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Maharaj was set to be in the XI for the first ODI against Pakistan but limped off just before the toss

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2024

Keshav Maharaj picked up a five-wicket haul in his last Test outing•Associated Press

South Africa have been left sweating over the fitness of Keshav Maharaj ahead of their last two Tests of the ongoing World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. Maharaj was seen limping off during warm-ups ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan on Tuesday because of a groin strain. It is understood that Maharaj was in the XI before he sustained the injury right before the toss and was replaced by Andile Phehlukwayo. He will have a scan on Wednesday.After the three-match ODI series, South Africa face Pakistan in two Tests, needing just one more win to be assured of a top-two finish to qualify for the WTC final next year. Maharaj is a key component of South Africa’s Test side, often their lone specialist spinner in the XI, with Aiden Markram offering support with his part-time offspin. Maharaj bowled them to a win against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha earlier this month, returning 5 for 76 on the last day to trigger a collapse.Related

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Fractured toe puts Anrich Nortje out of T20Is against Pakistan

While the severity of Maharaj’s injury is yet to be ascertained, this adds to the long list of injured South Africa bowlers. Anrich Nortje was ruled out with a fractured toe ahead of the T20Is against Pakistan; Gerald Coetzee and Lungi Ngidi are out until January with groin and hip issues respectively; Nandre Burger has been ruled out of the summer with a stress fracture of the lower back; Wiaan Mulder is in a race to be fit for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan after breaking a finger against Sri Lanka.Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy are the spinners in contention for the Boxing Day Test, if Maharaj is ruled out. Batting allrounder Neil Brand, who bowls left-arm spin, and legspinner Shaun von Berg also made Test appearances this year for South Africa. Left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, who last played first-class cricket in 2021, could be in with an outside chance.

In what could give them an early edge ahead of their opening day battle, Manchester United have now reportedly come thundering into the race to hijack Arsenal’s deal for a £20m midfield talent.

Man Utd gearing up for opening day Arsenal clash

Ruben Amorim couldn’t have asked for a much tougher start to his first full season in charge at Manchester United with the visit of Arsenal awaiting on the opening day. The Gunners will be looking to go again in pursuit of the Premier League title and end their misery at long last and whilst their first hurdle may seem routine on paper, they could yet be up against a new-look Man United side.

The Red Devils have already welcomed Matheus Cunha and are reportedly confident that they will complete a deal to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. But they’re not done there. INEOS are looking to end this summer having made a statement of intent.

Alongside Mbeumo and Cunha, the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Hugo Ekitike could yet arrive to hand Amorim a major boost at both ends of the pitch.

It’s difficult to mention Ekitike without also mentioning top target Viktor Gyokeres, however. As Manchester United and Arsenal prepare to square off on the opening day, it is the Gunners who could land the early advantage by signing the Sporting Club star amid reports that he prefers a move to the Emirates rather than Old Trafford in the coming months.

As talented as Ekitike is, Gyokeres would undoubtedly transform Manchester United’s frontline. Alas, all signs are now pointing towards North London for the Swede who could be set to instead take Arsenal’s attack to a whole new level.

That may not be the last we see of Arsenal and United’s transfer battle, however, with both sides now reportedly jostling to sign another talented target before they meet in August.

Man Utd blistering into Agoume race

According to TeamTalk, Manchester United are now blistering into the race to sign Lucien Agoume in a move that could see INEOS hijack Arsenal’s move to sign the midfielder.

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If there were any concerns that the Frenchman could be out of United’s price range, then Sevilla’s financial troubles should instantly put those to bed. As the Spanish club look to raise funds, Agoume could reportedly be available for just £20m this summer.

Praised for his “incisive” passing ability by analyst Ben Mattinson, Agoume may yet have the chance to showcase that trait in English football next season. The 23-year-old is reportedly keen to join a Premier League side which should hand Manchester United and Arsenal a major boost.

Reliable journalist Paul Joyce has claimed that Everton are interested in sealing a stunning move for a “special” attacking player this summer.

Moyes eyeing big future at Everton

After some grim seasons of late, which have included several relegation battles in the Premier League, there is a feeling of positivity with the Toffees, not least because David Moyes has returned as manager, easily steering them to safety ahead of the move to their new stadium.

The Scot has been forceful about how he is expecting a better future at Everton with him in charge, with the hope being that funds will be made available for important transfer business.

“I think more the feeling [is] that there might be a club which is ­coming back together. Signs that before there was a real break-up, of a sort of love affair with the supporters, the ­players, the club, the owners. So we’re all trying to get back. We’re obviously all looking forward to it. If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it’ll be something.”

New signings are needed in various areas of the pitch for Everton, not least in attack, with goals coming at a premium at times this season, with 41 goals scored in 37 games. Now, a shock rumour has emerged regarding a potential attacking signing for the Merseysiders.

Everton keen on "special" Liverpool player

According to the reliable Joyce of The Times, Everton “hold an interest” in Liverpool winger Ben Doak, seeing him as an option to bring in this summer.

The 19-year-old has spent this season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, with the Reds unable to give him regular playing time, and a permanent move away from Anfield could now be on the cards.

The idea of Everton signing Doak is a mouthwatering prospect, not only because of the stunning nature of taking him from rivals Liverpool, but also due to his long-term potential.

The teenage winger is already a six-cap Scotland international, and he was enjoying a fruitful time loan at Middlesbrough before injury struck in January, bagging 10 goal contributions (three goals and seven assists) in the Championship.

Doak also caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp during their time together at Liverpool, with the German clearly a big admirer of the Scot, saying: “Special boy. Really confident, has something nobody else delivers, really; this kind of dribbling, this kind of straight-forward bravery, all these kinds of things.”

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Everton are gearing up for a summer of change in the transfer market.

ByAngus Sinclair May 23, 2025

Forgetting the Liverpool connection, Doak is a hugely exciting footballer who could reach great heights with his pace and unpredictability in the coming years, and while the Reds may be hesitant to sell to their rivals, Everton should look to strike a deal.

Back in the Premier League and on the hunt for reinforcements, Leeds United have reportedly made contact to sign a young Manchester City defender on loan for the season.

Leeds vying to commence summer business

Although it’s still very early days and July is yet to even arrive, Leeds have already reportedly set their sights on a number of potential reinforcements. The Whites will be well aware of the importance of getting the transfer window right. After all, none of the last six promoted sides have survived the following season in the Premier League. With the 49ers’ backing, however, Leeds could be well positioned to put an end to that worrying trend.

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Leeds United can forget about Jaka Bijol with a move for another star defender.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 14, 2025

49ers chairman Paraag Marathe spoke about Leeds’ summer plans last month, reiterating that they will spend as much as they can in the coming months. He told reporters: “Whatever they will let us spend, we’ll spend. I can comfortably say that we are going to spend the very last penny that we can. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be easy, there’s a widening gap.”

Just who arrives with that said is the big question. Names such as Japhet Tanganga and even Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz have threatened to grab the headlines in recent weeks and there’s no doubt that signing the latter would make quite the statement.

Since leaving Aston Villa last summer, Luiz has struggled to establish himself at Juventus and has looked destined to depart for some time. A return to the Premier League would certainly be one way to revive his career, with Leeds now reportedly an option ahead of next season.

It’s not just experience that Leeds are after, however. Those at Elland Road have also been linked with some emerging stars who could discover their potential in Yorkshire and keep Daniel Farke’s side afloat in the Premier League in the process.

Leeds express interest in Juma Bah loan move

As reported by Africa Foot, the 49ers have now expressed interest in signing Juma Bah on loan from Manchester City in January. The 19-year-old defender arrived in January before heading straight out on loan to RC Lens. Now, six months on, he’ll reportedly be granted the chance to complete another loan move amid interest from Leeds and relegated Southampton.

Described as a “powerhouse” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Sierra Leone centre-back could find himself wearing the white of Leeds before he even has the chance to represent Manchester City for the first time.

Having impressed on loan at Lens though, the natural next step for Bah should be a Premier League loan move, be it to Elland Road or elsewhere this summer. A player full of potential, the 49ers would be wise to snap up the defender if only for the season.

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel says a Viktor Gyokeres alternative targeted by Arsenal is “unplayable”, and he really doesn’t want the Gunners to strike a deal for him this summer.

Andrea Berta targeting Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres for Arsenal

A few reports from the last few days have shared information that Arsenal are advancing in talks for Gyokeres, following the Swede’s exceptional haul of 53 goals across all competitions for Sporting this campaign.

Arsenal make £10m-per-year offer to "top" Barcelona and Real Madrid target

The Gunners want to get in ahead of La Liga’s top two sides.

ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo even sensationally stated in their Monday headline that Gyokeres is “on his way to Arsenal” after the two clubs agreed a £59 million fee for the player, but this is yet to be backed up by other reliable sources.

What’s crystal clear, though, is the 26-year-old’s status near the top of Berta’s transfer shortlist when it comes to signing a striker before summer deadline day on September 1.

Boavista 0-5 Sporting CP

10.00

Sporting CP 5-1 Estrela de Amadora

10.00

Sporting CP 3-1 Moreirense

9.91

Sporting CP 3-0 AVS Futebol SAD

9.68

Nacional 1-6 Sporting CP

9.52

via WhoScored

Berta is said to be a huge fan of Gyokeres, and the Italian is reportedly pushing hard to win the competitive race for his signature.

That being said, while Gyokeres’ goal record is quite simply mouth-watering, there are other options for Arsenal, should they decide a deal cannot be done for the Sweden international.

One of them could be Napoli outcast Victor Osimhen. The 26-year-old has spent 2024/2025 out on loan at Galatasaray, impressing for the Turkish Süper Lig champions, and he’s likely to be on the move again when the summer window reopens soon.

His contract includes a £63 million release clause, and there have been some reports this year that Arsenal are prepared to pay the required amount to sign Osimhen if they wish to pursue the Nigerian.

John Obi-Mikel hopes Arsenal don't sign Victor Osimhen

Speaking on his Obi-One podcast, ex-Chelsea star Obi-Mikel, given his ties to Arsenal’s London rivals, is certainly hoping Berta doesn’t go in Osimhen’s direction.

A close friend of the striker, Obi-Mikel raved over Osimhen as a centre-forward who guarantees you both goals and trophies – branding him “unplayable”.

“Victor has been on fire, unplayable sometimes. Unplayable. Scoring goals, creating chances, everything he does this season has been absolutely fantastic,” said the pundit.

“So for me, like I’ve said, and I’ve always said: this is a player that wins you trophies. This is a player that puts you in the top 4. This is a player that is reliable. He will get you goals. I don’t want to see him at PSG, I don’t want to see him at Manchester United, I don’t want to see him at Arsenal. He’s tailor-made for us [Chelsea].”

While the release clause grants Arsenal an opportunity to swoop in, it is worth noting that Osimhen will reportedly command huge £250,000-per-week wages, which is an issue with most high-profile players right now, as Premier League sides look to trim down their salary bills and err on the side of PSR caution.

West Bromwich Albion are preparing for another promotion tilt next campaign and have now made contact over the signing of a talented attacker, per reports.

West Brom to rebuild after promotion hunt disappointment

In another Championship season with many twists and turns, the Baggies missed out on a playoff place by four points following a run of two victories in their final ten matches.

Tony Mowbray’s departure led to James Morrison being installed temporarily in the dugout alongside coaching staff Chris Brunt and Boaz Myhill, which is something former boss Tony Pulis would like to see on a permanent basis at the Hawthorns.

Despite the ex-Scotland international’s limited managerial experience, Pulis stated: “They know the ins and outs of the football club. They’ve worked with good people. They’ve had good managers they’ve worked with.

“They’re sensible lads. James has been with Scotland as well, so he’s had the experience of working at an international level. I’d give it to the lads.”

Externally, West Brom are reportedly considering Dave Challinor for the vacancy following his sterling work at Stockport County. Ryan Mason, Steve Cooper and Russell Martin are also in the running at this stage.

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While the hunt for a successor to Mowbray takes precedence at West Brom, the Baggies’ hierarchy will already have one eye on securing reinforcements this summer to lay the foundation for another promotion push.

Pre-season will soon be around the corner and new recruits will need a suitable bedding-in period before the campaign kicks off in earnest. With that in mind, West Brom have made contact over bringing in a talented attacker to firm up their pool of options in the final third.

West Brom make contact to sign Jamie Donley

According to Birmingham World, West Brom have made contact with Tottenham Hotspur over Jamie Donley in a bid to land the Northern Ireland international on loan ahead of next season. The 20-year-old is viewed as someone who could compete for a starting place alongside Daryl Dike and Josh Maja following his return of eight goals and 11 assists during a successful spell at Leyton Orient.

Why do West Brom want to sign Jamie Donley?

Chances created

62

Shots on target

17

Completed dribbles

28

Successful crosses

28

Possession won in final third

29

Expected Goals total

4.05

Capable of playing anywhere across the front four, Donley has been labelled “outstanding” by Spurs Under-21 boss Wayne Burnett and is highly rated by his parent club despite the prospect of being farmed out on loan once again.

Famously, his halfway-line effort against Manchester City in the FA Cup earlier this year gained worldwide attention as the O’s battled valiantly in a 2-1 defeat to the eventual finalists. Moments like that have led Leyton Orient’s desire to extend his stay in East London, but he may fancy his chances at a higher level and West Brom could be the ideal environment to continue his development.

It is rare for teams to pair left-arm spinners together, but West Indies look set to stick with them in pursuit of a third T20 World Cup

Matt Roller18-Jun-20243:29

Bishop: Confidence the key for West Indies at the business end

Their great Test teams were built around fast bowlers, but West Indies have a proud history of spin-bowling partnerships: Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine were immortalised by Lord Beginner’s calypso; Lance Gibbs would bowl offspin at one end while Garry Sobers bowled his left-arm variations from the other; and more recently, West Indies’ T20 World Cup successes were built around a pair of spinners too.Samuel Badree was the constant – bowling his flat, fast wristspin in the powerplay. In 2012, Sunil Narine would take over from him through the middle overs; four years later, with Narine still sorting out his bowling action, the towering left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn took over and bowled containing spells through the middle, finishing the tournament with an economy rate below seven.Related

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Pooran bursts on to the T20 World Cup, pedal to the metal

And when West Indies had faced England last December, they landed on another such pair: selecting Guyana’s Gudakesh Motie to play alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s Akeal Hosein. Both are left-arm fingerspinners, but are very different bowlers with complementary strengths. They have played 11 matches together since, taking 35 wickets at 15.57 between them, 16 of which came in their group stages of this World Cup.The formula is simple: Hosein takes the new ball and often bowls three of the first five overs. He flights some balls but also relies heavily on his arm ball, which drifts sharply into the right-handers. “He’s a very, very integral part [of the side], especially for controlling the powerplay for us,” Rovman Powell, West Indies’ captain, said.When the field spreads, Powell brings Motie on and empowers him to flight the ball, varying his pace and looking to spin the ball hard. “Right as we come out of the powerplay is Gudakesh Motie time,” Powell said. “It’s like Akeal Hosein passing the baton onto Gudakesh Motie, and it’s been very good so far.”West Indies geared their selection to conditions, knowing that their pitches can play slow and low, and may turn more as the World Cup wears on. “We’ve been playing our entire career on these pitches: we’re not surprised when it’s slow, it’s low and it’s low-scoring,” Nicholas Pooran said. “The reason why most of our averages are 20-25 is because we bat on pitches like this.”

“[It’s been] pleasantly pleasing to me to see how [the] same type of bowlers – two left-arm spinners turning the ball in the same direction – have complemented each other so well. That’s something that is new to me”Ian Bishop to ESPNcricinfo

In St Lucia, where West Indies face England on Wednesday night, conditions have been much more favourable for batters: against Afghanistan on Monday, Pooran hit 98 in a team total of 218, the highest score of the T20 World Cup so far. But with England likely to field a batting line-up filled with right-handers, Hosein and Motie should still play a role.In terms of average and economy rate, they were West Indies’ best bowlers in their 3-2 series win against England in December too, and Powell said they would “definitely” match-up well against England’s batters in a few days’ time: “When we pick the two left-arm spinners, we know that in West Indies conditions, whether the wickets are good or the wickets are bad, they’re going to be a handful because they’re world-class.”Hosein has reached an intriguing stage where he has played enough T20 cricket around the world – over 150 matches in his career, one-third of which have come in the last 12 months – that his arm ball no longer takes teams by surprise. Batters know the cues: he tends to bowl it from significantly wider on the crease, and with a slightly lower trajectory.”[It’s been] pleasantly pleasing to me to see how [the] same type of bowlers, two left-arm spinners turning the ball in the same direction – although Akeal Hosein has the arm ball – have complemented each other so well,” Ian Bishop said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “That’s something that is new to me.”They’ve got Roston Chase there [as well] as the option to turn the ball the other way. Ideally, in a perfect world, they’d like a wristspinner. They don’t have that, so they’ve gone with the two left-arm spinners. I wouldn’t mind seeing them change it up though at some point, because teams are planning for Akeal Hosein in that powerplay.”1:37

Ganga: Hosein and Motie are two ‘very different bowlers’

England are well aware of Hosein and Motie’s strengths, to the extent that they chose an uncapped slow left-armer in Tom Hartley as their back-up spinner ahead of Rehan Ahmed’s legspin following December’s tour. “There’s no question both teams know a lot about each other,” Sam Curran said. “The two spinners are probably one of their strengths.”Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, England’s openers, both have good head-to-head records against Hosein, and Salt in particular has made huge strides since he was dismissed by left-arm spin five times in six innings on a tour to Bangladesh last March. Salt has become much more confident playing through the off side, and scored two hundreds against West Indies in December.Motie is more of an unknown for England, though. He has an extensive first-class record but is relatively new to T20 cricket, only making his debut in the format in 2021, aged 26. He has never played in a franchise league outside of the CPL, where none of this England squad feature regularly, and only played against them during the December tour.Motie is short, and has a low release point, but puts significant overspin on the ball, meaning some balls are quick and skiddy, while others turn sharply off the pitch. In the group stages, he bowled arguably the ball of the tournament to date, which drifted into Daryl Mitchell from a wide angle at 62mph/99kph, before turning sharply to hit the off bail.It is rare for teams to pair left-arm spinners together in modern T20 cricket, but West Indies believe they have found a winning formula and look set to stick with it in pursuit of an unprecedented third men’s T20 World Cup. If they achieve it, it might even be enough for Hosein and Motie’s names to feature in a calypso.

The UAE legspinner talks about his hat-trick against Sri Lanka, his time as a net bowler in the IPL, and about rubbing shoulders with big-name players in the Abu Dhabi T10 league

Deivarayan Muthu24-Nov-2022Karthik Meiyappan was in a trance when he claimed a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in the men’s T20 World Cup last month. He only began to realise what he had achieved when he got together with his father and then when he visited his extended family in Trichy, Tamil Nadu.”Definitely, it [the hat-trick] took some time to sink in,” the 22-year-old UAE legspinner says. “When I came back home to Dubai, it slowly started kicking in that I actually pulled off something spectacular.”The family support I’ve had over the years is incredible. To come back home and for them to let it sink in was the best part. I can be vulnerable in front of my family. Expressing my emotions then – it couldn’t have been better scripted.”Karthik’s father, PL Meiyappan, was also a legspinner, who played league cricket in Tamil Nadu before moving to the UAE for work.”My dad wanted to continue to play cricket and even got picked for his university side [in Madurai],” Karthik says, “but I think the family couldn’t support him at the time and that’s how his cricket [career] got cut short.”It’s probably something he lives through me and I’m sure he’s a proud father.”Karthik is a modern wristspinner who bowls into the pitch and gets his googly to turn and fizz more than his legbreak. It was those wrong’uns that took out Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka in the 15th over of Sri Lanka’s innings to make him only the fifth bowler to bag a hat-trick in a men’s T20 World Cup.3:25

‘Our batting slacked in the World Cup, but our bowlers were up to the mark’

“Obviously, when I was bowling to the lefties [Rajapaksa and Asalanka], my plan was to take it away [from them] because I felt like they were more leg-side dominant and have a better range of shots on the leg side, especially Rajapaksa,” Karthik says.”When Asalanka walked in, Vriitya [Aravind, the UAE wicketkeeper] asked me whether I wanted to slip in a legspinner, but I was feeling like he was coming from a bad patch of form, so again I backed myself to bowl my best ball. I told Vriitya I’ll back my wrong’un again and luckily it pitched in the right spot.”Then when Shanaka walked in, even Vriitya had no doubt what I was going to bowl, so I just went about bowling the wrong’un once again and got him through bat-pad.”Karthik, who started out as a seamer, imitating Brett Lee’s action as a boy before realising his body couldn’t withstand the load of fast bowling, explains that googlies come easier to him than legspinners because of how his action is set up.”I’m more perpendicular and 12’o clock, as they say. For me, bowling the googly is easier than a legspinner because of the leverage I get on the ball. It’s easier to snap my wrist and fingers to bowl the wrong’un. Legspin is something that I back myself to bowl as well, but in T20s, I feel the wrong’un is the weapon with which I back myself to deliver eight or nine out of ten times.”Karthik dabbled with offspin and legspin before becoming a quick legbreak-googly bowler – a species that is much in demand in T20 cricket these days. But before taking up cricket professionally, he was quite seriously into chess, even playing some inter-state tournaments in Tamil Nadu.”Chess is something I inherited from my family,” he says. “My grandfather and my uncle play chess and sport has been in the family background. When I was living in Coimbatore for two years, I was just playing gully cricket then. Chess was something that caught on [for me] because I’m very eager at grasping things by just observing. My dad also played chess, and [when] my mum put me in coaching in Coimbatore, I found it was something I could do. My parents tried to put me through a professional programme, but they [the organisers] requested that I stop my education and focus only on chess, which we couldn’t at that point. Chess was something I love, but once I moved to Dubai [in 2007], it wasn’t a big thing here, so I moved to cricket.”Related

Wrong'uns the right answer for UAE hat-trick man Karthik Meiyappan

Ball-by-ball – how Karthik Meiyappan hat-tricked Sri Lanka

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Karthik made his international debut for UAE in 2019, and since then though he was part of touring sides, didn’t get many chances in the XI – until this year. He believes his three-wicket haul against Singapore in the Asia Cup T20 Qualifier in Al Amerat earlier this year, and a stint with former offspinner and current Tamil Nadu coach M Venkataramana in Chennai, have transformed his career.”I think that was the real turnaround for me,” he says of that game against Singapore. “Ever since the game, I feel things have been going well.”I came down to Chennai for a month and worked with Venkataramana under Robin [Singh, the UAE coach] sir’s guidance. He kind of tweaked a few things in my bowling, which really came in handy for me. The hat-trick is the icing on the cake because there was a lot of work behind it.”Karthik has also had stints as a net bowler with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, getting to work with Sri Lanka legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga and his hero MS Dhoni.”Shane Warne is someone I’ve looked up to, but lately I’ve been watching Wanindu closely. The way and the style we bowl is similar, so I try to pick up a lot of things from his bowling. And then suddenly I started celebrating the way he did. I took my celebration off Wanindu – and not Neymar – and even told him after the game against Sri Lanka in the World Cup that I copied his celebration.”Before the Ireland series [in October 2021], I had a stint with CSK. I spoke to MS Dhoni about how I could handle them sweeping the ball because Ireland are more of sweepers. So, he gave me advice and, like I said, you’re learning off the best.”Meiyappan with his family, including his mother, Selvi, and sister, Lobha Mitra•Karthik MeiyappanKarthik now has a chance to show his wares in the T10 league in Abu Dhabi, which begins this week. It is a tournament that he believes has helped bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket for UAE’s players. The league could also potentially be a shop window for the inaugural ILT20 in the UAE in 2023.”Practising with international players is different from competing against them. There is lots to learn and you get used to that exposure, which is important to bridge the gap between an Associate team and a Test nation. T10 is a short format, and at the end of the day, as a bowler you still have to be aggressive and look to dominate the game, which is something I like.”He’s looking forward to playing alongside Shanaka and Rajapaksa for Chennai Braves in the league – and remind them that they were his World Cup hat-trick victims. “Even before the World Cup started, when we had the welcoming lunch, I spoke to Shanaka and [Maheesh] Theekshana about playing together at Chennai Braves, but now I will go to Shanaka and have a few words about the hat-trick ball, for sure.” (laughs)With a T20 World Cup hat-trick against the Asia Cup champions, has Karthik made his case for a promotion from net bowler at Chennai Super Kings?”It hasn’t crossed my mind yet,” he says. “But if I get my process right and my results going, it will be a by-product. It will happen, if it’s meant to be. Obviously, I’ve put myself out there and my chances now might be better than what it was before, but I would not push my imagination. Whatever opportunity comes my way, I will definitely take it with two hands.”

The WBBL begins this weekend in Sydney. Here’s how the eight teams shape up after a hectic lead in

Andrew McGlashan and Dan Brettig22-Oct-2020

Adelaide Strikers

Captain: Suzie BatesCoach: Luke WilliamsWBBL history: 2015-16: 7th, 2016-17: 8th, 2017-18: Semi-final, 2018-19, 6th and 2019-20: Runners-upSquad: Darcie Brown, Suzie Bates (NZ), Sarah Coyte, Ellie Falconer, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Katie Mack, Tegan McPharlin, Tahlia McGrath, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Alex Price, Megan Schutt, Stafanie Taylor (WI), Laura Wolvaardt (SA)In Madeline Penna (Stars), Laura Wolvaardt
Out Sophie Devine (Scorchers), Tabatha SavillePre-seasonHow will last season’s runners-up cope with losing the talismanic Sophie Devine? They have brought in Laura Wolvaardt, the South Africa batter who is one of the most exciting young players in the game, but Devine’s 2019-20 haul of 769 runs and 19 wickets will require the squad to dig deep. They will hope to see far more of West Indian Stafanie Taylor than last season.Player to watchBridget Patterson had a very solid tournament last season with 319 runs – putting her fourth behind the Strikers’ big three of Devine, Suzie Bates and Tahlia McGrath – and that form was enough to earn her an Australia A call-up to face India. She is the type of player – now secured on a three-year deal – that will need to kick her game on again to help fill the void left by Devine’s exit.

Brisbane Heat

Captain: Jess JonassenCoach: Ashley NoffkeWBBL history: 2015-16: 6th, 2016-17: 3rd, 2017-18: 5th, 2018-19: Champions and 2019-20: ChampionsSquad: Maddy Green (NZ), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Jess Jonassen, Amelia Kerr (NZ), Delissa Kimmince, Nadine de Klerk (SA), Charli Knott, Lilly Mills, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia VollIn Nichola Hancock (Stars), Nadine de Klerk, Georgia Redmayne, Georgia Voll
Out Haidee Birkett, Sammy-Jo Johnson (Thunder), Beth Mooney (Scorchers), Kirby Short (retired)Pre-seasonThere has been significant change for the defending champions as they prepare to attempt the hat-trick. Captain Kirby Short has retired with Jonassen promoted to lead the side, while Beth Mooney made one of the high-profile switches by moving to the Perth Scorchers and Sammy-Jo Johnson has gone to the Sydney Thunder. Whether the Heat can replace Mooney’s runs will be key – a task that will fall in part to Georgia Redmayne who has joined from the Scorchers.Player to watchGrace Harris is entertaining in whatever she does, whether it’s with bat, ball or with microphone. However, last season’s return of 212 runs at 17.66 and six wickets at 49.66 was perhaps a little below expectation. With the loss of such a key figure in Mooney, Harris will be one of the senior players who will need to take up the slack with the bat. With two ferocious WBBL hundreds to her name – her second coming off just 42 balls – and an overall strike-rate of 137.40, it will be interesting to see where she is used in the batting order.Nicola Carey hits powerfully through the off side•Getty Images

Hobart Hurricanes

Captain: Corinne HallCoach: Salliann BriggsWBBL history: 2015-16: 2nd, 2016-17: 4th, 2017-18: 8th, 2018-19: 8th and 2019-20: 7thSquad: Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson (injured), Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Erica Kershaw, Hayley Matthews (WI), Sasha Moloney, Rachel Priest (NZ), Chloe Rafferty, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Emma Thompson, Chloe Tryon (SA), Tayla Vlaeminck (injured), Belinda Vakarewa; Replacements Hayley Jensen (NZ), Chloe Abel, Nell Bryson Smith, Emily SmithIn Erica Kershaw (Renegades), Rachel Priest (Thunder), Chloe Rafferty, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg (Thunder), Emma Thompson
Out Stephanie Daffara, Erin Fazackerly (Renegades), Katelyn Fryett, Heather Knight, Meg Phillips, Emily SmithPre-seasonThe Hurricanes’ story has been one of steadily diminishing returns after starting out as competition finalists and then returning to the semi-finals the following year. Last season saw more inconsistency, with the distraction provided by the wicketkeeper Emily Smith’s minor integrity infraction and the extremely harsh ban that Cricket Australia chose to hand down in response. Smith is only on the fringes of the squad this time around as a replacement player, with the gloves taken by New Zealand’s combative Rachel Priest. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to the Hurricanes this time around will be the fact that Tayla Vlaeminck has already been ruled out of the entire tournament. That came due to her long and challenging recovery path from a foot fracture which had ended her T20 World Cup campaign before it began. Australia had to change their tournament plans considerably without Vlaeminck – and the Hurricanes need to do likewise.Player to watchNicola Carey is one of the national team’s more underrated contributors, offering parsimony with the ball and intelligent middle-order batting when required. She is not competing with anywhere near as many box office names at the Hurricanes and showed last season that the responsibility suited her, offering up numerous performances with both bat and ball that suggested she could step up similarly for Australia if ever required to offer something more than cameos.

Melbourne Renegades

Captain: Amy SatterthwaiteCoach: Lachlan StevensWBBL history: 2015-16: 8th, 2016-17: 7th, 2017-18: 6th, 2018-19: 4th and 2019-20: 4thSquad: Makinley Blows, Maitlan Brown, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin (unavailable), Erin Fazackerley, Ella Hayward, Lizelle Lee (SA), Carly Leeson, Sophie Molineux, Courtney Neale, Amy Satterthwaite (NZ), Molly Strano, Lea Tahuhu (NZ), Georgia Wareham, Courtney WebbIn Erin Fazackerly (Hobart Hurricanes), Ella Hayward, Lizelle Lee
Out Tammy Beaumont, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Danni WyattPre-seasonThe return of Amy Satterthwaite as captain looms as a major source of encouragement for the club as they seek to graduate from a pair of semi-final appearances to become the first Melbourne team to take out the title. Lizelle Lee’s arrival from South Africa will provide plenty of big hitting and still greater experience to the batting line-up – which will be missing Jess Duffin following her pregnancy – while in Molly Strano, Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham, the Renegades boast all but one member of the Australian team’s enviable spin bowling quartet. There remain doubts over Lea Tahuhu’s fitness though.Player to watchSatterthwaite‘s quality was on display as she acquitted herself best of all New Zealand’s players in their recent drubbing by Australia over twin T20 and ODI series in Brisbane. Her resumption as the leader of a Renegades combination that was able to maintain their league position without her in the 2019 tournament makes the club undoubtedly one of the chief obstacles for any WBBL trophy aspirants this time around.Meg Lanning will resume the captaincy of the Melbourne Stars•Getty Images

Melbourne Stars

Captain: Meg LanningCoach: Trent WoodhillWBBL history: 2015-16: 5th, 2016-17: 5th, 2017-18: 7th, 2018-19: 7th and 2019-20: 8thSquad: Katherine Brunt (Eng), Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Bhavi Devchand, Nicole Faltum, Holly Ferling, Tess Flintoff, Georgia Gall, Alana King, Meg Lanning, Erin Osborne, Mignon du Preez, Nat Sciver (Eng), Annabel Sutherland, Elyse VillaniIn Katherine Brunt, Sophie Day, Bhavi Devchand (Scorchers), Georgia Gall, Meg Lanning (Scorchers), Nat Sciver
Out Kristen Beams (retired), Nicola Hancock (Heat), Emma Inglis, Lizelle Lee (Renegades), Madeline Penna (Strikers), Angela Reakes (Sixers)Pre-seasonWere the Melbourne Stars’ men’s team to have maintained the sort of wretched record their women’s equivalent have managed over the WBBL’s first five seasons, little short of a Royal Commission would have been called. It remains a source of enormous frustration though that the Stars have not been able to prosper, and the return of Meg Lanning from a stint with the Perth Scorchers will undoubtedly help. Lanning performed well as the Stars began their existence as a mid-table team finishing just out of the semi-finals, and it will now be a question of whether the Stars and their new coach Trent Woodhill have been able to assemble an effective group to operate around her. The arrival of two seasoned England internationals in Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver bode well for these plans, offering Lanning a pair of highly dependable operators with the ball and the bat, respectively. More will be expected of Annabel Sutherland, with Elyse Villani given the chance to score a little more freely without the responsibilities of captaincy.Player to watchIt’s hard to look past Lanning as key to the Stars improving their fortunes, after two impressive seasons with the Scorchers saw a strong combination with Villani in particular before she moved to the Stars the season before Lanning chose to follow. There is a sense at the Stars that the club is finally committing the kinds of resources and attention to the WBBL that it should have done long ago, and Lanning’s return is a measure of that resolve.

Perth Scorchers

Captain Sophie DevineCoach Shelley NitschkeWBBL history 2015-16: 4th, 2016-17: Runners-up, 2017-18: Runners-up, 2018-19: 5th and 2019-20: Semi-finalSquad Megan Banting, Jemma Barsby, Samantha Betts, Nicole Bolton, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sophie Devine (NZ), Sarah Glenn (Eng), Heather Graham, Amy Jones (Eng) Emma King, Beth Mooney, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Georgia WyllieIn Megan Banting, Sophie Devine (Strikers), Sarah Glenn, Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat), Georgia Wyllie
Out Kim Garth, Kath Hempenstall, Meg Lanning (Stars), Georgia Redmayne (Heat), Nat Sciver (Stars)Pre-seasonIt would be hard to argue that anyone did better business than the Perth Scorchers as they brought in both Devine and Beth Mooney, while also signing England legspinner Sarah Glenn who has impressed this year. They have lost Meg Lanning but with Amy Jones and Nicole Bolton also in the batting line-up, they will be confident of getting runs on the board.Player to watchYou would think the batting would look after itself, but what about the Scorchers bowling? Heather Graham was their leading wicket-taker last season with 15 and shapes as being a key component of the attack again if they want to go deep into the tournament. She had a brief taste with Australia last season but was not part of the expanded squad recently against New Zealand. She scored an unbeaten half-century against India A in the series before Christmas and took 3 for 40 to help Western Australia win the WNCL.Sammy-Jo Johnson, Sarah Aley and Hannah Darlington at Sydney Olympic Park•Cricket Australia

Sydney Sixers

Captain Ellyse PerryCoach Ben SawyerWBBL history 2015-16: Runners up, 2016-17: Champions, 2017-18: Champions, 2018-19: Runners up and 2019-20: 5thSquad Sarah Aley, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Ashleigh Gardner, Lisa Griffith, Alyssa Healy, Jodie Hicks, Emma Hughes, Marizanne Kapp (SA), Ellyse Perry, Angela Reakes, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Dane van Niekerk (SA)In> Angela Reakes (Stars), Lisa Griffith (Thunder)
Out Alisha Bates, Lauren Smith (Thunder)Pre-seasonThe Sixers were one of the quieter teams during a hectic contracting period as they look to respond the surprising fifth-place finish last season, the first time they ended outside of the top two. Pace-bowling allrounder Lisa Griffith has jumped across down from the Thunder with Lauren Smith heading the other way, while Angela Reakes returns to her original club after a spell with the Stars which included missing the whole of last season due to an Achilles injury. There will be plenty of attention on the recovery of Ellyse Perry from the hamstring injury which has sidelined her since the T20 World Cup after she suffered a setback while training with the Australia squad in Brisbane.Player to watchIf Perry is available she will form an enviable opening pairing with Alyssa Healy, but it feels as though Ash Gardner is taking her game to a new level and could be set for a big tournament. She struck the ball very cleanly against New Zealand, especially in the well-constructed 61 in the opening T20I when Australia were in trouble, as she allies her strength and timing with the nous of building an innings – even in the short format. Coupled with her more-than-handy offspin and dynamic fielding, she is the ideal T20 all-round package.

Sydney Thunder

Captain Rachael HaynesCoach Trevor GriffinWBBL history 2015-16: Champions, 2016-17: 6th, 2017-18: Semi-final, 2018-19: Semi-final and 2019-20: 6thSquad Sam Bates, Tammy Beaumont (Eng), Hannah Darlington, Rachael Haynes, Saskia Horley, Shabnim Ismail (SA) Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Heather Knight (Eng), Kate Peterson, Olivia Porter (injured), Lauren Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia WilsonIn Tammy Beaumont, Sammy-Jo Johnson (Heat), Heather Knight, Anika Learoyd, Olivia Porter, Lauren Smith (Sixers)
Out Alex Blackwell (retired), Nida Dar, Rene Farrell (retired), Lisa Griffith (Sixers), Rachel Priest (Hurricanes), Naomi Stalenberg (Hurricanes)Pre-seasonAfter a disappointing sixth place last season, allrounder Sammy-Jo Johnson was a significant signing as she moved from the defending champions Brisbane Heat. England pair Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont should provide a strong top order – which will have a new look this year after the retirement of Alex Blackwell and loss of Rachel Priest – alongside captain Rachael Haynes and the hugely talented Phoebe Litchfield.Player to watchNineteen-year-old Hannah Darlington was the Thunder’s leading wicket-taker last year with 16 at 21.31, which earned her the young player of the tournament title. She then headed across the Tasman and was the leading wicket-taker for Otago in their Super Smash campaign with 13 wickets in 11 matches. She will form a potentially potent seam attack alongside Shabnim Ismail and Johnson.

خاض فريق ليفربول، بقيادة المدرب آرني سلوت، مباراته في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مساء يوم الثلاثاء، وذلك ضد نظيره فريق إنتر ميلان.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على إنتر ميلان، في الجولة السادسة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري موسم 2025/26، حيث حقق الريدز فوزًا بهدف دون رد.

وخاض ليفربول تلك المباراة بدون النجم المصري محمد صلاح، الذي تم استبعاده من قائمة الفريق كقرار من آرني سلوت، إثر تصريحاته الهجومية التي أدلى بها يوم السبت الماضي.

واضطر المدير الفني لفريق إنتر ميلان، كيفو، لإجراء تغيير مبكر في الدقيقة 11 من عمر الشوط الأول بعد إصابة هاكان تشالهان أوغلو، حيث دفع بزميله بيوتر زيلينسكي.

وتحصل لاوتارو مارتينيز على بطاقة صفراء في الدقيقة 13 بعد تدخله ضد آندي روبرتسون الذي احتاج لبعض الوقت قبل أن يتمكن من استكمال اللعب مجددًا.

وتصدى يان سومر، حارس مرمى فريق إنتر ميلان، لفرصتين متتاليتين من جانب ليفربول في الدقيقة 18، عن طريق كورتيس جونز وريان جرافنبيرخ، في مهارة رائعة من جانب السويسري.

وفي الدقيقة 29، تصدى يان سومر لفرصة هدف من ليفربول بعد تسديدة من هوجو إيكتيكي، من الناحية اليمنى ولكن الحظ لم يحالفه، لتتحول إلى ركلة ركنية.

وتواصلت الضربات على إنتر ميلان بعدما تعرض لاعب آخر للإصابة وهو أتشيربي، في الدقيقة 30، حيث اضطر إلى الخروج ونزل مكانه يان بيسيك.

وتمكن ليفربول من تسجيل هدف أول أمام خصمه فريق إنتر ميلان، في الدقيقة 32 من عمر الشوط الأول، عن طريق إبراهيما كوناتي، بعد ركلة ركنية حيث وصلت الكرة إلى منطقة الجزاء، وسددها الفرنسي برأسه في الشباك، وتدخلت تقنية الفيديو للتأكد من صحته لوجود شك حول خطأ من جانب إيكتيكي.

وتم استدعاء حكم المباراة لرؤية الموقف بدقة عبر شاشة تقنية الفيديو، قبل اتخاذ قرار نهائي بإلغاء الهدف، لتعود المباراة إلى التعادل السلبي.

وتحصل هوجو إيكتيكي على بطاقة صفراء في الدقيقة 38 من عمر الشوط نفسه، بسبب ارتكابه خطأ، بينما احتسب الحكم 7 دقائق كوقت بدلًا من الضائع لذلك الشوط، وتصدى أليسون بيكر لفرصة هدف من لاوتارو مارتينيز في آخر اللحظات.

وفي الدقيقة 57، تحصل لاعب فريق إنتر ميلان، هنريك مخيتاريان، على بطاقة صفراء لارتكابه خطأ ضد دومينيك سوبوسلاي، في حين ظفر كورتيس جونز ببطاقة صفراء في الدقيقة 73.

وكاد ليفربول أن يسجل هدفًا في الدقيقة 81، بعد تسديدة من برادلي ولكن يان سومر، حارس إنتر ميلان، تصدى ببراعة، ليحافظ على النتيجة كما هي، 0/0.

وتدخلت تقنية الفيديو لوجود شك حول ضربة جزاء محتملة لصالح ليفربول، في الدقيقة 85، بسبب خطأ من باستوني ضد فلوريان فيرتز، قبل احتساب الركلة في النهاية بالفعل، وإنذار لاعب إنتر ميلان.

ونفذ دومينيك سوبوسلاي ضربة جزاء ليفربول بنجاح، ليحولها إلى هدف لصالح ليفربول في الوقت القاتل.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ليفربول إلى 12 نقطة في المركز الثامن في جدول دوري أبطال أوروبا، بينما تجمد رصيد إنتر ميلان عند 12 نقطة في المركز الخامس.