Jarvinja Ilnow

Down with that sort of stuff.

Arrested for a public order offence in her own home?

You'll probably get some tonight, but expect a lot of donkey punches and slaps, Stig (unless that's the norm).

We don't ask for much, Trumo.

At least he has one left.

So you're saying we won't get relegated!

It's all about perspectives.

Badly manufactured. Like your spin bowling.

At least Henderson didn't have to suffer people in the crowd shouting "pass it forward, you cunt!"

I can see why JurgenKnows described it as a hot-bed of football passion. It echoed with febrile intensity.

Tinned toms not good. Safely corralled beans is a must - enjoy beans on toast away from the rest of the breakfast. The toast is an insult to Lifey, though.

Ramsay is at Preston on loan, mate, so yes he would have trouble playing for us! Bradley seems to be injured, so it's Gomez as sub for Trent, by the look of things; and that would mean Matip when Konate (inevitably) gets injured. When Bradley recovers I've no doubt he will do a decent job, but Gomez has looked good a RB whenever asked to play there. Maybe Jarrell Quansah replaces Nat Phillips, but he could probably do with another loan?

Another promising England prospect in the fine English tradition of arriving via South Africa: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66385461 England Next Gen: 'Generational talent' Jamie Smith destined for international honours Jamie Smith has one dream - to represent England in all formats of the game. Despite turning 23 less than a month ago, Smith already has over 2,500 first-class runs for Surrey, and a further 1,100 in white-ball domestic cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter has been on England's radar for some time. "Jamie Smith is a nailed-on certainty to be playing cricket for England. He is a generational talent. The man is a genius," said BBC Test Match Special commentator Dan Norcross. Smith featured in six matches for England under-19s in their multi-format series in Bangladesh in 2019, captaining in the four white-ball matches. For Surrey, his chances of keeping this year have been limited by Ben Foakes' omission from England's Ashes squad, but Smith says that has "done him the world of good". It has allowed him to focus on his batting - and he averages 41.81 in Division One of the County Championship this season, putting him in the top ten leading run-scorers alongside the likes of Alastair Cook, Dan Lawrence and James Vince. All of those have played for England at Test level and the Surrey hot-prospect, who plays for the Birmingham Phoenix in the 2023 edition of The Hundred, hopes for international honours soon. "I'm very proud of what I've achieved so far and I'm looking to push on in the last couple months of this season," Smith told BBC Sport. "Hopefully, that can culminate in playing for England in all formats in the future." Someone who knows Smith better than most is Phoenix team-mate and former England Under-19s colleague Dan Mousley. The duo have known each other since Mousley was 17, and five years on, the spinning all-rounder believes Smith's England senior debut is a case of when rather than if. "Even the first time I met him I thought 'Jesus, he's a proper player', and it doesn't surprise me how well he is doing at all," said Mousley. "He can 100% play all formats for England and have a long, successful career. "I don't think he's too far away, I wouldn't be surprised in the next 18 months if he's playing for England." Smith's tally of 669 runs in first-class cricket is already his career-best for a season, with Surrey still having three County Championship matches remaining next month as they eye back-to-back Division One titles. Jamie Smith's first-class record by year in the County Championship and Bob Willis Trophy Year 2019 2020 (BWT) 2021 2022 2023 Runs scored 336 274 656 379 669 Average 26 30.44 43.73 37.9 41.81 Strike rate 45.18 45.81 53.52 51.21 64.38 This year, his tally of runs have come at a strike-rate of 64.38, and that significantly increased rate of scoring includes a 77-ball knock of 114 in the fourth innings at Kent in June, with Surrey chasing a 98-year record 501. While Smith knows that England favour attack-minded batters in the Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes era, he does not put his improved season down to an increase in his strike-rate, more to a confidence-boosting England Lions tour to Sri Lanka in January. On the tour he scored 202 runs across two multi-day matches at an average of 67.33, including an 82-ball 126, leaving him with a series strike-rate of 124.69. "It's been pretty clear messaging that if you want to play for England you have to be fearless and know when to take the game on and try and put people under pressure," said Smith. "This year there has been a massive emphasis on finding the best ways, at different times, to score runs and be positive with that. "Also, being adaptable, you've got to read the situation - and that mindset shift has been huge for me and it's given me a lot of confidence to get out there and perform at my best." Mousley knows all about Smith's batting from playing with him for England's under-19s and earlier this season the two faced each other in the County Championship, where Mousley got a first-hand sight of the form Smith is currently in. "When he was batting with the tail, he really stood out for me, just the maturity to bat with the tail and choosing the right options," said Mousley. "He's very, very difficult to bowl to. He's got all the shots and to see him do really well is really, really pleasing. "His shot over extra cover, he hits that better than anyone to be honest." Smith was part of The Hundred last year but failed to make a single appearance for London Spirit, only to be picked up by Phoenix in this year's draft for £50,000. With all games televised, unlike the County Championship and T20 blast, Smith sees the opportunity for him and others to use it as a platform to set-up an imminent career in international cricket. "It's a fantastic opportunity. We've seen a few players already that have made the step up into international cricket, there's probably a few more that are going to make it off the back of this tournament alone." With England set to go through a period of change because of an ageing squad after October and November's 50-over World Cup, Smith's opportunity may come in the near future. Most believe he is ready now.

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2023/08/boston-journalists-criticise-fsg-as-red-sox-transformed-into-underdogs/ Boston journalists criticise FSG as Red Sox “transformed into underdogs” August 5, 2023 Jack Lusby In a situation which may seem familiar to Liverpool fans, Fenway Sports Group have been criticised for turning the Boston Red Sox to “underdogs.” The Red Sox are one of the most iconic franchises in baseball, founded in 1901 and winners of nine World Series – more than all but two others, the New York Yankees (27) and the St Louis Cardinals (11). Four of those have come under FSG, who purchased the Boston outfit in 2002, but things have turned sour in recent years. A lack of investment has seen them unable to compete with the likes of the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros, and they are at risk of missing the post-season tournament which leads to the World Series. While the complexities of baseball and its recruitment are hard to decipher for those not following the sport, journalists around Boston have summed it up. “The Red Sox are one of the most powerful brands in American sport,” the Providence Journal‘s Bill Koch wrote on Twitter. “They’ve been transformed into underdogs by an owner content with a midtier payroll and a chief baseball officer who is risk averse. “John Henry and Chaim Bloom are making this team smaller. It’s disappointing.” Koch’s criticism came after chief baseball officer Bloom pitched the Red Sox as “underdogs,” after this week’s trade deadline, despite their status as one of the giants in baseball. NBC10 Boston’s Sam Murray added: “It’s amazing how the Red Sox had an opportunity to either buy or sell at the deadline and did neither. “Now they’re three back in the Wild Card, have lost five of their last six, and are treading water. “Thanks John Henry and Chaim Bloom! Such a fun product to watch!”

New article on future Ashes prospects, including Aussies: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66337176 The Ashes: England v Australia - youngsters who could play in upcoming series With a thrilling Ashes contest over, the eyes of fans suddenly deprived of their fix of England-Australia action are already drifting to the next series when Ben Stokes' side will try to win back the urn. In two-and-a-half years' time both sides could be very different, with England's bowling attack this summer - nicknamed Dad's Army - their oldest in 95 years. BBC Sport has picked out some young players that could feature in the 2025-26 series down under and, if not then, the next time Australia are in England in 2027. The unexpected and quirky stats from a brilliant Ashes 'Final Ashes Test gave us magic moments to live in' James Rew Age: 19 Role: Wicketkeeper-batter James Rew is the name on everyone's lips. The left-hander has already scored six County Championship centuries, equalling the record for most tons by a teenager in the competition. He has scored five this year, including a brilliant 221 having come in at 41-4, and is the leading run-scorer in Division One so far in 2023 - as well as being Somerset's regular wicketkeeper. Rew scored 95 in England's defeat by India in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup final, when he played alongside Rehan Ahmed. Former England captain Alastair Cook: "Rew is a phenomenal player with the statistics he's delivered. "He doesn't fit the Ben Stokes mould of taking the game on. He is what you'd call a classical batsman. But he probably has more shots than he's shown." Jack Carson Age: 22 Role: Off-spinner Sussex's Jack Carson is a bowler fancied by many in the know. The tall off-spinner spent time around the England camp bowling under the eye of the coaches during the Ashes series. He has taken 87 wickets in 32 first-class matches and impressed with the England Lions in Sri Lanka last winter - returning four-wicket hauls in both unofficial Tests. Left-armer Jack Leach will only be 34 by the time of the next Ashes and 36 by the time the series returns to England in 2027, so he should be in contention with the younger generation for a while yet. Did you know? Carson took a wicket with his second ball in a first-class match and has dismissed Joe Root in county cricket. Gus Atkinson Age: 25 Role: Pace bowler Gus Atkinson is another starting to be tipped for the top. The seamer bowls at a lively pace across all formats for Surrey but has especially caught the eye with 20 wickets in five matches in the Championship. He can count former England captain Cook as a fan, having dismissed the Essex opener this season. Josh Tongue, who took five wickets in the second Ashes Test, Durham pair Matthew Potts and Brydon Care, plus Lancashire's Saqib Mahmood - if he can enjoy a consistent spell of fitness - are also likely to be in contention come the winter of 2025. Jofra Archer will be 30 by the start of the next Ashes while Ollie Robinson will turn 32 during that series down under. England's next gen: 'Atkinson is what England are looking for' Cook: "What surprised me about him is that you look at him bowl and feel there is a lot more in the tank. "He doesn't look like he uses that much effort to get the ball down at a decent lick. Speaking to him, it looks easy but he is striving for as much pace as he can get. It looks like there is a bit more untapped pace." Jamie Smith Age: 23 Role: Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has been highly rated for a while yet is still only 23. Earlier this year he scored a 71-ball hundred for the Lions in Sri Lanka - the fastest century in the history of England's development side. Able to score quickly but with a solid technique, he looks made for 'Bazball'. The right-hander is a regular for reigning champions Surrey and has scored eight centuries in 48 matches, including 234 against Gloucestershire last year. TMS commentator Daniel Norcross: "Jamie Smith is a nailed-on certainty to be playing cricket for England in four years." Rehan Ahmed Age: 18 Role: Leg-spinner Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is an 18-year-old already known to many England fans. Last year he took 5-48 on his Test debut as he helped England to a series victory in Pakistan. When Moeen Ali injured his finger in the first Ashes Test, Ahmed was called up as cover, although England ultimately opted to go into the second Test at Lord's without a spinner. Life for spinners is difficult in English county cricket, even more so for a 'leggie', and Ahmed has only taken six wickets in eight matches this season. Still, with opportunities expected worldwide in white-ball cricket in the coming years, Ahmed is expected to have a big future. Did you know? Ahmed is the youngest man to play for England in Tests, one-day internationals and T20s. What about Australia? Australia are known for their production line of fast bowlers and the next could be Western Australia's Lance Morris. The 25-year-old is regarded as the quickest bowler down under and could have featured in this year's Ashes but for a back injury. There is also hope 26-year-old Jhye Richardson, who took five wickets against England in Adelaide during the 2021-22 Ashes, can overcome his injury issues and, although not as quick as Morris, Jordan Buckingham, 23, took a six-wicket haul for Australia A in New Zealand this year. There are big hopes for 19-year-old top-order batter Teague Wyllie, who was named in the team of the tournament at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup and is already part of WA's Sheffield Shield-winning side. Another Western Australian, Aaron Hardie, 24, is a seam-bowling all-rounder averaging 43 with the bat and 29 with the ball. Finally, keep an eye out for left-armer Spencer Johnson. He is 27 but has been making an impression of late, leading to comparisons with his namesake Mitchell. Johnson is playing in The Hundred this year for Oval Invincibles.

BBC are doing a nextgen series, during the *** Jafer Chohan (Spin) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65883947 Gus Atkinson (Pace) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66361672

Presentation was too good.

I hope we find the right balance to have Both Jacks and Ahmed, though it will need one of them to push on with their batting (most likely Jacks). I've also heard Finlay Bean at Yorkshire mentioned as a future w/k. "We all dream of a team of mostly wicketkeepers" Banton Billings Pope Rew Smith Foakes Bean (Jacks) (Ahmed) (Tongue) (Potts)

Agnew and Alistair Cook were writing about how impressive he is. More than his batting, he may offer a Bairstow-free wicketkeeping future. Jacks and Ahmed for off and leg spin? Apparently, both are improving as batsment as well. Cook was also saying that Gus Atkinson is potential pace bowler for the very near future. He bowled Cook out a couple of times in the CC and has really improved his speed in the last couple of years. He's 25, but he lost a few years development due to his parents relocating for work. He played with Surrey acandemy a couple of times but never got signed until the family came back from Adelaide.

Nobody does "The SHIPPING FORECAST!!" quite like Jim Maxwell.

Was about to say "rep from Tony Moanero incoming" but he was obviously already aggressively monitoring the 'Other Teams Kits' thread, ready to pounce.

The Nighthawk goes out at the top - typical Broad performance.

Fucking Bairstow - finally looking like a wicketkeeper.

The Carl Froch of cricket.