The pair added 212 runs for the fourth wicket to stretch South Australia’s overall lead to 275

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Nov-2017
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Jake Lehmann put himself squarely in the running for an Ashes berth with a second counter-attacking innings of the match against Victoria, helping South Australia’s captain Callum Ferguson give the Redbacks a 275-run lead with one day remaining at the MCG.After SA again lost early wickets in a mirror of day one, Lehmann combined with Ferguson to add 212 for the fourth wicket, their stand only ended when Lehmann, on 93, top-edged an attempted sweep shot at the wrist spin of Fawad Ahmed. The innings, soaking up 143 balls, was a somewhat less frenetic affair than his first-innings century but equally important to the match situation.Ferguson, meanwhile, provided a reminder to the chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns that he remains a player of substance, guiding his team into a position from which it will be possible to dictate terms to the Bushrangers on the final day. His innings featured 14 boundaries but also plenty of alert running between the wickets as the Victoria captain Pete Handscomb tried in-out fields for much of the day in an effort to test the batsmen’s patience.Victoria’s last pair of Fawad and Chris Tremain had earlier frustrated the Redbacks in surviving for 10 overs, after the seamer Chadd Sayers had started the day on a hat-trick. Tremain, Scott Boland and Peter Siddle then bowled some challenging overs with the new ball, restricting the usually free-spirited Jake Weatherald to 21 from 72 deliveries.

Southampton are battling a number of Championship rivals for the signing of highly-rated Premier League starlet Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and a new report has revealed whether Manchester City are willing to sell him permanently.

Will Southampton make more signings?

Saints have made a solid start to life back in the second tier of English football, as they look to make a speedy return to the Premier League after last season's disappointment.

A 2-1 victory away to Championship newcomers Sheffield Wednesday was followed up by a thrilling 4-4 draw at home to Norwich City last Saturday, suggesting an entertaining campaign lies ahead on the south coast.

While Southampton arguably have one of the strongest squads in the division, they have now lost key midfield pair James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia to West Ham and Chelsea respectively, and more signings could be needed between now and the end of the transfer window.

It isn't just in the middle of the park that Russell Martin will be looking for reinforcements, however, with the aforementioned goal-laden draw with Norwich highlighting the need for defensive additions, too.

What's happening with Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

Taking to Twitter this morning, reliable journalist John Percy claimed that Southampton are fighting Leicester City, Leeds United and others for the signing of Harwood-Bellis this summer:

"Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis is a loan target for Championship clubs including Leicester, Leeds and Southampton. City are also open to selling the England under-21 captain at the right price before the window closes."

Harwood-Bellis could be exactly what Southampton are looking for in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, given his reputation as a hugely exciting young centre-back with a high ceiling.

He has already made eight appearances for Manchester City, scoring once, which says a huge amount about his quality, given their status as the best club side in world football.

Last season Harwood-Bellis was loaned out to Burnley, and he played a key role in Vincent Kompany's side cruising to Championship title glory, starting 31 matches in the competition and averaging 3.1 clearances per game.

Kompany, a legendary centre-back in the Premier League, has waxed lyrical about the young Englishman in the past 12 months, saying:

"I've known Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] for a long time so what everyone can see on the ball or what everyone can see when he goes into his challenges, I think his biggest quality, that is perhaps more difficult to see on the eye, is his leadership and his incredible drive and high standards."

This further sums up how much potential he has as a footballer, and if Saints can beat others to his signature this summer, it could immediately enhance their hopes of gaining automatic promotion from the Championship next May.

City would also surely be happy to see him loaned out again at the very least, in order to aid his development, but a permanent move to St May's would be even more exciting, snapping him up on a long-term basis.

That being said, Leicester and Leeds are strong promotion contenders in their own right, so they are likely to provide stern competition over the signing of Harwood-Bellis, so Southampton have to do all they can to persuade him to overlook their interest and choose them instead.

From the moment that a Derbyshire court found Thakor guilty of sexual exposure, Derbyshire were committed to only one course of action

David Hopps21-Nov-2017Derbyshire have terminated Shiv Thakor’s contract with immediate effect less than a week after he was found guilty of two accounts of sexual exposure.Thakor, who was granted unconditional bail, will be sentenced on November 24 and must fear that a career once predicted to end with England honours could now be at an end.Derbyshire were intent upon releasing Thakor, a former England Under-19 allrounder, from the moment he was found guilty at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on November 15 in connection with two accounts of sexual exposure.The court heard how Thakor had been labelled as “Shifty Shiv” by one of the witnesses, having allegedly arrived on the housing estate in jogging bottoms with two buttons undone.A terse Derbyshire statement said: “The club expects the highest standards of behaviour from all its staff and is opposed to sexual harassment in any form.”Following last week’s court decision, the club has reviewed the case and Thakor’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect. The club will make no further comment.”Derbyshire’s response has also had to take into account that Thakor was in a relationship with an employee at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be closing in on a potential replacement for in-demand striker, Harry Kane, amid reports that negotiations have been held regarding a move for Porto talisman, Mehdi Taremi.

What's the latest on Taremi to Tottenham?

According to Portuguese newspaper, Record, the 31-year-old is potentially set to play his 'last game' for the Primeira Liga side against rivals Benfica in the super cup later this week, with the north Londoners continuing their contact with the Iranian international.

Amid those talks, the piece suggests that an agreement has not yet been reached between the two clubs as the Lilywhites have yet to meet Porto's €30m (£26m) asking price, having thus far promised to cough up in the region of €24m (£21m).

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

This follows a report from transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio who revealed last week that Spurs are interested in signing the former Rio Ave man, with the experienced marksman seemingly up for grabs with just a year left to run on his current deal.

How good is Mehdi Taremi?

Not that Ange Postecoglou would have needed reminding of the importance of Kane to his side, although the free-scoring Englishman further rubberstamped his quality with a clinical display in the recent pre-season friendly clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, having hit four goals against the Ukranian outfit.

With the club's record scorer potentially on his way to Bayern Munich, those at N17 will have to seek out a suitable replacement who can be the new attacking figurehead moving forward, with Taremi perhaps an ideal fit due to his stellar record in Portugal in recent seasons.

The 6 foot 1 menace notably scored 31 goals and chipped in with 14 assists in 51 games in all competitions last term – totalling more goal involvements than any Tottenham player achieved – while having also netted 26 times and registered 17 assists the year prior.

While replicating such form in the Premier League will pose a different challenge, the 66-cap sensation could find that task far easier due to the presence of recent summer signing, James Maddison, with the ex-Leicester City magician likely to help Taremi prove rather unplayable in the final third.

As Maddison proved against Shakhtar – after providing an assist for Kane's second goal with a stunning, whipped cross – he can be a real creative weapon for Postecoglou's side next season, with 90min's Sean Walsh writing that the 26-year-old 'loves to get on the ball and play it forward'.

That quality was also evident last season as the Coventry-born maestro finished tenth in the division with regard to chances created, while also ranking in the top 15% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for progressive passes as a marker of that forward-thinking approach.

Having also created 12 'big chances' and averaged 2.3 key passes per game in 2022/23, Maddison has proven that he can provide the goods on a plate for those ahead of him in the forward line, thus ensuring that Taremi could flourish amid that constant, elite service.

With the Porto goal machine a true poacher by trade – as he ranks in the top 3% among his European peers for touches in the attacking penalty area – he could allow Maddison the space and freedom to operate in an advanced midfield role behind him.

As such, the signing of Taremi – who was branded "ridiculous" by pundit Rio Ferdinand for his overhead kick against Chelsea in the Champions League a few years ago – could prove to be a particularly astute, albeit rather left-field Kane replacement for Postecoglou and co.

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Um dos principais destaques do Guarani neste ano de 2020, o volante Lucas Abreu, ex-CRB e Juventude, falou sobre o desejo de ver a equipe evoluindo nesta temporada. Segundo o jogador, a meta de todos no elenco é fazer o Bugre melhorar seu desempenho em campo nestas próximas semanas.

– O grupo vem trabalhando muito para crescer de produção e para melhorar seu desempenho em campo nestas próximas semanas. Vamos procurar ter um ritmo forte nesta sequência da temporada para evoluirmos. Vejo o elenco bastante motivado e confiante no trabalho que vem sendo realizado.

Para Lucas, o grande objetivo do Bugre do Bugre nesta temporada é fazer uma grande Série B para brigar pelo acesso e disputar a Série A em 2021.

– Sabemos das dificuldades da Série B e vamos trabalhar para fazer uma grande competição para brigarmos nas primeiras posições. Temos que acreditar até o fim nisso – concluiu.

Neste sábado, o Guarani enfrenta o Operário-PR, fora de casa, às 19h, pela oitava rodada do Brasileirão da Série B. Neste momento, o Guarani ocupa a 17ª posição na tabela de classificação, com quatro pontos em sete partidas.

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West Ham have been linked with a move for Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus this summer and a positive new update has now emerged.

How many goals did Mohammed Kudus score for Ajax?

Still just 23 years of age, the Ghanaian is a highly-rated young player who has become a key man for Ajax, shining with his quality in the attacking third.

Kudus has registered 35 goal contributions (24 goals and 11 assists) in 85 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, highlighting his quality, and he has also shone at international level for Ghana, netting twice in three appearances at the 2022 World Cup.

The Ajax man's future has been a big talking point this summer, with a move elsewhere potentially coming to fruition before the end of the summer transfer window. West Ham are one of the clubs who have been linked with a move for him numerous times recently, with his current deal expiring at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Now, another update has emerged regarding the Hammers' pursuit of Kudus, suggesting a switch to the London Stadium is on the cards sooner rather than later.

What's the latest on Mohammed Kudus to West Ham?

Taking to Twitter X, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano provided a new claim on West Ham's hopes of signing Kudus this summer, with fresh talks now underway:

"West Ham have scheduled new round of talks for Mohammed Kudus deal – the agreement on personal terms is close as final points need to be discussed.

"Verbal negotiation ongoing with Ajax throught intermediaries, no formal bid yet but deal advancing."

Kudus showed exactly what he is capable of at the World Cup, looking such a threat for Ghana with his technical quality and pace, so he could be an outstanding signing by West Ham if they manage to get a deal over the line.

Legendary former Netherlands striker Marco van Basten has spoken about how much better he thinks the Ajax ace is than Manchester United winger Antony, saying:

"Kudus has much better technique and he knows what he is doing. Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical.

"He is much more of a footballer, you can place him anywhere on the pitch, an all-rounder for the team. In fact, I like him much better than Antony. He's more fun to watch play."

This says a lot about the quality that Kudus could add to West Ham's team, and his ability to play in attacking midifeld, out wide or as a forward also makes him a dream for David Moyes, in terms of versatility and providing squad depth across several different positions.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Calvin Bassey has also described him as a "star boy" in the past, further highlighting his reputation, and at 23, there is no reason why his best years shouldn't be ahead of him for a long time to come.

West Ham need that extra sprinkling of attacking magic this summer, as they look to become more consistently potent in front of goal, and in Kudus, they could have the ideal option to come in and make them a more formidable prospect.

Tottenham Hotspur have already enjoyed a busy window thus far with eight summer deals having been wrapped up, although that may not be the end of the Lilywhites' transfer dealings following an update regarding their apparent interest in Crystal Palace star, Eberechi Eze.

How much is Eberechi Eze worth?

According to football.london's Alasdair Gold, the north Londoners are continuing to keep tabs on the England international's current situation at Selhurst Park, with Ange Postecoglou likely to be in need of further attacking recruits following the loss of Bryan Gil to injury.

As per the report, the 25-year-old is among a list of relatively youthful targets who have been identified to potentially bolster the forward line this summer, with the ex-Celtic boss seemingly keen to work with and nurture young players.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

While the piece does not add what it would take to be able to sign the former Queen's Park Rangers wizard before the September deadline, CIES Football Observatory currently values the playmaker at €30m (£26m), with just two years left on his current contract.

How good is Eberechi Eze?

It is perhaps easy to see why the Palace ace has caught the attention of those at N17, with the versatile asset – who can feature on the flanks or in a creative midfield berth – having been in sparkling form for his current side in recent years.

The one-time Wycombe Wanderers man – who boasts a haul of 26 goals and assists in 93 games for the Eagles – was particularly impressive at the tail-end of last season following the return of Roy Hodgson in the dugout, scoring six goals from his final nine Premier League appearances of the campaign.

That ensured that the "unplayable" talent – as previously described by Statman Dave – finished the 2022/23 season with a stellar haul of ten goals and four assists in 38 league games, with that record of goal involvements only bettered by Harry Kane and Heung-min Son among the Spurs squad.

If Eze is to make the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the near future, the hope would be that he could replicate the impact that Martin Odegaard has enjoyed with north London rivals, Arsenal, with the pair said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, as per FBref.

That likeness between the two playmakers can notably be seen by just how effective they are at driving their respective sides up the pitch from their midfield berths, with the Selhurst sensation ranking in the top 15% among his European peers for progressive carries per 90. In contrast, Odegaard ranks in the top 14% in that regard.

The duo also share a similarity with regard to their willingness to get forward and hurt the opposition in the final third, with Eze ranking in the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 and in the top 12% for progressive passes received per 90, while his Gunners counterpart ranks in top 2% and the top 4% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Such a comparison to the latter man is noteworthy considering the stellar showings that the Norwegian has produced during his time at the Emirates, with the 24-year-old having registered 15 goals and eight assists in 37 league games in 2022/23 as part of his side's ultimately unsuccessful title charge.

Arguably "one of the best technical players in this league" – according to pundit Fabrice Muamba – Odegaard is undoubtedly a figure to try and emulate, hence just what a coup it would be to be able to land his potential clone in the form of Eze.