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Tottenham Hotspur are expected to make an imminent offer to sign Montpellier star Elye Wahi as Spurs and manager Ange Postecoglou target new strikers.

Who will Tottenham sign?

The north Londoners have made just three major signings so far, not including permanent deals for both right-wing-back Pedro Porro and forward Dejan Kulusevski.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, England midfielder James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon have all officially put pen to paper on moves to Spurs whilst making their debuts in pre-season.

Weeks remain of this year's summer transfer window but reliable media sources suggest that there could be a few more additions at Tottenham, with chairman Daniel Levy on the lookout for centre-backs, a midfielder to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (if he leaves for Atletico) and a potential new striker.

The Harry Kane situation is one currently dominating the headlines in north London, as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Ligue 1 champions Paris-Saint Germain and league rivals Man United take a serious interest in him.

Postecoglou, speaking to the press recently, admitted he certainly isn't comfortable with the ongoing saga.

"Fair to say I am not relaxed about it," said the Australian.

“It’s not something you go: ‘Ah, well, you know if it does or doesn’t happen!’ I mean it’s a very important part of this football club, not just the team, but the football club.

“So, you’ve got to deal with it, and I think, for everyone concerned, we don’t want to be doing it for too long. I don’t think that is good for anyone. I don’t think it is good for Harry, I don’t think it is good for the club."

As such, Tottenham have reportedly been making contingency plans for if the 29-year-old does leave, with Juve's Dusan Vlahovic and Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani among the strikers recently linked.

Now, according to French news website Midi Libre, as translated by Sport Witness, a Tottenham offer for Montpellier forward Wahi could be in the offing.

Chelsea's latest bid to sign the player wasn't enough, as per Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin, with Midi Libre sharing that message and dropping an interesting line of their own.

Spurs are mentioned as an interested party with more offers for Wahi expected to arrive "in the near future", where the Lilywhites are named, and it's stated they could make an imminent bid.

There isn't much detail given on the nature of this proposed offer, but it appears a Tottenham approach is expected in France.

How good is Elye Wahi?

Scoring 19 goals and assisting five others in 33 Ligue 1 appearances last term, there is little denying Wahi was Montpellier's star player going forward.

The 20-year-old, who can play both as an attacking midfielder and wide forward, is also an intriguing versatile option for Postecoglou with plenty of shelf life yet given his age.

Journalist Andrés Onrubia Ramos, taking to Twitter, heaped praise on Wahi for his potential and says he is a "real beast" in the final third.

"Elye Wahi (2003). If he manages to polish the definition, we are facing a striker who is going to exceed ten goals per season," said Ramos.

"A real beast in space that, in addition, associatively also leaves interesting things. It should definitely explode."

With domestic T20 leagues gaining traction across the world, Cricket Australia’s approach to the pay dispute has added risk to the future of international cricket, according to the former ACA chief executive

Daniel Brettig21-Jun-2017

Australian cricket’s custodians are “crazy” to be creating added risk for the future of international cricket at a time when the game has become a seller’s market due to the influx of domestic Twenty20 tournaments.That’s the view of the former Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh, who broke his silence on the union’s pay dispute with Cricket Australia after inking a new collective bargaining agreement for the AFL players’ association this week.Marsh, who left for the AFLPA in 2014 and was central to the most recent MoU signed in 2012, specifically attacked CA over its attempt to carry over money from the former deal to this one. He stated that the previous carryover only occurred due to the signing of a one-year “rollover” deal in 2011 that included a summer featuring an India tour – by far the most lucrative series Australia plays in.”We could have paid the players 26% of the money from that year, but what would have happened was a massive increase for that one year, and then a decrease for the next year and so on,” Marsh told ESPNcricinfo. “It was only done that way so the player payments were evened out rather than what would have been irresponsible and unfair to most of the players, spiking one year then going down the next.”I’m incredibly frustrated, as someone who did the last deal and helped convince the players to put $20 million of their own money [from the 2015 World Cup] back into growing the game, the players took a very responsible decision to invest back into the game. There wouldn’t be another professional sport in the world where the players took that decision, yet the very next MoU the players are told ‘we don’t want to give you this revenue percentage anymore’. I find that incredibly disrespectful and unprofessional in my view.”For CA to use money from this MoU that the players have earned – despite the fact they’ve given $20 million back – and then try to say, ‘we’re going to take more money out of what we have to pay you and put it into the next deal’, it’s just contemptible from where I sit.”‘CA’s approach here is purely and simply trying to bully the players into an outcome that CA want’ – Paul Marsh•Australian Cricketers’ Association

Given how the cricket landscape has changed due to T20 tournaments, the most recent South African event that will clash with the Australian domestic seasons, Marsh was mystified as to why CA would choose to fight an industrial relations battle when many other nations look enviously at its 20 years of smooth and loyal player relationships.”I think it’s crazy,” Marsh said. “For the services of players, cricket is now a seller’s market. The players can choose where to go, and that’s a reality the AFL doesn’t have, players can’t pick up their trade and go somewhere else. But the cricketers can, and for the majority of countries now they can make a lot more money doing that than playing international cricket. I think international cricket is at risk of falling over if the big countries have a period for whatever reason where they don’t play international cricket.”Having worked through an exhaustive negotiation with the AFL that for the first time links the payment of players to the game’s revenue – 28% of projected AFL revenue, 28% of AFL revenue above forecast and 11.2% of club revenue – Marsh took a dim view of how CA had approached its dealings with the ACA, in particular withholding financial information. He said that the board had previously given detailed financial forecasts to the players association, and that the AFL had done likewise to help reach their own deal.”No players’ association can responsibly represent its members if you don’t understand what the financial forecasts look like,” Marsh said. “Historically CA – and the last MoU in 2012 was the best – gave us incredibly detailed and rigorous financial forecasts for their business, for the state associations and for the BBL teams. The reality of it is that your forecasts will end up being different to your actual results, almost by definition it is impossible to look five or six years into the future and get that absolutely right.”But in CA’s case they have to be accountable to something, and that’s why the percentage model is so important. If the actual revenues of the industry end up being different to what the forecasts are, then you’ve got something you can tie the players’ payments to. A share of revenue could be more or less than what it has been, that’s all part of the discussion, as is what goes in and what goes out, but it’s about tying what the players get to the actual revenues of the game rather than what the forecasts are. There’s no accountability for CA if they don’t.”Addressing CA’s contention that the revenue sharing model made it impossible to invest in new projects to grow the game, Marsh cited how the new AFL deal meant that players would not have any access to AFL revenue derived from a stadium the league is still paying for, as an example of the flexibility that should exist between two parties communicating effectively.Marsh predicted the dispute would reach a crucible around the ODI tour of India in September and October, a commitment that he doubted CA would risk given the financial reliance of all nations on the BCCI’s revenues. But he reasoned that even in the event of a deal being struck, trust between the players and the board had now been majorly damaged.”Cast your mind forward to a deal being done,” he said. “CA’s approach here is purely and simply trying to bully the players into an outcome that CA want, ‘we won’t give you the financial information, we won’t give you this model, here’s our deal, take it or leave it’, that’s been the approach to this point. How can it possibly be seen as a ‘win-win’ here.”I can’t see how, and from a human behaviour perspective you just ask who’s going to agree to that then, how will the players say ‘we’re happy with that deal’ and the same for CA. It’s now a win-lose scenario and in my experience, if you’re going to have a relationship with someone, win-lose just doesn’t work.”Cricket’s not going that well that it can afford to throw itself open to this. As much as CA will claim it is Australia’s favourite sport and all that, now I’ve been removed a bit, it doesn’t get the column inches that other sports get, it isn’t necessarily in the consciousness of the Australian public like it used to be, and I just think it is a very dangerous game to play.”

Aston Villa have reportedly raised their offer for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, looking to snap him up for €50m (£42.9m) this summer.

Are Aston Villa signing Moussa Diaby?

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of Villa's primary summer transfer targets currently, in a window that has already seen some impressive progress made. Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres have both arrived at the club, with the pair seen as additions who could significantly strengthen the midfield and defence respectively.

Diaby is a wide player who has caught the eye for Leverkusen since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2019, scoring 49 goals and adding 48 assists in 172 appearances for his current club. In 2022/23, he registered 17 goal contributions (nine goals and eight assists) in 33 Bundesliga matches, and he increasingly feels like a footballer heading towards the peak years of his career.

Villa are yet to come to an agreement with Leverkusen to secure the services of the Frenchman, with their valuation for the player not being met. There is also interest from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, so it may not be easy for NSWE to get their man.

A new update has now emerged regarding Diaby's future, however, and it is one that could give Villans supporters some hope about a deal being agreed.

What's the latest on Moussa Diaby to Aston Villa?

According to Bild [via Sport Witness], both Villa and Al Nassr have increased their offer for Diaby's services to £42.9m. The player wants a move to the Premier League, but Leverkusen remain desperate to keep hold of him.

It "remains to be seen" if any business can be completed before Unai Emery's side head off on their pre-season tour this summer, with the German side potentially holding out for as much as €60m (£51.5m).

It is encouraging to see Villa upping their offer for Diaby, further suggesting that they see him as one of their main transfer targets ahead of the new season. Funds have been made available by NSWE this summer and the club is showing real ambition in the market, and the Leverkusen star could be the next brilliant signing.

He is a nine-cap France international, which is no mean feat, in an era where Les Bleus have so many world-class attacking players at their disposal, with Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes calling him "an extremely fast, technically strong striker whose qualities suit our game down to the ground".

Used most predominantly as a right-sided forward, Diaby is a versatile footballer who can also shine centrally and on the opposite flank, which is sure to appeal to Emery, as he looks to bring in flexible players who can interchange with others in attack, linking with Ollie Watkins in the process.

Leverkusen are clearly going to take some budging – their reluctance to sell Diaby highlights what a talented individual he is – but if Villa can get a deal over the line in the new few weeks, it could be a signing that proves to be as important to the attack as Tielemans and Torres could be in their respective positions.

South Africa, who could barely push their scoring rate above two-an-over, closed with a lead of 191 and four wickets in hand

The Report by Andrew McGlashan11-Mar-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:59

Moonda: Elgar has bedded in as senior opener

Could New Zealand’s twin-spin attack prove a masterstroke? It may yet depend on the Dunedin weather, with rain forecast for the final day of this nip-and-tuck Test, but late wickets under leaden skies set up what could be a wonderful final day. South Africa, who could barely push their scoring rate above two-an-over, closed with a lead of 191 and four wickets in hand.The shape of the day – a grey, chilly day that demanded deep resolve from players and spectators alike – changed deep in the final session. After Jeetan Patel removed Dean Elgar, 11 short of becoming the sixth South Africa batsman to make two hundreds in a Test, he cleaned up his bunny, Quinton de Kock, with a beauty (the tally of four successes in four innings not escaping Patel as he celebrated). Between Patel’s brace, Temba Bavuma also departed, the ball rolling back off his defensive shot to dislodge the off bail – success for Mitchell Santner who had been ignored for almost 60 overs.New Zealand’s strong end to the day came after being deprived the services of Trent Boult who did not appear after tea due to a sore hip. The second new ball initially went to the two spinners due to poor light, then the immense Neil Wagner – who has had a vast workload – wound himself up for another burst. Boult won’t be able to bowl for the first 90 minutes on the final morning and with a tight turnaround of three days to Wellington his prognosis will be a very significant factor.By close, when the light finally did close in with eight overs remaining, Faf du Plessis suddenly loomed as a crucial figure, unbeaten on 56 from 155 balls with the bowlers for company to try and push the lead over 250. The success for Patel and Santner will encourage him as Keshav Maharaj, who took five wickets in the first, could be a crucial weapon in defending a target alongside his pace trio.For most of the day it was about Elgar – given out caught behind 73 but saved by the DRS – as he took his time at the crease in the match to almost 13 hours before skipping down the pitch to Patel and finding deep mid-off. However, New Zealand had their chances to remove him earlier and put the heat on South Africa with more time to play with.On 35, James Neesham found his outside edge from round the wicket but BJ Watling could not gather the chance low to his left. It was the second time in the match that Watling had given an Elgar a life; in the first innings he was spilled down the leg side on 36. Then, on 48, a drive was drilled through the hands of substitute fielder Colin de Grandhomme at cover as Elgar went to his fifty from 144 balls.Coupled with poor use of the DRS, missing a chance to review against Duminy when he would have been lbw on 20 but using it when he got an inside edge, and dropping the same batsman on 6, it had been a messy first half of the day for New Zealand. However, as events later showed, South Africa’s scoring rate meant they were never out of touch and at risk if wickets fell in a flurry.South Africa resumed just five ahead and Hashim Amla departed early, flicking Wagner to the leg-side trap at midwicket to continue his poor time in New Zealand. Wagner returned after lunch to pin Duminy for a scratchy 39. At that stage South Africa’s lead was only 80. Duminy should have gone early when Boult, in the midst of a luckless opening spell, found the edge but Tom Latham, deputising for Ross Taylor at first slip, missed a regulation chance.For most of the first two sessions Williamson put the onus on Wagner, Boult (with potentially damaging results) and Patel – the latter bowling a 28-over spell – not using Santner until the 65th over. The left-arm spinner created an opportunity first ball when Elgar flicked firmly into Latham at short leg, but the ball ballooned in front of midwicket. Elgar then played a rare attacking stroke, advancing down the pitch to loft Santner straight, but the ball spinning into him created uncertainty and an outside edge fell just short of slip where Neesham and come up from his stance too quickly.Du Plessis was in no rush to try and escalate the scoring rate against accurate bowling. Late in the day he moved to his half-century off 142 balls with a hint of more aggression, with a brace of boundaries off Wagner, but it was South Africa who were the relieved players when the day ended. Du Plessis will have walked off knowing that his side have not been allowed to dictate terms in this match. Please, don’t rain.

Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for Fenerbache attacking midfielder Arda Guler alongside AC Milan, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, according to journalist Chris Wheatley.

Who will join Spurs this summer?

A creative playmaker is among the positions needed at Spurs with new manager Ange Postecoglou reportedly targeting a number of candidates.

Leicester City star James Maddison, who was a standout with his performances at the King Power Stadium last season, is seen as a top target with reports suggesting they’re set to do battle with Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher has also been sporadically linked, as football.london claimed Tottenham emerged as “surprise” contenders for his signature last week.

Other areas of the squad set to be bolstered are in-between the sticks, especially with Hugo Lloris admitting he could leave this summer, and it is widely reported that Spurs are set to sign Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli in a £16.4 million deal.

Tottenham are also chasing a new centre-back to patch their leaky defence which conceded more league goals than any other side above 15th last season.

For the attacking midfield area, Maddison and Gallagher appear on the agenda, but National World journalist Wheatley also claims that Spurs want to sign Fenerbache wonderkid Guler.

The 18-year-old, who is highly sought-after abroad, is attracting interest from Milan, Barca and Dortmund but Tottenham are well in the mix.

Guler has apparently met with Fenerbache president Ali Koç this week to discuss his future amid this serious interest, with the dazzling teenager also possessing an attractive €17.5 million (£15m) release clause in his contract.

Who is Arda Guler?

Regardless of his young age, Guler has showcased exactly why top clubs are circling for his signature.

Over his 20 league appearances for Fenerbache last season, the Turkey international weighed in with seven goal contributions (four goals, three assists) and bested all of his teammates for certain stats.

Indeed, Guler averaged more key passes per 90 in the final third than any Fenerbache player over 2022/2023, and only Emre Mor completed a higher number of successful take-ons than the starlet (WhoScored).

World Cup winner and former AC Milan star Andrea Pirlo has also tipped him for stardom, branding Guler a player of serious “quality” and potential.

“Arda Guler is a very talented player,” Pirlo said.

“He has the potential to play anywhere in the world. He has quality, he can read the game well, and he has great technique. If he keeps developing his game, there is no limit to his potential.”

Pundit Alan Hutton has been reacting to Celtic’s reported interest in Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

What’s the latest on Celtic and Wilfred Ndidi?

Brendan Rodgers has returned to Parkhead for a second stint as manager and looks set to be backed by the Celtic board in the transfer market.

Norwegian playmaker Odin Thiago Holm has been confirmed as the first signing through the door under the Northern Irishman, with the 20-year-old having a Celtic medical in London and signing a five-year deal.

Another target for Rodgers appears to be Ndidi, with the Foxes midfielder making 138 of his 237 appearances for Leicester under the 50-year-old.

Reports have suggested that Celtic are interested in signing the Nigerian midfielder, however, Hutton feels the club may need to pay big money.

What has Alan Hutton said about a Celtic move for Ndidi?

Talking to Football Insider about Celtic and Ndidi, Hutton, who contributes for Sky Sports, said that the Hoops could be in a position to spend big on the midfielder this summer, citing a figure of up to £9m.

“They are going to have to pay decent money for him. But this always happens when a manager goes to a new club, these links always pop up.

“They might be in a position to spend big on him. Champions League football is guaranteed, they might be in a position to spend £7m, £8m or £9m on a player.”

Should a move worth around £9m materialise over the coming months, Ndidi would become one of Celtic’s most expensive signings of all time alongside Odsonne Edouard.

Hailed as “irreplaceable” by Rodgers back in 2021, the Hoops manager will know exactly how to get the best out of the holding midfielder after working with him in the Premier League, and the 26-year-old would even provide an option at centre-back if needed.

Ndidi also has experience of playing European football with Leicester and is valued at €25m by Transfermarkt, which shows how he could be a real statement signing to kick off Rodgers' second era in charge.

The player has just 12 months remaining on his current contract, so Celtic could look to take advantage, but you’d expect a fee in the region of £9m as Hutton mentions may still be required for his services, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Hoops board make a move and back Rodgers as promised.

Leeds United are in talks with Steven Gerrard over becoming their next manager this summer, according to a new report regarding the situation.

What's the latest Leeds manager news?

The Whites are working hard on nailing Sam Allardyce's successor at Elland Road, with the veteran's time in charge coming to an end last week. His appointment felt short-term and his primary job was to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but he couldn't work his magic and a younger alternative is now being eyed up.

A host of names have already been mooted as Leeds' potential next boss, with Gerrard thought to be right in the middle of the conversation, despite a disappointing spell at Aston Villa. The 43-year-old is far from the only target, however, as the Whites also eye up the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Carlos Corberan, among others.

As the pursuit continues, a new update has emerged that further suggests Gerrard could among be the front-runners to take the reins moving forward.

Is Gerrard a front-runner to take charge?

According to Football Transfers, Leeds are having discussions with the Liverpool legend over the vacant manager's post at Elland Road, although they aren't the only club he is talking to:

"In other coaching news, we hear that Steven Gerrard is talking to Leeds and Leicester City over their vacant managerial position."

Gerrard would be an exciting appointment in some ways, given his reputation as a legendary footballing figure, having produced so much magic in a Liverpool shirt, arguably standing out as one of the greatest players England have ever produced.

That being said, the jury is still out with him when it comes to his managerial expertise, even though he won the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers back in 2020/21 in his first senior management role – something that has been very rare of late, given Celtic's dominance in the competition.

Gerrard flattered to deceive at Villa, however, and Unai Emery has turned them into a completely different animal since taking charge, which shows that he still has plenty to learn in management. There is a feeling that the likes of him and Frank Lampard are handed jobs because of their playing careers and high-profile statuses, which is why some Leeds fans may be wary of his appointment.

In fairness, though, he is still a title-winning manager who remains young in his field, and he could see the Whites as the perfect opportunity to prove his worth, showing that Villa was a slight blip in a managerial career that will otherwise flourish.

USA coach Pubudu Dassanayake has picked out Oman as the main threat to his team winning ICC WCL Division Four on home soil. Dassanayake is confident USA will finish in the top two and gain promotion after the last two-and-a-half weeks of training leading into the tournament that began with the Auty Cup series against Canada, which he says allowed the team to see its own flaws and work them out ahead of Saturday’s tournament-opener against Bermuda.”I think the build-up to this tournament, I’m very pleased,” Dassanayake told ESPNcricinfo. “Playing the Auty Cup, we were just exposed in all departments and we planned what to do to get better for this tournament, analysing all three games against Canada.”I’m very happy, the guys who stayed back, we were working very hard. They put in a lot of hours training and I think the build-up to the [warm-up] game we played [on Tuesday] against SCCA [Southern California Cricket Association], I’m very happy how the guys turned out in that game. Basically everybody has put in a lot of time, effort and hard work and I feel like everything is really ready to go on Saturday morning.”After USA’s first match against Bermuda, they face Italy, which lost to the SCCA XI by 38 runs on Wednesday after failing to chase a target of 212. That came a day after a USA XI took down the local league representative side by 112 runs after posting a score of 286 for 8. The other two European sides in the tournament, Jersey and Denmark, were both beaten by a club side from Houston, Texas, by eight wickets and three wickets respectively, showcasing the strength of league cricket in the USA. It’s one reason why Dassanayake isn’t afraid to talk up his own squad’s chances of promotion.”Looking at the other teams, for me personally as a coach, I don’t think that we’ll have any threat, especially from the European teams,” Dassanayake said. “We have so much talent. We just have to transfer that talent into performance. Oman is a good team because they were in the World [T20]. The last few months they’ve played quality cricket. That’s the team for us to beat but overall, having said all these things, we’re not going to relax any game. We need to just focus one game at a time and do our best every game.”One thing USA teams have lacked in the past, despite their immense talent, is good team chemistry built up in part through clearly defined roles for each player. Dassanayake says, though, that the lead-up to this tournament has seen that change, giving the team a solid platform for a successful event.”Our strength is currently is that everybody is playing together and they take care of each other,” Dassanayake said. “We started knowing the strengths of each other and are very clear in their roles. That’s actually what I was looking for coming into this tournament. That is what we didn’t have against Canada in the Auty Cup.”In the last eight days, there’s a huge change in the atmosphere within the team. So I think that’s a really big plus point for the USA team. But again, in saying these things, it’s very important the first day of the tournament getting that momentum, start winning and start enjoying the wins. When the team does well, they need to feel that and that’s how you build the winning atmosphere in the team.”

Team and individual competition records were broken as Loughborough Lightning sealed their place in the finals of the Kia Super League by beating Surrey Stars

ECB Reporters Network12-Aug-2016
ScorecardDane van Niekerk’s 91 was the highest individual score of the competition (file photo)•IDI/Getty Images

Team and individual competition records were broken as Loughborough Lightning sealed their place in the finals of the Kia Super League by beating Surrey Stars.South Africa international Dane van Niekerk hit 91 off just 64 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes, beating the previous competition record innings of 90 not out by Surrey’s Natalie Sciver, as Lightning ran up 168 for 6. That too was a record, the previous highest innings score in the competition being the 164 made by Lancashire Thunder, also at Loughborough University’s Haslegrave ground.”I’ve been struggling with form, but I knew it was a really good track and I had to take my chance,” said van Niekerk, who came into the match having scored just 19 runs in her previous three innings. “Going into the finals it’s nice to have a few runs and for the team to have a bit of momentum.”Surrey skipper Sciver chose to bowl after winning the toss, but may have already regretting her decision when Lightning openers Georgia Elwiss and Van Niekerk brought up the 50 in the seventh over.Van Niekerk looked in good touch from the start. Consecutive boundaries stroked through the off side off the pace bowling of Marizanne Kapp, along with a huge straight six clubbed the left-arm spin of Alex Hartley, were the pick of the 23-year-old’s shots in a half-century made from 41 balls.Hartley, bowling with a nice loop, did pick up a wicket, Elwiss failing to clear long-off, but Van Niekerk appeared unstoppable. A reverse paddle was followed by a reverse scoop for boundaries before Rene Farrell was deposited over midwicket for another six.Sophie Devine edged a catch behind driving at a wide delivery, but just as the first century of the competition seemed Van Niekerk’s for the taking, she pulled Kapp hard to midwicket, where Sciver took a fine catch running in from the boundary.Inevitably, perhaps, van Niekerk then took a wicket in her first over of legspin, the third of the Surrey reply, courtesy of some sharp work behind the stumps by Amy Jones when Bryony Smith dragged her back foot. In her following over she had Cordelia Griffith caught and bowled, but the key wickets as far as Loughborough were concerned were those of Sciver and fellow England international Tammy Beaumont.Sciver had made just 12 when she top-edged Elwiss towards short third man, where Rebecca Grundy took the catch on the edge of the circle. Beaumont was beginning to threaten on 27 when she was run out by a direct hit – by van Niekerk, naturally. In the circumstances it came as no surprise when she added a fine boundary catch to her contribution.”It was a good score but we were never really out of it on that track, so of course we’re disappointed,” Sciver said. “It’s been a great competition, playing under pressure can only help develop our games. The crowds have been great and it shows how popular women’s domestic cricket is becoming. We just wish we were going to Finals Day!”

Sri Lanka lack depth in their fast-bowling battery, coach Graham Ford said, after two frontline quicks left the tour of England with injury, and a third was reported for a suspect action.Shaminda Eranga is scheduled to undergo a biomechanics test at Loughborough on Monday after he was reported following the Test at Chester-le-Street. Though he is likely to be free to play the Lord’s Test – before the results of his test are known – Sri Lanka may opt to save him the extra scrutiny by fielding another bowler in his place.The selectors will consider handing a debut to 29-year-old left-armer Chaminda Bandara, who is said to swing the ball at a lively pace, but has scarce A team experience. The team’s fast bowling stocks have been repeatedly depleted by injury over the past three years. On this tour they have lost Dhammika Prasad and Dushmantha Chameera to injury.”Maybe it’s a little alarming that perhaps we don’t have the depth that we were hoping that we would have at this stage, in the fast bowling department,” Ford said. “That’s a project for the future, because there are those injuries around fast bowlers. I did see some exciting Under-19 bowling before we came out here to England. I’m sure there are talented boys and if they’re looked after properly, we should have a decent unit of fast bowlers.”If Eranga does not play at Lord’s, Sri Lanka would have effectively lost their best quick of 2015 (Prasad), their fastest bowler (Chameera), and the only quick with over 10 Tests’ experience and a bowling average south of 40 (Eranga). It has left a lot on the plate of fast-bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake.”It is a challenge, because Dhammika was the star of the show last time Sri Lanka toured England,” Ford said. “He was the one that bowls the right length and was able to swing the ball both ways. The rest of the guys tend to swing it out more than anything else. And then we lost that extra pace that Dushmantha brings.”From a firepower point of view we are perhaps not where we want to be. But we do have a bowling unit that can bowl with discipline, hit their areas, and find other ways of creating pressure. Champaka has been working very hard with them on that. We’ve had periods where we have created that pressure and stuck to it pretty well. But then we’ve had other periods when we haven’t been like that, which shows that we’re very much a work-in-progress.”Bandara and Kusal Perera have now joined the squad in London ahead of the third Test, but had their arrival delayed because of visa hurdles. Both men only joined the team in the last 48 hours. Perera had been added to the squad as early as May 22, and as such, had his arrival delayed by about 10 days by the visa process. Ford suggested the delay had been a disadvantage.”If you’re coming to different conditions, the sooner they get used to those conditions the better. The delay wasn’t ideal. But now they’re here they’re going pretty well. Hopefully they have done some good work at home before they got here.”Sri Lanka dropped several key catches across both Tests, with both Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow reprieved en route to scores of over 140. The team’s catching had been poor in the World T20 and in the previous Test series as well. Ford said systemic changes were required to raise fielding standards in the long term.”The players have worked like crazy, but at the board level we’ve talked about how if you want to have a good fielding side, you have to make sure there’s real solid coaching in the fielding department at the emerging player level. By the time they get to international cricket they should be good fielders.”We need somebody at the Under-17, Under-19, development and emerging players having regular fielding sessions. They would have done so many good drills that they’re not scared of the ball and not scared to dive. They would watch the ball while they’re diving.”You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. You can’t flick a switch. You can’t have them playing for Sri Lanka and in a couple of fielding sessions turn them into brilliant fielders. We want to be known as a nation that produces really good fielders. In the levels below we’ve got to get the work done.”