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AB de Villiers is expected to play in a three-day match against the touring Zimbabweans next month, before the four-day Boxing Day Test

Firdose Moonda28-Nov-2017AB de Villiers is expected to play in a three-day match for the South African Invitation XI against the touring Zimbabweans next month, in a bid to make a Test comeback. South Africa take on their neighbours in the inaugural four-day day-night Test starting Boxing Day, and to prepare for the fixture, Zimbabwe will play a three-day practice match in Paarl from December 20 to 22 where de Villiers may play.”We’d like to get him back in whites as soon as possible and we have some plans in place. There’s the practice match which will be good for him,” Linda Zondi, South Africa’s convener of selectors told ESPNcricinfo.Zondi has kept an eye on de Villiers’ performances in the Ram Slam T20 matches – he has scored 130 runs with a half-century in three innings – and is satisfied that de Villiers has sufficient match fitness. “The manner in which he has played has shown that he is ready. It was never a case of him being rusty but just about getting him match fitness,” Zondi said.De Villiers has not played a Test since January last year because injuries kept him out of series against New Zealand and Australia in 2016 and a self-imposed sabbatical from the longest format has seen him sidelined throughout 2017. As a result, it was widely speculated de Villiers would retire from the format, something even former captain Graeme Smith confirmed he had heard, but in August de Villiers stepped down as ODI captain and committed to play across all formats. This week, he explained to reporters in Centurion that the long break had done him good.”I’ve had time at home to get fresh, time to work on my body, and time to work on skills I’ve not worked on in many years.,” de Villiers said. “I’ve sort of rediscovered that love of the game. I’ve not had an off-season where I’ve gone to nets to work on my skills and technique for ages. Last year, in the peak of the season, I was less ready for Test cricket than I am now.”Though de Villiers has played international cricket this year – he was part of the ODIs in New Zealand and the limited-overs matches in England – he has had most of the year, especially the winter, off. On comeback this summer, he struck 176 in an ODI against Bangladesh in Paarl and has since been back to his aggressive best. Since his last Test, de Villiers has only played one first-class game, for Titans, but still feels he is ready for a longer stint and the warm-up match will help.”It will be nice to go out there and spend some time on my legs. Form-wise I feel ready, but it’s important to stand in the field for a while and hopefully get a long knock,” he said.The only question that remains is how (not if – because coach Ottis Gibson made it clear de Villiers and Dale Steyn would play as soon as they were available) de Villiers will slot back into the Test XI. Not even Zondi has a proper answer yet. “For us as selectors, it’s about getting him into the squad and then it will be worked out from there. It’s a nice problem to have,” Zondi said.South Africa’s Test team composition has shifted from seven batsmen, three seamers and a spinner to six batsmen, two allrounders, two frontline quicks and a spinner in recent months which has complicated the case for de Villiers’ return. The six incumbents are Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, and of those, only Bavuma did not score a century against Bangladesh. Bavuma also occupies the No. 4 position that used to belong to de Villiers, so it would seem he is the likeliest to go. But Bavuma had only recently been promoted to the position and dug South Africa out of several holes and is seen as someone to invest in for the future, leaving South Africa with a conundrum.A possible solution could present itself if du Plessis is not declared fit for the start of the Test summer. Du Plessis suffered a lower-back injury during the third ODI against Bangladesh in late October and was ruled out of action for six weeks, which puts his comeback sometime in December. He has since also had surgery on a troublesome shoulder and is not expected to participate in the Ram Slam at all. Though Zondi is hopeful du Plessis will be available to lead the Test team against Zimbabwe, some of South Africa’s de Villiers puzzle may be solved if he is not. And then it remains to be seen how South Africa will line-up for the three Tests against India in January.

Wolverhampton Wanderers could sign an instant heir to departed winger Adama Traore, with journalist Rudy Galetti providing an update on the Old Gold’s potential movements in the summer window.

The Midlands outfit have endured a nightmare situation so far this transfer window, losing manager Julen Lopetegui due to increased concerns over squad size due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions surrounding the club.

With new manager Gary O’Neil at the helm, Molineux was handed something to cheer about, however after a controversial opening day defeat to Manchester United, there continues to be doubts over the strengths of the squad at present.

Who could Wolves replace Adama Traore with?

According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the Italian journalist has since linked Wolves with AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers.

Valued around the £28m mark by FootballTransfers, the 24-year-old could be a huge reach for the club considering their financial situation, however, Galetti reinforced the appreciation for the Belgian in the Midlands.

“A new name, another name is Saelemaekers of AC Milan. That is another player who is appreciated. Let's keep an eye on him." he said.

“He is on the sideline in the project of the Italian club of the Rossoneri. So, this is the overall situation of Wolves."

How good is Alexis Saelemaekers?

A product of Anderlecht’s academy, the dynamic right-winger made the move to the San Siro on a permanent basis in 2020 after a successful half-season loan spell with the club earlier that year.

Deployable on both the left and right side, the Belgian has previously been praised for his exploits in Italy by former national team coach Roberto Martinez, who described the forward as having “transformed at Milan”.

Despite breaking into the senior team at one of Europe’s best clubs, the 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order after suffering a significant knee injury in September 2022 that saw him miss 16 games for both club and country.

The wide player made just 14 starts last term, contributing to five goals by scoring two himself and registering three assists from the flank, via Sofascore.

While the numbers sound underwhelming, the winger could still be an improved addition at Wolves in place of Traore, who left Molineux as a free-agent at the expiration of his contract and has subsequently signed for top-flight rivals Fulham.

Last season, the 27-year-old netted twice in the Premier League for the Old Gold, accounting for a fifth of his career total of goals in the English top-flight, where he has found himself on the score sheet just 10 times over seven seasons.

Replacing the Spaniard’s end product would be the less-difficult hurdle to overcome, however, his one-versus-one ability will be missed in the Midlands.

In Saelemaekers, O’Neil could find an equally as threatening wide player as Traore, as suggested by 2.26 successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, compared to the former Wolves star’s 2.95 per 90, via FBref.

By capturing the Belgian dynamo, the Old Gold could integrate another versatile wide player into their side in place of Traore, in a talent that could prove to be the natural successor to the long-serving Spaniard.

The two openers scored centuries while the fast bowler picked up a five-for to lead Central Districts to a victory by an innings and 86 runs

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2017Central Districts held sway of their match from the moment the coin came down in their favour. They chose to bat, put up a mammoth total, with their openers and No. 3 providing 325 of their 498 for 7 declared, and used scoreboard pressure to buy themselves a win over Canterbury by an innings and 86 runs.George Worker and Greg Hay set the ball rolling, scoring 111 and 140 respectively. And when the third-change bowler Tim Johnston broke through their partnership with the score on 188, the record-breaking Brad Schmulian came out and threatened the score a century to back up his double on debut last month. He fell 26 runs short, but had set up Central Districts to dictate terms for the rest of the game.The bowlers played their part as well, allowing only three Canterbury batsman – Michael Pollard (62), Cole McConchie (56), Cam Fletcher (50) – to reach fifty in two innings. Seth Rance picked up a five-for to ensure his side gained a whopping 304-run lead and Blair Tickner took the reins after the follow-on was enforced, picking up 4 for 41. It was Canterbury’s second loss of the tournament, and totals of 194 and 218 suggests their batsmen had succumbed fairly meekly.

Everton manager Sean Dyche continues to scour the transfer market for a new striker despite making several offensive acquisitions already this summer, and may have received a big boost for a key target.

After securing a place in this season's Premier League with a final-day victory over Bournemouth last term, the Toffees have been trying to combat their scoring woes – they finished the 2022/23 campaign as the division's second-lowest scorers – with their activity, signing Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti already.

However, with Neal Maupay misfiring since his £15m move from Brighton & Hove Albion last year and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's fitness levels unreliable – absent for 30 matches over the past two years – Dyche has seemingly focussed his attention on Paris Saint-Germain's Hugo Ekitike in what could be a significant display of intent.

What's the latest Everton transfer news?

According to journalist Patrick Berger, the Toffees have received some pleasing news as they pursue Ekitike, with Borussia Dortmund pulling out of the race for the 21-year-old striker.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

French side Lens will give the Goodison Park side competition, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Everton have been working fervently to secure his signature on an initial loan deal with a €35m (£30m) purchase option, there's a concrete possibility they get this one over the line.

How good is Hugo Ekitike?

There have been a deluge of reports claiming Everton are targetting a new centre-forward this summer, with BBC Sport recently summarising that Leicester City's Patson Daka and Southampton's Che Adams are on Everton Director of Football Kevin Thelwell's radar.

However, Daka has been underwhelming in the Premier League since arriving, scoring just nine goals from 53 matches, while Che Adams has never been the most prolific of forwards, albeit he is dynamic and boasts good link-up play.

Ekitike only scored four goals and supplied four assists for PSG last term but he only made 14 starts across all competitions, and the previous term, with Stade Reims, he landed ten goals and four assists from just 15 starts in Ligue 1.

Hailed as a "special, special player" by his former boss Oscar Garcia, Thelwell simply has to work tirelessly to obtain his services, bolstering the ranks with a first-class talent.

Standing at 6 foot 2, Ekitike could be the imposing talisman to serve as the heir to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's position as the Everton focal point; while the 26-year-old is prolific on his day, he indeed spends too much time sidelined and has been linked with a move away to Roma this summer.

He is no longer untouchable, despite plundering 60 goals from 209 outings for the Toffees, and given the certain similarities between the respective players, Ekitike could thrive in his stead.

Calvert-Lewin ranks among the top 8% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues for aerials won per 90, as per FBref, and is indeed heralded as a "monster" by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

The £80k-per-week Ekitike needs to improve his aerial dominance, though he did win 1.5 and 1.1 aerials per game across his two campaigns with Reims, as per WhoScored, and Dyche could nurture this element of his game on Merseyside.

He also ranks among the top 5% of forwards for pass completion and the top 3% for assists per 90, and therefore, would be a dynamic, all-engulfing attacker to bolster Everton's frontline and then some over the next several years.

As Kulig has also already called him, Ekitike could be a "revelation" on Merseyside.

Jamie Porter also claimed two prizes after helping Essex to the County Championship title while James Anderson and Joe Root took the England awards

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2017Samit Patel and Nat Sciver have been recognised by their peers with respective Player of the Year titles at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards night.Patel, the Nottinghamshire allrounder, won the Reg Hayter Cup after being voted the PCA Players’ Player of the Year, following his starring role in Nottinghamshire’s impressive season where they won both white-ball competitions – the Royal London Cup and NatWest T20 Blast – and secured promotion in the County Championship.Patel topped the voting ahead of Kumar Sangakkara, who signed off his first-class career by averaging over 100 in the Championship for Surrey, Essex’s Jamie Porter, the leading wicket-taker of the season, and Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram who made over 1000 runs in white-ball cricket.He was Nottinghamshire’s leading run-scorer in the Championship with 906 at 53.29 and also claimed 19 wickets. He also topped the county’s run chart in the Royal London Cup – and was fourth overall – with 539 at 67.37 then added 405 runs and 16 wickets in the T20 Blast. His success has been enough to have him floated as a possible replacement for Ben Stokes should the latter be withdrawn from the Ashes.PCA award winners

Reg Hayter Cup for the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
John Arlott Cup for the NatWest PCA Young Player of the Year
Jamie Porter (Essex)
NatWest Women’s Player of the Summer
Natalie Sciver
Investec Test Player of the Summer
James Anderson
Royal London One Day International Player of the Summer
Joe Root
Specsavers County Championship Player of the Year
Jamie Porter (Essex)
NatWest T20 Blast Player of the Year
Wayne Madsen (Derbyshire)
Royal London One-Day Cup Player of the Year
Colin Ingram (Glamorgan)
Greene King PCA England Masters Player of the Year
Owais Shah
PCA Lifetime Achievement Award
Fred Rumsey
ECB Special Award
Heather Knight and Mark Robinson
Harold Goldblatt Award for the PCA Umpire of the Year
Michael Gough

“It’s a great honour to be voted by your peers. It’s a great feeling and it demonstrates how well we have done as a team and individually this season,” Patel said. “I’m a little bit surprised actually. To be up there with a world-class player like Sanga, with the amount of runs that he scored in a short amount of time, is a privilege in itself.”Allrounder Sciver, part of the World Cup-winning side, was named England’s Player of the Summer ahead of Tammy Beaumont and Alex Hartley. Sciver scored 369 runs at 46.12 and took seven wickets to help England secure the title and, during the tournament, had a shot named after her.The ‘Nat-Meg’ was unveiled, at least to a wider audience, during her 129 off 111 balls against New Zealand when Sciver deliberately deflected a leg-stump yorker through her legs for two runs. Earlier in the tournament she had scored a career-best 137 against Pakistan which included England’s fastest World Cup century off 76 balls.In the final against India, played at a sold-out Lord’s, Sciver held England’s middle order together with 51 off 68 balls to help them to 228 for 7, which ultimately proved just enough thanks to Anya Shrubsole’s inspired spell.”Nothing can take away from that day at Lord’s and just being there with the whole team and the girls who didn’t quite make the 15 so we were there as a squad,” Sciver said. “This caps off a brilliant year for us and hopefully we can produce a few more brilliant years. To be voted by my peers is a really nice feeling.”There are a few other players who could have been nominated as well. It was a performance by the full 15 in the squad, so I am very lucky.In the other awards, Porter picked up two prizes – the Young Player of the Year and the County Championship award for his 75 wickets at 16.82 in Essex’s unbeaten campaign. His success has earned him a place on the England Lions tour of Australia next month.The England Test and one-day awards went to James Anderson and Joe Root respectively, Ingram was named the Royal London Cup Player of the Year and Wayne Madsen took the same title for the NatWest t20 Blast.In the PCA’s 50th year – the organisation’s first meeting was on September 4, 1967 in London – they gave a lifetime achievement award to the founder Fred Rumsey.”In our 50th Anniversary year it is only fitting that our Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to one of our founding members, Fred Rumsey,” David Leatherdale, the PCA chief executive said. “His courage and determination some 50 years ago has enabled the PCA to become the respected organisation it is today.”PCA team of the year Alex Hales(Nottinghamshire), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), Colin Ingram (Glamorgan), Kumar Sangakkara (Surrey), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Darren Stevens (Kent), Ben Cox (Worcestershire), Kyle Abbott (Hampshire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Simon Harmer (Essex), Jamie Porter (Essex)

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to make their first huge gaffe under Ange Postecoglou, with an outstanding reason to avoid this touted transfer…

Who could replace Kane at Tottenham?

Romelu Lukaku is something of a pariah in Italy at the moment since returning to Chelsea after the conclusion of his loan.

Having been vocal in his love for Inter Milan, the Nerazzurri were incensed to find out that the Belgium international was flirting with the idea of joining Juventus. More recently, it is the fans of the Turin outfit that have made their feelings known, with the fans protesting against his signing by storming the pitch likely due to his ties with their rivals.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Now it is the Lilywhites who could be set to swoop in, with Italian outlet Calciomercato suggesting they are planning a move for the 30-year-old outcast.

The report suggests that he is an 'old passion' of Daniel Levy's, and with the expected departure of Harry Kane, a new starting striker is needed. However, it is a wonder whether even the Spurs fans would want this move to come to fruition.

How many goals did Romelu Lukaku score for Chelsea?

Whilst the one-time Manchester United man has enjoyed a largely successful career, recent campaigns have tarnished his reputation somewhat, likely leading to such turmoil regarding his potential deal.

After all, he is the player who has accumulated the highest cumulative transfer fee in history. This does not happen without a degree of quality, which was best showcased during his stints with Everton and Inter.

The former arguably kickstarted his career, becoming their all-time top scorer in the Premier League era before moving to the Red Devils. Then, after departing Old Trafford, his 34-goal haul across all competitions in his debut year in Italy fired the San Siro outfit to the Serie A title.

However, that form has waned more recently, having returned to Chelsea for a mouth-watering £97.5m fee, before returning to Inter on loan just one year later with just 15 goals in total for the Blues.

A shocking interview where he lambasted the west London outfit drew scorn from Graeme Souness, who claimed: "I can’t tell you a worse thing that a player can do at this moment in the season. To come out and say basically I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to play with players I’m playing with anymore and the manager. And how that damages Chelsea going forward, it has to.”

This has seen his goal tally drop to eight and ten in the Premier League and Serie A respectively, with his stock deservedly plummeting. Football Transfers detail this, as his value now sits at €40.9m (£35m).

Journalist Mohammad Butt had arguably found out Lukaku way before the downfall, branding him "slow and sluggish" back in 2018.

Postecoglou has been decidedly proficient in this transfer window, methodically improving his squad all across the board with careful additions for largely within market value.

Even though the Kane situation is a frustrating one, it should not spur the Australian boss to throw aside his planning for a quick fix.

The Belgian mercenary would solve few of their issues, and has seen a career slowly decrease in quality in recent years. It would certainly not offer a long-term solution to the revolution they are seeking to usher in, likely proving to be the first howler of the new era.

The two India spinners shared 16 wickets in the match to wrap the game up inside the first session of play on the third day

Shashank Kishore in Vijayawada25-Sep-2017Karn Sharma finished with a match-haul of 8 for 120•BCCINew Zealand A failed to learn from their mistakes in the first innings. Indecision in footwork against spin and relying on their pad as their first line of defense – against two quality spinners – resulted in a loss by an innings and 31 runs shortly after lunch on the third day of the first unofficial Test in Vijayawada.Karn Sharma, the legspinner, took four wickets to take his match tally to 8 for 120, thereby continuing his fine recent run that now includes two five-fors and two four-fors in his last three first-class matches. Shahbaz Nadeem also took four wickets with his loopy left-arm spin to finish with an eight-for in the match. Alarmingly for New Zealand A, their second-innings collapse from their overnight 64 for 2 to 142 all out had little to do with the pitch.Openers Jeet Raval and George Worker aside, none of the others topped 20. The only batsman who appeared to pick spin was Tim Seifert, the wicketkeeper, who was largely untroubled for 35 deliveries before perishing to a sharp Karn legbreak that beat his forward push to be lbw. Seifert also showed some spunk in the first innings to top score with 35. He was one of two positives – Ish Sodhi, who took a five-for, being the other – for the visitors.The procession started 15 minutes into play when Worker attempted an expansive sweep from outside off to a delivery that spun back in from the rough to deflect off his body and onto the stumps. Will Young was snuffed out at short leg and Tom Blundell, among those in the fray to replace Luke Ronchi as a frontline wicketkeeper in the national team, was lbw to an indipper from Shardul Thakur.With the cream of the batting line-up gone inside 11 overs to leave New Zealand A on 98 for 5, the lower order came out trying to slog the spinners out of the field. The execution, however, failed only to leave them with plenty of time to ponder and practice ahead of the second four-day game on September 30 at the same venue.

Chelsea are still on the hunt for reinforcements to bolster their midfield presence ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign and newly-appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to cement a good first impression.

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has made a highly-anticipated return to the English top-flight after being sacked by the north London club back in 2019, which led to an 18-month stint with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain where he won every domestic trophy available, including the league title in 2022.

Now Pochettino returns via west London with a point to prove and financial power behind him to repair the ongoing issues at Stamford Bridge, issues that contributed to a 12th place finish in the Premier League last season and failure to secure European football.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

Indeed, it won't be easy for the Argentine boss with a huge project undertaken to rebuild and redevelop the winning culture that has been lost, as well as needing to replace a number of their most experienced players in the squad.

N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and Cesar Azpilicueta are all first team players who have departed over this summer alone, paving the way for Pochettino to make a fresh start.

Who are Chelsea's transfer targets?

Chelsea have already secured the signing of several new additions with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Andrey Santos joining the club.

It has been reported this week by The Times (via Daily Mail) that the main focus is on the midfield, with Pochettino drawing up a shortlist of midfield targets that includes Leeds United ace Tyler Adams, Brighton and Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, Ajax whiz Edson Alvarez and Celta Vigo's breakthrough star, Gabri Veiga.

The latter is believed to have a €40m (£35m) release clause in his current contract and has been linked to both Liverpool and Manchester City this summer too.

How good is Gabri Veiga?

One of the most shocking transfer moves of the summer has been Mount's switch from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford, with the Cobham academy graduate sealing a £60m move to Manchester United, something that was likely to have been incredibly unpopular with Chelsea supporters who have followed the midfielder's journey from wonderkid to England star.

As a result, it won't be easy to replace Mount's connection with the fans and strong understanding of the club's culture off the pitch, however, Pochettino could bring in a young and hungry player who can emulate his performances on the pitch.

Veiga has quickly become a hot prospect in European football following his rising through the ranks of Celta Vigo's academy to becoming a first team regular, offering versatility in his positioning in the middle third and attacking attributes that have caught the attention of many elite clubs.

As per FBref, the 21-year-old – once hailed a "top talent" by Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano – ranks in the top 12% of midfielders in the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots on goal, progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches per 90 minutes played.

When comparing Veiga's output to Mount's last season, the Spaniard comfortably outperformed his positional peer in a number of key attributes including goal contributions (15 v 2), shots on target (46.8% v 27.3%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.14 v 3.11), successful take-ons (52% v 48.4%) and aerial duels won (52.8% v 39.1%).

Not only that, Veiga offers experience in most midfield roles including attacking, central and defensive which provides Pochettino with reliable depth in the centre of the pitch, another attractive attribute making the young whiz a fantastic prospect for Chelsea next season.

With that being said, if Chelsea did secure the signature of Veiga this summer he would be a worthy successor to replace Mount in the team and if he could continue his outstanding progression in the Premier League, he will be a valuable asset for many years to come.

Dancing down the track to Rangana Herath has proved a productive tactic for India’s batsmen in this series, with the knock-on effect of creating opportunities to score off the back foot as well

Sidharth Monga at the SSC04-Aug-2017Ajinkya Rahane has revealed that India have made a conscious effort to attack the spinners on their tour of Sri Lanka, and in particular use their feet against Rangana Herath, the prime threat. As a result they have piled on successive 600-plus first-innings totals, and have all but neutralised the threat of Herath, whose average against India since fashioning the Galle win in 2015 is 53.61, and economy rate 3.58.In all, India’s batsmen have left the crease 84 times when facing Herath in this series, taking 123 runs off those balls while losing two wickets, Wriddhiman Saha the batsman dismissed on both occasions. It is not just the runs scored off those balls, though. There are also the short balls earned in the bargain.”When we played last time here against Sri Lanka, especially after Galle Test match, we decided that using footwork against him was very important,” Rahane said. “Here again in the first Test, Shikhar [Dhawan, scoring 190] batted really well, but throughout against him and their spinners we wanted to use our footwork so we could get more runs on the back foot. Especially on this kind of wicket, it is very slow and dry, so we knew that if we use our footwork we will get more runs on the back foot.”So when I went in to bat with Pujara we decided to change our momentum because Virat [Kohli] got out and we wanted to put pressure back on them, and that’s what we did. So we knew using footwork we would get more runs on the front foot as well as the back foot.”This was Rahane’s first century since Indore last year, but he said he was confident his batting was in good enough shape. “It was important, but for me I was confident,” Rahane said. “Even throughout that time, not getting a hundred for 9-10 Tests, I was confident about myself. I knew that if I get in I will get to a big one. It was all about thinking positive even throughout that period.”Coming to Sri Lanka, I was batting well in West Indies as well so wanted to carry that form forward. And batted well in the first Test. So here I decided if I play positively I will convert it to a big one.”The result was what Rahane called one of his best innings against spinners. He has historically had some issues against spin even though he has proved himself against quick bowling in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia. As a No. 5, he often comes in at a time when the ball has begun to turn and reverse. The case here was similar: India had lost two quick wickets, and were 133 for 3 with the ball taking turn. He came out and began to attack the spinners.”My mindset was completely blank coming into this innings,” Rahane said. “I wanted to take my time initially but later on, we thought if we dominate, if we change the momentum, they will be on the back foot straightaway, and that’s what happened. Because the same thinking was in Melbourne [in December 2014] in Australia, wanted to dominate them and that’s what we did.”But here the challenge was slightly different, a spinning-friendly wicket and we knew that if we get a good partnership – because I was talking to Virat in the dressing room before lunch that if we get a 150-200 partnership, one big partnership, they will be on the back foot and that’s what actually happened. Me and [Cheteshwar] Pujara got that partnership.”

West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd is reportedly wanted by reigning Serie A champions Napoli in the summer transfer window, in what is a worrying rumour for the Hammers.

How much does Nayef Aguerd earn?

The 27-year-old has been an impressive performer at the London Stadium since arriving from Rennes last summer, becoming a key presence at the heart of the defence, when fully fit and firing.

In the first season in a West Ham, the £64,000-a-week Aguerd made 17 starts in the Premier League, also winning the UEFA Europa Conference League, starting in the victory over Fiorentina in the final. The centre-back made his mark at the 2022 World Cup with Morocco, helping his country reached the semi-finals, starting four matches in the competition.

David Moyes will no doubt be keen to retain Aguerd's services ahead of the new season, seeing him as an important squad player and someone who could still go up another level after adjusting to life in the Premier League.

It could be that West Ham have a battle on their hands to keep hold of the defender, however, following the emergence of a new transfer report regarding his future.

Could Nayef Aguerd leave West Ham?

According to Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], the Hammers' "colossus" of a central defender is wanted by Napoli this summer, having lost key man Kim Min-jae to Bayern Munich earlier in the transfer window.

West Ham want €35m (£29.9m) for the signature of Aguerd, which the Italian giants unwilling to spend, and that could prove to be a potential spanner in the works. Instead, they could look to bring in a cheaper alternative such as VfB Stuttgart's Konstantinos Mavropanos, acting as a possible boost for the east Londoners.

It is essential that the Hammers do all they can to keep Aguerd beyond the current transfer window, with the Moroccan still having so much to offers in the years to come. He is contracted to the club until the summer of 2027, and at 27 years of age, they should be looking for him to see out his current deal, or hopefully even possibly sign a short extension when that date eventually arrives.

Admittedly, injuries have been a little problematic for him to date, which has held him back a little and hampered his amount of playing time, but he has undoubtedly been a key figure when fit, averaging 4.3 clearances per game in the league last season and being described as "exceptional" by Match of the Day presenter and England legend Gary Lineker.

It certainly sounds as though Napoli have been put off by West Ham's asking price for Aguerd, improving the chances of him still plying his trade there when the season-opening Premier League clash away to Bournemouth arrives on August 12th, and if he can remain injury-free for the majority of proceedings moving forward, supporters could see him find a new level in the coming years.

Squad depth is also hugely important for Moyes in 2023/24, so having numerous top-quality centre-back options available is vital, meaning Aguerd wouldn't necessarily be playing every week, which could actually aid his fitness issues.