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Phillips: Ranking the Top 10 MLB Trade Candidates This Offseason

Steven Kwan was a name frequently floated at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, but ultimately he wound up remaining with the Guardians, who made a dramatic late push to reach the postseason.

Now that the offseason is here, it’s likely that the trade rumors surrounding Kwan will re-ignite. The 28-year-old is entering his fifth MLB season, and although he’s under control through the 2027 season, Cleveland may be better off looking to flip him now while his value is still sky high.

It’s not difficult to see why teams would be interested in bringing Kwan aboard this offseason. He’s won the Gold Glove at left field in each of his first four seasons in MLB and is a reliable contact hitter. He would be a huge addition for any team looking to add some stability to the lineup, as well as a steady hand in the outfield.

So, what teams would make sense as possible landing spots for Kwan? Let’s take a look at some fits.

New York Yankees

Kwan is the exact type of player the Yankees have been sorely lacking. New York, as is often the case, led MLB in home runs with 274, 30 more homers than the next best team. For all the power they have in the lineup, they lacked a reliable contact hitter. Yankees batters ranked third in MLB in strikeouts in 2025, and although they were first in OPS (.787), the team was 10th in batting average (.251).

Defense was also a major concern in New York, particularly in the outfield. Jasson Dominguez started the bulk of games at left field, but he had a disastrous year in terms of his defensive production. Dominguez ranked dead last, 33rd of 33 qualified left fielders, in outs above average (-10) and was also last in defensive runs prevented (-9). Plus, with Cody Bellinger potentially leaving in free agency, the need for a reliable defensive outfielder is even more pressing.

Kwan would alleviate the Yankees’ defensive inefficiencies in left field, while also providing them with a consistent hitter who isn’t always swinging for the fences.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers and Guardians nearly agreed to a Kwan trade in July, but the deal never came to fruition. Now, fresh off its second consecutive World Series win, L.A. may circle back around in order to get that deal over the finish line.

The two-time All-Star could fill the Dodgers’ void in left field. Michael Conforto was Los Angeles’s primary left fielder in 2025, and he struggled both on offense and defense. Kwan would be a marked improvement over Conforto, in just about every facet. Last year, Kwan slashed .272/.330/.374 with 11 home runs, 56 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He struck out at a healthy 8.7% clip, the best mark of his career and fourth-best in all of MLB.

In terms of a return, there’s perhaps no team in baseball better equipped to take on a star-caliber player like Kwan. The Dodgers have the best farm system in MLB and would certainly be able to offer Cleveland a suitable return in exchange for the All-Star outfielder.

Blue Jays

The Blue Jays made their somewhat improbable World Series run by putting the ball in play. Toronto assembled a roster of capable hitters, not many of whom will hit the stitches off the ball. The Jays prefer a more old-school approach, getting runners on base and driving them in, rather than relying on the long ball.

It served them well throughout the season and into October, and Kwan would be another great fit for that style of play. Only the Royals struck out less often than Toronto in 2025, and as previously mentioned, Kwan is rarely the victim of a strikeout. He would also provide the Jays with some much-needed baserunning. The Blue Jays ranked 28th in stolen bases last season with a total of 77 steals. Kwan alone swiped 21 bags last year, so his speed on the base paths would certainly address a need in Toronto.

Also: who took more than 2000 wickets in first-class cricket without playing in a Test?

Steven Lynch28-Apr-2020I met Michael Kasprowicz recently, and he mentioned that when he took seven wickets in a Test innings, his best figures, there were two other seven-fors in the same match. Was this a record? asked Amit Gadkari from India

The Australian seamer Michael Kasprowicz took 7 for 36 for Australia against England at The Oval in 1997, and he’s right that there were two other seven-fors: Glenn McGrath had taken 7 for 76 in England’s first innings, and in between Phil Tufnell claimed 7 for 66.This was the only occasion that there were three seven-fors in the same Test, although there was a statistically better return in Cape Town in 1889, in only the second Test ever played in South Africa: William “Gobo” Ashley took 7 for 95 in England’s total of 292, then Johnny Briggs collected 7 for 17 and 8 for 11 as South Africa were demolished for 47 and 43.Rishabh Pant made two nineties against West Indies late in 2018. Has anyone made more in one series? asked Keersi Raj from India

India’s Rishabh Pant batted twice in that 2018-19 Test series against West Indies – and scored 92 each time. That was the 39th instance of a batsman making two nineties in a Test series, but he was the first to have only two innings – the previous lowest was three, by Jeremy Coney for New Zealand against Australia in 1985-86, when he scored 98 in Christchurch and 93 in Auckland, having started the series with 101 not out in Wellington.But the clear winner is the old Australian left-hander Clem Hill. In successive innings in the 1901-02 Ashes, Hill was dismissed for 99 in Melbourne, then 98 and 97 on his home ground in Adelaide. He had another near-miss – out for 87 – in the final Test in Melbourne.What is the highest number of overs bowled by an individual in a Test match? asked Muhammad Raafay from Pakistan

Technically there are two answers to this question. The most individual overs delivered by a bowler in a Test is 146.1 (including 102.1 in the first innings), by the England slow left-armer Bobby Peel, against Australia in Melbourne in 1885. But they were four-ball overs, so in all he sent down 585 deliveries, a number that has been exceeded several times in Tests with six and eight balls to the over.The record for six-ball overs is 129, by the West Indian spinner Sonny Ramadhin against England at Edgbaston in 1957. Ramadhin delivered 774 balls in the match, the overall record – and his 98 overs (588 balls) in England’s second innings is also the highest.The most eight-ball overs in one Test is 95.6 (766 balls), by the England spinner Hedley Verity in the timeless Test in Durban in 1939. South Africa’s Norman Gordon sent down 92.2 overs in that game (738 balls), the record for a pace bowler. For the full list, click here.Sonny Ramadhin bowled 129 six-ball overs – 31 in the first innings and 98 in the second – in a Test against England at Edgbaston in 1957•Getty ImagesWho took more than 2000 wickets in first-class cricket without playing in a Test? asked Gordon Brine from New Zealand

In all, 33 bowlers have taken 2000 or more wickets in first-class cricket – and, given the general reduction in matches these days, it looks unlikely that anyone will ever join them. Courtney Walsh, who finished with 1807 first-class wickets, is the only bowler with more than 1500 who appeared in the current century – and even he retired in 2001.The top 21 wicket-takers all appeared in Test cricket, but three of the others who finished up with more than 2000 wickets did not. Seamer Jack Newman took 2054, mainly for Hampshire, while the Gloucestershire slow left-armer George Dennett collected 2151. But the leading wicket-taker among non-Test players is the Glamorgan stalwart Don Shepherd, who took 2218 with his medium-paced cutters and spinners.James Faulkner took six wickets in his only Test match for Australia, but without taking five in an innings. It got me wondering, what was the most wickets taken on Test debut without a five-for? asked Jack Nugee from England

I had thought that James Faulkner, whose only Test came at The Oval in 2013, might be quite high on this list – but actually there are no fewer than 81 bowlers who took six or more wickets on debut without the aid of a five-for in either innings.Thirteen of them took the maximum of eight – four in each innings – most recently the South African offspinner Dane Piedt, with 4 for 90 and 4 for 62 on his debut, against Zimbabwe in Harare in August 2014. The best such debut figures are 8 for 99 (4 for 43 and 4 for 56) by the Australian fast bowler Laurie Mayne, against West Indies in Kingston in 1964-65.Use our
feedback form or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

MatériaMais Notícias

da stake casino： Alvo de muitas críticas por parte de jogadores, torcedores e imprensa, o gramado do Maracanã está passando por um período de recuperação visando a final da Copa do Brasil. Flamengo e São Paulo se enfrentam pelo jogo de ida no dia 17 de setembro, no Rio de Janeiro.

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da pixbet： Em entrevista ao Lance!, Lucas Pedrosa, diretor técnico da Greenleaf Gramados, empresa responsável por cuidar do campo, explicou como está sendo feito esse processo por um tapete de excelência para a grande decisão. Atualmente, os pontos mais críticos são os trechos do setor norte do estádio, mas também as linhas em que há demarcações.

+ Confira a classificação do Brasileirão

– O setor norte tem falta de luz, então a grama não fica com a mesma densidade que no sul, mas tem grama lá. Está tudo fechado com grama. Claro que com esse tempo nublado e chuvoso, o início do nosso procedimento acabou sendo atrapalhado, mas estamos retirando toda a crosta de tinta das linhas, nivelando novamente com areia e replantando. Fazendo enxertos para ter muda e melhorar esse problema das linhas. Não vai fechar em 20 dias, mas vamos ter grama naquelas áreas.

+ Fala, Jogadô! Resenha exclusiva com um dos maiores treinadores da história do futebol brasileiro: Abel Braga. Confira!

Além dos trechos mais críticos, outras regiões também sofrem com problemas, mas considerados menos drásticos. Pedrosa também revelou que o gramado do Maracanã está sendo “bombado” e que deve se encontrar em excelente condição para receber o duelo entre Flamengo e São Paulo.

– No resto do campo, estamos fazendo procedimento de limpeza com corte vertical, estamos sugando o resíduo que é do dia a dia do corte, fazendo uma cobertura de areia para proteger essa replantação nova. E muitos procedimentos nutritivos e granulados serão pesados. Quando você tem muitos jogos, você fica engessado para fazer essa nutrição. Você fica com uma atividade de nutrição por semana. Com essa parada, vamos fazer essa nutrição de duas a três vezes por semana. Vamos bombar o gramado. Aproveitar que não haverá pisoteio para que ele recupere a densidade de novo. Ele vai recuperar muito bem as falhas, os danos. As linhas não ficarão 100%, mas os programas de operações, tanto com máquina quanto essa parte nutricional, serão pesadas.

Há uma grande expectativa por parte da empresa responsável pelos cuidados do gramado do Maracanã que com os produtos e hormônios aplicados, o campo tenha um ganho considerável de densidade nos trechos de demarcações de linhas. O aumento de incidência solar e temperatura também devem ajudar na recuperação de quase 100% do terreno.

Logo após o duelo entre Flamengo e Internacional, as máquinas de luzes artificiais foram colocadas no campo visando uma recuperação mais rápida do campo. Além de elogiar o tratamento feito no dia a dia, Pedrosa afirmou ser um luxo ter esses mais de 20 dias para o processo que está sendo realizado.

– O Maracanã é um dos estádios que mais utiliza luz (artificial) no país. Estamos desde fevereiro usando luz sem parar. Tiramos quatro horas antes dos jogos, mas voltamos logo depois da partida e fica a semana inteira ligada. Isso tem feito uma diferença enorme na parte norte. Se não houvesse a luz, possivelmente haveria falta de grama na região. Vamos conseguir devolver toda a densidade, coloração e um gramado de excelência para a final. Como a gente não tem uma semana parado, 20 dias é um luxo.

Desde o último dia 26 de agosto, o Maracanã está fechado para jogos por conta da recuperação do gramado. O Fluminense precisou mudar o lugar de seu confronto diante do Fortaleza, que será disputado no dia 3 de setembro, para o Raulino de Oliveira, em Volta Redonda.

CONFIRA OUTROS TEMAS SOBRE O GRAMADO DO MARACANÃ:

JOGO ENTRE VASCO E FLUMINENSE, NO DIA 16 DE SETEMBRO

– Qualquer intervalo em que você tenha dois jogos em menos de 24 horas, você tem um dano. Não que vá ter muito dano para a final, mas quebra um pouco essa sequência de final de temporada. Você eleva o nível do gramado e vem dois jogos seguidos. Já tem uma queda para a sequência dos outros jogos. Não é bom. Não é recomendado uma partida no dia 16 (de setembro) ainda mais para estragar um espetáculo que é uma final, com um valor alto de premiação, uma competição tão importante.

FINAL DA LIBERTADORES

– Já fizemos o planejamento de trabalho de operação de maquinaria e nutrição para ter respostas para a final da Libertadores, mas o intervalo (do tempo de recuperação) ainda está em aberto. Flamengo e Fluminense precisam ceder. Teríamos que ter mais de 20 dias de gramado parado para a gente fazer o que estamos fazendo agora. As atividades requerem tempo. Tenho que fazer dia após dia, e o gramado ir respondendo com o que estou operando. Teriam que sair (do calendário do Maracanã) dois jogos de Flamengo e dois de Fluminense, então ainda há um impasse. O ideal é como seria uma revitalização com 30 dias. Até isso a Conmebol gostaria que fosse, mas logo foram barrados, pois iriam tirar muitos jogos. E é receita isso. Estuda-se um intervalo de duas semanas, mas ainda não temos isso. E o processo seria parecido com o que está sendo feito agora. Mas em outubro você tem mais calor, mais incidência solar. A grama bermuda é uma grama que precisa de mais horas de luz por dia. Quanto mais luz, mais sol, mais rápida será a resposta.

AQUECIMENTO NO CAMPO

– Uma situação que prejudica o Maracanã não são apenas os números de jogos. O que mais prejudica hoje é o pré-jogo. O aquecimento dura 40 minutos. Nesse aquecimento, você tem dois times treinando em meio campo, não só os titulares, como os suplentes. Você tem 24 jogadores de um lado e do outro fazendo bobinho, fazendo físico, chutando bola para o gol. Esse trabalho físico, de campo reduzido, é o que mais causa dano antes da partida. Você tem praticamente três tempos de jogo em cada partida. Se você pegar dois jogos seguidos, como foi o do Fluminense e depois do Vasco, você tem praticamente seis tempos de jogo em menos de 15 horas. A chuva foi a cereja do bolo. Eu mandei uma carta para a CBF pedindo que fosse considerado evitar bobinho, físico dentro das quatro linhas, mas a entidade, assim com a Conmebol, quer um gramado de excelência, mas não atuam firmemente nessa parte. Deve-se restringir as atividades feitas no gramado. Gramado é um ser vivo, ele sente o pisoteio. É um fator que pouca gente sabe, mas eu sempre bato na tecla. A gente é cobrado, mas não temos o suporte devido.

Atletico Madrid have beaten Wolves and AC Milan to sign 22-year-old right-back Marc Pubill from Almeria.

Atletico acted swiftly after Areso deal collapsedPubill to sign five-year deal22-year-old won Olympic gold with Spain last yearFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Atletico didn’t waste time after the Jesus Areso deal shockingly fell apart. They quickly struck a deal with Almeria for Pubill, who had been on the Spanish club's radar for a while. According to , Madrid agreed to pay around €12 million ($13m/£10m) plus add-ons, with Pubill expected to sign a five-year contract once he completes his medical on Wednesday.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Atletico thought they had things wrapped up with Areso. They had a deal in place with Osasuna and believed the defender was on his way to the capital. But in a shocking twist, Osasuna sold him to Athletic Club, reportedly ignoring their agreement with Atleti altogether.

However, rather than dwell on it, Atletico's front office turned to Almeria for Pubill and got the deal done. Wolves, AC Milan and Barcelona were reportedly interested in signing the Spaniard, but Atletico didn’t take any chances and wrapped up the move in record time.

"Atlético de Madrid and UD Almería have reached an agreement for the transfer of Marc Pubill to our club, pending his passing the relevant medical examination and signing a new contract," a statement from Atletico read.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Terrassa-born defender made his La Liga debut with Levante in 2021 at just 18, then moved to Almería in 2023. In two seasons, he played 63 matches, scoring twice and assisting eight. Pubill was part of Spain’s squad during their gold medal run at the Paris Olympics last year.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO MADRID?

Atleti needed to sort out the right-back position, especially with Nahuel Molina occupying a non-EU slot. Madrid's next step would be to find a suitable club for Molina, who could leave on loan.

Ricky Ponting has tipped Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India later this year by a 3-1 margin.He said the hosts will have a “bit of a point to prove” after losing their previous two home Test series to India 2-1 in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Australia have not beaten India in a Test series since 2014-15.”It’s going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia’s got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what’s happened the last two series here,” Ponting said on the . “We are back to five Tests as well, which is the other really important thing about this series. It’s only been four Tests the last couple of times. Five tests, I think everyone’s really excited by that and I don’t know if there’d be too many drawn games.”I’m obviously going to tip Australia to win and I’m never going to tip against Australia. There will be a draw somewhere and there will be some bad weather somewhere, so I’m going to say 3-1 to Australia.”

Should Steven Smith continue to open?

Ponting said the Australian side would “pretty much pick itself” but he wasn’t sure whether Steven Smith should continue to open or not, after the spot was left vacant by David Warner’s retirement at the SCG earlier this year.”Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if Smith’s the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side.”So I’ll rephrase it, not whether Smith’s the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it’s the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn’t think it’s the right spot then they’ll make a change and get someone else back up there.”In his last Test series, in New Zealand in March, Smith scored just 51 runs in four innings while opening. His promotion to the top after Warner retired was to also accommodate Cameron Green in the XI, which paid dividends when Green was the top scorer on the tour with 238 runs in four innings including a career-best 174 not out in Wellington.Though the sample size is small – eight innings as opener – the numbers aren’t in Smith’s favour. Apart from a high score of 91 against West Indies at the Gabba this year, he has passed 30 only once and averages 28.50.

Also: what’s the most common fielder/bowler dismissal in ODIs?

Steven Lynch13-Nov-2018New Zealand had four scores of 1 in an ODI last week. Was this a record? asked Malcolm Power from New Zealand

New Zealand’s total of 209 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi last Friday included 1s from Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Trent Boult, and 1 not out from Lockie Ferguson. This was actually the 19th occasion there have been four scores of 1 in the same ODI innings (in only six of the cases were all four batsmen dismissed), but the record is five, by Zimbabwe against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004-05.New Zealand’s innings the other day also contained three scores of 13 (by Colin Munro, Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi). I’m indebted to researcher Aslam Siddiqui, who pointed out on the Ask Steven Facebook page that the combination of four 1s and three 13s had actually happened once before – by West Indies against Pakistan in Brisbane in 1981-82.What’s the highest total in ODIs and T20 internationals with no extras at all? asked Asim Mehmood from Pakistan

The highest total in one-day internationals not to include a single extra is India’s 265 for 1 against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy semi-final at Edgbaston in 2017. The only other extra-less total of more than 200 is Scotland’s 229 for 3 against UAE in Edinburgh in 2016.The highest in T20Is is Pakistan’s 129 for 7 against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Mirpur in March 2016. Four days later in the final, also in Mirpur, Bangladesh’s bowlers kept it tight again, conceding no extras in India’s winning total of 122 for 2. There are no other totals of more than 90 without any extras in T20Is.Just to complete the set, the highest Test total without any extras is Pakistan’s 328 against India in Lahore in 1954-55.What’s the longest gap between a player’s Test debut and his first one-day international? asked Martin Porter from England

The granddaddy of them all is Brian Close, who played his first Test for England in 1949, and made his only three one-day international appearances more than 23 years later in 1972, as stand-in captain for the injured Ray Illingworth. Next comes another Englishman in Norman Gifford, who made his Test debut during the 1964 Ashes and played his only two ODIs nearly 22 years later, in March 1986. Just short of his 45th birthday, Gifford remains the oldest Englishman – and the third-oldest overall – to appear in an ODI.Close and Gifford both started their Test careers before one-day internationals had been thought of. The longest gap I can find by someone who made his Test debut after 1971, when the first ODI was played, is around eight and a half years, by the New Zealand fast bowler Kerry Walmsley, who won his first Test cap in March 1995 and made his ODI debut in November 2003. John Traicos, who made his Test debut for South Africa in March 1970, shortly before one-day internationals came into being, played his first official ODI – for Zimbabwe – more than 13 years later in June 1983, during the World Cup in England.Aminul Islam and Akram Khan both made their debuts in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test, against India in Dhaka in November 2000. Both had made their official ODI debuts more than 12 years previously – Aminul on October 27, 1988, and Akram two days later. Offspinner Shaun Udal played his first one-day international for England in May 1994, and made his Test debut 11 and a half years later, in November 2005.Gilchrist and McGrath have taken 72 wickets together caught and bowled, second only to Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini, who have 75•Getty ImagesWhat’s the most common fielder/bowler dismissal in ODIs? My money’s on caught Adam Gilchrist bowled Glenn McGrath! asked Jim Kennedy from Australia

You’re very close: c Gilchrist b McGrath is actually second on this particular list, with 72 such dismissals (Gilchrist even added a stumping off McGrath – Craig McMillan of New Zealand in Wellington in 2004-05).But the most common fielder/bowler combination in ODIs, with 75 victims, is caught Mark Boucher bowled Makhaya Ntini. Boucher is also third on the list, with 61 catches (plus a stumping) off Shaun Pollock.The leading non-wicketkeeper is Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 35 catches off his own bowling in ODIs. The New Zealander Chris Harris took 29 return catches. Murali then features again: Mahela Jayawardene took 28 catches off his bowling in ODIs.Who scored the most Test runs as a teenager? asked Anikett Dass from India

It’s no great surprise to find Sachin Tendulkar leading the way here. He played 25 Tests while still in his teens, amassing 1522 runs. Mushtaq Mohammad comes next on the list with 868, then Mohammad Ashraful (798) and Parthiv Patel (669), just ahead of Javed Miandad with 655. Daniel Vettori took 54 Test wickets while still in his teens, and Mohammad Amir 51.Tendulkar’s five teenage Test tons is also easily the record: Mushtaq, Javed, Graeme Pollock, Neil Harvey (in only four matches) and Saleem Malik all made two. Javed, though, is the only teenager to score a double-century in a Test, with 206 against New Zealand in Karachi in 1976-77.Use our feedback form or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

The more you watch the Ben Stokes dismissal, the more you break it down, the better it gets

Osman Samiuddin07-Aug-2020We’re running, you may have noticed, a Balls of the Century series at . The top 20 have been picked – and boo, down with recency bias and all that – but we may have to scrap it and restart the whole damn thing after Mohammad Abbas’ intervention yesterday.There’s nothing else that can be done about it because, as with every single ball in that list and in the best way possible, once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it. The more you watch it, the more you listen to it, the more you slow it down, the more you break it down, the better it gets, a little like .WATCH: Ben Stokes b Mohammad Abbas (courtesy ecb.co.uk)The thing about the ball to dismiss Ben Stokes is the impossibility of even imagining it happening. Every single moment in the existence of this delivery exists only to prove that it cannot possibly do what it ultimately ends up doing. If you think that’s hype, Nasser Hussain’s immediate reaction should be proof.Very little that happens on a cricket field is a surprise to Hussain but there’s just the tiniest hint that even he is thrown off by this.”Oh gone!” he lets out, almost involuntarily, before being drowned out by the s. He recovers quickly: “What a beauty… it takes something special to get Stokes out and that is special.” As ever, it is pitch-perfect for the moment, but that bit of surprise at the start is telling: something that even Hussain couldn’t account for has happened.ALSO READ: Abbas transforms contest to leave England’s outlook cloudy”Oh gone!” is not an inarticulate reaction, though this is the man who within eight seconds of it happening had given us the 11 immortal words that both caught a moment and scripted an entire history: “Pakistan cricket at its best, one minute down, next minute up!” (Three years on, my geese remain bumped.)Completely understandable, because bowled was the least likely mode of dismissal when this delivery began. Batsmen take guard outside the crease to Abbas often, which is not to say that it works. Aaron Finch did it in the UAE two years ago and it worked for as long as Abbas allowed it to. But Abbas to Finch is a different game, not only because it is right-arm over to a right-hand batsman. Stokes is a better Test batsman, in better form, and what’s more, had recent history in countering similar conundrums against Kemar Roach and Jason Holder. And unlike Finch, who opened, Stokes had the benefit of starting his innings having seen at least a little of what was happening. He was taking guard well outside the crease from the first ball.

The only opening Stokes gave to Abbas here was where he took guard, which is on and around leg. This is important because though he may move across the stumps significantly, because of where he starts off, there’s a paper-thin opening. Otherwise, there’s little else he does wrong through this

Abbas began from around the wicket, as part of the vogue or because he thought it made more sense in this situation. Two years ago, at Lord’s, he had trapped Stokes lbw from over the wicket, with a ball that DRS ultimately found to have pitched just in line with leg stump. Stokes was done for length there, one of those that you could stay back to, you could move forward to, but you could be out to in both scenarios.Different Stokes, different Abbas and rather than that dismissal what Stokes was doing here was geared to what Abbas was doing now with a newer ball (at Lord’s the ball was 54 overs old). He was putting Abbas off the lengths he bowls, yes – which is central to Abbas – but also negating what angle Abbas could create from round the wicket.In one of his two dismissals to Jason Holder – of similar pace but not skill as Abbas – Stokes had moved across rather than Holder from around the wicket, and edged behind. Holder was over the wicket for the other, Stokes again moving across to edge to gully.The only opening Stokes gave to Abbas here was where he took guard, which, as the screenshot below shows is on and around leg. This is important because though he may move across the stumps significantly, because of where he starts off, there’s a paper-thin opening. Otherwise there’s little else he does wrong through this.ECBIn other words, what that guard did, possibly, was to allow Abbas to see two stumps clearly and map out a delivery that could beat Stokes: angling in, cutting away, not hitting those stumps but beating him and catching an edge. Even then, the precision required is beyond the 10,000- hours-of-practice rule.Stokes is already well outside his crease but only makes his first move as Abbas’s right arm is beginning its arc to release, moving his back foot across and mostly forward.At the point of release, Stokes is further down and now showing Abbas one-and-a-half stumps. It’s too late for Abbas to adjust, though.ECBAs the ball pitches, Stokes has seen the line, worked out the length, and committed to the stroke, his front foot landing. It also appears as if he’s covering the stumps. This is where the optical illusion begins because just one stump is now visible to the viewer.ECBThe magic frame, as the ball reaches Stokes. The first part is done – Abbas has drifted it in so that the line is very tight. Between the last frame and this one, Stokes’ bat has moved closer to the body, probably accounting for the bit of swing in.And then it’s cut away. Still, there’s no way to see, from this moment on, this ball hitting off-stump. An edge – yes, off stump – no, especially because Abbas has pulled the length back and on this surface, there’s every chance it bounces over the stumps from there.ECBNow it’s gone past the edge. Still no, off stump – no way. Stokes has done most things right still, head in line, not over-balanced, but remember that paper-thin opening?ECBOnly now, a day later, we all know what happened next but on watching it live, the brain’s first reaction was to short-circuit. There’s a sound – is that a stump, an edge? In real time, I first thought the ball must have slipped under the toe of his bat, that Stokes had yorked himself because only that could explain how the ball hit the stumps at all. The expression forming on Stokes’ face below suggests, more than one brain was struggling to comprehend what happened.ECBData breaks down what happens in cricket better than ever before. Cricviz recorded this ball swinging in 0.2 degrees and seaming away 1.8 degrees but that’s like using numbers to explain love.

Oh yes @Mohmmadabbas111 pic.twitter.com/NioNE1spDR

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 6, 2020

Watch the dismissal all you want, and if it makes sense, great. If it doesn’t (not unlike Wasim Akram to Rahul Dravid), watch it anyway because there’s no limit to how much you can appreciate something, and appreciating something while not understanding it is perfectly acceptable. As, in fact, a slight paraphrasing of another Nasser Hussain gem shows us: no way, no, no way, you cannot do that, Mohammad Abbas.

عقد آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، مؤتمرًا صحفيًا منذ قليل للحديث عن مباراة يوم الثلاثاء ضد نظيره فريق جالطة سراي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26.

ويستضيف جالطة سراي خصمه ليفربول، في خضم منافسات الجولة الثانية من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري.

وشهدت قائمة ليفربول المستدعاة لخوض مباراة جالطة سراي استبعاد فيديريكو كييزا بشكل مفاجئ، رغم إدراجه في قائمة النادي في دوري أبطال أوروبا قبل يومين بعد إتاحة مساحة عقب إصابة جيوفاني ليوني بتمزق في الرباط الصليبي.

وقال سلوت، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “لقد شعر بآلام خفيفة في المباراة الأخيرة ضد كريستال بالاس (يوم السبت في الدوري الإنجليزي) لقد حاول ذلك لكنه لم يتمكن من إنهاء الجلسة التدريبية، لذلك قررنا عدم إشراكه لأننا سنواجه تشيلسي بعد بضعة أيام”.

وأضاف: “الاستفادة من الخسارة أمام كريستال بالاس؟ الفوز، الخسارة، أو التعادل، إذا كنت ترغب في المنافسة على الألقاب وارتداء قميص ليفربول، فعليك بذل قصارى جهدك وتقديم أداء جيد، لقد استقبلنا العديد من الفرص لذلك يمكننا التحسن، وسأعرض هذه الأمور على اللاعبين الليلة”.

وأردف: “لا نلعب من أجل الاستحواذ، بل لتسجيل الأهداف والفوز بالمباريات، منذ وجود ليفربول كان استحواذهم على الكرة أكبر من غيرهم، وأحيانًا تلجأ الفرق للدفاع بقوة، تُدار الفرق بشكل جيد وتتمتع بلياقة بدنية عالية، مما يجعل اللعب أكثر صعوبة، لذلك تعاقدنا مع مهاجمين أكفاء قادرين على تجاوز صعوبات اللعب، لكن الأمر ليس سهلًا على أي فريق”.

وواصل: “التعاقد مع إيكتيكي وإيزاك؟ أضفنا اثنين من اللاعبين رقم 9، كيف أصف هذا الأمر بشكل صحيح؟ بسبب مأساة جوتا المروعة، اضطررنا إلى فعل ذلك، لطالما ظننا أننا سنستبدل داروين نونيز، لكن كان علينا التعاقد مع اثنين، لطالما بحثنا عن لاعبين ممتازين، لكن كان واضحًا لنا منذ البداية أننا نريد هذين اللاعبين (إيزاك وإيكتيكي)”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. إيكتيكي: لن أكرر ما فعلته أمام ساوثهامبتون.. وأريد إثبات نجاح تجربة باريس سان جيرمان في ليفربول

وأردف: “إحدى نقاط قوتنا كانت تتمثل في إبعاد الفرق الأخرى عن مرمانا خلال الموسم الماضي، هذا يبدأ من مكان آخر وليس من المدافعين، لقد استقبلنا 4 أهداف من الكرات الثابتة، ولذلك غيّرنا الأظهرة ولكننا تغيرنا قليلًا، سأعود إلى الأهداف التي استقبلناها بتفصيل لكن أول ما يتبادر إلى ذهني ليس أن الأظهرة الجدد هم المشكلة”.

وشدد: “نحن نحتاج إلى 11 لاعبًا يبذلون جهدًا كبيرًا من أجل التصدي للفرص، لكن بإمكانك العمل بجد كما تشاء، ورغم ذلك فإن الكرات الثابتة لعبة مختلفة تمامًا داخل الملعب”.

واعترف: “نادرًا ما استقبلنا أهدافًا من الكرات الثابتة الموسم الماضي، علينا إثبات أننا لم نكن محظوظين في ذلك، لكن علينا بالتأكيد أن نتحسن، لأنني أرى فرقًا تفوز في مباريات الدوري الإنجليزي بفضل الكرات الثابتة”.

وأفاد: “لقد كنا أقوياء في الكرات الثابتة، وفزنا في آخر مباراة لنا في دوري أبطال أوروبا بفضل كرة ثابتة، لذلك يجب على كل فريق تواجهه أن يكون مستعدًا جيدًا للكرات الثابتة، في أيامي لم يكن هناك اجتماع لمدربي الكرات الثابتة، ناهيك عن اجتماع، أما الآن فقد أصبحت اجتماعات طويلة مثل الاجتماع التكتيكي، مما يدل على الأهمية التي نوليها للكرات الثابتة”.

وأكد سلوت صعوبة مواجهة جالطة سراي، حيث قال: “فريق مختلف يصعب هزيمته، لقد فازوا في أول 7 مباريات لذلك فهم أقوياء ذهنيًا، فريق من الصعب مواجهته، لكنهم يمتلكون مهارات، لكن لا يمكن مقارنة الفرق ببعضها، لاعبون ومدربون وتشكيلة مختلفة”.

With the end of the season edging ever closer, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke will have some key decisions to make regardless of what division they find themselves in next season.

The Whites currently sit at the top of the Championship, two points clear of third place with eight games to go, undoubtedly in pole position to end their two-year exile from the Premier League.

The German has undoubtedly been boosted in his attempts due to the excellent work conducted by the hierarchy in recent times, with the likes of Ao Tanaka arriving and seamlessly fitting into the starting eleven.

However, numerous players are likely to be moved on from Elland Road to allow for any further investment, subsequently taking the club to the next level in the process.

One player in particular is expected to depart Yorkshire, which is hardly a surprise given his lack of first-team action throughout the 2024/25 league season.

Patrick Bamford could leave Leeds this summer

Patrick Bamford is a player who captured the hearts of the fanbase back in 2020/21 when he notched 17 Premier League goals in the club’s first season back in the top flight.

However, he’s since struggled to match such performance levels, only scoring the same tally, but over the last four campaigns combined – none of which have come in 2024/25.

The 31-year-old hasn’t featured since the New Year’s Day draw with Blackburn Rovers, still sitting on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, only managing a total of 11 appearances to date.

He was strongly linked with a move to Wrexham in January, but no move materialised, given the lack of action this campaign, it looks almost certain the club will look to move him on – especially because of his £80k-per-week wages.

However, it’s likely he will be followed out of the door by numerous other players this summer, with Farke needing to offload one player alongside the striker.

The player who Leeds need to offload this summer

Leeds have invested heavily into the squad during their recent stint in the top-flight, trying to consolidate their place amongst some of the best clubs in world football.

Some of the investments have been worthwhile, with the likes of Georgino Rutter, Junior Firpo and Raphinha all being worth every penny given the time spent in Yorkshire.

However, the same can’t be said for Jack Harrison, who ultimately has struggled since his permanent move to Yorkshire, often being outshone by others around him.

He spent three years on loan at the club from Manchester City, before forking out £11m for his services back in the summer of 2021, struggling to replicate the form during his temporary stint.

Harrison only managed to register 16 goals in his 80 appearances throughout the two years prior to suffering relegation, jumping ship on spending the last two years on loan at Everton.

The 28-year-old has been unable to impress at Goodison Park, registering eight combined goals and assists in the last two years, simply not at the level required of a top-flight side.

During his spell on Merseyside, Harrison has been labelled “abysmal” by one journalist, highlighting how disappointing he’s been during his temporary spell away from Yorkshire.

His time at Leeds played a massive role in their success under Marcelo Bielsa, but given his weekly wage of £90k, he’s earned over £9m during his time at the club, which when coupled with his transfer fee has seen him bleed the club id £20m.

If the Whites are to be a success in the Premier League, should they get there by the end of the season, then it’s important Farke is able to invest and improve his current side.

Harrison ultimately isn’t the answer and his lack of impact out on loan and his extortionate wages hands the 49ers a huge reason to offload him ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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da wazamba： Tottenham Hotspur face Nottingham Forest tonight, looking to build on their tremendous victory in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.

da bet nacional： Ange Postecoglou’s side booked their place in the semi-finals, setting up a clash with Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt, with the majority of their attention on such a fixture.

However, the Lilywhites will look to end their Premier League campaign on a high, in what has been a hugely disappointing one by their usual high standards.

They have the opportunity to dent Forest’s ambitions of securing a Champions League place, led by former boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked in North London after just 17 games in all competitions.

If Ange’s side are to claim all three points this evening, he will have to drop one player who’s failed to deliver when handed the opportunity from the start in recent weeks.

Why Ange should drop Johnson against Nottingham Forest

Welsh winger Brennan Johnson has failed to match his early-season form, which saw him register a goal in six consecutive games across all competitions.

The 23-year-old has only found the back of the net twice since the end of February, with his showing against Frankfurt in midweek certainly one to forget despite the victory.

He featured for 85 minutes of the contest, completing just 69% of the passes he attempted, whilst winning just two of the six duels he entered – often being dominated in the final third.

His total of just 22 touches, an average of one every 3.8 minutes, showcased his lack of impact when on the ball, needing to be replaced as a result of his poor showing.

With little to nothing left to play for other than pride in the league, Ange could take the clash with the Reds to experiment with his first-team, potentially handing a rare start to one other first-team member.

The player who Ange must start against Nottingham Forest

Injuries have massively plagued Ange throughout the majority of this season, hugely preventing any chance of rising up the table – having to often utilise players out of position.

The likes of Archie Gray and Ben Davies have often had to fill the void at the heart of the defence, with numerous forwards missing, leaving Johnson with very little competition in the process.

Wilson Odobert is just one player who’s spent an extended period on the sidelines throughout 2024/25, restricting him from making an impact after his £25m move from Burnley last summer.

The Frenchman has only featured in 14 games across all competitions, most of which have come from the substitutes bench, but it hasn’t prevented him from making a huge impact.

In one of his most recent starts for the Lilywhites, he scored twice in the Europa League triumph over AZ Alkmaar – only making one start since his impressive showing nearly six weeks ago.

Whilst he was an unused substitute in the win on Thursday night, it could be an opportunity for Postecoglou to shuffle his pack and hand the 20-year-old just his sixth league start.

He’s completed 1.8 dribbles per 90 in the league to date, whilst also registering the same amount of efforts on goal, having the attacking threat to add to the front line.

Wilson Odobert’s PL stats for Spurs (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

10

Minutes played

448

Pass accuracy

86%

Successful dribbles

1.8

Shots taken

1.8

Duels won

4.3

Touches in opposition box

5.8

Stats via FotMob

Odobert, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Jacob Horsfall, has the drive and threat with the ball at his feet that could cause the opposition backline no end of trouble tonight.

It’s the perfect opportunity for the youngster to impress, potentially staking his claim for a starting role in the Europa League, having a massive part to play in their quest for a first trophy since 2008.

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