Sri Lanka Cricket will invite Muttiah Muralitharan to present awards at the conclusion of the ongoing series against Australia, SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has said

Andrew Fidel Fernando10-Aug-2016Sri Lanka Cricket will invite Muttiah Muralitharan to present awards at the conclusion of the ongoing series against Australia, SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has said. The move is ostensibly an attempt to repair the board’s relationship with Muralitharan, following the war of words between the two parties that preceded the series.”I have asked the secretary Mohan de Silva to invite Murali to give away the awards on the last day of the final Test match,” Sumathipala told . “Murali is welcome to witness the entire Test. At least we want him to remain present on the last day of the match on August 17, or on the day if the Test finishes early.” The third match of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy begins at SSC on Saturday.Tempers had flared ahead of the series when Murali took on a ten-day consulting role with Australia, which ended just prior to the first match. Sumathipala had originally said he was not opposed to Murali’s consulting with Australia, but later suggested that the spinner had made an ethical breach by working in opposition to Sri Lanka, citing in particular the trials he had endured regarding his action, in Australia. Murali had then slammed the board for, among other things, its treatment of local coaches.Now, however, there is an appetite to patch up the relationship and move on.

Newcastle United have revelled in the jubilance of qualifying for the Champions League under Eddie Howe's tutelage, but must now shift focus on making effective moves in the transfer market to secure their newfound spot among Europe's elite.

Technical director Dan Ashworth is expected to target four 'elite' signings this summer to enrich the Magpies' prospects of replicating their incredible work this season.

Liverpool and Chelsea were both out-of-sorts this term and neither club retained their spot in the top four of the Premier League; Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are also rising forces and will look to further their feats after qualifying for Europe.

Howe will be confident that his current crop can continue the industrious work forged thus far under his wing, but he will look to make the requisite upgrades where applicable, and the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin could fall prey as several departments of the Tyneside team are refashioned.

Should Newcastle sell Allan Saint-Maximin?

Saint-Maximin is one of Tyneside's most beloved stars in recent history, signing from Ligue 1 outfit Nice for £16.5m in 2019 and forging 124 appearances, scoring 13 goals and supplying 24 assists.

He has never been the most prolific of players, but the £70k-per-week winger is a "wizard" with the ball – as proclaimed by Graeme Bailey – and ranks among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

However, with just one goal and 14 starts across all competitions this term, he might be seeking new pastures if Howe is unable to offer him greater responsibility next season – and while European football will deepen the side's competition, there are several factors that illustrate why this might not benefit the mercurial ace.

First and foremost, a first-rate winger is likely to be signed this summer as one of the forthcoming 'elite' additions, with free-scoring flanker Harvey Barnes, who has shone this year despite relegation with Leicester City, earmarked.

£63m club-record signing Alexander Isak has also been utilised out wide of late to accommodate Callum Wilson – who scored 18 top-flight goals from just 21 starts – as the central focal point, and while the Swede is less effective on the wing, he undoubtedly takes precedence when fully fit.

There's also the case of Jacob Murphy, who with three goals in the final month of the campaign became one of the more pleasing success stories this season.

The 28-year-old would have been one of the favourites for the axe at the start of the campaign, but his diligence and tenacity have left him with unwavering support from his manager – no other Magpie has played more than his 68 games at the club under Howe.

Finally, Anthony Gordon scored his maiden goal in black and white against Chelsea after signing for £45m from Everton in January, and while Saint-Maximin was also "superb" against the Blues, as hailed by reporter Jordan Cronin, the 5 foot 8 Frenchman's performance could be used to fuel intrigue in his services, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at £30m.

In west London, Saint-Maximin made five key passes, won eight of his 15 duels and succeeded with six of his eight dribble attempts, earning a 7.4 match rating – via Sofascore – in one of his standout performances of the campaign.

Many supporters would likely bemoan the decision to part ways with the enigmatic ace. After all, he entered St. James's Park when it was a ramshackled mess and was integral in offering a glimpse of a brighter future before the PIF takeover, captivating the swathes of Toon support with his fleet-footed runs.

But he is not getting the game-time he will desire at 26-years-old, and Howe must brazenly use the recent stellar showing against Chelsea to tout his name, freeing up room for a superlative new addition to wreak havoc down the left flank.

Manchester United are reportedly keen on making a move for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams during the summer transfer window as Erik ten Hag aims to strengthen his squad.

What’s the latest on Tyler Adams to Manchester United?

According to Football Insider, Leeds have no chance of keeping Adams at the club next season if they are relegated from the Premier League, with Man United aiming to swoop should that happen.

He is considered to be one of the few players who could command a sizeable fee, which without the broadcasting money from the Premier League, could be vital over the coming summer.

However, the £55k-per-week midfielder still has four years left on his current deal and Ten Hag will likely need to offer a significant amount in order to sign the player.

Could Man United sign Tyler Adams this summer?

Anything is possible, and with Leeds looking likely for the drop, they surely won't stand in his way of moving on in order to play in the top flight.

A move for the American could be bad news for Fred, as the American could eventually become a mainstay in the United midfield and reduce his playing opportunities next term.

Fred has started just 11 times in the Premier League this term, averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.77/10, and while the 30-year-old has even declared this campaign as “a good season for myself”, with just one year left on his current deal, Ten Hag could see the upcoming transfer window as a chance to move him on and raise funds.

Adams would be a wonderful signing, especially considering his displays for a poor Leeds side. He currently ranks as their best performer out of players who have made more than ten appearances with a rating of 6.98/10 via Sofascore, while also ranking first for accurate passes per game (45.5), second for tackles per game (3.7) and fourth for interceptions per game (1.5), underlining just how crucial he has been defensively for the club this season.

Indeed, the 24-year-old is one of the finest midfielders on the continent for his defensive contributions, ranking in the top 2% across Europe’s big five leagues over the past year for tackles per 90 (3.27) and the top 3% for blocks per 90 (two), further demonstrating his ability to screen the defence, which suggests he could add some solidity to United’s midfield.

Having shone for the USA during the 2022 World Cup, Alexi Lalas dubbed him a “monster” and this international pedigree will certainly stand him in good stead if he joined a club as prestigious as United.

So Adams may well improve his game at Old Trafford, though it could be bad news for Fred if he did make the move across the M62.

ScorecardNed Eckersley continued a rich run of form (file photo)•Getty Images

Ned Eckersley’s third consecutive first-class century saw Leicestershire take control at Wantage Road with a first-innings total of 519 before reducing Northamptonshire to 142 for 4 at the close on day two, trailing by 377.Eckersley became just the third man to make three centuries in successive matches for Leicestershire, following Ben Smith in 2001 and Charles Dempster before the war.He helped Leicestershire into a commanding position. They found two early wickets in the Northants reply before the home side recovered from 33 for 2 with pleasant fifties for Rob Keogh and Rob Newton. But when Keogh dragged a cut into his off stump to end a third-wicket stand of 91, and nightwatchman Azharullah was caught at short leg in the final over of the day, the visitors were firmly on top.Their position on the second day was set up by Eckersley’s determined century. He steered his side through the second new ball on the first evening – surviving a tough dropped chance on 4 when pulling towards midwicket – and then cajoled the lower order to help his side post their highest total of the season.When the eighth wicket went down, Eckersley had 71 but he found a game partner in Ben Raine, who, after a skittish start, settled to make a season’s best 64. The pair added a record ninth-wicket stand for Leicestershire against Northants of 123 and Eckersley went through a hundred in 156 balls with 11 fours and a six.Raine eventually fell to Keogh’s offspin and Eckersley was last man out trying to lift the same bowler over long-on, Leicestershire eventually bowled out after 144.2 overs.The visitors then struck in the fifth over of the Northants reply with David Murphy tamely chipping a back-foot drive to extra-cover and Alex Wakely edging Rob Sayer’s offspin to Niall O’Brien. At that stage, it was a very poor day for the home side who again allowed Leicestershire to recover from morning pressure.Ben Sanderson took 3 for 19 in an opening eight-over burst to bring up a third five-for of the season and leave the visitors 356 for 8. First to go was Mark Pettini, adding just eight to his overnight 109, getting lifter that came off the shoulder of the bat to point. Clint McKay edged a back-foot drive behind the wicket and Sayer got a bottom edge into his stumps trying to leave three balls later.But Eckersley remained calm, Raine settled and Leicestershire went on to take control of the game.

Pakistan have risen to No. 1 in the Test rankings for the first time. They have taken over the top position from India, following India’s washout against West Indies in Trinidad

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Aug-20161:27

Pakistan’s journey to the top

Pakistan have risen to No. 1 in the ICC’s Test rankings for the first time. They took the top position from India, following India’s washed out Test against West Indies in Trinidad.The ICC Test table

1 Pakistan (111 rating points)
2 India (110)
3 Australia (108)
4 England (108)
5 New Zealand (99)
6 Sri Lanka (95)
7 South Africa (92)
8 West Indies (67)
9 Bangladesh (57)
10 Zimbabwe (8)

Pakistan had moved to No. 2 on the table last week, after drawing the Test series in England 2-2 and after Australia were whitewashed 3-0 in Sri Lanka. At the same time, India had moved to No. 1 after beating West Indies in the St Lucia Test to go 2-0 up in their four-match series; they needed to win the final Test, in Trinidad, to hold on to No. 1, but the match was drawn after weather and outfield issues forced play to be abandoned over four days.Last week was the second time in less than a year that Pakistan had moved to No. 2 on the rankings – the highest they had previously been since the current rankings system was put in place in 2003. They had featured at No. 2 for the first time in November 2015, after beating England 2-0 in the UAE.Their rise to No. 1 was built on the back of a run of unbeaten Test series since August 2014, when they were down at No. 6. Apart from the successes against England, they had also beaten Sri Lanka 2-1 in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh 1-0 in Bangladesh, and whitewashed Australia 2-0 in the UAE. Against New Zealand in the UAE in November 2014, the series during which Phillip Hughes died in Sydney, they had drawn 1-1.Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said he was “proud” to have his team at the top, but his focus remained on delivering consistently good performances going forward. “There is no greater feeling than to achieve the No. 1 ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport,” Misbah said. “This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers. It is a reward for something we had planned as a group a few years ago and have worked extremely hard to achieve it.”I want to compliment everyone who has been involved in the process, including all the players, the support personnel, the management, as well as our loyal fans and followers who remained committed to us and continued to back and support the side through the good and not-so-good days.”For us, the No. 1 ranking is not a destination but part of a journey. Our long-term objective and strategy is to remain competitive, continue to challenge the top sides with good cricket and once again become the most followed side like the Pakistan teams of yesteryears.”PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, much like former coach Waqar Younis, said credit for Pakistan’s achievement should go to Misbah. “The ascension to the top of the ICC Test rankings culminates an incredible journey for Pakistan,” Khan said. “This is a historic moment in our rich Test cricket history and the credit for this great achievement goes not only to this team but to all… coaches and support staff members who have represented Pakistan in recent years. Misbah-ul-Haq deserves special credit for his leadership through six crucial years.”The No. 1 rank has changed hands several times in 2016. In January, India took over from South Africa after South Africa were defeated 0-2 by England at home. In February, Australia climbed to No. 1 following their 2-0 win in New Zealand. They gave No. 1 back to India following their recent 0-3 loss in Sri Lanka, and then came India’s handover to Pakistan.The ICC’s ranking system takes into account matches played over the previous four years, with the oldest matches in the cycle being dropped every May. For the current cycle, matches played from May 2013 to April 2015 carry 50% weightage, while matches played since then carry 100% weightage. In May 2017, matches played between May 2013 and April 2014 will be dropped from the calculations, and those between May 2015 and April 2016 will have their weightage reduced to 50%.

With the Premier League season coming to a close, the wait continues to see just who will be named as the new permanent manager at Tottenham Hotspur, with chairman Daniel Levy likely keen to make the right call following a turbulent last few months – and years – at N17.

The Lilywhites have been forced to hand the reins to Ryan Mason on a short-term basis following the failed appointment of Cristian Stellini, with the latter man having himself only taken on the job amid the sacking of his compatriot and colleague, Antonio Conte.

In pursuit of a long-term successor to the latter man, the likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Julian Nagelsmann did appear to be potential targets for the north London outfit, albeit with the former now on his way to rivals Chelsea, while the latter man is seemingly not in the running for the vacancy.

With new alternatives needing to be found with the summer transfer window fast approaching, a recent report from FC Inter News has suggested that Spurs have approached the agent of Inter Milan boss, Simone Inzaghi, regarding the possibility of taking charge at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Should Spurs appoint Simone Inzaghi?

The decision to move for the Inter head coach will certainly spark nerves among the Spurs support, with the Premier League side no doubt hoping to avoid a repeat of Conte's time at the club, with the ex-Chelsea man having also made the move to England from San Siro.

Like Inzaghi – who guided the Nerazzurri to the Coppa Italia last season – Conte also claimed silverware after winning the Scudetto during the 2020/21 campaign, before ultimately ending up in north London in November 2021, having left his post in Italy a few months earlier.

Not only are the two men alike in that sense, but Inzaghi – who replaced his compatriot in the dugout at Inter – also mirrors the former Tottenham boss due to his preferred 3-5-2 formation, with Conte having also favoured a back three throughout his time in Italy, as well as in N17.

That perhaps pragmatic style appears to be at odds with the "free-flowing" approach that Levy is seemingly chasing, with Inzaghi's Inter having thus far scored 66 goals in 35 league games this season, a record almost mirrored by Spurs this term (65 goals in 36 top-flight games).

While previously hailed as "one of the most talented young managers in the world" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the former Lazio boss may simply not be the dream fit that Tottenham are in need of, with a clean break away from Conte's style seemingly needed.

Zimbabwe Cricket has announced that they will host Sri Lanka for two Tests followed by a one-day tri-series that will also involve West Indies. The two Tests will be played in Harare, with the first one from October 29 and the second from November 6.The tri-series will begin from November 14 with the first match between the hosts and Sri Lanka at the Harare Sports Club. The three teams will play each other twice, making it a total of six round-robin matches, before the final on November 27. The last four ODIs and the final will all be played in Bulawayo.Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe was originally scheduled in the FTP with two Tests, three ODIs and a T20I. Later, there were chances of the tour being replaced by the tri-series with West Indies, as the Tests were not being considered as financially viable, but now the Tests and tri-series both will take place. Had that happened, Zimbabwe would have gone without playing a Test for 11 months.There were chances of the Tests being scrapped because of Zimbabwe Cricket’s growing debt and the economic situation of the country as a whole. Recently, the Harare-based players had refused to train in protest over unpaid match fees, which dated back to July last year. The protests ended after being given an assurance by the Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Wildfred Mukondiwa.Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka last played a Test in a two-match series in 2004. They have played 15 Tests against each other overall, with Sri Lanka winning 10 of them and five ending in draws.

Inter Miami manager Phil Neville has delivered an extraordinary press conference after his son was booed after coming on as a substitute during the club’s most recent defeat and has since been sacked.

What did Phil Neville say about his son?

Having just won just two of their last 13 games, David Beckham’s MLS franchise team haven’t really been enjoying the best spell of form of late. As a result, they sit last in the division, having tasted defeat in ten of 15 matches so far.

The latest blow came this week when a single goal from Tom Barlow was enough to see New York Red Bulls pick up all three points away from home, despite later having a man sent off.

During the game, with ten minutes to go, Neville opted to bring his son Harvey on but this seemed to enrage the Miami home crowd as they booed loudly and jeered every time he touched the ball.

In reaction to that lack of support for his son, 46-year-old Neville came out swinging in his most recent press conference, telling his own fans to hurl abuse at him but never to waiver in support for the club’s younger players.

Speaking to the press (via Football Daily), he said: “I’ve been at this football club for two and a half years, I’ve been really lucky with the support that I’ve had from everybody, from top to bottom and from in the stands. So [for] that, I feel really fortunate.

“And I would say to the supporters… it sounds a little bit bullish, but please just come for me. You know, support the team, support the young boys, the young boys are going to be there.

“You think about the young boys on the pitch at the end given everything, that’s what this football club is going to be built around. Those young players, this academy is going to be the foundation of this football club.

“Don’t kill one of our own, don’t knock one of our own. Just come for me. You know, if you’re unhappy, hit the manager. Don’t go for one of my boys, don’t go for one of my young kids because that hurts. That’s personal.”

Why does Harvey Neville play for Inter Miami?

Harvey made his debut at the end of the previous season and has now made ten MLS outings so far this term, starting just two games – while he first signed a two-year deal with the club last August.

Perhaps, some fans are unhappy because they think this is a show of nepotism from Miami’s manager. In fairness to that theory, his son has only ever played for any other senior side, while he also played for the Valencia and Manchester United youth teams – where Phil coached in the past too.

It’s hard enough to win over the home crowd if you keep losing home games. If you then go and bring your own unestablished son onto the pitch, it’s hardly going to help the situation.

All in all, it’s no great shock that Beckham got involved as his former teammate was fired. The former England captain released a statement.

He said: “When we appointed Phil we knew he would give Inter Miami his all and I have watched him work incredibly hard and with real commitment towards the ambitions we set out for the club.

“He and his family embraced Miami and he has devoted himself to the drive to bring success to the city and to our fans. Phil has made a real contribution to the culture of our club with his qualities as a leader and knowledge as a coach.

“Sometimes in this game we have to make the toughest decisions and sadly we feel the time is right to make a change. I want to personally thank Phil for his hard work, his passion for our club and for his integrity as a person.”

Ben Duckett, the Northamptonshire left hander who has been included in England’s one-day and Test squads, has been named the Cricket Writers’ Club (CWC) Young Player of the Year

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Sep-2016Ben Duckett, the Northamptonshire left-hander who has been included in England’s one-day and Test squads, has been named the Cricket Writers’ Club (CWC) Young Player of the Year.Duckett, 21, enjoyed a prolific 2016 season for his county and England Lions. In July, he struck a blistering 220 not out off 131 balls, including 29 fours and six sixes for the Lions in a one-day game against Sri Lanka A, but his highest score of the summer was an unbeaten 282 in the County Championship against Sussex.His tally of 1,338 runs in the County Championship included four hundreds, while he also helped Northamptonshire win the Twenty20 Blast.First presented in 1950, and one of the oldest such honours in cricket, the award, which by tradition is won just once in a career, is restricted to England-qualified players under the age of 23 on May 1. Previous winners of the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Player of the Year award have amassed more than 2,500 Test caps between them. Duckett is the first Northamptonshire player to receive the award since former England batsman Rob Bailey, now an international umpire, in 1984.The County Championship Player of the Year award, presented in association with William Hill, was won by Durham’s Keaton Jennings. The 24-year-old was the leading run-scorer in the competition with 1,548 runs at an average of 64.50 with seven hundreds, including a double century against Yorkshire and another when he carried his bat against Surrey. His career-best 88 in the final was also the highest score during T20 finals day. Jennings is the fifth recipient of an award first presented in 2012.Charlotte Edwards, the former England captain, was named the first winner of the CWC women’s award. She led England to the final of the World T20 in India and finished as England’s leading run scorer, and the tournament’s second highest scorer overall, only to be removed from the England captaincy in a controversial move as team management sought a fresh start.That decision prompted Edwards to retire from international cricket after more than 300 senior matches for her country but she still enjoyed a hugely successful domestic season. Edwards captained three sides to a unique treble in leading Kent to the 50-over County Championship title, the T20 title, and the Southern Vipers to victory in the inaugural T20 Super League.The Cricket Writers’ Club Book of the Year award went to Scyld Berry for Cricket: The Game of Life, and the Peter Smith award for the promotion of cricket to the public went to Mike Selvey, the former cricket correspondent of . All the trophies were presented during the course of the Club’s Annual Lunch – which marks the 70th anniversary of the club – at London’s Merchant Taylors’ Hall on Tuesday.

Liverpool may find it more difficult to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch now that Thomas Tuchel is in charge of the Bundesliga giants, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest transfer news involving Ryan Gravenberch?

As per The Athletic, Liverpool regard Gravenberch, Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount and Brighton & Hove Albion man Alexis Mac Allister as highly-rated players as Jurgen Klopp plots a squad rebuild this summer.

The 21-year-old has featured for Bayern Munich mainly as a substitute in 2022/23, making 31 appearances and registering one goal and one assist in that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Football Insider claim that Manchester United are also interested in the Netherlands international and will go 'head-to-head' with their bitter rivals to try and claim his signature.

According to the report, Liverpool are 'long-term' admirers of the €176,923 (£153,615) star and had monitored him before he joined Bayern Munich from Ajax.

Sky Sports have previously detailed that Gravenberch's camp has been approached by Liverpool with a pitch that has seen him become 'enthusiastic over the opportunity' to potentially move to Anfield.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs has suggested that Gravenberch may now be more likely to stay at Bayern Munich due to Tuchel.

Jacobs told FFC: "Ryan Gravenberch is another interesting one because Liverpool have had a historical interest in the player. I actually think Gravenberch, to a large degree, is prepared for a new challenge. But some of that was born out of the fact that things didn't work out for him and Bayern playing under Julian Nagelsmann and the two didn't quite share the same football philosophy and I think that Nagelsmann at times got frustrated because he felt that Gravenberch maybe showed a bit of a lack of awareness and defensive discipline off the ball at times.

"Now that Nagelsmann is gone, the situation is in Thomas Tuchel and Bayern's hands and Bayern's intent is still to keep Gravenberch. For anything to happen this summer, it either would need the player to make an almighty push to try and drive himself out of the club, or it would need Tuchel and Bayern to change their mind and Liverpool know that. So their admiration of the player is no secret, which is why we can, to a degree, link him with Liverpool and they tried of course, before he ended up moving to Bayern as well, but that is a much harder one to pull off at this stage because Tuchel and Bayern would ideally like to keep Gravenberch at the club."

Would Ryan Gravenberch be a good signing for Liverpool?

Gravenberch, who has been hailed as "elite", is an extremely gifted technician and would offer plenty of composure in the middle of the park for Liverpool if he was to join from Bayern Munich.

As per WhoScored, the 21-year-old has maintained a pass accuracy of 89.9% in the Bundesliga this term, showing his ability to be effective in possession.

FBRef note that the former Ajax man has excelled over the last 365 days in the art of shot-creating actions in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions, recording an average of 4.39 per 90 minutes.

With Liverpool known to be in the market for fresh legs in the engine room, Gravenberch would be a great candidate to offer their midfield some balance.