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England scored 138 runs in the 23.4 overs India bowled in the post-lunch session

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2025Harry Brook threw his head back in anguish after picking out long leg on 99 but his free-scoring innings and some lower-order hitting cut India’s first-innings lead to just six at Headingley. They were led off by their spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who mopped up the tail to finish with 5 for 83 after three vital breakthroughs on the second afternoon.Brook had three reprieves but made India pay for their profligacy. He was caught miscuing an ugly pull to midwicket in the final over on Saturday night before he had scored, saved by Bumrah overstepping, and was dropped twice on Sunday: Rishabh Pant put him down off Ravindra Jadeja on 46, and on 80, Yashasvi Jaiswal made a mess of a simple chance at gully.He played a freewheeling innings, taking down Mohammed Siraj who tried to goad him into a verbal battle after being hit for consecutive boundaries; instead, he was slapped back over his head for a towering six into the lower tier of the Football Stand. There was an outrageous falling paddle-sweep off Jadeja too, emulating a shot Pant had played off Shoaib Bashir.Jasprit Bumrah finished with five wickets•AFP/Getty ImagesBut like Jamie Smith before him, Brook fell into Prasidh Krishna’s short-ball ploy and holed out to one of the leg-side boundaries riders. Smith’s brisk 40 ended when he hooked Prasidh to deep backward square leg, where Jadeja and B Sai Sudharsan combined for a relay catch; Brook tried to keep his pull down, but top-edged it straight down Shardul Thakur’s throat.Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse added 55 for the eighth wicket in just 7.2 overs as India grew ragged, Woakes reached 2,000 Test runs by clubbing Prasidh for consecutive sixes. But Siraj bluffed Carse with a yorker and Bumrah cleaned up Woakes and Josh Tongue to complete his third five-wicket haul on English soil.England trail by just six runs, and we have a one-innings shoot-out in store.

It wasn't a perfect performance, but it was a perfect response as Hayes challenged her team to bounce back vs Portugal

In the moments following Thursday's loss to Portugal – just their third of the Emma Hayes era –  the U.S. women's national team coach and her players made it clear: that performance was unacceptable. In the moments following Sunday's rematch, Hayes and the USWNT were able to strike a different tone, and deservedly so.

In Sunday's revenge game – a real test for a USWNT that, before this week, had been unbeaten in 11 matches all-time against Portgual, never conceding a goal – Hayes turned the keys over to the team's youngest stars. And they rewarded her instantly.

Hayes' starting XI had an average age of just under 21 – with six starters 20 years or younger. Despite that, the USWNT looked as composed as could be on Sunday afternoon in East Hartford, Connecticut. Save for one early mishap, the U.S. seized control, exacting revenge on Portugal in a 3-1 win.

It wasn't a perfect performance but it was a perfect response. Hayes challenged her team to bounce back and they did just that.

"I think we have to keep developing the group the way we are," Hayes told TNT post-match. "The last game was a blip and that, for me, is not something I expect to be happening on a regular basis."

It started similarly enough. After Rose Lavelle scored just 33 seconds into Thursday's game, Olivia Moultrie nearly matched the feat, netting the first of her two goals just 44 second in. Again, the U.S. conceded shortly after, giving Portugal a way back into the game on their only shot on goal for the game. This time, though, the U.S. didn't wilt – they pushed.

Moultrie added a second in the 10th minute and Sam Coffey put the game to bed in the game's final moments with an exclamation point on a fairly complete U.S. effort.

"I think we did a better job of being compact, not chasing the ball in the wrong moments," Hayes said. "That's probably the biggest thing, without being too technical. If you want to control games and get players in the right positions higher up, then you have to build up very well, successfully, build up control in the right areas, make the opponent work. That's something we didn't do the other night. We did do it tonight.

"So I think we got those two pieces right. I thought positionally, attacking-wise, we were much, much better in all phases of the field."

There's still one more game this window, on Wednesday against New Zealand in Kansas City. Hayes has already learned plenty about her team this week, though, as this group continues to build towards the bigger moments ahead.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Olivia Moultrie

It's easy to forget, at times, that Moultrie is still just 20. It seems like she's been around for years. Yet she's still the fourth-youngest person on this USWNT roster, one that still only has a few caps to her name. She also now has two USWNT braces on her resume.

Moultrie made her mark almost immediately as she followed Lavelle's lead from Thursday by scoring within the first minute of the match. That quickly went out the window with a Portugal equalizer. No worries, though, because Moultrie popped up once again in the 10th minute to restore the USWNT's lead. 

"Honestly, my reaction to both goals was pure adrenaline," Moultrie said. "I don't even know what I was thinking. I couldn't even think about a celebration."

Moultrie was rightfully excited. This was another statement performance from a player who has made a habit of this recently. She's now scored three braces within the last three weeks. Her first USWNT goals, meanwhile, came in a brace last February, too.

Now, six years after she was first introduced as American soccer's next rising star, Moultrie is growing into a role as a USWNT regular. Based on Sunday, she may also be a USWNT game-changer, too.

"I was talking to Emma about it, and just feeling the trust in both club and country and allowing all the work I’ve put in to just showcase itself," Moultrie said. "People are like, 'Have you changed anything recently?' Am I’m like, 'No, not really.' I’m just trying to stay consistent with what I’ve been told by my coaches and staff, and do the work, do the film, talk to my teammates.

"And honestly, just try to do the right thing and stay patient, especially in my positioning, which has been a big thing with me and Emma."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLOSER: The centerback position

Things happen, particularly in international soccer. You can't keep clean sheets every game, particularly against good teams. These last two games, though, have been headlined by some pretty frustrating goals conceded by the USWNT.

There's an obvious missing piece behind that, it's worth mentioning. If the currently injured Naomi Girma were in the XI, things would surely be different. She is that level of player and that vital of a defensive leader. It's worth wondering what these games would have looked like if she were in the starting XI. Several players have been fighting to be her partner when she does return. So far, though, there hasn't been a standout.

Emily Sonnett is the incumbent but, for the second consecutive game, she was beaten to a header. Tara McKeown, Emily Sams and Jordyn Bugg, meanwhile, are all relatively new. It was Bugg who got the nod on Sunday and, while she was very good on the ball, she didn't go so far as to really dominate in a way that would vault her into contention.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Lily Yohannes

You know those highlights of charity games featuring everyday players taking on ex-pros? It's always easy to spot the ex-pro. They're bigger, stronger and smarter than everyone else on the field. They run the game despite never needing to go past a slight jog. It's all so easy.

That was what Yohannes looked like on Sunday. She was in a different class than everyone else on the field, and it was so easy to see. Yohannes set the tempo throughout the game, demanding the ball and making the right decisions Portugal, no matter what they did, could not get anywhere near her. It was so calm and, seemingly, so effortless.

But don't forget, that's not easy. Credit to those around her, too. Teammates constantly made themselves available, while Claire Hutton, her teenage partner in midfield, seemed like the perfect foil for Yoahnnes in the center of the park.

"We changed something positionally for Lily," Hayes said. "Hutton, she plays beyond her years. She has no fear to get on the ball with pressure, solve pressure, she can switch balls out, she can thread balls in behind."

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Getty ImagesLOSER: Alyssa Thompson

Thompson didn't play poorly in either game. Her performances, though, have left something be desired, particularly for those waiting to see her take a huge leap into this team's starting XI. The Chelsea winger's performance in the first Portugal match was largely defined by poor decision-making, as she was never able to play the final ball needed to create a goal.

On Sunday, she had even fewer decisions to make as Thompson didn't seem as involved. That happens, of course, but it's frustrating that, in roughly 160 minutes, Thompson wasn't able to really make Portugal sweat. She will do that to other teams, though.

Her speed remains elite, which you can't teach. You can, however, teach a player to be more composed in the final-third. That will come in time, and you've already seen her take some leaps in that regard. Thompson is so talented, which is why it's fair to expect her to be the star of the show in these types of games.

Bukayo Saka’s second-half penalty to seal three points against West Ham United in the Premier League saw him become a centurion. The winger has 100 direct goal involvements across 200 fixtures in England’s top flight.

One of the poster boys of English football, Arsenal’s talisman has suffered an injury-disrupted start to the campaign, but three goals across all competitions and a sumptuous strike for England on Thursday evening underscore his world-class credentials.

That left-footed strike is something we’ve seen before.

He’s the cream of the crop, but it has been a plentiful harvest for Hale End over the past few years, with more than a few elite prospects underlaying Mikel Arteta’s ever-improving senior set-up.

Having finished runners-up in the Premier League for three successive seasons, Arsenal know that they need to reward the brilliant fanbase with silverware this season. It has been five years, after all. But for all the exciting big-money signings, those Hale Enders continue to shine brightly.

Arsenal's most exciting Hale Enders

Saka is hardly the only homegrown star plying their trade at the Emirates right now. An initialo £60m fee was spent to bring the 27-year-old Eberechi Eze back home this summer after so many years away, and the former Crystal Palace man looks to have been an astute signing for a side challenging for the biggest prizes.

It’s not always Arsenal let homegrown talents slip through their fingers, though, with Ethan Nwaneri still going from strength to strength as he looks to nail down a place in Arteta’s wider and grander plans.

And how could we forget Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has played the left-back berth with such consummate ease since breaking into the first team last season.

The 19-year-old has already chalked up 46 senior showings for the Gunners, and he has made his first three caps for the Three Lions.

Powerful and talented on the ball, Lewis-Skelly’s versatility and confidence have already seen him rise to the fore and become a Premier League star. Youth coach Jack Wilshere has long marvelled at how he is “unplayable” when fit and firing on all cylinders, but the translation to life on the senior stage has probably surpassed even the retired Gunner’s expectations.

However, ‘MLS’ is naturally a central midfielder, and there’s no guarantee he will not find his way back into the engine room permanently in the coming years.

With this in mind, Arsenal may rue Edu’s decision to cash in on another academy graduate who has earned praise for his quality.

Edu cashed in on "England's future left-back"

Edu left Arsenal 11 months ago, and Andrea Berta’s start to life in his stead as the Emirates technical director has suggested that the right move was made.

It’s futile keeping track of all the up-and-coming hopefuls, but one who might come back to bite Edu and Arsenal is Lino Sousa, who flourished through his academy years in north London but was sold to Aston Villa for a small fee in January 2024.

Now 20 years old, the England U19 international, who is also eligible for Portugal, is a natural talent when out wide but showed an aptitude in learning to invert, something Lewis-Skelly has done with aplomb over the past months.

Yet to feature for Unai Emery’s Villans, Sousa has been steadily cutting his teeth, spending the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign out on loan in the Championship with Plymouth Argyle before heading out again to Bristol Rovers last term, where his success in the duel caught the eye.

Matches (starts)

8 (3)

25 (14)

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

2

Touches*

25.4

37.6

Pass completion

79%

76%

Key passes*

0.4

0.4

Dribbles*

0.8

0.4

Ball recoveries*

0.5

2.4

Tackles + interceptions*

0.6

1.8

Clearances*

1.0

2.0

Ground duels (won)*

1.5 (63%)

2.9 (69%)

There’s certainly work still to be done, but the nuts and bolts of the talent’s skillset are there. Though he took a step down the ladder last season, the full-back demonstrated a raised level of confidence and quality regardless.

There’s no doubting Sousa’s potential. Still, there is an anticipation that he will pull it all together and make headway on the professional stage. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has even gone as far as to suggest the teenager could be “England’s future left-back”.

Athletic, pacy and blessed with a mean crossing ability, Sousa has the talent to rise to the top, and it’s worth issuing a reminder that development in football is often a non-linear thing. Lewis-Skelly’s today might be Sousa’s tomorrow.

But Arteta lives in the now, even though the sharp-witted Spaniard keeps a side-eye on the future.

Whether the Londoners come to regret their decision to part ways with Sousa remains to be seen. He featured 53 times for the club’s respective development sides, after all, and notched eight goal contributions.

Aged 17, he was promoted to the Europa League matchday squad as Arsenal took on Swiss side FC Zurich in 2022, but the meteoric rise over the past three terms emphasises the ruthlessness needed and shown. Arsenal have eclipsed expectations, and with that comes some sacrifices.

Ultimately, Edu had his shortcomings, and Sousa was perhaps a victim of the realities of breaking onto the senior stage when informed he would be leaving his boyhood club, having failed to make a single appearance for the men’s team.

But given that Lewis-Skelly has been in such fine fettle and plays at the highest level, it’s not something Arteta and co are likely to lose much sleep over.

Not Dowman: Arteta has a Saka & Odegaard hybrid in "phenomenal" Arsenal ace

The outrageous talent is like Saka and Odegaard and could be Arteta’s next Arsenal superstar.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 11, 2025

All Pakistan’s games, including the semi-final and final (if they get there), will be played at neutral Colombo

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jun-2025The women’s ODI World Cup is set to kick off on September 30, with India taking on Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India’s high-profile fixture against Pakistan, at the neutral venue of R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, is set for October 5, while their match against Bangladesh is on October 26 in Bengaluru.Defending champions Australia are set to start their campaign on October 1 at Indore’s Holkar Stadium against New Zealand. The marquee clash against England – a rematch of the previous edition’s final – is set to be played on October 22 in Indore. India take on the holders on October 12 in Visakhapatnam.Pakistan, who will play all their games in Colombo in accordance with the hybrid agreement arrived at between the BCCI and the PCB, will also face Bangladesh (Oct 2), Australia (Oct 8), England (Oct 15), New Zealand (Oct 18), South Africa (Oct 21) and Sri Lanka (Oct 24).ESPNcricinfo LtdOther key fixtures for England in the league stage include South Africa in Bengaluru (Oct 3), India in Indore (Oct 19), and New Zealand (Oct 26) in Guwahati.Bangladesh, apart from playing Pakistan to start their campaign, are set to play three more matches at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium while also taking on Sri Lanka in Colombo (Oct 20). South Africa, meanwhile, have games against New Zealand (Oct 6) and Australia (Oct 25) in Indore.The need for Pakistan’s World Cup games to be played at a neutral venue arose due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, and India playing their 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Dubai instead of in the host country, Pakistan. The PCB, in turn, said Pakistan would not travel to India for tournaments in the foreseeable future.The tournament will feature 28 league games followed by three knockouts, with matches spread across Bengaluru, Indore, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Colombo. The last of these – a double-header Sunday featuring England vs New Zealand and India vs Bangladesh – is on October 26. The first semi-final is slated for either Guwahati or Colombo – depending on Pakistan’s progression – on October 29 while the second semi-final will be in Bengaluru on October 30. The final, on November 2, will be held in either Bengaluru or Colombo.India are hosting the women’s ODI World Cup for the first time since 2013. The format for the 2025 tournament will be the same as in 2022, with each of the eight teams playing the other in a round-robin format, with the top four making the semi-finals.Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka, apart from hosts India, qualified directly for the tournament. The last two spots were taken by Pakistan and Bangladesh at the qualifiers in Lahore earlier this year. The tournament will not feature West Indies, who missed out to Bangladesh on net run-rate at the qualifier.

The Minnesota Twins reportedly are moving on from a 2024 draft pick after just a few months in their organization.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan reported Thursday that the Twins released minor league catcher Derek Bender after he told opposing batters the type of pitch that was coming to the plate during a game that eliminated his team from Florida State League contention.

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Twins' Low-A affiliate, were battling the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Sept. 6 in the second game of a doubleheader when Bender told multiple opposing hitters the exact pitch that was coming. The Flying Tigers scored four runs in the second inning and won the game 6–0 to eliminate the Mighty Mussels from playoff contention.

Fort Myers coaches were informed of Bender's self-inflicting pitch tipping by Lakeland coaches after the game.

ESPN also reported that Bender "had told teammates he wanted the season to be over."

Bender, selected by Minnesota in the sixth round (No. 188) out of Coastal Carolina, batted .200/.273/.333 in 19 games for Fort Myers this season. He hit .320/.422/.520 with 11 homers and 63 RBIs in 60 games for the Chanticleers in his final collegiate season.

Manchester United are reportedly staring at a major financial headache ahead of next summer, with the club set to miss out on around £10 million ($13M) due to the scheduling of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The global showpiece event, kicking off on June 11, 2026, just 18 days after the Premier League season concludes, has thrown United's pre-season blueprint into disarray.

2026 World Cup wrecks Man Utd's plans

According to the the Red Devils had hoped to embark on another money-spinning post-season tour, similar to their lucrative visits to Malaysia and Hong Kong this summer just gone. That trip, which came right after the conclusion of the campaign, earned the club a tidy £10m windfall. But those plans are now off the table as there simply won’t be enough time between May 24 and the start of the World Cup for the club to travel, train, and recover adequately. The decision is already being described internally as a logistical nightmare, and one that could potentially have knock-on effects on both finances and fan engagement.

AdvertisementGOALFriendlies in Saudi Arabia?

Summer tours are not just about fitness, but they’re an essential revenue stream. Financial margins are tighter than ever at Old Trafford, especially after missing out on European football, and United are desperate to recoup as much as they can.  The club’s commercial department has spent the last few weeks running simulations on whether the World Cup could completely saturate football interest in the U.S. market. The final, which is scheduled for July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, falls right around the time United traditionally kick off their own pre-season tours. This has led United to consider whether they should pivot towards the Middle East, another region where the club has historically drawn massive crowds and sponsorship interest. 

Talks are reportedly underway to see if a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia can be organised, which could bring in a hefty payday. There is indeed a growing appetite to return to Asia next summer, particularly after three consecutive pre-season tours in the United States as part of their £60m ($78m)-a-year deal with Snapdragon. United’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League cost them approximately £100m ($130.5m) in potential revenue, including a £10m penalty paid to Adidas, triggered by the performance clause in their record kit deal. That financial strain has put added pressure on the commercial and operations teams to maximise income from every opportunity, including global fan tours.

Man Utd back in form after struggles

While meetings and discussions are underway in the boardroom, things on the pitch are finally showing signs of recovery. After a shaky start that saw United win just two of their first seven games, Amorim’s men have stabilised, going four league matches unbeaten following a dramatic 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese boss has slowly moulded United into a more cohesive, hard-working outfit by making little tweaks to his preferred 3-4-3 formation, and they are finally reaping the rewards. The team sits eighth in the table, but only two points behind second-placed Manchester City, proof that progress is being made.

"Ruben’s got a very clear idea. It’s a lot more flexible, the idea, than what people give it credit for," Jason Wilcox said in an interview on the club’s podcast. "We’ve got to start with the end in mind and understand that the game model, how Manchester United are, is really important.  

"We have to pull the jigsaw pieces together and put the jigsaw pieces together. We would love to have all the pieces in place where we can see a very clear picture, but whilst we’re building the picture, it’s even more difficult when you lose some football matches, because people start questioning things. But myself and Ruben, Omar, the ownership, we’re really clear on the direction of travel, and this is really important."

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Getty Images SportTottenham next: A chance for redemption for Amorim

Next up is a blockbuster away clash with Tottenham Hotspur, the same side that denied United silverware in last season’s Europa League final. For Amorim's men, it’s not just about revenge, but it’s about maintaining momentum in a campaign that has demanded resilience. They struggled in the early months but have finally resurrected themselves on the back of a sensational October. The Red Devils will be eager to get another three points and mount a meek title challenge before the international break sets in. 

Manchester United’s business in the transfer market in the summer of 2025 will potentially be remembered as one of their best windows in recent history.

Ruben Amorim has spent around £200m on new additions within his front three, with such additions already making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were the three signings made by the hierarchy, with the latter being the most expensive at a staggering £74m including add-ons.

The trio have already had a say in nine of their 15 Premier League goals in 2025/26 to date, as Mbeumo sits top of the Red Devils’ goalscoring charts with his total of four goals in nine outings.

Such form has led to serious doubt being cast over the futures of numerous players already within Amorim’s ranks, which could lead to numerous exits during the upcoming January window.

Players who look set to leave Man Utd in January

Over the last couple of days, rumours have been swirling over the future of multiple players, with midfielder Manuel Ugarte just one United player who could be edging closer to the exit door.

The Uruguayan international joined in a £50m transfer from PSG last summer, which led to huge expectations being placed on his shoulders to end their hunt for a new ball-winning option.

However, the 24-year-old has fallen down Amorim’s pecking order, only starting two league outings in 2025/26, leading to rumours over a winter move to join Turkish outfit Galatasaray.

He’s not the only player who appears to be moving closer to the exit door, with forward Joshua Zirkzee another Red Devil who has struggled to nail his starting role down this season.

According to CaughtOffside, the Dutchman is now “increasingly likely” to depart Old Trafford after featuring for just 82 minutes this season – only a year on from his £36m transfer to join the club.

The report states that the 24-year-old will allow the former Bologna talisman to depart in the coming months, but will be looking to recruit the majority of their investment back.

It also confirms that the player himself wants to depart to gain valuable first-team minutes to help improve his standing in the national setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

However, such a decision could come with a risk, especially given the examples that have unfolded in front of Amorim’s eyes over the last couple of months.

The United star who could become this season’s Rashford

Before Amorim’s arrival at United, attacker Marcus Rashford was seen as a key member of the first-team squad, arguably being one of the most threatening options within the final third.

The England international has racked up 138 goals for the Red Devils during his nine years in the first-team, but it rapidly became apparent the 40-year-old wasn’t keen on the academy graduate.

Despite starting and scoring in the manager’s first game at Ipswich Town, the 27-year-old was excluded from first-team training – subsequently joining Aston Villa on loan for the second half of 2024/25.

Rashford registered four goals and five assists in his 17 appearances before linking up with Spanish giants Barcelona during the recent window – once again producing the goods away from Old Trafford.

He’s already notched 10 combined goals and assists in his 13 appearances, with such a decision arguably one of Amorim’s worst during his near 12-month tenure with the Red Devils.

However, he could be about to make another huge mistake in sanctioning Zirkzee’s exit, especially if the Dutchman can replicate such form before his move to England.

The 24-year-old scored 12 times and registered six assists in his 37 appearances prior to his switch to Old Trafford – even managing to impress in glimpses last campaign.

Zirkzee scored twice in Amorim’s second game in charge of the club back in December 2024, with his contributions in the clash with Everton just one example of the talent he possesses in the final third.

Other outings against Lyon and Real Sociedad in the Europa League showcased his ability to provide the goods in key moments – subsequently helping the Red Devils reach yet another European final.

Games played

32

Goals & assists

4

Pass accuracy

72%

Shots taken

1.8

Chances created

0.8

Dribble success

38%

Aerials won

29%

Times dispossessed

2.8

Whilst it still remains unclear what the attacker’s best position is, even describing himself as a 9.5, he still managed to rank highly in numerous areas during the club’s dismal 2024/25 season.

Zirkzee ranked in the 82nd percentile for possession regained in the final third, whilst also completing the most passes per 90 of any forward in the first-team ranks.

Such numbers showcase his tireless effort out of possession, before firing the killer pass to a teammate – subsequently allowing him to pick up two assists across all competitions.

There’s no doubt his tally of five goals in 49 appearances was way below the expectations of the supporters, but Zirkzee desperately needs to be cut some slack by the manager.

Such a year was his first in England’s top-flight, but it’s evident that the manager has made up his mind with the forward, as seen by his tally of 82 league minutes in 2025/26.

Allowing him to leave could once again come back to bite them, potentially following the same route as Rashford and thriving in Europe after departing the Red Devils.

Watch out Bruno: Man Utd's "best player this season" is a "future captain"

Manchester United’s “best player this season” could be the future captain of the club over Bruno Fernandes.

ByDan Emery Oct 28, 2025

West Indies coach said the match officials admitted there were errors made during the first Test in Barbados

Andrew McGlashan02-Jul-2025West Indies coach Daren Sammy said that the match officials have admitted there were errors made during the first Test in Barbados, but insisted he holds no grudges against Adrian Holdstock, who will move from being the TV umpire to on-field in Grenada.Sammy was fined 15% of his match fee and handed a demerit point after he questioned the work of Holdstock, particularly decisions against Roston Chase and Shai Hope, adding he had held concerns from the recent England tour. Chase was also highly critical after the match but has escaped any ICC sanction.”I said I wouldn’t want my players to do that press conference because of the questions I think that would have been posted at them,” Sammy said. “I strongly believed in what I said.Related

Sammy fined for criticising third umpire Holdstock

Chase calls out 'so many questionable calls' in Barbados Test

“We’ve had further chats [with the officials]. They’ve clarified some stuff. There has been some admission of error as well. This was Barbados and we’re now in Grenada, so we’ve left that behind.”Asked whether he regretted his comments about Holdstock, Sammy said, “I don’t hold grudges. I said what I said, based on what I saw. I’ve been punished for it. I wish Adrian all the best, to be honest. I mean, we’re all human. I have nothing against the umpires. I really wish he has an awesome game.”Australia have not been drawn into any debate around the umpiring, although they have admitted they came out on the right side of it in Barbados. But Alex Carey had fears his diving catch to remove Hope would be given not out when he saw the replays on the big screen.Carey dived full-length to his left to take an inside edge off the bowling of Beau Webster from Hope, who was well-set on 48 in his first Test for three-and-a-half years. Carey was convinced he had taken the catch cleanly.West Indies were unhappy about Roston Chase’s lbw in Barbados•Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty ImagesIt was eventually confirmed as out by Holdstock. Earlier in the game, he had ruled a low catch by Hope from Travis Head in Australia’s first innings as not out.”I thought it was out straightaway, yes,” Carey said. “I wasn’t confident it was going to stay out when I saw the replay, to be honest. It’s been a really difficult shift in the third umpiring in what’s out and what’s not out. Your opinion is different to my opinion.”I thought that was a pretty difficult game, to have five, six, seven 50-50 examples for the third umpire. He’s not going to please everyone up there, but I thought he did a really good job. We obviously know the other side and the other camp was a little bit disappointed with some of them. I understand that.”But I did think it was out. I never thought I fumbled the ball or had any reason to question the decision. It was a pleasing one to take. A good batter as well, who was scoring some runs.”Holdstock will stand with Richard Kettleborough in Grenada and then with Nitin Menon in Jamaica. Kettleborough will be standing in his 93rd Test, going past David Shepherd’s count of 92 as the most by an English umpire.

Rafael Louzan, the head of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), addressed Lamine Yamal's recent call-up to the national team amid the Barcelona superstar's fitness concerns. The RFEF chief swiftly dismissed any rumours of a rift between Spain boss Luis de la Fuente and Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, asserting that "there was no tension."

Yamal makes Spain squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers

Yamal has played the full 90 minutes in three of Barcelona's last four games despite feeling some "discomfort" after being diagnosed with pubalgia – a chronic groin injury stemming from a tear in the surrounding soft tissue. The 2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up started in the 2-1 loss against rivals Real Madrid last month, followed by another 88 minutes against Elche. In the past week, he lasted the entire game during the midweek Champions League clash against Club Brugge and the 4-2 away win at Celta Vigo at the weekend.

Citing his recent return to the Barcelona lineup as a regular, Spain boss De La Fuente defended his decision to call up Yamal for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey. 

"I think the answer is obvious. I watched his last game, and I believe he’s in perfect condition," De la Fuente stated at a press conference. "His coach said he was ready to play. He's getting back to being the player he always has been, and we celebrate that. He will stay with us as long as we consider it appropriate.

"Watching the game the other day, Lamine is fit to play. We have two very important games and we need to field our best players. We have two hugely important matches to qualify for the World Cup, the stakes are massive and we want the best players with us."

AdvertisementGetty/GOALExplained: The feud between Flick and De la Fuente

During the September international break, Yamal suffered a knock while on duty with the Spanish national team. The injury to the teenage sensation infuriated Barca manager Flick, who didn't mince his words while lashing out at De la Fuente and the RFEF for "failing to take care" of the players.

"Lamine Yamal will not be available. He went with the national team in pain and did not train," Flick said at the time. "They gave him painkillers to play. They had at least a three-goal lead in every match, and he played 73 minutes and 79, and between matches he couldn't train. That is not taking care of the player. I am very sad about this."

De la Fuente engaged in a war of words, with the RFEF also hitting back at Barcelona for reportedly not providing any communication regarding Yamal's fragile condition at the time. "Do you think that today, in my homeland, and enjoying this moment, I'd remember what Hansi Flick said? Well, no, I'm not interested," De La Fuente told reporters in September.

In October, Flick gave this feud another twist as defended his comments by adding: "I want to protect my player, support him, this is what it is. A lot of things happened. This is, for me, done. I have no bad things about this situation. I know it from the other side. It's not easy for me. It's not easy for [De la Fuente]. I must protect my player; this is the reason I made it a little louder than normally I want to do it. I don't regret this. Now, the important thing is managing this together. The players, the clubs and the Spanish Federation [RFEF]. We have to manage it together."

Spanish FA chief clears the air surrounding feud

Speaking to , Louzan, the president of the RFEF, clarified that the federation, along with the national team, is constantly communicating with the respective clubs. 

"We have acted in a coordinated manner and will always do so because the feelings of the club come first, and in the national team, we must take great care of the players," said Louzan. "They can rest assured that there will be no controversy in this regard.

"We do it with Lamine, of course, and with each of the players on the national team. The players, in the end, belong to the clubs and we have to have perfect coordination, as exists between the Spanish Football Federation and each club manager.

"Luis de la Fuente has a very good relationship with everyone. And in that sense, the Barcelona coach wants his players in perfect condition, and all of that was just minor disagreements that wouldn't escalate because, from our point of view, there was no tension."

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Getty Images SportWhen do Spain play?

La Roja will take on Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi, before hosting Turkey at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville next Tuesday. De la Fuente's side are currently on top of their World Cup qualifying group and have already sealed their qualification for next year's showpiece event. In four games, they have scored 15 goals and are yet to concede one.

Travis Head returns to add more batting power but South Africa are able to call on Kagiso Rabada

Andrew McGlashan09-Aug-20252:34

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Big Picture: International cricket returns to DarwinThere was a little more riding on the outcome when these two teams met a couple of months ago at Lord’s, where South Africa wrote a new chapter in their history by claiming the World Test Championship title. This series is very much a stepping stone to the next global tournament: February’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.Both sides are in T20 mode. Australia have recently completed a 5-0 sweep of West Indies where their batting power stood out – and it’s been strengthened further for this series by the return of Travis Head – while South Africa were part of a tri-series in Zimbabwe where they fell short in the final against New Zealand with an experimental side.Related

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A few key names have returned for this trip, notably captain Aiden Markram and pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, but it also continues to be an exploration of South Africa’s depth and potential options ahead of the World Cup alongside getting further games into the likes of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Kwena Maphaka.”Zimbabwe [T20I tri-series] was a valuable exercise and we obviously want to build on the good things in particular the form of our two young batters and someone like Kwena as well to continue to grow his stocks in T20 cricket,” coach Shukri Conrad said.Australia are staggering the return of their all-format quicks with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc continuing to rest ahead of the home summer, while Josh Hazlewood is back, although he is likely to have his workload managed. However, Nathan Ellis’ performances are raising the question as to whether it’s time to permanently split up the big three in this format.The other significant aspect of the opening matches of this series is that it sees a return of international cricket to Darwin in Australia’s Top End for the first time since 2008, when Bangladesh were the visitors. The opening match is a sellout with the second on Tuesday heading that way, too. The city is a likely host of a Test match against Bangladesh next year as Australia’s home season extends into the northern summer.Form guideAustralia WWWWW
South Africa LLWLWIn the spotlight: Mitchell Marsh and Dewald BrevisAustralia’s batting order came together impressively in the West Indies, but captain Mitchell Marsh was the one player to not make a significant contribution, with 81 runs in five innings. It won’t be a major concern with plenty of T20Is ahead for Marsh to hit his stride – and he’s locked in at the top alongside Head – but it would be an unwanted distraction should Marsh remain short of runs, especially given the plethora of top-order options available.South Africa have clearly earmarked Dewald Brevis as a likely World Cup player in the middle order•SA20There were some promising signs for Dewald Brevis in the Zimbabwe tri-series as he finished as South Africa’s leading run-scorer with 133 at a strike rate 187.32, although he couldn’t quite see them home in the final. Those were Brevis’ first T20Is since his debut, which came against Australia in 2023, a year after he flayed an astonishing 162 off 57 balls in the domestic one-day competition. South Africa have clearly earmarked him as a likely World Cup player in the middle order.Team news: Hazlewood likely to return, Pretorius may miss outMatt Short continues his recovery from the side strain he picked up in the West Indies, and will miss the first two games of the series which partly eases the batting squeeze for now. Marsh confirmed he and Head would open – and are set to be the duo for the World Cup – which will see Glenn Maxwell return to the middle order and Mitchell Owen potentially being as low as No. 7. Hazlewood will strengthen the pace attack, although he may not play every match. Matt Kuhnemann is part of the squad should an extra spinner be needed.Australia (possible): 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Josh Inglis (wk), 4 Cameron Green, 5 Tim David, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Mitchell Owen, 8 Ben Dwarshuis, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh HazlewoodSouth Africa’s top order is bolstered by the return of Markram and Ryan Rickelton, which may see 19-year Pretorius squeezed out of the XI. Left-arm spinner George Linde took on an allrounder’s role at No. 6 in Zimbabwe and could continue in that capacity.South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 George Linde, 7 Prenelan Subrayen, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Nandre Burger, 11 Lungi NgidiMitchell Owen could bat as low at No. 7•AFP via Getty ImagesPitch and conditionsGiven Darwin is effectively starting again as an international venue after such a long gap, there is some uncertainty over what the conditions will be like, although there shouldn’t be anything untoward in the surface. The forecast, for both matches, is good with mild, dry evenings.Stats and trivia The last time Darwin hosted an international, Australia were captained by Michael Clarke. These two teams have not met in T20Is since 2023, when Australia came out 3-0 winners in South Africa. Maxwell needs four wickets to reach 50 in T20Is. He will become just the fourth men’s player to score 2500 runs and take 50 wickets in the format. Since the start of 2024, Australia have the highest batting strike rate in T20Is.Quotes”They’ve some young guys that have, I guess, burst onto the scene over the last couple of years. That’s always exciting for international cricket, and provides us with a different challenge, but certainly looking forward to coming up against them.”
.”You can see these guys are raring to go. It’s great having the experience back – Aiden’s leadership and then obviously the leadership roles that someone like Kagiso plays. So, really excited about this next couple of weeks. We know it’s going to be a great challenge.”
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