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Spinners have thrived in Guwahati, taking 33 of the 44 wickets that have fallen at the venue so far in this World Cup

Sruthi Ravindranath09-Oct-20253:00

Amelia Kerr: NZ wary of spin-heavy Bangladesh

Big Picture: NZ under the pumpTwo matches in, New Zealand are already at risk of playing catch-up in the Women’s World Cup. Two brilliant innings from captain Sophie Devine haven’t been able to save them as they lost to Australia and South Africa. That makes them one of two winless teams in this tournament.New Zealand hadn’t played an ODI in six months prior to the World Cup. The rust has shown: before losing to Australia and South Africa, they suffered defeats in their warm-up games against India and India A. Apart from Devine, who has contributed 42% of New Zealand’s runs in the tournament so far, the batters have struggled for fluency and the bowling has lacked bite. Against South Africa, they also let themselves down in the field with seven misfields, a reflection of a team that has looked undercooked.Bangladesh, in contrast, are on the rise. They stunned Pakistan, pushed England hard, and are brimming with belief. Their batting hasn’t quite clicked, but their bowlers have done the job with Marufa Akter consistently striking with the new ball and the spinners keeping a tight leash through the middle overs. With Brooke Halliday the only left-hander in the batting order, New Zealand’s right-hand-heavy line-up could be tested by left-arm spinner Nahida Akter and the legspin duo of Fahima Khatun and Rabeya Khan.They’ve never beaten New Zealand in ODIs, having lost both their completed games by a big margin in 2022. But with spin expected to play a big role in Guwahati on Friday, Bangladesh will be keen to use the conditions to their advantage. Unlike New Zealand, they have already played a game at this venue in the World Cup.Form Guide
Bangladesh LWLLW (last five matches, most recent first)
New Zealand LLWWLSuzie Bates is yet to open her account in this World Cup•ICC via Getty ImagesIn the spotlight: Fahima Khatun and Suzie BatesFahima Khatun was near unplayable against England on Tuesday, returning remarkable figures of 3 for 16. She dismissed Nat Sciver-Brunt, Emma Lamb, and Sophia Dunkley, and celebrated each wicket with her trademark jig. Fahima’s slow, loopy legspin tied England down; she conceded just one boundary in 60 balls. She also had Heather Knight caught at cover, but the low catch was ruled not out by the TV umpire, a pivotal moment that arguably swung the game.New Zealand have missed the runs from Suzie Bates from the top of the order, who will be coming into this match off two consecutive ducks. She struggled to score off her first eight balls against Australia, eventually falling to left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, while she fell for a golden duck against South Africa to Marizanne Kapp. She will need to find a way to see off a red-hot Marufa, who’s coming off four wickets in two games.Team news: Is Mair fit and ready?Bangladesh are unlikely to change their combination unless there’s a last-minute injury or illness. Marufa, who bowled only five overs against England and was off the field with cramps, is “fit and ready” for Friday’s game, Nahida said at the press conference.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Rubya Haider, 2 Sharmin Akhter, 3 Nigar Sultana (capt & wk), 4 Sobhana Mostary, 5 Mst Ritu Moni, 6 Shorna Akter, 7 Fahima Khatun, 8 Nahida Akter, 9 Rabeya Khan, 10 Marufa Akter, 11 Sanjida Akter MeghlaNew Zealand assistant coach Craig McMillan had said that right-arm quick Rosemary Mair was “close to fitness” before their previous fixture against South Africa. If she’s fit, New Zealand may bring her in for Jess Kerr.New Zealand (probable): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (capt), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Jess Kerr/Rosemary Mair, 9 Lea Tahuhu, 10 Eden Carson, 11 Bree IllingPitch and conditions: Spin to winSpinners have taken 75% of the wickets (33 out of 44 total wickets) in the three matches in Guwahati so far this World Cup. There is a possibility of a rain-interrupted start.Stats and Trivia: Tahuhu gears up for 100th ODINew Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu will be playing her 100th ODI on Friday.Marufa Akter has eight wickets in the powerplay this year, the second most by a bowler in women’s ODIs. Brooke Halliday is 57 runs away from 1000 ODI runs. She will become the 18th New Zealand batter to the feat.Quotes”There has been quite a bit of turn and bounce in the nets, which is exciting for my bowling. But on the other hand with batting, it’s just being really disciplined in the best way to play spin. We know with Bangladesh, they’ve, I think apart from the opening bowler, they’re a spin-heavy attack and they’ve had a lot of teams in trouble as well throughout this tournament we’ve seen. So, I think being really disciplined with the bat, you have to sum up conditions really quickly and then work out what your best game plan is.”

By hitting two home runs on Sunday, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh broke the record for the most home runs by a catcher in a single season. Raleigh has now accumulated an MLB-leading 49 home runs on the season, breaking Royals catcher Salvador Perez's previous record of 48 home runs in 2021.

Raleigh's two-home run game additionally broke Ken Griffey Jr.'s Mariners franchise record for themost multi-home run games in a season, and Mickey Mantle's MLB record for most multi-home run games by a switch-hitter in a season, per Sarah Langs.

"It was a lot of fun," Raleigh said after the Mariners' 11-4 over the Athletics. "I guess I'll just remember tipping the cap to the crowd and everybody on their feet. It was really a cool moment."

Raleigh admitted that he initially felt hesitant to step back up on the field for his curtain call, but it turned out to be among the most memorable moments for him.

"I didn't know that would be a thing," Raleigh said. "They were kind of pushing me out there and I was like, 'I don't want to look dumb if I go out there.' It was really cool to see everyone up on their feet. Special moment, definitely will remember that."

What made the moment even more special was that his record-breaking performance took place in front of the home crowd, who gave Raleigh a standing ovation and chanted "MVP" after hitting the historic home run.

"Obviously our fans are amazing and to do it here—to do it anywhere would be really special—but to do it here in front of the fans and to give them that, see the appreciation was a really cool moment, on top of a really good game," Raleigh said.

Though Raleigh was rather humble about his achievement, Mariners manager Dan Wilson did a better job quantifying how impressive Raleigh's feats have been this season.

"Unbelievable," Wilson said, via Aaron Levine of . "As much as I want to talk about his homers, I want to talk about his blocking even more. When you talk about Cal Raleigh, you talk about homers, but you talk about the job he does behind the plate even more."

From making his first MLB All-Star Game, winning the Home Run Derby, becoming a legitimate MVP candidate to now breaking MLB records, it's been a storybook season for the Big Dumper.

This has been the season of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, of Amad and Senne Lammens – but don’t forget about Manchester United’s ever-reliable skipper, Bruno Fernandes.

While no longer perhaps the star attraction, amid Mbeumo’s rich vein of goalscoring form, the Portuguese playmaker is still quietly pulling the strings from his deep-lying midfield berth, scoring twice and registering three assists from his 11 Premier League outings.

Two rare penalty misses have perhaps been the biggest story of the 31-year-old’s campaign thus far, although it would be foolish to suggest that he has been under-par, again leading the way in the division for chances created (29), as per FotMob.

As he admitted ahead of his 300th United appearance last month, the former Sporting CP star is almost relishing the prospect of someone else taking the limelight – alla Mbeumo and Cunha – having for so long shouldered the creative and goalscoring burden on his own at Old Trafford.

A recent hat-trick hero on the international front, the experienced genius is far from over the hill, albeit with Ruben Amorim already hinting at a potential role change later down the line, suggesting that his compatriot might need to adjust to “rotation” next season, should the Red Devils return to European competition.

Whether Fernandes himself decides to stick around following the World Cup also remains to be seen, with a long-term replacement needed regardless.

Latest on Man Utd's midfield search

Speaking in that refreshingly honest interview to mark his milestone match, Fernandes did confirm that he had been close to joining Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer, before ultimately opting to stay put despite receiving a significant salary offer from the Pro League outfit.

Also the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain the year prior, the £300k-per-week talent will certainly have options once again should he choose to depart in 2026, albeit having suggested that he won’t even contemplate an exit until after next summer’s tournament in North America.

With a deal that expires in 2027, however, and lingering concerns over his suitability to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up, Fernandes’ long-term fit in this side is up for debate, regardless of whether he decides to stay or leave, with a young understudy perhaps required.

With that in mind, reports in Spain have suggested that United and INEOS have an offer in the works to sign AZ Alkmaar starlet, Kees Smit, with the 19-year-old said to have ‘caught the eye’ of those in Manchester.

Said to be valued at around €25m (£22m), the report claims that the Old Trafford side are willing to lodge a bid above the Eredivisie side’s valuation, perhaps hinting at their desire to win the race for his signature, amid notable competition.

Compared to Pedri by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, the teenager – who has also been linked with Newcastle United – could certainly be a worthwhile punt as far as the INEOS regime are concerned.

Why Man Utd could be targeting the new Bruno Fernandes

Since the arrival of the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox, there has undoubtedly been a clear focus on recruiting stars of the future, be it Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, or Leny Yoro and Diego Leon.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Adding Smit into the fold could well help to continue that trend, with the promising Dutchman already earning rave reviews back in Holland, having been hailed as a “supertalent” in the past by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Set to turn 20 in January, the AZ academy graduate has already made 50 senior appearances for his current side, chalking up ten goals and assists in that time, as per Transfermarkt, with 2025/26 proving particularly fruitful thus far.

Largely operating in a central midfield role – but also comfortable in a deeper or more advanced berth, like Fernandes – the £22m gem has scored twice and registered four assists in 19 games in all competitions, four of which have come in just 11 league games.

A player with “superstar potential” – in the view of analyst Ben Mattinson – Smit is particularly adept at striking from range, a trait again similar to Fernandes, with both he and Cunha tied last term for most goals scored outside the box by Premier League players.

Also hailed for his “striker-like finishing” inside the box by Mattinson, Smit does appear to be the complete attacking package, a fact heightened by his likeness to Fernandes in last season’s Europa League.

Indeed, as per FBref, the pair were noted as statistically and stylistically similar players among midfielders turning out in the competition, with the pair both ranking highly for progressive passes and passes in particular.

Goals

Top 4%

Top 17%

Assists

Top 1%

Top 14%

Shot-creating actions

Top 48%

Top 2%

Pass completion

Top 30%

Bottom 15%

Progressive passes

Top 4%

Top 2%

Progressive carries

Top 5%

Top 12%

Successful take-ons

Top 4%

Top 46%

Touches in opposition box

Top 10%

Top 7%

Progressive passes received

Top 9

Top 12%

Smit’s creative streak has also been evident so far this term, with three big chances created and two key passes averaged per game in the Eredivisie, as per Sofascore. Back in England, for comparison, Fernandes has also created three big chances, while averaging slightly more key passes at 2.6 per game.

Both a goalscorer and provider then, like the Portugal man, Smit would surely be a worthy choice to be a potential deputy to Fernandes in the short-term, before seeking to succeed him in that midfield role later down the line.

Looking very much like a young Fernandes on current evidence, it’s easy to see why the teenager is courting quite so much interest.

INEOS have already signed a "machine" who could end Sesko's Man Utd stay

Manchester United already have an elite-level prospect who could steal Benjamin Sesko’s starting role.

2 ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

Karim Adeyemi has issued a public apology after it was revealed last week that the Borussia Dortmund attacker was found to be possessing illegal weapons. The news surfaced during the international break, which caused Adeyemi to miss the 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia in their final World Cup qualifying game. Taking to social media, Adeyemi expressed regret over his mistake.

Adeyemi sanctioned with the illegal possession of weapons

Germany's preparations for their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia were marred by controversy after revealed that Adeyemi had been charged with possession of illegal weapons. Per the report, both the German football federation (DFB) and Borussia Dortmund were caught unawares after learning about the conviction via media leaks, with the former Red Bull Salzburg prodigy preferring to be tight-lipped about the controversy before the disclosure.

Adeyemi was found to be in possession of two illegal weapons – a knuckleduster and a stun gun – which are strictly forbidden under German law without an official permit. Prosecutors charged the speedy winger with a staggering €450,000 fine. The public prosecutor’s office reported that a penalty order imposing "60 daily fines of €7,500" became legally binding on October 30. The case was adjudicated by the district court in Wetter.

“BVB always takes criminal allegations seriously and uses them as an opportunity to discuss them with its employees while respecting confidentiality obligations,” Borussia Dortmund stated in their official release following the breaking of the news. 

Adeyemi, however, was fortunate to come away with a financial penalty. Under German weapons legislation, his actions could have carried a prison sentence of up to three years – or as many as 10 if brass knuckles were involved. In this case, however, the sanction was limited to a fine, calculated on the basis of his income. As a result, he received an entry in the central register but did not incur a formal criminal record.

AdvertisementImago Images / Noah WedelAdeyemi issues public apology on social media

Taking to Instagram stories, the 23-year-old speedster admitted to making a "huge" mistake by possessing weapons without an official permit. 

"You have probably seen the headlines about me in the last few days. It is not easy for me to talk about this," he said. "At the beginning of 2024, out of carelessness and without really thinking about what I was doing, I ordered a so-called ‘mystery box’ on the internet. It contained items that are not permitted under weapons legislation. Many months later, the package was delivered and ended up unopened at the police station.

"Nevertheless, it was a huge mistake. One that I am very sorry about, that cost me dearly and that I deeply regret. I know that I am in the public eye and have a role model function. I did not live up to that. That is precisely why it hurts me all the more that I acted so recklessly. I have learned more from this than I can put into words. And I promise you that I will avoid such mistakes in the future. Thank you to everyone who still trusts and supports me."

Dortmund chief comes to Adeyemi's defence

Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken addressed the matter and defended Adeyemi. "We naturally took the matter very seriously and have since been able to speak with Karim Adeyemi at length and clearly about his behavior," Ricken told . "He deeply regrets his mistake. However, it must also be taken into account that he had to pay a hefty fine, no one was harmed, and the player continues to be considered to have no criminal record.

"Karim Adeyemi has firmly promised us that he will not make such a mistake again. We trust him to keep his word."

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Getty Images SportAdeyemi's national team future will not be affected

Speaking to , German football federation (DFB) sporting director Rudi Voller acknowledged that Adeyemi committed a mistake, but also admitted that sometimes, some issues are blown out of proportion.

“Yes, of course we didn't know [about Adeyemi illegally possessing weapons]. The day after the game in Luxembourg, Lars Ricken called me and told me," he revealed. "He didn't know everything either. Then Julian [Nagelsmann] and I grabbed Karim. We wanted to hear his side of the story. He then tried to explain it to us, more or less.

“We still have the feeling that the lad is developing exceptionally well in the national team. We also live a bit in a time of outrage culture here in Germany… Everyone is always quick to complain, not that I want to sugarcoat it. It's naive or stupid, no matter what you call it.”

Adeyemi might have missed both the World Cup qualifiers during the recent international break, but he is a player with an X-factor, and Nagelsmann recognises as much. After making his debut in 2021, he didn't feature in a single game for Die Mannschaft in 2022, 2023, or 2024, before returning to the setup earlier this year. 

Allrounder also takes two wickets as concerted bowling display helps set up return to Finals Day

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Sep-2025Lancashire Lightning are through to Finals Day and – 10 years on from their first – will get the chance to win a second Vitality Blast title next Saturday having beaten Kent Spitfires by three wickets chasing 154 in an engaging Emirates Old Trafford quarter-final.England fringe fast bowler Luke Wood struck with the first ball of a contest which saw the Spitfires scramble to 153 all out in 20 overs, the left-armer finishing with an excellent 3 for 29.No Kent batter reached 30 and they were unable to deny a Lightning side also including star man Liam Livingstone, James Anderson and Phil Salt a 10th Finals Day appearance.Like Wood, fellow England international Livingstone was key to Lancashire’s victory in front of a 12,000-plus crowd. Having returned 2 for 21 from four overs of spin, he helped recover their chase from 5 for 2 with a brilliantly destructive 85 not out off 45 balls with seven sixes. The hosts won with nine balls remaining.Livingstone is the only member of this Lancashire team to have won the Blast in 2015.Lightning made the perfect start, as Wood had Tawanda Muyeye caught at mid-off with the first ball of the match. It was the second time he had struck with the first ball of an innings in this campaign.Kent then scored runs at a decent rate but lost wickets at key moments. Daniel Bell-Drummond miscued Anderson to backward point, Zak Crawley was caught behind having gloved a pull at Jack Blatherwick and Livingstone’s first ball ousted a sweeping Sam Billings caught at deep square leg, leaving the score at 71 for 4 in the ninth over.Joe Denly had started nicely, including lofting Blatherwick’s first ball for six over long-off. But he also fell – on 28 – to strengthen Lancashire’s grip at 81 for 5 after 10 overs, miscuing a similar shot to long-off against Tom Hartley’s left-arm spin.The trend continued. Joey Evison muscled sixes off the spinners but fell for 27 to a smart boundary catch at long-off from Wood off Livingstone with the score on 115 in the 15th.Grant Stewart also hit two sixes in a brisk 25 before playing on to Tom Aspinwall, who struck twice with his seamers. And Kent had to try and bat the overs out, which they did. Still, their total had the feeling of being well short after Wood struck twice in the last over to remove Fred Klaassen and Nathan Gilchrist caught at deep midwicket.But visiting hopes were raised as they reduced the Lightning to 5 for 2 inside two overs of the chase as Stewart’s seam had Salt caught at deep backward square leg pulling and Klaassen’s left-armers forced Luke Wells to play on off his thigh pad.Klaassen was superb for 3 for 14 from four overs.Livingstone, on 15, top-edged a pull at Gilchrist into the back of his neck shortly afterwards and underwent a concussion check but carried on.He lost captain Keaton Jennings caught on the scoop against the outstanding pace of Klaassen – 31 for 3 in the fifth over – before taking the sting out of the situation in dynamic fashion.He took on the legspin of former county colleague Matthew Parkinson, three times smashing him over long-on for six in the ninth over as he reached his first fifty of this season’s Blast off 25 balls and took the score to 84 for 3.Experienced Australian Ashton Turner holed out off Evison almost immediately afterwards, but Kent desperately needed Livingstone’s wicket.It didn’t arrive, and even Parkinson getting Michael Jones for 28 off 16 balls and Hartley in the 14th over, leaving Lancashire 118 for 6, wasn’t enough to turn the game.Livingstone hammered Parkinson over long-on – and over The Point conference building – for six more, and his knock confirmed that Lancashire will play Somerset or Birmingham Bears in the semi-final at Edgbaston.

It has not been the start to the season that many Chelsea fans were hoping for in the summer.

Enzo Maresca’s side are not necessarily playing poorly, but as things stand, they are ninth in the Premier League and have lost three of their last five in the competition.

The good news is that they have progressed to the next round of the League Cup, and Jamie Gittens finally put in a sensational performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

His three goal involvements in that game should take some of the heat off him, although with him starting to perform, another summer signing is looking even more perplexing, a signing who could be the new Jadon Sancho.

Sancho's record at Chelsea

Contrary to what many non-Chelsea fans believe, the Blues did, at one point, intend to sign Sancho upon the completion of his loan last season.

Chalkboard

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

The deal they agreed with Manchester United the previous summer included an obligation to buy for £25m or a fee of £5m to send him back, and so initially, the club looked to keep him on a permanent basis.

However, according to reports, the reason they eventually paid to send him back to Old Trafford was because the Englishman refused to accept a pay cut to his massive weekly wage of up to £300k-per-week.

Such an astronomical salary would have been a ludicrous waste of money, as while the former Borussia Dortmund star had his moments here and there, he never blew anyone away during his time at Stamford Bridge.

For example, in 41 appearances across all competitions, the 25-year-old was only able to score five goals and provide ten assists.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.73 games, which is hardly the output of someone who can demand the wages he did.

Moreover, those numbers start to look even worse when you dig a little deeper.

Games

41

Goals

5

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.36

For example, two of his goals and five of his assists came in the Conference League, and while it was great that the club won the competition, the opposition they faced to do so were subpar at best.

In all, while it seemed like a good idea at the time, signing Sancho on loan last season was probably not worth it for Chelsea, and it looks like they made a similar mistake this summer.

Chelsea's Sancho repeat

While they haven’t all settled in just yet, it would be fair to say that Chelsea made several quite exciting signings this summer.

However, one signing that baffled fans and pundits alike at the time, and remains even more confusing, is that of Facundo Buonanotte.

The Blues signed the Argentine ace from Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan with no option or obligation to buy, and while it’s not a terrible signing, there are a few reasons which make it a poor one.

For example, and this is a crucial one, he didn’t exactly light the world alight last season.

In his 35 appearances for Leicester City, the supposedly “magnificent” youngster, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored six goals and provided three assists, with seven of those goal involvements coming in the league.

Such a middling return just makes the Blues’ decision to bring him to the club on a short-term basis all the more baffling, as it’s not like he was an output machine last year.

This leads to the second problem with the move, which is that, if he’s only meant to play the less important games, why couldn’t the club give their own academy products that chance?

Surely it makes more sense to build up the experience of your own prospects over that of Brighton’s.

Finally, when he has actually played for Maresca, he’s not impressed.

In his five appearances thus far, the Pérez-born gem has scored a single goal, and that came against the mighty Lincoln City in the League Cup.

Ultimately, Buonanotte’s lack of impact last season, his underwhelming displays so far this season, and the fact that he could be blocking the pathway for a Cobham graduate just make his loan move more baffling with every passing gameweek.

Maresca can soon unleash "phenomenal" Delap upgrade at Chelsea in 2026

Delap’s place in the Chelsea side could soon be under threat.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 31, 2025

The New York Mets have landed another bat for the homestretch of the season, as the franchise has traded for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, according to a report from Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

In return, the Mets sent three prospects back to the Orioles, including reliever Chandler Marsh, corner infielder Anthony Nunez and reliever Raimon Gomez.

Mullins has spent his entire eight-year career in Baltimore. He is slashing .229/.305/.433 this season with 15 home runs, 49 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

Mullins will be under contract with the Mets through the rest of the season before hitting free agency this winter.

Abbas, Pennington claim three wickets each as Somerset are bowled out for 438

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jul-2025 Nottinghamshire 189 for 2 trail Somerset 438 (Rew 166, Abell 156, Abbas 3-60) by 249 runs Captain Haseeb Hameed’s third century of the season helped title-chasing Nottinghamshire build a solid foundation in reply to Somerset’s 438 on day two of their Rothesay County Championship clash at Trent Bridge.Hameed, who struck 15 fours and two sixes, also passed 1,000 first-class runs for the season with the same shot that completed his hundred. He had earlier shared a stand of 101 for the second wicket with Freddie McCann (48).At 189 for two, though, Nottinghamshire, who began this round one point behind Division One leaders and defending champions Surrey, still have much work to do, trailing by 249 runs even after third-placed Somerset lost their last seven wickets for 100, Mohammad Abbas (three for 60) and Dillon Pennington (three for 71) sharing the bowling honours for the home side.Somerset’s 438 all out – while a total not to be sniffed at after being asked to bat first – perversely still felt like fewer than Somerset probably should have accumulated on a pitch with little in it for the bowling side, given that they had been 338 for three before Tom Abell’s demise shortly before Tuesday’s close,Abbas excepted, Nottinghamshire had not been at their best with the ball on the opening day. They looked better for a night’s reflection, yet most of the damage suffered by Somerset was to some degree self-inflicted.Of the four wickets to fall in adding 58 before lunch, nightwatchman Jack Leach cut the first ball of the day straight to backward point, after which James Rew fell into a trap set on the leg side as his impressive 166 ended with him athletically caught behind pulling.Tom Banton, chasing a wide one, and Archie Vaughan, nibbling outside off stump, gave Joe Clarke two much easier catches in his latest tour of duty keeping wicket, this time because Kyle Verreynne is back home in South Africa for an awards ceremony. Migael Pretorius popped back a tame return catch for Calvin Harrison soon after lunch.Craig Overton’s 31 not out was the third highest score in an innings dominated by Rew’s 313-run fourth-wicket stand with Abell (156). Jake Ball, the former Nottinghamshire quick, made 24 against his old mates before chipping back a catch to Liam Patterson-White after 41 were added for the last wicketOpening a Nottinghamshire innings for the 100th time together – matching the feats of Chris Broad and Tim Robinson, and Darren Bicknell and Jason Gallian as the only opening pairs to reach that milestone for the county since 1960 – Haseeb and Ben Slater were quickly parted, Slater falling to the eighth ball of the innings, shouldering arms to a ball from Craig Overton that clipped his off stump.Yet it took another 28 overs for the Somerset attack to make a second incision. McCann was looking to match Hameed, who had just completed an 87-ball half-century, when Ball offered him a delivery wide of off stump. It was a boundary for the taking to the short side of the square but he flashed at the ball and it took the edge, Rew having no problem taking the catch.If this represented a potential opening for Somerset, though, it was not one that offered any more than a glimpse of light, as Hameed and Clarke negotiated a safe passage through the 25 overs that remained.Hameed survived a chance on 91, albeit a difficult one, when he drove a ball back hard at Pretorius, who instinctively flung out a hand but could only prevent runs. The Nottinghamshire skipper celebrated his reprieve by lofting Vaughan’s off spin down the ground, not cleanly but with enough power to beat the fielder and the boundary for his second six, then patiently waiting on 99 to drive the same bowler to the long-on boundary for his 15th four and his 18th first-class century.

With Mulder and Coetzee out injured, South Africa have a number of options to pick from for the must-win Test

Firdose Moonda03-Dec-2024In a must-win Test match, with two players from your previous game injured, would you pick a bowler with a 15-year first-class career and 165 caps to his name, or an 18-year old breakout star, or a spin-bowling allrounder who can lengthen the batting line-up or one of your two extra specialist batters?That’s the conundrum facing South Africa’s Test coach Shukri Conrad over the next 36 hours as he tries to put together the team that will be best suited to beat Sri Lanka at St George’s Park.The good news is that Conrad can pick at least two of the five mentioned above. With Wiaan Mulder ruled out of the series with a broken right middle finger and Gerald Coetzee out of the entire international summer with a groin injury, that’s the number of vacancies in the XI. If he was going like-for-like, it would be between the first three players: Dane Paterson, Kwena Maphaka, who are specialist bowlers much like Coetzee, and Senuran Muthusamy, who brings an all-round aspect, albeit with a different bowling discipline to Mulder. And all of them have strong cases for selection.Related

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Injured Coetzee ruled out of second SL Test and all-format Pakistan series

Let’s start with Paterson, who made his Test debut in Gqeberha in January 2020 but has only played four more matches in almost five years since, three of them in 2024. Why? It’s probably as simple as the fact that he is a medium-pace bowler over 30 years old in a country where they seem to come off a production line.Between his debut outing and his recall earlier this year, South Africa capped seven other seamers: Beuran Hendricks, Lutho Sipamla, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, Lizaad Williams, Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger. Of those, Jansen is in the current squad, while Coetzee and Burger are injured, and the rest have not been in a Test squad since.Paterson, probably thanks to three-and-a-half outstanding seasons for Nottinghamshire in which he took 180 wickets in 45 matches at 23.25, received the SOS when South Africa had to take a makeshift side to New Zealand in February. He did especially well in New Zealand’s first innings in Hamilton where he took 3 for 39 and has been part of every one of Conrad’s squads since. He didn’t play in either matches in West Indies, missed the Dhaka Test but got a game in Chattogram, and carried drinks in Durban. He is comfortable with being a horses-for-courses inclusion.”I’m 35 so I’m enjoying every moment because you never know – this could be the last,” he told reporters at St George’s Park. “When you’re younger you put a lot of pressure on yourself and that’s what I did when I got those first call ups back in the day. Now, I’m just taking it day by day and enjoying every moment that goes by.”So is this the course of action? It could be. “His style of bowling would suit that surface,” Piet Botha, South Africa’s Test bowling coach said. “You know, bowl that perfect length consistently and with good discipline, you’ll definitely come into play.”Paterson has played seven first-class matches, including his franchise debut for the Cobras in 2013, in Gqeberha, where has taken 31 wickets at 21.22 including two five-fors and has an economy of 2.92. That suggests he can play both an attacking and, perhaps more importantly for a team that will have Rabada and Jansen in it, a containing role.”I’d prefer to do the holding job, like the dirty work,” Paterson said. “If the big two fast bowlers need a break, I’ll do the dirty work. And say if I can pick up two or three wickets, we’re all good. It’s just holding the game and then the fast guys can just come in and just be 100% on the first ball. I’m happy. Whatever job I need to do, I need to do. I’m never going to complain. That’s always me, through my career. If I need to bowl into the wind and it needs to be a long spell, I’m not going to say no.”Senuran Muthusamy was impressive in the Chattogram Test against Bangladesh•AFP/Getty ImagesThe wind will, of course, be a factor in this city. Two days before the match, it was breezing in at 33kmph from the south-west, the drying wind also known as the batting wind in cricket speak. If it stays that way, which it is forecast to do, that will also bring the spinners into play later in the game. That may lead to Muthusamy, a left-arm spinner who made a Test half-century at No.8 against Bangladesh, being the next pick.”Traditionally, at St George’s Park spinners do come into it,” Botha said. “It can even be the first innings, depending on the moisture and the pitch. And if you get that wind factor in, spin comes more into play. So the option of a second spinner is definitely there to be discussed.”But there is a potential x-factor South Africa cannot overlook: Maphaka, the 18-year-old left-arm seamer, who has only just finished his final school exams and was the leading wicket-taker at this year’s Under-19 World Cup. He has all the ingredients of a superstar.”He is an unbelievable talent. He’s got pace for a young guy and he’s got the mental makeup,” Botha said. “That’s one of his strengths. When you speak to him and you work with him, he’s got a big self-belief in his ability. And he bowls in the 140s for a young guy. That’s exceptional.”Botha worked with Maphaka when he made his first-class debut against Sri Lanka A in June last year. He has only played two more red-ball games, a year apart, but one at this venue. In November last year, he took two wickets in each innings against the Warriors, including Matthew Breetzke, one of the reserve batters in the Test squad.Kwena Maphaka could be South Africa’s potential x-factor•ICC/Getty ImagesOn the face of it, Maphaka needs time to learn his long-format game and Conrad hinted at providing that when the squad was first announced and Maphaka was not in it. Then, when injuries struck and with the number of quicks unavailable, he had no choice but to call Maphaka up to the squad. Will Conrad also take a gamble on him playing? It may depend on whether South Africa believe raw pace and an unknown quantity could be what they need to beat Sri Lanka.And if Maphaka is included, Conrad would still have to decide if the experience of Paterson or the all-round ability of Muthusamy would be the best complementary skill. Whichever of those two is left out could face the reality that they might not play another Test this season, with the Pakistan Test at Centurion, where a seam attack is likely, and Newlands, by which time Mulder could be fit. Does Paterson feel envious that he may be leapfrogged by the future aka Maphaka? “No, you’ve got to be happy for him,” he said. “He’s an 18-year old youngster. I also wish I’d got a call-up when I was 18,” he said. “I’m excited for him. As a country, we can be excited because bowling stocks are absolutely full and in a good space.”The names of those who are not in the squad also include Lungi Ngidi (groin injury), Anrich Nortje (T20 only for now) and Ottneil Baartman (benched since October but yet to play a Test). In essence, that means South Africa, if all their players are available, will have at least 10 (the three above plus Rabada, Jansen, Coetzee, Mulder, Burger, Maphaka and Paterson) quicks to pick from going forward so Paterson has a point. The challenge is to make sure they’re all fit at the same time.

Richarlison’s emotional late goal for Tottenham against Manchester United ended in chaos as Spurs once again threw away victory in stoppage time. The Brazilian striker sparked wild celebrations by tearing off his shirt after scoring in the 90th minute, but his joy was short-lived as United struck seconds later to salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw in north London.

Richarlison in the history books for the wrong reasons

According to Opta, Richarlison is now the first player since records began in 2006-07 to be booked for removing his shirt after a 90th-minute goal, only to see his side concede afterwards, on more than one occasion. The previous instance came in April 2023 against Liverpool, when his equaliser at Anfield was followed seconds later by Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time winner. The latest deja vu moment encapsulated both Richarlison’s passion and Spurs’ chronic lack of composure in clutch moments. Incidentally, Tottenham conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, after being 2-0 up until the 84th minute, and then went on to lose on penalties.

AdvertisementAFPRicharlison's late winner wiped out by Man Utd equalizer

Richarlison endured a bittersweet afternoon as his dramatic late goal against United saw him enter Premier League folklore for all the wrong reasons. The 28-year-old thought he had snatched a crucial winner when he flicked home a header in stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Overcome with emotion, he tore off his shirt, sprinted to the corner flag, and was immediately shown a yellow card for excessive celebration.

However, the jubilation was short-lived. Not long after, United went up the other end and equalised through Matthijs de Ligt’s powerful header, ensuring the match finished 2-2. The sequence left Spurs fans shell-shocked, while Richarlison had the unfortunate distinction of repeating an exact scenario from two years earlier, when his late goal against Liverpool also preceded an instant opposition response.

Richarlison's constant struggles at Tottenham

Those scenes of a celebration that comes back to haunt you have become emblematic of Richarlison’s turbulent spell in north London. His time at Tottenham has been punctuated by flashes of brilliance, overshadowed by long stretches of inconsistency, injury, and frustration. The incident underlines the inconsistency that has defined his Tottenham career since joining from Everton in 2022 for £60 million ($79m).

The Brazilian striker has struggled to hold down a starting role across multiple managerial regimes. His goal, his third of the campaign, should have been a turning point, but instead became a symbol of Spurs’ chaotic unpredictability. Even this season, Richarlison’s relationship with the supporters has been strained. This week, he faced backlash for missing a penalty against Copenhagen after insisting on taking it over young striker Dane Scarlett – who won the spotkick. Saturday’s goal, his first in over a month, should have been a cathartic moment — but by the final whistle, it had only deepened the narrative that Tottenham and their talismanic forward are cursed when it comes to dramatic endings.

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Getty Images SportCould Richarlison be shown the door at Tottenham?

For Tottenham, the focus will turn to salvaging consistency as they look to climb back into contention for European qualification. The draw with United extended their winless home run, and questions will again be asked about Thomas Frank’s tactical approach, particularly in how his side manage late-game scenarios.

For Richarlison, however, the priority is confidence and rhythm. The Brazilian remains a key part of his national team’s plans, but he risks falling down the pecking order ahead of next year’s World Cup if his club form doesn’t improve.

With Randal Kolo Muani, Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel and Scarlett all capable of playing as centre-forward, Frank may decide to push the Brazilian out of the club. With the January transfer window approaching, there is growing speculation that Spurs could offload Richarlison to fund a move for a more reliable finisher.