After a slow start out of the blocks this season, everything seemed to click into place for Leeds United away at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out in the Premier League.

Obviously, the 3-1 win will have to be taken with a slight pinch of salt – considering Vitor Pereira’s Old Gold have now lost all five of their opening league clashes – but it was still a breakneck performance from Daniel Farke’s men, especially in that blistering first 45 minutes.

Staggeringly, before their trip to the West Midlands, Farke and Co. had only fired home one goal in league action all season. Those same nerves weren’t present at all at Molineux, however, as three strikes were put away by the visitors in quick succession.

Even more pleasing for Farke would be the nature of those goalscorers, with all three heroes on the day being brand-new recruits who can now kick on even more in West Yorkshire.

Leeds' standout new recruits

While there were grumbles among the Elland Road contingent when activity was sparse on transfer deadline day, there does need to be some recognition that Leeds have made a couple of standout purchases here and there.

Farke will be desperately hoping that Dominic Calvert-Lewin now finds himself deep in a purple patch of goalscoring form after heading home the equaliser at Molineux, with the ex-Everton marksman going down as an astute purchase if so on a free transfer.

Calvert-Lewin might well have steered Leeds back onto the initial road to recovery, but it was the combined efforts of both Anton Stach and Noah Okafor that would stylishly secure the three points.

Indeed, Stach would show no hesitation on the big stage when hammering home a sublime free-kick for 2-1, with the £20m purchase looking a Premier League-calibre talent already.

Okafor also justified his high £18m price-tag with the game-clinching strike on the stroke of half-time, with both the Swiss international and his German teammate hopeful they can continue putting in top-quality displays together to ensure survival is clinched.

The new midfield pairing also boasts hefty salaries – with the duo earning £72.5k-per-week and £45k-per-week respectively – but there is one high earner who rakes in even more who will now be worried about his long-term security in the first-team.

The Leeds star who earns more than Okafor & Stach

It isn’t the most shocking development that both Okafor and Stach can perform at the highest level of English football; however, considering both players in question have shone in the Bundesliga, the Serie A, and the Austrian Bundesliga previously, to name but a few of their past European destinations.

In stark contrast, Daniel James has never quite looked at ease in the Premier League, and with injury difficulties already getting the better of him so far this season, the 27-year-old could soon find it hard to nail down a first-team spot.

This isn’t to say that James hasn’t produced some moments of unbelievable magic at Leeds, with this spectacular effort last season seeing the Whites collect a promotion-boosting 3-1 victory.

But, it’s very clear when looking at the table below, that the hit-and-miss Welshman is a far more of an electric attacking threat in the EFL than he is when making the daunting step up to the Premier League.

Games played

110

109

Goals scored

12

29

Assists

13

25

In the EFL’s elite league to date, James has managed to collect a weighty 54 goal contributions from 109 overall clashes, with the spotlight often beamed down on him as Leeds’ main man down the right channel.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t been as devastating in the Premier League as a full-throttle option, with just nine of his 25 goal contributions in the unforgiving division coming in West Yorkshire.

His regular hiccups in the top-flight even saw TalkSPORT’s outspoken Simon Jordan label him as a “fundamental disappointment” in 2022, with those words still ringing true when you consider the one-time Manchester United attacker has also collected zero goals or assists this season when fit.

When further realising James also pockets a steep £75k-per-week pay packet, which is more than both Okafor and Stach earn, it’s clear that Leeds are handing out an unnecessarily excessive salary.

With his current contract in play until 2029, it’s unlikely that Farke will part ways with James anytime soon.

But, with Okafor proving that the new guard at the German’s disposal are instantly Premier League ready, don’t expect the Welshman to instantly jump back into his first-team plans.

49ers buzzing: Leeds "very happy" with £72,500-a-week star who loves Farke

He’s already bagged his first goal.

ByCallum Kemp Sep 22, 2025

Mohamed Salah has been branded “greedy” and accused of “hating” Florian Wirtz after passing up the chance to tee up his team-mate for what would have been a first competitive Liverpool goal for the German playmaker. Said incident occurred during the closing stages of the Reds’ 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League – with the potential there for that result to have been even more emphatic.

Salah benched: Slot makes big selection call

Salah was named among the substitutes as Liverpool sought to snap a run of four successive losses. Arne Slot named big-money summer signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the same starting XI, meaning that somebody had to miss out in his attacking unit. Salah was only introduced in the 74th minute of the Reds’ latest European fixture.

That was enough time to fire in three shots on goal, with two of those on target, but end product has been in short supply for the legendary Egyptian forward of late. He has failed to hit the back of the net since helping Liverpool to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid on September 17.

AdvertisementGettySalah accused of being selfish

He was clearly desperate to get in on the act against Eintracht, but that proved detrimental at times to those around him. Wirtz, who moved to Anfield for £116 million ($155m) in the last transfer window, is still waiting on opening his goal account for the Premier League title holders.

Salah opted against squaring for Wirtz in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, when the Germany international had a better angle for a shot, and ignored the 22-year-old again late on in Frankfurt. Rather than present his club colleague with a tap-in, Salah went for goal himself.

Fans react to Salah failing to tee up Wirtz

Wirtz was left visibly frustrated, as he clung onto the post, with Salah going on to hurry off the pitch after the final whistle. Liverpool supporters have been quick to ask questions of why Salah is being so selfish. @TheKopWatch posted on social media: “That’s so greedy from Salah, Wirtz is right there for his first goal ffs.” @CiebacT added: “Salah personally hates Flo, no other explanation.”

As that debate continued, @_bubblxs said: “Imagine how good we could be if Salah played WITH wirtz instead of against him.” On a similar theme, @SanchezKing13 chimed in with: “If I’m Wirtz I’m airing Salah and not passing him the ball for the next 8 games”. @LFCApproved went on to say of some lacklustre displays: “Salah has come on, thrown his arms about when it’s not passed to him, only thought about shooting and scoring for himself, never looked for a team-mate. Attitude looked poor.”

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GettyCarragher supports huge Salah call from Slot

Reds legend Jamie Carragher had suggested in the build-up to a clash with Eintracht that Salah should be taken out of the firing line. He told a television audience in the United States during CBS Sports’ coverage of Champions League action: “I spoke about that last night and obviously Arne was watching. Maybe he's got a dodgy box! Punditry isn't my full-time job… I've got a little side one where I speak to the Liverpool coaching staff.

“When Mo Salah isn't being the legendary Mo Salah, he gets treated like one of the other players, which is right. He's 33 years of age and Liverpool will have three games in six days. At the moment, if he isn't at his best, he shouldn't play three games in six days. There are other options there as well. We know Liverpool have spent a lot of money. Liverpool have got a big game at the weekend as well, so great decision, Arne.”

Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur boss generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase this summer, with the Dane having the chance to build on the Europa League triumph.

He spent seven years in charge of Brentford before his arrival, often relying upon talents such as Bryan Mbeumo to provide the goods within the final third across the capital.

The Cameroonian international thrived under Frank’s guidance in the Premier League, netting 20 times in the top-flight last season, subsequently making him one of the division’s hottest properties.

After the 51-year-old took charge of the Lilywhites, a real sense of excitement built at the prospect of the Dane bringing the 26-year-old with him in an attempt to sustain the recent European triumph.

However, despite interest in his signature, Mbeumo would move to Manchester United in a £71m transfer – a huge amount of money and potentially a slight overpay.

As a result, the new boss has had to rely on another summer addition and one player already on the books to try and provide the impact he desires within attacking areas.

Kudus & Johnson’s start to the 2025/26 season at Spurs

After missing out on Mbeumo’s signature, Spurs forked out £55m for the services of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United to try and hand the manager his next version of the Cameroonian.

Such a deal may have been an expensive one, but it’s a transfer that has been worth every penny to date, with the Ghanaian already registering one goal and four assists in his first ten outings.

His first goal for the Lilywhites came in the recent triumph over Leeds United, subsequently highlighting his ability to pop up with crucial goals when the side need him most.

Kudus isn’t alone in falling into that category, with teammate Brennan Johnson also able to score key goals for the Lilywhites, as seen by his winner in the Europa League final last campaign.

Whilst he’s already scored three times across all competitions, the Welsh international has failed to start a single league game since the end of August and has rapidly fallen down the pecking order.

The 24-year-old will likely be disappointed with his lack of action, which has potentially been impacted by the arrival of Kudus during the recent transfer window.

Whilst both are hugely talented players, it remains to be seen if any can reach the levels produced by Mbeumo in recent times, but one other star already in the ranks could achieve such a feat, given the similarities in their careers.

The Spurs star who could be Frank’s next Mbeumo

Over the last couple of seasons, Spurs have splashed the cash to try and compete with teams around them, as seen by the respective deals to land Kudus and Johnson.

Around £400m has been spent in recent years to catapult the club to the needed success, with such spending undoubtedly helping them claim European glory back in May.

Various recruitment strategies have been in place over recent times, often signing a mixture of youth talent for the future, or players entering their prime and able to make an immediate impact.

However, players sometimes cross over both categories, as seen by the arrival of attacker Wilson Odobert from Burnley back in the summer of 2024.

A deal for the Frenchman certainly came out of nowhere, with the Lilywhites hierarchy paying £25m for his signature after the Clarets suffered relegation back to the Championship.

Whilst the 20-year-old has only made 30 appearances throughout the injury, he’s still managed to impress in North London and show glimpses of his potential and talents.

Odobert, who’s been dubbed “phenomenal” by one analyst, has already scored three times for the club, two of which came during their Europa League-winning campaign in 2024/25 – already highlighting his ability to produce the goods in key moments.

Whilst his goalscoring tally isn’t as impressive as Mbeumo’s, the similarities are there for everyone to see, with the Frenchman moving to England from Troyes.

The now Man Utd talent did the exact same upon his transfer to Brentford back in the summer of 2019 – subsequently needing time to make a huge impact in England.

Games played

16

Goals & assists

1

Pass accuracy

85%

Successful dribbles

1.3

Chances created

0.9

Shots taken

1.4

Touches in opposition box

4.1

Recoveries made

3.6

He struggled to register double figures in goals for each of his first three top-flight campaigns, but the Bees’ patience was certainly rewarded, as seen by his tallies and fee generated in recent times.

Odobert could do the exact same for the Lilywhites in the years ahead, with the club and fanbase needing to support the winger in his attempts for success in North London.

At just 20, he has bags of time to live up to the potential he arrived with, but it’s crucial that Frank works his magic once again to create another world-class attacker.

Spurs have signed an incredible "freak talent" who could be their new Bale

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Should he get anywhere close to Mbeumo’s level, it would be a sensational piece of business and one that could help the Lilywhites sustain their recent success in Europe or even domestically.

A legendary figure within football has revealed he instructed his agent to get him to Rangers even if a “massive drop in wages” was required to get him to Ibrox.

Rangers manager search rumbles on

The Gers are back to square one in their manager search after Steven Gerrard ruled himself out of contention to return to Ibrox.

The 45-year-old had been the front-runner to replace the sacked Russell Martin as head coach, but it is understood that after holding constructive discussions with the club, he felt the timing was not right for a return to Glasgow.

PA News Agency reports the conversations were positive and both sides agreed to leave the door open for the future, but for now 49ers Enterprises’ first major test in charge at Ibrox just got a whole lot tougher.

Danny Rohl appears to be the front runner for the job at the moment, even if reports suggest one of the Gers’ top transfer targets, Pierce Charles, would be less likely join the club if his former Sheffield Wednesday boss is in situ.

Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe promised fans a “rigorous, thoughtful recruitment process” which they were both “deeply involved” with and would give their “full attention” to, but the appointment of a young, maverick coach like Rohl would feel eerily similar to the risk that was taken appointing Martin back in June.

While the club struggle to get a managerial candidate who fans can rally behind over the line, one man the Ibrox faithful will never run out of love for has revealed that feeling is mutual.

Gascoigne: I told my agent I'd drop my wages to join Rangers

Speaking to talkSPORT on Monday, former England superstar Paul Gascgoine, who won the league twice during his time at Rangers, said he nearly missed out on his move to Ibrox over a name mix-up, but then jumped at the chance to join up with Walter Smith.

‘Gazza’ is one of Rangers’ greatest players of all time and was already a Ballon d’Or candidate before he joined, finishing fourth in the famous award ceremony back in 1990, proving the allure of both the club and Smith, who himself won 21 major trophies as Rangers boss.

Whether Rohl or anyone else can return the club to that level given the growing financial gap between Scotland and Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues, fans are desperate for Cavenagh and Marathe to find a leader like Smith who can once again turn Ibrox into a stage that appeals to the finest talents in world football.

When it comes to a country's player pool, Sarina Wiegman is certainly one of the more blessed international managers in the women's game right now. The England boss can call upon world-class players across various positions and has incredible depth in her squad, with the names on her bench making for enviable reading for most of her peers. However, that is not to say that the Lionesses do not have gaps in their squad, and even their starting line-up, that they need fresh faces to step up and fill as attention turns towards the 2027 Women's World Cup.

There are several positions where that is particularly obvious. Left-back has been the Lionesses' stand-out issue for a long time, because there is still not a dependable or natural option for the role, and Taylor Hinds' call-up this month is as clear an indication as any that England are trying to address that. Then there are positions like right-back, occupied by a stalwart like Lucy Bronze but with little in the way of back-up behind her. That's a big reason why there is such a debate over Maya Le Tissier's role in the Lionesses team.

It's a similar situation in the deeper midfield roles. While England have plenty in the way of options to be their No.10 – picking from the likes of Ella Toone, Grace Clinton, Jess Park and even Lauren James – it's quite different when it comes to the positions nailed down by Keira Walsh, as the holding midfielder, and Georgia Stanway, in the box-to-box role.

Call-ups this month for Lucia Kendall, Missy Bo Kearns and Laura Blindkilde Brown, who combine for just two caps between them, is evidence of Wiegman looking to build the depth behind her trusty first-choice duo, and it is the in-form Blindkilde Brown who feels best-placed to show she can assert herself higher up the midfield pecking order as the Lionesses enter a new tournament cycle.

• Getty
  

  Bubbling under

  Blindkilde Brown is a player well-known to Wiegman and her staff. Even before she earned her first senior England call-up in November of last year, and debuted in the second of the Lionesses' games in that camp, the 22-year-old will have been a name the manager came across plenty in her regular meetings with the staff who oversee the youth national teams. After all, Blindkilde Brown made her senior club debut as a 16-year-old, became a regular in the Women's Super League at Aston Villa and represented England across the underage levels during all that. She's long been a talent that many in the country have been excited about.

  But after bouncing between the senior side and the Under-23s over the course of the past year, Blindkilde Brown has started the new WSL campaign in excellent form for Manchester City, whom she joined in the January transfer window last year, and it is amid that mark she is making on one of the very best sides in the country that she feels primed for a growing role with the senior England team.

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• Getty Images
  

  Patience is a virtue

  It's no great surprise that it has taken a bit of time to get to this point. Joining any club midway through a season is tough enough, but especially when you're a young player trying to take the next step in a big team that has fierce competition for places. City's injury crisis did pave the way for some extra opportunities for Blindkilde Brown last year, though an ankle issue of her own would sideline her for six weeks, and a pretty tricky situation for the team overall, which led to a shock managerial change five days before the League Cup final, didn't help for consistency.

  The start of the 2025-26 season has been extremely straightforward in comparison. Under new head coach Andree Jeglertz, Blindkilde Brown has started all-but two of City's first eight games and she has looked excellent, so much so that she was named the club's Player of the Month for September. Her goal-scoring display against London City Lionesses was a particular highlight, though it is her work away from the final third that has perhaps caught the eye most, especially in relation to England's needs.

• Getty Images
  

  Showing her versatility

  That's a change for Blindkilde Brown, who has largely been seen as a player for more advanced areas of the pitch in the past. Though capable of operating deeper, she often played behind the striker or even out wide at times, explaining in an interview with GOAL during her Villa days that her aim was to be more of "an impact player" who not only provided assists but scored goals in order to help the team win.

  Now, though, she's thriving in a role that takes her closer to the back line than perhaps ever before, at least at club level. It's something that the 22-year-old was doing under City's previous permanent coach, Gareth Taylor, though on a more varied basis. "I don't really mind which position I play. I like the defensive side of it, but I also do like the attacking side of it," she explained, before adding: "It also does help with opportunities, knowing that I can do both."

  She has the skillset for any role in midfield, too. "I think the biggest thing with her is her quality on the ball," Emma Coates, England's U23s coach, noted. "Wherever that sits tactically, that's a decision for whoever's making the game plan and [taking into accounting] the players available. But I think with Laura, she's such an exciting player on the ball. Some of the tightness, her ability under pressure, is a pleasure to watch, frankly."

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• Getty Images
  

  Exactly what England need

  To see Blindkilde Brown bringing that to the table in a deeper role, on a consistent basis, will have been welcome viewing for Wiegman as she looks to build the depth behind Walsh and Stanway. Since the post-Euro 2022 retirement of Jill Scott, who provided great back-up in deeper areas during Wiegman's first tournament in charge, England have welcomed different options into camps, but none have really stuck and made their mark on the squad as the manager would have liked.

  Jordan Nobbs, Katie Zelem and Laura Coombs went to the last Women's World Cup to beef up the midfield department, but none have had a call-up since 2023, with Wiegman turning her attention elsewhere. Clinton, who deputised in Stanway's box-to-box role during the Bayern Munich star's injury absence earlier this year, is the closest the manager has come to nailing down another option, though Clinton is still arguably better in the No.10 role.

يخوض فريق الكرة بـ الزمالك مباراة هامة أمام نظيره بيراميدز اليوم الخميس، في المواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

وتقام المباراة بين الزمالك ومنافسه بيراميدز، ضمن منافسات نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، في لقاء يُقام على أرضية استاد آل نهيان في مدينة أبوظبي الإماراتية

ويسعى الزمالك لتحقيق الفوز بالمباراة أمام بيراميدز، والوصول إلى النهائي من بطولة كأس السوبر المصري المقامة على الأراضي الإماراتية.

في الجانب الآخر يرغب بيراميدز في تخطي الزمالك واستكمال مشواره نحو لقب كأس السوبر وتحقيق للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، بعدما أقصاه الأبيض من نصف نهائي النسخة الماضية من البطولة.

موعد مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز اليوم في السوبر المصري

وسيلاقي الفائز من هذه المباراة المنتصر من لقاء الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا في النهائي المرتقب للسوبر المصري، ما يمنح المواجهة أهمية خاصة في طريق المنافسة لبطولة السوبر المصري. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز اليوم في السوبر المصري

وتُنقل المباراة بين فريقي الزمالك وبيراميدز، عبر قنوات:

-ON Sports 1

-أبوظبي الرياضية الأولى HD

-دبي الرياضية

MatériaMais Notícias

Enquanto Lucas Perri faz tratamento para se recuperar de uma dor lombar, seu substituto, Gatito Fernández, pode quebrar um longo tabu na meta do Botafogo. O paraguaio não é designado como titular da equipe alvinegra desde o ano passado.

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Outrora titular absoluto da meta do Glorioso, Gatito Fernández iniciou uma partida pelo Brasileirão em 7 de novembro de 2022. Sua participação, no entanto, foi interrompida aos 19 minutos, devido a uma luxação no ombro esquerdo. Lucas Perri entrou em seu lugar e agarrou a chance.

Neste período, o paraguaio viu Perri se firmar e, posteriormente, se tornar crucial para o Alvinegro despontar como favorito ao título brasileiro. A primeira chance com o técnico Bruno Lage demorou.

O camisa 1 só iniciou partidas pela Copa Sul-Americana: uma contra o Patronato (ARG), duas contra o Guaraní (PAR) e as duas diante do Defensa y Justicia (ARG). Mais tarde, Lage afirmou que a atitude foi uma forma de contornar a lesão sofrida por Lucas Perri na vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Patronato e dar rodagem ao elenco.

Curiosamente, Gatito Fernández voltou a entrar em campo pelo Brasileirão no sábado (16), depois de 313 dias, justamente contra o Atlético-MG, clube contra o qual atuara no Brasileirão em 2022. O ídolo do Botafogo se empenha para comprovar que sua vivência pode ser crucial para mostrar serviço quando for acionado.

Ciente de sua responsabilidade, Gatito se esmera para ratificar o quanto o Alvinegro está bem servido na meta. O Botafogo enfrenta o Corinthians na sexta-feira (22), às 20h, na Neo Química Arena.

The first ODI of the three-ODI, five-T20I tour is set to be played at the Kotambi Stadium

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2025

Vadodara is set to host its first men’s international match in more than 15 years during New Zealand’s white-ball tour of India in January 2026. The first ODI on January 11, which kicks off the tour, will take place at the newly built Kotambi Stadium, which has already hosted three Women’s ODIs between India and West Indies in December 2024, as well as six matches during the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL).New Zealand were also involved when Vadodara hosted its last men’s international game, an ODI at the Reliance Stadium in December 2010. Current India head coach Gautam Gambhir scored a Player-of-the-Match-winning century in that game, and Virat Kohli – who has retired from T20Is and Tests but remains an ODI player – an unbeaten 63.New Zealand’s 2025-26 tour of India is set to comprise three ODIs and five T20Is. It is set to be the first meeting between the two sides since India’s victory over New Zealand in the final of the Champions Trophy in March.After Vadodara, the teams will remain in Gujarat, with Rajkot set to host the second ODI on January 14, before the ODI series concludes in Indore on January 18. This match starts the central-India leg of the tour, with Nagpur (January 21) and Raipur (January 23) to host the first two T20Is.The teams will then move east before travelling southwards to conclude the tour, with Guwahati (January 25), Visakhapatnam (January 28) and Thiruvananthapuram (January 31) hosting the third, fourth and fifth T20Is.As things stand, these five T20Is could be the last ones for India before the start of the T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. New Zealand, meanwhile, are scheduled to play three T20Is against Afghanistan immediately after the India tour.India, winners of the 2024 edition in the West Indies and the USA, are set to co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.

Milan Rathnayake has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh in Colombo, which will start on June 25, with a side strain. Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando has been named as his replacement.Spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage was also drafted into Sri Lanka’s squad. The 22-year-old is set to take the spot of Angelo Mathews, who had retired from Test cricket after the first Test.Milan had briefly exited the field on the second morning in Galle, but had returned later to end the first innings with three wickets – he finished with four across the Test. He had been miserly with his economy rate, and his burst in the final session of day two ensured Bangladesh’s first-innings total remained within Sri Lanka’s reach. Then with the bat, he was part of a crucial 84-run seventh-wicket stand with Kamindu Mendis, in which the allrounder contributed with 39 off 83.If Sri Lanka seek to replace him in the XI with another allrounder, another seam-bowling allrounder isn’t available in the squad. Wellalage and Sonal Dinusha are both useful with their left-arm spin, but with SSC pitch not as conducive to spin as Galle – which itself was unusually batter-friendly – Sri Lanka will likely want to go with extra seam-bowling option. If either were to get picked, Tharindu Rathnayake might be the odd man out. Vishwa, Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha and the uncapped Isitha Wijesundara make up the pace contingent.As for Mathews’ replacement in the XI, it’s more likely to come from one of Pasindu Sooriyabandara or Pavan Rathnayake, both of whom have impressed domestically and with Sri Lanka A recently. Oshada Fernando is also a potential pick, having returned to the national fold following an impressive stint with Sri Lanka A towards the end of 2024.After the second match against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will not play another Test until next year.Sri Lanka squad for second Test: Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara

IPL’s breakout star produces another fast-paced innings after Rocky Flintoff top-scores for England

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay27-Jun-2025India U19 178 for 4 (Suryavanshi 48, Kundu 45*) beat England U19 174 (Flintoff 56, Mohammed 42) by six wicketsIndia’s 14-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 48 from just 19 balls as India’s Under-19 side made short work of beating England in the first of five Youth ODIs at Hove.Suryavanshi, who became the youngest-ever century maker in men’s T20 when he hit 101 off 38 balls for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL earlier this year, made a startling debut to competitive cricket in England, putting on 71 in 7.3 overs with his captain, Ayush Mhatre as England were overwhelmed, losing by six wickets with 26 overs to spare.The young India side have made a memorable start to their tour of England. Three days earlier they had won another 50-over game, against a Young Lions Invitational XI at Loughborough, by 231 runs.Here, Suryavanshi was the star attraction, bludgeoning five sixes and three fours. Jack Home’s first over cost 21 runs as the left-hander top-edged his pull shot for six before driving over mid-on and pulling to cow corner for other sixes. But when slow left-armer Ralphie Albert came on Suryavanshi immediately skied to point.It was a different game after that, with India losing three more wickets before crossing the line, keeper Abhigyan Kundu leading the way with an unbeaten 45.England had been bowled out for a disappointing 174 in 42.2 overs, with only Rocky Flintoff (56) and Isaac Mohammed (42) reaching the 20 mark.There was a constant cloud cover and a green tinge to the pitch but it was India’s spinners, Mohamed Enaan and Kanishk Chouhan, who caused most problems, sharing five wickets and proving the most economical of the bowlers.England, who had chosen to bat, had started so positively, with Ben Dawkins and Isaac putting on an aggressive 39 for the fist wicket. The left-handed Isaac, one of two debutants in the team, along with French, was particularly exciting, pulling Henil Patel over square-leg for the first of his four sixes – there were also three fours in his 28-ball innings.The 17-year-old is related to England’s Moeen Ali and Worcestershire’s assistant head coach Kadeer Ali. He signed a three-year contract for Worcestershire from the Warwickshire Academy earlier this month.England lost their first wicket in the eighth over when Dawkins edged to first slip. But Isaac responded by striking Yudhajit Guha for successive sixes to bring up the 50 in the ninth over. Isaac then pulled Enaan over square-leg and out of the ground for another six. But three balls later he was caught at backward square-leg going for another big hit.Flintoff, the youngest player to score a century for the side, again looked in fine form. But his efforts were compromised by the constant fall of wickets at the other end. Ben Mayes looked in good touch when he drove through mid-on for four, but he was caught behind next ball to make it 80 for three and then captain Tom Rew was caught behind third ball.Flintoff, unsure whether to stick or twist, waited for some decent company but it didn’t arrive. Joe Moores and Albert fell cheaply to the off-spin of Chouhan and then Home was run out for five to make it 129 for seven. Flintoff was finally forced to hit out, and there were three sixes and three fours in his 90-ball innings before he was last out, going for another heave.