Fast bowler desperate for another crack at international cricket after wash-out in Malahide

Matt Roller20-Sep-2025Nobody at Malahide was more disappointed than Sonny Baker when rain ruined the second of England’s three matches in Ireland on Friday. Two-and-a-half weeks on from a chastening ODI debut against South Africa, Baker was in line to win his first T20I cap and was “desperate” for a second crack at international cricket. Instead, he is crossing his fingers for sunshine on Sunday.At 22, Baker has emerged as a serious prospect this year, fast-tracked onto an England development contract after impressing for the Lions in Australia. He starred in the Hundred, with sharp new-ball spells to David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, and was widely considered a potential Ashes bolter had he made a positive first impression in an England shirt.Instead, what should have been the highlight of his young career quickly turned into a day to forget. With just 131 on the board after a dramatic batting collapse – Baker was last man out, bowled first-ball – he was asked to bowl the first over, running up the hill at Headingley. Aiden Markram duly hit three of the first five balls of his England career to the boundary.His second over went no better, with Markram crunching him for six on either side of the ground. Harry Brook kept him on, hoping a wicket would change things, but had to relent after his first four overs cost 56 runs. Baker’s second spell, after an end change, went slightly better, but 0 for 76 in seven overs were still the worst figures for an England ODI debutant.Baker receives his England cap from Jos Buttler•ECB via Getty Images

“It was obviously not exactly how I’d planned my debut going,” Baker said on Saturday, with a healthy dose of perspective. “Not all good experiences are enjoyable experiences… At the time, I was thinking, ’15 an over for my first three or four overs is not what I had in mind!’ But in the long run, it’ll be a good thing… The next one will definitely be better than that – or hopefully!”Jof [Jofra Archer] came over from cover to mid-off and was like, ‘How’s your heart rate, bud?’ But from an emotional management point of view, I actually felt okay at the time, all things considered. There was so much going on that I didn’t really have time to register, ‘Oh no, this is really not going how I wanted it to.’ It was like, ‘Well, I’ve just got to get on with it and deal with it.'”Overall, I was obviously a little bit disappointed after the series, because it’s not how you want your first game to go. I had a bit of time to reflect, but bounced back fairly quickly after that because I knew I was obviously in for this [tour].”Baker has quickly developed a reputation as a meticulous note-taker, who takes analysis very seriously and plans for each game in great detail. He was not too disheartened reviewing his debut, recounting one delivery to Markram at 89mph – “a little bit over the top of leg stump” – which disappeared over square leg for six.”Brooky was chatting to me after, and said, ‘What did you write down in your notebook after that game?’ I just said, ‘Shit happens,'” he recounted. “It was not the best I’ve bowled, but there’s days where I’ve bowled a lot worse than that and got four [wickets] for not very many. It’s just one of those games: you can score quickly at that ground.”Related

• Brook backs butchered Baker after chastising ODI debut

• Abject England still searching for one-day identity

• Summer arrives late for Ireland in slender window of opportunity

• Dublin downpour leads to Ireland-England washout

His main takeaway was how little room for error there is at international level: “It’s just the execution. I knew what I was trying to bowl [to Markram], just cramping him for room at the top of leg stump. If you miss fractionally short or you miss fractionally full, it’s tough. Basically, your margins are just smaller… Batters are allowed to play good shots.”He hopes to be involved in next month’s white-ball tour to New Zealand and will then head to Australia in some capacity, most likely with the Lions. After only seven first-class appearances – all of them this year, including an unusual debut for the Lions – Baker is still an unknown commodity as a red-ball bowler: “That’s one of the exciting things about being young, isn’t it?”Brendon McCullum singled him out for his “infectious enthusiasm” after the series, and his debut does not appear to have affected him too negatively. He was back bowling for Hampshire on Blast Finals Day last weekend, where his personal highlight was an inswinging yorker to clean up Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and is now hoping to make his T20I debut in front of his parents and his girlfriend in Ireland.Baker was “very nervous” on the morning of his debut at Headingley, but hopes that he will be able to channel his emotions in Malahide – a more low-key setting, even with tickets sold out for Sunday’s match – and prove himself in an England shirt: “I’m desperate to get out there again… Hopefully, [Sunday] will be a good opportunity to get one under my belt.”

أعلنت جلوب سوكر صباح اليوم الأربعاء، عن القائمة النهائية للمرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب في عام 2025، حيث يقام هذا الحفل كل عام.

وكانت جلوب سوكر قد أعلنت منذ أسابيع عن قائمة مبدأية مرشحين لأفضل مدرب في عام 2025، قبل الكشف عن القائمة النهائية اليوم.

وجاء على رأس المرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب في جلوب سوكر لويس إنريكي، مدرب باريس سان جيرمان، إلى جانب المدير الفني لنادي برشلونة، هانز فليك. المرشحين لجائزة أفضل مدرب من جلوب سوكر

لويس إنريكي (باريس سان جيرمان).

تشابي ألونسو (ريال مدريد).

هانز فليك (برشلونة).

إنزو ماريسكا (باريس سان جيرمان).

ميكيل أرتيتا (آرسنال).

آرني سلوت (ليفربول).

كما تم الإعلان عن القائمة النهائية لأفضل لاعب وسط من حفل جلوب سوكر والتي شملت وجود 8 لاعبين.

أقرأ أيضًا .. القائمة النهائية لجائزة أفضل لاعب في الشرق الأوسط من جلوب سوكر.. رونالدو ينافس ثنائي عربي

وكالعادة سيطر باريس سان جيرمان على المرشحين لأفضل لاعب خط وسط في جلوب سوكر، حيث تواجد ثلاثة لاعبين من النادي الفرنسي، وهم فيتينها، وديزيريه دوي، وجواو نيفيز. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب وسط في جلوب سوكر

فيتينها (باريس سان جيرمان).

جواو نيفيز (باريس سان جيرمان).

ديزيريه دوي (باريس سان جيرمان).

بيدري (برشلونة).

فيرمين لوبيز (برشلونة).

فيديريكو فالفيردي (ريال مدريد).

جود بيلينجهام (ريال مدريد).

كول بالمر (تشيلسي).

وكشفت جلوب سوكر عن ستة مرشحين لجائزة أفضل لاعب صاعد في عام 2025، حيث تواجد أردا جولر، صانع ألعاب نادي ريال مدريد، في حين ترشح باو كوبارسي، مدافع نادي برشلونة، لهذه الجائزة كذلك.

وشهدت هذه القائمة وجود عربي بتواجد إلياس بن صغير، نجم نادي باير ليفركوزن، من بين المرشحين لأفضل لاعب صاعد. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب صاعد فمن جلوب سوكر

ديزيريه دوي (باريس سان جيرمان).

جواو نيفيز (باريس سان جيرمان).

أردا جولر (ريال مدريد).

إلياس بن صغير (باير ليفركوزن).

باو كوبارسي (برشلونة).

كينان يلدز (يوفنتوس). 

Cal Raleigh made MLB history on Sunday by hitting his 49th home run this season and becoming the record-holder for most home runs hit in a single season by a catcher.

Well, Raleigh followed up one historic game with another on Monday as he crushed his 50th homer of the year. With this home run, he joined two MLB legends in two separate records.

Raleigh is now just the second Mariners player in franchise history to record 50 or more home runs in a single season, joining Ken Griffey Jr. on the short list. Griffey logged 56 home runs in both the 1997 and '98 seasons with Seattle. Raleigh could be on his way to reaching, or surpassing, that Mariners record held by Griffey for nearly three decades.

Additionally, Raleigh is now just the second switch hitter in MLB history to record 50 or more home runs in a single season, joining Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, per Mariners PR. The late MLB legend has remained the only switch hitter ever to hit this milestone since he did so in both 1956 and '61—that was until Monday night when Raleigh hit this mark. Mantle hit 52 homers in '56 and 54 in '61, so Raleigh could surpass both of Mantle's home run numbers in a single season.

There's still about a month left of the MLB regular season. Let's see what other history Raleigh makes.

There wasn’t much turn or bounce in the game where India toiled over 200 overs straight, following their decision to enforce the follow-on

Karthik Krishnaswamy13-Oct-20253:50

Washington Sundar: ‘Important to not chase the result’

If the Chennai defeat to England in 2021 made India switch from flat home pitches that took turn in the second innings to square turners, the shock 3-0 reverse to New Zealand last year made them rethink the latter strategy.During the ongoing two-Test series against West Indies, India have stated their desire to play on balanced pitches that give batters the chance of scoring big runs, particularly in the first innings.The plan worked out perfectly in the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad, where India rushed to an innings win in three days, but it may have hit a bit of a snag in Delhi, where India are poised to take the series 2-0 going into day five, but only after their bowlers slogged for nearly 200 overs — all in one go following their decision to enforce the follow-on — to bowl West Indies out twice.Related

• 'It's about taking the right options' – Gill on first series win as Test captain

• Kuldeep's stump vision defies flat Delhi pitch

• India 58 runs away from 2-0 sweep of West Indies

• Centuries and time at the crease ease West Indies' crisis

Could this prompt another rethink? India allrounder Washington Sundar isn’t thinking about all that; for now he’s happy to experience the variety of challenges that different venues throw up.”It’s quite different in different venues, isn’t it?” he said in his press conference at the end of day four. “This I would say is a typical Delhi wicket, where there’s not much bounce, and obviously there wasn’t a lot of turn on offer in this game. But yeah, different venues play quite differently, and that’s the beauty of this format in particular.India were on the field for over 200 overs in Delhi after enforcing the follow-on against West Indies•Associated Press

“We play in a lot of different conditions, be it home or away, and obviously all those conditions and the opposition challenge our skillsets, and that’s the beauty of this format. We keep going. We try and assess what’s really required in those conditions and really be on top of a game and do something special for the team.”India’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington bowled 143.5 overs across the two West Indies innings, and picked up 13 wickets between them.”On this kind of a wicket you just need to be patient and try and hit those [good] areas more consistently, and that’s the only challenge,” Washington said. “It’s good to be bowling long spells, and it’s very heartening to have actually taken 20 wickets on a wicket like this. All of the bowlers bowled really well, even the fast bowlers bowled their heart out every single spell, so it’s very heartening.”John Campbell and Shai Hope led West Indies’ fight in their follow-on innings, scoring centuries and putting on 177 for the third wicket. Washington praised them for settling into their partnership by taking calculated risks to spread the field.”Honestly, Campbell and Hope played really well,” Washington said. “They took their chances, and once the field was spread out they were really sensible with their game as well.”India, Washington felt, were well-prepared for spending long hours on the field, having played their last Test series in England, where all five Tests went into the fifth day. “The England series definitely made us understand what it actually feels like to be on the field for five days, because even in England we fielded for about 180-200 overs every game, so this definitely isn’t something very new to us.”2:43

Chopra: Credit to West Indies for pushing India into day five

Since his return to the Test team during the New Zealand series last year, Washington has often played as one of three allrounders in India’s line-up. This has meant he’s ended up playing more of a batting-heavy role in some games and a bowling-heavy role in others; in this series, he’s only got to bat once so far in three innings, with India declaring after he had faced 13 balls in that one innings.”It’s just been a blessing, honestly,” Washington said. “To be an allrounder is really heartening, because you’re always in the game, either with the ball or bat, and you have a great opportunity with both skillsets to make an impact for the team and eventually win the game for the team. I’ve got to thank god for all the skills he’s blessed me with.”In Test cricket it’s better to have as many allrounders [as possible], because if you go back and see, most of the teams who have dominated Test cricket for many years, I think they’ve had good-quality allrounders in their line-up, and I’d say we’ve got some really quality allrounders in our team as well.”While this is not necessarily true of the West Indies teams that dominated world cricket in the 1970s and 80s or the Australia team of the 2000s, it is certainly true of the India sides that won every home series they played from 2013 until the loss to New Zealand last year, with spin-bowling allrounders Jadeja, R Ashwin and later Axar Patel and Washington himself adding depth and heft to both the bowling and batting.Starting their fourth-innings pursuit of 121 late on Monday evening, India began as if they were looking to end the game on day four itself, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting two fours in the first over before falling in the second while attempting a big hit down the ground. They knuckled down thereafter to ensure no other wicket fell, with KL Rahul and B Sai Sudharsan putting on an unbroken 54 to take India into day five needing a further 58 runs to win.”A lot of you all also would have liked it if the game got over today,” Washington joked to the assembled mediapersons. “Jaiswal did his best — on another day he would have definitely finished [it] today.”

Celtic look set to finally confirm the appointment of their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Parkhead with the arrival of Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew.

Rodgers tendered his resignation at the end of October, after a 3-1 loss to Hearts, and experienced manager Martin O’Neill has taken the reins as interim head coach for the past month or so.

The former Celtic boss, as shown in the graphic above, won the Scottish Premiership title in his first two seasons back at Parkhead, and it will be down to Nancy to overcome Hearts to win the division in his first season.

Journalist Graeme Bailey claims that the Hoops are set to confirm the appointment of the MLS boss before the weekend, but that means that it remains to be seen if he will be in the dugout for the weekend’s clash with Hibernian.

Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna were also said to be in the running for the role, but it is the Frenchman who is poised to replace Rodgers.

Whilst Nancy will have to deal with the players that he inherits for the first month or so of his reign in Glasgow, the incoming boss has already been linked with a move to bring one of his Columbus Crew stars to Scotland.

The Columbus Crew star Wilfried Nancy could bring to Celtic

Earlier this week, it was reported that Celtic are lining up a move to bolster their attack by swooping for one of the French head coach’s key players from the MLS side.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Nancy is reportedly set to swoop for Columbus Crew centre-forward Wessam Abou Ali to provide him with a proven and lethal number nine at Parkhead for the second half of the 2025/26 season.

The Palestine international scored three goals in five MLS games for Nancy towards the end of the 2025 campaign, per Sofascore, after a £5.7m move from Egyptian giants Al Ahly back in July.

Prior to his almost £6m move to the MLS in July, Abou Ali’s form for Al Ahly in Egypt caught the eye, as he showcased his reliability in front of goal in the Egyptian Premier League.

Appearances

19

16

Goals

18

10

Minutes per goal

76

118

Big chances missed

5

1

Conversion rate

40%

23%

Big chances created

3

2

Assists

4

3

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old frontman scored a staggering 28 goals in 35 appearances in those two seasons, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.

However, it remains to be seen how much money Columbus Crew would want for the prolific striker because they paid almost £6m for him earlier this year, and he has already scored three goals in five league games.

If the MLS side demand a hefty fee that Celtic are either unable or unwilling to pay in the January transfer window, Nancy will have to look at alternative ways to bolster his attacking ranks at Parkhead.

For example, the French boss could unearth his next version of Abou Ali by helping young striker Callum Osmand fulfill his potential when he is back fit and available for selection.

Why Osmand could be Celtic's own version of Abou Ali

The Jersey-born star is currently out with a hamstring injury and a timeline has not been given on his return date, so it remains to be seen when he will be available to the incoming Hoops boss.

With Kelechi Iheanacho and Osmand both missing through injury, Ireland international Johnny Kenny is the first-choice number nine at Parkhead. The young forward has had an impressive run under interim boss O’Neill with four goals in five matches, per Sofascore.

However, it may be the former Fulham youngster who is the most likely to emerge as the star goalscorer of the Nancy era when you consider his record at first-team and academy level to date.

Appearances

150

83

Goals

47

49

Games per goal

3.19

1.69

Assists

11

13

Games per assist

13.64

6.38

As you can see in the table above, Osmand has scored and created goals at a much more impressive rate than Kenny has throughout his career to date, with an exceptional haul of 49 goals in 83 matches.

Whilst the majority of those goals have been at youth level, the 20-year-old star also showcased his quality in the first-team with a poacher’s finish against Rangers in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden Park earlier this month.

Unfortunately, Osmand then suffered his hamstring injury off the bench against Midtjylland in the Europa League in the very next game, shortly after winning a penalty from which Reo Hatate scored.

The ex-Fulham youngster, who was also hailed as “lightning quick” by Fulham expert Jack Kelly, scored one goal and won a penalty in his first three first-team outings for the Scottish giants, which is an impressive start to senior football for the young attacker.

His exceptional goalscoring record in his career suggests that he has the potential to emerge as a real star for Celtic in the future, once he is back from injury, because he has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.

Therefore, the summer signing could be unearthed as Nancy’s next version of Abou Ali, who has been a prolific scorer for his last two teams, as another number nine who can provide a lethal presence in front of goal, if the Hoops are unable to get a deal done for the MLS star.

£1.5m Celtic flop has been an even bigger waste of time than Balikwisha

This Celtic flop has been an even worse signing than Michel-Ange Balikwisha for the Scottish giants.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 25, 2025

Chris Sutton took aim at one Leeds United star after spotting an “odd” moment in the Whites’ dramatic 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

Leeds lose late on at Man City

It was very nearly an unforgettable afternoon for Leeds, who came from behind to level things up at 2-2 in the second-half, courtesy of Lukas Nmecha’s reactions to rebound from his own penalty.

As so many have experienced at the Etihad over the years, however, it simply wasn’t to be for Daniel Farke’s men. The Citizens’ simply had too much quality and, for a split second, Phil Foden had too much time. The England international fired home his second goal of the day in the 91st minute to break Leeds’ hearts.

Upon reflection, Farke will be wishing that he started with Dominic Calvert-Lewin rather than setting up to frustrate Man City. It took just 59 seconds for Foden to give the hosts the lead, before Josko Gvardiol’s goal looked to be the beginning of a thrashing.

Farke soon changed things at the break, though, and Calvert-Lewin’s effort from the bench set the tone for Nmecha to then go and convert the rebound of his own spotkick.

The Yorkshire side certainly deserved at least a point, but simply felt the harsh reality of the Premier League in its full extent instead. From here, they must pick themselves up and go again against Chelsea at Elland Road.

Things won’t be getting any easier for a Leeds side who could be three points adrift of safety if other results go against them this weekend.

Chris Sutton, covering the game for BBC Sport, was particularly critical of Pascal Struijk in the first-half after spotting an “odd” moment from the Leeds defender.

Sutton slams "odd" Pascal Struijk moment

Taking aim, Sutton slammed Struijk for how he was “content” with entering the break at 2-0 down, wasting time at the end of the first-half. The defender’s aim was damage control and, to his credit, it worked in his favour as Leeds soon came from behind.

The moment, which sparked Sutton’s frustration, may well have helped Leeds stay in the game. It was an absolute onslaught from Man City in the first period and Farke desperately needed to get his side back into the game without letting the hosts out of sight. And the £50,000-a-week defender was well aware of that.

The visitors can take a lot of positives, despite their defeat. It’s very rare that sides come to the Etihad, find themselves 2-0 down and don’t find themselves on the end of a battering. Leeds, however, showed plenty of fight.

Leeds eyeing move for 4-3-3 Farke successor who has admirers at Elland Road

Stats highlights from the third day’s play between England and India in Edgbaston

Sampath Bandarupalli04-Jul-2025

Jamie Smith made the top score by an England wicketkeeper•ECB via Getty Images

184* – Jamie Smith’s score against India at Edgbaston is the highest by an England wicketkeeper in Test cricket, surpassing Alex Stewart’s 173 against New Zealand in Auckland in 1997.Smith’s unbeaten 184 is also the highest score for England from No. 7 or lower and the highest against India from those positions.He began his innings on the third morning and brought up his century before lunch, off just 80 balls – the joint-third-fastest hundred for England, and the fastest in Tests between England and India. The previous quickest was by Kapil Dev off 86 balls in Kanpur in 1982.303 – The partnership between Harry Brook (158) and Smith at Edgbaston – England’s second-highest for the sixth wicket . They are only the ninth pair with a 300-plus stand for the sixth wicket in Tests.6 – Number of batters out for a duck in England’s first innings at Edgbaston, the most for England in an innings. It’s the second time India have dismissed six batters for ducks in Test cricket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd407 – England’s total at Edgbaston is the lowest for an all-out innings that had a 300-plus partnership. The previous lowest was 431 by West Indies against Australia in Kingston in 1999.England’s score is also the lowest for an innings with two batters making 150-plus scores. The previous lowest was 414 by West Indies against England in Georgetown in 1968.On the other hand, their total is the highest among the nine innings containing six ducks. Only once has a team scored more than 400 despite five (or more) ducks – 429 by South Africa against Bangladesh in 2008.ESPNcricinfo Ltd10 – Wickets taken by India’s new-ball bowlers Akash Deep (4 for 88) and Mohammed Siraj (6 for 70) – only the fourth time an Indian new-ball pair has achieved this feat. All of the previous three instances involved Kapil Dev, and the last of those came when he took nine out of ten wickets against West Indies in Ahmedabad in 1983.3 – Number of 300-plus partnerships involving Brook in Tests – the first England batter to achieve that. Joe Root was Brook’s partner in his previous two triple-century partnerships.40 – Innings that Yashasvi Jaiswal took to complete 2000 Test runs. He’s the joint-fastest to reach the milestone for India, level with Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.

The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool, including rumors tying Pulisic with a move back to the Premier League.

It is time to think about transfers again. This is how soccer goes, with the transfer season starting already, despite it still feeling like the football is barely underway. Yet the rumor mill is churning at speed. 

And there are plenty of rumors around the USMNT's best. Christian Pulisic, until he signs a new deal at Milan, will always be linked with a move away – especially with thirsty Premier League clubs flush with cash. Yunus Musah, too, could be on the way out after failing to make an impact following a loan move to Atalanta. And then there's Cole Campbell, who handed in a transfer request after barely sniffing it at Borussia Dortmund thus far this campaign. 

Others will surely follow. A year ago, it seemed that Ricardo Pepi was Premier League-bound on the back of a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign – before a knee injury all-but ended his season in January. Either way, it's still only Dec. 1, and plenty can – and will – happen over the next two months. GOAL rounds up the major transfer rumors among USMNT players in recent weeks…

Getty ImagesPulisic linked with Man United…again

Here's one that crops up every now and then. Pulisic has been linked with Man United on a few occasions. First, he was supposedly being considered by the Red Devils before he signed for Chelsea back in 2019. Then, last year, he was in the mix, and supposedly among Ruben Amorim's first glut of transfer targets when he took over at the club. 

And now, there are links again. Reports out of Italy suggest that there is some tension between Pulisic and Milan as the American has stalled on talks over a new contract. His current deal expires after the 2027 season, with the Italian club in possession of an option to extend his stay until 2028. But there have been no discussions, with the American eager to see if Milan can qualify for European football before coming to the table. 

That has reportedly left the door open for outside interest. A handful of teams are said to be interested in securing his signature, should an opportunity arise. And United, supposedly, are top of that list. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesCampbell wants out

Less than a year ago, there was talk that Campbell could be the next big thing in American soccer. The Iceland-U.S. dual national was breaking into the Dortmund first team set up, and amassed a few Bundesliga appearances, as well as a brief cameo in the Champions League. Toss in some flashes for the USYNT, and it seemed that the attacking midfielder/winger could be valuable for the German giants going forward. 

How times change. Campbell, supposedly disgruntled by his lack of playing time in the Dortmund first team, has reportedly handed in a transfer request and wishes to leave the club this winter. 

It is not clear whether the American wants to depart on loan or on a permanent deal, but there are supposedly already a few clubs in for his signature. One of them, Club Brugge, are in the Champions League, and would seem to have space for the American as a valuable depth option as they look to fight on the domestic and European stages. 

Getty Images SportMusah's loan move to be cut short

Musah is in a precarious spot. It is unclear exactly if he wanted to leave Milan at the end of August. He talked to ESPN just a few weeks before about his ambitions of winning trophies with the Serie A club in the upcoming season. Yet less than a month later, he was off to Atalanta, a rival club, on loan with an option to buy. 

To say that his move to Bergamo has been a disappointment would be a fairly radical understatement. The American has barely had a kick for Atalanta as they have gone through two managers already. And new boss Raffaele Palladino doesn't seem particularly keen on the USMNT hopeful, either. Musah has played just 145 minutes in Serie A this year, and there is speculation that he could depart in January before his loan move ends. 

It might be the right decision for all parties, but there are some barriers. One, Musah – if the loan is canceled – can only play for AC Milan until July 1 due to FIFA rules blocking a player from playing in competitive matches for more than two clubs in a season. Yet, considering how things have gone at Atalanta, any increase in playing time is better than none. 

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AFPChris Richards keen to stay

Crystal Palace and Chris Richards have a good relationship. The American has thrived in recent months under Oliver Glasner, playing an ideal role in a back three as the Eagles qualified for Europe last season. 

And it only makes sense that the two parties would continue to get along. Richards penned a five-year deal in 2022, but he is certainly in a position to continue to thrive at Selhurst Park going forward. And the talk is that the relationship will extend further. Richards and Palace are reportedly open to discussions on a new contract, with the American supposedly in a position to extend his stay in London. It would seem to be a must for Palace, especially with Marc Guehi almost certain to leave this summer upon the expiration of his contract. 

She doesn’t have an India cap, and she is yet to play in the WPL, but she’s signed for Trinbago Knight Riders. This is her improbable journey

Hemant Brar29-Jun-2025It is rare for an uncapped player to get picked in an overseas T20 league, especially when they have not played in their own country’s equivalent tournament. But Salonee Dangore did the improbable when she signed with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) for the 2025 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL).A legspin-bowling allrounder, the 27-year-old Dangore is one of four overseas players at TKR alongside Lizelle Lee, Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen. For the last two WPL seasons, Dangore was a net bowler at Delhi Capitals, the franchise Pandey and Jonassen play for. It would not be a surprise if these two put in a word after watching her at close quarters.Dangore’s cricketing journey is as improbable as her CPL selection. Growing up, she was a national-level athlete and had no interest in cricket. Until 2015, she did not even know of legspin’s existence.Related

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“When I was in school, I used to run very fast,” she tells ESPNcricinfo. “So our sports teacher asked me to pursue athletics. I would do 100m, 200m, long jump and triple jump. During my Under-14 and Under-17 days, I represented Madhya Pradesh at the national level in all those events.”She was around 17 when Jose Chacko, a Sports and Youth Welfare officer, advised her mother to make her switch to cricket for better opportunities. Dangore enrolled at an academy run by the former Ranji Trophy player Sunil Lahore in Indore. Since she had only watched boys in her residential colony bowl with long run-ups, she wanted to be a fast bowler. Lahore watched her bowl a couple of deliveries and told her to take up legspin.After spending about two years at the academy, Dangore joined the Ramesh Bhatia Cricket Foundation (RBCF). As a track-and-field athlete, her fielding was top-notch, but she struggled to turn her legbreaks. That sounds incredible, because currently she can pitch it on middle and leg stump and consistently hit off.”I was inspired by Shane Warne and the way he turned the ball,” she says. “But my arm would rotate in the other direction and most of my deliveries would end up as googlies. So I would watch his videos in slow motion to figure out how he did it.Salonee Dangore spent a lot of time with Jess Jonassen at Delhi Capitals•Courtesy Salonee Dangore”Apart from that, my coaches – Sanjay Choubey sir and Himanshu Vairagi sir – at the RBCF helped in correcting my arm alignment. It took a lot of effort but eventually I was able to turn the ball.”Dangore made her debut for Madhya Pradesh in 2017-18. Two seasons later, she was their highest wicket-taker (14 in eight games, at an average of 11.50) and third-highest run-scorer (130 at 32.50) in the One-Day Trophy, before Covid-19 ended the tournament prematurely.The turning point of her career came in 2022, when the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) called up former India legspinner Narendra Hirwani for a camp. “He changed my mindset completely,” Dangore says. “He said, ‘You will do what you think you can. So you should think you are the best legspinner in the world.’ That advice is still fresh in my mind and gives me a lot of confidence when I am bowling.”Shortly after that camp, the RBCF also invited Hirwani to their academy. Since then, Dangore has had multiple sessions with him.

“I was inspired by Shane Warne and the way he turned the ball. So I would watch his videos in slow motion to figure out how he did it”

“Sir also advised me to bowl slightly faster,” she says. “So right now I am working on increasing my pace while maintaining the turn. Apart from that, I am working on my slider and googly.”When it comes to batting, Dangore’s focus is on power-hitting and strike rotation, so that she can “contribute in every situation”.The stints with Capitals have also helped her immensely. “In my first year with them, there were only two net bowlers, [VJ] Joshitha and me,” she says. “I used to bowl in the same set as Jess Jonassen and would ask her about my bowling, tactics, and what to bowl when. Whatever feedback I got, I worked on that.”Dangore also realised she needed to shoulder more responsibility for her domestic side to stand out. In search of better opportunities, she moved to Chhattisgarh before the 2024-25 season.She picked up only two wickets in six games in the T20 Trophy, but emerged as Chhattisgarh’s leading wicket-taker in the one-dayers with 15 scalps from six matches at an average of 12.00. With the bat, she was their second-highest run-getter with most of her 144 runs coming at No. 6.Salonee Dangore bowls under the watchful eye of Narendra Hirwani•RBCFThat, in December 2024, remains Dangore’s last competitive tournament. Since then, she has had another stint with Capitals and is eager to show off her learnings. But will she get enough game time?”I am not thinking about that because it’s not in my control,” she says. “Whenever I get a chance, I want to give my best. Moreover, the pitches there [in Guyana] should help spinners.”Dangore cites Shreyanka Patil’s example. Patil too was uncapped when Guyana Amazon Warriors picked her in 2023, though unlike Dangore she had had a full WPL season behind her. She finished the CPL as the highest wicket-taker with nine wickets from five games.”I want to create a similar impact,” Dangore says. “Whenever the team needs me – be it with the ball or the bat – I want to win matches. I hope this stint opens up more doors for me.”

ACC president makes statement following a meeting with other Asian boards on Tuesday

Danyal Rasool01-Oct-2025

ACC president Mohsin Naqvi is insistent on handing over the Asia Cup to India in person•Associated Press

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi has doubled down on his refusal to give India, the winners of the Asia Cup, the trophy unless the team accepts it from him in person.”As ACC President, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and I am still ready now,” Naqvi said in a post on X. “If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”Naqvi’s statement follows the most recent ACC meeting, which he chaired in Dubai on Tuesday. The BCCI, represented by vice-president Rajeev Shukla and former board treasurer Ashish Shelar, attended remotely. It is understood no resolution was reached on whether Suryakumar Yadav’s team would be handed the trophy and the winners’ medals.In the minutes following the Asia Cup final on Sunday, there was a standoff between the Indian team and Naqvi, who is also the PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister, that delayed the presentation ceremony for more than an hour. The Indian captain and team refused to accept the trophy and medals from Naqvi, who had made his way on to the podium. Ultimately, Kuldeep Yadav, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma received their individual awards from other dignitaries on stage, while the trophy was carried off by an ACC official. India ended up celebrating on stage, but without the trophy or winners’ medals.The standoff was the culmination of an acrimonious relationship between India and Pakistan throughout the Asia Cup. India refused to shake hands with any of the Pakistan players on the field, either before the toss or after the games – a stance Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha repeatedly criticised them for. After the first India-Pakistan game in the Asia Cup on September 14, India captain Suryakumar Yadav made comments that ended up costing him an ICC charge and 30% of his match fee.In the second game on September 21, Haris Rauf’s gestures to the crowd cost him a similar monetary fine. Following the second game, Suryakumar suggested that the lopsided win-loss record between the two sides meant it wasn’t a rivalry anymore, before India won a thrilling final against Pakistan – the first ever India-Pakistan clash in an Asia Cup final.With the Indian and Pakistani men’s teams having played in the Asia Cup on three successive Sundays, the women’s teams are set to face each other in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup in Colombo on October 5.