All posts by h79snht.top

Openers assemble unbroken stand as Glamorgan struggle at Lord’s

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-Apr-2025

Middlesex’s bowlers shared the wickets around as they dismissed Glamorgan for 199 to take control on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship Division Two encounter at Lord’s.Skipper Toby Roland-Jones led a mid-afternoon recovery with 3 for 44 after Glamorgan had looked well-placed at 108 for 1, while Middlesex debutant Dane Paterson was among another trio to collect two wickets apiece.Opener Zain-ul-Hassan top-scored with 65, his second 50-plus score in as many innings, but the visitors failed to build on that solid foundation and needed Ben Kellaway’s maiden half-century, a fearless unbeaten 54, to get then anywhere near 200.Middlesex openers Stephen Eskinazi and Nathan Fernandes reached stumps unscathed with an unbroken stand of 63 in response to leave their side trailing by 136 going into the second day.The home side were finally able to include Paterson, whose commitments with Western Province had delayed his arrival at Lord’s by a fortnight and the South African seamer found some early swing after his side won the toss in cloudy conditions.Zain survived two lbw appeals when Paterson made balls straighten up down the slope and there was another close call for the opener, whose leading edge looped up just short of Roland-Jones in his follow-through.Yet Glamorgan made steady progress and it was one of Paterson’s wider deliveries that brought the breakthrough, with Eddie Byrom caught behind pushing at a ball well away from his body.Sam Northeast – who became holder of the record individual score at Lord’s when he hit an unbeaten 335 in this fixture last year – was fortunate to escape an early dismissal, walking into a Henry Brookes delivery that appeared to hit his pads flush in front of the stumps.However, the Glamorgan captain remained at the crease alongside Zain, who punched Brookes’ penultimate ball of the morning through the covers for three to raise his second successive half-century.Paterson prised out Northeast after lunch, persuading him to nibble outside off stump and, with the visitors starting to become desperately bogged down, three more wickets followed in the space of 11 balls.Roland-Jones accounted for two of those including the scalp of Zain, caught at second slip after Leus du Plooy’s brief juggling act, while Brookes removed the dangerous Colin Ingram as wicketkeeper Jack Davies claimed his fourth dismissal.Kellaway counter-attacked, dispatching Brookes for a couple of sweetly-struck boundaries which briefly lifted the shackles before Middlesex’s seamers re-established their grip on the innings.Ryan Higgins, at that stage the sole wicketless member of the quartet, made amends by collecting two in successive overs as he moved the ball away to clip the top of Chris Cooke’s off stump and then had Timm van der Gugten taken low at slip.Having done his best to marshal the tail, Kellaway stepped up a gear once Ned Leonard and Shoaib Bashir had fallen to Zafar Gohar either side of the tea interval, clubbing the spinner for successive fours and slamming Paterson to midwicket fence as well.Kellaway’s well-deserved half-century arrived courtesy of another leg-side four off Paterson and his efforts had guided Glamorgan tantalisingly close to the 200 mark when Roland-Jones dismissed last man Asitha Fernando.Despite scoring only nine in his four previous innings this season, Fernandes looked assured as he and Eskinazi launched the home side’s reply, flicking Fernando past square leg for an early boundary.Eskinazi began more sedately, but gradually overtook his partner as they chipped away at the deficit and the pair had posted 34 and 26 respectively when bad light brought play to a close.

وجه النجم السابق للدوري الإنجليزي، آلان شيرر، نصيحة مهمة إلى المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، آرني سلوت، فيما يتعلق بالنجم المصري محمد صلاح، في ظل الوضع السيئ الذي يمر به.

ويمر محمد صلاح بفترة سيئة للغاية حيث يعاني من تراجع مستواه بشكل ملحوظ وتراجع قدرته التهديفية، مما جعله عرضة للانتقادات في الآونة الأخيرة.

تقرأ أيضًا: ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي بعد هدف محمد صلاح أمام برينتفورد

وقرر سلوت إجلاس محمد صلاح على دكة البدلاء في مباراة ليفربول الماضية ضد آينتراخت فرانكفورت في دوري أبطال أوروبا، للمرة الثانية على التوالي في تلك البطولة.

وطالب الكثيرون بضرورة إبعاد محمد صلاح عن التشكيل الأساسي لـ ليفربول كونه لا يستطيع تقديم أدائه المعهود عنه، ولكن آلان شيرر لا يتفق مع ذلك.

اقرأ أيضًا.. سلوت: أريد إثارة غضب محمد صلاح.. وهو من يستطيع إنقاذ حياتي

وقال شيرر، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول دوت كوم” الإنجليزية: “أعتقد أنه من المبكر جدًا الجزم بأن محمد صلاح سيظل النجم الرئيسي في ليفربول”.

وأضاف: “أتفهم أنه عندما تستبعد لاعبًا كبيرًا ثم تحقق نتيجة إيجابية، كما فعل ليفربول، وتسيطر على المباراة وتسجل خمسة أهداف كما فعلوا، وكان في الإمكان أن تصبح النتيجة أكبر، ستثار الضجة من أجل استبعاده مجددًا”.

واختتم: “لكن لا يزال من المبكر جدًا الجزم بذلك، ما زلت أعتقد أن محمد صلاح، إذا حصل على وقت وقليل من الثقة، سيسجل عددًا كبيرًا من الأهداف”.

Ashwin said Pant’s reversal and the dialogue around it might make the bowler feel “small”

PTI28-May-2025

R Ashwin was not impressed with Rishabh Pant’s decision to withdraw Digvesh Rathi’s appeal for running out Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end during Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) final league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).”Digvesh Rathi is not my relative. He is not my friend. I don’t know who he is. But I am saying… You will scar a bowler so much that it will really affect him,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “But because nobody really cares about a bowler, so in front of crores of people, should we withdraw his appeal and insult him?”The incident occurred in the 17th over of RCB’s chase when Rathi took off the bails after observing that Jitesh had left the crease at the non-striker’s end.The replays showed that the batter was outside his crease, but the TV umpire deemed that Rathi had completed his delivery stride before effecting the run-out. While it all unfolded, Pant withdrew the appeal and received a hug from Jitesh. RCB went on to win the game by six wickets.Related

Blog: Jitesh 85* off 33 takes RCB into Qualifer 1

Jitesh 85* trumps Pant 118* as RCB make Qualifier 1

Jitesh survives Rathi's run-out appeal at non-striker's end

Ashwin, who has been a vocal supporter of running out batters at the non-striker’s end, said Pant should have backed his bowler.”Let me dive into the technicalities of this incident. Is Jitesh Sharma justified in being out if he stepped out of the crease before he (Rathi) got into the delivery stride? Yes, he is justified in being given out and the bowler is also well-justified,” Ashwin said. “Digvesh Rathi landed at the front foot and Jitesh Sharma was inside the crease. So, in all technical possibilities, this is not out. And what happened? After hitting the stump, (umpire) Michael Gough asked Digvesh Rathi. He didn’t ask him, ‘are you sure?” He asked him whether he was appealing.”He (Rathi) said, ‘yes, I am appealing’. So, he (Gough) went to the third umpire and the third umpire took the right decision. He said, ‘he has crossed his delivery stride, the batsman is inside the crease, I have a decision, not out’.”Now, till now, everything is fine. Bowler has hit, appealed, not out. It’s just another day in the office. But what happened? After this, during the match, (the) commentators said, ‘Rishabh Pant has withdrawn the appeal. What an amazing act of sportsmanship!'”Come on, . Let’s grow out of this. I am asking one question. Think about it, Digvesh Rathi is your son. Whoever is watching this video, he is your son, and Digvesh Rathi’s captain has criticised his decision in front of crores of people. It’s actually gone over the board because, look, a captain’s job is actually to back a player. Alright? A captain’s job is to not make a bowler feel small.”Ashwin suggested that Rathi was made to feel small and that he might never effect a run-out at the bowler’s end again.”We don’t know if he [Pant] already spoke to them [LSG camp] or not,” Ashwin said. “But let’s stop this vilification of that youngster in front of crores and crores of people. Do we do that to anybody else? Why does a bowler look small? It is actually a humiliation.”What happens is [that] a bowler feels so small that he will never do it and people will say in the comment section that he should not do it. Why? Why shouldn’t he do it?”

West Ham are now reportedly ready to back new manager Nuno Espírito Santo by making a January bid to sign one former Chelsea forward, with David Sullivan and the Hammers board showing full faith in their new tactician.

Nuno takes charge of first West Ham game after signing three-year deal

Despite previous reports that Sullivan was keen to re-hire Slaven Bilic on a short-term contract until the end of the season (Pete O’Rourke), West Ham ended up committing to Nuno.

As per talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, vice-chairman Karren Brady was key in driving the move for West Ham’s new manager, and the Baroness did such a good job that the east Londoners agreed to hand him a long-term three-year deal.

Nuno was demanding significant wages to join West Ham too (Sport Boom), but they managed to navigate the finances of a deal to swiftly secure a replacement for Graham Potter just hours after they announced his departure.

Nuno took training that same day and was in the dugout for his first West Ham game on Monday night, wasting no time in stamping his authority by dropping midfielder James Ward-Prowse from the matchday squad.

The 51-year-old watched on as his side displayed grit against David Moyes’ Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, coming back from 1-0 down to secure a 1-1 draw courtesy of Jarrod Bowen’s expertly-taken equaliser.

West Ham arguably looked far more robust defensively in comparison to Potter’s final few games in charge — even if Konstantinos Movraponas didn’t cover himself in glory for Everton’s opener — with centre-back Max Kilman and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola ending the 90 minutes as their joint-best performers according to WhoScored.

Everton 1-1 West Ham – best players of the match

Match rating

Michael Keane

8.0

Max Kilman

7.3

Alphonse Areola

7.3

Jarrod Bowen

7.3

James Garner

7.1

via WhoScored

After Nuno transformed former club Nottingham Forest from relegation candidates to a European side, West Ham officials are now hoping that he can replicate those same heroics at the London Stadium.

Their three-year deal for the manager is a clear indicator that West Ham are serious about Nuno, and according to reports from Spain, the club are prepared to support him in January.

West Ham ready to back Nuno with £43m bid for Christian Pulisic

Indeed, one Spanish media source reports that West Ham now hold a serious interest in AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic.

The USA international has started 2025/2026 in fine form, scoring six goals and bagging a further two assists in all competitions, and put in a match-winning display as Milan beat Serie A champions Napoli 2-1 on Sunday.

Pulisic can play out wide, as a second striker and at centre-forward, adding to the appeal of his potential arrival back in London.

West Ham are in dire need of a proven goalscorer who can provide Nuno with a quality alternative to injury-prone duo Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson. Pulisic would be a stellar option in that regard, especially considering his Premier League experience.

It is believed that West Ham are prepared to bid up to £43 million for Pulisic in January, with the player’s contract expiring in 2027.

However, the Rossoneri are confident they can convince Pulisic to commit his future at the San Siro, and it’s made all the more possible by their excellent start to the season.

If Milan do continue in this fashion, it will be difficult to convince Pulisic to up sticks and swap a potential title race to join West Ham, with both sides in very different scenarios right now.

That being said, the 27-year-old would be an absolute coup, not to mention a serious statement of intent. Pulisic also racked up 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season, including strikes against the likes of Inter Milan and Liverpool.

MatériaMais Notícias

O título do Flamengo no Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 foi decidido na disputa por pênaltis contra o Palmeiras nesta quinta-feira (7). No entanto, dentre os assuntos que mais repercutiram na partida decisiva no Raulino de Oliveira, em Volta Redonda, foi a cobrança de desperdiçada por Ian, do Palmeiras. O lateral deu a tradicional “paradinha” antes de chutar a bola e além do gol ser invalidado, o jogador recebeu um cartão amarelo.

RelacionadasFora de CampoJustiça aceita pedido de Mayke e autoriza retenção de 30% do salário de Willian Bigode em caso de criptomoedasFora de Campo07/09/2023Fora de CampoAna Moser sobre demissão do Ministério do Esporte: ‘tristeza e consternação’Fora de Campo07/09/2023Fora de CampoMovimento Verde e Amarelo promete grande festa em estreia de Diniz nas Eliminatórias para Copa de 2026Fora de Campo07/09/2023

O que chamou atenção dos internautas nas redes sociais é que a tradicional “paradinha” é proibida pela FIFA desde 2010. Ou seja, Ian teve uma decisão infeliz e abriu o caminho para a vitória do Flamengo por 3 a 2 nos pênaltis.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

Veja a repercussão da web:

+Clube do vinho? Abel Braga DETONA jornalista em entrevista exclusiva para o Lance! Assista

+ Cupom LANCEFUT com 10% OFF para os fanáticos por esporte em compras acima de R$299,90

انتقد آلان باردو، المدير الفني السابق لنادي نيوكاسل يونايتد، أداء اثنين من لاعبي ليفربول في الوقت الحالي، حيث سخر من مستواهما تحت قيادة المدرب آرني سلوت ذلك الموسم.

ويعاني ليفربول من فترة سيئة مؤخرًا، حيث تعرض للهزيمة في 4 مباريات متتالية في الدوري الإنجليزي أمام كل من كريستال بالاس، تشيلسي، مانشستر يونايتد وبرينتفورد.

وقال آلان باردو، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول وورلد” الإنجليزية: “أليسون مصاب، ليفربول يمتلك حارسًا آخر، مامارداشفيلي، الذي لا أقول إنه ضعيف، ولكنه يتمتع بشخصية مختلفة في حراسة المرمى”.

وأضاف: “كيركيز يعاني بشدة بقميص ليفربول، لقد جاء من بورنموث حيث قدم موسمًا رائعًا، خاصة بفضل أدائه الهجومي، لكنه انكشف دفاعيًا وعانى مجددًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. وارنوك: الراحل جوتا وراء ما يحدث لـ ليفربول.. وأشعر بالذهول من الحديث المنتشر حول سلوت

وواصل: “لطالما كان برادلي يدخل ويخرج من تشكيل ليفربول، في حين يبدو أن كوناتي وفان دايك وكأنهما دخلا في شجار، لا أعلم، ربما يسرق وجبة فان دايك في ملعب التدريب! يبدو أن هناك نقصًا ما”.

واستكمل: “يعتمد ليفربول على كورتيس جونز وسوبوسلاي، لذلك لم يحصل أليستر على الزخم المناسب، هناك مشكلة هنا، كان جرافنبيرخ أساس الفريق منذ العام الماضي”.

وشدد: “محمد صلاح لا يؤدي العمل الذي كان يفعله في العام الماضي، جاكبو ليس مدافعًا بالفطرة، هناك العديد من نقاط الضعف عندما يكون التحليل من الناحية الدفاعية، بينما يبحث سلوت عن الاستقرار خاصة في الخلف والوسط”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians “namorou” alguns treinadores após Vítor Pereira partir o coração da Fiel e trocar o Timão pelo Flamengo. Um desses pretendentes foi o argentino Juan Pablo Vojvoda, comandante do Fortaleza.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalpites de HojePalpite: Fortaleza x Corinthians – Campeonato Brasileiro – 14/9/2023Palpites de Hoje14/09/2023NotíciasBrasileirão: como foram os últimos jogos entre Fortaleza e Corinthians?Notícias13/09/2023CorinthiansFortaleza x Corinthians: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e escalações do jogo pelo BrasileirãoCorinthians13/09/2023

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Vojvoda sempre esteve no radar da diretoria corintiana, que nunca chegou a formalizar o interesse no argentino. Na época em que buscava treinador, o Lance! informou que o Timão estaria disposto a oferecer inicialmente um valor que é três vezes maior do que o profissional recebe no Fortaleza.

Porém, a confiança no projeto pesou para que Vojvoda renovasse com o Leão do Pici até o final de 2024, frustrando os planos do Corinthians, que acabou iniciando a temporada com Fernando Lázaro. Contudo, o nome do argentino não foi esquecido em 2023.

continua após a publicidade

Após a queda de Cuca, Vojvoda foi novamente especulado para assumir o Timão, mas o treinador garantiu não ter sido procurado.

– Sou totalmente sincero, não foi procurado pelo Corinthians. Acho que foi bom isso, porque fala de respeito e valores de um clube como o Corinthians. E eu parabenizo isso também – declarou Vojvoda após o empate entre as equipes no primeiro turno do Brasileirão.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

MELHOR DE TRÊS?

O confronto desta quinta-feira (14) será uma prévia da semifinal da Copa do Brasil, já que Corinthians e Fortaleza vão se enfrentar mais duas vezes por uma vaga na final continental.

continua após a publicidade

Para o duelo no Brasileirão, Vanderlei Luxemburgo não relacionou jogadores importantes, como Fagner, Renato Augusto e Rojas. Mesmo assim, o Timão mira melhorar o aproveitamento fora de casa, já que não vence como visitante há quase dois meses, e também afastar de vez o “fantasma” do rebaixamento.

Glasgow Rangers may have a brand-new head coach in the building by the time they next take to the field at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership after the international break.

The Light Blues opted to remove their previous manager from his post after a draw last time out in the league meant that he had only won one of his seven Premiership matches in charge.

Russell Martin only won five of his 17 games as the club’s manager, as shown in the graphic above, and the Ibrox giants are now looking to find his replacement.

The latest on the Rangers manager search at Ibrox

The Light Blues are aiming to bring in a replacement ahead of their clash with Dundee United at Ibrox after the break, and they appear to be closing in on their man.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Expand Collapse

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Rangers are ‘close’ to reaching an agreement with out-of-work head coach Steven Gerrard to make him Martin’s replacement.

The reporter claims that the English tactician, who left Rangers to join Aston Villa back in 2021, held face-to-face talks with Light Blues chairman Andrew Cavanagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe in London earlier this week.

Those conversations went well and the Liverpool legend seems to be closing in on a return for a second spell in the dugout at Ibrox this season.

This change in manager in Glasgow could have ramifications throughout the squad, as it is a clean slate for all the players, and the rarely-seen Clinton Nsiala may end up being the biggest winner.

Why Clinton Nsiala may be Ibrox's biggest Rangers winner

The left-footed central defender was bombed out of the squad by Martin this season and has not played a single minute of competitive football since the 2024/25 campaign.

Nsiala, whose last appearance came against St Mirren in April, posted an Instagram story of himself celebrating and smiling after a goal for the club at Ibrox after the news broke that Martin had been sacked. Possibly a coincidence and unrelated.

The 21-year-old starlet, who joined from AC Milan last year, made 11 appearances in the Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign and showed some signs of promise.

25/26 Premiership

Clinton Nsiala

Appearances (starts)

11 (10)

Pass accuracy

89%

Ground duel success rate

45%

Aerial duel success rate

52%

Ball recoveries per game

2.1

Clearances per game

4.5

Duels won per game

2.6

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Nsiala got a taste of Premiership action last season and had positive and negative aspects to his performances, winning the majority of his aerial duels, but being a bit too weak in his battles on the deck.

At the age of 21, the French gem, who was described as an “exciting talent” by Nils Koppen, has plenty of time left to develop and improve as a player, but Martin was not willing to provide him with chances to gain experience this season.

That is despite Jayden Meghoma, a left-back, and Derek Cornelius, a centre-back, being the only two left-footed defenders in the senior squad at this moment in time.

Martin lined up with Cornelius out of position at left-back and the right-footed John Souttar as a left-sided centre-back in the 1-1 draw with Falkirk last time out in the Premiership, which speaks to the issues that the Gers have had on that side of the defence.

Nsiala, therefore, may end up being the biggest winner from the change in management at Ibrox because Martin, clearly, was not keen on him, but Gerrard may see the lack of naturally left-footed options at the back and provide the youngster with an opportunity.

Gerrard, after all, was the manager who signed Calvin Bassey and gave him his Gers debut as a young and versatile left-footed defender, which may give Nsiala hope that he could follow in the Nigeria international’s footsteps.

Related New Rangers manager could lose Ibrox star as soon as January window opens

Another potential blow for the Gers.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 10, 2025

It will now be interesting to see what kind of decisions the new manager makes, if it does end up being Gerrard, with the current squad once he is in the building at Ibrox.

أعلن بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي، تشكيل فريقه الذي يستعد لمواجهة بوروسيا دورتموند، على ملعب الاتحاد في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويدخل مانشستر سيتي هذه المباراة بمعنويات عالية، بعد الفوز ضد بورنموث بثلاث أهداف لهدف واحد، يوم الأحد الماضي في الدوري الانجليزي.

ويحتل مانشستر سيتي المركز العاشر برصيد 7 نقاط، ويحتل بوروسيا دورتموند المركز التاسع، نفس العدد من النقاط، في ترتيب مرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضاً.. تقارير: مانشستر سيتي حاول التعاقد مع لاعب برشلونة في الصيف الماضي

وتعد هذه هي المرة السابعة التي يواجه فيها مانشستر سيتي، بوروسيا دورتموند، في دوري أبطال أوروبا، إذ حقق الأخير فوزًا واحدًا فقط في المباريات الست السابقة، وتعادل في مباراتين وخسر 3.

ويجلس النجم المصري عمر مرموش على دكة البدلاء أمام بوروسيا دورتموند وقد يتم الدفع به في الشوط الثاني. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام بوروسيا دورتموند

حراسة المرمى: دوناروما.

خط الدفاع: نونيز- جون ستونز- جفارديول- أوريلي.

خط الوسط: نيكو جونزاليس- ريندرز- سافينيو.

خط الهجوم: فيل فودين- دوكو- إيرلينج هالاند.

يجلس على دكة البدلاء: ترافورد، عمر مرموش، بيتينيلي، آكي، ريان شرقي، برناردو سيلفا، ريان آيت نوري، خوسانوف، أوسكار بوب، ريكو لويس.

Ben Duckett praises Ollie Pope’s courage under pressure at No. 3

Matt Roller21-Jun-20252:22

Duckett: Bumrah the best in the world

England’s players were “pretty clear” well before the Headingley Test that Ollie Pope would bat at No. 3 against India despite Jacob Bethell’s emergence. That is according to Ben Duckett, who said he had “goosebumps” watching Pope celebrate his ninth Test century after putting on 122 with him for the second wicket.Bethell’s success at No. 3 in his maiden series in New Zealand heaped pressure on Pope, who batted at No. 6 and kept wicket on that tour, and fuelled speculation ahead of this summer. That only intensified when Ben Stokes inadvertently suggested that Bethell would come back into his side to face India, having missed England’s win over Zimbabwe while at the IPL.Stokes sought to assure Pope, his vice-captain, that his comments had been misinterpreted, but even after he had piled on 171 at Trent Bridge, Rob Key declined the opportunity to confirm he would bat at No. 3 earlier this week. He was eventually locked in when England named their team on Wednesday, and was 100 not out at the close of the second day’s play.Related

Ollie Pope's century buys him the summer at No. 3

India's gaffes overshadow Bumrah's jaffas, Pope ton makes it England's day

Stokes blames media 'agenda' for pre-match pressure on Pope

“There’s noise outside of a dressing room, but there’s no noise in it,” Duckett said. “We’re not having discussions in the dressing room about who’s going to play. It seemed pretty clear coming into this Test match [that] if a bloke scores 170 a few weeks ago, he is going to play this game.”Stokes said on the eve of the match that it would have been “remarkable” to leave Pope out after his hundred against Zimbabwe and that it showed “how well he’s handled that extra scrutiny”. But Pope’s visceral celebration proved that he had felt the pressure, which Duckett attributed to his “courage” and the dressing room’s support.”If someone needs you to get around him, we’ll do that; if someone needs to be left alone, we’ll do the same,” Duckett said. “What’s been going on through Popey’s head for the last few weeks, I don’t know. But to be told two or three days out that you’re playing is probably a good thing… The way Popey’s dealt with it has been superb and just sums up and proves why he’s England’s No. 3.”Duckett himself scored 62 before inside-edging Jasprit Bumrah on to his stumps, and heaped praise onto India’s spearhead.”He is the best bowler in the world,” Duckett said. “He’s extremely hard to face. He’s good in any conditions; he’s good in India on the flattest pitches ever and when he’s coming in down the hill [at Headingley] with the lights on and it’s swinging both ways.”I feel like we minimised the damage early on. It could have been a lot worse today… He is just a world-class bowler, and you can’t let someone like him just bowl; he’s too good for that. You’ve got to still try and put him under pressure, and try to put the bad balls away.”