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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has confirmed his side will be active in January after agreeing a £35 million deal with Crystal Palace to sell Brennan Johnson, with the Wales international now poised to make a decision on his immediate future.

The north London club are already lining up potential replacements as they prepare for the Europa League hero’s departure, with multiple targets identified to fill the void left by last season’s top scorer.

Frank reiterated in a press conference today that Spurs will be on the hunt for new signings in January, following Monday’s breakthrough in negotiations with Palace.

Johnson has struggled for regular football under the Dane, despite scoring 18 goals across all competitions last term, including the winner in the Europa League final against Man United that ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought.

Palace have emerged as frontrunners to land the 24-year-old after striking terms with Tottenham, though Bournemouth, Everton and Sunderland could also make a late move (Fabrizio Romano).

The Cherries in particular are ready to match Palace’s offer as they desperately seek a replacement for Antoine Semenyo, who is on the verge of joining Man City.

Johnson has started just six Premier League matches this season after Mohammed Kudus arrived from West Ham and immediately established himself as Frank’s preferred right-wing option.

Now, with the Welshman close to departing N17, Frank’s side are weighing up possible heirs.

One of them could be RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande, who has enjoyed a stellar 2025/2026 thus far after emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s standout talents.

Yan Diomande's camp tempted to join Tottenham after talks

BBC journalist Sami Mokbel reported today that Diomande is on Spurs’ list of potential Johnson replacements, with TEAMtalk now sharing a further update.

According to their sources, Tottenham have held ‘very advanced’ discussions with Diomande’s entourage over a potential January transfer as the north London club prepares to lose Johnson.

The 19-year-old is ‘firmly’ on Frank’s radar to bolster his attacking options amid Johnson’s imminent departure, and they’ve also scouted him extensively.

What’s more, it is believed that Diomande’s camp view Spurs as an ‘attractive destination’ thanks to the playing time on offer.

The teenager has made an immediate impression in Germany since arriving from Spanish side Leganes last summer.

Diomande has registered seven goals and four assists across all competitions this season, earning widespread recognition as one of the German top flight’s most exciting prospects.

His current involvement at AFCON with the Ivory Coast could delay any potential transfer though, with the winger unlikely to be available until mid-January at the earliest if his nation progresses deep into the tournament.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Spurs transfer insight Get the newsletter for deeper transfer-market analysis around Tottenham’s January plans — scout-style player breakdowns, implications for the squad, and how targets like Yan Diomande fit the profile, plus broader transfer-market context.

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Leipzig have placed a massive valuation on the forward too, with reports suggesting a fee of around £87 million would be required to secure his services.

Ole Werner’s side are under no immediate financial pressure to sell either, having negotiated lucrative sales last summer, and Diomande remains contracted until 2030 with no release clause inserted into his deal.

Competition for the winger’s signature remains fierce across Europe.

Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Barcelona have all expressed interest in recent weeks, with multiple clubs dispatching scouts to monitor his performances as well as Spurs.

Diomande’s turning heads, and it appears almost every top side in the land is weighing up a move beyond the new year.

Related Tottenham ready to offer £35m for star immediately after he is sold for £20m

Spurs are plotting way in advance…

Posts ByBen Goodwin

Brett Lee won’t be able to look to Glenn McGrath or Shane Warne anymore © Getty Images

Don’t expect Brett Lee to change his bowling approach despite his promotion to attack leader following the retirement of Glenn McGrath. Australia’s new-look unit will have its first assignment against Sri Lanka on November 8 and Lee will take control with Stuart Clark and, probably, Mitchell Johnson by his side.While Lee has had the extra responsibility in the one-day game over the past couple of years, even when McGrath was around, he has had only short-term stints in charge during McGrath’s Test absences. “It’s great to have that role as a strike bowler,” Lee said in the Australian, “but I’m not going to change my game in any way, shape or form to try and adapt to that.”John Buchanan, the former Australia coach, expects Lee to enjoy the duty. “I see that Glenn McGrath has told him it’s his turn to step up to the plate, to be the lead bowler,” he said. “He certainly has the experience.”Lee, who has returned strongly from ankle surgery, learned a lot during the 2003-04 series against India, when he bowled without McGrath in two Tests. It was a horrible experience as he struggled for impact and finished the contest with figures of 4 for 201 and 0 for 75 in the final game at Sydney.India arrive in December and Lee is already looking past the two-match series with Sri Lanka. “They’re great batsmen to bowl against, and if you want to improve your cricket, you always put yourself against the best and that’s the Indian batsmen,” Lee said in the Sydney Morning Herald. “We’ve definitely got our work cut out but we have got a great side and we’ve got that depth and the right structure in place.”He also said life would be different without McGrath and Shane Warne. “In the hard Test matches we’ve always thought we can always turn to Glenn or Shane to try to take a wicket and actually get that breakthrough,” he said. “But now we haven’t got that. We are looking to guys like Stuey Clark or Mitchell Johnson, if he gets the opportunity, or Stuey MacGill, or whoever it might be.”

A cracker on the cards: Andrew Flintoff will have to factor in the smog and decibel-levels as well in the do-or-die clash against the old enemy on Diwali day © Getty Images

Andrew Flintoff could have done with a fly-swatter while addressing themedia on the eve of England’s knock-out game against Australia. As heanswered a variety of questions – ranging from the Ashes to hisshirt-waving spectacle at Mumbai in 2002 and the Diwali fireworks expectedtomorrow – Flintoff couldn’t but swing his arms, trying to keep out thepests that swarmed around him.During the game tomorrow, especially after sunset, he might feel likeblocking his nose and stuffing his ears. The flies may keep away but theexplosive fire-crackers – a part and parcel of Diwali, the festivalof lights – is likely to pose a share of problems. Locals estimate thatthe pollution levels (both air and noise) increase by 200% on Diwali day.Both captains warned that there’s still a while to go before the event butthere’ll be plenty of ashes around the city tomorrow.The cloud of smoke that’s likely to envelope the city might well affectthe dew factor, an issue that’s slowly becoming one of the talking pointsof the tournament. Pakistan benefited from the film of dew while chasingagainst Sri Lanka but whether there will be dew to the same extent tomorrow, with thenight skies set alight, remains the question. Added to that is the possibility ofshowers – Australia’s practice session was slightly delayed owing toearly-morning rain. Modern cricket teams are accompanied by a sizeablesupport staff but it’s high time someone appointed a permanentmeteorologist.”Some days the dew’s been a factor, some days it’s not,” said a slightlybemused Flintoff when asked about how he went about practicing for thedew. “I don’t think there’s any hard and fast way to find out when it’sgoing to come down. In the game we played against India, I don’t think thedew came down a great deal. It’s something we’ve to look at on the day,after seeing overhead conditions.”England are no doubt preparing themselves for fielding under lights, withthe prospect of having to bowl and field with a soggy ball. “We had afielding practice before the India game,” said Flintoff as he continuedhis battle with the flies,” and we’re having another session underfloodlights tonight. It’s something we’ve come across before – we’veplayed under floodlights in England and the dew plays a part in SouthAfrica as well.”As far as tactics go, it’s pretty much the same really. A good area tobowl is a good area to bowl. You need to bowl pretty straight, thatdoesn’t change if the dew comes in. Sometimes you get a bit more swing, orball may seam a bit more but the areas you put the ball is prettysimilar.”Irrespective of the atmospherics, England are likely to stick to the sameXI that played the first game. The spinners – Michael Yardy and JamieDalrymple – were impressive against India while the seamers did their bitto make a meagre total into a challenging one. What England couldn’t doagainst India, and what they can’t do without tomorrow, is to raise theirintensity and Flintoff underlined the importance of an aggressiveapproach. “Australia are a fine side and remain favourites going into it,”he added. “But both sides have lost first and I don’t think they’ll be.We’ll try and take Australia on and see what happens.”Statistics don’t reveal much. The two teams have encountered each otherjust twice on Indian conditions: first at the famous World Cup final in 1987, when Mike Gatting reverse-swept England to their doom, and next atthe Nehru Cup in 1989, when a Wayne Larkins hundred steered England home.Ultimately it will come down to the team that holds its nerve, gas-masksand ear-muffs best. It promises to be a cracker, in more ways than one.England (likely): 1 Andrew Strauss, 2 Ian Bell, 3 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Michael Yardy, 7 Jamie Dalrymple, 8 Chris Read (wk), 9 James Anderson, 10 Sajid Mahmood, 11 Steve Harmison.

Can Sourav Ganguly come through this challenge as well? © Getty Images

The fact that it’s the centenary year of Kumar Duleepsinhji adds a historical tinge to this season’s Duleep Trophy, which starts on October 20, but there is another prince who will be the centre of attention as East Zone take on North in the opening game at Rajkot. Simultaneously, South will play West at Baroda, in what is likely to be the more competitive of the two contests, but the events at Rajkot could have a huge bearing on the future of Indian cricket and will inevitably make the headlines.Recently dethroned from the Indian captaincy, and left out for the opening games of the series against Sri Lanka, Sourav Ganguly faces another crucial juncture in a career filled with such defining moments. Having just recovered from a mild tennis elbow, he will have to counter an effective pace attack, prove his fitness, and then form, to harbour hopes of returning to the Indian side for the rest of the series.Leading a side that starts as the underdogs, he will be up against a team that has a fine record in zonal tournaments over the last five years. Three bowlers he is likely to face – Gagandeep Singh, Joginder Sharma and Amit Mishra – ended among the top ten wicket-takers last season. The other, VRV Singh, has already established himself as one of the fastest operators around and shown that he is capable of hurrying the best. Suffice to say, he faces a daunting task. Needless to say, he has weathered many such storms in the past.Starting with his Test debut at Lord’s, Ganguly has shown that no challenge is beyond him. The last time he played a domestic first-class game in India, he returned from a side-strain problem to score 170. In the game before that, he produced a heroic 121 and helped Bengal stave off relegation by the slimmest of margins. Batting support may come from Shiv Sundar Das, Rohan Gavaskar and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, all former Indian players who have impressive domestic records, and, going by history, the Muncipal Stadium may help them grind out a big total.But North may have all the ammunition to wrap up the points. Led by Dinesh Mongia, they may not face too many challenges from the East Zone attack and Pankaj Dharmani, Ravneet Ricky and Shikhar Dhawan will be expected to shoulder the burden of putting runs on the board. North’s strength, though, lies in the bowling and their varied bowling attack makes them the favourites for the tournament.As the battle rages on at Rajkot, West Zone will take on South in the other game at Baroda. Zaheer Khan, left out of the Indian squad, will get a chance to reclaim his form while Dheeraj Jadhav, Niraj Patel and Ramesh Powar will be hoping to catch the eye. The VVS Laxman-led South Zone, though, comprising Lakshmipathy Balaji, Robin Uthappa and other young stars, might have other ideas.

There’s more for Ricky Ponting to think about© Getty Images

Ricky Ponting’s tenure as captain of Tasmania has been renewed for one more season, giving him the dual responsibility of leading his state, as well as his country. Daniel Marsh was named vice-captain, and would lead the side in Ponting’s absence.Michael DiVenuto was named as Marsh’s deputy, and with Ponting and Damien Wright, the four formed the core of Tasmania’s ‘team leadership’. David Johnston, the state’s chief executive, said he was hopeful about the future. "We are delighted with all these appointments,” said Johnston, “and all concerned are looking forward to success in the coming season. The Tasmania board is excited at Tasmanian cricket’s prospects for the coming season and we believe we have the leadership team in place to give us the best chance of success."Brian McFadyen, the coach, lauded Marsh’s insights and commended his captaincy. "Daniel is a well-respected person and player, he possesses an articulate knowledge of the game and led the team well last season. He continues to deserve the opportunity to captain in Ricky’s absence."Tasmania’s showing last season was a mixed bag. While they placed third in the Pura Cup, they finished at the bottom of the table in the ING Cup.

A quiet, but welcome and overdue, revolution is occurring in the lower levels of cricket in New Zealand as a potentially debilitating problem is being weeded out.It has taken a $1.5 million budget but it is shaping as the most realistic attempt yet to attack a long-smouldering problem in the game.It’s all to do with player recruitment and retention at what has become known as the “grassroots” level of the game.As recreation opportunities grew, and the numbers of male teachers in primary schools declined during the 1970s-1990s all sport suffered an inertia which reduced participation and left potential players missing out on a chance to play many team sports, let alone cricket.When New Zealand Cricket underwent the Hood Review in 1995, one of the key areas for attention was in the club and schools area. It has taken time for an effective policy to be formulated but NZC national development manager Alec Astle and his staff have put in place a programme which, as boys and girls mature, should result in a much-needed revitalisation of the base of the game in New Zealand.Already the signs are encouraging. The first area of attention was primary schooling and so well has the system worked, that the intended second part of the project, the troublesome secondary school area, has had to be leap-frogged in favour of attending to the needs of cricket clubs.If that hadn’t been done, the clubs would not have been equipped to handle the expected upsurge of numbers in a few years as the players exposed at primary school come through the system.The most obvious example of the growth of the game in schools has been in the annual participation rates for the MILO Cup and Shield primary school tournaments for boys’ and girls’ respectively. In 2000 the numbers of entries were 240. In 2001 it rose to 249, then in 2002 to 257 and this summer to 301.Until this year, the finals of the tournaments have been a North v South Island contest played in Palmerston North. But the numbers have been divided into four zones this year, three in the North Island and the fourth covering all the South Island, and the four winners in both boys’ and girls’ competitions, will now travel to a finals weekend.Another level of incentive has also been added as the result of a sponsorship agreement reached with the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) which is not only taking over as sponsor of the national secondary schoolgirls’ tournament, but also sponsoring a national Year 9 (or third form) tournament for boys which will be played over a full summer, not broken into a calendar year as happens with the boys’ Gillette Cup and the girls’ NZCT tournament.The Year 9 event can be played out over the summer because those secondary school pupils are not so affected by end of year examination requirements. The final of the tournament will be played in national summer tournament week towards the end of March, possibly in Taupo.The country’s six major associations are going to play a much greater role in the organisation of all the children’s tournaments as part of the drive to have the associations operate the cricket business occurring within their boundaries.Each of the majors appointed a cricket development manager for their region and he worked with a team of cricket development officers to deliver the initiatives into the primary levels of cricket.When the national discussions were held in 2000 about the game in secondary schools, clubs and districts, community cricket initiatives were introduced under the headings of School Support and Club Assist. Working in these areas are community cricket co-ordinators who work with a cluster of clubs and secondary schools to identify areas needing improvement and the plans to follow up targeted changes.The co-ordinators then assist in implementation of the desired strategies, placing less time pressure on the club officers and schools. Metropolitan clubs and district associations ran trials in five of the six major associations in 2001-02 and as a result of their success the programme was expanded into other metropolitan clubs and districts.There is no set formula. Each major association has been able to bend the strategy to suit their own situation.Auckland used the ‘Club is the Hub’ system where clubs are funded and club managers have the job of delivering the requirements.Wellington and Otago are using a central structure with the co-ordinators working for the association to oversee a specific number of clubs and schools.Northern Districts, Central Districts and Canterbury have appointed co-ordinators to work with clubs or districts. Some of these positions have been developed further by funding arrangements with the clubs or associations to encompass wider areas of coaching and development.Monthly checks are part of the administration process across the country to ensure all are achieving specified targets.The community cricket initiatives have been taken up by 17 of the 24 district cricket associations, by 22 metropolitan clubs, 14 in Wellington, five in Christchurch and three in Dunedin. Auckland have four clubs involved in their ‘Club is the Hub’ programme while other clubs are working on Sportsville studies and one club will soon enter into a funding partnership with a rugby club.These opportunities have provided employment for 32 community co-ordinators, 19 of whom are full-time.While there are still areas of need and much more that needs to be done, the effort to at least attack the problem and get some altered thinking in place has proved beneficial.Important benefits that have been realised include clubs now functioning over 12 months of the year, the revitalisation of long suffering volunteers who now have time to devote to things other than administrative work, a greater profile for cricket in far-flung communities and probably, most importantly, a point of contact when problems arise, allowing a much speedier, and often less hassled, resolution of problems.Cricket is on the move from the area of its greatest resource – if it can be maintained it could prove to be the most significant happening in New Zealand cricket in modern history.

Queensland’s batsmen survived on the Gabba tightrope for long enough today to edge their noses in front of New South Wales during a difficult start to the Pura Cup match.The Bulls were closing on first innings points when stumps was called on a long first day, which had the batsmen second-guessing on a Gabba wicket which regained some of its old zest.It was green and the skies were grey, leaving New South Wales to scratch together 146 in its first innings before the Bulls reached 4-109 when bad light stopped play.Rain is forecast for tomorrow, but there should still be time for a result if the Gabba maintains the tricks which prompted Bulls captain Stuart Law to ask the Blues to bat.Frontline Blues batsmen Michael Slater (15) and Michael Bevan (three) were among the casualties, but the conditions had nothing to do with their departures against a Queensland attack underpinned by professional quick Michael Kasprowicz (5-44).Slater tried to pull Kasprowicz in the fifth over of the morning, edging one of seven catches to wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe.Only Bevan knows what he tried to do to the first ball from medium-pacer Andrew Symonds (3-30), but the result was an off-balanced looping catch to cover.Symonds struck again with his next ball, claiming Michael Clarke for nought to leave NSW 3-38.”I’ve played on worse wickets here but I’m not about to say anything bad about the batsmen who go out there and play their shots,” Lee said.”Bevo rarely plays a shot like that and he looked like he was going to bat for a long time but that shot was very uncharacteristic and sometimes that happens.”It was a wicket where you never really felt ‘in’ as a batsmen and where bowlers always thought they were a chance.”But this is going to be a six-point game so if we can get a couple of nicks tomorrow morning then we’re really in with a chance.”The Blues got plenty of nicks after a 74-minute rain delay today, but every one of them flew over or short of a frustrated slips cordon.Paceman Stuart Clark (3-31) showed plenty of anguish as he was edged to third man, but he was clearly the best NSW bowler, claiming Jimmy Maher (10), JerryCassell (12) and Martin Love (12).Clinton Perren (37 not out) diced with the slips early before finding his feet for one of the more convincing efforts of the day, outside the usual hasty knock of Symonds.His 23 from 27 balls ended with a run out, slipping as he turned back, to give the Blues a vital wicket before the umpires offered the light to the Bulls batsmen, despite the blazing Gabba floodlights.”The red ball does get tough to see and it’s different from the white ball, but we would have loved to keep going with them four-down,” Lee said.

Having only recently returned to action after a long injury layoff, 18-year-old Celtic centre-back Bosun Lawal has wasted no time in relaunching his offensive on a regular spot within Ange Postecoglou’s senior squad.

Indeed, speaking back in December of last year, the defender made it perfectly clear that, having made a move from the Watford academy in the summer prior, his ambitions are to make his mark within the first-team setup at Parkhead before the current season is up, stating:

“Things have gone really well. I just hit the ground running and things have been going well for me personally. The hope is to make my debut with the first team, get my chance and really grab the moment and show people I’m capable of playing at a high level.

“I’ve trained with the first team a couple of times and it’s a really good level. The main point is the intensity, everyone is always at it, there’s no slacking. Ideally, I would like to achieve my goals this season. I just have to be ready and wait for the call.”

And, after putting on a dominant display in Celtic B’s recent 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Glasgow Cup, talk has already intensified regarding the teenager’s future at Celtic Park.

Indeed, during the fixture, former Celtic defender Tom Boyd – who was commentating on the match – was clearly extremely impressed with Lawal, stating of the youngster:

“I could do that; be comfortable on the ball, break forward, use your pace and speed. He’s certainly got a lot of those attributes. Sometimes that can be the thing that unlocks the door with [Celtic].

“Certainly the first team, the way we press, and the way we get forward and play in advanced areas. It’s often the centre-backs that are playmakers.

“He looks as though he’s very accomplished, very comfortable. [He can] just cause confusion in organised defences that we go up against. He’s certainly one that’s stood up and looking very comfortable in possession, a physical presence as well.”

Furthermore, Kieran Devlin also suggested that there is a great deal of enthusiasm surrounding the centre-back’s potential, writing in a recent article for The Athletic:

“Bosun Lawal is very well-regarded too, and there is enthusiasm about the possibility of [Lawal and Dane Murray’s] solid partnership extending to first-team level over the next few years.”

Indeed, it is not difficult to see why this opinion has been formulated of the youngster, as it was evident throughout the 1-1 draw with Rangers B that Lawal is a defender who is extremely comfortable on the ball, often bursting out of the backline on a surging run, or picking out a line-breaking pass with ease.

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The centre-back well and truly proved his creative eye in the second half of the fixture, picking the ball up in the opposition half, before playing a deft no-look pass through to Mackenzie Carse who subsequently fired home Celtic’s equaliser – as can be seen here.

As such, should Lawal continue to demonstrate this level of form over the remainder of the season, it would not be surprising to see the youngster earn a call up to Postecoglou’s first-team squad before the campaign is out – a move that, if the 18-year-old carries on his current level of trajectory, could well save the Bhoys millions of pounds in transfer fees.

In other news: Ange must avoid disaster on “big player”, he may be Celtic’s next £49.5m-rated talent

Darrell Hair alleged that Rudi Koertzen had referred to Pakistan as cheats © Getty Images

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the ICC to look into derogatorycomments allegedly made by Rudi Koertzen about the Pakistan team.During the Central Employment Tribunal’s hearing into Darrell Hair’s caseagainst the ICC last week, Hair had described a phone call in whichKoertzen, the South African umpire, had referred to the Pakistan team ascheats.Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, said, “We have written to the ICC to look intothis matter and verify the authenticity of the remarks Koertzen is allegedto have made.”Ashraf, who appeared at the tribunal half-an-hour before Hair withdrew thecase, also reiterated Pakistan’s stance that they felt Hair was unfit toofficiate at the elite level. “We have no personal issue against Hair,” he said. “Ourcomplaint was on the basis that Hair as an umpire failed. His judgement waswrong that day and his behaviour has to be rectified. For that he isundergoing rehabilitation and that is a positive step.”When asked what Pakistan’s stance would be were Hair to return, Ashrafsaid, “To say that he is coming back on the panel is putting an optimisticface on it. After rehabilitation, the ICC may consider if Hair is fit forumpiring. Our position remains the same, but after rehab the ICC boardwill revisit the issue.”

Division One

Mal Loye played neatly for Lancashire, but their title hopes are fast slipping away © Getty Images

A remarkable unbeaten 261 from Darren Lehmann, made from only 302 balls, powered Yorkshire to 473 for 3 on the first breathless day in the relegation decider against Durham at Headingley. The winner of this match stays in the first division and Yorkshire have raced out of the blocks and can already eye safety. Although in some trouble at 43 for 2, Lehmann was dominant from the outset and brought up his first hundred in just over two hours from just 114 balls. He wasn’t finished, though, clobbering 43 fours and two sixes for good measure before the umpires finally called stumps, to end a miserable day for Durham. His innings utterly overshadowed those of Anthony McGrath – whose 79-ball 62 was no less attractive – and Michael Lumb who remained unbeaten on 82.Two fine hundreds from David Fulton and Matt Walker led for Kent on the first day against Middlesex at Canterbury as the home side reached an impressive 353 for 3. The Middlesex bowling left a lot to be desired – only Chris Silverwood, who took two economical wickets, was any resemblance of a threat – as Fulton, in what is likely to be a farewell appearance for Kent, and Joe Denly, the 20-year-old right-hander, put on 123 for the opening stand. Silverwood finally made the breakthrough, bowling Denly for 66, but Walker and Fulton batted magnificently together to put on 196 for the third wicket.For a full report of Sussex‘s key clash against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge click here.For a full report of Lancashire‘s crucial match against Hampshire down at The Rose Bowl click here.

Division Two

A fine 77 from Lee Goddard saved Derbyshire from capitulation on the first day against Surrey at Derby. Goddard came to the crease with his side in deep trouble at 102 for 5, but found excellent support in Graeme Wagg. The pair put on an unbeaten stand of 149 – comfortably the innings’ highest – as Derbyshire closed on 273 for 6.Fifties from Hamish Marshall, Chris Taylor and a particularly aggressive unbeaten 87 from Alex Gidman gave Gloucestershire the honours on the first day against Glamorgan at Cardiff. Both Gloucestershire’s openers, Kadeer Ali and Craig Spearman, fell cheaply to leave the middle order shouldering the responsibility – and they did just that. Marshall smacked 11 fours and cleared the boundary twice in his 79, before he was run out. But Taylor (54) and Gidman made good Marshall’s work as the visitors closed on 342 for 5.Alastair Cook celebrated his first England contract with a brilliant 132, salvaging a sinking Essex ship on the first day against Leicestershire at Grace Road and keeping them in control of their own promotion. Mark Pettini and Ravinder Bopara both fell for 11 and, once Andy Flower (5) and Ronnie Irani departed Essex were in danger of collapsing. Enter James Foster, the forgotten England wicketkeeper, who helped stage a superb fight-back with Cook; the pair put on 155. Though Cook fell, Foster (94*) found good support from Ryan ten Doeschate as the visitors closed on 322 for 6. Essex began with a four point advantage over Worcestershire and will be confident of bagging at least four batting bonus points on the second day.A typically bullish 96 from David Sales was the standout performance for Northamptonshire against Worcestershire on the first day at Northampton. Worcestershire, though, managed three vital bonus points in their push for promotion. The home side’s batsmen all made starts, but only Sales and Ben Phillips (75) took advantage. However, in spite of the impressive run-rate, both fell in quick succession and Northants were dismissed for 342 when the umpires called stumps.