Manchester United are planning to bid for Harry Kane this summer, having now launched initial moves to sign the striker, according to a recent report from the Telegraph.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

Man United legend Gary Neville recently claimed Erik ten Hag will need to strengthen a number of areas this summer, with a new goalkeeper, right-back, centre-back and striker all needed, and they are already looking at a number of different options.

The Red Devils have sent a scout to watch FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, indicating David De Gea could be replaced, while they are all in pole position to sign Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who could cost between £40m – £50m.

In terms of centre-backs, Axel Disasi and Kim Min-jae could be targeted, while United are said to have made an approach for Rasmus Hojlund to bolster their attack, with Victor Osimhen also of interest.

According to a report from the Telegraph, Man United have now started work on signing Kane, having begun their due diligence on how to handle negotiations with Daniel Levy, the Tottenham Hotspur chairman.

The Red Devils plan to bid for Kane, who could cost Premier League sides as much as £100m, as there is now little chance of the striker signing a new contract to commit his future to Spurs this summer.

Bayern Munich are also in the race for the England captain, however United hold a key advantage as he would rather stay in England, in order to continue to chase Alan Shearer's Premier League goal record.

Should Man United sign Harry Kane?

If the 29-year-old decides he wants to leave Spurs this summer, Ten Hag should undoubtedly make him his priority summer signing, as he is capable of taking United to the next level.

With 207 Premier League goals to his name, the Englishman is well on course to break Shearer's record of 260, and he has been hailed as "world-class" by teammate Eric Dier.

United have taken massive strides this season, having already won the EFL Cup, while recently booking their place in the FA Cup final, but they are lacking in the striker department, with Anthony Martial scoring just four league goals this season, having struggled with injuries.

As such, a new forward will undoubtedly be required this summer, and there is no better option than Kane, given that he has already proven himself as a top Premier League striker over a number of seasons.

On an absorbing sunny Saturday, in front of a packed and rapt full house, Pakistan’s second innings listed and creaked but they hauled themselves to a dominant position

Andrew Miller at Lord's16-Jul-2016A month ago, on this very ground, Alastair Cook faced up to the press on the final day of the Sri Lanka series and bemoaned the fact that – after two facile victories in the opening two Tests of the summer – rain had robbed his developing team of a timely test of their mettle. “It would have been good to put us under pressure,” he had said. Well, he’s going to get his wish on Sunday, and no mistake.On an absorbing sunny Saturday, in front of a packed and rapt full house, Pakistan’s second innings listed and creaked and, with Chris Woakes producing yet another display of outstanding attacking swing bowling, they came close to capsizing on more than one occasion.And yet, by the close, Pakistan had ridden out the jitters and found sufficient resistance from their lower-middle order to put themselves in a position of undeniable dominance. With a lead of 281 already banked, and on a surface that is beginning to offer both turn and variable bounce, Pakistan know as well as England that – in the legspinner Yasir Shah, not to mention a potent trio of left-arm seamers – they have an attack that can wrap up a first victory at Lord’s since 1996.”I’d like to say we are just in front,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach. “It’s very close, almost too close to call. I think we are in for a cracking day’s cricket tomorrow, if we can sneak another 19-20 and get just over 300, it’s going to be a very, very good Test match.”Moeen Ali, England’s offspinning allrounder, didn’t try to disagree with that sentiment. Having been bundled out for 272 on the second afternoon – with Yasir claiming figures of 6 for 72 in his first Test outside of Asia – he admitted that England’s batsmen would need to formulate a better plan second-time around if they want to avoid being shown up for the second innings in a row.”In the first innings, we didn’t bat very well, so we want to put that right,” Moeen said. “There’s a lot of us who want to score some runs, but it’s going to be tough. They are a very good bowling side and you saw in the first innings, they have a very good legspinner who’s going to cause us trouble.”England’s problems in the first innings stemmed largely from Yasir’s control. With little in the way of big spin on offer, line and length – allied to natural variation and the odd ripper – were sufficient to destabilise an England middle order for whom the legend of Shane Warne is but a distant noise in the commentary box. In the ten years since his retirement, practical experience of such artistry has been thin on the ground, and it showed in the manner of all too many dismissals.”The guys will come out with definite plans,” said Moeen. “We’ve been preparing very well against legspinners but, in the first innings, we didn’t play very well against him, and he got a lot of wickets, so he’s going to be the biggest threat tomorrow.”In the first innings we were caught in the crease a lot and didn’t use our feet against him. But sometimes, when it’s not spinning, it’s a little bit harder because he bowls very accurately. In the next innings, we’ll have to be good on our feet, whether back or forward, but the lack of bounce did us a little bit in the first innings. We are just going to have to play well. We’ve all got runs in the past so we are going to have to use that experience and play well against him.”On the evidence of Moeen’s own bowling performance, a lack of bounce won’t be the issue on a gently deteriorating Lord’s surface. If Misbah-ul-Haq’s suicidal mo(w) to deep midwicket was a clear case of batsman error, then the ball that did for an extraordinarily skittish Younis Khan clearly gripped before cannoning into his stumps off an inside edge.Still, Moeen was happy to accept the offerings, particularly after a fallow first innings in which a far more focused Misbah had beaten him out of the attack with a volley of dead-eyed sweeps and reverse-sweeps.”I actually felt like I bowled all right in the first innings, but Misbah … I just can’t bowl at him at times,” he said. “I try to do a holding job but it’s very difficult, so I was very pleased to get him out today. But I’m happy with how I’m bowling at the moment. I felt like it came out just as well [in the first innings] but I just got smashed. That can happen.”The assistance for Moeen, second-time around, may have had as much to do with the rough outside off that Pakistan’s trio of left-arm quicks had created, but the doubts, where Yasir is concerned, are already embedded in England’s minds. Arthur didn’t need much invitation to begin the probing on behalf of his team.”I think we saw there was a little bit on offer,” he said. “The one that got Younis gripped quite big. And it’s a little bit up-and-down as well, there’s variable bounce which is great, so hopefully it will assist Yasir in a big way.”The wider concern for England is that Pakistan’s team are far from a one-trick outfit. In fact, as Yasir himself admitted after the first innings, his own success had only arisen because he had set himself to do a holding roll for his seamers. But on that occasion, amid the emotion of Mohammad Amir’s return to the fray, their lines and their disciplines went fractionally awry, and Arthur was adamant they’d be better for having got all that out of their systems.Amir, he claimed, had been so nervous before his opening spell that he could barely grip the ball. But, he added, “he hit his areas more often than not and did a job at good pace. Hopefully he can take that into tomorrow. Everything that’s gone has gone now, he’s back out on the field, raring to go tomorrow, and hopefully he can bowl us to victory.”However, England’s task could and perhaps should be significantly less daunting than it already is. On a day when Woakes’ penetration kept them in the contest, Steven Finn produced his best spell of a difficult match, only to see two catches in three overs go down. The second, by Jonny Bairstow off Sarfraz Ahmed, was especially culpable, and Moeen admitted that England’s standards had not been high enough of late.”We spoke about it,” he said. “We haven’t been catching very well this summer, and we are going to have to get better. Going back to the Ashes [in 2015], the reason we won it was some brilliant catches. We held on to everything so we know we can field better. Hopefully we can go bang, bang tomorrow and keep them less than 300-310. It’s still going to be tough, but we’ve got players hopefully who can knock them off.”Pakistan, however, have a legspinner who can knock England off in return, and Moeen knows that he stands squarely in their way.”Pakistan spinners are always very attacking and tactically very good,” said Moeen. “Yasir is always attacking the stumps so, as a batter, you feel like you’ve got to play, but he does bowl bad balls as well. He’s a human being at the end of the day. He can have a bad day as well.”

Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with Brendan Rodgers about the 50-year-old becoming their next manager, according to a report from Football Insider.

Is Brendan Rodgers going to Tottenham?

Having been sacked by Leicester City at the beginning of April, rumours have started to swirl about Rodgers coming in as Tottenham manager at the end of the season, however journalist Ryan Taylor thinks his appointment "wouldn't be received well" by supporters.

Football Insider report the Northern Irishman has been sounded out by Spurs, but they are set to carry out an exhaustive managerial process to secure a replacement for Antonio Conte, and another manager is their top target.

The same report details that Julian Nagelsmann is the Lilywhites' first-choice manager, which indicates that Rodgers may only be targeted as a back-up option, but they have already started to lay down some of the groundwork.

According to a new report from Football Insider, Tottenham have made contact with the 50-year-old about the vacant role, as they continue to run the rule over potential candidates to replace Conte.

The former Celtic boss is now said to have a good chance of taking over at N17, as his CV includes successful spells at Liverpool, Leicester, Swansea and Celtic, while he also has a proven track record of developing players

His departure from Leicester means that Spurs would not be required to shell out any money in order to secure his signature, which the club are keen to avoid, having spent millions on new managers in recent years.

Is Brendan Rodgers Tottenham's best option?

The ex-Liverpool man has won nine major honours in his managerial career, including an FA Cup and Community Shield with Leicester, and that know-how of being able to win trophies could be vital for Spurs, who have been starved of success since an EFL Cup win in 2008.

West Ham United boss David Moyes hailed Rodgers as a "super manager" in the wake of his sacking, and there has been a suggestion he could bring James Maddison to the club with him, one of the club's priority transfer targets.

That said, Luis Enrique has a far more glittering trophy cabinet, having won the Champions League and two La Liga titles, while also being named world's best club coach for the 2014-15 season.

Enrique is said to have travelled for talks with Tottenham, and therefore Rodgers should only be considered if Spurs miss out on the Spaniard, as well as their other main targets.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been questioned after he started both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak in their defeat on the weekend.

Why did Howe start both strikers?

The Tyneside club had their hopes of finishing inside the top four dented on the weekend after tasting defeat to title-chasing Arsenal.

Defeat to the north London side has seen their cushion to foot-placed Liverpool reduced to just three points – albeit with a game in hand over the Reds.

Howe did make a significant change to his starting XI on Sunday after deciding to start both Isak and Wilson despite sticking to his -3-3 formation.

And when speaking to the media about his thinking behind the decision to start both forwards despite having other options on the bench, Howe linked it to the absence of midfielder Sean Longstaff:

“I think the balance of the team has been so impressive and Sean does a really important job. both in and out of possession for us," he said.

"I thought it was just a different balance to our team with Alexander Isak on the left and Callum Wilson up front."

And speaking on his own podcast, Neville has hit back at the 45-year-old's explanation suggesting he was not convinced by Howe's explanation:

(15:10) "He said before the game, it's because of the Longstaff injury. We didn't go back to Eddie and say, well, that doesn't make sense. Because you've got [Miguel] Almiron on the bench, you've got Saint-Maximin, you could have easily replaced him with sort of other options. Why have you done gone and gone with obviously Isak?

"So he had options on the bench – Anthony Gordon as well – so he had three options on the bench, where he could have obviously got the balance that he's had all season. And he has said previously that he feels the balance of the team is important."

Did Howe have to start Isak and Wilson?

Previously, Joelinton has been the player who Howe has played at left-wing when in need of an option in attack.

However, the injury to Longstaff will have forced the 45-year-old to reconsider that with his options in midfield reduced through the Englishman's injury.

Having said that, the fierce competition against one of the league's standout sides this season may have also played a role in his decision-making to keep Joelinton in the middle.

Although Howe alluded to Longstaff's absence playing a role in his team selection, it is worth noting he did have his usual options at left-wing.

Both Anthony Gordon and Allan Saint-Maximin made the bench for the Toon on the weekend, but Howe opted to play both Wilson and the Swede instead.

So it does seem as if perhaps Howe chose the two forwards purely on the back of their recent form with Isak having netted seven in his last 10 league games and Wilson scoring eight in his last eight.

But it was not a decision which paid off with the striking pair failing to register a single shot on target between them throughout the 90 minutes (via SofaScore).

It is understandable that Howe may have wanted to include both forwards in the starting XI, however, perhaps a change of formation may be needed if he is to try it in their next game against Leeds United.

Christopher Nkunku has been backed to thrive under Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, should both make the move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Is Nkunku joining Chelsea?

The Blues have a crucial summer ahead of them in the transfer window, following what has been one of the club's most disappointing seasons in recent memory. It looks increasingly likely that Pochettino will become the next permanent manager and the Argentine will need to be backed in the market.

Additions are required in various areas of the pitch, one of which is attack, where too many players have been ineffective this season, from Raheem Sterling to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Nkunku has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, with the general assumption being that he will complete his switch from RB Leipzig at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals in 21 Bundesliga appearances this season, with 65 in 166 for Leipzig overall, and he has won eight caps for France.

Could Nkunku be Chelsea's Son?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Dean Jones said that Nkunku could end up being Chelsea's version of Son Heung-min for Pochettino, with the South Korean such a key player during the Argentine's time as Tottenham boss:

"I think the Nkunku arrival is one you can go at with a completely fresh pair of eyes. At the moment, it's expected that Nkunku will come in as a wide player, but I've spoken to a couple of different people now who also wonder if he might end up being played as nine or a false nine.

"There are various types of positions that he can play, and Pochettino could consider for him. That would be one of interest to see if he can find someone that gives him that Son flexibility he had at Tottenham."

If Nkunku can have anything close to the impact that Son did for Pochettino, he could be an invaluable player for Chelsea, providing consistent end product, hard work and versatility. While there is no confirmation of both the 50-year-old's arrival as manager and the Leipzig man's signing yet, it would now be a surprise if both didn't happen this summer.

Nkunku would be coming in at a great time in his career, arriving in his mid-20s and with his peak years likely to be ahead of him, and he could be the central attacking player that the Blues have craved so badly this season, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry a big admirer and Jesse Marsch saying he has "no weaknesses" during their time at Leipzig.

Scarborough’s restorative properties have long been proclaimed by many who love nothing better than to holiday in this grand old seaside town

David Hopps at North Marine Road03-Jul-2016
ScorecardGary Ballance scored his first Championship century of the season•Getty Images

Scarborough’s restorative properties have long been proclaimed by many who love nothing better than to holiday in this grand old seaside town. Considering the state of the pound, they might soon be joined by a few more converts. Certainly there is a good case for using Gary Ballance on their advertising material after he reacquainted himself with the form that has largely eluded him since he was dropped by England.Ballance is habitually listed as those in the running to replace Nick Compton as England’s No. 3 in the first Test against Pakistan. That he is on the shortlist – albeit a little lower down at the moment – owes as much to his Test average of 48 as much as recent form, but his unbeaten 106 against a reputable Middlesex attack, his first of the season, will do him no harm.”It has been a long time coming, this century, and it was a great feeling,” Ballance said. “I have felt it good nick this season but have not been getting the big scores. It was not so much the nervous 90s as the nervous 80s where I was stuck for about half an hour and thinking about a century but I eased my nerves by getting through the 90s quickly.”I would love to get back into the England team but every cricketer will tell you that you start struggling if you start thinking about it. At the moment I am just concentrating on playing for Yorkshire and not worrying about England: the rest will happenHistorians might feel this latest Scarborough miracle was appropriate. Scarborough’s claim to be the world’s first seaside spa report goes back as far as 1626 when it was affimed that the town’s spring water possessed medicinal properties. Such optimism was badly needed at the time because in June of that year King Charles I dissolved the English parliament. These days, parliament is not dissolved, merely in chaos. You don’t know you’ve been born.Scarborough’s effect was far from instantaneous – they even use Harrogate Spa bottled water in the dressing room – and Ballance’s hundred was hard earned, more a statement of determination and desire than an immediate clicking of form.He confessed in April to undergoing a mental battle after his back-foot technique was analysed and this innings seemed to illustrate that. Like a well-done steak, his presence was forever imposing, but not easily digestible. He was rewarded for his determination, beginning with conscientious leg-side tucks, reaching a sedate half-century in the last over before tea and interspersing some more confident cuts as life became a little easier under blue skies in the final session.Two successive clipped boundaries off Tim Murtagh brought up his first Championship century since his 165 against Sussex at Hove last August – his only Championship hundred last season.Scarborough, holiday town or not, knew the importance of that. Like an annual elephant gathering at a favourite water hole, Yorkshire cricket fans are drawn to North Marine Road by faith and tradition, watching intently, whether the cricket is grim or adventurous, sitting in familiar seats, resuming conversations, warily looking around for signs of change and grateful not to find evidence of many – apart from the seaside landladies, who reputedly are far more genial these days.This is the chattiest of county crowds, social mistrust broken down by the sense that everybody is on vacation for an identical purpose. There was a stall here promoting the good work done by the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, but a brief walk along the popular banking is enough to soak up the essence of cricket throughout the county.”I’ve retired. They asked me back but my knees are knackered.””You’ve not got more than six all season? You’re kidding.””Can’t believe they called it off – it stopped raining at one o’clock.”It is a soulless cricketer who does not love the chance to play at Scarborough. Strange things can happen on this intimate patch of green. Mike Selvey, the correspondent, watching his beloved Middlesex on a ground he had not visited for many years, recalled dismissing Geoffrey Boycott first ball as the old curmudgeon charged and slogged him to mid-on. Research revealed it to be a 10-over Fenner Trophy match in 1979, but it sounded outlandish all the same.The sun beamed down at the start of play, but this has been the grouchiest of summers and nobody was about to be fooled. All season, coats have been donned as automatically as shoes. For everybody braving a t-shirt, there were half a dozen protected in three or four layers. The Championship table, at the mid-point of the season, remains sketchy and unformed: Yorkshire nine points behind Lancashire with a game in hand, Middlesex in third, a further two points behind.Yorkshire lost two wickets to attempted leave-alones in the morning, both of them bringing catches to the wicketkeeper, John Simpson. Adam Lyth fell first ball of the day to a seemingly innocent, wideish delivery from Tim Murtagh, the home-club boy out before many spectators had adjusted their cushions. Kane Williamson, who needed 36 balls for his first run, erred in similar fashion to James Franklin, although on this occasion against a ball of tighter line.Alex Lees brought up an attractive half-century with a six over long-off against Ollie Rayner which was confidently caught by a spectator with enough theatrical aplomb to win a walk-on part in a holiday show. Remarkably, it was his best score on home soil since September 2014.Batting first was not entirely automatic. A sluggish pitch possessed just enough encouragement for the Middlesex seamers and there was some swing, too, whenever the cloud thickened. Murtagh made best use of that in a probing post-lunch spell, having Lees caught at second slip for 63, and when Andrew Gale followed lbw to a fullish lbw from Toby Roland-Jones, Yorkshire were anxiously placed 131 for 4. “It’s Not Very Promising,” said one woman peering out of the Ladies Toilet, although she could have been talking about the weather. People usually are.Ballance rediscovered that promise, as did the day itself. Tim Bresnan helped him shore up the innings with a sturdy half-century in a partnership that reclaimned Yorkshire’s authority before Murtagh, the pick of Middlesex’s attack, bowled him with a decent delivery.Driving back from Scarborough across the Yorkshire Wolds on a glorious evening – and there have not been many – the landscape beyond Garrowby Hill was dazzling, and bright white clouds were interspersed so gloriously across a fresh blue sky that it was possible to imagine that no clouds of quite that form had ever been made before. “Cloud-puffball, torn tufts, tossed pillows,” as the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins had it, and many more shapes besides.It was as if the Yorkshire landscape had turned on a show to mark the end of some difficult times.Ballance’s time will come again. But perhaps not quite yet.

Former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner has been appointed West Indies team manager for a three-year period and he joined the team for the upcoming Test series against India

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jul-2016Former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner has been appointed West Indies team manager for a three-year period and he joined the squad for the upcoming Test series against India.Garner, 63, had served as West Indies interim manager from 2009 to 2010 which included the World T20. Garner was also a director on the board for West Indies Cricket Board, president of the Barbados Cricket Association and the West Indies A team manager.”I always answer the call in West Indies cricket,” Garner said. “It is always an honour to serve in any capacity in West Indies cricket and I’m pleased to be back with the team as manager to share my knowledge and experience to the team and be an ambassador for West Indies cricket and the region.Garner played 58 Tests and 98 ODIs from 1977 to 1987 and was an integral member of the West Indies team that won the World Cup in 1979.West Indies begin their four-Test series against India in North Sound on July 21.

Of the numerous polarising figures to grace the hallowed Emirates turf, few command as much disdain as former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez.

The mercurial Chilean was an ever-present member during the twilight years of Arsene Wenger's tenure and maintained an outstanding level of quality even if those around him might have been lacking.

However, in the end, it seemed to be this lack of progression, or perhaps an underlying fiscal incentive, that caught the 34-year-old's eye. Having played 166 times for the club, recording a mouth-watering 125 goal contributions during that period, the allure of Manchester United proved to once again be too much.

Mirroring the heartbreaking move that had seen Robin van Persie leave just six years prior, once again the Gunners were thwarted in the market by their long-time Premier League rivals.

Why did Alexis Sanchez leave Arsenal?

The current Marseille forward was a fan favourite in north London, as the spearhead of a free-flowing front line that also boasted Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil. However, his shock exit saw that adulation expunged in no time at all.

Indeed, Sanchez is now a figure that draws scorn for the manner of his departure, however, he might have tried to spin his reasons behind instigating the move.

Having been denied what was a dream transfer to Manchester City who, at the time, were league champions, there was understandable frustration coming from the player's camp. However, it did not warrant the petulant behaviour that followed.

GOAL would report, speaking to members of the attacker's inner circle: "He does not believe Arsenal have what it takes to compete at the top level, that he feels they have "messed around" with his future, and that he has no motivation to play for them."

Few could put up a true argument to challenge the 5 foot 7 speedster, as before that moment he had only won an FA Cup as a sole major honour in an Arsenal shirt. Given his performances, he clearly sought out the elite titles that Pep Guardiola had brought to the Etihad, as upon first joining in 2014 he had stated: "I came here to win the league title, the Champions League and every title at stake."

This boiled over into various stages of the subsequent exit, as the players first grew frustrated with his on-pitch antics before the diminutive finisher was eventually forced to train away from the first team.

With a dwindling contract and little wiggle room remaining, Wenger was forced to sanction the sale. The best deal he seemingly could get was to welcome Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a straight swap, seen as a direct replacement. With the bumper £350k-per-week their former winger would then earn, many once again questioned his motives behind the move.

It was a saga where they had drawn the short straw, and through Sanchez's immediate desire to escape the Emirates, the Gunners were left short-changed.

Who has a better Arsenal legacy than Alexis Sanchez?

Although he might have been a fine asset during his time at the club, plenty of players actually boast a more impressive legacy in north London than Sanchez. However, if we're seeking out a direct present-day comparison, then it could be argued that even Reiss Nelson will adorn that list should he depart N5.

With his £15k-per-week deal coming to its natural conclusion this summer, it is clear that the 23-year-old is no more than a backup player for Mikel Arteta. That is not to suggest that his impact this season has not been integral, however.

Having yet to make a league start all season, which has still seen him manage three goals and two assists from the bench, it could be questioned how the Hale End graduate can possibly come close to Sanchez's legacy.

However, it was one such cameo in early March that has kept them firmly in the race for this unprecedented Premier League title.

With Arsenal trailing at home to AFC Bournemouth, their Spanish boss seemed all out of ideas. Nelson was thrown on with more hope than any tactical ingenuity in mind. However, having assisted Ben White's equaliser in the 70th minute, the former England youth international would then win the game in dramatic fashion as his scorching left-footed effort from the edge of the area hit the back of the net.

The Emirates erupted in a fashion never before seen, and players and staff alike took to the pitch to celebrate. The most unlikely of heroes had kept their dreams alive.

Pundit Chris Sutton even tweeted: "It’s days like today where you think maybe this is Arsenal’s season. Incredible comeback and the game settled by a Reiss Nelson rocket."

Considering journalist Alex Wood had suggested the winger was "struggling" whilst in the team back in 2017, this has been a remarkable rise for a player who Alex Iwobi labelled a "joke".

Whilst Sanchez too had his standout moments, including a goal in their first of two FA Cup final wins whilst he was at the club, it is incomparable to the ultimate prize of the Premier League title that the current squad might still claim.

Although their last two results have allowed the Cityzens to creep back into contention, should they see it through, it is perhaps undeniable that the role Nelson played in securing those vital three points would immediately surpass that of the £92k-per-week livewire.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: Mohammad Shahzad, who top scored for Afghanistan, hit eight fours and a six in his 79-ball 66•Peter Della Penna/ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Half-centuries from Mohammad Shahzad and Najibullah Zadran set the base for Afghanistan’s 39-run win in the second ODI against Ireland in Belfast on Tuesday.Afghanistan, who were bowled out for 250 after being sent in to bat, overcame Ireland’s solid start to the chase – openers William Porterfield and Ed Joyce added 71 – to spin the hosts out. Rashid Khan, the legspinner, finished with 3 for 28, while offspinner Mohammad Nabi claimed 3 for 45 as Ireland were bowled out for 211 in 48.2 overs. That meant Afghanistan took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series which started with a washout.As many as seven Afghanistan batsmen got into double digits but most could not kick on. Shahzad, the opener, top scored with 66. The visitors, who were cruising at 76 without loss, slipped to 125 for 4, before being rescued by 70-run stand between Najibullah Zadran and Samiullah Shenwari. Zadran smashed six fours and two sixes in his 61-ball knock, before Barry McCarthy, the medium pacer, polished off the tail to finish with 4 for 59 – his best figures so far in his fledgling ODI career. Kevin O’Brien also chipped in with four wickets.Ireland were on course as Joyce brought up a half-century. Then, medium pacer Mirwais Ashraf’s two wickets in the space of four deliveries in the 27th over stalled the chase. O’Brien kept Ireland in the game with a 27-ball 35, but the escalating asking rate meant escalated pressure too, which the hosts could not withstand. O’Brien was fifth man out, before Ireland’s last five wickets fell for 22.The third ODI will also be played at the same venue on Thursday.

ECB Reporters Network14-Aug-2016
ScorecardSam Curran stood out for Surrey with five wickets•Clint Hughes/Getty Images

Eighteen-year-old seam-bowler Sam Curran took the starring role with five wickets as Warwickshire and Surrey delivered a superb day of Specsavers County Championship cricket at Edgbaston.Curran, playing only his 13th first-class match, took 5 for 44, including a devastating burst of 3 for 2 in 18 balls, to leave the home side reeling at 101 for 6 in reply to Surrey’s 252.But led by Keith Barker and Ian Bell, Warwickshire recovered to reach 247, a deficit of just five runs, before Surrey reached 33 for 1 second time round in 15 overs up to the close.On an excellent pitch, offering reward for all types of bowler and demanding high batting skills, the contest has been utterly compelling and of an intensity, quality and drama redolent of Test cricket. A good-sized crowd was engrossed all day and ended it without a clue which way the game will swing next.Warwickshire began their first innings at start of play and soon lost Varun Chopra, who edged Tom Curran to Jason Roy at second slip. Ian Westwood and Jonathan Trott added 40 from 15 overs before falling in the space of nine balls from Stuart Meaker. Trott, on 13, edged an attempted cut and wicketkeeper Steven Davies parried the ball to Kumar Sangakkara at slip. Westwood reached 45, his championship-best this season, then edged to Roy.From 91 for 3 at lunch, Warwickshire then had their middle-order ripped out by that high-class salvo from Sam Curran. Laurie Evans and Tim Ambrose were caught by Rory Burns in the gully, in the latter case quite brilliantly, and Rikki Clarke fell lbw to a swinging yorker.That was 101 for 6 but Bell and Barker added 95 in 28 overs – the biggest partnership of the match so far. While Barker was aggressive, Bell was at his most resolute and it took a near-unplayable ball to remove him when Sam Curran got one to rear off a length and Dominic Sibley made no mistake in the slips.When Sibley pounced again to end Barker’s resistance, Curran had his five-for but Jeetan Patel and Chris Wright ensured that 50 were added for the last two wickets to take their side almost to parity. Patel then had Sibley well-caught by a diving Westwood at short leg in the penultimate over of the day.