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A horrible sense of déjà vu is beginning to creep into proceedings at Elland Road as another spectacular promotion collapse might well be on the cards for Leeds United.

Last campaign, Daniel Farke’s Whites found themselves in and around the automatic promotion positions for the majority of the hectic season, only for the lottery of the Championship playoffs to slap them in the face come May.

Giving up a last-gasp equaliser to Swansea City on Saturday means Leeds sit precariously in second spot on goal difference, as Illan Meslier’s wobbly demeanour in between the sticks let down the West Yorkshire outfit once more.

Meslier's performance vs Swansea

The Frenchman, despite keeping a bumper 21 clean sheets in league action this season, has an error in his game waiting to come to the forefront – with three errors leading to goals and one own goal.

This time around versus Alan Sheehan’s visitors, the ex-Lorient shot-stopper added to his growing catalogue of howlers when he inexplicably dropped the ball after a corner was initially dealt with into the path of Harry Darling to fire home.

The error-prone number one was originally deemed a hero before this moment of madness, with this penalty save early on boosting Leeds’ confidence and Meslier’s, but yet another unfortunate mishap helped Swansea return back to Wales with a share of the points.

Of course, the stopper wasn’t the only notable underperformer as Leeds failed to win, with this defender in front of the shaky 25-year-old also struggling at points against one of his former employers.

The Leeds defender who was as bad as Meslier

A number of Farke’s trusted first-team personnel looked ropey coming up against the Swans, with Ethan Ampadu looking notably lethargic in the middle of the park, resulting in his manager hooking him off before the hour mark.

Ampadu’s fellow Welsh compatriot Joe Rodon was also way off his best, with the Swansea-born centre-back giving up that first-half penalty when he rashly clattered into ex-Leeds target Lewis O’Brien.

Stat

Rodon

Minutes played

90

Touches

89

Accurate passes

62/76 (82%)

Possession lost

15x

Clearances

8

Blocked shots

0

Interceptions

0

Tackles

2

Penalty committed

1

Total duels won

6/9

Stats by Sofascore

Away from handing Swansea a golden opportunity via a spot-kick, Rodon was also uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball at his feet with possession squandered a costly 15 times during his 90 minutes on the Elland Road turf, on top of 14 of his 76 passes going astray.

Moreover, it wasn’t the most convincing display defensively either in terms of rolling his sleeves up with zero blocked shots or interceptions registered, away from valiantly managing to win six duels, and it was an afternoon to forget for the former Spurs man.

This out-of-sorts showing is unlikely to result in Rodon being dropped from Farke’s XI altogether, considering the Whites number five has started all of his team’s second tier games this season so far, but the Welshman will know any more leaky displays of this manner could cost his high-flying side dear in the automatic promotion battle.

Despite his team slipping up on their own patch, Farke defiantly declared after the 2-2 draw that his side are still 100% on for a return to the Premier League, with Whites fans desperately hoping that the German’s bold words come true.

On this viewing, however, Burnley and Sheffield United will feel confident they can upset the apple cart in West Yorkshire, with Meslier and Co needing to be more robust ahead of some crunch contests to come in the enthralling Championship.

Not just Meslier: 5/10 Leeds man showed why he's not good enough for the PL

Leeds conceded late on to draw 2-2 at home to Swansea City

ByJoe Nuttall Mar 29, 2025

Jhon Duran could make a quick Premier League return with six clubs circling as Al-Nassr prepare to offload the £71m striker just months after signing.

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Duran open to Premier League loan after £71m Al-Nassr moveWest Ham still keen on signing, with six clubs interested

Colombian striker seeking more minutes in a familiar setting

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Duran completed a blockbuster £71 million switch from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr in January, just days after West Ham reportedly failed with a £57 million bid for the striker. The Colombian international signed a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia worth £330,000 per week but could now be on the move again, with Al-Nassr exploring loan options for the 20-year-old.

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Despite the hefty transfer fee and salary, Duran is said to be open to a return to the Premier League, just five months after leaving, as per TeamTalk. The Colombian youngster has struggled for consistent minutes in a star-studded Al-Nassr attack led by Cristiano Ronaldo and is reportedly eager to reignite his career in a more familiar setting.

TELL ME MORE…

As per the report, at least six Premier League clubs are believed to be monitoring Duran's availability, with West Ham, who now have a new manager in Graham Potter, still keeping tabs. Sources suggest a loan deal is being explored, although his wage demands and the original transfer fee complicate negotiations. While the other five clubs remain unnamed, the reports have hinted at two of those clubs being Wolves and Fulham.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR DURAN?

As Duran and his representatives consider their options, it is anticipated that discussions will intensify in the upcoming weeks. Relocating back to England appears more conceivable for the Colombian, as clubs look to finalise a deal before serious preseason planning begins.

Former India captain feels Rodrigues could be the right person to lead in T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2024If India are looking at moving on from Harmanpreet Kaur as their captain, the time is now. That’s the opinion of Mithali Raj, following India’s group-stage exit from the women’s T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet has been in charge since replacing Raj in 2016 and has led the team at four T20 World Cups, but the latest one has been the poorest in terms of results – they made at least the semi-finals in the three previous editions.”If the selectors decide to change, I would go for a young captain,” Raj told . “This is the time [to change]; if you delay more then we have another [ODI] World Cup on the horizon [October 2025]. If you are not doing it now, then don’t do it later. Then it is too close to the World Cup.”Smriti [Mandhana, the vice-captain since 2016] is there but I think someone like Jemimah [Rodrigues], she’s 24, she’s young, she will serve you more. And [she] is someone who I feel on the field gets that energy. She speaks to everybody. I was very impressed by her in this tournament.Related

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“Despite playing those cameo roles, she never could convert her starts, but [she is] someone who really made an effort to build a momentum if there was no momentum; and if there was momentum, she tried to carry that momentum [forward].”Raj highlighted India’s inability to adapt quickly as the main reason for their poor show. India came into this tournament on the back of two months of camps and match simulation in Bengaluru, unlike Australia or New Zealand, who played each other, or South Africa, who scheduled a late tour to Pakistan.”Surprisingly, we took time to adjust to the slowness of the wicket,” Raj said. “Unlike an ODI World Cup, it is a short tournament, you don’t have a lot of time to adjust to the conditions. Someone like [New Zealand captain] Sophie Devine was able to score that many runs [57 not out] against us and she is not used to playing on slow tracks. We were not quick enough to adjust.”Looking at the bigger picture, Raj lamented the India team’s lack of “growth” over the past three years. She felt India had been “content” beating the lower-ranked teams and were “saturated” when it came to tackling big teams like Australia.

“Why does the men’s team do well? Immediately after a big series or a big tournament, they try others. If we are talking about depth, then when are we giving them chances?”Mithali Raj

“I feel that in the last two-three years, I’ve not really seen any growth in this team,” Raj said. “In the sense, like, I mean, beating the best side is what you always prepare for, but it seems like we are saturated in the sense we are beating other teams, and we are pretty happy in that. Every other team has shown growth despite limited depth, a case in point being South Africa. We have not.”Raj questioned some of the team management’s tactics in the lead-up to the World Cup too. Like at the Asia Cup, where India chose to field the regulars and did not give opportunities to fringe players.”I was doing commentary in the Asia Cup. To be very honest, I didn’t know what was happening,” she said. “I’m sure they were aware that Asia Cup is the last series of matches that they’re going to play before the World Cup. When you know that this is the last game time that you’re going to have before you enter the big tournament, you do at least 70% of your planning or 80% of your planning. Like who your No. 5 or No. 6 is, these are people who would walk in a particular situation. But there it seemed they were playing only for that tournament.Mithali Raj wants to see Jemimah Rodrigues given the reins of the T20I team•ICC/Getty Images”It didn’t seem like it was anywhere closer to… what we got to see in the World Cup. We could have given more opportunities to the bench against lower-ranked teams in Asia Cup, but we didn’t. Why does the men’s team do well? Immediately after a big series or a big tournament, they try others. If we are talking about depth, then when are we giving them chances?”Raj was also critical of the fitness levels of some of the players, which she felt contributed to them dropping catches. Against Australia, India dropped three catches and could have possibly converted two more half-chances.”Against Australia, I was very disappointed to see, other than Radha Yadav and Jemi to some extent, I don’t think there was anybody,” she said. “So we cannot have just two players out of 11 being good.”In terms of fitness, we need to have a benchmark. Honestly, how much can you work in a month? It’s something that you do around the year. It’s not like just before the tournament, you have a camp and it’s just going to really show the difference on the field.”

NFL legend Tom Brady is eyeing an ambitious transfer swoop as he bids to see his Birmingham City side promoted to the Premier League.

Birmingham aiming for the Premier LeagueTargeting ambitious signingsHave made unbeaten start to seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Birmingham were promoted to the Championship last season after beating Wrexham to the League One title and are now just one rung below the dreamland of the Premier League. The Blues have now made a move to bring Premier League experience to the club in the shape of former Liverpool and Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the . The midfielder is currently still with Turkish side Besiktas but is open to a return to English football.

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Oxlade-Chamberlain has already been tipped to leave Besiktas this summer on a free transfer as he is not part of the club's plans for the future. Leeds United have also been linked with a move for the 32-year-old, following their return to the Premier League, but Birmingham may also be a tempting choice for the former England international as they bid to return to the top flight.

DID YOU KNOW?

Birmingham have already been busy this summer in the transfer market, bringing in a host of players including Demarai Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi and Marvin Ducksch. 

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM?

Birmingham have opened up with four points from six at the start of the Championship season. The Blues are back in action on Saturday against Oxford United.

Arsenal have been almost faultless this season, but on Sunday, their unbeaten run finally came to an end.

Mikel Arteta’s side once again came unstuck at the hands of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and now sit just two points clear of Manchester City atop the Premier League table.

It wasn’t a dreadful showing from the league leaders, but it was a disappointing and potentially worrying one.

Moreover, it was another game in which a particular player flattered to deceive, a player who could end up being Arteta’s worst signing since Fabio Vieira.

What went wrong for Fabio Vieira at Arsenal

Arsenal fans largely remember the summer of 2022 as the window when Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko arrived from Manchester City and helped the team on their first title charge in a generation.

However, that summer also saw the club sign Vieira from Porto for around £34m, and while it was a surprise move, it was an exciting one.

After all, the Portuguese midfielder had just come off a campaign in which he produced 23 goal involvements in 39 games.

Unfortunately, aside from the odd moment of brilliance, the Santa Maria da Feira-born talent failed to make much of a mark during his first season in North London, racking up a tally of just two goals and six assists in 33 first-team appearances.

Things would only get worse the following season, as a combination of injuries, poor form and suspensions limited him to just 16 appearances, in which he scored one goal and provided four assists.

With two disappointing campaigns under his belt in as many years, the 25-year-old was sent back to Porto on loan for 24/25, where he did improve, but only marginally and ended the season with a tally of 11 goal involvements in 42 games.

The Portuguese giants did not want to bring their player back on a permanent deal this year, and so, with few other options, the Gunners agreed to send him on another loan, this time to Hamburg, with an option to buy.

Season

22/23

23/24

Appearances

33

16

Goals

2

1

Assists

6

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.24

0.25

In all, it’s clear that Vieira is a talented player, but it’s equally clear he is not, and never was, good enough to play for Arsenal.

Worryingly, the same might eventually be said about another of Arteta’s signings, someone who could go down as his worst since the Portuguese midfielder lest he improve, and quickly.

Arsenal star in danger of becoming Arteta's worst signing since Vieira

Overall, it would be fair to say that Arsenal’s summer business this year was a success.

Chalkboard

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

The likes of Eberchi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke, for example, have all looked good to great so far.

However, there is one signing who has divided opinion more than any other, and is in danger of being labelled a flop if he doesn’t improve: Viktor Gyokeres.

Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, there is every chance the Swedish international will prove his doubters wrong and become the goalscoring monster Arsenal need him to be.

Unfortunately, there have been few signs of that happening so far this season.

For example, in 17 appearances so far, the former Sporting “powerhouse” forward, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored just six goals, which is not terrible, but it’s not enough for someone who wants to lead the line for a title-winning side.

Minutes

50′

Shots

0

Expected Assists

0.03

Key Passes

0

Touches

11

Lost Possession

6

Passes

4

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (0)

Moreover, the game against Villa on Saturday was another one in which he failed to stamp his authority on things.

The 27-year-old came on at half-time, but in his 50 minutes of action, he took just 11 touches, lost the ball six times, completed four passes, failed to take a single shot or create a single big chance.

It was a worrying display, and one that could easily see the likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus leapfrog him in the pecking order when they are both fully fit.

Ultimately, while there is time for him to make his mark on this team, Gyokeres has underdelivered for Arsenal so far this year and is in real danger of becoming Arteta’s worst permanent signing since Vieira.

Arsenal hold initial talks to sign £88m Odegaard upgrade who's "Mbappe-like"

The incredible international game-changer would be unreal for Arsenal, but could spell trouble for Martin Odegaard.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes 3 days ago

Hayes has given opportunities to 24 USWNT debutants and, while many have impressed, some have more work to do

Since leading the U.S. women’s national team to Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games, manager Emma Hayes wasted no time reshaping the squad’s future.

From the Olympics on, she handed out first caps to 24 different players – an extraordinary number in such a short span, and a clear signal of her intent to thoroughly evaluate the entire player pool ahead of the 2027 World Cup. 

This level of experimentation is rare for a USWNT head coach, but Hayes has emphasized the need to build a sustainable and competitive roster over time and has wanted to look at the entire playing pool – from youth to senior – since taking over the team last summer.

Several debutants impressed and staked claims for long-term roles, while others have faced setbacks due to injuries or inconsistency. As the team looks toward October fixtures, the selections made will likely offer the clearest picture yet of Hayes’s core roster and tactical vision for 2027.

INDIVISA breaks it all down in the USWNT Debutant Tier Rankings.

Getty ImagesHere for the long run

Phallon Tullis-Joyce: Based off recent performances, Tullis-Joyce may just be the No. 1 keeper, at the moment. Her pathway to starting in net for the USWNT has been far from linear. The goalkeeper began playing professionally for Reims in France, after not getting drafted into the NWSL following her collegiate career at University of Miami. She eventually found her way back to the NWSL, playing for OL Reign. In 2023, she signed with Manchester United in the WSL and then two years later was called into the national team camp and made her debut that April. Tullis-Joyce earned a clean sheet against Brazil, one of 10 USWNT keepers to earn a shutout in their first cap. She also recorded six saves.

Michelle Cooper: In her first performances under Hayes, Cooper made an immediate impact. After earning her first senior national team call‑up during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, she debuted off the bench against Colombia. In her second cap against Australia, scored a stunning game‑winning goal. From her goal-scoring versatility, to her strength, size and service, Cooper is on a clear trajectory toward contention for the 2027 World Cup squad.

Gisele Thompson: At just 19 years old, Thompson has emerged as a standout young defender for both Angel City FC and the USWNT. After earning two senior caps during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup – debuting off the bench against Colombia and earning her first start versus Australia – she impressed Hayes. Her club season likewise featured meaningful moments, including scoring her first professional goal – assisted by sister Alyssa – forming the first sister‑to‑sister goal in NWSL history. Thompson has the ability to play up too, which makes her versatile.

Avery Patterson: Emerging as a dynamic defensive presence, Patterson has quickly made her mark on the USWNT. After earning her first senior cap in April - briefly subbing on in the second half of a 2-0 friendly win over Brazil – she earned her first start days later. In six appearances, she not only solidified her defensive stripes, but also scored her first senior international goal – heading one home in a 4-0 victory over Ireland. Patterson’s rapid ascent from Futures Camp attendee to senior team contributor reflects both her collegiate pedigree and her breakout rookie season with Houston Dash.

Ally Sentnor: After earning her first senior cap in November 2024 at Wembley Stadium, Sentnor started in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup – where the U.S. Youth Soccer Player of the Year drilled a stunning long-range strike for her first international goal. She added a second in the final match against Japan, becoming one of only six players to record goal contributions in all three games of the SheBelieves Cup. Her blend of calm finishing, intelligent movement, and natural goalscoring instincts mark her not just as a rising star, but as a potential no-brainer in the team’s future plans.

Claire Hutton: Just 19, Hutton has become a cornerstone of the USWNT midfield – and Sam Coffey's right-hand woman – by showcasing defensive maturity and tactical insight well beyond her years. Hutton earned her first senior cap in the SheBelieves Cup against Australia – starting and helping spring NWSL Kansas City teammate Michelle Cooper’s goal. Fellow midfielder Rose Lavelle told INDIVISA that she “plays well beyond her years."

Lily Yohannes: You're probably thinking, another teenager that can score? Perhaps, but even still, the 17-year-old has made a strikingly poised entry into the USWNT midfield, blending technical finesse with exceptional vision. Hayes handed her first senior call‑up in March 2024, and Yohannes didn’t waste time, scoring within her first 10 minutes on the field in a friendly against South Korea – becoming the third‑youngest goal scorer in USWNT history.

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Yazmeen Ryan: Making her senior debut for the USWNT in October 2024, Ryan immediately brought energy and pace from the wing. The Houston Dash forward has accumulated 12 caps and has found the back of the net twice, adding two assists. Her versatility – she's capable of playing central midfield, attacking midfield, and anywhere on the wing – is a strength. Still, we’ve only seen glimpses of what she can bring. Ryan needs to keep getting minutes.

Lilly Reale: Making her senior USWNT debut in June, Reale lined up at left back in a friendly against Ireland – and immediately left her mark by providing the assist for Alyssa Thompson’s goal in the 4-0 victory. Reale’s composure and ability to contribute going forward make her a compelling new face in the squad. But with just one cap and one decisive assist, the next step is clear: she needs more consistent minutes.

Izzy Rodriguez: Earning her first senior cap during the USWNT’s 4‑0 friendly win over Ireland in June, Rodriguez started at left-back and scored a first-half goal. It was special because she was the first USWNT player since Emma Sears (2013) to score in her first start. Even with the goal, the debut, and strong all around performance, Rodriguez will still need to get more consistent minutes.

Kerry Abello: Making her USWNT debut in June, Abello started at left-back in a 4-0 friendly win over Jamaica. The Orlando Pride defender has been instrumental in her club's success, and given her impact on the USWNT, she's another talented outside back that – with a little more time in front of Hayes – could make a strong case for herself.

Emma Sears: She made a remarkable debut for the USWNT last October. Sears came on as a 56th-minute substitute, assisted Lynn Biyendolo's equalizer and then scored in stoppage time. That made her the first USWNT debutant since Christen Press in 2013 to record both a goal and an assist in her first cap. Sears now has made eight appearance for the USWNT, but has a tough task to compete against other fast and technical wingers. One thing going for Sears? She is fit beyond measure and can keep up with the rigor an outside forward must bring at this level.

Getty ImagesShowing some promise

Tara Mckeown: In early 2025, McKeown received her first call-up for the SheBelieves Cup. She made her debut in the opening match against Colombia, starting at centerback alongside veteran Emily Sonnett and helping secure a shutout victory. McKeown has eight appearances, pairing with Sonnett during Naomi Girma's absence. The Washington Spirit defender could easily be the first off-the-bench option at centerback come 2027.

Emily Sams: After a standout 2024 season with the Orlando Pride, where she was named NWSL Defender of the Year and played a pivotal role in the team's league-leading defense, Sams earned her first senior cap last October. She started and played the full 90 in a 3-1 victory over Iceland. Sams has five appearences under Hayes, and is another promising option at centerback.

Sam Meza: She quickly emerged as a promising talent for the USWNT after a far from conventional pathway to the pros. Meza was selected 17th overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft by Seattle Reign FC, and her early professional journey included a loan to USL Super League's Dallas Trinity FC. Upon returning to Seattle in 2025, she became a key figure in the midfield, leading the team with 47 tackles and 29 tackles won, while also contributing two assists. Her performance in the NWSL earned her a call-up to the USWNT, and she made her senior debut in a 4-0 victory over Ireland, starting and playing 87 minutes. The midfielder has two caps under Hayes.

Eva Gaetino: In March 2024, Gaetino earned her first senior USWNT call-up for the SheBelieves Cup. She made her debut in a 3-0 victory over Argentina. At 22, her blend of physicality and international experience paints a promising future..

Claudia Dickey: Her remarkable shot-stopping ability and commanding presence in the box, especially during free kicks, earned her a call-up to the USWNT's January 2025 training camp. Dickey made her senior debut in a 4-0 victory over Ireland in June, becoming the 29th goalkeeper in USWNT history to earn a cap and the 10th to record a shutout in her debut. Dickey's blend of experience – she's been playing pro since 2022 – skill, and composure positions her as a promising candidate for the keeper pool.

Getty ImagesPerhaps?

Mandy McGlynn: In October 2024, McGlynn replaced an injured Jane Campbell, and then started in a friendly against Argentina, securing a 3-0 victory and recording a clean sheet. Since then, McGlynn has been a steady choice for Hayes in goal, earning the most minutes. Still, McGlynn has a lot of work to do to establish herself as the No. 1, and it doesn't help that she's in goal for Utah Royals in the NWSL – they sit in last place with 31 goals allowed. If McGlynn wants a legitimate chance at being named to the World Cup roster, she's going to have to find her niche goalkeeper skill – whether that's being a shot stopper, a strong distributor, or just all around more consistent.

Hal Hershfelt: After being selected fifth overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft by Washington Spirit, Hershfelt quickly became a fixture in the midfield. She rarely leaves a game un-bruised, as she's known for her tackling and box-to-box execution. Her performances at the club level earned her a call-up to the USWNT's training camp in June 2024, and she was named an alternate for the 2024 Olympics. After that, she earned her official first cap against in October. She has three appearances for the USWNT, but has been left off the training camp rosters since January.

Croix Bethune: The beginning of 2024 was a year and then some for Bethune, who not only picked up NWSL Rookie of the Year and NWSL Midfielder of the Year awards, but also made her USWNT debut in July. Bethune made her Olympic debut against Australia. Unfortunately, Bethune she was out of commission for the remainder of 2024 after sustaining a torn meniscus. She returned to the USWNT in June, showing some promise, but not standing out.

Jordyn Bugg: At just 18 years old, Bugg earned her first senior cap during the USWNT's match against in June, coming off the bench in the 72nd minute. In the subsequent game, she made her first start, partnering with McKeown at centerback. Bugg's performances have drawn praise for her composure and technical ability. Hayes highlighted her as a candidate for the 2028 Olympics, emphasizing the importance of long-term development.

A deep bond forged by this ludicrous sport culminated in one of the best days it has produced

Vithushan Ehantharajah28-Feb-2023When Neil Wagner finally calls it quits, he should donate his body to science so they can figure out how a human being can spend 17 years contorting and unraveling his torso for bouncer after bouncer and still, at 36, do it just enough to drag his team to such a famous win. That’s probably an oxymoron, mind, given it would require Wagner to give something up.His deciding spell of 3 for 38 came from 9.2 overs into the wind. Perhaps it should have been more than those 57 deliveries (including a wide) when you consider the ones Wagner might have had to bowl again. Not that we should get bogged down in those. Even dragons scorch the earth beyond their foes.New Zealand became the fourth team in the game’s history to win after being asked to follow-on. They beat England by a single run, making them only the second to win by what is literally the barest margin you can get in this format, thanks to a man who just last week had been flayed so harshly you wondered if his time was up.Evidently, though, his time was now. Specifically Tuesday, when New Zealand needed him most. England were 199 for 5 and walking, not running this time to a seventh successful chase for their 11th win in 12 and a first series victory on these shores since 2008. The wait goes on.Related

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New Zealand beat England in one-run thriller, make history by overcoming follow-on

On from the Vance Stand End in the 57th over, Wagner struck first with Ben Stokes, who was probably going to win it for England, even on one leg, because that’s kind of his thing. Then he took out Joe Root, who was actually winning it for England with the kind of immaculate poise that makes him a modern day great. Then, with the merest of tickles down the leg side, he took out James Anderson to seal it. And I know you’ll never believe it, but he was surely going to win it for England.Yep. Him. The same 40-year-old Anderson who just a week ago said he “wouldn’t get anything out” of hitting the winning runs in a Test match looked primed to do just that. Wickets are his currency, runs, seemingly, an inconvenience. The No. 11 charged Wagner – charged him! – crunching four through midwicket to reduce the ask to just two.And it was probably about then that this game assumed legendary status. Jack Leach played out a maiden to Tim Southee, and was stood at the non-striker’s end on one off 31 deliveries – more than he faced in the great Headingley 2019 heist – on the cusp of possessing more memorable singles than the New Radicals. It took a sprawling stop from Matt Henry – more on him later – at mid-on to keep New Zealand in front.The start of the 75th over from Wagner was down the leg side, Anderson happy to let it pass him by but irked it was not called a wide (it wasn’t). Next ball, having drilled into the middle of the pitch for an hour, Wagner finally struck gold.The roar when victory was confirmed, Tim Southee’s first as New Zealand skipper, was the kind they should bottle and market alongside the Wilhelm Scream. Very few explosions of glee tell the story of this sport, this format and days like these better: the pull of anxiety before the release, sending you into bedlam like the emotional rubber band you are.

NEIL WAGNER WINS IT FOR NEW ZEALAND! #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/yv1ZI8r3f7

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 28, 2023

Club unmoved by concern over empty stands against Sri Lanka, citing higher demand

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-2024Ticket prices for next year’s Lord’s Test against India have risen once again, despite Marylebone Cricket Club coming in for severe criticism for the cost of entry to this summer’s Test against Sri Lanka.For the first three days of the India Test, which begins on July 10 next year, the cheapest adult tickets on offer are restricted-view seats for £90 each (£20 for under-16s). Those with a clear line of sight are priced between £120-£175 (£40-£50 for under-16s).These prices compare unfavourably with last month’s Test against Sri Lanka, for which the cost of unrestricted views ranged from £115-£140 for adults and £15-£40 for concessions.That Sri Lanka contest concluded on the fourth day, for which just 9,000 tickets (approx one-third capacity) were sold. This was, in part, a reflection of England’s current fast-paced approach to Test cricket, with several recent contests being wrapped up well in advance of the final day.MCC came under further criticism for failing to offer any reduced-entry options until after tea on that fourth day, when the price fell to £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s. By then, however, there were just three Sri Lanka wickets left to fall, and the lack of advance notice further prevented a significant take-up.Related

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Ticket prices back in spotlight as England seal series in front of empty seats

England to host India Men and Women tours in 2025

Speaking in the aftermath of the Test, England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope said that the subdued atmosphere had been noted by his team.”It was just like ‘jeez, it seems quiet today’,” he said. “I’m not sure if people expected the game to be done by day four or not. It’s a shame it wasn’t a full house because it was obviously a good day’s play.”Despite Guy Lavender, the chief executive and secretary of MCC, announcing that the club would be conducting a review into its fourth-day pricing policy, there is little concession for fans who hope to attend on that day for next year’s India Test. Under-16s will be admitted for £25, half the cost of the first three days, but tickets with a full view will still cost £90-£150.MCC’s rationale is that India are now the second-biggest draw in the English Test calendar, behind Australia, and the prices reflect the likely demand, which is in line with the policy adopted by other sports. The top-priced tickets for the 2023 Ashes Test were £170, which the club argues represents a below-inflation increase of £5.Lord’s is also due to host the World Test Championship final in June, which is currently on course to be contested between India and Australia, a rematch of the 2023 final at the Kia Oval. Tickets for that match are set between £70-130 for adults and £20-£50 for under-16s.England and India are also due to play a women’s ODI at Lord’s in 2025, for which adult tickets will be available for between £25 and £45. The men’s ODI against South Africa, on the other hand, will cost between £75 and £150.