Cape Cobras made a strong start to the season by completing a commanding 10-wicket win over Lions in their domestic season opener in Potchefstroom. Cobras racked up a mammoth 543 in the first innings the foundation of which was laid by a 188-run opening stand between Andrew Puttick and Alistair Gray. Puttick went to score 194 making sure that a good start wasn’t wasted. An unbeaten 97 by wicketkeeper Dane Vilas then took the Cobras past 500. Imran Tahir, with 5 for 176, was the most successful bowler for Lions.In reply, Lions made a good start to put up 125 for 1, but the batsmen failed to build on the starts and Lions were forced to follow on as the innings collapsed on 210. In Lions’ second innings, Quinton de Kock matched the effort of Cobras top-scorer with 194 runs and received some support from Neil McKenzie, who scored 51. But de Kock fell to the offspin for Dale Piedt, who went on to pick up his fifth five-wicket haul. Lions’ second innings folded on 339, giving Cobras a target of seven runs which they achieved without any loss.Knights and Titans played out a draw at the De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley, but Knights picked up more points after gaining a substantial first-innings lead. After choosing to bat, Knights recovered from a precarious position at 59 for 4 to post a formidable 455. This was made possible by a 259-run fifth-wicket stand between Ryan Bailey, who achieved a career-best of 220, and captain Morne van Wyk, who made 133. Seamer Ethy Mbhalati picked up 6 for 98, his best first-class figures.In their response, Titans conceded a lead of 155. Three of their batsmen – Jacques Rudolph, Heino Kuhn and Roelof van der Merwe – scored half-centuries but none was able to push on. The innings wickets were shared by seamers Ryan McLaren and Quinton Friend, both bagging a five-for.The Knights pushed the lead past 400 in their second innings, opener Reeza Hendricks making 53 and Obus Pienaar top-scoring with 80. The innings folded for 246, with Mbhalati picking five more to finish with 11 in the match. Titans were given in excess of 40 overs to battle in the fourth innings. They played out 46, finishing with 159 for 4 and settling for the draw.
An errant decade or so of transfer dealings has seen Manchester United regularly splash the cash on expensive, high-profile names, while also overlooking possible bargain, astute deals for future superstars.
In that latter category, there are almost too many missed opportunities to count, having failed to heed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s advice regarding a £4m-rated teenager named Erling Haaland, while also rejecting the chance to sign Benjamin Sesko for just £2.5m back in 2019.
With regard to midfielders, journalist Andy Mitten has revealed that United also snubbed the opportunity to sign Adam Wharton, prior to his £20m switch to Crystal Palace in January 2024, while the Red Devils had previously backed away from a bargain deal for a little-known Ecuadorian teenager named Moises Caicedo.
The consequence? The new INEOS and Ruben Amorim regime remains in desperate need of midfield solutions, with it likely to prove far more costly to solve those problems this month.
Man Utd targeting Carlos Baleba alternatives
After those ‘what if’ scenarios with regard to Wharton and Caicedo in recent years, United now enter 2026 looking likely to have to pay a premium for a genuine midfield upgrade, namely Carlos Baleba.
As reported by Sky Sports, INEOS have been exploring the conditions of a potential deal for Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon teammate, albeit with no move set to take place this month.
Brighton and Hove Albion appear unwilling to let their 21-year-old sensation leave mid-season, having also reportedly slapped a £100m plus price tag on his head over the summer.
That same Sky Sports report does indicate that other more left-field midfield targets are being considered, however, with United said to be keeping tabs on Lille starlet, Ayyoubd Bouaddi.
The 18-year-old is one of the ‘younger prospects’ that the Old Trafford side have in mind, should they opt against moving for the likes of Baleba, Wharton and Elliot Anderson, who are deemed to be the ‘top targets’.
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No price tag is given with regard to the teenage Bouaddi, although recent speculation suggested he could still command a fee of around £52m.
Why Bouaddi could be an ideal Baleba alternative
For so long, as already explained, United’s model has appeared to be to almost wait and see how promising players fare at other Premier League clubs, rather than seeking to nurture that talent themselves.
That, evidently, has been the case with the likes of Wharton and Caicedo, while the club were also said to have been scouting Baleba in 2023, prior to joining Brighton for around £23m that summer.
While a deal for another Lille sensation, Bouaddi, may require greater investment, it could see United skip out the middle man on this occasion, rather than allowing a club like the Seagulls to steal a march instead.
Signing such a young talent, at a time when Amorim is in desperate need of a midfield upgrade, is a risk, although the Baleba-style potential is already there, with Bouaddi lauded as a “world-class talent” by scout Jacek Kulig.
The teenage Frenchman doesn’t turn 19 until October, yet he has already made 74 senior appearances for the Ligue 1 side, registering four assists in that time from his central midfield berth.
Potentially set to follow in Leny Yoro’s footsteps by trading Lille for Manchester, the France U21 international has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, 14 of which have come in the league, ranking highly across a string of metrics in comparison to his Ligue 1 peers.
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Indeed, as per FBref, Bouaddi ranks in the top 8% for successful take-ons and the top 16% for touches in the attacking penalty area, while also ranking in the top 1% for blocks per 90, highlighting that all-round quality to his game.
Most valuable U18s in Europe
Player
Club
Value
Lamine Yamal
Barcelona
£174m
Estevao
Chelsea
£70m
Pau Cubarsi
Barcelona
£70m
Lennart Karl
Bayern
£52m
Franco Mastantuono
Real Madrid
£44m
Geovany Quenda
Sporting
£39m
Ayyoud Bouaddi
Lille
£35m
Rodrigo Mora
Porto
£35m
Luka Vuskovic
Spurs (Hamburg)
£35m
Ethan Nwanier
Arsenal
£35m
via Transfermarkt
More broadly, among those in his position in Europe’s top five leagues, the £52m diamond ranks in the top 6% for successful take-ons, showcasing his innate ball-carrying prowess from deep.
It may appear too soon for a Premier League switch, although Baleba actually made the move to the Amex after just 23 senior games at Lille, with the then-19-year-old now arguably “one of the best midfielders in the league”, in the view of Como scout Ben Mattinson.
There is a pathway there for Bouaddi to follow, although rather than watching the teenager potentially thrive elsewhere, INEOS should be brave enough to strike now, instead of being left to regret it later down the line.
Watch out Yoro & Heaven: Man Utd now targeting "monster" £35m signing
This Man Utd target could add more competition for places
It’s been a while since Surrey had a young tearaway fast bowler of West Indian heritage. Sylvester Clarke terrorised the circuit for nine, bruising years between 1979 and 1988; Joey Benjamin, a one-cap wonder for England, lacked the menace of his namesakes, Winston and Kenny, and Chris Lewis – returning to the club aged 40 – was no more than nippy, even in his pomp. For all Alex Tudor’s riches of talent, the ability to stay injury-free utterly eluded him.Now, however, they have Chris Jordan, a 19-year-old from Barbados who possesses all the attributes a West Indian fast bowler should, and can qualify for England through his English grandmother who lives in Hertfordshire. A smooth and rhythmical run-up, with emphasis on into the crease, his whippy arm action is not dissimilar to Simon Jones’ in his early days, and nor is the speed generated. He is not yet consistently blistering, but some at The Oval believe he is already nudging 90mph.One man who can testify to his speed is Neil Killeen, who Jordan pinged on the elbow last week in Surrey’s drawn match against Durham. Jordan then cleaned up Killeen and Mark Davies with classical yorkers in an exhibition of how to polish off the tail, picking up 3 for 32 from 11.3 overs.It comes as a surprise, then, to learn that fast bowling is a relatively new concept for him. “Fast bowling came on when I was 16 or 17, about three years ago,” he said. “I started to get strong, taller and suddenly I could bowl fast. Before that, I was more-or-less a medium pacer and the keeper used to stand up to the stumps.”Jordan was born and raised in Barbados, educated at Combermere School – the same establishment who produced two of West Indies’ absolute finest, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell. “My coach at Combermere in Barbados mentioned there was a scholarship at Dulwich College and asked if I’d be interested and, of course, I said yes. I played in a game with Mr Athey [Dulwich coach and former England batsman Bill Athey] in a PRO AM tournament in Barbados which is conducted every November. I played more or less as a trialist, did quite well – didn’t take any wickets but I scored about 30. Two weeks later I was at Dulwich College.”What is a West Indian fast bowler of obvious natural riches doing in England? The question is obvious; the answer even more obvious though vaguely depressing. Clive Lloyd, who spends a lot of his life in Britain but whose heart will always lie in the Caribbean, is clear. “If we [West Indies] had a proper youth academy, it wouldn’t have happened,” he told Cricinfo. “I saw him play against Lancashire last season and was quite impressed. He looks a very good prospect and can bat, bowl and field. I did try to get his phone number, and I spoke with the Surrey coach, but I’ve not been in regular contact with him [Jordan].”The word at Surrey is Lloyd and other eminent West Indians are keen, if not desperate, to persuade Jordan back to his homeland. Surrey have tied him down for another two seasons, and though he seems to be revelling in the added responsibility of playing first-team cricket, he won’t be moved as to where his allegiances lie.”It’s not a matter of coming to a decision really,” he says, with a hint of weariness. “I’m certainly not thinking about it – yet, anyway. When the bridge comes for me to cross it, I will have to make the correct decision. I have to take things day by day.”Jordan’s heart clearly belongs to his birth country, but is that enough in these days of player-power, year-long contracts and fat salaries? The race is on between England and West Indies, and it’s obvious who has stolen the lead on Jordan.
Come September, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to undergo major changes, and at the heart of it all is the search for a new president. Jagmohan Dalmiya has served out his term, and is constitutionally ineligible to seek re-election. Predictably, the matter of succession is proving to be thorny one.While no clear picture has emerged yet, it would be fair to say that there are two major contenders for the top slot: Ranbir Singh Mahendra and Arun Jaitley. Both men have strong political affiliations. And while Dalmiya can longer be the king, he is all set to play the role of the kingmaker.Jaitley, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a cabinet minister in the previous government, enjoys a higher personal standing than his rival, but that might not be enough to win him the job if the matter went to vote. Jaitley is learnt to be averse to the idea of risking defeat in an election. At the very least, he would need Dalmiya’s unequivocal backing, which would be enough to see him through. But in the absence of a clear word from Dalmiya, Ranbir Singh, currently a vice-president of the board, and the son of Bansi Lal, the former chief minister of Haryana, seems to be a front-runner. He has no qualms about fighting an election.In the last BCCI election, Dalmiya had defeated AC Muthiah of Tamil Nadu, who, incidentally, had come to office with the backing of Dalmiya, then the president of the ICC. However, Muthiah was denied the customary one-year extension after his two-year term came to an end, as Dalmiya, back from the ICC, forced an election. Dalmiya, of course had no problems in securing an extension for himself.It is unlikely, however, that Dalmiya will walk into the sunset. A move is afoot already to install him as the patron-in-chief of the cricket board, a provision for which already exists in the constitution of the board. A proposal to this effect was mooted by the Assam Cricket Association at the BCCI working committee meeting last July, and it has been endorsed by several others. It is learnt that the new position would empower Dalmiya to represent BCCI at ICC meetings, and play a prominent role in dealing various rights.While his detractors see this as a move by Dalmiya to retain a vice-like grip on the board, his supporters point out that the position is well deserved, given his track record. Inarguably, the finances of the BCCI have soared under Dalmiya. When he entered the BCCI as secretary in 1992-93, the board balance sheet showed a deficit of Rs81.60lakh. (Rs1lakh is equal to approximately US$2100, and 100 lakhs make 1 crore.) By the end of the next financial year, the board had declared a working profit of Rs15.34lakh, and today it has a turnover of Rs100crore, which, Dalmiya has predicted, will reach Rs365crore on the back of a three-year television deal in the excess of Rs1000crore.The stakes have never been higher.
The Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) annual general meeting at the Eden Gardens began this evening amidst unprecedented security.Jagmohan Dalmiya, CAB president, is locked in a prestige fight with Prasun Mukherjee, the Kolkata police commissioner, who has the backing of West Bengal chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, for the post of president.The elections, which have generated interest across the country following Bhattacharjee’s statement on June 19 that he wanted Dalmiya to stay out of the presidential contest, is the fourth item on the agenda.Dalmiya filed his nomination on July 21 ignoring Bhattacharjee’s express wish that he stay away from the contest. In a break from CAB tradition, polling for all the posts – president, two joint secretaries, treasurer, and four vice presidents – would be held simultaneously, under court-appointed observer Justice (retd) S K Phoujdar. The results would be announced together.Heavyweights from several fields are participating in the AGM which would see 118 affiliate units of the CAB voting to elect the office bearers of the game’s governing body in the state.Among those present are Ajit Panja, Trinamool Congress leader and former union minister, M J Akbar, Editor-in-chief of , Srinjoy Bose, Executive Editor of , besides several political leaders and police officials.&
VVS Laxman served the Indian selectors a timely reminder of his batting prowess, scoring a 111-ball 101 in a practice game between Rahul Dravid XI and Virender Sehwag XI at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Laxman, one of the probables for the squad to be picked for the tri-series in Sri Lanka, helped Sehwag XI score 226 for 8 in 45 overs, but useful contributions from Yuvraj Singh (56), Suresh Raina (38), MS Dhoni (35) and Neeraj Patel (34) helped Dravid XI reach the target in just 32.4 overs.Fourteen players were named in each team in a game meant primarily to give the players match practice. The most notable failure of the day was Rahul Dravid, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Lakshmipathy Balaji. Among the bowlers, Irfan Pathan, Amit Bhandari and Sreeshanth took a couple of wickets each for Dravid XI, while JP Yadav put in a solid all-round performance for Sehwag XI, scoring 30 and taking 2 for 24.The teams will play another practice game on Sunday, this one being a benefit match for David Johnson. The squad for the tour to Sri Lanka will be announced on Monday, July 18.
New Zealand v South Africa – play abandoned due to rain ScorecardThe storms that had been scheduled to hit North Island duly did, and the fifth one-day international between New Zealand and South Africa, at Auckland, was rescheduled for tomorrow.New Zealand lead the series 3-1, and South Africa desperately need to win this match if they are to have any chance of drawing level in the six-match series. The rescheduled match is to be a day game, not a day-nighter.
A billion people in India, 15 cricketers in Southern Africa and one coach will sleep well on Wednesday night after India rolled Zimbabwe over by 83 runs to take four points from their third game of the 2003 World Cup. Amidst massive recriminations, stone-throwing at cars, burning of effigies and passionate pleas, the Indian team showed that all was not certainly lost with a performance that will silence most critics. It was not an altogether emphatic win against one of the lesser sides in the game, but it certainly set India on the road to recovery.When former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Pycroft spoke to the two captains at the toss, there was a hint of hesitation in Sourav Ganguly’s voice. Yes, India had lost the toss, but no, it didn’t matter much as India would have batted first anyway.With Andy Blignaut fully fit and back in the side at the expense of Henry Olonga, the Indians had one less thing to worry about. This showed as Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar walked out to the middle. The pair seemed to know what was needed and restrained themselves as Heath Streak bowled a probing line. Moving the ball both ways, the Zimbabwean skipper posed many questions. The opening pair, however, sensed that it was do-or-die time and posted their best stand in a long while.Using the first 15 overs to good effect, the pair added 99 for the first wicket, safely seeing off the new ball. It was first-change bowler Guy Whittall provided his skipper with the first breakthrough as Sehwag (36) feathered an edge to Tatenda Taibu, standing up to the stumps.Dinesh Mongia, coming in at number three in the re-shuffled batting line-up, looked to bat himself in and play around Tendulkar. The little man from Mumbai, who only yesterday appealed to Indian fans to keep the faith, was in good touch. After he got a good measure of the bowling, Tendulkar sent the ball scurrying off the meat of the bat, beating the field at will.Mongia, however, seemed to get tied down by the Zimbabwean bowling, facing as many as 37 balls for his 12 before holing out to Douglas Hondo at long on off the left-arm spin of Grant Flower.Two balls later, Grant Flower produced the ball of the match, slipping a well-flighted delivery through the defences of Tendulkar. Neither forward nor back, a confused Tendulkar saw his stumps pegged back against the grain of play. By this stage, though, Tendulkar had notched up 81 from 91 balls with 10 boundaries.Rahul Dravid then paired up with Ganguly to shore up the middle order after the Grant Flower double-blow. While nowhere near his best, Dravid stuck it out in the middle, inadvertently doing India’s cause a great deal of good, when a scorching off-drive took out Grant Flower. Attempting to stop the drive, Grant Flower badly injured a finger on his bowling hand and went off the field.Ganguly hardly appeared his usual self - and one could not really blame the skipper, given the indifferent form he has been in. However, one straight six off leggie Brian Murphy illustrated what Ganguly has been saying so often – that he and India are just one good day away from turning things around. Ganguly (24) however gave comeback man Blignaut his only wicket of the day when he presented Streak with a relatively straightforward catch soon after that mighty six.Yuvraj Singh fell early once more, and it was left to Dravid and Mohammad Kaif to give the Indian innings some much needed impetus towards the death. Striking one magnificent six over mid-off, Kaif made a 24-ball 25, while Dravid drove and swatted his way to an unbeaten 43, helping India to 255 for seven from 50 overs.After Javagal Srinath sent back Mark Vermeulen in just the first over of the run-chase, the Indian camp heaved a huge sigh of relief. Summoning up resources built over years of bowling medium-pace, Srinath kept a tight line and length, giving the Zimbabwean batsmen few deliveries to score off. He was rewarded again in the ninth over when Craig Wishart dragged one back onto his stumps.At 23 for two, Zimbabwe had gotten off to a start they could ill afford in pursuit of 256 on a wicket that was not exactly ideal for batting, with spongy bounce keeping the batsmen guessing.The best batsman of the home side, Andy Flower, was unusually reticent, unable to strike the ball cleanly. With pressure on him to shepherd the Zimbabwean innings towards competitiveness, Andy Flower found the going tough. More than once the Indians attempted run-outs and missed, and once a loud shout for a catch behind was turned down.When his trademark reverse sweep failed him, it was clear that it was not to be Andy Flower’s day. Trying to be a touch too cute, Flower swept and missed a Harbhajan Singh off-break to be bowled around his legs for 22 off 53 balls.Grant Flower and Dion Ebrahim put together 35 for the fourth wicket before a Ganguly double breakthrough gave India first hints of victory. Grant Flower and Ebrahim both hit catches to the outfield off the fourth and fifth balls of the 24th over, and Zimbabwe were in all manner of trouble at 83 for five.Even the most optimistic of Zimbabwean supporters at the picturesque Harare Sports Club ground would have given up hope at this stage. Despite contributions from several lower-order batsmen, Zimbabwe were never really in the hunt as the Indians picked wickets at regular intervals. In the end – and it came in the 45th over – Zimbabwe were all out for 172, giving India a comfortable 83-run win. Srinath, with two for 14 from eight overs, was easily the pick of the Indian bowlers.Most notable about this win was that, at the fall of every wicket, the Indians huddled together, talking animatedly, pumping fists and displaying the kind of unity that bodes well for the team. “I know we did badly against Australia but I think some of the reactions to our performance in that game were extreme,”said Ganguly at the end of the game. “We were getting into huddles because we needed to support each other during a tough period. After all, we weren’t getting much support from outside the team,” said the skipper with a wry smile.But the Indian populace is the kind that can and will change its tune more swiftly and more times than a jukebox in a crowded pub. More than pleasing its fans, though, this victory simply furthers India’s chances of progressing to the Super Six stage.
Several Hampshire Under-16 batsmen shone in the two closely-fought 50-over duels with their Welsh counterparts at BAT’s Southern Gardens ground.Alex Richardson and Peter Hammond both compiled half-centuries in the initial three-run win over Wales, who held on against a lively assault from New Milton’s richly talented David Wheeler to sneak a revenge four-run victory in the second game.Scores -Hampshire 215-3 (Richardson 61, Hammond 52, Noble 32) Wales 212-9 (Rees 56). Hampshire won by 3 runs.Wales 212 (Rees 78) Hampshire 208-6 (Wheeler 61, Manning 47, Hammond 44, Rees 5-31). Wales won by 4 runs.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Everton are set to step up their pursuit of Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi.
What’s the story?
The January transfer window is an important one for the Toffees, with new boss Sam Allardyce getting a chance to stamp his own authority on a squad hastily assembled by Ronald Koeman.
One area that could do with strengthening is midfield and it appears that Allardyce is homing in on one of his top targets.
The Daily Mail report that Everton are set to ramp up their efforts to sign Sevilla star Steven N’Zonzi over the next 48 hours, with a £25m move in the offing.
The paper say that the club are hoping to do their business early in the transfer window and that N’Zonzi is keen on the switch to Merseyside after a falling out with the club.
What will he offer?
N’Zonzi has significant playing experience behind him at 29-years-old and at Sevilla has proven to be an elite midfielder at the top level, with excellent technical ability and a physical presence that should enhance Everton’s midfield in a defensive sense.
His form has been that good at the La Liga club over the last year that he gained his first ever caps for the French national team in November, featuring in matches against Germany and Wales.
Spending six seasons in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, he won’t need time to adjust to life at Everton and can immediately improve Sam Allardyce’s first team.
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The reported £25m is good value for a quality UEFA Champions League player at his peak and Everton should waste no time in capitalising on his fall out with Sevilla.