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South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has regained the No. 1 spot in the ICC’s Test rankings for bowlers, following his match haul of 11 for 150 against Australia in Port Elizabeth, which helped South Africa level the series. Rabada has also crossed 900 ranking points for the first time in the career – he’s the fourth South African bowler after Vernon Philander, Shaun Pollock and Dale Steyn – and now sits on 902, which is 15 points above England’s James Anderson.Rabada’s peak in the rankings comes a day after he picked up four demerit points for two separate incidents during the second Test against Australia. Consequently, the fast bowler was handed a two-Test ban and will miss the rest of the series against Australia, unless South Africa can successfully appeal against it.ICC Test rankings for bowlers•Getty Images

He is three more demerit points away from a third ban in his career. On Monday the fast bowler, who now has four ten-wicket match hauls in 28 Tests and spearheads South Africa’s pace attack, conceded that he “can’t keep doing this” and needed to reassess his conduct.Among other players involved in the series, batsman AB de Villiers and Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc have had significant changes in their rankings. De Villiers’ scores of 126* and 28 in the second Test have pushed him five places up and back into the top ten of the batsmen’s rankings, where he has displaced Pakistan’s Azhar Ali at No. 7. Mitchell Starc, who managed only one wicket in the second Test, has dropped four places to No. 9. Vernon Philander has dropped a spot to No. 8 among bowlers, but has gained one to break into the top five among Test allrounders.

Glasgow Rangers are willing to sanction a temporary exit for Leon King this summer, and a reliable journalist has revealed that he's already got a whole host of clubs queuing up to secure his services.

When did Leon King join Rangers?

Rangers have had King on their books for the whole of his career having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to get promoted to the first team last summer, but during the previous campaign, he only made nine starts in the Scottish Premiership.

The Scotland youth international’s contract isn’t set to expire for another three years, but it looks like he’ll have to complete a move elsewhere should he want to receive more regular game time moving forward, and if he departs, he won’t be short of potential suitors.

According to Football Insider back in March, Premier League sides Manchester United, Newcastle and Leeds all sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old live in action ahead of a possible move this window, and they have now been given a boost after learning that their target has been put in the shop window.

Is Leon King leaving Rangers?

Taking to X, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph revealed that Rangers and Michael Beale are happy to listen to loan offers for King so that he can get some more minutes under his belt, but equally wouldn't mind him remaining at Ibrox beyond September 1st. He wrote:

"Rangers are exploring loan opportunities for centre-back Leon King. Clubs in England & Europe are keen. It's not a foregone conclusion that he will leave, but to gain more experience, Rangers are open to loaning him to a club that will suit his style of play & development."

What height is Leon King?

Standing at 6 foot exactly, King isn’t the tallest of centre-backs, but he still possesses a great physical presence at the heart of the backline when handed the rare opportunity to play, as shown by the level of his performances last season for Rangers.

The CAA Base Ltd client, who earns £4k-per-week, averaged 1.9 clearances and 1.3 aerial wins and tackles per league game during the previous term, via WhoScored, so is a no-nonsense defender and is strong at clearing the danger both on and off the ground.

Read The Latest Rangers Transfer News HERE…

The Barrhead native also has the ability to operate at left-back and right-back alongside his usual position, so he would provide any manager with wonderful versatility, another reason as to why he would be an attractive option for plenty of clubs considering a swoop.

King has bags of potential to offer and will no doubt go on to become a “big player” for the long-term future of the Teddy Bears, according to journalist Josh Bunting, but for now, it could make sense to send him out on loan so that he can gain the necessary experience and exposure that he needs before returning to fight for his place north of the border ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, making this one to watch in the final days of the window.

Despite the loss, Khulna Titans were also through along with Dhaka Dynamites and Comilla Victorians with four league matches still to be played

The Report by Mohammad Isam03-Dec-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRaton Gomes/BCBRangpur Riders, led by Mohammad Mithun’s punchy 50 not out, rallied to beat Khulna Titans by 19 runs and seal their place in the playoffs. Despite the loss, Khulna were also through along with Dhaka Dynamites and Comilla Victorians with four league matches still to be played.Having been inserted, Rangpur limped to 114 for 6 in eight overs before Mithun’s late blows helped the side plunder 33 off the last two overs. Chasing 148, Khulna sprinted to 60 for 0 by the eighth over but collapsed to be restricted to 128 for 8.Rangpur kept in check
Rangpur’s powerful top order, boasting Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle, failed to deliver again. Ziaur Rahman was the first to go, for 8, when he skied Abu Jayed to third man in the third over.Mccullum flickered briefly – scoring 15 off 11 balls – before holing out to mid-on after being deceived by Shafiul Islam’s offcutter. Chris Gayle, too, couldn’t covert his start: he hit four fours and two sixes – before falling in the 11th over for 38 off 27 balls.Khulna make more inroads
Jofra Archer then removed Ravi Bopara in the 15th over and when Chamara Kapugedara gave Mahmudullah a simple catch off a Carlos Brathwaite long-hop in the next over, Rangpur were 98 for 5. Archer struck again, getting Nahidul Islam caught at third man, as Khulna reduced Rangpur to 105 for 6 in the 17th over.Mithun’s late push
Despite wickets falling at the other end, Mithun slowly got into his groove. He enjoyed some good fortune too: he was dropped on 8 and 30, but unleashed big hits in the last two overs of the innings. He hit Shafiul Islam for three sixes in the last over – two over long-on and one over midwicket.Khulna start positively
Michael Klinger and Nazmul Hossain Shanto ensured Khulna started confidently, taking the side to 48 for 0 at the end of the Powerplay. Klinger was assured both against pace and spin while Shanto – who was reprieved on 0 – moved to 20 before he was trapped lbw.The implosion
From 60 for 0, Khulna tumbled to 97 for 6 with the Rangpur bowlers sharing the spoils. Afif Hossain pulled Sohag Gazi straight down Mashrafe Mortaza’s throat at deep midwicket. Klinger also gave Mashrafe a catch, at cover, after hitting 44 off 45 balls with four fours and a six. Mahmudullah was then bowled for 6, trying to slog the offspinner Nahidul Islam, before Ziaur Rahman ran out Nicholas Pooran in the same over.The crucial blow was Brathwaite’s wicket; Isuru Udana had frustrated him with two wide balls in the 16th over before having the West Indies allrounder chase another one wide and edge it to Mithun.Bopara, Udana provide finishing kick
Archer struck two sixes to raise hopes of a Khulna comeback before falling run out in the 18th over. Bopara then gave away just one runs in the penultimate over while picking up Ariful Haque’s wicket. He finished with 2 for 4 in his two overs, before Udana defended 23 off the last over with his pace and length variations.

Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto could be an "upgrade" on Demarau Gray at Everton this summer, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.

Do Everton want to sign Wilfried Gnonto?

The teenager was a bright spark for the Whites last season, doing his best to keep them in the Premier League, but ultimately having to accept that they went down to the Championship.

Despite his tender years, Gnonto often stood out as one of the few players who could turn a game for Leeds, chipping in with four goals and assists apiece, in all competitions. While the Italian started his side's 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff City on Sunday, it still looks as though he could leave Elland Road before the current transfer window closes at the end of this month.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Everton have been continually linked with a move for him, seeing him as an individual who could take them up a level in the attacking third, and it is a rumour that is refusing to go away.

What's new on Wilfried Gnonto to Everton?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones talked up Everton's potential move for Gnonto this summer, saying that he would be a stronger option than Gray out wide:

"As players like Gray leave this summer, you start to look at other opportunities that could crop up, and Gnonto is a player that could do well if he is utilised.

"I said last week that, in this squad, he would be an upgrade on Gray if used properly. Whether it’s realistic or not is another matter. Gnonto has been keeping pretty quiet this summer, and at the same time, Leeds don’t want to lose him."

It does feel as though Everton still view Gnonto as a strong summer target, and if they did manage to snap him up, he could be such an exciting long-term addition.

While not necessarily the finished articles yet – only natural, given his age – the 12-cap Italy international possesses a fearlessness out wide, but also end product, which can often be lacking in such young footballers.

Leeds coach Michael Skubala has hailed Gnonto as a "special" player in the recent past, while Gary Neville has called him "absolutely fantastic", having watched him close up as a Sky Sports pundit. That says a lot about his ability and what he could bring to Everton's team, at a time when they are really lacking a spark in attack. Also, Jacek Kulig said he's a "nightmare" for defenders to come up against.

Leeds are clearly desperate to retain the services one of their most important individuals, hoping that he can inspire them back into the Premier League in no time at all, but the lure of being back in the top flight in the next few weeks could turn his head.

If he demands a move, the Whites are unlikely to want to have an unhappy player around, so the hope is that a transfer develops very soon, and that the Blues end up acquiring the signature of a hugely talented player with the ability to light up Goodison Park for a number of years to come.

Despite having their latest offer rejected, Bayern Munich are "still fighting" to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane and talks are "ongoing".

Will Harry Kane leave Tottenham?

The 30-year-old has been at the centre of another transfer saga this summer window as he enters the final year of his Spurs contract, giving chairman Daniel Levy a major decision to make.

Kane, who stands out as one of the most potent strikers in world football, could leave for free next summer as things stand unless he agrees fresh terms.

Tottenham, according to reliable media sources, have made him a highly lucrative new contract offer which would make him one of England's highest earners.

However, the forward appears to have zero intention of signing it this window, putting Bayern Munich on red alert as they table multiple bids for Kane.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

“Fair to say I am not relaxed about it," said Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou on the Kane saga last month.

“It’s not something you go: ‘Ah, well, you know if it does or doesn’t happen!’ I mean it’s a very important part of this football club, not just the team, but the football club.

“So, you’ve got to deal with it, and I think, for everyone concerned, we don’t want to be doing it for too long. I don’t think that is good for anyone. I don’t think it is good for Harry, I don’t think it is good for the club, because as laser focused as we want to be, you end up sort of repeating yourself along the way."

Bayern recently lodged what was a third bid for Kane last week and even set a deadline for Levy to accept or decline, which he didn't adhere too, instead flying to Miami for a holiday with his family (via talkSPORT).

Later, The Athletic broke news that their latest offer to sign the Englishman had been rejected by Spurs, with all signs seemingly pointing more towards Kane potentially staying.

However, sharing an update, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg says there is a twist to the tale and Bayern refuse to give up.

Indeed, despite there being no agreement yet, Thomas Tuchel's side continue to battle for Kane and talks remain ongoing to try and prise him away from Spurs.

"Yes, there is still no agreement between FC Bayern and Tottenham," wrote Plettenberg on X.

"But I have been told that the negotiations are still ongoing. Bayern is still fighting for Kane!"

What's been said about Harry Kane?

The striker, who bagged a sensational 30 league goals in 38 starts last season, has been called "world class" and "not normal" by former Tottenham manager Antonio Conte.

"We are talking about a world class striker,” he said.

“He deserves the best because he's a great worker, hard worker… this is not normal because usually the players that have talent many times don't like to work hard because they have talent.

“In my career I didn't have great talent [so] for this reason I worked hard. What I liked about him from the first time was his ability. He was a big example for his team-mates."

Essex’s Tom Westley will make his Test debut at No.3 in the third Test against South Africa at The Kia Oval next week, after being named as a direct replacement for Gary Ballance in a 13-man squad

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jul-20170:50

Quick facts: Tom Westley’s first-class exploits

Essex’s Tom Westley will make his Test debut at No.3 in the third Test against South Africa at The Kia Oval next week, after being named as a direct replacement for Gary Ballance in a 13-man squad.Westley, whose name has often been mentioned in dispatches in recent seasons, has enjoyed a timely prolific run with three centuries in his last six first-class innings, the most recent being an unbeaten 106 for England Lions against the South Africans.That hundred continued a notable record of making runs against touring sides: last season he scored 108 against the Sri Lankans to follow a 99 against the same opposition in 2011, while in 2015 he scored 144 against an Australia attack including Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon.”I’m desperate to play for England, it would an absolute honour,” Westley told The Independent, prior to his call-up. “I’ve felt good the last few years at Essex. My first-class record has been very good. I’ve scored runs for the Lions and scored runs against the touring first-class teams – I’ve been in a good space for a number of years. So if there’s ever a time to play it would be now.Tom Westley has been in prolific form for Essex and England Lions•Getty Images

“I’d like to think facing international attacks brings the best out of me,” he added. “Getting the hundred against Australia and backing it up against Sri Lanka and then South Africa, I’d like to think it’s not just a fluke.”Whether I raise my game or whether my game is just suited to that I don’t know until I’m exposed to it at Test level. But I can just take a lot of confidence from the fact I’ve scored those runs against some good bowlers and good attacks. It puts me in quite a good place.”Westley has been named alongside another new name in the Test squad in Middlesex’s Dawid Malan, who could yet feature if England decide to included an extra batsman, probably at the expense of the spinner Liam Dawson, when they confirm their starting line-up next week.Malan made his England debut last month in the deciding T20 against South Africa in Cardiff, where he impressed with 78 off 44 balls. He has been a consistent performer with Middlesex in red-ball cricket, averaging 42.50 in the Specsavers County Championship this season with a highest score of 115.The notable omission from the squad is Surrey’s Mark Stoneman, who had been considered the frontrunner to replace Ballance following the diagnosis of a broken left index finger, sustained while batting in the second innings at Trent Bridge last week.Stoneman, who moved to Surrey from Durham over the winter, has been averaging 58.53 from eight Championship matches, including three centuries with a high score of 197. At 30, he has had time to groove a well-rounded game, but perhaps tellingly, the England coach Trevor Bayliss has never yet seen him bat in the flesh.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

England could feature as many as three debutants at The Oval, which will be hosting its 100th Test, if they opt to give a maiden cap to the Middlesex seamer, Toby Roland-Jones, who has been retained in the squad after going unused in the first two Tests of the summer. He may be considered an option ahead of Durham’s Mark Wood, who sustained a bruised heel in a sub-par performance at Trent Bridge.England will report to The Oval on Tuesday, where they will train in the afternoon, having taken a few days off in the wake of their crushing 340-run defeat in the second Test.

Aston Villa have been linked with a summer move for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, with the club reprotedly not put off by the asking price for him.

How many goals has Federico Chiesa scored?

The 25-year-old has arguably been one of Serie A's leading wide players in recent years, excelling with his pace, directness and end product for both club and country.

Chiesa has scored 22 goals and registered 20 assists in 94 appearances for Juve, while for Italy, he has netted five times in 42 caps, winning Euro 2020 after victory over Wembley in the final in 2021.

Last season was a frustrating one for him, however, as he only managed to find the net twice in the league, as injuries restricted his playing time and he struggled to find rhythm when he did play.

The Italian still has two years remaining on his current Juve deal, but it could be that the Serie A giants see now as the best time to move him on, before his price tag starts diminishing closer to the expiration of his contract – they are also in financial trouble, having been deducted points last season due to multiple FFP breaches.

This is where Villa come into play, as the club continue to be hugely ambitious in the summer transfer window, with a potential move for Chiesa looking seriously on the cards.

What's the latest on Chiesa to Villa?

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Juve's €60m (£51m) valuation of Chiesa "does not scare" Villa, and the same also applies with the player's wage demands, which are likely to be high.

The "ambitious" project going on at Villa Park is mentioned in the report, with Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres already coming from Leicester City and Villarreal this summer respectively, and other high-profile new faces also expected to come in.

There is a possible issue regarding the transfer, though, with Chiesa not necessarily wanting to join a "second-tier" Premier League side, which Villa are considered part of in the context of this report, considering they haven't qualified for the Champions League or the Europa League next season.

Chiesa could be a fantastic signing for Villa if they manage to entice him to the club this summer though, coming in as a genuine statement addition, considering his current standing in the game, having been hailed as a "world-class" player by former Italy international Alessandro Pierini in the past.

Granted, he has been dogged by injury problems in recent times, which could lead to some trepidation surrounding Villa signing him, but he is still relatively young and there is no reason why he can't shrug off the issues moving forward.

Chiesa's pedigree as a footballer is undeniable, given his aforementioned Euro 2020 triumph and the fact that he has scored 38 goals and also chipped in with 39 assists in Serie A, showing that he can be a reliable provider of end product in one of the toughest leagues in the world.

He could take Villa up a significant gear if the deal goes through, acting as an upgrade on even single wide option at the club currently, although whether he is happy to join a club not dining at Europe's top table remains to be seen.

Arsenal have been prolific in this summer window, yet only have the official announcement of Kai Havertz to show for it.

That being said, it seems that deals for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are all but done, having warded off interest from rivals to bolster their side tenfold.

However, despite that being the best part of £200m set to be expended, it seems Mikel Arteta remains unsatisfied.

His youthful revolution does not stop at incomings, with rumours now circulating regarding the unsure future of Thomas Partey. Should he decide to leave, it is easy to assume that Southampton's Romeo Lavia will be the natural successor, as that report states.

At £50m he represents solid value for a 19-year-old, but with Liverpool and Chelsea having overtaken the Gunners in the race, perhaps an alternative is in order.

Fortunately for them, they have already seemingly identified a target who surpasses the teenage sensation in almost every facet of their games.

As reported before the window opened, Leeds United's Tyler Adams was on Edu's transfer wish list and is valued at just €38.9m (£33m) by Football Transfers.

Given this turn of events, there is no better time to reignite this interest.

How good is Tyler Adams?

Having only joined Leeds last summer, the USA international quickly established himself as one of the Premier League's finest ball-winning midfielders. Now that the season has concluded, he sits fourth for tackles made throughout the whole campaign.

His unrelenting attitude and tireless work rate made him perfect for the physicality of English football, and it did not take long for him to be regarded as the Whites' best player too.

In fact, his average Sofascore rating of 6.98 from last term was comfortably the best out of anyone who started more than five games for the Elland Road outfit.

What buoyed that figure was his exceptional defensive work, although he paired it with a touch of class that Lavia perhaps lacks at this stage in his career. For example, the 24-year-old maintained one key pass, 1.5 interceptions and 3.7 tackles per game in the league, via Sofascore. It is no surprise therefore to see former USA defender Alexi Lalas had labelled him a "monster" in the past.

Meanwhile, Lavia set his level at just 0.6 key passes, 1.1 interceptions and 2.1 tackles per game, with his rating sitting at just 6.80, via Sofascore.

If Arteta is merely seeking a defensive destroyer to partner Rice, he needs to look no further than Adams.

However, what further elevates the former RB Leipzig ace away from the Manchester City academy graduate is his experience, considering he boasts 14 Champions League appearances for the German outfit.

Given the Gunners will make their triumphant return to the competition in the coming season, this kind of pedigree will be key. He even starred for his national team at the recent World Cup, with journalist Clint Smith branding him as "special" after their draw with England.

Lavia would instead be playing just his second-ever full year of senior football should he be preferred, marking yet another gulf in quality.

Given how shrewd and intelligent their business has been thus far in this window, surely the north London outfit must make another smart move by allowing their rivals to overpay for someone who they had already secured a better alternative.

The A squad for the two unofficial Tests also includes opener Dimuth Karunaratne and Sri Lanka’s second spinner, Dilruwan Perera

Andrew Fidel Fernando13-Feb-2017

Dhananjaya de Silva – fresh from a tough tour of South Africa – has been named Sri Lanka A captain for the two unofficial Tests against England Lions, which start from February 17. Test opener Dimuth Karunaratne has also been named in the squad, as well as Sri Lanka’s second spinner Dilruwan Perera.Among those in contention for Test places who have been named in this squad are openers Udara Jayasundera and Ron Chandraguptha, middle-order batsman Roshen Silva, and spinners Jeffrey Vandersay, Amila Aponso and Malinda Pushpakumara.Sri Lanka A squad

Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Udara Jayasundera, Sandun Weerakkody (wk), Charith Asalanka, Roshen Silva, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Ron Chandraguptha, Kasun Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Jeffrey Vandersay, Malinda Pushpakumara

De Silva had had an excellent start to his Test career in the home series against Australia last year, but now finds himself in the A team after having failed to reach fifty in any of his 14 international innings in South Africa. Though Karunaratne was one of three batsmen to make a half century in the recent Tests, he has also been in modest form in recent months. Since the start of 2016, he has made 578 runs at an average of 27.52.Perera’s inclusion in the A team, however, has little to do with form, and is perhaps an effort to give him some high-quality match practice. Having been excellent during last year’s Australia series, Perera did not play in the South Africa Tests where conditions did not suit spin bowlers. He has been effective in the Premier League first-class competition, since his return to Sri Lanka from South Africa, and is almost certain to play some role in the Tests against Bangladesh next month. The England Lions series may simply represent a chance for him to bowl at some high-quality foreign batsmen.With the incumbent Test openers having scored runs only sporadically over the past year, there will be special interest in the other potential openers in this Sri Lanka A team. Jayasundera, for example, is something of an experienced domestic opener, and has had one stint in the Test team already. There is also substantial buzz about 21-year-old Chandraguptha, who has hit 837 runs at an average of 59.78 in the ongoing Premier League tournament. Nondescripts Cricket Club opener Sandun Weerakkody, who recently played the South Africa ODIs, had also been good in the domestic competition, hitting 530 runs at 53.Sri Lanka have a settled Test bowling unit at home and, as such, all players like Vandersay, Aponso, Pushpakumara and seamer Kasun Rajitha have to gain is to make themselves viable replacements, should one of the Test incumbents become injured. Pushpakumara, 29, may particularly relish the opportunity to perform at this level, having been one of Sri Lanka’s most successful domestic bowlers for several years. He has 537 first-class wickets at an average of 19.92.The first of the two four-day matches begins in Pallekele on February 17. The action then moves to Dambulla, where the second match is scheduled to start on February 24.

أصبحت آمال نادي ريال مدريد متصدر الدوري الإسباني الحالي في خطر، من أجل التعاقد مع ظهير أيسر الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي بايرن ميونخ، ألفونسو ديفيز.

وكانت هناك الكثير من الشائعات التي ربطت ريال مدريد بإمكانية ضم ديفيز من بايرن ميونخ في الصيف المقبل، خاصة وأن عقد الكندي الدولي ينتهي في 30 يونيو 2025.

الأنباء كانت تشير إلى أن إدارة ريال مدريد ستتحرك من أجل ديفيز والضغط على إدارة بايرن ميونخ لبيعه بسعر ليس كبيرًا، قبل نهاية عقده وعدم الاستفادة ماديًا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. قرار بايرن ميونخ يثير خيبة أمل هاري كين

ولكن هناك تغيير في الموقف داخل بايرن ميونخ، وهو ما كشف عنه المدير الرياضي، كريستوف فرويند، في تصريحات عبر شبكة “سكاي ألمانيا”، وقال: “هناك محادثات تتطور بشكل جيد ومنفتحة للغاية مع وكلاء اللاعب”.

وتابع: “سنرى ما سيحدث وما هي نتائج تلك المفاوضات في الأسابيع المقبلة، تجديد عقد ديفيز ليس مستبعدًا في بايرن ميونخ”.

ولكن من المعروف أن هناك خلافات مادية بين الطرفين لأن بايرن ميونخ عرض ما بين 11 إلى 13 مليون يورو كراتب سنوي للاعب، بينما ديفيز يطلب الحصول على راتب قدره 20 مليون يورو في الموسم الواحد”.

وأضاف فرويند في النهاية: “ديفيز يشعر بالارتياح في بايرن ميونخ، ليس لديه أي مشاعر سلبية على الإطلاق تجاه تجديد عقده”.