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Fabrizio Romano anticipates Liverpool will spend more money this summer. They’ve spent a fair bit already, but then why not?

Arne Slot surprised a few when he led the Reds to the Premier League title last season, surprised a few when he did it having spent very little in the 2024 summer market, bringing over a £12.5m man in Federico Chiesa, who sat in Mohamed Salah’s shadow all year long.

But that was all. And so now that Liverpool are Premier League champions, having invested nominally over the past two years, they have been granted by FSG a war chest which has been used on a range of thrilling signings.

Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have buttressed the wide banks; Florian Wirtz is a Liverpool player, leaving Bayer Leverkusen along with Frimpong in a deal worth £116m. That’s a British record. Giorgi Mamardashvili, a 24-year-old goalkeeper with lofty ambitions, has completed his move from Valencia too.

And now, Hugo Ekitike is on the cusp of sealing his own move, there or thereabouts completing Liverpool’s frontline.

Hugo Ekitike and what comes next

Ekitike is all but a Liverpool player. Only the official announcement remains. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward is 23, and he is already “one of the best strikers out there”, as analyst Ben Mattinson has put it.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes no doubt feel they have hit the jackpot.

Ekitike will prove a big upgrade on Darwin Nunez, who is expected to leave Liverpool this summer. But more is needed at the front of the ship.

Chiesa may also be on the move after his disappointing debut season, and Luis Diaz is the subject of Bayern Munich’s focused interest. A £58.5m bid was knocked back last week, and the Bundesliga champions plan to return with an improved offer.

Diaz, 28, wants a better contract, but one does not appear to be forthcoming. He has less than two years remaining at Liverpool, so cashing in for a hefty fee might be the track to go down.

And anyway, Liverpool have set their sights on the perfect replacement.

Liverpool in talks with Diaz replacement

Over the past several weeks, Liverpool have emerged as contenders for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who is slated to leave Xabi Alonso’s side this summer after being informed he had slipped down the pecking order.

And now, according to Foot Mercato, Liverpool have been engaged in recent talks with the player’s camp as they look to complete a stunning transfer, although official contacts with Real Madrid have yet to take place.

The 24-year-old is also wanted by Arsenal and has been priced at £87m by Los Blancos, so there’s a lot to consider on FSG’s part.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

Rodrygo is a talented forward, but he’s been limited somewhat at Real Madrid over the past year, rarely playing in his favoured left-sided attacking role and overshadowed by the likes of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

Still, in spite of his going 17 matches in a row without a goal before the 2024/25 season wrapped up, Rodrygo managed to notch 25 goal involvements across the campaign – the same as Diaz – and showcased his slick technical quality, ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

This completeness of style has even led to FBref’s data-driven algorithms linking Wirtz and former Reds target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia being two of his most comparable players, and if through the lens of these comparisons that we better understand why FSG are so intent on bringing him over to Merseyside.

Rodrygo has the natural silkiness of movement that aligns with Paris Saint-Germain’s Kvaratskhelia, who is regarded as one of the game’s pre-eminent current ball carriers. Mattinson had also praised him, saying of the Georgian: “Superstar ability but works like a dog off the ball.”

And then Rodrygo is also blessed with a certain creative flair and incisiveness in front of goal that isn’t too dissimilar to Liverpool’s record signing, who, across the past two campaigns with Leverkusen, has posted 34 goals and 35 assists across all competitions.

Florian Wirtz – Past Five League Seasons
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
24/25	31 (25)	10	13
23/24	32 (26)	11	12
22/23	17 (11)	1	6
21/22	24 (22)	7	10
20/21	29 (25)	5	6
Data via Transfermarkt

The Brazil forward provides potent support each year, but his La Liga form left something to be desired last year. As per Sofascore, though, he only missed one big chance, converting six more.

At his finest, Rodrygo is regarded to be “on a different level”, as said by talent scout Jacek Kulig, in the same way that Wirtz and Kvaratskhelia demand awe when at their rip-roaring best.

Wirtz, indeed, is incredibly sharp in the crucial moments, often making the right decision as he places a weighted pass into a teammate’s pocket of space, or making the perfect shimmy as he skips to the side and unleashes a pinpoint strike on goal.

While Rodrygo has work to do until he reaches that level, which he is capable of, you’d think that at Liverpool on the left, he would have the freedom and renewed confidence to go from strength to strength.

After all, the versatile forward has demonstrated over a number of years his aptitude in the Champions League, so often coming up trumps on Europe’s biggest stage.

With the athleticism of a superstar like Kvaratskhelia and the innate attacking sharpness of Liverpool’s new star recruit, Rodrygo could be exactly what Slot is looking for, and must be signed if Diaz does indeed go.

A better signing than Rodrygo: Liverpool leading race to land £45m star

Liverpool are hoping to make a few more signings in the summer transfer window.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 23, 2025

Luckless Australia and Melbourne Renegades fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck has been ruled out of the WBBL for the third consecutive season following the shoulder dislocation she suffered in the T20 World Cup.Vlaeminck, 25, dislocated her bowling shoulder just moments into Australia’s World Cup match against Pakistan which was her first at a major tournament since 2018.She was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup and Renegades confirmed on Friday that she would play no part in the WBBL that starts next Sunday.Related

• Vlaeminck dislocates shoulder on T20 World Cup return

Vlaeminck has not played in the WBBL since November 2021 when she was playing for Hobart Hurricanes. She signed with Renegades ahead of the 2022-23 season but has not managed to play a single game due to an extraordinary run of injuries.Vlaeminck has twice dislocated her left shoulder. The first came playing for Victoria in the 2017-18 season. Then, during the Australia A tour of England which coincided with last year’s Women’s Ashes, she dislocated the same shoulder again while bowling, which led to corrective surgery.Before she made her debut for Australia, in 2018, she had undergone two ACL reconstructions. Stress fractures in her foot also forced her to miss the 2020 home T20 World Cup as well as the 2022 ODI World Cup, the Commonwealth Games later that year and the 2023 T20 World Cup. Her foot injuries led her to spend time training with professional dancers at the Australian Ballet as part of her rehab work.

أعلن الجهاز الفني لنادي بيراميدز، بقيادة الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، تشكيل الفريق الرسمي لمواجهة أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي، في المباراة المقرر لها اليوم الأحد، في منافسات بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

ويلتقي بيراميدز مع أوكلاند سيتي، في التاسعة مساء اليوم الأحد، على استاد الدفاع الجوي، في الدور الأول من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

ويشارك نادي بيراميدز، في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، بعد تتويجه ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا في الموسم الماضي 2024-2025.

طالع | موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز وأوكلاند سيتي اليوم في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

يذكر أن الفريق المتأهل من مواجهة بيراميدز وأوكلاند سيتي سيواجه نظيره الأهلي السعودي بطل آسيا في مدينة جدة يوم 23 سبتمبر الجاري في المرحلة الثانية، على لقب كأس القارات الثلاث.

ويشهد تشكيل بيراميدز، تواجد ثلاثي هجومي، بقيادة الكونغولي فيستون ماييلي وأحمد عاطف قطة والبرازيلي إيفرتون دا سيلفا. تشكيل بيراميدز اليوم أمام أوكلاند سيتي في كأس إنتركونتيننتال

حراسة المرمي: أحمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: أحمد سامي، أسامة جلال، محمد الشيبي ومحمد حمدي.

خط الوسط: بلاتي توريه، مهند لاشين، وليد الكرتي.

خط الهجوم: أحمد عاطف قطة، إيفرتون دا سيلفا وفيستون ماييلي. بدلاء بيراميدز أمام أوكلاند سيتي في كأس إنتركونتيننتالمحمود جاد – علي جبر – كريم حافظ – أحمد توفيق – محمود دونجا – عبد الرحمن مجدي – مصطفى زيكو – محمد رضا بوبو – محمود زلاكة – رمضان صبحي – يوسف أوباما – مروان حمدي.

Match details

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
June 7, Dallas, 7:30pm local

Big picture: A new rivalry in a big game

Here we go again. Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka. Scene 2, Act 2. The year, 2024.It is still hard to understand why this is a rivalry but given the nature of this game in the T20 World Cup, there will certainly be plenty riding on it. With three Full Members in Group D alongside Netherlands and Nepal, the winner on Friday might just be better placed to make the Super Eights.From sledging and baiting on the field, to mocking each other during trophy celebrations, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have done everything possible to create an edge to this contest. It has become a pseudo-enmity that cricket fans from both sides have started to enjoy. Move over, India-Pakistan. It would be a huge surprise if both sets of players haven’t planned a new way to get under each other’s skin. But on the field, they cannot let emotions take over. Sri Lanka have just been crushed by South Africa. Bangladesh are showing some of their worst form in T20Is. It is not a time to fool around.Related

• Embracing the unorthodox – South Asian teams are now fast-bowling powerhouses

• Why Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh is like large men fake-wrestling each other in too-tight underpants

Sri Lanka looked like batting unit with too many ideas against South Africa. It didn’t seem like they were having trouble with what was coming their way, even when it was pitched short. Their problem was they kept finding the fielders in the deep. If they had allowed themselves to try hitting along the ground instead of lofting everything out of the park, Sri Lanka may have had a better total than 77 that day. But now they have a chance to do better and an opposition against whom they’ve had recent success. Kusal Mendis, especially, rises to the occasion every time he faces Bangladesh. Sri Lanka won their last bilateral T20I series in March, with Mendis hitting two fifties, and Nuwan Thushara getting a hat-trick in the third game.That’s reason enough for Bangladesh to get fired up too. They have had a real struggle in T20Is this year. They lost to Sri Lanka, following it up with a 4-1 win against Zimbabwe but not totally convincingly. The 2-1 defeat against USA was a shocking result. They were gun shy with their batting. They lacked awareness and adaptability. USA head coach Stuart Law said that Bangladesh did not seem hungry enough to win. The warm-up match defeat to India further exposed Bangladesh’s lack of form and energy. They will be desperate to prove the talk of stability and potential within their ranks holds some truth.

Form guide

Bangladesh WLLLWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLWL

In the spotlight – Najmul Hossain Shanto and Kusal Mendis

Najmul Hossain Shanto has just a single fifty in ten T20I innings this year. His troubles date even further back, to the BPL, when he didn’t really contribute much for Sylhet Strikers. The Bangladesh captain, however, has shown he can fight back from difficult situations, as he did in 2022, and his team would love for that to start now.1:06

Maharoof: Kusal Mendis holds the key for Sri Lanka

Bangladesh is Kusal Mendis‘ favorite opposition. They are the team against whom he’s scored the most runs in every format of cricket. When Mendis ran into poor form this year after the T20I series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, he made 181 runs in the three matches against Bangladesh. He will be looking forward to having another good day.

Team news: Taskin may return for Bangladesh

Taskin Ahmed has started bowling at full pelt after his hamstring injury, but Shoriful Islam, who injured his hand during the warm-up game against India on June 1, remains a concern. Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan are the other seamers in the Bangladesh squad.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Jaker Ali (wk), 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Tanzim Hasan/Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman1:15

Tamim presents his XI for Bangladesh to take on Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are likely to play Dushmantha Chameera in place of either Nuwan Thushara or Maheesh Theekshana, based on conditions.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamindu Mendis, 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga (capt), 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Matheesha Pathirana, 11 Nuwan Thushara

Pitch and conditions: Better for run-scoring

Dallas hosted the high-scoring opener between USA and Canada, but then Nepal were bowled out for 106 against the Netherlands. It is still expected to be a good batting pitch. The weather is set fair with no rain in the forecast.

Stats that matter

• Kusal Mendis had favourable match-ups against Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain during the T20I series between these two sides in March. Against these four bowlers, Mendis had a collective strike-rate of 172.72 with two dismissals.
• Sri Lanka have won both their T20 World Cup fixtures against Bangladesh, in 2007 and 2021.
• Bangladesh are the first team to lose 100 T20Is. Sri Lanka are close by on 99 defeats in the format.
• Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam are regarded as Bangladesh’s lead fast bowlers but the team has lost 17 out of 22 T20Is that the pair has played together.

Quotes

“I personally don’t want to see this match differently. Of course, it is a very important match and we all know that. So, instead of thinking much, it is very important to execute the plan we have made as we have prepared. It is important how we can execute the plans with a cool mind on that particular day.”
“I think we have played good cricket against Bangladesh in the recent past. So, we have that confidence and momentum going through this game.”

Leeds United know that they will need to make key additions across the pitch to improve their squad after they were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Leeds United's goalkeeper priority this summer

A new goalkeeper is high up on the list of transfer priorities for the Championship champions during the summer transfer window, after veteran shot-stopper Karl Darlow had to end the season between the sticks.

Illan Meslier’s high-profile errors were hard for Daniel Farke to ignore, and the Frenchman had to sit on the bench for the final seven matches of the campaign.

The Whites are now reportedly eyeing up a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who was omitted from their squad for the Club World Cup in America this summer.

He spent the 2024/25 campaign and caught the eye with his impressive performances in Ligue 1, preventing 7.91 goals and avoiding any errors that directly led to a goal in 31 matches in the French top-flight.

Petrovic, who is a Serbia international, could come in to solve Farke’s problem in the number one position at Elland Road, if they can convince the Chelsea stopper to make the switch to West Yorkshire.

Leeds will also need strong defenders in front of their goalkeeper to prevent them from being overworked, though, and the club are reportedly closing in on a new centre-back.

Leeds United agree terms with new centre-back signing

According to LeedsLive reporter Isaac Johnson, Udinese defender Jaka Bijol has ‘agreed’ terms over a move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window, which is also backed up by reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness.

The journalist claims that the Whites are ‘growing in confidence’ that they can reach an agreement with the Serie A side over a deal to sign the Slovenia international, who has already given the transfer a green light.

Johnson adds that a fee of around £17m should be enough to get the move over the line, and that talks are ongoing between the two clubs over the fee.

Meanwhile, Italian outlet TuttoUdinese reports that negotiations are ongoing and that the Premier League side have already had a bid of £14m turned down, with an improved offer of £15m said to be inching the two clubs closer towards an agreement.

TuttoUdinese backs up Johnson’s claim that the player wants to sign for Leeds, as they reveal that Bijol has opened the door to a move to Elland Road, and that is now down to the teams to agree a fee.

Pass accuracy

84%

77%

Progressive passes

2.98

2.10

Tackles + interceptions

2.46

2.33

Blocks

1.15

0.99

Clearances

5.53

5.57

Aerial duels won

3.31

3.07

Leeds have also been linked with an interest in Millwall centre-back Japhet Tanganga, but the statistics in the table above suggest that the Serie A star, dubbed “aerially dominant” by writer Kyle Newbould, would be the better option out of the two.

Bijol has proven that he can deliver quality performances in one of Europe’s major leagues, in Italy, and he could arrive in West Yorkshire as a strong signing for Farke’s team, as a centre-back who could protect the goalkeeper who is eventually signed to replace Meslier.

Ampadu 2.0: Leeds ready to pay up for “tremendous” £1.2m star

Leeds United could be about to sign their next Ethan Ampadu with this summer purchase.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 14, 2025

There may be a European final to play next week, but that hasn’t stopped a mountain of players being linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

One of the most exciting links to come out this week has been to Lyon star Rayan Cherki, who could reportedly be available for as little as £19m.

The young Frenchman has been on fire for Lyon this year, racking up an impressive haul of eight goals and ten assists in 29 league appearances alone.

However, he’s not the only wide player touted for a move to Spurs, and if recent reports are to be believed, Daniel Levy and Co may be planning to go with an incredible alternative.

Tottenham transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at a couple of other wingers linked with Spurs, such as Daizen Maeda and Jamie Gittens.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former could be available for just £25m this summer, which might end up being an incredible deal, as in just 49 appearances for Celtic this season, he’s scored a staggering 33 goals and provided 12 assists.

Gittens hasn’t been quite as prolific, but the fact he’s managed to rack up an impressive tally of 12 goals and five assists in 47 games at just 20 years old suggests he’d be worth the £59m he’d reportedly cost.

Yet, if Spurs really want to ensure they take a step forward in attack next season, they’d do well to act on their interest in Eberechi Eze.

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Spurs are planning to launch a bid to sign the Crystal Palace star this summer.

Interestingly, while the Englishman has a £68m release clause in his current deal, the North Londoners plan to make an offer lower than that.

It could be a complicated deal to get done, but given Eze’s incredible ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a dream Cherki alternative.

Why Eze would be a great Cherki alternative

So, in an ideal world, Spurs would go out and sign both players, but if they can only get one, or Cherki is signed by another team, why would Eze be a perfect alternative, if not the better option overall?

Well, first and foremost, the Palace star is a known quantity with an abundance of experience in English football and, most importantly, the Premier League, making 144 appearances in the competition thus far.

This is important, as while the Frenchman could be something really special, we already know the Englishman is a sensational player and someone who can thrive in arguably world football’s toughest league.

Furthermore, he’d be joining the North Londoners off the back of another stellar campaign with the Eagles.

For example, in 40 appearances, totalling 3142 minutes, the 26-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, has scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists.

Appearances

40

Minutes

3142

Goals

12

Assosts

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

Minutes per Goal Involvement

136.60

That means the former Queens Park Ranges gem is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 136.60 minutes.

Finally, on top of being able to play off the left and in attacking midfield, the full England international has shown he can thrive in the big moments, as it was his sensational strike from outside the area that opened the scoring in Palace’s FA Cup Semi-Final triumph over Aston Villa last month.

Ultimately, Eze is an undeniably incredible footballer, and if Spurs have the chance to sign him this summer, they have to take it, regardless of what happens with Cherki.

Spurs must sell £60m "monster" who's wanted by the biggest club in the world

The incredible international should be moved on by Spurs before it’s too late.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 13, 2025

Liverpool are cruising to the Premier League title under Arne Slot and have now sent scouts to watch a clutch of potential summer targets, per reports.

Liverpool's summer activity begins to gain traction

The Reds have managed to put themselves in pole position to claim the Premier League, but what comes next after celebrating their second top-flight triumph of the modern era?

Slot appears on the surface as a man who won’t be keen for any complacency to creep in, though he has serious work to do regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s contract situations.

Taking internal matters to one side, Liverpool have Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman on their radar as experience on the flanks becomes a priority to bolster depth across the Reds’ front four positions.

Vasco Da Gama star Rayan Vitor could also be en route to Anfield. Nevertheless, his prospective arrival is likely to be categorised as a long-term commitment while he develops at his own pace.

Darwin Nunez could make way for a new centre-forward amid his frustrating campaign through the middle. Diogo Jota and Luiz Diaz have been ahead of the Uruguayan in the pecking order at times, which hasn’t exactly helped his case in trying to win over Slot.

Liverpool ready to sign "powerful" ace who has been compared to Adriano

Arne Slot is eyeing a powerful reinforcement at Liverpool this summer.

BySean Markus Clifford Apr 6, 2025

Exploring options to add extra firepower will stand Liverpool in good stead for next season. Salah’s uncertain situation may create a need for someone to fill his goalscoring boots, so it is only fair the champions in waiting do their due diligence on potential targets.

Now, Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on a quartet that could be on their way to Anfield after the Merseyside giants carried out a scouting mission.

Liverpool watch four Premier League stars, one scores under their nose

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Liam Delap score for Ipswich Town against Wolverhampton Wanderers as the England Under-21 international netted under their nose in a 2-1 defeat for the Tractor Boys.

Intriguingly, the visiting side had Joao Gomes, Andre and Rayan Ait-Nouri under observation from the Reds. The latter doesn’t have a release clause in his contract at Molineux despite previous suggestions to the contrary.

Liverpool’s next five fixtures – Premier League

West Ham (H)

Anfield

Leicester City (A)

King Power Stadium

Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Anfield

Chelsea (A)

Stamford Bridge

Arsenal (H)

Anfield

Rated at £50 million in some quarters, Ipswich striker Delap has become a standout in the top-flight after putting forward a return of 12 goals and two assists in 30 appearances.

Ait-Nouri is a target who Liverpool have had eyes on for a while, and Andre has been scouted previously as the club weigh up midfield additions to elevate their exciting talent portfolio.

Heading into the window, it is interesting to see where Liverpool feel they can find value for money on the market. The Premier League is a difficult industry to get plates spinning in, though the fact they will head into 2025/26 as reigning champions bodes well for business.

And who has the most wickets in the history of the tournament?

Steven Lynch25-Feb-2025Was Ben Duckett’s big hundred against Australia the highest score in the history of the Champions Trophy? asked Andrew Davison from England

That eye-catching innings of 165 by Ben Duckett in England’s opening match of the Champions Trophy against Australia in Lahore at the weekend was comfortably a record individual score for any Champions Trophy match.The previous highest was 145 not out, by Nathan Astle for New Zealand against United States at The Oval in September 2004. Andy Flower was dismissed for 145 for Zimbabwe against India in Colombo in September 2002.England’s 351 for 8 in Lahore was – briefly – the highest total in Champions Trophy history, surpassing New Zealand’s 347 for 4 in the 2004 match mentioned above. But Australia put that in the shade by making 356 for 5 to win. The previous-largest successful chase was Sri Lanka’s 322 for 3 to defeat India at The Oval in June 2017.As the Champions Trophy is going on, what records are there to be shot at? Who’s scored the most runs and taken the most wickets in one tournament? asked Michael Orange from England

Chris Gayle set the record for the most runs in one edition of the Champions Trophy, with 474 in India in October-November 2006. He was helped because West Indies had to pre-qualify for that tournament – in which they went on to reach the final – so he had eight matches compared to the usual five or so. Another attacking left-hand opener, India’s Shikhar Dhawan, is second on the list, with 363 runs in five matches in England in 2013. Dhawan was also the leading scorer at the 2017 Champions Trophy in England with 338, which puts him fourth on the list, behind his compatriot Sourav Ganguly, who hit 348 in just four matches in Kenya in October 2000.Gayle leads the way overall with 791 runs in all Champions Trophy matches, ahead of Mahela Jayawardene with 742 and Dhawan with 701 in the two editions in which he played.Two bowlers have taken 13 wickets in one Champions Trophy tournament: Hasan Ali of Pakistan in five matches in England in 2017, and West Indies’ Jerome Taylor in seven games in India in 2006-07. The identity of the bowler with the most wickets overall in Champions Trophy tournaments might win you a prize in your next sports quiz: it’s Kyle Mills of New Zealand, with 28.Harshit Rana got caps in Tests, ODIs and T20Is in the space of four international matches (two of the four were Tests). Has anyone completed their “full set” quicker than that? asked Graham Burt from Australia

Your right that by the time India’s Harshit Rana had played four international matches, he’d appeared in all three formats: two Tests in Australia late in 2024, then a T20I and a one-day international against England early this year.I knew that Joe Root had completed his set quicker, as his first three international matches were a T20I, an ODI and a Test, all in India in 2012-13. But I was surprised to discover there were nine others who fitted the three-match bill, including the Afghanistan legspinner Qais Ahmad, who took more than two years to do it. The others were Daniel Flynn (New Zealand, 2008), Ajmal Shahzad (England, 2010), Kyle Abbott (South Africa, 2013), Liam Dawson (England, 2016), Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan, 2019), Mohammad Musa (Pakistan, 2021-22), Gudakesh Motie (West Indies, 2021-22) and Rehan Ahmed (England, 2022-23).Rana was the 24th man to do it in the space of four matches. Among that group is the Indian wicketkeeper Naman Ojha, who took more than five years to complete his set, between June 2010 (when he played two ODIs and a T20I in Zimbabwe) and August 2015, when he made his only Test appearance, against Sri Lanka in Colombo.Misbah-ul-Haq is the only man to have three scores of 99 in Tests, though he remained not out in one of them•AFPWhich batter has been out three times for 99 in Tests? asked Saurabh Mehrabi from India

Actually no one has been dismissed for 99 three times in Test matches: Misbah-ul-Haq of Pakistan had three scores of 99, but one of them was not out. That was against West Indies in Kingston in April 2017; in the first innings of the next Test, in Bridgetown, he was out for 99.Misbah is one of nine men who have been out twice for 99 in Tests. The others are Mike Atherton (England), Greg Blewett (Australia), Sourav Ganguly (India), Simon Katich (Australia), Richie Richardson (West Indies), Saleem Malik (Pakistan), Mike Smith (England) and John Wright (New Zealand). Two others – the Yorkshire and England pair of Geoff Boycott and Jonny Bairstow – were out once for 99 and also had a 99 not out.There is one man who has been dismissed for 99 three times in international cricket. Sachin Tendulkar suffered this fate three times in ODIs, all in the space of five months in 2007: run out against South Africa in Belfast in June, caught behind off an Andrew Flintoff bouncer in Bristol in August, and caught behind against Pakistan in Mohali in November. Boycott and Richardson also had a 99 in an ODI to go with two in Tests (Richardson’s one-day 99 was not out; Boycott had a 99 not out in a Test, as mentioned above).For the list of 99s in men’s Tests, click here. There have been five 99s in women’s Tests, six by women in ODIs (one not out), and one case of 99 not out in a women’s T20I. No one has made more than one score of 99 in all women’s internationals.Is it true that the highest partnership in a T20 international was set by two Japanese players? asked Max Knight from Australia

The highest partnership for any wicket in a men’s T20I – indeed any senior men’s T20 match – is an unbroken opening stand of 258 for Japan against China in Hong Kong in February 2024, by Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake (134 not out, with 12 sixes) and Japan’s captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (109 not out, 11 sixes). They both have a Japanese parent, but were brought up in Australia. The previous partnership record in a men’s T20Is was 236, by Afghanistan’s openers Hazratullah Zazai (162 not out) and Usman Ghani (73) against Ireland in Dehradun in February 2019.There have been two higher partnerships in women’s T20Is. Opening for Argentina against Chile in Buenos Aires in October 2023, Lucia Taylor (169) and Albertina Galan (145 not out) put on 350. Two days later, also at the St Albans club, Argentina’s second-wicket pair Veronica Vasquez (107 not out) and Maria Castiñeiras (155 not out) shared an unbroken stand of 290.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

They have lost 14 of their 15 matches across ODI World Cups but could pose a challenge in Indian conditions

Hemant Brar29-Sep-2023World Cup pedigree
Afghanistan have played only two ODI World Cups so far. In 2015, they lost five out of six games, their only win coming against Scotland. The 2019 edition was even more forgettable with nine losses in as many matches. This time, though, they are expected to fare much better with the pitches in India likely to suit their spinners.Recent form
Not many teams have been able to beat Bangladesh in Bangladesh in the recent past. Afghanistan did that in July, winning the three-match ODI series 2-1. Since then, however, they suffered five successive defeats. They challenged Pakistan in all three matches in Sri Lanka but couldn’t find that killer instinct and were whitewashed. Then, their Asia Cup campaign ended prematurely after an embarrassing net run rate miscalculation against Sri Lanka.Selection
The squad once again is spin-heavy with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman likely to feature in the playing XI, and Noor Ahmad on the bench. To strengthen their seam attack, they called up Naveen-ul-Haq, who last played an ODI in January 2021.Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-HaqRashid Khan will have to step up if Afghanistan are to challenge other sides•Associated PressKey players
Irrespective of what side he is playing for, Rashid Khan is always a key player. But if Afghanistan are to improve their World Cup performance, they need Rashid to step up his game. His overall ODI record (172 wickets at an average of 19.53) is exceptional, but his numbers against Full Members who will be participating in this World Cup (41 wickets at 28.80) are ordinary. The good news is that with Hashmatullah Shahidi leading the side, Rashid can focus on his bowling.Batting has been Afghanistan’s weaker suit for many years but in Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, they now have an opening pair that can not only give them quick starts but also big totals. They recently added 227 against a full-strength Pakistan attack, and have six centuries between them in the 18 ODIs they have played together.Rising star
Fazalhaq Farooqi has played only 21 ODIs, but thanks to the IPL, PSL and Abu Dhabi T10, the left-arm seamer has already gone up against some of the biggest hitters in world cricket. Farooqi can swing the new ball, bowl yorkers and also possesses a slower one. If he can provide early breakthroughs, it will make the spinners’ job a lot easier.World Cup farewell
It’s a young squad apart from one man who has been ever-present: Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan have played 152 ODIs; Nabi 147. He was the Player of the Match when Afghanistan played their first ODI, in 2009. Now 38, Nabi, in all likelihood, is playing his last ODI World Cup. At the other end of the spectrum is Naveen-ul-Haq. The T20 globetrotter just turned 24, and has played only seven ODIs, but he has already announced that he will retire from ODIs at the end of this World Cup.

In the ECB’s new competition you are free to support who you want – even if it’s just your favourite player

Cameron Ponsonby27-Aug-2021During the early stages of the Hundred I got chatting to a Southern Brave fan named Shilly.Shilly was from Leicester but had no interest in her more local side, Birmingham Phoenix. So why Brave?”Jofra! I’m in love with Jofra.”And if Jofra Archer moved?”I would move with him.”This phenomenon of supporting an individual (and in this case an individual that didn’t even play in the tournament) as opposed to a team has been arriving steadily across sports over the last decade. But not in the UK. It’s been a very American thing, or Asian, or somewhere else. But not us.Here in England we thump our chest and pronounce that we will support our local team till the day we die. Cut me open and I bleed the blue-and-white hoops of Queens Park Rangers. Always have, always will. “We hate Chels…” you get the point. You Rsssssss!Related

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But a new competition brings new opportunities.You can still support your local team if you want to, but you don’t have to. Those historical ties aren’t as strong and households aren’t going to be divided when a child walks cap in hand to their parents to announce they are now in fact a Trent Rockets fan and not a Birmingham Phoenix one.”Get out,” says dad, crying. “Get out. After everything Benny Howell has done for you and you come in here and say you’d rather support a team with Tom Moores in.”All this means that people can choose. And the way that people make that choice is different now to how it used to be. And it seems that the pull of a specific individual is far stronger than it ever has been.But why has this trend begun? And what does it mean from a business point of view for the Hundred in the future?You need only look at La Liga having lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to see the pitfalls of individual branding. La Liga was Ronaldo vs Messi. And now they’re both gone. Individuals leave, teams don’t.So is it something the ECB should be wary of, if the pull of an individual becomes greater than the competition itself?Simon Chadwick is a Professor of Eurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School in Lyon. He is recognised as a leading voice on commercial issues regarding elite sport and regularly contributes to CNN, Al Jazeera, and the .”It’s a really good question and it’s actually quite a profound question because I don’t think it’s necessarily associated with sport,” Chadwick says.Chadwick points to the late 19th century and early 20th century as being the general time that sports in the UK were being codified and subsequently professionalised. Teams and leagues were being created and fans began to associate themselves with particular sides.

“The place that you were born was normally where you died and in between times you went to school, you got a job and you engaged with the local sports team. Locality was a crucial part of your identity”Simon Chadwick

“But that took place at a time when, not just in Britain, but I think globally, we had a relatively static population,” he said.”So the place that you were born was normally the place that you died and in between times you went to school, you got a job and you engaged with the local sports team. And locality, that’s the crucial thing, locality was a crucial part of your identity – it was programmed into your DNA.”What’s happened since then is that the world has become both bigger and smaller. Smaller, in that advances in transport and technology means we can travel long distances to work and talk to people across the globe as if we were sat next to them. And bigger, in that those changes mean the world extends beyond the four walls of your hometown. You can move. And people, including Chadwick, do.”Demographically, we’ve got a more transient population,” he says. “So then, when people like me are moving around the world and having children, our children are not wedded to a particular geographic location. So their notion of nationality and ethnicity and locality I think are more fluid.”Meanwhile, at the same time as traditional notions of locality and geography and identity are starting to dissolve, new notions, such as celebrity and influence within the modern digital environment, are on the rise.”So I think when you add all of those things together, it means that now, younger age groups and, kind of Generation Z and Generation Alpha are identifying with individuals rather than teams of their geographic location,” Chadwick said. “And this is not just cricket, we see the same thing in football [Messi to PSG] and we see the same thing in basketball [LeBron James to LA Lakers].”Chadwick is keen to express that while the reasons for this happening are in fact quite profound – “What we are experiencing and what we’re commenting on is a reflection of the ideological context within which we live” – the answers to what it means, are entirely practical.In short, individuals can transcend boundaries. So if you can sell Jofra Archer in one market, you can sell him in two markets. And if you can sell him in two markets, you can sell him in three and so on.And this is where the commercial potential of an individual holds an advantage over that of a team anchored to a location.”Short-to-medium term [that’s] great,” Chadwick says. “Our fans are in Wales, our fans are in London, our fans are wherever else they might be. But medium-to-long term, that’s a relatively finite market. And that market will mature, and you’re not necessarily going to get people switching from one team to another or one player to another.”So it’s at that point you then start thinking medium-to-long term and thinking, okay, how do we engage audiences in India or audiences in Australia and it’s at that point I think where the notion of locality becomes a more problematic one.”Brave 4 life? Or just here for Jofra?•Harry Trump/Getty ImagesWhilst not a direct analogy, an example of this can be found in IPL teams purchasing majority stakes in Caribbean Premier League sides. Most recently, the owners of Rajasthan Royals bought a controlling stake in Barbados Tridents in a move that will see Barbados rebranded as Barbados Royals. Rather than needing to be from Rajasthan to support the Royals, you simply support the Royals. And if you support the Royals, you can now support the Barbados Royals too.The emphasis on locality has been diminished and in turn the opportunity to support the team year round, and also to build the brand, has increased.Overall, Chadwick emphasises the fact that all the research over the past 30 years has shown that individuals are important. It’s just that now we are elevating them higher than we ever have before.From a commercial standpoint, it is both lucrative and also dangerous if done incorrectly. For it to be the former and not the latter is to “embrace the notion of succession”. Have your stars and lift them up in front of the rest of the world, but also have an eye on who is coming through next. And if played correctly, you can then have the best of both worlds, the strength of loyalty through locality, and also the reach of the individual to grow the game across markets.”The cricket authorities can’t just leave consumers, leave fans, for their minds to work and for them to get used to it,” Chadwick said.”They have to continue to reassure older viewers that ‘hey, you know this is still cricket, this is still the cricket that you love’. But at the same time they’ve got to assure new consumers that they’re not going back to the old times and this is modern and vibrant and lively and exciting and it’s going to stay that way.”And that requires really, really good leadership and good management and it requires strategy. So I think there is something about that which is walking a fine line between history and heritage and contemporary relevance.”Balancing history and heritage with contemporary relevance. Welcome to the Hundred. You Rsssssss!The Hundred Rising is providing eight aspiring, young journalists the opportunity to tell the story of the Hundred men’s and women’s competitions through their own eyes