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Worcestershire have gambled on a win-at-all-costs pitch at Worcester – but Glamorgan’s Will Bragg stood in their way with a sparkling unbeaten half-century on a 15-wicket day

ECB Reporters Network13-Aug-2016
ScorecardSteve Rhodes, seen here alongside former England coach Andy Flower, wants three wins in five [file picture]•Getty ImagesA sparkling half-century by Will Bragg steadied Glamorgan as 15 wickets went down on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship meeting with promotion contenders Worcestershire at New Road.The hard-hitting left hander ended a recent run of single-figure scores by making 75 not out as the Welsh county reached 118 for 5 after dismissing the home side for 163 by tea.On a cloudy, sultry morning, Jacques Rudolph backed his seamers by choosing to bowl first and they were soon on a roll as Worcestershire collapsed to 37 for 5. A subsequent partnership of 66 by Ross Whiteley (40) and Joe Leach (43) seemed to be no more than damage limitation but grew in value when Glamorgan began to lose wickets.Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, has targeted three wins in the last five matches to put his team in “a really good position” in the promotion race. So far this one has been tougher than may have been anticipated against a side who were propping up the Division Two table.Bragg suggested that swing played a large part. “The pitch is quite slow, slower than normal, but the ball was swinging nicely for our bowlers once the lacquer had gone off it after 10 overs. It was the same when they bowled but we could have been in a stronger position but for a couple of sloppy shots.”Rhodes also played down too many pitch discussions. “At 37 for five we were in all sorts of trouble and it was not necessarily down to the pitch. We played a few shots we’d like to rewind and play again but the way we fought back was good. It was a wholehearted effort by the bowlers.”Kettleborough moves on

Glamorgan have released James Kettleborough, although they have yet to admit it in the hope that it will help him find a new county, .
As for Kettleborough, he has no qualms about telling it how it is. “Formerly of Northants and Glamorgan,” is the message already available – for confirmed followers only – on his Twitter feed.

Swing was Glamorgan’s big asset, as Brett D’Oliveira discovered when he was bowled, playing no shot, in teenager Lukas Carey’s second over. This was a big comedown for the opener after making a career-best 202 not out when the teams met at Cardiff in May.Wicketkeeper Mark Wallace was one who benefited from the movement, whether in the air or off the pitch. He took three catches in the morning and two more later.Graham Wagg bowled an excellent spell with the new ball, taking the outside edge to dismiss Daryl Mitchell in his fifth over, and Michael Hogan started with two wickets without conceding a run in 10 deliveries.Tom Fell (16) drove to cover, where Wagg held a smart catch, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore was quickly added to Wallace’s list of victims.It was five down when Joe Clarke followed a ball from Craig Meschede but Ben Cox held up the Welsh charge for a while until he was caught at first slip off Wagg after lunch.Glamorgan were only checked when Whiteley played responsibly for more than two hours and found buccaneering support from Leach.Whiteley was eventually caught at mid-on when cramped up by a ball from Meschede and Hogan (four for 44) landed a double blow in the space of three balls.Ed Barnard was caught by Wallace and Leach drove hard to Meschede at mid-on. The last pair hung around for half-an-hour before Wallace had the final word when holding Jack Shantry’s edge off Carey.With the sun shining, Glamorgan’s reply began badly with Nick Selman bowled, second ball, by Leach but Bragg got things moving with four boundaries in an over from Barnard.Rudolph helped put on 54 until driving a ball from Charlie Morris to mid-off and Bragg completed 50 from 54 balls before David Lloyd was taken at second slip off Shantry.Further wickets saw Aneurin Donald playing on to Leach and Meschede pulling Barnard to mid-on.

Graeme Cremer has offered New Zealand an invitation he may end up regretting after a difficult second day in the field for him and his men in Bulawayo

Firdose Moonda29-Jul-2016Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer has offered New Zealand an invitation he may end up regretting after a difficult second day in the field for him and his men in Bulawayo.”They will keep us out there which we don’t mind. We don’t mind if they bat all day again,” Cremer said, warning New Zealand that the more time they spent in the middle, the more confident Zimbabwe would be of denying them a victory. “We’re going to try and drag the game out for as long as possible and take time out of the game.”For a man who delivered 35 overs, 26 of them in a single spell, it seems like a bold statement to make. But Cremer always knew he would have a heavy workload in an XI that cannot accommodate another seamer because it needs an extra batsman.”I knew coming in to this game, we were one frontline seamer short so I knew I was going to do the bulk of the bowling anyway,” Cremer said. “I see myself as a bowler that will lead the attack so I knew there would be a bit of extra pressure on me. The other bowlers that we’ve got are a lot younger and lot more inexperienced. So I look to try and get wickets and get us into good positions.”His task was made even more difficult by the absence of another bowling option and the regular wicket-keeper. Sean Williams and Regis Chakabva spent the day recovering from the flu and tonsillitis respectively and Cremer is hopeful they will be okay by Saturday. Without them, he had to bowl even more than usual and was denied two wickets by fumbles from the substitute Brian Chari, who missed a stumping and could not hold onto a catch. Had either been successfully completed, Kane Williamson could have been dismissed earlier.Despite that, Cremer praised his young attack for staying upbeat after being demoralised by the batting effort on the first day. “I thought the guys fought hard, They didn’t run away with the game. We kept them in check. We knew it was going to be tough to get wickets because it’s a good batting surface so we wanted them to go at two or three runs an over and we wanted to take some wickets, which we did,” he said. “We are still upset we didn’t score enough runs but that’s the way it is.”In the next two days, Zimbabwe will have the chance to make amends for the first innings when they bat for a second time, in all likelihood with a view to saving the Test. Cremer knows the surface will get more difficult but hopes their approach will be strengthened by the lessons learnt from their mistakes. “Tomorrow morning it will still be for good batting but from later on in the afternoon, it will be dusty and start spinning and bouncing, so we have to start thinking about how we will play in the second innings,” he said.”Because we haven’t played enough, we are sometimes not sure what to expect and not sure how to go about it but now the guys have seen what to expect. Nothing will change in the second innings. I’m sure New Zealand will still use the short ball and the seamers as much. Hopefully guys will have the right mindset to bat long.” To bat all day.

Journalist David Ornstein has claimed that the "complex" release clause in the contract of Liverpool transfer target Alexis Mac Allister at least suggests that he probably be leaving this summer.

What's the latest on Alexis Mac Allister and Liverpool?

The Brighton star appears to be a wanted man for the time being with the Reds among a number of Premier League sides to be linked with the Argentine of late.

However, there have been conflicting reports in the media regarding just how likely the midfielder is to go and how far any possible exit talks have actually gone so far.

For instance, according to The Athletic's Andy Naylor, fans should "ignore" any noise for now, as there has been "no contact" with Liverpool, and Brighton "aren't expecting any".

Amid all that, in a fresh development, Ornstein has explained that the player does have an option in his contract that will allow him to leave this summer – although it isn't a conventional clause.

Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, he explained: Mac Allister, I revealed, has a clause in his contract, but it's not as simple as a typical release clause, which is just: pay a set fee and the player decides if he wants to leave or not and the club don't have control – Brighton do have a say in the matter.

"Now, a lot of people will be watching this and saying, so what are you actually saying? What is the clause? How does it work? What's the value?

“It's intricate, from what I hear. It's complex. And it's detailed and complicated. And I don't know the ins and outs. But what it does show us is that there is a method that can assist in the departure of Alexis Mac Allister this summer.

"And that increases the likelihood that he will be leaving rather than Brighton saying what they said with Moises Caicedo in January, he's not going anywhere.”

Who wants to sign Alexis Mac Allister?

As alluded to by Ornstein, when Arsenal tried to sign Moises Caicedo in the winter, Brighton held firm and simply rejected any advances from the Gunners.

However, it sounds as though there will be a fee for Mac Allister that, if reached by a bid, will be enough to force the Seagulls into selling.

However, the finer details of this clause are yet to emerge in any specific detail and so this particular potential transfer saga may yet rumble on deep into the summer with Liverpool not the only team to be chasing the £50k-p/w star.

Indeed, Manchester United and Chelsea appear to be among those who will no doubt also be trying to learn just how much is needed to trigger a deal.

One thing is for sure though, this clause certainly contradicts that claim from Naylor that Brighton aren't expecting any contact from Liverpool regarding a transfer.

Liverpool have tabled an offer to bring Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Gravenberch to Anfield?

The Netherlands international still has four years remaining on his contract at the Allianz Arena, but having made just two starts this season in the Bundesliga, is significantly out of favour under Thomas Tuchel and could therefore be looking for a new home this summer.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed in April that the Reds have the 20-year-old on their “shortlist” of central options, and 90min soon after further backed this up by reporting that FSG and Jurgen Klopp had asked to be given updates on his transfer situation.

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf have also since claimed that the Merseyside outfit’s chiefs held talks with the player’s representatives, including his father, with the star keen to join after a positive round of discussions.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness), Liverpool, alongside top-flight rivals Newcastle United, have “already made proposals" for Gravenberch, with the pair both ready to “shell out” €50m (£43m) to bring him to England during the upcoming window. Manchester United are also in the picture and interested in completing a deal, though they are yet to make any kind of official contact or offer, unlike the two suitors named above.

Would Gravenberch be a good signing for Liverpool?

Gravenberch is naturally a central midfielder but is much stronger in the attacking aspect of his game, and having been lauded a “saviour” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Liverpool would be recruiting a hugely exciting player.

The 6 foot 2 titan, who has experience in both the Champions and Europa League, has clocked up 69 goal involvements (36 goals and 33 assists) in 218 appearances since the start of his career, not to mention that he ranks in the 96th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 by midfielders in the top five leagues.

The Adidas-sponsored athlete also has an 89.5% pass success rate in the Bundesliga which would rank him the third-highest among the rest of the regular squad at Anfield, so the fact that he’s cool, calm and collected on the ball in possession will be yet another attractive attribute to Klopp.

Finally, Gravenberch would add wonderful versatility to Liverpool’s ranks having operated in five different positions since first emerging onto the scene, including three in the midfield, out wide on the left flank and even at centre-forward, so the hierarchy shouldn’t even have to think twice about getting this star in the making in the building.

Matt Quinn finally broke a monumental record eighth-wicket stand of 222 between Sam Northeast and James Tredwell to set up Essex for their third Championship win of the season

ECB Reporters Network06-Jul-2016Essex 569 (Bopara 94, ten Doeschate 91, Westley 88, Lawrence 82, Rabada 4-118) and 9 for 0 (Browne 8*, Cook 1*) beat Kent 207 (Blake 89*, Porter 3-51) and 370 (Northeast 166*, Tredwell 124, Quinn 4-60) by ten wickets
ScorecardSam Northeast remained unbeaten on 166•Getty ImagesMatt Quinn finally broke a monumental record eighth-wicket stand of 222 between Sam Northeast and James Tredwell to set up Essex for their third Championship win of the season and a return to the top of the Specsavers County Championship.The Kent pair had come together seven overs before tea on the third day and were finally separated 80 overs and just over five hours later in mid-afternoon on the final day.Once Tredwell had gone for a career-best 124, Essex had an extra spring in their step and they wrapped up the Kent second innings in four more overs before knocking off the nine runs required for victory in 10 balls to claim a maximum 24 points. That took them back above Kent at the top of Division Two by 18 points.Northeast, with his third century of the season, and second in four innings, remained 166 not out and had the pleasure of rocking on to the back foot to hit Graham Napier for the four that meant Essex had to bat again. He faced 320 balls and hit 23 fours.Northeast said: “I think we can look back at it now with a sense of pride. It still doesn’t make me feel any better at the moment. We nearly dared to believe that we were going to do it. We just kept ticking it over, and it’s a shame it had to end like that in a collapse.”But it was great character from Tredders. It sums him up as a person really. In those tricky situations he comes out fighting. It is huge credit to him.”As a batting unit we would admit we should have got more runs in the first innings, and even in the second here on a pitch that got flatter as it went on. We have put some great totals on the board this year and hopefully Tredders, too, can kick on from this.”Kent had been asked to score 362 to avoid an innings defeat and took up 122 overs, and three-and-a-half sessions, in doing so. After being 138 for 7 when Tredwell joined his captain, and after nearly five sessions in the field when Essex amassed 569 runs, it was a truly Herculean effort.A weary Tredwell finally went on 124 – one better than the unbeaten 123 he scored against the New Zealanders in 2008. He pulled Quinn to mid-on where Ryan ten Doeschate pouched the catch. He had batted for 269 balls and hit 20 fours.The last two wickets offered little support for Northeast. Kagiso Rabada had already shown a tendency to try and hook every ball. So when Quinn dropped one short he skied almost vertically and James Foster moved round in front of the stumps to take.Mitch Claydon then gave Quinn his deserved fourth wicket when he lofted to Ravi Bopara at deep square leg.Essex spent a frustrating day in the field. Not even the introduction of the new ball in the third over of the morning brought about any change in the obdurate, but serene batting of the Kent eighth-wicket pair.Tredwell survived a loud and long appeal for lbw to the first ball of the day from Tom Westley, but in truth his front leg was thrust well forward. Quinn then produced a peach of a ball that Northeast just,managed to avoid.Indeed, Quinn was the pick of the Essex bowlers. He almost had Tredwell twice in one over, first when he slashed, but slashed hard at a ball that cleared the slip cordon, and when the batsman got an inside-edge that just missed off stump and raced away to fine leg for another four.Otherwise it was plain sailing on a sunny pre-lunch session. The only interruptions to a fine example in concentration came when batting records when announced. The first was when they beat the 157 of Alan Hilder and Charlie Wright for Kent versus Essex, which dated back to a match at Gravesend in 1924.When Tredwell cut Bopara for his 19th four to backward point to reach his century, it also set a Kent eighth-wicket stand against all-comers. They went on to eclipse the 177 that stood to Geraint Jones and Yasir Arafat since 2007 when they thrashed Warwickshire all around Canterbury.Northeast, who was dropped on 30 on the third night, survived another chance 115 runs later. Quinn was the unfortunate bowler on the first occasion, and straight after lunch he had the Kent captain hitting firmly but uppishly to midwicket where Dan Lawrence dived to his left but spilled the catch.Northeast scored only 29 runs in the morning session, but he came alive with a powerful square-cut off Quinn that brought up his 150 off 299 balls, with 20 fours.As records continued to fall, Tredwell went past his highest Championship score of 116 not out nine years ago against Yorkshire – and then beat his career best.

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that the board is going to investigate allegations of unfair practices during this season’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League

Mohammad Isam11-Jun-2016BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said that the board is going to investigate allegations of unfair practices during this season’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.Umpiring standards have been repeatedly questioned by all quarters during this year’s league. At a crucial stage in the Abahani Limited-Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club match, umpire Rezwan Parvez gave Taskin Ahmed not out although he was at least 12 inches outside the crease when Farhad Reza broke the stumps. Abahani needed 10 runs off three balls before that incident and went on to win the match. In the Abahani-Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi match, a questionable no-ball call was not made despite the full-toss going above the batsman’s waist in the last over of the chase.In the Kalabagan Krira Chakra-Legends of Rupganj match, Rupganj were not awarded six runs despite an overthrow following the completion of two runs. Rupganj also alleged that the umpires called off that game soon after rain stopped and did not wait too long for the Fatullah ground to dry, with Kalabagan winning through the D/L method. Two days later, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis, the BCB standing committee that runs the tournament, suspended Rupganj captain Mosharraf Hossain and wicketkeeper Mohammad Mithun for arguing with the umpires during the same game.Allegations of favouritism were also leveled towards the CCDM, after Gazi Group Cricketers’ last-round match against Victoria Sporting Club was deferred by a day. The CCDM, citing “unavoidable circumstances”, broke the pattern in which three matches were held on every match day.Gazi Group were on ten points before that match while Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kalabagan Krira Chakra and Prime Bank Cricket Club were on 12 points each. The one-day delay gave Gazi Group the advantage of knowing the equation to qualify to the Super League, but they ultimately lost to Victoria and failed to make it to the next phase. Kalabagan Krira Chakra lodged an official complaint by saying that the CCDM favoured Gazi Group because the club’s owner Gazi Golam Murtoza is also the chairman of CCDM.BCB chief Hassan said that he will ask the CCDM to furnish an answer about the change in the match date as well as the wet pitch in BKSP. He announced that such problems would not arise in the Super League phase.”We will officially ask for what happened with the Gazi match timing change,” Hassan said. “They will have to provide an answer. But the result wasn’t in their favour. No team went into the Super League with the benefit from umpires. Kalabagan Krira Chakra’s [Nazmul Karim] Tinku is the head of the umpiring committee but his team didn’t go to the Super League.”I will take action if there’s a specific instance where a certain team benefited by an umpiring decision. But the Super League is yet to start so we are still in discussion to ensure these things aren’t repeated. These are all abnormal incidents. I have no doubt that these are motivated. Otherwise why would they complain to the ICC that cricket in Bangladesh is getting destroyed, and that matches are fixed here? They are trying hard to suspend Bangladesh from international cricket, it seems.”Even though Hassan didn’t specify who he was referring to as “they”, the ICC denied receiving any complaint regarding the Dhaka Premier League, saying that it doesn’t have the jurisdiction to interfere in domestic matters of a member country.Hassan said that the Abahani run-out incident had no bearing on the result of the game, because Mosaddek Hossain struck Farhad for a six and a four off the next two balls. He also said that Abahani don’t get the support of the umpires.”The second one is the one where the wicket was wet, so we will investigate that game,” he said. “Allegations have come about umpiring in Abahani matches. Since it went up to the ICC with photos being sent to them, we need to take it seriously. I saw that a run-out was not given. But there was no relation between that run-out and the result. It would have been seven [sic] wickets instead of six [sic].”They won with a six and four off the last two balls. Abahani in fact lost two games off the last ball. So if they got support of the umpires, they wouldn’t have lost those matches. They were on the brink of relegation two seasons ago.”

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is "very likely" to leave the club in the summer transfer window and Steve Parish wants to focus on securing Michael Olise, according to an update from journalist Pete O'Rourke.

When is Zaha out of contract?

The 30-year-old has arguably been the Eagles' greatest player of the Premier League era, so often proving to be their attacking talisman down the years. His pace, trickery and unpredictability have all made him such an exciting player to watch, and he has now racked up 458 appearances for Palace, scoring 90 goals and registering 76 assists along the way.

Zaha's future has been a big talking point throughout this season, however, with the £130,000-a-week winger's current Palace deal expiring at the end of the current campaign. That means he will be allowed to leave on a free transfer, unless an extension is agreed in the next month or so.

It feels increasingly likely that the Ivorian could be angling for a fresh challenge, seeing this moment as his last chance to get a big move at the peak of his powers. A fresh update further suggests that that could be the case.

Will Zaha leave Palace in the summer?

According to Football Insider's O'Rourke, he has been told that it is "very likely" Zaha will depart Selhurst Park in the summer window. While talks have taken place over a new Palace deal, little progress appears to have been made and the player is 'keen to pursue a new challenge'.

Marseille, Arsenal and Chelsea are all credited with interest in the report, and the news means that the Eagles are putting their focus on extending Olise's stay at the club, in order to soften the blow.

In truth, it does feel as though Zaha feels he has come as far as he can at Palace, with his talent arguably deserving of a move elsewhere before he drifts past his prime. He has shown such loyalty to the Eagles, returning there after a failed spell at Manchester United, so it would be hard to begrudge him a move to a club like Marseille, who are expected to be in the Champions League next term.

Ideally, he will sign an extension and spend the rest of his career in south London, of course, but he has lofty ambitions and will surely want to test himself in a European competition, which is something Palace can't offer him currently. There is always a chance that Zaha could have a change of heart, but at this point, it feels unlikely.

Leeds United have come forward as one of the clubs interested in signing AC Milan midfielder Charles de Ketelaere, if he is made available for loan this summer, according to reports from Belgium.

What's the latest Leeds transfer news?

Leeds are already looking at potential new options for next season, after a disappointing 2022-23 Premier League campaign, and it has recently been reported they are interested in signing Toulouse midfielder Branco van den Boomen.

The Whites seem to be keen on bringing in new signings in the engine room, as they are also targeting OH Leuven midfielder Mandela Keita, having "already signed up" to try and secure his services for next season.

Sam Allardyce has not ruled out staying at Elland Road beyond the end of the season, and the Yorkshire club have now come forward to potentially make their first signing under the new manager.

According to a report from Le Soir (via Sport Witness), Leeds have made it clear they would be keen on signing De Ketelaere this summer, if he is made available for loan by current club AC Milan, and they have "come forward" for his signing.

After joining the Serie A club last summer, the Belgian has been unable to live up to expectations at the San Siro, and a temporary move elsewhere could give him the opportunity to "rebound" after a poor first season in Italy.

The Whites are not the only club battling for the midfielder's signature, however, as Burnley and Atalanta have also made their interest clear, so there may be stiff competition this summer.

Should Leeds sign Charles de Ketelaere?

Although he has failed to hold down a regular place in the Milan starting XI this season, often being utilised as a substitute, the 22-year-old has still been lauded as a "top player" by teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Divock Origi has compared the attacking midfielder's play-style to that of a Brazil legend, describing him as "half Havertz and half Kaka", while he also ranks in the 89th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 in the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Although the move to AC Milan has not worked out thus far, the £49k-per-week maestro is still very young, and a move elsewhere could be what he needs to reinvigorate his career.

If De Ketelaere can reignite his form from his time with Club Brugge, scoring 14 and assisting seven in 33 league appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, he could be an excellent signing for Leeds.

Sri Lanka lack depth in their fast-bowling battery, coach Graham Ford said, after two frontline quicks left the tour of England with injury, and a third was reported for a suspect action. 

Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Jun-2016Sri Lanka lack depth in their fast-bowling battery, coach Graham Ford said, after two frontline quicks left the tour of England with injury, and a third was reported for a suspect action.Shaminda Eranga is scheduled to undergo a biomechanics test at Loughborough on Monday after he was reported following the Test at Chester-le-Street. Though he is likely to be free to play the Lord’s Test – before the results of his test are known – Sri Lanka may opt to save him the extra scrutiny by fielding another bowler in his place.The selectors will consider handing a debut to 29-year-old left-armer Chaminda Bandara, who is said to swing the ball at a lively pace, but has scarce A team experience. The team’s fast bowling stocks have been repeatedly depleted by injury over the past three years. On this tour they have lost Dhammika Prasad and Dushmantha Chameera to injury.”Maybe it’s a little alarming that perhaps we don’t have the depth that we were hoping that we would have at this stage, in the fast bowling department,” Ford said. “That’s a project for the future, because there are those injuries around fast bowlers. I did see some exciting Under-19 bowling before we came out here to England. I’m sure there are talented boys and if they’re looked after properly, we should have a decent unit of fast bowlers.”If Eranga does not play at Lord’s, Sri Lanka would have effectively lost their best quick of 2015 (Prasad), their fastest bowler (Chameera), and the only quick with over 10 Tests’ experience and a bowling average south of 40 (Eranga). It has left a lot on the plate of fast-bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake.”It is a challenge, because Dhammika was the star of the show last time Sri Lanka toured England,” Ford said. “He was the one that bowls the right length and was able to swing the ball both ways. The rest of the guys tend to swing it out more than anything else. And then we lost that extra pace that Dushmantha brings.”From a firepower point of view we are perhaps not where we want to be. But we do have a bowling unit that can bowl with discipline, hit their areas, and find other ways of creating pressure. Champaka has been working very hard with them on that. We’ve had periods where we have created that pressure and stuck to it pretty well. But then we’ve had other periods when we haven’t been like that, which shows that we’re very much a work-in-progress.”Bandara and Kusal Perera have now joined the squad in London ahead of the third Test, but had their arrival delayed because of visa hurdles. Both men only joined the team in the last 48 hours. Perera had been added to the squad as early as May 22, and as such, had his arrival delayed by about 10 days by the visa process. Ford suggested the delay had been a disadvantage.”If you’re coming to different conditions, the sooner they get used to those conditions the better. The delay wasn’t ideal. But now they’re here they’re going pretty well. Hopefully they have done some good work at home before they got here.”Sri Lanka dropped several key catches across both Tests, with both Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow reprieved en route to scores of over 140. The team’s catching had been poor in the World T20 and in the previous Test series as well. Ford said systemic changes were required to raise fielding standards in the long term.”The players have worked like crazy, but at the board level we’ve talked about how if you want to have a good fielding side, you have to make sure there’s real solid coaching in the fielding department at the emerging player level. By the time they get to international cricket they should be good fielders.”We need somebody at the Under-17, Under-19, development and emerging players having regular fielding sessions. They would have done so many good drills that they’re not scared of the ball and not scared to dive. They would watch the ball while they’re diving.”You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. You can’t flick a switch. You can’t have them playing for Sri Lanka and in a couple of fielding sessions turn them into brilliant fielders. We want to be known as a nation that produces really good fielders. In the levels below we’ve got to get the work done.”

Manchester United could sign Benjamin Sesko in a complex deal this summer to strengthen their forward line, journalist Dean Jones has suggested.

What is Benjamin Sesko's current situation?

Sesko is currently on the books of RB Salzburg and plies his trade in the Austrian Bundesliga; however, he sealed an agreement to join their sister club RB Leipzig from 2023/24 onwards for a fee of £20 million, as per The Sun.

Nevertheless, ESPN reported that Sesko could still head elsewhere if another club are willing to stump up a higher offer to buy out RB Leipzig.

90min have revealed that both Manchester United and Newcastle United are keen on signing the 19-year-old and recently sent scouts to watch him perform in RB Salzburg's 2-0 victory over Sturm Graz, where he got himself on the scoresheet.

RB Leipzig could stand to make a handy profit on their investment before Sesko has even played a game for the club as interest continues to grow in his services.

Sesko – hailed "special" by Manuel Veth – has made 37 appearances for RB Salzburg in all competitions, notching 16 goals and three assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Writing in his column for GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has given some insight into where Manchester United fit into the picture as a potential destination for Sesko.

Jones suggested: "Manchester United have been on the scene here longer than Newcastle and sources with knowledge of the situation seem genuine about the fact they could try to sign him sooner rather than later. I would rate them as being ahead of Newcastle in that sense.

"It is a strange situation to be pursuing a player who has a transfer already pending – but that £20million switch between RB clubs could still lead to a good business deal, even if United were to go in at over double that value."

What other strikers have Manchester United been linked with recently?

Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane has been extensively linked to the Red Devils over the last few months. However, the Daily Star have claimed that club officials are keen to avoid a transfer saga and may turn their attention towards alternative targets if Spurs chairman Daniel Levy drags out negotiations.

As per Football Insider, Napoli frontman Victor Osimhen is also a target for Manchester United, though Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid are all keen on his services.

Sport Bild have also signalled that Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani is wanted at Old Trafford, with their interest in the Frenchman said to be the 'most concrete' so far out of all his suitors.

With Manchester United hoping to seal Champions League qualification this term, it looks like they may have a brand new striker to spearhead the attack heading into 2023/24.

And landing a spot in the elite European competition could certainly offer them more buying power both in terms of their ability to spend and how attractive they come across to the respective targets.