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Game of the weekend: Southampton 2-1 Chelsea

Southampton dealt a major blow to Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League qualification with a stunning victory at St Mary’s that relieved their relegation worries. The win meant Mauricio Pochettino has now led the Saints to wins over Premier League giants with Manchester City and Liverpool also leaving the South Coast empty handed. With the FA Cup tie with Manchester United on Easter Monday there were seven changes made by Rafael Benitez to the side that beat West Ham a fortnight ago. And it showed as the home side began brightly and snatched the lead after 23 minutes when Jay Rodriguez beat Petr Cech with a composed finish following a slick build-up involving Steven Davis and Rickie Lambert. Their advantage didn’t last long as John Terry escaped his marker to meet Marko Marin’s corner and plant a firm header past Artur Boruc 10 minutes later before Lambert’s decisive intervention. The 31-year-old striker curled a fabulous free kick past Cech to mark his 500th league appearance in appropriate style and earn the Saints a crucial three points.

Result of the Weekend: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Norwich City

Wigan moved a step closer to Premier League safety after Arouna Kone’s late winner against Norwich lifted them out of the bottom three. Yet another great escape looks to be on the cards for Roberto Martinez and his side as they followed up the home win against Newcastle two weeks ago with a resilient display at the DW Stadium. One win in their last 14 has left Chris Hughton’s side dangling just four points above the relegation zone as their profligate attack was punished once again. The home side, on the other hand, have taken nine points from 12 but lead a charmed life and should have been dead and buried if it wasn’t for the Canaries’ wasteful finishing. The Latics came to life in the latter stages and, after Antonin Alcaraz saw a header cleared off the line and Jordi Gomez fired over, snatched the lead with 10 minutes left. Referee Howard Webb played a great advantage in the centre circle allowing Gomez to thread the ball through for Kone to run on to and fire past Lee Camp at the near post.

Rounding up the rest….

Manchester United strengthened their grip on the Premier League title with a narrow win over Sunderland at the Stadium Light. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men returned to the scene in which they ultimately lost the top-flight crown on last seasons dramatic final day. However this time the scenario was much changed and the league leaders left the North East having taken a major stride in their bid to regain the trophy from neighbours Manchester City. The game was settled just before the half hour mark when Robin Van Persie’s cross-shot deflected off Titus Bramble and looped over goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The Black Cats barely threatened an equaliser as under-pressure Martin O’Neill watched slipped to within a point of the relegation zone.

Arsenal entertained four different goal scorers as they maintained their top-four pursuit with a resounding win against struggling Reading at the Emirates Stadium. The game marked Nigel Adkins’ first as Royals manager and its one he will be quick to move on from as the home side demonstrated their budding late season confidence. Gervinho, much maligned by sections of the Gunners support, broke the deadlock on 11 minutes with a close range finish from Santi Cazorla’s cross before the Spaniard found the net himself with a curling strike. Oliver Giroud made it three after the break as he drilled a low shot past former Arsenal keeper Stuart Taylor. The visitors did manage a consolation in the 68th minute through Hal Robson-Kanu’s header but Mikel Arteta restored the three goal lead from the penalty spot after Adrian Marriapa fouled substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Gareth Bale was the match winner again for Tottenham as they moved up to third after beating Swansea at the Liberty Stadium. Andre Villas-Boas’ side recovered from defeats in their previous two games to secure all three points in South Wales and put themselves into a commanding position in the race for automatic Champions League qualification. They needed only seven minutes to grab the lead with Jan Vertonghen playing a neat one-two with Bale before brilliantly controlling the floated return pass and poking the ball past Michel with the ice cool composure of a world class striker. And the Belgian repaid the compliment 14 minutes later. His clever pass found Bale on the edge of the area and that the Spurs winger expertly controlled with his right foot before driving the ball into the top corner with his left. The hosts rallied after the break and halved the deficit with 20 minutes to go courtesy of Michu glancing in Sung-Yeung Ki’s corner to score his first goal since their Capital One Cup win last month.

In a week where Roberto Mancini conceded defeat in the title race Manchester City produced a champions performance to sweep past Newcastle. Mancini’s men struggled to break down the resilient Magpies for much of the first half until Carlos Tevez slid in to convert Gael Clichy’s low cross four minutes before the break. The advantage was doubled on the stroke of half time as David Silva fired home from inside the box after Rob Elliot pushed Edin Dzeko’s effort into his path. Alan Pardew’s side barely threatened Joe Hart’s goal and found themselves further behind just after the break. Gareth Barry’s strike looked to be heading wide only for Vincent Kompany to divert the ball into the net to mark his return in style after a two-month absence. Yaya Toure completed the rout with 20 minutes left as his ball in from the right flicked off James Perch and squirmed past Elliot at the near post. Defeat leaves Newcastle in a precarious position with only three points worth of breathing space above the drop zone.

Andy Carroll scored a rare brace to ease West Ham’s relegation fears and dent 10-man West Brom’s hopes of European qualification. In a week where the Hammers announced they’ll be moving to the Olympic Stadium their current home provided the ideal setting to more or less guarantee they’ll be a Premier League club next season. A spell of early pressure from the Baggies failed to pay dividends and Carroll calmed the home crowds growing nerves with a thumping header from Gary O’Neil’s corner in the 16th minute. O’Neil doubled the lead just before the half hour mark when Ricardo Vaz Te teed him up outside the penalty area to curl the ball over a stranded Ben Foster. Carroll wrapped the game up with 10 minutes remaining, watching James Collins’ free kick dip over his shoulder before executing a brilliant first time volley that flew past Foster. Graeme Dorrans nabbed a consolation from the penalty spot with two minutes to go before Youssuf Mulumbu compounded a miserable afternoon for Albion when he was sent off for kicking the ball at O’Neil after he was fouled by the West Ham midfielder.

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Everton’s boosted their chances of qualifying for Europe next season with a slender victory over Stoke at Goodison Park. Kevin Mirallas’ strike just before the half was all the Toffees required to send Tony Pulis’ struggling side pacing and leave them just four points clear of the drop zone. The goal itself was fit to win any game as Mirallas shrugged off the challenge of Steven N’Zonzi in the centre circle and ran at the visiting defence, bamboozling Geoff Cameron with a rapid change of direction before burying the ball past Asmir Begovic. The Potters missed a host of chances to snatch a point in the second half with Ryan Shotton’s heading wide from close range and highlighting their current predicament.

Sunday

Liverpool came from behind to beat Aston Villa and deny them the chance to pull out of the relegation zone. Paul Lambert’s side were seeking a third straight victory that would boost their chances of remaining in the Premier League next season. And they looked on course to achieve that when top scorer Christian Benteke fired home from Gabriel Agbonlahor’s lay-off on the half hour mark. But just two minutes after the break the visitors levelled when Phillipe Coutinho split the Villa defence in half to pick out the run of Jordan Henderson who calmly clipped the ball over the onrushing Brad Guzan. Steven Gerrard converted from the penalty spot on the hour after Luis Suarez was fouled by Nathan Baker to complete the turnaround. Victory leaves Brendan Rodgers’ troops just three points shy of sixth spot which is currently occupied by Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.

West Ham United are expected to miss out on the signing of Galatasaray winger Garry Rodrigues, according to Turkish-Football.com.

What’s the story?

The news outlet claims that the Hammers had a £10m bid rejected by Galatasaray earlier this month as the club are looking for a figure in the region of £15m.

It is believed that Newcastle United were also interested in signing the 27-year-old, but Turkish-Football.com reports that Rodrigues is happy at his current club.

The Cape Verde international reportedly has no intention of leaving Galatasaray at the end of the season, but it seems that the Hammers have failed to meet the price valuation anyway.

This season, Rodrigues has made 25 appearances in the Super Lig, scoring six goals and creating eight assists.

Should West Ham try harder to get him?

In all honesty, bringing Rodrigues to the London Stadium would present a risk for the Hammers, mainly due to his lack of experience in English football.

The winger has played in the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Spain, Greece and now Turkey, therefore it would be a big ask to throw him into action at West Ham, particularly if they keep their place in the Premier League.

In addition, while Rodrigues’s figures are positive, they are not outstanding, and if he was seen as the answer to David Moyes’s problems, then they should have a rethink.

The East London outfit should target attack-minded players who have proven themselves in English football.

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The board also need to loosen the pursestrings slightly as they will end up being blown out of the water by clubs willing to spend more.

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Roy Hodgson’s initial England squad for the current international fixtures has faced some changes since his initial announcement. Injuries have plagued his team already, and with players withdrawing you have to ask; has he made the right choices?

One comment that has been flagged is that Hodgson seems to pick his sides based on the teams they play for – the bigger the team, the more likely you are to be chosen. Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all have had players chosen for England. But the argument has been, is it the name of the club that is the influence rather than the quality of the player?

Ryan Mason’s belated call up has sparked some debate in itself. Mason looked somewhat of a ‘last resort’ when he was included in the squad, as Adam Lallana had to withdraw his services due to injury. Although Mason is elated to be included in the England squad, as it is a dream to play for his country, is it not a bit of a kick in the teeth to be only a back up option?

Finally, Roy Hodgson has seen sense and included Michael Carrick in his squad. The midfielder is definitely on form for his club, and his inclusion is justified. Carrick has been massively overlooked in recent years which even Paul Scholes has shed light on. Carrick will show the England side exactly what they have been missing with his exclusion in international competitions.

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Leaving out Charlie Austin and Danny Ings is tricky. There is plenty of competition up front, but look at the season all three are having. Without any disrespect, Harry Kane does deserve to be in the squad ahead of all three. But being overlooked for England selection does not retract from the form they are currently in.

Roy Hodgson has got it spot on for calling up Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane. Harry Kane has had an exceptional season, and is one of the players filling column inches – and that was proven when he nodded in his first England just 89 seconds after coming on for his debut against Lithuania. Kane is joint top goalscorer this season, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa, and Spurs of course signed him up for a five-and-a-half-year deal. He is only the fourth player to win back to back Player of The Month awards, so it’s a no brainer that Roy called up the 21-year-old, who will be hoping the prolific goalscorer will be as important for his country.

For the most part, Hodgson’s inclusions have been justified. It is unfortunate that Fraser Forster is forced to miss the qualifiers due to injury, as he has 13 clean sheets to his name for Southampton this season. Roy Hodgson has expressed his devastation at Forster’s injury, whilst throwing a sly dig at replacements Rob Green and Jack Butland.

Hodgson must be careful he is not so influenced by the media with his selections: choosing a player based on their club is not always justified. Individual performances must be taken into account. A poor team is not always filled with poor players.

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Wolves have seen the extensive investment in youth academy bear fruit in the past year or so, players like Danny Batth, Jake Cassidy, Antony Forde, Liam McAlinden, Matt Doherty and, most impressively, David Davis have all progressed into mature players fit to throw on the old gold when called upon.

There is one player though who has more mystery around him than an Arthur Conan Doyle novel, he is one of the most highly rated players by academy bosses at the club and fans rave about his ability at such a young age, yet he has never played for the first team, bar a seven minute cameo in the game against Chelsea in the Capital Once Cup at the start of this season. This Albanian born player has already represented England at under sixteen and seventeen level and was the subject of the famous misquote by academy manager Ian Evans who was reported to say that he was the first “100 million pound player”, what he actually said was a little more restrained, Evans could see “a lot of money” being spent on him.

Zeli Ismail joined Wolves at the tender age of ten and was drafted into the academy where his raw talent was to be honed by the academy managers at the time. In 2010 he was given his first professional contract on his seventeenth birthday, what a present, sort of, and had to wait a good long while to make his debut, this came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 25th September in a game that will not live long in the memory of any Wolves fan, we lost six nil and conceded three inside eighteen minutes, Ismail was put on with seven minutes to go and, as you probably guessed, did not have much of an impact on the game and/or the final score. However, the first team experience gained, from just being around the seniors and visiting the European Champions ground will aid his development and experience in the game.

When Wolves limped across the Premier League line in May and were thrown into the Championship at the end of last season, there were quiet whispers that one the club’s best kept secrets would be given a chance to show off his ability to the crowds of Wolverhampton. This whisper was given credence when Wolves appointed Solbakken in the summer, a manager who appreciated the art of tactics and who could, possibly, but ultimately did not, give this young precocious talent a platform. Similar to Brendon Rogers bringing through Raheem Sterling, however the purchase of Sako, Peszko and Razak Boukari were always going to the limit the chances of Ismail, which in hindsight, and given Wolves woeful league position and equally woeful form, is a shame. Maybe he could have been the shot in the arm Wolves needed.

Ismail is predominantly a winger, a very modern forward thinking one at that. He is not a winger that stays out on the wing the whole game and he will not be there to whip balls in for the full ninety minutes, whether that is something Wolves need is another issue. What he is though is a player with a low centre of gravity, the effortless and graceful ability to use both left and right foot and a frighteningly quick acceleration over short distances, that have left many under twenty one fullbacks needing stitches in their shorts, (Click the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLht3JPUqFc Pretty stunning right?). Ironically, this is the very type of player which Wolves find so impossible to defend against, see the Crystal Palace games, both home and away, Blackpool game at home and to a certain extent Brighton at home as prime examples of how Wolves, seem to combust and implode as soon as a technically gifted winger is put on the pitch, it is so utterly predictable. So for the academy to produce one of these very players for their own is something that only our beloved club could do.

The hype and expectation surrounding this player is utterly incredible, made even more so that hardly anyone has seen him play. He is a bit like Wolves’ secret weapons that, at this point in time, have failed to deploy, probably because the season is going so wonderfully to plan, right? I remember first hearing about this guy a few years back, the amount of praise about him from Wolves fans, that plus the misinterpreted quote by the aforementioned Ian Evans, made me Google Ismail to see if he was a) Real and b) A player that Wolves could produce! It turned out he was both, fortunately. Sketchy reports suggest that Chelsea and Arsenal did the very same thing as yours truly, probably a bit more extensively however, as two separate bids, when he was fourteen, from the abovementioned clubs, in the region of two million pounds, were rejected, as the club attempted to keep one of its roughest of rough diamonds.

This further embeds how much of a prospect he is and how very long it has been that we have been discussing and salivating over some of the ability he possesses. It begs the question, will he ever break through? Obviously he is still incredibly young and developing away from the media and honing his game in private is probably the best option for him. On the other hand, it seems baffling that this clearly talented player who reflects the modern attacking football has not been given a chance, especially in the Championship, to show what he can do against some experienced fullbacks. The changing of the guard at Molineux recently and the fact Wolves are more likely to go down than go up may finally give him his chance. Furthermore Bakary Sako may be on his way to the Premier League in the summer, especially if Wolves, God forbid, get relegated again.

Ismail was loaned out on the 22nd November to join up with MK Dons, a move made to kick start the young man’s career and give him the invaluable experience of first team football. That added to the fact he was to be managed by a very highly rated manager in Karl Robinson a man only thirteen years Ismail’s senior. He would slot in at a club where the pressure on Ismail would not be sky high, we could see this as another organic step in his career maybe, a way that would give him first team football but not to the extent that pressure would ruin him as a player. In a world where every single thing a footballer does is analysed (supposedly) and if he happens to have a bad game the knee jerk culture that exists within football and the media dictates that he is now not a good player, until next week when he is good again. Ismail would get none of that, he could concentrate on playing first team football under the youngest manager in the Football League. He made nine appearances for the MK Dons, mostly substitute ones at that, and he returned to Wolves around a week ago. A pity that he did not show the ability he clearly has, however, having that first team experience week in week out, going to games, being part of a team, being selected, little things like that are priceless for a rough diamond like Ismail.

I discussed Zeli Ismail with MK Dons writer, Greg Trumper, after seeing Ismail at more depth than most Wolves’ fans he said that he “spoke to the manager Karl Robinson when he first arrived and he told me he was rated as the next 40 million pound player” and that he “was taken off as he had been booked and his tackles were late and it was to save him getting sent off and he was not being undisciplined as I thought but more clumsy I’m told and I found Zeli to be nice quiet mellow type”. Greg spoke about his sadness at Ismail leaving, “sad to see him go and can not understand why he did not start more games so we could get a decent look at him”

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Maybe this return will see him drafted into the first team at some point, Saunders clearly sees something in him, hence the return from MK Dons, it is clear that Saunders is assembling, with varying degrees of success, a team of hard working players who are prepared to give one hundred percent every game, a team that is hungry for success and, unlike several Wolves teams, knows how to win. We have seen him give young players a chance since he took over, Jake Cassidy for instance, he had an impressive debut against Blackburn and showed a lot of promise for the future.

In conclusion, Wolves have a new manager who could finally give him a chance, this is all speculation whether he will or not, but I am sure each and every Wolves fan who has seen him whether it be on social media or at Compton will want to see him have a run out for the first team. The flip side of this argument is, is he overrated? His only professional run outs have been against League one opposition and players that are still under the age of twenty one, he has had/been given the opportunity to play against better teams. In fairness it is hard to agree with that, Ismail posses a lot of ability, a breathless gift to swagger past defenders using both feet with ease and an eagle eye for the back of the net. The amount of hype around the young man makes us think he is older than he is, he is still only nineteen years of age, Ismail has a brilliantly bright future ahead, he is maturing and developing away from the critics, and his transition to the first team should be seamless. Given time, I am sure we will be singing “There’s only one Zeli Ismail!” in the near future, because, by the looks of it, there really is only one.

(Huge thanks to Gregg Trumper for the insight on Zeli Ismail, really great to have another insight, follow him on Twitter @Gunnerdon)

Bangladesh are searching for a 3-0 series clean sweep; Pakistan are looking for fixes

Danyal Rasool23-Jul-2025

Big picture: Can Bangladesh make it 3-0?

Bangladesh set aside Pakistan’s pseudo-paternalistic concerns about their home pitches not helping them away on Tuesday. After all, this series is taking place in Bangladesh, and in the corresponding one six weeks ago, Pakistan prepared surfaces designed to suit their own game; it hasn’t exactly helped them away in Bangladesh, either.A dominant bowling performance helped Bangladesh wrap up the three-match T20I series at the earliest opportunity, with the visitors grateful for a counterattacking knock from Faheem Ashraf that staved off sharper embarrassment, though not defeat.Coming a day after the tragic events of a plane crash into a school that took many lives, an emotional crowd in Dhaka were given something to cheer by a home performance which oscillated between steel and swagger. The former was required when Pakistan’s bowlers punctured Bangladesh’s top order repeatedly in the powerplay and beyond; Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan stanching the bleeding and keeping alive their hopes in the contest. The fast bowlers then lit the stadium up in a scarcely believable powerplay where they took five wickets.Related

• Hesson slams 'unacceptable' Mirpur pitch

• Bangladesh seal first T20I series win against Pakistan

• Jaker: 'I only count match-winning runs, the rest doesn't register'

Even more satisfying, perhaps, for Bangladesh is the well-roundedness of their displays this series. They showed, in the first game, an ability to hunt down a low-scoring total with ease despite early pressure, before defending one in the second, holding their nerve in a tight finish. They even rested two of their best performers in the second contest – Tanzid Hasan and Taskin Ahmed – without leaving them too exposed in these conditions. At just about every stage in each game, they have found themselves ahead of Pakistan, and fittingly, that’s where they are guaranteed to stay.When Pakistan trounced this opposition at home a few weeks earlier, captain Salman Agha had said he would judge his team by intent more than results. However, that intent – particularly on Tuesday after Pakistan lost a heap of early wickets – was lacking for large periods. The asking rate ballooned to a point where, even in a low-scoring game, Pakistan scored 78 off the last 45 balls and still end up short. Salman himself scratched around for 23 balls, managing just nine.However, one thing going for Pakistan is that they have a large number of T20Is over the rest of the year. If they find themselves unable to implement the fixes they have so publicly promised they are seeking, it won’t be for lack of match practice. The final game against Bangladesh may offer a window into how quickly those fixes can begin to be implemented.

Form guide

Bangladesh: WWWWL
Pakistan: LLWWWMustafizur Rahman returned outstanding figures of 4-0-6-2 in the first T20I•BCB

In the spotlight: Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Nawaz

Mustafizur Rahman has tormented Pakistan this series, using his famous offcutters on a surface designed to make them impossibly difficult to play. The pace-on variation makes that weapon even more deadly, and Bangladesh have wrapped up the series before Pakistan have figured out how to handle him. Across two games, he boasts an economy rate under five and has taken three wickets, including the one that finished Pakistan off on Tuesday. Should Bangladesh play him with the series already done, there’s little to suggest Pakistan won’t struggle similarly against him.Hasan Nawaz intersperses big scores and impactful innings with a string of low ones, and he’s in the latter cycle right now. He’s faced ten deliveries this series, but he’s yet to score, dismissed for a duck each innings. It’s been a story that’s repeated itself throughout his brief career so far; the T20I series against New Zealand in March saw him score one century but add just a solitary run in the other four innings. It is that explosiveness that Pakistan use to justify his selection, and what they will bank on as they try and avoid a series whitewash.

Team news: Farhan, Muqeem to get a chance?

Bangladesh may rest the odd player or two with the series done, but there are no new injury concerns.Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali (wk), 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 10 Mustafizur Rahman/Shoriful Isman, 11 Taskin AhmedWill Sufiyan Muqeem come into the side for the third T20I?•AFP/Getty Images

Sahibzada Farhan is yet to get a game this series, as is Sufiyan Muqeem. The inclusion of either won’t be a surprise, though Pakistan’s weakened bowling attack means they will continue to be forced to turn to part-timers to run through an innings.Pakistan: (probable XI): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Saim Ayub/Sahibzada Farhan, 3 Mohammad Haris (wk), 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Salman Agha (capt), 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Abbas Afridi, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Ahmed Daniyal, 10 Salman Mirza, 11 Abrar Ahmed/Sufiyan Muqeem

Pitch and conditions

Mirpur has stayed dry even amidst heavy monsoon rain in Dhaka of late. There’s an afternoon shower forecast, while the pitch – a subject of such focus this week – is unlikely to be significantly different.

Stats and trivia

• Rishad Hossain is two wickets away from becoming the sixth Bangladeshi man to reach 50 T20I wickets
• Bangladesh have won two T20I series 3-0 against Full Members – once at home against England in 2023, and one in the West Indies last year

Josh Hazlewood has been called up for the game in Sydney and Spencer Johnson will join in Canberra

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Feb-2024Xavier Bartlett, who starred on international debut at the MCG, will be rested for Sunday’s second ODI against West Indies but is expected to return in Canberra for the third game.Travis Head has been released from the ODI and T20I squads for the rest of the matches while Josh Hazlewood has been added for the second ODI in Sydney.The management of Bartlett, who claimed 4 for 17 in Melbourne, is understood to be part of a plan to be careful with his workloads amid three ODIs in five days after his back injury last year, and without any one-day or Shield cricket this season.Related

• Smith, Cummins, Starc return for New Zealand T20Is, Marsh to captain

• Short ruled out of final ODI with McDermott called up

• Australia, West Indies look to grow depth with eye on 2027

• Bartlett four-for, Green's all-round effort give Australia 1-0 lead

• Bartlett makes a massive impact on 'almost not real' debut

“I was injured at the start of this year and didn’t have a chance to play any domestic cricket, which was a frustrating time,” he said after his Player-of-the-Match display. “But you can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel and you’ve just got to keep trying to work hard because these days don’t happen very often in the game of cricket.”Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson will join the squad as cover for the third ODI in Canberra on Tuesday.Hazlewood was among Australia’s all-format quicks initially rested for the ODI series following the Test summer but was included for the T20Is.No replacement for Head has been named, which opens the door for Jake Fraser-McGurk to make his ODI debut at the SCG. Head fell in the first over of Australia’s chase in Melbourne when he edged Matthew Forde for 4, following his king pair in the Gabba Test. He is expected to be part of the T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand.

The 18-year-old is tipped as the next big run-scoring star in Australia cricket but likes to avoid the spotlight

Tristan Lavalette07-Oct-2022Late on day two of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and New South Wales, as the shadows deepened at the WACA Ground, 18-year-old Teague Wyllie flicked a frustrated Nathan Lyon to the boundary.As his team-mates and the sparse smattering of fans collectively rose in the terraces, Wyllie walked slowly towards batting partner Matt Kelly and finally, almost reluctantly, raised his bat.In just his third first-class match, Wyllie became the youngest Shield centurion since Ricky Ponting in 1992-93. It was a feat made more impressive considering only two other batters compiled half-centuries in the bowler-dominated match, which WA won by eight wickets in a powerful launch of their title defence.”He [Wyllie] said ‘tax accountants don’t celebrate when they do their tax return so I shouldn’t celebrate scoring a hundred’,” chuckled WA captain Sam Whiteman, who spoke to ESPNcricinfo after the match. “He loves batting and is an impressive young man. He feels like he’s 28.”Related

• Wyllie named in CA XI squad to face South Africa

• WA's new 'Wild Thing' Lance Morris hopes to get even faster

• Under-19 World Cup 2022: Wyllie, Dhull, Brevis and Wellalage headline ESPNcricinfo's Team of the Tournament

• Wyllie's maiden hundred hands Western Australia control

• Nine for Morris as WA make winning start to Shield defence

While Wyllie’s reserved celebration caused mirth for his team-mates, it underlines his maturity beyond his age and should serve him well amid being bandied around as Australia’s next great batter. He topped Australia’s batting at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year and was named in the tournament’s most valuable team.”A lot of the lads take the mickey out of me for not taking the helmet off but I just don’t like the attention from it,” Wyllie told reporters in Perth on Friday.”My old boy drilled into me when you get a hundred that the job is not done. So I’ve never been a massive fan of carrying-on…because I’m just trying to get the team into a good position.”His 104 off 204 balls masterclass rescued WA from a precarious 100 for 6 as the No. 5 calmly batted with the tail to lift his team to 258 and an invaluable 78-run first innings lead in the low-scoring contest.Having come through the ranks as an opener, the tall Wyllie – who stands over six foot – is already an intimidating figure at the crease but his batting is built on compact defence and eyeing the long haul. He’s perhaps a throwback to a more sedate time although can shift gears when needed. While more senior batters were undone by the seam and bounce on a tricky WACA pitch, Wyllie played straight and produced several eye-catching drives down the ground.”Test cricket is the goal and I believe it is the pinnacle when it comes to cricket,” he said. “I’ve always loved batting for a long period of time.””I’ve never been a massive fan of carrying-on…because I’m just trying to get the team into a good position”•Getty Images

It is little surprise then to learn who he has modelled his game on.”I idolised Rahul Dravid growing up,” Wyllie said. “He values his wicket more than anyone. Growing up I modelled my game on him a bit when it comes to valuing his wicket and batting for long periods. Kane Williamson is another who I try to learn a lot from.”Wyllie, who grew up in the regional city of Mandurah less than an hour from Perth, has long been seriously devoted to cricket having eschewed playing other sports competitively. It led to “burnout” three years ago, but Wyllie’s found a better balance as he starts his professional career and enjoys playing golf and watching TV shows when he’s not carefully honing his game.But his life has already started changing and becoming busier, as he quickly realised when he received around 500 messages from friends and family after his Shield heroics.Surrounded by a wealth of experience, including mentor Shaun Marsh, Wyllie has received a particularly wise tip to deal with his growing stardom.”I’ve spoken to a few of the senior guys…they got rid of social media. I haven’t gotten to that stage,” he said.But you feel Wyllie will handle keyboard warriors similarly to how he blunts exasperated bowlers.”I don’t go looking into social media comments because it’s just white noise and it doesn’t matter that much,” he said. “I tend to stay out of the spotlight…I love batting.”

Australia batter’s 44 is highest score as Group Three leaders shade madcap opening day

ECB Reporters Network03-Jun-2021The bowlers held sway in the LV=Insurance County Championship match between Glamorgan and Lancashire in Cardiff with 19 wickets falling on the opening day.Lancashire were put into bat and managed 173 all out with the highest partnership of the innings being the 36 put on between Luke Wood and Danny Lamb for the seventh wicket. Michael Neser returned the best figures for the hosts with 3 for 46, with the other Glamorgan seamers all chipping in.Glamorgan started solidly in reply with an opening stand of 39 between David Lloyd and Joe Cooke but from that point on, the wickets continued to tumble with Tom Bailey – who had top-scored with 31 – claiming 3 for 40 for Lancashire.Related

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Glamorgan reached the close on 150 for 9, still trailing by 23 and in danger of conceding what could be a telling first-innings lead.Having won the toss and elected to field, they had started well in the first session with James Weighell the pick of the bowlers, but it was the ever-reliable Michael Hogan who made the first breakthrough from a ball that moved in sharply to the left-handed Keaton Jennings, clattering into his stumps.Weighell took the two next wickets to fall, the first from an inswinger that Luke Wells left alone and he was given out lbw. Alex Davies had looked to be finding his feet when he attempted to cut a ball that was too close to him for the shot and he spooned a catch to Andrew Salter at point for 21.It was Dan Douthwaite who claimed the final two wickets of the Lancashire innings with both Saqib Mahmood and Bailey chopping the ball on to their stumps.The wickets also fell at regular intervals in the Glamorgan innings, the first being Lloyd for a punchy 21, bowled when he left a ball from Mahmood that clipped his off stump.Bailey claimed two wickets in two balls when he had Joe Cooke bowled and Billy Root trapped lbw to leave Glamorgan 74 for 3.Marnus Labuschagne was the one player who looked well set but he also fell on this madcap day, dismissed lbw to Lamb. His 44 in this innings doubled his run tally for Glamorgan this season with the Australian yet to rediscover the outstanding form of his 2019 county campaign. With him gone there was little further resistance, as Lancashire made their way through the lower order.”There was some good bowling there, shot selection was a bit of an issue at times… there is the odd ball that nips around a bit but it is a nice wicket,” Hogan said. “After that first hour, I thought that we were in for a long old day, and it seemed like a nice wicket. 19 in the day is interesting but I suppose the game goes like that sometimes.”

Allrounder played three Tests for England in 1960, winning all of them

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-2020Former Glamorgan and England allrounder Peter Walker has died aged 84 following a stroke.A dependable option with bat and ball, Walker’s standout attribute was his close catching: he managed 697 catches over the course of his first-class career, including a club-record 656 for Glamorgan, with the vast majority at either slip or short leg.Partly educated in South Africa, Walker spent two years in the merchant navy before starting to play first-class cricket, making his debut in 1956. He passed the 1000-run mark in 11 separate seasons as an attacking middle-order batsman, and after starting out as a left-arm swing bowler, he developed into a left-arm orthodox spinner towards the end of his career.He made his Test debut aged 24, making 9 and 37 in a win against South Africa at Edgbaston, and added his only half-century at Lord’s two weeks later. But three games – and three wins – into his England career, he was left out and was never called upon again. Alongside Martin Saggers and Toby Roland-Jones, he is one of three men to have played three Tests or more in his England career while maintaining a 100% win record in the post-war era.He was a key part of the Glamorgan side that went undefeated in the 1969 County Championship season, which culminated in the club’s second title, and retired in 1972 to further his broadcasting career with the BBC, where he was the face of Sunday League coverage for several years.He went on to become an administrator, and was a driving force behind the creation of the National Cricket Centre for Wales at Sophia Gardens. In 2010, he was awarded an MBE for services to cricket, primarily for his role at the centre.He later had a short stint as Glamorgan president, starting his tenure in March 2009 but resigning in November 2010 following the sacking of Jamie Dalrymple as captain and the departure of Matthew Maynard as coach.Glamorgan chairman Gareth Williams said: “Everyone at Glamorgan is saddened to hear this news. Peter was a club legend, a man who gave everything he could to the club he loved while playing, and later in an off-field capacity. He gave so much back to the game, in particular through his work with Cricket Wales and the National Cricket Centre, and through his outstanding service as President of Glamorgan.”Hugh Morris, the club’s chief executive, said: “A combination of world-class catching ability, aggressive batting and accurate spin made him a triple threat and a brilliant allrounder. He helped Glamorgan to win a County Championship title and represented England, making him a true legend of the club.”We may never see another player quite like him, and he will be missed by everyone at the club. Our thoughts go out to his family, and his friends.”

For Joe Burns, too, it was an emotional occasion as his fourth Test century came after a roller-coaster couple of seasons

Daniel Brettig in Canberra01-Feb-2019Australia’s vice-captain Travis Head raised his eyes to the heavens upon reaching his first Test century, and later spoke tearfully of how he had dedicated the innings to the late Phillip Hughes, his mentor and teammate until his death in 2014.Head played a classic counter-attacking innings in the company of opener Joe Burns to turn a wobbly Australian start against Sri Lanka into a dominant day one of the inaugural Canberra Test match, as their stand of 308 led the hosts to a commanding 4 for 384 by the close.In reaching three figures after several near-misses so far in his brief Test career, Head’s thoughts turned to Hughes, who had died after being struck by a short ball during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG a little more than four years ago.”Yeah [I dedicated it to] a few, but Hughesy as well, a little bit emotional to be honest,” Head told SEN Radio before breaking into tears. “It was a little bit about trying to get the momentum back, it was a little like last week where we lost quick wickets and were a little bit under the pump, it was trying to get that momentum back. Last week I started my innings really well, left the ball really well, just tried to get that momentum back and get it to swing back our way. I felt like Burnsy and I were able to do that again.ALSO READ: Australia’s last resort Joe Burns makes their first hundred of the summer”To go out there and continue from last week, personally and as a team we put ourselves in a great position to get hundreds and weren’t able to, that was the disappointing part, but it was really good today to get out there, and once we got our chance, to make it massive.”At the other end, Burns said the emotion in Head’s celebration was certainly moving, leaving him to feel that all he wanted to do was offer his team-mate a long, strong hug to mark the moment.”He was very emotional for his first hundred, out in the middle you don’t ask how someone’s feeling [but] I was just over the moon for him,” Burns said. “To see a bloke, the hard work he’s done all summer and for a number of years playing against him, you knew how good a player he was.”It’s one of those innings today that’ll get him started in his Test career, get that first one out of the way and open the floodgates. I just wanted to hug him as hard as I could for as long as I could and just keep batting with him. It was really enjoyable.”Full credit to Trav, he comes out with great intent, puts the bowlers off their mark, and turns three early wickets into straightaway pressure back on the bowlers. And you could sense out there the left-hand/right-hand combination and being able to score in different areas and keep the scoreboard ticking all day meant their bowlers couldn’t get that build-up of pressure. That’s the key to a good partnership and really satisfying to do that for a long period.”Burns had plenty of his own reasons for being emotional, a little more than two years after a strong start to his Test career had been blown off course by none other than Sri Lanka on a troubled 2016 tour.Joe Burns kisses the badge on reaching his century•Getty Images

Since then, he has appeared at times to struggle to win the favour of the selectors, not least when twice picked then dropped immediately, in Hobart in late 2016 and then after the Johannesburg Test immediately following the Newlands scandal.”Look, it can be tough,” Burns admitted of how he had tried to process those episodes. “Two very different circumstances, both extreme the way they unfolded, but that’s not just cricket, that’s life sometimes, you can’t plan too far ahead, take the good with the bad. It makes days like today – when you get to kiss the badge on your helmet – bloody good, that’s for sure. It makes you really appreciate the good days because you never know when’s your last Test match or when you’re going to be out of the team.”You can’t take anything for granted, just have a responsibility to play as hard as you can and as best you can and what will be will be. It’s just one of those times where you appreciate a good day. You’ve got to do that in this game because you have a hell of a lot of bad days as well, so appreciate the fact it’s a good day and we’re just eager to come back tomorrow and do it all again hopefully and make tomorrow an even better day.”Coming into the day’s play, we knew the first hour was going to be pretty tough. Bit of grass on the wicket, bit of overheads, so despite losing the three wickets we knew we had to absorb that pressure they posed to us and we were also aware they were an inexperienced bowling attack that were going to present scoring opportunities if we could get through those tough periods. Last time I played Sri Lanka we got thumped, so I’ve got a hell of a lot of motivation to get out there and get a series win, that’s for sure.”Perspective, too, had come from the team’s visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra two days out from the start of the match. “I had that sense of your country and how lucky we are to play cricket for Australia,” Burns said, “And how much you just want to make runs for the Australian people and get the chance to get to a hundred and have the crowd applaud you like that, there’s nothing better.”