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Maccabi Haifa midfielder Mohammad Abu Fani is reportedly pushing for a move to Celtic after it’s been revealed that he’s held exit talks with his agent over a possible summer departure.

The Lowdown: Confirmed Celtic interest

The 24-year-old has been part of the Israeli outfit ever since joining the club at U19s level back in 2017, working his way up through the ranks to make 99 senior first-team appearances across all competitions for the club to date.

Even though the maestro still has four years remaining on his current contract with Barak Bakhar’s side, the 14-cap international has recently been linked with a move away from Maccabi amid interest from the Hoops, and following a fresh update, it seems as though the creative midfield man is keen to make the switch.

The Latest: Abu Fani pushing for Celtic move

In a new article published by the Daily Record, it’s claimed that Abu Fani is ‘pushing for an exit’ after hearing of the Bhoys’ interest, with the Scottish Premiership champions’ scouts having already ‘watched’ the £900k-rated ace playing for his country during the recent Nations League fixtures.

The source further states that the club are ‘demanding’ £800k to let the player leave during the upcoming transfer window, but won’t stand in his way if the right offer was to come in.

As relayed by the report, Israeli outfit ONE have revealed that ‘talks have taken place’ between Haifa chiefs and Dudu Dahan’s ScoutPush agency, with the representative wanting to see his client move to a European league in the coming weeks.

The Verdict: Hoops hold huge advantage

The fact that Celtic have already sent employees out to watch Abu Fani in action just shows how serious they are about trying to secure a deal for their target, and there’s a chance that they could hold a big advantage over any other potential competitors.

Dahan, the player’s agent, has already engineered moves to the Glasgow giants in the past for the likes of Nir Bitton and more recently Liel Abada, who is an international teammate of the 5 foot 6 playmaker, so there’s every chance that he will want to grasp the opportunity of working alongside someone he already has a strong relationship with.

Having provided four assists and scored two goals in Ligat ha’AL this season, as per Transfermarkt, Abu Fani could be the perfect replacement for the departing Bitton and Rogic, with Ange Postecoglou looking to get this deal over the line way in advance of the start of the new campaign.

In other news… the Hoops have been handed a huge transfer blow in the pursuit of one of their summer targets.

West Ham United opted against bolstering their offensive line in the January transfer window but it doesn’t look like David Moyes is ready to make the same mistake twice.

What’s the word? West Ham are interested in signing Emmanuel Dennis from Watford this summer according to the Mirror.The already-relegated striker is on the radar of the Irons with the club’s hierarchy believed to be weighing up a £20m bid for the attacker.[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-this-weeks-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news!”]That said, the Hammers may need to fork out up to £30m in order to get their man.Sign him upWest Ham haven’t got much wrong this season.They are on the cusp of qualifying for Europe again and enjoyed a miraculous run to the semi-finals of the Europa League.It’s hard to find fault with their football and their practices behind closed doors but not investing in a striker over the winter has arguably cost them dearly.Michail Antonio will run himself into the ground for Moyes but he has been the club’s sole centre forward for the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign.The Jamaica international’s efforts have to be applauded but such is his workload that performances have dwindled at times, scoring just twice in the top-flight since the turn of the year.That’s why signing Dennis would be a particularly good idea.He’s not exactly had the best service at Vicarage Road which makes his first season in the Premier League all the more impressive.Dubbed “superb” by one journalist, he has found the net on ten occasions while registering six assists in the process.Rather amusingly, he also ranks at the top of the tree when it comes to nutmegs in England’s premier division this campaign with a whopping 21.Clearly a nightmare for opposition defenders, the forward is also similar to a certain Jarrod Bowen.FB Ref’s detailed statistics reveal that the pair are ‘similar players’ and despite the duo operating in different positions, there are plenty of comparable attributes.For starters, they shoot with similar regularity. Throughout 2021/22, Dennis has registered 0.94 shots on target per 90 compared to Bowen’s 1.03, via FB Ref.When it comes to pass completion, they are both successful with 68%, while they also complete around five and a half passes under pressure per 90 minutes.Furthermore, their shot-creating actions per 90 are also pretty alike with the Nigerian registering 3.17 per 90 compared to the England hopeful’s 2.96.Finally, they both take the same number of touches per 90 at 38 and are successful with 41.5-44.5% of their dribbles.It took Bowen a while to finally get up to speed in the Premier League but since then he’s been a spectacular piece of business.GSB will have to hope that Dennis turns out the same way. Given his experience of England already, however, it would be a surprise if he didn’t settle in quickly.AND in other news, “I believe” – ExWHUemployee drops big West Ham transfer claim, supporters will love it…

Wolves manager Bruno Lage is set to welcome back attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White this summer once the 22-year-old completes his loan spell at Sheffield United and could integrate him into his Premier League squad.

According to TEAMTalk, the Wanderers boss is ready to hand the England U21 international a chance with the first team during pre-season after impressing on loan in South Yorkshire.

The attacking midfielder, labelled as “outstanding” by former Barnsley boss Poya Asbaghi, has scored 11 goals and registered nine assists in 35 Championship appearances for the Blades this term which has seen them secure a play-off place. One of those strikes was even labelled as “filth” by Wolves reporter Tim Spiers.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side will take on Nottingham Forest across two legs, starting next weekend, for a place in the final at Wembley as United look to instantly bounce back into the Premier League.

Moreover, Gibbs-White was awarded with both Sheffield United’s Player of the Year Award and Young Player of the Year and promotion would cap off an excellent loan spell.

Given his success away from Molineux this term, it’s vital that Lage ensures that the 22-year-old is handed an opportunity to impress in the Premier League for Wolves next term, no less so than with Ruben Neves constantly linked away from the club.

In the pipeline

Prior to his loan spell, the £8.1m-rated attacking midfielder did score one of the first goals of the Lage era, netting in the 4-0 EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest in August whilst also playing seven minutes of Premier League football across two appearances.

The current Wolves boss’ predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo was certainly a fan of the Englishman, recalling him from his loan at Swansea City midway through last term and handing the midfielder 11 appearances in the Premier League.

Having come through the youth ranks at Wolves, the Stafford-born playmaker was also a part of the U17 World Cup winning England squad in 2017 and has earned four U21 caps for his country.

Goals have been at a serious shortage for the West Midlands outfit this term, with just Burnley and relegated sides, Watford and Norwich, scoring fewer league goals than their 35.

Therefore, extra creativity in the final third is a must as Lage looks to build on his first season in England, which looks like a top-half finish will be secured at the very least with Europe still achievable.

Moreover, that creativity can be found for no extra money through unleashing Gibbs-White next term.

AND in other news: Huge boost: Wolves handed massive injury lifeline, it could help secure Europe

A packed crowd at MA Chidambaram stadium experienced a cocktail of emotions, resulting in a win that was ‘meant to be’

Deivarayan Muthu in Chennai11-Apr-20181:45

‘It was meant to be’ – Billings

The lead-up to Chennai Super Kings’ homecoming after nearly three years was insane. Several local political parties and fringe groups had threatened to disrupt the match against Kolkata Knight Riders to show solidarity with protests calling for the resolution of the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and neighboring state Karnataka. By 5pm, a political group staged protests at nearby Wallajah road, which prompted the police to cordon off several routes leading to MA Chidambaram Stadium.The beefed-up security and heavy traffic around the ground caused the match officials to arrive late. Later, the toss was delayed by 13 minutes, but the anxiety turned into delight when MS Dhoni finally walked out. Not a ball bowled yet, but nearly all the stands were filled up.Eight overs into the match, though, panic set in when a group of spectators flung a pair of shoes at the edge of the boundary in the vicinity of Ravindra Jadeja and substitute Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis picked up the shoe, smiled at the crowd and tossed it back amid delirious chants of “CSK! CSK! CSK!” The contrasting emotions summed up the night for the CSK faithful.The fans have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions over the past two years, but they enjoyed a happy, if not a perfect, CSK homecoming with newbie Sam Billings rising above the chaos.Familiar chants of had dominated the early exchanges before Andre Russell hushed the crowd with a barrage of sixes.Russell’s brutal 88 not out off 36 balls launched Knight Riders to 202 for 6. The CSK faithful was twitchy. The opposition had three quality spinners in their ranks and there were question marks over Super Kings’ batting, despite the stunning heist they pulled off in the season opener in Mumbai.Shane Watson, however, gave the crowd hope with three successive boundaries in the first over of the chase. Ambati Rayudu then laid into Piyush Chawla and helped the team rattle off 75 runs in the Powerplay. Both the openers then fell in quick succession, but the fans were in no mood to complain. As soon as Rayudu holed out, the MA Chidambaram stadium raised itself to a deafening roar to welcome back the .Dhoni, though, struggled to time the ball but he had the full support of a packed crowd. Every run drew a cheer. Suresh Raina, another local favourite, was struggling with cramps and ultimately dragged a catch to long-on for 14 off 12 balls. At that point, CSK needed two runs a ball, and it was only the 12th over of the chase.The time was right for a hero to emerge and in came Billings. The England batsman who was once too nervous to ask Dhoni for a selfie was now batting with Dhoni, and having the Chennai crowd grooving to his tunes. His scooped six over fine leg off Russell in the 18th over left everyone in awe, which soon turned into shock when he toe-ended a catch to long-off for 56 off 23 balls.Eventually, CSK needed 17 off the last over with Jadeja struggling to time the ball, much like Dhoni, and Dwayne Bravo new to the crease. Vinay Kumar then sent down a full toss above the waist and Bravo spliced it over fine leg for a six to ease the nerves. The free-hit ball went for two runs while the next was an off-side wide. The next two balls fetched only two runs, leaving Super Kings needing four runs off two balls. Vinay put one in Jadeja’s swinging arc and the batsman finally connected well enough to clear the boundary and secure another thrilling win with one ball to spare.Agony, ecstasy, hurt, panic, passion and pride: a cocktail of emotions all in one night. As Billings put it in the post-match press conference, such a homecoming was “meant to be”.

Stats highlights from the second day’s play in Pallekele where Australia were bowled out for 203 by Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan

Bharath Seervi27-Jul-20160 Number of chinaman bowlers who have better figures on Test debut than Lakshan Sandakan’s 4 for 58. The only other chinaman bowler to take a four-wicket haul on Test debut was Chuck Fleetwood-Smith (4 for 64) , against South Africa in Durban in 1935. Sandakan’s figures are the second-best by a Sri Lanka spinner on Test debut.320 Aggregate of runs by both teams in their first innings of this Test, the second-lowest in a Test in Sri Lanka where both sides batted. The lowest is 298, which came in Kandy in 2005 after the hosts were all out for 150 and West Indies scored 148.1934 The previous instance when two left-arm spinners took four or more wickets in the same Test innings – for England against India at Chepauk. The current Pallekele Test, where Rangana Herath and Sandakan both took four wickets, is only the third such instance. The first two instances were both for England and came before World War II.3 Four-wicket hauls for Herath in Tests in Pallekele, in four innings; he took three wickets in the other innings. His bowling average of 16.13 at this venue is his second-best among the six Sri Lankan venues he has played at.7 Four-wicket hauls for Herath in nine Tests against Australia. He has taken at least one four-wicket haul in seven of the nine Tests. His strike rate of 57.5 balls per wicket against Australia is his second-best against any team.2004 The last time Australia were all out for a total lower than 203 in Tests against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka – 120 in Kandy. Their total of 203 is their fourth-lowest against Sri Lanka in the country. The first three instances were all in Kandy.1 Australia’s innings of 203 in Pallekele is the first time that no batsman in their side has scored a 50 or more in an innings against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Adam Voges was the top scorer in Australia’s first innings with 47.1983 The last time Australia’s Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 all scored 25 or more runs in a Test innings against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka – in Kandy in April 1983. Australia had amassed 514 in that innings, though, compared to just 203 in this Test.5 Number of consecutive 50-plus scores for Steven Smith in Tests, before this match. The streak ended with his dismissal on 30. His scores in his last five innings were: 134*, 70*, 71, 138 and 53*.

West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo talks to ESPNcricinfo about his omission from the World Cup squad, his performance in the IPL and the possible road forward for West Indies cricket

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Jun-2015Phil Simmons, the West Indies head coach, has indicated that he would like to meet you and talk to you about your plans. Has he had discussions with you?
I see that (Simmons’ move) as a positive (step). I am available for international cricket, but we can only play if we are selected. We cannot play if we are not selected. So, therefore, yeah, whenever he is ready to talk, I’m ready. We have been having discussions over the phone. I am always prepared, and ready to play and represent the West Indies team. It is up to them whether they need my services or not.Has Simmons met you after your return from IPL 2015?
We are going to meet on June 23 when I get to Barbados. We have had friendly conversations where I have given him a few ideas of what I see on the TV as far as the Test team is concerned. It has nothing to do about my return to Test cricket or anything like that. Simmons was the national coach of Trinidad & Tobago, so we have a fairly good relationship. And I am very happy he is the head coach of the West Indies team and I hope things work out and go according to plan for him.Are you open to revoking your Test retirement?
No. There is a lot more that needs to be changed in order for me to even think of coming back into Test cricket. At the moment I am happy with my decision and I don’t see it changing anytime soon unless something drastic changes.What are these changes?
There are changes that need to be changed. I can’t go into any details, but I am happy with my decision, and look forward to playing in the shorter format of the game.How much does winning the purple cap in the IPL matter?
It is a good feeling but, at the same time, winning the purple cap but losing in the final does not really justify the purple cap. If it would have been (a case of) ‘lose the purple cap and win the final’, it would have been much better for me. Unfortunately, both times I won the purple cap both times we lost in the final. It is a good achievement to win the purple cap. But it would have been a lot more pleasing to win both the cap and the IPL.Does it, in some way, prove a point to the WICB and the selectors after you were dropped from the World Cup squad?
No, no. I have no point to prove to anyone. I know my ability. A lot of people around the world know my ability and know I should have been in the World Cup team after being in the ICC ODI Team of the Year (2014). Having been West Indies’ ODI player for the last 12 months and then not to be selected (for the World Cup), obviously a lot of people know that politics was involved in it. I have nothing to prove to anyone. I still consider myself one of the better allrounders in the region. It has been two tough months for me (during World Cup). While I was not playing cricket, I was making music. I had taken my focus away from cricket. I just wanted to do well for Chennai Super Kings and have a good tournament, and I did that.”It is shame that before the World Cup even started, they were already prepared to lose and look forward to building for the next World Cup, whereas in the last three years we were building for this World Cup.”•Getty ImagesClive Lloyd, the WICB head of selectors, said that that he met you and Kieron Pollard in Cape Town and explained the selectors’ vision before announcing the World Cup squad. In hindsight, do you agree with him?
No, we did not agree. We actually laughed when he said it to us. To be honest, we knew it was coming. We know the type of people in charge of our cricket are actually mature enough to make sensible decisions and the right decisions for the benefit of cricket. If we had got selected we actually would have been surprised. We expected it. There was nothing that shocked us. The explanation that they gave us was too many allrounders or they want to try young players, whatever the case might be… Kieron Pollard is 27, I am 31.
Also as far as our form was concerned, as I said, the last 12 months I had been West Indies’ best player. So to be left out with those explanations, obviously, all we could have done is laugh. It was a big joke. Another World Cup come, finish. They (were) happy with their decision. They were prepared not to win this World Cup. It is a shame that before the World Cup even started, they were already prepared to lose and look forward to building for the next World Cup, whereas in the last three years we were building for this World Cup. But it is all water under the bridge now. I am not someone to hold on to anything.The relationship between the WICB and the senior players, especially guys like you who play around the world, has remained strained despite isolated talks. What needs to be done?
For me, I am very easy. I always want the best for West Indies cricket and the West Indies team. But it takes two hands to clap. I can only do so much. I am prepared, I am willing to discuss with anyone. Chris Gayle, Pollard, we all share the same view. We all want the best for West Indies cricket.It is strange that while T20 franchises continue to get the best out of Caribbean players, West Indies cricket is unable to cash in on similar benefits? What is the solution?
Maybe one way is the WICB or Richard Pybus (team director of West Indies cricket) should try to meet the players and try to sit down and discuss a plan forward and a way forward. Having said that, they make decisions based on what they think is right for West Indies cricket. But sometimes what they think does not automatically be (sic) the right decision. To be honest it is very challenging here in the West Indies.You are back in the captain’s seat at Trinidad &Tobago Red Steel. Were you missing the captaincy?
No, no. Not at all. Even as a kid growing up, my dream was never ever to be a captain of any team. I just want to play cricket for my country or whichever team I am selected to play for. Captaincy comes along the way because of my maturity, because of how I play and my attitude towards the game and the relationships I have with players. (And that is why) A lot of people see me as a leader. I just want to play cricket, enjoy cricket and that is what is important to me. As far as captaincy is concerned, it is very challenging. Depending on what team you are leading, you enjoy more than others. I enjoyed captaining the West Indies team because of the simple reason that I have a lot more in control.How much will the presence of Jacques Kallis help you and T&T?
In the last two seasons, where we faltered was with our batting and also we were not able to finish off games or bat out entire innings. With his experience, knowledge, and him being a world-class player, that is going to be a big difference. We will have the rest of team bat around him. I am just happy to actually pin him down in the auction and have him in my team. He is someone that I admire and look up to. Playing and growing up and being an allrounder myself, and now sharing the same dressing room is a pleasure for me.You said you switched off from cricket during the World Cup and focused on music. Was it a conscious decision to move away from cricket at the point where it had become painful?
I have a passion for music. So it is challenging to do music and play cricket at the same time. Recording songs is very difficult, so I used the two months to give music that time. So it was not a case of me trying to get out of cricket, or stop playing cricket. It was just for me to fulfil another hobby that I love. It seems impossible but it can be possible with hard work. I am someone very dedicated to what I want in life and I was able to do some songs. One is and every day it is becoming bigger and bigger.

Just eight Tests old, Dimuth Karunaratne has the skills to become a fine international opener. With more consistency and a better understanding of his own game, he may well be the answer to Sri Lanka’s top order as they continue replacing the old guard

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Sharjah16-Jan-2014Karunaratne targets 300

Sri Lanka batsman Dimuth Karunaratne compared the surface in Sharjah to spin-friendly pitches routinely found in Galle, as Sri Lanka reached 220 for 5 on the first day. Saeed Ajmal’s offspin appeared more menacing than it has been throughout the series, while Abdur Rehman was also effective in building pressure on the batsmen. Spin accounted for three wickets.
“The pitch we have in Galle is similar to here,” Karunaratne said. “That wicket gives a lot of turn as well. We have played on a lot of spinning wickets in Sri Lanka, so it’s not a surprise for us. When you compare with the Abu Dhabi and Dubai wicket, it’s drier here. I think it’s not too dangerous when the fast bowlers are bowling, but the spinners aren’t too dangerous yet either.”
Karunaratne said Sri Lanka’s scoring rate of 2.44 was justified and said they would seek 80 more runs in the first innings.
“I think the outfield is slow as well. We needed to get some confidence on that track because it spins a bit and it’s slow. That is why we have got 220 in the first day. For now, we are looking at 300 plus, and beyond that it’s a bonus.”

When Dimuth Karunaratne fell to Abdur Rehman in the first over after lunch, he pondered his dismissal for a moment. There was nothing to challenge, for he had clearly hit the ball to slip. But he knew that once again, he had earned a start, seen through the nerves, and then fallen away when a substantial score called. The promise of his batting is clear every time he comes to the crease, but he is yet to produce a knock worthy of his ability, nor one that would put his place in the side truly beyond question.Karunaratne has played 17 Test innings, but only in five of those occasions has he faced fewer than 25 balls. In all but six innings, he has crossed 15. He has appeared insecure outside off stump on certain occasions, particularly when the new ball seams across him, but only few batsmen can say they did not consistently flirt with danger early in their careers. Even when he has struggled, however, he is swift and confident when he does detect a ball in his range – a symptom of the strong, uncluttered mind that breeds resilient openers.The few times he has breached 20 so effortlessly, it seemed as if he was heading towards a defining innings. His 34 in Sharjah was not among his most convincing innings, but even there, a whipped boundary through midwicket off Saeed Ajmal, and a square drive off Mohammad Talha inspired some confidence. Which is why when he left the field at lunch, the most arduous examinations had seemed to be behind him.”I’m disappointed that I’ve not been able to convert my 30s into big scores,” Karunaratne said. “No one wants to get out after getting a start, but sometimes I have bad luck. But I do try to convert my 30s into big innings, because I feel like if I get a big one, I will have the confidence to keep doing that.”During Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia, Karunaratne consistently got very good balls in the first 15 overs, vindicating his comment about bad fortune. Even in this series, he has faced two fine deliveries from Junaid Khan. But the larger truth of his failures so far has been that he is the architect of his own downfall. Many times, he is a victim of ambition – playing the booming drive or rasping cut at one too many deliveries. His lowest score in this series has been 24, but in five innings, he only has one fifty – which came in a chase of 137.Yet, aggression is also his strength. He has amassed mammoth scores for the A team, largely by taking risks and earning momentum. More encouragingly, he has been just as good away as he has been at home, as Karunaratne was the top-scorer in the last two away tours for the A team, to South Africa in 2012, and the Caribbean last year.In Sharjah, he fell attempting to hit a full and wide delivery, and while it is easy to suggest he should have left that ball alone, it would have been just as simple to brand the delivery a poor one if Karunaratne had connected as he wished. The same could be said about the short and wide delivery to which he perished in the first innings in Abu Dhabi.Karunaratne feels he must play a little more conservatively to find his feet in Tests, but more incisive judgement and a better understanding of his own game would also serve him well. Both of those qualities are largely borne from experience, which is why the selectors must consider him an ongoing investment. After all, there is no doubt he has earned his place.”The reason I haven’t been able to replicate what I’ve done for the A team is that there’s a big difference between the A team level and this one. The best bowlers from each country are here in internationals. Also, when I’ve played at the top level, I’ve cut down on my scoring shots and tried to bat for a long time. Usually if I bat through the first hour or first session, I would have hit a fifty – so that’s a change at this level. But I feel like if I continue to do what I’ve been doing, I can turn it into an advantage and succeed.”By a statistical measure, Karunaratne’s tour of the UAE has been a moderate success so far. His tally of 190 is the third highest among Sri Lanka’s batsmen, even if he has had one more innings than most others.It is glib to compare him unfavourably alongside the newer Kaushal Silva, because not only is Silva a more seasoned domestic player, his cricket is also characterised by consistency. Karunaratne may suffer more lows in his career, but at his best, he is capable of the ravishing innings that ease the burden on the men batting around him. If Silva, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne are the anchors of Sri Lanka’s future top four, the dynamism and stroke range Karunaratne offers might be the key in placing opposition bowlers in discomfort. His strengths are through the leg side, while the others are better off-side players.For now, Karunaratne appears to have the raw materials to become a fine international opener. He is just lacking the adhesive that might bring his talents all together.

Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo

Andrew McGlashan in Colombo06-Apr-2012Plan of the day
England were being frustrated by the efforts of nightwatchman Dhammika Prasad who had withstood whatever James Anderson or Graeme Swann threw at him. Then a change of plan worked perfectly. The field was set for a short delivery from Steven Finn – with two men out in the deep and a short leg – so Prasad knew what was coming but still obligingly hooked straight to deep square. Finn gave him a little clap as he walked off.Chirping of the day

There was a bit of needle out in the middle as England hunted early breakthroughs. Anderson had plenty to say to Prasad, and followed through towards the batsman on a couple of occasions, but they were not the only words exchanged. Tillakaratne Dilshan was far from happy when he thought Alastair Cook had walked across a good length in his spikes. Dilshan spoke to the umpires and a few of the England players chipped back at Dilshan, presumably about him wanting a nightwatchman. In the end, the umpires asked the captain, Andrew Strauss, to have a word before anyone stepped over the line.Debate of the day

When Dilshan was given out against Swann he immediately called for a review. He was convinced he had not hit the ball but the replays – without the aid of Hot Spot – were inconclusive so Bruce Oxenford’s on-field decision stood after a very lengthy wait as Rod Tucker studied the pictures. Dilshan was fuming as he trudged off, but it was not a shocking decision.Bowling change of the day

Regardless of the role of DRS in Dilshan’s dismissal, it provided immediate reward for Swann who had been surprisingly overlooked straight after lunch as Samit Patel was given a spell from the Press Box End. Patel was not expensive but neither was he a huge threat. Swann wasted no time in making his mark and provided a constant danger.Drop of the day

The perfect start for England after tea would have been a quick wicket and they came within fingertips of getting one. Mahela Jayawardene came down the pitch at Patel, again given an early-session bowl, and aimed a lofted drive over mid-on but it did not come out of the middle. It flew towards Tim Bresnan who had to backpedal – as Kevin Pietersen did successfully on the second morning to catch Suraj Randiv – but he could not get the required airtime to pull in the catch. It was not an easy chance, but in conditions like this everything needed to be taken.Late surge of the day
With two overs to go, Swann was brought back for one before the close. What a crucial decision it proved. He induced a bottom edge onto leg stump from Thilan Samaraweera then, two balls, ripped one through Suraj Randiv (the second nightwatchman of the innings). Each time Swann exploded in celebration; he found the energy from somewhere. It was just the finish England wanted.

Cricinfo looks back at some of the important stats from the 2009 ICC World Twenty20

S Rajesh22-Jun-2009Comparing the two World Twenty20s – overall numbersIt’s remarkable how similar the stats are for the two tournaments: 11 more wickets fell this year, but the average runs per wicket is almost the same, while the runs per over went down marginally. Sri Lanka were the only team to score more than 1000 runs – they managed 1100 – but ironically, it was their failure with the bat in the final that cost them the title. Pakistan were next best with 990 runs, but the team which scored their runs the quickest was West Indies, making their 851 runs at 8.46 per over. Netherlands and Ireland were the only teams to score at less than seven per over, while among the top teams India were the laggards, scoring at a run-rate of 7.47, marginally lower than Scotland’s 7.50.Among the bowling teams, South Africa were the best, averaging 16.28 per wicket and 6.48 per over, while Pakistan (17.82, 6.81) and Sri Lanka (18.30, 7.14) were next best. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were also the only teams to take more than 50 wickets – both took 52.

Comparing the two World Twenty20s

YearRunsWicketsAverageRun rate2007788134822.647.992009762533722.627.62</tableHow the runs were scoredThe overall run-rate was almost the same, but the manner in which the runs were scored were quite different. The most significant difference was the number of sixes in the two tournaments – the 2007 edition had 265, while in England the number was only 166, a difference of 99. Pakistan hit the most sixes – 21 – while that was also the only category where India were somewhere near the top – their 19 sixes put them in second place, with South Africa. Sri Lanka led the fours tally with 121, and were the only ones to hit more than 100 fours – the next best were South Africa, with 87.West Indies and Sri Lanka conceded the most number of sixes – 21 each – while Pakistan only conceded 13 in seven games.

How the runs were scored in 2007 and in 2009

YearSinglesTwosThreesFoursSixes20072156450386592652009224857045668166The spin factorWith the tournament being held in the early part of the summer, fast bowlers were expected to hold sway, but spinners did much better in this edition than in the previous one: they took 130 wickets at an excellent economy rate of 6.70, while fast bowlers leaked almost eight runs per over. In 2007, there was hardly any difference between the economy rates of spinners and fast bowlers. Of the seven bowlers who took ten or more wickets, four were spinners, and they also lead the way in the list of best economy rates.

Pace and spin in the two World Twenty20s

2007 – wicketsAverageEcon rate2009 – wicketsAverageEcon ratePace22625.147.7618425.687.97Spin8023.897.8813020.956.70The Powerplay oversBatting was slightly easier in the Powerplay overs in England than in South Africa in the previous World Twenty20. Scotland scored at 9.41 in these overs, but they also conceded 12.08 per over. What was more shocking, though, was that Australia were equally profligate, conceding their runs at exactly the same rate as Scotland (145 runs in 72 balls for both). Sri Lanka had an excellent record in the Powerplay- (8.77 per over at more than 63 per wicket) till they botched it up in the final.

The Powerplay overs in 2009 and in 2007

YearRunsWicketsAverageRun rate200723268627.047.45200925148330.287.75The middle overs (7 to 14)This is where the spinners came into play, and expectedly the run-rate during this period was much lower compared to 2007. Pakistan were the best team during this period, taking 20 wickets conceding only 5.96 per over, thanks largely to Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, while Sri Lanka conceded 6.19 per over. Among the batting teams, West Indies, England and Pakistan were the only teams that scored at more than seven per over during this period.

The middle overs in 2009 and in 2007

YearRunsWicketsAverageRun rate2007313011028.457.702009278211125.066.77The last six oversThe run rate was marginally lower in the last six overs in this year compared to 2007. Australia and India were surprisingly the leading teams with the bat during this period, scoring at 11.75 and 10.29 per over. South Africa were the best bowling team, conceding only 6.63 per over, with Pakistan next at 7.36 per over, an indication of how effective Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn and Umar Gul were for their teams.

The last six overs in 2009 and in 2007

YearRunsWicketsAverageRun rate2007242515215.959.032009232914316.288.78Venue statsThe Oval was clearly the best venue for batting, with teams averaging 8.14 per over. There was little to choose between the two other venues, Trent Bridge and Lord’s.

Venue-wise stats in the 2009 World Twenty20

VenueMatchesRuns per wktRuns per overThe Oval921.578.14Trent Bridge1023.317.49Lord’s822.977.29The slow nature of the pitch at Trent Bridge meant spinners had plenty of success there, taking 56 wickets at an average of less than 20 and an economy rate of 6.38. The pace and bounce at Lord’s made it toughest for batsmen to get the fast bowlers away for runs.

Pace and spin at each venue

VenuePace – wktsAverageEcon rateSpin – wktsAverageEcon rateThe Oval7221.838.403623.147.23Trent Bridge5729.758.105619.776.38Lord’s5526.497.403820.616.64The toss factorIn 27 games, the team winning the toss won the match 13 times. Putting runs up on the board was also more profitable, with 16 wins for teams which batted first.

New Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian as a potentially "important player" for the Selecao's future.

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• Estevao Willian heading to Chelsea
• Blues signed youngster for £56m
• Will join the club this summer

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ancelotti, the new Brazil boss, has hailed Estevao as a potentially huge player for Brazil's future. The Palmeiras winger has agreed to join Chelsea in a blockbuster £56 million ($76m) deal, and only turned 18 in April. He has already won four caps for his country, and has played 78 times for the Brazilian club, scoring 26 goals and laying on 15 assists.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ancelotti was asked about the teenager ahead of his move to England, and the ex-Real Madrid boss has made a big claim about just how good he can be. Brazil are next in action on Friday against Ecuador.

• WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

  Ancelotti said: "Estevao, I already knew about. I hadn’t seen him in person, only through videos and on TV, but I see what everyone sees: that he is a player with extraordinary, special talent, very young, and who still has things to learn.

  "Estevao is a talented player, humble, has drive and personality. He has immense creativity, a ton of qualities." He added: "Obviously, he has all the characteristics to be a very important player for the future of the national team."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Estevao is set to join Chelsea this summer and will hope to make a significant impression once he makes the move to the Premier League. He is expected to start against Ecuador.