Tasmania 171 and 244 for 5 (Weatherald 94, Silk 51*) lead Western Australia 172 (Hope 4-51, Meredith 3-36, Bird 3-38)Jake Weatherald missed his century but landed a fresh blow in his battle for a Test debut in the Ashes series.The Tasmania opener raced to 94 off just 99 balls on day two of the the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia in Hobart before he was caught in the deep hooking.Related
Haskett makes an impression as Weatherald misses out
O'Neill bags five but late Victoria collapse in the gloom keeps NSW in touch
He had made 18 in the hosts’ first-innings total of 171, as no other player passed 41 on the tricky Bellerive Oval track until Jordan Silk (51 not out) late on day two.Tasmania were 244 for 5 when rain stopped play slightly before stumps were due to be called.Left-handed Weatherald, 30, topped last year’s Shield run-scorers’ list with 906 at an average of 50.33, and remains in the frame for a call-up for the first Ashes Test.His commanding strokeplay, particularly square of the wicket, was impressive and potentially the perfect complement to the more sedate Usman Khawaja, who is all but assured of one opening spot at Optus Stadium against England next month.Weatherald, a promising emerging talent at South Australia who has reignited his career with a move south, struck 13 fours and a six in his brisk knock on Thursday.It came after the visitors had taken a lead of just one run on the first innings, at one stage losing 3 for 3 to be all out for 172 after beginning the day 107 for 4.Brad Hope ran through the tail, while Riley Meredith and Jackson Bird both finished with three wickets.Matthew Kelly (3-47) was the pick of the WA bowlers in Tasmania’s second innings.
He did it on Thursday. He did it on Friday too. This time he got to triple digits with shots all around the park, and celebrated in style after what’s been a tough cricketing period for him
Vishal Dikshit24-Jan-2025Shardul Thakur likes batting in difficult situations. He had said as much on Thursday, after he had put together 51 off 57 after coming in with Mumbai 42 for 6 against Jammu & Kashmir. On Friday, he took the rescue act up a notch, delivering an unbeaten century at almost a run a ball having come in at 91 for 6, with Mumbai leading by just five runs.All this when the recent past has not been kind to him. Shardul the allrounder was a regular in and around the India set-up at the end of 2023 before a foot surgery kept him out for more than half of 2024, and he hasn’t found a way back in since. Even though he has added consistency to his batting: four of his 14 first-class half-centuries and both his centuries have come in the last two domestic seasons. And much of this has been crisis batting, including 109 off 105 from 106 for 7 against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final last season, followed by 75 off 69 from 111 for 6 against Vidarbha to set up the title win.And he went unsold at the mega auction ahead of the IPL 2025 season. “You have to forget whatever has happened in the past,” he had said on Thursday. It is perhaps this practicality that helps him stay in the present when he walks out to bat in tough situations.Related
Ranji round-up: Jadeja demolishes Delhi, Thakur rescues Mumbai yet again
Shardul Thakur on his rescue act: 'I like batting in difficult situations'
What worked in his favour on Friday was that the ball was more than 25 overs old when he came out, and had lost all its swing. So, when he saw width on offer, he didn’t shy away from slashing over the infield on the off side. When the fast bowlers pitched it short, he middled his pulls. And the shots kept coming.First ball after tea, when Mumbai were 174 for 7, Thakur punched Umar Nazir Malik through the off side for four and, three balls later, pulled a short ball to the boundary. In the next over he swept left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq for another four to get to a 59-ball half-century. What did slow him down a bit was cramps; he had to call out the physio a couple of times after he crossed 50 and was clearly struggling between the wickets.The worst of it seemed to have passed by the time he got into the seventies, and his strokes reflected that. He pounced on fast bowler Yudhvir Singh outside off on 80 with such timing that he made it look like he was picking the length against a spinner. Two balls later, he clobbered Yudhvir over the covers with disdain to take the lead past 150 in style. On 94, he hooked Auqib Nabi and got a leading edge, but also four more. He was on 98, his team was still not on top of the game with the lead only 162, but Thakur kept going for it. He lofted the next ball straight down the ground, didn’t middle it at all, but it landed just beyond mid-off’s reach.
When Shardul Thakur saw width on offer, he didn’t shy away from slashing over the infield on the off side. When the fast bowlers pitched it short, he middled his pulls. And the shots kept coming.
Next over, against Mushtaq, he brought out the sweep on 99 and got the run that cued telling celebrations: he ran at speed (what cramps?) with his bat held high, punched the air, let out a scream, and pointed to the sky. It showed what the knock meant to him.The Mumbai dressing room, which had been dour and gloomy for most of the day, broke into rapturous applause, acknowledging a rare feat from a No. 8: Thakur was only the 13th player to score a fifty and a hundred in the same first-class match batting at No. 8 or lower since 2006.The J&K bowlers knew the pitch had nothing to offer now and they started peppering him with short balls. He took a blow on his chest near the left shoulder, got some ice treatment on the field, and still went on. He ramped Nabi’s short ball over the keeper for four, and eventually walked back unbeaten on 113 off 119 with Tanush Kotian – again, his support act from the semi-final last season – for company on 58 off 119.It was another Thakur knock that will go down as one that saved Mumbai’s blushes, even putting them a little in front after they’d been far behind. Maybe it will serve Thakur well to remember these bits of the past.
It’s safe to say it has been a topsy-turvy few weeks for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
A few weeks ago, the Gunners had played out an unbeaten week against Spurs, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Well, it would appear that the intense period has rather taken it out of them. The Gunners did beat Brentford but a defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, their first loss in 18 games, has raised questions.
Arteta’s squad may be full of depth but any team would struggle with the number of injuries they have suffered this season.
Sadly, that trend is only continuing ahead of their Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday night.
The latest injury news from Arsenal
Arsenal headed to Villa Park last weekend without a number of key players. Kai Havertz was absent once again, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were both unfit to play.
Arteta stressed over a week ago that Saliba’s injury was only a ‘matter of days’ but he is still missing from the squad ahead of Arsenal’s encounter with Brugge in midweek.
Given the club’s defensive frailties against Villa a few days ago, another missed match for Saliba is a hefty blow. Arsenal need to return to form and without their two defensive warriors, they are struggling.
Also missing from the squad to face Brugge will be Leandro Trossard. The Belgian has been one of Arsenal’s key men this term, scoring six goals and supplying five assists in 17 matches. It’s a huge blow, really. He’s been a clutch player for a long time but he’s been in the form of his life throughout 2025/26. Dare we say it, he may well be the club’s most important forward right now.
The Belgian returned to the squad following a small injury against Villa and did score, although he has now suffered another setback.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: “Obviously when you are missing players, you are loading other players and there is a consequence to that, and it’s a really dangerous circle.
“You have to separate the kind of injuries. Some of them have been long-term, and some have been acute injuries. It’s something that we are constantly looking at. We have played a lot of games with a lot of players missing and that puts a lot of stress, and then you get more injuries.”
While setbacks for Trossard and Saliba are key blows, it’s also disappointing that Max Dowman has picked up a longer-term problem. The teenager was likely set to feature in the remaining league games of the Champions League but is unlikely to be seen again in 2025.
Most injuries in the PL this season
Club
# of injuries
1. Leeds
28
2. Arsenal
26
2= Aston Villa
26
4. Crystal Palace
25
5. Chelsea
23
Commenting on that blow, the manager stated, “When you play in the position that he plays, when you play the manner that he plays, it was going to happen, and it has happened.
“It’s not ideal. He picked up weeks, it could have been worse, and we learn from that and now use this time to continue to improve in his education, in everything that is related to professional football, his habits, the way he needs to develop his physicality as well and the understanding of the game.”
That blow has, at least, allowed the club to replace Dowman with Gabriel Jesus in their Champions League squad. He could be in line to feature for the first time in nearly a year following an ACL injury.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Brugge
With Saliba, Gabriel and summer signing Cristian Mosquera all missing through injury, the backline likely picks itself with Ben White featuring at right-back alongside a centre-back pairing of Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie.
Riccardo Calafiori is suspended for Arsenal’s clash with Wolves at the weekend and thus, Arteta may use this as an opportunity to get minutes into the legs of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
In midfield, Declan Rice will be missing with illness. Martin Zubimendi is also due a rest, meaning we could see a midfield three of Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze.
In the forward line, Viktor Gyokeres could start for the first time since returning from injury, playing ahead of Mikel Merino. He is likely to be flanked by Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli with Bukayo Saka handed a rest. Expect to see him feature from the bench.
Ethan Nwaneri and Kepa Arrizabalaga are set to be in contention for rare starts but it feels more likely that they will be among the subs again.
Arsenal star was playing like Saka, now he's being treated like Smith Rowe
The incredible Arsenal talent could end up following Smith Rowe’s trajectory instead of Saka’s.
India have exposed weaknesses in the Australian side before and they have to do it again in the second Women’s World Cup semi-final
S Sudarshanan28-Oct-20251:08
Mithali: ‘Game awareness’ will be key against Australia
Familiar foes Australia and India will face off in the second semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai. India remain the last team to beat Australia at the ODI World Cup – in the 2017 semi-final – with the defending champions unbeaten in 15 completed matches since. Here are a few areas of tactical interest ahead of this huge clash.
Mandhana vs Schutt and Gardner
Smriti Mandhana is the leading run-scorer at this World Cup with 365 runs at a strike rate of 102.52. Her latest ODI avatar features her as the enforcer with the bat, which comes across in the numbers as well.Till 2024, Ashleigh Gardner vs Mandhana went the offspinner’s way – five dismissals in eight innings, an average of 13.60 and a strike rate of 89.47. Megan Schutt vs Mandhana was not too dissimilar – four dismissals in 12 innings, an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 70.50.Related
Shafali tunes up for Australia, a day after destiny's call
Shafali Verma replaces injured Pratika Rawal in India's World Cup squad
Mithali Raj on India vs Australia: 'One thing you don't want is to get overwhelmed with the occasion'
How to beat Australia in three easy steps (step 1 – invent a miracle)
Ashleigh Gardner ranked in top three among ODI batters, bowlers and allrounders
In four matches against Australia in 2025, Mandhana has two centuries and two half-centuries. She has faced 71 balls from Gardner and scored 96 runs (135.21 strike rate) and hasn’t been dismissed yet. Against Schutt, she has scored 41 off 28 balls (146.42 strike rate) for zero dismissals. Mandhana has also been severe on the legspinners Alana King (225 strike rate) and Georgia Wareham (176.19) as well as on left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux (164.70), with only Molineux dismissing her earlier in the World Cup.
The caveat here is that Mandhana has shape-shifted per the nature of her opening partners. Pratika Rawal, who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to ankle and knee injuries, has been the anchor in her partnerships with Mandhana. Shafali Verma, Rawal’s replacement, is a naturally attacking batter. So while Mandhana has been the enforcer with Rawal, she has often played second fiddle to Shafali. But if recent patterns are anything to go by, Shafali would know she can afford to take her time and explode later than she usually does.
Australia bowlers vulnerable?
The tracks in New Chandigarh and Delhi on which India and Australia played a bilateral series just before the World Cup were flat. The pitch in Visakhapatnam when they met two weeks ago was also batting-friendly with India posting 330. The semi-final at the DY Patil Stadium is likely to be a high-scoring affair too.India have previous experience of putting Australia’s bowlers under the pump on flatter surfaces. Schutt (6.46), Kim Garth (6.66), Gardner (6.06) and Tahlia McGrath (7.05) all have a high economy rate in games against India this year. In this World Cup, against other oppositions, their corresponding economy rates are 3.78, 4.90, 5.46 with McGrath not even needing to bowl. Some of those non-India games, like Pakistan in Colombo, were in bowler-friendly conditions, which have contributed to this trend.King’s numbers reflect the biggest variance – her 12 wickets against other teams at this World Cup have come at an economy of 2.85 as opposed to just one wicket at an economy of 7.08 against India. In their group stage game, with Mandhana batting for as long as she did, Australia were forced to delay bringing King on. They also had to hold Wareham back in the matches they played both the leggies in.India have struggled to deal with Annabel Sutherland’s change-ups•Getty ImagesAustralia being Australia still have one star performer who has been able flummox India’s batting on whatever kind of pitch they’ve played on – Annabel Sutherland. She is the top wicket-taker (15) in the competition, her change-ups proving particularly effective. India had first-hand experience of that in Visakhapatnam. Sutherland has also had the better of Harmanpreet Kaur (three dismissals in seven ODI innings) and Richa Ghosh (five in seven). India would be well served to watch out for her sleight of hand.
Renuka, Deepti and left-arm spin
Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud know what to expect of Australia openers Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield. Healy strikes at 80.76 against Renuka in ODIs, who primarily operates in the powerplay, for one dismissal. Gaud dismissed the Australia captain three times in the series they played before the World Cup. Using the early movement, India must try to get the Australian top order out early to control the game.They have the spinners to do it. Deepti Sharma has the wood over McGrath (five dismissals in nine innings) and has a history of keeping Gardner (94.54 strike rate) and Beth Mooney (90.84) relatively quiet. India also have left-arm spinner N Shree Charani, who picked up three wickets in the league game between the two teams.Australia have lost ten wickets to left-arm spin in this World Cup. That’s roughly one in five overs, which is a drop from where it was for the year 2025, before this tournament began (one wicket for every seven overs faced). Two left-arm spinners Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal had them reeling at 76 for 7. India will have taken note of that but they also have to balance that against other aspects – like having Sneh Rana’s batting down the order (she also matches up well against Litchfield, strike rate of 74.62 with two dismissals) and Navi Mumbai being the least spin-friendly venue (1.6 degrees of turn on average) at this World Cup.
In search of a consistent goalscorer, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly preparing a £40m+ offer to sign Georges Mikautadze from Villarreal in 2026.
The great weakness in Thomas Frank’s side this season has been their goalscoring struggles. With Dominic Solanke yet to return to full fitness, the likes of Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have struggled to truly take hold of the starting role – handing the Lilywhites a frustrating problem.
Kolo Muani has particularly struggled since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain and is still searching for his first Tottenham goal. With the North London derby against Arsenal up next, however, the forward has been passed fit and has the perfect opportunity to find the back of the net for the first time in the Premier League.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Arsenal game, Frank revealed early team news which included an update on Kolo Muani’s unexpected return to action after suffering a jaw injury before the break.
If the PSG loanee continues his run without a goal, then many around North London will be asking big questions. Tottenham chiefs are already reportedly searching for a striker and the Frenchman’s struggles could accelerate their plan to welcome La Liga star Mikautadze in 2026.
Tottenham readying Mikautadze offer
According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now preparing a €50m (£44m) offer to sign Mikautadze from Villarreal in 2026. A player who’s been compared to the great Diego Forlan by Spanish media, the 25-year-old has shown glimpses of his best form so far this season – scoring five goals in 14 games – and has entered Spurs’ radar as a result.
Tottenham's eye-watering 'initial offer' for Rodrygo after contacting Florentino Perez
Spurs reportedly mean business.
ByEmilio Galantini Nov 21, 2025
After becoming a transfer flop at Ajax, the Georgian striker reinvented himself at FC Metz, before starring at Lyon to earn a summer switch to Villarreal. Now, he could be about to make the biggest move of his career courtesy of Tottenham.
Dubbed “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig, Mikautadze has only kicked on since then to attract the interest of the Premier League. As Tottenham’s forwards continue to struggle, the 25-year-old should be seen as a serious option to consider next year.
Tottenham eyeing 'dream' move for striker likened to Diego Costa after Frank request
Nick Browne, the Essex opener, has announced his retirement from the professional game.Browne, 34, was in his benefit season after more than a decade on the books at Essex but only made three One-Day Cup appearances. His last outing in the County Championship, the format which showcased the best of his ability, came in July 2024.Having made his county debut at the age of 22, Browne went on to become a mainstay at the top of the order, scoring 20 first-class hundreds – including four doubles, equalling the record of Graham Gooch for the club – and helping Essex to four-red-ball titles between 2016 and 2020.Related
Essex all but seal Division One status with watery draw at Edgbaston
Somerset handed points deduction for 'below average' pitch
Chahar joins Surrey for final Championship match of the season
Hameed wants 'four more days of quality cricket' as Notts eye Division One title
“The time has come to hang up the Gray-Nicolls boots and retire from professional cricket,” Browne said. “It has been my lifelong dream to play for Essex, starting with the club at the age of 8, the last 26 years of my life has been about Essex Cricket and I have loved every minute of it.”I want to say a massive thank you to all of the members and fans of Essex for your unwavering support throughout the years. I have played every ball, every session and every day like it is my last. I have tried to play with a smile on my face every day and hope I have given you some joy and happiness.”I am incredibly grateful to all my coaches who have thrown millions of balls at me over the years. They have supported me through so many great days and some average ones. To the boys who I have shared the dressing room with, thank you for everything. We have had so many great memories on and off the field from winning Championships to the late nights in the changing rooms.”To my parents, family, friends and my partner Alice, I have had the most amazing, unforgettable time playing cricket, I could not have done it without your love and support. You have always been there for me to celebrate me in the highs and the lows. I cannot thank you enough. I look forward to the next chapter.”Predominately a red-ball player, Browne passed 1000 runs for the season three summers in a row between 2015 and 2017. His runs helped secure the Division Two title in 2016, followed by Essex’s first County Championship in 25 years in 2017. He struggled to reach such heights again, but was part of another Championship-winning side in 2019, as well as the team that lifted the Bob Willis Trophy a year later.Having been almost an ever-present at the top of the order for a decade, he only played six times in the Championship last season and has not featured this term.Dan Feist, Essex’s chief executive officer, said: “Nick Browne is the epitome of dedication and professionalism. His contributions to Essex Cricket have been remarkable, and his commitment to the club is admired not just by those at Chelmsford but by players, officials and supporters throughout the county game.”Nick has been a true professional on and off the field, with a passion for the game and for Essex Cricket that stands out. We are grateful for his immense contributions and wish him every success in retirement and beyond.”
Around 20 punters watched England’s first evening net at the Gabba ahead of the day-night Ashes Test starting on Thursday.The outdoor facilities at this historic but ageing colosseum are the most amenable in the world for observers, offering a behind-the-batter view of what it’s like to face the fiercest bowlers going. There were plenty of eyes on the lane closest to Main Street, as Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson steamed in with the pink Kookaburra ball.But it was the net furthest away that had the most immediate interest ahead of the second Test. Both Shoaib Bashir and Will Jacks were bowling their offspin to England captain Ben Stokes, duking it out for what seems, at this juncture, the last available spot in the XI.Related
Ten years since Adelaide, pink-ball Tests remain an Australian speciality
Root unperturbed by 'challenge' of facing pink-ball master Starc
Khawaja gets a good workout ahead of pink-ball Test
Steven Smith bats with 'eye blacks' ahead of pink-ball challenge
Wood set to miss second Test after long road back from injury
Mark Wood has been ruled out – England are optimistic his heavily strapped left knee will get adequate rest to ensure he is back in the mix for Adelaide – but the other 10 starters from the defeat in Perth are likely to be rolled out again.Josh Tongue is the most like-for-like replacement if the tourists want to repeat their all-pace attack from Perth. But they are understood to be trending more towards spin in their bid to come back from 1-0 down, with the expectation that the pink Kookaburra will soften earlier than the red one.The pair have had very different routes to these Ashes. Bashir has been the captain’s go-to spinner since a shock call-up to the India tour at the start of 2024, with 68 wickets in 19 caps to date. His traits – a high release-point, revs coming from over the top of the ball – were deemed better suited to Test pitches (particularly Australian ones) compared to traditional English, doorknob-turning finger spinners.Jacks, an allrounder, was the first conventional offspinner picked by Stokes, drafted on the tour of Pakistan in the winter of 2022 for his only two Test caps after developing as Surrey’s primary spin option. He took 6 for 161 in his first go on debut – the first Test at Rawalpindi – and showed his dexterity as a batter by slotting in at No. 3 in the second innings of the next Test in Multan to give Ollie Pope extra rest after keeping. That he is on this tour owes as much to his batting – destructive qualities, and comfort filling in any top six position – and his tall action and ambition with the ball.Bashir is understood to be the one in pole position, though it was Jacks who seemed to have the better of it on Monday night, before padding up. Nets can only tell you so much, of course. Stokes and the rest of England’s batters were focused on getting attuned to the shift from day to night, and then how the floodlights transformed the grass beneath their feet. They will have one more hit in similar conditions on Wednesday before they get going in their attempts to square the series.Visiting spinners have had very little success with the pink ball over here, collectively managing just 28 wickets at 64.03. Joe Root’s three in the Adelaide Test on the 2021-22 tour has him joint-second on that list (with Yasir Shah); Dawid Malan is joint-fourth with two picked up from that same game. R Ashwin sits top with six at 20.66.England would not be wrong to look at Nathan Lyon’s impressive record of 43 dismissals at 25.62 from his 13 day-night home Tests and surmise spin is a must. But they may take more meaningful notes from Kevin Sinclair’s cameo in Australia’s one and only pink ball defeat.That came here at the Gabba last year. Sinclair – also an offspinner – struck a vital 50 and then 14 not out, both from No. 7, in a tight eight-run win. He bowled just eight overs, all in Australia’s first innings which sandwiched his batting efforts, but was able to snare Usman Khawaja for 75. Replicating Sinclair’s impact rather than Lyon’s is a far easier task and would favour Jacks.It will be these cues from day-night affairs in Australia, and England’s own learnings from the seven they have played, that will continue to be disseminated among the group over the coming days. The entire top five played in England’s last pink-ball Test – against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in 2023 – but Jamie Smith, for instance, will be playing his first of any kind.”We’ve spoken with the guys who have played some pink-ball games, and had a look at some of the pink-ball games that have been played in Australia in the past four or five years,” Carse said. His only day-night match happened to be in this country for England Lions against Australia A at Melbourne in January 2020.”On an evening, it does seem to do a little bit more, especially if you have a slightly newer ball, which I’m sure we’ll take into consideration throughout the game. It’s going to be exciting. I’m expecting a massive crowd, a hostile crowd. The guys are really looking forward to it.”I think looking back at a couple of highlights of previous games played in Australia, it’s certainly very admirable how their new-ball bowling goes. You know, they strike early and I think that’s going to be important, whether that’s certain lines we’ll be bowling or maybe bowling a touch fuller to let it swing. They’ve played some really good cricket with a pink ball. So, yeah, I’d like to say that we’ve had a look at some of the stuff that they’ve done over the previous years.”
Manchester City are now obsessed with signing a “generational” forward, joining the race for his signature alongside a number of the Premier League’s top clubs.
Man City kicking into gear ahead of Real Madrid clash
Man City were a little shaky at the start of the season, losing against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, but Bernardo Silva believes they are starting to kick into gear, ahead of the tough Champions League clash against 15-time champions Real Madrid tonight.
Silva said: “The team has been growing a lot since [the start of the season]. We’re improving day by day. It’s true that our teams have always been much better in the second part of the season than the first and hopefully it happens again this season.”
Pep Guardiola’s side have looked very potent on the front foot, having already scored 35 Premier League goals, seven more than any other side, with Phil Foden starting to get back to his best, regularly providing goals and assists.
Phil Foden’s attacking record
Appearances
Goal contributions
Premier League
13
8
Champions League
4
3
EFL Cup
2
2
However, Man City remain keen on making more additions to their forward line, according to a report from Spain, which states they now have an ‘obsession’ with signing RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, who has emerged as one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe.
A plethora of top Premier League clubs are keen on Diomande, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, but City are the ‘most persistent’, having conducted a number of scouting missions since October.
Leipzig have no desire to sanction a move, with the German club eager to tie him down to a new contract, and interested clubs will need to make offers in the region of €80m – €100m (£70m – £87m) to tempt them into a sale.
"Generational" Diomande likened to Haaland
Journalist Bence Bocsak is a huge admirer of the left-winger, recently saying: “Just catching up on RB Leipzig’s game tonight and oh my Yan Diomande is a special player. I actually think he’s one of those players you break all your recruitment models for.
Yes, the same size is small. But he’s a generational talent.”
Bocsak also likens the Ivorian to a current Man City star, saying: “Haaland was another level even to Diomande but the RB Leipzig winger is not far off.”
It is clear to see why the 19-year-old has received rave reviews, most recently making a real statement by scoring a hat-trick in RB Leipzig’s 6-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The four-time Ivory Coast international has now amassed seven goals and four assists in 15 matches in all competitions, which is a very impressive tally, given that it is his first season in the Bundesliga.
Pep's a big fan: Man City leading race for "superstar" and ready to bid £65m+
City have moved into pole position in the race for a new defender, with a bid now being prepared.
ByDominic Lund 3 days ago
City certainly aren’t struggling from an attacking point of view, but the opportunity to sign Diomande may be too good to pass up…
Celtic were saved by their captain yet again on Saturday night when they were heading for a drab 0-0 draw away at St Mirren before Callum McGregor stepped up with seconds remaining.
The Hoops skipper picked the ball up from range in the 95th minute and unleashed a screamer of a shot that nestled in the top corner to secure all three points for the visitors.
Up until that point, Martin O’Neill’s side had struggled to show much in the way of quality against St Mirren, despite holding 73% of the possession, per Sofascore, which is why the game was tied with seconds remaining.
The hosts even created a ‘big chance’ from one of their 13 shots on goal, but, thankfully, they were unable to convert any of the opportunities that they created on the night.
Celtic, meanwhile, did not create a single ‘big chance’ from their 16 efforts against St Mirren, per Sofascore, which is why they needed a long-range strike from their captain to win the match.
Whilst McGregor’s sensational strike from distance bailed the club out in general, the skipper also bailed out several of his underperforming teammates on the night.
Celtic's worst performers against St Mirren
It would be remiss of us to speak about the worst performers on the night without starting with the player who was withdrawn from the match after 45 minutes, Johnny Kenny.
The Ireland international, who scored four goals in four matches for Celtic before Saturday’s game, won just one duel and lost possession six times from 17 touches in the first half, per Sofascore, as he failed to provide a focal point up front.
Kenny’s withdrawal meant that Daizen Maeda moved into the centre-forward role, after starting out wide. However, he ended the 90 minutes with two out of seven duels won, no key passes, and no shots on target, per Sofascore, which illustrates his ineffectiveness in the final third.
Celtic’s starting wingers vs St Mirren
Stats
Sebastian Tounekti
Daizen Maeda
Minutes
67
90
Shots on target
0
0
Key passes
1
0
Big chances created
0
0
Dribbles completed
2/6
1/2
Duels won
3/11
2/7
Possession lost
14x
12x
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Sebastian Tounekti and Maeda both struggled out wide, and the latter up front in the second 45, throughout the game against St Mirren.
These statistics show that all three of the forwards who started on Saturday night failed to do enough to suggest that O’Neill should keep them in place for the club’s trip to play Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Tounekti, Maeda, and Kenny were not the only underperforming Celtic players who failed to provide enough quality on the pitch against the Saints, though, as one Hoops flop is now looking like the new Luis Palma.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Supporters will likely remember Palma, who is currently on loan at Lech Poznan, as a player who made a fast start to life in Glasgow before falling off and eventually being deemed surplus to requirements.
The Honduras international produced seven goals and nine assists, with 14 ‘big chances’ created, in 28 Scottish Premiership games during the 2023/24 campaign for the club, per Sofascore.
Unfortunately, though, the winger followed that up with a return of zero goals and zero assists in eight league matches the following season before being sent out on loan to Olympiacos for the second half of the campaign.
Whilst his fall-off this term may not be quite as drastic as Palma’s was, Celtic central midfielder Reo Hatate appears to be heading in the same direction.
Why Reo Hatate should be dropped by Celtic
The Japan international was a sensation in the middle of the park for the Scottish giants in the 2024/25 campaign with a return of nine goals and 14 ‘big chances’ created in 37 outings in the Premiership, per Sofascore.
Hatate provided regular quality at the top end of the pitch with his ability to make a difference as both a scorer and a creator of goals, as evidenced by his statistics, and that made him a vital player for Brendan Rodgers.
This season, however, the 28-year-old star has failed to deliver consistent quality in midfield for Celtic, with the clash against St Mirren being his latest underwhelming performance, which is why he should be ruthlessly dropped by O’Neill.
The Japanese midfielder, who was described as “sloppy” by ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon during the game against Sturm Graz in the Europa League, ended the night with no shots on target, no ‘big chances’ created, and a duel success rate of 20% (1/5), per Sofascore.
This shows that his performance was lacking in both quality and physicality, as he lost 80% of his physical tussles without providing any moments of genuine quality on the ball, and that has not been a rare occurrence for him this season.
Reo Hatate – Premiership
24/25
25/26
Appearances
37
10
Goals
9
1
Minutes per goal
241
708
Conversion rate
14%
10%
Big chances created
14
2
Assists
4
1
Dribble success rate
70%
57%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Hatate’s performances have dropped off since the end of last season, as he is scoring and creating goals far less frequently for the Premiership champions.
The Japan international’s last league goal for the club came against Aberdeen on the 10th August, and he has only produced two goals – including one penalty – and one assist in 18 appearances in all competitions this term, per Transfermarkt.
His concerning drop-off in form this season suggests that he may be on the road to becoming the next Palma, as a once supreme talent who now looks too inconsistent to be reliable to the Celtic manager.
Therefore, O’Neill should ruthlessly drop the central midfielder from the starting line-up to face Feyenoord away from home, as the Hoops may need quality and physicality to beat their Dutch opponents, and Hatate did not show either against St Mirren.
Nancy can forget Maeda by making £325k-per-week star his 1st Celtic signing
Celtic’s potential new manager could forget about Daizen Maeda by signing this reported transfer target.
The board also introduced Mymensingh as the latest first-class team. It will replace Dhaka Metropolis
Mohammad Isam10-Aug-2025The BCB has brought in Alex Marshall, Julian Wood and Tony Hemming as the three new appointments after its meeting in Dhaka on Saturday. Wood will come in as a specialist batting coach for three months. He is a power-hitting specialist who recently worked with Sri Lanka Cricket.Marshall has been appointed as a consultant for the board’s anti-corruption department, for one year. Marshall was the ICC’s anti-corruption unit general manager until September last year. BCB’s media committee chair Iftekhar Rahman said they want Marshall to “enhance” the board’s anti-corruption unit.Rahman also said that the BCB has appointed the ICC’s integrity unit to oversee the BPL’s anti-corruption operations.The BCB’s anti-corruption unit is currently investigating corruption allegations from the BPL and Dhaka Premier League of the 2024-25 season.The BCB has also brought back Hemming, who recently resigned as the PCB’s head curator. Hemming had taken up the Pakistan role after being BCB’s curator from July 2023 to July 2024. Hemming’s appointment brought the question of whether Gamini Silva, the Shere Bangla National Stadium curator, will continue in his role. Rahman said that Gamini was given a one-year extension.”Tony Hemming has been appointed head of turf management for two years,” Rahman said. “All our international venues and curators will be under him. He will also undertake the process of training Bangladeshi curators. All the board directors had a lot of interest in bringing him back.”Hemming is one of the best curators in the world. Maybe he had a good experience with the BCB in the previous occasion, that’s why he agreed to come back. The turf management will run as Hemming will want. Time will tell if Gamini will stay or not. He has been given a 12-month extension.”Meanwhile, the BCB introduced Mymensingh as the latest first-class team. It will replace Dhaka Metropolis, which was introduced in 2011 to make it an even number of teams in the first-class competition.”Mymensingh is one of the country’s newest divisions,” Rahman said. “They will play in the NCL first-class tournament from the coming season. They will replace Dhaka Metropolis. Mymensingh will play all divisional tournaments though we can’t accommodate them in the upcoming NCL T20s as the schedule has been made. Mymensingh will play in the T20 tournament from the next edition.”