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Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp enjoyed fine all-round performances as England struggled with the bat

The Report by Andrew McGlashan23-Feb-2020In her 100th T20I, Mignon du Preez struck a six in the final over as South Africa held their nerve to secure just a third victory over England in the format in what could be a very significant result early in the World Cup.It was a thrilling end to a chase that South Africa won and lost on multiple occasions in the closing stages, before it came down to needing nine off the last over bowled by Katherine Brunt. The first two balls went for singles before du Preez swung that six over fine leg then clubbed a sweep through square leg (which got to the boundary, but by then the batters had crossed for what was the winning run, so it counted as a single*) to set off wild South African celebrations.The bulk of the chase was put together by a stand of 84 between captain Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, but both fell in the space of five balls as England threatened to turn it around.However, it was with the bat where England really let themselves down as they laboured to a total that, while not that far from being enough to win, was an unconvincing way to start their tournament except for Nat Sciver’s half-century. South Africa, though, were outstanding with the ball and, in the end, it did not go waste.A dramatic final fiveSouth Africa needed 34 off 28 balls when England hauled themselves back into the match through their spin twins Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn. Glenn had Kapp caught and bowled and in the next over, without a run added, the pressure told on van Niekerk as she sliced Ecclestone to point. England squeezed to such an extent that the target blew out to 33 off 18 balls. The 18th over, from Sciver, went for 14 to reignite South Africa’s hopes and when Chloe Tryon, who had struggled to middle the ball, cleared the fence off Ecclestone it came down to nine off eight. Amy Jones then missed a stumping chance only for Ecclestone to spear one through Tryon (who would have been lbw without scoring had England reviewed in the 17th over) meaning Brunt had nine to defend in the last. The third ball of the over was dropped short enough for du Preez to get far enough underneath it to clear the rope. Finally, that was the game.Allrounders stand tallAlthough for a moment it appeared their fine work would come to nothing, Kapp and van Niekerk had outstanding days. Kapp got South Africa up and running by ending a lively start from Jones in an exceptional display which included 12 dot balls across her four overs. With the bat she produced the shot of the match when she drove Brunt off the back through the off side on the final ball of the powerplay. Van Niekerk had gone for just five an over in four overs, without conceding a boundary, and claimed the key wicket of the in-form Heather Knight. While her innings was never quite at the tempo to emphatically put the chase to bed, she twice sent Anya Shrubsole for six and at the end of the contest could reflect on one of the better wins of her captaincy career.Pace and varietyShabnim Ismail only managed one wicket, when Brunt carved to third man, but her performance was another reminder of the priceless commodity of pace she brings to the South Africa attack. She clocked in at 125kph and regularly pushed 120kph, forcing the England batters back in their crease. As a whole, South Africa’s attack was always offering something different to contend with. It was a surprise to see left-arm spinner Nonkulueko Mlaba bowl the first over – and it cost nine as Jones started positively – but although she was the most expensive there wasn’t a weak link, to the extent that Sune Luus wasn’t even required.Sciver salvages EnglandFor a significant part of her innings, Sciver found the going as tricky as the rest of the England batting but crucially fought through and was there to catch up towards the end. From having 24 off 29 balls, she then collected 26 off her next 12 balls which included the lone six of the innings when she deposited Mlaba over wide long-on. She also brought out the scoop – a shot favoured by a few of the England batters – and her half-century came up off 40 balls. However, she was defeated by an excellent slower ball from Khaka which prevented her taking advantage of the final two overs. In a match of such fine margins, that could well have proved crucial.*

Some may think that Arsenal are where they are this season because of the consistency they can field with their starting XIs.

Sat top of the Premier League and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, there is some truth to the fact that Mikel Arteta doesn't make too many changes.

But to suggest the club haven't received many injuries this term would be wrong. Thomas Partey has been seen just twice in the league since October. No.1 left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed the best part of five weeks of football while Gabriel Jesus has sat out 16 matches through injury.

They were three key components of the squad last season but there's one man we're forgetting about, isn't there? An exciting summer signing during the 2023 window who has been seen on only two occasions in Arsenal colours to date.

The man we're talking about is Jurrien Timber.

The latest on Jurrien Timber's injury

Timber starred during the opening two weeks of the campaign only for his debut term in north London to be cut short courtesy of a horrible injury.

The Dutchman, signed from Ajax last summer for a £38m fee, began the Community Shield victory over Manchester City at left-back and was then fielded there again on the opening weekend of the Premier League season against Nottingham Forest.

However, the defender was hauled off just 50 minutes into his league bow for the club. The damage was revealed later. It was a crippling ACL blow, meaning he would miss the next six to nine months of action.

So, what's the latest? Well, TImber has been back on the grass at the Sobha Reality Training Centre in recent weeks and has stepped up his rehabilitation with the rest of the first-team squad.

Speaking to the media at the back end of February, Arteta noted of the Netherlands international: "He’s doing really well. He’s been with some players on the pitch. He’s going to do some bits with us on the pitch in the next week or so. Then we have to see how that evolves, his confidence levels, his fitness levels and hopefully then the answer is ‘yes’.”

With the international break now in full swing, the hope is that the 22-year-old will be ready for some minutes once the domestic action recommences in a week.

Ahead of a hectic climax to the season, in which Arsenal still have to face Man City and a double-legged tie with Bayern Munich in the Champions League, this is a seismic boost for the club.

What Jurrien Timber could add to Arsenal

In the brief 126 minutes we've seen of Timber in Arsenal colours we've already been able to gather a sense of what to expect once he returns.

This is a remarkably composed player who fits Arteta's system like a glove. What's more is the Dutchman's versatility. Principally a central defender, he can also more than do a job at left-back or right-back.

That said, with Ben White's seemingly undroppable form on the right – contributing a goal and two assists in his last two league games – it is likely we'll see him on the left. After all, no one is removing William Saliba and Gabriel from their central roles.

You may well wonder what Jakub Kiwior has done to deserve being dropped but systematically, Timber is perfect for that inverted role. He's cool and crisp in possession, boasting some immense statistics when compared to positionally similar players.

As per FBref, the former Ajax man ranks inside the very best 2% of central defenders in Europe's top five leagues for the last 365 days in passes attempted (82.45) and passes completed (74.14) per 90 minutes. It would perhaps be easy to question why this is impressive. Well, when you consider what those passes mean it highlights things very nicely.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Timber is supreme at breaking the lines, notably ranking among the very elite centre-backs for progressive passes per 90 (7.30) and passes into the final (9.69), metrics where he sits in the top 1%. He's also among the top 2% again for key passes (0.63).

What the above means is that nearly 9% of the pass attempts Timber makes are progressive. Evidently always forward-thinking, this would no doubt suit Arteta's ploy to dominate possession and get the ball into the final third.

Progressive passes

8.61

12.3

5.45

Pass completion %

92%

88%

85%

Passes attempted

81.5

83.5

62.8

Passes completed

74.7

73.3

53.2

Key passes

0.42

1.50

0.57

Passes into final 3rd

9.76

8.50

4.66

For some additional context, above is how he ranks alongside Zinchenko and Timber for some of the vital metrics we've just discussed. It's clear to see just why teammate and fellow summer addition Declan Rice thinks he's a "monster."

It's somewhat of a cliche to suggest a player returning from injury is like a new signing but this is truly the case here. We've seen nothing of Timber since last August. His return is exciting and will offer plenty to an Arsenal side challenging on two fronts.

Harry Redknapp has questioned why Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are not in England’s thoughts as both could do the job “standing on their head”.

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Southgate has stepped down as bossFA have opened search for a successorThree Lions urged to consider greatsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Three Lions find themselves in the market for a new manager after seeing Gareth Southgate bring the curtain down on his eight-year tenure. He oversaw runs to the World Cup semi-finals and back-to-back European Championship finals, but was unable to bring a 58-year wait for tangible success to a close in the men’s game.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesWHAT REDKNAPP SAID

The likes of Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are considered to be leading contenders to take over from Southgate, but Redknapp – who was overlooked on a regular basis by England when at the peak of his coaching powers – has told of casting the recruitment net a little wider: “The men I see as obvious front-runners will be lucky to even get an interview. I doubt there are many who’d agree with me when I say the FA should look no further than Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard for the next Three Lions boss. Either of them could do the job standing on their head, yet probably neither will get so much as a phone call. Mind you, plenty of people will insist there’s no reason why they should because they’ve already written off both as failures. Forgetting that Frank reached an FA Cup final and finished fourth in his first spell at Chelsea. Or the fact that Everton were in such a mess, he never had a prayer when he went there.

“There’s every chance they’ll gloss over Stevie’s time at Rangers, despite their first title win in a decade — unbeaten as well — and say he was a flop at Aston Villa. But you show me a manager who’s not had a tough time of it somewhere down the line. Potter certainly did at Chelsea — he only lasted 31 games and lost 11 of them. So did Unai Emery, the man who replaced Stevie as boss at Villa, when he was Arsenal manager. It happens to everyone out there. So what’s the difference between Potter and Frank? Why is one an obvious candidate for England, yet the other not even worthy of a mention?”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Redknapp added, with ex-England striker Gary Lineker another to have suggested that Lampard should be in the mix: “If the FA want someone steeped in football knowledge — at international level too — and who knows the game inside out at that level, both Frank and Stevie leave them standing. The players would love it as well. They’d be desperate to play for them. They would have nothing but respect whether it was Lampard or Gerrard as boss. So, are they both on the scrapheap for good because they’ve had a failure somewhere down the line? There won’t be any managers left before long if that’s all it takes.

“And here’s another thing as well. While you need a thick skin to be a club manager, it’s not a patch on the one demanded at international level. That goes for players — certainly the senior ones — as well. And Stevie and Frank could tell you all about that better than most. Some of the stuff Frank had to put up with back in the day was horrendous, horrible stuff. It was the same for Gerro, especially when he was captain. But the pair of them stood up and came through it. And that’s the sort of character you want and need as England manager.”

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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT?

Lampard and Gerrard both earned over 100 caps for England in their playing days. The latter, who is a Liverpool legend, is currently coaching in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq while Chelsea great Lampard has been out of work since bringing a second stint at Stamford Bridge – which saw him take the reins on an interim basis – to a close in the summer of 2023.

Juventus are willing to include Federico Chiesa in a swap deal to sign Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho.

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Juventus want to sign SanchoCould include Chiesa in swap dealChiesa's contract expires next summerWHAT HAPPENED?

Jadon Sancho will return to Manchester United after his brief loan spell with Borussia Dortmund ended at the end of the 2023/24 season. The Red Devils, however, will try to offload the winger once again this summer as manager Erik ten Hag is unlikely to work with the player again.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE EXPLANATION

Per Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus could be interested in signing the United outcast this summer and are reportedly planning to include Italian winger Chiesa in a swap deal. Chiesa is in the final year of his current contract and is yet to sign a new deal. The report further adds that the Italy international has been surplus to new manager Thiago Motta's needs which means the player is likely to spend most of the upcoming season on the bench if he does not leave the club.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Bianconeri star is tying the knot with his girlfriend Lucia Bramani on July 20. The player has reportedly informed his club that he would make a final decision on his future after his wedding.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

The Premier League giants have already begun their pre-season and are scheduled to travel to the US later this month where they will play friendly matches against clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal.

Danny Ings salvaged a draw for West Ham United against Burnley but another Premier League regression after successive victories has increased the pressure on David Moyes. Again.

It's a fractious relationship and while the Scottish manager has taken United to the upper echelon of top-flight football over the past few years, leading the club to a series of European campaigns that hit its zenith with triumph in the Europa Conference League last June.

But is it fair to say this papered over the cracks? After two solid years of top-seven finishes, the Hammers languished last term and finished 14th, just six points ahead of relegated Leicester City.

This season has been far more fruitful but the performance against imperilled Burnley was concerning, especially given West Ham head into the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie against Freiburg at the London Stadium 1-0 down.

Who were West Ham's worst performers vs Burnley

Securing a point on Sunday afternoon did keep West Ham in seventh place in the Premier League but Manchester United extended their lead in sixth to four points after winning against Everton the day before.

Moyes made some changes at half-time and was rewarded as Lucas Paqueta halved the deficit not two minutes after the whistle, but there will be great concern following a terrible opening to a fixture that was very much viewed as winnable.

Alongside James Ward-Prowse, centre-midfielder Kalvin Phillips was hooked at the break after yet another poor display for the east London side, who he joined on loan from Manchester City in January.

Marked with a dismal 3/10 match rating by The Evening Standard's Malik Ouzia, the England international is in desperate need of a resurgence but the interminable wait drags on, with Ouzia writing: 'Another rotten afternoon. Started slowly, failed to close Fofana for the opener and then dragged at half-time.'

Goals

0

2

Expected goals (xG)

0.07

2.04

Possession

49%

55%

Total shots

4

19

Shots on target

0

3

Corners

0

4

Big chances

0

3

Hit woodwork

0

2

Dribble attempts

3/9

8/13

Duels won

25

51

Sloppy and static, Phillips was at fault as Chelsea loanee David Datro Fofana wriggled his way into space and unleashed a stunning strike past Alphonse Areola, continuing a disastrous start to his Irons career.

As per Sofascore, the 28-year-old took 30 touches against Vincent Kompany's side and completed 83% of his passes, but he won two of his five duels and only contributed with one tackle despite committing two fouls, also failing to register a single key pass.

Phillips was the obvious underperformer, but he certainly wasn't the only United player who flattered to deceive, with £19m summer signing from Stuttgart Konstantinos Mavropanos enduring a torrid afternoon, inadvertently guiding a cross-box pass into his own net.

Also given a 3/10 match rating by Ouzia, who lamented his 'wayward' passing and lack of composure on the ball, Mavropanos did win 11 of his 13 contested duels but lost possession a whopping 22 times and was dribbled past on two occasions, in on the action and holding his own largely holding his own but slipping in the key moments.

Completing just 58% of his passes and zero of his eight attempted long balls hardly denotes control and composure, and while he was hardly perfect himself, Nayef Aguerd completed 80% of his passes while winning five of seven duels.

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Ultimately, Moyes has much to consider going forward. There is a European trophy up for grabs and, just as importantly, a grip on continental qualification through the Premier League that must not loosen.

It's regrettable that Phillips has suffered for so long, but this is a results game and he must now be axed.

Kalvin Phillips' season in numbers

Phillips arrived at the London Stadium from Manchester City and while his personal trophy cabinet bears a treble-winning horde, it's fair to say that he offered very little for Pep Guardiola's side, starting two Premier League matches in 2022/23 after arriving from Leeds United in a £45m deal.

This season, he found paltry action at the Etihad Stadium once again and it was widely expected that he would move away in January, with his industrious skill set and past “Rolls-Royce” performances at Leeds – as was said by journalist Josh Bunting – attracting Moyes' attention.

But a horrorshow West Ham debut against Bournemouth did little to quell concerns, with scarcely any success since making it most unlikely that he will see his sojourn in the capital become a permanent stay.

Mavropanos has greater hope over his Hammers career, having started nine of the past 11 Premier League matches, but Aguerd will be pushing for a return to starting prominence alongside Zouma and Sunday's showing did see the Moroccan come out on top.

Konstantinos Mavropanos' season in numbers

The Greece international was hailed as a "gladiator" by former boss Pellegrino Matarazzo in the past and while he is certainly combative, there's a question regarding his long-term sustainability as a starting member of the team.

So far, Mavropanos has completed 25 fixtures for West Ham across all competitions and does look to have won Moyes over, though Aguerd has proved his worth in the past and a rekindling of form would leave the new addition in troubling waters.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 14% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries, the top 3% for interceptions and the top 12% for aerial battles won per 90, but also ranking just outside the bottom quarter for pass completion does not speak of the kind of assurance Moyes will want from his team.

Moreover, his display against Vincent Kompany's side demonstrated a certain recklessness that will threaten his side going forward.

In a matter of days, West Ham will clash against Freiburg in a knockout fixture that they currently trail in, and while the 25-year-old's enthusiasm and energy make for attractive attributes, it would be wise to unleash Aguerd alongside Zouma for that one.

The Morocco international is far from perfect but he will offer more of a semblance of calm, allowing his forward teammates to push for goals.

Dube and Axar struck 121 runs in a 67-ball seventh-wicket partnership while Yuzvendra Chahal took a five-wicket haul

Sreshth Shah29-Aug-2019

Axar Patel celebrates a wicket with Manish Pandey•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Reeza Hendricks’ 110 was not good enough for South Africa A as India A trumped the visitors in the first one-dayer by 69 runs. Allrounders Shivam Dube and Axar Patel struck quickfire fifties to rescue the hosts from a perilous position, after which their spinners – especially Yuzvendra Chahal, who took a five-wicket haul – dismantled South Africa A.Sent in to bat, India A were in trouble when they lost their fifth wicket for 169 runs in the 28th over. The set duo of Manish Pandey and Ishan Kishan had fallen in the space of three deliveries and Krunal Pandya was to fall soon after. That’s when No. 8 Axar joined No. 7 Dube, and the duo finished with nine fours and nine sixes between them, batting through the next 11.1 overs. In that period, they smashed 121 runs, especially severe on left-arm spinner George Linde who bowled his five overs at an economy of 9.80.At the break, India A walked back for 327 for 6 in 47 overs, but the picture could’ve been much different had the seventh-wicket partnership not taken place. Each of their first six batsmen earned starts but failed to capitalise on them. Opener Shubman Gill fell four short of a half-century while Pandey and Kishan succumbed in their thirties. Rituraj Gaikwad made 10, Anmolpreet Singh made 29 while Krunal made a 25-ball 14.In their chase, South Africa A were rocked by Janneman Malan’s dismissal in the eighth over, out caught-behind off Chahal. Chahal soon removed Matthew Breetzke too, and when the South Africa A captain Temba Bavuma fell for eight, they were reeling at 81 for 3. The other opener Hendricks, though, went on to notch two useful partnerships with Khaya Zondo (30) and Heinrich Klaasen (58) and earn his 13th List-A hundred, giving South Africa A a window of opportunity.But pinpoint bowling from the India A spinners, who bowled 27 of the 45 overs, helped the hosts control the game. And when South Africa A went for the late charge, they cashed in, with Axar collecting two wickets and Chahal a further three. For his allround contributions, Axar was named Player of the Match. The second of five one-dayers will be played on August 31.

When a new era gets underway at Anfield this summer following Jurgen Klopp's exit, Liverpool could be set for a busy period in the transfer market, as their new manager looks to make their mark. That said, reports suggest that the Reds are prepared to make an offer to sign a Bundesliga attacker.

Liverpool transfer news

Of course, the direction of Liverpool's transfer business will be easier to decipher when their replacement for Klopp is announced. As of right now, it looks as though former midfielder Xabi Alonso is the top choice, having remained unbeaten at the top of the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen this season. The Spaniard has taken Leverkusen to the summit of German football, with their most recent win over Bayern Munich a big step towards eventual silverware come May.

If it is to be Alonso, then targets in the Bundesliga could certainly make sense for the Reds, given that it's now a league the former Real Madrid midfielder knows so well. With that said, Donyell Malen could be among those looked at.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are prepared to make an offer to sign Malen this summer, who has been valued at €40m (£34m) by Borussia Dortmund. Several European sides are reportedly interested in the Dutchman, with Dortmund looking to make a profit on their original payout of £26m back in 2021.

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Given that Mohamed Salah's current contract is set to run out in the summer of 2025, Liverpool may need to start thinking about boosting their attacking options, and Malen could certainly be an option due to his ability to replicate the speed of the Egyptian – though questions may still come over his ability to replace Salah's output.

Do Liverpool need "dangerous" Malen?

If Liverpool are forced to replace Salah – a player who often finds himself competing for the Premier League Golden Boot and the top assist award – then they must do so with the highest calibre player possible. Malen is not yet of that calibre, though one day he could be.

The 25-year-old has shown signs of really bursting into life at Dortmund, but remains without the needed consistency to become Salah's replacement at Anfield. Here's how Malen compares to the current Liverpool star this season.

Goals

9

14

Assists

0

8

Expected Goals

6.3

14.3

Key passes

18

47

Malen still has plenty of time to reach his potential, even if that doesn't involve replacing Salah at Liverpool. The forward has previously earned the praise of former Dortmund midfielder and Germany's World Cup hero Mario Gotze, who said via the Bundesliga's official website: "Donyell is extremely fast and very dangerous. If he has a chance, it's usually a goal, too. He's still young, but has really good abilities."

When the summer transfer window arrives, it will be interesting to see just where Liverpool focus their resources and if they decide to submit an offer for Malen to boost their attacking options.