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ECB Reporters Network25-Aug-2016
ScorecardDaryl Mitchell brought up his hundred on a rain-wrecked day•Getty Images

Worcestershire captain Daryl Mitchell scored his first Specsavers County Championship hundred for 13 months on a drastically curtailed third day against Northamptonshire at New Road.The 32-year-old, who is in his benefit year with the County, went to his century off 164 balls with 16 boundaries to end a lean run of form. He now needs only another 28 runs to complete 10,000 runs in his career in first-class cricket.However, only 17.2 overs were possible in the day as Worcestershire added 42 runs for the loss of two wickets in reaching 195 for 3 – still 356 in arrears.With leaders Essex winning against Leicestershire at Grace Road, Worcestershire have to win to retain their slim hopes of promotion although it remains to be seen whether the two sides will collude tomorrow to try and force a positive result.Worcestershire resumed on 153 for 1 from 40 overs but added only seven more runs before Ben Sanderson accounted for Tom Fell (66) who was caught behind. His stand with Mitchell had been worth 152 in 42 overs.Mitchell, who had been on 86 overnight, reached three figures with an edge for four through the slips off Sanderson. It was his first three-figure score since a double hundred against Hampshire at New Road in July 2015.Play was halted after 12.3 overs and there was then a four-hour delay before the players returned for two brief interludes.In the first of those Joe Clarke (6) played a loose shot at yesterday’s debutant century-maker Chad Barrett and was caught by Ben Duckett at first slip.When umpires Steve Gale and Graham Lloyd called off play for the day at 5.35pm, Mitchell was unbeaten on 102.

A decision on Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman’s availability for his stint with Sussex will be taken after two weeks, once the bowler completes rehabilitation in Dhaka for his right hamstring and ankle injuries, which he suffered during his debut IPL season.In March, Sussex had announced that Mustafizur would be their second overseas player and participate in the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London One-Day Cup. The Bangladesh bowler was scheduled to join the Sussex squad at the end of the IPL but had been eager for a break after playing 16 matches for his franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mustafizur, who was the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, was also named the emerging player of IPL 2016 and missed only one game in the tournament.Mustafizur’s rehabilitation began on Thursday and Bangladesh’s physiotherapist Bayjidul Islam said the focus of the first week was on fitness and not cricket training. ESPNcricinfo learned that Mustafizur will be assessed again after eight days while his rehabilitation will extend for two weeks.”We will take a decision on him when we see his improvement,” Bayjidul said. “For the first week I don’t see any possibility of him taking the field. We are working on his hamstring and ankle injuries. He has recovered from the shoulder and side strain.”Bayjidul and Bangladesh trainer Mario Villavarayen rechecked Mustafizur’s physical condition. There was slight concern about the bowler’s weight but Bayjidul said he was happy with the current measurements.Mustafizur has struggled with injuries this year. A shoulder injury during a T20I against Zimbabwe in February ruled him out of the inaugural Pakistan Super League. He played only three matches in the Asia Cup before a side strain ended his participation in the tournament.Sussex have played three games in the NatWest T20 Blast so far and are placed second in the South Group points table after two wins. The team, however, lost both their Royal London One-Day Cup matches, with the next game on June 12 against Middlesex.

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling has been "very poor" of late and supporters are losing patience, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Is Sterling having a good season for Chelsea?

The 28-year-old traded Manchester City for the Blues last summer, coming in as a big-money addition who would hopefully hit the ground running. It has been a grim season at Stamford Bridge, however, with Chelsea sitting 11th in the Premier League, and Sterling's campaign has got worse as the campaign has gone on.

He has scored just four goals and registered two assists in the league, which is a poor return over 22 appearances, and he hasn't found the net in the competition since New Year's Day. While he can't be solely blamed for the various struggles on show currently, he could be offering a lot more quality and consistency.

Some recent reports have even suggested that Sterling could leave Chelsea at the end of the season, departing west London after just one year at the club.

Could forward leave this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Phillips didn't hold back in his criticism of Sterling, with far more required from the England international:

"He's been poor, very poor. There are no two ways about it. Chelsea fans are getting very frustrated with his performances. When he came in at the start, I will give him credit as he did look good and not many people really complained about the signing at the time.

"For £45 million, it wasn't bad business. An England international, very experienced player, who was coming in from Man City. Obviously, he's been there and he's done it, so bringing a player like that into the squad, it didn't really get frowned upon.

"But right now, Chelsea fans have lost their patience with Sterling."

There is no doubt that Sterling has ultimately been an underwhelming signing to date, considering what a strong career he has had, scoring 131 goals for City and bring a key man for several years, as well as netting 20 times in 82 caps for England.

The hope is that his struggles are in tandem with that of Chelsea's as a team, so selling him soon wouldn't make sense, given his pedigree as a footballer, being hailed as "frightening" by Tony Cascarino last year.

Sterling has to do better between now and the end of this campaign, though, starting against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, when he could win round the doubters if he inspires the Blues to a Champions League comeback.

Aston Villa are thought to be plotting a move for Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu this summer, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Expecting a busy summer

NSWE were willing to hand Unai Emery a ‘huge’ January transfer budget after he took over from Steven Gerrard last year, however, the Spaniard only brought in two players in Alex Moreno and Jhon Duran.

He has improved the current squad, taking them comfortably away from the danger zone after picking up 26 points from his opening 14 Premier League games in charge.

It seems as if there could be plenty of incomings and outgoings in the summer following a relatively quiet window, with chief executive Christian Purslow “expecting an extremely busy summer”.

Ashley Preece has previously said that ‘a new No.9 to partner Ollie Watkins is at the top of Villa’s shopping list this summer’, while also adding that ‘the defence will be strengthened’. It seems as if Emery and co may have identified their defensive target in Salisu.

The Latest: Villa keen

Football Insider shared a transfer update in the last 24 hours regarding Salisu and Villa. They revealed that those at Villa Park are plotting to sign the Southampton defender over the coming months, with Salisu possibly available for £25m.

Premier League rivals Leicester City and Manchester United are also thought to be keen on the 23-year-old, with the report adding that the Saints are bracing themselves for interest.

The Verdict: Shrewd signing?

Salisu arrived at Southampton back in 2020 and has gone on to make 80 appearances for the club, 28 of which have come during the current campaign.

The Ghana international has been a solid performer in what has been a struggling Saints side. Salisu is currently Southampton’s joint second-best performer behind James Ward-Prowse, as per WhoScored, averaging a better match rating than any Villa defender.

He has been hailed as a ‘nasty’ defender in his duels by his old Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, something which is proven with Salisu making more tackles per 90 than any of his teammates. The centre-back has also averaged a whopping 5.4 clearances per game, more than the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa.

The Saints man appears to be at the top of his game in England with a career-high €18m Transfermarkt valuation, so if he is unable to help keep his current employers in the top flight, a move to the Midlands could be one to keep an eye on.

Liverpool completing a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is ‘not hot at this stage’, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Lowdown: The story so far

Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City, alongside the Reds, have all been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old, who is making a name for himself in the Bundesliga.

90min report that Jurgen Klopp has already sent scouts to watch the Croatian in action, so that he and the hierarchy are able to maintain regular updates on his transfer situation.

Marco Rose’s centre-back has publicly made it known that he supported the Merseysiders growing up and would love to one day complete a move to Anfield.

The Latest: Plettenberg’s update

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Liverpool aren’t currently in talks to sign Gvardiol. He wrote:

“News #Gvardiol: As reported yesterday #LFC is interested! He’s on the list. It would be a great fitting. But I’ve been told that it’s not hot at this stage. No negotiations. Leipzig wants to keep him 100%. Release clause in summer 2024 (!) is around €110m.”

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The Verdict: Splash the cash

Gvardiol’s release clause being £97m as of next year isn’t at all cheap for a centre-back, but Liverpool should splash the cash to secure his services whenever the opportunity presents itself.

The Zagreb native is currently averaging 2.5 tackles and 1.4 aerial wins per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga, via WhoScored, but can also be a threat in the final third.

The 6 foot 1 colossus has scored two goals in five Champions League appearances this season showing that he’s a danger at set pieces, much like Virgil Van Dijk.

Gvardiol will know what it takes to be successful having already won four trophies despite his young age, and he would only thrive further under the leadership of Klopp should he sign on the dotted line.

The Colorado Rapids are expected to appoint Tottenham Hotspur assistant Matt Wells as their next head coach, according to a report from The Athletic. Wells, 37, would be stepping into his first senior managerial role and would become one of the youngest head coaches in MLS when he arrives ahead of the 2026 season.

AFPA diverse coaching background

Wells is currently part of Thomas Frank’s staff at Spurs and previously worked under Ange Postecoglou, where he took on significant responsibility during training sessions and match preparation.

Before returning to North London, Wells served as an assistant to Scott Parker at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge – a stretch that included promotions and European experience. He also began his coaching career in Tottenham’s academy, where he coached the club’s Under-18 side.

reports that Colorado has been encouraged by Wells’ background and potential, believing he fits the club’s desire for a cohesive approach between coaching and recruitment as it looks to elevate a young core.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhy the Rapids targeted him

The Rapids interviewed a wide range of candidates, both domestically and abroad, before settling on Wells, according to the report. The club places an emphasis on alignment between the head coach and roster construction, and Wells has been involved in early offseason planning.

The squad includes several foundational pieces, led by U.S. international Paxten Aaronson, along with goalkeeper Zack Steffen, Rob Holding, Cole Bassett, Sam Vines, and Reggie Cannon.

Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro – who has 27 goals and 10 assists over the last two seasons – could still depart this winter after Colorado rejected a significant bid from Fluminense in the summer. A move would open a Designated Player slot for the club.

How this impacts Spurs…

Colorado and Arsenal share ownership through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, yet the Rapids appear set to appoint an assistant from Tottenham, one of Arsenal’s rivals. The club previously interviewed former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere during a past coaching search.

If Wells departs, it would mark the first notable change to Thomas Frank’s coaching staff since his arrival at Spurs. Wells is the only assistant from Postecoglou’s staff who remained in place and is viewed internally as a sharp tactical mind with inventive training methods.

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What comes next?

According to , Wells has long been seen as a young coach ready for his own project. A move to MLS would offer that opportunity, while signaling Colorado’s continued push toward a modern, aligned football identity under a first-time head coach.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAssociated Press

Mahmudullah, sublimely poised while chaos roiled around him, hoisted an Isuru Udana ball over the square leg boundary when six runs were required off the last two balls, propelling Bangladesh to victory in scintillating fashion. It is difficult to overstate the importance of his innings, though the numbers – 43 off 18 balls – bear witness to its quality. Incensed by several mistakes from his team-mates, maintaining his focus even through an ugly final over in which a Bangladesh sub was given a shove by a Sri Lanka player and Shakib Al Hasan seemed intent on bringing his batsmen off the field, Mahmudullah completed the chase of 160 with No. 10 batsman Rubel Hossain at the other end.A year’s worth of nerves and acrimony was packed into the final over. Tension between these teams had been high throughout the tournament, owing partly to the “nagin” [cobra] dance that they had mockingly traded with each other, a childish saga that had begun during Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh. But it was upon the umpires’ failure to call the second delivery of that over a no-ball for height (it was the second bouncer of the over, the first having been a dot ball to Mustafizur Rahman), that the drama really sparked off. Mahmudullah was in the umpires’ faces, imploring them to award a no-ball that would make the requirement 11 off five balls with a free-hit to boot, instead of 12 off 4. Mustafizur, meanwhile, was run out attempting a bye at the other end.While Mahmudullah was arguing with the umpires, a fracas had boiled over elsewhere. A Bangladesh substitute who had come on to the field with drinks had become embroiled in an argument with the Sri Lanka players. It was when one of the Sri Lanka fielders gave the sub a push – not an almighty shove, but not a gentle prod either – that the Bangladesh dressing room became truly incensed. In a flash, Shakib came down the stairs and to the boundary, where after after speaking animatedly with the fourth umpire, he summoned Mahmudullah and Rubel off the field.In the end, after things had seemed to settle slightly, Mahmudullah carved a four over cover the first ball after resumption, then hit two to deep midwicket and gloriously lifted that leg-side six, with Udana having overpitched. His euphoric team-mates charged the field to embrace him, dusted off a group version of the nagin dance, and were celebrating when another unseemly altercation ensued. This time Kusal Mendis was yelling at the Bangladesh players and gesturing animatedly, while Tamim Iqbal put an arm around his shoulder and attempted to calm him down. In a month in which player behaviour has been under the microscope, all this made for especially disagreeable viewing.Celebrations in the Bangladesh dressing room in Colombo went a little down the wrong direction•Andrew Fernando/ESPNcricinfo

It was a pity that the theatrics marred what was otherwise an incredibly riveting game: a T20 that had had a top-order collapse, a stirring recovery, wonderful bowling, baffling dismissals, and a myriad dramatic moments even before that denouement. This was a match in which Bangladesh had justifiably installed two slips to Thisara Perera in the ninth over of Sri Lanka’s innings, after the hosts had found themselves 41 for 5, the collapse engineered by Mustafizur, Shakib and Mehedi, with a run-out thrown into the mix. Kusal Perera was the only top order batsman to survive this mayhem, and together with Thisara, forged a courageous 97-run stand that yanked a side on the brink of being annihilated, to a respectable score.Beautifully did the Pereras dovetail, Thisara laying low and digging in early in their association, while Kusal struck vital, boundaries to keep run rate above water. His scorching cut off Mahmudullah in the 10th over produced the first boundary in 25 deliveries. After two more fours off Rubel Hossain, Kusal took a mighty gamble – he attacked Mustafizur who had taken two wickets and conceded only four runs in his first two overs. That over – the 13th of the innings – would yield 18 runs, and energy would re-enter the Sri Lanka batting effort. Boundaries began to be found regularly, and twos were desperately run in between – the pair forever flirting with another run out, but just escaping. Thanks largely to the Pereras, Sri Lanka managed 69 off the last six overs – their 159 for 7 just about a par score on a slower deck.Akila Dananjaya made two breakthroughs in the Powerplay, to have the chase wobbling at 33 for 2 in the fourth over, but Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal combined for 64 runs off 52 balls, and ensured the chase stayed on track – Tamim hitting an important 50 off 42 balls. Bangladesh’s senior batsmen perhaps banked on being able to score quickly towards the end of the match, because one of Sri Lanka’s frontline bowlers – Nuwan Pradeep – sustained a game-ending leg injury in the field, after he had delivered only one over.Associated Press

Mushfiqur was out to Aponso in the 13th over, the bowler playing an imaginary snake-charmer’s flute in celebration, which was perhaps the only piece of real wit throughout the exchange between the two teams. When Tamim was out next over, and Soumya Sarkar soon after that, Bangladesh were in a little discomfort, with 51 still required off 31 balls, and only five wickets in hand.Mahmudullah eased himself into this innings. His first boundary came via a misfield at long-on in the 16th over. His next was a six down the ground off Jeevan Mendis, to bring the equation to 31 required off 21 – very gettable, so long as this senior pair saw them home. Shakib, however, would hole out to long leg with two overs to go, off a leg side half-volley, leaving Mahmudullah visibly angry.He would be even more irate at Mehidy Hasan at the end of the penultimate over, after Mehedi failed to dive at the end of a risky run, and was found to be short of his ground. As important as his nerveless boundary hitting was Mahmudullah’s running between the wickets, and his ability to place his shots between fielders. His innings contained six twos and a three, as well as four singles. He failed to score off only one dot ball. In purely cricketing terms, this was an outstanding T20 finish. His innings only glows brighter for having come amid such rancour.

Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has been a long-time transfer target for West Ham this summer and a significant update has now emerged.

How old is Dominic Solanke?

The former Liverpool striker is still only 25 years of age and has matured into an important player for Bournemouth, helping them get back into the Premier League after scoring 29 goals in the Championship in 2021/22.

Last season, Solanke did a solid job back in the top flight, netting six times and registering seven assists, and he has also bagged one of each in his first two league outings of the current campaign, with his goal coming against West Ham.

The Englishman has been continually linked with a summer move to the Hammers, as they eye up attacking additions, having replaced Declan Rice with Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse in midfield, and there should still be money left over for further reinforcements higher up the pitch.

Now, a new claim has emerged that suggests the east Londoners are pushing hard to secure the signing of one of their primary summer transfer targets.

Will West Ham sign Dominic Solanke?

According to Football Insider, West Ham have now submitted an offer for Solanke, as they look to seal a significant piece of transfer business:

"West Ham have submitted a formal bid for Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, sources have told Football Insider. The offer is believed to be around the £35-40m mark with the London club waiting on a response from their Premier League counterparts.

"Bournemouth also have concrete interest in Solanke from another top-flight English club in the market for a centre-forward. It leaves the future of the England international, 25, up in the air in the final ten days of the summer transfer window."

This is an exciting update from a West Ham perspective, with Solanke now a proven Premier League striker who has the attributes to be a real handful leading the line. In many ways, he is like a younger version of Michail Antonio, possessing his physical power and pace, as well as an eye for goal that has become more ruthless as he has matured as a footballer.

At 25, there is still so much time for the ex-Liverpool man to further improve as a player, perfecting his all-round game, and he could be the ideal competition or replacement for Antonio, allowing David Moyes to rotate his squad more effectively across three different competitions.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Former managers clearly think highly of Solanke as a player, with Gary O'Neil lauding his importance to the cause for Bournemouth last season, saying:

"Dom works his socks off for me and you can see he comes off and we’ve not created loads of chances for him and he’s put in a load of work. People that maybe don’t know, could underestimate how big Dom is for this group. Absolutely massive. I couldn’t ask for a better number nine to go and face the challenges that we’re faced with."

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp described him as "fantastic" during their time together at Liverpool, so West Ham could have a gem on their hands if they can get a deal over the line.