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A shy-looking Pope could hardly put words to his thoughts and said he was not used to being surrounded by cameras, after his “surreal” spell

Shashank Kishore in Queenstown23-Jan-20181:02

‘It’s an unreal experience’ – Pope

Lloyd Pope would vouch for how cricket is a great leveller. Just 10 days ago against India, he dropped two sitters and bowled all of three overs for 22 in a game Australia were overwhelmed. Soon after the game, Pope’s parents walked towards the dressing room to comfort their disconsolate son, who was in tears. Pope admitted to being disappointed then.Two matches later, he couldn’t quite register that he was perhaps going to be the most googled cricketer in Australia. “I’m still shaking. Quite unbelievable, isn’t it? It’s awesome to be going to the semi-final,” he said after the match.Pope could hardly put words to his thoughts as he spoke to the media shortly after breaking his team-mate Jason Ralston’s record for the best figures at an Under-19 World Cup. Ralston’s record of 7 for 15, achieved against Papua New Guinea, didn’t even last a week. Pope went one better, taking 8 for 35 in a spell of legbreaks for the ages.Pope is a man of few words, but if you can turn in spells like that, one that England are unlikely to forget anytime soon, he wouldn’t need to talk much. No sooner had the last wicket been picked, Pope roared in exult even as his mates ruffled his hair. As he led the team off the field, there was a hint of tear in his eyes. After he recovered from the happy tears, he was taken aback.Pope has seldom had so many cameras panned on him. Talking on television after the match was a first. “It’s quite different. It’s weird to have cameras shoved into your face straight after it,” he said with a shy smile. “It’s different. Like when I play club cricket, your team-mates congratulate you, maybe when I’m home the parents say ‘well done’. So yeah, this feels weird.”Pope was so overwhelmed that he wasn’t even going to take credit for his wickets. “It was weird that so many wickets were taken for barely any runs,” he said. “Pretty good pitch to bowl spin on, but you could score runs too.”There was one point in England’s chase when Jason Sangha contemplated taking Pope out of the attack and bring in an offspinner against two left-handers Jack Davies and Euan Woods. England were still in it, being five down. Australia didn’t scent the possibility of an upset then. Pope said he quietly put a word in Sangha’s ear about wanting to continue. “He wanted to bring in an offie to the left-handers, I talked a little,” Pope started, and then had a shy smile, looking away towards his captain who was standing by the side.It was even put to him if he demanded to continue bowling. “Demand is a strong word,” he laughed. “I just love bowling. It’s an unreal experience. I always love playing for my country whether I’m taking wickets or not, so going out there and doing it with some really good mates was an awesome experience.”Pope stands at over six feet tall. He started wanting to be a fast bowler, until his father suggested he turn to spin, a decision that has worked wonders as he has proven at times that he can be unplayable at this level. Across his three age-group tournaments over the last two summers – one at the Under-17 level and two at Under-19 – Pope claimed 54 wickets at an average of 16.10 in 23 matches. Last year, he picked 15 wickets in five games against the visiting Sri Lankan side in April.”John Davidson, who works with Cricket Australia, has had a big influence in my game. Dan Cullen’s been around to help me as well. I love talking tactics with people who have had that experience. It’s still surreal now. I still can’t believe it.”

Everton boss Sean Dyche will 'listen to offers' for two of his fringe players at Goodison Park as squad trimming becomes a priority for the Toffees between now and the end of the window, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What's the latest Everton transfer news involving Tom Cannon and Andre Gomes?

According to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon, Republic of Ireland youth international Cannon could rejoin Preston North End on loan this campaign to bolster offensive options at Deepdale.

Nevertheless, Leeds United, Stoke City, Sunderland and Italian side Sampdoria are keeping an eye on the £8 million-rated 20-year-old as Everton look to trim their squad.

Last term, Cannon enjoyed a productive time of things on loan at Preston North End, registering eight goals and one assist from 21 appearances in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

The Daily Mail report that Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes may also be set to move on from Everton this summer amid 'tentative' interest from Saudi Arabia in his services.

Everton are desperately looking for a new striker and Gomes could be sold to finance a swoop for a new frontman, four years after the 30-year-old arrived at the Toffees from Barcelona in a £22 million deal, as per Sky Sports.

Gomes was out on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Lille last season and featured 27 times in all competitions, notching three goals and two assists in the process.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Brown has indicated that Everton will look to move the fringe duo elsewhere before the transfer window slams shut.

Brown stated: "Everton fans might not like to hear it but I do think that Everton are looking for a loan move for Cannon just to get him a quality year's worth of experience, probably in the Championship.

"I suspect that if they can't get him out permanently, he will also go on loan."

Who could Everton look to bring in this window?

Everton have already made four signings this window in the form of Ashley Young, Youssef Chermiti, Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison, with more set to come before the close of play at Goodison Park, as per Transfermarkt.

According to FootballTransfers, Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto is still pushing for a move to Goodison Park amid an expectation that the Whites will lower their asking price for the Italy international.

Southampton forward Che Adams and Leicester City striker Patson Daka have also been identified as two figures who could offer Everton some flexibility with regard to options in the final third, as per BBC Sport.

The Liverpool Echo claim that despite reports that Manchester United have submitted an enquiry concerning Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, there has been no such contact between either party over the Belgium international.

On the same token, the outlet have revealed that Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is not an Everton target, contrary to earlier information surrounding the 33-year-old's future.

Mumbai allrounder Abhishek Nayar has been left out of the 14-member Ranji Trophy squad announced to play against Tripura at Wankhede Stadium starting November 25. ESPNcricinfo understands that Nayar has been dropped considering he has scored only 130 runs and taken eight wickets from five games this season.”Due to lack of form, unfortunately we have had to take the call,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar told . “It’s tough, we understand that he is a senior player. But everyone understands that the teams comes first.”Mumbai, currently third in Group C, must beat Tripura in their final group-stage match to be assured of qualification into the knockout rounds.Nayar will have to wait for his 100th first-class cap, spending time on the bench alongside reserve spinner Aditya Dhumal. Vijay Gohil, the left-arm spinner, was added to the squad.In Mumbai’s last match against Andhra, Nayar scored 73 runs across both innings and took one wicket. However, in the match against Baroda – which was also Mumbai’s 500th first-class game – Nayar blocked his way to 8 off 108 balls in the second innings to help his team escape what seemed like certain defeat.Mumbai Squad: Aditya Tare (captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Jay Bista, Prithvi Shaw, Siddhesh Lad, Shreyas Iyer, Akash Parkar, Karsh Kothari, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shardul Thakur, Minad Manjrekar, Vijay Gohil, Akhil Herwadkar, Sufiyan Shaikh.

Jeet Raval, Colin Munro and Tim Seifert offered the only resistance for New Zealand A in the pink-ball day game

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2017Shardul Thakur bundled out the top order•AFPColin Munro and Tim Seifert’s middle-order resistance propelled New Zealand A to 211, despite the clusters of wickets that fell in their innings on the first day of the second unofficial Test in Vijayawada. The match is being played with a pink ball and is a day game. Shardul Thakur bundled out the top order, while spinners Karn Sharma and Shahbaz Nadeem, who bowled India A to victory in the first unofficial Test, ensured New Zealand A went from 127 for 4 to 211.Munro made 65 off 82 balls, while Seifert’s 44 not out hauled New Zealand past 200 after they had slid to 161 for 8. Before their efforts, opener Jeet Raval had given his side a push with 48, in a bid to overcome the poor start. Opening batsman George Worker and captain Henry Nicholls were dismissed by Thakur within three balls in the seventh over and by the 16th over, New Zealand A were reeling at 34 for 3.India A, who began playing close to stumps, lost opener R Samarth for a duck to pace bowler Seth Rance off the fourth ball of their innings. Shreyas Iyer, the centurion in the first game, and Priyank Panchal, were unbeaten at close of play and will resume from scores of 18 and 14 respectively on the second day.

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale has been a busy man throughout the summer transfer window as a raft of fresh additions have come through the door at Ibrox.

The Gers have snapped up seven new signings to bolster their playing squad after the club's failure to secure a single piece of silverware last season.

Sam Lammers, Leon Balogun, Cyriel Dessers, Kieran Dowell, Abdallah Sima, Jack Butland, and Dujon Sterling have all arrived either permanently or on loan since the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, the Scottish giants may not be done there as they still have well over a month to get their business done before September's deadline.

Last month, it was reported that the Light Blues are still in the race to land Malik Tillman on a second loan spell after his impressive performances for the club last term.

Bayern Munich, although they would be open to a sale, are prepared to sanction another temporary deal if the right opportunity comes about, whilst Premier League teams are also showing an interest in his services.

How many goals did Malik Tillman score last season?

The USA international plundered 12 goals across all competitions for Rangers and his return to Glasgow could allow Beale to brutally bin Ianis Hagi.

It was recently claimed that some unnamed teams in the Serie A are keeping tabs on the Romania international with a view to a potential swoop for his signature this summer, which could open up the door for the Gers to cash in on him.

The 24-year-old wizard missed 69 competitive games through a knee injury between January 2022 and 2023. He made his comeback under Beale last season and, understandably so, struggled to make a significant impact.

Hagi scored one goal and failed to create a single 'big chance' for his teammates across eight Scottish Premiership outings for the club, to go along with a Sofascore rating of 6.90 – the 15th-best score within the squad.

Tillman, on the other hand, ranked ninth on the team with an average Sofascore rating of 7.09. The £13k-per-week sensation, whose "infectious" attitude was hailed by ex-Gers boss Alex McLeish, racked up ten goals alongside 12 'big chances' created in 28 league matches for Rangers.

Fashion Sakala (12) was the only winger or midfielder with more Premiership goals than the German-born talent, which highlights how important the exceptional loanee was to the side with his ability at the top end of the pitch.

His form was also more impressive than Hagi's most successful campaign at Ibrox to date. The Romanian maestro averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.02 and contributed with seven goals to go along with six 'big chances' created in 33 matches during the 2020/21 title-winning season.

This suggests that Tillman has the ability to offer more, as a scorer and a creator, than Hagi in the final third as a midfielder or wide player.

Therefore, with the additions of Dowell and Sima to further bolster the club's options in those areas of the pitch, bringing the Bayern Munich dynamo back to Glasgow would allow Beale to cash in on Hagi amid interest from teams in Italy.

Their bowling remains as strong and varied as ever, but their batsmen have been struggling to cope with the demands of modern-day limited-overs cricket

Umar Farooq30-May-20171:20

Babar Azam – The new face of Pakistan’s batting

Overview

Pakistan cricket has always been associated with great symbols – their unpredictability, and boldness to unleash young surprise packages to name a couple. Now, however, those associations seem more diluted. There are more challenges than ever before with the team fluctuating around the bottom three spots in the ICC ODI rankings. They were on the verge of losing a berth in the Champions Trophy and barely managed to qualify.Squad

Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz

Pakistan have won all the major titles – World Cup, World T20, Asia Cup – but the Champions Trophy crown has eluded them. The closest they came was in 2009 when a crucial catch dropped by Younis Khan halted their progress into the final. Pakistan’s record in the 2013 edition was rather modest – knocked out losing all three games, and losing to India meant they lost their unbeaten record in the tournament against India.Pakistan are slotted in the same group as arch-rivals India, Sri Lanka and South Africa, the only Full Member they beat in the 2015 World Cup. They have already had to do away with one captain [Azhar Ali] and they go into the Champions Trophy ranked No. 8 but the next couple of weeks present them a rare opportunity. The young players coming into the squad – legspinner Shadab Khan, fast bowler Hasan Ali – and even Sarfraz Ahmed, the newly appointed captain will, once and for all, know if they can cut it with the best in the world.

Champions Trophy history

1998 – first-round exit
2000 – semi-final lost
2002- first-round exit
2004 – semi-final lost
2006 – first-round exit
2009 – semi-final lost
2013 – first-round exit

Form guide

Pakistan beat WestIndies 2-1 in their most recent ODI series, a tournament that was played with the added pressure of getting a rankings boost ahead of the September 30 deadline for direct qualification into the 2019 World Cup. Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam made match-winning hundreds and Mohammad Hafeez was the highest run-getter in the series with 201 runs at an average of 67.

Strength

“The return of my swing will make a huge difference in conditions like England,” Mohammad Amir said. Amir will lead the bowling attack, which remains the team’s biggest strength. The 18-year old legspinner Shadab had a fantastic introduction to T20Is, picking up 10 wickets in four games, and has been backed to replicate that performance in 50-overs as well. Pakistan will also look for impactful performances from Junaid Khan, who made his ODI comeback against Australia earlier this year, and Wahab Riaz, with his sheer pace.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Weakness

Pakistan’s limited-overs batting has been strewn with unbelievable collapses. To add to that, concerns regarding the strike-rates of their batsmen have also risen and cost them games recently. The team appears to be struggling to adapt to the pace of one-day cricket, where power-hitting has become a major aspect. In the period between 2012 and 2015, Pakistan’s scoring rate in the first 10 overs hovered close to the 4.5 runs per over mark, only gradually improving over the last two seasons and climbing to over 5. Their scoring rate in the last 10 overs has also shown similar improvement after a period of prolonged struggle. They have already lost their best power-hitter, Sharjeel Khan, in the wake of the PSL corruption case, while Umar Akmal was removed from the squad after failing a fitness test. With the batting unit lacking in firepower, their bowlers will be under a significant amount of pressure.

Key stats

Malik is set to feature in his sixth Champions Trophy tournament, the most among current players. He made his tournament debut in 2002, and since then has played all editions of the tournament. He has scored 326 runs and taken 10 wickets in 15 Champions Trophy games. The last time a Pakistan batsman scored a century in the Champions Trophy was in 2009 when Malik made 128 against India in Centurion. Saeed Anwar, who struck two of them in Nairobi in 2000, is the only other batsman from Pakistan to have scored a century in the tournament. Among the current Pakistan bowlers, Junaid Khan has dismissed Virat Kohli the most in ODIs – three times, all during the 2012-13 series.

Hours after Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mahmud confirmed that allrounder Mahmudullah would not be a part of the playing XI for the Colombo Test and would fly home on the eve of the match, BCB president Nazmul Hassan claimed the player’s return would be a personal decision and not one taken by the team management.The Test, which begins on March 15 in Colombo, will be Bangladesh’s 100th and Mahmud had said that given the match would be an emotional, landmark occasion, it was decided not to keep a high-profile, senior player sitting on the bench.Hassan said the decision to either stay in Colombo or return to Dhaka was up to Mahmudullah.”It is totally up to him [Mahmudullah], whether he wants to stay [in Colombo] or return [to Dhaka],” Hassan said. “There’s no question about sending him home by us or the team management, because the ODIs are coming up. I am sure he is supposed to stay back. At least I would have known if something like that had happened.”Mahmud later confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Mahmudullah could return to Dhaka, either on March 14 or 15, depending on the availability of an air ticket. Sources, however, indicate that Mahmudullah’s likely return will be discussed after Hassan arrives in Colombo on Tuesday.Mahmudullah made scores of 8 and 0 in Bangladesh’s loss in Galle, and bowled just two overs of his offspin. He had made a half-century in the one-off Test in India before this, but before that had gone ten innings without getting to a fifty.He was at the ground with the team at practice today and took part in the warm-ups, but did not train thereafter.Hassan also backed Mahmudullah’s selection for the three ODIs and two T20Is that follow. The ODI series starts from March 25, while the two T20Is will be played on April 4 and 6.”The ODI team isn’t submitted to me yet,” Hassan said. “Whether he will play or not, but I don’t think anyone will drop him from the squad without talking to me first.”He is a senior player who has made a lot of contribution. I don’t see any possibility of him being dropped from the squad.”

Manchester United look set to make an improved £50m transfer offer for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this week, according to reports.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news involving Mount?

It looks set to be a busy summer off the pitch at Old Trafford, with the Glazers still in charge despite an ongoing takeover saga.

The Red Devils have seemingly made Mount one of their top transfer targets this summer and have already agreed on personal terms with the England international.

Mount is entering the final 12 months of his Stamford Bridge contract, however, a fee between the two clubs appears to be proving tricky. Man United had an initial £40m bid turned down by their Premier League rivals recently, but it looks as if they are set to return quickly with an improved offer for the player who Chelsea value at £70m.

According to The Daily Mail in the last 48 hours, Man United are expected to make a £50m offer for Mount this week.

Those at Old Trafford are determined to sign the midfielder for Erik ten Hag and are the front runners, should they reach an agreement with the Blues.

How much money does Mason Mount earn at Chelsea?

Mount, hailed as "unbelievable" by Joe Cole, has progressed through the academy at Stamford Bridge, and as a result, his salary has increased over time. The 24-year-old was on £100-a-week back in 2015 and has been on £76,000-a-week since 2019 after breaking through into the first team.

It looks as if United are desperate to sign Mount, and if they succeed, he would offer a versatile option to Ten Hag’s side. He is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder or out on the left, with the majority of his appearances turning out in an advanced role.

He has contributed to 70 goals in 195 games for Chelsea and has 36 senior caps for England, so could come in and potentially play alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in a three-man midfield, possibly even replacing the former in an attacking role, should the Portugal international be rested at points throughout the campaign.

It’ll be interesting to see if United get their man, and by the looks of it, there will be further developments over the coming days.

Batsman Chris Lynn has been ruled out of the remainder of Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan and the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand due to a neck injury

Brydon Coverdale18-Jan-2017Batsman Chris Lynn has been ruled out of the remainder of Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan and the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand due to a neck injury. However, the Australians are hopeful that Lynn will recover in time to be part of the Twenty20 side to take on Sri Lanka in mid-February, when the Test players will already be in India.Lynn made his ODI debut on his home ground at the Gabba in the first game against Pakistan last Friday, but was ruled out of the second match in Melbourne due to an aggravation of his existing injury. The sidelining of Lynn comes at an unfortunate time for the batsman, who had lit up the Big Bash League with the Brisbane Heat and had a chance to make a one-day spot his own.”He’s obviously been playing in a lot of pain, even through the BBL,” Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann said ahead of the second ODI against Pakistan in Perth. “It’s just got to the stage where he can’t function anymore.”He’s got a couple of weeks with really no cricket, light duties … a little bit of physical stuff but nothing weight-bearing. He’s got to calm down the neck – it’s quite aggravated. He’ll start his rehab as of now, but he won’t be doing too much strenuous stuff before hopefully getting back for the Sri Lankan series.”As a result of Lynn’s absence, Peter Handscomb will make his ODI debut at the WACA on Thursday, having been added to the squad. Although Handscomb has averaged just 23.83 in the past two years in List A cricket, his outstanding form when stepping into the Test line-up this summer – he is yet to be dismissed for less than 50 in a Test innings – encouraged the selectors to look to him again.”He’s done really well, he’s been outstanding,” Lehmann said of Handscomb. “A good reward for a good summer. We want four quality batters going at the top, so he’ll get his chance there … That number four spot is there and Peter has done a really good job for us in the Test matches, so he gets another crack at it.”He played a very good one-day sort of innings for us in the Sydney Test match, where we scored quite quickly. He’s got all the shots and he’s quite innovative. But if we lose early wickets he can consolidate from there.”Handscomb’s inclusion for Mitchell Marsh, who hurt his shoulder during Australia’s loss at the MCG, is one of two changes to the XI. Mitchell Starc has been rested for the third match, with fast bowler Billy Stanlake set to return to the side after making his debut in the first game at the Gabba.”He’s tall and he’s got some bounce, so we think he’ll be quite effective here,” Lehmann said of Stanlake. The teams head into the Perth ODI level at 1-1 in the five-game series, after Pakistan’s win in Melbourne ended a stretch of 16 consecutive losses to Australia in Australia across all formats.Australia XI for Perth ODI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake.

Manchester United ownership bidder Sheikh Jassim and his Nine Two Foundation may take optimism from the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his firm INEOS haven't gained an exclusivity agreement at Old Trafford, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest takeover news involving Manchester United?

Jamie Jackson, who is a journalist for The Guardian, has given an update regarding the state of play surrounding the ownership situation at Manchester United on Twitter, stating: "As I understand it, Sheikh Jassim is still waiting to hear back from Glazers regarding his last bid for Man Utd."

Sky Sports report that despite the ongoing takeover process, the Glazer family have yet to enter into a period of exclusivity with either Sheikh Jassim and the Nine Two Foundation or Ratcliffe, who is fronting the bid from INEOS to assume control at Old Trafford.

As per The Mirror, Sheikh Jassim wants to assume 100% control of the Premier League side while Ratcliffe is keen to purchase a 69% stake in the club, which would allow Joel and Avram Glazer to stay on as minority stakeholders.

BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone has claimed that Sheikh Jassim may even move to submit a fifth bid to try and win the bidding war for the Red Devils.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs echoes the sentiment that the Nine Two Foundation could offer a higher amount yet to try and seize control of Manchester United.

Jacobs told FFC: "On the flip side, Nine Two Foundation take confidence from the fact that despite that cautious optimism, INEOS have not been placed in a period of exclusivity or given the title of the preferred bidder. What that means is the door is always open. I think the Nine Two Foundation feel like INEOS is almost a stalking horse to try and drive up the price, so if Qatar are to succeed, then they're still likely to have to go higher, which would mean if we include the indicative offer, a fifth bid."

What now for Manchester United?

It remains to be seen off the pitch as this ownership scenario carries which that may deplete Erik Ten Hag's ability to enter into the transfer market this summer for reinforcements if the Glazer family haven't managed to help facilitate a deal before the window opens in June.

As per ESPN, Ten Hag has stated in a recent interview that he isn't sure what the state of play may be with regards to his potential to recruit players in the off-season, stating: "I think it's clear what I want, but it's not up to me. It's about others in this club. The family are the owners, they make the decisions. It's not up to me, so I do everything I can and I influence the processes I'm in charge of.

"I'm focusing on improving the squad, the team development, so I have to make sure the team is progressing and I'm focusing on that.

Manchester United are expected to be in for several additions and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is believed to have 'agreed' personal terms over a prospective move to Old Trafford, as per The Guardian.

Nevertheless, we will probably find out more about who's money Manchester United will be spending after this weekend, where the Red Devils face the task of taking on Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup final for another shot at silverware this term.