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The India allrounder coming back from injury has the chance to influence a tight game with his bowling on the last day at Wankhede stadium

Ankur Dhawan in Mumbai16-Dec-2018The IPL has done funny things to Indian cricket, particularly the fan. How else do you explain lusty cheering for Mumbai Indians Baroda allrounder Hardik Pandya as he tried with all his might to thwart Mumbai’s chances of securing a vital first innings lead at Wankhede stadium? Sure, there is merit in the theory that he is an India player, but MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli apart, not many have such a hold over crowds across the country.If it was a case of conflicted emotions – although there was no sign of it as the small crowd chanted his name like an anthem – they got the best of both worlds. Pandya obliged with a 137-ball 73 but Mumbai clung on to the cliff edge, securing a 29-run lead that may just keep them afloat in the Ranji Trophy.Pandya may have missed a maiden Ranji Trophy hundred, but it was his first major contribution with the bat in red-ball cricket since a whirlwind 93 at the start of the year in Cape Town. (He’d made a fifty against Afghanistan in between, but that came after India’s total had already gone past 300)Baroda had other heroes as well. Aditya Waghmode batted in mode to make 114 off 304 balls and Vishnu Solanki produced a more free flowing 133 to give Pandya the time he needed to find his feet, both literally and figuratively. At lunch he was batting on 3 off 29, struggling for rhythm but untroubled by the bowling as such.Match situations, though, can be fickle, and after cruising for 121 overs and looking set to surpass Mumbai’s 465 by a significant margin, wickets fell, as though through a series of trapdoors. A comfortable 351 for 3 became 378 for 6 when tea was taken, and two overs post resumption Baroda had slipped to a precarious 379 for 7. At that stage, it seemed like they were running out of luck, exemplified by Solanki’s questionable lbw decision earlier in the day, but soon enough Pandya was bowled off a no-ball and it became a level playing field once again.Reprieved on 41, he brought his side within 29 runs of Mumbai’s total before being pinned in front by Royston Dias as he tried to steal a single off the last ball of the over. It was not unlike the position he was in a few months ago at Edgbaston, when India needed 32 to win and Pandya was left with the awkward job of refusing singles when the field was spread, and scampering across when it came up. Eventually he was led to play a shot that wasn’t meant to fetch him runs or protect his stumps and he was dismissed.The difference here is that there’s an innings left and Pandya could enjoy the perks of who he is – an allrounder – and influence the result. While Mumbai would have undoubtedly been the happier side, having taken the lead, given the lack of time left in the game, they were also the only ones left in a position to throw it away – a tendency common among teams batting without purpose on final days. With his two quick wickets before stumps, Pandya has stoked that possibility.

Phil Foden joined an exclusive club as he bagged a hat-trick for Manchester City in the much-needed win over Aston Villa.

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Foden joins exclusive club of players in EuropeBecomes fifth player to score 20+ goals and record 10+ assistsNetted second hat-trick of the season against VillaWHAT HAPPENED?

With a scintillating performance against the Villans that saw Foden score his second hat-trick of this season, the England international has now joined an elite group of players who have scored 20+ goals and provided 10+ assists in the current 2023-24 campaign while playing in the top five leagues in Europe, per Opta.

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The exclusive group of players is thoroughly dominated by English stars as it features four Three Lions stars – Foden, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Ollie Watkins – while Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is the fifth member.

DID YOU KNOW?

After Wednesday's clash, the 23-year-old now has 14 league goals to his name this season, the most he has scored in a single Premier League campaign with the second-highest tally being 11 during the 2022-23 season.

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The England and City star is likely to feature for his club on Saturday as Pep Guardiola's side take on Crystal Palace in another important Premier League fixture in the title race.

Isobel and Cecelia, who played for nearly two decades in the international circuit, announced their retirements after Ireland’s loss in their final group-stage match in the World T20

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Nov-2018Ireland’s Joyce twins, Isobel and Cecelia, announced their retirement from international cricket after Ireland’s eight-wicket loss to New Zealand in their final group-stage match in the World T20. It was also the last international game for their team-mates, Clare Shillington and Ciara Metcalfe, who had, in May this year, announced that the tournament would be their last. All four have been in the international circuit for nearly two decades, with 37-year-old Shillington having debuted in 1997.While Shillington and Metcalfe received a guard of honour from players of both teams before taking the field, the Joyces informed their decision to their team-mates only during the post-match huddle.

BREAKING: @izzyjoyce and @CeceliaJoyce44 have announced they are retiring from international cricket alongside @CiaraJMetcalfe and @ShillersC.

Thanks for the memories, and best of luck for your post-playing careers! pic.twitter.com/UwOZRtODB2

— ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) November 17, 2018

Allrounder Isobel, who made her Ireland debut in 1999, has played 79 ODIs and 55 T20Is, while opening batsman Cecelia, who entered the international circuit two years later, has played 57 ODIs and 43 T20Is. Isobel had also led Ireland in 62 games before stepping down as captain following the World T20 in 2016.”I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for us. The next 10-12 months will be about transitioning the team as we don’t have any international fixtures coming up,” Laura Delany, the Ireland captain, said.Earlier this year, their brother Ed Joyce, who has represented both Ireland and England, announced his retirement from professional cricket, following Ireland’s inaugural men’s Test match against Pakistan in Dublin. Five Joyce siblings have represented Ireland in all – Dom, who played three ODIs in 2006-07, and Gus, who played one first-class game for Ireland in 2000.Post-retirement, all four players are set to stay involved in the game, with Cecelia focusing on her role as vice-president of Ireland’s player association and the other three taking up coaching roles.

The batsman said the decision was taken so that he could focus on his limited-overs career

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-2018Ambati Rayudu has called time on his first-class career in order to focus on limited-overs cricket. Rayudu, who recently made a comeback into the Indian ODI side, communicated the decision to the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday.Rayudu will continue to play international and domestic matches in the shorter versions. He had a successful outing in India’s recently concluded five-match ODI series against West Indies, hitting a century in the fourth ODI to cement his claim to what had been a fairly long search to fill the No. 4 spot in the Indian team.The 33-year-old Rayudu had begun his career with the HCA, making his first-class debut as a teenager in 2001. He played only the one game that season, but the next year he made an immediate impact with 210 and 159 not out against Andhra in just his third match. However, Rayudu had a rocky ride at Hyderabad with reports of differences with Arjun Yadav, and he soon moved to Andhra – one of the four teams he would eventually represent in domestic cricket.Yadav, son of former India player Shivlal Yadav, is the current Hyderabad coach.His stint with Andhra was also short, and he came back to Hyderabad before joining the now-defunct Indian Cricket League, thus being banned from participating in any BCCI-sanctioned tournaments. When the ICL dissolved and its players returned, Rayudu also returned to Hyderabad, but moved out a season later to Baroda. In 2016-17, he signed up with Vidarabha, although injuries prevented him from playing a single first-class match for the team though he did turn out in a few domestic limited-overs matches.Rayudu returned to Hyderabad before the 2017-18 season, but since making his debut for India in 2013, Rayudu has not played in a full Ranji season. Last year, he played only three matches for Hyderabad, scoring 278 runs at an average of 69.50 with a century and two fifties.He ends his first-class career with 6151 runs in 97 matches, at an average of 45.56 with 16 centuries. The 210 he scored in his third first-class match remains his highest score.

The Football Association has defended the new England kit after a backlash over Nike changing the colour of the St George's Cross.

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New Nike shirt released this weekBacklash over changing colour of St George's CrossFA defends the decision and stands firmWHAT HAPPENED?

Nike switched the traditional red cross on the collar of England's Euro 2024 shirt to a navy, light blue, and purple flag. While the Football Association say it was meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup winning team, and the sportswear giant described it as a "playful update" – a row has erupted over it being 'woke'. Despite the backlash, the FA has stood firm over the jersey.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT THE FA SAID

A FA spokesperson said: "The new England 2024 Home kit has a number of design elements which were meant as a tribute to the 1966 World Cup winning team. The coloured trim on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England's 1966 heroes, and the same colours also feature on the design on the back of the collar.

"It is not the first time that different coloured St George's cross-inspired designs have been used on England shirts. We are very proud of the red and white St George's cross – the England flag. We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be displayed prominently at Wembley tomorrow – as it always is – when England play Brazil."

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The debate over this topic has been fuelled by the likes of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said the flag should not have been changed, and Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, who denounced the move as "virtue signaling woke nonsense."
"When it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them because they're a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are," said Sunak.

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Getty WHAT NEXT?

Many football fans have demanded the original flag be reinstated and an online petition has collected thousands of signatures, meaning this story may continue to rumble on. On the pitch, England host Brazil on Saturday, followed by Belgium on Tuesday in two friendly matches.

Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has revealed he's learned a lot about NFL after making the move to the United States.

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Messi embracing new life in MiamiLearning about American footballAlso reveals his other sporting passionsWHAT HAPPENED?

Messi is known throughout the world for being one of the greatest players ever to grace soccer, but he has revealed he does take an interest in other sports. The World Cup winner says his move to the United States has led to a new interest in American football and he has other listed his other favorite sports away from his own profession.

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He told the about his favorite sports: "Tennis, padel, basketball, and American football. I'm learning a lot about American football, getting to know it better, and loving it."

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Messi's presence at Inter Miami has already drawn plenty of celebrities and stars from the worlds of tennis and American football to the MLS side. Tennis stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa have been gifted Messi shirts after taking in a visit to the club, while NFL players Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase were spotting wearing FC Cincinnati shirts when Messi arrived for a game with Inter Miami last season. Messi's arrival in the U.S. has prompted more than 1 million people tune in to watch Miami games, numbers only NFL and college football can compete with.

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Messi is currently out injured and missed Argentina's fixtures with Costa Rica and El Salvador over the international break. He is expected to return for Inter Miami's Champions Cup clash against Monterrey on April 3.

For the South African quick, the increased scrutiny on player behaviour is just a sign of the game becoming “more professional”

Liam Brickhill02-Nov-2018At the end of a tumultuous week since the release of the cultural review, Australia’s focus will finally return to the cricket with the first ODI against South Africa in Perth, but amid the fallout from the Newlands ball-tampering scandal and all that has happened since, player behaviour will be under increased scrutiny come Sunday. For visiting quick Dale Steyn, that’s just a sign of the times as the game becomes “more professional”.”When I first started going to the IPL, in the beginning we didn’t even have a fitness trainer,” he said after South Africa’s training session in Perth. “Now it’s very professional. You get an email that tells you exactly what you’ve got to eat, tells you exactly what time the bus is. We’ve got to grow up with the times, that’s just how it is, and behaviour is one of those things that has become very much part of the game. There’s strict rules. KG [Kagiso Rabada] has faced harsh criticism and some trouble even within our side.”

Every time you play against Australia, you still feel like that culture from years back is going to be hard to crack

While Mitchell Starc said the team will be ignoring the boardroom drama, soul-searching about how Australia choose to play their cricket and their reputation in the game has been another talking point from the cultural review. An ultra-aggressive, win-at-all-costs attitude is increasingly out of place in a changing sporting landscape.”It’s going to be interesting to see which direction they go,” Steyn said. “Every time you play against Australia, you still feel like that culture from years back is going to be hard to crack. They’re in your face, an aggressive team, and people want that but you talk about this line – who knows where it is – but there’s rules and you’ve got to play along those rules.”This is the country that produced the Merv Hughes staredown and ‘mental disintegration’, where, as an opposition no. 11, you’d better be ready for a broken f***ing arm. Or rather, it was. For Australia, for everyone, the times they are a-changin’.”I watched this interview with Merv the other day … jeepers, that guy was a maniac wasn’t he,” Steyn joked. “We’re in a different generation. Times have changed. We all have to move with the times. If you’re going to live in the past, and do what you did in the past, in the current times you’re going to bear the consequences for that. That’s just how it is.”Dale Steyn clutches his right shoulder•Getty ImagesWith their former captain and vice-captain both still in the brig for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal, Australia are still bearing the consequences for bad decisions made in March. Steyn wouldn’t be drawn into an opinion on whether Steven Smith and David Warner’s bans should be lifted early, but suggested that Australia still present stiff competition in their absence.”I’m not the headmaster here,” Steyn said. “I don’t make the rules and what the punishment is. But we all make mistakes and how each country deals with it is their issue.”Those two [Smith and Warner] are always going to test you. You want to be playing against the best. But I can guarantee you when you’re running in at Chris Lynn and he’s eyeing out deep midwicket, and Aaron Finch who’s been scoring runs lately especially for Surrey, it doesn’t matter. You’ve just got to take on who is at the other end, regardless of the name. When we walk out to the middle, it’s on.

The last time I walked off here I didn’t realise how bad my shoulder was. When I went in to see the doctor for the MRI he asked if I fell off a ladder or motorbikeSteyn on the injury he suffered in Perth in 2016

“We didn’t come here to lose,” Steyn added. “Any time South Africa plays against Australia it is always a good spectacle, both teams are highly competitive and do everything that they can to win. I don’t think that will change come Sunday.Steyn said he was excited to be back in Perth after a shoulder injury in the first Test in 2016 cut his tour short. This is likely to be his last international series in Australia, which makes him all the more motivated to put in a strong performance.”It is weird to be back here,” he said. “The last time I walked off here I didn’t realise how bad my shoulder was. When I went in to see the doctor for the MRI he asked if I fell off a ladder or motorbike, I didn’t realise it was actually that bad. Eight months of physiotherapy and non-stop rehab got me back, and I’m excited to be back here.”We haven’t played massively competitive cricket for a while. We played against Zimbabwe recently and I bowled in the high 140’s (kph) and hit 150 which I was quite pleased about,” he said. “If any bowler hits 150 he is going to tell you about it. I was happy with that, I got through those games and four months of county cricket with limited issues.”South Africa are coming off a comprehensive 3-0 series win against Zimbabwe, and Steyn said he expects an evenly contested series, despite the contrasting form the squads take into the series.”Both teams are coming off a little bit of a step back, Australia haven’t had the greatest tour in the UAE and they are trying to re-build themselves. We haven’t played much competitive cricket for a long time. I think it will be evenly matched.”

As Manchester United look to balance their books this summer amid early incomings, Al-Nassr could now reportedly offer INEOS their biggest payday of the window in pursuit of an attacking ace.

Man Utd readying summer clear-out

With Matheus Cunha already signed and Bryan Mbeumo reportedly likely to follow suit, Manchester United will have little choice but to clear some room in Ruben Amorim’s squad.

In what feels like a never-ending cycle, the Red Devils must rebuild once again and, in doing so, show the door to any unwanted stars in a ruthless summer plan.

Among those heading for the exit door is likely to be Rasmus Hojlund. The struggling striker has never truly made his mark at Old Trafford, despite costing an eye-watering £72m in 2023. Now, two years on, Inter Milan have reportedly come calling for his signature in a deal that could eventually cost around £38m.

Whether Hojlund, himself, accepts a summer departure may be another question, though. The young forward told Danish media when questioned about his Manchester United future this week: “I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United. I’m looking forward to going on a summer vacation, and then I’m fully dedicated to the project that’s underway.

“I know I can’t get much out of reading things. I know what the facts are, and that is that I have a contract with Manchester United until 2030. I expect to play there, so I’m just getting ready for some summer vacation and then hopefully a good pre-season.”

Man Utd submit bid for once-£57m ex-Man City ace who’s desperate for move

He won six Premier League titles at Manchester City.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 7, 2025

Whilst Hojlund is keen to stay put, however, the same can’t be said for another struggling Man United star, who could yet hand the Red Devils an impressive financial boost on his way out.

Al Nassr now eyeing Garnacho swoop

One player who has looked almost certain to be heading for the exit door ever since Amorim arrived is Alejandro Garnacho. In Amorim’s first Manchester derby, the Argentine found himself dropped alongside Marcus Rashford. The latter soon left on loan and went on to thrive at Aston Villa. Garnacho, however, stayed put but things have not become better in recent months.

Now, according to The Mirror, Al-Nassr could hand INEOS their biggest payday of the summer by signing Garnacho. The Saudi giants have been pursuing a move to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool, but may turn towards the £50,000-a-week winger if the Premier League champions remain reluctant to sell their South American star.

If that does prove to be the case, Amorim may well be glad to see the back of the winger after Garnacho publicly disagreed with his decision to start Mason Mount in his place in the Europa League final.

Since then, Amorim has reportedly told the young winger to find a new club in front of the rest of his teammates in a public dressing down. Unless anything dramatic happens at this stage, Garnacho’s exit is one that would be best for all parties.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has explained the role that supposed "Agent" Jude Bellingham played in his transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid.

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Defender severed ties with LiverpoolEmbracing new challenge at the BernabeuLinked up with Three Lions colleagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After several months of intense speculation, as his contract at Anfield ran down, Alexander-Arnold confirmed that he would be leaving his Merseyside roots and taking on a new challenge at Santiago Bernabeu.

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The 26-year-old full-back has now been officially unveiled as a Real player, with the Blancos agreeing to part with a €10 million (£9m/$12m) fee in order to bring Alexander-Arnold onto their books before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

DID YOU KNOW?

Alexander-Arnold is now linking up with England colleague and close friend Bellingham, with it suggested that the pair have been discussing a move to Spain for some time. The newest ‘Galactico’ in Madrid insists that is not the case.

Getty Images SportWHAT TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

Alexander-Arnold said when asked about the 'Agent Jude' reports: "We spoke, it wasn't exactly what people think it was. We spoke a lot about Liverpool and Madrid, they're the conversations you have as players and friends, you want to know what it's like.

"At the national team, he was the only player who knew what it was like to be at Real Madrid so a lot were asking questions. A lot of people think he played a big part in me coming here but it was a big opportunity for me and it felt like the right time."

Aston Villa are seriously interested in a move for a “world-class” player this summer, and he is now set to be available for half the original asking price, according to a report.

Villa targeting big-name signings

Villa have started to reestablish themselves as one of Europe’s top clubs, having progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals, which means they should be in a strong position to attract some big-name signings from across the continent this summer.

Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who scored a hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final, has now emerged as a target, with the Villans keen on signing the £54m-rated forward, while they are also pushing to sign Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.

It seems as though strengthening in attack may be one of Unai Emery’s priorities this summer, amid other links to Chelsea’s Joao Felix, who is currently on loan at AC Milan, and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Aston Villa now pushing to beat Leeds in race to sign £20m+ Rangers star

Aston Villa are in a fierce race to sign a midfielder who has been impressing this season.

2 ByBrett Worthington Mar 27, 2025

While bringing in new attacking options is of key significance, with Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford also in line for potential permanent moves to Villa Park, a new report suggests Emery is also keen on bolstering his options at the opposite end of the pitch.

According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now strongly considering a move for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan this summer, with the goalkeeper set to be available for 50% of the original asking price.

Maignan was valued at around £67m last summer, but if he is unwilling to sign a new contract, he is set to be on the market for roughly half that figure, around £34m.

The Serie A side may be forced to cash-in on some key players if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, and the 29-year-old could be in line for a move to Villa Park, but there may be competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Maignan ranked among "world's best" keepers

Just under two years ago, the Frenchman was lauded as the “world’s best” goalkeeper by football writer Carlo Garganese, and he has a plethora of experience at the top level, having made 32 appearances in the Champions League.

That said, there are doubts over whether the Cayenne-born goalkeeper would be a necessary addition for Villa, given that he is less than three years younger than Emiliano Martínez, who has also proven himself to be a top goalkeeper.

Moreover, while the “world-class” France international remains his country’s first-choice goalkeeper, mistakes have started to creep into his game this season, which be a major concern for Emery.

As such, there is little reason to risk upsetting the apple cart by bringing in Maignan to replace Martinez this summer, and Villa would be better off investing the money into other areas of the squad, such as striker, with a replacement needed for Jhon Duran.