Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes West Ham star Declan Rice only wants to join the Gunners and a move is "closing in", according to reports.

Who could join Arsenal this summer?

It's set to be a pivotal summer at the Emirates Stadium and one which could well determine whether the north Londoners maintain their place among England's elite next season.

Arsenal narrowly missed out on their first league title in nearly 20 years last season, with Pep Guardiola's treble-winners beating them to the punch, but reports suggest that Arteta is determined to reshape and improve.

Central midfield is of top priority this window, leading to their serious chase for Rice and Brighton star Moises Caicedo among others. Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan, as he nears the end of his contract, is also of serious interest in north London.

Meanwhile, in terms of other positions, it is believed that Arsenal are now targeting Chelsea star Kai Havertz for the forward areas, and there have been links to potential additions at right-back.

Going back to Rice, the pursuit is hotting up, with TEAMtalk sharing what they know on the situation amid advanced negotiations.

It is believed they're on the brink of finalising an agreement for the 24-year-old, who has just won the Europa Conference League and his first major trophy at West Ham. However, there is one final hurdle to clear, which is the compromise on a final fee.

The Irons are hoping for around £100 million plus add-ons for their prized asset, but Arsenal would rather pay closer to the £90m mark. Despite this, Arteta's side are very much "closing in", and the Gunners boss has "never wavered in his belief that Rice wants to only join Arsenal".

Edu and co firmly believe they've won the race for his signature despite serious interest from Bayern Munich, with the latter side apparently now deciding not to advance.

Who is Declan Rice?

David Moyes' star player proved yet again why he is so in demand with his performances last season.

Indeed, the "sensational" midfield enforcer finished 2022/2023 as West Ham's best-performing player by average match rating, all while making more interceptions per 90 than anyone in their side (WhoScored).

Given Arsenal's need to shore up that area of the squad, we could think of few better than Rice to upgrade Arteta's options, especially since he is both homegrown and proven in the Premier League.

It will be interesting to see what fee both sides eventually settle on for the transfer.

Mitchell Johnson’s 3 for 3 – the most economical four-over spell in the Big Bash League – led Perth Scorchers to their fifth final in six seasons

The Report by Will Macpherson in Perth24-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:27

Macpherson: Scorchers seem unstoppable now

An inspired opening spell of pace bowling from Mitchell Johnson set up a blistering victory for Perth Scorchers, booking them a home final at the WACA. Melbourne Stars were the victims, losing both their openers in Johnson’s first over, and they never really recovered, scrambling their way to 136 for 8, but ultimately losing by seven wickets with 19 balls to spare.Just as he did in the Scorchers’ last league game against Hobart Hurricanes, Johnson’s opening burst, which – on a low pitch – read 4-2-3-3, gutted the opposition, and from thereon his team-mates put on a typically clinical display. Johnson’s bowling colleagues remained relentless, while the chase was calm and calculated, with Shaun Marsh making his second successive half-century.In their fifth final (which will take place straight after their women’s team contest their first final), Scorchers have a shot at a third title. They will play Brisbane Heat or Sydney Sixers, who meet at the Gabba tomorrow. For the Stars, a fairly sorry season has ended with the return of their semi-final curse; five times in six years, they have fallen at the penultimate hurdle. Again, they have been hurt badly by their national team-heavy list.Mitch’s 3 for 3 off four
What a way to start a T20. What a way to start any game of cricket! Johnson began with a loosener at Rob Quiney’s hip. Quiney didn’t need to bite, but he did, guiding straight to the man at fine leg, one of just three posted on the leg side, for his second golden duck in three innings. Luke Wright had crossed, but after leaving, then defending, he slashed to Ashton Turner at close-in gully. Little Seb Gotch left the last ball of the over. A double-wicket maiden to begin.Five runs came off Johnson’s next over, but none off the bat. Another maiden.The opening ball of Johnson’s third over struck the most bitter blow for the Stars, with Kevin Pietersen – who had complained about the lack of pace in the pitch – flicking straight to midwicket. Marcus Stoinis blocked, left, swayed, then missed. The last ball was pushed into the leg side for one.Johnson was not done yet. Steaming in at 144kph, and with Stoinis having holed out off Jhye Richardson, Gotch and David Hussey took a single each. Johnson ended his four-over spell with 3 for 3, and a standing ovation from the WACA crowd. The Stars were 28 for 4 after seven overs. It was a truly magnificent spell.Seb Gotch hit 48 off 47 balls to resist Perth Scorchers•Cricket Australia

The recovery
Things got better for the Stars, but not hugely. Gotch and Hussey put on 52, targeting the spinners and the small boundaries. But when Hussey was caught trying to kick on, the wickets would not stop. Evan Gulbis and Ben Hilfenhaus briefly looked dangerous, but were both caught in the deep, while Gotch’s impish, enterprising innings was ended by a fine diving catch from Ashton Agar at mid-off. The tail swung and ran hard to drag them to 136, in the face of some very fine death bowling from Tim Bresnan. The Stars had done rather well to not be bowled out.Waltzing to a home final
The Stars had a bowling attack – full of canny seamers – nicely suited to the challenge posed by the pitch, but the target was always too slim. Michael Klinger went early, but Sam Whiteman came out swinging and Marsh looked in sublime touch. Whiteman looked to have edged behind on 13, but was not given, instead falling caught in the deep for 31. Adam Voges picked out midwicket, but out came Ian Bell to finish the job alongside Marsh with a delightful cameo. Indeed, a vintage cover drive to end it.Final pitch concerns?
Concerns over a pitch four days out might seem premature, but this is the slow track on which the final will be played, and by then it will have 20 more overs in it from the WBBL final, too. BBL could not farewell the WACA (Scorchers will play at the new Perth Stadium from next season) in a more appropriate fashion than a double Scorchers title; it would be even sweeter if it took place on a classic, ferocious WACA track.

Leeds United are still awaiting the confirmation of the 49ers complete takeover from Andrea Radrizzani, but with the deal a formality, the focus is shifting to the transfer market.

The Whites have been relegated from the Premier League in their third season since ending 16 miserable years away from the top flight, and are now fraught with worry that lightning will strike twice and Championship obscurity will seep into Elland Road for the club's next chapter.

To ensure this does not happen, the moves made on the transfer front will be paramount, and with reports linking Leeds to Fenerbache winger Bright Osayi-Samuel, it appears the club are indeed acting with conviction to mount an immediate title challenge.

According to one Turkish journalist (via MOT Leeds News), the Whites were preparing to table an offer for the dynamic wideman earlier this month, with the player wanting to return to England after a lacklustre 18 months in Turkey.

Valued at around €10m (£8m), the Nigeria international would be a worthy addition for a club looking to ensure their return to the second tier is nothing more than a sojourn.

Should Leeds sign Bright Osayi-Samuel?

Leeds managed to stave off the threat of relegation in the 21/22 campaign after leaving onlookers waxing lyrical the season prior as they waltzed into the Premier League under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa and earned a ninth-placed finish.

However, the falling fortunes were evident and the jubilation of preserving their status quickly felt like a stay of execution, with the recently-concluded campaign highlighting the woes that had led to the club's bitter demise.

Leeds must now look ahead, and by signing Osayi-Samuel, who has Championship experience with Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool, the right flank could be secured once again.

A versatile player capable of playing at right back and on both offensive flanks, the 25-year-old has been hailed for his "blistering pace" by Mark Warburton, who also called him "outstanding".

He's played 100 times for Fenerbahce but after only mustering a 6.57 average Sofascore rating in the Super Lig this term, it might be time for new pastures.

The three-cap dynamo did score eight goals and supplied 12 assists across his final two Championship terms with QPR, however, and he could emulate his past feats with Leeds.

Such numbers from the wing-back could even prove to be the catalyst for young forward Crysencio Summerville's fortunes to improve, with Leeds signing the exciting talent for just £1m from Feyenoord in 2020.

The 21-year-old demonstrated flashes of brilliance this year and posted four goals and two assists from just 12 top-flight starts this season, but with an average of just one shot per game it's clear he could use some support.

Once described as "unplayable" by Beren Cross, Summerville could well live up to that mantra again should he link up with a devastating offensive wing-back, unlike someone of Luke Ayling's calibre.

This move could be particularly astute when you consider the former has also been linked with a move away this summer. Yet, this move could well convince the Dutchman to continue his development with a progressive force behind him.

Leeds must sign Osayi-Samuel, his inclusion at the club could have a knock-on effect and assure the stars at the side that the requisite moves for a return to prominence are being made.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsBrisbane Heat’s asking rate had climbed very high by the time Andrew Tye’s hat-trick came•Getty Images

Brisbane Heat became the first victims of Cricket Australia’s selection policy, choking on a run chase of 157 against Perth Scorchers that their big-hitting opener Chris Lynn would normally have devoured for breakfast.Instead, having created the sensation of this tournament by forming the opening pair known as the Bash Brothers with former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, Lynn was a spectator after being picked for Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan.It was a stark reminder of how uncomfortably these two forms of limited-overs cricket currently coexist in the Australian summer schedule. The unstoppable side of recent weeks was bowled out for 129 in the last over, finished off by an Andrew Tye hat-trick as the pace-change specialist finished with 4 for 22.In Lynn’s absence, the Heat could not create a sense of threat at the top of the order. His opening replacement, wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson, lasted all of three deliveries before left-arm menace Mitchell Johnson slanted a ball across him that took the edge to a well-placed Ashton Turner at slip.Johnson’s next over had Sam Heazlett miscuing a straight hit to Ashton Agar at mid-off, and from this unaccustomed position of disadvantage, McCullum skied a straight hit to mid-on one ball after pulling Jhye Richardson into the square-leg stands.From there the mounting run rate kept the pressure high, and wickets fell regularly. Test opener Joe Burns and former Adelaide Striker Alex Ross put on 43, but when Burns tried to force the pace, Agar grabbed a brilliant catch running back towards long-on.Michael Klinger held another running catch to get rid of Nathan Reardon, giving the microphone-wearing Scorchers captain the chance to chat breathlessly to Australian coach and selector Darren Lehmann as the latter moonlighted in the television commentary box, curious given Klinger is vying for national T20 selection.While Ross attempted to bat through the innings with a 40-ball 39, he got very lucky in the 12th over when his reverse sweep against Agar rolled back solidly into the stumps. Like a home-series umpire, the heavy Zing bail was unmoved.Nonetheless, Agar’s four overs for 18 runs were instrumental in slowing Heat’s chase, which looked over long before Tye could snuff it out.Earlier, Klinger had played to perfection the role Ross was attempting, batting through most of the innings for 81 in a knock that combined consolidation and counterattack.Conditions were trying: opening partner Shaun Marsh slashed a catch to third man, then Sam Whiteman hooked another, two overs after being struck a vicious blow to the head by English speedster Tymal Mills. Under a rare use of the concussion substitute rule, Cameron Bancroft entered the fray to keep wicket when Heat batted.Young legspinner Mitchell Swepson bowled his four overs unchanged for 22 runs, picking up the normally silky Ian Bell at long-on and the destructive Ashton Turner off a top edge.Around that damage, Klinger muscled sixes and fours down the ground and over midwicket, including one that Burns caught but carried over the rope. Klinger was finally out with seven balls left in the innings, and recent Test selection Hilton Cartwright could not ice the innings with 13 from 17.The Scorchers total shouldn’t have been enough, but the Lynn-less Heat were not able to keep up, loosening their hold on top spot with Sydney Sixers level on eight points, and Melbourne Stars on six with a game in hand.Perhaps as significant as the loss, though, was news that McCullum now faces suspension for a slow over rate, a punishment that Heat has indicated an intention to protest. They had better. To lose one Bash Brother may be regarded as misfortune. To lose two begins to look like carelessness.

Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League after a terrible campaign, and while a late-season purple patch instiled optimism back into Anfield, it was too little, too late.

Despite failing to finish in the top four for the first time in seven seasons, there will be optimism that the 23/24 term can bring brighter fortunes for Jurgen Klopp's outfit, especially considering the onus is on patching up the midfield this summer – the crux of the club's problems this year.

While few, if any, supporters of the Merseyside outfit will welcome Europa League football next season, it presents an opportunity for Klopp to complete the whole gamut of silverware during his tenure while simultaneously opening the door for the younger, more peripheral players of the squad to impress on the European stage, especially in the maiden phase of the competition.

One such starlet who could find opportunities easier to come by is Layton Stewart, who has been a talismanic force for Liverpool's U21 team over the past few years and might finally be able to complete the ascent to first-team prominence.

Who is Layton Stewart?

While Liverpool's senior side have been floundering for much of the 22/23 campaign, posting 11 goals and two assists from just 12 starts in the Premier League 2 and adding another in the EFL Trophy, scoring against Salford.

It's all the more impressive when considering the detrimental ACL injury that the 20-year-old sustained in March 2021, effectively halting the progress he had made by 18 after scoring 15 times from ten appearances in the U18 Premier League in 20/21, dubbed "prolific" by journalist Glenn Price.

According to the Liverpool Echo, he has even been likened to former Reds phenom Fernando Torres, who signed for the club in 2007 for a – then – club-record £20m, and went on to plunder 81 goals and 20 assists from 141 displays, once praised as a "world-class talent" by former captain and teammate Steven Gerrard.

How could Layton Stewart perform next season?

Speaking to Football FanCast, The RedMen TV's Ste Hoare explained how Liverpool's forthcoming Europa League campaign could actually be a blessing in disguise for some of those frequenting the bench with regularity, and Stewart, who is awaiting his breakthrough to Klopp's first-team, could benefit.

Hoare said: "Maybe Europa League; that's an option for young players. In the ideal world, you'd go through the Europa League group as quick as you can and give some young players experience. Jurgen [Klopp's] done that.

"Even the Champions League, we played a dead-rubber in Milan and he picked a very inexperienced team there. So that's one option."

It certainly looks to be the perfect platform from which a precocious talent such as Stewart can use as a foundation for a prospectively 'prolific' career under Klopp's wing, and he could use the opportunity to form a deadly partnership with prodigious midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.

The 18-year-old Spaniard made 19 appearances this term and scored one goal, a surging effort against Aston Villa, and brought intensity and youthful exuberance into the squad at a time they had plummeted from prominence, with Ben Bocsak stating he looks "so mature and composed for his age".

Bajcetic would see his "exceptional" – as Klopp described – breakout season cruelly ended in March after an abductor injury ruled him out of contention until the summer, and while the Merseyside outfit are bolstering the midfield ranks ahead of the 23/24 campaign, the midfield machine will surely still play a part after his blistering maiden success.

Stewart's talismanic aura could complement Bajcetic's all-encompassing central game, and with the duo only set to continue their ascent over the next few years, the Europa League could be the perfect starting point for what could be a starring duo on the major stage for Liverpool's ambitious manager.

An update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur target James Maddison and his thoughts on a potential move to north London this summer.

What's the latest on James Maddison to Tottenham?

According to The Daily Mail, the chat from around England's international camp over the past week has been that the attacking midfielder would prefer a move to Spurs over other teams.

The report claims that the former Norwich City playmaker is keen on a switch to join Ange Postecoglou's men following on from Leicester City's relegation to the Championship. It states that they are also interested in signing his Foxes teammate Harvey Barnes, although West Ham United and Arsenal are also keen on the winger.

The Northern Echo recently reported that Newcastle United have been working on a deal to sign Maddison for a number of months and that Leicester currently value the mercurial talent at £50m.

Therefore, this latest claim from the Daily Mail should come as a boost to Postecoglou as the player, who was described as a "magician" by Statman Dave, is seemingly ready to snub other teams in order to push for a move to Spurs.

How did Maddison perform last season?

Despite his team ending the campaign in the bottom three in the Premier League, Maddison enjoyed an excellent season on an individual level as the 26-year-old wizard showcased his ability to score and set-up goals on a regular basis from a number ten position.

The Foxes number ten averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.33 across 30 Premier League appearances and contributed with ten goals and nine assists. He also created 12 'big chances' for his teammates and registered 2.3 key passes per game, which illustrates his creative brilliance.

Only Harry Kane (7.44) averaged a higher Sofascore rating in the top-flight within the Spurs squad and no player managed more than 1.7 key passes per match for the Lillywhites.

These statistics suggest that Maddison, who was only outscored by Kane (30) for Tottenham in the Premier League last term, would provide Postecoglou with some much-needed creativity.

Former manager Brendan Rodgers described Maddison as "one of the best" players in the division and this was backed up by his eighth-placed ranking on average Sofascore ratings last season.

The ex-Coventry City prodigy has proven himself to be an exceptional performer in the top tier of English football, having also produced 12 goals and eight assists for Leicester in 2021/22, and that is why the exciting creator could be a fantastic addition to the squad this summer.

Marcus Stoinis’ dream performance was the sign of a much improved allrounder but the end of the match was a harsh dose of reality

Daniel Brettig30-Jan-20171:09

‘No time for nerves’ – Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis played the innings of his dreams at Eden Park – only to have reality bite him hard with the closing run-out of Josh Hazlewood, to ensure Australia fell narrowly short of the most unlikely of pursuits.There were decidedly mixed emotions in Stoinis’ voice as the 27-year-old spoke of his unbeaten 146 that took the visitors to within seven runs of victory. Satisfaction, sure, at stamping himself as an international cricketer of character and power, as well as a much improved allrounder as shown by his three wickets earlier in the day; but it will take some time before the pain of that final run-out, and a dash for the win thwarted, subsides.”If you look at the stat book after making 140-odd and taking three-for it doesn’t feel that good,” Stoinis said in Auckland. “It just shows how much of a team game cricket is and how important winning is to everyone. I’m happy to an extent but probably not what I would imagine.”As an all-round game, it’s what you dream of and think about when you close your eyes before the game. I’ve had smoother innings than this but this is a different kind of pressure. To put the performance on the board feels good.”Stoinis first turned out for Australia in an ODI in England after the 2015 Ashes series, and was left with a couple of clear goals for improvement. The first was to strengthen his bowling, and he has done so in adding a little more pace and a lot more consistency, as Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Colin Munro found out. But he also needed to bring more adaptability to a batting game that had looked impressively correct but also rigid.”I think my bowling had to improve to move into that allrounder’s position,” he said. “In state cricket, I probably bat a bit higher, but it’s a different mould of position if you’re going to be batting at six, seven or whatever it is. Mostly just thinking about what’s happening in the situations you’re in and understanding the game. On the bowling side of things, [it’s] just consistency really.”‘The plan was to try to hit a six and get a draw and then leave Josh to get a single to win the game’•Getty Images

Even with that progress in his mind, winning seemed the remotest of possibilities when Stoinis walked out to join Sam Heazlett at 54 for 5, and grew less plausible still when the debutant was dismissed. However he kept his cool, and talked through the situation with the experienced James Faulkner.”When Jimmy [Faulkner] came out, I was thinking ‘ok, you’ve got to give yourself a chance here, so first thing’s first, have a look around, get yourself moving’,” Stoinis said. “Then once he got to about 15 or so, we spoke and made a little plan there as to the way we’d go about it. When you come up with a plan, everything is more simple even though it seems a long way away. So it was all thought out.”[The plan was] pace myself but then target a certain bowler and the end with the wind was the main thing for me. Then there were a couple of overs before they put five out on the boundary where I thought it might be time to have a crack. Also, once you’ve faced 100 balls it does get a bit easier, so the more wickets we lost, the more I thought it was my turn to score the runs.”Later in the innings, Stoinis appeared to occupy the “zone” famously spoken of by many elite athletes where they are simply doing and not thinking. The spell was only broken when last man Hazlewood hared down the wicket when Stoinis bunted a yorker back down the ground, allowing Kane Williamson to underarm the stumps down.”There’s too much going on for the nerves by that time, you know,” Stoinis said. “Some of our most experienced players, they might be bowlers but the way they think about the game is as good as it gets. Josh Hazlewood and [Mitchell] Starcy were good at calming the nerves.”[With Hazlewood] the plan was for me to face the first four or five and then get a single last ball. But at the end there, the plan was to try to hit a six and get a draw and then leave Josh to get a single to win the game.”

Sheffield United don't want to lose "one of their most important players" in Sander Berge, but "issues around finances" at the club could force their hand, believes transfer insider Dean Jones.

Sheffield United transfer news – what's the latest on Sander Berge?

Berge made his way to English football in January 2020 when he signed for the South Yorkshire outfit for just £22m from Belgian Pro League side K.R.C.Genk.

Since then, he has gone on to make 109 appearances for the Blades, scoring 15 goals and providing the assist for another 12.

He was an instrumental part of the team that won promotion back to the Premier League last season, having almost been sold in January due to the club's financial situation.

Despite keeping hold of him, it looks like the club might once again be on the verge of selling the player as Football Insider reported that the club would accept an offer of just £10m for one of their star men.

What has transfer insider Dean Jones said about Sander Berge?

Jones was quick to stress that should the player leave Sheffield in the summer, it wouldn't be down to footballing reasons, with any decision to let him go being purely financial.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "He got plenty of starts last season for Sheffield United he is one of their most important players. I don't think they particularly want to lose him. I think they have just got issues around finances at the moment at Sheffield United that's holding them back a little bit."

How good is Sander Berge?

The Norwegian "Rolls-Royce", as hailed by teammate Chris Basham had a great season last year in Sheffield's famous red and white.

According to WhoScored, the 25-year-old averaged a brilliant rating of 6.95 across his 37 appearances in the Championship, scoring six goals and assisting a further five.

In fact, since his arrival in England, he has yet to average a rating lower than 6.43 across his four league campaigns.

His underlying numbers look great as well.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across football's next eight best competitions after the top five leagues, Berge is in the top 3% for progressive carries, the top 5% for touches in the oppositions penalty area and the top 9% for non-penalty goals, all per 90.

If Sheffield United can find a way to keep hold of their talismanic Norwegian for their first season back in the Premier League in two years, they will be so much better for it.

Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to sign AS Monaco defender Axel Disasi this summer.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news on a defender?

The Red Devils appear to be after at least one new defender this summer, with centre-back seemingly an area Erik ten Hag wants to bolster.

Harry Maguire’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, with Premier League trio Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham all keen on his services.

Napoli’s Kim min-jae was the top centre-back target to arrive in Manchester, with a transfer seemingly agreeed, according to reports. However, the South Korea international now appears to be on course to join German giants Bayern Munich, which has led to rumours on Disasi as an alternative target.

There was speculation that Disasi, labelled as a “complete” defender by talent scout Jacek Kulig, remained on United’s transfer wishlist, and it looks as if the Red Devils are in a good position to seal a move.

Sport Witness relayed an update from RMC Sport regarding Manchester United and the Monaco defender. They claimed that Manchester United are in the lead to sign Disasi ahead of several Premier League sides.

The player has been made aware of the project at Old Trafford, with Ten Hag a fan of the 25-year-old and set to make contact with Disasi to discuss a deal.

Who else could Man United sign this summer?

Disasi may not be the only arrival at Old Trafford this summer, should a move materialise. Alongside a centre-back, a new left-back has also been mooted in Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco, with an approach made.

David de Gea’s contract situation is also yet to be resolved, so a new goalkeeper could be required, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana and FC Porto’s Diogo Costa just two names linked.

Further forward, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount appears to be a key target at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils already making two offers to sign the England international, the second being worth £50m.

Finally, and possibly the most important area for United is in attack, with a new marquee striker possibly on the cards. Tottenham’s Harry Kane could still be a target over the coming months, with reports claiming a £80m price tag could tempt United back to the table.

All in all, it could be a chaotic few months in Manchester, especially when you factor in the ongoing takeover saga, but hopefully Ten Hag will be able to bring in the players he wants.

Stuart Broad confirmed that he has held talks with the ECB, as the board launched its search for Alastair Cook’s successor as Test captain, but insisted he has “not specifically” thrown his hat into the ring for the role.Speaking to reporters at Buckingham Palace after receiving an MBE from Prince Charles, Broad said that he backed Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, to make the right appointment, after it emerged that the frontrunners for the role – Broad, Joe Root and Ben Stokes – had all held meetings with Strauss and James Whitaker, the chairman of selectors, on Thursday.”I’ve played for England for a long time, over ten years, so as a senior player you are going to share views and talk to coaches and hierarchies about how the team moves forward,” said Broad.”It’s important that players who’ve been involved, and who you see leading the team forward in the next few years, are consulted.”When he was captain, Andrew Strauss was one of the best decision-makers I’ve ever played with and, now he’s moved into the top of English cricket, I’m sure he’ll consider all options and malke a very sensible and good decision.”While Root remains the overwhelming favourite to lead England in their next Test series, against South Africa in July, there are legitimate concerns about the workload on both him and Stokes, two players who are deemed indispensable to England in all three formats.And that could yet be a reason to hand the Test captaincy to Broad, 30, a senior player with established leadership qualities (he was England T20 captain for three years until Eoin Morgan succeeded him in 2015), but who has played only two limited-overs matches since the 2015 World Cup.Moreover, with England’s defence of the Ashes fast approaching in November, Broad’s proven appetite for the heat of battle in Australia – where he has recently completed a successful stint with Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash – could be another reason to entrust him with the captaincy.

Broad sympathy for de Villiers

Stuart Broad believes that AB de Villiers has made a wise decision to postpone his return to Test cricket until after this summer’s England tour, as he seeks to regain full fitness after a long-term injury lay-off.
Broad, who has dismissed de Villiers ten times in Test cricket, more than any other bowler, admitted he would miss “testing himself against the best”, but said that de Villiers had to do what was right for his long-term career.
“He needs to get it right, because what people don’t realise when cricketers get injured, it’s not just the physical pain that it can cause you, it’s the mental strain of actually getting up every day and playing through pain.
“It’s like playing with a headache every day, and it wears you down over a period of time. I’d always encourage any cricketer who has had long-term niggles to make sure the body gets right, so it would certainly be wrong of me to encourage AB to come over and play through an injury that has hampered him for a little while.
“But if he does have a change of heart come July it’d be lovely to see him at Lord’s. The lunches are still as good.”

Not only has he produced series-winning spells in each of England’s last three home Ashes series, most memorably with his 8 for 15 at Trent Bridge in 2015, he was also one of the few players to emerge with his reputation enhanced on the disastrous whitewash tour Down Under in 2013-14, finishing as England’s highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Broad recalled how the events of that tour helped to “make him as a cricketer”, most notably during the opening exchanges of the first Test in Brisbane, where a local newspaper, the Courier-Mail, instigated a vendetta against him as a consequence of his refusal to walk for a catch at slip during the Trent Bridge Test in 2013.Throughout the contest, the paper referred to him only as “the 27-year-old medium-pacer”, and encouraged the crowds to let him know what they thought of him, but after claiming first-innings figures of 6 for 81, Broad walked into that evening’s press conference with a copy of the paper under his arm.”That really helped make me as a cricketer,” Broad told ESPNcricinfo. “It made me quite a steely character, made me know how to deal with crowd pressure, put it to one side and work on your performance.”It was an experience for sure, I played there in the Big Bash against Brisbane, and got a bit of crowd interaction but certainly not as much as in an England shirt. To walk away with that sort of reaction but with a six-for was a pleasing feeling. I told myself I can deal with everything that’s thrown at me externally and still deliver a good performance.”Obviously the Test didn’t go our way but I know I am a competitive bloke, I thrive in competitive situations, and there’s no better situation than an Ashes series away from home, and it’s a hugely exciting challenge for us.”We’ve got a lot to get through but we are building a team that can challenge Australia in Australia. I spent some time there and there’s no doubt they are formidable in their own conditions, but we have players of the likes of Root and Stokes, Jos Buttler’s such a dangerous talent with the bat, and Moeen Ali too.”These are guys who are delivering on the big stage, plus a few senior guys who’ve been there and done that. We are growing as a team and this will be an exciting Test team to follow over the next few years.”Stuart Broad had to endure hostility from the fans and the media during the Brisbane Test in 2013•Getty Images

Despite speculation that he might be in line for a return to the ODI squad for the forthcoming tour of the Caribbean, Broad was last week overlooked in an unchanged squad, and appears to recognise that county cricket will be his priority for the foreseeable future, as he readies himself to face South Africa, Test opponents that England have not beaten on home soil since 1998.”I’ve got a great period now with no Test cricket until July,” Broad said. “I haven’t had that for about eight or nine years, so I’m looking forward to the next period of time, doing my pre-season with Notts, heading over to Barbados, and setting high standards for myself come July.””South Africa are always a tough team, that’s what made winning in South Africa so special,” he added. “I’ve played in two series against them at home, they beat us in 2008, when I got dropped towards the end of the series, then Hashim Amla got a triple at The Oval [in 2012] and they beat us in that series too.”They are always great competitors, very skillful in our conditions, and that makes this summer a huge one. It’s important for us to get back to winning ways after a tough tour of India. Everyone expected that – five back-to-back with no warm-ups was going to be tricky – but England in our own conditions, at grounds that we are used to and where we have very good records, should encourage us to really take South Africa on.”