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Harry Kane has delivered an update on how his German lessons are going, with the Bayern Munich superstar still in the process of becoming bilingual. The England captain stepped out of his professional comfort zone in 2023 when completing a move to the Allianz Arena. His communication skills are improving, but there is still work to be done on the linguistics front.

• Farewell to England: Why Bayern move was made

  Having become Tottenham’s all-time leading goalscorer, Kane sought a new challenge once it became apparent that major silverware would be difficult to come by in his homeland. He opted to go trophy-chasing with Bayern.

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  Curse lifted! Kane scoring for fun in trophy triumphs

  A first major honour of his career was secured last season, when becoming a Bundesliga title winner, with Supercup success being savoured since then. Kane has done much of his talking on the field, with remarkable individual standards being maintained in Munich.

• Back to school: Language lessons being taken

  He is, having relocated alongside his wife and children, doing his best to communicate with those around him in their native language. That is not a quick or easy process, with the 32-year-old striker happy to admit that he is still far from fluent.

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  Communication skills: Kane understands some German

  Asking about how his schooling is going when it comes to learning a new language, Kane told his channel: “The German is okay. I’ve got a lesson after training today. Just getting back into it. I pick up some words now and then and can understand a few things, but just have to keep practising.”

Manchester City lost one of their key players over the summer. Kevin De Bruyne departed the club after a decade, leaving as one of the all-time great players, not only in City’s history, but in the entirety of the Premier League, given his record and the fact that he is a six-time champion.

He featured 422 times for the Citizens in total, scoring 108 goals and assisting a remarkable 117 times. His loss is certainly going to impact City, as the Belgian legend embarks on a new adventure for Scudetto winners Napoli, under Antonio Conte.

With De Bruyne gone, City will need to replace him well to ensure they maximise the likes of Erling Haaland. In recent days, a shock link has emerged for Pep Guardiola’s side.

City’s latest transfer targets

It will be fascinating to see just how much money City spend before the end of the 2025 summer transfer window. Reports in recent days suggest they are plotting an ambitious £85m move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Brazilian might not be the only marquee player through the door at the Etihad Stadium before the window slams shut. According to talkSPORT, they are ‘contemplating a stunning hijack’ for Chelsea’s deal to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.

The Dutchman has been a long-term target for the West Londoners this summer and has agreed personal terms, but City could ‘come in and try to complete a deal themselves’, with no fee yet agreed.

Leipzig are looking for £60m, and with Chelsea around £10m, it could give City a chance to hijack the move.

Why Simons would be a good signing

There is no doubt that Simons is a hugely exciting talent. The Leipzig attacker, who can play right across the frontline, has shone in the last couple of years for the German side, and was once described as a “sensation” by football scout Antonio Mango.

Last season, the youngster, who is still just 22 years of age, played 33 times for Leipzig, scoring 11 times and assisting a further eight goals. He struggled with an ankle injury and missed a large portion of the season between October and December.

Some of his stats from the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign are impressive and show his ability to create chances in the final third. For example, the former Barcelona academy star averaged 5.86 progressive passes and 2.13 key passes each game, placing him in the top 5% and 15% respectively.

Goals and assists

0.67

84th

Progressive passes

5.86

95th

Key passes

2.13

85th

Carries into final third

2.97

97th

Ball recoveries

5.36

9th

It is that kind of creativity that will serve Haaland well. The Norwegian striker has been a revelation for City and has a sensational record for the club. In 146 games, he’s found the back of the net 124 times, chipping in with 21 assists.

Yet, taking a player with the quality of De Bruyne out of the City team would surely impact Haaland if they don’t replace him well. The pair combined for 25 goals, and Haaland has never linked up with a player more times in his career, as per Transfermarkt.

It is certainly a big job for Simons if he were to step into De Bruyne’s shoes this season. Just looking at the numbers he managed to put up with Haaland shows just how dominant the pair were together.

Yet, the Dutchman, who was born in Amsterdam, has put up some fantastic numbers over the past couple of seasons and is a consistent chase creator, as the above number showed. It is easy to imagine Haaland getting on the end of passes such as this one to new Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko.

Of course, £60m is a huge investment for City to make, given they have bought a lot of players already this summer. Yet, they need a quality De Bruyne replacement, and Simons has the ability to become that player.

Haaland would love a new De Bruyne this season, and perhaps City have found their answer in the talented young Dutchman.

He’s Balotelli 2.0: Viana exploring Man City move to sign £43m "phenom"

Man City are still not done in the summer transfer window

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 13, 2025

Leeds United have now submitted a proposal for an “insane” forward, who is now keen on a move to Elland Road this summer, according to a report.

Leeds eyeing new forwards amid Joseph and Bamford uncertainty

Daniel Farke has now made it clear that Mateo Joseph has expressed a desire to move on this summer, with the manager saying: “With him the situation is quite clear. We really value and rate him – otherwise we wouldn’t have played him, especially in the beginning of the last successful campaign ahead of a golden boot winner in Joel Piroe and an experienced striker like Patrick Bamford.

“Nevertheless, he came to me and asked for a new challenge and would like to move. He has also hinted that he prefers a move to Spain due to his Spanish roots. That was his call.”

It is starting to look increasingly likely the striker will leave, given that Farke has no plans to stand in his way, and he is not the only Leeds centre-forward that could be on the move, with widespread reports suggesting Patrick Bamford’s time at Elland Road could be over.

Better than Muniz: 49ers open first talks to sign "ridiculous" CF for Leeds

Leeds United might prefer to clinch a deal for this ridiculous striker over chasing after Rodrigo Muniz.

5 ByKelan Sarson Jul 23, 2025

As a result, one of Farke’s main tasks will be to bring in a new striker this summer, but the manager is also keen on bringing in a new winger, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon recently re-entering the frame as a potential option.

Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao has also emerged as a target for the Whites, and there has now been a promising new update on their pursuit of the forward, with The Yorkshire Evening Post revealing he likes the idea of playing for Leeds in the Premier League.

The newly-promoted side have now submitted an official proposal to the representatives of Paixao, and his entourage were impressed by Leeds’ presentation, indicating that a deal could be possible.

In a further update, it has now been revealed the Whites have submitted a formal €35m (£30m) offer for the forward’s services, which is close to Feyenoord’s asking price.

"Insane" Paixao could be statement signing for Leeds

Having only just achieved promotion from the Championship, Farke’s side would be making a real statement if they were able to sign the 25-year-old, given the level of his performances for Feyenoord last season.

The Brazilian was the driving force behind his club recording a third-place finish in the Eredivisie, collecting 16 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances, while also picking up seven goal contributions in 11 Champions League outings.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also likened the Eredivisie star to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, in light of his “insane” ball striking ability, and he is very impressive at dribbling in tight spaces.

It is clear that Paixao could make a real impact in Leeds’ battle for survival next season, so it is exciting news that a deal could very much be on the cards.

Although Smith has opened for Australia after Warner’s retirement, Hayden believes the team is better off utilising him at his best batting positions – Nos. 3 and 4

Vishal Dikshit22-Aug-20241:42

Smith happy to open or bat at No. 4 against India

Former Australia opening batter Matthew Hayden is against the idea of Steven Smith playing as a Test opener. Hayden believes Smith should bat where he has scored most of his runs, suggesting moving him to a “completely different position” is “crazy”. Hayden, Australia’s most prolific opener in Tests before David Warner went past him in December 2023, believes that the top three positions need to be “protected” in Test cricket.”The rationale that [national selector] George Bailey gave was correct in so far as that he was choosing his best top six batsmen,” Hayden said on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, of Australia’s batting plans. “Now, you can’t argue with Steven Smith, he is averaging 65 [57] in Test-match cricket…. 32 Test-match hundreds.”But, the role of an opening batsman compared to a middle-order batsman is very different. And it didn’t take long to discover that when you get into challenging conditions, like they faced in the first series outside of Australia, which was in New Zealand, that opening the batting is very difficult.”Smith played as an opener for the first time in his Test career earlier this year. First, during the two home Tests against West Indies and then in New Zealand for another two games. In those eight innings, he was out for 12 or less on five occasions and scored just one half-century – the unbeaten 91 in Brisbane – at an average of 28.50. In comparison, he averages 67.07 from No. 3 and 61.50 from No. 4.Related

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“I, personally, as I said at the time, was on record saying that I didn’t like changing,” Hayden added. “I think it’s crazy to think that you have the world’s best-in-class batter in a certain position. And then you change to a completely different position. For a few reasons, I think that’s crazy. Firstly, why? Such a gun in that position, such a coveted player.”And then it also is not a great nod to the first-class set-up, which is very much in the Australian culture, been driving great results towards key roles, be that any one of the roles – wicketkeeping, batting, spinners, fast bowlers, opening batters. So the [batting positions of] one, two and three is a category which needs to be protected in my opinion. It sets up play.”If Australia do move Smith back down the order, they will have to look for a new partner for opener Usman Khawaja. Since Warner’s farewell Test at the SCG at the start of this year, Smith and Khawaja have opened in all of Australia’s four Tests, and moving Smith out of the opening slot would mean giving that position to an inexperienced batter. Has that second opening slot been a concern for Australia after Warner’s departure?Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja have been the Australia openers since David Warner’s retirement•Getty Images

“Yes, it is. It is,” Hayden said. “For the first time, it doesn’t feel as secure. David Warner gave a great service to Australian cricket. He gave a service that was extremely competitive, wonderfully dynamic. He really took that legacy that I’d created through the 2000s to a new level, strike rates in excess of 80 [70] and gave great momentum to the top order, which otherwise is quite a conservative, very good, but very conservative batting line-up. So I think he’s an enormous loss in terms of how do you replace him.”Clearly, they’ve gone in the direction of Steven Smith and thus far, whether they continue with that strategy, time will tell. And we have guys like [Cameron] Bancroft that are always in the pipeline, Matt Renshaw is in the pipeline.”Bancroft, when you look at his form in England, has been excellent, but that’s domestic cricket. It’s not the Border-Gavaskar-type cricket so a bit of a few things to really prove from that engine room in Australian cricket, which has been challenged right now with David’s absence.”Smith himself has said recently that he has “no idea” about his batting position for the India Tests, and that a decision would be made after Australia’s white-ball tour of the UK starting September 4, where they play a T20I series against Scotland before three T20Is and five ODIs against England. “I’m happy anywhere and I’ll bat wherever for the team,” Smith had said. Both Cummins and Bailey have also recently hinted that Australia are likely to go with the same top six as their last four Tests to begin their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign.

Maia Bouchier led the way with a career-best 93 as Southern Vipers warmed up for the defence of their title with a crushing 113-run victory over South East Stars in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.The 25-year-old opener needed just 55 balls to make the second-highest score in this season’s competition as Vipers posted 179 for five in a game between two sides who were already through to Finals Day in Derby on Saturday.Stars finished second after suffering only their second defeat in the group stage but they will need to regroup having been bowled out for just 66, the second-lowest completed total in this season’s competition. Charlie Dean led the way with 3 for 5, Linsey Smith took 3 for 12 and Charli Knott 2 for 11 as nine of the wickets fell to spin.A crowd of 3,000 including children from 70 local schools generated a lively atmosphere and Bouchier treated them to a special innings with shots all around the wicket.A curious powerplay saw Vipers reach 50 for one with Bouchier hitting 32 off those runs from just seven balls. She hit the first five deliveries of the fourth over from Emily Jones to the boundary before twice lofting Tash Farrant over the ropes in the sixth.In between there was a maiden from 16-year-old left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who again impressed with her control and picked up a deserve wicket when Knott was beaten in the flight.Bouchier reached her fifty off 27 balls during a productive stand of 76 in nine overs with skipper Georgia Adams.Adams made the most of being put down by Alexa Stonehouse on 13 – a difficult chance as she ran in from deep backward square – to contribute 39 before an attempted ramp was held at backward point.It gave Farrant a second wicket after she’d picked up Danni Wyatt in the second over with a slower ball that Wyatt chipped to mid-on.Bouchier seemed to be making serene progress to a hundred, but in the 16th over she made her only mistake, missing a reverse sweep to give Stars’ skipper Bryony Smith a wicket with her second ball. Bouchier hit 11 fours and three sixes.Freya Kemp swelled the total with 30 off 14 balls at the end and Stars’ miserable chase never recovered after they lost three wickets in the powerplay.Smith looked like she meant business, taking four boundaries off Freya Davies in the opening over of the reply. But after she was stumped for 22 trying to hit slow left-armer Linsey Smith over the top in the second over the innings nosedived. The next highest contribution was Stonehouse’s nine.Paige Schofield missed a sweep, Smith picked up Tarrant and Kalea Moore in the final over of the powerplay before Dean added to Stars’ pain by bowling Alice Davidson-Richards and Jones with successive balls in the ninth over.There was no way back for Stars from 44 for 6 and off-spinner Knott finished things off in the 14th over.

As Barcelona advance in their bid to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams this summer, the chances of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz moving to LaLiga dwindle considerably.

Earlier in June, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed La Blaugrana had seen a formal approach for the Colombian rebuffed, with FSG unequivocal in their response: Diaz is not for sale this summer.

While transfer stances are pliable things, it does seem silly to let Diaz leave for anything less than a mammoth fee. Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon has been touted as a potential successor, but would the Three Lions star truly represent an upgrade, especially as he would cost up to £100m?

Coming off the back of his most productive campaign for Liverpool, and a title-winning term at that, the 28-year-old Diaz has also aroused the attention of Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, who would be more inclined to meet Anfield’s £70m valuation of the star.

If he does leave, Cody Gakpo at least provides Arne Slot with an existing presence on the left wing. Moreover, Florian Wirtz is Anfield-bound, and he’s more than capable of playing off the wide strip.

The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool

Liverpool have pulled a blinder in securing Wirtz’s signature. The deal, which could rise to a British-record £116m fee, has been agreed, but not yet finalised, with a medical slated for Friday.

Despite concrete interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, Liverpool have entered the final stages of a record transfer that should seal their position at the highest rung of a ladder which dangles over the scope of European football.

Typically placed as a central attacking midfielder, the German international ranked among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

He’d raise the level of any forward he plays with, and while Diaz would go from strength to strength alongside Wirtz next season, should he leave, there’s another who may benefit from the Leverkusen superstar’s prowess.

Liverpool make approach for new forward

As per esteemed French outlet L’Equipe, Liverpool have entered the race for winger Malick Fofana, though Chelsea are leading the race, having already established direct contacts with Lyon for the 20-year-old.

However, Liverpool have now held talks with the representatives of Malick Fofana too, though they have joined a battle consisting of Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

Fofana’s fast ascent to prominence in Ligue 1 has caught the eye of several Premier League heavy hitters, and while he’s been priced at €50m (£43m), this stands far lower than what FSG would have to fork out for someone like Newcastle’s Gordon.

What Malick Fofana would bring to Liverpool

Belgian prospect Fofana may still be in the fledgling phase of a promising career, but he’s already proved he has the clean finishing and robust motions of a player capable of succeeding in the Premier League.

Joining Lyon from KAA Gent in January 2024, Fofana scored three times in the French top flight before the end of the 2023/24 term, only starting four matches.

Last season, though, he reached new levels while starting the year as a teenager, posting 11 goals and six assists across 41 matches.

In the French first division, he certainly demonstrated his aptitude, scoring five goals and assisting four more despite only starting 16 times. With only four big chances missed and six big chances created himself, there’s a lot to like, with the speedy star almost economical in his play, making smart choices.

As per FBref, he actually ranked among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for non-penalty goals scored, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 14% for touches in the attacking box per 90.

As is probably clear, he’s a naturally potent threat, looking to drive up the pitch and into the penalty area with fleet feet before striking on goal. Fofana has been described as a “game-changer” by journalist Antonio Mango, and it’s clear to see why.

The wideman’s performances, interestingly, have seen FBref draw up Gordon as one of his most comparable players, and so for a portion of the fee, surely this would be the track to head down for Liverpool?

He might be unrefined, but Gakpo resides in the Merseyside squad and, more to the point, Wirtz will soon be settled into the way of life at Liverpool, thus providing an electric talent such as Fofana with an elite supply line to direct toward the end of his darting runs.

For a Liverpool side whose creativity levels already rank as the best that the Premier League has seen in recent years, this is a tantalising thought that will become an exciting reality for the Reds faithful.

Premier League – Most Big Chances Created

Season

Team

BCC

24/25

Liverpool

112

23/24

Liverpool

102

22/23

Liverpool & Man City

103

21/22

Liverpool

97

20/21

Liverpool

82

Data via Premier League

Across the past four Bundesliga campaigns, Wirtz has averaged 2.4 key passes or higher per game three times, which is an incredible achievement and a clear depiction of the magic of Liverpool’s new addition.

His genius ball-playing and -carrying skills would be the perfect fit for any player worth their salt, but for Fofana, a raw talent with blistering pace and an already established prolific sense, Liverpool truly could be the perfect stomping ground for him to take the next step in his development, especially as the aforementioned Gakpo will ease any sense of being overburdened.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.Override

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If Liverpool sell Diaz and replace him with Fofana, they will be turning a profit while providing Wirtz with a forward to direct his playmaking skills toward for many years to come. What’s not to like?

Related He's better than Gordon: Liverpool among favourites to sign £77m winger

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Posts 4 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 17, 2025

While the fans and team will have their full attention on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next week, the Arsenal board will already be planning for what could be a blockbuster summer of transfer business.

Last year, Mikel Arteta and Co shifted a lot of the club’s unwanted players for good money, but they didn’t really strengthen the first team enough to sustain a successful title challenge this season.

It looks like it’s going to be a totally different story this year, with links to top-level attackers like Viktor Gyokeres, Ollie Watkins and Nico Williams coming in from every direction.

However, while the frontline certainly needs addressing, the midfield could be just as important, and it seems like the club agrees; a recent report has touted one of the most exciting midfielders in world football for a move to the Emirates, a player who might just be able to get the best back out of Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal's midfield targets

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at a couple of the other midfielders that Arsenal are said to be interested in, such as Hugo Larsson.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Reportedly available for around £51m, the Eintracht Frankfurt gem would undoubtedly be an investment for the future, but with respected analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a “transitional monster” and comparing him to a young Jude Bellingham, he might just be one worth making.

However, the far more likely acquisition would undoubtedly be Martin Zubimendi.

The Spanish international has long been touted for a move to the Gunners, and based on more recent reports, it appears the club themselves are confident of getting their man.

However, perhaps the most exciting link of them all has been to Frenkie de Jong.

According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are now one of several Premier League sides interested in the Dutch international.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Liverpool and Manchester City are also keen on the player.

While no price is mentioned in the story, it is said that Barcelona are being forced to consider selling him as no progress has been made on his renewal.

It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given his immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could help revive Odegaard.

Why De Jong would be perfect for Odegaard

So, if Arsenal are able to get ahead of the chasing pack and get their man, why would he be an ideal partner for Odegaard?

There are two key reasons for this; the first is his defensive qualities.

While the Dutchman is now primarily an eight and would likely join as such, he’s got plenty of experience playing as a six – making 132 appearances there – and so, were he to chip in with the defensive work alongside Declan Rice, that might allow the captain to focus all of his energy and focus at the sharp end of the pitch.

The second reason is that, on top of his defensive abilities, the former Ajax star is an incredibly technical and gifted midfielder, with former manager Xavi going as far as describing him as “one of the best players in the world.”

It’s not hard to see where the Spanish legend is coming from either, as the 27-year-old’s underlying numbers are nothing short of spectacular.

For example, FBref places him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, for goals per shot, pass completion, goal-creating actions from take-ons, progressive carrying distance, carries into the final third, the top 2% for passes completed and goal-creating actions, the top 3% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.

So, just imagine a vastly experienced international who currently captains Barça, who can influence the game in almost all areas of the pitch playing alongside the North Londoners’ number eight – he’d undoubtedly improve as well.

Ultimately, it would be a complicated and costly transfer to get done, but with how much of a difference De Jong could make to Odegaard’s career and Arsenal overall, Arteta and Co must do what they can to get it done.

Mega Kiwior upgrade: Arsenal initiate talks for "superb" £34m monster

The experienced international could be just what Arsenal need.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 2, 2025

Arsenal have now held positive talks over a deal for a £61m striker, with discussions set to continue over the next few weeks, according to a report.

Gunners' striker pursuit heating up

The Gunners proved they have what it takes to compete without an out-and-out striker against Real Madrid last week, chalking up an extraordinary 3-0 victory against the reigning European champions, but it is clear Mikel Arteta wants to bring in a new option this summer.

Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is one of the names on the shortlist, with a £87m offer for the Swedish forward in the works, while a stunning £129m bid for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez is also being prepared, as the Argentine is now considered a top target.

Other strikers who have received widespread links to the Emirates Stadium include Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, and the latter was said to be very keen on moving to north London during the January transfer window.

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Posts 1 ByBen Gray Apr 13, 2025

There has now been a positive development in Arsenal’s pursuit of Sesko, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing they have now cleared an important obstacle in their pursuit of the striker by holding positive talks with his entourage.

The Gunners have been in direct talks with the Slovenian’s representatives, and the outcome was positive, which indicates he could be keen on a summer move to the Emirates Stadium, but he will not come cheap.

The 21-year-old is protected by a £61m release clause in his RB Leipzig contract, which could increase slightly based on how he performs for the German side.

Regardless, the north Londoners are seriously keen on the young striker, and discussions are set to continue over the next few weeks.

"Monster" Sesko impressing for Leipzig

The Slovenia international has established himself as a very important player for Leipzig this season, making 40 appearances in all competitions, during which he has amassed 19 goals, including four in the Champions League.

Such is the starlet’s ability, he has been lauded as a “monster” by freelance scout Ben Mattinson, while reporter Sam Dean believes he could be a good fit for the Gunners, given that he possesses qualities very few of Arteta’s players have.

Sesko’s eye for goal could make him a fantastic addition to Arteta’s squad, having vastly outperformed his non-penalty xG over the past year, so it is exciting news that the move is now advancing.

Afghanistan could pose the toughest challenge yet in spin-friendly St Vincent, although there will be memories of Mumbai for both sides

Andrew McGlashan22-Jun-20242:40

Moody: Warner showed why Australia picked him in World Cup

Pat Cummins took a hat trick, Mitchell Starc set a new record, Adam Zampa was again outstanding and David Warner’s farewell lap continued with more runs. At nearly every turn against Bangladesh, Australia’s World Cup credentials oozed from their performance.The fact the opposition sat back and barely landed a blow in return aided a comfortable outing for Australia, but on the flip side their well-oiled game barely gave Bangladesh the opportunity to do so. The one blip so far has been an indifferent fielding display against Scotland – in a game that had no consequence for Australia – and that was alleviated when Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis put on a show.The problems, or concerns, also do not seem insurmountable. Captain Mitchell Marsh remains low on runs – although he was a little unfortunate with a stump-grazing lbw against Bangladesh – but is leading the side impressively in his first major assignment. Glenn Maxwell’s form remains in the spotlight, stemming back to the IPL where he averaged 5.77, but even in a very small sample size of six balls in Antigua, there was a glimpse that perhaps he is finding his groove.Related

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Another World Cup, another bagful of wickets for 'Pretty Good' Zampa

Warner leads Australia's charge after the Zampa-Cummins show

“I think tonight I just went in with a really clear mindset to sort of be a little bit more proactive and a bit more trusting I suppose in my foundations and what I do really well,” Maxwell said of his brief innings against Bangladesh. “I know I reverse well; I know I play spin well when I’m busy on my feet and moving forward and back and when I’m just looking at gaps in the field and adapting to what comes in front of me, I can get into my innings relatively comfortably.Pat Cummins became the seventh man and second Australian to take a hat-trick in men’s T20 World Cup•ICC/Getty Images”Even just thinking back, I feel like I might have even got sucked into a little bit of the pace of play during the IPL where you’re sort of set up as a power-hitter. And that’s [where] all your sort of focus goes towards and you’re thinking more about hitting boundaries every ball instead of still playing your strengths and tonight sort of went back to I suppose what I do really well is start my innings with good cricketing shots, back my ability to manipulate fields and try and stick to that.”Australia’s next outing, however, has the potential to be the trickiest yet. Even though Afghanistan were turned over by India, conditions in St Vincent should suit them if the pitch turns anything like it has done so far. Not that Australia are without options in that area – Exhibit One: Zampa – but in Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan have a spin attack to cause problems. If there is uneven bounce, don’t ignore the quicks either, with Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the tournament wicket-taking.”It feels like every ground has its different little idiosyncrasies,” Maxwell said. “This [Antigua] is a slow outfield with a howling breeze to a short boundary. Barbados can be fifty-fifty on the wicket, can be slow. As we’ve seen, St. Vincent is going to be spinny and might be a slightly quicker outfield. So, there’s so many different changes.”It feels like you’re going to a completely different part of the world every ground that you go to, and you’ve got to adapt and change. I think that’s just the way our team’s gone. It feels like we’ve been the quickest ones to adapt to the conditions throughout the tournament. I’m sure that’s going to probably hold true for the last few games. The team that adapts the quickest will come out victorious.”Will the events of Mumbai have an effect on either side?•AFP/Getty Images”We’ve kind of ticked off everything we have we could possibly do so far,” Cummins succinctly put it after the Bangladesh outing, adding it felt like Warner is “always up there” in the run charts at World Cups and that Starc, who is now the leading wicket-taker across both the 50- and 20-over events, has “stood up when we needed [him] to in big moments.”Speaking before the Bangladesh game, Ricky Ponting touched on Australia’s tournament mentality. “I think other teams feel that Australia are going to lift for the bigger games, so they try harder and do things differently,” he said. “I think India in the [ODI] World Cup final is a great example of that – they got away from what they’d done right the way through, tried too hard and it cost them. Australia know what they need to do – they stay in control of things and turn up ready to play every game.”Australia know how to win World Cups. Afghanistan pose a significant threat, but memories of what happened in Mumbai last year won’t be far away for either side. Even in the high-jeopardy world of T20, it will take a very good performance to stop them doing it again.

It was a contest for the ages, and ended in dramatic circumstances – with Virat Kohli at the centre of it. Here’s how the cricket community reacted

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2022

Geeze I don’t think I can ever recall a better game of T20 cricket than what we’ve just seen at the MCG. Amazing stuff from both teams. Virat’s dig one of a kind.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) October 23, 2022