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Sam Billings and Darren Stevens amassed Kent’s highest fifth-wicket stand in Championship cricket, beating a previous best of 254 in 1910

Vithushan Ehantharajah in Bristol25-Aug-2016
ScorecardSam Billings took advantage of his absence from England’s ODI squad to make his highest first-class score (file photo)•Getty Images

“Look, if you bought Stones tickets and Jagger didn’t play Satisfaction, how would you feel? Would you be happy?”So asks Dustin Hoffman of Jon Favreau in the film Chef: the former a restauranteur desperate to turnaround an ailing business – the latter a chef searching for a deeper meaning to life. Favreau says no. Hoffman agrees: “You’d burn the place to the f****ng ground!”The reverse sweep is Sam Billings’ “Satisfaction”: a hit he has at his fingertips, able to be unleashed at any time. Fans go into games expecting him to play it and many leave disappointed when he doesn’t. It has become synonymous with his name: “Billings” and “reverse sweep” together paints a very vivid picture of quick footwork and faster hands, in one smooth yet devastating movement.But Billings is keen to show that, particularly in red-ball cricket, he is so much more than a player who panders to the New Age crowd. Speaking at stumps, after striking 171 from 202 balls for his third first-class hundred – a second for Kent – he was in reflective mood: “You don’t want to play the way people think you should play, or just allow people to talk about you in just one way. Actually, sometimes I want to be the one that can grit it out and stand up. I’m not just going to panic and bring out the sweep.”Together, he and Darren Stevens stood higher than any other, as they amassed Kent’s highest fifth-wicket stand in Championship cricket, beating a previous best of 254 set way back in 1910 against Lancashire in Tunbridge Wells, with shots that might have caused fainting in the aisles. Even umpire Alex Wharf made the point to Billings at the non-striker’s end – rarely will you see two attacking players go blow for blow without offering a chance or two for the 49.2 overs they batted. Stevens would be the first of the pair to offer one, departing to a catch at slip from Michael Klinger off the bowling of Craig Miles. By then, he had contributed 140 of the 258 partnership and Billings was comfortable in three figures.He got to his hundred, in only his third innings this season, off his 128th ball, patting the ball around until 99 before beating midwicket with a wristy flick over the fielder’s head for four. A couple of delays for rain and bad light saw him start again with Will Gidman, who notched a half-century against his former club, as Billings brought out the classic hits for the afternoon set, as Jack Taylor was strummed easily through backward point for an array of fours, each as risk-free as the last.That is the key with Billings’ reverse sweep. It is a shot he has mastered through hours and sweat. It is so much more than a party trick. It is the culmination of the very best of him as a talented, hard-working cricketer.Unsurprisingly, he is forthright about its misrepresentation: “The old-school view on it is that it’s a dodgy shot to hit. I hit that shot probably better than my normal sweep. And I’d definitely back myself against an off-spinner to hit a reverse sweep than a cover drive, for instance. People might say, ‘oh, stop being ridiculous’. But if you’re not going to have a point there, I’ll play it every ball.” By the end of Taylor’s 15 overs, which went for 100 runs, he only had two fielders in the inner ring.Billings has been on at his coaches to bat him at No.5 for the last year or so. He believes he is capable of scoring big hundreds and, by his own admission, “should have got a double today”. He came within an inch of uppercutting his own stumps when he galloped down the crease and failed to beat Liam Norwell at mid off to depart for a first-class best of 171.What was noticeable during his innings was that his judgement and base seem in a sound place. For that, he gives thanks to the Championship, which has forced him to address some bad habits that he can hide in limited-overs cricket. “My basics haven’t been quite there in the last six months. And that’s just the nature of playing Twenty20 and one-day cricket the whole time: things just creep in.”One of the elements encroaching into Billings’ game was a more open stance. He wondered out loud to Kent coach Matt Walker if that was the case. Daniel Bell-Drummond, who has spent close to a decade with Billings, answered on Walker’s behalf: “without a doubt. Even since the winter!” The last fortnight has been spent redressing that issue.”As disappointing as it is not to be in the ODIs, it’s been a blessing in disguise. That’s been the most pleasing thing – I made a conscious effort to work on something technical and it has bared fruit this innings.”Once the final rain delay came, Kent skipper Sam Northeast decided to call off the innings, declaring at the tea interval with a lead of 312. And so, Stevens amplified the noise for a new contract with an array of deliveries moving in before undoing Gloucestershire’s top order with the odd one moving out. Chris Dent gave him an easy return catch, Will Tavare left incorrectly outside off stump before Klinger covered his stumps but nicked off to Matt Coles, via a deflection of Billings, at first slip.Tomorrow should bring fewer interruptions and, with six wickets still to get, the stage is set for Kent to complete a comprehensive innings victory.

Manchester United are clear on who they want to add this summer, with Sky Sports reporting that Harry Kane is their number one top transfer priority this summer transfer window.

Who are Manchester United hoping to sign this summer?

The striker has been imperious as ever in the Premier League this season in spite of Tottenham's struggles. Even with Spurs currently sat in eighth in the league, Kane has continued to score goals on a regular basis.

Having played nearly every single top-flight game for the side this year – he has 37 appearances in total – the attacker has bagged 28 goals and has managed three assists. It's his best total since 2017/18 and shows that despite being 29 years of age, he is still at the very top of his game.

It means that Kane has now become one of the highest-scoring Premier League players of all time with 211 to his name – he currently stands second in the rankings. Only Alan Shearer stands above him but with plenty of time left to add to his total, it isn't out of the realms of possibility that he could overtake the amount the former Magpies man managed (260).

Having impressed for so long, Man United have now made it their number one priority to add the player to their ranks this summer.

According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils have put the Spurs man at the very top of their wanted list in their search for another forward option. A deal won't be easy, with Tottenham as determined as ever to keep the England international as the club it seems. However, it hasn't stopped Erik ten Hag's side from making him one of their most wanted men during the transfer window.

They have also registered an interest in both Declan Rice and Mason Mount, but the report adds that they are unlikely to sign all three players.

Will Harry Kane join Man United?

The striker has once more been one of the best players in the entire Premier League, which is shown by his WhoScored rating of 7.47. Only Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne rank above him and when you consider the difference in terms of the two team's positioning this campaign, it is good going by the England international.

In fact, City boss Pep Guardiola has also heaped praise on the player, which is a big compliment coming from the former Barcelona man. He said that Kane is an "exceptional player" and that he may also be "one of the best strikers" that the manager has ever seen.

If United did sign him then, their goalscoring worries could be over, and he would be exactly the kind of upgrade to their strikeforce that they need after scoring the fewest number of goals out of the top seven sides this season.

Liverpool need to be wary of being 'exposed' at right-back due to Jurgen Klopp's decision to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to venture into midfield, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role?

Alexander-Arnold has been something of a revelation in his new role as an inverted full-back with a licence to roam into central areas, having registered six assists in his last eight matches since being deployed there, as per Transfermarkt.

Former Liverpool player Dean Saunders has praised the tactical switch highly and thinks the Reds now don't need to sign a new midfielder in the summer due to the form of the 24-year-old.

Speaking to talkSPORT as quoted by The Mirror, the pundit said: "I honestly think Liverpool don't need to sign a midfield player. I think he [Alexander-Arnold] is better than all the English midfield players. I think Trent could play centre of midfield for England and end up captain. I think he's a brilliant central midfield player; he's like a caged animal waiting, you can tell he's loving it. He can defend in midfield, which is not like defending as a full-back where you get isolated with the winger – he's got defensive thoughts in his head which he can track people into the box. His feet are better than anybody's in the England team, both feet."

Liverpool have been in the market for several players to strengthen their midfield in the forthcoming transfer window, including Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte, Brighton & Hove Albion ace Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount.

Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold has helped to revive a stagnating Reds midfield in the last few weeks, which has helped Liverpool climb back into Champions League contention.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones thinks Liverpool need to be cautious when operating in this system and also doesn't think that Alexander-Arnold will be moved into central midfield permanently to allow someone else to assume responsibilities at right-back such as Joe Gomez.

Jones told FFC: "I don't think Joe Joe Gomez could play this specific role that Trent is playing right now. I think that this has been adapted specifically for him to try and solve the problem, but you know, Liverpool do need to decide what actually happens at right back because that spot has been exposed a few times since they've been playing in this style."

Will Liverpool stick with this style of play next season?

Right now it's impossible to say; however, the initial signs have been encouraging at Anfield as Liverpool look to have turned a corner after an inconsistent 2022/23 campaign.

Klopp has managed to guide his side to eight matches without defeat in the Premier League and the Reds look to be finally enjoying themselves on the field, which bodes well for next season and to the degree that they may continue to use their current tactical system.

Of course, a lot will depend on summer signings at the club, who are likely to strengthen in middle of the park to replace peripheral figures such as the outgoing Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Veteran James Milner also looks certain to leave Liverpool to join Brighton on a free transfer, making it an interesting time of things to see where the future of Alexander Arnold's role will lie and whether he will be reverted back to duties more traditionally in keeping with a right-sided defender.

تحدث تييري هنري المدير الفني للمنتخب الفرنسي الأولمبي، عن إمكانية ضم كيليان مبابي للفريق للعب في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية باريس 2024.

وكان مبابي مهاجم باريس سان جيرمان، أدلى بتصريحات أفاد خلالها أنه يتمنى استدعاءه للمشاركة مع منتخب فرنسا في أولمبياد باريس 2024.

وأثار هنري الشكوك حول إمكانية رحيل مبابي عن باريس سان جيرمان، خاصة مع ارتباط المهاجم بريال مدريد، وانتهاء عقده مع فريقه الفرنسي بنهاية الموسم الجاري.

اقرأ أيضًا | مبابي: لم نتأثر باعتزال لوريس وفاران.. وقيادتي لـ فرنسا تمنحني رؤية جديدة

وقال هنري في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “كيليان مبابي لديه مكانة خاصة في كل مكان، ولكن بين الرغبة والقدرة هناك فرق”.

وأشار: “لنفترض أنني أريد استدعاء لاعب وناديه الحالي يقبل ذلك، إذا تم نقله خلال الصيف، فمن سيقول إن ناديه الجديد سيرغب في إعارته للعب؟”.

وأكد هنري: “لا أعرف أين سينتهي الأمر (الصيف المقبل)، لكن ناديه سيكون له رأي، لم أتواصل معه بعد بشأن هذا الأمر”.

وأضاف: “ولم أتصل بمبابي بشأن هذا بعد، لقد كان لدي بالفعل عدد لا بأس به من اللاعبين”.

وأتم: “لقد قمت باستطلاع آراء بعض الأشخاص، وهذا يساعدنا أيضًا على المضي قدمًا ورؤية ما يمكننا القيام به”.

Liverpool are thought to have set their sights on a move for Flamengo teenager Matheus Franca.

What’s the latest news on Liverpool and Franca?

The Reds look set for a busy transfer window this summer following a disappointing 2022/23 season which has resulted in no silverware and a late push for European football. Central midfield additions are thought to be at the top of the club’s wishlist, with FSG and Jurgen Klopp potentially making up to five signings ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The likes of Chelsea's Mason Mount, Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch and Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister have all been linked with moves to Merseyside to bolster Klopp's midfield options, but it looks as if Franca is a new target at Anfield, with an update emerging in the last 48 hours.

Brazilian outlet Torcedores shared a story regarding Franca, claiming he is considered one of the most coveted players in the football market. The report suggests that the player is in the sights of Liverpool, as well as Premier League rivals Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Arsenal are trying to steal a march in the race for Franca’s services, with the player having a €185m (£163m) release clause in his contract which runs until 2027.

Who is Franca?

Franca is just 19 years of age and is primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play as a left-winger or a second striker and has made 44 senior appearances for his current employers, scoring eight times.

The Brazilian is sponsored by Nike and has been called a “sensation” by journalist Aaron Stokes. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig is also a fan of the youngster, labelling him as a “great midfielder and great striker”, adding that “he can play almost everywhere”.

Therefore, in the long term, securing Franca’s services could be an extremely shrewd move by Anfield officials, however, they may need to get a move on and look to lay the groundwork over a transfer, as Arsenal have recently sent a scout to watch the player in action this week.

Sean Dyche has reinvigorated Everton since his arrival following the sacking of Frank Lampard, winning three Premier League matches so far and although there is work to do, there is a new-found energy about Goodison Park.

If he does manage to survive, Dyche has a tough job on his hands this summer in terms of improving the team, especially in the forward areas. The club haven’t scored nearly enough goals that they should, ranking as the top-flight's joint-lowest scorers with just 22 goals scored.

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have been at the forefront of their attack this season and living up to his early promise at the club, yet having suffered injury issues which have restricted him to just 12 appearances and one goal, proving that the Toffees need someone better ahead of next season.

Dyche would surely love to bring back a few players from Everton’s illustrious history in order to bolster their stagnating frontline, with talisman Duncan Ferguson the ideal candidate to transform their fortunes.

Is Duncan Ferguson one of Everton’s finest forwards?

The case for Ferguson being one of the club’s finest strikers, especially across the last 30 years, is a strong one, such is his association with the Toffees.

The enigmatic Scot first joined the Merseyside outfit back in 1994 from Glasgow Rangers on an initial loan move, before being made permanent by Joe Royle. He entered Everton folklore by becoming part of the team which secured the FA Cup following a historic victory over Manchester United in 1995.

He scored 35 goals during his first spell at Everton before being sold to Newcastle, yet his spell in the Northeast wasn’t a success, netting just 12 goals, and he secured a return to his beloved Toffees in 2000.

His later years saw Ferguson use his stature and frame to great effect, becoming a battering ram as he terrorised opposition defences and this further endeared him to the Everton faithful. He failed to score over ten goals during his final six seasons of his career but his impact more than made up for it.

Ferguson would be a standout in Dyche’s Everton side, bringing some character and heart to a team that badly need an influx in both.

The former striker has received praise from fans and pundits alike throughout his career and boxer David Price even claimed that Ferguson was “always a threat” whenever Liverpool faced their fierce rivals, and judging by his career at the club, it was high praise indeed.

If only Dyche could bring a prime Ferguson into his starting XI for the final few weeks of the season, he could make all the difference and would've surely got Goodison rocking again.

Tottenham Hotspur director of football Fabio Paratici is believed to be a big admirer of managerial duo Luis Enrique and Sergio Conceicao.

Will Spurs sack Antonio Conte?

Over half a week has now passed since Antonio Conte's fiery press conference following their draw against Southampton and he still remains in his job.

However, there are reports suggesting the north London club are now discussing a potential compensation package with the 53-year-old which would see him leave the club in the coming days.

And it had been suggested over the last few weeks that Paratici had been drawing up a shortlist of potential successors should the Italian's time in north London come to a premature end.

Speaking on the Last Word On Spurs YouTube channel, journalist Alasdair Gold has suggested the Spurs director of football has two specific managers which he is a big fan of:

"I know Paratici adores Luis Enrique. I know that he is someone that he has wanted in the past, but obviously, he was at Spain; and he really likes Conceicao as well at Porto.

"I think those are two that would be – if Paratici is the one making the decision – I think they would be very, very high on his list."

Who should Spurs appoint?

Amid the speculation surrounding the future of Conte, it has been suggested the current coach, Ryan Mason, could well step up – again – and take charge until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has previously taken charge in the caretaker role on the back of Jose Mourinho's sacking back in 2021.

However, his first job in management provided mixed results having won four of their six league games but losing in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City (via Transfermarkt).

But there have to be questions about whether any of the potential managerial candidates would be willing to step in now with only 10 games remaining in the season.

Spurs have a huge run of games to come in April with consecutive games against Newcastle United, Liverpool and then Manchester United at the back end of the month.

Given there is not much of a wait until the summer, it could well be the case that any potential candidates would look to hold out and join the club then as they will be provided time to implement their philosophy on the squad.

And in the case of Conceicao, the 48-year-old is currently still in a job at Porto and it would seem highly unlikely he would walk away before the end of the campaign with Champions League football still to play for.

It feels like a big few days are ahead of Spurs and it will be interesting to see who they have in their dugout for their next game when they travel to Everton.

Southampton are approaching the point in their bitter campaign where defeat is simply not an option; with the established Premier League club four points adrift from safety after 24 matches, continuing the wretched form that has heaped ten league defeats onto the outfit from the past 12 matches could spell the end of their stay in the top-flight.

Ruben Selles, the third manager of the campaign, is evidence of the magnitude of the tumult; a beloved and respected figure by the players, Selles secured a monumental victory over Chelsea, away at Stamford Bridge, before falling to relegation rivals Leeds United last weekend.

And now, the paramount importance of landing a first league win of the calendar year at St. Mary’s has never been greater, with forthcoming opponents, Leicester City, themselves only three points clear of the drop zone.

With everything on the line, Saints’ boss simply must unleash 19-year-old prodigy Romeo Lavia, who has been one of his side’s shining lights this season amid the gloom of the collective efforts.

Will Lavia star against Leicester?

A precocious youth, Lavia was signed from Manchester City for £14m in the summer, even subject to an overzealous £50m bid from Chelsea a matter of weeks after arriving on the south coast, on deadline day.

While the bid was swiftly rejected, it was a testament to just how highly regarded Lavia is, and he has certainly made his presence known during his breakout season in professional football.

Having made 20 senior appearances across all competitions this term, producing a goal and an assist apiece, the Belgian starlet has swiftly asserted himself at the heart of the Southampton fold, playing an instrumental role despite missing eight matches due to a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.

As per Sofascore, the teenage sensation has recorded an average league rating of 6.8, completing 87% of his passes and making 1.9 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game, also impressing with the accuracy of his robustness, winning 60% of his duels and succeeding in 59% of his dribble attempts.

Lauded as “ridiculous” for his industrious abilities by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Lavia ranks among the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days for blocks per 90 and the top 19% for pass completion, illustrating his gritty demeanour on the pitch and an assurance that blues his tender age.

With Leicester having made the eighth most passes in the league this season, Lavia’s ubiquity and movement in the midfield will be imperative, and could indeed secure three points that would put his outfit within touching distance of coveted safety.

And given that the Foxes have scored four goals in two of their past four Premier League encounters, the former Cityzen might shine in breaking down offensive advances as his aforementioned defensive statistics show that the gem has the quality to cut out attacks on a regular basis.

Southampton will need to rally fighting spirit and grit for the forthcoming clash, and with Lavia at the heart of the St. Mary’s, victory might just be clinched as the Belgian talent could silence the Foxes midfield.

Despite Steven Gerrard’s lack of managerial experience at the time, his spell at Glasgow Rangers will go down quite fondly with the majority of the Ibrox faithful, despite his rather acrimonious departure in November 2021.

He led the Light Blues to their first Premiership title in a decade during the 2020/21 campaign, ending their Glasgow arch-rivals’ dominance of Scottish football in the process and also re-establishing the Light Blues in Europe, twice reaching the Europa League round of 16 on his watch.

The former Liverpool captain wasn’t without fault, though, especially in the transfer market. One of his biggest howlers came during his first few months in charge as he signed winger Eros Grezda for a fee of £2m, and it soon turned out that the brains trust at Ibrox clearly had the wool pulled over their eyes.

How much did Eros Grezda cost Rangers?

Gerrard wasted no time in trying to improve the Rangers squad just weeks after his announcement as the club’s new manager in 2018, eventually signing 15 players, although Grezda was perhaps the worst when it came to performance on the pitch compared to financial outlay.

Such was the hype surrounding his arrival from Croatian club Osijek that Albanian journalist Ermal Kuka even predicted that the Gers would go on to make a substantial profit on their initial £2m signing.

He proclaimed: “I was surprised they were able to get him for such a low price. I think that is a real steal.

“In two years, I can easily see them selling him for £20 million, because it is different when you buy from Croatia or you buy from a club like Rangers.”

Safe to say, this prophecy that Grezda would eventually go on to become the club’s record sale was horribly wide of the mark. He played just 17 matches for the club, scoring twice (a brace against Motherwell in a 7-1 mismatch) and he cost the club £1m per goal, proving to be a substantial waste of precious funds.

His career at Ibrox was all but over following an alleged spitting incident while playing for the Colts team against Ballymena United at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, and the failed move represents one of Rangers’ biggest transfer failings in the previous five years.

He is currently without a club following failed stints back in Croatia, Hungary and Turkey, making the £2m outlay on the winger even harder to comprehend given how poorly he has done since leaving Rangers.

Gerrard did learn from that misstep and became much smarter when it came to delving into the transfer market over the next couple of seasons at Ibrox, but there’s no getting away from just how much of a shocker he had with this Albanian dud.

Chelsea could ‘look to sign’ Everton midfielder Amadou Onana in the next few days as an alternative to Brighton star Moises Caicedo.

The Lowdown: Caicedo interest…

The Seagulls star is a key midfield target for Graham Potter, and it’s believed that the Ecuadorian is ready to force a move to either Stamford Bridge or London rivals Arsenal.

However, it is also believed that Brighton have adopted a firm not-for-sale stance this month, potentially forcing Chelsea to weigh up alternatives.

The south coast club apparently value Caicedo at around £100m but they do not want him to leave the Amex Stadium, and if this transfer fails, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol claims there are alternative targets for the west London club.

The Latest: Chelsea could ‘look to sign’ Onana…

Speaking on The Transfer Show via Sky Sports’ transfer blog [Friday, 17:16], Solhekol says that Chelsea could ‘look to sign’ Onana as an alternative. Enzo Fernandez is another name to whom they could turn, but the Toffees midfielder could provide immediate Premier League experience.

Solhekol stated: “Chelsea have a made a verbal offer before for the player and if Brighton are saying he’s not for sale, he’s not going anywhere, Chelsea may want to respect that and not make another offer.

“Brighton are making it clear and they value him at around £100m. There is still a possibility they look to sign Amadou Onana or Enzo Fernandez over the next few days.”

The Verdict: Good option?

The former Lille midfielder only joined Everton in the summer, but amid the Toffees’ struggle to escape relegation, Onana may want an escape route to Stamford Bridge.

Valued at around £31.5m by Transfermarkt, the 21-year-old certainly comes with credentials and may potentially cost far less than the eye-watering figures quoted by Brighton for Caicedo’s signature.

The Belgium international has even averaged a higher rate of successful tackles per 90 (2.6) than any regular in Chelsea’s squad with more than two starts, backing how he could become a colossal defensive midfield presence under Potter (WhoScored).

Still just 21 years old, Onana would come to west London with the potential to be a signing of real longevity similar to Caicedo.

The towering 6 foot 4 ace has already been called a ‘leader’ by former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, and he could very well be a shrewd alternative to the Brighton midfielder, for whom a January transfer is proving increasingly difficult.