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His BBL coach Greg Shipperd believes the allrounder could fill one of the troublesome middle-order spots

Andrew McGlashan10-Jun-2021Dan Christian’s “unique skillset” and wealth of experience make him an ideal candidate for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad following his surprise national recall according to his BBL coach at the Sydney Sixers, Greg Shipperd.Thirty-eight-year-old Christian, who last played for Australia in 2017, was one of six players added to the large preliminary squad ahead of the tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh with the expectation that a number of those involved in the IPL will make themselves unavailable for the trip.”It’s a unique format of the game and he’s got a unique skillset as a strong finisher through the middle and at the back-end with the bat, he’s got the capability to bowl a couple of intelligent, player-specific overs right across the three phases with the ball,” Shipperd said on the day he signed a two-year extension as the Sixers coach which takes him to the end of the 2023-24 season.”He’s a super fieldsman but there’s also a wealth of cricketing strategy and knowledge that resides in his brain and he’s a real giver in any team he’s involved with. If you’re going into a specific tournament, they’ve got a couple of World Cups coming up, he’s a strong choice. He’s in form, he’s fit and strong, he’s got a lot of positives going for him. I hope he gets game time and performs really well and gets an opportunity to play in the World Cup.”Related

Australia's World Cup conundrum: the search for a T20 finisher

Steve O'Keefe and Dan Christian savour extra special BBL triumph

Christian has unfinished IPL business

Christian called up to Australia's preliminary white-ball squad

Christian, these days a freelancing T20 specialist, was also at the IPL before it was suspended but headed to England to take up his deal with Nottinghamshire for the T20 Blast which he has now withdrawn from to undertake a two-week quarantine back in Australia ahead of leaving for the West Indies.He has previously spoken of not giving up hope of adding to his 16 T20I caps despite the lengthy time since his last selection having enjoyed an impressive 2020-21 BBL season for the title-winning Sixers after moving from the Melbourne Renegades who he also helped to the title in 2018-19.If he makes it into the final XI on the upcoming tours it would be in one of the middle-order positions that has proved troublesome for Australia to fill as they try to balance their T20I side.In last season’s BBL he made 272 runs at 34.00 with a strike rate of 182.55 which included a 16-ball 50 against the Adelaide Strikers and an unbeaten 61 off 38 balls to guide a chase against Brisbane Heat. Though he was less prolific in the first part of the PSL and IPL before each was suspended, Shipperd lauded the clarity he can bring to tough game situations, going as far as to say it “blows my mind” that he can often do it while on the player microphone.Dan Christian’s T20 titles•ESPNcricinfo Ltd”It is indeed a very specialist role and it’s about calmness and clarity in the moment. And being fearless,” he said. “He’s at the stage of his career where he’s using his experience wisely and he’s not playing for the next year or next major contract, he plays with this fearless but experienced mindset that allows him to take the best option.”It’s rare for a player to be mic-ed up as he often is in those phases and be taking the commentators and viewers through what he’s thinking and doing. As a coach that blows my mind so just shows the poise he has and he’s using his experience well.”Shipperd picked out Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Daniel Sams and Sean Abbott – the latter facing a significant recovery period after a hamstring injury playing for Surrey – as other candidates for the Australia middle order but the depth of Christian’s CV holds him in good stead.”A lot of other players haven’t been in those moments and dealt with that pressure, made the call, succeeded and failed,” he said. “He balances those yo-yos that this form of the game throws at you particularly well. He presents as such a valuable player for a tournament. I would be pushing and promoting him competing strongly for one of those positions.”Australia’s large preliminary squad, which currently numbers 29, will be trimmed to around 19 before the team leaves at the end of June. The West Indies tour includes five ODIs and three ODIs followed by five more T20Is in Bangladesh although dates for those matches are yet to be confirmed.In terms of their final build-up to the T20 World Cup in October – which is expected to be moved from India to the UAE – there will then be the question of whether players will be able to return to the IPL which is due to resume in mid-September in the UAE.

West Brom could look to sign players on free transfers in September, in order to give themselves the best possible chance of Championship promotion, and Football FanCast have looked into three possible free agent targets

The Baggies came painfully close to returning to the Premier League last season, eventually falling short after defeat to Southampton in the playoffs.Carlos Corberanknew that fresh faces were needed to bolster his squad and that's what happened, with Mikey Johnston an exciting attacking signing from Celtic, and Hungary international Callum Styles arriving from Barnsley.

It has been a promising start to the new Championship season for West Brom, who sit second in the table on 10 points from four games, but that's not to say that added depth would be sniffed at. Here are three players the Baggies should look to snap up on free transfers this month.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

West Brom should feel that they are in a position to bring well-known players to the Hawthorns, given their ability to jump between the Premier League and Championship regularly. For that reason, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting should be seen as a target, having left Bayern Munich at the end of last season.

Granted, he is now 35 years of age and not the force he was at his peak, but his experience and winning mentality cannot be ignored, with a combined five league titles coming his way during spells with Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain.

Whether Choupo-Moting would be willing to drop into the second tier of English football remains to be seen, but he is still a free agent and could be eyeing regular football again, something he hasn't always had at those aforementioned super clubs. He would give Corberan an added spark in the final third, having scored 20 goals in 73 caps for Cameroon.

Serge Aurier

Much like Choupo-Moting, Serge Aurier may not be overly enamoured with the idea of dropping into the Championship, but he could see West Brom as a way back into the Premier League, considering their start to the season.

The 31-year-old has made 274 appearances in the Premier League and Ligue 1 combined, as well as enjoying 31 outings in the Champions League, and he would provide more pedigree and experience at right-back for Corberan, having departed Galatasaray in the summer.

There is also the small matter of 93 caps for the Ivory Coast, while Jose Mourinho has described Aurier as a "special person" in the past, high praise from a man known for his winning mentality.

Tottenham

110

8

17

Paris Saint-Germain

81

5

15

Toulouse

80

8

13

Lens

56

0

0

Nottingham Forest

41

1

2

Villarreal

24

0

2

Galatasaray

4

0

0

Jack Cork

Jack Cork brought an end to seven strong years as a Burnley player earlier in the summer, with no extension coming his way at Turf Moor.

The one-time capped England international will still feel that he has something to offer in English football, however, and he could provide West Brom with the depth and experience that can be so priceless when the latter months of the season arrive and legs are starting to tire.

While Cork may struggle to oust the likes of Jayson Molumby and John Swift from the Baggies' midfield – they have started all four Championship games so far this season – his vast experience could be a great weapon from the bench.

Neymar has surprisingly claimed that his "best sporting years" were spent at Paris Saint-Germain, despite feeling "sadness" over his time at the club.

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Neymar loved his time with PSGSpent six seasons in the French capitalStill remains sidelined after latest injury setbackFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Brazil star moved to Parc de Princes in 2017 for a world record transfer fee from Barcelona and spent six seasons in the French capital before moving to the Saudi Pro League to sign for Al-Hilal in 2023. During his time with the French champions, Neymar won 12 trophies including five Ligue 1 titles, and he scored 118 goals in 173 appearances across all competitions.

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Before heading to Paris, Neymar had already won the Champions League title with Barcelona and formed one-third of the most deadly attacking triumvirates of all time, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, the Al-Hilal star has now claimed that his most memorable sporting moments came during his time with PSG, despite feeling "sadness" over his many injuries at the club.

WHAT NEYMAR SAID

In an interview with , Neymar said: "Obviously I am passionate about football. I agree that my sporting years at PSG were probably the best for me. But it was very sad for me, because I often had very serious injuries that could last from three, four to six months.

"It bothered me a lot, but in terms of football, in terms of sport, it was the best Neymar they had in my entire career. So I am happy to have been able to offer that to French football, but on the one hand, there is also this feeling of sadness… Because I did not play a full season, only the year 2020, when we reached the Champions League final. It was really a great year when I think back on it. I will never forget those moments, they are engraved in my heart."

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The Brazil international remains sidelined after his latest injury setback in Saudi Arabia, however, he recently shared an update on his condition where he was seen working out in the gym in a bid to return to the football field soon.

Birmingham dismissed for lowest T20 total as Nottinghamshire claim crushing win

ECB Reporters' Network02-Jul-2021Notts Outlaws continued their assertive defence of the Vitality Blast title as they thrashed Birmingham Bears by 114 runs at Edgbaston.The Outlaws made it seven wins from 11 games after brushing aside a Bears side hit by the loss of allrounder Carlos Brathwaite after a positive Covid test. They totalled177 for 9 thanks to Samit Patel, who hit 41 off 30 balls, Ben Duckett (39 off 20) and Alex Hales (34 off 21) against a depleted attack led by Jake Lintott’s 3 for 28.The Bears’ reply then plunged into disarray at 19 for 5 and they were bowled out for 63, their lowest-ever T20 total, as Jake Ball took 4 for 11, Calvin Harrison 4 for 17, including a triple-wicket maiden, and Samit Patel 2 for 8.Having taken 18 wickets at 13.33 apiece in the tournament, Brathwaite was a big loss to the Bears’ bowling and Notts, put in, set off in a manner to take full advantage. Opening pair Duckett and Hales smashed 54 in boundaries in a stand of 75 before both fell to superb catches. Duckett was brilliantly caught by Matt Lamb at deep cover off Danny Briggs and Hales was well held by Sam Hain running round the long-on rope.The introduction of wristspinner Lintott applied a brake and, though Patel batted with his customary verve, Notts were grateful for a late salvo of 18 in six balls from Harrison.The Outlaws then torpedoed the Bears’ reply right at the top with three wickets in the first 17 balls. The spinners gave their side the perfect start as Patel dismissed Adam Hose, caught and bowled, in the first over and Matt Carter conceded just a single from the second.Ball delivered the third and ended it with 1-0-4-2 after Will Rhodes lifted to mid-on and Ed Pollock dragged a pull on to his stumps. Patel and Ball had not finished, foxing Hain and Lamb into sending up skiers to leave the innings in ruins at 19 for 5.Rob Yates and Michael Burgess took the score to 39, but a triple-strike from Harrison, ousting Burgess, Tim Bresnan and Briggs, turned that into 39 for 8. Rapturous applause from the big, good-natured crowd greeted the raising of the 50 but the Bears still have much work to do to qualify while The Outlaws are pretty much there with three games to spare.

Nico Paz is having a breakthrough season for Como in Serie A and has reflected on his first moments as a national team player alongside Lionel Messi.

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Paz one of the stars in Serie A this termMade national team debut for Argentina in OctoberOpened up on dressing room experience with MessiFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Argentine rising star Nico Paz has shared his experience of sharing a dressing room with his idol, Lionel Messi, revealing that he felt too starstruck to speak with the 2022 World Cup winner. Paz, who is currently playing for Como in Serie A, is working under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, a former Barcelona team-mate of Messi.

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Paz was hailed as one of the best prospect in La Fabrica, Real Madrid's youth academy, having joined them in 2016 as an 11-year-old. He made eight appearances for the first team in the 2023-24, before being sold to newly promoted Serie A side Como on a four-year deal, albeit with a buy-back clause in place.

Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina head coach, handed Paz his international debut in October against Bolivia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier match, where he assisted Messi. Following the game, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner heaped praise on the 20-year-old.

"Now Nico Paz has made his debut, and he has a lot of quality and I hope he continues to grow," Messi said after beating Bolivia 6-0. "He wasn't born when I made my debut in Primera, yes, I knew (laughs). He has a great head, he understands the game perfectly and I hope he continues like this. He played, he enjoyed it and I think he'll feel comfortable in this team because he likes having the ball."

WHAT NICO PAZ SAID

Despite receiving praise from Messi, the attacking midfielder admitted that he found it difficult to speak with the 37-year-old legend in the locker room, overwhelmed by the presence of his idol.

"I had met him once before, when I was 17 years old, with the U20s, in a training session with the senior national team," Paz told DAZN (as quoted by Corriere dello Sport). "This was the second time I saw him, but the first time I was in the locker room with him. I didn't talk to him, I was too ashamed. I get nervous when I see him."

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Paz has stolen the limelight in Serie A this season for minnows Como, scoring twice and delivering three assists in 15 Serie A games. He has become one of the first names on the team sheet for head coach Fabregas. For all of Paz's exploits, though, Como are battling relegation as they find themselves in 16th position in the league table. Their upcoming encounter is against the in-form Inter Milan away from home on Monday, December 23.

Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement would surely love to have someone like Barry Ferguson in his current Light Blues side, especially after their meek display in the first Old Firm match of the campaign.

As so often in the recent matches against Celtic, the Gers have been completely outsmarted in the middle of the pitch, allowing players such as Callum McGregor – who scored in the 3-0 defeat last weekend – plenty of time and space to play to their strengths.

If Clement’s record in the derby wants to improve, getting a grip of the midfield battle is a key priority, otherwise, the Parkhead side will continue to get one up on the Gers.

Calling on someone such as Ferguson, who enjoyed plenty of success against Celtic in his two spells at the club, would certainly make this task much easier.

Clement will have to stick with what he has at his disposal unfortunately, but the Ibrox side did once come out on top more often than their rivals, especially with the Scottish midfielder as the beating heart of the team.

Barry Ferguson’s Rangers statistics

Ferguson made his debut for the Light Blues on the final day of the 1996/97 campaign against Hearts under the late great Walter Smith, before forcing his way into the first team on a regular basis once Dick Advocaat was appointed as manager in 1998.

Ferguson would become the youngest ever player to captain the club aged just 22 under Advocaat, playing a key role as he helped the club dominate in Scotland once again, winning a treble and double in back-to-back seasons.

Season

Games

Goals

2008/09

27

2

2007/08

62

9

2006/07

41

7

2005/06

46

5

2004/05

15

2

2003/04

5

0

2002/03

48

18

2001/02

39

7

2000/01

47

4

1999/00

49

5

1998/99

41

2

1997/98

7

0

1996/97

1

0

After a disappointing final 18 months for Advocaat, Alex McLeish was appointed in December 2001, who soon turned out to be the ideal manager for Ferguson.

He scored a stunning freekick against Celtic in the 2002 Scottish Cup final as the Light Blues edged the tie 3-2, further establishing his legacy.

McLeish encouraged Ferguson to get forward more often from the heart of the midfield during the 2002/03 campaign, and he was rewarded with a career high best of 18 goals during the season as the club won another domestic treble.

The captain was their most important player, yet after success on the pitch, that summer became one of frugality, as McLeish had to sell players and bring the wage bill down due to financial issues at the club.

With Ferguson being the most prized asset at Ibrox, it was clear he would have to be sold, despite his willingness to remain at the club under McLeish.

How much Rangers sold Barry Ferguson for

Ferguson was still part of the squad which kicked off the 2003/04 campaign, leading his side to a solid start domestically while also seeing off FC Copenhagen to make the group stages of the Champions League after a three-year absence.

At the end of August, it was announced that Blackburn Rovers had signed the Scot for a fee in the region of £7.5m, bringing him to the Premier League.

Graeme Souness hailed the midfielder, saying: "He is 25, has been captain of Rangers and an international for a number of years, and I see him being an outstanding player for this club.”

If it weren’t for the financial issues at the Glasgow side, Ferguson would likely have stayed. It was one of the largest fees received for a Rangers player, but it wasn't the biggest transfer fee McLeish received during his spell in charge of the Gers.

That belonged to a French defender who he signed prior to the 2004/05 season…

Jean-Alain Boumsong’s Rangers statistics

In December 2003, McLeish announced that the club had secured the services of Boumsong on a pre-contract agreement. Considering Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Arsenal were sniffing about the French titan, it was quite a coup.

The centre-back went on to make 26 appearances for the Glasgow side during the first half of the season, impressing with his physical prowess and no-nonsense approach when it came to defending.

It soon became clear that McLeish would be able to make a substantial profit on Boumsong should clubs start showing interest in him, although he didn’t quite expect this to occur after just six months in Scotland.

As the end of 2004 was approaching, McLeish was keen on keeping the French international defender, but it was evident he wanted to leave for a bigger challenge.

How much Rangers sold Boumsong for

Newcastle United were the team who showed the most interest in Boumsong, as Souness – again – was keen on bringing him to the Premier League.

On January 1, 2005, the move was completed, as the former Rangers manager paid a staggering £8m – a lot at the time to sign a player from Scotland – to sign the centre-back.

Souness was delighted, saying: "Jean-Alain Boumsong has an agreement with us and we have an agreement with Rangers. He is having a medical as we speak. We see him as a big influence at the club both in the short term and long term.”

The fee was £500k more than what Blackburn paid to sign Ferguson, meaning McLeish had raised over £15m in just 18 months by selling two players.

While ultimately, it didn’t quite help their financial issues, securing a profit on both players, especially Boumsong, was certainly commendable.

The Frenchman failed to replicate anything near his best form during his spell with the Magpies, before he spent time at Lyon and Juventus before retiring in 2013 after a spell in Greece.

Selling him was one of the best transfer deals the club have done in its recent history, especially considering the former Auxerre starlet didn’t cost a single penny to sign in the first place.

Clement is clearly trying to build a structure in place which will see talented players move on for serious money, and if he can secure fees such as £8m for various players, it will help the club in the long run.

Forget Lowry: The "highly-rated" Rangers star who Clement must unleash

There are several young talents who are ready to make a breakthrough at Ibrox

1 ByRoss Kilvington Sep 7, 2024

Glasgow Rangers made it two wins from two since the return to domestic football following the international break.

Progress in the League Cup was secured by Philippe Clement’s men as they returned to Ibrox for the first time since May, delivering a solid performance in the routine 3-0 victory.

It marks the fourth season in a row that Rangers have reached the semi-finals of the competition and Clement will be keen on retaining the trophy he claimed last year – the first of his reign.

It was a far better performance than the Premiership win over Dundee United a week before, but there are still things to be worked on.

The Light Blues would dearly love an individual to dominate the game from the heart of the pitch, with Clement rotating his midfielders several times this season already.

How the Belgian would love a talent like Paul Gascoigne at the heart of his tactical philosophy, controlling the play and generating plenty of chances for not only himself but his teammates too.

Paul Gascoigne’s statistics at Rangers

Long gone are the days when the Ibrox side could sign one of the finest English players at the peak of their career, but that’s what happened in the summer of 1995.

Gascoigne had endured three injury-plagued campaigns at Lazio, failing to really gain the consistency needed to back up his prodigious talent. There were some stand-out moments, of course, including a winner against AS Roma in the derby, but a fresh start was needed.

Walter Smith had just led the club to their seventh league title the season prior, but he knew more quality was required if he was to lead Rangers to another crown, along with achieving progress in Europe.

In early July, Smith splashed out more than £4m – then a club-record fee – to bring the maestro to Glasgow, where he made an immediate impact.

The club won a league and cup double during his maiden season, with Gazza scoring a stunning hat-trick against Aberdeen to secure eight in a row. The Englishman played a key role once again during 1996/97, scoring 17 goals in just 34 matches, claiming yet another domestic title and the League Cup.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star returned to England in March 1998, signing for Middlesbrough, but his three years at Ibrox are fondly remembered by the supporters and those who played alongside him.

Across the subsequent decades, the Gers haven’t quite had a talent like Gazza in their midfield, despite various players trying to replicate his talents. His signing was certainly one of the biggest in Scottish football history.

Just a few short years ago, Kris Boyd claimed that one of the club’s January signings was the biggest since Gazza arrived, yet it turned out to be a major disappointment…

When Rangers signed Aaron Ramsey

On deadline day of the winter window in January 2022, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was desperate to bolster his squad and Aaron Ramsey’s name was linked, albeit very loosely.

As the day went on, however, it became apparent that the Juventus midfielder was edging closer to a loan deal, and he was announced late in the day to a rapturous crowd at Ibrox.

Boyd hailed the signing, saying: “I think it shows Rangers Football Club is one of the biggest in the UK. He’s turned down Premier League clubs to join Rangers. It’s a fantastic signing, not just for Rangers but Scottish football as a whole.

“The arrival of Paul Gascoigne was the last time you thought ‘woah, a real footballer has joined’.”

Arsenal

369

64

Juventus

70

6

Cardiff City

46

6

Nice

34

1

Rangers

13

2

Nottingham Forest

5

0

Being compared to Gazza certainly applied a bit of pressure on Ramsey to succeed, but given his quality and the fact he had played nearly 400 games for Arsenal, winning three FA Cups in the process, it meant that the Dutchman was signing someone who knew how to handle pressurised moments.

Despite the hype generated on his arrival, Ramsey proved to be a major disappointment in what was a brief spell in Glasgow.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Aaron Ramsey’s statistics at Rangers

In typical Ramsey fashion, he wasn’t deemed fit enough to play against Celtic just a few days after signing, as the Light Blues suffered a dismal 3-0 defeat at Parkhead, which arguably turned the title race on its head.

Over the next few weeks, he would play a bit part in both Europe and domestically, failing to start a league match until the end of March.

He netted against Dundee, before giving the club the lead after scoring an early opener against Celtic at Ibrox, giving the fans an indication of his quality and precisely why Van Bronckhorst brought him to the club.

Across seven league games, the Welshman scored twice, and averaged just one key pass per game while averaging two shots per match, showing flashes of his brilliance.

His loan spell was perhaps characterised by his penalty miss in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt. The midfielder only came off the bench with just a few minutes to go in normal time, before being tasked with tucking away a penalty.

It was a cruel end to his Ibrox spell, although he did claim a Scottish Cup winners medal just a few days later, adding it to his FA Cup triumphs.

A fit Ramsey would have made all the difference for Rangers during the last few months of the season. Unfortunately, he couldn’t remain consistent enough to really leave a lasting impression.

He returned to Juventus after just six months and is now playing for Cardiff, the club he started his career with way back in 2006.

While he didn’t have the same impact on the pitch as Gazza, the buzz when he signed among the supporters was something that hadn’t occurred much over the previous few years.

If Clement can make a few signings that would generate a similar sort of reaction, with them performing on the pitch, it could go a long way to the club winning more trophies.

Chris Sutton laid into Rangers star last season, now he's undroppable

Philippe Clement has a player in great form right now

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 23, 2024

Fresh from ODI century, batsman scores 63 before hosts bowl Essex out in time to win first leg of double-header

ECB Reporters Network16-Jul-2021Hampshire kept alive their flickering hopes of reaching the Vitality Blast quarter-finals beating Essex by 18 runs to wrap up a third successive victory in the first match of a double-header at the Ageas Bowl.Essex looked on course to chase down the 172-run target after England batsman Dan Lawrence and Tom Westley put on 80 for the second wicket, only for Hampshire’s bowlers to claw back control as the Eagles lost nine wickets for just 68 runs to be bowled out for 153.Hampshire started the match well after winning the toss, with James Vince, fresh from his fine century for England against Pakistan, continuing from where he left off at Edgbaston with a superb 63 that included eight boundaries and a six. Vince and D’Arcy Short put on 69 after eight overs, laying the foundations for a potentially huge target.However, the Eagles fought back well when Aron Nijjar dismissed Short and Liam Dawson inside three balls to slow down the home side’s progress.Vince continued to score freely and put on a 56 with Colin de Grandhomme before the Hampshire skipper mistimed a big shot over mid-off off spinner Simon Harmer and caught in the deep by Jimmy Neesham.De Grandhomme fell for 34 when the veteran Ryan ten Doeschate took a sharp catch off Sam Cook’s bowling in the 16th over as the Hawks’.hopes of passing the 180-mark took a huge dent.The outstanding Harmer and Nijjar continued to slow down the scoring with wickets falling regularly as Joe Weatherley, Chris Wood and James Fuller all exited cheaply.Lewis McManus thumped two huge sixes in the final two overs to help his side to a decent total despite the Hawks losing two wickets in the final over to Cook..Wood struck in the first over of the Essex innings, dismissing former Hampshire wicket-keeper Adam Wheater for a second-ball duck,before Lawrence and Westley steadied the ship. But Westley, who reached 39 almost effortlessly, was then deceived by the flight of a Mason Crane ball and McManus whipped off his bails for a smart stumping.Dawson and Short continued the good work by the spinners with the wickets of the dangerous Neesham and Michael Pepper for single-figure scores.Crane struck again to dismiss ten Doeschate for nine when he holed out to James Fuller after 15 runs had been scored from the first five balls of the leg-spinner’s over.But Essex’s hopes of victory dissipated when Lawrence departed for 60 after he gloved Scott Currie to McManus, who claimed his third victim.With 31 needed from the last two overs, Essex fell well short with Brad Wheal taking two wickets in as many balls to dismiss Essex with four deliveries to spare.

Harry Kane has sent a heartfelt New Year's message to his Bayern Munich and England fans on Instagram.

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Three Lions skipper wishes fans wellStill searching for first trophyAiming to win it in 2025Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

Kane has sent a message to his fans ahead of 2025, after another year in which he was left without a trophy. Bayern Munich were stunned by Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, as they won the Bundesliga after an unbeaten season, and the England captain was also left heartbroken after the Three Lions lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain. In 2025, though, he is aiming to finally win his first senior trophy.

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Kane has been in electric form for Bayern this season, scoring 20 goals in as many games in all competitions. Bayern are currently four points clear of Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga.

WHAT KANE SAID

In an Instagram video, Kane said: "Hi everyone, just wanted to reach out and send an end-of-year message, really. First of all, just to say thank you to all you incredible fans for all the love and support this year. It doesn't go unnoticed. So yeah, it's really appreciated and then yeah, just wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. As we move on to 2025, lots of things to look forward to, lots of things to work on and improve on, as always. I'm looking forward to that challenge. So have a good one, and I'll see you all soon."

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Bayern are currently on their winter break but will return to action on January 11 against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Half-centuries for Mohammad Hafeez and Shimron Hetmyer were not enough for Warriors

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Aug-2021Sherfane Rutherford’s second half-century of the CPL season guided St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their third straight victory in a chase that had threatened to get out of hand before a late charge to the line.After an opening stand of 69 in nine overs between Devon Thomas and Evin Lewis, Patriots stalled as they lost 3 for 4 – Imran Tahir removing both openers – and when Rutherford and Dwayne Bravo struggled to score at much more than a run-a-ball the asking rate blew out above 11 an over.However, from needing 45 off 24 balls the game swung in Patriots’ favour when Rutherford was spilled on the rope by Kevin Sinclair with the ball going for six. When the 18th over went for 13 it left 19 needed off the last two with plenty of wickets in hand.The first three balls of the penultimate over threatened a twist when they brought just a single and the wicket of Bravo – taken at long-off against Naveen-ul-Haq – but a wide followed by two more sixes for Rutherford put any doubt to bed before Fabian Allen struck his first delivery for four.Guyana Amazon Warriors’ innings had been based around half-centuries from Mohammad Hafeez and Shimron Hetmyer in a 101-run stand for the second wicket. While Hetmyer scored at a good clip – his 52 taking 35 balls – Hafeez struggled to move through the gears with the pair falling in consecutive deliveries from Paul van Meekeren in the 18th over.It meant that Nicholas Pooran was only able to face nine balls in the innings and overall the last four overs brought an underwhelming 30 runs as van Meekeren, Dominic Drakes and Bravo closed out strongly.