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USA, playing in their first T20 World Cup, have qualified for the Super Eight stages

Sidharth Monga14-Jun-20243:17

O’Brien: USA deserve to be in the Super Eight

It didn’t come around with a final dot ball or a wicket or a final scoring shot. The fans didn’t get to celebrate in the stands. There was no drama. After about five hours of hard work from the ground staff, it was during a fresh shower that it was finally decided there wasn’t going to be a match in Lauderhill on Friday. And with that, amid almost no fanfare, USA qualified for the Super Eight.USA will take it whatever way they get it, but they came wanting to play cricket. “As a cricketer, me coming to the ground today, and the boys coming to the ground today, I think that you don’t want to leave home and not play cricket,” the USA vice-captain Aaron Jones said. “That’s for me personally, I want to play. But at the end of the day, the rain… it’s nothing that we can control. So we are grateful that we got to the Super Eights. But we left the hotel this morning thinking about playing cricket, we wanted to play cricket.”Jones is not one for doing cartwheels. “Yeah, definitely we are celebrating,” he said. “Everybody’s happy right now. Obviously qualifying for the Super Eights is a big thing, so everybody’s happy right now.”Related

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Washout in Florida takes USA through to Super Eight

Of course, the qualification didn’t come around just because there was no play on Friday, leaving Pakistan no chance to draw level with USA let alone going past them. They qualified because they beat Pakistan and Canada, something Jones at least had warned the world about when he said USA were not there just to make up the numbers.”Yeah, I definitely believed that earlier this year when I spoke about it,” Jones said when reminded of his comments. “To be honest with you, a lot of people don’t really pay much attention to US cricket. So probably the whole world don’t already know how much talent we have here and how good the players that we have here are. I think that could be a little advantage to us, but definitely I think that on any given day, once we play proper cricket, we believe that we can beat any team in the world for sure.”USA will now get three big matches in the Super Eight, facing West Indies, South Africa and possibly England. Their prize money will jump by at least $150,000. The biggest boost will hopefully be more interest in cricket in the country after such an impressive showing in their first T20 World Cup. Especially given how this automatically qualifies them for the next T20 World Cup too.”It’s a big thing for us to be honest,” Jones said. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve been speaking about playing in the World Cup, playing more games against the Full Member nations and stuff like that. And here we are doing it right now. And obviously qualifying for the Super Eights is really good. Not only for us right now in the moment but I think we’ll qualify for the 2026 World Cup as well so I think it’s a big thing for us. Not only for us but the fans around America as well. We really appreciate them for sure and not only for the fans but for the younger generation in America as well.”Even their rivals Canada have been rooting for USA because this brings the spotlight on the whole of North America. “I saw them last month in April, those guys were working really hard and I’m happy for them, how they qualified,” Shreyas Movva, the Canada wicketkeeper said. “It’s a motivation for us going into the next tournaments that USA have done it so we can do too.”Jones himself will be going back to the land of his birth, Barbados, to play two of the three matches. “It’s really good for me to go back home,” Jones said. “I’m really happy right now. I think I’ll get a lot of support for sure, especially in Barbados. So definitely looking forward to it.”

Liverpool are enjoying life as Premier League champions, but could now be about to make their first serious summer move to land a prodigious target, according to reports.

Liverpool look ahead to the summer transfer window

While Arne Slot and company fulfil their remaining fixtures for the season, they are now nothing more than a formality as the countdown continues until they can lift the Premier League trophy.

Opening the celebratory champagne will be the immediate priority. Still, there is plenty of focus at Anfield on what comes next as Liverpool aim to stay one step ahead of their domestic rivals for years to come.

Looking to make a mark once the window opens, the Reds have Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro on their radar after his top-flight performances have made a major impression behind the scenes on Merseyside.

Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen has been heavily linked with Liverpool amid stiff competition for his signature. The Spain international has a £50 million release clause that is active this summer, making him an attractive target.

However, any notion of a sensational move to Anfield for Kevin De Bruyne is false, with the Manchester City icon not considered to be a priority despite his availability on a free transfer.

FSG considering selling £55k-a-week Liverpool star who Slot wants to keep

Would getting rid of him be an error by the Reds?

ByHenry Jackson May 9, 2025

Either way, stories are starting to pick up as Liverpool probe for new additions in the market. Following a fantastic debut campaign for Slot, the Dutchman will be keen to establish a dynasty over a longer period at Anfield.

With that in mind, the Reds are now plotting a serious move for an exciting winger who could add another dimension to their forward line.

Liverpool expected to make 'serious move' for Lyon winger Malick Fofana

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are set to make a ‘serious move’ to sign Lyon’s Malick Fofana, who could be allowed to leave the Ligue 1 outfit this summer amid their financial problems.

Valued at €50m (£42.26m), the Belgium international has registered 11 goals and six assists in 39 appearances across all competitions this season.

Successful dribbles

23

Chances created

22

Successful crosses

17

Shots on target

14

Touches in opposition box

94

Pass accuracy

83%

Likened to Vinicius Junior by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Fofana is attracting interest from a multitude of clubs, with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus all keeping an eye on his situation.

Intriguingly, Liverpool are expected to up the ante in their pursuit of the Aalst-born man due to doubt over the long-term futures of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

Roma have targeted Federico Chiesa of late after the Italy international spent most of the campaign on the fringes at Anfield, so there could be plenty of scope for bodies to make way for Fofana to move to Liverpool if circumstances align for all parties.

Liverpool owe much to Mohamed Salah, who has devoted the prime years of his illustrious career to Anfield and cemented his status as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Having clinched 28 goals and 18 assists in the top flight this term, Salah has been the driving force behind his side’s historic triumph, equalling Manchester United’s record of 20 English first division titles.

However, Salah is not the only star in Liverpool’s team. Virgil van Dijk has been an all-commanding titan in defence, while Alexis Mac Allister has pulled the strings in the centre.

It’s Ryan Gravenberch, though, who deserves recognition for being Liverpool’s secret weapon in this title triumph, refashioned by Arne Slot into one of Europe’s superlative number sixes.

Midfield isn’t the main priority for the Reds, heading into the summer transfer window, but FSG might have identified a shrewd way to make Gravenberch even better.

Liverpool chasing new midfielder

According to Spanish reports, Liverpool are looking to take advantage of Frenkie De Jong’s situation at Barcelona, out of contract in little over a year, and will test the La Liga giant’s resolve with a €40m (£34m) bid this summer.

The piece outlines that there is believed to be a ‘willingness’ at Camp Nou to potentially listen to offers for the former Ajax man, albeit with the Reds set to be joined by Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for his signature.

De Jong has avoided injuries for most of the campaign but hasn’t always found his name on the starting teamsheet under Hansi Flick, and given Liverpool’s pedigree and strong Dutch contingent, could be enticed by making the move to Merseyside.

Why Liverpool want Frenkie De Jong

De Jong, 27, has played 253 games for Barcelona since leaving Amsterdam as an illustrious prodigy in 2019 for a £65m fee.

Fitness problems have been the bane of his career in Spain, but there’s no question De Jong is an elite-standard player, with his former boss Xavi calling him “one of the best midfielders in the world.”

However, his La Blaugrana journey under Flick’s wing has been stunted despite improvements on the injury front, and a move to Liverpool could prove the fresh start he needs at this stage of his career, joining Gravenberch in Slot’s midfield.

Gravenberch’s rise from prospect to superstar has been an extraordinary thing this year, and while De Jong is older than his 22-year-old compatriot, he will feel that Slot’s fluid ball-playing football could have a similar effect on his game.

Matches (starts)

26 (12)

34 (34)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

4

Touches*

28.8

67.3

Pass completion

83%

89%

Key passes*

0.6

0.7

Dribbles*

0.9

1.0

Ball recoveries*

2.8

5.3

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

3.6

Duels (won)*

2.8 (47%)

5.0 (58%)

Looking at how Slot managed to get a melodic tune out of Gravenberch this season, you’d be confident that he could elevate a fully-fit De Jong back to his best at Liverpool too.

The Dutch international might be somewhat on the margins at Barcelona right now, but he’s still managed to showcase his quality to a good degree, especially important in the Champions League.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of centre-midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 4% for passes attempted and the top 7% for progressive passes per 90.

Such passing quality could play perfectly into Gravenberch’s strengths, striking an exciting connection in Liverpool’s engine room next term as Slot looks to go again, defend his Premier League title and challenge across other fronts.

Gravenberch likes to drive the ball forward and covers a lot of ground in the middle of the park, and having a more rooted deep-lying playmaker beside him could prove a confluence of styles to make this Liverpool side even better, easing the workload that Mac Allister has had to carry.

Liverpool already have enough depth in midfield that this could prove an astute piece of business, and Slot’s coaching success on his countrymen this term suggests it might be worthwhile.

Outscoring Isak: Liverpool scouting £25m "nuisance" who's just like Nunez

Liverpool are ready to go shopping for new forwards this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 3, 2025

As concerns over Alexander Isak’s future continue to rumble on, Newcastle United are reportedly poised to join the race in pursuit of signing a forward who has matched their star man for goals this season.

Newcastle braced to stand strong in Isak saga

As much as they’ll be desperate to avoid it, the Isak rumours aren’t going away anytime soon. Instead, Newcastle are likely to face a summer-long saga which will end one of two ways. The Swedish star is one of the most wanted strikers in European football and with Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly on his list of suitors, there is no doubt that he’ll have a decision to make in the coming months.

That said, his price tag certainly reflects the amount of interest in his signature. Reportedly pricing their star man at as much as £160m this summer, Newcastle are keen to at least get bang for their buck if Isak departs or preferably simply scare away the suitors.

As good as Murphy: Newcastle star just proved he's as undroppable as Isak

The Newcastle United star showed why he is as undroppable as Alexander Isak.

ByDan Emery Apr 8, 2025

When asked about his future and a potential new deal at St James’ Park, Isak told reporters in the build-up to Newcasle’s Carabao Cup final success: “That will probably be a talking point once the season finishes, but we will really see because no talks have been held yet.

“Really, about my future, it is not really something I think about. During a season I just focus on the job and it’s probably the worst time to think about anything else. All of our focus is just on Sunday, doing good and hopefully bringing the trophy back to Newcastle.“

Until he puts pen to paper on a new deal, then the anxiety around Isak’s Newcastle future is likely to remain in Tyneside. It does at least look like the club are preparing for the worst, however, having identified a potential replacement who’s arguably as good as the former Real Sociedad man.

Newcastle poised to battle for Vangelis Pavlidis

According to reports in Portugal, as relayed by Sports Witness, Newcastle are now poised to battle Chelsea to sign Vangelis Pavlidis from Benfica this summer, who has a release clause worth as much as €100m (£87m).

The forward has stepped into Darwin Nunez’s role ever since he left Benfica for Liverpool in 2022 and has exceeded the struggling Anfield star ever since. Now, he may have done enough to earn himself a Premier League move of his own, especially if Isak calls it quits at Newcastle this summer.

Appearances

46

35

Goals

24

24

Assists

10

5

Involved in more goals than the 29 that Isak has managed, Pavlidis has also matched the Swede’s total of strikes in all competitions and looks like a player destined for great things this summer.

Dubbed “decisive” by analyst Data Foot on X, the 26-year-old is at the peak of his powers and could yet become Benfica’s most successful recent export by doing what Nunez has failed to do in the Premier League.

Newcastle, meanwhile, could splash the cash to welcome a potential replacement for Isak should he depart this summer.

And has a team made more than ten times their first-innings total in the second like India did?

Steven Lynch22-Oct-2024New Zealand took the lead in Bengaluru in the 44th over of the match – is this a record for the team batting second in a Test? asked Alistair Lynch (no relation!) from Bermuda

The sensational start to the first Test in Bengaluru last week saw New Zealand pass India’s 46 all out in 43.3 overs (261 balls).Surprisingly perhaps, that’s quite a way off the record, and it’s not even the quickest in 2024! The fastest known is just 30.4 overs (184 balls), by South Africa after bowling New Zealand out for 45 in Cape Town in January 2013. And also at Newlands, in January 2024, India took the lead over South Africa (55) from the last ball of the 33rd over of the match (198 deliveries in all).We don’t have ball-by-ball details of some early matches, and there are two where it’s possible the lead was acquired quicker: at Lord’s in June 1896, after Australia were all out for 53 in 22.3 five-ball overs (113 balls), and in Melbourne in February 1932, when South Africa were bundled out for 36 in 23.2 six-ball overs (140 balls).Another questioner, Vijay Bedekar from India, asked how often the total of the team batting first had been passed by the second team’s openers, as New Zealand managed in Bengaluru. This was the 28th such occasion: the highest total involved was 365, by West Indies in Georgetown in April 1972, when New Zealand’s openers Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis replied with an opening stand of 387.In Bengaluru India followed 46 all out with 462, over ten times as many. Has any team scored more than ten times their first-innings total before? asked Hugh Abetz from Australia, among others

India’s excellent comeback in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru last week was only the second time a team had made more than ten times their score from the other innings (considering completed innings only). The only bigger difference came at Edgbaston in 1924, when South Africa were bowled out for 30 in their first innings, but recovered to make 390 in the second, 13 times as many. They still lost by an innings, as England had scored 438.The biggest difference in a first-class match came in a famous County Championship match in 1922, also at Edgbaston. Hampshirewere bowled out by Warwickshire for 15 in their first innings, but following on, they ran up 521 – nearly 34 times as many – and went on to win by 155 runs.Was India’s 46 all out the lowest Test total by a team playing at home? asked Avyaan Ishaan from India

India’s remarkable collapse to 46 all out against New Zealand in Bengaluru was the joint 18th-lowest Test total of all (England also made 46 against West Indies in Port-of-Spain in March 1994).Six of the 17 lower totals were made in home Tests, including the smallest of all – New Zealand’s disastrous 26 all out against England in Auckland in March 1955. Three of the others were suffered by South Africa in their early Tests in the 19th century, when they were very weak.It was easily India’s lowest at home, previously 75 against West Indies in Delhi in November 1987. More recently, in April 2008, they were bowled out before lunch on the first day in Ahmedabad for 76 by South Africa.India’s 46 all out is their lowest Test total at home•AFP/Getty ImagesWhat’s the lowest first-innings total that still led to a win in a Test? asked Rahul from India

I think this question was sent, rather optimistically, in the middle of India’s excellent comeback against New Zealand in Bengaluru last week. If India had ended up winning, they wouldn’t quite have broken this particular record: England beat Australia in Sydney in January 1887 despite being bowled out for 45 in their first innings.In all, 13 Tests have been won by a team that scored less than 100 in their first innings. The list includes England’s 81 for 7 declared in a rain-affected match against West Indies in Bridgetown in January 1935 and, for completeness, a rather questionable 14th instance – England’s declaration at 0 for 0 in the controversial Test in Centurion in January 2000, when South Africa’s captain Hansie Cronje accepted a bribe to help manufacture a result.Joe Root made his highest score in his 147th Test. Has anyone else made their highest score at a later point in their career? asked Chris Goddard from England

You’re right that Joe Root made his highest score (so far!) in his 147th Test, with 262 against Pakistan in Multan earlier this month. The only man to make his highest score later than that is the South African Jacques Kallis, whose best of 224 came in his 150th Test, against Sri Lanka in Cape Town in January 2012.Kumar Sangakkara made his highest score in his 122nd Test (319 against Bangladesh in Chattogram in February 2014), and Sachin Tendulkar in his 119th (248 not out against Bangladesh in Dhaka in December 2004).Your query set me wondering about the equivalent record for bowlers, and it’s held by the recently retired James Anderson, whose best bowling figures came in his 129th Test – 7 for 42 against West Indies at Lord’s in September 2017. His longtime team-mate Alastair Cook had his best bowling figures – his only wicket, in fact, that of Ishant Sharma – in his 105th Test, against India at Trent Bridge in July 2014. Glenn McGrath picked up his best bowling figures in his 104th Test, that man Root in his 102nd, and Allan Border in his 101st.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

Innings defeat to England Lions should raise alarm bells but South Africa may not see reason to panic yet

Firdose Moonda12-Aug-20220:55

‘We have our own brand of playing’ – Markram sees no need for South Africa to emulate England

Defeat by an innings and 56 runs in a tour match, against a collection of the opposition’s next-best players, should raise alarm bells for any touring team, but South Africa may not see reason to panic just yet. Their heavy loss came with a second-string seam-bowling attack. That, of course, raises questions about their depth and the performance of the first-choice spinner, but also allowed them to assess all their options ahead of the three-Test series against England.The big concerns were that Keshav Maharaj came under attack from Harry Brook, and Keegan Petersen wasn’t among the runs. But there were some constructive showings, too, specifically in the middle order. Khaya Zondo, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram all made their cases for a spot in South Africa’s Test XI, with good scores.The three of them, along with Ryan Rickelton, are competing for two middle-order spots after Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the tour with an elbow injury. And neither van der Dussen nor Markram, who were regulars before the Bangladesh series they missed in favour of the IPL, can consider their places safe.Related

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SJN hearings: 'I have never wanted KG dropped from any team at any time,' says AB de Villiers

Markram had already been replaced by Sarel Erwee in the opening role before the Bangladesh tour, while Rickelton debuted in van der Dussen’s place, on the back of a strong domestic season, and performed relatively well having also been in good form for Northants in a brief county stint.None of them emulated the Lions’ Brook or Ben Duckett by reaching three figures, and none of them batted with the intent of Sam Billings. But, as Markram said, South Africa have their own brand of cricket and don’t want to be caught in the trap of trying to emulate England’s approach.Theirs is a more considered, perhaps more stodgy style of batting, but it paid off in the white-ball series, where South Africa drew the ODIs 1-1 and won the T20Is 2-1. Markram and van der Dussen were in the runs there, and again in the red-ball warm-up, which may put them in prime position for places.Van der Dussen scored 75 in the first innings and shared in a 146-run sixth-wicket stand with Zondo, and was dismissed for 13 in the second. Zondo scored 86 in his first innings with a senior side in England, and is the most likely challenger. Markram, in a new position at No. 4, made 10 in the first innings and was looking well set on 88* in the second when he ran out of partners. Rickelton registered a first-ball duck and a second-innings 15, which may put him a little further back in the queue.Zondo acknowledged that it was worthwhile for him to get first-hand experience of conditions he is unfamiliar with. “It’s just nice to get out there and get some runs,” he said. “It’s nice to come to England. With all the talk you hear of the ball swinging and the ball seaming and the slopes, it’s nice just to get out and experience it and make sure you spend a lot of time at the crease, so that you are best prepared as a player.Khaya Zondo had a good outing the first time out against England Lions•Getty Images”I worked on my balance and worked on playing the ball late, because the ball nips a lot more. You never really feel like you’re in, you’ve got to make sure you’re always awake. As soon as you think you’re comfortable, that’s when the ball does something you don’t expect it to do and that’s when it catches you off guard.”When asked if he thought he had done enough to earn a spot, he was non-committal but optimistic: “I don’t know. There’s a lot of competition. It was my first practice game with the Test side so hopefully it shows that I can play.”That he can play is not in doubt, but whether he will play could become a talking point as the series goes on. Zondo, as readers might remember, was the catalyst for a letter written by black African players to CSA complaining about their non-selection in starting XIs. This was after Zondo went on tour to India in 2015 as a reserve batter and did not play a single game even when an extra batter was called for.That incident was subsequently the subject of the testimony at the Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) hearings in which former selector Hussein Manack said he was pressured by then captain AB de Villiers into picking Dean Elgar, who was flown in ahead of the Test series, over Zondo in the deciding ODI against India.De Villiers responded by saying that he only ever influenced selection with the best interests of the team in mind.Zondo had also made a submission to the SJN, initially in private, but after Manack appeared, Zondo asked for his interview to be made public. It revealed the mental anguish and feelings of exclusion Zondo suffered. He was the only actively involved player to testify at the SJN, and it seemed to unburden him, as he went on to score his first red-ball double-hundred in the season that followed. He finished with 368 runs in seven innings at 73.60 in the domestic season.Only Pieter Malan and Rickelton played in the same number of innings and averaged higher, which boosts both Zondo’s and Rickelton’s chances of playing, though neither of them have the experience of van der Dussen or Markram.The main concern around van der Dussen is that he hasn’t been in good Test form recently. Last season, he scored 214 runs in nine innings at 23.78, with no fifties. South Africa need more than that at No. 4, especially in Bavuma’s absence.Markram has had it leaner and only scored 213 runs in his last seven Tests at 16.38, with one fifty. He would not have played in New Zealand if Petersen had made the trip, but he missed out after contracting Covid-19. Erwee debuted in Markram’s opening berth on that tour and Markram was moved to No. 3 where he scored 73 runs in four innings. He missed the Bangladesh Tests when he went to the IPL but would likely not have played in that series anyway.Rassie van der Dussen reverse-sweeps during his half-century•Getty ImagesWhen asked before the series if a middle-order role had been discussed for him, Markram confirmed that it hadn’t, though on the evidence of the tour match that has changed. Markram also said at the time that he didn’t expect to play, that he was unfamiliar in the middle order in red-ball cricket and would need some preparation if he was going to bat there. He has more or less stuck to that message since, although he has indicated that he is readying for a spot lower down the order. “We’ve done as much prep as we could have done so far. I’m not sure whether it’s going to happen or not but I am preparing for that,” he said. “We’ll see in the build-up to the match if I am going to play.”If Markram does play at No. 4 or No. 5 ahead of Zondo, it will be a throwback to a historical incident where similar issues of race and role-definition collided. In 2001, on a tour to Australia where the team had lost the series 2-0 with one to play, South Africa dropped Lance Klusener and the selectors wanted to pick Jacques Rudolph, a top-order batter, in his place. CSA’s president Percy Sonn over-ruled them and insisted Justin Ontong, a middle-order batter, play instead.Sonn also recognised that picking Ontong, as a player of colour, would be a nod to transformation. The headlines at the time focused purely on the issue of race-based selection and not the cricketing argument Sonn made, and neither Ontong’s nor Rudolph’s career went anywhere from that point. Rudolph took up a Kolpak deal with Yorkshire, and a decade later, returned to South Africa, where he was picked as an opening batter. But he failed.He was then moved down the order, creating no room for a player such as Thami Tsolekile, for example, before eventually being dropped. Ontong only played two Tests and made sporadic white-ball appearances before moving on to becoming South Africa’s fielding coach.Of course, neither Zondo nor Markram would want their names discussed in this context. But they will both know that is the reality of South African cricketers and that the burden on their shoulders weighs heavy. Markram, if given an opportunity, will know that unless he succeeds consistently, he may not find his way back into the Test set-up.Zondo, if he plays, will be under enormous pressure to succeed. If he doesn’t, chances are that his race will come into the discussions.Of the two, Zondo is probably the one more caught between a rock and a hard place, but he’s had it tougher. He has had to pick himself up from a place not many others have been in, and reckons he became a better cricketer because of it. “I am just watching every ball and hoping to get better and mix with the best,” he said.”The bowlers definitely tested us. They were always testing your technique. They’re always in a good area. As a batter you take confidence if you’re able to deal with it. I felt like okay cool, this is big-boy cricket.”

Crawley’s innings during the third Test against Pakistan in numbers

Bharath Seervi22-Aug-2020267 – Zak Crawley’s score, the second-highest maiden century by an England batsman and the seventh-highest overall. Only Tip Foster’s 287 is a higher maiden hundred by an England player than Crawley’s 267. Karun Nair’s 303 not out is the only higher maiden century in the last 25 years.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Number of batsmen to make a 250-plus score in Tests at a younger age than Crawley, who was 22 years, 200 days at the start of this match. The four batsmen are Garry Sobers, Don Bradman, Len Hutton and Graeme Smith. Bradman and Smith had made two 250-plus scores before turning 23.3 – Crawley is the third-youngest England batsman to score a Test double century. Hutton and David Gower are the two England batsmen to score a double-hundred at an younger age than Crawley.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Number of higher individual scores by England No. 3 batsmen in Tests than Crawley’s 267. Wally Hammond’s 336 not out is the only bigger innings at No. 3.359 – The partnership between Crawley and Jos Buttler, is the joint fourth-highest fifth-wicket partnership in Test history. For England, there have been only five bigger partnerships for any wicket in Tests than the 359 between Crawley-Buttler. Crawley scored at a strike rate of 70.17 (200 runs off 285 balls) in the partnership whereas Buttler scored at just 49.64 (138 off 278).ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Crawley’s 267 is the highest innings in Tests to end by stumping. The previous highest score for someone who was stumped out was Seymour Nurse’s 258 in 1969.28.54 – Crawley’s Test career average in seven Tests, coming into this match. He had made 314 runs in 11 innings with three fifties. After his massive 267-run innings, his average has shot up to 48.41. His first-class career average was just 30.82 before this Test with three hundreds and a highest score of 168.

Shohei Ohtani became the first Major League Baseball player in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season last year, accomplishing the incredible feat amid much fanfare. This year, able to pitch again after returning from injury, he has charted new ground yet again by becoming the sole member of another 50-50 club; this time becoming the first to post 50 dingers and 50 strikeouts.

Ohtani hurled five hitless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in what would become a 9-6 defeat, fanning five batters to bring his total to 54 on the year. He's right on the half-century mark when it comes to his own long ball total and carries a 1.006 OPS as the season reaches its final weeks.

Now, racking up 50 strikeouts on the mound in this day and age of swings and misses isn't the most impressive thing in the world. Doing it in 41 innings of work sure is, though.

Whenever Ohtani's career ends there are going to be countless stats and feats to sift through as we try to decide if he's the greatest player of all time. Becoming a founding member of two different clubs showcasing the diversity of his talent in back-to-back years will certainly be one of them.

Newcastle United are now in pole position to sign an impressive central defender ahead of Serie A giants Juventus, according to recent reports.

Newcastle "playing the atmosphere" vs Sunderland, says Howe

It doesn’t get bigger than the Tyne-Wear derby this weekend. Newcastle are set to travel to face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time since 2016 and they’ll be looking to ground the high-flying Black Cats in statement fashion.

The goals have finally returned for Eddie Howe’s side in recent weeks, but they’ve remained fragile in the other direction – conceding a late equaliser against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. In any derby, however, form goes out the window. Instead, Howe admitted that his side will be “playing the atmosphere”.

As if the Magpies needed any extra motivation, they have the chance to move above Sunderland and potentially into the top six if they secure victory and other results go their way. It could be the perfect turning point for their Premier League campaign.

Defeat, meanwhile, would once again expose just how much work Newcastle have got to do in the January transfer window, whether it’s welcoming a midfield star or turning towards Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic.

Newcastle leading race to sign Tarik Muharemovic

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle are now in pole position to sign Muharemovic ahead of Juventus in 2026. The central defender has consistently impressed in Italy this season and has been closely monitored by scouts from both St James’ Park and the San Siro, courtesy of Inter Milan.

Standing at 6’2, Muharemovic could provide Howe with a replacement for the injury-prone Sven Botman alongside Malick Thiaw, who has thrived since arriving in the summer.

Minutes

990

993

Progressive Passes

36

50

Tackles Won

8

10

Ball Recoveries

35

45

At 22 years old, the Sassuolo star is yet to reach the peak of his powers and Newcastle have the chance to swoop in early to land what would be an impressive addition.

Dubbed an “excellent left-footed centre-back” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Muharemovic seems to have the world at his feet ahead of 2026. Both Juventus and Inter are chasing his signature, but the Premier League could be awaiting.

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Following the success of Thiaw, it’s also no surprise that Newcastle decided to send their scouts back to Serie A and towards the Sassuolo man in an attempt to repeat their transfer genius.

Howe's "diamond" looks like another Guimaraes in the making at Newcastle

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is slated to miss his team's series-opening game Monday against the New York Mets according to a report Sunday from ESPN and the . His absence is for a good reason though, as his daughter, Camila, is graduating from Boston College.

The Red Sox are in the midst of a 10-game home stand that continues with their three-game series against the National League East-leading New York Mets starting Monday. Ahead of Boston's rubber match with the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Cora opened up about the special day for his family.

"It's going to be a very special day—one that I'm not going to miss," Cora said pregame Sunday via ESPN and the . "I 100% will miss the game for that. I will do that any given day. It's going to be a very special day for us."

The Red Sox are coming off a thrilling win over the Braves Saturday night thanks to a walk-off home run from Rafael Devers—the first of his career. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Boston.

Without Cora Monday, bench coach Ramón Vázquez will serve as manager according to .