Newcastle United are back in action tonight, as the Magpies host Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park in the third fixture of the Champions League group stages.
Eddie Howe’s side were placed as far from the favourites when the lineup for Group E was revealed, with it being dubbed the 2023/24 edition of the ‘ Group of Death’ due to its challenges.
So far, the Geordies have secured a draw with AC Milan and an emphatic 4-1 win over Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain, giving Howe’s squad added confidence going into tonight's big fixture.
What is the latest Newcastle team news against Dortmund?
After schooling PSG in their previous fixture in the Champions League, Newcastle will face another big challenge this evening when hosting the in-form Dortmund.
The German outfit remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga from their opening eight games, having won six and drawn two to put them in good stead to give the Magpies a battle.
Their start to the Champions League, however, has been a different story, having claimed just one point from a 0-0 draw against AC Milan, placing them at the bottom of Group E.
Newcastle defender Fabian Schar.
Newcastle will hope to take the victory over Dortmund this evening, however they will have to be at their best to do so, with some squad selection decisions to be made by Howe.
The talk of the Magpies’ squad is Sandro Tonali’s pending punishment over betting offences, yet the midfielder is in contention to play against the well-oiled Bundesliga side, albeit with the likes of Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes still sidelined.
Starting as a substitute last weekend, Tonali was joined by Alexander Isak, who came off the bench despite nursing a slight knee problem, opening a potential door for another forward to lead the line from the start tonight.
Should Callum Wilson start against Dortmund?
Howe is lucky to have two impressive goalscorers to rotate between, and despite being in fine form, Callum Wilson could have an argument over his claim to start against Dortmund.
The Englishman, who was once lauded as “clinical” by journalist Chris Waugh, has already scored five goals in the Premier League this season, with his tally added to last time out against Crystal Palace.
Wilson has played just 27 minutes in the Champions League this term, and could be in good stead to claim his first start of the tournament, in a rotation up-front that could cause the opposition added problems.
The £46k-per-week talisman is no stranger to scoring goals, and could be the ideal inclusion into the squad should Howe opt to keep Isak as a substitute and rotate from the side that beat PSG.
In the league this term, the former Bournemouth sensation has a scoring frequency of just 68 minutes, averaging 1.5 shots on target per game, despite only averaging 42 minutes of play per game, via Sofascore.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson.
By fielding a scorer as clinical as Wilson, Howe could deal Dortmund additional blows by unleashing arguably his most prolific hitman on the defence, who have only conceded eight goals in the Bundesliga this season.
Newcastle will have to be at their best in the final third to break down Edin Terzic’s well-structured side, who will be desperate for a win against the Magpies at St James’ Park.
Arsenal's youth production over the last few decades has been arguably some of the most proficient in England, having seemingly ramped up their levels across recent years to increase the quality and quantity of academy emergence.
Bukayo Saka stands as glittering proof of their hard work, but there are many more stars waiting in the shadows to earn a similar chance, and develop into the club's next big thing.
Per Mertesacker, who formerly starred for the Gunners but now oversees the academy, has waxed lyrical about the work they do: "Here at London Colney, U18s, U21s, first team, women's, men's, is more directed into performance, the success, the winning. Hale End is the development environment that we feel is needed more centrally to recruit the right players and people for us to mould them until they arrive onto the full-time programme scholarship and make their transition here."
As such, the likes of Charles Sagoe Jr, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Reuell Walters and more are all seemingly ready for that first-team chance, through the development afforded to them.
They will see Saka as the man to emulate, alongside the star-studded list of previous academy graduates. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Ashley Cole and Paul Merson have all earned varied success at the top level, but few have matched what Cesc Fabregas managed.
How good was Cesc Fabregas?
Although technically a product of Barcelona's infamous La Masia academy, it was not a signing expected to instantly impact the starting XI for Arsene Wenger, given the young Spaniard was just 16.
He was regarded as one for the future, but often if a player is good enough, age marks no barrier.
The midfield maestro proved to be one such example, who slowly worked his way into that senior side with technical brilliance and a tireless work rate that allowed him to stand out in English football.
A string of first-team appearances gave way to his true standout year, as during the 2007/08 season he would score seven and assist 20 in the Premier League alone, finishing the term on 35 goal contributions across all competitions.
Such form would earn praise, with Wenger noting: "Cesc is very like Paul Scholes of Manchester United. He uses his brain and is intelligent in the game. "He has exceptional passing ability and he knows how to time his runs to get into the box, and he's only 20!"
Then, as the Euro 2008 final approached, Spain coach Luis Aragones praised him: "A player like Cesc, who is 21, has acquired the experience of someone who is 28 or 29." So, to showcase such maturity despite being so young arguably made him even greater when he would eventually reach that age, given he would finish his career having won two European Championships, one World Cup, two Premier League titles and a host of domestic honours in Spain and England.
Adapting throughout a sparkling career, the 110-cap magician went from box-to-box dynamo to midfield metronome, starring throughout.
2010/11
25
3
13
2009/10
27
15
15
2008/09
22
3
10
2007/08
32
7
20
2006/07
38
2
11
2005/06
35
3
5
2004/05
33
2
2
Whilst there are many top midfielders within the Gunners' academy at the moment, the recent performances of Jack Henry-Francis will certainly have caught the eye as someone capable of emulating the Spanish superstar.
Who is Jack Henry-Francis?
Described by Arsenal's official website as 'a box-to-box, energetic midfielder', already the comparisons between the teenage magician and Fabregas begin to form.
Having joined the club aged 12, it has been a steady journey up through the youth ranks for the 19-year-old, who made himself a mainstay for the U21s last season despite his youth.
Such fine form at a level way above his age group even earned him opportunities to train with the first team, as if to emphasise just how close he is to breaking into Mikel Arteta's side.
Recording just two goal contributions across 14 Premier League 2 appearances last campaign was an admirable if slightly disappointing return, but one he is poised to demolish given the blistering start to the new term. He already has one goal after three games at the same level, and shone on Tuesday night in their EFL Trophy demolition of Exeter City.
This year could be the one that truly puts Henry-Francis on the map, although former U21s head coach Kevin Betsy had already sought to do so with his comments back in 2022: "His 360(-degree) awareness is very good. He receives the ball in different positions, is really reliable on the football and he goes unnoticed out of possession.
"Defensively, he picks up good positions and you can see he’s got very good passing range over 10-15 yards but also over 40-50 yards. He’s a very good player, we love working with him".
How did Jack Henry-Francis play vs Exeter City?
Starting in central midfield against a senior outfit, it was a truly comprehensive performance from the visiting youngsters, who brushed aside the Grecians in a 5-0 rout.
Whilst the likes of Sebastien Ferdinand and Sagoe Jr understandably stood out for their fine goalscoring performances, Henry-Francis not only got in on the action, but he did so whilst also dominating every other aspect of the clash too.
He was defensively solid but a creative threat throughout, hugely reminiscent of a young Fabregas who too boasted such a work rate.
As such, the U19s Republic of Ireland international would both score and assist, emphasising his influence with an impressive 74 touches and 84% pass accuracy.
However, perhaps more importantly, his underlying numbers paint the picture of a truly outstanding footballer capable of doing it all. On top of such starring earlier figures, he would also record three key passes whilst making four tackles, winning seven of the 13 duels he competed in too, via Sofascore.
His ability to stand out against seasoned professionals suggests his development at youth level is nearly complete, with the next natural step being into Arteta's first team or out on loan. Whichever is chosen, should he continue his frighteningly sharp upward trajectory, the sky is the limit for the teenage maestro already dominating games.
Should he earn half as much success as Fabregas did across his fine career, this will be another success attributed to Hale End, which continues to prove its worth.
Sri Lanka’s quicks scythed through the West Indies lower order, and finished only 13 runs behind for the loss of one wicket by stumps
The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando16-Jun-2018 Sri Lanka’s quicks scythed through the West Indies lower order, and finished only 13 runs behind for the loss of one wicket by stumps. But it was what they did at the start of the day that loomed over this game. For two hours, they refused to take the field, and when they did, it was only “under protest”. The reason? Match officials had charged them with ball tampering, slapping on a five-run penalty, and changing the ball that had been used on day one. Sri Lanka’s coach and team management were seen in animated discussions with match officials, after being told of the tampering allegations shortly before the teams were set to take the field. They were eventually convinced to resume play, but deny any “wrongdoing” according to a board release. An inquiry on these charges will be held after stumps on Saturday.Though there is a major controversy brewing, this is now a finely-balanced Test, the visitors fighting back hard, after having allowed West Indies to take control of the match over the first two days. The definitive period of play was the 20.3 overs they delivered with the second new ball, either side of tea. In that period they took the six final West Indies wickets for 59 runs – Lahiru Kumara taking three of those wickets, to finish with an impressive 4 for 84 on a day in which he had bowled deliveries as fast as 149kph. Kasun Rajitha also collected encouraging figures in his first Test innings, removing Devendra Bishoo and Jason Holder in a single intense spell, to end with 3 for 49.The pitch, though, remained helpful for the quicks, especially when they bowled with the new ball, and Sri Lanka will know they are in for another fight tomorrow. Sri Lanka had just under an hour to bat at the end of the day, and were frequently in trouble through this period. Kusal Perera played a stroke-filled 23-ball innings, collecting three boundaries, and miscuing other aerial shots. He was out for 20, leaden-footedly edging Shannon Gabriel to the wicketkeeper. The only batsmen who can be said to have prospered for a meaningful length of time on day three were Shane Dowrich, who hit 55, and Roston Chase, who joined Dowrich for a 78-run fifth-wicket stand.AFPWhere in Trinidad Sri Lanka had allowed West Indies’ lower order to compile a formidable first-innings total almost on their own, it was Kumara’s intensity and Rajitha’s perseverance that enabled the visitors to shut this West Indies innings down in relatively quick time. Dowrich and Chase had built an ominous stand and had taken West Indies to within 14 runs of Sri Lanka’s first-innings total with six wickets still in hand, when the second new ball became available. Kumara struck the first blow, having Chase caught at short midwicket for 44. He would later return to knock out the last two wickets, nailing Kemar Roach in front of leg stump with a yorker, and having Shannon Gabriel top edge a heave off the short ball.In between, Rajitha and Suranga Lakmal moved the ball consistently off the seam, and all three bowlers drew plenty of false strokes – the lower order seeming to play and miss more often than they made connection.Earlier in the day, only 12.3 overs had been possible because of Sri Lanka’s refusal to take the field. When they did begin to play, Kumara was seemingly channelling the ire felt in the Sri Lanka dressing room, sending down a barrage of hostile short deliveries at the overnight pair. Smith was unruffled by the strategy, and batted with caution, much as he had on the previous day. Shai Hope was not as confident, and was eventually out edging Lakmal to the cordon for 19. Subtlety – rather than menace – would later be the end of Smith. Expecting an offbreak from Akila Dananjaya, who was operating around the wicket to the left-hander, Smith was struck on the pad by a slider that would have gone on to hit the stumps. He had made a vital 61, however. Not only was Smith’s the highest individual score in West Indies’ total of 300, it was an important innings for a batsman who is attempting to win a consistent place in this team, at the age of 36.
Harshal’s unbeaten 36, including a 26-run final over off Dwayne Bravo, proved to be the game-changer, with CSK not yet assured of a top-two spot
The Report by Shashank Kishore18-May-2018 Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:13
Is it time for CSK to replace Bravo as their go-to death bowler?
Sandeep Lamichhane was born in the same year Amit Mishra made his first-class debut. Eighteen years on, both legspinners with immeasurable skills and sky-high confidence levels were at the forefront of a superb Delhi Daredevils win that meant Chennai Super Kings are not yet assured of a top-two finish. The pair finished with 3 for 41 off eight overs to tie CSK down after Ambati Rayudu’s 29-ball 50 put them ahead at the halfway mark of the chase.The reply boiled down to MS Dhoni, with CSK needing 58 off 24. On a sluggish surface, this proved a little too steep. Earlier in the evening, Harshal Patel clubbed four sixes and took 26 off Dwayne Bravo’s final over and that gave Delhi Daredevils 162. That proved to be pivotal.Shaw runs out of luck Prithvi Shaw isn’t a biffer, but can take the attack to the bowlers by trusting his instincts and hitting through the line. On a Feroz Shah Kotla deck with more bounce than usual, he was denied this luxury early on by Deepak Chahar and Lungi Ndigi. So, he became a little adventurous, and the move backfired.Shaw’s innings included a leading edge on the bounce to third man, two miscued slog sweeps that just eluded the backtracking midwicket fielder and a reprieve at mid-on by Shardul Thakur, all in Ravindra Jadeja’s first over, the fourth of the innings. But Chahar triumphed eventually when he had Shaw toe-ending a cross-batted heave to Shardul Thakur at long-on. Daredevils: 24 for 1 in the fifth over.Ngidi gets Pant, again Twice this season, Rishabh Pant has sold the dummy to his captain. Here, he was nearly undone by Shreyas Iyer, but for Chahar’s underarm throw from mid-on missing the stumps at the bowler’s end in the fifth over. All this played out even as Iyer struggled for timing: his control percentage against three of the five bowlers he faced was less than 66.To offset Iyer’s struggle, Pant launched into Harbhajan Singh in the ninth over, hitting two sixes and a slashed cut for four as Daredevils pocketed 17 to move to 77 for 1 in 10 overs. The platform was set, only for it to come crashing down as Ndigi’s double-strike set them back in the 11th over.Iyer fell first, bowled backing away to cut a delivery that cramped him for room. Off the next ball, Pant’s ugly across-the-line hoick to one he was forced to reach out for resulted in a slice to third man. When Glenn Maxwell was out bowled, attempting a reverse sweep to a full Jadeja dart, Daredevils were in trouble at 94 for 4.Bravo’s death execution comes apart Vijay Shankar and Harshal Patel at No. 5 and No. 7 respectively may have been a tad too high. They chose to disprove that notion with a stunning late assault that yielded 65 off just 32 balls. The destroyer was Harshal – no more than a pinch-hitter in domestic cricket – who used the depth of the crease superbly to muscle four sixes – three peppering the sightscreen. Dwayne Bravo got his execution wrong, the dipping slower deliveries gave way to full tosses and the last over was taken for 26. Harshal finished 36 not out off 16 deliveries with Bravo’s figures reading a dismal 4-0-52-0 as Daredevils finished with 162.An unusually slow CSK start Shane Watson struggled for timing and ploughed his way to 13 off 20 as CSK crawled to 22 without loss in five overs. Rayudu then got stuck into Avesh Khan, pulling him for three sixes and a flat-batted slap for four in the sixth over to break the shackles. Then there was a bit of drama.Mishra first had Watson miscuing to long-off and then bamboozled Suresh Raina first ball with a googly that took the edge, only for Pant to fluff the chance. This proved to be the trigger for Rayudu to continue his sustained attack to bring up a 28-ball half-century. But he fell off the next ball to a hoick that was well held by Glenn Maxwell to leave CSK at 70 for 2 in 10 overs.Game-changer Harshal steps up CSK’s veterans had the platform, but also knew manufacturing strokes off length balls on a sluggish surface wouldn’t be easy. This resulted in desperation. Raina’s heave to a Lamichhane googly was caught at deep midwicket. Sam Billings’ dismissal soon after left Dhoni having to do the bulk of the hitting with CSK needing 58 of 24.Enter Harshal, with the confidence of a cameo behind him. His third over went for for just three and Daredevils tightened the noose from there on. By the time he bowled out, with figures of 4-0-23-1, CSK needed 39 off the final over.
Punjab’s batting never imposed itself, the bowlers lacked the venom to stop Bangalore, and their fielding … well that was just deplorable
Jamie Alter in Mohali02-Apr-2010 Nothing’s gone right for Brett Lee in this season•Indian Premier LeagueA perplexing innings
Sent up the order to open, Manvinder Bisla ate up 26 balls for 28 runs. Once Shaun Marsh was dismissed early, the pressure was on Bisla to justify the decision to open with him. Bisla scored the majority of his runs off the South African pair of Dale Steyn (eight off four balls) and Jacques Kallis (nine off eight balls), whom he seemed keen to charge and waft at. Watching him repeatedly charge or back away, it was evident how limited a player he is. Apart from the cut, when he made room, and the uncontrolled clip off the pads, a shot he appeared eager to play but couldn’t pull off regularly, there was little to his stock. No matter what the line or length, Bisla wanted to jump out of the crease and put the ball over the infield. You couldn’t help but contrast his methods with those of Virat Kolhli, who paced his innings with solidity while scoring at the frenetic pace required in this format.And what was Bisla attempting against Anil Kumble? When veteran international players have had troubles against Kumble’s wiles this IPL – the delivery that beat Matthew Hayden was one of the season’s best – Bisla should have been more cautious instead of trying to step out first ball. On the third ball from Kumble he tried to hit across the line and was beaten. He then made room and streakily cut Kumble in the air wide of the catchers. After again trying and missing, his dismissal was the result of an apparent brain freeze. He tried to scoop Kumble over short fine leg, exposed the stumps, and had the furniture rearranged. Instead of helping Punjab, Bisla’s inning hurt them.Catches win matches … oh dear
This was the worst fielding effort I have seen this IPL and when – not if, as there is now virtually no chance – Punjab sit down and look at on-field reasons as to why they didn’t reach the semi-finals, this match will return to haunt them. In the 14th over, Sreesanth put down what will rank as one of the easiest chances of the competition; Kohli hit a slower ball straight to Sreesanth at long-on but it went in and out at about shoulder height.The less said about Ravi Bopara’s fielding the better. First he ran around from third man and let the ball through his legs to give Kevin Pietersen a much-needed four. Then, in the 16th over Bopara was again at it, running in from long-on and failing to take a simple catch from Pietersen that came at him at a nice catchable height.But … drum roll … the enduring image of the evening. After glaring at his butterfingered fielders, it was time for the captain to step up. After a 25-run over that turned the match around, Kumar Sangakkara ran backwards from cover to a swish from Pietersen, settled under the ball, and muffed it. It wasn’t over: before lying on his ground wondering how he’d missed the catch, Sangakkara managed to kick the ball to the boundary for four. These were international cricketers fielding like middle-aged men in .Let down by Lee
With 48 required from 24 balls, Punjab were still in with a shot. Enter Brett Lee, the team’s strike bowler, their most expensive overseas name, and a figure they had been dying to have back in the side. Lee begins with a full toss, which Robin Uthappa dumps 15 rows behind the straight boundary. The next ball is also wretched – length – and is slammed for four. After two near-yorkers Lee reverts back to length and watches Uthappa send the ball over midwicket for the biggest six of the game. He then sprays five wides down the leg side. That horror over took Lee’s IPL returns to three games, 63 deliveries, zero wickets, 111 runs, and an economy rate of 10.57. Lee has been short of match practice but there are no excuses – that 25-run over cost Punjab the match.
It's been a brilliant few weeks for Leeds United with three wins from their last three games, including a thumping 4-1 win over West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town and an impressive 1-0 away win over league leaders Leicester City.
These results ensured that Daniel Farke's side went into the international break firmly in contention for an automatic promotion place come the season's end. However, with another all-Yorkshire game to come this weekend, the Peacocks will have to keep up the impressive work.
Here is a look ahead to Leeds' next six fixtures, which includes that derby with Rotherham United, as Football FanCast predicts how they'll fare in the coming weeks…
25th November
Championship
Rotherham United
A
29th November
Championship
Swansea City
H
2nd December
Championship
Middlesbrough
H
9th December
Championship
Blackburn Rovers
A
12th December
Championship
Sunderland
A
16th December
Championship
Coventry City
H
Rotherham United vs Leeds United
25th November, Championship, New York Stadium
Rotherham United goalkeeperViktor Johansson.
After a lengthy international break, Leeds United are once again back in action as they travel to Championship strugglers Rotherham United on Saturday, 25th November.
The Millers have had a rough start to their campaign this season and currently sit all the way down in 22nd, with just two wins coming from their opening 16 games. In contrast, the Whites sit up in third with nine wins to their name.
With this in mind, Leeds will be going into the encounter as overwhelming favourites, and with Rotherham possessing the joint-worst defensive record in the league – alongside Norwich City – the likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto will be licking their lips.
We can't see anything other than a comfortable win for the visitors in this one.
Prediction: Rotherham 1 – 4 Leeds United
Leeds United v Swansea City
29th November, Championship, Elland Road
Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
The West Yorkshire side welcome Swansea City in their final fixture of November.
Michael Duff's team fell to a 3-2 defeat away to Ipswich Town in their final game before the international break and will be without Liam Cullen after he received a straight red in the 69th minute.
Leeds, come the end of November, will be hoping to have bridged the gap between themselves and second-placed Ipswich Town, who are currently eight points ahead.
Farke will certainly want to avoid a playoff campaign, if possible, so they'll need to be winning their home games in order to propel themselves into the top two automatic promotion spots.
Should The Whites hit top gear, it will be a relatively comfortable evening, but anything less than that could see the away side earn a point.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Swansea City
Leeds United vs Middlesbrough
2nd December, Championship, Elland Road
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
Leeds United's first game in December sees them welcome Middlesbrough to Elland Road in what should be a cracking contest.
At the time of writing, Boro are sat in tenth place in the table but are just two points behind the playoff berth, as is the incredible competitiveness of the Championship.
The Smoggies have won two games fewer than Leeds so far this season – seven – but have lost six to the Whites three, showing just how close this game could be.
The recent history of this fixture slightly favours Leeds as they have won two of the last five clashes while Boro have won just one. However, their last encounter came all the way back in February 2020, so it's difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions from that.
Ultimately, we reckon home advantage and the firepower of Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto will be enough to help Daniel Farke's men get over the line, but it should be a closely fought affair and a great watch for the neutral.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Middlesbrough
Blackburn Rovers vs Leeds United
9th December, Championship, Ewood Park
Blackburn Rovers managerJonDahlTomasson
Leeds United make the trip to East Lancashire on December 9th to take on former Premier League winners Blackburn Rovers.
Granted, those glory days are a long time ago for Rovers, and with how the season has gone so far, it's Leeds that go into this one with the slight edge.
As things stand, the Peacocks find themselves in third place after picking up nine wins from their 16 games, whereas Rovers are down in 12th with seven wins to their name.
While Blackburn have picked up just two wins less than their Yorkshire opponents, they have also lost eight games to their three.
Another thing in Leeds' favour is their goal difference, as the Whites have a positive goal difference of 11, whereas Blackburn's is minus two, suggesting that on a game-by-game basis, Leeds are clearly the better side here.
While we don't think it'll be a thumping, we just don't see how the hosts will keep Leeds' attackers at bay for 90 minutes.
Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Leeds United
Sunderland vs Leeds United
12th December, Championship, the Stadium of Light
Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto.
Back-to-back away games in the north spells an interesting period for the Peacocks in December. For any side searching for promotion, it is their ability to grind results amid constantly changing surroundings with quick turnaround times that will make or break the Premier League hopefuls.
At the Stadium of Light, they face a quickly developing Sunderland side who have found their feet in the Championship under Tony Mowbray. Upon writing this preview, the Black Cats sit in sixth, with eight wins, two draws, and six losses, seeing the former top-flight mainstays just inside the play-off spots.
Although five points below Farke's Whites, they have scored the same number of goals and conceded one more than their opponents, which again shows the competitiveness of the Championship.
For both teams, this provides a litmus test. A win for either side will surely lift their club's spirits in the hope of promotion. However, the artillery of Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and co will meet their match in Jack Clarke, the joint-second top scorer in the league.
With this one panning out like a straight shootout, the chances are this one ends a draw, with either side leaving indifferent to their promotion chances.
Prediction: Sunderland 3-3 Leeds United
Leeds United vs Coventry City
16th December, Championship, Elland Road
In their penultimate Championship game before Christmas, Leeds United welcome Coventry City to Elland Road in what could be a bit of a mismatch come the final whistle.
The Sky Blues may have made it to the Championship play-off final last season, but they are seriously struggling this year and currently find themselves down in 20th place, with just 16 points to their name from 16 games.
They have only managed three wins so far this season compared to Leeds' nine and have a goal difference of minus 14, which should be music to the ears of Joel Piroe and Co.
While there is always room for an upset in the Championship, we can't see anything other than a win for the hosts in this one, and a comfortable one at that.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been watching British television illegally, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher joked this week.
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Kane thanked Henry for singing his praiseStriker admitted to watching Sky SportsAccused of having 'dodgy box' in GermanyWHAT HAPPENED?
Kane appeared on to discuss his team's 3-0 win against Lazio on Tuesday as the German giants secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The Englishman took a moment to thank Thierry Henry for praising him on Sky Sports' show Monday Night Football, but was quizzed on how he was able to watch the programme while in Germany.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT KANE AND CARRAGHER SAID
When Kane thanked Henry for the kind comments, fellow pundit Micah Richards asked him: "How do you get that in Germany, by the way?"
"Don't worry," Kane replied, sending the pundits into a laugh as Carragher shouted: "Harry's got a dodgy box!"
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It was not the only funny moment between Kane and the pundits after Tuesday's encounter. The striker broke Carragher's heart when he admitted that the pair had not spoken over the phone the night before the home game against Lazio, despite the ex-England hero's claim that they were friends.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KANE?
After his double helped fire Bayern into the last-eight of the Champions League, Kane and his co-stars will turn their attention to Saturday's game against Mainz in the Bundesliga. The Bavarian giants are currently 10 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Sam Billings is back in charge of a Kent side that has handled his absence as well as he would have ever dared imagine
Matt Roller29-Jun-2018Sam Billings’ appointment as Kent captain in January seemed symptomatic of a turbulence that the county would not escape easily.After an underwhelming 2017, which saw group-stage exits in both white-ball competitions and a mid-table finish in the Championship, Kent’s relationship with captain Sam Northeast had broken down. One of county cricket’s most exciting batting line-ups had lost its talisman, and the man to fill the void was to miss the first six weeks of the season after signing an IPL deal.The news was met with distaste by the members; how could the county’s decline be arrested by Billings when he was carrying drinks in Chennai, rather than scoring runs at Canterbury?Four months later, Billings is lying on the St Lawrence Ground outfield, basking in the late afternoon sun after his first Championship game as captain. A record 342-run win against Middlesex has taken Kent top of Division Two, with a first Lord’s final in a decade to look forward to; not bad, for a club supposedly in turmoil.Billings looks on it all with understandable pleasure. Absentee captains are quickly forgiven when things are going swimmingly. And to lead the side out at Lord’s against Hampshire on Saturday will be a cause for special pride.”I’ve been here since the age of seven or eight, so it means a huge amount,” he said. “With all the different teams I’ve played for, you get a different buzz playing for each. But nothing beats coming home and playing for your home side: it means a hell of a lot.”It’s now about channelling that emotion and putting it into a good performance. It’d be great to take Kent back to where we should really be as a side – and that means winning silverware.”It would be wrong to cast Billings as the hero of the hour at Kent, although who is to say he will not be come Saturday evening. For all his brilliance with the bat, and for all that matchwinning ability, he has only played six games for the county this season, with a top score of 29.But Kent’s success has not been down to individual brilliance. Of course, it would be wrong to understate the impact of Heino Kuhn’s four white-ball hundreds, or Matt Henry’s 49 Championship wickets, but Billings’ task of slotting back into the side – purportedly his side – has been helped by the environment created by Matt Walker and the coaching staff, which includes Paul Downton as director of cricket and Allan Donald as assistant coach.”When you get people in the right places, there’s no doubt that’s going to help,” Billings said. “A structure has been put in place…the place as a whole is really coming together.”And the captain thinks that the ease with which the match-winners against Middlesex, Grant Stewart and Harry Podmore, stepped up in the absence of Henry and Darren Stevens was testament to the squad’s self-belief.”I said to the lads before the game how glad I was to come back into the side. I was really excited. There’s no doubt confidence is high in the group at the moment, and the team spirit is as good as I’ve ever seen here.Pitted against Kent are two players with obvious connections to Billings himself. James Vince remains a rival for Billings’ role of perpetual cover batsman in England’s one-day side and Sam Northeast was captain before him, only to leave the county when he was told he must commit to a new contract a year in advance or lose the job”Hampshire have got some very good players: Vince is in fantastic form, and we know how good a player Sam Northeast is,” Billings observed. “But we’ve got some seriously good players here as well. And if we play to the best of our abilities, we’ll win the game of cricket.”
David Munden, photographer and former county batsman, has died at the age of 60 after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Mar-2018David Munden, the renowned cricket photographer and former county batsman, has died at the age of 60 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.Munden, who was a fixture on England cricket tours in the 1980s and 1990s, had been on Leicestershire’s books from 1975 until 1981 when, as captain of their second XI, he signed off with a century in his final appearance against Worcestershire at Grace Road.He was a contemporary of David Gower’s at the club, with whom he also represented England Under 19s on their tour of the Caribbean in 1976.”His passion for cricket was evident in the way he took to photographing the game once he realised he would not go on to enjoy a senior county career,” said Mark Baldwin, the chairman of the Cricket Writers’ Club.”He was a highly popular and much-respected colleague in and around press boxes at home and abroad. Cruelly, David’s illness eventually forced him to retire from his photographic work and he fought against the debilitations of Parkinson’s for many years.”In 2015, Leicestershire held a fundraising testimonial for Munden at Grace Road, where his father Victor and uncles Donald and Paul had also represented the club.The news of Munden’s death comes in the wake of the loss of Dave Callaghan, the BBC Yorkshire broadcaster, and Neil Bell, the BBC South East sports reporter.”In different ways and across different mediums the three of them contributed much to the promotion and presentation of cricket to a wide audience,” added Baldwin, “and they will be remembered with huge affection. What they shared, meanwhile, was a deep love of cricket and respect for the game.”
The Mitchells have kept the Brisbane pitch in the family for over 30 years
Peter English21-Nov-2010The Gabba pitch has been the Mitchell family business for more than three decades, and the latest offspring is causing excitement and fear ahead of Thursday’s opening Ashes Test. Brisbane’s stereotype is a swing-bowling paradise but the generalisation doesn’t often apply for more than the first couple of sessions in five-day affairs. This time it might be different, threatening old-fashioned thrills for the bowlers and unfamiliar spills for batsmen who have grown up on undeviating wickets.Seam, swing, bounce and speed are the perfect storm for bowlers and the attributes have rumbled during an unusually wet Brisbane spring. Only 31 overs were possible in one four-day game in October and the past two fixtures have been no fun for the batsmen. The Sri Lankans were knocked over for 115 in an ODI that came a week after the local Queenslanders, who say they are used to surfaces “with branches growing on them”, were dismissed for 75 and 96 in the Sheffield Shield.Showers have been predicted in the lead-up to Thursday’s Test and the curator, Kevin Mitchell jnr, is likely to bring forward the intensive phase of his preparation in case there are too many disruptions. The lack of sunshine being forecast will create a ripple of nerves for the groundstaff and run-makers.”If that’s the case over the final days and it’s humid and cloudy for the match, it could be a little bit more lively than usual,” Mitchell jnr told ESPNcricinfo. “Our wickets are definitely quick and pacy, which is what we are trying to do. If the conditions overhead are in favour of the bowlers, you can get a double whammy: swing in the air and cut off the pitch, and bounce and pace as well.”Under Mitchell jnr’s watch, which began when he took over from his father, Kevin snr, in 1991, the Gabba has overtaken the WACA as the quickest pitch in the country. The surface gives character to a ground built on a swamp in the late 1800s, and one that has grown into a modern stadium. For a Test the pitch is usually green on the opening morning, providing the bowlers with a chance, before it loses its colour and supports the batsmen. Towards the end it suits the spinners, who enjoy the extra bounce even if the ball isn’t turning.When the wicket is topped up by Queensland’s summer rain and thunderstorms the usual order becomes mixed up. Two years ago, when Australia were hosting New Zealand, the covers were blown off during a mini-cyclone the night before the game and one set of sails in the grandstand were ripped. Mitchell jnr went into the ground at 1.20am and saw the heavy sandbags had been blown away and water was on the square, but couldn’t believe his luck – there were only two puddles on the side of the Test pitch.”It was not a problem,” he said. “You could have started on time, but we started 30 minutes late.” Australia were bowled out for 214 on the opening day, but it was enough to stay well ahead of New Zealand. New South Wales won outright on their visit north last month by scoring 262 in the first innings. When it’s hot and dry, 400 is not enough in a Brisbane first innings, but when it’s damp or humid a total of 200 can make a side feel rich.
Under Mitchell jnr’s watch, which began when he took over from his father, Kevin snr, in 1991, the Gabba has overtaken the WACA as the quickest pitch in the country
Mitchell snr’s last game in charge was water-damaged, but not weather-affected. It was the Ashes Test of 1990-91, a three-day affair because someone had put a hose under the covers before the match. “Half was green, half was brown,” Mitchell snr said. “It was a shock. Half of it was a wet wicket. It was someone being smart.”Australia won by 10 wickets in a match in which the highest score was England’s 192 on the opening day. The tourists haven’t always been disadvantaged by the Queensland weather. An ear-splitting, stand-wobbling electrical storm made their life easier on the final day in 1998-99. England were 6 for 179, with all their specialist batsmen gone, when the sky almost literally opened up after tea.Mitchell snr, now 75, grew up near the Gabba, collecting bottles at the ground for pocket money as a child, and watching Don Bradman play there in the 1940s. He returned by accident in the 1970s, filling in to help a friend while taking a break from his carpentry business. Soon the main job became vacant and he said he’d do it for the season. “Then I’m off,” he said. “I’d spent 15 years in the army, and being out there on the ground was like being in jail.”His son visited from Mt Isa in 1987, planning a short stay – and still hasn’t left. The pair’s most famous partnership came during a one-dayer between Australia and New Zealand in 1987-88. Mitchell jnr spotted dark storm clouds to the west of the ground and crossed the road to pull his dad from the pub, where he was feasting on mudcrabs. Within a couple of minutes Mitchell snr was racing on to the field – the sun was still out and the sky was blue – to tell the shocked umpires and players that “it’s going to rain like buggery”. He ripped out the stumps, stuck the covers on, and the heavens quickly opened. The unconventional intervention saved the game, which Australia won.If something unorthodox is needed over the next week Mitchell jnr will be well prepared. Having learned off his father, and developed his own techniques, he and his beautiful pitch will be ready. Rain, hail or shine.