Chris Green agrees Lancashire deal for 2025 and 2026 Blast

Lancashire have signed Australia allrounder Chris Green as one of their overseas players in the Vitality T20 Blast for the next two seasons.Green, 31, was Lancashire’s leading wicket-taker in the Blast this summer with 14, helping the club to qualify for the knockouts – although, due to the lengthy gap after the group stage, he had moved on to the CPL and was unavailable for their quarter-final defeat against Sussex.His contract again includes the provision to play in the County Championship and One-Day Cup, subject to availability. Green, who also turned out for Trent Rockets in the Hundred, made six One-Day Cup games appearances – scoring his maiden hundred – and one in the Championship for Lancashire in 2024.”I absolutely loved my first year with the club and I am even more excited to be coming back for the next two seasons – I can’t wait to join up with the team again next summer,” Green said. “It is a really special group of players at Lancashire. I know that there are big things to come, and I am looking forward to playing my part in that during 2025 and 2026.”I really felt the support from all of the Red Rose Members and supporters this summer and I can’t wait to see you all again next season at Emirates Old Trafford.”Lancahisre’s director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, said: “One of our key priorities heading into the winter was to secure Chris’ services so we are really pleased to get this deal done early and to have his commitment to playing for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast for the next two years.”Chris made a huge impact for us on the field and had a number of options and offers to play around the world, but we are delighted that he has committed to being here at Emirates Old Trafford. Not only did Chris’ performances with bat and ball stand out this season but he also really impressed us with his leadership and his personality had a huge influence on the dressing room. We are all looking forward to welcoming him back to the club next summer.”

Breetzke back at Northants

Northamptonshire, meanwhile, have re-signed South Africa top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the first half of the 2025 summer. Breetzke will be available for Northants’ first eight games in the County Championship, as well as the whole of the Blast group stage.The 25-year-old finished as Northants’ leading run-scorer in the 2024 Blast, with 460 at a strike rate of 153.84, helping the club to reach the quarter-finals.”I’m delighted to sign with Northamptonshire for the 2025 season,” Breetzke said. “I really enjoyed my time at the club this year. I think the team has a lot of potential to push for promotion as well as go a few steps further in the Blast and win it. I’m looking forward to helping the team and hopefully achieving many more victories along the way.”

Their next Duran: Aston Villa open talks to sign "powerful" £13m sensation

Are Aston Villa now able to spend freely?

On Monday, completely coincidentally on the final day of their accounting year, the Villans sold their women’s team to themselves, thereby avoiding breaching the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules.

So now, having avoided a potential points deduction, Unai Emery will be looking to bolster his squad, so could Villa land a new striker?

Aston Villa targeting attacking reinforcements

Jhon Durán has to go down as one of the best pieces of business in modern Premier League history, joining Aston Villa from Chicago Fire in January 2023 for a reported fee of around £13m, having made just 27 appearances for the Men in Red in Major League Soccer, scoring eight goals.

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran

Well, two years later, following his scoring spree at the start of last season, Durán was sold to Al-Nassr for £71m last January, representing a near 600% return on investment, easing the Villans’ PSR concerns.

Well, the Colombian is back in the news again because, after a miserly 18 appearances in Saudi Arabia, scoring 12 goals, he is reportedly set to join José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, continuing one of the more unique and bizarre career arcs.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, speaking of İstanbul-based giants, a report by TurkishFootball.com claims that Villa are in talks with Beşiktaş over the possibility of signing striker Semih Kılıçsoy, adding that he is valued at €15m (£13m).

Well, the Black Eagles themselves, who are managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær these days, have just signed Tammy Abraham from AC Milan for the exact same amount, with the England international having been handed Kılıçsoy’s number nine shirt.

In response to this, journalist Fırat Günayer stated that he would be “surprised” if Kılıçsoy was still with Beşiktaş by the end of the transfer window, adding “there are a few offers… on the table”.

So, could the 19-year-old be set to swap the Bosphorus for Birmingham?

Why Semih Kılıçsoy could replicate Jhon Durán's success at Aston Villa

After joining Beşiktaş as an 11-year-old, Kılıçsoy made his Süper Lig debut against Antalyaspor in February 2023, before scoring his first goal for the Black Eagles during a Conference League qualifying victory over KF Tirana five months later.

In total, he has netted 16 times in 85 appearances for the Turkish giants, winning the Türkiye Kupası in 2024, his most notable goal coming against Malmö in the Europa League last November, this coming in a 2-1 victory at Tüpraş Stadyumu.

His performances have earned international recognition too, debuting for Türkiye against Italy at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara last June, subsequently included in Vincenzo Montella’s Euros squad.

Given his performances, analyst Ben Mattinson has dubbed him a “very powerful” forward, while Luis Kircher of Total Football Analysis believes that he is known for his ‘lethal finishing capabilities’ and ‘versatility’, forecasting that he will become a ‘prolific’ goalscorer at the elite level in the coming years.

So, let’s see how Kılıçsoy compares to Durán, prior to his move to Villa from Illinois.

Appearances

85

75

Minutes

4,227

4,182

Goals

16

17

Assists

9

10

Senior international caps

4

3

As the table outlines, Durán, prior to joining Aston Villa, and Kılıçsoy right now boast similar levels of experience, with the Turkish striker actually having accumulated more senior appearances and minutes, scoring just one fewer goal. He also boasts that necessary “selfish” streak that the Colombian possesses, as Mattinson noted.

Also, Durán had played in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A and MLS which, according to Global Football Rankings, are the 32nd and ninth-strongest leagues in the world, with the Turkish Süper Lig somewhere in the middle at 18th.

Thus, it is clear that Kılıçsoy is a high-quality, high-potential player, one that is seemingly on the way out of Beşiktaş, suggesting he is available and more than talented enough to be a star at Villa Park.

Potentially arriving as a relative unknown teenager, in a similar vein to Duran, the promising marksman could be Emery’s next Villa success story.

The next Tielemans: Aston Villa submit bid to sign "incredible" £34m star

Aston Villa fans would love to welcome in this new signing who could be Unai Emery’s next Youri Tielemans.

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Wayne Rooney named the best midfielder out of Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard

Whilst England are lucky to have the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden to choose from at the heart of their midfield these days, it wasn’t so long ago that Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes were all available in the engine room.

The current generation is special, but England’s last ‘golden generation’ still arguably had the most talent at their disposal in pursuit of a first honour since the 1966 World Cup.

It wasn’t just in midfield that the Three Lions were spoilt for talent. It’s a squad which also featured Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. And the list could go on.

Many have had their say as to why England were dumped out of the 2002 World Cup and then on penalties against Portugal at Euro 2004, including Lampard. The former England and Chelsea midfielder told reporters: “I think at times, we [the Golden Generation] were too rigid. I talk from my own personal experience of playing at World Cups against teams that were not at our level.

“I’m not talking about France and Italy, more teams like Ecuador, who were keeping the ball in midfield because they were outnumbering us in the centre of the park. The things that maybe me and Stevie [Steven Gerrard] were used to doing where we had numbers, now we are just trying to cover space and you get a bit mentally done with it in the game wondering why this is happening.”

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Outnumbered or not, there’s no denying the quality that England particularly had in the middle of the park. But finding the right balance between Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes often proved to be The Three Lions’ biggest problem, and that sparked a midfield debate which has rumbled on for decades since.

Rooney named Gerrard as his greatest ever England teammate

Having played with all three at international level and Scholes with Manchester United too, Rooney should be an expert in the age-old England midfield debate, and he delivered his official verdict to The Overlap in 2024.

Whilst praising all three, Rooney went on to reiterate that Scholes could not achieve what Gerrard did in a Liverpool side which often struggled to compete with the very top honours: “All were world-class players. Stevie could come to Manchester United and be a top player and do what Scholes could do. But I don’t think Scholes could do what Stevie did at Liverpool.”

Premier League

Gerrard

Lampard

Scholes

Appearances

504

611

499

Goals

121

177

107

Assists

97

116

61

League titles

0

3

11

The numbers certainly don’t help to end the debate after Rooney’s verdict, but what they do highlight is England’s clear failure with all three at their disposal in a golden generation.

Chelsea open discussions with £149m forward who Ronaldinho loves watching

Chelsea have now opened discussions with the representatives of a marquee forward, who Barcelona legend Ronaldinho says he loves watching, with manager Enzo Maresca seemingly looking to add more flair to his squad.

Chelsea target new winger this summer amid uncertain futures

Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk face uncertain long-term futures at Stamford Bridge, meaning Chelsea could dip into the market for a new winger this summer.

Chelsea hold extensive talks to sign £38m ex-Fulham star who Mourinho wants

The Stamford Bridge legend is a long-time fan.

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Mudryk faces a lengthy on-field ban after failing a drugs test, while some reports claim Sancho could be used in a Chelsea swap deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, after the club trigger his obligation to buy clause.

Chelsea’s final four Premier League fixtures

Date

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

Chelsea are also open to selling Madueke, amid interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa (GiveMeSport), while fellow attacker João Félix is also widely expected to depart west London again this summer after a lacklustre loan spell at AC Milan.

Sweeping changes are therefore anticipated at Chelsea ahead of another potentially busy summer, with reliable journalist Simon Phillips claiming a new wide player is among BlueCo’s top priorities.

Gittens is believed to be a key target, with talks already taking place ahead of the first window, which will open on June 1st and give Chelsea the chance to sign desired players before their Club World Cup campaign.

However, it is now believed that Gittens is emerging as a key target for Arsenal as well, so Maresca’s side face stiff competition from the Gunners, with some reports claiming the latter are favourites as things stand (Ruhr Nachrichten).

Chelsea hold discussions with AC Milan star Rafael Leao

According to Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo, Chelsea have their eyes on a superstar alternative to Gittens – AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.

The Portugal international is a key player for Milan, amid reports that his contract includes a sky-high release clause of around £149 million, which will reportedly only be active from July 5th to July 15th (Foot Mercato).

AC Milan's RafaelLeaocelebrates scoring their first goal

The clause can also be paid in multiple installments, making it slightly easier for interested parties, but this is still a hefty investment to say the least. Clubs will most likely look to whittle down this monstrous price, and Chelsea are believed to have held informal discussions with Leao’s camp ahead of a potential move, alongside Al-Nassr.

The main question is – would Leao be worth the effort? The 25-year-old’s return of 12 goals and 13 assists this season tells just half the story, with Ronaldinho on record stating that Leao is one of his favourite players to watch.

“Leao does not need my advice,” said the Brazil icon.

“He is a great player. He is one of the players I most enjoy watching.”

Emery struck gold on Aston Villa star worth more than Doue & Kvaratskhelia

Aston Villa suffered defeat in their Champions League quarter-final first leg away from home against Paris Saint-Germian on Wednesday night.

It was a disappointing night at the office for Unai Emery’s side, who defended with lots of heart throughout but ultimately could not stop the French giants from scoring three goals, running out 3-1 winners.

It was a game filled with high-quality finishes across the board from both sides. Two of those strikes came from PSG’s wide pair of Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who were driving at the Villans’ defence nonstop throughout the game. It is fair to say they struggled to contain on the night.

Aston Villa’s struggles against Doue and Kvaratskhelia

Villa’s defenders might not have a tougher task this season than dealing with Doue and Kvaratskhelia. The pair were electric and made life tough to cope with for Villa, with both players getting on the scoresheet.

Doue’s strike was an excellent one, cutting inside on his right foot and curling an effort into the top right corner past Martinez.

As for Kvaratskhelia’s, well, you could argue it was even better. He picked up the ball inside the Villa half, carried it into their box before selling Axel Disasi a dummy by rolling his foot over the ball and blasting it home at Emi Martinez’s near post.

Journalist Mohamed Salad said they are the reason “why you pay to watch football games” which is rather apt. He made things incredibly stressful for Disasi and Matty Cash, the Villans’ rightbacks on the night. The latter was booked and taken off at half-time, before Disasi, who replaced the Poland star, was rolled for Kvaratskhelia’s goal.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

Incredibly, the West Midlands outfit have a player worth even more than both.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

The Villa player worth more than Doue and Kvaratskhelia

On big Champions League nights, you need your star players to stand up for the count, and that is certainly what Doue and Kvaratskhelia did.

Coincidentally, it’s also what England international Morgan Rogers did at the Parc des Princes too. The England international, who is a “wonderful”, in the words of Glenn Hoddle, got his side’s only goal in Paris.

What a strike it was, too, adding to the list of high-quality goals on show. The former Manchester Cty academy star got on the end of a wonderful team move, started by John McGinn, who won the ball back in midfield.

He fired it along the ground to Marcus Rashford, who played a perfectly weighted pass to Youri Tielemans. The Belgian fired the ball across the box, and Rogers tapped home.

It was a brilliant goal from Unai Emery’s side, and it is no surprise that Rogers was the man to cap off such a wonderful move. He now has 14 goals and 11 assists in 45 appearances this term in the famous Claret and Blue shirt.

When looking at Rogers’ underlying numbers courtesy of Sofascore, you can see just how well he has played across all competitions. For example, the England star has played 62 key passes and 90 successful dribbles.

Key passes

62

1.5

Dribbles completed

90

2.2

Big chances created

18

0.4

Tackles and interceptions

51

1.3

Expected goal involvements

14.52xGI

0.35xGI

Football Transfers now believe he is worth more than both Doue and Kvaratskhelia. The attacker, who was born in Halesowen, is worth around £68m. In contrast, via, Football Transfers, Doue is worth a £53m, and Kvaratskhelia is valued at £60m. Not bad indeed.

Impressively, that valuation is more than any of his teammates at Villa Park and if anything, that just highlights the importance of Rogers and the excellent investment that Villa made.

They paid just £15m last January to sign him from Middlesbrough, a brilliant signing.

As bad as Cash: Emery must axe 5/10 Aston Villa dud who completed 11 passes

Aston Villa suffered a 3-1 defeat away to PSG

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 10, 2025

Pace is the ace: why you need quick bowlers to win in Australia

Top-quality fast bowling always helps when you’re trying to win a series in Australia, and the history of the Ashes bears that out

Greg Chappell04-Oct-2025It was Douglas Jardine who said in , “Cricket is a game of skill, but it is also a game of war. You must find a way to win or you are lost.”As the shadows lengthen over the Australian summer, the 2025-26 Ashes series looms in Perth on 21 November, a mere six weeks away. For England, under the audacious stewardship of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, the mantra is clear: speed thrills.Their squad, boasting a “cartel” of express pacemen led by the enigmatic Jofra Archer and the thunderous Mark Wood, offers echoes of history’s lessons. To understand this bold gambit, we must rewind to the summer of 1932-33, when Jardine faced a Hobson’s Choice – take the only option on offer or face certain defeat. Bodyline, that infamous tactic, was not born of malice but necessity, a desperate counter to Donald Bradman’s otherworldly batting. It reminds us that cricket, for all its genteel veneer, can ignite passions that spill beyond civil norms, turning gentlemen into gladiators and crowds into cauldrons of fury.Related

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Jardine’s predicament was the stuff of captaincy nightmares. Bradman had just dismantled England in their own backyard during the 1930 Ashes, amassing 974 runs at an average of 139.14 – a record that still beggars belief. His triple-century at Headingley was a symphony of dominance, reducing England’s attack to rubble. Jardine, a steely Oxford-educated amateur with a disdain for defeat, knew that accepting Bradman’s supremacy fatalistically was tantamount to surrender. As England’s captain, his remit was unequivocal: find a way, within the laws, to curb this prolific scoring machine. But what options did he have? Conventional bowling had proved futile; spin was neutralised on Australia’s true pitches; and seamers like Hedley Verity offered control but not terror.Herein lies the essence of Jardine’s Hobson’s Choice – the illusion of alternatives masking a singular path. He turned to “fast leg theory”, a tactic not invented by him but refined to lethal precision. Precedents abounded in the 1920s. Australian fast bowlers like Jack Gregory and Ted McDonald had employed similar short-pitched barrages with packed leg-side fields during the 1920-21 Ashes, unsettling English batters on lively surfaces. Jardine, ever the tactician, drew from this example, consulting Nottinghamshire’s Arthur Carr and Percy Fender, who had trialled it domestically. He came upon the idea observing Bradman flinch against Harold Larwood’s bouncer at The Oval in 1930. “I’ve got it! He’s vulnerable!” Jardine exclaimed. Secret sessions in London honed the plan: short balls at the body, a ring of leg-side fielders to snare deflections. It was legal, innovative, and crucially, the only sensible option against a batter averaging over 100.Critics vilified Jardine as unsportsmanlike, but as a former captain, I see his dilemma plainly. Every leader, amateur or professional, bears the responsibility of solving the game’s riddles. To let Bradman score at will would betray Jardine’s team, his nation, and the competitive spirit of cricket. Bradman averaged 56.57 in the Bodyline series – still formidable, but mortal. The series’ flashpoints, like the Adelaide riot after Bert Oldfield’s skull fracture, evoked raw emotions: Australian crowds baying for blood, diplomatic cables flying between boards, threats of trade boycotts (and this during the Great Depression). Sport, in such moments, transcends civility, tapping into tribal loyalties that can fracture empires. Jardine became the scapegoat, retiring from Tests thereafter, but his choice delivered a 4-1 victory. Without it, England would have been lambs to Bradman’s slaughter.This theme – pace as the great equaliser in Australia – threads through every English Ashes win down under since Bodyline. History is unequivocal: to win in these vast, sun-baked arenas, you need express bowlers who can intimidate, extract bounce, and shatter partnerships on pitches that reward raw speed over subtle swing.Top bowling, old boy: Chris Tremlett is mobbed by his team-mates after England make it 3-1 in Sydney early in 2011•Associated PressConsider the 1954-55 series, which England won 3-1 win under Len Hutton. Frank Tyson, called “Typhoon” for his 95mph thunderbolts, claimed 28 wickets at 20.82, terrorising batters with sheer velocity on firm tracks. Brian Statham’s accurate outswing complemented him, but it was Tyson’s pace that broke Australia’s spirit, reducing legends like Neil Harvey to caution. Emotions ran high; Tyson’s ferocity evoked Bodyline, with crowds murmuring about “intimidation”, but in the end it was the key to victory.Fast-forward to 1970-71, Ray Illingworth’s 2-0 triumph. John Snow, lanky and lethal at 90mph, snared 31 wickets, his bounce and skid exploiting Australian frailties. Bob Willis, on debut, added fire. The series boiled over in the last Test, in Sydney, where a Snow bouncer felled Terry Jenner, sparking a bottle-throwing melee and Illingworth leading his team off the field in protest. Again, pace stirred primal reactions, but it secured the urn.Mike Brearley’s 5-1 rout in 1978-79 leaned on Willis’ speed and bounce (20 wickets) and Ian Botham’s deceptive pace and all-round skill (23 wickets). Willis’ hostility on Perth’s bouncy deck set the tone, evoking crowd hostility that bordered on the uncivil – boos, jeers, even objects hurled. Again, without this pace edge, England’s win would have evaporated.England’s 2-1 upset in the 1986-87 series under Mike Gatting, saw Graham Dilley take 16 wickets with his sharp pace. Botham chipped in again with nine wickets, his medium-fast swing and bounce augmented by Gladstone Small’s (12 wickets) awkward speed. Emotions peaked in Melbourne, where Botham’s heroics fused triumph with controversy, his off-field antics amplifying the drama.Most recently, the 3-1 masterclass under Andrew Strauss in 2010-11 rested on James Anderson’s 24 wickets (late swing at 88-92mph), Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn’s towering bounce (31 wickets between them). Their cartel overwhelmed Australia, with Mitchell Johnson’s waywardness contrasting with England’s precision. The Gabba draw turned on pace pressure, and the series’ intensity – verbal sledging, crowd taunts – underscored how speed ignites passions that push boundaries.In each case England’s victories hinged on one or more express bowlers. Spin played cameos but pace was the protagonist, exploiting Australia’s pace-friendly conditions: Perth’s steepling bounce; Brisbane’s humidity, which aids swing; Melbourne’s variable decks. Without it, touring sides wilt under home dominance – think Australia’s Lillee-Thomson terror in the 1970s or McGrath-Gillespie’s relentlessness in the 2000s.England’s 1932-33 series was indubitably secured by fast bowling•JA Hampton/Getty ImagesNow to the present. McCullum and Stokes have done their homework. They have prioritised the fitness of Archer and Wood, assembling a sextet of quicks – including Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue – apart from Stokes himself, to launch an assault. “We need that cartel fit and firing,” McCullum declared, echoing Jardine’s resolve. Archer’s X-factor swing and Wood’s 95mph heat are statements of intent; the two have been managed meticulously after injuries to peak in Perth. With only Shoaib Bashir as spinner, they’ve put nearly all eggs in the speed basket, betting on rotation to sustain pressure across five Tests.Australia lack a Bradman, but curbing Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green to mortal outputs will be pivotal. The openers will be important to Australia’s success, but it is the middle order that will need to make big runs if Australia are to win the series. If England’s attack delivers and dismantles Australia’s middle order, McCullum and Stokes will join the list of successful England leaders in Australia.Batting-wise, England appear settled, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett’s aggressiveness as openers, Ollie Pope’s flair, Joe Root’s mastery, Jamie Smith’s precociousness, and Harry Brook’s prodigious talent – the latter averages 57.55 in Tests, a comet streaking across world cricket. Australia’s line-up will look more settled before the first Test on the back of early-season form, but vulnerabilities persist in the wake of David Warner’s retirement.Yet, batters will be critical only insofar as they withstand the barrage. This series, like its forebears, will be decided by the superior bowling side. England’s pace gamble could evoke Bodyline’s emotions – imagine a bouncer from Archer felling a key bat, crowds erupting, words flying. Sport’s power lies here: it distils human drama, where triumph and controversy collide, pushing participants and spectators beyond civil norms into realms of raw passion.Jardine took the only sensible option. History affirms pace’s primacy in Australia, and in 2025-26 too, bowling will crown the victor. As the urn beckons, let the need for speed reignite cricket’s eternal fire.

Bengaluru ready to jazz up women's cricket through WPL

Mumbai has been the go-to venue for women’s cricket in the recent years. But it’s a welcome change with Bengaluru hosting this WPL

Ashish Pant22-Feb-2024Grace Harris, the Australia and UP Warriorz batter, is on her fourth trip to India. She has barely seen anything beyond Mumbai’s Marine Drive and the route along the expressway to the DY Patil Stadium. Bengaluru, which is hosting the second edition of WPL, is a welcome change.Harris isn’t the only one. Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning, a global superstar who scorched the international scene for 13 years, hadn’t played any cricket in Bengaluru. On Thursday, the former Australia captain was at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time.It’s not like seasoned international players haven’t been keen on playing elsewhere. Mumbai had until now been the go-to venue for women’s cricket in recent years, because of logistical issues, Covid-19 pandemic, or crunched calendars. But with this year’s WPL, the BCCI has finally extended the canvas with the tournament equally split – 11 games each – between Bengaluru and New Delhi.Related

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“I have not been to Bangalore before, so it’s nice to experience a new city,” Lanning said at the inaugural press conference on Thursday. “I have personally thoroughly enjoyed it thus far and I know the other girls have as well.”Like anywhere in India, they’re cricket mad…love their cricket and support it extremely well and that will certainly play out as the games go here. I think it is great that the WPL is able to move around and be in different cities to expose the game to different fans and new fans, hopefully.”I have only just sort of seen the stadium for the first time over the last couple of days, but it looks a pretty cool stadium. Hopefully, there are a lot of people here tomorrow night and throughout the tournament to experience the WPL. It is certainly a great spectacle.”Four of the five teams arrived in the city over ten days ago, camping at different hotels, and setting base at different training centers across the city. There have been no favours for even the supposed hosts, Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have had to at times travel an hour towards the outskirts to train at Just Cricket Academy near the international airport. That’s because teams have been allotted training sessions equally at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Capitals trained at the Dravid-Padukone Centre of Excellence in north Bengaluru, while Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, preferred to practice at their private facility in Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai, where they trained on surfaces similar to the one they will encounter here. Mumbai were among the last to arrive, on Tuesday.The vibe is picking up, and while it isn’t anywhere close to what you get in Bengaluru, you’d expect the curiosity and interest to swell once the tournament kicks off. Unlike last year, where entry was only partially ticketed – women were allowed free entry – the entire tournament will be ticketed this year. The BCCI has ensured they’ve been priced economically to ensure bigger footfalls.In comparison to IPL where ticket prices start in the range of INR 500 to 1000 and go north of INR 50,000, the prices for the WPL games are in the range of INR 100 to 499. The BCCI had initially opened just two stands at the Chinnaswamy for the first game, and while those stands got filled up quickly, they decided to open a few more later on.The venue, though, was buzzing with finishing touches applied to the grand stage that is set to host Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan and his crew of actors for a glitzy opening ceremony.The halogen lights put up across the seats were glittering in full glory, the sound system was blaring out music in full blast, the dance troupe was putting in their final touches at rehearsals, and the tournament branding splattered across the venue felt new and polished. Shahrukh Khan also rehearsed for a good two hours alongside other actors before walking over to each of the two teams, Capitals and Mumbai, who were practising in the backdrop.The real buzz will perhaps be felt on Saturday when RCB open their campaign against UP Warriorz. Bengaluru has always been a cricket-crazy city, and their loyalty to RCB in the IPL is unparalleled. The one thing that’s been missing though is women’s cricket. That changes now, and Bengaluru as always is ready for it.

Kyle Jamieson: 'If Lord's have those prawns again, there'll be some full stomachs out on the field'

The New Zealand fast bowler on coffee, Italian food and what possibly did the tourists in against England in the first Test earlier this month

Interview by Alan Gardner23-Jun-2022This interview was conducted ahead of New Zealand’s Test series in EnglandWhat’s your go-to meal?
Probably Italian. There is a place that my partner and I go to in Auckland that does a lovely duck risotto.What about cooking – do you have a speciality in the kitchen?
I’ve tended in the last couple of years to go more down the path of eating out and enjoying someone else’s expertise rather than my own. Especially when we travel a lot, you get a chance to try some new places and different sorts of foods.Which cricket venue has the best catering?
I think a lot of people would say Lord’s but I’m going to go either Hagley Oval or Bay Oval.What edges out Lord’s?
It’s in New Zealand (). Yeah, I think it’s probably just being at home – you get to experience those places a bit more. I’ve only been to Lord’s once, so maybe it’ll shift in a couple of weeks’ time. But I’m happy to stick with some homegrown food.Related

Alice Capsey: 'English chocolate is better than any other country's'

Keshav Maharaj: 'When I retire I'm going to stuff myself with all of my mom's cooking'

Heather Knight: 'The first time I was at Lord's they had giant prawns on the table'

Blair Tickner: 'I packed three kilos of coffee beans for the Bangladesh tour'

Mitchell Santner: 'If you have a big day in the field, you can have an ice-cream'

Was there anything that Lord’s did well when you went in 2021?
I remember having some prawns as an entrée and they were outstanding. Can’t remember what sauce was with them, but if we have those again, there could be some full stomachs going out on the field after lunch.Which team-mate is the best in the kitchen?
Matt Henry. He whips up some pretty good food. I think he’d probably be up there.Does he do good pasta?
I’m not sure, he hasn’t actually cooked for me! But he’s not afraid of sending a few snaps about it.Who’s the biggest coffee hipster?
It’s hard to go past Ticks [Blair Tickner] – he’s got his own café. But I think most guys tend to enjoy their coffee. Everyone’s got their own coffee machine at home. Had some pretty good brews since we’ve been here [in the UK], as part of our walk to the ground. It’s probably hard to find someone that doesn’t enjoy coffee, rather than the other way around.Is there anything you can’t go on tour without?
We travelled around with coffee beans last year, and little AeroPresses to make our coffees, but we haven’t had to take that on tour this year – we’ve been able to go out and grab one. I wouldn’t say there’s too much, food-wise. I’m pretty happy to go out and try things from where we are in the world.

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What fast food can you get away with eating as an international cricketer?
I reckon burgers are probably the biggest hit among the guys, especially after a bowling day. You go get a burger and fries, maybe even a shake. That tends to be the go-to, especially amongst the fast bowlers.Best place to get a burger?
There are a couple of places in Christchurch, Bacon Bros and Shaka Bros, they’re pretty good. Burger Burger [too]. There’s a number of options, so we sort of tend to rotate through them.You’ve heard of the Rock’s ‘cheat days’ – what would you have on yours?
I’d love to have some of his pancakes or waffles. They’re outstanding. He’s a fit guy. I think he burns a bit more calories than I do. Probably again, I’ll go Italian, pizza or pasta.What’s your preferred post-workout snack?
We have protein shakes usually, but I don’t mind having sushi. I usually gym early in the morning, so might have sushi around lunchtime. Not that it’s specific to gym stuff but I often go for Japanese.Is there anything that you have had to cut out of your diet?
I don’t really keep away from too much. But I definitely stay away from tomatoes – I just don’t like them. I don’t mind blended up tomatoes, but I don’t like whole tomatoes.

Yankees Designate Former Batting Champ for Assignment After Benching

After seven years, New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu's tenure with the team has come to an abrupt end.

The Yankees designated LeMahieu for assignment in a surprise move Wednesday afternoon, following indications that the team would move him to the bench after the return of infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.

LeMahieu, 36, is slashing .266/.338/.336 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 45 games this season—a solid-if-not-spectacular rebound from a 2024 where he cost his team 1.6 wins above replacement.

New York signed LeMahieu away from the Colorado Rockies in January 2019, and he briefly threatened to become one of the best players in baseball around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. He slashed a sizzling .327/.375/.518 with 102 RBIs in 2019, and nearly won the American League MVP in a 2020 season that saw him hit .364.

LeMahieu added a Gold Glove, the fourth of his career, in 2022.

The Yankees are currently 50-41, and sit 3.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East division.

Mo Salah is BACK! Liverpool star to return to squad for Brighton clash after peace talks with boss Arne Slot

Mohamed Salah is set to return to the Liverpool squad for this weekend's clash with Brighton after holding peace talks with manager Arne Slot. The Egypt international claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by manager Slot last weekend, and was left out of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan as a result.

  • Salah to return

    Per widespread reporting, Salah is poised to return to the Liverpool squad this weekend. The Reds superstar sent a bombshell message at the weekend as he claimed that he was "thrown under the bus", but has since held clear-the-air talks with his manager, and is set to be reintegrated into the squad. It is the final opportunity for Salah to play before he jets off to the African Cup of Nations with Egypt. The news could end the ublic spat which has shrouded Liverpool in recent weeks, set against the backdrop of a woeful run of league, cup and European results, which has seen the club all-but surrender their Premier League title. 

    And while it isn't clear if he will be named in the starting XI or on the bench, the positive update will come as a huge relief to Liverpool coaching staff and fans ahead of the weekend clash with Brighton at Anfield. 

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    Slot confirms hopes for reunion

    The Liverpool boss spoke to the press earlier in the day and confirmed he was scheduled to speak with the Egytian icon before making any decision about including him in the team for the weekend. And while he was happy to admit to wanting Salah back, he baulked at the suggestion of making an apology for the mess, whoch has been an embarrassing episode for the club. 

    Slot told reporters: "I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome determines how it will look tomorrow."What I need is a conversation with him and the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. There's not much more I can say. I speak to him today and the outcome determines how things will look tomorrow. You can try in multiple ways but I just said the next time I speak about him should be with him. I think there's been a lot of conversations since the last week between his reps and ours. An apology? Normally I'd say you've had your three questions. I have no reason for not wanting him to stay."

  • Carragher: 'Maximum damage'

    The great and the good have weighed in on the Salah debate in recent weeks, including both Jamie Carragher and Alan Shearer, who have been highly critical of Salah. Carragher initially labelled Salah a "disgrace" and "selfish" for comments made after being left on the bench against Leeds United. Carragher argued that Salah and his agent strategically time public outbursts to "cause maximum damage" and pressure the club, potentially to secure a new contract or even force the manager out. The ex-Liverpool defender later offered a conditional apology, saying he "adores" Salah the player but maintains the forward needs to "behave himself off the pitch". 

    All-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer echoed Carragher's sentiments, largely agreeing that while he understood Salah's frustration at being benched (having experienced it himself), the player was wrong to air his grievances publicly to the press. Shearer believes the matter has escalated to the point where Salah may have played his last game for Liverpool, and that his explosive remarks have "tarnished" his legacy at the club.

    Shearer said: "He'll go down as a Premier League great whether he has played his last match or not and it'd be such a shame for him to go out like this after what he's done for Liverpool. One thing I will say though is that it won't be forgotten all of this, but I don't think it'll ruin his legacy. He's achieved so much, and Liverpool wouldn't have won what they have without him so I don't think it'll ruin his legacy, but it will be tarnished. I think Slot has handled the situation really well. I thought he spoke well before and after the game on Tuesday. It was a very, very difficult situation for everyone but I thought he spoke with precision, honesty and openness – I thought he got things absolutely right." 

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    Seagulls test awaits Salah, Slot and co

    Liverpool's erratic form this season sees them languishing tenth in the Premier League table and are desperate for victory over Brighton at Anfield this weekend. As well as their well-documented defensive frailites, the Reds have struggled in front of goal this season, having not scored in the opening 45 minutes in any of their last five Premier League matches, their longest run without a first half goal since between January and March 2021. And while Brighton beat Liverpool 3-2 in their last meeting in May, they have never beaten the Reds in consecutive league matches before. 

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