The IPL has catapulted many unknown faces on to the international scene over the years. Here are ten of IPL’s best finds

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2017Shaun MarshBreakout season – 2008; 616 runs from 11 matches at 68.44Shaun Marsh finished as the top-scorer in the inaugural edition of the IPL with 616 runs, a culmination of 12 prolific months starting from mid-2007, during which he averaged 60.27 in first-class cricket with one hundred and five fifties. He was immediately picked for Australia’s next international assignment immediately after the IPL, where he put up a Man-of-the-Match winning performance on ODI debut.Yusuf PathanBreakout season – 2008; 435 runs and 8 wickets from 11 matchesYusuf had only played one international match – the 2007 World T20 final – before the 2008 IPL. His standout performances for Rajasthan Royals, including a crucial 56 in the final, apart from smashing the season’s fastest fifty off 21 balls against Deccan Chargers, put him in contention for a place in the Indian side. He was picked less than a month after the IPL, and had a fairly consistent run in the limited-overs sides until March 2012.R AshwinBreakout seasons – 2010-11; 33 wickets from 28 matches at 20.64Ashwin barely played for Chennai Super Kings during the 2009 season, and got a consistent string of starts only from 2010. He quickly nailed down a place in the side, with his tight bowling spells, to go with his knack of picking wickets with the new ball. In partnership with Muttiah Muralitharan, he proved one of their most important contributors en route to their first IPL title. This was followed by an even better 2011 season, where he led the Super Kings attack in Murali’s absence, delivering their second IPL title. Ashwin’s spell in the 2011 final, where he tamed the Royal Challengers Bangalore top order with Gayle and AB De Villiers, remains one of his best T20 bowling performances to date.Chris Morris was picked by Chennai for his bowling, but has gone on to establish himself as an allrounder for South Africa•BCCIChris MorrisBreakout season – 2013; 15 wickets from 16 matches at 26.73Morris had played only two T20 internationals before debuting for Chennai Super Kings in 2013, a season in which he excelled with the ball. His exploits earned him a South Africa call-up for the Champions Trophy in England. Since then, Morris has become a regular across formats for his national sides, earning a reputation as one of the fiercest hitters in the world. He now plays for Delhi Daredevils as an allrounder who is dangerous with both bat and ball.Yuzvendra ChahalBreakout seasons – 2015-16; 44 wickets from 28 matches at 18.55While he has been around in the IPL for quite a while, having made his debut for Mumbai Indians in 2013, his performances over the last two seasons have catapulted him to greater heights in international cricket. In an IPL side known for its all-star batting order, Chahal has emerged a consistent performer with the ball, one who his captain Virat Kohli often turns to. Chahal’s match-winning efforts have earned him regular places on India’s ODI and T20 squads over the past 8 months.Sunil NarineBreakout season – 2012; 24 wickets from 15 matches at 13.50Narine was a relatively unknown quantity outside the West Indies, when he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2012 auction. His impact was instant, as he befuddled batsmen with his many variations and was named the Player of the Tournament in his debut season. Since then, he has excelled across both limited-overs for the West Indies, and become a T20 globetrotter, plying his trade for franchises across every other league going around. After 9 seasons, Narine is also the IPL’s most economical bowler, going at 6.17 after 66 games in the competition.Axar PatelBreakout season – 2014; 17 wickets from 17 matches at 23.82Axar Patel’s performance in his debut season for Kings XI Punjab was a catalyst for an ODI debut against Bangladesh in June 2014, just two seasons after his domestic debut. He then went on to tour Australia later that year as cover for injured Ravindra Jadeja. Though his performances have not been enough to cement a regular place in the India line-up, he remains a key member of his IPL side, as a bowling all-rounder who can score quick runs lower down the order.Mohit Sharma’s parsimonious bowling and wicket-taking abilities landed him a berth in India’s ODI squad•BCCIMohit SharmaBreakout seasons – 2013-14; 43 wickets in 31 matches at 18.09Mohit Sharma had a stellar first-class season for Haryana before being picked up by Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2013. His excellent first season, where he conceded just 6.43 runs per over through 15 games, after which he made it to the India ODI squad for their tour to Zimbabwe. He followed it up with an excellent second IPL season, in which he brought in more variations to his bowling, picking up 23 wickets from 16 games. For nearly two years since his debut, he was a regular on India’s limited-overs sides, playing 26 ODIs and 8 T20Is to date.Hardik PandyaBreakout season – 2015; 112 runs from 9 matches at a strike rate of 181The Baroda allrounder was fast-tracked into India’s T20 squad for their tour of Australia, after impressing in IPL 2015, where he played for Mumbai Indians. While his statistics do not paint the full picture, he played critical knocks on Mumbai’s course to their second IPL title, including an 8-ball 21 against Chennai Super Kings in a tough chase and a 31-ball 61 against Kolkata Knight Riders. He has gone on to represent India in the Asia Cup and world T20 before making his ODI debut in October 2016.Faf du Plessis<Breakout season – 2012; 398 runs in 13 matches at 33.16Du Plessis was a Kolpak player for Lancashire in the County circuit for a long time before he got to the IPL. By the time the 2012 season began, he had played little more than a dozen ODIs for South Africa, and had not broken through in the other formats. His batting at the top of the Chennai Super Kings order, along with his exceptional fielding abilities, set him on course for superstardom in international cricket, where he has now captained his national side across all formats, and continues to lead them in Tests and T20s.

Having found the consistency to match his obvious talent, he will be pivotal if England are to fulfil their potential this summer

Jo Harman22-May-2017Jason Roy played a shot during England’s recent ODI series in the Caribbean which exemplified just what a special talent he is, easing into a fullish delivery from Jason Holder and lofting the West Indies captain straight back over his head and into the stands at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.The power generated from little more than a punch was remarkable in itself, and the held pose had echoes of Kevin Pietersen’s showmanship, but it was the effortlessness of the stroke that really marked it out. Nothing could have looked simpler, or more natural. To Jason Roy, these things come easy.”I could see he was a highly skilled player, who enjoyed pace on the ball, with really quick hands, and he hit the ball hard,” says Michael Di Venuto, the former Australia batting coach who’s now in charge at Surrey, on his first impressions of Roy. “Since coming here I’ve seen that Jason is an exceptionally skilled cricketer. He has very, very high skill level and having worked with Australia’s best I can say that skill is right up there with those guys as well. Some of the stuff I’ve seen him do on a cricket field for Surrey is pretty impressive. He’s just a natural talent, a natural ball-striker with a terrific eye, and he reacts really well out in the middle, especially in the short format of the game.”

“The first time I saw Jason, I think he was 14, and he got selected to play in the first team at Reigate Priory […] Already at that age he hit the ball as hard as any of the men. He had something special about him”Chris Murtagh, former Surrey batsman and club team-mate of Roy’s

The swagger, strokeplay and South African twang – Roy moved from Durban to England at the age of ten – inevitably lead to comparisons with Pietersen but while his sometime Surrey teammate was several years into his professional career before his batting blossomed, Roy’s boundless potential has long been evident.

‘He’s frightening’

“There is a little bit of genius in Jason Roy when you see him play certain shots. He’s just got that magical gift” – Michael Vaughan
“He has got more ability than I have and a much greater repertoire of shots” – Kumar Sangakkara
“It’s ridiculous, it’s frightening. I was just having a little play-fight with Jason Roy the other day, and I thought he was going to kill me. The brute strength of the guy” – Paul Collingwood
“There is nothing to stop him transferring his skills across to Test cricket. It is well within his reach” – Paul Farbrace

“The first time I saw Jason, I think he was 14, and he got selected to play in the first team at Reigate Priory,” says Chris Murtagh, the former Surrey batsman and club team-mate of Roy’s. “I just remember seeing a young lad with a bold, bright haircut and thinking straight away that this guy had something about him. Then he went out to bat, I think he only made 18 or 20, but you could tell there was something different about this kid who wasn’t afraid to take on the bowlers. Already at that age he hit the ball as hard as any of the men. He had something special about him.”Early on you knew he was in the frame to play for Surrey. In terms of England, I think we appreciated that when Jason contributed in a match it was so defining that teams would want someone like that in their side. Once he started being consistent and got to know his game I think England were always going to come calling.”That’s not to say it was plain sailing all the way because he had some ups and downs in the early part of his career. I think even he would admit that going from playing age-group to senior cricket was a bit of an eye-opener for him. A few of the teams we played against got stuck into him a little bit and I think that was a bit of a different experience for him. In the long run that proved to be a good experience.”Murtagh recalls a National T20 quarter-final in 2009 in which Reigate were set near-enough 200 against a Henley side featuring several Berkshire minor counties players. Roy, 18 at the time, hit 138 not out, seeing his team home with four overs to spare. “He smashed it everywhere,” says Murtagh. “It was clear that club cricket was way below his standard.”Can Roy be a shining light in England’s big summer ahead?•Getty ImagesRoy had made his T20 debut for Surrey the previous summer but it was in 2010 that he first made a real impression, hitting an unbeaten 101 from 63 deliveries against Kent in just his third match for the county and then 74 versus Somerset a week later.The next few seasons were marked with flashes of brilliance but little more than that, until a stellar 2014 T20 Blast campaign, in which he scored nine fifties in 16 innings to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, led to an international debut against India. After an iffy start he has established himself as an automatic pick in England’s limited-overs sides, a player perfectly in step with the team’s daring, free-spirited approach.Given his aggressive mindset, Roy’s consistency in ODI cricket over the last 12 months has been hugely impressive. Only once in his last 17 innings has he been out in single figures, and he has eight scores of 50 or more in that period, at an average of 57. All from a player whose strike rate is only bettered by Pakistan’s Sharjeel Khan among opening batsmen since the start of 2016. It all adds up to a brutally destructive cricketer who knows how to play the percentages.

There is an increasingly strong argument to say that Roy should be unleashed on Test attacks too. His first-class returns for the first few years of his career were modest but he averages 46 over the past three seasons, with seven centuries.”Obviously his white-ball form for England last year was outstanding and then at the end of the summer I saw a Test match player,” says Di Venuto. “He played beautifully up at Durham on a wicket that was offering plenty against a high-quality attack of Wood, Onions and Rushworth. Watching him play during that game I certainly saw someone that could play Test cricket. If he continues to play like that then there’s certainly a future in Test cricket for him.All Out Cricket”You love players like that coming in to bat in your middle order, number five or number six, that can just turn a game on its head. He’s an aggressive player who plays spin and fast bowling really well. There are a few batters that are performing well in the England line-up but if Jason’s consistently scoring runs in county cricket when he gets a chance, and obviously he’s shown what he can do in international one-day cricket, then there’s no reason why he can’t get a go in the Test matches and play well.”More immediately though, Roy’s focus is on the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa – a side against which he struggled in early 2016 – and helping England live up to their billing as favourites for the Champions Trophy. With the exception of Joe Root and Jos Buttler, and perhaps the captain Eoin Morgan, there is no player more pivotal to England’s hopes this summer.*Stats correct as of May 4 magazine

The league is also planning to expand from the current six teams to 10 in the coming seasons

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2024Major League Cricket (MLC), the season-old T20 tournament in the USA, has become the second Associate-run franchise competition to acquire List A status from the ICC, following on from the UAE’s ILT20 earlier this year.The status means that MLC will now be recognised as an official T20 league, with tournament playing records now counted as official format statistics. “We are really excited for the news as it’s a recognition of the standard and high quality of players taking part in the tournament,” tournament director Justin Geale told ESPNcricinfo. “By awarding MLC List A status for the upcoming season, it assists to acknowledge the strength and growing stature of the tournament and ultimately will help to enhance the credibility of the sport in the USA on a global scale.”The most important part for me though is it ensures the performances of some of the world’s best players alongside their peers are adequately reflected in their career statistics.”Really thankful to the ICC for taking the time to look at it as cricket in the USA doesn’t always fit into a template. We are an Associate nation and proud of that, one with a unique opportunity in front of us. It’s our hope that on the back of the upcoming World Cup and a successful season we can continue to build a platform for the sport to grow and ultimately succeed in the USA.”The 2024 edition of MLC will start on July 5, a week after the T20 World Cup ends on June 29 in Bridgetown. The T20 World Cup begins, however, in Dallas, USA on June 1, in what is an important season in the game’s continuing efforts to crack the US market.The , which reported on the awarding of List A status on Monday, also revealed MLC’s plans to expand from the current six teams to 10 over the next few years, jumping from 19 games in 2023 to 34 by 2025. Twenty-five games have already been scheduled for this season.”It was always intended to be a 10-team league,” MLC’s chief executive, Vijay Srinivasan, told the . “Studies show that we are a big enough country, with a big enough demographic to support 10 teams, so that’s our plan. We had 19 games in our first season, will have 25 in our second. I think we want to get to 34 next year, and just gradually keep expanding.”Srinivasan said they wanted the league, which clashes with the Hundred in 2024, to start in early June in 2025.”Ultimately for us, our ideal calendar is to start much earlier, in the late spring or early summer,” Srinivasan said. “With the Indian Premier League ending in late May, I think our sweet spot would be to start in early June, which is when we have the school holidays in the US, and go into July. That’s how we would like to establish our window.”An early June start avoids a clash with the Hundred’s July-August window, but it could mean an overlap with the T20 Blast. This scheduling clash became a major talking point in the last English summer when Jason Roy opted out of his ECB contract to play in the MLC and went on to represent LA Knight Riders, who have the same owners as that of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who won their third IPL title on Sunday.Last year, MLC ended two days before the start of the Hundred, though this time there will be an overlap of six days between the two leagues, with the MLC ending on July 28 and the Hundred starting on July 23. As a result, as many as half of the overseas players in the Hundred could arrive in the UK late after the MLC ends. Twelve out of the 24 overseas players under contract in the men’s Hundred have already been announced as signings or retentions in MLC and more could follow before the tournament starts.Four of the six teams in the MLC are owned by IPL team owners – Mumbai Indians, KKR, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.The first season ran from July 13 to 31 with 15 group-stage games followed by four playoff matches, and ended with MI New York lifting the trophy under the captaincy of Nicholas Pooran. The second season will be played across the same two grounds which hosted the first season – the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas and the Church Street Park Stadium in Morrisville.

Brisbane Heat produced a dominant performance to storm into the WBBL final, after Jemimah Rodrigues made Sydney Thunder pay for clumsy fielding at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.But there will be concern over Rodrigues’ availability for Sunday’s final at the MCG between Heat and Melbourne Renegades. She had to retire hurt after the tenth over of the chase, having aggravated a left wrist injury sustained earlier in the game while attempting to save a boundary during Thunder’s innings. While batting, Rodrigues grew in discomfort at the crease, especially after slamming down on a yorker from seamer Taneale Peschel.After being dropped three times, Rodrigues left the field having made 43 from 30 balls, before Georgia Redmayne took over with an unbeaten half-century as Heat mowed down the 134-run target with 28 balls to spare.After electing to bowl, Heat dominated most of the Challenger final, and were right on top to leave Thunder reeling at 69 for 7 after opting to bowl. Peschel and Hannah Darlington produced a WBBL record eighth-wicket partnership of 64 runs from 36 balls in the lone bright spot for Thunder.

Redmayne, Rodrigues bury Thunder

Having let slip their stranglehold late in Thunder’s innings, Heat were dealt an early blow after opener Grace Harris was stumped in the second over after having charged at left-arm spinner Samantha Bates.Rodrigues made the most of a charmed life after being dropped on 0, 25 and 30. Her inventiveness came to the fore, and she combined well in a 75-run second-wicket partnership with Redmayne, who was imperious on the back foot.But Rodrigues was increasingly in discomfort, before pulling the pin on her innings. Her fitness will be a major talking point ahead of the WBBL final, and also for India’s upcoming ODI series against Australia.Grace Parsons bagged 3 for 10•Getty Images

Thunder rue missed chances

Having finished their innings with the momentum, Thunder’s hopes nosedived with dropped catches. Rodrigues was first dropped on 0 by Anilka Learoyd at backward point off Shabnim Ismail, who, later on, herself spilt a chance at mid-off.Rodrigues’ luck continued when wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson’s outstretched glove couldn’t stick a tough chance. With that, Thunder’s hopes sank as their season came to a bitter end.

Jonassen in the thick of the action

Rain had fallen in the lead up to the match, and Heat captain Jess Jonassen decided to bowl amid overcast skies. It proved to be the right move, with spin on offer for Charli Knott from the get go. Extra bounce troubled the Thunder batters too.Knott tied down opener Chamari Athapathth as the pressure intensified on in-form Georgia Voll, who has been called up to the Australia ODI team for the first time. She was out to continue her breakout season, and had extra motivation against Heat, her former team.Voll looked dangerous, and scored 20 of the total 25 runs in the powerplay. But on the first ball of the fifth over, she chopped on to a wide delivery from seamer Nicola Hancock.Jonassen had held herself back from the attack until the eighth over, and she timed her entrance perfectly with a first-ball wicket to knock Athapaththu over. Jonassen remained in the thick of the action as she pulled off a terrific catch with her outstreched arms at mid-off to dismiss opposite number Phoebe Litchfield, who, after the drinks break, tried to put the foot down.Legspinner Grace Parsons dominated mid-innings, and Thunder’s collapse was complete when Jonassen dismissed Sammy-Jo Johnson in the 14th over.Jonassen, however, did struggle at the death amid an onslaught, as her figures took a hit. But she has led from the front during Heat’s purple patch in the backend of the season in a welcome tonic for her after the disappointment of not making Australia’s squad for the recent T20 World Cup.Taneale Peschel and Hannah Darlington added an unbeaten 64 to take Thunder to 133•Getty Images

Darlington, Peschel combine for record stand

Thunder’s batting throughout the season has relied on Voll and Litchfield firing in the top order. But they couldn’t make significant contributions in the Challenger against Heat, and Thunder’s middle order completely fell apart, as a succession of batters failed to execute aggressive strokes.They appeared set to be humiliated for a total under 100, but Thunder took the power surge in the 16th over, and Peschel effectively threw the bat. She was soon overtaken by Darlington, who targeted the region down the ground in devastating fashion, as they combined to lift Thunder to an unlikely total. But it ultimately proved not nearly enough.

New Zealand started the Champions Trophy by beating Pakistan, Bangladesh suffered a loss against India

Mohammad Isam23-Feb-20256:56

Manjrekar: Rachin Ravindra may have to rest a little longer

Big picture: New Zealand primed for semi-finals

New Zealand are in their element. They came into the Champions Trophy after an unbeaten run to the tri-series title against South Africa and Pakistan, whom they beat convincingly once again in the tournament opener.Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to set up a 300-plus score before Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke stifled Pakistan in the powerplay. Their three spinners tightened the grip with impactful spells and the contest fizzled out early in the chase. It was a near-perfect performance from a well-drilled unit.Another win against familiar opponents Bangladesh in Rawalpindi will confirm their place (and India’s as well) in the semi-final, an admirable achievement after losing several frontline bowlers to injuries pre-tournament.Bangladesh’s ODI side has lost its mojo in the last couple of years. Their top order includes Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, both of whom bagged ducks as they slumped to 35 for 5 against India. They may have not got anywhere near 228 had Jaker Ali, who made 68, not been dropped first ball by Rohit Sharma.Related

• Simmons wants top order 'to put things together' in the powerplay

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• Hridoy: 'I had to fight and find a way' after the early wickets

• Latham, Young hit hundreds on Champions Trophy debut

Towhid Hridoy made his maiden ODI century but suffered from cramps at the end of his innings. Fortunately for him, Rawalpindi will be cooler than Dubai. Bangladesh will also be buoyed by the news that their senior batter Mahmudullah is likely to play against New Zealand after missing out against India with a hamstring niggle.Bangladesh’s bowling was steady against India but they need more from the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. They could also do with more firepower in Nahid Rana, their fastest bowler. New Zealand have never faced him before, so the surprise factor could be to Bangladesh’s advantage in a game they must win to keep their Champions Trophy campaign alive.Towhid Hridoy battled cramps during his hundred against India•Associated Press

Form guide

Bangladesh: LLLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
New Zealand: WWWWL

In the spotlight: Towhid Hridoy and Glenn Phillips

A century was a long time coming for the impressive Towhid Hridoy. It has taken him more than two years, and 34 matches, to score one. He was tested by a potent Indian attack but showed off his shots. With a hundred in the bag, he has the platform to push on, but Bangladesh will hope he displays more durability after coming down with cramps and struggling for impact towards the end of his innings in Dubai.Glenn Phillips is an electric cricketer. His catch to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in Karachi, leaping high and to his left at backward point, is one of the moments of the tournament – an effort that would make the best goalkeepers feel envy. His fielding aside, Phillips’ attacking batting down the order gives New Zealand acceleration towards the end of their innings. He is also a capable offspinner and he can keep wickets too. Is there anything Phillips can’t do?

Team news: What if Mahmudullah and Ravindra are fit?

Two changes are expected for Bangladesh as they look to include Mahmudullah and Nahid. Who will they replace though?Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 5 Tohwid Hridoy, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur RahmanNew Zealand rested Rachin Ravindra against Pakistan after he was struck on the forehead while fielding during the tri-series just before the Champions Trophy. Since then, Devon Conway has scored of 97, 48 and 10 as an opener while Young scored a hundred in the previous game. So if New Zealand want to bring Ravindra back, who do they leave out?New Zealand (probable): 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeWill Rachin Ravindra play against Bangladesh?•AFP/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Rawalpindi could be cloudy

This time, there will be no industrial fans and outdoor heaters to dry the pitch, as was the case ahead of the last international match – a Test against England – at this venue. Rawalpindi is generally good for batting, with a bit of help for fast bowlers as long as the ball is new and shiny. The forecast for Monday is cloudy weather with the temperature expected to drop below 20C after sunset.

Stats and trivia: Bangladesh’s most frequent ODI opponents

• Bangladesh beat New Zealand in their previous Champions Trophy meeting, in Cardiff in 2017. The head-to-head record in the competition thus stands at 1-1.
• New Zealand have been Bangladesh’s most frequent opponents in ODIs since 2015. New Zealand have dominated the head-to-head with 17 wins and three defeats in 21 matches.
• Against Pakistan, Young and Latham became the second New Zealand pair to score centuries in the same match in an ICC ODI tournament. The first pair was Ravindra and Conway, who hit hundreds against England in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
• Jaker and Hridoy’s 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket against India was a record stand for Bangladesh. The previous highest partnership for that wicket also involved Jaker, who had added 150 with Mahmudullah in Bangladesh’s previous ODI, against West Indies in December 2024.

Quotes

“Yeah, we’ve got a few plans for Bangladesh, but I think we obviously – we have to wait and see what the wicket does. If it is pretty flat I think it is probably similar stuff to what we’ve been operating in in Karachi. It’s hitting that hard length for a long period of time and then we know they have some destructive players in their line-up as well.”
“(Preparation time) has to be enough. That’s what the tournament gives us. That’s what we are using. Yesterday was a good practice. The Islamabad Club ground has really good facilities. We had a good session. We will have a sharp session today, and we will be ready for tomorrow.”

India need 135 runs, England need six wickets on the final day

Valkerie Baynes13-Jul-20251:41

Manjrekar: Dream spell from Washington Sundar

Stumps Washington Sundar’s prize wicket-taking set India up for a 135-run pursuit on the final day of the third Test at Lord’s, but in a twist to an enthralling fourth day in which 14 wickets fell, they only have six wickets in hand.Brydon Carse removed Karun Nair and Shubman Gill cheaply for impressive figures of 2 for 11 from four overs and Ben Stokes bowled nightwatcher Akash Deep with the last ball of the day as three wickets fell in the last half-hour of play.Related

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Washington’s 4 for 22 included the key names of Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Stokes before he claimed the last England wicket to fall, Shoaib Bashir, as the hosts took a lead of 192. After scores were level on first innings, that meant India needed to chase down 193 for a 2-1 lead in the series.Jofra Archer broke through in the second over of India’s pursuit when Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted to pull a shorter, wider ball and sent a top edge into the air above wicketkeeper Smith.But it wasn’t until 30 minutes before stumps that England were able to make inroads again, Nair flummoxed by Carse’s nip-backer and offering no shot as the ball struck the inside of his back knee. Gill, on 6, failed to overturn his lbw dismissal after he was hit on the knee roll by one in line with middle stump.When Akash Deep entered still needing to don his arm guard and gloves, Root revved up the crowd to protest at any time wasting, which had been Gill’s bugbear in a heated exchange with Zak Crawley at the end of day three.1:20

Manjrekar: Lord’s Test 70-30 in England’s favour

The issue went from prickly to farcical to downright funny when Carse rapped Akash Deep’s pads. He survived England’s review on umpire’s call with impact on the top of leg stump and India sent the physio out to apply some strapping to the batter’s leg, chewing up more time.England managed to squeeze in another over, though, and Stokes struck with the fourth ball, flattening Akash Deep’s off stump.India’s bowlers started the day with great intent. Jasprit Bumrah caused Crawley all sorts of discomfort without being rewarded and Mohammed Siraj produced a miserly seven-over opening spell yielding two wickets.1:28

Washington: One of my best days with the ball

Ben Duckett was the first to go pulling to Bumrah at mid-on amid an impassioned send-off from Siraj that ensured the tensions of the previous evening remained high.Siraj then pinned Ollie Pope lbw, although it took an India review to confirm his dismissal for just 4 off 17 balls. Pope’s average in the second innings languishes at a mere 19.64 now.Nitish Kumar Reddy relieved Bumrah midway through the morning session and removed Crawley for the second time in the match, this time a loose drive outside off stump gathered by Jaiswal at gully.1:48

Manjrekar: Gill looked tentative

Harry Brook mounted a counterattack, ramping Akash Deep for back-to-back fours before launching him down the ground for six but it was short-lived. He fell for a 19-ball 23 when, attempting to sweep a full, straight one, Akash Deep flattened his middle stump in the perfect riposte.Enter Washington as India turned to spin after lunch and he rattled Root’s middle stump with one that slid under the attempted sweep and ended his fifth-wicket stand with Stokes at 67. Root’s 40 became England’s highest of the innings and his dismissal ended a run of four scores of fifty or above at Lord’s (including three centuries on the trot).Four overs later, Washington bowled Smith for just 8 with an excellent quicker ball that didn’t turn in the slightest but skidded past the outside edge and onto off stump.2:16

Trescothick: It’s going to be an amazing final day

At that point, England were 164 for 6 and they were subsequently becalmed as Stokes and Chris Woakes looked to avoid further damage.But Stokes added just six more runs after tea before Washington struck again, beating the slog sweep and clattering middle stump to send him on his way for 33.Bumrah was finally rewarded with the wickets of Carse and Woakes, the former to a stunning, pinpoint-accurate yorker on leg stump and the latter to one that expertly clipped the leg-side bail.Bashir’s was the 12th bowled dismissal by India for the match when Washington beat his defences to close out the innings, completing an England collapse in which they lost their last four wickets for 11 runs, and their last six for 38. Washington’s 4 for 22 is the best by an India spinner at Lord’s since 1974.

The incident occurred in the 19th over of the tri-series final, when a catch which Fakhar took wasn’t deemed legal, leaving him unhappy

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2025

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman has been fined 10% of his match fee and docked one demerit point after he was found guilty of breaching level 1 of the ICC code of conduct during the tri-series final against Sri Lanka on November 29.Fakhar was found to have breached article 2.8 of the code of conduct, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.” He admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee, so there was no need for a formal hearing, said an ICC release.The incident occurred in the 19th over of the final when Fakhar back-peddled from short-third, dived and seemed to have taken a stunning catch off Dasun Shanaka’s leading edge. The third umpire was called to check for the catch, and he deemed that the ball brushed the ground when Fakhar dived, and ruled it not out. Both Fakhar and the bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi weren’t happy with the decision and made it known to the on-field umpires.The very next ball, Shanaka swiped across the line and was clean bowled. Fakhar looked at the umpire and sarcastically appealed for the decision. Pakistan eventually won the final by six wickets as batting first, Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap, losing 9 for 30 to be bowled out for 114. Babar Azam shepherded the chase with an unbeaten 37, taking Pakistan over the line in 18.4 overs.This was Fakhar’s first offence in a 24-month period. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

تقدم فريق المصري بالهدف الثاني أمام منافسه كايزر تشيفز، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويواجه المصري البورسعيدي نظيره كايزر تشيفز، على ملعب هيئة قناة السويس في الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة الكونفدرالية. 

ويقع فريق المصري ضمن المجموعة الرابعة، التي تضم معه: “الزمالك – كايزر تشيفز – زيسكو يونايتد”.

وتمكن المصري من إحراز هدف التقدم في مرمى كايزر تشيفز في الدقيقة 58 من عمر الشوط الأول، عن طريق اللاعب بونور مجيشا، بعد تسديدة قوية من داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وفي الدقيقة 66 من عمر الشوط الثاني، تمكن كايزر تشيفز من إدراك هدف التعادل في مرمى المصري، عن طريق اللاعب ديلان سولومونز.

طالع.. فيديو | المصري يتقدم وكايزر تشيفز يتعادل في الكونفدرالية

وسجل محمد هاشم الهدف الثاني للمصري، في الدقيقة 88، بعد تلقيه عرضية داخل منطقة الجزاء، حاول مدافع كايزر تشيفز تشتيت الكرة ولكنها مرت من أمامه قبل أن يسددها هاشم داخل المرمى. هدف المصري الثاني أمام كايزر تشيفز

Juventus have been warned by club legend Alessandro Del Piero that Igor Tudor's sacking will not solve the problems at the club. The former Italy international has explained that the issues inside the club are more complex than what the decision-makers believe and that it is not a coaching problem which has led to their dismal start to the campaign.

What led to Tudor's sacking?

A 1-0 loss to Lazio in Serie A on Sunday saw the Juventus board fire head coach Tudor. The Bianconeri have rarely produced magical moments and seldom showcased dominance in the league. The Serie A campaign kick-started on a bright note, as they defeated Parma, Genoa and heavyweights Inter. However, the game against Cristian Chivu's side was in fact the last fixture that saw them emerge triumphant. Since then, they have been held to five successive draws and three consecutive losses. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportClub legend Del Piero addresses Juventus' issue

After Tudor was relieved of his duties, former player and club legend Del Piero sneaked into the fray. He defended the Croatian and highlighted that coaching was not the root problem. Rather, the club has certain complex issues to address. He said: "I don't think the word confusion is the most appropriate for Igor. I know him well as a player and a boy, I even spoke to him in Madrid: it's not a question of confusion. Juve doesn't have a coaching problem but a more complex one, regarding how the team has come together in this start to the season and the results. The team has shown it is alive, it hasn't played poorly and perhaps the draw was fairer . They also did well in Madrid, the problem was in Como. I don't think this team could win the championship with another coach. It's a broader issue. They still don't have a starting eleven: not because Tudor doesn't want to have them or because he wants to make everyone lively, but because beyond 2-3 players like Yildiz and Thuram, the others have struggled to perform consistently. You can't always blame the coach alone. Looking at the strongest teams in Italy and Europe, more or less all of them have a starting eleven chosen."

Tudor was not concerned about getting sacked

The seven-game winless run ahead of the Lazio game might have created buzz in Italy about Tudor's position under scrutiny. However, the Croatian was never interested in such rumours and pressure. In fact, before the Lazio game, he made some bold comments when questioned about his future. He said: "Honestly, I don’t have this fear, not at all. I enjoy it, even in difficulties. I’m aware of what’s around me. It’s all clear to me. When you see things clearly, you have a strength that you wouldn’t have had in other moments. I think about how to motivate players, make them rest, and find solutions." 

The issue raised by Del Piero was touched upon by Tudor after the Lazio game. He said to the reporters: "I think we prepared for the match in the right way, but we’re still missing something. There’s no need to dramatise the situation, we’re all responsible for this difficult period."

AFPWho are Juventus considering as Tudor's replacement?

This is the second time that Juventus have changed their head coach before November in a season. The last time it happened was way back in 1969, when the Bianconeri replaced Luis Carniglia with Ercole Rabitti. The Old Lady have fixtures in quick succession. On Wednesday, they will be up against Udinese at home, before taking on Cremonese in an away match on Saturday. However, they would need to finalise a new head coach soon. As per a report in Juventus are aiming to get former Italy national team manager Luciano Spalletti on board. Initial contact has been established between the parties, with the project and financial conditions being discussed. In case the deal doesn't see daylight, Juventus will be expected to turn to Roberto Mancini, who was once looked upon as a favourite to replace Thiago Motta last year. 

It has become a frustratingly familiar sight at Liverpool, with Alexander Isak trudging off in the second half against Inter Milan having had little impact up against last season’s beaten Champions League finalists.

The man whom Virgil van Dijk lauded as “the most in-form striker” in the world ahead of March’s Carabao Cup final, the 26-year-old looks like a shadow of his former self right now.

With just two goals to his name in all competitions thus far, only one of which has come in the Premier League, the Reds are in need of far better, with Isak running out of rope despite the potential impact of a lack of pre-season.

Of course, a delayed start to life at Anfield, following that need to get up to speed fitness-wise, has played its part in the Swede making just 14 appearances to date, while the chaos around him has likely not helped matters either.

Indeed, as the explosive Mohamed Salah debacle has epitomised, Arne Slot has yet to settle on a consistent forward line in 2025/26 – might that all change in January, however?

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For all the talk of a £450m spend over the summer, there is evidently a need for further reinforcements at Anfield heading into the New Year, with centre-back still an area of concern amid the lack of depth beyond Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

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Having come agonisingly close to moving to Merseyside on deadline day, Marc Guehi seemingly remains a leading target ahead of the winter window, with the Englishman now left with just six months on his existing deal at Selhurst Park.

Of course, the exclusion, and potential exit, of Salah has also highlighted the need to bolster the ranks at the top end of the pitch too, with Slot particularly short on depth on either flank.

Well, with that search underway, the Reds might have received some welcome news, with TEAMtalk reporting that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has made Anfield his ‘preferred destination’, if and when he does decide to leave the south coast side.

As per the report, despite rival interest from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, it is Liverpool who are believed to be the Ghanaian’s ‘first choice’, with there a ‘real chance’ that he could move on next month.

Available for £65m, due to his much-publicised release clause, the 25-year-old wouldn’t exactly break the bank, but he could be the missing piece for Slot’s attacking jigsaw.

How Liverpool could finally get Isak firing

There’s no denying it, Liverpool look like they’ve been burned by their £125m investment in Isak, with the 6 foot 4 marksman almost unrecognisable from the player who terrorised Premier League defences for the Magpies.

It may matter little considering his current form, although it’s worth remembering just how highly-rated he was just a matter of months ago, having ended 2024/25 with 23 league goals to his name, after netting 21 times in the top-flight the year prior.

The difference? Well, in the view of Slot, it could be the lack of a suitable supplier from the flanks, with the Dutch coach pointing to the fruitful partnership that Isak enjoyed with Jacob Murphy at St James’ Park.

As per Transfermarkt, Murphy assisted his free-scoring colleague 11 times in all competitions for the Tynesiders, with the unsung hero offering a reliable source of creativity from his right-wing berth.

While no doubt a step above the Englishman, having been hailed as the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle, Semenyo could be the Murphy-esque figure that Isak is in need of, having wreaked havoc down the flanks in recent seasons.

Currently looking “unstoppable” under Andoni Iraola, in the view of pundit Darren Bent, the ex-Bristol City man has six goals and three assists to his name this season.

With blistering pace and lethal on either foot, Semenyo is in the form of his life right now, having also ended 2024/25 with 16 goals and assists in the Premier League.

The key benefit for Isak would be the 11 ‘big chances’ that the £65m man created last term, as per Sofascore, highlighting how he could emerge as Isak’s chief supplier under Slot’s watch.

As was evident with his stunning, solo goal on the opening day at Anfield, the Bournemouth talisman can also turn defence into attack in an instant, while occupying defenders to free up space for those around him.

That sense of chaos and unpredictability could help to breathe new life into Slot’s forward line, with Isak likely to be the big beneficiary if he can convert the ample opportunities that should fall his way.

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