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After six matches in charge, Danny Röhl is already starting to figure out which members of the Rangers squad he can trust, and which he cannot.

So far, the German has won all three Premiership matches in charge, most recently demolishing Dundee 3-0 at Dens, looking to keep that streak going when bottom of the table Livingston visit Ibrox on Saturday.

However, the Gers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League standings, yet to pick up a single point at the mid-way mark of the league phase, and were dumped out of the League Cup semi-finals by Celtic, underlining that there is still plenty of work for Röhl to do.

Having seemingly decided that one of the Light Blues’ many summer signings is not for him, should the German head coach give a “big talent” a chance to stake a claim?

Joe Rothwell's start to life at Rangers

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell has come under serious scrutiny from supporters, given the club’s expensive but underwhelming summer recruitment, with Joe Rothwell among the least popular additions.

The 30-year-old defensive midfielder arrived from Bournemouth for around £400k to plenty of excitement, with Joe Donnohue describing him as “assured, energetic and accomplished”, while Kai Watson asserted that he would be a “very smart signing” given that he’s an “excellent passer and progresser of the ball, exactly what this Rangers midfield needs”.

However, this has certainly not been the case, with the Englishman putting in numerous sluggish and slow performances during the early weeks of the season when the team were massively struggling under Russell Martin.

During August’s 1-1 draw at St Mirren, speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Neil McCann noted that Rothwell looked completely “cooked”, while Kenny Macintyre of BBC Sportsound agreed, exclaiming that “Joe Rothwell… has looked knackered in every game”.

Well, even at this early stage of his tenure, Röhl has seemingly been unimpressed, with Rothwell starting the German’s first match in charge, the 3-0 drubbing in Bergen, but not doing so again since, an unused substitute for all three Premiership matches, as well as the most recent Europa League game against Roma.

So, with Rothwell not in Röhl’s plans, Mohamed Diomandé alongside Nicolas Raskin is the first-choice midfield pairing, which is strong, but that duo cannot play every minute of every game, so should the new manager give his “big talent” an opportunity?

Rangers youngster who deserves more opportunities

A young player Rangers supporters were excited about not so long ago is Bailey Rice, but he might as well be added to Interpol’s missing persons list this season.

After jumping ship from Motherwell’s academy, he made his senior debut at Almondvale against Livingston in February 2023, thereby becoming the second-youngest player to feature for Rangers post-World War II.

Derek Ferguson

1983

Bailey Rice

2023

Tom Walsh

2012

Paul Nsio

2022

Zak Lovelace

2022

Alfie Conn

1968

Archie Stevens

2022

John Fleck

2008

Leon King

2020

Derek Johnstone

1970

Danny Stoney

2013

Alex O’Hara

1973

As the table documents, only Derek Ferguson, against Queen of the South in 1983, debuted for Rangers at a younger age but, at the age of 16 years and 137 days, Rice is the youngest player to feature for the club in a league match.

After arriving on the scene, the teenager started to see regular minutes under Philippe Clement and then Barry Ferguson during the second half of last season, introduced at half time against Manchester United at Old Trafford, before starting the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club, albeit his big night was curtailed early due to a nasty head injury sustained during a collision with striker Maroan Sannadi.

At that point, he was earning rave reviews, with former Rangers right-back Alan Hutton, speaking on Premier Sports, stating that the youngster was “more than capable” of establishing himself in the first team, adding that he’s “ready for the next step”.

However, this season, since starting a League Cup tie against third-tier Alloa Athletic in August, hooked at half time, Rice has not been seen, an unused substitute for all four Europa League matches, with 12-man benches allowed by UEFA, but yet to feature in a Premiership matchday squad.

The Rangers Journal believe that Rice’s contractual situation is to blame, given that he will be a free agent next summer, hence why the club don’t want to invest time into him, but this isn’t going to convince him to sign a new contract, thereby leaving the player at a crossroads.

Thus, it appears as though the teenager will depart Ibrox next June, but there is still time to salvage his Rangers career, if Röhl is able to prove there is a pathway for him into the first time.

With senior defensive midfield options continuing to fail to impress, namely Rothwell, Rice certainly deserves an opportunity to showcase his obvious talent, bringing to an end this stand-off that is not benefiting anyone.

Well, Blair Malloy has reported on Friday that Rice is currently injured, so his return will have to wait a little while, but he should be seen donning a light blue jersey again soon.

Thelwell can upgrade on Souttar by signing £8m defender for Rangers

With Danny Röhl in need of defensive reinforcements, could Rangers sign an “aggressive” £8m-valued star better than John Souttar and Nasser Djiga?

ByBen Gray Nov 20, 2025

England talisman would not be drawn on his chances of hauling in Tendulkar’s record

Matt Roller26-Jul-20254:12

Pope: Root can chase down Tendulkar

Joe Root described becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history as a “pinch-yourself moment” but would not be drawn into a discussion on his chances of hauling in Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Root overtook Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting in the all-time list during his 150 against India in Manchester and now sits 2512 runs behind Tendulkar’s aggregate of 15,921.Root has consistently played down the significance of the records that he has broken in recent years, including becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Multan last year. But he conceded that it was “pretty cool” to see his name near the top of a list featuring the batters that he tried to emulate as a boy.”When you look at the names there on that list, they are all people that, as a kid growing up, that’s who I would try to be in the garden, on the street, on the driveway, at my local club,” Root told Sky Sports. “One day I’d try to be Ricky Ponting, the next I’d try to be Kumar Sangakkara or Brian Lara.Related

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• Root marches on towards Test summit

“I’d pretend that I was in different parts of the world, scoring Test-match hundreds. Even just to be mentioned in the same sentence as these guys is a bit of a pinch-yourself moment. It is pretty cool, yeah.”Root played against Tendulkar only once, on his Test debut in Nagpur in 2012, and is now closer to his record tally than any batter in history. “It’s not something that I will focus on,” he told the BBC. “Those sorts of things should look after themselves. The focus has to be about winning games.”He made his Test debut before I was born. To be playing on the same ground as him and to get the chance to play against him was incredibly cool. [He was] someone you grew up watching, admiring, trying to learn from… To get to play in a series where he was still playing was really quite a memorable experience that I’ll never forget.”Root only briefly acknowledged the standing ovation for the single that took him past Ponting on Friday and said he had tried to avoid focusing on his record. “I can’t avoid it,” he joked. “They [the numbers] are everywhere, aren’t they? But you try to put it out of your mind. It is easy to get caught up in this stuff… You’re not doing your job if you’re concentrating on yourself.”4:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

He added: “It’s something that I’ll look back on at the end of my career rather than right now… It was a really cool day, something I’ll try to take in properly and appreciate what I’ve achieved, but there’s so much important cricket still to be playing within this series, within this game, and obviously in the next little while, so that’s the main focus right now.”Root has reached new heights as a batter since the Covid-19 pandemic: in the last five years, he has averaged 55.33 and has scored 21 of his 38 centuries. He said that he had used the unexpected break to analyse his batting, and that he has approached the game “slightly differently” ever since.”For the start of my career, a lot of [my approach] was based on my technique: where my hands are, where my head is, am I lined up, is my trigger right? Whereas in this second phase of things, it’s been more about managing risk, and thinking, ‘how can I eliminate as many modes of dismissal as possible, with the highest output?'”It does come through experience; it comes from trial and error [and] from getting things wrong. You’ve got to see the game for what it is. It’s very easy to get caught up, get too emotional, either get too hard on yourself or feel too sorry for yourself. You’ve got to see it for what it is, be very honest about it, and then just try to put that into practice.”

Beaten in their first three games, Thunder remain seventh on the table but are now back in the hunt after a convincing win over Scorchers

AAP19-Nov-2025

Sydney Thunder have breathed life back into their WBBL season, recording their first win of the summer with a convincing nine-wicket victory over Perth.Set 151 to win at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval, Tahlia Wilson’s unbeaten 55 from 44 balls helped Thunder cruise to victory with ten balls to spare.Phoebe Litchfield then finished the game with a big six to bring up her 35-ball half-century, while Georgia Voll hit 43 from 31 at the top.Beaten in their first three games, Thunder remain seventh on the table but are now back in the hunt ahead of their clash with last-placed Brisbane on Friday.After being given a life early when Freya Kemp put down a sitter when on five, Thunder opener Wilson was clinical from there on.She sat at the other end while Voll was the main aggressor, before taking over the innings when the right-hander was caught behind.Leading run-scorer in the 50-over WNCL last summer, Wednesday’s knock marked only Wilson’s third half-century in 80 WBBL games.Earlier Katie Mack threatened to make the Thunder pay for a missed chance of their own, when the opener was dropped first ball at slip by Heather Knight before reaching 79.She hit Voll for three straight boundaries a few overs later, kicking off an innings where she drove through the covers at will and pulled the ball to the boundary regularly.Signed by Scorchers to offer more support to Beth Mooney, it was Mack that was the lead act on Wednesday night.But no other Scorcher passed 20, with the innings stagnating when Kemp was run out and Paige Schofield trapped lbw in the space of two balls in the 12th over.That ultimately proved decisive with the Scorchers’ 150 for 7 never looking like enough once Thunder got going.

Liverpool head into the Champions League tonight against PSV Eindhoven looking like a bruised animal once more.

Last time out at Anfield, Arne Slot’s Reds were convincingly beaten by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in a 3-0 loss, with the match preceding this humbling defeat on home soil also seeing the Merseyside giants lose by the same emphatic scoreline, away at Manchester City.

Thankfully, the Champions League has been a temporary sanctuary for the reigning Premier League champions, as was evident in their 1-0 win against Real Madrid, the last time they did battle in the illustrious competition.

Therefore, Liverpool will be hoping they can lick their wounds again and beat their Eredivisie opponents later on this evening.

If form doesn’t pick up, though, the January transfer window will be a very apt time to try and find upgrades on the underperformers consistently letting the side down…

Transfer latest at Liverpool

Despite their poor form as of late, the Reds will still see themselves as a significant superpower in any transfer window to come.

After all, a colossal £415m was spent just this summer on a raft of new signings, with fresh rumours now indicating that the Slot and Co. could be prepared to drop another £123m on Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise.

Moreover, Antoine Semenyo remains in their sights as another attacking signing that could boost a side let down by the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to date.

On top of signings to add to their attacking arsenal, Liverpool are also allegedly looking to do battle with Real Madrid over the services of midfield talent Vitinha, according to emerging reports from Spain.

Indeed, the report elaborates that the La Liga giants are preparing a €150m (£131m) bid for Luis Enrique’s prized asset.

Yet, Liverpool are keen to accelerate a deal, as well, by matching the Los Blancos’ amount, ensuring they could actually eclipse the £125m club-record capture of Alexander Isak.

A next step to the Premier League is noted as being very appealing for the Portugal international, if a statement move were to whir into motion.

Vitinha’s arrival at Anfield might not be the news Ryan Gravenberch wants to read, however, with the classy Paris Saint-Germain number 17 a clear upgrade on the Dutchman, as the 23-year-old has noticeably struggled as of late.

Why Vitinha is a clear upgrade on Gravenberch

Alongside the vast majority of his teammates, Gravenberch has suffered from a notable dip in his performance levels in recent matches.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Once labelled as being “vital” to the way Liverpool tick earlier in the season by ex-Reds midfielder Steve McManaman, the former Ajax prodigy turned Anfield first-teamer struggled to be an influential presence in back-to-back defeats at the hands of City and Forest, with only four ground duels won in total across 14 attempts, as per Sofascore.

To make matters worse, the underperforming number 38 would also fail to notch up a single key pass, leaving him on just the one paltry assist for the campaign.

While Gravenberch has shown visible signs of decline, Vitinha has continued to stand out on some pressurised stages for Enrique’s men, with this wonderful move – which was kickstarted by the 25-year-old’s fierce burst of pace – in last year’s Champions League final, just one reason why his national team manager in Roberto Martinez has glowingly labelled him the “best midielder in the world.”

In league action for PSG, too, this season, he blows his immediate competition out of the water, with one goal and six assists from 12 games – among other numbers – sticking out immediately to Slot, as he attempts to make Liverpool a vibrant and attractive watch in attack this campaign, again, rather than sticking by their current stifled appearance.

It’s not just in the attacking department where Vitinha could improve the downbeat Reds, with the 5-foot-8 playmaker also averaging 4.9 ball recoveries so far this season in Ligue 1, next to Gravenberch’s lesser 3.5.

Of course, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish altogether from the French top division, which PSG consistently dominate.

But, Vitinha has actually shown off his swagger against Liverpool at Anfield, with the “incredible” midfield general – as Enrique has also labelled him – dictating play during PSG’s slim 1-0 away win in the Champions League last campaign when amassing a ridiculous 103 accurate passes.

Worryingly, his Dutch counterpart receded into his shell, with zero accurate dribbles registered, and possession was lost a costly 12 times.

The one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee won’t be moving to England on the cheap, but it could be a splurge worth signing off on, as Slot attempts to reinvigorate his options all over the pitch.

Perfect for Isak: Liverpool make £122m sensation their "dream target"

Liverpool need to make changes in the transfer market once again.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 25, 2025

Only 3.4 overs possible on blustery, grey day at Eden Park

Andrew Miller23-Oct-2025New Zealand 38 for 1 (Seifert 23*) vs England – match abandoned England claimed the spoils in their T20I series against New Zealand, after the third and final match at Auckland went the same way as the series opener in Christchurch – lost to the weather as steady early-season rain swept in to curtail the contest after just 3.4 overs.In the limited time available, Tim Seifert made the running for New Zealand with an enterprising knock of 23 not out from 11 balls. He launched his innings with two fours off Luke Wood in the three balls that were possible prior to the evening’s first hour-and-a-half-long delay. Then – after the match resumed as 14 overs a side – he struck two sixes off the extra pace of Brydon Carse, including an outrageous reverse-scoop over fine leg that was well caught in the crowd.Carse did hit back at the other end, removing Tim Robinson for 2 as Jacob Bethell clung on well to a top-edged pull at deep midwicket. Wood then bowled an effective over to the left-handed Rachin Ravindra, finding sharp late movement in the seam-friendly conditions. Ravindra got going with a pulled six off Carse, but moments after Seifert had landed the second of his sixes off the same bowler, the rain returned once more.Despite a planned resumption at 10pm local time – with the match further reduced to eight overs a side – the grim weather returned just as the players were preparing to take the field, and the match was abandoned soon afterwards.It completed an unsatisfactory early-season foray for New Zealand, whose curtain-raising series against Australia at the start of the month had similarly been affected by the weather. They had made the running in the series opener, limiting England’s hard-hitting line-up to 153 for 6 on a seaming wicket at Hagley Oval, but were blown away in the return fixture two days later, losing by 65 runs after England had smashed the ground record with their total of 236 for 4.England chose to bowl first having named an unchanged XI for this decider. Despite the grey weather and unusually short boundaries at Eden Park, they decided to trust the balance that had impressed in Christchurch, with Liam Dawson retained as a second spinner ahead of an extra seam option.New Zealand, meanwhile, made one change – Zak Foulkes coming in for Kyle Jamieson. But in the end, it was all academic, as attention now turns to the ODIs which get underway in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.”It’s very frustrating,” Brook said at the post-match presentation. “The weather hasn’t been ideal. But great for the boys to get some time out there.”It’s a great place to tour, we’ve had an amazing time so far. We’ve got the ODIs coming up and we’re looking forward to it. We’ve got a few big names coming back and hopefully we can keep that momentum in the next few weeks.”Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s captain, rued his team’s missed opportunities, both with the weather and their own performances: “I guess this time of the year it (rain) is always a potential. It’s always nice to play England, no matter what time of the year you play.”The way we bowled in that first game [was good], especially on a Hagley wicket that did give us a little bit. The second game, we were put under a lot of pressure on a good wicket, so when we come across that again, we’ll have learnings from that.”

Gary Neville has named why Manchester United teammate Nani “frustrated” him the most, but admitted he would still get in any Premier League team right now.

Neville criticises Man Utd’s current "ageing" spine

United appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks, having won three successive matches for the first time under Ruben Amorim before Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.

However, Neville appeared on The Overlap’s Stick to Cricket show and had some criticism for the team’s “ageing” spine.

He said: “I think your spine of a football team is critical. When I first came into Man United, our spine was (Peter) Schmeichel, (Steve) Bruce, (Gary) Pallister, (Roy) Keane and (Eric) Cantona and so we were all scattered around it.

“I think Maguire and (Matthijs) De Ligt should be doing a lot better than they are. You know, you look at the experience that those two have got. De Ligt’s played a mountain of games at sort of different levels, the highest level. Harry’s played so many times for England. You’ve got the midfield, Casemiro and Bruno have got massive experience.

“Up front, they haven’t got the experience. But to me, that spine of Bruno Fernandes (31), Casemiro (33), Maguire (32) and De Ligt (26) is ageing, but should be doing a lot better at holding it all together than they do.”

Man Utd have a "beast" in the academy who's another Casemiro in the making

Manchester United would benefit from the emergence of the next Carrington superstar this season.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 5, 2025

Neville names Nani most frustrating Man Utd teammate

Neville was also asked by ex-England cricket captain Micheal Vaughan for the player who frustrated him the most during his career.

The former Man Utd right-back chose Nani, saying he was “erratic” but a winger who “could win you games”.

The Portuguese forward made the move to Old Trafford in 2007 and spent eight years in Manchester, making 230 appearances in all competitions in a United shirt.

He contributed to more than 100 goals during that time, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League.

It isn’t just Neville who found Nani frustrating, with Wayne Rooney also calling the forward his worst Red Devils teammate.

“My worst team-mate – there are a lot more than you’d probably think. On the pitch, the toughest one was Nani. He was frustrating to play with.”

Gary Neville names the best Premier League XI of all-time with no Man Utd legends

Four memorable India-Australia knockout matches from past Women’s World Cups

Srinidhi Ramanujam29-Oct-2025

2017 semi-final, Derby

Rain, a wet outfield, and fire from Harmanpreet Kaur. She blasted an unbeaten 171 off 115 balls, transforming women’s cricket in India. She walked in with India tottering at 35 for 2 and walked out with Australia in ruins. The first fifty was measured, the next two were mayhem: off 26 balls, then 17. In all, she launched seven sixes and even a mid-pitch mix-up with Deepti Sharma and a flying helmet couldn’t deter her focus. By the time India reached 281 for 4, Harmanpreet had rewritten what Indian batting could look like. Australia fought back through Elyse Villani and Alex Blackwell, but Deepti’s final strike ended the resistance. On that rain-soaked English evening, Harmanpreet’s innings wasn’t just brilliant. It was a statement, and Derby remains India’s only win over Australia in a knockout game in the Women’s World Cup.Australia win a home World Cup in front of a record crowd•Getty Images

2020 final, Melbourne

In front of 86,174 roaring fans at the MCG, India played their first T20 World Cup final, but Australia steamrolled them. Alyssa Healy slammed the fastest fifty in any ICC final, with audacious drives and towering sixes. Beth Mooney proved the perfect foil, rotating the strike and punishing the loose balls during her unbeaten 78, as Australia posted 184 for 4. In response, India, hurt by injuries and quick strikes, folded for 99 in 19.1 overs. Australia’s brilliance with bat, ball, and in the field was too much for India.Ashleigh Gardner sparkled with both ball and bat in the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final in Cape Town•AFP/Getty Images

2023 semi-final, Cape Town

India came agonisingly close to toppling Australia, but ended up falling short by six runs in their chase of 173. Harmanpreet Kaur battled illness and shared a crucial 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Jemimah Rodrigues. Harmanpreet’s freak run-out, with her bat stuck in the pitch, triggered a slide, however, and Australia closed out the match. Australia’s innings had been driven by Meg Lanning, Mooney, and Ashleigh Gardner, who made an electric cameo.Mithali Raj leads India onto the field for their first World Cup final•Getty Images

2005 final, Centurion

A 22-year-old Mithali Raj led India into uncharted territory: their first-ever Women’s World Cup final. Karen Rolton, though, crushed their dreams, scoring an unbeaten 107 off 128 balls and taking Australia to 215 for 4. India’s chase then unravelled – they suffered four run-outs – and they were eventually bundled out for 117. Australia won their fifth ODI World Cup title, while for India just being there was historic – a young captain, a team of trailblazers, and the promise of what could be.

Captain Ronald Araujo has been granted indefinite leave by Barcelona following a request for a period of absence. The Uruguay international's representatives held discussions with club sporting director Deco on Monday after the defender was not part of the matchday squad for Saturday's 3-1 La Liga victory over Alaves at Spotify Camp Nou.

• Araujo was sent off in Barcelona's Champions League loss at Chelsea

  After being sent off in Barcelona’s 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Champions League last Tuesday, Araujo was absent as his side secured a victory over Alaves which sent them top of La Liga. 

  A double from Dani Olmo and a strike from Lamine Yamal helped Hansi Flick’s side rise to the summit ahead of Real Madrid, who stayed in second place after drawing 1-1 with Girona on Sunday. With Araujo missing, left-back Gerard Martin had to step into the centre of defence alongside youngster Pau Cubarsi.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Report states Spanish giants have granted defender's request for absence

  And according to Araujo has now been allowed to take a break following a request from his agents. The report states Barcelona chief Deco granted the 28-year-old’s wish to step away from football as the club remain committed to giving him the time he needs to recover.

  Spanish publication reported earlier on Monday that Araujo lodged the request because he does not believe he can deliver for Barcelona at the moment. The report added the centre-back feared he would “hurt” the team if he tried to force himself to play.

  While refusing to go into detail as to why Araujo requested a period of absence, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Atletico Madrid: “It is a private situation, I don’t want to say more. And please, if you can respect it I’d appreciate it.”

• Barcelona president Laporta says Araujo has been treated unfairly of late

  Flick’s comments came after Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Araujo had been treated unfairly in recent weeks and that the club were “behind him”.

  Speaking at an event in Andorra on Friday, Laporta said: “He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair. He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings.

  “He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories.”

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  Barcelona boss Flick expecting tough test against 'fantastic' Atletico

  Barcelona are gearing up for a highly-anticipated fixture with Atletico in what will be just their third match at the renovated Camp Nou, following the earlier games against Athletic Club and Alaves. While the reigning champions are hoping to secure a win which would keep them above fierce rivals Real – who travel to Athletic on Wednesday – Diego Simeone’s Atletico should provide a strong test for Flick’s men.

  Currently fourth in the table, Los Rojiblancos could go level on points with Barcelona with a victory at Camp Nou. Simeone’s side have lost just one of their 14 league matches in 2025-26, winning nine and drawing four.

  Previewing the fixture, Barcelona boss Flick said: "We know we are up against a fantastic team with a lot of quality, one of the best in Europe with one of the best coaches. For that reason it will be a tough encounter.

  "We are back at the top and we are happy about that, it's where we want to be but the important thing is to stay there until the end of the season. We have to keep working hard and give our best. We are leaders but at the moment we are not at our best. We need to move forward to to get back playing our best football.

  “I think we are committing too many mistakes, despite having the quality to control matches. It's something we have missed in recent matches but we can do it and we are working towards that.”

England’s ego-less attack leader found a way to stay relevant but it wasn’t the cut-and-thrust of old

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Jul-20252:12

Manjrekar: ‘Pretty mediocre how England bowled in first session’

There are a few for fast bowlers. Two of them are bowling with the wicketkeeper up and celebrating wickets down the leg side.Chris Woakes has ticked off both in India’s first innings. On Friday, looking to keep Shubman Gill in his crease, Jamie Smith donned a helmet to intercept Woakes’ deliveries at the earliest point. Here on day three, Smith was sprawled out on the Lord’s turf while Woakes continued in his follow-through, not even bothering with a cursory turn to the umpire for his appeal.Icks are broadly nonsense, of course. Merely an alert that anyone who uses the term sincerely is emotionally stunted and void of empathy. But there’s something to be said for the fact that Woakes – the leader of this England pace attack, for so long a standard-setter on skill, whose aesthetics have evolved with a hint of Captain America with silverfox tints – would be willing to indulge in turn-offs others may seek to avoid.”Sometimes as a bowler, you’ve got to take your ego out of it,” Joe Root said of Saturday’s keeper-up scenario. If ever there was a man willing to park ego for the good of the team, it’s Woakes.A decent wobble-seam delivery to Gill, who was clearly tetchy with Smith breathing down his neck, was nicked. The India captain, leading runscorer in the series by a distance already, was dismissed for just 16, of the back of his twin scores of 269 and 161 at Edgbaston last week.And in the dregs of Saturday, with India 13 behind, on Woakes came with the second new ball 29 overs old. Another attempt at a wobble-seam came out on the wrong line, nipping up the slope and down Ravindra Jadeja’s leg side. Except the left-hander’s lazy flick brought the end of his knock on 72, ending a frustrating 113-ball stand on 50.It would be the first of India’s final four wickets to fall for just 11 runs, a collapse that ensured the first three days of this Test have been, largely, for nothing. Not for Woakes, mind. Another in the cascade – Jasprit Bumrah caught behind – gave him 3 for 84, and a doubling of his dismissals for the series.It was a deserved haul in many ways. Woakes was typically un-shy of doing his bit. No bowler on either side sent down more than his 27 overs in the first innings, and only the spinner Shoaib Bashir has delivered more than the 109 he has so far this series. Bumrah, rested for the second Test, ticked over to 27 in this match with one second-innings over this evening.Related

• 'Disappointing for both of us' – Rahul says rush for century led to Pant run-out

• Big-game Stokes pushes his limits to keep England alive

• No more Mr Nice Guy, as Woakes shows his inner steel

• Gillnetting: Woakes and Smith make England's grand plan work

• Gill loses temper as England run down the clock

When Woakes was not bowling, he was assisting with advice or simply just encouragement from mid-on and mid-off, as well as taking on ball-shining duties. And yet, to watch Woakes operate in India’s first innings was to slowly realise we might be witnessing the beginning of the end.That, primarily, is down to pace. Woakes averaged 81mph on Friday, with the delivery that snared Gill clocking in at 80mph. The awry 79mph ball that brought about Jadeja’s downfall was one of the quickest he sent down on Saturday, during which he averaged 78.9mph.The snap seems to be missing. It was evident in patches over the last two Tests, notably the first morning on his home ground. His misfortune in Birmingham – a solitary wicket in an opening spell worthy of three – proved to be England’s as they eventually fell to defeat. Now, that energy into and off the surface is absent, and it is not squarely on a Lord’s pitch that has been too dry to be sprightly.After Woakes had bowled just six of the opening 20 overs with the first new ball, the second was given to Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. Both represent a not-too-distant future beyond Woakes. In his first appearance in more than four years, Archer has already shown he has the consistency and zip off the surface to do what Woakes does, allied with high pace.Carse, having impressed with his new-ball skills at Edgbaston, has also offered plenty with the bat. His maiden half-century was a measured and timely knock, and has already eclipsed Woakes’ exploits. Despite a handy 38 at Headingley, Woakes has offered little of the protection he was supposed to bring as the third ‘allrounder’, after Ben Stokes and Smith. A first-innings golden duck reduced Woakes’ series average to 12.50 in the series – No.11 Shoaib Bashir’s is 14.Of course, it is no great leap to suggest a 36-year old may be moving to the end of his career. That a bowler who laughed at the suggestion he might last as long as James Anderson – 41 upon his retirement at the start of last summer – is realising his mortality in front of our eyes.That Anderson was given a swansong on this very ground brings a little more context to all this.It is here at Lord’s that Woakes has adorned all three honours board. His duck ironically put him in even more exclusive company as one of four to register a first-baller, after making it onto all three honours boards, for five-fors, 10-fors and hundreds.A bowling average of 12.90 here coming into this match has now risen to 14.20, which is not all that dramatic. But beyond the context of the series, his career average is trending the wrong way (29.33 at the moment), having forced it down to 27.84 last summer.When Anderson followed Stuart Broad into retirement in back-to-back home Tests spanning the summers of 2023 and 2024, Woakes was handed a double promotion of sorts. The opening-bowler slot came with the job of pack leader. He has been more than worthy of both roles, but he was never truly going to occupy them for more than a couple of years.The Ashes this winter looks increasingly unlikely. His average of 51.68 in Australia tells a story of overseas struggle that the man himself has acknowledged. But the suggestion from the England management was that he could yet provide a valuable role on spicier pitches Down Under, with a “friendlier” Kookaburra ball for English fingers. He seemed to have a role to play.Alas, it might be that Woakes has walked into the sunset before England walk onto the plane for their trip to the other side of the world. He is far too humble to assume any occasion as his own – Anderson did so reluctantly, of course – but that has made these last two days feel like a game occasionally looking at the clock while a career grips its coat. These have been the first hums of a subdued goodbye.Two-and-a-half Tests remain, enough time to bow out on his own terms. Those terms, rather than choosing if or when to announce any goodbye, are primarily geared towards affecting this series in a meaningful way.Even this Test, with runs now at a premium in a second-innings shootout, requires Woakes to provide, especially given the importance of the new ball. The end might be coming, but it’s not here yet.

Hughes, Ibrahim fall early but Hudson-Prentice fifty delays the inevitable

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Aug-2025

Yorkshire 545 for 9 dec (Revis 152*, Lyth 115, Wharton 85) beat Sussex 222 (Lamb 48, Coles 47, White 3-25) and 195 (Hughes 57, Hudson-Prentice 52, Ibrahim 51, Milnes 5-31) by an innings and 128 runsYorkshire completed an innings and 128-run victory over Sussex midway through the fourth afternoon at Scarborough to hoist themselves out of the bottom two places in Division One, in turn dragging their visitors into the Rothesay County Championship relegation fight.Sussex started the final day of this 11th-round clash on 115 for three in their second innings, trailing by 208.On a deteriorating North Marine Road surface, their fate was obvious inside the day’s opening 20 minutes as they lost three wickets for the addition of two runs in the opening 26 balls, teetering on 117 for six.So it proved, even though their resistance through to mid-afternoon was impressive. They were bowled out for 195, including five for 31 from 16.4 overs for new-ball seamer Matt Milnes – his first five-for in the Championship since September 2021 following injury. Fynn Hudson-Prentice finished 52 not out off 156 balls.Yorkshire’s third win yielded 22 points, Sussex’s fourth defeat handing them only two.The gap between the two sides is now just a solitary point ahead of the September run-in. The pair meet again at Hove midway through next month, one of three remaining games.The White Rose have been replaced in ninth place in the table – second-bottom – by Durham, who were beaten at home by Surrey this week. The gap between the two is 12 points.Yorkshire would even go above Essex should their game with Warwickshire at Chelmsford finish drawn.In their last three games, Yorkshire not only face Sussex but Durham as well. They meet at Headingley in the final match of 2025.The hosts made the ideal start to the day.Danial Ibrahim and Daniel Hughes fell, the two not out batters overnight, for 51 and 57 respectively added to the departure of captain John Simpson for a duck.Milnes claimed the first two. Ibrahim was caught low down at second slip by Adam Lyth before Hughes was bowled playing back to one which kept low and scooted through.Simpson was then bowled as he tried to leave alone one angled in from Milnes’ new-ball partner Jack White.Danny Lamb was next to go, caught behind off Will Sutherland’s seam – 143 for seven.Lamb fell chasing a wide ball having added 26 with fellow all-rounder Hudson-Prentice. Sussex needed much, much more.Sussex reached lunch at 166 for seven, Hudson-Prentice with 32.He played handsomely down the ground off seam, even using his feet against White on couple of occasion to find the boundary wide of mid-on.Hudson-Prentice was excellent in becoming Sussex’s third half-centurion of the innings, this coming off 138 balls. By the time he got there midway through the afternoon, Sussex were 188 for seven with 48 overs remaining in the day.He shared 47 for the eighth wicket with Jack Carson, who was the eighth man to fall when caught by diving Lyth at slip low down to his right – 191 for eight.Replays suggest Carson was unfortunate to be given out, confirming the initial impression given by the batter stomping off the field.Things happened quickly from there, with Sussex falling almost 44 overs short of survival.This was Milnes’ first five-wicket haul for Yorkshire as he comes to the end of his third year with the club. His last was for Kent. He has since suffered a nightmare with multiple back stress fractures.But he was excellent here, polishing things off by getting Grinder Sandhu caught at point and then Henry Crocombe caught behind with a beauty for a golden duck.In all, Milnes claimed seven wickets in the match.