Tag Futebol

Soon, it will all be over. Soon, the summer transfer market will have slammed down its shutters, and the noise produced by the Alexander Isak saga will be drowned out by the excitement of another campaign.

Premier League Experiences

Secure your matchday experience with Seat Unique.

See at Seat Unique

Newcastle United have already started their season, of course, having gone to Villa Park and emerged with a point which could have been three, if only the stylish visitors had had a free-scoring frontman.

Isak remains absent from first-team training and thus match contention, and with Callum Wilson now playing for West Ham United, it’s imperative that PIF succeed in signing one or two high-level frontmen to lead Newcastle back into the Champions League, with hopes of landing another major honour also sitting in the recesses of Magpies’ minds.

Well, progress has trickled along over the past several months, but with the window coming to a head, Newcastle appear to be edging closer to catching their quarry, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa the top target after a series of rejected bids.

Why Newcastle should sign Wissa

Earlier this week, Newcastle’s second offer for Wissa, worth £35m plus difficult-to-achieve add-ons, was knocked back by the Bees, who are under no obligation to cash in, by any means.

However, Wissa has his heart set on a move to Tyneside, and such a burning passion to play in black and white is something that United must pounce on, for Howe’s system is built on cohesion and hard work and commitment to the cause.

It’s felt that certain Magpies sources, as revealed by The Athletic, are pessimistic over the chances of sealing a move for Wissa before the end of the transfer window, but the player’s dogged determination to join Howe’s squad has kept the flame alive.

An alternative has been earmarked in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jørgen Strand Larsen, but at a reported price of around £60m, a formal approach for the Norwegian would perhaps be a profligate usage of resources.

Wissa is older, but with age comes wisdom, and he proved last year that he has the composure and honed technical ability to score consistently for a club like Newcastle.

Strand Larsen has his strengths, but there’s another Premier League star on the radar who, yes, is raw, but also has a high ceiling and could go from strength to strength under Howe’s tutelage.

Newcastle consider bid for Premier League striker

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are considering a proposal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson before the September 1st transfer deadline, with the 24-year-old up for sale at Stamford Bridge.

Jackson has ebbed and flowed across his two years as Chelsea’s main striker, but it seems like he’s set to jump ship, and Newcastle are prepared to engage in a transfer tussle that could rage into the dying embers of the window.

Chelsea hope to bank £60m for Jackson, a far cry far south of previous suggestions that the Blues would listen only to offers worth £80m, a figure linked to Aston Villa’s own bid to sign the Senegal international.

Why Nicolas Jackson could star at Newcastle

When Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal for a fee in the ballpark of £30m two years ago, they landed one of the most promising up-and-comers in the business, with pace, power and potency, as advertised through his meteoric rise in La Liga.

The Premier League swallows many talented hopefuls into its maw, however. Jackson has struggled for consistency and accuracy in front of goal, but a return of 34 goal involvements from 65 matches in England’s top flight is hardly a poor return.

And Jackson, praised for his “special” quality by journalist Rahman Osman, is far more than just a goalscorer. He’s an energetic, interlinking focal point, and Howe would seem the perfect manager to will him into a superstar.

After all, when you’ve got legends such as Thierry Henry waxing lyrical over your potential, there’s clearly something in that skill set that’s worth writing home about.

There’s little question that Jackson has a higher ceiling than Wissa, but given that Newcastle are in for multiple forwards, the two could operate together in contrasting harmony.

Looking at the respective nines’ data from the recent Premier League campaign, it’s clear to see how this would be so.

Goals scored

0.41

0.59

Assists

0.20

0.12

Shots taken

3.08

2.77

Touches (att pen)

5.72

5.03

Shot-creating actions

2.80

2.13

Pass completion

75.9%

76.5%

Progressive passes

1.54

2.07

Progressive carries

1.91

1.85

Successful take-ons

0.73

0.46

Ball recoveries

1.95

2.50

Tackles + interceptions

1.01

0.93

Wissa takes the crown as the superior finisher, and no mistake, but Jackson is more energetic and more creative, having averaged 1.1 and 0.9 key passes per game over his two years in the Premier League, as recorded by Sofascore, underscoring his value as a mobile forward eager to thread the frontline together.

Wissa is not Isak, of course, but he played his heart out for Brentford last season, producing goalscoring figures that were not all that dissimilar to the Scandinavian star’s.

But, in spite of his sharp link-up play, Wissa lacks the dynamism and roundedness to thrive in Howe’s system as a player of Isak’s ilk. Many consider the Sweden international to be among the most complete strikers in the game.

Enter Jackson. The Chelsea man could reach levels unknown if placed into the Newcastle first team, using his high-speed running and his robustness to combine with Wissa, who has indeed shown himself capable of forging a strong on-field relationship with versatile forwards (Bryan Mbeumo, stand up).

Will Newcastle get it done? Howe needs a new striker or two, to be sure. And in Wissa and Jackson, the trophy-winning manager would have contrasting options to further his project, maybe even leaving the 2024/25 campaign remembered as a springboard toward success of the kind Tyneside has not seen for many, many years.

Readers like you help support FootballFanCast. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.

Superior to Wissa & Watkins: The "next Gyokeres" is Newcastle's new target

Newcastle could sign the new Viktor Gyokeres before the deadline.

ByMatt Dawson Aug 21, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de um primeiro tempo irregular, o Fluminense subiu de produção com as mexidas de Fernando Diniz e estreou com vitória pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Na etapa final, Lelê mudou a partida com uma grande atuação e conduziu a equipe a sair de campo com os três pontos ao vencer por 3 a 0 o América-MG, no Independência. Na saída de campo, o jovem falou sobre seu desempenho e o primeiro gol com a camisa tricolor.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

– Primeiramente agradecer a Deus. Fico muito feliz pela estreia no Brasileirão e poder fazer o meu primeiro gol com a camisa do Fluminense. Ainda mais feliz pela vitória, pelos três pontos. A gente vem trabalhando bastante. Vamos focar na busca do título – disse.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFluminenseCom show de Cano, John Kennedy e Lelê, Fluminense vence o América-MG na estreia do BrasileirãoFluminense15/04/2023FluminenseATUAÇÕES: Lelê muda a partida com assistência e golaço na estreia do Fluminense pelo BrasileirãoFluminense15/04/2023FluminenseFluminense x The Strongest: confronto tem mais de 42 mil ingressos vendidos e abertura dos pontos físicosFluminense15/04/2023

No primeiro tempo, Fernando Diniz optou por descansar alguns dos principais nomes da equipe, como Marcelo e Jhon Arias. O time, porém, teve dificuldade para se impor diante de um organizado e intenso Coelho, mas conseguiu segurar o empate para a segunda etapa. Na volta do intervalo, o atacante, que foi um dos destaques do Volta Redonda pelo Campeonato Carioca, entrou e foi o nome do jogo.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Lelê muda a partida com assistência e golaço na estreia do Fluminense pelo Brasileirão

Com velocidade, deixou John Kennedy na cara do gol, mas o atacante sofreu pênalti. Na cobrança, Germán Cano errou ao acertar o travessão, porém na sequência abriu o placar. Em outra boa chegada, o camisa 99 deu um passe açucarado para a joia da base tricolor ampliar o placar.

Sem sentir a pressão de atuar em um clube grande, Lelê abriu em velocidade pela direita, deixou o defensor para trás e com força acertou o canto de Matheus Cavichioli. A atuação mostra que o atacante pode ajudar a equipe ao longo da temporada.

+Use o cupom LANCEFUT na compra da nova camisa do Tricolor e ganhe 10% OFF

O Fluminense volta a campo na próxima terça-feira, pela segunda rodada do Grupo D da Copa Libertadores. O adversário será o The Strongest, no Maracanã, às 19h (de Brasília). Pelo Brasileirão, a equipe mede forças com o Athletico-PR, no sábado, dia 22, às 16h, também no Maracanã.

قررت رابطة الأندية المصرية المحترفة إجراء تعديل على جدول مباريات الدوري المصري الممتاز، والذي شهد تغيير في موعد مباراة الأهلي أمام كهرباء الإسماعيلية.

وجاءت التعديلات في إطار التنسيق مع الجهاز الفني للمنتخب الوطني الأول، بقيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، استعدادًا لخوض التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.

وستقام مباراة الأهلي وكهرباء الإسماعيلية يوم الجمعة 4 أكتوبر بدلًا من السبت 5 أكتوبر، فيما تم تأجيل مباراة إنبي وزد لتُقام يوم السبت 5 أكتوبر بدلًا من الجمعة 4 أكتوبر.

طالع.. خاص | لماذا اختار حرس الحدود استاد الكلية الحربية لمواجهة الأهلي؟

وجاء التعديل بعد مشاورات بين الرابطة، برئاسة أحمد دياب، والجهاز الفني للمنتخب، من أجل تسهيل انضمام اللاعبين الدوليين إلى معسكر المنتخب المقبل.

ومن المقرر أن ينتظم الفراعنة، قبل مواجهة جيبوتي المقررة يوم 8 أكتوبر المقبل، والتي تم تقديمها يومين بناءً على قرار من الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم (كاف).

وبحسب الرابطة فإن تغيير الموعد من أجل إنهاء مباريات الأندية التي تضم عددًا كبيرًا من اللاعبين الدوليين وفي مقدمتها الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز في وقت مبكر، للانضمام لمعسكر المنتخب.

For many fans, Arsenal have acted in an unrecognisable manner this summer.

Instead of sitting idly by and waiting until the closing stages of the transfer window to try and complete their deals, the Premier League runners-up have been incredibly proactive.

There is still well over a month left in the window, and the club have already announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke, with Cristhian Mosquera to be announced any day now.

On top of that, Mikel Arteta looks to have finally got his number nine in Viktor Gyokeres, and now the North Londoners look set on adding another attacker to the squad, someone who’d be an even more exciting signing than the Swede.

Arsenal move for a more exciting signing than Gyokeres

Arsenal’s hunt to sign Gyokeres over the last few weeks has undoubtedly been one of the biggest stories of the window thus far.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

It was clear for some time that the Swedish international was desperate to join the North Londoners, and while a base fee of £55m was agreed upon well over a week ago, talks over the significant add-ons dragged on.

Fortunately, fans were able to finally celebrate their new striker yesterday afternoon when the deal received the ‘here we go’ treatment from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

There can be no denying that this is one of the most exciting moves of the summer, at least for the Gunners faithful, but now it looks like the club could do one better.

At least that’s according to Romano, who, in a recent update, revealed that Arsenal are still very interested in signing Eberechi Eze.

The Italian journalist has reported that the Crystal Palace star remains the North Londoners’ “top target” for that position on the pitch, and that they’ve already had positive talks with his camp.

It wouldn’t be a cheap deal to get over the line, though, as the Englishman has a release clause worth around £68m in his current contract.

Yet, it’s one Arsenal should pursue, as Eze’s more than proven he’s ready to step up and fight for titles, and for our money, his signing would be more exciting than Gyokeres’.

Why Eze would be a more exciting signing than Gyokeres

Okay, so the first thing to say here is that we aren’t disputing that Gyokeres is an incredibly exciting signing, as he most certainly is.

However, there are several reasons why we’d lean towards Eze being that bit more this summer, with the first being his experience.

For example, while the Sporting star has played in the Champions League, the Championship, and the Primeira Liga, he has never actually played a minute of football in a top-five league.

In other words, we have no idea just how well his numbers will translate to what is officially the toughest league in the world, especially when the one he’s spent the last two campaigns playing in ranks as just the eighth.

Eze recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

36

43

Minutes

2285′

3303′

Goals

11

14

Assists

6

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.41′

132.12′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In stark contrast, the Palace star has more than proven his ability in the Premier League, as he racked up eight goals and eight assists last season alone, despite playing for a mid-table side at best.

Moreover, FBref ranked him in the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the league for shots last season, the top 10% for successful take-ons, and the top 11% for shot-creating actions, all per 90.

What those statistics tell us is that the Englishman is a creative machine, and aside from goals, what tends to get fans on their feet? Players who take on and beat opposition defenders.

Finally, while we expect the former Coventry City star to help the Gunners over the line in at least one competition next season, his lack of experience in the toughest competitions means we must have faith that he’ll do so.

On the other hand, the former QPR gem, who analyst Ben Mattinson described as a “superstar,” showed us he’s capable of doing that last season, when he scored in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final of the FA Cup to win his side their first-ever major trophy.

Ultimately, Gyokeres is an excellent signing for Arsenal, and he could be the missing piece for them in attack. However, given his own record and body of work, we’d argue that Eze would be a more exciting signing.

Related 50% duels won, only 6 passes: 5/10 Arsenal star must now be axed for Eze

Arsenal started their pre-season with a 1-0 win over AC Milan.

Posts ByMatt Dawson Jul 23, 2025

By their own usual standards, it’s been a very quiet transfer window at Nottingham Forest so far – albeit while having reportedly completed the £10m capture of Botafogo striker, Igor Jesus.

During their first two seasons back in the Premier League, the Garibaldi signed 24 and then 11 more senior players, before just the ten additions were made last season.

So now, with the confirmation of Jesus’ deal seemingly imminent, are they about to ramp up their transfer business even further?

Nottingham Forest chasing defensive reinforcements

Of course, following last season’s seventh-place finish, Nottingham Forest are preparing to feature in European competition for the first time since 1995/96, dumped out by Bayern Munich at the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Cup back then.

This time, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are currently scheduled to feature in the Conference League, although they could be catapulted into the Europa League, if Crystal Palace are thrown out of the competition due to multi-club ownership rules.

Either way, they’re going to have exponentially more matches to content with, so will require a bigger squad, hence why a report by Turkish outlet Fanatik claims Forest are lining up a £13m offer for centre-back Arseniy Batagov, albeit with his club Trabzonspor holding out for closer to £17m.

The 23-year-old Ukrainian began his senior career at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, before joining Zorya Luhansk, making 63 appearances for them and catching the eye of Trabzonspor, who signed him for around £1.5m a year ago.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Batagov has earned international recognition too, starting all three of Ukraine’s matches at last summer’s Olympic Games, before also doing the same at last month’s U21 Euros, captaining his country against the Netherlands in Prešov.

So now, could he be on his way to the City Ground?

How Arseniy Batahov would improve Nottingham Forest

Despite their run to the FA Cup semi-finals, Nottingham Forest played just 44 matches across all competitions last season, while there is the potential for them to play 17 in Europe alone this time round, should they get all the way to the final, so more options will be required.

Fair to say, Nuno’s starting centre-backs remained settled throughout the campaign, as the table below outlines.

Nottingham Forest centre-back options PL 24/25

Statistics

Murillo

Nikola Milenković

Morato

Willy Boly

Appearances

36

37

26

6

Starts

36

37

6

1

Minutes

3,330

3,188

907

150

% of total mins

93.2%

97.4%

26.5%

4.4%

Club rank for mins

3rd

2nd

14th

21st

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com

In short, what the table emphasises is the fact that Nikola Milenković and Murillo played almost every minute of every game last season, which is understandable, given that Adrian Clarke of the Premier League argued that they were the best pairing in the division.

Morato, meantime, was primarily used alongside the aforementioned duo when Nuno switched to a back three, often in-game, while fourth-choice option Willy Boly saw 250 minutes fewer than James Ward-Prowse, despite the fact he returned to West Ham in January, underlining his lack of importance.

This time, however, Milenković and Murillo cannot start, potentially in excess of, 60 games, so a capable deputy will be required.

Well, Batahov appears to have the attributes to be that player, described as “quality” by Hayatımız Futbol, who also praise his “positioning” and “play-making ability” from the back. Like Murillo, the promising left-footer typically operates at left centre-back.

Meantime, he has also been labelled as Ukraine’s next ‘promising prodigy’, making 23 appearances for Trabzonspor this season, most notably starting May’s Türkiye Kupası Final against Galatasaray, as his side were beaten 3-0 in Gaziantep.

Batahov scored en route to the final against İskenderunspor, but his campaign was largely hampered by various injuries, although it says something about his quality that there is still Premier League interest in him.

Like Murillo, when he arrived from Corinthians for a reported £15m two summers ago after making just 27 appearances for the Brazilian side, not too much is known about Batahov.

That said, this wildcard move, in the mould of Murillo’s capture, could lead to a repeat success, as the Ukrainian certainly has the potential to improve and become a star, just as his potential future teammate has done at the City Ground.

Related Nottingham Forest now ready to make £21m offer for "superb" midfielder

The Tricky Trees are now prepared to make an opening bid for a midfielder, having recently made contact over a potential deal.

Posts ByDominic Lund Jul 1, 2025

Following reports that Bryan Mbeumo favours a move to Manchester United this summer, Newcastle United have reportedly turned their attention towards a £51m alternative and PIF could soon open talks.

Mbeumo deals Newcastle frustrating blow

After qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup last season, it wouldn’t be absurd to assume that Newcastle entered this summer in a position of strength in the transfer window, especially compared to Manchester United. By contrast, the Red Devils suffered their worst-ever finish in the Premier League and compiled their misery by suffering defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Newcastle negotiating to make £113k-p/w PSG ace their second summer signing

The Magpies are on the lookout for qualify reinforcements.

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 11, 2025

Without Champions League football or European football at all, for that matter, it was easy to predict that the lure of Old Trafford simply wouldn’t be the same this summer. That assumption would have been wrong, however. The Theatre of Dreams seemingly remains exactly that. Already, Matheus Cunha has picked the Red Devils in a move worth £63m and now Mbeumo looks destined to follow suit.

It’s frustrating news for Newcastle, who will feel as though they did everything right to put themselves in a position to sign such talents. Nonetheless, they’ve been forced to look towards alternatives in hope of signing the winger that they’ve been searching for across the last 12 months.

To that end, Anthony Elanga has been the main alternative mentioned in recent weeks with Newcastle reportedly making the Nottingham Forest star their top target. But he’s not alone on their shortlist, with reports now indicating that Newcastle are also targeting a move to sign a £51m winger.

Newcastle and PIF could open Catamo talks

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle and PIF could now open talks to sign Geny Catamo from Sporting Club this summer. The Magpies are one of a number of clubs interested in the young winger in a race which includes Atletico Madrid as well as Arsenal, and may now make their move.

Sources told Caught Offside there is an expectation that some clubs test the waters with an opening offer worth as much as €30m (£25m) in the coming months. Given that Catamo reportedly has a release clause worth €60m (£51m), it seems unlikely that they will accept a sale worth less than half of that price this summer.

Minutes

1,911

3,414

Goals

5

20

Assists

2

7

Expected Goals

5.4

12.3

Whilst he did add another two goals to take his total to seven outside of league action, Catamo’s numbers should be seen as a concern for Newcastle. If they were forced to pay the winger’s full release clause, then they should keep their focus on Elanga rather than spending big on a talent who is yet to prove himself on the big stage.

Form Virgil van Dijk to Alan Hansen, Liverpool have had some of the greatest centre-backs of all time, but striker Chris Wood once revealed the toughest defender he’s ever faced is not one of their decorated legends.

The role of the enforcer in football has changed as the game has changed, with referees nowadays taking a much sterner view on two-footed tackles and late challenges.

‘Let them know you’re there’ was once a common phrase used in football dressing rooms up and down Britain, whether it be Sunday league or the Premier League, as dominant centre-backs and tough-tackling midfielders used intimidation as a tactic.

Premier League's toughest players in pictures

For Liverpool, those tackles were often performed by the likes of Jamie Carragher and Javier Mascherano, with former Manchester United winger Nani once revealing why a tackle by Carragher left him in tears: “When I saw my leg for the first time, I thought my season was finished. That is why I was crying.

“Afterwards, the doctor saw my leg and said I had been lucky because it just needed stitches and I would be out for two or three weeks. He is surprised that I could recover even quicker.”

The Sky Sports pundit only received a yellow card for the tackle on Nani, which in today’s game would have been met with a straight red and a hefty ban.

Toughest players in Premier League history ranked by Alan Shearer
10. Diego Costa
9. Jaap Stam
8. Vinnie Jones
7. David Batty
6. Stuart Pearce
5. Patrick Vieira
4. Nemanja Vidic
3. Roy Keane
2. Julian Dicks
1. Duncan Ferguson

Towards the end of Carragher’s Liverpool career the Reds signed several centre-backs with a view of becoming his successor, and perhaps one of the most beloved by fans was a 23 year-old from Slovakia called Martin Skrtel.

Chris Wood: Skrtel the toughest defender I've ever faced

Manager Rafael Benitez was thrilled when Liverpool signed Skrtel in January 2008 for a transfer fee of £6.5m, telling fans their new defender was “aggressive” and “very competitive”.

Wood, who played against Skrtel when he was a young striker at Leicester, went one further in an interview on the Premier League’s YouTube channel in 2021. He said that for all of the legendary centre-backs to grace Anfield and the Premier League as a whole, it wasn’t greats like Van Dijk who gave him his toughest test.

Skrtel left Liverpool in 2016 to sign for Fenerbahçe, and despite not winning many trophies during his time on Merseyside, is remembered fondly by Liverpool fans.

20 Best Centre-Backs in Premier League History Ranked

Where does Virgil van Dijk rank?

By
Charlie Smith

May 9, 2025

The former Slovakia international played 320 times for Liverpool, scoring 18 goals and winning the League Cup in the 2011-12 season. Interesingly, despite being yellow carded 51 times, he only ever received one red card in England, as he was sent off in a 4-0 defeat at Tottenham in September 2011.

No Healy, no Gardner but it’s no problem for Australia, who retained the Ashes in style

Andrew McGlashan20-Jan-2025Losing two key players in the hours leading up to a match, one of which is the captain, would be enough to unsettle a lot of teams, but Australia barely put a foot wrong in an emphatic performance at the SCG that retained the Ashes.It’s not job done yet for the home side, with memories of the 2023 drawn series still lingering, but it was a notable display of composure and depth.”That was a pretty special win after some great performances in the ODIs,” Beth Mooney, who made 75 off 51 balls, said. “There’s a lot of excitement within the group to do it in that fashion.”Related

Healy in doubt for rest of Ashes series as she misses first T20I

Mooney and King help clinical Australia retain Ashes

A couple of hours before the start confirmation came through that Alyssa Healy was out of the match and her prognosis for the rest of the series does not sound encouraging. Then, when the team sheet dropped, Ashleigh Gardner, who made her maiden international hundred three days ago in Hobart, was missing due to a calf strain. That was suddenly a lot of runs, wickets and experience missing.”It’s happened a little bit to us in recent times,” Mooney said.” So I think we’re a well-oiled machine when this happens. These things come up a little bit in high-performance sports. Thankfully we’ve got great support staff and a great group of players that put our arms around each other.”Rather than being knocked out of kilter, Australia came racing out of the blocks. Georgia Voll, making her T20I debut, cracked her fourth ball for four and then added three in a row against Charlie Dean in the third over. She was lbw without adding another run, but the tone was set. At times, England’s fielding fell to pieces under the pressure.Mooney led the way as a senior player with an expertly-paced innings, dispatching some wayward lines from the England bowlers but also drawing them into errors by her use of the crease. Phoebe Litchfield, elevated to No. 3, unfurled a magnificent switch-hit for six and stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath continued her batting revival with 26 off just 9 balls.

“This group’s hungry to keep getting better and I think the really important thing is that we’ve got the personnel that can keep pushing the boundaries”Beth Mooney

In the field, Kim Garth, playing her first T20I for a year, struck with her opening ball before coming in for punishment from Sophia Dunkley with 22 runs taken from her second over. But just as there was a modicum of pressure on Australia, Alana King, in her first T20I since the 2023 World Cup, bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt first ball and produced a maiden in the fifth over.Still, when England reached the 10-over mark at 96 for 3 with Dunkley having made a 24-ball fifty they had an outside chance. King then pinned Heather Knight lbw straight after drinks and that was about that.”Whilst it’s disappointing, obviously for Ash and Midge [Healy] tonight, I thought Georgia Voll played exceptionally well at the top of the order,” Mooney said. “Kim Garth hasn’t played a T20 for a little while and took [a wicket] early in the game. And obviously Alana King was back in the T20 side. So it probably was a great showcase of our depth in the end.”King is having a huge impact on this Ashes with 13 wickets now in four matches. “At the moment, it just looks like she’s going to take a wicket every ball,” Mooney said. She wants to take the game on. Those are the players that you want in your team. You throw them a ball in that situation. That fifth over…probably changed the momentum of the game pretty significantly in our favour.”It was a significant evening, too, for stand-in captain McGrath. She led in the three ODIs against India last December, but this was Australia’s first T20I since their World Cup exit to South Africa when McGrath was also standing in for the injured Healy.Amid the batting riches in Australian cricket there had started to be some speculation about McGrath’s place but her innings here followed the 38-ball half-century in the last ODI. She then claimed the wicket of Dunkley that removed any lingering potential threat to Australia.”It was really nice to see T-Mac at the other end have that partnership with me and score runs as freely as she did,” Mooney said. “I think she’s unlocked her game again.”Mooney added that Australia would enjoy the SCG victory, knowing that the Ashes are safely in their grasp again, but focus will quickly turn to Canberra where they can be won. “Hopefully, the conversation in the dressing room is we’ve got a play on Thursday like we’re on no points and that’s the start of the series,” she said. “This group’s hungry to keep getting better and I think the really important thing is that we’ve got the personnel that can keep pushing the boundaries.”Talk of 16-0 whitewash, though, was off limits – for now. “Let’s just get it to 10-0 and we’ll talk about that again,” Mooney said.On current form, few would bet against them having a chance to go for it.

Run machines – check. Pace-bowling depth – check. A gamechanger and an all-round star – check. It was a summer of plenty for Australia

Andrew McGlashan08-Jan-2023Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne and Smith cash inEither side of a two-day Test at the Gabba, it was a summer of runs for Australia’s top order.The first innings in Brisbane was the only time they were bowled out and, for the first time, everyone from No. 1 to No. 5 made a score of at least 175. If Usman Khawaja had been able to get his 200 at the SCG it would have been just the second time four batters had scored a double in a season after England in 2011.Whether David Warner’s MCG double is the prelude to a glorious finish to his career remains to be seen – he will have to overcome poor records in India and England – but in Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith they have three run machines. However, whether we see this top order together in a home Test again is uncertain. Warner may view the Ashes as an end-point and while Smith backed away from retirement talk it is certainly an ageing, though prolific, top order.Related

Starc ruled out of first India Test, Australia select four spinners in 18-member squad

Australia don't make big spin gains at SCG ahead of India tour

Cameron Green 'touch and go' for Nagpur Test

Smith on his future: 'I really can't say how long I'll play for'

Hazlewood marks return to Australia XI with 'vintage' performance

Travis Head – a gamechanger at homeThe absence of one name above was not an oversight – Travis Head warrants a discussion of his own.After his pair of stunning Ashes hundreds last season, which earned him the Player-of-the-Series award, he has gone on to have another dominant home season. It says something that even with 99 and 175 against West Indies (chopping on against Kraigg Brathwaite and being run out), he felt he left a few out there. However, his best innings came on the devilish pitch at the Gabba where his 92 off 96 balls stood way above anything else produced in the game.His game-changing ability is certainly not a flash in the pan. Next for him, though, is turning around a poor record in the subcontinent. If he maintains the same attacking approach, it certainly won’t be dull to watch.Green will continue to be one of Australia’s most fascinating project players•Getty ImagesThe Cameron Green projectIt wasn’t exactly an unexpected conclusion, but the discussions that went into the balance of the Australia side in Sydney – and the eventual combination they settled on – just emphasised the vital role Green has in the Test side. It had been a curious home season for Green, who, until Melbourne, suffered from a lack of cricket having been involved in the white-ball sides. A maiden five-wicket haul felt like a breakout moment and then his gusty half-century with a broken finger was more worthy than its overall impact on the result. Green will continue to be one of Australia’s most fascinating projects over the next few years as he learns to balance workloads and other demands now that the IPL has come calling with their mega millions.Pace-bowling depthIt felt strong at the end of the last season. If anything, it feels even stronger now. Australia’s attack was once again able to seamlessly manage the loss of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the Adelaide Test with the return of Scott Boland and Michael Neser. Hazlewood, meanwhile, reminded everyone of his excellence at the SCG and Lance Morris, capable of 150kph, is now firmly in the mix. Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee remain high-quality domestic performers who may never get their chance but would not look out of their depth. An interesting one is Jhye Richardson, who was bowling superbly in the BBL before another untimely injury. If his body can stand up to the strain he may yet be a tempting option for the Ashes in England.Pat Cummins has been on his game on and off the field•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesCummins ignores the noiseEarlier in the season, Cummins gave the impression, quite rightly, of not being the slightest bit bothered by some of the nonsense reactions to his very measured stance on a few of today’s big issues that stretch beyond the cricket field. Given what the opposition served up in the five Tests, this was not the most tactically challenging pair of series for him, but he did not make many mis-steps. Bowling first in consecutive Tests was out of the usual playbook; Brisbane may not have taken much thought, but the decision in Melbourne was a trickier one and it worked out perfectly, albeit with some help from South Africa, when it meant Australia weren’t bowling on the sweltering second day. Like the team as a whole, his tenure as captain will be defined by the next seven months.What about Marcus Harris?There was the briefest of glimpses of what’s next in the Australian batting line-up with Matt Renshaw being recalled in Sydney, although in the end he was limited to 11 balls. Peter Handscomb’s addition to the squad was also an indication that he will likely go to India.Spare a thought, therefore, for Marcus Harris. He travelled around throughout the season before being released back to the BBL midway through the SCG Test. If Renshaw had been subbed out with Covid, it’s unlikely he would have been the replacement. He will hope, that when an opening vacancy does occur, perhaps next summer, he remains the next in line. More broadly, though, the tag of next-big-thing in the batting remains up for grabs.

Ravi Bopara forms part of favourites’ power-packed batting line-up

Matt Roller26-Aug-2020

Essex

Last year: 4th in South Group, winners
Captain: Simon Harmer
Coach: Anthony McGrath
In a nutshell: Snuck up on the blindside to win their maiden title last year after two wins in their first ten scheduled games, with skipper Harmer the star on Finals Day and Ravi Bopara – in his last season at the club – shining as a finisher despite his frustrations about his role. Bopara will be a big miss this year, but they still have the tools to make hay at Chelmsford.Star: While not an official overseas player thanks to his UK ancestry visa, Cameron Delport brings a wealth of franchise experience at the top of the order. His innings against Surrey – 129 off 49 balls – was the most remarkable of last year’s Blast, and his ability to score quickly and consistently against both spin and pace makes him key.One to watch: Dan Lawrence was due a breakout summer but circumstances have transpired against him and he is yet to make the England debut that seemed inevitable. He is a star in T20, playing in “ultra-aggressive” fashion and striking at 163 against spinners over the last three years.Verdict: Too reliant on batting to repeat last year’s success, but quarters on the cards
Bet365: 8/1

Hampshire

Last year: 7th in South Group
Captain: James Vince/Sam Northeast
Coach: Adi Birrell
In a nutshell: Would have reached knockouts with victory against winless Glamorgan in final group game last year but somehow let Essex sneak through instead. Significantly weakened due to injury and unavailability this season: Liam Dawson is out for the season and Aneurin Donald is unlikely to feature; James Vince’s wife is expecting her second child; Kyle Abbott, Fidel Edwards and Rilee Rossouw are stuck overseas. Discussions are ongoing with Shaheen Afridi about the possibility of staying on after Pakistan’s England tour, who would be a trump card if available.Mason Crane sets off on a celebratory run•Getty ImagesStar: After missing the 2018 tournament through injury, Mason Crane returned to T20 cricket with 11 wickets and an economy rate of 7.03 last season. With the Ageas Bowl generally spin-friendly and Hampshire playing five of their last six group games at home, he will be particularly crucial in the second half of the tournament.One to watch: Scotland opener George Munsey is one of the top short-form batsmen in the associate world, and is a smart pick-up given his ability against spin, against which he strikes at 169 since 2018. Watch out in particular for his signature switch-hits and strong wrists, with clear evidence of his days playing hockey in his youth.Verdict: Missing too many stars to have any real hope of reaching knockouts
Bet365: 10/1

Kent

Last year: 5th in South Group
Captain: Sam Billings
Coach: Matt Walker
In a nutshell: Somehow screwed up qualifications after six wins from first seven fixtures last summer, with three batting implosions in run chases and two abandonments in the final five leaving them a point short of Essex. Likely to be hampered by England call-ups for Billings and Joe Denly, but plenty of talent regardless.Alex Blake of Kent bats•Getty ImagesStar: It has been a frustrating summer for Alex Blake – known affectionately as ‘the Blake-cano’ for his ability to erupt at the back end of an innings – after his decision to sign a white-ball contract has left him twiddling his thumbs. Faded after a bright start last year, but his finishing abilities will still be crucial.One to watch: Left-arm spinner Imran Qayyum was vital last year, plugging away in the middle overs to finish with an economy rate of 7.50 and 12 wickets to his name. In an attack significantly weakened by the absences of Hardus Viljoen, Mohammad Nabi and Adam Milne, he will be the linchpin.Verdict: Attack lacks bite but quarter-finals not beyond them
Bet365: 14/1

Middlesex

Last year: 3rd in South Group, quarter-finalists
Captain: Eoin Morgan/Steven Finn
Coach: Stuart Law
In a nutshell: Reached knockouts for only the second time since their 2008 title last year, but three of the top five run-scorers last year – Dawid Malan, AB de Villiers and Paul Stirling – will play no part and new captain Morgan looks unlikely to feature between England duty and the start of the IPL. Core bowlers remain but homegrown batsmen need to step up.Nathan Sowter lets rip in celebration•Getty ImagesStar: Nathan Sowter, the legspinner who is now England-qualified, had a strong tournament last year with 16 wickets, and will be the primary spin option this season in Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s absence. The main question is whether he can work out a method against left-handers, having leaked 11.10 runs per over against them over the last two seasons.One to watch: Nick Gubbins only played three Blast games last season and has a mediocre T20 record, but has shown his white-ball potential in List A cricket and was joint player of the tournament in Australia’s National Premier T20 Championships over the winter. He should get a run of games in the top three.Verdict: Absence of batting stars will be their undoing
Bet365: 10/1

Surrey

Last year: 8th in South Group
Captain: Jade Dernbach/Gareth Batty
Coach: Vikram Solanki
In a nutshell: Second-bottom last year but only three points off third, and there are reasons to be optimistic despite absence of several England players. Rory Burns and Ben Foakes are useful middle-order rotators, while Sam Curran should be available for at least the first handful of games and Reece Topley – a reserve for the Pakistan T20Is – could come into the picture for the second half. The loan signing of Laurie Evans is a major boost.Liam Plunkett takes a drinks break•Getty ImagesStar: Will Jacks was expected to have a breakout Blast in 2019 – not least after his 25-ball hundred in a pre-season T10 game against Lancashire – but didn’t quite deliver, his 152 strike rate tempered by an average of 20.92. He is highly rated by England, and was named in their 55-man training group at the start of the summer after impressing on the Lions tour to Australia.One to watch: After his unceremonious axing by England, Liam Plunkett has a point to prove. He played only twice in the Blast last year due to injury and struggled in the Bangladesh Premier League, but impressed in the Abu Dhabi T10 and will hope that a strong tournament can be the springboard to further stints on the global short-form circuit.Verdict: In an open group, quarter finals look like a real possibility
Bet365: 11/1

Sussex

Last year: 1st in South Group, quarter-finalists
Captain: Luke Wright
Coach: Jason Gillespie
In a nutshell: Topped the nine-team South Group last year thanks to an all-star bowling attack, and the strongest team on paper by some margin in this season’s six-team version despite Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan’s likely absences. International quality throughout their batting line-up, and Gillespie will be desperate to sign off with some silverware.Delray Rawlins in full flow in the Blast quarter-final•Getty ImagesStar: Tymal Mills will lead the attack and carry much of the wicket-taking burden, with death-bowling duties likely to fall on his shoulders. With experienced spinners Danny Briggs and Will Beer set to operate in tandem in the middle, he will be required as a top-and-tail option. Fixtures come thick and fast, so it may be sensible to rest him a handful of group games.One to watch: Sussex’s likely top six is filled with stars: Wright and Phil Salt will open, with David Wiese and Bopara playing as finishers. But they have a gem at No. 4 in Delray Rawlins, the Bermudan left-hander, who has struck at 155 against spin in his Blast career and has licence to free his arms rather than just ticking over. There is extra pressure to step up after Evans’ loan move to Surrey.Verdict: Anything short of a Finals Day appearance should be considered a failure
Bet365: 9/1