Declan Rice believes new Arsenal signing Noni Madueke is going to "shock" a lot of people this season in a passionate defence of the winger.
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The path ahead for the women’s game certainly looks brighter. Raunak Kapoor is joined by Lydia Greenway, Marina Iqbal, Valkerie Baynes and Sambit Bal to look at the possible impact of India’s Under-19 T20 World Cup win on the sport – the increased interest, attention, cash, coverage and acknowledgment.
Wayne Rooney revealed during the first episode of his new show how he overcame a lack of formal education.
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Sri Lanka’s T20I captain had slammed umpire Hannibal for not calling a no-ball in the third T20I against Afghanistan
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2024
Wanindu Hasaranga will miss Sri Lanka’s next two T20Is in Bangladesh•AFP/Getty Images
Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended for two matches by the ICC following his run-in with umpire Lyndon Hannibal in the third T20I against Afghanistan on February 21. Hasaranga was also fined 50% of his match fees and will miss Sri Lanka’s first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month.The incident had occurred after umpire Hannibal did not rule a high full-toss from Wafadar Momand to Kamindu Mendis as a no-ball. Kamindu had shuffled down the pitch, but the delivery would have likely arrived higher than his waist had he been standing upright at the popping crease. This would constitute a no-ball as per the ICC’s playing conditions.”That kind of thing shouldn’t happen in an international match,” Hasaranga had said. “If it had been close [to waist height], that’s not a problem. But a ball that’s going so high… it would have hit the batsman’s head if it had gone a little higher. If you can’t see that, that umpire isn’t suited to international cricket. It would be much better if he did another job.”Related
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'Much better if he did another job' – Hasaranga slams umpire over non-no-ball call
Gurbaz, spinners give Afghanistan winning end to tough tour
Sri Lanka needed 11 runs off the last three balls when this occurred and eventually lost the match by three runs to finish the series 2-1.”Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match’,” the ICC said in a statement. “Hasaranga’s accumulation of five demerit points (he got three for this infraction) results in a conversion to two suspension points. This means he will either get a ban for one Test match or two ODIs or T20Is, whichever comes first, for the player or player support personnel.”Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz was also fined 15% of his match fee and given one demerit point for “disobeying an umpire’s instruction during an international match.” Gurbaz’s offence was “altering the grip of his bat on the field despite repeated warnings against doing so,” the ICC said. Gurbaz’s demerit-points tally now stands at two.
Abdellah Ouazane’s move to Real Madrid collapsed after a failed medical, with Manchester United now expected to step up their interest.
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India might bring in Suryakumar and Iyer, if fit, and rest one of the frontline bowlers as both teams look to cement finals berth
Shashank Kishore12-Sep-20231:34
Muzumdar: Bumrah’s presence brings this Indian bowling line-up alive
Big picture – India might rotate playersTwo weeks ago in Bengaluru, India’s Asia Cup-bound squad had exhaustive fitness tests to check their levels of preparedness for the cricket coming up over the next three months.On Tuesday, those fitness levels will be put to test as India return to the R Premadasa Stadium a little over 12 hours after beating Pakistan in a game that was played over two days because of rain. When they won, they won by a record 228 runs, which has vaulted their net run-rate into orbit, and another win will take them through to Sunday’s final.Coming into the tournament, India had several questions to answer.Can Ishan Kishan bat in the middle order if required? He answered it quite emphatically, hitting an 82-ball 81 against Pakistan in Pallekele to open the tournament.Sure, Jasprit Bumrah eased in nicely against Ireland, but can he unleash beast mode against quality batting line-ups? On Monday, he answered that by taking out Imam-ul-Haq in a fiery opening spell that set up India’s magnificent defence.How match-ready is KL Rahul? He hadn’t been keeping wickets until a couple of days prior to the game against Pakistan. And can he go through the rigours in such testing conditions upon his return after being out of action since early May?Not meant to play initially – he was drafted in only after Shreyas Iyer had to go out following back spasms just minutes before the toss against Pakistan – Rahul marked his comeback with a stunning run-a-ball century (he ended with 111 not out in 106 balls) and put up 223 in an unbroken stand with Virat Kohli for the third wicket.That wasn’t it. He kept for all but the first few overs of Pakistan’s innings to dismiss any concerns there may have been.On Tuesday, India may want to try and answer a couple more questions. How about giving Suryakumar Yadav some action? Is Iyer fit enough to slot back in? Can India look to rest one or more of their frontline fast bowlers and give Mohammed Shami and Prasidh Krishna some game time?1:33
Uthappa: Rahul’s innings showed how much work he has put in
Sri Lanka have had a couple of days off to rest and recuperate following their hard-fought win over Bangladesh. They uncorked a gem in Sadeera Samarawickrama, who after years of failing to build on his early promise showed signs of maturity in a clutch knock.Kusal Mendis provided the calmness in the batting, and the bowlers, led by Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, lent a touch of magic in the face of a mounting challenge from Bangladesh’s middle order. Dasun Shanaka, who has increasingly been facing the kind of pressure Daren Sammy faced as captain when it came to proving his utility and worth, contributed superbly with the ball.It wasn’t quite a complete performance against Bangladesh, but the bowlers held firm at different times under pressure to bail the side out. On Tuesday, Sri Lanka face a rampant batting line-up that will give them more cues on where they stand as a bowling group with bigger battles coming up.Not to forget, Sri Lanka are now on a streak of 13 men’s ODI wins in a row, second only to Australia’s 21 in 2003… can they take it to 14?Form guideSri Lanka WWWWW
India WWWLWIn the spotlightIn March 2021, around the time he was in line for the ODI vice-captaincy, Iyer was out for six months with a shoulder injury. By the time he returned, he had not just lost that opportunity but also his IPL captaincy to Rishabh Pant at Delhi Capitals. Earlier this year, a back injury that needed surgery put his World Cup dreams in doubt. But he recovered within six months. But one game in, he has been laid low again, this time by back spasms. Is he ready? Can he pull up well and prove his fitness in a proper match environment?Ever since he announced himself with a five-for against Australia at the Under-19 World Cup last year, left-arm-spinner Dunith Wellalage has been touted to do big things as an allrounder. Only 12 ODIs old, Wellalage has already impressed many with his calmness and control. That Sri Lanka find themselves in the Super Four is partly due to his all-round efforts – 33 not out and 2 for 36, including the wicket of Hashmatullah Shahidi in a tense finish – against Afghanistan. Tuesday will be an opportunity to build on his exciting initiation.1:51
Maharoof: Shanaka brings balance to the team when he bowls
Team newsIndia may want to give a chance to some of their reserves. This could bring Suryakumar and Shami into the mix. It isn’t clear yet if Iyer will be fit to return. Sri Lanka may not want to fix something that isn’t broken given they are already without several first-choice bowlers following injuries.India (probable XI): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Suryakumar Yadav/Ishan Kishan, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja/Axar Patel, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Prasidh Krishna, 11 Mohammed SirajSri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Matheesha PathiranaPitch and conditionsIt is expected to remain sultry, with humidity likely to be a massive factor. Evening showers are forecast, although if there’s one thing we have found out over the past week, it’s futile trying to predict weather patterns. It isn’t clear yet if a fresh surface will be used for this match. Either way, given the pitch will be fully covered until about noon – rain or no rain – there could be some moisture for the fast bowlers to try and exploit first up, before conditions spice up for them under lights.Stats and trivia India have won ten of their last 11 ODIs vs Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma is 22 runs away from becoming the second fastest batter to 10,000 ODI runs. Sri Lanka have won each of their last 13 ODIs. This is the second-longest winning streak in men’s ODIs. They have bowled out their opponents in each of those 13 matches, which is the best sequence for any team.
David fireworks come too late as Brave come unstuck on slow deck at Ageas Bowl
Matthew Luddington19-Aug-2023
Jason Roy and Sam Curran celebrate another wicket as Oval Invincibles overcame Southern Brave•Getty Images
Oval Invincibles 139 for 7 (T Curran 43*, Jordan 3-20) beat Southern Brave 131 for 7 (David 44*, T Curran 3-43) by 8 runsTom Curran smashed 43 off just 28 balls and took three wickets as Oval Invincibles beat Southern Brave by eight runs and all but secured top spot and their place in The Hundred final.Chris Jordan took three wickets, all clean bowled, in a devasting spell of bowling to leave the Invincibles 90 for seven before Curran rescued the innings in a vital 49-run partnership off just 22 balls with Nathan Sowter to propel the Invincibles to 139 for seven.Curran then took three wickets himself, and the Invincibles spinners dominated the middle sets to restrict the Brave to 131 for seven. Tim David top-scored with 44 and hit four of the last five balls of the match for six, but the Brave drop to fourth in the table, with a vital last-round clash against Manchester Originals next Wednesday.Sam Billings elected to bat first and Jason Roy edged his first ball from George Garton for four, then had an early life after he ramped Craig Overton straight to Tymal Mills at short fine leg, but Mills lost sight of the ball at the crucial moment.Will Jacks pulled an enormous six off Garton and sliced a wide full toss just over short third man for four, but was trapped lbw by Craig Overton.Roy hit three boundaries with a pull, a flick and a scoop off Overton’s final set of the powerplay as the Invincibles reached 38 for one.Thirteen deliveries without a boundary followed, and the pressure soon told as Roy was bowled advancing down the wicket to an 89mph Chris Jordan delivery, and Rehan Ahmed trapped Tawanda Muyeye plumb in front.Heinrich Klaasen struck three boundaries in four balls, including a glorious shot over extra cover, before Jordan sent his middle stump flying out of the ground with a beauty.Jordan then bowled Sam Billings second-ball for his third dismissal in a devastating spell of bowling.Mills plucked an incredible one-handed return catch out of the air to remove Sam Curran, and when Ross Whiteley was run out Invincibles had slumped to 90 for seven.Tom Curran rescued the innings with 43 off 28 in a partnership of 49 off just 22 balls with Sowter.He struck three consecutive boundaries from Mills, hoisted Jordan for an enormous six over midwicket in the penultimate set, and tonked Mills over long-on for a six in a final set that went for 17 runs to propel the Invincibles to 139 for seven.In response Finn Allen struck Spencer Johnson over mid-on, before ramping him past short fine leg. Devon Conway flicked Johnson for a boundary, before hoisting Sowter for six to long-on, and clubbing a four to mid-wicket.Tom Curran broke the opening stand with a disguised slower ball that Conway nicked behind.Spin duo Adam Zampa and Sowter dominated after the powerplay, bowling four sets in tandem as Brave failed muster a boundary for 26 deliveries.Allen then launched Tom Curran for a four and a six through square leg, but skied his next delivery and Roy charged in from long-on to take a tough catch on the second juggle.Soon after Jacks bowled Leus du Plooy with a jaffa and Zampa dismissed Vince who holed out to long-on.Colin Ackermann clubbed a Sam Curran slower ball straight to deep mid-wicket, before Garton top edged Tom Curran to Billings.David produced some late fireworks with five enormous sixes to cheer up the crowd, but the Brave fell to an eight-run defeat.
Luka Modric confirmed he is in talks with AC Milan but refused to announce his next move following his Real Madrid exit.
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Modric admits AC Milan contact in presserFocused on the national team for nowDecision likely after World Cup qualifiersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Madrid hero Modric has confirmed there have been contacts with Milan after his emotional exit from the Los Blancos. Speaking ahead of Croatia's clash with the Czech Republic at a press conference, the 39-year-old admitted he's yet to make a final decision on his future but didn't deny a move to Milan is on the cards. Reports indicate a one-year deal with an option for a second season is in place, with medicals potentially scheduled for the coming week.
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The Rossoneri are in urgent need of midfield reinforcements amid Tijjani Reijnders’ imminent move to Manchester City. Signing the Ballon d'Or winning midfielder would bring leadership, elite experience, and a stopgap solution as the club transitions into a new era. The Croatian legend, despite his age, remains in top physical condition, having played 57 matches in the 2024–25 season.
WHAT LUKA MODRIC SAID
In a press conference Modric was asked directly about rumours linking him to Milan. While he stopped short of confirming a move, the Bernabeu legend acknowledged ongoing talks with the the San Siro side, however, insisted his full attention remains on national duty and his current club.
“I can’t say anything about this," he said. "There have been calls, there have been contacts, but I’ve put everything aside because I want to focus on the national team and what awaits me with Real. I haven’t made a decision yet and I don’t know when I will make it.”
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MODRIC?
With Modric staying tight-lipped and focused on Croatia for now, a final decision is expected shortly after the international window. Should everything proceed smoothly, medical tests could take place within the week, marking the end of a legendary Madrid era and the start of a new Milan chapter.
شهدت المباراة الجارية حاليًا بين بنفيكا وأوكلاند سيتي، في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية نسخة 2025 المُقامة في أمريكا، تصرفًا غريبًا من أحد اللاعبين.
ويلتقي بنفيكا مع أوكلاند سيتي، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور مجموعات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.
وتعرض لاعب أوكلاند سيتي، تشو تونج، لإصابة قوية في الرأس إثر ارتطام الكرة في وجهه بدرجة شديدة، وذلك في الدقائق الأخيرة من الوقت الأصلي من الشوط الأول.
وقرر المدير الفني لفريق أوكلاند سيتي استبدال تشو تونج، بعد استشارة الطاقم الطبي، وهو الأمر الذي لم ينل موافقة اللاعب نفسه.
وانفعل تشو تونج بشكل قوي وملحوظ على طبيب أوكلاند سيتي، ورفض مغادرة الملعب رفضًا قاطعًا، وأصر على استكمال المباراة بشكل عادي وهو ما حدث في النهاية.
😡 | La grosse colère de Tong Zhou envers son staff médical ! Il refuse de sortir après ce choc à la tête ❗🤕
Suivez la rencontre @SLBenfica 🆚 @AucklandCity_FC gratuitement ici : https://t.co/kAQFrmIwIx ! 👈#FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/NipZI2eTY6 — DAZN France (@DAZN_FR) June 20, 2025
ولم يعد اللاعبون لاستكمال المباراة حيث توقفت منذ الاستراحة بين الشوطين نتيجة الطقس السيئ وهطول الأمطار الشديدة، مع ترقب وصول عاصفة.
After a somewhat off-colour performance where Pakistan allowed New Zealand to get close to them, this was back to business for the hosts. A century from Babar Azam – his 18th in ODIs – helped Pakistan post an intimidating 334 for 6 after being put in to bat.It was then up to the bowlers, who were at their ruthless best, to shut New Zealand out. The game as a contest was over well before the final wicket fell and New Zealand folded for 232, putting Pakistan up 4-0 in the five-match series and at the top of the ICC rankings for ODI teams in the process.From the moment the chase began, it was apparent that keeping up with the asking rate would be a problem for New Zealand. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were metronomically accurate and fearsomely fast in the powerplay, and Will Young and Tom Blundell are not natural aggressors. The two fell within two overs of each other after a sedate start.Both were, to their credit, dismissed seeking boundaries their side desperately needed. Mohammad Wasim struck off his first ball, with Young spooning it high into the night sky for a straightforward catch, before Blundell failed to get elevation on a drive off Rauf, the ball heading straight to Iftikhar Ahmed in the covers.The period of stagnation through the third-wicket stand that followed, between Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, was probably what ultimately did New Zealand’s chances. A total of 83 painstaking runs were scored at a rate under five, but the asking rate had climbed to around 8.50 by then. Usama Mir – who did his World Cup chances no harm with an excellent display deputising for Shadab Khan – drew Mitchell into a stroke that caused his downfall.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
The stand between Latham and Mark Chapman, which followed, was New Zealand’s brightest passage, as Chapman dispensed with all conservatism. The two put on 55 in 43 balls with Chapman taking the lead, smashing Iftikhar and Agha Salman out of the attack with 34 in three overs.But the fast bowlers returned, and Afridi cleaned up Latham yet again for a well-made, if less than explosive, 76-ball 60. Chapman continued to flay the bowling, but a quicker one from Mir saw his stumps knocked back for a 33-ball 46. Thereafter, New Zealand’s resistance melted away. Mir helped himself to a couple more wickets to register career-best figures of 4 for 43, and Pakistan secured a 102-run win.Earlier, another Babar hundred helped Pakistan to a total that always looked well beyond New Zealand. Across an innings where he also became the quickest player to 5000 ODI runs, the batters – especially Babar and Salman – were in control for the most part on a flat pitch. However, New Zealand, spearheaded by Matt Henry, punctured Pakistan regularly enough to ensure the total wouldn’t completely get out of hand. Some late Mohammad Haris and Afridi fireworks ensured that the platform Pakistan’s middle order had set would lead to a big enough total.Pakistan rung the changes in after sealing the series already, and Shan Masood – who replaced Imam-ul-Haq – guided Pakistan through the powerplay with characteristic ease after Henry removed Fakhar Zaman early with a similar delivery to the one that got him the previous game, the back-of-a-length ball miscued high into the air.The innings continued to cruise on autopilot through a 50-run, ten-over stand between Masood and Babar, before sharp work behind the stumps from Blundell saw Masood fall to Ish Sodhi. With Pakistan’s reliance on the top order well-known, the fall of Mohammad Rizwan after a Henry direct-hit caught him short would’ve given Pakistan the wobbles. But in that moment of slight adversity, Salman rose magnificently.Usama Mir registered career-best figures of 4 for 43•AFP/Getty Images
Exquisite with the sweep and reverse sweep, as well as commanding in his use of footwork, Salman cranked through the gears to put New Zealand on the back foot again. With a straight six off Cole McConchie, he brought up a 40-ball half-century as well as the hundred partnership between him and Babar.Babar had blended into the background but he still eased past 50, as he usually does in ODIs. By the time Henry pouched a stunning return catch to dismiss Salman, Babar was just 12 away from his century, and content to let Iftikhar lead.Iftikhar assembled an entertaining cameo – 28 off 22 – before Babar tickled one through the off side to bring up his century in 113 balls. When Babar holed out to deep midwicket to give Ben Lister his first wicket on ODI debut, Pakistan had got stuck somewhat, with two overs to go and still not past 300.Wasim and Shaheen remedied, plundering 38 off the final two overs, also making compelling cases to bat higher up. The four sixes and two fours between them meant they had done enough to break New Zealand’s spirits. In reality, Pakistan’s bowling demonstrated the Afridi-Wasim cameos merely added flourish to what was a near-guaranteed victory anyway.