سقط منتخب السودان في فخ الخسارة أمام نظيره السنغالي، بهدفين نظيفين، في اللقاء الذي جمع بينهما اليوم الجمعة، ضمن منافسات تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
واستضاف ملعب عبد الله واد مباراة السنغال والسودان في الجولة السابعة للمجموعة الأولى من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
طالع | ترتيب مجموعة الجزائر في تصفيات كأس العالم بعد الفوز على بوتسوانا
وتقدم المنتخب السنغالي بالهدف الأول في الدقيقة الرابعة عشر عن طريق كاليدو كوليبالي، في حين أحرز الهدف الثاني لأسود التيرانجا اللاعب باب ماتار سار في الدقيقة 41.
وارتفع رصيد منتخب السنغال إلى 15 نقطة، في المركز الثاني، بفارق نقطة واحدة عن المتصدر منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية، ويليه منتخب السودان في المركز الثالث برصيد 12 نقطة. ترتيب مجموعة السودان في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
Babar was reappointed before T20 World Cup and said he had not thought about his future in the role
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jun-20241:42
Rapid Fire Review: Imad, Amir’s Pakistan chapters ‘written and closed’
Under-fire Babar Azam’s future as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball teams remains uncertain. In the wake of their early exit, Babar has come under pressure despite having just reassumed captaincy, but he said he was going to make any call only after meeting and reviewing the World Cup with the decision-makers at the PCB.”When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar said. “Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB’s decision.”Babar was asked if he took the responsibility for the early exit as the captain. “I told you that we did not lose this because of one particular person,” Babar said. “We win and lose as a team. You are pointing out that [I am] the captain, but I cannot play in every player’s place. There are 11 players, and each of them has a role. That’s why they came here to play the World Cup. I think we have not been able to play well as a team. We have to settle down and accept that we didn’t play well as a team.Related
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“We accept that we didn’t play according to the expectations. The kind of team we had, the experience we had, we haven’t been able to deliver at different times. As a player and as a captain, I am not going to single [anyone] out. The fault lies with all 15. We will sit and review. As a captain, my responsibility is to give my feedback to the decision-makers.”Babar was again asked who should be held responsible: captain, coach or selectors. “You can’t put the blame on one person,” Babar said. “We didn’t play well as a team. We did well in patches. Everybody is disappointed. We are as disappointed as the fans. It is not one individual’s fault.”
Liverpool have come a long way over the past ten years. A decade ago, Jurgen Klopp had replaced Brendan Rodgers in the dugout and lost the Europa League final to Sevilla, but one year prior, all hope was lost.
However, the German boss led Liverpool to new levels of success, winning the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, more. More fundamentally, he restored Anfield’s status as a European superpower and left the club in a fantastic position for his eventual successor, Arne Slot, to continue his work.
Slot, in his first season as the Reds’ head coach, has won the English top-flight at a canter, and FSG are now rewarding him by backing him in the summer transfer market.
Jeremie Frimpong is officially a Red, and Milos Kerkez is closing on a move to Merseyside to shore up the left side of Slot’s backline.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz andJeremieFrimpongapplaud fans with teammates after the match
However, the advancing deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is surely the most exciting of the lot, right?
Liverpool set to break transfer record
Liverpool are set to break not just their own but the British transfer record with the signing of German playmaker Wirtz, who is regarded as one of the most talented players in world football.
Liverpool have already launched a series of approaches for the 22-year-old, the latest of which totalled £105m. However, Sky Sports report that the German outfit are holding out for £120m, which would indeed see him overtake Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo as England’s record incoming transfer.
Stamford Bridge welcomed Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2023 for a whopping £115m fee, despite Liverpool reaching an agreement with the Seagulls only days before.
It was a big blow, one which led to ridicule when FSG instead opted to sign Wataru Endo as a stop-gap option at number six.
However, who got the last laugh? Endo thrived as Liverpool defeated the Blues in last year’s Carabao Cup final, and is now a Premier League champion. Moreover, Ryan Gravenberch has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the world, winning the 2024/25 Premier League Player of the Year.
The Reds could well be set to go head-to-head with the west Londoners on the transfer front again this summer…
Liverpool planning Chelsea hijack
According to Caught Offside, Chelsea aren’t just planning to stock up with the signing of Hugo Ekitike, but also Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, having made a £55m bid for the English talent.
That said, though, a host of further suitors are also interested, and Liverpool are indeed in the mix, along with Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
The suggestion is that the Anfield side – alongside City – could make their own effort to bring him back to England, ensuring a potential hijack is on the cards.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
With Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both being linked with a transfer away from Anfield this summer, Gittens could be the perfect rising talent to complete Slot’s frontline, allowing Liverpool to score some revenge on Chelsea in the process.
Why Liverpool should sign Jamie Gittens
Gittens, principally a left-sided forward, is only 20 years old but already has amassed 107 senior showings for Dortmund, scoring 17 goals and providing 14 assists.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
This was also his most prolific term yet, notching 12 goals and five further assists from 48 games, though admittedly, the lion’s share of Gittens’ success came from the opening months.
Still, he’s young, and inconsistency is to be expected. Gittens was oh-so impressive at that point, though, with Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley even going as far as to claim he’s been “England’s best left winger in 2024/25”.
Furthermore, he’s received praise for his “special” Champions League campaign from Fabrizio Romano. Liverpool wouldn’t want to let such a talent strengthen rivals like Chelsea, now, would they?
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in action
The Caicedo misery has been offset and then some by Liverpool’s success over the past few years, but it stung with venom back during the 2023 transfer window.
And given Gittens has the potential to become one of the best in the business, Liverpool would do well to bring him in now, before his stock rises over in west London.
11 goal contributions from just 21 starts in the Bundesliga this year isn’t exactly a bad haul, especially when he’s so persistent and combative with his duelling, his defensive involvement.
Matches (starts)
32 (21)
Goals
8
Assists
3
Shots (on target)*
1.6 (0.8)
Big chances missed
4
Pass completion
82%
Big chances created
6
Dribbles*
2.4
Tackles + interceptions*
1.3
Duels (won)*
4.9 (53%)
Gittens might have tapered off a bit toward the closing stages of the 2024/25 season, but the underlying data drawn across the year still made an interesting comment on his quality and potential, especially since he converted eight chances and missed just four.
This suggests the prospect has a natural-born killer instinct in front of goal, especially important as Mohamed Salah approaches the autumn years of his Premier League career.
As per FBref, he already ranks among the top 15% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90.
Already one of the best ball-carrying specialists in the business, FBref have even linked him, through tactical comparison, to the likes of Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo, both of whom have been linked with Liverpool in recent months.
This simply adds another layer to the argument: Gittens offers the perfect style of play for the left wing, and FSG must throw the kitchen sink at foiling Chelsea’s effort.
Chelsea's JadonSanchocelebrates scoring their third goal
With such naturally fleet feet too, Gittens is the real deal, and given Chelsea have opted against signing Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal, this could be the perfect way to exact their vengeance.
Caicedo might have rejected Liverpool two years ago, but then revenge is a dish best served cold, is it not?
Slot's own Huijsen: Liverpool submit concrete bid to sign "complete" star
Liverpool could be set to make a move to land a star who could become their own Dean Huijsen.
Already thinking about the summer transfer window even as the race for Champions League football goes down to the wire, Aston Villa are now reportedly readying a formal move to sign a La Liga talent at the request of Unai Emery.
Aston Villa's Champions League hope
With three Premier League games to go, no one around Villa Park can complain that Emery’s side aren’t doing their bit in the race to secure Champions League qualification. The Villans have won four of their last five Premier League games in a run that includes a 2-1 victory over rivals Nottingham Forest.
Now, as the season begins to conclude, Aston Villa sit seventh and three points behind a Chelsea side that must slip up if those in the Midlands are to pull off a last-gasp push for top five. Given that the Blues face Newcastle United this weekend and then Manchester United before squaring off against Forest on the final day, however, Emery’s side should still hold plenty of hope that their fate could change.
Whilst Chelsea square off against Newcastle, United and then Forest, Villa have an easier run on paper in comparison. The Midlands club travel to Bournemouth this weekend before playing host to a Tottenham Hotspur side sat in the depths of the bottom half and then Amorim’s United side facing similar problems. Whether nine points from nine is enough to take them into the top five remains to be seen, however.
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That said, whether Villa secure Champions League football or miss out in the next three games, it looks as though sporting director Monchi is already planning for another busy summer transfer window.
Aston Villa readying formal Moleiro move
According to reports in Spain, Monchi is now readying a formal Aston Villa move to sign Alberto Moleiro from Las Palmas following a direct request from Emery. The midfielder has enjoyed another impressive campaign in Spain and could now be on his way to the Midlands.
No matter how much Emery believes that Moleiro is the perfect fit for his side, however, a deal is unlikely to come cheap this summer amid reports that the Spaniard has a release clause worth €60m (£51m) in his current contract.
The big question will be whether Aston Villa can afford that in the coming months and just how big a part missing out on Champions League football would play in pursuit of the midfielder. His ability to step into the Premier League, meanwhile, is something that should not be questioned.
At 21 years old, Moleiro has earned impressive praise from the likes of football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who praised the Las Palmas star for his “silky” touch in 2023.
Nottingham Forest are ready to make a sizeable offer to complete the signing of a new centre-back this summer, according to reports in the player’s homeland.
Nottingham Forest's Champions League hopes damaged
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side blew a wonderful opportunity to jump back to third in the Premier League on Thursday night, losing 2-0 at home to Brentford. Forest’s performance looked nervy throughout the evening, with the team and the supporters aware of the magnitude of the occasion, and they simply couldn’t produce the desired display and result.
Nottingham Forest managerNunoEspiritoSantobefore the match
The Reds’ defeat leaves them sitting sixth in the league table with four matches remaining, as they prepare to make the trip to Crystal Palace on Monday evening, which is another tough game against a side who have just reached the FA Cup final.
Granted, Forest are only behind fifth-place Chelsea on goal difference – a top-five spot will seal a place in next season’s Champions League – but Nuno’s men are clearly wobbling and are in need of a big result.
Nottingham Forest willing to make offer for Gatti
According to TuttoSport [via Sport Witness], Nottingham Forest are willing to make a big offer to sign Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti this summer. Everton and West Ham are also mentioned in the report, though it is stated that the 26-year-old is happy to stay put at Juve, despite it being financially beneficial to move on and earn more than his current £42,000 per week.
Federico Gatti for Juventus
It looks as though Forest will need to present quite the package to both Juve and Gatti to tempt them into a move, and if the situation changes he could be a fantastic addition at the heart of the defence.
Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo have been outstanding throughout this season, forging a great understanding at the back, but increased competition for places is still essential in that area, especially if one of the centre-backs leaves this summer.
Gatti is now an experienced player who has made 103 appearances for one of the biggest clubs in Europe in Juve, and Danilo once described him as “humble”, saying: “Gatti is an example for all of us, a humble boy who works a lot. He has had difficult moments, but he is strong, and he showed Juventus until the end.”
Federico Gatti’s 2024/25 Serie A stats
Total
Appearances
28
Starts
26
Minutes played
2188
Goals
1
Assists
0
Clearances per game
2.6
Aerial duel wins per game
1.3
Pass completion rate
95.2%
Gatti’s quality on the ball is highlighted by a 95.2% pass completion rate in Serie A this season, while his defensive expertise is oultined by an average of 2.6 clearances per game in the competition.
Worth more than Murillo: Nottingham Forest struck gold on their new Johnson
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For now, it looks like Forest will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements, but the hope is that Champions League qualification gives them a better chance of signing Gatti.
Everton have improved since David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche at the helm, but recent results have underscored the need for new attacking quality.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to leave as a free agent at the end of the season, while Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom and Armando Broja’s loan deals all conclude in two months.
However, while The Friedkin Group are going to sign forwards of various shapes and sizes, Moyes is also keen to strengthen his midfield, already focusing on a specific profile.
David Moyes
The target in question has plied under the Scotsman’s leadership for several years, and could prove an astute piece of business.
Everton transfer news
Despite the transfer window not yet open for business, the Toffees have already started putting plans into motion with the likes of Monaco’s striking sensation, Mika Biereth, linked with a move to Goodison Park.
Also on their radar is Liverpool’s Ben Doak, yet on this occasion, it looks as though Moyes is targeting experience.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, as per Football Insider, Moyes is targeting a reunion with West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek, having fielded the 30-year-old 207 times during his time at the Irons helm, more than any other player.
Tomas Soucek scores for West Ham
Though newly-promoted Leeds United are also chasing a deal for Soucek, who is valued at £10m, it’s understood that Everton have the lead in the race given the Czech international’s relationship with Moyes.
Why Tomas Soucek would be perfect for Everton
Soucek has been at West Ham for half a decade, signing on an initial loan from Slavia Prague in January 2020 before completing a £19m deal that summer.
West Ham's Tomas Soucek
The 6 foot 3 ace would bring physicality to the Everton midfield and might prove to be the perfect replacement for Amadou Onana, who was sold to Aston Villa for £50m last summer.
Described as a “midfield powerhouse” by journalist Antonio Mango, Onana’s presence has been missed on Merseyside, but Soucek could bring his own take on the role next year, working hard in the duel while making darting runs into the danger area to complement the frontline.
Prem 24/25 – Tomas Soucek vs Amadou Onana
Stats (* per game)
Soucek
Onana
Matches (starts)
31 (26)
22 (17)
Goals
8
3
Assists
1
0
Touches*
37.6
40.2
Pass completion
75%
89%
Key passes*
0.5
0.3
Dribble success
55%
79%
Ball recoveries*
1.7
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.9
3.2
Duels (won)*
5.2 (54%)
4.8 (60%)
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see, Onana might be more rounded than Soucek, but the latter man has a killer instinct in the final third, which scant few Toffees players have showcased with regularity this year.
West Ham have only created 50 big chances in the Premier League this season, with just the relegated trio making fewer. This actually shines a positive light on Soucek, whose skill at finding space and striking true has seen him score eight times.
It’s no surprise he’s been called a “machine” by former West Ham correspondent Tom Clark, adding intensity and initiative to his fold.
In fact, the £90k-per-week talent ranks among the top 2% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored and the top 1% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref, further illustrating his combativeness and indeed goalscoring strength.
Everton fans have tasted first-hand the midfielder’s goalscoring ability and must now forge ahead to make a shrewd signing which might just pay dividends, adding an Onana-esque presence at Bramley Moore.
Soucek may not be the fluid ball player that Graham Potter wants at the heart of his West Ham system, but Moyes enforces a different type of brand, one which the veteran midfielder would dovetail right into if Everton make their move in the coming months.
He was worse than Harrison: 5/10 Everton dud proved that TFG need to spend
Everton have lost back-to-back matches in the Premier League.
Four wins on the trot in the Premier League – the last of which came resoundingly against Manchester United – have put Newcastle United in a strong position as they look to return to the Champions League.
Winning at home against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening would certainly help to consolidate their position, one point behind third-place Nottingham Forest while holding a game in hand.
The chance to make it count has arrived, but Oliver Glasner’s Palace have been in fine fettle of late and boast a box of dangers that Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones – Eddie Howe is absent, recuperating from pneumonia – will need to ensure do not spring a trap at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle – Recent Record vs Crystal Palace
Season
Competition
Result
24/25
Premier League (A)
0-0 draw
23/24
Premier League (A)
2-0 loss
23/24
Premier League (H)
4-0 win
22/23
Premier League (A)
0-0 draw
22/23
Carabao Cup (H)
0-0 (3-2 p.) win
Stats via Transfermarkt
Four of the past 14 meetings between the two sides in all competitions have been goalless draws, but with such impressive attacking armouries, you feel that this evening-lit fixture could bring the fireworks.
Newcastle team news pre-Crystal Palace
Centre-backs Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman are still sidelined, with left-back Lewis Hall also not expected back before the end of the season.
Newcastle defender Sven Botman.
Tindall is unlikely to make sweeping changes to the team that thrashed the Red Devils on Sunday, but one or two tweaks could be enforced.
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali should reprise their places in midfield, arguably the finest central trio in the Premier League right now.
However, despite his recent purple patch, there might be just cause for Harvey Barnes to return to the bench for this one. Here’s why.
Why Tindall should drop Harvey Barnes
Barnes put on a second-half clinic to thwart Man United and take his haul, impressively, to eight goals and three assists from just ten Premier League starts this season.
With three in his past two, the 27-year-old is riding the crest of a wave, his clinical edge coming up trumps with Alexander Isak four top-flight games without a goal and Anthony Gordon only returning off the bench on Sunday after his red card suspension.
However, Gordon is now back and offers a more dynamic threat. Given the Eagles’ shakiness during their 5-2 thrashing by Man City at the weekend, Gordon’s multi-skilled approach could be the best way to funnel through to Isak while upholding a balanced attacking threat.
Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore
Jacob Murphy, on that note, is effectively undroppable on the right. So consistent. So cool. So collected.
Anthony Gordon celebrates for Newcastle
With a return of nine goals and seven assists across all competitions this season, Gordon knows he could do better in that regard. But the England international brings so much more than direct goal involvements.
As per Sofascore, he’s averaged 1.9 key passes and won 4.7 duels per Premier League game this term, making good on the self-said proclamation that he’s a “nightmare for anyone” he plays against.
With this extra match wedged into Newcastle’s run-in, shuffling the pack would be a good way to keep things fresh and maintain form. Saturday evening, after all, brings an away trip to CL-chasing rivals Aston Villa.
Gordon has been an immense part of the Magpies’ rise, and while Palace’s Eagles are flying high themselves, adding Gordon to the starting line-up would be the perfect way to overwhelm a backline that has shown its chinks in recent games.
Their own Yamal: Newcastle join race to sign "electrifying" £35m star
Newcastle have their eyes on one of the finest talents in Europe ahead of the summer.
Sunrisers Hyderabad feature in four of the top five highest totals in the competition
Omkar Mankame23-Mar-20252:06
‘Kishan hammered everyone to every corner’
287 for 5 – SRH vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, boundaries rained down as SRH redefined T20 brutality, obliterating their own record from earlier in the season to post a staggering 287 for 3. Travis Head led the charge with a career-best 102 off 41, Heinrich Klaasen pummelled 67 off 31, and Abdul Samad applied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 37 off just 10 balls. That helped SRH win the contest by 25 runs.286 for 6 – SRH vs RR, Hyderabad, 2025The big question heading into IPL 2025 was whether the first 300-plus total would be scored. SRH, the favourites to do so, came tantalizingly close and fell 14 short. The top five collectively faced 118 balls, and not one of them struck below 200. On his SRH debut, Ishan Kishan added to the fireworks, smashing his maiden IPL ton.Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have been at the fore of SRH’s demolition job•AFP/Getty Images277 for 3 – SRH vs MI, Hyderabad, 2024The carnage in Hyderabad resulted in an 11-year-old IPL record falling, RCB’s seemingly-insurmountable 263 for 5 from 2013 fell by the wayside thanks to a breathtaking, collective show from the SRH batters. Klaasen spearheaded the carnage with an unbeaten 80 off 34, while Head and Abhishek Sharma blasted rapid fifties. Mumbai Indians gave a spirited chase but lost steam, falling short by 31 runs.272 for 7 – KKR vs DC, Vishakhapatnam, 2024A rampaging Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batting unit laid down an early marker for a season of run-fests with a commanding demolition of Delhi Capitals (DC). Sunil Narine blazed 85 off 39, Angkrish Raghuvanshi kept pace with 54 off 27, and Andre Russell provided the finishing fireworks with 41 off 19. Only Ishant Sharma’s tight final over, conceding just eight runs, stopped KKR from climbing even higher on this list.266 for 7 – SRH vs DC, Delhi, 2024SRH ventured where no team had gone before in a T20 powerplay. Head and Abhishek blazed their way to a jaw-dropping 125 for no loss in six overs. At that point, 300 looked like a terrifyingly real possibility. But with the field restrictions lifted, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel pulled things back, bringing SRH’s innings down to more earthly realms. Shahbaz Ahmed’s unbeaten 59 off 29 balls, however, still powered them past 260.
After finishing second to Lanning in many high-stake games over the years, Harmanpreet will want to finally get one past her
S Sudarshanan25-Mar-2023Despite a bit of festive fervour to it, both Meg Lanning and Harmanpreet Kaur were focused on the eve of the inaugural WPL final. As captains of their respective national teams, they are quite used to this routine. After all, they led Australia and India in two title clashes that played a big part in the changing landscape of women’s cricket in the last three years – the 2020 T20 World Cup final that attracted 86,174 people at the MCG, and the gold-medal match in Birmingham last year, when women’s T20 cricket featured for the first time in the Commonwealth Games.Lanning and Harmanpreet have been T20I captains for a long period now. Lanning has led Australia in 100 of the 132 T20Is she has played. Harmanpreet has done the same for India in 96 of her 151 T20I outings. But when the two teams have met each other with Lanning and Harmanpreet at the helm, Australia have often had the upper hand, winning ten T20Is to India’s three. And one needs no reminding that while Lanning’s trophy cabinet is running out of space, India Women’s recent Under-19 victory is their only global title.So, Sunday’s final is not just about Mumbai Indians taking on Delhi Capitals. Harmanpreet will want to finally get one past Lanning in a high-stakes game.Both Harmanpreet and Lanning are equally passionate leaders, but they operate in very different ways. Harmanpreet is someone who wears her heart on her sleeve. Consider Alyssa Healy’s dismissal in the Eliminator. Harmanpreet was pumped up after taking the catch to dismiss the UP Warriorz captain, making it evident through her celebration how much that wicket meant for Mumbai.Meg Lanning is the leading run-scorer in the WPL•BCCIOn the other hand, Lanning is almost inscrutable. After Capitals beat Warriorz in their last league match to confirm direct qualification to the final, all she offered was applause from the dugout and hugs.Some of Harmanpreet’s headline-grabbing knocks in international cricket have come against Australia. Her 171 not out in the semi-final of the 2017 ODI World Cup – she wasn’t the captain then – against the Lanning-led Australia was what made women’s cricket in India mainstream. She has been in the midst of it all – the high of a group-stage win over Australia in the T20 World Cup in 2018 and the lows of a narrow loss in the tri-series final in 2020, the Commonwealth Games final, and more recently, the heartbreaking loss in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup last month.Harmanpreet has been an epitome of consistency in this WPL. She kicked off the competition in grand style with an enthralling 30-ball 65, and has only twice been dismissed before reaching 20. She has been the rock that’s held Mumbai’s middle order together and has struck three half-centuries, second only to Tahlia McGrath’s four, in the tournament.Lanning has had an even better tournament. She’s been the leading run-getter for most of the WPL and is the only player among the finalists to score over 300 runs. They have come at a strike rate of 141.55 even though she hasn’t really gone hammer and tongs. With Shafali Verma, she has formed a formidable opening combination.Harmanpreet Kaur is never shy of expressing herself on the field•ICC/Getty Images”Australia have been always doing well ever since I have started playing and they always have great captains,” Harmanpreet, seated next to Lanning at the WPL final pre-match press conference, said. “With Meg, they always have a good team and it’s easy for her to make those changes and come up with a good challenge. In this WPL, they have a balanced side and she is leading from the front.”The biggest thing to learn from her is that she is not someone who is dependent on players. She is someone who leads from the front, like in this WPL. That’s something you want from a leader. When a leader takes responsibility from the front, the team does well. That’s something I always see and learn from her.”She is not someone who gives up early, we will have to fight till the end and we are ready for that.”That last line could also have been in reference to the semi-final last month, where for a large part of the chase India seemed in control before Australia wrested it back to knock them out.Just like on that day, Lanning knows she has another fight on her hands. “Coming up against Harman is always a good challenge,” she said. “She has shown that she is an excellent leader and gets results, both individually and for her team. I always look forward to challenges like that. Always a great contest to come up against a team led by Harman and I am expecting exactly the same tomorrow night.”So, once again in what is yet another landmark game in women’s cricket, Lanning and Harmanpreet are face to face. While the contest on the field will be intense, it has a celebratory feel to it as well. The smiles returned to both the captains’ faces as the presser drew to a close.” [We haven’t put the ropes. You should ask those who have],” Harmanpreet retorted when asked about the smaller size of the boundaries at this tournament, drawing laughs from the room.We are less than 24 hours from the first ever WPL final. And this time, whoever wins, whether it is Lanning or Harmanpreet, it will be a win for Indian cricket.
The first day of the fourth England vs India Test was a good one for quick bowlers, as 13 wickets went down
Sampath Bandarupalli02-Sep-202131 – Shardul Thakur completed his half-century in only 31 balls, the second-fastest recorded half-century in Test cricket for India. The fastest is by Kapil Dev off 30 deliveries against Pakistan in Karachi in 1982. In terms of strike rate, Thakur’s 36-ball 57 is the second-quickest fifty-plus score in Tests for India, behind Kapil’s 55-ball 89, also against England at Lord’s in 1982.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Thakur’s is also the fastest-recorded half-century in Test matches in England. The previous fastest was by Ian Botham, in 32 balls against New Zealand in 1986, also at The Oval. It is also the third-fastest recorded fifty in Tests against England, behind Foffie Williams’ 28-ball fifty in 1948 and Tim Southee’s 29-ball effort in 2008.23.33 – Ajinkya Rahane’s batting average in Test cricket against England. It is the second-poorest average among players to bat in the top six for 20 or more Tests against a single opponent. Alec Bannerman had scored 1108 runs at an average of only 23.08 against England in 50 innings spread across 28 Tests between 1879 and 1893.11 – James Anderson has now sent back Cheteshwar Pujara on 11 occasions in Test cricket – his best against a batter in Tests, joint with Peter Siddle. Nine of those 11 dismissals have come in England, the joint-highest for any bowler at home against a batter in the last 20 years – Stuart Broad had the better of Michael Clarke on nine instances in home Tests, while Ben Stokes has fallen nine times off R Ashwin in India.7 – Ducks for Jasprit Bumrah is Test cricket in 2021, the joint-highest by an Indian in Tests in a calendar year. Bishan Singh Bedi also had seven ducks in 1974, all across ten innings. The only player to bag more ducks in a calendar year is Mervyn Dillion, ten in 2002.13 – Wickets to fall on the first day of the fourth Test, the most on the opening day of a Test match held at The Oval since 1983.