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England captain hints that winter debutant is likely first-choice to bat at No.3 for five Tests against India

Vithushan Ehantharajah21-May-20251:36

Stokes: Cook has the skills to complement our attack

Ben Stokes has given a strong indication that Jacob Bethell will return as England’s No.3 against India despite his absence for the first Test of the summer against Zimbabwe.Though the international season kicks off at Trent Bridge on Thursday, Bethell will be more than 4,000 miles away in Lucknow preparing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s penultimate fixture in the IPL league stages against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. It will be his last appearance for the franchise before returning to the UK to report for the first ODI against West Indies at Edgbaston next Thursday (May 29).Bethell was always due to miss the Zimbabwe Test, as per the agreement the ECB had in place with its IPL stars, with the competition originally due to finish on Sunday, prior to the competition’s suspension following unrest between India and Pakistan. Nevertheless, he is expected to return to the Test XI at first drop, after impressing Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum during his maiden Test series against New Zealand at the end of last year.Related

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Sam Cook confirmed for Test debut as England name XI to face Zimbabwe

An average of 52.00 from 260 runs, with three half-centuries among six innings, was underpinned by a level of flair and maturity that earned the 21-year-old rave reviews. McCullum was particularly enamored by how Bethell dealt with the last-minute circumstances of his promotion, following an injury to Jordan Cox on the eve of first Test. With Cox set to keep wicket with Jamie Smith on paternity leave, a rejig saw vice-captain Ollie Pope take the gloves and drop down the order. That opened the door for Bethell to state his case at three, having never batted in that position in the 20 first-class matches prior to his debut in the first Test. He eventually steered England to victory with an unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries in the fourth innings.Speaking at the end of the series, McCullum credited both Bethell and Pope for their work during the series, but acknowledged the former had made the future a little less clear for the latter: “He’s [Bethell’s] definitely given us a good headache and we’ve got a couple of months to work out what we’re doing.”It seems England have now worked out what they are doing. Speaking in the pre-match captain’s press conference, Stokes more or less confirmed Bethell will slot back in.”If you’re smart enough, the series that Beth had out in New Zealand, obviously he’s going to be back in the UK for that India series,” Stokes said, when asked about Bethell. “I think you put 2 and 2 together, you probably know what’s going to happen.”You look at what Beth did in the winter for us, if you talk about nailing down a position, Beth has done himself the world of good by the performances he put in there with being part of our plans going forward.”Jacob Bethell seized his chance in the New Zealand Tests•AFP via Getty ImagesStokes’ backing of Bethell, on the eve of the first of 11 Tests in a legacy-defining nine months for the team, dials up the pressure on Pope and indeed Zak Crawley. Both have failed to score consistently at the top of the order, with Crawley in particular found wanting in New Zealand, averaging 8.66.Yet the Kent opener feels the more secure of the two, particularly given his recent exploits against this summer’s opponents India, and Australia, finishing as England’s leading runscorer in the 2024 and 2023 series against both. Nevertheless, both players have a chance to complicate matters with big runs over the coming days.That Stokes has willingly heaped pressure on two of his top three batters reflects a broader desire to take his team to the next level. England are now second in the ICC Test Rankings having moved up in May, a jump that prompted the skipper to send a message to McCullum and men’s managing director Rob Key saying “one more place to go”. There is scope, he feels, for much more.England have not been No.1 in the world since 2011, off the back of a 2010-11 Ashes success Down Under that they hope to replicate later this year. And though they were knocked off top spot by South Africa in 2012, Stokes believes greater focus and more fine-tuning could bring about a return to the top of the tree should progression and results trend in the right direction.”If we win what we’ve got coming up, the likelihood is that we will be at the top of that leaderboard. There’s no doubt in my mind we have the ability to be that team.”A change of mindset, a change of what we think about going out there – it’s something both me and Baz felt was needed. We’ve taken all good things that we’ve felt we’ve built over the last three years, but adding to all the good stuff we’ve managed to achieve and all the good things we’ve created in that dressing room, it’s something we felt this time was the perfect time to do that.”Baz uses this phrase a lot – we’re starting from a place of strength. So for us to be able to build on that, and everyone knows that we have got improvement to do, it’s very very exciting that we are where we are as a team at the moment. Everyone understands and knows we’ve definitely got another level to go to.”

One of the areas Manchester United were reportedly looking to strengthen for Ruben Amorim over the summer was in midfield. In the end, the Red Devils never brought someone in to play in the middle of the park, but it was a key focus for the club.

They were heavily linked with Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba. It was reported at the start of August that United had made contact via intermediaries to sign the midfielder, although the move never happened.

Indeed, over the last few years, United have struggled to sign a permanent replacement in midfield for the great Michael Carrick.

Man Utd's struggle to replace Carrick

It often feels like Carrick does not get the praise he deserves. You do not play 464 times for United if you aren’t a top-level player. As Rio Ferdinand once said, he was “the most underrated and undervalued player in the league” throughout his career.

So, replacing him was never going to be easy for United. Unfortunately, it still seems like the Red Devils are yet to find the man who can properly fill Carrick’s boots. Since his retirement at the end of 2017/18, the Red Devils have signed seven midfielders.

Bruno Fernandes has been the only true success. United’s captain can also be grouped with Donny van de Beek and Mason Mount as players who are attacking midfielders rather than a number six like Carrick was.

Another two of those midfield signings have now left the club. Fred was a marmite figure among United fans, although left to join Fenerbahce last summer. Sofyan Amrabat was only at the club on a season-long loan, and now plays at Real Betis.

So, that leaves Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. The Brazilian legend has had peaks and troughs at Old Trafford, although at 33 years of age, he hasn’t played for the club in his prime.

As for Ugarte, he’s struggled to cement a place in the midfield under Amorim – as evidenced by his lack of action in the Europa League final – and does not possess the quality of Carrick.

So, the wait goes on to replace Carrick. However, United may have had an academy star on the books who could have been the perfect option.

United’s in-house Carrick replacement

Replacing a midfielder as important and talented as Carrick was never going to be easy for the Red Devils. Often, their esteemed Carrington academy is the place to turn for exciting young talents.

Well, back when Erik ten Hag was the club’s manager in 2023, they chose not to offer Ethan Galbraith a new contract. Described as a “little Iniesta or Xavi” by former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough, the 24-year-old could have been United’s Carrick replacement.

He has previously been called “Carrick-esque” by journalist Richard Fay of The Manchester Evening News. It might be with regret for the higher-ups at United to see him doing so well at his current club, Swansea City.

This season for the Swans, he’s nine games across all competitions, scoring and assisting one apiece. The 24-year-old also featured twice for Northern Ireland in the most recent international break, where he impressed against Germany.

His stats from the season so far in the Championship highlight Galbraith’s ability with the ball at his feet.

For example, he averages 2.12 progressive carries and 6.72 progressive passes per 90 minutes, which rank him in the top 3% and 17% of Championship midfielders, respectively.

Progressive passes

6.72

83rd

Passes into penalty area

1.06

72nd

Assists

0.18

86th

Progressive carries

2.12

97th

Carries into penalty area

0.53

97th

It is easy to see how Galbraith compares to Carrick. The former United number 16 had “wonderfully varied, extremely creative passing range, is two-footed and glides across the pitch”, according to his former manager at West Ham United, the late Glenn Roeder.

Galbraith certainly ticks those boxes, as the stats and the eye test both show. If only United had kept hold of the rising star a couple of years ago, he could have been a key part of their midfield under Amorim and their Carrick replacement.

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Bruno Fernandes appears to have a new partner in crime at Manchester United…

ByRobbie Walls Sep 24, 2025

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has admitted that one of his “idols” is guilty of making one of the worst decisions in the club’s history.

Shearer's legacy at Newcastle unmatched

When it comes to genuine St James’ Park icons, Shearer’s name rightly appears at the top of the list when supporters are asked who the best footballer in Magpies history is.

No Newcastle player has scored more goals for the club than the former England international, who is also still leading the way in the Premier League overall, netting 260 times in total in the competition.

While Shearer forever missed out on winning major trophies at Newcastle, he lived out his childhood dream of representing his boyhood club and scoring endless goals in front of the Gallowgate End.

The legendary striker played under numerous managers at St James’, from Kenny Dalglish to Bobby Robson, but even great figures such as those mentioned weren’t immune from making errors during their time in charge.

Shearer reveals huge error Dalglish made at Newcastle

Speaking in 2024, with quotes provided by Give Me Sport, Shearer claimed that Dalglish’s decision to sell Les Ferdinand in 1997 was among the worst calls in Newcastle’s history.

Shearer is spot on in his assessment regarding Ferdinand, and while he clearly still sees Dalglish as a hero of his own, there is no question that selling his former attacking teammate was a bad call looking back.

Ferdinand and Shearer were devastating together, with both scoring in the iconic 5-0 win at home to Manchester United in the Premier League in 1996, and the former still had plenty of years left in him.

Granted, the Englishman was 30 years of age when Newcastle opted to move him on to Tottenham, but he showed over a six-year spell in north London that he could have continued scoring goals for the Magpies.

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Dalgilsh’s playing and managerial careers are legendary ones, with the Scot considered by many as the greatest player in Liverpool’s history, but it never worked out for him as Newcastle boss, which was a huge shame, especially for Shearer.

With the deadline approaching, Aston Villa have reportedly set their sights on a shock late hijack to sign a player who is already in the final stages of a move to Manchester United.

Latest on Aston Villa targets

It’s been a difficult summer for Aston Villa. Not only have they been limited by PSR issues, but they’ve also missed out on targets when they have attempted to welcome incomings – the latest of which being George Mikautadze. Reports emerged that Villa had agreed personal terms with the Lyon forward, before Villarreal swooped in to agree a late deal.

The fact that Unai Emery revealed that he wants two players in every position indicates that Villa could work on further deals before the end of the window, but it remains to be seen just who arrives.

The Spaniard told reporters: “The club are working hard to get our structure as strong as possible with the players in the squad, trying to get two players for each position. There is still work to do, maybe even some players leaving more and we will have to sign and complete the squad with some players.

“The first reason now why we are missing something other in our structure and in our squad with our players because some players left one week or two weeks ago when we were expecting to a deal before.”

Since those words, rumours have suggested that former loanee Marco Asensio could be on his way back to the club, whilst a shock hijack on Manchester United could also take place.

Aston Villa eyeing late Lammens hijack

As reported by The Daily Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Aston Villa are now eyeing a last-ditch move to sign Senne Lammens ahead of Manchester United. Earlier reports from Sacha Tavolieri revealed that the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper is closing in on a move to Old Trafford and the transfer is in the “final stages”. The door, however, is still ajar for Villa to swoop in.

It would be an almighty blow for the Red Devils, but an excellent hijack by Aston Villa. The talented shot-stopper would instantly become the long-term successor to Emiliano Martinez, whose future is far from guaranteed in the Midlands these days.

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Given how advanced United’s deal reportedly is, though, Villa chiefs will need to act fast if they do want to pull of a sensational hijack. As the deadline approaches, the goalkeeper continues to be one to watch.

He took over in 2020 after his predecessor, Manu Sawhney, was suspended, and was appointed full time in November 2021

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2025Geoff Allardice has resigned as chief executive of the ICC after four years in the role, citing a desire to “pursue new challenges”.Allardice was appointed chief executive in November 2021, having taken over on an interim basis eight months previously when his predecessor, Manu Sawhney, was suspended. He has worked at the ICC since 2012, initially as general manager of cricket after a previous role with Cricket Australia.”It has been a privilege to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council,” Allardice said. “I am incredibly proud of the results we have achieved, from enhancing the global reach of cricket to the commercial foundation put in place for ICC Members.”I’d like to thank the ICC Chair, the board of directors and [the] entire cricket community for their support and collaboration over the past 13 years. I believe this is the right time for me to step down and pursue new challenges. I am confident that cricket has exciting times ahead, and I wish the ICC and the global cricket community every success in the future.”Allardice’s decision to step down coincides with the early days of Jay Shah’s term as ICC chair. Shah, the ex-secretary of the BCCI, took over from Greg Barclay on December 1.”On behalf of the ICC Board, I want to sincerely thank Geoff for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as Chief Executive,” Shah said. “His efforts have played a key role in advancing cricket globally. We are truly grateful for his service and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”Allardice, like his predecessor Dave Richardson, maintained a lower profile as CEO than predecessors such as Haroon Lorgat or Malcolm Speed, but he was an instrumental administrator within the ICC. In particular, during his stint as general manager cricket he can claim some significant achievements: overcoming the BCCI’s early concerns with DRS and ensuring it was implemented as standard across the international game; standardising and implementing the processes around illegal actions; overseeing the creation of the World Test Championship and the (now-defunct) ODI Super League as a means of bringing context to bilateral cricket. In an era in which domestic, cash-rich T20 leagues mushroomed, the latter was an important addition.When he took over as CEO in an interim capacity, it was thought he had done so with some reluctance. And when he took on the role permanently, it was at a difficult time for the game, navigating its way through the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. But one of his major achievements as CEO was to get cricket into the Olympic Games, which could have a lasting consequence for the growth of the game. Overseeing a first ICC world event in the USA – the T20 World Cup last year – should have been a similarly seminal moment in the growth of the game, but the operations of that tournament have become the subject of an audit since, and board members have expressed unhappiness with the way it was run.The ICC said in a statement that its board will “initiate the next steps to identify” Allardice’s successor, but it has not clarified if Allardice was leaving with immediate effect or whether he will stay until the end of the Champions Trophy in February-March.Allardice is the latest in a spate of departures of senior ICC management, following the exits of Alex Marshall (the anti-corruption head), Chris Tetley (head of events) and Claire Furlong (general manager marketing and communication) in recent months.

Georgia Plimmer skipped down the pitch and hammered Sugandika Kumari over mid-off where Chamari Athapaththu leapt and thrust her hand above her head in vain, the ball racing to the boundary.The next time Plimmer advanced to such great effect she placed the ball just short of mid-off where Athapaththu was nutmegged in a clumsy attempt to get to the bounce and Sri Lanka were punished by another four.They were among just four boundaries for Plimmer who used her feet well, whether travelling to meet the pitch of the ball and dispatch it down the ground or using her crease to create space and access the off side en route to 53, her equal career-best score, at a strike rate of 120.45. It was her second half-century in T20Is and the first of this World Cup in Sharjah, which has proved a difficult ground for batters with its low bounce and vast, slow outfield.Related

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And this was just the innings New Zealand had been seeking form her.Plimmer arrived in England for a bilateral series in June and July amid some excitement from the White Ferns. That didn’t abate when she opened with 29, second only to Brooke Halliday’s fighting fifty, in a heavy loss for New Zealand in the first ODI. But it was to be the pinnacle of an otherwise disappointing tour for Plimmer, who only reached double figures once more – in the second T20I – as New Zealand lost both series 3-0.She hinted at this innings last month in scoring 53 against Australia in the third T20I in Brisbane as both teams put the finishing touches on their World Cup preparations.Here, a 49-run opening stand with Suzie Bates laid the foundation for New Zealand’s second win from three matches and a 46-run partnership with Amelia Kerr, who had taken 2 for 13 to restrict Sri Lanka to 115 for 5, all but saw the White Ferns home. Sophie Devine, the captain, ended it with the only six of the match, muscling Sugandika Kumari over cow corner.”I wanted to back my skills,” Plimmer said upon receiving the Player of the Match award. “I had good conversations with the coaches and the senior players, and just wanted to play my brand. It’s a pretty special group we have. We are clear on how we want to play, trying to put our best foot forward. We have had a tough six months but to come out here and put together wins, it gives us huge confidence.”Devine was delighted by Plimmer’s gumption, which was particularly impressive at a venue where batters have had to learn the hard way how to get in, stay in and accumulate runs.”Georgia Plimmer was outstanding,” Devine told the post-match presentation. “Super proud of the youngster coming out and sticking to her strengths. She’s copped a fair bit of criticism which as a captain is hard to see because you see the work she has been putting in. She had a great knock against Australia in Australia and to see her grow, you’ve got to remember she’s only 20, and if she continues to do what she did today she has a bright future.”This was also more like the Chamari Athapaththu the tournament had been waiting for but even a sense of too little, too late fizzled out when she fell for a 41-ball 35.Athapaththu’s failure to reach double figures at the tournament until now had only highlighted Sri Lanka’s reliance on her – she scored just 10 runs across their first three matches, by which point their campaign was over.On Saturday she scored five fours including two in Leigh Kasperek’s first over of the tournament, threaded through cover point and punched through the covers again. But when she dragged on off Kerr in the 14th over, Sri Lanka lost all momentum.With their tournament over even before this match, Sri Lanka coach Rumesh Ratnayake said his team was on a mission to ensure they performed better next time.”Everybody expected us to be, not the top dog, but the top underdog, so to speak,” he said. “We were in this group where we had some very strong teams and we wanted to win those games but I think the expectation, as much as the world had that expectation, it got to the team.”In the last 48 hours to 60-72 hours, we were trying to work it out, what really went wrong. That’s a work in progress and that’s the thing which we have to work out for the future, so that this will not happen again.”

Glasgow Rangers supporters have been getting excited about the prospect of watching Djeidi Gassama week-in-week-out at Ibrox in the 2025/26 campaign.

The 21-year-old winger announced himself as a Gers star in the making with two goals in his first two games against Panathinaikos in the club’s Champions League qualifiers.

Gassama stepped up to the occasion in both matches to score off the bench and was rewarded with his full debut against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Unfortunately, though, the summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday was unable to make it three goals in as many games at Fir Park in the 1-1 draw.

Why Djeidi Gassama struggled against Motherwell

The 21-year-old forward thrived off the bench against Panathinaikos because the Greek side needed to get back into the match and were committing men forward, providing him with space to exploit on the left flank.

Motherwell, however, were more than willing to sit deep and soak up pressure, which meant that he did not have as much space to work with in the game.

Gassama failed to score and only created one chance in 83 minutes on the pitch, but it was not all his fault. Having right-footed Max Aarons at left-back meant that the Frenchman did not have any overlapping threat to create space for him.

Transfer Focus

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

This is why Rangers need to sign a natural left-back in order to unlock Gassama’s full potential, and Monaco full-back Kassoum Ouattara could be the ideal addition.

Why Rangers should sign Kassoum Ouattara

The Light Blues have reportedly already made contact with the Ligue 1 side to discuss a potential deal for the 20-year-old starlet, who could come in as the dream partner for Gassama down the left flank.

Having a naturally left-footed player who wants to attack down the flank would help Russell Martin’s side to break down teams sat in a low block because it would cause the opposition’s full-back to decide between going with the run on the outside or staying close to the winger.

Of course, it cannot just be any left-footed left-back, though, because they have to offer enough of a threat going forward to be considered a threat by the opposition in order to open space for Gassama.

Ouattara only played 12 times in Ligue 1 for Monaco in the 2024/25 campaign, but the French youth international showcased his creative skills in his limited minutes on the pitch.

xA

0.29

Top 5%

Chances created

1.38

Top 17%

Successful crosses

1.62

Top 7%

Cross accuracy

41.2%

Top 9%

Successful dribbles

1.15

Top 12%

Assists

0.23

Top 9%

As you can see in the table above, the Rangers transfer target has the potential to be an exceptional attacking threat down the left wing with overlapping runs, as he is an efficient and effective crosser who can create high-quality chances for his teammates.

The left-back, who has been described as a “very offensive” full-back by writer Kai Watson, would be able to draw attention away from Gassama and, therefore, create more space for the winger to work with.

This could help to unlock the former Owls star’s full potential at Ibrox, as he would not be overrun by opposition defenders because of the lack of support from Aarons when teams sit in deep.

It is now down to Rangers to get a deal done for Ouattara in the coming weeks, because the talented and attack-minded full-back could be a dream addition to bomb down the left flank in support of Gassama this season.

Warwickshire’s winless season continues despite setting visitors 369 on final day

ECB Reporters Network25-Aug-2024Jack Leach gave England’s selectors a reminder of his skills as Somerset’s Vitality Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston ended in a rain-affected draw.The left-arm spinner has been overlooked by England in favour of Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir since the opening Test against India in Hyderabad in January but chose a dark day in Birmingham to prove that his talents still shine brightly.On a pitch offering only slight turn, Leach took five wickets for 18 runs in 49 balls, finishing with 5 for 77, to truncate Warwickshire’s second innings at 270, Alex Davies leading the way for the home side with 131 from 225 balls.The 33-year-old’s work set up a potentially exciting final afternoon with Somerset, facing a target of 369 from 68 overs. They were on 13 without loss at lunch only for the rain, which robbed the match of 51 overs on the third day, to return. The loss of another ten overs turned the chase from improbable to impossible and Somerset ended on 206 for 4 (James Rew 55 not out from 24 balls).The draw cost Somerset valuable ground on Division One leaders Surrey who beat Lancashire at The Oval. For relegation-threatened Warwickshire, the frustration was deep after rain prevented them from trying to turn a strong position into their first victory of the season. They remain the only team in Division One without a win, though they have a good chance to change that situation next week when bottom-of-the-table Kent visit Edgbaston.Warwickshire resumed on the final morning on 179 for 5, 277 ahead, and advanced to 218 before Leach unpicked the lower order. He started the slide with three wickets for nine runs in 18 balls. Davies, having compiled a measured century, his 11th in first-class cricket, went back to a full-length ball and was bowled. Dan Mousley charged at one cleverly delivered wide on the off side and was stumped. Michael Rae was bowled second ball, heaving to leg.Olly Hannon Dalby edged to wicketkeeper Rew before Michael Burgess, one of the better No. 8s in county cricket history, left with only the tail for company, lifted to extra cover to complete Leach’s 27th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.Warwickshire’s collapse gave the visitors a glimmer of opportunity. Six weeks earlier, Somerset had amassed 410 for 5 – their second-highest ever run chase – to beat the Bears at Taunton, so a target of 369 did not daunt them. They started purposefully but then yet another rain interruption sentenced the match to stalemate.Openers Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Andy Umeed were caught at deep midwicket. Tom Lammonby and Tom Banton perished to faulty pulls at Rae. Rew helped himself to a 23-ball half-century as match meandered to a draw before the light mercifully closed in once and for all and the tiny crowd departed wondering if, entertainment-wise, they would have been better off salmon-fishing in Sasolburg.

It’s not easy to make an impact when you face only a few balls and bowl a few overs, but the England allrounder is determined to fulfil that role during the World Cup

Sidharth Monga24-Jun-2024Liam Livingstone has batted just 33 balls in three innings at three venues during this T20 World Cup. He has 61 runs at a strike-rate of 184.84 but he is a disappointed man. Welcome to the world of a lower-middle order batter in a short and sharp tournament in atypical conditions characterised by slower pitches. He is most disappointed with his 33 off 17 against South Africa, when he hit a full toss into a strong wind, leaving England needing 25 off 16.They didn’t make it. The next game a must-win for England in which Livingstone didn’t get to bat but played a role with the ball: his offbreaks to left-hand batters and legbreaks to right-hand batters yielded 4-0-24-1.The thing on slower pitches is that the top order tries to bat deeper, the No. 7 gets to bat either in crisis or when it’s time to go, go, go, and has to adjust to many variables that are hard to train for. After that four-over spell against USA, Livingstone was asked whether he felt like he is the tournament.”It’s a bit different,” Livingstone said. “I don’t really have the most glamorous role in this team, to be honest. I guess my role in the team is to be there, bang on it whenever I’m needed. And even the game against the West Indies, having bowled that one over, getting the wicket of Rovman Powell, I’d probably rather take that 1 for 20 than none for 4 or something.”It’s a different role to what I’ve been used to my whole career. It’s something that takes a bit of getting used to more mentally than anything else, and that’s why I was so disappointed the other day that I didn’t finish it off against South Africa because I felt like that was my time in the tournament, my chance in the tournament to really win us a game. Hopefully there’s a time still to come.”It’s different: bowl when I’m needed, don’t always bat in the games that are finished quite quickly. I guess it’s more a mental challenge for me over the last few months of making sure that I’m right on it whenever I’m needed.”Liam Livingstone has faced only 33 balls in three innings during this T20 World Cup•ICC/Getty ImagesIt is difficult because elite cricketers are ultra-competitive athletes who have made it this far by getting involved in every bit of play they can. “As a kid, I always wanted to be involved,” Livingstone said. “That’s the reason I started bowling a few years back. Bating at seven and bowling one over every couple of games or whatever … that’s where the hard bit comes because you want to try and get involved in the game. But yeah, it’s the role that I’m playing in this team and the best way for me to do well for the team is making sure that I’m right on it whenever I’m needed.”Thankfully the last two games I feel like I struck the ball pretty well against South Africa and I feel like I bowled pretty well today. So I guess they’re the last two performances with bat and ball. I feel like I’m in a really good place. So who knows, hopefully I’m not needed in the next two games and we can win a World Cup, but if I am needed, I feel like I’m in a decent place.”When that rare chance comes, though you strike the ball well, you are expected to finish the game, which Livingstone didn’t. But the fact is that nobody has aggregated 100 runs batting at Nos. 6 and 7 this World Cup.”Look, I’m in the team to finish off games with the bat and try and get wickets with the ball when we feel like we’re struggling for one,” Livingstone said. “So yeah, I’m always going to be harsh on myself. I had the chance to finish the game off the other day and didn’t quite do it. But yeah, I feel like I was hitting the ball really well. I felt like I was bowling really well. I guess the most pleasing thing for me over the last two or three years is my body feels really good, and that’s the biggest pleasing thing for me. If there’s an opportunity to affect a game of cricket over the next one or two games, then hopefully I’m ready to do that.”It’s difficult to train for such a role too. Without giving away secrets, Livingstone shed some light on his process. “Anything that you do for a living, you’ve got to find a way to train for that,” he said. “My training’s been a bit different. You’ve got to try and put yourself in pressure situations. Having Polly [Kieron Pollard] around has made things a little bit easier for me, having someone who’s done the role for so long, being able to speak to him about that. I guess I’ve kind of enjoyed the challenge of not getting loads of opportunities, but when it comes, trying to make sure I can deliver.”The physical challenge of this role often doesn’t get spoken about. Livingstone nearly did his knee at the IPL two years ago. He almost injured his side in this tournament. “Touch wood, a lot of wood,” Livingstone said when asked if his side was fine. “Yeah, my knee’s been really good. I had the same sort of thing in an IPL a couple of years ago when I missed the ball, and I think it comes from sitting down for a couple of hours and then trying to hit the ball out the ground first ball.”Yeah, my side feels alright. My knee is really good, which is most pleasing thing for me. So fingers crossed, the last couple of years of niggles are behind me and I’m back enjoying my cricket and that’s the main thing for me. So playing with a smile on my face, which is something that I always used to do.”

Arsenal are ready to spend big this summer and could now gain the upper hand on Chelsea in pursuit of a talented star plying his trade at the Club World Cup, according to a report.

Arsenal ready to make statement signings

The Gunners hope to establish themselves as a frontrunner in the race for the Premier League title and Mikel Arteta is set to be backed this window as high-profile targets are identified at the Emirates Stadium.

In an honest assessment of his former side’s hunt for a striker, Arsenal icon Theo Walcott has pointed out that the club need to pursue someone in Liam Delap’s mould as they search for a new source of goals.

Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are Arsenal’s two main striking targets, and the latter has given his priority to Arteta’s side following an excellent campaign at Sporting.

That development comes in spite of interest from Manchester United, which will undoubtedly provoke optimism among a support desperate to see the final piece of the jigsaw added over the coming months.

Arsenal approach £170k-per-week forward with Berta ready to pay £53m

The Gunners are making “real moves” for him.

3 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 14, 2025

However, it has to be taken into account that signing a forward isn’t the only requirement to exceed their rivals’ points tally next season; you also need an effective foil to maximise attacking output across the board.

With that in mind, Arsenal now have a winger on their radar that they could steal from under the nose of rivals Chelsea, according to reports.

Arsenal prepare bid to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal are preparing a bid to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, and he is viewed internally as someone who would fit their philosophy to develop talent over the long-term.

Berta and company are ready to put forward an offer that could amount to roughly £42.5 million, while Chelsea have also been heavily linked with Gittens and came close to signing him before the Club World Cup registration window closed. There have even been claims the Blues still want him and could make a new bid in days.

Jamie Gittens in 2024/25 – Bundesliga (FBRef)

Shot-creating actions

73

Goals-creating actions

10

Progressive carries per 90

5.53

Touches in opposition penalty area per 90

5.53

Successful take-ons per 90

3.57

Labelled “fantastic” by Nuri Sahin, the England Under-21 international registered 12 goals and five assists as Borussia Dortmund left it late to secure Champions League qualification.

Bukayo Saka’s injury issues throughout the campaign demonstrated that additional depth is needed for the Gunners to juggle domestic and European endeavours. Taking that into consideration, what better way for Arsenal to secure another talented outlet out wide than to beat Chelsea to Gittens’ signature.