Micah Richards was left blown away by the performance of one Sunderland star in the Tyne-Wear derby victory against Newcastle United this afternoon.
Sunderland win first Premier League game vs Newcastle since 2016
The Black Cats managed to get one over on their biggest rivals in the first Premier League meeting with Newcastle since 2016, courtesy of a bizarre own goal from Nick Woltemade in the second half.
Regis Le Bris’ side have made a dream start to life back in the top flight, but today’s victory is undoubtedly the sweetest yet, moving four points clear of the Magpies after managing to hold out for a well-earned 1-0 win.
A lot of credit has to go to the defence, with the visitors being limited to an xG of just 0.26, never really managing to create any big opportunities throughout the match.
However, Richards was also quick to praise Granit Xhaka after the match, with the former Manchester City man saying: “This man, we talked about him before the game, was brilliant again, absolute warrior in that midfield. What a player he’s been, what a signing. I’m gonna say he’s been the signing of the season so far, that’s how big I’m going.”
“He’s been absolutely immaculate in everything he does, even the way he speaks is just brilliant. Wow.”
Xhaka deserves all the plaudits after another impressive display
The Basel-born midfielder has been absolutely indispensable for Le Bris this season, starting all 15 Premier League games, during which time he’s chipped in with five goal involvements.
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However, the Swiss maestro is perhaps best known for his defensive qualities, which were on show again today, making a number of important contributions.
Granit Xhaka’s key stats vs Newcastle
Number completed
Ground duels (won)
3 (2)
Aerial duels (won)
3 (3)
Clearances
4
Tackles
2
The Black Cats managing to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen man is starting to look like a real coup, with Jamie Carragher describing him as “fantastic” and the “most influential” player for a Premier League team this season.
The sky is the limit for this Sunderland side, who are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe, but Xhaka is likely to be paramount to their success, and Le Bris will be hoping for a similar display when his side travel to Brighton for their penultimate game in 2025 next weekend.
Liverpool enjoyed an impressive summer of transfer business as they overhauled their midfield options in order to bounce back from a disappointing 2022/23 campaign.
The Reds failed to win any major trophies last season and finished outside of the top four, in fifth place, as they missed out on Champions League football this term.
Jurgen Klopp's side are currently competing in the Europa League, due to their struggles last year, and the German head coach will be hoping for a swift return to the continent's elite competition for the 2024/25 campaign.
The former Borussia Dortmund tactician clearly identified his midfield as an area of the squad that needed surgery as the likes of Naby Keita, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all moved on from Anfield over the summer.
This opened the door for Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo to come in and compete for a place in the middle of the park, alongside Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.
Szoboszlai and Mac Allister, in particular, have been outstanding additions to the squad and Liverpool played a blinder with the latter as they brought in a proven Premier League performer who could hit the ground running.
Liverpool transfer news – Douglas Luiz
The Reds could now replicate that masterclass by swooping for another player who has already showcased their quality on a regular basis in the English top-flight – Douglas Luiz.
TEAMtalk reported at the end of last month that Liverpool are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign the Brazilian maestro during the upcoming January transfer window.
The outlet claimed that Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, who both finished above Klopp's side last term, are also eyeing up the impressive whiz to bolster their own midfield options.
It is said that the Villans do not want to lose their star player in January and that it would take a fee within the region of £80m to even make them consider a deal.
Leon-bailey-jhon-duran-douglas-luiz-aston-villa
TEAMtalk added that Pep Guardiola, who had Luiz on City's books prior to his move to Villa, is a big admirer of the central midfielder and that Liverpool believe he suits what they need in the middle of the park.
It was also claimed that Tottenham Hotspur have previously held an interest in his services but it remains to be seen whether or not they are ready to rejoin the race for his signature.
The report did not, however, state whether or not Liverpool are prepared to firm up their interest with an official approach for Luiz, or if they would be willing to meet Villa's £80m demand.
If the Reds were able to snap him up in January, though, then the club could repeat the blinder they played with Mac Allister earlier this year.
Alexis Mac Allister's season in numbers
The Argentina international was signed from Brighton & Hove Albion over the summer after his impressive season for club and country last term.
Starts
Six
Goals
One
Assists
One
Big chances created
Two
Pass success rate
89%
Ground duel success rate
67%
As you can see from the table above, Mac Allister played a crucial role at the 2022 World Cup as his side went on to win the famous trophy – with Lionel Messi captaining them to glory in Qatar.
The central midfielder did not allow that to detract from his club form for Brighton, though, as he played 35 Premier League matches and contributed with ten goals and two assists.
Liverpool then secured his services in a deal that could rise up to £55m and the talented whiz has enjoyed a strong start to life at Anfield.
The 24-year-old wizard has not showcased the best of his attacking qualities – with one goal and one assist in the league – but has been an excellent defensive presence in front of the back four.
Mac Allister has produced 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game for his side and currently ranks first within the squad for tackles (2.4) and joint-first for interceptions (1.3) per match.
This suggests that the World Cup winner, who has made 6.6 ball recoveries per game, has been an outstanding defender for Liverpool this season as their main ball-winner on the pitch to cut out opposition attacks.
Whilst there is more to come from Mac Allister in terms of his attacking contributions, the former Brighton star has hit the ground running, thanks to his prior Premier League experience, as a superb midfielder for Klopp.
Douglas Luiz's season in numbers
The Brazil international has been in sublime form for Villa so far this season in the English top-flight and could, therefore, follow in the Argentine talent's footsteps in 2024.
Unai Emery's side are currently fourth in the division and competing to land a spot in next season's edition of the Champions League, and Luiz has been a pivotal cog in their well-oiled machine.
Douglas Luiz celebrates for Aston Villa
The 25-year-old star has played 14 Premier League matches and caught the eye with his contributions in and out of possession from midfield.
Luiz has produced five goals – four more than any Liverpool midfielder has managed – and two assists for his team in those 14 outings.
He has created three 'big chances' for his teammates and made 1.2 key passes per game, which would place him fifth within the Reds squad.
The former Manchester City prospect has also impressed onlookers with his defensive qualities. He has made 2.4 tackles per game for the Villans, which would place him joint-first in the Liverpool squad alongside Mac Allister.
Luiz, who was hailed as "transformed" by pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor last year, has also made 6.4 ball recoveries per outing and has showcased his strength in midfield with a duel success rate of 59%, which shows that opposition players do not get the better of him with ease in physical contests.
His form this season has come off the back of his return of six goals and six assists, along with 3.1 tackles and interceptions per match, in 37 Premier League appearances for Villa during the 2022/23 campaign.
The Brazilian maestro is, therefore, a proven top-flight performer who would not need a period of adaptation in England and could hit the ground running in midfield in the same way that Mac Allister has, if Liverpool can snap him up in January.
Manchester United have previous for leaving things late in the transfer window and it looks like it could be yet another hectic period for the club ahead of Friday's looming deadline, with a number of issues still to resolve.
As Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst revealed earlier this week, there could still be multiple new signings made over the coming days, with the addition of a new left-back a particular priority following the loss of Luke Shaw to injury.
There is also a belief that United could target another midfield signing despite already bringing in the club's new number seven, Mason Mount, earlier in the summer, with various reports indicating that a late move for Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be the on the cards.
What's the latest on Hojbjerg to Man United?
As 90min's Graeme Bailey revealed on Tuesday, the Red Devils are said to have been offered the chance to sign the Denmark international from their Premier League rivals, with the 28-year-old set to be allowed to leave if a suitable offer were to arrive from a potential suitor.
Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…
The former Southampton man has been of interest to La Liga side Atletico Madrid throughout the summer window, although a possible £30m switch to the Spanish capital failed to pan out, thus opening the door for United to pounce.
The suggestion is that Erik ten Hag and co are considering midfield alternatives to Fiorentina ace, Sofyan Amrabat, hence the interest in prising Hojbjerg from north London in what would be a surprise, last-gasp approach.
How good is Hojbjerg?
There may be those of a United persuasion who would be concerned at the prospect of signing a player who is seemingly surplus to requirements at one of their rivals, although such a move could well prove particularly astute if Hojbjerg – who has been described as a "warrior" by Sky Sports reporter Nubaid Haroon – is to hit the ground running at Old Trafford.
Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
One particularly intriguing factor regarding the £100k-per-week Dane is the comparison that can be made between himself and Arsenal's recent £105m addition, Declan Rice, with the pair said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, according to FBref.
That likeness between the Spurs destroyer and Rice – who had been a reported target for the Red Devils prior to joining the Gunners – can notably be seen by their forward-thinking approach from midfield, with the Gunners ace averaging 6.84 progressive passes per 90, while Hojbjerg is only just behind as he averages 6.51 in that regard, across the last 365 days.
The pair are also both seemingly adept at dictating the tempo in the centre of the park as the latter man ranks in the top 8% among his European peers for pass completion, while the England international ranks in the top 16% for that same metric.
It is the duo's ball-winning prowess that particularly catches the eye, however, with Hojbjerg having averaged a solid three tackles and interceptions per game last term, while Rice was only just ahead after averaging 3.8 tackles per game in the 2022/23 campaign.
Equally, much like the former West Ham United man – who chipped in with six goals and assists in the league last season – the Tottenham titan can also impact proceedings in the final third, having registered ten goals and assists for the Lilywhites last term in the top flight.
With Rice evidently a highly-rated talent – as his lofty transfer fee would attest to – for Ten Hag to find his own version of the 24-year-old for potentially a fraction of the cost could well be an exciting prospect.
Saturday evening confirmed several things for Tottenham Hotspur.
One, Harry Kane's £100m transfer to Bayern Munich is not the world-ending scenario some have feared.
And two, manager Ange Postecoglou's freshly implemented system tantalises an exciting, refreshing new chapter for the club.
Dispatching Manchester United 2-0 after opening the seasonal account with a battling 2-2 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium has hinted that goals and points will flow this term, but there remains space, unequivocally, for a new forward.
Richarlison has led the line for the opening two matches, whilst young striker Alejo Veliz, aged 19, has penned a £13m deal from Argentinian outfit Rosario Central.
What's the latest on Ernest Nuamah to Tottenham?
According to Football Insider, Spurs are preparing a formal offer for Danish side FC Nordsjaelland's teenage forward Ernest Ernest Nuamah, with the Daily Mail claiming he is rated at £22m.
Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…
Premier League rivals Burnley, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United are also interested, so Postecoglou and co will have to act swiftly and incisively to secure his services this month.
How good is Ernest Nuamah?
The dynamic Ghana sensation, who can play across both wings and centrally, has started the 2023/24 campaign with aplomb, scoring four goals and providing one assist from four matches in the Danish Superliga.
Still only 19 years of age, this follows an impressive breakthrough season where Nuameh plundered 15 goals and four assists from 34 matches for Nordsjaelland across all competitions.
Profiling the youngster, his former manager Flemming Pedersen said:
“Ernest is first and foremost a dribbler. He is incredibly fast, has a huge acceleration, and a good agility. He is primarily left-footed, but can also use the right. He is a great individualist with tremendous power, who has great potential to also become a skilled team player.”
While he is not naturally a forward, preferring to utilise his blistering speed and force as a forward-surging vehicle out wide, Nuamah, who has also been dubbed the "Ghanaian Flash" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, boasts an average Sofascore rating of 7.53 in the league this term, having complemented his prolific return with two shots per game and a crisp pass success rate of 83%.
ange-postecoglou-2
Given his ability to flourish both wide and as a centre-forward, Nuamah could prove to surpass Richarlison's presence with the Lilywhites, with the Brazilian forward only scoring three goals and supplying four assists from 37 outings since completing a £60m transfer from Everton in July 2022.
The 44-cap international only managed to record a score of 6.73 across 21 Premier League appearances last season, taking just one shot per game and completing 73% of his passes.
With Kane gone for pastures news, Richarlison might feel he has a new lease of life under Postecoglou's wing, and while he has indeed started the first two games this year in the talismanic role, an average rating of just 6.5, taking one shot each match, hardly evokes confidence following a disappointing introduction to life in north London.
Nuamah might be young and inexperienced, but he looks to be a true talent and if he can retain his cutting edge with a move to Postecoglou's project, Tottenham might unveil the perfect new attacking outlet to cement a starring role, surpassing Richarlison.
Manchester United and England star Mary Earps has signed yet another brand deal as her popularity continues to soar.
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Earps announces new brand dealGoalkeeper partners with NOCCOEarps' popularity has soaredWHAT HAPPENED?
On Thursday Earps took to Instagram to announce her partnership with soft drink company Nocco, who produce sugar-free beverages high in BCAA and vitamins. In typical Earps fashion, she had a little fun with the announcement.
AdvertisementWHAT EARPS SAID
Earps shared with her 765,000 Instagram followers a series of photos of her posing with a can of NOCCO. In the final snap, she is sticking her tongue out and giving a thumbs up.
In the caption she wrote: "Life is better with NOCCO."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Earps' social media reach has skyrocketed following her performances for England at last summer's Women's World Cup and after she won the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Her increased marketability has seen her recently sign a 12-month styling deal with Mark Hill Hair.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR EARPS?
After enjoying some time off during the WSL winter break, Earps will be in contention to feature when United take on Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. The weekend after, she'll have the small matter of a trip to WSL leaders Chelsea to think about.
Ben Stokes, the England allrounder who is currently under police investigation for his part in a late-night brawl in Bristol last month, has been dropped by his kit manufacturer, New Balance.The company issued a statement on Wednesday saying his behaviour “does not match our brand culture and values” and that his contract, worth an estimated £200,000 a year, had been terminated. The announcement came shortly after Stokes had tweeted an apology for a separate incident, in which he apparently mocked the disabled son of British celebrity Katie Price, and with his involvement in the Ashes increasingly uncertain.While the ECB has said Stokes will not travel to Australia until his legal issues are resolved – he was arrested but has not, at this stage, been charged – it remains unclear whether he will be part of the group gathering in Loughborough for a training camp from next Tuesday.The camp is likely it to involve some fielding practice – the potential loss of Stokes further weakens England’s close-catching – as well as discussion on what to expect in Australia and some bowling with the Kookaburra ball.New Balance provides Stokes with branded equipment, from bats to boots. In a statement, the company said: “New Balance does not condone behaviour by our global athletes that does not match our brand culture and values, and therefore we have ended our relationship with Ben Stokes, effective October 11, 2017. We will not provide further comment.”Shortly after the incident in September, which saw Stokes held overnight by Bristol police, a TV ad by brewer Greene King featuring the player drinking in a pub was pulled.Ben Stokes’ Twitter apology•Getty Images/Twitter
Stokes has also issued an apology after appearing to mock Harvey Price. A video of him impersonating Harvey, who suffers from autism, ADHD, Prader-Willi Syndrome and blindness, circulated shortly after Stokes’ arrest.He has now publically expressed his regret and, having admitted he should never have acted in such a way, accepted that he behaved “foolishly”. In a statement on Twitter, Stokes said he had contacted both Harvey and Katie Price personally and offered to get involved in their attempts to reduce online bullying.”Earlier this year I was a shown a clip of Harvey being asked on Loose Women how he responds to internet trolls,” Stokes wrote. “I loved Harvey’s directness with his responses – he said what most of us think but perhaps aren’t brave enough to say, let alone on live TV.”I foolishly attempted to copy the clip after I saw it a few times. I should never have done this and I am so sorry. It was absolutely not my intention to offend Harvey, Katie or anybody else.”I have written to both Harvey and Katie to say sorry and prior to this offered to meet in person at the end of last month with a view to also getting behind their petition about online bullying. I do hope I can put this right.”
Elsewhere, Jharkhand picked up a bonus point against Haryana through a ten-wicket win
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2017Left-arm orthodox spinner Sijomon Joseph took his maiden five-wicket haul to help Kerala notch up their second win of the season, a 131-run win against Rajasthan in Thumba.Rajasthan were set 343 to win after Sachin Baby’s counterattack – 30 off 16 balls – lifted Kerala’s score from 217 for 2 to 250 for 5 in less than five overs on the morning of the final day. Overnight batsman Jalaj Saxena was unbeaten on 105 when Kerala declared; Sanju Samson couldn’t add to his overnight score of 72, falling in the first over of the day.Rajasthan’s innings was plagued by recurring collapses. They had lost both openers withing seven balls of the start of their innings, before a 63-run stand between Robin Bist (70) and Rajesh Bishnoi (35) brought stability to the innings. But Joseph broke that stand and followed it up with the wicket of Ashok Menaria to reduce Rajasthan to 64 for 4 with more than 70 overs still to play. Nearly 40 of those overs were absorbed by the fifth-wicket pair of Bist and Mahipal Lomror (53) but the former’s wicket brought yet another collapse – they fell from 160 for 4 to 190 for 9. Deepak Chahar and Aniket Choudhary then attempted a final resistance, batting out 62 balls and bringing Rajasthan close to pulling off a draw. But Joseph trapped him in front in the 84th over to seize the win for Kerala.Jalaj, who made scores of 79 and 105* in the game, took two wickets in the second innings to also finish with a ten-wicket match-haul.Jharkhand walked away with a bonus-point win against Haryana in Ranchi, after chasing their 80-run target without losing any wickets.The win was set up by Shahbaz Nadeem, whose six-wicket haul inflicted a collapse on Haryana, who had begun the day on 141 for 4. Overnight batsmen Rajat Paliwal (93) and Rohit Sharma (71) added 107 runs on the final day before Nadeem dismissed the former, seven short of a 14th hundred. Haryana lost the rest of their wickets for the addition of only 48 runs and were bowled out for 296, having conceded a first-innings lead of 217.Jharkhand promoted wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who struck an unbeaten 46 off 45 balls and took them home in the company of Nazim Siddiqui (24*).
James Anderson produced his best figures at Old Trafford as England reduced South Africa to 220 for 9 at the close, still well behind their first-innings 362
The Report by Andrew Miller05-Aug-20172:21
Moonda: Anderson doing what SA would want from Steyn
Honours conferred on active sportsmen don’t always work out as their instigators might have intended – Sir Andy Murray, for one, hasn’t had much to cheer about since being asked to arise in the New Year’s Honours. But for James Anderson, Lancashire’s most prolific Test wicket-taker, the chance to ply his trade from the newly conferred James Anderson End at Old Trafford merely raised his game to heights he has rarely matched in six previous matches on his home ground.By the close of the second day, Anderson’s figures of 4 for 33, his best in Tests at Old Trafford, allied to a brilliant display of ball-striking and strike-farming from Jonny Bairstow in the morning session, had pushed South Africa to the brink of surrender in the series. They limped to the close on 220 for 9, still trailing by 142, with Kagiso Rabada’s last-ball dismissal summing up their futile situation.Anderson’s day was split into three acts, all of them originating from in front of his new fiefdom by the ground’s grand old pavilion. First he strode out with the bat to a hero’s welcome from the crowd, and responded with a vital and undefeated cameo at the end of England’s first innings – 4 not out from 15 balls providing an obdurate foil to the brilliant Bairstow, who reeled off the bulk of a 50-run stand in 9.1 overs for the last wicket before being adjudged lbw for 99 by the tightest of margins. On Bairstow’s watch, England had added 102 runs to their overnight 260 for 4 to turn a dicey position into a dominant one.
Bairstow’s 99, Moeen’s best series
15 Players from England to be dismissed for 99 in a Test. Jonny Bairstow is the latest addition to this rather unlucky set. Bairstow also become the first player since Ricky Ponting in 2008 to be dismissed for 99 against South Africa. 12 Average runs addedThree different pairs have been tried by South Africa during this period but the highest stand has been 21. 3 Number of instances Toby Roland-Jones has dismissed Hashim Amla in this series. In 21 balls he has conceded 7 runs and has got him out three times. 20 Wickets for Moeen Ali in the series so far – the most he has taken in a series. His previous best was 19 wickets against India in 2014.
Then, armed with the new ball and doubtless eager to christen his end of the ground with a wicket worthy of the name, Anderson wasted no time in making his mark. Dean Elgar, South Africa’s anchorman, lasted just three balls before being pinned on the shin by a trademark Anderson inswinger to the left-hander. South Africa reached lunch on 12 for 1 after four testing overs.His most telling intercession, however, came midway through the evening session, when he returned in the 39th over to lively up what had been a meandering South Africa innings. His team-mates had, by that stage, fronted up to keep England in command: Toby Roland-Jones continued his improbable stranglehold over the mighty Hashim Amla by dismissing him for the third time in as many innings – appropriately enough, with a strangle down the leg side – while Moeen Ali, enjoying a superb run of form with the ball, applied a mercy killing to a tenacious but teetering stay from Heino Kuhn, inducing a low edge to slip in the second over of his spell.At 131 for 3, Temba Bavuma had been settling into a dogged but essential stay, in partnership with his captain, Faf du Plessis. But in the whirr of a bowling arm, Anderson accounted for both in the space of three balls – first, a snarling inswinger on a full length, that Bavuma attempted to leave but instead saw kiss the top of off stump, before du Plessis was late coming forward to another perfect-length delivery, and inside-edged on to his own stumps for 27.James Anderson produced a three-wicket burst from the James Anderson End•Getty Images
With the wind behind him, Anderson could have made it three in nine balls as Theunis de Bruyn flinched a searing lifter into the gully off the splice, where Keaton Jennings made brilliant ground to his left but couldn’t cling on with one hand. And then, to compound England’s momentary frustration, Quinton de Kock was reprieved from the very next ball, dropped by Ben Stokes at slip as he squeezed a cramped cut off Moeen.But England’s progress wasn’t dented for long. With fizzing full-length discipline, allied to a threat of movement and a short ball up his sleeve, Anderson ensured that South Africa’s only instinct remained survival. He conceded a solitary run from his next three overs, and that off a yorker to de Kock that all but wriggled through his defences.De Bruyn, who had got off the mark with an unexpectedly emphatic reverse sweep off Moeen, eventually dented Anderson’s figures a touch with a firm clip for four through midwicket. But, as if affronted, Jimmy made him pay with his very next ball – full, straight and bursting off the edge to Joe Root at second slip, as he completed a brilliant, innings-wrecking spell of 7-3-13-3.England’s erratic dominance continued straight after the evening drinks break, when Keshav Maharaj, on 1, edged Moeen off the tip of Bairstow’s gloves and away through his legs to safety. Maharaj briefly cast off his shackles – and surprised a crowd who seemed to be having a post-prandial snooze – by crashing Moeen over long-on for a vast six to save the follow-on, but three balls later, he was pinned plumb in front of the stumps and had given himself out before umpire Kumar Dharmasena had a chance to raise his finger.At 167 for 7, the ever-dangerous de Kock was South Africa’s last real hope of parity, but he seemed as muted, as he had earlier been in the field. He needed 39 deliveries to reach double figures, scored the second of his two boundaries via a thick edge through third slip, and had already survived a tough stumping opportunity on 16 when Stuart Broad found his outside edge for Bairstow to atone with a well-judged leap to his left.The final overs were a mishmash of intent and reticence from England, who were keen to wrap up the innings, but not so keen that they would be required to face any overs before the close. Dawid Malan even entered the fray for an exploratory over of all-sorts, before Broad set the seal on a day of largely unchecked dominance, Stokes swooping brilliantly in the gully to break a determined ninth-wicket stand of 31.The only minor note of discord in England’s day – at least where a hugely contented crowd was concerned – came when Bairstow missed out on what would have been a richly deserved and wildly acclaimed century.Having resumed on 33 not out overnight, Bairstow lost Roland-Jones and Moeen to an aggressive spell from Rabada in the first half-hour of the day, but took it upon himself to counterattack with the confidence of a man who is in the midst of an 18-month golden period. He was especially harsh on Morne Morkel, cracking him for four fours in 12 balls, and Duanne Olivier, whose first over included a towering six down the ground as he charged into the 90s, but despite Anderson’s most worthy efforts, three figures would prove elusive.With just a single needed for his fourth Test century, Bairstow elected for the sweep against Maharaj. He planted his foot outside off stump, but not far enough to satisfy Dharmasena, whose on-field verdict was upheld on review with the edge of the ball just satisfying the parameters of DRS. A groan of anguish went up from the ground, but Bairstow had done his bit. Not least, in setting the stage for the man that the crowd had really come to watch.
Former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes relations between players and Cricket Australia will take a long time to heal after difficult negotiations over the MoU
Daniel Brettig19-Jul-20173:46
What exactly is the Cricket Australia-ACA pay dispute?
Negotiations between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association are continuing at a snail’s pace but the damage has already been done, the former Test paceman Mitchell Johnson has said.Talks between the two warring parties – including the chief executives James Sutherland and Alistair Nicholson – resumed in Melbourne on Wednesday with time fast running out to avoid major dislocation to the game, both in terms of commercial deals with sponsors and broadcasters, and also the Bangladesh tour in August.While discussions are now taking place on the sort of level that should lead to an eventual resolution, little movement is discernible from CA’s strong desire to end the fixed revenue percentage models at the core of past collective agreements, and likewise the ACA’s intent to keep the model in place. Johnson, who retired from the international game in 2015, said relationships would take a long time to heal whatever the outcome.”It’s been pretty disappointing and once it’s all dealt with, the player and CA relationship is going to be a struggle … it’s going to be very ordinary,” Johnson said in Sydney. “Even if it gets sorted, the damage has already been done. There’s been personal insults about the players being greedy. That’s not the case.”The relationship is going to have to build again. The last time I felt this way – not to this extent – was the Argus Review [in 2011]. That was the last time we had a little bit of trouble between the players and CA.””If we lose this battle as players, does then the ACA start getting their legs chopped from underneath them and the players lose the ACA?” – Mitchell Johnson•Getty ImagesCommercial pressure is mounting in terms of players looking at signing deals with sponsors competing against CA’s major corporate partners. It has been reported that both Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith are close to signing deals with Mercedes to follow on from Mitchell Starc’s newly unveiled contract with an Audi dealership in western Sydney. The ACA’s commercial manager, Tim Cruickshank, is currently in India for talks about the collective intellectual property passed on from CA to the players’ commercial arm, the Cricketers’ Brand, when the most recent MoU expired on July 1.”The players have fought so hard, the ACA, for the last 19 years, and got this model that we have in a really good place, and other things as well,” Johnson said. “From the CA point of view, I know David Peever, ex-Rio Tinto … no unions. So that is the thing that concerns me a lot. If we lose this battle as players, does then the ACA start getting their legs chopped from underneath them and the players lose the ACA?”That is the scary thing from my point of view. Cricket will still go on but I don’t know what sort of input the players will have in the future. I saw Nathan Lyon this morning and I think he’s as disappointed as everyone. The way it has been dealt with in the media, it probably should have been more of a private matter … it could have been dealt with very differently.”Speaking at the launch of a new app called BowlFit for young fast bowlers, Johnson also said England’s recent loss to South Africa at Trent Bridge would place doubts in the minds of the team led by Joe Root ahead of a likely pace-based Australian assault in the forthcoming Ashes series.”They’ve got a few issues to sort out,” Johnson said. “It’s only one game but it’s the way they got beaten that you see the score line. Joe Root being a new captain; they’ll try and put a bit of pressure on him to see how he handles it. Australia are a huge chance. It’ll be a great series but there are some scars there as well.”You want to be consistent and they probably haven’t got that consistency at the moment. It’s going to be hard for them now because they have been beaten, there’s pressure on them. I don’t care too much about England to be honest. I don’t care what they bring as long as it’s a good contest.”Another area Johnson found intriguing was the selection of Gary Ballance at No. 3, though a finger fracture has ruled him out of the next Test against South Africa. “England have Gary Ballance at No.3 and when you’re at No.3, you’re meant to be one of the best players in the team, if not the best,” Johnson said. “I don’t think he is.”If you’re a bowler and you see Gary Ballance at No.3, then you actually get a lot of confidence from that. Australia would have a lot of confidence. They [England] have changed their team a little bit over the past. They’re trying to find the right squad. It’s getting close to an Ashes series, so you want to lock that in.”
Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns
George Dobell30-May-2017
Ben Stokes’ knee hampered him when bowling against South Africa•Getty Images
Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns.Both Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes were obliged to sit-out games during the recent ODI series against South Africa after sustaining what have been described as minor knee and quad “niggles” respectively.But with the Champions Trophy starting in a couple of days, the decision to allow such important players to spend almost the entire IPL season in India is sure to come under more scrutiny. While the England team management remain confident both men will be fit for their opening Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday, there is a possibility that Stokes will be fit to play only as a specialist batsman.Strauss, however, is confident there are many benefits in IPL experience. Echoing comments made by Stokes and Woakes – and before them, the likes of Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen – Strauss felt the experience in India could help.”The players who have gone over there have benefitted massively from the experience,” he said. “We’ve seen that already with the maturity that Ben is playing with the bat. And it looked like he’s improved his bowling at the death tremendously, too.”I think Chris Woakes was saying that to go there, to learn from the best players in the world and pit themselves against the best players in the world…they come back from that experience knowing they’re as good as anyone out there. The deep-rooted belief they get from that is massively important.”I’ve always seen the massive advantages of our players going out there. And that was on the back of us under-performing in white-ball cricket for year after year after year, and clearly falling behind some of the other teams.”There is no evidence that either injury was sustained in India. Indeed, you could argue that both men would have been required to play far more had they remained in England and been utilised by their counties. Moeen Ali, another of England’s allrounders, also missed the final ODI against South Africa with a minor groin strain and he did not play in the IPL.”That is the slight risk you take when you make people available for a chunk of cricket that is outside the international schedule,” Strauss said. “Injuries are part and parcel of life, but on one hand you weigh-up the potential risk and on the other you ask what they can potentially gain from that experience. That’s what forms the decision.”Thankfully I don’t think any of those injuries are of massive concern at this stage. It’s very much precautionary that they’re not playing at this stage. We want them to hit the ground running in the Champions Trophy.”Having said that, we’ve always got to balance that great opportunity for them with the schedules and workloads. And we just need to keep looking at this on a year by year and case by case basis. There will be times where it may be the smart thing not to play and at other times it might be the smart thing for them to play in the IPL.”Up until now, we’ve had mature, adult conversations with players about their availability. That’s why some of the guys came back for those Ireland internationals and some of the guys stayed at the IPL. And that’s what we’ll continue to do. When the opportunity is right for players to go – and when we feel they’ll benefit from that experience – we’ll try and make it possible.”While Stokes, Woakes and Jos Buttler were permitted to miss the two ODIs against Ireland in order to remain at the IPL this year, Strauss baulked at the suggestion that players would ever be allowed to miss a Test in similar circumstances.”Personally, I think that’s unlikely,” he said. “When you get to the stage where you’re missing Test matches to play in IPL that sends out a very strong message about where your priorities are and I would be uncomfortable with that.”It is a delicate balance Strauss must strike. As well as providing opportunities for players to benefit from experience in overseas leagues, he is also keen to help them benefit financially. And while there is no sense of the contractual wrangles that are currently clouding Australian cricket, as more money floods into the game, it is an issue on which the ECB will have to remain alert.”There are always negotiations between players and employers around what is a fair structure for salaries and pay,” Strauss said. “Our current agreement is tied in with our TV deal that runs till 2019. There will be conversations over the next couple of years to ensure we put together something that’s fair and everyone is happy with.”I’m in no way commenting on what’s happening in Cricket Australia, because I don’t know the ins and outs of it. But I’d be very surprised if anything other than a full-strength team turned out at the Gabba. I would have thought the Ashes will focus people’s minds to make sure they get a conclusion to where they are at the moment.”Then I’d like to think we can have some sort of mature conversations with TEPP [The Team England Player Partnership; the branch of the PCA that negotiates on behalf of England players] and the players themselves early enough to prevent us going down that sort of route. And as much as possible, behind closed doors and in the right sort of spirit.”What I’m focused on is making sure the relationships between ourselves as the national governing body and our players who are contracted to us are as good as they possibly can be. That’s the best way of ensuring that those conversations happen in good faith.”