A section of Sri Lanka spectators held up the team bus and voiced raucous displeasure at the performance of players and administration following the nine-wicket loss against India in Dambulla.A group of about 50 fans had stood in the vicinity of Sri Lanka’s parked bus, hooting and shouting slogans such as “we want our cricket back” and “no politics in cricket”, until police stepped in and cleared the gathering. The incident had delayed Sri Lanka’s departure from the venue by close to half an hour.The fan demonstration follows months of increasing dissatisfaction with on-field results. Social media has been aflame with scathing satire, taking aim at selectors and administrators in addition to players, in a year in which Sri Lanka has slipped to several unprecedented losses.Aware of the rapidly declining popularity of the national team, present and past players have implored fans to support the side through the slump. Ahead of the series, ODI captain Upul Tharanga made an impassioned plea to fans in a board release, stating: “The support of our fans plays a big role in the morale of the team. We play for our country and our goal is to bring pride to our family of 20 million in this nation – so your support is something that matters greatly to us … trust in us, and stick with us, so that you can be our strength as we rise again like lions.”Though presently playing at the CPL, Kumar Sangakkara has also taken to social media to voice his own appeal to fans. “When we won, you celebrated with us, and when we lost, you grieved alongside us,” he said. “When the team was struggling – when we were most in need – your love and support was our strength. Now, what our cricketers need is that same, love, support, patience and effort. Let’s hope for the team’s victory, and support them as one.”

Djurgardens IF youngster Gideon Granstrom is on trial at Sunderland ahead of a potential move to the Championship club, according to the player's father and agent.

The player's father has said that the Black Cats must have "concrete interest" if they've invited Granstrom for a trial at the club.

What's the latest on Gideon Granstrom to Sunderland?

It remains to be seen whether or not Granstrom's trial at Sunderland is a successful one this summer, but the 17-year-old has certainly shown potential in the past.

Speaking about his son's trial at the Championship side, Granstrom's father, also his agent, told Swedish outlet Fotbol STHLM: "They caught his eye when he was with the Swedish U18 national team in Wales this summer. After the two international matches, he was invited to a pre-season tour with their U23 team when they wanted to take a closer look at him.

"He went there earlier this week and is doing his first training session today. He stays about ten days in total. They will spend one week on this tour, starting in Norwich, then finishing with three days at Sunderland.

"It's open. From our side, we focus on the sporting, it is instructive to come there and meet a different football culture and different way of playing.

"Then it's a blank slate what happens after that. We have had a dialogue with Bosse and Djurgården all the time, who are aware of the whole thing. But a club like Sunderland doesn't invite a player unless there is a concrete interest."

Who is Gideon Granstrom?

Still just 17, Granstrom could have a big decision to make regarding his future this summer. If it is to be Sunderland, then he'd follow the trend of young players to have come through the door under Tony Mowbray.

We've seen stars such as Amad Diallo thrive under the manager's guidance. And Granstrom will simply be looking to take a similar career trajectory as the Manchester United winger.

It would be quite the jump for him to go from Swedish football, where he has appeared in the squad only a select few times for Djurgardens without getting on the pitch, to then join Sunderland, who made the play-offs in the Championship last season.

It's likely that the teenager would be thrown into the U23s rather than any first-team action, should trials end successfully – it is there that he could take his development up another level or two.

As for Sunderland, as a whole, after suffering semi-final heartbreak against eventual play-off winners Luton Town, they'll be looking to go one better in the forthcoming campaign.

With the likes of relegated Leicester City, Leeds United, and Southampton to compete against, however, the Black Cats may struggle to cause as big a shock as last season when they secured a top six place in their first year back in England's second tier.

It is a squad full of surprises, though, so anything is still possible with plenty of time left in pre-season to continue preparations, and welcome further additions to Mowbray's increasingly impressive Championship squad.

Sunderland could yet find themselves with a teenage Swedish prodigy in the form of Granstrom, too, and sources don't come much closer than the own player's father/agent, so it'll be interesting to see how the interest pans out.

Aston Villa are still battling a number of other Premier League clubs for the signing of Juventus youngster Samuel Iling-Junior this summer and are ready to make a "concrete" bid, according to a new transfer update.

How old is Samuel Iling-Junior?

The Englishman joined Juve from Chelsea back in the summer of 2020, having enjoyed a long spell in the Blues' academy that led to him being touted as one of the best young players in Europe.

Iling-Junior has continued to work his way up the pecking order in the three years that he has spent in Turin, now making 18 appearances for them, scoring once and assisting twice in that time. While far from a regular for his current side, it is a testament to the progress he has made, considering he is still just 19 years of age.

A big future could await the former Chelsea youngster, assuming he continues on his current trajectory, but it remains to be seen if that will be a Juve or not.

Villa have already had one of the most productive summer transfer windows in years, having brought in some fantastic players, whether it be Pau Torres at centre-back or Youri Tielemans in the middle of the park, but they may also be on the lookout for young talent who can be long-term signings well into the future.

That's where Iling-Junior comes into play, with the Villans seemingly battling a number of rivals for his signature in the coming weeks.

Could Aston Villa sign Samuel Iling-Junior?

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], Villa are ready to making further ground in their efforts to sign the teenager, but Everton are also interested in snapping him up. Indeed, is believed the Midlands side are now "willing to present a concrete offer" for the player.

Brighton and Wolves are mentioned as potential suitors, too, with a return to England certainly on the cards, should Juve decide to accept an offer this summer.

His agent, Frank Trimboli, has reportedly "kept all doors open" for Iling-Junior, in terms of possible options, and it could be that a bidding starts, with Juve wanting €25m (£21.4m) to at least consider a sale.

This could be a really astute piece of business by Villa if they see the three-time capped England Under-20 international as a genuine target this summer, considering the heights he could reach in the coming years. Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has described him as "my pleasant discovery", clearly rating him as a player, while legendary Italian attacker Alessandro Del Piero has also praised him.

Iling-Junior is a left-sided midfielder by trade, and could come in as an immediate option off the substitutes' bench for Villa, putting his physical stature and trickery to good use against tiring legs, before eventually becoming more of a fixture in the starting lineup, should his development continue in a positive trajectory.

It is never easy to predict how a young player's career is going to pan out, with injuries and dedications levels so key to them reaching their potential, but in Unai Emery, Villa have an ideal manager to nurture Iling-Junrio, and the fact that Monchi sees him as good summer target also says a lot about what a big talent he is.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope lived up to West Indies’ promise to fight back after their humiliation at Edgbaston

Alan Gardner at Headingley26-Aug-2017Leeds is only 65 miles from Scarborough – aka “Scarbados” – so it was perhaps appropriate that a sun-kissed Headingley was the scene for a pair of Bajans to revive West Indies’ hopes on this tour. Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope put on 246, West Indies’ second-highest partnership on the ground, to underpin a day of unexpected domination in their attempts to fight back into the series after being thrashed at Edgbaston.Hope’s unbeaten innings of 147 was his maiden Test century, coming two years after his debut against the same opposition in Bridgetown. Brathwaite, meanwhile, made his second hundred against England – the first was a valiant attempt to stave off defeat in Grenada during the 2015 series – and provided the bedrock for the tourists to go past England’s 258 during the evening session; not since Old Trafford 2004 had West Indies secured a first-innings lead in England.”The key word for us was ‘fight’,” Hope said on Sky TV. “We are not coming here to let people run over us.”Brathwaite, the team’s vice-captain, echoed that sentiment. “It was very important for us,” he said. “We know what we can do. We decided we would show fight, work hard and believe in ourselves and that’s what we did. Looking in the mirror after [Edgbaston], we knew we could do better, as a team we said we won’t give up and we’ll come out and work twice as hard.”While Hope and Brathwaite both hunkered down and made the most of their luck during a tricky morning session, neither got stuck. Brathwaite went to both fifty and a hundred with sixes down the ground, while the pull that took Hope to 99 had more than a touch of Gordon Greenidge’s flamboyance to it, one knee proudly pointing upwards. The next delivery was tucked for the single that took him to three figures, a moment he greeted with a full-throated roar of celebration.”Relief. It was good to get the monkey off my back,” Hope said. “I felt the pressure. As a professional you want to perform to your best. I wasn’t thinking about the 100 as much as I would expect [in the 90s]. I just tried to bat as long as possible and stick it out.”Having won his first cap as a 21-year-old, Hope’s introduction to Test cricket was a difficult one. It was not until his 17th innings that he finally passed fifty – although that helped West Indies to a series-levelling victory against Pakistan in Bridgetown earlier this year – but Brathwaite predicted that a player he has grown up alongside would now go on to establish himself.”I think Shai’s a top-quality player and I know he will do extremely well in international cricket,” Brathwaite said. “He already has a lot of one-day runs. This is the start of a lot of big things for him.”We played from Under-13 right up, so I’ve played a lot of cricket with him – we play first-class cricket together as well. I know him well and I’m very happy for him.”Although England fought back to remove Brathwaite, for 134, and Roston Chase with the second new ball, Hope remained at the crease until the close, in the company of the dangerous Jermaine Blackwood. From a perilous position of 35 for 3, and with last week’s twin capitulations with the bat still fresh in the memory, it was a quite remarkable performance. After West Indies’ impressive display with the ball on the first day, Kemar Roach had said he was expecting “big things” from the batsmen. Brathwaite and Hope ensured they did not disappoint.Brathwaite was involved in four reviews in all – twice overturning decisions given against him, twice surviving England’s attempts to winkle him out via DRS. The majority of his scoring inside the first hour was done behind the wicket, as several edges went to ground, but England were forced to reassess their tactics as the early cloud cover moved through and Headingley’s Janus face decided to smile on the batsmen once more.”I know my strengths and weaknesses,” Brathwaite said of his watchful approach. “I know it won’t be easy but once I’m out there, it’s good for my team. I try my best to be out there as long as possible and make sure I put away all the bad balls and it worked quite well for me.”Of West Indies’ turnaround in form from the previous Test, he added: “We stuck to our plans, as a bowling unit we were a lot more disciplined and, as batters, we just had to believe in what we’re working towards. We work hard in the nets and we believed we could do it. It’s not impossible and we showed our fight.” England will certainly know they are in a fight now.

Manchester United have been craving the addition of a striker for so long now, and it finally seems like they are starting to close in on their man…

How much have Manchester United spent on transfers this season?

That's according to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, who took to his website to offer a fresh update on their pursuit of Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund.

He would suggest that the Red Devils remain in contact over the Danish international, who has become an increasingly important target for Erik ten Hag to bring in. Especially considering the emergence of Paris Saint-Germain as a rival for his signature.

An offer of around €60m (£52m) plus bonuses is expected in the coming week, although it was noted back in June that the Italian outfit would not sell for any less than €100m (£87m).

Such an outlay would bring their summer spending up significantly, which has already been buoyed by the additions of Andre Onana (£47.2m) and Mason Mount (£55m). It seems poised to be yet another expensive window for the Manchester club, who are still seeking a return to their former glory days.

How good is Rasmus Hojlund?

Whilst the signing of a striker like Hojlund would almost guarantee goals, which would improve any team, it is the supplementary benefits that his arrival would bring that would surely transform Ten Hag's side.

After all, his outfit have been continuing to provide for lacklustre front-men akin to Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial, even at times operating without a number nine at all.

The emergence of someone as clinical as the 20-year-old would be paramount, as he notched 16 goals and seven assists across all competitions last season. Such a figure equalled the tallies of the two aforementioned forwards, Antony and Jadon Sancho all combined in the Premier League most recently.

Bruno Fernandes is someone who would certainly benefit from a marksman with a bit of quality, who has both the physical presence to forge space, but also the pace to latch onto his seeking long balls.

The latter asset is emphasised by writer Sacha Pisani, who claimed: "Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund is scary quick."

Last campaign the Portuguese maestro averaged 3.3 key passes per game in the Premier League, forging a ridiculous 32 big chances despite only earning eight assists, via Sofascore.

To compare these figures with Kevin De Bruyne, who has enjoyed the striking talents of Erling Haaland, the Belgian instead created 31 big chances of his own, but instead ended up with 16 assists in the league, via Sofascore.

Back during his first few campaigns at Old Trafford, following his move from Sporting CP, a huge debate raged on regarding who was the better creator out of these two attacking midfielders. After all, during the 2020/21 campaign, the 28-year-old posted 45 goal contributions across all competitions, which dwarfed the 28 of his Etihad alternative that year.

The recent success of Manchester City has seen that argument silenced in favour of the latter, but should Fernandes have his own top forward to feed off, his numbers could return to the level required to rival the 32-year-old maestro once again.

Hojlund may not quite be as clinical as Haaland, with his 17% goal conversion (in Serie A) a far cry from the 29% (in the Premier League) he will seek to emulate, but the potential the young forward boasts is huge.

If he could hit the ground running at Old Trafford, not only could his goals spearhead an unlikely title charge, but once again fans could be treated to the very best of Fernandes.

There’s a general decorum around pre-season games, regarding the type of challenges that are put in, and the overall desire to avoid injury all around. Occasionally, some players don’t quite get the memo, however, leaving opposition managers rightly fuming.This was the case in Wrexham’s recent friendly against Manchester United, as young goalkeeper Nathan Bishop left Paul Mullin with a punctured lung.With an injury of that extent – you can see the concerning scenes below – the star striker will likely miss the first stages of Wrexham’s League Two season.

In a classy gesture from Ryan Reynolds, however, the club’s Hollywood co-owner has personally messaged Bishop to wish him well despite the incident, as per The Atheltic’s Laurie Whitwell.

As they seek back-to-back promotions, too, the last thing Phil Parkinson’s side needed was an injury to their best goalscorer.

The Welsh club officially get their season underway on Saturday, August 5 against MK Dons, giving Parkinson some time to find a solution to Mullin’s absence.

The Wrexham manager was not left best pleased with Bishop, though, and let his feelings known.

What did Phil Parkinson say?

Frustrated by the injury, Parkinson said after the game, via SportBible: “I mean, listen, Mulls has got a small puncture in his lung, he’s in hospital at the moment. But it’s a clumsy challenge from the goalkeeper and, for me, there’s no need to make it.

“It’s a straight red. The reason it’s a straight red, and even if the ref said to me that maybe there’s a covering defender, it’s a dangerous challenge.

“If you add those two situations up, he should’ve been off the pitch. Listen, it’s a massive blow for us to lose Paul. He’s an outstanding player.”

The referee wasn’t shy when it came to showing red cards, either, sending off United’s Daniel Gore for his reckless challenge.

The challenges set the tempo for a feisty affair, in what was supposed to be nothing more than a friendly between the two sides.

Mullin’s injury stole the headlines from an otherwise impressive performance by Wrexham, which saw the League Two club defeat a youthful Manchester United side 3-1, courtesy of goals from Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden, and Sam Dalby.

How have Wrexham performed in pre-season?

Touring America, Wrexham have enjoyed an exciting pre-season so far, with the highlight being the victory over Manchester United, albeit coming in a game which saw Mullin injured.

As for the rest of their results, the Welsh club have done fairly well, losing just once in three games.

They began their USA tour with an impressive 4-0 victory over MLS side LA Galaxy, before suffering their one defeat so far against Chelsea, losing 5-0 against the Premier League giants.

Their time in America peaked when they defeated Man United 3-1, and with Philadelphia Union up next, they will hope to end pre-season in style.

Parkinson will be hoping that the preparation has been enough in the last month, as an important campaign in League Two beckons for his side.

Likely forced to start their season without Mullin, though, it may be a case of avoiding disaster in their opening games, rather than going all out for victory.

The last thing that Wrexham will want is a damaging start to their season to make promotion an uphill climb.

Jack Leach and Dom Bess claimed seven of the eight Lancashire wickets to fall as Somerset closed in on a victory that would take them out of the bottom two

Paul Edwards at Taunton14-Sep-20171:31

County Championship Round-up: Essex on the brink of glory

When, in due time, one receives that peremptory invitation to attend the Clogpoppers’ Ball, it will be a comfort to recall this day’s cricket at Taunton.Lancastrians will select their side’s resilience and the fifties made by Haseeb Hameed and Liam Livingstone as the most pleasing features of affairs; Somerset followers in the Marcus Trescothick Stand might bemoan the opposition’s scoring rate but salute their own spinners’ persistence and accuracy in taking them to the brink of their second successive victory.And so they should, m’dear. A glorious day ended with Jack Leach and Dom Bess bowling in tandem, just as they had done for most of three sessions. The pair bowled 85 overs to take seven wickets for 164 runs. They wore down Lancashire’s batsmen and at some stage around lunchtime on Friday they should receive their due reward with the sight of a Division One table showing Somerset out of the relegation positions. Lancashire’s chances of the title are with cricket’s undertakers but the survival hopes of Tom Abell’s team live and breathe.Yet there was even more to the day than food for partisans or points for tables. There was a richness to the cricket, an intensity of competition which was only augmented by September’s elegiac sunlight and the possibility that showers might halt our sport. The game unfolded on one of early autumn’s more blustery days when clouds raced across an unsettled sky and barged each other out of the way like shoppers at the January sales. Sunlight and shade flitted over the Blackdowns like skittish girls and there were rumours of heavy rain in Wales. Trains raced through the distant station and the man was a fool who wished himself aboard one of them.The first hour of the day belonged to Lancashire and in particular to their openers, Alex Davies and Hameed. Both batsmen played cautiously, their memories of the second day’s rapid collapse fresh in their minds. Davies was busier and bustled about the crease, as if reminding the bowlers that he knew what their little game was. But he was also the first to be dismissed when he attempted to drive Leach through wide mid-on but only gave a sharp return catch to the bowler off a thickish leading edge. He departed one short of his fifty, smacking his bat and doubtless offering a rich Darwen curse or two.Hameed was as watchful as ever, as if determined to reinforce his critics’ astringent judgements that he “pokes about” too much. Then, as classy players always will, he confounded that view by taking three boundaries off successive Bess overs: a late cut and drives through the covers off front and back foot. In the innocence-light of early morning the wind had tossed the field maples and alders in Vivary Park yet the breeze hardly ruffled Hameed, who on occasions has the air of a man who would rehearse letting the ball go even as the jaws of Armageddon snapped around him. A square drive off Craig Overton’s half-volley left him undefeated on 31 when an early lunch was taken, itself prompted by the morning’s second brief shower.For the first hour of the afternoon session Lancashire’s progress was untroubled. The pitch lost much of the life it had offered Leach and Bess on the previous afternoon and for the first time since lunch on the first day Somerset’s cricket lost a little of its fiery purpose. Hameed cut Tim Groenewald backward of square for four and reached his half-century off 151 balls with a cover-drive for two off Leach. That made it the quickest of his three first-class fifties this year, although rapidity is becoming a relative concept when applied to Hameed.But just when Bolton’s “Great Wall” seemed set on constructing his first century in over a year, Leach dismissed him for 62 when Hameed drove a catch straight to Abell at short cover. Some thought the ball had stopped but Somerset supporters were not about to concern themselves with the “filthily technical” as Mr Pickwick might have put it. What mattered was that Hameed was gone and the joy on Gimblett’s Hill was unbounded, although it may not compare with the euphoria in that sacred area once occupied by the Sydney Hill should Hameed be dismissed at the SCG in a few months’ time.More joy lay in wait for the locals. Steven Croft was leg before on the front foot for 5 when sweeping at Bess and the offspinner then took the even more valuable wicket of Shiv Chanderpaul who broke the habit of a career by letting the ball pass between bat and pad. At tea Lancashire were 175 for 4 and Somerset’s players enjoyed their fruit salad in the knowledge that a new ball was available.Overton made the best use of that ball when he had Dane Vilas caught behind for 14 and that dismissal heralded a fine session for Somerset as they finally broke Lancashire’s batsmen on the twin wheels of the spin and flight. The crucial wicket of Livingstone was taken by Leach, who had the mystified batsman caught behind when wicketkeeper Steve Davies and the close fielders were appealing to Billy Taylor for a stumping. But those dozy folk inclined to stereotype cricketers and place them in the convenient pigeonholes should note that Livingstone had batted two minutes longer for his 62 than Hameed had for his 57. Their scoring rates were almost the same. Livingstone is a very serious cricketer and it is fascinating to ponder what lies ahead for him.Barring one of cricket’s most improbable recoveries, Lancashire’s fate was decided in the last half hour when Ryan McLaren and Stephen Parry fell to close catches off Leach and Bess. That Lancashire had lost seven wickets for 94 runs hardly reflected their stubbornness or their determination to compete until the very end. The mood was buoyant at the County Ground in the evening as the locals savoured a probable victory. But no one should be too downcast if they were at Taunton, for they had seen the county game at something like its very best and the cricketers on their green fields of praise.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Sporting CP forward Youssef Chermiti, as Julen Lopetegui bids to end his side’s woes in front of goal.

It’s been a busy summer for the Midlands club, who have offloaded ten players ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The latest news has reported a move away for Raul Jimenez, who has been approached by Fulham where a fee has been agreed, giving Lopetegui another incentive to chase a new forward.

Could Wolves sign Youssef Chermiti?

As reported by Portuguese outlet Record last week, Wolves have had scouts present at Sporting’s recent friendly to watch Chermiti.

The 19-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of £17m, with the report claiming that the Portuguese giants expect €20m for their forward.

With a release clause of €80m (£69m) included in his contract, Lopetegui could pounce on the teenager's rumoured availability for a cut-price.

How good is Youssef Chermiti?

Rising through the ranks at Sporting, the academy graduate made a breakthrough last season, recording 22 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club.

Deployed as a traditional centre-forward, the “very interesting” teen, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, got among the goals last term, scoring three and assisting two in 16 Liga Portugal appearances, via Sofascore.

Lauded as a “superb prospect” by Kulig, Chermiti made a fast start to his senior career, scoring two and assisting once in his first three starts for the first team.

Despite only averaging 58 minutes per game in the league, the 19-year-old needed little time to make an impact, averaging 1.8 shots per game and acting as a strong presence leading the line.

For Wolves, the bright talent could be an encouraging capture this summer, as the club prepares to bid farewell to much-loved striker Jimenez.

The Mexican scored 57 goals in 166 appearances for the Old Gold, including two consecutive rich scoring streaks to get the side comfortable on their return to the Premier League.

Scoring 30 goals over his opening two campaigns in the Premier League, the 32-year-old fired Wolves to claim two consecutive seventh-place finishes to seal the club a place in the Europa League.

Jimenez was the leader of all things positive at Molineux on their return to the top tier, however, the former Benfica forward had his career halted by a life-threatening skull fracture sustained in 2020.

Missing the remainder of that season impacted the Mexico international, who was lucky to play again, however, his form was unable to be recaptured, with him netting just ten goals since his return.

A goalless campaign last term suggests that the 32-year-old’s departure comes at the best time for club and player, with Chermiti posing as a strong candidate to take his throne.

Described as a ‘pure striker’ by The Scouting App, the teenager has had his strengths identified through his ‘physicality, explosiveness, sense of goal and eccentricity’ by the scouting site, making him the perfect fit to replenish Lopetegui’s side in front of goal.

Still very early into his career, the teenager could be given the chance to shine as the leading man at Molineux, in a move that could ease the sadness of Jimenez’s pending departure.

His normal feelings may, in his words, be limited to “anger and more anger” but James Anderson confessed he had never felt so emotional on a cricket pitch after claiming his 500th Test wicket.Maybe it was relief of putting the milestone behind him, or maybe it was a realisation of the enormity of the achievement, but Anderson acknowledged that, for a couple of overs after joining the exclusive club of bowlers to have achieved the feat, he struggled to control his emotions.While he quickly remembered that he was gruff, tough, northern fast bowler – “I wasn’t teary,” he added, with a hint of watery eyes and faltering voice – it was clear that the ovation from the crowd, the response of his team-mates and the realisation that he had become one of just six men (and three seamers) to reach the milestone had unsettled his normal equanimity.”I knew my family were in the crowd,” Anderson said. “My kids, my mum and dad and my Mrs. And knowing they were there made it very special.”And sharing the moment with guys that I’ve played over a hundred Tests with was special, too. It was an amazing feeling to see how pleased they were for me.”The emotion took me by surprise a bit. The emotions I normally go through during a game are anger and more anger. But today was a bit more… I wasn’t teary. But it was emotional. I don’t normally get like that during a game. But I got my focus back after a couple of overs.”It’s not hard to understand why he was emotional. While Anderson has been an automatic choice for England for the best part of a decade, there were times early in his career when it was far from certain he would play more than a dozen or so Tests. While the rest of the world revelled in the 2005 Ashes, he sent much of the summer bowling at a cone, and when he did finally win a first taste of Ashes cricket in 2006-07, he found it a painful experience. He claimed just five wickets at an average of 82.60 and England lost the series 5-0. Amid stress fractures and crises of confidence and form, the idea that he would play 100 Tests and claim anything like 500 wickets would have seemed fanciful in the extreme.”I can’t quite believe I’ve taken this many wickets or played this much cricket,” Anderson said. “For a while I was just trying to get back on the park. They were dark times. I’d had a taste of international cricket and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”But I knew I had the skills and I used to be able to bowl fast. And going through those periods made me stronger. It’s made me stronger as a person and a cricketer. It just made me more determined to improve. I think a lot of players go through periods like that, whether it’s from form or injury. I probably wouldn’t be the bowler I am today without toiling for that period of time.”Anderson has, he admits, “not really” ever been comfortable in the spotlight. He is quite happy to be the man England rely upon with the ball and to revel in the respect that comes with being an integral member of a successful team. But the prospect of talking about himself, of focusing on a personal achievement sits pretty uncomfortably on the shoulders of a man who, for all the grumpiness on the pitch, has remained shy and softly-spoken off it. With the landmark behind him, he can focus on the important business of winning a Test that remains in the balance and then planning for the Ashes.James Anderson acknowledges the ovation•Getty Images

“I’m relieved,” he said. “I just wanted to get it out of the way. Ideally I would have done it on the first day, but Ben Stokes didn’t want me to, so I had to wait.”The location and style with which he reached the milestone were fitting, though. It was here, at Lord’s where he introduced himself to Test cricket with a five-for on debut as a 20-year-old swing bowler in 2003. And it here, at the ‘home of cricket,’ that a 35-year-old with wonderful skills and remarkable levels of stamina cemented his reputation as one of the greats with two wickets that not only took him to (and beyond) the 500 mark, but showcased his enduring ability and admirable desire to keep learning and keep improving.The 500th wicket – that of Kraigg Brathwaite – was taken with one of his relatively new tricks: the ‘wobble-seam’ delivery. Having set Brathwaite up with an over of outswingers, “I thought I’d try a full, straight one,” Anderson said. “It nipped down the slope. Lord’s is a great place to bowl.”So resounding was the impact on Brathwaite’s middle-stump, that a large chunk was taken out of the ball and the umpires were obliged to change it. The original has already been passed on to Anderson for posterity.”Lord’s is such a special place for me,” Anderson said. “To get my first Test wicket and my 500th here will live with me for a long time.”Earlier I saw Kemar Roach after he got a five-for. He was mouthing “I’m on the honours board.” You could see what it meant to him. That’s what it means for people to play here and have their name etched in history at such a special ground. I’m so fortunate to have got the wickets I have here.”Anderson’s 501st Test wicket was even better. Bowling round the wicket, he drew the left-handed Kieran Powell forward only to get the ball to leave him off the pitch, beat the perfectly presented bat’s outside edge and take the top of off stump. It was not only an outstanding piece of bowling, it was reminder that, despite his 35 years and all the miles on the clock, he’s good for a few more wickets yet.”That’s the beauty of the slope,” he said modestly. “I was thankful to that slope for both wickets.”But yes, you’re always improving. I try to soak up as much as I can from coaches and other players and add that to my game. It’s endless how much you can do that.”I just love playing cricket. It’s my biggest passion and always has been since I was a kid. To be able to do it for my country – to be able to play in Test matches at Lord’s – is something I could never dream of doing.”The milestones are nice, but they’re not what drive me.”I want to help England win games of cricket. That’s why I turn up every day trying to improve myself. I’m loving playing cricket. I’m really enjoying playing in this team and hopefully that can continue for a while yet.”

Aston Villa are still among the chasing pack to sign Galatasaray midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo this summer, according to reports.

The Italian would be the Villans' fourth signing of the current transfer window, if he made the move to Villa Park.

What's the latest on Nicolo Zaniolo to Aston Villa?

Zaniolo has been linked with a move away from Galatasaray for the majority of the summer, with Aston Villa consistently among the clubs reportedly interested. And, now, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, via Sport Witness, Villa, alongside Bayer Leverkusen, are leading the way in the chase for the Italian's signature.

The Italian outlet have reported that Galatasaray will clarify Zaniolo's future as soon as possible, amid offers from around Europe, and in Saudi Arabia, with the Villans showing particularly strong interest.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are also reportedly keeping an eye on the midfielder as another option this summer.

It remains to be seen just how much Galatasaray will ask for Zaniolo in the coming weeks, but Villa have shown that they are more than happy to spend big in recent months, splashing out to welcome Moussa Diaby for a reported £51.9m whilst also signing Pau Torres for a reported £31.5m.

With that said, if the Premier League side increase their interest, it may be one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Should Aston Villa sign Nicolo Zaniolo?

As Unai Emery's side gear up to juggle commitments in both the Premier League and the Europa Conference League, adding depth to their midfield wouldn't exactly be a bad thing.

Zaniolo would arrive with plenty of experience, too, despite being just 24-years-old. The midfielder was a permanent fixture at AS Roma for three seasons, before making the move to Galatasaray last season. Whilst in Turkey, he has found his best form, scoring five goals in just ten appearances in the Super Lig.

Such is his talent, Zaniolo has earned plenty of praise throughout his career, with journalist Zach Lowy saying back in 2019 on Twitter: "Nicolò Zaniolo (19). Fast, diligent & physically imposing, Zaniolo is superb in all defensive assets, from pressing to tracking back. With a deadly left foot & top vision, he’s a lethal playmaker. Without a doubt, the crown jewel of Monchi’s otherwise disappointing time at Roma."

Of course, Monchi is now at Villa Park, so could look to repeat his own masterclass regarding the Italy international for a second time.

Meanwhile, in the highest praise that he has received, Roma legend Daniele De Rossi said back in 2019, via the official club website: “He has an incredible natural physique for someone who is only 19 and also has great technical quality. In my opinion, as perhaps with everyone now, he is already a very good player – and can become a great one.”

When a player earns such praise from an iconic midfielder, it is clear that they have plenty of talent.

With that said, Villa, next to Leverkusen in pole position, must make a decision regarding their pursuit of Zaniolo. If they push ahead and secure his signature, Emery will have welcomed four big marquee reinforcements this summer, as his side look to cause a few shocks in the coming months.