Indore and Rajkot are reportedly the frontrunners as alternative venue
Nagraj Gollapudi12-Feb-2023The third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will not be played in Dharamsala because the venue is not ready to host the match.The BCCI is yet to finalise the new venue but Indore and Rajkot are reportedly the frontrunners. A final decision is expected to be taken soon.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the BCCI took the decision to move the fixture out of the venue in the Himalayas after an unfavourable report from the board’s inspection panel.As reported previously, the panel visited the ground on February 11 and noted several bare patches on the outfield, which was re-laid recently by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association to install a new drainage system. Another deterrent was the fact that no cricket had been hosted in Dharamsala since the two T20Is between India and Sri Lanka last February.Dharamsala was incidentally the venue where India clinched the 2016-17 series against Australia by winning the fourth Test by eight wickets.India are up 1-0 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after beating Australia by an innings and 132 runs inside three days in Nagpur. The second Test is in Delhi from February 17 to 21, and the third is scheduled between March 1 and 5 at a yet to be confirmed venue.
Former Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster has warned the club that the Championship is "so hard" but believes their future lies in the Premier League.
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Foster sends Wrexham warningAlso makes Premier League predictionClub preparing for the ChampionshipFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Dragons are preparing for life in the second tier after achieving their third straight promotion, a division Foster knows well having twice won promotion out of it. Their former stopper, who was in goal when they achieved promotion out of the National League in 2023, claims the club must not underestimate the division.
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Foster said on the Fozcast: "The next season is so, so hard for Wrexham. They just need to consolidate for a year, maybe two, maybe three. But then they’re going to be looking at a five-year period where they’re going, 'Right, we need to be challenging'. I genuinely think, within five years, Wrexham will be in the Premier League."
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Wrexham are already planning to make a splash, with moves for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy and Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney mooted. The Fulham midfielder is said to have been offered £50,000 per week to sign for the Welsh club.
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Patrick Bamford is another high-profile name to have been linked with Wrexham, who seemingly have eyes on going up again. Community director Humphrey Ker this week distanced the club from the rumours, however, claiming "I will say that obviously one of the things is that – much like Ryan Reynolds – the name Wrexham generates clicks, so we are starting now to get linked with absolutely everybody."
The 25-year old allrounder, who caught the eye of the Mumbai Indians scouts in 2022, has retained his place in the side despite an injury setback last season
Navneet Jha02-Apr-2023The biggest challenge for Mumbai Indians heading into IPL 2023 was to fill the Jasprit Bumrah-sized hole in their fast bowling department. This has, however, helped realise the dream of Arshad Khan, an all-rounder from Gopalganj, Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, who might have earned his Mumbai Indians cap a year back.Mumbai bagged Arshad at his base price of INR 20 lakh in the 2022 mega auction, but an injury ruled him out of the tournament and he was replaced by his domestic teammate Kumar Kartikeya. Arshad was devastated, but went home and began training children in Seoni free of cost as he began his recovery.”He was deeply disappointed at missing out on the IPL, but one of his strengths has always been his unwillingness to give up,” Arshad’s coach Abdul Kalam says. “His passion for cricket has been such that he would regularly travel 300 km from Seoni to Jabalpur to play cricket matches. It required him to wake at three in the morning, but he never failed to turn up for these matches ahead of time.”Related
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Arshad first caught the eye when he finished as the top wicket-taker at the Under-25 CK Nayudu Trophy in the 2019-20 season, with 36 wickets, in addition to scoring 400 runs. That included a ton – a 134 against Assam – and a counter-attacking 86 off 54 balls, including five sixes and nine fours, against Mumbai which took MP from 112 for 7 to a total of 229. He later picked up a couple of wickets too in the match, and it was this performance that first got him noticed by Mumbai Indians’ scouting team, and possibly why they retained him this year despite him not playing a single match last season.”Arshad has always enjoyed overcoming challenges,” Arshad’s elder brother Zakaria says. “I still remember when he was first picked by Mumbai Indians, our father was about to leave for (evening prayers), and by the time he returned from the mosque, it was a festive atmosphere at home. It was like the entire village had descended on our home to share in the joy.”Arshad Khan (right) and his coach Abdul Kalam•Arshad KhanArshad’s father Ashfaque himself has been a coach with the Seoni District Cricket Association, beside his regular employment as an educator, and he was the first one to identify his son’s talent. “He was nine years old and was playing with kids much older than him and smacking them for massive sixes,” Ashfaque says. “When I saw him pull off some professional-looking shots, I made up my mind that he must make it as a cricketer.Ashfaque then took his son to Kalam. “There were some trials on, and I saw him play the cut and pull with such perfection that I realised this boy is rather special,” Kalam says. “Not making the most of that talent would have been injustice both to Arshad, but to the game of cricket.”At 11, Arshad had already made the state Under-14 team. “When he started off, Arshad was a specialist left-handed batter,” Kalam says. “There was once a game in Jabalpur against Hoshangabad division, where the Jabalpur bowling was proving ineffective. I consulted Jabalpur division secretary Dharmesh Patel, and we decided to hand him the new ball. He was a natural with both inswing and outswing. That was the day he took his game to another level.”Earlier this February, Arshad turned out for Reliance 1, led by World Cup winner Piyush Chawla, along with the likes of Tilak Verma, Kartikeya and Hrithik Shokeen, at the DY Patil T20 Cup. Arshad took two wickets and also contributed to two run-outs in the tournament opener against BPCL. Against DY Patil Group B, he removed openers Naushad Sheikh and Priyam Garg, and helped himself to 22 off 14 with the bat. His three overs in the final went for just 18 and also picked up a wicket.Arshad’s mother Aaliya says: “Arshad is where he is because of his father’s sacrifices throughout his life. I remember his father would only earn 15,000 a month, but he provided his son with his cricket kit that cost 16,000 rupees. All we pray for is that he makes his family and his country proud one day.”
Liverpool's list of departures could reportedly go into double figures as the Premier League champions look to offload some of their fringe players.
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Anfield clear-out expectedDepartures could exceed 10Not including Madrid-bound TrentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Daily Mail, aside from Trent Alexander-Arnold seemingly heading to Real Madrid, forward Darwin Nunez is likely to leave to raise funds, as is goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. They add it would 'not be a surprise' if Joe Gomez left, and teams are in for Jarell Quansah. Harvey Elliott has seemingly hinted his time at the club could be nearing an end, and if Liverpool sign Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, Kostas Tsimikas could move on. The report adds that Barcelona like Luis Diaz and Bayern Munich want Cody Gakpo, but there is no guarantee they will leave. Finally, youth players Tyler Morton, Owen Beck, Lewis Koumas, Jayden Danns, and Ben Doak could leave on loan or make permanent exits.
AdvertisementLiverpoolTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool won the Premier League title once again this year but Arne Slot will have his work cut out to finish top of the pile again in 2026. The Reds reportedly have a summer 'warchest' to strengthen their squad, with Florian Wirtz set to cost a huge fee, but to fund that, sales will need to happen. They may need to show their ruthless side as well, and that could mean academy products being moved on.
DID YOU KNOW?
In addition to the aforementioned players, individuals such as Trey Nyoni and Stefan Bajcetic will return from their loan spells soon. Ergo, it remains to be seen if they will make the step up to the first-team squad, go on loan again, or head for a permanent exit.
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As Liverpool continue to bask in the glow of another Premier League title win, a lot of hard decisions need to be made ahead of next season in regards to players' futures. And with the transfer window days away from opening, some movement could happen soon.
Arsenal hold a behind-the-scenes belief that a potential replacement for Kai Havertz has decided to join the Gunners this summer, and Mikel Arteta would benefit hugely from his arrival, as they set their sights on a more successful Premier League title challenge next season.
Berta sets sights on new striker for Arsenal this summer
As per recent reports, the arrival of new sporting director, Andrea Berta, could make this summer transfer window a very exciting one.
Berta "will try" to sign £160k-per-week star amid new Arsenal transfer plan
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The 53-year-old agreed a deal to replace ex-transfer chief Edu Gaspar at the Emirates Stadium, following 12 successful years at Atlético Madrid, and it is believed that Berta wishes to reinforce Arteta’s squad across the board.
Chelsea (home)
March 16th
Fulham (home)
April 1st
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Brentford (home)
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Ipswich Town (away)
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GiveMeSport claim Berta could spearhead a £300 million investment into the Arsenal squad, with the Gunners eyeing a new second-choice keeper, left-back, defensive midfielder, left-winger and, of course, a prolific striker.
Havertz’s season-ending injury higlights the glaring need for another option up top, and one who could even replace the German long-term so he can take up another position in the attacking midfield.
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is believed to be a serious target for the north Londoners, but his rumoured £150 million price tag, not to mention the Magpies’ unwillingness to sell, makes this potential deal a very hard one to pull off. A more attainable option, according to various reports, could be RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenia international is on course to smash his 2023/2024 goals tally, having scored 17 in all competitions already, and his contract will include an active release clause this summer.
Multiple reports are also suggesting that Sesko is personally keen on a move to Arsenal, and this has apparently been registered among the club’s hierarchy, who theorise that the 21-year-old has already decided on a move to N5.
Arsenal convinced Benjamin Sesko has chosen to join them
That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who shared an intriguing update on the forward when featuring on GiveMeSport’s Market Madness Podcast this week. Jacobs claims Arsenal are convinced that Sesko has picked them for a move ahead of the next transfer window, over both Man United and Chelsea.
“Arsenal have got two lead targets,” Jacobs said. “One, Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal believe has picked their project over Chelsea or Manchester United and will be available with the release clause this summer in the region of 70 million euros (£59m).
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
“Although it’s performance-related, my understanding is, and it is variable, and therefore the better Sesko does, the higher the amount goes up, and it could eventually be something, even in the region of 80 million euros.
“But Arsenal feel PSR compliant, they’ve got money to spend, and finding that number nine is the top priority. Of course, Alexander Isak is the other name. Newcastle have got a big league cup final.
“We should start by saying Darren Eales, the Newcastle CEO, has said it would be crazy to sell Isak. That doesn’t mean Arsenal won’t try, but it’s going to be a difficult deal to pull off. And there’s no progress at this point.”
Sesko is easily one of Europe’s most exciting young number nines, even drawing comparisons with Man City superstar Erling Haaland, and while most prolific strikers come at an extortionate premium, his release clause may actually be great value for money.
Arsenal did actually have an offer to Sesko rejected last summer, with the player choosing to remain at Leipzig and further his development. However, it appears Arteta could finally land his man this year.
Manchester United retain a gravitational pull that is difficult for players to resist and Ruben Amorim is now hoping to take advantage of one key element in their pursuit of a clinical striker, per a report.
Man Utd look forward to Ruben Amorim's first summer window
The Premier League picture has been pretty bleak at Manchester United this term, but they could still snatch a Champions League slot for 2025/26 should they overcome all remaining obstacles between them and the Europa League title.
While continental football could be a determining factor regarding their business, Amorim will already be some way down the road in the hunt for new reinforcements.
According to reports, Club Brugge star Ardon Jashari is on the Red Devils’ radar as a potential alternative to Kobbie Mainoo, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Middle to front appear to be the main areas set to change, and Sunderland’s Chris Rigg is viewed as a priority signing for Manchester United despite further interest from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
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Of course, PSR regulations will have a big say in the level of business Amorim is able to conduct during the market period. INEOS aren’t going to be lavish in their spending either; there may need to be scope for some cheap deals to fill out the squad.
However, there will be room for one or two statement additions if reports are anything to go by, with Manchester United now set to pull on the heartstrings of one potential new recruit that is also attracting interest from Arsenal.
Man Utd could win race for £60m Red Devils fan Hugo Ekitike
According to The Mirror, Manchester United are in the mix to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike and hold a potential vantage point over competitors Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham due to the fact the France Under-21 is a boyhood Red Devils supporter.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
Valued at around £60 million, the talented forward could well be at the centre of a bidding war this summer, albeit it may be difficult for the Red Devils to stump up the cash needed for his signature without sales being made, the report claims. Elsewhere it is suggested that Arsenal have held early talks for Ekitike, although he supports Man Utd.
Labelled “one of the most in-form attackers in Europe” by prominent X personality Jacek Kulig, he has stepped into the void left by Omar Marmoush at Frankfurt and hasn’t looked back as they seek a place in the Champions League slots.
Hugo Ekitike key statistics in 2024/25 – Bundesliga
Goals
13
Expected Goals total
18.29
Shots
93
Shots on target
37
Chances created
36
Touches in opposition penalty area
159
Manchester United are in need of a spearhead in attack due to Rasmus Hojlund’s inconsistent nature and Joshua Zirkzee’s transition to a deeper role, and the fact they may hold an advantage in the race to sign Ekitike is exciting.
The task now for Amorim is to talk Ekitike into a move to Old Trafford, which shouldn’t be as difficult as first feared due to his lifelong admiration of the club. That doesn’t always translate to pen on paper, so there is plenty of work to be done before anything becomes official.
Louis van Gaal has offered a brutal assessment of the state of his former club Manchester United and urged the owners to make drastic changes.
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Van Gaal tears into UnitedTells old club to follow the Liverpool blueprintVan Gaal not managed club side since UnitedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Van Gaal slammed the way United have been run and argued that he no longer sees them as a football club. The former Red Devils boss spent two seasons at Old Trafford, winning one FA Cup in his time at the club, and believes it is moving yet further away from how it once was. Van Gaal argued that United were too driven by commercial success and that's why they have fallen well short of league contention. To add yet further insult, he suggested that in order for United to return to an elite level, the ownership should follow the blueprint of bitter rivals Liverpool.
AdvertisementAFPWHAT VAN GAAL SAID
Speaking to, Van Gaal said: "It is still a commercial club. It is not a football club. I have said that before – and that's always difficult.
"When [it is] not the manager deciding which player has to come, it's very difficult.
"Then you can fire the manager because he's not getting results. When other people buy the players, then you have a problem. You need to have the knowledge and orientation [of the manager] because he has to train them.
"[At Liverpool] Arne Slot is the man who says to his technical manager, you need to buy this player. Pay attention to it."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Sine departing Old Trafford, Van Gaal has often spoken critically of United. He actively discouraged Erik Ten Hag from joining the club, stating: "Erik ten Hag is a great coach and that is always good for Manchester United, but Manchester United is a commercial club, which is a difficult choice for a coach. He would be better going to a football club."
The similarity of language used suggests Van Gaal believes United have not shifted their stance or culture in years, despite the injection of the new voice of Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the club's hierarchy. It is also possible Van Gaal sees Ratcliffe as another figure to take United yet further into a more commercial direction.
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR VAN GAAL?
Despite being linked with jobs at both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in recent years, Van Gaal has not returned to club management since leaving United. He has only been in charge of the Netherlands, his third spell overseeing the national team, since being shown the exit door in Manchester. A return to football is unlikely as he continues to battle and recover from illness.
Oshane Thomas moves from Royals to Patriots and also reaches out to CWI for his road back to international cricket
Deivarayan Muthu17-May-2023Dwayne Bravo will reunite with captain Kieron Pollard and head coach Phil Simmons at his home franchise Trinbago Knight Riders, having moved from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, ahead of CPL 2023. Bravo is set to join an all-star TKR side that could include Pollard, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran. The quartet had played for TKR last season but couldn’t prevent them from finishing last on the points table. It was the first time that TKR had failed to make the playoffs.Bravo is currently with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL as their bowling coach, and Pollard is with Mumbai Indians as their batting coach.”Very exciting times,” Pollard said in a media statement. “The champion DJ Bravo is coming back to his home franchise TKR. Our relationship and our friendship is second to none and this is a very good opportunity for us both to represent TKR together once again, in the upcoming season. We are very happy to have him back in red and black.”Related
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Bravo had also recently played together with Pollard and Pooran for MI Emirates in the inaugural ILT20. Bravo is the highest wicket-taker in the CPL, with 124 scalps in 97 matches at an economy rate of 8.69. He is also the top wicket-taker overall in T20 cricket, with 615 strikes in 558 games at an economy rate of 8.23.Bravo’s TKR homecoming was announced a day after former West Indies head coach Simmons replaced Abhishek Nayar as the franchise’s new coach.Bravo had been central to Patriots winning the title in 2021. During that season, Bravo often stationed himself at mid-off or mid-on and mentored left-arm seam-bowling allrounder Dominic Drakes. However, in 2022, Patriots failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished second from bottom, just above TKR.Malolan Rangarajan is currently part of RCB’s backroom in the IPL•BCCIMalolan Rangarajan replaces Simon Helmot as Patriots coachWith both Bravo and coach Simon Helmot no longer with Patriots, they will have a new coach and captain in CPL 2023. Helmot had pulled out because of his other commitments. He is currently with Sunrisers Hyderabad as an assistant coach at the IPL in India.Former Tamil Nadu spin-bowling allrounder Malolan Rangarajan, who was Helmot’s assistant last season, has now been promoted to the head coach’s role. This will be Malolan’s first assignment as a head coach in any T20 league. He brings with him IPL experience: he is currently the fielding coach and head of scouting at Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the inaugural Women’s Premier League, Malolan was RCB Women’s assistant coach to head coach Ben Sawyer.Oshane Thomas last played for West Indies in December 2021•Getty ImagesPatriots-bound Oshane Thomas on West Indies radar tooIn another change, fast bowler Oshane Thomas has moved from Barbados Royals to Patriots. Patriots will be Thomas’ third CPL team – he has also represented his home franchise Jamaica Tallawahs.Of late, Thomas has been troubled by fitness issues. In the 2022 CPL, he played just three games for Royals, picking up three wickets in seven overs at an economy rate of 11.00.Since then, Thomas has played just three T20s, in the Lanka Premier League for Kandy Falcons, and has recently reached out to CWI about his road back to international cricket.”We are organising a programme for him to work with because when we talk about legbreak and googly bowling, we think the fast bowler is a crucial member of any team,” West Indies’ lead selector Desmond Haynes said during a virtual press conference earlier this week. “Oshane had the ability to bowl a cricket ball fast and he should be encouraged. We, as a panel, have had discussions with him and with his management. We understand that he is in England. I think my co-selector Mr [Roland] Butcher was looking at the possibility of getting a programme that we will be aware of, and we will be able to monitor.”But we are very happy that he has reached out to us and we are very happy that we would be in conversation with him and we hope that with the new coach in position in Andre Coley, he was the interim coach in the last tour, but now that he is the [red-ball] coach, we are going to have some meetings regarding someone like an Oshane Thomas who we believe can play a role for us in Test cricket.”
This season has been a brutal one for Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have had to deal with an incredible number of injuries, which, combined with a general lack of form, sees the club sitting 14th in the Premier League.
The only benefit to come from the campaign has been how much first-team football the club’s exciting youngsters have been able to play, with Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray already looking like some of the best players in the squad.
Interestingly, how well the latter has adapted to top-flight football might be influencing the club’s transfer plans, as recent reports have touted another young talent for a move to N17, a move that would mirror Gray’s.
Spurs looking at signing exciting wonderkid
Spurs have a number of exciting young talents emerging under Postecoglou’s guidance this term and they could be about to bring another of the country’s best wonderkids to north London.
Indeed, according to a recent report from Spain, Tottenham are incredibly interested in Sunderland’s teenage talent, Chris Rigg.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
In fact, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have already placed an astounding offer of €45m, which is about £38m, ‘on the table.’
Unsurprisingly, the report claims that the Lilywhites are not the only top-flight side keen to secure the 17-year-old’s services in the summer, but the story also highlights that the club’s decision to make such a significant offer is a sign of their determination to get it done ahead of potential rivals.
Sunderland'sChrisRigg
It’s undoubtedly a lot of money to spend on such a young player, but if his potential is as high as those in the know suggest it is, then it’d be money well spent, akin to Gray’s move last year.
Why Rigg would be a Gray repeat
So, if Spurs were able to get ahead of the chasing pack and secure Rigg’s services in the summer, why would it be a repeat of the Gray deal? What makes the two players so similar?
There are a few reasons, but perhaps the most significant is that it would be yet another example of Daniel Levy and Co investing a massive amount of money into a highly-rated teenager from the Championship.
For example, while the former Leeds United star was being described as a “future £100m” star by analyst Ben Mattinson before his move last year, Mattinson described the Sunderland star as “one of, if not the best talents in the Championship” just a few months ago.
Appearances
36
Starts
31
Minutes
2630′
Goals
4
Assists
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.13
Minutes per Goal Involvement
526′
While that might sound like hyperbole, it’s really not, as, despite being so young, the Hebburn-born talent has made 36 first-team appearances for the Black Cats this term, in which he’s scored four goals and provided one assist.
Moreover, FBref has placed him in the top 1% of midfielders in the 14 next-best competitions for non-penalty expected goals, the top 2% for goal-creating actions from take-ons, the top 5% for successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
The second similarity would be their positional versatility.
For example, while both players are central midfielders, they have been played all over the pitch this season, with the former Peacocks ace starring in defence for Postecoglou, while the “wonderful” Sunderland ace, as dubbed by Tony Mowbray, has played all over, from centre-forward to attacking-midfield and even defensive midfield – he can seemingly do it all.
Sunderland'sChrisRiggin action with Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris
Ultimately, Spurs already have what looks to be a generational talent from the Championship in Gray, and while he won’t come cheap, they’d be wise to secure the services of another in Rigg.
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Home side begin final day needing 33 runs with two wickets remaining
David Hopps13-May-2023Durham 227 and 213 for 8 (Jones 56, Lees 38, Fisher 4-56, Thompson 3-40) require 33 runs to beat Yorkshire 254 and 218 (Raine 4-36, Potts 4-61)Yorkshire have not won a Championship match for 17 matches. The 18th is in abeyance after they claimed the extra half-hour, but failed to force victory against the leaders Durham at Chester-le-Street. Durham begin the final day needing 33 runs with two wickets remaining. A riveting match remains in the balance.This sounds appallingly like hindsight, but Yorkshire would have been better leaving the last two wickets until the morning when the weather is overcast and the ball might swing. Their impatience to finish the job was understandable, but their seam attack (or at least those seamers the skipper Shan Masood entirely trusted) was weary, the sun was shining (no, really, it was) and their impetus was already on the wane.Durham added another 18 in nine overs as Ben Raine and Matthew Potts resisted gamely. Durham need a win to stay top of Division Two and their supporters talk proudly of a side in good shape; Yorkshire need a win to help them block out the perpetual grumbling from the outer and convince themselves that promotion is a realisable objective. Both sides have been a credit to Division Two.To add to the uncertainty, Brydon Carse will walk out at No.11, if needed, after having scans on a “trunk injury” that restricted him to only five overs in Yorkshire’s second innings. The results of those are not yet known. Carse, fully fit, would be a danger. Carse, severely restricted, might be impotent. Nobody really knows.Matthew Fisher, who holds four wickets overnight, said: “We chucked everything at them, we just needed one to roll. As much as it’s stressful and you’re knackered, we know that we need to go again in the morning. I didn’t really want the extra half hour because it would have been nice to get off and freshen up.”Durham’s target was 246, a tall order that had sizeable chips removed from it during a new-ball assault by Alex Lees who made 38 from 37 balls, driving in carefree fashion as Fisher and Jordan Thompson began timidly and inaccurately as if a long run without success had crept into their consciousness. A failed to attempt to change the ball after 3.5 overs summed up their state of mind as there was little swing to be had.Masood dealt with the situation shrewdly, withdrawing Fisher from the attack after two overs, giving him time to reflect and reintroducing him at the Lumley Castle End. If the ball was not swinging, there was soon further confirmation that it would occasionally keep low as Fisher seamed one through Lees’ gaping gap.Lees dealt with, Durham abruptly slowed as Michael Jones took the long view. Scott Borthwick clipped Thompson to short midwicket, but Jones gradually expanded his range, Mickey Edwards looked too leaky for such a tight match on a surface where accuracy was essential and, at 126 for 2, Durham were edging the match as a series of borderline lbw shouts did not fall Yorkshire’s way.Then came a random moment to shift the emphasis. Bess’ career has stalled at Yorkshire, not helped by the county’s appetite for internecine strife. Runs have eluded him and his bowling average is in the mid-40s. Unsurprisingly, he had struggled to hide his disfavour as several lbw decisions did not fall his way. Then he was clunked on the knee when Graham Clark pulled Matthew Revis fiercely into the ground and limped off with four overs to his name, returning later to sound effect.Masood was forced to return to Hill, who was carrying an onerous responsibility on his slender frame. It immediately paid dividends as David Bedingham was held by Jonny Bairstow, an excellent one-handed scoop as the ball died in front of him.Fisher’s return came with a sense that the game could be turned. So it was as he took wickets in three successive overs: Ollie Robinson’s flashing drive flying to first slip, Jones falling lbw by virtue of the totting-up procedure, and Bas de Leede joining the growing list of bowlers to chop on.If there was ever a time for Jordan Thompson to live up to his somewhat optimistic nickname of “the man who makes things happen” it had arrived and he added two in two as Graham Clark also dragged on and Axar Patel, who had tormented Yorkshire in the first innings with some last-man tomfoolery, losing his magic upon his promotion to No.9 and immediately falling lbw.Bess deserves credit for returning later, ice and painkillers applied, and maintaining an excellent holding operation against admittedly obsessive Durham defending. Against tiring bowlers, in bright sunshine, Durham might have been better giving it a go. But they will ridicule that notion if they steal the game in the morning. A new ball is only 10 overs away and they will surely want to wrap things up by then.Yorkshire had been evenly placed at the start of the day – their closure at 91 for 3 giving them a lead of 118. With Malan and Bairstow at the crease – a rare Championship alliance between two England internationals – they had a chance to kill the game. Just as it seemed they might, Ben Raine dismissed both in successive overs courtesy of excellent catches by Ollie Robinson.Ollie Robinson is quite an upgrade for Durham, released by Kent because the presence of Sam Billings and Jordan Cox meant limited opportunities. He sprang a long way to his left when Malan chased a wide one and then even further to his right when Bairstow edged an attempted drive. Both had scrapped for around two-and-a-half hours, but the first half-century of the match was still awaited.That fell to Hill, who continued an excellent all-round match with 51 from 52 balls until Potts had him caught at second slip with a wide outswinger on the stroke of lunch. A more graceful player than when he first appeared in the side, he made light of the introduction of spin, in the shape of Patel, and played Potts in an assured fashion as anybody.Whatever the outcome, Yorkshire could recognise his growing importance by immediately capping him. They can’t afford it, but then they can’t afford to turn the lights on.