Manchester United fans should be "fuming" with the new 100,000-seater stadium plans as the £2bn project was branded as "pathetic" by Paul Merson.

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Merson not impressed with Man Utd's stadium plansLikely to spend around £2b for the 100,000-seater stadiumExpected to boost the economy by £7.3bn-a-yearFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United have announced ambitious plans to construct a state-of-the-art 100,000-capacity stadium, aiming to create what they call "the world’s greatest stadium." The project, estimated to cost £2 billion, is expected to take five years to complete. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is leading the charge for the massive infrastructure overhaul, emphasising that the new stadium will be a global icon, visible from up to 40 kilometers away in the Peak District.

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In addition to the football venue, the redevelopment will include a public plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square and an avenue resembling Wembley Way. The club claims the project could add £7.3 billion to the UK economy annually, create 92,000 jobs, build 17,000 homes, and attract 1.8 million more visitors each year. However, crucial details such as funding sources, a construction timeline, and a temporary home for United during the build remain unclear.

WHAT MERSON SAID

Former Arsenal midfielder, Merson, has not held back in his criticism of Manchester United’s proposed stadium project, calling it "pathetic" and arguing that the club should focus on improving the squad rather than infrastructure.

Speaking in an interview with , Merson said: "You know what, no interest at all. I think it's pathetic. If I'm a Man United fan, I'd be fuming. They're at Old Trafford, which is one of the biggest stadiums in the Premier League.

"I could understand if it's Chelsea, and Chelsea go, 'we want to move stadium' because Chelsea get around 38,000 (40,000), so they need a bigger stadium to keep on living with the big boys. But when it's Man United and they already hold 70-odd thousand, more than anybody else, why would they need a new stadium?"

DID YOU KNOW?

Merson believes that Manchester United’s current squad issues are far more pressing than a stadium rebuild. With the team struggling for form and sitting outside the Champions League places, he feels investment should go toward building a competitive team rather than a flashy stadium.

"You need new players. They need a team. This is what I can't work out," he added.

"I heard Jim Ratcliffe going, 'oh, this is going to be a stadium, England will be able to play here.' Don't worry about England. Don't worry about the national team. Worry about Man United. Worry about getting them into the top six, let alone into the Champions League. I just can't believe what I've been seeing over the past couple of days. I'm flabbergasted."

Everton could now listen to offers for one of their stars in January, it has emerged, with the club possibly keen to cash in before the end of the campaign.

Everton pick up vital win vs Wolves

Having lost by four goals against Manchester United, Everton responded by thrashing Wolves 4-0 in a game where everything they touched turned to gold.

In a fairly even game between the two Premier League strugglers, goals from Ashley Young and Orel Mangala in the first half were added to by a pair of own goals from the unfortunate Craig Dawson, leaving the Toffees with a scoreline that flattered them but nonetheless a vital three points for Sean Dyche’s side.

Everton

Wolves

Possession

44%

56%

Shots

13

6

Shots on target

4

2

Big Chances

2

2

Expected goals

1.02

0.78

After the game, Dyche was effusive in his praise of the Everton players, admitting he “couldn’t be any more proud” of the way that they had bounced back.

“[There have been] a lot of question marks about what we are trying to achieve here and we had to answer them – I think the players have done. It was a good performance, a committed performance.

“I said in the week to the group that I couldn’t be any more proud of these players. They have been through all sorts and they have kept going.”

The result moves them up to 15th place in the Premier League ahead of the mammoth Merseyside derby clash at Goodison Park on Saturday, which will be the final one played at the current Everton Stadium.

Further ahead, the Toffees could be busy in January as they look to secure their Premier League status for next year, and now one player may well be set to leave.

Everton ready to cash in on forward, claims ex-scout

That is according to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, who has claimed that Dyche and co could now accept offers to sell Dominic Calvert-Lewin in January.

The striker played a hand in the win over Wolves, winning the free-kick that led to their opening goal and leading the line well until he was replaced by Beto in the dying stages.

However, he is into the final months of his £100,000 a week deal at Goodison Park, and though he has been praised for his “fantastic” ability in the air, the Toffees do not want to lose him for nothing in the summer.

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown explained that “if they can sell him for big enough money, they’ll do it”, but warned “it’s got to be enough so that they can take the money and reinvest in a new striker.”

“If not, he’ll probably leave for free, because he’s already turned down contract offers from them and it looks like he’ll be moving on”, he added.

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As a potential free agent, Calvert-Lewin has been linked with the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal for a summer move, though it seems unlikely either side would move for him in January.

With money tight on Merseyside, it’s easy to see why Everton may want to cash in while they still can, but they may not be able to find a replacement who can produce what Calvert-Lewin can on such a tight budget.

Regis Le Bris will be equally frightened about the prospect of the January transfer window as he is delighted by it, with a busy month perhaps in store for Sunderland.

The promotion chasers already know they will have to fend off many a suitor for the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg, among other notable names that start week in week out under the Frenchman, with Real Madrid even reportedly interested in Bellingham.

But, it doesn’t have to be a month full of constant anxiety and worry involving high-profile outgoings, as the ex-Lorient manager will hope he gets some financial backing in terms of signings to help in his mission to try and get the Wearside outfit back up to the Premier League.

At the time of writing, the Black Cats occupy a promising fourth spot in the notoriously tricky division, with their current points total of 40 meaning they’re only five points off leading the entire league.

Therefore, some boosts in terms of incomings could really make all the difference, with Sunderland potentially going all out to land one exciting loanee in attack, alongside keeping a firm grip on those talents mentioned that will be crucial in their bid to leap up to the top-flight.

1 GK – Anthony Patterson

Anthony Patterson is likely to remain as Sunderland’s number one goalkeeper heading into 2025, having been largely Le Bris’ first-choice shot-stopper with 17 league appearances under his belt.

He has kept seven clean sheets along the way too, with the homegrown ‘keeper hopeful that his heroics in goal can lead to his boyhood club tasting promotion.

2 RB – Trai Hume

Trai Hume has also been a staple of the Frenchman’s lineups this campaign with only one second tier game missed all season long.

Whilst the Northern Irishman is a tough battler in defence, his creativity from the back has also been key and will continue to be so during some tense games to come near the top of the table, with seven big chances created in league action.

3 CB – Chris Mepham

Only on the books of the Black Cats since a summer loan switch from AFC Bournemouth, the experienced centre-back presence of Chris Mepham has still managed to seamlessly fit into the Black Cats camp under Le Bris.

The towering Welshman has fought bravely from the minute he was first introduced into the first team fold on Wearside, averaging 5.1 duels won per game from his 15 second tier outings.

Having previously basked in the glory of promotion with the Cherries up to the top flight, he is slowly but surely becoming integral in the heart of defence for his new employers.

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Expand Collapse 4 CB – Daniel Ballard

Whilst Luke O’Nien has started 19 league clashes this campaign to date, the dependable 30-year-old was still dropped for Sunderland’s last away trip to Swansea City.

Daniel Ballard more than justified this tweak, however, with the opening goal coming from the number five powering home a header, on top of the fact he also won six duels.

Therefore, the ex-Arsenal youngster might well now be hard to shake from Le Bris’ forthcoming XIs.

5 LB – Dennis Cirkin

Much like his counterpart in Hume down the right, Dennis Cirkin is certainly an attack-minded full-back.

Scoring two times this season in league action, alongside registering one assist, the 22-year-old has more than wriggled off his injury demons now and will hope his 2025 sees him become a Premier League-level talent.

6 CM – Jordan Henderson

The first pick-up Sunderland could make this January is to add Jordan Henderson into the camp as an ultra-experienced face, which could really help Le Bris’ young and hungry group remain focused on the task of sealing promotion.

After all, Henderson’s honours as an esteemed midfielder for Liverpool speaks volumes, with the 34-year-old holding the Champions League and Premier League aloft across a staggering 492 appearances.

His illustrious playing days began at the Stadium of Light, so it would be fitting for the Sunderland-born veteran to return back and end his career here, amid recent links that have suggested as much.

7 CM – Jobe Bellingham

Keeping Bellingham around past this January will almost have the same feel as adding in a fresh new signing, with a whole host of European giants reportedly eyeing up the 19-year-old ace.

His importance to the cause was there for all to see in Sunderland’s topsy-turvy day out to Wales, as Bellingham netted his side’s dramatic third in the 3-2 comeback win, as well as assisting the equaliser.

Dan Neil would score that vital strike, who actually drops out of this dream XI surprisingly, but a Henderson and Bellingham combo in the middle of the park would be a joy to behold.

8 RM – Patrick Roberts

Now deep into his fourth season on Wearside, Patrick Roberts’ powers don’t seem to be waning.

If anything, the 27-year-old is only getting better down the right flank, with two goals and four assists picked up in the hustle and bustle of the second tier.

Roberts has the pedigree to be able to create a chance from nothing, which will be crucial for his side when games are finely poised towards the close of the campaign.

9 CAM – Chris Rigg

Keeping both Rigg and Bellingham situated at the Stadium of Light past this drawn-out window would be a dream, considering the teenager’s unbelievable exploits for his boyhood club of late.

The constantly entertaining 17-year-old has three goals and one assist next to his name, with that one assist gifting Bellingham the dramatic winner in Wales.

Could he be the bright spark that lifts the Black Cats up to the promised land of the Premier League again?

10 LM – Louie Barry

Le Bris will still be praying that both Tom Watson and Romaine Mundle will have big roles to play in Sunderland clinching promotion, but with both players sidelined through injury at the moment, a new star down the left wing could well be a worthwhile purchase to explore.

Louie Barry is reportedly going to be loaned out to a Championship side this forthcoming January from Aston Villa, and the promotion chasers – who are said to be interested – would be very foolish not to attempt to land the “incredible” attacker, as he was once labelled by Arsenal titan Declan Rice.

After all, the dynamite 21-year-old has made League One his playground at points this campaign for loan side Stockport County by amassing a stunning 14 goals from 20 games.

He could even be that Jack Clarke-like presence for the promotion candidates, based on this sublime solo strike above versus Burton Albion.

Newcastle United haven’t ramped up to full gear yet this season, though perhaps that proves that there is plenty to look forward to on Tyneside over the coming months.

Every club has its problems but Newcastle had too many to overcome last year, injuries putting an insurmountable barrier in front of a top-four finish, though things are starting to look up now.

Eddie Howe still needs another player to complete his frontline though, and is eager to sign a Premier League star this winter.

Newcastle want to sign Premier League forward

As per a report relayed by the Daily Mail, Newcastle are set to tussle with Liverpool for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe deemed to view the Cameroonian star as a top target for January.

Mbeumo, valued at £50m, has been one of the most prolific players in the Premier League this term, and with a principally right-flanking role, seems like the perfect fit to sit on the alternate wing to Anthony Gordon at St. James’ Park.

Just imagine the impact this could have on Alexander Isak.

Imagine Bryan Mbeumo & Alexander Isak

Analyst Ben Mattinson has remarked that “Gordon, Isak and Mbeumo would be one of the best attacks in the league.”

Isak is one of the most exciting and potent goalscorers in Europe, whereas Gordon’s movements and dynamism make him a tough adversary for any top-performing defender.

Mbeumo would just inject that last bit of deadliness into what is a formidable and well-coached attack. After all, only Erling Haaland boasts more goals than him in the English top flight this season.

Premier League 24/25: Top Scorers
Rank	Player	Apps	Goals
1.	Erling Haaland	11	12
2.	Mohamed Salah	11	8
2=	Bryan Mbeumo	11	8
2=	Chris Wood	11	8
5.	Yoane Wissa	8	7
5.	Cole Palmer	11	7
Stats via Premier League

Gordon is the most creative member of this prospective attacking trio, but Isak is not just a sharpshooter at number nine, ranking among the top 18% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and progressive passes and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

This would play right into Mbeumo’s strength as a traditional force, driving into the final third and arcing inwards to find space from where he can unleash his fine strikes. Isak has pace for days and is capable of starting from deep himself, as evidenced by his progressive passing.

Mbeumo needs only to build an understanding with the Swede to translate his form into Newcastle colours. It really could be the start of something special.

Described as an “output machine” by football producer Michael Johnston, Mbeumo has what it takes to become a major player on Tyneside, perhaps blending with Isak to ensure that Howe’s team ascend to the next level and step into Europe’s elite club competition once again.

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O São Paulo goleou o São Bernardo, de virada, por 4 a 1,e se classificou às semifinais do Campeonato Paulista. Na entrevista coletiva, o técnico Rogério Ceni elogiou o desempenho da equipe.

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– Não era para ter sido um drama como foi, porque as oportunidades no primeiro tempo foram claríssimas, o goleiro fez muitas defesas. Se repetiu o enredo de outros jogos. Tivemos foco para nos mantermos no jogo, as alterações foram importantes – disse o treinador.

Na segunda etapa, o Bernô saiu na frente, mas a expulsão de Paulinho Moccelin atrapalhou os planos do time. Ceni disse que o homem a mais fez a diferença para o São Paulo.

– Claro que a expulsão também nos favoreceu, por dar mais espaço no campo, mas o time agrediu o quanto pôde, teve muitas chances – finalizou o comandante são-paulino.

Arsenal hold a “massive excitement” over one unseen teenager in their ranks, alongside fellow rising stars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who are making most of the headlines in north London right now.

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Lewis-Skelly, 18, has made six first-team appearances in all competitions – mostly filling in at left-back – with the cameos including one full start against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.

“He can play in three positions – as a left-back, as a six, as an eight,” said Arteta on Lewis-Skelly’s versatility earlier this season.

“He’s very adaptable, I think that’s a good thing about Myles. He’s very intelligent, very thorough. And he has a competitive edge that I think is demanded at this level. He really wants it, and we’re going to use him in different positions.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
West Ham United (away)	November 30
Man United (home)	December 4
Fulham (away)	December 8
Everton (home)	December 14
Crystal Palace (away)	December 21

“He’s a competitor, you look at him in every duel … the way he reacts with his teammates, you speak to him and it’s constantly eye contact, he’s asking questions … it’s a special character.”

While Lewis-Skelly is attracting praise from Arteta, the same can definitely be said for Nwaneri, who’s bagged four goals in nine appearances across all competitions this term.

He scored his first Premier League goal on Saturday, during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and the 17-year-old appears to be establishing himself as Hale End’s latest Gunners sensation.

“The first thing he does is take a touch, run forward, run past two players and put it inches away from the post,” said Arteta on Nwaneri’s attacking threat.

“I understand that, I am responsible for him, and you have to do that brick by brick. Today he put in another brick, now we have to put the cement, make sure that it doesn’t get dry, so that he can put in another one and another one and that one is going to stick. Then we put one more layer, we want to put five in a row. Believe me, it won’t work, and we have to manage that with his expectations and his load as well, which is really important.”

Nwaneri has already been called Arsenal’s next £100m star in the making, but the English gem may have some competition already.

Arsenal hold "massive excitement" over Max Dowman

According to Football Transfers, yet another teenager could be about to burst through the youth ranks. Arsenal apparently hold “massive excitement” over young midfielder Max Dowman. The 14-year-old, who turns 15 next month, is already being compared to AC Milan legend Kaka within the club, and he’s set to play alongside senior players in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

The match is being organised in two weeks’ time, and it is specifically being arranged to assess Dowman, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri.

Dowman recently became the youngest-ever Arsenal player to feature for the Under-18s, with FT sources describing the Englishman as an “insane” footballer.

Leicester City are now eyeing a move to replace Steve Cooper with an “exceptional” new manager in a bid to avoid relegation, it has been reported.

Leicester lose again

A third loss in five Premier League games saw Leicester City edge back towards the relegation zone as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea. Boos rang around the King Power Stadium at points during their defeat on Saturday lunchtime, with the Foxes offering very little by way of attack for much of the encounter and Cooper’s style of football coming under increasing scrutiny.

They managed just a single shot on target across the entire encounter, a penalty in the 94th minute, and just four shots in total, underlining just how poor they were against former manager Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side.

Leicester’s woeful attacking stats against Chelsea

Goals

1

Shots on target

1

Shots

4

xG from open play

0.32

Touches in the opposition box

9

“It’s one of the toughest games so far this season and proved to be that challenge. The first 30 minutes were a challenge and for all of the defending that we had to do, we ended up giving away a really soft goal”, Cooper explained, before saving special criticism for the refereeing performance on show.

“We’ve had a lot of bad luck with this referee this year. It’s our third or fourth game with him and it’s not been the best of times. It continued today.

“The last thing [referees’ body] PGMOL needed was that performance. He’s got some big decisions massively wrong and in general a couple of advantages he blew up.”

But even with favourable refereeing decisions, Leicester would have been fortunate to claim a draw, and the result leaves them on just 10 points from 12 games, something that has given the Foxes hierarchy food for thought.

Leicester now target ex-Premier League boss

Now, reports in Spain claim that Leicester are already looking at potential replacements for Cooper as the Foxes face a favourable run of fixtures ahead.

And one of the men that they are considering making a move for is ex-West Ham, Manchester United and Everton coach David Moyes, who has been out of work since his time with the Hammers came to an end over the summer.

The report claims that the Scot, who has six career wins against Leicester City in 14 attempts, “has proven his ability to manage teams in difficult situations”, while his favoured 4-2-3-1 system is not too different from that which Cooper is already implementing, suggesting that the players wouldn’t take too long to adapt to their new manager.

There is no time frame mentioned over when a decision may be made on Cooper’s future, but Moyes remains without work and could be keen to return to the Premier League, where he has managed almost 700 games.

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The Scot is well regarded by his fellow bosses too, with Mikel Arteta dubbing him an “exceptional” coach before the sides met last season, having played under him at Everton.

“I would go through a brick wall for him when he was my manager. I think everybody would in that squad. [He is] exceptional at managing the group and dealing with individuals, and a very special person, a really special human being.”

Could he be the man to keep the Foxes in the Premier League?

Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing a “really exciting” striker in the January transfer window, according to a recent report. The Rs made it five unbeaten and back-to-back wins on Wednesday night, as they beat Oxford United 2-0, a result that sees them climb to 19th in the Championship table, four points adrift of the relegation zone.

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It was another impressive night for QPR in front of their home fans, but it could have potentially come at a cost, as Marti Cifuentes revealed a concerning update on midfielder Nicolas Madsen after the game.

Cifuentes said: “For the second game in a row, he gets a big impact around his ankle, shin, and calf all this area. He was very painful, so immediately when he went out, he told me that he would try but that he was not feeling very confident. Hopefully, it will just be a knock, and he will be ready for Saturday.”

Despite the upturn in form in recent weeks, QPR will still have their eye on potential business for January, as they look to climb the table and not continue this fight at the bottom. It was reported earlier this week that QPR are among the teams interested in signing Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa.

The forward is expected to be recalled from his loan at Stockport County and then sent out to a higher-level team next month. The Rs could face a difficult battle to win this race, as Middlesbrough are said to be leading this charge, and Leeds United are also interested in signing Barry.

QPR join transfer race to sign Leeds outcast According to Football League World,Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing Joe Gelhardtfrom Leeds in January, which would perhaps pave the way for the aforementioned Barry to move to Elland Road. The 22-year-old looks set to leave Yorkshire in some capacity in January, as he’s fallen way down the pecking order under Daniel Farke.

Gelhardt, who earns £15,000 a week, has played just three times for Leeds this season; two have been substitute appearances in the league, which add up to a total of nine minutes of football, and the other was 63 minutes in the Carabao Cup.

It was reported earlier this week that Gelhardt is keen on joining Rangers after they made their interest clear, but Leeds were undecided as they didn’t know whether to sell the striker or loan him out. But Gelhardt has another option to consider, as QPR are also interested in signing him in January.

Apps

49

Goals

4

Assists

3

Football League World reports that the 22-year-old, who has been dubbed “really exciting” by Jamie Redknapp, is on the Rs’ radar ahead of next month, but they face plenty of competition to secure a transfer, as a host of other Championship teams are also interested. It is likely that QPR will only be able to afford a loan deal for Gelhardt, so it will depend on what Leeds want to do with the striker.

After a run of six defeats, Somerset well-placed to press for victory at The Oval

Matt Roller22-Apr-2022Ben Foakes tucked Josh Davey off his pads, jogging through for a single to take him from 39 to 40. Four-and-a-half thousand miles away, Jos Buttler leaped and punched the air to celebrate his third hundred of the season for Rajasthan Royals, his fourth in his last eight IPL innings.An hour later, Foakes edged Peter Siddle to second slip for 63, taking his tally for the season to 240 runs for twice out, under dark clouds in the south London chill; Buttler lurked in the outfield in the stifling heat of south Mumbai as Delhi Capitals’ run chase faded away.It is Foakes’ great misfortune that he was born so soon after one of the country’s most talented ball-strikers, without whom he might well have enjoyed several years as England’s first-choice Test wicketkeeper. As Theodore Roosevelt put it, comparison is the thief of joy.Foakes’ innings was typically classy. He clipped seven fours through wide mid-on and caressed three more through the covers, knocking singles into gaps and defending solidly in between. Not for the first time this season, he benefited from some luck: he was dropped on 2 by Tom Banton at short midwicket – who atoned with an outrageous diving catch at deep backward square leg off Ollie Pope – and survived a chance for a run-out when Tom Lammonby threw wide of the stumps, but in batting for more than three hours, he ensured Surrey recovered from an early stutter.But throughout his innings, the English cricketing world had its eye on another wicketkeeper-batter. How could it not? Buttler’s form has been irresistible. Every innings he plays is appointment-to-view television. Even the Championship’s most ardent defenders would concede that there is an untamed beauty in the way he hits the ball, and a hint of genius in his calculated assaults.Related

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Of course, Buttler’s unadulterated brilliance in coloured kit against a white ball has often detracted from his standing as a Test batter. His record compares favourably with every batter capped by England since his debut, but the contrast with his dominance elsewhere is stark. Unlike Foakes, who looks most comfortable in a long-sleeved white shirt, Buttler’s colour is pink – or red, or light blue.There has been little to separate them as Test batters to date: Buttler’s average is a shade above 30, Foakes’ is a shade below. Foakes is widely regarded as the better keeper but showed in the Caribbean that he is hardly infallible, while Buttler’s thousand-yard stare after he dropped Marnus Labuschagne at Adelaide in December has clouded judgement over his ability with the gloves.Which of them – if either – should keep wicket in England’s first Test of the summer against New Zealand? And how can their performances today possibly be compared? If Rob Key re-introduces the position of national selector as widely expected, the appointee will again be reminded that selection is an art, rather than an exact science.The simplest answer is to concede that the game’s various formats are diverging to such an extent that Buttler should be set free, never to face a dark-red Dukes ball again and given room to thrive against the white Kookaburra. Foakes would take over as Test wicketkeeper, with his best years ahead of him and the long-term backing that he needs to thrive.And yet… with Buttler in this sort of form, with such obvious talent, it is tempting to strip the game back to its most basic elements: if he can hit the world’s best bowlers for 100-metre sixes in the IPL, marrying destruction with dependability, why shouldn’t he thrive against them in another format? It is the logic that underpinned his recall four years ago, when Ed Smith took a calculated gamble and gave him a free role at No. 7.Either way, Surrey were grateful for Foakes’ runs. They trailed Somerset by 133 runs at the close, and if Banton had held onto his early chance, they would be at risk of following on. Foakes added 80 with Pope for the fourth wicket, then 45 with Sam Curran for the fifth to steer them through a tricky afternoon in helpful bowling conditions.Siddle, who yesterday became the first Australian fast bowler since Michael Kasprowicz to reach 200 first-class appearances, had struck early, having Ryan Patel well caught by Jack Leach at point. After lunch, Craig Overton removed Rory Burns and Jack Brooks had Hashim Amla caught in the slips with his eighth ball of the season, leaving Surrey wobbling at 48 for 3 before their recovery.Tom Abell, unbeaten on 121 overnight, reached exactly 150, the highest score of his first-class career, before he ran out of partners to give Somerset 337 – more than they had made across both innings in their one-wicket defeat against Essex last week. After a run of six consecutive defeats, they look well-placed not only to avoid a seventh, but to push for their first Championship win in nearly a year.

Perth Scorchers skipper tasked with turning club’s Blast fortunes around

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-2022

Ashton Turner captained Perth Scorchers to the BBL trophy•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Durham have pulled off the signing of Ashton Turner, Perth Scorchers’ BBL-winning captain, who will lead their T20 side in this year’s Vitality Blast.Turner, who has won 27 limited-overs caps for Australia, played alongside Durham’s director of cricket, Marcus North, for Western Australia in the early years of his career and will be making his first appearance in county cricket at the age of 29.He joined forces with Laurie Evans and Colin Munro in a destructive Scorchers middle order in the year’s Big Bash, averaging 32.45 with a strike rate of 153.87 and hitting 54 off 35 balls in the final against Sydney Sixers to take his team to the trophy.”The Blast is a competition that I’ve watched with a keen interest from afar and I’m really excited to be able to take part in it this summer,” Turner said. “I’m excited to achieve some success with the club and no doubt we will have some fun along the way.”Related

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Durham have struggled in T20 cricket since their last Finals Day appearance in 2016, and have only qualified for the knockout stages once in the past five seasons. The Blast captaincy has been a poisoned chalice: Paul Coughlin, Tom Latham, Stuart Poynter, Peter Handscomb, Nathan Rimmington and Cameron Bancroft have all taken on the role, but five out of those six players left the club after their respective seasons in the role and the other, Poynter, has since been released.”We’re extremely pleased to welcome Ashton to Durham this summer to lead us out in the Vitality Blast,” North said. “In addition to his powerful batting performances, Ash is a proven leader having captained the Scorchers and Western Australia to multiple championships in recent years and will be a great addition to Durham.”Turner was overlooked in Monday’s draft for the Hundred after registering his name without a base price, but a strong season would put him in contention to become one of the £50,000 ‘overseas wildcard’ that teams will pick towards the end of the Blast’s group stages.