Wolves now eyeing move to sign "complete" new forward who’s outscored Hwang

After an incredibly successful debut season in charge, Wolverhampton Wanderers are already gearing up to ensure that Gary O'Neil and his side are prepared for the start of next season.

Wolves transfer news

As things stand, Wolves' biggest concern will be losing Pedro Neto. The winger has attracted plenty of interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur linked with moves for the Portugal international in what would be a hefty deal. Neto may have even played his last game for the club, having recently suffered an injury that could rule him out for the rest of the campaign.

That means that those in the Midlands will get a preview of what life would be like without Neto if he decides to leave this summer. Without him, they'll certainly need to add more firepower, that's for sure. And that's where the transfer market could come into play.

Wolves' special £6.5m signing would now be worth more than Hwang in 2024

Wolves hit the jackpot on a signing from 2010 who is worth more than Hwang in 2024 money

ByRoss Kilvington Mar 21, 2024

According to GiveMeSport, Wolves are eyeing a move to sign Josh Sargent from Norwich City following the American's impressive Championship campaign for the Canaries. It's currently unknown just how much those in Norfolk would demand for their star striker, but money may not be as much of an issue as usual for Wolves if they sell Neto this summer.

Norwich stars Kieran Dowell and Josh Sargent.

Highlighting how impressive Sargent has been this season, he has managed to outscore Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan in what is no easy feat, given the form the South Korea star has shown in the current campaign.

"Complete" Sargent can partner Hwang

There may be no better way to replace Neto than by switching things up and forming a clinical strike partnership between Hwang and Sargent. The American seems destined for the Premier League one way or another, and the likes of Hwang, Mateus Cunha and Neto prove that O'Neil's side is now the place to be when it comes to free-flowing attacking football. Here's how Hwang and Sargent have compared this season so far.

League Stats (via FBref)

Josh Sargent

Hwang Hee-chan

Starts

16

19

Goals

13

10

Assists

1

3

Expected Goals (XG)

9.3

6.3

What makes this potential duo even more frightening for opposition defences is the fact that both Sargent and Hwang have outperformed their XG's by over three goals this season, highlighting how clinical they both are. Give either a sniff of goal and you'll likely be watching them wheel away in celebration just moments later.

Norwich boss David Wagner is well aware of Sargent's talent too, saying via Norwich Evening News earlier this month: “I never get tired of talking about Josh Sargent, provided he is healthy. I need to think about all the strikers I have worked with, but for sure, he ranks in the top three. Maybe he is the best one because he’s complete."

رئيس الإمارات يعفو عن ثلاثي الزمالك

أصدر الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان رئيس دولة الإمارات قرارًا بالعفو عن ثلاثي نادي الزمالك “مصطفى شلبي ونبيل عماد دونجا لاعبا الفريق ومعهما عبد الواحد السيد مدير الكرة بالفريق”، المتهمين في أحداث مباراة بيراميدز في كأس السوبر المصري.

اجتماع بين مجلس إدارة الزمالك والسلطات الإماراتية لتحديد موعد عودة الثلاثي المحتجز

وأعلن البيان الصادر رسميًا، أن ذلك القرار يأتي انطلاقاً من العلاقات الأخوية التي تجمع بين دولة الإمارات وجمهورية مصر العربية، وحرصاً من صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان على تعزيز الروابط الأخوية التي تجمع الشعبين الشقيقين.

وكان قد تم التحفظ على الثلاثي من قبل الشرطة الإماراتية، للاعتداء على فرد أمن بمباراة بيراميدز، التي حسمها الفارس الأبيض بركلات الترجيح في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري وذلك يوم الأحد الموافق 20 أكتوبر الماضي.

الشباب والرياضة تٌعلن نبأ سار بشأن أزمة ثلاثي الزمالك في الإمارات

وأصدرت دائرة القضاء في أبوظبي حكماً ضد ثلاثي الزمالك عبد الواحد السيد (مدير الكرة)، نبيل عماد دونجا ومصطفى شلبي لاعبي الفريق، بالحبس لمدة شهر واحد مع تغريم كل منهم مبلغ 200 ألف درهم إماراتي.

الجدير بالذكر، أن وزارة الشباب والرياضة المصرية قد أعلنت قبل قليل عن التوصل لاتفاق بشأن انتهاء الأزمة المذكورة.

England embrace the conventional to assist Ollie Pope's second coming

Recall at No.6 will help young player bed into Test cricket after baptism of fire in 2018

George Dobell in Mount Maunganui19-Nov-2019

Ollie Pope leans into a drive

At the end of the English domestic season Ryan ten Doeschate made a revealing comment. Asked whether he intended to play for Essex for another season in the County Championship, he replied he wasn’t sure. “Batting at No. 6,” he said, “it’s where you blood someone to bat. And there are a couple of young guys who are close to being ready.”It was revealing for a couple of reasons. For a start, it underlined what a fine team man ten Doeschate is. While many players, approaching their 40th birthday, might have thought little beyond attempting to secure themselves another contract, ten Doeschate was thinking about what was best for the future of Essex as a club. His personal aspirations were clearly secondary to the team’s long-term benefits.More pertinently, his words underlined how a successful team – and Essex have won the County Championship twice in the last three years, remember – integrates new players. And they contrasted with England’s approach in recent times.Take the example of Ollie Pope. Having earned the attention of the selectors by batting at No. 6 for Surrey, the then 20-year-old was thrust into bat at No. 4 in Test cricket. That meant that, even though he had never batted inside the first 20 overs of a first-class innings at county level, he was then expected to come in before the 10th over in Test cricket. It’s hardly surprising he struggled.It was a similar story with Jason Roy. Having impressed as an opening batsman in white-ball cricket, where there is little lateral movement and the pitches tend to be good for batting, Roy was given the task of opening in Test cricket in England where the ball moves lavishly and the surfaces, in recent times, offer seamers plenty. Again, it was hardly surprising that he struggled.At least it appears England are learning. Pope may well move up the order in the months or years ahead but, for now, he will be given a chance to acclimatise to the higher standards of Test cricket by batting at No. 6 in New Zealand. Equally, England have opted for two specialist opening batsmen. Not only should they offer more expertise in negotiating new-ball spells, they should also provide some protection for the middle-order.While Joe Denly is still being asked to bat out of position at No. 3, the presence of Zak Crawley – another opening batsman – in reserve probably hints at the direction of travel. After a period of simply picking the most eye-catching players and asking them to adapt, the new team management are adopting a more sophisticated approach towards both young players and the embrace of specialists.ALSO READ: ‘I want to stop being vulnerable’ – Sam CurranThere is one exception to this. In handing the gloves back to Jos Buttler – with Pope as reserve keeper now that Jonny Bairstow has gone home – England are still taking a risk. Buttler performed well with the gloves in the warm-up games, but Ben Foakes remains, by a distance, the best keeper available to England.The issue of specialisation was acknowledged by Dom Sibley as he anticipates his Test debut. He knows he will be required to perform at a higher level than he has previously, but he also knows what the job entails.”If I do play I’ll try to do exactly the same as what I’ve done this season in county cricket,” he said. “I’ll try to get through the new ball, soak up as many balls as I can and score big hundreds. It’s been a strength of mine that once I’ve got in, I’ve really cashed in. Hopefully if I do play and get through the new ball, I can do the same.”There was a minor scare at training on Tuesday when Ben Stokes briefly left the nets for treatment after he was struck on the hand by a delivery from Archer. He returned shortly afterwards, however, and dismissed any suggestion of injury. You suspect it would take more than the loss of one hand to keep him out of this game.A first look at the Mount Maunganui pitch might have pleasantly surprised the bowlers. While most pre-match predictions have suggested this will prove to be the Bay of Plenty of runs, the surface was surprisingly green. It may well be, however, that the layer of grass is only there to prevent the pitch drying out in the strong winds. Both sides are expected to field specialist spinners for just such a reason. This will be only the 10th first-class game here – three of the first nine have been drawn – however, so there must be an element of the unknown about how the surface will play.

Santos está perto de acertar com Camacho; Diniz despista sobre a chegada do jogador

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos deve acertar nos próximos dias a contratação do volante Camacho, do Corinthians, até o final da próxima temporada. O jogador estava relacionado para o clássico entre Corinthians e Palmeiras neste sábado, mas foi sacado da relação de última hora devido ao negócio com o Peixe.

Camacho foi um pedido do técnico Fernando Diniz, que trabalhou com o jogador no Audax e o levou para o Athletico-PR. O treinador acredita que o jogador pode melhorar a saída de bola do Peixe.

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Após o empate em 0 a 0 com o Juventude neste sábado, o treinador evitou dar pistas sobre a negociação.

– Não vou falar de jogador que ainda não está. Caso ele venha, a gente fala do Camacho – afirmou.

Camacho tem 31 anos e fez 123 jogos e três gols com a camisa do Corinthians. Foi bicampeão paulista em 2017 e 2018 e Campeão Brasileiro em 2017.

Will retire at my discretion, says Mashrafe, but speculation rolls on

For more than a year, the spectre of retirement has hung over Mashrafe Mortaza’s head despite his assertions to the contrary

Mohammad Isam13-Jan-2020

Mashrafe Mortaza doesn’t have any plans of leaving the game just yet•Getty Images

The Mashrafe Mortaza Retirement Speculation Circus™ has rolled into its 13th month. The end of his side Dhaka Platoon’s BPL campaign on Monday became the latest occasion on which to pitch the uncomfortably large tent. The press conference, which at times veered into terse and tense exchanges, ended with Mashrafe clearly stating that he has “no interest” in receiving a prepared send-off from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). A response, no doubt, to board president Nazmul Hassan saying they had offered Mashrafe a massive going away party, “the likes of which has never happened and never will”.In the Circus™ terms, Monday’s press conference was better than his Friday proclamation where he questioned his own selection in the ODI side based on his 2019 World Cup performance. It was certainly edgier, as he shot back at every question that either contained the word “retirement” or hinted at it.His appearance in the BPL’s eliminator match itself had piqued the Circus™. Mashrafe played with 14 stitches on his left hand. He batted and bowled without showing any discomfort, and then took a one-handed catch to dismiss Chris Gayle. His wife and kids were seen in the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s grandstand too. Surely this was it?In the face of several questions, Mashrafe was firm in his stance to keep playing as long as he is enjoying the game, and not retiring just because the BCB president has said that they would throw a big party.”Till yesterday, I was a centrally contracted cricketer with the cricket board but not anymore,” Mashrafe said. “I always believe the BCB is the cricketers’ guardian. I never took pride in going against them. I thank the BCB for considering me to give me a proper send-off, but I don’t have much interest in it.”I have always said that a cricketer’s entire career isn’t only about playing for the national team. I think I have the freedom to play as long as I want. I think we have had bigger cricketers who couldn’t retire from the field. Habibul Bashar, who always made runs in crisis situation, didn’t get to retire while still playing. I think only Sujon [Khaled Mahmud] did it, but otherwise it is a rare case. I even have thought of it at times, but it is not really necessary.”This Circus™ couldn’t be avoided given Bangladesh have not had occasion to play any ODI cricket since July 2019. If there had been something – anything – during the home season, Mashrafe might have got some clarity. Instead, he’s stuck in the Circus™On Friday after Dhaka’s defeat to Khulna Tigers, Mashrafe had said that he wouldn’t expect to be picked in the ODI squad based on his World Cup performance.”As far as I am concerned, I shouldn’t be selected based on my one wicket in eight games at the World Cup. If I am selected, I will give my best. But how can I say I will play for the national team after taking one wicket in eight games? Someone else in my place would have been axed much earlier.”Mashrafe said that he got a lifeline when the selectors picked him for the ODI series against Sri Lanka last July, but since then he is unaware of their position since they have not been in contact with him.”I was picked for the Sri Lanka series, which would have been an opportunity for me to get back in form. But there hasn’t been any playing opportunities. I don’t know what the selectors are thinking. I haven’t spoken to them. But if they decide to give me a chance, I will certainly welcome it. The board shall decide whether I should be the captain too,” he said.In an ideal world, Mashrafe should have been left alone long ago, at least after the last match in the World Cup, where he didn’t announce his retirement even though he was largely expected to. He made himself available for the Sri Lanka series that followed, but missed it due to injury. It is now January 2020, and he has gone through a full season of the BPL, just like he has done over the last seven seasons. Clearly there is fire in the belly.The Circus™, however, rolls on. Next, perhaps, the tent will be pitched at the selection panel’s meeting for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in February or March. Nobody is paying attention to his repeated assertions that he wants to retire at his own discretion, never on anyone else’s, big party or no big party.

محمد يوسف: حرس الحدود يسير بخطوات ثابتة رغم الخسارة أمام الاتحاد

علق محمد يوسف، المدير الفني لفريق حرس الحدود، على الخسارة أمام الاتحاد السكندري في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم في الدوري المصري.

وخسر حرس الحدود أمام الاتحاد السكندري بهدف مقابل لا شيء في الجولة الثانية من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع.. فيديو | الاتحاد السكندري يحقق فوزًا صعبًا على حرس الحدود في الدوري المصري

وقال محمد يوسف، في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس 2”: “رغم الخسارة اليوم وحزني، إلا أننا نسير بخطوات جيدة وثابتة، وكنا أفضل بكثير من مباراة سموحة، الأداء والاستحواذ والروح أفضل بكثير أمام الاتحاد السكندري”.

وأشار: “أطمئن الجميع أن الفريق سيكون أفضل، يوجد توقف دولي لمدة 17 يومًا، مما سيسمح بوجود انسجام أكبر”.

واختتم: “هناك مجموعة من اللاعبين غير جاهزة بعد، قمنا بتكوين فريق جديد لحرس الحدود، ويحتاج إلى عمل وانسجام أكثر”.

Arsenal ready big contract offer for striker called "better than Haaland"

Arsenal are ready to offer a target an Emirates contract worth just under £100,000-a-week, according to a new report.

Arsenal transfer rumours

The Gunners have been in fine form in recent months under Mikel Arteta, scoring goals for fun in the Premier League in 2024. A push for the title as well as being in the Champions League quarter-finals promises for a dramatic end to the campaign, but away from the pitch, sporting director Edu Gaspar has already hinted that the club have their summer targets.

"We already have our targets,” said the Brazilian (via TNT Sports).

"We have planned a lot ahead and I will be worried if we don’t score a lot of goals and if we’re not creating chances, which is the opposite because we create a lot and score a lot of goals.

“The plan is to try to get better every year and I think we are in a good moment. Let's see if we can keep improving. I think if you see the type of the players we have at the moment, it’s players which have a big, big commitment of [to] the club, which is very important. So the way we transmit to the fans, transmit to people our commitment – sometimes you can lose, you can win games, it’s all part of the sport – helps us perform the best way possible and show the passion we have for the club and try to be win as many games as we can.

“Many times in certain conversations to recruit the players you don't see the character of the player or the character of the player does not fit well with what we are trying to do and then you have to move on and try to find what we’re really looking for. If you see all the signings we’ve made since we started together, everyone is almost the same, young, energetic and passionate, and good talents with big, beautiful futures ahead of them.”

Some of the players to have been linked with moves to north London include AC Milan starlet Franceso Camarda, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong.

Another target is Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, and it looks as if the Gunners are ready to make their move.

Arsenal ready Joshua Zirkzee contract offer

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, relayed by TBR, Arsenal are set to offer Zirkzee an Emirates contract worth €6m-a-year (£5.2m), which works out at just under £100,000-a-week.

However, the Gunners aren’t the only side keen on the Bologna striker. AC Milan are also mentioned with an interest, whereas Bayern Munich have a €40m (£34m) buyback clause.

Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee

Zirkzee, just 21 years of age, is into double figures for Serie A goals during the current campaign and appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €40m Transfermarkt valuation.

The Dutchman has also been compared to Erling Haaland, with Voetbal International reporter Souleyman Ozturk claiming that Zirkzee is a better version of the Manchester City star.

"Zirkzee is better than Erling Haaland at everything. Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability. He is therefore better than Haaland in almost everything.

"Imagine if Zirkzee had the energy and focus of Haaland. Then he would be the best striker in the world."

He appears to be an exciting Emirates target, and by the looks of things, a summer move is one to watch.

عمر مرموش: تجاهلت نصيحة والدي واتخذت قرار أكبر تحدي في حياتي

تحدث المصري عمر مرموش نجم آينتراخت فرانكفورت إلى شبكة “سكاي سبورت ألمانيا” عن طفولته ورحيله عن مصر، ورفض والده لفكرة احترافه كرة القدم.

بدأ مرموش مسيرته في نادي وادي دجلة، ولعب مع المنتخب الوطني تحت 20 سنة في كأس الأمم الأفريقية في زامبيا قبل أن يشارك لأول مرة مع وادي دجلة.

وبعد فترات إعارة في سانت باولي وشتوتجارت، لعب مرموش لفولفسبورج ومن ثم إلى فرانكفورت.

سجل مرموش 14 هدفًا وقدم 10 تمريرات حاسمة في 16 مباراة مع فرانكفورت.

اقرأ أيضًا | ثنائي مصري في ليفربول؟.. فرانكفورت يشعل تكهنات الجماهير بتغريدة مثيرة عن مرموش

وقال مرموش: “عندما كنت طفلاً، كان لدي حلم، كان الحلم أن أصبح لاعب كرة قدم محترفاً، قال والدي في البداية لا لكرة القدم!” كما يقول الآباء”.

لم يأخذ مرموش نصيحة والده على محمل الجد، وعلّق مبتسمًا: “لم أكن أفضل طالب، كل ما بقي لي هو كرة القدم”.

في سن 18 عامًا، انضم إلى فولفسبورج، يتذكر مرموش القرار: “كان من الصعب جدًا ترك العائلة والأصدقاء وبلده وراءك والذهاب إلى ألمانيا، كان التحدي الأكبر في حياتي”.

وعن فريقه فرانكفورت أتم: “لدينا فريق شاب، الشباب يتعلمون بسرعة كبيرة، نريد تنفيذ كل ما يتوقعه المدرب بسرعة”.

Crise sem fim? Ceará alcança a marca de cinco jogos sem vencer

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a última quinta-feira, o caldeirão do Ceará ferveu de vez. Contra o Bahia, o torcedor esperava uma reação, mas viu o time levar a virada e aumentar a série de jogos sem vencer.

Com o placar adverso na Arena Castelão, Guto Ferreira e seus comandados amargam cinco partidas de jejum.

O último triunfo do Ceará ocorreu no dia 30 de maio, quando a equipe bateu o Grêmio por 3 a 2 na abertura do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Desde então, o técnico Guto Ferreira viu o seu time cair de rendimento e colecionar três derrotas e dois empates.

Se os resultados ruins não fossem o bastante, na seca de vitórias aparece a eliminação na Copa do Brasil para o Fortaleza.

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'After my first Test series against South Africa, I didn't know if I would play Test cricket again' – Ross Taylor

Ahead of his 100th Test, Taylor talks about his top knocks, the sacrifices he made and the support he got from his family

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Feb-20202:58

Happy with what I’ve achieved to date – Ross Taylor

The Wellington Test against India, which begins on February 21, is set to be Ross Taylor’s 100th. Only three other New Zealanders – Daniel Vettori, Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum – have reached that landmark. And when he does reach that hundred, Taylor will become the first cricketer from anywhere to have got to the milestone in all three international formats. A week before the landmark Test, Taylor spoke to the media at Seddon Park (with Virat Kohli batting in the nets a few meters away) and looked back at his long and fulfilling career.100 Tests, 100 internationals in all formats. Did you expect to get there?
No. I think after my first Test series against South Africa, I didn’t know if I would play Test cricket again. Probably lucky with the timing of things, Twenty20 cricket came along in 2005, and I made my debut in 2006. So it’s probably a timing issue to be able to get there but it’s nice, hopefully to be the first player to do it, and hopefully with time, there’s going to be a lot more players around the world… I’m sure the guy behind me [Kohli batting in the nets] is going to be there and he could play 200 of all of them. We will just have to wait and see.When did you start believing you can have a long Test career?
It was probably here [in Hamilton]. So I played that first series against South Africa, got dropped for Bangladesh, two Tests at home, and then I played my first Test at home against England and I got a hundred in that first Test. That’s probably the first time I think I believed that I could play at this level. Probably fortunate throughout my whole career – that was my third Test, to get a hundred. And then in my one-day career, I was able to get a hundred in my third game as well. To get those milestones early on definitely helped to believe that I belong and that I’m good enough to play at this level.What does it tell you about yourself, playing 100 Tests?
Probably getting older! But no, I think I’ve been happy with what I have achieved to date. Test cricket and cricket in general as a batter, you go through a lot of ups and downs and that’s definitely what I’ve been through, and as a team as well. But Wellington holds a special place in my heart and I’m sure, having a lot of family and friends there, it will be something that I’ll be proud of and look back on at the end of my career with fond memories.Might emotions play a distracting role?
I guess at the end of the day, it’s another game of cricket and you want to try and contribute in any way that’s possible. But at the same time, you’ve got to enjoy it for what it is, and I’m sure once you get into the game, you can enjoy it and just play cricket like you want to. Wellington can do a little bit early on, so I’m sure, batting or bowling, it’s going to be an interesting contest.Ross Taylor looks skywards after going past Martin Crowe’s tally of Test hundreds•Getty Images

We saw your family sitting on the grass banks in one of the T20Is or one-dayers. Playing so long, how influential has the support of your family been?
Having three beautiful kids and a wife to look after them, you spend a lot of time on the road, so having their support – it’s not easy on my wife Victoria to raise three kids for as long as she has. We play a lot but that’s probably why when you do play at home, it’s nice to be a dad and it’s nice for them – Jonty and Mackenzie – to be old enough to sort of understand what dad does. Jonty was falling asleep; he is the master of dragging out the bedtime and wanting extra stories. So obviously that game was a bit later than what he’s used to but no, they’ve definitely been a help and just balancing out cricket can be tough at times, as I said before, but to know that you have your family there, regardless of whether you score runs or not, they give dad a hug whether he’s scored a hundred or a duck as well. They put everything into perspective and hopefully when they’re bit older than they are now, they will be proud of what I’ve achieved as a cricketer for them.Any particular moment when you’ve come back home after a bad day, and told yourself, I’m glad I’ve got this, and cricket’s always there?
I think there’s been a lot of moments where, with all of them, Mackenzie and Jonty I can remember both, they were born and I left four or five days later to go on a tour or go on a Test, that was quite tough. But in saying that, if you ask all the players who are parents and the wives, it is tough and we all deal with it in different ways. But I think anytime, when you go and pick them up from school in between games or something and they run across to you and give you a big hug, that’s pretty special in itself and brings you back to what really cricket is. It’s just a game and sometimes we probably make more out of it that it is.You had a pretty serious eye condition, and you went through a rough patch of form, but since having surgery and coming back you’ve almost had a second wind. Have you been enjoying your cricket a lot more?
I’ve always enjoyed cricket. It was probably two or three years, such a gradual process that it deteriorated and I didn’t know what it really was. Once I had the operation, you could see the ball clearer than what you used to, you start wondering whether you should have got the eye operation a lot earlier and whatnot. Definitely I think the runs that I’ve scored since then have shown that I probably should have got it a lot earlier. But things happen for a reason and I’ve been happy with my form and things ever since.Anyone who has had such a long career must have made a lot of sacrifices. Do you look at it like that?
I think I’m doing something that I’ve always wanted to do. I wanted to play for New Zealand and be as great a player as I could be. If anything, I think the family has probably sacrificed a little bit more than I have. To not have dad home as often as maybe someone else. But at the same time, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing for my country and representing them to the best of my ability. Whenever I do retire, then hopefully I can make up for all the lost time over there. But at the same time, my kids have been able to travel to some amazing places, my daughter raves on about going to India four or five times in her life. You learn a lot in the classroom but you also learn a lot about life, by being able to travel and experience different cultures. I’m sure my son and daughters will be better people for the experiences we’ve been able to give them over the years.Of all the innings you’ve played in Tests, can you name your top three?
Can I say four? I think one of my best hundreds was at Manchester, I think 158 [154 not out]? We ended up losing that Test, but I think [it was one of my better innings]. 140 and 70 [142 and 74] when we won the game in Colombo, after the captaincy issue, that would have to be right up there. 290 at Perth, once again it was a draw, but it’s not often you get to 200 and your job’s not done, to try and save a match or get us into a winning position. Probably one of my favourite but underrated innings was a hundred at Dubai, I think we were about to – we probably would have lost the Test – but I came out and we got ourselves in a position to win the Test. We didn’t win it, but that would definitely be up there with one of my best hundreds.

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