atletico Madrid last season, but he made a positive impression in the Spanish capital all the same.

Lauding the England international’s adaptability, last season Simeone said that his new recruit brings “youth, energy and intensity” to the team.

Across 50 appearances, Gallagher scored four goals and provided six assists, finishing the term ranked among the top 13% of midfielders across Europe for goal involvements, the top 12% for goal-creating actions and the top 17% for tackles won per 90, as per FBref.

From this, you might conclude that the £150k-per-week talent is something of an offensive maestro. He’s not. Gallagher does offer something going forward, but he’s a robust and rounded midfielder, something his past two Premier League campaigns would attest to.

Matches (starts)

35 (18)

37 (37)

Goals

3

5

Assists

1

7

Pass completion

85%

92%

Big chances created

5

11

Key passes*

0.6

1.4

Dribbles*

0.7 (50%)

1.0 (68%)

Ball recoveries*

5.1

6.3

Tackles*

1.3

2.3

Duels (won)*

3.5 (45%)

5.7 (50%)

As you can see, he’s a balanced midfield force. Gallagher’s former Chelsea teammate Moises Caicedo once said that he’s “like a machine”, bringing out the best in his game as a number six.

In this way, Gallagher’s all-encompassing nature would be perfect alongside Palhinha in the Tottenham centre, bringing the perfect blend of physicality, technical quality and security in front of the backline.

Spurs’ defenders got a lot of flak last year, and rightly so, but the engine room was equally culpable of failing to maintain tactical levels, and these midfielders would change that.

Palhinha, after all, recorded the most tackles of any player across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 Premier League terms (148 & 152 respectively), and his focused efforts to protect and recycle possession suggest that Gallagher would be immense alongside him. Caicedo said the same, did he not?

The Bayern midfielder struggled for minutes under Vincent Kompany’s wing last season, but we all know of his tough-tackling quality, having been described as a “defensive monster” by data analyst Marcus Bring for his efforts as a Cottager in London.

The 30-year-old Palhinha, moreover, is experienced and composed. He didn’t make a single error for Fulham across the 2023/24 season, with his confidence in the central areas undoubtedly playing into Bayern’s decision to sign him for a £47m fee.

While Tottenham fans will hope to see Levy push ahead and sign a new forward to temper the blow that Son’s departure, such an iconic figure, will leave, strengthening the midfield pragmatically is the kind of thing that will contribute toward the wider and more stable long-term success of the club.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Ange Postecoglou planted the seeds of an illustrious era in arable soil, and now, Frank has the chance to grow this vision into something incredible.

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Australia have banned the pre-game activity that threatened to derail Ashleigh Gardner’s T20 World Cup as the allrounder challenged her side’s batters to fill their boots in the third T20I against New Zealand in Brisbane on Tuesday.Gardner missed the series opener against New Zealand in Mackay last Thursday after colliding with team-mate Georgia Wareham attempting to catch a soft “Vortex” ball in a warm-up drill.The reigning Belinda Clark Medallist initially laughed off the incident before leaving the ground in tears, fearing an eighth career concussion as she was ruled out of the contest.Related

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She was cleared though and returned on Sunday with a Player-of the-Match effort, her 3 for 16 the headline act of a disciplined bowling performance in a 29-run win over New Zealand.The 27-year-old saw a neuropsychologist in 2018 after suffering four concussions in the space of 20 months.”It’s been nice to get back out there after a weird occasion, a head collision in a warm-up,” she said. “It was weird to wrap my head around, but I’ve felt really good the last couple of days.”I’ve had a lot of head knocks in the past; I know when I am concussed and when I’m not.”There was no sign of the Vortex before Sunday’s game, Gardner confirming their pre-match routine had been tweaked.”That’s the end of the Vortex for the rest of the tour,” she said.Ashleigh Gardner returned three wickets after missing the opening game due to a concussion scare•Getty Images

Usually happy to chase, captain Alyssa Healy opted to bat first on Sunday and force her team to set the pace ahead of next month’s World Cup defence in Dubai.Healy (38 off 25) got off to a flyer but Australia’s innings stalled, the hosts recording their worst collapse in the format when they lost their last seven wickets for 28 runs as Amelia Kerr returned career-best figures of 4 for 20.A total of 142 proved more than enough thanks to Australia’s bowlers. But Gardner wants to see improvements in their final hit-out in Brisbane on Tuesday before flying to the UAE.”There’s still a lot left in the tank; hopefully in this last game if we do bat first we can put a massive total on the board,” she said.She said there were no excuses given the side’s incredible batting depth meant Annabel Sutherland entered at the fall of the sixth wicket.”Sutherland at eight is pretty ridiculous,” she said. “Going into conditions like Dubai, we haven’t played there before [for Australia] so we’re kind of going into the unknown a little bit.”But knowing we have a defendable total like 140, we know our bowling unit is good enough to restrict them”The skill we possess, in all facets… it was pretty clinical.”

It’s their first Test match against each other, and both teams are getting back to the red-ball format after several months

George Binoy08-Sep-20241:39

Southee: Exciting to have six Tests in this part of the world

Big picture: Back at it after a breakWhen New Zealand last played Afghanistan, during the T20 World Cup in June, they suffered a defeat so catastrophic it precipitated a rare group-stage exit from an ICC tournament. That match was in Providence, Guyana, on the other side of the planet from where the teams are now for their first meeting in Test cricket. The possibly spin-friendly conditions in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, however, could help bridge the gulf in experience between these Test sides.New Zealand are playing their first Test since March, and their first international since June, and a large part of their recent cricket narrative has been about players turning down contracts, or taking up casual contracts, as the choice between club and country gets harder. There is not as much at stake in this contest – the match is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) – but New Zealand, having suffered their maiden defeat to Afghanistan this year, will want to start their run of six Tests in the subcontinent over the next two months with a victory. They are currently third in the WTC standings, but with two Tests in Sri Lanka and three in India coming up, their prospects of finishing in the top two are tough.Afghanistan do not play enough Test cricket to be part of the World Test Championship. Their maiden fixture against New Zealand is only their tenth Test since they were admitted to the club in 2017. And apart from two Tests against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi, they are yet to play a series longer than a one-off match. They are also cricket’s nomads, with no place to call home, and have played their first nine Tests at eight venues – Greater Noida will be their ninth. Afghanistan have lost their last three Tests, and an upset of New Zealand could strengthen their claim for more fixtures in the format.Form guideAfghanistan: LLLWL (last five Tests, most recent first)
New Zealand: LLWWWRelated

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Williamson: We don't usually get such a volume of Tests

Shahidi wants 'one good home venue' and more Tests for Afghanistan

In the spotlight: Ajaz, Williamson and OmarzaiLeft-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has played only 16 Tests since his debut in 2018. With New Zealand calling on his skills primarily when they tour Asia, he could play six more Tests over the next two months if all goes well for him. The last time Ajaz, now 35, was in India in 2021, he emulated Jim Laker and Anil Kumble and became only the third bowler to take all ten wickets in a Test innings. With 26 wickets at an average of 23.73 in India and Sri Lanka, Ajaz will be expected to lead New Zealand’s spin attack against Afghanistan and beyond.Kane Williamson giving up the white-ball captaincy and opting out of a central contract in June was seismic for New Zealand, but he has since reaffirmed his commitment to his country. And in Test cricket, his form has been stupendous over the last two years. At the age of 34, however, this may be his last chance to repair his record in India. Williamson averages only 33.53 in eight Tests in India, and hasn’t hit a hundred since his century on Test debut in 2010.Seam-bowling allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai has become a regular for Afghanistan in the white-ball formats and could make his Test debut against New Zealand on Monday. He was impressive in India during the 2023 ODI World Cup and turned out for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024. He has limited first-class experience – only five matches – but his ability to bat in the middle order and swing the ball could help Afghanistan with team balance.Kane Williamson’s recent Test form is superb but he doesn’t have a great record in the subcontinent•Getty ImagesTeam news: Ibrahim Zadran injuredAfghanistan are without their leading wicket-taker Rashid Khan, who has taken a break from Test cricket on medical advice. Ibrahim Zadran, their second-highest run-scorer in the format, has also been ruled out with an ankle sprain in his left leg – not only for this Test but also for the three-match ODI series against South Africa.*Their squad is also missing familiar T20 names, such as Rahamnullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad. With most of their players coming off the franchise and domestic T20 circuit, the challenge will be to adapt to the five-day format quickly.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Abdul Malik, 2 Riaz Hassan, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Bahir Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 8 Zia-ur-Rehman, 9 Qais Ahmad/Khalil Ahmed, 10 Nijat Masood, 11 Zahir KhanThe question for New Zealand is the balance of their bowling attack for the conditions. If they choose to play only two specialist seamers, in addition to Daryl Mitchell’s all-round abilities, then it could be the captain Tim Southee and one of Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O’Rourke. Ajaz and Mitchell Santner are the specialist spin options, with Rachin Ravindra, and one of Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell as the part-time spin options.New Zealand (probable): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips/Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee (capt), 10 Matt Henry/Ben Sears/Will O’Rourke, 11 Ajaz PatelPitch and conditions: Rain expectedGreater Noida will become the 124th Test venue on Monday, though it has hosted a total of 11 ODIs and T20Is, all involving Afghanistan and Ireland. Afghanistan have also played two red-ball Intercontinental Cup matches here in 2016 and 2017.There’s been plenty of rain in Greater Noida in the lead-up to the Test, and New Zealand had to call off their practice on the eve of the match because of unfavourable ground conditions. More wet weather is expected over the week. The pitch is likely to be a black-soil surface that could assist spin more than pace, depending on the weather.Stats and trivia New Zealand haven’t won a Test match in India since 1988. They have lost seven of their ten Tests here since 2010. Though this fixture is not against India, a strong performance against Afghanistan’s spinners could provide valuable experience for the tougher Tests ahead. Williamson averages 72.36 in 12 Tests since December 2022 and has scored a hundred in eight out of nine innings when he passed fifty. Southee has had a tough year in Test cricket, taking only two wickets against a weakened South Africa and just four against Australia at an average of 71.33 in eight innings at home in 2024. On his previous tour of India in 2021, he took eight wickets in the Kanpur Test before going wicketless in Mumbai.Quotes”It’s tough. Six Test matches in this part of the world, you’d think spin plays a majority of the part as a bowling unit. We’ve got four quality pace bowlers at our disposal as well. So it’s about which balance is right.”
“I think it’s tough to be missing players like Rashid Khan because he did very well in the past for us in the Test format. So we will miss him and some other players also. But at the same time, we have other talented guys. It’s an opportunity for them to make their names in the world of cricket and show their talent. Especially in Test cricket, I think if we do well then the whole world will talk about this [in a] very positive [way].”

Liverpool have been busy already in the 2025 summer transfer window. It has been a remarkable show of intent from Arne Slot’s team, who, as defending champions, are making a clear step towards strengthening their side to defend the Premier League next season.

Jeremie Frimpong has already joined the club, and a deal for Florian Wirtz cannot be more than a few days away now. Fabrizio Romano gave the move his famous “here we go” confirmation, citing the price of the move as £128m including add-ons.

With that much money spent on the German star, you might think there is not enough money left for the Reds to spend.

However, a recent report implies they could splash the cash even more.

Liverpool's next big signing earmarked

If Liverpool were to spend big after signing Wirtz, it would be a huge statement to the rest of the Premier League, and arguably make them favourites to retain their crown. There certainly seems to be money left for another marquee addition.

That player could be Alexander Isak of Newcastle United.

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At least, that is according to a recent report from Lewis Steele, the Daily Mail’s Merseyside-based reporter. The journalist explained that a move for Isak could materialise and that he ‘wouldn’t completely rule it out’ this summer.

However, unsurprisingly, this is not a deal that would come cheap for the newly-crowned Premier League champions. Steele explained that ‘Newcastle don’t want to sell him for cheap’, before naming a ‘ballpark figure’ starting at around £130m and reaching as much as £140m.

That makes any move extremely unlikely but TEAMtalk do reveal that the Swede is Liverpool’s number one striker target this summer.

How Wirtz could improve Alexander Isak

There is a very strong case to be made that 25-year-old is the best number nine in the Premier League. He was sensational last season for Eddie Howe’s side, helping claw them into a Champions League spot.

Last season for the Magpies, Isak played 34 Premier League games, scoring 23 goals and registering six assists. No striker managed to find the back of the net more often, and Mohamed Salah, Isak’s teammate if he moves to Anfield, was the only player to bag more.

Of course, Liverpool know all too well the dangers that Isak has to offer, having been on the receiving end of his goal threat plenty.

In six matches against the Reds in his career, the Sweden international has scored four goals and grabbed an assist. One of those strikes came in the Carabao Cup final in 2025.

The Anfield faithful could be in dreamland if they get to see Wirtz and Isak link up next season. The Bayer Leverkusen star has been in sensational form in 2024/25, with 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 games for the German side.

The crucial thing there is the assist number. At just 22 years of age, Wirtz is already a player who creates an obscene number of goals for his side. However, if you combine him with a player as good as Isak, who is a natural killer in front of goal, he may only get better.

The assist below is an excellent example of how the two new potential Liverpool recruits can combine.

With Wirtz receiving the ball out on the left, he is able to beat the defender and play a perfectly weighted pass to Patrick Schick, who scores.

Now, imagine the passage of play takes place in Liverpool colours at Anfield, with Wirtz’s pass going to Isak, and it is not hard to see why the pair could become unstoppable. The deadly striker could turn his potential new teammate into an even better creative force in the final third.

Isak’s stats from the Premier League last term via FBRef are exceptional, too. The Sweden international ranks highly for most metrics, including goals per shot on target, which was 0.46 each game, showing just how efficient he is with his shooting.

There is no doubt that £140m is a huge investment for Liverpool, on top of the money they already spent on Wirtz. However, Isak is an “elite” striker, as Statman Dave said, and he could make this Liverpool side virtually unbeatable.

If this is a deal they get over the line, it would be a huge statement of intent, and a signing that could make Wirtz even better, too.

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