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Ben Stokes unable to stem progress as visitors seal six-wicket win

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2024

Kashif Ali led Worcestershire’s run-chase•Getty Images

Half-centuries from Kashif Ali and Adam Hose led Worcestershire to a six-wicket win against Durham at the Seat Unique Riverside, their first win of the Vitality County Championship season.Ali (76 not out) and Hose (50) came together when the visitors were 65 for three and combined for a partnership worth 129, which took the game away from the hosts, who will be left scratching their heads after they were firmly in the ascendancy prior to the lunch break on day three.Worcestershire wrapped up the Durham second innings early on, with the Pears needing 231 to break their winning duck.Gareth Roderick batted positively early on and set a platform for Ali and Hose to guide the visitors to a vital win in the Division One relegation battle.Ali, a graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy, has been a bright spark in a difficult season for Worcestershire and picked up his second half-century of the match to give his side that all-important first win of the season, while Hose, who has now got fifties in back-to-back matches, was also imperative to the win.For Durham it is a first home defeat in the County Championship since April 2022, but it drags them back towards the bottom end of the table, with the North East county now just 11 points ahead of today’s victors, who occupy the second relegation spot.Resuming on 148 for nine, the job for Bas De Leede and Ben Raine was to get as many runs as possible for the hosts, but they only added four to the total, as Ben Allison got De Leede for three when the Dutch international edged to second slip.Beginning their chase of 231, the Pears’ opening duo of Roderick and Jake Libby had the job of giving the visitors a good start with a difficult chase on their hands, as the pitch had given the bowlers plenty of assistance in the previous two days.While Roderick initially struggled against Raine, he started to go through the gears and punched one from Matthew Potts down the ground for four, which was followed by a glorious cover drive in Ben Stokes’ opening over.Despite the visitors making a good start to their chase, there was a sense that a wicket was coming as Libby survived an LBW appeal from Peter Siddle and Roderick nearly chopped a Stokes delivery onto his stumps.Durham then made the breakthrough with Stokes getting Roderick for 38, as he attempted a pull shot from a short ball but he feathered it through to Ollie Robinson behind the stumps.Wickets came like buses for Durham as a second arrived soon after as Libby went for 19 after he whipped a Siddle ball to mid-wicket to swing the momentum back to the hosts. Stokes then dismissed Rob Jones with an absolute beauty as he bowled him for one to leave Worcestershire 65 for three.First innings top scorer Ali and Hose then came together and saw the visitors through to lunch without further loss.Ali and Hose looked to consolidate after lunch and withstanded a lot of short-pitched bowling from the Durham attack.The pair then took 12 from a De Leede over to reach the 50 partnership, with Ali taking a liking to the all-rounder’s bowling.The number three then followed this up with a perfect cover drive for four from a Potts ball and then former Warwickshire man Hose played a great straight drive for four.Ali survived an LBW shout on 33 as Siddle was convinced he had his man, but the umpire thought there was an inside-edge, while an erratic over from Stokes went for 15 to only add to Durham’s woes.Hose continued to cash in on the England captain’s bowling and got back-to-back fours including a delightful cover drive.Ali then reached his half-century from 77 balls, with Hose reaching his milestone soon after from 86 balls.Raine finally broke the partnership when Hose was caught behind for 50, but the excellent Ali finished unbeaten on 76 and guided his side home.

Likely to be Nottingham Forest’s first departure of the summer, Lyon have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign one of Nuno Espirito Santo’s players who earns around £40,000-a-week at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest write to UEFA about Crystal Palace spot

Whilst transfer rumours rumble on, Evangelos Marinakis is also attempting to improve Nottingham Forest’s position away from the pitch and before a ball has even been kicked next season. The Greek owner has reportedly written to UEFA in an attempt to take Crystal Palace’s Europa League spot amid concerns that the Eagles could be in breach of multi-club ownership rules.

Those at the City Ground certainly aren’t out to make any friends in South London with their reported letter. What they are out for is an upgraded European spot. Of course, had it not been for Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win, Nottingham Forest’s seventh place finish would have been enough to secure a spot in the Europa League rather than the Europa Conference League.

Now that Palace could be kicked out of European competition due to John Textor’s involvement with both the South London club and Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, Forest seemingly want to take full advantage.

Whether they’re successful with those attempts remains to be seen, but a Europa League spot could go a long way towards both boosting Forest’s finances and welcoming key players.

What it may not stand in the way of, however, is an exit for one particular player. With Morgan Gibbs-White already at the centre of speculation amid Manchester City’s reported interest, one Nottingham Forest player now looks to be on his way out.

Lyon reach agreement to sign Nottingham Forest's Matt Turner

According to Fabrizio Romano, Lyon have now reached an agreement to sign Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth just €8m (£6.7m) this summer. The backup goalkeeper, who cost £10m, looks destined to be the first out the door at Forest at a loss and will clear around £40,000-a-week from the Midlands club’s current wage bill.

Although Turner eventually lost his starting place to Matz Sels, the American still had moments to savour at the City Ground and during his time at Arsenal, earning plenty of praise as a result.

When at Arsenal, the goalkeeper found himself at the centre of Mikel Arteta’s praise with the Spaniard telling reporters after Turner kept a clean sheet against Bodo/Glimt: “He was much better in the first half than in the second half in my opinion. We could have had some more control.

Nottingham Forest ready to sign £40m+ star who wants Premier League return

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2

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 6, 2025

“But I think he was phenomenal in the goal in situations especially when defending the area in behind the centre halves, and in the one-against-one situations he was really good.”

Arsenal’s search for a striker is set to dominate headlines as we enter the first mini-summer transfer window, and it’s an area of the squad which sporting director Andrea Berta is working hard to address.

Arsenal in ongoing talks for Benjamin Sesko in search of striker

Gabriel Jesus’ ACL rupture in their FA Cup defeat to Man United, and Kai Havertz’s lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, crippled Mikel Arteta’s options up front during the second half of 2024/2025, prompting the Spaniard to utilise Mikel Merino in an emergency striker role.

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The north Londoners are reportedly closing in on a deal for him.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 30, 2025

Merino performed well, but that injury crisis up front brought yet more attention to Arteta’s glaring need for a prolific centre-forward.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)	Money on new signings
19/20 – winter	£0
20/21 – summer	£81.5m
20/21 – winter	£900k
21/22 – summer	£156.8m
21/22 – winter	£1.8m
22/23 – summer	£121.5m
22/23 – winter	£59m
23/24 – summer	£208m
23/24 – winter	£0
24/25 – summer	£101.5m
24/25 – winter	£0

A proven number nine has long been touted as the final missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw, and Berta is said to be laying the groundwork on deals to bring Arsenal’s long search for a new striker to an end this summer.

Arsenal have held talks over signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, according to some reports, and they were heavily linked with a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, until this week at least.

Now, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has entered pole position to become Arsenal’s answer to their goalscoring woes, and “concrete” talks are underway after Berta’s meeting with Leipzig director Marcel Schafer in London.

The Gunners are said to be putting their focus on a deal for Sesko, and discussions are centered around a payment structure for his £67 million release clause.

While Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claims Gyokeres is still high on Arsenal’s list despite these Sesko talks, Spanish media sources claim their negotiations for the Slovenian have put an end to their chase for Sporting’s serial goalscorer.

Arsenal pull plug on Viktor Gyokeres deal after opening Sesko talks

According to reports from Spain, cited by Football 365, Arteta has now ‘ruled out’ an Arsenal move for Gyokeres, and they’ve now ‘withdrawn from the bidding’ to sign him – which could open the door for other linked sides like Man United and Barcelona.

This follows their decision to up the ante in pursuit of Sesko, so going by this update, it appears the 22-year-old is now their priority target.

Given the costs involved when it comes to a deal for Sesko, we wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal pull a U-turn on this call, especially considering that Gyokeres could leave Sporting for just £60 million.

The “quality” ex-Coventry City star is fresh off the back of an exceptional campaign, scoring 54 goals in all competitions, and there are reports in Portugal that Arsenal have already offered Gyokeres a contract, so he could just be on the back-burner for now.

“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games,” said Sporting boss Rui Borges about Gyokeres.

“The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”

The dust has barely settled on Leeds United’s jubilant promotion-winning campaign, but the transfer rumour mill is already going into overdrive at Elland Road.

The Whites have been linked with a whole host of varied names since regular Championship action halted, with the likes of Everton centre-forward Beto and Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison being linked, but the Brazilian is not the only wanted figure playing for the North Londoners.

Of course, after playing a huge role in the Whites sealing a triumphant return to the Premier League on loan, Manor Solomon is now being eyed up by the West Yorkshire titans on a permanent basis, with Spurs perhaps willing to part ways with the 25-year-old.

The latest on Solomon joining permanently

There were plenty of risks attached to the Solomon deal last summer, considering the 5 foot 7 attacker was horrendously injury-prone at Ange Postecoglou’s men during the 2023/24 season.

But, despite missing 277 days of action last campaign in North London owing to injury, this season has been more of a smooth sailing experience for Solomon on the contrary, with this last-gasp strike below away at Plymouth Argyle on the final day handing Daniel Farke’s men the title.

That would be Solomon’s final goal of his loan stint, with the former Fulham man closing out his celebrated spell donning Leeds white by amassing ten goals and 13 assists from 41 total clashes.

Unsurprisingly, therefore, the Whites want Solomon back for good ahead of their daunting Premier League voyage, with reports seeming to suggest that Leeds’ wish could be granted if they’re willing to fork out £20m.

This would show Leeds mean business competing amongst the big boys once more, but an even more impressive coup could be on the horizon at Elland Road soon in the midfield areas.

The "exceptional" star who'd be a bigger coup than Solomon

After all, splashing out £20m isn’t too far off the record-breaking move for Georginio Rutter that Leeds sanctioned back in January of 2023, with the Frenchman costing a high £35.5m, but eventually proving he was worth every penny.

There would be a worry in the air that Solomon would struggle with his recurring injury demons back up a level, but away from potentially offering the 25-year-old a permanent deal, snapping up the services of former £45m sale Kalvin Phillips would be way more of a coup if he can recapture his finest Leeds form again.

Indeed, journalist Graeme Bailey has added to the rampant speculation recently by revealing that a reunion could finally be on the cards, stating that £13m-rated Phillips is ready for a move back to home soil this summer with Leeds considering a move.

Leeds would, no doubt, welcome their former homegrown gem back with open arms, especially with the hole that’s going to be left behind centrally by loanee Joe Rothwell returning back to AFC Bournemouth, alongside Phillips’ wealth of Premier League experience being a much-needed bonus.

Games played

29

20

Games started

28

18

Goals scored

1

0

Assists

2

1

Touches*

65.0

62.1

Accurate passes*

41.0 (85%)

38.9 (82%)

Big chances missed

0

1

Big chances created

5

1

Total duels won*

5.3

4.9

Phillips has wobbled at Manchester City and blown hot and cold on loan at West Ham United and Ipswich Town, but it’s been quickly forgotten about how well-rounded of a midfielder the Leeds-born star looked whilst still at Elland Road.

Keen to get stuck into a duel whilst also picking up four goal contributions across 49 appearances in the top-flight for Leeds, the “exceptional” star – as he was once lauded by football talent scout Antonio Mango – would be a welcome addition to the ranks if he can get back to the top of his game, away from impressively tasting action in the relentless league a total of 92 times.

To add context, Solomon has just 24 appearances next to his name. Therefore, if Leeds could win back the services of their much-loved ex-number 23 for a cut-price, he would surely go down as a more luxurious coup than the loan talent.

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ByDan Emery May 9, 2025

Arsenal are now in “advanced” talks to sign a marquee player ahead of interest from Premier League champions Liverpool, with new sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly making an eventful start to life as Edu’s successor.

Mikel Arteta's future questioned after trophyless Arsenal season

Discounting the Community Shield, it has been five years since Arsenal last won a major trophy.

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The Gunners have already been hijacked by La Liga’s heavyweights.

ByEmilio Galantini May 16, 2025

Mikel Arteta guided them to FA Cup glory during the COVID pandemic in 2020, clinching a piece of silverware amid his first campaign in charge of the club, but there has been precious little in the way of honours since then.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

You can make a serious argument that this is largely down to Man City’s invincibility over the last few years, barring this campaign, with Arsenal racking up a brilliant 89 points last term only for Pep Guardiola’s side to eventually take all the plaudits.

As per the above table, Arsenal have invested significantly in the squad, and some debate is even beginning to arise over whether Arteta is the right manager to end the club’s two-decade-long-plus wait for a league title.

They’ve undoubtedly evolved into an elite-level side under Arteta’s tenure, as their run to the Champions League semi-finals highlights, so reports of a potential exit for the 43-year-old have been few and far between, with the consensus being that Arsenal are continuing to show faith in him.

“It’s a great achievement, in 2025, to not win a trophy for five years and still be the manager at a top club that isn’t under pressure – from us, from anybody in the football community or even anyone in the Arsenal fanbase,” said Sky pundit Gary Neville.

“That’s an incredible achievement because we thought those days were gone whereby you can have this type of patience being afforded to you. I think it’s a good thing: normally with five years without a trophy you’d ordinarily see a manager be under pressure.

“That’s significant in that you think there is progression.”

Arsenal in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres

However, this may not last for long if Arsenal don’t end their trophy drought soon, and Berta has every intention of backing Arteta with key signings that will reinforce the squad and hand Arteta the best possible chance of achieving glory. Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres is a top target, according to widespread reports.

The “massively underrated” Sweden international appears destined to leave Sporting after a haul of 50 goals in all competitions, and some media sources suggest Arsenal have already offered him personal terms worth £135,000-per-week to join them (A Bola).

Now, CaughtOffside shares some more intriguing news about the saga. The outlet reports that Arsenal’s talks to sign Gyokeres are at an “advanced” stage, and they are currently leading the chase for his signature ahead of both Liverpool and Man United.

Arteta’s side are apparently closing in on a five-year deal for the striker, but CO claim it is actually worth around £9 million-per-year, rather than the previously mooted £7 million.

While Liverpool and United are still contending, it is reiterated that Arsenal are in pole position, with the ex-Coventry City star, who has an £84 million release clause in his contract, seemingly nearing a return to England.

Having done it twice in Rawalpindi, he stepped up once again in Dhaka, this time in Jaker Ali’s company

Mohammad Isam23-Oct-2024Mehidy Hasan Miraz projects an air of confidence, perhaps even bravado, when he walks to the crease. He thrusts his chest out, and his eyes in his stance are wide.Early in his innings, though, the viewer doesn’t always share that confidence. He plays the odd airy drive, followed by one or two shadow-leaves. Then he’ll leave the ball a few times, before edging one through the slips or driving uppishly past point. When his team is tottering at 26 for 6 or 112 for 6, your nerves are in shreds.Once you start to get used to Mehidy’s batting – scratchy at the start before rapidly gaining in solidity – you understand the confidence he projects. His footwork and strokeplay become assured. An air of calm descends, much needed in a Bangladesh batting line-up that keeps collapsing.Related

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Maharaj credits Tamim for helping him work out the Dhaka pitch

Mehidy is batting on 87 after the third day of the first Test against South Africa, his highest score in 2024. It’s his fourth fifty this year, all made from Nos. 8 or 7. He is Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer in 2024, having overtaken Mominul Haque to that position, and now averages above 50 this year.Time after time, Mehidy has walked into difficult situations and built big stands. In Dhaka, he came in at 106 for 5 in the third innings, which quickly became 112 for 6. From there, he proceeded to add 138 for the seventh wicket with Jaker Ali. When Litton Das was sixth out on the third morning, caught behind off Keshav Maharaj, Bangladesh had no hope. They were 90 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat, and that was a good measure of the distance between the two sides over the first two days and a bit at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.When Jaker joined Mehidy, nobody really expected a repeat of Rawalpindi. On that historic Pakistan tour, Mehidy had featured in two landmark seventh-wicket stands – with Mushfiqur Rahim and then Litton – to turn the fate of successive Tests. The partnership with Litton came in a particularly precarious situation, with Bangladesh 26 for 6.This situation wasn’t dissimilar. Bangladesh were fortunate that they had Jaker, a debutant but a specialist batter, joining Mehidy at the crease. The seventh-wicket pair didn’t look scratchy for long, and quickly understood the pace of the wicket. Jaker later said that they knew they didn’t have to do too much but just stick around and get settled at the crease.”It was a crucial moment in the morning, we had lost three quick wickets,” Jaker told the host broadcaster . “We planned to bat normally. We didn’t want to think about what had just happened. We just tried to stick to our process. We didn’t want to rush. Our plan was simple. I am a specialist batter but I am batting down the order. He believed in me.”Jaker comes with a strong reputation as a middle-order batter in domestic cricket but was under pressure after a rash dismissal in the first innings. It had played on his mind, which Mushfiqur had picked up in the team hotel on the second evening. Mushfiqur reassured Jaker, and Jaker reminded himself of the senior pro’s words when he batted in the second innings. He made 58 off 111 balls, hitting seven fours.Jaker Ali scored a half-century on Test debut•AFP/Getty Images”[Getting the fifty] was a special moment, especially this being my first Test,” Jaker said. “Mushfiq actually calmed me down last night. He said don’t worry about the runs. I made only two in the first innings, so he said that I should enjoy my Test debut. He kept saying that I should bat in my own process. If I get out in my own process, it will be okay. This was my plan. I wanted to stick to my plan, and if I get out, I will be okay.”Mehidy had told Jaker one other thing.”He just told me we are going to have a big partnership,” Jaker said. “‘You just stay focused. Bat normally.’ I think we were mentally ready, and then we enjoyed the pressure moment.”That wasn’t arrogance from Mehidy, but just the confidence of a man who has seen this situation play out before. Mehidy is aware of the fragility of this Bangladesh top six, and knows how important he is with the bat.Mehidy is reaping the rewards of a long training period in May and June, when he wasn’t involved in Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup campaign or its build-up. He also got a chance to have an off-season in July and August, before the tour of Pakistan. He didn’t score too many runs in the two Tests in India, but he remains in form, as Dhaka has shown.It’s a blessing for a Bangladesh side that has struggled for top-order contributions. There have been no century partnerships for the first two wickets this year, and only two half-century stands. There have been three century stands for the seventh wicket, meanwhile, and Mehidy has featured in all three.Thanks to the latest of them, Bangladesh find themselves leading by 81 at the end of day three in Dhaka, with Mehidy still at the crease. There’s some rain forecast, but if he can coax the last three wickets to extend that lead to at least 150, Bangladesh can start hoping again. It is a bit of a stretch, but if anyone in this line-up can pull off such a feat, it’s most likely going to be Mehidy.

And is Rilee Rossouw the only batter to score consecutive T20I hundreds?

Steven Lynch08-Nov-2022I heard on the commentary that Suryakumar Yadav has scored more than a thousand runs in T20Is this year. Is this the record? asked Vinod Ganesh from India
It’s true that Suryakumar Yadav, one of the standout performers of this year’s World Cup, went past 1000 runs in 2022 during his unbeaten 61 in the last group game, against Zimbabwe in Melbourne.After that, Suryakumar’s tally for the year stood at 1026. The only man to have scored more in a calendar year in T20Is is Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, who amassed 1326 in 2021. Rizwan is close behind this year as well: by the end of the World Cup group stage, he had scored 924 runs in 2022.I know about the highest scores on Test debut. But who has made the highest score in his second Test match? asked Bill Atkins from Australia
Seven men have made double-centuries on Test debut, but – rather surprisingly perhaps – only two men have reached 200 in their second match. Pride of place goes to Zaheer Abbas, who made a sublime 274 in his second Test for Pakistan, against England at Edgbaston in 1971. Three years later, David “Bumble” Lloyd of England made 214 not out in his second Test, against India, also at Edgbaston. It was the first of Zaheer’s 12 Test centuries, but Lloyd’s only one.Wajahatullah Wasti of Pakistan (against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 1998-99) and Australia’s Phillip Hughes (against South Africa in Durban in 2008-09) both scored two centuries in their second Test match.Australia’s elimination meant the host nation has still never won the T20 World Cup. Has anyone even reached the final at home? asked Bryce Cunningham from Australia
The current tournament is the eighth edition of the men’s T20 World Cup, and you’re right in saying that no host nation has ever won it. The best performance by the hosts came in 2012, when Sri Lanka got to the final at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, but lost to West Indies. India reached the semi-finals in 2016, but also lost to eventual champions West Indies, in Mumbai.It’s a different story for the women: England won at home in 2009, beating New Zealand in the final at Lord’s, and Australia followed suit in 2020, overpowering India in the final in Melbourne.Rilee Roussouw’s two consecutive T20I hundreds has been matched by one batter, France’s Gus McKeon, earlier this year•BCCIIs Rilee Rossouw the only batter to score two consecutive hundreds in T20Is? asked Muhammad Riaz via Facebook
The South African Rilee Rossouw scored 100 not out against India in Indore in October, and in his next visit to the crease hit 109 against Bangladesh in Sydney during the T20 World Cup. He did play one match in between, against Zimbabwe in Hobart, but didn’t bat in that game.Only one other man has scored successive T20 hundreds. He did so earlier this year, but you might have missed it at the time: teenager Gus McKeon made his debut for France in a World Cup qualifier in Finland in July, and scored 109 against Switzerland in Vantaa in his second match, and 101 against Norway in Kerava in the third. Gus, who turned 19 last month, lives in Western Australia and has played club cricket in Perth.No one has yet done this in women’s T20Is. New Zealand’s Sophie Devine hit six successive scores of 50 or more in 2019 and 2020, including a century against South Africa in Wellington. McKeon shares the men’s record of four with five other playersWho holds the record for bowling the most overs in a single Test series? asked James Emerson from England
The leader here is the much-missed Australian legspinner Shane Warne, who sent down no fewer than 439.5 overs (2639 balls) during the 1993 Ashes series in England. That was a six-Test series: the records for a five- and four-Test series are both held by the same man, the West Indian slow left-armer Alf Valentine. He sent down 430 overs (2580 balls) during the five-match home rubber against India in 1952-53, and 422.3 (2535 balls) during the four Tests of his debut series in England in 1950.The record for a three-Test rubber is 236 overs (1416 balls), by Muthiah Muralidaran in Sri Lanka’s home series against England in 2000-01. The West Indian offspinner Lance Gibbs sent down 1538 balls in 192.2 eight-ball overs – the equivalent of 256.2 of six balls – in Australia in 1960-61, but he played in only three of the five Tests.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Jaydev Unadkat’s solo act, and other numbers ahead of the Ranji Trophy final

Bharath Seervi06-Mar-202014 Number of times Bengal have reached the Ranji Trophy finals, including their final appearance this time. Only two teams have got to the final more times: Mumbai have done it 46 times and Delhi have reached there on 15 occasions. Karnataka have also appeared 14 times. However, Bengal have won the final only twice, ending up as runners up on 11 other occasions.15.38 Bengal’s win percentage in their final appearances is the lowest among all teams who have played in at least ten Ranji finals. Their last two finals were in successive seasons – 2005-06 and 2006-07 – and they ended as runners-up both times, losing to Uttar Pradesh first, then Mumbai.65 Wickets for Jaydev Unadkat in this season, which is already the second-most by a bowler in a Ranji season. He needs four more wickets in the final to go past the record of 68 wickets by Bihar’s Ashutosh Aman last season. Unadkat has seven five-wicket hauls this season and only two bowlers have more: Nine for Ashutosh and eight for Bishan Singh Bedi in 1974-75. Saurashtra’s second-highest wicket-taker of the season has not even taken half of Unadkat’s tally; Dharmendrasinh Jadeja is second with 29 wickets.51 Wickets picked by Saurashtra’s other fast bowlers apart from Unadkat. While Unadkat has picked up 65 wickets at an average of 12.16, the other Saurashtra quicks have combined for just 51 wickets at an average of 34.19. None of the other fast bowlers has any five-wicket hauls whereas Unadkat has picked up seven five-fors and three ten-fors. Unadkat, who is also Saurashtra’s captain, might want his fast bowling partners to provide greater support to lift a maiden Ranji Trophy title.

Jaydev Unadkat vs Other Saurashtra fast bowlers in Ranji Trophy 2019-20

Bowler Wickets Ave SR 5WI 10WMJaydev Unadkat 65 12.16 25.6 7 3All other Saurashtra pacers 51 34.19 67.0 0 018.44 Average of Bengal’s pacers this Ranji season. Only three teams’ quicks had better average – Puducherry, Haryana and Chandigarh – and none of them were from the combined A and B groups that consisted of 18 teams. Three Bengal fast bowlers have picked up 20-plus wickets at an average of less than 20: Akash Deep (30 wickets, 17.33 ave), Mukesh Kumar (30 wickets, 19.36 ave) and Ishan Porel (22 wickets, 16.81 ave). For Saurashtra, only Unadkat has 20-plus wickets at an average of less than 20.

رد النجم السابق لفريق ليفربول، جيمي كاراجر، الصاع صاعين تجاه ريو فرديناند، بسبب ما قاله الأخير له فيما يخص المصري محمد صلاح عقب مشاركته في مباراة برايتون مساء أمس.

واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وبرايتون في الجولة السادسة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث حقق الريدز فوزًا بهدفين دون رد.

وشارك محمد صلاح في تلك المباراة كبديل في الدقيقة 25 بعد تعرض جو جوميز للإصابة، وقدم أداءً رائعًا، وتحصل على تحية حارة من جانب الجماهير.

وعقب المباراة، نشر ريو فرديناند عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إكس، مقطع فيديو لتصفيق جماهير ليفربول لـ محمد صلاح وغنائهم الأهزوجة الشهيرة الخاصة به.

وطلب ريو فرديناند من كاراجر إبداء رأيه تجاه الفيديو المنشور، في استهزاء واضح ضد النجم السابق لـ ليفربول بسبب تصريحاته القاسية على محمد صلاح مؤخرًا (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

من جانبه، رد جيمي كاراجر قائلًا: “هذا صحيح، لقد كان محمد صلاح رائعًا عندما دخل إلى الملعب”.

ولكن كاراجر رغب في الثأر لنفسه من فرديناند، حيث استهزئ به قائلًا: “ما رأيك في أسعار تذاكر كأس العالم يا ريو؟ لا شك أن رجلًا من عامة الشعب سينتقد فيفا وإنفانتينو، أم أن راتبك مقابل القرعة (التمثيل) كان من أجل شراء صمتك!”.

And rightly so, he was fantastic when he came on.

Thoughts on the price of the World Cup tickets @rioferdy5
A man of the people would surely call @FIFAcom & Infantino out 🤷🏻‍♂️
Or was your pay packet for the draw (acting 🤯😭) to buy your silence 🤫 https://t.co/TMcV0QhYZ6 — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) December 13, 2025

وشارك ريو فرديناند في قرعة كأس العالم، مساء 5 ديسمبر الحالي، ولعب دورًا في مقطع تمثيلي تعليمي لإيضاح قواعد القرعة الخاصة بأول نسخة من المونديال بعد تحديث نظامه.

وأكدت تقارير صحفية مختلفة أن هناك احتجاجات كبرى في إنجلترا بسبب أسعار تذاكر مباريات كأس العالم، حيث يبلغ سعر أقل تذكرة لمباريات منتخب إنجلترا 135 جنيه إسترليني.

The spin-bowling allrounder also produced the best figures in an innings for Afghanistan, while debutant Ismat Alam joined an elite list of debutant centurions from No. 8

Namooh Shah06-Jan-20254 Number of wins for Afghanistan, the second most by any team after playing 11 Tests. Australia are the top with six wins in their first 11.1 Afghanistan registered a Test series victory outside Asia in their very first tour, becoming the only Asian side to win their first series outside Asia. Pakistan and Sri Lanka took nine series to register their first win.11 Wickets taken by Rashid Khan in the test match, making him the first player since Dale Steyn in 2007 to take consecutive ten-fors (11-275 vs Zimbabwe, 2021, 11-160 vs Zimbabwe, 2025).7 for 66 Rashid’s second-innings haul was the best figures by an Afghanistan bowler in Tests, bettering his own record of 7 for 137 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi, 2021.Related

• Afghanistan claim series victory after Rashid's career-best flattens Zimbabwe

2 Number of times Rashid has scored 20 runs in both innings and taken a ten-for in a Test match, becoming the only player to do so twice. It has happened only ten times in Tests.11 Ismat Alam becomes the eleventh player – and the first since 2017 – to score a hundred on debut while batting at No. 8 or lower.2 (tied) Rashid Khan is second (along with Vernon Philander of South Africa) on the list of most wickets taken after six Test appearances with 45 scalps. No. 1 on the list is the late 19th-century Australia seamer Charlie Turner at 50 wickets.294 The runs added for the last five wickets by Afghanistan is the fifth-most by an Asian team in the 2nd innings of a Test match.6 for 95 Blessing Muzarabani’s third-innings haul makes him only the third Zimbabwe pacer to take a six-for in a Test innings, and the first since 2005.