Jos Buttler’s return as England white-ball captain has been delayed by at least three more matches, after he was ruled out of next week’s ODI leg of their tour of the Caribbean due to his long-standing calf injury.Buttler, 34, has been plagued by the injury for four months, and has not played a competitive match since England’s elimination from the T20 World Cup, with their semi-final defeat to India in Guyana in June.He missed the entirety of Manchester Originals’ Hundred campaign, and then withdrew from the T20I and ODI series against Australia in September as well. According to the ECB, he has now suffered a “slight setback” in his rehabilitation, and will consequently fly direct to Barbados ahead of the five-match T20I series, which begins on November 9.Related
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In Buttler’s absence, Liam Livingstone has been named as England’s ODI captain. It will be his first opportunity in the role, with Harry Brook – Buttler’s stand-in in the ODIs against Australia – currently in Rawalpindi preparing for the third Test against Pakistan.Michael Pepper, the Essex wicketkeeper-batter, has been added to the squad as cover, although the selectors had always intended to add two extra players to the tour, depending on the team selection for the third Test in Rawalpindi. Jordan Cox, England’s spare Test batter who made his white-ball debut against Australia, is one likely inclusion, while Olly Stone – back with the squad after his honeymoon but omitted from the match – could also feature.Pepper has only played seven List A games but was third third-highest run-scorer in 2024 Vitality Blast and finished the season with Essex in good form, scoring his maiden first-class hundreds.Buttler’s continued absence will raise speculation around his international future, despite the assurances from Brendon McCullum, England’s incoming white-ball coach, that he would remain front and centre of his plans, with McCullum pointedly saying that “he’s been a little bit miserable at times.””He’s an incredibly gifted player,” McCullum added at his unveiling. “He’s a fine leader. My job is to get the best out of him so that all those that sit in the dressing-room feel like they can be ten-feet tall and bulletproof when they walk out to play, and they know that the skipper is going to give them that extra pat on the back and and enjoy the ride with them.”Buttler was a non-playing presence during the Australia series, with Marcus Trescothick, England’s interim white-ball coach who will be leading the Caribbean tour, insisting: “There’s no reason why Jos won’t fit back into that mould, score millions of runs, captain well and fit back into the team perfectly.””Let’s make it clear,” Trescothick said. “He will come straight back in. At what position, I don’t know. We’ll look at that for the Caribbean.”
“We had a really good match, it was just some small moments that we could’ve done better,” says New Zealand head coach Gary Stead
Madushka Balasuriya25-Sep-2024
Rachin Ravindra and Prabath Jayasuriya starred in the fourth innings of the first Test for their respective teams•AFP/Getty Images
You win the toss, you bat. When it comes to playing a Test in Galle, that is not so much as received wisdom as it as an etched in stone eleventh commandment. While this might on the face of it seem a ploy to get the best of the batting conditions, in actuality, it’s more down to not wanting to get the worst of it.In the first Test, Sri Lanka won the toss and obviously batted, but while the notable turn on day one signified a raging turner from the outset, Sri Lanka still managed to run up 305 in the first innings – even accounting for them losing their last four wickets for just 24 runs.And after that, it was in fact New Zealand’s batters that got to utilise the most batter friendly of conditions across the Test – on day two, when the turn had slowed down and Sri Lanka’s spinners struggled for control. But their innings, too, was hampered by a late collapse, going from a pretty strong 269 for 5 to 340 all out.Related
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But as the Test wore on, particularly on the fourth and fifth day, batting became the chore Galle is more commonly renowned for, with 14 wickets falling on day four and two wickets within 15 minutes on day five to wrap up the game.”The pitch can change quite quickly and we saw that,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead noted on the eve of the second Test. “From being relatively good off the straight areas, to then spinning, quite a bit on that fourth day. The conditions can change very quickly.”So I think every run you get in the first innings is very important. And making sure you can post a as large a total as possible, as that means it’s just less runs you have to score in the second innings.”Stead’s sentiment was something shared by Sri Lanka batting coach Thilina Kandamby, who spoke towards the importance of setting the tone early on, be it with the bat or ball.”Setting the tone is key in Test cricket, even with the ball. In Manchester also, if you remember, we had a really bad day starting with the bowling. Then we recovered really well. That’s the positive part of it, whether it comes to bowling or batting our recovery is really good. But setting the tone is really important, and all the players know that.”Both teams are also acutely aware of the areas in which they need to improve, primarily in pressing home hard-fought advantages. With five wickets in hand, 50 runs adrift of Sri Lanka’s first innings total, and a set pair of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips at the crease at the start of day three, New Zealand might have been eyeing a hefty first-innings lead – particularly taking into account the confidence with which they had approached their batting the previous day.As it turned out, they would lose their remaining five wickets for 86 runs on the third morning, and in the process relinquish the grip they had on the game. With 63 runs the final margin of defeat it’s pivotal passages such as these, that Stead knows proved the difference in the end.”I actually think we had a really good Test match and for the most part it was very evenly contested. I thought that it was just some small moments that we could have done better,” he explained. “We probably should have got more run in terms of that first innings, and the lead from the position we were in.”And then the second session, I think it was of the third day, where we didn’t take a wicket. [Dinesh] Chandimal and [Dimuth] Karunaratne batted very well, but we maybe were just a little bit slow to adjust and adapt to that situation.””We probably should have got more run in terms of that first innings, and the lead from the position we were in” – Stead•AFP/Getty Images
Kandamby had similar grievances with his own side. Sri Lanka lost five of their top six batters (including Angelo Mathews who retired hurt) inside the first 35 overs of day one, before a century from Kamindu Mendis and a Kusal Mendis fifty revived their innings. In the second innings, having got to 153 for the loss of just one wicket, Sri Lanka stumbled to 178 for 4. And then again went from 286 for 6 to 309 all out.”Mindset will be the same [going into the game], but we have discussed where we went wrong, especially in the batting,” revealed Kandamby. “We had a collapse in the third or fourth day, it had happened a couple of times earlier also. The senior players need to take the responsibility because they have played a lot of cricket in Galle. We all knew the wicket would be helpful for spinners.”When we see the stats, I think they swept more than us, which is a concern. We played some good sweep shots as well, but you can’t always trust the defence on a wicket like this. So you’re better always to be in a positive mindset to score runs.”One other area of concern has been the contribution from Sri Lanka’s tail. In terms of batting contributions from those batting at 9, 10 and 11, Sri Lanka know they could be doing better. Across both innings they contributed a total of 13 runs, while Ramesh Mendis batting at eight offered not much more.This has partly been reason for Sri Lanka bringing in Milan Rathnayake – following his impressive showing with the bat in England – in place of Lahiru Kumara, but Kandamby said it was nevertheless an area they were actively looking at improving on.”Yes we’re looking for runs from them [the tail], but more than that it’s about supporting the batter at the other end. It’s only after the recognised batter gets out that we start thinking about how to put the pressure back on the bowlers and get some runs. So honestly if they can get about 30-40 runs, that would be good. Because if you look at it compared the rest of the Test playing nations, our batters at 9, 10, 11, are quite low down.”Whenever we have practice, batting is compulsory for them. And when we’re not playing in a series, they will work the coaches at the HPC (high performance centre) to work on their technical errors.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has already been able to bring in several new players to bolster his first-team squad during the summer transfer window.
Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, and Callum Osmand have all already come through the door since the end of last season.
Benjamin Nygren
There is more yet to come for the Scottish Premiership champions in the coming weeks, though, as the Hoops are looking for further signings, particularly in the attacking areas.
One player who looks set to join the likes of Tierney and Nygren is Japanese centre-forward Shin Yamada, after Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claimed that the club have agreed a £1.5m deal with Kawasaki Frontale to secure his services.
As explained in the post, the 25-year-old number nine is currently at an international tournament, which means that supporters may have to wait for an official confirmation from the club.
What role Shin Yamada could play at Celtic
The £1.5m striker is an interesting prospective signing for the Scottish giants because he is coming off the back of a poor season in the Japanese top-flight.
In the 2025 season, the right-footed striker has scored two goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances in the J1 League, which is far from an impressive return for the forward.
Shin Yamada in action for Kawasaki Frontale.
Speaking about that form, Yamada said: “On a personal note, I have to admit I have had a disappointing season. I set high standards for myself and I don’t think I met them if I am being honest.”
These statistics do not suggest that the forward is going to make a big impact at Parkhead next season, but he did thrive in front of goal in the 2024 campaign, before his struggles this year.
Shin Yamada (J1 League)
2024
2025
Appearances
38
21
Goals
19
2
Minutes per goal
107
573
Big chances missed
14
8
Key passes per game
0.7
0.4
Assists
3
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Yamada enjoyed a terrific spell in 2024 with a return of 19 goals in 38 games, but his form fell off a cliff since the turn of the year.
There is no guarantee that he can return to his form from last year, as it may have been a flash in the pan, which is why this is a risky signing for Celtic, and why he could be a back up option within the squad next season if he does not go back out on loan.
Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup
Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke claims that Rodgers wants a “marquee” striker who can “guarantee” goals, and Yamada does not appear to fit the bill for what the manager is looking for.
This suggests that another number nine could come through the door before the end of the window, and David Strelec would be an interesting option.
Celtic's interest in David Strelec
Herald Scotland recently reported that the Slovakian striker has been a long-term target for the Scottish giants, although it remains to be seen if they are willing to make a move for him this summer.
The Hoops were interested in a deal to sign the Slovan forward, who played against Celtic in the Champions League last season, in the January transfer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, Slovan decided to demand a whopping fee of £9m in order to sanction an exit for their star centre-forward, which put any potential transfer to an end.
With Rodgers wanting a ‘marquee’ striker to ‘guarantee’ him goals, though, Strelec could emerge as an option for the Scottish giants this summer, should the price tag drop or should Celtic decide to pay the money.
Why Celtic should sign David Strelec
The Hoops should push to sign the Slovan striker this summer after missing out on him in January because he could be brought in as a much better centre-forward than Yamada.
Whilst the Japanese forward has struggled in front of goal this season and does not look to be the immediate answer to the club’s goalscoring needs, Strelec’s form last term suggests that he has the tools to hit the ground running in Glasgow.
The left-footed star, who was described as a “tireless runner” by analyst Louorns on X, ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 25 goals and eight assists in all competitions, including two goals in the Champions League.
Strelec, who has scored seven goals for Slovakia at international level, showcased his ability to score and create goals at an exceptional rate as a centre-forward, and he could come in as an in-form striker who could provide a big threat in front of goal for Rodgers.
Stats
Strelec (24/25 Nike Liga)
Yamada (2025 J1 League)
Appearances
29
21
Goals
20
2
Minutes per goal
102
573
Big chances missed
9
8
Big chances created
9
2
Key passes per game
1.1
0.4
Assists
5
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Slovakian marksman’s form suggests that he would be a far better option than Yamada, whilst also being one year younger than the potential Hoops signing.
He would also arrive at Celtic with experience in European football and having played in the Champions League, whilst the Japanese striker would have to adapt to European football.
Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup
Therefore, Strelec has far more potential to be the marquee striker who guarantees goals for the Premiership champions than Yamada does, because he would arrive at Parkhead off the back of a 25-goal season, rather than a two-goal one.
At the age of 24, the Slovakia international would also have room to develop and improve during his time at Celtic, making him a potential candidate to be sold on for a substantial profit in the future, even if they have to splash out £9m to bring him to the club.
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This is why the Scottish giants should be pushing to sign the Slovan sensation in the coming weeks to be the prolific number nine that Rodgers is desperate for.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is already working to back incoming new manager Thomas Frank, with the Dane closing in on a move to N17 as he replaces Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham reach Thomas Frank agreement as transfer plans begin
Fabrizio Romano was first to give the ‘here we go’ on Frank’s switch to Spurs from Brentford, and now other reliable media sources are reporting that he’s about to become the Lilywhites’ fifth manager since 2019.
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Jun 11, 2025
Talks over backroom staff were apparently stalling preparations to announce Frank as Postecoglou’s immediate heir, specifically Justin Cochrane as the 51-year-old’s assistant, but the club now appear to have struck an accord.
With any doubt surrounding Frank’s move to N17 seemingly quashed, Tottenham can begin work on their summer recruitment drive sooner rather than later, which is vital considering their place in the Champions League.
Levy will not want to leave Frank in a similar position to that of Postecoglou last campaign, as the Australian had to deal with a plague of injuries throughout his squad on a consistent basis during the 2024/2025 season.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
Securing much-needed strength in depth will be imperative if they wish to compete in Europe’s most prestigious competition and significantly improve on their 17th-placed Premier League finish.
Some reports suggest Frank is already making some intriguing transfer decisions behind-the-scenes ahead of his arrival in north London.
According to TEAMtalk, Frank is keen to keep hold of Mathys Tel on a permanent deal, and he’s also recommended Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to Levy as a potential signing (GiveMeSport).
Tottenham are targeting a new forward as one of their summer priorities (Michael Bridge), with keen interest also shown in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
Daniel Levy meets with Antoine Semenyo's agents over Tottenham transfer
According to talkSPORT and reporter Alex Crook, their fondness of the Cherries forward stretches far beyond just an admiring glance.
It is believed Levy has personally met with Semenyo’s agents to hold Tottenham talks, but Spurs’ high-ranking chief was told a key transfer condition, namely that Tottenham would have to smash their transfer record to strike a deal for the Ghanaian.
The 25-year-old scored 13 goals and bagged a further seven assists in all competitions last term, with the price for his signature coming in at around £70 million.
There is little doubting Semenyo’s quality, though it remains to be seen just how much Levy is willing to part with to make his signing a reality.
“He’s a lovely footballer to watch”, said Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp on Premier League productions late last year.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
“The manager’s taken him to another level. He obviously has that capability because you saw it with Solanke. I’m just seeing him elevate his game right now, we’ll talk about why does that happen, a lot of it is purely on confidence.
“He looks like he’s enjoying his football, his shoulders are back, he’s relaxed, every time he gets it, he plays with a bit of a swagger. He’s actually a joy to watch right now.”
Manchester United’s move for Matheus Cunha appears to be all but completed, although that deal will likely be just the start of a hectic summer at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim expected to oversee a real squad overhaul.
While the Portuguese has admitted that incomings may be limited due to the club’s failure to secure Champions League qualification, he also hinted that he could look to work with a smaller squad as a result, heightening the need for further departures.
Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans all said their goodbyes during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, while sales for Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all set to be prioritised, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Evans and Lindelof
A bold call has been made by Amorim and INEOS over the future of Alejandro Garnacho, with the Argentine currently the major talking point at the club – alongside in-demand captain, Bruno Fernandes.
Latest on Bruno Fernandes' future
In the aftermath of last week’s Europa League final defeat, Fernandes – who had put in a surprisingly muted performance in the Bilbao showpiece – admitted for the first time that the club could decide to cash in on him, having previously rejected an “offer” from elsewhere last summer.
The 30-year-old did put pen to paper over a contract extension ahead of the start of this season, although intense interest from Saudi Arabian side, Al Hilal, has thrown his future in doubt.
It has been claimed in recent days that the playmaker has been given 72 hours by the Pro League outfit to decide whether or not he is open to a move, having spent the last five-and-a-half years in Manchester.
Bruno Fernandes
The belief is that Al Hilal are willing to almost treble Fernandes’ wage, should he agree to a switch, with United’s talisman in line to take home £700k-per-week, totalling £200m over a three-year contract.
Should that mammoth offer prove too tempting for both player and club – with an £100m fee having been mooted – then Amorim and co will need to seek out a suitable replacement.
Man Utd's search to replace Fernandes
With Cunha having one foot in the door, the search to find a new attacking talisman is already underway, although for a side who failed to score in 16 games in all competitions in 2024/25, further reinforcements are needed.
With that in mind, Caught Offside are reporting that the Red Devils are ready to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Lee Kang-in’s future at Paris Saint-Germain, with talks said to have hit a snag over the South Korean’s contract extension.
As per the report, while the 24-year-old still has three years left on his existing deal, the failure to tie him down to fresh terms has ‘opened the door’ for suitors to pounce, with the Old Trafford side said to have ‘made a move’ to sign him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Any deal could cost in the region of £36m, with The Athletic reporting in January that the Ligue 1 side are looking to at least double their €22m (£18m) investment, after landing the playmaker from Mallorca in 2023.
That reported price tag was mooted amid interest from Arsenal, with the Gunners among a raft of clubs to have made contact, alongside the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Paris St Germain'sLeeKang-in, Paris St Germain's Nuno Mendes and Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi
A hotly-contested race then it would seem, although if United can win the battle, Lee could represent a wildcard Fernandes replacement.
Why Lee Kang-in could be a perfect Fernandes replacement
It is a summer in which many top-flight clubs are looking to strengthen their attacking ranks, with rivals Liverpool seemingly stepping up their pursuit of one of the most high-profile deals to have been touted so far, with regard to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
The subject of an offer worth over €100m (£86m), the German sensation looks to have selected Anfield as his next destination, despite interest from Bayern Munich, with the 22-year-old enjoying a fine campaign in which he registered 31 goals and assists in all competitions.
While Lee may not have hit such heights back in Paris, having registered just 12 goals and assists amid his bit-part role under Luis Enrique, it is encouraging to note that he has been deemed a statistically similar profile to Wirtz, among those in their position in this season’s Champions League, as per FBref.
Lee vs Wirtz – 24/25 UCL stats
Stat (per 90)
Lee
Wirtz
Non-penalty goals
0.00
0.59
Assists
0.00
0.12
Shot-creating actions
5.00
5.10
Pass completion
86.1%
85.8%
Progressive passes
7.50
6.28
Progressive carries
3.65
3.32
Successful take-ons
1.54
2.13
Tackles
1.73
0.71
Interceptions
0.19
0.47
Stats via FBref
As indicated in the table above, the two men – both of whom can operate off the flanks or in a central role – are particularly adept at providing a creative outlet in attack, with Lee ranking in the top 1% of Champions League forwards for progressive passes per 90. Wirtz, for context, ranks in the top 3% in that regard.
The duo’s dribbling prowess is also worth noting, with Lee – who did only feature for 468 minutes in the competition – ranking in the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90, with his German counterpart ranking in the top 1% for that same metric.
Previously described as an “incredible” talent by international teammate Son Heung-min, the former Valencia starlet has recorded 22 goals and assists in 81 games during his time in Paris, while previously registering 17 goal involvements in 73 games for Mallorca.
It is also worth mentioning that despite registering just six goals and six assists in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, the Korean gem did create 16 ‘big chances’, while averaging 1.9 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.
Wirtz, for example, was only just ahead after creating 17 ‘big chances’ in the Bundesliga, albeit while averaging 1.8 key passes, while as for Fernandes, the Portuguese hero also created 16 ‘big chances’ in the Premier League.
That indicates the type of threat that Lee can offer, particularly if afforded regular game time under Amorim’s watch, with the silky left-footer courting such interest for a reason, heading into the summer window.
Lee Kang-in for Paris Saint-Germain
For United to be able to land a Wirtz-like talent on the cheap could prove a masterstroke, with the PSG contract rebel representing a potentially left-field solution should Fernandes’ void need to be filled.
Another Sancho situation: Man Utd plot move for "world-class" £30m star
Manchester United could be about to make a move for a star who could replicate Jadon Sancho’s footsteps.
The transfer window is just around the corner, and as Mikel Arteta told the press just last month, it’s set to be a massive one for Arsenal.
The Gunners failed to get over the line in any competition this year, and while injuries have played their part, one of the team’s most significant problems, which most agree on, is their lack of a truly clinical striker.
So, it’s not been surprising then, that in recent weeks, the North Londoners have been heavily linked with several top-class number nines, perhaps none more than Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who could be available for around £70m.
However, the club seem intent on revolutionising the entire attacking unit, and reports have now touted another superstar for a move to the Emirates, a star who’d be a dream teammate for the Swede.
Arsenal's attacking transfer targets
Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other attacking talents who’ve been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, such as Daizen Maeda and Jamie Gittens.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former has been enjoying a simply spectacular campaign north of the border with Celtic, in which he’s scored 33 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 games and best of all, he could be available for just £25m.
Gittens, on the other hand, could cost up to £51m, but as he’s still just 20 years old and has managed to rack up a stellar haul of 12 goals and five assists in 46 games for Borussia Dortmund this season, he looks like he’d be worth it.
However, to really get the most out of Gyokeres and take the club’s whole attack to another level, the Gunners will need to sign a true superstar, someone like Rodrygo.
Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are one of a few Premier League sides keen on the Real Madrid star.
Alongside the North Londoners, the report has revealed that Liverpool and Manchester City have contacted the player’s representatives and remain in contact today.
In terms of how much the winger might cost Arsenal, a report from earlier this week claimed that he could be available for around €100m, which is about £85m.
Real Madrid'sRodrygolooks on
It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he’d be ideal for Gyokeres.
Why Rodrygo would be a dream for Gyokeres
So, to keep things simple, there is one primary reason why Rodrygo would be a dream teammate for Gyokeres, which all others stem from his output.
For the Swedish goal machine to make the most of his incredible finishing ability, he’s going to want to have someone as effective as Saka to the left of him, and that could be the Brazilian.
For example, in 50 appearances this term, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 13 goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games.
Rodrygo vs Martinelli vs Trossard
Players
Rodrygo
Martinelli
Trossard
Appearances
50
48
53
Minutes
3290′
3313′
3262′
Goals
13
9
10
Assists
10
6
8
Goal Involvements per Match
0.46
0.31
0.33
Minutes per Goal Involvement
143.04′
220.86′
181.22′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In comparison, Leandro Trossard has produced 18 goal involvements in 53 appearances, and Gabriel Martinelli has produced 15 in 48, which comes out to an average of one every 2.94 and 3.2 games, respectively.
Moreover, besides having far better raw output than the North Londoners’ current left-wing options, the 24-year-old has some seriously impressive underlying numbers to his name.
According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for carries into the final third, the top 2% for pass completion and passes blocked, the top 4% for progressive carrying distance, the top 9% for shot-creating actions from take-ons and more, all per 90.
Finally, despite his age, the Osasco-born dynamo has seen it all and won it all at club level, with two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles and a handful of other cups to his name, so while some of Arteta’s other options might struggle to step up on the biggest stages, it’ll just be another game to the Real star.
Ultimately, thanks to his brilliant output, impressive underlying numbers and the immense amount of experience he has at his age, Rodrygo would be a dream teammate for Gyokeres and Arsenal should do what they can to sign him.
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Remember the names – the breakout boys from IPL 2024
Wide of off – where fast bowlers go to hide in the IPL
All of it happened in IPL 2024. Looking at some of the staggering numbers, it would appear something broke in the balance between bat and ball this year.In the overall numbers, though, the average scoring rate went up at a similar increment as it has been doing over the last three years: 8.05 in 2021 to 8.54 in 2022 to 8.99 in 2023 to 9.56 in 2024. That’s an increase of 11.4 runs every completed innings. Now that we put it this way, it doesn’t seem as staggering as some of the high-scoring innings we have seen but it is still a significant rise in scoring rates.There have to be some actions resulting in these outcomes. We looked at intent first. ESPNcricinfo’s intent logs are robust enough to be comparable from 2021. Aggressive intent is basically a boundary attempt. It would be fair to assume the intent to score boundaries might have gone up with the introduction of the Impact Player.ESPNcricinfo LtdThree extra boundary attempts every 200 balls is not the bump in the intent we expected from such an IPL edition. The change in the intent, and indeed the efficiency of aggressive intent, has been marginal. Only 5.7 of the 11.4 incremental runs scored per innings this year over the last can be attributed to the intent this year and its efficiency.But there is one period of play that does stand out. While the overall increase in powerplay and death overs scoring rates has been marginal, overs 7 to 12 have been worth 4.26 more runs per innings.In terms of overall numbers, though, it doesn’t seem like this has been a landmark year in the way teams have approached or executed their run-scoring. That would point to flatter pitches and smaller boundaries, the latter even if marginally so. Perhaps the set of balls this year did a little less too. It did show in the later stages of the tournament where a little bit of help for the bowlers resulted in significantly lower scores.Looking at just overall numbers, though, will be a disservice to the revolutionary seasons Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have had. KKR broke the record for the highest average innings in a single year by 21.8 runs. The other three, too, went comfortably past the number set by RCB in 2016: 192.4. That RCB effort from 2016 remains a freak occurrence as all the other big years from single teams have come in 2023 and 2024.There is intent, and then there is intent. A subset of intent has changed massively this year. When batters are playing aggressively, they are trying to hit sixes. The first phase of six-hitting revolution that started in 2022 could enter the next phase if all teams follow this intent next year.ESPNcricinfo LtdThis is a shift that will truly begin to show across the board in the coming years provided the pitches and boundaries remain just as conducive to boundary hitting. Even if there is a brief period of revision – as there was after 2018, the highest-scoring year until then only to give way to a marginal slowdown – this increase in scoring rates will be irreversible unless the pitches and boundary sizes change. Rules like two bouncers will be superficial. Even the Impact Player has fulfilled its job: batters will remain bold even if it were to be taken away now.The batters are hitting more balls than ever – be it regular nets or range-hitting – and are getting better at hitting for longer every day. With sidearms and bowling machines and the support staff dedicated to helping batters, the physical limit on the number of balls they can hit is much higher than what the bowlers can bowl. The ceiling for improvement in bowlers is much lower. They need the help from conditions or sizes of boundaries.Which begs the question: will this T20 World Cup, starting barely a week after the IPL, be just as revolutionary in terms of scoring rates? Curiously, the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 remains the quickest of the eight held so far at 7.98 an over. The one in the West Indies, held in 2010, remains the third-slowest at 7.53.At any rate, the formats and number of teams keep changing so often that it is not wise to compare World Cups. This being the biggest World Cup yet, there are chances the first round might feature some unusually high scores, but the slower pitches in the West Indies could bring the scoring down at the business end of the tournament.If teams can go at anywhere in the vicinity of 8.5 an over Super Eights onwards in the West Indies and against international attacks, it will be incontrovertible evidence that T20 batting has turned a corner. Don’t hold your breath, though.
The rivalry has produced some fantastic games over the years, although meetings have become less frequent
Andrew McGlashan05-Sep-2022Melbourne 2004: The trophy was given a strong start under the roof at what was then called Telstra Dome (now Marvel Stadium). Australia were clear favourites with three overs to go, New Zealand needing 30 to win. However, it all went pear-shaped for Michael Kasprowicz, who conceded 22 – including five wides – against Hamish Marshall and Brendon McCullum, who, you will notice, becomes a theme of these matches. With five needed from six balls, McCullum scooped Shane Watson to fine leg and New Zealand got home with two balls left.Sydney 2004: Three days later, there was another thriller, even though the scoreline suggests it was more comfortable. Australia had recovered from 161 for 6 through Darren Lehmann and Brad Hogg, and then with New Zealand 86 for 6, the game looked over. However, New Zealand’s lower order kept the chase alive with Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills adding 70 for the ninth wicket. When Vettori was run out with 26 still needed, an injured Chris Harris came out at No. 11, having dislocated his right shoulder in the field earlier. It came down to 18 off 18 balls when Glenn McGrath removed Harris to level the series.Mick Lewis runs out Kyle Mills to complete a dramatic victory•Getty ImagesWellington 2005: A breathtaking finish to a high-scoring epic. From 101 for 4, Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke added 220 for the fifth wicket, Symonds hitting eight sixes in his 127-ball career-best 156. A number of useful contributions, led by Lou Vincent’s 49-ball 71, kept New Zealand in touch but the target always appeared distant until McCullum cut loose. It came down to six needed off the last over with two wickets in hand. The bowler was debutant and supersub Mick Lewis. McCullum was brilliantly run out by Clarke, and then with three needed off two deliveries Lewis managed to collect a parried drive from Mills and complete a run out at the non-striker’s end.Christchurch 2005: Did we mention breathtaking finishes to high-scoring epics? Let’s try that again. Three days later it was New Zealand who got over the line with a stunning lower-order performance. Mike Hussey’s 88 off 56 balls from No. 7 had bolstered a stuttering Australia, but from 61 for 3 in reply Scott Styris’ century guided New Zealand’s effort. Still, when he and Jacob Oram fell in three balls to Stuart Clark it left 74 needed off seven overs with two wickets in hand. Then along came McCullum and a vital hand from Vettori. With 20 needed off the last two it probably still favoured Australia, but this time Lewis was taken down as McCullum reached a 25-ball fifty and the home side did it with an over to spare.Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum engineered a remarkable victory•Getty ImagesAuckland 2007: Clearly went too early with the notion of high-scoring thrillers. Australia were going through some pre-World Cup issues this time and had been trampled by ten wickets in the opening match of the series. Hussey, who was captain, scored a century, Brad Hodge 97, and Cameron White 42 off 19 balls to lift Australia to a vast total. Ross Taylor anchored the reply with a measured century, while Peter Fulton (76 off 65) and Craig McMillan (52 off 30) got things moving in the latter stages with a dose of McCullum, once again, to help finish things off with eight balls in hand.Hamilton 2007: New Zealand completed a whitewash in astonishing style. It meant Matthew Hayden’s unbeaten 181, during which he suffered a broken toe, finished on the losing side. The home side seemingly had no chance of getting near the target after falling to 41 for 4 in the tenth over. However, McMillan built a 67-ball hundred, firstly in the company of Fulton and then, in a stand of 165 in 24 overs, with McCullum. Still, when the eighth wicket fell, 44 were still needed. Mark Gillespie smote 28 off 15 balls before being run out, but McCullum was able to get the strike for the final over with seven required. The first delivery was a knee-high full-toss from Nathan Bracken which McCullum sent over fine leg.Mitchell Johnson and Scott Styris share a few words•Getty ImagesPerth 2009: A change of pace from the run-gluts above with a low-scoring, controversial tussle that came down to the last ball. The major talking point came when Neil Broom was seemingly bowled by Clarke, but replays showed that, firstly, Brad Haddin had taken the ball in front of the stumps – which is a no-ball – and that the keeper’s gloves dislodged the bails. It led to some heated comments from both camps that went on long after the game, which was decided when Vettori slashed away the final delivery from Bracken after New Zealand had been comfortably placed at 168 for 5 in the 47th over.Napier 2010: Another case of New Zealand’s lower order getting them across the line. A flying opening stand between McCullum and Peter Ingram set up the chase and Taylor’s run-a-ball 70 kept things under control, but it was slipping away at 246 for 8 in the 47th over. However, Styris, who was not meant to be playing until Vettori was a late withdrawal, held firm alongside No. 10 Shane Bond, who struck two boundaries in the 49th over to level the scores.Kane Williamson sends Pat Cummins straight down the ground•Getty ImagesAuckland 2015: By now the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy had become a much rarer event and was up for grabs in this one-off group game at the 2015 World Cup. It was a ridiculous occasion that was completed inside 55 heart-stopping overs. Australia were 30 for no loss after 13 balls when Tim Southee castled Aaron Finch, and again 80 for 1 in the 13th over when Shane Watson fell to Vettori. Trent Boult tore through the middle and lower order in a second spell of 5-3-3-5. Haddin’s 43 gave Australia something, but when McCullum surged to 50 off 21 balls it barely seemed to matter. Mitchell Starc caused a wobble either side of an interval, but at 131 for 4 the game appeared decided. Then things got silly. Corey Anderson gave it away against Glenn Maxwell, setting the scene for a devastating burst from Starc which left New Zealand nine down and needing six. Boult survived two balls from Starc (who had one over left) and at the other end Kane Williamson had seen enough. Facing Pat Cummins, he lofted him straight down the ground for six.Auckland 2017: Back at Eden Park two years later and New Zealand survived a magnificent innings from Marcus Stoinis, who almost single-handedly stole victory. Australia were in tatters at 67 for 6 chasing 287 and even after James Faulkner and Cummins had held firm alongside Stoinis, 61 were still needed in seven overs when No. 11 Josh Hazlewood came to the crease. Over the next four overs, Hazlewood did not face a ball as Stoinis went to a century and 35 came off the 44th and 45th overs. When he plundered Southee for consecutive sixes, Australia needed seven. Southee produced a full delivery which Stoinis dug out towards Williamson, who had brought himself in at short mid-on, and with some brilliant awareness the New Zealand captain under-armed it into the non-striker’s stumps with Hazlewood unable to get back.
The players boarded their flight to Sydney full of laughs, and with a heavy round of applause from co-flyers.
Annesha Ghosh03-Mar-2020A punch of the air from Megan Schutt emerged from the corner of the 20th row, as the pilot welcomed on board a celebrated group of guests. A spirited round of applause from fellow passengers quelled any questions of unfamiliarity the absence of selfie-hunting co-flyers may have triggered. Reciprocation for the recognition came quickly as an ever good-humored Alyssa Healy grinned ear-to-ear and waved a victory sign in jest from her aisle seat.Travelling with athletes may be far from a unique flying experience the world over, but as the Qantas flight prepared to take off around noon on Tuesday from Melbourne to Sydney, the lengthy ovation for one of Australia’s most successful sports teams seemed a fitting prelude to their highly anticipated knockouts at the first T20 World Cup at home.The buzz in the lead-up to this spectacle on the flight had been commensurate with the tournament’s. Throughout this T20 World Cup, the home team has taken centre stage in the ICC’s goal to attract a record crowd for the final at the MCG on March 8.A decisive stride towards that target was made just hours before, a thrilling win in a virtual quarter-final against New Zealand on Monday securing Australia’s berth in the semi-finals. This was after they had tottered close to the unthinkable during the group stages, losing to India and nearly made a mess of a straightforward chase against Sri Lanka.By the time the team boarded the flight, though, confirmation had arrived from the Australia camp that their star allrounder Ellyse Perry would play no further part in their title defence due to a hamstring injury. One might have expected the mood in the squad to be deflated, but once the aircraft’s wheels retracted, there was little indication of anything but normalcy.Peals of laughter occasionally – and somewhat unsurprisingly – emanated from the corner occupied by Schutt, seated next to allrounder Jess Jonassen. Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, whose corked thigh marked the start of a worrying slew of injuries in the Australian side this World Cup season, kept to herself in the aisle seat just in front of Healy.Headphones on, teen allrounder Annabel Sutherland kept busy with her phone, while Shelley Nitschke, the former Australia player and current assistant coach, buried herself in a book. The pair, though, would often disengage from their preoccupation to help in the endeavors of Healy, who remained steadfast in her commitment to solving Sudoku puzzles through the duration of the flight.Halfway into the journey, as the crew served rice crackers, chocolate-chip biscuits and drinks as refreshments, the television monitors flashed news about the coronavirus being deemed “the ‘gravest threat’ since 2008 GFC”, “PM drawn back into ‘sports rorts’ saga”, and Georgia Wareham starring in Australia’s win on Monday. A highlights package of that game ran soon after. Meanwhile, Perry, with her wireless earpods on, limped six steps to about four rows in front, where she stayed put until the end of the flight.”We are sure the whole of Australia by now know that Ellyse Perry is [out of the tournament],” Justine Hughes and Bibi Khaleel, two of the flight attendants, told ESPNcricinfo as they made their way out of the aircraft. “It surely must have affected them, but I loved how they seemed to be in good spirits, all of them – lovely and very confident. It was a great to serve such an established bunch of athletes.”What would they remember most from this experience?”No one made any special requests. They were all very kind, very gracious actually. Especially Ellyse Perry. Despite her being one of the most famous [sportpersons] in our country and, yes, the injury as you mentioned, when a couple of us asked for a photo [with her], she was very happy to oblige,” Khaleel said, smiling.The Australians will hope they are on a flight back to Melbourne in a few days’ time. If things go well, by Sunday night their photos could be in even higher demand.
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.”
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.