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da 888casino： With Rangers’ season now, to all intents and purposes, completely over, attention has started to turn towards the summer.

da dobrowin： On Thursday night, the Gers crashed out of the Europa League at the quarter-final stage, beaten 2-0 by Athletic Club Bilbao at San Mamés.

This confirmed that the Light Blues will end the season trophyless, not involved in this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-finals, having been historically dumped out by Queen’s Park earlier in the competition.

Meantime, in the Scottish Premiership, the Gers are 15 points adrift of runaway leaders Celtic with 15 points to play for, and a goal difference that is 42 inferior; they’re not going to catch their rivals even if, rather jokingly, Kris Boyd said “the title race is still on”.

So now, it’s pretty much full focus on next summer; the squad needs a major overhaul and a new manager is required too, all of which, ideally, must be sorted out quickly, considering Rangers’ season will start early with a Champions League second qualifying round tie on 22/23 July.

This summer’s rebuild would certainly be easier had the Gers been able to hold onto their “big prospect” being compared to the SPFL’s best player.

Daizen Maeda's impact at Celtic

Given Daizen Maeda’s form for Celtic this season, the Japanese forward is an absolute shoo-in to win the PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year as well as the SFWA Footballer of the Year awards, to add to the Premiership golden boot he’s on course to collect too.

Maeda was on target during last weekend’s thumping of Kilmarnock, taking his tally to 31 for the season, four of which came in the Champions League.

He is therefore seeking to become only the third Celtic player this century to score 40 times in a single campaign, after Henrik Larsson in 2003/04 and Leigh Griffiths 12 years later, with six, or possibly seven, matches remaining in which to achieve this.

To date, Maeda has netted five times against Rangers, one of which came during December’s League Cup Final, before also converting the winning penalty as the Hoops hoisted aloft the trophy at Hampden. ​​​

Meantime, there is an ex-Rangers attacker being compared to Maeda, one that the Gers will surely rue letting go.

The ex-Rangers star impressing in the Champions League

Abdallah Sima only spent one season on loan at Rangers from Brighton & Hove Albion, namely the most recent campaign, but, during his 40 appearances for the Light Blues, he certainly impressed, with the table below outlining why.

Abdallah Sima’s Rangers career

Statistics

Sima at Rangers

Appearances

40

Minutes

2,662

Goals

16

Assists

2

Minutes per goal

166

Winning goals

5

Chances created

26

Shot accuracy

54.47%

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and Squawka

The Senegalese international was Rangers’ third-highest scorer last season, behind only James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers, but they were unable to keep hold of him.

Instead, Brighton decided to loan the 23-year-old out to Stade Brestois, for whom he’s scored 11 times in 35 appearances, particularly impressing during les Pirates’ debut Champions League campaign, on target against Sturm Graz before also scoring a brace against RB Salzburg.

Podcast host Dan Woffenden labels him a “big prospect”, with David Hutt of Breaking the Lines impressed by Sima’s ‘speed, strength, positional awareness [and] link-up play’, adding he possesses all the attributes of a ‘modern-day striker’.

Meantime, Andy Naylor and Mark Carey of the Athletic outline Sima’s ‘meteoric rise’, given that he was playing for Silon Táborsko in the Czech lower leagues as recently as 2020, now one of European football’s hottest properties, according to Nick Ames of the Guardian.

His current Transfermarkt valuation has skyrocketed to a career high of €10m (£9m) this season, which would make him the most valuable member of the current Rangers squad.

So, let’s assess how his Champions League statistics compare to those of Maeda.

Abdallah Sima vs Daizen Maeda UCL 24/25 comparison

Statistics

Sima

UCL rank

Maeda

UCL rank

Goals

3

35th

4

22nd

Goals per 90

0.53

28th

0.47

34th

Goals – xG

+0.5

126th

+1

54th

Shots

16

68th

15

83rd

Shots on target %

25%

241st

46.7%

76th

Shots per 90

2.83

42nd

1.78

119th

Goals per shot

0.19

72nd

0.27

29th

Shot-creating actions

12

266th

15

216th

Shot-creating action per 90

2.13

225th

1.78

264th

Progressive carries

113

458th

163

342nd

Touches in opp pen area

27

89th

29

78th

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As the table outlines, looking at statistics from this season’s Champions League, Sima and Maeda are stylistically very similar – as has been noted by FBref – particularly when it comes to their numbers for shots, shot-creating actions and touches in the opposition penalty area.

What is certain is that this flailing Rangers side would certainly be stronger with Sima in it, and he has ultimately proved to be a major loss this season.

Ruben Amorim admitted that Manchester United should be booed more often after an embarrassing defeat to ASEAN All Stars.

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• United finished 15th in the Premier League standings
• Lost 1-0 to ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia
• Fans booed the stars after another insipid display

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United’s return to Malaysian soil for the first time in 15 years ended in disappointment, as the Premier League giants slumped to a 1-0 defeat against the ASEAN All Stars in front of a massive crowd at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The 72,550 fans who packed the stadium were treated to a disjointed display from the English side, who failed to register a single goal in their first match of the post-season tour.

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  It was a game to forget for the Red Devils, whose sluggish performance drew fervent boos from sections of the crowd at full-time. One particularly wayward pass by young midfielder Toby Collyer while the team was chasing an equaliser sparked one of the loudest boos from frustrated supporters.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  Following the loss, Amorim did not shy away from accepting blame for the underwhelming showing.

  "I feel always guilty of the performance of the team since I am here in the first game," Amorim said. "I am guilty then the boos from the fans, maybe it is something we need because every game that we lost in the Premier League, they were always there. I felt when we finished every time the supporters were with us. Let's see for next season. We should perform better. We were slow, we don’t have in us to win every exercise in training, and every game, the important thing is we had no injuries. With some players, it was a risk, but we wanted to show respect to the fans. We should win with these kind of games."

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  The loss to the ASEAN All Stars is not the end of United’s off-season obligations in Asia. The team will face the Hong Kong national side on Friday in their final match of the current tour. Meanwhile, a trio of players is scheduled to fly to India for a promotional event, as part of the club's growing commercial footprint in the region.

Sandro Wagner will step down as Germany's assistant coach in June and has already been approached by Augsburg to take over as head coach.

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• Wagner to quit as assistant coach role with Germany
• Augsburg keen to appoint him as head coach
• Ex-Bayern striker reportedly turned down Hoffenheim

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, former Bayern striker Wagner, who is currently the assistant to Julian Nagelsmann at the German national team, is the 'top candidate' to become Augsburg head coach next season. Furthermore, Wagner has also turned down advances from one of his former clubs in Hoffenheim.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The future of current Augsburg manager Jess Thorup is clouded in uncertainty at the moment, with Plettenberg reporting on Thursday that an "internal analysis" was being conducted at the club to evaluate the futures of both Thorup and sporting director Marinko Jurendic. Augsburg's higher-ups are unhappy with the sporting progress in recent weeks, with "no consensus regarding future strategic squad planning, including transfers and overall squad structure."

  While Thorup remains in charge for the time being, Augsburg are believed to be desperate to acquire the services of Wagner, who is touted as a highly talented young tactician. Although Augsburg reportedly have made an offer, the 37-year-old has not yet signed the contract, despite turning down Hoffenheim.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wagner has already announced his decision to leave his role as the assistant coach of the German national team after the Nations League in June, eyeing a future in management at the top level. The Munich-born ex-German international began his journey in coaching by taking over fourth-tier outfit SpVgg Unterhaching in 2021, guiding them to promotion to the 3. Liga in 2023. He left Unterhaching to become the head coach of the Germany U20 team, before being appointed as Rudi Voller's assistant for Die Mannschaft just months later, in September 2023.

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR SANDRO WAGNER?

  Wagner will hope to bow out on a high by helping Nagelsmann & Co. win the Nations League next month. He'll be in the dugout discussing tactics and instructions with the Germany NT head coach on June 4 in the semi-final against Portugal.

نجح الهلال السعودي في تحقيق الفوز الأول له في بطولة دوري روشن للموسم الجديد 2025-2026، على نظيره الرياض بهدفين دون رد.

والتقى الهلال مع الرياض، على أرضية ملعب المملكة أرينا، وذلك ضمن مواجهات الجولة الأولى من بطولة دوري روشن السعودي.

وافتتح متعب الحربي التسجيل للهلال في الدقيقة 22 من عمر الشوط الأول بتصويبة صاروخية سكنت الشباك.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | بـ10 لاعبين.. عمرو السولية يقود سيراميكا كليوباترا لفوز صعب على المقاولون

وأضاف مالكوم الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 45+3، من تصويبة قوية متقنة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء سكنت المرمى.

بتلك الفوز، حصد الهلال أول ثلاثة نقاط له في مشواره ببطولة الدوري السعودي محتلًا المركز الأول، بينما يتواجد الرياض بالمركز الأخير بدون نقاط. هدف الهلال الأول أمام الرياض في الدوري السعودي

الهدف الذي افتتح به متعب الحربي المواجهة بين الهلال والرياض. 🥅 pic.twitter.com/Ot8Zb5Wv2t — رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) August 29, 2025

هدف الهلال الثاني أمام الرياض في الدوري السعودي

هدف الهلال الثاني بقدم مالكوم، في الدقائق الأخيرة من شوط المباراة الأوّل. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/R4pUtoTNug — رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) August 29, 2025

 

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da brwin： Internal talks are said to be underway at Everton regarding the signing of an attacking player with “flair” this summer, according to a new transfer update.

Everton transfer news

da poker： The Blues continue to be linked with new signings at the end of the season, with Tottenham attacker Manor Solomon one such figure. He is currently on loan at Leeds United, helping them mount a serious Premier League promotion charge in the Championship and being valued around £10m by Spurs for a permanent exit.

Worryingly, however, Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing a move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with the reigning Champions League holders seeing him as a strong option to bring in and bolster their defence.

The Blues would surely only entertain enormous offers for the England international, though, considering he is viewed as a huge long-term prospect who can lead the defence for many more years to come, with the price tag thought to be around £70m or more.

Meanwhile, David Moyes is believed to be the driving force behind Abdoulaye Doucoure potentially being handed a contract extension at Everton, with the manager no doubt seeing him as an important player moving forward.

Everton hold internal talks over signing "flair" attacker

According to a fresh claim from Ben Jacobs for Give Me Sport, Everton have now held internal talks over the signing of Spurs attacker Solomon this summer: “I’m taking a little look, as we discussed with Fabrizio, on Manor Solomon and his future. He’s doing very well for Leeds and Fabrizio is right to point out that Leeds would like to keep him.

“But, by that same token, there’s no option to buy there and there are other Premier League clubs interested. Everton have discussed him internally. Leicester City, if they can somehow stay in the Premier League, (are) another one to watch.”

Soloman stands out as a good option for Everton this summer, having enjoyed an impressive campaign for Leeds, scoring and assisting seven times apiece in the Championship, and this has led to reports of his price tag skyrocketing in recent days up to £20m.

Related Moyes driving Everton chiefs to new contract offer for star who Dyche loved

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The 25-year-old doesn’t appear to have a long-term future at Spurs, and while there appears to be strong competition for him, the Blues should fancy their chances of enticing him to the club, especially ahead of a move to their impressive new stadium in the coming months.

Solomon has been a highly-rated player since his younger days, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig pointing out his “flair” as a key part of his game back in 2019, while Jamie Redknapp has described him as “pocket rocket” of a footballer.

The fact that some talks have already taken place within the club can only bode well for Everton, and Solomon could come in and provide competition for Iliman Ndiaye on the left wing, as well as give added depth for Moyes in that area.

Barcelona want to sign defensive reinforcements this summer and they could sensationally reunite with one of their former youth players.

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• Barca on the hunt to sign a left-back
• Have been eyeing a reunion with Alex Grimaldo
• Club and player have reportedly reached an 'internal agreement'

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to, Barcelona are keen on bringing Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo back to the club in a bid to reinforce their defence. Although the left-back still has a contract with the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions until 2027, there is said to be an internal agreement with Leverkusen's management. This should enable Grimaldo to return to his youth club. The transfer fee is rumoured to be between €30-40 million (£26-34m).

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  The Spanish international dreams of returning to Barcelona, as he made clear in an interview with the Catalan newspaper in March.

  "Yes, that is definitely a goal I have. I have it very clear in my mind, and the club (Leverkusen; editor's note) knows it too. I want to return to Spain in the medium to short term and experience living there, because after all, it's my country. I want to play there and enjoy the experience," said the 29-year-old, emphasising: "I grew up at La Masia. It's the club where I grew up as a player and as a person, and it's the club I wanted to play for since I was a child."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Grimaldo was the youngest player to ever play in Segunda Division, the second-tier of Spanish football now known as LaLiga Hypermotion, achieving the feat at the age of 15 years and 349 days while playing for Barcelona B against Cartagena on September 4, 2011. That record, though, was broken by Lamine Yamal in 2022.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

  Having won the Copa del Rey, and with a healthy four-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the league, Barcelona are on course to win the treble. On Wednesday, they drew the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter 3-3. The return leg at San Siro will be played next Tuesday, but before that, the Catalans must ensure they don't slip up against bottom-placed Real Valladolid on Saturday, May 3.

Seamer welcomes grim forecast over weekend after a third tough day for tourists

Andrew McGlashan21-Jul-2023Australia’s lead in the Ashes series has been left hanging by a thread after two horrendous days at Old Trafford. Now they are praying that rain helps them escape with a draw, even if it would be a hollow way to retain the urn.Mark Wood’s pace extracted three wickets in Australia’s second innings and such was the damage inflicted that the best part of the two remaining days may need to be washed out for them to avoid defeat, despite having opted for a longer batting line-up in this Test. The forecast, however, looks likely to oblige and the Australians weren’t trying to hide that they would gladly take a helping hand.”I’d be very pleased,” Josh Hazlewood admitted. “It’s obviously forecast but forecasts can change all the time. Obviously, rain and light plays a big part in cricket and has done forever. So, yeah, it’d be great to lose a few overs here and there, and make our job a little easier if I’m hanging in there.”Different forecasts are providing varying prediction as to how much rain will come over the next two days, but Saturday looks universally bleak with a bit more uncertainty over Sunday’s final day. Either way, it appears England may only get a narrow window to force the result that would keep them on track to be only the second team to come from 2-0 down to win an Ashes series.”The weather is the weather, and I’m not Michael Fish,” Jonny Bairstow said, referencing the famous BBC forecaster of the 1980s and 1990s. “Coming in tomorrow, if there is a bit of weather around, maybe some overheads, you’d like to hope we’re able to create some chances. The weathermen have been right, the weathermen have been wrong, who knows what’s going to happen? We’ll still turn up with the same mindset and that will be to try and take another six wickets.”Related

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Wood cracks open Australia's second innings after Bairstow blitz keeps England in control

It was Bairstow who compounded Australia’s woes on the third day as he plundered an unbeaten 99 to swell England’s lead to 275. Although the visitors had a modicum of success in stemming the scoring before lunch, overall it was a debilitating innings for the much-vaunted attack with Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc going for 392 runs between them at 5.22 per over. It was just the second time the trio had each conceded a hundred in the same innings.”I imagine a few games against India on some flat wickets we’ve gone the journey as well. So it’s nothing too new for us, I guess [it] was probably just the run rate,” Hazlewood, who claimed a five-wicket haul, said. “It was a pretty special knock from Zak [Crawley] and…obviously Jonny and Rooty as well. Definitely, we could have been better in patches throughout the innings and with a bit of luck we might have, but that’s not the case. So we’ll have a look at that and learn from it again.”Josh Hazlewood claimed a five-wicket haul as Australia’s bowlers went the journey•Getty Images

Hazlewood also defended Australia’s tactics against Bairstow in the final-wicket stand of 66 with James Anderson, during which the pair ran byes to Alex Carey on three occasion, so that Bairstow could get the strike back.”Do you just bowl wide and down leg and really stop him from scoring? Or do you try and roll the dice and bounce him and try and get a wicket that way, or keep bowling hard length and hopefully one goes up the chute?” he said. “But there times we potentially could just bowl away from him the whole time.”We saw probably a new tactic again today of running on bouncers or running through to the keeper. It’s just trying to limit his scoring and [trying] different things to try with two balls left, one ball left, keeping the tailender on strike for next over and things like that, so I thought we did reasonably well.”

da winzada777： Having already welcomed Carlton Morris from Luton Town, Derby County are now reportedly in talks to sign an experienced winger at a bargain price this summer.

Derby sign Carlton Morris

da dobrowin： Leaving relegated Luton in favour of a move to Pride Park, Morris became the first signing of the summer at Derby earlier this week and will be hoping to ensure that they, unlike The Hatters, push beyond the Championship’s dropzone next season. At 29 years old, he’s now a player with plenty of experience and his versatility to play all across the frontline could prove pivotal for John Eustace.

After putting pen to paper, Morris told Derby’s official website: “It’s a massive club that I’ve heard a lot of good things about. When they came in for me, it was a bit of a no-brainer, really.

“[The move is] a big change, especially with my family. You want to know about the football club, about the area, and I’ve heard nothing but good. I’ve heard it’s a great family club, so I’m excited to get going.

“I think I’m entering the prime stage of my career as a striker now. I spoke to Rob Edwards, who has told me how good Keith Downing is and that Matt Gardiner is exceptional to work with as well.

Related Derby face Blackburn in race to sign midfielder with same agent as Forsyth

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Posts ByBrett Worthington Jun 26, 2025

“They’re only going to make me a better player which is crucial as I’m at a place where I’m probably the most coachable I’ve been in my career and ready to kick on.”

In their second season back in the Championship, Derby are seemingly ready to welcome more experience after Morris this summer and that includes one particular winger. As Eustace’s side aim to push on, they’ve reportedly opened talks in pursuit of a bargain deal.

Derby open talks to sign John Swift

As reported by Birmingham World, Derby are now in talks to sign John Swift alongside three other EFL clubs. The former West Bromwich Albion winger is now a free agent after leaving the Hawthorns and is believed to have already met with two managers regarding his future, one of them being Eustace.

Whilst he endured a mixed spell for the Baggies, Swift’s experience may prove invaluable for a side in Derby’s position. Meanwhile, at his best, Swift is someone who has often found himself at the centre of impressive praise.

That includes from former West Brom manager Tony Mowbray last season, who told reporters after Swift scored a free-kick against Burnley last season: “John Swift’s free-kick was a fantastic goal. He’s a wonderful player and he’s very talented. Certain games need certain types of players to give us the best chance to win.”

With three other EFL sides interested, there’s no doubt that signing Swift would represent an impressive coup for Derby, who have already made a statement by signing Luton’s Morris this summer.

Also: who has collected the most golden ducks in Tests?

Steven Lynch02-Aug-2021Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets in a T20I on his 24th birthday recently. Was this the best birthday bowling performance? asked Anura de Silva from Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga’s 4 for 9 against India in Colombo last week was indeed the best performance in a T20I by a player on his birthday. The only other man to take four was another legspinner, Imran Tahir, who claimed 4 for 21 for South Africa against Netherlands in the World T20 in Chittagong, on his 35th birthday in March 2014. Next comes Francis Damiao Couana, with 3 for 10 for Mozambique against Malawi in Blantyre, on his 23rd birthday in November 2019, and Yuvraj Singh, who took 3 for 23 for India against Sri Lanka in Mohali on his 28th birthday in December 2009.The one-day international record is held by Vernon Philander, who took 4 for 12 for South Africa against Ireland in Belfast on his 22nd birthday in June 2007; it was also his international debut. England’s Stuart Broad claimed 4 for 44 against Australia in Cardiff on his 24th birthday in June 2010.I noticed that Neil Wagner has now played more than 50 Tests without ever appearing in a one-day international. Is this a record for the ODI era? asked Sanket Singh from India

The World Test Championship final in Southampton in June was the 54th Test match for New Zealand’s Neil Wagner – and you’re right, he has not appeared in a one-day international (or a T20I) in that time. The record (since ODIs started in 1970-71) is 71 Tests but no ODIs, by England’s Mark Butcher, which always struck me as rather odd, since he was an attacking player who had a pretty good county one-day record.Two Sri Lankans are next on the list: Kaushal Silva has so far played 39 Tests but no ODIs, while Tharanga Paranavitana won 32 Test caps without cracking the white-ball team. The great offspinner Erapalli Prasanna played 27 of his 49 Tests after the first ODI in 1970-71, and never did appear in a one-day game for India.The Pakistan batter Azhar Ali has so far played 87 Tests without appearing in a T20I while Cheteshwar Pujara is just behind with 86 Test caps before the series against England. VVS Laxman played 73 of his 134 Tests after T20Is started in 2004-05, while current batters Dimuth Karunaratne and Kraigg Brathwaite have played 72 and 70 Tests respectively, but no T20Is. Brathwaite, indeed, has never played a professional T20 match of any description.Who has collected the most golden ducks in Tests? asked Kerry Canning from Australia

There’s a Sri Lankan flavour to the top of this particular list: Muthiah Muralidaran was out first ball on 14 occasions in Tests, three more than his successor as the side’s No. 1 spinner, Rangana Herath. The only other man in double figures is Courtney Walsh, with ten, although he might yet be joined by Stuart Broad, who’s currently level with Steve Harmison and New Zealand’s Chris Martin on nine.Overall, Walsh leads the way with 43 Test ducks (not just first-ballers), six ahead of Broad, with Martin (36), Glenn McGrath (35), Shane Warne (34), Ishant Sharma (33) and Murali (33) all over 30.Muthiah Muralidaran has 14 golden ducks against his name in Tests•Adam Davy/Getty ImagesI remember hearing a story about someone who didn’t actually see any of the only first-class match he ever played, after a late call-up – does this ring any bells? asked Frank McDonald from England

I think the man you’re referring to is Percy Herbert, who is in the record books as having played one first-class game, for the Gentlemen of the South against Players of the South at The Oval in 1920. This was a benefit match for Surrey’s pavilion attendant, and as such seems to have been quite a relaxed affair. Percy Fender was the captain of the Gents’ team, and on the first day, a Saturday, he discovered he was a man short – so he sent a message to his uncle, a decent club cricketer, asking him to make up the numbers. The other Percy, who was nearly 42 at the time, couldn’t make it on the first day, on which the Players racked up 551, with Jack Hobbs scoring 115. Herbert was ready to go on the Monday – but rain prevented any play on that day or the next, so he didn’t actually see any of the action.Uncle Percy is not alone. An entertaining book by Keith Walmsley, called Brief Candles – about those who made just one first-class appearance – was published by the Association of Cricket Statisticians in 2012. It lists a dozen people who never set foot on the field of play, and a couple of them (in addition to Herbert) were probably not at the ground for any of the play that was possible.Regarding last week’s question about players who scored fifties on their one-day and T20 international debuts, shouldn’t Robin Uthappa be on the list? asked Atul Kumar Yadav from India

Robin Uthappa hit 86 in his first one-day international, against England in Indore back in April 2006, but he didn’t bat on his T20I debut, against Scotland in Durban during the inaugural World T20 in 2007. Uthappa was particularly unlucky, as that match was abandoned – but because the toss had been made, it counts in the records, thanks to an ICC decision from 2004. Uthappa did score 50 in his next match, against Pakistan in Durban the following day. We seem to have this conversation every other week, but that was his second match, not his debut. It’s admittedly unfortunate for Uthappa, but if there was a list of such things he’d have to be a footnote rather than an entry on the main list.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions