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Brazil will face Chile and Bolivia in the final South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, assured of its place in tournament

Neymar sidelined due to injuryVinícius Jr, Rodrygo out as Ancelotti “already knows them well”Brazil sits third in the CONMEBOL tableFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Carlo Ancelotti announced his 23-man Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, with three big names missing: Neymar, Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo.

Brazil will first host Chile at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 4, before traveling five days later to the high-altitude city of El Alto (4,100 meters) to face Bolivia. Currently, the Seleção sit third in CONMEBOL qualifying with 25 points, level with Ecuador and just behind leaders Argentina on goal difference.

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The Italian coach explained his decision by saying he wanted to “get a closer look at players I don’t know as well on a personal level.”

While Neymar was omitted because of a recent leg issue, the Real Madrid duo was left out simply because Ancelotti feels he already has a strong understanding of what they bring to the team.

Vinícius Jr.’s absence is also tied to a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation, meaning he would only have been available for the trip to Bolivia. Neymar, meanwhile, has not featured for Brazil since October 2023 due to recurring injuries and is still working his way back.

Getty ImagesBrazil squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians).

Defenders: Alexandro Ribeiro (Lille), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Fabrício Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Roma).

Midfielders: André Santos (Chelsea), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Joelinton (Newcastle), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham).

Forwards: Estêvão (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), João Pedro (Chelsea), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham).

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Among the notable inclusions is Lucas Paquetá, who returns to the national team after more than a year away. The West Ham midfielder had been left out of previous squads while under investigation for alleged links to a betting scandal.

Virgil van Dijk has revealed what he said to Anthony Gordon after being on the receiving end of a tackle that landed the Newcastle star a red card.

Magpies reduced to 10 men before half-timeReckless challenge from England internationalChampions battled their way to a 3-2 victoryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

A lively start to a Premier League fixture at St James’ Park saw the home team burst out of the blocks. They dominated proceedings early on but were unable to find a breakthrough, with Gordon being asked to lead the line as a makeshift striker in the ongoing absence of want-away Alexander Isak.

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England international Gordon had chances to open the scoring before Ryan Gravenberch broke the deadlock against the run of play. Newcastle’s task got considerably tougher on the stroke of half-time when Gordon lunged into a reckless challenge on Liverpool captain Van Dijk and – following a VAR review – was sent off for catching the Dutch defender on the calf with high studs.

WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

Van Dijk told of his exchange with Gordon before the ex-Everton forward made his way from the field: “I said to him, if that's not a sending off then I don't understand football. It was strange the referee had to go to the monitor in my opinion. Unfortunately, these things happen in football, if he meant it or not it happened, we move on.”

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Newcastle staged a stirring fightback with 10 men, levelling matters at 2-2 in the 88th minute, but 16-year-old wonderkid Rio Ngumoha had the final say in the 10th minute of stoppage time. Van Dijk added on a battling victory for the Reds: “We all know it's a difficult place to come. We know there was a lot of oil on the fire this week to get Newcastle fired up. What happened tonight was expected and, for us, the disappointing part was that we conceded two set pieces. That shouldn't happen but overall great three points, move on and focus on the next one.”

Chelsea have officially confirmed the departure of academy graduate Alfie Gilchrist, who joins Championship side West Bromwich Albion until 2029.

Chelsea announce departure of GilchristYoungster joins West Brom on a four-year dealDefender made 17 appearances for the first teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea continue to get players off their books as West Brom announced the signing of Blues' academy graduate Gilchrist on Friday. The young defender arrives at the Hawthorns on a deal that will run until June 30, 2029. "We thank Alfie for his professionalism and efforts throughout his time at Chelsea and wish him every success as he embarks on a new chapter in his career," Chelsea said in their statement confirming Gilchrist's exit.

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Gilchrist joined Chelsea's academy in 2014 at under-11 level, before signing his first professional contract in 2020. After making rapid strides in the academy, Gilchrist made his competitive debut for the first team in the 2023-24 season. In all, he made 17 appearances during the term, of which 11 came in the Premier League. Last summer, he was sent on a season-long loan to Sheffield United in the Championship, where he played 32 games and helped the club reach the Championship play-off final. According to , West Brom are understood to have signed Gilchrist in a package worth £2 million, including add-ons.

WHAT GILCHRIST SAID

Following the confirmation of the move, West Brom's latest addition said: “I’m really excited to get going and show everyone what I can do.

“I played against Albion when I was on loan at Sheffield United last season and both games were really good encounters. I remember the atmospheres being really exciting in both matches and I know Albion have some really talented players who I’m excited to work with now I’m here.

“I’m 21 and I want to play regular senior football. I feel like I’ll have a good chance of doing that here if I work hard and continue to develop.”

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With West Brom announcing their squad for the game against Stoke City on Saturday before the confirmation of Gilchrist's move, the 21-year-old will have to make his debut for the Baggies until after the international break, when Derby County visit the Hawthorns on September 13.

At times, it seemed like the old Bangladesh team management led by Chandika Hathurusingha had a negative view of Mominul Haque. If so, he has hit back, big time.

Mohammad Isam31-Jan-2018It was only when he stepped out of the crease twice in the nineties did the usually restrained Mominul Haque allow us a glimpse of his emotions. He didn’t time the first one well, a straight bunt off Lakshan Sandakan that went past mid-on for four, but the next whistled through wide of mid-off. It was an excellent shot, but before you could marvel at it, there was something else demanding attention. The scowl on Mominul’s face.Until day three, it will be good to bat on – Samaraweera

Sri Lanka leaked 40 runs too many, but given the state of the pitch, they might be well-placed if they keep Bangladesh to less than 500. This was the assessment of batting coach Thilan Samaraweera at the close of day one. The real test of this surface, he felt, would come when Sri Lanka begin their own innings.
“It is hard to say because this is the first day, but I feel that until day three this is a good pitch to bat on,” Samaraweera said. “It will turn slowly from then on. We will see how we do from now. It looks like a good batting pitch but once we bat in the second innings, we will know how flat this pitch is.”
Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal, who kickstarted Bangladesh’s innings with a 53-ball 52, believed his team could claim a dominant position despite the state of the surface.
“I hope the wicket becomes difficult from tomorrow when they come to bat,” Tamim said. “Our responsibility would be to capitalise on this position and score as much as possible. A big score always puts pressure regardless of the pitch.”

Usually, his celebrating a hundred involves taking off the helmet, raising his bat to the dressing room and then just carrying on. But Mominul broke that pattern in Chittagong. It seemed like he had a point to prove to someone, and although that scowl was easy to see throughout his innings, its presence during what should have been a moment of happiness was striking. His partner Mushfiqur Rahim had pulled him into a big hug but Mominul wouldn’t even smile. Oddly enough, it may be the most expressive he has ever allowed himself to be on a cricket field. His team-mates loved it too. “He had a point to prove,” Tamim Iqbal said. “He did it. I liked what he did. I understood what he meant.”Mominul’s approach with the bat was positive, building on the quick start provided by Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes. By the time he was joined by Mushfiqur after lunch, he was hitting a boundary every other over. He has always been strong on anything that lets him free his arms but he was also leaning into his drives rather than just playing them from the crease. There were plenty of fours through midwicket and mid-on as well, though that was more a reflection of how poorly Sri Lanka bowled.”Mominul was amazing throughout the day,” Tamim said. “He kept on playing the shots. He had a 103 strike-rate when he reached his 100. We knew it was a nice wicket to bat on, on day one. So it was most important for us not to throw our wicket. It is normal for a batsman to get overexcited on such a wicket, and play a risky shot. He knew how important his wicket is for us. We needed their big partnership. They were sensitive and positive. If there was a ball to hit, they did it very well. Mominul is still not out so I am sure he will go a long way. “With his two boundaries in the nineties, Mominul raised the second-fastest hundred by a Bangladeshi, and the second-fastest by any batsman in Bangladesh. Not too long ago, it was said that he was not suited for short-form cricket, and that he had trouble facing offspin and short-pitched bowling.The doubts over Mominul’s ability to handle short-pitched bowling date back to the 2014 tour of West Indies, which was also Chandika Hathurusingha’s first Test series in charge as Bangladesh coach. Mominul tackled that length very well, never getting out to a bouncer during the two Tests.Three years later, when he was dropped from the Galle Test, Mominul was said to have a problem against offspin. This was because he had been dismissed by Dilruwan Perera four times in five innings even though his overall form at the time wasn’t an issue. At times, between September 2014 and October 2017, it was difficult to conclude anything other than that Bangladesh’s team management held an unnecessarily negative view of Mominul.One of the main figures of that management is now in the opposition camp. Hathurusingha has never called Mominul out in public and Mominul too has never spoken of Hathurusingha as someone who has held him back. Even during a press conference in August when Mominul’s exclusion from the first Test against Australia was announced, Hathurusingha avoided making any comment on him.But in his time as Bangladesh coach, players, selectors and board officials have hinted that Hathurusingha had something to do with Mominul not being in favour. And within 24 hours of that exclusion, the BCB president Nazmul Hassan reinstated Mominul after reportedly heated debates with Hathurusingha.Mominul was one of the few bright spots for Bangladesh on their tour to South Africa last year. And earlier this month, he made scores of 258 and 107 in first-class cricket with strike-rates hovering around the 75-mark – signs perhaps that he is working out a way to score quicker.It wasn’t that Mominul had to become a different batsman to do all these things. He just needed people believing in him, like most sportsmen in any team environment. That belief, for the most part, has remained consistent among senior Bangladesh players who have always backed him. But perhaps the most powerful decision-maker in Bangladesh cricket from 2015 to 2017 didn’t share it. It is somewhat fitting then that Mominul has flourished in the very first opportunity since the end of Hathurasingha’s Bangladesh reign.

England allrounder Nat Sciver on mangled pronunciations, her best friends in the team, and why Danni Wyatt often ends up making tea for everyone

Interview by Annesha Ghosh12-Apr-2018You are the only England player – male or female – to take a T20I hat-trick. And you stole Jenny Gunn’s thunder for her five-for. Tell us about it
Thankfully Jenny is my friend now, so I’m hoping she’s over it. It was unfortunate she didn’t get the Player-of-the-Match award because not everyone ends up taking five wickets in a T20. Luckily, I was just bowling straight, and they sort of missed it.Which of your two ODI hundreds in the World Cup last year is more special?
The first hundred is always very special, but my second one, against New Zealand, I thought was slightly better because the opposition were better, and when I went in to bat, we were kind of in a tough spot.Who handed you your maiden international cap?
My first game for England was an ODI in Louth against Pakistan. It was Charlotte Edwards. She was the captain at the time.What did you do with your first England shirt?
It’s in a bag somewhere in storage. I’m keeping all my shirts for future use – maybe some sort of memorabilia. Probably could be put up somewhere on the wall along with the World Cup shirt and the Ashes-winning shirt, which are in the same bag at the moment.Danni Wyatt runs out Nat Sciver in the WBBL, 2017•Getty ImagesIs there a reason you chose 39 as your shirt number?
It’s been 39 all through. I was given it when I was in the England Academy. I got stuck with that because I was happy to be given a number, really! And I’m happy with it, don’t want to change.You recently played a tri-series final against Australia that featured one of your Perth Scorchers team-mates: Elyse Villani. What was it like to play alongside Australian players like her and Nicole Bolton in the WBBL?
It was great fun. Both of them are very good girls. They welcomed me and made me feel at home. They are also immensely funny. Nicole does some great interviews, as you might have seen in the ODI series. They are a lot to live up to, comedically. I think I have to learn a wacky comment or two from them.And Meg Lanning, the Australia captain, will join you at Scorchers next season.
I think her experience will make a massive difference to our team. I was with her at the Melbourne Stars for a couple of years, and I was captained by her before, so hopefully, we’ll be able to work well again together.If you were to pick one current international as a team-mate in your Kia Super League franchise, Surrey Stars, who would it be?
Amelia Kerr from New Zealand would be a good person to have on your team. She is a young legspinner, she’s still learning her craft, but has good skills and good control. That sort of skillset in a T20 game can be hard to face.What was South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp like as a team-mate at Stars?
She is excellent for the team. I think I managed to get along with her quite well in the Stars. Her fiery character on the field is very different to her character off the field, actually. She is much more reserved and quiet. They are like two opposite ends of the spectrum. You’d like to ask her if she’s got any pet names for the two of them!Katherine Brunt, Nat Sciver, Beth Langston, Alex Hartley, Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt at the 2017 PCA awards•Getty ImagesDo you have a nickname in the England side?
Well, not quite. Not anything very imaginative. The most imaginative so far has been Elyse Villani calling me “Scifter” in the Big Bash. I’d assume that’s how she meant to spell it.How painful is it for you to hear your surname being mangled all the time?
(Laughs) It’s something I’ve been experiencing all my life. I have not met that many people who can say it right the first time. Usually our team manager helps me out at the various grounds and makes sure the people know how to say it [It’s pronounced as shiver would be without the “h”]. Sadly, sometimes it still doesn’t work.Who was your sporting hero growing up?
David Beckham, because I used to play a lot of football. Any free kicks he’d score a goal from would sort of get stuck in my mind.Who’s your current favourite football player?
I don’t watch much football these days, actually. But it will probably be [Cristiano] Ronaldo. He’s ridiculous, isn’t he?Did you see the bicycle kick he scored a goal with against Juventus last week?
Yeah, I watched it. I have been practising my bicycle kick for a while now. Hopefully we can get football into our cricket warm-up so I can show off one of those.Who’s the most difficult batsman to bowl at?
Probably Meg Lanning. Even if you bowl at her stumps, she’ll hit it to third man. It’s very painful for all bowlers!Who’s the most difficult bowler you have faced?
Any bowler that bowls inswing, I find them more difficult.The most imaginative nickname Sciver thinks anyone has come up with so far fr her has been “Scifter”, by Elyse Villani [left]•Getty ImagesAn Indian player you’re always wary of facing – as a batsman or bowler?
Jhulan Goswami is the leading wicket-taker and they always look to her to get a wicket, so you don’t want to give it to her.What would you like to change in ODI playing conditions, if you had a chance?
I thought about this the other day. If you hit it five metres past the boundary line, you should get 12. The game is a lot about batters now, so it would be nice to have something for the bowlers too, but I think in the women’s game, having five fielders outside the ring again wouldn’t be beneficial. So I will go with the 12-run rule.Is there a rule change in women’s T20Is you reckon could enhance the format further?
There maybe could be a Supersub, who would be allowed to field or keep if you needed them to.Who is your best friend in the England squad?
Katherine Brunt. I live with her and Amy Jones and Beth Langston. And from the current touring side [in India], it would be Amy.”If you hit it five metres past the boundary line, you should get 12″•Associated PressWhat is your favourite cricketing memory off the field?
The celebrations after the World Cup win were excellent. We all were still in our playing kit, we slept with our medals. That was pretty cool.Who’s the most fun and entertaining England team-mate?
Danni Wyatt. Sometimes the team gets entertainment by laughing at her, but she herself is very funny as well. The coaches have this game where you get someone to say the letter “T” and that person has to make tea for everyone who wants it. Danni’s been caught by that a couple of times.Does she make good tea?
Yeah, you’ve got to give it to her. She makes some really good tea.Who’s the social-media addict of the team?
It has to be Tammy [Beaumont]. Have your seen her Instagram account? And all the crazy caption stuff. She’s constantly on. Amy Jones is the quietest one on social media.Which team-mate would you never want to be stuck in an elevator with?
Fran Wilson. She is a good friend of mine, but she loves to debate. She has these opinions about various different things, so I’d prefer not to be confrontational, especially in an elevator!What’s your most memorable wicket?
Probably getting Ellyse Perry out in the 2015 Ashes series, in the Cardiff T20I.Sciver plays the Natmeg during her hundred against New Zealand at the 2017 World Cup•Getty ImagesWhich is your favourite country to tour for cricket?
New Zealand. It’s such a beautiful country, and we’re lucky enough to travel around there often, get a few days off sometimes and see the sights.And your favourite holiday destination?
I really love the French Alps. Before I started playing professional cricket, I used to go ski there a lot. I’m actually looking forward to that after my retirement.How do you unwind after a long day of training?
I’m into a series called The Good Wife, on Netflix. I was watching it at home, but for some reason they took it off, but it’s available in India, so I’ll probably finish off the remainder of the episodes before heading back to England.Do you prefer to cook or to be cooked for?
I’d rather do the cooking.Tea or coffee?
I love coffee.What traits do you admire most in Jenny Gunn, Katherine Brunt and Heather Knight?
They are the rocks of our team, really.Jenny just played her 100th T20I game. No other man or woman has done that, so the kind of experience and calmness she brings are great assets.Katherine always will try her heart out for you and the team. You can’t find a fault in her effort and passion for the game.Heather is a great leader. She has really helped this team grow into one that can win World Cups.If you weren’t a sportsperson, what would you do?
I would probably be working at a bar, I think, because I wouldn’t know what else to do with my life (laughs). And if it were a job like that, I’d want to do it in London, because there are more opportunities there.What do you want to do after retirement?
I’m doing some property development, so I’ll continue with that maybe, and probably do some course to aid that, maybe on plastering and plumbingIf the Natmeg wasn’t called that, what would you like to name it?
I would call it a Sciv-shot or a Sciver-shot.Now that England are the defending champions in the 50-over format, what are your personal goals preparing for the World T20 in November?
Well, we’d love to do more of the same. It’s a different format and the kind where the game can go up and down a bit. But you have to try and be as consistent as you can be.

Jose Mourinho says Goodison Park will always "be in his heart" as Everton prepare to bid farewell to their iconic ground this weekend.

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Everton to leave Goodison ParkMourinho reflects on stadium memories"Goodison Park in my heart"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

As Everton men's team prepare to play their last ever match at Goodison Park this weekend, Sky Sports have put together a documentary on this legendary stadium. For the production, Fenerbahce boss Mourinho provided his memories of the Toffees' ground, where he reflected on Didier Drogba's last-gasp winner for Chelsea back in 2006 and when Portugal legend Eusebio scored four goals against North Korea in the 1966 World Cup.

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He told Sky Sports: "The first memory I have of Goodison Park is a Drogba goal, minute 90. A crazy goal from outside the box, crazy control, and an amazing shot, and everybody running around. But Goodison is [part of the] history of English football. The narrow tunnels, the old and small dressing rooms, the stands, the way that people support the club in a city where obviously there is a giant [Liverpool] next door. I have Goodison in my heart. On top of that, Mr Eusebio in 1966 scored four goals for Portugal [against North Korea] in that stadium, and that, as a kid, brings Goodison into my heart."

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Goodison Park has been Everton's home since 1892 but from next week, that will no longer be the case. While the women's team will call it their home from next season, the men's side will move to Bramley-Moore Dock for the 2025/26 campaign. This weekend is likely to be an emotional one as an iconic ground says goodbye to the Premier League.

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Everton will hope to give Goodison Park a winning send-off when they host relegated Southampton on Sunday lunchtime in their penultimate game of the Premier League season.

Club do not expect to have a suitable successor to Mike O’Farrell in place before April’s AGM

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Feb-2023Middlesex have appointed Angus Fraser, their director of cricket development, as the club’s interim chair.Mike O’Farrell, the outgoing chair, will step down at the club’s upcoming AGM and Middlesex’s search for a successor has been futile. The recruitment process was reopened earlier this month after the club tried and failed to find a suitable candidate.Middlesex said in a statement on Tuesday that they do not expect to find a successor before the AGM on April 4, adding: “Given that there are a number of hugely important issues on the agenda for the game which will require significant involvement from each of the first-class county chairs in the coming weeks and months, including the ongoing ECB High Performance Review and the forthcoming release of the Independent Commission into Equity in Cricket, the club has taken the decision to appoint an interim chair immediately.”Fraser, who played 46 Tests for England and later acted as a selector, spent 12 years working as Middlesex’s managing director before taking on his existing role in 2021. He said he was “extremely proud” and thanked Middlesex “for affording me the honour of holding the position of interim chair”.Related

Essex fall 'significantly short' of ECB's board diversity targets

Middlesex reopen search for new chair after drawing blank in recruitment process

Andrew Cornish, Middlesex’s CEO, said: “As a board we have spoken at length about how best to manage Mike’s departure from the role as chair ensuring that there is no adverse effect on the club over this time.”Mike’s departure comes at a critical time for the game at large, and we need to do all we can to ensure that we as a club are able to continue to operate without any interruptions.”Upon completion of the recruitment process, when the club has found a permanent successor to Mike, Angus will then be very well placed to pass on the baton of chair.”He is exactly what we need at this time, and on behalf of the club’s board, I would like to thank him for agreeing to step into this interim role.”

Liam Dawson half-century fails to overcome troubled start by visitors at Hove

ECB Reporters Network16-Jun-2023Sussex 183 for 6 (Carter 64) beat Hampshire 177 for 9 (Dawson 59, Currie 3-27) by six runsOli Carter and Bradley Currie were the unlikely heroes as Sussex Sharks upset Hampshire Hawks at Hove to claim only their third win in this season’s Vitality Blast.In quick-scoring conditions at the 1st Central County Ground the reigning champions dragged things back well after Carter (64) and skipper Ravi Bopara (30) took Sussex to 127 for 2 in the 12th over with a stand of 98 in nine overs. They departed in successive overs and although Sussex got to 183 for 6 it didn’t look enough.But by the second ball of the third over Hampshire had slumped to 15 for 3 and were soon 24 for 4. Although Liam Dawson made 59 off 34 balls and their lower-order batters kept swinging Sussex won by six runs.Debutant Currie started his first over with two wides but then had James Vince caught at deep mid-wicket before Toby Albert played on to the next ball. The hat-trick delivery was also a wide but Sussex were celebrating again when Ben McDermott was pinned in front of middle stump by Ari Karvelas at the start of the next over.The 24-year-old left-armer, who will be playing for Dorset in the National Counties Trophy against Wales on Sunday, took his third wicket in his second over when Ross Whiteley dragged on, leaving Hampshire 24 for 4.Joe Weatherley (33) and Dawson rebuilt in a stand of 51 and even after Weatherley fatally swung across the line to a straight ball from Bopara, Dawson didn’t give up.He reached his sixth fifty in the format and had just hit George Garton into the flats overlooking the ground for his fifth six when the left-armer hit the top of off stump with his next ball.But this was a night for Currie. He added to his three wickets with a sensational catch when he made ten yards to his left and dived full length on the mid-wicket boundary to take a two-handed grab and remove Howell. Even then, with 22 needed off the final over, Nathan Ellis scored 12 off the first three balls but was leg before to the fifth from Karvelas as Hampshire finished on 177 for 9.The unexpected star of the Sussex innings was 19-year-old Carter, who smashed 64 off just 33 balls in only his sixth game in the format. His previous highest score was 27 against Essex earlier this month but he made the most of his chance at No.3 to hit six fours and four sixes, including successive maximums off James Fuller to become only the third Sussex batter to lodge a fifty in this season’s Blast.Skipper Bopara has made two of them and when he and Carter were putting on 98 from 54 balls for the third wicket the holders looked a little rattled.But, as experienced sides tend to do, the Hawks held their nerve and Sussex struggled to regain the initiative after Bopara, who had just heaved the returning Howell over mid-wicket, played on trying to repeat the shot to the next ball.Carter played shots all around the wicket and demonstrated eye-catching improvisation, but he departed four balls later giving himself room to heave over cow corner only to pick out Ellis, who took a good catch, instead. That was in the 12th over and Sussex didn’t score another boundary until the 17th as Howell and Dawson, whose four overs cost just 21, kept things tight.

Jude Bellingham's girlfriend was spotted alongside his mum Denise as they watched England's 1-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday.

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Bellingham supported by girlfriend and mumAshlyn Castro is Instagram model and influencerEngland secured dull 1-0 winFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham's girlfriend was spotted alongside the Real Madrid star's mum Denise as the pair watched England struggle to a 1-0 win over Andorra on Saturday. The pair have been dating publicly since January, according to The Sun, though Castro recently took a four-month break from Instagram following a string of rumours that were posted online about her.

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Castro has over 530,000 followers on Instagram but took a break from the platform after being the victim of online trolling that alleged she had previously been part of the escort website 'DynastySeries.com'. She denied any connection and was more recently seen partying alongside Bellingham in Ibiza at the end of May.

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Mum Denise is often in attendance for her son's matches, regularly being spotted cheering on Real Madrid in Spain, and was present again at the RCDE Stadium, the home of Espanyol, in Catalonia.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

England received plenty of criticism for their lacklustre performance against Andorra but did at least continue head coach Thomas Tuchel's winning start in charge. Their next game is a friendly against Senegal on Tuesday night.

Liverpool icon Ian Rush heaped praise on Mohamed Salah and has backed the Egyptian to succeed Trent Alexander-Arnold in a new role for the Reds.

Salah hailed as an inspiration by Rush Liverpool legend glad the Egyptian renewed Backs PL Golden Boot winner for new role at the clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Iconic former Liverpool striker Rush was lavish in his praise for Salah, labelling him an "inspiration" for the young players at the club and backing him to fulfill a new role next season, formerly held by Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid.

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Joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has become one of the greatest players to ever grace Anfield. The 33-year-old is currently the third-highest goal scorer of the club, helping the Reds win two league titles and one Champions League among other domestic honours since arriving from Roma. Last season, Alexander-Arnold served as the team's vice-captain, with Virgil van Dijk wearing the armband. However, Rush, Liverpool's all-time top scorer, is confident of Salah filling the void by become Van Dijk's new deputy.

WHAT IAN RUSH SAID

Speaking to , Rush said: "Without doubt [Salah remains integral], I was really made up when he signed the new contract. The first half of last season, you know, he was incredible, and in the second half it was probably more about his assists. He is changing his game now to do that.

"What I like about him now, ever since he was injured when he did the shoulder (in 2018), you look at his physique and he is not going to get injured again.

"His determination to be successful is there and when you speak to him, he is looking to learn and most probably the best part about him now is he is helping the younger ones as well.

"[He tells them] 'If you want to be doing that, you need to be doing this'. So he is an inspiration to the younger players to tell them if you want to achieve what Mo Salah has achieved, this is what you have to be doing.

"You have to work hard in training, you have to do that and maybe sometimes that goes unnoticed about such a great job that he has done.

"That is why I am happy he has signed for two years and looking at his performances, I look at the [ages] of 28 and 29 and you work on your weaknesses and over the age of 30 you are taught to work on your strengths. And I think that is what Mo is doing and, as I say, it goes unnoticed about the work he helps the younger ones off the pitch.

"One hundred percent [he should be vice captain] and he captained them against Preston didn't he? I think Van Dijk is doing what Van Dijk does, he is incredible and he leads them there."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?

Salah has arrived without any problems for the pre-season, playing the first half against AC Milan on Saturday. He is expected to feature in Liverpool's next game, scheduled to be played on July 30 in Yokohama.