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Allrounder claims career-bests with bat and ball but is denied at the last as visitors hold out for draw

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-May-2025Derbyshire fought out a final-over draw as Glamorgan took a pendulum-swinging thriller down to the final ball thanks to Ben Kellaway’s heroics in the Rothesay County Championship.Kellaway claimed career best batting and bowling figures on the same day as Luis Reece and Derbyshire No. 11 Blair Tickner survived 28 balls to secure a draw. Kellaway, 21, had struck 78 to set up a declaration before taking 5 for 101 in 25 overs, falling just short of handing Glamorgan a win.Tasked with the last over after taking two wickets in two balls, Kellaway produced a spectacular turnaround after twists and turns on the final day with Derbyshire firing towards victory on numerous occasions when set 338 in 65 overs.David Lloyd ignited Derbyshire’s winning hopes against his former side before Martin Andersson and Brooke Guest’s 97-run partnership put Derbyshire in the ascendancy for 56 of their 65 overs.The day began with all results possible. Glamorgan had an explosive end to the first session via Chris Cooke and Kellaway, despite the latter having some fortune when kicking a ball away from his stumps on 19. With 124 added in 32 overs from the overnight score, Glamorgan subsequently declared at lunch with the veteran keeper on 49 not out.Derbyshire, requiring a chase which would rank fourth amongst their successes if achieved, started strongly with the opening pair chalking up a half-century partnership in just 10.5 overs, stamping their authority early.But Ned Leonard struck in his first over to trigger a “will they, won’t they” scenario. Wayne Madsen took over as enforcer for his 22 from 19 balls, ended by a diving catch from Andy Gorvin at fine-leg, another for Leonard.Kellaway sparked Glamorgan hopes on two occasions, initially with the prize wicket of Caleb Jewell short of 50, sweeping against the spin. But Guest and Andersson’s run-a-ball 50 partnership with innovation and big hitting in form of reverse-sweeps, muscled pull shots and clean strikes over mid-on put Glamorgan into defensive mode, until Asitha Fernando broke through by trapping Guest in front.Kellaway kickstarted the hosts for a second time to forehadow a Derbyshire collapse, removing Andersson and Zak Chappell with successive balls before having Anuj Dal stumped to complete his five-for. That dismissal left Derbyshire nine down with almost five full overs remaining.But Tickner showcased his international experience in blocking out for 1 in 10 balls alongside the injured Reece, batting at No. 10, as the last pair survived against an ambidextrous over from off-spinner-come-left-arm-orthodox Kellaway.

Michail Antonio’s mangled Ferrari has been up for sale on eBay, with the supercar being made available for £50,000. Former West Ham and Nottingham Forest forward Antonio suffered a horror car crash in December 2024 when colliding with a tree. He required major surgery after that accident, with the Jamaica international admitting that he was fortunate to escape with his life.

Horror car crash left Antonio requiring major surgery

Antonio required operations on his leg after breaking his femur in four places. He had been airlifted to hospital after being freed from the wreckage of a supercar having been stuck inside for 45 minutes. A scary incident has led to the 34-year-old changing his ways when it comes to lavish wheels.

Having also crashed his Lamborghini Huracan into a bin shed while dressed as a snowman at Christmas in 2019, Antonio has said of moving on to MPVs: “I've always been a fan of sports cars and old classics. But sports cars are not my friends. Now I have a people carrier and I'm staying far away from sports cars.”

AdvertisementeBayFerrari made available for £50k having cost £260k

Antonio is happy to be rid of his Ferrari Lusso, having seen that veer off the road in Theydon Bois, Essex when driving home from training with Premier League side West Ham. Said vehicle has, however, appeared online.

It came with a £260,000 price tag when brand new, but was being auctioned off on eBay for around £50,000. Said listing, from an independent trader, made the car available for “spares or repairs”. It went on to say, alongside images of the banged up motor, that it was an “unrecovered salvage damage" lot that had seen “no insurance claim made”.

Antonio is relieved to have got “another chance at life”. He has said of enjoying a lucky escape being the wheel: “I don't remember much. Everybody told me I was awake and speaking. I remember it was windy, it was wet. I had only had the car for three weeks and was considering giving it back because the back kept swinging out. All I know is that I hit a tree. I don't know how. Police said it looked like I was trying to climb out the window but, because my leg was so badly broken, it stopped me.”

Antonio’s family are counting their blessings that he is still around, with the full extent of a terrifying ordeal being kept from his youngest children. He added: “The younger ones never really knew how bad the situation was. I almost wasn't there for them and that was the most difficult part. But it's made me positive. I will 100 per cent be back on the pitch. I never give up.”

Back in action for Jamaica & enjoying punditry experience

Antonio has returned to action with Jamaica, figuring for the Reggae Boyz in June 2025 despite initial suggestions being that he would be out for at least 12 months. There had been suggestions that he would never play again.

More odds have been upset there, but West Ham did not extend his contract at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Antonio became a free agent at that point and is yet to find himself another club. He has been exploring opportunities away from the field, with punditry work being enjoyed with TNT Sports – allowing him to cast an eye over Premier League and European action.

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GettyAntonio training with another Premier League club

He has not given up on playing again, though, having figured for West Ham’s U21 side before officially severing ties with the east London outfit. Antonio has remained in the English capital and spent time training with another Premier League team in the form of Brentford.

Jamaica boss Steve McClaren has said, with a calf injury keeping Antonio out of contention for international selection: “Michail Antonio has been training with Brentford, doing very well. Unfortunately, he has pulled a calf and will be two of three weeks out. He is still training with Brentford so hopefully something will work out with that.”

It was yet another devastating result for Manchester United. The Red Devils slumped to another defeat, this time losing 3-1 away from home to Brentford. Ruben Amorim’s side have now lost three games in the top flight this season, winning just two and drawing the other.

That is merely a continuation of the dismal form shown under their Portuguese manager. United have only won 12 games under Amorim in not far off one year, and are yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League.

Their trip to the Gtech Community was a chance to do just that. However, two first-half goals from Igor Thiago in the first half, and a late strike from Vitaly Janelt were enough to seal the three points for the Bees.

The only real positive for United was the fact that Benjamin Sesko bagged his first goal for the club. It was a strike that showed lots of fight, scrapping for a ball in the penalty box before finally firing a shot into the back of the net.

It was another disappointing day at the office for Amorim’s side. No one really covered themselves in glory. One player who struggled was defender Luke Shaw.

Shaw’s performance vs. Brentford

One of the Red Devils’ most experienced players, Shaw, once again started as the left centre-back in Amoirm’s infamous back three system. He has certainly had better performances in a United shirt.

The England international, who is normally excellent on the ball, was surprisingly poor in possession in West London. Out of possession, he struggled against the physicality of Brentford’s forwards, including goalscorer Thiago.

In terms of his numbers from the lunchtime kickoff, the 30-year-old had 71 touches, losing the ball 17 times. He only won one duel from four attempted, and made one error, which led to a Brentford shot, per Sofascore.

Goal journalist Richard Martin seemingly agreed that the experienced defender did not put in his best performance against the West Londoners. He gave him a 5/10 for his efforts and highlighted his struggles with the ball at his feet, describing him as “sloppy in possession.”

It was certainly not Shaw’s best day at the office, although he was not United’s worst player at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The United player who worse than Shaw

Shaw was certainly not the only player in a United shirt who struggled against the Bees. Harry Maguire was at fault for the first goal, and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could have done better for the second strike.

However, Bruno Fernandes put in a surprisingly poor performance. The United captain had his afternoon summed up by Statman Dave, who called the situation a “nightmare.” Indeed, he struggled to get involved creatively and, crucially, missed a penalty.

That effort from 12 yards was certainly not his finest moment of the season. The second penalty he’s missed in West London this season, Fernandes struck his effort low to the goalkeeper’s left, which Caoimhin Kelleher easily managed to tip away.

It was a moment that summed up Fernandes’ afternoon. The Portugal international, once again operating deeper in a pivot, struggled to create a chance, playing just one key pass, and losing the ball 18 times.

Touches

81

Pass accuracy

78%

Passes completed

54/69

Ground duels won

3/6

Number of times ball lost

18

Long balls completed

5/11

Penalties missed

1

Key passes

1

Indeed, Martin seemed to agree that the United captain had a day to forget at the Gtech Community Stadium. He gave Fernandes a match rating of 4/10 and, unfortunately, did not have anything positive to discuss from his performance.

United’s number eight certainly was not involved enough creatively, either. Perhaps that is more on Amoirm rather than the reflection of a poor showing. Fernandes would surely be able to create more chances if he were playing further forward, rather than in a pivot. With that being said, perhaps you’d have expected him to create more with United chasing the game.

It was definitely a day to forget for Fernandes. Normally, such a consistent penalty taker, he missed from the spot to make it 2-2 and give United a fighting chance of getting a positive result.

Not just Obi: Man Utd have "dangerous" attacker who can be the next Rooney

Man United fans can get excited about this player’s talent.

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 26, 2025

It's a weird time to be Endrick. The immensely talented Brazilian was supposed to be part of a new era, but instead finds himself in complete limbo. He hasn't played for five months, and everything suggests that he probably should have left over the summer. Injuries and a reluctance from the manager to play him have resulted in successive games sat on the bench, and now the 19-year-old faces a huge decision on his future.

But Endrick has the No.9 shirt now. This seems like a good thing. After all, when a footballer is handed a jersey of such prestige, they tend to be doing something right. It implies a certain amount of faith, a backing from higher-ups. In other words, Madrid supposedly trust him.

Well, that's all very nice and symbolic, but the actual footballing reality is wildly different. It has been over 150 days since Endrick last kicked a ball in a competitive game. There was plenty of hype when he was signed, and that will remain. Endrick is 19, an immense talent, and has shown, in brief spells, that he can be a game-changing attacking presence. 

Yet he remains flawed; Endrick isn't particularly tall. He also isn't a great fit in Xabi Alonso's system. And with plentiful talk of a loan move that could take him away from Madrid, it's hard to envisage a future for him at the club. There are, every so often, now or never moments for a footballer. Endrick feels like he's right on the precipice of one. An exit in January might be the only way to salvage his budding career.

(C)Getty ImagesA worthy move

Madrid signing Endrick, at the time, felt right. It was one of those high-profile chases for a Brazilian child superstar – a bit of a throwback in that sense. Everyone was supposedly in for his signature: Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool were all mentioned.

But him going to Real was needed. Barca had pipped them to a few Brazilian talents over the years – not least Neymar – and Los Blancos needed one of their own. All of the pieces were in place for success, too. The transfer fee €60 million (£52m/$64m) was massive, but so was his potential. Endrick might have been 16, but it was impossible not to get excited about the player he might become. Playing at Palmeiras, it was assumed, would only toughen him up. He had 18 months to grow into his body, get used to being clattered, and arrive in the Spanish capital battle-hardened.

And the hype was tangible; in 2023, Endrick did a high-profile tour of Madrid's training ground before making his move official. Los Blancos pushed it all over their social media. Here was Endrick, hugging Carlo Ancelotti. There was Endrick, bro-hugging Jude Bellingham while the England international called him a superstar. This just reeked of success.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe right fit?

But there were some reasons for caution. When Madrid signed Endrick in 2022, they were slightly in between eras up front. Karim Benzema might have won the Ballon d'Or a few months before, but he picked up a number of injurie, and when he was available, his levels dropped rapidly. Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo were both immense talents, but neither was a striker. That season, Barcelona regained the league title under Xavi. 

There were options on the transfer market; Madrid can get pretty much whoever they want. They went for Bellingham after a long, drawn-out transfer saga. The Englishman was sublime, and enjoyed a memorable debut campaign – helping carry Los Blancos to a La Liga and Champions League double in 2024. And while Joselu became a cult hero that year, Madrid still needed a young forward. Endrick figured to be that guy.  

But it became very clear, very quickly, that they would be signing Kylian Mbappe at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He would be the undisputed main man, loosely playing as a No.9 and serving as the focal point of an hugely imbalanced Attack. Where was the room for the Brazilian talent?

GettyTough time in Brazil

While Madrid pieced together their new-look side, Endrick was having a miserable time in the background. What was so quickly lost in the rush of excitement around his signing was the fact that Endrick was not yet 18. Neymar may have tore up the Brazilian Serie A, but it is an often unforgiving league for younger players, defined by its physicality and hard-nosed nature. This is not always a place for a future Madrid kid to cut his teeth. 

So it proved. Endrick was in and out of the Palmeiras XI. He scored a few goals, and enjoyed some promising runs here and there, but was otherwise a bit-part player. He managed 11 goals in 1,600 minutes in the league – a fine return for a teenager, but hardly Madrid-esque numbers. The cameras were never off him, either, and when he was pictured crying on the bench, the Spanish media was quick to strike. 

His manager effectively admitted that he should have been more forgiving after the match. "Yes, it's true, he covered his face because he cried. I'm not his father, but I should have given him a hug," Abel Ferreira said. "You have to be calm. Nobody likes criticism. There is tremendous pressure on him to score five or six goals and he tries to deal with it himself. The goal will appear at the right time. You just have to be calm and keep smiling."

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Getty Images SportMixed debut season

Madrid is a hard place to reset. There's no room for error there. Miss a few chances, struggle to find the net, and you're quickly written off. Endrick could not afford the kind of double-digit goalless streak he endured at Palmeiras. And the early days were a bit mixed. He was full of energy and clinical in front of goal, but he never quite settled into the side and was mostly a used as a Copa del Rey rotation option. 

Yet the stats, in context, were reasonable. He made 37 appearances in all competitions, and bagged seven goals. He contributed to more goals per 90 minutes than Rodrygo and Vinicius in their respective debut seasons at the club. Ancelotti is famously reluctant to give youngsters a chance. Arda Guler – a similarly impressive talent who has come into his own under Alonso – was told that he should be prepared to "warm the bench" as others got their chance.

That made sense, in some ways. Mbappe was the main man. Vinicius was fighting for minutes. Throw in an already-phased-out Rodrygo, and it was tough to see where the minutes would come from for Endrick. 

And then, there was an injury. The last game of the season was a dead-rubber. Endrick started up front with Mbappe, and had to be withdrawn with a leg injury. Subsequent scans revealed a hamstring problem – ruling him out for the Club World Cup where he was expected to make an impact. 

IPL 2025 resumes on May 17 with KKR playing RCB in Bengaluru

Shashank Kishore13-May-20255:14

Why could KKR not replicate last season’s success?

Most of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) overseas players are expected to arrive in Bengaluru between Wednesday night and Thursday morning as IPL 2025 prepares to resume on May 17. The tournament restarts with KKR facing a must-win game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.KKR’s West Indian contingent of Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell and team mentor Dwayne Bravo have been in Dubai since they left India after the IPL was suspended on May 9 following cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. Following the announcement of a ceasefire on May 10, the resumption of the IPL became a possibility and teams began recalling their overseas players.Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, currently in Kabul, will join the West Indian contingent in Dubai and fly to India, while South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje will join the squad in Bengaluru from the Maldives.Related

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Allrounder Moeen Ali and fast bowler Spencer Johnson are the farthest away – in the UK and Australia respectively – and an update on their availability is awaited, though indications are they will return. There was no confirmation yet on whether Quinton de Kock will return. Meanwhile, KKR’s Indian players and support staff are expected to arrive in Bengaluru in batches from Wednesday.KKR are sixth on the points table with five wins and one no-result from 12 matches. After the game against RCB, KKR’s final league game is against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Delhi on May 25. They need to win both fixtures to get to 15 points to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs.The IPL released the revised schedule for the remainder of the season on Monday: there are 13 league games to go, in addition to the four playoff fixtures. The rest of the league phase will be played at six venues – Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru – while the venues for the playoffs have not yet been announced. The dates for the playoffs are as follows: Qualifier 1 on May 29, the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the final on June 3.

A “sensational” £25m midfielder has now emerged as a key target for Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a number of Europe’s top clubs in the race for his signature.

Wolves keen on new additions amid slow start

Seven games into the Premier League season, Wolves sit bottom of the table, having put in some very poor performances, with the 3-1 home defeat against newly-promoted Leeds United likely to be particularly concerning for Vitor Pereira.

Usually, a manager without a win in his first seven league games would be under serious pressure, but the board have decided to back Pereira, with the 57-year-old signing a new three-year contract back in September.

New Cunha: Wolves have a "special" 18-year-old who could rival Strand Larsen

Vitor Pereira could now have Wolverhampton Wanderers’ next Matheus Cunha at his disposal, and it’s not Jorgen Strand Larsen.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 13, 2025

Chairman Jeff Shi said: “Now is a time for stability. Vitor needs time to work with the squad, to build a chemistry with new players, and we will do everything to support him and his staff.”

One of the ways in which Shi can back his manager is by strengthening the squad in the January transfer window, and a midfielder has now emerged as a key target for the Old Gold.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Wolves are in the race for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, but there could be stiff competition for his signature, with a number of top clubs in the Serie A and Bundesliga also keen.

Within the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and West Ham United have also expressed an interest in the midfielder, and there is a feeling the Scottish Premiership side could demand £20m – £25m to sanction a departure.

Raskin was open to leaving Ibrox during the summer transfer window, but he ultimately ended up staying put, given a lack of concrete bids. However, amid widespread interest in the Belgian, there may be plenty of options available in 2026.

"Sensational" Raskin could be difference-maker for Wolves

We are still at an early stage of the season, but Wolves will be very keen to avoid being dragged into another relegation battle, so it would make sense to splash the cash on a new midfielder during the January transfer window.

Moreover, there are clear indications the Rangers star could be a real difference-maker, given the impact he’s made at Ibrox ever since arriving, with former teammate Scott Arfield saying: “Nico’s first two training sessions were sensational. You could see he is built to play at a club like Rangers. I can see him playing there for years. He is captain material.”

The Liege-born maestro poses a real threat on the front foot, having chipped in with one goal and four assists in all competitions already this season, while he is also solid defensively, placing in the 98th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year.

Raskin is a very well-rounded midfielder, and the interest from some of Europe’s top clubs speaks volumes, so it would be a real coup if Wolves were able to get a deal done.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has decided not to get carried away with the club’s hopes of winning the Serie A title this season. He believes that Milan’s main objective remains finishing in the top four and securing a place in next season's Champions League. The Italian tactician has set a target of at least 74 points for the season and aims to restrict goals conceded to between 20 and 25.

Milan on top of Serie A after initial setback

Milan’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina ensured that the club ended Matchday seven at the top of Serie A. The game turned controversial while the score was still 1-1, when Fiorentina defender Fabian Parisi was judged to have brought down Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez. Fiorentina coach Stefano Pioli was furious with the decision, claiming that Gimenez had dived to win a penalty and criticised VAR for encouraging players to simulate. The resulting penalty was converted by Rafael Leao, who scored a brace to help Milan come back from 1-0 down.

Milan, who began their Serie A campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese, have clawed their way to the top of the table thanks to Allegri’s astute defensive setup. The Rossoneri have conceded just four goals in seven games, making them the second-best defence in Italy after Roma. Despite losing star forward Christian Pulisic to a hamstring injury and veteran midfielder Adrien Rabiot to injury, Allegri has relied on the leadership and charisma of Luka Modric to drive Milan forward in the absence of key players.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAllegri quells talks of Scudetto and says target for the season is top four

In the pre-match press conference, Allegri refused to get carried away with Milan’s position at the top of the table, stressing that the club’s main goal this season remains Champions League qualification. He said: “Winning is not easy. It would be important because it would allow us to take another step in the standings and gradually get closer to securing a place in the Champions League. That is our objective. Now we have a major mini-cycle ahead of us, and we need to create the conditions to be in an optimal position in March to fight for a top-four finish.”

The Italian tactician also emphasised that Milan must target 74 points this season, regardless of what Napoli or Inter do. “We need to get at least 74 points without thinking about Napoli or Inter. A breakaway? That’s not possible. We are only on matchday seven. We must take it slowly and keep our feet on the ground,” he added.

Allegri's experience and his target for goals conceded this season

Allegri first joined AC Milan in 2010, guiding the club to its 18th Scudetto in the 2010/11 season. During that campaign, he managed a star-studded squad featuring players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, and Filippo Inzaghi, blending tactical discipline with attacking flair to deliver success.

After his first stint at Milan, Allegri moved to rivals Juventus, where he cemented his reputation as one of Italy’s top tacticians. At Juventus, he won five Scudetti and five Coppa Italia titles, and led the team to two Champions League finals, showcasing his ability to manage high-pressure situations and guide elite squads.

Following a brief sabbatical from football, Allegri returned to Juventus and added another Coppa Italia to his achievements before being appointed manager at San Siro once again at the start of the current season.

Allegri believes that Milan must limit how many goals they let in, setting a maximum for the season: “To aim for the Scudetto, Milan must concede a maximum of 20-25 goals.”

With Allegri having won the scudetto multiple times after collecting 16 points in seven games, Allegri waved away the comparisons saying teams change as he has experienced this multiple times at Juventus  “Teams are always different, and even the same team changes every year. I can say this from my experiences at Juve.”

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Getty ImagesWhat comes next?

Milan will be boosted by the return of Christopher Nkunku from injury, after he missed the game against Fiorentina. The Rossoneri will host Pisa on Friday and will aim to extend their lead over Napoli and Inter, who face each other on Sunday.

Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach also backed “young superstar” Nahid Rana to come good despite having an off day

Mohammad Isam19-Jun-2025Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach Shaun Tait feels that his seamers could not make the best use of the first new ball against Sri Lanka on the third day of the Galle Test.After Bangladesh finished their first innings on 495, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana opened the bowling but couldn’t make a breakthrough. Mahmud bowled six overs with the new ball and Rana seven in two short spells as Bangladesh had a fast bowler operating from one end till the 20th over. But it was Taijul Islam who got the first wicket, in the 13th. By stumps, Sri Lanka had sped to 368 for 4, reducing the deficit to 127.”It is a good batting wicket, and it was difficult conditions for fast bowlers today,” Tait said. “They toiled hard. They gave effort. We could have started better with the first new ball. We probably missed out. They know that. That’s all you can ask for. You bowl on a different day on a different wicket, you get a different result. We batted for two days. It is one of those good batting wickets.Related

Nissanka 187 leads SL's strong reply to Bangladesh's 495

“I think they batted really well. Sri Lanka are no pushovers. This is the team that was competing for the WTC final. They are a good side with good batters. The pacers missed a trick with the new ball. It would have been nice if they had taken a couple of wickets with the new ball but I am not going to be negative.”Sri Lanka forced the issue, particularly Pathum Nissanka with a career-best 187. He struck 23 fours and a six in his 256-ball stay. The Galle pitch typically starts helping spinners from the third day but that was not the case in this Test.”I think the wicket is pretty good,” he said. “It hasn’t changed a great deal. Today was a good batting day, we saw that. It probably hasn’t spun as much as maybe people thought it would on the third day.Pathum Nissanka’s century was his third in Test cricket•Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images”Normally, Galle starts to turn a bit more. It turned a little but nothing significant. There are still a couple of days left. Test cricket can change pretty quickly. There’s hard work to be done.”With Mehidy Hasan Miraz out with illness, Bangladesh played just four frontline bowlers, which has made their task difficult. Rana, who is playing only his eighth Test, was particularly expensive as he tried to bowl attacking lines and lengths. He went for 80 from his 16 wicketless overs, but Tait said it was up to him to work with the youngster.”Anyone who bowls that pace should get the new ball from time to time,” he said. “I don’t know, going forward, who is going to take the new ball. This is my first Test [as fast-bowling coach]. We have two fast bowlers. He has to take the new ball. He is absolutely fine [taking the new ball].”It is early in his career. He burst onto the scene. There’s a lot of attention and expectation on him. I don’t know if Bangladesh have ever had a fast bowler as exciting as him. There’s a little bit of pressure on him from the media and public. It is up to me to work through that with him as the bowling coach. It is not just about the bowling all the time. It is also how you deal with the extra pressure of being a young superstar.”Towards the end of the day, Mahmud made some amends by dismissing Nissanka with the second new ball. He set up Nissanka with the one that went away before bowling him through the gate with a big inswinger.”He struck the middle stump – it was a good ball,” Tait said. “You have to take little wins to the shed on this wicket. At the end of the day, it is a positive.”

Chelsea legend John Terry has found himself at the centre of social media ridicule after performing a rap with British artist ArrDee at the Baller League UK. The former Blues defender, who lifted 15 trophies with the club, was labelled "cringe" and "embarrassing" by fans following his appearance alongside the rapper during Monday night’s event.

Terry’s rap shocks fans at Baller League

Terry, one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, made headlines this week after taking part in a musical performance during the Baller League UK, an indoor six-a-side competition that blends football with online entertainment and features content creators alongside former pros.

The 44-year-old, who manages a team named the 26ers, joined ArrDee during the team's entrance for what appeared to be a playful diss track aimed at influencer Angry Ginge. Footage of the pair walking out together and performing quickly spread across social media, with many supporters expressing their disbelief at the sight of their former captain trying his hand at rap.

Terry, who spent his entire 22-year playing career at Stamford Bridge and won the Premier League five times, appeared in good spirits during the performance, but the online reaction was the opposite, with sections of the Chelsea fanbase calling it "painful to watch" and questioning why a club legend would involve himself in such antics.

AdvertisementSocial media reaction: ‘Cringe’, ‘embarrassing’, and ‘tops the slip’

It didn’t take long for the clip to go viral, and fans across were quick to pile in with a mix of humour, disbelief, and second-hand embarrassment.

One user, @saxon_davi67265, wrote: "He's topped his most embarrassing moment in his life of slipping in a Champions League final."

Another, @ONLYONEWEEDA, admitted he felt incredibly uncomfortable watching the scenes unfold. He posted: "Jesus christ that was cringe"

@NikBoReid simply added: "Embarrassing nonsense."

Meanwhile, @jordymaui commented: “What the f*ck is this?", followed by several crying laughing emojis. 

And @pusb1991 questioned those who watch the competition in the first place, adding: "Who watches this sh*te genuinely?".

The negative wave of reaction didn’t stop there. On Reddit and other platforms, fans described the moment as "super cringe" and "hard to watch", while others urged Terry to "stick to coaching" instead of pursuing a career in the music industry.

From captain to content creator

While the reaction was mostly mocking, Terry’s involvement in the Baller League reflects his growing interest in football-based entertainment. The competition features former professionals, influencers, and content creators, mixing sport with live performances and plenty of viral moments. Terry has served as one of the Baller League’s headline figures since its launch, managing the 26ers team and making regular appearances in promotional content. His collaboration with ArrDee was clearly meant to be light-hearted, though it appears many fans took it less kindly.

The former England international retired from playing in 2018 before moving into assistant coaching roles at Aston Villa and Leicester City. He’s also been open about his desire to one day manage Chelsea, describing it as his "final dream" in football.

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Getty ImagesTerry’s legacy damaged?

Despite the backlash, Terry remains one of Chelsea’s most decorated figures, having made 717 appearances and captained the club to its first Champions League title in 2012. Yet, his off-pitch persona has often divided opinion, from controversial posts on social media to now, an unexpected rap performance.

Some supporters took the criticism in stride, noting that the clip was likely meant to be fun and part of the Baller League’s entertainment approach. Others, though, saw it as another "PR own goal" for a figure who once embodied the club’s old-school toughness.

The contrast between the former captain who lifted trophies under Jose Mourinho and the man rapping in a tracksuit beside ArrDee was too much for many to process. Although it is worth noting that the reaction the clip sparked on social media served its purpose. Terry will have been well aware that purist fans of the game will have picked up on his performance, and while he may face the brunt of the backlash, the moment draws more eyes to the Baller League.

With Ibrahima Konate’s contract yet to be resolved, Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on signing a Premier League star to replace the towering Frenchman.

Update on Liverpool's centre-back search

In less than nine months, Konate will become a free agent and follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by leaving Anfield without a transfer fee. It will be yet another frustrating blow for Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, who should be desperate to keep hold of their central defender for years to come.

Whilst talks are ongoing about a new deal, the Reds are already planning for the worst and have reportedly identified a number of defenders who could arrive to replace Konate.

Top of that list is likely to be Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace star came within hours of becoming a Liverpool player on deadline day before the Eagles pulled the plug amid their failure to land a replacement.

When next summer arrives, however, those at Selhurst Park will be powerless to stand in the way of the defender’s departure, with his contract set to come to an end.

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That should allow Liverpool to land a bargain deal, but it’s unlikely to be that simple. This time around, they’ll reportedly have competition from around the Premier League and familiar foes Real Madrid, which may force those at Anfield to expand their search.

The same can be said for Dayot Upamecano. Another centre-back who’s set to become a free agent if nothing changes before next summer, both Liverpool and Madrid are reportedly interested in securing his signature in a bargain deal from Bayern Munich.

Competing with Madrid in the transfer market rarely goes well for any club and Liverpool could be left with no choice but to look at another Premier League rival to replace Konate.

Liverpool now targeting Sven Botman

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are now targeting Sven Botman among others as they look to add a centre-back to their ranks next summer. The Newcastle United defender has often impressed during his time at St James’ Park and has found himself on the Reds’ radar as a result.

Convincing the Magpies to sell is unlikely to be an easy task, however, following the Alexander Isak saga in the summer. Eventually, Liverpool got their man and it’s easy to see a world in which Newcastle are still hurt by that lengthy ordeal.

There should also be concerns about Botman’s injury history. As impressive as the Dutchman is, the last thing that Liverpool need is another injury-prone defender alongside the likes of Joe Gomez.

Knee problems

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Broken kneecap

30

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Cruciate ligament surgery

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Knee injury

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So, whilst Eddie Howe went as far to describe Botman as “transformative”, there’s certainly a number of issues for Liverpool to think about before they make their move.