All posts by h716a5.icu

Andrew Miller looks at Antigua’s lost legacy on a day which saw a Test match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium abandoned after just 10 balls

Andrew Miller13-Feb-2009
North Sound, still under development a few weeks before the 2007 World Cup© Cricinfo Ltd
In the aftermath of the 2007 World Cup, which tore the very soul from West Indies cricket through its corporate nature and unsympathetic execution, no host island came in for more criticism than Antigua. By abandoning the atmospheric and massively historic Recreation Ground in St John’s, the scene (among other highlights) of two Brian Lara world records and Viv Richards’ 56-ball century in 1985-86, the island authorities inadvertently provided a perfect microcosm of the flaws of the entire tournament. The soul of the game had been abandoned, and to what end, no-one was able to understand.The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound is, superficially at least, a fine piece of architecture and a credit to the great man whose name it bears. It boasts two well-balanced grandstands at the north and south ends, and the midwicket flanks are given over to grassy banks and a swimming pool beneath the scoreboard which has been especially popular with the English and Australian tourists who have passed through the ground in the two years since its inception.But, in every other respect, the venue is a disgrace. The only Test to have been successfully staged on the ground, against Australia in June 2008, finished in a draw every bit as dull as many that afflicted the ARG in its 25-year history, while the positioning of the ground, in a scrubby wasteland about as far from the popular hubs of St John’s and Falmouth Harbour as humanly possible, is a travesty. The joy of the ARG had been its vibrant centrality – any hint of a big event, usually involving Lara, and the local offices would empty in a trice. Nothing of the sort has been possible in North Sound – the very epitome of a white elephant.Incredibly, not a single match has been played at the venue since Australia came to visit in June. In that time, the outfield has been dug up and re-laid – the bulldozers and diggers were clearly visible from the road-side during England’s visit for the Stanford Super Series in November – and all along the word on the street has been that the authorities were struggling to get the ground ready in time for this match. England certainly didn’t like what they saw. They dispatched a letter of complaint to the ICC on the eve of the game, therefore it beggars belief that the WICB was able to drag its heels right up to the 12th hour and beyond.And yet, at the same time, it is not at all surprising. The WICB is not a body that learns lessons in a hurry. It was on their watch that the last shortest match in Test history was staged, at Sabina Park in 1997-98 (which at 10.1 overs was almost exactly six times as long), and England of course were again the visitors for that match. Instead of concentrating on the very pressing logistics of this contest, they have spent their last few months embroiled in boardroom battles – not least with Antigua’s richest citizen, Allen Stanford, who was enraged by their duplicitous behaviour ahead of the Super Series, when they effectively attempted to sell the same product (the West Indies cricket team, aka Stanford Superstars) to two separate bidders.Ironically, this series had been shaping up to be the grand redemption that West Indies cricket so desperately needed. Sabina Park, at the very least, had been forgiven of its 1997-98 sins after playing host to last week’s stunning victory in the first Test, and after winning the toss this morning, Chris Gayle bowled first in spite of his own concerns about the conditions, because he saw an opportunity to inflict further psychological scars after that incredible 51 all out. The stage was set for a brilliant and captivating match. Except, of course, the stage was not set at all.Where now for North Sound (to call it the Sir Viv stadium is an undue slight on a great Antiguan)? Ironically, today’s failings were a direct consequence of the problems that surfaced during the 2007 World Cup – in particular, during Bangladesh’s Super Eight fixture against Australia, which was reduced to 22 overs a side on a blazing hot day, because the drainage was totally inadequate. The island’s only supersopper remained parked up at the ARG, and the beleaguered groundstaff were reduced to mopping up the overnight rain with torn-up strips of mattress.With any luck, the upshot of this sorry saga will be a redemption of sorts. The news that the ARG – the old, tatty, rotten, run-down ARG – has been thrust into the breach provides, in theory, some sort of closure. A chance to gloss over a sorry mismanaged chapter of West Indies history, and return the game to its rightful roots in the island’s capital.Except, unfortunately, the damage may already have been done, and the soul may not be reclaimed in a hurry. The main stand of the ARG was already utterly run down during the World Cup two years ago, and it beggars belief how they expect to get it Test-match ready inside two days.An island of 70,000 people which bred four greats of the game in a single generation – Richards, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts and Curtly Ambrose – may already have kissed their legacy goodbye. Other hungrier islands – among them St Lucia, Grenada, and Antigua’s nearest neighbours, St Kitts – would dearly love to welcome England for future Test matches. Unlike Jamaica, which had enough political clout to recover its lost status 11 years ago, Antigua has an awful lot of respect to claw back.

The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers got really chippy during Game 2 of the NLDS and it's safe to say the Dodgers' fans didn't cover themselves in glory during the proceedings.

During San Diego's 10–2 win, the game was delayed before the bottom of the seventh inning because fans were throwing things on the field. But this wasn't some harmless knuckleheads tossing junk onto the field. They were throwing objects at Padres players.

First, two baseballs were fired at left fielder Jurickson Profar. Then several objects were launched in the direction of Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field. As if that wasn't bad enough, video has surfaced of fans throwing objects at Padres pitchers in the bullpen.

In the video below you can see something come flying in as the Padres and a staffer attempt to avoid it. Then a number of the Padres' pitchers go after the fans.

It's unclear what was thrown.

The Los Angeles Dodgers started their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with back-to-back-to-back home runs. And they trailed by the time the first inning was over. But they still won.

Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 44th home run. He was followed by Mookie Betts two pitches later and then Freddie Freeman one pitch after Betts touched home.

For Ohtani it was his 12th home run of August, which meant he hit the most home runs in the National League in August. He also stole the most bases in the NL in August with nine. This was the first time anyone has lead a league in both stolen bases and home runs since Willie Mays in 1956.

Mays finished the season leading baseball with 40 stolen bases. He also hit a modest 36 home runs that year. Ohtani has already surpassed both those numbers and has his sights set on a 50/50 season, which no one has ever done. The only thing keeping him from stealing enough bases is the fact that he hits so many home runs.

After spending time in the wilderness following the fiasco at The Oval in 2006, Darrell Hair is back. And it’s evoking some reactions

20-Mar-2008

Comeback of the year: Hair is in business again © Getty Images
“We’ve got nothing personal against the man. Mr Hair has undergone rehabilitation over the last six months. I wouldn’t like to speculate specifically about Pakistan, but I would say that the [ICC] management have been instructed to deal appropriately with this area.”
“I am terribly shocked and disgusted at the news … Hair was at fault but he is reinstated like a hero. The PCB needs to learn a lesson from the Indian board. See how they backed their players in Australia recently on contentious issues.”
“He should never have been reinstated after committing so many gross irregularities during the Oval Test. The ICC board decided beyond doubt Hair’s conduct was not up to the mark. This man violated his responsibilities as a senior umpire. How the ICC can restore him is hard to comprehend … It is a slap on the face of Pakistan cricket.”
“There would be so much of bad blood between him and the team [Pakistan] and so forth because he was proven wrong in that match and it was a very, very serious blot on cricket.”
“The decision of Hair’s recall shows Pakistan’s lack of presence at international forums … It shows that the international community is ready to walk over Pakistan whenever they want.”
“My commitment to cricket and umpiring is as strong as ever and I wish to get back on to the field as soon as possible.””He’s good to talk to on the pitch, he’s very good with the players. Darrell does get the majority of the decisions right on the pitch, which is what you want.”
“We’re pleased to see Darrell back. Cricket Australia has always had a view that he is, in a technical sense, an excellent umpire, one of the best two or three in the world.
“His position will be reviewed in a year’s time, as is the case with all of the other umpires who are coming to the end of their contracts at that stage. Mr Hair is a very good and a very competent umpire. He has had time away from the coalface and umpired other activities.”
“Darrell Hair over time seems to polarise opinion, but a lot of his supporters will feel it is justified to bring him back and that he was unjustly kept on the sidelines in the first place.”
“I am on the ICC now. I am not the same guy who would speak out on something like this issue … I cannot comment.”
“All in all this might be an ideal moment to move into the portly Australian umpire flammable effigy business.”
Guardian

Since Mikel Arteta was appointed manager in December 2019, a lot has changed at Arsenal.

The club have gone from a mid-table laughing stock into serious contenders for the Premier League, Champions League, and every other competition they participate in.

The Spaniard’s tactical approach has facilitated that transformation, as well as the complete overhaul of the squad, with a host of star players coming in and many going the other way.

Perhaps one of the most popular players to have left the club in recent years was Granit Xhaka, who enjoyed a sensational turnaround from being public enemy number one to a crucial cog in the club’s first title charge under Arteta and someone serenaded by the Emirates in his final appearance.

It would be fair to say that the team sometimes lack a certain tenacity since the Swiss international left, so fans should be excited about reports linking them to a player who could be their new Xhaka.

Arsenal's summer of business

As things stand, this summer is shaping up to be really quite special for Arsenal.

Transfer Focus

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

Andrea Berta and Co seem to be working overtime to get deals done in time ahead of pre-season, with Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Christian Norgaard already announced, while Nonie Madueke and Christian Mosquera have already undergone their medicals.

Add to that the free-scoring monster that is Viktor Gyokeres, who could well be having his medical tomorrow or on the weekend, plus the rumours concerning Eberechi Eze, and the Gunners look like they could be seriously dangerous next season.

Yet, the North Londoners don’t appear to be done there, as they’ve also been linked with an international who could be looked at as Arteta’s new Xhaka.

At least, that is according to a recent report from the German publication BILD, which has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in João Palhinha.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the Gunners have already held serious discussions over the midfield star.

A price is not mentioned in the report, but stories from last month claim he could be available for just £30m as he’s no longer in Vincent Kompany’s plans.

It might not be the most exciting of signings, but Palhinha is a known quantity, and someone who might be able to add some more bite to Arsenal’s squad, just like Xhaka once did.

Why Palhinha could be Arsenal's new Xhaka

If Arsenal do go ahead with this transfer and are able to bring Palhinha to the Emirates, then there is a good chance he will join as a squad player, with Declan Rice, Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard remaining the first-choice midfield.

However, that does not mean that he couldn’t still have a significant impact, either as the first name off the bench or as a rotation option, as there are going to be plenty of games to be played.

With that said, why could he be Arteta’s new Xhaka?

The first similarity is that, like the Swiss international, he’d be moving to the club from the Bundesliga. Additionally, last season saw him win the league, just as the former Gunners ace did in his first campaign back in Germany in 2023/2024.

Second, while he might not be as technical as an Odegaard-type, the Portuguese international is a warrior of a midfielder who gets stuck into challenges, even if it can sometimes be to his own detriment, just like the former Borussia Mönchengladbach star.

For example, in his 68 Premier League games for Fulham, he picked up 27 yellow cards, while the Basel-born ace picked up 55 in 225 games, working out at one in every 2.51 and 4.09 games, respectively.

However, you shouldn’t read into that as the former Cottagers ace being a liability; it’s more a matter of him constantly breaking up opposition play and putting out fires.

In fact, in the 23/24 season, the “world-class” international, as dubbed by journalist Dom Smith, made the most tackles in the entire league, coming in with 152, while second-place Joao Gomes only made 128.

Moreover, while he didn’t get as much game time as he would have wanted last season, the midfield “monster,” as dubbed by data analyst Marcus Bring, still has some seriously impressive underlying numbers to show for his efforts.

Pass Completion % (Short)

96.6%

Top 1%

GCA (Shot)

0.11

Top 1%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.74

Top 1%

Dribblers Tackled

1.81

Top 1%

Pass Completion %

92.4%

Top 3%

Tackles Won

2.13

Top 3%

Touches (Mid 3rd)

56.49

Top 3%

% of Dribblers Tackled

65.4%

Top 4%

Aerials Won

2.34

Top 4%

Passes Completed

68.72

Top 5%

Total Passing Distance

1082.55

Top 6%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.60

Top 6%

Passes Blocked

1.38

Top 6%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goal-creating actions from shots, tackles in the attacking third, and dribblers tackled, as well as the top 3% for pass completion and more, all per 90.

Finally, even though he is most effective in defensive and central midfield, the Lisboa-born star is still capable of chipping in with goals here and there, as, like the Bayer Leverkusen ace, he’s been known to score some long-range screamers.

Ultimately, while he might not be a regular starter, Palhinha would be an excellent addition to Arsenal’s squad, and thanks to his tenacity, experience and ability to strike the ball, he could even be Arteta’s new Xhaka.

£34m Arsenal star is in talks to leave; it may free up room for Rodrygo

It might be time for the talented ace to leave Arsenal for good.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 16, 2025

Critchley claims five-for, then falls 16 runs short of second century for the match as hosts hold healthy advantage

David Hopps17-Apr-2021″What’s the point of Derbyshire?” is a question asked so often by their critics that it should become an option for a philosophy exam alongside such staples as “Do we have free will”, “What’s the meaning of life”, and “If you try to fail but succeed which have you actually done?”Anticipation is growing that the answer to “What’s the point of Derbyshire?” lies in the figure of Matt Critchley. He is three days into one of the finest individual performances in Derbyshire’s history, a performance that was on the verge of something quite remarkable only to falter at the last.Derbyshire’s admirable statistician, David Griffin, was last seen feverishly trying to unearth whether Critchley had fallen 16 runs short of joining an exclusive list of county cricketers in history to make a century in each innings as well as take five wickets in between. Franklyn Stephenson did it for Nottinghamshire in 1988 and achieved the double in the process, but it is a very small list.If the feat would have been remarkable, its foundering was an anti-climax as he fell prey to an innocent little inswinger from Daryl Mitchell that bowled him through the gate.Critchley’s legspin remains central to Derbyshire’s attempts to dismiss Worcestershire on the final day which may mean Griffin’s work is not yet done. We are not yet sure what the question will be but the odds are that the answer will be Garnet Lee, a recruit from Nottinghamshire a century or so ago, who specialized in great all-round feats.Derbyshire was rightly portrayed by Matthew Engel in , a delightful character study of the 39 counties, as a mix of self-sufficiency and eccentricity. It is that hallmark that has helped them survive; the game is cherished whatever hostility rears up elsewhere. The spectator who showed up at the main gate on the opening day, in defiance of Covid regulations, and demanded to be allowed in because he had just become a member, added to the folklore. It is a shame that he and many others have missed Critchley’s grand show.Derbyshire finished the third day with a formidable lead of 353 with five wickets remaining. If an enterprising stand of 129 in 27 overs between Critchley and Wayne Madsen had raced ahead a little longer that lead would have been 400 and an overnight declaration would have been inevitable.But before Mitchell silenced Critchley he had also had Madsen lbw and, with the captain, Billy Godleman, resting a groin injury, conservatism crept into Derbyshire’s approach: 59 in the last 20 overs with Worcestershire there for the taking. Mitchell spared Worcestershire, who bowled a lot of dross.Critchley began the day by completing his five-for, having Ed Barnard caught at slip and bowling Alzarri Joseph. In between, he dropped Joseph in front of square – a good, diving effort – and caught Joe Leach at cover. It was already clear that he would remain the centre of attention.Related

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Derbyshire’s initial efforts to build on their 85-run lead were sporadic. Two blows on the hand for Leus du Plooy were evidence of occasional uneven bounce from the Racecourse End of the ground which could serve Derbyshire well on the final day. The injury to Godleman was stranger, a couple of bouts of treatment for a tweaked groin, followed by prolonged discussions with the umpires, in which he presumably received assurances that he could retire “not out”. He did just that, and never needed to return.County cricket’s lengthy tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh – a minute’s silence to begin an 80-minute stoppage, including tea – meant that it was 4.10pm before the day began to take shape.That coincided with the alliance between Critchley and Madsen, who set about Worcestershire’s attack with relish. Critchley’s emphatic pull through mid-on against Barnard pronounced that here was a batsman in form. He then hit Dillon Pennington for two successive leg-side sixes, the first of them (when he was 20) carried over by Tom Fell.Brett D’Oliveira’s inconsequential legspin was greeted by a reverse sweep which took Critchley to a domineering 43-ball half-century, but that was just a precursor to the larks during an over in which D’Oliveira was reverse-swept five times (three by Madsen, two by Critchley), with only Critchley’s studious forward push to the fourth delivery restoring decorum, appeasing traditionalists and saving Griffin from a question that even he would not have been able to answer.Critchley still perceives himself as a bowling allrounder, but that perception might subtly shift as the season takes shape. “I see bowling as my job and just enjoy batting as much as I can,” he said. “I work hard on both and I want to influence the game every time I get involved but it was more pleasing to get my five-for and I get more satisfaction out of the wickets.”There was a time when England debuts could be won by virtue of a single performance or tour spots claimed on the back of a late-season Lord’s final. Not so often now, and certainly not in Derbyshire where news does not always travel fast.That sense of isolation suited the likes of John Ruskin who once raged about a railway line across the Peak District, now closed: “The valley is gone and the Gods with it, and now, every fool in Bakewell can be at Buxton in half-an-hour, and every fool in Bakewell at Buxton.”Critchley, although he appears to be a modest sort, would doubtless love a fast track to England recognition and, if he continues to play with such elan against stiffer opposition than Worcestershire he will one day achieve just that.

Enzo Maresca has been tasked with the job of returning Chelsea to the top of the Premier League following his appointment from Leicester City earlier this month.

The Italian arrives at Stamford Bridge following his time with the Foxes in the Championship, where he claimed the league title in his first season in senior management.

Maresca inherits a side on the up, with the Blues finishing in a Europa League place despite a terrible start to the campaign which saw the club win just one of their first six Premier League outings in 2023/24.

It’s safe to say he will have a lot of players at his disposal, with owner Todd Boehly making 22 first-team additions during the last two years – with more players expected to follow suit during the transfer window.

There will need to be a compromise to all the new additions, with players needing to be sold from Stamford Bridge during the off-season to balance the books and avoid a punishment from the Premier League for breaking their FFP rules.

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ByStephan Georgiou Apr 16, 2024

One player in particular is surely set for an exit from the club after spending the last two years on temporary loan stints away from the Blues.

Romelu Lukaku’s stats at Chelsea since 2021

Despite joining the club for a reported £97.5m fee back in the summer of 2021, striker Romelu Lukaku has failed to provide any value for money, scoring just 15 times in his 44 appearances after rejoining Chelsea.

He’s subsequently been on two separate loan spells away from England, joining Serie A duo Inter Milan and Roma in a bid to reignite his once red-hot form in front of goal.

The Belgian has found the net on 35 occasions between the two loan stints, but it might not be enough to force himself back into Maresca’s plans next season.

Given his expensive fee, the club will look to recoup as much of the money as possible, allowing Lukaku to have a fresh start after a dismal second spell in the Premier League for Chelsea.

However, he’s been selected by his nation to feature at Euro 2024, but his fortunes haven’t changed, producing a below-par display in Belgium’s shock 1-0 defeat against Slovakia yesterday.

Lukaku’s stats for Belgium against Slovakia

Belgium started their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany on Monday afternoon, facing Slovakia – a game in which Domenico Tedesco’s side were huge favourites to win.

However, Lukaku and Co failed to produce any quality, with the striker producing a shambolic display, which led to journalist Francois Plateau branding the 31-year-old as “terrible”.

He featured for the entirety of the contest but only managed 27 touches – an average of just one touch every 3.3 minutes during the unexpected defeat.

He was just as careless when he eventually received the ball, making just 14 passes and losing possession five times while straying into an offside position on two separate occasions.

Minutes played

90

Touches

27

Passes completed

14

Possession lost

5

Times caught offside

2

Big chances missed

3

Duels won

1/3 (33%)

However, Lukaku’s most disappointing part of his display came in the attacking third, missing three big chances and having two goals ruled out for offside and a foul in the build up to what Belgium thought was a late equaliser.

As a result, the centre-forward was handed a 4/10 match rating by Goal, with the striker receiving the joint-lowest rating of any Belgium player in an afternoon to forget for the nation.

Given his woeful display, Chelsea must cash in on Lukaku, with the attacker evidently a shadow of his former self and looking more sluggish as the months tick by.

They will undoubtedly lose a whole load on their huge investment from a number of years ago, but they can easily recoup a fee in the region of £30m which could allow Maresca to invest the funds generated in a new focal point for the Blues.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jun 17, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to retire "when Lionel Messi stops", with the 40-year-old Portuguese GOAT told he is now tarnishing his "legacy".

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

All-time great is still going strong at 40Intends to reach 1,000 career goalsArgentine icon Messi also nearing the endFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

While the goals are flowing at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, evergreen frontman Ronaldo has now reached 40 years of age. He continues to make himself available for club and country, with another quest for Nations League glory being taken in with Portugal.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

CR7 is expected to play on towards the 2026 World Cup, with there a desire on his part to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement. He has, however, been told that he is not the player he once was and should walk away once eternal rival Messi decides that he will be hanging up record-breaking boots.

Getty/GOALWHAT JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK SAID

That is the opinion of former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with the ex-Netherlands international telling : "Football doesn't need Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo has been one of the best players for a long time; one of the best players in history. I think, at the moment, he’s doing himself more harm than good to be playing for Portugal still – it’s impacting his legacy.

"And if you ask me, Messi or Ronaldo, I will always say Ronaldo because of what he had to do to get to that level and to stay there.

"We all know as footballers, and I know this really, really well from my playing time, there's a time when you come and there's a time where you need to go. I think his time had come a while ago, and he needs to give somebody else the opportunity.

"I don't think that he is at the moment better than the other options that Portugal have. Some games you need to press, some games you need to do different things, and I don't think that he can do that anymore. There’s no shame in that. For him to even be playing at 40 is a landmark in itself.

"There comes a time when you have to hang the boots up. I think that time will come when Messi stops. I think when Messi decides to call it a day, so will Ronaldo."

WHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Ronaldo is up to 218 caps for Portugal, with 135 goals being recorded along the way. He retains unwavering belief in his own ability, while always demanding the highest of standards, and sees no reason to call it a day while still being capable of making a positive contribution in domestic and international competition.

Since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2022, Nottingham Forest have certainly splashed the cash to ensure they can remain in the top flight. So far, it has worked, with the men in Garibaldi Red surviving relegation for each of their first two seasons back in the division.

This campaign has gone even better so far for Forest. The Midlands side are flying high in the top flight, sitting fifth in the table with 19 points to their name. They are outside of the Champions League spots on goal difference, having lost just two games so far.

Although they have spent so much money already in the three summers since promotion, The 2023 summer was a really significant window for Forest.

Forest’s summer signings in 2023

The most expensive addition that summer for Forest was defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangare. The Ivorian, who is a full international, made the move to the City Ground for a fee in the region of £30m.

He has become an important player for the club when available. In his first season, the midfielder missed a portion of the campaign due to an international call-up for AFCON and currently has a hamstring injury that has kept him out for much of 2024/25 so far. Sangare has made just 21 appearances for the club to date.

The other significant investments made that summer were Chris Wood, Callum-Hudson Odoi and Anthony Elanga. The trio have become Forest’s favoured front three this season under Nuno Espirito Santo, an investment that has proven to be a wise choice.

Wood has the most goals for the Tricky Trees this season, with eight to his name, and Sweden winger Elanga has two assists, bettered only by Elliot Anderson, who has three. Cobham academy graduate Hudson-Odoi has two goals to his name.

There is no doubt that the signings made by Forest in 2023 have paved the way for their successes so far this season. There is certainly a good chance for that group of players to help the club return to Europe.

However, as good as those signings were, there is one other addition that summer who has arguably been a cut above the rest. That man is Murillo, who has certainly been an excellent investment.

Murillo’s transfer value in 2024

The Midlands club signed young Brazilian defender Murillo from Corinthians towards the end of the 2023 window, costing them a rumoured £15m. He has since gone on to be a crucial player for the club, being described as “dominant” by football analyst Ben Mattinson.

The 22-year-old has featured 47 times for Forest so far. He was a key figure for the club last term as they narrowly avoided relegation, featuring in 32 out of the 38 Premier League games, playing a total of 2793 minutes. Across his career at the City Ground, the young defender has even managed to score one goal and grab two assists.

He has been an ever-present this season, playing 90 minutes in every single Forest game in the top flight. He even got himself on the score sheet against Newcastle United in their most recent game, giving his side the lead in the eventual 3-1 defeat.

His impressive performances at the heart of Forest’s defence have grabbed the attention of one of England’s biggest clubs. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are thought to be ‘seriously considering’ a move for Murillo.

The report suggests the Reds would need to pay upwards of £70m, which would see Forest make an excellent profit from the £15m they originally paid. His value has increased massively, going up by an eye-watering 366% since they signed him last summer.

Date

Value

October 2023

£7.4m

December 2023

£18.3m

March 2024

£20.8m

May 2024

£29.1m

October 2024

£70m

It would not be good for the City Ground side to lose one of their most important defenders. With that being said, money such as the amount Liverpool may willing to pay for Murillo is hard to turn down.

Whether he stays or goes, the defender has certainly been an incredible investment for Forest.

Nottingham Forest eyeing January deal for in-demand £35k-p/w player

Nottingham Forest have their eye on adding a Premier League defender to their ranks this January.

1 ByBrett Worthington Nov 13, 2024

Hundreds for Feroze Khushi and Tom Westley set up emphatic win before Benkenstein’s Harmer-esque impact

ECB Reporters Network14-Aug-2022Seventeen-year-old leg spinner Luc Benkenstein sliced through the Glamorgan middle-order with six wickets in 36 balls to ease Essex to back-to-back Royal London Cup victories at sizzling Chelmsford.Benkenstein, the son of former South African all-rounder Dale, who is first-team coach at Gloucestershire, took advantage of the sort of conditions that have helped to make Simon Harmer the most formidable spin bowler in the countryHe only made his debut against Durham less than a week ago, at his dad’s old stamping ground at Chester-le-Street, and had not taken a wicket for Essex’s first team when he came on to bowl the 22nd over with Glamorgan making good progress towards their target of 342.His incredible quick-fire haul changed that – and crucially it included the crucial wicket of Sam Northeast, who was in the process of batting himself back into form with an 81-ball 70. Benkenstein finished with figures of 6-42 in the 103-run win.”I’m a bit overwhelmed to tell you the truth at the moment, ” he said. “It was a great team performance in the end in very warm conditions so it was unbelievable from the boys.Getting the wicket of Northeast was very satisfying, he was going very well but I knew if I got it in the right place, he was eventually going to have to go after me because the run-rate was creeping up. Luckily, I got it in the right place and so today it was my day but on another, it could have been his.”We could do with some rain on the outfield. Quite a few of the lads have got nasty cuts and a lot of blood over their shirts but they are a terrific bunch of lads and they put their bodies on the line whatever the conditions.”Essex’s imposing total, after electing to bat against the reigning champions, was underpinned by a second-wicket partnership of 203 – a record for any Essex wicket in the competition against Glamorgan – between Feroze Khushi and Tom Westley, who both finished with 104 to their names.Related

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For Khushi his 86-ball knock, including five sixes, was his second century of the season, scored on successive Sundays, while Westley recorded a ton in consecutive matches from 110 balls. However, once they departed Essex crashed from 247-3 to 303-9 in the blink of an eye with Andrew Salter’s off-breaks claiming 3-72.Glamorgan’s tails were up when Josh Rymell thick-edged the second legitimate ball of the game from James Harris to slip. They had to wait more than 30 overs for their second success by which time Essex had motored beyond 200.In between Khushi and Westley set about the bowling with an almost nonchalant relish. Westley, coming in at No3, dominated the initial part of the partnership, contributing 49 of the first hundred and then reaching his own half-century from 51 balls.The younger Khushi was slightly more subdued at the outset and managed just two fours in his fifty scored from 57 balls, but he kept the scoreboard ticking along with singles and doubles.However, it was in the latter stages of his innings that he burst into life. His first fifty included a straight six off the unfortunate Douthwaite. There was a second swept off Prem Sisodiya before Colin Ingram was taken out of the attack after three legside sixes in an over that had the umpires reaching regularly for the spares box.Khushi’s second fifty took just 29 balls as a single to deep cover took him to three-figures. But in the same over he played all around a delivery from David Lloyd and was bowled.Westley was a spectator for a spell while Khushi ran rampant, but reached his own ton with a push into the onside from his 101st ball. But he was bamboozled by a delivery from Salter that was going down legside, he overbalanced and was stumped off a wide.The two centurions removed, Glamorgan’s bowlers suddenly detected a soft underbelly and six wickets went down in six overs before a last-wicket flourish added 38Only Grant Roelofsen, entering at No4, avoided the carnage at the other end and finished unbeaten on 69 from 55 balls, reaching his half-century with a six into the visitors’ dressing room.In response, Lloyd struck seven boundaries in a 17-ball 30 before he picked out Snater on the square-leg boundary to give New Zealander Ray Toole a first wicket on debut.Apart from a pulled six, Ingram struggled for any fluency despite a half-century stand with Northeast. He had reached 17 from 25 balls when he took a swish at Nijjar and was lbw.Northeast lost his captain Kiran Carlson after another fifty partnership when he chopped Benkenstein to backward point. Benkenstein’s second followed soon after when Northeast decided to charge and was stumped by Roelofsen, and the third arrived when Khushi raced in from the cover boundary to dive and dismiss Tom Bevan.Douthwaite leant back and tried to force Benkenstein away, only to play on. Two balls later Tom Cullen went walkabouts and was stumped.Nijjar had Weighell caught behind off an attempted reverse sweep before Benkenstein returned to dismiss Harris, courtesy of Nijjar’s snatch around the corner off a top edge.