South Africa were bowled out for 74, their lowest T20I score

Sidharth Monga09-Dec-2025India are massive favourites in their title defence at a home T20 World Cup, but a potential stumbling block is the T20 lottery of losing the toss and having to bat on a damp pitch on a dewy night. That scenario presented itself on the first night of their 10-match lead-in to the World Cup, and they responded emphatically.Hardik Pandya rose above the conditions to score 59 off 28 to take India to 175 in an innings where almost everyone else struggled, and the bowlers used whatever help they could muster from the pitch to bowl South Africa out for their lowest T20I score. A 102-run win after losing the toss should put other contenders on notice.India’s early strugglesFrom ball one, it was apparent India were in on a sticky pitch that would get better as the night went on. Shubman Gill, returning from his neck injury, and captain Suryakumar Yadav ended up lobbing shots to mid-off and mid-on off Lungi Ngidi.Lungi Ngidi struck in each of his two overs in the powerplay•Associated Press

India played three left-hand batters in the middle order to possibly delay the use of Keshav Maharaj, but none of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Axar Patel got going. Tilak and Axar scored 49 between them off 53 balls as the tall South Africa fast bowlers kept drawing steep bounce from the pitch. Abhishek, starved of strike in the early goings, fell to another special catch by Marco Jansen on this tour to have his innings cut short at 17 off 12.Hardik carries IndiaWhen Hardik came in at 78 for 4 in the 12th over, there was a good chance of India ending up with a below-par total on a pitch that would get quicker and friendlier with the dew.Aiden Markram thought he could now bowl Maharaj with Hardik going only at about a run a ball against left-arm spin over his T20 career. On this night, though, he took Maharaj down for two disdainful no-look sixes to start India’s revival. The returning Anrich Nortje had been too hot to handle for the others but Hardik hit two fours off him: one using his pace, and one an off-drive after charging at him. He helped India take 30 off the last two overs as everyone bar Jansen had his figures rearranged. The ramp off Nortje to bring up his fifty made Hardik only the fourth India player to hit 100 T20I sixes.Arshdeep Singh took a wicket in the first over•Getty Images

Arshdeep sets the toneIndia needed to make the most of the brief period of new-ball movement if they were to compete on a pitch expected to get better. It did indeed look better from the way Tristan Stubbs timed the ball, but Arshdeep Singh got India off to just the start they needed. First he brought Stubbs in with Quinton de Kock’s wicket for a duck off an awayswinger that also seamed away. In his second over, Arshdeep began to bowl wobble-seam, which brought him Stubbs’ wicket for 14 off 9, giving Jitesh Sharma the first of three smart catches.Spinners drive home advantage, Bumrah caps it offHitting still looked easier than it had done in the first innings, but India never went more than 16 balls without a wicket. The 16-ball stand was the most threatening, with Dewald Brevis getting the better of Varun Chakravarthy in the fifth over, but Markram went back to an Axar length ball and was bowled leg stump.As if his batting was not enough, Hardik took the wicket of David Miller first ball: an inside edge onto the pad taken diving forward by Jitesh. Varun then took out Donovan Ferreira and Marco Jansen, one with a quick delivery, the other with a slower one.The procession continued and Jasprit Bumrah went to 100 T20I wickets and beyond, becoming only the fifth bowler in the world to have reached that milestone in all three formats. Shivam Dube, probably picked in the squad ahead of Rinku Singh because of his bowling ability, gave the team management one final reason to smile with the last wicket of the night.

Can West Bromwich Albion morph into genuine promotion contenders under Ryan Mason?

At the moment, Mason’s Baggies are wildly inconsistent in the Championship, with a middle-of-the-road finish looking likely if they can’t string together a consistent run of victories sooner rather than later.

The jam-packed December fixture schedule to come will be a big test as to whether West Brom can push up the league, or whether they will have to make do with Championship action for yet another season, having now been outside the Premier League since the close of the 2020/21 campaign.

Whatever does happen, West Brom still have several first-team players out of contract come next June, with West Brom veterans such as Jed Wallace and Josh Maja both at risk of walking away for nothing.

This isn’t new ground for the second-tier outfit, though, with Grady Diangana bringing his up-and-down Baggies career to a close this summer, when his deal expired.

Why Diangana was allowed to leave West Brom

Once upon a time, Diangana would cost West Brom a startling £18m to get through the door from West Ham United.

He demanded such a lavish fee back in the summer of 2020, too, having instantly stood out in the Championship for his new West Midlands employers, with his gung-ho performances in attack.

In total, the Congolese forward would chip in with a sturdy 26 goals and 22 assists from 202 appearances, with Carlos Corberan regularly relying on the magic of his former number 11 when his past Baggies sides were challenging for promotion.

Yet, after mustering up a standout 15 goal contributions under Corberan during West Brom’s promotion near-miss season of 2023/24 , it all began to become a bit pear-shaped for the ex-Hammers winger at the Hawthorns.

Indeed, last season saw Diangana bow out from West Brom as a bit-part figure, with only 14 starts coming his way across a campaign that saw the Baggies fall drastically short of the top six.

With the 27-year-old also reluctant to pen a fresh deal, it was, therefore, agreed that Diangana would walk away from his long-established home, bringing his extensive association with the club to a sad end.

In the here and now, with more contract situations up in the air at the Championship outfit, Mason could have a new Diangana situation unfolding.

West Brom star could be another Diangana

In a summer that saw some of the old guard, such as Diangana leave the building, Mason was also given the appropriate tools to instil some fresh blood into his ranks, with Aune Heggebo already up to six Championship goals for the season, after making the move to England from Brann.

While Mason will be impressed with the current goalscoring exploits of his Nordic recruit, he also has many relics from Corberan’s West Brom past still in his starting XI, with Karlan Grant managing to get minutes here and there under the new regime.

Much like Diangana before him, Grant was once seen as an eye-catching capture when the West Midlands outfit were regularly flirting between the Championship and the Premier League, with £15m dropped on his services in 2020.

In a similar fashion to his former attacking teammate, too, Grant became known as an explosive attacking talent in the EFL’s elite league during the early years of his Baggies career, with pundit Carlton Palmer also praising him for his versatile” edge, even when things weren’t always going his way under Corberan.

Games played

12

Games started

6

Average minutes

54 mins

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Yet, even with 31 goals and ten assists under his belt from 158 total contests, it does look as if the plug will be pulled soon on the number ten’s bumper Hawthorns stay, when you consider he has zero goals or assists from 12 outings under Mason.

With his contract also set to expire this approaching June, it does feel as if it’s a move that suits all parties for his deal to run out without a renewal coming his way, as his past best looks to be far beyond him.

He could, of course, still manage to chip in with a goal or assist this season, having collected seven goals across all of last campaign from inconsistent starting opportunities.

But, with Mason now infrequently starting him this campaign amid poor performances, he is unlikely to want to keep him around, whatever division West Brom end up in when contract renewals pop back up.

Mason must now bin West Brom star who earns more than Heggebo & Johnston

Ryan Mason must now axe this West Bromwich Albion high earner for good.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 26, 2025

Viktor Gyokeres knows exactly what Arsenal need to do in order to get their season back on track. The Gunners lost ground in the title race as they fell to just their second Premier League defeat of the season at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. Combined with Manchester City's win over Sunderland, Arsenal's lead at the top of the table has been cut to just two points.

AFPArsenal crashed to second league defeat of the season

Villa went ahead with 10 minutes of the first half to play at Villa Park in Saturday's lunchtime kick off as Matty Cash rifled past David Raya from close range. Arsenal were level shortly after the restart as Leandro Trossard scored his fourth league goal of the season having been introduced at the break in the Midlands.

However, the Villans threw a spanner in Arsenal's title pursuit as Emiliano Buendia scored a last-gasp winner for Unai Emery's side to condemn Arsenal to just their second league defeat of the season.

The result means Arsenal have now won just two of their last five league matches, and the dip in form has seen their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to just two points, with Manchester City hot on their heels. Star striker Gyokeres, meanwhile, has issued his demands to his teammates after Saturday's Midlands reverse.

AdvertisementArsenal 'disappointed' with Villa defeat, claims Gyokeres

After the game, Gyokeres delivered his verdict on the game and admitted that the dressing room was downbeat following the loss at Villa. "We are of course disappointed with the result," the Swede said after Saturday's defeat.

"It’s not a great feeling right now, but it’s only December and there are a lot of games to play. You can always find some positives, but it’s still a very difficult way to lose a football game. It’s tough right now, but we’ll look forward to the next one soon."

Gyokeres, who has endured a spell on the sidelines recently owing to a hamstring injury, has netted just four league goals following his arrival from Portuguese giants Sporting CP over the summer.

Getty Images Sport'We have to keep creating chances'

The 27-year-old last scored in Arsenal's 2-0 win at Burnley last month, but insists that if the Gunners continue to create chances then the goals will flow.

"We have to keep creating chances and get shots on goal because then you’ll eventually score more goals. So yes, that’s of course a positive and we just need to do things in between also a bit better," Gyokeres added after the Villa reverse.

"It’s football. If you score in the last few seconds or minutes, that is an unbelievable feeling, so it goes both ways. Today, unfortunately, it was the other way. It’s tough, but you learn from it. If we focus on what we can control and do in our favour and focus on the next game, we’ll be better, I think."

Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League as they take on Belgian side Club Brugge in midweek before they face winless Wolves at Molineux next weekend as the Gunners seek to get their title push back on track.

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'That's the league'

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, spoke about the impact of the defeat at Villa on Saturday, which combined with City's 3-0 win over Sunderland means the north London side sit just two points clear at the top of the table. "That's the league," Arteta started following the 2-1 defeat.

"You go to Old Trafford, you go to St James Park, you go to Chelsea, you come here – we've been in a lot of difficult grounds and today the result could have been different.

"The reality is not, and that's the step that we have to make. We've been 18 games unbeaten and still we are there, very close to each other. That's the level of the league and we know that.

"That's the opportunity that we have ahead of us and that's it. Now it's time to bounce back. They have given me all the right reasons to think that we're going to continue to perform at the same level, because what the boys tried to do today, again, with the schedule that we had, it was amazing. So, [we] move on."

رصدت صحيفة “جارديان” البريطانية، تقريرًا مطولاً عن النجم المصري محمد صلاح جناح فريق ليفربول، بعد التصريحات الهجومية التي أدلى بها في أعقاب المباراة أمام ليدز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وافتتحت الصحيفة التقرير، بالحديث عن انكسار علاقة محمد صلاح بليفربول بعد المقابلة التي أجراها، والتي تعد بمثابة اختبار لعلاقة النادي بالمدرب الهولندي آرني سلوت، وسيظهر أيضًا مدى الدعم الذي يحظى به الأخير.

وأشارت إلى أن صلاح قد يكون متأثرًا نفسيًا بجلوسه بديلاً لثلاث مباريات على التوالي، وأفادت أن تصريحاته كانت بمثابة قنابل يقوم المصري بإلقائها واحدة تلو الأخرى، وهو تصرف لم يكن وليد العاطفة.

“جارديان” وصفت صلاح بأحد أعظم لاعبي ليفربول، وأكدت أن تصريحاته وكلماته مدروسة بدقة لتحقيق ما يريده، وفي هذه الحالة، تكديس المزيد من المشاكل على سلوت.

ويفيد التقرير أن صلاح بالغ في حديثه والأمر مشابه لمقابلة لروي كين نجم مانشستر يونايتد السابق، وتصريحاته التي أدلى بها قبل 20 عامًا والتي أدت إلى إقالته من منصب قائد الفريق، ولم تُنشر كلمات كين علنًا آنذاك، ولم يُنشر النص الكامل حتى الآن.

وحللت الصحيفة تصريحات صلاح حيث اتهم ليفربول مرتين بالتخلي عنه ردًا على فشلهم في الدفاع عن لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وقد حرص المصري على أن يكون جميع أفراد ليفربول – إدارة النادي، والمدرب، وحتى زملائه الذين يُحبهم – في موقف مشابه له.

طالع | “شعور صادق وإشارة مزيفة”.. خبير لغة جسد يُحلل تصريحات محمد صلاح ضد سلوت وليفربول

سلوت نفسه أصبح في وضع مشابه بعدما كشف صلاح عن انتهاء العلاقة بينهما، وهي وضعية لا يمكن استمرارها، كما طالت الاتهامات مسؤولي الإدارة، وتحديدًا ريتشارد هيوز المدير الرياضي، ومايكل إدواردز المدير التنفيذي، بعد ادعاء صلاح أن هناك من يريد إخراجه من النادي، وبشكل مباشر، تشير الأصابع إليهم.

ويواصل التقرير الإشارة إلى أنه حتى زملائه في الفريق لم يسلموا، بعد إصرار صلاح المتعالي على أنه استحق المركز الذي انتزعه سلوت منه، وذلك قبل أسبوع واحد فقط، ومن بين هؤلاء الزملاء دومينيك سوبوسلاي، أفضل لاعبي ليفربول هذا الموسم، والذي شارك أساسيًا بدلًا من صلاح أمام وست هام وسندرلاند وليدز.

وقد يعترض فيرجيل فان دايك على زميله أيضًا، بعد أن قال: “ليس الأمر وكأنك تتمتع برصيد غير محدود، على الجميع أن يُقدم أداءً جيدًا”، وذلك عندما سُئل عن استبعاد صلاح.

وتبرز هنا أيضًا تصريحات أخرى لفان دايك بعد مباراة سندرلاند: “أحتاجه حولي كأحد القادة”، وتشير “جارديان” إلى أن ما فعله صلاح لم يكن قيادة، بل أنانية خالصة وخيانة لغرفة الملابس، ويبدو أن أزمات ليفربول هذا الموسم لا نهاية لها، ومعظمها صُنع بأيديهم.

وتفيد “جارديان” أن رد ليفربول يجب أن يكون حاسمًا، وإلا فإن مكانة سلوت ستتلقى ضربة قوية من داخل النادي نفسه، بعدما تراجعت بالفعل في نظر عدد كبير من الجماهير بسبب سوء النتائج والأداء.

وعاد التقرير للتذكير بتصريحات روي كين حيث سحب مانشستر يونايتد منه شارة القيادة بسبب هجومه العلني على زملائه، وصحيح أن صلاح لم يصل إلى هذا الحد، لكنه واجه مدربه علنًا وانتقد قراراته.

اقرأ أيضًا | براتب 200 مليون يورو.. وجهة جديدة تنتظر محمد صلاح في يناير

وتؤكد الصحيفة أن ليفربول لا يمكن له أن يسمح بمرور الأمر إن كان يريد الحفاظ على سلطة سلوت داخل غرفة الملابس، وقد يكون استبعاد صلاح من رحلة دوري الأبطال إلى ميلان لمواجهة إنتر، ومن مباراة برايتون على ملعب آنفيلد، بداية مناسبة للعقاب، خاصة بعد تلميحه بإمكانية توديع الجماهير – نهائيًا أو قبل سفره إلى كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وتتابع الصحيفة، موضحة أن تغيير المدرب أسهل وأقل تكلفة من تغيير فريق كامل، لكن مع تقدم صلاح في العمر وتراجع مستواه بوضوح هذا الموسم، تصبح المعادلة أقل تعقيدًا بالنسبة لليفربول، ويبدو من غير المعقول أن يستمر صلاح وسلوت معًا حتى نهاية عقد المصري في صيف 2027.

وواصلت مشيرة إلى أن الخطوة التالية من ليفربول ستوضح موقف النادي، إما من دعم محمد صلاح أو مدرب الفريق آرني سلوت، مع الوضع في الاعتبار أن هيوز وإدواردز يدركان جيدًا الاهتمام السعودي بالتعاقد مع المصري واحتمالية السعي لضمه في يناير.

وقد يتغير موقف ليفربول السابق تجاه العرض السعودي الذي تم رفضه قبل عامين، ويبدأ النادي في فتح باب التفاوض والاستفادة ماليًا من بيع صلاح ومن ثم دعم النادي بصفقات جديدة مثل أنطوان سيمينيو لاعب بورنموث.

ووصف التقرير مقابلة صلاح بالانقسامية والحادة، وربما أجريت مع وضع العروض السعودية في الاعتبار، لكنها حظيت ببعض الدعم لأنها تتوافق مع الإحباطات المحيطة بموسم ليفربول.

وأشارت إلى أن صلاح مُحق في قوله إنه لا ينبغي استهدافه بسبب إخفاقاتهم، في حين يعاني العديد من اللاعبين، وقد أنفق النادي ما يقرب من 450 مليون جنيه إسترليني على فريق فاز بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بسهولة الموسم الماضي وتراجع في نتائجه سريعًا، وكان هوجو إيكيتيكي هو الوحيد الذي له تأثير ملحوظ من بين صفقات ليفربول الصيفية باهظة الثمن.

وأتمت جارديان تقريرها موضحة أن صلاح سيحتفظ بمكانته كبطل في ليفربول بغض النظر عن تداعيات مقابلته، على الرغم من أن إظهار الدعم الداخلي لسلوت سيؤكد اعتقاد النادي بأن المصري تجاوز الحد.

MatériaMais Notícias

A temporada do Campeonato Brasileiro chegou ao fim com clima ruim para o torcedor do São Paulo. Individualmente, os jogadores também não despertaram grandes expectativas entre os fãs.

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A maior prova disso é que, em enquete do LANCE! nas redes sociais, o jogador mais destacado para os torcedores foi o goleiro Rafael no Brasileirão. O arqueiro participou de 35 partidas, atuando como titular em todas elas. Ao longo da competição, sofreu 38 gols, uma média de 1,1 por jogo, e conseguiu manter a meta zerada em 12 ocasiões, equivalente a 34% dos confrontos. Registrou 3,2 defesas por partida, sendo 2,0 delas em chutes dentro da área, e teve 75% de aproveitamento em bolas defendidas. Nos passes longos, apresentou 31% de acerto. Sua nota média pelo Sofascore foi 7,10.

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No Brasileirão 2025, Alan Franco participou de 29 jogos, sendo titular em 28, com média de 79 minutos em campo por partida. Registrou 1,2 desarmes, 0,9 interceptações e 4,3 cortes por jogo, além de recuperar 4,7 bolas por partida. Teve 55% de eficiência nos duelos, ganhando em média 3,5 por jogo, e 60% de aproveitamento nos duelos aéreos. Sofreu 0,4 dribles por jogo e cometeu 1,1 faltas por partida, acumulando sete cartões amarelos. Sua nota média pelo Sofascore foi 6,81.

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Luciano disputou 32 jogos no Brasileirão 2025, sendo titular em 24 deles. Marcou nove gols e deu quatro assistências, levando em média 162 minutos para participar de um gol. Finalizou 2,4 vezes por jogo, sendo 0,8 no gol, precisando de 8,4 finalizações para marcar. Converteu 33% das grandes chances e realizou 0,9 passes decisivos por jogo, criando quatro grandes oportunidades para a equipe. Nos duelos teve 52% de eficiência e sofreu 1,4 faltas por partida. Sua nota média pelo Sofascore foi 7,03.

➡️Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

Marcos Antônio atuou em 28 partidas no Brasileirão 2025, sendo titular em 23 delas. Distribuiu quatro assistências e criou nove grandes chances, com média de 1,0 passe decisivo por jogo. Finalizou 0,6 vezes por partida, com 0,1 finalizações no gol, e acertou 75% dos passes longos. Registrou 0,7 desarmes, 0,3 interceptações e recuperou 3,2 bolas por jogo. Teve 37% de eficiência nos duelos e cometeu em média 1,0 falta por partida, recebendo quatro cartões amarelos. Sua nota média pelo Sofascore foi 6,91.

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Veja abaixo a porcentagem de votos de cada jogador

Rafael: 92,7%Marcos Antônio: 2,3%Luciano: 3,9%Alan Franco: 1,1%Temporada do São Paulo

Sem grande destaque nas competições, o time comandado por Hernán Crespo garantiu vaga na Copa Sul-Americana, embora ainda mantenha expectativa de classificação à Libertadores, dependendo do campeão da Copa do Brasil. Para isso, o Tricolor precisa torcer para que Fluminense ou Cruzeiro conquistem o título.

O São Paulo encerrou o Brasileirão 2025 na oitava posição, com 51 pontos em 38 jogos, resultado de 14 vitórias, 9 empates e 15 derrotas. A equipe marcou 43 gols e sofreu 47, terminando com saldo negativo de quatro tentos.

Na Copa do Brasil, o São Paulo foi eliminado pelo Athletico-PR nas quartas de final. Na partida de ida, o Tricolor venceu o Furacão por 2 a 1, no Morumbi, e jogava por empate ou qualquer vitória na volta. No entanto, mesmo com um jogador a mais, o Furacão venceu o Tricolor por 1 a 0 no tempo normal e depois garantiu a classificação ao vencer por 3 a 0 nas penalidades.

No Campeonato Paulista, o São Paulo foi eliminado pelo Palmeiras nas semifinais. Já na Libertadores, a equipe também caiu nas quartas de final, após perder os dois jogos para a LDU.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoFutebol NacionalSão Paulo

Aston Villa have now submitted a concrete bid for a “great dribbler” who’s “keen” on a move to Villa Park.

Villa stepping up pursuit of new forward

Despite a disastrous start to the Premier League season, failing to score in their opening four games, Villa have now emerged as potential title contenders, moving just three points behind leaders Arsenal after the 2-1 victory against Mikel Arteta’s side last time out.

Unai Emery has played down suggestions his side could mount a title push, however, saying: “I know 38 matches is very difficult. We are not a contender. If we were in game 35, perhaps we can speak differently.”

Danny Murphy has also pointed out another reason the Villans may not be able to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, saying: “I don’t see them as title contenders, only because of a lack of strength in depth. But their best XI can beat anybody.”

With the January transfer window now on the horizon, however, Emery will be presented with the opportunity to increase his squad depth, and a new forward is of interest, with Strasbourg’s Joaquin Panichelli, Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Bologna’s Santiago Castro emerging as targets.

According to a report from Bolavip (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have also submitted an offer worth for Gremio forward Alysson Edward, having scouted him on a number of occasions this year.

Gremio are set to decide whether to accept the bid in the coming days, and the offer is now with Gremio’s new president, Odorico Roman.

Fabrizio Romano has also taken to X to confirm that a €12m (£10m) fee has been proposed, with the Brazilian eager to make the move to Villa Park.

"Great dribbler" Alysson showing promising signs in Brazil

Journalist Bence Bocsak has made it clear he is an admirer of the 19-year-old, saying: “Big fan of him. Still raw but he’s a very progressive player and a great dribbler. Has the tools to go far.”

Not only is the teenager a strong dribbler, but he is also a well-rounded winger, averaging 2.46 tackles per 90 over the past year, and 0.84 interceptions, placing him in the 96th and 93rd percentile, compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

The only thing the Gremio star may need to improve is his end product, having only chipped in with one goal and two assists in 41 matches for Gremio.

Emery's a fan: Aston Villa willing to make mega-money bid for £52m "baller"

The Villans are lining up a winter move for a new midfielder.

ByDominic Lund 5 days ago

Alysson could be one for the future, and a £10m deal wouldn’t break the bank, but with Aston Villa potentially in a title race, it may be better to bring in a more experienced forward next month, considering Ollie Watkins is on just three goals in all competitions.

Three double centurions on the second day while J&K’s Khajuria was dismissed on 190

Deivarayan Muthu02-Nov-2025

Nair continues to rack up the runsLeft out of the senior India and the India A squads, Karun Nair served another reminder to the selectors and team management, converting his second successive fifty-plus score for Karnataka into a double-century, against Kerala in Mangalapuram. This was Nair’s fifth double-hundred in first-class cricket and third since 2024.After dropping him for the home Test series against West Indies in favour of Devdutt Padikkal, Nair’s state junior, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that they ‘expected a little bit more’ than his 205 runs in eight innings at an average of 25.62 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.Nair went back to the Ranji Trophy and scored an unbeaten 174 against Goa in Shimoga in the second round. After that knock Nair felt that he “deserves” to be part of India’s Test team.”Obviously, it is quite disappointing, but I know that I deserve to be there after the last two years I have had,” Nair told reporters during the last round. “People might have their own opinions, but for me personally, I can have my own. My own opinion is that I deserve a lot better.”He eventually ran out of partners in Shimoga but found ample support from 22-year-old R Smaran, who scored a double-century of his own. The pair added 343 for the fourth wicket, stopping 12 short of Karnataka’s first-class record. Manish Pandey and Dega Nischal had piled on 354 for the fourth wicket against Uttar Pradesh in Kanpur in 2017-18.It was seamer NP Basil who ended the stand when he dismissed Nair for 233 off 389 balls, including 25 fours and two sixes. Smaran then proceeded to make a career-best 220 not out. Karnataka will hope that the twin double-centuries will translate into their first outright win this season.Shikhar Mohan: A new star for Jharkhand?•PTI

Another double-centurion: Shikhar MohanJharkhand’s rookie opener Shikhar Mohan also hit a double-century, setting up his team’s push for an innings win against Nagaland in Ranchi. After Jharkhand had lost two early wickets on the first day, Mohan combined with stand-in captain Virat Singh, who was leading the side in the absence of Ishan Kishan, who had linked up with the India A team in Bengaluru as cover for the injured N Jagadeesan. They accumulated 253 for the second wicket before Virat was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Imliwati Lemtur.Mohan and Kumar Kushagra (58) then carried Jharkhand past 400. Robin Minz also helped himself to a half-century before Jharkhand declared on 510 for 8. Mohan finished with 207 off 303 balls, with 21 fours and three sixes in his third first-class innings. A prolific run-getter in age-group cricket for Jharkhand, Mohan, now 20, is making a smooth step up to the Ranji Trophy.Elsewhere in Raipur, Jammu and Kashmir opener Shubham Khajuria came close to a double-hundred, but left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate denied him and dismissed him for 190 off 344 balls. His knock countered Chhattisgarh professional Ravi Kiran’s 7 for 82.Nachiket Bhute’s five-for wrecked TN•PTI

Vidarbha flex their depthNo Danish Malewar. No Atharva Taide. No Harsh Dubey. No Yash Thakur. No problem for defending champions Vidarbha.Despite being hit by injuries and unavailability of their strike bowlers Thakur and Dubey, who are on India A duty, Vidarbha had enough depth to dominate Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu were also without Gurjapneet Singh, Jagadeesan and India Under-19 allrounder RS Ambrish, but it was Vidarbha who coped better.Fast bowler Nachiket Bhute, who was playing his 14th first-class game, stepped into Thakur’s shoes and triggered a TN collapse. From an overnight 252 for 4, TN were bowled out for 291. Bhute threatened both edges, especially the inside edge of both right-handers and lefties with his inducker. Both M Shahrukh Khan and B Indrajith were done in by sharp induckers. Bhute gifted himself a five-wicket haul a day after his 26th birthday.Aman Mokhade then kickstarted Vidarbha’s reply with fluent strokes against both pace and spin. When TN captain R Sai Kishore pushed one marginally outside off, Mokhade stretched forward and swept him flat and hard into the square-leg boundary. When offspinner S Mohamed Ali darted one into the stumps from around the wicket, Mokhade dared to back away and pump him through the covers. But just when he was looking set to reel off this third successive century, Sai Kishore had him caught by Vimal Khumar for 80. Vidarbha’s professionals Dhruv Shorey and R Samarth then helped them cut their deficit to 80 by stumps on day two.

Haydos in the altogether at the MCG: you didn’t hear it here first

Alan Gardner16-Sep-2025The ECB has tried calling it “Super September”, which the Light Roller understands is short for “Super Sopper September” – and South Africa’s autumnal return to England, three months on from winning the World Test Championship, became a predictable shemozzle, with two rain-wrecked T20Is sandwiching a deluge of a different kind, as England pongo-ed their way to 300 in Manchester.South Africa managed to concede 400 during the ODI series too – having achieved the same in Australia last month (though it’s fair to note that they had already won the series on both occasions). At least you could say they are consistent. Such are the convolutions of the schedule that we would forgive the bowlers for not knowing which team jersey they should be wearing, never mind what format they’re playing or what lengths to hit.In England and Wales, getting back to bilateral internationals, as well as the culmination of a host of county competitions, was sort of comforting – dreary weather included – after a month of the Hundred, during which the game’s global T20 overlords descended en masse. Did the Teen Tech Titans have fun playing with their new toys at Lord’s? We can only hope they did, after buying up the prime chunk of summer.On the subject of the calendar, ECB chair, Richard Thompson, tried speaking truth to power (i.e. himself). “Cricket arguably does play too much,” Thompson told the BBC. “We’re the only sport to have a World Cup every year, which I personally think is too much.” Now, that might sound like far too sensible an opinion for a cricket administrator to espouse, but don’t get carried away.Asked about the fact the ECB had squeezed the Hundred into such a small window that it started the day after the conclusion of the Test series against India, and finished less than 48 hours before an ODI against South Africa, Thompson said change would have to wait until the end of the current broadcast deal in 2028. “So we’re only three years away from being able to ensure there is a gap at the beginning and end of that period.” Just three more years, lads, then you can have a proper rest! It’ll still be raining in September, though.

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The Ashes are coming (you may have noticed), and that means all sorts of nonsense leaking into the discourse. But – and we sincerely apologise for bringing this to your attention if you were otherwise unaware – new levels of WT-actual-F were reached by Matthew Hayden’s contribution on the subject of whether Joe Root, now the second-leading Test run-scorer of all time, would get into an Ashes XI. Regarding the absence of a century on Australia soil from his CV, Hayden declared: “I’ll walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t get a hundred this summer.” And it doesn’t matter if Haydos does eventually do the walk of shame dressed only in his Stetson or not, you now have that image in your head regardless.

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“Wait, eco-warrior means you’re fighting the ecosystem, right? Right?”•Matt Lewis/ECB via Getty ImagesAdam Zampa loves the environment. He loves animals (he’s a vegan), he loves sustainability. But he also loves the Hundred, as he said midway through a 34,000 km round trip to play in the men’s final for Oval Invincibles: “I absolutely love this comp, it’s my favourite one. I’ve loved playing for this team over the last couple of years of being involved.” Zampa duly bowled his 20 balls and helped Invincibles lift a third consecutive title, after which he hopped on the plane – presumably returning to his Byron Bay farmhouse, where the focus is on promoting native flora and fauna, growing their own food, and learning about “the ways in which we can help our impact on the eco-system”. Presumably one of those lessons being: if you can’t source your legspinners locally, it’s okay to fly them in from the other side of the world for one game.

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As anyone who has followed the sport for a period of time knows, cricket is more about talking than doing. There’s very little doing at any one time – often only two, maybe three or four, of the 13 people involved on the field – but usually lots of talking about it among those looking on. Or not talking about it, but rather discussing the weather, the food, the pigeons, or the regular appearances of the No. 32 bus over the shoulder of fine leg. So it’s fitting that attempts to refine and reduce the structure of the County Championship, after five months of discussion, look very much like boiling down to: it’s completely unworkable, but too hard to agree on change… so shall we just do the same again next year?

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It was bold, it was risky, it was trying to get ahead of the game… it was precisely none of the things that their opening partnership for Pakistan was famous for. And it probably needed an outsider of the calm, measured character of Mike Hesson to pull the T20I plug on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. It’s not about agendas or personal shortcomings, he said, just a simple question of strike rates. Data, guys. Look at the data. And then, y’know, obviously, he had to sit back and watch his bold, risky, ahead-of-the-game move result in Pakistan scoring at 0.35 above a run-a-ball after choosing to bat first in their defeat to India. Good try, Mike. But Pakistan’s gonna Pakistan.

Chelsea’s title ambitions were always more realistically viewed through a wider lens than the current campaign, but this recent drop in form has been concerning for Enzo Maresca’s side nonetheless.

A creditable draw against table-toppers Arsenal last weekend, preceded a bitter defeat to promoted Leeds United at Elland Road in midweek, and this one marked the perfect chance to bounce back and keep a toe in the early Premier League title race.

Bournemouth stood strong against the Blues on Saturday afternoon, but they also pulled their weight in the final third, recording an xG total of 1.37 compared to the visitors’ 0.88.

There was an undeniable bluntness to Chelsea’s attack, with a number of stars flattering to deceive on the south coast.

Chelsea's worst performers at Bournemouth

Robert Sanchez certainly wasn’t among Chelsea’s worst performers at the Vitality, having made a string of important saves throughout the contest to keep parity intact.

Neither was Moises Caicedo to blame. The Ecuadorian served the second game of his three-match suspension after seeing red against Arsenal, and his absence was keenly felt in the middle of the park.

Enzo Fernandez toiled without his dance partner in the engine room, but he was sloppy on the ball. Likewise, Cole Palmer looked rusty on his return from injury, only creating one chance and wasting a few decent opportunities before being replaced by Joao Pedro before the hour mark.

There was another attacking instrument under Maresca’s command who struggled to impose himself despite some hustle and bustle, looking like a teammate of his who has been absent for some time.

Maresca must bench Mudryk-esque Chelsea forward

Since leaving Manchester United and joining Chelsea this summer in a deal worth £40m, Alejandro Garnacho has blown hot and cold, scoring two goals and supplying two assists across 14 matches in all competitions. In the Premier League, Maresca has handed the 21-year-old six starts.

Against Bournemouth, though, he was part of a Chelsea side who succumbed to an absence of end product, hitting the woodwork and failing to build on his positive form of recent weeks.

Football.london did hand Garnacho a 6/10 match rating, acknowledging his optimism and energy on the ball, but he left much to be desired all the same, with his end product leading to a sense that he is shaping into the club’s next version of Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Mudryk is suspended at the moment, but from a footballing standpoint, his £89m transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk to Stamford Bridge in January 2023 ended up a major misfire from Todd Boehly and co, with the Ukrainian’s pace and technical skill unable to be applied with efficiency on English shores.

Having failed with all three of his attempted dribbles and proved unable to even attempt a tackle, the South American left something to be desired, and though he created a chance, he also lost the ball 11 times, and that having only completed 17 passes on the evening.

Minutes played

77′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

35

Shots (on target)

2 (0)

Accurate passes

17/20 (85%)

Chances created

1

Crosses

2/3

Dribbles

0/3

Ball recoveries

3

Tackles won

0/0

Duels won

3/7

We already know that Garnacho has a penchant for the spectacular, but he needs to channel his craft and grow into the player he has been touted to be.

In this, he is not too dissimilar to Mudryk, though hopefully he has more opportunities to showcase his skills.

Mudryk and Garnacho share a likeness in that they are both athletic and dynamic wingers, but the latter needs to prove now that Chelsea are going to get bang for their buck, and perhaps a return to the bench might fuel him with the requisite aggression and focus going forward.

Shades of Sterling & Mudryk: Maresca must axe Chelsea's "pointless signing"

The highly-rated attacker has not impressed so far this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 6 days ago

They might still be in the relegation zone, but things are starting to look up for West Ham United this season.

Following their draw away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have lost just one of their last six games.

The Portuguese manager has made the East Londoners far harder to play against and is getting more out of players, such as Callum Wilson.

The Englishman is starting to look like his old self, but if reports are to be believed, West Ham could soon sign an upgrade.

West Ham target Wilson upgrade

While the Hammers have most certainly improved over the last couple of months, it’s clear that they still need reinforcements in the January window, and so it’s not been a surprise to see them linked with a host of talented players.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, Chelsea’s Axel Disasi has once again been touted for a move to the London Stadium, as has Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jose Sa.

Yet, as good a signing as those two would be, neither one could be described as an upgrade on Wilson, unlike Joaquín Panichelli.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, West Ham are one of a few Premier League clubs interested in the Argentine striker.

Alongside the East Londoners, the report has revealed that Chelsea and Aston Villa have set their sights on the RC Strasbourg star.

A potential price for the 23-year-old is not mentioned in the report, but given that his £28k-per-week contract runs until 2030, he’s unlikely to come cheap.

With that said, West Ham should still do what they can to sign Panichelli, even if his arrival would be bad news for Wilson.

How Panichelli compares to Wilson

Now, it should be said that, as things stand, Wilson is doing an excellent job for West Ham.

However, football is a brutal game, and if the Irons can find themselves a better striker in the winter window, they should sign them.

So, with that said, is Panichelli a better forward than the Englishman?

Well, when it comes down to their output, the most important metric of all for forward, the answer is resounding yes.

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

Appearances

19

13

Goals

10

4

Assists

0

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

0.38

That means that the former Deportivo Alavés star is averaging a goal involvement every 1.9 games.

In contrast, the former Newcastle United ace has scored four goals and provided one assist in 13 appearances this season, resulting in a goal involvement every 2.6 games.

Another area in which the Córdoba-born gem clearly has a significant advantage over the Irons ace is age.

The once-capped international only turned 23 in October, whereas the Coventry-born poacher is 33 and set to turn 34 in February.

Now, this may not be an issue at the moment, but it does mean Nuno cannot build a team around the Englishman, which isn’t the case for the “clinical” Strasbourg striker, as dubbed by Mango.

Ultimately, while Wilson shouldn’t be moved on, West Ham should sign Panichelli next month to rival him for game time and then eventually surpass him to become the club’s starting number nine.

West Ham already have a Paqueta replacement who's 'like Kevin De Bruyne'

Nuno already has his Paqueta replacement in a hugely exciting West Ham star.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 3 days ago