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With less than two weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut, Rangers have now reportedly lodged their opening enquiry to sign a Premier League winner for Russell Martin.

Rangers shoved aside by ruthless Club Brugge

Despite how they’ve started the domestic campaign, there would have been plenty of hope around Ibrox that Rangers could pull off another European night to remember as Club Brugge came to town. Any hope that built up prior to kick-off was destroyed in a ruthless 20-minute period which saw Club Brugge charge into a 3-0 lead, however, and now the Gers face an almighty battle to qualify for the Champions League.

Danilo’s second-half goal has at least handed the Gers some form of hope as they prepare for what will have to be an historic second-leg in Belgium, and the forward reiterated that fighting spirit after the game.

He told reporters: “It’s not the way that we wanted to [play] especially at the start of the game but there is still all to play, it is still in our hands. We don’t want to concede that kind of goal so early in the game but it depends on us to change and do better. That’s what we did do.

“It’s not what you want to hear, you want the fans behind you and supporting you but we have to get through it. The fans deserve better.

Related Russell Martin shares how "amazing" Rangers players "feel" after Club Brugge loss

It was a night to forget at Ibrox.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Aug 20, 2025

“I think the goal doesn’t matter that much because we lost the game but it gives us a bit of belief. We are Rangers, we always keep the fight, it doesn’t matter what the score is. Hopefully we can get the result.”

It’s the type of result that could see Rangers return to the transfer market and potentially even welcome a Premier League-winning forward before the end of the month.

Rangers launch Jamie Vardy enquiry

According to the Daily Mail, Rangers have now launched their first enquiry to sign Jamie Vardy this summer. The former Leicester City striker is still a free agent after leaving the Foxes at the end of last season and reportedly has a number of interested parties chasing his signature alongside Rangers, including Celtic.

Battling their Old Firm rivals and a number of other clubs to sign the Premier League-winning veteran, Rangers should go all out for Vardy this summer. Even at 38 years old, the former England international is coming off the back of a 10-goal season for a relegated Leicester side and is still good enough to make his mark in the Scottish Premiership.

Earning plenty of praise in the last campaign, former Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy told reporters: “If you score your 200th goal on your 500th appearance, then you are a great one.

“He has been a unique player and person for this football club. In years to come, we will realise we were part of this moment. He’s a character as well, there’s a story and an edge to him. He’s a great captain as well.”

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is also among the striker’s admirers: “Listen, I would not speak about any individual player. Of course I worked really well with Jamie, he was brilliant for me in my time at Leicester. But there’s been so many names floated about. I wouldn’t disclose either way.”

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Um dos movimentos mais naturais do futebol são os clubes receberem contatos de empresários oferecendo atletas. E no Corinthians isso tem acontecido muito, principalmente após a confirmação da lesão no menisco do meia Renato Augusto.

Há representantes que já faziam contato com a direção corintiana antes mesmo do problema físico do camisa 8, mas ofereciam atletas que atuam pelo centro do gramado por saberem que o Timão já estava em busca de uma alternativa para situações de ausência do seu principal articulador. No entanto, depois que Renato sofreu a contusão, o celular do presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves e o gerente de futebol Alessandro Nunes têm tocado com mais frequência.

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Ainda assim, todos os nomes apresentados até o momento à cúpula corintiana não foram levados para frente. A ideia de quem comanda o clube alvinegro é somente contratar uma alternativa para Renato Augusto em duas situações: oportunidade de mercado com um atleta de qualidade técnica incontestável dentro de um custo-benefício que se enquadrem nos padrões corintianos ou um jovem promissor que sinaliza um ótimo potencial de retorno financeiro no futuro, além de agregar tecnicamente no presente.

A diretoria do Timão vai seguir monitorando o mercado, principalmente o externo, onde entende que conseguirá encontrar alternativas que agreguem mais ao nível técnico da equipe. A janela de transferências para movimentações no Brasil tem duração até a próxima quarta-feiras (20), mas a opinião do estafe corintiano é que não há opções qualificadas à disposição no território brasileiro no momento.

O Corinthians não se opõe em conversar com empresários, preza pelas boas relações, mas tem sido objetivo nas respostas de avaliações. Além disso, tanto no cenário interno, quanto no externo, o Timão possui ótimas relações com intermediários que têm ajudado o clube em alguns monitoramentos e negociações com atletas nos últimos anos.

This Ranji season, Saurashtra have had three debutants in the four matches they have played so far

Rajan Raj10-Nov-2024Saurashtra have started the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season on a disappointing note. In four games so far, they have drawn and lost two each. Those results have put them seventh in their group, but their captain Jaydev Unadkat believes that his side is going “through a period of transition”. This season, Saurashtra have already had three debutants in the four matches they have played so far.”Efforts are being made to give opportunities to youngsters. As captain, I want this change to be smooth,” Unadkat told ESPNcricinfo. “We want young players to come forward, and we want them to be given maximum opportunities. I want young players to settle in our team during my captaincy.”Saurashtra’s debutants this season include pace bowlers Navneet Vora and Hiten Kanbi, and batter Parswaraj Rana. While Vora has three wickets in two games at an average of 41, Rana contributed only 21 runs across two innings against Tamil Nadu. Kanbi, though, had a promising debut against Jharkhand, as he picked up 5 for 70 in the first innings, before grabbing one more in the second.Related

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Over the last five Ranji seasons dating back to 2018-19, Saurashtra have made the final three times. Unadkat was their captain on each occasion, having even led his side to the title twice – in 2019-20 and 2022-23. Saurashtra also made the quarter-final last year, but this season, they run the risk of getting eliminated in the group stages. But Unadkat understands that a change of guard is inevitable, as seniors like Sheldon Jackson (38), Cheteshwar Pujara (36) and Arpit Vasavada (36) are near the end of their careers. Even Dharmendrasinh Jadeja is 34 while Unadkat himself is 33 years old.”It is not that players keep coming and going,” he said. “We know that when a transition period comes for a team, the performance goes up and down; but this is a part of this game.”Despite that, as captain, Unadkat remains focused on how to guide his side to a win each time he takes the field.”If you ask me what is most important for me, then I would say that I keep thinking about ways of taking Saurashtra to victory. I think about my team. When I wake up in the morning, the first thought that comes to my mind is how our team will win, and how it will become better. This is the biggest motivation for me right now.”Jaydev Unadkat had played 11 games for SRH in IPL 2024•Associated Press’IPL auction nothing new for me’Unadkat is one of 1574 players to enter the mega auction for IPL 2025, which will be held on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah. Last year, he played 11 games for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which was the eighth different side he was representing since his debut in 2010. While Unadkat is hopeful to make it back to SRH for the 2025 tournament, he doesn’t mind getting a new team either.”I am definitely very excited about the auction. The auction is nothing new for me,” he said. “Mega auction is a big opportunity, but whatever the results of the auction, I am fully prepared to accept it… Hopefully, SRH will select me in their team again. But even if they don’t – or something else happens – I am ready for it.”I played for eight teams; now even if there is a ninth team – or I get a chance for any team – I don’t have any problem. If I get my bowling role and I get to play, I will be satisfied. Earlier, I was with Lucknow [Super Giants, in 2023]; before that, I was in Mumbai [Indians, in 2022]. I got [to play] very few matches there, but still I was very happy in that set-up.”

After officially announcing the arrival of Lucas Perri, Leeds United have reportedly launched an improved bid in an attempt to sign their eighth fresh face of the window.

Perri: Leeds move a “great opportunity”

When assessing his squad following promotion last season, a new goalkeeper would have been among Daniel Farke’s top priorities following the struggles that Ilan Meslier faced.

As such, names such as Caoimhin Kelleher and Djordje Petrovic were both mentioned in the early stages of the transfer window, only for both goalkeepers to seal moves to Brentford and Bournemouth respectively. But that didn’t end Leeds’ search, as they quickly turned their focus towards Perri, who has now been signed and delivered.

After putting pen to paper, the former Lyon shot-stopper told the official club website: “It was a really exciting moment for me. I was really, really glad that the club showed interest. It was incredible. To sign here I am very, very happy.

“From the videos I saw the goal celebrations, especially this last game of the season, which was an away game, and saw the parade for the Championship title and the atmosphere at Elland Road.

“I watched the Premier League since I was really young and to see all the goalkeepers that have been in the Premier League that have been successful in the Premier League, they were incredible goalkeepers.

“I think it is a great challenge for me, a great opportunity, and I am really happy and focused to be my best version here. I want to feel the atmosphere, to see the fans and the stadium. I think it will be an incredible opportunity and an incredible stadium to play in.”

Meanwhile, with another priority signing now ticked off the list, the 49ers have now set their sights on securing a talented attacking reinforcement.

Leeds launch "improved" Paixao offer

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds have now launched an “improved” offer to sign Igor Paixao from Feyenoord this summer.

Elland Road chiefs are now pushing to secure a deal as soon as possible, with reports suggesting that Feyenoord are demanding as much as £35m to sell their star winger.

Negotiations may not be about to get any simpler, however. As reported by Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, the Whites are ready to pay £28m, but have been unable to come to an agreement to sign Feyenoord’s South American winger.

£35m may seem like a steep valuation, but a closer look at Paixao’s numbers suggest that he would more than pay that back in the form of goal involvements next season.

If the Brazilian completes a move and goes on to replicate his Feyenoord form at Elland Road, then Farke would instantly have a new leading talisman at his disposal.

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Praised for his “insane” ball-striking ability by analyst Ben Mattinson, Paixor managed 37 goal involvements last season and could now be joining a Leeds side which already ended their promotion campaign on 95 goals.

Newcastle United have made contact with an £8.4m-rated goalkeeper over a move to the club, according to a new transfer update.

Huge final day awaits for Newcastle

The Magpies are 90 minutes away from completing one of the most successful seasons in their history, assuming they can seal victory at home to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season.

A win will confirm Newcastle’s place back in the Champions League, which will be significant for so many reasons, including the financial benefits and the calibre of player they can attract to St James’ Park in the summer transfer window.

Ahead of the game, Eddie Howe has issued a rallying cry, highlighting the importance of his team getting over the line: “The prize is so big that everyone is fighting as much as they can. We’ve never got ahead of ourselves. Now, it’s going to go to the end, to the last game, and who knows? The twists and turns are there for everybody. All we can do is our best. They’ve given so much this year. Now, we know we need one more big effort in this last match.”

With the EFL Cup already won this season, ending Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a trophy, the 2024/25 has already been memorable, but getting the job done on Sunday afternoon would be the icing on the cake. As mentioned, it will aid their summer transfer business, and a new update has emerged regarding a potential addition in goal.

Newcastle make contact with £8.4m goalkeeper

According to Fraternite Matin [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are among the clubs to have made contact with Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana over a summer move to St James’ Park. Wolves and Southampton are also believed to be in the conversation, and the trio have been encouraged that he would like to leave Angers and join one of them.

The 24-year-old could cost just £8.4m and possibly even less, while an agreement “could be reached quickly” once the highest bidder is confirmed – the player himself wants to choose the best option to progress his career.

It looks like Newcastle are prioritising a new ‘keeper this summer, in order to at least provide competition for Nick Pope, if not replace him, and Fofana could be a strong option for them.

The 18-cap Ivory Coast international was named Angers’ Player of the Year, following an impressive season that saw him start 33 matches and keep seven clean sheets in Ligue 1, with analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as an “athletic” player.

With Pope now 33 years of age, it is important that Newcastle sign a new ‘keeper to be his eventual successor, but focus should also be on signing an immediate upgrade on him.

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The Magpies need to be ruthless in terms of improving the team and being a solid Champions League outfit, and in Fofana, they would have a relatively cheap and impressive option between the sticks.

Newcastle United believe a Premier League player who is a “class above” his teammates could be a “perfect” signing for them this summer, Fabrizio Romano has claimed, but he is already in talks to join Manchester United.

Newcastle continue to chase new signings

The Magpies may have lost 4-1 at Aston Villa last weekend, but they are still right in the mix to finish in the top five in the Premier League, sealing a return to the Champions League in the process. Should that happen, Newcastle will find it easier to attract top names to St James’ Park this summer, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic the latest big name linked.

With Kieran Trippier no longer the force of old and possibly leaving at the end of the season, a new right-back could be needed for the Magpies. Nottingham Forest ace Ola Aina has been mentioned as an option, following an excellent campaign for the third-place Reds.

Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae is another reported target for Newcastle ahead of next season, having made 26 starts in the Bundesaliga this season, averaging 3.2 aerial duels wins per game and completing 92.6% of his passes in the competition.

Romano talks up Newcastle's admiration for Cunha

Speaking on Give Me Sport‘s Market Madness podcast on Monday, Romano said that Newcastle also continue to pursue a move for Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha, seeing him as a “perfect” summer option.

“Yeah, I think it can be a quick deal, to be honest. I think so. Let’s see how quick, but I think this can be a quick deal. Because, as you mentioned, there is a release clause and all parties involved, the player, club, they really want to resolve the situation as soon as possible. So I think it can be a quick deal. There is genuine interest from Newcastle. They really, really like the player. They believe it could be perfect for their style.”

However , the Italian transfer guru has also revealed the Brazilian is in talks to join Manchester United, even to the point of discussing personal terms at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils in pole position.

Cunha could be an outstanding signing for any top club this summer, having stood out as his side’s best player in the Premier League this season. The Brazilian has scored 14 league goals in 25 starts in 2024/25 to date, which is a highly impressive return for a player in a struggling team, with Troy Deeney heaping praise on him.

“There are few games I have been to this year when I look at one player and think ‘he is better than every other player on that pitch’. But Cunha was miles better than Southampton and his Wolves team-mates. He was a level of class above.”

There is strong competition for Cunha, not least from United, but securing Champions League football could be massive when it comes to attracting players of such quality to Tyneside – especially if their rivals in the race can’t say the same.

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The Brazil international would be a statement signing for Eddie Howe, as he looks to make his team even more of a force heading into next season.

Leeds United supporters won’t be getting carried just yet, but Daniel Farke’s Whites do find themselves in the driver’s seat now in the dramatic automatic promotion tussle in the Championship.

Indeed, the West Yorkshire giants are perched at the very top of the unpredictable division after a slim 2-1 victory over Preston North End, with Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United a sizeable five points off Farke’s troops in third spot after a shock loss on the road to Plymouth Argyle.

Still, Leeds aren’t perfect all over the pitch despite their top-of-the-table appearance, with one problem area at Elland Road coming in the goalkeeper department.

Already, the Whites have targets in mind to improve here, with this potential incoming resting on Farke’s men triumphantly returning up to the Premier League.

The latest on Illan Meslier's future at Leeds

It’s safe to say that Illan Meslier has had a nightmare campaign at Elland Road. From that horror mistake at Sunderland to the dismal error-riddled performance against Swansea, it’s simply gone from bad to worse.

As a result, Farke has been left with no choice but to take the Frenchman out of the firing line. Karl Darlow has replaced the Leeds number 1 instead.

Speaking about the situation at the beginning of the month, the Leeds boss stated: “The goalkeeper position is not one you change week-to-week like outfield players. Illan had the perfect February with many wins and many clean sheets, but in the last few weeks, there have been a few incidents where we thought he could have done better.”

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Apr 1, 2025

So, it looks as though Meslier may well have saved his last shot at Elland Road, but who could replace him long-term?

Leeds enter race for "phenomenal" Meslier upgrade

As per a report from Football Insider, Leeds see Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as a “great fit” for the club if promotion is achieved, with the Saints shot-stopper set to be available for around the £25m mark.

The report further elaborates that Southampton’s relegation means a release clause has been activated that could see him be sold for this price tag, alerting the Whites to his services.

Once hailed as “phenomenal” by ex-Arsenal great David Seaman when at the peak of his powers at the Emirates Stadium, the 26-year-old would be an arguable upgrade on an often flappy Meslier, who has dropped out of Farke’s first-team ranks recently due to far too many error-strewn displays.

Amazingly, Ramsdale could even go down as Leeds’ next Paul Robinson if everything slots into place nicely, with the Saints shot-stopper once a recognised England international like the former Whites great.

How Ramsdale could be the next Robinson

Away from Leeds’ current woes involving Meslier, leading to Darlow being shoved into the spotlight, Elland Road has been home to some top-notch ‘keepers over the years.

Robinson definitely fits into that category, with the now-retired stopper tallying up 119 appearances in West Yorkshire before solidifying himself as a Premier League stalwart far away from his boyhood employers.

Robinson even headed home a dramatic header for the Whites before a switch to Tottenham Hotspur occurred, with Ramsdale not quite a goalscoring hero in a similar vain, but he does have bags of top-flight experience like the 41-time Three Lions international.

Indeed, the Southampton number 30 has notched up an impressive 177 Premier League appearances for the likes of Arsenal, AFC Bournemouth and Sheffield United, with plenty of clean sheets also coming his way.

Looking at the table above, Ramsdale has regularly impressed in the top division with 40 clean sheets amassed across his 177 appearances, which is only 48 off Robinson’s own total from a weightier 375 clashes.

Meslier has also struggled in the bright lights of the elite league before, meaning a gloveman who can be reliable making the step-up is a must for Farke and Co, with the error-prone Frenchman only registering an inferior 21 clean sheets from his various top-flight outings.

The German will hope Ramsdale can be that dependable pair of gloves in between the sticks, much like Robinson, therefore, with the Whites hopeful that they can further consolidate as a Premier League capable outfit if promotion is sealed.

Transfer Focus

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

Pick between three Tests, with each of them having thrilling moments to offer

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2025Update: This poll has ended. The ENG-AUS 2019 Leeds Test moves into the final.

Dravid conquers Australia and Adelaide, 2003

It was Kolkata 2001 all over again, except the support act took over the lead role this time.Instead of 445, Australia scored 556 batting first here, with Ricky Ponting hitting 242 at a strike rate of 68.75. But unlike their 171 in Kolkata, India scored 523, keeping the match on an even keel, more or less, and it was the Rahul Dravid-VVS Laxman partnership for the fifth wicket, worth 303 runs, that made it possible. Here, Dravid scored 233 from No. 3, and Laxman 148 from No. 6.Like in Kolkata, Australia’s second innings was a letdown; all they got was 196, setting India 230 to win, and the star of the show, which gave India the upper hand, was Ajit Agarkar, whose 6 for 41 thwarted Australia as they were looking to put the game beyond India.Dravid had scored that many in the first innings alone, but this time he only had to make 72, hitting the winning runs when he cut Stuart MacGill through the off side. It remains one of India’s great victories in Australia, achieved at a time when they didn’t come as thick and fast as they do now.Kusal Perera’s one-man show in Durban, 2019
Sri Lanka were coming off a 2-0 pummeling in Australia, their captain had just been sacked, and an inexperienced team, led by Dimuth Karunaratne, landed in South Africa.Then, in what was one of the most dramatic Tests in history, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, chasing down 304 with one wicket to spare. They had lost their ninth wicket while still 78 runs off their target. Kusal Perera then scored 67 of the the remaining 78 runs in an incredible finale on the fourth afternoon, along with the No. 11 Vishwa Fernando, as they saw their team home. Towards the end, you knew where this was going, even if it was just a matter of one good delivery.At lunch on the day, Sri Lanka were 166 for 5, still 138 runs away, after which Keshav Maharaj ripped through the lower-middle order, leaving them at 226 for 9. That brought Fernando to the middle, and he was entirely focused on survival. He faced 22 balls before he got off the mark.As Fernando clung on at one end, Perera defended with unreal calm, and even took several blows to his body on his way to the target. Batting for 309 minutes, he farmed the strike, and picked his opportunities to attack and push the score forward. Along the way, he also made his career-best Test score of 153*.

The Stokes show at Headingley, 2019

A Test that might not have otherwise stayed for too long in the memory, it was the unbroken 76-run stand for the last wicket between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach that lifted it to where the greatest Test matches in history are clubbed together.And, of course, the fact that in those 76 runs, one batter scored 74 (in 45 balls) and the other 1 (in 17 balls)! Not to forget that the winners had scored 67 in their first innings and then hit 362 for 9 in a Test where 246 was the next-best total.Australia won the first Test, and the second was drawn, so England wanted to win this one at Headingley to stay in the Ashes contest. But after Australia were bowled out for 179 in the first innings, all England could put up was 67, with Joe Denly top-scoring with 12. Back to Australia, and this time they put up 246.Was the pitch getting better for batting? It didn’t seem so when England were 15 for 2 in their chase of 359, and then 159 for 4 with Joe Root gone, and then 286 for 9. Stokes, the No. 5, was on 61 at the time. Off 174 balls.But with last-man Leach for company, Stokes switched something on. He hit four fours and seven sixes from that point, keeping Leach away from the strike as much as possible, before finishing it off with a flay through the covers off Pat Cummins. Done and dusted!

Quick bowler goes from T20 debut in June to international call-up just 70 days later

Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Aug-2023There is much to be said for John Turner’s call-up for England’s four-match T20I series with New Zealand. But perhaps the most relevant jumping-off point is the speed in which this latest pace talent has been fast-tracked.There were just 70 days between his debut in the format outright for Hampshire – taking 3 for 30 against Middlesex – and Tuesday’s call from national selector Luke Wright. The in-between has been packed; 21 Vitality Blast wickets, deliveries logged above 90mph, impressions made on England scouts, and a Hundred debut on Monday in which he bowled Jonny Bairstow for his maiden dismissal for Trent Rockets. A 22-year-old’s life is rarely slow-moving, but even Turner acknowledges the fast-forward of the last two months has been “unbelievable”.That’s certainly how it was for his parents, who live in Johannesburg, South Africa, where Turner was born. He possesses a British passport through his mother, born in Zambia to English parents – her father was working for the British Government at the time. Both thought something was wrong when Turner called in disbelief before worrying someone was playing an elaborate joke on their son.”When I told them they were shocked, they didn’t have any words … probably similar to my reaction when Luke Wright phoned me,” Turner says. “They were shocked but obviously at the same time really proud and really happy.”Turner had a vague idea something like this was in the offing. Hampshire director of cricket Giles White and bowling coach Graeme Welch gave him a heads-up that a national scout would be watching him against Sussex (he took 2 for 30). England’s interest had been piqued last year, when Turner took 20 wickets in the 2022 One-Day Cup. Good pace, and surprising bounce from a high release point meant Turner’s name was added to a list of prospective talents last month, as soon as he had served the required residency period to satisfy the ECB’s selection criteria.John Turner celebrates a wicket for Hampshire•Getty ImagesThat period began at the end of 2020 after the UK re-opened its borders following the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Turner reckons that strange era in which life came to an abrupt halt may have convinced his father to let him see if he could make it in the game.”It took a lot of convincing for them to let me come over and pursue cricket here,” Turner says. “It was probably during Covid my dad was like, ‘you know what, go over, give it a go – if it’s a year or two and it doesn’t work out, it’s fine’. Then probably the end of 2021, 2022, is when he started realising I might actually be good enough to make cricket a profession.”Turner’s part of the agreement was to attend Exeter University to study Economics and Finance by way of curricular insurance. Now the progression of his extra-curricular pursuit has created some uncertainty over his third year, which was due to commence in September.The move over to the UK came with no guarantees but was far from a punt. Current Gloucestershire coach Dale Benkenstein was Turner’s head of cricket at Hilton College in South Africa, and had ties at Hampshire following a stint as the club’s head coach. “He was the link and kind of got us in contact,” explains Turner. “I did two weeks at Hampshire while still at school, kind of to see what professional cricket was like and for them to see me. And since then, they were always interested.”He initially joined Hampshire as a triallist for the first half of the 2021 season, moving onto the staff when that summer’s Royal London Cup came around. It was in that competition he took his maiden professional wicket – none other than Sir Alastair Cook, caught at midwicket.”Probably not my greatest ball,” he jokes. Nevertheless, it remained a favourite, though Monday’s now offers competition: “Jonny Bairstow the other night, the top of off, was pretty cool. Whenever I hit the stumps, I enjoy that – anything that’s stumps-related and they fly out of the ground.”Stumps out of the ground, the fast bowler’s calling card. Except Turner doesn’t quite have the full-blown speedster’s ego purveyed by the likes of Dale Steyn, who happens to be his idol. Partly because even pushing the speed gun to the upper eighties and beyond is a new development.”It’s a good question,” he answers when asked when he became aware of his speed, “because I still struggle to think that I am [quick].Related

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Ben Stokes returns to England ODI squad ahead of World Cup defence

“I think it’s probably early this year; everything, action-wise, has clicked. I was decent pace last year and the year before but nothing to get me selected just pace-wise. I did a lot of work with Graeme Welch, my bowling coach at Hampshire – we did one or two things action-wise and I think timings and all of that has just come to fruition now, and everything is kind of clicking.”Even these stellar performances in the shortest format are a bit of a surprise. Turner’s metronomic ability to hit a length – Benkenstein often compares him to Australian great Glenn McGrath – meant he was always earmarked for the red ball. To date, he has just three first-class appearances, against a Sri Lanka Development XI last year, and two County Championship fixtures this summer, with 10 wickets at 10.50 overall. Naturally, the appetite is to establish himself across all formats.”Going back to what Dale Benkenstein said, he’s never seen me as a white-ball player and I’ve probably never really seen myself as a white-ball player. So to break into the T20 side first at Hampshire, that wasn’t really the goal for the season. It was more the red-ball stuff. And now for England, that’s obviously something I never saw coming. But I think long-term-wise I’d look all formats.”By his own assessment, the extra bounce, hitting the bats harder than most and the accuracy – ergo, an ability to nail specific deliveries at the start and end of an innings – is what has worked well for him so far. And clearly there is a lust for the tough moments, which Turner explains as a desire to “make a difference”.”I think I quite enjoy pressure situations, for instance, the Hundred game the other night, being given the ball to bowl the last set, I really enjoyed that. Strangely, I felt really calm in that situation, a lot calmer than I thought I would have.”Perhaps at another time, Turner might not have been drafted into the England set-up so soon. These T20Is have a dual purpose: for those in the 50-over World Cup squad to tune up before easing their workloads in September, while offering a chance to assess England’s bench strength, particularly their pace alternatives such as Turner, fellow uncapped quick Gus Atkinson and left-armer Luke Wood, with more established names like Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills overlooked for now.As much as Turner’s story carries aspects of serendipity, none of this has happened by accident. His rapid emergence is the product of hard work, risk and abundant talent. If anything, it is England who should count themselves lucky.

The Sri Lanka allrounder looks back at the high points and fondest memories from his 12-year career, and maps the way forward

Interview by Andrew Fidel Fernando04-May-2021Thisara Perera announced his retirement from all international cricket yesterday, calling time on his 12-year career. He spoke to ESPNcricinfo about his reasons for announcing his retirement before the T20 World Cup, his most memorable innings, and his plans for franchise tournaments in the near future.You’re still only 32. Why have you decided to retire now?
I’ve played cricket for Sri Lanka for 12 years now. I think it’s time to give a chance to the youngsters. There has to be some lead-up time before a World Cup for a young player to prepare himself. You can’t do that in a rush. In 2023 there’s an ODI World Cup, and there are only a few months left before the T20 World Cup. Rather than retiring too close to those events, I thought it was better to give someone else the chance now.Related

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It’s likely that you were part of Sri Lanka’s plans for this year’s T20 World Cup. Why are you retiring from that format as well?
They haven’t let me know much about their plans. All I knew was that they were dropping several seniors from the ODI team, so I thought it’s better that the young player who replaces me in ODIs gets that same chance in the T20I side. He then has the time to get settled and be stable in the side. If he plays a few one-dayers as well, there’s more than enough time for him to get set and play the World Cup.You’ve been a World Cup winner. Did you not have dreams of doing it again?
I definitely did. I’d been thinking for a while that before I quit I’d like to bring another World Cup home. One of the greatest highlights of my life was being able to finish the 2014 World T20 [final] with a six. I was seven when Arjuna Ranatunga won the 1996 World Cup with a four, and that’s really where my life in cricket started. From very early on, I wanted to hit that winning run, and I was overjoyed at having been able to do that.But with the situation at the moment – this is a time when they are looking closely at youngsters – I thought it’s better not to make anyone lose out on a place.Perera sealed Sri Lanka’s victory in the 2014 World T20 final with a six•ICCYou haven’t been consistently picked over the last five years, although you also had a spell as the limited-overs captain between 2017 and 2018. Were there frustrations for you during this period?
Failure happens to everyone. There are times you are right at the top of the staircase, and times when you’re right at the bottom. That’s a normal part of life. When I was low, I did my best to become free from what was holding me down. Sometimes those things have worked perfectly. I think I did a lot for the country. There are plenty of records that I’ve set.You took four wickets in an innings and also hit 75 in your last Test for Sri Lanka, in 2012. Do you feel you should have had more opportunities?
Yes, I didn’t get any opportunity in the Test format since then despite my performance in that match. I didn’t go to ask too much about it also. I watched for a few years, then retired from Tests. I just didn’t get a chance.What are some of your fondest memories playing for Sri Lanka?
Early on in my career, I loved the 2011 World Cup final, because I was able to end our innings with a six. Then there’s the 2014 World T20 and that winning six. I’ll never forget that. I became the first Asian cricketer to take hat-tricks in both ODIs and T20Is, and the first Sri Lankan player to hit six sixes in over in first-class cricket. I also hit the biggest six by a Sri Lankan – 123 metres in Perth.Any innings or spells that meant a lot to you?
Yes, the 140 that I hit against New Zealand [in Mount Maunganui in 2019]. I came in at No. 7 after a few wickets had fallen cheaply and we were out of the game [Sri Lanka were 121 for 5 after 25 overs, chasing 320]. But through my innings, I was able to get us close [they lost by 21 runs eventually]. I hit the most sixes struck by any Sri Lanka player during that innings – 13. I was batting with the tail for most of the innings. Nuwan Pradeep was batting at the other end and I remember telling him to hang in there somehow, because I was doing my best to get us to a win. We fell short narrowly. It’s very rare that someone in the losing team gets a Man-of-the-Match award. But I did for that game.Perera led the Jaffna Stallions to a title win in the inaugural Lanka Premier League in 2020•Jaffna StallionsWas there something that you wanted to achieve but couldn’t?
I did as much as I could. We won a T20 World Cup; to win a 50-over World Cup was another goal. Of the seven World Cups I played, 2011 was the one in which we came so close and still didn’t win, despite the fact that we gave it our everything. That was just our fate. But I did what I could for Sri Lankan cricket, and I’m retiring happy.You were a penetrative bowler in your early years. Were you disappointed at how it fell away later in your career?
I was bowling really well when I started, but then I suffered a major side-strain injury late in 2012, and I focused more on my batting after that. I used to bowl 140kph, but anyone who gets a side strain is worried about bowling from then on, because of the pain. But although my pace decreased, I still got a lot of wickets. I had 175 ODI wickets, and I think I was balancing that and my batting well. My heart tells me that I gave everything I could with the ball as well.What are your plans for retirement?
I’m still a professional cricketer. There are franchise tournaments, and I haven’t stopped that, and I’ll play for a while. I play domestic cricket for Sri Lanka Army, and I’m an Army officer. I can give that my full attention now. I can also focus more on my family.You’re the captain of the Jaffna Stallions LPL team. How important is that franchise to you?
I recently spoke to the owner, Anandan Arnold. We did extremely well in the last tournament, winning the tournament. And I think we’ll continue to do well this year. Based on the discussions we’ve had, I want to keep playing for Jaffna Stallions.Anything else you’d like to add?
I’ve got a few people I’d like to thank. Harsha de Silva was my coach at St Joseph’s College, and that’s the place that changed my life the most. I used to play as an opening batter, and it’s only later that I started batting at No. 6 and had the chance to play as an allrounder. I made my international debut in 2009, and I remember Kumar Sangakkara with a lot of affection, because he was the one that brought me into the team and was my first captain. I want to thank my parents, my brothers and sisters, and my wife, Sherami Perera, all of whom sacrificed a lot during my 12 years with the national team. Sherami would sometimes be without me for months while I was touring. I am very grateful to my family.