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Offbreaks pitching on the straight, and whizzing past a batter’s ears, on occasion – that’s not just tricky, these are serious warning signs. It’s about to get mad

Andrew Fidel Fernando06-Feb-2025It comes out of the southwest, rustles the canopies of the big banyan trees in the fort, and flutters the flags beneath the clocktower.The weather has been scorching for days. There has been barely a cloud above. And now the hottest ocean on the planet is blowing its breath across the cricket ground at Galle, so it’s happening. This is how you know drama is about to go down. Signs are, this Test gets spicy.Daniel Vettori, veteran of 113 Tests, including two in Galle (it would have been more, but this ground lost a few years to the 2004 tsunami), had this to say at the end of the day: “First innings runs are going to play a huge role in whoever wins this game.” We could extrapolate and figure that what he means is that batting conditions are going to get substantially worse over the next couple of days. But he clarifies anyway, in the sanitised language of a post-day press conference: “I just think it’s going to be a tricky wicket the whole way along.”Related

Kusal Mendis fights for Sri Lanka as Starc and Lyon stand out

Cooper Connolly exceeds high expectations in rapid rise to Test cricket

“Tricky”, for most of us, is a key that doesn’t quite fit into the keyhole at first attempt but if you yank the door towards you, and lift it up off the ground a little bit, you can shove the thing open. Offbreaks pitching on the straight, and whizzing past a batter’s ears, on occasion – that’s not just tricky, these are serious warning signs. It’s about to get mad, and Sri Lanka have 229 for 9 on the board.Sri Lanka’s own batting coach Thilina Kandamby thinks his batters should have aimed for a total of around 350, and put his team in a position to dominate the Test. These are very batting coach requests, always wanting a pile of first-innings runs from which the team can dictate. But Sri Lanka’s batters were still the same people they were last week. Having been modest in six innings on the trot, it’s not as if, realistically, an earth-shattering batting display is on the cards here.There are, instead, some scrappy fifties, and some useful 30-odds. Dinesh Chandimal flays bowlers through the offside when they have strayed out there. Though generally an outstanding sweeper, this is a shot he almost never plays on this surface. In fact, for a bottom-hand dominant player, only 18 of his 74 runs have even come on the legside.Dimuth Karunaratne was defeated by Nathan Lyon’s variations•Getty ImagesWhen the top scorer on day one of a Test puts some of his most productive shots against spin away, on a ground on which he has played several match-winning innings, we are straying into the realms of seriously menacing Test-match conditions. Kusal Mendis, who is even more reliant on the sweep, did score runs with the shot, but even he hit almost exclusively with the spin. Australia have two left-arm finger spinners in Matthew Kuhnemannan and Cooper Connolly. Almost every run Mendis scored into the legside was off a ball that they played the spin.While the first Test at this same ground Australia made 654 for 7 etc we are now about to see a very different Test match unfold. Where in the morning session, the hardness of a rolled pitch did not allow for huge amounts of spin, by the evening, it had begun to take the kind of turn that scrambles the minds of batters.Is a sweep now too big of a risk, given the bounce spinners can get from a surface such as this, with a little overspin? Is this why Sri Lanka have played three finger spinners in this Test, to exploit the natural variation a track like this offers? Wristspinners are weapons on most surfaces, but Sri Lanka have left out Jeffrey Vandersay here. Does control and persistence take over when surfaces are this dry? And if cross-bat shots like the sweep and the reverse are too risky, then how else do you score runs on tracks such as this?As batters navigate what is obviously the kind of surface that Australia would label “extreme”, there will be doubts, as to whether what worked for the men who scored runs in the first Test, will work again here. The track they are playing on now is only about ten metres from the one Australia’s top order had prospered on only several days ago, and yet it feels like it could be from another galaxy.And when the wind blows, and the footmarks from the quicks are heavy and dark, and every delivery raises an explosion of dust, there may be drama around the corner. Signs are, this Test gets spicy.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis continue their unbeaten Europa League run, powered by the resurgence of former Manchester United winger Antony. The Brazilian has been in exceptional form, scoring crucial goals and earning his manager’s full trust after their 2-0 win over Lyon. Pellegrini now sees Antony as undroppable, insisting his consistency and impact make rotation impossible as Betis eye the knockout stages.

Antony’s fairytale revival at Real Betis

Betis are quietly turning heads in Europe. Their 2-0 win over Lyon at La Cartuja kept them undefeated in the Europa League, placing them on eight points from four games and within touching distance of qualification. 

If there is one player symbolising Betis’ European charge, it’s Antony. Once a divisive figure at United, the Brazilian winger has found redemption in Seville. In just seven La Liga appearances this season, he has scored four goals and registered one assist, adding vital contributions in the Europa League as well with two goals and an assist in three games.

Pellegrini has been clear: Antony’s current form makes him undroppable.

“He and Abde [Ezzalzouli] are in great form, that’s why we rotate them less,” the Betis boss explained. “The players have no problem playing on Thursdays and Sundays. They're both inspired and scoring goals. I'm happy with the team's performance, because we can change six or seven players and the team stays the same.”

Antony’s recent brace against Mallorca, including a long-range strike and a deft curler into the far corner, showcased the confidence that once defined his early Ajax days. Also, the fact that Antony missed majority of the pre-season training with Betis and yet is able to fit right in and perform at this level, provide more reasons why the Pellegrini considers him a vital component of the starting XI.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBetis march on as Pellegrini’s plan delivers

For head coach Pellegrini, it was more than just another group-stage victory as it reflected the team's tactical balance, squad depth, and the emergence of Antony as Betis’ new attacking heartbeat as he clinched his second consecutive goal.

“We were very solid,” Pellegrini said in a post-match interview. “They had very few chances on our goal and were a team that had won three matches in Europe and hadn't conceded a goal. A very complete match overall.

"As a team we functioned very well, with many recoveries in the first half. We stole four very dangerous balls and rushed our finishing. With the two goals, we returned to our normal rhythm and the second half was calm, dominating the game and trying to find the third goal."

The Chilean manager’s trademark composure and structured approach have given Betis both resilience and rhythm, the kind of qualities that have eluded them in past European campaigns.

Betis thriving under Pellegrini's guidance

Under Pellegrini, Betis have embraced an identity rooted in patience and precision. Their Europa League campaign has featured strong results – a 2–2 draw against Nottingham Forest and a 2-0 win over Lyon – built on controlled possession and disciplined defending, with just two goals conceded in four matches.

Antony thrives in this setup. Operating on the right wing, he stretches defences, presses high, and links play with quick one-twos – the exact traits Pellegrini values. His 13 chances created underline a growing playmaking instinct, while his defensive contributions help maintain shape when Betis are out of possession.

With Betis targeting a top-eight finish to avoid February’s playoff round, Antony’s influence could be the difference between another respectable run and genuine contention. His chemistry with forward like Ceric Bakambu and winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli adds further fluidity to Betis’ evolving attack.

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AFPCan Betis win a trophy this season?

Antony’s loan spell at Betis is fast becoming one of the most successful redemption arcs in recent European football. After struggling to adapt at Old Trafford – where he managed just 12 goals across two Premier League seasons, the Brazilian has rediscovered both confidence and consistency in Spain.

For Betis, it’s a timely resurgence. Pellegrini’s men sit comfortably in the upper half of La Liga and are now among the dark horses in the Europa League. The coach’s trust in Antony has been repaid with end product, work rate, and professionalism – qualities that once came into question in England.

As the season progresses, Antony’s challenge will be sustaining this level, converting flashes of brilliance into long-term reliability and with last season's wound still fresh after defeat in the Conference League final against Chelsea, Pelligrini and Co. will leave no stone unturned into making this season a productive one clinching a few trophies on the way.  

England's Lionesses have learned the location of their next European Championship title defence after UEFA announced the hosts of Euro 2029 on Wednesday. Poland, Germany and a joint-effort from Denmark and Sweden were the three official bids submitted for the next edition of the tournament, which will see Sarina Wiegman's side go for a third successive continental crown after triumphs in England in 2022 and in Switzerland in 2025.

• Official: Germany revealed as hosts of Euro 2029

  It is Germany that will host Euro 2029, having previously done so in 2001 and also in 1989, the latter as West Germany. The eight-time winners are the most successful nation in the history of this tournament, with no other side winning more than two titles, and it will hope to add yet another trophy to that cabinet when welcoming Europe's elite in four years' time.

  The decision was announced by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin at a special ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. "I want to sincerely thank all three bid delegations for their tireless work and commitment throughout the process," he said. "Each bid showcased vision and exceptional teamwork between national associations, governments and local experts, all inspired by the benchmark set by Switzerland last summer. Congratulations to Germany – we look forward to an unforgettable tournament in the summer of 2029."

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  How Euro 2029 could provide a necessary boost to German women's football

  Germany and its clubs remain contenders in the women's game today but the awarding of the status of hosts for Euro 2029 could give the sport a significant boost as it looks to reach the heights other nations have achieved. In the women's game, it's 10 years since a German club last won the Champions League, 12 years since Germany won its last European Championship title and 18 years since it last appeared in – and won – a World Cup final. Instead, nations like England and Spain have overtaken what was long the dominant force in Europe.

  Germany has still had successes. It reached the final of Euro 2022, won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games and Wolfsburg were 2-0 up at half-time in the 2023 Women's Champions League final, only to succumb to an incredible second-half comeback from Barcelona. There have been great moments where these achievements have cut through at home, too, with thousands lining the streets of Frankfurt to welcome the players home after Euro 2022. But to host a tournament could be a galvanising moment.

• Why England and Switzerland are exciting examples for Germany to follow

  England and Switzerland have witnessed that impact first hand. Since the Lionesses won Euro 2022 on home soil, interest in women's football in the country has skyrocketed, with record-breaking attendances, increased investment and continued success all coming off the back of that.

  Switzerland, meanwhile, will hope the long-term legacy of its hosting of Euro 2025 can also be very positive, with the short-term impact already ticking that box. La Nati reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time this past summer and record numbers of fans watched them do so. "It's something we've never experienced before in Switzerland," Lia Walti, the team's captain, told during that historic run.

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  Can anyone dethrone England's Lionesses at Euro 2029?

  Winning the tournament would go a long way towards helping Germany enjoy such a ground-breaking summer and Christian Wuck's side will surely be among the favourites to do so, though they are at least behind a couple of other nations as things stand right now.

  England have won the last two editions of the European Championship and Wiegman, having also won while in charge of the Netherlands in 2017, has triumphed in all of the last three, making them the standout favourite at this point in time. Spain, who the Lionesses beat in this year's final, will be right up there as a top contender too, having won the World Cup back in 2023.

  How things unfold at the 2027 Women's World Cup, and through a very competitive qualification process for that tournament, will likely tell us who the other main candidates for the Euro 2029 trophy will be. Germany underwhelmed at the last World Cup, suffering a shock group stage exit, but appear to be back on track under Wuck and after reaching the final of this year's Nations League tournament, they'll be keen to carry that momentum on as the clock ticks down to their big moment in the spotlight in 2029.

أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، مجموعة منتخب الأرجنتين في بطولة كأس العالم نسخة 2026، الصيف المقبل، خلال مراسم إقرعة القرعة في مركز “جون كينيدي” مساء يوم الجمعة.

وتستضيف كل من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا والمكسيك نهائيات النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم، في الفترة بين 11 يونيو و19 يوليو.

وتُعد تلك هي النسخة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم، بعد استحداث نظامها، حيث سيشارك فيها 48 منتخبًا، سيتم تقسيمهم على 12 مجموعة، ويتأهل متصدر ووصيف كل مجموعة إلى دور الـ32، بالإضافة إلى أفضل 8 منتخبات في مركز ثالث.

ويجري الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، في مركز “جون كينيدي” مراسم قرعة النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم 2026، حيث تم الكشف عن طبيعة مجموعة منتخب الأرجنتين (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وتأهل منتخب الأرجنتين، بطل نسخة 2022، إلى بطولة كأس العالم بعدما تصدر تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية برصيد 38 نقطة. مجموعة منتخب الأرجنتين في كأس العالم 2026

حسبما تم الإعلان، جاءت مجموعة منتخب الأرجنتين في حملة الدفاع عن لقبها ببطولة كأس العالم، على النحو الآتي:

المجموعة العاشرة:

الأرجنتين

الجزائر

النمسا

الأردن

CSK have now lost five successive games at home, which also ends their playoffs chances

Sampath Bandarupalli30-Apr-20252:10

Is CSK losing five times at home IPL’s biggest shocker?

5 – Defeats for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk in IPL 2025, the most for them in a single edition. They lost four matches each in 2008 and 2012, including the final.CSK have now lost five games in a row in at home this season since defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) in their opening game. Only three teams have lost more home matches on the bounce in an IPL season. Deccan Chargers, in 2008, lost all seven home games, while Punjab Kings (PBKS) lost six at home after winning their first game in 2023 and 2024. Pune Warriors India also lost six in a row after winning their first two games at home in 2012.3 – Number of players including Yuzvendra Chahal to take multiple hat-tricks in the IPL. Chahal’s first hat-trick came against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022. Amit Mishra has three IPL hat-tricks, while Yuvraj Singh has two.Related

• 'It's a feel thing for him' – Simons says Pathirana is close to being back at his best

• Ponting: Shreyas 'understands game situations better than ever before'

• Hat-trickster Chahal is still making batters look silly

• Injured Maxwell in danger of missing rest of IPL; Ponting says 'stay tuned' for replacements

• Dhoni says CSK 'need to take some catches' after falling 'slightly short'

1 – CSK have been bowled out in successive matches for the first time in the IPL. They were cleaned up for 154 in their previous game by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). That was the first time CSK were bowled out in an IPL match since the introduction of the Impact Player rule in IPL 2023.9 – Chahal now has nine four-plus wicket-hauls in the IPL, the most by any bowler. He went past Sunil Narine, who has eight.1 – Chahal also became the first bowler to take a hat-trick against CSK in the IPL. Parvinder Awana took a hat-trick against CSK in 2014 while playing for PBKS (then Kings XI Punjab), but that was in a CLT20 match.Chahal’s hat-trick was the fifth for the Punjab franchise in the IPL and the first since Sam Curran’s effort against Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2019. They now share the record with Rajasthan Royals (RR).11 – Number of balls PBKS took to pick the last six CSK wickets, the fewest for any team in an IPL innings. SRH took 13 balls to take the last six wickets of Pune Warriors in 2013, and PBKS also needed 13 deliveries against SRH in 2020.4 – Wickets for Chahal in the 19th over of CSK’s innings. This is the second time that he’s picked up four wickets in an over in the IPL, with the other instance coming in 2022 against KKR when he took his previous hat-trick. Amit Mishra against Pune Warriors in 2013 and Andre Russell against Gujarat Titans (GT) in 2022 are the others with a four-wicket over in the IPL.Yuzvendra Chahal picked up four wickets in an over and celebrated like only he can•Getty ImagesChahal is now one of only three bowlers to take four-plus wickets in an over in men’s T20s on multiple occasions (where ball-by-ball data is available). Russell and Shaheen Shah Afridi also have multiple four-wicket overs in T20s.203 – CSK’s predicted score as per ESPNcricinfo’s Forecaster after 18.1 overs, when they were 184 for 5. CSK lost the remaining five wickets in seven balls to get bowled out for 190.CSK’s 190 is the highest by any team when they were bowled out when batting first in the IPL. RR’s 185 against PBKS in 2021 was the previous highest, although they batted all 20 overs.1 – The CSK-PBKS match on Wednesday became the first in the IPL featuring four uncapped players to open the batting. Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre opened the batting for CSK, while Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh opened for PBKS.1 – CSK have failed to make it to the playoffs in successive seasons for the first time in the IPL. This is the fourth time that they have failed to make it to the final four – in 2020, 2022, 2024 and now 2025.

The New York Yankees have a glaring need at third base, and not too much time to figure out a solution.

MLB's trade deadline is rapidly approaching, looming just three weeks away, and the Yankees find themselves in a bit of a rut. The team limped through the month of June, going 12-14, before getting swept in a four-game series at the start of July.

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. set to return to his more trained position of second base, New York is set to deploy Oswald Peraza at the hot corner. He has an OPS of .487 and an OPS+ of 37. For a team hoping to contend for a World Series, that won't suffice.

Finding the right third baseman within the organization seems unlikely at this point, so a trade feels like the best route to address the position. There could be a few third baseman available on the market, and the Yankees should absolutely be making phone calls in the coming weeks in order to get a deal done.

Here are a few players they could target:

Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks

Daniel Farke looked long gone as Leeds United manager heading into an intimidating run of matches in the Premier League.

Not even the most optimistic Elland Road supporter would have expected the Whites to grab some much-needed points against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Yet, after this trio of difficult clashes, Leeds are four points better off with a win and a draw secured, which also – most importantly – means they’re two points above the dreaded relegation zone.

Farke will just keep his fingers crossed that this high-energy approach can be replicated versus the likes of Brentford and Crystal Palace to come, away from turning on the style against some of the division’s flashier opponents.

More positive results ahead would give Leeds a huge boost in their bid to avoid relegation, with the January transfer window also providing the Whites with an opportunity to add some standout signings to help them secure their survival.

Where Leeds could strength in January

Even though there has been a dramatic upturn in form, when Farke once looked like a dead man walking, Leeds will still likely be active in the hectic window to come.

Indeed, rumours are already beginning to circulate that the Premier League newcomers have Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl on their radar as transfer season edges ever closer. Moreover, the relegation-threatened outfit has also been linked heavily with a move for AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez to bolster their centre-forward options.

Away from all this gossip, though, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also come out to state via his YouTube channel that Farke and Co have even made a concrete approach for an attacking playmaker in the form of Martin Baturina.

Romano stated: “In the last few days, Leeds has been in touch, the teams are starting to move.”

The £21m midfielder, who only signed for Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the summer, is struggling for consistent first-team minutes in Serie A at the moment. Yet, despite his predicament, he isn’t overly keen on a switch to West Yorkshire, according to Romano, with Como allegedly turning down the approach.

Still, transfer stories can change in the blink of an eye, so don’t write this one off completely.

How Baturina can become Farke's next Rutter

If Leeds were eventually successful in their mission to land the captivating 22-year-old, Farke could sign Leeds’ new version of Georginio Rutter, with the 15-time Croatia international capable of being a terrifying assist machine, much like the former number 24 was at Elland Road.

Rutter did manage to hammer home some memorable strikes when still situated at the Whites, with eight goals tallied up. But, it was his unerring ability to create chances for fun that made him really stand out as a fan’s favourite during his short, but sweet, 66-game stint at the club.

TalkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling would herald him as a “class act” at Leeds for the way he managed to make creating chances galore look effortless, with a bumper 18 assists coming his way across that string of matches.

In league action alone across the 2023/24 season, Rutter would muster up a ridiculous 22 big chances created, which led to the silky Frenchman securing himself a deserved £40m move to Brighton and Hove Albion.

While it hasn’t gone Baturina’s way at Como to date, with just one Serie A start handed to him by Fabregas this season leading to zero assists being tallied, it’s clear from his explosive time at Hadjuk Split that he has the same devastating ability to carve team opens that Rutter possesses.

Fabregas has already waxed lyrical about the 22-year-old’s “immense” nature to make things happen in “key moments” when first moving to Italy.

The clip above saw the £21m-rated midfielder calmly tee up his teammate for a golden opportunity in the Champions League back in 2024, with the assists flowing throughout his time at Split, leading to scout Jacek Kulig once hailing him as one of “the biggest talents” in Croatia.

League stats: Baturina vs Rutter

Stat

Baturina

Rutter

Games played

114

60

Goals scored

17

6

Assists

36

17

Big chances created

38

23

Stats by Sofascore

Albeit from a wider pool of matches than the Seagulls star, Baturina would see out his time in his native Croatia with a staggering 38 big chances created from 117 league contests, which trumps Rutter’s own creative prowess.

Analyst Ben Mattinson would weigh in with some praise of his own by stating that the new Como number 20’s passing range was “outstanding” throughout his much-talked-about Split stay, with Farke now hopeful – if a move can be pulled off – that Baturina can enhance Leeds’ attack even more, after the goals have started to come naturally against the likes of Chelsea and Arne Slot’s Reds.

Of course, there will also be a worry in the air that for £21m, Leeds are risking their money on a midfielder who hasn’t ignited into life in Serie A.

Still, the Whites were here before with Rutter when splashing the cash on him in a January window, and while it took time for him to acclimatise, he is now seen as a modern great. Could Baturina soon follow in his esteemed footsteps?

Related Leeds now make contact over signing "powerful" star who's been likened to Odegaard

He’s a wanted man.

Posts ByTom Cunningham 6 days ago

The New York Yankees lost at home to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. It was a nightmare game for the Yankees who saw Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony excel in his first game at Yankee Stadium.

Of course, Anthony couldn't have done it without some help and that's just what the Yankees gave him. Anthony's thrilling home run in the ninth was set up by a Yankees' error that extended the inning. They also committed three more errors in the second inning which resulted in the Red Sox's first run of the game.

And if the errors weren't enough, Yankees pitchers walked nine batters with starter Luis Gil issuing five of those.

If that sounds bad, that's because it is. Historically bad even.

It turns out the Yankees haven't committed four errors and walked nine batters in a home game in more than a century.

So what exactly happened on May 11, 1912? Well, the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Highlanders 9-5 at Hilltop Park. Cozy Dolan, Birdie Cree, George McConnell and Ed Sweeney were responsible for the four errors.

Hippo Vaughn, who would go to lead the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts in 1918 with the Cubs, particularly struggled out of the bullpen. Vaughn walked four batters, gave up three earned runs and failed to record an out. Maybe home plate umpire Silk O'Loughlin was squeezing him, but without ABS we may never know.

With the loss the '12 Highlanders were off to a 5-13 start. They would go on to finish 50-102 which remains the worst record in franchise history. Things were so bad that they closed Hilltop Park after the season and changed the team's name to the Yankees ahead of the 1913 season. The stadium, which had just opened in 1903, was demolished in 1914.

The last place where the Yankees committed more than four errors and walked more than nine batters is now the site of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Consider Yankee Stadium on notice.

His 7 for 69 from 24.3 overs follows Kasey Aldridge’s 180 and allows Somerset to enforce follow on

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-Sep-2025Hampshire 172 (Leach 7-69) and 35 for 1 (Middleton 8*, Vaughan 1-18) f/o trail Somerset 454 for 8 dec. (Aldridge 180, Abell 118, Overton 50*) by 247 runs A spin bowling masterclass from Somerset’s Jack Leach plunged relegation-threatened Hampshire into deeper trouble on the third day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.After the hosts had increased their first innings total from an overnight 381 for 7 to 454 for 8 declared, the left-arm spinner, overlooked in recent times by England, claimed 7 for 69 from 24.3 overs to help bowl out Hampshire for 172 and make them follow on.Kasey Aldridge was last man out in the Somerset innings for 180, having begun the day on 149, while Craig Overton finished unbeaten on 50.Hampshire made a better fist of things in their second innings, reaching 35 for 1 before rain and bad light ended play 15.1 overs early, but still face a backs-to-the-wall fight tomorrow to avoid what might prove a hugely damaging defeat.The first ball of the day, bowled by Keith Barker, saw Aldridge nudge the single needed to take him to a maiden 150, having faced 207 balls and hit 16 fours and five sixes. He and Overton were positive from the outset.Aldridge cut a boundary off James Fuller to take Somerset’s score past 400 and followed up with an upper cut six off the same bowler. Overton cleared the ropes off Abbott and Washington Sundar as the pair took their entertaining partnership to the century mark from 90 deliveries.The next target was to take the score to 450, which they achieved in the 103rd over to secure maximum batting points. Overton went to fifty off 42 balls and the only remaining question was the timing of the declaration.It came when Aldridge was run out by Nick Gubbins’ direct hit at the bowler’s end attempting a quick single to mid-off. The tall all-rounder, bound for Durham next season, had batted for more than four and a half hours, facing 233 balls and extending his boundary count to 20 fours and six sixes.Hampshire’s reply had reached 13 after five overs when Leach was introduced from the River End. His first over saw Ali Orr bowled between bat and pad by a delivery that turned considerably from outside the left-hander’s off stump.Soon it was 27 for 2 as Gubbins reverse swept Leach straight into the hands of Archie Vaughan at short third and three runs later Fletcha Middleton had his off stump clipped by Leach from a delivery that pitched on middle.Toby Albert launched two defiant sixes off Vaughan in moving to 29 before driving at a wide ball from the off-spinner and offering a straightforward return catch. Lunch was taken with Hampshire 61 for 4.Vaughan struck again after he and Leach had swapped ends in the afternoon session, bowling Ben Brown, on 21, as he attempted to cut.The accurate Leach was bowling some rippers and one accounted for Sundar. Having battled his way to 23, the India Test player pushed forward defensively to a ball that spun back through the gate and bowled him to make the score 102 for 6.Fuller tried to counter-attack and had made 24 off 17 balls when becoming Leach’s fifth victim, lbw sweeping. Barker was bowled for 19 attempting to reverse sweep Leach and Felix Organ top-edged a pull off a Vaughan long-hop to be caught at midwicket before Abbott lofted a catch to wide long-on to end the innings and give Leach season’s best figures.Tea was taken before Somerset enforced the follow-on. The tireless Leach, who played the last of his 39 Tests for England almost a year ago, took the new ball in tandem with Vaughan, while Tom Abell was off the field having suffered a jolting blow on the helmet when fielding at short-leg.Orr and Middleton took the score to 35 in the 22nd over when Orr fell for 27, struck on the back pad by a ball from Vaughan. Before the game could restart, the rain which had been forecast for much of the day finally arrived, much to Hampshire’s relief.

Manchester City return to action in the Premier League this afternoon as they welcome Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth to The Etihad.

The Cityzens booked their place in the last eight of the League Cup on Wednesday night with a 3-1 win against Championship side Swansea City away from home.

That night in Wales provided some players with an opportunity to show that they deserve to start in the Premier League, and Rayan Cherki grasped that chance with both hands.

The key change Pep must make to the Man City starting XI

France international, Cherki, came off the bench against Villarreal and Aston Villa in the last two games after returning from injury, and finally made a return as a starter against Swansea in the League Cup.

Cherki, as shown in the graphic, was incredibly influential in the 3-1 win over the Welsh outfit, with a staggering 119 touches across the 90 minutes, which led to him creating six chances for the team.

The French magician buried a composed finish into the bottom corner for his goal and played a slick pass through for Omar Marmoush to score in the second half.

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Cherki is not the only player who should keep his place in the starting line-up from the win, though, as Pep Guardiola should also unleash Marmoush from the start to make Erling Haaland completely unplayable.

Cherki is not the only Man City star who can make Haaland even better

Haaland has scored 11 goals in nine matches in the Premier League, five more than any other player in the division, so you could argue that he already looks unplayable.

However, the Norway international blanked against Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League, as he only had 0.23 xG worth of chances, with Savinho and Oscar Bobb on the flanks to support him.

Savinho and Bobb, who are goalless in the Premier League this season, did not create any ‘big chances’ between them, which is why Cherki and Marmoush should be unleashed alongside Haaland against the Cherries.

They could provide a tangible threat at the top end of the pitch that the other two forwards have been unable to, which could then create more chances and more space for Haaland because of the attention that they can draw from opposition defenders.

Marmoush, who scored against Swansea, has proven that he can provide a consistent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals, for Eintracht Frankfurt and since his move to Manchester City in January.

Omar Marmoush (24/25)

Bundesliga

Premier League

Appearances

17

16

xG

8.87

5.49

Goals

15

7

Minutes per goal

97

170

Big chances created

11

8

xA

4.14

2.12

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Egypt international produced 15 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 16 appearances in the Premier League last season, which shows that he hit the ground running in English football.

Marmoush, who was described as a “proper maverick” by analyst Ben Mattinson, also has good memories against today’s opponents, as he won the club’s Goal of the Season award with a sensational long-range strike.

The former Bundesliga star has the quality to be a real difference maker for the Cityzens, as evidenced by his statistics, and Cherki, given his output against Swansea, falls into the same bracket.

Their combined presence at the top end of the pitch against Bournemouth could draw some of the attention away from Haaland, giving him more space to work with, which could make him completely unplayable.

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Posts ByDominic Lund Oct 31, 2025

The Norwegian star is already the best striker in the Premier League, given his goal return this season, but selecting Cherki and Marmoush could take him to another level entirely.