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India’s chief selector MSK Prasad had earlier stated that Dhoni would appear for Jharkhand in the quarter-finals, much like Rohit Sharma for Mumbai

Saurabh Somani13-Oct-2018MS Dhoni will not take part in Jharkhand’s knockout matches for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19.Jharkhand will play their quarter-final against Maharashtra at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday, and Dhoni wasn’t present at the first nets the team had, at the adjoining NCA ground, on Saturday. Team members that ESPNcricinfo spoke to on Saturday said they weren’t expecting Dhoni to join the squad.Jharkhand coach Rajiv Kumar said that he had not received any official word about Dhoni joining, but in his opinion, Dhoni wouldn’t have wanted to disturb the team’s combination, especially since he would have been able to play only one match.”He has to go to Hyderabad on October 16 to report for the ODI series,” Kumar said. “Maybe he will come for a day, I don’t know yet what his plan is, but so far, he is not coming. But it may be possible. You know he takes his own decisions. He is saying the boys are doing well, so there is no point coming for just one game and taking somebody’s place.”Jharkhand topped Group C with 32 points from nine matches, to qualify.The semi-finals are scheduled for October 17 and 18, meaning Dhoni would not have been able to take part even if Jharkhand win their match against Maharashtra.It is understood that Dhoni linking up with the Jharkhand team in Chennai was spoken of before he left for the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup concluded on September 28, with India beating Bangladesh in the final. Jharkhand had four league games remaining in Group C after that, with the first one on October 1. They won three of the games, with one abandoned without a ball bowled. Dhoni, however, eventually didn’t join the team.At the press conference after the Indian ODI side had been announced, chief selector MSK Prasad had said that Dhoni would be playing in the Vijay Hazare quarter-final.Dhoni’s decision is rendered more curious given his recent struggles in limited-overs cricket, and questions beginning to be asked about whether he is the right man to be the first-choice wicketkeeper in the 2019 World Cup. In the Asia Cup, he batted four times, scoring 77 runs with an average of 19.25 and a strike rate of 62.09. Overall in 2018, he has batted 10 times in 15 matches, for an average of 28.12 and a strike rate of 67.36. Dhoni’s last first-class match was in the Irani Trophy over a decade ago, while his last List-A game for Jharkhand was in the 2017-18 Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final against Bengal.However, while Dhoni has decided to stay away, Rohit Sharma will be part of the Mumbai XI that takes on Bihar in the first quarter-final on Sunday. Rohit, who also didn’t join the Mumbai squad during the league stages, has flown down to be part of the first knockout match. A Mumbai team spokesperson confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that if the Indian ODI team had asked players to report by October 16, Rohit would also miss any subsequent knockout matches.

Al-Hilal star Michael has revealed Neymar’s hilarious response to head coach Jorge Jesus offering to teach him how to take penalties.

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South American moved to Saudi in 2023Currently nursing serious knee injuryHead coach is popular among playersWHAT HAPPENED?

Brazilian superstar Neymar has endured a tough time since leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabia, with a serious knee ligament injury keeping him sidelined at present. The 32-year-old forward is, however, always happy to have a laugh and a joke away from the field.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT MICHAEL SAID ABOUT NEYMAR

He left club colleagues in stitches after seeing veteran boss Jesus try to offer advice on the art of penalty taking. Michael has told of that interaction between his fellow countryman and a Portuguese tactician: “Sometimes Jorge Jesus comes out of his box, and he's very funny. Nobody can say anything to him because he's so funny. There are times when he jokes and we say: 'He's not the same person who was complaining to us'. Once, the manager said to Neymar: 'I'm going to teach you how to take penalties'. Neymar had taken a penalty before, I think in a Brazilian team game, and he [Jesus] said he was going to teach him. Neymar took the penalty and said: 'Do you want to teach the priest how to say mass? I'll only miss a penalty when I want', it was all in fun. Whoever was there laughed a lot, he's very funny, but he always wants to help. You know that grandfather or father who, in his head, understands that he needs to help you with your life and the future? It’s Jorge Jesus!”

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Former Sporting and Flamengo boss Jesus returned to Al-Hilal for a second spell in July 2023. Michael added on working with a proven winner: “The 'old man' is wonderful! As a coach, we know what he's like. As a human being, he is incredible. He always wants to win and gives us that motivation to always want and fight to win. On the other hand, he is also like a father, a friend, a brother. He knows how to share this relationship. There are moments when it's Jorge with the experience of life and everything. Afterwards, he also knows how to reconcile with the coach Jorge Jesus who has to help the players, help the team to win, to work. I was happy to have worked with him a while ago [at Flamengo, in 2020], but God was so good to me that he gave me the opportunity to work with him again, learn more and evolve a lot.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Al-Hilal sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr after going unbeaten through 24 fixtures in the 2023-24 campaign. It remains to be seen when Neymar, who signed a two-year contract upon his arrival in the Middle East, will be cleared to play again.

Manchester United's squad depth has already been tested this season, with a number of injuries far from helping their attempts to get back to their best form under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman will be incredibly frustrated by his side's start to the Premier League season, as well as the fact that he still doesn't have a full squad to choose from with the pressure mounting.

What the current campaign has proven so far is United's need for January reinforcements, whether that's just for adding depth to their squad, or ensuring that Ten Hag's starting side is strong enough to finish inside the top four. That said, reports suggest that the Red Devils are looking to sign one particular La Liga forward.

Latest Man Utd transfer news

United welcomed the likes of Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund during the summer transfer window, in an attempt to build a squad ready to close the gap on treble winners Manchester City. Seven games into the season, however, and that gap looks even bigger than last year, with Ten Hag's side enduring a run to forget, which has already featured four defeats.

When the January transfer swings open, those at Old Trafford look set to seek further additions in the hope of turning things around. According to reports in Spain, which provided a Man Utd transfer update on Umar Sadiq, the Red Devils, and by extension owners the Glazers, are looking to sign the Real Sociedad forward in the winter transfer window. The Nigerian shares an agent with United centre-back Raphael Varane, potentially making any deal easier to complete.

Given that the Red Devils only just welcomed Hojlund to bolster their forward options, Sadiq could come in as a backup option, especially if Anthony Martial sees out the end of his contract, before possibly leaving on a free next summer.

Who is Umar Sadiq?

Manchester United's reported interest in Sadiq is an interesting one, to say the least. The Sociedad man, hailed as a "revelation" in Spain by journalist Josh Bunting, missed the majority of last season through injury, and hasn't exactly got off to a flying start in the current campaign, failing to score once in eight games in all competitions.

Sadiq did show glimpses of his talent in the small part that he did play last season, though, scoring three times in six appearances in all competitions, perhaps proving why United are reportedly interested in making their move. Currently 26 years old, too, the forward could be entering his prime, and therefore, in theory, could be on the verge of his best form.

Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has certainly been impressed by Sadiq in the past, seemingly praising the Nigerian when he played for Partizan Belgrade, saying, via the official Manchester United Twitter: "I've watched many of their games. They're a team with some pace, a big strong striker and some talent in there, with two or three very exciting players."

With that said, when the January transfer window swings open, it will be interesting to see whether United decide to pursue Sadiq's signature, or if the forward remains a Sociedad and La Liga player for the near future.

Joe Denly and Adil Rashid shared seven wickets as England closed out victory in their final white-ball encounter of the tour

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo27-Oct-20181:39

Social Story: Denly’s back!

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJason Roy – dropped three times – thwacked 69 off 36, Moeen Ali smote 27 off 11 while the lower-middle order rallied, and England lurched in fits and starts to 187 for 8, which would prove 30 too many for Sri Lanka.The target was imposing enough by itself, with only one greater total having been successfully chased at Khettarama. But when Joe Denly, playing in his first England international in almost nine years, removed both Sri Lanka openers with his virtually non-turning legspin, Sri Lanka’s pursuit was seriously imperilled. England’s other legspinner – the main one – Adil Rashid then claimed three wickets through the middle overs to essentially seal victory for his team.Between them, Rashid and Denly accounted for Sri Lanka’s top five, and had them well behind the asking rate. Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera slammed his way to 57 off 31 balls for the remainder of the innings, but his team had lost too much ground to make even that innings meaningful. The hosts limped, eventually, to 157 all out by the end of 20 overs, Denly claiming career-best figures of 4 for 19.England, and Roy in particular, made their intentions felt in the very first over. Running down the pitch to Lasith Malinga, Roy thumped him over long-off for six second ball, before glancing the fourth ball to the fine leg boundary for four. Sri Lanka tried to target Roy with the left-arm spin of Amila Aponso, perhaps working off the theory that he was susceptible to that form of bowling early in his innings. It didn’t work – Roy thrashed two fours off Aponso’s first two balls.The spinner would have more luck at the other end, in his second over, however, dismissing Roy’s opening partner Jos Buttler, and Alex Hales in the space of four balls. That prompted a brief respite from Roy’s onslaught – a period of about four overs when he did not hit a boundary. The big hits would resume soon enough, though.The ninth over, bowled by Lakshan Sandakan, was the most eventful over of the innings, and perhaps the definitive one of the game. Batting at the time on 34 off 25 balls, Roy top edged the second ball, and sent a miscued slog-sweep high to deep midwicket. But the substitute fielder, Sadeera Samarawickrama, spilled the straightforward chance, after which Roy nailed a slog-sweep into the western stand. Fourth ball, another top edge, this one to Dasun Shanaka at long-off. That was also grassed. Last ball, Sandakan should have had Ben Stokes lbw as well, only for the umpire to deny him, and his team-mates to refuse the review.Adil Rashid made important inroads•Getty ImagesRoy, who was dropped again in the next over, clobbered 34 runs off 11 balls after his first reprieve. Stokes made 24 off his next 21. Between these two innings and that of Moeen, who struck three sixes and a four off his first 10 balls despite having arrived in the 12th over with four wickets already down, England were powered to their daunting total.Denly, who produced a useful 20 off 17 with the bat as well, might not have been the kind of bowler that worried Sri Lanka before this match, but he nevertheless was the first to push them off course, before Rashid truly toppled them later on. He slipped a ball under Kusal Mendis’ ambitious slog-sweep with the last ball of his first over – Kusal making a return to single-figure limited-overs scores, after hitting a half-century in the last ODI. Niroshan Dickwella, who is perhaps the form batsman of this top order, was out in almost identical fashion in Denly’s next over.Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva threatened to rebuild – even if Sri Lanka were already struggling in terms of run rate – but Rashid’s arrival at the bowling crease the moment the Powerplay ended, swung the match decisively for England. He had Chandimal caught attempting a reverse-slog in his first over, then dismissed Kamindu Mendis and de Silva in the space of three deliveries in his third, conceding only 11 runs – no boundaries – right through his four-over spell.Aside from Thisara’s late fifty, debutant Kamindu’s all-round performance might have been the only real positive for the hosts. Not only did he deliver both left-arm orthodox and right-arm offbreaks for the first time in an international match since 1996 (Sri Lanka’s Hashan Tillakaratne had been the last to do it), his batting was also full of promise. In 14 balls at the crease, he struck three fours and a six, before eventually holing out attempting a slog-sweep. For now, his batting appears his foremost cricketing talent, even if the uniqueness of his bowling will command more headlines.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s “big ego” is being credited with making the Portuguese superstar the “greatest role model in football history”.

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Standing among all-time greats securedEnjoyed remarkable longevity at the very topIntends to reach 1,000 goals before retiringFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has always had unwavering belief in his own ability, while relentless pursuit of perfection has carried him to the very top of his chosen profession. A standing among the all-time greats has been safely secured.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo is still going strong at 39 years of age, as he produces talismanic performances for Al-Nassr and Portugal, with his intention being to reach 1,000 career goals before considering retirement. Many of the records that he has broken down the years will stand the test of time.

WHAT PETIT SAID

World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit – who spent time in England and Spain during his playing days – has told of what makes the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend special: “Cristiano Ronaldo can be considered the greatest role model in football history when you look at where he came from and where he is today at 39. He came from Sporting and worked step by step to be their star player and he had that ambition to stay at the very highest level for so long. He had the ambition to break all the records and achieved that.

“He has a big ego, but that ego drove him on every single day to be the very best he could. He has set the example for 15 years and I have huge respect for him. I have respect for sportsmen like that who want to get to the very top but also stay there. In terms of the mental side and physical side, what an example Cristiano Ronaldo has set.”

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Ronaldo’s character can grate on some, but there is no questioning what he has achieved in the global game across a 22-year career. Alongside eternal rival Lionel Messi, he has raised the bar of individual brilliance to a height that few can ever dream of reaching.

India had no doubts about taking Hardik to the World Cup even as he struggled through the IPL – he was putting in the hard yards then, and it’s paying off handsomely now

Sidharth Monga12-Jun-20243:07

Hardik: There are ups and downs but you can’t leave the battle

Not long ago, Hardik Pandya was being booed wherever he went. It would have made for a great exercise in sociology if somebody surveyed why people were booing Hardik: out of the love for Rohit Sharma, out of hatred for Hardik, or just following an attention-seeking fad. Whatever might be the cause, Hardik was also leading a team caught on the treadmill of defeat, having his commitment to bowling questioned.Despite everything, India had no doubt they were taking Hardik to the World Cup because when he is anywhere close to his best, he does what no one else in India does. They stuck with him despite the lack of overs early in the IPL and despite his economy rate of over 10. He might not have looked effective, but Hardik was putting in the work in the nets. How do we know? The India support staff was tracking him through the IPL.”I think one thing I’m definitely sure about him is that he has confidence in his ability,” India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said of Hardik. “Sometimes there’s no rhythm in a tournament. Sometimes, even if you try, the rhythm doesn’t come. It takes time. I think that was a phase where the rhythm didn’t come. As a bowler, you do everything. You bowl, you set goals, you bowl consistently, you play. So sometimes he would not maintain his rhythm. I think in his case, it was a factor where he was not able to maintain his rhythm.Related

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“It would have been worrisome had he not done anything in that phase. If he did not work on that, then it was a little worrisome. But one thing was, for sure, I knew that, I also followed that, that his work ethic was going on the same as before. So, if that is going on with him then after one or two matches, the rhythm of the bowler comes. Because he has done a lot of bowling, he has a lot of understanding about his bowling. So, he was sure that if work ethic was going on, he was bowling, nets attendance was going on, so I think the rhythm will come [sooner or later].”And you can see, in the last one or two matches he has bowled, if you compare the IPL and the rhythm now, as a bowler you can see that he has the rhythm [back]. So, I think that’s it. It’s all about rhythm. And I think he has caught the rhythm.”And once he has caught rhythm, Hardik has been irresistible albeit in helpful conditions. He is India’s joint-highest wicket-taker so far in the tournament, and has bowled his allotment of four in each of the three matches. And he has always been the fourth seamer used when the movement has eased out. Not much but still.Hardik Pandya has seven wickets in three games so far at the T20 World Cup•Associated PressHardik’s best contribution perhaps came against Pakistan when he had to use cutters on the short ball to get two key wickets: Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan. Fakhar had looked especially good in his brief stay. These wickets gave India just the breathing space to keep Jasprit Bumrah’s two overs for the back end.Against USA, too, Hardik took out two big hitters, Aaron Jones and Corey Anderson, again with the short ball. He is emerging as the point-of-difference bowler who can bash the middle of the pitch once any movement has died down.Hopefully the booing and the struggles of the IPL are a distant memory now. If they are, this is exactly what India needed from their stay in New York as Hardik has a much more important role to play in the rest of the tournament. India have punted on the extra spinner in their squad, and given the need to have six-hitters till No. 8, the most plausible scenario to play the extra spinner is if India play only two frontline seamers. That is when Hardik’s role will become crucial. And he is the only one in India who can play that role.

Updates, analysis and colour from the fourth day of the Australia-India Test from Melbourne

Andrew McGlashan29-Dec-20202.50pm: India win by eight wicketsShubman Gill drives down the ground•Getty ImagesBowled out for 36. Virat Kohli goes home. Mohammed Shami out of the tour. Umesh Yadav limps from the attack. India had to overcome so much that their victory at the MCG, achieved midway through the fourth day by eight wickets, will forever have a part in their cricket folklore. Whether it is part of something even greater will depending on the next three weeks, but for now they can reflect on one of great bounce back victories.The early loss of two wickets will have left India grateful – and Australia rueful – that the target wasn’t in three figures, but it never threatened to be become nervy. Australia’s lower order made them work for the final four wickets during the morning session but they could never break free of the stranglehold on their scoring, so by the time R Ashwin wrapped up the innings on the stroke of a delayed lunch the lead stood at only 69. Their final tally of 200 in 103.1 overs was their slowest Test innings on home soil since 1986 and they managed just 10 boundaries.2.05pm: Nerves for India?Australia have taken two early ones. Is that enough to put India on edge? The struggling Mayank Agarwal edged a big drive against Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins claimed Cheteshwar Pujara again. India’s No. 3 played an uncharacteristically loose flat-footed drive which he thick-edged to gully. A small target has just got a little bigger1.00pm: Lunch – Australia 200 all outMohammed Siraj celebrates the wicket of Cameron Green•Getty ImagesIndia will need 70 to level the Test series. It took them all the morning session to work through Australia’s lower order – it was extended with the innings nine down – before R Ashwin wrapped things when Josh Hazlewood shouldered arms and had his off stump clipped. Australia scored at under two-an-over during the innings, a testament to how well India kept control.It was another interesting session for the DRS as well. Mitchell Starc though he was out, caught at slip, off Ravindra Jadeja but the replays showed he had hit his boot as the ball rebounded off the pad and he was able to make a long walk back to the middle having got almost to the boundary rope. Then late in Australia’s innings Starc survived a line-ball lbw decision when beaten by Ashwin’s carrom ball, the tracker showing it to hitting a good portion of the bails but it remained umpire’s call which had been not out on the field.DRS debates will likely rumble on, but barring something extraordinary India should have wrapped this up by tea.12.10pm: India chip awayIndia have made inroads with the new ball, firstly Jasprit Bumrah bouncing out Pat Cummins and then Mohammed Siraj ending a very good innings from Cameron Green when he picked out midwicket with the pull. Australia’s lead is approaching 50, but they have just two wickets in hand. Green innings, in which he faced 146 balls, was very promising and should ensure that his position is not up for debate for the remainder of the series as Australia try to work out what to do with their misfiring batting order.11.30am: Steve Smith on his strugglesSteven Smith has spoken about his lean series to SEN Radio this morning:”At the moment I’m searching for time in the middle; that’s the most important thing for me,” he said. “When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I’ve spent in the middle, during those one-day games.”For me, that’s important. I find a lot of rhythm out in the middle. You can bat as much as you want in the nets but there’s nothing that can replicate what a game can do, so that for me is what I’m searching for at the moment. That can be tough to do, particularly in a Test match when you’ve got some quality bowlers.”And on his battle with Ashwin, he added:”I probably haven’t played Ashwin as well as I would’ve liked; I probably would’ve liked to have put him under a bit more pressure. I’ve sort of let him dictate terms and that’s something I’ve probably never let any spinner do in my career.”I’ve sort of taken it to them, been a bit more aggressive and made them change things. I haven’t allowed that to happen, probably because I’m searching for just being out there for long enough. It’s kind of a two-edged sword in a way, but I think I’ve just got to have the confidence to take it on and play my game.”11.15am: The new ballAustralia have got through the first phase of the day up to the 80-over mark but have only been able to squeeze out 16 runs. They will now have to combat the new ball to have a genuine chance of building a competitive lead. India hustled through their overs, especially R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, building pressure on Cameron Green and Pat Cummins. Both batsmen played quite well – bringing up a fifty partnership – although found it difficult to break the shackles.10.35am: Have your say10.00am: A twist to come?India are on the brink. Australia lead by just two runs with Cameron Green and the bowlers to try and haul the lead towards something defendable. It’s a huge ask. Even if India don’t break through straightaway the new ball is available in 14 overs. Still, stranger things have happened and in this of all years we probably shouldn’t rule out anything. If India do wrap up the game it will have to go down as one of their finest ever victories: bowled out for 36, Virat Kohli goes home, Mohammed Shami injured and then yesterday Umesh Yadav limps off as well.Plenty of questions for Australia to ponder especially around a batting line-up that has completely lost its shape. The return of David Warner can’t come soon enough. They won’t make wholesale changes (for one, the biosecure bubble doesn’t really allow it) but there isn’t really a player in the top six who can claim to have played at the top of their game yet – although a nod to Matthew Wade for how he has adapted to opening.

Ricky Ponting did not hold back in his criticism of hosts Australia, whose major troubles in approach were exposed by a clinical India #AUSvIND

https://t.co/cAiLxmWfJr pic.twitter.com/DEHS5rleKi

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 28, 2020

Match-winning or not, a hundred or not, seven Tests and ten ODIs later, spread across four months, which innings would you pick as the best of the summer?

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-2015TestsAlastair Cook’s 162 in the opening Test of the summer scripted a turnaround for his team in the match•Getty ImagesJoe Root’s 98 v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord’s
New Zealand demolished England’s top order on the first day of the summer to leave them reeling at 30 for 4. That, however, did not bother Joe Root. Even though he fell two short of a hundred, his 98 was enough to lead a middle-order revival and spur England to a fighting 389.Alastair Cook’s 162 v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord’s
With England trailing by 134 runs in the first innings, Alastair Cook turned things around with his 162 to set New Zealand a daunting target of 345, which was enough to start the season on a winning note.Ben Stokes’ 101 v New Zealand, 1st Test, Lord’s
New Zealand took a hefty first-innings lead and Alastair Cook replies with a hundred. Then Ben Stokes came out at No. 6 to counter-attack with an 85-ball hundred, the second-fastest in Tests by an England batsman, before he took three wickets as the home pacers dismissed New Zealand for 220.BJ Watling’s 120 v England, 2nd Test, Headingley
Both teams produced the same score in the first innings – 350. The match was in balance with New Zealand on 141 for 4 before BJ Watling’s hundred, despite a knee injury that didn’t allow him to keep wickets, ensured New Zealand levelled the series to maintain their two-year unbeaten run in Test series.Joe Root’s 134 v Australia, 1st Test, Cardiff
England were in a bit of bother at 43 for 3 with Adam Lyth, Cook and Ian Bell back in the pavilion. Joe Root put the pressure back on Australia with his seventh Test hundred to lay the platform for a total of 430.Steven Smith’s 215 v England, 2nd Test, Lord’s
Steven Smith’s maiden double-hundred helped Australia amass 566 for 8 declared, which included a 284-run stand with Chris Rogers, who made 173. It set up a thumping 405-run win, helping Australia level the series 1-1.ODIsJoe Root scored two defining hundreds against New Zealand•Getty ImagesJos Buttler’s 129 v New Zealand, 1st ODI, Edgbaston
It is the ‘New England’ everyone was talking about as they raced to 408 in 50 overs, mainly on the back of Jos Buttler’s 129 off 77 balls, an innings that featured 13 fours and five sixes. His hundred came off just 66 balls.Joe Root’s 104 v New Zealand, 1st ODI, Edgbaston
The path for Buttler’s hundred was carved by Joe Root at No. 3, after England lost their openers to a menacing Trent Boult. A magnificent hundred from Root, off 71 balls, gave his side a new dimension with the bat in ODIs, as it helped them score 400 for the first time.Ross Taylor’s 119* v England, 2nd ODI, The Oval
After being hammered in the first ODI, New Zealand bounced back in the second, led by Taylor’s unbeaten century. The famous Taylor slog-sweep was on show as he muscled New Zealand to 398, a total they just about managed to defend.Eoin Morgan’s 113 v New Zealand, 4th ODI, Trent Bridge
An inexperienced England bowling attack could not stop New Zealand from posting a massive 349 before Eoin Morgan’s quickfire hundred – 113 off 82 – led them home with as many as six overs to spare. He had four scores of 50-plus in the series, the first by any England captain.Joe Root’s 106* v New Zealand, 4th ODI, Trent Bridge
That successful and record chase of 350 was possible also because of Joe Root’s unbeaten 106 off 97, an innings of finesse under pressure to lead England to their fourth consecutive score of 300-plus.Matthew Wade 71* v England, 1st ODI, Southampton
In the 37th over, Wade made a bad call that resulted in Shane Watson’s run-out and left Australia at 193 for 6. Wade made up for the error, though, as he pummelled an unbeaten 71 off 50 to lift Australia beyond 300 and also make his case for being the long-term successor to Brad Haddin.Eoin Morgan’s 92 v Australia, 4th ODI, Headingley
England had never chased a target of 300 or more against Australia, but a composed run-a-ball 92 from their captain anchored their innings. He couldn’t guide his team to the finish thanks to a screamer from Glenn Maxwell, but the lower middle-order managed to complete the chase.

Manchester City star Ruben Dias has suggested the City Ground pitch was too dry following his side's 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest.

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Man City lose 1-0 at Nottingham ForestGuardiola previously complained about ballNow Dias moans about City Ground pitchFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

City fell to a narrow defeat at Forest on Saturday in the Premier League and after the match, defender Dias claimed the dry playing surface made things "more difficult" for his side. This follows less than a week after manager Pep Guardiola said the ball used in their FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle was "not right".

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT RUBEN DIAS SAID

The Portugal international said: "With the pitch dry it makes things a bit more difficult. It was [the same] last season and at Fulham too. It depends on the weather as well and goodwill from everyone to make the game fast."

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City are on course to have their worst season in years. They are out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, have no chance of defending their Premier League title, and now their excuses are mounting as well.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

City, who have dropped to fifth in the Premier League and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League, host sixth-placed Brighton next Saturday in the league.

A London-based club have now approached Chelsea over signing one of their most expensive players in what could be a potentially “transformative deal”.

Players tipped to leave Chelsea in 2025

There are a few near-certain exits from Stamford Bridge which are expected to take place after the turn of the year.

Maresca personally eyeing "astonishingly" good Euro 2024 star for Chelsea

He’s in excellent form for his club.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 14, 2024

The two most likely players to depart Enzo Maresca’s side, as per reports in the last few weeks, are left-back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka – who have both been deemed surplus to requirements by the Italian.

Chilwell and Chukwuemeka have both played under an hour in total across all competitions, with Chelsea ready to cut their losses on the pair as January looms.

Leicester City (home)

November 23

Aston Villa (home)

December 1

Southampton (away)

December 4

Tottenham (home)

December 8

Brentford (home)

December 15

Chelsea are encouraging teams to move for Chilwell, who is attracting interest from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, while reliable journalist Simon Phillips reported this week that Ipswich Town have made an enquiry over signing Chukwuemeka in January.

“Ipswich Town are showing a keen interest in signing Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka,” wrote Phillips.

“In fact, we have heard that they have already made an enquiry about the player’s availability for January. Chukwuemeka wants to play football, so he will listen to any approaches now. He had approaches in the summer but ideally wanted to stay in England, and again, ideally in London.

Carney Chukwuemeka

“AC Milan and Barcelona have also both expressed an interest in the Blues midfielder. Chelsea will sell him for the right price, and they might even consider a loan to buy deal in January that will see the player leave in the summer.

“Sources are unsure at this point the nature of the enquiry from Ipswich, whether it is a loan or a permanent approach, because it is just an initial enquiry to see if the player is available in January, which he will be. But I’d suspect it would be some sort of loan to buy deal for now. Chelsea will listen.”

Other players linked with the exit door including Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman is attracting rumoured interest from Man United, and it is believed Nkunku is tempted by the possibility of making an Old Trafford move (Football Insider).

Palace approach Chelsea over signing Mykhailo Mudryk

Despite his use in cup competitions and some impressive showings as of late, reports continue to link Mykhailo Mudryk with a January exit as well.

The Ukranian, signed for an initial £62 million, has failed to justify that price tag so far and faces stiff competition for a consistent place in Chelsea’s attacking line-up.

Football Transfers write Palace have approached Chelsea over signing Mudryk on loan in the winter, which could be a potentially “transformative deal” for Glasner’s side as they look to climb up the Premier League table.

The 23-year-old dazzled at Shakhtar Donetsk before making the switch to Stamford Bridge, and has displayed his ability on the odd occasion, but BlueCo will be very keen for him to kick on and perhaps a temporary move elsewhere could be best for him.