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Leeds United have now submitted a £12m offer to sign an “unbelievable” player, with an agreement also being reached on personal terms, reliable reporter David Ornstein has revealed.

Leeds vying to sign new midfielders

Having missed out on Habib Diarra to fellow promoted side Sunderland, Leeds have been forced to move on to alternative central midfield targets, and it is looking increasingly likely that there could be multiple additions in the engine room.

Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach is of particular interest, with the Whites now growing more confident they will be able to complete a deal for the German, while they have also set their sights on several players who boast Premier League experience.

Newcastle United’s Joe Willock is one of the players on the shortlist, although Crystal Palace may have an advantage in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, given that he is believed to favour a move to the capital this summer.

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Leeds United are in the mix of teams who want to sign a highly rated midfielder.

2 ByBrett Worthington Jul 7, 2025

Consequently, Daniel Farke’s side have seemingly made little progress in their pursuit of Willock, but they are now stepping up their pursuit of a different Newcastle midfielder.

That is according to an update from Ornstein on X, with the reporter revealing that Leeds are “pushing to sign Sean Longstaff”, having recently submitted a £12m offer for his services.

The latest bid is believed to be “close to the limit” before the West Yorkshire outfit decide to move on to other targets, but they are yet to receive a reply from the Magpies.

With personal terms already “in place”, the deal could move quickly if the offer is accepted, with the Newcastle academy graduate keen for his boyhood club to receive a fee for his services, rather than losing him on a free transfer next summer.

"Unbelievable" Longstaff could be ideal signing for Leeds

The 27-year-old wouldn’t exactly be the flashiest of signings, but he could be the ideal addition to a Leeds squad looking to stabilise as a Premier League club, given his vast experience in the top flight.

During his time with the Magpies, the Englishman has chalked up a total of 171 Premier League appearances, while also being dubbed “unbelievable” by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has also praised the Newcastle maestro for his work-rate and versatility: “He can play in a variety of midfield roles and it’s that ability to get the best out of Bruno (Guimaraes) in that Newcastle midfield. Bruno plays better when Sean Longstaff is behind him, in front of him or alongside him. He can run all day, he’s a great athlete.”

As such, Longstaff clearly has the quality to help Leeds survive in their first season back in the Premier League, and £12m seems like a reasonable fee for his services.

Football is built on gossamer-fine margins, and Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will know that his side came within a whisker of failing to restore their place in the Champions League.

The Toon might have lost to Everton at St. James’ Park on the final day of the Premier League season, but Aston Villa also lost at Old Trafford, thus securing Newcastle’s place among Europe’s elite once again, having also won the Carabao Cup in March.

United won’t be losing Alexander Isak to a rival this summer, but with Callum Wilson at the end of his contract, a new striker is among the biggest priorities for the Tynesiders.

Newcastle leading race for new striker

Howe reportedly wanted his striker addition to be Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, but he’s now set to join Chelsea for £30m.

However, PIF have found an alternative, and have even established the lead in the race.

Transfer Focus

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

As per Italian outlet Calcio Mercato, Fiorentina’s Moise Kean may be on the move this summer, and Newcastle are said to be ‘very interested’ in signing him.

Kean, 25, has also been the subject of enquiries from Serie A champions Napoli, who are deliberating over whether to meet his €52m (about £44m) release clause, which will be active across the first two weeks of July.

Why Newcastle want Moise Kean

Kean flopped like a fish when last trying his skills on Premier League soil, only scoring twice across 32 games for Everton in England’s top flight.

However, he was young and Everton were turbulent. The Italy international re-joined Juventus from Goodison Park in a deal worth £25m (the same ballpark Everton initially paid). Now he is regarded as “the king of kings” for La Viola by those like reporter Mina Rzouki.

His rise has truly been something to behold, and if Kean can translate his sustained form over to Newcastle, he could become a force to be reckoned with, one who could even apply pressure on Isak.

Moise Kean – League Stats by Season (last 5 years)
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
24/25 – Fiorentina	32	19	3
23/24 – Juventus	19	–	–
22/23 – Juventus	28	6	–
21/22 – Juventus	32	5	3
20/21 – PSG	26	13	–
20/21 – Everton	1	–	–
Stats via Transfermarkt

His stratospheric leap into rich form since moving to Florence has been a remarkable thing to witness, scoring 19 league goals last term, but it’s not Kean’s only weapon. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 12% of Serie A forwards this year for successful take-ons per 90.

There’s a power and purpose to his football that echoes Delap’s qualities, the English striker captivating so many suitors this season with his strength and confidence, hailed by Alan Shearer for being a “nuisance to play against.”

Kean, meanwhile, has been praised for his “scary” physical presence by reporter Carlo Garganese.

Newcastle must push hard to get this one done; across all competitions this season, Kean has posted 25 goals, even outscoring supposedly Manchester United-bound Bryan Mbeumo, who has indeed opted to sign for the Red Devils, rejecting Newcastle and more in the process.

Brentford’s Mbeumo, while not a striker, has been one of English football’s finest goalscorers this year, bagging 20 goals from 42 matches.

It’s clear: Newcastle must secure Kean’s signature. After all, they are already in the lead and were willing to spend on Delap. Here is the perfect alternative.

Move over Delap: Newcastle teen is one of the "best prospects in the world"

Newcastle may find a new teenage superstar burst onto the scene next season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 3, 2025

When it comes to brilliant players, Tottenham Hotspur have been blessed with more than their fair share over the last ten years.

The likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were genuinely world-class for the Lilywhites and, as a result, formed one of the best attacking partnerships the Premier League has ever seen.

Likewise, Mousa Dembélé and Cristian Eriksen were sensational in midfield, but someone who arguably doesn’t get the credit he deserves anymore is Dele Alli.

While the Englishman is still struggling to find form in Italy at the moment, he was near enough unstoppable for several years at Tottenham, and based on reports from the last few weeks, Daniel Levy and Co could sign the club their next Dele.

Dele's Spurs career

In February 2015, Tottenham agreed to pay then-League One side MK Dons £5m for an incredibly exciting 18-year-old prospect by the name of Dele.

Transfer Focus

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

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While it usually takes youngsters a number of years to get up to speed in a top-flight team, the Milton Keynes-born gem took no time at all and, by the end of his first campaign in the capital, had racked up an astonishing tally of ten goals and ten assists in just 46 appearances.

Such an explosive start to life at the highest level saw him win the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and he did not stop there, as his sophomore season with the Lilywhites was even better and saw him score 22 goals and provide 12 assists in 50 appearances – enough to win a second successive Young Player of the Year award.

For a while, it looked like the youngster was going to become one of the very best players in the world, someone capable of playing in multiple positions at the highest standard.

However, as we know, that didn’t happen, and after a few seasons of increasingly disappointing performances, Dele moved to Everton in February 2020 – almost five years after signing for the North Londoners.

Dele’s Spurs record

Appearances

269

Minutes

19162′

Goals

67

Assists

58

Goal Involvements per Match

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

153.29′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

The club haven’t had a player like the 37-capped international, but there is a chance they could do so soon.

Spurs' potential new Dele

The last few weeks have seen many talented players linked with moving to Spurs, but perhaps one of the most exciting names, and someone who could be the club’s new Dele, is Xavi Simons.

According to reports from late last week, the North Londoners are ‘favourites’ to land the incredibly talented international from RB Leipzig, although doing so would cost up to £67m.

Described as “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one analyst on social media, what is it about the Dutchman that means he could be the Lilywhites’ new Dele?

Firstly, he is incredibly versatile and can play on either wing, up top, as a second striker and in attacking and central midfield areas, so just like the Englishman, he could thrive just off the centre-forward or deeper if required.

Moreover, just like the former MK Dons gem in his early seasons in North London, the Amsterdam-born “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is an output machine.

Simons recent form

23/24

Simons

Appearances

43

Goals

10

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

24/25

Simons

Appearances

33

Goals

11

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 43 appearances last season, he scored ten goals and provided 15 assists, and in 33 appearances this season, he scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, coming out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 and 1.83 games, respectively.

Finally, and this is rather difficult to prove with statistics, but just like the Englishman was, the former PSG gem is capable of some utterly sublime bits of skill and has scored more than his fair share of brilliant goals for Leipzig and PSV.

Ultimately, Spurs have been crying out for another young talent to come in and have the sort of effect Dele did when he first joined almost a decade ago, and while he’s a little older, Simons could be just that player.

Related Massive Tel upgrade: Spurs ready £38m offer to sign "unstoppable" star

Spurs could sign an upgrade on Tel for £38m this summer.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 27, 2025

Following a campaign full of moments to forget defensively, Manchester United are reportedly prioritising a summer move to sign a central defender who is now a Champions League finalist.

Man Utd's summer wishlist

At risk of sounding like a broken record given how often the Red Devils have been in this exact position in the last decade, Manchester United simply must get this summer right.

The jury is still out on Ruben Amorim, who has had the excuse that these are simply not his players in a system that requires certain profiles to thrive. But that excuse cannot be something to fall back on in the next campaign if the former Sporting Club boss is backed this summer.

If the Manchester United boss is to stand any chance of turning things around in the coming months, then a number of arrivals are needed. And that could yet include the likes of Matheus Cunha and Patrik Schick.

The former would be a particularly impressive signing following an excellent individual campaign at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Single-handedly keeping his side alive at times before Vitor Pereira arrived to turn things around, Cunha is now likely to leave the club this summer courtesy of a reported release clause worth around £63m.

Regarding Manchester United’s interest, recent reports suggest that it is the Red Devils in the driving seat for his signature in what would be a fantastic way to commence a crucial summer.

Man Utd could now be offered £135k-p/w star in exchange for Rasmus Hojlund

United could be about to be offered a new midfield signing to get their struggling striker off the books.

ByBrett Worthington May 8, 2025

Whilst Cunha would undoubtedly provide United with an attacking solution, there would still be plenty of work to do at the other end. Alas, that’s something the Red Devils seem to be well aware of, with signing one particular target now reportedly among their top priorities.

Man Utd prioritising Bisseck move

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now prioritising a move to sign Yann Bisseck this summer and are already considering a formal proposal to sign the central defender.

A Champions League finalist after playing his part in Inter’s stunning 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, Bisseck would be an excellent addition to Amorim’s backline. Among all the goals, the defender played his part across two legs in a starting role in both the away leg and then Tuesday’s San Siro thriller.

Dubbed “dominant” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Bisseck’s experience in a back three would also hand Amorim a perfect option as he looks to solve Manchester United’s defensive problems once and for all.

Whether those at Old Trafford can convince a Champions League finalist into a summer switch to a side currently struggling in the depths of the Premier League will be the big question in the coming months, however.

Pink-ball cricket at Adelaide Oval must be the stuff of Starc’s dreams, and today they added up to career-best figures against an opponent that has traditionally had the better of him

Andrew McGlashan06-Dec-2024It was the roar. Mitchell Starc has celebrated plenty of wickets across his decorated career, but it felt as though this one had a bit more meaning than many. The first delivery thudded into Yashasvi Jaiswal’s pad as the left hander played across it and, for the third time in his career, Starc had a wicket with the first ball of a Test match.The last time a wicket fell to the opening delivery of a men’s Test was when Starc extracted Rory Burns’ leg stump with the opening ball of 2021-22 Ashes at the Gabba. That brought a wild celebration, too, but with the context of this match Jaiswal’s wicket was quite the moment. The noise from a yet-to-be-full Adelaide Oval as he departed was something to behold.There has been a lot said and written both during and after the first Test about Australia’s performance; plenty of it has been fair and balanced – it was a defeat of rare proportions on home soil – but there were extreme views and the usual collection of hot takes among it. Alex Carey talked of some surprise at the reaction, Nathan Lyon said he found parts of it humorous. But the bottom line was, Australia needed a quick response.Related

• Stats – Starc gets to Adelaide fifty, Bumrah to 2024 fifty

They could not, therefore, have asked for a better start than removing the batter who had made 161 in the second innings in Perth. Jaiswal had shown his willingness to get into a duel by suggesting to Starc that he wasn’t bowling fast enough, although in the subsequent press conference spoke of his respect for Starc and thrill of facing him. He had, however, begun Perth with a duck courtesy Starc before making his presence felt. It is shaping as one of the battles of the series.For a little while after the early breakthrough, it appeared as though Australia were losing their way. Scott Boland denied himself a first-ball wicket in his first home Tests for two years when he overstepped having removed KL Rahul – in a bizarre twist Snicko suggested there was no nick despite the batter beginning to walk before the no-ball call. Later in the same over, Usman Khawaja spilled a catch at first slip to give Rahul a second life.Mitchell Starc is a pleased bowler, walking off with a career-best 6 for 48•Associated PressIndia reached 69 for 1 by the final half an hour of the session when Starc returned, having Rahul fending into the gully and then drawing Virat Kohli into edging a rising delivery to second slip in a similar manner to his dismissal in the first innings in Perth. Both Kohli and Starc love Adelaide Oval, but it was the latter who took the honours this time. When Boland trapped Shubman Gill lbw with a full delivery, India were 81 for 4 at the dinner break.On the one hand it was no surprise that Starc was Australia’s main man, but on another it went against the grain. He has a phenomenal record in pink-ball Tests – by the end of innings it read 72 wickets at 17.81, including 4 for 53 in the corresponding Test in 2020-21 – but overall against India in Tests it’s been more of a struggle: before today he had 51 wickets at 38.72 and never more than five in a game. They are comfortably the opponents he’s been least productive against.So, in a sense, it was using one of his favourite combinations – Adelaide and the pink ball – to overcome a more stubborn obstacle. He has been in excellent rhythm this season even if he took some punishment during India’s big second innings in the first Test. “I said last week in Perth, I thought he looked as good as he’s looked in a long time,” Ricky Ponting said on .Midway through the second session Starc returned and for the third time in the day and struck in his opening over in a spell when he trapped R Ashwin lbw with a full delivery which swung back (and also caused some damage to Ashwin’s foot). The movement was again on show when he ripped one through Harshit Rana as he continued producing significant shape with a ball 39 overs old.”Ash’s dismissal was a very good example of why he is so effective with the pink ball,” India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said. “He’s someone who presents the seam nicely. He obviously uses that other ball very well in setting up batters. When the ball swings back to a certain degree – a lesser degree – the batters can generally figure it out. But when you’re guessing on both sides, it makes him far more effective.”When Starc closed India’s innings by ending Nitesh Kumar Reddy’s boisterous counterattack it gave him new career-best figures of 6 for 48. It bettered the 6 for 50 he took against Sri Lanka, in Galle, in 2016, which in a neat twist was the first occasion he had taken a wicket with the first ball of a Test. With his Jaiswal wicket, Starc became the second bowler to achieve the feat three times after Pedro Collins, who has the wonderfully quirky distinction of removing the same batter – Bangladesh’s Hannan Sarkar – on each occasion.Scott Boland got among the wickets after Mitchell Starc started the collapse•Getty ImagesIt was also notable that Starc’s best analysis came in his 91st Test. Only two frontline bowlers have achieved a new high watermark later in their careers in terms of matches played: James Anderson in his 128th outing and Glenn McGrath in his 103rd.But while 180 all out looked like a job well done, we’d been here a couple of weeks ago in Perth when India were bowled out for 150 leaving Australia with the final session to bat. That did not go well for the hosts and here they not only had to contend with Jasprit Bumrah, but also the night-time session.The outcome was as good as could have been hoped for. Usman Khawaja edged Bumrah to slip – meaning his form remains a watching brief – but the inexperienced Nathan McSweeney, on his adopted home ground, and the under-pressure Marnus Labuschagne made it through to the stumps.McSweeney, who was dropped on 3 by Rishabh Pant, had been goaded by Rana during the early stages of his innings, which appeared to lure him into a pull that wasn’t far from being dragged on, but he retained his composure impressively beyond that, even when the floodlights twice when out in quick succession. As the final half hour approached, McSweeney slotted away consecutive boundaries against Reddy, and in the closing moments pulled the chirpy Rana for another.A day that started with a roar for Starc, ended with cheers for a local star doing the hard yards to make sure Starc’s work didn’t go to waste. Australia needed a good day; they had an excellent one.

“Even if I motivated or inspired a few youngsters, then I would be happy. I feel it was worth it: worth the pain”

Nagraj Gollapudi03-Feb-20231:37

Vihari: I’ve never batted left-handed before

Pain, sweat, and at times, glory. Those are things that make the spectacle of sport a joy to watch. Hanuma Vihari had at least one tale to tell before this week through his heroics in the Sydney Test against Australia in 2020-21, when he – along with R Ashwin – battled through pain to take India to a nerve-tangling draw.This week the normally right-handed Vihari made headlines by batting as a left-hander in innings of Andhra’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore after being hit on his left hand by fast bowler Avesh Khan. On Friday, Andhra bowed out of Ranji this season, but Vihari, their captain, spoke to ESPNcricinfo, after the game to talk about why he did what he did.How is your left forearm?
On the first day [of the match], we were batting first, [and] Avesh bowled a short-of-a-length delivery. I fended it off with my left arm, [but] when I got hit, immediately I knew that something was wrong because I had never felt that [kind of] pain before whenever I had got hit [in the past]. I wanted to continue, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t grip the bat.Related

Ajinkya Rahane's story fuels Hanuma Vihari's quest for India comeback

Vihari bats left-handed, holds off Avesh & Co despite fractured forearm

'Knew it was the end of my series; whatever impact I'd have, it had to be then'

So I went off and went for an X-ray. It showed that I had a fracture [in the forearm]. I was devastated because maybe after 113 matches, I’m playing my first quarter-final in the Ranji Trophy. I had waited for so long to play that quarter-final, but that is what it is. The doctor assessed, and [advised] six weeks of rest. Thankfully, I don’t require surgery as of now. I got a plaster done.When did you decide you were going to bat again in the first innings?
When we were 262 for 2, our physio Deep Tomar called me to his room. He told me, “I wouldn’t advise you to bat because if you get hit again, you might need a surgery”. I said, “We are in a good position, so I don’t think I would need to bat”. But next day (day 2), we collapsed to 324 for 4, and then 350 for 7 or 8 [353 for 9]. Then I went and gripped my bat with my left hand, and I couldn’t do it.I looked at my other hand, and then I thought why not try to bat left-handed; just a thought came into my mind. Then I told the coach that I want to try to bat left-handed with one hand. The coach said, “Whatever you feel right, go ahead and do it”. My team-mates helped me actually put on the pads and every protection I needed: chest pad and arm guard. I tried to have a knock in the dressing room itself. I played a few balls [left-handed], then said, “Let me go ahead, and just try and add few runs for the team”.R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari had battled through injuries to draw the Sydney Test in 2020-21•AFP via Getty ImagesHave you batted left-handed ever before at this level?
I’ve not even batted left-handed when we played tennis-ball cricket or in the street when I was young. I had never imagined that in a first-class game – that too in a quarter-final – I would be batting left-handed with a single hand.What compelled you to do it then?
I just wanted to go out in [on] the field and show that I don’t want to just be retired out and not be able to contribute. Even if I got out first ball, it wouldn’t matter, but I just wanted to be there on the ground, show our team that I’m there to fight for the team, [and] if I do that, then the rest ten of us will definitely give their best to win the game for the side. So that was the main intention.And it was an important game for Andhra: we qualified through a tough group, and we came into the quarters, so I wanted to lead by example, showing the right way forward for my team. Actually, we fought hard after that. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way.How light is your bat? It seemed like you were wielding a sweep.
Funnily enough, I didn’t take my bat because my bat is a bit heavier. I took the lightest bat possible in the dressing room.It was Avesh again who you would face first ball. You nicely timed it for a four past the square boundary. Can you talk about the sequence of events around that delivery?
Avesh was running in and bowling quick. He tried to bowl a yorker [first ball], which ended up being a low full toss. So I used the pace, and angled the bat. Luckily, it went to the boundary. But one thing in my mind was to just try and play the stump-line ball. And if he bowls a bouncer, then try to duck it, which is difficult batting left-handed. It was difficult batting right-handed itself, which I couldn’t do in the initial stages [after getting hit on day one]; but doing it with the left hand, [and] with a single hand [was more difficult].”We collapsed quite badly in the second innings. So I had to go in”, Hanuma Vihari on batting despite the injury•AFP/Getty ImagesBut one thing was in my mind that even if I get hit on my body, that doesn’t matter: I’ll play the stump-line ball, and try to play at least 10-15 balls, [and] as much as I could. The fear wasn’t there. Because I knew the basics of batting – whether it’s the right hand or the left hand – I know I can defend the stump-line ball. So I was quite sure about facing fast bowling, and I got out to a spinner later on with the ball turning, which I couldn’t handle with a single hand.In the first innings, at one point it seemed you were able to kind of lightly grip with your bottom hand (left hand)?
I was trying to, but when a bowler was running in, then I removed my left hand because I couldn’t exert any pressure on it. I thought there was no point.Was the opposition surprised watching you bat left-handed?
When I came in at No. 11 [in the first innings], they thought may be I would bat right-handed. But when I took the left-hander’s guard, most of them were surprised. “Is he really doing it?”, that was the kind of expression on their faces. But all the players and even the umpires were appreciative. At the same time they were quite competitive, and didn’t show any sympathy. I wouldn’t expect any sympathy [either], as we were playing a quarter-final.When you came back to bat the second time – as the last man in the second innings – what made you do that? Why did you risk going in?
We didn’t have enough [runs in the second innings] for a start. We collapsed quite badly in the second innings. So I had to go in to bat. I got the plaster [on the left arm] just after lunch. But after the drinks break post-lunch, we collapsed, losing three or four wickets quickly. So after tea, I knew I had to bat; I had to contribute some runs because we were in a tight situation. I thought going in was a right idea. I tried to put the glove in. I just managed to put the glove in, then I just went in and tried to play some shots.Did you need to take an injection as a painkiller?
I took some tablets, but not an injection. I couldn’t really sleep. It was hurting. I slept in patches, but when I have pain I had to get up; it was disturbing.

“The basics of batting helped: how to defend the ball, just watching the ball, and trying to meet the ball, which [though] was a challenge”Vihari on how he managed to bat left-handed despite naturally being a right-hander

You stepped out against spin few times in the second innings. Which was your favorite shot as a left-hander?
I was just trying to play the field (). I was just backing myself to connect a few balls. Actually, I missed quite a few, but luckily enough I connected three balls which went to the boundary. I made up my mind because the offspinner was bowling, and playing right handed is my strength. So I tried to switch [to sweep like a right hander], and play that shot, which went through the gap. The basics of batting helped: how to defend the ball, just watching the ball, and trying to meet the ball, which [though] was a challenge.You had summed up the experience of batting with a strapped right hamstring against Australia in Sydney in 2020-21 as “sweet pain”. How do you describe this one?
If we had ended up winning, I would have still said it was sweet. Although every one of us – the whole Andhra team – gave their best, we collapsed in a session, which is very hurting. But we are proud of the fact that we gave everything for the side. So I wouldn’t be disappointed. Even if I motivated or inspired a few youngsters, then I would be happy. I feel it was worth it: worth the pain.You are bound to be disappointed that Andhra did not make it to the semi-final. But Andhra were not going to make the quarter-final at one point, and you had to erase a tweet which read: “4 wins in 7, but not to be this year. We will come back stronger next year”. So at least you came forward a step?
I am definitely proud of the team for making it to the quarters, but I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied because we have a goal of winning the Ranji Trophy. So we don’t want to restrict or limit ourselves just to the quarter-finals. But next year, we have to make sure we are well prepared, and going all the way and winning the trophy.You have not been part of the Indian Test squad since the one-off Test in England last July. By your standards, you had a lean Ranji season without a century. But still playing this match through pain must give you the satisfaction that you play sport for the joy it brings?
I play sport to win – whether I score a century or whether I’m just contributing to the side. Obviously, any batter will want to get those hundreds and get those big runs in the season. But whether I play for India or whether I play for Andhra, I play to win, even if it’s just batting with one hand or batting with one leg.It is just about going out there, and playing to win and looking at how you have to contribute to the side. That is my main goal when I go into the field. I don’t really look at personal milestones or think about a comeback. I just go out there to win a game for the side.

For all his brilliance with the gloves, judgement on Foakes’ return will be determined by his batting

Andrew Miller15-Feb-20214:02

#AskMatchDay: Is Foakes the best wicketkeeper in the world?

When done right, some things in life – like a proper wet shave with a cut-throat razor, or cooking your roast potatoes in goose fat – can be so luxuriously perfect that, in that precise instance in which you sit back and go “aaah!”, you vow to yourself you will never, ever again settle for anything less than the very, very best a man can get.But then, life gets in the way, and the impracticality of your peccadillo catches up with you at inopportune moments, and you end up just settling for a Bic and some cooking oil. And you know what? They do a perfectly adequate job. A blemish here and there on your mildly fuzzy cheeks, perhaps, and maybe a fractionally less satisfying crunch to your spud. But who’s really paying attention when, as everyone knows, it’s the quality of the gravy that truly defines your beef?Such were the circumstances that defined Ben Foakes’ efforts on the third morning at Chennai, as he produced one of the most lasciviously futile masterclasses imaginable.Much like his matinee-idol teeth, Foakes’ efforts all Test long have been close to spotless. In the first innings, his unshowy excellence contributed to a new world record – the highest total ever conceded without a single extra – while in the second, the same pillowy soft hands that have served his bowlers so well behind the sticks gave England a glimmer of resistance in front of them too, as he dug in to top-score with 42 unflustered, unbeaten runs, even as his team-mates were fleeing the lava-pit.

England didn't concede a single extra in India's first innings https://t.co/2gdS0mtK6k #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/rDmR8jnWTy

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 14, 2021