The strategy behind Sir Jim Ratcliffe's latest bid to buy Manchester United has been praised by journalist Ben Jacobs, as it allows for flexibility.
What's going on with Manchester United's sale?
There is still no clear picture on whether a sale of Man United will even happen, and if it does, who will win the battle, following multiple bids for the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's consortium, backed by his company INEOS, appear to be in the lead, and their latest bid is seemingly a higher one than Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani's one.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs has outlined that Ratcliffe's bid could stand a higher chance of success, given that it could allow for a partial sale, unlike Jassim's latest offer.
“Ratcliffe has been quite smart in the sense that not only is it believed that he has put down the highest valuation of the club, he’s also effectively telling the Glazers it’s the dealer’s choice. In other words, he’s prepared to entertain various structures and is flexible, provided he comes out of the process with control," he stated.
"That could appeal to The Glazers if four want to go and Joel and Avram want to stay, but Ratcliffe is also there saying he’ll take the 69% if that’s the choice of The Glazers.
“Sheikh Jassim’s bid is all or nothing, which means that if two of The Glazers are adamant there’s an offer that allows them to stay, and that’s what they want, then there’s very little that Sheikh Jassim can do.”
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Would United fans accept a partial sale?
Although any kind of sale which sees the Glazer family ousted as majority shareholders, and therefore takes a lot of their power away, can be seen as positive, United fans may be unsatisfied if they remain at the club in any sort of capacity.
Recent protests outside Old Trafford have called for a full sale only, which would mean the Glazers sell all of their shares and leave the club completely, and there may be continued anger if there is only a partial sale.
Sheikh Jassim's latest bid may therefore be more appealing to the United support, given that they will have 100% control over the club, compared to Ratcliffe potentially owning 69%, and if the Glazers retain any sort of control over decisions, then there may be no progress after years of decline under their ownership.
Although United have won the Carabao Cup this season, their recent poor form has meant that they could still drop out of the top four, and a big summer transfer window may be needed to help Erik ten Hag bring them back to the top of the table.
Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav took four wickets each to give India a 323-run lead, which resulted in a follow-on for West Indies
The Report by Sidharth Monga23-Jul-2016 Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Mohammed Shami bowled through the 2015 World Cup with a busted knee. By the end of it, he needed surgery, lost out on the IPL earnings and missed more than a year of international cricket. The BCCI compensated him for the loss of IPL money, a first such recorded instance. Once he was fit, Shami walked into the Test XI in Antigua, and showed why he might be a man worth looking after.On a slow pitch where it looked difficult to dismiss batsmen who didn’t play shots, Shami bowled with menace to take four wickets, after which Umesh Yadav chipped in with a four-for of his own, to make West Indies follow on 323 runs behind. In the follow-on, the other quick, Ishant Sharma got rid of Kraigg Brathwaite, a man known for quiet defiance who denied India for 218 balls in the first innings, in the first over.Shami’s time away from the game was well spent from the looks of it. In his last Test series, the fast bowler was guilty of offering leg-side runs when asked to bowl long spells. The coaches identified long strides in his run-up as the problem, a result of a huge workload in his first year with the Indian team. Shami came back with shorter strides, stayed at the batsmen for longer, provided fewer freebies, and took out the heart of the West Indies batting. A word of caution, though: West Indies, not the best going around, contributed to their dismissals.Brathwaite didn’t. From the time he and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo frustrated India for 16 overs, it was clear the bowlers would have to work hard. Patience, the buzzword leading into the series, was tested. A measure of the difficulty in taking 20 wickets was how both wickets in the first session came through injudicious shots. It was a period when West Indies didn’t look for runs, which made it difficult for wickets to come.The resistance was led by Brathwaite, who rode his luck a little at the start of the day. With a forward and backward short leg in play, he failed to keep the balls angled into his ribs down on at least three occasions, but managed to avoid the fielders. His partner Bishoo’s outside edge was beaten at least seven times. It would have frustrated India even further considering Bishoo faced only 15 balls in the first eight overs of the morning.The early jitters out of the way, Brathwaite did what he is known for. Bowling outside off to him, if not a long half-volley, was a waste of energy. At the other end, though, India began to make inroads. Amit Mishra, introduced ahead of R Ashwin, provided the first breakthrough when Bishoo played an impatient sweep shot and dragged his foot over to be stumped. Just before lunch, Kohli sensed an opportunity and went back to Shami, who had been desperately unlucky in his first spell of 6-1-16-0.Shami glided in and remained threatening even if the batsmen were patient. Darren Bravo wasn’t even patient. When India were getting restless, he calmed them down by flirting with a wide delivery five minutes before lunch. The ball did bounce more than expected to take the edge, but Bravo had played with an angled bat with his feet stuck on the leg stump.On the way back for lunch, Kohli was heard telling his bowlers, “This is the reward for patience.” More reward was to follow in the second session. Marlon Samuels, who might be playing his last Test series, is not a proactive batsman. He likes to sit on the back foot, and lets bowlers bowl where they want. Shami did so and in the fifth over after the break, he bowled an in-between length, which dragged Samuels forward even though his weight was back. The ball held its line to take the edge. An aggressive short ball took the shoulder of Jermaine Blackwood’s bat to end a double-wicket maiden. This was the first dismissal that didn’t include wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.From 92 for 5, Brathwaite and debutant Roston Chase resisted for more than 16 overs. They were undone by a man often guilty of not using the crease and also offering freebies on the pads, Yadav. While he did offer freebies here too, especially in the first session, he showed a clear intent of using different angles to make the batsmen play at balls they would otherwise leave. The reward came unconventionally.Chase pulled an inviting short ball straight to short midwicket followed by a brute to Brathwaite, who on 74 didn’t look like he was going to make a mistake. Yadav went wide on the crease, angled a bouncer in, got Brathwaite to throw his gloves in front of his face.Playing his first Test as a specialist wicketkeeper, Shane Dowrich scored his second Test half-century, an unbeaten 57, to hold India off in the final session of the day, but didn’t cause enough damage to prevent a follow-on.Yadav had taken Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite out in successive balls to seemingly end India’s frustrating experience with the tail. Holder edged a wide outswinger to give Saha a record-equalling sixth dismissal for an Indian wicketkeeper, and Brathwaite pre-meditated a leave to be bowled. Dowrich, though, annoyed India a little more in partnership with No. 11 Shannon Gabriel, who lasted two balls once the legspin of Mishra was introduced.With only 90.2 overs bowled in the first innings, with a possible 13 overs to go before a full night’s rest and with five bowlers in his side, Kohli enforced the first follow-on for India since late 2012 against England in Ahmedabad. Ishant provided instant pay-off with an inswinger that trapped Brathwaite in front, but Bravo and Rajendra Chandrika prevented further damage.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly already turning their attention to the summer transfer window, as Julen Lopetegui’s first spell at Molineux is nearing a close.
The 2022/23 campaign has been a tough one for Wolves, who suffered a testing time under Bruno Lage at the start of the season before the Portuguese manager’s dismissal in October.
Lopetegui has been a shining light for his ability to turn fortunes around at Molineux, with survival confirmed and a host of impressive displays showing the squad’s progression under the Spaniard.
This summer, the former Real Madrid boss will have the chance to put his own stamp on the team he inherited from Lage in the bid to make improvements ahead of his first full campaign.
One area to strengthen this window is the club’s strike options, with Wolves being the lowest scorers in the league this season, netting just 30 goals in 36 games.
Lopetegui could fix his side’s woes in front of goal with a single signing, a player that’s potentially Premier League bound with almost as many goals as the entire Midland’s side this season.
What’s the latest on Viktor Gyokeres to Wolves?
As reported by Sky Sports earlier this month, Wolves are the 'leading club' in the pursuit of snatching Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
The news was relayed by Bela Shah on Sky Sports News (via Football Daily) stating that there have been “no ongoing negotiations” as of yet.
The statement is expected as the Swede continues to push for promotion with his current club, with their position next season being a potentially defining factor to the potential move.
Meanwhile, it's thought that the Championship playoff outfit will demand in excess of £20m, according to The Sun.
What could Viktor Gyokeres bring to Wolves?
The 24-year-old is the Championship’s second-highest goalscorer this season, having scored 21 goals in 46 appearances, following Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom who leads the race with 28.
Most impressively, goals aren’t the only thing the City striker has contributed to, having registered 10 assists in the Championship taking his goal contribution tally to 31 in the league alone this campaign.
Lauded as “unplayable” by teammate Maxime Biamou, the young forward could have a similar impact on Lopetegui’s goal-hungry side as the introduction of Erling Haaland had on Manchester City.
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Before the signing of the Norweigan, City’s top scorer was Kevin De Bruyne who netted 15 times last season, Haaland has scored 36 so far as the treble is in sight for Guardiola’s formidable squad.
While the treble is a slight reach for Lopetegui, the general impact of signing a natural goalscorer can transform a side at any level or aspiration.
It simmers down to basics, and Wolves have to get scoring if they are to progress in the Premier League next season.
Having also averaged 0.40 non-penalty goals per 90 – as per FBref – Gyokeres would be the perfect man to lead the line in the Spaniard’s project.
Manchester United intermediaries The Raine Group are still involved in the mediation between the Glazer family and prospective bidders who want to take control at Old Trafford, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
What's the latest ownership news involving Manchester United?
As per Sky Sports, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted a fourth bid to take ownership of Manchester United 'believed to be close to' £5 billion in worth.
Competition Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals firm INEOS submitted a 'revised offer' last week to try and acquire the Premier League giants from the Glazer family, prompting the Qatari businessman to act with a bid that pledges to clear around £1 billion of club debt alongside promising a separate fund to improve facilities at Manchester United.
The Mirror cite that The Raine Group are a bank and also a means of communication between the Glazer family and prospective bidders, who act as an advisory presence to the Manchester United owners and report back to them with their findings.
The Raine Group will also be actively involved in the sale of the club and will, upon instruction, be asked to enter into discussions with the Glazers' preferred bidder to try and tie up any loose ends leading to the sale of the club.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs has also heard that The Raine Group have been playing a big role in the ownership battle at Old Trafford.
Jacobs told FFC: "I think The Raine Group is still running this process; the Raine Group is still ultimately in control of this process. So, when people say that 92 Foundation have sort of in some way gone rogue and bypassed the process, it's only true in the sense that they're bullish, they're very aggressive because they were the ones driving the fourth offer, rather than necessarily being invited directly to do so. That's what prompted their choice to ultimately have a phone call with the Glazers, but Raine is still in on this and there are vehement denials on the selling side that somehow The Raine Group are being bypassed. That's not my understanding. They're in on the calls; they're in on the meetings, they're in on the key moments that are taking place and will take place; they're running the sale."
What now for Manchester United?
Erik Ten Hag and his players will know that there is nothing they can really do to control any aspect of the ownership battle rumbling on in the boardroom and will instead stick to the task they know best, trying to win football matches.
Manchester United find themselves in a good position with just three Premier League matches to go, sitting fourth in the league table on 66 points, which is one more than their rivals Liverpool on 65, who have played a game more than the Red Devils.
In their three remaining fixtures, Manchester United travel to Bournemouth, host Chelsea and then play Fulham at Old Trafford on the final day as they try to secure a Champions League slot.
FA Cup glory could also be on the horizon for Ten Hag as he prepares his men to take on Champions League finalists Manchester City at Wembley in early June, meaning that 2022/23 could have a special ending in store for Manchester United if all goes to plan.
ScorecardEd Joyce made 92 to lead Sussex’s reply before a mid-innings collapse•Getty Images
There Luke Wright was, wandering slowly from the field, strangled down the leg-side off David Masters, the sixth of six wickets to fall for just 49. Harry Finch, with a broken thumb, would only bat if absolutely required, so Wright’s big plan to haul Sussex back into the game looked in tatters, with just the bowlers left to bat.That plan, for the first half of the day, had been going so well. First thing, Chris Jordan, a little luckless yet also a wee bit wayward on day one, bowled with verve and pace to dock Essex’s meek tail, picking up four wickets for five runs, as just 21 was added to the overnight score.Then, for an hour each side of lunch, Ed Joyce batted with grace and class in the company of the more watchful Chris Nash to reach 124 without loss. Barely a bat was beaten, hardly an appeal uttered in anger. Joyce was in total control; he drove with precision, flicked crisply to leg and cut and pulled with elegance. When 100 came up, he had 72 and a fourth Championship century of the season – and 46th in first-class cricket (it is his stated aim to reach 50 this season) – seemed a formality. Nash, capable of scoring at such a lick, blocked away in awe.Then, unplanned, came afternoon drinks. On a warm afternoon, Essex’s fielders were beginning to look beleaguered – and perhaps beguiled by Joyce – regrouped. The tight line, and perhaps a little nip, of Masters, with the first over of the break, caught Nash napping, and James Foster took a fine catch low to his right. Next over, Luke Wells appeared to nick off to Graham Napier, but – with Essex incredulous and fielders delivering a volley of abuse to the batsman – the umpire adjudged it was arm, not bat. It mattered not, as next ball Wells pulled a bumper straight to fine leg. Send-offs – needless to say – followed.Another couple of overs on and it was Joyce out hooking, while David Wiese came and went for a breezy 13, which included two fine straight drives, before he edged the impressive Tom Moore – who sage judges in these parts say is playing for his future at Essex – to the lone slip. After tea, Wright’s wicket immediately followed that of Ben Brown, through his stroke early and caught at mid-on, and 124 for 0 had become 173 for 6.Then Jofra Archer, who bowled with such promise on day one, joined his mentor – and the man who arranged for him to come from their native Barbados and play in southern England, Chris Jordan, in the middle. While they made a scratchy start, they both settled and, on a pitch with wonderful carry, the Essex seamers – Ryan ten Doeschate appears to have inherited his clubmate Alastair Cook’s distrust of spinners – tired once more.Jordan and Archer – which sounds rather like a Hello! magazine cover in the noughties – went tit for tat. Jordan pulled beautifully on the front foot so Archer – who enjoyed the majority of the strike – handsomely cover drove, before standing tall to wallop Porter for six over square-leg. They moved to 50 in consecutive balls in Dan Lawrence’s solitary over and, by stumps, the partnership – all stylish, swashbuckling fare – was worth 118, and the lead had been eroded to just 67. Wright needn’t have looked so hangdog after all.”Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant,” enthused their coach, Mark Davis, “we had got ourselves in a really good position through the openers, and from there, you hope to have a proper day with the bat, and get 500. But that didn’t prove to be, we lost a few, then those two came together – what an amazing partnership, and it got us back in the game.”Jofra came in in a tricky situation but is a pretty fearless cricketer with bat and ball. He’s not fazed by the occasion, or by playing his first few games in this country. You can’t really instill that in players. He’s not just a bowler, he’s an allrounder and we are really excited to have him in our ranks. He’s had a great week, he’s very driven and is quick learner. CJ knows him very well, he’s the one who got him over in the first place, they know each other well. He’s always said how good he is. He could be a superstar for us.”Jordan’s excellence with the bat – and as a leader, too, perhaps – was matched by his early showing with the ball. Ashar Zaidi had one too many swish and was caught behind, while nightwatchman Porter was trapped plumb in front. Masters’ nick made it four in 13 balls, then Moore’s stumps went flying. With the dangerous Napier, playing his final game on his home ground, left stranded, Jordan – not for the last time – had got his team out of trouble. Much more work lies ahead for Jordan, but thanks in large part to he and Archer, a thrilling contest awaits.
Manchester United stand on the brink of securing Champions League football for next term and Erik Ten Hag has managed to enjoy a solid first season in charge at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have also secured silverware this campaign due to their Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle United and could finish 2022/23 with two prizes to their name if they can see off Manchester City in the FA Cup final in early June.
Once the close of play arrives, Ten Hag and his backroom team will turn their focus towards scoping out potential transfer targets ahead of 2023/24.
Football Insider claim that Manchester United are keeping 'close tabs' on Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, who is tied to a contract at Goodison Park that runs until 2027 on a wage of £100k-a-week.
What's the latest transfer news involving Amadou Onana?
The Football Insider report states that Everton would be looking for a fee of £60 million to part ways with the Belgium international, who could be sold to raise funds for their summer rebuild.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones has said that Onana could be a similar signing to that of former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who joined the Red Devils from Everton for £27.5 million back in 2013.
Jones told FFC: "There's definitely comparisons to be made between Onana and Fellaini if they if he was to follow him into Old Trafford, I think Onana is a bit different. I think that his combativeness and there are traits to his game that actually might make him a better acquisition that what Fellaini was when United signed him."
Everton's Amadou Onana
Onana does resemble something of a Fellaini-type player and was actually compared to the ex-Red Devils and Everton star by former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, who said in an interview with HLN via Goodison News following Onana's call-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: “Someone with such physical presence and dynamism is needed, just think of [Marouane] Fellaini in 2018. “He is also a leader on the pitch who has made strides in his career. From Germany, to France and now the Premier League… He deserves this.”
Despite Everton's struggles on the pitch this term, Onana has made a big impression on Merseyside since joining the club in a deal worth £33 million last year, scoring once and recording two assists in 34 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
His ability to put himself about hasn't gone under the radar, with WhoScored showing that the 21-year-old has successfully won 2.2 challenges per match this season in the Premier League.
FBRef illustrates that Onana is able to act as a dominant presence in the middle of the park and has excelled in aerial duels, ranking in the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five divisions for this metric, having managed to win 2.10 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days.
Manchester United have a lot of technicians in midfield, though Onana could help to offer cover for their main enforcer Casemiro with a view to potentially stepping into his position long-term once the Brazilian starts to decline.
TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino waxed lyrical over the Dakar-born man's display in Everton's 1-0 victory over Arsenal earlier this year while also complementing his teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure, saying: "They were absolutely brilliant from start to finish, Everton yesterday. I can't give them enough credit. The two boys in midfield, Doucoure and Onana, terrific. Two huge midfielders, they covered loads of ground, they got in the faces of Arsenal, pressed Arsenal when they had the ball. Defensively as a team, their work rate was extraordinary and it got them a result, and a deserved one by the way."
Fellaini went on to have a mixed spell at Manchester United and was used in a variety of different roles, sometimes even as an auxiliary striker and hit 22 goals and 12 assists in 177 appearances for the Premier League giants, as per Transfermarkt.
It is doubtful that Onana would perform the same function if he was to pitch up at Old Trafford; however, his spirited energy in midfield could help to drive Ten Hag's men forward as they look to try and compete for the English top-flight title next campaign.
Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Swansea City defender Ryan Manning this summer and the 26-year-old's potential arrival could see the Yorkshire outfit finally get rid of Junior Firpo for good.
Could Leeds United sign Ryan Manning?
According to Football League World, the left-back is on Leeds' radar regardless of the division they find themselves in next season, with relegation looking likely to be confirmed against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday.
The former QPR man is available on a free transfer ahead of his contract's expiry at Swansea and would represent a solid option for Leeds considering his impressive displays in the Championship this term.
Would Manning be a good signing for Leeds?
Manning was named as the Swans' player of the year following a campaign which saw him register five goals and ten assists in the second tier, earning a superb 7.20 average rating from WhoScored for his performances.
Not only is this comfortably better than what any Leeds player has averaged in the Premier League, but it is also more goal contributions than anyone in Sam Allardyce's squad, which emphasises the attacking quality the £9k-per-week Irishman could provide at Elland Road.
Russell Martin identified him as an important player for the Welsh side even in 2021, saying:
“Ryan is someone who can play anywhere. We are going to be very demanding of him because he is a talented player. He knows my feelings on him as a character and a player and he is responding brilliantly.
“I hope he can keep going, wherever he plays he is going to be an important player for us.”
Manning's versatility and experience in the Championship suggest that he could be a superb option for Leeds on a free transfer, especially if he can oust Junior Firpo at left-back, as the Spaniard continues to struggle following his arrival from Barcelona in 2021.
Could Manning replace Firpo?
There is likely to be an exodus of first-team players should Leeds suffer relegation back to the second tier, with former Barcelona man Firpo perhaps one who would consider himself too good for the Championship.
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There were high hopes when Marcelo Bielsa brought him in from the Catalan side in a deal worth £12.8m two years ago but he has never really adjusted to the Premier League, with journalist David Anderson dubbing him a "liability" after a tricky debut campaign.
Things haven't gotten much better this season, as his woeful 6.42 rating from WhoScored sees him ranked as the 20th-best performer at Elland Road, with his recent red card against Newcastle United once again highlighting that he cannot be trusted defensively.
Considering Manning has averaged more key passes (2.5 vs 0.4) and shots (1.3 vs 0.1), while he has also been dribbled past on far fewer occasions per game (0.5 vs 1.2) than Firpo, it seems clear that he would be a big upgrade this summer.
سجل لاعب فريق ليفربول، داروين نونيز، الهدف الثالث في شباك بيرنلي، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة والعشرين (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).
ونجح داروين نونيز في تسجيل هدف ليفربول الثالث، في شباك بيرنلي، في الدقيقة 79 من عمر المباراة، بعد تمريرة من زميله هارفي إليوت. هدف نونيز أمام بيرنلي
وتشير النتيجة في الوقت الحالي إلى تقدم ليفربول بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، حيث سجل ديوجو جوتا ولويس دياز هدفي الريدز الأول والثاني، بينما أحرز دارا أوشي هدف بيرنلي الوحيد.
Darren Stevens admitted his disappointment after his side had closed on 397 for 9 for an overall lead of 186 at the mid-point of this the 165th Canterbury Cricket Week fixture
ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2016 ScorecardDarren Stevens fell short of his century but carried Kent to a strong position•Getty Images
Kent’s beneficiary Darren Stevens was already ‘suited and booted’ by the close of play having top-scored with 81 during Kent’s fascinating Specsavers County Championship tussle with promotion-chasing Worcestershire.With a benefit dinner at the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham awaiting him, Stevens admitted his disappointment after his side had closed on 397 for 9 for an overall lead of 186 at the mid-point of this the 165th Canterbury Cricket Week fixture.”We’re disappointed with our day’s work to be fair. I got in, Dickson and Denly did too, but we all got out without going on to get a big score,” said the former Leicestershire batsman.”Yes, we’ve got a nice little lead, but we only wanted to be four or five wickets won at this stage. Personally I’m disappointed. I started counting down to my hundred and it proved a big mistake. It’ll be the last time I ever do that and I’m really gutted to miss out on three figures.”If I were still there at the end of the day I’d be sitting pretty on 140 not out and the side would have a 220 lead. We should be in a stronger position.”The 40-year-old all-rounder batted 142 minutes and hit 12 fours and a six which, in tandem with half-centuries by Sean Dickson and Will Gidman – the latter on loan from Nottinghamshire and on his Kent county championship debut – ensured that the hosts will go into day three in a fairly dominant position.Resuming on their overnight score of 55 without loss in response to Worcestershire’s 211 all out, Kent lost three first-session wickets as batsmen again struggled to bat long-term on a spicy Canterbury pitch.Daniel Bell-Drummond, celebrating his 23rd birthday, added only seven to his first-day score before becoming the first casualty of Ladies Day at the world’s oldest cricket festival.The right-hander fenced a Kyle Abbott leg-cutter to second slip, where Ross Whiteley held onto the good catch diving to his left in front of first slip to make it 74 for 1.Joe Denly moved smoothly to 21 before having his off stump trimmed by a Charlie Morris yorker then Sam Northeast spooned a catch to cover off a leading edge to gift Ed Barnard a wicket and leave centre stage marooned on 995 county championship runs for the summer.At the other end Dickson, Kent’s South African-born right-hander, posted a 106-ball half-century with nine fours – his fourth 50 of the county championship campaign.Having taken his side in at lunch on 152 for 3, Dickson added only two to his interval score before chopping on against Ed Barnard to go for a well-made 77.Sam Billings and Stevens then teamed up to add an attractive 40 runs inside 13 overs before Billings, on 33, edged an attempted cut to the keeper off the bowling of Charlie Morris with Kent still trailing by two on first innings.Stevens and Alex Blake took the hosts into profit before Blake (9) lamely chipped to short mid-wicket off the bowling of Joe Leach with Kent seven short of their second batting bonus point.Stevens marched on to a 67 ball 50 with six fours and a six, the 69th half-century of his career but only the fourth of this somewhat barren benefit summer.Soon after tea and only 19 from is maiden ton of the summer Stevens slapped one to cover off the bowling of Joe Leach then James Tredwell gloved a half-hearted pull to the keeper to go for 9.The Kent tail wagged however, as Gidman and Matt Coles combined to add 51 inside 14 overs before left-handed Coles holed out to cow corner.Gidman was still unbeaten at the close however, having posted his maiden Championship 50 for Kent from 86 balls and with five fours.