Tag Futebol

“You have to give priority to every franchise league otherwise cricket will not grow”

Vishal Dikshit14-Aug-2024

Jhulan Goswami has been Mumbai Indians’ mentor and bowling coach for the last two years•Mumbai Indians

Former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami believes “franchise cricket is the future of women’s cricket” and that it’s time T20 leagues are prioritised over bilateral series. Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, has been the bowling coach and mentor with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the last two years and is set to join the Trinbago Knight Riders coaching staff for the upcoming Women’s CPL.”It’s a big challenge for women’s cricket,” Goswami said on ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast about the calendar clashes. “Earlier we saw these things happen for men’s cricket but never expected it to happen for women’s cricket, but that’s happening. And I’m happy to see that. The ICC needs to take care, franchise cricket is the future of women’s cricket. And that’s the growth of women’s cricket globally. You have to give priority to every franchise league otherwise cricket will not grow.”The club-versus-country debate in women’s cricket has become louder especially in the last couple of years as T20 leagues have started to grow around the world. Top Australia players like Meg Lanning, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath pulled out of the women’s Hundred last year to manage their workloads in a busy 2023 which included the maiden WPL season along with the T20 World Cup, the multi-format Ashes, and the WBBL apart from other bilateral assignments. India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana had also pulled out of the WBBL for the second year in a row in 2023 to focus on domestic cricket.Related

Rodrigues on batting at No. 5: 'I'm working on going all out from the first ball'

'The older I get, I'm getting better' – Kapp glad she was talked out of retiring

NZ women domestic contracts: Dodd opts out of Hinds' list, U-19 star Browning moves to Otago

Sports psychologist to assist India at Women's T20 World Cup training camp

A similar calendar clash came up when England’s tour of New Zealand coincided with the last stage of the WPL in India earlier this year. As a result, England captain Heather Knight chose the bilateral tour over playing for eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while her team-mate Lauren Bell also pulled out of the WPL. More recently, Chamari Athapaththu, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh missed the first week of the women’s Hundred while featuring in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka last month.”See how many quality cricketers were produced by franchise cricket in the last few years, starting with WBBL as well as the Hundred, WCPL, WPL,” Goswami said. “A lot of youngsters they’ve provided every year so you have to give priority to those windows and after that you have to have bilateral series. If you have your bilateral series and franchise leagues clashing then you will lose out on quality cricketers. And if you don’t have quality cricketers then your tournament is not going to be successful. In women’s cricket we don’t have a lot of options, a few quality cricketers we have in the world. If they’re occupied in bilateral series, then the volume of the [T20] tournaments is going to go down. We should make sure that when the premier league (franchise) tournaments are going on, give them certain windows and after that you have the bilateral series. It will help women’s cricket’s growth also. That is my personal view.”A busy calendar awaits for the rest of 2024 as well. Once the women’s Hundred finishes on August 18 at Lord’s, the three-team WCPL will be played from August 22 to 30 in the Caribbean, featuring international players from India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England and Australia. The action will then move to the T20 World Cup slated in October, and seven days after that ends, the WBBL will begin, scheduled from October 27 to December 1. That’s the time the home season kicks off for Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, India and New Zealand. All these teams are also scheduled to host international matches in December and January, according to the FTP.

Manchester United are now showing serious interest in signing an £85 million midfielder from a Club World Cup side, according to a recent report.

Man Utd chasing multiple strikers amid search for new front three

The current focus at Old Trafford remains on completing the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but once that deal is done, United will switch their attentions to completing the rest of their new-look front three with a new number nine.

A better move than Ekitike: Man Utd preparing bid for "top-class" £44m ST

Manchester United appear top be making more moves for a striker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 23, 2025

Rasmus Hojlund looks as though he could be moved on by the Red Devils this summer to make way for a new striker. Indeed, reports have already emerged that Hojlund has given the go ahead to join Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, United are assessing their options for who could replace the Dane. Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres looked to be one of their preferred targets, given his connection with Ruben Amorim, but they have now moved onto other targets.

Hugo Ekitike is a player who has emerged as a strong candidate to become United’s new number nine in recent weeks. The Premier League side have held talks with his representatives over a move to Old Trafford, although it’s claimed that Eintracht Frankfurt would want around £85 million.

But there are also two new names in the frame, as reports over the weekend revealed United are interested in signing Moise Kean from Fiorentina, after he scored 19 goals in Serie A last season, and United are seriously considering a move to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

Man Utd showing serious interest in Richard Rios

As well as signing a new centre-forward, it’s been well publicised that Amorim wants a new midfielder, and they may now have found their ideal target. According to reports relayed by The Express, Man United are interested in signing Richard Rios from Palmeiras.

Rios is now a concrete target for the Red Devils, as they are seriously interested in a transfer, but a move will have to wait until after Palmeiras’ Club World Cup campaign has come to an end.

The report states that United are likely to prioritise signing a defensive midfielder this summer, as captain Bruno Fernandes is set for a deeper role next season, given the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the potential arrival of Mbeumo.

Rios, who has been described as a “ball-carrying machine” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has been at Palmeiras since March 2023. The 25-year-old has become a key performer for the Brazilian side, as shown in the Club World Cup, where he’s played and started both games so far, drawing with Porto and beating Ahly SC.

Apps

2

Starts

2

Minutes per game

89

Total shots

1.5

Touches

43.0

Key passes

1.0

Passing accuracy per game

18.5 (77%)

Interceptions per game

3.0

Tackles per game

2.0

Balls recovered per game

5.5

Total duels won

7.0 (54%)

It is reported that Rios has a staggering £85 million release clause in his contract, which could be considered a lot for the Red Devils. Either way, signing Rios may have to be put on hold until they balance the books and move a few of the unwanted players on first. Rios’ potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him join Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer as the defensive-minded midfielders in the squad.

It’s not long until silly season begins, with that weird hinterland between the end of the 2024/25 campaign and the opening of the summer transfer window already affecting Liverpool.

Only, the recent rumours that Florian Wirtz is on Anfield’s radar as Arne Slot works with sporting director Richard Hughes to determine the best strategy to strengthen his title-winning side this summer.

Once upon a time, such a signing would have indeed felt absurd for the Reds, but this is a new era on Merseyside and it’s one to keep an eye on, to be sure.

How much Wirtz may cost Liverpool

Liverpool fans have been getting themselves acquainted with Wirtz this week. The Bayer Leverkusen star is being anticipated to leave this summer, and, yes, he’s on FSG’s watchlist.

The problem, naturally, is that Manchester City are also keen on signing the German playmaker up, with The Athletic even revealing on Wednesday that the Premier League behemoths have held talks with Wirtz’s representatives

Bayern Munich are still in the driving seat, but this is proving to be an open race, one which could end with the 22-year-old at any of the destinations.

Wirtz, who has plundered 31 goal contributions this year after winning last year’s Bundesliga Player of the Season as an invincible champion, would likely cost Liverpool €150m (about £126m) to prise away from Leverkusen.

As with Alexander Isak, it would be foolish not to have an alternative lined up; luckily, FSG do at that.

Liverpool's dream Wirtz alternative

Liverpool clearly fancy a new playmaking midfielder, and though Wirtz is the cream of the crop, Xavi Simons isn’t far behind him.

Simons has gone from strength to strength in the Bundesliga, no longer one of the pack at Paris Saint-Germain and instead a “superstar” who is “destined for greatness,” as has been claimed by analyst Ben Mattinson.

The 22-year-old has been a key presence for RB Leipzig over the past two seasons, scoring 20 goals and laying on 23 more assists over 70 appearances.

Back in March, it was revealed that Liverpool were preparing a £67 bid for Simons, and while that didn’t materialise, the interest is genuine and he’s got his sights on the Premier League. Last Slot would love to work with his countryman, who would fit right into his midfield.

This is something of a Dutch revolution, after all. Simons is destined for the Premier League, insofar as he wants to join and has the skill set to flourish on English soil.

Like Wirtz, Simons is comfortable across a wealth of attacking positions, perhaps even more so. This season, he’s flitted back and forth from left wing and a more central attacking position, effective from both vantages.

So then, a young and right-footed playmaker with a dynamic approach. He ticks many of the same boxes as Wirtz, and he holds his own from a technical standpoint too.

Matches (starts)

30 (24)

24 (24)

Goals

10

9

Assists

12

7

Shots (on target)*

2.5 (1.2)

1.9 (0.8)

Pass completion

82%

83%

Big chances created

17

12

Key passes*

1.9

2.1

Dribbles*

2.7

1.3

Ball recoveries*

3.6

5.2

Tackles*

1.1

1.1

Duels won*

5.3

5.4

Honestly, there isn’t all that much to differentiate the two playmakers. Maybe Wirtz pips Simons, but the Netherlands international has got more than enough to make a real impact on Slot’s side.

Indeed, given that Leipzig would be seeking out a smaller fortune for his sale too, it’s something of a no-brainer given the size of the rebuild that is needed this summer.

If you needed a further illustration of the little magician’s ability, FBref have laid out even more of Simons’ impressive data from the 2024/25 campaign.

It’s shown that he ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for touches, the top 6% for ball recoveries, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for through balls, the top 12% for passes attempted and the top 13% for progressive passes per 90.

Truly, he’s one of the best passers out there. Given that Simons has scored more goals than he’s assisted this season, moreover, there’s even more excitement sure to be emanating from the Reds camp, whose pursuit of Wirtz could lead them to Simons, and it’s hard to suggest they’d be significantly worse off for it.

He’s withheld from mentioning him until this point, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s expected move to Real Madrid demands a new elite-level playmaker to bolster Slot’s squad.

With a deal for Jeremie Frimpong reportedly in the closing stages, Liverpool have moved swiftly to secure competition for Conor Bradley. But neither full-back represents the one-of-a-kind creative quality of Trent.

Slot is actually clever to be shifting the playmaking focus into a more conventional number ten berth. Whether this gambit proves to be a success remains to be seen, but if Wirtz and Simons are the targets, it’s hard to envisage all that much going wrong for the Premier League champions.

It’s an exciting time to be a Liverpool fan.

A dream for Salah: Liverpool moving to sign "the world's best midfielder"

Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s season will be rewarded in the transfer market this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair May 15, 2025

Arsenal are expected to sign world football’s “second best” player with the groundwork for a deal already done, according to a very reliable media source.

Andrea Berta holds talks with key Arsenal targets

New sporting director Andrea Berta is set to take the lead in what is anticipated to be a pretty busy summer window for the north Londoners.

Related Arsenal make offer to £30m star after Berta successfully convinced Arteta

The Italian and Arsenal’s manager are already working on the club’s transfer plans this summer.

Posts 9 ByEmilio Galantini May 9, 2025

Nuno Tavares, Albert Sami Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko could all quit Arsenal in the summer, according to Sami Mokbel, with Jorginho also agreeing to join Flamengo and Kieran Tierney set to make a return to Celtic after their contracts expire.

Arsenal’s final Premier League games

Date

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

If Arsenal don’t agree an extension with Thomas Partey, following his arguably best season at the Emirates to date, then the Ghana international will follow them – so it appears there will be plenty of ins and outs.

In terms of incomings, Berta is believed to have reached out to the representatives of a few key summer targets already.

Recently, the Italian has been pushing to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with extensive discussions held, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

As well as this, Berta reached out for talks with Nico Williams’ representatives in one of his first acts as sporting director, as per The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, with Arsenal exploring a move for one of La Liga’s standout talents.

However, one man who could be arriving before any of them is Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.

The Gunners have been in advanced talks for his signature since January (The Mail), and the reliable David Ornstein says that those within Arsenal are behaving like they’ve already sealed a deal for Zubimendi.

Arsenal expected to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer

Now, a very credible source in the BBC, and their reporter Mokbel, have shared an update of their own.

Arsenal are very much expected to sign Zubimendi, according to their information, and the groundwork for a deal has already been done, largely by ex-sporting director Edu Gaspar and interim chief Jason Ayto.

The Spain international’s £51 million release clause looks likely to be triggered, but Arsenal should be wary that Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last summer.

Arsenal will be eager to get this over the line early doors after months of negotiations, especially considering Zubimendi’s pedigree as a truly elite number six.

“For me, Martín is the second-best player in the world. We are incredibly lucky to have these two, who I consider the best players in the world.” said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente on Zubimendi and Rodri.

“But we also have other fantastic players who’ve been here and are with us now—another fantastic player, Pepelu hasn’t come yet, but he’s been called up with us.”

As the Champions League quarter-finals get underway, Nottingham Forest supporters can only look on as Midlands rivals Aston Villa chase the ultimate glory on Europe’s biggest stage.

However, after a dazzling season that has seen Nuno Espirito Santo’s side make a charge for the continent’s premier club competition, Forest could yet be mixing it with the big boys, as they sit third with seven games remaining.

With England set to be handed five slots in the 2025/26 league phase, Forest’s chances of returning to the Champions League for the first time since 1980 have been enhanced further.

Which English clubs will play in Europe next season?

There is a fierce fight to claim a European football spot this season – which teams will make it?

ByStephan Georgiou Mar 29, 2025

But with some crunch fixtures and an FA Cup semi-final to navigate before the season’s end, everything still hangs in the balance.

So when could Nottingham Forest confirm their place in the Champions League? Here, we look at the permutations.

Who qualifies for the Champions League?

England are set to earn a fifth Champions League place via the league this season.

This is a result of English clubs’ performances in Europe this year, with five clubs still active across the three European competitions: Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Champions League; Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the Europa League; and Chelsea in the Conference League.

Manchester City and Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League in the knockout play-off round and last 16 respectively.

The two nations with the highest national coefficients for the season earn an extra Champions League place.

England’s coefficient for the season is far greater than the likes of Italy and Germany, making them near-certainties to gain the fifth league spot at the time of writing.

Will England get a 5th Champions League place? UEFA's rules explained

Plenty of clubs could be eyeing 5th place if the Premier League earns an extra CL slot.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 10, 2025 How many points do Nottingham Forest need to claim a top-five spot?

As things stand, Nottingham Forest would require 74 points to absolutely guarantee a place in the Premier League’s top five.

With sixth-placed reigning champions Manchester City on 52 points – five behind Forest ahead of the Reds’ weekend clash against Everton – the maximum points haul Pep Guardiola’s side can reach is 73.

This means Forest’s fight to confirm could go to the wire, but with the number of teams involved, it’s unlikely that another 17 points from 21 available will be necessary, particularly with some playing each other in the run-in.

Rank

Team

P

GD

PTS

Nottingham Forest

31

+14

Chelsea

31

+17

Newcastle

30

+13

Man City

31

+17

Aston Villa

31

0

Who are Nottingham Forest's top-five challengers?

While Liverpool and Arsenal are leading the pack (the Anfield side have already confirmed their place in the Champions League), Forest are currently at the front of the queue to join them in the UCL.

As of 8th April, there is a four-point buffer to Chelsea and Newcastle United, though the Magpies have a game in hand. Nevertheless, Forest are fully in control of their destiny as it stands.

Outside the current top five, Man City and Aston Villa will be hoping to usurp those in front of them, but like Forest, both of those clubs have the added challenge of dealing with cup campaigns.

FA Cup 2024/25: Cup final details, results, TV picks & more

Find all the latest and key FA Cup info here ahead of the weekend’s final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

1 ByRoss Kilvington May 12, 2025

It looks as though the likes of Fulham, Brighton and Bournemouth have dropped out of Champions League contention.

Chelsea are the only side currently in the top half on Forest’s fixture list, which may give the East Midlanders an advantage in the season’s final weeks.

And bar a late-season collapse, Forest’s Champions League fate may well have been decided before their clash with the Conference League-chasing Blues on the final day.

Date/Team

Nottm Forest

Chelsea

Newcastle

Man City

Aston Villa

12th April

Everton (H)

Crystal Palace (H)

Southampton (A)

13th April

Ipswich (H)

Man Utd (H)

16th April

Crystal Palace (H)

19th April

Aston Villa (A)

Everton (A)

Newcastle (H)

20th April

Fulham (A)

21st April

Tottenham (A)

22nd April

Aston Villa (H)

Man City (A)

26th April

Everton (H)

Ipswich (H)

1st May

Brentford (H)

2nd May

Wolves (H)

3rd May

Fulham (H)

4th May

Liverpool (H)

Brighton (A)

5th May

Crystal Palace (A)

10th May

Newcastle (A)

Chelsea (H)

Southampton (A)

Bournemouth (A)

11th May

Leicester (H)

18th May

West Ham (A)

Man Utd (H)

Arsenal (A)

Bournemouth (H)

Tottenham (H)

25th May

Chelsea (H)

Nottm Forest (A)

Everton (H)

Fulham (A)

Man Utd (A)

Can Nottingham Forest do it?

Forest are certainly in a great position at this late stage of the season. Having battled relegation and a points deduction last term, not many will have seen this coming.

But now is the crunch period – so can they pull off an incredible transformation and qualify for the Champions League?

One thing certainly in their favour is the run-in – all bar one of their remaining opponents headed into April as a bottom-half club.

Another reason they could receive a boost is the congested field battling for a top-five place. Villa still have to face Man City and Newcastle, who also have Chelsea and potential banana-skin trips to Brighton and Arsenal to come.

This means guaranteed dropped points, so Forest will most likely be afforded more wriggle room before the season concludes.

However, there are at least a couple of pitfalls for Forest to be wary of. One is their goal difference, which is weaker than Chelsea’s and Manchester City’s and perilously close to Newcastle’s, who have scored marginally more goals as things stand.

If things get tight, they could be left to rue their 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, even if it was remedied by their 7-0 demolition of Brighton a week later.

Understandably, there is also a lack of run-in experience – at the top end, at least. However, their rate of improvement and general consistency suggests they have what it takes to get over the line.

Nottingham Forest and 8 other Premier League surprise packages

The Premier League has had plenty of surprise packages over the previous 30 years – here are some of the best.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Nov 5, 2024

UAE are returning to their favourite format after a poor run in ODIs, while Bangladesh are gearing up for a busy season against some strong teams

Mohammad Isam16-May-2025Are Bangladesh too top-heavy?Bangladesh have picked five batters that have to be fitted into the top four. Tanzid Hasan is likely to open with Soumya Sarkar with captain Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto likely to come in next. They will get first dibs before Parvez Hossain Emon, who is still in a development stage as a T20 opener. Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali have strong strike rates that should come in handy in the later overs, before Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan come in as the designated hitters.Bangladesh’s pace attack is also quite full, with Mustafizur Rahman the most experienced, and Tanzim Hasan the most versatile. Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam are also in the squad, while left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam is the back-up spinner to Rishad and Mahedi.Jaker Ali has been Bangladesh’s key batter in the middle order across formats•AFP/Getty ImagesJaker the in-form batterJaker has already bailed out the Bangladesh batting several times in his first year in international cricket. He made a bright start against Sri Lanka last year before losing his way during the T20 World Cup, but made important runs in both Tests and T20Is on the West Indies tour, striking the ball sweetly, especially on the leg side.Related

NOC issue, fixture clash put Mustafizur's IPL participation in doubt

Litton: 'Not going to talk about a particular brand of cricket'

Jaker is a heavy run-getter in the middle-order in domestic cricket, which has now translated into good form at the highest level. There are more attractive strokemakers in the middle order, like Shamim and Hridoy, but Jaker is the one Bangladesh rely on the most these days. He has earned that reputation.UAE would welcome T20 returnUAE will have little time to recalibrate to T20 mode after their trip for to the Netherlands for the Cricket World Cup League 2 matches, where they were beaten by both the hosts and Scotland, winning just one game in the last two weeks. Rahul Chopra’s century and Simranjeet Singh’s four-wicket haul in a match against Scotland were the only real high points from the tour for UAE. They should, however, feel better playing T20Is, their best format.Their good form in the format helped them qualify for this year’s Asia Cup after they dominated the Asian Cricket Council’s Premier Cup last year. But UAE haven’t really played a lot of cricket against the Full-Member teams. Afghanistan beat them 2-1 in their bilateral series in 2023-24. They also beat New Zealand in 2023, while they lost a similar two-match series against Bangladesh in 2022.Muhammad Waseem has been one of the star T20I batters since his debut•SLCCan Waseem live up to his reputation?Muhammad Waseem is the highest run-getter in T20Is in the world since his debut in 2021, but it hasn’t gone too well for him of late. Waseem went through the ILT20 without scoring a half-century – the last time he did was in December last year, against Qatar. He has also scored just a single ODI fifty in the last two years.Waseem, the UAE captain, had a very brief stint in the BPL, when he appeared for Chattogram Challengers in one game in the 2023-24 season. He made just one run then. However, Waseem is the most prominent UAE batter, so the Bangladesh analysts will rev up their laptops to show his footage to the bowlers. Waseem on song is a treat to watch, but it has been a long time since he has really taken on a top attack.Sharjah is steamingNight games will be welcomed by the players in Sharjah, which is very hot at the moment. The temperatures are in the high 30s (Celsius) this week.Bangladesh, though, have some idea about the Sharjah pitches, where they played the three ODIs against Afghanistan last year, while UAE don’t play much of their home T20Is in Sharjah. Generally, 170-180 would be seen as competitive totals; the two 180-plus scores were both comfortably defended in Sharjah in the last two years.

The full round-up of records from England’s first-innings total of 657 in 101 overs

Sampath Bandarupalli02-Dec-2022657 England’s total in the first innings in Rawalpindi. It is the fifth-highest total in Test cricket for England and their highest against Pakistan, surpassing 598 for nine in 2015 in Abu Dhabi. It is also England’s second-highest total away from home, behind 849 all out against West Indies in Kingston in 1930.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6.50 England’s run-rate during their mammoth 657 all out. It is the highest run rate for any team in a Test innings of 100-plus overs. The previous highest was 5.36 by Sri Lanka during their 555 for five in 103.3 overs against Bangladesh in 2001.1 Number of Test totals against Pakistan in Pakistan, higher than England’s 657. India’s 675 for five in the 2004 Multan Test remains the highest ever against the home team in Pakistan. England’s 657 all out is also the fifth-highest total conceded by Pakistan in Test cricket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd398 Runs scored by England off boundaries, the fifth highest by any team in a Test innings. They are also the most boundary runs scored by England in a Test innings, surpassing the 372 against South Africa in 2016, and the most scored by any team against Pakistan. The tally rises to 402 with the four overthrows that Jack Leach received to get off the mark on Friday.115 Balls Harry Brook needed for his 150. It is the fourth-fastest individual 150 in the history of Test cricket and the fastest for England. The previous quickest for England was by Ben Stokes, off 135 balls against South Africa in 2016.ESPNcricinfo Ltd27 Runs scored by Brook in the 83rd over off Zahid Mahmood, the most scored by an England batter in an over in Test cricket. The previous highest is 24 runs, shared between Ian Botham (off Derek Stirling in 1986) and Brook himself, when he hit six fours in an over off Saud Shakeel on Thursday.235 Runs conceded by Zahid in the first innings in Rawalpindi are the most by a bowler in an innings on Test debut. The previous highest was 222 runs by Suraj Randiv against India in 2010. The 235 runs by Zahid are also the fourth-most conceded by a bowler for Pakistan in a Test innings.ESPNcricinfo Ltd7.12 Zahid’s economy rate during England’s first innings. It is the worst for any player to have bowled 150-plus balls in a Test innings. Only one bowler before Zahid had an economy of more than six runs – 6.15 by Yasir Shah against Australia in 2019 at the Adelaide Oval.

And who will accompany Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the bowling department?

Sidharth Monga14-Dec-2020As India travel from Sydney to Adelaide, a few selection questions will be on top of their minds. The middle-order batsmen – Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari – and the two fast bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami – select themselves, but the other five positions are open with equally reasonable arguments for the various options available.OpenersMayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw are the incumbents, but India didn’t get a single significant partnership at the top the last time India played a series, in New Zealand. The outsider is Shubman Gill, who will be making his Test debut should he play. All three have batted positively in the warm-ups even though Shaw managed just one decent knock in four innings. The last time they batted, Agarwal and Gill both looked good for hundreds, but the SCG pitch had eased out significantly by then.WicketkeeperAt least for the first Test, the middle order is sealed. Rishabh Pant is India’s incumbent wicketkeeper and No. 7 as India have preferred him to Wriddhiman Saha in series outside Asia. The logic for Saha’s inclusion in home Tests is to provide the spinners with a more accomplished gloveman. Pant has been India’s wicketkeeper on their last three tours outside Asia: England, Australia and New Zealand. On the last of those tours, Saha was fit and available. However, Pant has been losing favour gradually this year. It will be interesting to see if that extends to Tests too.Last two bowlersBumrah and Shami are sure to play, leaving the final two bowling slots open. R Ashwin has started India’s last three tours outside Asia and should be the favourite, except there is a fair chance India might not play a spinner. Spin has averaged 49 runs per wicket in day-night Tests in Australia, and that is despite a superlative average of 25 for the home spinner Nathan Lyon. So it won’t be unreasonable if India choose not to play one. If India do play, Ravindra Jadeja is out of the equation, and Ashwin’s competition is left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took a five-for the last time he played in Australia, prompting the coach to say he was the No. 1 choice in overseas Tests.Umesh Yadav has to be the favourite as the third fast bowler: he looked good in the first tour game, has been the No. 4 behind Ishant Sharma, Bumrah and Shami for a long time now and has the experience of bowling in a day-night Test before. The other options are Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj, both yet to play a Test.

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.

Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to open a new private members club in Madrid. The Portugal icon is nearing the end of his career and it appears he is making more steps to prepare for life after football. Along with a host of business enterprises he already has, the 40-year-old forward is going into a new type of venture later this year.

• Ronaldo nearing his retirement

  Ronaldo will go down as one of the greatest footballers of all time. What he has achieved at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and more, has helped him put together one of the most glittering careers in the sport's history. Even though he is now in his 40s, he is still prolific for Portugal and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. But even the veteran striker knows that this will all have to come to an end eventually. Although he has a contract with Al-Nassr until the end of the 2026-27 season, the day when he hangs up his boots for good is fast approaching. 

  When asked about retirement, he said in an interview with Piers Morgan earlier this month, "Soon. I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. Will be difficult, yes. Probably I will cry, yes… It will be very, very difficult but I've prepared my future since [I was] 25, 26, 27 years old. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure."

  Incidentally, some of his business enterprises include CR7 Clothing, CR7 Fitness, his own YouTube channel, and more.

Advertisement

• Ronaldo's private club to open in Madrid

  According to Spanish publication , entrepreneur Inigo Onieva and Mabel Hospitality, the firm of Ronaldo and businessman Manuel Campos Guallar, have launched Vega Private Members Club. The report says it will 'redefine' how socialising and business is done in Madrid, with the opening scheduled before the end of the year at 88 Lagasca Street in the heart of the Golden Mile. The 1,000-square metre space will prohibit the use of mobile phones and photos and will be used for meetings, private offices, co-working and a podcast studio during the day. At night, the space will transform into a social meeting point with exclusive dinners and specialised bars. The 'club' will have three spaces to cover different times of the day: Casa Vega (contemporary bistro), Vega Restaurant, and Toto (Italian restaurant). There will also be a wine club that offers private cava and wine experiences. However, it will not be cheap. The most coveted membership, the founders' membership, can only be obtained by invitation and requires a one-time payment of €15,000. With it comes lifetime access, priority bookings and tailor-made experiences. Cheaper deals can be found from €2,400 per year plus an initial fee of €2,000. 

• Ronaldo looks to the future

  In the same interview with Morgan, Ronaldo said retiring from football will finally give him the time to pursue other things. But he admitted that the thrill of winning a game or scoring a goal will never be topped.

  "Nothing will compare to the adrenaline we have for football to score a goal. But I have other passions. [When I retire] I'm going to have more time for me, have more time for my family, to raise my kids. I want to be more a family person, more present," he said. "Also, to have my own hobbies. I like to see UFC, the fights. I like padel. I like and I want to learn more about my companies. I'll never be a [full-time] YouTuber, of course, but I want to be there. I'm going to spend more time on that to learn. I think I'm going to do funny things and things I'm not used to doing before. Because I live football 24 hours [each day] to do the right things and perform."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next for Ronaldo?

  Before Ronaldo has one more crack at securing Portugal's first-ever World Cup triumph in 2026, he will be focused on firing Al-Nassr to silverware success after a trophyless spell at the club so far. They are on track to end that run, however, as they are top of the Saudi Pro League.