Manchester United have “initiated a move” for a 21-year-old international defender who has impressed the club’s chiefs, according to a new report.
Man Utd defence still struggling as Onana dropped by Amorim
After a horribly poor start to his Old Trafford tenure, United were beginning to show signs of improvement under manager Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils lost just two of their last 10 matches in all competitions, however, they fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Rayan Cherki
Amorim’s men continued to ship too many goals – even with Andre Onana being dropped at St James’ Park.
Onana continued to make errors between the sticks in the week as they were held to a 2-2 draw by French side Lyon in mid-week. The goalkeeper, who is unsettled at Old Trafford, has been heavily linked with a move away this summer.
However, injuries and a lack of both depth and quality in defence are also to blame, meaning United will no doubt need to strengthen in the summer if they are to continue their gradual improvement under Amorim.
Man Utd in talks for Basel defender Jonas Adjetey
One man who is reportedly interesting United as they look to bolster their options at the back in the summer is FC Basel centre back Jonas Adjetey.
According to a new report from Africa Foot, per Sports Witness, the Red Devils have already “initiated a move” by opening negotiations to sign the Ghana international, who they think of as “one of Europe’s most promising defenders.”
Despite being just 21, Adjetey has been a nailed-on starter for Basel this season, making 30 appearances across all competitions, and Africa Foot report that United have sent “emissaries” to watch him play on numerous occasions, and have been won over by his “immense potential.”
With talks open over a move to Old Trafford, there is no agreement yet on a potential fee for the youngster, who is valued at just £3.5 million by Transfermarkt.
According to Scout Europe, Adjetey “stands out for his physical attributes and his approach to the game.”
“Having developed in Basel’s youth system, his early step into the professional arena signals that his career is poised to shine even more in the coming years. After showcasing his talent in local competitions, Jonas seized the opportunity to prove himself at a renowned club like Basel in more competitive European leagues.
“From the moment he started playing in Basel’s first team, he emphasized his defensive positioning and aerial prowess, drawing attention with his disciplined defending and ability to read the game.”
With results not improving under Omer Riza, Cardiff City are now reportedly in shock talks to hire a veteran manager who would be handed the task of salvaging their campaign.
Cardiff on course for relegation
Whilst in charge on an interim basis, Riza won over the trust of Cardiff and was soon handed the permanent managerial role as a result of his hard work. Since then, however, it has been a disaster. Now a point adrift of safety with just four Championship games to save their campaign, Cardiff could yet reportedly make one last-ditch change in the technical area.
The struggling manager called on the Cardiff fans for support in his side’s bid to survive recently after last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke City, telling reporters: “Regarding our fans, I think they were behind us for a lot of the game and when you’ve let a goal in on 85-90 minutes it’s expected that the hope goes from them and the only way they know to deal with it is to vent their frustration.
“All we can keep saying is that they’re important to us, the club is important to them, so they need to help the best they can. They are frustrated, I understand that. It’s hard for me to stand here and say what they should and shouldn’t do because who am I to tell them what their feelings are?
Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season
Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.
ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025
“All I can say is we’re trying our hardest and we all will continue to do that right to the end.”
In truth, however, it may be too little too late to call on such support with Cardiff now reportedly in talks with a potential replacement for Riza.
Cardiff in shock talks to hire Neil Warnock
In a shocking turn of events, Cardiff are now in talks to rehire Neil Warnock, according to Graeme Bailey via EFL Analysis. The veteran manager knows exactly what it takes to turn a club around, there’s no doubting that, and could yet return to the Bluebirds for the first time since a three-year stint between 2016 and 2019.
Bailey told EFL Analysis after confirming that talks have taken place: “Cardiff are considering making a change before the end of the season and former boss Neil Warnock is their preferred choice to come in.
“Omer Riza was given the permanent job in December having replaced Erol Bulut as boss and has battled hard to keep the club up since that point. However, the weekend’s loss to rivals Stoke City has left the Welsh giants in the bottom three and the club are now looking at bringing back former boss Warnock for their final handful of games to see if he can pull of a great escape.”
One of the most experienced managers around and someone who Pep Guardiola once described as “incredible”, Warnock could yet complete a surprise return to Wales before the end of the season.
“The main thing is we want to play these [top-ranked] teams more often,” says Scotland’s Priyanaz Chatterji after the crushing loss
Valkerie Baynes09-Oct-2024South Africa have stomped one foot into the women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with their crushing victory over Scotland in Dubai on Wednesday.Needing a net run-rate boost to leapfrog West Indies into second place, South Africa went one better – for now – with their 80-run win after bowling Scotland out for 86 taking their NRR to 1.527. That’s ahead of an undefeated England, who beat South Africa on Monday and have a game in hand. South Africa have one more group game, against Bangladesh on Saturday.South Africa signalled their intentions through openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, the batting stars of their ten-wicket victory over West Indies in their first match, and then Marizanne Kapp. All three posted quick scores in the 40s to take their side to the highest total of the tournament so far, 166 for 5.Related
Kapp sets the tone before bowlers combine in SA's NRR-boosting win over Scotland
Fast, accurate, relentless Mlaba is determined to be No. 1
Their bowling performance, led by Nonkululeko Mlaba’s 3 for 12, made this as brutal a dismantling of a side as it can get.Wolvaardt’s charge down the pitch to muscle Olivia Bell down the ground for six in the fourth over was evidence enough as she and Brits thundered their way to 60 without loss, the best powerplay of the tournament so far.”It’s always tricky games, games like today, but we knew we had to be at our best,” Kapp said after the game. “That has been the message throughout this tournament, that powerplay, to try and be a bit more attacking. Today I think our openers started us off brilliantly.”Brits’ merciless heave over long-on off Katherine Fraser in the ninth over strengthened South Africa’s case and Kapp went about picking off six boundaries en route a 24-ball 43.But Nadine de Klerk’s fierce bellow of “come on!” as she pinged the top of Priyanaz Chatterji’s middle stump to reduce Scotland to five down for just 39 runs said it all: South Africa meant business.They held their catches – some soft, some difficult, like Sune Luus’ graceful dive to her left to catch Lorna Jack-Brown off her own bowling – and didn’t let up.
“Looking to the lead-up to this World Cup, she’s not been at her best, and she knows that. Then she gets to the World Cup and somehow finds her best. So it’s good signs for us”Marizanne Kapp on Nonkululeko Mlaba
De Klerk’s celebration for her second wicket was more controlled, but the dismissal no less spectacular, Mlaba launching herself forward at short third to grasp Abtahah Maqsood’s leading edge and grinning broadly as she lifted her head from the turf, the match won.Mlaba had set up the victory over West Indies with a career-best 4 for 29 and she now threatens Kapp’s nine wickets in the previous T20 World Cup as leading wicket-taker for South Africa at a single edition of the tournament. Mlaba has eight wickets so far – equal to the retired Shabnim Ismail in 2023 – at an average of 7.87 and economy rate of 5.25.It follows a difficult time between World Cups for Mlaba, who during that time had only taken 14 wickets from 19 matches at an average of 38.40.”Looking to the lead-up to this World Cup, she’s not been at her best, and she knows that. Then she gets to the World Cup and somehow finds her best,” Kapp said. “So it’s good signs for us. Hopefully she can continue like that for the next couple of games. But very proud of her to turn things around so quickly.”
Scotland want fixtures against higher-ranked teams
Scotland’s batting card made for sorry reading with only two players reaching double-figures and no one passing Fraser’s 14.While Chatterji remained upbeat, saying Scotland continued to learn from the experiences, having gone through qualifying to get here, she also highlighted the need for those opportunities to come outside of major tournaments.”It’s tough but we’re a resilient group and that’s part of cricket, it’s part of high-performance sport,” Chatterji said. “The best teams go away and they learn and they move forward and you take what you can. But for sure, it’s disappointing to lose and it’s always disappointing to lose and a heavy defeat like that isn’t much fun, but I thought they played very well.Katherine Fraser top-scored in the chase for Scotland with 14•ICC/Getty Images”The main thing is we want to play these teams more often. I think South Africa is the highest-ranked team we’ve ever played, so it would be awesome to get some fixtures lined up against the higher-ranked teams and if we can get these back-to-back fixtures, we’ll learn and develop a lot and progress for sure.”Scotland are still a semi-professional team and when comparing their set-up to those of South Africa and Australia, whose resources blow South Africa’s out of the water, the disparity is stark.”There’s quite a few gaps,” Chatterji said. “It’s pretty hard being an Associate country and I guess it’s a double-whammy being an Associate and a women’s team. That being said, if you look at the overall budgets between the different countries it’s very, very different especially comparing between Associate and Full-Member nations, so we do what we can.”But when we’re away, we don’t make any excuses. There’s really important conversations to be had about overall structures, fixtures and how there can be more support from, whether it’s the governing bodies or the ICC, and how you make that happen to grow the game. But again, the biggest thing for us is just we need to play more and probably more at a higher level.”
He now has hundreds in all three international formats, and his 126* against NZ is India’s highest T20I score
Sampath Bandarupalli01-Feb-2023126* Shubman Gill’s score against New Zealand in Ahmedabad is now the highest score for India in T20Is. The previous highest was Virat Kohli’s 122* against Afghanistan during last year’s Asia Cup in Dubai.1 Gill now has the highest score by any batter against New Zealand in T20Is, surpassing Richard Levi’s unbeaten 117 for South Africa back in 2012 at Seddon Park.23y 146d Gill’s age coming into the third T20I. He is now the youngest player to score a century for India in T20Is. The previous youngest was Suresh Raina, who was 23 years and 156 days old when he became the first Indian to score a T20I century in the 2010 T20 World Cup against South Africa.1 Players younger than Gill to have scored a century in all three international formats. Ahmed Shehzad is the youngest – he was 22 years and 127 days old when completing his set with a T20I century against Bangladesh in 2014.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var t=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var a in e.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
236.58 Gill’s strike rate against pace during the third T20I. He scored 97 runs off 41 balls he faced against pace, smashing nine fours and seven sixes. His strike rate against spin was only 131.81 off the 22 balls he faced.327.78 Gill’s strike rate in the last 18 balls he faced. He scored 59 runs in those 18 balls, hitting six sixes. Gill scored 34 runs in the powerplay overs, the most he has ever scored in the first six overs in a T20 game.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(e){if(void 0!==e.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var t=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var a in e.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r=0;r<t.length;r++){if(t[r].contentWindow===e.source)t[r].style.height=e.data["datawrapper-height"][a]+"px"}}}))}();
234 for 4 India’s total in Ahmedabad is the third highest by any team against New Zealand in T20Is. Australia made 245 for 5 in 2018 at Eden Park, while England posted 241 for 3 in Napier in 2019. India’s previous highest total against New Zealand was 208 for 6 in 2019.
And why he scored more impact points than Jasprit Bumrah despite the latter’s seemingly superior figures
ESPNcricinfo stats team01-Oct-2020Rahul Chahar’s 2 for 26 and not Kieron Pollard’s 47 off 20 was the most impactful performance of the match between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab, according to ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats.The Mumbai Indians won the match rather comfortably, by 48 runs, after putting up 191 for 4. Hardik Pandya also went after the Kings XI’s less-than-demanding death bowling and, with Krunal yet to come, Smart Stats reckons that Mumbai would’ve put up a big enough total to make it difficult for Kings XI even if Pollard hadn’t contributed as many as he did. So, Pollard’s innings earns him 104.7 impact points, marginally lower than Chahar’s 110.1.Chahar, the young legspinner, took the all-important wickets of the Kings XI captain KL Rahul and the dangerous Glenn Maxwell while the game was still alive, snuffing out any chances of the Kings XI making a match out of it. In addition, Chahar’s four overs went for just 26 runs, earning him impact points for his economy rate as well.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma got the third-highest impact score in the match for his 45-ball 70 and Jasprit Bumrah was at No. 4 for with 93.6 impact points. But why did Bumrah, who also took two wickets and was more economical than Chahar with an economy of 4.5 runs an over, get less value for his performance?That is because in a one-to-one comparison, Chahar’s wickets of Rahul and Maxwell were of much more value that Bumrah’s two wickets of Mayank Agarwal and James Neesham. Moreover, Neesham was dismissed when the match was almost out of the Kings XI’s hands with the asking rate climbing to almost 20 runs an over and an inexperienced lower-middle order to follow. The improbability of the chase being successful at that point was part of the reason for Bumrah’s economical bowling towards the end not fetching him that many impact points.Click here to know more about Smart Stats.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Where to begin? That sentence, perhaps, sums up the malaise at Liverpool this season, the catastrophic failure that has tainted not just the form of Arne Slot’s side but the culture and the club-fanbase connection too.
The overwhelming frustration that the supporters have felt since this abject run of results started is clearly shared by the players, with Mohamed Salah’s audacious outburst after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United leading to an overspill that has threatened to engulf the club.
Slot is walking a tightrope, now, but the plain truth is that FSG are right to givew the head coach their overwhelming support. Backing a player, even Salah, over the boss is something the ownership simply cannot do, even with Slot pitted against a peerless hero, even against Salah.
This is a mess of a situation, so far removed from the culture and stability that has left rivals so envious over the past decade, Jurgen Klopp starting the fire.
Salah’s calculated gambit will prove the end for one of Liverpool’s leading parties, to be sure.
Liverpool already looking at big-money Salah replacement
Slot and Salah’s long-term futures at Anfield are now mutually exclusive, with the Egyptian King’s incendiary comments after being benched for three successive games confirming a breakdown in the relationship between the two.
The Premier League champions have been sent in a tailspin, and Salah’s divorce from Slot’s plans stands as a symbol of the staggering collapse.
But, whichever side of the fence you stand on, there’s no denying that Salah is 33 years old and has been well below expectations this season, just five goals and three assists to show for his campaign, 19 matches in.
That’s why Spanish sources suggest plans to sign Desire Doue from Paris Saint-Germain have been ramped up, with FSG ready to launch a British-record €150m (£131m) bid in 2026.
Doue, 20, was crowned the European Golden Boy after his incredible breakout campaign in Paris, now established as one of the most talented wide attackers in the world.
He is not as polished as Salah in his prime, but this would be the perfect signing to replace the £400k-per-week superstar on Merseyside, should push come to shove.
Why Doue would be a Salah upgrade
Doue is quite the talent, unique in his dynamic and versatile wing play. He is a talented technician, but he also wears his qualities with such personality and gusto, splitting defences open with fleet footwork and calculated passing.
He was hailed as a “magician” by talent scout Jacek Kulig after his “incredible performance” against Inter Milan in the Champions League final last year, a fine indication of his ability to showcase his skills on the grandest of stages.
Moreover, the France international is able to balance his output; not shy to shoot, he is a fierce playmaker, and this is why he could prove such a perfect upgrade on the ageing Salah.
Doue has yet to get going in Ligue 1 this season, but Sofascore data presents an average of 5.1 duels and 1.5 tackles in the league last year, underlaying a return of 16 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, and plenty of flashy dribbling besides.
Salah’s deterioration this season has been well documented, but he was in contention for the Ballon d’Or last year, and when looking at how he compares to Doue over the past year, you begin to see why this French up-and-comer is so highly touted.
Goals scored
0.52
0.55
Assists
0.30
0.35
Shots taken
3.07
2.90
Shot-creating actions
4.09
5.13
Touches (att pen)
8.72
6.27
Pass completion (%)
70.2
82.0
Progressive passes
4.06
6.19
Progressive carries
4.11
5.02
Successful take-ons
1.34
2.66
Ball recoveries
2.70
4.82
Tackles + interceptions
0.70
3.64
Doue is a combative player, and the energy and mobility he would add to Liverpool’s right flank would help steer Anfield back into calmer waters, flowing toward the attacking successes and fluency of last year.
It is clear that some measure of change is needed, and while FSG will fight tooth and nail to retain Salah’s services for now, Doue would mark a significant upgrade, nailing down the right-sided wing for many years to come.
Salah is a one-of-a-kind sort of winger, and Liverpool would likely fall by the wayside if signing someone mimicking his style. Doue is his own player, and his creative emphasis would help service the likes of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the centre.
In this way, he would prove an upgrade on a legend whose Liverpool career sadly seems to be winding down.
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Leeds United need to improve their offensive output if they want to stand a chance of avoiding an instant relegation from the Premier League this season.
Last season, every team that avoided the drop scored at least 42 goals, with Spurs in 17th place scoring 64 times, whilst all three of the teams that went down averaged less than a goal per game.
The Whites are currently in the middle of that, with 11 goals in 11 matches in the Premier League, which shows that they need to improve their output at the top end of the pitch.
11 games into the season, no Leeds player has scored more than two goals in the division, with three players leading the way for goals, and that needs to change in the coming weeks.
Leeds’ top Premier League scorers since 20/21
Season
Top goalscorer
Goals
25/26
Noah Okafor
Joe Rodon
Lukas Nmecha
2
22/23
Rodrigo
13
21/22
Raphinha
11
20/21
Patrick Bamford
17
Stats via WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, at least one player hit double figures for goals in each of the three seasons that the club were in the Premier League during their last stint.
In their run in the division before that, Australian forward Mark Viduka hit double figures in four successive seasons, including 17 and 20-goal hauls in two of them, per Transfermarkt.
Why Leeds need to sign a new centre-forward
Leeds need to sign a new centre-forward to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch in the January transfer window because none of their current options look likely to be their next Viduka.
As aforementioned, no one in the squad has scored more than two goals in the Premier League after 11 matches, and summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a particular disappointment so far this term.
The experienced number nine, who was signed on a free transfer from Everton in the summer, is reportedly the highest earner in the squad on £100k-per-week, but has not done enough on the pitch to justify that.
Calvert-Lewin’s Premier League career
Season
xG
Goals
25/26
1.62
1
24/25
8.85
3
23/24
13.63
7
22/23
6.50
2
21/22
6.22
5
20/21
18.21
16
19/20
16.11
13
18/19
6.17
6
17/18
5.44
4
16/17
1.25
1
Stats via Understat
As you can see in the table above, Calvert-Lewin has historically been a poor finisher in the Premier League, mostly for Everton, and arrived at Elland Road in the summer off the back of four successive seasons without scoring more than seven goals in a league campaign.
It should, therefore, not be a surprise that he has struggled for form for the Whites in front of goal, with one goal and ten ‘big chances’ missed in all competitions so far this season, per Sofascore.
Nmecha, meanwhile, has scored two Premier League goals this season, but has not scored more than eight goals in a league season, per Sofascore, since he plundered 18 goals in the Pro League for Anderlecht in the 2020/21 campaign.
Leeds plotting move for new striker
The unlikelihood of Calvert-Lewin or Nmecha pushing on to hit double figures for goals in the Premier League has reportedly prompted the club to pursue another option in their position.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to TEAMtalk, the club recognise that they let Daniel Farke down in the summer transfer window and plan to rectify that mistake by adding more firepower to his squad in January.
The report claims that Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda is one of the players they are plotting a possible move for, alongside Coventry’s Haji Wright, AZ Alkmaar’s Troy Parrott, and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Garcia.
It adds that the Scottish Premiership forward has told the Hoops of his desire to move on from Parkhead in the next transfer window, which will come as a boost to Leeds, as well as Everton and Brentford, who are said to be leading the race for his signature.
Maeda was reportedly valued at around £21m by Celtic in the summer, amid interest in his services at the time, but it remains to be seen if that valuation has changed ahead of January.
Why Daizen Maeda could be Leeds United's new Mark Viduka
As aforementioned, Viduka had great success in the Premier League during his time at Elland Road, with 72 goals in 166 matches in all competitions for the club, per Transfermarkt.
That impressive form for the Whites came after he made a move from Celtic, where, per Transfermarkt, he scored an eye-catching 27 goals in 37 games in the 99/00 season, before his switch to West Yorkshire in the summer of 2000.
Maeda, who is currently shining for Celtic, could follow in Viduka’s footsteps by making a similar move to be a goalscoring sensation for Leeds in the second half of this season, and beyond.
The Japanese forward, who can play on either wing or as a number nine, scored 33 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt, and has scored four goals so far this term.
These statistics show that Maeda has been an incredibly prolific goalscorer for the Scottish giants, which is exactly what Leeds are lacking in their current squad.
24/25 Premiership
Daizen Maeda
Percentile rank vs positional peers
xG
12.76
Top 1%
Goals
16
Top 1%
xA
5.99
Top 6%
Assists
10
Top 1%
Duels won
104
Top 23%
Tackles won
44
Top 6%
Possession won in the final third
13
Top 16%
Stats via FotMob
Perhaps most interestingly, though, the Japan international ranked within the top 16% of his positional peers in the Premiership last season for winning possession back in the final third, despite Celtic being an incredibly dominant team who won the title.
At Leeds, Maeda would be in a team that is under pressure a lot in matches, as they are fighting relegation, which would give him even more opportunities to use his incredible pressing skills and speed to win the ball off the opposition to spark counter-attacks.
The Celtic star, who ex-Rangers boss Barry Ferguson claimed is “built like a brick”, could be the perfect signing for Leeds because he has the goalscoring record to suggest that he can provide the threat that they are currently missing, whilst also possessing the out-of-possession attributes that you need a player to have in a relegation scrap.
Maeda’s relentless running and pressing could be invaluable to the Whites as they battle to avoid the drop, and his goalscoring quality could make him Viduka 2.0 at Elland Road.
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Holder not only anchored Patriots’ innings with an unbeaten fifty but also delivered a match-winning final over
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Sep-2025
Jason Holder defended 13 off the final over•CPL T20 via Getty Images
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots kept their playoffs hopes alive by pulling off a narrow one-run victory over Barbados Royals, who have been knocked out of the race in CPL 2025. Captain Jason Holder played a starring role, not only anchoring Patriots’ innings with an unbeaten fifty but also delivering a match-winning final over with the ball, in which he defended 13 runs.Patriots sit fifth on the points table with eight points and all their matches done. Guyana Amazon Warriors are fourth with eight points and if they win either of their next two matches, they will secure the last playoffs spot, with St Lucia Kings, Trinbago Knight Riders and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons already through.While there were handy contributions from several players, Holder’s all-round performance was the key to Patriots’ success. His 53 not out guided them to 150 for 7, with Patriots recovering from 62 for 4 at the end of ten overs. This was after Mohammad Rizwan’s 39 off 36 helped Patriots get off to a modest start. Holder, along with Navin Bidaisee (30 off 23), accelerated in the latter stages as the pair added 74 runs off 46 balls for the sixth wicket, including 34 runs off the last three overs.Holder’s leadership was also evident in the bowling attack, where he claimed two crucial wickets in the death. His most dramatic contribution came in the final over, with Royals needing 14 runs to win. Rassie van der Dussen started the over with a six over long-on to bring the equation down to eight off five. Holder kept his composure and, with the equation down to two needed off the last ball, bowled a perfect yorker to trap Daniel Sams lbw, sealing a thrilling victory for Patriots.Earlier, Royals had made a strong start, with opener Brandon King (29 off 22) laying a good foundation for the chase. They raced to 44 for 1 by the end of powerplay. However, the middle overs proved costly as the top order struggled to accelerate. Patriots’ bowlers capitalised, with Waqar Salamkheil striking first with the wicket of King and Naseem Shah removing Kadeem Alleyne in the eighth over. Quinton de Kock was caught and bowled by Bidaisee in the following over and despite a dropped catch from Rizwan, Royals’ chase started to lose momentum.Van der Dussen fought valiantly, keeping Royals in the hunt with a quickfire 37 off 27 balls, but it wasn’t enough in the end. For Patriots, Salamkheil and Bidaisee also picked up two wickets apiece.
The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes is over—the Japanese-born pitcher announced Friday that he has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Two days after the international signing period opened on Wednesday, Sasaki took to Instagram to share his decision, making the announcement with a picture of a Dodgers cap in the bleachers.
"I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers," Sasaki's post read, via Instagram’s translation. "It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back after my baseball career. I want to slip my sleeve on the Dodgers uniform at the opening conference, thanking everyone who has supported me this far."
The news comes after the San Diego Padres were eliminated from consideration earlier on Friday, leaving the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays as the final two teams. Sasaki had previously eliminated the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees earlier in the week.
Sasaki now bolsters a Dodgers' rotation that struggled with injuries to Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, and River Ryan among others toward the end of the 2024 season. The Dodgers managed to win the World Series anyway with a three-man rotation, but will now have the additional help of Sasaki, Cy Young-award winner Blake Snell, and Shohei Ohtani, who is expected to return to pitching in 2025.
The Dodgers were long the favorites to sign Sasaki, and now they have officially signed him. Sasaki is regarded as one of the most talented pitching prospects in the sport, with an impressive splitter and a fastball that can exceed 100 miles per hour. The Dodgers were already viewed as a super team by many, and they should only continue to dominate with their exceptionally stacked roster.
Imam unable to play due to visa issues but stand-in Luxton impresses with half-century
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay22-Jul-2025Yorkshire 282 for 4 (Wharton 78, Luxton 71, Bean 57, Lyth 47) vs Surrey Yorkshire’s top order ensured a settled start to their Rothesay County Championship clash with leaders Surrey at Scarborough after their build-up was anything but.Hovering just three points above the drop zone in Division One after nine matches, Yorkshire ended an engaging opening day on a healthy 282 for four from 86 overs.Fin Bean, Will Luxton and James Wharton all posted half-centuries against a Surrey attack who struggled to create consistent pressure having lost the toss.Bean (57) shared an opening stand of 107 with Adam Lyth either side of lunch before Luxton and Wharton usurped them by sharing 149 for the third wicket either side of tea. Luxton posted a career best 71 off 118 balls and Wharton went on to top score with a season’s best 78 off 166.Yorkshire’s management arrived at the ground not knowing whether their captain and new overseas signing Jonny Bairstow and Imam-ul-Haq would be able to play due to the former’s impending arrival of another child and the latter’s visa issues.Bairstow made it, Imam didn’t. Yorkshire are also missing talismanic 37-wicket all-rounder George Hill having not sufficiently recovered from a foot injury.Not that the disruption showed on the field, as Bairstow elected to bat and then watched Bean, Lyth, Wharton and Luxton excel on a pitch offering spongy bounce and not as much pace as is usual at this North Marine Road venue.Yorkshire’s progress was largely serene.Bean was dropped at third slip by Dom Sibley off former Yorkshire fast bowler Matthew Fisher during the early stages, and there were a couple of confident lbw shouts.But Surrey’s bowlers struggled to find the right lines and lengths.When they did, they gained success. Dan Worrall – three for 49 from 16 overs – removed Lyth and then Bean in the space of three balls in the 33rd over, leaving the hosts at 108 for two.That came during the early stages of the afternoon.Lunch had came 15 minutes early because of rain.Worrall struck when he had Lyth caught at first slip with a ball not quite there to drive before getting Bean caught at wide mid-on following an aborted pull at well directed short ball.Just when you thought Surrey would assert their authority, Wharton and Luxton had other ideas.Luxton, aged 22, enjoyed an impressive recent Vitality Blast in a struggling side highlighted by a superb 90 not out in a Roses win at Emirates Old Trafford.He wouldn’t have played in this game had Imam been available. But Yorkshire pulled him out of the Professional County Clubs Select XI squad to face Pakistan A in three one-day matches to feature here, and he has taken his chance with only a second first-class fifty in his 10 career appearance.Imam, incidentally, was at the ground and warmed up with his team-mates before play.Yorkshire say they are working with his agent and the relevant authorities to resolve his visa issues in time for next week’s clash with Sussex on this ground.Luxton is a dynamic player who often looks a million dollars, as he did here on the drive and working off his legs.His next challenge is consistency.Wharton lofted the off-spin of Will Jacks down the ground for six before tea, and Luxton whipped Jamie Overton’s pace off his legs for the same result afterwards.Jacks broke the Wharton and Luxton alliance when he bowled the latter, who was aggressively sweeping – 257 for three after 77 overs.That was a significant boost for Surrey just before the new ball was due.Worrall then had Wharton caught behind for his third wicket of the day – 276 for four in the 83rd over.But Bairstow had reached 19 by the time bad light prevented any further play at 5.20pm.