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The marked tendency to produce result pitches shows they may have underestimated the visiting side

Ian Chappell11-Mar-2023Once again the pre-match media hullabaloo was about Indian pitch preparation.Despite some outrageous predictions, Ahmedabad has provided the best batting surface of the series and opener Usman Khawaja determinedly took advantage to provide Australia with a big first-innings score.If India needed tough practice for the World Test Championship, they got exactly what they wanted. Now they have to rely on other favourable results to reach the final and play Australia at The Oval in June.The pitch furore has showed why it’s annoying when people other than the head curator or groundsman are allowed to have an input into the preparation.Related

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• Smith: Can't remember being unsure two days out which pitch I would be playing on

• Why you can't counter good spin bowling by just sweeping

• Australia need to forget the pitch-doctoring allegations and adapt asap

The head curator or groundsman is the best person to produce a presentable pitch. Like players, they are generally competitive and take great pride in their work. Good Test groundsmen all generally say they want to prepare a pitch that gives everybody a chance to display their skill and produces a result late on the last day.The operative words are “a result”. They don’t predict or barrack for a winner.This isn’t happening in India, where some dodgy pitches have been prepared, often at the behest of people other than the ground staff. A good head groundsman in Australia when asked about specifically prepared pitches used to questioner: “B***er off and mind your own business.”India are currently in the spotlight for specially prepared pitches but they are far from the worst offenders. This aspect of Indian culture may well have been developed under English colonisation.I was told in 1968 by ex-Australian cricketer and journalist Jack Fingleton, “Never trust the Poms.” I was sure he was referring to the administrators and not the players. His words were proved prophetic in 1972, following the diabolical Headingley “fusarium fiasco”, where a pitch was specially prepared to negate the effect of Dennis Lillee’s pace and Bob Massie’s swing. Not coincidentally, for the first time in the series, England included left-arm spinner Derek Underwood who was deadly on softer pitches. He claimed a ten-wicket haul in England’s thumping victory.England had previous “form” in special pitch preparation, which included the raging turner at Old Trafford in 1956. In that one-sided affair, offspinner Jim Laker took 19 Australian wickets for a meagre 90 runs in a resounding English victory.

If India needed tough practice for the World Test Championship, they got exactly what they wanted. Now they have to rely on other favourable results to reach the final and play Australia at The Oval in June.

Don’t let anyone tell you that England aren’t among the leaders in specially prepared pitches.Australia may be guilty of administrative failures but pitch-doctoring is not one of them. In general, the nature of an Australian first-class pitch is similar to its Test match equivalent.In the current environment it’s easy to wonder if India have forgotten how they won their last two Test series in Australia. They completed two magnificent upsets by playing good all-round cricket on true, bouncy pitches.India may have underestimated this Australian side. They are not the best Australian team to tour India but they are a good fighting unit, with some solid batters and a frontline spinner. Importantly, they’ve displayed a willingness to attack – albeit sometimes recklessly – at crucial times. They are worthy World Test championship finalists, but this vital competition may have brought to the fore a frailty in the system.There could be a series of bowler-friendly pitches that result in shorter games with results. Current India coach Rahul Dravid made a sensible observation: “It’s really about being realistic about what is a good performance on some of the challenging wickets we are playing on,” he said. “If you look at the last three-four years, all over the world I think wickets have got a lot more challenging,”Dravid’s wise words expose the vast difference between flat white-ball pitches that favour punishing batters and spicy Test surfaces that tend to make batting aggression difficult.There is a need to narrow the gap between the two extremes so that England’s laudable aggression in Test cricket doesn’t go to waste. Test cricket is an endangered species and any viable assistance is welcome.

Covid restrictions and the impending arrival of the Hundred threaten to cast a shadow on county T20

David Hopps08-Jun-2021″Data not dates” might have been the UK government’s mantra as it seeks to plot a route out of lockdown, but June 21 remains a date imprinted on the nation’s consciousness – as the government deliberately chose a midsummer’s day celebration how could it be otherwise? – and county cricket has cause to cling to that promised reawakening with more desperation than most.End restrictions on attendances after the first two weeks of the T20 Blast, with about 60% of the fixtures remaining, and the competition can just about deliver financially and in terms of entertainment.But what if the date is put back? Travel, hospitality, and all sports and culture would suffer, in the name of avoiding a third spike in Covid transmissions, but few sporting events would so obviously be hit as the Blast as it seeks to survive the most uncertain summer in its history. Losses to the professional game, already mired in debt, would run into millions.Track back three years and the county game appeared to be relatively settled. The Blast was heading towards a million spectators and corona was something visible during a solar eclipse. Then came the Hundred and Covid-19, tipping county cricket into yet another prolonged bout of uncertainty and soul-searching that will drag on for a good while yet.Related

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Gordon Hollins has experienced both sides of the debate. Now CEO at Somerset, one of the counties that will play no active part in the Hundred, other than losing half its players for an entire month, he filled a variety of roles in 12 years at the ECB, latterly the managing director of county cricket.Reflection about the relationship with The Hundred is not his most pressing thought. With the Blast 24 hours away from starting, the possibility that a feared third wave could disrupt the competition will have occupied most of his attention.Interpretation of the data depends a lot upon an individual’s risk aversion and philosophy of life. Positive Covid tests have risen disturbingly to 6,048 with the seven-day average up by 60%. But there is more promising data, too, that suggest the vaccines remain effective: hospital cases remaining steady, daily deaths barely into double figures, and vaccinations rising to 53% twice vaccinated, 77% once.There is little point in Somerset second guessing. Hollins, like every other county administrator, can merely plan and wait.”We have four matches up to 21 June and the next stage of Government unlocking,” he said. “We have sold these four matches at the 1800-2000 restricted capacity and then for the three matches after that we have sold them out to full capacity, planning for success, knowing there is a risk we will have to row back and reduce the capacity if the government’s road map isn’t delivered.”We’ll just have to roll with whatever the decision is but it would be a significant financial cost. We have the unusual combination of a relatively high membership and a relatively small ground. We took the decision to prioritise the membership who have been loyal to us for a number of years, so if the road map is not unlocked, we would not sell any tickets at all this year.”Somerset, like many counties, have already had to impose redundancies.Hollins hopes that will help see them through. “We think over the last 12 months or so we have made some tough decisions. We have had to make a dozen roles redundant. We are actually starting to build again as we look at the blue sky on the horizon, rather than the thunderstorms of the last 14 months, but we think we have managed the financials tightly enough to be able to manage that extra storm if it comes our way.”The big question is how long that lasts. If it is this year only then that’s one thing but if it goes into next year then like so many other businesses, and every other county cricket club, that’s a different situation.”

As to the Hundred, my hope is that when you have a strong England team for example, and you get euphoria around the country, the interest in county cricket goes upGordon Hollins, Somerset CEO

That leaves the Hundred – its monetary benefits even more essential, its advocates contend, now that Covid has wrecked the game’s financials. But many county cricket followers are adamant that the Hundred, if successful, is actually a canker that will gradually destroy the 18-team county structure. The battle lines are partly generational, but not entirely so. County cricket is built upon history, community and a deep sense of belonging. The Hundred is a marketing gambit, intended to satisfy a new, made-for-TV global audience which has little interest in tradition, but simply wants the quick fix of big names on big grounds.Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Hollins adopts a positive view about the potential synergies that many – this correspondent included – do not share.”Do I agree with the premise that the Hundred will undermine the Blast?” he said. “I can only talk for myself but I feel we have a really passionate support here who will support Somerset before the Hundred. And having a Somerset team that is competitive to service, or accommodate, that interest is really important. I don’t have any fear that the Blast here will cease to be relevant.”My job as CEO of Somerset is to ensure that the Hundred delivers positive outcomes for Somerset CCC. That’s not just about money, it’s about making sure that if the audience widens as forecast – in terms of the increased number of people who are interested in cricket, and the interest it creates at club level – then Somerset need to pick up the benefits of that, whether it be players playing the game or people attending matches. I believe we can do that. I’ve got to look at it that way.”As to the Hundred in a wider sense, my hope is that if you look at the history when you have a strong England team for example, and you get euphoria around the country about England, what happens really consistently is that the interest in county cricket goes up.”The Ashes 2005 is the ultimate example of that. I was at Durham at that time and Durham’s attendances during that summer went up significantly that summer. I’m hoping that the Hundred does that for county cricket and that it creates the noise and the awareness and pulls in people from lots of different places.”English football could never have got away with the imposition of such a new structure – the quick death of the European Super League is proof of that. But Premier League football is all powerful, and international football knows its limits, whereas, in professional cricket, the international programme has become more and more empowered over the past generation, arranging tours at the last minute, withdrawing players without warning and treating clubs with disregard – the Indian Premier League being the one exception.Getting fans back in grounds for the Blast is essential to county finances•Alan Martin/Action Plus via Getty ImagesBut cricket has no long-term future if it is merely reliant on the same old players traversing the world for another T20 payday, changing countries, clubs and shirts with barely a thought, any sense of loyalty limited to the confines of the dressing room and their own sense of professionalism.The Blast might have suffered its annual rush of eve-of-tournament withdrawals, but it is still a central part of a 18-team professional circuit unmatched in the world. Many of them might not be able to claim a relevance with the entire community (could they ever?), many are over-reliant on the efforts of the private school sector, but they still develop and employ around 450 English-qualified professionals, most of them possessing a deep sense of club commitment.And those who cannot get into the grounds for the Blast can now watch on live county streaming services that are improving every year, with every boundary and every wicket available on video clips, and more online coverage than ever before. We fear county cricket is in a time of crisis, but it might just be entering a golden age.To gaze upon Taunton as crowds returned for the Championship last week was to rediscover a sense of optimism. “I think there is massive expectation,” said Hollins as he observed spectators clearly happy to feel the sun on their backs and hear the sound of bat on ball.”When Championship cricket returned to Taunton after 614 days you could feel the buzz around the ground,” he reflected. “Every time a boundary was scored the whole thing was amplified beyond what it normally would have been. There was so much excitement about being back.”Yes, it’s a slightly different audience for the T20 Blast, but by the number of people desperate to get their hands on tickets for the Blast I’d say the anticipation is greater than ever. I have never subscribed to this death of county cricket scenario. This club goes back to 1875. It has survived two massive world wars. A competition like the Hundred that is well intended is not going to destroy county cricket.”There is such depth to county cricket that I don’t buy that it’s dying at all, I think it can and will go from strength to strength.”

While the glory is yet to arrive, Mikel Arteta has utterly transformed Arsenal over the last five years or so.

He took charge of a team that were stuck in mid-table and, within a few years, turned them into genuine challengers for the Premier League and Champions League.

This incredible evolution is certainly due in part to his philosophy and tactics, but it has also been aided by the exceptional players he has signed along the way.

That said, there is a superstar in the team today, signed by Unai Emery, whose valuation has exploded over the years, someone who has been pivotal to the evolution of the backline.

The evolution of Arsenal's backline

The first game of Arteta’s tenure was away to Bournemouth in December 2019, and to say the backline for that match was underwhelming would be an understatement.

In fact, the only player still at the club is Bukayo Saka, and the idea of the Gunners’ now playing their best attacker at left-back is patently absurd.

Fortunately, Gabriel Magalhães was signed from LOSC Lille the following summer to replace Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

The manager still opted for a three or five-at-the-back system for the start of the 20/21 season, which was soon replaced with the four-at-the-back system that fans were clamouring for at the time.

That season saw Gabriel start most games, and then, depending on who was fit, it would be David Luiz or Robert Holding next to him, with Hector Bellerin or Maitland-Niles on the right and, again, when fit, Kieran Tierney on the left.

That summer saw another key figure join the club in Ben White, who, for the 21/22 campaign, became the other regular starting centre-back alongside the Gunners’ current number six.

The Englishman would move to the right-back position just a year later, the same summer Oleksandr Zinchenko joined the club.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

However, his defensive fragilities would see him start to lose his place within 18 months and then altogether with the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori two years later.

Finally, the defence everyone recognises today was completed upon the return to fitness of Jurrien Timber, David Raya making the goalkeeping role his own, and a certain signing made by Emery, who is now worth a king’s ransom.

The Emery signing now with a fortune

Arsenal’s defence is now a beast but there’s one man, despite Gabriel’s best efforts, who always maintains the same standards.

That man is William Saliba, who joined Arsenal for around £27m in the summer of 2019 when, remarkably, Emery was still in charge.

He didn’t actually play a competitive game for the club until the start of the 22/23 season, when his arrival saw White move to the right.

Impressively, the Frenchman is now valued at a staggering €103m by the CIES Football Observatory, which works out to around £89m, or 229% more than he cost the Gunners over five years ago. To put that into context, CIES believe that he is the most valuable player in the whole squad, even ahead of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

That is an incredible increase, but it’s one that his performances and potential more than justify.

For example, in just his first game for the club, away to Crystal Palace, he helped the team to keep a clean sheet and was named the Man of the Match.

He then went on to play a crucial role in the North Londoners’ surprise title challenge, which unsurprisingly started to come apart following his back injury against Sporting CP towards the end of the season.

Since then, he has undoubtedly become an even better defender, someone who is as capable of putting in a last-minute goal-denying challenge or pinging the ball from the defence up to Saka to create a chance.

For example, FBref ranked him in the top 1% of centre-backs in the Premier League last season for pass completion, the top 4% for live-ball passes, the top 6% for total shots, the top 8% for passes blocked and more, all per 90.

Moreover, he has also helped the Gunners produce the best defence in the league for the last two seasons, and considering they’ve conceded just three goals in seven games this year, it may well be three in a row come May.

It cannot be overstated just how vital the Bondy-born “monster,” as dubbed by content creator Connor Humm, is to Arteta’s project, and so the news that he signed a five-year contract extension last week was as exciting as a new signing.

Ultimately, Arsenal have created arguably the best defence in Europe over the last three years, and Saliba has been a massive part of that.,

"I can guarantee" – Arsenal player reveals exit timeline with next club already decided

He’s made an admission about his future.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 8, 2025

تستمر الإثارة في مباراة مانشستر سيتي وفولهام ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حيث شهدت المواجهة تسجيل هدفين آخرين لتصل الأهداف إلى 9 من الفريقين.

ويحل مانشستر سيتي ضيفًا على فولهام، في إطار مباريات الجولة الرابعة عشر للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، البريميرليج، لموسم 2025-2026.

وتمكن فولهام من تسجيل الهدف الثالث في شباك مانشستر سيتي، وقد تم احتسابه بعد العودة لتقنية الفار للتأكد من صحته.

الهدف جاء بعد عن طريق صامويل تشوكويزى، بعد كرة عرضية لصالح فولهام، واصطدمت الكرة ببرناردو سيلفا لتصل إلى تشوكويزى ويسجل في شباك مانشستر سيتي بالدقيقة 72.

اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي بعد هدف هالاند في مباراة مانشستر سيتي وفولهام

ثم أضافت تشوكويزي الهدف الثاني له والرابع لفولهام في الدقيقة 78، بعد ركنية نفذت وتصدى دوناروما لترتد وتصل إلى لاعب فولهام ويسجل في الشباك.

وشهدت المواجهة 7 أهداف من قبل، بواقع 5 لصالح مانشستر سيتي عن طريق إيرلينج هالاند، فيل فودين (هدفين)، تيجاني ريندرز، وجيريمي دوكو، و2 آخرين لفولهام عن طريق سميث رووي وأليكس إيوبي.

Newcastle United fans will be growing extremely restless with how poor their beloved side’s away form continues to be.

The inconsistent Magpies must wish they could play in front of their passionate St James’ Park masses every week, with another away day loss in the Champions League against Marseille meaning the Toon have lost their last four matches on the road.

In stark contrast, Eddie Howe’s men have won their last six matches in a row back on home soil.

Of course, home advantage is a common phrase uttered in football – hence the labelling of certain home grounds as fortresses – but this Jekyll and Hyde form will seriously be worrying Howe, with TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole saying “there’s too much of a gap” between the strugglers at their very best and their very worst, after the defeat in France.

Anthony Gordon is seriously letting his side down wherever they’re lining up at the moment, though, with a regret now possibly in the air that PIF didn’t cash in on the up-and-down performer when they could’ve.

Latest on Gordon's future at Newcastle

Indeed, during the summer of 2024, Liverpool were reportedly keen to tempt the England international to Anfield, with last summer also seeing them come back with more interest, as he was touted to have a bumper £100m price-tag above his head.

Gordon warranted all this fervent interest, too, with 37 goals and assists coming his way across two campaigns for Howe’s men.

His confidence was so sky-high that the Liverpool-born forward even labelled himself a “nightmare” for defenders to contain, amid interest also coming from top-flight rivals Arsenal.

Now, however, he has thudded back to reality, with zero goals or assists coming his way from seven Premier League games so far this season, with just 40% of his dribbles accurately completed, as per Sofascore, as he continues to look a worrying shadow of his former self.

Consequently, Liverpool have moved on to another batch of high-profile targets in attack in the form of Michael Olise and Antoine Semenyo, with writer Thomas Hammond stating that a forthcoming sale of Gordon would be “favourable”, just to get him off the books, concerning his ongoing no-shows.

While he has contributed massively to his own downfall, his Newcastle career could be in even more tatters by the emergence of this promising star on Tyneside, who PIF signed on a free transfer earlier this year.

The "explosive" star who can end Gordon's career

Howe could soon have to be bold with what he does in the St James’ Park hot seat, with the current state of affairs unfolding, leading him down the unwanted path of a dismissal.

For the tie at the Orange Velodrome, Howe did bravely decide to gift 16-year-old Sam Alabi a chance from the substitutes bench, with Antonio Cordero another promising star that might be in line for some first team chances soon, partcularly if Gordon continues to frustrate.

For the time being, the former Malaga winger is out on loan in Belgium with KVC Westerlo, but when he returns, he will have even more senior action under his belt, as he attempts to unsettle Gordon, with his standout time in the senior squad at Malaga, leading to one analyst page hailing him as an “explosive” talent.

Despite only being 19, Cordero – who has also been labelled as “exciting” by former Magpies sporting director Paul Mitchell – managed to tally up a weighty 60 appearances for the senior side, with goals and assists aplenty also coming his way.

LW

33

5 + 6

RW

16

2 + 3

AM

2

0

RM

1

0

Looking at the table above, Cordero would manage to tally up a blistering 11 goal contributions for his former employers down Gordon’s usual left-hand side from just 33 appearances.

The hope will be that Newcastle landing the teenage sensation for nothing proves to be a masterstroke in time, with Cordero further capable of also playing as a right winger, or as a number ten if needed.

The promising youngster has even been noted as being “like Gordon” by analyst Ben Mattinson, with Newcastle perhaps better served now to look to the future and put their energy into the Spaniard, than persisting with Gordon to come good.

In a few years, he might well be a household name on Tyneside, with the ex-Everton attacker off the Magpies roster, subsequently.

Alongside Pope: Howe must bin Newcastle hero who won 0 duels vs Marseille

Eddie Howe must now ditch this Newcastle United defender alongside a woeful Nick Pope.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 26, 2025

Mohamed Salah cannot tackle Liverpool’s crisis “head on” because he is not the same type of “leader” as former captain Steven Gerrard, according to ex-Reds striker Emile Heskey. The Egypt star has received criticism for not speaking to the media during a difficult run of form which has seen Arne Slot's men win just one of their last five games in all competitions.

Liverpool have won just four of last 10 following Sunderland draw

Hoping last Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham could represent a new dawn, Liverpool were stopped in their tracks once again in a disappointing 1-1 draw with high-flying Sunderland on Wednesday.

Regis Le Bris’ visitors took the lead thanks to winger Chemsdine Talbi’s 67th-minute strike, before Slot’s side rescued a point late on when Reds midfielder Florian Wirtz saw his strike deflect in off Black Cats defender Nordi Mukiele.

The result means Liverpool have now won just four of their last 10 games in all competitions, with the Merseysiders currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table and 13th in the Champions League standings.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportStar forward Salah questioned for lack of post-match interviews

Looking to find the right balance to resurrect his side’s fortunes, manager Slot has started Salah on the bench for the last two league games against West Ham and Sunderland.

While Liverpool have collectively dropped off in what has been alarming 2025-26 campaign so far, Salah has been a shadow of the player who sparkled in the previous season, inspiring the club to a 20th league title after scoring 29 goals and recording 18 assists in 38 glittering appearances.

And while Salah’s uncharacteristic performances have raised eyebrows, the 33-year-old’s leadership has also been questioned in recent weeks. 

Having sought out the media to express his disappointment at not initially being offered a new contract by Liverpool last season, Salah is yet to address supporters amid the club’s sharp decline this term, with captain Virgil van Dijk handling the majority of post-match interviews.

Getty Images SportReds legend Carragher criticises Salah's silence amid poor form

And that is something which has not gone down well with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who told in November: "I think Virgil van Dijk, after the game, has come out again and spoke, as he should do as a captain, he's called Liverpool a mess. 

“I must say, on the back of all these Liverpool defeats, it's always Virgil van Dijk who comes out. And as I said, the captain should do that, but there should be other players in that dressing room coming out and speaking for the club. A year ago this weekend, Mo Salah wasn't shy in coming out and speaking about his own situation, about the club not offering him a contract. I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match, or he needs a new contract. 

“I'd like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, as one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and speak for the team. It shouldn't always be the captain.

“But, obviously, the manager is the one in the firing line. Any manager with results like that, as you said, if they were part of the bottom four or a promoted team, they would be under pressure. So there's no doubt the manager is under pressure now with results like that, on the back of being champions, but also on the fact of what Liverpool spent in the summer.”

Carragher – who made 737 appearances for Liverpool, winning 11 trophies – called Salah "selfish" for publicly voicing his frustration over his contract saga last season. He subsequently went on to sign a new two-year deal in April.

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Getty Images SportEx-Liverpool striker says Salah is not cut from same cloth as Gerrard

However, one man who doesn’t quite agree with Carragher is his former Liverpool team-mate Heskey, who represented the club between 2000 and 2004. 

While acknowledging that Salah should “stand up and face the criticism”, Heskey says he expects the former Chelsea and Roma forward to do so on the pitch, insisting he is not cut from the same cloth as Van Dijk and Gerrard, who captained the club from 2003 to 2015.

Speaking to sports betting site Heskey said: “Liverpool are preparing for life after Mohamed Salah. I’d be surprised if they haven't been preparing for that since the beginning of the season. Because he’s probably got just under two years left in his contract and he’s well into his thirties.

“It will be a big change for Liverpool when Salah no longer features on a regular basis. Arne Slot will be looking at different formations and styles once he’s phased out of the starting XI.

“On the criticism he’s received recently about not coming forward to the media about the poor run of form, you’ve got to remember he’s not the same type of leader as perhaps Jamie Carragher or Steven Gerrard were. 

“The likes of Virgil van Dijk or even Curtis Jones will come out and speak and tackle the situation head on – that’s not Salah. Even when he was flying, I don’t think he spoke much. But as senior player, it’s his role to stand up and face the criticism.”

Hampshire 172 (Leach 7-69) and 201 for 8 (Sundar 46, Gubbins 37, Vaughan 6-96) drew with Somerset 454 for 8 dec (Aldridge 180, Abell 118, Overton 50*) Nick Gubbins led a determined rearguard action as Hampshire eased their relegation fears with a battling draw on the final day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match with Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.The experienced left-hander faced 203 balls to score 37 and shared a crucial fourth-wicket stand with skipper Ben Brown that occupied 40 overs after their side had begun the day on 35 for one, needing a further 247 runs to avoid an innings defeat.Washington Sundar top-scored with 46 as Hampshire fought their way to 201 for eight by the close, despite the best efforts of Somerset off-spinner Archie Vaughan, who finished with a career-best six for 96 from 50 overs, and Jack Leach, whose two for 40 from 49.5 overs, including 33 maidens, gave him match figures of nine for 109.Somerset took 16 points from the game to consolidate third place in the First Division table, while the eight points for the draw plus two bowling points meant Hampshire stayed out of the bottom two going into the final round of fixturesThe visitors had added only two to their overnight score when Vaughan struck the first blow for Somerset, Fletcha Middleton getting an inside edge to be caught at leg slip by Kasey Aldridge.It was soon clear that Hampshire were going to rely on application, concentration and skilful defence to avoid defeat. Toby Albert had faced 52 balls to score ten when pinned lbw on the back foot by Vaughan with the total on 57.At times, Somerset had as many as seven fielders crowded around the bat for Vaughan and third day hero Jack Leach, but Gubbins and Brown displayed solid resistance to take the score to 82 for three off 57 overs at lunch.The pattern continued in the afternoon session, Brown surviving a tough stumping chance to James Rew off Vaughan when on 16. It was a rare moment of anxiety as the fourth-wicket partnership continued to frustrate all Somerset’s efforts to force another breakthrough.The second new ball made the difference. After Craig Overton had taken it from the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion End, bowling in tandem with Leach, skipper Lewis Gregory soon recalled Vaughan to his attack with almost immediate effect.The sixth over with the new ball saw Gubbins push forward defensively as he had done successfully on numerous occasions, only to edge in the direction of Aldridge, fielding in a kneeling position at a close-in gully. Out went a right hand to take the ball fractionally before it pitched and the reflex catch reignited Somerset’s victory hopes.Gubbins had battled away for three hours and three quarter hours, barely risking an attacking shot in an innings perfectly suiting his team’s situation and the stand of 67 with Brown had proved hugely frustrating to Somerset.But there was still time before tea for Leach to strike Brown on the back pad and earn an lbw verdict after the Hampshire captain had faced 128 deliveries. At 129 for five, Hampshire were back in a position of peril.The final session saw Sundar bat with authority, counter-attacking when possible and striking 9 fours before being bowled through the gate by a ball from Vaughan that went on with the arm from around the wicket.Felix Organ then added studiously to the Hampshire resistance, facing 82 balls for his four runs before falling to another brilliant close-in catch, this time from substitute fielder Josh Thomas off Leach, with less than half an hour left to play.The tension grew when James Fuller, who had played solidly to reach 20, was bowled between his legs by Vaughan to become the bowler’s sixth victim. But Keith Barker and Kyle Abbott saw out the final 15 minutes to seal a potentially huge day in their side’s season.

In the wake of a complete collapse against the San Francisco Giants Tuesday, the Baltimore Orioles are parting ways with a veteran reliever.

The Orioles have designated pitcher Craig Kimbrel for assignment, they announced Wednesday afternoon. In Baltimore's 10–0 loss to the Giants Thursday, Kimbrel surrendered six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Kimbrel pitched in 57 games for the Orioles this season, going 7-5 with a 5.33 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings.

Once one of the most feared closers in baseball, Kimbrel has nine career All-Star appearances to his name. The 36-year-old's 440 career saves rank fifth in baseball history, and trail only Kenley Jansen among active pitchers.

In an otherwise rock-solid season for Baltimore, its bullpen has been a major question mark. With Kimbrel presumably on his way out the door, pitcher Seranthony Dominiguez is now the Orioles' saves leader with nine.

Baltimore is currently 84-67, four games behind the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East division.

Rashid, who plays for MI New York, has opted out of the tournament to take a break

Nagraj Gollapudi11-Jun-2025

Afghanistan allrounder Rashid Khan will be absent from the 2025 edition of Major League Cricket (MLC). ESPNcricinfo has learned that Rashid, who plays for MI New York, has opted out of the tournament, which gets underway on Friday, to take a break.Rashid’s absence is bound to hurt MINY as he was their best bowler in the last MLC season, picking up ten wickets at 6.15, even though his team finished fourth with just two wins in seven matches. Rashid was last in action in IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans, who lost in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians. It was Rashid’s poorest IPL season as he got just nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.34 and average of 57.11. It was the first time his wickets column had failed register double-digits since his IPL debut in 2017.Batters dominated Rashid throughout the season as he conceded 33 sixes, the most by any bowler in a single edition of the IPL.Related

MLC 2025: Pooran and Maxwell to lead MI New York and Washington Freedom respectively

MLC hopeful of Afghanistan players' participation after Trump's travel ban

In a further jolt to MINY’s plans, another Afghanistan allrounder – Azmatullah Omarzai – is also set to miss MLC as he, too, is learned to have taken a break from playing. Like Rashid, Omarzai, too, last played in the IPL where he was part of Punjab Kings, who finished runners-up.In some good news for the MLC, though, Naveen-ul-Haq (MINY), Noor Ahmed (Texas Super Kings) and Waqar Salamkheil (Seattle Orcas) have joined their respective teams after doubts emerged over the participation of Afghanistan players owing to the travel ban imposed by the US government on entry of citizens from 12 countries.The ban became effective this week with Afghanistan among the 12 countries in the list. The others are: Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.Two other Afghanistan players – Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who play for Orcas – are understood to be awaiting visas to travel to play in MLC.

GOAL US writers discuss the biggest USMNT developments as Mauricio Pochettino continues the build up to 2026 World Cup

It's time for a U.S. soccer check in. With the World Cup now less than eight months away, the national team is always simmering. There are stars playing for big sides in Europe, and plenty of action in domestic soccer, too.

Tim Weah has enjoyed a solid start to life at Marseille. Tanner Tessmann has gone from hipster pick to irrelevant to suddenly a key figure for Mauricio Pochettino's side. For those USMNT players in MLS, a few names that didn't figure to have a shot a few months ago might yet be in the national team picture next summer

GOAL US writers break down the biggest storylines in the national team in the latest edition of… The Rondo.

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  Which USMNT player has been most impressive in the Champions League?

  Tom Hindle: Hard to pick out anyone, really. It hasn't been the strongest campaign for the U.S. Perhaps Tim Weah, even if only because of Madrid goal.

  Ryan Tolmich: It's still a little early in the competition to make any sweeping proclamations , but yeah, it's clearly Weah's goal against Real Madrid. It's one of those moments that, just a few years ago, would have been impossible, but now seems almost commonplace. It's still very, very cool to see Americans competing with the world's biggest clubs and, in Weah's case, not just competing but making an impact – even if it came in a defeat.

  Alex Labidou: Weah’s goal at the Santiago Berbebanu still has to be the top. Yes, his stats haven’t jumped off the page since then, but he still became the first American to score against Real Madrid in their legendary building, so he gets the nod. In terms of games, PSV’s 6-2 win over Napoli this week has to be the biggest UCL upset of the season so far. And Ricardo Pepi scored and assisted in that one, albeit in a limited outing with the game already decided. Still impressive, though.

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  Which USMNT player has been most impressive in MLS?

  TH: There's been a fair few, as Mauricio Pochettino's MLS-laden squads have shown. Perhaps the standout, though, is Cristian Roldan, who has been wonderful for Seattle Sounders all season – and might just have played himself into the USMNT roster next summer. 

  RT: Depends on your definition of impressive, but Alex Freeman needs to be right up there. A year ago, he was a prospect in the Orlando City system. And now he's a potential World Cup inclusion who has established himself as one of the most dangerous weapons in MLS. He's just getting started, too, with Freeman set to attack defenses for as long as he's in the league.

  AL: Injuries have slowed him down, but Brian White’s first half of the season was spectacular. He, along with Sebastian Berhalter, is a big reason why Vancouver finished second in the West. For perspective: White scored 14 goals before July, and 10 more in April. His previous season-high was 15. A recurring hamstring injury has limited him in the second half of the season, and he was only able to play in 21 league games this year. But if he had played in at least 30 games, he might have reached the 25-goal mark (he finished with 16).

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  Who is the USMNT breakout player, on the club level?

  TH: Freeman. He's been excellent, and deserves the spot he will likely get in the U.S. side.

  RT: Berhalter. Just a few years ago, he thought about getting out of the game altogether. But after breaking through with Vancouver this season, he looks like a player that has a long career ahead. The son of former USMNT boss Gregg, Berhalter is tenacious and, in truth, a pretty damn good soccer player. He's a key reason the Whitecaps have been so good this season, and he's a player that many overlooked right up until they couldn't anymore.

  AL: Haji Wright has to be the choice. He’s shown glimpses, but he has never been able to put it all together like he has this season. Wright has the perfect physical tools for a striker – good speed and height – but he hasn't always been as precise as this year. He leads the Championship in scoring, and more importantly for U.S. fans, he brought that same form to the national team – scoring a brace against Australia.

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  Who impressed, and who disappointed, in the October camp?

  TH: Cristian Roldan truthers, unite! Pochettino called him the "perfect" midfielder, which really tells you all you need to know. On the flip side, Aidan Morris didn't exactly set the world alight. It would be surprising if he gets another chance.  

  RT: He didn't exactly dazzle, but Tessmann showed everything needed to be a USMNT midfielder. There are still some questions about who starts next to Tyler Adams in the center of the park, and Tessmann's performances did show that he might be the answer. Conversely, it was just disappointing to not see Cameron Carter-Vickers play, considering the race at centerback. And with the unfortunate news Friday that he will be sidelined for several months with an Achilles injury, that opportunity for 2026 could be over.

  AL: Wright is the easy answer, so let’s highlight another breakout player: Tessmann. The defensive midfielder has, at times, seemed an awkward fit under Pochettino, but the manager’s switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation has seemingly got the best out of the Lyon star. Tessmann’s stats won’t jump off the page, but he was key in stopping attacks and helping the U.S. build on counterattacks. As for disappointments, Morris wasn’t horrible, but he had some shaky moments against Ecuador. It's hard to see him overtaking others when this squad is fully healthy. And Carter-Vickers appeared to be falling out the race at centerback before the injury, so a very tough blow for the Celtic star.