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England kept at bay by star allrounder as South Africa recover from 45 for 4 to 284 all out

Valkerie Baynes27-Jun-2022England leaned on youth, South Africa on experience – of sorts – as Marizanne Kapp’s brilliant century rescued her side from near oblivion on an enthralling first day of their Test in Taunton.Kapp, who with Lizelle Lee represents the sum total of their team’s Test experience having both played in South Africa’s last one which ended in an innings defeat to India in 2014, played the flawless innings the tourists desperately needed to reach 284 by the time they were bowled out, ending the day’s play.Kapp came in with her side 45 for 4 after England’s two international debutants, Issy Wong and Lauren Bell, combined with the new, old hands of the side, Kate Cross and Nat Sciver, to reduce them to rubble in England’s first Test in 11 since 2008 without either of their retired seamers Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole.Kapp shared a 72-run stand with Anneke Bosch before Bosch gifted her wicket to left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclesteone, a veteran at just 23 years of age, cutting straight to backward point for 30. But it was a resolute stand with Sinalo Jafta, only worth 25 but during which Jafta faced 39 deliveries for her 4 runs which saw Kapp to her ton. Another stand worth 49 for the ninth wicket with Tumi Sekhukhune took Kapp to 150, making her the first woman since Mithali Raj in 2002 to reach the milestone.In the meantime, England took the second new ball as soon as it became available after 80 overs and Wong drew the first false shot of Kapp’s innings when she was beaten attempting to defend one on a length that jagged away from her.It’s facetious to suggest Kapp’s experience amounts to one previous Test. She has also played 210 white-ball games for her country and she exuded calm and authority to manoeuvre her side to a first-innings total that seemed incredibly unlikely earlier.She cruised to her fifty from 80 balls, including eight fours, and raised her century with the first of three fours in one Cross over, slashed over the slips cordon before carving the next through backward point and then edging over keeper Amy Jones to take her past the previous highest Test score for a South African woman.Kapp was prolific on the off side, scoring 100 of her first 135 runs in that area, though by the time she reached 150 she had scored 45 runs on the leg side as she continued to manipulate the field. It took a spectacular catch from Tammy Beaumont, launching herself to her right at mid-off to pull the ball down after Kapp had tried to flay Bell over the infield, to end her stay.”It looked like she’s been playing Test cricket for years,” Cross said of Kapp after she had bowled Nonkululeko Mlaba to claim her fourth wicket of the innings.Cross had made the initial breakthrough for England in the fifth over when she dismissed Andrie Steyn, who shouldered arms and left her off stump exposed to a line Cross had been probing throughout her opening spell.Wong, the 20-year-old quick promoted from her position as travelling reserve on Saturday to replace Emily Arlott, who is still recovering from the after-effects of Covid, was selected ahead of Freya Davies, who has played 24 limited-overs internationals but is yet to play a Test.Having been presented with her cap by Brunt, who travelled with the squad to continue her preparation for the white-ball portion of this multi-format series, Wong, struck with just her 12th delivery in international cricket. She lured the dangerous opener Laura Wolvaardt into an attempted cover drive with one that nipped back off the seam and shot through the gate to clatter into middle and off.It didn’t take long for Lauren Bell to pick up her first Test wicket for England•PA Images/GettyLara Goodall fell lbw to Sciver after England reviewed umpire Sue Redfern’s original not-out decision, with the DRS showing the ball right on target to hit middle stump.Bell returned after a solid four-over opening spell and secured her maiden wicket with her fourth ball back, rapping Lee on the pad with a fuller ball which struck seemingly just in line with off stump. Lee reviewed but her dismissal was upheld on umpire’s call on impact, meaning she departed for an eight-ball duck.Wong could have had a second in the final over before lunch when Sune Luus, the South Africa captain, split Sophie Ecclestone and Cross at second and third slip, the latter appearing to get a finger to the ball before it raced away for four. But when Cross removed Luus in the second over after lunch, with Sciver taking a sharp catch at third slip, South Africa were still struggling at 89 for 5.From there, Kapp set about her wonderful rebuilding effort with Bosch, then Nadine de Klerk, who was caught behind of another England Test debutant, Alice Davidson-Richards, a 28-year-old batting allrounder who provides another seam bowling option but who hasn’t played for her country since six white-ball games in 2018.It took a catch rivaling Beaumont’s effort which ended Kapp’s knock to remove Jafta and it was Wong who provided it, back-pedalling in the covers and flinging her right hand high and almost behind her to pluck a leading edge off Cross from thin air, holding on tightly as she tumbled to the ground.Cross ended with 4 for 63 from 17.4 overs to be the pick of the England bowlers who all ended the day satisfied with what they had achieved and having set up an intriguing second day’s play.

Declan Rice hailed Erling Haaland for taking Myles Lewis-Skelly's celebration in good spirits after the Arsenal youngster faced criticism.

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Rice praised HaalandDefended Lewis-Skelly's gestureArsenal face Fulham on TuesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lewis-Skelly imitated Manchester City star Haaland's celebration, sitting in a meditation pose after scoring his first-ever goal in professional football, in the Gunners' 5-1 win over the champions in a Premier League clash in February. After the game, the youngster faced a lot of backlash from pundits across the world, with some of them advising him to remain grounded.

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Now, Lewis-Skelly's Arsenal and England team-mate Rice came to his defence as the midfielder claimed that the youngster did not mean to insult Haaland. He also praised the Norwegian forward, for taking it in good spirits.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Speaking to , Rice said: "Yeah, look. I think people went a bit over the top with it in terms of what they were saying about it. I know Erling just like, took it on the chin. It's football at the end of the day. It's a goal, it's a celebration. If you don't celebrate when you score a goal, what's the point of obviously playing football?

"I've not celebrated before because I played for previous clubs and what not, but for him to score his first goal and obviously do that. I know he has a lot of respect for Haaland. It wasn't out of a mean gesture. It was just, you know, in the moment."

Lewis-Skelly also opened up on the much talked about celebration as he added: "I was kind of in the flow. I wasn't really thinking. And then just, yeah just everything takes care of itself really."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The North London side, who are trailing league leaders Liverpool by 12 points, are all set to host Fulham in a must-win Premier League encounter on Tuesday.

Glasgow Rangers secured their first Old Firm victory in 18 months earlier this week with a stunning 3-0 win over Celtic at Ibrox, but it will count for nothing if they cannot secure another three points today.

Philippe Clement takes his side to Edinburgh to face a resurgent Hibs side who have defeated both Aberdeen and Hearts in recent weeks.

With such a short turnaround between matches, the supporters can expect a few changes to the starting XI and this might see Hamza Igamane drop to the bench for the clash against the Easter Road side.

Why Hamza Igamane could be dropped to the bench

The young centre-forward was chosen ahead of Danilo and Cyriel Dessers to start against Celtic, and he delivered a mature performance.

He may not have gotten on the scoresheet, but Igamane was full of running, constantly dragging opposition defenders out of space, allowing others behind him to push into the final third and create chances.

Despite this, he also managed to lose the ball ten times while winning just one of the seven ground duels he contested, and it looked like he was beginning to run out of steam towards the end of the game.

With Clement desperate to secure all three points against Hibs, perhaps a change in the final third could do the team the world of good.

Danilo emerged off the bench to score the third goal against Celtic on Thursday and the clash at Easter Road could be the perfect opportunity to unleash him from the start.

The Rangers player who could replace Igamane

The Brazilian has seen his game time managed since making a return to the squad following his serious knee injury.

Despite this, he has made a total of 14 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring seven goals and grabbing two assists, which works out as a goal contribution every 1.5 matches.

Matches (starts)

10 (4)

Goals

5

Shots per game

3

Scoring frequency

A goal every 91 minutes

Big chances created

4

Successful dribbles per game

0.8 (73% success rate)

On this evidence, the former Feyenoord striker has offered plenty in the final third, with two goals in recent weeks coming against Celtic.

Journalist Jonny McFarlane praised the centre-forward following the Old Firm victory, saying: “Danilo currently has a goal contribution every 68.8 minutes. He scores every 88.5 minutes. If he stays fit, the numbers suggest he will be a major player for Rangers.”

There is certainly no denying his ability, but it looked as though injuries had taken their toll on the player, who missed 41 games for the Ibrox side last term.

With a point to prove and two Old Firms since mid-December, unleashing Danilo against Hibs could be the most logical thing Clement can do, especially with Igamane likely feeling the effects of the previous few weeks.

If so, the former Ajax star could be the difference in the final third for Rangers. With the likes of Ianis Hagi, Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami all operating behind him, the 25-year-old won’t be short of chances, that’s for sure.

A repeat of the Celtic display would be wonderful, but sealing three points is the priority for the Belgian this afternoon.

Rangers can repeat their Prso masterclass in deal for "impressive" gem

Rangers are showing interest in a young Croatian midfielder ahead of making a potential move…

ByRoss Kilvington Jan 3, 2025

Ange Postecoglou claims there is a "national campaign" when decisions go against Liverpool, unlike at Tottenham.

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Postecoglou under intense pressureSpurs lost to Chelsea in midweekVAR played a role in loss Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Postecoglou has claimed that he is the only voice defending Spurs in what appeared to be a dig at former players turned pundits, such as the likes of Jamie Redknapp and Jamie O'Hara. He drew a comparison with Liverpool, whom he believes receive preferential treatment in the media.

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During Spurs' defeat to Chelsea in midweek, Postecoglou cupped his ear towards the away end at Stamford Bridge after Pape Sarr scored from range. That goal, however, was ruled out after a lengthy VAR check, and the manager believes the reaction to his gesture has been overly dramatic. Nevertheless, Tottenham's latest defeat leaves them 14th, level on points with 16th-placed West Ham.

WHAT ANGE POSTECOGLOU SAID

Postecoglou told reporters: “I think in the time I’ve been here, we’ve had two decisions that have gone for us against Liverpool and there has been a national campaign, almost.

“It seems like every fight ends up being an internal fight at this club. There’s never any sort of defending of the club or the club defending itself. That’s a unique challenge, but I accepted that challenge so I’ve got to try to find a way to overcome it.”

Asked to clarify how Spurs can defend themselves, he replied:  “By being more vocal. I hope not [just the manager]. I think you hear enough from me, you probably hear too much from me, to be honest.

“It doesn’t have to be just from people at the club. I hear plenty of people talking and defending other clubs but it seems, with Tottenham, wherever there’s a sore there’s a real pile-on to sort of stick a finger in that sore and then we kind of accept our fate.

“You guys know the landscape better than I do, but it seems like…I never switch it [the television] on and hear any sort of strong voice. The only voice you hear is me. When we’re talking about the bigger clubs, there seems to be a lot more voices. And not always defending. You need scrutiny and constructive criticism as well. We definitely get enough of that! But we never get any of the other stuff.

“I think the fact that out of last night the big story is my interaction with the fans and not the fact a game of football was materially changed by technology. VAR said ‘clear and obvious’. Six minutes for clear and obvious and I’d have thought that would be the story from last night, but it’s not. Again, it’s my interaction with the fans and how I’ve made things more difficult. You kind of go ‘OK, well, that’s the challenge we face.’”

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Spurs play Southampton on Sunday before their vital Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

Olly Stone impresses with four wickets but table-topping Bears are edged out in thriller

ECB Reporters Network03-Jul-2022Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley hit two sixes as Lancashire secured a home quarter-final in the Vitality Blast with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Birmingham Bears at Emirates Old Trafford.Needing 13 off the final over, Hartley’s second six had given his side a sniff of victory and but the win was only confirmed when Richard Gleeson edged a front-foot no-ball from Henry Brookes to the boundary to settle matters with three balls to spare. Hartley finished unbeaten on 18 but the result was hard on the Bears’ Olly Stone who took a career-best four for 21.The result means that Lancashire will entertain Essex on Friday whereas the Bears, who finished top of the North Group, will take on Hampshire at Edgbaston on Thursday.In the first innings of the game Birmingham scored only a modest 39 runs in their Powerplay and lost three wickets in doing so. The first of these was that of the former Lancashire favourite, Alex Davies, who was caught at slip by Keaton Jennings off Richard Gleeson for five, but the real damage was done in Hartley’s first over, the fifth of the innings.Having made nine, Sam Hain miscued Hartley’s second ball to Dane Vilas at mid-off and then Paul Stirling, who made 12, sliced the left-arm spinner’s fifth delivery to Gleeson at third man. Chris Benjamin and Adam Hose rebuilt the innings, Benjamin taking 10 runs off two balls from Hartley, but Birmingham were only 73 for three at the midpoint of their 20-over allocation.Benjamin and Hose put on 63 for the fourth wicket without breaking the shackles imposed on them by Vilas’s bowlers and Benjamin was bowled for 35 in the 13th over when he dragged a Luke Wells delivery onto his stumps. Matters improved for the Bears when Dan Mousley pulled Luke Wood for successive sixes and the left-hander had made 41 off 20 balls when he was bowled by Wells, who finished with two for 35 from his four overs.Carlos Brathwaite was caught on the point boundary off Gleeson for six before both Hose and Brookes were run out by throws from Phil Salt in the final over of the innings. However, Hose’s 39-ball 50, which contained two sixes but no fours, had helped Birmingham post a defendable 168 for 8 in 20 overs. Gleeson ended with two for 23 and Hartley took two for 32.Lancashire’s reply began moderately when they scored six more runs than their opponents had managed in their Powerplay but lost two wickets in doing so. Stone did the damage in the space of three balls, Jennings skying him to Danny Briggs at backward point and Steven Croft miscuing a drive to Brathwaite at mid-off and departing for a second-ball nought.Any thoughts that Vilas and Salt had seized control of the match with a 67-run stand for the third wicket were dispelled when both were dismissed in successive overs. Vilas was leg before to Briggs for 42 and Salt was caught at long on off Stone for 33.The vital wicket of Tim David fell to Jake Lintott, who had the Singaporean caught at long off by Benjamin for only 12 in the 14th over at the end of which Lancashire needed 60 off 36 balls. That seemed unlikely until Hartley got out the long handle.

Leeds United have the chance to dip into the market to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, which officially opened for business last week.

The Whites are only one point ahead of Sheffield United and Burnley in second and third place and this means that their place in the automatic promotion spots is far from secure.

Daniel Farke’s side cannot afford to keep slipping up, if their rivals continue to pick up points, as their disappointing draw with Hull cost them two points.

The German head coach, despite watching his team slip up in the play-offs last season, knows what it takes to win a title race in the Championship, having done so twice during his time with Norwich City.

Farke lifted the second tier title in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns, the second of which he added Dimi Giannoulis as a starting-quality left-back in the January window, which suggests that he knows the value a winter addition can offer in a title race.

The Leeds head coach is, however, reportedly looking at attacking options to come in and bolster his Whites squad before the February deadline.

Leeds eyeing new centre-forward

According to the print edition of the Daily Mail (06/01/2025), as relayed by MOT Leeds News, the club are interested in a deal to sign Hoffenheim attacker Mergim Berisha.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that the 49ers and Co are lining up a Leeds swoop to bring the centre-forward to Elland Road this month to provide him with another option in the forward areas of the pitch.

It does not reveal, however, how much Hoffenheim would demand from the Whites in order to sanction a deal for the 26-year-old ace, or if they would be prepared to listen to loan offers for his services.

The striker has only started three of his 11 appearances in the Bundesliga so far this season, which shows that he has not been a frontline option for the German side, as the forward has not played regular football, and could be open to moving away from the club ahead of the second half of the season.

However, it remains to be seen how viable a deal is for Leeds in the January transfer window, as there is no mention of any potential price or Hoffenheim’s stance on the situation.

The West Yorkshire outfit being interested in signing Berisha, though, should come as bad news for one player in the current Leeds squad, as it could mean that the end of Patrick Bamford’s career at Elland Road is growing closer and closer.

Why this is bad news for Patrick Bamford

The one-time England international has already struggled for game time in the Championship so far this season, with zero starts in the division, and the arrival of another forward would push him further down the pecking order.

Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph have shared the league starts between them, as both have been preferred ahead of him – and often as the first striker substitute off the bench when the other has started – by Farke.

Berisha coming in could prevent Bamford from even making a matchday squad, as having three recognised number nines on the bench, when Leeds play with one in their usual formation, would be overkill.

The English forward has played 127 minutes across ten substitute appearances in the league this season, which shows that he has already been struggling for minutes without the introduction of a third competitor in his position.

Appearances

33

xG

9.52

Goals

8

Big chances missed

9

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, Bamford featured in 33 of the club’s 46 regular season matches in the Championship last term, but underachieved in front of goal with eight goals from 9.52 xG.

The wasteful striker has found himself at the bottom of the striking pile as a result of his struggles on the pitch, with Joseph and Piroe firmly ahead of him in the pecking order.

Bamford has been linked with a January exit from Elland Road and the signing of Berisha could all-but-confirm the end of his career in Yorkshire, due to the position it would leave him in within the squad.

Why Leeds should sign Mergim Berisha

It is worth saying that Leeds are not in desperate need of a new number nine to come in and start every game to fire the team to promotion, albeit Farke would surely love to find a 25-goal-a-season marksman to deliver week-in-week-out.

Piroe has scored ten goals and provided five assists in 16 league starts for Leeds, which shows that the Dutchman has offered a big threat at the top end of the pitch for the German head coach.

This means that the Whites can afford to take a gamble with any forward addition this month, and that is exactly what the signing of Berisha would be, as he has not played much over the last 18 months.

The Germany international suffered an ACL injury that kept him out from November 2023 to July 2024 and that has restricted him to just 19 Bundesliga appearances since the start of last season.

His form in the 2022/23 campaign, however, suggests that the potential is there for him to come in as an exciting addition for Leeds, if Farke can help him to get back to his best.

Appearances

23

xG

8.13

Goals

9

Conversion rate

16%

Big chances missed

5

Assists

4

As you can see in the table above, Berisha, who was hailed as “exceptional” in the box by Augsburg boss Enrico Maaßen that season, provided plenty of quality in the final third, as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

The 26-year-old star also produced an eye-catching 14 goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in 24 starts for RB Salzburg during the 2020/21 campaign, which shows that he has been a consistent performer at the top end of the pitch for multiple of his previous clubs in the past – before his long-term injury.

Farke's new Godfrey: Leeds in talks to sign a "Rolls Royce" defender

Leeds United are interested in a swoop to bring the Premier League defender to Elland Road.

ByDan Emery Jan 6, 2025

This is why Leeds should take the risk and gamble on Berisha coming in as a replacement for Bamford to, hopefully, get back to his best and compete with Piroe and Joseph for a starting spot.

The American star made her long-awaited return, scored in the first 5 minutes and pulled out a humorous goal celebration

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Rodman scores a fifth-minute goalMocks her own back injuryForward's first national team action since 2024 OlympicsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

USWNT star Trinity Rodman made an instant impact on her return to national team duty, scoring within five minutes to put the team ahead of Brazil Saturday in Los Angeles. It was her first action since her stellar run in last year's Olympics, as she's been sidelined with a back injury.

The injury gained national attention after she mentioned her back might not ever be 100 percent again.

Following her stunning finish, Rodman poked fun at the response to the injury by pretending to limp and hold her back.

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Rodman's return is significant for Emma Hayes' side as the USWNT have had some inconsistent stretches, especially in attack, since the Olympics. Part of that has been down to the availability of several players, especially the Triple Espresso trio of Sophia Wilson, Rodman and Mallory Swanson.

While Wilson is expected to be out for some time after announcing she's pregnant, Rodman's reemergence gives Hayes another dimension on the attack

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WHAT NEXT FOR USWNT?

The U.S. will line up against Brazil again next Tuesday in San Jose.

Liverpool have reportedly made a £41m bid for the services of a Champions League winner who has been called a “one-man army in midfield” in the past ahead of rivals Manchester City.

Liverpool eyeing midfield reinforcements

The Reds pushed hard to complete the signing of Real Sociedad ace Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window, seeing him as a perfect deep-lying option to add to their midfield. The Spaniard ended up remaining at his current club, however, and no reinforcements arrived in that area of the pitch.

Thankfully for Liverpool, their current midfielders have excelled this season, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister particularly superb as a double pivot. Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have also shone, though, bringing different qualities to the No.10 role.

Despite this, Liverpool continue to be linked with additions in the middle of the park, with Zubimendi still reportedly being looked at, despite potential frustration at him turning them down last year.

VfB Stuttgart star Enzo Millot would be a long-term midfield option for the Reds, with the 22-year-old already becoming a key player for the Bundesliga side, bagging six goal contributions (four goals and two assists) in 12 starts in the league so far this season.

Liverpool make £41m offer for midfield ace

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool have tabled a £41m offer for Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, as they look to beat Manchester City to his services.

An initial payment of £29m is mooted in the report, with the remainder of the fee being paid next season, as the Reds look to become even more dominant in the middle of the park.

Tchouameni was constantly linked with a move to Liverpool back in 2022, at a time when the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were ageing figures, but he opted to move from Monaco to Madrid instead.

With the 24-year-old has enjoyed a great period of success at the Santiago Bernabeu, including winning the Champions League last season, he hasn’t always been a key starter under Carlo Ancelotti, and could therefore like the idea of a fresh challenge.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauded him during his time at Monaco, hailing him as “one-man army in midfield”, summing up his dominant nature, while Paul Pogba has also heaped praise on him, saying: “It was a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.”

There is an argument to say that Liverpool don’t need reinforcements, given the level of quality on show this season, but an expert in the No.6 position could still be ideal, giving Arne Slot a different type of player to the likes of Gravenberch and Mac Allister, who are perhaps a little more naturally attack-minded.

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ByEthan Lamb Jan 5, 2025

To pip City to Tchouameni’s signature would be an added bonus, too, strengthening themselves while thwarting their rivals at the same time.

Unbeaten 37 helps side to 177-run lead over Worcestershire

ECB Reporters Network12-Jul-2022Middlesex 188 and 180 for 6 (Hollman 37*, Pennington 3-37) lead Worcestershire 191 (Barnard 69, Roland-Jones 4-60) by 177 runsLuke Hollman’s unbeaten knock of 37 tilted a see-saw contest fractionally in Middlesex’s favour as they built a 177-run advantage against Worcestershire in their LV= Insurance County Championship match at Merchant Taylors’ School.Hollman – who top-scored with 62 in the first innings – shored up the lower order after Dillon Pennington’s three wickets had reduced his side to 139 for 6 second time around, extending that total by a further 41 at stumps.It sets up the prospect of an enticing finish on day three after Worcestershire had posted 191 to secure a wafer-thin three-run lead in their first innings, built around Ed Barnard’s undefeated 69.Toby Roland-Jones, who finished with figures of 4 for 60, then played a valuable role with the bat, keeping Hollman company at the crease until bad light brought play to a close.Resuming 88 behind, Worcestershire’s sixth-wicket pair progressed steadily through the opening half-hour and extended the partnership to 71 before a diving catch by Sam Robson in the slips accounted for Gareth Roderick (30).When Tim Murtagh had Joe Leach caught behind in the next over, the visitors still faced a deficit of 61 – but that was all but wiped out by Josh Baker, who dispatched Murtagh for consecutive cover boundaries and continued to go for his shots.Baker’s knock of 36 included six fours, with Roland-Jones also taking some punishment before he eventually had his man caught at midwicket by Jack Davies.Davies darted in to take a far trickier catch and remove Charlie Morris in Roland-Jones’ next over as the seamer quickly mopped up the Worcestershire tail by taking out Pennington’s off stump.Mark Stoneman restored Middlesex’s lead with the first ball of their second innings, nudging Leach to the boundary but his opening partnership with Sam Robson developed into a gritty one either side of lunch.Robson cut Barnard for four to lift the stand past 50, but Pennington immediately pegged Middlesex back with a double strike as Stoneman (27) top-edged a hook to long leg and Davies, fending one off to point, departed for a second-ball duck.Robson (35) eventually fell to a stunning return catch by Leach, flinging himself to his left to pull off a one-handed grab, while Baker removed Max Holden just before tea with a delivery that turned sharply to hit off stump.John Simpson announced his arrival at the crease by smashing Baker to the fence twice in succession, but the spinner returned after tea to trap Robbie White – who had battled hard for his 37 – leg before.Pennington prised out Simpson, taken low in the slips for a belligerent 26, before Hollman and Roland-Jones dug in to maintain Middlesex’s hopes of setting their opponents a tricky target in excess of 200.

The release date for Season 4 of Welcome to Wrexham has been revealed, as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney deliver more documentary drama.

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Hollywood co-owners calling the shotsCan make EFL history with third successive promotionHighs & lows have all been caught on cameraFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Hollywood co-owners in North Wales made a point of bringing cameras with them when completing a stunning takeover in 2021. The first series of the popular show covered FA Trophy final heartache at Wembley and play-off disappointment.

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A meteoric rise has been enjoyed since then, with the Red Dragons soaring out of the National League and into the third tier of English football. In 2024-25, a historic third successive promotion is being chased down.

THE GOSSIP

An award-winning show has captured every epic moment of that journey, with Reynolds and McElhenney continuing to guide Wrexham down a path that they hope will one day lead to the Premier League Promised Land.

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WELCOME TO WREXHAM SEASON 4 RELEASE DATE

The highs and lows of a memorable season back in League One will air on FX and Hulu from May 15, 2025. That is less than two weeks after Phil Parkinson’s side complete their league schedule – hoping to avoid the need for more play-off lottery tickets.