Sussex seamer sets sights on New Zealand series after months on fringes of England squad

Valkerie Baynes31-Mar-2021For England’s Test hopefuls the start of the County Championship season offers a simple, if slightly vague, formula for realising their dream: make runs, take wickets, get noticed by the national selectors.Ollie Robinson, the Sussex seam bowler, is among a handful of current players to have progressed considerably further along that path. Having spent the best part of five months over the past year in bio-secure international squad bubbles, he has given those in and around the England set-up a clear idea of what he can do. In turn, they have given him clarity on where he should aim next: to make his debut in the two-Test series against New Zealand in June.And, with the start of the LV= Insurance County Championship just a week away, he feels a maiden Test cap is close.”They’ve said to me, ‘look towards the New Zealand series’,” Robinson says. “That is my aim at the moment – start the season well with Sussex and hopefully I can get in that squad and in the XI.”Related

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When the ECB named a 55-man return-to-training group last May in the first major step towards staging a full international season in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, Robinson was there, a deserving inclusion after a seven-wicket display for England Lions against Australia A and a haul of 137 wickets – the most of any seamer – over the previous two Championship seasons.Robinson earned his maiden call-up to the senior squad ahead of the second Test against West Indies in July as England sought to manage the workloads of James Anderson and Mark Wood. He was among five players released when the side for the third Test was named and, a week later, took eight wickets, including three in 14 balls during a second-innings five-for, as Sussex won their opening match of the Bob Willis Trophy against Hampshire.Just over a week after that, Robinson was back in the England squad ahead of the second Test against Pakistan and he subsequently travelled as a reserve on the recent tours of Sri Lanka and India.”I feel a lot better for the experience,” Robinson says. “India was pretty tough and pretty eye-opening in terms of the conditions out there and what to expect as a Test cricketer so that’s probably going to stand me in better stead moving forward.”I have learned a lot skill-wise and off the field as well. Jimmy [Anderson] is 39 now and is probably the fittest he has ever been. Seeing him work every day is what has stuck with me – how well he trains and how hard he works. Making that a habit and not just an England thing, England have drilled that into me, that they want me to work just as hard for Sussex as I did with them. If I want to have a long international career that’s what I want to do for the rest of my career.”A tall bowler, whose disciplined line and length is relentless, Robinson has achieved some outstanding figures, like his career-best 8 for 34 against Middlesex in 2019, part of a 14-wicket return for the match.

“I just need to get that breakthrough in a Test match or series to cement my place for the plane to Australia”Ollie Robinson

Bowling in tandem with Craig Overton – the pair shared eight second-innings wickets evenly between them – Robinson helped lead England Lions to a nine-wicket victory over Australia A at the MCG in February 2020. Combined with his three wickets from the first innings, Robinson signalled that he was on track to take the next step should an opportunity arise as it did for Dan Lawrence, who scored a century in that same match and played the first five Tests of his career on the recently completed tours of Sri Lanka and India.While this English summer is hugely important to his ambitions of earning a place in the Ashes squad at the end of the year, Robinson feels somewhat liberated from putting pressure on himself.”It’s massive,” he says. “Performance-wise maybe not as much as in previous years. I feel England can sort of see and know what I do. They have watched me for a few years in terms of fitness and being around the England group.”I just need to get that breakthrough in a Test match or series to cement my place for the plane to Australia really. That is the most important thing for me this year.”Ollie Robinson played a big role in England Lions’ win over Australia A•Getty ImagesIf he does secure an Ashes berth, Robinson feels he already has good experience of the conditions, having played two seasons of grade cricket before the Lions tour.”I feel like my experiences Down Under are good enough to perform if called upon, even if I didn’t make my debut this summer,” he says. “I think that Lions tour was a really strong tour for everyone involved. Dan Lawrence was on it as well. We’ve both spoken and said if we are selected we almost know we can do well already.”While the Ashes are a big draw, Robinson is prepared to take his chance, wherever it comes. If that means more time sequestered in bio-secure environments, so be it.”I’m hungry to play any series, any game,” Robinson says. “I feel like if the Ashes is the only thing you’re looking at you’re not in the right mindset. You should want to play for England no matter who you’re playing against or what series it is. Bubble life is tough but there are tougher things – it’s not the hardest thing in the world.”In the meantime, Robinson will spearhead the attack at Sussex, who open their campaign on April 8 against Lancashire at Old Trafford after the fixture was moved north because a plague of bug larvae damaged the Hove outfield.LV= Insurance is the new title partner of the County Championship. The season begins on April 8 with champions Essex taking on Worcestershire. For more information visit lv.com/gi/cricket.

Big picture

A win remains elusive for Bangladesh while New Zealand have their eyes on claiming an unprecedented ninth consecutive home series. Going by their form and confidence in the three ODIs and the first T20I in Hamilton, Napier is appearing to be a repeat: Bangladesh being left behind by New Zealand’s high-octane cricket.The charge is being led by Devon Conway, who made his international debut at the start of the 2020-21 season, and now has scores of 72, 126 and 92 not out in his last three innings. His innings included some beautiful shots, as well as periods when he let Will Young, on debut, go after the bowling. Glenn Phillips provided the flourish as they combined to blast 101 runs in the last seven overs in Hamilton. Later it was Ish Sodhi whose four wickets in eleven balls sunk Bangladesh completely.Only Mohammad Naim with his 18-ball 27 at the top and Afif Hossain’s 45, after they lost six wickets, looked comfortable against New Zealand’s pace attack. Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar continued their slump while Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah couldn’t bring their ODI form to the first T20I.Bangladesh’s bowling wore an experimental look, with Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain rested despite both bowling at good pace and showing discipline in the third ODI in Wellington. Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin couldn’t contain New Zealand’s scoring, while newcomer Shoriful Islam, despite all his promise, made a nervous start.While stranger things have happened in cricket, it just doesn’t seem like Bangladesh have it in them to turn things around on this tour. They have looked listless under pressure every time, particularly reflected through their lackluster fielding.New Zealand are a formidable opponent particularly at home and even though they are without half of their best T20 players, they don’t look like stopping against these visitors.

Form guide

(last five completed matches)New Zealand WWLLW
Bangladesh LWWLLIsh Sodhi has had an excellent T20 season•Getty Images

In the spotlight

Ish Sodhi has already taken 20 wickets at 13.75 in T20Is during the 2020-21 season. He needed only 11 balls to tie up the Bangladesh batsmen in Hamilton, picking up four wickets. Sodhi will be a menacing factor in the remaining matches.Mohammad Naim sparkled briefly in Hamilton, hammering 27 off 18 balls with five fours. Premeditation against Lockie Ferguson brought about his wicket, but he looked mostly comfortable driving the New Zealand quicks.

Team news

With a series win to confirm in Napier, New Zealand may remain unchanged in the second T20I. However, including Adam Milne could be a temptation against a struggling opposition.New Zealand (probable) 1 Finn Allen, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Devon Conway (wk), 4 Will Young, 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 Mark Chapman, 7 Daryl Mitchell, 8 Tim Southee (capt), 9 Ish Sodhi, 10, Lockie Ferguson, 11 Hamish BennettBangladesh will sweat on Mushfiqur Rahim’s fitness, while Najmul Hossain Shanto could replace Soumya Sarkar at No. 3. Either one of Taskin Ahmed or Rubel Hossain can also expect to play.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Liton Das (wk), 2 Mohammad Naim, 3 Soumya Sarkar/Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mohammad Mithun, 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Afif Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Shoriful Islam/Taskin Ahmed, 10 Nasum Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions

Batsmen will relish at the prospect of batting on the evenly-paced pitches of McLean Park which will also have shorter boundaries. Weather however is slightly iffy with rain in the forecast later in the evening.

Stats and trivia

• Shoriful Islam’s figures of 4-0-50-0 in Hamilton is the worst bowling figures by a Bangladeshi bowler on T20I debut.
• Finn Allen became only the third New Zealander to be out for a golden duck on their T20I debut.

Quotes

“Bangladesh’s young batsmen played some really aggressive and expansive shots. Grounds like Napier and Eden Park are going to be challenging to bowl to these guys. We have to be really patient and keep working hard.”

Chelsea are exchanging documents to finalise the eight-figure signing of another player alongside Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea agree £34.5 million deal for Omorodion after Gallagher sale

After both the west Londoners and Diego Simeone's side agreed to the transfer of midfielder Conor Gallagher, who's set to have his medical in Madrid today ahead of a £36 million move to the Metropolitano Stadium, Chelsea used the opportunity to strike a deal for Omorodion.

Chelsea could sign £162,000-per-week ace and Omorodion after Gallagher sale

Enzo Maresca’s side have been very busy this window.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 6, 2024

Talks over selling Gallagher seemingly opened the door for Todd Boehly and co to reignite discussions for the Spanish striker, with Omorodion finalising personal terms ahead of a £34.5 million move to Chelsea.

Atletico have also moved to do a deal for Man City striker Julian Alvarez, who looks as if he'll take Omorodion's place in Simeone's squad for next season. Chelsea actually had a bid rejected for Omorodion earlier in the window, as widely reported, but the 20-year-old now seems set to link up with Enzo Maresca ahead of the new Premier League season.

"Last piece of the domino will be Samu Omorodion to Chelsea," said reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday evening.

"Final fee paid by #CFC will be £34.5m. Small details of player’s terms negotiated right now but parties sure that will get done. Gallagher to Atléti and Julián Álvarez to Atléti, also already done as revealed."

Statistic

Omorodion

Jackson

Minutes

1,922

2,810

Goals

8

14

Assists

1

5

Shots per game

1.9

2.3

Aerials won per game

1.8

1

Dribbles per game

0.6

1.5

Overall rating

6.42

7.07

via WhoScored

The young forward, who's helped Spain to the Olympics final against France, where he'll have the opportunity to win a gold medal, scored nine goals and registered an assist in 36 total appearances on loan at Deportivo last season.

Chelsea have refused to rule out signing Victor Osimhen as well as Omorodion, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law, which makes for pretty reading in the eyes of a Blues supporter.

Another player they've been in talks over signing is Gremio sensation Gabriel Mec. Reports over the weekend stated that Chelsea have agreed a deal for Mec, with South American journalist Uriel Lugt sharing a further update.

Chelsea exchanging documents to finalise Gabriel Mec signing

According to the reporter, Chelsea are exchanging the final documents to finalise a £21 million deal for Mec, who has been likened to Ronaldinho and graduated from the same academy as the Barcelona legend.

The teenage wonderkid is the latest prodigy from Brazil to agree to join Chelsea, with Estevao Willian putting pen to paper on a Stamford Bridge switch just before him. It's added that a seven-year contract is on the table for Mec.

تلقى منتخب مصر لليد هزيمة صعبة أمام منافسه آيسلندا بنتيجة 27-24 في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم ضمن منافسات كأس العالم.

وتقام بطولة كأس العالم لكرة اليد، في دول كرواتيا والدنمارك والنرويج خلال الفترة من 14 يناير الجاري وحتى 2 فبراير المقبل.

منتخب مصر يتواجد في المجموعة الرابعة من مرحلة الدور الرئيسي لبطولة العالم رفقة منتخبات أيسلندا وسلوفينيا والرأس الأخضر والأرجنتين وكرواتيا.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة مصر في كأس العالم لكرة اليد بعد الخسارة أمام آيسلندا

ويتكون الدور الرئيسي من بطولة كأس العالم لكرة اليد، من 4 مجموعات بمشاركة 6 فرق المتأهلة من دور المجموعات الأول.

وحسم منتخب مصر تأهله إلى الدور الرئيسي من بطولة العالم لكرة اليد، بعدما وصل لـ6 نقاط من 3 انتصارات، من الفوز أمام كرواتيا والأرجنتين والبحرين.

وسيواجه منتخب مصر في المباراة القادمة منافسه سلوفينيا في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثانية من مواجهات الدور الرئيسي لبطولة كأس العالم لكرة اليد.

وكان منتخب سلوفينيا قد تمكن من الفوز على الأرجنتين بنتيجة 34-23 مساء اليوم الأربعاء. موعد مباراة مصر وسلوفينيا في كأس العالم لكرة اليد

يلعب منتخب مصر، مباراته القادمة ضد سلوفينيا، يوم الجمعة المقبل، 24 يناير الجاري، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية.

أكد وزير الرياضة السعودي، الأمير عبد العزيز بن تركي الفيصل، أن جميع الأندية والمدربين يتمنون التعاقد مع النجم المصري محمد صلاح، مشيرًا إلى أن اللاعب يحقق جميع المتطلبات التي يبحث عنها الدوري السعودي “دوري روشن”.

وقال الأمير عبد العزيز في تصريحات ببرنامج “Piers Morgan Uncensored”: “محمد صلاح يحقق جميع المتطلبات بالنسبة لنا، كما أن لدينا علاقات قوية مع مصر”.

الدوري الإنجليزي يُعلن اللاعبين المرشحين لجائزة الأفضل عن يناير.. موقف محمد صلاح

وأضاف: “ونشعر بأننا كيان واحد من حيث الثقافة والتاريخ، لذا فإن وجود محمد صلاح أو أي لاعب آخر يعتبر قدوة سيكون شرفًا وامتيازًا للدوري السعودي”.

وتابع: “هل سينضم محمد صلاح أم لا؟ هذا الأمر متروك للأندية والمفاوضات لتحديده، نحن نطمح لأن يكون الدوري السعودي ضمن أفضل خمسة دوريات في العالم من حيث المتابعة والقوة التجارية، بحيث يتطلع اللاعبون العالميون للانضمام إليه”.

واختتم مشددًا على أن الدوري السعودي يسعى للتعاون مع الأندية الأوروبية لتحقيق هذا الهدف: “لا أرى أي ضرر في ذلك، بل نرحب بالتعاون مع الجميع لضمان تطوير بطولتنا المحلية وتحقيق طموحاتنا”.

West Ham United have work to do after losing their Premier League opener against Aston Villa. It wasn't the start that an incensed Julen Lopetegui would have wanted but the positives were there.

Having lost their European membership after missing out on top six last term, West Ham have repackaged their first team with several exciting signings, though there may be more still to come.

Minutes played

73'

Goals

0

Assists

0

Shots (on target)

2 (0)

Touches

21

Accurate passes

6/9 (67%)

Key passes

0

Dribble attempts

0/0

Total duels won

0/2

Against Villa, Michail Antonio flattered to deceive up, looking isolated and negligent of defensive duties. The burly Niclas Fullkrug has been signed from Borussia Dortmund in a £27m deal, but Lopetegui seems to want another striker to complete his frontline.

Well, despite a hefty summer outlay, West Ham might just have found the perfect player to strengthen Lopetegui's accord…

West Ham's search for a striker

As per Football Insider, Tammy Abraham is on West Ham's shortlist as the summer transfer window wheels into the final phase. Shooting for AS Roma, the Englishman has been transfer listed for €25m (£21m) following the signing of Artem Dovbyk from Girona.

Abraham, aged 26, spent the majority of the 2023/24 season out injured but boasts a proven goalscoring record throughout his career – with several European trophies to boot.

With efforts to sign Villa's Jhon Duran seemingly exhausted, this could be the perfect move for Lopetegui's outfit, which has its sights set on reclaiming a place on the continent.

What Tammy Abraham would bring to West Ham

Abraham has enjoyed a career laden with success, and while he has been blighted by recent misfortune, there is every chance that he would rekindle his finest form with a transfer back to the Premier League.

AS Roma

119 (86)

37

13

2x

Chelsea

82 (51)

30

10

1x

Bristol City

48 (42)

26

4

0x

Aston Villa

40 (40)

26

3

1x

Swansea City

39 (21)

8

4

0x

Like Fullkrug, the former Chelsea star is rangy and effective as a focal frontman, but he is more dynamic, with sharper and breezier mobility and a creative sheen besides – indeed, across his first two Serie A campaigns, Abraham averaged one key pass per game.

And let's not forget that his maiden year in the Italian capital saw 27 goals plundered en route to triumph in the Europa Conference League, with the player remarking that his manager at the time, Jose Mourinho, had turned him into a "monster".

Standing at 6 foot 3, the 11-cap England international is indeed a towering presence but he's nimble and slippery with an intelligence to dart between the lines and latch onto threaded passes.

Now, who might West Ham have to complement that particular skill…

Imagine him & Lucas Paqueta

Lucas Paqueta's long-term future is up in the air, with the FA continuing their investigation into the Brazilian's alleged spot-fixing, but he started the current campaign with a goal, scoring from the spot on Saturday but unable to prevent his team from falling to defeat.

An elite-level player, the 26-year-old could indeed form a deadly partnership with Abraham, providing him with support to ensure that he would hit the ground running upon returning to London.

Once hailed as a "goal machine" by former youth coach Stephen Elliott, Abraham would carry the nuts and bolts of the centre-forward game into the London Stadium and would find those natural-born properties enhanced considerably by a playmaker of Paqueta's distinction.

Paqueta – who was the subject of a £80m approach from Manchester City one year ago, before the aforementioned charges materialised – ranked among the top 12% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 8% for tackles and the top 9% for aerial battles won per 90, as per FBref.

Those lattermost metrics are particularly eye-catching. Sure, everyone knows of the £150k-per-week phenom's creative flair, but his tenacious defensive work rate is so important for West Ham too – perhaps more so, in a way.

Encompassing the scope of the midfield game, Paqueta would make Abraham virtually unplayable with his surgical passing, and he would also enable the Roma ace to cause damage in the final third by applying tough-tackling pressure from deep.

Last season, in the Premier League, the dynamo averaged 2.3 tackles, 6.3 ball recoveries and a whopping 7.6 successful duels per game, alternating between the centre of the field and out wide on the left but invariably performing with energy and commitment.

With players like Crysencio Summerville and Luis Guilherme signed to Lopetegui's team this summer, Paqueta will be expected to perform from a central position with regularity, thrusting forward to influence and dictate.

Fullkrug provides the steel and doggedness that can change a game, while Antonio's power and physique make him a constant threat, despite the fact that he is 34 years old.

In Abraham, though, West Ham might just find that they gain the services of a striker who can perform with a multi-skilled ability, all the while inflicting damage with a sharp shooting quality.

For a player whose "currency is goals", as was said by one-time Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, bringing Abraham back to the English top flight feels like something of a no-brainer. Lopetegui boasts a healthy mix of attacking talent, but this could be the final piece to lift the Irons to new heights.

Approach made: West Ham want "complete midfielder" who plays like Odegaard

The Hammers are piecing together an exciting new team…

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 16, 2024

Aston Villa have made contact to try and poach a Premier League forward this summer as they seek cover for Ollie Watkins, it has emerged.

Aston Villa busy ahead of new season

Unai Emery's side have been one of the busiest in the Premier League since confirming their place in the Champions League for the 2024/25 campaign, with plenty of business both in and out of the Midlands club.

Eight new faces have arrived at Villa Park, headed by Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen, but there have been significant departures too. Douglas Luiz has joined Juventus in a deal worth a reported £43m, while the club also cashed in on Moussa Diaby just 12 months on from his arrival in the midlands, joining Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £50m.

Aston Villa's new signings (summer 2024)
Player	Fee
Amadou Onana	£50m
Ian Maatsen	£37m
Cameron Archer	£14m
Jaden Philogene	£13.5m
Lewis Dobbin	£8m
Samuel Iling-Junior	£11.8m + add-ons
Enzo Barrenechea	£6.7m + add-ons
Ross Barkley	£5m

There is likely to be more movement too, with Diego Carlos having been told he can find a new club, while West Ham have been locked in talks over striker Jhon Duran. The Colombian striker is expected to depart the club this summer amid previous interest from Chelsea, though talks with the Hammers have reportedly stalled and led to Julen Lopetegui's side exploring deals for other targets.

Should Duran depart, Villa will be in the market for an alternative to Ollie Watkins, who scored 19 times in the Premier League last season. Now, they appear to be exploring a deal for just that.

Villa make contact for Premier League striker

That comes with one report revealing that Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been placed on Villa's list of potential striker options.

The French striker enjoyed a fantastic end to the 2023-24 campaign, becoming just the second Frenchman to net in seven consecutive Premier League home games after Thierry Henry, who he has been working with over the summer as part of the French Olympic team.

The legendary Premier League striker was quick to praise his charge too, hailing him as a throwback striker.

“He’s an old-fashioned striker, you can play a little more direct. He can keep the ball," Henry explained. “He’s a boring striker to play against, he doesn’t lose the ball much, and he goes at the last defender.

“He uses his physicality, he’s good with his head, and he scores. It’s important that a striker like that gives you another dimension."

Villa still keen on signing £55m "monster" who plays like Fabian Ruiz

Unai Emery is still keen on landing a long term target this summer…

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 30, 2024

But the striker has just two years left on his current £50,000 a week deal at Selhurst Park, and has yet to agree fresh terms amid a desire to play Champions League football. As per the Daily Express, Villa are ready to offer him that and though talks are not advanced, the Villans "have made contact" with Mateta's camp.

It is added that they are considering a bid to "test the waters over the coming weeks", though no fee for the forward is mentioned. Should he be able to continue his excellent form from the second half of the 23/24 campaign, he could prove a more than capable backup for Ollie Watkins.

No other Full Member has sent an age-group team on tour since the start of the pandemic last year

Umar Farooq27-Mar-2021

Pakistan players celebrate a victory at the 2020 ICC Under-19 World Cup•Getty Images

Pakistan will become the first country to resume age-group level tours since the start of the pandemic. The Under-19 team will tour Bangladesh next month for a series of five one-day matches and a four-day game starting from April 19 in Sylhet.Every traveling member will be vaccinated beforehand and the tour will have in place similar protocols as for the senior teams. The team and its management will be tested for Covid-19 before entering the camp and, after the return of negative tests, members will be allowed to move into a biosecure bubble, for which the players will convene in Lahore.The tour has been arranged to prepare the players for the next ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the West Indies next year. Prior to their departure, the team will play two 50-over practice matches and a three-day match during a 10-day long camp that will run from April 3 in Lahore.Six players from the group that played the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in 2020 were retained for this tour: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Fahad Munir, Qasim Akram, Mohammad Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Shehzad, and Tahir Hussain. As per the ICC age criteria for the upcoming Under-19 World Cup, only players born on or after 1 September 2002 will be eligible.Pakistan named six batsmen including Abdul Faseeh, the leading run-getter with 524 runs at 65.50 last year in the national Under-19 one-day tournament. Several of the players have already begun to make waves on the domestic circuit in Pakistan; opener Abdul Wahid represented Balochistan in the last domestic season, while batting allrounder Akram was one of the star performers for Central Punjab, and subsequently selected by Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.”The tour provides a wonderful grooming opportunity for the players against one of the most formidable U-19 sides at present, which won the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup last year,” Pakistan’s U-19 head coach, Ijaz Ahmed, said. “We have a talented bunch of players and a number of them have proven their worth already on the domestic circuit in the recently concluded season.”The squad also includes players who represented Pakistan Under-19s in the World Cup; the tour will help further develop the skills of these players as they are our future. The tour will be a challenging one for us and one that will stand these players in good stead in this developmental stage of their careers. The series will also help us identify the potential players that we will field in next year’s World Cup in the West Indies.”Pakistan U19 squad: Abbas Ali, Abdul Faseeh, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Fahad Munir, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Irfan Niazi, Mohammad Shehzad, Qasim Akram and Rizwan Mehmood, Haseebullah and Raza-ul-Mustafa, Aaliyan Mehmood, Ali Asfand, Arham Nawab, Faisal Akram, Ahmed Khan, Asim Ali, Muneeb Wasif, Tahir Hussain, Zeeshan Zameer

Dimuth Karunaratne hit 75 and soaked up 176 deliveries in a century stand with Lahiru Thirimanne, and Oshada Fernando struck an unbeaten half-century of his own later in the day, as Sri Lanka comfortably batted out a draw in Antigua.Missing Shannon Gabriel for part of the day due to a hamstring complaint, West Indies were only able to take two Sri Lanka wickets on a pitch that had become slower and lower for the quicks and yet did not take substantial turn for the spinners. Only the occasional delivery misbehaved, and that was usually out of the rough.Each of the four Sri Lanka batsmen who came to the crease in this innings appeared comfortable. Even if the quicks occasionally took the edge, the ball was likely to die well before it reached the slip cordon, as long as it had been played with soft hands. Rahkeem Cornwall, meanwhile, threatened the inside edge with his straighter deliveries, but none of the thick edges was a viable catch for the fielder at short leg. At no stage was there the dramatic, fast turn – often seen in South Asia on the fifth day – to envenom the slow bowlers.

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It was the 101-run opening stand that laid the platform for Sri Lanka’s successful resistance. Thirimanne was dropped on 17 in the third over of the day when wicketkeeper Joshua da Silva failed to grasp a straightforward leg-side chance off the bowling of Gabriel. But otherwise, the openers were secure right through that session, defending resolutely and finding regular runs into the outfield, mostly square of the wicket.Karunaratne was especially adept at shuffling across the stumps, closing his bat, and hitting into leg-side gaps. In fact, 55 of his runs (73%) came on that side of the pitch, with all but one of his nine boundaries scored there. He completed a half-century shortly before lunch, having hit some memorable on-drives, to go with his leg-side flicks.Thirimanne was more cautious, venturing only two boundaries in the morning, perhaps pushed to reticence by the early chance he gave up. When he was dismissed for 39 off 114 nicking a full Alzarri Joseph delivery to first slip where Cornwall took a sharp, low catch, Karunaratne slowed down too. Although at times in his innings Karunaratne was striking at over 50, his eventual strike rate was 43. Sri Lanka had very clearly decided the target of 377 was going to be too much of a stretch (it always seemed extremely unlikely).Oshada, likewise, did not seem to be overly troubled either by the pitch or West Indies’ depleted attack. He hit out only against the truly wayward balls, picking up frequent singles in between the big shots. He scored more quickly than the openers, reaching his half-century off the 86th ball he faced, but then buckled down soon after. He was 66 not out off 119 when Kraigg Brathwaite decided no result was possible and the match was called off. With Karunaratne having been dismissed by Kyle Mayers late in the second session, Oshada had Dinesh Chandimal for company for the 20 overs that were played in the third session. Chandimal made 10 off 66 deliveries.In the end, this Antigua surface’s refusal to take substantial spin even at the back end of both Tests allowed teams to bat confidently in the fourth innings, greatly reducing the chance of a result. The footmarks did not play a substantial role, and spinners did not become seriously threatening in either Test.The 0-0 result means Sri Lanka failed to win any of their series in the Caribbean, having lost the T20Is 2-1 and the ODIs 3-0. They do maintain their No. 7 ranking in Tests, however, keeping West Indies at eight.

Julen Lopetegui has had a very busy summer so far, as West Ham look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with the goal of returning to European football for the 2025/26 season.

New signings include Max Kilman from Wolves, who has worked under Lopetegui before, talented Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme, Championship POTY Crysencio Summerville from Leeds, and now veteran striker, Niclas Füllkrug from Dortmund.

But West Ham could yet move for another striker, as many people have reservations over the investment in Fullkrug, purely due to his age.

However, if the Hammers acquire another younger striker too, it could prove to be clever squad building.

West Ham's search for another attacker

According to reports from Calciomercato, West Ham are one of the interested teams in Roma striker, Tammy Abraham, having reportedly made an attempt for the English forward, offering Roma up to £25m.

However, AC Milan are another of the reported clubs to be interested, and Abraham is said to prefer a move to the San Siro, who could offer him Champions League football, and a very exciting project under new manager, Paulo Fonseca.

Abraham made 12 appearances for Roma last season, after returning from a long-term injury, scoring one goal, and providing one assist in 321 minutes played.

Abraham vs Fullkrug comparison

Fullkrug, the new West Ham signing, made 46 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund last season, scoring 16 goals, providing ten assists and totalling 3,605 minutes played.

The German striker has shown his nature as a prolific goalscorer, with those 16 goals for Dortmund, and two goals at Euro 2024 in limited minutes. But could Abraham prove to offer even more, and over a longer period of time given the age?

Using Abraham's metrics from the 2022/23 season, it provides a clearer indication of what his numbers can look like, playing 2,189 minutes compared to the 321 minutes he played in 2023/24, due to injury.

Goals

0.33

0.45

Assists

0.12

0.30

xG

0.44

0.48

Progressive Carries

1.44

0.71

Shots

2.55

2.07

Shots on Target

1.15

0.90

Shot-Creating Actions

2.88

2.41

Touches (Att Pen)

5.14

4.14

Aerials Won

3.29

2.97

The once-described "goal machine" dubbed by Stephen Elliot, excels in most metrics ahead of Fullkrug, apart from output such as goal and assist numbers. Abraham produces a similar level of xG, at 0.44 per 90, to Fullkrug's 0.48 per 90.

Whilst the former Chelsea striker doesn't quite bring the same prolific nature as Fullkrug, he offers more in other departments, such as progressive carries, touches in the penalty area, shot volume (both shots and shots on target) and aerials won, using that 6 foot 3 frame of his.

Perhaps a mixture of the two, adding experience and goal-scoring prowess with Fullkrug, and a slightly different physical profile with Abraham, who is faster, more mobile, and able to carry the ball, could provide a good balance for the Hammers up top this coming season.

West Ham hit gold on star worth more than Fullkrug & Summerville combined

He’s been quite the sensation over the past several years…

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