استقر الدنماركي ييس توروب، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، على التشكيل الذي سيواجه الجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويحل الأهلي ضيفًا على الجيش الملكي، في الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا مساء غد الجمعة في تمام الساعة التاسعة بتوقيت القاهرة على استاد “الأمير مولاي الحسن”.

ويسعى الأهلي، تحت قيادة مدربه الدنماركي ييس توروب لمواصلة انتصاراته في البطولة من أجل حسم بطاقة التأهل مبكرًا.

طالع.. تشكيل الأهلي الرسمي أمام الجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. زيزو وتريزيجيه أساسيان

ويغيب محمد الشناوي، عن حراسة مرمى الأهلي، بسبب الإصابة التي تعرض لها في اللقاء الماضي فيما عاد أشرف داري وأحمد رضا بعد تعافيهما من الإصابة. تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع أمام الجيش الملكي

حراسة المرمى: مصطفى شوبير

الدفاع: محمد هاني – ياسر إبراهيم – ياسين مرعي – أحمد نبيل كوكا.

الوسط: أليو ديانج – مروان عطية – أشرف بن شرقي.

الهجوم: محمود تريزيجيه – أحمد سيد زيزو – محمد شريف.

The leader of South Africa’s bowling attack talks about the team’s philosophy, and how he approaches his own bowling

Firdose Moonda04-Nov-2024Kagiso Rabada doesn’t get too excited about being the most lethal bowler in the 300-wickets club, or about his other records, because all he wants to do is play for South Africa.”Every kid dreams of playing for South Africa and that was my dream,” Rabada says from Chattogram, where South Africa won their first series in the subcontinent since the start of his career. “My dream was to represent South Africa and to be the best and to be a part of winning South African cricket teams. Along the way, you don’t really think about stats.”Except one number: 0.That’s how many times South Africa have won a World Cup, and like so many who have gone before him, Rabada says it’s what he most wants to achieve. “I just want to win the World Cup. That’s literally my dream. So, hopefully, I don’t have any other metrics really.”Rabada was part of South Africa’s disastrous 2019 ODI World Cup campaign and the much better 2023 one, in which they reached the semi-finals. He has also played in four T20 World Cups, and experienced exiting after the group stage three times before South Africa pulled off an eight-match unbeaten run to reach this year’s final. He described the current group of players as having found a “sweet spot” between experience and youth without being haunted by the ghosts of greats gone by.Related

• Rabada – the most lethal bowler in the 300-wicket club

• Rabada back at No.1 in Test bowling rankings; Ravindra, Shakeel break into top 10

• Spinners, Rabada's complete performances hand South Africa their biggest innings win

• 'Worth the hours, worth the sacrifice' – SA savour subcontinent high after a decade's wait

• South Africa's batting close to finding the 'sweet spot' again

When Dean Elgar played his final Test earlier this year, he was the last player of a South Africa side that had been ranked No. 1 in Tests. His exit may also have been the last in a steady stream of big-name retirements that began with Mark Boucher in 2012. Back then Rabada was a schoolkid with stars in his eyes. Three years later, he was an international, in the side in place of an injured Morne Morkel, and playing a Test alongside Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. Three years after that, in March 2018, as the other three struggled with fitness concerns, he found himself the leader of the attack in a home series against Australia, which South Africa won 3-1.Throughout, Rabada has had the opportunity to play alongside a range of bowlers, from the ones he idolised to ones he grew up with. It is with this current generation that he feels the most settled.”Those guys [Steyn, Philander, Morkel] were my heroes growing up and I played with them. And now I’m playing with guys I played with at school, so there’s more familiarity because we grew up together – played against each other at school, played together at the provincial level, at Under-19…”Rabada went to school with Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder, who is three years his junior. He won the 2014 U-19 World Cup under the leadership of Aiden Markram. Lungi Ngidi and Kyle Verreynne were among the top performers in the national schools weeks in 2013 and 2014. All of them now represent the country. “We play for each other,” Rabada says.After he won the Player-of-the-Series award in Bangladesh for his 14 wickets at an average of nine, Rabada first showered praise on the batters for giving the bowlers over 500 runs to work with in Chattogram. And even though their coach, Shukri Conrad, wasn’t convinced about enforcing the follow-on, Markram, the captain, was certain that Rabada, who had taken a five-for in the first innings, was fresh enough to have another go at Bangladesh. As it turned out, South Africa’s spinners did the job the second time round, but the point holds that Markram would likely have batted again if he did not believe the leader of his attack could do the job, which speaks to Rabada’s continued importance to the side and the significance of managing his workload.”Pace is important but you need the skill with the pace. When you combine the two, you can become very lethal. The older you get, the harder you have to work”•Matthew Lewis/ICC/Getty ImagesThis year Rabada was rested from white-ball series in the UAE to focus on Test preparation, and he will similarly sit out the four-match T20I series against India to get ready for the home Test summer.By his own admission, more of that needs to happen to prolong his time at the top level. “I’m not getting any younger, and with the amount of cricket that’s being played, you have to think about it in terms of finding periods when you’re going to rest in order to be the most effective you can be.”But he does not put his success down to that alone. “It speaks to hard work,” he says.Over the last few years Rabada’s work has been less about speed and more about skill. He regularly swings and reverse-swings the ball, and always seems to know when to bowl with the most intensity. He identifies the new ball and periods just before or after a break as being times when he has to be particularly switched on.”Pace is important but you need the skill with the pace. When you combine the two, you can become very lethal. In Test cricket, you have to maintain the pace, but when it’s not there, you obviously have to be a bit crafty because, especially in the subcontinent, it’s hot. Obviously you want to really make an impact with the new ball. It’s about being consistent with it and bowling at a good pace. The older you get, the harder you have to work. You won’t get away with what you got away with when you were younger.”If Rabada sounds older than his 29 years, that’s because in Test cricket terms, he probably is – with 66 caps across nine years, he is the most experienced player in the side. In that time, while he has experienced highs like beating Australia home and away, he has also seen South Africa go from No. 1 to No. 7 on the rankings.”Of course, there were times where I was like, ‘Man, what’s going on here?’ But then in the morning, you wake up and you just have to front up. People go through that on the daily, but as players, we have a spotlight on us. Everyone’s going to comment on whatever we do. There have been times in my career when I’ve been disappointed, but it becomes worth it when you do achieve what you want to achieve.”Some would say being back at No.1 on the ICC’s rankings for Test bowlers, having occupied that spot for most of 2018 and 2019, is one kind of achievement, but it’s not Rabada’s favourite one. “If I was No. 5 or No. 3 and we’re winning, then I’m really happy. If I’m No. 1, I’m even more happy, but as long as we’re winning – that’s the major thing for me. It’s not about being No.1 the world, it’s all about the process and being obsessed with that. I know it sounds so cliché, but cliché is a kind of reality.”He acknowledges that his numbers do have some effect on him in that “they motivate me, but I’m not fixated on them”. Then he goes back to his original mantra: that as long as the team is winning, that means more than anything else, and there are still a few big things he wants them to win. “I’m happy with it [the No. 1 Test bowling ranking], but I’m not going to think about it too much. The work continues.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos chegou a um acordo com o Krasnodar, da Rússia, para a quitação da dívida referente à contratação do atacante Cueva. Assim, o transfer ban imposto pela Fifa ao Peixe será revogado.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSantosFurch vira dúvida no Santos para final do PaulistãoSantos02/04/2024SantosFinal na Vila rende ao Santos menos da metade do valor arrecado na Neo Química ArenaSantos02/04/2024SantosLenda do Barcelona interage com o Santos, e torcedores vão à loucura: ‘Tá querendo vaga’Santos01/04/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O Santos quitará a dívida de U$ 4,5 milões de dólares (R$ 22,7 milhões) em quatro prestações até o dia 25 de junho de 2024. A conclusão da negociação ocorreu durante uma reunião virtual na manhã desta terça feira, que contou com a participação das diretorias dos clubes.

➡️ Com R$30 no Lance! Betting você fatura mais de R$85 se J. Santos marcar contra o Junior!

Tão logo o transfer ban imposto pela Fifa seja revogado, o Santos poderá novamente contratar e registrar jogadores no Boletim Informativo Diário (BID) da CBF.

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POR QUE ESSA DÍVIDA?

Em junho de 2021, sob a gestão do ex-presidente Andres Rueda, o Santos efetuou acordo com o Krasnodar sobre a contratação de Cueva, comprado no início de 2019 por aproximadamente R$ 35 milhões. Contudo, o clube deixou de pagar a última parcela do combinado.

Com isso, os russos não concordaram em realizar novo parcelamento do valor que restava (cerca de R$ 15 milhões) e acionaram a Fifa.

A dívida não tem relação com o processo ganho pelo Peixe sobre o próprio Cueva. Na ocasião, em 2020, o jogador deixou o clube alegando “justa causa” e fechou com o Pachuca, do México. O Alvinegro venceu o processo, e os envolvidos foram condenados a pagar uma indenização de R$ 23,9 milhões.

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No ano passado, o Santos chegou a se interessar pelo zagueiro Junior Alonso, que atua no Krasnodar, mas a dívida foi um dos impeditivos do negócio. O clube da Rússia também se interessou pelo zagueiro Joaquim, e o repasse do jogador, na época, poderia ser uma forma de abater a dívida.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas, horários dos jogos da Libertadores

Tudo sobre

CuevaSantos

Why was Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka ruled not out even though he was run-out by Sanju Samson off the fourth ball of the Super Over against India in the Asia Cup game on Friday?For a while, confusion reigned when Shanaka ventured out of his crease after missing a yorker from Arshdeep Singh, who went up in an appeal for a caught behind, while Samson threw the ball at the stumps to find the batter short. But the umpire had given Shanaka out caught behind after a bit of contemplation, and Shanaka referred the decision upstairs to the third umpire Masudur Rahman. After replays confirmed there was no bat involved, Shanaka was ruled not out for the caught behind and for the run out too. It was the timing of the umpire signalling out initially for the caught behind – after Samson’s direct hit – that led to the confusion.MCC’s law states that “the ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal”. In this case, that incident was the caught-behind appeal, which meant the ball had been dead when Samson tried to run Shanaka out. With replays proving Shanaka didn’t nick the ball, he was immediately deemed not out, even though India captain Suryakumar Yadav seemed to enquire with the umpires about the decision.Related

• 'This team can go very far' – Jayasuriya 'fairly satisfied' with Sri Lanka's Asia Cup

• Arshdeep's masterclass helps India pull off heist

“According to the rules, if you appeal for the catch, then Dasun could go up to the third umpire,” coach Sanath Jayasuriya said of what he made of the appeal. “It was the first decision that counts always, not the second. So he went for the referral, and it was not out. That’s what happened. But overall, I think there are a few grey areas [in terms of the rules at large] that they [officials] have to finetune a bit.”However, Shanaka was out next ball when he sliced one to deep third as Sri Lanka lost both their wickets five balls into the Super Over to set India just three runs to go into the final unbeaten. Suryakumar then thumped Wanindu Hasaranga first ball through the covers to seal India’s victory.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank should be using the international break to come up with a new approach to matches after a difficult run of form across all competitions.

The Lilywhites have won one of their last four matches and only two of their last seven games in all competitions, the latest of which was a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League, with five wins and just three losses in 11 matches, which is a respectable position to be in at this point in the season under a new head coach.

However, the underlying data behind their results suggests that they may slide down the table as the campaign progresses unless they are able to improve their performances.

Shots on target

38

14th

Non-penalty xG

11.0

15th

xG

11.0

15th

xGA

15.2

14th

xGD

-4.2

17th

xGD per 90

-0.38

17th

As you can see in the table above, Spurs are consistently allowing the opposition to create more high-quality chances than they create for themselves, which is not a good combination.

Frank needs to find a way to add more creativity to his squad, which is why Brennan Johnson may not have much of a long-term future as a starter in North London.

Why Spurs need to move on from Brennan Johnson

Tottenham have already had value for money from the £47.5m that they paid Nottingham Forest to sign the winger in 2023, because he scored the winning goal in the Europa League final last season. That goal, alone, made the deal to bring him to the club worth it.

The Wales international has scored 27 goals in all competitions for Spurs since his move from the Tricky Trees, per Sofascore, which shows that he has offered a fairly reliable threat as a goalscorer.

However, his all-round play as a winger has left a lot to be desired and he may need to be removed from the starting line-up, or the squad in general, in order to build a team that provides more creativity week-in-week-out.

xAG

0.10

Bottom 18%

Assists

0.12

Bottom 37%

Progressive passes

2.94

Bottom 39%

Progressive carries

2.84

Bottom 33%

Successful take-ons

0.79

Bottom 22%

Passes into the final third

1.03

Bottom 20%

Key passes

0.79

Bottom 9%

As you can see in the table above, Johnson ranked among the worst wingers in the Premier League last season when it came to creating chances and progressing play with the ball at his feet.

This season, meanwhile, the Welshman has 0.25 xA and has averaged 0.4 key passes per game across 11 appearances in the top-flight, per Sofascore, which shows that he has not improved on last season’s struggles.

Spurs eyeing move to sign LaLiga winger

Now, the Europa League champions are reportedly looking at a move for a new signing who could leave Johnson on borrowed time if he arrives in North London.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are ‘eager’ to seal a deal to sign Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo when the January transfer window opens for business.

The report claims that the Lilywhites want to add a centre-forward and a wide player to their squad to bolster their options in the final third ahead of the second half of the season, with the Japan international lined up for the latter role.

It adds that Kubo has a £52m release clause in his contract with the Spanish side, which would allow Spurs to activate that and skip negotiations over a transfer fee in January.

Football Insider also reveals that their interest in the Japanese star comes amid Everton’s desire to keep hold of their other wide target Iliman N’Diaye, as the Toffees have no intention of letting the Senegal international depart in the next transfer window.

Why Spurs should sign Takefusa Kubo

Spurs should sign the 24-year-old attacker in the January transfer window because his arrival at the club could leave Brennan Johnson on borrowed time.

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid youngster was once dubbed the ‘Japanese Messi’ by ESPN, possibly as he is another diminutive left-footed right winger who excels as a dribbler and a creator in LaLiga.

Dribbling and creating chances, as aforementioned, are two things that Johnson has struggled badly with since the start of last season in the Premier League, which is why Spurs need to find an upgrade on him.

You could look at Kubo’s statistics and question whether or not he is very creative, because he only has four assists for Real Sociedad in all competitions since the start of last season.

However, the Messi-esque winger’s underlying numbers for the Spanish side over the past year suggest that his lack of assists is down to poor finishing from his teammates.

xAG

0.17

Top 10%

Assists

0.07

Bottom 45%

Progressive passes

3.66

Bottom 22%

Progressive carries

4.60

Top 1%

Successful take-ons

2.58

Top 1%

Touches in attacking penalty area

4.81

Top 1%

Key passes

1.78

Top 10%

Passes into the penalty area

1.43

Top 9%

As you can see in the table above, Kubo ranks highly in a host of creative and dribbling metrics in the last 365 days, certainly living up to the billing that legendary Barcelona figure Xavi gave him of being “world-class.”

The Japan international created a whopping nine ‘big chances’ in LaLiga last season, for example, but was not rewarded with a single assist for his efforts in the final third, per Sofascore.

Kubo is doing all the right things by consistently taking his team up the pitch and creating high-quality chances, and the assists could follow if he comes to Spurs to play with the likes of Richarlison and Mathys Tel, which would then leave Johnson on borrowed time.

With Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert already at the club, the signing of the Real Sociedad winger could mean that the Wales international finds game time hard to come by, due to his struggles in possession, which appear to be holding Spurs back as an attacking force.

Frank must sell £55k-per-week Spurs flop who was looking "like Dembele"

Tottenham Hotspur must now look to offload one player who has failed to deliver in North London.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 16, 2025

That could make Johnson consider his long-term future in North London if a move to sign Kubo leaves him limited to a role off the bench most weeks.

Cole Palmer has suffered another unfortunate injury setback, in a serious blow to Chelsea’s plans, with the England international fracturing his toe following an "accident at home". The 23-year-old playmaker has made just four appearances this season, as he struggles for fitness, and has now been ruled out of the Blues’ next three fixtures across all competitions.

Injury frustration: Chelsea star Palmer ruled out again

Palmer has not figured for Chelsea since being forced out of a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on September 20. He has been unable to represent club or country since then, with a groin problem being nursed.

He was nearing the end of his recovery from that ailment, with Enzo Maresca looking forward to welcoming a talismanic presence back into his plans. An incident that could not have been predicted, or prevented, has now forced Palmer onto the treatment table once more.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesRevealed: Chelsea games that Palmer will miss

Maresca has revealed that Palmer will be unavailable for Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Burnley on Saturday, their Champions League home date with La Liga giants Barcelona on Tuesday and a derby date with London rivals Arsenal on November 30.

Delivering an update on Palmer and the untimely knock that he has picked up, Blues boss Maresca said: "He is probably not available for tomorrow, for sure. Barcelona for sure. Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home two days ago.

"He hit his toe. But it’s nothing important. But for sure he’s not back in the next week. The only thing we know is he’s not available for this week and next week.

"He was very close, with the groin. He was back with us almost. Then he had this small problem. The last time I saw him was yesterday. Was he limping? No, not too much. We don't know it's fractured. The only thing we know he is not available for this week and next week."

Maresca added on losing Palmer in the most unfortunate of manners: "I wake up many times in the night to go to the toilet, I hit my head and leg and everything. It can happen."

England recall: Palmer eager to make up for lost time

Palmer is reported to have spent his enforced break working hard in the gym, allowing his overall physique and fitness to be improved. He is said to have been "bulking up", while remaining a regular in the stands for Chelsea games. He has observed training sessions while working on an individual programme.

It is claimed that Palmer is “determined to make up for lost time with his country” after seeing England wrap up qualification for the 2026 World Cup without him. Maresca expects the talented No.10 to earn an immediate recall once in contention to do so.

He added: "For me personally, Cole is one of our best players. No doubt that he can play in any international team. It’s [England head coach] Thomas [Tuchel’s] decision."

One former Chelsea and England star that is looking forward to seeing Palmer return to action is Joe Cole. The Premier League title winner considers a talismanic figure at Stamford Bridge to be crucial to Maresca’s cause.

He told ahead of seeing Palmer’s reintegration into the Chelsea squad delayed: "He can elevate them, and his return will give the lads a boost. What I will say is that the players who stepped up in his absence have been superb. They have spread the goals around the team, and the performances have been great. If you played against Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer in the 10 role, it’s as good as anything in world football."

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GettyChelsea fixtures: When Palmer could return

Palmer has endured a frustrating time since helping Chelsea to glory at the 2025 Club World Cup – a tournament that saw him awarded the Golden Ball. The former PFA Young Player of the Year has been restricted to just 145 minutes of Premier League football this term.

If he is ready to return after the Blues’ next three games, then it could be that he plays some part in a Premier League clash with Leeds at Elland Road on December 3 – although no risks will be taken on his fitness.

Arsenal are flying high right now, but speculation remains rife ahead of the looming January transfer window.

Arsenal already backed Mikel Arteta with a near-£270 million spending spree in the summer, welcoming eight new faces as the north Londoners seek to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

The investment from Andrea Berta and high-ranking Emirates Stadium officials has paid immediate dividends, with Arsenal sitting atop the Premier League with eight wins and just one loss — establishing themselves as clear title favourites.

Arsenal may have seen their defensive supremacy punctured by Sunderland, who ended their run of eight successive clean sheets in all competitions, but Arteta’s side remain four points clear, undefeated in 14 and the team to beat.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal’s water-tight defence and set-piece supremacy have been largely to thank for this, and their form is all the more impressive considering Arteta’s host of attacking players out injured right now.

Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard have all been sidelined recently, giving Arteta a real selection headache, but it is believed that the five are also racing to be fit for Arsenal’s looming North London derby against Tottenham.

Norway boss Stale Solbakken caused quite a stir this week when he said that Odegaard was still “some distance away” from an injury return, so it remains to be seen if he will be back in time to face Spurs, but Havertz and Madueke have impressed Arsenal staff with their rehabilitation.

Both men were deemed ahead of schedule in their recovery plans, so they could well return to the fold, with Gyokeres and Martinelli also vying for contention.

However, one player who’s been definitively ruled out is striker Gabriel Jesus.

The Brazilian hasn’t featured since rupturing his ACL during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Man United in January, and despite returning to training recently, the seriousness of his injury means that Tottenham will come too soon for Jesus.

A return is expected before the end of the year though (Simon Collings), with Jesus now taking time out from his recovery to talk about his future at the club.

Gabriel Jesus makes January transfer statement and names desired next club

The 28-year-old has been regularly linked with a January exit following the arrival of Gyokeres, but Jesus told Revista Placar that there is no chance he’ll be leaving in the new year.

However, Jesus did confirm that he wants to return to Palmeiras after leaving Arsenal, and the club equally want him.

Arteta spoke about the forward’s imminent return recently, explaining how he can’t wait to have Arsenal’s ‘very unpredictable’ weapon back, so it appears Arsenal’s manager isn’t overly keen on a winter exit either.

With Arsenal competing on four fronts, it will be a major boost to have Jesus to call upon once again, as Arteta will need every possible advantage at his disposal.

Harry Brook and Corbin Bosch have been the first casualties in this game of cricket chicken, and no one is safe

Alan Gardner16-Apr-2025It’s Trade Wars Szn, apparently, and while cricket won’t register high on the import/export ledger in either China or the US, that doesn’t mean the game is short on geopolitical posturing. Witness the PSL opting to go toe-to-toe with the IPL during the global T20 circuit’s premium window.What does it all mean, apart from a brightly coloured smorgasboard of short-form frippery swamping the airwaves just when the County Championship is looking to remind everyone it still exists? Inevitably there are clashes and conflicts, although the legal shemozzle threatened by the ECB, attempting to limit the global supply of James Vince, was resolved amicably enough in the end.Others have not been so fortunate. The T20 ecosystem is now so complex that we’re seeing the introduction of what economists call non-tariff barriers (Pakistan players might suggest these have existed, at least where the IPL is concerned, for some time). Hence Corbin Bosch, having broken an agreement with Peshawar Zalmi in order to run the drinks for Mumbai Indians, can now expect to be impounded on the spot should he step into Pakistan at any point over the next 12 months.Related

• 'It's not harsh' – Moeen on Brook's potential two-year IPL ban

• Corbin Bosch banned from PSL for one year for withdrawing from 2025 season

• Khushdil Shah involved in crowd trouble during NZ-Pakistan ODI at Mount Maunganui

• James Anderson to sit out April but refuses to bow out yet

This, of course, mirrors the sanction imposed by the IPL on those players who bail out of lucrative contracts at short notice. (Who are these ingrates? Do they think they have free will?) Although you suspect that if, say, new England white-ball captain Harry Brook were to triumphantly lift the T20 World Cup at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium early next year, his two-year ban would be rescinded as quickly as the first team owner could say “Hey, maybe this guy can play spin after all…”Because if the Light Roller has learned anything about trade wars, it’s that they boil down to strategy, brinkmanship and holding your nerve. That and rewriting the regulations whenever is convenient, which the BCCI surely has in its locker.

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Could the man to unite the warring parties be TikTok teddy bear David Warner? Australia’s former attack dog is now off the leash, negotiating the gig economy as a T20 freelancer. And while he found himself surplus to requirements in the IPL mega auction, he landed safely in the arms of the PSL, picked in the platinum category and given the Karachi Kings captaincy to boot. He has already showcased his diplomatic skills by playing down the idea that he has received any stick from Indian fans after crossing the aisle – though this might be business savvy as much as his innate feel for subcontinental relations. With his 2min 50sec cameo in Tollywood flick he stands to be one of the few cricketers to be putting bums on seats in both India and Pakistan over the next few weeks.Scowl’s honour: Jimmy Anderson would be playing till the cows come home if it wasn’t for the damned calf•Getty Images

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James Anderson may have been rejected by the IPL, but that has not dimmed his enthusiasm for a 24th English domestic season with Lancashire. By which we mean he turned up to the team’s media day in Manchester looking moodier than Tom Moody in a muu-muu morosely mooching around Morrisons in search of a mango mousse on a mizzly Monday morning, before declaring himself fitter than he’s ever been (but also injured and unavailable to play for the first month). England, of course, decided to pension Anderson off last season, and he’s all set to be given a knighthood – but nothing could keep him from the county grind. Except a dodgy calf.

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Speaking of heritage cricketers, it has come to the Light Roller’s attention that MS Dhoni is still playing at the highest level – almost five years since we last made a joke about the ongoing circus around his retirement. You can understand why CSK are clinging on. Dhoni has won games for them purely on his aura, or at least a well-judged wink at the right opposition bowler. Which is fine, but being able to run might also help. “His knees aren’t what they used to be,” admitted Stephen Fleming, in tones that are usually reserved for discussing grandpa’s trips to the supermarket. One day, no doubt, there’ll be a statue of Dhoni up at Chepauk, but for now it sounds like the Whistle Podu crew are having to make do with a still life.

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Fan engagement, that’s what every sporting organisation wants to drive these days. Although perhaps not of the kind that Khushdil Shah attempted during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. Khushdil had to be held back by security after two spectators, allegedly Afghans, started shouting “anti-Pakistan slogans” – something you’d think the Pakistan players might have to start preparing for back home after being beaten by a combined 7-1 scoreline across white-ball formats. Still, it could have been worse. At least no one called Khushdil a potato.

Limited play increases prospect of draw, but champions have a shot at pushing for victory

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Sep-2025Only 21.1 overs were possible on day three at the Kia Oval but title favourites Surrey still used that time profitably to score 95 more second-innings runs and boost their chances of being able to force championship victory against Warwickshire.Dodging the showers in the afternoon, in two mini-sessions, allowed Ben Foakes and Dan Lawrence to add an unbroken 57 for the third wicket as Surrey reached 276 for two – and a lead of 274 to take into the Division One game’s final day.Foakes batted beautifully for 41 not out from 66 balls, with six fours, while Lawrence drove Ethan Bamber majestically over extra cover for six and also struck three fours in an unbeaten 36-ball 29.Earlier, in nine overs’ play before the first rain of the day arrived at 11.09am, Ollie Pope went quickly from his overnight 56 to 78, from 103 balls, before being bowled off an inside edge as he gave Michael Booth’s fast-medium the charge and tried to hit him over mid off.Pope had included a six and eight fours in an impressive knock that did much to provide Surrey with much-needed second innings impetus.Surrey, nine points ahead of nearest challengers Nottinghamshire at the start of the match, are seeking a fourth successive Rothesay County Championship title and – particularly if Notts can chase a fourth innings target of 136 to beat Worcestershire at New Road – will feel they also need to win this match.On 181 for one overnight, after taking control of the contest on day two after Warwickshire had replied with 248 to Surrey’s own first innings 246, Rory Burns’s side saw Dom Sibley retire hurt on his overnight score of 64 due to a recurring groin injury.Foakes and Pope added 38 runs in the day’s first 39-minute session, and Lawrence had only faced three balls following Pope’s dismissal when bad weather intervened and prevented any more play until 1.50pm.Nine runs were then scored in four overs, with rain causing another seven-minute delay before a further 8.1 overs were bowled in which Foakes and Lawrence plundered 48 ahead of a 2.49pm downpour.The hard-working Oval groundstaff did twice try to get play on again when the rain eased off for two separate spells, but then yet more rain swept in from the West to force an abandonment of the day’s play at 5.25pm. On the final day, weather permitting, Surrey will surely be looking for 50 or so more quick runs before declaring and trying to bowl Warwickshire out a second time.

The international break is something of a blessing and a curse for Arsenal.

On the one hand, it gives the club respite from their current injury crisis, but on the other, they have to wait two weeks to make amends for the draw away to Sunderland.

However, even though they saw their lead cut on Sunday evening, Mikel Arteta’s side are in a great spot in the Premier League.

Moreover, despite injuries, the side is full to bursting with talent, including one player who’s starting to look like another Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The latest on Lewis-Skelly's future at Arsenal

It would be fair to say that, aside from their run in the Champions League, last season was something of a disappointment for Arsenal.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, there were at least a couple of positives to come from it, such as the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly.

The latter was more of a surprise to most, and yet over the course of the campaign, he became a far more significant part of the side, effectively becoming Arteta’s first-choice left-back.

In fact, by the end of the season, the 19-year-old had made 39 first-team appearances, totalling 2306 minutes, and even made his full debut for England, during which he scored.

However, so far this season has been a totally different story for the youngster, as while he has still made 12 appearances, only four of those have been starts, and overall, he has played just 463 minutes of action.

During the last international break, Thomas Tuchel said that this lack of game time could result in him not picking the Islington-born ace.

Unfortunately, that’s what’s happened this international break.

Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal record
Season	24/25	25/26
Appearances	39	12
Starts	26	4
Minutes	2306′	463′
Goals	1	0
Assists	2	3
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Unsurprisingly, this has led to reports that other Premier League clubs are now interested in signing the youngster in the winter transfer window.

However, the same reports make it clear that Arteta and Co are keen to keep the Hale Ender at the club, and that they expect him to play more minutes as the season progresses.

With that said, if Arsenal do decide to cash in, they do have another youngster in the side who is showing shades of Lewis-Skelly in his game.

Arsenal's new Lewis-Skelly

Even though Riccardo Calafiori and Pieiro Hincapie are his competition at left-back, the Arsenal player who is showing shades of Lewis-Skelly in his game this season is Cristhian Mosquera.

Now, that might sound like a leap to begin with, but “similarly to Lewis-Skelly,” per analyst Ben Mattinson, the Spaniard has shown an immense level of “physical maturity for his age.”

More than that, though, the 21-year-old has also shown a remarkable mental maturity, which was on full display when he came on and played almost the whole game away to Liverpool, and then started the club’s opening Champions League game against Athletic Bilbao.

While he may have been described as a “monster” by Gunners insider Hand of Arsenal, where most young defenders would need their hand held by a senior teammate or go crashing into ridiculous challenges, the former Valencia gem is thoughtful about when he goes in for a tackle or block.

However, that’s not to say he is adverse to the more physical side of the game, as, just like Lewis-Skelly, he is someone who “loves to battle with physical attackers,” according to Mattinson.

Moreover, while most fans and pundits alike expected the exciting youngster to play a minor role this season, the Valencia-born titan is following in the Hale Ender’s footsteps from last season and playing a far more significant role than most predicted.

For example, he has already made 12 appearances, five of which have been starts, totalling 597 minutes.

Finally, like the Englishman, he is not solely limited to playing a single position, as in addition to playing at centre-back, he can do a job at right-back.

Ultimately, there are some differences between them, but in terms of mentality, raw ability, and attitude, there are plenty of similarities between Mosquera and Lewis-Skelly.

After Dowman: Hale End has given Arsenal a future star who's "like Vieira"

The incredible prospect could be another Max Dowman-style star for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 12, 2025