The trio will be formally inducted before the T20 World Cup final on Sunday in Dubai
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2021Janette Brittin, Mahela Jayawardene and Shaun Pollock have been inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and the formal induction will take place before the T20 World Cup 2021 final between New Zealand and Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.Brittin, who died in 2017, played 27 Tests and 63 ODIs for England Women from 1979 to 1998 and scored 1935 and 2121 runs in the two formats respectively, and holds several records. She is the most capped Test player among women; she was the oldest woman to score a Test hundred (at 39 years and 38 days vs Australia in 1998) and the second-oldest to score an ODI hundred (at 38 years and 161 days vs Pakistan in 1997); she scored the most Test runs in a calendar year (531 in 1984) and she has the most 50-plus scores (16) in women’s Tests.She also top-scored in the 1993 World Cup final against New Zealand to take England to the title.Jayawardene, too, held many records for Sri Lanka – he captained them, played five ICC finals and won the T20 World Cup in 2014. He also scored over 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, and is now considered an astute T20 coach.Pollock, apart from being among the finest allrounders from South Africa, also took over the captaincy at a challenging time from Hansie Cronje and went on to play 108 Tests and became the first South African to 400 Test wickets.”The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame is our way of honouring and celebrating the greats of our game. Only the very best players are recognized for their contribution to cricket in this way,” ICC acting CEO Geoff Allardice said. “I would like to congratulate Mahela and Shaun on their induction into this illustrious group and it is a wonderful way to commemorate Janette’s life and career.”Jayawardene thanked those who helped him during his career, saying: “I am very grateful for the recognition and would like to enjoy and share the moment with all those that have helped me on my journey, including my family, friends, coaches, team-mates and, most importantly, Sri Lanka cricket fans who passionately supported and inspired me during my career.”Pollock said: “I would like to thank the ICC for this recognition of my career. It’s an amazing honour to be included in the Hall of Fame alongside the very illustrious company that has already been inducted. It’s a real cherry on the top or maybe even a book end of what has been a thoroughly enjoyable cricketing experience and I’d like to thank my teammates who played such a massive part along the journey.”
Aston Villa could be set for a new record deal in the coming weeks as they look to cement their newfound status as a Premier League giant.
Aston Villa enjoy dream return to Europe with Bayern Munich victory
After finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, Aston Villa were rewarded with Champions League football for the first time since the 1980s, and they haven’t let their fans down on their return to the biggest stage.
Winning their first game comfortably away at Young Boys, Unai Emery’s side welcomed Bayern Munich to Villa Park in a mammoth clash with a European heavyweight boasting some of the world’s best talent.
But after defending resolutely and seeing a goal of their own ruled out for offside, super sub Jhon Duran lived up to his moniker once again and scored what proved to be the winner 15 minutes from time to send the home fans wild and take Villa to six points from six.
With 16 points almost guaranteed to secure a spot in the top eight of the competition and a spot in the knockout rounds, Villa look in a strong position to reach that target with games against the likes of Bologna, Celtic, Club Brugge and Monaco still to come alongside clashes with RB Leipzig and Juventus, where they will face former Villa Park hero Douglas Luiz.
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz
They were forced to part ways with the Brazilian due to financial fair play concerns, but they could now agree a deal that could free up some much-needed funds going forward.
NWSE could agree record off-field Aston Villa deal
That comes as Football Insider reports that NSWE and Villa could be set to double their money for the front-of-shirt sponsor should they qualify for the Champions League again this season in an exciting new claim.
Currently sponsored by Betano, it is believed that they receive £20m per year in a move that was a club record, but remains a way off their competitors.
Club front of shirt sponsor worth
Club
Sponsor
Worth per year
Manchester United
Snapdragon
£60m
Manchester City
Etihad
£60m
Liverpool
Standard Chartered
£50m
Arsenal
Fly Emirates
£40m
Tottenham
AIA
£50m
Newcastle
Sela
£25m
Aston Villa
Betano
£20m
But now, with a gambling sponsorship ban set to come in from the 2026/2027 season, they are set to look for another sponsor and their recent form is set to work in their favour. As per the report, should Villa show that last season was not a fluke but a sign of a team on the up, they could be set to net between up to £50m for any future shirt sponsorship deal.
Emery could forget Bailey by unleashing Aston Villa's "special talent"
Emery will be aiming to secure victory over Manchester United today.
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Ross Kilvington
Oct 6, 2024
Any money received via this will be a massive help to Villa, who posted losses of £120m last year and whose relatively small sponsorship income works against them in the transfer market when pitted against bigger fish like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
As the Friedkin Group continue to contemplate Sean Dyche’s Everton future, they’ve reportedly held internal discussions about hiring a manager who has won all there is to win in English football.
Friedkin could ruthlessly replace Dyche
Finally set to emerge out of the storm that is Everton’s ownership problem, Dyche could now find his job at risk in ruthless fashion. The Toffees have endured a dire start to the campaign, picking up the habit of dropping points from two-goal leads, but at least eased some pressure on themselves by defeating Crystal Palace for their first Premier League victory of the campaign last time out.
That victory has done no harm for Dyche, but the pressure is still on amid reports that the Friedkin Group want to appoint the likes of Gareth Southgate or former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.
The Italian has even reportedly identified Piotr Zielinski as a player he would bring to Goodison Park, should the new owners turn his way in the coming months. If it’s not Sarri, meanwhile, then the Premier League may just get the return of one of its biggest pantomime villains.
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According to Football Insider, the Friedkin Group have held internal discussions about appointing Jose Mourinho, despite the former Manchester United manager’s current role at Fenerbahce. Reports indicate that the so-called special one cannot be ruled out in what would be a sensational move from those at Goodison Park.
Dan Friedkin, of course, knows Mourinho well from their time together at AS Roma in a spell that saw the Italian side win the Europa Conference League. Now, they could be set to reunite and hand him what could be one last chance to leave an added mark on English football.
"Great" Mourinho would be blockbuster appointment
If Friedkin wants to steal the headlines, then appointing Mourinho is certainly the way to do it. Everywhere the manager goes, people watch, whether it’s Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahce or Roma. Now, as Everton prepare for the start of a new era at the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, they could start fresh on the pitch with what would be a blockbuster arrival.
There would be questions over whether Mourinho can still perform wonders in England’s top flight, but after he worked his magic to welcome European gold during his time in Rome, Everton’s bet would at least be one to watch.
Earning high praise as a result of that Europa Conference League win, Mourinho earned the respect of Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who told Radio Serie A, via Goal: “He’s been successful even if the Giallorossi are not considered among the best teams. It’s not surprising because Mourinho is an honest person and a great coach, so he built an amazing connection with the fans, which is positive.”
With the exception of Spurs, and Fenerbahce as things stand, Mourinho has won silverware at every club he’s managed in what must surely be a selling point for Friedkin to chase his signature.
Sarina Wiegman is concerned by the 26-year-old's lack of game time ahead of Euro 2025, but she still might not get a well-needed winter transfer
It’s rare nowadays that the January transfer window throws up any truly blockbuster deals, with the drama often lacking as clubs wait until the summer to properly make statement signings. There are usually a few big names linked with winter moves, however, and in the women’s game, one of the main ones this month will be Chloe Kelly.
Despite being an integral member of the Manchester City team ever since she joined back in 2020, Kelly’s game time has plummeted this season. Having ranked among the top five outfield players for minutes in three of her previous four campaigns, excluding the 2021-22 season in which she was recovering from an ACL injury, the England winger is right near the bottom of that list this term, with only academy products and players who have been sidelined getting fewer opportunities.
With the 2025 European Championships looming, Kelly desperately needs to be playing in order to secure her spot in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad. But while all this sounds like the recipe for a January transfer, it still feels somewhat unlikely that an out route will materialise.
Getty ImagesContract standstill
There are a few reasons why that is the case. First, Kelly’s contract expires in six months and there has been little movement on the front when it comes to a renewal. As such, it’s only natural that any potential buyers would be keen to wait until the summer to snap her up, rather than coughing up a fee now for a player who will be available on a free soon enough.
Of course, some suitors may feel it necessary to strengthen in this January window, and thus be more tempted to pay a fee, but it’s often more unlikely.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesInjuries galore
What about a loan, then? That feels even more unlikely, owing to Man City’s injury list. Going into the winter break, head coach Gareth Taylor was without Lauren Hemp, Risa Shimizu, Vivianne Miedema, Khadija Shaw, Alex Greenwood and Sandy MacIver, with Kelly also suffering a knock in December while both Naomi Layzell and Laura Coombs were only just returning from setbacks of their own right towards the end of 2024.
While it would be easier, though still tough, to point to a decent fee as a good reason for choosing to part ways with Kelly despite being in this situation, it’s not as justifiable with an unprofitable loan deal, especially given how many of those injuries concern City’s forward line. It would be a surprise for the club to sanction such a deal in these circumstances, without lining up a new face.
Getty Images Sport'Concern' for England
If Kelly’s contract situation was different, or City’s squad was in a healthier place, it’d be easier to see an exit for the winger this month. Perhaps if City get another forward in – and they’ve been linked with a January move for Mexico sensational Lizbeth Ovalle – that will all change. But at the moment, it’s tough to see a path out of the club and towards the game time Kell craves as she targets a place in the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 squad.
Kelly is battling for a spot in a competitive area when it comes to England, with the likes of Hemp, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Naz all icompeting for spots, while versatile players such as Jess Park, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Grace Clinton and Fran Kirby all also able to operate out wide. Wiegman has already admitted that she’s concerned about Kelly’s game time and when the likes of James and Hemp return to fitness, it’ll become more difficult for the 26-year-old to get into the squad if her club minutes don’t increase.
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Getty Images SportTaking chances
The good news is that there should be opportunities in the coming weeks. While Hemp, Miedema and Shaw have all been pictured in training during City’s trip to the United Arab Emirates, it’s unclear at the moment just how fit they are and it’s certainly unlikely they’ll be rushed back given their importance to the team’s ultimate goals this season.
Despite a lack of opportunities, Kelly has shown some positive signs this season, making a strong impact off the bench at Everton in City's last outing. It couldn't inspire a comeback win, but it was a reminder of her quality and how dangerous she can be out wide.
Her focus has to be on continuing to take those chances when they come, to impress Taylor to get more, and also make a mark on Wiegman to remain in her England squad and in her thinking for Euro 2025.
Well, Liverpool are back on track. It’s been a brilliant start to the Arne Slot era on Merseyside, with the Reds top of the Premier League – for now – and still buzzing from their midweek win at the San Siro against AC Milan in the Champions League.
Bournemouth employ an aggressive and exciting strategy under Andoni Iraola, and though they scared Liverpool with an early goal that was ruled out by VAR for offside, their efforts to hurt the Anfield hosts were paid for dearly, squashed like cherries.
Long regarded as a player of immense quality, Luis Diaz has frustrated some due to his lack of end product, but he bagged another brace this weekend to extend his fine run of goalscoring form to five goals and an assist from as many top-flight fixtures under Slot’s guidance.
Liverpool Results under Arne Slot
Date
Opponent
Competition
Result
21/09/24
Bournemouth (H)
Premier League
3-0 win
17/09/24
AC Milan (A)
Champions League
3-1 win
14/09/2024
Nott’m Forest (H)
Premier League
1-0 loss
01/09/24
Man United (A)
Premier League
3-0 win
25/08/24
Brentford (H)
Premier League
2-0 win
17/08/24
Ipswich Town (A)
Premier League
2-0 win
The Colombian, aged 27, is making significant strides under his new gaffer, having complemented his clinical strike rate with an average of two dribbles, 1.6 key passes and 4.8 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.
He stepped into the limelight for his quickfire double against Bournemouth, but this certainly should not detract from the effort of Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park,
Ryan Gravenberch is thriving for Liverpool
Gravenberch operates with a kind of string-pulling way about him in Slot’s Liverpool. The 22-year-old reads the game so well, moves with balletic grace and knows exactly when – and where – to stroke passes forward.
Ryan Gravenberch: Premier League Performance
Stats (*per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
5 (5)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
0
Touches*
28.8
81.2
Pass completion
83%
88%
Key passes*
0.6
0.4
Ball recoveries*
2.8
6.8
Dribbles (completed)*
0.9 (51%)
1.2 (60%)
Tackles + interceptions
1.5
4.2
Total Duels won*
2.8 (47%)
6.0 (59%)
Stats via Sofascore
He is now the Anfield side’s nailed-in number six, with Wataru Endo scarcely getting a look this term, and the table above highlights exactly why Slot has put so much faith in his robust compatriot.
Gravenberch signed for Liverpool in a £34m deal from Bayern Munich last summer after failing to break into the German giants’ starting side. He was Klopp’s final signing.
But the English side didn’t quite get bang for their buck. He ebbed and flowed and failed to spark the consistency required. Now, he’s reborn and looking like one of the finest players in the Premier League.
Ibrahima Konate is becoming undroppable for Slot
When Jarell Quansah received the nod over Konate on the opening day of the term, it felt like a significant show of faith in the homegrown talent’s qualities.
Jarell Quansah celebrates for Liverpool.
The 21-year-old had started ten of the final 15 Premier League matches under Jurgen Klopp, who clearly favoured him over his French positional peer, who had fallen from form like a rock off a cliff.
Make no mistake, Quansah is shaping into an elite young defender, hailed as an “absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for one redoubtable display against Arsenal last season, but Konate is the real deal and will not be permanently displaced. At his titanic best, he is one of the finest in the business.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate looks dejected
Since Quansah was withdrawn at halftime on the opening day, with Liverpool struggling against Ipswich Town’s intense press and, as Slot put it, failing to win enough duels, Konate has been moored at the rear beside skipper Virgil van Dijk.
He scored Liverpool’s opening goal at the San Siro in midweek to restore parity in the first half and has carried that attacking quality into domestic action after lashing a ranged pass into space, behind the high Bournemouth line, which Diaz collected calmly, rounded Kepa, slotted home.
The 26-year-old’s ball-playing faculty sets him apart from the lion’s share of top defenders in the Premier League. Indeed, as per FBref, Konate ranks among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 22% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Against Bournemouth on Saturday, Konate was an impressive attacking outlet from the back, claiming an assist, succeeding with eight attempted long balls and ludicrously taking 125 touches, more than any other player on the field. For reference, Van Dijk remarkably took 55 touches.
He wasn’t just an offensive dimension from deep though. Konate thrived in his defensive application, winning all four of his aerial battles, making five clearances, blocking two shots and making just one foul, highlighting his cool and composed approach.
The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle was certainly impressed with his display, awarding the Frenchman with an 8/10 match rating and writing: ‘Caused Kelleher concern with one overhit pass before better long ball sent Diaz away for opener. Defended stoutly second half. Booked.’
With West Ham United travelling to Anfield on Wednesday evening to clash in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Konate may well find that he is pulled back to the bench to usher in Quansah, who deserves another chance to shine.
But Slot knows who his star man is alongside Van Dijk. Konate was every bit as good as the likes of Diaz and Gravenberch in the Premier League this weekend, and he is now undroppable in the Premier League.
With more performances like that one, Liverpool might just be more than an outlier in this slowly brewing title race.
95 touches, 100% dribbles: Liverpool's 8/10 star was as unplayable as Diaz
The Reds returning to winning ways in the Premier League…
Zimbabwe crossed 200 for the first time, but are just about hanging on after Nauman Ali’s five wickets
Danyal Rasool09-May-2021 510 for 8 dec (Abid Ali 215, Azhar Ali 126) by 158 runsPakistan are on the cusp of a 2-0 series win after regular strikes in the final session left the visitors just one wicket away from wrapping up an innings victory. On a day that began with a magnificent spell of fast bowling by Hasan Ali, culminating in yet another five-wicket haul, Zimbabwe folded meekly in the first innings, and were forced to follow on. The second time around, there were flashes of resistance disappointingly absent nearly all series, with an 80 from Regis Chakabva and Brendan Taylor’s flamboyant 30-ball 49 guaranteeing the hosts surpassed 200 for the first time this series. Nauman Ali, though, was the chief architect of Zimbabwe’s downfall in the second, taking five wickets of his own, before Zimbabwe’s tenth wicket pair dug in to ensure the game would go to a fourth day.In the morning session, Hasan stormed through the middle and lower order. That helped skittle the home side out for 132, handing Pakistan a 378-run lead and the opportunity to enforce the follow-on.The fast bowler has been in spectacular form since his return to Test cricket this year, with 19 Test wickets in his last four innings. He would make that 24 in five after a stirring performance in the morning, demonstrating complete command over line, length and swing as the Zimbabwean batters crumbled in front of him. Tendai Chisoro was undone by one that moved away from the bat on a length, with Imran Butt taking a sharp low catch in the slips.The catching behind the wickets was another running theme, and it brought Hasan his next breakthrough. This time, it was a short delivery that grew big on Chakabva, requiring Abid Ali to leap to grab hold at first slip. Luke Jongwe would be undone shortly after with a sublime inswinger, the batter shouldering arms as it came back in to hit the stumps.Roy Kaia, who had been dealt a painful blow on the knee that forced him off on the first day, came back on to bat with a noticeable limp, and while he accounted well for himself, he even had the chance to extract a bit of revenge. He pinged a short delivery to Abid Ali at short leg, with the ball smashing into his elbow. Abid was the man who had forced Kaia off in similar circumstances on the first day, and while he lumbered off clutching his funny bone, the Pakistani was unlikely to be seeing the lighter side.Zimbabwe showed more application in their final innings of the series than any other, stalling Pakistan’s charge towards a 2-0 series victory, the top order putting up dogged resistance. Chakabva, arguably the hosts’ most solid batsman across these Tests, was the spearhead, first in defence, then in attack, as he successfully saw off the new ball before moving up a gear, taking on the Pakistan bowlers as he brought up a brisk, convincing half-century.The contrast between the first hour and second was stark, with Zimbabwe bogged down in sheer survival mode early on. At one point, they managed just 15 runs in 13 overs as Kasuza hunkered down, much like he had in the first innings where he managed just four in 43 deliveries. But once Chakabva decided to take on Sajid Khan in the 18th over, the shackles seemed to come off all of a sudden. Sajid was thumped for 17, and Kasuza joined the fun shortly after, a straight drive over Nauman’s head for six arguably the shot of the Test. Nauman had an exquisite comeback, though, dragging his line back to one Kasuza looked to go after in the same vein. He failed to get to the pitch, and the ball took out his middle stump to nip a budding second-wicket partnership.When Taylor came out next, he took the attack to the bowlers from the outset. His knock involved him hitting repeatedly through the air, often close to where fielders stood, relying on pinpoint precision to keep him safe. Nauman was lofted for a pair of neatly timed airborne drives, while a flick of the wrists off Tabish Khan brought him his first six. Before long, there was something of a swagger to Taylor’s game, and he had raced along to 49 off 30, looking all set to bring up the fastest Test half-century by a Zimbabwean.Misfortune struck, though, with the umpire adjudging a tickle down leg side had come off the bat. Taylor’s hands initially indicated it had clipped the hipbone, but when the umpire raised his finger, the hand went to his head in despair. Zimbabwe’s most enterprising partnership had been broken after 79 runs, and the resistance to follow was feeble.Chakabva continued to motor along, refusing to let the runscoring come to a halt, or allow any bowler to settle. Few would have begrudged him a hundred, but his approach carried inevitable risk, and when a swipe off Nauman caught the outside edge, Babar Azam held on to a sharp catch.The lower order has middle order has proved Zimbabwe’s been weakness time and again, and once more, there was little resistance. Nauman continued to chip away as the victory drew nearer, completing his own five-fer. Pakistan opted for the extra half hour to try and force a result tonight, but Blessing Muzarabani stuck in alongside Jongwe before the umpires brought out the light metre and called a halt to proceedings. Zimbabwe still trail by 158 runs, and when the players come back out tomorrow, the proceedings are likely to be mere formalities.
Everton are ready to make late moves this summer and are exploring the chance to take a defender on loan before the transfer deadline on August 30th, it has emerged.
Everton hammered in opening game
Having narrowly avoided relegation last season despite two points deductions, the 2024/25 Premier League campaign started in the worst possible fashion for Sean Dyche's side.
Hosting Brighton at Goodison Park, they were thrashed 3-0 while Ashley Young made unwanted history as he became the oldest ever player to be sent off in a Premier League game.
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It means that after just one game, they have already conceded 6% of the number of goals that they shipped last season (51). With their problem last season being finding the back of the net (they scored just 40 goals in 38 games), if they begin shipping goals more regularly, they will be a prime candidate to be relegated come the end of the season.
"It was a horrible game as a manager," said Dyche after the loss. "When you are doing everything you ask and then concede a pretty soft goal from our point of view – a soft pass, they counter and we are 1-0 down against the run of play.
"We then concede from a poor decision from a pass and then get someone sent off and the whole feeling changes."
But with Young now suspended and all of James Garner, Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson on the treatment table at Goodison Park, they arguably need reinforcements.
Everton in talks over Trippier loan move
Now, they have been linked with a late move to sign Kieran Trippier this summer. The defender was an unused substitute on the opening weekend, with Tino Livramento named as Eddie Howe's first-choice right-back against Southampton.
Down to the final two years of his £120,000-a-week deal on Tyneside, he has been backed to move on for much of the summer. But now, it could only be on loan. That is according to reliable reporter David Ornstein, who reveals that the Toffees are in talks to reunite him with Dyche, who he played under at Burnley.
Trippier "wants to leave" Newcastle before the window slams shut and Everton "have held initial conversations with Newcastle to express interest in bringing him to Merseyside on loan".
Though he will turn 34 years old this season, Trippier's arrival could be something of a coup given he was linked with a move to Bayern Munich just six months ago, while he is still a full England international.
Kieran Trippier under Sean Dyche
Appearances
120
Goals
2
Assists
25
Yellow Cards
9
Former England boss Gareth Southgate has always been a fan of the defender, and singled him out for praise during the most recent European Championship campaign, where he was asked to play on the left in Luke Shaw's absence.
"He’s been an absolute soldier for us. To fill in the way he has, on the wrong side of the pitch, with the injuries he’s had coming into the tournament, is exceptional."
Though another veteran, he could be just what Dyche needs to bolster his backline.
Bowlers win Test matches, and on a slow, placid track at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, it took a monumental effort from Rashid Khan for Afghanistan to pull off their third victory in only their sixth Test match.Carrying what was effectively a three-man attack of otherwise modest penetration, Rashid bowled 99.2 overs across back-to-back Zimbabwe innings and picked up 11 wickets. The other bowlers from both sides picked up a combined 16 wickets from 327.1 overs.Rashid is a global T20 superstar, but this performance – taking place in the outer reaches of Test cricket, outside the World Test Championship – showed off all the facets of his bowling that aren’t on view in the restricted canvas of limited-overs cricket. Most impressive was the tireless effort he put in, over after over, without losing the verve and zip to keep challenging both edges of the bat on a pitch with neither the pace nor the bounce to encourage wristspinners.Oh, and he did all this with the middle finger of his bowling hand not yet fully healed from the fracture that had kept him out of the first Test.Rashid’s efforts left Afghanistan needing 108 to win in the last 45 overs of the match. They got there for the loss of four wickets in 26.1 overs, with Rahmat Shah leading the way with a confident half-century. The target was too small to truly challenge Afghanistan on this pitch, and Zimbabwe’s bowlers didn’t attack the stumps often enough to test their batsmen. Rahmat breezed along to 58 off 76 balls before playing across the line of a Ryan Burl legbreak that kept low and bowled him. By then, Afghanistan were nearly home, needing just seven more to win.Zimbabwe may have eventually stumbled to the defeat that seemed a foregone conclusion when they followed on 258 behind, but for 70.4 overs, Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano had made them dream. Exactly 20 years after VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid had batted through an entire day’s play to turn a follow-on situation on its head, Williams and Tiripano were threatening to do something similar. They had batted through the entire post-tea session on day four, and they were within four minutes of batting through the entire first session of day five.They had put on 187 for the eighth wicket, and moved Zimbabwe from minus 116 for 7, effectively, to 71 for 7.Then Tiripano, five runs away from a maiden Test hundred, ran into the Rashid wrong’un. He’d seemed to pick Rashid out of the hand right through his innings, and had dealt with his threat magnificently even when he was getting the ball to scoot through low. The slowness of the pitch had helped Tiripano negotiate Rashid for 108 balls, but no one is ever entirely safe against him, not even when he’s starting his 93rd over of the match.For once, Tiripano didn’t pick Rashid out of his hand, and the pace of his delivery negated the slowness of the pitch, zipping through to strike him on the back pad and punish him for playing back to a good-length ball.The Zimbabwe innings ended with a similar wrong’un to dismiss Victor Nyauchi with Williams left stranded on 151. Before that, though, Williams and Blessing Muzarabani had added another 33 to their total for the ninth wicket, extending Afghanistan’s frustrations. Muzarabani played an entertaining hand of 17, scoring 16 runs courtesy four leg-side slogs in one Amir Hamza over, and scoring just one run from the other 39 balls he faced.He was also dropped on the leg-side boundary by Ahmadi while attempting another hoick off Hamza, before being given out by umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen two balls later when Hamza had turned one past his defensive push. Muzarabani’s bat had hit the ground when he played the ball, possibly leading Pakteen to think he had edged it.Donald Tiripano and Sean Williams extended their eighth-wicket stand to 187 before Rashid Khan struck•Abu Dhabi Cricket
The day began with Williams sending a leading edge ballooning over the bowler Sayed Shirzad’s head and into no-man’s land. His progress thereafter was serene, though, as he added 45 to his overnight score with little alarm, picking Rashid’s variations out of his hand and negotiating Shirzad’s short ball without trouble.Shirzad’s short ball, though, was causing Tiripano all kinds of problems, with the batsman struggling to gauge the height it would attain on this up-and-down fifth-day pitch. He was struck on the helmet while taking his eye off one of these short balls, gloved another in the air – but safely short of gully – and was smacked on the back while ducking into one that kept low enough to prompt an lbw appeal.Then, on 67, he offered Afghanistan a half-chance, when he drove away from his body at a Rashid legbreak and edged low towards Rahmat Shah at first slip. The fielder didn’t look too confident that he’d taken the catch cleanly, and replays confirmed the ball had touched the grass just as he pouched it.Thereafter, Williams and Tiripano went back to looking rock-solid, and Zimbabwe’s lead began to grow more quickly. Williams pulled a tired short ball from Shirzad wide of mid-on in the final over of his spell, Tiripano smacked a rare half-volley from Rashid straight back over his head for four, and then Williams punched Amir Hamza through the covers for another boundary – all this in the space of three overs.Tiripano had used the reverse-sweep with great success against Hamza on day four, and he whipped it out again to pick up two more fours in the left-arm spinner’s next two overs, before conventionally sweeping Rashid for another four to move to 86. Asghar Afghan whipped Hamza out of the attack and tried his luck with the part-time legbreaks of Rahmat and the left-arm spin of Shahidullah. Neither made much of an impression.Then Rashid, out of the attack for a mere four overs, returned with 15 minutes to go for lunch. Afghanistan had no choice but to keep bringing him back. He had bowled and bowled and bowled some more, and he came back and once again asked Zimbabwe, “let’s see what you do with my next ball.”
Jarrad Branthwaite has become the ninth player to withdraw from the England squad for the November camp.
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Branthwaite latest to withdraw from England squad
Only recently returned for Everton
Comes after Kane questioned players' loyalty
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WHAT HAPPENED?
With two big games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland coming up, Branthwaite's withdrawal will not please captain Harry Kane, who expressed frustration at his international team-mates not making themselves available for Lee Carsley. The Everton defender will join the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka in staying at his club during the break instead to work on his fitness. Liverpool's Jarell Quansah is set to replace Branthwaite in the squad having trained with the Three Lions this week.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The withdrawal of so many players for the November internationals leaves England short in all departments for their two games. But a positive for Lee Carsley will be that it gives more opportunities for the younger members of the group to get some valuable minutes with the senior squad as they push for promotion in the Nations League.
DID YOU KNOW?
Branthwaite has earned six caps for England but has not turned out in the famous white shirt since before Euro 2024. He will be hugely disappointed to have suffered a setback on what would have been a happy return for the 22-year-old.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
England travel to Greece on Thursday before returning to Wembley three days later to host Ireland. They will have to pick up points in the first match if they are to top the group ahead of the Greeks.
The defender notched a staggering hat-trick of assists as Hansi Flick's side blew Crvena Zvezda away in Serbia on Wednesday evening.
Barcelona were in irresistible form against Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday evening, putting five past their Serbian opponents in a game that turned into a Champions League thrashing.
Zvezda had the ball in the net within three minutes but VAR ruled the goal out for a relatively obvious offside and Barcelona had the lead just over 10 minutes later, as Inigo Martinez headed in Raphinha's superb delivery.
But on 26 minutes, Zvezda equalised in superb fashion. Having been sent beyond Barca's backline, Silas chipped Inaki Pena with a delightful finish.
Just two minutes before half-time, Barca were back ahead. Raphinha's shot hit the post and Robert Lewandowski used his poacher's instinct to finish from close-range.
After the restart, Lewandowski had a chance to put the game to bed as he was found in the area but he amazingly blazed the ball wide. Just seconds later, he atoned, finishing from close-range after Jules Kounde's cross.
Raphinha capped Barca's early second-half blitz with a clever, low finish from the edge of the box, again after Kounde's cross.
On 76 minutes, after his introduction as a substitute, Fermin Lopez finished another excellent Kounde cut-back, his third assist of the game.
Crvena had time to pull a goal back through Felicio Milson, a stunning curled effort from just inside the box.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Red Star Stadium…
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Inaki Pena (6/10):
Rushed out too early for Zvezda's equaliser, allowing Silas to lift the ball over him. Not troubled otherwise until Crvena's second goal, a brilliant finish.
Jules Kounde (9/10):
Three assists, one a superb delivery for Lewandowski, and two excellent cut-backs from the right. A ridiculous level of creativity for his position.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
Flat-footed when Zvezda raced away and scored. Strong in the challenge but was kicked in the face in the second half and subbed.
Inigo Martinez (8/10):
A beautifully measured header to give Barcelona the lead. Barely gives the ball away and dominant in the air.
Gerard Martin (6/10):
Let Silas go as he levelled for Zvezda. Fine defensively otherwise but less adventurous than most of his team-mates.
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Frenkie de Jong (8/10):
Put himself about really well defensively, winning duels and sweeping up. Misplaced just one pass during his time on the pitch before being substituted.
Pedri (7/10):
Pulled the strings as effectively as he usually does. Takes care of the ball so well. Subbed just before the hour.
Marc Casado (8/10):
Got all over the pitch, making tackles, playing excellent passes, and keeping Barca moving. Such an industrious player with real quality to boot.
AFPAttack
Lamine Yamal (7/10):
Gorgeous through ball for Raphinha but he skied the finish. Kept running at the backline and would regularly shoot, but just couldn't hit the net. Still, some dazzling footwork.
Robert Lewandowski (7/10):
Great poacher's finish to give Barca the lead and another to score his side's third. Subbed, as Flick gave him a rest.
Raphinha (8/10):
Superb free-kick assist for Martinez's goal. Hit the post directly from a corner and again pripr to Lewandowski's goal. Finished expertly in the second half to put Barca 4-1 up.
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AFPSubs & Manager
Dani Olmo (6/10):
On for the superb Raphinha. Couldn't quite impact the game in the same way.
Fermin Lopez (7/10):
Replaced Pedri. Scored a fine goal, finishing Kounde's cut-back. Hit the bar too in an eventful cameo.
Gavi (6/10):
On for De Jong. Kept Barca ticking cleverly.
Sergi Dominguez (6/10):
Replaced Cubarsi. Had nothing to do with Crvena's strike.
Pau Victor (N/A):
On for Lewandowski late on.
Hansi Flick (8/10):
He may be slightly concerned with the goals conceded, but Flick got this bang on, and was able to rotate to boot. A supreme Barcelona performance, and the manager will have loved seeing just how fluid and brilliant his attack is at full cry.