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Wrexham, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney calling the shots, have been told what they must change in order to avoid a relegation scrap.

Records broken with three successive promotionsAdjusting to life in second tier of English footballParkinson advised to tinker with tactical approachFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons have enjoyed a meteoric rise, with the EFL history books being rewritten when celebrating three successive promotions. Hollywood co-owners have helped to lift the Welsh outfit into the second tier of English football.

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Competing in the Championship was always going to be difficult, even with big spending taken into account, and Wrexham have picked up four points from as many games at the start of the 2025-26 campaign. They have been warned that they could be dragged into a basement battle if Phil Parkinson does not tinker with his tactical approach.

WHAT GOODMAN SAID

Former Football League star turned pundit Don Goodman told : “If you look at those first five games in all competitions, they conceded 12 goals, so I think the clean sheet away at Millwall will please Phil Parkinson. It's been a baptism of fire. They found it tough. It may surprise some people that they’ve found it difficult because I think some people got a little bit carried away with this rise through the leagues. But I'm really confident it hasn't surprised Phil Parkinson. He would have understood the big, big gulf for most League One teams between League One and the Championship, and that's why there's been so many new signings.

“They've signed Ben Sheaf, and that just tells me there is a recognition that they need to change the way they go about things. Because I think in the Championship, you tend to be in a relegation battle if you're in the low 40s in terms of possession. That's where Wrexham are at, there's only a couple of teams that have had less than them.

“I think only Derby County and Oxford United at this point have averaged less possession than Wrexham, and neither of those two teams have won a game of football yet. The trend is usually that clubs with super low possession, and high thirties or low forties is super low, usually end up in a relegation fight. That is pretty factual, I would say. So, currently I do think that the gap remains similar because Wrexham have got work to do.”

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Goodman went on to say, with it being pointed out that Tom Brady’s Birmingham appear better suited to life in the Championship, as, after landing the League One title with 111 points last season, they like to see more of the ball: “Wrexham, on the other hand, you feel are going to have to adapt a little bit more. But when you look at them bringing in the likes of Conor Cody, Callum Doyle, Lewis O'Brien and Ben Sheaf, these are players with quality on the ball. I do think that Phil Parkinson will recognise that if he wants to win games and get points, they're going to have to control the ball. I'm not saying they need to have 55% of the ball, I'm saying there are pockets of games. where you're going to have control of things. I think the signings that they've made are maybe a slight recognition of that.”

Celtic have now opened talks to sign an “outstanding” striker, who’s open to a move to Parkhead this summer, according to a report.

Hoops looking to sign new goalscorer

The Hoops lost Kyogo Furuhashi during the January transfer window, with the Japanese striker signing for Rennes, meaning Brendan Rodgers could do with bringing in a new striker this summer, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Daizen Maeda’s future.

The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brentford and Fenerbahce could battle it out for the Japenese forward, who really stepped up in Kyogo’s absence last season, regularly providing goals and assists in all competitions.

Daizen Maeda 24/25

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Losing a forward who provided so many goal contributions last season would be a real blow for Rodgers, which is why the manager is desperate to keep hold of the 27-year-old, and the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are confident they can agree an extension.

However, the manager may also be keen to bring in an out-and-out striker this summer, and the Hoops are now stepping up their pursuit of a centre-forward who has already proven himself in the Scottish Premiership…

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Celtic have now opened talks with the agents of Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard over a potential return to Parkhead, and the Frenchman is said to be open to the move.

Edouard left the Scottish side for £15m back in 2021, and he could be available for a similar fee this summer, with Palace willing to sanction a departure, given that Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as their first-choice striker.

However, there may be some way to go before a deal can be agreed, as the Hoops are unwilling to fork out £15m up front and would prefer to loan the centre-forward until January initially, but a deal of that nature does not appeal to Palace.

"Outstanding" Edouard could be ideal signing for Celtic

The former Celtic star has already proven he has what it takes to be a key player for a top Scottish Premiership side, most notably performing remarkably well in the 2019-20 campaign, during which he picked up 22 goals and 10 assists in 27 league games.

In that season, the Kourou-born forward was described as an “outstanding, talented player” by Neil Lennon, while he also caught the eye in the Europa League, opening the scoring with a well-taken goal in his side’s 1-1 draw against FC Copenhagen.

Not only did the Palace forward impress under Lennon, but he also performed very well under Rodgers, netting 14 league goals in the 2018-19 campaign, so Rodgers will know he can trust his former player.

As such, Edouard could be the perfect addition for Celtic at striker, but the deal looks some way off completion as things stand, given their desire to sign him on an initial loan deal.

Newcastle United have yet to show their hand in the summer transfer market, though Eddie Howe and his transfer coterie are hard at work as they look to strengthen the first-team squad.

Heading back into the Champions League, the 2024/25 Carabao Cup champions are looking for new forwards.

João Pedro is the focus of expected talks with Brighton & Hove Albion, but Chelsea have also reportedly opened communications with a view toward signing the Brazilian forward.

Newcastle chasing new forward

It’s not just focal frontmen on the Tynesiders’ agenda. Howe needs more wingers to strengthen his side, and he is currently mulling over a move for one of the Premier League’s most prominent figures.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle are monitoring Jack Grealish’s situation at Manchester City as he prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

A host of further clubs – like Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A champions Napoli – are all keen, with Everton also interested in pursuing a loan move.

Given Pep Guardiola has issued confirmation of the Three Lions star’s looming exit, Newcastle may well find a smoother path toward agreeing on a financially acceptable deal, one that might set them back around £40m if prior reports are to be believed.

Why Newcastle should sign Grealish

When Manchester City signed Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021, they broke the British transfer record, landing the England international for a fixed £100m fee.

Not quite defined by his prolific output, Grealish’s grasp of the game’s technicalities, his faculty for tricks and flicks and a “little touch of magic”, as has been noted by journalist Henry Winter, set him apart from most other attacking midfielders, bringing something every bit as important as a rifle-crack shooting ability.

But something’s gone awry under Pep Guardiola’s leadership. Now, the 29-year-old is not so much a magician as a machine, limited to a mechanical, structured role that promotes possession play but has clipped the wings of a high-flying player.

Across 157 performances for Man City, Grealish has scored 17 goals and supplied 23 assists. Of course, he’s also won the treble (in perhaps his finest year at City), and many more titles besides.

Howe could bring him back to the fore. In fact, if the Newcastle boss can unlock the door which has barred Grealish’s better football, he might even find a new star man in attacking midfield, better even than Anthony Gordon.

Gordon is an electric and dynamic winger whose performances on Tyneside have been instrumental to the side’s success of recent years, but Grealish at his finest is a cut above.

The City star has a natural bent for the artful side of the game, and it grew his reputation to a record-breaking level at Aston Villa, earning him that mammoth move to Manchester.

Here we have Grealish’s Premier League data from his final season in a Villan shirt matched against Gordon’s from 2023/24, his first full term as a Magpie, when he was awarded the club’s Player of the Season.

Bringing power, energy and enthusiasm, Gordon was a “nightmare for anyone” he came up against, something he claimed himself while at EURO 2024.

That’s all well and good, but given that Grealish is the “closest thing to Paul Gascoigne” in the eyes of talkSPORT’s Troy Deeney, Howe might just find he could add a new attacking star who’s more nightmarish yet.

Grealish’s desire to win duels, outfox opponents and create for his teammates is exactly the kind of skill set Newcastle need, especially since their Merseyside-born winger has just come off a less-than-perfect year at St. James’ Park, posting six goals and six assists apiece in the Premier League.

Still, though rumours of Gordon’s summer sale float about, there’s no reason why these two mavericks can’t play in conjunction at Newcastle next season.

PIF’s current target earns a pretty penny, taking home £300k per week, and thus would need to reduce his earnings if he wants to find his finest football once again, but if he demonstrates the willingness to do so, who better than Howe to bring him back to his zenith as United look to build on their recent success?

Dream Gordon replacement: Newcastle eye up move for £40m "big-game player"

Newcastle might need to replace Gordon if he joins Liverpool

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 18, 2025

Leeds United have now joined the race to sign a £20m Championship star, who amassed more goals than fellow target Gustavo Hamer across the 2024-25 campaign, according to a report.

Leeds looking to raid Championship clubs after promotion

With Leeds securing the 2024-25 Championship title, they are now at liberty to raid some of their former rivals for their best players, and it appears as though that could well be one of the strategies heading into the summer transfer window.

Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer is one of the potential targets, with the Whites now said to be plotting a move for the Brazil-born midfielder, who missed out on promotion in gutting fashion, courtesy of Tommy Watson’s last-gasp winner for Sunderland.

It is little wonder that Daniel Farke’s side are keen on the 27-year-old, considering the level of his performances for the Blades, with the maestro regularly chipping in with goals and assists to fuel his side’s promotion charge.

However, Hamer is not the only Championship attacker on Leeds’ shortlist, with a report from The Sun stating they have now joined the race to sign Middlesbrough star Finn Azaz, alongside AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.

Michael Carrick will likely be unwilling to lose Azaz, given the level of his performances over the past two seasons, and he is thought to be valued at £20m, which means the Whites will have to shell out a sizeable fee for his services.

The Irishman is thought to be high on their shopping list, however, and a move to the Premier League could appeal to the attacking midfielder, given that he has certainly earned the chance to prove himself in the top flight.

Leeds now looking to sign "fantastic" £15m title-winner to replace Firpo

Daniel Farke’s side have set their sights on a new left-back, with Junior Firpo now “likely” to leave.

By
Dominic Lund

May 27, 2025

Azaz outperforming Hamer in the Championship

Indeed, at 24-years-old the maestro could be entering his prime years, and his performances in the Championship last season suggest he could make a real impact at Premier League level, collecting 12 goals and 11 assists in 45 outings.

The Ireland international outperformed Hamer in terms of attacking numbers, while also placing in the 83rd percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

As such, there was some controversy that the London-born attacker was overlooked for the end-of-season awards, but his omission likely relates to the fact that Middlesbrough finished in 10th place.

While Azaz’s attacking quality wasn’t enough to secure Boro a play-off spot, he could be a real difference-maker in Leeds avoiding relegation next season.

Everton narrowly lost against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon to make it back-to-back defeats in the Premier League for the first time since David Moyes’ return in January.

Though the Toffees have now lost three of their past five matches in the division, the context behind those defeats reveals they were against three of the top five (also falling against Liverpool and Manchester City) which each contest being closely contested.

However, the lack of goals sprouting from Moyes’ team makes a telling comment on the need for new parts across the attacking areas, with the latest non-showing from Jack Harrison all but confirming his expected departure at the end of the season.

Jack Harrison's performance vs Chelsea

Harrison scored four goals and provided three assists for Everton last season, hardly a lofty tally but decent enough, especially when considering his industrious approach.

But the Leeds United man has regressed on his second term at Goodison Park, and with his loan spell now approaching its final stages, it’s unlikely that Moyes will seek to activate a permanent clause.

One goal and one assist apiece this season isn’t good enough, with his latest struggle against Chelsea only further proving that he needs to be cut loose this summer, lest Everton fail to make the headway everyone is hoping for next year.

Minutes played

63′

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0

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0

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0 (0)

Accurate passes

8/16 (50%

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1

Possession lost

13x

Tackles + interceptions

1

Duels won

1/2

The fact that Moyes hooked the right winger just after the hour mark highlights his struggle, having been hemmed in his own half for the lion’s share of the first half. He did send one good pass Beto’s way, but it wasn’t enough to convince Moyes he could play a part in the late attacking flurry.

However, Everton’s issues don’t just centre around the frontal players. Indeed, The Friedkin Group must invest in a range of positions this summer if Bramley Moore is to reach the heights envisaged.

And that includes making upgrades in the defensive area, where Everton are at their strongest. That’s because Nathan Patterson proved it would be a risk to enter the 2025/26 season with him as the first-choice option at right-back.

Nathan Patterson showed why Everton need to spend

Patterson has struggled big time with injuries over the past several years, only making 58 appearances since joining from Rangers in a £16m deal back in January 2022.

Against Chelsea, the Scotsman, 23, made just his second Premier League start of the season and Moyes probably wasn’t all that impressed.

Noni Madueke completed four dribbles and won nine of his total 13 contested duels, largely finding success against the struggling Patterson.

The Liverpool Echo didn’t hold back when providing their assessment of the mismatch, branding the right-back with a 5/10 match rating after being run ragged by the sparkling Englishman.

With Michael Keane, Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young all ostensibly departing at the end of their contracts this summer, Everton are certainly going to need new defenders.

Though the likes of TEAMtalk have recently reported the Blues are scouring the market for potential centre-halves, Patterson’s rusty performance made a firm comment on the importance of signing a new right-back too, with Jake O’Brien called back into the middle following James Tarkowski’s season-ending hamstring injury.

Patterson’s shoddy injury record and consequent discordance on the field suggest that Everton need to sign a new right-back this summer.

Packing the frontline with fresh quality is the most obvious area in need of refurnishing, but TFG need to balance the summer outlay to ensure they can make real progress next year.

Their own Haaland: Everton eye "outrageous" star who’s outscoring Beto

Everton could sign “outrageous” star who could become their very own Haaland.

ByConnor Holden Apr 26, 2025

Much like their near Yorkshire neighbours in Leeds United, Sheffield United slipped up in the intense automatic promotion battle this weekend in the Championship.

Indeed, Chris Wilder travelled back to former employers Oxford United and was dealt a firm body blow in the form of a 1-0 loss, leading to Burnley jumping up to the top of the second tier at the away side’s expense.

Wilder will be particularly irked by the continued poor displays by £10m man Tom Cannon, with the attacker joining the building back in January with a reputation for being a goal machine, only to now be regularly fluffing his lines.

Cannon's poor displays at United

The £10m price tag that was instantly put above the 22-year-old’s head did have the potential to backfire against him, with the Irishman demanding that hefty fee off the back of a goal-laden loan spell with Stoke City.

Unfortunately for the automatic promotion hopefuls, Cannon’s blistering form in front of goal for the Potters – which saw him bag an impressive 11 strikes from 25 games – is yet to come to the forefront at Bramall Lane, with the United number 28 still goalless in his new location.

Instead of leading the line as United’s main marksman, Cannon has been reduced to a background figure for Wilder’s men, with just four starts coming his way from ten overall appearances.

Patience will have to be exercised on the end of the promotion chasers – considering the 22-year-old cost such a lavish amount to bring in – but they must rue selling this former attacker now who could well have been the club’s original Cannon.

Sheffield United sold the original Tom Cannon

Thankfully for Wilder and Co, other attackers have stepped up to the mark whilst Cannon flounders, with Tyrese Campbell boasting ten goals for the season now as the Blades’ star striker.

But, the United boss wouldn’t say no to having Daniel Jebbison back at his disposal as another exciting attacking option, with plenty expected of the Canadian forward when he was still situated in South Yorkshire.

After all, in a similar fashion to Cannon, Jebbison was tipped for big things from a very young age, with the then 17-year-old attacker tapping home this effort in the Premier League way back in 2021.

Helping himself to a stunning six goals from six games in the U18 structure too – much like Cannon who fired home a ridiculous 28 goals for the Everton U18s – Jebbison must have been anticipating that this strike against Everton would catapult him into stardom at Bramall Lane, but his reality would unfortunately play out much differently.

The one-time Canada international would only go on to amass two more goals for United from a further 33 first-team outings, before he was sold on to AFC Bournemouth in 2024 to bring his long-standing association with his boyhood club to a close.

Now out on loan at Watford, United must wonder if Jebbison could be the goalscoring machine they desire in the here and now if he was back on their roster, with his national team manager in Jesse Marsch recently stating that the 21-year-old still possesses “massive potential.”

Annoyingly, Jebbison never exiting might well have saved United significant amounts of cash in buying Cannon, but Wilder will pray he can get a tune out of the former Leicester City man sooner rather than later, as huge games come thick and fast in the brutal promotion race.

Sheffield United eye move to sign "brilliant" 21 y/o from Yorkshire rivals

Chris Wilder is looking to bolster his squad depth at Sheffield United.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Apr 6, 2025

By design, as well as some strokes of luck, he might have found just the right spot in the starting XI that he can thrive in

Sidharth Monga08-Jun-20241:30

Pant: ‘Get goosebumps just wearing Indian jersey again’

The pitches at the nets in Hicksville, New York are just as spicy as the ones in the ground at Westbury, New York. Over the last few days, the South African batters have been practical and have faced little of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, who have been asked to bowl in an empty net. On Friday, Rohit Sharma was hit by one that reared off a length and after a while went to the other end to take throwdowns. Virat Kohli has been showing his class against some tough bowling before trying to hit out in the second half of his nets sessions.Amid all this, one batter has been fighting it out relentlessly. Rishabh Pant has perhaps taken the most blows in the Cantiague Park nets, but he has continued to bat despite the pain. He was also the only one from the main XI that turned up for India’s optional nets a day before their first match of this T20 World Cup. Despite all the blows, he is just having fun. He started today’s session batting right-hand against the spinners before the rest of the team joined in. He went back to his left-hand stance for the nets, but that didn’t stop him from turning into a right-hand batter and play outrageous shots. Just like the one he played to end the last match: a reverse ramp to a fast bowler straight over the keeper’s head for a six.You watch Pant swinging the bat so hard, generating such bat speed that sometimes he ends up sweeping himself off his feet, and you can’t help but feel the gratitude he must be feeling that he is able to do all these outrageous things again after his horrific accident a year and a half ago. To do so for India in a World Cup is no less than a miracle. On top of that, in both of India’s matches – a warm-up game against Bangladesh and their first match in the tournament proper – Pant has been the best batter on view.Related

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Before the IPL started, when Pant started his comeback, India didn’t even have Pant in their plans. You can’t blame them. Once he showed his form, though, and once Jitesh Sharma lost form, Pant was back in. By accident or design, Pant has solved one structural problem, and also found himself his best batting slot.India came into this World Cup having to sacrifice the left-hand opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in order to accommodate Shivam Dube’s disruptive hitting in the middle. That did leave India susceptible to a slow start against left-arm spin. Having batted in the top three only 11 times out of 66 for India, Pant was not the natural option to open. Even for Delhi Capitals in his comeback year, Pant hardly batted in the top three.India, though, came up with the most practical solution. They picked the left-hand keeper from the two available, and pushed Suryakumar Yadav down to throw in a left-hand batter in the top three. The plan seems to be this: Rohit plays aggressively even against less-than-ideal match-ups, and Pant takes over should Rohit perish trying to do that.Rishabh Pant has been relentless at practice sessions•ICC via Getty ImagesBatting coach Vikram Rathour was asked if Pant was thrown in there because he is a left-hand batter. “He has been batting really well,” Rathour said. “The two games he has played, he has looked really, really good. So yes, at the moment he is our No. 3, and it helps that he is the left-hander.”By accident, it opens up an avenue for Pant, who started out as an opener and prefers to take a little bit of time before he starts attacking. Batting at No. 3 gives him that semi-luxury. Also, the conditions so far haven’t called for ultra-aggressive batting, and it seems it will be the case for the rest of the tournament.If you watch Pant’s interview about his comeback on Star Sports, you can sense the frustration and the desperation he went through in the period that he was out. With such accidents, you always start out being thankful you are still alive but that anger soon kicks in when you need assistance even to get up. Then once you start being self-dependent, you feel frustrated you can’t do what you used to do. And you have to repeat the same boring steps to recovery every day.Pant has managed to conquer all that, and has beaten every clock to come back on the international cricket field so quickly. He deserves these small strokes of luck that have produced just the spot in the starting XI that he can thrive in.

And how many batters have managed a hundred in each Test of a three-match series?

Steven Lynch04-Jul-2022Has anyone scored as many runs as Jonny Bairstow in the New Zealand series at a higher run rate? asked Mike Bullivant from England

In the three Tests against New Zealand, Jonny Bairstow scored 394 runs from 328 balls, a rate of 120.12 per 100 balls. No one has scored more runs in a series more quickly: the nearest is Bairstow’s current captain Ben Stokes, with 109.01 – 411 from 377 balls – in South Africa in 2015-16.The only man known to have scored 300 runs in a Test series at a faster rate is Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, who hammered 330 off 272 balls – 121.32 per 100 – at home against India in 2005-06. For the full list, click here (note that an asterisk, such as the one against Clive Lloyd’s run-rate figure, means our data is incomplete).I noticed that in a shortish career as opener, John Campbell has been at the crease several times when West Indies have won a Test. Which opener has done this most often? asked Davo Kissoondari from Guyana

The West Indian opener John Campbell may have played only 20 Tests so far, but has now been at the crease six times when the winning hit was made, including both matches against Bangladesh last month. This compares well with a rather more famous Jamaican opener, Chris Gayle, who was also in at the end of a West Indian win on six occasions – but played 103 Tests in all.Only eight openers have been batting at the moment of victory in more Tests, and the fewest matches any of them played was 74 (Michael Slater, who was there for seven wins). Another famous West Indian leads the way by some distance – Desmond Haynes was at the crease at the end of 18 Test victories. Matthew Hayden was there for 11, and Gordon Greenidge for ten.Haynes’ 18 is the most by anyone, opener or not: Ricky Ponting is second with 13, while Jacques Kallis was in at the moment of victory on 12 occasions.Daryl Mitchell scored a century in each match of the England series. How many people have done this? asked Kelly McLeod from New Zealand

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell was the seventh man to score a century in each match of a three-Test series, following Ken Barrington (England vs Pakistan in 1967), Shoaib Mohammad (Pakistan vs New Zealand in 1990-91), Matthew Hayden (Australia vs South Africa in 2001-02), Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan vs West Indies in 2006-07), Ross Taylor (New Zealand vs West Indies in 2013-14) and Virat Kohli (India vs Sri Lanka in 2017-18).But two men have scored a century in each match of a four-Test series: Kallis, for South Africa against West Indies in 2003-04, and Steven Smith, for Australia vs India in 2014-15.No one has managed a hundred in each match of a five-Test series: Clyde Walcott did score five centuries for West Indies in the home series against Australia in 1954-55, but two of them came in the second Test in Port-of-Spain.Jacques Kallis made a hundred in each of the four Tests against West Indies in 2003-04•Touchline/Getty ImagesApparently only one Englishman has made two full Ashes tours of Australia and not played a Test there – who is he? asked Norman Davis from England

There’s only one man who fits the bill here – but he isn’t, strictly speaking, an Englishman! The tall Northamptonshire fast bowler David Larter toured down under in 1962-63 and 1965-66, but couldn’t force his way into the Test side on either tour. He was born in Inverness, in Scotland, but his family moved to Suffolk when he was ten.Larter did have some success in the ten Tests he managed between injury problems, taking 37 wickets, with a best of 5 for 57 – and nine in the match – on debut against Pakistan at The Oval in 1962.Northamptonshire wicketkeeper Laurie Johnson rated him highly. Interviewed for Larter’s 2021 biography Bowling Fast, he summed up: “It was always interesting keeping to David Larter, as he was different from other quick bowlers in that he could extract bounce from a length. He was a great trier and, on his day, when everything clicked and conditions were in his favour, he could be as quick as Frank Tyson (for whom I used to stand back the full length of the wicket).”Recurring injuries proved too much in the end, at a time when off-field support was less sophisticated than it is now. The unfortunate Larter retired from county cricket in 1967, still only 27. “It was useless trying to carry on,” he wrote. “I played only four games last summer because of a damaged left ankle, and it broke down again in our knockout cup game against Bedfordshire. If I can’t stand up for one match it’s pointless trying to play in three-day games. My ankle will just not stand being jarred.”It didn’t quite happen at Edgbaston, but when was the last time the captain batted at No. 11 in a Test? asked Rajendra Sharma from India

It didn’t happen at Edgbaston because India’s Jasprit Bumrah, in his first match as captain, went in at No. 10 rather than his customary 11 – and did rather well, breaking the record for most runs in an over in a Test.The last captain to go in last in a Test was Sri Lanka’s Suranga Lakmal, against England in Pallekele in 2018-19. The last to do it regularly was Courtney Walsh, on 14 occasions for West Indies in the late 1990s.For the full list, click here (this includes some innings where the captain was injured or did not bat).Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

West Indies quick talks about how he never takes his spot for granted, Patriots’ chances in the CPL and more

Matt Roller12-Aug-2020He has played in every one of their last 20 T20Is, but Sheldon Cottrell admits that he still doesn’t feel like an automatic pick in the West Indies side in the shortest format.Cottrell, the left-arm seamer, is one of the few automatic picks in West Indies’ first-choice T20I bowling attack as things stand, with back-to-back World Cups coming up in 2021 and 2022. But heading into the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he will represent St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Cottrell feels that he cannot simply rest on his laurels.”What I’ve gotten my success in the West Indies team from is saying to myself that my spot is not sure,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “That mentality keeps me fighting. I’m always going to fight.”I wouldn’t say that I’m a sure pick, no. Performances speak for themselves, so once I put them in, I’m going to keep my place.”For Cottrell, the dream of playing in a T20 World Cup final and helping West Indies defend their title feels within touching distance. Back in 2016, when they beat England in the final, Cottrell had only a handful of international caps to his name, and was at home watching with his family.”I was in my living room with my family, TV on loud,” he recalled. “I’m the one who has to teach my family about the game, and when Carlos [Brathwaite] hit the first six, everyone erupted like the game had been won.”Me being a fan of the game, I was sitting there like: OK, I know this can change in the blink of an eye. But when he hit that last six? Oh my god. Everyone erupts. We were drinking, laughing – it was like we were there.”I can imagine being in a final, and I would think about the fans, looking back at how happy my family and I were at the time. All those emotions and all that happiness would be a joy for me to bring to all of them. Winning that would be beyond my dreams.”

“I’m the type of person who creates his own energy. Most times, the fans don’t matter to me on the field, because I’m so focused and zoned in on my job and what I have to do.”Sheldon Cottrell

Cottrell returned to small-group training in Jamaica a month or so ago, and soon got over the initial aches and pains that came after a long break. He will be leading the attack for Patriots in the CPL, with significant expectations on his shoulders after they were hit by the withdrawals of Fabian Allen (missed flight), Rassie van der Dussen (travel difficulties), Dennis Bulli (Covid-19 positive) and Sunny Sohal (family reasons), plus a late change to their coaching staff.”I’ve had a lot of rest, so my mind is in a wonderful place right now,” Cottrell said. “Jamaica’s a beautiful place and I haven’t been at home for this long for the past two or three years. I’ve had the chance to explore and relax my mind – just set my mind into a good place.”I’ve been more disciplined in my training, mainly in areas that I haven’t had a chance to work on while playing. This is one of the positives of all this – I’ve gotten to strengthen some areas that the time wasn’t there for while playing.”During the lockdown, I’ve been thinking about things that I can do and since I’m back bowling now, I’m going to put them into play. I’ve got a couple of deliveries I’ve been working on – I don’t want to give too much away. But even if I start with the new ball, I’ve got a few things up my sleeve.”Following the CPL, Cottrell will travel to the UAE to fulfil his $1million contract with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, a tournament that he describes as “every modern-day cricketer’s dream”. He admitted that it would be strange in both tournaments to play without fans, but thinks that he can “create his own energy” to avoid any dip in performance.”How am I going to feel? Playing without spectators is something new for most international cricketers, but I’m the type of person that’ll put in 110% no matter what, so I’m not too worried about that.”I’m the type of person who creates his own energy. Most times, the fans don’t matter to me on the field, because I’m so focused and zoned in on my job and what I have to do. Whenever I salute, it’s all about passion and respect for my military colleagues: I didn’t start out doing it for the fans.”And as for the Patriots’ chances? “It’s a well-rounded team. I’ll be realistic: we’re pushing for the top four and will take it from there, but we have a strong team with the inclusion of Chris Lynn and Ish Sodhi.”Alzarri Joseph too, he’s a cool customer. There’s nothing too hype about him, but he’s gone from strength to strength. With what he’s been through in his personal life, I feel for him, and I can see that he’s a strong person. He’ll be trying to put his hand up.”

Kagiso Rabada’s performance at Lord’s was exactly what is expected of a big player in a big match

Firdose Moonda11-Jun-20251:11

Steyn: Why Rabada proved key to Australia’s collapse

Kagiso Rabada insisted he would not be “Mr I Apologise too much” after his recreational drug ban and showed he has nothing to be sorry about when it comes to his bowling. His performance at Lord’s was exactly what is expected of a big player in a big match: intimidating, incisive, and laced with unplayable deliveries that cut through the opposition.In the immediate aftermath of day one of the WTC final, you may read that line and think it’s more suited to the Australia attack given the way things ended, but save some headspace for a nod on how it started.Rabada set the tone with the very first ball. It jagged away from Usman Khawaja and beat his outside edge. For the next three overs, Khawaja did not even attempt to score a run as Rabada tested him with “pace, bounce and movement”, the three things the man himself says are his best attributes. The trick is not simply having them, it’s “doing those things consistently”, as Rabada put it in the post-match press conference.Related

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He didn’t concede a run until his 20th ball when Marnus Labuschagne managed to tuck him away to square leg. Next ball, Rabada squared Khawaja up, drew his edge, and David Bedingham took a fine catch at first slip. Rabada was away. Three balls later, Cameron Green went the same way and South Africa, through Rabada, were bossing the early exchanges.The wickets are what will get him on the honours board but it was some of the deliveries in between that really wowed. In the second over of his second spell, Rabada bisected Beau Webster with a ball that hit the seam, snuck through his bat-pad gap, and passed just over the top of the middle stump. Then there was the wicket which should have been. Full and fast, Rabada hit Webster, on 4, on the back pad and half-appealed with no support.South Africa must have heard a hard sound, as Webster hit his own pad, and thought it was an inside edge. They didn’t push the issue but replays showed it was plumb.Rabada found out moments later. “Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg and he said it was out and I was like, ‘oh man’. It is a bit annoying,” Rabada said. “He didn’t start off too well there. It looked like he was going to get out any ball, but his positive intent got him through. Cricket’s a funny game.”1:45

‘Pretty cool to have it in the home changeroom’ – Rabada on his 5-fer

In the next over, Rabada beat Webster’s inside and outside edges and he’s right in saying it looked as though a nick-off was imminent. It came, but only much later. That Webster survived that spell from Rabada makes his 72 even more deserving and asks questions of whether the change bowlers in South Africa’s attack, especially Lungi Ngidi, backed up their new-ball pair well enough.Ngidi’s eight overs cost 45 runs and he looked rusty. That South Africa picked him over Dane Paterson, who came off an excellent home summer and has 180 wickets at an average of 23 for Nottinghamshire, remains questionable but Rabada was never going to be the one to answer for that. Asked if he’d have any advice for Ngidi, he said he would, “just tell him to have a good night’s sleep, have a nice steak and a nice milkshake, watch a movie and come back tomorrow”.Rabada didn’t say it, but he and Ngidi will hope they don’t have too much to do on the second day. If they do, they will want to do it more like Rabada did.ESPNcricinfo LtdHis final riposte was to run through the Australia tail with precision. He got one to straighten on Pat Cummins, who exposed his off stump and was bowled, removed Webster, and bowled Mitchell Starc to complete his second successive five-for at Lord’s.Rabada was received by former captain Graeme Smith, who is working as a commentator, on the boundary edge and was hugged before he was interviewed. The emotion was obvious. Rabada described his achievement as “really special” and quickly deflected the attention off himself and on to the bigger picture. “It means a lot for me to play for South Africa, I give my all each and every time.”Does it mean more than equalling Allan Donald on South Africa’s Test wicket-takers’ list? Though Rabada called Donald “a legend” when speaking to Smith and said afterwards that he was “inspired by those who’ve come before”, there is a distinct sense that this will mean a lot less if South Africa don’t walk away with something from this game. Especially as they got themselves off to an excellent start and sent hope soaring in what felt like a home crowd.Kagiso Rabada acknowledges the crowd’s support after his five-for•ICC via Getty ImagesWith South Africans filling the stands, Rabada received applause and his own version of the Seven Nation Army chant. Ninety minutes later, there was silence as Wiaan Mulder and Temba Bavuma barely scored a run. That swing in South Africa’s fortunes has already made this Test gripping.”In Test cricket there’s always nerves,” Rabada said. “Dealing with it is about understanding what the bottom line is, and the bottom line is if you’re a bowler, try to bowl a good line and length; as a batter, it’s about keeping the good ball out and scoring off it or scoring off balls that are not quite there and missed executions from the bowler. That’s the bottom line. So everything else is just noise.”South Africa’s bottom line at the end of day one is that even after Rabada did Rabada things, they were 169 runs behind and four of their top five have been dismissed. The captain and the lower-middle order have a massive task on their hands on a surface that is doing a lot, and seemed to do more once the clouds had cleared. All Rabada can do now is look for reasons that might change, for his batters’ sake.”The ball was nipping quite a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot, but I still felt like batters could get in,” he said. “If you just bowled well and got more balls in the right area for a long period of time, then that’s when you could create chances. But with this ball getting older, hopefully we can score some runs.”