Aston Villa have had a fairly quiet summer transfer window, signing just one prominent first-team player, Evann Guessand from Nice, who cost around £30m.

They have sold a few players, too, with Jacob Ramsey being the notable exit. The boyhood Villa star moved up north to join Newcastle United.

They were recently on the cusp of losing another midfielder, one of Unai Emery’s key men in the centre of the park. Belgian star Youri Tielemans had interest from Saudi side Al-Ittihad, according to reports, but turned down the offer to remain at Villa Park.

With the transfer window set to slam shut on Monday, Villa could now turn their attention to incomings, as they look to strengthen Emery’s squad.

Aston Villa's transfer plans in the final days

It will be interesting to see what business the Villans do as the end of the transfer window approaches.

Emery’s side seem to want a new midfielder, with Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United one player who they’re showing interest in signing.

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They are said to have joined the race to sign another midfielder with Premier League experience, too.

That’s according to reports in Spain, via Sport Witness, who suggest that the West Midlands side are said to be interested in signing Atletico Madrid and England midfielder Conor Gallagher.

They are thought to have ‘money in the bag’ this summer, and could well send an offer to Diego Simeone’s side ‘in the coming hours’.

However, they will face competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, with the Hammers also showing interest. As for the price, Gallagher could be available for around £34m this summer.

Why Gallagher would be a good signing

Gallagher is a player who has reams of Premier League experience and would have no trouble slotting into the midfield at Villa Park, in that sense.

He has impressed in the Spanish capital for Simone’s side, where his “relentless” nature, as Statman Dave put it, has served him well.

Last term, the 25-year-old, who was born in Epsom, played 50 times for the La Liga giants, mainly operating as a number eight, but also playing as a left midfielder.

He bagged four goals, including one against rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League, and assisted six.

But it is that English top-flight experience which might make him such an appealing option for Emery and Villa.

Gallagher has played 136 times in the Premier League for Chelsea, Palace and West Brom, having loan spells at the latter two. He has 31 goal involvements to his name.

It could well be the case that, if Villa do sign Gallagher this summer, he could become Emery’s new Tielemans.

Of course, it seems like the Belgian will remain at Villa Park this summer, which is key for the club given his importance in Claret and Blue.

Last season, the former Anderlecht star played 50 times, with 36 of those coming in the Premier League and 12 in the Champions League.

He chipped in with five goals and ten assists, often operating as a deep-lying playmaker sitting in front of the back four, but also playing further forward.

Indeed, there are comparisons which can be made between the two players. Gallagher is also a versatile option in midfield, as he showed for Chelsea. The Cobham graduate featured as a number six, a number eight and in attacking midfield for his boyhood club.

There are also similar underlying statistics when looking at numbers from 2022/23, when Tielemans was at Leicester City and Gallagher was plying his trade at Stamford Bridge.

The England international’s impressive passing range was on show, given that he averaged 5.83 progressive passes per 90 minutes, compared to Tielemans’ tally of 6.96 each game.

Progressive passes

5.83

6.96

Key passes

1.17

1.15

Progressive carries

2.22

1.35

Tackles and interceptions

3.83

3.62

Ball recoveries

5.17

7.5

Emery would surely love to have another version of Tielemans in midfield. Gallagher offers ball progression and threat in the opposition box, as well as tenacity off the ball. Between them, the duo could be a deadly midfield pivot.

A fee of £52m is a huge investment at this stage of the window, but might be a smart move for Villa if they are looking to improve their midfield options.

The next Duran: Aston Villa "very keen" to sign "unstoppable" £35m star

Unai Emery could be about to finally replace Jhon Duran at Aston Villa by securing a last-gasp deal…

ByKelan Sarson Aug 28, 2025

Ponting also reckoned that Kohli, who is now third on the highest run-scorers list in ODIs, will want to finish at the top

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-20252:14

Kumble: Kohli’s mind was at ease today

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting reckons Virat Kohli will give himself the “best chance to be remembered as the all-time leading run-scorer” in ODIs.With his unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, Kohli moved up to No.5 on the ICC’s ODI rankings and became just the third player to breach the 14,000-run barrier in 50-over cricket. Already past Ponting in the highest run-scorers list, he is now 149 away from second-placed Kumar Sangakkara, but still 4341 behind Sachin Tendulkar who sits on top of the pile.Related

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“With someone like Virat, you never write him off, because I’m sure he’d be motivated by that [achieving the record], I think,” Ponting said on the

Leeds United were ultimately left scrambling for options in search of attacking reinforcements and that reportedly resulted in a last-gasp bid to sign an impressive star.

The transfer targets that Leeds missed

Initially, like Sunderland, Leeds enjoyed an excellent start to the summer. They welcomed the likes of Sean Longstaff and Jaka Bijol. The 49ers were ready to back their man in the hunt of becoming the first in six promoted sides to avoid Premier League relegation at the first time of asking. Challenges quickly appeared, however, and as such, top targets moved ou of their grasp.

It looked as though Igor Paixao was destined for Elland Road in a statement deal early in the window, before Marseille swooped in. Links also emerged with Everton’s Beto and Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, but the Whites were quickly forced to settle on a free deal for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Once again, Daniel Farke missed out on his top target.

As for the latter stages of the window, it was all about a No.10 for those in Yorkshire. Alas, a familiar story unfolded. This time, it was Facundo Buonanotte and Emiliano Buendia who burst their bubble, with the former heading to Chelsea in surprising fashion and the latter opting to stay put at Villa Park.

After taking four points from a possible nine to get off to a solid start this season, Farke will hope that his side is still strong enough to avoid the drop this season. Even he admitted before the transfer window closed that he needed to see more goals added to his side.

It is also worth noting that Leeds looked down their list of options right until the deadline and even saw an offer rejected for a Championship star.

Leeds lodged late Hamer bid

According to Sheffield United reporter Callum Cheswick, Leeds launched a late offer to sign Gus Hamer, only for Sheffield United to hand them a swift rejection amid a feeling that their offer was below the midfielder’s valuation.

Whether Leeds should have gone in for Hamer a second time is the question that they decided to leave unanswered. According to Cheswick, the Sheffield United star would have been content to stay at the club if he felt as though his valuation hadn’t been met, but became open to a move away from the club and back to the Netherlands throughout the window.

In the end, it’s a case of what if for Leeds, who attempted to sign a player that former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder dubbed a “standout” star last season.

So many teams are in transition right now, but all through this Champions Trophy, New Zealand have been showing that their new generation is ready for the big time. It was not so long ago that Kane Williamson was carrying this batting line-up. Seems Rachin Ravindra wants that responsibility now.He didn’t mind slotting into an unfamiliar position. He didn’t flinch having to come out at 15 for 2. He didn’t stop smiling when he brought up his hundred, an innings that confirmed not just his team’s spot in the semi-finals but also India’s. Pakistan and Bangladesh are now officially knocked out.Related

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• Ravindra and Bracewell win the middle overs to knock out Bangladesh

• New Zealand, India through to Champions Trophy semi-finals

• Bracewell's best, and a rare twin failure for Williamson

• Brydon Carse ruled out of Champions Trophy with toe injury

This was a game that Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team had to win to stay alive. But they batted like that was just too much trouble. Bangladesh started at nearly a run a ball. But ten of the next 15 overs went for three runs or fewer. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah fell from the pressure created in this period. A combined 511 matches’ worth of experience was only good for 6 runs in a do-or-die game. Their wickets left Shanto with no way forward. He kept having to readjust to a new partner, to a new match situation, and in the end, produced a staccato innings of 77 off 110. He could have done better. The others should have done better.Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana raised Bangladesh’s hopes with a fiery opening spell, rattling Will Young’s stumps in the first over and snaring Williamson for a rare single-digit score. The infield was richly populated at that point. The whole atmosphere was buzzing, the crowd also getting in the act. Into this walked Ravindra. One of the best things about his batting is his touch. It’s so pure. Down at No. 4 – he was brought into the XI to replace an ill Daryl Mitchell – there was possibly a risk that he wouldn’t be able to take full toll. But as luck would have it, he began his innings within the field restrictions and that meant he could profit from his timing. His first five fours were all about finding the gaps because his timing always took care of the rest.Ravindra had to wait 11 overs since the field spread to find his next boundary but that didn’t mean he was stagnant. His first 23 runs came off 21 balls with five fours. His next 28 runs came off 29 balls with one four. There was one chance in between all that. A mix-up with his Wellington team-mate Devon Conway could have resulted in him being run-out had Tanzid Hasan been able to get a direct hit in the 12th over.

Bangladesh weren’t able to take their chances. New Zealand did. Williamson did have a hand in proceedings here, picking up smart catches at short midwicket and cover. Michael Bracewell, after wrapping up an uninterrupted ten-over spell, ran 30 yards to his right to pick up a diving catch that probably wasn’t even his. But he decided to take charge and it worked.Bangladesh also weren’t able to rotate strike. New Zealand could. Those were the biggest points of difference between the two teams. The pitch did become much better for batting under lights, though, a fact Mitchell Santner was looking forward to when he won the toss and decided to chase and of all people, Bracewell was his ace in the hole with the ball. The 34-year-old offspin-bowling allrounder himself couldn’t believe he had taken 4 for 26. In the mid-match interview, he said, “Funny one, once you let go [of the ball] you don’t have much control what happens at the other end.”Bracewell contributed 43 of 178 dot balls that plagued Bangladesh. You have to go back to 2012 to find an innings they had paced quite so poorly. Rotating strike was a struggle and the avenues they chose to get out of that weren’t ideal. Perhaps the pitch was too slow in the afternoon to be able to work the ball into gaps. Mushfiqur made a play against Bracewell but he couldn’t clear the long boundary with his slog sweep. Bangladesh were 106 for 4 in the 23rd over. At a time when consolidation was actually needed, Mahmudullah made an ill-advised trip down the track and skewed a leading edge to cover.

Bracewell contributed to his success by slowing his pace down. Bangladesh contributed considerably more. They exit the tournament having faced more than 50 overs of dot balls. Their decision-making left them so short on batting resources that they had Taskin on strike for the 45th over and it ended up as a maiden. The death overs were a total flex for the Black Caps. At one point, they were more than happy with just three fielders on the boundary, instead of the five allowed.Bangladesh were reminded what could have been towards the end of the chase when there was sharp turn, leading edges, low bounce and even a direct-hit run-out. The wicket merely added to their regret at the one that got away – Ravindra was 26 when Tanzid missed – and the runs that got away – 260 would have made this game so much more competitive.As it happened, New Zealand went into the chase knowing all they needed were a couple of partnerships and they got those. Ravindra put on 57 runs with Conway and then 129 with Tom Latham, who is so good as a crisis manager. You can almost imagine him side-kicking whoever leads the earth’s remaining population during the zombie apocalypse. First things first, though, there’s an ICC trophy up for grabs.

اعترف زلاتان إبراهيموفيتش الأسطورة السويدية بخلافاته المتعددة مع ماسيمليانو أليجري في ميلان، لكنه أشاد بنجاحه مع فابيو كابيلو وتحدث عن بيب جوارديولا وجوزيه مورينيو أيضاً.

وقال إبراهيموفيتش عن علاقته مع ماسيمليانو أليجري في تصريحات نشرتها “فوتبول إيطاليا” :”لقد تشاجرت كثيراً مع أليجري وليس فقط مرة واحدة”.

وأضاف :”كانت هناك لحظة بعد لقاء آرسنال في لندن يتذكرها الجميع، عندما يكون لديك شخصان يتمتعان بعقلية الفوز فهذا طبيعي، ليس كل يوم مليئاً بالحب والعناق، لا بد أن يكون هناك جانب آخر لهذه المواقف، شخصيات مختلفة وعقليات مختلفة وقد يبدو الأمر غريب بعض الشئ عندما تنشر الأخبار لكن هذا طبيعي لنا ولي”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. إبراهيموفيتش: فضلت لاعبًا آخر للفوز بالكرة الذهبية على عثمان ديمبلي

وعمل إبراهيموفيتش مع العديد من المدربين العظماء في مسيرته وقال عنهم: “جوارديولا ومورينيو غيرا أسلوب لعب كرة القدم وكنت محظوظاً لأن كلاهما في فريقهما”.

وأتم: “كان جوارديولا في بداية مسيرته، بينما كان الآخر يعتمد على العقلية، أي التحكم في أفكارك، كلاهما كان ناجحاً ولكن بطرق مختلفة تماماً”.

وحول بداية مسيرته مع يوفنتوس تحت قيادة فابيو كابيلو قال: “لقد بدأت مسيرتي كلاعب عالمي، هذه خطوة لا ينجح في اتخاذها سوى القليل، تدربت عقلياً وجسدياً بشكل مختلف، كابيلو مدرب ينهض بك ويدفعك للأسفل بقوة، كان يجعلك تشعر بالدهشة ثم العجز في يومين متتاليين، أن تدخل بقوة في عقول لاعبيك، لقد حولني كابيلو من لاعب عادي إلى حيوان”.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas confirmed the Serie A club have taken an initiative to donate their proceeds from their upcoming Coppa Italia game to the local community after northern Italy was hit with torrential rain. The devastating floods have affected homes and businesses around Como and the club's head coach shared an emotional message of support for the locals.

• Como stand by their people

  Como manager Fabregas has shared his solidarity with the locals and announced on social media that the club will help the community in such a time of need. He wrote on Instagram: "My thoughts are with everyone in Como today. Seeing our beautiful lake flood and the damage it has brought is heartbreaking. Como is more than just a city to me, it is home, it is family, it is community. To all the people, families, and businesses affected, please know you are not alone. We are with you, and I believe in the strength and unity of this city. Together, we will get through this and see Como shine again. The club will donate all the proceeds from the Italian Cup match against Sassuolo, scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, to support the local community during this difficult time."

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  Morata sends a message on social media

  The storms and severe rain also cut off some lakeside villages from the main transport route. New signing and Spanish international Alvaro Morata also voiced his opinion sadness, writing: "Last night, severe storms struck the province of Como, impacting the entire area and even cutting off some lakeside villages from main transport routes. Another wave of bad weather is expected in the coming hours, while efforts continue to protect the communities already most affected. Together with the club's management, we have chosen to contribute by donating all of the proceeds from Wednesday's match."

• When is Como's Coppa Italia game?

  The Serie A high-flyers will face Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia second round match on September 24, at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Como's form this season

  The Biancoblu are enjoying a decent tenure under manager Fabregas. Last season, after achieving promotion to the Serie A after 21 years, they recorded a 10-place finish in the top-flight. This season, they kick-started the campaign with a 3-1 win over Sudtirol in the Coppa Italia, and currently sit eighth in the league table with seven points after four games. 

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has issued a stark warning to Barcelona despite praising Hansi Flick’s side as "the most attractive in Europe". The former midfielder believes the Blaugrana’s high-risk approach leaves them vulnerable in the Champions League, claiming fatigue and tactical rigidity could cost them deep into games.

A rocky spell for La Liga champions

German legend Kroos has delivered a candid assessment of Barca’s Champions League prospects, saying that while Flick’s men play some of Europe’s most eye-catching football, their rigid system could ultimately be their downfall. Speaking on the podcast, the Real Madrid icon highlighted Barca’s late-game fragility, especially after the 75th minute, when energy levels drop and tactical flexibility becomes crucial. The warning comes as Barcelona attempt to rebound from back-to-back defeats, having gone down 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and 4-1 against Sevilla in La Liga, results that have exposed defensive vulnerabilities in their otherwise fluid attacking setup.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKroos says Barca take 'too many risks'

Kroos, who faced Barcelona numerous times during his glittering Madrid career, acknowledged Flick’s work in reshaping the Catalan giants but stressed that their “obsession” with maintaining the same style leaves them exposed. 

“Barca have one of the most attractive styles, if not the most attractive, in all of Europe,” Kroos said. “But I think they take too many risks. On a bad day from Pedri, Lamine [Yamal], or Raphinha, any team can hurt them and still win. They can eliminate them from the Champions League. Last year it happened to them against Inter, and this year, whether it's in the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, or final, at some point they'll come up against an opponent like this who eliminates them. This will happen to them in the Champions League, but not in La Liga, because they're so dominant.”

Flick issued fatigue warning

Kroos went further, identifying fitness and in-game management as major issues that could undermine Flick’s Champions League ambitions. “From the 75th minute onwards, you notice that everyone is more tired and you see that they don’t switch to a different style of closing down spaces,” he explained. “If you’re tired and don’t change your style of play, it becomes very evident how exposed you are.” 

His comments echo those of other pundits, including Thierry Henry, who has previously criticised Flick’s insistence after the PSG clash, on maintaining an ultra-high defensive line even when the team is under pressure late in games, stating: “you cannot play in the Champions League with such a high line, I’m sorry".

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AFPBarca's challenge after double defeat

The back-to-back defeats to PSG in the Champions League and Sevilla in La Liga have reignited debates around the sustainability of Flick’s aggressive tactical model. With key players like Yamal, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Marc-Andre ter Stegen recovering from injuries, the German manager has had limited flexibility to rotate. Yet, Kroos’ critique suggests a deeper concern, that even with a full squad, Barcelona’s stylistic purity could be their Achilles’ heel against elite European opponents.

Barca will look to bounce back after the international break with a crucial run of fixtures, including a Catalan derby against Girona, followed by a Champions League clash with Olympiacos and a much-anticipated trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid. 

Former Australia opener David Warner will captain the Karachi Kings in the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League. Warner, who was the Kings’ first pick at the draft in January, replaces Shan Masood as captain.”We have a fantastic line-up and I’m super excited to take on the role of captain this year,” Warner said.Related

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• PCB serves Corbin Bosch legal notice after switch from PSL to IPL

Kings’ owner Salman Iqbal said Warner’s “track record as leader and match-winner aligns perfectly with our vision” while paying tribute to Masood, whom he expected to remain a “key player in the squad”.The Kings are looking to break out of a rut that has seen them miss out on the playoffs each of the last three seasons. Since winning their only title in 2020, they haven’t come close to replicating that success.Warner recently captained Sydney Thunder to the final of the 2024-25 Big Bash League, seven years on from Cricket Australia imposing a lifetime leadership ban on him in the wake of the ball-tampering fracas that engulfed Australia in Cape Town in 2018. The ban was lifted last year.George Linde has replaced Corbin Bosch in the Peshawar Zalmi squad•AFP/Getty Images

Linde replaces Bosch, Carey replaces van der Dussen

Peshawar Zalmi have drafted in South Africa allrounder George Linde as a full replacement for his compatriot Corbin Bosch, who pulled out of the PSL to take part in the IPL that is running concurrently.Anoher South Africa star, the Islamabad United batter Rassie van der Dussen, is set to miss part of the season for personal reasons. Islamabad have named Australia keeper-batter Alex Carey as his partial replacement.These picks were made in an online replacement draft held on Monday. Peshawar Zalmi and Kings have reserved their replacement picks for Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana and keeper-batter Litton Das respectively, while Quetta Gladiators and Kings have reserved their replacement picks for New Zealand batters Mark Chapman and Kane Williamson respectively.The PSL begins on 11 April in Rawalpindi, with the final on 18 May in Lahore.

نجح الدولي البرتغالي برناردو سيفا، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر سيتي في تسجيل الهدف الثاني لصالح فريقه أمام فياريال ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره فياريال مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

ويستضيف ملعب “لا سيراميكا” مباراة فريقي مانشستر سيتي وفياريال، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ونجح الدولي النرويجي إيرلينج هالاند، في تسجيل الهدف الأول لصالح مانشستر سيتي في الدقيقة 17 من عمر اللقاء.

وسجل برناردو سيلفا الهدف الثاني لصالح رجال بيب جوارديولا في الدقيقة 40 من عمر اللقاء ليزيد من ارتياح مدربه الإسباني وليقرب مانشستر سيتي من تحقيق الفوز الثاني له في البطولة. هدف برناردو سيلفا الثاني أمام فياريال في دوري أبطال أوروبا

A 53-run ninth-wicket stand has effectively created a single-innings shootout with the WACA pitch starting to flatten out

Tristan Lavalette16-Mar-2025After a hectic period abroad, allrounder Cooper Connolly marked his return to the WACA with a half-century under pressure in the high stakes Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Victoria.Connolly threatened to turn the game on its head before Victoria regrouped and dismissed WA for 186 in their first innings. Openers Campbell Kellaway and Marcus Harris blunted WA’s attack in the last hour as Victoria built a 43-run lead by stumps on day two.The match has been a see-saw throughout with both teams firmly in the race to play South Australia in the final starting on March 26. They are fighting for the outright victory needed to overtake Queensland and New South Wales, who are both in trouble in their respective matches.Connolly rescued WA’s first innings from ruins at 111 for 8 with a top score of 56 off 104 balls on a green surface that has heavily favoured the bowlers although the pitch did seem to flatten out towards the backend of the day.He had a tough time in foreign conditions during his Test debut in Sri Lanka and at the Champions Trophy, but continued to build an impressive record at Shield level with his fourth half-century from his first six innings.While Connolly played somewhat within himself given the circumstances and conditions, he showcased his class with eight fours and a six.The rest of the WA batters combined for just ten boundaries across 78.2 overs as they got strangled by a disciplined Victoria pace attack with captain Will Sutherland, Peter Siddle and David Moody nagging away and producing sharp seam movement.WA had earlier resumed at 10 for 1 having lost captain Sam Whiteman just before stumps on day one. After starring with a five-wicket haul, nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli hoped to be a nuisance for Victoria and he looked untroubled until he was caught behind down the legside for 16, off Sutherland – in a similar dismissal to Whiteman.It brought out Jayden Goodwin, who was perhaps fortunate to hold his spot in the team ahead of Sam Fanning having only passed 10 once in his last five Shield innings. Goodwin hadn’t yet scored when he had a nervous moment after a loud shout by Sutherland for a catch at short leg.But he survived and had some respite from offspinner Todd Murphy, who came into the attack in the ninth over but struggled to find his lengths. He bowled too short and did not produce the same type of threat as counterpart Rocchicccioli, who is taller and able to produce more bounce.Opener Cameron Bancroft hoped to stonewall like he did in the last match against NSW with a vital 86 off 277 balls in WA’s second innings. But Siddle was rewarded for his accuracy when he had Bancroft edging to second slip for 14 as WA slumped to 35 for 3.Hilton Cartwright came to the crease in fine form having made a first-class career high of 171 not out against NSW, continuing a stellar season where he is currently the Shield’s leading run-scorer.Cartwright’s confidence was evident when he skipped down the wicket at Murphy and he stroked a lovely cover drive to make a mockery of the conditions. But he was unable to refocus after lunch and tamely nicked off a back of a length delivery from Sutherland to trigger a collapse of 5 for 35.Siddle and Sutherland bowled superbly in tandem with their lengths perfectly suited to this tricky surface.The normally flamboyant Connolly started cautiously before opening his account on his ninth delivery when he cracked a boundary through point, a rare loose ball from Sutherland who had only leaked nine runs off 11.5 overs up to that point.Former WA quick Moody complemented Sutherland and Siddle well in his Victoria debut and first Shield match in two years. Proving a worthy replacement for spearhead Scott Boland, who did not make the trip to Perth due to knee soreness, Moody enjoyed a surface that had more pace than the previous day’s play as he unleashed off his very long run-up.Victoria looked set for a handy first-innings lead before being left frustrated by a 53-run ninth-wicket partnership between Connolly and Cameron Gannon, who is a more than capable lower-order batter.Connolly did not have many opportunities to counterattack, but he kept the runs ticking against Murphy and hit the only six of the innings by hooking Moody into the ground’s construction site. He received healthy applause after reaching his half-century off 97 balls and eyed an unexpected lead for WA.However, Connolly was left disappointed after he was adjudged caught behind off Siddle in a decision that he clearly disagreed with. The evergreen Siddle finished with superb figures of 3 for 10 off 13.2 overs as he did his part in keeping Victoria’s title hopes alive.