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Matt Henry finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy despite missing the final

Andrew Fidel Fernando09-Mar-20255:26

Santner: ‘Rohit puts fear in bowlers’

Matt Henry had been desperate to play in the final of the Champions Trophy. He had taken five wickets in the previous match in Dubai, against India. He was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. And even after he suffered the injury to the shoulder as he took the catch that removed Heinrich Klaasen in the semi-final against South Africa, he came back and bowled two further overs, and fielded.And yet, the injury kept him out of the final, against an opposition he has tended to dominate. In 11 ODIs against India, he has 21 wickets at an average of 21.00, with an economy rate of 4.48. India’s chase in Dubai suffered stutters through the middle, but they eventually got home with four wickets to spare, and an over in reserve.Henry was missed, said captain Mitchell Santner. His replacement Nathan Smith only bowled two overs in the final. Henry went through a fitness test just before the game, and was visibly distraught as he was failing it.Related

• Shoulder injury keeps Matt Henry out of Champions Trophy final

• Rohit, Rahul, spinners lead India to third Champions Trophy title

• Stats – Four drops, a spin strangle, and 15 tosses lost in a row

“He was the leading wicket-taker going into this game, and he’s an outstanding bowler, as we’ve seen,” Santner said. Henry’s ten wickets at an average of 16.70 still leads the Champions Trophy wickets chart, despite his missing the final. “He seems to be able to nip it on wickets that don’t look like they should nip, so I guess we missed that today. I feel for Matty. He’s a massive team man, and he looked pretty distraught.”We just kind of said, like, let’s do it for him. To come this far and then be injured for the main event was pretty tough for him and I guess for us. He tried everything he could to be ready for this game, and unfortunately for us, he wasn’t quite there.”There were other battles that New Zealand had had to fight through in the course of the tournament. Where India played all five matches in Dubai, New Zealand had to zip between Dubai and all three venues in Pakistan – the only team in the Champions Trophy to play at four venues.Rachin Ravindra, the Player of the Tournament with 263 runs at an average of 65.75 and a strike rate of 106.47, plus three wickets, had also suffered a blow to his forehead attempting a catch in the outfield in the tri-series in Pakistan that preceded the Champions Trophy. Kyle Jamieson, meanwhile, was a late replacement for Lockie Ferguson, who was injured playing in the ILT20.1:27

Southee: Henry not playing the final a ‘massive loss’ for New Zealand

“It’s never going to go perfectly in these tournaments, I guess, with the quick turnaround of games like we had,” Santner said. “But I think what’s most pleasing is different guys got opportunities and stepped up as. I couldn’t be prouder of the group.”There were guys coming in and out due to injury. And then the way Rachin came back straightaway after his head knock and hit the ground running was great. And Kyle Jamieson flying over and coming straight into the team – I thought he bowled extremely well in the games he played.”Although New Zealand made mistakes in the field as they attempted to defend a target of 253 in the final, it was the first innings that had been definitive, Santner said. New Zealand were 57 for no wicket after 7.4 overs, but then lost Will Young, Ravindra and Kane Williamson in quick succession, to be 75 for 3 after 12.2 overs. Varun Chakravarthy struck the first blow, before Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Ravindra and Williamson within his first seven deliveries.”I think the way we went about it for the first eight overs or so was outstanding. And then it took some brilliance from the spinners to really peg us back and make it challenging through that middle phase,” Santner said. “After the start, we were probably thinking of a score around 275 or 280. Credit has to go to Kuldeep for the way he bowled straight after the powerplay, and Varun inside the powerplay.”

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Southampton fell to defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday in dramatic circumstances. Despite having equalised themselves in stoppage time, the Saints contrived to allow Cardiff to claim a late winner.

The result lifted the Bluebirds out of the relegation zone and sent the south coast club closer to it.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl will be furious that his side weren’t able to cling onto the draw at St Mary’s Stadium. Too many of his players made errors and his side generally lacked cohesion. One man who particularly struggled to make an impact was Shane Long.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

The 32-year-old worked hard but nothing he tried came off. If Southampton are to stay out of trouble this season they need the 82-cap Republic of Ireland forward to be able to deliver when called upon, but he failed to do that against Cardiff.

After the match, plenty of Saints fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment with Long’s display…

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All eyes were on Jadon Sancho as he set foot on the hallowed Wembley Turf on Wednesday evening but it was his opposite number who stole the headlines with a colossal performance on the left-side of a back five.

Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical nous has been called into question in Champions League campaigns down the years. The defeat against Juventus last season underlined a naivety in his approach which ultimately cost his side a place in the quarter-final, but the Argentine was determined to learn his lesson against Borussia Dortmund.

The first-half was typical of a quintessential Champions League knockout stage tie: cagey, tightly-contested, lacking cutting edge – the type of game which is poised on a knife edge and compelling even in the absence of decisive ingenuity. The second-half belonged to the relentless hosts.

It would be a tad hyperbolic to label the game as one of two halves as the opening period was closely matched, but there are clear lines of distinction to be drawn between the first and second period which, in a landmark moment for Europe’s dark horse, pointed towards genuine progression at the top level.

Spurs have often been depicted as the young pretender with no mettle, but demons of a disheartening past were exorcised as experience combined with a sprinkle of youthful exuberance provided a balance which enabled Pochettino’s men to tower above the overwhelmed visitors.

The vociferous yellow wall was gradually drowned out by a buoyant Wembley crowd who grew with confidence as every dominant second half minute passed. At the heart of it all was Jan Vertonghen.

Pitted against England’s golden boy and jet-setting extraordinaire, the Belgium international found himself in unfamiliar territory versus the most talented teenager in Europe.

A highlight reel devoted to Sancho’s stratospheric dribbling ability broadcasted by Sky Sports during the interval summed up the opening 45 minutes: he was the man everyone was talking about and Dortmund’s success rested on his shoulders.

If anything was likely to happen it was going to come through Sancho, but it must be said that Vertonghen did a decent job of marshalling him on the flank; it was the 18-year-old’s darts infield which served to disrupt an otherwise robust defensive unit. At the other end of the field, the makeshift left-back struggled to get to grips with his attacking responsibilities.

His frustration reverberated from his clapping hands when he was dumped on the floor by Dortmund’s Achraf Hakimi a few yards away from the corner flag, leaving him perplexed and mocking the referee following what was unquestionably a blatant foul.

But the second-half hosted the birth of a new left-back, a supercharged Vertonghen 2.0.

The 31-year-old veteran who marched down the tunnel at half-time remained in the dressing room; a revamped, modern day and marauding full-back took his place on the field of play for the second 45 minutes, and within seconds he whipped a world class cross onto the right boot of an airborne Son Heung-min, who caressed the delicious cross into the top corner of the goal, the ball brushing the netting with emphatic delicacy as around  70,000 Spurs fans were sent into delirium.

Little did they know his masterclass was just getting started. A bulldozing run through the heart of Dortmund’s defence ended with a speculative right-footed effort flying harmlessly into the crowd, but his intentions were clear.

And, with just seven minutes of regulatory time remaining, he ghosted in at the back post to double the advantage with an air of conviction which hinted he’d been playing in the wrong position for his entire career.

A 2-0 win at home in the first-leg is widely regarded as the perfect Champions League result.  Pochettino, though, didn’t allow that acute awareness to cloud his judgement and continued to stand by the system which had stifled Dortmund for most of the game, bringing on Fernando Llorente for Lucas Moura in a straight substitution. Just two minutes later he headed Spurs into a fantasy land where all types of myths and legends reside by adding a third goal to complete demolition Dortmund.

Game, set and match – for now at least. The second-half performance was epitomised by maturity, dead-eyed finishing and a willingness to scrap for every last 50:50 or 80:20. Vertonghen was the embodiment of those qualities.

The promise showcased by Sancho in the first-half was symbolic of the Tottenham of years gone by, threatening to do something unprecedented in fleeting moments of enchantment before fading into predictable insignificance.

The majestic second-half masterclass from Vertonghen, however, proved that winds of change have been blowing in north London. Both Pochettino and his excellent squad of players have come of age.

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With Wilfried Zaha suspended for Crystal Palace’s FA Cup clash with Doncaster Rovers this weekend, Roy Hodgson will likely call on Bakary Sako to take his place on the flank for the Eagles.

Sako re-signed for Palace in the recent January transfer window – marking his second spell with the south London club. He has only made one appearance since his return to Selhurst Park though, making a very brief Premier League cameo from the bench against Fulham.

Given Zaha’s huge importance to Hodgson’s side, Sako will have some big boots to fill this weekend. However, if the 30-year-old is to prove his worth to Palace then he must capitalise on this opportunity.

A good run in the FA Cup would be a major boost to Palace’s campaign, and the 21-cap Mali international could make a positive contribution to that cause on Sunday. 

Sako certainly has the pace and dynamism to hurt Doncaster, and against lower league opposition he ought to be able to find some end product too if given the chance. Failure to impress would cast serious doubts on his ability to contribute for Palace this season.

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Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe will undergo a knee scan on Monday, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.

What’s the situation?

Roofe played the full 90 minutes of Leeds’ 2-1 win over Swansea City in the Championship on Wednesday night.

However, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the attacker has undergone treatment on his knee since then, raising concerns that he could be carrying a potentially season-changing issue.

Roofe has played 26 Championship matches for the Whites this season, which is a clear indication of his importance.

The Whites are not back in action until next weekend when they host Bolton Wanderers, but then face Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion in quick succession.

The fact that the 26-year-old was mobile on Saturday and indeed finished the clash with Swansea last week suggests that the issue might be minor.

However, Leeds will be sweating on the fitness of the Englishman, who has 14 Championship goals to his name during the 2018-19 campaign.

How big a miss would Roofe be for Leeds?

The fact that Roofe is the team’s leading scorer this season counts for a lot, although there are some Leeds fans who have not been happy with his performances in recent weeks.

Indeed, a number of the club’s supporters have recently criticised the forward, who has netted just once in his last eight Championship appearances.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

He is unquestionably Leeds’ most proven option in the final third though, and Patrick Bamford has had his own knee issues this season.

The simple fact of the matter is that Roofe is crucial to Marcelo Bielsa’s side, meaning that a potential long-term absence would be a huge blow at this stage of the season.

Leeds have 14 Championship matches left to play this term and currently occupy third spot in the table, two points behind leaders Norwich City.

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West Ham United may well hope that Declan Rice does not turn in another brilliant performance against Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Sun reported earlier this month that City were lining up a raid on English talent in the summer, with £50million-rated Rice on a shortlist also including Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell.

On the chalkboard

Rice has been in exceptional form for the Hammers thus far this season, turning in superb performances against both Arsenal and Liverpool.

In the former game, he scored his first senior goal for the Irons as they won 1-0 but another sterling display could be something of a double-edged sword.

City will have scouted Rice prior to Wednesday’s game, of course, but he could offer Pep Guardiola a timely reminder of his attributes if he repeats his previous displays against top-six opposition at the London Stadium.

With Fernandinho injured during the Carabao Cup final, defensive midfield appears to be the one position where City lack the depth so prevalent across the board.

A move for Rice makes all the sense in the world, then, but he remains the jewel in the Hammers’ crown this season.

Indeed, he has made himself indispensable to manager Manuel Pellegrini, playing 28 times in all competitions, and finding himself in contention for an England call-up after declaring his intention to play for the Three Lions over the Republic of Ireland.

Per WhoScored, Rice makes an average of 2.8 tackles per game, along with 1.6 interceptions and 0.4 fouls. On the ball, he averages a pass completion rate of 86.2%, from 44.3 passes per game.

Proving his worth to City on Wednesday, then, would benefit the Hammers on the night but may ultimately see him exit the London Stadium this summer.

Perfect for City

Rice appears to fit the exact profile of player that City need.

Fernandinho is injury-prone and will be 34 in May, with Guardiola needing to bring in fresh blood to compete in the position.

West Ham are sure to demand a pretty penny but the champions have the resources required to buy practically any player in world football.

A £50m move would thoroughly compensate the east London side but they are unlikely to find a replacement any time soon.

Ultimately, they may have to hope Rice flops on Wednesday and that City decide to turn their attention elsewhere, such is the pricelessness of the midfielder to the Hammers.

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Joe Worrall scored his first goal for Rangers in their 1-1 draw with Aberdeen in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup on Sunday afternoon.

The two teams will do it all again in a replay next week, and it was confirmed on Monday that Celtic will be waiting for the winner in the semi-finals.

Worrall has not always had the full support of the Rangers fans, but many were delighted with his performance against the Dons at the weekend.

Indeed, in response to a Twitter post from the central defender, a large number of the club’s fans took to social media to lavish praise on the 22-year-old.

Worrall joined the Gers on loan from Nottingham Forest last summer and has made 27 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants this term.

A selection of the reaction from the Rangers fans, who will be desperate to set up a last-four clash with Celtic, can be seen below:

Transfer recruitment at Liverpool has changed quite a bit recently, hasn’t it? Gone are the days of trying to strengthen for another title push by bringing in the likes of Rickie Lambert, Javier Manquillo Divock Origi and Alberto Moreno, just to name a few.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been formidable in their recruitment to bolster a title challenge this season, with the acquisitions of Alisson, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita all proving their worth or showing glimpses of what they are capable of in the future already.

As the transfer situation has altered significantly at Anfield now, with that being said though, let’s take a look are two of the worst Liverpool signings in the past five years…

Lazar Markovic

Markovic was brought to Merseyside for a reported £20m when he was just 20-years-old in 2014.

The Serbian failed to live up to his potential at Liverpool with numerous ineffective performances in his debut season. The multiple loans that followed could not help push him in the direction either.

Markovic is now back in the Premier League at Fulham, but the deal is only a short-term one.

Mario Balotelli

During that summer that Markovic joined Liverpool, alongside a handful of players who just did not fit the bill to challenge for a League title, a gamble was taken on someone who had been inconsistent in the League with Manchester City.

Mario Balotelli was signed for a reported £16m from AC Milan, but, like Markovic and so many others, failed to live up to expectations.

The Italian international netted just four times in 28 games in all competitions, with only one of those goals being scored in the League.

His time at Anfield was one to forget for both parties, but he has now found his feet at Marseille whereby, following a January move, he has five goals in seven games.

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Divided Arsenal fans on Tuesday afternoon have been reacting on Twitter to the latest comments made by controversial former player Paul Merson.

Merson made 212 appearances as an attacking midfielder for the Gunners in 12 years after graduating from the academy, scoring 39 goals.

But since, the 50-year-old has been ever-outspoken about his former club and clearly upset some fans with his latest remarks, while others appear to completely agree with him.

Appearing on Sky Sports show The Debate, the ex-England international was quoted as saying, in a dig at the perceived lack of ambition from the owners of the North London club in recent seasons “Manchester United will make an effort to win the league next season. They’ll buy players. Arsenal won’t.”

Opinions from Gooners about the quote have ranged from beliefs that Merson’s stating the obvious to admissions that the pundit’s words should be given about as much thought as he puts into them, none at all! If one thing’s for sure, though, they have certainly split a fan base.

Here is our list of the best reaction Tweets…

So what if Tottenham are struggling in the league? Now that they’re into the last eight of the Champions League, Mauricio Pochettino has taken yet another step to show how good a manager he is.

Yes, the team may be frustratingly inconsistent at times but when they turn it on, they turn it on. Now that Harry Kane is back and amongst the goals once again, Tottenham just need to work on their chance creation and keep it tight at the back to put themselves back on course to keep their place in the top four.

Whether they enjoy a successful season or not, they could be waving goodbye to their biggest creative outlet Christian Eriksen, who has been linked with a move to Spain. Namely Real Madrid, who are reportedly (as per the Independent) eyeing the Dane.

Although it would be very tricky to find a replacement as good as him, Villarreal’s Pablo Fornals could fill the void remarkably well.

Fornals, (who is valued at £27 million on Transfermarkt) is being chased by Tottenham and Arsenal apparently (via the Express), after producing a number of eye-catching performances this season.

The 23-year-old has been a shining light in what’s been a weird season for The Yellow Submarine. Despite being just one point away from the relegation zone, the Spanish side are well on their way to securing a place in the quarter-final of the Europa League.

With a move to England and specifically Tottenham, Fornals won’t have to worry about fighting relegation, rather fighting for the title instead.

He is a top playmaker that if given the right amount of service that he’s sure to get at Tottenham, could provide even more than the four goals and five assists he has stumped up so far this season.

Tottenham fans, would you back Fornals as a potential replacement for Eriksen? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…