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Both were masterly on a pitch that had enough to keep them interested, but not enough to give maximum results for their efforts

Sidharth Monga10-Jul-20250:57

What explains England’s ‘Blockball’ approach?

This Test is being played more on an upside-down ground than merely a sloped one. England are the toss and batting at home for only the second time since the start of 2022. Jasprit Bumrah’s deliveries aren’t carrying to the wicketkeeper. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s are surprising everyone with the extra bounce. Reddy is India’s highest wicket-taker in the game at the moment. England are playing according to the conditions and the bowling, and are Bazwalling at 3.02 an over.For a moment, it seemed the gods sent locusts out 20 minutes after the scheduled close of play to deliver judgment on what could be seen as an immoral day’s play in times of moral victories. Thankfully, they were just black ants, arguably the most threatening form of non-human life in England. Some argued they were ladybugs.Whoever they were, hopefully they stayed back to watch two masters at work. Also, the complaints about the ball and the eventual change around the 42nd-43rd over lent bits of normalcy to proceedings. It was only the last bits of it, but Bumrah and Joe Root were masterly on a pitch that had enough to keep them interested, but not enough to give maximum results for their efforts.Related

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Curiously, Root faced just 21 balls from Bumrah. That’s just 21 out of 72 that Bumrah bowled with Root at the wicket. It included Root facing just one ball from Bumrah’s first spell after lunch. Only Washington Sundar bowled less often to him.If it was a conscious thing that Root did, it is another masterful thing for a master batter to do, letting poor Ollie Pope face the brunt of a red-hot Bumrah. During that ten-over period, Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj gave away just 15 runs. All told, Root faced just 24 balls in those ten overs. Pope later said it wouldn’t be so smart if it were a conscious move. Ollie, Joe did you in there.Through the day, Bumrah drew 34 false shots. That’s about two per over. That deserves more than the one wicket, but the Pavilion End, the one that alpha bowlers of every team take at Lord’s, hardly had any bounce. The first ball he bowled to Ben Duckett took the edge but didn’t carry to slip. Immediately, he asked everyone behind the wicket to move up. He bowled just four overs in that spell, and moved to the Nursery End, which had more bounce.1:12

Manjrekar: Reddy looked like India’s best seamer

Through the day, there was more swing and seam available than on any of the first days of the three Tests so far, but the lack of pace and bounce made it hard work to take wickets. The lack of pace gave batters time to adjust to the movement, and if they did edge them, they hardly ever carried. Except, of course, when Reddy bowled great balls of fire.It also took away one of the more profitable scoring avenues for Root: the dab behind square on the off side. He kept middling those dabs, but they just didn’t have enough pace on them to go past gully. That showed in his strike rate, and in the number of inside edges that missed the stumps. That’s the little luck you deserve as a Test batter when you are batting at 86% control on a pitch doing a bit.Bumrah tried both ends but had little luck even though he, and India, stuck to good lengths and kept testing the batters. Movement in the pitch notwithstanding, India’s fast bowlers remained on the good length 54% of the time as opposed to England’s 37% on the first day in Leeds and Birmingham. That has been the general trend in the series. India will have reason to feel good about their work, having kept England down to 251 on a day on which only four wickets came about.1:21

What makes Root a special batter?

After tea, Bumrah went back to the Pavilion End, where by now the length to hit the top of stumps had shortened by a metre as compared to the first session. If Ben Stokes felt Birmingham was subcontinent-like, this was subcontinent-like with seam. Just what Bumrah needed then to bowl the ball of the day: one that swung away 2.5 inches and then nipped back in about six inches to hit the top of Harry Brook’s off stump.Root kept doing his work like a busy bee at the other end. Against Bumrah, even he played six false shots in 21 balls. Against others, he accumulated in peace, even though it never looked as easy as milking them.If Root had an asterisk of struggling against Bumrah, India had an asterisk of not hitting the stumps enough. But they did improve as the day progressed: 5.33% in the first session to 10.6% in the second to 15.79% in the third.It was the best first day of the series, even though it was the slowest. There were no clear winners or losers, both sides could be pleased with their work with room for improvement still, and there was a promise of more to come should the pitch deteriorate in the 28-degree heat that is making everything fall apart in England. Of course, the flying ants saw only bits of it.

The New York Yankees are, collectively, slumping.

Last night the pinstripes dropped their sixth straight contest, losing 3-2 to the Los Angeles Angels. Such a loss to a sub-.500 team usually doesn't come with a bright side but this one did for the Yankees as they broke a 30-inning scoreless streak by way of a Jazz Chisholm home run in the second inning. It didn't exactly awaken the bats but it was a better than New York had seen in a few games.

Speaking candidly to reporters after the loss, star slugger Aaron Judge had two words to sum up his team's struggles: "That's baseball."

"That's baseball," Judge said, per ESPN's Jorge Castillo. "We know what we signed up for. You're going to play 162. You're going to hit a little rut like this, but you can't give up. You can't mope about it. You just got to show up the next day and you got to be ready to play."

It's an important attitude to have in this game given the length of the season, as Judge points out. Struggles will be had and there will be dry stretches of offensive production no matter how many good hitters a team may employ.

Nevertheless this Yankees streak is pretty brutal and not even Judge's MVP bat can shake them out of it. Their next chance will come on Thursday as the Angels try to complete a surprising sweep of the Yankees in the Bronx.

The allrounder made a successful comeback for Baroda with a match-wining performance on Tuesday

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Dec-2025Hardik Pandya is set to make a comeback to T20Is when India’s selectors pick the squad for the five-match series against South Africa on Wednesday. There are doubts about the availability of Shubman Gill, India’s T20I vice-captain.The Gill question is likely to be top of the agenda for the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel when they meet in Raipur, where India play South Africa in the second ODI.In Gill’s likely absence, Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the possible contenders to open the innings with Abhishek Sharma. While Samson was in the recent T20I squad that toured Australia, he played only two out of the five matches and batted only once – at No. 3. Jaiswal was not part of that squad.Gill had hurt his neck while batting in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, where he retired hurt and played no further part in the match. He missed the second Test too – which India lost to concede the series 2-0 – and the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa as well.It is understood that Gill’s injury involves a pinched nerve, and as per the initial timeline drawn up by BCCI medical staff, he would need to rest for a minimum of five weeks before resuming training. He arrived at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Monday to continue his rehab.The selectors are also likely to consider Riyan Parag for a slot in the 15-member squad. Parag last played for India in a T20I series against Bangladesh in 2024 and is currently leading Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Both the selectors and the Indian think tank will be happy about Hardik’s successful return – he led Baroda to a victory against Punjab on Tuesday in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – having successfully recovered from the left quadricep injury he suffered during the Asia Cup in September. Hardik took 1 for 52 in four overs and scored a match-winning 77 not out in his first competitive game in more than two months. He had missed the five-match T20I series in Australia in October-November, which India won 2-1 with two washouts.The T20I series against South Africa begins on December 9 in Cuttack – after the ODI series ends on December 6 – followed by games in New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19).India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, are currently the top-ranked T20I team, while South Africa are in fifth place.

Karim Benzema has reignited one of the most compelling storylines of his career by revealing he remains fully open to representing France at the 2026 World Cup, despite a turbulent international history that has long suggested his time with Les Bleus is over. Didier Deschamps' men will be looking to regain the global crown in North America, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe – and Benzema is willing to lend a helping hand to the cause.

Benzema has played at just one World Cup

Benzema has only featured at one World Cup, the 2014 edition in Brazil. He was ignored by Raymond Domenech in 2010 and remained in exile during France’s triumphant 2018 campaign as the fallout from the Mathieu Valbuena sex tape scandal left him out in the cold. 

When he was finally recalled in 2021 under Deschamps, the return was short-lived. He travelled to Qatar in 2022 but suffered an injury during his very first training session. Subsequently, he left the camp in circumstances that raised eyebrows. Despite never announcing an official retirement, his absence from the national team since then has led many to assume the door had quietly shut.

AdvertisementGettyDoor open to Les Bleus return

Yet, speaking to , Benzema made it clear that the notion of him turning down France is simply not true and insisted that football decisions should be governed by purpose rather than politics.

"I’m a football player. So, I play football. When they call me, I come, I play," he said. "I have goals in my head. I love football and I love winning. I like trophies. That’s what matters most to me. There, I am in my club. If I am called to the national team, I come to play football. And it stops there."

Despite everything that has happened, the idea of refusing a World Cup return holds no truth for him.

"It’s not a story of no longer wanting to come back to the French team," he said. "But we have to ask ourselves the question: what am I coming to do with the French team? We are talking about a World Cup. Obviously, these are not things where you have to say: 'No, I don’t want to.' Because it’s a lie to say: 'No, I don’t want to play in a World Cup'."

Benzema's Al-Ittihad future in doubt?

While Benzema’s national-team fate is uncertain, his club future also hangs in the balance. The Frenchman swapped Madrid for Jeddah in the summer of 2023, embarking on an ambitious three-year project with Al-Ittihad. His impact has been immediate. Last season, he spearheaded the club to a domestic double of the Saudi Pro League title and the King's Cup, scoring 25 goals across all competitions and establishing himself as one of the defining figures of the Saudi Pro League’s global evolution. His numbers remain largely in line with the output of his final years at the Bernabeu. Yet his contract enters its final six months, and speculation over his next move has intensified.

"I’m really focused on what I’m doing, whether it’s for these last six months or for after if I extend my contract," Benzema said. "Some people are better placed to talk about all that. Right now, I have six months left on my contract, so I’m completely focused on football."

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Getty Images SportA European return on the cards?

Benzema had revealed that he still watches Real Madrid regularly, and the Champions League continues to stir a sense of wonder in him. That feeling makes it impossible to rule out any scenario, including a return to Europe. He even revealed that several European clubs have expressed interest. For him, what matters most is choosing a place where he can continue competing at the highest level and feel valued. 

"The best thing for me is to continue here, but also not just stay for the sake of staying for a year or two," he told "I can't do that. I think the level of football in the Saudi league is getting better and better. I've been here for three years now, and it keeps getting better and better. It's true that I have offers from Europe. I have to look at everything, choose wisely, and see where I feel comfortable, without forgetting that I feel good here and receive affection from everyone. But we'll see. They ask me for things, and I give them things. Everything's fifty-fifty, but there are things happening. I'm not going to quit football and stop competing in six months."

Bayern Munich are reportedly planning a very bold swoop for one of Enzo Maresca’s key Chelsea stars, with the Bavarians repeatedly talking about him in behind-the-scenes meetings.

Chelsea seek first December win against Everton

Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, desperately searching for momentum after enduring their worst run of recent form under Maresca this season.

The Blues have gone four consecutive matches without victory across all competitions, slipping to fifth in the Premier League table and falling eight points behind leaders Arsenal.

Since their impressive 3-0 Champions League triumph over Barcelona last month, Maresca’s side have struggled to recapture that dominant form.

Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Atalanta also dealt a significant blow to Chelsea’s hopes of automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16, leaving them 11th in the league phase standings and two points outside the crucial top eight positions with just two games remaining.

Joao Pedro’s opener proved insufficient as the Italian side turned the contest around through second-half strikes from Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere.

Chelsea’s domestic struggles have been equally concerning.

Chelsea set to sign "next-gen Yaya Toure" after reaching "full agreement"

They’ve won the race for his signature.

ByEmilio Galantini 4 days ago

A 3-1 loss at Leeds United followed their hard-fought 1-1 draw with ten men against Arsenal, before a lifeless goalless stalemate at Bournemouth extended their winless streak.

Maresca’s side have dropped more points from winning positions at home than any other Premier League team this season, with eight points surrendered after taking leads at Stamford Bridge.

Everton arrive in buoyant spirits having won four of their last five Premier League matches, keeping clean sheets in all four victories.

David Moyes’ resurgent side currently sit seventh, just two points behind Chelsea and firmly in contention for European qualification.

Consecutive away wins at Man United and Bournemouth will have their tails firmly up, and the Toffees will draw more confidence from Chelsea’s vulnerability right now.

That being said, Everton haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since November 1994 and remain winless across their last 35 visits in all competitions.

Moyes has personally never won there in 20 attempts, so it’s been quite a sorry hunting ground for the Scotsman.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returns to face his former club having flourished since his summer departure, scoring three goals in his last four appearances, and the midfielder will be determined to haunt his former employers.

For Chelsea, vice-captain and star engine room man Enzo Fernández will be tasked with containing him.

The Argentine has been key for Maresca ever since his appointment last year, bagging seven goal contributions in a more advanced midfield role this season alone.

Fernandez’s excellent form has attracted interest from Real Madrid, and now Bayern are among the elite European clubs circling for his signature.

Bayern Munich prepare £105m bid for Chelsea star Enzo Fernández

According to reports from Spain, Allianz Arena chiefs have been ‘constantly’ discussing the World Cup winner in recruitment meetings, with Vincent Kompany’s side planning to make a marquee bid.

Indeed, it is believed that Bayern are now preparing a £105 million offer to sign Fernandez from Chelsea, but the west Londoners’ stance on selling their star man is crystal clear.

While a bid that size could get Chelsea contemplating the 24-year-old’s future, the current noise is that they have absolutely no desire to part company.

Fernandez is tied down with a long-term contract until 2032 as well, meaning BlueCo have complete control over his future.

Kompany believes that Fernandez’s arrival would seriously upgrade the team and complement Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the park, so Bayern are the ‘most determined’ to open talks ahead of 2026.

However, Chelsea’s public stance is that he’s not for sale, even if Bayern are ready to make ‘initial contact’.

Regardless of the potential proposal on Maresca’s doorstep, Chelsea made over £314 million in player sales last summer and actually registered a net spend of just £18 million.

Financially, there is absolutely no pressure whatsoever to entertain any offer for Fernandez, so Bayern may need to look somewhere else.

Former Manchester United, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Louis Saha has warned Lamine Yamal that he won't match the legacy of Lionel Messi because he doesn't have the same "obsession" with football as Cristiano Ronaldo. The Barcelona youngster has often been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons this season, with Saha the latest to fear that his potential could be wasted.

Lamine listless as Barca slump to defeat at Chelsea

Yamal lost his duel against Spanish national team-mate Marc Cucurella comprehensively on Tuesday evening at Stamford Bridge, with the left-back keeping his word. "I'll try to make things as difficult as possible for him," the left-back joked in September when talking about the matchup. 

Even with his steady return of goals and assists, there’s been a subtle – but unmistakable – dip in the influence Yamal exerts on games this season. Granted, his performances have been affected after being diagnosed with pubalgia, with has prevented the 2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up from gaining the necessary rhythm. 

However, over the past four months, he has made headlines for the wrong reasons more often than the right ones. He received severe backlash for his wild 18th birthday bash in July. Then, he accused eternal rivals Real Madrid of stealing and complaining.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportYamal warned of wasting his talent

Saha, a Premier League icon, recently spoke to and warned that Yamal's "talent could be wasted because we are starting to see too many things in the papers about him."

“I think only PSG or Man City could afford to pay £300m for Lamine Yamal. I still think that if you look at his trajectory, it would be sad to see him go so early for a big move," said Saha.

“For the sake of the football we love, we want to see him develop in Barcelona, do well for Barcelona and be stable in Barcelona. I'm scared that this talent could be wasted because we are starting to see too many things in the papers about him.

“That's going to be a sad story because he's such a big talent for the next 15 years and I want to see the best from him so I want to protect this kid. Moving around is not good. I think Neymar left Barcelona for this kind of hype. He wanted to be the one big player at PSG.

“Neymar is such a waste because I think at Barcelona he will have really enjoyed himself and show that there was a complementary way to play with Messi over the years. Sometimes the management it's not easy to do because you have ego and you can find yourself dragged into something that is not very useful to your game.”

Yamal won't reach the heights of Messi & Ronaldo, says Saha

Yamal's meteoric rise to superstardom, all while being only 18, has drawn comparisons to Barcelona legend Messi. Recently, former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder even claimed that it was "possible" for Yamal to supersede the heights scaled by Messi. However, Saha disagrees, explaining that it's likely he will follow the footsteps of a Neymar rather than a Messi or a Ronaldo.

“Could Lamine Yamal one day overtake Lionel Messi? It would be good for him but I don't think so," the ex-Manchester United forward opined. "I doubt that he can achieve that because I see Lamine Yamal’s quality as a player but I don't see an obsession where you really focus on your football that Cristiano Ronaldo also has.

“These guys are absolutely insanely obsessed. Some distractions are already around Yamal, that's not good. I think you’ll find him dragged away from the game like Neymar, who has, for me, maybe better quality.

“Over the years, I've never seen anything like Neymar. Even if Yamal is incredible, I think Neymar was just at another level but he did not have the best lifestyle and over the years he got injuries and was dragged into things that are not helpful for his career.

“This is where I'm very scared that Yamal will try to choose the same kind of trajectory. That would be sad for football.”

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AFPYamal in it to win it all

While onlookers and naysayers may try to diminish Yamal's light, the youngster continues to remain a highly ambitious and motivated individual. The Barca academy graduate has laid the gauntlet for himself, targeting a treble of Champions League, World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or. "I want it all. I hope I achieve it all, and as long as we can play, it's possible," he stated to .

"All the individual titles indicate that it has been a great season for the team. For me, it brings me happiness and pride. Accumulating awards at my age is very positive. I'm going to keep working and fighting to achieve things like this."

Carl Crowe, the KKR spin consultant, has been appointed LSG’s spin-bowling coach and joins the staff that also includes head coach Justin Langer and fast-bowling coach Bharat Arun

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-2025Kane Williamson has joined IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a strategic advisor ahead of the 2026 season, the team’s owner Sanjiv Goenka said on social media on Thursday, while Carl Crowe has joined the team as spin-bowling coach.The franchise also confirmed that Justin Langer and Bharat Arun would continue as the head coach and the fast-bowling coach, respectively.”His leadership, strategic insight, deep understanding of the game, and ability to inspire players make him an invaluable addition to the team,” Goenka wrote of Williamson, the 35-year-old former New Zealand captain.Williamson said: “I’m really excited to be joining LSG. They have a hugely talented squad and a great group of coaches which I’m looking forward to working alongside. It’s always special being involved in the IPL, the best franchise competition in the game.”Williamson, who has been a part of the Super Giants franchise while with their Durban team in the SA20, last played for New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final against India in March this year. He has not retired from international cricket yet but, having opted for a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, his appearances are likely to be sporadic.

Cool. Calm. Calculated. Kane Williamson is now part of our think tank as our Strategic Advisor.

Welcome to Lucknow, Kane Mama! pic.twitter.com/t5v9OGMqyU

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) October 16, 2025