Nathan Ellis hat-trick, Tim David's sixes hand Thunder their third straight loss

Hobart Hurricanes survive wobble to overtake Thunder for fifth place on the table

Tristan Lavalette15-Jan-2023

Tim David smashed 76* off 41 balls•Getty Images

Seamer Nathan Ellis claimed a hat-trick before Tim David powered Hobart Hurricanes to a vital five-wicket victory over slumping Sydney Thunder at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.After electing to bat in sunny conditions, Thunder never recovered from David Warner’s dismissal for a duck in the opening over. Quicks Ellis and Riley Meredith combined for six wickets, while emerging left-arm wristspinner Patrick Dooley claimed three scalps to bowl out Thunder for a modest 135.Hurricanes navigated several nervous junctures in their chase, with David smashing 76 off 41 balls as he finished the contest in the 17th over with his sixth six.The result meant Hurricanes leapfrogged Thunder to fifth place, who have lost three matches in a row.Fired-up Ellis and Meredith run through ThunderThere has naturally been a lot of excitement for Warner’s BBL comeback after an eight-year absence. He returned against Perth Scorchers on Friday and showed glimpses of his belligerent best before falling on 19.On what appeared a batting-friendly surface, Warner fell for a second-ball duck when he was clean bowled by a gem of a yorker from Meredith. Warner was completely beaten by pace in what was surely one of the best deliveries of this BBL season. Meredith, who rivals Lance Morris as the fastest quick in Australia, hit speeds around 150kmh in a lightning-quick burst.He wasn’t done with his pace enticing an edge from Sam Whiteman as Thunder soon slumped to 24 for 4.Ellis returned in the 15th over and immediately ended Ollie Davies’ rallying innings. On the next delivery he bowled Nathan McAndrew to claim a hat-trick having earlier dismissed Matthew Gilkes to end the fourth over.Ellis celebrated modestly and was seemingly unaware that he had joined Xavier Doherty as the only other Hurricanes player to have bagged a hat-trick.

Ellis and Meredith, who have both played international limited-overs cricket, issued a reminder of their talents to add to Australia’s embarrassment of pace options.In-form Davies plays a lone handThunder have blown hot or cold this season. They suffered the humiliation of being routed for 15 all out against Adelaide Strikers, but also have had several stellar wins including one against Scorchers in Perth.On Sunday, Thunder couldn’t get going against a disciplined Hurricanes attack apart from emerging 22-year-old Davies, who briefly rescued Thunder with a crisp 45 off 38 balls. He wisely started by knocking the ball around before showcasing his class with a six over extra cover off left-arm spinner Tom Andrews. But Davies narrowly fell short of what would have been his fourth half-century in five innings as Thunder again collapsed.Handy cameos from Ben Cutting and captain Chris Green ensured Thunder mustered a somewhat competitive total.David powers Hurricanes out of early troubleHurricanes’ chase started nervously and they slumped to 20 for 3 in the third over. It could have been worse with Wade reprieved on 3 when Davies dropped an easy chance at point off McAndrew.Wade, who returned after missing a match due to personal leave, then smashed a boundary on the next delivery and combined in a blistering 79-run partnership with David that belied Hurricanes’ tricky position.David started slowly before putting the foot down in the seventh over with a six on the leg side off Cutting. In a matter of deliveries, including consecutive sixes off spinner Usman Qadir, David put the Hurricanes chase on track. He reached his second BBL half-century and held his nerve amid a late wobble as Hurricanes kept their unbeaten home record intact.War of words erupt between teamsAt the drinks break with David amid a purple patch, a war of words erupted between skippers Wade and Green. It was unclear what the commotion was about, but led to a confrontation between Wade and Warner.Warner pushed Wade although it might have been in jest between two long-time team-mates for Australia.After the match, Wade and Green had a brief chat in better spirits and departed with a handshake and Wade was also seen chatting pleasantly with Warner.Allrounder Daniel Sams tried his best to keep Thunder in the match with canny variety to claim four wickets, including Wade and Asif Ali in the back-end, but it wasn’t enough.

Newcastle now in talks with "amazing" in-demand UCL winner over summer move

As they potentially look to replace Callum Wilson this summer, Newcastle United have reportedly made contact with the entourage of a Champions League-winning striker.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies are closing in on what must be an important summer at St James’ Park, with exit rumours continuing to surround star man Alexander Isak. In what would be the move of the transfer window – perhaps in terms of both valuation and the impact it would make – both Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly targeting the Swede, who’s worth £150m.

Whilst there’s no doubt that his exit would leave a gaping hole, Newcastle would at least be free from any PSR constraints to finally welcome reinforcements of their own.

That said, Isak may not be the only one to depart this summer, with Callum Wilson currently on course to leave as a free agent when his contract comes to an end in the coming months. In one swoop, it’s certainly a real possibility that Eddie Howe could be left without both of his strikers.

£42m Newcastle star who Howe loves "will" leave in future, agent reveals

He’d be a huge loss for the Magpies.

ByBarney Lane Mar 8, 2025

If that does prove to be the case, the arrival of one particular target will be more important than ever and the Magpies seem to be well aware of that. According to CaughtOffside, Newcastle have now made contact with Tammy Abraham over a summer move from AS Roma.

The former Chelsea man has spent the campaign on loan at Milan in a mixed spell and has since found himself on the radar of the Tyneside club, along with the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Whether a return to the Premier League beckons for the 27-year-old remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that he’s one to watch amid growing rumours. An experienced goalscorer these days, he could instantly ease Newcastle’s Wilson blow.

"Amazing" Abraham could make Premier League return

Eyebrows were raised when Abraham swapped Chelsea for Milan in 2021 after winning the Champions League with the Blues, but the forward’s Italian adventure has proved more than worthwhile when fit and firing. Now, five years later, he looks destined to receive the chance to return to England’s top flight as a far more complete player.

Earning the praise of Jose Mourinho during their time together in Rome, the so-called Special One told reporters after a 3-0 win over Monza in 2022: “Today he was my Tammy.

“He played how I wanted him to. He won everything, he kept the ball, he provided an outlet, he won the first ball and he gave us an option in behind to push them back.

“We always talk about strikers when they score and obviously tonight was Paulo [Dybala]’s night, but Tammy was amazing.”

After scoring eight goals in all competitions in more of a backup role on loan at Milan this season, Abraham could yet become the perfect option for Newcastle behind Isak next season.

It’s a role that Wilson has struggled to fulfil amid injury issues, but one which could yet see the former Chelsea man thrive at St James’ Park.

عماد النحاس يكشف سر تغيير زيزو أمام إنتر ميامي.. ويصرح: خسرنا مفتاح الفوز بسبب إمام عاشور

أكد عماد النحاس، المدرب العام للنادي الأهلي، أن العلاقة داخل الجهاز الفني بقيادة الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو تتسم بالتناغم والاحترام، مُشيرًا إلى كواليس ما دار في لقاء إنتر ميامي بشأن بعض المواقف الفردية مثل ركلة الجزاء التي سددها تريزيجيه خلافًا للترتيب المحدد، وحقيقة غضب أشرف بن شرقي وسر خروج زيزو بعد الدفع به بديلًا لـ إمام عاشور.

وقال عماد النحاس في تصريحات عبر قناة الأهلي: “علاقتي بـ ريبيرو جيدة، هو رجل هادئ جدًا يُحب عمله، وهناك تنظيم بيننا، هناك فرق بين المدير الفني والمدرب العام، أنا مدرب عام، وعندما يسألني أجيب، والمدرب الإسباني درس الخصوم جيدًا”.

 

وعن الفرصة التي أهدرها حسين الشحات في نهاية اللقاء، علّق: “المهاجم عندما ينطلق نحو المدافعين يُفكر في أكثر من فكرة، وبالتأكيد حسين وهو يركض مرّ بكل هذه الأفكار، كل خطوتين تفكيره يتغير، هو كان عنده حلول في هذه الهجمة المرتدة والسريعة، وفي اللحظة التي قرر أن يتخذ فيها القرار، كانت الكرة قد استُخلصت منه، ولم تُوقَّع عليه عقوبة، لأنها كانت فرصة في المباراة”.

طالع أيضًا | كواليس غضب أشرف بن شرقي وعقوبة تريزيجيه “الضخمة” بعد مباراة الأهلي وإنتر ميامي

وعن مواجهة بالميراس المقبلة، قال: “واجهناهم قبل ذلك مرتين، مرة فزنا بركلات الجزاء، ومرة خسرنا 2-0، فرق البرازيل تلعب كرة هجومية أسرع، وبعد مباراة إنتر ميامي، في اليوم التالي مباشرة، تحدثنا عن مواجهة بالميراس وكيفية التعامل معها بشكل جيد”.

وتابع :”ريبيرو دائمًا يضع مفاتيح الفوز وطريقة اللعب، مثلًا إمام عاشور كان مفتاح المكسب في مباراة إنتر ميامي، وفي أول 10 دقائق قبل إصابته وصل لمرمى المنافس مرتين، ووجود وسام وتريزيجيه، واحد في القلب والآخر على الطرف، كان أمرًا مدروسًا”.

وتابع: “نحن مستعدون لمواجهة بالميراس ونعلم خطورتهم في الهجمات السريعة، لكن لا يوجد فريق في العالم بلا أخطاء، سيكون عندنا نفس الإصرار وأكثر، كل المباريات صعبة، لكن كل خصم له مدرسة”.

وعن الجدل حول دخول زيزو في الدقيقة 15 ثم خروجه في الدقيقة 81، قال النحاس: “زيزو، في اليوم الذي وصل فيه للمعسكر، كان يريد أن يشارك في التدريبات، ولكن المدرب طالبه بالراحة”.

واختتم: “في المباراة الودية أمام باتشوكا أعطى انطباعًا جيدًا جدًا للجهاز الفني، وأنه جاهز، ولكن جاهز للعب 60 دقيقة فقط، هو أخذ الوقت المسموح له، نحن نعرف قيمة زيزو، وانضمامه للأهلي إضافة كبيرة، وكل اللاعبين الذين تم التعاقد معهم يمثلون إضافة قوية للفريق”.

Após Benítez, Grêmio pode negociar mais dois jogadores

MatériaMais Notícias

Apesar da presença no G-4 da Série B, o Grêmio continua com o seu olhar para dentro do elenco e pode liberar outros jogadores.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B

Se Benítez é carta fora do baralho, o técnico Roger Machado pode liberar os volantes Thiago Santos e Lucas Silva.

No caso de Thiago Santos, o meio-campista nunca caiu no gosto do torcedor e, devido as atuações irregulares, viu a situação piorar.

Enquanto isso, Lucas Silva recebeu sondagens do futebol norte-americano e a diretoria não vai fazer esforço para segurar.

RelacionadasGrêmioThaciano volta de empréstimo e fala sobre relação com a torcidaGrêmio14/07/2022BahiaVeja o desempenho do Bahia como visitante na Série BBahia14/07/2022ChapecoenseDe saída da Chapecoense, Tiago Real agradece ao clube e projeta novo desafio na carreiraChapecoense14/07/2022

موقف مبابي من مباراة ريال مدريد وسالزبورج في كأس العالم للأندية

شارك الدولي الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد في التدريبات استعدادًا لمباراة سالزبورج في كأس العالم للأندية.

ويواجه ريال مدريد نظيره سالزبورج فجر الجمعة المقبل الموافق 27 يونيو، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وحقق ريال مدريد فوزًا مهمًا في المباراة الماضية على باتشوكا المكسيكي بنتيجة 3/1 بعدما تعادل في الجولة الأولى أمام الهلال السعودي إيجابيًا بنتيجة 1/1.

اقرأ أيضًا | فيجو يرد.. هل يؤثر كأس العالم للأندية على الكرة الذهبية؟

ويحتل ريال مدريد صدارة جدول ترتيب المجموعة الثامنة برصيد 4 نقاط، ويأتي سالزبورج بالمركز الثاني بنفس عدد النقاط، فيما يتواجد الهلال السعودي في المركز الثالث برصيد نقطتين وباتشوكا بالمركز الأخير بلا أي نقطة.

وعاد مبابي إلى تدريبات ريال مدريد مرة أخرى بعد غيابه لمدة 9 أيام بسبب التهابات حادة في المعدة، ودخل على إثرها المستشفى يوم الأربعاء الماضي، ليعلن جاهزيته لمباراة سالزبورج.

Fim da linha? Marlos pode ir embora do Athletico

MatériaMais Notícias

Contratado a peso de ouro no início da temporada, o meia Marlos, de 34 anos, pode ir embora do Athletico nos próximos dias. Com apenas 12 jogos disputados, o jogador está chateado e pretende encerrar o seu contrato para respirar novos ares.

RelacionadasBragantinoHyoran pode ser a novidade do Bragantino diante do Atlético-GOBragantino02/08/2022CruzeiroLucas Oliveira comenta ansiedade para acesso no Cruzeiro: ‘Nos motiva mais’Cruzeiro02/08/2022Futebol InternacionalLeno troca Arsenal por outro clube londrinoFutebol Internacional02/08/2022

+Palmeiras avança por Bruno Tabata, São Paulo acerta com dupla do Grupo City… O Dia do Mercado!

O último jogo de Marlos pelo Athletico ocorreu no dia 26 de maio, quando ajudou o seu time a derrotar o Caracas, na Libertadores.

Petraglia

Em meio ao desejo de ir embora, Marlos foi procurado pelo mandatário do Furacão, Mario Celso Petraglia, que pediu ao atleta para refletir antes de tomar uma decisão.

Romano: "Key player" for Man Utd and Amorim is "staying" at Old Trafford

A Manchester United player who is a “key player for Ruben Amorim” is staying at Old Trafford, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd and Amorim make it back-to-back wins with 3-0 win over Leicester

The Red Devils haven’t had a season to remember under both Erik ten Hag and now Amorim, however, they did make it back-to-back wins with a 3-0 victory at Leicester City on Sunday.

United followed up a Europa League success against Real Sociedad by easing to a win over the Foxes and former player and coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, sealed a welcome victory, however, United’s only chances of silverware between now and May come in the Europa League.

Preparations are already underway ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge at Old Trafford, with a number of star players being linked with moves to Manchester.

Romano: INEOS already "making some calls" to sign key Man Utd upgrade

They’re already looking towards the summer…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 17, 2025

They include Barcelona’s Raphinha, with a £58m offer already made to sign the winger. United will also be looking to keep hold of their important players, and a new update has been shared on Fernandes’s Man Utd future.

Fabrizio Romano shares update on Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd future

Fernandes, who signed a new Man Utd contract until 2027 back in August, was linked with a move to Barcelona and Bayern Munich last summer. The Red Devils captain himself recently admitted he had an offer to leave Man Utd last year.

“I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave. We talked about the possibility of me leaving the club or staying. They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future of the club or not.”

Now, Romano, as reported by Give Me Sport, has revealed that Fernandes will be staying at Man Utd, claiming he “trusts the project” at Old Trafford and is “key” for Amorim.

“Yes, he signed a new deal 8 months ago as he trusts the project and he’s a key player for Ruben Amorim. He’s so important for United and he’s staying.”

This is a welcome piece of news for Man Utd, especially with Fernandes currently in fine form, scoring a hat-trick against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

Bruno Fernandes’ Man Utd stats

Appearances

277

Goals

95

Assists

81

Yellow cards

49

Red cards

3

Minutes played

23,536

Trophies

2

In what has been a difficult season for United, the 30-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions, showing his class, so knowing he’ll be around no matter what next season is a boost for Amorim and Man Utd.

Ghosts of 2019: Warner's Ashes fate remains uncertain

He appears set to feature in the WTC final against India but a poor record in England raises questions

Andrew McGlashan06-Apr-20231:39

Like any player, Warner at the mercy of selection – George Bailey

It remains unclear whether David Warner will be able to chart his own end in Test cricket or if the selectors will make the decision for him over the next few months.He appears locked in to line up in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval in early June, but how much he features after that, including the Ashes, is less certain.There was no surprise that Warner was on CA’s central contract list on Thursday, but national selector George Bailey referenced how that covered all formats – Warner will remain a key figure in the ODI World Cup this year and most likely the 2024 T20 World Cup which could be his international swansong.Related

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“We’re three formats across all of those contracts. Trying to fit that in is first and foremost, the job,” Bailey said. “But I think Dave, like any player is, is at the mercy of selection.”The Ashes is a huge series. And we’ll be looking to pick our best team. We’re going to have to have our best team playing incredibly well too, to challenge England over there the way they’re playing.”Bailey endorsed comments from head coach Andrew McDonald at the end of the India tour which stopped short of cementing Warner in for the Ashes.”The point Andrew was making is that it’s a different team, different way of playing,” Bailey said of the WTC final. “So I support Andrew’s comments on that around David.”Has Warner’s double century bought him time?
Although Warner scored a brilliant double century against South Africa just four Tests ago, it is an outlier in his form over the last three years where he averages 29.48. The spectre of the 2019 Ashes, where he averaged 9.50, also hangs over him.He did not make an impression in three innings on the recent tour of India before being subbed out of the second Test with concussion then leaving the trip with a fractured elbow. Warner was bullish on his future when he returned home, although did acknowledge that things could be taken out of his hands. He has started the IPL in promising form for Delhi Capitals.”I’ve always said I’m playing to 2024; if the selectors feel that I’m not worthy of my spot, then so be it, and I can push on to the white-ball stuff,” he said in February.Last month, Ricky Ponting floated the notion that the WTC final could be a selection playoff for Warner when it comes to his Ashes hopes and also suggested he may have been better off retiring after his home Test at the SCG following the Melbourne double century.Another intriguing element to how Warner’s Test career pans out is the way in which Australia’s Ashes squad will be selected. The tour is effectively being split into two blocks of three matches – the first including the WTC final for which a trimmed group of 15 players will need to be named in late May – with the selectors then reassessing what is required after the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.”We’ll have more information on how the team’s going, the results of the first couple of Ashes Tests, what the brand of cricket looks like and an opportunity to review any changes that will need to be made,” Bailey said.Matt Renshaw has missed a contract but could still come into consideration•Getty Images

Marcus Harris back in pole position
Whether Warner’s Test career finishes in England or he makes it to the next Australia season, there will be an opening vacancy sooner rather than later, and another perhaps not too long after that depending on how long Usman Khawaja’s golden late-career surge continues.The central contract list has put Marcus Harris in pole position to assume one of those roles when he was preferred to Matt Renshaw. Harris averages 25.29 across 14 Tests and, like Warner, had huge problems in England during the 2019 Ashes although has worked hard to develop his game since then.He was unfortunate to lose his place during the 2021-22 Ashes, one match after battling tough conditions at the MCG for 76, when Khawaja had to be accommodated.Renshaw can count himself a touch unlucky on this occasion given how his last few months have panned out. He was in terrific first-class form before the BBL break and earned a Test recall at the SCG, but through a combination of factors had very limited opportunity of time in the middle after that, something he referenced after his century for Australia A in Lincoln.”It feels really strange saying four months was four [first-class] bats, but that’s the way cricket can be,” he said.Cameron Bancroft, the runaway leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield this season, is the other batter frequently talked about. With continued strong returns there is every chance players from outside the contract list will come into consideration.”I agree with [WA coach] Adam Voges, he said post the final that he thinks Cam Bancroft is batting as well as he’s ever seen,” Bailey said. “Think we’d agree with that as a panel as well, so really excited by the form that he’s in and really glad he’s over in England playing.”Matt [Renshaw] was putting a really compelling case at the top of the order as well early on in the year for Queensland then by virtue of being away in India didn’t get much of an opportunity in the back half of the year.”Not being rude to Usman or Dave, but there’s no doubt those two are probably closer to the end than start of their careers so we are going to need some depth and needing all three of those guys performing really well for us. Hopefully they make our decisions incredibly challenging over next little while.”

صور | وزير الرياضة ومحافظ بورسعيد يتفقدان استاد المصري الجديد ويعلنان موعد افتتاحه

أجرى الدكتور أشرف صبحي، وزير الشباب والرياضة، واللواء أ.ح محب حبشي خليل، محافظ بورسعيد، جولة ميدانية لتفقد أعمال إنشاء استاد بورسعيد الرياضي الجديد، بمشاركة عدد من المسؤولين، أبرزهم كامل أبو علي رئيس مجلس إدارة النادي المصري، والنائب محمود حسين، رئيس لجنة الشباب والرياضة بمجلس النواب، وعدد من نواب المحافظة.

وخلال الزيارة، أكد الدكتور أشرف صبحي أن المشروع يمثل نقلة نوعية في البنية التحتية الرياضية بمحافظة بورسعيد، ويعكس توجه الدولة نحو تطوير المنشآت الرياضية وفقًا لأعلى المعايير الدولية، وأشار إلى أن الاستاد الجديد سيفتتح تزامنًا مع الاحتفال بالعيد القومي للمحافظة يوم 23 ديسمبر المُقبل.

وأوضح الوزير أن المشروع يتضمن زيادة في السعة الجماهيرية، واستخدام أفضل أنواع النجيل “هايبرد”، التي لا تتوفر حاليًا إلا في ملاعب كبرى مثل استاد القاهرة والعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة، ما يجعله إضافة مميزة للنادي المصري.

طالع أيضًا | أشرف صبحي يلتقي الأمين العام لـ الاتحاد الإفريقي بسبب مقر الكاف

وأشار صبحي إلى أن المشروع لا يقتصر فقط على الجانب الرياضي، بل يتضمن مكونًا استثماريًا متكاملًا يشمل منشآت خدمية وتجارية وفندقية، ما يسهم في خلق فرص عمل لأبناء بورسعيد وتعزيز الاقتصاد المحلي.

وأكد أن الوزارة استثمرت نحو 54 مليار جنيه خلال السنوات الست الأخيرة في تطوير البنية التحتية الرياضية والشبابية على مستوى الجمهورية.

كما شدد الوزير على أهمية تطبيق أعلى معايير السلامة داخل استاد بورسعيد من خلال تزويده بأحدث أنظمة مكافحة الحريق، مؤكدًا أن المشروع يعكس رؤية الدولة في بناء “الجمهورية الجديدة”، ويأتي في إطار استراتيجية التنمية المستدامة.

من جانبه، وجّه محافظ بورسعيد الشكر لكل من ساهم في المشروع، مشيرًا إلى الجهود المبذولة من جانب وزارة الرياضة ومجلس النواب والنادي المصري، وكذلك الشركة المنفذة والاستشاريين. وأكد أن هناك تواصلاً مستمرًا مع كامل أبو علي بشأن المشروع الاستثماري المصاحب، الذي يعد امتدادًا لحلم طال انتظاره من جماهير بورسعيد، واعدًا بافتتاح تجريبي يليق بتاريخ النادي وأبنائه في ديسمبر المقبل.

England confident weary bowlers will be ready for Lord's

“If he’s available, he will be selected,” McCullum says amid concerns around Moeen’s spinning finger

Matt Roller21-Jun-2023

Moeen Ali inspects the damage to his spinning finger•Getty Images

England hope that a week’s gap between the first and second Ashes Tests will enable their bowling attack time to recover ahead of back-to-back fixtures at Lord’s and Headingley, following a heavy workload at Edgbaston this week.The second men’s Test starts on June 28 at Lord’s and England are only expected to train twice before then, giving their bowlers time to recharge after spending 208.4 overs in the field during their two-wicket defeat to Australia in Birmingham.”Seven days is actually quite a long time to give everyone a good rest,” Ben Stokes, England’s captain, said. “We’ll meet up again in three or four days’ time I think, and we’ll assess how everyone’s going and we’ll have to make a decision from there.”There is particular concern around Moeen Ali’s spinning finger, which he cut open on the second day of the first Test on his return to red-ball cricket following a 21-month absence. Moeen was clearly struggling to grip the ball and only bowled seven overs on the final day – precisely the moment when Stokes would have hoped to lean heavily on his primary spinner.”I told Mo to tell me if his finger was sore, and I’d sensed that it was even before that,” Stokes said. “For him to come back into his first Test match and operate in the way that he did and really put himself through the pain barrier for the team [was great].”You could see what it meant to him going out to play for England again with a huge smile on his face. I selected him for his match-winning moments. He had a few of them with the ball and nearly got us over the line… [The break] gives Mo a good chance for his finger to heal up.”Related

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England are yet to decide if they will call up another spinner as cover for Moeen, but were expected to discuss the possibility on Wednesday. Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks are among the front-runners if they decide to do so. They may also consider fielding a four-man seam attack at Lord’s, not least after Joe Root’s tidy returns with his offbreaks across the first Test – though Brendon McCullum said that Moeen would play if available.”I thought Mo did a great job,” McCullum said. “He bowled a couple of absolute jaffas in the game and that was what his role was, to try and make breakthroughs when he had the opportunity with the ball, and with the bat, to try to disrupt it a little bit. I thought he did that pretty well too.”We’ll monitor Mo’s finger over the next few days and hopefully he’ll come right for the next one. You have planning for everyone… but I’m pretty confident that over the next few days, we can get on top of Mo’s finger and that’ll give us an opportunity to select him in the next game. If he’s available, he will be selected.”Stokes marked Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson out for putting in “incredible” shifts on the last evening but James Anderson, for so long the leader of England’s attack, had an off-game. He returned match figures of 1 for 109 and was overlooked when England took the second new ball in the final stages of the Test.Speaking before play started on Tuesday, Anderson admitted to Sky Sports that he was “still searching for a bit of rhythm” on his return from a groin niggle that kept him out for over a month, including England’s 10-wicket win over Ireland.James Anderson chats with Ben Stokes•PA Photos/Getty Images

“It’s been difficult,” Anderson added. “I feel like I do need a bit of game time to get back into it and it has been five-six weeks since I last played. I feel like I’ve bowled OK but I definitely feel like there’s more there.”Mark Wood, overlooked for the first Test, will come into contention at Lord’s.Stokes himself bowled seven overs in each innings and took two vital wickets, trapping Steven Smith lbw in the first innings and inducing a chop-on from Usman Khawaja in the second with a leg cutter. He hardly celebrated Khawaja’s dismissal – “I was absolutely flying on caffeine,” he explained – but said he saw his bowling workload as “a massive boost”.”I’ve put my body through more than it’s actually been through over the last year, which is obviously great signs for myself and another confidence boost for me,” Stokes said. “Getting through that, knowing we’ve still got four games coming up has given me a massive boost.”I can’t remember the last time I’ve sort of been able to continually bowl. I was just really happy that I was able to get a good long spell in, and I just love being in that situation. I love bowling long spells, especially when the game’s on the line.”

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