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ICC chief executive David Richardson will be part of the four-member panel, which also includes Amy Perko, Rohan Chandran and Keith Aaron

Peter Della Penna14-Apr-2018The ICC and USA Cricket jointly announced the formation of a four-member nominating and governance committee on Thursday, whose main role will be to put forward candidates to fill the three independent director slots on the new 10-member USA Cricket board of directors. The four members of the committee – who were selected by the ICC’s sustainable foundation advisory group (SFAG) for redeveloping US cricket governance in the wake of USACA’s suspension and subsequent expulsion – are ICC chief executive David Richardson, Amy Perko, Rohan Chandran and Keith Aaron.Perko was a three-time Academic All-American basketball player from 1983 to 1987 at Wake Forest before she transitioned into a career as a sports administrator where, in one of her previous roles, she served as an Associate Athletic Director at the University of Kansas. Her inclusion is noteworthy as it signals a continued effort by the ICC’s Project USA caretaker administration, which served as a bridge to the new USA Cricket administration, to build links with the wider US sports community as well as demonstrating a concerted effort to seek out female administrators that were nonexistent in the history of the USACA executive board. According to the new USA Cricket constitution, the three independent directors must not have held any administrative roles in cricket in the last three years and at least one must be female.Perko is currently the chief executive of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, a college sports committee founded in 1989 whose mission is “to promote reforms that support and strengthen the educational mission of college sports”, according to its website. Among the current 17-member Knight Commission panel are former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, NBA Hall of Famer and 1992 Olympic basketball Dream Team member David Robinson, and Harvard Medical School neurosurgery resident Myron Rolle, who earned AP All-American honours as a defensive back on the Florida State football team in 2008 before famously postponing an opportunity to play in the NFL in order to accept a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford.Chandran is well known in US cricket circles as one of the founders of ESPNcricinfo. Originally from Hong Kong, where he captained the national Under-19 team, Chandran now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area where he works as a technology executive and has been heavily involved in local cricket as a longtime member of Stanford Cricket Club. Chandran is familiar to Richardson and other ICC administrators after he was interviewed in late 2012 as one of five finalists for the vacant USACA chief executive position that eventually went to Australian administrator Darren Beazley.Aaron has over 30 years of experience as a business executive and cricket administrator in New York according to the ICC release. Prior to coming to America, Aaron captained the Guyana Under-19 team in 1968 to a regional junior title where he was team-mates with Dr. Vincent Adams, a member of the SFAG that appointed Aaron and the others.”The appointment of ICC Chief Executive, Mr. Richardson, represents the ICC’s continued commitment to the growth of cricket in the United States – something the SFAG has been eager to maintain,” said Adams in an ICC release. “His experience along with the skills and expertise of Mr. Aaron, Ms. Perko and Mr. Chandran ensure the NGC will play an extremely important role in identifying the right Independent Directors to work alongside the elected Members to take USA Cricket forward for many years to come.”The three independent directors will be appointed by the inaugural seven-person executive board after receiving nominations from Richardson’s new committee. The seven constituent directors – three individual directors, one club director, one league director, and one male and female elite player representative – will be voted in through the inaugural USA Cricket elections scheduled for June, just ahead of the ICC annual conference. A new 10-member board including the three independent directors can then be installed in time for USA Cricket to be formally approved as the officially recognised national governing body to replace USACA after its expulsion in 2017. Those seeking to be eligible to vote in the USA Cricket elections have until April 24 to register as members of USA Cricket.

The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket

Steven Lynch19-Sep-2005The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket:

Kevin Pietersen’s 473 runs in the Ashes puts him in joint second place for the most runs in a debut series © Getty Images
Shane Warne dismissed Andrew Strauss six times in the Ashes series – is this a record? asked Amin Shukla from Trivandrum
The amazing Warne also dismissed Ashley Giles six times in the epic series that has just finished. As it turns out these were the 45th and 46th instances of a bowler taking the same batsman’s wicket six times in the same series, starting in 1894-95, when England’s Tom Richardson kept removing Syd Gregory. But the record is seven, which has happened four times now: the first was the South African Jack Siedle, who fell to a previous Australian legspinning legend, Clarrie Grimmett, seven times in 1935-36. Another South African opener, Trevor Goddard, lost his wicket seven times to Brian Statham in England in 1960. The other two are more recent: in the 1989 Ashes series Geoff Lawson dismissed David Gower seven times, while in 1997 Glenn McGrath accounted for Mike Atherton on seven occasions. While we’re on this subject it might be worth mentioning the England opener Peter Richardson, who had eight innings in the 1956 Ashes series and was caught behind in each of them, although the bowlers were different.Before the end of Kevin Pietersen’s epic 158 at The Oval, a caption showed that he was approaching the record for the most runs in his debut Test series. Did he get there? asked Ben Elmington from Glasgow
He didn’t quite break the record for England, which is still held by RE “Tip” Foster, who scored 486 runs in the 1903-04 Ashes series, including 287 on his debut at Sydney. But Pietersen did finish up with 473 runs in his first series, which puts him level in second place for England with Paul Gibb, who made 473 in South Africa in 1938-39, in the series that included the famous Timeless Test at Durban. George Gunn (462 in 1907-08) and Brian Luckhurst (455 in 1970-71) also made more than 450 runs in their first Test series for England. The Ashes record is 557, by Australia’s Herbie Collins in 1920-21, while Arthur Morris (503 in 1946-47) also made more than any Englishman. But all of these are quite a long way adrift of the record for any debut series. In 1970-71 Sunil Gavaskar collected 774 runs in just four Tests in his maiden series, for India in the West Indies. He broke the previous record, George Headley’s 703 for West Indies against England in 1929-30.Who has scored the most Test runs without ever making a half-century? asked Nusrat Vohra from Pakistan
It’s quite well-known that Shane Warne, with 2767 now, has scored the most Test runs without a century, but I’m not sure that I’ve ever been asked this question before, The answer is Pakistan’s Waqar Younis, who’s actually the only man to make more than 1000 Test runs without the aid of a fifty – his highest score in 87 matches was 45. Fred Trueman of England lies second with 981, ahead of Craig McDermott (940), Derek Underwood (937), Courtney Walsh (936), Andy Caddick (861) and Bob Willis (840). Caddick did have a near-miss – his highest Test score was 49 not out against Australia at Edgbaston in 2001.Is it true that Jai Prakash Yadav’s 69 in the recent Videocon Series was the highest score by a No. 9 in ODIs? asked Ganesh Mali from India
Yes, JP Yadav’s 69 against New Zealand at Bulawayo last month did indeed break the record for the highest score by a No. 9 batsman in ODIs. The previous record was 64, shared by Michael Holding for West Indies against Australia at Perth in 1983-84, and Andy Bichel for Australia v New Zealand at Port Elizabeth in the 2002-03 World Cup. Tahir Naqqash hit 61 for Pakistan v New Zealand at Auckland in 1984-85, and there have been 14 other ODI half-centuries from Nos 9 or 10 in the order, three of them by South Africa’s Lance Klusener, and one by Irfan Pathan in the same match as Yadav.Recently Muttiah Muralitharan, almost unnoticed, went past Wasim Akram’s overall record of international wickets, and is closing in on 1000. Who else has more than 800? asked Haider Abbas from Pakistan
Murali’s nine wickets in last week’s first Test against Bangladesh in Colombo took him to 939 international wickets all told – 558 in Tests and 381 in Odis. (He also has 999 Test runs as I write!) Wasim Akram did indeed hold the previous record, with 916, but Shane Warne has equalled him now. The only other one over 800 at the moment is Glenn McGrath, with 842, although Anil Kumble had 790 before the first Test against Zimbabwe.Where does the name “Cross Arrows” come from? asked Stephen Sellick
The Cross Arrows Cricket Club is the one that plays matches throughout September on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s. It’s mostly made up of people who work there – MCC staff members as well as current and former groundstaff players. They play a high standard of club cricket, against local teams and organisations, as well as the occasional centenary or other celebration game. The Cross Arrows were founded in 1880, and legend has it that early on, before the club had a proper name, they had an away fixture out in the wilds of Middlesex. Asked where the match was, one of the players said “It’s across ‘Arrow way” (Harrow, home of the famous school, is out to the north-west of London) … and the name stuck. I’m not quite sure if it’s true, but it’s a good story!

Justin Kemp’s magnificent unbeaten 100 from 89 balls completely changed the complexion of a match that seemed to be in India’s bag. Here at the stats highlights from his knock

S Rajesh26-Nov-2006

Justin Kemp scored 65 from his last 27 balls as India reeled under his onslaught © Getty Images
240.74 – Justin Kemp’s strike rate in his last 27 balls. After 62 balls he had made just 35.76 – The number of runs South Africa scored in the five-over period from 43 to 47. The sequence read 12, 15, 19, 11, 19.138 – The eighth-wicket partnership between Kemp and Andrew Hall, which is a record for that wicket in ODIs, beating the earlier mark of 119 between Shane Warne and Paul Reiffel against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in 1993-94.240 – Kemp’s strike rate against Irfan Pathan (24 off 10 balls). Against Zaheer Khan he hammered 21 off 11, while Harbhajan Singh vanished for 27 off 24. The only bowler who had respectable stats against him was Anil Kumble, who conceded just 11 from 25 balls.24.07 – Kemp’s average in his 20 previous ODIs this year. He had only scored two fifties in these matches.3 – The number of No.7 batsmen who have scored hundreds in ODIs. Before Kemp, only Hashan Tillakaratne (100 against West Indies at Sharjah, 1995-96), and Mohammad Kaif (111 not out against Zimbabwe at Colombo, 2002-03) had managed this feat51.20 – Rahul Dravid’s average in ODIs against South Africa in South Africa. In 11 innings, he has scored seven fifties25.89 – Sachin Tendulkar’s average against South Africa in South Africa. In 18 matches, he only has one fifty-plus score

Charlotte FC are in advanced negotiations to sign Uruguayan starlet Luciano Rodriguez from Liverpool Montevideo, GOAL understands.

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Charlotte FC near deal for strikerHero of U-20 World CupHad drawn interest from River Plate and FeyenoordWHAT HAPPENED?

The third-year MLS club is closing in on the striker, who was Uruguay's star at the U-20 World Cup in 2023 as they triumphed in Argentina. Charlotte are in negotiations to sign the 20-year-old forward to a Young Designated Player contract and, while some details are still being ironed out, the fee would be among the largest ever in MLS. Sources say the fee would end up being among the top five in MLS history, which puts it at at least $12 million. The current MLS record is Thiago Almada, who was signed by Atlanta United for a $16m transfer fee.

The potential deal comes after Charlotte lost two of their three DPs this offseason. Karol Swiderski departed the club for Hellas Verona on an initial loan while Kamil Jozwiak made a permanent move to Granada. That leaves just Enzo Copetti as the club's lone DP, with Rodriguez set to join to provide Charlotte with a young striker to help lead the attack.

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Rodriguez has burst onto the scene over the last year thanks to his exploits with Uruguay's youth national teams. He was his country's hero at the U-20 World Cup as he scored the winning goal in the final against Italy to help Uruguay lift the trophy for the very first time.

Rodriguez has also shone for Uruguay's U-23s, having scored six goals in as many appearances, and in January he was named to the country's squad for CONMEBOL Olympic qualifiers. Uruguay, unfortunately for Rodriguez, crashed out, despite a hat-trick performance from the striker against Paraguay and goals against both Peru and Argentina.

On the club level, Rodriguez joined Liverpool Montevideo in 2023 after coming through the ranks at Progreso. In his first season, he scored nine goals for the club and was named the Uruguayan League's Young Player of the Year in 2023. Additionally, he was named to the Uruguayan Primera Division Team of the Year.

The striker has previously drawn interest from the likes of River Plate and Feyenoord.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rodriguez is the latest Uruguayan to make the move to MLS, with the league continuing to be a hotbed for young South American talent. Diego Rossi and Facundo Torres have become stars in MLS after making their own early-career moves to the US, while legendary Luis Suarez recently signed with Inter Miami to link up with former teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHARLOTTE FC?

Charlotte FC will open the MLS season, the club's first under new coach Dean Smith, on February 24 at Bank of America Stadium as they host New York City FC. The club is entering its third season having made the playoffs for the first time in 2023 before falling to the New York Red Bulls in their first match.

Celtic could be set to lose one of their rising stars, with a new report revealing that he’s already been watched by scouts from a huge club in Germany.

How have Celtic started the season?

In the Scottish Premiership, Brendan Rodgers’ side have made a fantastic start to the new campaign where they find themselves top of the table on ten points having won three and drawn one of their opening four games, as per Sky Sports, though a lot of the players have recently been away on international duty.

The Hoops had a total of 11 squad members representing their country over the past fortnight, including the likes of Callum McGregor, Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi, but there was another less well-known youngster from the academy who also received a call-up for his nation.

Parkhead’s attacking midfielder, Rocco Vata, who currently plies his trade for the B side, has been in action for the Republic of Ireland’s U21s, and with his contract set to expire in less than a year, he has emerged as a target for several teams outside of Glasgow.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph previously confirmed that Serie A side Torino were interested in the 18-year-old alongside other unnamed clubs across Europe, and with the teenager having changed agents to CAA Base Ltd, there’s a possibility he’s done this to try and force a move to a new club in 2024.

Is Rocco Vata leaving Celtic?

According to The Daily Record, Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig “ran the rule” over Vata during Ireland’s 3-0 victory over San Marino on Tuesday night.

Marco Rose’s side sent a scout to watch the talented prospect in action, but they weren’t alone with representatives from the Premier League’s Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion also in attendance.

Due to his contract situation, it’s stated that the youngster could leave for just £350k in training compensation next summer.

How good is Rocco Vata?

According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vata is an “exciting” up-and-coming player and one who has an extremely bright future ahead of him, and he’s already shown the bags of potential that he has to offer for the second team at Celtic.

The Hamilton-born talent has posted a remarkable 18 contributions (17 goals and one assist) in 24 B side outings, and with his high standard of performances having impressed members of staff, he made four senior league appearances off the bench last season.

Sponsored by Adidas, he also has the ability to operate in five various positions over the pitch, including everywhere across the frontline alongside two roles in the midfield, so with the excellent versatility that he provides, it would be a real blow to lose him next year.

Whilst Rodgers won't want to sanction the sale of someone like Vata, he will understand that he will want to move onto new pastures in the not too distant future should he not receive the regular game time he's craving, so his fate is currently hanging in the balance.

Liverpool have boasted their fair share of foreign talents over the years, signing the likes of Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez, Xabi Alonso and, of course, Mohamed Salah to aid the Premier League side in their ambitious endeavours over the years.

That list is by no means exhaustive, but the prestigious outfit have housed some of the division's finest names, and while they only secured their maiden Premier League title in 2020, the memories made by superlative stars will last forever in the Anfield folklore.

Of course, none have been greater than Steven Gerrard. Captain, leader, legend, the Scouse-born sensation enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished career with the Reds.

What did Steven Gerrard win at Liverpool?

Gerrard may well be the greatest player to ever don the Liverpool shirt. Having completed 710 matches for the side, scoring 186 goals and providing 157 assists, he is irrefutably one of the finest players of his generation.

Winning the Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and the UEFA Best Player in Europe award in 2005, the now 43-year-old has been praised by many, with Ballon d'Or winner Kaka saying: “For me, and I have always said this, he will be regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever. No doubt.”

His career was one for the record books, no doubt, and on an individual record, he was one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, perhaps in the history of the game.

So often the man of the moment at Anfield, he was let down too often by his languishing teammates, and ultimately didn't quite enjoy the sustained success that his skill set deserved.

That could have been very different if only Liverpool had followed up their clear interest in David Silva, who then forged quite the career for himself.

Did Liverpool nearly sign David Silva?

According to the Guardian, Liverpool held a vested interest in Spaniard Silva in 2009, when he plied his trade for Valencia, but were dissuaded by ostensible intrigue from Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as concerns over the LaLiga side's £25m asking price.

It was in anticipation of the possible sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, who indeed completed a transfer to Los Blancos for around £30m in August that year, and while the Reds had bolstered their transfer war chest, they opted to delve down the cheaper route.

That culminated in the £20m acquisition of Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who proved to be a colossal failure, playing just 28 times across two seasons, partly hampered by injury, and failing to make his mark as Liverpool started to sink into mediocrity, in what became known as the dark days.

One year later, Manchester City signed Silva from Valencia for £30m, proving to be quite the successful deal, wouldn't you say?

How good was David Silva?

Playing the lion's share of his senior career in Manchester, Silva would make 436 appearances for the Citizens, scoring 77 goals and supplying 140 assists as the fulcrum of their midfield for a decade. Coincidentally, that happened to be a goal involvement every two games, the same as Gerrard managed at Anfield.

The 125-cap Spain star has been hailed as a "terrifying talent" and a "legendary footballer" by compatriot David Villa, who paid homage to his journey with Manchester City upon his departure.

Boasting an unparalleled footballing intellect and an innate eye for a line-breaking pass, Silva is easily one of the greatest players to have ever earned their wage in the Premier League, and the impact that he has had at City (and could have made in Liverpool) has been nothing short of profound.

Now 37-years-old, Silva has revelled in a glittering career of the highest pedigree and served as a creative centrepiece across two phases of world-class Manchester City sides, also a distinguished champion with his nation and having enjoyed success in his Spanish homeland with separate outfits.

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Truly, an incredible player, and as his time with the Sky Blues neared its culmination in 2020, former teammate Raheem Sterling heaped praise on the midfielder.

The England international said, "He's a perfect example of how to be a great professional and a top player, with many, many trophies behind him." Full of adulation, Sterling continued, "If it is his last season (in English football), he'll be sorely missed because he brings so much to the club and if you want to follow in his example it is always to keep that humility."

Gerrard achieved some brilliant things with his boyhood club and has more than etched his name into the club's record books: he is the embodiment of the Merseyside outfit, the celestial midfield machine and forever the catalyst of some of the greatest nights in Liverpool's history.

Liverpool pushed for Silva in 2009 and failed to get the deal over the line, indeed opting for the shrewder route of signing Aquilani, which turned out to be a tremendous success. Sigh.

It was a watershed moment for Liverpool, unbeknown at the time, the Reds would slowly sink away from prominence and into an abyss, and while the 2013/14 season brought the joy of an enthralling, albeit unsuccessful, title race, it wasn't until Klopp took the helm in 2015 that the future started to show signs of prosperity once again.

Sadly, that came too late for Gerrard to secure a maiden Premier League trophy, with his outfit labouring for much of the latter phase of his Anfield career – an end unbefitting for such an immortalised figure for the club.

Had Silva been signed, there's no telling the impact that he could have made, and indeed the partnership that could have been forged with the iconic skipper.

Silva's elegance and supreme technicality joining with Gerrard's all-conquering style would have melded like a stream into the sea, and indeed the unrelenting torrent of Liverpool's might would have been quite the thing to behold.

Alas, it didn't happen. But surely, had Silva arrived and made his mark for Liverpool instead of Manchester City, it all could have been so different.

Victoria vaulted back into contention for the Sheffield Shield final after bowling out Western Australia for 213 on day four

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2018
ScorecardVictoria has vaulted back into contention for the Sheffield Shield final after a crushing 255-run win over Western Australia at the WACA.The Bushrangers needed just two wickets on the final morning to complete the rout but they were frustrated by Josh Inglis and Matt Kelly, who put together a 109-run partnership for the ninth wicket.Victoria opted not to bowl any of their frontline quicks on the final day leaving Daniel Christian, Cameron White and Glenn Maxwell to try and finish the job. Inglis moved within sight of his first Sheffield Shield century before he was trapped in front by Christian on 87.Kelly also fell to Christian nine balls later for his highest first-class score. Christian finished with 2 for 27. Chris Tremain was named Man of the Match for his first career 10-wicket haul.

Bryan Cristante hailed AS Roma's owners for showing the door to Jose Mourinho at a "difficult moment" and bringing in club legend Daniele De Rossi.

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Mourinho was sacked by RomaClub named De Rossi as his replacementCristante believes that it was the right decisionGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to AC Milan, Mourinho's tenure at the Italian club came to an abrupt end. The decision to remove the Portuguese manager from his position was swiftly followed by the appointment of De Rossi, who signed on as head coach until June 30, 2024.

De Rossi, a beloved figure among Roma supporters, spent 18 illustrious years as a player at the Stadio Olimpico, endearing himself to the fans with his passion and commitment to the club.

AdvertisementWHAT CRISTANTE SAID

Cristante, who had the opportunity to work with De Rossi during Euro 2020 when the latter served as one of Roberto Mancini’s assistants, expressed his admiration for the new coach's seamless transition into the role.

“The coach didn’t need to be introduced when he arrived. It could have been tough to join the team in a difficult moment and work with footballers he had played with, but he’s been managing the group well and it should not be taken for granted,” said Cristante.
“We are happy with what we are building and who we are becoming. It’s proving to be the right solution. It was a decision made by the club owners at a difficult moment. We have built self-awareness in European games."

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Mourinho inspired Roma to the Europa Conference League trophy in 2022 and guided them to the Europa League final in 2023, where they fell short to Sevilla. However, Cristante insisted that the club have set their sights on another European final and added: "Of course, it is our objective and we have a chance to make it. We are happy with the coach. We want to go back to the final and win it.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Roma drew against Feyenoord in the Netherlands last week and the Giallorossi will now host the Dutch outfit in the second leg of a Europa League playoff fixture to seal a round of 16 berth. The Stadio Olimpico has already been sold out and the Romans are ready to hand their favourite team a rousing welcome on Thursday evening with the hope of inspiring them to another memorable European night.

Manchester United have endured a rough start to the season.

In the first game, the Red Devils luckily scraped a 1-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were denied a late penalty when Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic.

In the latest Premier League encounter against Tottenham Hotspur, Erik ten Hag’s men wilted and were overpowered by a more relentless, energetic, and dominant side.

In both matches, a common theme has been United’s disjointed and lacklustre midfield. Casemiro has suffered as a lone pivot and Mason Mount has struggled to adapt to being an advanced eight. There has been an absence of protection and the team is getting overrun, creating the need for a different type of profile in the centre of the park…

What’s the latest Manchester United transfer news?

According to the Guardian, United’s search for midfield reinforcements has prompted an approach for Everton titan Amadou Onana.

It is understood that Ten Hag is keen to address his side’s lack of physicality and has turned his attention to bringing in a commanding central midfielder.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

However, Everton don’t want to lose Onana and insist they are under no financial pressure to make a sale.

The Toffees value the 21-year-old for at least £50m and there is awareness that could be tricky to keep him if United’s interest develops.

Ten Hag wants to add depth and quality to the midfield, feeling that Onana is a worthy candidate.

Would Amadou Onana be a good signing for Manchester United?

After spending one season playing for Hamburg in 2020/21, the club’s director of sport Jonas Boldt said:

“Technically, Amadou has almost perfect prerequisites. He is fast, technically skilled, tall, and strong in tackling.”

This description matches the profile that ten Hag is craving and Onana could be a balancing force between the defensive Casemiro and the free-roaming Bruno Fernandes.

Last season in the Premier League, the 6 foot 4 mountain registered 84% pass accuracy, averaged 2.2 tackles per game, made no errors leading to a shot or a goal, and won 57% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

Described as “superb” by reporter Richard Buxton, Onana occupies a far more opposing and domineering presence than Mount, whilst also displaying a commendable level of technical ability.

United are also said to be interested in Fiorentina powerhouse Sofyan Amrabat, but similarly to Onana, no deal can progress until the club makes more sales.

The 27-year-old was labelled “the Gennaro Gattuso of Morocco” and someone who is “essential for the balance” by former England boss Fabio Capello – something that is a key point of interest for ten Hag.

Last term in Serie A, the North African managed 90% pass accuracy, completed 75% of his dribbles, and averaged 1.3 tackles per game.

Both players possess intoxicating athleticism, are technically astute, and are able to protect the backline. However, with Liverpool reportedly tracking Amrabat, it may be easier to pursue a deal for Onana, who is brimming with potential.

Given the current state of affairs at Everton, who look destined for another perilous relegation fight, if United initiate a more formal approach for the youngster, it would be tricky for him to decline.

Kevin O’Brien, Body Rankin and Simi Singh also made significant contributions to Ireland’s massive 226-run DLS win

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Mar-2018
ICCPaul Stirling and William Porterfield put on a 205-run opening stand to lead Ireland to a 226-run drubbing of United Arab Emirates in Harare. Stirling went on to make his seventh ODI hundred, a 117-ball 126 that included 15 fours and five sixes. Porterfield struck 10 fours and two sixes in his 103-ball 92. Together, they added the highest opening stand in ODIs for Ireland. Both sides, though, made the Super Sixes stage of the World Cup Qualifier after Netherlands lost to West Indies.Rain in Harare had interrupted Ireland’s innings twice, resulting in a reduction of six overs. After Stirling fell in the 38th over, Kevin O’Brien led the charge, smashing seven fours and one six in his unbeaten 26-ball 50. Ireland scored 75 runs in the final seven overs to post 313 for 6. Fast bowler Mohammad Naveed took three wickets.UAE made a steady start to their chase, before they lost wickets in clumps. At one point, they were 65 for 2 after 13 overs. However, a spectacular collapse saw them lose their last eight wickets for 26 runs.Fast bowler Boyd Rankin returned exceptional figures of 6-2-15-4, while Simi Singh finished with 3 for 15 from his six overs. UAE’s net run-rate took a beating after the result.