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Russell Martin has had a mixed set of opening results as the new Glasgow Rangers boss. In Europe they have knocked out Panathinaikos and, bar a complete capitulation, look set to do the same to Viktoria Plzeň.

Qualification for, and progression in, the Champions League would go along way for the club financially and may allow them to further reinforce the squad in January.

Domestically however, they already find themselves four points adrift of rivals Celtic and have set themselves up for a challenge if they want to push for the Scottish Premiership title.

Martin has already brought in a number of players from England this summer including EFL veteran Joe Rothwell, but he’s now turned his attention to a new target between the sticks.

Rangers learn price tag to sign Pierce Charles

Alan Nixon, via Glasgow World, has confirmed that Martin wants to bring Sheffield Wednesday’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles to Ibrox, but he won’t come cheap.

This would not only make him the most expensive keeper Rangers have ever signed, but their third most expensive player ever. From Wednesday’s perspective, £8 million would make Charles their most expensive ever departure, a testament to how much they value him.

Rangers aren’t the only club interested in signing Charles, and it looked like they would face Premier League opposition from West Ham. However, Graham Potter’s side have announced the signing of Mads Hermansen from Leicester City for £20 million. Based on this, it would be surprising if the Hammers went for another keeper this window.

Charles is superior to Butland

Bringing in Charles as the 3rd most expensive player in the club’s history won’t be a decision that is taken lightly, but there are a few key reasons why it might actually be a sensible move.

2024/25 League Performances

Butland

Charles

Games Played

28

10

Xg Faced

28.79

12.91

Goals Conceded

31

10

Goals Prevented vs Xg Faced

-2.21

+2.91

Total Pass Accuracy

77.4%

76.3%

Long Ball Accuracy

39.4%

52.5%

Data via FotMob

While Butland played more games last season, Charles played his games in a higher level league with a report from May ranking the Championship as the 10th best league in the world, whereas the SPL didn’t crack the top 20. With that in mind, the data can be split into two main categories: shot stopping and ball-playing ability.

In shot-stopping terms, Charles clearly leads Butland. Based on Xg, Butland is conceding more goals than he should be and Charles is doing the exact opposite. This isn’t an outlier for Butland either, as, since 2020 he has conceded more league goals than his Xg suggests he should have in each campaign.

In terms of ball-playing ability, Butland slightly edges Charles in overall passing accuracy, but Charles is 13.1% more accurate with long balls. Martin’s style of play is possession-based, and he often likes to play short passes out from the back and in this department there is a near negligible difference. However, in those scenarios where the keeper has to go long, then Rangers would likely be successful more often with Charles in goal.

However, the biggest factor between the two is age. Butland, at 32, is unlikely to get better, whereas Charles, at 20, will be able to develop. £8 million may seem like a lot for now, but when invested with his future talent in mind it could be a steal.

The Premier League has some hugely wealthy owners in its ranks, but who comes out on top out of the 20 clubs when it comes to net worth?

Since its inception in 1992, the Premier League has grown into the best and most famous league in world football, proving to be the envy of so many divisions across the globe.

Some of the best footballers on the planet have plied their trade in England’s top flight, and numerous clubs have gone on to win the Champions League down the years, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

All 20 Premier League managers' salaries (lowest to highest)

How much each Premier League gaffer earns.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025

There is a huge gap in wealth between the clubs fighting for relegation and those going for the biggest prizes, however, with the latter afforded the luxury of being able to spend vast sums of money on players. The question is: which team has the richest owners currently when it comes to net worth?

20 Alan Pace net worth – £190m Burnley

Starting the countdown are Burnley, with owner Alan Pace in charge since 2018, helping the Clarets make a swift return to the Premier League after their relegation in 2021/22 and again in 2024/25.

It is stated that his current net worth is around £190m.

19 Matthew Benham net worth – £220m Brentford

Brentford feel like one of the best-run clubs in the Premier League, spending within their means and building a superb new stadium, and much of that is down to the brilliance of owner Matthew Benham.

The 57-year-old also owns Danish side FC Midtjylland and is renowned for making his fortune through companies such as Matchbook and Smartodds.

18 Tony Bloom net worth – £1.3bn Brighton & Hove Albion

Like Brentford, there is something that feels seamless about the manner in which Brighton operate on a daily basis, and owner Tony Bloom deserves a huge amount of praise for that.

He is a lifelong Seagulls supporter and acquired the club way back in 2009, leading them all the way to the Premier League and making them an established top-flight club.

17 Kyril Louis-Dreyfus net worth – £2bn Sunderland

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus became the youngest chairman in English football when he took over at Sunderland back in 2021 at the age of just 23.

The Swiss owner has since helped transform the Black Cats off the pitch, helping them finally return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

16 William P. Foley net worth – £2.1bn Bournemouth

Bournemouth almost feel like the minnows of the Premier League in many ways, perhaps due to the size of the Vitality Stadium, but they have an owner worth over £2bn.

William P. Foley is an American billionaire who also owns ice hockey outfit Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL, not to mention Ligue 1 side FC Lorient.

15 Evangelos Marinakis net worth – £3.3bn Nottingham Forest

Up next are Nottingham Forest and their unmissible leader Evangelous Marinakis, who certainly hasn’t played it safe when it comes to transfers, giving the Reds lots of new players since their return to the Premier League.

His net worth of over £3bn is a vast amount, and he also owns Greek giants Olympiakos.

14 Woody Johnson, David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Steve Parish net worth – £4.3bn Crystal Palace

Completing the bottom half are Crystal Palace, who have done well to become a solid Premier League team more likely to finish around mid-table than in the relegation zone, while also lifting the FA Cup title in 2025.

One of the co-owners, Josh Harris, is also the main man at NHL side New Jersey Devils and NBA outfit Philadelphia 76ers, while Steve Parish has been in his role as chairman since 2010.

13 Guo Guangchang, Liang Xinjun, Wang Qunbin (FOSUN) net worth – £4.4bn Wolves

Guo Guangchang has been a transformative figure at Wolves since becoming their owner in 2016, at a point when they were still languishing in the Championship.

Since then, they have had their ups and downs in the Premier League, but the £45m that he acquired Wanderers for pales into insignificance when comparing it to their current valuation.

12 Joe Lewis, Daniel Levy net worth – £4.5bn Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham are still fronted by Daniel Levy and Joe Lewis, with the former still very much the more prominent face of the club, even though the latter has the bigger share.

There has been frustration that managers haven’t been given enough money to spend, given the wealth of the owners, which, when you look at their fortunes, may seem fair. However, Spurs did finally end their long wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League in 2025.

11 49ers Enterprises net worth – £5.2bn Leeds United

The 49ers Enterprises have been involved with Leeds United since 2018 but completed a majority takeover in 2023 following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Since then, the American investment group, who have some high-profile names such as actor Will Ferrell and golfers Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, have helped take Leeds back to the top flight.

One cannot often learn much from pre-season results, but Everton’s need for reinforcements has certainly been crystallised.

On Saturday, the Toffees were demolished 3-0 by Bournemouth at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, outplayed and outclassed throughout.

Before travelling to the US, the Blues had also lost 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers and been held to a 1-1 draw by Accrington Stanley, which isn’t really generating excitement ahead of the grand opening of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Speaking to the Men in Blazers Podcast, manager David Moyes asserted that he needs “nine or ten” new players before the season begins, so are Everton about to secure the signature of a “magnificent prospect”?

Everton's search for attacking quality

So far this summer, there’s been a bit of a clear-out at Everton.

Goodison stalwarts Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucouré are the most high-profile players to have departed, but Ashley Young, Mason Holgate, Asmir Begović, and João Virgínia have all also been released.

In their place, Mark Travers will be the new back-up goalkeeper, while centre-forward Thierno Barry has arrived from Villarreal for £27m, and is the service the 6 foot 5 in (196cm) striker will receive about to exponentially increase in quality?

Well, according to a report by Patrick Boyland and Matt Woosnam of the Athletic, Everton are “in talks” with Lyon as they seek to sign winger Malick Fofana.

Despite having been spared relegation to Ligue 2 following an appeal, Olympique Lyonnais are still in a huge amount of debt, so are currently in the midst of a fire sale; Rayan Cherki, Lucas Perri, Alexandre Lacazette and Thiago Almada are amongst those who’ve departed already.

With that in mind, Alan Myers claims that les Gones value Fofana, who has three years remaining on his contract, at around £43m including add-ons, amid talk that there is “strong interest” from the Toffees in the player.

So, could the 20-year-old soon swap Décines-Charpieu for Merseyside?

How Malick Fofana will improve Everton

Fofana began his career at Gent, scoring just five goals in 64 senior appearances for the Buffalos, but doing enough to capture the attention of Lyon, who signed him for around £15m as recently as January 2024.

Since making the move to France, his career has really taken off, bagging 15 goals and seven assists for les Gones, earning widespread praise.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “magnificent winger prospect”, while Astorre S. Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines believes he has ‘huge potential’, impressed by his ‘technical qualities’ and ‘directness’.

Elsewhere, Fintan O’Reilly of Total Football Analysis agrees, highlighting his ‘strong attacking contributions’, concluding that, given Lyon’s financial turmoil, he would represent a massive bargain in the transfer market.

In terms of Everton, Iliman Ndiaye was their top-scorer last season with nine goals, while Beto was the only other player to bag more than four.

Like Fofana, the Senegalese international arrived from Ligue 1 just 12 months ago, joining from Olympique de Marseille for a reported fee of £16.9m.

If Fofana is equally as productive and impactful as Ndiaye, Evertonians would almost certainly be satisfied, so let’s assess how the two wide players compare to one another.

Appearances

41

46

Minutes

2,280

2,476

Goals

11

4

Assists

6

5

All statistics below are on a per-90 basis:

Shots

1.5

1.6

Shots on target

1.3

0.6

Shots on target %

84.09%

37.98%

Chances created

1.5

0.8

Take-on success %

42.28%

57.94%

% of touches in the box

14%

10%

Average Sofascore rating

7.24

6.82

As the table outlines, in Ligue 1 and the Europa League, Fofana comes out on top for pretty much every metric included; Ndiaye boasted better figures in terms of shots per 90 as well as successful take-ons.

Nevertheless, Fofana’s numbers in terms of shots on target ratio, chances created and pure goals and assists are very eye-catching, underlining that his signing would represent a massive coup for Everton, one that they badly need with the start of the season fast approaching.

Better signing than McGinn: Everton hold advantage in race for £34m “engine”

Everton targeting a former Premier League star in statement of intent

1 ByWill Miller Jul 25, 2025

Ishan Kishan will lead Jharkhand in the upcoming Buchi Babu tournament, a pre-season red-ball competition in Tamil Nadu starting August 15. Kishan, who was not part of Jharkhand’s original long list, will link up with the squad in Chennai on Wednesday.The move is seen as the first step towards the wicketkeeper-batter’s full-fledged return to first-class cricket. ESPNcricinfo understands Kishan took the decision to participate, and he was drafted in when he communicated this to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).A return to the Ranji Trophy fold is also expected during the 2024-25 season, after Kishan informed the state selectors of his desire to return. His last domestic first-class game was in December 2022. He stayed away from the Ranji Trophy towards the end of the 2023-24 domestic season, and this proved costly for him, with the BCCI removing him from the central contracts list for not prioritising domestic cricket.”With Ishan, it was never about ability,” a JSCA functionary said. “It was only about whether he was ready to return. The decision was with him. When he was not included in the initial list, it was only because we hadn’t heard from him. The moment he expressed his keenness to return, he was drafted in.”Kishan’s return to red-ball cricket comes at a time when India are heading into a long Test season, comprising 10 games over the next five months, but a comeback won’t be easy. Kishan made his Test debut during India’s tour of the West Indies last year, when Rishabh Pant was recovering from injuries sustained during a car accident in December 2022.The second Test of that Caribbean tour, in July 2023, remains Kishan’s last first-class game. He was picked in the Test squad for the 2023-24 South Africa tour too, but he asked to be released citing mental fatigue.Kishan now finds himself behind Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel in India’s Test-match queue•Associated Press

He may have been in line for a Test return during the five-Test home series against England earlier this year, but lost out to KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel after he informed the selectors that he wasn’t ready. He did not take part in the Ranji Trophy either, and the selectors, whose inputs are taken on board by the BCCI when it draws up the central contracts list, were not pleased that Kishan used his time away from the game to train privately with his IPL captain Hardik Pandya in Baroda, instead of playing for Jharkhand.Pant is now back in action, and Jurel, who impressed with both his batting and glovework against England, particularly during a Player-of-the-Match display in Ranchi, has moved ahead of Kishan in India’s red-ball queue.Kishan, who had a Grade C contract until losing it this year, featured in two Tests, 17 ODIs and 11 T20Is in 2023. He was also part of India’s squad during their run to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and featured in two matches at the top of the order when Shubman Gill was out ill.”When you take a break, people gossip about it a lot, they say a lot of things on social media,” Kishan had said in April, referring to his time away from the game. “But I feel it’s important to understand not everything is in players’ hands. We can only make the best use of the break.”This is what adopting a good mindset is. There is nothing like I want to prove to someone. I just have to go there and enjoy. I have learned that you do not have to add pressure on yourself about these things, which are not in your hand.”

India captain dismisses talks of complacency in the wake of India’s 2-0 series loss

Shashank Kishore07-Aug-20245:39

India’s batting (except Rohit’s) against spin a sign of concern

“We need to talk about it.”That was India captain Rohit Sharma when asked if being spun out on dry Colombo surfaces to lose the ODI series against Sri Lanka 2-0 was a result of their lack of application against the turning ball. India lost 27 wickets to spin, the most by any team against this variety in a three-match series.”I don’t think it’s a concern,” Rohit said after India’s first ODI series loss to Sri Lanka since 1997. “But it’s something we need to look at seriously, into our individual game plans. We were definitely put under pressure throughout the series. We need to look into it, do something differently, need to talk about it and come back with different plans.”Rohit struck two half-centuries and was comfortably India’s best batter in the series. He provided barnstorming starts to every run-chase, but once the field spread, the ball got older and began to take turn, it became difficult for batters to maintain that tempo. Especially new ones. India’s middle-order were unable to find a way past this problem.In the series opener, India lost 5 for 57 after racing to 75 without loss chasing 231. On Sunday, they collapsed from 97 for 0 to 147 for 6 in a chase of 241. On Wednesday, Rohit struck 31 of the 37 runs for the first wicket before they lost 6 for 45.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Were India complacent?”It’s a joke,” Rohit responded. “When you’re playing for India, there’s no complacency as long as I am here captaining the team. It’s not going to be the case. You come here trying to win every game, give your best and find answers, but yes, we were outplayed. You’ve got to give credit where it’s due, Sri Lanka played better cricket than us.”India lost all three tosses and ended up chasing. In all the games, the amount of turn on offer under lights made batting progressively tougher. On Wednesday, with the series on the line, India strengthened their batting by including Riyan Parag in place of a second fast bowler in Arshdeep Singh.Related

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This meant Shivam Dube had to share the new ball with Mohammed Siraj. Rohit explained the shake-up in the bowling was dictated largely by the conditions, but also to an extent borne by the need to give some of the younger players opportunities. Parag, who impressed in the T20I leg of the tour with his assortment of legspin and offspin, was the pick of India’s bowlers with 3 for 54 on ODI debut.”We looked at the conditions and thought taking pace off is an ideal combination,” Rohit said. “Having said that, we also have a lot of players waiting in the wings. We have to look at some of the guys who haven’t got an opportunity. All in all, we didn’t play good cricket throughout the series, hence we stand here.”Were there any positives?”A few, like how our spinners bowled,” Rohit said. “But even though you want to look at the positives, I feel there are a lot of areas we need to look at rather than the positives. We will go back, chat about what we need to do when we come up in conditions like this.”India don’t play an ODI series until January against England leading into the next major global event, the Champions Trophy in 2025. They also have a longish break and don’t play international cricket until late September, when the home Test season kicks off with a series against Bangladesh.”A series loss doesn’t mean the end of the world,” Rohit said. “These guys have been playing good cricket for the past few years. Yes, we will lose a one-off series here and there, what’s important is how we move on from this and how we can come back.”

Celtic are active on the market and Brendan Rodgers is reportedly closing in on a bargain deal to strengthen his backline, according to a report.

Celtic begin to motor in summer transfer window

The official opening of the window for Celtic will take place next week, but they are already moving down the line with several deals as scaling up becomes the mantra at Parkhead.

Recent interest in Brondby forward Mathias Kvistgaarden and Telstar’s Youssef El Kachati has cooled. However, supporters would have been delighted to see Kieran Tierney officially announced, following months of waiting for his signature to be confirmed.

Looking forward to working with a player who delivered so much during his first spell in charge, Brendan Rodgers believes his ‘elite’ qualities will bring an element of stardust as Celtic chase more success domestically and on the continent.

The Irishman stated: “We are so pleased to bring such an elite player back to the club and I look forward to working with him again and the rest of the squad, as we face the many challenges ahead at home and in Europe.”

Not to be deterred there, Celtic have identified Michel-Ange Balikwisha as a top summer target, amid holding a concrete interest in his services over the past year.

The latest names on Celtic’s summer transfer wishlist

Ross Doohan

Aberdeen – deal near completion

Harley Mills

Peterborough United

Lennon Miller

Motherwell

Demir Tiknaz

Rio Ave (on loan from Besiktas – buy option)

Callum Osmand

Fulham – deal near completion

As mentioned above, a compensation package for Fulham striker Callum Osmand is on the verge of going through to solidify Rodgers’ striking options, representing smart business as the Hoops aim to find value for money in the market.

Now, a young defender is also set to join the Parkhead ranks in a similar agreement, even if he won’t be thrust into the first team straight away.

Celtic set to sign prospect Isaac English

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are on the verge of signing defender Isaac English from Greenock Morton and are set to agree a bargain fee of £50,000 with the Scottish Championship side ahead of his proposed move.

Scouts were alerted to his potential off the back of his displays in the second-tier outfit’s Club Academy Scotland Performance League title win at Under-18 level.

Sinclair 2.0: £4.6m star who "wins games on his own" is Celtic's top target

Celtic are eyeing up a deal for a winger who could be their next Scott Sinclair.

ByDan Emery Jun 10, 2025

Admittedly, not much is known about English in the public domain. The 17-year-old hasn’t made a senior appearance at Cappielow Park, though he has trained within Dougie Imrie’s senior set-up and looks to be one for the future.

After losing youngsters such as Daniel Cummings, Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly in recent times, news that Celtic have a prodigious star ready to walk through the Lennoxtown entrance will be a welcome boost in their mission to stockpile emerging talent.

Chelsea are now stepping up their efforts to sign a “prolific” striker, who is also being targeted by Premier League rivals Arsenal, according to a report.

Blues still battling Arsenal for Sesko

Both Chelsea and Arsenal should be well-positioned to sign Benjamin Sesko this summer, given that the Slovenian has previously made it clear he would be keen on a move to London, and they continue to battle it out for his services.

Last week, it was revealed the Blues were leading the race for Sesko, despite Andrea Berta already holding direct talks over a deal for the RB Leipzig star, however, the Gunners still remain confident they will be able to get a deal over the line.

The race for the 22-year-old remains open, with the Gunners yet to make a formal bid, but he is not the only striker of interest to both Mikel Arteta and Enzo Maresca, with the London rivals also both vying to sign FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which has revealed that Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, are now stepping up their efforts to sign the Porto centre-forward, with the likes of Aston Villa and Arsenal also in the race.

Deal close: Chelsea now nearing agreement to sign "world-class" £25m star

The Blues could seal a move for a new signing “tomorrow”, following a recent positive development.

1 ByDominic Lund Jun 8, 2025

A deal could be on the expensive side, however, with the Portuguese club looking to receive around €70m – €75m (£59m – £63m), and they are by no means looking to force the Spaniard out the door this summer.

"Prolific" Aghehowa could be ideal Sesko alternative

With Arsenal now feeling positive about securing a deal for Sesko, the Blues may be forced to move on to alternative options, and the Porto star’s exploits in the Liga Portugal last season indicate he could be an exciting signing.

The Spain international reached the 25-goal mark in all competitions, with six of those coming in the Europa League, and at just 21-years-old, the forward is likely to have plenty of room for development.

In light of his stellar goal return last season, football talent scout Jacek Kulig also heaped praise upon the starlet, describing him as “one of Europe’s most prolific players” back in December.

That said, there may be concerns over the fact that Aghehowa is yet to prove himself in a major European league, and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who netted a remarkable 39 goals in 33 Liga Portugal games last season, is available for a similar price.

Everton had a busy summer in 2024. The Toffees brought in seven new players, looking to strengthen right across the board to help keep them in the Premier League. Well, whilst that has been all but achieved this season for the Toffees, it was at the expense of their former manager, Sean Dyche.

One could certainly argue that this summer is even more important. Everton are in their new era under David Moyes and are about to move to Bramley Moore Dock, their new stadium. Getting this summer right is imperative to starting life strong at the new ground.

Already, they have been linked with one new addition for the summer, Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff.

The latest on Everton's move for Longstaff

It would be an ambitious move to bring Longstaff in from high-flying Newcastle. He has been an important player under Eddie Howe throughout the duration of his tenure and played a role in the club’s Carabao Cup campaign, a competition in which they tasted success last month.

According to a report from Joe Thomas, a journalist for the Liverpool Echo, a move for Longstaff ‘was explored by Everton in January’ and it seems like he could ‘come under consideration again in the summer’, with the Toffees considering a move.

With the Newcastle-born midfielder’s contract up in just over 12 months’ time, a transfer this summer is a possibility. Howe explained in a recent press conference that his “long-term future is slightly more unclear”, suggesting a move is on the cards.

A price for the 27-year-old is unclear at this stage. However, he is valued at £18.7m by Transfermarkt, so it is safe to assume that he could cost anywhere in that region if the Toffees wanted to do a deal.

Interestingly, Everton actually have a player who is actually worth more than Longstaff who could be equally important as they enter their new era next season.

The Everton player worth more than Longstaff

Although signing Longstaff might not be the most glamorous of deals on the face of things, there is no doubt about his quality and work ethic that he will bring to this Everton side. Well, perhaps the same could have been said about Dwight McNeil when he first joined the club.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

The 25-year-old, who was born in Rochdale, made the move from Burnley to Everton back in 2022. He cost them £20m at the time, but that value has since risen up to £21.2m, even more than Longstaff is worth.

It has been a good campaign for the former England under-21 international. Despite being sidelined with an injury, McNeil has been exceptional. He has four goals and five assists so far in just 16 games across all competitions.

That includes three different instances this season in which he has scored or assisted multiple times in the same game. He grabbed two assists against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park earlier in the campaign in a brilliant 4-0 win.

Indeed, Everton’s number seven, who has shown excellent versatility so far in a Toffees shirt, has put up some impressive Premier League numbers. In 85 top-flight appearances for the club, he has 13 goals and 14 assists.

Football statistician Statman Dave once described McNeil as a “constant threat”. His contributions in an Everton shirt so far have been impressive, and the money they invested in him has certainly been worth it.

His short spike in value has highlighted his importance to this Everton side, and they will surely be hoping this can only increase over the next few seasons.

Moyes may have found the new Gareth Barry in Everton's £100k-p/w "leader"

Everton went punch for punch with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 3, 2025

Keith Stackpole often set the tone for Australia’s innings in the early 1970s, with his steely presence and bat that spoke volumes

Greg Chappell24-Apr-2025Australian cricket has farewelled one of its most combative and charismatic characters with the passing of Keith Stackpole on Tuesday. A fierce competitor, courageous opening batter, and fiercely loyal team-mate, Stackpole’s influence during a formative period in the game’s evolution was as significant as it was deeply felt by those fortunate enough to share a dressing room with him.Keith’s Test journey began in the middle order, but it was his shift to the top of the order that defined the cricketer – and the man – he would become. It wasn’t just a tactical move; it was transformational. His temperament was perfectly attuned to the demands of facing the new ball. He relished the responsibility, often setting the tone for Australia’s innings with a steely presence and a bat that spoke volumes.What truly set Keith apart was his fierce love of fast bowling. The quicker they came, the more alive he became. His cross-batted strokes – especially the pull and hook – were trademarks, and he never blinked at short-pitched hostility. But it wasn’t just about technique; it was his intent. Defeat stung him personally. He wore responsibility like a badge and took it upon himself to alter the course of matches.Related

Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1973: Keith Stackpole

Former Australia opener Keith Stackpole dies aged 84

There’s a story, often retold, that speaks volumes about the man. It was Jamaica, 1973, just before the West Indies series. Word had spread about a young Jamaican quick, Uton Dowe – touted as the next Wes Hall. When news came through that Dowe would be rested for a warm-up match, most of the touring side breathed easier. Not Keith. He was genuinely furious – pacing the dressing room, lamenting the missed chance. He wanted to face Dowe, to test himself, to measure the mettle of this rising force.When the first Test came round and Dowe took the new ball to the roar of Kingston’s crowd, Keith was ready. The first ball was short; Stackpole sent it racing to the boundary. He went on to smack seven fours in a fiery innings of 44, dismantling the youngster’s confidence – and with it, his career. It was Stackpole in full: courageous, combative, and utterly unwilling to let reputations go unchallenged.As Ian Chappell’s vice-captain, Keith was steadfast. He gave unwavering support, both on and off the field, and the two forged a friendship that lasted decades. He would not abide criticism of his skipper and was a pillar of strength during Australia’s rise in the early 1970s.Of all his performances, his knock at The Oval in 1972 remains etched in memory. With the Ashes on the line and Australia needing 242 to draw the series, Keith launched into the English attack of John Snow, Geoff Arnold, Tony Greig and Derek Underwood. He belted a commanding 79 – bold, belligerent, and calming to those watching on. It helped secure a pivotal win and symbolised so much of what he brought to Australian cricket: nerve, heart, and a flair for the moment.To his beloved wife Pat and the entire Stackpole family: the thoughts and deepest sympathies of the cricketing community are with you. Keith Stackpole’s legacy won’t just live on in statistics or archives – it endures in the hearts of those who played with him, watched him, and knew what it meant to have “Stacky” at the top of the order.Vale, Stacky.

He dug in when needed, but also displayed skill and nous to go in an exhilarating direction

Andrew Fidel Fernando18-Jul-2023Some days, you get to be on the ground floor of something special.Before this game, Saud Shakeel had a Test average of 72.50, seven fifty-plus scores in 10 innings, and a reputation for being a little old-school. His Test strike rate was 41.66.In balls-to-the-wall 2023, this reads like a stat out of the Triassic. An object of curiosity.Related

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If Shakeel has not moved the needle a lot outside of Pakistan, though, that’s not really his fault. In Multan, in December last year, there was a defiant 94 off 213 in the second innings. But England won that game, narrowly, after Shakeel was out, though not without controversy.He made 125 not out off 341 (you read that right) against New Zealand in January, before following up with a 32 off 146 in the second innings. But because fellow Karachiwallah Sarfraz Ahmed hit a second-dig century to seal an excellent comeback series in his hometown, the Shakeel slow-burns were lost in the grand narrative.Innings with strike rates like 36.65 and 21.91 kinda have a habit of getting lost.In Galle, he arrived with the score on 67 for 3, and soon worsened to 101 for 5. But not long after that, Shakeel was 33 off 53, then 50 off 69, then 64 off 82. Uhhh, is this the same guy? The guy who played the innings that felt like they’d been dug up by archaeologists? Is that him slog sweeping hard and flat? Him flitting down the track, making room, blasting the left-arm spinner over cover?In between, he played a believable impression of the batter international cricket had previously known him to be. The defence against quicks was almost always organised, even if his stance more open than most, though not nearly as open as that of, say, Fawad Alam, who he replaced in the Pakistan batting order, and who also learned his craft in Karachi, but spiritually, is from outer space.Against spin, Shakeel was judicious. Moving forward quickly when the bowlers pitched too close, sliding backwards when the length was short. And crucially, between the fours, he picked the gaps like a master.Visually, you might say, there is not a lot to recommend his batting. But he doesn’t seem the type to care. The whip through midwicket, the chop square of cover, the boring old conventional sweep to the legside sweeper – the kind where the fielder moves towards the ball because even the batters know there’s only one run there – these are the Shakeel specialties.Saud Shakeel’s 208*, unlike his previous innings, won’t get lost in the grand narrative•AFP/Getty ImagesHe said as much after play on day three.Is it because of your Karachi training that you play spin so well, he was asked.”Usually, in first-class cricket in Karachi, we don’t get many turning pitches,” he said. “But my strength is I like to rotate the strike. You’ll have noticed I like to take singles as regularly as possible, and I can find singles on both sides of the ground. I tried to apply that strength, First-class cricket also helps, but the way I’ve been brought up and learned the game actually helps me way more than any first-class cricket I might have played.Essentially: It’s hard not to love.But for those of us who need the boxes, Shakeel swept exceptionally well, and scrapped when the scrapping needed to be done, which are both understood to be Karachibatting things. Most predictably of all, he stepped happily back into the defensive version of himself when he ran out of batting partners and had only the tail to work with.At one stage in his innings – in the company of Agha Salman – Shakeel made 83 off 88 deliveries. After Salman was out, slow-burn Shakeel returned, blocking out the first few balls of every over, turning down the singles on offer, pouncing on only the bad deliveries. His batting partners played bravely at the other end. The journey from 100 to 200, took 223 deliveries.

“The grand pronouncements are tempting, but in this case it is important to let the innings breathe. Let it rest in its greatness”

Oh, okay. So it him. There’s our guy.We don’t know if Shakeel will be the next great Pakisan batter, because we don’t make predictions here. We only make observations.Observations such as his having arrived at the crease during an incredibly difficult period, his having adopted a batting tactic that he’s never tried at Test level before, and his having marshalled the tail to spectacular effect on this occasion.Whatever the long-view of his career becomes, even from just this innings, it might be fair to conclude that his ceiling is outrageously high. At the end of his 11th Test innings, Shakeel went back into the dressing room on 208 not out, having faced more than four balls on average of the last 44 overs.The grand pronouncements are tempting, but in this case it is important to let the innings breathe.Let it rest in its greatness.Let those of us who saw it in person wonder for a little while longer whether we really were on the ground floor. Wonder how special this something might become.Let it coalesce gently, because while for 88 balls there was the skill and nous to go in an exhilarating direction, Shakeel seems more at home in the ebb of Test cricket, rather than its flow.More at home in its gentleness.