All posts by h716a5.icu

In what was an enthralling contest, Leeds United shared the spoils with Newcastle in their Premier League clash on Friday night.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side got off to the best possible start when Raphinha put them ahead before Allan Saint-Maximin levelled things up before the break.

And, despite both sides having several chances to win the game, neither were able to convert, and a point apiece seemed to be a fair reflection of the night.

While Raphinha’s long-range shot come cross was the one real moment of magic from the Whites, it was Rodrigo’s performance that arguably stole the show for Bielsa.

The Spaniard has had a disappointing start to the new Premier League season with some Leeds fans in particular slamming him after his performance against Manchester United on the opening day.

In fact, here on FFC, we even called on Bielsa to drop him from the starting line-up for the game against the Magpies last night – a poll done on that article even saw 58% of a selection of Leeds fans agree that Rodrigo should be dropped too (122 votes to 89).

But in an impressive all-round performance that displayed both energy and creativity, Rodrigo proved why the Leeds boss continues to keep the faith with his club record signing.

As per Sofascore, he had three attempts on goal, completed two out of his three dribbles (the joint-most of any Leeds player), and provided three key passes (again, the most of any his teammates).

It was no surprise then that while on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher was quick to praise the former Valencia man, saying he was “outstanding” after providing a superb cross-field ball to Raphinha, and saying he had “been the best player for Leeds” after setting up Patrick Bamford in the second-half.

And, writing in his post-match player ratings for Leeds Live, Beren Cross gave him a seven, saying: “Much better from the Spain international who, as we have seen in the past, does fare better against lesser opposition.

“Shots were not always accurate enough or powerful enough to test Darlow, but popped up in good areas and played his part when Leeds were dangerous.”

Rodrigo’s performance sent a message that he can still play a big part for Leeds, even in potentially in that more attacking role just behind Bamford.

It was a display that silenced some of the doubters, but it’s one that he needs to build on more consistently over the coming weeks and months.

Bielsa will no doubt be thrilled with how the Spaniard performed last night.

Meanwhile, Leeds are plotting another swoop for this star…

This series provides Pakistan with a sliver of an opportunity to reassert itself as a proper cricket team and not a wandering freak show

Osman Samiuddin21-Apr-2009Perspective is a handy thing. The last time Pakistan stepped out in colours, they were bowled out for 75 and it led to a change in leadership. The last time they stepped out for a Test match, terrorists attacked their opponents. A few days ago the world said to them, understandably, that they would not be coming to play for a while. So what importance an ODI and T20I series against Australia in the Middle East?Au contraire, the context is precisely what makes this battle so significant. Younis Khan knows it and hopefully his team does too. This is more than just being the first ODI in four years between the two sides, the first contest of any kind in fact, other than a T20 game in 2007. Not testing yourself against the best regularly doesn’t just possibly hamper development but it also says perhaps you aren’t important enough to go up against them often enough.This series thus provides Pakistan with a sliver of an opportunity to reassert itself as a proper cricket team and not a wandering freak show, a carnival, laughed at, ostracized and taken with as much seriousness as one might take Jim Carrey. If they do well, win a couple of games and maybe even the series, they say something serious to the rest of the world, something not about doping, or legal wrangles, or security concerns, or impending financial doom, or in-fighting. Simply, by doing well, they say we are around and we are not irrelevant.Happily for them, it isn’t just the first time in years they are playing Australia, it is the first time in years it may just be possible to hope they can pull something off. Admittedly, that takes into account more the phase Australia find themselves in than Pakistan. Until recently, they had plummeted – although briefly – to third in the ODI rankings. They are back to second, but consecutive series losses to South Africa, a tied series against New Zealand and nine losses in their last 15 games speak of uncertainty and weaknesses.They are also without Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee, a robust spine if ever. They are still Australia, as Younis has pointed out, but not the Australia he remembers playing last. Nathan Bracken’s case is an interesting parallel to the fortunes of Australia; for long the world’s best ODI bowler, he has just slipped a touch. Sixteen wickets in his last 14 ODIs have come at nearly 40, conceding well over five an over. Mightier assignments lie in wait for them later in the year, so all eyes may not be on this one ball. Predictions are brash, but if you’re a Pakistan fan or in the Pakistan camp, you might feel advantage can be taken.What role will conditions and a new stadium in the Middle East play? The glib, comforting talk is that Pakistan feel like they might be at home but that isn’t saying much given their recent home record. And isn’t one of the reasons ODIs are said to be in trouble is that there has been such a standardization of pitches, in this region of the world at least? In most places an ODI pitch looks and behaves much the same as another: it gives up runs as easily as do porn stars their clothes. If pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are much different, it will only make for better cricket.As much as can be said of a bilateral contest, this series really is more about one side: Pakistan. If it is on the one hand such an important series, it is also in a sense, one in which they have nothing tangible to lose. If they are defeated, it is expected and, given what is happening around them in cricket and life, not the end of the world. But if they win, it makes for a cheerier, more worthy story altogether: take off against Australia, Younis told his players, and you’ll be difficult to bring back down again.

The elections in South Africa on April 22, four days after the IPL starts in the country, the crime rate in cities like Johannesburg and the limited time available are some of the key challenges facing the league’s security managers

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Apr-2009The elections in South Africa on April 22, four days after the IPL starts in the country, the crime rate in cities like Johannesburg and the limited time available are some of the key challenges facing the league’s security managers, according to Nicholls Steyn & Associates, who are handling the tournament’s security.Nicholls admitted that moving the tournament to South Africa was a good option from the security point of view because the situation in India had made it “very difficult ” to host the event there. Besides, Nicholls said they were not able to conduct a final assessment of the situation in India for the IPL because of the delays in final decisions.”We were waiting for the feedback from the Indian government about what resources could be made available,” Nicholls told Cricinfo. “There were a lot of delays caused in getting a decision, but we believe that it is a positive sign that those delays were caused because of the desire to keep security first. We were very aware of the fact the security measures that were provided had to be of the highest standards and there were many discussions to see if those required standards could be provided with the other things that were going in India at time.”The IPL’s security template in South Africa will borrow significantly from the World Twenty20 model and the plan during India’s tour of South Africa in 2006 as well as other international tours and events. The South African agency has enormous expertise in providing security to teams and players and is also the ICC’s security consultant. They were roped in by the IPL last year as their central player-security managers.”From the cricketing perspective, it is obviously disappointing [to shift the IPL] because everyone would’ve liked the event to happen in India,” Nicholls said. “But the situation and timing make it impossible to host it there, so from our perspective if it is not going to be in India then we believe that South Africa is a good choice.”Asked whether the firm was confident of providing security in India without central security forces, as the IPL had claimed in a letter to the Indian government, Nicholls said, “It is a difficult question to answer because while we may be told that we do not have central forces, we needed to assess what forces are then actually going to be available. We knew what had to be done and everyone at the IPL agreed that player security was an absolute priority but obviously we didn’t know exactly what the situation was until the decision came from the government.”In South Africa, though, time is the major challenge, Nicholls said. “There is not much time to put everything together. The good thing is South Africa hosted the Twenty20 World Cup in the recent past as well as other large tournaments so there is good history of doing that. We would have certainly liked longer duration for planning but that is just the way it is – we have an X amount of time to do it and we have got to get things in place in the time available. Fortunately we have an experienced team who know what has to be done and have done it before.”Nicholls declined to reveal numbers, in terms of security personnel employed, but confirmed that he would be working together with the South African government. Bangalore Challengers take on Deccan Chargers in Cape Town on April 22, election-day in South Africa, and Nicholls said that he understood that the matter of holding the game on that particular day had been discussed at the “highest” level.”That was something which has been discussed at a very high level,” Nicholls said. “It was a concern, but from my understanding it has been discussed with the South African government and their input was taken into account in planning the schedule.”The crime rate in cities like Johannesburg, which hosts eight IPL matches, Nicholls admitted, was something that would be taken into consideration. “Some countries have a higher terrorism threat and a low crime rate and in others it is reverse where the crime rate is higher,” he said. “Certainly the crime rate is something that has to be taken in consideration for any major event that happens in South Africa.”

Sky Sports pundit Kevin Phillips believes that Glasgow Rangers will have to wait until January to find out whether Connor Goldson will put pen to paper on a new contract.

The Lowdown: Goldson future up in the air

The 28-year-old’s future at Ibrox is up in the air – he has less than a year left on his contract (Transfermarkt) and could leave for free next summer.

The Gers had hoped he would sign a new three-year deal, but so far that has not materialised.

The Latest: Phillips expects January decision

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips believes that Goldson will wait until the winter transfer window before making a decision on his future at Rangers. The former Sunderland striker said:

“To me, it sounds like he wants to wait until January to see what other clubs will offer him.

“Why would you not have agreed a new deal by now when you have been negotiating for quite a while. It smells a little bit of outside interest.

“Someone is perhaps in his ear telling him to hang fire. I hope that is not the case because I would like to see him stay there.

“But, if a deal has not been struck by now you start to wonder why. The only reason I can think is that people are telling him other clubs will come knocking in January.

“If that is the case I hope it is not false hope they are giving him. We have seen in the past players being tapped up and then not getting a move for whatever reason. Let’s hope that is not the case.

“Ideally his contract gets ironed out and he remains a Rangers player because he is a big player for them.”

The Verdict: Keep him at the club

Phillips is right with that final comment – it is hard to overestimate the importance of Goldson at Ibrox. Already this season, he has played every minute of all nine of Rangers’ matches in all competitions, while WhoScored. While James Tavernier may be club captain, Goldson is an influential leader at the heart of the back four.

Losing him would be bad enough, but to do so on a free transfer would be even worse. Valued at £6.75m by Transfermarkt, he is a huge asset for the Gers, but they face the prospect of failing to recoup a single penny if he departs. Hopefully he decides to stay in Glasgow for the foreseeable future.

In other news, this Rangers man has been urged to leave the club.

Shakib Al Hasan’s powerhouse batting and inspired bowling performances from vice-captain Mashrafe Mortaza and debutant Rubel Hossain ensured Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the third match of the tri-series and, more importantly, secured a place in the final

Cricinfo staff14-Jan-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Naeem Islam and Man of the Match Shakib Al Hasan celebrate victory © PA Photos
Shakib Al Hasan’s powerhouse batting and inspired bowling performances from vice-captain Mashrafe Mortaza and debutant Rubel Hossain ensured Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in the third match of the tri-series and, more importantly, secured a place in the final on Friday, where they will face the same opposition again.In a must-win match for them, reduced by bad light to 31 overs each, Bangladesh restricted Sri Lanka to 147 before Shakib’s 92 off 69 balls completed the win. A fourth-wicket stand of 91 between Shakib and captain Mohammad Ashraful helped them pick up the bonus point as well to end the hopes of Zimbabwe, the third team in the competition.Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start during their chase as Junaid Siddique was run out in the first over. Two overs later, lightning struck twice as Mushfiqur Rahim got a thick edge to Sangakkara off Thushara and Tamim Iqbal was caught short of his crease by Kapugedera direct-hit, attempting a suicidal run.The hosts were in deep trouble as the all-too-familiar story looked in the offing. Enter Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful.Both looked determined right from the start, as they tried to get Bangladesh on course. Mohammad Ashraful played the silent support role to Shakib Al Hasan, who came down severely on the bowlers – two boundaries each in successive overs from Thushara and Kulasekara setting the tone. Mathews was treated with similar disdain in his first over with a six and four as the run-rate crept above five.Shakib soon brought up his 50 off 45 balls and had plundered six boundaries and a six by then, and looking good for more. But just when the partnership was nearing 100, Ashraful fell, trying to hook a short one from Kulasekera as Jayasuriya pulled off a smart catch running across from fine leg.But Shakib continued unfettered and even Raqibul’s dismissal two overs later failed to curb the free-flowing strokes. He edged Bangladesh closer to the bonus point, hitting ten fours and two sixes during the blitz. Naeem ended the innings in perfect finish with a six off Mendis, as they registered their second win against Sri Lanka.Ashraful’s decision to field, paid off immediately with Mortaza striking twice in his first two overs, removing Upul Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara. He then removed Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Sanath Jayasuriya, whose fifty was largely responsible for pushing the visitors to a somewhat respectable total.Jayasuriya’s 64-ball innings included seven boundaries, but failed to encourage the other batsmen as the middle and lower orders fell apart. Rubel helped himself to the spoils, ending with 4 for 33, and was responsible for the damage towards the end.
Bangladesh celebrate the dismissal of Kumar Sangakkara © PA Photos
The reduced overs resulted in a 6-3-3 Powerplay split, with a maximum of seven overs for any one bowler and six each for four others. Mortaza struck with the third ball of the morning, trapping Tharanga leg before. In his next over, he produced an identical delivery to castle Kumar Sangakkara.Rubel was given a hostile welcome to international cricket by Jayasuriya, who hit him for two fours in his first over and then got a life when Raqibul Hasan failed to pull off a catch off a short delivery from Mortaza.Bangladesh then opted for spin at both ends through Naeem Islam and Shakib Al Hasan. Naeem managed to break the stand in the 18th over when Jayawardene holed out to Rubel at deep-midwicket while attempting a slog sweep.Mortaza was then brought on soon after and had Jayasuriya caught and bowled shortly after bringing up his half-century as Sri Lanka found themselves in a spot of bother at 95 for 4.In a bizarre turn of events which followed, Sri Lanka then lost five wickets in a space of four overs – Jehan Mubarak was run out for 10, Angelo Mathews was caught by Mortaza at mid-on off Rubel, while Kapugedera chopped a Mahbubul Alam delivery on to his stumps.Rubel struck twice in the 29th over, to remove Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara with the first and last deliveries. And he capped off the dream start getting Ajantha Mendis caught by Ashraful at short cover in the last over of the innings.

A number of Liverpool supporters are fuming after an update regarding Divock Origi’s future at Anfield, with the Belgian set to stay put.

The Reds don’t look like they will be making any new signings this summer, with Ibrahima Konate proving to be the only addition in the entire window.

It is a decision that is unlikely to go down well, with many fans of the opinion that reinforcements are needed in certain areas of the pitch.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

Origi is a player who has become an increasingly peripheral figure at Anfield, providing some huge moments back in 2018/19 but doing very little since then.

Despite this, it looks as though the Belgian is set to stay with the Reds beyond this summer, according to Sky Sports News [via Anfield Edition on Twitter], who say he wants to fight for his place.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-2/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans unhappy at Origi claim

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to show their unhappiness at the rumour, with one fan calling it a ‘joke’.

“We’re honestly so dusted”

Credit: @LFCYussef

“We are an actual embarrassment”

Credit: @the_only_ish

“I have given up on new signings at this point but they are really making us watch Divock ball for another year as well”

Credit: @eeerik1

“He can’t even make the bench anymore, we had 2 goalkeepers on the bench ahead of him”

Credit: @LfcMerx

“Fight? Joke. He’s running his contract down”

Credit: @mark_gilbertson

“Are we even a serious club?”

Credit: @mirxnn7

In other news, one Liverpool player could leave in the final hours of deadline day. Find out who it is here.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans has revealed that Aston Villa striker Wesley will be leaving the club on loan in this summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Brazilian missed Dean Smith’s side’s 6-0 thrashing of Barrow in the Carabao Cup second round, and it now appears that he missed the game due to an imminent move away.

And now, in a tweet posted after Villa’s victory over the League Two side, Evans revealed that the striker will now be heading back to Belgium to join Club Bruges on a season-long loan.

Villa fans will be worried

While Danny Ings’ arrival certainly puts Wesley down the pecking order at Villa Park, it’s a bit of a questionable decision from Smith to let the Brazilian go this summer, even on a temporary basis.

Ollie Watkins was a man of steel last season in the Premier League, only missing the one match all campaign, but whether that level of fitness can hold up for a second successive campaign remains to be seen.

Add to that the fact Ings missed several games last season for Southampton with a knee injury, and of course has ruptured his ACL previously, and Villa could be left really short up front if they suffer some misfortune.

Standing at 6 foot 3, and with a real aerial presence, he offers something completely different to the hard running and movement of Watkins, and gives Villa a different dimension either to come off the bench or even to start when Smith wants to rest his main striker.

With Keinan Davis also already gone out on loan, Smith is certainly taking a gamble by letting another one of his squad options go before deadline day closes.

Villa fans may be very worried if Wesley departs, and the club suffer some injury problems – especially considering Watkins has already missed some game-time already this campaign.

Meanwhile, Villa are plotting a late swoop for this star…

A round-up of the second day’s matches in the ACC Under-19 women’s tournament in Thailand

Cricinfo staff15-Dec-2008
UAE beat Thailand by two runs © ACC
UAE bounced back from their defeat to Hong Kong and beat hosts Thailand in a close game at the ACC women’s Under-19 tournament at the Chiang Mai Gymkhana. An improved batting performance, led by captain Natasha Cherriath’s 21, took UAE to 100 after which 15-year old Samiya Salim reduced Thailand to 64 for 4 in 18 overs. But captain Naruemol Chaiwai’s 20-run partnership with Pundarika Prathanmitr kept Thailand in the hunt. However, the chase lost steam after Prathanmitr was run out at the start of the final over and UAE eventually won by two runs.Bhutan could not repeat their opening-day success and went down to a nine-wicket loss to Nepal at the Chiang Mai Gymkhana. No batsman managed double figures as Bhutan limped to 34 off their 25 overs. Sonu Khadka was Nepal’s most successful bowler with 2 for 3 in five overs. Opener Maya Rawat led the chase with an unbeaten 20 off 25 balls. This was Nepal’s second win in two days. Bhutan’s coach Damber S Gurung praised Nepal’s performance. “Everyone sees Nepal as a tough opponent,” Gurung was quoted as saying in Nepal’s .By conceding 43 extras China contributed significantly to Kuwait’s win at the Prem Oval in the first game of the tournament for the two sides. Kuwait lost three wickets in chasing down China’s 67; captain Priyada Murali’s 11 was the top score. Though their bowling was undisciplined, China did trouble Kuwait and kept a check on the runs scored off the bat. Opener Khansa Irfan batted 46 balls for her unbeaten 4 and Alina D’Silva took 20 balls for her 6. Kuwait were also guilty of boosting China’s score with extras – 30 in all. Murali took two wickets – both caught and bowled – for five runs.

The past six games have been simply unfathomable for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side have been on an abysmal run of form, and are currently winless in their last six games. Five of those have been defeats, with Tuesday night’s draw against Feyenoord the only game that wasn’t a loss. Even then, they threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3.

Things are not going to get any easier, with a trip to Anfield to face table toppers Liverpool on the cards this afternoon. Guardiola simply needs a response from his side, as they look to put an end to this shocking run.

The legendary Spanish boss will surely want his underperformers against Feyenoord to up their game against Arne Slot’s side.

Man City’s worst performers vs Feyenoord

One of the players who struggled most against the Dutch side was goalkeeper Ederson. The Brazilian has had a tough time of things this season, and the game against Feyenoord was no different.

One could argue the City number 31 was at fault for all two of the three goals. For the first, he was sold down the river by a poor backpass and allowed Anis Hadj Moussa an easy finish.

He failed to stop the cross for the second goal, and rashly missed a headed clearance for the equaliser, being caught in no man’s land. It was a hugely disappointing night’s work.

Josko Gvardiol also had a poor performance against the Dutch outfit, after a tough few weeks from a defensive standpoint.

The Croatian received a 4/10 rating from GOAL journalist Richard Martin, who explained he ‘made his worst blunder of a bad week’ to give the visitors a route back into the game. It was his mistake which led to the first goal.

Jack Grealish was another player who struggled against Feyenoord. In his first start since a return from injury, Grealish did not make an impact. As per Sofascore, he lost the ball 13 times, failed to complete a dribble from three attempted and hit the bar, with his shot deflecting off Phil Foden.

Guardiola is not afraid to make some shock selections, and he could drop Grealish for the trip to Anfield and give a start to one of the City academy’s most exciting players.

The Man City starlet who could start at Anfield

The player in question here is Cityzens academy graduate James McAtee. The young attacker has not had many opportunities this term, despite the fact he has finally broken into the first team under Guardiola after a few loan spells to Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has played seven times so far this term, getting a goal, his first in City colours, against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

His total number of appearances this season equates to half of the amount he has played for his boyhood club across his whole career. Frustratingly for McAtee, he has managed just 332 minutes in all competitions, and just one in the Premier League.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With that in mind, the City boss may not pick him based on current form, but the ability he showed during his two seasons on loan at Sheffield United. The Salford-born midfielder played 75 times for the club in both the Championship and Premier League.

Season

Competition

Games

G/A

2022/23

Championship

37

12

2022/23

FA Cup

5

1

2022/23

EFL Cup

1

0

2023/24

Premier League

30

6

2023/24

FA Cup

2

3

Football presenter Dougie Critchley described McAtee as a “very special” footballer, and that was certainly on show during his two seasons with the Blades. He is a smart player, who thrives in small spaces and loves to carry the ball.

Starting McAtee ahead of Grealish at Anfield would certainly be considered a bold move by Guardiola. With that being said, the youngster is clearly a talented player and could be the catalyst City need to get themselves out of this poor run of form they are on.

Man City may have already sold their next Haaland for just £15m

Manchester City decided to cash in on their long-term Erling Haaland replacement.

ByDan Emery Nov 19, 2024

England opener believes defending champions can upset Australia in their opening game, despite chastening Ashes defeat

Valkerie Baynes02-Mar-2022England’s World Cup rivals may write them off at their peril when the tournament kicks off in New Zealand this week, Tammy Beaumont says.Beaumont believes defending champions England have the ability to upset Australia, the runaway title favourites, in their tournament opener despite suffering a chastening Ashes series defeat last month. England were beaten 12-4 in the multi-format series, with their only points coming from two washed-out T20Is and the drawn Test. The tourists were bowled out for modest totals in all three of their ODI matches with the Australians sweeping that leg of the series 3-0.Related

McGrath switches focus to World Cup after season she 'never would have imagined'

Ecclestone, Shrubsole dismantle South Africa

“I feel like a lot of people have sort of written us off in a way,” Beaumont said. “I remember we had a lot of people trying to call us favourites last time and you know, we’re still the holders of the World Cup, so I think you write us off at your peril really.”To go back-to-back and retain your trophy away from home is always difficult, although I think the conditions in New Zealand are quite similar to home. Winning a World Cup at any time is a massive achievement but particularly when we’ve gone through Covid and all the bubbles and restrictions and stuff like that for the last two years, to come out here and hopefully perform really well will be a good testament to the team.”Beaumont said England’s World Cup preparations had run more smoothly than the lead-up to the Ashes in which training and warm-up matches were badly affected by rain once the squad had emerged from strict Covid-prevention measures and quarantine. Since their New Zealand quarantine period ended three days early following an easing of government guidelines, England have defeated Bangladesh by 109 runs in their first warm-up fixture and South Africa by six wickets in the second, which was reduced to 35 overs per side because of rain.England begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday and Beaumont backed her side to turn the tables against Australia.”I guess we know their plans,” Beaumont said. “So we’re ready to go against them. You’ve got to play everyone at some point. We played India the first game of the last World Cup and lost, and it didn’t necessarily affect us.”We’ll take on Australia, I think on our day we can beat them. We’re in a good place at the moment to go into that game regardless of the Ashes results, but yeah, I don’t think one game is going to necessarily ruin your World Cup hopes, hopefully. It’s a good time to get back out there and give it a good crack.”Tammy Beaumont has been a vital presence for England as an opener•Getty ImagesAs in the last World Cup, Lauren Winfield-Hill is expected to accompany Beaumont at the top of the order, having come into form during the warm-up clashes with a half-century against Bangladesh – she scored 14 off 15 against South Africa – after a protracted battle to post a big score. In 11 ODI innings since the start of last year, she is averaging 25.63 and hasn’t reached fifty in the format for more than five years.Debutant Emma Lamb replaced Winfield-Hill for the third ODI in Australia – the final fixture of the Ashes tour – but fell for a second-ball duck, leaving selectors without a convincing argument to make a longer-term switch for the World Cup.Beaumont’s highest score during the Ashes was 50 in the third ODI, but she has been a vital presence as an opener since before England’s 2017 World Cup triumph.England are also looking for their middle order to gel amid a dearth of regular contributors dating back to their home series against New Zealand towards the end of last year, which the hosts still managed to win 4-1.”I don’t think the problem has just been in the middle order,” Beaumont said. “Everyone has got to take accountability. I didn’t have the best series with the bat in the Ashes so I think everyone’s got to step up.”We’ve had some really good chats about not necessarily just what we need to do but actually how we need to do it and we need to get back to playing quite aggressive cricket and taking the game on. Today you saw Lauren really go for it up front and then it’s easier for the others to follow in and the middle order to really get stuck in when they’re not behind the eight ball.”I think in the Ashes constantly we as the top order were putting an incredible amount of pressure on that middle order to kind of mop up the mess we’d made so for me, it’s accountability for the whole top order really and the middle order.”