Veteran fast bowler will continue playing county cricket at the age of 44, after successful summer

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2025James Anderson will extend his 25-year professional career into the 2026 season, after signing a new one-year contract with Lancashire that will include appearances in both the Rothesay County Championship and the Vitality Blast.Anderson, 43, claimed a national record 704 Test wickets across 188 Tests, the most ever played by a specialist fast bowler and second only to India’s Sachin Tendulkar. Despite not featuring in England’s white-ball plans since 2015, he remains the country’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs, with 269.He bowed out of international cricket against West Indies at Lord’s in July 2024, having debuted as a 20-year-old at the same venue against Zimbabwe in May 2003, and was subsequently knighted for his services to cricket, receiving the honour in a ceremony at Windsor Castle last month.However, having debuted for Lancashire in 2001, he signalled his desire to prolong his county career by committing to an initial one-year extension for the 2025 season, claiming 17 wickets at 24 in six County Championship matches, including a stint as captain.His most significant impact, however, came in the Vitality Blast. Despite not featuring in the competition for more than decade, he took 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.9 to help Lancashire to reach Finals Day at Edgbaston, and was subsequently picked up by Manchester Originals as a wildcard pick for the Hundred.He passed 300 career appearances in first-class cricket last summer and currently has 1,143 wickets in the format.”I’m absolutely delighted to sign for another year with Lancashire,” Anderson said. “This club has been my home since I was a teenager, and I still get the same buzz walking out at Emirates Old Trafford that I did when I made my debut.”I’ve really enjoyed my cricket this year and still feel like I’ve got plenty to offer. I’m as hungry as ever to perform and contribute to the team’s success across both red- and white-ball cricket.”We’ve got a really talented squad with great ambitions, and I’m looking forward to helping the group continue to develop, while supporting Crofty [head coach Stephen Croft] in his new role as we push for promotion and trophies in 2026.”Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton, added: “We’re thrilled that Jimmy has committed to another season with Lancashire. His performances in 2025 showed exactly why he remains one of the finest bowlers in the game – his skill and competitiveness on the field are unmatched.”Jimmy continues to be an outstanding role model for our players, raising standards every day and it was brilliant to see the impact he made on the dressing room when he stepped into the County Championship captaincy role during the second half of last season.”In addition to the consistency of his red-ball performances, for Jimmy to come in from the cold in terms of T20 cricket and play such an effective role in our Vitality Blast campaign at 43 years of age was remarkable.”Having him continue with us into 2026 is fantastic news for our Members and supporters and a huge boost for everyone at Emirates Old Trafford ahead of next season.”

FIFA said Friday that it received five million ticket requests in the first 24 hours of the third phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, underscoring what the governing body described as “extraordinary” global demand despite mounting backlash from supporter groups over ticket prices.

AFPInterest from around the world

Fans from more than 200 countries and territories submitted requests after ticket sales opened earlier this week, marking the first opportunity for supporters to apply for tickets to specific matchups following last week’s draw for the tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA pointed to the figures as evidence of the tournament’s momentum heading into the first-ever 48-team World Cup, signaling little appetite to reconsider pricing despite criticism that has intensified since prices were revealed Thursday.

Supporter groups across Europe have accused FIFA of pricing fans out of the competition, with Football Supporters Europe (FSE) labeling the current structure “extortionate” and calling on FIFA to halt ticket sales through national associations until prices are reconsidered.

“This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup,” FSE said in a statement. “It ignores the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is.”

AdvertisementGettyTicket prices draw sharp criticism

A list published by the German Football Association showed group-stage ticket prices ranging from $180 to $700, while prices for the final range from $4,185 to $8,680. The English Football Association shared pricing details with members of the England Supporters Travel Club, indicating that attending every England match through to the final would cost just over $7,000 in tickets alone.

Scottish supporter groups were among the most vocal critics, despite strong demand for tickets following Scotland’s first World Cup qualification since 1998.

“This is going to price out many of our fans,” the Association of Tartan Army Clubs (ATAC) said. “FIFA have killed the dream of our young fans, desperate to get to a World Cup.”

The Scottish FA has been urged to raise concerns directly with FIFA, while England’s FA is also expected to formally communicate supporter dissatisfaction, according to reports in the UK – though there is little optimism that the pricing model will change.

GettyDemand driven by marquee matchups

FIFA said the three host nations led ticket demand during the opening 24 hours, followed by strong interest from Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama.

Among group-stage fixtures, Colombia vs. Portugal in Miami on June 27 – potentially featuring Cristiano Ronaldo – generated the most ticket requests. Other highly sought-after matches include Brazil vs. Morocco (New Jersey), Mexico vs. South Korea (Guadalajara), Ecuador vs. Germany (New Jersey), and Scotland vs. Brazil (Miami).

FIFA also highlighted strong interest from South and Central America, framing it as evidence of the tournament’s ability to “capture the imagination” across the region ahead of kickoff in June 2026.

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Getty Images SportDynamic pricing here to stay

While U.S. Soccer officials initially targeted hundreds of thousands of $21 tickets during the bidding process seven years ago, FIFA has instead implemented dynamic pricing at a men’s World Cup for the first time, following a similar model used at this summer’s Club World Cup.

By comparison, ticket prices for the 1994 World Cup in the United States ranged from $25 to $475, while prices for Qatar 2022 were announced at roughly $70 to $1,600.

The current sales phase operates through a random selection draw, allowing fans to apply for tickets by match, category, and quantity, though applications do not guarantee success. The third phase runs through Jan. 13, 2026, with successful applicants notified and charged automatically in February.

The Yankees are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline, and it's no secret that the team is in need of some starting pitching.

MLB insider Jon Heyman connected the team to a potential reunion with a veteran pitcher ahead of Thursday's deadline, floating the idea of New York bringing back Nestor Cortes Jr. in a trade with the Brewers.

With Jacob Misiorowski bursting onto the scene, Milwaukee finds itself with an abundance of starting pitching, a favorable position to be in heading into the deadline. With an excess of arms, the Brewers could be an ideal trade partner for the Yankees, who could bring back Cortes less than a season after he left the organization.

Cortes pitched for the Yankees from 2021 to '24, making the All-Star Game in 2022. He made 126 total appearances and 85 starts in New York, boasting a 3.61 ERA throughout his tenure with the team.

In 2025, Cortes has made just two appearances for the Brewers before landing on the 60-day IL. He owns a 9.00 ERA after a rocky start to the campaign. With his return approaching, it's possible his next MLB start won't be for Milwaukee, and Heyman indicated it would make sense for him to wind up back in pinstripes at the deadline.

توجه أحد لاعبي فريق الكرة بـ نادي الزمالك إلى الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”، من أجل المطالبة بـ فسخ عقده مع القلعة البيضاء.

وسبق أن أنهى صلاح مصدق تعاقده مع نادي الزمالك بشكل رسميًا، بسبب تأخر مستحقاته، وانتهاء المهلة التي طلبها الزمالك لحل الأزمة، وتفعيل شكوى فسخ عقده لدى فيفا.

وعلم بطولات، أن محامي عبد الحميد معالي أرسل خطابًا إلى فيفا يفيد بعدم دفع الزمالك مستحقات موكله.

شقيق حسام عبد المجيد: طلبت بندًا واضحًا للتجديد مع الزمالك.. ويرد على مفاوضات الأهلي

وطالب محامي عبد الحميد معالي تفعيل فسخ التعاقد والمطالبة بقيمة عقده كاملا.

وكان الزمالك قد تلقى عقوبة من الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” بإيقاف القيد، بسبب 6 قضايا تخص مستحقات مدربين ولاعبين سابقين، 

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hosted the Norfolk Tides in Triple A action on Tuesday. During the bottom of the first inning, the Shrimp got on the board thanks to a balk by Tides pitcher Roansy Contreras, who was in the middle of his windup when an especially loud crash of thunder filled the stadium.

Just about everyone in the area flinched, but only Contreras was penalized as the runner on third was granted home plate because that's just what the rules dictate.

Good job by Marlins prospect Jakob Marsee for stealing third base on the previous pitch to set up a situation where anything can happen. Everyone knows once you're on third you can score on a base hit, a wild pitch or the sound of the gods bowling.

Interestingly enough, Norfolk scored twice in the top half of the inning on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch and bases-loaded walk. If somebody steals home during this game fans can officially say they've seen it all.

As Major League Baseball's trade deadline quickly approaches, emotions are running high across the league.

Play doesn't stop as each team's front office works behind the scenes to discuss and execute deals that help bolster a postseason push or build for the future. As the Cleveland Guardians sit at .500 and three games back from the American League's final wild card, outfielder Steven Kwan has heard his name in trade rumors.

He was in the lineup Wednesday evening as the Guardians defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-0 at home. And just in case it was his last game wearing Guardians' colors at Progressive Field, he made sure to send a sweet gesture to fans sitting in left field. As he ran in from the outfield, he turned around and sent a wave in case anything changes before Cleveland's next home game Friday.

Early Wednesday afternoon, MLB insider Mark Feinsand reported the Guardians are "trying to move" Kwan and pitcher Shane Bieber. Kwan remains under club control through the end of the 2027 season. He has slashed .286/.350/.408 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs this season. He had a great postseason last year as the Guardians made a run to the American League Championship Series with a monster .382 batting average over 42 at-bats in the playoffs.

With less than 24 hours remaining before the July 31 deadline hits at 6 p.m. ET, Kwan remains in Cleveland. Should he be involved in a deal, though, he made sure to say goodbye to the fans he has played in front of for the entirety of his four-year MLB career.

Just when Chelsea were seemingly building serious momentum, wait, what happened?

When the Blues took a fourth-minute lead through Alejandro Garnacho against Sunderland, they appeared set to cruise to a nice routine victory at 3 o’clock on a Saturday.

However, Wilson Isidor equalised for the Black Cats soon after and then, right at the death, with the home side pushing for a winner of their own, Chemsdine Talbi snatched victory, sparking wild celebrations from the Mackems who had traveled to West London.

Chelsea did end the afternoon with 16 shots to Sunderland’s ten, but forced Robin Roefs into just two saves, while Robert Sánchez made six, hence why the newly-promoted outfit ended the game with a higher xG figure: 0.97-1.16.

Before this, Enzo Maresca’s team had won four on the spin, demolishing Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League, while also beating both Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Now, though, question marks will be raised against the manager, so, with a fierce London derby against Tottenham to come next Saturday, which player should Maresca cast aside following his display during this defeat?

João Pedro's start to life at Chelsea

Back in the summer, after arriving mid-way through the Club World Cup from Brighton, straight into action having been on a Brazilian beach, João Pedro was being heralded as a revelation.

He scored twice on debut against former side Fluminense in the semi-finals, before also netting during the final demolition over Paris Saint-Germain a few days later.

However, since serious football has returned, he’s not lived up to these admittedly astronomical high standards.

Pedro has scored only twice this season, on target against both West Ham and Fulham back in August, thereby enduring something of a goal drought, which is not ideal given that Liam Delap is sidelined long-term.

Also not helping Pedro’s cause is the fact that, on Wednesday night, he missed the annihilation of Ajax, suspended, having been sent off in stoppage time against Benfica, and the team put in a free-flowing, free-scoring display in his absence.

Per Sofascore, during Sunday’s defeat to Sunderland, in 85 minutes on the field, he touched the ball just 30 times, lost possession on nine occasions, was flagged offside twice, and mustered zero shots, replaced by Tyrique George towards the end, a change Chelsea supporters may have wished to see sooner.

However, his place in the starting lineup may actually not be under that much threat, given that his primary competition for minutes may have actually been even worse.

The Chelsea youngster who should be dropped

It may still only be October, but Marc Guiu has already endured a weird season.

The teenage Spaniard began the campaign on loan at Sunderland, making just three appearances for the club, scoring against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup, before being abruptly recalled following the aforementioned injury sustained by Delap.

Upon his return to West London, he did not feature in any of their first six fixtures, making the recall seem a bit pointless, but he then changed the game off the bench against Nottingham Forest last weekend, providing a much-needed focal point.

Guiu was then rewarded with a start against Ajax in mid-week and repaid the manager’s faith, breaking the deadlock in that one, thereby starting against his, briefly, former club this weekend too, a first-ever Premier League start.

However, as the table below documents, safe to say he did not make Sunderland supporters rue what could have been.

Shots on target

1

8th

Shots off target

1

6th

xG

0.22

4th

Accurate passes

2

30th

Duels contested

3

23rd

Duels won

Zero

30th

Possession lost

6

17th

Touches

10

26th

SofaScore rating

6

30th

As the table documents, Guiu won zero duels, completed just two passes, and touched the ball only ten times, the same number as the man who replaced him in the 76th minute, namely Jamie Gittens.

Bobby Vincent of Football London awarded him a 4/10, noting that he ‘got very little change’ out of Dan Ballard, while Sam Tabuteau of the Evening Standard added that he ‘struggled to get into the game’ and lacked ‘finesse’, believing the game was a ‘reminder of his inexperience’, both of which are pretty polite ways of phrasing it, we would suggest.

Thus, the Barcelona wonderkid may not be the answer to Chelsea’s centre-forward conundrum after all.

With games against Spurs, Barcelona and Arsenal to come in November, Maresca will surely favour alternative options, especially for those tougher assignments.

Not just George: Maresca must start Chelsea teen who's "similar to Palmer"

Enzo Maresca must start this exciting Chelsea youngster more regularly, who is being compared to Cole Palmer.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 25, 2025

Nottingham Forest chiefs privately want owner Evangelos Marinakis to replace Ange Postecoglou with a “master” tactician, with the latter relieved of his duties immediately after their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Ange Postecoglou sacked by Nottingham Forest after Chelsea loss

Goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James cemented Postecoglou’s title as the shortest reigning manager in Premier League history, but his departure has been inevitable for quite some time.

Forest failed to win a single game during the Australian’s brief 39-day tenure in charge, with reports over the international break suggesting that Marinakis and co performed due-diligence on a host of potential replacements.

Postecoglou also broke a 100-year record at the City Ground, making the worst start out of any new Forest boss in a century, forcing Marinakis to call time on the former Tottenham boss after a nightmare stint.

In his final pre-match press conference, the 60-year-old went down swinging, perhaps realising that a loss to Chelsea this afternoon would spell the end.

Marinakis had apparently made up his mind about sacking Postecoglou before their clash with Chelsea had even finished, with the Greek billionaire even seen storming out of his seat (talkSPORT).

Postecoglou was informed of the decision just moments after the full-time whistle blew (talkSPORT), and he then said goodbye to his Forest players in the dressing room before the club officially announced his departure.

Now, attention turns to who could replace Postecoglou in the hot seat.

A succession of managers have been linked within the past fortnight — including Sean Dyche, Oliver Glasner, Steve Cooper and Rafael Benitez — but it is Fulham boss Marco Silva who’s seriously admired by the Forest hierarchy.

Nottingham Forest chiefs want Marinakis to replace Postecoglou with Marco Silva

According to the BBC, internal figures at the club have identified Silva as their “preferred option” to succeed Postecoglou.

The 48-year-old, who reportedly has an £8 million release clause in his contract, is poised to become a free agent at the end of this season, and it’s believed that Silva is likely to leave Craven Cottage in 2026 after rather public spats with the owners about their transfer activity.

However, it’ll be much more difficult to prise him out of West London immediately, as Forest are mindful of the compensation fees due if they decide to try and appoint Silva right now.

Marinakis has only just paid off Nuno, and will also have to compensate Postecoglou now that Forest have parted company with him too — meaning the club aren’t overly keen on shelling out yet more money for a new manager.

The Tricky Trees have studied alternatives to Silva amid the difficulties surrounding his appointment, but if Marinakis does decide to invest the cash, it is clear that he’s a very ideal candidate.

The former Everton and Hull City boss has worked wonders at Fulham on a shoe-string budget since guiding them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2022.

They briefly contended for Europe last season as well, despite their meagre transfer spend compared to rivals, and Silva has been lavished with praise as a “master” tactician by players who’ve worked with him.

The Reds beat the Angels, 6-4, on Tuesday night in Anaheim. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz scored two of Cincinnati's runs in the game, including one trip around the bases that left the Angels broadcast in awe.

In a tie ballgame in the top of the fourth, De La Cruz singled to lead off the inning. On a 2-1 pitch he took off early and Miguel Andujar blooped one into short left field. De La Cruz slowed to barely jog around second as he looked up to see where the ball ended up.

He then effortlessly increased his speed as he watched left fielder Taylor Ward field the ball. Five seconds later he slid into home ahead of the throw.

"There he goes. Huge jump and Andujar dumps a base hit into left. De La Cruz can score on that ball," said announcer Wayne Randazzo as he realized what he was seeing. "They're going to wave him around on a base hit to left! Ward's throw home… OH MY GOODNESS! Now I've seen everything! Dude scored on a base hit to left field!

It truly was a sensational play to watch. Scoring from first on ball that was fielded cleany is impressive on its own. The fact that De La Cruz wasn't even going full-speed the entire time is wild. De La Cruz is a truly special athlete and getting to see something like this every now and then is a thrilling reminder. Especially when you think you've already seen it all.

Braves manager Brian Snitker will be moving into an advisory role in the front office and will not manage the club moving forward, the franchise announced on Wednesday morning.

"The Atlanta Braves and Brian Snitker today announced that the long-time manager will transition into an advisory role within the organization for the 2026 season, and will be inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame prior to a game next year. …He exits his managerial post with the third-most wins by any skipper in the history of the franchise. Snitker completed his 49th season in the Braves organization in 2025, and his ninth full campaign as the Braves manager. [Snitker] joined the organization as a non-drafted free agent in 1977," the release said in part.

Snitker, who turns 70 later this month, just concluded his 10th season as manager after taking over in the middle of the 2016 season, and has gone 811-668 with two 100-plus win seasons and a 2021 World Series title to his resume.

The Braves went 76-86 this season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017.