Kane Williamson has recovered from the groin injury which kept him out of New Zealand’s tour of India to take his place in the squad to face England while Wellington allrounder Nathan Smith has been handed his first Test call-up.Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy is also part of the squad with Bear Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) unavailable due to injury. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in Pune, will come into the group for the second and third Tests in Wellington and Hamilton. The opening Test takes place in Christchurch from November 28.Related

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• There's a madness to Daryl Mitchell's methods against spin

• Tim Southee to bow out of Test cricket at end of England series

Smith, 26, made his international debut in the first ODI against Sri Lanka earlier this week. In last season’s Plunket Shield he was the leading wicket-taker with 33 at 17.18 and in September was awarded a central contract. He also took 27 wickets at 21.14 for Worcestershire in last season’s County Championship alongside scoring three half-centuries.Ajaz Patel, who claimed 15 wickets against India, has not been included which means his record of taking all 85 of his Test wickets away from home will remain intact for now.Williamson’s return to fitness could put pressure on Will Young, player of the series in India, to retain his place in the XI.It was announced earlier on Friday that Tim Southee would retire from Test cricket after the England series unless New Zealand make the World Test Championship final.The 3-0 win in India has given them a chance of reaching the final again although even with a whitewash of England would not guarantee it.”It’s obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further,” Sam Wells, the New Zealand selector, said. “Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great Black Caps.”I am sure the team and the public will want to give Tim a fitting send-off in what is a highly anticipated series. It’s also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the Test squad for the first time. Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class record and I’m sure he will bring a lot of skill and energy to the group.”

New Zealand Test squad vs England

Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (Tests 2 and 3), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

It wouldn’t be controversial to say that the last few years have been nothing short of a roller coaster for Tottenham Hotspur, and their squad building has reflected that.

Yet, for all the problems he had to contend with, plenty of which were of his own making, Ange Postecoglou led the club to their first trophy in 17 years last season, but that still was not enough to save his job.

So, new boss Thomas Frank has to somehow live up to the Australian’s European record, while rebuilding the squad into one that can seriously compete in the Premier League and the domestic cups.

Fortunately, Daniel Levy and Co have already splashed £30m on making Mathys Tel’s deal permanent, and if reports are to be believed, the club have several exciting targets for the rest of the summer.

So, here’s what Spurs’ dream squad could look like if everything goes according to plan this summer.

The Goalkeepers Guglielmo Vicario keeps his place

After starting brilliantly for the club in the 23/24 season, it would be fair to say that Guglielmo Vicario wasn’t at his best between the sticks for all of last season.

Granted, he did miss a sizable portion of the campaign through injury, but according to FBref, he was in the bottom 24% of keepers for save percentage in the league.

Unfortunately, it was just as mixed a campaign for new signing Antonin Kinsky. While he impressed in his first game against Liverpool, he then made mistakes away at Anfield in the League Cup semi-final which reminded everyone he’s still a young, developing shot-stopper.

Lastly, Brandon Austin should remain the third choice, as he performed well enough in his three appearances last season.

Full list of goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin.

The Defence Spurs keep their incredible partnership

While it’s impossible to ignore the performance-related problems that severely hampered Spurs’ last season, and the often absurdly high line that led to many a goal for opposition sides, the biggest issue regarding the defence was fitness.

For example, Micky van de Ven missed a whopping 32 games for club and country, while Cristian Romero missed 27.

If the North Londoners can keep them fit, alongside the likes of Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie, and integrate the young Ashley Phillips and Luka Vuskovic, then there is every chance their defensive record will be streets ahead next season.

In terms of transfers, Frank and Co. need to ensure they keep hold of Romero, as Atlético Madrid continue to circle. Additionally, bringing in Antonee Robinson would add some brilliant depth.

The USMNT ace has been linked with a £40m move to N17, and while he might not be the biggest name around, he enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Fulham last season, racking up ten assists in just 36 league appearances.

Full list of centre-backs: Cristian Romero, Kevin Danso, Ashley Phillips, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Luka Vuskovic.

Full list of right-backs: Pedro Porro, Djed Spence.

Full list of left-backs: Antonee Robinson, Destiny Udogie.

The Midfielders Spurs battle Arsenal for international star

We have made it to the area of the team where Spurs have the most talent: midfield.

In fact, the North Londoners are blessed with so many brilliant players that Frank and Co should be looking to sell at least one in the coming weeks: Yves Bissouma.

That would still leave Archie Gray and Rodrigo Bentancur to compete for the number six role, and then Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr as the specialist central midfielders.

The wealth of talent continues in the more attacking roles, as Dejan Kulusevski racked up 21 goal involvements in 50 appearances and James Maddison managed 23 in 45 games.

Appearances

50

45

43

Minutes

3450′

2718′

3303′

Goals

10

12

14

Assists

11

11

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.42

0.51

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

164.28′

118.17′

132.12′

They might not be alone either, as this summer has been yet another in which the club have been linked with Eberechi Eze.

The Crystal Palace star might appear closer to joining Arsenal as things stand, but with a £68m release clause, there is still a chance Levy and Co could finally sign the incredible international.

Moreover, considering he was able to produce 25 goal involvements in 43 games last season, we have no doubt he’d be a smash hit.

Full list of midfielders: Archie Gray, Rodrigo Bentancur, Dejan Kulusevski, Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Eberechi Eze.

The Attackers Spurs go big on the frontline

For all their problems last season – and there were plenty – Spurs were still a relatively effective attacking outfit, and ended the campaign as the league’s eighth top scorers.

Yet, sometimes the best course of action is to build upon your most significant strengths, and that might just be the approach Levy and Frank take this summer.

With that said, before getting to those who could come in through the door, let’s look at those who could leave, starting with Son Heung-min.

The captain solidified his status as a legend by lifting the Europa League last season, but it’s impossible to refute the fact that his impact on games has waned. Therefore, it could make sense for the club to act on the links to LAFC and Saudi Pro-League sides.

Likewise, following his successful season with Leeds United, it appears that the Lilywhites will cash in on Manor Solomon. At the same time, Dane Scarlett, Min-hyeok Yang, and Alejo Veliz would all benefit from another set of loan moves.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

With that out of the way, it’s time to look at who could be coming in for Spurs this summer, and there are some seriously exciting names.

The first, and the one that feels most likely, is Mohammed Kudus, who has already been the subject of a failed £50m bid, but could be available for just £65m.

The “generational talent,” as dubbed by journalist Gary Al-Smith, didn’t have the best of campaigns last season, but was simply sensational in 23/24, scoring 18 goals and providing ten assists in 48 games.

The Ghana international will be excellent competition for Brennan Johnson, who was the club’s top scorer last season, and the young Wilson Odobert, who will be hoping for an injury-free year.

The opposite flank brings us to another genuinely exciting and young addition to the squad: Xavi Simons.

The Flying Dutchman, who could cost £60m, might’ve been described as “one of the best 10s in the world” by one data analyst, but his most played position last season, and across his career to date, is off the left – where he has scored 18 goals and provided 17 assists in 59 appearances.

Competing for the same starting berth should be Tel, who did just enough last season to convince Levy to sign him, and the potential superstar in the making, Mikey Moore.

It is probably still too early to see the Hotspur Way product start too many games next season, but like Ethan Nwaneri up the road last season, it could be the year rival fans really begin to take notice.

Finally, we’ve made it to the centre-forward position, and this could be particularly interesting next year.

The man most likely to retain his place leading the line is Dominic Solanke, as, although he wasn’t exactly prolific last season, the club-record signing was still effective, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists in 45 games.

Appearances

45

40

34

Minutes

3393′

2871′

942′

Goals

16

20

5

Assists

8

7

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.53

0.67

0.20

Minutes per Goal Involvements

141.37′

106.33′

134.57′

However, he could have his work cut out to keep the position, as the North Londoners have been linked with a £50m Atalanta star, Ademola Lookman.

The former Everton star can play out wide, but has become more and more of a central striker in recent seasons, and to say he was effective for the Bergamo side last year would be a serious understatement.

In his 40 games, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by journalist John Bennett, scored 20 goals and provided seven assists, which works out to an incredible average of a goal involvement every 1.48 games.

Finally, as it looks like he won’t be sold at the moment, keeping Richarlison as the third-choice striker and to help cover other areas across the frontline seems the smart thing to do.

Full list of wingers: Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons, Mikey Moore, Mathys Tel.

Full list of strikers: Dominic Solanke, Ademola Lookman, Richarlison.

Spurs' answer to Gyokeres: £65m star is Frank's "top target" this summer

Spurs could seal their own game-changing signing this summer.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 7, 2025

Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi warned an in-demand Mason Greenwood that while leaving the French giants might be simple, finding a club that offers the same platform and passion could prove far harder. The English striker’s electric debut season in Ligue 1 has turned heads across Europe, but De Zerbi is making it clear, Marseille isn’t prepared to let its crown jewel walk out the door without a fight.

De Zerbi remains adamant about Greenwood's futureMarseille reluctant to sell star strikerLigue 1 opener against Rennes loomsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Greenwood’s first year at the Stade Velodrome couldn’t have been scripted better. Bagging 21 league goals, the former Manchester United man not only became a Ligue 1 sensation but also claimed a share of the coveted Golden Boot, along with Paris Saint-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele. 

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Such a form has inevitably stirred up interest, with clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia monitoring his situation closely. In Spain, memories are still fresh of his standout spell at Getafe, where he showcased the same sharp eye for goal and creativity that has now lit up Marseille’s attack.

WHAT DE ZERBI SAID

Speaking to reporters ahead of the new season, De Zerbi underlined his desire to keep his core squad intact, name-checking Greenwood alongside key names like Leonardo Balerdi, Geronimo Rulli, Adrien Rabiot, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. 

"I don't think they'll leave," he said. "Keeping Balerdi, Rulli, Rabiot Hojbjerg, Greenwood is important for OM and for them. It's easy to leave Marseille but difficult to find a similar place."

DID YOU KNOW?

The prospect of losing Greenwood is one that Marseille’s hierarchy clearly dreads. A clause in the agreement that took Greenwood from Old Trafford to the south of France means United are entitled to 50 per cent of any transfer fee the Ligue 1 club might receive for him.

Tottenham Hotspur had their defensive woes last season thanks to a plethora of injuries which debilitated their squad, and with Cristian Romero heavily linked to Atlético Madrid, it isn’t inconceivable to think they could be adding a centre-back this summer.

Thomas Frank confirmed as new Spurs head coach

We knew that Thomas Frank would be landing at N17 for the last few days, but on Thursday evening, the Europa League champions officially announced his arrival as new head coach to replace Ange Postecoglou.

Talks held: £190k-a-week Tottenham star may have "played his last game"

His agents have held exit talks.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 12, 2025

The Dane is set to lead Tottenham into their first campaign back in the Champions League since Antonio Conte’s final season in charge, and has an almighty task on his hands to inspire momentum from the club’s triumph in Bilbao.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025	Average match rating
Son Heung-min	7.00
James Maddison	6.98
Pedro Porro	6.95
Dominic Solanke	6.84
Dejan Kulusevski	6.83
via WhoScored

According to some reports, Frank has already made some Spurs transfer decisions behind-the-scenes, with the 51-year-old eager to keep hold of Mathys Tel on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich (TEAMtalk), and requesting that chairman Daniel Levy target a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze (GiveMeSport).

He also has a key call to make in regard to the future of Lilywhites legend Son Heung-min, who is attracting serious interest from the Saudi Pro League and could depart Spurs after 10 years of faithful service.

Saudi have reportedly held talks with Son’s camp already, but Frank will unlikely be comfortable losing both the South Korean and Romero in one window.

The latter is a top target for Atlético, and some media sources believe that Romero has informed Levy of his desire to leave Tottenham, regardless of their Europa League final win last month.

Meanwhile, his central defensive partner, Radu Dragusin, is now also attracting interest from abroad.

Suggestion Tottenham could be offered Fikayo Tomori in Radu Dragusin swap deal

According to Calciomercato.it, Spurs actually reached an agreement to sign AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori in January, but the move ultimately failed to materialise.

However, they suggest that a swoop for the 27-year-old could be back on the cards, namely due to Milan’s strong interest in signing Dragusin. The Romanian’s agent, Gabriele Giuffrida, held a three-hour-long meeting with Milan chiefs earlier this week, with Dragusin “hoping” to make a return to Serie A.

Calciomercato warned to pay “special attention” to him and a potential San Siro move, adding that Tottenham’s January agreement for Tomori could help to instigate a swap deal involving Dragusin.

Tomori is homegrown, out of contract in 2027 and may be keen on coming back to the Premier League after falling slightly down Milan’s pecking order. Valued at around £26 million, any swap deal involving Dragusin could also bring this price down further, and allow Spurs to reinvest the saved cash into bringing in other crucial new additions.

Tomori has serious credentials as well, having earned plaudits for his growth in Italy.

“He was very brave in going to another country and stepping out of the shadows of Chelsea to test himself,” said TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand about Tomori’s development.

“I saw a quote the other day from him saying a lot of the Italian strengths in defending he has started to pick up and learn. One of the things that stand out immediately is his tenacity and pace.

“He is remarkably quick, but the way he comes out and closes down people and spaces is tremendous to see. He would have learnt. He is a student of the game, he is intelligent, he will keep on growing.”

Connolly had played just four first class games and was wicketless from his 96 deliveries before his Test debut in Galle

Tristan Lavalette06-Feb-20250:40

Connolly: ‘I like to be aggressive while I’m playing red-ball cricket as well’

From the moment his clutch batting memorably lifted Perth Scorchers to the BBL title almost exactly two years ago, Cooper Connolly quickly became a fan favourite and there was plenty of intrigue over the potential of this promising left-arm spinning allrounder.But even his legion of admirers out west could not have foreshadowed his rise to Test cricket would be so swift. After just four first-class matches, the 21-year-old Connolly became Australia’s 471st men’s cricketer after he replaced offspinner Todd Murphy in Australia’s XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. He became Australia’s fourth debutant in as many Tests.With his emotional parents standing nearby, Connolly, 21, was presented with his baggy green cap by former Test batter and fellow Western Australian Simon Katich.Related

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His selection for this Test had been murmured in recent days with expectations that the surface used for this match would be notably dry and especially favourable to spin.Connolly’s selection has raised some eyebrows given he is wicketless from 96 deliveries in his first-class career so far. But all three of his Shield matches have been at the pace-friendly WACA ground, while he bowled only six overs against India A in Mackay in early November which was his last first-class match.Albeit a different format, but Connolly did take six wickets in the recent BBL season – where he was named player of the tournament after scoring the most runs in the league stage – highlighted by a strong performance against Sydney Thunder in favourable spinning conditions at the Showgrounds.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

If the surface for the second Test does spin sharply, Connolly could prove dangerous and provides another left-arm spinning option alongside Matthew Kuhnemann, who had so much success in the series opener.”From what I’ve seen in the nets he bowls some really good balls,” stand-in captain Steven Smith said on Wednesday. “He was pretty consistent when he was bowling in Dubai and in the nets here.”That’s kind of all you’ve got to do in these conditions, just try and bowl as many good balls in a good area and let the conditions take over.”Connolly’s inclusion also underlines bolder selections from Australia’s hierarchy who have shown a willingness to experiment ever since picking 19-year-old Sam Konstas for the Boxing Day Test against India.Cooper Connolly receives his debut cap from Simon Katich•Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

With Australia’s spot in the World Test Championship final secured, Connolly edged veteran Glenn Maxwell for a spot on the Sri Lanka tour having made his T20I and ODI debuts in the backend of last year. Undoubtedly, selectors have an eye towards the future – Australia’s next tour of India is just two years away – but they will insist his selection in the second Test is a decision based on specific conditions.At this stage of his fledgling career, Connolly is certainly a much stronger batter and adds significant depth to Australia’s order at No. 8. He has already scored three half-centuries from his six first-class innings, starting with 90 off 115 balls on debut at No. 7 in last year’s Shield final between WA and Tasmania.It was an elegant knock on a tricky WACA surface that instantly drew comparisons to former WA great Shaun Marsh. But given his all-round skills and X-factor ability, with an uncanny knack of hitting the most mesmerising shots, Connolly has been likened to Maxwell and Travis Head.”It’s pretty cool to be honest. You dream of it as a kid watching them smack it around,” he told ESPNcricinfo last December about the comparisons to Maxwell and Head. “I feel proud of myself… it’s a dream to put on a baggy green.”

حجز منتخب مصر لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا، بطاقة التأهل إلى نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد، والتي تقام في المغرب عقب الفوز على إسبانيا، في نصف النهائي. 

وواجه منتخب مصر لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا، نظيره منتخب إسبانيا، في الساعة الـ 10:15 بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين في نصف نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد. 

طالع..منتخب مصر يهزم إسبانيا وتأهل إلى نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا

وتمكن منتخب مصر لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا، من الفوز على منتخب إسبانيا في نصف النهائي بنتيجة 31-28.

 يذكر أن بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا، تقام  في الفترة من 24 أكتوبر وحتى 1 نوفمبر 2025، في المغرب، وتضم 12 منتخبا مقسمة على 3 مجموعات.

ومن المقرر أن يواجه منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا، نظيره منتخب ألمانيا، في نهائي بطولة كأس العالم لكرة اليد، عقب فوز ألمانيا على قطر في نصف النهائي بنتيجة 39-22. موعد مباراة منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا وألمانيا في نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد 

وسيواجه منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا نظيره منتخب ألمانيا في نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا، يوم السبت المقبل الموافق 1 نوفمبر الساعة 9:15 مساءا بتوقيت القاهرة في الدار البيضاء بالمغرب.   

The new captain lauded his team’s brave approach and how they made the early running in both Tests

Deivarayan Muthu26-Oct-20241:51

How did Santner succeed when Jadeja struggled?

Before 2024, New Zealand visited India 12 times across 69 years from 1955 to play Test cricket, but they had never managed to win a series. On Saturday, in his first stint as full-time New Zealand captain, Tom Latham did an Edmund Hillary, leading New Zealand to their first-ever Test series win in India.Latham was part of the New Zealand team that won the inaugural World Test Championship after beating India in the final in Southampton in 2021. But beating India is a different challenge altogether and arguably the toughest challenge in world cricket right now. Latham was overwhelmed with emotion when he was asked to explain what the triumph in India meant to him, his team, and the New Zealand public.Related

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Santner takes 13 to hand India their first home Test series defeat since 2012

'I don't want to do too much of a post-mortem' – Rohit after loss in Pune

Side soreness no barrier for 13-wicket Santner

“I’m sort of lost for words,” Latham said. “It’s obviously an immensely proud moment for this group. I think coming off the back of a Sri Lankan series where we didn’t get the results that we wanted to come here and play the style of cricket that we played. We’re obviously immensely proud to be in the position of winning two Test matches here. A lot of New Zealand teams have come here over the past… I guess to be the first team to win a series over here is immensely special and, yeah, very proud of this group.”So what did Latham’s New Zealand do better than the other New Zealand teams of the past and this current India team?”I think we’ve been on the right side of a couple of tosses,” Latham said. “That obviously played a big part I think, especially in Bangalore. Just as I said, I think we’ve come here, and we’ve wanted to fire a shot. We’ve wanted to be the one that puts India under pressure, what that may look like from a batting point of view or a bowling point of view. I certainly think we’ve done that. I think the way we played in this game with the bat was really important. I think it was a wicket where time wasn’t necessarily an issue, it was runs.”Mitchell Santner was the hero with the ball•AFP/Getty ImagesIt’s incredibly rare for any overseas team to out-bat and out-bowl India in a Test match. This New Zealand team has managed to do that twice in contrasting conditions in Bengaluru and Pune.New Zealand’s bowlers had thrown the first punch in Benglauru in seaming conditions, where they skittled India for 46. New Zealand’s batters then threw the first punch in Pune on a turner, where they countered R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar with a variety of sweeps, including the reverse. Latham was pleased with his players buying into the attack-first approach.”We’ve come here, and we’ve wanted to compete, and we’ve wanted to fire a shot first up,” Latham said. “I certainly think we’ve done that in both games. Obviously with the ball in the first game but also with the bat here. Being able to put first innings runs on the board has been really important. Obviously the bowlers went to work over the last couple of days which has been very pleasing to see.”

In 47 innings prior to the Pune Test, Mitch Santner didn't have even a Test four-for to his name.

Now he has two five-fors, in one of New Zealand's greatest wins https://t.co/GUexHh5oRN | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/vfE5MkDs3N

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 26, 2024

Latham hailed Mitchell Santner for wheeling away for 29 overs on the trot in the final innings despite a sore side. The left-arm fingerspinner came away with six wickets during that marathon spell and almost single-handedly spun New Zealand to victory. He finished with match figures of 13 for 157 – the third-best by any visiting bowler in India.”He did a fantastic job,” Latham said of Santner. “I think obviously the wickets that he got… But I think what will go unnoticed is the amount of overs he bowled back-to-back. I think Will [O’Rourke] bowled one over with the new ball from that end and Mitch bowled the rest. Someone like that to come and bowl that amount of overs, to keep in a threat for that amount of time.”I keep trying to take him off, but he keeps taking a wicket. So, I said ‘you can keep going’. Look, I can’t praise him enough in terms of what he’s done this game. He was simply fantastic.”

A statistical review of the tournament and what made it unique

Sampath Bandarupalli31-May-2022Dominance of wrist spinners
The battle for the purple cap between Yuzvendra Chahal and Wanindu Hasaranga defined how wristspinners dominated through the tournament. Kuldeep Yadav was also in the race but finished fifth, while Rashid Khan found a place in the top ten wicket-takers.