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The year 2024 has been like a box of chocolates for Shreyas Iyer. He wouldn’t have known 10 months ago what all he was going to get.He started the year playing Test cricket but was soon dropped from the side during the home England series. When he skipped Ranji Trophy briefly, he lost his BCCI central contract worth INR 3 crore.But he returned to win the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai with a knock of 95 in the final before ending KKR’s ten-year drought by leading them to the title as captain.Related

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With back issues bothering him at the start of the year, Iyer’s big challenge in this domestic season was to be patient, play long innings and stay fit by playing one red-ball game after another. And in five first-class matches that started with the Duleep Trophy in early September, Iyer began a stretch of four scores of 50 or more in 11 innings that culminated with a Ranji Trophy century against Maharashtra on Saturday – 142 off 190 balls studded with 12 fours and four sixes, including a couple off short balls. It was Iyer’s first century in first-class cricket in nearly three years, since his hundred on Test debut against New Zealand in Kanpur. Iyer says he is “absolutely keen for a comeback” with runs behind him and his back 100% fine.Calling the century “special,” Iyer said: “Coming back after a very long time, obviously I was feeling a bit down with my injuries, but now getting a century after a very long time, it’s a great feeling.”I am absolutely keen for a [Test] comeback but yeah, as we say, control the controllables and my job is to keep performing and keep participating as much as possible and also see with that my body is in best shape. So I’ll take the best decision possible according to that.”Iyer revealed that after his back surgery last year, he went through a phase where he had doubts that the injury might recur. He came back from an injury layoff in the Asia Cup last year that was followed by the ODI World Cup at home before he played the two Tests in South Africa at the turn of the year and then two more against England at home. Iyer had said at the end of IPL 2024 that he was “definitely struggling” with his back in the longer format but “no one was agreeing” when he raised the concern. Does he still feel such doubts about his back creep in sometimes?”Not anymore,” he said. “But there was this phase where I was feeling that it might occur again. But yeah, I trained a lot to see to it that I have optimum fitness and obviously it comes here and there, but now my capacity has improved a lot.”Shreyas Iyer: ‘I am absolutely keen for a [Test] comeback but yeah, as we say, control the controllables’•PTI

And how did he get his body there?”Training. Yeah, obviously I improved my long-distance running and that’s what I wanted to. You know, increase my patience as well in terms of the longer format and according to that I was training. [I did] intensive training like I was stressing up my body, like pushing my body 400-800 meters of running and I was trying to push my limits and seeing to it that I was at the best fitness possible.[Earlier], even when I would sit for long, stand for long, the back would get stiff automatically and yeah, basically that’s what I wanted to improve on.”Did the fitness issues and how he thought “nobody was agreeing,” create an inaccurate perception about him for Test cricket?”See, I had addressed my feeling during the longer format and things didn’t go my way,” he said, implying that he was willing to put it behind him. “But I’ve also addressed it in the previous interviews I’ve given and I’m in a good space right now. I’m doing what I’m meant to do, that is training and playing matches consistently and I feel that all the matches I’ve played right now in the past have helped me gain that fitness level as well, along with my training.”Playing his sixth first-class match in a row in the last six weeks, Iyer said, “The body has taken a lot of load at the same time. So we have to manage here and there and see to it that I strategise in terms of how I play. Now I have to be smart in terms of what decisions I take, I need to see to it that my body is in the best shape possible. As I mentioned previously as well, I have to decide according to that, no matter whatever people think outside. I have to listen to my body because I know the amount of threshold carried over the last few years and based on that, I’ll be taking the right decision, and I hope that my team will also back [that].”Iyer further said that coming back from injury for the longer format, he also had to change the way he approached the red-ball format. Iyer faced 190 deliveries during his knock spread across Friday and Saturday, and the last time he consumed as many deliveries in first-class cricket was back in December 2022 in Chattogram, scoring a patient 86 off 192 in the first innings of the first Test. Since then, there were only two occasions when Iyer faced over 100 deliveries in a first-class innings in 28 attempts.”Nowadays when the teams come up, they straightaway put a defensive field right from ball one,” he said. “So I was just trying to take some time, in between trying to play more balls than scoring shots, so that was my plan. Play session by session and try to see how much my body can take. When I said that I played a few matches in the past, that was the reason where I got to know that I can smash every ball, but at the same time I have to bat longer if I want my body to be ready for any situation provided by the opposition. And yeah, we faced many challenges in the past.”Like even in the previous match, Baroda gave us a rank-turner and they performed brilliantly and we were put under the pump. So you know, different occasions, different demands and we have to see to it that we are in the best mindset possible.”After the game against Maharashtra, Iyer will play three more league games Mumbai are slotted to play this year before the Ranji Trophy season will be paused for the 50-over and 20-over white-ball tournaments. It might be a little far-fetched to say that Iyer will be a strong contender for the Australia tour, having not been named in the India A squad for the two red-ball games starting October 31.Does Iyer feel he has had a mixed bag of chocolates this year?”You win three championships in a year, and what else can you ask for? All I see is the positive things over here and that is winning the trophy and that’s what I want.”

Tottenham Hotspur are in desperate need of huge improvement over the course of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, needing to right the wrongs of last season.

The Lilywhites only managed to register a 17th-placed finish, losing 22 matches out of their 38, a tally of defeats that subsequently cost Ange Postecoglou his job.

Thomas Frank is the latest manager to try and push the club closer to a consistent place within the division’s top four and eventually push for a title charge in the years ahead.

The Dane will need the hierarchy to hand the new boss the funds he needs to make the desired changes to provide him with the platform for success in his first year at the club.

Numerous names have been touted with a move to North London, this window, with progress appearing to be made on deals to land key players in multiple areas.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Ademola Lookman is the latest player who has appeared on Spurs’ radar, with the Lilywhites preparing an offer for the Atalanta star in the coming weeks.

He could be available for a fee in the region of £50m this summer, a deal which could be a bargain given his tally of 20 goals across all competitions last season.

However, a deal could be edging closer for West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, with talks already being held, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

He claims that the club’s hierarchy are preparing another bid for the Ghanaian international, after their first offer of around £50m was swiftly rejected.

Romano also stated that the 24-year-old would be extremely keen on a move to join Frank’s side, with the Lilywhites currently leading the race for his signature this summer despite his £85m release clause.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s own Saka

Bukayo Saka is a player who many Spurs fans have envied in recent years, given the performances he’s often produced against them in the North London Derby.

The 23-year-old has scored five times against the Lilywhites in his career, the most of any side in his professional career, with the Englishman one of the Premier League’s dangermen.

He registered six goals and 10 assists in England’s top-flight last season, but his contributions couldn’t catapult the Gunners to the Premier League title – undoubtedly to the joy of all Spurs supporters.

However, Frank’s side could be about to land their own version of the forward with a move for Kudus this summer, as the Ghanaian has been labelled as a similar player to Saka by FBref.

The West Ham star also possesses a very similar trait of liking to cut inside onto his left foot off the right flank, as demonstrated by the stats he’s produced in recent months.

Kudus, who’s been labelled as “sensational” by one analyst, has registered fewer goal contributions, but has posted a higher goal per shot on target rate, showcasing the clinical edge he possesses in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, completing more balls into the final third, having the ability to provide other forwards with the chance for success in forward areas.

Games played

32

25

Goals & assists

8

16

Goals per shot on target

0.3

0.2

Pass accuracy

84%

75%

Passes into final third

1.6

0.7

Take-ons completed

3.2

2.1

Carries into final third

2.1

1.6

Fouls won

2.2

2

The Ghanaian’s dominance is further reflected in his tally of take-ons completed and carries into the final third, having the talent to take the ball forward at any given opportunity.

It may be a deal that could cost a small fortune this summer, but it’s evident that, from the stats produced, he would be worth every penny in their quest for domestic glory.

Should he get near the levels produced by Saka in recent times, it would be an astute piece of business and one that could provide the difference within the final third.

Frank's own Vertonghen: Spurs make enquiry for "unreal" £21m CB

Tottenham need to sign a new defender or two this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 5, 2025

Sunderland are building an impressive summer transfer portfolio and could now be about to accelerate their pursuit of an England international, according to reports.

Sunderland complete Simon Adingra capture

The Black Cats have made some intriguing signings under Regis Le Bris and appear primed to continue their hot streak in the market after wrapping up a five-year deal for Simon Adingra.

Joining for a fee of £21 million plus add-ons, the Ivorian stated after his official announcement: “It’s a pleasure to be here, and I cannot wait to get started. The club and the project are really exciting. I spoke with everyone and their interest in me made the decision easy – I wanted to be part of Sunderland’s future. Playing in the Premier League has been a dream of mine since I was a kid, so to continue doing that is incredible.”

With Habib Diarra, Reinildo, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Enzo Le Fee also in the building, Sunderland briefly turned their attention towards Marseille midfielder Valentine Rongier but have decided against an £8.6 million move.

Sassuolo star Armand Lauriente is also on the Black Cats’ radar, signalling that Le Bris is keen to strengthen the flanks as his side aim to consolidate themselves in the Premier League.

Stepping up from Serie B to the top-flight in England would be a major adjustment, but there is no doubt that the Wearside giants will need to be creative in their bid to sustain themselves in the world’s most competitive league.

Mepham upgrade: Sunderland plotting deal for "incredible" £18m star

Sunderland are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be a big upgrade on Chris Mepham.

ByDan Emery Jul 12, 2025

Taking advantage of their recent promotion, Sunderland could now raid a familiar foe of recent years for one of their prize assets, per recent developments.

Sunderland preparing Aaron Ramsdale bid

According to TBR, Sunderland are preparing a bid to sign Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and have made contact with the representatives of the England international.

The former Arsenal man is understood to be open to a move to the North East, and he would see the opportunity to remain in the Premier League with Le Bris’ men as an ideal opportunity to strengthen his bid to make England’s World Cup squad next summer.

Aaron Ramsdale’s Premier League season in 2024/25 – should Sunderland bring him in? (FBRef)

Save percentage rate

67.6%

Shots faced

188

Appearances

30

Goals conceded

66

Clean sheets

3

Labelled “exceptional” by Mikel Arteta, Ramsdale would cost in the region of £25 million to bring to the Stadium of Light and has been earmarked as a potential successor to Anthony Patterson.

Sunderland’s opening offer is set to be close to Southampton’s asking price, which is, incidentally, the same fee as he was brought to the South Coast for from Arsenal, hence they would break even on the 27-year-old.

Now, it remains to be seen if Le Bris can force a deal over the line to bring another recognisable face with considerable pedigree to the North East.

Birmingham City are now believed to be interested in completing the signing of a “fantastic” £8m midfielder in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer update.

Davies discusses Birmingham's summer business

The Blues are back in the Championship after a stunning season in League One in which they cruised to the league title ahead of Wrexham, and it will be fascinating to see how they fare.

It’s now a case of Birmingham nailing their summer transfer business, with manager Chris Davies admitting last month that certain players could move on, and new faces may come in.

“To be honest, I’ve found it hard to look into next season whilst this season is still going on. I haven’t had time to sit down and say, ‘Right, who’s staying and who’s going?’ Now it’s all wrapped up and we’ve got seven weeks to pre-season, ‘Ok, what do we need?’ We’ve got the core of a really strong team there but we do need to add, of course we do. The details of that are still to be decided.”

In terms of potential new signings, former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has been linked with a move to St Andrew’s this summer, with the Japanese now plying his trade at Ligue 1 side Rennes. Now, a new update has emerged regarding another possible addition for Birmingham.

Birmingham want to sign "fantastic" £8m midfielder

According to a new update from journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon, Birmingham are in the mix to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien this summer.

He is also wanted by Southampton, following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship, in what is expected to be an auction for his signature.

O’Brien, who cost the Reds £8m in 2022, could be a really astute signing for Birmingham this summer, considering he has proven his quality in the Championship in his career, making 162 appearances in the competition, as well as playing 13 times in the Premier League.

An all-action midfielder who could add real quality for Davies in the middle of the park, he once scored at St Andrew’s in a 2-0 win during his Huddersfield Town days, as well as being lauded by former teammate Jonathan Hogg.

“His attitude is fantastic and his work ethic. Everything about him; he’s a top kid with a bright future ahead of him. We know he is going to play in the Premier League. Whether it is with Huddersfield Town or not, he will get there. His attitude will drive him there.”

Still only 26, O’Brien is at the perfect age to come in and have an immediate impact for Birmingham, and the idea of a move away from Forest could appeal to him, rather than warming the substitutes’ bench most weeks at the City Ground.

Sky Sports: Birmingham in contact to sign 156 career-goal star this summer

The Blues could bring in a prolific goalscorer.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 20, 2025

Davies will know the importance of signing players who have shown in the past that they can excel in the Championship and the Englishman certainly ticks that box emphatically.

A six-time Premier League champion could now leave Manchester City at the end of the season, according to a new update from journalist Graeme Bailey.

Man City legends set to depart this summer

It has been a season to forget for Pep Guardiola and his players, especially by their high standards, with the defence of their league title petering out early in the campaign. Granted, they can still win the FA Cup, but they haven’t been good enough in the league or in the Champions League.

This summer feels like it could be the end of an era at City, not least because club legend Kevin De Bruyne is moving on, having not agreed an extension at the club – Tottenham ace James Maddison has been mentioned as a replacement option.

The Belgian may be far from the only legend to move on, with the likes of Ederson, John Stones and Bernardo Silva’s futures all up in the air. The City trio are all out of contract at the end of next season, so the club will know that this summer is the last chance for them to earn a fee, rather than losing them on a free transfer in 2026.

Stones backed to leave Man City

Speaking for The Boot Room, Bailey claimed that Stones could depart Manchester City this summer, with the England international potentially leaving alongside De Bruyne, possibly even returning to former club Everton.

“John Stones’s future at Manchester City is far from certain. City are planning a number of new arrivals this summer and we are going to see a number of changes and that means some of the biggest names from the last decade or so could and will depart. Kyle Walker left in January and we know Kevin De Bruyne is going, things are changing.

“Ederson, Bernardo Silva and Stones could follow. Stones has interest from the Saudi Pro League, but in England there are clubs who would be willing to take him including West Ham and his former club Everton to name but two. The issue is with his injury record, less than 10 stars in the last two seasons, it would be a risk for anyone. If he does indeed hit the open market, I believe that Everton would be open to the prospect.”

While losing Stones in the summer would be sad, considering he is a six-time league champion at the Etihad, there is some sense in allowing him to move on. At 30, the Englishman isn’t getting any younger – he turns 31 later this month – and his injury problems are increasingly problematic, limiting him to only six starts in the Premier League this season.

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ByTom Cunningham May 5, 2025

As mentioned, a summer sale would allow City to receive money for Stones’ services, allowing them to bring in a younger, less injury-prone centre-back ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Leeds United have been given a boost in their efforts to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent transfer this summer.

Leeds on course for Premier League return after crucial Championship weekend

The Whites and Daniel Farke enjoyed a brilliant afternoon in the Championship on Saturday, winning 2-1 against Preston North End at Elland Road thanks to goals from Solomon and Jayden Bogle.

Promotion rivals Sheffield United also threw away a victory at bottom placed Plymouth Argyle, conceding twice late on at Home Park to lose 2-1.

As a result, Leeds now sit top of the table and are five points clear of the Blades in third, while also having better goal difference with four games to go.

Sheffield United also have to go to second place Burnley, meaning Leeds need a maximum of seven points from their remaining four games to all but guarantee promotion on goal difference, providing the Blades win all four of their remaining fixtures.

Leeds (88 pts)

Sheffield United (83 pts)

Burnley (88 pts)

Oxford United (a)

Cardiff City (h)

Watford (a)

Stoke City (h)

Burnley (a)

Sheffield United (h)

Bristol City (h)

Stoke City (a)

QPR (a)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Blackburn Rovers (h)

Millwall (h)

If Leeds go up, 49ers Enterprises may quickly look to seal a number of new signings while also expanding Elland Road, and one target is loanee Solomon.

Leeds given boost in permanent Solomon deal

There have been claims that the winger, on loan from Tottenham, is wanted by Leeds on a full-time basis, should promotion be achieved.

Now, according to reliable reporter Alasdair Gold for football.london, ‘Solomon would certainly consider a move to Leeds if they got promoted after enjoying his time at the West Yorkshire club’.

The Isreal international is expected to have more interest from Premier League clubs and from teams abroad, but it seems as if the 25-year-old is open to moving to Yorkshire on a permanent basis.

Back in January, Solomon said on Leeds: “I love it here. I love the fans. I love the club. I love the players, the manager. Especially now, I’m really enjoying it and I love living here. Of course, it’s different to London, less things to do and we have less friends here. All the Israelis, they live in London, but we found our place here.”

Farke was also quick to hail Solomon on the weekend after he scored his eighth goal of the campaign and registered his 10th assist.

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“Always a joy to work with. A top character. Yes can be tricky, he’s emotional! Especially when he doesn’t finish a game. But top.”

It has been rumoured that Solomon could cost up to £20m this summer amid interest from Everton, so it is a boost for Leeds knowing that the attacker will consider a permanent transfer to Yorkshire.

South Africa spent the innings guessing after India created pressure that they could not escape from

Firdose Moonda14-Nov-20253:22

How is Bumrah still unplayable on a dry surface?

It only took three balls for the gauntlet to be laid down at Eden Gardens. The second delivery of the Test died on Aiden Markram and then on Rishabh Pant, swung late and scooted away for four byes. The third ball then spat up off a length and kissed the splice of Markram’s bat. What would the next three do? And the ones after that? With those questions posed so early, South Africa knew they’d spend the innings guessing.”The signs were there pretty early on that the bounce is not consistent,” Ashwell Prince, South Africa’s batting coach said at the post-day press conference. “Quite often you expect that when batters get to 20 or 30, they grow in confidence but I don’t particularly believe that any of the batters grew in confidence because of the inconsistency of the bounce. What can happen then is that you don’t trust the surface as much as you should.”So the challenge was going to the one South Africa expected, albeit not in the way they expected it: conditions, but in the form of uneven bounce. South Africa had spent the bulk of their preparation discussing spin – and with good reason given the scars of 2015 in particular – and believed their recent successes in Bangladesh and Pakistan proved they were ready to take that. But were they ready for India? Were they ready for the quality and relentlessness of their attack?Related

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Initially, maybe. Ryan Rickelton showed good intent upfront and Markram battled through what Prince called the “best nought off 22 balls that I’ve ever seen, in terms of his positions and his movement”. Even when Markram wasn’t quite sure what to do, when he left a Mohammed Siraj delivery that shaped back, he ended up making a good decision (maybe a lucky one?) to leave, and his off stump remained intact. Then, he found his timing and his first runs came from a couple of straight drives laced with class.At 57 without loss after 10 overs, South Africa would have been satisfied and may have even forgotten the danger that lurked in an extended Jasprit Bumrah spell. But any feelings of being settled would have left when Bumrah, in his sixth over, found late movement as Rickelton played down the wrong line and was bowled. And any hope that was pinned on Markram’s vigil clearing the way for a long innings evaporated when, in his seventh over, Bumrah found that extra bounce again and took the shoulder of Markram’s bat as he tried to fend it off. At the end of the spell, Bumrah was convinced he had Temba Bavuma out lbw but height (both the ball’s and Bavuma’s) stopped India from reviewing. Irrespective of Bavuma surviving then, South Africa were rocked.”It was a sensational bowling display, particularly from Bumrah,” Prince said, resigned that Markram, especially, was a sitting duck to the delivery that dismissed him. “He looked really comfortable, and then one just bounces off a length, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. There were quite a few good deliveries all round and sometimes as batters, there’s not a lot you can do about them.”South Africa could not even be relieved that Bumrah’s spell was done. Kuldeep Yadav bowled the next over and Bavuma had already articulated the difficulties of facing him from last week’s A team match. “It takes a little bit of time to get used to him,” Bavuma said pre-match. “He is not a massive turner, but he can deceive you with the ball turning away and turning in. You just need an extra bit of time to understand his nuances.”Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after getting Aiden Markram to nick behind•AFP/Getty ImagesThen, Bavuma faced him on a benign Bengaluru pitch; here there was some turn and Bavuma fell to a leg-side trap. Bavuma’s case could be considered in isolation to the rest of the line-up because of how much time he has spent on the sidelines with injury. The last Test he played was the World Test Championship final in June and he has not played in either of South Africa’s most recent series in the subcontinent so his doubts could have come from more than just the pitch; they may have to do with his own game. Still, Bavuma falling cheaply left the middle-order exposed against an Indian attack that offered no let-up.Post lunch, Bumrah and Kuldeep operated in tandem to create a pressure cooker that South Africa could not escape from. Then Siraj, with a change of ends “found his rhythm and his lines” as Prince put it. Of the shot selection, only Wiaan Mulder’s reverse sweep can come under the scanner though Prince was careful not to assess it too harshly: “I wouldn’t want to put too much blame on one particular shot as that was also the stroke he used to get himself off the mark. We encourage the batters to play their options, to back themselves and play their game, so I wouldn’t necessarily put any blame on that. One can argue that because you don’t trust the surface as much in terms of consistency, perhaps it created some doubt about hitting the ball over the top. Should I try to hit over the top? Is the bounce going to be low? Is it going to hit the bottom end of my bat? And perhaps that’s what influences people’s minds while they’re out there.”The uncertainty of how to go about scoring runs was best seen in the return of Tristan Stubbs, who was unbeaten on 15 off 74 balls and spent four minutes short of two hours effectively going nowhere. A similar strategy worked for Stubbs in Pakistan, where he scored 29 from 100 balls on his way to 76 but he had a partner in Tony de Zorzi for much of that innings. De Zorzi was Bumrah-ed for 24 in this match, out lbw, and none of the rest of the line-up stayed with Stubbs for too long.Should he have adopted such a defensive mindset given that wickets were falling? Maybe best to remember that Stubbs has had a tough 2025 across all formats and hadn’t scored a Test fifty in the last home summer. It will explain why he was so conservative in trying to keep his place but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t relook at it. Prince suggested he would: “We’ll have some discussions about which type of options we can take, more aggressive options but every batter also comes with his own mentality. Everybody’s got his own character, and his own type of style that he brings to the game. Most of the time, we trust people to play within their character but obviously, we have to take the surface into consideration. Next time, second innings, we have to play the conditions.”They must not forget that they will also have to play against the quality of India’s attack, who have the ability to use the conditions to make things doubly difficult.

There was music, fireworks and top-notch on-field action as a sell-out crowd braved the searing heat, with MLC making a grand debut

Peter Della Penna14-Jul-2023The sun began to set behind the luxury suites on the west side of the Grand Prairie Stadium on Thursday night, to the sound of 2000 yellow whistles handed out to fans coming through the gates. Members of the Grand Prairie fire and police departments began to take the south side of the field, opposite the Texas Super Kings (TSK) and LA Knight Riders (LAKR) squads lined up on the north.Moments later, a Texas-sized American flag was unfurled by Grand Prairie’s first responders ahead of a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, as the sound of cricket married the sights of American sporting pageantry. The first night of Major League Cricket (MLC) was here.”The American flag, I think was massive. It was half the field,” said TSK’s David Miller in the post-match press conference, when asked what he’ll remember most on a night where he was named Player of the Match for a 42-ball 61 in his team’s 69-run win over LAKR. “We’ll look back on this day one day and there was a lot to it. Just taking in everything and being really welcomed and really loved. Probably the win was to top it off.”Related

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As the first responders and colour guard left the field before the first ball, there was still a bit of uncertainty as to how the night would unfold. In terms of on-the-field historic firsts, USA star and Texas local Ali Khan had the distinction of bowling the MLC’s first ball. It was something that team-mate Andre Russell said afterward was a conscious decision by a team leadership cognizant of the historical significance of the moment.But as Ali charged in from the southern end, the stadium was half empty. On a night billed as a sellout for the last week, there was a slightly peculiar vibe. That got slightly more awkward when the very partisan Texas crowd saw their captain and birthday boy Faf du Plessis caught driving the first ball of the second over from Lockie Ferguson straight to extra cover, a moment that silenced most of the whistles temporarily.”Oh, my God! Faf got out first ball?!” shouted Ruhaan Oberoi, a 12-year-old from Dallas who is part of the MLC-affiliated Mustangs Academy. Oberoi was there with his sister Alisha, 15, as well as mom Jess and dad Ankit. He was decked out in a new TSK “Whistle for Texas” t-shirt, one among a number of promo giveaways on the night, along with yellow flags as well as TSK bucket hats emblazoned with “GO. BIG. TEXAS.””Some guy I’ve never heard of is coming in,” Oberoi said of Texas No. 3 Lahiru Milantha, who was one of the highest domestic scorers in the 2022 Minor League Cricket tournament, the local feeder competition for MLC. “So… that’s good… I’m supporting CSK today.” A few seconds later, someone nearby reminded him that it was TSK on the field, not CSK. Most of the fans interviewed at the final training day in Grand Prairie who came for a glimpse of du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo identified themselves as fans of the Chennai parent franchise. Autograph and selfie seekers of the local American players were in far less demand.It was fitting that Ali Khan, a USA star and Texas local, bowled the first ball in MLC history•SportzpicsSoon after du Plessis got out, Milantha gave Oberoi and others a reason to follow him a bit more closely as he flicked the first six of the tournament into the stands. The moment popped literally and figuratively as fireworks burst into the sky behind the Race Track End, as fans continued to steadily trickle in.At this stage, a few thousand were still stuck in a bottleneck at the lone entrance gate on the west side of the ground. It wasn’t just that fans were desperate to get in to watch the cricket; the temperatures near the entrance gate, with the sun bouncing off the concrete, touched 103F (39.45 degree Celcius) and felt like 115F (46.1 degree Celcius). MLC organisers and Grand Prairie Fire and Police collaborated and made the call to stop scanning ticket barcodes and let everyone inside.”Today’s experience on match day is probably the most intense, draining and fulfilling but certainly full-on day I’ve had in nearly 100 matches I’ve done,” MLC Tournament Director Justin Geale told ESPNcricinfo at the end of the night. Geale arrived in the USA three years ago, hired by MLC with a track record of operations experience at the IPL from his eight years at IMG. “We were out here until 4am last night. We had an emergency alarm drill at 5:30am. The stadium was just in time delivery and we were still bolting down seats at 3:30 in the morning.””I think from a broadcast perspective, everyone is relatively happy. It is really hot here. Logistically, we probably need to look at our entry. The lines to get in today were a bit too long and we acknowledge that. I will say the local police have been fantastic here in Grand Prairie. We can adjust. Ultimately, a good problem to have is too many people. But we don’t want too many people having a bad experience. I think overall, the feedback I’ve had has been fantastic. I think it’s a fantastic base. I pinch myself a little that we’re sitting in a ground here in Texas, in a baseball stadium, watching cricket. We’ve dressed it like you would anywhere else in the world.”Fans line up to enter the Grand Prairie Stadium•SportzpicsOnce all of the fans in the 7200-capacity venue jammed in, the noise was immense. And not just from the yellow whistles. The fans were jumping out of their seats early and often at the boundaries coming off the bats of Miller, Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner. A pair of sixes were flicked high over cow corner that landed within 20 feet of each other in the same section. A mad scramble for the ball from fans ensued, including first-time cricket watcher Jason Adams from Thibodeaux, Louisiana, a small town of 15000 people located 500 miles southeast of Grand Prairie.”I’m gettin’ that ball!” Adams replied in a thick Cajun accent when asked what was going through his mind as the first six in the sequence in the 17th over came screaming toward him off Miller’s bat. “It’s exciting for the amount of fans that they have. It reminds me of… what we used to is college football.”Adams is a season ticket-holder for LSU college football, who play at 102,000 capacity Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge and won the CFP National Championship in 2019. Like most fans to his left and right, Adams was enjoying a few beers with the action, and the only thing that could make the night better in his eyes would be Mike the Tiger, a real-life Bengal that lives in a habitat on the LSU campus as their official mascot, and of course, “we need some cheerleaders. That’s what we need!””I’m Indian-American and I never thought I’d see a Major League Cricket match in my lifetime here,” said Ashish Cheerath, from Houston, Texas, who was sitting next to Adams along with a group of friends who flew in from southern California. “It’s awesome to see the Commonwealth community in the USA – the UK community, Indians, Brits, Aussies, all together here. It reminds me of the same kind of crowd feeling of the Houston Rodeo. Everyone’s happy to be here. Everyone’s excited.”MLC Tournament Director Justin Geale (middle) mingles with some new fans in Texas•Peter Della PennaThat excitement in the first innings was capped off by a six from Dwayne Bravo, a moment which might have been almost too on the nose for any scriptwriter. It sent the fans into the biggest frenzy of the night. While the night was a special occasion for all fans, it took on special significance for coaches and players who are embedded in American cricket culture. Numerous former USA players were in attendance, such as Houston resident and former USA captain Sushil Nadkarni as well as Amer Afzaluddin and Abhimanyu Rajp, who flew in from Michigan and Los Angeles respectively, to take in the festivities.Out of all of them though, former USA captain and current USA men’s national team selector Orlando Baker, a longtime resident of Fort Worth – the sister city of Dallas in the metroplex – had a bigger grin than usual. A former Jamaica player before migrating to the USA in the early 2000s, Baker’s appreciation for everything unfolding in front of him took on greater value, knowing the struggles that players like himself have had to deal with in the USA cricket ecosystem, whether playing in front of a handful of fans or struggling to get support from the home board to fund tours. There was deep inspiration to be drawn from the way Baker, and several other USA players and local officials, continuously talked about the occasion.”Everything is big in Texas and it’s a big thing happening tonight,” Baker said. “This opens doors for a lot of kids. Kids who are in the academies, they could see where they can play at the highest level without going outside of America. I’m really happy to see something new. I just want people to come out and enjoy it and I want kids to come out and take a look and see what it’s like to play at a high level.”

A look at where the semi-final between England and New Zealand could be won or lost

Gaurav Sundararaman09-Nov-20213:00

Can England stave off Southee-Boult challenge? Our experts discuss

The 2016 World T20 semi-final. The 2019 ODI World Cup final. And now, the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final. That’s three knockout matches in the last three World Cups. New Zealand have failed to win on the two previous occasions against England: can they get across the line this time around against the favourites? This is where the game could be won or lost.Where should Moeen bat?
England’s middle order has been largely untested in this competition. Only three batters have faced more than 60 balls and one of them, Jason Roy, is now injured. New Zealand have a well-rounded attack with all bowlers capable of bowling across all phases. Moeen Ali is the man in form and has been playing in these conditions for a while now.Recently, Moeen Ali has been the world’s most destructive batter vs spin•ESPNcricinfo LtdWith Roy not around, would it make sense for England to use Moeen at the fall of the first wicket to capitalise upon the powerplay or would England want to use Moeen the spin smasher to target Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner in the middle? Moeen at three – where he batted against South Africa – could upset New Zealand’s rhythm by ensuring they bowl pace to him and that could delay the overs bowled by spin.Dawid Malan is a slow starter and does not match up well against spin. In a knockout game, will England bank on Malan or the experience of Moeen who delivered just a month ago in an all-important IPL final wearing a Chennai Super Kings shirt?Can New Zealand capitalise on England’s death bowling
South Africa scored 49 runs in the last four overs the only time England were properly tested at the death. With Tymal Mills injured, England have lost their specialist in that phase. It remains to be seen whether Roy will be replaced by an extra bowler or not, but the options that England have at their disposal are not very exciting.England’s pacers have not been tidy in the death overs•ESPNcricinfo LtdAll their pace options have gone for plenty in the death across the last four years in T20 cricket. Barring Chris Jordan, who goes at 9.65 an over, their other options have conceded more than ten runs per over. New Zealand will look to follow the template South Africa set: keeping wickets in hand and maximising the death rather than going hard first up, particularly with a relatively shallow batting lineup that sees Santner carded at No. 7.Can New Zealand’s swing bowlers win the powerplay?
England’s batters have some outstanding numbers in the powerplay this tournament. Their scoring rate of 8.33 is the best in the tournament and they have the tournament’s second-highest run-getter in Jos Buttler.England the better team in the powerplay overs?•ESPNcricinfo LtdHowever, this will be England’s first night match in Abu Dhabi. Of the three venues in the UAE for this tournament, Abu Dhabi has been most favourable for seamers in the powerplay. Seamers average just 17.38 (at 5.92 runs per over) here compared to averages of 25.17 and 31.33 in Dubai and Sharjah respectively.If the combination of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Adam Milne can extract seam, swing and bounce, then the England batters could face their toughest test in this tournament. Could 20 minutes of madness cost England the tournament? Only time will tell.Can New Zealand find a way to attack England’s fifth bowler?
If England replace Roy with a batter then how are they going to use their ‘fifth’ bowler? England’s fifth bowler has been fantastic so far in the tournament: together Moeen and Liam Livingstone have picked up 11 wickets and have conceded less than six runs per over. With three right-handed batters in the top three for New Zealand, it would mean England may opt for the spin of Adil Rashid or the quicks early on.Can New Zealand take the attack against Moeen and Livingstone, whenever they bowl? This will be vital if New Zealand are looking to put up a challenging score to defend or ease the pressure while chasing. Devon Conway, James Neesham and Santner are the left-handers in the middle order who may end up facing the fifth bowler the most, while Kane Williamson will need to show greater attacking intent than he has so far in order to take those spin overs down.

Other things to watch

Sodhi vs England
Sodhi has a very poor record against England, conceding 298 runs (with 20 sixes) at an economy of 11.03 runs per over. But these numbers mean very little: the majority of those games were played on grounds in New Zealand with much smaller dimensions than Abu Dhabi. On Wednesday, he gets a chance to bowl to England on the biggest ground of the tournament. That could work in his favour.Morgan’s form
Eoin Morgan enjoyed his career-best form in 2019 and 2020 but this year, he averages 17.59 and strikes at 118. Whichever metric you look at, he is struggling. England’s middle order is hardly tested in the tournament and Morgan will want to ensure he can play an impactful innings in a pressure game. His performances in knockout matches across his career are underwhelming – though the sample size is small.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet threw a complete game shutout for the first time in his career on Saturday, leading the Red Sox to a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Crochet pitched all nine innings and allowed just three hits, no walks or runs, and struck out nine for the Red Sox. After reaching this feat for the first time, Crochet hilariously admitted he didn't know what to do after notching the final out of the game.

“I didn’t even know what to do when the third out was recorded,” Crochet said after the game, via Christopher Smith of . “I was like, ‘Where do I stand?’"

Crochet, who was recently named to his second straight MLB All-Star Game, called his first complete game shutout "really special." He previously came close to such a game against the New York Yankees last month, but gave up a home run to Aaron Judge in the ninth inning. This time around, Crochet managed to close out the game.

“It was really awesome, really special. Just grateful to get the job done,” Crochet said, via Smith. "… Incredibly satisfying. … Nice to keep the streak going, too.”

With Crochet's performance, the Red Sox extend their winning streak to nine straight games. They are now 52-45 and are 4.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.