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West Bromwich Albion have gone about their summer business to date in a rather understated fashion, with only three new bodies joining Carlos Corberan's ranks so far.

Only the capture of Scandinavian defender Torbjørn Heggem has taken somewhat of a chunk out of the Baggies bank account, with the 25-year-old joining the Championship outfit for a reported fee of £525k, to offer more depth at left-back and centre-back.

Corberan won't be stopping there though with new recruits that could strengthen the back four in the West Midlands, however, with another centre-back reportedly on the agenda, as the Baggies become more and more accustomed to a future without Cedric Kipre next campaign and beyond.

West Brom looking to sign their next Kipre

According to a report by French outlet L'Equipe, West Brom are interested in clinching a deal for Saint-Etienne defender Mickael Nade, with another party from the Championship also interested in the Frenchman's services.

Sheffield Wednesday are the other club of note named as being keen on Nade, with the Owls already onto nine incomings this summer, so it remains to be seen what club the 25-year-old picks as his next home away from France.

What Nade can offer West Brom

The 25-year-old could be viewed as a natural successor to Kipre, who also played out in France as a youngster in the Paris St. Germain youth structure, with the dependable Baggies man absent from pre-season training and looking to move on.

Nade is also available on a free transfer, so adding him to the West Brom roster this summer feels like a risk-free swoop to a degree, as the 6 foot 1 defender attempts to find his feet in the English game, learning from the likes of the experienced Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi around him.

Being able to win a gem for £0 would soften the blow too of Kipre potentially exiting for nothing, with the West Brom number four's contract now expired at the Hawthorns, and no agreement has been met to extend that deal.

That will open up space for a new defender to come in and make the centre-back spot his own, offering competition to the likes of Heggem and Ajayi, and perhaps even coming out on top to become Bartley's partner in the heart of defence.

As can be seen watching the clip above of the 25-year-old in action, Nade could fill the gap left behind by Kipre in terms of being an imposing presence alongside one that is unafraid to get in amongst the goals, having scored five times from 79 Saint-Etienne first-team appearances.

Nade's numbers (Saint Etienne vs Rodez

Stat

Nade

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

1

Clearances

3

Blocked shots

1

Interceptions

2

Duels won

4/6

Shots on goal

2

Successful dribbles

1/1

Stats by Sofascore

Nade's performance against Rodez towards the back-end of the Ligue 2 season stood out, as Saint-Etienne won promotion back up to the top-flight, with his goal helping his team pick up a share of the points, whilst his switched-on presence at the back shut out many a Rodez attack.

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The 6 foot 1 Baggies target has shades of Kipre's game present in his own, therefore, with the wantaway West Brom man notching up four goals from his 67 appearances for the club, alongside winning 4.2 duels on average per Championship clash last season.

He might find it a tricky transition acclimatising to the cut and thrust of English football, having only made 23 appearances last season in Ligue 2 despite performing valiantly when pushed into action, but West Brom remained patient with Kipre and he eventually came good.

In an ideal world, Corberan would be playing the 27-year-old week in week out this campaign to come, but the second tier club have plans in place to strengthen at the back now away from the former Wigan Athletic man.

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Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 win against West Ham United last night was arguably one of the most crucial results in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign to date.

Sean Dyche’s side came from behind after the break for the first time since promotion, subsequently building a seven-point gap to the Hammers.

However, it was a far from convincing display from the Reds, subsequently highlighting the need for investment across the squad before the end of the summer window.

Despite netting twice, none of the goals scored were from open play, with Dyche’s men having to rely on a looping header from Nicolas Dominguez and a penalty from Morgan Gibbs-White.

The attacking department is in dire need of investment in the coming weeks, which has led the recruitment team to identify numerous potential options to help bolster the first-team ranks.

Nottingham Forest in talks to land European powerhouse

Over recent days, Forest have made their intentions clear that they want to land a new centre-forward before the end of the winter, subsequently leading to rumours over a move for Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The Norwegian international, who currently plays for Wolves, has struggled for consistent form in the Premier League this campaign, as seen by his tally of just one goal in 18 appearances.

However, Rob Edwards’ side are still demanding a fee in the region of £40m for the 25-year-old this window, with Everton and Newcastle United two other sides keen to land his signature.

Strand Larsen isn’t the only forward currently in the hierarchy’s sight at present, with Napoli star Lorenzo Lucca another player being pursued to improve the number nine situation.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Reds have reached out to the Serie A outfit in recent hours to see if a deal can be agreed for the Italian international.

The report states that a deal could be tricky to complete at present, with the 25-year-old currently on loan in Naples, with a deal set to be made permanent in the summer.

However, after just 40 minutes of action since the start of November, a break in the deal could be agreed, which could see the 6’7 striker move to the City Ground.

Why Lucca would be Forest’s best striker since Wood

The striker situation at Forest is certainly an alarming one at present, but all the issues have become apparent after the injury suffered to talisman Chris Wood.

The New Zealand international catapulted the Reds to European football for the first time in a generation last season, after netting 20 league goals and breaking the club’s all-time Premier League goalscoring record.

He was even handed a new two-year contract to reflect his importance to the side, but it’s safe to say his 2025/26 campaign has been a disaster to date.

Wood scored twice on the opening day against Brentford, but has only managed seven appearances since, with his last appearance coming back in mid-October.

As a result, Dyche has been forced to use alternative options, with Igor Jesus the man he’s turned to lead the line since his arrival three months ago.

The Brazilian has only netted one league goal in 2025/26 and is currently on an eight-goal scoreless run – showcasing the lack of goals currently available in the squad.

As for Taiwo Awoniyi, it’s evident he’s no longer the man to provide the goods in the Premier League, with the Nigerian enduring an even longer drought than his teammate.

His last top-flight strike came against Wolves in January 2025, with his last effort coming 12 months ago, a run of 28 matches without a league goal.

Arnaud Kalimuendo was one of the marquee signings in the summer, as he joined in a £26m deal from Rennes after netting 18 times across all competitions last campaign.

However, he’s been restricted to just 89 league minutes, scoring twice in the Europa League, but he now looks set to join German side Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the rest of the season.

Such reasons have led the Reds to a potential move for Lucca, but it appears as though such a deal isn’t a popular one with the fanbase – based on his visible numbers.

The 25-year-old has only scored one goal in 14 league outings this campaign, but it’s safe to say such a figure doesn’t tell the whole story about his talents.

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The Italian netted 14 goals in just 36 appearances for Udinese in 2024/25, a tally which earned him his subsequent move to Napoli during the recent summer window.

However, despite his disappointing return this season, his underlying figures showcase the talent he possesses, with many of which handing Dyche the striker he’s missed in Wood’s absence.

Lucca, who’s been dubbed a “clinical finisher” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has posted a 39% shot on target rate in Serie A this season – a tally higher than any of the aforementioned strikers.

Lorenzo Lucca – Serie A stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

14

Goals scored

1

Shot on target accuracy

39%

Pass accuracy

80%

Key passes

0.8

Take-on success

67%

Carries into opposition box

0.9

Aerials won

47%

Fouls won

2.7

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed 80% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst notching 0.8 key passes per 90 – subsequently having the tools to provide a superb link-up option between the midfield and frontline.

Despite his huge frame, the Napoli star has still managed to complete 67% of the take-ons he’s attempted to date, which could make him a real handful for the opposition.

However, his greatest asset is his aerial ability with his 47% success rate in the air handing the manager the focal point he’s craved in recent weeks.

Whilst a deal for Lucca may not be a popular one at present, there’s no denying there is a player in there – as seen with his incredible goalscoring tally last campaign.

If he can replicate such numbers in the East Midlands, along with his underlying stats from 2025/26, there’s no reason why he can’t be the man to secure survival for Forest come the end of May.

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Arsenal have submitted a £52 million bid to sign a Real Madrid star and have even offered him a ‘leading role’ in the side, according to a new report.

Arteta vows to consider January signings for Arsenal

While sporting director Andrea Berta splashed around £270 million on eight major signings for the Gunners last summer, Mikel Arteta has still strongly suggested that they could be active this month.

The Spaniard, after coping with a lot of injuries again this term, has consistently found himself short of options in key areas and has therefore refused to rule out business mid-season.

Surprise claims from the last week have revealed that Berta and co may well raid the Bernabeu for fresh talent, no matter how unattainable they seem right now.

CaughtOffside reported before the New Year that Arsenal still hold an interest in Real playmaker Arda Güler, who they view as an “Odegarrd-style” signing on a potential loan-to-buy deal.

However, given the Turkey international has now established himself as a mainstay player under Xabi Alonso, it is highly unlikely Florentino Perez would green-light such a move.

A far more likely Real player to be available this month is Rodrygo, following numerous reports that the Brazil international could depart Madrid in search of more game time.

The 24-year-old, who Arsenal held talks over signing last May, was starting to play more regularly before the Christmas La Liga break – racking up a brace against Sevilla and a goal against Alaves just before their holiday.

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However, he’s still been in and out of the side far more likely than he’d have hoped, with media sources claiming that Rodrygo is desperate to leave Madrid and Arsenal are ‘most likely’ to sign him.

Now, a fresh update has provided some more key information on the Gunners’ interest.

Arsenal submit £52 million bid to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal have emerged as serious contenders to land Rodrygo after matching a £52 million offer from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal for his signature.

Arteta’s side apparently view him as the missing piece in their team, offering him a ‘leading role’ and the opportunity to spearhead their attack.

Madrid have apparently received identical proposals worth approximately £52m from both suitors, forcing Perez to seriously consider selling a player who has slipped down the pecking order.

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Arteta has identified the versatile attacker as someone capable of operating across both flanks while providing a genuine goal threat, with Rodrygo guaranteed playing time and the chance to remain competing at European football’s highest level.

Al-Hilal’s proposal includes substantially superior wages alongside their transfer fee, creating a serious financial temptation for Rodrygo’s representatives.

The final decision will largely depend on Rodrygo’s personal preference, according to this report, but he isn’t expected to make a call on this until the summer window, so a January transfer is seen as unlikely at this stage.

The £280,000-per-week winger bagged 14 goals and 11 assists for Real last term, with Jude Bellingham notably calling him their most ‘gifted’ and ‘underrated’ player.

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	Adam Gilchrist: “It’s one of those days when we feel we nicked everything and they played and missed everything yesterday” © Getty Images

Australia’s worsening position has come as such a shock that the team is not even sure what will be an acceptable target. India hold a 170-run lead after two days and the vice-captain Adam Gilchrist was trying to avoid thinking of the potentially huge numbers that the home batsmen could face in the second innings.Gilchrist admitted his team, which fell for 212, had been “dominated” and they were now fighting to “claw their way into the game”. Australian players are usually happy to reveal estimates of their aims, but Gilchrist was unable to do that even though he retained confidence in the pitch.”I’ve got no idea what will be achievable there,” he said. “It’s not a wicket that falls apart or turns into a heap that is impossible to score on. It will hold together well and it will then come down to mental pressure and mental demons.”The top order fell to a combination of excellent swing bowling and poor shot selection, dropping to 5 for 61 before a 102-run stand from Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds. However, when Symonds went for 66 and Gilchrist followed for 55 the difficulties became severe.”We didn’t play well,” he said. “We started the day well then handed it back to them. They bowled well, swung the ball, it’s one of those days when we feel we nicked everything and they played and missed everything yesterday. They’ve done well and dominated.”Australia’s bowlers wrapped up India for 330 in the first session, taking the final four wickets for two runs, and Gilchrist wants more high quality on day three. “There’s a long way to go and we’re not thinking ahead to what may or may not happen,” he said. “We’ve got some wickets to take. If we can replicate that first hour [on day three] that we had today, we’re giving ourselves a chance. We’ve just got to try to stay in the match.” It’s not something the Australians have had to deal with very often since the 2005 Ashes.

”We know exactly what the problems are, but just aren’t prepared to make the sacrifices … Until then, World Cup triumph or World Cup failure, Lara or no Lara, this is how it’s going to be for a long, long time…in cricket and in life’ © Getty Images

Drop everybody, pick anybody. Fire everybody, hire anybody.It just seems so depressingly repetitive, this latest in the seemingly interminable series of cycles that have continued to define West Indies cricket, especially in the last 12 years. Every significant victory is heralded as the start of the turnaround. Every defeat, or succession of them as in this case, triggers all sorts of weeping and wailing, lamentations of a deepening crisis, emotion-laden accusations and a staggering assortment of recommendations for a guaranteed quick-fix.Even in the dry season, we keep spinning top in mud, for nothing in any of this is new. The only thing that has changed is the context. Now it just happens to be the World Cup in our own backyards, but the present scenes and reactions could be easily back-dated to any of the previous World Cup disappointments or numerous Test series whitewashes endured in the past decade. The wave of great expectations that swept the region after the defeat of Pakistan in the opening match 22 days ago (it already seems even longer than that) was generated by the same restless ocean that produced a record Test run-chase against Australia in Antigua, a dramatic Champions Trophy triumph in England and a throttling of South Africa on the way to the final of the same tournament less than six months ago in India.Still, we react in such extremes to both triumph and failure as if it had never happened before. Like the new electronic scoreboards at so many of the grounds around the region, including, sadly, the Queen’s Park Oval, we are only aware of what is happening right now. There is little in the way of appreciation of the bigger picture. There is no awareness, to say nothing of analysis, of what has gone before to shape a more realistic expectation of what is yet to come, even allowing for the game’s inherent unpredictability.And speaking of those legendary glorious uncertainties, who is ready to completely rule out yet another schizophrenic transformation, beginning next Tuesday in Grenada against South Africa? If it should come to pass that the team now being condemned at every turn lifts the trophy on April 28, does it automatically mean that all is well again? Yes, we are an emotional people and, yes, West Indies cricket means a lot to many of us, but surely, surely, by now, enough of us should realise that winning and losing are not ends in themselves but symptomatic of deep-rooted realities of life in the former British colonies of the Caribbean.If this all sounds too bookish and academic, it is only because we are not prepared, willing or able to take the time for careful assessment of any situation, sporting or otherwise. Our generation has surrendered its intellect to the demands of what we have allowed to become a society of instant gratification. Nothing that takes time is worth doing well, even if it is moulding a disciplined, educated young person who may become a great sporting hero or heroine, but, more importantly, is conditioned and inculcated in the values of being a responsible adult, a good parent and a productive citizen.

Maybe the understanding of how Chris Gayle can be an agitated, combative, ultra-aggressive “Player of the Tournament” at the last Champions Trophy, and the equivalent of the walking dead in the last couple of matches is the same as for the successful executive who beats his wife every so often or the weekly-paid worker who drinks and gambles away his earnings by Monday morning

All of this is too boring in a culture that, 200 years after the end of the slave trade, is willingly shackled to the principle of looking after number one, at whatever cost, from the very highest to the very lowest levels.What does any of this have to do with getting our tails well and truly cut by Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in less than a week? Social scientists and historians- the real ones, not the fly-by-night, popularity-seeking variety- are much better placed to make a proper analysis, but it would not be surprising to learn that the value systems that define the wildly inconsistent cricketer, insincere politician, scheming businessman and hoggish maxi-taxi driver are one and the same.Maybe the understanding of how Chris Gayle can be an agitated, combative, ultra-aggressive “Player of the Tournament” at the last Champions Trophy, and the equivalent of the walking dead in the last couple of matches is the same as for the successful executive who beats his wife every so often or the weekly-paid worker who drinks and gambles away his earnings by Monday morning.In many more ways than we are prepared to believe, cricket, probably more than any other sport because of its length and complexity, is a fairly reliable reflection of life in our part of the world. Until we are prepared to step back and assess issues selflessly and impartially, we will always be standing in our shoes and wondering how it came to this. Until we learn to resist the overpowering temptation to react instantaneously, superficially and with only selfish, insular motives in mind, we will always be mourning for a succession of lost generations, individuals blessed with abundant God-given talent but cut loose from the solid moorings of respect, discipline and integrity.We do not need Naipaul’s sneering, condescending arrogance or the patronising tone of some of these visiting cricket journalists and broadcasters to educate us as to our own problems and challenges. We know exactly what they are, but just aren’t prepared to make the sacrifices or the meaningful commitment to remedy them.Until then, World Cup triumph or World Cup failure, Lara or no Lara, this is how it’s going to be for a long, long time…in cricket and in life.

Dwayne Bravo’s availability for the remaining matches is uncertain © Getty Images

West Indies’ chances of squaring the ODI series against New Zealand received a knock on Tuesday following confirmation that the allrounder Dwayne Bravo would miss the second ODI with a side strain.Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the West Indies captain, was unwilling to predict whether Bravo would be fit for the remaining matches after being injured in the Twenty20 tour opener last week.”He’s definitely not going to make it tomorrow,” Chanderpaul told reporters. “We will wait and see how things will progress. I really couldn’t tell you how bad it is.”In an attempt to turn around their record of 14 losses from their last 16 completed games, the team has turned to a sports psychologist. David Scott, an Irishman, who has worked with professional ice-hockey teams, has had a positive impact on the West Indies camp.”He’s been doing a lot of one-on-one sessions with the players, giving them advice,” Chanderpaul said. “He’s been trying hard. He’s been doing a lot of work and we’ve gone a long way. We’re very close. We won the Champions Trophy with the same team. If we get it right we can win games.”New Zealand are more relaxed after their 81-run win in the opening match on Saturday and may continue experimenting with their line-up and batting order. John Bracewell, the coach, is hoping to develop a wider squad leading up to next year’s World Cup. Fleming suggested the chopping and changing did not necessarily make his job any easier but he understood the reasons for it.”My concern is with the team I’m given and winning games. While we’re winning it’s fine. It’s not necessarily comfortable, but it’s also about growing the side and players,” he told reporters.Fleming said a win in Queenstown, New Zealand’s South Island lakeside tourist hub, could put West Indies on the back foot for the rest of the five-match series.He said, “We’re really aware when you’re touring and you’re under the hammer that it becomes a pretty tough place. Another win now and we move to Christchurch with a chance to win the series, which is what we’re after.”

Danish Kaneria was easily the star of the day for Pakistan. On a day whenthe wicket had eased out and conditions were excellent for batting, hetirelessly sent down over after over with nagging accuracy and variation,never allowing any Indian batsman to dominate him. He bowled 34 overs in theday, and yet seldom gave away easy run-scoring opportunities.

Of the 282 deliveries he has bowled in the innings so far, 217 have been ona good length ­ that¹s nearly 77%. Especially impressive was the way hebowled to the left-handers ­ Gautam Gambhir hit a few early on, but SouravGanguly, usually so dominant against spin, could only manage nine runs in 28deliveries against him. Kaneria also troubled the Indians far more than therest ­ the not-in-control percentage against him was 25, which means onceevery four balls the Indian batsmen were beaten, rapped on the pads, oredged their strokes. Against the rest of the bowlers, that figure was lessthan 15%.India’s crawl
The momentum of the Indian innings fell, once again, with the departure ofVirender Sehwag. As long as he was around, runs came at more than four anover; when he left, it dropped to just a shade more than two.Sehwag wasinvolved in three century partnerships, but in two of those stands, hispartners scored at almost as good a rate as he did ­ Gautam Gambhir scoredat a strike rate of 89 to Sehwag¹s 103 in the first-wicket stand of 113,while Sachin Tendulkar¹s strike rate of 63.95 was nearly as much as Sehwag¹s66.29 in their 118-run partnership. However, once Sehwag left, Tendulkar¹sstrike rate almost halved to 33.62, and, not surprisingly, the runs almostcompletely dried up for India.

The new book Ground Rules

As hard as it was to break that hold they had over us – and we didn’t do it completely until 1995 – it was an easier process than would be the task of anyone trying to diminish the tradition and status in world cricket that both the Melbourne and Sydney Cricket Grounds possess.Great history, great traditions, great places to play cricket. The SCG and the MCG are very different grounds, but in this they are as one. Occasionally in recent years, just for a moment – because they have been part of my life for so long and part of cricket for so much longer – I might have taken them for granted. We never should.Ground Rules, which also includes chapters by Sourav Ganguly, Andy Flower, Kumar Sangakkara and Christopher Martin-Jenkins, is published by Dakini Books. To order a copy click here.SPECIAL OFFER There is also a limited number of leatherbound copies available, signed by Steve Waugh. Click here for details.

India have suffered a serious setback as three prominentmembers of the team have been ruled out of the first one-dayeragainst New Zealand through injury. When they take the field atAuckland on Boxing Day, India will be without the services ofbatting star Sachin Tendulkar (sprained ankle), offie HarbhajanSingh (bowling hand) and all-rounder Sanjay Bangar (knee).Tendulkar complained of pain in his ankle after sending down afew overs in the nets and and team medical staff confirmed themaster batsman would definitely miss the Auckland match. It isreported that he picked up the injury when he slipped and fellwhile bowling.”Tendulkar had to undergo ice-treatment. He has not regainedfull fitness and will sit out of the first game,” said a team official.Bangar meanwhile picked up a knee injury during catchingpractice and Harbhajan has suffered a minor problem with along-standing problem with his bowling hand.Indian team physio Andrew Leipus is most concerned aboutTendulkar, and is worried that bringing him back for the secondone-dayer could cause further damage to the ankle.”It’s quite swollen at the moment but he is able to walk around.It is a positive sign. At the moment he has just got his foot up inthe bed,” said Leipus.”It’s compressed, it’s being iced every two hours and that’s allwe can do for the next couple of days.””I will be trying to get him fit before the second game, nothing iscertain at the moment. He sprained the lateral ligament of hisankle,” added Leipus.”If necessary, we will rest him in the second game as well.”Leipus described Bangar’s knee problem as “mild” but one thatstill required the all-rounder to rest.”He went over backwards and dropped the catch and his kneesort of went underneath him,” explained Leipus.”He sprained a ligament in his left knee at that time – it’s only amild injury but he needs to rest.”Meanwhile, the team management were playing down theconcern over Harbhajan’s hand, manager NR Choudharydescribing it as just “some problem” with a “long-standing” injury.The injuries to the trio will test India’s bench strength. The teamfor the first one-day international will be selected from thefollowing:India: (from) Sourav Ganguly (captain), Ajit Agarkar, RahulDravid, Mohammad Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman,Ashish Nehra, Parthiv Patel, Rakesh Patel, Virender Sehwag,Javagal Srinath, Yuvraj Singh.

Pakistan won the second Test match of the two-test series at Old Trafford by a convincing margin of 108 runs and levelled the series 1-1. Earlier, England won the Lord’s Test by an innings and 9 runs inside three days. The victory at Old Trafford kept Pakistan’s record intact of not having lost a series in England since 1982. In fact, they had won all the test series played between 1982 till the 2001 rubber. England’s resurgence in international cricket, after a poor run for past several years, is being hailed. Their consistent creditable performance, as shown in the last five series, can be attributed to a methodical display of discipline and professionalism. Indeed, the English team is performing well with renewed vigour and determination and expected to do well in the forthcoming Ashes series.Here is a brief review of current 2-test series:Lord’s Test
Pakistan packed their squad with all three quick bowlers. The demon fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled the quickest delivery of recent times at 97.7 mph against Australia in the NatWest Series match, was also included despite fitness problems. Waqar Younis won the toss and put England into bat. The decision did not succeed as English batsmen prevailed over the Pakistan bowling to score 391. Graham Thorpe scored 80 and Nasser Hussain contributed 64. He was injured by a sharp rising delivery from Shoaib Akhtar. With Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq failing to deliver, Pakistan followed on after being dismissed for 203. Only Younis Khan played a resolute knock of 58. Darren Gough claimed 5 for 61 and Andrew Caddick 4 for 52, with 15 wickets falling on the third day. Pakistan performed worse in the second innings, being dismissed cheaply for 181. Abdur Razzaq (55) was the lone resistance against a lethal England attack of Gough, Caddick, and Cork. The Man-of-the-Match Andrew Caddick claimed 4 for 54 whereas Gough and Cork took 3 for 40 and 3 for 41, respectively.Old Trafford Test
England looked well set for another victory chasing a target of 370 when they were 85 for none at the close of play on the fourth day. They moved on to 201 for 2 by tea on the final day. It was only after tea that the match turned around completely. First Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Abdur Razzaq bowled hostile spells and then Saqlain Mushtaq completely exploited the situation, as 8 wickets tumbled with the addition of only 60 runs. In the end England lost fairly and squarely by 108 runs. Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and posted an imposing 403, mainly built around a magnificent 114 by Inzamam-ul-Haq. Rashid Latif and Younis Khan also came good with 71 and 65. Gough, Caddick and Hoggard claimed three wickets each. In reply, England was going great guns when Graham Thorpe and Michael Vaughan combined for the third wicket partnership producing a record 267 runs. A smart throw on his follow through by veteran Wasim Akram ended Thrope’s innings at 138, with Vaughan (120) also following soon. Pakistan came back strongly and forced England to concede a 46-run crucial first innings lead. Pakistan started disastrously in the second innings. Saeed Anwar was the notable failure. Inzamam, Younis and Youhana joined hands to first restore and then consolidate an innings, which looked in trouble at 63 for 3. The innings took a more formidable shape when Rashid Latif (21) and Wasim Akram (36) scored quick runs to give visitors a total of 323. Once again Gough, Caddick and Hoggard shared three wickets each. Inzamam was declared the Man-of-the-Match and also the Player-of-the-Series for Pakistan. Graham Thorpe was the Player-of-the-Series for the home side.