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David Masters proved there is life in the old dog yet with seven wickets to strengthen Essex’s hold at the top of Division Two

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Chelmsford31-Aug-2016
ScorecardDavid Masters picked up five wickets in 32 balls before lunch•NurPhoto/Getty ImagesThere is an air of expectancy around Chelmsford these days. Not only are they top of Division Two, eyes set on the sole promotion spot, but their team possesses the perfect blend of youth and experience. Their Championship performances have eclipsed those in recent seasons and, as a bonus to winning games, they are doing so in style. For an Essex fan, it makes uncomfortable viewing.For the last few years they have had to temper expectations. Previous dawns have been false. Any calm a precursor to an unforeseen yet expected storm. At least in their eyes. In 2013, when Ben Foakes, now of Surrey, helped save Essex’s blushes against Kent with a composed 86 – his highest score at the time – one fan shouted up to the player’s balcony as a wide-eyed Foakes, knowing only of Essex, was being interviewed: “Well played Foakesy, but you’ll leave like the rest of ’em!” Twice in this match you got the feeling some felt more comfortable in that default state of self-mocking .The first was a period after lunch, when Ben Cox led a Worcestershire charge, ably supported by George Rhodes, which saw boundaries flashed through the off side at will, as 94 was put on at over four an over. “This would be so Essex,” grumbled one fan sat in the sun-soaked stand opposite the Pavilion.Those five words came to mind when Nick Browne pressed forward and left a delivery from Joe Leach, who got one to move into the left-hander enough to strike his pad in front of the stumps. Off he went with the scoreboard gleaming 1 for 1. But as the dominant passages that engulfed those two blips indicated, even the most pessimistic fan would have left with a smile. Who knows, they may have joined the gaggle of well-oiled punters screeching “There’s only one David Masters” as Chelmsford closed up for the evening.Masters’ undying love

David Masters: “I’m getting a bit older now and can’t play as many games, so when I am playing I’m generally fresh. They’ve looked after me well this year and I’ve played when they’ve needed me to play and hopefully I don’t disappoint. I still love it. My body takes a bit more of a battering now and it takes me a bit more time to recover. I still love playing, I love bowling and I enjoyed today.”
Matt Mason, Worcestershire assistant coach: “I think our captain Daryl Mitchell summed it up in the dressing room just then when he said it was a very, very disappointing day. He’s not very happy with us as you can imagine. We probably lacked a bit of application with the bat, particularly early on with some soft dismissals in there. And that last session was probably the poorest we have had as a bowling unit this year, so not an ideal day.”

After a sedate start, with Daryl Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira reaching 35 for none, it was David Masters who produced a remarkable spell which saw him take five wickets in the space of 32 balls, for the concession of just two runs.The first three fell in the 13th over, Masters’ second running from Hayes Close, as Ryan ten Doeschate asked the 38-year-old to try his luck from the less favourable end. D’Oliveira gave ten Doeschate a catch at bat-pad, Tom Fell overbalanced to the off side and was struck in front before Joe Clarke misjudged the line badly enough to be bowled past his outside edge, despite the ball moving in. Worcestershire skipper Mitchell was then given out lbw for the fourth before Ross Whiteley was bowled through the gate to hand Masters his first Championship five-wicket haul since 2014.It was from 48 for 5 where Rhodes and Cox’s resistance began, but both raised half-centuries. Cox in particular looked in fine touch, bringing up his with 11 fours, compared to Rhodes, who took the steady approach to raise a second fifty of the season, off 107 balls. But one drive too many from Cox saw him caught at cover to give Jamie Porter his 50th Championship wicket of the season. Further help from Leach allowed Worcestershire to breach 200, before he and West Indies quick Miguel Cummins, on Worcestershire debut, gave Masters his sixth and seventh wicket of the innings, respectively.The wicket of Browne was as good as it got for Worcestershire’s bowlers, who toiled till close and were jeered off by a partisan group who had made full use of the hospitality bar to the left of the Pavilion. Tom Westley’s unbeaten innings of 58 provided them with some late entertainment, as he registered a 10th score of fifty or more with some gorgeous shots through midwicket, a pair of straight drives taking him to 51 from 74 deliveries. The knock also made him the first Essex batsman to pass 1000 Championship runs this season (the first time he has achieved the feat).It feels like most of those runs have come with England captain Alastair Cook watching on from the other end, something which will undoubtedly work in his favour when Cook sits down with selectors to determine the make-up of the Test squad to tour this winter. Cook himself looked in good order, unbeaten on 43. However, he should not have made it past 12 when Leach, the pick of the visiting bowlers, drew him into a poke outside off stump. The chance, presented to Rhodes at third slip, was put down.

Chelsea are set for a short pre-season after winning the Club World Cup final, with just five weeks separating their 3-0 win over PSG in New Jersey and their first Premier League game of 2025/2026 against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea hold talks with £100k-per-week England star this week

Enzo Maresca is prioritising one key area.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 17, 2025

They have scheduled just two pre-season matches as a result of their CWC triumph, needing to fit a holiday in for both players and staff after what was a successful but very long campaign.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea will take on both Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan on August 8 and August 10 respectively, but as things stand, these are the only friendlies they’ll play before facing Palace in the top flight a week later.

It remains to be seen how Enzo Maresca’s side will fare given their minimal preparation, but the Italian did get a chance to try out new tactics during their CWC campaign in the US.

He also managed to give some of his major summer signings a run-out. Joao Pedro seriously impressed at the tournament in particular, scoring three goals in three CWC games, including a brace in their semi-final against Fluminense and a goal in the final against PSG.

Despite Chelsea’s need to sell players and balance out the squad due to a pact with UEFA (Kaveh Solhekol), Maresca could still add more fresh faces before their new season kicks off against Palace.

This will be dependent on departures (Simon Phillips), but perhaps Djordje Petrovic’s £25 million move to Bournemouth has freed up space for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to come in.

The France number one was a serious target for Chelsea earlier in the window, and they tried to complete a deal for him before competing in the CWC. However, Milan and Chelsea failed to find an agreement, despite Maignan’s eagerness to join.

Despite reports to the contrary, Chelsea could go back in for Maignan before deadline day on September 1, with Robert Sanchez also told he’s free to find a new club away from Stamford Bridge (Graeme Bailey).

Mike Maignan very keen to join Chelsea, he's a top target

TEAMtalk have another update on the situation this week, claiming Maignan remains a top target for Chelsea.

The 30-year-old is also “enthusiastic” about joining Maresca’s side this summer, even if negotiations previously failed, with the main roadblock being Milan’s £22 million asking price – a figure deemed too high by Chelsea considering both his age and his contract situation.

However, given Maignan’s pedigree as one of world football’s most commanding shot-stoppers, £22 million is surely a price worth paying – especially if they sell Sanchez.

Every title-winning side in history have one thing in common – the presence of a world-class keeper. Maignan, who’s been lavished with praise by his fellow top-level players, arguably stands out as the best option by far this summer.

“He is physical, quick, he has clean technique. He is very strong. He is one of the best in the world,” said Liverpool keeper Alisson about Maignan’s quality.

“The quality of goalkeepers has really increased – Mike Maignan is within this elite.”

Ricardo Pepi has revealed why he picked the USMNT over Mexico at senior international level after being offered opportunities by both nations.

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El Paso native boasts dual nationalityKept his options open as a teenagerNow committed to the U.S. causeWHAT HAPPENED?

The talented striker, who is now playing his club football at Eredivisie giants PSV, attended training camps for the United States and Mexico at U17 level. His potential was clear for all to see, with an MLS debut for FC Dallas taken in at just 16 years of age.

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El Paso native Pepi continued to be courted by the U.S. and El Tri before eventually choosing to represent the country of his birth – with a senior debut for the USMNT taken in against Honduras on September 8, 2021.

WHAT PEPI SAID

Explaining why he sided with the United States, Pepi has told the podcast: “It was always a difficult decision growing up, having to go with the U.S. national team or the Mexican. It was always a decision that I knew someday I was going to have to take. It was something that I always had in my head. I was always thinking about it. Then came both national teams when it was time to make that decision. I talked to my parents and was like ‘what do you guys think?’ They were like ‘no matter what team you pick, we’ll be with you and will support you 100 per cent. The day you pick the U.S. we are going to take off the Mexican jerseys and put on the USA one, or the day you pick the Mexico national team we are going to get the Mexican national team jersey and leave the USA one behind’. It was something that I was thinking about the opportunities that both national teams gave me and the path they had for me. It was just easy to be able to decide. The U.S. wanted me to join them in the World Cup qualifiers, which is something that is a big deal – qualifying for the World Cup. It’s a unique opportunity, being at a World Cup, and something that I didn’t even have to think about because Mexico wanted me to play for the U20s and eventually make my way up to the first team. I was like ‘I’m past that’, so eventually the U.S. gave me the better opportunities so it was easy to decide where I wanted to go.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PEPI?

Pepi, who is now playing Champions League football after completing a transfer to PSV in the summer of 2023, is up to 22 caps for the USMNT. He was left out of their 2022 World Cup squad, but does have 10 international goals to his name and will be hoping to figure prominently in CONCACAF Nations League and Copa America campaigns during 2024.

Sean Dyche defended Amadou Onana after his weak penalty led to Everton's heartbreaking shootout defeat to Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

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Everton crashed out of Carabao CupOnana & Idrissa Gueye missed from the spot in shootoutDyche defended the duo after failed spot-kicksWHAT HAPPENED?

The Toffees suffered a heart-wrenching exit from the cup competition after losing in a dramatic penalty shootout against Fulham. Onana's shockingly weak effort was saved by Fulham's Bernd Leno, leading to Everton's fourth penalty shootout defeat in six years. Idrissa Gueye hit the post in sudden death before Tosin Adarabioyo's successful penalty propelled Fulham into their first League Cup semi-final with a 7-6 victory after the two teams were locked at 1-1 after regulation time.

Onana has been criticised for his approach to taking the penalty, but Dyche defended him and instead hailed his courage to step up and take responsibility in a crunch moment.

AdvertisementWHAT SEAN DYCHE SAID

Talking to reporters, Dyche said: "Everyone has a style of penalty which they think can score. His record has been very strong in all the rounds and when we’ve practised them. That’s his style. If you are brave enough to get up there and take one then you have to be brave enough for the consequences.

"The first question is always who doesn’t want to take one. Simple as that because you need to want to take one. I’m pleased to say the whole group said they would take one. It is the moment of truth: the ball’s there, you have to put it in the net.”

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Dyche believes that his Everton players deserve a pat on their backs for their performance despite bowing out of the tournament. "I thought the performance was another strong one," he said. "We didn't find the true quality in the end of lots of good moves, we got into some really good positions but I'm not going to question that, lately we've been very good at that. The general performance was very strong again, having to change the style and move people. Jarrad [Branthwaite] was excellent playing at left-back, Jimmy Garner was tremendous higher up the pitch.

"There were still some very strong signs of what we're doing. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay you back tonight but it will do over the rest of the season as long as we stick with the principles and keep delivering performances like that."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Everton were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in a penalty shootout for the fourth time in six years. The Toffees have never won the competition, but did finish as runners-up in both 1977 and 1984.

Mauricio Pochettino is eyeing a Chelsea swoop for highly rated Arsenal teen Ethan Nwaneri during the summer transfer window.

What’s the latest on Ethan Nwaneri to Chelsea?

That’s according to The Evening Standard, who claim that Chelsea, alongside Manchester City, are fighting it out to land the teen sensation during the transfer window.

His schoolboy registration runs out on Friday, meaning the Gunners have until then to agree scholarship terms with the 16-year-old and they face competition from the Blues and City, with the report indicating that these are the two clubs who are renowned for being the highest payers when it comes to academy talents.

With Arsenal making an offer to Nwaneri, it will be up to Pochettino to improve on that and outline his thoughts for the youngster over the coming years.

Who is Ethan Nwaneri?

The teen starlet made his Arsenal debut aged just 15 last September against Brentford, becoming the youngest-ever player to make their Premier League debut in the process.

He was lauded as a “wonderkid” by talent scout Jacek Kulig following this momentous occasion, whilst his former Arsenal U18s coach Dan Micciche also lavished praise on the teen after his impressive debut for the U18s against Reading, saying:

"He's someone very highly thought of here as there are other boys at Hale End as well.

"I trusted him to perform today and he got two assists. Knowing him, he will leave here disappointed that he has not scored a goal or he's misplaced a few passes because he's got that champion mentality."

This mentality could stand the 5 foot 10 gem in good stead and if he did make the move to the Stamford Bridge outfit, he could very well become the next Ashley Cole.

Having emerged from Hale End, Cole went onto become the first-choice left-back under Arsene Wenger between 2000 and 2006, before departing the club to join Chelsea in the summer of 2006.

He made over 200 appearances for the Gunners, but the lure of money and chances of winning the Champions League were too much to turn down for the 107-cap star and although Cole was one of the finest defenders in Europe when he left Arsenal, Pochettino will be aiming to pinch another talented player off the club in the form of Nwaneri this summer.

The move could turn heads, yet over the coming years, it may very well pay dividends for the Argentinian as he aims to significantly bolster the young talent available to him at Chelsea and in Nwaneri, they have one of the most promising gems in England.

Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, with the defender impressing Old Trafford scouts last season.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag have been productive so far this summer despite the ongoing takeover saga involving the Glazers in the background.

Big-money moves for midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana have been finalised, whereas centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund looks set to be the next to arrive.

United submitted a player-plus-cash offer last month, however, Atalanta have been holding out for a cash-only deal, with a package worth around €70m now agreed between the two clubs.

Hojlund has already agreed on a five-year deal in Manchester and is travelling on Tuesday to undergo a medical and finalise a transfer.

Read The Latest Man United Transfer News HERE…

After the Denmark international, it appears as if another new midfielder could be on the cards for United and Ten Hag in Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat. The 26-year-old is into the final 12 months of his contract with the Serie A side, and reports have claimed that a £26m deal is close.

Should Hojlund and Amrabat complete deals for the fees mentioned, United’s summer spend would be pushing £200m, however, it may not be the end of the club’s business.

The Daily Mail shared a transfer round-up on Monday and looked at potential defensive additions at Old Trafford. They name-checked Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo as an option but said Branthwaite is a surprise name on the Old Trafford radar.

“Everton's left-sided centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who impressed scouts while on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season, is a surprise name that has been floated.”

Who is Jarrad Branthwaite?

Branthwaite is 21 years of age and is a left-footed centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €10m Transfermarkt valuation. He made the move to Everton back in 2020 from Carlisle United and has made 13 senior appearances for the Toffees, scoring once.

During his time on Merseyside, Branthwaite has been sent out on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship and was with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven last season, turning out on 36 occasions.

The defender has been hailed as a ‘terrific footballer’ by his former Carlisle United manager Steven Pressley, who believes he will go on to play for England.

“I told people he was a future England international. Not once from when I gave him his debut did I ever consider leaving him out again, because I felt his performances had been so strong.

“The truth is, I think he has got everything. He can pass the ball almost equally as good with both feet. He’s a terrific footballer.

“And If he continues to develop, then, without doubt, he can be an England player.”

The Red Devils could well be in the market for a new centre-back before the window closes, should someone like Harry Maguire leave amid interest from West Ham.

Branthwaite may not be viewed as an immediate starter at Old Trafford, but over time, he may go from strength to strength and eventually replace one of United’s senior defenders, and by the looks of things, a transfer could be one to keep an eye on.

Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 72 helped lift South Africa from 52 for 4 but they had plenty of work to do to save the game on the final day after England set them 492 or four sessions to bat

The Report by David Hopps30-Jul-20171:49

Westley and Stokes leave England cruising

The word on the streets after South Africa’s victory at Trent Bridge (or on social media at any rate, the meanest streets of all) was that England were a soft touch and could learn a thing or two from the resilience of their opponents.Such reputations have been dismantled at The Oval, where England will enter the final day only six wickets away from a victory that would put them 2-1 up in the series with one to play. It is England who have had bristled with intent with bat and ball while South Africa’s top order has crumbled twice in the match against insistent seam bowling on a surface which has always kept the bowlers interested.South Africa’s opening woes

12.91 – South Africa’s average opening stand in their last 12 innings; their highest during this period is 21.
42.51 – Dean Elgar’s Test average as opener – he has scored 1998 runs in 51 innings. During this period, the other South African openers have together averaged 22.62, scoring 1380 runs in 63 innings.
9 – Consecutive Tests in which Joe Root has made a 50-plus score. There are only seven instances of a batsman passing 50 in more Test matches in a row.
10 – England batsmen who have passed 50 when batting at No. 3 on their Test debut, as Tom Westley did. The last England batsman to do so was Owais Shah against India in 2006; he was also the last England batsman to make his Test debut at No. 3.
1947 – The only time South Africa have played 100-plus overs in the fourth innings of a Test in England.

South Africa were up against it in the first innings in devilish batting conditions; the English summer at its most cantankerous. On the final session of the fourth day, with the weather fresher and breezier, mitigation was a little harder to find – unless it was the intimidating presence of their target of 492 to win, a target never previously achieved in Test history, or, more realistically, the need to survive for four sessions.They slipped to 52 for 4 by the 16th over. All England’s quartet of pace bowlers carried a threat, unlike South Africa. Morne Morkel has looked on the verge of something special all summer, but has only one Test left to be rewarded. Chris Morris has gone for nearly six an over in this match. The left-arm spin of Keshav Maharaj was under-used. As for Vernon Philander, he was still under the weather and incorporated 15 overs in his toilet breaks.Only Dean Elgar assembled doughty – and, at times, painful – resistance with the bat for South Africa, as he battled his way to an unbeaten 72, Temba Bavuma offering support in an unbroken stand of 65. Elgar will check his left hand gingerly on the final morning. He habitually taunted the slip cordon with his angled defensive pushes and when he did nick one, on 9, Keaton Jennings fumbled low to his left.England have even sorted out their previously incompetent methodology on umpiring reviews, replacing the Who Shouts Wins technique with a more rigorous discussion in which Root, from afar, seems to be asking pertinent questions and Jonny Bairstow, the wicketkeeper, has a central role.A lot of attention has focused on Jennings’ unproductive series at the top of England’s order, but Heino Kuhn has fared no better. His debut series has brought 78 runs at an average of 13. He survived Stuart Broad’s big appeal for lbw thanks to a big thrust forward, only to be cleaned up in Broad’s next over.Hashim Amla remains the prince of wickets: Toby Roland-Jones has given him both barrels, caught at the wicket in the first innings, held by Root at second slip on this occasion. He was happy to walk, but the umpires insisted, somewhat unnecessarily on checking the validity of the catch, the sort of things umpires do when world-renowned batsmen are dismissed by a relative unknown.Then came two in two for Ben Stokes, who has looked more of a threat here. A yorker did for de Kock, hitting his boot on the way, although the umpires might have taken a longer look at the marginal no-ball, and Faf du Plessis was lbw first ball to a leave-alone, confirmed on review. South Africa’s captain, an inspiration in Nottingham, has made 1 and 0 and left them both at The Oval.Dean Elgar drives en route to his fifty•Getty ImagesOne small word of warning for England: when South Africa batted for 148 overs to draw against Australia in Adelaide five years ago they were four down at stumps with a day remaining. But this is not an Adelaide pitch. And on that occasion South Africa had AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and du Plessis on hand.Root’s first declaration as an England captain had been a conservative one, at 313 for 8, but he would have rested easy at the close and the weather forecast was good for the final day.England received little charity from the South African attack as they moved gradually to a tea-time declaration. Only when Bairstow, with a run-a-ball fifty, and a twisted ankle in the process, emerged in mid-afternoon did England find a final dash. He added 49 in eight overs with Stokes, who planted Morris into the stands at cow corner before Morris struck his stumps later in the over as he attempted further mayhem.An abstemious maiden Test fifty by Tom Westley was the centrepiece of a heedful morning. Westley only contributed 22 out of 79 to England’s total in the session, but there was again a grace in his game that made him eminently watchable even when not scoring quickly.Some batsmen, such as Stokes, encourage roars of approval; cheers for Root are sourced in admiration; Westley, if he prospers, will bring sighs of pleasure.Maharaj then intervened with two wickets in successive overs early in the afternoon. He spotted Westley’s advance down the pitch, on 59, and found enough turn to beat his outside edge for de Kock to complete the stumping. Root also reached 50, but then swept him to deep square.Dawid Malan is as off-side dominant as fellow debutant Westley favours the leg side. His second-innings dismissal carried a reminder of what had gone before. Then he was cleaned up by an inswinging yorker from Kagiso Rabada. He again fell prey to the ball coming back sharply into his pads, falling lbw to Morris, a wicket only won by South Africa on review.As Root opted for a safe lead then more some, Moeen Ali was run out by a direct hit at the non-striker’s end from Bavuma, who dashed in in from deep midwicket as Moeen sauntered a second run. Toby Roland-Jones then had some fun larruping Elgar’s left-arm slows – a debut full of smiles.Jennings’ England career is under scrutiny. He is without a Test half-century in six knocks. He added 14 on the third morning, but his two boundaries off Morkel were unconvincing, thick edges. Rabada surprised him with a bouncer, on 48, and won a lobbed catch to gully off the glove.Rabada has the capacity to bowl an excellent shock ball whether it is the sort of yorker that unhinged Malan in the first innings or the bouncer, by far the shortest ball he had bowled in the England innings, which removed Jennings. Nevertheless, Jennings’ statuesque style is bound to be bringing growing concern for England’s selectors ahead of an Ashes tour in Australia this winter.Westley had challenges of his own to contend with. It has not taken South Africa long to cotton on to his strengths. Indeed, such is the constant analysis of a new England player that it would have been no surprise if a Romanian plasterer had wandered up to him on the platform at Bank as England travelled to the game by tube and said: “You must be Tom Westley, the one with the strong leg-side game.”Resuming on 28, under overcast skies, he did not bring up his first Test half-century until 10 minutes before lunch, courtesy of the shot that he must have been aching to unveil all morning, a graceful clip through midwicket against Morkel that, as much as any other shot in his armoury, exudes quality. There was enough time in the game for him to play in restrained fashion and he had the intelligence to do just that.

Ryan Gravenberch was at the centre of a torrent of speculation regarding a possible move to Newcastle United's top-flight rivals Liverpool earlier in the summer transfer window, but it now seems that the Magpies have taken the lead in the pursuit of the Bayern Munich star.

What's the latest on Ryan Gravenberch to Newcastle?

According to transfer specialist Rudy Galetti, the Dutch midfielder could depart Bayern this summer after joining the imperious German champions only last summer on an initial €18.5m (£16m) deal from Ajax.

There is interest from several top Italian Serie A outfits, but the player's preference is believed to point towards the Premier League, and with Liverpool seemingly turning their attention elsewhere after their previous pursuit, the door is paved open for Eddie Howe's side to make a swoop.

The Dutchman could cost as little as €25m (£22m), and given Newcastle's lucrative spending already this summer, it could be the deal to make to complete the midfield ahead of the anticipated return to the Champions League.

How good is Ryan Gravenberch?

Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth has worked tirelessly over the past several months to enhance the St. James's Park side with impactful signings, and Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes' respective acquisitions certainly look to be astute moves.

Tonali will complement a midfield that was so well-oiled last term, and he could well be the linchpin for the club's endeavours over the next year, but with Champions League football and the club's newfound affluence heightening expectations, Gravenberch could serve to continue the ascent and enrich the pool even further.

Despite suffering a season in Germany that constrained his abilities and restricted him to just six starts across all competitions, the 21-year-old gem still ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for successful take-ons and the top 15% for total shots per 90, as per FBref.

It's no wonder the 11-cap Netherlands star has been hailed as his country's "greatest talent" by former Ajax forward Wim Kieft, and given that FBref reference him as a 'similar player' – based on statistical profile – to that of £35m Liverpool summer signing Alexis Mac Allister, it could be that signing Gravenberch would provide the instant answer to ensure Jurgen Klopp's Reds do not close the distance.

Mac Allister, 24, excelled last term with Brighton & Hove Albion, playing a central role as the Seagulls qualified for Europe for the first time in their history, and starred as Argentina triumphed in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, having been hailed as "magic" by reporter Federico Gullo.

Like Gravenberch, he is a dynamic and progressive midfield presence and ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for total shots, the top 18% for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for successful take-ons and the top 20% for progressive carries, all per 90.

Such energy and exuberance is exactly what Klopp needs to revitalise his team after a subpar term, but given that the Toon are already in a state of cohesive flow, if Gravenberch can emulate the impact that Mac Allister has had on the Premier League, it could put Newcastle into the driving seat ahead of another exciting campaign for fans on Tyneside.

He has bowled 334.5 overs across formats in 2017, playing all four of Australia’s most recent Tests and acting head coach David Saker was not averse to the possibility of rotating him out of the XI during the limited-overs series in India

Daniel Brettig14-Sep-2017In 2013, Australia played India in an ODI series before a home Ashes encounter – same again in 2017. In 2013, Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann skipped the tour in order to prepare for the England challenge – same again in 2017. In 2013, Mitchell Johnson played a key role as the ODI spearhead before flying home early to prepare for England – Pat Cummins is in that boat in 2017.Further strengthening the case for Cummins to be spared from full duty in India is the fact that both Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are currently recovering from injury in the hope that they will be fit to take part in a trio of Sheffield Shield matches that prelude the Ashes. Given his high pace and steep bounce, Cummins stands some chance of having the sort of impact Johnson did four years ago, provided he is well looked after. He has bowled 334.5 overs across formats in 2017, playing all four of Australia’s most recent Tests, and the IPL as well.David Saker, the assistant coach responsible for the pacemen who is deputising for Lehmann in India, did not shy away from the prospect of Cummins being rested at some point during the limited-overs series due to begin on September 17.”At this stage we’re planning for him to play all the games,” Saker said. “We’ll look at [resting him], it’s obviously been brought up between all of us. We know that his workloads are up there, but we know it’s an important series. It’s Australia v India, you don’t get any bigger than that. He’s really determined to play well over here. It’ll be game-by-game basis, we’ll play it by ear.”In discussing Hazlewood and Starc, Saker revealed there was uncertainty about exactly when the pair would be ready to play for New South Wales, with the former recuperating from a side strain while the latter is in the final stages of his own recovery from a foot problem that reared its head during the India Tests earlier this year.”We’re hoping they’ll be ready before the first Shield game or second Shield game and that will give them good preparation,” Saker said. “We’ve probably got a bit of a blessing that we’ve got three Shield games before the first Test of the Ashes and it’s probably as good a build-up as you’d want for an Ashes.”So in that sense as long as they’re ready to go by the first Test in Brisbane [on November 23] and ready to play and perform, I’ll be really happy. This time last year, we were in South Africa and it was the same thing, Hazlewood and Starc were rested for that tour. And they got through a really heavy workload in the summer, got through all the Tests. It’s not such a bad thing that they’re not here, as long as they’re ready to go for that first Test in Brisbane.”The bowlers subbing in during the ODI series in India are Nathan Coulter-Nile – himself an unused Ashes squad member in 2013-14 – and Kane Richardson. Other pace bowling options are provided by the allrounders James Faulkner and Marcus Stoinis, who are among the players in contention to occupy the No. 6 spot in the batting order during the Ashes.

The Cincinnati Reds missed the postseason in 2024 for the fourth consecutive season and the 10th time in the last 11 years. The team dismissed manager David Bell on Monday as it looks to turn the corner and get back into contention.

It's been a frustrating past decade for the Reds and their fan base, and perhaps no one knows that better than longtime second baseman Jonathan India.

India has been with the franchise since making his MLB debut in 2021, and the former Rookie of the Year winner voiced his exasperation with the lack of improvement the team has made during his tenure. He also expressed his desire for the team to make the necessary adjustments in order to bring postseason baseball back to Cincinnati.

"We're tired of losing,” India said, via . "It's the same thing every year here. We just float around .500 and try to make the push but we just don’t have enough. We need to make a move. I know what it is, but I just want to say it to the media."

India signed a two-year, $8.8 million deal with the Reds to avoid arbitration during the offseason. He's due to be a free agent in 2027, as '26 is his final year of arbitration. Of his future with the organization, he said this upcoming offseason was a critical one, as he's not sure where he'll be after the '25 season.

"It's got to be (a big offseason). Who knows if I'll be here next year. Who knows if [Tyler] Stephenson will be here. We're running out of time. We were the young core. Then, we added Elly [De La Cruz] and so many guys. They need to make moves. I want to win."

India slashed .247/.353/.395 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2024, featuring in 146 games throughout the year.