Who could be in the running to replace Justin Langer?

The Australia men’s team will need a new head coach. Here are a few names that could be in the frame

Andrew McGlashan05-Feb-2022Andrew McDonald
The senior assistant coach has been elevated into interim charge of the team following Justin Langer’s resignation. He was already due to coach the side in the T20Is against Sri Lanka and is now set to take the team to Pakistan. He will clearly be a frontrunner for the permanent role if he wants it. A number of players have spoken glowingly of him since he came into the national set-up, mostly recently Mitchell Starc on how McDonald helped him regain confidence in his run-up at the T20 World Cup. Before coming into the Australia dressing room he won a domestic treble in 2018-19 with the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup for Victoria and BBL with Melbourne Renegades, having also won the Shield in 2016-17. As will be the case for anyone in the frame, the time commitment for the job will be a major consideration. Taking it would also rule McDonald out of any IPL coaching roles.Trevor Bayliss
When Bayliss finished his stint with England in 2019 he said the only international role he would consider in the future would be Australia. During the recent Ashes he was linked the job by the and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t at least sounded out about taking over if, at 59, he feels he can commit to another heavy period of touring life. If the coaching role is split between red and white ball, Bayliss could be a serious contender for the latter. He recently returned to coaching in Australia with Sydney Thunder and may yet decide that continuing on the T20 circuit is his preferred option.Related

  • An inevitable outcome, but Langer was let down by Cricket Australia

  • Justin Langer resigns as Australia coach after rejecting short-term extension

  • 'Time commitment' stops Ricky Ponting from coaching India and Australia

  • Ponting labels Langer resignation 'a sad day for Australian cricket'

Jason Gillespie
The former fast bowler, who took 402 international wickets, has been close to the top job with Australia and England previously. He was an option when Darren Lehmann resigned amid the ball-tampering fallout but so far has remained at domestic level with Yorkshire, Adelaide Strikers and now South Australia where he is attempting to rebuild the state’s fortunes after a barren run in the Sheffield Shield. The commitment to the full-time touring lifestyle may not be a fit for him.Michael Di Venuto
He returned to the Australia coaching set-up last year when the group of assistants was bolstered having left his role with Surrey early in the pandemic. Alongside McDonald and fellow assistant Jeff Vaughan he took on a greater role after the near meltdown in the squad last August. He had previously been the team’s batting coach between 2013 and 2016 with Steven Smith particularly glowing on his impact. “His knowledge and experiences in the game are second to none, he’s got so much experience to share with us,” Smith has previously said. “I think the advice he gives is outstanding as well.” Probably more likely to retain a batting-specific role.Gary Kirsten
If CA casts the net globally, it would not be a surprise to see Kirsten’s name linked unless he has already been signed up by England. He has made no secret of his desire for that role having previously been overlooked two years ago when Chris Silverwood was appointed. He coached India between 2008 and 2011, which included winning the ODI World Cup, and South Africa between 2011 and 2013. However, Kirsten may see there is more to gain by trying to lift England’s Test team off the canvas that maintain Australia’s success. And whether CA would want to go the overseas route again remains to be seen having watched the Mickey Arthur era run into problems.Ricky Ponting
Ponting is highly unlikely to be an option having previously said he would find it very difficult to commit to life the road. His IPL duties and lucrative commentary roles are a much better lifestyle fit and would also make him very expensive. However, maybe it’s wise to never say never. He has previously held consultancy roles, including during the 2019 World Cup, and before ball-tampering there were moves to have him more regularly involved in the white-ball set-up. If the teams were split – something that Ponting has said he does not think would work – it could be likeliest route to him being involved in some capacity.

Dodgers Pay Classy Tribute to Clayton Kershaw in Final Regular Season Start of His Career

Friday night was filled with celebration at Dodger Stadium as the team paid tribute to pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the final regular season start of his career.

Kershaw announced his intention to retire at the end of this year’s campaign earlier in the week, after spending 18 seasons in the majors, all with the Dodgers. He will go down in history as one of the best pitchers the game has ever seen.

The tributes for Kershaw started early, with his teammates allowing him to take the field alone at the start of the game to soak in the praise from the crowd. After a bit of time on the mound, Kershaw cheekily encouraged his teammates to join him out on the field.

Listen to this ovation.

On the mound, Kershaw delivered a strong performance for his final act, though it started out a bit rough. Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos apparently didn’t get the memo that it was Kershaw’s big night, and hit a leadoff home run to start the game.

But Kershaw would settle in from there, pitching 4 1/3 innings and giving up two runs while striking out six. He would not be credited with the win, but the Dodgers would score enough late to seal the victory for the team.

After the game, Kershaw was again praised by the crowd, and offered his thanks back to the fans that had cheered him on for nearly two decades.

For Kershaw and the Dodgers, the journey isn’t over quite yet. With the win, Los Angeles clinched their spot in the postseason, where they will look to defend their World Series title.

Abrar, Ayub deliver as Pakistan outplay South Africa to take series

A target of 144 was chased by Pakistan with 24.5 overs remaining, giving them a third consecutive ODI series win over SA

Hemant Brar08-Nov-2025Abrar Ahmed bamboozled South Africa with a career-best 4 for 27 to give Pakistan a series-clinching seven-wicket win in the third and final ODI. This was Pakistan’s third ODI series win in a row over South Africa.Batting first on a slow, low Faisalabad pitch, South Africa started strongly with Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius adding 72 for the first wicket. They were 106 for 2 at one point but Abrar dismantled them with three wickets in two overs. In the end, South Africa were bundled out for a mere 143 in 37.5 overs.Pakistan started the chase tentatively but Saim Ayub’s unbeaten 77 off 70 balls helped them reach the target with almost 25 overs to spare.Ayub, in the first innings, opened the bowling with Shaheen Shah Afridi. South Africa captain Matthew Breetzke had hoped for runs on the board in a big game but Pakistan set defensive fields and conceded only ten runs in the first four overs.Then, in the fifth, Afridi bowled a back-of-the-hand slower ball. De Kock spotted it early and lofted it over the bowler’s head for a four. Afridi went pace-on for the next ball, only to be drilled down the ground for another boundary.Haris Rauf, who returned to the side after serving a two-match ban, came into the attack in the seventh over and induced an outside edge of Pretorious’ bat. It would have been a regulation catch for first slip had there been one. Instead, the ball raced away for four. Pretorius rubbed it in by smashing Rauf for two more fours in the next three balls.The pair brought up their third successive fifty stand before Salman Agha had Pretorius caught at long-off for 39. Tony de Zorzi fell soon after, chipping Agha tamely to extra cover.Saim Ayub goes aerial•Associated PressDe Kock carried on and reached 7000 ODI runs. He became the second-fastest to the mark, behind countryman Hashim Amla, getting there in 158 innings. He brought up his fifty with a reverse-swept four off Mohammad Nawaz but was lbw two balls later when he tried to slog-sweep the spinner.Abrar ran through the middle order with a three-wicket burst. Debutant Rubin Hermann was the first to go, bowled after failing to pick the googly. Donovan Ferreira was next, bowled after missing a sweep and then having the ball clip the exposed leg stump. Corbin Bosch was bowled first ball, undone by the low bounce.There was no hat-trick for Abrar but he had Breetzke caught behind in his final over to hasten the end. South Africa’s lower order tried to resist but Afridi wrapped up the innings with two wickets in two balls.Pakistan did not have a smooth start to their chase as Nandre Burger dismissed Fakhar Zaman for a duck for the second successive game. Burger moved the ball both ways and it took Pakistan 14 balls to score their first run. Both Ayub and No. 3 Babar Azam were circumspect at the start. In fact, Ayub took ten balls to open his account.However, the wait was worth it. Burger bowled a length ball and Ayub drove on the up through covers for four. That opened the floodgates as Pakistan hit eight fours and two sixes in the next five overs. By the tenth over, the scoreboard was reading 59 for 1.Babar was run out for 27 when going for a third run, but Ayub was unstoppable. Although not always in control of his shots, Ayub did not hesitate playing them. He often took the aerial route, bringing up his fifty off just 39 balls. It paved the way for what turned out to be a comfortable win in the end.

WI win thriller to go 1-0 up despite Mitchell Santner's late fireworks

Shai Hope’s fifty rescued WI from 43 for 3, while Roston Chase starred with an all-round show

Tristan Lavalette05-Nov-2025

Mitchell Santner’s cameo at the death kept New Zealand alive•AFP/Getty Images

Quick Matthew Forde provided a spark in his return from injury before West Indies overcame a late whirlwind from skipper Mitchell Santner to defeat New Zealand in the T20I series-opener. West Indies did eventually clinch the lowest total successfully defended at Eden Park in a T20I, but they were made to work hard after Santner clubbed 55 not out from 28 balls to almost power New Zealand to an incredible victory.Romario Shepherd, however, held his nerve with the ball in the final over to ensure West Indies drew first blood in the five-match series. Roston Chase produced a fine display of spin bowling on a small ground, picking up 3 for 26 to go with the hand he played in West Indies’ two biggest partnerships earlier in the day. He was named Player of the Match.Having been restricted in good batting conditions less than a week after clean-sweeping a T20I series in Bangladesh, West Indies appeared set for a tough start to a tour that comprises all three formats. But Forde was menacing in his return from a shoulder injury as West Indies tore through a meek New Zealand batting effort. It was a disappointing start for New Zealand in their first match since the retirement of Kane Williamson from T20I cricket.It was a major turnaround after West Indies’ batting order had earlier struggled on a surface with much more bounce than in Bangladesh. Captain Shai Hope overcame a slow start in the powerplay to top score with 53 off 39 balls to lead West Indies’ recovery from 43 for 3.This series is seen as important preparation for the short-handed teams as they build towards a T20 World Cup that is just three months away. Meanwhile, there was an old-school feel to the game with DRS not in place due to technical issues.Matthew Forde got 1 for 9 off his first three overs•Getty Images

Forde sparks WI in comeback gameForde hadn’t played any competitive cricket since July, but showed no signs of rust in a brilliant opening burst. He bowled beautifully with the new ball, especially from around the wicket to trouble Devon Conway with deadly swing.Forde was finally rewarded when he clean-bowled Conway with an inswinger that hit top of off stump. He continued to be all over New Zealand’s top order, finishing with 1 for 9 off his first three overs – marked by 14 dot balls – in the powerplay. But his performance was soured slightly after conceding 23 runs to a rampaging Santner in the 18th over.Santner’s near miraculous heistAfter a horrific collapse of 7 for 37 from 70 for 2 in the tenth over, New Zealand appeared set for a crushing defeat at 107 for 9 in the 17th. But Santner turned the chase on its head by smashing seven boundaries and a six in a nine-ball flurry as the sparse crowd started to find its voice.With New Zealand needing 20 runs off the final over, Santner could not score off the first two deliveries bowled by Shepherd – although the second ball should have been called a wide due to height – before clubbing a six to give New Zealand hope. But it ultimately proved too tough a task despite a record tenth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in T20Is.Shai Hope rebuilt with a half-century after three early wickets•AFP/Getty Images

Hope fires after slow startHaving come off tours of Bangladesh and India, West Indies had the tough task of quickly acclimatising to the different conditions in New Zealand. Their top order made a rough start, struggling to handle the extra bounce as Brandon King, Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste holed out after miscues.Hope had to steady the innings, and he entered the match after solid performances across formats in south Asia. But he was sluggish to begin with, unable to find timing much to his frustration on a true surface. Hope scored only 11 off 17 balls in the powerplay, with West Indies making just 32 runs off the first six overs. He finally decided to go for broke against Jimmy Neesham in the seventh over as the run rate finally lifted over six an over.It got him going, with Hope starting to clatter the smaller boundaries and bringing up his half-century in style by clubbing Zakary Foulkes for six over long-off. But Hope was clean bowled on the next delivery, undone by Foulkes’ variation as he missed an attempted swipe over the leg side.West Indies’ innings never truly got rolling, but it did receive a lift from Rovman Powell, who smashed a couple of huge sixes after being dropped twice in the outfield by Michael Bracewell.Jacob Duffy struck in the first over•AFP/Getty Images

Duffy shines in NZ’s disciplined attackNew Zealand are assembling a deep and talented pace pack, with competition for spots hotting up as the T20 World Cup looms. With Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and Lockie Ferguson on the sidelines, New Zealand didn’t miss a beat, with Jacob Duffy the standout of an attack that kept a powerful West Indies batting order in check.Duffy was outstanding in the powerplay, removing King in the first over to start an opening burst that yielded figures of 1 for 10 off three overs. He later bowled Chase with a superb yorker after coming back at the death.Duffy showcased his variety, bowling a mixture of length and full deliveries to concede just one boundary in four overs. Kyle Jamieson bowled well in his return from a side strain, while Foulkes had a mixed bag but did claim two wickets.

Bigger liability than Pope: Howe must finally bin Newcastle "legend"

Newcastle United’s topsy-turvy campaign is raging on. When will Eddie Howe strike the balance needed for his team to kick on and reestablish themselves as a force in the Premier League?

Last weekend’s performance over Manchester City offered a glimpse into what United are capable of, dispatching Pep Guardiola’s side at St. James’ Park thanks to Harvey Barnes’ second-half brace.

But that win was built atop a run of three defeats from four in the Premier League, and Newcastle have since been defeated on the road in the Champions League, against Marseille in France.

It wasn’t the Toon’s worst performance of the season, but the emission of anxiety after Nick Pope’s costly mistake emphasises the issue in mentality when away from Tyneside.

Why Howe should drop Nick Pope

Pope has been a strong and convincing goalkeeper for Newcastle since joining the club from relegated Burnley in 2022, but, aged 33, the Three Lions star is allowing errors to creep into his game, the latest of which cost the Magpies dearly in Marseille.

Newcastle knew they needed to take something home with them from the Orange Velodrome, and indeed, Barnes’ finish secured an advantage at the interval.

Cool heads were needed, but Pope rushed out to claim a neat through ball and failed to match the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the veteran striker getting there first and then rounding Pope and scoring from an acute angle to restore parity. The one-time Arsenal hero then scored again from close range, smacking home from a few yards out following a fierce cross-box pass.

That frustrating display was hardly an outlier. This season, Pope has left plenty to be desired.

Given that loanee Aaron Ramsdale is waiting in the wings, it’s understandable that some supporters want to see a change between the sticks, and it’s perhaps something Howe should consider if he wishes to revive his team’s fluency and confidence on the road.

It’s not the only change that must be made, though, with another United man’s form this season emphasising the need for a permanent tweak on Howe’s part.

The Newcastle star who's a bigger liability than Pope

A core part of Newcastle’s success over the past four years, Joelinton’s chapter at the club may nearly be written, with the long-time star beginning to become a problem for Howe.

One of the most powerful and imposing midfielders in the Premier League, Joelinton’s form has suffered this season, and he’s noticeably regressed, and that is accentuated by the superstars around him.

Unlike last season, when Joelinton’s intense, pack-a-punch style was so integral in charging up the Newcastle engine, the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are forming something of a partnership

Newcastle’s Italian midfielder, to be sure, is showing off new levels of athleticism and strength to match his natural elegance, and the skipper is as all-encompassing as ever in the middle of the park.

But Joelinton is waning, and this has been picked up by Toon observers. Indeed, journalist Mark Douglas noted earlier in the campaign that the 29-year-old has been “nowhere near his best”.

Sofascore record that Joelinton is winning only 2.9 ground duels per Premier League fixture, which is his lowest average since 2019/20, his debut term, when he principally played as a centre-forward.

Refashioned into an all-action midfielder, Joelinton has proved himself to be an iconic servant for Howe at Newcastle, but after so many rounds of unforgiving action, it may be that it is the right time for him to move on.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

172

2

Dan Burn

166

3

Fabian Schar

165

4

Jacob Murphy

152

5

Joelinton

146

Hailed as a “club legend” by content creator Adam Pearson, the Brazil international has had his day, and the fact that PIF are gearing up for an ambitious bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson in 2026, the England midfielder having emerged from Newcastle’s academy, suggests that the mainstay is becoming expendable.

The suggestions that Pope should be extricated from his post between the posts are rising in volume, but the emphasis on pushing for a Joelinton upgrade must be just as loud.

For all the Brazilian’s robustness, he is no longer untouchable under Howe’s wing, and is perhaps becoming the weakest link in a team that needs to kick on.

PIF have signed an "explosive" talent who can end Gordon's Newcastle career

Newcastle United already have an exciting attacker up their sleeve who can end Anthony Gordon’s stalling Magpies career.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 27, 2025

Their own Wharton: Man Utd teen looks like he's "stepped out of La Masia"

This improving Manchester United side was given more than just a fresh lick of paint over the summer, with the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, in particular, breathing new life into Ruben Amorim’s ranks.

That said, for all the delight over Mbeumo, following his return of six goals in his first 12 United games, a key problem still needs to be solved – central midfield.

Casemiro, to his credit, has silenced the doubters amid his recent resurgence, although the Brazilian’s inability to last the full 90, alongside the lack of an adequate replacement for him, is becoming a growing problem.

Of the 20 goals conceded across the Premier League and Carabao Cup, 15 of those have come when the 33-year-old was not on the pitch, with Manuel Ugarte’s diminishing status highlighted by reports that he received a dressing down from his former Sporting CP boss at Carrington late last season.

With the more attack-minded Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo the only other senior central midfielders in the first-team ranks, hopes of the Red Devils kicking on surely rest in that department being addressed in 2026 – be it in January or next summer.

Adam Wharton, rising star at Crystal Palace, remains a leading target to fill that void – but is he the only solution?

Latest on Man Utd's interest in Adam Wharton

The frustration surrounding United’s errant recruitment in recent years is perhaps best pinpointed in the case of Wharton, with respected journalist Andy Mitten having revealed that the Old Trafford side were offered the chance to sign the elegant left-footer from Blackburn Rovers, prior to his move to Selhurst Park.

Unfortunately, the powers that be didn’t appear to see the merit in prising a relatively unproven teenage talent from the Championship, with Wharton going on to join Palace for a fee of around £20m in the 2024 winter window.

That investment has paid off handsomely for the Eagles, with the 21-year-old now a central figure in a side that claimed FA Cup glory last term, resulting in claims that the south London club had placed a £100m plus price tag on his head over the summer.

Amid parallel interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, reports in the recent window did suggest that Amorim and INEOS were keen on potentially reviving their prior interest in the England international, although the £250m outlay on their four actual signings likely put paid to that transfer chase.

Now, with January looming, United could go back again for the in-demand talent, with reports last month indicating that they are keen to steal a march on Real Madrid by making a £60m offer for his services.

Wharton, in an interview with The Athletic’s David Ornstein, has addressed such speculation, wisely suggesting that he pays little attention to the rumours:

Whether he actually wants to join or not, a problem still remains with the price tag that Palace could demand. With that in mind, might an in-house solution be the best bet for United’s sake?

Man Utd's answer to Wharton at Carrington

In the darkest of days in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, each manager has found a shining light from the academy set-up, be it Adnan Januzaj under David Moyes, to Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo under Erik ten Hag.

Surprisingly, Amorim – who helped to kickstart the career of 17-year-old Geovany Quenda in Lisbon – has thus far refrained from dipping into the youth ranks too readily, with this season yet to see the new boy wonder emerge.

Chido Obi, for what it’s worth, did make eight appearances last term amid United’s centre-forward injury crisis, although the Danish teenager hasn’t been seen since, with promising full-back Harry Amass also allowed to go out on loan after making his senior debut at the back end of 2024/25.

Recent Man Utd Academy Debutants*

Player

Game

Date

Tyler Fredricson

vs Wolves

20/04/25

Harry Amass

vs Leicester

16/03/25

Chido Obi

vs Spurs

16/02/25

Toby Collyer

vs Liverpool

01/09/24

Ethan Wheatley

vs Sheff Utd

24/04/24

Omari Forson

vs Wolves

01/02/2024

*in Premier League only

Stats via Transfermarkt

The lack of European involvement has been a factor in Amorim’s decision to overlook the young crop, with little need to rotate his side right now – not least amid this five-game unbeaten run.

Central midfield is one area the Portuguese coach does need to quickly address, however, hence why turning to a figure like Jim Thwaites could prove to be a masterstroke.

Still only 17, the dynamic midfielder is of slight frame and stature, although he has certainly caught the eye at Carrington of late, with recent comparisons even being made to the likes of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.

Like Wharton, he isn’t an imposing physical specimen, yet Thwaites makes up for that with his eye-catching technical prowess, with analyst Ben Mattinson – now a scout for Serie A side Como – suggesting that he looks as if he’s “stepped out [of] La Masia”.

La Masia remains the birthplace of the best and brightest that Barcelona has to offer, from Xavi to Gavi, the Catalan outfit certainly know how to cultivate the next midfield star of the future.

Like those at Camp Nou – as well as Wharton – Thwaites has that ability to collect the ball from a deep-lying role in between the centre-backs, before either producing a progressive carry or pass to spring United into life.

Already this season, the rising star has scored twice and provided one assist from his ten U18 Premier League outings, as per Transfermarkt, a respectable haul considering he has operated as a number six in each of those appearances.

The Bolton-born maestro – who is set to turn 18 next month – is certainly not as far along in his development as Wharton, although amid the prospect of having to fork out over £100m for the latter man, INEOS could well do with starting to develop their own future superstars instead.

At a club renowned for its academy work in the past, United need to get things back on track again. Thwaites, while it’s still early days, might be the best place to start.

Not Mainoo: Amorim can replace Casemiro with "Pogba-esque" star at Man Utd

Manchester United could have a wildcard solution to their midfield woes…

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Paul Merson slams £125k-a-week Chelsea star who "looked lost" vs Sunderland

Paul Merson slammed a Chelsea star after the bitterly disappointing 2-1 defeat against Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

Blues suffer setback against newly-promoted Sunderland

Sunderland have surpassed expectations so far this season, but the Blues would’ve been expecting to take all three points against a newly-promoted side, and the 2-1 defeat is a setback, especially after winning their previous four games on the bounce in all competitions.

Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring for Enzo Maresca’s side after just four minutes, with the winger netting his first goal since arriving at Stamford Bridge, but Wilson Isidor’s equaliser and a stoppage-time winner from Chemsdine Talbi turned the game on its head.

A number of the home side’s players struggled, with Marc Guiu failing to make any impact on the match, and there have since been calls for Maresca to drop the striker, who touched the ball just ten times prior to being withdrawn on the 75-minute mark.

Guiu was given the nod at centre-forward, in order to accommodate Joao Pedro in an attacking midfield role, despite the Brazilian starting almost exclusively at striker so far this season.

Maresca would’ve been hoping the position change would allow the 24-year-old to rediscover his top form, but it wasn’t to be, with Merson left very unimpressed by his performance.

Speaking on Sky Sports (via Metro), the former Arsenal man said: “They need Delap back badly, they need a focal point.

“Guiu played up front and I think he touched the ball nine, ten times. You can’t do that in a team that are supposed to be dominating the ball.

“Chelsea ran out of ideas. They had winger after winger but half of them don’t go past anyone. Joao Pedro looked lost as a number ten. They struggled and were pretty poor.”

Injury may have impacted Pedro's performance

The Blues have been forced to deal with a number of injury issues in the early stages of the campaign, and Maresca revealed the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is one of many players not at full fitness.

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The Italian said: “Joao is not training every day because he is managing an injury problem. Moi is the same, Enzo is the same,

“We have four or five players that have some problems and cannot work every day. They try to make the effort and play the game. Joao struggled a little bit today but all of the players did today, so it’s not just Joao.”

That said, there will rightfully be concerns about the display, with the forward losing possession nine times and failing to get a single shot away throughout the match.

Pedro’s performance levels have been going downhill for some time now, having failed to register a Premier League goal or assist since September, and Maresca will be hoping the £125k-a-week forward can turn the corner soon.

Pooran makes shock retirement from international cricket at 29

Nicholas Pooran, the former West Indies white-ball captain, has retired from international cricket at the age of 29. He finishes with 1983 runs in 61 ODIs and 2275 runs in 106 T20Is.Pooran had recently opted out of selection for West Indies’ T20I series against England and hadn’t featured in ODIs since West Indies’ exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifiers. However, his retirement came as a shock since it was only in November last year – on the occasion of his 100th T20I cap – that Pooran had said he could play 100 more T20Is.In a statement on his social-media handle on Monday, Pooran wrote: “After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket. This game we love has given and will continue to give so much – joy, purpose, unforgettable memories, and a chance to represent the people of the West Indies. Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field… it’s hard to put into words what that truly means to me. To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.”To the fans – thank you for your unwavering love. You lifted me in the tough moments and celebrated the good ones with unmatched passion. To my family, friends and teammates – thank you for walking the journey with me. Your belief and support carried me through it all. Though this international chapter of my career closes, my love for West Indies Cricket will never fade. I wish the team and the region nothing but success and strength for the road ahead.”

Pooran made his West Indies debut in 2016 in a T20I against Pakistan in Dubai, and three years later earned his first ODI cap, against England in Barbados. In 2022, he was appointed West Indies’ white-ball captain but stepped down after a disastrous T20 World Cup in Australia that year. He last played for West Indies in December 2024, in a home T20I series against Bangladesh in Kingstown.But he had arguably his best year in 2024, hitting the most sixes in a calendar year (170) before finishing IPL 2025 with 524 runs at a strike rate of 196.25 with five half-centuries. He was also expected to be a key part of West Indies’ plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup early next year.A regular in the franchise circuit, Pooran will feature in MLC and The Hundred this summer. Apart from the CPL and the IPL, he is also a regular in the ILT20 in the UAE. In T20Is, a format where he finishes as West Indies’ most capped player and highest run-scorer, he hit 2275 runs at an average of 26.14 and strike rate of 136.39. In ODIs, he scored 1983 runs at an average of 39.66 and strike rate of 99.15.”Cricket West Indies extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to Nicholas Pooran for his outstanding contributions to West Indies cricket,” a statement from CWI said on Monday. “We salute his achievements and thank him for the moments he has given fans across the region and beyond. We wish him all the very best in the next phase of his journey.”

Newcastle man who was "tough to watch" is now on borrowed time under Howe

For the third time this season, Eddie Howe has the job of picking up his Newcastle United players after suffering defeat in the Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Danny Welbeck’s double secured a 2-1 victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s men, which has left the Magpies currently sitting in the bottom half of the table after the first eight outings.

The result leaves Howe with a huge task on his hands to try and turn the situation around, after winning just 25% of the league outings in 2025/26 to date.

Both of their victories have come on home soil, with their tally of just three points out of a potential 12 away from home certainly becoming a real concern for the 47-year-old.

However, at one stage, it appeared that the Magpies may have been able to get something out of the contest after the brilliance of one first team member.

Nick Woltemade’s brilliance against Brighton

After Alexander Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle this summer, his replacement was already going to have huge boots to fill given the Swede’s success at St James’ Park.

The hierarchy chose Nick Woltemade as the man to take the responsibility on his shoulders, something which the German has done brilliantly in recent weeks.

He’s made five appearances in the Premier League since his big-money transfer to Tyneside, but has had an immediate impact – netting four goals with his latest coming against the Seagulls.

Such an effort was arguably his best to date, incredibly flicking Lewis Miley’s cross into the bottom left-hand corner past the despairing Bart Verbruggen.

Woltemade also completed a dribble, made five passes into the final third and won two aerial battles – subsequently showcasing his incredible all-round display.

However, despite such a showing, numerous other Magpies players struggled to impress at the AMEX, which could put their places in the starting eleven at huge risk.

The Newcastle player who could be on borrowed time

Losing in the Premier League is to be expected given the competitive nature of the division, but the fashion in which Newcastle did so on Saturday is nothing short of unacceptable.

Newcastle United manager EddieHowebefore the match

Howe has instilled huge expectations into the fanbase, given the recent success, but such a showing against Hurzeler’s side fell way below the high stands his men have set.

Anthony Elanga was one player who once again struggled on the South Coast, subsequently being replaced at the break as a result of his first-half showing.

However, he wasn’t alone in that regard, with Brazilian international Joelinton another starter who was withdrawn from the contest after just 45 minutes.

He’s been a player who’s been called into question by the supporters for his lack of impact, with his outing against the Seagulls certainly doing himself no favours.

The 29-year-old only registered a total of 39 touches of the ball, whilst only making three passes into the final third and was unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Joelinton also failed to complete any of the long balls he attempted, even losing possession six times and often being wasteful when having the ball at his feet, having been described as “tough to watch” by Magpie Media.

Minutes played

45

Touches

39

Passes completed

21

Long balls completed

0

Possession lost

6x

Dribbled past

2

Dribbles

0

Shots

0

Key passes

0

Crosses

0

Aerials lost

100%

Match rating

4/10

Out of possession, the Brazilian was dribbled past twice, whilst also losing 100% of the aerial battles he entered in what was an afternoon to forget for the midfielder.

As a result of his dismal showing, he was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Newcastle World journalist Jordan Cronin – further showcasing how disappointing he was in the defeat.

After such a showing, there’s no denying he needs to be dropped from Howe’s starting eleven, especially after Miley registered an assist after replacing him.

Joelinton has been an excellent addition for the club, but it appears as though he could be on borrowed time given his recent slump in form over the last few weeks.

Fewer touches than Pope: Howe must drop 4/10 Newcastle man after Brighton

Newcastle United suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 18, 2025

'Love the atmosphere' – Colombia fans bring carnival energy, transform a dreary draw with Canada into a raucous football fiesta

Canada and Colombia played to a scoreless draw at Sports Illustrated Stadium, but on a weeknight in New Jersey, the score wasn't the point

HARRISON, N.J. – You could hear Sports Illustrated Stadium before you could see it. There were noisemakers, horns blaring, cacophonous sounds all around the train stop near the venue.

And then, you could smell it. Dozens of barbecues fired up simultaneously, all providing varieties of grilled meat. Every South American country has its own pre-match "asado." For Colombian fans, here, it was pinchos, skewers sold on the cheap to the thousands of fans that walked past heading to watch a soccer game.

The stadium itself was no less appealing, a sea of yellow, pulsing with the thud of feet on metal floors, and shifting as the wave went around the bowl every so often. It all made for a lovely occasion, Colombia playing de facto host as they faced off against Canada Tuesday night in what felt like far more than an international friendly to break up the grind of the European season.

The drab 0-0 final score, in truth, mattered little.

There are times when the United States' soccer credentials can be called into question. And rightly so. But here, on a brisk weeknight, some 30 minutes from the beating heart of Manhattan by rickety train, in an MLS stadium, there could be no queries. New Jersey, for a few hours, seemed something like Bogota on the rowdiest of weekend nights.

  • Tom Hindle

    Horns, beer and grilled meat

    It all started some two hours before kick off. The 100-yard saunter from the train station to the stadium, which gradually reveals itself with every step, was littered with stalls and salespeople. Counterfeit kits were everywhere, priced to go. Business, for the most part, seemed pretty good.

    Everything was layered with yellow, blue and red. Cars had flags spray-painted onto them. Banners flew every few paces or so. Every single gazebo, tent and canopy acknowledged that, in some way, this was Colombia's patch for the night.  

    Yet there was a convivial vibe to it all. Parents partying with friends, their kids kicking balls around in front of the parked car. One boy, clad entirely in Colombia gear, nutmegged his brother over and over again, taunting him as he did so.

    Multiple generations made their way to the ground. There were fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and grandparents. This was, for all of its rowdiness, a friendly zone. We are told, so often, that soccer is a sport of the youth in the U.S.. This place made it feel welcomingly old. 

    Not that it made things any quieter. As the support was funneled towards the stadium, the volume only increased. A few children wore protective headphones as they marched with their families. Empty drinks cans were tossed into bins. One stumbling fan remarked in Spanglish that he might just "need another f*cking beer, hombre," as he dragged his way towards the entrance.  

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  • Getty

    'I'm gonna be raising my flag'

    Of course, there was an game against opponents to be played. Canada seemingly didn't send an official fan group to New Jersey for the friendly. The stadium was dotted with tiny pockets of red here and there. But what fans did show up made good account of themselves. 

    A few traveled from Toronto.

    "It's New York. Not a bad excuse for a vacation," one fan, wearing a Jonathan David Juventus kit, told GOAL.

    Some locals were about too, and they promised to make some noise. 

    "I'm gonna be making noise near the corner flag. I'm gonna be raising my flag. I love the atmosphere," another fan said.

    Jesse Marsch's team weren't so bad, either. may have lost to Australia four days before, but they are an otherwise transformed side under the American manager, who insisted prior to the fixture that his team had a point to prove against an opponent that was playing in a Copa America final 15 months ago – especially as the 2026 World Cup draws near.

    "The point is that this is a different Canada, right?" Marsch said ahead of Tuesday's game. "This is a talented Canada. This is a team that doesn’t fear anyone right now. We still have to maintain, internally, real hunger and a drive to continue to improve and be our best." 

    They played like it in the early goings. Colombia pressure was inevitable, and the sheer noise of the bowl made the opening few minutes awkward. Yet Canada weathered it all the same. Colombia didn't get a shot off in the first half. And even if Canada didn't test Alvaro Montero for 25, there was a real mettle to their showing among a raucous, frenetic start. 

  • Getty

    'I've never felt such a visitor'

    Still, Colombia were always a threat. Luis Diaz, now of Bayern Munich, is their star man and captain, and the fans knew it. The stadium erupted every time the winger touched the ball. The concept of "anticipation" doesn't really have a noise. Colombia fans somehow breathed it life. 

    When he flamboyantly cushioned a 50-yard pass with his weaker foot, the stands purred. When he nutmegged a helpless fullback, there were screams. 

    "I've coached in this stadium a lot. I've never felt such a visitor as today, tonight – we expected that," Marsch said after full time.

    And there were constant reminders throughout the evening that this was their night. Every Colombian call was contested. Every Canadian foul was protested. Half time continued their grip on the occasion.

    DJ Pope, a highly-regarded Reggaeton producer and artist, popped up for 10 minutes of agreeable noise that fans seemed vaguely interested in – in stark contrast to the standard ambivalence of American fans in these kinds of things. There was singing and dancing. The sea of yellow filled in at the right bits, when the mic was pointed. They jumped when asked. The thuds had just about subsided when the second half kicked off. 

    Diaz really should have scored to open the period. All of the right pieces were there: the twist, the pass, the dart, the perfect ball, right into his path. But he poked wide, rolled onto the grass, and slammed the ground in frustration. It was his last act before being substituted from the action. The loudest noise of the night came from the sarcastic jeers after Canada had a goal ruled out. 

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  • Tom Hindle

    Not about the result

    Marsch's men grew into the game as the minutes wore on. Colombia rotated, and turned to some of their reserves. March responded by introducing a series of rising talents – not least the excellent Jacob Shaffelburg, who offered real pace and verve on the wing.

    Both sides traded chances, and the game that had simmered started to bubble with life. Colombia's Felipe Roman dragged wide in stoppage time, blowing the best chance of the evening in the final minutes of the fixture.

    A scoreless draw seemed fair, in the end. Neither side had quite done enough. Diaz had his half-chances. Marsch couldn't quite draw a clinical moment out of an attack that still looks a little hesitant in the absence of Alphonso Davies – who is still recovering from an ACL tear. Marsch spoke of strong individual performances after the game, and they will certainly take plenty of heart from this.

    The soccer, then, reinforced where both sides are. Canada are an improving outfit, the most complete side in CONCACAF, but still missing a final piece that will see them crack into the elite. Colombia can threaten in numerous ways, but they, too, are a finishing touch away from being genuine contenders next year, where they could find themselves playing near this stadium again in the World Cup. 

    The perfect, lasting moment came in the dying embers of stoppage time. Colombia won a corner kick. Their fans rocked, pounded and shook the stadium. The anticipation rose. Centerbacks lumbered up into the box. All the pieces were in place. But the ball was overhit, and careened out of bounds.

    Still, the noise remained. And even as the two teams marched off after what will go down as a drab draw, the noise echoed around a stadium that had little apparent clue that the whistle had blown. That sound, and the smells, will remain in the memory far longer than the scoreline. 

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