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For the second straight night, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance Wednesday to close out the 2024 World Series. But, also for the second straight night, the New York Yankees' offense have an answer.

Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty didn't last long on the bump in Game 5, as he allowed four earned runs on four hits and one walk over 1 1/3 innings. He was relieved of his duties in the second inning, walking off the mound with Los Angeles facing a 4–0 deficit.

Most of the damage arrived in the first inning, as Flaherty served up back-to-back homers to Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. According to Opta STATS, Flaherty is the first starting pitcher in World Series history to allow at least four runs and two homers while lasting less than two innings.

Not ideal.

If Los Angeles can't complete a comeback Wednesday night, they'll turn their attention to Game 6 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers haven't officially announced a probable pitcher for the rest of the series, although it's expected that Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 6 and Walker Buehler will toe the rubber in Game 7 if neccessary.

Northamptonshire take slender first-innings lead thanks to Justin Broad efforts

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 24-Jun-2025

Josh de Caires struck his highest first-class score, to put Middlesex in a strong position at the end of day three of this Rothesay County Championship match at Wantage Road. Playing his first game of the season, de Caires, who has batted at No. 7 for the last couple of years as a spinning allrounder, shared an opening stand of 89 with Sam Robson, the Seaxes finishing the day on 215 for 3, a lead of 193.De Caires’ 87, from 144 balls with 12 fours, helped wrestle back the initiative for Middlesex after allrounder Justin Broad hit 70 (81 balls, 10 fours) and combined with Lloyd Pope in a record 10th wicket partnership for Northamptonshire against Middlesex to earn a slender first-innings lead.Broad and Pope’s heroics came after Ryan Higgins’ hat-trick spearheaded a Northamptonshire batting collapse in the morning session. From a dominant 342 for 5, the hosts lost four wickets for eight runs in just 4.2 overs after Saif Zaib posted an excellent 102, his fourth century of the summer (170 balls, 13 fours), the first Northamptonshire batter since Ben Duckett in 2016 to reach that milestone.Higgins finished with figures of 3 for 48 while spinner Zafar Gohar took a further wicket to complete a five-for.Resuming on 308 for 5, Zaib and Lewis McManus looked to extend their defiant partnership which already extended into three figures.Zaib’s progress through the 90s was eased when sub-fielder Stevie Eskinazi’s misfield gifted him a boundary. He reached three figures by bottom-edging an attempted reverse sweep past the keeper for four, but the shot proved his undoing later in the over when he picked out de Caires who took a stunning flying catch at backward point off Gohar.That set in motion Northamptonshire’s collapse, as Higgins, employing a short-pitched tactic, had McManus fending a leg-side bouncer to the keeper with the final ball of the 103rd over. He struck again with the first two balls of his next over to complete his hattrick. Rob Keogh moved across his stumps and was bowled around his legs while Liam Guthrie upper cut a short ball straight to point.Broad was proactive from the outset, employing the sweep and reverse sweep against the spinners and muscling Gohar through midwicket.With Pope providing solid support, Broad cut Gohar for four to bring up the 50 partnership and take Northamptonshire to 400. He pulled Toby Roland-Jones to the ropes, but the Middlesex captain couldn’t hold onto a difficult diving chance at midwicket, the ball going for four to bring up Broad’s half-century.Middlesex targeted Pope with the short ball, but he was content to duck under the bouncers and take runs off the spinners and give Broad the bulk of the strike.Broad duly wiped out the deficit and took Northamptonshire into the lead just before the delayed lunch interval before falling shortly after the resumption when he stepped away to a Robson delivery which turned and hit leg-stump.With the bat, Robson took three boundaries off Northamptonshire’s seamers but the hosts soon turned to the spinners.While he bowled the occasional half-tracker which Middlesex punished, Pope obtained some sharp turn and bounce out of the foot holes, flighting the ball and finding some drift.Calvin Harrison bowled tidily, conceding just one boundary in his first five overs. He posed some tough questions for both batters, beating Robson’s outside edge before de Caires failed to pick the wrong’un as Harrison found some sharp bounce off a good length ball. He struck with another wrong’un soon afterwards, trapping Robson lbw as he moved across his stumps.De Caires drove Keogh both sides of the wicket off consecutive balls and slog swept Keogh before taking a single off Harrison on the cusp of tea to bring up his half-century off 84 balls.After the break, de Caires was harsh on anything loose from the spinners, pulling anything short to the boundary as well as sweeping sweetly.With de Caires and Max Holden extending their partnership to 65, Northamptonshire turned to Guthrie who made the breakthrough almost instantly, bowling a bouncer which lifted sharply to de Caires who could only fend to second slip.Max Holden (and Leus du Plooy then added a brisk 48 together. Du Plooy punched Guthrie off the back foot to get off the mark and whipped Harrison through midwicket, while Holden dispatched Keogh back over his head.Holden continued to accelerate, sweeping Harrison over midwicket and coming down the wicket next ball to power him over long-on.du Plooy’s departure came via a bizarre dismissal in the closing overs. Caught in two minds, he seemed to be considering whether to reverse sweep or the run the ball down to third man but instead guided the ball straight to the keeper.The day ended tantalisingly poised with Middlesex considering when best to time their day four declaration.

Ex-Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez remains in no hurry to return to the dugout. Since his Barcelona exit in 2024, the Spanish legend has turned down multiple approaches, including a latest managerial offer from Spartak Moscow in Russia, as he waits for a project that truly matches his footballing philosophy. While clubs circle, Xavi’s intent is to wait for the next step must as he prioritises vision over convenience.

Xavi stays on the sidelines despite growing interest

Since parting ways with Blaugrana in the summer of 2024, Xavi has yet to take up another managerial role. His departure from Camp Nou, though respectful, left a trace of tension as it portrayed him as a club legend stepping away from a project that had lost alignment with his ideals.

Over the past few months, the 45-year-old has been linked to several clubs including Manchester United, Ajax and, most recently, Al Ittihad, yet none of these proposals have convinced him. The latest offer came from Russian Premier League team, Spartak Moscow, who reportedly wanted to build a new project under sporting director Francis Cagigao and viewed Xavi as the perfect figurehead to lead it. But the former Barcelona coach declined the approach, unimpressed by the direction of the project and unwilling to rush into another high-pressure environment, according to .

Spartak are currently going through a challenging phase in the 2025-26 season, with mixed results and pressure on coaching decisions. Their current head coach is Dejan Stankovic but the club are reportedly considering a change due to their underwhelming performances which have seen them collect just four points in the first four rounds of the Russian Premier League this season. Reports suggest Stankovic is on the verge of being sacked, with Spanish coach Luis Garcia emerging as the leading candidate to replace him after Xavi's rejection.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAl-Ittihad's offer and Xavi's philosophy

Unlike many out-of-work managers eager for a quick return, Xavi’s approach has been measured and deliberate. Those close to him insist there’s no panic but just patience. Since May 2024, he has stayed active by holding regular meetings with his technical staff, analysing game models, and studying potential teams that align with his ideals.

Financially secure and guided by principle rather than urgency, Xavi has resisted the lure of lucrative offers. According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad made an approach after parting ways with Laurent Blanc this September, but Xavi quickly ruled it out. “The priority is the right footballing project, not money,” a source close to the Spaniard told media. For Xavi, the challenge must allow him to implement a long-term philosophy built on control, positional play, and development.

Xavi unemployed after bizarre India national team incident

As offers come and go, Xavi’s stance has become increasingly clear as he seeks a project that offers autonomy, structure, and long-term growth and not just short-lived fix. His rejections, from United to Spartak, reflect both self-awareness and ambition. “He doesn’t want to walk into chaos,” one of his former Barcelona colleagues remarked.

In recent months, reports even linked him briefly to the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) search for a new national team coach, an unexpected twist that highlighted how globally sought-after his name remains. While the AIFF ultimately passed on the opportunity reportedly due to financial considerations, the episode underlined Xavi’s openness to challenges beyond Europe, provided the vision is strong. For now, however, no project has ticked all the boxes. The Barcelona legend wants a club that mirrors his footballing DNA.

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Getty Images SportEx-Barca coach still in demand worldwide

Xavi remains as ambitious as ever. His brief yet decorated managerial career, from transforming Al Sadd in Qatar to guiding Barcelona to the 2022–23 La Liga title, proved his potential to lead elite sides with both intelligence and conviction. But his next step, he insists, must be about building, not repairing. With several European benches still unstable and the managerial market likely to shift again by winter, Xavi’s name is expected to resurface in multiple shortlists. Until then, he remains with his family, recharging and refining his methods.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac are being tipped to spend again at Wrexham, with Tony Pulis making a January transfer prediction. He expects further reinforcements to be sought in the next window, but has warned the Red Dragons – who are taking aim at a place in the Premier League – not to “anticipate a top-six finish or immediate promotion” out of the Championship.

Meteoric rise: Wrexham have rewritten the EFL history books

The Welsh outfit have, under the guidance of their Hollywood co-owners, enjoyed a meteoric rise. The history books have been rewritten after becoming the first EFL club to secure three successive promotions. Having clambered out of the National League in record-breaking style, Wrexham now find themselves in the Championship.

Such rapid progress was always going to be difficult to maintain, with many of the opinion that a few seasons of consolidation for the Red Dragons would be no bad thing. They may have to accept that fate in 2025-26 after enduring a few stumbles out of the starting gate.

Reynolds and Mac have, however, made no secret of the fact that they want to bring top-flight football to North Wales. They helped to fund an elaborate £30 million-plus ($40m) spending spree over the summer, with Premier League pedigree being sought.

Not all of those deals, which saw more records being set at the Racecourse Ground, have provided value for money just yet. With that in mind, it is being suggested that Wrexham may be tempted to dip into the January market for even greater squad depth.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWill Reynolds & Mac spend in January? Transfer claim

That is the opinion of former Premier League boss Pulis, with the experienced Welsh tactician telling : “I think if Phil Parkinson was given the opportunity and the chance to bring two or three better players in, or players with more experience and that little bit of quality that you need, he will.

“Wrexham are a very organised, hardworking team. But the further you go up the levels, you need that little bit of quality. You need that little bit of difference in both boxes as much as anything else. You need someone who's going to score you a goal when it's a tight game for you to win the game, or you've got a goalkeeper who makes a fabulous save that saves you the points that you had in the bag anyway.”

Former Wrexham striker Matt Jansen told GOAL recently when asked if he can see Reynolds and Mac whipping the chequebook out again early in 2026: “If they spend again, it will depend on where they are in the league. If they are in and around the play-offs… If they are mid-table or anywhere where they can’t get to the play-offs, I think they will bide their time before they go again in the summer. It will all depend on where they are in the league.”

Fourth successive promotion: Doubts cast over chances

Pulis is not convinced that Wrexham will be in the promotion picture this time around, with Parkinson being urged to help rein in expectations after facing some uncomfortable questions of his position in the dugout.

Pulis added: “The Championship has seen many clubs from the Premier League drop down and stay there. This is a league brimming with quality. Every team in the Championship possesses the ability to challenge any opposition.

“Phil Parkinson knows and understands this league, having played in it himself. I don't believe he would have approached it with the expectation of a top-six finish in the first season. The important thing for Wrexham is to settle in, aiming for a mid-table position, perhaps just below the playoffs. If they achieve that, I consider it a success for both Wrexham and for Phil.

“I don't think supporters should anticipate a top-six finish or immediate promotion. Promotion would be absolutely fantastic for a Welsh team but it's crucial to manage supporter expectations. No matter how much you give them, they will always want a little bit more. So, managing this aspect of the football club is essential today.”

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Getty Images SportWrexham fixtures: Next up for the Red Dragons

Wrexham suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stoke when returning to action after the October international break. That was their first loss in six across all competitions, but they are also without a win in four heading into a home date with Oxford United on Wednesday.

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Em situações similares na tabela, Bahia e Corinthians se enfrentam neste sábado (22), às 18h30, pela 16ª rodada do Brasileirão. A partida será disputada na Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador.

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+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Uma posição acima da zona do rebaixamento, o Bahia busca encerrar a sequência negativa na temporada para se afastar do Z4. São seis jogos seguidos sem vencer, com quatro derrotas e dois empates.

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Já o Corinthians possui dois pontos de vantagem sobre o Bahia e vem de sua melhor sequência no ano, embalado por quatro vitórias consecutivas. Contudo, o técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo não poderá contar com Gabriel Moscardo e Róger Guedes. Com o objetivo de se distanciar da zona do rebaixamento, o técnico corintiano deverá escalar força máxima, mesmo com pouco tempo de descanso antes do confronto contra o São Paulo, pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil.

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BAHIA X CORINTHIANS – BRASILEIRÃO – 16ª RODADA

Local:Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA)
Data e hora:22/7/2023, às 18h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Andre Luiz Skettino Policarpo Bento (MG)
Assistentes:Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correa (FIFA-RJ) e Felipe Alan Costa de Oliveira (MG)
VAR:Pablo Ramon Goncalves Pinheiro (FIFA-RN)
Onde assistir:Premiere e no tempo real noLANCE!

BAHIA:Marcos Felipe; Cicinho (Gilberto), Gabriel Xavier, Kanu e Ryan; Nicolás Acevedo, Yago Felipe (Rezende) e Cauly; Thaciano, Ademir e Everaldo.Técnico:Roberto Paiva

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Desfalques:David Duarte, Biel e Kayky (lesionados)
Pendurados:Kanu e Nicolás Acevedo

CORINTHIANS:Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Murillo e Fábio Santos (Bidu); Maycon (Giuliano), Fausto Vera e Renato Augusto; Rojas, Yuri Alberto e Wesley (Biro/Ruan Oliveira).Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo

Desfalques:Róger Guedes (suspenso); Gabriel Moscardo (apendicite); Rafael Ramos (estiramento no ligamento colateral medial do joelho direito); Gustavo Mosquito (transição) e Paulinho (cirurgia)
Pendurados:Cássio, Murillo e Bidu

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick spoke about the praise Pedri received from former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who revealed that the 22-year-old is his "new favourite footballer". Since Flick took charge of Barca, Pedri has shrugged off his fitness issues and was one of the best midfielders in the world last season, a trend that has carried over into the current season.

• Pedri continues midfield dominance

  Ahead of the 2023-24 season, there were concerns over Pedri's battle with frequent injuries that threatened to hinder his seemingly unlimited potential. However, Flick's arrival in the summer of 2024 revived Pedri. The Spaniard was perhaps the best midfielder in La Liga last season and was often hailed by fans as among the world's best. In fact, Pedri even got Ballon d'Or shouts due to his authoritarian displays and consistency in midfield. He has continued doing what he does best in the current season, earning high praise from former midfielder Scholes. The legendary player took to social media to call Pedri his "new favourite footballer" following his dominant performance in the 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Champions League at St. James' Park last week.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Flick says 'Pedri's at an incredible level'

  Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Flick said: "When you're an attacking player, you're more in the spotlight. What Scholes says means a lot; he was a great midfielder. Pedri is at an incredible level, as is Frenkie [de Jong]. I'm very happy with what I see in training, the quality with which we train… the mood is fantastic. You can see that. This mood helps us keep going."

• Pedri and De Jong untouchable in midfield

  Ever since De Jong returned to full fitness midway in the 2024-25 season, he has been undroppable, forming an incredible midfield partnership with Pedri. The duo maintain possession at will and are immaculate at ball circulation and progression. Such has been their reliability that the likes of Gavi, Marc Casado and Dani Olmo found regular minutes hard to come by.

  "I've never had that feeling that people hate him… I'm not on social media," Flick explained. "All the fans see how important he is. It's fantastic to have him on our team. What I see is that he enjoys it. He enjoys training. He helps us and has great quality. He's very important. I talk to him a lot, I want to know things about him and what he thinks. It's incredible."

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  Rest for Pedri and De Jong in Barca's next game?

  Barcelona will face Real Oviedo in their next game, which will be played on Thursday. Given the fixture congestion, Flick would have loved to rotate his side against a newly-promoted team. But Gavi has been sidelined for the next four to five months, while Marc Bernal will also not be forced into the starting lineup after he spent the entirety of the 2024-25 out injured.

The Bangladesh captain isn’t keen on making personnel changes though. He just wants mindset changes

Mohammad Isam25-Feb-2025Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said that the same group of players should be given more opportunities to be “responsible for the team’s performance” in future ICC tournaments. The comment comes after Bangladesh’s early exit from the Champions Trophy following which their senior players have come under fire.Shanto started the post-match press conference on Monday by saying that they need to make “changes”. “I have said it a lot of times in the past, but we [have] made the same mistakes over and over again,” he said. “We have to focus on how we want to improve our batting. I hope after this tournament, we will make some changes as a batting unit, which will bring improvement in our batting.”That had everyone on alert. Bangladesh have been crying out for a fresh approach in ODIs so there was some hope that the captain himself was about to address the issue. However, Shanto later clarified that he meant the changes should be within the mindset of the existing batting group, and not changes in personnel.”We have to be more responsible for the team when we go out to bat. We cannot keep chopping and changing [personnel]. We have to keep giving our existing resources more opportunities. I think we are taking it lightly. We have to be more responsible.”Related

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Ravindra and Bracewell win the middle overs to knock out Bangladesh

Shanto also threw his weight behind Mushfiqur Rahim, who has been struggling for runs. The former Bangladesh captain has managed just one fifty in ODIs since the end of the 2023 World Cup and averages a tick over 31. He was dismissed for a first-ball duck against India before falling to a rash shot against New Zealand for 2.There were thoughts that Mushfiqur could be replaced by the incoming Mahmudullah, who missed Bangladesh’s first game of the Champions Trophy due to an injury, with Jaker Ali taking the gloves. However, instead of swapping the two veterans, Bangladesh dropped Soumya Sarkar from the top of the order with Shanto going one slot up. “There’s no auto-choice in this team,” Shanto said. “Soumya bats in the top order, Riyad [Mahmudullah] bhai plays in the lower-middle order. Keeping Soumya would have forced us to make a lot of changes in the line-up. We needed Riyad bhai given how he batted in the last four or five innings.”I wasn’t worried about Mushfiq [Mushfiqur] last five innings. His wicketkeeping was very important. We have seen his contribution to the team over the years. He didn’t score runs in the last two or three matches but I am sure he can come back in the next game.”Mushfiqur Rahim has managed just one half-century in his last nine ODIs•ICC via Getty ImagesBangladesh’s biggest issue on Monday was handing four wickets to offspinner Michael Bracewell as they lost their way in the middle overs. Their approach of playing very defensively, coming under pressure and trying to hit their way out looked questionable as they accumulated about 30 overs worth of dot balls. Shanto admitted that Bangladesh, who finished on 236 for 9, were well short of a par score.”It was a good wicket, worth at least 280 to 300 runs. I think (Bracewell) bowled well but we fell to some soft dismissals,” he said. “We made the mistakes with the bat. We could have batted better against him on this wicket. There was some poor shot selection. We could have planned better, which wouldn’t have given him so many wickets. He bowled well but we made some poor executions.”We have room for improvement. We don’t score 300-plus totals regularly. The number of dot balls was mainly because we lost wickets in a cluster in the middle overs. Maybe, if we had two big partnerships, we wouldn’t have suffered so much today. We have to build the habit of scoring 300 runs regularly. For that, we need better practice wickets.”

“We only win at home. We don’t win regularly in overseas conditions. We have to find out how we can do well in ICC tournaments”Najmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh’s sub-par batting in both the group-stage matches against India and New Zealand again brings into question whether they are prepared for ICC tournaments. Shanto said that they have to find a way to show improvement at the highest level, rather than just waiting for a team performance, once in a while.”We only win at home. We don’t win regularly in overseas conditions. We have to find out how we can do well in ICC tournaments,” Shanto said. “We need a collective improvement. There are days when the top order is doing well, another day only the middle order is doing well. There are days when we field well. It is a haphazard situation. I think only a collective performance can help us do well against big teams in these tournaments.Shanto stood by his pre-tournament declaration that Bangladesh were targeting to win the Champions Trophy. He said that the team had the same desire but their collective efforts didn’t match the dream. “I think the whole team dreamt of winning the Champions Trophy. If we don’t dream big, how can we play?” he questioned. “We are here to win, not just to compete. We didn’t get the desired result. We can’t just be dreaming of a big result, we have to play accordingly too. Our focus is on the next match now.”

The India captain emphasised that the team management doesn’t want to tamper with the batters’ mindsets

Alagappan Muthu24-Dec-20244:16

Rohit on Gill and Jaiswal: Such tours can be challenging to score big runs

India’s batting is in transition and two men who are expected to take it forward have had an up-and-down time during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Yashasvi Jaiswal has suffered some soft dismissals since his 161 in Perth and Shubman Gill hasn’t made the most of the starts he’s had.Their captain Rohit Sharma, speaking ahead of the Boxing Day Test, backed both players to succeed using their own methods.”When you have a guy like [Jaiswal] in your squad, in your team, you don’t want to tamper too much with his mindset,” Rohit said. “Let him be as free as possible and not overburdened with too many thoughts regarding his batting. He understands his batting more than any one of us, you know.Related

India, Australia look to iron out flaws to edge ahead in high-octane series

Gill needs to show his substance outside Asia to prove his worth

Konstas' MCG debut confirmed, Head faces a fitness test

Should India opt for bowling depth over batting insurance at the MCG?

MCG pitch to have 'pace, bounce and excitement', but what about runs?

“Every venue here has different challenges. So, it’s just about adapting to those challenges, playing on different pitches. The bowlers are the same.”So, it’s just about understanding what they usually do and what are their plans against certain batters when we come out to bat. And then just going out there and doing their thing.”Talking about Gill, I mean, look, he is quality, we all know that. It’s just about backing that quality and making sure, you know, we give clear messaging to him and not, again, like Jaiswal, we don’t want to complicate too many things with him.”So he knows how to score big runs. So it’s just making sure that when you get those 30s, 40s, you try and get on to a big one. Because getting in here is the toughest part. And when you get in, that is when you cannot leave that opportunity of scoring that big runs.”Rohit batted for over half-an-hour in India’s final training session before Boxing Day. He didn’t look in any trouble after taking a blow to his knee earlier.There were some crisp shots, including a couple that brought a crowd of about 200 or so people to raptures. They’d asked for the pull and they got one off the front foot right as his session ended. Rohit didn’t engage with them while he was batting but once he’d pulled his pads off, he did go over for a playful word or two.Rohit Sharma backed Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to succeed using their own methods•Getty Images

India were able to practice on significantly quicker pitches in the nets on Christmas Eve, pitches that might bear closer resemblance to the one for the match. Rohit had a look at it on Sunday when it had some grass on it. The curator Matt Page said there won’t be excessive seam movement but that it would provide a thrilling contest.”In the previous two or three Test matches, the wicket didn’t have that much grass on it,” Rohit said. “It was dry. But this certainly doesn’t look to me like a dry wicket.”The first day of the MCG Test is expected to be seriously hot with temperatures reaching 40 degree Celsius but then it should cool down. India are weighing up the option of playing an extra spinner – Washington Sundar, who had a bat against the main bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah and who also enjoyed himself bowling to KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in the nets – or an extra seamer – Prasidh Krishna, who hasn’t played on this tour but has put in a lot of work in the nets over the last month.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is tied 1-1 with two Test to go and those results will also have an implication on both teams’ hopes of making the World Test Championship final in June. Australia or India, if they can win in Melbourne and Sydney, will qualify for that game regardless of other results.

Arsenal and Crystal Palace have reportedly reached an agreement on a compensation package for youngster Dan Casey.

Arsenal youngster rejects new dealOut of contract this summerSet for Crystal Palace moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Casey was reportedly offered a new deal by Arsenal earlier this year but the 18-year-old snubbed their advances. Now, The Standard states the teenager will head to London rivals Palace, with the attacking midfielder technically out of contract at present.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Casey, who was regular for Arsenal's under-18s and has trained with the first-team squad, has been offered a professional deal at Palace. Arsenal have agreed a compensation package and a sell-on clause for a player who was also targeted by Norwich City.

DID YOU KNOW?

The youngster, who can also play as a winger and a striker, previously admitted that Martin Odegaard is one of his idols.

“When I was younger I was a Liverpool fan and loved watching Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho,” Casey told Arsenal’s official website. “But now, playing for Arsenal, I really look up to Odegaard. He’s a top player.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Casey has been in Arsenal's academy since 2015 but it seems his decade-long stay with the Gunners is set to draw to a close. Now, a switch to Palace's under-21 beckons as he begins a new chapter of his footballing career.

If they make the World Cup final, both sides will have less than 72 hours to prepare for the series

Shashank Kishore08-Oct-2024

New Zealand will tour India for three women’s championship ODIs later this month. The series, part of the women’s FTP for the current cycle, had been postponed indefinitely in July last year due to a crowded calendar, where India hosted England and Australia.All three ODIs, on October 24, 27 and 29, will be played in Ahmedabad, with both teams expected to fly in straight from the women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. If they make the World Cup final, both sides will have less than 72 hours to prepare for the series.The late addition to the cricket calendar means a number of first-choice players across both sides, including India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia and D Hemalatha could miss at least the first few games of the 2024-25 WBBL season.Mandhana was among the WBBL’s big-ticket pre-draft signings by Adelaide Strikers. Meanwhile, Sophie Devine, the New Zealand’s captain and Mandhana’s WPL team-mate, will also be unavailable for the first few games of the tournament for Perth Scorchers.Related

Mandhana joins Adelaide Strikers to complete pre-draft signings

With eight wins in 18 matches, New Zealand are currently placed sixth, a spot below India, in the women’s championship table. With West Indies and, theoretically even Bangladesh, capable of leapfrogging them on the points table, the series is crucial for New Zealand as far as direct qualification is concerned.The hosts along with five top-placed teams will earn a direct entry to next year’s 50-over World Cup in India. Two others will be identified through a global qualifier, where the bottom four from the championships and four associates will compete.New Zealand last played ODIs in India in 2015, during the first iteration of the women’s championships. Back then, New Zealand overturned a 1-0 deficit to clinch the series.