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And No. 3 works well for him – “it’s a fun position to bat at and I really enjoy it”

Shashank Kishore25-Jul-20222:17

Takeaways: Has Shreyas Iyer done enough to keep his spot?

It’s almost as if “short ball” has been written against Shreyas Iyer’s name on the strategy board of every opposition.On Sunday, the first glimpse of it was a burst from Alzarri Joseph. Except, it began after Iyer was set. Still, thrice, he was beaten for pace, once he was late on a shot as the ball brushed his forearm on the way to the wicketkeeper.Related

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Joseph wasn’t being subtle about showing his intentions. And Iyer wasn’t going to hop and jump. If he were to fall, he would go down fighting. But the understanding Iyer has of his game – and his primary weakness – would suggest that the issue is work in progress, behind the scenes.Prior to the ODI series, Iyer said that he had worked extra hard at training with Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour, who had to pull him out of the nets. It was Iyer being Iyer – someone who loves to bat and wants to put in the work to refine his game, because opportunities are proving to be scarce.In England, he got all of one game. When the big guns were back, he was back on the bench. He’s back again now, because the seniors have been rested, and so far, his two innings in the Caribbean have brought him two half-centuries in two winning causes.If his dismissal in the first brought a sense that he had missed a century that was there for the taking, his dismissal on Sunday was slightly unfortunate – out lbw on umpire’s call to a delivery that would have only hit the outside of the leg stump. His 99-run stand with Sanju Samson had brought India back into their chase of 311, even though they weren’t fully out of choppy waters at 178 for 4 in the 33rd over. It needed an Axar Patel special to complete the job in the final over.”I was really happy to get what score I got today, but really unhappy with the way I was dismissed,” Iyer said later. “I thought I could have taken the team through easily. I was setting up the total, but was very unfortunate with the wicket. Hopefully, I get to score a century in the next game.”

“Making half-centuries, I’m fortunate to have got those, but I have to convert it to a hundred. You don’t often get these chances in international cricket. Today was a great chance, I felt”Shreyas Iyer

Iyer’s ODI numbers are excellent for someone who isn’t a certainty yet – 1064 runs in 26 innings at an average of 42.56 and strike rate of 95.51. A shoulder injury last year kept him out for six months, a time during which he slipped down the pecking order after having established himself at No. 4. Now, he’s back on the upward curve, even though, since this year’s IPL, the short-ball weakness has led to him being found out time and again. Brendon McCullum, from the balcony, gesturing to England’s bowlers to bowl at Iyer’s throat in the Edgbaston Test was as open a signal as it could get. He had been with Iyer in the Kolkata Knight Riders dressing room, trying to address the same issue, only six weeks prior.Iyer has worked with a number of coaches over time, but at the senior level, it’s his working relationship with Dravid that has possibly been the longest. He first worked with Dravid in 2015, the year he broke into the IPL at Delhi Daredevils [now Delhi Capitals]. The partnership extended to India A and the several tours he was a part of over the years.”Obviously, whatever hard work you do has to be off the field,” Iyer said, of his work against the short ball. “What you see here is only the reward. I love working hard. I’ve been working very hard lately. The wickets and conditions change, matches keep coming back to back. You have to be fit, you have to motivate yourself. My mindset is that I will control the controllable, only then I can execute.”I was really happy to get what score I got today, but really unhappy with the way I was dismissed”•AFP/Getty Images”I have been working with them [Dravid and Rathour] for many years. We talk technique and temperament on a match-to-match basis. Situations change. When we have team meetings, everyone talks. We don’t come to a conclusion but learn from each other’s views. It’s a good conversation between us. Rahul sir has been supportive throughout, he doesn’t put much pressure on the mind.”Iyer loves batting at No. 3. The “I will bat wherever the team asks me to” cliche is not his. He just wants to make the most of every opportunity he gets at the moment, instead of worrying about his batting position or why he isn’t getting picked. And he wants to convert his scores into big ones instead of being happy with half-centuries.”No. 3 is one of the best positions in ODIs,” he said. “You go in at a tough situation if the openers have fallen. Then you have to see off the new ball and build an innings. But if the openers have started well, you get to carry forward the momentum and ensure the run rate is maintained. It’s a fun position to bat at and I really enjoy it.”Making half-centuries, I’m fortunate to have got those, but I have to convert it to a hundred. You don’t often get these chances in international cricket. Today was a great chance, I felt. In the previous match, I was out to a good catch. I won’t say I threw my wicket away there. But as long as the team wins and you contribute, you feel good.”Playing in the team is not in my hands. What I can do is train hard off the field. When I leave the field, I have no regrets.”

This week we look back at the absurdly cash-rich spectacle that briefly had the West Indies (and England) in thrall

Matt Roller29-Jun-2020What We’re WatchingWould West Indies have won their two World T20 titles if it hadn’t been for Allen Stanford?It is an awkward question on which few in the Caribbean would wish to dwell, with the scars from the Texan fraudster’s conviction for engineering a US$7 billion Ponzi scheme still visible across the region.But, as Daren Ganga said in Freddie Wilde and Tim Wigmore’s book on the T20 revolution, , Stanford’s domestic tournament “exposed a lot of young, raw talent… the investment made in that format led to West Indies dominating T20 cricket around the world.”Stanford’s tournament – played exclusively at his Sticky Wicket ground next to the airport in Antigua – saw 19 teams compete. There was access to a level of professionalism through coaching and fitness regimes that was unprecedented for many local cricketers. The incentive to win was huge, with a $1 million cheque waiting for the champions, and the competition gave birth to one of T20’s great teams, Trinidad and Tobago.The beginnings
That might have been difficult to foresee on the first day of the tournament, on July 11, 2006. “You can see the vibes and the enthusiasm of the teams being here,” said Courtney Walsh in the pre-match build-up. “I think this could be the start of what we need to generate a lot of interest back into cricket in the region.”The first ball brings chaos. Stanford walks off smiling with Sir Vivian Richards, having delivered a baseball-style first pitch – though sadly the footage is lost – before Marlon Brutus, No. 69 on his back, charges in to bowl with a bright orange ball. Terrance Webbe plays all around it, and nearly manages to run out his partner, Alderman Lesmond, and the Stanford 20/20 is born.Sir Curtly Ambrose was less impressed, telling Ian Bishop before the second game that he is now “more of a bass player in a local group called Big Bad Dread and the Baldhead”, and that he thought the first game “would have been a little bit more exciting”. Way to sell it, Curtly!The second game was livelier, with 42-year-old Pearson Best clubbing 74 off 40 balls to lead Cayman Islands to victory.The tournament quickly found its feet, with T&T in particular flying: sadly, there is no video evidence of Kieron Pollard’s 38-ball 83 in the semi-final against Nevis, the first of his 49 T20 half-centuries.The final was something else altogether. Guyana are in all sorts, needing 14 off the last over with captain Ramnaresh Sarwan at the wrong end. Mark Nicholas and Tony Cozier bemoan his partners’ inability to get Sarwan on strike: when he finally gets it, he heaves Samuel Badree for six, but then can only scramble one. As Nicholas tries to work out what will happen in the event of a tie, Narsingh Deonarine gets down on one knee and heaves the ball into the leg side.”Could be six… it is, it is!” cries Cozier. “Guyana have won with a six from Narsingh Deonarine! What a match we’ve had – a one-million dollar shot from Narsingh Deonarine!”Footage from the 2008 tournament is harder to come by, but a short compilation from the final provides a reminder of the brilliant theme music, “Come Rise With Me”.The 20-million match
The best-known Stanford game, though, came later that year, when England were bowled out for 99 and thrashed by ten wickets in a winner-takes-all, $20-million match. West Indies, playing under the name of the Stanford Superstars, were irresistible: Jerome Taylor knocked over Ian Bell and Matt Prior in quick succession, but the best moment was Daren Sammy’s exuberant celebration when he bowled Kevin Pietersen round his legs. Nasser Hussain then expertly put the mockers on Paul Collingwood before the rest of the innings disintegrated.It’s easily forgotten that England started brilliantly with the ball: Andre Fletcher came very close to being run out without facing, and Steve Harmison started with a menacing first over. But then came the Gayle-Fletcher show (parts one and two). The moment of euphoria was tinged with sadness, knowing what happened next. Mike Haysman slipped up massively when handing over the cheque he said was “for $20,000”, rather than USD 20 million – but that, in the end, was much closer to the sum that Stanford could actually afford to pay.What We’re Watching

MatériaMais Notícias

O Senado Federal irá iniciar a Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) para investigar os casos de manipulação de resultados no futebol brasileiro em abril. 109 partidas de futebol disputadas em 2023 estão sob suspeita de manipulação para favorecer apostadores.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O senador Jorge Kajuru (PSD-GO) será o presidente da CPI da Manipulação de Resultados de Futebol, e o senador e ex-jogador Romário (PL/RJ) será o relator. Os partidos irão definir os membros titulares e suplentes para a a CPI, que irá convidar dirigentes, jogadores, árbitros e também corruptores.

A CPI das Apostas Esportivas será composta por 11 senadores titulares e 7 suplentes, com 180 dias de duração. O colegiado vai apurar fatos relacionados às denúncias e suspeitas de manipulação de resultados no futebol brasileiro, envolvendo jogadores, dirigentes e empresas de apostas.

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➡️ Veja tabela com datas, horários dos jogos da Libertadores

Segundo adiantado por Kajuru, John Textor, sócio-majoritário da SAF do Botafogo, deve ser um dos primeiros a serem ouvidos. O norte-americano alega que o Palmeiras vem sendo beneficiado por dois anos e afirmou que dois jogos do Verdão no Brasileirão de 2023, contra o Fortaleza e São Paulo, foram manipulados. O empresário apresentou provas para sustentar tais alegações.

➡️ Especialista dá versão sobre casos de manipulação de resultados no futebol

Newcastle United will need to show they can pick up results on the road consistently to continue their fine start to December.

At St James’ Park so far this month, which is the Magpies’ dependable fortress, Eddie Howe’s men have collected a draw and a win, with only two losses from eight matches coming their way on their own turf this season so far.

In stark contrast, three losses have been tallied up away from home, with only one away win next to their name sticking out as a worrying fact.

In their defence, the only success on the road this season saw them emphatically get the better of Everton 4-1 in the Premier League, which might well stand them in good stead against Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland to come.

Howe will hope his team’s up-and-down nature has been rectified by the time the January transfer window swings back open, with a potentially busy month ahead for the Toon in terms of incomings.

Newcastle looking to sign new midfielder

The unpredictability of January could also see Newcastle offload a couple of players, too, with reserve centre-forward option William Osula alleged to be keen to move away from St James’ Park.

There are also rumours bubbling away about fresh faces joining the building, with former Leicester City ace Bilal El Khannouss just one of many options catching the Toon’s eye in the middle of the park. On top of him, a cut-price £13m move for Ferencváros TC star Alex Tóth could be on the agenda.

The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has added more fuel to the fire by revealing that Howe and Co are set to make a move for rising AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit, with the reported transfer fee floating about for his services coming in at the £30m price range.

The inconsistent Toon have long been admirers of the well-rounded Dutchman, and with Manchester United and Liverpool circling, this would be seen as a statement move in January, as Newcastle prepare to spend the big bucks once more. Hope has already described the youngster as “one of Europe’s most exciting teenagers” so this one is certainly something to kick and scream about.

How Smit can be Howe's future Guimaraes

Howe will hope, by landing Smit, that he wins himself a future Bruno Guimaraes, which will be music to the ears of the devoted Tyneside fanbase, after the much-loved Brazilian only affirmed his legendary status at the club more with that audacious strike versus Burnley.

The 28-year-old is now synonymous with Newcastle, with his corner kick effort sailing straight over the head of Martin Dubravka, further backing up comments by his manager that he is a “difference-maker”.

Of course, Smit has some way to go before he’s pulling off screamers like Guimaraes’ ingenious effort regularly in the Premier League, but the 19-year-old does have a powerful effort up his sleeve, with his ability to conjure up a moment of magic from a very early age also seeing scout Jacek Kulig laud him as a “super talent.”

Indeed, this sumptuous effort in the U19 Euros in the summer shows off a star who is incredibly confident and assured in front of goal, with Smit now up to ten goal contributions in the senior ranks at AZ. Newcastle’s beloved captain is up to 27 goals and 29 assists himself in the senior picture at St James’ Park, with Howe hopeful that Smit could reach these levels in time, so he can replace the 28-year-old down the line.

It’s not just their output in terms of goals and assists that makes the two talents in question similar, however, with Smit’s energy and determination centrally also placing himself on the same pedestal as the industrious South American, which has led to the AZ number 26 even being branded as a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, a tag regularly placed on Guimaraes’ shoulders.

Smit’s league numbers for AZ

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

24/25

25/26

Games played

18

14

Goals scored

0

2

Assists

0

2

Touches*

38.8

62.7

Accurate passes*

23.3 (85%)

42.7 (89%)

Key passes*

1.3

1.8

Big chances created

3

3

Ball recoveries*

3.3

5.7

Total duels won*

2.9

3.3

Stats by Sofascore

Smit has certainly grown into being more of a lively performer centrally this season in the Eredivisie, when looking at the table above, making 5.7 ball recoveries and winning 3.3 duels per game.

In constract, the Newcastle skipper has made 5.1 ball recoveries, but he does blow Smit out of the water in the duels department, having won a fierce 5.4 duels so far this campaign in the demanding Premier League.

Still, with the upward trajectory the table outlines, he could reach Guimaraes’ commanding levels very soon, as Howe prepares to win himself a standout talent for the future in January, by securing Smit’s coveted services.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Dec 8, 2025

West Ham face a pivotal January transfer window that may well determine their Premier League survival, but manager Nuno Espírito Santo also faces the threat of losing players.

Players who could leave West Ham in January

Niclas Füllkrug tops the departure list following his disastrous £27 million move from Borussia Dortmund, with the 32-year-old’s spell marred by repeated injury lay-offs.

He’s scored just three goals since arriving in 2024, failing to find the net at all this season, and his agent, Thorsten Wirth, has publicly acknowledged the transfer simply hasn’t worked.

Fullkrug is reportedly desperate for regular playing time to salvage his 2026 World Cup hopes, with Hamburg, Wolfsburg, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim and AC Milan all expressing rumoured interest in the Germany international ahead of January.

There is also the matter of James Ward-Prowse, who’s been completely excluded by Nuno ever since the Portuguese’s arrival at Rush Green.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

The 30-year-old was a firm regular under Graham Potter and named vice-captain, but Nuno’s appointment has seen him miss out on every single Premier League matchday squad.

Ward-Prowse is resigned to leaving West Ham in January as a result, with reports suggesting he could be joined by Guido Rodriguez as the Argentine attracts interest from abroad.

They may not be the only midfielders set for the London Stadium exit door either, as uncertainty continues to surround the future of Lucas Paqueta.

The Brazil international, who sent an interesting response to backlash surrounding his ridiculous sending off against Liverpool over the weekend, is reportedly open to the prospect of a mid-season exit and could well leave as their most high-profile departure.

Former West Ham senior scout, Mick Brown, has now told Football Insider that Paqueta leaving the club is a credible possibility.

West Ham set for 'big decision' over selling Lucas Paqueta

Brown says that West Ham are set for a ‘big decision’ over selling Paqueta next month, and Nuno will be ‘fuming’ about the 28-year-old’s conduct against Liverpool following one of the most bizarre dismissals you’ll ever see.

The former Lyon star, who was once on the verge of joining Man City before his spot-fixing allegations scuppered the deal, will leave the club in 2027 as things stand when his contract is due to expire.

Paqueta has already admitted that he desires a return to Flamengo one day, and admitted the move was actually close to happening last summer.

Nuno will need a replacement for Paqueta if he does leave, but West Ham are believed to be in the market for a new midfielder.