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The openings were created when Devon Conway and Finn Allen opted out of their deals to play T20 leagues

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-2024

Allrounders Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson have been handed New Zealand central contracts, filling the spots vacated by Devon Conway and Finn Allen declining deals last month.Clarkson, the 27-year-old middle-order batter and medium-pace bowler, has played three ODIs and T20Is while 26-year-old Smith has yet to make his international debut.Related

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Smith was the leading wicket-taker in last season’s Plunket Shield with 33 at 17.18 for champions Wellington. He also represented Worcestershire this season where he claimed 27 wickets at 21.14 in seven County Championship matches alongside making three half-centuries and took eight wickets in nine T20 Blast games before he was forced home with a hamstring injury.”Nathan’s been on our radar for a while having been a significant performer in domestic cricket for some time,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead. “He’s been particularly impressive in red-ball cricket and we think he has the skills to be successful in international cricket when he gets a chance.”New Zealand Men’s central contracts for 2024-25•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Clarkson, meanwhile, featured in series against Bangladesh, Australia and Pakistan last season.”Josh has been involved in both white ball squads over the past twelve months which shows the strides he’s made in his game,” Stead said. “He’s a hard-hitting player with plenty of skills and has shown in his chances so far that he can offer a lot with bat and ball on the international stage. Josh will provide depth and adds value given the volume of white ball cricket on the horizon.”The vacancies on the contract list arose when Conway and Allen opted out in order to take up T20 league deals during January. Conway, who will play in the SA20 for Joburg Super Kings, was offered a casual playing contract, the same model given Kane Williamson. Allen, who signed a two-year deal with Perth Scorchers in the BBL, wasn’t provided the same option but will remain eligible or selection on a case-by-case basis.New Zealand return to action next week with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida before traveling to Sri Lanka for two Tests then India for three.Updated New Zealand Men’s central contractsTom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young

Dupavillon and Brown strike with ball to inflict rare defeat on midlands neighbours

ECB Reporters Network07-Jun-2024

Derbyshire 198 for 6 (Madsen 53, Stone 3-42) beat Nottinghamshire 102 (Dupavillon 3-15, Brown 3-17, Whiteley 3-23) by 96 runsDerbyshire Falcons celebrated a T20 victory over Notts Outlaws for the first time in nine years when they crushed their local rivals by 96 runs in the Vitality Blast North Group match at Derby.Superb batting from Wayne Madsen, who made 53 off 32 balls, and a destructive 46 off only 16 by Ross Whiteley lifted the Falcons from 76 for 4 after 10 overs to 198 for 6.Daryn Dupavillon then blew away the top order as Outlaws slumped to 36 for 4 and they never recovered as Whiteley followed up his batting fireworks by taking 3 for 23.Outlaws crumbled to 102 all out in 16.4 overs and have now lost their first four group games while Falcons recorded a second win.The game had started well for the visitors when Aneurin Donald skied the first ball he faced to deep square but David Llloyd got Falcons up and running by pulling Ollie Stone for six in the third over.New Zealander Cam Fletcher marked his debut with three off-side boundaries in Dillon Pennington’s second over before Lloyd dispatched Ben Lister for his second maximum. But Lloyd miscued a pull at Stone to midwicket and Fletcher edged behind to leave the Falcons on 47 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.That brought in Samit Patel who announced himself against his former club by whipping Lyndon James behind square for six but in the next over he pulled Calvin Harrison to Will Young at deep midwicket.Outlaws should have removed Brooke Guest on 9 in the 13th over but he was badly dropped at cover by Joe Clarke and the rest of the innings belonged to Madsen and Whiteley.Madsen drove Harrison for six and ramped Pennington for four on his way to a 29 ball 50 before he lifted James to long-off.That left the stage to Whiteley who demolished the bowling with a brutal exhibition of muscular strokeplay as 50 runs came off the last three overs. Stone was twice pulled for six and Lister received the same treatment in an over which cost 23 as Falcons took flight.Whiteley was caught at deep cover off the last ball but he had taken the game away from Outlaws who were facing a daunting chase.They needed their big guns to fire but Clarke was caught behind cutting at the first ball from Dupavillon and Alex Hales briefly threatened before becoming Dupavillon’s second victim. After dispatching the South African for two fours he miscued a big pull and was well caught at wide mid-on to put a big dent in Outlaws’ hopes.They were all but extinguished by the end of the powerplay with Young slicing Pat Brown to cover and Jack Haynes bowled making room to drive Dupavillon.Whiteley’s memorable evening continued when he pinned Tom Moores lbw with his first ball and then had Matt Montgomery caught at deep cover in his next over. Stone became Whiteley’s third victim when he drilled him to long-off and Falcons wrapped up a memorable victory with 20 balls to spare.

Everton are now ready to make an offer to sign an “intelligent” new striker who is loved by his manager Jose Mourinho, according to a recent report.

Everton targeting Premier League proven signings

As the Toffees head into their new stadium, they hope the prospect of being a part of a new era at the club will help them when it comes to signings this summer. This is a chance for David Moyes to put a real stamp on this Everton team, and from recent rumours, it is clear the Scotsman is targeting Premier League captures.

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Everton are among the Premier League teams to make an offer to sign a young Championship player.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Jun 5, 2025

It’s already been reported that the Toffees are eyeing a surprise double raid on their arch-rivals Liverpool, as they are interested in signing Ben Doak and Joe Gomez, both players who could be free to leave Anfield. As well as looking at Liverpool, it’s also been reported that Burnley duo Josh Brownhill and Maxime Estève are firmly on their radar, as both players impressed for the Clarets during their Championship promotion campaign.

Adding more creativity to his team seems to be a priority for Moyes this summer, as Sky Sports reported earlier this week that the Toffees are keen on striking a deal to sign Matt O’Riley from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Dane suffered a frustrating season with the Seagulls due to a pre-season injury, and it is now unclear if he remains a part of their plans heading into the new campaign.

Everton ready to make an offer to sign Oguz Aydin

Doak and O’Riley are not the only attacking options under consideration, as according to Sporx, relayed by Everton News, Everton are ready to test the waters and make a move to sign Oguz Aydin from Fenerbahçe.

The report states that Moyes is looking to add more depth and quality to the wide areas of his team, and that has taken them to Aydin. The 24-year-old joined the Turkish giants last summer and finished the campaign with seven goals and four assists in 25 Süper Lig games.

Despite the fact that he is under contract until 2028, the Toffees are ready to “test the waters” and make an offer to Fenerbahçe for the winger. In fact, Everton sent scouts to watch Aydin in action last season, and he is obviously a player they have kept a close eye on and are now ready to make a concrete move for.

Aydin is a player who can play on both flanks, and given his importance last season and the fact he has only just joined Fenerbahçe, it is likely going to take a big offer to tempt them into selling.

Oguz Aydin’s 24/25 stats for Fenerbahçe

Apps

30

Starts

20

Goals

7

Assists

8

Aydin has done really well since Mourinho brought him to the club; in fact, the Fenerbahçe boss hasn’t hidden how much he rates the winger, labelling him “intelligent”: “He is a good player physically and tactically and very intelligent.

“With all due respect to (Vincenzo) Montella (Turkey manager), he should be happy. I suppose the team that did not sign him will be unhappy. We brought him in at the last minute. I asked him to give me time. He was not ready, but, after 4-5 months, he has reached an optimal level. I am very happy for him.”

Chelsea are now pushing hard to sign a “superstar” forward who’s been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, with talks intensifying in recent days, according to a report.

Blues stepping up summer transfer plans

With the summer transfer window now on the horizon, the Blues are now stepping up their efforts to improve their squad, having identified the need to bring in reinforcements in a number of key areas, including between the sticks.

A £47m offer has now been submitted for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, given that Enzo Maresca has made the decision to drop error-prone Robert Sanchez at times this season, while the manager is also keen to strengthen in more attacking areas.

Talks have been opened over a deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, while Maresca’s side also have a strong chance of winning the race for Barcelona star Raphinha, whose future at the Camp Nou remains up in the air.

Related Chelsea now favourites to sign £50m player after 7-year contract offer

They’ve reportedly made a tempting proposal.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Apr 25, 2025

Having proven himself at the top level, the Brazilian could set the west Londoners back £77m, but they are also keen on signing an up-and-coming talent who could cost even more, according to a report from Caught Offside.

Chelsea are now pushing hard to sign Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, with talks being intensified in recent days, but the Turkish forward will not come cheap, with the Italian side set to hold out for as much as €100m (£85m).

Yilldiz’s impressive performances have attracted the attention of the Blues, alongside Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City, but Juventus are unwilling to sanction a departure unless they receive a huge fee.

The Germany-born winger is now viewed as a priority target for Maresca’s side, but Liverpool or Arsenal could be more tempting destinations, particularly if Chelsea miss out on Champions League qualification.

"Superstar" Yildiz has shades of CR7

The 19-year-old has already managed to establish himself as a key player for Juventus, picking up eight goals and five assists in all competitions this season, and there have been some suggestions that he could be destined for the very top.

The starlet is ranked among the best-performing teenagers in Europe’s top five leagues this season, so it is little wonder that Juventus are set to hold out for a huge transfer fee.

It is still very early days, but it goes without saying that £85m would be a fair fee if Yildiz is truly capable of emulating Ronaldo, and it is exciting news that Chelsea are now pushing to get a deal done.

That said, it would be a huge gamble to shell out such a huge amount on a player yet to prove himself at the very highest level over a sustained period.

With tours of India and Sri Lanka to come in this WTC cycle, South Africa have shown in Pakistan that they have the resources to be dangerous

Firdose Moonda23-Oct-2025Never before have spinners played such a major role for South Africa in a Test victory.Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj’s 17 wickets in Rawalpindi are the most by South African spinners in a win. Add Senuran Muthusamy’s 11, Harmer’s five and Prenelan Subrayen’s two in Lahore and South Africa’s spinners took 35 of the 40 wickets on offer this series – the most in a two-Test series.The performance of the spin quartet speaks as much to South Africa’s evolving relationship with spin to the improvement of the personnel involved. Put simply: “We didn’t come here with mediocre spinners,” as Kagiso Rabada said after the game, and he’s right.Related

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South Africa went to Pakistan with a clutch of the best spinners they have ever had. In Maharaj, who missed the first Test while he recovered from a groin injury, they have their country’s most successful Test spinner and the only one to 200 wickets. In Harmer, who made his return to international cricket after two-and-half-years, they have the only South African spinner with 1000 first-class wickets. Between them, Harmer and Maharaj have 402 first-class caps. Add Muthusamy and Subrayen, with limited international exposure but plenty at domestic level, and South Africa’s spinners had 595 matches worth of experience between them.”There’s a wealth of knowledge in our change room,” Maharaj told the broadcasters as he received the player of the match award.And it paid off. Maharaj, who took all five wickets as Pakistan’s lower order suffered a collapse of 5 for 17 in their first innings, has made his name on discipline and accuracy and this performance was no different. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, he delivered 301 of his 325 balls in the match on the stumps or just outside off which cramped the Pakistan batters for room and did not allow them to score freely. He conceded at under 2.5 runs per over through the match as Pakistan faced 705 dot balls (117.5 overs) in 163.1 overs, which was part of South Africa’s plan to frustrate and eventually be able to dismiss them.Simon Harmer completed his maiden five-wicket haul in the Rawalpindi Test•Associated Press”Against the Pakistan batters, you needed to take away their boundary options,” Harmer said. “They’re very good at using their feet and something that we spoke about. Even when the ball’s turning away from the bat, they’re not scared to step out and get to the pitch of the ball. Non-subcontinent players look to sweep first versus using their feet, especially against a ball turning away. So I think with the amount of spinners we had in the squad, we bounced ideas around, came up with plans and then I think bowling in partnerships, as you touched on, is extremely important. In the first test, we probably weren’t as good at that. We were leaking runs from one side. But then in this Test, we were able to sort of stop the game.”In Lahore, Pakistan faced 637 dot balls (106.1 overs) in 156.5 overs which is still a significant number but they scored at a run-rate of 3.47 compared to 2.88 in Rawalpindi. Some of that can be attributed to the slower nature of the Pindi surface, which turned less. That also meant South Africa’s spinners, not known as huge turners of the ball anyway, had to rely on something other than just spin to take wickets.Maharaj said he did it with consistency and flight. Harmer, whose second innings six-for set South Africa up to chase a small target to level the series, did it with changes of pace, something he refined on the county circuit. He has been in in the top 10 wicket-takers on the county championship in the last six seasons and was the leading wicket-taker in two of them (2019 and 2022).”Recently, I feel like the wickets in England have died a bit. They’ve lost their zip and pace. There’s a lot of times playing in Chelmsford where you get into a situation like that,” he said. “Through the series, the most dangerous ball has been a pace off, between 78 and 82 (kph) On this wicket, the quicker pace was the pace that got batters to commit on the front foot, and then you could use your slower ball to get them into trouble. My time in England has helped me with that, bowling on flat wickets where there’s not a lot happening. It’s about how you construct your overs, what you’re looking to do and what shots you want the batters to play.”An example was the ball that dismissed Saud Shakeel on the third day, before Pakistan had taken the lead. It was flighted generously by Harmer, and delivered at 79.7kph. Shakeel played a little early, tried to force it though the offside and got an edge for Aiden Markram to pouch at first slip. Maharaj’s wicket-taking balls too, were in that same pace range, including the final one at 82kph which drew Sajid Khan out of his crease, only to miss a swipe and be stumped.Senuran Muthusamy barely bowled in Rawalpindi after career-best figures in Lahore, but contributed with the bat•AFP/Getty ImagesMuthusamy barely featured with the ball in Pindi and bowled only four overs in each innings. The most likely explanation is because South Africa already had left-arm spin covered with Maharaj but Harmer confirmed they still “felt we needed the option,” even if they didn’t use it. Muthusamy made the case for being included as a batter alone with his 89 not out and wasn’t too concerned about his lack of contribution with the ball after taking a career-best 11-for in Lahore and ending as the Player of the Series.”This Test match meant a lot more because we won the game,” Muthusamy said on receiving his award. “The first Test was good. It was lovely to get a good few spells of bowling and to get a few wickets and contribute. In this Test, Kesh and Harmer bowled really well and they’re world-class operators. I just try to do my best when I get a go.”In the end, that’s what matters to South Africa. They got to this year’s WTC final thanks to contributions from different players in different matches and if they are to challenge for the next one, they want to know they have a pool of players who can do the same. They’ve always known they have the fast bowlers, they discovered batters aplenty in the last cycle, and this series has shown that they also have the spinners which will be important as early as next month.South Africa’s next stop is India, where they last won a Test in 2011, and have since been outspun on two disastrous tours in 2015 and 2019. They’re expecting similarly challenging surfaces but believe they have the resources to combat them.”The unit that is out here in these conditions is up there with the best in the world,” Aiden Markram said. “Generally, you think of South Africa as just a country of seamers with the odd spinner here and there. But in conditions like this, the guys that put their hands up and put in performances, it’s bloody exciting for us as a team to see.”

What we can be sure of is that there will be plenty of quality spin on show right through the three ODIs

Madushka Balasuriya08-Feb-2024Sri Lanka might have won three of their last five ODIs against Afghanistan, and even hold an overall win-loss record of 7-4, but the two teams head into this three-match series on completely different trajectories.Afghanistan are building. Their next major ODI tournament is right around the corner – the 2025 Champions Trophy. They have a side brimming with potential and energy, just screaming to be harnessed and let loose. They left last year’s ODI World Cup with wins over three former champions in their bag. This is not a side to be trifled with.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are rebuilding (yet again). Having failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, their next major ODI tournament is still three years away – the 2027 World Cup. Theirs is a side with a settled core, but one that needs to contend with a new selection committee looking to stamp its authority. And the less said about Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign the better.But despite all that, this should be as keenly contested a series as ever. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for when these sides square off.

Sri Lanka’s chance to build bench strength?

In their first media briefing after being appointed, the new selection committee pointed out the importance of building bench strength. A look at this Sri Lanka squad tells us what a best XI might look like, but could this be an ideal opportunity to give fringe players a runout against quality opposition, with not much on the line?Related

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With a T20 World Cup just four months away, it’s unlikely we’ll see much experimentation in that format, which leaves ODIs – with nothing to build towards in the short term – as a straightforward option for new faces to dip their toes in international cricket and fringe players to stay sharp.With the likes of Sahan Arachchige, Shevon Daniel, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya in the squad, not finding room for a couple if not all of them in the starting XI might seem like a wasted opportunity.

Can Avishka muscle his way into the T20I side?

At the best of times, Avishka Fernando is a belligerent hitter at the top of the order capable of producing aggression and intent in spades.If the recent Zimbabwe series is anything to go by, the selectors’ prefer Kusal Perera in T20Is and Avishka in ODIs. Avishka for his part, didn’t do himself any favours, notching scores of 0, 4, 0, in his three innings.This series provides him with just the chance to bring himself back into the selectors’ thoughts should a position in the top of the order in the T20I side opens up.

Hasaranga, Theekshana, Mujeeb, Noor – is spin the key?

With Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dananjaya, Qais Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad all likely to get game time, it’s safe to say spin will play a key role in the series. With Rashid Khan still absent as he recovers from back surgery, Sri Lanka might feel they hold the edge when it comes to that battle.Therefore, how well the Afghanistan batters cope with Sri Lanka’s spin threats, and how the Afghanistan spinners keep control of proceedings without their star man could well decide the series.Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will be key if Afghanistan want to post big scores•BCCI

Will the power-hitting problem be solved?

Despite their good showing at the World Cup, Afghanistan failed to go beyond the 300-run mark even once – they batted first four times. In a tournament where sides were pounding scores of 350-plus with regularity, this seems to be a glaring shortcoming.In fact, over the course of their ODI history, Afghanistan have scored 300 or more just seven times. For a side that not too long ago wasn’t even a side, that’s understandable, but if they want to start competing with the more established sides more regularly, it’s an area where gains certainly need to be made.Sri Lanka have similarly struggled to score 300 with any regularity, with many of their bigger scores coinciding with Kusal Mendis firing at the top of the order. But when Mendis is quiet, the score tends to be low. Sri Lanka will need to find big runs from more avenues if they are to put up a better showing in major tournaments going forward.

Reverse swing came to the rescue of the pace bowlers in tough bowling conditions, as opening batters made merry

Sampath Bandarupalli26-Mar-2022Khawaja’s homecoming
The inaugural Benaud-Qadir Trophy was the perfect homecoming for Usman Khawaja, the Player of the Series in Australia’s triumph. Playing for the first time in Pakistan, the country of his birth, Khawaja struck two hundreds and came close twice before falling in the 90s. His series aggregate of 496 runs is the second-highest for a visiting opener in Pakistan, behind Mark Taylor’s 513 in 1998.Khawaja’s average of 165.33 is also the second-highest for an opening batter in a Test series with a minimum of five times batted, behind Shoaib Mohammad’s 169 against New Zealand in 1990.End of Australia’s overseas drought
Victory in Lahore not only handed Australia their third Test series win in Pakistan, but also their first series win away from home in six years. Their last away series win had come back in February 2016, when they beat New Zealand 2-0.