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Batsman insists he can still do the job in the shortest format, even though he hasn’t always been in the running for selection

Mohammad Isam25-Mar-2021Ross Taylor has said that he has eyes on the T20 World Cup later this year even though he hasn’t featured in the last two New Zealand squads in this format. He believes there is still enough time to return with the side set to play a lot of matches leading up to the main event in India.Taylor was speaking ahead of the third ODI against Bangladesh in Wellington, having been passed fit following a hamstring injury that kept him out of the first two games.”I think I’ve still got ambitions on the T20 World Cup,” Taylor said. “I think there’s still a lot to go. The selectors have wanted to give these guys the opportunity which is fair enough. This is a good format, especially in New Zealand, for getting these guys into international cricket, if they are not going to play a lot of ODI and Test cricket. T20 is the logical way of bringing them into the side.”In the last two years, Taylor has played 14 out of New Zealand’s 24 T20Is. He made 166 runs with two fifties against India last year, but saw his batting position go to new players like Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips. Taylor said that he was surprised to be dropped from the New Zealand team for the T20I series against Australia, and now Bangladesh. He got to play only four deliveries during the T20I series against West Indies in November last year.”It was a bit of a surprise, getting player of the year and facing four balls. I am not going to lie. You have respect their decision that this is a format to give the guys an opportunity to play.”I feel age is just a number. I am able to do a job that’s required. There’s a lot of cricket to be played in the winter. I will be around somewhere,” he said.After the Bangladesh T20I series at home, New Zealand are likely to play against Pakistan and Bangladesh again during their winter, ahead of the T20 World Cup. On Wednesday, New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said that they haven’t yet ruled Taylor out entirely from their T20 plans.”(New Zealand coach) Gary (Stead) has been working really closely and talking with Ross. Ross sits in behind those current group of incumbents that we’ve got now,” Larsen told stuff.co.nz. “As we said when we didn’t pick Ross originally it was a really tough decision and I’ll say that again because we know his pedigree and the quality. We know and Ross has stated to us that he’s still keen and he thinks he can still contribute. From our side as selectors that’s great. We always take the approach of ‘never say never’. We know he’s sitting there and if we needed to call for Ross then we know he’d be jumping out of his skin.”

The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a dream start to their postseason run, jumping out to a 2–0 series lead over the New York Yankees to open the American League Division Series.

Starring for the Blue Jays is slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has six hits in nine at-bats so far in the series, and a home run in each game, including a grand slam that sent the Toronto crowd into absolute elation on Sunday.

The Blue Jays are no strangers to the postseason, having played playoff baseball in three of the past five seasons, but this is already their first trip past the wild-card round since 2016, and if they can make a run to the World Series, it will be their first appearance since taking back-to-back titles in 1992 and ‘93.

Guerrero, who has spent the entirety of his career in Toronto, was asked if he felt there was something different about this year’s team compared to others. Through a translator, he provided a succinct answer.

"Today was optional for everyone here,” Guerrero said. “And we're all here."

The Blue Jays will have the chance to put away the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday night. If Guerrero can keep up his astounding run at the plate, they should have a good shot at finishing the job.

He also gave a shout out to the bowlers who set up the 3-0 series sweep

Mohammad Isam31-Oct-2025West Indies stand-in captain Roston Chase was left impressed by Ackeem Auguste’s maiden T20I fifty against Bangladesh in Chattogram. The visitors completed the 3-0 whitewash in a comprehensive five-wicket win, with more than three overs to spare. Auguste was one of three changes in the West Indies side, after they rested regular captain Shai Hope, and the out-of-form Sherane Rutherford for the dead rubber.Auguste treated the packed crowd in Chattogram with some impressive hitting particularly on the leg-side. He struck Rishad Hossain for three sixes in the 13th over, and having been dropped in between the sixes, it shifted the match’s momentum in favour of West Indies completely. Auguste and Chase added 91 runs for the fourth wicket, after Amir Jangoo, who warmed the West Indies’ bench for most of this Bangladesh tour, struck a few blows in his 23-ball 34.Chase, who also made a half-century, said that Auguste is an improved cricketer than what he had seen couple of years ago.Related

• 'The players need rest' – Litton points to crowded calendar for T20I series defeat

• Shepherd hat-trick, twin fifties complete WI's 3-0 sweep over Bangladesh

“I thought he had a great innings,” Chase said. “I have played with him in St. Lucia in the last couple of years. He has improved steadily. The Ackeem I used to know, would play some exciting shots and then get out for 20 or 30. I find out that he is maturing very much. He is understanding how to build the innings now. The sky is the limit for him. I think he has a very rare ability to strike the ball. He has a clean swing. He has to continue doing hard work and keep believing.”Chase said that the difference between the two sides’ in the third T20I was the partnerships. Bangladesh had a 63-run stand between Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan, but Tanzid did most of the scoring in the home side’s innings.”I think Bangladesh never really had a big partnership, or one partnership where two batters stood up. It was only the left-hander, while all the guys were getting out around him,” Chase said. “The plan was to bat normally, get six to seven runs per over till the 15th over. But as me and Ackeem got in on the wicket, it became easier to play our strokes. The ball was coming on to the bat. I think it was the best wicket of the three games. We capitalized on the balls in our area.He also gave a shout out to the West Indies bowlers who performed strongly in the T20I series, in particular Romario Shepherd who finished with seven wickets in the three matches, including a hat-trick in the third game. Moving forward, though, he wanted the fielding to be better.”Actually I was so focused on the game that I didn’t realise he had taken the hat-trick,” Chase said. “I didn’t remember that he had taken a wicket in his previous over. I am happy for him. I think he executed well in all three games.”We dropped too many catches. The bowlers were spot-on with their plans. I want to congratulate them on their performance.”

Branislav Jasurek, representative of Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, has clarified the state of the player's relationship with head coach Antonio Conte. Jasurek and Lobotka stole headlines in Italy recently after comments resurfaced of the agent suggesting that his client will leave the club if the coach stays at the helm.

• Lobotka's agent raises eyebrows in Italy

  Jasurek appeared in a podcast with Slovak website which was recorded in October but gained significant traction in Italy this week. Lobotka's agent's comments sent shockwaves in Naples, as he stated that the combative midfielder could seek pastures new next summer if Conte ended up staying.

  "Napoli have invested well in recent times and brought in new players," he said, before questioning Conte's choice to hand Lobotka very little rest amid his struggles with injuries. "That's why I don't understand why Lobotka had to play three difficult matches in eight days before the national team match. They could have given him a little rest and thus he would have been able to play for Slovakia in Northern Ireland. So I'm nervous," Jasurek expressed.

  "If Stano wins a third title in Napoli, it will certainly be easier for him to leave, but I don't like to predict these things. He now has a significantly improved contract and could stay at the club for a few more years. But he is already 30 years old and it will be almost unrealistic to physically endure it under Conte. We are still talking about whether it can be managed at all. What Conte requires is brutally demanding. The coach's running requirements in statistics are incomparable."

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  Jasurek issues clarification, praises Lobotka's dynamic with Conte

  Following how big a deal Jasurek's words became within hours of it making the rounds on the internet, the agent was contacted by Jasurek immediately issued a determined clarification, revealing that his words were taken out of context.

  "I was very surprised, because the words were taken completely out of context," he assured. "It's true that I participate in a podcast in Slovakia, where we talk about the national team and some players. In that episode I spoke about Lobotka with a lot of appreciation. At the end, I said that it's difficult to work with Antonio Conte, because he's a very demanding coach, but I added that this is positive because he's a winner. Then I joked and said that Lobo might get tired and ask me for a transfer in the summer, but it was clearly a joke.

  "Everyone on the podcast understood this, because I am his agent and every transfer is 'work' for me. Anyone who listened to the podcast in the original language would have immediately understood that it was just a joke. I can also assure everyone that Conte is like a father to Lobotka, and this relationship will never change. I am sure they will win many more trophies together."

• Lobotka wants to win the Champions League with Napoli

  Lobotka, who arrived from Celta Vigo in 2024, has a contract until 2027 with the Partenopei. There's also an option to extend his deal by another year. According to Jasurek, the Slovakia international harbors ambitions of lifting the Champions League trophy with Napoli, drawing parallels between his connection to the club and that of Marek Hamsík.

  "Stanislav has the same relationship with Napoli as Marek Hamsik. He sees the city as his second home and has bought a house there. He shows commitment every week, often twice a week, and that's what matters most," Jasurek continued.

  "He is already a two-time Italian champion with Napoli and fully believes he can win the title for the third time. He also dreams of the Champions League with this club. He is 30 years old — a time when he wants to lift trophies — and he is at the right club to achieve that."

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  How's it going for Lobotka and Napoli this season?

  The Scudetto holders have been struggling of late, dropping to fourth place after earning just seven points out of a maximum 15 from their previous five league encounters. Per reports, Conte is set to hold talks about his future at Napoli with the club's hierarchy. 

  As for Lobotka, the 30-year-old has recently returned to full fitness after spending two weeks on the sidelines due to an adductor injury. 

The Asia Cup win would have given India a boost, but there could still be a few holes to plug in the World Cup squad

Shashank Kishore20-Sep-20233:04

Rohit: ‘Been on the phone with Ashwin’ for World Cup

… Some of India’s top players may well be thinking, “All we got was one day.” At home, that is. After a victorious Asia Cup campaign in Sri Lanka, they are back on the road, in Mohali, where India begin a three-ODI series against Australia on September 22.Their run-up to the series hasn’t been without its share of headaches, some good and some forced. But the team management is at least confident that players on the injury list will recover in time for India’s World Cup campaign, which begins on October 8 in Chennai, also against Australia.The biggest concern at this point is Axar Patel, India’s third frontline spinner behind Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Axar is recovering from a left quadricep strain that he picked up during an Asia Cup Super Four fixture against Bangladesh last week.He is undergoing remedial work at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and his inclusion for the third ODI, for which the entire World Cup squad is available, is subject to fitness. Axar is crucial to India’s plans, because he offers batting depth at No. 8, as he showed in that game against Bangladesh, where he made a valiant 34 to bring India within six runs of victory after the middle order floundered.Related

• Siraj reclaims No. 1 spot in ODI bowling rankings

• Rohit on resting Kuldeep: 'Don't want to expose him a lot'

• 'We want players to stand up in big moments'

With the ball, however, Axar had his troubles at the Asia Cup. He lacked bite on some helpful decks, like in the Super Four fixture against Sri Lanka where he was the only India bowler to go wicketless in a defence of 213 on a dry turner. In all, he picked up just one wicket across 14 overs at the Asia Cup, and finished with an economy rate of 5.42.But, for now, there’s no reason to believe India might not want Axar at the World Cup if he is fit.If he isn’t, India are likely to choose from one of Washington Sundar and R Ashwin, who have both been included for the ODIs against Australia.Both have excellent ODI records.Washington’s sample size, though, is significantly smaller than that of Ashwin. Washington’s 17 ODI appearances have come across six years. But in the opportunities he’s had in recent times, he has been prolific.Public memory is short, but if you jog back to India’s difficult tour of Bangladesh, where they lost the ODI series, Washington was one of the standout bowlers picking six wickets in three games at an economy of 3.30. During the limited-overs series against New Zealand that followed, he impressed with the bat, striking a 28-ball 50 to help India edge close in a steep chase.In comparison, Ashwin has played 113 games, but just two in the last six years. This begs the question: if Ashwin was in India’s plans as a back-up, shouldn’t he have been in the squad a lot earlier?”With guys like Ashwin, game time and time on the ground is not so much of a concern,” Rohit Sharma said on Monday at the press conference to announce India’s squad for the series. “Which is why we thought if he is an option for us, we need to get him in. With the kind of experience he has, for guys like him, it’s all in the head more than the body. I thought getting him in could give us a chance to understand where he is at, how his body is and stuff like that.”Injuries have kept Washington Sundar out for long stretches•Sportsfile via Getty ImagesWashington offers accuracy and control and can bowl at different stages of the innings. Similar attributes as Ashwin, but there’s a difference. Ashwin has been playing some form of cricket or the other all along – on Tuesday, he turned up for a local team in a 50-overs game in Chennai before flying to Mohali. Washington’s fitness has let him down often over the past three years.He has, however, largely been injury-free since July, when he came back from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the second half of IPL 2023. He was also on the tour of Ireland, prior to which he featured in both red-ball and white-ball matches in the domestic circuit.Washington has been a long-running project for the team management since being earmarked as an allrounder good enough to bat in the top five. For now, he offers everything Axar does in the lower order, which may give him the edge if it comes to a shootout with Ashwin.Now, if the team management fields one or both of Ashwin and Washington in the XIs against Australia, along with Ravindra Jadeja, who is the vice-captain, it could give some hints as to which way they will eventually go if Axar is ruled out.5:25

Stump Mic podcast: How will Shreyas Iyer fit into India’s XI now?

In focus: Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Shami

The other point of interest in the first two ODIs will be whether Ishan Kishan opens in Rohit’ absence. And how Shreyas Iyer, who seems to have done most things asked of him to prove his fitness, and Suryakumar Yadav go in the middle order.Elsewhere, it won’t be a surprise if Mohammed Siraj is rested for at least a game despite being picked in the squad. This could bring Mohammed Shami into the fray with the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah. With the team management clear on wanting to give opportunities to those who couldn’t get too many chances at the Asia Cup, it’s likely that Prasidh Krishna, identified as one of the reserves for the World Cup, may get a look in to have him ready should there be a need to summon a late injury replacement.It’s unlikely the selectors are looking too far ahead just yet, but how KL Rahul the captain performs will be of some import too.For someone who wasn’t perhaps totally ready for the Asia Cup, fitness-wise, and was told minutes prior to the toss against Pakistan that he would be playing, and then to respond with a superb century, the wheels of fortune seem to have turned big time. It’s the kind of sequence of events players needs at times to turn around not just their immediate fortunes but their careers as well.India’s previous ODI series against Australia earlier this year was seen as the start of the final stretch of games in the lead-up to the World Cup. This series will be a formation lap before the teams meet in Chennai in a little over two weeks, with everything on the line.

Celtic knew that they needed to improve their options in the wide areas after they lost Jota to an ACL injury and sold Nicolas Kuhn to Como in the summer.

They took their time to add to the squad, but they eventually brought Sebastian Tounekti to the club from Hammarby on deadline day at the start of the month.

Since his move to Parkhead, the Tunisia international has captured the imagination of supporters with his electric performances down the left flank in his first two appearances.

Why Sebastian Tounekti has already excited Celtic fans

Brendan Rodgers chucked him in at the deep end as a starter against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, and was rewarded with an impressive display.

Per Sofascore, the left-sided attacker created four chances for his teammates and completed five dribbles. This shows that he was direct, creative, and exciting at the top end of the pitch.

Tounekti followed that up with his first goal for the club in the 4-0 win over Partick Thistle in the quarter-finals of the League Cup at Firhill on Sunday, finishing well after a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho.

Supporters have taken to him quickly because he has not been afraid to take risks and make things happen with the ball at his feet, after three games without a goal scored for the Hoops prior to his arrival.

Whilst Tounekti already looks like a fantastic signing for the club, Celtic may still rue losing a young talent last year who was on course to be their homegrown version of the Tunisian star, Rocco Vata.

Why Vata was a homegrown Tounekti for Celtic

Talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed that the Irish forward had an “exciting” future at the club in 2022, which seemed to be a very fair prediction to make at the time.

Vata scored 23 goals in 34 matches for Celtic’s B team, showcasing his goalscoring potential, and grabbed one goal in six first-team outings for the Hoops after making the step up to senior level, per Transfermarkt.

Unfortunately, though, the Ireland international only got 11 minutes of football in the Premiership in the 2023/24 campaign, which led to him opting to leave the club to join Watford at the end of his contract in the summer of 2024.

The Hoops only received £237k in compensation for the Irish youngster, who scored four goals and provided four assists for the Hornets in his first year in England.

Vata has mainly been utilised as a left-sided winger at Watford, which is where Tounekti has played for Celtic, and his performances in the Championship last season were incredibly promising.

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old talent ranked well among his positional peers as a scorer, a creator, and a dribbler, the three things that Tounekti has been on the left flank for the Hoops so far.

Vata has also created five chances and registered one assist in 107 minutes of Championship football, per Sofascore, this season after returning from injury in August, which further illustrates his creative quality.

These statistics show that he has the potential to be an exciting player for supporters to watch because he can provide goals, assists, and dribbles on the left flank to get fans out of their seats.

That is why he could have been a homegrown version of Tounekti for Celtic if they had given him more opportunities to impress in the first-team at Parkhead, rather than just one league cameo in his final season.

As good as Tounekti: 7/10 Celtic star is now a player "to be excited about"

This Celtic star was as good as Sebastian Tounekti in the comfortable win over Partick Thistle.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 21, 2025

Therefore, Celtic must regret losing him, particularly given how low the compensation fee was, because they could have had Tounekti and Vata as exciting options on the flank.

Hayley Jensen put in another Player of the Match display after Ritu Moni career-best 4 for 18 set up the chance of an upset

Report by Alex Malcolm at Junction Oval29-Feb-2020Tournaments are all about surviving and advancing.New Zealand survived an almighty scare against Bangladesh at the Junction Oval, setting a new Women’s World T20 record for the lowest total defended, but will need to play much better to beat Australia on Monday advance to the semi-finals.They were bowled out for just 91 having won the toss. It was their sixth-lowest score in T20 internationals and second-lowest total at T20 World Cups, with Ritu Moni taking a career-best 4 for 18 in her first game of the tournament while the skipper Salma Khatun bagged 3 for 7 including the prized scalp of Sophie Devine.But Bangladesh imploded in the chase under the weight of history and an experienced and disciplined New Zealand attack. They failed to find the boundary or rotate the strike. Two calamitous run-outs triggered a collapse before Hayley Jensen strangled the tail with some wonderful stump-to-stump bowling to take 3 for 11 from her four overs and claim Player of the Match honours. Nigar Sultana fought bravely making 21 in an innings where she was forced to retire hurt for a period after a blow to the face but they came up short.The result sets up a virtual quarter-final against Australia at the Junction Oval on Monday, with the winner to progress to the semi-final alongside India from Group A.Priest dries up DevineHaving started the tournament with an unbeaten 75 to register a world record sixth consecutive T20I score of 50 or more, Devine’s run of form has come to a grinding halt, but her opening partner Rachel Priest was partly responsible. Bangladesh’s bowlers kept Devine from the strike in the powerplay just as India did in the previous game. She faced just 15 balls in the first 6.5 overs as Priest chewed up deliveries at the other end without doing any damage to the scoreboard. Panna Ghosh, who was strangely omitted from the game against Australia, Fahima Khatun and Salma Khatun bowled superbly to their fields on a surface that had plenty of grass. Priest and Devine could not find any timing against the slow pace and spin. Priest faced 15 dot balls while Devine was at the crease and the skipper eventually succumbed slicing a catch to point. Priest then fell lbw to Salma Khatun attempting a sweep, and burnt New Zealand’s only review as well, having made 25 from 32 with 18 dots.Moni causes mayhemMoni had not played in Bangladesh’s opening two matches and had not played an international since taking 3 for 1 against Maldives in December last year. But she immediately made an impact castling the world’s number one T20 batter in Suzie Bates with outstanding delivery that nipped back through the gate. New Zealand’s collapse then featured all the stereotypical panicked dismissals. Maddy Green was stumped trying a wild slog having not found the boundary in 15 balls, Hayley Jensen was run out in ridiculous circumstances next ball and Katey Martin offered a return catch to Rumana Ahmed which was dropped, but it bounced off her hands onto the non-striker’s stumps with Jensen unable to get back to safe ground. Moni then forced mistake after mistake through disciplined lines and lengths and her fielders backed her up with Fahima Khatun taking two more sharp chances at point while Fargana Hoque took a phenomenal diving catch running in from deep midwicket to dismiss Anna Peterson. New Zealand folded to be bowled out with 10 balls left in the innings.Dots build pressureBangladesh’s required run-rate was just 4.55 for an historic victory. They started the chase well thanks to two classy strikes down the ground from Murshida Khatun, a dropped catch at slip from Amelia Kerr and a wayward over from Lea Tahuhu that featured four wides. At 0 for 17 from 2.5 overs, Murshida fell to a top edge trying to sweep Leigh Kasperek. Devine and New Zealand then squeezed Bangladesh over the next six overs. Devine took all the pace off turning to Hayley Jensen and her spinners. Ayasha Rahman holed out trying to clear the infield off Jensen. Devine attacked with her field, posting a catching cover, a short leg and a slip at different stages. Bangladesh faced 41 dots in the first nine overs and did not find the boundary in the first three overs after the powerplay. The rate slowed so dramatically that equation reached more than a run-a-ball in the 10th over.Salt in the woundsSultana held the key as Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the tournament, but she was forced to retire hurt in the 10th over after being hit in the face attempting to sweep Peterson. She got a top edge that ricocheted into her jaw, just underneath the grill of the helmet and she was driven off the ground on a cart. Bangladesh then did their own damage with two horrible run-outs. Hoque attempted to drop and run to cover but Moni called no and Devine swooped to leave Hoque stranded. She gave Moni a verbal spray on her way off for not responding, which was ringing in Moni’s ears two overs later when she over-committed anticipating a tight drop and run from Rumana Ahmed. The call to run never came despite Moni running halfway down and she was left stranded and staring at a dumbfounded Rumana. Devine turned the screws. Jensen pinned Rumana plumb in front and Sobhana Mostary holed out as the rate got out of hand. Kerr then produced a stunning wrong ‘un to clean bowl Jahanara Alum for a first-ball duck. Sultana returned to bat with Bangladesh eight wickets down and 35 runs needed from just 20 balls. She found the boundary twice but picked out Devine in the last over with all hopes dashed.

Southampton breathed a major sigh of relief getting back to winning ways against West Bromwich Albion, the Saints not allowing the blip of losing away at Bristol City to overwhelm them on their travels to the Hawthorns.

It ended up being a rather routine Championship win against Carlos Corberan's playoff hopefuls on their own patch last Friday night, with Southampton confidently winning 2-0 courtesy of a Ryan Fraser strike on top of a first goal for David Brooks in Saints red and white.

Still, with tonight's game against Hull City looming large and Russell Martin needing his troops to be fresh against the potentially tricky Tigers, the former Swansea City boss could look to drop Shea Charles in the centre of the park after an unmemorable showing versus the Baggies.

Shea Charles' performance vs West Brom in numbers

The former Manchester City midfielder has found himself back in the central Saints midfield trio owing to Flynn Downes being sidelined through injury, but could now find himself out of the starting lineup again.

Whilst the likes of Stuart Armstrong stood out centrally as a creative force, the experienced Scotsman notching up an impressive five key passes, with one of those resulting in an assist, Charles was more quiet and reserved in his approach, making just 43 touches in total – fewer than teammate Gavin Bazunu (62) in the sticks.

The Northern Ireland international would win just above half of his duels against the Baggies, coming in at a 55.556% win percentage, whilst only notching up one key pass in the contest compared to Armstrong's glowing numbers.

Giving up possession seven times in the middle of the pitch also, with Smallbone squandering the ball just three times in contrast, the promising 20-year-old could be dropped to the bench against Hull after an unnoteworthy 58-minute spell at the Hawthorns.

Chalkboard

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

Joe Aribo could well benefit from Martin axing Charles, with the ex-Rangers man showing glimpses of his quality going forward when the Saints boss decided to bring the 27-year-old on for a run-out last time out.

Joe Aribo's performance vs West Brom in numbers

Martin remaining hush about Downes being potentially fit and ready for a return to action against Hull could see Aribo benefit from the West Ham United man's continued absence also, the Nigerian attacking midfielder raring to go if selected against Liam Rosenior's visitors tonight.

The Saints' number seven stood out when introduced late on against West Brom, Aribo attempting to drive his promotion-chasing team forward more in pursuit of a fantastic away day win.

Successfully completing all of his dribbles from an impactful 32-minute cameo to unnerve the Baggies, Aribo was also solid in nullifying Corberan's hosts when tracking back to help out defensively.

The former Rangers man would win 100% of his ground duels on the night, giving the Saints more bite as well as more of a direct presence foraying forward.

After coming on and shining against West Brom, Martin might well be intrigued to see how Aribo would fare from the get-go against Hull tonight.

As games become more and more pressurised and intense with the season gradually nearing towards its conclusion, Martin will need to utilise all of the squad at his disposal effectively which could see Charles make way for Aribo to have a chance to impress again at St. Mary's.

The Strikers are looking to bounce back from a poor season and all eyes will be on AB de Villiers when he joins the Heat

Alex Malcolm and Andrew McGlashan13-Dec-2019

Adelaide Strikers

Captain: Travis HeadCoach: Jason GillespieOverseas players: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Phil Salt (England)Full squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Rashid Khan, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Harry Nielsen, Liam O’Connor, Phil Salt, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jonathan Wells, Cameron White, Nick Winter, Harry ConwayLast season: 7thThe Strikers went from champions to second from bottom in a campaign that never really got off the ground with a four-game losing streak mid-season ending their hopes of a successful title defence.What’s changed for the season?Gillespie has used his Sussex knowledge to bring in top-order batsman Salt, who briefly featured in the England T20I squad earlier this year. Ben Laughlin, a long-time part of the Strikers attack, has moved to the Brisbane Heat for family reasons, with Harry Conway coming into the squad. Cameron White, in what is likely to be the final fling of his career, brings winning experience from the Melbourne Renegades.Australia impactHead and possibly Michael Neser will be featuring in the Test side until early January, and Alex Carey will be lost to the ODI tour India mid-tournament. There is a chance that if Neser remains in the Test squad he could be released for BBL duty if not needed against New Zealand.Player to watchWes Agar has been bowling very well in Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield cricket this season and, after just two matches for the Strikers last summer, could get greater opportunity in this campaign particularly with the departure of Laughlin and if Neser is on Australia duty.Key stat (Gaurav Sundararaman)Rashid Khan‘s form might have dipped in other T20s and ODIs in 2019 but his performance in the Big Bash is extraordinary. In the last two seasons, Rashid has taken 37 wickets at an economy rate of 5.93 and 45% of his deliveries are dots.AB de Villiers unleashes while down on one knee•Getty Images

Brisbane Heat

Captain: Chris LynnCoach: Darren LehmannOverseas players: Tom Banton (England – first eight games), AB de Villiers (South Africa – expected from January 9), Zahir Khan (Afghanistan), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)Full squad: Tom Banton, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, AB De Villiers (overseas replacement), Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Zahir Khan, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Laughlin, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, James Pattinson, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (overseas replacement)Last season: 5thThey had a lot of hype about them but failed to fire, missing the finals by a game. Their much-vaunted top order made a lot of bright starts but fizzled out quickly and the order was chopped and changed throughout the tournament. They saved their best work for the last two games with two magnificent chases but it was too little too late.What’s changed for the season?A new coach and a few new bash brothers. Darren Lehmann, who led the Heat to the title in BBL02, takes charge again after Daniel Vettori stepped down. The signing of AB de Villiers and Tom Banton made a huge stir. They will play half the tournament each with de Villiers available for the finals. The Heat have the best batting line-up in the BBL but historically the best bowling teams have won the tournament and they will need to bowl well. Laughlin’s return to Queensland from the Strikers having won a title in Adelaide is a nice addition.Australia impactJames Pattinson’s availability early in the tournament is subject to his Test duties but he could play more games than the Heat had planned for, given the form of Australia’s incumbent Test quicks. Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne will be unavailable in the early part of the tournament but both may even struggle to get a game for the Heat given the batting depth. It is unlikely many Heat players will head to India with the ODI team, although Labuschagne was named joint player of the Marsh Cup and Australia may want to look at him in a second format if they experiment with the side.Player to watchMax Bryant is the obvious choice. He has so much potential but capitalising on starts and finding consistency as a young player is his biggest challenge. He has had a lean season in 50-over cricket for Queensland but a couple of early scores in the BBL and he could go have a huge tournament.Key stat (Gaurav Sundararaman)Tom Banton comes into this competition with very high expectations. Out of the 41 players to have faced 200 balls in powerplays in 2019, Banton has the best strike rate of 160. He scores big and at a brisk pace. The Gabba pitch could be perfect for Banton to showcase his skills.

Leeds United are no closer to securing a January signing, with anxiety levels growing at Elland Road that no new incomings will be coming through the door between now and the very near shutting of the transfer window.

With automatic promotion rivals Ipswich Town recruiting well this month, alongside Southampton adding in a new body here and there to strengthen, there is a very real fear the Whites could be left behind in the hunt for the Championship top two if no moves are in the works.

With Leeds now set to miss out on transfer target Daiki Hashioka to Premier League Luton Town, the agitated Whites will now have to go full steam ahead with other right-back targets with this young star potentially arriving.

Who Leeds could sign after Hashioka snub

The Championship promotion hopefuls could well reignite their interest in young Liverpool defender Calvin Ramsay off the back of this Hashioka rejection, with a report last week in the Daily Mail from journalist Lewis Steele indicating that the West Yorkshire side were interested in signing Ramsay on loan.

Returning back to the Reds this season after an injury-plagued loan switch to Preston North End never really got off the ground, it could well be a gamble going after the former Aberdeen star in this window.

Yet, with Ramsay tearing Scottish Premiership defences for fun when at Pittodrie making him an attractive talent to land still, Farke will hope the 20-year-old arrives at Elland Road on his A-Game to finally solve Leeds' right-back issues.

How Ramsay would fit into the Leeds team

Ramsay could also well fancy a move down to the Championship again owing to Jurgen Klopp's preference to start fellow Reds starlet Conor Bradley over him recently, Bradley starring in the FA Cup against Norwich City just this weekend by picking up two assists.

The ex-Aberdeen full-back was an assist king himself up in Scotland, registering nine assists from 39 games in one impactful season playing for his former employers before Liverpool swooped in to land the 20-year-old for a fee of £6.5m.

At youth level for the Premier League club, the 5 foot 10 defender has managed to collect two assists from five games playing for the U21s with Liverpool keen for their young asset to cut his teeth in the senior game again.

In contrast, failed target Hashioka's best-ever assists total playing out in Belgium has only been five for a singular campaign – Ramsay therefore is arguably an upgrade on the in-demand Sint-Truiden man.

With Farke showing that he's unafraid to give youth a go this season, displayed in 17-year-old Archie Gray amassing 27 Championship appearances to date, the German boss could well venture down the route of utilising more raw and hungry gems away from just Gray in swooping in for the young Scotsman before deadline day.

Described as being a "great talent" by Klopp last year despite suffering many injury setbacks at Anfield, the £15k per week right-back will want to validate his hype by signing on the dotted line for Leeds and instantly helping the West Yorkshire side return to the Premier League with standout displays.