Having already said farewell to Kevin De Bruyne at the end of last season, Manchester City are now reportedly at risk of losing another top star amid reports that he has agreed a big-money contract with another club.
James Trafford: Rejoining Man City a "special" moment
Of course, as exit rumours continue to arrive, Manchester City have also been busy on the incomings front. Taking their list of signings up to six for the summer, the Citizens recently welcomed the return of James Trafford after hijacking Newcastle United’s deal to sign the England international for around £27m.
After sealing his return to The Etihad just two years on from leaving for Burnley, Trafford told City’s official website: “Rejoining City is such special and proud moment both for me and my family.
“I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City. This is the place I call home – it’s a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.
“I am also so very excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work under Pep and with such a world-class group of players. I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving – and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be.
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“I also cannot wait to play in front of the amazing City fans for the first time and will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success.”
Whilst some may naturally assume that Trafford is arriving to provide backup for Ederson under Pep Guardiola, recent reports suggest that may not be the case.
Ederson agrees £13m-a-year Galatasaray deal
As reported by The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Ederson has now agreed a deal to sign for Galatasaray which will see him earn around £13m-a-year. All that is left for the Turkish club to do, based on those reports, is strike a deal with Man City. Whether the Citizens will open the door for their Brazilian to leave remains to be seen, though.
Although Trafford’s arrival would ease any exit blow caused by Ederson, there remain question marks over just how ready Trafford is to step up at The Etihad. It would be just his second season as a starter in the Premier League, having previously been relegated with Burnley, and that could see City suffer as they aim to reclaim their English crown one year after conceding it to champions Liverpool.
Trafford wouldn’t be replacing just any goalkeeper, either. Ederson is one of the best in Premier League history, especially in possession, and has earned the admiration of Guardiola as a result.
Nesta quinta-feira (4), o São Paulo comunicou o afastamento de oito jogadoras da equipe feminina Sub-20. Segundo o comunicado oficial publicado pelo clube, as atletas estariam afastadas por ‘indisciplina’.
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Ao que tudo indica, embora não tenha sido informado pelo clube de forma oficial, o motivo desta punição seria a participação das jovens atletas em um campeonato amador, de ‘várzea’, sem a autorização prévia do Tricolor.
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Além disso, elas teriam pedido para não participar de um treinamento – com justificando com questões físicas -, mas, na verdade, era para participar deste jogo ‘a parte’. Os nomes das envolvidas não foram divulgados, mas elas já não estiveram relacionadas para o confronto que aconteceu nesta quinta-feira (4), contra o Atlético-MG, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.
Em nota, divulgada antes desta partida, o São Paulo afirmou que além da punição, as jogadoras foram multadas, e reiterou que ‘a diretoria de futebol feminino de base não tolerará o descumprimento de regras e tomará as medidas cabíveis se assim for necessário’.
O LANCE! entrou em contato com a assessoria da categoria, que afirmou que ‘não se pronunciaria além do comunicado divulgado’, destacando que a questão seria ‘resolvida de forma interna’.
Veja a nota oficial divulgada pelo São Paulo sobre o caso:
O São Paulo Futebol Clube comunica, através do seu departamento de futebol feminino de base, que oito atletas pertencentes ao elenco sub-20 não foram relacionadas para a partida desta tarde, em virtude de falha no cumprimento de regras estipuladas em contrato. Pelo atos de indisciplina, as jogadoras foram afastadas e multadas. A diretoria de futebol feminino de base reforça que não tolerará o descumprimento de regras e tomará as medidas cabíveis se assim for necessário.
He will re-unite with Dravid, not long after they lifted the T20 World Cup this year
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2024
Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour are back together•BCCI
Vikram Rathour, the former India batting coach, will once again team up with Rahul Dravid as he joins the support staff at Rajasthan Royals in a similar capacity. Dravid was named the RR head coach earlier this month.Rathour’s association comes on the back of a five-year stint with the Indian team, where he worked alongside Ravi Shastri and later Dravid. In June, Rathour’s contract ended soon after India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.”Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals,” Dravid said in a statement.Related
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“Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him. His ability to nurture young talent and elevate players’ potential will be invaluable as we aim to further strengthen our squad and continue building a world-class team here at Rajasthan Royals.”This will be Rathour’s second IPL stint, having earlier been part of the coaching set up at Punjab Kings. He has also been the director of cricket at Himachal Pradesh previously.Earlier this month, Rathour was part of New Zealand’s coaching set-up as batting consultant in Greater Noida, as part of their preparation for six Tests they were to play in Asia.”The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting,” Rathour said. “I look forward to contributing to the team’s vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India which can help in winning championships.”Back in the day, Rathour was a prolific scorer for Punjab, scoring a majority of his 11,473 first-class runs for them. His international career was very brief; he played six Tests and seven ODIs between 1996 and 1997.
After a snail-pace start to the summer transfer window, things are starting to move apace for Arsenal, whose first-team squad is shaping up ahead of pre-season.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are working hard to identify and sign a new centre-forward, but there are variables at play, and we must wait for concrete advancements over the coming weeks.
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who has emerged as a top talent at RB Leipzig, appear to be the biggest priorities, having been earmarked and tracked for several months now.
The Gunners have a longer-standing interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but Isak is the cream of the striker crop, and he’s been priced at an exorbitant £200m.
Berta may yet turn to a left-field option. Indeed, interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has been revisited.
The latest on Ollie Watkins to Arsenal
Watkins is a long-time target at the Emirates, with a £40m bid even being tabled for the Aston Villa striker back in January, but for Unai Emery’s side to emphatically reject it.
Arsenal fans might want a striker with a bit more panache and fanfare surrounding their name, but the England international, 29, is proven in the Premier League and dynamic in his performances, both prolific and creative.
How Arsenal's striker targets compare in 2024/25.
Furthermore, he’s been the focus of extensive profiling by the Gunners data analysts, also hailed by podcaster Rohan Jivan as “one of the best CFs in Europe”.
What, then, is Arteta to do? Watkins is valued at £60m, which puts him in a similar bracket to Gyokeres; Sesko would cost more, and Isak is indeed more expensive still.
Having scored 35 goals and supplied 23 assists across the past two Premier League seasons, it’s clear that Arsenal would bag themselves an upgrade in number nine with this man.
However, for all Watkins’ quality, and the shrewdness that his signing would be laced with, Arsenal are also targeting another forward who would represent a far more exciting deal, even though he’s not really a number nine.
Arsenal ready to pay for superstar
According to Spanish publication AS, Arsenal are ready to pay a significant figure to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who has started the Xabi Alonso era on the backbenches.
The Spanish giants would be open to cashing in on the 24-year-old this summer, and AS claim that Arsenal could secure his signature with a bid worth €90m (£77m).
With contacts between Arsenal and the player’s entourage having taken place since the end of the 2024/25 season, there’s a real feeling that developments could soon take place, should Rodrygo continue to drift on the periphery with Los Blancos.
Why Arsenal want Rodrygo
Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by Luka Modric, Rodrygo is one of the most talented players in the world but has been routinely ferried over to the right flank to accommodate the likes of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
At Arsenal, he would have no such issues. Bukayo Saka holds down the fort quite well in that area, and with Gabriel Martinelli’s future up in the air, Rodrygo could prove a stunning upgrade.
Rodrygo – Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25)
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Right winger
31
8
5
Left winger
12
6
6
Centre-forward
9
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
Remarkably, the Brazil international far outstrips his performances on the right when fielded as a left winger. The issue, of course, is that his opportunities in his favoured position have been few and far between.
His fascinating blend of creative quality, link-up play, and indeed a natural eye for goal, make the £207k-per-week winger the perfect player to slot in alongside Saka, with such remarkable talent sure to leave fans more excited than a deal for Watkins, as crucial as bringing such a striker in may be.
Indeed, while Rodrygo only scored six times in La Liga last season, he missed just one big chance, as per Sofascore. It was hardly a year which demonstrated the full scope of his skill set, but it did succeed in showing a deep-rooted aptitude in the final third.
Arsenal need this. They need goals across the park, not just from a centre-forward such as Watkins. Moreover, they need a player like Rodrygo who can balance his contribution. And as per FBref, the South American star ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.
Thus, we have a forward who could dynamise Arteta’s frontline, promoting possession-focused control and driving play forward himself.
If Arsenal are to raise their level next season and bring home some silverware, they need not just the goalscoring quality that someone like Watkins would bring but also the big-game ability of a serial winner such as Rodrygo.
His Champions League record speaks for itself, more still his rise at perhaps football’s most gargantuan outfit in Real Madrid.
Watkins, as discussed earlier, is more than just a goalscorer. Mobile and rounded, he ranked among the top 3% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last term for assists per 90. Given Rodrygo’s prevailing clinical edge, you can only imagine the kind of partnership which could be struck.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their first goal withLeonBailey
But such a duo would be charged by Rodrygo’s skills, his passion and capacity to become one of the best wingers in the Premier League.
Sure, Watkins is talented, and has big-game experience of his own, but could anyone honestly say he matches Rodrygo, a true ‘superstar’ indeed who would lead Arsenal to heights previously unimaginable.
And that, naturally, is without even imagining how Saka’s world-class talents could elevate both players, and vice versa.
Arsenal are on the verge of making a flurry of brilliant signings which truly could bring Arteta’s project into a new sphere, one geared for an abundance of silverware that is befitting his elite-class unit.
Watkins would provide the Londoners with the focal presence they crave, but in Rodrygo, Arsenal would land a player capable of laying down the gauntlet against any of the finest players across the globe.
Arsenal's next Auba: Berta opens talks for "one of the best CFs in Europe"
Arsenal are interested in signing a new centre-forward this summer.
يجري الجهاز الطبي لـ منتخب مصر، محاولات من أجل تجهيز أحد لاعبي الفريق للمشاركة في مباراة بوركينا فاسو القادمة، التي تقام ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع بوركينا فاسو، مساء الثلاثاء المقبل، في إطار الجولة الثامنة من عمر مواجهات المجموعة الأولي لـ تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
طالع | إصابة لاعب منتخب مصر وغيابه عن مواجهة بوركينا فاسو
ووفقًا للصفحة الرسمية لاتحاد الكرة المصري، تجرى محاولات لتجهيز مهند لاشين لاعب منتخب مصر للحاق بمباراة بوركينا فاسو، بعد تجدد الإصابة القديمة في الظهر.
وكان اللاعب مهند لاشين، شكي من نفس الإصابة عقب نهاية مباراة إثيوبيا التي أقيمت مساء الجمعة الماضي على ملعب استاد القاهرة، حيث كان شارك منذ الدقيقة 63.
يذكر، أن منتخب مصر، فاز على إثيوبيا، بهدفين دون رد، في المواجهة التي أقيمت ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة لتصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة إلي كأس العالم.
ويتصدر منتخب مصر، ترتيب المجموعة الأولي من تصفيات كأس العالم، برصيد 19 نقطة، متقدمًا على منتخبا بوركينا فاسو وسيراليون وإثيوبيا وجيبوتي وغينيا بيساو.
Arsenal are reportedly set to kickstart a significant squad overhaul over the course of this summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta attempts to build a Premier League-winning team after missing out on this year’s crown to Liverpool.
Andrea Berta set for busy summer at Arsenal
La Liga expert and respected journalist Guillem Balague has already shared what supporters can expect from new sporting director Andrea Berta, with the Italian already hard at work to back Arteta in the transfer market.
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Berta has held extensive talks over a move for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, and met with RB Leipzig director Marcel Schafer in London to discuss the prospect of a deal for Benjamin Sesko, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Arsenal are working to discover the conditions of deals for Sesko and Gyokeres before deciding which striker to prioritise, according to the BBC, but Berta is believed to have other key items on his agenda this summer as well.
While Martin Zubimendi’s signing is proving more complicated than first thought, with the Spain international now denying he’s set for an imminent Arsenal move, it is also rumoured that the Gunners are actively pursuing a new wide player.
“He’s been described to me by one of the decision makers, one of the ones that decided to bring him in, that he’s experienced, he’s a hard worker, and he’s very brave,” said Balague about Berta to TNT Sports.
“But basically, he’s going to have to be creative as well. Arsenal are not here with the intention of spending £200 or £300 million. They just want to be creative with what they’ve got and what they bring in.
“They’re going to have to create three or four players that go straight into the line-up. I would say a left winger, centre-forward and holding midfielder. Mikel Arteta said it’s the biggest transfer window for a long while and having Berta next to him as a partnership will definitely help.”
Jorginho set for Flamengo medical after leaving Arsenal
A new centre midfielder, which could still be Zubimendi, is especially vital considering Jorginho is leaving the Emirates, with Arsenal announcing his departure today via their retained list.
The Italy international has agreed a pre-contract deal to join Brazilian side Flamengo, and has been in talks to terminate his Arsenal contract earlier than June 30 so he can feature for his new team at the Club World Cup.
That is apparently done and dusted, with GE Globo reporting that Jorginho is set for a medical on Friday ahead of signing a three-year contract at Flamengo.
With the 33-year-old leaving, it makes the arrival of Zubimendi and a potential contract extension for Thomas Partey all the more important, otherwise Arteta risks being left very short in that area.
“I know him a lot, so for me it is nice to play with him, he knows me well,” said Kai Havertz about Jorginho in 2024.
“It makes life easy for me, he is a world-class player.”
Chelsea didn’t blow Everton away last time out in the Premier League but the 1-0 win on home soil was still crucial in the Blues’ bid to pick up a Champions League spot come the end of May.
Enzo Maresca’s men are flimsily holding onto fifth position in the current league standings, with Nottingham Forest only below the West Londoners on goal difference, meaning more wins need to be clinched across their last four clashes to possibly dine at Europe’s elite table.
Sealing a place in the esteemed Champions League would also enable Chelsea to attract some top stars through the door this approaching transfer window, with the Blues still insistent they can get one statement deal over the line to enhance their defensive options.
Chelsea remain in contact for "unbelievable" star
Much of the chatter from a defensive point of view in recent weeks when it comes to Chelsea has concerned Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Yet, the Blues may not be content with just strengthening the centre of their backline with a new full-back being lined up.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, as per a report journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea remain in constant contact surrounding a deal for Barcelona’s star man at the back in Jules Kounde and would allegedly ‘love’ to sign him this summer.
The report further elaborates that Kounde’s future in Spain is up in the air, meaning Barca could soon cash in on the in-demand defender who has admirers in the form of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Fresh off scoring a late winner for Hansi Flick’s men in the Copa Del Rey final versus Real Madrid, the hope will be that the “unbelievable” 26-year-old – as he’s been described by his manager this season – can be the classiest right-back figure to grace the Stamford Bridge turf since Cesar Azpilicueta’s celebrated stint.
How Kounde could be Chelsea's best right-back in years
It’s clear from Maresca’s last team selection against the Toffees that a new, fresh right-back body is a priority, with Moises Caicedo the preferred option here over his regular midfield duties.
Therefore, everyone at Chelsea will be praying that Kounde’s potential arrival on the scene can be as impactful as Azpilicueta’s was back in 2012 when he left Olympique de Marseille behind for good.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Indeed, the current Atletico Madrid veteran went on to cement himself as a modern day great whilst at the Blues, with two Premier League title triumphs and one Champions League success major highlights of his lengthy 508-game stay.
Away from Chelsea’s trophy cabinet filling up with the 35-year-old a trusted member of the team, the Spaniard would also chip in with 17 goals and 51 assists as a constantly expansive and forward-thinking outlet down the right, with the new Blues target also unafraid to maraud forward for his side, away from completing his routine defensive duties.
Kounde’s La Liga numbers (24/25)
Stat – per 90 mins*
Kounde
Games played
32
Goals scored
2
Assists
3
Touches*
79
Accurate passes*
50 (89%)
Big chances missed
3
Big chances created
6
Total duels won
4.2
Stats by Sofascore
Since the former club captain left London behind, it’s safe to say Chelsea have struggled to replace him with Malo Gusto exciting but raw and Reece James spending more time on the treatment table than he has on the grass.
As a result, Kounde would be a brilliant asset and one who can provide the goods in both penalty boxes too, having managed to amass a mightily impressive 12 goal contributions as an explosive option, with five of those coming across 32 La Liga clashes as Barca aim to become champions come the close of May.
With that in mind, the £51m-rated France international would be able to offer everything James can when he’s fully fit by offering goals and assists galore from defence.
Barcelona's Jules Kounde
Before any signings enter the building, however, Chelsea will need to be calm and composed in their hunt for a top-five finish in the Premier League, whilst their coveted target aims to sensationally pick up yet another trophy in the Champions League at Barca.
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It is remarkable to think that Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League season could still end in Champions League qualification, with Ruben Amorim having seemingly put all his eggs in the Europa League basket on the evidence of the weekend defeat.
Following on from Thursday’s thriller against Lyon, the Portuguese coach put out a much-changed side for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, having handed a first-team debut to 20-year-old, Tyler Fredricson at centre-back.
While the academy star – alongside teenager, Harry Amass – caught the eye as part of a makeshift back five, it was again the attacking unit that came under fire, with Sunday’s 1-0 loss representing the 13th time this season that United have failed to score in a top-flight game.
With the Red Devils in desperate need of a solution to those attacking woes, it does appear that one of the men who lined up against them at Old Trafford could be on his way to Manchester this summer, with Matheus Cunha seemingly the first concrete target to emerge.
Latest on Man Utd's pursuit of Matheus Cunha
It was reported by The Athletic earlier this month that Amorim’s side are keen on bringing the Brazilian to the Theatre of Dreams in order to bolster one of the two number ten berths, with the former Atletico Madrid man having now scored 14 league goals this season for the Old Gold.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhareacts
That has since been followed by claims from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano which suggest that United are actually leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, with negotiations currently ongoing regarding a potential summer move.
Cunha did only sign a new contract in January, amid interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest at the time, albeit having since outlined his desire to “take the next step” in his career.
A possible exit from Molineux would appear to be on the cards if any interested party opts to trigger his reported £62.5m release clause, with Wolves having originally forked out around £44m to snap the forward up permanently in the summer of 2023.
A major benefit to United would be that Cunha is reportedly still interested in the move even if Champions League qualification is not secured, although he may not be the only Premier League target under consideration at present.
Man Utd seeking Cunha alternatives
It was reported in recent weeks that United view Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo as a potential alternative to Cunha, provided they can’t get a deal done for the Brazil star, with the Cameroonian forward having dazzled for the Bees in recent seasons.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, that has been followed by more recent claims in Spain, which suggest that INEOS still want to sign the 25-year-old this summer, having ‘set their sights’ on the in-form left-footer.
As per the report, it is claimed that ‘discussions could intensify’ over the next few weeks, with Mbeumo seemingly open to taking on a new challenge after spending the past six years in west London.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates after the match
In terms, of an asking price, the former Troyes ace could potentially be up for grabs for around £50m-£55m, as per prior claims, with the versatile forward set to enter into the final year of his contract next season – albeit with Thomas Frank’s side holding the option of a 12-month extension.
How Mbeumo compares to Cunha
It is worth stating that either Cunha or Mbeumo would likely represent an upgrade on Amorim’s current attacking options, with Bruno Fernandes currently the top scorer in the league this season for United, with just eight league goals.
Alejandro Garnacho, meanwhile, has scored just five league goals in 2024/25, while Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have netted just six times between them. Mason Mount, for instance, has scored just one goal in total since signing back in 2023.
That emphasises the need for at least one new recruit this summer, although if it is to come down to either one of Cunha and Mbeumo, it could well be argued that the latter man would be the better signing.
Cunha stats
Indeed, the France-born speedster can operate centrally or on the flanks – like Cunha – thus making him a perfect option for any of the attacking roles in Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up, with his form this season, in particular, seeing the Bees star emerge as “one of the best players in the Premier League”, according to Sky Sports’ Dan Bardell.
That statement has certainly been justified considering that Mbeumo has even eclipsed Cunha’s return after netting 18 goals in the Premier League in 2024/25 alone. To put that into context, Marcus Rashford has never surpassed 17 top-flight goals in a campaign.
A return of 24 Premier League goal involvements in total follows the winger’s record of 16 and 15 goals and assists across the previous two campaigns, respectively, having now consistently delivered at top-flight level.
As noted in the table below, it is also the Brentford man who appears to provide that greater creative quality, as evidenced by his superior record with regard to big chances created and key passes per game, thus representing a real all-rounder in the forward line.
Cunha vs Mbeumo – 24/25 PL stats
Stat (*per game)
Cunha
Mbeumo
Games (starts)
28 (25)
33 (33)
Goals
14
18
Big chances missed
2
8
Assists
4
6
Big chances created
12
16
Key passes*
1.7
1.9
Pass accuracy*
78%
75%
Balls recovered*
4.1
4.2
Tackles*
1.2
1.2
Interceptions*
0.6
0.4
Stats via Sofascore
While the case of Mount may be something of a concern, it could be argued that United have too often ignored or opted against signing players from within the Premier League, having repeatedly looked to the Eredivisie, for instance, during Erik ten Hag’s time in charge.
Now, under the new INEOS and Amorim regime, things need to be done differently, hence why turning to Mbeumo or Cunha could well be a real masterstroke.
Erik ten Hag
The Wolves star would be a statement signing in his own right, although on current form, might his attacking counterpart be an even better addition?
Amorim must axe Man Utd dud who makes them look like they’re playing with 10
Manchester United fell to yet another Premier League defeat against Wolves this afternoon.
Haydos in the altogether at the MCG: you didn’t hear it here first
Alan Gardner16-Sep-2025The ECB has tried calling it “Super September”, which the Light Roller understands is short for “Super Sopper September” – and South Africa’s autumnal return to England, three months on from winning the World Test Championship, became a predictable shemozzle, with two rain-wrecked T20Is sandwiching a deluge of a different kind, as England pongo-ed their way to 300 in Manchester.South Africa managed to concede 400 during the ODI series too – having achieved the same in Australia last month (though it’s fair to note that they had already won the series on both occasions). At least you could say they are consistent. Such are the convolutions of the schedule that we would forgive the bowlers for not knowing which team jersey they should be wearing, never mind what format they’re playing or what lengths to hit.In England and Wales, getting back to bilateral internationals, as well as the culmination of a host of county competitions, was sort of comforting – dreary weather included – after a month of the Hundred, during which the game’s global T20 overlords descended en masse. Did the Teen Tech Titans have fun playing with their new toys at Lord’s? We can only hope they did, after buying up the prime chunk of summer.On the subject of the calendar, ECB chair, Richard Thompson, tried speaking truth to power (i.e. himself). “Cricket arguably does play too much,” Thompson told the BBC. “We’re the only sport to have a World Cup every year, which I personally think is too much.” Now, that might sound like far too sensible an opinion for a cricket administrator to espouse, but don’t get carried away.Asked about the fact the ECB had squeezed the Hundred into such a small window that it started the day after the conclusion of the Test series against India, and finished less than 48 hours before an ODI against South Africa, Thompson said change would have to wait until the end of the current broadcast deal in 2028. “So we’re only three years away from being able to ensure there is a gap at the beginning and end of that period.” Just three more years, lads, then you can have a proper rest! It’ll still be raining in September, though.
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The Ashes are coming (you may have noticed), and that means all sorts of nonsense leaking into the discourse. But – and we sincerely apologise for bringing this to your attention if you were otherwise unaware – new levels of WT-actual-F were reached by Matthew Hayden’s contribution on the subject of whether Joe Root, now the second-leading Test run-scorer of all time, would get into an Ashes XI. Regarding the absence of a century on Australia soil from his CV, Hayden declared: “I’ll walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t get a hundred this summer.” And it doesn’t matter if Haydos does eventually do the walk of shame dressed only in his Stetson or not, you now have that image in your head regardless.
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“Wait, eco-warrior means you’re fighting the ecosystem, right? Right?”•Matt Lewis/ECB via Getty ImagesAdam Zampa loves the environment. He loves animals (he’s a vegan), he loves sustainability. But he also loves the Hundred, as he said midway through a 34,000 km round trip to play in the men’s final for Oval Invincibles: “I absolutely love this comp, it’s my favourite one. I’ve loved playing for this team over the last couple of years of being involved.” Zampa duly bowled his 20 balls and helped Invincibles lift a third consecutive title, after which he hopped on the plane – presumably returning to his Byron Bay farmhouse, where the focus is on promoting native flora and fauna, growing their own food, and learning about “the ways in which we can help our impact on the eco-system”. Presumably one of those lessons being: if you can’t source your legspinners locally, it’s okay to fly them in from the other side of the world for one game.
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As anyone who has followed the sport for a period of time knows, cricket is more about talking than doing. There’s very little doing at any one time – often only two, maybe three or four, of the 13 people involved on the field – but usually lots of talking about it among those looking on. Or not talking about it, but rather discussing the weather, the food, the pigeons, or the regular appearances of the No. 32 bus over the shoulder of fine leg. So it’s fitting that attempts to refine and reduce the structure of the County Championship, after five months of discussion, look very much like boiling down to: it’s completely unworkable, but too hard to agree on change… so shall we just do the same again next year?
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It was bold, it was risky, it was trying to get ahead of the game… it was precisely none of the things that their opening partnership for Pakistan was famous for. And it probably needed an outsider of the calm, measured character of Mike Hesson to pull the T20I plug on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. It’s not about agendas or personal shortcomings, he said, just a simple question of strike rates. Data, guys. Look at the data. And then, y’know, obviously, he had to sit back and watch his bold, risky, ahead-of-the-game move result in Pakistan scoring at 0.35 above a run-a-ball after choosing to bat first in their defeat to India. Good try, Mike. But Pakistan’s gonna Pakistan.
All the numbers that mattered as Australia defeated India by 79 runs to claim a fourth crown
Sampath Bandarupalli11-Feb-20244 Under-19 World Cup titles for Australia. They lifted the trophy in 1988, 2002, 2010 and 2024. Only India have won more titles – five of them – including the previous edition in 2022.4 The 2024 edition is the fourth instance of India finishing as runners-up in an Under-19 World Cup tournament, which is also the most by a team.253 for 7 Australia’s total against India is the highest by any team in an Under-19 World Cup final. England’s 242 for 3 in a chase against New Zealand to win the 1998 edition was the previous highest.Related
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1998 Australia’s win on Sunday was their first against India in an Under-19 World Cup game since 1998. Since then India had won all six outings against Australia between 2000 and 2022, including twice in the finals – 2012 and 2018.2012 The last instance of Australia defeating India in a youth ODI. In ten meetings since then, India got the better of Australia each time before the 2024 Under-19 World Cup final.22 Consecutive youth ODI matches won by India while chasing before their 79-run defeat on Sunday. Their previous defeat in a youth ODI game while chasing came in August 2018 against Sri Lanka.1 Only once has a team defended their Under-19 World Cup crown: Pakistan in 2006, after winning the trophy in 2004. Australia (in 2012) and India (in 2020 and 2024) finished runners-up in pursuit of defending their title.Oliver Peake’s cameo helped Australia go past the 250-mark•ICC/Getty Images3 Previous instances of India conceding 250-plus totals at the Under-19 World Cup. Two of those came in wins when they were defending 300-plus totals. Their only loss was against South Africa in 2002 when they conceded 268 for 5 and went down by 112 runs.397 Runs scored by India’s Uday Saharan, the second-most for a captain in a single edition. Cameron White tops the list with 423 in eight matches which he recorded in Australia’s victorious 2002 campaign.46 India’s opening stand against USA in the group stage game turned out to be their highest of the tournament. The 2024 edition is now the first where India failed to stitch an opening partnership of at least 50.