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Manchester City are willing to spend a significant amount of money to sign a “serious” player that Pep Guardiola likes, according to a recent report. The January transfer window opens in three weeks, and it could be a busy month for the Blues as they try to get their season back on track.

Man City pushing to sign tenacious £42m ace in January as Rodri replacement

Pep and City have set their sights on a player who can replace Rodri.

ByBrett Worthington Dec 10, 2024 Man City transfer news

It’s unclear if a move in January could happen, but one player who is on City’s transfer radar for 2025 is midfielder Florian Wirtz. The German international is one of the hottest properties in football right now, and the Blues have been linked with a move for a while now, as he’s seen as the long-term replacement for Kevin de Bruyne.

City are interested in signing Wirtz and are now willing to offer players in any potential deal to try and get Bayer Leverkusen willing to discuss a transfer. The Bundesliga champions will probably be expecting his departure, but they will not let him go for cheap, as he’s believed to be valued at £87 million.

Wirtz may be a transfer that has to wait until the summer, but the Blues do have their eyes on one midfielder who they would like to bring in during January. City are now pushing to sign Ederson from Atalanta, as he’s seen as a replacement for the injured Rodri.

The Brazilian has emerged as the first choice to replace the Spaniard, and the Premier League side are looking to beat Liverpool to his signing in the New Year for a price of around £42 million.

Man City willing to splash the cash to sign Andrea Cambiaso

According to Tutto Juve, Manchester City are willing to invest a significant sum of money to sign Andrea Cambiaso from Juventus. The 24-year-old has been with the Italian giants since July 2022, when he joined from fellow Italian side Genoa.

The Italian, who has been dubbed “humble and serious” by AC Milan legend Mauro Tassotti, was shipped on loan to Bologna in his first season at Juventus, but since returning he has become an important figure in the team for the Old Lady.

Last season, Cambiaso played 34 times in Serie A, scoring two goals and recording three assists along the way, and has continued that form into this 2024/25 campaign. That has caught the attention of City, who, according to this report, are willing to spend “significant money” to sign the midfielder.

Apps

20

Goals

2

Assists

2

Cambiaso signed a new contract at Juventus in May this year, but City were interested in the player before that and have remained interested. The Blues have continued to monitor his performances, and the report adds that he is someone that Guardiola likes “very much”. The Serie A giants have not set a price on their midfielder, as they consider Cambiaso a player that is untransferable.

In a rematch of the 2024 ASG, the Liga MX All-Stars will return in July to take on the best in MLS

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2025 MLS All-Star game details announcedOpponent will be Liga MX All-StarsGame to be played in Austin, TXGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowMajor League SoccerWHAT HAPPENED?

The 2025 MLS All-Star game and All-Star Skills Challenge will be played against the Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas in late July, the league announced Monday.

The match will pit the best players in the two North American leagues go head-to-head in a winner-takes-all contest, while the Skills Challenge will test the attributes of the top footballers from each team in a unique set of drills. The events will be held on July 23 at 9 p.m. ET, exclusively available on Apple TV and MLS Season Pass, both in English and Spanish.

“We are thrilled to once again host LIGA MX at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, showcasing the best talent from our leagues,” MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana said. “It’s an exciting match-up for the first-ever professional All-Star Game played in Austin, bringing a thriving on-field rivalry to the passionate Austin community and to fans around the world watching on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.”

The match will be the second consecutive meeting of MLS and LIGA MX, and the fourth overall between the rival leagues in the MLS All-Star game.

"It is always a great honor for LIGA MX to participate in an event like the MLS All-Star Game. It fills us with excitement to return to this stage to showcase the quality of our players and continue to connect with our fans in the United States,” said Francisco Iturbide, LIGA MX director of operations. “I know that the All-Star teams of both leagues will offer a great showdown. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our sports rivalry with MLS.”

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MLS is also set to host a week of events in Austin building up to the game, including celebrations of soccer, community service initiatives, players appearances and a new Monday night edition of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game featuring some of the brightest prospects in all of MLS NEXT. The match will kickoff at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be played at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center.

Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC and site of the 2025 All-Star Game, has become a hotbed for the domestic game in the heart of Texas.

Since their introduction to MLS, Austin FC have sold out every regular season and playoff match played at Q2 Stadium. The Stadium has also hosted matches for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America.

It will be the first MLS All-Star Game in Texas since 2010, when Houston's NRG Stadium hosted Manchester United against the MLS All-Stars.

“The 2025 MLS All-Star Game will shine a global spotlight on the high-quality of the players in our league as well as the Austin community, Austin FC, and Q2 Stadium,” said Andy Loughnane, Austin FC president. “In selling out 100 percent of MLS home matches played across our venue’s history, it has proven to be one of North American soccer’s best matchday atmospheres. It is an honor for our Club to host players and fans from both MLS and LIGA MX for our city’s first-ever major league All-Star Game.”

Major League SoccerDID YOU KNOW?

The MLS All-Star Roster will consist of 12 players selected by a fan vote, 12 players selected by MLS All-Star head coach Nico Estevez of Austin FC, and two players selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

The LIGA MX All-Star roster, meanwhile, will also consist of 26 total players. More details around the selection process will be announced in the near future.

Major League SoccerWHAT NEXT FOR MLS AND LIGA MX?

MLS Matchday 5 arrives next weekend, with the Vancouver Whitecaps currently atop the MLS Supporters' Shield standings. Liga MX, meanwhile, is 12 matches into the Clausura campaign, with Club America atop the standings at 27 points.

The two leagues will overlap in the Leagues Cup this summer, in addition to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and MLS All-Star game.

Matthew Potts’ six wickets go in vain as rivals run through Durham for a second time

David Hopps23-Apr-2022Nottinghamshire were incredibly courteous when their excellent third-place finish in Division One last season was belatedly ruled to be an irrelevance by a dilatory ECB and they were packed off to the second tier based on pre-Covid finishing positions. Well, clearly, blessed are the meek because, on the evidence of their unexpected trouncing of Durham in three days at Emirates Riverside, they shall inherit the earth. Or, at the very least, inherit a deserved place next season back in the top division.For Durham, who have been widely identified as promotion candidates, this loss by an innings and 141 runs will be a considerable disappointment. Notts and Middlesex (who blew aside Glamorgan, surprise conquerors of Notts at Trent Bridge last week) have both secured victories with more than a day to spare and, in doing, so have established themselves as the counties to beat.This was an outcome that had not seemed remotely feasible on the second evening. A dry pitch that had been lifeless in the extreme as Notts progressed towards an eventual declaration at 488 for 9 had been further battered by sunshine and stiff northerly winds and the result was occasional grip and uneven bounce that Nottinghamshire’s powerful pace attack utilised to deadly effect.There had been enough evidence of low bounce in the later stages of Notts’ innings to warn that application of the heavy roller might be best avoided. There was swing for the new ball, too, and in the 20 overs up to tea half the Durham side had capitulated. Within 33.5 overs, Durham were dismissed for 117, the only defiance of note coming from their captain, Scott Borthwick, who clung on for 25 from 60 deliveries before he was last out, clipping to midwicket.”This probably boils down to the first innings where we bowled out for 230 on a good pitch,” Borthwick said. “We were at least 150 runs under-par. If we go on to get 350 or 400, then today doesn’t happen. They bowled well, they hit the wicket hard and found uneven bounce. But we didn’t soak up any pressure.”Durham’s one consolation will be the vigour of Matthew Potts, who took six wickets in an innings for the second time in a week and whose reputation is growing fast as a four-day player. But Chris Rushworth, 35 now, and for so long the mainstay of their attack, did not take a wicket in the match and may struggle to adapt if he is denied the sappier northern pitches on which he has so prospered. The groundsman had better hide his moisture meter.Notts were clinical in their use of a surface that was much more demanding than on the second day, hitting the pitch hard and targeting the stumps. The potency of their pace attack was emphasised by the similarity of the first three wickets. Whether the ball was in the hands of Luke Fletcher, James Pattinson or Dane Paterson, the result was identical: initial inswing, accentuated off the seam and Michael Jones, Keegan Petersen and Sean Dickson all back in the hutch.Jones’ demise was the most predictable because he twisted his left ankle while fielding, and even though he fielded long enough to ensure he could open the batting, he looked far from fit.The most difficult delivery accounted for Petersen, snaking back wickedly. Petersen did not look happy, but linguistically it was a considerable relief because Petersen facing a combination of Paterson, Pattinson and Patterson-White – not to mention the stumper, Peter’s son – was too problematic to contemplate.Two failures here for David Bedingham were also critical for Durham, Paterson forcing an inside-edge onto his thigh pad and a simple catch. Ned Eckersley, the keeper, and Ben Raine look a place too high at Nos 6 and 7. Fletcher removed both of them on either side of the tea interval, Eckersley shouldering arms to lose his off stump, Raine lbw to one that kept slightly low. The uneven bounce, though, apart from preying on a batter’s mind, had not directly contributed to the tumble of wickets.Nott’s day-two century makers awoke to different realities. Ben Slater extended his overnight 164 to a career-best 225 not out, but Potts soon dispelled Lyndon James, having him dropped at first slip by Borthwick before removing his middle stump with one that scudded back sharply – the first sign that batting would be a far more perilous business than on the previous day.Raine’s first over of the day accounted for Steven Mullaney and Tom Moores before he pinned Patterson-White lbw for one in his second. Visions of Notts making carefree progress to 500 by lunch were quickly abandoned, but Slater doubled down on his efforts of the previous day, batting in all for slightly more than 10 hours, and Pattinson offered stout support in an eighth-wicket stand of 74.It took Potts’ return for Durham to find an answer, but 35 overs in an innings is a dangerous workload for a bowler of his type, especially in a run of seven matches in as many weeks. If benign pitches expose the inadequacies of English spin bowling then long-term gains could be overshadowed by the fear that there won’t be a promising pace bowler left standing by the end of May.

USMNT captain Tyler Adams is edging closer to a first-team comeback after an injury-ravaged year for the Bournemouth summer signing.

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Adams been out with hamstring injuryUSMNT star played 20 minutes in a yearStarts for Bournemouth's development sideGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international midfielder picked up a hamstring injury last March while at Leeds United and then suffered a setback last summer. The former RB Leipzig man, who swapped the Whites for Bournemouth in a £23 million ($29m) transfer, then had another surgery on his hamstring after a recurrence of the issue in his Cherries debut last September. However, he played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Colchester United's Under-21s for Bournemouth's development squad on Tuesday as he steps up his comeback.

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The Bournemouth manager said last month: “Tyler has started training with the group. In the past week, he has started training quite normally. Not everything, but most of the things he does with the group. It is very possible he plays some minutes with the second team, because after almost one year he will need some rhythm.”

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Adams has played a paltry 20 minutes of first-team football in nearly a year. He was one of the few Leeds players to come out of their relegation season with any credit but the past 12 months will have been hard for the 25-year-old. However, the fact that he is playing football again is a boost to Bournemouth and the USMNT.

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WHAT NEXT?

Adams is likely to continue his comeback for Bournemouth's development side in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen if he will feature for the first-team this season but some game time may not be too far away.

Glasgow Rangers’ turbulent season continues as Michael Beale was relieved of his managerial duties on Sunday evening, and it leaves the Ibrox side searching for their third permanent manager in just two years.

Steven Davis has been placed in interim charge of the side until further notice as James Bisgrove is leading the hunt for a new manager, one that will hopefully bring back the feel-good factor to the club.

His first game will be against Aris Limassol in the Europa League, and the Northern Irishman will be aiming to secure win number two of the group stage, having defeated Real Betis 1-0 at Ibrox just a couple of weeks ago.

A win against the Cypriot side would certainly boost their confidence and would also aid their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.

What’s the Rangers team news vs Aris Limassol?

Davis may be set for some positive news, as previously injured trio Nicolas Raskin, Kemar Roofe and Danilo were all spotted in training this week, although it remains to be seen whether they will make an appearance tonight, as the game perhaps comes too soon.

Todd Cantwell, Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence likely won't be available until after the international break, missing both the Aris clash along with the Premiership tie against St Mirren this Sunday.

Following the 3-1 defeat against Aberdeen on the weekend, Davis could potentially make a change or two to the starting XI and this could see defender John Souttar come back into the first team.

Will John Souttar start for Rangers against Aris Limassol?

The former Hearts centre-back formed a solid partnership with Connor Goldson at the heart of the defence during the opening weeks of the season and performed well.

Across five league matches, he achieved a Sofascore rating of 7.16 for his displays while winning 4.8 total duels – a success rate of 71% – and making 1.4 interceptions per game, and it appeared he was finally beginning to show the form which led the club to sign him in 2022.

Following the international break, Ben Davies was given a chance and the former Liverpool defender recorded four clean sheets in consecutive matches to keep his place alongside Goldson as Souttar looked on from the bench.

The Englishman lost possession 18 times during the tie against the Dons on Saturday, however, and perhaps it is time for Davis to unleash Souttar against Aris tonight.

The £8.1k-per-week titan was previously hailed by teammate Ryan Jack, who dubbed the defender as a “presence” and he could be the man drafted in to make his first start since Motherwell during the 1-0 win towards the end of last month.

Having missed 46 games during his debut campaign in Glasgow, Souttar has returned to full fitness during the 2023/24 season and could prove to be an important member of the squad under whoever takes over the Gers.

The centre-back will shackle any threat Aris pose tonight, and he could be integral to the club keeping a European clean sheet while allowing him to gain some more minutes ahead of the crucial tie against St Mirren on the weekend.

Middle-order batsman will have the opportunity to make his case for a spot in South Africa’s Test XI in their Sri Lanka tour

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jun-2018Theunis de Bruyn, the middle order batsman who has five Test caps, will play two matches for Surrey ahead of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in July. De Bruyn will join Surrey for matches against Somerset and Yorkshire as he looks to push for a place in the Test XI, where a spot has become vacant following AB de Villiers’ international retirement.”I am delighted to be joining Surrey, a club with rich history, for the next two Championship matches. It has always been one of my ambitions to play county cricket,” de Bruyn said.De Villiers, who returned from a self-imposed long-format sabbatical to play Test cricket for South Africa last summer, occupied the No.4 spot, and de Bruyn is one of at least two candidates vying for that place. Temba Bavuma is the other batsman pushing for the spot and last week said he would be “putting up my hand for that position”.Bavuma is the front-runner to be promoted, especially after returning from a broken hand to score an unbeaten 95 and 35 in South Africa’s last Test, against Australia in Johannesburg, but there may still be room for de Bruyn in the line-up. If South Africa opt for seven batsmen in their team, a strategy they have employed except when playing in bowler-friendly pitches at home, de Bruyn could be included at No.6.South Africa play two Tests in Sri Lanka in July before shifting focus to white-ball cricket, where de Bruyn is in the mix in the South Africa A squad. They have five home Tests this summer, three against Pakistan and two against Sri Lanka.

Ambrose took his side from a strong position to a totally dominant one as he gained the measure of a slow wicket to work the Northants attack around

ECB Reporters Network21-Apr-2018
ScorecardTim Ambrose made his 17th first-class century to give Warwickshire a chance to press for victory over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road with two days remaining. Ambrose made 103 as Warwickshire ground out 413 to take a first-innings lead of 266 before Northants, with 10 overs to face at the end of the day, closed on 41 without loss.Ambrose, who made 81 last week against Sussex in the season opener, took his side from a strong position to a totally dominant one as he gained the measure of a slow wicket to work the Northants attack around. He nudged, prodded, glanced and flicked his way to 96-ball fifty with just one boundary – the long, heavy outfield making boundaries a rarity – before playing more fluently to raise a century in another 58 balls with five fours and a six.For the latter half of his innings, he had 18-year-old Henry Brookes for company playing just his second first-class match. He settled to become a sound partner for Ambrose and repelled Northants’ fightback with the second new ball to compile a record ninth-wicket partnership for Warwickshire against Northants of 116.After Ambrose fell, caught on the deep square fence, Brookes took top billing as he worked his way towards a maiden first-class fifty. He got there with a mighty pull over midwicket off Brett Hutton and added a second to take Warwickshire past 400 as Northants wilted in 128.1 overs they were forced to send down.The hosts had hope of a revival in the morning session where Doug Bracewell made the day’s opening breakthrough with the 18th ball of the morning, straightening a full delivery to clip Will Rhodes’ off stump to end a stand of 91 for the fourth wicket.Sam Hain was the other member of the partnership and fell 15 short of memorable return to the ground where he become Warwickshire’s youngest centurion in the County Championship four years ago. He resumed on 51 and struck two flowing cover drives on his way to 85. But Ben Sanderson hatched a plot with the wicketkeeper stood up and three catchers in front of the bat and got Hain to chip a full delivery to short midwicket where Bracewell claimed a smart catch down to his right.Twenty-one-year-old Matt Lamb developed another useful stand with Ambrose of 66 for the sixth wicket before Lamb fell to the second new ball and Warwickshire slipped to 263 for 8 and the lead 116 – but Ambrose and Brookes ensured Warwickshire’s advantage was far greater.Northants had 10 overs to survive before the close and Rob Newton was almost stumped when he was deceived by Jeetan Patel. Some pad saved him and Newton and Ben Duckett, who avoided a king pair, went to the close intact.

With seven points separating themselves and the Championship relegation zone, Portsmouth have just been dealt a frustrating blow at a crucial time on the injury front.

Portsmouth injury news

With just 13 games remaining in the Championship, Pompey are currently on course to survive at the first time of asking. However, as always, anything can still change and John Mousinho will be keen to see his side make it three wins on the bounce when they face Queens Park Rangers this weekend, having just defeated both Cardiff City and Oxford United.

Finding their form at a crucial stage, those at Fratton Park could look back on their recent wins as a defining moment for their campaign. With all three of Derby County, Plymouth Argyle and bottom side Luton Town all deciding to sack their respective managers recently, Portsmouth are enjoying their reward for sticking by Mousinho.

The next 13 games could still be full of twists and turns though, especially following recent injury news. As confirmed by Portsmouth, Callum Lang is now set to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn hamstring.

Sharing the news, Mousinho told reports at his latest press conference: “Not great news on Callum. The scan has come back, as we suspected, with a hamstring tear.

“We’re going to re-scan it in about 10 days just to see how it’s settled down. There’s a lot of fluid there at the moment. Most likely, we’re not going to see Callum in a Portsmouth shirt until next season.

“It’s a bit of a strange one because after the game, he was okay. He was up and about. He’s still actually up and about now. It’s not really affecting him a huge amount, but just the nature of it and the location of the injury means it’s going to be a long one.”

Portsmouth must replace "superb" Lang's goals

It’s the worst possible news for Portsmouth, who must now finish their battle for survival without their main man who has scored as many as 10 goals in 29 Championship games this season. Just how Mousinho attempts to replace those goals remains to be seen. For the next 13 games, it may well be a case of defence is the best form of attack at Fratton Park.

The Pompey boss needs no reminder of Lang’s quality, having been full of praise for his forward earlier this season. Mousinho told BBC Sport: “Since Callum has come to the football club he has scored some big goals and he has been our outstanding player this season.

“The energy he puts in, the amount of running he does, his physical presence and it is about adding quality for him – today he added the quality and was superb. My only disappointment is that he didn’t score more. It was really pleasing and he should be pushing for more and more.”

After a sensational campaign last time out, which ended with Europa League qualification, Brighton & Hove Albion have picked up where they left off this season, already defeating both Manchester United and Newcastle United during the current Premier League campaign.

Their strong start to the season comes despite the departures of both Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, who swapped Brighton for Chelsea and Liverpool respectively during the summer transfer window. As ever, Roberto De Zerbi's side have been unphased by the exits, simply filling the gaps and continuing their unexpected rise.

Things could get even better in January, too, with reports suggesting that the Seagulls have made an approach to sign another South American gem when the winter transfer window swings open.

What's the latest Brighton transfer news?

During the summer transfer window, Brighton spent a reported €101m (£88m) on reinforcements, welcoming the likes of Joao Pedro and Bart Verbruggen, who have both played their part already this season.

It could be argued that they never really replaced Caicedo, though, perhaps giving themselves something to think about in January, especially with games coming thick and fast now that they have European commitments to balance alongside Premier League action.

With that said, according to reports in Spain, via Caught Offside, Brighton have presented an offer to Boca Juniors for Ezequiel Fernandez. The Argentine club have reportedly placed a £16m price-tag on the defensive midfielder, potentially giving De Zerbi and co plenty to think about.

If Fernandez did make the move, he would be following in the footsteps of fellow South Americans Mac Allister, Caicedo, and Julio Enciso, just to name a few who have enjoyed great success at The Amex. So, when January comes around, it will be interesting to see whether Brighton push ahead and continue their transfer trend, replacing Caicedo in the process.

Who is Ezequiel Fernandez?

At just 21 years of age, Fernandez, who can play as a holding or central midfielder, is already playing an impressive role for Boca Juniors, making 32 appearances in all competitions last season, reportedly attracting the interest of Brighton as a result.

Earning high praise, journalist Tim Vickery wrote for ESPN about Fernandez back in May:

"There are similarities between Enzo and Ezequiel Fernandez (even if no direct relation). Enzo's career gained momentum with a loan spell, so did Ezequiel's, who spent last year at Tigre.

"Both are central midfielders. Ezequiel, who turns 21 next month, is left-footed and bristling with quality. In an interview with TyC Sports in Argentina, World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister recently suggested that Brighton snap him up.

"Ezequiel might need careful handling. The youngster is still raw and erratic, and after the arrival of new coach Jorge Almiron he has spent much of his time as a second-half substitute. But the potential is undeniable, and this year's Libertadores is an excellent opportunity to cast an eye on the development of a fascinating talent."

With that said, it will be interesting to see whether Brighton have discovered another key player, should they push on and secure the signature of Fernandez in the January transfer window. The Seagulls are certainly in need of a defensive midfielder.

Scott Borthwick and Ben Foakes swung the match in Surrey’s favour

Paul Edwards at Kia Oval21-Apr-20182:11

Mixed fortunes for India duo

ScorecardWickets, wickets, everywhere, nor any ton to clap. Unless you have been rather lucky that has been your lot over the last week or so. Indeed, some batsmen have done rather well to stop one ball in three. Yet for a couple of sessions at the Oval it seemed this game between Surrey and Hampshire might buck the pattern. Four wickets fell in 64 overs on the first day only for nine to go down after tea and the visitors’ last seven in barely more than a morning’s play on Saturday. Centuries? You were more likely to see Nigel Farage sharing a fondue with Ken Clarke.On such mornings Rikki Clarke’s seamers and Sam Curran’s inswing were always likely to set a clattering tone. Talk of this being a decent pitch for batsmen sounded ever more like tattle for the Sunday papers as both bowlers took four wickets and Hampshire conceded a first-innings deficit of 64. Thus, on an afternoon when increasing cloud cover was added to the batsmen’s spring handicaps it seems only proper to salute Hashim Amla and Scott Borthwick, the players whose technique and bravery halted the processions of batsmen to and from the pavilion.Borthwick’s was the more significant innings: his first season for Surrey was a modest one but his 74 enabled Surrey to build a 281-run lead by close of play and that should be enough to set up a home win. However, should Amla bat as gloriously in the second innings as he did on Saturday morning, all is not lost for Hampshire. Then again, people may not be surprised that the South African batted well at The Oval. If you once scored 311 not out on a cricket ground it is reasonable to suppose you have a soft spot for the place. But unless you are Don Bradman at Leeds, you rarely return to a favoured venue in quite such glory. Poignant recollections are far more likely. It was thus an unmixed joy to see Amla transcend the occasion by making 55 of the most felicitous runs we are likely to see this season.At the other end wickets tumbled freely and double-figures became distant summits. James Vince was leg before to Rikki Clarke’s second ball of the morning and took a long moment before wandering off. Sam Northeast was caught at the wicket off Curran, Rillee Rossouw fell lbw to Curran and Liam Dawson edged Jade Dernbach to Ben Foakes. Hampshire subsided to 116 for 7.A different game played out at the other end. For over half an hour, Amla played the ball very late and only when compelled to. Then there was a clip through midwicket, precise cuts through gully and a leg glance to treasure. These and other strokes will linger in the mind until September and beyond. Rory Burns kept faith with his seamers and justifiably so. You were more likely to see an albatross at the Oval than the Surrey off-spinner Amar Virdi bowling.Amla reached his fifty off 67 balls while at the other end Kyle Abbott biffed a useful 23. The innings ended all too briefly for the neutrals shortly after lunch when Curran’s inswing accounted for Abbott and Wheal and Clarke moved one back off the seam to have Amla leg before. It was his second false shot in 83 balls.Surrey, though, had still taken a substantial advantage from the first half of the game and Borthwick spent the rest of his Saturday extending it. Abbott again did his best for Hampshire by having Burns caught behind and castling Mark Stoneman, albeit through the size of gate one might only see at Chatsworth.Undaunted, Borthwick settled into his work and was soon playing the cover-drives and clips through midwicket that still has them weeping their pints across the North East. He added 45 with Dean Elgar and then a further 87 with Foakes. A pulled six off Abbott seemed the prelude to a century but the South African ended such thoughts when he gave Borthwick the unwanted honour of being the twelfth batsman in the game to fall leg before.Yes, the ball was still moving about but Foakes reached his fifty just before the close and then helped Ollie Pope piloted Surrey towards even greater prosperity. Perhaps only Amla in his splendour can overhaul their advantage. One is beguiled by the mere prospect.