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England confident weary bowlers will be ready for Lord's

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“If he’s available, he will be selected,” McCullum says amid concerns around Moeen’s spinning finger

Matt Roller21-Jun-2023England hope that a week’s gap between the first and second Ashes Tests will enable their bowling attack time to recover ahead of back-to-back fixtures at Lord’s and Headingley, following a heavy workload at Edgbaston this week.The second men’s Test starts on June 28 at Lord’s and England are only expected to train twice before then, giving their bowlers time to recharge after spending 208.4 overs in the field during their two-wicket defeat to Australia in Birmingham.”Seven days is actually quite a long time to give everyone a good rest,” Ben Stokes, England’s captain, said. “We’ll meet up again in three or four days’ time I think, and we’ll assess how everyone’s going and we’ll have to make a decision from there.”There is particular concern around Moeen Ali’s spinning finger, which he cut open on the second day of the first Test on his return to red-ball cricket following a 21-month absence. Moeen was clearly struggling to grip the ball and only bowled seven overs on the final day – precisely the moment when Stokes would have hoped to lean heavily on his primary spinner.”I told Mo to tell me if his finger was sore, and I’d sensed that it was even before that,” Stokes said. “For him to come back into his first Test match and operate in the way that he did and really put himself through the pain barrier for the team [was great].”You could see what it meant to him going out to play for England again with a huge smile on his face. I selected him for his match-winning moments. He had a few of them with the ball and nearly got us over the line… [The break] gives Mo a good chance for his finger to heal up.”Related

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England are yet to decide if they will call up another spinner as cover for Moeen, but were expected to discuss the possibility on Wednesday. Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks are among the front-runners if they decide to do so. They may also consider fielding a four-man seam attack at Lord’s, not least after Joe Root’s tidy returns with his offbreaks across the first Test – though Brendon McCullum said that Moeen would play if available.”I thought Mo did a great job,” McCullum said. “He bowled a couple of absolute jaffas in the game and that was what his role was, to try and make breakthroughs when he had the opportunity with the ball, and with the bat, to try to disrupt it a little bit. I thought he did that pretty well too.”We’ll monitor Mo’s finger over the next few days and hopefully he’ll come right for the next one. You have planning for everyone… but I’m pretty confident that over the next few days, we can get on top of Mo’s finger and that’ll give us an opportunity to select him in the next game. If he’s available, he will be selected.”Stokes marked Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson out for putting in “incredible” shifts on the last evening but James Anderson, for so long the leader of England’s attack, had an off-game. He returned match figures of 1 for 109 and was overlooked when England took the second new ball in the final stages of the Test.Speaking before play started on Tuesday, Anderson admitted to Sky Sports that he was “still searching for a bit of rhythm” on his return from a groin niggle that kept him out for over a month, including England’s 10-wicket win over Ireland.James Anderson chats with Ben Stokes•PA Photos/Getty Images”It’s been difficult,” Anderson added. “I feel like I do need a bit of game time to get back into it and it has been five-six weeks since I last played. I feel like I’ve bowled OK but I definitely feel like there’s more there.”Mark Wood, overlooked for the first Test, will come into contention at Lord’s.Stokes himself bowled seven overs in each innings and took two vital wickets, trapping Steven Smith lbw in the first innings and inducing a chop-on from Usman Khawaja in the second with a leg cutter. He hardly celebrated Khawaja’s dismissal – “I was absolutely flying on caffeine,” he explained – but said he saw his bowling workload as “a massive boost”.”I’ve put my body through more than it’s actually been through over the last year, which is obviously great signs for myself and another confidence boost for me,” Stokes said. “Getting through that, knowing we’ve still got four games coming up has given me a massive boost.”I can’t remember the last time I’ve sort of been able to continually bowl. I was just really happy that I was able to get a good long spell in, and I just love being in that situation. I love bowling long spells, especially when the game’s on the line.”

'I have left a big piece of my heart at Brentford' – Thomas Frank sends heartfelt farewell to Bees fans as he leaves to join Tottenham

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Thomas Frank has sent a heartfelt farewell to Brentford fans after his move to Tottenham was confirmed.

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Frank sends classy goodbye message Leaves after nine yearsReplaces Ange PostecoglouFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Spurs have confirmed the appointment of Frank as their new manager after sacking Ange Postecoglou last week. The Australian guided Spurs to Europa League glory but finished 17th in the Premier League, and the Bees boss has been identified as the man to improve Spurs' domestic fortunes.

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Now, as his exit has been confirmed, Frank has posted a touching goodbye to the Bees. He joined the club as assistant manager in 2016 and was promoted to first-team head coach in 2018, guiding the club into the Premier League and keeping them up thereafter, and he has reserved special praise for owner Matthew Benham for having the faith to appoint him.

WHAT FRANK SAID

In his statement, Frank said: "To everyone associated with Brentford Football Club. The time has come for me to move on. But, even as I leave, I know I have left a big piece of my heart at Brentford, not just at the football club but with the community and, of course, the incredible and loyal supporters.

"I want to extend my profound gratitude to the club for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams and for everyone involved who made the journey such a memorable one.

"For my family and I, it has been a privilege to be allowed to be part of such a special community – it’s an experience and adventure that we will cherish for life. So, thank you. Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved together, and our success is built on unity, spirit, courage and ambition at every level of the club and amongst the fans.

"Everybody has contributed, and every contribution has been invaluable. I am not just leaving a football club, I am saying goodbye to friends whose support through good and bad times I will carry with me always.

"I would like to say a special word of thanks to Matthew Benham. His trust and friendship have meant so much and the fact he gave me a chance in English football means I will always owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Matt.

"So, while this is a goodbye, I hope the relationships I have built with everybody will be lasting ones and, of course, we will meet again in the wonderful world of football.

"Thank you, Thomas."

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GOALWHAT NEXT?

Frank's first match in charge of Spurs could come in a pre-season north London derby against Arsenal on July 31.

Wood cracks open Australia's second innings after Bairstow blitz keeps England in control

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Bairstow’s unbeaten 99 extends England’s lead before Wood’s pace is again the x-factor

Andrew McGlashan21-Jul-2023Another brilliant, high-octane spell from Mark Wood cracked open Australia’s second innings after Jonny Bairstow’s blitz continued England’s batting rampage at Old Trafford as they did all they could to buy themselves enough time to beat a poor weekend weather forecast and level the Ashes series.After Bairstow’s unbeaten 99, with 50 coming from his last 31 balls, had extended England’s lead to 275, Wood’s pace was again the x-factor in their attack. He had removed Usman Khawaja in his first over before returning deep in the final session to bounce out Steven Smith (claiming him for the second time in the game) for his 100th Test wicket and Travis Head to leave Australia tottering on 108 or 4.Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh survived through to the close, but it had been a chastening two days for Australia who will need all the help they can get to retain the Ashes here and avoid a decider at The Oval next week, for which they surely wouldn’t be favourites.Bairstow had been stranded one short of a rollicking century when James Anderson was trapped lbw by Cameron Green to end a barnstorming last-wicket stand of 66 which left Australia ragged and rattled. The ‘big three’ quicks – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins – returned a combined economy rate of 5.22 and for just the second time in Tests together all conceded over 100.In theory, England had two-and-a-half days to make it count after scoring at an eye-watering 5.49 through their 107.4 overs. In reality, though, they looked sure to have far less time than that to secure the win they need to take the series down to the wire and remain on course to be only the second team to come back from 2-0 down to win. The forecast for Saturday remained exceedingly bleak while Sunday was not good – they will hope that, not for the first time, it proves wrong.England batted longer than many thought likely – they were 189 ahead at lunch and 209 when the ninth wicket fell – but clearly valued as big a lead as possible and with Bairstow carting the ball around the overs were being used effectively. Bowling time, though, will likely be at a premium but the four wickets they have taken means they may not need a huge window in the weather.They got through Australia’s opening pair either side of tea. Khawaja and David Warner had progressed reasonably comfortably against the new ball before Wood, in his first over, grazed Khawaja’s outside edge. Khawaja went for the DRS after talking to Warner and the spike was confirmed.Related

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Warner fell for another middling score when Chris Woakes claimed him for the second time in the game. After fizzing a delivery past the outside edge, he then had Warner in two minds and he deflected down into his stumps.Smith came close to falling second ball when he edged Woakes low to Joe Root at first slip. Root did not celebrate the catch at all, but indicated to the umpires he thought it was out and it was sent to the TV official, Kumar Dharmasena. After much rocking and rolling Dharmasena determined that Root had not got his fingers under the ball in what was another borderline decision in a summer where there have been numerous examples.Smith and Labuschagne worked hard to navigate their way through the final session on a surface showing signs of some variable bounce, which had been on display for Root’s wicket the previous day.But, once again, Wood made the difference as he got Smith into difficulties with a short ball that he attempted to pull and could only get a glove through to Bairstow. Unsurprisingly, England went at Head with the bouncer straight away and it only took seven deliveries to pay dividends when he fended a glove into the gully, unable to get out of the line.England had resumed on 384 for 4 after their Zak Crawley-inspired rampage the day before. They did not quite find top gear during the morning session, although these things are all relative and 122 runs still came from 24 overs. Australia delayed taking the second new ball and the softer, older version made strokeplay tougher work.Stokes had signalled his intent early by charging down and hoicking Starc over midwicket, but he and Harry Brook didn’t completely throw caution to wind. Stokes went to his half-century from 72 balls before playing around a delivery from Cummins to give the forlorn Australia captain his first wicket of the innings.Brook’s fifty came from 80 deliveries before he fell shortly after Australia opted for the new ball after 90 overs, the first time they had taken it in the series, when he top-edged Josh Hazlewood to long leg. Starc judged the catch expertly near the rope and as he ran in to his team-mates, mimicked scraping it along the ground in reference to his denied catch at Lord’s.Hazlewood added Woakes (England’s first duck of the series) and Wood before lunch, then claimed what will likely sit among his least-decorated five-wicket hauls when Stuart Broad skied a return catch.Jonny Bairstow launches another six over deep square leg•Getty ImagesStokes could have considered calling an end to the innings, but to roars from his home crowd Anderson came to the middle for what might have been his final Test innings on the ground. He played his part by fending off numerous short deliveries, but also managed one crunching pull against Cummins. There were chaotic scenes, too, during the partnership as he and Bairstow three times stole byes to Alex Carey, whose underarming at the stumps was less accurate than it at been at Lord’s.Bairstow went to his fifty with a trademark whip-pull for six off the hip against Starc – and that was just the start. He had now flicked to one-day mode (if that’s even a thing with England’s Test batting) and one of his sixes over the leg side endangered the windows of the new hotel complex. Even Stokes was seen mouthing ‘wow, that’s huge’ from the dressing room.Having got to 98 with a ferocious swat through the covers, a stolen bye at the start of the next over got him back on strike. Two balls later he drove firmly towards long-off and Anderson was ready to sprint back for the second, but Bairstow told him to stay put. Next delivery, Anderson went too far across against Green.It heralded the start of the third innings that will decide this match. England could not have done any more to set up their position; now all they can do is hope they get enough time to make it count. Australia, meanwhile, will be praying for two days of rain. It’s been a remarkable turnaround.

Manoj Tiwary retires from all forms of cricket

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Former Bengal captain ends his 19-year domestic career just short of 10,000 runs

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2023Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has retired from all forms of cricket, ending a 19-year domestic career.Tiwary played all his domestic cricket for Bengal and also won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, when he hit the winning runs in the last over of the chase. He played 12 ODIs and three T20Is – between 2008 and 2015 – and was also part of the India squad for the 2012 T20 World Cup, but didn’t get a game in the tournament.Tiwary started and ended his first-class career at his home ground Eden Gardens, in 2004 and 2023 respectively. His last game was the Ranji Trophy final defeat to Saurashtra earlier this year, in which he top-scored for Bengal in the second innings. Tiwary was also the Bengal captain in the previous Ranji season.”Goodbye to the game of cricket,” Tiwary wrote in his retirement note on social media. “This game has given me everything, I mean every single thing which I had never dreamt of, starting from the times when my life was challenged by different forms of difficulties. Will ever be grateful to this game and to GOD, who has always been in my side throughout. Taking this opportunity to convey my sincere gratitude to the people who all have played a part in my cricketing journey.”Thank you to my all my coaches starting from my childhood till last year who all have played a part in my cricketing achievements. Manabendra Ghosh, my father figure like coach has been the pillar in the cricketing journey. If he had not been there then I would had not reached anywhere in cricketing circle. Thank u Sir and wish u a speedy recovery, as your health is not keeping well.”

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He finished his first-class career just 92 short of 10,000 runs, averaging 48.56 with 29 centuries and 45 half-centuries. He scored 5581 runs in 169 List A games at an average of 42.28. His 12-ODI career contained one hundred – against West Indies in Chennai in December 2011.Tiwary earned his India debut in an ODI against Australia in 2008 and had to wait another three years for his next game before he got a few chances in 2011 and 2012. He was dropped again and also had to fight a number of injuries before he was recalled for one ODI in Bangladesh in 2014 and then played his last series in Zimbabwe in July 2015.Tiwary was an aggressive batter and broke several Bengal records. He developed a more all-round game as he gained more experience and was considered unlucky by many to not get more games for India because of the competition for spots and the rise in standard of cricket at international level.Tiwary also represented Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) and Punjab Kings in the IPL. He played 183 T20s, scoring 3436 runs at a strike rate of 116.43.

John Textor's days are numbered! Lyon owner faces being forced out of club amid colossal debt and relegation to Ligue 2 just days after American sold Crystal Palace shares

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Following Lyon's shocking relegation to Ligue 2, John Textor's back is against the wall with investors set to take stringent actions against him.

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Lyon relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial debtTextor under immense scrutinyCould be forced out of the French clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

On Tuesday, French club Lyon were abruptly relegated to Ligue 2 following a decision by financial watchdogs National Management Control Directorate (DNCG). On Wednesday, as fans struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the shock, the club's financial backroom was already in turmoil. At the heart of the storm is American owner Textor, whose future at the helm of Eagle Football seems more uncertain than ever. Cornered by colossal debt and pressure from his lenders, notably the investment fund ARES Management, Textor could well be the next victim of a financial coup that is quietly brewing.

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Under pressure from the public and facing insistent calls from his co-shareholders and creditors, the president of Lyon made numerous phone calls in an attempt to salvage what he could. According to , aware that his own voice is no longer heard in France and in the face of the authorities, Textor is already considering stepping aside. He is said to be actively seeking a less divisive figure, such as Michele Kang (majority owner of women's team OL Lyonnes) or Michael Gerlinger (current director of football at Eagle), to lead the appeal and calm a climate that has become explosive. Is this a manoeuvre to buy time or the beginning of a forced abdication?

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To understand how fragile Textor's position is, we need to look at Eagle Football's financial structure. The American fund ARES Management lent around €425 million (£363m/$498m) for the takeover of Lyon, with interest rates ranging from 11% to 16%. This is a colossal debt, and every missed payment or devaluation of the club increases ARES' leverage. The €210m from the recent sale of Textor's stake in Crystal Palace (43%) will not fundamentally change the situation. These assets were fully pledged to ARES, which also imposed the sale. Per , only €40m of this sum will actually be earmarked for Lyon's short-term operations, with the rest going directly into the lender's coffers.

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DID YOU KNOW?

The DNCG is reportedly demanding a cash injection of at least €70m before the appeal hearing, scheduled for July 15. If Textor is unable to raise this sum, ARES could position itself as the providential saviour. By advancing the necessary funds, the creditor would obtain considerably greater oversight of the club's management, and even the possibility of activating takeover clauses typical of this type of high-risk financing. Textor would then be marginalised, a mere shareholder with no real power. There is even talk of a return for Laurent Prud'homme, the club's former CEO, who has maintained ties with ARES.

Liam Dawson's persistence sees Hampshire triumph over Somerset

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Allrounder’s left-arm spin takes 4 for 85 in Somerset’s second innings

ECB Reporters Network06-Sep-2023Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored a well-made 84, but Hampshire’s patience was rewarded with their sixth LV=Insurance County Championship victory of the season.Kohler-Cadmore and James Rew’s 107-run stand threatened to frustrate odds-on-favourites Hampshire, who had taken two early wickets. But Liam Dawson plugged away with 4 for 85 before the second new ball opened the visitors up as Hampshire won by 185 runs before tea, with 33 overs shy of survival.Hampshire, whose title ambitions were ended by Surrey’s victory the previous day, took 21 points to Somerset’s three – with both sides only battling for prize money in the final month of the season.Hampshire needed eight wickets, Somerset a less likely 400 runs on the final day at the Ageas Bowl. Somerset were rolled for 137 in the first innings, and when Sean Dickson – who had completed a half-century the previous evening – was castled by Mohammad Abbas to the 11th ball of the day, it felt like a landslide victory was coming for the hosts.Andy Umeed, who had played his part in the 68-run stand with Dickson, edged a rising Abbas delivery to second slip two overs later to make the lunch orders start to feel redundant. But Kohler-Cadmore and Rew bedded in and ate away at the overs.Kohler-Cadmore was skittish and refused to err from his aggressive tendencies, with plenty of plays and misses in the early part of his innings exciting the Hampshire cordon.His lack of fear might not have been the traditional way to save a match for his team, but it benefited both his side and himself – with his fourth half-century of the season coming in 67 deliveries. Rew took 16 balls to get off the mark and at various points was three of 31 and 11 off 49 but never seemed bogged down or frustrated.The pitch remained as slow and flat as it had been across the match, with Dawson finding some significant turn, and very occasional spit out the rough, but it was much too slow to provide a stern test. However, the left-arm spinner did break the 107-run alliance between Kohler-Cadmore and Rew.Rew had retaken his place as the highest run-scorer in Division One, he now has 1,077 runs, but a drive away from his body found an inside edge and was caught by wicketkeeper Ben Brown.Kohler-Cadmore’s resistance ended on 84 with a brilliant off-spinning delivery from Tom Prest five overs before the second new ball. It caught the edge of the rough wide of off stump to turn back and bowl the slog-sweeping batter. It was the former England under-19 captain’s maiden first-class wicket.The second new ball pulled the rug out from under Somerset’s resolve. Lewis Gregory edged Kyle Abbott behind to the fourth ball with the new cherry. Neil Wagner was castled by the South African quick in his following over, before Dawson bowled Jack Brooks and had Shoaib Bashir lbw to complete the victory.

When will Paul Pogba play again? Midfielder given 'realistic and honest' timeline on long-awaited return as Monaco director confirms he will miss start of Ligue 1 campaign

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Despite initial excitement about a potential comeback in the season opener, Paul Pogba will have to wait a bit longer for his Monaco debut.

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Pogba ruled out of first games of the seasonClub expects three-month rehabilitation processLast played in September 2023Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Monaco director Thiago Scuro has ruled Pogba out of the club’s Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre, scheduled for the weekend of August 16. Speaking after Pogba’s official presentation, Scuro stated that the midfielder will not be ready in time and clarified that his comment about possibly playing in the opening match was made in jest. The club expect a three-month rehabilitation timeline before Pogba can return to competitive action.

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Pogba, 32, joined Monaco following a lengthy suspension for a doping violation and has not played since September 2023. Monaco are proceeding cautiously with his reintegration, aiming to avoid setbacks. Scuro stressed that Monaco's approach requires a lot of physical intensity and that Pogba must get back in top shape before he can play again. The choice fits with Monaco's plan to slowly bring the former French international back into the highest level of football.

WHAT SCURO SAID

Speaking to , Scuro corrected Pogba's claim that he could feature against his former side in the first game, saying: "I can guarantee you that Paul won't be able to play against Le Havre. He must have been joking. We have to be realistic and honest. We expect a three-month process to be able to rehabilitate him. When you see it on TV, high-level sport can seem easy, but you have to realise the intensity required. And Monaco is one of the most intense teams in Ligue 1 and in Europe in terms of play. So our players have to be very fit to be on the pitch. But it's our job to give him the tools to do that."

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Getty Images EntertainmentWHAT NEXT FOR POGBA?

Pogba is expected to undergo a structured three-month rehabilitation programme under Monaco’s medical and fitness staff. He will miss at least the opening phase of the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign, with a possible return timeline set for mid-November. Monaco's management has promised to help him every step of the way to make sure he is fully ready for his first game.

Travis Head produces the winning hand in 388 vs 383 nail-biter

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham specials meant it came down to six needed off the final ball for New Zealand, with No. 11 on strike – Australia then closed it out

Alex Malcolm28-Oct-20231:17

Tom Moody: ‘Travis Head highlighted how much his game has evolved’

In the foothills of the highest peaks in the world, Dharamsala hosted the highest-scoring World Cup game of all-time as Australia held off New Zealand in a 771-run thriller that reached giddying heights and featured records galore.Travis Head made a stunning 59-ball century as he and David Warner clubbed 118 runs in the opening powerplay and shared a staggering 175-run opening stand to underpin Australia’s mountainous 388, becoming the first side in ODI history to post three consecutive 350-plus scores. But Rachin Ravindra produced a dazzling 77-ball century of his own while Daryl Mitchell continued his love affair with Dharamsala in making 54 to give New Zealand a chance to pull off their highest-ever ODI chase.Related

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It was left to James Neesham at the end, as it had been in the World Cup final in 2019, and as he did on that occasion he went within one hit of stealing the game with an outstanding 58 off 39 balls. But he ended like his Lord’s partner Martin Guptill, cutting a forlorn figure face first on the turf having been run out off the penultimate ball. Mitchell Starc, having been plundered everywhere, held his nerve off the last ball to deny Lockie Ferguson the six he needed and hand Australia a vital two points.Starc could have very easily been the villain for Australia. New Zealand needed 43 off 18 balls with two wickets in hand. Starc and Josh Hazlewood missed their marks. Trent Boult got some personal redemption for 2019 when Marnus Labuschagne stood on the rope at long-on to hand him six runs. Starc had 19 to play with at the start of the last over but was allowed only four men outside the circle because of Australia’s slow over-rate. He delivered five wides second ball to reduce the equation to 13 off five. But he nailed his yorkers as Neesham couldn’t find the rope and Australia’s sweepers made some great saves before Labuschagne and Josh Inglis combined to run out Neesham off the second-last ball.In a game dominated by batters, Adam Zampa’s 3 for 74 proved pivotal for Australia, including the key wickets of Mitchell, Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner. But he wasn’t the best bowler in the game. Glenn Phillips produced stunning career-best figures of 3 for 37 for New Zealand, including 30 dot balls, to singlehandedly drag his side back into the contest after Head and Warner threatened to kill it off in 13 overs of carnage after Australia were sent in to bat.Travis Head’s wrist was cocooned in bandage while he was on the field•ICC/Getty ImagesHead justified Australia’s selectors’ gamble in keeping him in Australia’s 15-man squad despite not being available for the first five games. Head and Warner reached dizzying heights in the Himalayan air with a violent display of batting that left New Zealand’s in-form fast bowlers broken in mind, body and soul with Ferguson suffering an Achilles injury on top of three overs for 38. Head clubbed 109 from 67 balls while Warner pounded 81 from 65.The pair treated the bowling with utter disdain on the magnificent batting strip. Warner was savage on anything short reaching 50 for the third straight innings, off just 28 balls. Head looked like he had never been away, despite hardly picking up a bat for six weeks. He bludgeoned anything full reaching 50 off 25 balls, Australia’s second-fastest ever in the tournament and the fastest by a World Cup debutant.Phillips’ introduction in the 14th over changed the game. Australia were 144 for 0 but he immediately tied Warner down with immaculate lines and lengths. He never gave the stumps away, hardly overpitched or dropped short. Warner had scored 65 off 36 but managed to score just 16 from his last 29 deliveries including eight dots off Phillips before he chipped a return catch in the 20th over.While spin stalled Warner, Head kept going fearlessly. He had some luck. He was dropped twice, once on 70 by Santner diving one-handed full length to his right off his own bowling, and once on 75 by Phillips standing close at midwicket as Head hammered a full-blooded pull shot.Josh Inglis ran out James Neesham to leave New Zealand needing six runs off the last ball•ICC/Getty ImagesHead raced to his century off 59 balls, the fastest by an opener in World Cups. But he too was deceived by Phillips, playing back to a fuller, quicker ball and lost his middle stump.Then Australia’s customary middle-order stumble unfolded. Mitchell Marsh really struggled having been shifted back to No. 3 on Head’s return. His lack of strike-rotation caused an agitated Steven Smith to hole out to mid-off of Phillips. Labuschagne also struggled. The pair allowed Phillips to bowl 30 dot balls in his 10 overs and scored just 54 off 77 balls between them before they both fell to Santner.Australia looked like they had wasted the good work of Warner and Head until Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis and Pat Cummins smacked 11 fours and seven sixes between them in the death overs to help Australia post an imposing 388. Maxwell was again magnificent making 41 off just 24 balls. Inglis made 38 off 28 and Cummins 37 off just 14 with four towering strikes. But both were aided by some uncharacteristic drops from the New Zealand outfielders.Australia were 387 for 6 with two overs to go but lost 4 for 1 to be bowled out with four balls left with Trent Boult picking up three wickets in an over. It didn’t seem an issue at the time but it nearly proved costly.Rachin Ravindra brought up his ton in just 77 balls•AFP/Getty ImagesNew Zealand started well in the chase but were unable to match Australia’s powerplay fireworks. Devon Conway and Will Young both looked in excellent touch but neither could cash in on stunning starts with Hazlewood claiming both with the help of Starc’s sublime catching.Ravindra battled for rhythm early, but Mitchell dragged him along in his slipstream during another sensational half-century that he reached off 42 balls. Mitchell treated Zampa and Starc with equal disdain, looking every bit the world-class batter he has become. But Zampa had the last laugh forcing a miscue to have Mitchell caught at long-on.Ravindra started to motor once Mitchell fell. He shared a half-century stand with Latham and a 43-run stand with Phillips. Ravindra raced from 50 to 100 in just 28 balls. He had not hit a six until he was 45 and he struck five to get to three figures, all of which were as pure as the mountain air. He was dropped by Maxwell just after reaching three figures, but it didn’t cost much as he holed out shortly after.But his innings brought New Zealand within reach of a record chase as they were on the same score as Australia with 10 overs to go. Neesham kept his cool as Australia lost theirs. Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins all missed the mark as Neesham and the tail found the boundary at will.When Matt Henry holed out New Zealand needed 43 off 18 before bedlam unfolded. But Australia held on and consolidated their semi-final chances with New Zealand left to rue another Dharamsala defeat.

Fresh faces at Carrington! Man Utd new boys Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon arrive for first day of pre-season as players look to avoid repeat of dismal campaign under Ruben Amorim

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Manchester United players are back at work following the summer break, although captain Bruno Fernandes has been given extra time off.

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Man Utd back for pre-seasonCunha & Leon among squad12 days until the first friendlyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon were among the players reporting for duty on Monday morning as United began preparations for a crucial 2025-26 season. The South American pair are the first new recruit of the summer window, with 18-year-old Leon completing his switch from Paraguayan side Cerro Portreno over the weekend – a deal had actually been in place since January.

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Appointed in November and faced with a jam-packed match schedule until May, all whilst trying to implement a brand new formation and style of play, Amorim finally has an opportunity in pre-season to properly get his feet under the desk and really understand where the shortcomings are. United recorded a 15th place Premier League finish in 2024-25 and are expected to be significantly better in the coming campaign.

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Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were not among the group back at Carrington on day one. The pair have been granted compassionate leave by the club following the tragic death of Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota, and were in attendance at his funeral.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

There are 12 days before United play a first friendly of the summer, facing Leeds in Stockholm, in what is an annual summer trip to Scandinavia. A week later comes the first of three Premier League Summer Series fixtures in the United States, with fans hoping that more signings are through the door in time to at least go on the American leg of pre-season.

ODI World Cup digest: Stunning Maxwell demolishes Netherlands; England try to get off the canvas

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The Australia allrounder sets a new World Cup record in a crushing performance while two struggling teams meet in Bengaluru

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Oct-20234:10

How did he do it? Maxwell’s blow-by-blow account of the mayhem

–Fixtures | Squads | Points table | Tournament IndexTop Story: Warner, Maxwell one-two knocks Netherlands out coldAustralia 399 for 8 (Maxwell 106, Warner 104, Smith 71, Labuschagne 62, van Beek 4-74) beat Netherlands 90 (Zampa 4-8, Marsh 2-19) by 309 runsIt was the most brutal of one-twos. First came David Warner with the jab, then Glenn Maxwell with the “lights out” uppercut. A 104 from the opener had the Netherlands weary, but it was Maxwell’s astonishing 106 from just 44 deliveries that administered the most devastating of knock-out blows.Australia posted 399 for 8, standing triumphantly at the halfway stage over floored opponents, who were unable to rise off the canvas, eventually succumbing to a chastening 309-run defeat – the largest in margin in men’s ODI World Cup history.Click here to read the full reportClick here for all the records that were brokenMatch analysis: Maxwell defies the laws of physics in DelhiGlenn Maxwell produced an astonishing display of hitting•Getty ImagesTwenty-nine balls into his innings, Glenn Maxwell is waiting. His legs apart, facing the bowler front-on, wrists cocked, right one crossed over the left. In his own way, he is ready.He is in the middle of the most manic of this World Cup’s innings, in which he would go on to demolish the record for fastest World Cup hundred, set only 17 days ago. Two balls before this, he has reverse swept a full ball on leg stump from seamer Bas de Leede way into the stands behind backward point.Click here to read the full analysis from Andrew Fidel Fernando in DelhiMust Watch: Where are the last-over thrillers?1:59

Where are all the last-over thrillers?

News headlines India allrounder Hardik Pandya will miss a second consecutive game at this World Cup – Sunday’s match against England – as he continues to recover from the ankle injury he suffered against Bangladesh in Pune.
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s captain at the World Cup, has travelled to Dhaka to train with his mentor Nazmul Abedeen Faheem even as the rest of the team arrived in Kolkata ahead of their matches in the city against NetherlandsMatch previewEngland vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai (2pm IST; 8.30am GMT; 7.30pm AEDTSo, how’s that whole “attacking champions” thing working out? Jos Buttler may always regret saying England wouldn’t be “trying to defend anything” out in India – a statement that appears to be coming true uncomfortably quickly – but they are not quite at the point of no return, despite only being kept off the bottom of the table by Bangladesh’s thumping defeat to South Africa on Tuesday. Cornered lions, anyone?Click here for the full previewTeam newsEngland (probable) 1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 Dawid Malan, 3 Joe Root, 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Jos Buttler (capt, wk), 6 Harry Brook, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 David Willey, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Gus Atkinson/Mark WoodSri Lanka (probable) 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk) 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dushan Hemantha/Dunith Wellalage, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Dilshan MadushankaFeature: World Cup’s the (toughest) stage for accidental captain Kusal MendisWhen Kusal Mendis burst onto the scene at the Under-19 World Cup in 2014, he was earmarked for big things including captaincy. It has taken nearly a decade for Kusal to get that job, but it has come under circumstances he wouldn’t have envisaged.As such, international cricket can be a hard place to learn on the fly and Kusal perhaps had valid reasons for not wanting the job in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup. Far from a sustainer of good form, he had only slowly been emerging from that frustrating ‘one step forward, two steps back’ pattern that has been a constant in his seven-year international career.Read the full feature from Shashank Kishore

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