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They had won 15 straight matches in this tournament until they were knocked out on Thursday by South Africa

Sampath Bandarupalli17-Oct-202415 Consecutive wins for Australia at the Women’s T20 World Cup until their eight-wicket loss to South Africa on Thursday. Australia’s previous defeat at this competition came in their opening fixture of the 2020 edition against India.Australia’s 15-match winning run is twice as good as the next best at the Women’s T20 World Cup – seven by West Indies across 2016 and 2018, and England across 2020 and 2023.1-7 South Africa’s win-loss record at the Women’s T20 World Cup against Australia. South Africa had lost all of their previous seven meetings against Australia, the joint-most defeats for a team against an opponent.3 Number of defeats for Australia in the knockout stages of the Women’s T20 World Cup – all three by eight wickets. England won in the semi-final of the inaugural edition in 2009, while West Indies got the better of them in the 2016 final.Related

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31 Balls needed for Anneke Bosch to complete her fifty, the fastest for South Africa at the Women’s T20 World Cup. The previous quickest fifty was off 35 balls by Lizelle Lee and Sune Luus, both against Thailand in 2020.It is also the joint-second fastest fifty by any batter against Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup, behind Deandra Dottin’s 22-ball effort in 2009. Smriti Mandhana also scored a 31-ball fifty against Australia in 2018.74* Bosch’s score is the third-highest in a run-chase at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Claire Taylor’s unbeaten 76 against Australia in 2009 is the highest, followed by Sophie Devine’s 75* against Sri Lanka in 2020.200 Bosch’s strike rate against the Australian spinners, against whom she scored 46 off 23 balls with six fours and a six. Against the seamers, she scored 28 off 25, with two fours.5 Instances of Australian spinners bowling eight or more overs without taking a wicket in a women’s T20I. Only one of the previous four came at the T20 World Cup – against Ireland in Delhi in 2016.86 for 3 Australia’s total at the end of the 15th over in the semi-final. It is Australia’s lowest 15-over total while batting first in women’s T20Is since the 2016 T20 World Cup game against New Zealand, where they scored 63 for 5.Australia’s 134 for 5 is also their lowest total while batting first since the 129 for 4 against New Zealand in March 2021.100 Innings for Beth Mooney to complete 3000 runs in T20Is, the fastest woman to the milestone. Stafanie Taylor was the previous fastest, having got there in 103 innings.5-0 Win-loss record of the teams electing to bowl first in the ongoing T20 World Cup, including South Africa on Thursday. The teams choosing to bat first have won nine and lost seven.

The ICC match referee is believed to have said to Pakistan that he was merely the messenger of India’s decision not to shake hands on Sunday

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2025Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee at the centre of the controversy that nearly derailed the 2025 Asia Cup, was told only minutes before the toss of the India-Pakistan match on September 14 that the two captains were not to shake hands.At that moment, he believed he was conveying the message rather than issuing instructions. Pycroft was subsequently the subject of a complaint made by the PCB, which accused him of breaching ICC codes as well as the spirit of cricket, and demanded his removal from the tournament.Details have begun to emerge of the frenzied nature of events between the two Pakistan games on September 14 and 17. The controversy was sparked, according to an official, “four minutes before the toss” in Sunday’s game between India and Pakistan. As Pycroft walked on to the field, he was told by the ACC venue manager that the BCCI had communicated – with the Indian government’s approval – that there would be no handshake between the captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha.Related

• BCCI lodges complaint with ICC against Farhan and Rauf

• Pycroft to stand as match referee in India vs Pakistan Super Fours game as well

• ICC says PCB breached protocol, objects to apology video

• The Pakcroft drama: everything, everywhere, all at once

• PCB clears Pakistan to play UAE; says Pycroft apologised

PCB officials argued that Pycroft should have alerted the ICC about this unusual request; Pycroft is believed to have said he did not have time to do so. With enough time, he would have consulted the ICC. Instead, moments before the toss, he told Agha of the situation in the belief he was avoiding a potentially embarrassing public moment if Agha went to shake hands with Suryakumar only to be snubbed.Pycroft’s decision has not been seen by the ICC at any point as a breach of any code of conduct but as an action he was authorised to take in his remit as a match official deputed to manage the game.The issue came to a head on Wednesday with uncertainty swirling around Pakistan’s must-win game against UAE and the PCB threatening to pull out of the tournament if Pycroft, who was rostered for the game, wasn’t reassigned. The match eventually went ahead after an hour’s delay following a hastily arranged, clear-the-air meeting between Pycroft and the Pakistan team hierarchy.The PCB subsequently claimed in a statement that Pycroft had “apologised to the manager and captain of the Pakistan cricket team”, though sources familiar with the situation maintain it was not an apology, but an “expression of regret over the misunderstanding and miscommunication” around the incident.

PCB vs ICC

The PCB had sent an official complaint to the ICC’s general manager of cricket Wasim Khan between Sunday night and Monday morning after Pakistan’s defeat to India. In it, the board spelt out the sequence of events before the toss and accused Pycroft of misconduct, saying it was alarmed “to note that an ICC-appointed and supposedly neutral match referee opted to indulge in conduct which clearly violates the spirit of cricket and MCC laws”.The PCB said Pycroft “failed to discharge his responsibility to ensure that respect was extended and maintained amongst the captains as well as between the two competing sides, and to create a positive atmosphere by his conduct and encourage the captains and participating teams to do likewise”. It called for his immediate withdrawal from the Asia Cup.In its first response on September 15, the ICC told the PCB it had “carefully investigated” the complaint, but “concluded” there was “no case to answer on the part of Mr Pycroft” and he was “not at fault” in any way. In its review, the ICC had spoken to Pycroft, the other match and tournament officials, and the tournament director Andrew Russell.Pakistan captain Salman Agha and team manager Naved Akram Cheema had met with Andy Pycroft before the game against UAE•AFP/Getty Images

The ICC explained that Pycroft’s communication to Agha not to shake hands was “following clear direction” from the ACC venue manager. Having received the message at such “short notice”, Pycroft, the ICC said, had dealt with the situation professionally. “In acting as he did, the match referee was committed to preserving the sanctity of the toss and avoiding any potential embarrassment that might have arisen.”The ICC said the match referee’s role was not to “regulate any team- or tournament-specific protocol that has been agreed outside of the area of play” and that the “real issue” was the handshake not taking place, which was a “matter” to be addressed and resolved by the tournament organiser and “those who took the actual decision”.The ICC’s email to the PCB also stated that changing match officials at the “request or insistence” of a participating country would set an “extremely dangerous and unfortunate precedent”.The PCB then expressed “disappointment” at the ICC’s decision to absolve Pycroft, pointing to “glaring discrepancies”. The board said the ICC had failed to seek out “complete evidence/version of events” from witnesses that had “actually seen” what it described as Pycroft’s “offensive conduct”. The PCB said the ICC had not spoken to Agha or the team management during its probe, which it called a “one-sided process”.The PCB questioned how a match referee could be only a “messenger” and convey directives that violated the spirit of cricket. Pycroft, the PCB said, should have offered an “unequivocal refusal” when he was asked to tell Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar. In a separate email on Wednesday, the ICC said the PCB had every opportunity to “provide any supporting documentation or evidence” to back their case against Pycroft, but none had been received.

The events before the delayed start

During this back and forth with the ICC, the PCB raised the prospect of withdrawing from the Asia Cup, saying the Pakistan government had advised it to do so if Pycroft was not removed.The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is the country’s interior minister, a senior figure in the government.A tense stalemate ensued, with the Pakistan team training on Tuesday evening ahead of their game against UAE but cancelling the pre-match press conference. On Wednesday, after a flurry of emails in the morning, a video call was arranged early afternoon Dubai time between senior ICC officials, their counterparts from the PCB and the Emirates Cricket Board. The ICC offered the PCB an opportunity to talk through its case and arguments but both sides stood their ground: the PCB continued to call for Pycroft’s removal, the ICC insisted he hadn’t breached any rules.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi gave the Pakistan team clearance to continue their Asia Cup campaign•Associated Press

Around 4pm Dubai time, two hours before the scheduled toss, another video call was arranged between the same people. It again began with both sides unrelenting. Around this time, the Pakistan players were told to remain at the hotel and not go to the ground, having originally been scheduled to leave at 4.30pm. This was the first time the world outside discovered how serious the situation was. With time running out, it was on this call that Wasim Khan and ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta are believed to have suggested a meeting between Pycroft and the Pakistan team. PCB officials, keen on the idea, took it to Naqvi, who was consulting with former board heads Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja on the matter. He agreed, the ICC was told, and the Pakistan team left for the stadium at 5.40pm Dubai time.

Miscommunication and misunderstanding

The players arrived at Dubai International Stadium half an hour before the rescheduled toss at 7pm local time, and Pycroft immediately met with Agha, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson and team manager Naved Akram Cheema in a room with Wasim Khan also present. Pycroft is believed to have begun the conversation by asking the Pakistan participants about their precise grievances. In response, he explained to them why he acted the way he did, that he was merely the messenger rather than the man responsible for the no-handshake directive.He expressed regret for the “miscommunication and misunderstanding” around the situation and, in particular, for Agha to find himself in such a situation moments before a big game. It was here that Pycroft explained his worry that not telling Agha and letting him go to shake hands with Suryakumar would have been more problematic.Soon after the meeting, the PCB released a statement claiming Pycroft had apologised. The ICC is believed to have been unhappy about it and the idea of a response “clarifying” the situation was discussed, though it isn’t certain whether one will be made. The PCB also released a short video of the meeting despite concerns raised during the meeting about such a video being recorded. It was eventually allowed on the condition that no audio be recorded.The PCB also said the ICC had “expressed its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the code of conduct violation that occurred during the September 14 match”. The prospects of that remain slim, not least because it isn’t clear what the inquiry would focus on, given the ICC has repeatedly asserted to the PCB that there was no misconduct on Pycroft’s part.

MatériaMais Notícias

Fernando Diniz concedeu entrevista coletiva após o empate do Fluminense diante do Red Bull Bragantino, neste sábado (13), no Maracanã. O Tricolor sofreu dois gols de bola aérea que resultaram no placar de 2 a 2 na estreia pelo Brasileirão, e o técnico respondeu os questionamentos sobre o desempenho da defesa do time, entre outros assuntos.

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– A gente jogou bem o primeiro tempo. Tivemos um aproveitamento, na questão de fazer gols, abaixo do que a gente pode. Poderia ter ido com 2, 3 gols para o segundo tempo. O ponto negativo foi voltar e sofrer de bolas aéreas. Se a gente for procurar uma solução fácil (sobre as bolas aéreas que resultaram em gols do Bragantino), foi jogar sem zagueiro. No segundo gol, até se justifica não jogar com zagueiro. Talvez pudesse ser evitado. Mas, na verdade, tem um monte de coisa errada que a gente fez – comentou Fernando Diniz.

– Era um lateral nosso no primeiro gol. Fizemos uma falta boba, pedi para evitar fazer falta desnecessária. Mas o gol não teve nada a ver com os zagueiros. Sasha antecipou no primeiro pau. Na Libertadores, eles fizeram um gol parecido. O segundo gol, fizemos uma inversão desnecessária. Fica dois zagueiros para dois atacantes. Se a gente faz o que era para ter sido feito, a jogada nem teria existido. Para evitar gol de cabeça, é evitar bolas paradas e cruzamentos – completou o técnico durante a coletiva.

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O Fluminense finalizou 26 vezes na partida contra o Bragantino, com 11 dessas acertando o gol. A marca é a maior da equipe sobre o comando de Fernando Diniz no Brasileirão nesta segunda passagem. Sobre o grande volume ofensivo, o treinador afirmou que este é o objetivo em todos os jogos.

– Na realidade, meu pedido é desde sempre, só que contra determinados adversários temos mais dificuldades. Com características de alguns jogadores temos mais possibilidades de chutar de fora da área. O time conseguiu jogar muito bem, principalmente no primeiro tempo. Infelizmente voltamos menos concentrado no segundo tempo. A gente deveria ter marcado melhor, deveria ter tido mais atenção, a gente teria o controle do jogo, saída curta, dentro da área, finalizações… ofensivamente estávamos bem. O time todo deveria ter marcado melhor – explicou.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Fluminense

Sobre algumas escolhas na escalação e substituições durante o jogo com o objetivo de deixar o Fluminense mais ofensivo, Diniz disse enxergar o time como um todo. Ele citou o motivo de optar por Martinelli na zaga e relembrou as vezes em que André fez essa função, como em parte do jogo deste sábado (13).

– É tudo junto. É uma escolha para o time ter mais chances de ganhar o jogo. Fizemos isso inúmeras vezes o ano passado, mas puxando mais o André do que o Martinelli, só que o Martinelli é mais alto. É uma conta que a gente tem que ajustar. Não enxergo o time como um setor isolado. O momento que a gente melhor marcou foi quando jogamos com André e Martinelli na zaga e Lima e Ganso de volantes, porque ficamos preocupados com outras coisas – afirmou Fernando Diniz.

Confira outras declarações do técnico do Fluminense na entrevista coletiva após o empate diante do Red Bull Bragantino:

– O Lima desde quando chegou aqui foi uma das melhores contratações que fizemos. Talvez foi o jogador que mais atuou pelo Fluminense desde o ano passado. Não em minutagem, mas o fato de entrar nas partidas, seja como titular ou reserva, na imensa maioria das vezes correspondendo. Tem técnica refinada e serve muito para jogar de 8. Temos muito ganho quando o Lima entra no time. Pode ser que perdemos um pouco de marcação, mas ele é muito dinâmica. Espero que a torcida olhe para ele diferente, ele merece crédito.

– No fundo, o que a gente tenta não é fazer o que aconteceu contra o Grêmio e contra o Inter. A gente quer ganhar e não levar gol. Existem desequilíbrios e para o torcedor que gosta de futebol é bom. A gente teria que repetir o que aconteceu no primeiro tempo no segundo. Nem acho que cedemos muitas chances, mas os primeiros oito minutos foram determinantes para não sairmos com a vitória.

– O Terans está treinando bem, está se adaptando e com o tempo muito provavelmente vai ter mais minutagem.

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The Saudi Pro League is renowned for its wealth and ability to give players huge wages, but who are the most expensive signings in the competition’s history?

European football remains the dominant force in the modern game, with the likes of the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga generally possessing the best players in the world.

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has increasingly come to the fore, offering footballers eye-watering weekly wages and tempting them away from European clubs in the process.

To some, it is a sub-standard league where players go to earn big money in the twilight of their careers, but others feel it could only continue to grow in the coming years, especially if it continues to attract some of the biggest names in the sport.

There have been plenty of big-money signings to Saudi clubs since its rise to prominence – here are the 15 most expensive to date.

Saudi Pro League: Most expensive transfers

Rank

Player

Transfer

Date

Fee (£)

1

Neymar

PSG to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

£77.6m

2

Jhon Duran

Aston Villa to Al-Nassr

Jan 2025

£71m

3

Mateo Retegui

Atalanta to Al-Qadsiah

July 2025

£57m

4

Darwin Nunez

Liverpool to Al-Hilal

Aug 2025

£56.6m

5

Malcom

Zenit to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

£51.4m

6

Otavio

Porto to Al-Nassr

Aug 2023

£51.1m

7

Moussa Diaby

Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2024

£50m

8

Ruben Neves

Wolves to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

£47m

9

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Fulham to Al-Hilal

Aug 2023

£46m

10

Galeno

Porto to Al-Ahli

Jan 2025

£41.6m

=11

Ivan Toney

Brentford to Al-Ahli

Aug 2024

£40m

=11

Fabinho

Liverpool to Al-Ittihad

Jul 2023

£40m

12

Mohamed Simakan

RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr

Sep 2024

£37.9m

13

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Lazio to Al-Hilal

Jul 2023

£34m

14

Marcos Leonardo

Benfica to Al-Hilal

Sep 2024

£33.7m

15 Marcos Leonardo Benfica to Al-Hilal (£33.7m)

Kicking off the list is Brazilian youngster Marcos Leonardo, who joined Al-Hilal from Benfica earlier this year in a deal worth a reported €40m (£33.7m).

The 21-year-old forward was previously with Santos in his homeland, but he clearly felt that a Saudi move was best for his development at this early stage in his career. Only time will tell if it is the right call, but it has been rare to see such a young footballer head there.

14 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Lazio to Al-Hilal (£34m)

For a long time, it seemed inevitable that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would end up at one of the best teams in Europe, having stood out as such a dominant performer for Lazio, combining talent and physicality in midfield.

It came as a huge shock to see him join Al-Hilal last year in a deal reportedly worth £34m, especially as he was still only in his late 20s at that point. Will he return to Europe in the future?

13 Mohamed Simakan RB Leipzig to Al-Nassr (£37.9m)

Mohamed Simakan made the decision to leave RB Leipzig and join Al-Nassr in September 2024, in a move worth €45m (£37.9m), linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

Only in his mid 20s, the centre-back’s decision to move away from Europe arguably surprised some, but it is still early days, and the club’s success on the domestic and continental stages may determine whether he’ll come to regret saying goodbye to the Bundesliga.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Frenchman will certainly be looking to make an impression as he seeks a first senior international cap.

12 Fabinho Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (£40m)

Liverpool enjoyed a glorious period in their history under Jurgen Klopp, winning plenty of trophies, and Fabinho played a massive role in the Reds’ success.

A world-class No 6 at his peak, the Brazilian’s ability started to wane in the 2022/23 season, with his body no longer allowing him to cover ground like he once did.

A Saudi move felt like the best outcome for all parties, and Fabinho moved to Al-Ittihad for a reported £40m the following summer.

11 Ivan Toney Brentford to Al-Ahli (£40m)

Much like Milinkovic-Savic, Ivan Toney felt like a player who was only on the up at Brentford, with a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest teams often mooted.

Instead, the England international left the Bees to join Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024 in a move that surprised many, even amid his contract issues in west London.

Reports of his eventual transfer fee were mixed, but most appear to indicate Brentford received a sum of around £40m.

10 Galeno Porto to Al-Ahli (£41.6m)

Former Porto star Galeno was one of two major signings in the January 2025 market for the Saudi Pro League, with the winger joining Al-Ahli for €50m (£41.6m).

Galeno had scored eight in 18 appearances for Porto before departing for the Middle East, and has already written his name into the history books, scoring in the AFC Champions League final against Kawasaki Frontale.

His arrival marks Al-Ahli’s most expensive signing, replacing Ivan Toney.

9 Aleksandar Mitrovic Fulham to Al-Hilal (£46m)

Many players who have moved to the Saudi Pro League have been individuals whose peaks have been and gone, but Aleksandar Mitrovic went there while in his prime.

He was just 28 when he opted to trade Fulham for Al-Hilal, but he is no doubt reaping the financial rewards. Mitrovic’s transfer fee was officially undisclosed, with the Cottagers indicating they had received a “club-record” fee. While it was thought to be close to £50m, a sum of £46m appears to be the most widely mentioned.

8 Ruben Neves Wolves to Al-Hilal (£47m)

Ruben Neves’ move to Saudi Arabia has to stand out as one of the biggest surprises having grown into such a key player at Wolves, while still only being in his mid-20s.

It looked like the Portugal star had the pick of his clubs given the natural talent he possesses in midfield, but the race for his signature was won by Al-Hilal, who paid £47m for Neves’ services.

7 Moussa Diaby Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad (£50m)

It looked like Aston Villa had signed themselves a gem of a player in Moussa Diaby, with the winger catching the eye with his quality and end product during his one season at Villa Park.

His campaign did fizzle out a bit as it went on, but few would have expected to see him ditch the Midlands side for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad, with the Villans receiving around £50m in the process.

It’s hard not to feel as though the Frenchman is wasting the best years of his career in a lesser division, although the financial aspects of the move are undeniably appealing.

6 Otavio Porto to Al-Nassr (£51.1m)

Otavio was always a highly rated figure for Porto, and became a key part of the Portugal setup before opting for a Saudi move instead of a European switch, which cost Al-Nassr €60m (£51.1m) in August 2023.

He’s not set the world alight in the Middle East, scoring just one goal and supplying five assists in 2024/25.

Michael Clarke expects Usman Khawaja to be in the XI for Brisbane providing he is fit

Andrew McGlashan26-Nov-2025Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes Travis Head remains best suited to batting at No. 5 in the day-night Test at the Gabba despite his barnstorming century opening in Perth, while both he and Michael Clarke are convinced that Nathan Lyon has to play as the home side weigh up the best balance of side to face England after their demolition job in the opening match of the Ashes.Usman Khawaja’s spot has come under scrutiny after Head’s spectacular century at the top when he was promoted after Khawaja suffered further back spasms on the second day, having also been unable to take his usual spot in the first innings with England collapsing so quickly he couldn’t make up enough time on the field.Related

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However, Finch said that the pink-ball factor of the second Test adds another layer on how Australia may structure their side and argued that in this case having Head in the middle was the favoured option.”If this wasn’t a pink-ball test match coming up at the Gabba, I would tend to agree and say, you know what, maybe it is time to throw him [Head] up there and you just launch into it from day one of a Test,” Finch told ESPN’s .”But I just feel as though the fact that it is a pink-ball test, the impact that that brand new ball can have and the impact that Travis Head can have batting at No. 5 when the pink ball does go a bit soft and the game can sort of, the wicket can flatten out. I like him at five still, just to be that real explosive player through the middle order.”Khawaja batted at No. 4 on the first day in Perth and gloved a rising delivery from Brydon Carse. His form was a talking point ahead of the Ashes after making one Test century in his last 44 innings prior to the series.Brisbane would be a home Test for Khawaja – where he is the leading run-scorer in day-night first-class cricket at the Gabba with 502 runs at 50.02 – and Clarke does not see Australia shifting from the original plan for now.Usman Khawaja’s position is being debate after Travis Head’s stunning success as an opener•AFP/Getty Images

“I think he plays. I think if he’s fit, they give him another chance,” Clarke said. “I think a few days and Uzzie will be sweet. He hasn’t had this back problem that many times throughout his career, so I think he will be fit.”Meanwhile, both Clarke and Finch agreed that Lyon should be a lock for Brisbane despite only sending down two overs in Perth and having been left out of the day-night Test in Jamaica earlier this year.”He’s in for sure,” Clarke, who was Lyon’s first Test captain, said. “He’s in my XI every Test match. Unless it’s an absolute raging green seamer. Like even Perth, the wicket certainly didn’t look that bad. I’m still picking a spinner in my team.”Finch added: “The impact that Nathan Lyon has in that side is huge. We saw him not selected for the Test in Jamaica…and they were extreme conditions. So Australia decided that they probably weren’t going to use a spinner at all. I can see from that point of view why it happened in Jamaica. At the Gabba, 100%, it should not ever be talked about, Nathan Lyon not being in an Australian XI.”The other decision that will need to be made will be around the fitness of Pat Cummins who is pushing for a return in Brisbane. He bowled with the pink ball in Sydney on Tuesday and speaking during the Perth Test gave himself “half a chance” of being ready for the Gabba.”I think Australia will stick to the plan,” Finch said. “If he’s 100% fit, he plays. If he’s 95% fit, he doesn’t play. I think that’s the way that they’ll go. They’ve been really consistent with how they’ve picked squads, how they’ve picked the XI. And for me, it’s a long series. You don’t want to rush it.”

The India head coach said a decision on Rodrigues’ inclusion in the XI against New Zealand will be taken on match day

Sruthi Ravindranath22-Oct-20254:19

Preview: ‘Wounded’ India favourites against New Zealand?

India head coach Amol Muzumdar has said leaving Jemimah Rodrigues out of the World Cup clash against England on Sunday was “one of the toughest decisions” the team has had to make, and one dictated purely by combination and conditions.”To be fair, Jemi [Rodrigues] has been a very important player, an integral part of this side we have built,” Muzumdar said. “Sometimes you just have to take those tough calls. That game, particularly against England, required the sixth bowling option, given the ground of Indore and the [high-scoring] conditions over there, we thought six bowling options would be a better call on that particular day and for that particular match.”Rodrigues, who has managed just 65 runs from four innings this tournament, including two ducks, made way for seamer Renuka Singh in the weekend.”It was a tough call, there is no doubt about it,” Muzumdar said. “One of the toughest decisions, but sometimes tough calls do need to be taken. She took it really nicely and very sportingly.”Related

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Ahead of India’s crucial clash against New Zealand, Rodrigues had an extended net session, closely working on her drives, though Muzumdar said the decision to bring her back into the XI will be taken only on match day.India have now lost three consecutive matches, to South Africa, Australia, and England, all after getting into promising positions. Muzumdar conceded that the pressure of playing a home World Cup is being felt, but backed the squad, including young pacer Kranti Gaud, who’s gone for runs in her second spell in all three games, to bounce back.”I think a home World Cup, of course, there has to be some kind of pressure. But this side, this particular side is well-equipped to handle that. We’ve built a side around it and I think all the players are well-equipped to handle pressure.5:13

‘Fans need to temper expectations with India’

“[Gaud] had not much of experience in international cricket, but that’s the stage we are in. She’s been the spearhead of the fast bowlers in the team. And we’ve had several discussions, we’ve not left any stone unturned with regards to discussion and taking the load off her.”While six Indian batters have crossed fifty in the tournament so far, none has reached three-figures, something Muzumdar said the team is actively trying to address. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur had laid the platform in the England game with a 125-run stand but were dismissed for 88 and 70 respectively.”We are well aware that a three-figure mark hasn’t come this World Cup. But if you look at the past year-and-a-half, the 18 months that have passed before the World Cup, we’ve had definitely a lot of hundreds that we’ve seen than ever before. I don’t think there is a lot of load on anyone. But we’ve had honest discussions about it. And the players also have been honest that, ‘Yes, instead of a fifty, we could have converted that into a hundred’. They are aware of it. And I’m hopeful that it will come in the next couple of games.”Muzumdar also said there was no burden on either Harmanpreet as captain or on Richa Ghosh to finish games single-handedly.”As a batting group, we’ve discussed we need to get into a certain stage where we can have that, that kind of a liberty for Richa to go out there and play her shots.”

Venue yet to get police approvals to host matches following the stampede that caused the deaths of 11 people during RCB’s victory celebrations on June 4

Shashank Kishore12-Aug-2025The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru could be in danger of losing its Women’s World Cup matches after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) missed the August 10 deadline set by the BCCI to secure police approvals to host the games at the venue.The Greenfields Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is being mooted as an alternative.Bengaluru is, for the moment, scheduled to host the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka on September 30, and matches between England and South Africa (October 3), India and Bangladesh (October 26), the second semi-final on October 30, and possibly the final on November 2.As things stand, the Greenfields Stadium is preparing to host the second season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) from August 21 to September 7. However, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) is believed to have a back-up plan in place, with the KCL being moved to another venue, should they be required as World Cup hosts.Related

• Venkatesh Prasad: 'Want to bring cricket back to Chinnaswamy'

• Maharaja T20 moved from Bengaluru to Mysuru

• Probe panel deems Chinnaswamy 'unsafe' for large-scale events

• Karnataka government holds RCB accountable for Bengaluru stampede

• Deaths and injuries to fans mar RCB's homecoming in Bengaluru

As per the ICC guidelines, a venue has to be handed over to the organisers at least a month prior to the tournament. This means a decision will need to be taken by the BCCI and ICC within a week since Thiruvananthapuram is also likely to be allotted World Cup warm-up fixtures on September 25 and 27.According to the police commissioner’s office, the KSCA hadn’t got clearance for the Chinnaswamy Stadium as of Monday, when the ICC marked the 50-day countdown to the tournament with an event in Mumbai. ESPNcricinfo has contacted KSCA CEO Subhendu Ghosh but has yet to receive a response.The KSCA is currently hosting its T20 competition, the Maharaja Trophy, in Mysore. The tournament also had to also be moved out of the Chinnaswamy Stadium after the KSCA failed to secure police permission despite offering to play the matches behind closed doors.As a final attempt at securing police approvals, the KSCA is believed to be exploring the possibility of conducting World Cup matches with a reduced capacity. It’s unclear whether the BCCI would approve such a proposal considering the Chinnaswamy Stadium is also the venue for the final if Pakistan don’t qualify.The KSCA has been in trouble since June 4, when 11 people died and more than 50 were injured around the premises of the Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory parade after winning IPL 2025. In the aftermath of the incident, secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned citing moral responsibility.Late last month, a committee tasked by the state government to investigate the stampede deemed the Chinnaswamy “unsafe” for large-scale events. The commission “strongly recommended” that large-scale events be relocated to venues that were “better suited” to handle significant crowds.The uncertainty could potentially upset plans of several teams which had hoped to be based in Bengaluru to train at a number of practice venues, including the KSCA facility in Alur on the city’s outskirts, in the lead-up to the tournament.

In shocking Cubs news, starting pitcher Shota Imanaga is now a free agent, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported on Tuesday.

Chicago chose not to pick up the three-year option on his contract, and then Imanaga declined his $15 million player option. It was originally expected that Imanaga would remain in Chicago.

The Cubs could still retain the veteran lefty if they extend him a qualifying offer, which would cost $22.025 million for the 2026 season. Imanaga would then have the option to accept or decline that offer. If he turned it down, he would officially become a free agent, and the Cubs would receive draft pick compensation when he signed with a new team.

Imanaga just finished up his second season with the Cubs after his All-Star campaign in 2024. In 25 regular season starts, the Japanese star posted a 3.73 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP over 144.2 innings pitched. He threw 117 strikeouts, while giving up 117 hits and 62 runs.

The ace made his postseason debut this year during the Cubs’ division series run. Imanaga started one game and appeared in another, posting an 8.10 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. He had six strikeouts and gave up eight hits and six runs.

The Cubs will now look to fill Imanaga’s spot in the starting rotation for the 2026 season. And, quite a few teams looking for a pretty strong starter will show interest in Imanaga in return.

All the numbers from Pakistan’s 2-1 win in the ODI series against Australia

Sampath Bandarupalli10-Nov-20242002 Previous series win for Pakistan on the Australian soil in any format in International cricket – an ODI series win by a 2-1 margin. Since then, Pakistan featured in nine bilateral series – five in Tests, two each in ODI and T20I formats in Australia. They also played a tri-series in 2005, an ODI World Cup in 2015, and a T20 World Cup in 2022.Pakistan faced Australia in Australia in 34 matches across the three formats between the 2002 and 2024 series wins. They won only two of those 34 matches and suffered a defeat in 31.1 First instance of Australia losing consecutive men’s ODIs by a margin of eight or more wickets and the first time they lost successive ODIs with 100-plus balls to spare. It was also the first instance of Pakistan winning consecutive men’s ODIs with 100-plus balls to spare.Related

When Pakistan turned the land down under into upside-down land

Pakistan quicks set up famous series win in Australia

Connolly ruled out of Pakistan T20I series with fractured hand

Pakistan chased the target of 164 at the Adelaide Oval with 141 balls to spare by losing only one wicket and completed the 141-run chase in Perth with 139 balls to spare and eight wickets in hand.3 Number of defeats for Australia by balls to spare in men’s ODIs, higher than their losses in Adelaide (141 balls) and Perth (139 balls). Pakistan’s biggest win against Australia in men’s ODIs before this series was by 73 balls, during a 211-run chase in the 2022 Lahore ODI.140 Australia’s total at Perth is their lowest total in men’s ODIs at home since their 74 all-out against Sri Lanka in 2013 in Brisbane. Only once Australia had a lower total anywhere in these 11 years – 126 all out against England earlier this year at the Lord’s.Pakistan players and support staff celebrate after the series win•AFP/Getty Images31.5 Overs batted by Australia in Perth are their third fewest in an all-out innings in men’s ODIs while batting first. They were bowled out for 74 in 26.4 overs against Sri Lanka in 2013 and 141 in 31 overs against Zimbabwe in Townsville in 2022.3 Instances of Australia bowled out under 170 in successive ODIs, including the 163 and 140 against Pakistan in this series. West Indies bowled Australia out for 130 and 107 in the first two finals of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup in 1982, while Pakistan replicated it in 2002 (167 and 165).16.88 Australia’s batting average in the series against Pakistan. It is their second lowest ever in a men’s ODI series or tournament, where they played three or more matches. The lowest is 16.62 against England in the three-match Prudential Trophy in 1977.26 Wickets by Pakistan pace bowlers in this series against Australia, the joint-second most by pacers for a team in a three-match Men’s ODI series. West Indies pacers bagged 27 wickets against England in 2007, while Australia against New Zealand in 2016 and South Africa against Australia in 2018 also had 26 wickets going to pace bowlers.

This time last week, Chelsea looked like they would be the ones to rival Arsenal for the Premier League title.

Unfortunately, a humbling loss away to Leeds United, quickly followed by a drab one-all draw away to Bournemouth, has put such ideas to bed, for now anyway.

While Enzo Maresca’s squad is undeniably talented, some areas could be improved upon, such as the number nine position.

Fortunately, Chelsea are now being linked with someone who could do just that, someone who could be an upgrade on Liam Delap.

Chelsea target Delap upgrade

The transfer window is now less than a month away from reopening, and in a surprise to absolutely nobody, Chelsea are already being linked with a host of players.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, the Blues have been one of a number of sides linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.

Likewise, RB Leipzig’s incredibly exciting Castello Lukeba has been touted for a £53m move to Stamford Bridge.

However, while the two defenders would certainly bolster Maresca’s squad, neither one could or would displace Delap or Joao Pedro up top, unlike Joaquín Panichelli.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are one of a few Premier League clubs interested in the RC Strasbourg striker.

Alongside the West Londoners, the report has revealed that West Ham United and Aston Villa have set their sights on the Argentine striker.

The report does not reveal how much the £28k-per-week star might cost, but considering his contract runs until the summer of 2030, he’s unlikely to be cheap.

Even so, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Panichelli, as he could be the striker to really take them forward, even if that’s bad news for Delap.

How Panichelli compares to Delap

Now it might sound simplistic, and that’s because it is, but the first and most important metric to compare when looking at two strikers is output.

Unfortunately for Delap, this is an area that Panichelli has him beat, and comfortably at that.

For example, so far this season, the Argentine, whom U23 scout Antonio Mango has dubbed “one of the most in-form Strikers in Europe,” has scored ten goals in 19 appearances, totalling 1367 minutes.

In other words, the Córdoba-born gem is averaging a goal involvement every 1.9 games, or every 136.7 minutes.

In stark contrast, the Blues’ summer signing has scored just a single goal in 11 appearances, totalling 453 minutes.

Panichelli vs Delap in 25/26
Player	Panichelli	Delap
Appearances	19	11
Minutes	1367′	453′
Goals	10	1
Assists	0	0
Goal Involvements per Match	0.52	0.09
Minutes per Goal Involvement	136.7′	453
All Stats via Transfermarkt

The next advantage that the former Deportivo Alavés star has over the Englishman is the fact that he seems to be less injury-prone.

For example, while he did suffer a significant ACL injury in the 23/24 season, which kept him out for 24 games, he only missed one game in the entirety of last season, and so far this year, he’s missed just one.

On the other hand, the former Ipswich Town star suffered a knee injury that kept him out for 18 games in 23/24

Furthermore, so far this year, he has already missed 12 matches due to a hamstring problem, and now his current shoulder injury.

Finally, the Winchester-born ace doesn’t even have the advantage of being significantly younger and therefore possessing a higher ceiling, as he’s currently 22 years old and the Strasbourg star only turned 23 two months ago.

Ultimately, Panichelli is clearly a more dangerous forward and, on top of that, seems to be injured less often. Therefore, Chelsea should do what they can to sign him in 2026, even if that spells the end of Delap’s time at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea flop has fast become their biggest liability since Bakayoko

Chelsea and Maresca need to move on from the walking disaster as soon as possible.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

3 days ago