Broadcaster set to move across from President role in October, following Bruce Carnegie-Brown’s tenure
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2024Mark Nicholas is set to take over as MCC’s chair when his one-year term as President expires in October, after being recommended as Bruce Carnegie-Brown’s successor in the role.Nicholas, 66, will be recommended as the new chair at the club’s AGM in May, working in conjunction with the chief executive, Guy Lavender. He has been a member of MCC since 1981, and has served on the club’s Cricket, Marketing and Main Committees since the 1990s.In his playing days, Nicholas scored over 25,000 runs and took 173 wickets in a professional career spanning over two decades. As captain of Hampshire, he guided the side to four trophies between 1986 and 1992, including three victories in Lord’s finals, and he also captained England A.The position of MCC chair has existed since 2000, and Nicholas is set to become its seventh incumbent, but the first former professional cricketer in the role. In the course of his presidency, he has expressed the opinion that MCC should take over the ownership of the Lord’s-based Hundred team, London Spirit, and this move may be an indication of the club’s ambition on that front.Nicholas is currently chair of the Hampshire-based Southern Brave team; a non-executive director of the media rights agency, River Media Partners, and co-founder/director of Century Cricket which runs IPL-style T20 tournaments for club and junior cricketers in Australia.In 2005, he co-founded Chance to Shine, the cricket charity that has helped to re-introduce the sport to 4,000 state schools in England and Wales, and given 6 million children a chance to play the game. His long and successful media career is synonymous with the Ashes summer of 2005, for which he anchored Channel 5’s coverage. He has worked extensively with Channel 9 in Australia, Supersport in South Africa, and also writes columns for The Telegraph and ESPNcricinfo.”The role of MCC chair is a huge responsibility and I am honoured to have been named as the Committee’s recommendation to the membership,” Nicholas said. “Amongst many aspects of the club’s immediate future, is the need to engage more with Members. In addition, we are embarking on many new projects and opportunities as we look to embrace this ever-changing game. I hope to ensure that we can play our part in cricket’s development over the coming years.”Chris Rogers, MCC Treasurer, said: “The Nominations committee found that Mark was the outstanding candidate for the role, noting that he has a deep and personal knowledge of the game. In making its recommendation, the MCC Committee feels that his experience, as a player, broadcaster, journalist and administrator, would be of huge benefit to MCC.”
Also: most double-century stands in ODIs, and the fastest T20I hundred
Steven Lynch31-Oct-2017Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shared their fourth double-century partnership in ODIs the other day. Was this a record?asked Jamie Stewart from Canada
That’s a good spot, as the stand of 230 between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Kanpur at the weekend made them the first pair to share four stands of 200-plus in one-day internationals. Kohli has also had three with Gautam Gambhir, while Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar also shared three double-century partnerships. The only non-Indian pair with as many is Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga.Which two players have opposed each other in the most Test matches?asked Graham Montague from England
The clear leaders here are Allan Border of Australia and England’s David Gower, who were on opposite sides in 39 Test matches between 1978-79 and 1990-91. That’s six more than any other pairing: Syd Gregory and Archie MacLaren met in 33 early Ashes Tests, while Ian Bell and Michael Clarke also locked horns in 33 such matches. The most outside the frequent rivalry of the Ashes is 31 Tests, by Border and Desmond Haynes of West Indies. Don Bradman only played 52 Test matches, but was up against Wally Hammond in 31 of them.The one-day international record is held by Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya, who opposed each other in 71 matches; next come Border and Haynes, with 60. In Twenty20 internationals it’s 14, by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Shahid Afridi.Was David Miller’s hundred at Potchefstroom the fastest in a Twenty20 international?asked John Campbell from South Africa
David Miller’s century against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom at the weekend smashed the record for the fastest century in T20Is. It came up from just 35 balls – nine of which he clubbed for six – which was a full ten deliveries quicker than the old record, set by another South African, Richard Levi, against New Zealand in Hamilton in February 2012. That was Levi’s second match, and he only played 11 more, in which he passed 19 only once. Next, at 46 balls, come Faf du Plessis (South Africa v West Indies in Johannesburg in 2014-15) and KL Rahul (India v West Indies in Lauderhill in Florida in 2016). Read more about Miller’s breakneck knock, here.Allan Border and David Gower faced each other 39 times in Test cricket•PA Photos/Getty ImagesJasprit Bumrah took his 50th ODI wicket at the weekend. Is he the fastest to reach this milestone for India?asked Richard Daniels from South Africa
When he dismissed the New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in Kanpur, Jasprit Bumrah brought up 50 wickets in just his 28th one-day international. In all, 17 bowlers have got there quicker than this, only one of them Indian: Ajit Agarkar reached 50 in his 23rd ODI, in September 1998. Mitchell McClenaghan, the New Zealand left-arm seamer, also needed just 23 matches. Only one man has got there quicker: the Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis reached 50 wickets in his 19th one-day international, in 2008-09.Which trio of sisters represented New Zealand in a Test?asked Cherise Asha Clarke from New Zealand
Unless I’ve missed something I don’t think there is any case of three sisters representing New Zealand in the same Test match. In fact the only instance I can spot of two sisters turning out for them was the Signal twins – Liz and Rose- against England at Headingley in 1984. That was Rose’s only Test, but Liz played five more.However, there was a near miss for Australia, in the first official women’s Test series, against England in 1934-35. Essie Shevill played alongside her married sister Fernie Blade in the opening Test, in Brisbane. Fernie was left out after that, but in the next two matches – in Sydney and in Melbourne – Essie was joined by another sister, Rene. Fernie and Rene were twins; Essie Shevill herself had a twin, Lily, who played for New South Wales but never represented Australia.Beverly and Louise Browne played together in several Tests for West Indies in the 1970s, while their sister, Anne, kept wicket in 11 one-day internationals between 1993 and 1997 (when she was 42). She later coached the West Indian team.Leave your questions in the comments
حقق منتخب السنغال الفوز على نظيره السودان، بثنائية نظيفة، في اللقاء الذي جمع بينهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
وأقيمت مباراة السنغال والسودان في الجولة السابعة للمجموعة الأولى من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، على استاد عبد الله واد.
طالع.. فيديو | بوركينا فاسو تكتسح جيبوتي بسداسية وتهدد صدارة مصر في تصفيات كأس العالم
وتضم مجموعة السنغال في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026، كلًا من: “السودان، الكونغو الديمقراطية، موريتانيا، توجو، جنوب السودان”.
وتقدم المنتخب السنغالي بالهدف الأول في الدقيقة الرابعة عشر عن طريق كاليدو كوليبالي، في حين أحرز الهدف الثاني لأسود التيرانجا اللاعب باب ماتار سار في الدقيقة 41.
وبهذه النتيجة، يحتل منتخب السنغال المركز الثاني برصيد 15 نقطة، ويليه منتخب السودان في المركز الثالث برصيد 12 نقطة، في مجموعة يتصدرها منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية برصيد 16 نقطة. أهداف مباراة السودان والسنغال اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم
Sarfaraz’s 66-ball innings lit up the afternoon but ended in heartbreak after he was run-out with Jadeja seeking a 100th run
Sidharth Monga15-Feb-20242:41
Manjrekar: Rohit’s mental toughness was admirable
On the first day of the third Test, India’s batting finally came together but not without an early alarm. Down at 33 for 3 on a pitch that was full of runs and with two debutants to follow, India were looking at possible trouble. But a 204-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja for the fourth wicket – India’s first century stand of the series – took them to 326 for 5 at stumps. Rohit and Jadeja got centuries while Sarfaraz Khan made a sparkling debut, hitting 62 off 66, before being run-out.This was the first time since 1999 that India had three players in the top seven who had played fewer than two Tests. That in mind, Mark Wood gave England a leg-up when he got rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill – India’s only centurions this series before Thursday- with the new ball. Gill, in particular, got a ball that swung in and then nipped away, that took the outside edge. These two scalps doubled Wood’s tally of wickets in the first six overs of a Test innings.The early-morning moisture that had assisted Wood possibly helped Tom Hartley grip one in his ninth over, which took the front edge from Rajat Patidar. A day before the Test, Jadeja had said England were not a difficult side to beat. The team management asked him to go out and demonstrate it from No. 5 in the ninth over, the second-earliest he has walked in to bat in a Test innings, and the earliest in the first innings.Related
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A promotion to Jadeja made double sense: protect the debutant Sarfaraz and also introduce a left-hand batter. Coming back from possibly the first time he has missed a Test with a hamstring injury, and having to deal with a family dispute gone public, Jadeja would have been excused for having a lot on his mind when he joined Rohit, but he batted with the most unencumbered mind: just purely reacting to the next ball in an old-school fashion.Rohit, who had got off to a smashing start, had to do unconventional things at the start of the partnership. Wood tried to bounce him with a fine leg, a deep backward square leg and a deep forward square leg. For once, looking at the score and the situation, he decided not to hook and had to wear one in his helmet grille. He charged at James Anderson to cut down the movement, on one occasion chipping one just out of mid-on’s reach. With Hartley, he flicked in the air and against the turn. The first attempt brought four, the second an edge to slip, which Joe Root dropped.Mark Wood was the pick of the England bowlers on the opening day•BCCI
Rohit will argue this was just the luck he needed after the lack of it in the first two Tests. By then, the early movement had begun to die down. Just after that miscued chip off Anderson, Rohit went back to punch him through extra cover for four, an emphatic sign that he was in.Jadeja never looked less than in. The two took India to lunch without further bother. Just after lunch, Rohit became the 14th man in this series to hit a six. The added responsibility of being the leader of an inexperienced line-up had messed with his approach a little, but now though, we were seeing the usual Rohit. There were timely lofts, some paddle sweeps, and a lot of back-foot runs. His second six took him past MS Dhoni’s 78, with Virender Sehwag as the only Indian ahead of him.Once there was spin from both ends, Jadeja began to catch up too, hitting a six in the final over of the middle session, the first wicketless session of the series. Immediately after tea, Rohit brought up his 11th hundred with two easy couples off two short balls from Rehan Ahmed. For a long time, the team management would have hoped for the batters to not take risks and just benefit from the inevitable loose balls the inexperienced spin attack was bound to dish up. A little like how Rohit brought up his hundred.It was happening now with ease, especially for Jadeja. England had to go back to Wood’s pace. A top edge from Jadeja cleared long leg, who was 20 yards in off the fence. Rohit was getting freebies from Rehan. Fifty runs came in 11 overs after tea without having to break a sweat. Then Rohit pulled one off Wood that was probably not short enough to pull. It skidded on, got big on him, and was caught at midwicket.Sarfaraz Khan picked the lengths early against spin•AFP/Getty Images
Out came Sarfaraz with whispers already around his game against quick short-pitched bowling. That Wood began with a deep fine third, two men deep on the hook, a short leg and a catching forward square leg suggested it was not a mere whisper. Around the wicket he went and looked to bounce Sarfaraz. He ducked the first three nonchalantly. Towards the end of his spell, Wood insisted on one more over. Sarfaraz ducked again before bunting the surprise yorker down the ground.With pace out of the way, Sarfaraz displayed remarkable skill against spin, helped no doubt by Ben Stokes’ attacking fields. A series of one-twos followed: a loft over the infield followed by going deep into the crease to take a single off the seemingly inevitable shorter delivery. The feet moved perfectly according to the trajectory of the ball, the sweep was out early, and the lofts down the ground were executed perfectly. Before one realised, Sarfaraz had a fifty off 48, the joint second-quickest for an India debutant.Another byplay had begun to develop. Jadeja had got stuck in the 80s and 90s. In the time that Sarfaraz scored 50, Jadeja had got only 12. He had three hundreds, but four dismissals between 80 and 99. He almost became passive. Had Hartley reviewed his lbw shout against Jadeja, he would have got him out lbw pad-first on 93.Finally, on 99, Jadeja called Sarfaraz through for an impossible single and unsuccessfully sent him back. Looking at India still leaving the door ajar, Rohit threw his cap in disgust in the dressing room. Jadeja got to the hundred next ball, but the celebrations were subdued since Sarfaraz was gone just one delivery before. Jadeja knew there was more work to do on day two, walking back unbeaten on 110 with Kuldeep Yadav by his side.
The MoU plans to achieve parity in various ways by October 1, 2027
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2024Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) have signed a “historic” four-year MoU to promote gender pay equity within West Indies cricket. A media release said that the MoU “outlines plans to achieve parity in international and regional match fees, international captain’s allowances, international team prize money and regional individual prize money for all West Indies cricketers by 1 October 2027.”The MoU aligns the performance grading criteria for international women’s and regional men’s contracts with the established standards for international men, ensuring a uniform evaluation process across domestic and international cricket from October 1, 2024. Calling it a “groundbreaking development,” the release further said CWI wishes to create a more equitable playing field and an environment where “talent is valued irrespective of gender”.The MoU is for the period between October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027 and includes all agreements in respect of player remuneration, and updated terms and conditions across the West Indies system.Some of the important features agreed upon in the MoU are:
Significantly increased team prize money and new individual player rewards
Full match fees for players in the starting XI and 80% for reserves (effective 1 October 2024)
All retainers on hold once an NOC is issued for an overseas domestic franchise tournament (effective October 1, 2024)
The potential for CWI and franchises to award multi-year retainer contracts (up to three years);
Increased international and regional match fees and ICC tournament fees for all women’s cricketers, to achieve parity by October 1, 2027
Align international women’s contracts and regional men’s contracts with the performance grading that has been established for the international men
“This is a historic day for West Indies cricket,” Dr Kishore Shallow, president of CWI, said. “As we overhaul the compensation structures and align performance grading, we are taking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and progressive cricket framework. This step reflects our unwavering commitment to gender equality and acknowledges the immense contributions of female players to West Indies cricket.”In the preceding year, we undertook substantial enhancements to our travel policy, mandating that the West Indies Senior Women’s team travel business-class on all extended international flights and are accommodated in single rooms during international assignments. This aligns seamlessly with the established policy for West Indies Senior Men’s tours. Today, with the signing of this MOU, we take another significant stride in narrowing the gender gap within our cricketing community.”The release further stated that the “MoU also introduces opportunities for compensation enhancement for both international and regional men, and new team and individual incentive bonuses for the top performers in the system. The top contract band values for men at international and regional level have also been increased, underscoring the commitment to fostering a culture of player growth, improvement and high performance.””Achieving gender parity and equity has always been a strategic objective of our players’ union, and we’ve certainly done so with our female members,” Wavell Hinds, president and CEO of WIPA said. “Without a doubt, this is a truly historic and exciting time for our membership as the MOU addresses most levels of our pay scale. As we operate within a very fluid cricketing landscape, we are duty bound to conscientiously reward our regional and international players within the constraints of CWI’s budget and agree on policies that will produce and promote world class performances.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that a stunning return to Real Madrid is 'impossible', but the Portuguese GOAT could head back to Sporting.
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All-time great frustrated at Al-NassrContract running down to free agencyLinked with clubs around the worldFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has seen his future become the subject of intense speculation – not for the first time in his remarkable career. It is being suggested that the evergreen 40-year-old frontman is ready to sever ties with Al-Nassr.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ronaldo has been working on a record-breaking contract in the Saudi Pro League since 2023. Major silverware has, however, proved hard to come by during his time in Riyadh, and the all-time great continues to head towards free agency.
DID YOU KNOW?
Various landing spots for Ronaldo have been speculated on. He could head back to where it all began for him in Lisbon, bringing a stunning sporting story full circle, with it considered unlikely that one of his other former clubs – where he remains the all-time leading goal-scorer – would be interested in doing a deal.
Getty ImagesWHAT FERNANDO MORIENTES SAID
Ex-Los Blancos striker Fernando Morientes has told of what the immediate future holds for CR7: “As a footballer, we Real Madrid fans enjoyed Cristiano's best years at the Bernabeu. The impact he's had on modern football has been incredible.
“As you get older, obviously not just him, but everyone, expectations and ambitions change and you have to lower your standards a bit. I think when a player of that age joins the Saudi Pro League, it's to finish his professional footballing career and begin retirement.
“I don't know if he has any special motivation to wear a shirt; for example, Sporting Lisbon's was where he started. Obviously, Real Madrid's is almost impossible now.
“I like to see him where I see him, and I'd like him to retire wherever he wants to. I really like those players who start out with one team and end up retiring there. I don't know if Cristiano would have that motivation to do so at Sporting.”
da pixbet： Sheffield United will hope they can shore up their grip on second spot in the Championship this coming Monday night, but it won’t be easy for the promotion-chasing Blades.
da realsbet： After all, table-topping Leeds United come into town fresh off a last-gasp win over Sunderland to further cement their authority as the main dogs in the second tier, whilst Chris Wilder’s men lurk behind.
SheffieldUnitedmanagerChris Wilder reacts after the match
Wilder will just have to hope his strong Blades team can keep the visiting Whites at bay, with the South Yorkshire outfit taking great pride in their defensively resilient performances this season after a horror show Premier League relegation.
United's improved defensive displays
One brief look back at the 2023/24 Premier League table is enough to send shivers down the spines of many a United supporter, as the Blades sunk back down to the second-tier rock bottom of the division.
That’s before you even consider the alarming fact that the relegated side shipped a horrendous 104 goals across a largely dismal 38-game stretch, meaning things had to change big time back in the Championship.
How Cooper compares to Championship GK’s
Stat
Record (per 90)
Ranking
Goals against
0.68
Top 8%
Save percentage
80.6%
Top 5%
Save % (penalties)
33.3
Top 29%
Clean sheet %
54.8%
Top 8%
Clean sheets
0.55
Top 8%
Touches
41.39
Top 34%
Crosses stopped %
9.4%
Top 8%
Defensive actions outside area
0.87
Bottom 21%
Stats via FBref
Wilder has thankfully managed to turn his team into a far more solid defensive unit in the league below, helped by the £2m capture of ex-Plymouth shot-stopper Michael Cooper last summer now looking to be a masterstroke.
All of last campaign, the Blades only managed to collect a sorry one clean sheet in league action. Now, with a breath of fresh air in between the sticks, Cooper has picked up a stunning 18 clean sheets, with that total only bettered by automatic promotion rivals Leeds and Burnley.
Off the back of his excellence in goal, the 25-year-old’s value has already started to steadily rise, with Cooper’s dreams of entering into the top-flight with Wilder’s men potentially coming true.
This isn’t the only time United have struck gold on a promising ‘keeper, however, with this former England international rejoining the ranks in South Yorkshire back in 2020, which would set him up for a path to stardom down the line.
Wilder's "brilliant" former goalkeeper
Fresh off the back of a seriously impressive ninth place finish in the Premier League during the 2019/20 season, the mood around Bramall Lane would have been sky-high.
Market Movers
But, as has been seen in more recent campaigns, Wilder’s men love seesawing between the second tier and the promised land of the top flight, as the 2020/21 season then saw a gutting relegation occur.
The Blades weren’t helped by some disruptive business taking place the summer before the troubling campaign properly got underway, with reliable ‘keeper Dean Henderson moving back to then parent side Manchester United after collecting an encouraging 13 clean sheets in Premier League action.
To make up for this harsh blow, United took a punt on ex-shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale for a fee in and around the £18m mark, having previously shipped him out to AFC Bournemouth for a mere £1m fee.
Whilst Ramsdale’s arrival onto the scene couldn’t save his side from the doom of dropping down a league, the now 26-year-old would help the Bramall Lane faithful get over Henderson’s exit quicker, with this save just one golden moment from the 6 foot 3 ‘keeper’s formative time at the Blades.
In total, Ramsdale would notch up a hefty 147 saves during the 2020/21 season in the top flight, leading to many a higher-up onlooker watching the Stoke-on-Trent-born star with intrigue to see if he could fit into a less stressful environment.
Arsenal would eventually pick up the recently relegated ‘keeper for £30m, with Wilder and Co unbelievably making a £12m profit on their “brilliant” ex-number one – as he was labelled by his former manager in the wake of his exit – after just one season, even with Championship football hitting them in the face.
Whilst Ramsdale would initially go down as a resounding success at the Emirates Stadium, based on his gleaming highlights reel above, it’s fair to say his time with the Gunners unravelled pretty quickly, leaving him now submerged in another basement battle.
Ramsdale's declining value
Ramsdale was worth every bit of his £30m fee during his first few standout campaigns in North London, with the 26-year-old becoming a top Premier League performer further up the table, away from United’s relegation woes.
In total, the five-time Three Lions senior figure would go on to amass 89 appearances for the Gunners across three seasons, with the calm waters of his first two seasons then replaced with choppy seas by the abrupt time he was offloaded by Mikel Arteta.
Ramsdale’s numbers at Arsenal by season
Season
Games played
Goals conceded
Clean sheets
23/24
11
12
3
22/23
41
44
15
21/22
37
41
14
Sourced by Transfermarkt
As can be seen looking at the table, Ramsdale effortlessly fit into the Arsenal first-team picture upon his arrival with 29 clean sheets picked up across 78 appearances, before everything turned sour.
By the close of the 2022/23 season, the 26-year-old’s value would even stand at a mammoth £33m, only to then be frozen out of Arteta’s XI for one too many error-strewn displays.
This would result in Ramsdale seeking a move away from the Emirates with lowly Southampton picking up the ego-bruised ‘keeper for around the £25m mark last August.
Already, his value has taken a slight decline at St. Mary’s – as per Transfermarkt – with his side’s disastrous nine-point haul not exactly helping matters, leading to Ramsdale now being worth around £18m.
That is a £12m decline from the amount the Blades sold him for, representing fantastic business on the end of Wilder’s men, as Ramsdale attempts to pick up the pieces of his career again.
He, of course, managed to bounce back at Bramall Lane when his side were destined for the drop, but with only three clean sheets next to his name on the South Coast, he could well be hurtling down to the Championship with Ivan Juric’s side, whilst United push back up to the top-flight.
Value has soared 190%: Wilder has hit gold on “class” Sheffield United star
Sheffield United are already reaping their rewards for this excellent purchase.
Shastri wants all top-order batters to follow Babar Azam’s template of building on starts to get to big scores, big hundreds
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-20234:03
Will we see an India-Pakistan final? Can Kohli outscore Babar?
Ravi Shastri believes India have the upper hand in Saturday’s Asia Cup game against Pakistan in Pallekele, but only just.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo on the eve of the fixture, Shastri said that Pakistan were a much improved side, and have “narrowed the gap” with India, but the strength of India’s line-up and an experienced captain in Rohit Sharma gave them the advantage.”I would say India start as favourites. This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players,” Shastri said. “And a captain who is seasoned, who understands the terrain better than most.”Having said that, Pakistan have narrowed the gap. Seven-eight years [ago], there was a gap if you looked at the strength of both teams and man to man. But Pakistan have narrowed it down. They are a very good side, so you have to be on top of your game.”Related
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Rohit: 'I want to be where I was in before the 2019 WC'
Shastri feels that when it comes to a high-pressure, high-stakes contest like India vs Pakistan, player form is less important than player temperament, which makes the real difference.”That’s what’s important, keeping calm and treating it as just another game,” he said. “And not overhype it in your mind that makes you think differently. Your game has to be the same as it would be in any other game. But because of that subconscious pressure, it’s the mentally tough guys who normally get it right.”When you look at the mix of players on either side, they are fabulous. And it will be a spectacle. In an India-Pakistan game, it is about who handles pressure better, who is calmer, whose thought process is clear. Those are the guys who will come through in those big occasions.”And never go by form before an India-Pakistan game, because the tough-minded, mentally strong guys might not have done much six months back, but come the India-Pakistan game, they will come [to the fore]. They know the importance of that game, they know where it can catapult them if they do well. Their juices will be fired up.”
Shastri: Must convert starts to big scores, like Babar does
Shastri believes that all batters looking to succeed in crunch games need to follow Babar Azam’s approach. Babar, the Pakistan captain, scored his 19th ODI century in the opening game of the Asia Cup against Nepal, and Shastri feels other batters need to example.”He [Babar] converts those 30s and 40s starts into hundreds,” Shastri pointed out. “And it is so important. We keep saying to go out there and face a number of balls, but if one of your top three gets a hundred, you get 300-plus.”Fielding will be crucial [too], you’ll have to see which team fields better. Sri Lanka won the last Asia Cup on [the back of their] fielding. They’ve long been the best fielding side in the subcontinent, right from 1996. They were outstanding in the last Asia Cup. They are holders, let’s not forget, so don’t discount them in Sri Lankan conditions. If India’s fielding raises their bar, then they’ll be an even stronger side.”
Signing a replacement for Andre Onana has seemingly been one of Manchester United’s biggest priorities since the start of the summer. Now, chasing exactly that, the Red Devils have reportedly joined the race to sign a Club World Cup star.
Man Utd's goalkeeper search goes on
Although reports have suggested that Onana believes he’ll still be the No.1 at Manchester United next season and he’s keen to fight for his place, Ruben Amorim may not share that view. The Portuguese manager must be ruthless and showing the Cameroon international the door should be one of his first acts this summer.
He's better than Cunha: Man Utd close in on signing "phenomenal" star
Manchester United look set to complete their second signing of the summer after Matheus Cunha.
ByEthan Lamb Jun 25, 2025
That said, the Red Devils must get their next move right after Onana. They cannot risk signing another liability. Whoever arrives, be it Emiliano Martinez, Andriy Lunin, Diogo Costa or another option, simply has to be a significant upgrade on the former Inter Milan man.
Whilst Martinez has been the most prominent name in recent rumours, the numbers indicate that the Aston Villa man would not be the much-needed upgrade that Amorim needs, as highlighted by Statman Dave.
Four errors leading to shots is far from an ideal record, but signing Martinez wouldn’t exactly solve that problem for United. Instead, their troubles may simply take the shape of a new No.1 if they sign the World Cup winner this summer.
Those at Old Trafford certainly have plenty to think about and that thinking has reportedly seen them turn towards the Club World Cup for a fresh option.
Man Utd plotting John Victor move
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Manchester United are now plotting a summer swoop to sign John Victor from Botafofo who has a release clause worth just $8m (£6m).
John Victor for Botafofo.
The impressive shot-stopper agreed to stay put at the Brazilian side to play at the Club World Cup in a decision which has resulted in a moment to remember against Paris Saint-Germain.
Joining Alisson Becker as the only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against PSG this season, the Botafogo goalkeeper played a pivotal part as his side shocked the Champions League holders to win 1-0.
For just £6m, Manchester United could sign a goalkeeper who managed to keep Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia out and someone who is ready to step into European football.
Having reportedly sent scouts to watch the 29-year-old in action, United should be well aware of Victor’s talents and, more importantly, his ability to play at the very top level.
Rather than signing the likes of Martinez or Costa this summer, INEOS could yet turn towards an unexpected option in the Brazilian.
Mikel Arteta has plenty of common ground and long-term relationships with two of the top-rated managers in the world, Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso.
Arteta asked about Guardiola & AlonsoDiscusses long-term relationshipsIdentifies with 'everything' about PepFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Arteta was asked by if he identifies with the coaching and tactical styles utilised by fellow Spaniards Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso, in charge of Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively. Arteta replied that he did because he knows both men "very well".
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ARTETA SAID
"I identify with them in many ways," Arteta said. "First, because we've played in the same position, but also because I know them both very well.
"I played with Xabi, and I've known Pep since I was 15 and worked with him for four years. I identify with his style of play, his game plan, his vision, his way of carrying himself…everything.
"I don't like to compare [them with each other]; they are two very similar ideas executed in very different ways. I have my own."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arteta first encountered Alonso in the summer of 2004 when he joined home town club Real Sociedad, signed so that the pair could play together. It was only brief, as Alonso was quickly sold to Liverpool, although they did soon share some common ground on opposite sides of the Merseyside divide after Arteta moved to Everton at the start of 2005. His relationship with Guardiola goes back further and deeper. When Arteta joined Barcelona's famed La Masia in 1997, Guardiola was a superstar of the first-team and perhaps the most revered academy graduate at that point in the club's history. He left Camp Nou in 2001 but sought out Arteta 15 years later when first assembling his coaching staff at Manchester City.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Into his seventh season as a Premier League manager, Arteta will do battle Guardiola again as soon as September 21, when Manchester City visit in the Emirates Stadium. The reverse fixture in Manchester is scheduled for April 18. Arteta could also face Alonso in the coming months, but only if the Gunners meet Real Madrid in the Champions League, either in the league phase or knockout rounds. The draw for the former will take place on August 28.