Arsenal lead race to sign £65m Barcelona star with same agent as Gyokeres

Arsenal are now leading the race for a “world-class” Barcelona star, who has the same agent as Viktor Gyokeres, with Mikel Arteta personally keen on a creative midfielder.

Gunners eyeing new midfielder despite Zubimendi masterclass

After suffering a setback against Liverpool before the international break, the Gunners responded in perfect fashion against Nottingham Forest, chalking up a 3-0 victory, with summer signing Martin Zubimendi looking particularly impressive.

The Spaniard bagged the opening and final goal against the Tricky Trees, finding the back of the net with a superb volley from the edge of the box, which saw the 26-year-old pick up the Man of the Match award.

Arteta is well-stocked in the engine room, with the manager clearly a big fan of Mikel Merino, having trusted the 29-year-old to start ahead of Declan Rice against Forest, saying: “Mikel [Merino] comes back after scoring four goals in two games with a really high emotional state and I want to use that when a player is in that moment.

“I want to play him because he is going to bring something different with the qualities that they have and Declan comes in and it will have an impact immediately or he will play the next game.”

However, according to a report from Spain, Arteta has set his sights on bringing in another creative midfielder in the January transfer window, with Arsenal now keen on a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The Gunners are said to be the leading candidates for De Jong’s signature, despite interest from the Saudi Pro League, with the Dutchman keen to remain at an elite European club, although ideally that would be Barcelona.

However, the 28-year-old, who cost the La Liga club €75m (£65m), is yet to agree a new contract with Barca, which means his current employers could look to cash-in this winter.

"World-class" De Jong could take Arsenal's midfield to next level

There are perhaps some doubts over whether the Gunners need another central midfielder, having signed Zubimendi in the summer, who has made a flying start to life at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal intensify interest in signing "special" gem ahead of Liverpool

He’s a future star…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 13, 2025

However, with Arteta’s side clearly at the stage where they can go deep into the Champions League, having reached the semi-finals last season, it makes sense to have a deeper squad, and De Jong could take their midfield to the next level.

Simone Inzaghi has suggested the Netherlands international could be one of the best players in the world in his position, saying: “Let me say that Frenkie de Jong is just sensational, he’s a world class player. Frenkie surprised me at same level as Lamine Yamal did.”

The Barca star, who is represented by HCM Sports management, the same agency as Gyokeres, has considerable experience at the top level, picking up 19 goals and 23 assists in 261 games for Barcelona, so it is exciting news that he could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium this winter.

Emery’s next Rashford: Aston Villa remain in race to sign “special” £60m talent

For a team that can boast a 75-time Premier League goalscorer in Ollie Watkins and a £100m-rated Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa have looked rather limp in attack during the infancy of this new season.

Unai Emery’s men are yet to get off the board in terms of goals, and unfortunately, also wins, as Crystal Palace now await the out-of-sorts Villans before the early international break comes into view.

It could well be that the Spaniard has to dip his toes into the hectic transfer market to add some last-minute firepower to his unusually weary attack, with Villa still noted as being in the race for this £60m forward.

Aston Villa remain in race for £60m talent

Emery will certainly be pushed into making some last-ditch additions if more movement occurs out of the door at Villa Park.

Indeed, it has been rumbling away in the background that Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to splash the cash to land the aforementioned Rogers, with Villa perhaps needing this cash boost to make some standout purchases of their own.

Having recently received the prize of being the PFA Young Player of the Year, Rogers exiting the building would be an almighty blow, but Villa do have a high-profile attacking move up their sleeve, as well.

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has offered up a welcome development for fans of the West Midlands side, with the German journalist revealing that no agreement has yet been struck between Bayern Munich and Chelsea for the services of long-term Villa target Nicolas Jackson.

This means that Premier League sides are still in the mix, including Villa, with it yet to be seen if the striker would prefer move to Bavaria or the Midlands, to link up with his former Villarreal boss in Emery.

The ex-Arsenal manager will be hoping he can work his magic on another top-flight attacking misfit, having briefly breathed life back into Marcus Rashford’s bumpy playing days when he pulled on Villa claret and blue last season.

Why Jackson can be Emery's next Rashford

Rashford desperately needed an escape from the shackles of Manchester United last campaign.

The 27-year-old’s stay at his boyhood club had turned sour, to say the least, but while his working relationship with Ruben Amorim had broken down at Old Trafford, he managed to strike up a healthy connection to Emery on his Villans arrival.

In tow, Rashford – who is now on loan at Barcelona – would tally up an impressive four goals and six assists from just 17 outings at Villa Park.

Jackson will be praying he can be as blistering from the get-go if he makes the move to Villa, with his £60m price tag making a loan switch to the West Midlands look more likely – as opposed to a permanent move – owing to Emery and Co’s worrying PSR predicament.

The often scapegoated 24-year-old has flattered to deceive at points at Stamford Bridge, with a costly 43 big chances spurned across two Premier League seasons, but he has also shown a red-hot streak in spurts that could see him instantly explode into life away from Enzo Maresca’s men, in a similar fashion to Rashford’s reinvigorated displays under Emery’s wing.

After only bagging a mere one goal from his first seven Chelsea matches during his debut season, Jackson would then go on to light up West London with a clinical six strikes from his next eight matches.

His former Yellow Submarine head coach now needs to get this “special” – as he was once labelled by journalist Rahman Osman – side out of the Senegalese attacker more regularly.

The hit-and-miss Blues number 15 could well see his 24-goal tally in the Premier League rise under the Spaniard’s expertise, having already seen the heights Rashford managed to hit during his short stint.

After all, the Manchester-born star has been prone to being streaky himself, even during his United peak, with Erik ten Hag even declaring that Rashford was “unstoppable when he is in the mood”, as seen in him bagging a hefty 17 league goals under the Dutchman during the 2022/23 season, only to then follow that up with a slender seven strikes the next campaign.

Emery will be keeping his fingers crossed that Jackson moves on from his inconsistent form when lining up for Villa, with another stellar loan move perhaps in the making if he goes on to be a dangerous option up top that pushes the top-flight strugglers out of their early-season slump.

Aston Villa send late bid to seal a better signing than Nkunku & Jackson

Aston Villa could win a better signing than both Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson joining with this last-ditch move.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 26, 2025

Liverpool wonderkid Giovanni Leoni sends out positive message after undergoing ACL surgery and set for lengthy spell out

Liverpool wonderkid Giovanni Leoni sent out a positive message after undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament surgery. Leoni suffered knee ligament damage when making his competitive debut for the club in a Carabao Cup clash with Southampton last week and will not remain out of action for almost a year. The teenage defender only moved to Anfield over the summer from Parma.

  • Leoni's nightmare debut for Liverpool

    Following his transfer from Parma to Liverpool, 18-year-old Leoni finally got to make his competitive debut for the Reds last week as Arne Slot put him in the starting lineup against Southampton in a Carabao Cup clash. The defender, however, suffered an injury with nine minutes left on the clock and had to be stretchered off the pitch. The Italian underwent scans on his knee before finding out that he has ruptured his ACL and will remain sidelined for a long period. 

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    Huge blow for Leoni and Liverpool

    Leoni would have hoped to make a mark in his debut season at Anfield and break into the Italy senior national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, however, considering ACL injuries can take up to nine months to recover from, he won't be back on the pitch at least until pre-season ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The Reds too, are dealt a major blow as they now have only Joe Gomez and Rhys Williams as cover for the first-choice centre-back pair of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. 

  • Leoni sends out positive message

    Following surgery on his knee, Leoni shared an image of himself on the hospital bed and wrote: "Surgery done. Thanks everyone for the messages. I'll be back soon."

    IG:@giovannileonii

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    Liverpool aim to bounce after back-to-back defeats

    After making a perfect start to the 2025-26 campaign, Arne Slot's Reds suffered their maiden defeat against Crystal Palace last week, followed by a 1-0 loss at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday. They will now aim to bounce back with a win against Chelsea this Saturday in the Premier League.

"Not good enough" – Neville slams £120k-p/w Man Utd player after Man City

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has claimed one player is “not good enough” and part of a “massive problem” after the 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Man Utd fall to 14th after Manchester derby defeat

It was always going to be a difficult task for Man United to get something from Sunday’s game, but the manner of the defeat is likely to be particularly concerning, with Ruben Amorim’s side suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester City.

Speaking after the game, Paul Scholes suggested a simple lack of quality on United’s behalf was the difference between the two sides, with the club legend particularly critical of the midfield.

Scholes said: “I don’t think the quality is there. “Whatever two out of the four or five they have got in [midfield] – Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes], [Kobbie] Mainoo – whatever combination he seems to try doesn’t seem to work.

“That’s a big issue. I thought all summer the absolute priority was a centre midfield player with legs, who can play and can control a game.”

With the Red Devils falling to 14th after the heavy defeat, Neville was also left unimpressed, and the former right-back singled out a midfielder for criticism on his podcast after the match (via GiveMeSport).

The Sky Sports pundit said: “The midfield is a massive problem, and we’ve known that. United fans know that. Ugarte And Fernandes today, I think you mentioned it early, about an hour before the game, that Ugarte and Fernandes played in this fixture last year from start to finish, and United won the game, but Ugarte is not good enough.”

It's not Sesko: £25m Man Utd flop is quickly becoming Amorim's new Hojlund

Manchester United were thrashed by their city rivals to increase the pressure on Ruben Amorim.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 15, 2025 Ugarte fails to impress once again

Unfortunately for Amorim, Ugarte seems to be yet another player who has failed to adapt to life at Man United, despite exhibiting very promising signs before making the move to Old Trafford.

In fairness, the Uruguayan wasn’t one of the worst performers for Amorim’s side on Sunday, receiving a SofaScore match rating of 6.8, but he struggled to have any real impact on the match, being dribbled past on one occasion and losing possession eight times.

Neville is not the only person to have called out the £120k-a-week midfielder this season either, with football writer Muhammad Butt very critical of the 24-year-old’s performance in the embarrassing EFL Cup defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town.

As such, it is little wonder Man United are looking to strengthen their midfield in January, with Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba among the targets.

Nottingham Forest open talks to bring "unbelievable" 66-cap star to City Ground

Nottingham Forest are keen to strengthen the ranks before the window shuts and have now opened talks with an experienced international over a move to the City Ground, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest draw at Selhurst Park amid managerial uncertainty

Creating a backdrop of intrigue, the furore over Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the Europa League that led to Nottingham Forest taking their place fanned the flames of an entertaining 1-1 draw between both sides at Selhurst Park last weekend.

Furthermore, Nuno Espirito Santo’s uncertain future and links with Ange Postecoglou replacing him at the City Ground haven’t quietened things down, albeit the Portuguese boss appeared to cool talk that he is set for an imminent exit.

Nottingham Forest managerNunoEspirito Santo is seen before the match

He told Match of the Day: “I am a person that thinks a lot before saying anything. I say because I believe that things can improve but now is a moment to ignore the noise and focus on what I have to do. My job is clear.

“Of course, there will be resolution. Everything is going to be OK, for sure. It is the moment to sit down and talk. More important is how we play football and I think we are improving, trying to adjust some things and that is where my focus is.”

Speculation is rife over potential additions and AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa is on Nottingham Forest’s radar to strengthen their midfield amid competition from West Ham United for his signature.

Matty Cash could also pitch up at the City Ground to provide competition for Ola Aina at full-back, and many suspect there will be more signings to come as Espirito Santo looks to build a squad capable of challenging for continental qualification once again.

Nottingham Forest open talks to sign Dominik Livakovic

According to The Guardian, Nottingham Forest have opened talks to sign Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and he is open to a Premier League move before the window draws to a close.

The Croatia international, who has been capped 66 times by his country, is wanted to provide competition for Matz Sels between the sticks and his current employers would be willing to let him leave Istanbul should the correct fee be put on the table.

Nottingham Forest "exploring" deal to sign "versatile" Premier League rival

Forest fans are more than familiar with his ability.

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 21, 2025

Praised by Luka Modric for his role in Croatia’s penalty shoot-out victory over Japan at the 2022 World Cup, the 30-year-old kept nine clean sheets in 32 appearances last season, maintaining a save percentage of 66.2%.

Ante Budimir also lauded Livakovic’s “absolutely unbeliavable” contribution on that famous night in Qatar, though he has now fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho and could be set for an exciting new challenge.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have made their interest known over the last few years. However, Livakovic would provide genuine competition for Sels and Angus Gunn as the Tricky Trees juggle domestic and European endeavours.

القنوات الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز ونهضة بركان اليوم في السوبر الإفريقي

يخوض فريق بيراميدز واحدة من أهم مبارياته في تاريخه، عندما يلتقي مساء اليوم السبت مع نظيره نهضة بركان المغربي، في نهائي كأس السوبر الإفريقي، على أرضية استاد الدفاع الجوي بالقاهرة، في مواجهة قوية تجمع بطلي دوري أبطال إفريقيا والكونفدرالية.

ويشارك بيراميدز في السوبر الإفريقي للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، بعدما نجح في التتويج بلقب دوري أبطال إفريقيا خلال الموسم الماضي، فيما يدخل نهضة بركان اللقاء بصفته بطل كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، ساعيًا لمواصلة تألقه القاري وإضافة لقب جديد إلى خزائنه.

ويسعى بيراميدز بقيادة مدربه كرونسلاف يورتشيتش إلى تحقيق إنجاز تاريخي جديد يضاف إلى سجل النادي السماوي، إذ يطمح في حصد رابع ألقابه الرسمية بعد تتويجه بـ كأس مصر، ودوري أبطال إفريقيا، وكأس الثلاث قارات، ليؤكد مكانته كأحد أبرز أندية القارة في السنوات الأخيرة.

من جانبه، استقر الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم (كاف) على طاقم التحكيم الذي سيقود المباراة، حيث تم تعيين السوداني محمود إسماعيل حكمًا للساحة، ويعاونه مواطنه محمد عبد الله كمساعد أول، والكيني جيلبيرت شيرويه كمساعد ثانٍ، بينما يتولى الموريتاني عبد العزيز بوه مهمة الحكم الرابع.

طالع أيضًا | يورتشيتش قبل السوبر الإفريقي: هدفنا إضافة بطولة جديدة.. وهذا موقفي بشأن رمضان صبحي

كما تم إسناد مهمة تقنية الفيديو (VAR) إلى الغاني دانيل لاريا، بمساعدة توم أبو نجيل من جنوب إفريقيا وستيفين أونيانجو من كينيا.

وتنطلق صافرة بداية مباراة بيراميدز ونهضة بركان في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وسط ترقب جماهيري كبير داخل مصر وخارجها. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز ونهضة بركان اليوم في السوبر الإفريقي

وتُذاع مباراة بيراميدز ونهضة بركان المغربي عبر قناة “beIN Sports 2” للمشاهدين في المنطقة العربية وشمال إفريقيا.

وتنقل المباراة إيضًا عبر قناة تايم سبورت “التردد الأراضي”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

'It's a bitter feeling' – Inaki Pena reveals Barcelona pressured him to delay summer transfer as goalkeeper opens up on disappointing exit

Inaki Pena was "left with a bitter taste" after spending the latter half of the 2024-25 season on the bench, with Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick opting to play Wojciech Szczesny as the first-choice goalkeeper. Pena also revealed that the Catalans pressured him to delay his departure amid difficulty in registering summer signing Joan Garcia and the long-term absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

From Barcelona starter to bench warmer

Pena was included in the 2024-25 roster by head coach Hansi Flick, being assigned the role of Ter Stegen's understudy. However, just a month into the campaign, the German international suffered an ACL injury. Pena, thus, became the automatic choice to serve as the first-choice goalkeeper. In October, Barca struck an agreement with Wojciech Szczesny, who came out of retirement to join the Catalans until the end of the season. 

Pena proved his credentials and showed that he was ready to shoulder the responsibility in Ter Stegen's absence, drawing praise for his incredible performance in the 4-0 drubbing of Real Madrid in a La Liga Clasico in October 2024. However, at the turn of the year, Szczesny was handed his first start in the Supercopa de Espana, and the Polish veteran sealed his spot in the XI, much to Pena's disappointment. 

The-then 25-year-old reportedly had a private meeting with Flick, in which he was told by the German boss that the chances of him returning to the lineup were slim barring an injury to Szczesny. In all, Pena made 23 appearances for Barcelona last season. 

AdvertisementGetty/GOALPena's summer struggles amid Barcelona's registration woes

Barcelona were keen on extending Szczesny's contract after his reassuring displays as the protector of their goal. Additionally, the Blaugrana were desperate to sign Garcia from Espanyol following his sensational performances in La Liga, with the young keeper coming to the club as the new first-choice custodian. With Ter Stegen also pretty much a part of the club's plans despite going to war with Barca's board, Pena's future at the club remained as uncertain as ever. 

It was obvious that the Alicante-born goalkeeper would depart this past summer, but his exit was blocked by Barcelona. The club's fragile financial condition meant that they faced difficulties in completing the registrations of Garcia and Szczesny. As such, Pena was pressured to delay his transfer after explaining to the player that his switch to another club was contingent on if and when they could get the required registrations over the line. 

Teams such as Como and Galatasaray had previously expressed interest in acquiring Pena's services, but the two clubs eventually moved on due to the recurring delays in Barca's clearing Pena for a departure. In the end, Pena signed a three-year extension with the reigning La Liga champions and joined newly-promoted Elche on a season-long loan.

Pena criticises Barcelona for asking him to delay summer transfer

“I played 25 or 26 games, but you're left with a bitter taste in your mouth when you haven't played for the last few months,” said the goalkeeper at his official presentation for Elche, who admitted that he chose Elche after weighing up “the pros and cons.”

He explained why his departure got delayed. “Barca asked me to wait until they registered the goalkeepers, and obviously, it was going to be easy because I have a contract, but I needed to play as many games as possible and have continuity, which is what I've been lacking in recent years to make the leap,” Pena added.

"[Elche head coach Eder Sarabia] knows what I can give and I know what he wants from me. I spoke to him several times in the summer, but Barca wouldn't let me leave until they had registered their goalkeepers. But he gave me confidence and told me they were waiting for me, something not all clubs do."

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Getty Images SportWhen does Pena play next?

Pena made his debut for Elche on September 21, helping his side to a 1-0 win over Real Oviedo. He started the next game, too – a 1-1 draw against Osasuna. However, he faces competition from 38-year-old Matias Dituro, who has started five games. Elche remain one of the only two teams, alongside Barca, to not have lost a single La Liga game so far. 

Análise: Fernando Diniz tenta 'se distanciar' de assunto Ancelotti e se volta para sucessão de desafios que encarará na Seleção Brasileira

MatériaMais Notícias

A entrevista coletiva da última quarta-feira (5) deixou ainda mais nítida a sucessão de desafios que Fernando Diniz encarará como treinador da Seleção Brasileira pelos próximos 12 meses. Apresentado oficialmente, o comandante despistou-se ao máximo de falar sobre Carlo Ancelotti, técnico do Real Madrid que é sonho de consumo do mandatário Ednaldo Rodrigues e de eventuais comparações que surgirão com o estilo de jogo do italiano.

– Meu foco não é o Carlo Ancelotti, vou falar de mim – afirmou desde o início.

A expectativa foi frisar sua autonomia para garantir que tem autonomia para definir o que acontecerá na Seleção Brasileira.

– Não conheço o Ancelotti (pessoalmente). Uma condição muito clara para realizar o meu trabalho é total liberdade, e uma das coisas que tenho que fazer é a convocação. O presidente foi muito claro com isso. Eu converso com muita gente, jamais conseguiria fazer as coisas que faço sozinho. A gente vai ter o estafe da CBF, vou trazer algumas, mas isso é um assunto que a gente vai definir com calma para não fazer nada apressado e cometer equívocos – completou.

Além de fugir neste primeiro momento da expectativa que deve pairar nos bastidores, Diniz viu uma preocupação inicial da CBF. A palavra “interino” não foi utilizada pelo presidente Ednaldo Rodrigues ou pelo treinador desde que aceitou a proposta de conciliar o trabalho no Fluminense com a Seleção Brasileira. O nome do treinador é o escolhido para a equipe canarinha no momento, independentemente do que venha a ocorrer nos bastidores da entidade.

Mais do que a “sombra” de Ancelotti, Fernando Diniz lidará com outros impasses causados pela “jornada dupla” com o Fluminense. Uma delas é a de como o Tricolor das Laranjeiras trabalhará durante a comissão técnica. Inicialmente, Eduardo Barros foi apontado por Diniz como o auxiliar para ficar à frente da equipe neste período. A chance de “migrar” de vez para a CBF foi descartada neste primeiro momento pelo treinador tricolor.

–  Eu jamais sairia do Fluminense para abraçar a CBF, embora seja um sonho, teria que adiar – garantiu.

O fato de conciliar o Tricolor das Laranjeiras e a Seleção Brasileira fará com que os holofotes se voltem em um primeiro momento para suas convocações. O técnico não se esquivou de perguntas sobre “conflitos de interesses” e da possibilidade de desfalcar equipes adversárias em momentos cruciais. Para isto, amparou-se na sua ética como profissional.

– A ética me fez suportar o sofrimento como jogador e ser o treinador que me tornei. Não fiz estágio, passei de jogador para treinador. É algo tranquilo para mim, uma chance de mostrar que o futebol não está acima da ética e vida, é um espaço de convivência para colocar a nossa vida. É complexo? Sim. Terei que fazer convocação e tomar decisões, o senso de justiça irá me pautar como sempre. E vão avaliar, não estou aqui para pedir para que pensem de um jeito ou não. Estou tranquilo e, nesse ponto de ética, a CBF apontou para a pessoa certa… – garantiu.

Pensando em “um passo de cada vez” e amparando-se em trazer os melhores “jogo a jogo”, Fernando Diniz terá a missão de pavimentar o trabalho da Seleção Brasileira pelo próximo ano. E sempre tentando prevalecer suas ideias para moldar seu estilo de jogo. Carlo Ancelotti? É assunto da CBF.

Bairstow bolsters Yorkshire before rain secures draw

Durham hampered in bid for victory by weather and injuries to seam attack

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay21-Apr-2025Captain Jonny Bairstow posted an unbeaten 86 as Yorkshire thwarted a depleted Durham attack to secure a Rothesay County Championship draw during a shortened fourth day at the Banks Homes Riverside.Impressive Bairstow shared half-century partnerships for the fifth and sixth wickets with allrounders George Hill and Matthew Revis during the morning session as Yorkshire, who started the day on 132 for 4 in their second innings – leading by 12 – reached 232 for 5 at lunch.With a lead of 112, Yorkshire had taken the sting out of the situation and continued to build their lead after the break, when rain arrived just before 3pm with the score at 277 for 6 from 105.3 overs and 157 ahead. A draw left them with a 13-point haul from this third round match, added to an earlier defeat and victory to start the season.Durham will rue the loss of injured seamers Paul Coughlin and Brendan Doggett throughout this fixture, which saw them claim 15 points and end a two-match losing start.Bairstow’s 167-ball effort included 11 fours and represented his second fifty of the summer.Coughlin’s abdominal problem was sustained on day one and seems more serious. Australian overseas Doggett, however, went over on his ankle during day three and was not on the field purely as a precaution.It meant captain Alex Lees, who scored a first-innings 172, was left with only four bowling options on day four – tireless new-ball seamers Ben Raine and Matthew Potts, medium-pacer Will Rhodes and the part-time offspin of Colin Ackermann. Durham had to use their 40-year-old batting coach Will Gidman as a substitute fielder.Bairstow started day four, which began with the floodlights on, with only two runs to his name. But he was quickly out of the blocks with a couple of boundaries off Potts in the day’s opening over.The situation meant that Bairstow, who played the last of his 100 Tests for England to date in March of last year, was never going to be wholly dominant. But he was far from becalmed against both the old ball and then the new.He completed a fifth-wicket stand of 59 with Hill, who contributed 24 before pulling Ackermann to midwicket, leaving Yorkshire at 176 for 5 in the 73rd over, a lead of 56.Bairstow was strong on the pull against Potts and then Raine, either side of reaching his fifty off 91 balls, while he drove another eye-catching boundary almost arrow straight off Rhodes.Revis also moved into the 20s with a couple of back-foot boundaries off Raine just before lunch at 232 for 5 with some light rain falling. After lunch, Potts had a five-over spell which Yorkshire negated. But by then, it felt as if the sting had been taken out of the situation with the threat of rain increasing.Potts bowled 50 overs in this match – 20 in the first innings and 30 in the second – for three wickets and has sent down 139 in three matches so far this season. Raine, meanwhile, has bowled 141 overs – the most in Division One. He took six wickets in the match.Ackermann had Revis caught behind off the inside-edge on 40, leaving Yorkshire 272 for 6. That ended a 96-run partnership with Bairstow, who was denied the chance to post a 32nd career first-class century. But his No. 1 objective of steering his side to safety had been achieved.Umpires Martin Saggers and Surendiran Shanmugam called a close to the fixture at 4pm.

Ishan Kishan walks but Ultra Edge shows no edge

The SRH batter felt he had edged a leg glance to the wicket-keeper even though technology did not detect an edge

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-20251:28

Aaron and Knight stumped by Kishan’s ‘bizarre’ dismissal

Ishan Kishan was dismissed in curious circumstances during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) home game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Wednesday, even as technology suggested he may not have been out.Kishan tried to glance a length ball from Deepak Chahar that was swinging down the leg side, failed to make proper contact, and then began to walk off even though none of the MI players had appealed for a caught behind after wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton “caught” the ball.Umpire Vinod Seshan first began to raise his arms sideways to signal a wide, but then dropped one arm and raised the other hesitantly to signal out as he spotted Kishan walking off. MI captain Hardik Pandya ran up to Kishan and patted him on the helmet for his decision to walk without waiting for the umpire’s decision.However, when the Ultra Edge replays were shown on the broadcast a few deliveries later, there was no spike to indicate an edge as the ball passed the bat.It was the second time Kishan had fallen caught by the wicketkeeper down the leg side this season. On this occasion, he was dismissed for 1 off 4 balls, leaving SRH 9 for 2 in 2.1 overs after being asked to bat. They subsequently slipped further to 35 for 5 by the ninth over of the innings before posting 143 for 8, which was far from enough for MI.SRH are currently ninth in the points table in IPL 2025, having won only two of their first eight games, above only Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Their next three fixtures are against Chennai Super Kings (April 25), Gujarat Titans (May 2) and Delhi Capitals (May 5).MI are third with five wins from eight games. They play Lucknow Super Giants next (April 27), followed by Rajasthan Royals (May 1) and Gujarat Titans (May 6).

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