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ESPNcricinfo’s staff pick their Test, ODI, T20 and women’s teams of the year

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Dec-2022It has only been six months since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took charge of England’s Test side, but the turnaround in fortunes has been dramatic and that dominance is reflected in ESPNcricinfo’s Test team of the year. Four England players feature in it, as do four players from Australia, the team currently leading the World Test Championship table.ESPNcricinfo LtdJoe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Stokes, who form the XI’s middle order, were among the top six run-scorers of the calendar year. Two others from that list of prolific batters, both Aussies, are also in our XI – Usman Khawaja opens the batting, while Marnus Labuschagne comes in at No. 3. Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies’ sole representative in the side, partners Khawaja up top.The fast-bowling attack consists of England’s James Anderson, who has appeared indefatigable in his 40th year, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, and Pat Cummins of Australia. Our XI might be tested in subcontinental conditions given it has only one frontline slow bowler, Australia offspinner Nathan Lyon, although he will get support from Root, who bowled over 140 overs of spin in the year.India may be second on the WTC points table, but our staff combined to pick only one player from the side in the Test XI – Rishabh Pant, who takes the gloves.ESPNcricinfo LtdBabar Azam, who was prolific in 50-over cricket in 2022, making three hundreds and five fifties in nine innings for Pakistan, leads our ODI XI and bats at No. 3 below openers Travis Head and Shubman Gill. India’s Shreyas Iyer, with over 700 runs at an average of 56, slots in at No. 4, followed by New Zealand keeper-batter Tom Latham and two offspinning allrounders, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Both made unbeaten hundreds in home wins, Raza getting two in a series win over Bangladesh in Harare, and Miraz getting his while handing India a series defeat in Mirpur.They will lend support to our canny bowling attack in which Adam Zampa brings the wristspin option, while Trent Boult offers left-arm variety to Alzarri Joseph and Mohammed Siraj’s right-arm pace.ESPNcricinfo LtdOur men’s T20 XI contains several title winners from 2022 – Jos Buttler, Alex Hales and Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament) lifted the T20 World Cup for England; Hardik Pandya, David Miller and Rashid Khan won Gujarat Titans the IPL trophy in their maiden season; Haris Rauf was red-hot for Lahore Qalandars, who won their first PSL title this year; Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with bat and ball, and was the Player of the Tournament when Sri Lanka won the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai in September; Hales was also part of the Trent Rockets side that won the men’s Hundred.Suryakumar Yadav didn’t win any team trophies this year, but would you really keep a batter as inventive as him (who had a strike rate of 176 and over 1500 T20 runs) out of the side? He bats at No. 4, below Rilee Rossouw, who also struck above 170 and played for the PSL’s losing finalists Multan Sultans.Seamer Josh Little, who played for Manchester Originals, the losing finalists in the Hundred and took 2 for 16 in Ireland’s victory over England in the T20 World Cup, rounds out our men’s T20 XI.ESPNcricinfo LtdOur women’s XI this year is a combined white-ball side; performances and stats from ODIs, T20Is, the WBBL, the CPL and the Hundred were considered in compiling it.Alyssa Healy, who made a world-record 170 in the 50-over World Cup final in April, would be the first pick in most XIs. Close second would be the other batter who dazzled in the final – if England had a realistic chance of overcoming Australia’s 356, it was only because of how Nat Sciver, who made 1600 runs in 2022, fought back with an unbeaten 148.Healy bats at No. 3 in our XI, below openers Smriti Mandhana and Beth Mooney; the latter was the leading run-scorer of this season’s WBBL. At No. 4 is Laura Wolvaardt, who scored over 400 runs for WBBL winners Adelaide Strikers and topped the Hundred’s run-scoring charts with 286 runs for Northern Superchargers.There are plenty of bowling options in the XI: Sciver, who took 25 wickets at an economy of 5.6 from 42 white-ball matches in the year, can support fast bowlers Shabnim Ismail and Renuka Singh, while Amelia Kerr can chip in with legspin to go with the left-arm slows of Sophie Ecclestone, currently the No. 1-ranked bowler in ODIs and T20Is, and the offspin of allrounder Deepti Sharma.The team is led by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored over 1600 runs in the year.More in our look back at 2022

No bowler has more international wickets against one team at a better average than Khan against Ireland

Matt Roller20-Jan-2021In the storied history of international cricket, no player has taken more wickets against a single team at a better average than Rashid Khan against Ireland. Not Muttiah Muralitharan against Bangladesh; not Cathryn Fitzpatrick against New Zealand; not even Sydney Barnes against South Africa. None of them can match Khan’s record against the Irish: 89 wickets across all three formats, at an average of 13.34.At one stage, across a period spanning nearly two years, Khan took at least two wickets in 14 consecutive matches against Ireland – comprising nine ODIs and five T20Is – returning 42 wickets at 10.11 during that stretch. Despite his youth, he has often resembled a grown man playing in a children’s game.Unsurprisingly, therefore, Ireland will approach their ODIs against their most regular opponents this week with some trepidation. Their preparation for the three-match series – which forms part of the World Cup Super League – has been far from ideal: they arrived in Abu Dhabi in late December targeting a 4-0 win against the UAE, but had two fixtures cancelled due to Covid cases in the hosts’ squad and needed an inspired comeback to level the series 1-1.Related

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But in recent times – even if the bar is at a record-breaking low – they have improved against the man who will again provide Afghanistan’s main threat this week. Across his last 10 innings against Ireland, Khan has taken more than two wickets only twice: 5 for 82 in the second innings of a Test, and 3 for 22 in a T20I.In his last six ODI innings against them, he has taken only seven wickets, albeit at a miserly 3.87 runs per over, suggesting a more restrained, defensive approach. The irony of the fact that the worst figures of Khan’s ODI career came at the hands of an Irishman will not be lost on them.”In T20, having to take someone like that down is really difficult,” said Paul Stirling, Ireland’s vice-captain, who has made two hundreds in his last three ODI innings. “We’ve got a chance to play him in 50-over cricket, and give ourselves a chance to see the ball. Defence comes into the game: if he goes for 30 or 40, not taking many wickets, then we can maybe try and target someone else.”I generally try to read the ball in the air. His action is so quick. It looks really easy when people slow it down. I usually pick it in the air and off the pitch and play from there. The world’s best might be able to pick it from earlier in his run-up but certainly not me. Given the speed he bowls at, if he gets a little bit of turn both ways, it’s hard work.”

“Whenever I’ve had trouble against any of those spinners, I’ve been caught in two minds about what to do. But whenever I’ve had some sort of success, I’ve backed my game completely and gone with that.”Andy Balbirnie on facing Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi

“Some days you can pick him, some days you can’t,” explained Andy Balbirnie, Ireland’s captain, who successfully negotiated 31 balls against Khan while making his highest ODI score two years ago. “He’s always thinking, always looking to change it up. It’s really enjoyable to play against him because it’s a real competition and from ball one, you’re under the pump.”It’s a great place to be because if you can get beyond that, the message that sends to the rest of the guys is great. We’re aware that when he fires, by and large, they have a good day, but if he doesn’t, sometimes we get up on them. It’ll be a great contest – it always is.”And while Khan presents a particular threat, Ireland will not take the rest of Afghanistan’s attack lightly. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi have been regular wicket-takers against them over the years, while Naveen-ul-Haq looks set for a bigger role in this series and left-armer Sayed Shirzad took 3 for 28 in a warm-up game on Saturday.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”You can’t take their seamers for granted,” Stirling said. “But without getting too caught up on them only, it’s Nabi, Mujeeb and Rashid who are their big three. We’ve got to combat that in such important games. We’ve done it before, it’s just about doing it again and again. It’s quite a hard one to practise for: there’s only a certain amount that our net bowlers can try and replicate those three, so you’ve got to get your skills bang in order and make sure everything is working.”Balbirnie said: “I think it’s pretty simple: [it’s about] having a really clear gameplan against them and backing that. Whenever I’ve had trouble against any of those spinners, I’ve been caught in two minds about what to do. But whenever I’ve had some sort of success, I’ve backed my game completely and gone with that.”The great thing about having such a young squad is that they’re so enthusiastic to learn. Not many of them have played specifically 50-over cricket against Afghanistan, so they’ve been asking questions since we got to the airport. They’ve all got the confidence to back their game against them.”That’s what I learned from the senior guys in the squad when I first came in: no matter who you’re playing, just back yourself. If you get out doing what you’re good at, so be it. Always have the mind to back your skills and your gameplan 100%.”It is a mindset that Ireland’s batsmen will hope serves them well when they come up against their chief tormentor this week.

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، 

Rahmat Shah picked up the injury in the 15th over, retired hurt, came out to bat again at the fall of the ninth wicket, but couldn’t carry on

Mohammad Isam11-Oct-2025

Rahmat Shah, the Afghanistan batter, is “most likely” out of the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh because of a calf injury, according to team physio Nirmalan Thanabalasingam. Rahmat braved the injury to try to bat after Afghanistan had lost their ninth wicket in Saturday’s second ODI, after having retired hurt earlier, but he could stand at the crease for just one ball.Thanabalasingam ran out to help Rahmat, who by then couldn’t even stand. Later, the paramedics took him out of the ground in a wheelchair.”He unfortunately succumbed to his injury so he is out now,” Thanabalasingam said. “We will do the all the right things in terms of imaging and stuff tomorrow. He is going to be out for some time, I think.”Rahmat initially felt discomfort when he was trying to take a single in the 15th over after having walked out to bat at his usual No. 4. It was an innocuous looking shot, but his turn on the heel might have affected his calf. He was batting on nine at the time, and struggled to walk properly as he went off the field.Afghanistan struggled without Rahmat, who made an invaluable half-century in the first ODI, which made him the first Afghanistan batter to reach 4000 runs in ODIs. Rahmat’s absence meant regular middle-order wickets, with only Ibrahim Zadran holding things together.When Rahmat came out to bat again, it was met with applause from the Afghanistan fans at the venue in Abu Dhabi. It, however, lasted just one ball. Rishad Hossain sent in a googly that Rahmat missed, and the ball hit him in the abdomen. He was down immediately. Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped him get up but he was not able to continue as Afghanistan’s innings ended at 190 in 44.5 overs.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have now stepped up their interest in signing Real Madrid star Federico Valverde, and a swap deal involving Erling Haaland could be on the cards in the future.

Man City are looking to sign a new midfielder, with Rodri continuing to struggle on the injury front in the opening few months of the 2025-26 campaign, missing three of the last four matches in the Premier League due to a hamstring issue.

Surprisingly, it has now emerged that City could now be willing to use Rodri as a makeweight in negotiations to sign Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who could be in line to become their club record signing, surpassing the £100m spent on Jack Grealish.

Nico Gonzalez impressed when slotting into the central midfield in the victory against Liverpool prior to the international break, scoring the second goal in the 3-0 rout, but the Blues have now joined the race for a more established top-level central midfielder…

Man City stepping up interest in signing Federico Valverde

According to a report from Spain, Man City are now stepping up their interest in signing Real Madrid midfielder Valverde, with Pep driving the move, having identified the 27-year-old as one of his top targets in the middle of the park.

The City boss is determined to bring in a new central midfielder, while the Spanish giants want to sign Haaland, and it is believed Guardiola’s side would be willing to consider a swap deal for the Norwegian, with the Uruguayan being used as a makeweight.

Otherwise, the La Liga side have no plans to let the Montevideo-born star leave, meaning it could be difficult for the Blues to get a deal over the line, and missing out would be disappointing, given the level of his performances over the past year.

Federico Valverde’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Passes attempted

66.18 (87th percentile)

Pass completion %

89.7% (89th percentile)

Assists

0.19 (84th percentile)

Interceptions

1.44 (87th percentile)

The 71-time Uruguay international is vastly experienced at the highest level, having made 69 appearances in the Champions League, and he has even been lauded as “world-class” by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

As such, Man City should definitely try and get a deal done, but if the only way to sign Valverde is as part of a Haaland swap deal, then a move should be avoided, given that the striker is currently in the form of his life.

The 25-year-old, who has been named among the best strikers in the world, has already scored 14 Premier League goals this season, six more than any other player in the top flight, and simply cannot be allowed to leave if City are to stand any chance of reclaiming the title.

Erling Haaland has been ranked in the top five of the 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings

Who will be lifting the individual honour in 2026?

ByCharlie Smith Nov 6, 2025

Newcastle United now hold strong interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has received high praise from England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Alan Shearer recently spoke about just how happy he is Anderson has been able to kick on since leaving his boyhood club due to PSR issues, saying: “It was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR.

“But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now [from getting in Newcastle’s midfield], I agree with that.”

With the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to choose from, Eddie Howe has some quality midfielders at his disposal, but it will no doubt be frustrating to have lost their academy graduate, who has since gone on to attract attention from a number of Premier League clubs.

The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the Whitley Bay-born midfielder, and reliable reporter John Percy has now dropped an update on his future at Forest…

Newcastle hold strong interest in signing Elliot Anderson

According to Percy, Newcastle now hold strong interest in signing Anderson, but would-be suitors will have to spend big to get a deal done, with the Tricky Trees looking to hold out for over £100m, including installments.

Sean Dyche’s side are unwilling to sanction a departure this winter under any circumstances, meaning a move will have to wait until next summer, at which point the central midfielder will be in high demand, with Man United also very keen.

The Telegraph report also relays comments from England boss Tuchel, who said: “Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,

“He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, that’s why he is with us and starting for us.

“He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent.”

The 23-year-old has emerged as an important player for the Three Lions as of late, recently putting in a solid display as Tuchel’s side cruised to a 2-0 victory against Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier.

As such, while it will sting to shell out around £100m for a former youth player, Newcastle should definitely pursue Anderson next summer, particularly considering there are now doubts over Joelinton’s future…

Newcastle hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns Related Newcastle now hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

The Magpies are looking to upgrade their midfield, as there are now doubts over the Brazil international.

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Nov 5, 2025

Vincent Kompany has been handed a huge boost as Bayern Munich edge closer to welcoming back Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies from long-term injuries. Musiala, sidelined since July’s Club World Cup, could return by December, while Davies’ recovery is progressing ahead of schedule. Both are expected to rejoin full training soon.

• Musiala nearing full recovery after horrific injury

  The German starlet Musiala’s road to recovery is finally nearing its end, as the 22-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder, who suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in a horrific collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the Club World Cup in July, has taken significant strides toward a full comeback.

  According to , Musiala is expected to return to full fitness “within the next four to eight weeks.” This would make a December return feasible, potentially allowing him to feature in Bayern’s final two games of 2025 against Mainz on December 14 and Heidenheim on December 21.

  The report adds that Musiala’s rehabilitation is progressing positively and that the club remains cautious about rushing his recovery. “He will recover to full health and return fully functional,” the paper noted, reflecting Bayern’s internal decision at Sabener Street not to take any risks.

  The young German star’s gradual return comes as a welcome sign for Kompany, who has not been deprived but tactically concerned of his most creative attacking outlet since the summer. Bayern’s attack has shown enormous potential and upgrade but also arguably lacked the fluidity Musiala provides between the lines, and his reintroduction could only escalate the spark..

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• Getty
  

  Kompany confirms careful approach to Musiala comeback

  Bayern boss Kompany has confirmed that the club will remain patient with Musiala’s recovery, even as optimism grows over his December return. Speaking to , the Belgian manager said: “When will he return? The plan was January, but we’ll see. These are the kinds of long-term injuries; it could happen a bit faster, but it could also take a bit longer. That’s why I want to give him the necessary rest for his return.”

  Kompany’s comments underline Bayern’s pragmatic approach, ensuring Musiala’s long-term health over short-term needs. Although early reports hinted at a January return, but the club has been optimistic about his early return, and now the new assessments have opened the possibility of him featuring before the winter break.

  Meanwhile, offers a slightly more cautious view, suggesting that while Musiala’s rehabilitation is progressing, January remains the more likely timeframe for his official return to competitive play. The player himself is said to be determined but patient, focusing on “a step-by-step” approach alongside Bayern’s medical team to ensure he returns at peak fitness.

• Alphonso Davies also close to returning

  It’s not just Musiala who’s nearing a return, the Canadian international and Bayern's one of the fastest express Davies, another crucial component of the Die Roten’s squad, is reportedly on track to rejoin the team before the end of the calendar year. The Canadian defender, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus damage earlier this year, could feature in December according to .

  Adding to the optimism, journalist Maximilian Koch reported that Davies and Japanese defender Hiroki Ito are expected to “fully join team training after the international break and return to playing in December.”

  For Kompany, this development provides a timely boost as Bayern prepare for the second half of the Bundesliga campaign. Davies’ pace and attacking width have been sorely missed, while Ito’s defensive composure offers more stability. If all these players return in December, Bayern could enter 2026 with a fully fit and rejuvenated squad.

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• AFP
  

  Musiala’s return hailed as ‘miracle’ as Bayern prepare for next games

  At Bayern, there is growing belief that Musiala’s recovery has been nothing short of extraordinary. Just four months after his devastating injury, the German international has resumed light training, completing passing and coordination drills, a milestone that has lifted spirits both in Munich and across Germany.

  Local reports have described his progress as “a recovery that borders on the impossible.” The young midfielder’s smile during training sessions has become a symbol of Bayern’s renewed optimism, with teammates and staff alike praising his resilience.

  The Bavarians' fixture list offers a promising window for the returning stars. The Bundesliga leaders host Freiburg on November 22, and a high-powered Arsenal game up in the end of November, before facing Mainz and Heidenheim in December, two fixtures where Musiala’s and Davies’ availability could prove decisive.

  Bayern currently top the table with 28 points, unbeaten at home with seven straight wins. Freiburg, sitting 10th with 13 points, will be their next domestic challenge.

  If Musiala and Davies make their comebacks before the winter break, it could transform Bayern’s attack and defensive balance just in time for the Champions League knockout rounds. With both nearing full fitness, Kompany’s squad may retain its trademark dominance, making Bayern’s December fixtures as much about Champions League redemption as competition.

Friday features a jam-packed slate of Major League Baseball action, and there are plenty of ways to bet in the prop market with so many teams playing. 

I’ve narrowed down my picks for Friday’s slate to just three, with two starting pitchers and one red-hot hitter getting the nod. 

The game of the night on Friday is likely between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge may need to have a big game after Juan Soto exited Thursday night’s contest with left forearm discomfort. 

Judge is one of the three players I’m targeting tonight, so let’s dive into the picks for June 7: 

Best MLB Prop Bets for Friday, June 7

• Chris Sale to Record a Win (-110)
• Aaron Judge OVER 0.5 Walks (-125)
• Griffin Canning UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-125)

Chris Sale to Record a Win (-110)

Atlanta Braves lefty Chris Sale is coming off a rough outing to open June, allowing eight earned runs in four innings against the A’s, but I think he’s due for a bounce-back showing against the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Sale was terrific in May, allowing just two earned runs across five starts (32.0 innings of work), so I’m not reading too much into his clunker to start June.

The Braves are 8-3 in Sale’s 11 starts this season, and he’s earned the decision in every win, posting an 8-1 record. Prior to his last outing, Sale had earned the win in seven consecutive starts.

Rather than laying the price on the Braves moneyline, I like taking Sale to earn the win against a Washington team that struggles against left-handed pitching, ranking 27th in MLB in OPS.

Aaron Judge OVER 0.5 Walks (-125)

Judge and Soto have been the best duo in baseball this season, but if Soto misses this game – or extended time – Judge may see less pitches to hit going forward.

As it is, Judge has drawn at least one walk in five straight games, and he’s racked 52 total walks in 64 games so far in 2024. 

Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto doesn’t walk a ton of hitters (just 14 in 12 starts), but I can’t imagine he’ll look to attack Judge every at bat with Soto likely out of the lineup on Friday. 

Judge has been great at drawing walks and getting on base for years, so I’ll gladly take him at this price on Friday. 

Griffin Canning UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-125)

Los Angeles Angels starter Griffin Canning has a tough matchup on Friday, as he’s taking on the Houston Astros, who strikeout a league-low 6.83 times per game this season.

Canning has cleared 4.5 strikeouts in just four of his 12 outings in 2024, and he struck out just two Houston batters across five innings in his first outing against the Stros this season. 

Overall, Canning ranks in just the 13th percentile in strikeout percentage this season, so I don’t see him racking up a huge number on this prop against the least strikeout prone offense in the league.

Graham Potter has been unveiled as Sweden’s new head coach on a short-term five-month deal – less than a month after being sacked by West Ham. The 50-year-old will oversee the team’s final World Cup qualifiers in November, with his contract extending if Sweden reach the playoffs or the tournament itself. The former Chelsea and Brighton boss has revealed that he was ‘humbled’ by Sweden opting to sign him.

Sweden officially sign Potter on short contract

Sweden have turned to Potter in a desperate bid to salvage their 2026 World Cup hopes. The English coach has signed an initial five-month contract, taking charge for November’s final qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia. Should the team progress to the playoffs, Potter’s deal will automatically extend to cover both the playoff campaign in March and, potentially, the World Cup next summer in North America.

Potter replaces Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was dismissed following a disastrous run that left Sweden bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches. A 1-0 defeat to Kosovo earlier this month proved the final straw, ending Tomasson’s brief and turbulent tenure as the national team’s first foreign head coach. Sweden’s only saving grace lies in their Nations League group finish, which could yet secure them a playoff spot despite their dismal qualifying record.

The appointment marks a surprise return to management for Potter, who only last month was relieved of his duties at West Ham after a poor start to the Premier League season. The Hammers suffered five defeats in their opening six games, leaving them in the relegation zone and prompting the club to part ways with the former Brighton and Chelsea boss. For Potter, the Sweden job represents a chance to rebuild his reputation in a country where he once thrived.

AdvertisementAFPPotter 'humbled' by Sweden assignment

“I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired,” said Potter after being confirmed as Sweden’s new manager. “Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world’s best leagues during the weeks. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”

The chairman of the Swedish Football Association, Simon Astrom, praised Potter’s appointment and the quick turnaround in finding a replacement for Tomasson. “It is still our goal to get to the World Cup next summer,” he explained. “Our hope is to play the playoffs in March, and all the decisions we have made now have been based on optimizing the conditions to reach our goal. With Graham Potter, we get a strong and experienced leadership that has been tested at the absolute highest level.”

Kim Kallstrom, the Director of Football of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), echoed that optimism. “It feels very good that Graham is coming in as the national team captain for the men’s national team,” Kallstrom said. “We are all aware of the situation we are in, and believe that with his leadership skills, he will bring the team together in a good way. He is tactically skilled at creating conditions to win matches and has an ability to identify players’ strengths and how they interact in the best way.”

Potter returns to Sweden after seven years

Potter’s appointment brings his managerial journey full circle, returning to the country where his career first took off. From 2011 to 2018, he led Ostersund from Sweden’s fourth division to the Allsvenskan, delivering three promotions in four years and even a domestic cup triumph in 2017. Under Potter, Ostersund earned a Europa League spot and famously defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in 2018.

His success in Sweden propelled him into English football, where he impressed at Swansea City and Brighton before being handed the Chelsea job in 2022. However, his seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge was turbulent, as inconsistent performances and poor results led to his dismissal. He then took over at West Ham in January 2025, but a difficult start to the new Premier League campaign saw the Hammers lose five of six matches, ending his tenure after just eight months.

Despite those setbacks, Potter’s coaching credentials remain highly regarded, particularly his ability to build cohesive, intelligent teams. With a squad boasting elite-level players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, Potter has the tools to engineer a turnaround if he can quickly instil belief and structure in the Swedish national team.

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Getty Images SportPotter’s first Sweden clash against Switzerland

Potter’s immediate challenge will be restoring confidence in a disjointed Swedish side that has struggled for consistency and creativity in recent months. With two crucial fixtures ahead – away to Switzerland on November 15 and at home to Slovenia three days later – his task is to secure results that keep their playoff dream alive. A minimum of four points could be enough to clinch a Nations League-based route to qualification, depending on other results.

Should Sweden reach the playoffs, Potter’s contract will automatically extend, offering a chance to guide the team into next summer’s World Cup and potentially secure a longer-term deal. For now, though, his focus remains firmly on two defining games that will shape both his comeback and Sweden’s fate. After a turbulent year in English football, Potter has found a new challenge – one that could rewrite his managerial story and revive Sweden’s fading World Cup dream.

Former Leicestershire and England Under-19 coach to oversee month-long programme

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2025

Tim Boon, the former Leicestershire and England Under-19 head coach, has been recruited as a coach and high-performance consultant by Sri Lanka Cricket, on a one-month contract effective from May 8.Boon, who was also England’s team analyst under Duncan Fletcher during the 2005 Ashes win, will work as a batting consultant for the Sri Lanka Women’s senior and A-team squads, as well as the men’s emerging team and the Sri Lanka Under-17s.According to a SLC press release, his programme will include “technical and tactical sessions aimed at improving the players’ overall batting approach and individual performance”.His stint dovetails with that of R Sridhar, India’s former fielding coach, who earlier this month conducted a “comprehensive 10-day fielding programme” for both top men’s and women’s cricketers in Sri Lanka.It is a continuation of SLC’s policy of recruiting overseas coaches on short-term contracts. In 2024, Rajasthan Royals’ high performance director Zubin Bharucha conducted a brief programme aimed at raising batting standards. Wasim Akram and Jonty Rhodes have also been hired to run brief bowling and fielding programmes respectively, in the last 10 years.