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An exemplary fielding performance and a perfectly executed 19th over help Australia eke out a narrow win

Valkerie Baynes24-Feb-20232:45

Baynes: Australia’s death bowling the difference

India needed 18 runs off nine balls when Ellyse Perry sprinted to her right from deep-backward square leg, threw herself into the air and flicked the ball back before tumbling over the boundary rope to save two runs. That moment epitomised what makes Australia tick. Every piece of effort is given at 100% and forms part of the whole juggernaut, which even when pushed by India in the T20 World Cup semi-final prevails by five runs.At the time, left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen – who hadn’t played since their opening match as Australia opted for legspinner Alana King for the next three games – was in the middle of executing the perfect 19th over, conceding just four runs when India needed 20 from 12 balls, and pegging Sneh Rana’s leg stump back with the last ball.With India left to get 16 off the last over, the eventual Player of the Match Ashleigh Gardner gave away only ten and claimed her second wicket as Perry again held her nerve and settled under a skier, by Radha Yadav, at long-on to allow Australia to snatch a berth in their seventh successive T20 World Cup final.Related

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After the win, Gardner said the victory ranked “pretty high” on Australia’s unmatched list of triumphs.”I think at the ten-over mark in India’s batting innings, everyone had probably written us off, but I think that just shows our character within our side and that’s why the best teams win in those types of positions,” she said.”What we speak about is when our backs are up against the wall, we always try and find a way, and today we probably had no right to win at one point there. They were cruising and then we found a way to get some wickets and ultimately came out on top.”It was similar to last year’s Commonwealth Games gold-medal match, which Australia had won by nine runs. That, combined with Thursday’s performance at Newlands, suggests the gap might be closing somewhat compared to the 85-run thumping they had dished out to India in the final of the T20 World Cup back in 2020.India, on the other hand, squandered their chances with crucial drops of Beth Mooney and Meg Lanning, Australia’s two biggest run-scorers on this occasion, as well as leaking runs through numerous misfields and overthrows.”We showed our class today in the field and we always speak about as a group being the best fielding team in the world, and I think today really showed that,” Gardner said. “Ellyse Perry was elite on the boundary. Whether it’s dropped catches, [or] missed opportunities in the field, those ultimately add up to quite a lot of runs and I think we took those moments when we really needed to.Player-of-the-Match Gardner contributed 31 off 18 balls with the bat and followed that with two wickets•ICC/Getty Images”I certainly think Pez is probably the blueprint for our side going forward – certainly on the boundary. At the end of the day, that could have been the difference between us and them.”Gardner, who had also contributed an excellent 31 off 18 balls with the bat, revealed it was no accident that Australia are so strong in the field.”We have KPIs and there are markers that show us whether we’re positive or negative in the field,” she said. “So there’s a pretty clear indication of how we’ve fielded. We just know how to push each other. In our training sessions, there are always really high-pressure situations, and as athletes, we all push each other – whether it’s on the field or off the field, whether it’s in the gym, running.”That’s something we really pride ourselves on is being fit, being strong, and ultimately that’s one of the things that has an impact in the field.”India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who overcame illness to put her side in a winning position before being run out when her bat got stuck in the pitch, acknowledged that the difference in fielding was the key.”The Australian side, they always field very well; and from our side, we made some mistakes,” Harmanpreet said. “But again, we have to just learn [from] whatever mistakes we have made. But obviously, the Australian side is better than us. They always field well, and today also, after I got out, their body language completely changed. The way they stopped two-three boundaries, that also made a huge difference.”

“Having such a quality domestic set-up, the WBBL, [and] some of the best international players coming over every year plays a significant part”Jess Jonassen on what helps Australia compete under pressure

Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s second-highest run-scorer on the day, agreed: “When you lose, you always find a lot of reasons. You can blame anything… but yeah, that is one aspect. As an Indian team, we know that we need to improve our fielding and our running between wickets. Today the running between was really good but I think there’s so much to learn from.”Gardner, Jonassen and Mooney all said that competing under pressure in franchise tournaments such as their own WBBL and England’s much-newer Hundred had contributed to Australia’s strength, which is encouraging for India ahead of their inaugural WPL season, which starts next month.”It probably comes back to the exposure of those sorts of situations,” Jonassen said. “Having such a quality domestic set-up, having the WBBL, having some of the best international players coming over every year – that plays a significant part. Then we’re almost primed for those same situations on the international stage.”We’ve had a few young players making debuts in different formats this season as well that have come from those competitions, and we’re always looking to try and improve, and try and push each other to that next level and try and get the most out of each and every person because ultimately we know if we can gain an extra one or two percent individually, then the team’s collectively going to be better off.”And such is Australia’s depth that Jonassen jokingly revealed her disbelief when head coach Shelley Nitschke told her after training on match eve that she was back in the side.”I had to get her to repeat it because I had walked about ten laps after training yesterday, sort of getting my head around how I would mentally deal with if I missed out again,” Jonassen said. “I’ve got my partner and my mum who have flown over, so I was pretty disappointed up until today that I wasn’t able to play a game in front of them. Hopefully one more and it’s another successful one.”One more will mean a contest for the trophy against either hosts South Africa or England. Besides India at this World Cup, only England have looked capable of threatening Australia. Whoever it is will need to do more than just threaten, as India found out.

Liverpool are all set to compete with Chelsea in the transfer market for Eintracht Frankfurt's star striker Hugo Ekitike.

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Liverpool enter race to sign EkitikeChelsea have their eyes on the French forwardHad a breakthrough year in BundesligaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After a breakthrough season in the Bundesliga, Ekitike is now attracting interest from top English clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. The former Paris Saint-Germain player is in demand after Newcastle United secured a Champions League slot and are now unlikely to sell Alexander Isak this summer, according to journalist .

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

reports that the Blues are now actively looking for a new striker after securing a Champions League slot with a win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Enzo Maresca has prepared a shortlist of forwards as the Italian looks to bolster his attack. Other than Ekitike, Chelsea are also interested in outgoing Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

In the 2024-25 campaign, 22-year-old Ekitike appeared in 48 matches across all competitions, where he scored 22 goals and provided eight assists as Eintracht Frankfurt finished third in the league table.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The Reds will remain busy in the summer transfer window as Arne Slot looks to bolster his squad with new signings. They are already in advanced talks to sign Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and have also initiated talks with Bournemouth over Milos Kerkez' transfer.

Newcastle United have asked to be kept informed about the situation of a “remarkable” striker who’s scored 19 goals this season, with a view to making a move in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Isak attracting widespread interest

It is little wonder Alexander Isak has emerged as a target for a number of top clubs, given that the Swedish striker has been prolific in front of goal this season, finding the back of the net 19 times in the Premier League.

Liverpool have now been in contact with Isak’s agents, ahead of a possible £148m move, and with fears mounting at Arsenal about potentially missing out on a deal, Chelsea are also expected to enter talks.

Of course, it will be an extremely difficult task to replace the 25-year-old, should he move on at the end of the summer, which is why Eddie Howe’s side are now planning talks over a new deal, according to widespread reports.

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However, it is also important for Newcastle to have replacements lined up in case the discussions are unsuccessful, and a report from GiveMeSport has now revealed they are eyeing a summer deal for Fiorentina’s Moise Kean.

The Magpies are said to have asked to be kept informed about the striker’s situation, indicating that some degree of contact has already been made, either with Fiorentina or the player’s entourage.

West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the situation, with clubs queuing up to bring the forward with “blistering pace” back to the Premier League, where he previously featured for Everton.

The 25-year-old’s spell at Goodison Park was largely disappointing, but he has been in inspired form in the Serie A this season, which has left a number of English clubs considering whether to activate his £44m release clause.

Kean given new lease of life in Italy

The centre-forward struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League after signing for Everton from Juventus, scoring just four goals in 39 games for the club, but he has started to prove himself since returning to his home country.

The Italian has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, including 15 in the Serie A, which is the second-highest in the league, and he received high praise from the media.

As such, Kean could be ready to have another crack at the Premier League, but his previous exploits in England cast some doubt over whether Newcastle should pursue a deal.

Not only that, but the Magpies’ main priority this summer should be to keep hold of Isak, who has been talked about as one of the best strikers in the world this season.

The pace bowler joins New South Wales while McDermott returns to Queensland

ESPNcricinfo staff04-May-2023Jackson Bird and Ben McDermott will both return to their home states in significant off-season departures from Tasmania.Bird, the 36-year-old pace bowler who played nine Tests for Australia, has joined New South Wales on a two-year deal while top-order batter McDermott heads back to Queensland where he made his first-class and one-day debuts in 2014.Bird, who was born in Sydney but has played his entire Australian first-class career with Tasmania, joins a NSW side looking rebuild after a horror season which saw them finish bottom of the Sheffield Shield. He brings with him a first-class record of 455 wickets at 24.89. During the 2020-21 campaign, Bird took his career-best 7 for 18 against New South Wales as they were skittled for 32.Related

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Bird is the most prolific active bowler in the Sheffield Shieldwith 350 competition wickets having overtaken the now-retired Trent Copeland during last season.”I played all my junior cricket in NSW and like any other aspiring professional in the state I wanted to pull on a Baggy Blue,” he said. “My career took a different path and I am very grateful to Cricket Tasmania and everyone that I have played with and worked with down there for what has been an amazing experience, both professionally and personally.”Now it’s a fresh start in a place I am familiar with, and I am looking forward to being able to contribute on the field and also around the playing group. The Blues have some very talented young bowlers and I hope I can offer them some guidance if they need it.”Meanwhile, McDermott returns to the state where the family name is part of cricket folklore after the career of his father, Craig.Ben McDermott struggled last season after a promising tour of Pakistan•AFP/Getty ImagesHe will be looking to rebound from a poor 2022-23 season where he lost his place in the Shield side having averaged 18.30 and managed two fifties at 25.14 in the Marsh Cup.Those numbers have stymied his international ambitions after a promising series against Pakistan in early 2022 which brought a maiden ODI hundred. Overall he has played five ODIs and 23 T20Is.”We’re very keen to work with Ben to help him realise his playing goals and no doubt his experience and skills will be welcomed by the playing group,” Bennett King, Queensland Cricket’s general manager of high performance, said. “He’s a seasoned player who has performed in all formats for Tasmania and Australia, and so it will be exciting to see him progress in the future.”McDermott joins what is a strong Queensland top-order when at full-strength although they are often hit by international call-ups. With the ODI World Cup in October and November they are unlikely to see much of Marnus Labuschagne although should get good service from Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw who are not in Australia’s white-ball set-up.

Manchester City are very much planning for the future.

In January, the Sky Blues spent big to add plenty of young talent to their squad, namely Nico González, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and others.

Now, those at the Etihad are getting excited about a teenager who, despite agreeing to join over a year ago, has only just arrived, but do Man City already have a bigger talent on their books?

When Claudio Echeverri could make his Man City debut

Claudio Echeverri agreed to join Manchester City from Argentine giants River Plate in January 2024 for a reported fee of £12.5m.

However, still only 18-years-old at the time, he was loaned back to la Banda, finally arriving in Manchester for the very first time at the end of February, following the conclusion of the South American Youth Football Championship, at which Echeverri scored six goals, helping Argentina finish as runners-up.

South American expert Tim Vickery labels Echeverri ‘electric’, adding he is excellent when it comes to ‘running at defenders’ and possesses an ‘eye for an early pass’, outlining that his nickname el Diablito, the little devil, epitomises his style of play.

Meantime, Guardiola has suggested the 19-year-old’s Man City debut may have to wait until the Club World Cup in the summer, although Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News advocates for him to be given an opportunity sooner.

Nevertheless, despite the fact Echeverri arrived to, as Sam Lee of the Athletic put it, ‘warranted fanfare’, do Man City already have a bigger talent on their books?

Man City's bigger talent than Echeverri will be like a new signing

While he’s unlikely to be the most high-profile Norwegian in the squad, Oscar Bobb is certainly a player Man City should ensure is central to their plans going forward.

Bobb joined Man City as a 16-year-old from Vålereanga in 2019, before making his senior debut against Fulham in September 2023, racking up 27 senior appearances to date.

His first goal for the club came during a dead-rubber Champions League victory over Crvena zvezda before, a month later, scoring a crucial stoppage-time winner at Newcastle, which proved so pivotal in the title race.

Big things were forecast for Bobb this season, with Pep Guardiola describing him as “really great”, thereby playing 90 minutes of August’s Community Shield victory over Manchester United, only to suffer a broken leg in training a few days later, yet to be seen again since.

Guardiola confirmed last week that the Norwegian international is “training now regularly” and “feels really, really better”, optimistic he could return before the end of the season, making him, as the cliché goes, like a new signing.

Jamie Jackson of the Guardian describes Bobb as a ‘sensational…attacking midfielder’, while his former youth coach Tresor Egholm adds he is ‘special’ and a ‘really skilled… talented young player’.

Meantime, James Ducker of the Telegraph notes that Bobb is nicknamed ‘little wizard’ for a reason, while Sam Lee of the Athletic believes, to use another cliché, ‘we are into remember the name’ territory, adding the youngster has the quality to become a Man City regular.

So, let’s assess how Bobb and Echeverri compare.

Appearances

27

48

Minutes

909

2,529

Goals

2

4

Assists

2

8

Shots on target %

23.1%

36.3%

Senior international caps

8

0

Senior international goals

2

0

As the table outlines, Echeverri does have plenty more club experience than Bobb, this largely due to the latter’s long-term injury, albeit the Norwegian is ahead when it comes to international experience, scoring against both Faroe Islands and Czechia at Ullevål, with national team captain Martin Ødegaard describing him as a “quality player”.

So, while there is obvious excitement surrounding Echeverri’s arrival, there should also be plenty of anticipation ahead of Bobb’s return too.

Following over eight months on the sidelines, the two could burst onto the scene at a very similar time.

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Thierry Henry has criticised Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for failing to sign a number nine, while suggesting Julian Alvarez could fill that role.

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Arsenal didn't sign No.9 last summerHenry criticises ArtetaSuggests Alvarez signingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Gunners legend has hit out at manager Arteta for not bringing in an out-and-out centre-forward last summer, something he had "time" to do. The Frenchman also thinks Atletico Madrid's Alvarez would be a good option to solve that issue.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT HENRY SAID

He said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet: "When you look at the injuries and you look at the players that came, he brought players. He got [Raheem] Sterling when everyone wanted a nine. He had time to get a nine. I'm not the coach, I don't know how the discussion (went)… everyone has been screaming for a nine – apart from when we win, by the way. When we beat Real Madrid, we didn't need a nine.

"One of my favourite nines out there at the minute is Julian Alvarez. We've been talking about it, putting pressure, playing alone, low, whatever you want to do. Did you see the free-kick he scored the other day? He can hold the ball alone, he played at the Olympic Games, he played in the Copa America. I don't hear him saying, 'I'm tired' or not tired. Hopefully nothing bad is going to happen to him. He's played everything and the way he plays, I just like him."

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Arsenal have come second in the Premier League for three seasons running and haven't won a trophy since 2020. The missing piece may be signing a new clinical striker, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres among the list of their top targets. Next season could be make or break for Arteta.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

With the transfer window just days away from opening, all eyes will be on if Arsenal finally sign a striker. Before that possibility, it looks like they will recruit Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Sheffield United now find themselves in pole position to land an instant promotion back to the promised lands of Premier League with the Blades two points clear of a faltering Leeds United at the summit of the Championship.

Of course, nothing is set in stone until the 46-game marathon is over and done with, but Chris Wilder’s men will be quietly confident of their chances after a recent 3-1 victory over playoff-chasing Coventry City.

On top of that, Wilder also has the know-how as a manager to guide his team over the line, having clinched two promotions already in the Bramall Lane hot seat over two distinguished spells.

But, not everything is potentially rosy on the horizon with the step back up to the Premier League meaning alterations will have to be made.

Unfortunately, top-flight football might not be on the menu for everyone next season with an £88k-per-week quartet potentially not looking at much game time. Here are four players who could be given the boot if promotion is sealed.

1 Jack Robinson

Whilst Jack Robinson has been a mainstay of Wilder’s XI so far this season – with 28 Championship appearances under his belt – the Blades boss could opt for a fresher body in the centre-back department if top-flight football returns to South Yorkshire.

After all, it was heavily reported during the January transfer window that United were chasing Queens Park Rangers enforcer Jimmy Dunne, among other targets, meaning these options could be explored again very soon.

Moreover, the 31-year-old might still hold visible scars from the last time his side fell from the tricky division, resulting in the ex-Liverpool centre-back tallying up just one clean sheet from a miserable 35 outings.

2 Sydie Peck

Whilst Robinson is undoubtedly an experienced head in Wilder’s camp, homegrown product Sydie Peck is very much on the opposite end of the spectrum, with the rising midfielder only 20 years of age.

Therefore, it would be unreasonable to expect Peck to be able to acclimatise to the bright lights of the Premier League instantly, with his 35 league clashes and counting this season bumped up by injury troubles centrally.

The academy prodigy won’t be axed completely next season, but it would be fair to assume Peck might take more of a background role as tougher and more physical opponents wait in the wings.

3 Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster is another face who might have to become used to taking a back seat more often, with the former Anfield wonderkid looking out of his depth previously in the Premier League.

Indeed, the hot-and-cold attacker has actually never bagged a top-flight strike from 40 appearances, which will worry Wilder and Co tremendously.

He is deep in a purple patch of form at the moment, with four strikes and three assists accumulated in second-tier action.

However, it would be an almighty risk on the end of the newly-promoted side to solely put their trust in Brewster to come up trumps, especially if his inconsistencies rear their ugly head again.

4 Kieffer Moore

Lastly, another attacker that might find his minutes are limited in the top-flight is Kieffer Moore, with the Welshman a regular in the Bramall Lane treatment room.

Snapping up the ex-Cardiff City marksman on a free transfer last summer would have been deemed smart business, considering the seasoned attacker has a hefty 59 strikes next to his name in the Championship.

Games played

22

Goals scored

5

Games missed through injury

17

Days missed through injury

82

Five of those have come in his new surroundings, but his recurring injury problems will have irked Wilder, leading to figures such as Tyrese Campbell and Tom Cannon presumably gaining more starts in the top-flight away from the often injury-hit striker.

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ByKelan Sarson Mar 30, 2025

“Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue,” Kumble tweets after images of the wrestlers being “manhandled” by police personnel emerge

ESPNcricinfo staff31-May-2023Anil Kumble and Robin Uthappa are among just a handful of cricketers who have expressed their anguish at prominent Indian wrestlers being “manhandled” by the police in Delhi, India’s national capital.Tweeting on Tuesday, two days after disturbing images of Vinesh Phogat, among other wrestlers, being dragged away from the site of their protest in central Delhi emerged, Kumble said, “Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest.”A day later, on Wednesday, Uthappa said he was “saddened” by the developments, and that he was “certain there is a better way to have this addressed in a peaceful manner”.Delhi Police acted against the wrestlers when they breached the security barriers and started to march towards the new parliament building, which was being inaugurated by Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, at the time. The protesters were pushed into buses and taken away, and police personnel cleared the protest site – not far from the parliament building not long after.Apart from Kumble and Uthappa, there was a message from Irfan Pathan, who tweeted “I’m so sad to see the visuals of our Athletes” on Sunday night itself. And from Manoj Tiwary, now a Member of the Legislative Assembly in West Bengal, who offered his support to the wrestlers.

Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest.

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) May 30, 2023