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It has been a quiet summer so far for Aston Villa. After the disappointment of losing out on a Champions League finish at the back end of last season, the Villans have only made a couple of signings to strengthen ahead of the new season.

With the season now less than two weeks away, Unai Emery’s side have reportedly agreed a deal to sign OGC Nice striker Evann Guessand. The 24-year-old, who was also a target for Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, cost £30m including add-ons.

With Guessand all but through the door, Villa have seemingly turned their attention to another attacker, who can help to strengthen in forward areas.

Aston Villa’s next target after Guessand

The Villans lost Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio at the end of last season, with the loans of both players expiring. There is a clear focus from the club to strengthen in attack, with the signing of Guessand the first new forward through the door at Villa Park.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Now, a report from journalist Graeme Bailey suggests that the West Midlands club are ‘holding an interest’ in Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho.

The 21-year-old is said to be a target for three Premier League sides, with a desire to stay in England’s top flight, and Villa ‘have also entered the race’ for his signature.

Although it is West London giants Chelsea who are the ‘standout option’ for the youngster, he is ‘open to working’ with Emery, and Tottenham Hotspur are also showing an interest. Last month, it was reported by The Mirror that the Red Devils have slashed their asking price to just £40m.

Why Garnacho would be a good signing

Despite being just 21 years of age, Garnacho has already gained lots of experience at the highest level for United. Statman Dave described him as a “special talent” last season, and there were some standout moments.

He played 58 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, whose academy he came through back in 2022. In that time, the winger scored 11 goals and grabbed a further ten assists. However, just eight of those goal involvements came in the Premier League, in 36 appearances.

He has already played a lot of first-team football, notching up an impressive 144 games for United. His record of 26 goals and 22 assists stands out for someone aged just 21, and he’s scored some excellent goals, too. The most famous one came against Everton in 2023/24, with his stunning overhead kick earning him the Puskas Award.

The winger, who was born in Madrid, could well become unplayable with Guessand. Villa’s new attacker shone last term for Nice, scoring 12 goals and grabbing nine assists in 33 Ligue 1 games.

The Ivory Coast international can play right across the front line, highlighted by former manager Antoine Kombouare during his loan spell at Nantes in 2022/23.

Kombouare also described him as a “powerful” and “fast” attacker.

With the Nice academy graduate, a player who is effective both in and around the penalty box and out wide, he could form a deadly partnership with Garnacho at Villa. The winger is a player who loves to drive inside from wide positions, which could lead to some fluid rotations between the pair.

Garnacho’s numbers from the 2024/25 Europa League campaign suggest he could become a regular provider of goals for Guessand. The stats on FBref show he averaged 2.04 key passes per game and 0.37 assists, ranking him in the 82nd and 85th percentile, respectively. If he achieves those numbers for Villa, Guessand could strike gold.

Assists

0.37

85th

Key passes

2.04

82nd

Shot-creating actions

4.17

73rd

Goal-creating actions

0.65

78th

Progressive carries

5.84

95th

Despite his age, Garnacho is already very experienced and has shown his ability to score and assist regularly for United. With Guessand being a striker who facilitates play and creates chances, plus his ability to put the ball in the back of the net, this could become a deadly duo.

£40m is not too much of an investment for 21-year-old Garnacho, with United looking to move him on this summer. Perhaps he is the perfect player for Villa’s new look attack, alongside Guessand.

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Mikel Arteta was handed a major boost earlier this week with the Gunners finally sealing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres, but Arsenal haven’t had it all their own way.

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The Sporting CP striker and his camp are now putting the finishing touches on his blockbuster Premier League move after weeks of talks. Arsenal reached an agreement in principle to sign Gyokeres for around £64 million nearly a fortnight ago (The Athletic), with the hold-up centered around final bonus payments.

Arsenal’s confirmed transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£140m

However, it appears that any and all issues have now been rectified, and Gyokeres is about to become their sixth signing of the summer after Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera.

It is worth noting that Gyokeres, despite his incredible 54 goals in all competitions last season, wasn’t always sporting director Andrea Berta’s main target, nor was he Edu Gaspar’s constant priority either.

Arsenal also worked on a deal for Benjamin Sesko at around the same time they started moving for Gyokeres (BBC), and they tried to sign the Slovenian last summer as well as in January (Ben Jacobs).

According to reliable media sources, Newcastle United star Alexander Isak was also a “dream” signing for Arteta at one stage (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal informed Alexander Isak is focused on joining Liverpool

The north Londoners, as per journalist Graeme Bailey, gave up hope of signing the Swede after being informed that Isak is focused on joining Liverpool if he is to depart St. James’ Park.

Chelsea were apparently told exactly the same thing, with Arsenal swiftly moving on to Gyokeres as they prepare to welcome Isak’s international teammate.

Isak’s rumoured price tag of around £150 million was always too steep for Berta and co, even if Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie suggests a deal would more likely be done around the £130 million mark, which would still smash the Premier League’s all-time transfer record.

Eddie Howe’s side are set to dig their heels in over any potential exit for their star striker, especially after his exceptional 2024/2025.

“Alex is a world-class talent,” said Howe in a December press conference.

“The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he’s got it all.

“He has unique skills, and the challenge is to get him into the game as much as we can. Earlier in the season we weren’t doing that, but now the team are performing much better.

“He’s a player with a real confidence and we’re seeing a return to his really best levels – that’s highlighted by the goals he has scored.”

Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux could face a race to be fit for the New Zealand series ahead of the T20 World Cup after suffering a fractured rib during training which will rule her out for up to eight weeks.The injury has ruled Molineux out of the Hundred, where she had been due to join Manchester Originals. Grace Harris, another likely selection in the World Cup squad, will also miss the tournament where she was set to play for London Spirit, after picking up a calf strain.Related

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“Molineux suffered an acute rib fracture after being struck by a ball in the chest while batting last week,” a CA statement said. “Harris suffered an aggravation of a calf injury sustained in her preparation for The Hundred and the upcoming season. She is now working through a graduated rehabilitation and [a] return-to-play program.”Australia play three T20Is against New Zealand between September 19 and 24, before heading to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup which starts on October 3.Molineux, the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, returned to Australia colours in February for the first time since 2021 after a run of injuries. She made her comeback in the one-off Test against South Africa in Perth, before being named as the Player of the Series in the T20Is against Bangladesh after taking six wickets at 8.33. Earlier in the tour, she took 3 for 10 on her return to the ODI side.Kim Garth will replace Molineux at Originals, while Megan Schutt has been added to the Oval Invincibles squad as a replacement player.*Their signings mean adjustments to the Australia A squads due to face India A in Queensland next month, with Maitlan Brown and Kate Peterson being called up. Brown was already set to feature in the one-day matches but will now be part of the T20 series too, while Peterson was initially only in the four-day squad.Outside of Harris and Molineux, the only Australia contracted players who will not be playing in either the Hundred or the Australia A series are captain Alyssa Healy and fast bowler Darcie Brown, who is continuing her recovery from a stress fracture of the foot.Internationally, Australia have another busy season ahead. They host India at home in early December before heading to New Zealand for three ODIs. In January, there is the multi-format Ashes, which features a day-night Test at the MCG, before a return trip across the Tasman in late March. There is also the WBBL which starts a week after the T20 World Cup, while the WPL is expected to take place in early March.*CA’s release incorrectly stated that Schutt would play for London Spirit, but she has replaced Tash Farrant at Oval Invincibles.

Celtic are taking some time to assess where they need to strengthen in the transfer market and are now looking to close in on a talented young star who could improve their backline, according to a report.

Celtic's left-back situation remains in a state of flux

Although there hasn’t been an official parade of Kieran Tierney back at Parkhead yet, the Scotland international is returning to Celtic on a free transfer after his Arsenal contract expires.

Brendan Rodgers will be delighted to secure the services of a modern-day club icon who won eight trophies during his first spell at the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, but who will provide competition for the 27-year-old next season?

Jeffrey Schlupp has held discussions over a permanent Celtic transfer following his loan spell in Glasgow and is available for nothing due to his time at Crystal Palace drawing to a close.

However, the Ghana international earned £60,000 while on the books at Selhurst Park, which may complicate matters if the Bhoys decide he is the man to strengthen their left-hand side of defence.

Another player set to be a free agent before too long is long-serving Celtic full-back Greg Taylor. After six years as first-choice, it appears he may move on this summer despite Rodgers’ desire to retain the Greenock-born man.

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2

By
Dan Emery

May 31, 2025

Time is on Celtic’s side as they plot how best to proceed with adequate cover for Tierney, who has played just 20 matches this season following a spate of injury issues over the last few years.

Now, the Bhoys have reportedly made an approach for an exciting talent that could deputise when needed under Rodgers’ stewardship.

Celtic make approach for Peterborough United left-back Harley Mills

According to Football League World, Celtic have made an approach for Peterborough United left-back Harley Mills, and Fulham have also previously offered £1 million for his services.

Spending the first half of the campaign on loan at Enfield Town, he shot to prominence after returning to Posh due to scoring a delightful free-kick in their famous Vertu Cup final victory over Birmingham City earlier this year at Wembley Stadium.

Harley Mills at Enfield Town and Peterborough United
Appearances	25
Goals	2
Assists	2

Lauded for his ‘wand of a left foot’ by Darren Ferguson, the youngster has completed 66.7% of his dribbles and won the same percentage of tackles on League One duty this term.

Admittedly, his inexperience may be cited by some as a point of contention. Still, Celtic have identified gems such as Moussa Dembele and Matt O’Riley from the lower leagues of English football, so it may not be a total surprise that the Scottish champions could repeat the trick.

In more recent times, Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was signed from Aston Villa after a productive loan spell at Exeter City, demonstrating that the Bhoys have their ear to the ground regarding emerging talent.

Ultimately, the ball is now in Peterborough’s court. Mills has the offer of a fresh contract on the table at the Weston Homes Stadium, but he only has 12 months remaining on his current terms and seems to be exploring his options.

Arsenal have moved in to make one highly-rated player an offer to join them, sensing an opportunity, with La Liga giants Real Madrid stalling on a potential deal.

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9

By
Emilio Galantini

May 9, 2025

PSG’s 3-1 win on aggregate means Arsenal are set to go trophyless for yet another campaign, with attention now turning to the summer window again as the Gunners seek to mount a more successful push for silverware next term.

Arsenal’s final Premier League games	Date
Liverpool (away)	May 11th
Newcastle United (home)	May 18th
Southampton (away)	May 25th

While injuries to key players arguably crippled Arsenal’s chances this season, it is becoming a real worry for Arteta that the club have precious little to show for their £500 million net spend on transfers since the Spaniard took charge.

“It depends,” said Arteta on whether Arsenal can win a trophy soon.

“This squad, two years ago, nobody believed that we could even qualify for the Champions League, or even think that we could finish second or compete in the league. Or have the amount of points that we had that in any other year you are a champion. Or have the run and the results and the performances that we had in the Champions League. But the reality at the end is that you need something to lose, and that trophy with all the work that we do, and disappointment is that it’s not going to happen.”

New sporting director Andrea Berta’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium is a major boost for Arteta ahead of next season, as the astute transfer operator is expected to seriously back him in the transfer market this summer.

According to widespread reports, Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is a top target for them after his very impressive debut season in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

As per the reliable David Ornstein, Arsenal have already held talks with Huijsen’s representatives and are ready to pay his £50 million release clause, but competition for his signature is fierce to say the least.

Arsenal make "formal" offer to Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen

As per Cadena SER, Arteta’s side will have to contend with Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool for the 20-year-old, not to mention Real Madrid.

However, in a bid to get ahead of Los Blancos, it is believed Arsenal have presented a “formal” offer to Huijsen and his representatives, while Real are forced to delay their proposal due to complications.

They’re waiting on the potential appointment of Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso before making any approaches, as they need to gauge what the Spaniard would want in terms of players to improve his Real squad for next season.

This gives Premier League sides like Arsenal a chance to swoop in and tempt the player first, but Huijsen has every intention of giving Real a chance to present their offer, as his team have hired a law firm to negotiate with the Spanish heavyweights on the “sensational” defender’s behalf.

Glasgow Rangers may end the season without any silverware, but with the 49ers Enterprises reportedly having ‘productive conversations’ with the Ibrox side, next season could be a different story.

A deal is expected to be completed ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and it will see Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers gain 51 percent of the shares at the club. This could suggest a boost to the finances, allowing the new manager flexibility in the transfer market.

Building a side that can challenge Celtic domestically is a must for the US-led consortium, especially having not won a Premiership title since 2021.

That, plus continued improvement in Europe, will go a long way to pleasing the Ibrox faithful.

The summer transfer window doesn’t open for another few weeks, but it looks as though the club are trying to get some deals completed as early as possible.

Having already raided Dundee to sign talented midfielder Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract agreement, it looks like the Light Blues are set to lure another youngster from the Dens Park outfit…

Rangers eye move for Premiership starlet

According to Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, the club are showing interest in bringing Josh Mulligan to the club from Dundee this summer, which could make him the first signing of the 49ers era after the takeover is complete.

Taking to X, he said: “Rangers are interested in Dundee’s Josh Mulligan. 22-yo is out of contract at Dens this summer and on the club’s radar.

“Capable of playing at full-back or in midfield. Mulligan’s viewed as a player with strong physical attributes and potential.”

These types of low-risk, potentially profitable, signings are exactly the sort of deals the club should be doing. Mulligan won’t cost a penny, but if he performs in Glasgow, there is no doubt he could go on to brighter things in the next couple of years.

The 49ers are certainly looking to get things in motion, and this move could work well for all parties involved.

Although typically used on the right side of the midfield for Dundee this season, a move to Rangers could see the Scot drop deeper into a right-back role.

If so, this may allow the Gers to move James Tavernier on after ten seasons with the club, especially as this summer represents the final chance for them to properly cash in on the Englishman.

James Tavernier’s future is uncertain at Rangers

The defender has certainly enjoyed a productive spell in Scotland when it comes to attacking statistics.

Across 508 appearances at the time of writing, Tavernier has scored 130 goals while recording 141 assists in that time. These are truly incredible numbers from a right-back; there is no doubt about that.

He has bailed the club out on so many occasions over the years during tricky spells in matches. Perhaps his most telling contribution was during the knockout stages of the 2021/22 Europa League campaign.

Having scored no goals during the group stage, Tavernier netted three goals against Borussia Dortmund, twice against Braga and even netted in the semi-final against RB Leipzig to help steer the Light Blues to their first European final in 14 years.

This season has looked like a step too far, however. The 33-year-old has managed just five goals and 12 assists across 48 matches, a far cry from his 36 goal contributions last term.

He even missed a penalty against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup that would have sent the tie to extra time. With one year left on his contract, perhaps now is the time to bid farewell while trying to secure a transfer fee for the player.

In Mulligan, Rangers have a young, vibrant replacement who has the potential to improve as time goes on.

Why Rangers want to sign Josh Mulligan

As mentioned, Mulligan has played the majority of this season out wide on the right side of the midfield. Occasionally, he has been tasked with slotting into the middle of the park, but it is clear he is best on the flank.

Five assists in 36 matches for a struggling Dundee side isn’t too bad and is an improvement on the two he registered during the 2023/24 season for the club.

Josh Mulligan’s stats for Dundee

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25 (so far)

36

0

5

2023/24

23

1

0

2022/23

42

2

5

2021/22

37

6

2

Via Transfermarkt

Scottish analyst Kai Watson has kept tabs on the Scot and praised him on X amid the reported interest from Rangers, saying: “Been a fan of Josh Mulligan for a while now and think signing him on a free would be smart business for Rangers.

“An aggressive, high energy wingback/CM that’s consistently improving technically and in the final third.

“Future Scotland international for me.”

His Premiership stats are certainly encouraging. In 29 matches for Dundee this season, Mulligan has created eight big chances, averaging one key pass per game while also succeeding with one dribble per match.

These are decent attacking statistics from someone playing in a team that currently stands 11th in the domestic table, just five points ahead of the bottom side.

His defensive statistics are also fairly impressive, as Mulligan wins five total duels per game, along with making 1.8 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, and recovering 4.6 balls per match in the top flight.

Mulligan also has plenty of pedigree at international level, making a total of 14 appearances for the Scotland U21 side since making his debut in June 2022.

A move to Rangers would certainly help bolster his ambitions for a senior cap in the coming months, that’s for certain. He has the talent, now he needs to make the move to a bigger side to finally showcase it at a higher level.

Will this signing signal the end for Tavernier at Rangers in the summer? Or will he hang around for one more season before departing on a free transfer in the summer of 2026?

Only time will tell, but one thing looks certain: the 49ers won’t be playing the sentiment card when it comes to improving the squad ahead of one of the most important seasons in the club’s recent history.

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While some struggled to switch between formats and others continued their lean patch, Green continued his red-ball form from the Sheffield Shield

Alex Malcolm29-Feb-20241:59

Malcolm: Green century a vindication of his move to No. 4

While three of Australia’s top six were preparing for Australia’s T20I series in Wellington last week, in between golf rounds at nearby Royal Wellington and Paraparaumu Beach, Cameron Green was peeling off an unbeaten Sheffield Shield century for Western Australia in Hobart.Just 10 days later, in similar climes to Hobart, at a similar ground to Bellerive, Green peeled off another to hold Australia’s increasingly fragile Test batting line-up together with the finest Test knock of his career and prove beyond any doubt that he is the real deal at international level.While the likes of Steven Smith, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh had come and gone having had just three days to adjust from T20I batting to the Test-match challenge, and Marnus Labuschagne continued his lean run, Green dug in to continue to red-ball rhythm he had found in Hobart.Related

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It was a win for the selectors. They had resisted the urge to add Green to the T20I squad, even when both Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Hardie were ruled out, insisting that they wanted to keep him focussed on red-ball cricket knowing that he could find his T20 touch at the IPL.It was a win for Green too, who had become a target for an unhappy section of Australian fans who did not think he was worthy of being promoted to the coveted No. 4 position, while one of Test cricket’s best-ever No.4s in Smith was exposed to the new ball.Green spoke of the value of that Shield game after the day’s play.”I think it’s really important,” Green said. “I probably struggled to have the red ball practice leading into Tests [recently].”I think it’s been always one or two net sessions then thrown in the deep end a little bit. But that’s what international cricket is like at the moment. Unfortunately, it’s been a pretty busy 18 months and there’s not much practice in between changing formats. It’s just a bit of a work in progress for myself. I’m trying to obviously learn off guys that do it quite regularly like Steve and Mitch Marsh, Dave Warner. I think they stay true to their technique. And it’s something that I need to work on. I’m not trying to be changing so much in between formats.”He did need some luck. There were plenty of plays and misses on a surface that produced swing, seam and excessive bounce after New Zealand inserted Australia under overcast skies.But there was plenty of quality too. Fabulous, brave drives down the ground. Powerful pull shots. A muscled slap past deep cover to get to 99 with nine men on the fence in the last over of the day. And then a deft late cut to bring up his century. The emotion poured out of him just as it did when he scored his first Test century in Ahmedabad last year.Cameron Green stuck his second straight first-class century•AFP/Getty ImagesGreen, 24, has put so much pressure on himself to perform at Test level. The weight of expectation from the Australian cricketing public is nothing compared to the burden he carries in his own mind about scoring centuries for his country. It should be joyous for a player to reach such a milestone, but the first words Green used to describe his century in the aftermath were revealing.”Equally as relieving as my first one,” Green said.Australia were relieved that he pulled them out of a jam.Green did not have to bat at all in the opening session after Smith, Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne had ground their way to 62 for 1 in 27 overs, with Smith the only one to fall to an excellent delivery from Matt Henry.But you could make a case that batting got a little more difficult after lunch when the sun peaked through the clouds and the pitch hardened up. Smith and Khawaja had played pretty comfortably earlier in the day when there was moisture in the surface and the bounce was true and a fraction slow.Green noted after play that some divots had hardened in the surface and made batting tricky. He copped a ball on the elbow that reared back at him from wide of off stump from Will O’Rourke.But he rode the waves. He absorbed pressure and was aided by Marsh’s counter-attacking 40 after Australia had slumped to 89 for 4. Henry prised out the patient Khawaja with a cracking late inswinger through the gate.The form of Labuschagne remains an ongoing concern. He nicked off for a torturous 27-ball 1. The manner of the dismissal was more concerning than the score. He was caught on the crease, squared up again to a Scott Kuggeleijn outswinger that angled in and straightened. In isolation, it was a good delivery that could be written off as such. But it is the 10th time he has nicked to the cordon in his last 23 Test innings, and while no dismissal is ever the same, all 10 bear alarming similarities.Head too looks a shadow of the player who smashed a stunning century in Adelaide three Tests ago. He has since been dismissed three times in eight balls across three Test innings for one run. In between times, he has played some bizarre and erratic white-ball knocks while also needing a rest.It only serves to further highlight the importance of the decision to keep Green in red-ball mode. While the minds of his team-mates raced, he was calm throughout. He deliberately held up the bowler several times during the day to ensure he was not hurried through his mental process, and it paid dividends.”I think that’s probably the beauty of getting another red-ball game,” Green said. “You got a really good chance to lock into your own bubble and would be able to basically practice switching on and switching off in between deliveries and going through your methods.”Green was quick to note that this century did not guarantee his position at No. 4 was safe for the long term. But it does underline why he has been rated so highly. His record under pressure and in tricky batting conditions is also better than he is given credit for with this innings sitting alongside the vital 77 he scored on a raging turner in Galle and his 74 on a green monster in Hobart against England.It hasn’t always been easy being Cameron Green. But he lived up to the expectation at the Basin.

The departing hero provided a throwback to his heyday when he hoicked Logan van Beek for six

Himanshu Agrawal04-Apr-2022Standing a step back to get deep in the crease? Yup. A slight shuffle across off stump? Done. Front leg out of the way? Correct. Back leg nearly or fully bent? Right. Bat swing like a broom? Sure. A swipe across the line for six over wide long-on? Why not? Ross Taylor did all of this in a flash when he deposited Logan van Beek over the ropes in his farewell international innings.Turning the clock back, the 38-year-old expertly swung at the ball like he did in his prime, the neat execution an outcome of free bat-swing and a fearless mindset to accumulate quick runs for his side. The shot was a throwback to the days when he swept and swiped spin and pace alike, in the arc between deep midwicket and long-on, at will.The moment the ball landed beyond the fence, there was hope something bigger was to come. The noise that the crowd produced in that spilt second – the screeching, the whistling, and the cheering – was never heard in two-and-a-half hours of play until then. In all, the New Zealand batters hit 23 fours and ten sixes on Monday, but none of them invited a remotely close reaction.Related

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Earlier in the day, it seemed as if Taylor would never walk out to bat. His team-mates Martin Guptill and Will Young had put on 203 for the second wicket, and they looked good to pile on more runs and misery on Netherlands. However, in the 39th over, the stand ended when Guptill gloved a catch behind and ceded the stage to Taylor. Perhaps, no New Zealand supporter had ever wanted a wicket to fall so desperately.And when Taylor finally walked out to bat, it was as if the whole of Hamilton stood still; or at least Seddon Park did. The entire crowd stood on its feet and welcomed their departing hero. Taylor’s team-mates in the dressing room gave him a standing ovation, and Guptill, the man dismissed, chose to stand across the rope just in front of the fence while banging his helmet with his glove to allow Taylor his moment, much like Henry Nicholls had done when Taylor was dismissed in his final Test against Bangladesh in January.That afternoon, Nicholls, who was the next man in, opted to wait in the dressing room to let Taylor walk back and absorb the applause of the Christchurch crowd.And as every deserving legend, Taylor was welcomed by the opposition for his final international match by a guard of honour.

Of course he does! @RossLTaylor takes the catch that completes his final match for the BLACKCAPS! #NZvNED pic.twitter.com/eL1Xf9c7aC

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 4, 2022