Any doubts about Newcastle United’s quality have been extinguished by a run of October form that has led to six wins from seven matches in all competitions.

Newcastle are making headway in the Champions League and have set themselves back on track in the Premier League with a last-minute winner against Fulham at the weekend. St. James’ Park roared, and then cheers in concert once again when Tottenham Hotspur were dumped from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

Still, Eddie Howe’s side are hardly firing on all cylinders, and that especially applies to the final third. However, Nick Woltemade has been nothing but brilliant since completing his club-record £69m transfer over from Stuttgart in August, and the German striker is spearheading the fight for silverware and retention of this seat at the top European table.

Woltemade's prolific start at Newcastle

Woltemade’s crisp header to seal the victory over Tottenham marked his sixth of the campaign, just 11 matches into his Newcastle career.

Alexander Isak’s record-breaking transfer to Liverpool felt like it could have a detrimental effect on the Toon project, but Newcastle have kept on moving forward, with the rangy centre-forward dovetailing into the system.

He loves a header, the German does, but that’s hardly the full scope of his game. Lanky at 6 foot 6, Woltemade has no right to be as technically graceful and intuitive in the tight spaces as he is, ranking among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 5% for shot-creating actions per 90.

And yet he is mesmerising when on the ball. BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan has even said that “there’s no striker on the planet who moves the ball like Woltemade.”

With this in mind, the Tyneside frontline should be firing on all cylinders, but this isn’t the case. Anthony Gordon is seemingly saving his best displays for the continental front at the moment, while Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy make up solid, if unspectacular, parts of the unit.

But there’s another man who has left much to be desired, and must be frustrated with his tough start to life in black and white as Woltemade thrives beside him.

The Newcastle star being saved by Woltemade

How often have we seen a player struggle to impress after switching clubs in the Premier League? It’s not an uncommon experience, to be sure.

And for Anthony Elanga, this is the reality as he still searches for his first direct goal involvement as a Magpie, having joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest for £55m in August, one year after Howe’s first bid to snatch him from Evangelos Marinakis.

It’s been an inauspicious start to life in Howe’s squad, it must be said. Elanga has played 14 times in all competitions and has yet to register a goal or an assist.

Still, the Sweden international is one of the fastest players in the Premier League, and while his playmaking success has dried up of late, he ranks among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90.

And there’s a good reason that the big bucks were spent on his signature. For Nottingham Forest, the 23-year-old was a menace, with his fleet-footedness and tendency to directly take on his man playing to the strengths of Howe’s counter-attacking system.

However, deeper statistical analysis would suggest that even across his two terms with the Tricky Trees, Elanga left something to be desired. He is not the most active in taking on his opponent, despite his pace, and does not dribble with the intensity of frequency that perhaps his physique suggests is within his capacity.

Matches (starts)

36 (25)

38 (31)

Goals

5

6

Assists

9

11

Shots (on target)*

1.5 (0.6)

1.1 (0.6)

Pass completion

75%

78%

Key passes*

0.9

1.3

Big chances created

14

9

Dribbles*

0.8

0.7

Tackles + interceptions*

1.1

0.7

Duels (won)*

2.9 (44%)

3.0 (45%)

With just four Premier League starts in a Newcastle shirt this season, it’s perhaps premature to analyse the data on a wider scale, but we can observe that Elanga is currently averaging only 1.8 successful duels per game, completing just 18% of his dribbles besides.

With a nominal amount of shots unleashed each game and not a big chance yet created, it’s not difficult to see why he’s struggling.

But Elanga needs only take a leaf from Anthony Gordon’s book. After all, the Three Lions star flattered to deceive after completing a £45m transfer from Everton in January 2023, then clicking into gear in 2023/24, winning the Newcastle Player of the Year award after posting 11 goals and ten assists in the top flight.

Gordon has yet to fully spread his wings this season, but he’s tenacious and talented and undoubtedly the focal point out wide for Newcastle. Elanga will use him as inspiration.

Now, Gordon is one of the most prominent wingers in the Premier League, seemingly Thomas Tuchel’s preferred pick on the Three Lions’ left flank as the 2026 World Cup looms ever closer.

While Elanga’s sticky form continued with a 6/10 display against Tottenham, as noted by the Shields Gazette, there is a wide recognition of the winger’s talent, and he will improve as he continues to develop under Howe’s wing.

This is all to say that fans would be silly to give up on Elanga after only a few months at St. James’ Park. There’s a real player in there, a star who the club scouted extensively.

Perhaps he’s mimicking a former version of Gordon, but if that is the case, then the best is yet to come.

New Tonali: Newcastle's 8/10 ace has been an "incredible piece of business"

Newcastle have proved their skill in the transfer market once again this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 30, 2025

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have entered a high-stakes battle for Anderlecht’s 17-year-old prodigy Nathan De Cat. The Belgian youth international has risen rapidly from academy standout to first-team regular, attracting top clubs with his tactical intelligence and dominant performances. With his contract running until 2027, De Cat has become the centre of a transfer race between the two Bundesliga giants.

• Bayern and Dortmund move for Nathan De Cat

  Few teenagers in Europe have generated as much momentum as De Cat, and both Bayern and Dortmund see him as a midfielder worth acting early for. According to , both clubs have formally intensified their monitoring, sending scouts to multiple matches this season as the 17-year-old has grown into a permanent starter at Anderlecht. However, they are just two of a number of top teams keeping track of him.

  Bayern transfer bosses Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are leading the charge. They admire De Cat’s tactical maturity, his ability to dictate tempo from deep and his imposing frame, a combination they believe could make him a long-term successor to Leon Goretzka or a future anchor in Vincent Kompany’s midfield. Bayern’s interest is not casual; they have already placed him near the top of their long-term recruitment list.

  Dortmund, known for identifying elite young talent before their peak, view De Cat with equal urgency. Aware of Bayern’s push, they consider the Belgian a perfect fit for their tradition of developing high-ceiling midfielders who can thrive in a fast, transitional system. Their scouting department has followed De Cat since his Europa League debut at 16, and the club is prepared to compete aggressively for his signature.

  Neither club has made a formal bid yet as Anderlecht’s stance remains strong. But both Bayern and Dortmund have moved beyond preliminary monitoring and into serious evaluation, convinced they are chasing one of Europe’s next top midfielders.

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• AFP
  

  From Mechelen to Anderlecht: The rise of Nathan De Cat

  De Cat’s journey began at KV Mechelen, but Anderlecht quickly spotted his potential and at just 10 years old he entered one of Europe’s most respected academies.

  He progressed through the system at exceptional speed. By February 2024, only 15 years old, he made his professional debut for RSCA Futures, becoming one of the youngest players ever to appear in Belgian professional football. Months earlier, in October 2023, he had already signed his first senior contract. And in February 2025, at 16 years and seven months, he stepped onto the pitch in the Europa League, displaying a calmness and maturity that belied his age.

  During his time with Anderlecht's youth academy, the Belgian midfielder played 33 games in which he scored three goals and registered four assists. His defensive recovery numbers and positional discipline are unusually advanced for a teenager, underpinning his reputation as a deep-lying playmaker with exceptional tactical instincts.

  His breakthrough moment arrived in May 2025, when he scored his first professional goal during the Belgian Pro League Champions’ Playoff against Royal Antwerp.

  Now a full member of Anderlecht’s first team, he has already made 14 league appearances this season, adding one goal and one assist to his name. With a U-17 World Cup call-up reinforcing his upward trajectory, De Cat enters the next phase of his development with major opportunities opening around him and Europe’s top clubs watching closely.

• How De Cat fits in Bayern and Dortmund squad

  The 17-year-old brings a blend of qualities that both Bayern and Dortmund rarely find in one teenager which includes tactical intelligence, composure, physicality, and elite ball circulation. His profile allows him to slot naturally into either system.

  At Bayern, Kompany’s philosophy revolves around dominant possession, vertical progression and structured build-up. The coach has already demonstrated his ability to elevate young talents, with Lennart Karl a recent example of a youth player transformed into a reliable contributor under his watch. For De Cat, working under Kompany, a coach proven at guiding young defenders and midfielders, would offer a clear developmental pathway.

  At Dortmund, the appeal lies in their high-tempo, vertical, pressing-heavy style. De Cat’s strong ball-winning instincts, sharp passing under pressure and quick decision-making may make him an ideal fit as the tempo-controller behind Dortmund’s attacking midfielders. 

  In both environments, De Cat would not just be another academy signing, he would be viewed as a long-term starting midfielder. That is precisely why Bayern and Dortmund have accelerated their pursuit.

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• AFP
  

  Anderlecht’s season and De Cat’s path to prominence

  Anderlecht’s 2025-26 campaign has given De Cat an ideal stage. Sitting third in the Belgian Pro League, with seven wins and four draws, the club are well-placed in the championship playoffs.

  To cement his prominence this season, De Cat must continue refining the aspects that define elite midfielders: maintaining high passing accuracy, dictating tempo more consistently, and adding more verticality to his play. Anderlecht want him to evolve into a central figure capable of leading both defensive structure and offensive build-up.

  The club’s long-term plan is clear with De Cat viewed as a future cornerstone of Anderlecht’s midfield. They resisted releasing him initially for the U-17 World Cup because of his importance to their domestic campaign which further points to how much responsibility they already place on his shoulders.

Captain Ollie Robinson and in-form allrounder Will Rhodes hit composed, match-clinching half-centuries as Durham maintained their Metro Bank One-Day Cup knockout hopes by beating struggling Lancashire by four wickets at Liverpool.Wicketkeeper-batter Robinson and Rhodes, in pursuit of 321, came together at 168 for 3 in the 30th over and calmly secured a third win from six in Group B. They shared 127, Robinson with 80 not out off 59 balls and Rhodes 75 off 68. Durham won with nine balls remaining.With two games remaining, they are eyeing a top-three finish. Lancashire, however, lost their fourth game in six and are way off the pace. Their wicketkeeper-opener George Bell’s excellent 104 off 115 balls represented his maiden first-team century.The Red Rose’s 320 all out saw Bell – aged 22 – star and Josh Bohannon became the county’s first batter to score back-to-back List A centuries since Liverpudlian Paul Horton in 2009. He top-scored with 106 off 102 balls having done similar at Kent on Sunday. Durham seamer Ben Raine excelled with 4 for 34 from 9.5 overs.This was Rhodes’ third fifty added to a century in this campaign, and Robinson is leading the side in place of club captain Alex Lees in order to build his leadership experience.Inserted, Lancashire raced to 50 without loss in four overs but were hurt by losing their last eight wickets for 65 inside the final eight overs of the innings. Michael Jones fell for a brisk 30 against his former county when he miscued a pull at Codi Yusuf’s seam to Emilio Gay running in from deep square leg.Will Rhodes plays forward•Getty Images

In excellent batting conditions, Bell and Bohannon shared 175 inside 29 overs. Bell was 35 when Bohannon came in, but the latter reached his hundred first, off 96 balls. His second fifty came in only 29. And when Bell reached his ton shortly afterwards, off 113 balls, the Red Rose were 251 for 2 after 41 overs.Bell and Bohannon were then both caught at deep midwicket slog-sweeping against the seam of Rhodes and Colin Ackermann’s spin as the Red Rose slipped from 255 for 2 in the 42nd over. Raine claimed the last three as Durham crucially came back well, with the the suspicion of Lancashire being light on runs.Lees and Gay made a steady start, with an 84-run partnership inside 15 overs broken when the latter miscued a pull at Tom Aspinwall’s seam out to Jones running in from deep square leg. While Aspinwall had been released by the Manchester Originals, Lancashire left-arm spinner Charlie Barnard couldn’t bowl having dislocated his right little finger diving to stop a boundary.Durham’s serene progress was checked when Lees, who went beyond 3,000 List A career runs during his 64, chipped to cover off Arav Shetty’s spin. And further so when Colin Ackermann on 39 flicked Aspinwall to midwicket with the score on 168 eight overs later.Robinson and Rhodes took Harry Singh’s off-spin to task as 22 came off the 35th over, including four boundaries, with Durham moving to 213 for 3. Singh was covering for Barnard’s absence, and this felt like a crucial moment. From there, Rhodes and Robinson cruised against a depleted but spirited attack.Rhodes reached his fifty off 48 balls, and when Robinson followed him there off 39 balls, the visitors were 258 for three in the 41st over. Their progress could not be halted even with Rhodes and then Raine falling late on in a Tom Bailey over.

Manchester City are now reportedly keeping close tabs on one Arsenal star, who Pep Guardiola sees as the perfect fit for his side.

The Citizens have been at their best in recent weeks, with Erling Haaland in his usual ruthless mood. Victory over Liverpool on Sunday would truly cement their title ambitions this season, however, following a tough campaign last time out. It would also represent just how successful their summer transfer was, with the likes of Rayan Cherki now settling into life at the Etihad.

Guardiola, who is set to take charge of his 1000th game in football, told reporters that his City side have to be at their best against Liverpool even after the Reds’ disappointing form in the last month.

The City boss said: “We have to be our best. I know how quickly everything goes here. One week ago, Liverpool, six defeats, was a disaster, won two but now they come back to their best.

“I’m pretty sure all managers take a little time for more perspective and everyone has ups and downs in the competition. I have a higher opinion about Liverpool right now. Last season we were losing six games in seven games, it’s the same.”

Man City "genius" looks like the player Liverpool thought Wirtz would be

This Man City star has outshone Wirtz in less minutes this season

1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 7, 2025

In previous years, the Premier League title was often decided by this fixture at the Etihad. This time around, though, it looks set to decide Arsenal’s closest challengers following the Gunners’ excellent start.

It’s something that City will be well aware of and they’ve even been impressed enough to take a look at one of Mikel Arteta’s defensive players who could complete a shock exit.

Man City keeping tabs on Ben White

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Man City are now keeping close tabs on Ben White, who Guardiola sees as the perfect fit at the Etihad. The right-back, who can also play centre-back, is reportedly becoming frustrated by his position at Arsenal and could leave in pursuit of more game time – allowing City to swoop in.

The right-back position is certainly one that City could do with looking at. Whilst Matheus Nunes has grown into the role, Guardiola would benefit from a natural option down that side and that’s where White could come in.

Whether Arteta will willingly let his defender leave is another question, however. The Spaniard has been full of praise for the 28-year-old since his arrival in North London, describing him as “brave” when he decided against joining up with the England squad under Gareth Southgate.

Man City ready bid for Vinicus Jr as Real Madrid feelings revealed

Jamie Smith sets tone with 44 off 18 as Spirit keep season alive – for now

ECB Media23-Aug-2025London Spirit are just about still alive in the Hundred after an emphatic win over Southern Brave took them level with their opponents on 12 points and meant that both are still within reach of the third qualifying spot as the men’s competition heads into its defining week.Spirit’s win meant that Oval Invincibles and Northern Superchargers have now qualified for the knockout stages, while Trent Rockets can lock in the third and final qualification spot with a win over Welsh Fire in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon. Spirit and Brave both need Rockets to lose their final two games, to win their own last fixtures, and even then would be reliant on Net Run-Rates.Under the lights at Lord’s, Spirit turned in arguably their most complete performance of the tournament to date. Jamie Smith was immense in the Powerplay, pumping seven of his 18 deliveries either to or over the fence to dominate an opening stand of 66 in 36 balls with David Warner.The Australian’s departure for 25, top-edging a reverse sweep, gave Michael Bracewell his first wicket, and the Kiwi offspinner then induced the mishit from Smith, who picked out Hilton Cartwright on the midwicket fence to go for a brilliant 44.Kane Williamson has simmered so far this summer but here, he unfurled his full repertoire, hooking Jofra Archer for six and then driving him behind square for another maximum. His three sixes here, propelling him to a maiden half-century in the tournament, took his season tally up to five.Jamie Smith struck 44 off 18•Getty ImagesBrave’s attack struggled to contain, though their young left-arm spinner James Coles showed his nous, going for just 22 from his 15 deliveries and picking up the wicket of the dangerous Ashton Turner, caught in the deep.In reply, much hinged on the Brave’s two white-ball icons, James Vince and Jason Roy. But when Vince plinked a pull shot off Luke Wood to mid-on, and Roy – after a sprightly cameo, including a monstrous 102-metre six off Richard Gleeson – played all round a straight one from Liam Dawson, the Brave’s assault ran aground.For a brief moment, as Laurie Evans climbed into the spinners Jafer Chohan and Turner, hitting four sixes in five balls to leave the Brave needing 90 from 43, the most unlikely of heists seemed possible. But as wickets fell at the other end, Evans ran out of partners, momentum and belief, eventually succumbing on the long-on boundary to give Gleeson his second wicket.Dawson took care of business at the death, picking up his third clean-bowled of the evening, with Jamie Overton then castling his brother, Craig, to clinch the match and help improve the Spirit’s run-rate.The consolation for the Brave is that they remain in the shake-up, ahead of their final match on Thursday against Welsh Fire, while the Spirit face their capital rivals on Monday at the Kia Oval.

Baseball is back, with spring training games going on in Arizona and Florida. It's the time of year where fans of lots of teams have hopes that this could be a magical season that ends with a championship. It's also a time for players to battle through some rust and get ready for the games that count.

New York Mets reliever Danny Young was one of the guys on Saturday who looked like he could use as many practice reps as possible. During one at-bat against the Astros he threw a ball that was nowhere near the zone and one-hopped the screen behind home plate.

One young Mets fan wasn't impressed with that pitch and had a simple message for Young, which was picked up by a hot mic: "None of those. Those are bad pitches."

It's great having baseball back in our lives again.

Shohei Ohtani's massive, $700 million (largely deferred) contract was valued as high as it was in part because there was an expectation he would impact the game on both sides of the ball both as a slugger and a pitcher.

Ohtani missed out on pitching his first season with the Dodgers as he recovered from an operation to repair his UCL after the 2023 season. Los Angeles found a way to build around that, though, including with some trade deadline moves to add pitching help, ultimately winning a World Series trophy in 2024.

Now, Ohtani is hoping to get back on the bump, spending this spring training getting prepared to pitch in a Dodgers uniform for the first time in 2025. Manager Dave Roberts gave an update on how he's progressing on Saturday.

Roberts told reporters that Ohtani was throwing 92 to 94 miles per hour (fastball) with a brief 14-pitch bullpen session. He also added it's possible Ohtani will be facing batters in simulated settings before the Dodgers head to Toyko for the 2025 MLB World Tour in mid-March.

Ohtani's average fastball velocity was 96.8 mph in 2023.

It's overall great news for Ohtani and the Dodgers, who will be even more of a threat once he's back as a pitcher.

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Após a vitória sobre o Madureira na quarta-feira (17), o Botafogo segue em preparação para a próxima partida, contra o Bangu, neste sábado (20), às 16h, no Nilton Santos.

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O técnico Tiago Nunes esclareceu na coletiva após o jogo de quarta-feira que irá rodar o elenco durante o campeonato. Dessa forma, o Botafogo deve entrar em campo com um time misto contra o Bangu.

– Neste início da temporada vou rodar muito o elenco. Contra o Bangu, vai ser praticamente outro time. A preparação continua, e não para. Esses jogos são parte da preparação – afirmou Tiago Nunes na coletiva após a vitória sobre o Madureira.

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Provável escalação do Botafogo: Gatito; Jefferson (Halter), Bastos, Barboza; Júnior Santos, Newton, Tchê Tchê (Kauê), Marçal; Diego Hernandez, Segovinha (Jeffinho); Janderson (Matheus Nascimento).

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BanguBotafogoCampeonato CariocaTaça Guanabara

قالت تقارير صحفية خلال الفترة الماضية إن برشلونة تلقى عروضاً للاستغناء عن حارسه الألماني مارك أندريه تير شتيجن خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية في يناير.

وأشارت التقارير إلى أن بشكتاش التركي قدم عرضاً للتعاقد مع تير شتيجن على سبيل الإعارة مع خيار الشراء بقيمة 8 ملايين يورو، مما يترك القرار للألماني وإعطائه فرصة الرحيل عن البارسا وسط مخاوف على مركزه في حراسة مرمى منتخب ألمانيا.

ونفى روجر توريلو صحفي “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية هذه الشائعات وأن برشلونة لم يتلق أي عروض للاستغناء عن مارك تير شتيجن.

أقرأ أيضاً.. مدرب الكاميرون عن إيتا إيونج: لديه إمكانات يامال.. ويمكنه اللعب مع برشلونة

ولا يزال برشلونة ينتظر استعادة تير شتيجن كامل لياقته البدنية، وبمجرد أن يصبح لائقاً وقادراً على اللعب بشكل أساسي فإنه من المتوقع أن تتواصل معه أندية أخرى لضمه خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة.

ويبقى خوان جارسيا حتى ذلك الوقت هو الحارس الأساسي لنادي برشلونة ومن المتوقع عودته ضد أتلتيك بلباو، ويجلس له بديلاً الحارس البولندي المخضرم فويتشيك تشيزني.

ويسعى تير شتيجن حارس مرمى برشلونة لترسيخ مكانه كحارس مرمى لمنتخب ألمانيا متفوقاً على باومان، والذي قدم مستويات رائعة وحافظ على نظافة شباكه في المباريات الأربع الأخيرة وساعد المانشافت على التأهل لكأس العالم 2026.

Somerset fought their way past a severely depleted Lancashire and into a third consecutive T20 Blast final at Edgbaston. Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 81 off 52 underpinned the batting after his side were put in, and although Lancashire got off to a good start in their chase, led by powerful cameos from Keaton Jennings and Liam Livingstone, Somerset’s greater experience helped claw things back.Lancashire were shorn of six first-choice players, and had two making their first appearances of the season, which included giving a full T20 debut to 21-year-old spinner Arav Shetty. They looked well placed at 102 for 3 in the 12th over, but the controversial dismissal of Livingstone, whose lbw was upheld by the third umpire despite the suggestion of an inside edge, triggered a collapse.Shetty, who in the event did not bowl, was snapped up by a diving Lewis Gregory in the covers – Somerset’s sharp fielding in contrast to a messy Lancashire effort – and although Michael Jones attempted to keep the chase alive with some defiant blows, Migael Pretorius and Ben Green combined for five wickets to close out the game. Somerset were not at full strength either, with Pretorius playing only his second game after Riley Meredith was recalled to Australia ahead of Finals Day, and Tom Banton absent with England.The game ended in slightly farcical scenes, as Lancashire retired out George Balderson, only for his replacement, Tom Hartley, to be dismissed first ball. Rain then began to fall during the final over, with the ground fully covered moments after the players left the field.

Jennings fires up

“Feels slightly tacky, nice to know what you’re chasing.” So said Jennings at the toss, and Lancashire’s captain was intent on getting his side ahead of the asking rate at the start of their innings. He swung his third ball, from Craig Overton, nonchalantly over fine leg for six, following up with back-to-back fours. Luke Wells was plucked out by a brilliant catch at short fine leg by Pretorius, before Jennings again deposited Overton over the ropes.Overton struck back by pinning Matty Hurst lbw, but there was more punishment to come as Livingstone joined Jennings in the middle. Livingstone pinged Somerset’s premier new-ball bowler over deep square leg, before Jennings flat-batted him down the ground for six more; Overton’s first three overs costing 39. Jack Ball was then welcomed into the attack by Jennings top-edging him all the way over the keeper, and another Livingstone hoick across the line made it six sixes in the powerplay, with Lancashire flying on 73 for 2.Liam Livingstone queries his dismissal•Getty Images

Livingstone dismissal turns chase

Livingstone had powered Lancashire to Finals Day with an unbeaten 85 against Kent in the quarters, having found his form during the Hundred – during which he calls Edgbaston home with Birmingham Phoenix. He looked to have the measure of the ground once again, crunching Lewis Goldsworthy into the crowd for his third six, as Lancashire continued to make good progress despite the loss of Jennings for 44 off 28.When Gregory won an lbw decision with Livingstone trapped on the crease, the Lancashire man reviewed straight away. But with the aid of UltraEdge, third umpire Sue Redfern determined that there was no bat involved before the ball hit the back pad – although it seemed impossible to be conclusive. Livingstone, however, obviously felt otherwise and made his opinion clear after seeing the decision on the big screen. His long walk off marked the beginning of the end for Lancashire’s hopes of a second Blast title, 10 years on from their first.

Depleted Lancashire strike first

Lancashire absentees included four on international duty with England – Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Luke Wood and Saqib Mahmood – and both of their overseas being employed elsewhere (Chris Green at the CPL, Ashton Turner with Western Australia). That Salt and Buttler had helped England put on a record 302 against South Africa the previous night hardly helped the Red Rose mood. Somerset, meanwhile, were without New Zealand quick Matt Henry, as well as Banton and Meredith.Winning the toss felt like an advantage on a brisk, mid-September morning – and two tight overs, from James Anderson (who last played at Finals Day in 2014) and Tom Aspinwall, were followed by Balderson, playing his fourth T20 and first of the season, finding the perfect amount of nip back with his first ball to clatter Will Smeed’s off stump. But it didn’t take long for Somerset’s batters to start wresting back the initiative.Kohler-Cadmore had struggled to lay bat on ball and was on 1 off 9 when he collared Balderson for the first six of the day, a rustic heave that just had enough on it to land beyond the rope at deep midwicket. He repeated the shot, but added about 20 yards, in Balderson’s next over, and before Tom Abell audaciously ramped Anderson all the way over fine leg in a sequence of 6-4-dot-4. Anderson struck back to have Abell bowled off an inside edge, as Somerset finished the powerplay on 49 for 2.

Kohler-Cadmore pumps the tires

Lancashire continued to chip away, James Rew held at midwicket off Aspinwall, as Kohler-Cadmore dropped back down the gears. Somerset were 78 for 3 at halfway, and then 95 for 4 after losing Sean Dickson to a smart stumping in the 13th over. Kohler-Cadmore responded by pumping Livingstone’s legspin straight back down the ground for six, then raising a 38-ball fifty off the next delivery – aided by another misfield at midwicket that enabled them to come back for two.Hartley was boshed down the ground for Kohler-Cadmore’s fourth six, and he found a useful ally in captain, Gregory, who scooped Aspinwall for his first boundary. Jack Blatherwick was then taken for four consecutive fours by Kohler-Cadmore, as 18 runs came off the 17th. By the time the returning Anderson removed Gregory via a slap to deep cover, the partnership had realized 57 off 31 balls. Kohler-Cadmore might have had the first Finals Day century in his sights, but he only added one to his score before holing out off Balderson. Nevertheless, Overton and Pretorius hammered 21 off Aspinwall’s final over to take Somerset to an imposing total.