Everton are gearing up for a summer of bustling activity.

Not only are the Toffees set to leave their hallowed Goodison Park and move to Bramley Moore, but with new owners, The Friedkin Group, looking to bring the club back to prominence, back to the top half of the Premier League, exciting investment is anticipated.

David Moyes has reportedly been handed greater transfer powers than his predecessors and will look to bring a range of signings in to strengthen the various parts of the Everton engine.

Of course, some exits will need to be enforced too, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin perhaps the biggest name expected to depart this summer.

Why Everton need to part with Calvert-Lewin

Everton are approaching a new era, and while Moyes’ arrival felt like a reprieve for Calvert-Lewin after his struggles under Sean Dyche this year, a fresh hamstring injury sustained in January against Brighton & Hove Albion has sent him spiralling back into the shadows.

The 27-year-old did score during the thumping win over Tottenham Hotspur one game before, but this snapped a 16-match goalless run in the Premier League.

Taking the variables into consideration, there’s a sense it would be rather imprudent to tie the injury-prone, goal-averse striker to a new deal as he enters the final few months of his current contract.

Earning £100k per week, the England international has been a Toffee for a long time, enjoyed highs and lows, but it’s the right time for him to move on, especially with Beto going from strength to strength since Moyes arrived.

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33 (32)

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36 (30)

13

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35 (19)

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32 (18)

4

5

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11 (5)

1

0

Beto can’t do it all alone though, as recent fixtures have demonstrated for the Bissau-Guinean. Everton need a new striker, and the perfect up-and-comer may well have been lined up.

Everton lining up DCL upgrade

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Everton are preparing a bid for Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha, who has enjoyed prolific success in Ligue 1 this season.

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 states Emegha, 22, wants to move to the Premier League. Incoming Toffees Director of Football, Angus Kinnear, will have his work cut out, for Newcastle United and West Ham United have also been named as suitors.

It’s uncertain what Strasbourg are looking to bank through the sale of their star striker, but it is suggested they are willing to do business, cashing in while his stock is high.

What Emanuel Emegha would bring to Everton

Moyes has already showcased his tactical prowess through rejuvenating Beto, and with the power to pick a new forward who he chooses (within reason, of course) Emegha might just be the perfect long-term option for the number nine spot at Bramley Moore.

Strasbourg signed Emegha from Austrian club Sturm Graz in July 2023, actually beating Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan to his signature for a reported €13m (roughly £11m) fee.

He gave a good account of himself last year, notching eight goals in the French top flight across just 23 starting appearances.

This year, it seems the Dutch-born striker has taken the next step in his development, refining his shooting to chalk up 11 goals from 21 matches, also creating four big chances for his teammates.

Standing at a towering 6 foot 5, there’s also the matter of Emegha boasting the aerial prowess to take Calvert-Lewin’s – one of the best headers of the ball – mantle.

Hailed for his “simply phenomenal” season by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Emegha is endowed with all the properties of a high-level centre-forward, also boasting a profile that Everton have been known to desire in the past.

Let’s explain. As per FBref, Emegha ranks among the top 9% of central strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 20% for clearances made per 90, illustrating his technical skill and willingness to get back and scoop away danger when under the kosh.

It’s such a varied style of play that Moise Kean – now of Fiorentina and a player Evertonians know well – is listed as Emegha’s most similar player in Europe’s top five leagues via the same stats-led source.

Everton welcomed Kean to Goodison Park from Juventus when he was just a teenager, for a hefty £25m fee. He was sold for a similar £25m figure in 2023, mitigating the frustration that it didn’t work out, but after just two goals from 32 matches in the Premier League and a series of loan spells, it’s one to cast a rueful eye back on all the same.

But his exploits since have proved his worth, proved Everton’s reasoning behind breaking the bank to bring him in before he had fully hit his stride.

Indeed, having now left Juventus for Fiorentina, the Italy international, now 24 years old, has scored 20 goals across 34 appearances this season, with La Viola idol Luca Toni claiming the club are “doing something extraordinary” in unlocking Kean and turning him into an elite-class striker.

Now, Everton are moving to sign the newer version in Emegha, a player whose profile has already been scouted and pursued by the likes of Tottenham and might just prove to hand Moyes a new striker, his own Kean, to propel Bramley Moore into some lofty conversations, challenging at the top end of the table for a place in European competition.

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أثار الفرنسي كيليان مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد الإسباني، مخاوف الجهاز الطبي للفريق، قبل المواجهة القادمة بكأس العالم للأندية أمام سالزبورج.

وغاب مبابي عن المشاركة في مواجهتي ريال مدريد أمام الهلال السعودي، وباتشوكا المكسيكي، بسبب المرض.

وقبل أيام نُقل مبابي إلى المستشفى بسبب نوبة التهاب معوي، وغادرها لاحقًا وعاد إلى التدريبات في ميامي.

لكن حالة مبابي أثارت مخاوف شديدة بشأن سلامته، إذ يبدو اللاعب منهكًا وضعيفًا تمامًا، بحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية.

ويوضح التقرير أن ما يدعو للقلق هو التحول الجسدي لمبابي نحو الأسوأ، حيث خسر اللاعب حوالي 5 كيلوجرامات من وزنه، وانخفاض الوزن والكتلة العضلية ليس واضحًا فحسب، بل مثير للقلق من الناحية الصحية.

اقرأ أيضًا | فالفيردي عن احتفاله الجنوني أمام باتشوكا: تخلصت من المرارة

وحدث ذلك لـ مبابي إثر نوبة التهاب المعدة والأمعاء التي تعرض لها مؤخرًا، وأبعدته عن المشاركة مع الفريق في مونديال الأندية حتى الآن.

مبابي تدرب في صالة الألعاب الرياضية، ويتطلع للعودة إلى التشكيلة الأساسية في المباراة القادمة ضد سالزبورج، لكن بالنظر إلى حالته الصحية، قد يفضل المدرب تشابي ألونسو عدم المخاطرة بلاعبه.

وما هو مرجح أن يبقى مبابي بعيدًا عن التشكيلة الأساسية في المباراة، وقد يُشركه ألونسو في الشوط الثاني بناءً على وضع المباراة.

Is there anything more unstoppable than Rangers after the Europa League anthem has been blared out on a Thursday night?

Despite their continued turbulent domestic form, the Ibrox side are now on the cusp of the quarter-finals on the continent, following a 3-1 victory over Fenerbahçe at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

When winning the first leg away from home, the Gers have won all 21 two-legged European ties they’ve ever played, so supporters will surely fancy their chances of getting through, thereby setting up a last eight clash with Athletic Club or Roma.

While Jack Butland made a few smart stops, Mohamed Diomande was stupendous and fellow-midfielder Nicolas Raskin’s performance was described as “unbelievable” by Rangers legend Ally McCoist, during TNT Sports’ commentary, it’s the Light Blues’ attackers who deserve to be spotlighted.

Václav Černý the star against Mourinho

Václav Černý was certainly the star of Thursday night’s victory in İstanbul, scoring twice.

The Czechia international restored Rangers’ advantage on the cusp of half time, slotting past İrfan Can Eğribayat after some neat link-up play with Cyriel Dessers, before also scoring the crucial third nine minutes from the end, having been perfectly played in by Raskin on the counter-attack.

Černý’s performances for Rangers have been described as “outstanding” while, as former Rangers striker Kris Boyd put it on Sky Sports: “where would Rangers be if it wasn’t for him”?

Having previously netted against Steaua București twice, Nice and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Černý has now scored six goals in UEFA competition this season, so let’s see how that compares to Rangers players of the past.

On top of this, Černý’s tally of eight goals and assists combined in this season’s Europa League is second only to Rayan Cherki of Lyon.

Along similar lines, the Gers’ total of 11 goals on the road is the second-most in the competition, behind Olympique Lyonnais, four of which came at Ibrox in October.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

However, another Rangers attacker deserves some rare praise too.

Rangers star enjoys his best night for the club

Scottish Football analyst John Walker believes Thursday’s victory featured Cyriel Dessers’ “best match for Rangers”, adding that he put in a man of the match performance up front.

The Nigerian striker – who earned a 9/10 rating from the Scotsman – broke the deadlock inside six minutes, rounding the goalkeeper before his shot, just about, crept over the line.

That was despite the best efforts of Çağlar Söyüncü, as referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández’s watch flashed up that it was a goal, much to the delight of those who’d travelled from Glasgow.

Dessers then also set up the Gers’ second, with an inch-perfect reverse pass to tee-up Černý, before having not one but two goals disallowed in the second half for very marginal offsides; if he was a size five, he’d have had a hat-trick.

As Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian puts it, Dessers ‘divides fans’, but Gavin Berry and Andy MacKay of the Daily Record described the striker’s performance as ‘superb’, with the Nigerian having taken his tally to 22 goals for the season, four of which have come under Barry Ferguson.

If that praise wasn’t enough, then we’ll hand over to Mr Mourinho, who said that the enigmatic striker “looked like the best player in the world” on Thursday evening.

Many were surprised that Dessers got the nod over Hamza Igamane in attack, but Ferguson was certainly vindicated in his decision, with Mark Atkinson of the Scotsman stating that the win was a tactical ‘triumph’ for the coach.

Speaking of the interim Rangers boss, this was his first involvement in a European match since leading his club out in Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final of 2008 against Zenit Saint Petersburg, the occasion of his 400th appearance for the club, and what a victory for him, with Černý and Dessers spearheading the Light Blues to victory on the Asian side of the Bosporus Strait.

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Stephan Georgiou

Mar 6, 2025

West Indies allrounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers are among eight players retained by Barbados Royals ahead of the Caribbean Premier League 2023 season.Left-arm quick Obed McCoy and allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall were also retained along with Justin Greaves, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young and Ramon Simmonds.Defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs retained Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Shamarh Brooks and Raymon Reifer along with the uncapped Amir Jangoo, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Kirk McKenzie and Joshua James.Royals had earlier traded in Rovman Powell from Tallawahs. Powell was the captain when Tallawahs beat Royals in the final last year.Related

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As part of the trade, Hayden Walsh Jr. went from Royals to Tallawahs.Royals also let Oshane Thomas move to St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.The rest of the squad will be firmed up in the CPL draft at the end of June, when teams will pick their overseas players.CPL 2023 is set to begin on August 16 and Barbados will host games for the first time since 2019. Tallawahs will kick off the tournament against Saint Lucia Kings in Gros Islet. The Royals will play their first match, also against Kings, on August 17.

While there is a strong chance that this season is another that ends without any silverware, Arsenal have an exceptionally talented squad.

When fit, Bukayo Saka is one of the most dangerous wingers in world football, and now, in Ethan Nwaneri, he has a genuine understudy who looks like he could reach the same level a few years from now.

In the middle of the park, an inform Martin Odegaard can be near enough unplayable while Declan Rice continues to run games from central or defensive midfield.

Finally, the team’s strongest area, the defence, is bursting with world-class talent, but without a doubt, the jewel in the crown is William Saliba, and based on recent reports, the club are now looking to sign someone who could be the next version of the Frenchman.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in signing Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.

Transfer Focus

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

In fact, alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Liverpool are all preparing to make an offer for the youngster this summer.

How much the defender might cost is not mentioned in the report, but his final price tag varies dramatically, with some stories claiming he could be available for as little as £25m, while others suggest he’d cost around £40m.

It could be a complicated and potentially costly transfer to get over the line for Arsenal, but given Hato’s impressive ability and immense potential, one well worth pursuing, especially if he can be the next Saliba.

Why Hato could be the next Saliba

Now, we know that comparing a young defender who can thrive as a full-back or centre-back still playing in the Eredivisie to someone like Saliba, who is considered to be one of the best centre-backs in the business and has proven himself in the Premier League, might sound absurd.

Nevertheless, there are some key similarities between the pair.

The first is that, like the Frenchman before he joined Arsenal in 2019, there is an awful lot of hype, excitement and expectation about what Hato could develop into in the coming years.

For example, respected football analyst Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as an “exceptional athlete” who has “the potential to be an elite lockdown full-back”, while U23 scout Antonio Mango simply described the defender as an “insane” prospect and talent scout Jacek Kulig went a step further, dubbing him “one of the most talented CBs of his generation in Europe.”

On top of that, the Rotterdam-born gem has also been named in ninth place, ahead of Archie Gray, on GOAL’s 2025 NXGN list, which looks at the most exciting young players born on or after January 1st 2006.

Appearances

103

Starts

94

Minutes

8457′

Goals

4

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.12

Minutes per Goal Involvement

650.53′

Points per Game

1.86

Moreover, this belief that the Dutchman is going to be something special is why the Gunners are set to have some serious competition for his signature this summer, as they did when both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign Saliba before they got their hands on him.

Finally, if the North Londoners were able to get their hands on the Ajax star this summer, then like the Frenchman in 2019, he’d be making the big move before he was even 20, as he’ll still be a teenager until March 7th next year.

Ultimately, Arsenal already have a sensationally talented defence, with Saliba at the heart of it, and while it could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, they’d only be making it even better by signing Hato at the end of the season.

Arsenal struck gold on amazing star worth more than Trossard & Lewis-Skelly

The incredible ace will be a star for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 19, 2025

The trial of Diego Maradona's medical staff has collapsed after a judge involved in the case was found to have taken part in a documentary about it.

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Argentina legend Maradona died in 2020Judge Julieta Makintach stepped down over documentaryTrial will have to restart from beginningFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

An Argentine court declared a mistrial on Thursday in the case of seven healthcare professionals who were accused of negligence in the death of legendary World Cup winner Diego Maradona. Judge Julieta Makintach stepped down earlier this week after it emerged she had taken part in a documentary about the case.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The trial began on March 11 and was expected to last until until July, but it will have to start over again after the recent revelations. A trailer for the documentary, called Divine Justice, was played in court and was audibly criticised by defence lawyer Rodolfo Baque, who shouted "trash" at Makintach.

WHAT MARADONA'S FAMILY SAID

Speaking after the ruling, the late icon's daughter, Jana Maradona, said: "I'm angry, I'm angry, I hate them."

"I trust we could have a sentence by the end of the year," added Fernando Burlando, a lawyer for Dalma and Gianinna Maradona.

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Hulton ArchiveWHAT NEXT?

Maradona was recovering at home after brain surgery for a blood clot when he died of a heart attack at the age of 60. A date for the new trial has not yet been announced and no new judges have been nominated. The seven members of his medical team who were charged with negligent homicide were facing sentences of between eight and 25 years.

تسبب الجدل المثار حول النسخة الحالية من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، 2025، المُقامة في أمريكا حول دق جرس الإنذار مبكرًا فيما يخص النسخة المرتقبة من بطولة كأس العالم 2026.

وتستضيف الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، رفقة كندا والمكسيك، نسخة 2026 من كأس العالم للرجال في الصيف المقبل، في حين تستضيف أمريكا حاليًا النسخة الأولى من كأس العالم للأندية بعد استحداثها، بمشاركة 32 فريقًا.

واشتكى لاعبو الفرق المختلفة، وكذلك المدربون والجماهير، من إيقاف 8 مباريات طوال البطولة، حتى الآن، بسبب سوء الأحوال الجوية، والإنذار بوجود عواصف رعدية وصواعق.

هذا بخلاف ارتفاع درجات الحرارة ومعدلات الرطوبة، وهو ما يؤثر سلبًا على صحة اللاعبين، وظهر ذلك جليًا في توقفهم أكثر من مرة خلال المباريات لالتقاط الأنفاس المنهكة.

وذكرت شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية أنه بسبب الطقس القاسي خلال كأس العالم للأندية هذا الصيف في أمريكا، فإن أحد الخبراء يرى أنه يتعين على الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” التفكير في إقامة نهائي كأس العالم للرجال الصيف المقبل في التاسعة صباحًا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الاتحاد الآسيوي يعلن موعد قرعة الملحق المؤهل إلى كأس العالم 2026.. والدولة المستضيفة

ومن المقرر أن يستضيف ملعب ميتلايف، الواقع على مشارف المدينة، ثماني مباريات في كأس العالم بما في ذلك المباراة النهائية، ومثل معظم الملاعب الأخرى في الولايات المتحدة وكندا والمكسيك، لا يوجد سقف.

ولن تُكشف مواعيد انطلاق مباريات كأس العالم إلا بعد قرعة ديسمبر، ولكن مصادر مطلعة أفادت للشبكة نفسها بأنه من المتوقع أن تبدأ المباريات في المنطقة الزمنية الشرقية عند الظهر والساعة الثالثة عصرًا، و6 مساءً و9 بالتوقيت المحلي.

وسُئل البروفيسور مايك تيبتون، من جامعة بورتسموث، وهو متخصص رائد في تأثير درجات الحرارة المرتفعة على جسم الإنسان، عن كيفية تعامل الهيئة الحاكمة لكرة القدم مع موجة الحر في البطولة الصيف القادم.

وقال: “أود نقل نهائي مونديال 2026 إلى ملعب مكيف بسقف، ويفضل أن يكون في وقت أكثر برودة من السنة، لكننا عالقون بالفعل في هذا الوضع، لذلك فإن الخيار الوحيد المتاح هو الانتقال إلى وقت أكثر برودة من اليوم”.

وأضاف: “من منظور حراري فسيولوجي، ولأسباب صحية وأدائية، أسعى لبدء المباريات في أقرب وقت ممكن، لكنني أتفهم المحاذير اللوجستية”، معترفًا بصعوبة دخول عشرات الآلاف من المشجعين إلى الملعب في وقت مبكر من اليوم.

واسترسل: “المخاطر الصحية لا تقتصر على اللاعبين فحسب، بل تشمل كذلك المسؤولين والمتفرجين، وكثير منهم أقل لياقة بكثير، إذا استمر الوضع في ظروف تشير فيها جميع البيانات العلمية المنطقية إلى توقف، فإن المنظمين يتحملون قدرًا كبيرًا من المسؤولية، ما سيحدث على الأرجح هو أن اللعبة ستتغير جذريًا”.

وأكد: “يتعين على الفيفا أن تفكر في مكان وزمان وكيفية إقامة مثل هذه المباريات، ليس من المستبعد أن تصبح المباريات عبارة عن 4 أشواط وليست شوطين فقط”.

من جانبه، قال فينسنت جوتبارج المسؤول الطبي للاتحاد العالمي للاعبي كرة القدم “فيفبرو”، إنه ينبغي النظر في تمديد فترات الراحة بين الشوطين لمدة 20 دقيقة في ظل الحرارة الشديدة للحفاظ على درجات حرارة اللاعبين الأساسية ضمن نطاقها الطبيعي.

وترى “فيفبرو” أنه ينبغي تطبيق فترات رحلة بمجرد تجاوز درجة حرارة الطقس 28 درجة مئوية، وإذا تجاوزت 32 درجة، فيتعين تأجيل المباريات.

وبناءً على ذلك، وبالنظر إلى مباريات كأس العالم للأندية، كان ينبغي تأجيل مباراتي باريس سان جيرمان ضد أتلتيكو، تشيلسي والترجي، إلى موعد أفضل، وإذا لم يتوفر موعد آخر، يجب إعادة جدولتهما، وهكذا.

Florian Wirtz gave a subtle response when quizzed about a potential transfer to Liverpool after Germany’s loss to Portugal in the Nations League.

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• Wirtz has been linked to Liverpool
• The Reds ready to bid big for the German
• Leverkusen star dropped subtle hint on international duty

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As players made their way through the mixed zone post-match, reporters jostled to speak to the 22-year-old sensation who got on the scoresheet against the Selecao, though that wasn't enough to prevent a 2-1 loss for the hosts on Thursday night. When asked directly if he was excited to finalise his £109 million ($148m) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to the Premier League champions, Wirtz didn’t respond verbally.

  However, a quick glance and a subtle nod were enough to set tongues wagging. The understated reaction has been interpreted as the first clear confirmation that his move to Anfield is likely to go ahead in the coming days.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool are believed to be closing in on a record-breaking deal to bring Wirtz to Merseyside. The midfielder has been under the Reds' watchful eye for several months, with multiple top European clubs, including Manchester City and Bayern Munich, also interested. Yet reports suggest Wirtz has already made his decision to join the Premier League champions under Arne Slot.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite being just 22, Wirtz has already amassed an impressive 197 appearances for Leverkusen, netting 57 goals and assisting 65 more. His performances were instrumental in Leverkusen’s historic 2023-24 Bundesliga title win, achieved under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, a name fondly remembered at Anfield. With the Merseyside club looking to reinforce their squad to challenge for both domestic and European honours next season, Wirtz is expected to be a central piece of their future plans.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ?

  Germany’s Nations League journey isn’t over just yet. The team will now compete in the third-place play-off against the loser of the Spain versus France semi-final. Once that fixture is completed, Wirtz is expected to be free to finalise the formalities of his move to Liverpool.

Ollie Robinson says England’s short-ball attack was calculated move

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Cameron Green, the gully great

Moeen Ali penalised for using 'drying agent' on bowling hand

“It’s something we spoke about as a group,” Robinson said. “We said once we get past Cummins, we feel like they’ve got three No. 11s. It’s something that we can target through the series and try and wrap up their innings quite quick and try and give us that momentum into our batting innings.”Although Australia have enjoyed a successful two years in Test cricket, culminating in their World Test Championship title against India, their tail has not been a productive source of runs. It was further weakened for this Test with Mitchell Starc’s omission. Starc batted at No. 8 against India last week – having been promoted above Cummins in the past year – where he made 41 in the second innings, and overall he has an average of 25.85 against England with four of his 10 half-centuries.England also approached bowling at the lower order vastly differently to the Australians on the first day, opting to go at them with the short ball which proved effective despite the slowness of the surface.”I think it’s pitch dependent, really,” Robinson said of the tactic. “Obviously Pat Cummins is a really good player and I think we felt like bowling full to their tail would give them a chance to maybe score some more runs, so it’s a wicket ploy, but also it’s harder to score when it’s two-paced.”On the first day, Hazlewood had said there was “nothing there” for the bouncer, but Australia may reassess their plans if or when they reach England’s lower order in the second innings”I’m sure the strategy group will come up with a plan knowing what we know now with the wicket,” Alex Carey said. “Hopefully spin can play a big role for us tomorrow. Thought Gaz bowled outstandingly in the first innings and there’s probably a little bit more on offer for him now as well. It’s up to the attack, the leadership group, to come up with a plan to run through their tail hopefully.”Whether the lower-order contributions prove important in this game remains to be seen. England closed with a narrow lead of 35 after a high-octane 20-minute session between the rain in which they lost openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in quick succession.The highest successful chase at Edgbaston is England’s Bazball-inspired 378 for 3 against India last year, but before that it was South Africa’s 283 for 5 in 2008.

Ashes series can turn on moments like these. Three balls into Usman Khawaja’s second innings at Edgbaston, James Anderson angled a ball into him from around the wicket which squared him up and took his outside edge – only for it to trickle harmlessly down to the boundary between wicketkeeper and first slip.Khawaja had time to turn over his left shoulder and watch the ball skew away off his bat, between Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, and run away for four. Root’s weight was shifting to his left, as though to give Bairstow room to swoop and take the catch one-handed: Root left it for Bairstow, but Bairstow left it for Root.He could have been out for 5 off 3 balls. Instead, Khawaja settled in for the long haul once more, repelling everything England threw at him. He eventually fell to Ben Stokes’ legcutter with Australia still 72 runs short of their target, but only after grinding out 65 off 197. As it proved, his contribution was enough to set up Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon’s clinching partnership.Related

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It was one of several chances that Bairstow missed behind the stumps. He took five catches – one in the first innings, four in the second – but also dropped Alex Carey twice, once off Moeen Ali and once off Anderson. He also missed a stumping chance when Cameron Green skipped down the pitch to Moeen and was beaten in the flight.Bairstow’s performance with the gloves meant familiar calls for the reinstatement of Ben Foakes behind the stumps, English cricket’s of the past month. Barely a year has passed since Stokes described Foakes as “the best wicketkeeper in the world” but the Surrey man has found himself sidelined this summer, due to Harry Brook’s emergence and Bairstow’s return from injury.And despite suggestions that Bairstow’s missed chances might prompt England to reconsider their choice of wicketkeeper, they will not budge from their current balance either at Lord’s next week or, barring injury, across the series; Brendon McCullum made that much clear after the first Test at Edgbaston.”I thought they were pretty tough mistakes, to be honest,” McCullum, England’s Test coach, said. “I’ve kept over here before: it’s not the easiest place to keep, and when the ball is spitting and bouncing out of the rough, it can be quite difficult – and when you’ve got to stand a little bit closer on a wicket which is a bit slower and can hurry [you] a little bit, there is a risk that… those sharp edges can be a little bit more difficult.”Bairstow misses a stumping off Cameron Green•Getty Images

The Edgbaston Test was only Bairstow’s fourth first-class match behind the stumps since recovering from his leg-break and he improved as the game progressed, delivering a near-faultless performance with the gloves on the final day.”I actually thought Jonny kept really well, right throughout,” McCullum added. “If you look at the way he progressed throughout the game as well, I think he found a natural rhythm, especially today [Tuesday], and I thought he did a really good job. And we know what he offers with the bat. Him coming in at No. 7 is a real weapon for us as well, so I think he’ll be better for the run.”Bairstow’s first innings of the match was evidence of that edge: walking out at 176 for 5, he crashed 78 off 78 balls, the third-highest score of the match. It was the sort of innings that Foakes, for all his admirable qualities, simply could not have played: he is, by his own admission, a more restrained batter, as shown by strike rate under McCullum and Stokes of 51.81.When he was coaching Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, McCullum used to say: “If you can’t change a man, change the man.” For all Foakes’ qualities with the bat, he was the odd man out in England’s ultra-attacking batting line-up: “I’m not, as you’d say, Bazball,” he admitted earlier this year.Once England decided that they were sticking with their established top order, rather than promoting a middle-order batter to open, their choice came down to Foakes versus Brook, with Bairstow’s return a non-negotiable on the back of his stunning summer with the back last year. Nobody who has watched England closely over the past 12 months was surprised that they opted for Brook.And unless injury strikes, they will continue to back the same top seven over the next five-and-a-half weeks. Even if Bairstow puts down the occasional catch that Foakes might have taken, selecting any other batting line-up would amount to an abandonment of the principles that have informed England’s success under this regime.