The summer transfer window brings forth some crazy conspiracies regarding players’ futures. But, occasionally, those bizarre theories come true, and leave us all wondering just where fans learned their incredible detective abilities.The latest set of supporters to get out their long coats and magnifying glasses are Liverpool fans, who have spotted a potential transfer clue, regarding Romeo Lavia and Kephren Thuram.So far, Jurgen Klopp has welcomed both Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, in what is already an impressive midfield rebuild.Not wasting any time waving goodbye to Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who could both reportedly leave the club this summer, the Reds have turned their attention straight to potential replacements.Now, in classic transfer season fashion, fans have spotted a major transfer clue.

Liverpool fans spot potential transfer clue

Taking to Twitter with the findings, @Omzlfc posted the path of a flight from Nice – where Thuram’s current club is based. The Twitter user explained: “Flight was meant to go from Nice to Liverpool has instead gone to Blackpool.

“It’s then going to Southampton and off to our training base in Stuttgart.”

As crazy a find as it is, Klopp and co are currently set up in Stuttgart, Germany, where they will kick off their pre-season plans against Karlsruher SC, before facing Greuther Furth.

It is interesting to note that the flight from Nice goes through Southampton, too, where Lavia is currently based.

With both the Saints midfielder and Nice man linked with a move to Anfield this summer, it’s no surprise that a flight going to both of their locations in one swoop has caught the attention of fans.

It’s the kind of detective work you might see more often in an Agatha Christie novel, which just about sums up the antics involved in a summer transfer window.

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

All seemed to be going to plan for Liverpool this summer, before Saudi Arabia came in for both Fabinho and Henderson.

As per Fabrizio Romano, the Reds are discussing key details of a deal with Al Ittihad which will see Fabinho leave the club this summer.

The Brazilian has reportedly agreed personal terms and spoken to Al Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The midfielder has also not travelled with Liverpool to Germany for pre-season plans.

Meanwhile, it looks more likely that Henderson could stay put this summer. The club captain has travelled with the squad for pre-season preparations but has reportedly agreed personal terms with Al Ettifaq, with the deal relying on Liverpool and the Saudi Arabian club reaching an agreement over a transfer fee.

Given that the Reds will be left short in midfield if the aforementioned duo depart this summer, the Premier League giants have Lavia on their list of targets, according to Romano, and have previously been in contact with Thuram.

With pre-season getting underway, Liverpool will be keen to solve any midfield issues once and for all in the coming weeks, whether that be with or without Henderson and Fabinho.

It’s certainly been a busy summer so far for the Reds.

Leeds United are yet to sign anyone in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad ahead of their Championship challenge next season, however, outgoings are already starting to take shape.

Robin Koch has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the season, whilst Weston McKennie has returned to Juventus following his loan spell and Brendan Aaronson has signed for Union Berlin.

Newly-appointed head coach Daniel Farke will now be tasked with identifying the right players to join the project at Elland Road and help the side compete for an instant bounce-back to the Premier League next season.

This week The Athletic's Leeds reporter Phil Hay has revealed the recruitment plans and a number of potential targets that the club's hierarchy are looking to acquire over the coming weeks ahead of their return to action next month.

One player who has been linked is Coventry City midfielder Gustavo Hamer, an incredible talent who could be the perfect player to work alongside Jack Harrison next season – who is expected to be retained by the West Yorkshire club this summer.

How good is Gustavo Hamer?

The talented Netherlands international joined Coventry three years ago and has been a revelation at the club despite only costing £1.5m, an absolute steal when considering his impact in the centre of the pitch.

According to SofaScore, Hamer was the highest-rated player for the Sky Blues over their latest campaign in the Championship, with his explosive performances and attacking-minded style of play. helping them achieve a play-off final berth.

Over 41 Championship appearances, the 26-year-old – hailed "unbelievable" by former Coventry City goalkeeper Marko Marosi – scored nine goals, registered ten assists and created a whopping 16 big chances.

No Leeds player in their entire offered more shots on goal per game or key passes and only Rodrigo scored more goals (13) than Hamer over last season, as per WhoScored, a testament to the influence he could have on improving Leeds' performances next season.

Not only that, Hamer – who has a reported valuation of £10m – has been the recipient of high praise during his first 12 months in the second tier, with Ali Maxwell of the 'Not The Top 20' Podcast claiming that the midfielder was one of the best pieces of business they've done recently.

"Gustavo Hamer is the class act in the Coventry side, one of the best pieces of recruitment in the summer [of 2020]."

The Coventry star could use his keen eye for playing a killer final ball and attacking qualities to form a fantastic partnership with Harrison next season, playing behind the popular winger in midfield and providing goal-scoring opportunities to boost Harrison's output next season in the Championship.

Harrison wasn't at his free-flowing best throughout the 2022/23 campaign, but still posted some impressive numbers, scoring six and registering ten assists in all competitions. Such numbers would surely only improve if a creative asset like Hamer joins the team with the Leeds winger potentially set to become a more unstoppable member of the squad.

As a result, the Whites must make the signing of the Coventry star a top priority before the window is said and done.

Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:21

Fleming: Sri Lanka’s shot selection clinical

They may be coming off an awful run of form, two of their players might have been ruled out, and their No. 4 may damage his hamstring during a crucial innings, but still, if the wind and the light and the time of day are just right, Sri Lanka can still summon up a little of their old big-tournament magic. They can rally, they can surge, they can surprise.That India’s batting went more or less perfectly to plan made Sri Lanka’s ice-cold pursuit even sweeter. They were, after all, chasing a commanding 321 for 6, on an Oval surface that had turned up a little green on match day.And it was, perhaps, a new generation of batsmen that set up the highest-successful chase in the tournament’s history. Kusal Mendis hit a frill-free 89 that belied his youth, and Danushka Gunathilaka – with fewer than 20 ODIs on his timesheet – provided the innings its early impetus, hitting 76 off 72 balls himself. Kusal Perera then electrified the middle overs, before Angelo Mathews saw the chase home with help from a spry Asela Gunaratne. Sri Lanka sauntered to their target in the penultimate over, with seven wickets in hand. Mathews hit the winning run, having reached fifty with his previous blow. It was his first ODI since August last year.Like with Sri Lanka’s batting effort, India’s, too, had several contributors. Shikhar Dhawan smote a smooth 125, Rohit Sharma breezed 78, and MS Dhoni cracked 63 off 52 balls late in the team innings. And it was not as if their bowlers made outlandish mistakes. India could have been tighter after Niroshan Dickwella’s wicket in the fifth over, perhaps, and they did miss the offspin of R Ashwin, who has generally prospered against Sri Lanka.But it was largely Sri Lanka’s composure right through the innings that paved the path to this result. Virat Kohli switched up his bowling plans to the extent that he even gave himself three overs – for 17 runs – but nothing worked for long. In the end, only Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed a wicket – the other two dismissals resulting from run outs. This was, remember, the same attack that had dismissed Pakistan for 164, and had bowled both Bangladesh and New Zealand out before the 40th over in the practice matches.If Gunathilaka was the mover and shaker, driving imperiously down the ground and reverse-sweeping with aplomb, then Mendis kept the score moving in between the Gunathilaka bursts. Their 159-run stand for the second wicket wasn’t quite chanceless – both saw difficult chances go down – but it was defined by the batsmen’s control. Rarely were they leashed by India’s bowling – either shuffling around the crease, or switching up their stance, if a few dot balls transpired – but they also evaluated boundary options with precision, and largely took only calculated risks. It was more or less the kind of partnership you would expect from two veteran batsmen, except it was two younger men who provided the innings this backbone.Their youthful impetuousness did make an appearance when both men were caught short of their crease between the 28th and 33rd overs, attempting what were quite needless runs. So far ahead in the game were Sri Lanka at the time.But they were replaced at the crease by Perera and Mathews, who wound up being just as effective. Perera – promoted to No. 4 ahead of Dinesh Chandimal – attempted only singles from his first 10 balls or so, before the more ambitious strokes began to make an appearance. Crucially, in between the lofted drives and cheeky scoops, Perera mined the gaps in the field. In fact, by the time he was forced to retire hurt due to trouble running between the wickets, Perera had moved to 47 off 44, but had uncharacteristically hit only four boundaries. At Perera’s departure, Sri Lanka needed only 51 from 42 balls. Mathews took the reins, new man Gunaratne played some outrageous shots, including a memorable swee[ off Jasprit Bumrah for six, and Sri Lanka completed a roaring upset.India will wonder how it ended this way, after they too had been so controlled in their batting effort. Dhawan progressed effortlessly through the early overs, never failing to look like he would move to a tenth ODI century. Rohit had been so dominant in the early going, it was almost a shock when he pulled Lasith Malinga to long leg in the 25th over. Together, India’s openers had put on 138 and set their team on track to what should have been an unassailable score. Sri Lanka looked light of a wicket-taking option in the middle overs, as they had done against South Africa.India’s ascendancy seemed confirmed, when against his favourite opponents, MS Dhoni launched a six off his sixth ball, then set about unfurling his booming groundstrokes. Between the 40th and 45th overs, he struck six fours off 14 deliveries faced, setting India off on their final charge, which would yield 103 runs off the final ten overs. Sri Lanka was not helped by the feast of full tosses their quicks sent down.It seemed inconceivable at the break that Sri Lanka could run down this score with such ease. They have now blown their group wide open, with each of the final two matches set to be virtual quarter finals.In winning this match, Sri Lanka also completed their ninth successful 300-plus chase away from home – a record. India are second, with eight.

Hamish Bennett said being patient and waiting for the Bangladesh batsmen to make mistakes worked for him, on his return to ODI cricket after three years

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-20171:16

‘Didn’t expect another game after Hamilton 2014 – Bennett

It has been almost seven years since fast bowler Hamish Bennett made his ODI debut for New Zealand. In that series, he played two ODIs, against Bangladesh in Bangladesh, and New Zealand were humbled 4-0. Bennett remembers that series clearly, and was especially pleased that, on Wednesday, when he made his return to international cricket after three years – his previous ODI appearance was in January 2014 – New Zealand got the better of them.”It was a really good feeling,” Bennett said after New Zealand’s four-wicket win in the Ireland tri-series. “To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to get another game after Hamilton in 2014. But, especially good to win against Bangladesh after losing there 4-0, good to get one over them.”Bennett made his debut when he was 23, but had never managed to cement his place in the New Zealand first XI. Now, with a few first-choice players away at the IPL, Bennett slotted in and was simply happy to play with some of the friends he has made on the domestic circuit. “It was good to get out there. I’ve always wanted to play international cricket with Neil Broom, Tommy Latham and Ross [Taylor] as well,” he said. “So it was good to play a game for New Zealand with a couple of good mates.”That New Zealand had to chase only 258 was courtesy Bennett’s final two overs, where he conceded only three runs off the bat and took three wickets. His short-pitched deliveries against the Bangladesh middle and lower-order paid rich dividends, and he said that his plan to be patient and force his opponents to make mistakes held him in good stead.”You get lucky at the death sometimes – it goes one way or the another,” Bennett said. “It went my way today but my main job was to attack on that slower surface, it was just about trying to put the balls in the good areas. It was just about trying to contain them and get them to do something silly.”I think, in one-day cricket, you can afford to be a little bit patient with the ball because eventually the batting team will have to come at you. My mentality was just about trying to be patient and wait for them to make the play. I didn’t want to go searching too much, just wanted to keep building pressure.”Bennett, who was described by half-centurion James Neesham after the game as “one of the best death bowlers in New Zealand”, finished with figures of 3 for 31 and Bangladesh were kept to 257 for 9. But both players felt their team’s fielding effort was not up to scratch – the Bangladesh innings featured several misfields with players letting balls through or diving over them, overthrows that went to the boundary, and dropped chances – which left them chasing more than they should have been.”The target could easily have been a little bit less, we were a little sloppy, in the field,” Bennett said. “We should’ve kept them to about 230, but we never really had any run-rate pressure [in the chase], so it’s a fair reflection that 250-odd was a good score to chase.”Man-of-the-Match Neesham, whose 48-ball 52 shepherded New Zealand home with 15 balls to spare, said: “We bowled a bit better than 260-odd. If we’re honest with ourselves, our fielding let us down a bit, and 20-30 runs went abegging. You’ve got to chase the target you’re set and doing it with 12 balls to spare or whatever was ideal.”

Under Steven Gerrard, Glasgow Rangers signed a few players who went on to secure the Ibrox side a major profit.

Both Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey arrived in 2019 and 2020 respectively from Charlton Athletic and Leicester City and established themselves at the Light Blues, impressing enough in Scotland to seal moves away.

Aribo moved to the Premier League last summer, joining Southampton for a fee of £10m while Bassey joined European heavyweights Ajax for a club record £23m transfer fee, which represented a stunning profit from just the £250k they spent on him two years prior – having being dubbed a “top talent” by journalist Keith Downie in the process.

Bassey, in particular, developed at a rapid rate during his spell in Glasgow, emerging from being just another talented youngster to a first-team star who claimed a Premiership title medal, before being an instrumental cog in the Gers’ run to the Europa League final during the 2021/22 campaign, also adding a Scottish Cup winners medal to his collection.

Could Michael Beale now secure his own talent from south of the border that may embark on a similar trajectory to Bassey? As the Light Blues are now being linked with a move for Burnley centre-back Bobby Thomas this summer according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon.

If Beale wants him as part of his squad ahead of next term, then he must act fast, as Championship sides Queen Park Rangers and Cardiff City are also keen on the 22-year-old.

Could Bobby Thomas join Rangers?

Having signed just two defenders during the transfer window, Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun, Beale may wish to add some more depth to his area, especially with the rigours of a hectic season ahead.

Although Thomas has made just 73 senior appearances over the previous three seasons, he was hailed as a player who “has the makings of a good defender” by journalist Sam Frost in January following his departure from a loan spell at Bristol Rovers, and it suggests he has plenty of talent to succeed at the top level.

He suitably impressed in the English third tier last season, averaging 1.3 tackles per game, while also winning four aerial duels per game, indicating that he could provide a commanding presence at set pieces.

Bassey registered just 1.8 aerial duels won during his final season at Rangers while edging slightly ahead with regard to tackles won per game (1.5), but these figures show that Thomas could be an interesting choice for Beale ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Nigerian international had played a grand total of zero senior matches before joining the Ibrox side in 2020, being thrust into the deep end and learning along the way, and it certainly stood him in good stead. Thomas already has a wealth of professional experience, albeit in League One and Two, yet he could take solace from Bassey and turn into a talent which may eventually make the Gers a profit.

The 6 foot 1 brute would perhaps be a wildcard signing by Beale this summer, especially with the need for some more experience if a league title is to be won, yet combining young talent with experienced heads could well be the platform for the club to claim some much-needed silverware.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be stepping up their interest in Fulham defender, Tosin Adarabioyo as manager Ange Postecoglou seeks to overhaul his centre-back ranks this summer.

What's the latest on Adarabioyo to Tottenham?

According to journalist Santi Aouna, the Lilywhites are seemingly ready to make an approach for the 25-year-old in the near future, with the former England youth international potentially set to be up for grabs with his current contract set to expire next year.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider stated: "Tottenham will ma[k]e action over Tosin Adarabioyo. The Spurs are expected to contact Fulham this week to know the conditions and terms of a permanent transfer. Many clubs are interested".

This follows a previous claim from football.london's Alasdair Gold, with the respected source revealing that the former Manchester City asset – who has been valued at around €15m (£13m) – is "high on Spurs' list" of centre-back targets.

Will Tottenham sign Adarabioyo this summer?

As Gold has also revealed, Postecoglou is believed to be plotting to sign at least two new central defenders ahead of next season, with the north Londoners set to decide between a move for Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven or Bayer Leverkusen ace, Edmond Tapsoba.

At present, the belief is that the Premier League outfit are closing in on a £30m deal to prise Van de Ven from Germany, with there a potential for Tapsoba's £50m fee to prove something of an obstacle.

The bargain addition of Adarabioyo instead of the latter man could then prove to be an astute move, particularly with the 6 foot 5 rock also providing the benefit of his homegrown status, as well as his prior experience in English football.

The "highly rated" giant – as hailed by journalist Fabrizio Romano – could prove to be a fine partner to Van de Ven at N17 moving forward, with that left-foot, right-foot combination potentially set to help ease the club's defensive woes, having shipped 63 league goals last term.

Noted for his "extreme speed" – according to Wolfsburg’s managing director, Marcel Schäfer – Van de Ven also represents an ideal fit due to his ability to play out from the back, showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons among his European peers.

While also a towering presence at 6 foot 4, the 22-year-old Dutchman does not appear to be the most dominant presence in the heart of the backline, however, showcased by the fact that he ranks in just the bottom 4% for aerial duels won.

That could be where Adarabioyo comes in, with the one-time Blackburn Rovers loanee far more of a commanding figure as he ranks in the top 24% in that regard, as well as in the top 2% for clearances made, showcasing his knack for sniffing out danger.

Although the Manchester-born powerhouse is far less likely to carry the ball out from the back – as he ranks in just the top 39% for progressive carries and only the top 43% for successful take-ons – the £40k-per-week asset is certainly no slouch in possession, illustrated by the fact that he ranks in the top 23% for progressive passes.

As such, the differing strengths and traits of the two men could then make them a dream duo for Postecoglou to work with next term, with the former Celtic boss needing to strongly consider firming up his interest in the impressive Adarabioyo.

Arsenal have already invested heavily during this summer, as Mikel Arteta seeks to make them a true threat to claim that Premier League crown. However, with other links continuing to persist, it seems they are far from finished…

Which players have Arsenal signed?

Although the report in question emerged back in May, it remains a fine option for the Gunners to potentially capitalise on Barcelona's financial situation and tempt Ferran Torres from their clutches.

The Spaniard moved to the Nou Camp in an initial £46.3m move from Manchester City but has struggled to establish himself as a mainstay in Xavi's title-winning outfit.

Perhaps a switch to the Emirates could help reignite a career that once promised much, and in turn, strengthen one of the few positions that has not been bolstered this window.

His acquisition would be the fourth thus far, with announcements for Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber arriving late last week to join Kai Havertz.

Perhaps fans can expect one or two supplementary additions to add the requisite depth needed to truly compete with Pep Guardiola's treble-winning heroes.

How many goals does Ferran Torres have for Barcelona?

Having now spent two years with the Catalan giants, the 23-year-old dynamo still retains a promising future even if his career has stalled somewhat.

A tally of just 14 goals and nine assists across his 71 games in Barcelona will hardly excite fans, but it was his work at the Etihad that should ignite some form of hope in this potential deal.

After all, during the 2020/21 season, the Spain international posted 13 goals and a further three assists in just one year for the Manchester club, suggesting that in the right environment, he could thrive.

As a natural left-winger with a preference to drift inside onto his right foot, immediately Torres draws comparisons with some of the game's most prolific inverted wide men.

However, it is FBref that actually seeks to promote the similarities he shares with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, given the Brazilian's inclusion on his 'similar players' list.

With speed, trickery and proficiency that makes the former Valencia man a constant threat to defenders, this is further emphasised through his ranking against other attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe. When compared, he sits in the top 12% for touches in the opposition penalty area, and the top 8% for progressive passes received per 90, via FBref.

He could provide an added layer of attacking impetus, as someone willing to accept the ball in tight spaces and forge chances from nothing.

Los Blancos' star man is famed for this ability too, yet has benefitted from spending the last few years in a rampant Real side alongside a prime Karim Benzema.

As such, last term saw the 23-year-old post 44 goal contributions across all competitions, somehow surpassing the 42 he had recorded the year prior in which his strike won them the Champions League.

Whilst Torres – who scout Jacek Kulig once lauded as a "prolific goalscorer" back in 2021 – is far from reaching such heights, perhaps a switch to the imperious environment that Arteta has cultivated could see the £165k-per-week finisher recapture and even surpass the levels he has proven himself capable of in the past.

His versatility and goal threat is sure to improve this already impressive and improving Arsenal side.

Luke Wright rediscovered his panache with the bat after abandoning the Sussex captaincy but Worcestershire produced an excellent response after conceding their second-highest total in matches between the pair

ECB Reporters Network03-Jun-2017
ScorecardWorcestershire produced an excellent response after conceding their second-highest total in matches against Sussex.Luke Wells followed his 258 in his last appearance at Hove with 155, Luke Wright made 87, his highest Championship score at Hove for nearly two years and David Wiese a rapid 66 before Sussex declared on 579 for 8.But Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira prospered after negotiating the new ball to post an unbeaten century stand as they reached 139 for 0 from 44 overs at the close.Chris Nash, leading Sussex after Wright resigned as captain on Wednesday, was able to employ attacking fields but his five-strong pace attack found a slow pitch as unyielding as Worcestershire’s bowlers had.Mitchell survived one scare on 14 when he was put down at slip by Chris Jordan off the third ball after tea to make an unbeaten – his sixth half-century against Sussex.He has hit 15 fours and a six in his 85 not out and although D’Oliveira was more circumspect he gave his partner good support as Nash rotated his seam attack and regularly employed eight men in catching positions without being able to break through on a wicket which has so far shown little evidence of deteriorating.Just five wickets fell on the second day, three of them after lunch as Sussex pushed towards a declaration.Wells and Wright had employed a cautious approach at the start of the day and Sussex failed to claim maximum batting points. Wells, 139 overnight, added 16 runs in just over an hour before he came down the pitch in Nathan Lyons’ first over of the day and lost his leg stump to the Australian off-spinner. Wells batted for six hours, faced 288 balls and 22 fours.Luke Wright’s captaincy resignation paid dividends with the bat•Getty ImagesWright batted with the freedom which had been absent during much of his time as captain and looked on course for a hundred. He hit two sixes and two fours off four successive deliveries from Ed Barnard before upper-cutting the next ball to backward point for 87, his highest score at Hove for nearly two years, having added 86 in 16 overs with Michael Burgess.Burgess lost his off stump to Barnard after lunch for an enterprising 46 but Wiese and Jordan had licence to go for their shots. Jordan used the slog-sweep effectively to take three boundaries off Lyon in one over while Wiese employed the long handle to hit three sixes and eight fours in his 66 off 53 balls.Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach, the pick of their eight bowlers, had Jordan (37) caught at wide mid-off to end a stand of 91 in 14 overs for the seventh wicket before the declaration came when Wiese failed to clear long on.

After a tiring first day at Bristol, Nottinghamshire’s bowlers had the pleasure of putting their feet up as their top order chipped away at a Gloucestershire total of 303 that required equal parts patience and graft.

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Bristol10-Jun-2017
ScorecardAfter a tiring first day at Bristol, Nottinghamshire’s bowlers had the pleasure of putting their feet up as their top order chipped away at a Gloucestershire total of 303 that required equal parts patience and graft. While Notts displayed both qualities, it was the class of Samit Patel and Cheteshwar Pujara, who put on 146 for the third wicket, that proved the difference between the two teams on day two.This could potentially be Pujara’s last match for Nottinghamshire. While he is in England until the end of the month, his stint at Trent Bridge is only as a replacement for Australian quick James Pattinson, who is away with the national side for a Champions Trophy campaign that ended today with defeat to England. Pattinson played no part in the tournament.The assumption is that Pattinson will return: his original deal with the club runs until the end of June and he has voiced his desire to honour that and add to his 20 wickets so far at an average of 11.15. However, Cricket Australia would not be the first board to wrap one of their prized possessions in cotton wool ahead of an intense period of cricket that includes a home Ashes series. Unofficially, Pujara is on standby.Even if Pujara does not get the emergency call, he still has plans to honour before he returns home. One of them is as guest of honour at a Bollywood night at Nottingham’s Colwick Hall – a marquee function as part of Patel’s benefit year. The two have struck up a friendship in Pujara’s short time at the club and one that flourished out in the middle today.While the running at times made them look like strangers – Pujara’s urgency to rotate the strike early was at odds with Patel’s carefree attitude – the pair dovetailed nicely for most of the day, bringing up a century partnership in 41.3 overs. Despite Pujara carrying the majority of Test runs and caps between the two, it was Patel who looked the more refined batsman. Pujara admitted so himself at stumps: “I found it tough to start but Samit came out and was hitting the ball beautifully,” he said, with an admiration in his voice that many around the county share.Pujara was still on 26 when Patel brought up his half-century, only his second of the season, from 119 balls. The twenties, for some reason, brought a prolonged period of angst for Pujara – after getting to 20 off 62 balls, a four off the left-arm spin of Graeme van Burren took him to 31 off his 103rd. Credit should go to Gloucestershire for plugging away valiantly. They built up pressure where they could, with Mustard employing two midwickets and staggered cover fielders at times to cut off various angles. Fair play to the Gloucestershire bowlers for turning up to work every day faced with pitches like this.That pressure nearly told when Patel, who at times bores himself out when things get too easy, tried to guide to third man and ended up nicking through to Gareth Roderick on 52. Luckily for him, the catch was fumbled and he was able to make his merry way into the evening session and safely to stumps. After tea, a crisp four off Miles through cover point took Pujara past fifty for the second time in his Nottinghamshire career, from 132 balls.By then, Gloucestershire had grown weary: thoughts perhaps wandering to the changing room and the ice bath or well-earned refreshment that awaited them. Now was the time for Pujara and Patel to fill their boots. But it was in looking to take advantage of the hosts’ lull that Pujara lost his wicket. Of all the experiences he has taken from county cricket, hitting a half-volley from Jack Taylor straight to Kieran Noema-Barnett at cover will rank as one of the least pleasurable. He threatened to take a chunk out of the pitch before he stormed off. Naturally, he was livid.”I felt comfortable out there and although it wasn’t easy to score runs, it is tough for the bowlers to get you out. That is why I am disappointed to have got out as I did late on. When I came in, we spoke about rotating the strike and keeping the board moving because it was difficult to score fours.”He was given a hearty round of applause, though that’ll be no consolation to a batsman with 39 first-class hundreds to his name. Still, he acknowledged a crowd that by that time in the evening session had dwindled to a few members, two stag dos and a handful of onlookers from the flats at the Ashley Down Road End.Those Gloucestershire-inclined arrived this morning with hopes of seeing Gareth Roderick make it to three figures. The sighs when he was bowled on 96 by Luke Wood, attempting to find those four runs through midwicket, reverberated around the ground. Still, his 215-ball stay on his comeback to first-team cricket had kept his side above water, even if they were floundering one ball later, when Wood sent David Payne back for a golden duck, after hitting the top of middle and leg. Sighs soon turned to groans.But a cameo of 47 from Miles gave them the cheer they came for. What was best about Miles’ innings was the game awareness: the more aggressive in a partnership of 48 with Roderick that began yesterday evening, at which point his sole ambition had been to make it to stumps. Upon losing Roderick and Payne, he naturally assumed duties as senior batsman. Chris Liddle, first-class average sub-12, was kept from the strike as much as possible. He made sure to look out for his team.Samit Patel was the more assured partner in a vital stand with Cheteshwar Pujara•Getty Images

At the start of the 110th over – the last in which bonus points could be picked up – Gloucestershire were 291 for 9, needing to get to 300 to achieve two points from their innings. It would be Miles or nothing, as Nottinghamshire dropped four men to the leg-side fence, with an inspired Wood ensuring there would be nothing for Miles to drive. Yet, somehow, the right-hander managed to drive aerially over cover to move the score to 295, before a top edge off the penultimate delivery of the over made it 299. Then, with every fielder within spitting distance of the bat, he tipped and ran to the other end for that precious extra point. Not long after, the innings came to an end – Miles trapped LBW by Patel. The sighs, much like the cloud, returned to local gloom.Nottinghamshire’s start to their first innings, though watchful, was not as laboured as Gloucestershire’s, and openers Steven Mullaney and Jake Libby made their way to 72 for no loss in the 25th over. If there was one similarity, it was the way both openers fell within moments of each other: Mullaney tempted into an expansive shot through cover that ended up in the hands of David Payne at mid-on, and Libby nicking off to Miles an over later.However, the class of Patel and Pujara ensured the deficit at the end of day two was just 82 and, with Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels and Chris Read still to come, Nottinghamshire will be aiming to bat big and bat once.

انتهت مباراة إنبي والداخلية بالتعادل السلبي في إطار اللقاء الذي جمع بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وأقيمت مباراة إنبي والداخلية على أرضية استاد بتروسبورت في إطار لقاءات الجولة الـ18 من المسابقة المحلية.

وحاول لاعبو الفريقين التسجيل على مدار عمر المباراة خلال الشوطين الأول والثاني إلا أن كل المحاولات باءت بالفشل.

وبهذه النتيجة وصل رصيد إنبي للنقطة 29 محتلاً المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري، بعد الفوز في 8 لقاءات والتعادل بـ5 مواجهات وتلقى 5 هزائم.

بينما يحتل فريق الداخلية المركز الثامن عشر والأخير في الدوري، ولديه 10 نقاط من الفوز في مباراة وحيدة والتعادل 7 مرات وتلقى 9 هزائم.