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In a blow to Super Kings’ bowling attack, pacer Deepak Chahar is out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury

The Preview by Sruthi Ravindranath29-Apr-20184:37

Tait: David Willey could give CSK balance

Big PictureOn Friday, Delhi Daredevils did not look like the side that had just one win in six games. They did not look like they have had troubles with their batting line-up this season. They looked like they were a team that was strong not just on paper. It seemed like they were announcing their late but not-too-late arrival.Shreyas Iyer, Daredevils’ new captain was their pillar in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. He took his bottom-placed side to the highest total of this season as he made the highest score by a captain on debut. He effortlessly took on the pacers and the wristspinners as his ex-captain Gautam Gambhir cheered him on from the dugout. Even his move to drop Gambhir and give Colin Munro and Prithvi Shaw a go as the new opening pair worked wonders.Form guide

Chennai Super Kings: lost to Mumbai Indians by eight wickets, beat Royal Challengers by five wickets, beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by four runs
Daredevils: beatKnight Riders by 55 runs, lost to Kings XI by 4 runs, lost to Royal Challengers by six wickets

Daredevils will be flying to Pune to meet Chennai Super Kings, who were most recently handed an eight-wicket thrashing by a refreshed Mumbai Indians.While Dhoni offered the usual “we were 10-15 short” quote after the loss, their bigger issue was the bowling. They have conceded at an economy of 9.38 after the Powerplay, the worst this season after Royal Challengers Bangalore. They also have the second worst economy rate in the death overs.ESPNcricinfo LtdSo far this season, their batting has bailed them out whenever their bowlers had let them down. Their loss against Mumbai might not have disturbed their place in the table, but they have a lot of contemplating to do on their bowling inefficiencies in just a day’s time.In the newsDeepak Chahar is out of action for at least two weeks following a hamstring injury. Lungi Ngidi, who had flown back to South Africa following the death of his father, has rejoined the squad.Strategy puntIn the previous game, Mumbai rightly introduced Krunal Pandya in the fifth over to take advantage of Shane Watson’s struggle against slow left-arm spinners. In the IPL since 2015, Watson has been dismissed 12 times by slow left-armers and averages just 9.3 against them.Super Kings could rope in David Willey in place of the out-of-form Sam Billings. Billings has scored just 24 runs in his last four innings and has also shown signs of struggle against spinners, giving away his wicket three times to them. Willey scores at a strike rate of 170.6 in the middle overs and 157.5 in the death overs in T20s since 2015. They could also use his left-arm inswingers to add a new dimension to their pace attack. He has taken 43 wickets at 24.3 in Powerplays while maintaining an economy of 7.4 in the same time period.ESPNcricinfo LtdStats that matter Ravindra Jadeja has had a poor run this season, continuing his trend of declining influence on results in recent IPLs. He has bowled just 10 overs in seven games this season and has picked just one wicket as compared to the 2015 season where he picked 11 wickets in 15 innings. However, it is interesting to note that in CSK’s two losses this season, Dhoni had not bowled Jadeja. Shreyas Iyer will be looking to score his fourth consecutive 50-plus score. Only Virat Kohli (4) and Virender Sehwag (5) have posted more than three consecutive half-centuries in the IPL. Glenn Maxwell is known to have gone big against CSK in the past. He has 204 runs in four innings and a strike rate of 202 against them.Fantasy picksIyer for his red-hot form. Maxwell would be another pick for his record against CSK. Suresh Raina has been in the thick of the action for CSK this edition, so he would be an automatic pick too.

While Washington Sundar, Vijay Shankar, and Manish Pandey have impressed for India, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim have shepherded tricky chases for Bangladesh

The Preview by Mohammad Isam17-Mar-2018Big PictureFrom being a one-sided affair, the India-Bangladesh clash has become a more tightly fought contest. Having won three of their four matches in the Nidahas Trophy, India go into the final as favourites. This despite the absence of several key players, including captain Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. India, however, will have to be wary of Bangladesh’s ‘tenacity’, as wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik said on the eve of the final.Most T20s come down to which team copes better with pressure. While Bangladesh have relied on their senior batsmen to bail them out, India have banked on youth. That their stand-in captain Rohit Sharma has also hit form bodes well for the side. Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, and Manish Pandey have made cameos but the lower-middle order, which is largely untested is a cause for concern. If the chase gets tough, can Vijay Shankar and Washington Sundar step up with the bat?The two allrounders, however, have been impressive with the ball and have complemented quick Shardul Thakur and legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal.Bangladesh’s batting has revolved around Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who both shepherded successful chases against Sri Lanka and put the hosts out of the tri-series. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das have shown flashes of brilliance but the pressure continues to mount on Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman.Bangladesh’s bowling, meanwhile, has been a mixed bag. Mustafizur Rahman is their leading wicket-taker with six wickets but it is Rubel Hossain who has looked more threatening. Offspinner Mehidy Hasan, on the other hand, has managed only one wicket in 15 overs.Form guideIndia WWWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh WLWLLIn the spotlightWashington Sundar will be looking forward to keep up his fine form in the Nidahas Trophy. He hasn’t conceded more than 28 runs in a game, and has troubled Bangladesh in the Powerplay.Mustafizur Rahman started well against Sri Lanka on Friday but lost his lines and lengths in the end overs. India will still be wary of him, given his variations can he quite hard to pick.Pitch and conditionsThe chasing side has won all but one match in this tournament. A pitch favourable for batting is expected, again, and there is a chance that evening showers could interrupt play.Stats and trivia Mahmudullah is four runs short of completing 1000 in T20 internationals. He will be the fourth Bangladesh batsman to the milestone after Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Washington Sundar, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with seven wickets, has conceded only eight fours and three sixes in his 16 overs, of which 11 were bowled in the Powerplay. His economy rate in the tournament is 5.87. Mustafizur Rahman has taken six wickets, but has conceded the most runs in the tournament, having given away 156. His economy rate is 9.75.Quotes”I don’t know much about the wicket, but if the dew settles it’s much easier for the team that is chasing. If there’s no dew then it’s going to be a great game. If the wicket is slow and it’s going to turn, it will be a challenge.”
“It is an important match but it is only just another match. We will go out there to win.”

Following a hectic summer of transfer business for Tottenham Hotspur, new boss Ange Postecoglou has been able to begin to put his stamp on proceedings by wrapping up nine deals in the recent window, while also moving on a raft of first-team assets as part of something of a squad claret.

The likes of Harry Winks, Davinson Sanchez, Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Japhet Tanganga and Tanguy Ndombele have all secured various loan and permanent departures from N17, with Postecoglou wielding the axe following a 2022/23 season which saw the club finish in a lowly eighth-place.

Despite those notable exits, however, there do appear to be a handful of somewhat 'unwanted' figures still on the books in north London, with veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris unable to find a new home despite having been left out of the pre-season tour squad.

Equally, the Lilywhites also appear to be stuck with another long-serving dud in the form of England international, Eric Dier, with the 29-year-old – who has just a year left on his existing deal – unable to seal a late switch despite looking surplus to requirements.

With the former Sporting CP ace having stumbled down the pecking order since the change in the dugout, it looks as if Postecoglou will be keen to rely on alternative options to rival the likes of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

What has happened to Eric Dier at Tottenham?

A player with 360 appearances to his name for Spurs in all competitions across the last nine years, it has been something of a surprise that the experienced centre-back has been given the cold shoulder by Postecoglou of late.

Currently not part of the former Celtic man's plans – after being excluded from every matchday squad so far this term – the £85k-per-week asset was among the players who the club were said to be willing to sell this summer, albeit with no move having materialised.

With deadline day having come and gone, there are reports that a January departure lies in store for Dier, with journalist Ryan Taylor having stated last term that the defender is "nowhere near the required level for what Spurs are trying to achieve".

Having formed part of a backline that shipped a woeful tally of 63 league goals last term, albeit while carrying an injury, it looks as if the 6 foot 2 dud is paying the price for his recent woes, while also suffering from Postecoglou's decision to move away from the previous 3-4-3 formation that was favoured under Antonio Conte.

Eric Dier's Premier League record (2022/23)

33 games (31 starts)

2 goals

1 assist

9 clean sheets

86% pass accuracy rate

9.3x possession lost per game

Stats via Sofascore

Dier's shortcomings as part of a flat back four were exposed in the pre-season friendly clash with Barcelona, with football.london's Alasdair Gold writing that the forgotten man 'looked shaky at times' up against the Catalan giants.

With the Englishman having been cast aside of late, it has left Romero and Van de Ven as the only obvious options at the heart of the defence, with that something of a worry ahead of another long and gruelling season.

Who could replace Dier at Tottenham?

Postecoglou does, of course, also have Ben Davies to call upon as something of a makeshift option in that centre-back berth, although like Dier the Welshman has typically been utilised as part of a back three, while he is also likely to be the main rival to Destiny Udogie at left-back.

That fact has ensured that summer signing Ashley Phillips – who signed on a £2m deal from Blackburn Rovers – is likely to make a rapid step-up from life in the second tier, with the 18-year-old already training with the first-team squad in north London.

While just a teenager, the youngster has earned rave reviews for his talents of late to spark hope that he can be relied upon this season, with former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray describing him as an "amazing footballer" back in 2021.

Phillips may not be the only teenage talent whom Postecoglou could turn to, however, with academy starlet Charlie Sayers having also caught the eye of late amid his standout displays at youth level.

Who is Charlie Sayers?

The 19-year-old is still waiting to make his competitive first-team debut since signing from Southend United back in December 2021, although the versatile ace – who can also feature at left-back – does boast prior senior experience for his former employers, after making six National League appearances.

The verdict at the time was that Southend had a real talent on their hands, with Sayers having been the recipient of notable praise from then-boss Phil Brown, who told The Echo:

“I think Charlie Sayers has been outstanding and you have to say he has a career ahead of him, there’s no doubt about it. He’s got two games under his belt now but is he going to make mistakes as a 17-year-old boy? Absolutely. But on Tuesday he had a team on Tuesday that was protecting him.”

That glowing assessment was also followed by some kind words from head coach Kevin Maher following the confirmation of his move to Spurs: "He broke into the team this season and to play at 17 in a really tough league shows a lot of character. He’s got a mature head on him for his young age and hopefully he can take that forward."

Having signed his first professional contract for the club in March 2022, Sayers was also selected to start in the mid-season clash with Motherwell during the World Cup break last year, with club insider John Wenham stating it was a sign of the "rapid progress" that had been made by arguably the club's "best academy defender".

What does the future hold for Charlie Sayers?

The U21 defender – who has made 17 appearances at that age group in total – will be looking to kick on from the great strides that he made during Conte's time in charge, having even trained with the first team in preparation for the Champions League tussle with AC Milan earlier this year.

Although the talk is that youth colleague Alfie Dorrington has already caught Postecoglou's eye, it may not be too long before Sayers is also making his mark in the senior ranks, with podcaster Chris Miller suggesting that there is "definitely something there" for a player who "can play out confidently" from his left-sided centre-back berth.

With Dier currently out in the cold, any injuries to either Van de Ven or Romero are likely to mean that Dorrington, Phillips or Sayers may be called upon to plug the gap, with there an opportunity for someone to stake their claim in the near future.

While such a dearth of senior options at centre-back could be of concern, having a figure like Sayers, in particular, waiting in the background is truly exciting indeed for those at Hotspur Way.

Gautam Gambhir’s 95 and another half-century from Kunal Chandela enabled Delhi to romp into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals with a seven-wicket win against Madhya Pradesh

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2017AFP

Gautam Gambhir’s 95 and another half-century from Kunal Chandela enabled Delhi to romp into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals with a seven-wicket win against Madhya Pradesh in Vijayawada. In their semi-final from December 17 to 21, Delhi will meet Bengal, who qualified on the basis of their first-innings lead against Gujarat.Delhi began the fifth day at 8 for no loss chasing 217, and lost Vikas Tokas in the fourth over of the morning. MP would have to wait another 20.5 overs for their next breakthrough, by which time Gambhir had added 98 for the second wicket with Chandela at 4.70 per over. Chandela, the 23-year-old opening batsman, made 57 off 85 balls, with six fours and two sixes; with this innings he had scored half-centuries in each of his first three first-class innings.Delhi never let up their pace of scoring; their third-wicket partnership of 95, between Gambhir and Dhruv Shorey, also came at more than four an over. It ended with a run-out, Gambhir falling five short of a hundred, having faced 129 balls and hit nine fours and a six. Shorey was unbeaten on 46 (77b, 6×4) as Delhi reached their target in 51.4 overs.

Manchester United will be hoping to sign a new defender before the summer transfer window slams shut in just three weeks, especially considering they have bolstered other areas of their squad.

Erik ten Hag has lured Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund to Old Trafford so far, yet with Harry Maguire looking likely to sign for West Ham United, could another centre-back be his key priority?

Read the latest Man United news HERE…

Frenchman Jean-Clair Todibo has been earmarked as a key target for Ten Hag along with Bayern Munich ace Benjamin Pavard and the Dutchman could have a big decision to make over the next few weeks.

Is Benjamin Pavard joining Manchester United?

Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg provided an update on United’s pursuit of Pavard earlier this week, saying: “Benjamin #Pavard: Concrete talks with @ManUtd at this stage! All parties involved are working on a verbal agreement now.

“Ten Hag is pushing for Pavard as he’s a versatile defender. Pavard wants to leave FC Bayern in August.”

With Pavard clearly looking to depart the Bundesliga giants, a fee of around €30m (£26m) should be enough to convince Bayern to sell before the window slams shut.

What is Benjamin Pavard’s best position?

The defender is perhaps most fondly remembered for playing his part during France’s World Cup glory in Russia five years ago.

His stunning goal against Argentina was voted the goal of the tournament and it turned the tide in their favour to secure an eventual 4-3 victory.

He played at right-back throughout that competition and has done so for the vast majority of times he has represented France. However, last season, he was deployed as a centre-back on a regular basis for his club side and this could be the position for which Ten Hag could utilise him should he join United.

The 27-year-old has registered 28 goal contributions across his club career thus far, clearly enjoying the freedom on the right-hand side of defence as he is able to bomb up and down the wing, yet his performances during 2022/23 at the heart of the defence were excellent.

Over the previous 12 months, Pavard has ranked in the top 6% for tackles per 90 across the big five European leagues, while ranking in the top 10% for progressive passes, progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area, combining defensive acumen with a positive attacking threat.

He could certainly form a solid partnership with Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the United defence should he move to the Premier League.

The Argentinian also ranked in the top 6% for tackles per 90 when compared to positional peers across the previous 12 months, while also ranking in the top 5% for blocks per 90, and he could shine alongside Pavard.

Having signed from Ajax last summer, the World Cup winner proved a real revelation for Ten Hag's side at the heart of the defence, with club legend Patrice Evra having hailed the 25-year-old as "one of the best signings" in "years" at the Theatre of Dreams.

With Pavard clearly enjoying getting forward as much as possible, knowing Martinez effectively will cover for him could see Ten Hag deploy the duo as his first-choice centre-back pairing if the Frenchman moves to England.

Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel even heralded him as “underrated”, but given his form since the beginning of last season, the former Stuttgart man has turned into a fine central defender who could improve the Old Trafford side.

Even as their board pushes to host a four-day Test against Zimbabwe, senior players Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar voiced reservations over shortening the format

Firdose Moonda02-Oct-2017

South Africa’s players were not properly consulted about CSA’s plans to pioneer four-day Tests, and are not in favour of shortening the format. That may not matter when South Africa host Zimbabwe for a four-day, day-night match, even though the man who initially touted the idea, former CEO Haroon Lorgat, is no longer in charge.Lorgat left his post last Thursday after his relationship with the CSA board had become untenable but CSA will still petition the ICC to allow them to trial the concept, at the Chief Executives Conference in New Zealand next week. CSA will be represented by Acting CEO Thabang Moreo and president Chris Nenzani, who confirmed the administration’s commitment to the cause. “We are an organisation and when the organisation comes up with an idea it is not the product of one person. We as an organisation decided on this,” Nenzani said.However, that organisation did not seek the views of those who will have to make the idea a reality, the players. Lorgat held some discussions with the South African team management when Russell Domingo was still the coach, as far back as August, and were due to have a final consultation with players, which never took place.For the South African Cricketers’ Association, that is a sticking point. “I expressed the same concern to CSA before Haroon left – the fact that there was no proper consultation. There are a lot of cricket aspects involved. It is quite a big change to a format. It’s four days and day-night, playing against a team that has never played with a pink ball. It’s the combination of four-day and day-night that concerns,” Tony Irish, SACA CEO said. “I understand why CSA want to do this. They want to provide content over a period (Boxing Day) where there is traditionally cricket. I am not sure that a four-day, day-night Test against Zimbabwe is the answer.”After the first Test against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom, which South Africa won 84 minutes into the final morning, both captain Faf du Plessis and opening batsman Dean Elgar expressed their desire to keep Test cricket as is.”I am a fan of five-day Test cricket. I believe the great Test matches have gone to the last hour of the last day on day five. That’s what is so special about Test cricket,” du Plessis said. “For five days you have to graft it out. Bowlers have to bowl a lot more and batters have to construct much bigger innings. A day five was needed today. If it was a rain off yesterday, it would have been very disappointing so I am a fan of that.”Elgar went as far as to question why Test cricket’s traditional make-up is being experimented with. “I’m a five-day Test specialist, and it must stay that way in my opinion. I don’t think you should tinker with something that’s not broken. If you go and play around the world, Test cricket is followed quite well. If you play in Australia, if you play in England, even if you play in South Africa against the relatively big nations you still get very good crowds. There are other formats that are being experimented with. I don’t see why Test cricket should suffer. I am purist when it comes to that. Hopefully the game can have longevity in the five-day format,” Elgar said.’I don’t think you should tinker with something that’s not broken’ – Dean Elgar•AFP

Senwes Park, a small venue not regarded as one of the premier grounds in the country and has only hosted one Test before the match against Bangladesh, had a festive atmosphere though it was sparsely attended over five days. For Elgar, that did not lessen the importance of the match or make a case for shorter games, especially as South Africa do not play Test cricket at their second-tier grounds often.”It doesn’t happen every summer where we get to play a game in Potchefstroom where there isn’t a big crowd,” he said. “Us as players, we know we still have to have a job. We have to go out and play for five days. I don’t think you should tinker with the duration of the match depending on who you are playing against. That’s when you start disrespecting the game a little bit and ultimately not favouring the format. You can ask me this as many times as you want. I am a five-day specialist and that’s the way it should stay.”The strong views aired by two of South Africa’s senior-most players were not heard in the CSA boardroom. Moroe “only found out today” about the players’ concerns through SACA at a CSA meeting. As far as Moroe understands, they have agreed to play the Zimbabwe match, as long as the match has Test status. “If ICC sanctions it, players will play,” he said.To that end, du Plessis’ expressed an “understanding and appreciation” for the broader thinking behind four-day Tests, even though he expects they will present less of a challenge. “It’s difficult because as cricketers we are used to it for now and its something difficult to change. If it happens, we will move on and accept the change,” he said. “If four-day Test cricket comes around, you will have creative captaincy, more aggressive game plans, sporting declarations, but I think with the way Test cricket is at the moment it’s about how long you can go, how long can your skill sets last. That’s the challenge with Test cricket.”Further evidence supporting that theory also came on Monday in Abu Dhabi, where a thrilling final day between Pakistan and Sri Lanka brought an otherwise dreary affair to life. Matches in the UAE are prime cases for five-day Tests. Since 2010, when Pakistan began playing regularly there, 75% of matches have gone to the fifth day. Globally, in the same period, 58% of Tests, have gone to the fifth day but South Africa (43.3%) and India (47.1%) are two countries where less than half of Tests have needed five days.Perhaps, that’s why South Africa can position itself as the obvious choice for the first four-day match, even though the global player body FICA “do not have an official position” on the concept yet, according to Irish, who is also the FICA head. “We don’t think there’s enough work being done into it. In the survey, the majority of players were not in favour. That’s an issue over the concept. It’s about looking at the advantages and disadvantages,” he said.Still, it is widely expected the ICC will back the CSA’s plan, but if it does not, Moroe has already begun working on a contingency plan. CSA’s General Manager Corrie van Zyl and Commercial Manager Clive Eksteen have been tasked with deciding how CSA will approach matters if they draw a blank in Auckland, given that CSA have promised to provide some content over the Boxing Day period. “Our broadcasters need content. We need players to play cricket,” Moroe said.Ironically, South Africa will do that more than ever this summer. They have just begun their busiest home season yet with tours from Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, India and Australia visiting and the inaugural edition of the T20 Global League in a summer that will last seven months. Player fatigue has already come under the spotlight with four premier fast bowlers, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Chris Morris and Morne Morkel all injured. As new inventions crop up, perhaps player power also will.

Crystal Palace target Matheus Franca has real 'potential' to succeed at Selhurst Park if he was to join the Eagles from Flamengo, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Matheus Franca moving to Crystal Palace?

According to Torcedores via Sport Witness, Crystal Palace have had a bid of around €40 million (£34.6 million) accepted for Flamengo midfielder Franca and only minor details remain in order to make the deal official.

Nevertheless, journalist Vena Casagrande has disputed these claims and indicated that a different fee is involved in negotiations that has actually been rejected by Flamengo, which is mooted to be €15 million plus €5 million comprised of bonuses.

Globo Esporte claim that Chelsea are also in the race to sign Franca and are willing to match Flamengo's reported €25 million asking price to try and lure the 19-year-old to Stamford Bridge.

If Franca was to join Chelsea, it is planned that he would then head out on loan to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg to continue his development. The Blues' co-owner Todd Boehly has purchased close to 100% control of the French outfit as his multi-club ownership project starts to take shape, as per The Guardian.

In 2023, Franca, who has been hailed as a "sensation", has amassed 29 appearances in all competitions for Flamengo, registering three goals in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to Football FanCast, transfer insider Jones thinks that Franca has the potential to be a smash hit at Selhurst Park if he completes a move to Roy Hodgson's men.

Jones told FFC: "I'll be honest, initially, when they were linked with him, I was very sceptical about it because I just didn't believe that he would consider joining a club at their level. But he is open-minded about this; I think from a Crystal Palace point of view, there are a couple of things that still need to be ironed out in terms of their own squad and how they open this up, but, there's very big potential for him if he does go to Crystal Palace and he'll probably be impressed too by the way they were playing last season if you can get that sort of freedom."

Who else could Crystal Palace sign this summer?

Crystal Palace boss Hodgson will have several targets in his sights as he aims to consolidate his side in the Premier League for another campaign and see if they can improve on last season.

L'Equipe via Sport Witness claim that Crystal Palace have submitted a verbal offer for Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea. The Blues would look to then send the 20-year-old on loan to Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg if successful in securing Wahi's services.

Chelsea outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi has been earmarked as another target at Selhurst Park this window; however, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and clubs in Saudi Arabia are also keen to sign the 22-year-old winger, according to The Evening Standard.

The Eagles have inquired about the possibility of signing Southampton striker Che Adams, who is keen to ensure a return to the Premier League as he battles to keep his place in Scotland's squad ahead of 2024, as per The Daily Mail.

The Trent Bridge quarter-final wasn’t the runfest that may have been predicted as Notts’ bowlers kept Somerset quiet then the middle order overcame a wobble

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge24-Aug-2017Trent Bridge has been the home of the T20 runfest this season, yielding a mouthwatering 10.45 runs per over, almost two runs per over higher than the competition average. Nottinghamshire have exploited it spectacularly to their advantage, twice making 225 or higher. Bowlers have suffered badly.So if any team might have fancied they could put Nottinghamshire’s somewhat fragile record in quarter-finals in this competition under pressure, even with no Chris Gayle around, you would imagine Somerset could be the one, maybe even more after home captain Dan Christian invited them to set the scoreboard pressure by inviting them to bat first.Samit Patel put Nottinghamshire’s chase back on track•Getty ImagesWhat’s more, Somerset figure in Nottinghamshire’s T20 nightmares, too, having beaten them on Finals Day in 2010 and again, at the quarter-final stage the following year, on this ground, beginning a sequence that saw the Trent Bridge fall at this stage of the competition in four consecutive seasons, each time in front of their own supporters.Not on this occasion. Against all predictions, Somerset could muster probably less than 75% of what they would have estimated as necessary if Alex Hales or Riki Wessels were to get going. Their 20-over score was 32 fewer than the lowest here in the group stages this season. It did not augur well.Yet Nottinghamshire hardly coasted home, losing Wessels third ball when he smacked a long hop from legspinner Max Waller straight to Craig Overton on the midwicket boundary, and then Hales in the fourth, controversially, in an incident that was to cast Peter Trego, the tattooed pirate in the West Country side, in the role of pantomime villain for the rest of the evening.Hales, who had looked to be warming up nicely with three boundaries off Overton’s opening over, hit a ball from Lewis Gregory, in the air but dipping fast, in the direction of Trego at mid-off.Trego dived forward, claiming the catch. The on-field decision from umpire David Millns was out, but Hales looked at him, not convinced. The officials conferred, and called for help. Replay after replay on the big screen were inconclusive, yet to the majority in the 13,000 crowd focussed on the angles that seemed to show Trego guilty of a false claim. They booed, they shouted ‘cheat’.Trego – who had made 40 off 34 balls earlier before being brilliantly caught off a pull shot by a diving Jake Ball – simply loved it, especially when the big screen eventually proclaimed that Hales indeed was out. He cocked an ear to the crowd, encouraging them to boo more loudly.The mood was suddenly subdued and Nottinghamshire struggled to get going for a long time. At 44 for 3 at the end of the Powerplay, Tom Moores having gone to a catch by Roelof van der Merwe that was almost the equal of Ball’s, they were ahead of Somerset at that stage, but only by seven runs.By the end of the 10th, in which Brendan Taylor was run out by a direct hit from Johann Myburgh at short square-leg, they were behind by seven runs at 69 for 4. For a while, it seemed Somerset might be about in bring heartache to the East Midlands again, as they did in 2011, and as Hampshire and Glamorgan have brought to Derbyshire and Leicestershire already in this season’s quarter-finals.Happily, for the home crowd, everything was transformed in a burst of scoring between the 12th and 14th overs, as Samit Patel and Dan Christian at last found their range. The two shared a 54-run partnership for the fifth wicket, of which 39 came in those three overs, as Tim Groenwald, Waller and Paul van Meekeren in turn were punished.The pressure off, the requirement down to 39 from six overs, the rest was relatively easy. Patel went for 45, run out by some nifty footwork by Gregory on his follow-through, but a big 18th over, with a six apiece from Christian and Steven Mullaney, ensured there would be no late scares, Mullaney lofting the winning boundary off Gregory in the 19th.Christian finished unbeaten on 36 but the difference at this batsman’s paradise was the quality of the bowling, in the end. Nottinghamshire’s was tight, penetrating, testing almost throughout.Ball, Christian and Patel took two wickets each – Ball’s in the course of that T20 rarity, a maiden over – but it was the numbers in the economy column that were the most impressive. Ball and Christian conceded fewer than six runs per over, Patel only 6.50.Steven Davies batted well for his 59, hitting three sixes and five fours, but needed support that only Trego could provide. Myburgh and James Hildreth, two of their bankers in the absence of their injured skipper, Jim Allenby, both went first ball.

Liverpool are believed to have triggered Dominik Szoboszlai's €70m (£60.1m) release clause at RB Leipzig, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Szoboszlai off to Liverpool?

Reds supporters found themselves in an exciting position on Friday, as various reports suggested a deal to sign the 22-year-old was edging closer all the time.

Having seemingly been battling with fellow Premier League side Newcastle United for Szoboszlai's services, it soon became apparent that there was only going to be one winner in the deal.

The Leipzig star is arguably one of the most exciting young players in the Bundesliga, and Jurgen Klopp has seemingly picked him out as a standout option for Liverpool this summer, as their much-needed midfield rebuild continues.

Szoboszlai's release clause at his current club has been a talking point, with it expiring on June 30th, but a key update suggests that the Reds have got there in time.

What's the latest on Szoboszlai to Liverpool?

Taking to Twitter on Friday evening, Romano dropped an exciting update regarding Liverpool's pursuit of the Hungarian, saying his release clause has been met by the Reds:

"BREAKING: Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool, here we go! Understand RB Leipzig are now informed that Liverpool have triggered the release clause. €70m deal done, to be signed soon. Personal terms agreed, Szobo’s ready for medical tests soon. Huge signing for £LFC."

This is fantastic business by Liverpool, not only lying on the verge of signing a fabulous young prospect, but also acting quickly enough to trigger the release clause and snap him up for a cheaper amount.

The 32-cap and seven-goal Hungary international could be a wonderful addition to the Reds' team next season and beyond, combining creativity, endless product and pressing ability in attacking midfield areas. He has been hailed as the "future icon of Hungarian football" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who also described him as "special" at one point last season.

Liverpool suddenly having Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to call upon in the No.8 roles in midfield has the potential to transform the Reds in the middle of the park, not only providing more of a spark in the final third, but allowing the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to be more effective with extra legs around them. At 22, the Leipzig ace is primed to come in and become a star at Anfield, acting as a poster boy for his next era under Klopp on Merseyside.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Sevilla forward Lucas Ocampos, as Julen Lopetegui aims to bolster his side on a budget this summer.

The Spaniard must address the Old Gold’s struggles in the final third of this transfer window after his side ended the season as the Premier League’s lowest scorers with limited creativity in attack.

With Ocampos linked, Molineux could see an injection of attacking prowess added to the ranks, at a price that would not damage the clubs’ finances.

As reported by The Guardian earlier this week, Wolves are reportedly ‘in talks’ to sign the 28-year-old winger from Sevilla, in a deal worth €15m (£13m).

Earlier this month, the Telegraph confirmed Lopetegui’s commitment to the Midlands side, adding that the club will ‘intend to pay’ around £8m-£15m for new recruits this summer to remain within Financial Fair Play (FFP) boundaries.

In Ocampos, the Spaniard could land himself a financially friendly asset as well as an experienced player that can add an abundance of threat on the flanks.

What could Lucas Ocampos offer to Wolves?

Hailed as “dangerous” by members of the media, the 28-year-old could provide a new outlet to the right flank at Molineux, following the departure of Adama Traore.

After a total of five years employed by Wolves, the Spaniard will leave as a free agent this summer, having marked himself as one of the Premier League’s most feared players to challenge 1v1.

Averaging 2.95 successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, the 27-year-old ranks in the top 7% of players in his position in Europe in this area, as per FBref, showing the presence Wolves will be without next term.

Despite possessing such a threatening skillset, the £46k-per-week attacker only registered 25 goals and assists in a total 157 appearances at Molineux, conveying that at a time of need his exploits on the flank came to little avail.

With just 31 goals in 38 games, individual expeditions won't cut it next season for Lopetegui, who requires a genuine menace in attack to break Wolves free of their goal-scoring woes.

As per Sofascore, Sevilla’s Ocampos averaged 1.6 shots per game in La Liga this season, as well as averaging 4.95 touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, significantly more than Traore who registered 3.37 per 90, via FBref.

Similarly to the Spaniard who received an average of 9.39 progressive passes per 90, the Argentine received 8.73 per 90, showing the positions he can create just as Traore has for Lopetegui’s side.

Most prominently for Wolves is the added threat on goal that the 28-year-old could bring, highlighted by his 0.35 xG (expected goals) per 90 in La Liga, incomparable to the club’s departing star who averaged just 0.08 xG, as per FBref.

Lopetegui could ease the Spaniard’s departure by signing Ocampos, who could prove to be an upgraded asset to the front line at Molineux.