All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for Micky van de Ven this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player ahead of next season.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Micky van de Ven?

According to Evening Standard journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Liverpool are considered a threat to Tottenham Hotspur's ongoing talks with the VfL Wolfsburg defender.

As per an article written for the publication, it is claimed that Liverpool are competiting with Spurs for a similar profile of defender and for that reason, the North London club fear that the Merseyside giants will hijack their negotiations with Van de Ven this summer.

How fast is Micky van de Ven?

Whilst a midfield rebuild has been the top priority for Jurgen Klopp and his new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, with the arrival of Dominik Szoboszali and Alexis Mac Allister so far, there is a strong desire to strengthen the defensive personnel this summer too.

Liverpool have been linked with numerous left-footed defenders over the last few weeks and months, with England U21 star Levi Colwill becoming the latest target for the Reds, according to reports.

However, with Chelsea not keen on selling their prized asset and a transfer fee likely to be astronomical as a result, it would come as no surprise if the Merseysiders turn their attentions back on Van de Ven before the transfer window closes, as the Bundesliga ace presents as a much cheaper alternative with a price tag of £30m.

When comparing the two ball-playing defenders' output last season, the duo came close in some key attributes including goal contributions (2 v 2) and pass completion (87.7% v 88.2%), whilst Van de Van outperformed the Chelsea ace in tackles won per 90 (1.36 v 0.59), blocks per 90 (1.27 v 0.37) and clearances per 90 (3.27 v 2.73).

The lightening-fast Netherlands native boasts a number of desirable qualities that could benefit Klopp next season, with a blistering pace of 22.3 mph (35.97 km/h) which made him the quickest defender in the German top tier last season, whilst football talent scout Jacek Kulig has lauded the Dutchman as "complete" and "dominant", as well as dubbing him a "tenacious tackler".

Not only that, Van de Ven has become one of the hottest prospects in the top five European leagues over the last 12 months, with the 22-year-old ranking in the top 25% of his positional peers for progressive carries, successful take-ons and progressive passes received, proving that he is not only a confident ball-winner but also looks after it when in possession.

Both his compatriot Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are both in their 30s at this point, with the latter now in the last year of his contract, so there is definitely a real opportunity to add some more youth into the back-line alongside Ibrahima Konate to get a head start in building the future of the defensive presence.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see whether Liverpool will make a concrete move for a centre-back this summer and the interest in Van de Ven is definitely one to watch as the club plots their comeback ahead of next season.

South Africa, powered by Quinton de Kock’s hundred, produced a convincing victory by 66 runs against Sussex at Hove

ECB Reporters Network19-May-2017
ScorecardQuinton de Kock made a six-laden century•Getty ImagesSouth Africa, powered by Quinton de Kock’s hundred, produced a convincing victory by 66 runs against Sussex at Hove as they warmed up for their ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy.In a match reduced to 32 overs because of rain, some thrilling batting from de Kock, Wayne Parnell and JP Duminy gave them a formidable score 289 for 4; in reply Sussex were never in the chase but batted very respectably to make 223 for 9.  South Africa were without captain AB de Villiers, who was feeling unwell, as well as Faf du Plessis who rested a shoulder niggle.De Kock, playing his first game since March, hit an unbeaten 78-ball 104 a few days after collecting a haul of prizes at the CSA annual awards. He missed the IPL tournament after suffering a finger injury in New Zealand. He retired after striking five fours and seven sixes to allow others a chance.De Kock and Parnell put on 121 for the first wicket before the equally aggressive Parnell, who hit 61 off 42 deliveries, with seven fours and three sixes, was out in the 15th over, lbw to former South Africa batsman Stiaan van Zyl.But there was no let-off for the Sussex bowlers even after they had seen the back of the openers. Duminy produced the best strike-rate of the innings, with 68 off 46 balls, hitting successive sixes off spinner Danny Briggs.Sussex looked out of the contest when Kagiso Rabada reduced them to 5 for 2 in the first over.  Chris Nash, leading the side in the absence of Luke Wright, played on to his second delivery and then Luke Wells, making his first appearance of the season after injury, was lbw to his first ball.Van Zyl, 12 times a Test player for South Africa, looked in the mood to make a point, with 16 off 10 balls, but was then athletically caught by Farhaan Behardien at backward-point.Phil Salt provided a bright feature of the Sussex innings with a 33-ball 37, which included a remarkable reverse flick over backward square-leg for six off the bowling of Dwaine Pretorius.  In the next over, bowled by Morne Morkel, he struck the first two deliveries for four but was out to the final delivery, caught behind playing a ramp shot, ending a spirited fourth-wicket partnership of 57 with Harry Finch.After Salt’s dismissal Finch and Delray Rawlins continued to take the attack to the South Africa bowlers.  Rawlins was run out for 41 but Finch went on to top score for Sussex with 62 before he miscued to mid-off.South Africa have another warm-up game at Northampton on Sunday before facing England at Headingley on Wednesday.

Manchester City are reportedly looking at a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich and could make an offer for the player in the coming days.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news?

The Sky Blues and Pep Guardiola have already added to their treble-winning squad this summer by bringing in Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea in a deal worth a total of £30m.

However, Ilkay Gundogan, who played a key role in City’s success last season with two goals in the FA Cup final, has decided to join Barcelona on a free transfer after his contract expired at the Etihad.

Therefore, it looks as if Kovacic will fill the void left by Gundogan ahead of the 2023/24 season, but more new faces could arrive before the window shuts on September 1.

Fellow Croatia international, Josko Gvardiol, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano even claiming on Wednesday that the RB Leipzig man had even completed the first part of a City medical.

However, speculation has since cooled on the defender, but it looks as if another Bundesliga star is of interest in Kimmich.

The Faithful MUFC relayed news from Spain regarding Kimmich in the last 48 hours, where City were mentioned. It is believed that City, along with rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, all want to sign the Germany international this summer, with Kimmich keen on leaving the Allianz Arena.

All three English clubs are expected to make offers by sending proposals in the coming days, with the report saying on City:

“Manchester City have shown a clear interest in Kimmich after losing the opportunity to sign Declan Rice, who eventually joined Arsenal. The need to strengthen their midfield has led the 'Citizens' to set their sights on the versatile German player, who excels both defensively and offensively.”

Who is Joshua Kimmich?

Kimmich is 28 years of age and has been with Bayern since 2015, with his current contract running until 2025. Capable of playing as a right-back, holding midfielder or central midfielder, the £300,000-a-week man has already worked under Guardiola.

He made 36 appearances under the City boss during his time at Bayern, with Guardiola hailing the player seven years ago. Since then, Kimmich has gone from strength to strength, making close to 350 Bayern appearances and winning a total of 20 honours in Munich. Jose Mourinho previously praised Kimmich for his versatility, describing him as a “phenomenal” player.

"I see him as a top right-back, left-back, centre-back, No.6, No.8, No.10… he has the qualities to be anything!

"I think he’s phenomenal, an absolutely phenomenal player."

Therefore, should Kimmich move to the Etihad, he would provide options in a number of areas, something which Guardiola could love, especially as right-back Kyle Walker is being linked with a move to Bayern Munich, and it looks as if a deal is one to watch.

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) hopes that the state associations will distill their objections to the Lodha Committee recommendations to one or two points when they meet on Sunday (June 25) in Mumbai

Arun Venugopal23-Jun-2017The Committee of Administrators (CoA) hopes that the state associations will distill their objections to the Lodha Committee recommendations to one or two points when they meet on Sunday (June 25) in Mumbai, a day before the BCCI’s SGM. This, the CoA believes, will be a significant step towards firming up the BCCI’s model constitution.The Vidarbha Cricket Association is the only one so far to draft a new constitution as per the Lodha recommendations, and it has subsequently been ratified by the BCCI. A number of state associations, however, have filed petitions in the Supreme Court objecting to different recommendations of the Lodha Committee. The CoA feels this is counter-productive to all parties concerned. “We are focused on making sure that the Lodha Committee report gets implemented, which requires the model constitution to be adopted,” a CoA official told ESPNcricinfo.”For this, the states need to be aligned. We told them even in the last meeting that going to the court with multiple petitions won’t work. We have asked them to narrow it down to two points that are absolutely critical from their standpoint. If they are going to withdraw all their petitions and ask the court to consider two points, it’s much easier for the court to deal with the matter rather than dealing with 15 different petitions with different permutations and combinations.”My hope is in that meeting we will be able to narrow it down and then consider and work with the court to see if it is possible to amend one or two these things and then move forward to get the constitution finalised. Then you can conduct elections and hold AGM in September.”The CoA is given to understand that a majority of state associations are opposed to four recommendations – one-state, one-vote; the age cap of 70 for office bearers; the cooling-off period of three years for office bearers between terms in office; and restriction on the number of selectors to three as opposed to the earlier five. A Cricket Association of Bengal official, for instance, told ESPNcricinfo that the age-restriction was a major stumbling block since “more than 60%” of the state body’s officials were over 70.While the Kerala Cricket Association objected to the cooling-off period, it also sought clarity on the role of the Apex Council. “We have 11 office-bearers as opposed to the nine-member Apex Council that has been prescribed by the Lodha Committee for the BCCI,” a KCA official said. “We want clarification on whether the formation of an Apex Council applies to us as well; that is should a state association like ours need to have an Apex Council like the BCCI.”The CoA official indicated that the Supreme Court might be inclined to reconsider one or two recommendations so long as they didn’t tinker with governance issues. “We have indicated to the state associations that if they try and dilute anything surrounding governance, it is unlikely to fly,” the official said. “So, within that context, let them decide what they want to take to the court but it is unlikely the court will dilute any governance-related clauses. One-state, one vote, and three selectors, I think, the court may be willing to consider.”The state associations might still want to take [governance-related clauses] to the court and the court might strike it down. They might want the court to specifically say that they are unwilling to make amendments. But, if they adopt all the recommendations except one or two points that they object to, the court will at least feel they have a genuine inclination towards reform. That’s what we have been telling them to do, so that it is in their interest as well that if the court wants to consider something, if the court feels that they are moving forward.”The CoA is also likely to discuss other issues such as the Deloitte report that has dealt with financial irregularities in certain member associations. “Even in our previous meetings, we tried to talk to them on various matters, including governance,” the official said. “In this case, there might be something to discuss on ICC-related matters, obviously on what is coming up for voting in the SGM on June 26. There are other things that we sent to them to respond to – the Deloitte report and appointment of Ombudsman and redressal officer.”

Everton youngster Thomas Cannon could be in line for minutes next season according to Paul Brown.

The 20-year-old forward could be called upon this season depending on the Toffees transfer business.

Who is Thomas Cannon?

Born in 2002, Cannon is arguably one of the Merseyside club's brightest prospects.

The player has risen through the Toffee's youth teams, where he impressed right from the start, making his U18's debut at just 16 years old. The following season Cannon enjoyed a remarkable campaign, scoring 16 goals in 16 games, and that level of goalscoring prowess continued right through all the youth sides. Many within the club were impressed, and after signing a professional contract with Everton in 2021, the youngster made his first-team debut against Bournemouth in 2022.

In the January transfer window, the Republic of Ireland youth international secured a loan move to Deepdale with Championship side Preston North End. During his short stint with the club, the striker impressed plenty, managing eight goals and one assist in 20 Championship appearances. Preston midfielder Ryan Ledson, who used to play for Everton at youth level, was full of praise for Cannon when asked about his impact, stating:

"Tom Cannon has been absolutely brilliant, He’s a credit to himself and Everton Football Club. Since the second he’s come through the door, he’s worked hard, got his head down, and he’s a nice kid. He’s 20 years of age, has the world at his feet, and all he needs to do is focus on himself and scoring goals because he can go wherever he wants to be. I’m absolutely made up for him. I’d snap your hand off for him back next season! Whether that will happen or not, I don’t know. We can only try, can’t we?"

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Paul Brown revealed that whilst the plan for Cannon is for him to go on another loan, should Everton fail to add a striker to their ranks this summer, opportunities could become available for the forward.

What did Brown say about Tom Cannon's future?

When asked about the 20-year-old's future, the journalist stated: "I don't know really what the plan is for next season, whether he's likely to get much game time, I suspect possibly not. But it all really depends on if and when Everton sign another forward because they're a bit light up front still. So there could be opportunities there if he sticks around. Otherwise, I think a full season on loan in the championship, and we might really see what the kids got."

What striking options do Everton have currently?

As Brown stated, Everton have limited striking options currently.

Following the sale of Ellis Simms to Coventry City, the Toffees only have two recognised strikers at the club in Neal Maupay and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and both options have their flaws. The Englishman has been struggling with major injury problems the previous two campaigns, limiting him to just 36 appearances across the last two seasons, with Transfermarkt stating the forward has missed 30 games with three separate injuries across the last two seasons.

When it comes to Maupay, the forward has struggled following his £15m move from fellow top flight side Brighton and Hove Albion last summer. The Frenchman made 29 appearances in all competitions for the club but managed just one goal against West Ham United. Reports now suggest that the club are looking to offload the striker this summer, with manager Sean Dyche often preferring winger Demari Gary up front to the natural striker.

The Merseyside club are looking to buy a striker this summer, with El Bilal Toure and Wilfred Gnonto being the two players most heavily linked. However, reports state that Everton had an opening offer for the Italian rejected by Leeds United, with the recently relegated side not wanting to sell the forward, whilst the club are not willing to match Almeria's asking price for Toure according to reports from Spain.

Should Everton fail to add either of those targets this summer, first-team opportunities for Cannon could become available, which may convince the forward to stick around this season.

The MCC committee has rejected plans for a residential development at Lord’s

George Dobell24-Jul-2017The MCC committee has rejected plans for a residential development at Lord’s. Having consulted with MCC members over recent weeks, the committee has instead recommended the redevelopment of Lord’s in line with the club’s original, though updated, Masterplan.The club’s 18,000 members will be asked to approve a resolution consenting to the plans at a Special General Meeting on September 27. If the vote is passed and planning permission gained, work on replacing the Compton and Edrich Stands would begin in late 2019 after the ground has staged the World Cup final and an Ashes Test in the preceding summer. It is scheduled to be completed by June 2021.Subsequent developments will include a new building at the East Gate which will, among other things, house the ECB offices, a shop, a car park and contain hospitality facilities. It is scheduled to be completed by 2025.The recommendation means there is an end in sight to an acrimonious chapter in MCC history that has rumbled on for several years, costs hundreds of thousands of pounds and seen former Prime Minister John Major resign from the committee in 2012.It also means a rejection of the Morley Plan. The controversial proposal was based upon the building of two ten-storey apartments (containing 97 residential plots) either side of a new Nursey Pavilion which would have been leased to the MCC. The plans would not only have funded the redevelopment of the Compton and Edrich Stands, but left the club with more than £100 million in the bank. The developers had also offered a sweetener of £15m to members to cover two years of their subscriptions to the club in acknowledgement of the disruption the building operation would cause.The developers behind the Morley Plan were the Rifkind Levy Partnership (RLP). Charles Rifkind, an investor and cousin of former Conservative minister Malcolm Rifkind, outbid MCC in 1999 to buy, for £2.35 million, a long-term lease on a 38-metre strip of land running the length of Lord’s at the Nursery End. It means that, while MCC owns the lease for the top 18 inches of land, Rifkind owns the disused train tunnels that lie under the surface. Rifkind and co had hoped the MCC would relinquish its lease to allow building work to progress.The MCC committee’s decision follows a two-year process which involved one of the biggest pieces of analysis ever conducted by the club and a consultation exercise with members. Five consultation meetings were held at Lord’s and around the country in June and members were also asked to complete a survey which accompanied a summary of both proposals. The review and consultation process is understood to have cost £500,000.There were 4710 responses to the survey and, among the 2000 members who chose to add their own views at the end of the form, those in favour of the MCC’s Masterplan outnumbered those in favour of the Morley Plan by a margin of more than ten to one.”Today’s decision by the MCC committee provides clarity on the extremely important and often controversial subject of ground development,” MCC’s chairman, Gerald Corbett, wrote in an address to members. “Put simply, the club can afford to develop the ground using its own resources and it will do so in the coming years without the need for enabling residential development.”The Morley scheme, with flats at its heart, was considered by the committee to detract from the ambience and special feel of Lord’s, as well containing a number of operational, security, execution and planning risks. Moreover the club’s advisers were unable to recommend the proposed commercial terms.”Although the Morley scheme offers a potential cash windfall, and the opportunity to acquire the leasehold land, the committee considered the flats and the effect on the grounds character too big a price to pay and risk to take. The committee also considered the advice of its five principal subcommittees, who all recommended to implement the club’s Updated Masterplan and to reject flats and the Morley scheme.”Being new to the committee – and this issue – two years ago, I have had the opportunity to ask questions, to get into the detail and to listen to the full range of opinion as to what is best for the future of Lord’s. The consultation events and survey responses are unequivocal – members do not want flats at Lord’s and they want MCC to continue ground development through its own finances.”The programme for the next stage will be voted on by members in September and then the club can put this issue to bed by ensuring that developments at Lord’s are based on retaining the unique character of the ground, are cricket-led and operationally feasible and provide the best possible experience for players and spectators.”All members have been consulted. Many have spoken. The committee has decided. The club will now vote and we will then move on.”

Darren Sammy’s final-over effort did not pay off as Guyana Amazon Warriors knocked off the eight runs needed to clinch their first win of the season

The Report by Peter Della Penna14-Aug-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRayad Emrit took two wickets off his final over to finish with his best figures for the season•Ashley Allen – CPL T20 / GettyIn a battle of the winless, Guyana Amazon Warriors got off the mark in tense fashion, securing a six-wicket win with a ball to spare courtesy a rounded batting effort chasing a target of 153. They rode their luck, behind thirties from Chadwick Walton, Jason Mohammed and Gajanand Singh. The victory for the 2016 finalists gives them a boost leading into their home-leg beginning Thursday in Providence while Stars remain without a win at the halfway point of their season.Charles in chargeThe Stars had been missing a major top-order contribution through the first nine days of the tournament but Johnson Charles produced a half-century to steer the first half of the innings after Darren Sammy elected to bat. Despite a pair of hiccups in the Powerplay that saw Andre Fletcher and Marlon Samuels fall cheaply, Charles battered his way to 53 off 32 balls with three fours and four sixes, showcasing some of the ferocity that made him such a valuable asset in the team’s maiden playoff appearance in their final year as the Zouks.Rashid Khan’s interventionThe Afghanistan legspinner had gone wicketless in his first three games for Amazon Warriors but on his return to the venue that saw him claim 7 for 18 against West Indies in June, Rashid Khan reprised a slice of that magic with a sterling 2 for 9, the most economical four-over spell of CPL 2017. Charles fell skying a slog to long-on two balls after the drinks break but Rashid’s next over was a sight to behold.Rashid preyed on Kamran Akmal, whose awful tournament plumbed new depths when he flailed aimlessly after charging down the wicket to be stumped for 2. Standing toe-to-toe with new batsman Sammy, Rashid ripped three balls past the outside edge and would have had a wicket maiden were it not for a googly that pitched outside off before spinning viciously down the leg side for a wide. Sammy gave Rashid a high five at the end of the over as a mark of respect for the testing spell.Emrit takes fourAfter claiming Samuels in the Powerplay, Rayad Emrit returned late to help contain the Stars. Emrit caught a slice of luck when Shane Watson spliced a full toss to Martin Guptill in the circle at cover. Bowling the final over, he conceded sixes to Sammy off the first two balls – part of a 19-run sequence for the Stars captain in four balls.But Emrit bounced back strongly, conceding just three runs off the last four balls while taking two wickets. Sammy misfired a drive to long-on before Rahkeem Cornwall’s attempt to pull Emrit against the wind found Rashid at deep midwicket. The Stars’ power failure across those final four balls proved vital. Emrit ended with 4 for 35.Gajanand’s redemptionAmazon Warriors rode middle gear through much of the chase behind three solid partnerships forged by Walton, Martin Guptill, Babar Azam and Mohammed to carry them to 88 for 3 in the 13th over. But Gajanand’s arrival marked a shift into high gear for the visitors as he cracked an unbeaten 35 off 22 balls, including a 57-run fourth-wicket stand with Mohammed.Even though Amazon Warriors had wickets in hand, Stars began to edge marginally in front with five overs to go as the required run rate crept towards 10 per over. Mohammed and Gajanand decided to make their move in the 16th over. They went after Shane Shillingford, carting him for 17, including a streaky edge to third man and an authoritative pull by Gajanand over long-on for six.Gajanand flicked Kyle Mayers for six over fine leg in the next over, before slapping two fours off Jerome Taylor in the 18th to bring the equation down to 11 off 12 balls. His knock might have erased the bad memory of losing his cool against Carlos Brathwaite in Florida last Sunday.Optimus PrimusAfter Mohammed fell at the end of the 19th over, Sammy took the ball with eight required for victory. Roshon Primus was on strike. Two singles and then a dot-ball against a yorker gave the Stars hope, but Primus tucked into a length ball from Sammy on the fourth delivery to split the two boundary fielders on the leg side for four. Sammy speared one into Primus’ legs next ball, but the allrounder tucked it easily to deep square leg’s left to come back for the second to clinch victory.

Liverpool are tinkering away as they prepare for the start of the 22/23 Premier League season in under two weeks, with a shock update arising for a former target.

Who are Liverpool signing this summer?

According to Spanish reports, Jurgen Klopp's Reds are still in with a shout for RB Leipzig central defender Josko Gvardiol, who has been the centrepiece of a transfer saga with Manchester City.

The fresh news from Spain claims that the Croatian, who is valued at no small sum of £85m, could possibly be hijacked over the coming weeks with his prospective move to the Etihad Stadium stagnating.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Liverpool are joined by Chelsea and Manchester United in having submitted offers for the defender, and while the Citizens remain favourites, this is perhaps a deal to keep an eye on.

How good is Josko Gvardiol?

Those who know Gvardiol best are starting to run out of superlatives to describe the 21-year-old prodigy, who has excelled for club and country of late and looks poised for a career right at the very top of the game.

He would be a credit to any team in world football, having made 87 appearances for his Bundesliga outfit, winning successive DFB Pokals, and being heralded as a "Rolls-Royce" by journalist Zach Lowy.

Partner this with a third place finish in the 2022 World Cup, and Liverpool would only enrich their ranks with the 6 foot 1 defender's signature.

Given his favoured left foot and first-rate ball-playing skills, he is the dream heir to Virgil van Dijk's position in the Reds system, with the 32-year-old seemingly waning of late and Klopp pursuing a left-sided centre-half this summer.

The Dutchman has been integral to Liverpool's success since signing from Southampton in a £75m deal, winning a wealth of major honours including the Premier League and Champions League, but his imperiousness is not eternal and plans are understandably being made.

Despite this, the £220k-per-week phenom still ranks among the top 12% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 4% for passes attempted, the top 18% for goals and the top 8% for aerials won per 90, as per FBref – the exemplifier of Klopp's ideology.

Gvardiol could slot into the squad as a book slots into a shelf, evidenced by his own ranking among the top 9% for goals, the top 1% for passes attempted, the top 18% for progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, and given his youthful age there is plenty of room for increments to be made as he charts a course to the highest of eminence.

The stumbling block, of course, comes in the form of Pep Guardiola's sensational, treble-winning outfit, who also appear to view Gvardiol as the optimum defensive component to enhance their team, and with the lucrative fee also likely to be a deterrent, it does indeed remain to be seen if Liverpool could actually get this one over the line.

But if they do, Klopp will wield one of the finest talents in European football, a player so great he could mould his backline around the "fearless" titan – as he has been labelled by Rio Ferdinand – for years to come.

Hardik Pandya thought he was caught, the Australians thought he was definitely run-out, but it turned out that neither of those dismissals applied to the delivery

Alagappan Muthu at Eden Gardens21-Sep-20173:07

Caught, run-out, not out?

India’s innings was halted briefly in the 48th over in dramatic circumstances as Hardik Pandya was caught off a high full toss during the second ODI against Australia in Kolkata. Pandya started walking off – thinking he was out caught – but the catcher, Steven Smith, realising the possibility of it being called a no-ball for height, yelled at the bowler Kane Richardson to catch his attention and break the stumps at the bowler’s end. Adding to this chaotic moment was the arrival of rain, which had distracted the umpires Anil Chaudhary and Richard Illingworth’s attention, and ultimately forced the players off the field briefly.In the end, Pandya was ruled not out because he had left the crease believing he had been dismissed. Such is the protection offered by Law 27.7 of the ICC handbook.”An umpire shall intervene if satisfied that a batsman not having been given out, has left his wicket under a misapprehension that he is out. The umpire intervening shall call and signal dead ball to prevent any further action by the fielding side and shall recall the batsman.”In this case, the umpires were unsure of the legality of the delivery and asked the TV umpire to check the height of the ball after the catch had been taken and the run-out had been effected. Once replays showed the ball was above the waist, it was confirmed a no-ball, and while run-outs are definitely possible off no-balls, in this case, the umpires decided that Pandya was under the belief that he had already been dismissed and as such wouldn’t have been bothered about completing the run he had set out for. Smith appeared to be making a case to the umpires for the ball not being ‘dead’ when the run-out occurred, but Law 27.7 proved decisive in this case.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is 'coming round to the idea' of selling star striker Harry Kane this window as uncertainty over his future in north London continues to rage on, according to journalist Alex Crook.

Which club will Harry Kane go to?

According to Sky Sports, Kane expects to stay at Tottenham if he is not sold by the Lilywhites before their opening match of the Premier League campaign against Brentford on August 13th.

Bayern Munich are desperate to land the England international this summer and are expected to improve their £81.7 million offer for Kane alongside offering him a five-year deal to move to the Allianz Arena, though Spurs are holding out for a fee of £100 million.

The German giants sent chief Jan-Christian Dreesen and technical director Marco Neppe over to London for a meeting with Tottenham chairman Levy on Monday to try and seal a deal for the £200k-a-week ace, according to BILD reporter Heiko Niedderer via The Daily Mail.

TEAMtalk understand that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are considering submitting a world record bid for Kane after failing in attempt to land Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen.

Al Hilal believed that an offer in the region of £200 million may be enough to tempt Levy to sell Kane; however, the player has little desire to move to the Gulf region in the prime of his career.

Last term, Kane was in excellent form for Tottenham, registering 32 goals and five assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Crook thinks that Levy may have finally adopted a stance of acceptance with regards to potentially losing Kane's services this window.

Crook stated: "The fact Daniel Levy is even willing to sit down with the two guys from Bayern Munich suggests that maybe he's coming round to the idea of selling for the first time really.

"So it puts Spurs in a difficult position, because can they afford to risk hanging on to him and then him leaving for free next summer? Probably not is the answer, so it's not ideal."

What now for Tottenham Hotspur?

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been dealt a relatively tough hand as speculation surrounding Kane continues to dominate the headlines in his debut campaign, though he will continue to scope out potential recruits for his squad in the meantime.

The Daily Mail report that Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson could be a candidate to replace Kane in north London this summer for a fee in the region of £50 million.

Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad via The Sun claim that Gent striker Gift Orban is another striker that is on the Lilywhites' radar and could compete with Richarlison for a central striking spot under Postecoglou.

According to The Evening Standard, Blackburn Rovers defender Ashley Phillips is poised to join Spurs by the end of the week in a deal worth around £2 million.