West Ham Could Sign Their Own Odegaard In ‘Ridiculous’ Star

West Ham United are beginning to spend the £105m that was raised via the sale of homegrown hero Declan Rice as David Moyes looks to strengthen his squad.

Edson Alvarez has already arrived in a £35.4m deal, while Moyes is eyeing up a move for Man United striker Antony Martial in a bid to improve his attacking options.

The Scot could even turn to Serie A before the end of the transfer window.

Who do West Ham want to sign?

According to reports in Italy, West Ham are keen on making a move for Lazar Samardzic before the window slams shut in just under two weeks.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Inter Milan are also keen on the Serbian starlet, as per the Calciomercato, and a move looked set to be completed, however, some extra demands were added at the 11th hour of negotiations and the move has stalled.

This could allow Moyes to swoop in and secure his signature in the coming days, beating the Italian giants to the youngster and it would represent a major statement of intent from the club.

Football Transfers currently value the player at £10m, making this move a potential bargain for the Londoners.

Who is Lazar Samardzic?

Although perhaps not as well known on these shores, the 21-year-old has been drawing plenty of praise during his spell at Udinese.

Journalist Bence Bocsak lauded him in April, saying: “7 out of Lazar Samardžić‘s last 10 goals were scored from outside the box.

“Blessed with an abundance of energy, excellent technique and great vision, he’s got the hallmarks of a top midfielder."

Further acclaim was given by Sacha Pisani, who said Samardzic had “ridiculous skill” and it appears, on the surface anyway, that he’d be an ideal signing for West Ham.

Indeed, the 6-foot livewire is also statistically similar to Arsenal talisman Martin Odegaard and judging by his recent form for the Gunners, turning them from European hopefuls to title challengers, it isn’t a bad comparison to have.

Martin Odegaard

According to FBref, the Norwegian gem is the sixth-most similar player to Samardzic across Europe’s top leagues, suggesting he’d be an incredible addition to the West Ham side.

Last season saw the duo register similar statistics with regard to shots per 90 (2.44 to 2.68), pass success rate (80.1% to 80.3%), goal-creating actions per 90 (both 0.49) and tackles (33 to 36).

WhoScored also suggests that Samardzic and Odegaard excel at key passes and dribbling, as both pose a key threat from the midfield and aim to get forward as often as possible.

The Serbia international did register nine goal contributions last term, which was some way down on Odegaard’s total of 23 and suggests he still has work to do in order to become one of the very best, but it's a promising start nonetheless.

If given the freedom of the West Ham midfield, he could thrive in a similar vein to the Norwegian superstar and register double digits for goal contributions in the Premier League.

With Inter still in the hunt, Moyes will need to act swiftly to bring this deal over the line.

Australia attempt BBL reboot against New Zealand

New Zealand will arrive for their first T20 in Australia since 2009 looking to put one over on an inexperienced home line-up

The Preview by Alan Gardner02-Feb-2018

Big Picture

The first T20 tri-series between Full Members ought to be a significant moment, a possible sign of how to give greater relevance to the international format outside of World T20s. The fact that the first match during the Australia leg has to be shoehorned in between the semi-final and final of the Big Bash League shows just how unforgiving the schedules have become.David Warner knows that better than most, as he prepares to lead Australia in four T20s against New Zealand and England, with the possibility of a final in Auckland on February 21 – the day before Australia’s tour game begins in Benoni ahead of their four-Test series against South Africa. While Steven Smith has been given time off, Warner is charged with reinvigorating Australian fortunes in T20, where they currently find themselves ranked No. 7 in the world.To that end, the selectors have channelled the success of the BBL, plucking out some of the competition’s leading performers: D’Arcy Short is the most eye-catching, alongside IPL millionaire Andrew Tye, raw quick Billy Stanlake, up-and-coming wicketkeeper Alex Carey and uncapped Ben Dwarshuis. With experienced hitters such as Glenn Maxwell, Chris Lynn and Marcus Stoinis to pack the middle order, Australia will hope to settle on the nucleus of a side to build for the future, which includes a World T20 on home soil in two years’ time.Crossing the ditch for a rare visit (their first in T20 since 2009) is a New Zealand team in supreme form, ranked No. 2 in T20I. Until being beaten twice by Pakistan – to whom they lost their No. 1 ranking – New Zealand had sauntered through their home summer, winning every game bar a washed-out T20 against West Indies. In pursuit of a first win on Australian soil since the 2011 Hobart Test, Kane Williamson and his men won’t mind arriving under cover of the BBL before slipping back across the Tasman for the rest of the tournament.Colin Munro attempts a switch hit•Getty Images

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia WLWLL
New Zealand LLWWW

In the spotlight

D’Arcy Short lit up the BBL, his tournament-leading 504 runs at a strike rate of 147.80 helping Hobart Hurricanes into the knockout stages (and, perhaps, inspiring them to reach Sunday’s final in his absence). Paradoxically, his expected international debut is likely to be a more low-key event, but the presence of an indigenous player in Australia’s XI carries important symbolism. And he can hit it, too.January was a pretty good month for Mitchell Santner. Picked up at the IPL auction for the first time, he overtook his team-mate Ish Sodhi as the No. 1-ranked T20 bowler and also successfully unveiled his carrom ball – the “Santner Claw” – during the ODIs against Pakistan. One of the younger faces in a dynamic, experienced New Zealand side, his tidy left-arm spin should go well at the SCG.

Team news

Aaron Finch has been ruled out of the opening match, due to the hamstring strain he suffered in the ODI series against England; Warner suggested either Short or Lynn will open alongside him. Travis Head will dash to Sydney from Adelaide and then back for the BBL final, while an inexperienced pace attack is likely to be led by Andrew Tye.Australia (possible): 1 David Warner (capt), 2 D’Arcy Short, 3 Travis Head, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Chris Lynn, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Andrew Tye, 10 Kane Richardson, 11 Adam Zampa/Billy StanlakeNew Zealand will hope to have Colin Munro fit, after a hamstring tweak kept him out of their defeat in the third T20 against Pakistan. Sydney’s friendliness to spin could see Anaru Kitchen included ahead of Seth Rance to back up Santner and Sodhi.New Zealand (possible): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Colin de Grandhomme, 6 Anaru Kitchen, 7 Tom Blundell (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Ish Sodhi

Pitch and conditions

The surface for the ODI last month was slightly two-paced, although that didn’t stop England from scoring 300 thanks to Jos Buttler’s late assault. The last T20 international played at the SCG was also run-filled, as India chased down 198 off the last ball. There is a forecast for rain on Saturday but it could well pass through before the evening start time.

Stats and trivia

  • New Zealand have only beaten Australia once in six T20 encounters – although that was in their last meeting, during the 2016 World T20.
  • Australia’s pace-bowling options of Tye, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake and Ben Dwarshuis have 11 T20 caps between them.
  • Colin Munro is three runs short of becoming the fifth New Zealander to 1000 in T20s; last month, he became the only man to score three T20 international hundreds.

Quotes

“We’ve probably said it for the last 12-24 months about improving our overall assessment of how we play this format, sometimes we either fall in a heap with our batting or we don’t start well with the ball.”
“We can’t take anyone lightly because anyone can have their day and rip through a batting line-up.”

Mitchell Santner's challenge now to disguise the 'claw'

New Zealand’s left-arm spinner claimed Fakhar Zaman with his version of the carrom ball, but now he knows everyone is talking about it

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jan-2018Inspired by watching R Ashwin. Honed in English county cricket. Unfurled against Pakistan in Hamilton. Mitchell Santner’s new delivery, his version of the carrom ball, has been the talk of New Zealand over the last few days.During the fourth one-day international at Seddon Park, Santner defeated Fakhar Zaman, who was well set on 54, when the opener advanced down the pitch and was bowled. Closer inspection revealed Santner had flicked the ball out of his fingers, rather than spinning it in the traditional way for a left-armer, and the delivery gripped to turn the opposite way, from the left-handers leg to off stump.”I’ve been working on a few things and the grip is very similar to Ashwin’s. He used it against us in the Test series over there and I thought ‘yeah, that’s not a bad ball’ so thought I’d give it a crack,” Santner said after New Zealand wrapped up a 5-0 whitewash in Wellington.”I actually used it in county cricket and some of the T20 stuff over there, but on a pitch that suits, it works better because it’s hard to put a lot on it. I am just flicking it out. If there is a little bit of spin, ideally I’d use it a little bit more.”The challenge now for Santner is that everyone is looking for the delivery, which has been termed the “Santner Claw” in New Zealand.”You guys have been analysing it quite a bit now so I might have to put it away,” he joked. “I might have to disguise it a bit more because every time I look up it’s on the big screen. It adds another element to my game. I tend to just work with changes of pace so if one can go the other way it puts a bit of doubt in the batsman’s mind. If you can stay one step ahead, predict what the batsman can do, then it’s ideal.”Santner chipped in with quietly effective performances with the ball during the five one-day internationals: 1 for 34 in Nelson, 1 for 43 in Hamilton (when the carrom ball came out) and then 3 for 40 in Wellington when Pakistan got closest to nipping a victory.He was aided by New Zealand’s quicks having invariably made inroads to leave Pakistan in recovery mode, although at the Basin Reserve responded to his captain’s call to quell a late charge which put New Zealand under a rare spot of pressure. Santner responded with the wickets of Haris Sohail and Shadab Khan, the two half-century makers, before adding Faheem Ashraf”On a holding wicket like that there was more chance for me to get a few wickets and that’s what happened,” he said.New Zealand are unbeaten during their season – 12 victories alongside an abandoned T20 against West Indies – as their attention now turns to the three T20s against Pakistan followed by the marquee part of their summer with the T20 tri-series involving Australia and England before the latter stay for one-day and Test series.”Looking forward to both those series, they are quite big for us,” Santner said. “But first things first it’s the T20s against Pakistan and hopefully we can take the momentum into the tri-series.”

Celtic: Hoops Close To Signing 6ft 3 Defender

Celtic are closing in on securing the signature of defender Gustaf Lagerbielke this summer, according to reports, as Brendan Rodgers looks to reinforce his defensive options in the Scottish Premiership.

The former Leicester City manager got his second spell at the club off to the perfect start, defeating Ross County on the opening day of the season, before overcoming Aberdeen on Sunday lunchtime.

What's the latest on Gustaf Lagerbielke to Celtic?

The Scottish Premiership champions are close to securing the signature of Elfsborg centre-back Lagerbielke for a fee of around £3m, according to Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports, who has reported that the defender is set to undergo a medical next week, before finalising terms on a long-term contract.

"Celtic are closing in on the signing of Elfsborg centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke for a fee of around £3m. The 23-year-old is due to arrive in Glasgow during the week to undergo a medical and finalise terms on a long-term contract."

The 23-year-old looks set to become the seventh name through the door at Celtic Park this season in what has been a fairly successful window for those at the club.

There have been departures, of course, with the exit of Jota to Saudi Arabia side Al-Ittihad and defender Carl Starfelt to Celta Vigo, but, that aside, Rodgers can be pleased with his reinforcements.

Looking to once again win the Scottish Premiership, too, Celtic will only be strengthened by the reported pending arrival of Lagerbielke.

Who is Gustaf Lagerbielke?

Standing at 6ft 3in, Lagerbielke appears to be an imposing central defender, and at 23 years of age, may only get better if he completes the reported move to Celtic this summer.

The Hoops are getting a defender at the top of his game, too, as proven by the fact that his valuation is the highest that it's ever been during his career to date. According to Transfermarkt, Lagerbielke is currently worth €1.2m (£1m), having been worth just €900k (£777k) last year.

With that said, Celtic are swooping in at the best time, before that valuation goes up even more at Elfsborg after another impressive campaign last time out.

Making 15 appearances for the Swedish side last season, Lagerbielke played a key role as his side won the Allsvensken league, edging out Malmo FF by one singular point.

You'd expect that Rodgers will be keen to get a deal done as quickly as possible at Celtic Park, given how thick and fast the fixtures are coming to start off what he hopes will be a successful season.

Speaking after his side defeated Ross County on the opening day, the former Liverpool manager said, via the BBC:

"Once we found our space and combinations we scored a couple of really good goals and played some fantastic football. The two goals we gave away are soft."

An added bonus on the opening day was Rangers' shock defeat against Kilmarnock, handing Celtic an early advantage in the title race.

After already welcoming plenty of reinforcements this summer, they're certainly a side to watch with great interest, too, particularly if they add colossal central defender Lagerbielke before the transfer window slams shut. With weeks remaining before deadline day, though, Celtic will be keen to get the deal done as quickly as possible.

Tottenham: "Very Strong" Spurs Target Desperate To Join

A fresh report from Spain has shed light on Tottenham Hotspur and their chances of re-signing defender Clement Lenglet for the new campaign.

Who will Spurs sign?

Ange Postecoglou, during his most recent press conference ahead of Spurs' crunch Premier League clash with Man United this afternoon, continued to insist that the club may to trimp the squad down before bringing in new players – but did hint that new signings are a real possibility.

"The reality of it is we can't just keep acquiring players," said Postecoglou.

"We've got too big a squad as it is. It affects the training, the players themselves because they all want to play and be involved.

"It's not so much one has to happen for the other but our focus at the moment is trimming the squad down and seeing where that takes us in terms of reinforcements. We're assessing that on a daily basis. There's still two weeks to go in the window and I'm sure you'll see some movement."

Postecoglou has also previously expressed his desire to bring in another defender after they signed Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg, especially to play aggressively and on the front foot.

Tottenham have been linked with a few names to shore up that area of the squad, most recently the likes of Torino defender Perr Schurrs and Lenglet – who spent the 2022/2023 season on loan at Spurs.

There have been reports that Spurs were in advanced talks for the Frenchman, with a new claim from Spain sharing the latest on their pursuit of Lenglet.

Indeed, newspaper La Vanguardia, as also translated by Sport Witness, claim that the 28-year-old is actually waiting to join the north London club and has prioritised a move there above all else.

Lenglet has offers from Saudi Arabia, but isn't keen on a move to the Middle East, having seemingly set his sights on a permanent move back to England with Spurs.

However, there's a problem, as it is believed the operation to sign Lenglet from Barca has now "cooled down a lot" – dealing a blow to Lenglet who hopes to leave Barca but continue in Europe.

The report hasn't explained whether the move is totally off, but it appears the Catalans and Tottenham still have plenty of work to do before an agreement is reached.

How good is Clement Lenglet?

The former Sevilla star made 26 league appearances for the Lilywhites last term, averaging a cool 87.5% passing accuracy out from the back, and could prove useful for Postecoglou in that respect (WhoScored).

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris also heaped praise on the 28-year-old, calling him "very strong" and a "high level" player.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

"He's a modern defender," said Lloris.

"Comfortable to be able to play from the back. He has a great left foot and can be very strong in one v one and he's strong in the air.

"Even if it's never easy when you arrive in the Premier League and he will have to adapt to the intensity of the games but he is a high level player, with experience."

Hales, Rashid still have Test future – Root

Joe Root, England’s Test captain, has said he blames the system, not the individuals, for the growing trend towards white-ball specialisation

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2018

Joe Root and Alex Hales take a breather during their second-wicket stand•Getty Images

Joe Root, England’s Test captain, has said he blames the system, not the individuals, for the growing trend towards specialisation that has tempted the likes of Alex Hales and Adil Rashid to accept white-ball-only county contracts.But, Root added, there could still be a future for such players to help reinvigorate the fortunes of England’s Test team, so long as the game’s authorities can find a way to restructure the international schedule to enable all three formats to co-exist more easily.Hales and Rashid both confirmed earlier this month that they would not be turning out for Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire respectively in this year’s County Championship, effectively putting their Test careers on indefinite hold. Rashid, who was overlooked for the Ashes squad despite being England’s leading wicket-taker in India and Bangladesh last winter, admitted this week that he had lost the “buzz” for playing red-ball cricket.However, Root – who has himself had to sit out of England’s T20 side in recent months in a bid to balance his own priorities in Test and 50-over cricket – believes that the current trends in international cricket suggest that players who stand out in the shorter formats should not be discounted from making an impact in the five-day game.”Players like Alex and Rash, who get pigeon-holed as white-ball specialists, I think there’s a future for them in Test cricket,” Root told Sky Sports. “You look at how the game has changed in the last five years – with scoring rates and the things you now need to do with the ball – the skills you have to have, a lot of them have come from white-ball cricket.”That cross-over, I think, can be there if guys have the attitude and determination to play Test cricket. There’s no reason, if you are suited to the white ball, you can’t tailor yourself into a red-ball cricketer. It’s just about having that want and drive, and to have enough opportunity to play red-ball cricket in the county system and around the world for that to develop.”At present, however, there is very little opportunity for any elite cricketer to excel in all three formats concurrently, with India’s Virat Kohli perhaps the exception that proves the rule. Australia’s Steve Smith, for instance, joined Root in missing the recent T20 tri-series in the wake of a busy winter in which his Test form invited comparison to the great Donald Bradman. He now faces a struggle to regain his place among a team of specialists who took that competition by storm.”It’s very difficult to stop guys doing it,” Root said of the temptation to specialise in white-ball cricket. “You can’t place blame on individuals, there’s an issue higher up than that, and I think schedules will have to be tampered [with] and changed slightly.”If you’re playing all three formats, somewhere down the line you’re going to have to miss some cricket. Personally, mine’s been in T20 series – I’m obviously not going to miss any Test cricket now and, with a 50-over World Cup next year, there’s a big focus on playing that.”So it can feel like a long time until you play that next format, and guys want to be playing everything as much as possible. Maybe there is something that needs to be looked at there. Give guys a chance to play all three formats and not have to make that decision.”As for the long-term viability of Test cricket, Root remained optimistic about its future – even if Eoin Morgan, England’s white-ball captain, believes that the time to save the format may already have been and gone.”I really hope [it will still be played], it’s called Test cricket for a reason,” said Root. “It challenges you, you find yourself in every scenario you can do in cricket. It would be a real shame if it was not there.”I think the challenge is to make sure you keep it current, and make sure people want to turn on the telly, come to grounds, and watch it. Day-night Tests are great ideas, not necessarily in England but around the world, because you’ve seen the impact it’s had. If we can find ways to keep people interested and excited, we need to do it.”

WATCH: Man City outcast Kalvin Phillips seals West Ham loan transfer after just 89 minutes of Premier League football in 2023-24

Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips has completed his loan transfer to West Ham, with the midfielder desperate to find regular game time.

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Moved to the Etihad in 2022Struggled for game time in Treble triumphJoins Hammers with Euro 2024 in mindWHAT HAPPENED?

The 28-year-old England international moved to the Etihad Stadium from boyhood club Leeds in the summer of 2022, with a £42 million ($53m) deal put in place. He collected Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup medals during his debut campaign in Manchester, as part of a Treble-winning squad, but struggled to convince Pep Guardiola of his worth.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Phillips started just two Premier League games in 2022-23, and has seen only 89 minutes of top-flight football this season. He has become something of a forgotten man, but now has the chance to play his way back into form under David Moyes at the London Stadium.

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Getty ImagesWHAT PHILLIPS SAID

Phillips, who will wear the No.11 shirt at his new club, has told West Ham’s official website of taking on a new challenge in the English capital: “I’m really pleased to be here. There’s always been a lot of speculation about me moving to West Ham, so I’m really excited to get going now. There’s so much to look forward to in the second half of the season for the Club and I can’t wait to be part of it. There’s an unbelievable group here and if I can come in and add the quality that I know I’m capable of, I’m sure we can give the West Ham fans plenty to be excited about between now and the end of the season."

Dhananjaya to replace injured Kusal Perera

Dhananjaya de Silva will join the Sri Lanka ODI team that is currently playing the Tri-Nation Series in Bangladesh, as a replacement for the injured Kusal Perera. Kusal suffered a side strain during his innings of 49 in Sri Lanka’s match against Zimbabwe on Sunday. He has been advised rest, and will miss the rest of the tournament.Limited-overs captain Angelo Mathews, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, has returned to Sri Lanka and will take no further part in the tournament. Mathews’ participation in the rest of the tour, which includes a Test series against Bangladesh, remains in doubt.Dhananjaya has played 17 ODIs, the last of which came in June 2017. His most recent international game was the Delhi Test against India in December, which Sri Lanka saved thanks largely to his century on the final day. That innings ended when he retired hurt with a thigh injury, which kept him out of the limited-overs leg of that India tour.

Sevilla issue brutal statement on Hannibal Mejbri as Man Utd loanee makes worrying start to life with La Liga club

Sevilla's boss, Quique Sanchez Flores, has issued an update on Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejri's start to life on loan at the Spanish club.

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  • Mejri not included in squad
  • Sanchez Flores issues statement on youngster
  • Sevilla struggling in La Liga
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Sanchez Flores was critical of the youngster's start to his loan spell at Sevilla and believes he needs time to adjust. The Spanish side saw off competition from Everton to sign the United youngster after including a buy option, although, as it stands, the chances of that option being activated seem low. The club announced that he would not be considered for selection for their game against Osasuna or for the foreseeable future.

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    WHAT SANCHEZ FLORES SAID

    On Hannibal's exclusion, Sanchez Flores said: "After being with him, talking to him and having seen his first minutes in Girona, we are going to give him the necessary space to understand where he is, that he is at Sevilla and what it means.

    "In the end they are kids who have come and suddenly land in a huge club like Sevilla in circumstances of maximum demand. And they need a bit of location. And that location may be seen better from the outside than from the inside. You should take a step to understand what we want.

    "Let's see if the boy applies himself and I think that in the end he will understand perfectly what we want."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Despite being highly-rated and impressing in moments at United, Hannibal has struggled for minutes and consistency this season. The Tunisian has been unable to gel with team-mates in Seville and Sanchez Flores has deemed it necessary for him to take some time away from the first-team. It will worry United that what should have been a promising loan spell is in tatters already – but Hannibal has time to turn it around.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR HANNIBAL?

    The next five months in Spain will be incredibly slow and painful for Hannibal if he cannot win over the former Watford boss and find harmony in the Sevilla squad – nor will the Spanish side opt to sign him permanently. Meanwhile, Hannibal will be doing little to show his parent side that he is worth offering a new contract to, with his deal at United ending in 2025.

Demerit points keeping Rabada quiet – Steyn

The fast bowler believes South Africa have been disadvantaged in the chirping battle with Australia thanks to the disciplinary straitjacket put on their most combative personality

Firdose Moonda in Durban06-Mar-2018Dale Steyn believes the demerit points hanging over Kagiso Rabada has handicapped South Africa’s ability to be as noisy in the field as Australia. In an interview with South African radio station , Steyn said it was like “taking a knife to a gunfight”, and has been a “little bit unfair” on South Africa.Rabada has five demerit points to his name and has already been banned for a Test – the second Test against England last July – and if he collects three more he will be suspended for a minimum of two Tests, something neither he nor South Africa would want to risk. He has not had much verbal presence on the field, especially not compared to Australia, who have talked so much they even tried to get the stump mics turned off by mentioning rival sponsors’ names. Australia’s aggression did not even stop on the field. On the fourth day, David Warner had to be physically restrained by team-mates in the stairwell leading up to the changeroom and CCTV footage showed him shouting at Quinton de Kock.South Africa have had no real riposte and Steyn is thought to be the one player who might show similar anger. When Steyn was asked about his own persona on the field, and if South Africa have anyone else who can do that, he immediately mentioned Rabada, but admitted the young quick has not been as intimidating as he could be.”One other guy that actually gets involved is KG (Rabada) – he really does get stuck in,” Steyn said. “But I think after some of his last few incidents where he got into trouble – he got a ban and a fine and everything like that – he kind of has the handcuffs around him right now, which is a little unfair because if you look at the way some of the Aussies are going about it- and I’m not standing here and complaining, and I hope I don’t get a fine for saying that – but you kind of feel that you are taking out our best competitor, especially with that kind of presence, if you take him out of the game, it’s like taking a knife to a gunfight really. It’s a little bit unfair.”Rabada has only had two moments where it appeared he might become involved in some verbals. After dismissing Warner in the second innings, Rabada gave him a small send-off, but passed his arm over his face to make it difficult to hear or see what he was saying. Rabada also came out of the dressing room alongside Faf du Plessis when Warner was having a go at de Kock but did not say anything. Instead he just loomed large, perhaps with the aim to step in if needed.Meanwhile, Steyn remains on track to make a comeback for the third Test. He has not played any competitive cricket since the first Test against India in January, where he injured his heel on comeback from 13 months recovering from a shoulder injury. Steyn confirmed he is back to bowling but he has to play some first-class cricket before he can make an international return. He hoped he will be “on a cricket field by the end of next week.” He is likely to play for the Titans in a round of franchise matches which coincides with the second Test in a bid to make a return at Newlands, and take the three more wickets he needs to become South Africa’s leading Test bowler.

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