All posts by h716a5.icu

Manchester City fans are delighted after it was revealed the club are allegedly ready to sign Jack Grealish for £100m this summer.

This promises to be a busy summer for the Citizens. They have already been linked with a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane (Sky Sports) as Sergio Aguero prepares to depart the Etihad Stadium, while they will be looking to add others as well as they aim to retain their Premier League title.

Now, it has been revealed that City are prepared to make Grealish the first £100m English player this summer. The Aston Villa star has enjoyed another impressive top-flight campaign, scoring six goals and providing a further 12 assists (Transfermarkt). He is said to be Guardiola and co’s number one midfield transfer target this summer.

The news from the Daily Mail was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Grealish link below

“Make it happen”

Credit: @welimann

“Absolutely worth it, make it happen imo”

Credit: @mcfc1O

“Gathering the avengers”

Credit: @whezza__

“Worth it”

Credit: @_ammohammed

“Grealish Kane Foden Torres KDB we’re waking the league this season”

Credit: @CityAguero10

“We would proper love him wouldn’t we. Imagine how happy he would be playing with Kev!”

Credit: @ThomasSowell90

In other news, Man City fans react to this Harry Kane news.

Sri Lanka `A’ notched up two successive victories in the ICC Six Nations’ Challenge Tournament 2001/02, being played in Windhoek, Namibia, defeating Namibia by 7 wickets and Canada by 117 runs

BCCSL09-Apr-2002Sri Lanka `A’ notched up two successive victories in the ICC Six Nations’ Challenge Tournament 2001/02, being played in Windhoek, Namibia, defeating Namibia by 7 wickets and Canada by 117 runs.Ruchira Perera snapped up five wickets for 16 runs off only 4.2 overs, and Avishka Gunawardena scored a whirlwind 83 off 66 balls including 12 fours and a six, as Sri Lanka `A’ cruised past Namibia’s total of 182 with 14.2 overs to spare on Sunday.

Namibia innings (50 overs maximum)                              R   M   B  4 6R Walters                                b ?                   48  52  57  4 1S Burger              c ?                b ?                   27  71  73  1 1D Keulder             run out                                  41  32  61  1 1BG Murgatroyd         c ?                b ?                   14  41  29  0 0*DB Kotze             c ?                b ?                    1   4   4  0 0JB Burger             c ?                b ?                    1   9   8  0 0+M van Schoor         c ?                b ?                   20  67  45  1 0BL Kotze              c ?                b ?                    4   6   6  0 0JL Louw               c ?                b ?                    9  15  12  0 0G Snyman                                 b ?                    2   9   5  0 0RJ van Vuuren         not out                                   0   1   0  0 0Extras                (b 2, lb 4, w 5, nb 4)                   15Total                 (all out, 49.2 overs)                   182FoW: 1-77 (Walters), 2-103 (Burger), 3-104 (D Kotze),4-109 (JB Burger), 5-113 (Murgatroyd), 6-? (Keulder),7-167 (B Kotze), 8-175 (van Schaar), 9-182 (Louw),10-182 (Snyman).Bowling                      O      M      R      WPDRL Perera                  9.2    2     16      5 (3w, 1nb)Liyanage                     7      0     33      0 (1w)Wijekada                     8      1     30      1 (1nb)Herath                       9      0     42      2 (1nb)Samaraweera                 10      2     37      1 (1w)Mubarak                      6      1     18      0 (1nb)Sri Lanka ‘A’ innings (target: 183 from 50 overs)               R   M   B  4 6DA Gunawardena        run out                                  83  53  66 12 1J Mubarak             c ?                b ?                    0   3   3  0 0G Wijekoon            c ?                b ?                   10  77  43  0 0WMB Perera            not out                                  29  59  49  2 1HMNC Silva            not out                                  45  55  53  7 1Extras                (b 6, lb 1, w 9)                         16Total                 (3 wickets, 35.4 overs)                 183DNB: *TT Samaraweera, +P Jayawardene, CU Jayasinghe, DK Liyanage,HMRKB Herath, PDRL Perera.FoW: 1-1 (Mubarak), 2-107 (Gunawardena), 3-107 (B Perera).Bowling                      O      M      R      WB Kotze                      8      0     47      1 (3w)van Vuuren                   4      0     31      0Keulder                      1      0     15      0 (1w)Burger                       7      0     23      1 (2w)Snyman                       3.4    0     23      0 (3w)Louw                         6      2     12      0D Kotze                      6      0     25      0

The scorecard of Monday’s Sri Lanka `A’ versus Canada match has not yet been received, and will be forwarded when it is available. Sri Lanka `A’s next match is versus Zimbabwe `A’ on Wednesday.(BCCSL media release)

With two days of the Test to go, the West Indies are in a dominating position at Jamaica

Anand Vasu20-May-2002With two days of the Test to go, the West Indies are in a dominating position at Jamaica. Ahead by 375, with Chanderpaul at the crease and three wickets left, it is almost impossible to see the hosts losing from here. True, stranger things have happened in the history of the game, but one suspects that will not be the case here.The day began quite well for the visitors. A determined Sourav Ganguly and a comfortable VVS Laxman looked in no trouble at all. The West Indies seamers stuck to their task, plugging away at a good length on a wicket that kept the bowlers interested. Eventually, one ball did just enough to account for Ganguly. Fending at a ball just outside the off, Ganguly edged the ball through to ‘keeper Ridley Jacobs.Jacobs has hardly missed anything in this series, and this catch was no exception. Ganguly (36 runs, 72 balls, six fours) became Merv Dillon’s first wicket of the day. Pumped up and energised by the wicket, Dillon improved as the overs rolled by.Ajay Ratra (3), Harbhajan Singh (4), Zaheer Khan (6) and Javagal Srinath (2) contributed precious little to the Indian cause. Dillon, though, was pleased as punch with the wicket of Harbhajan Singh, his fifth of the innings.Despite Nehra’s being run out for a duck and the Indian innings ending on 212, the follow-on was not enforced. Laxman, who has been a picture of confidence and strength throughout the series, top-scored with an unbeaten 65 (152 balls, seven fours). Despite going on to make only one big score, his contribution to every innings has been substantial.The fact that the West Indies chose not to enforce the follow-on did not come as a huge surprise. But then, the hosts probably could not have anticipated the events that followed.Wavell Hinds, who batted tremendously for a century in the first innings, was completely undone by a spell of good bowling by Javagal Srinath. Although nowhere near his quickest, Srinath seemed to find a good rhythm, teasing the batsmen just outside the off-stump. Hinds (6) could not resist forever, and one prod saw him edge the ball to Laxman at second slip.Soon after, Srinath accounted for Gayle (15) in similar fashion.Sarwan, coming in at one drop, began positively, finding the gaps well and stroking the ball through the infield. Perhaps it was this confidence that caused his downfall as well. Driving far away from his body, foot not quite to the pitch of the ball, Sarwan hit Zaheer Khan to a diving Shiv Sunder Das at cover. Making amends for earlier gaffes, Das took a good low catch, sending Sarwan (12) packing.Carl Hooper (6) too could not stick around and dabbed a Zaheer Khan delivery through to wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra. The West Indies, at that point, were in a spot of bother at 60 for four.But if that position before tea gave the visitors hope, their eventual 165 for seven at stumps set things up intriguingly. The hosts are ahead by 375, and one can be sure this match will not end in a draw. With two full days to play, a cracking finale is in the offing.Brian Lara, growing in confidence, played a tremendous pull off the front foot that would have sent a shiver down the spines of the bowlers. The tough situations bring out the best in some cricketers, and Lara in the past has certainly shown that he falls in that category. But there was to be no last Lara hurrah in a forgettable series. On 35, Lara dragged a Zaheer Khan delivery back onto his stumps.Ridley Jacobs, after being dropped in the slips by Rahul Dravid off Zaheer Khan in the 26th over of the innings, went on to compile a tidy 16, whipping the ball through the onside time and time again. Just when he looked like he might help Chanderpaul stretch their partnership, Jacobs was dismissed by Harbhajan Singh.Defending awkwardly at a flighted ball that did not really turn much, Jacobs gloved the ball to substitute fielder Dinesh Mongia at short-leg.Dillon then whacked one ball through square before losing his cool and attempting a wild slog through the on-side. He missed, Nehra struck, and the West Indies were 122 for seven.Then came a period of play that made life miserable for the Indians. Pedro Collins, coming in at number nine, lasted a remarkable 41 balls for four runs and was involved in an unbeaten partnership of 43 with Chanderpaul.Chanderpaul continued to torment India with his accumulation of runs. Never spectacular, yet always carefully doing what is best for the West Indies, Chanderpaul made an unbeaten 55.The West Indies are now right on top of this game. They will have to play very badly, or India extraordinarily well, for this game to end in anything but a win for the home team.

Chris Wilder is eager to bring Dwight Gayle back to The Hawthorns if he is appointed West Bromwich Albion manager, according to the Sunday Mirror’s print edition (via The Chronicle).

The lowdown

The Athletic have reported that the striker has agreed to a new three-year contract at St James’ Park, but that could be a move to protect his value. He accepted reduced terms in that deal after scoring only one goal in the 2020/21 season, during which he played 543 minutes across 20 appearances in all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has nonetheless labelled him an ‘invaluable’ asset given that he is a ‘natural goalscorer’, something he demonstrated during a spell on loan at West Brom in 2018/19 when he netted 24 goals in the Championship.

The latest

Sam Allardyce has walked away from the Baggies after failing to keep them in the Premier League and, according to the Sunday Mirror (via The Chronicle), former Sheffield United boss Wilder is expected to be appointed as the 66-year-old’s successor.

The West Brom managerial candidate has already identified Gayle, valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, as one of his transfer targets if he gets the Albion job.

The verdict

From West Brom’s point of view, the move clearly makes sense given that Gayle has proven he can be prolific in the Championship.

Newcastle may consider the 31-year-old to be an important back-up option but should sell him if the price is right given his age and the options elsewhere.

Joelinton can function as Callum Wilson’s direct deputy (the Brazilian scored four league goals to Gayle’s one this season, and the path to first team involvement for academy talents can be widened if a centre-forward spot is freed up.

In other news, this midfielder is keen to leave Newcastle this summer.

The translation of its name could not have been more fitting

Haydn Gill08-Jun-2002The translation of its name could not have been more fitting.Beausejour is French for a lovely dwelling place and the ultra-modern Beausejour stadium, which is set to become international cricket’s latest venue, is a marvellously impressive facility which some might already consider second to none in the Caribbean.Set in 22 acres beneath the hills, the spacious stadium was a buzz of activity in the build-up for the back-to-back Cable & Wireless One-Day Internationals between West Indies and New Zealand.The infrastructure is modern, including four stands with bucket-type seating, 18 hospitality suites and a fashionable pavilion that contains large dressing-rooms and lounges for both teams.Its outfield, a perfect oval, is predictably lush green, giving the impression that it is suited more for golf than for cricket.Built at a cost of EC$40 million (about BDS$32 million), the facility has earned praise from rival captains Carl Hooper and Stephen Fleming.I am impressed. It is certainly better than what we’ve got in Guyana. It means that the islands are spending some money, which is good. Hooper said after a light fielding session yesterday.The teams’ preparations on the eve of the match were restricted to fielding because the planned batting practice at the Mindoo Phillip Park in Castries had to be called off because of rain in the capital city.There are plans for two turf and two artificial practice pitches at the Beausejour Stadium, but those are yet to be put in place.The one thing which we have to pay attention to is practice wickets, but certainly the facilities are good here, the West Indies captain added.Fleming also spoke glowingly of the facilities on a ground that is located not far from one of the island’s main tourist areas, Rodney Bay.The ground looks very good and the outfield fantastic, the New Zealand captain said.The outfield and playing surface are out of the top drawer appearance wise as well as usage wise. The stands look great. It is a very good facility.When fully completed, the stadium, completely funded by the state-run St Lucia National Lotteries, will also be equipped with catering facilities and public conveniences that can be utilised outside of match days.Its location in the north-east is an area which is supposed to one of the driest spots in the island, in comparison to Mindoo Philip Park, which was often affected by the weather when it staged regional first-class matches.But, as fate would have it, there were a few evening showers at Beausejour yesterday evening and it was very overcast between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.After a triple washout in Kingston, Jamaica, the West Indies Cricket Board can hardly afford another abandonment for matches that are expected to attract a number of visitors from neighbouring islands.With the series reduced to four matches, the weekend double-header can provide any side with a big advantage if they can win both matches.If you win both games, you certainly aren’t going to lose the series, Hooper said.We want to take Saturday first. We want to try and make sure that we get onto the New Zealanders straight away, whether we bat or bowl first and start the game very positively.The West Indies captain does not reckon that his side has a psychological over New Zealand after restricting the Black Caps to 176 in Wednesday’s rain-ruined match.Like I said before, I don’t think they were as prepared as they should be. They haven’t played a lot of international cricket since Pakistan, Hooper said.They are probably now feeling their way on this tour.Hooper revealed that Shivnarine Chanderpaul would most likely open the batting.We were going to give it a try in Jamaica. He will probably open in this game too. It is something that we want to try and see how it works out.If Chanderpaul goes in first, Wavell Hinds, who made 175 in a first-class match against India here five weeks ago, will slot down to No. 6.The lack of a strenuous workout in the nets, according to Hooper, however, did have at least one positive effect.We’re trying to keep the fast bowlers as fresh as possible, he said.It’s been good in one way we haven’t been able to practise, which means a lot of the lads have been able to put their legs up.That’s been good for the quicks, but for the batters, we need to keep our eye in. It’s easy to lose focus and go off the boil and lose rhythm.

Former Leeds United ace Jon Newsome believes that the club need to sign a striker to add depth to their squad this summer.

The Whites finished the season in the top-half of the table, thanks largely to the excellent form of Patrick Bamford up front.

The former Chelsea striker scored 17 goals and laid on eight assists in 38 games, playing a part in every single game in the top-flight.

Rodrigo, a forward who was signed in the summer, struggled to provide consistent back-up, as he battled injury woes and made just 14 starts, primarily as an attacking midfielder.

Tyler Roberts is another who could be seen as back-up to Bamford but he has scored just eight goals in 82 games for the club.

As a result, Newsome thinks that Leeds are light up front, and need to bring a new forward into the club in order to give Bamford some genuine support.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “Yeah I think so, I think Rodrigo didn’t have an amazing start.

“He’s had a bit of a stop-start season through injury. The back end of the season, he’s come to the fore and shown what he’s about and I’m excited to see what he does next season, in all honesty.

“Pablo Hernandez has left, we know that, Tyler Roberts has worked tirelessly and had a bit of a difficult season, I think. He’s had lots of game time but only broke his duck towards the end of the season in the second to the last game, that’s obviously a weight off his back, but if Patrick doesn’t play, gets injured or suspended, then I think we’re a little bit short up at the top of the field.”

Liverpool must swoop for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer after being linked with a move for the 6 ft 3 gem.

What’s the story?

According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Jurgen Klopp’s charges view the 26-year-old as the ideal replacement for Gini Wijnaldum following the Dutch international’s departure.

The report states, however, that it would take a “monstrous” offer to prize Milinkovic-Savic away from the Stadio Olimpico as he still has three years remaining on his current contract.

Edwards masterstroke

After a hugely underwhelming 2020/21 campaign, Liverpool have already started rebuilding their first-team squad ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Ibrahima Konate has arrived via a £34 million move from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, and the next addition through the Anfield doors could arrive imminently.

A new central midfielder is thought to be high up on Klopp’s wish list following Wijnaldum’s exit, with the likes of Saul Niguez, Nicolo Barella and Florian Neuhaus previously being linked.

But a new transfer target has now emerged in the shape of Milinkovic-Savic, and his arrival could have the biggest instant impact of them all.

The Serbia international looks a perfect fit for the Premier League. His size and stature would ensure the physical demands of the English top-flight would pose no problems for him, while his quality speaks for itself.

Although he was unable to fire Lazio into the Champions League qualification spots, Milinkovic-Savic still managed a highly impressive eight goals and 10 assists in 32 Serie A appearances last season.

He was central to everything that the capital club did, as his underlying numbers clearly show.

The £63m-rated powerhouse recorded 1.3 key passes per league game in 2020/21, made 54.1 passes on average per league game, and had two shots on average per league game as well, meaning he placed in the top three amongst his teammates for all three metrics.

Once described as a “complete midfielder” by Sky Sports journalist Anton Toloui, Milinkovic-Savic could be the perfect addition to the Liverpool engine room.

Acquiring his signature would represent a genuine masterstroke from director of football Michael Edwards, and his presence alongside Thiago and Fabinho in the centre of the pitch could see Liverpool regain their Premier League crown next term.

And, in other news…Edwards must act to sign “unplayable” £154m gem for Liverpool as competition lessens 

There might have been one-day matches that have ebbed and flowed with more regularity and have produced more exciting finishes

Ralph Dellor13-Jul-2002There might have been one-day matches that have ebbed and flowed with more regularity and have produced more exciting finishes. Whether that mattered to a capacity crowd who enjoyed a perfect summers day and a perfect one-day match has to be dismissed as of no consequence. India and England battled it out like a couple of heavyweights trading punch for punch. Any one of three results was possible going into the final over, but it was India who triumphed by two wickets with three balls to spare. It was riveting entertainment.After England had won the toss, Marcus Trescothick and Nick Knight began in a very positive frame of mind by taking the attack to the Indian bowlers from the outset. Trescothick was his usual dominant self, while Knight was still struggling for the touch that has made him a feared opponent in the past. His timing and composure were not quite there as he took 29 balls to reach 14 at which point he played horribly round a full toss from Zaheer Khan to be bowled.Hussain came in at the fall of the wicket and needed to do no more for a while than watch Trescothick flay the bowling. The Somerset man brought up the fifty by flicking Khan for six over mid-wicket and reached his own fifty from 40 balls with four boundaries added to that six.Sourav Ganguly was forced to bring the spinners on earlier than he might have wanted, but they met with no more success than the opening bowlers. Hussain was finding trouble in establishing any sort of fluency in his batting, but the arrival of Ganguly himself in the attack signalled the start of an assault from Hussain that was not necessarily pretty to watch but was thoroughly effective in raising the scoring rate at just the time it was needed.With a combination of elegant strokes, agricultural swings and not a little good fortune, the batsmen plundered 28 runs from Ganguly’s three overs, during which he also got an official warning for running down the pitch. It allowed Hussain to settle in, even if he did not curb his extravagant attack that would undoubtedly have been tagged as reckless had it not succeeded. Meanwhile, Trescothick continued imperiously by hoisting Harbhajan Singh over mid-wicket for another six with a slog-sweep, in the modern argot. Such an effortless and controlled shot deserves a better description.Trescothick appeared intent on a century from the start of the innings. He has been in a rich vein of form throughout the series and scarcely put a foot wrong as he reached his hundred from 89 balls with six fours and those two sixes.Hussain and Trescothick put on 185 for the second wicket from just 177 balls before the opener played a somewhat tired and lazy sweep against Anil Kumble to be bowled. The sweep and slog-sweep had served him well up to that point as he reached his century from 89 balls with six fours and two sixes. It was a superb innings that completely destroyed any pre-conceived bowling plans that India might have had.Ganguly employed the services of no fewer than seven bowlers, but they all tended to to come alike to the England batsmen. Even the revered spin partnership of Kumble and Harbhajan went for 107 runs in their 20 overs for the meagre return of Trescothick’s wicket.Andrew Flintoff joined Hussain and proceeded to impose himself on the bowling with gusto. He drove one mighty straight six off Harbhajan and if he only found the boundary on two other occasions, he still managed to reach 40 from 32 balls before he missed a full toss from Zaheer Khan who was finding this to be his prime wicket-taking ball.Hussain plumbed the outer reaches of his repertoire to get to his century and then some. In doing so, he used up much of the good fortune that he was owed after some dreadful decisions against him over the years. He will care not one jot how he got the runs on the board, only that he did. It was his first one-day international century at the 72nd time of asking. It came from 118 balls with seven fours, and as he reached the milestone he turned to the media centre to indicate the number three on the back of his shirt. He had received some criticism from that quarter about his suitability to bat at number three in the order. The magnitude of his innings if not the manner of it should silence that now.Hussain had time from the remaining ten balls of his innings to add three more boundaries to his tally – one of them a pre-meditated sweep off Ashish Nehra that raced fine toward the pavilion. It was when he tried to do the same again that he was bowled by a very full ball that just bounced before crashing into the stumps.Michael Vaughan came and went – to the ball after Hussain was out. He picked up Khan towards deep square-leg where Dinesh Mongia held a comfortable catch. So it was left to Paul Collingwood and Ronnie Irani to slog, nudge and scramble their way to a total of 325 – England’s fourth highest in one-day internationals and a record for a Lord’s final.The way Ganguly and Virender Sehwag began the Indian innings, there was every chance that record would be broken before the day was out. They gave the England bowlers no time to settle, savaging them from the outset with a series of ferocious strokes. Ganguly raced to a fifty from a mere 35 balls with nine fours and a six over the covers off Flintoff. Sehwag could not keep up with his captain, and nor did he need to, such was the power of Ganguly’s strokeplay.The hundred came up from 80 balls (England’s had been from 101) and Ganguly’s contribution to the Indian cause extended to hammering a fierce cut through the covers via Hussain’s wrist. The England captain withdrew for treatment. Irani came into the attack, but departed after one over costing 16 runs. Hussain returned, so did Alex Tudor and he started the decline in India’s fortunes.Ganguly fashioned an ugly smear to a ball of full length and was bowled. It had been a heroic innings, but its end saw a clatter of wickets just as there had been a clatter of runs. Next over, Sehwag tried to run Ashley Giles to third man and was bowled. Then Mongia was given out caught behind down the leg side off Irani. The point of contention was whether he actually got a touch.Irani induced Rahul Dravid to chip to Knight at short mid-wicket, and when Sachin Tendulkar made room to be bowled by Giles, there was an overpowering impression that India’s brave and exciting challenge might well have ended. Five wickets had fallen in the space of nine overs for the addition of 40 runs. The psychological impact of Tendulkar’s wicket could not be overstated – to either team.Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif are more used to smashing quick runs at the end of an innings, but this time they had a major reconstruction job on their hands. While they went about the task with admirable common sense before opening into more expansive mode.the asking rate had climbed to in excess of eight an over before they stabilised the decline.Slowly, they brought the required rate back within bounds with some clean hitting of the highest calibre, to say nothing of some adventurous running. They had put on 121 from 106 balls with England getting increasingly nervous. Kaif had just joined Yuvraj on fifty when Yuvraj was out. A top-edged sweep off Collingwood saw the ball loop to Tudor at short fine leg and a terrific innings had come to an end.Yuvraj was visibly annoyed with himself, being under the impression that, with him, went India’s hopes. Kaif and Harbhajan Singh had other ideas. Harbhajan supported while Kaif drove, sliced, carved and nudged with a rare maturity. The balance swung until India held all the aces.That all changed in the 48th over when Flintoff yorked Harbhajan. Two balls later, Kumble was caught behind and everyone was scanning the regulations to see what happened if the scores finished level. It was that sort of match.Gough bowled the 49th over, which had left honours even until the last ball when Kaif aimed a drive down the ground. The ball went down the ground, albeit to the other end as it careered down to third man for a boundary.Two needed off the last over. Flintoff produced two dot balls before Zaheer Khan pushed the third ball into the covers, they went through for the run, the throw came in at the stumps but went past and the batsmen scampered through for the second run that won the match.

Celtic have been linked with a move for Shanghai SIPG midfielder Aaron Mooy following Ange Postecoglou’s Parkhead arrival.

The Lowdown: Mooy and Postecoglou’s relationship

The Hoops have already been linked with moves for two players who Postecoglou knows well in Yokohama F. Marinos striker Ado Onaiwu and Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Mooy, whose wife is Scottish, worked under Postecoglou when he was in charge of Australia’s national team.

The 30-year-old now has 42 caps for his country and currently plies his trade at club level for Shanghai SIPG after sealing a move from Brighton last year.

The Latest: Celtic links

Australian outlet SBS claim that Mooy is likely to be on Postecoglou’s radar.

There has already been talk in Shanghai over a potential Hoops approach for the midfielder, who earns a significant salary in China.

A potential transfer fee wouldn’t be significant, according to the report, with Chinese teams aware the current situation in the country is tough for foreign players.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-5/” title=”Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Versatility could prove priceless

Mooy is capable of playing as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder, so should a move to Scotland materialise, he could end up replacing Scott Brown, who has left for Aberdeen or even Ryan Christie, whose contract is up in January and is linked with a summer exit.

The versatile and experienced midfielder has 96 Premier League appearances to his name as well as 94 A-League appearances under his belt.

He also has previous experience of playing in the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren 10 years ago.

It could turn out to be a wise move by Postecoglou in signing a few players he knows well who can instantly adjust to his tactics and create a sense of trust in the dressing room, so it’ll be interesting to see whether these links will go any further over the coming months.

In other news: John Kennedy update emerges, find out more here. 

Worcestershire Royals extended their lead at the top of the first division of the Norwich Union League to eight points with a six-wicket victory over Yorkshire Phoenix at Worcester

George Dobell28-Jul-2002Worcestershire Royals extended their lead at the top of the first division of the Norwich Union League to eight points with a six-wicket victory over Yorkshire Phoenix at Worcester. And to complete a great day for Royals, their nearest challengers, Warwickshire Bears, went down to a 62-run defeat against Glamorgan Dragons.But, with the Dragons having two games in hand, it’s far too early for Royals to relax.Darren Lehmann won the toss for the visitors, and, having elected to bat would have been alarmed to see his side slide to 65-4, with Andy Bichel taking 3-30 for the hosts. But the captain (56) led by example, as first with Fellows (28) and then with Lumb (32), he rebuilt the Phoenix innings, leading his side to a respectable 207-8.In reply the Royals lost Peters and the in-form Solanki for just 17 before Hick and Smith threatened to dominate in a partnership of 68.But Hick fell to the part-time off-spin of McGrath and Leatherdale was stumped off Lehmann as the Phoenix claimed back the initiative. However, Ben Smith (92 not out) is in fine form, and in a partnership of 109 with Gareth Batty (54 not out) he timed the acceleration beautifully and saw his side to victory.In the other key match towards the top of the table, Warwickshire Bears entertained Glamorgan Dragons at Edgbaston.The Dragons benefited from half-century contributions from Ian Thomas, Matthew Maynard and Adrian Dale as they set the hosts a daunting target of 301 to win. The Bears started poorly, and despite an encouraging partnership of 104 between Troughton and Bell, it never looked likely that they would achieve victory.The Bears remain second courtesy of a marginally superior run-rate, but the Dragons are now level on points with them with games in hand.Durham Dynamos had the better of the dog-fight at the bottom of the division one table with victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Chester-le-Street.With Michael Gough (57) and Nicky Peng (38) ensuring a good start for the home side the stage was set for Paul Collingwood. And the England man did not disappoint with a fine 118 not out in 100 balls with 10 fours and two sixes.The Outlaws were soon under pressure in reply, losing Johnson, Welton and Afzaal for the combined total of just 30 runs. A partnership of 146 between Kevin Pietersen (85 in 75 balls; 9×4 2×6) and Nicky Boje (60 from 62 balls; 4×4 1×6) gave the visitors renewed hope. But with them falling in quick succession – Pietersen to the ubiquitous Collingwood – the innings fell away against Nick Phillips (3-52) and Neil Killeen (3-31).Elsewhere in the top division Leicestershire Foxes won the mid-table tussle against Kent Spitfires at Grace Road by 17 runs.The Foxes innings appeared to be in disarray as they slipped to 115-6, but Darren Stevens (48) and Darren Maddy (50 not out) helped their side recover to a competitive final score of 206-9.The Spitfires never got going in reply, with Jamie Grove (3-29) dismissing both openers (Key and Fleming) before Hockley was run out for four. Only Walker, with 40, resisted, but when he fell to Crowe to leave the score on 110-7, the writing was on the wall despite a spirited stand of 62 for the eighth wicket between Geraint Jones (27) and James Golding (47 not out).The Foxes remain safe, and in with an outside chance of winning the league, but the Spitfires form has nose-dived of late and relegation is now a real possibility for them.Normal service has been resumed in Bristol as the former one-day kings, Gloucestershire Gladiators, re-enforced the view that last year’s disappointing showing was just an aberration. They rushed to victory at Cheltenham in just the 18th over of their reply as Sussex Sharks sunk without trace.All the Gladiators bowlers contributed to the Sharks demise, with Smith, Harvey and Averis sharing the top order with two wickets each before Martyn Ball mopped up the tail with 4-15.A target of 117 was unlikely to trouble the team that remain top of the second division and so it proved. Ian Harvey capped a fine all-round performance in striking a brisk from 68 not out from just 43 balls. By contrast the Sharks Mark Robinson followed his first ball duck by conceding 43 runs from three overs.But Surrey Lions kept up the pressure on the leaders with victory over Essex Eagles at Guildford. The Lions set a target of 311, with Ian Ward (62) and Mark Ramprakash (74) both performing well. Jason Ratcliffe then provided the finishing touches with 53 from just 31 balls towards the end.The Eagles started well in response, scoring at six an over, but with Robinson (26) departing with the score at 42 and Jefferson (23) at 86 the innings ran into trouble.Mark Pettini (51) and Andy Flower (50) added 99 for the fifth wicket, but when they both fell to Ratcliffe the run-rate proved far too testing and the hosts secured a 73-run win.Gloucestershire Gladiators have an eight-point lead in the second division table, but the Lions have a couple of games in hand. It promises to be a fascinating second half of the season in both divisions.