Category Uncategorized

As the international break slowly comes to an end, managers and supporters will be praying their players return healthy, but that may not be the case for Nottingham Forest after Chris Wood limped off the pitch in the early hours of Monday morning.

How Forest players are getting along on international duty

Given how the season has gone for the Reds so far, it is no surprise to see a lot of their key players away on international duty representing their national teams.

Nottingham Forest and Marinakis may now sign striker target for just £15m

Nuno Espirito Santo is scaling up his Nottingham Forest squad and has a cut-price deal on the agenda.

BySean Markus Clifford Mar 23, 2025

Forest captain and talisman Morgan Gibbs-White is the only player from the City Ground to be representing England during this break after he was called up to the squad as a replacement for Cole Palmer. Gibbs-White was not named in the 23-man squad for England’s game against Albania on Friday but has been recalled to the squad for their game against Latvia.

Meanwhile, defenders Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Ola Aina are away representing Brazil, Serbia and Nigeria respectively. Milenkovic left the Serbian media impressed after his defensive display in a 1-1 draw in Austria, which he followed up with a clean sheet in a 2-0 win in the return leg on Sunday.

“He had his moments of hesitation, especially at the start of the game in the 9th minute when he came forward and left a gap for Strahinja Pavlović, but he did his job very well until the end, showing that he is one of the best stoppers in the Premier League this season for a reason.

“He also tried his head, and it seems that he was very happy when he saw Arnautović as a new task. He successfully stopped him as well as Grilič.”

Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare are both representing the Ivory Coast as they play their final game on Monday evening against Gambia – the defender was an unused substitute in their 1-0 win in Burundi while Sangare got some minutes off the bench.

Neco Williams, Anthony Elanga, Matz Sels, Elliot Anderson and Wood are all away representing their respective countries, and while Williams produced a fabulous display in a 3-1 Wales win over Kazakhstan, there is serious concern for Wood, who limped out of New Zealand’s 3-0 win against New Caledonia on Monday.

Darren Bazeley shares update on Chris Wood injury

New Zealand manager Darren Bazeley spoke to the press on Monday and confirmed Wood has picked up an injury but was hesitant to provide too many details. He did, however, state the issue is “not ideal”.

New Zealand became the second nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after a 3-0 win over New Caledonia, but theirs and Forest’s talisman had to be replaced 54 minutes into the game with what appeared to be a hip injury.

Apps

40

Goals

28

Assists

3

The 33-year-old, who has 18 goals to his name in the Premier League this season, bagged a hat-trick in New Zealand’s win over Fiji on Friday night, making it back-to-back hat-tricks for his country in the World Cup qualification campaign before blanking against New Caledonia.

Forest and their fans will now be sweating as they await the results of any further tests and scans before they face Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday, with a huge Premier League game against Manchester United then looming on Tuesday.

He says England’s attacking cricket has made him focus on restricting batters as well as taking wickets

Shashank Kishore13-Feb-2024India’s left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav has said he enjoyed his first taste of England’s Bazball approach in Visakhapatnam because it not only created more wicket-taking opportunities but also made bowlers think about restricting batters in Test cricket.”Usually in Tests you’re not used to teams attacking you with this kind of approach [Bazball], but it also involves you a lot more,” Kuldeep said ahead of the third Test against England starting on February 15 in Rajkot. “As a spinner it makes you more focused on how you want to bowl and what your approach is.”Normally when you play Tests, you don’t worry about batters attacking you, you’re only focused on how you want to get them out. But here the approach is different, they’re in attacking mode so you also have to plan how to restrict them. When they play shots, you have those many opportunities to take wickets. It’s interesting. The last game was my first [against Bazball], I enjoyed it a lot, it’s good for cricket.”Related

• India vs England, round three: scores level, stakes high

• Theme for a meme Kuldeep makes Test cricket a lot of fun

• Can India's batters restore the balance of power against England's spinners?

• India's selection puzzle: is there room for both Kuldeep and Axar?

• Rahul ruled out of third Test against England; Padikkal called up

The Visakhapatnam Test was only Kuldeep’s ninth Test since he made his debut in March 2017. It was his first in over 15 months. Kuldeep picked up three of his four wickets in the first innings as India took a 143-run lead that helped them level the five-Test series 1-1.”It’s been good,” Kuldeep said with a smile when asked about finally getting a chance in Test cricket. “Whatever Tests I’ve played, I’ve performed well. I have three five-fors, so yeah it feels good when you see the stats. I’m very happy.”The pitches for the first two Tests of this series have not been rank turners and, if that trend continues in Rajkot, Kuldeep could keep his place in the XI even if Ravindra Jadeja returns. Kuldeep’s accuracy and extra bounce made him more effective than Axar Patel in Visakhapatnam.”Am not sure of my position,” he said when asked about his chances of playing in Rajkot. “If I get the opportunity, I’ll be more than happy. I don’t think too much about whether am playing or not. I just enjoy my day and keep working hard. Combination is such a thing that it matters in a team game. As simple as that.”Kuldeep needed no reminders of his previous Test in Rajkot, where he took a five-for against West Indies in 2018.”It’ll be a batting wicket,” he said when asked about the pitch for the upcoming Test against England. ‘It doesn’t mean there’ll be 700-800 runs scored. It’ll be a good wicket. It won’t be a rank turner, it will be a live wicket, good for cricket.”Why has there been a sudden shift in the nature of pitches for this series?”I haven’t played on rank turners, I don’t know what the approach or thought is, it’s a team management decision,” Kuldeep said. “Obviously everyone wants to watch good cricket. I don’t know if I’ll get an opportunity or not, but whether it’s flat wicket or rank turner, I enjoy it. I think batting is also important, not just spin bowling. Fast bowling comes into the game as well. It’s good for cricket. It’s not like you’ll see rank turners only, but hopefully you’ll see it [laughs].”

Baroda, Punjab, Delhi, and Assam booked their places in the 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semi-finals on Thursday. While Baroda eliminated defending champions Mumbai, Punjab won a closely-fought contest against a Rinku Singh-inspired Uttar Pradesh. In the other two games, there were relatively straightforward wins for Delhi, who knocked out Vidarbha, and Assam, who outplayed Kerala to reach the semis for the first time in the T20 competition.

Sopariya, Solanki knock Mumbai out

Right-arm medium pacer Soyeb Sopariya ran through Mumbai’s top order to set up a memorable victory for Baroda in Mullanpur. After inserting Mumbai to bat, he trapped opener Jay Bista lbw in the first over. He also sent Ajinkya Rahane back in the third over, and then had Yashasvi Jaiswal nicking off for a 14-ball 8 right after the powerplay.Sopariya eventually finished with figures of 3 for 16, while fellow quick Lukman Meriwala took a wicket and conceded just 18 runs.Shivam Dube (48 off 36) and Sarfaraz Khan (33 off 22) tried to get Mumbai’s innings back on track, but Abhimanyusingh Rajput dismissed both set batters to help restrict Mumbai to 148.Baroda lost an early wicket in their chase, but opener Jyotsnil Singh and No. 3 Rajput steadied them till the eighth over. Then, Mumbai effected a mini-collapse as Baroda slid from 64 for 1 to 88 for 4 in 21 deliveries.But Vishnu Solanki, at No. 5, ensured Baroda got the job done, even as he lost three partners at the other end. Solanki hit two sixes and five fours in his unbeaten 49 off 30 as Baroda chased the target with seven balls to spare.File photo: Rinku Singh blasted 77 off 33 but it went in vain•Sportsfile via Getty Images

Rinku fireworks not enough for UP

Rinku Singh added another sensational rescue knock in his already glowing resume, smashing 77 not out off just 33 deliveries, but Punjab still trumped Uttar Pradesh in a thriller in Mohali to reach the semi-finals.Rinku came out to bat with UP struggling at 53 for 3 in the 12th over. He started quick, hitting a boundary off the third ball he faced. Rinku found support in Sameer Rizvi as they plundered 116 in 53 balls. Rizvi finished unbeaten on 42 off 29, hitting four sixes and a four, while Rinku notched up four fours and six sixes, three of which came off the final over bowled by Arshdeep Singh.Punjab slipped to 14 for 3 in the fourth over thanks to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohsin Khan. But Nehal Wadhera and Anmolpreet Singh rescued them with a 72-run stand.UP bounced back, courtesy Mohsin. He removed Anmolpreet for 43 off 29 and Wadhera for a 39-ball 52 in the 13th and 15th over, respectively.Punjab still needed 55 off 31 deliveries and Sanvir Singh and Ramandeep Singh brought their big-hitting prowess to the party. Sanvir made 35 not out off 13 deliveries, while Ramandeep scored 22 to take Punjab home in the final over.

Rawat, Dhull inspire Delhi into the semis

A 105-run partnership for the second wicket between Anuj Rawat and Yash Dhull set the base for Delhi’s win over Vidarbha in Mullanpur.After Umesh Yadav’s strike in the third over, Rawat and Dhull kept the scorecard ticking for Delhi. Rawat mainly played the anchor’s role, scoring a 53-ball 68, while Dhull made 43 off 29.Ayush Badoni also chipped in with a 17-ball 28 at the death to take Delhi to 176, even as Umesh registered a four-wicket haul.Vidarbha could never find their momentum with the bat, losing wickets in regular intervals and slipping to 85 for 6 in the 13th over. Vidarbha’s No. 6 Shubham Dubey tried to defy the Delhi bowlers with his 44 but it wasn’t enough. In the end, Vidarbha fell 39 runs short.Related

• Ashutosh Sharma breaks Yuvraj's record for fastest T20 fifty by an Indian

Assam coast past Kerala

After unprecedented seven fifties in a row in this competition, Assam captain Riyan Parag failed to fire in Mohali, but they had little trouble in defeating Kerala to reach the semi-finals for the first time. Assam had gotten better of Kerala in their league-stage encounter as well.However, unlike their league stage match, the quarter-final was one-sided with Sumit Ghadigaonkar starring with his composed 75.He controlled the chase of 159, putting on important partnerships with opener Rishav Das and No. 5 Sibsankar Roy.Earlier, Assam had Kerala on the mat early as they slipped to 44 for 5 in the seventh over. But Salman Nizar and Abdul Basith hit half-centuries each and put on a 101-run stand to take Kerala to 158.After losing opener Denish Das trapped lbw in the first over, Ghadigaonkar and Rishav stitched a 69-run stand with the former dominating the partnership.With Roy, Ghadigaonkar added 49 runs and when he departed, Assam were only 14 runs away from victory. They got there in the end with 17 balls to spare.

Luka Modric could move to Rangers if his former Real Madrid assistant boss Davide Ancelotti takes charge at Ibrox.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Ancelotti has held talks with RangersKeen to move to IbroxModric could follow him to ScotlandFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to the ,Rangers' search for a new manager has taken a significant step forward with Davide Ancelotti emerging as the clear frontrunner. The 35-year-old, who worked as assistant to his father Carlo at Real Madrid, held a key meeting in London with club officials last week. It’s understood that Ancelotti expressed a strong interest in taking the Ibrox job and provided detailed insight into his footballing vision.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While speculation continues about who will take over the managerial reins at Rangers, the potential appointment of Ancelotti has sparked rumours of an audacious transfer involving Modric. The Croatian maestro, who is set to leave Real Madrid this summer at the age of 39, has not yet made a decision on his next destination. Though no move is confirmed, sources close to the dressing room have indicated that Modric did not rule out a switch to Glasgow when asked about the possibility.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite the momentum building around Ancelotti's potential appointment, Rangers’ internal dynamics have added complexity to the situation. A pending ownership change has slowed the pace of decision-making, with both current and incoming figures involved in shaping the club’s future direction.

Current CEO Patrick Stewart is spearheading the managerial search, but he’s working alongside the expected new ownership group led by American businessman Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group. Kevin Thelwell, the new sporting director, is also believed to be playing a role in the process.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RANGERS?

Time is becoming a crucial factor. Sources suggest that if a final agreement isn’t reached by the end of this week – or no later than the first week of June – Rangers risk losing Ancelotti altogether. The Italian coach is reportedly considering multiple offers, with at least three other clubs expressing firm interest in acquiring his services.

da dobrowin： Everton are thought to be ready to make a move for a Premier League player at the end of the season, according to a fresh transfer claim.

Everton transfer news

da betsul： With the Blues now feeling safe from relegation this season, there will be plenty of focus on potential summer signings to help bolster David Moyes’ squad.

That said, there are also some players who could depart when the campaign reaches its conclusion, with one report claiming that Jack Harrison’s loan switch won’t be made permanent. The winger is in his second temporary spell at Goodison Park from Leeds, but it looks like his time at the club will come to an end.

Meanwhile, Everton have a battle on their hands to retain the services of Jarrad Branthwaite, with the England international such an impressive performer at the heart of the Blues’ defence over the past year or so. Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing him, summing up the level he has reached.

In terms of possible incoming signings, Tottenham ace Manor Solomon has been linked with a move to the Merseysiders, once his loan stint at Leeds comes to an end this summer.

Everton pushing to sign Premier League ace

According to The Boot Room‘s Graeme Bailey, Everton and the Friedkin Group are ready to make an approach for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard ahead of the summer transfer window.

Fellow Premier League pair Fulham and Bournemouth are also believed to be eyeing up the 30-year-old, who right now, could be available on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, assuming he doesn’t sign a new deal.

Norgaard could be a really astute signing by Everton, not necessarily coming in as a flair player who lights up games, but bringing plenty of experience and industry in the middle of the park.

The Brentford captain has enjoyed another good season in west London, starting 23 Premier League games and registering five goal contributions (three goals and two assists), while manager Thomas Frank has shown how much he appreciates him as a player, saying:

“So pleasing, so pleased, he’s a key player for us. Every team has one or two players that is the glue, makes the team tick, or better just by stepping on pitch. Norgaard is one of the players that does that for us. The amount of interceptions, second balls he wins, his ability to keep the ball and play the pass forward is key.”

Norgaard is a player who could thrive under Moyes, with the Scot no doubt admiring his midfield attributes, and while he isn’t getting any younger, he could do an excellent job for several years.

Christian Norgaard’s Premier League stats in 2024/25

Total

Appearances

23

Starts

23

Minutes played

1841

Goals

3

Assists

2

Tackles per game

2.7

Clearances per game

2.0

Pass completion rate

82.9%

Hopefully, Abdoulaye Doucoure doesn’t leave Everton at the end of the season, but if he does, the Brentford ace would help fill the void in a key area of the pitch, making this one to watch.

Warwickshire 155 for 2 (Yates 53*) trail Kent 171 (Stewart 50, Hannon-Dalby 4-56) by 16 runsWarwickshire dominated the first day of their LV= Insurance County Championship with Kent at Canterbury, reaching 155 for two at stumps, a deficit of just 16. Rob Yates was unbeaten on 53, while Sam Hain was 29 not out.Earlier Oliver Hannon-Dalby took 4 for 56 as Kent were bowled out for 171, a score that would have been even lower had Grant Stewart not blasted 50 from 45 balls. The hosts’ last three wickets added 93, more than half their total.Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, originally signed for the Vitality Blast, made a rare first-class appearance and bowled five overs, taking nought for 17, having been awarded his Warwickshire cap in a short ceremony before the start.Kent chose to bat in broad sunshine at the Spitfire Ground, but approached their innings as if they were still in T20 mode. Their openers were diligent enough in seeing out the first ten overs but the loss of Ben Compton seemed to flick a switch, ushering in a spell of four wickets for 19 runs in the space of 4.5 overs. Chris Rushworth started the collapse when he found Compton’s edge and he was caught behind for 9.Joe Denly lasted just just four balls before he was lbw to Henry Brookes for 1 and Harry Finch’s first red-ball appearance of the season was even shorter as he made a three-ball duck, Rushworth finding his bottom edge and Michael Burgess taking a sharp catch standing up to the stumps.Jack Leaning had made a relatively untroubled 7, but when Tawanda Muyeye nudged the ball to mid-on he hared down the wicket and made it almost as far as the striker’s end before realising his partner hadn’t moved, allowing Will Rhodes to walk in and break the wicket.Jordan Cox nearly met the same fate and although he was spared by a misfield, he’d made just 15 before he pulled Hannon-Dalby to Alex Davies at square leg. A disastrous session for the hosts came to an end when the same bowler had Muyeye lbw for 38.If that decision was harsh, Muyeye was the only batter who could really claim he had been unlucky. Joey Evison went for 4 in the second over after lunch, victim of a tumbling catch by Burgess after he’d nicked Hannon-Dalby and it was left to Stewart to play the Stokes role. He smashed Hannon-Dalby for a six that sailed over cow corner and through the branches of the St. Lawrence lime tree and was joined by Matt Quinn for a stand of 40 that proved the highest of the innings.Quinn’s frenetic 15-ball cameo yielded a six and three fours before Brookes had him caught by the sub fielder, his brother Ethan, for 25.Arshdeep Singh hit his first ball for six, but he left the pyrotechnics to Stewart, who dumped Hannon-Dalby for successive sixes over cow corner before his luck ran out when the same bowler had him caught on the boundary.It had been an entertaining hour, but it looked a low score and lower still as Warwickshire advanced to 69 without loss. The opening stand was broken when Alex Davies was lbw for 42, perhaps unluckily, to Evison. Hamid Qadri then had Will Rhodes caught behind for 25, but Yates was on 42 when Kent missed a difficult chance to run him out and he and Hain were otherwise unflustered as they batted through the evening session.

MatériaMais Notícias

da doce： O Palmeiras planeja a temporada 2023 com poucos reforços, mas contando muito com as categorias de base, que já têm sido um elemento essencial para o elenco nas últimas temporadas. Em 2023, essa utilização das Crias da Academia se consolidará ainda mais com pelo menos um jovem em cada setor do time, seja reserva ou titular. Isso aproxima o clube de seu sonho, que é fazer do departamento de formação o principal fornecedor de material humano para oprofissional.

>Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui

Para o gol, além de Vinicius Silvestre, formado por uma outra geração mais antiga da base, o elenco deve contar com Kaique como quarto goleiro. Provavelmente deverá ser pouco utilizado por conta da hierarquia e devido aos compromissos com o calendário da base, além da Seleção sub-20.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras deve ter a saída de mais um atacante nesta janelaPalmeiras26/12/2022PalmeirasAdaptado ao Palmeiras, Tabata comemora paternidade e projeta 2023: ‘Que seja fenomenal’Palmeiras26/12/2022PalmeirasEmpresário de Merentiel, do Palmeiras, revela conversas com clubes brasileirosPalmeiras26/12/2022

da betway： Nas laterais, haverá pelo menos um para cada lado. Na direita, Gustavo Garcia será o terceiro reserva, podendo até ser o segundo, caso Mayke siga sendo utilizado na “segunda linha”. Na esquerda, Vanderlan será o reserva imediato de Piquerez, status conquistado na segunda metade de 2022, quando ganhou a “briga” com Jorge, que foi emprestado para o Fluminense.

Na zaga, o representante da base deve ser Naves, que já vem ganhando oportunidades nas últimas temporadas. Com etapa concluída na base, ele ficará definitivamente no elenco principal como um “quinto zagueiro”, mas pode ser promovido caso Kuscevic, que manifestou desejo de jogar mais em outro clube, seja transferido. O clube não deverá buscar reforços para a posição e usará os jovens.

>Palmeiras campeão de novo! Relembre todos os títulos do Verdão em 2022

Já entre os volantes, os nomes estão consolidados há algum tempo. Danilo é titular absoluto, enquanto Gabriel Menino segue sendo importante nas estratégias de Abel Ferreira. Para 2023, a posição vai ganhar a presença fixa de Fabinho, que em 2022 ficava transitando entre a base e o profissional, mas agora terá maior participação e pode ganhar espaço se houver alguma saída.

Um setor “carente” de jovens da base nos últimos anos tem sido o dos meias. Mas em 2023 ele receberá um “reforço”: Jhon Jhon. O garoto recebeu chances no profissional em algumas partidas das últimas temporadas, mas ainda pertencia ao departamento amador disputando torneios sub-20 ao mesmo tempo em que treinava com o time de cima. Agora ele deve se fixar no profissional.

Entre os jogadores de lado de campo, ao mesmo tempo em que Abel Ferreira perde Wesley (vendido ao Cruzeiro), ele recupera Giovani que, livre de lesões, deve ser peça fundamental para a temporada palmeirense. Já nos homens de referência, o principal nome é, obviamente, Endrick. O jovem, que vinha garantindo seu espaço, será titular absoluto no time do treinador português para 2023.

Isso sem contar aqueles nomes que podem “estourar” ao longo da temporada, como Luis Guilherme, ainda sub-17, e Estevão, de apenas 15 anos. Ambos são, neste momento, as principais joias da base do Palmeiras e caso sigam crescendo no atual ritmo, não demorarão a subir para o profissional para brigar por uma vaga nesse elenco “contaminado” pelas Crias da Academia.

>Retrospectiva Palmeiras: 12 fotos marcantes que resumem o ano do Alviverde

O Palmeiras segue fazendo treinamentos virtuais com o acompanhamento da preparação física do clube nesta etapa da pré-temporada e terá a reapresentação na Academia de Futebol no dia 2 de janeiro, quando terão início os trabalhos presenciais com o técnico Abel Ferreira. A estreia do Verdão no Paulistão será diante do São Bento, no dia 14 de janeiro, às 20h30, no Allianz Parque.

continua após a publicidade

And how many times have teams played a seven-match T20I series?

Steven Lynch04-Oct-2022Is it true that Don Bradman played against Frankenstein’s Monster? asked Taimur Mirza from Australia
It sounds improbable – but actually it’s true! Don Bradman went on a tour of North America in 1932 with a private Australian team managed by the former Test legspinner Arthur Mailey and captained by Vic Richardson, the Chappells’ grandfather. It was not long after Bradman’s wedding, and he took his new wife Jessie with him and treated the trip as a type of honeymoon. Although they saw many exotic places, there was an awful lot of cricket to fit in for a touring party with only 12 players – between June 17 and August 28, they played 51 matches, many of them against teams of more than 11 players. Bradman enjoyed himself against outmatched opponents, finishing with 3779 runs at an average of 102 with 18 centuries, while Stan McCabe scored 2361 runs and took 189 wickets in all.The tour concluded with four matches in Hollywood, where the team rubbed shoulders with some famous names. On August 26 the Australians played an 18-man team of British-born film stars that included Boris Karloff, immortal for his portrayal of Frankenstein’s Monster on screen. Karloff’s real name was William Pratt and he was a keen cricketer, who usually kept wicket; in later years he was a familiar sight as a spectator at The Oval. Karloff made 12 that day, only one of four to reach double figures. Top scorer (with 24) was the redoubtable Aubrey Smith, who, before he found fame as an aristocratic Englishman on the silver screen, was a Sussex bowler who captained England in their first official Test against South Africa, in Port Elizabeth in 1888-89. I’m sure several of the other players were well known at the time, but the only name I recognise now is James Finlayson, a Scotsman who played the straight man or villain in several Laurel and Hardy films.Smith and Karloff were instrumental in setting up the Hollywood Cricket Club, and Karloff played for them against the Australians again the next day, scoring 5 this time – he was caught and bowled by McCabe, who was on his way to 8 for 44. Smith, who was 69 by then, did not reappear. Bradman scored 52 not out in the first match, and 18 not out in the second.Nottinghamshire scored 662 against Durham in the last round of Championship games this year, but no one reached 200. What’s the highest first-class total without a double-century? asked Shaun Victor from South Africa
Nottinghamshire’s imposing total of 662 for 5 declared against Durham at Trent Bridge last week included four centuries – but the highest was Matthew Montgomery’s 178, his maiden first-class hundred.However, Nottinghamshire’s 662 is well down the list of the highest first-class totals without a double-century. On top is New South Wales’ 918 against South Australia in Sydney in January 1901, which featured five individual centuries but a highest of 168, by NSW’s captain Syd Gregory.The highest in the County Championship actually came against Nottinghamshire, by Northamptonshire at Wantage Road in 1995, when the highest individual contribution to their county-record total of 781 for 7 declared was Russell Warren’s 154. The Test record is Sri Lanka’s 713 for 9 declared against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2017-18, when the highest score was 196, by Kusal Mendis.Kusal Mendis made 196 in the highest Test innings total without a double-century – Sri Lanka’s 713 for 9 in Chittagong in February 2018•Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty ImagesI enjoyed the long T20 series between Pakistan and England. I can’t remember any other T20 series that stretched to seven games – have there been any? asked David Ronson from England
The recent exciting series in Pakistan – in which England came from behind to win 4-3 – was an extended one to give both sides practice for the upcoming T20 World Cup. There has actually been only one previous men’s T20I series that stretched to seven matches – and you’re excused if you’d forgotten it, since it took place in Malawi in November 2019: the hosts beat Mozambique 5-1, with one no-result. The same two teams contested a seven-match women’s T20I series at the same time: Malawi won that 4-3.Has any opener carried their bat through a completed innings in a T20 international? asked Geoffrey Stephens from England
The only man to do this in an all-out innings in a T20I is Chris Gayle, who batted throughout West Indies’ 101 against Sri Lanka in the World Cup semi-final at The Oval in 2009, finishing with 63 not out – no one else made double figures.It has also happened three times in women’s T20Is: by Tshepang Khabo (12 out of 49) for Lesotho against Malawi in Gaborone (Botswana) in 2018; Ayesha Hasan (11 out of 52; no one else scored more than 4, but there were 28 extras) on debut for Norway vs Sweden in Kolsva (Sweden) in 2021; and Tharanga Gajayanake (25 out of 43; the next-highest score was 2) for Bahrain against the United Arab Emirates in Al Amerat (Oman) in 2021-22.Has there ever been an ODI in which a team used just five bowlers, who all bowled ten overs and took two wickets each? asked Abhishek Gupta from Singapore
Sadly for those of us who like neat, well-ordered scorecards, this has never happened in a one-day international. There was a very near miss in the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali: five Indian bowlers were used, and they all picked up two wickets, but Zaheer Khan took the last Pakistan wicket with the penultimate ball of the match, so bowled only 9.5 overs while his team-mates all sent down ten.There have been nine other ODI innings in which five men took two wickets apiece, but they all featured one or two other bowlers who failed to strike. The most recent of these was by New Zealand against Sri Lanka in Christchurch during the 2015 World Cup.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Arsenal are making serious moves behind-the-scenes as new sporting director Andrea Berta looks to make a real impression on English shores, with the 53-year-old thought to be closing in on another target.

Arsenal in advanced talks for player with 5-year deal "already agreed"

The north Londoners have made a significant transfer stride.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 3, 2025

The Gunners confirmed Kepa Arrizabalaga’s arrival in N5 earlier this week.

The now-ex-Chelsea goalkeeper comes in as Berta’s first official signing since he replaced Edu in late March, but Kepa is widely expected to be followed by Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who could even be announced as a new Arsenal player on Thursday (Team News and Ticks).

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£5m

After agreeing a deal for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard recently, which could reach up to £15 million, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano now says that all the necessary paperwork has been exchanged for his transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta and co will ideally welcome the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera as well, as talks remain ongoing with the La Liga side in an attempt to strike their fourth deal of the window. Valencia did attempt to offer the 21-year-old a new contract to ward Arsenal off, but he’s apparently determined to join Arteta’s side.

“Cristhian Mosquera’s plan remains clear: he wants to join Arsenal project despite new contract proposal from Valencia,” said Romano on X.

“Full focus on negotiations with #AFC as personal terms are agreed, and new bid will be needed after opening one for €14m, rejected.”

Berta has many plates spinning right now, with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze also firmly on their radar.

Arsenal talks with Eberechi Eze "well advanced"

Earlier this week, it was reported that Arsenal held “positive” talks with Eze’s representatives last weekend, and like Mosquera, he’s pretty keen on the idea of joining.

Now, according to French newspaper L’Equipe, Arsenal’s negotiations with Eze are “well advanced”, and all that is really left to do is trigger the England international’s release clause to strike a full agreement.

This comes after “further moves” in “recent hours”, as the outlet reported on Wednesday afternoon, so it appears Berta and co have upped the ante in their pursuit since their weekend discussions.

It is worth noting that Palace have no intention of accepting an offer lower than Eze’s £68m clause, with Arsenal told the exact price needed to make the 27-year-old their next major signing.

It is currently unclear what the ex-QPR star is demanding in terms of salary, with Eze on a reported £100,000-per-week in south London right now, but it could end up being quite a costly operation overall.

However, after his best-ever season at Palace with 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, there is little denying he’d seriously upgrade Arteta’s squad.

“His journey has been unique,” said pundit Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports.

“He’s had disappointments in his academy life, released from clubs, found a new journey and a different pathway for himself. He’s got to this level and now he’s an England international.

“This kid, no disrespect to Palace, could go on and play for one of the top teams. He’s got that individual brilliance; he’s got the awareness when he’s dribbling to keep his head up and bring others into play. I speak to other players that play against him, and they say he’s such an elusive player, unpredictable in the way that he carries the ball, but also [his strength].”

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stressed once again that “whatever happens must be on the basis of equality”

Danyal Rasool30-Nov-2024

India and Pakistan last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup•Getty Images

A day after a virtual ICC board meeting concluded without finalising the venue for the Champions Trophy in 2025, a final decision remains elusive. The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was in Dubai today, and while he took in Pakistan’s Under-19 victory over India, there was greater intrigue over whether the PCB, the BCCI and the ICC have been able to come to an arrangement over next year’s tournament.As he did in the early hours of Thursday morning, Naqvi did not categorically rule out a hybrid model for the hosting of the tournament, something he has done in the past. “We will do whatever’s best for cricket,” he told reporters in Dubai. “If we adopt any other formula [except hosting the tournament in Pakistan], it will be done on the basis of equality. The most important thing for Pakistan is its respect; everything else is secondary.”Once more, Naqvi repeated what he stated multiple times at the Gaddafi Stadium earlier in the week. “A one-sided arrangement is no longer acceptable. It cannot be the case that we continue to go to India, but they do not visit Pakistan. Whatever happens must be on the basis of equality.”Related

PCB open to hybrid model Champions Trophy, but wants same for events in India

Decision on Champions Trophy venue expected over the weekend

Final call on CT25: Fresh venue one of three options, as ICC Board meets on Friday

Champions Trophy: PCB promises to do 'what's best for Pakistan cricket'

What form such an arrangement might look like, remains uncertain. Sources told ESPNcricinfo Pakistan are looking for an equitable solution across a three-year period where any arrangement made for the Champions Trophy is replicated for tournaments held in IndiaNaqvi’s repeated comments around “equality” have raised speculation that the PCB will seek to earn some concessions should they acquiesce to a hybrid model in any form. That could entail an agreement to have India play their matches outside Pakistan, but a decision that any future tournaments India hosts will offer provisions for Pakistan to play their matches outside India. There is also the possibility of some financial recompense for the PCB in addition to such an arrangement, though Naqvi did say earlier this week that decisions would not be based on money.ESPNcricinfo understands a decision should be reached in the next couple of days, though Naqvi’s comments suggest there remain significant loose ends to be tied up. In all likelihood, any proposal will have to be run past the governments of both India and Pakistan before it is presented to the ICC for approval; India was refused permission to travel to Pakistan by the Indian government and the PCB has said repeatedly, as a result, that any action they take will have to be approved by their government.”We need to settle this once and for all,” Naqvi said. “And whatever happens must see everyone treated equally. Any agreement will not be just for the Champions Trophy, but for the long term.”The tournament is due to begin in less than 90 days, on February 19. Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are the venues scheduled to host the games, though if a hybrid option is chosen, that will involve another venue outside Pakistan. The UAE, where Naqvi met ECB officials earlier today, is the frontrunner in such a scenario.