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Over the last couple of years, Leeds United has been the home to numerous star defenders, many of whom have captured the hearts of the fanbase as a result of their performances on the pitch.

Right-back Luke Ayling joined the Whites for just £500k from Bristol City back in the summer of 2016, racking up over 250 appearances for the club over an eight-year period.

The 33-year-old was part of the previous side that won promotion back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, before being a mainstay throughout their stint in the top-flight.

The current squad also has many stars that have replicated such an achievement, with the likes of Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo cementing their place in club history after their respective parts in the promotion.

However, this summer presents boss Daniel Farke with another opportunity to strengthen his squad, handing more players the chance to adhere themselves to the fanbase in Yorkshire.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of days, Leeds have made serious moves to land new attackers at Elland Road, to hand Farke with added ammunition within the final third.

Fabio Silva is one player who’s been touted with a move to the club in recent days, with talks being held for the Wolves star, who scored 10 goals on loan at Las Palmas in 2024/25.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix over recent days, with Udinese’s Jaka Bijol the latest player on their radar, according to one Italian outlet.

They claim that the Whites have had their first offer rejected for the 26-year-old centre-back, but remain in talks over a deal and are preparing a second offer.

The defender made 34 appearances in Serie A this season, with no breakthrough yet in a deal for the Slovenian international, who’s valued at around €20m (£17m).

Why Leeds’ £17m target could be Farke’s own Jansson

Centre-back Pontus Jansson joined Leeds way back in the summer of 2016, originally moving on loan from Italian side Torino, before joining on a permanent basis 12 months later.

The Swede made 120 appearances during his two spells at Elland Road, capturing the hearts of the supporters as he helped the club register a third-place finish in 2018/19.

His rise to stardom in Yorkshire was demonstrated by previously being named the club’s captain and offering them a commanding presence at the heart of the defence.

He would eventually leave to join Brentford after a four-year spell with the Whites, playing a huge part in their rebuild and allowing the club to return to the Premier League back in 2020.

However, fast forward six years on from his Elland Road departure, the hierarchy have the opportunity to land their next version of the centre-back in the form of Bijol.

The Udinese star would follow suit by joining the club from an Italian side, whilst offering a commanding presence at the back – as seen by his figures this campaign.

Bijol, who’s been labelled “monstrous” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has made 5.5 clearances per 90 this campaign, along with 3.3 aerials won – handing the Whites added quality in the back line in their attempts to avoid the drop.

Games played

34

Minutes played

2963

Aerials won

3.3

Aerial success rate

68%

Clearances made

5.5

Pass accuracy

84%

Progressive passes

3

Passes into final third

3.3

His aerial dominance has been further demonstrated by his tally of 68% aerials won – a tally that puts him within the top 6% of all players in Italy’s top flight.

The defender also offers a composed touch in possession, completing 84% of his passes, whilst also playing 3.3 balls into the final third per 90 this campaign, subsequently able to have an impact at both ends of the pitch.

£17m for a player of Bijol’s experience in today’s market could well prove to be a bargain, with the 26-year-old able to make himself a hero if he can prevent relegation in 2025/26.

He also has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jansson at Elland Road, with the Swede showcasing that signing players from Italy has been a success in previous years.

Better than Beto: Leeds set to make bid for "one of the best CFs in the PL"

Leeds United could finally be about to land a talisman to catapult them to Premier League survival.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 11, 2025

It’s fair to say Manchester United fans won’t be looking back on the 2024/25 season with any degree of fondness.

A miserable tally of 18 losses in total in the Premier League would see Ruben Amorim’s dismal Red Devils have to make do with an unimpressive 15th spot in the division, whilst a heartbreaking Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur means United won’t even have the joyful distraction of European football to look forward to next campaign.

It’s a huge summer at Old Trafford, therefore, as Amorim attempts to steer the sinking ship back on course, with a whole host of transfer rumours beginning to bubble to the surface involving outgoings and incomings.

The most notable exit that could soon be on the cards is Bruno Fernandes ditching the Theatre of Dreams, with United perhaps having to sell their standout star so they can finance some top-drawer signings through the door.

Man Utd's search for a striker

Although the ex-Sporting boss remains in good spirits that the attacking midfielder could stay put amidst interest from Al-Hilal, it could well be that United’s hand is forced in this regard if they want to upgrade their striker personnel this summer.

Indeed, French outlet Foot Mercato have reported that United will have to get rid of Fernandes and/or Marcus Rashford to try and tempt Galatasaray goal machine Victor Osimhen to England, with his annual wage costs alone coming in at an eye-watering £10m. After all, the Portuguese ace does earn a sizeable £300k-per-week salary in the current camp.

Therefore, the Premier League strugglers might well have to just bite the bullet and allow Fernandes to sadly depart, especially when you consider the Red Devils are crying out for a new, potent goalscorer away from the likes of a goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund.

That’s where the ex-Napoli man could come to the rescue, with Amorim potentially possessing his next Viktor Gyokeres very soon if his side can spectacularly purchase the “world class” – as he was once labelled by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley – menace.

Why Osimhen could become Amorim's next Gyokeres

Before delving deeper into Osimhen’s own unerring ability in front of goal, it’s only right to look at how Amorim had an instrumental part to play in Gyokeres becoming an equally ice-cold finisher of chances in Lisbon.

The Stockholm-born striker would instantly hit the ground running under the 40-year-old’s stewardship in Portugal, with a bumper 43 strikes coming his way across a memorable debut season.

The former Coventry City marksman is now up to a stunning 97 goals from 102 total appearances for Sporting, and whilst there were murmurs Gyokeres could reunite with his former manager in England, a statement move hasn’t yet whirred into motion.

But, the under-fire Red Devils boss can begin to claw his way into the Old Trafford good books by landing Osimhen instead, considering the Nigerian’s explosiveness in front of goal out in Turkey and across his goal-laden career to date means he could be the manager’s next Gyokeres.

Osimhen’s league numbers (24/25) vs Gyokeres’

Stat – per 90 mins*

Osimhen

Gyokeres

Games played

29

33

Goals scored

26

39

Assists

5

7

Shots*

4.7

4.2

Shots on target*

1.9

2.4

Goal conversion %

19%

28%

Big chances missed

25

23

Big chances created

11

11

Stats by Sofascore

Amazingly, Osimhen isn’t a million miles off his Swedish counterpart’s insane Liga Portugal goalscoring numbers, with the Galatasaray number 45 actually boasting 37 goals and seven assists from 41 games in all competitions this season, away from setting the Turkish top-flight alight.

Additionally, away from just twisting and turning Super Lig defences for fun, the 26-year-old target has also proven himself as a clinical threat on the books of Napoli and Lille previously, as seen in his 94 goals for both the Serie A and Ligue 1 titans.

Therefore, whilst it might break United hearts to see Fernandes up and leave, it could well be a momentary, but necessary pain that then results in long-term success, particularly if Osmihen – who could be up for grabs for around £62m – enters the ranks and rips up yet another major league with his goalscoring prowess.

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Posts 1 ByDan Emery May 31, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers do have a reputation for uncovering a gem in the transfer market with the deal to snap up Matheus Cunha on a permanent basis back in 2022 for £35m looking more and more like a steal by the day.

Indeed, the Brazilian superstar is a hot commodity ahead of the summer transfer window reopening, and for good reason, considering he’s amassed an explosive 15 goals and six assists in Premier League action this campaign.

Likewise, Wolves have seemingly struck gold on new defensive titan Emmanuel Agbadou, with the strong Ivorian picking up four clean sheets in the league to date since a January switch.

Therefore, the powers that be at Molineux will be hoping their gleaming track record in snapping up exciting gems continues on, with the rumour mill already linking the Old Gold to a number of new stars.

Wolves could sign Premier League midfielder

With their Premier League status now thankfully set in stone, Vitor Pereira and Co will want to kick on next season and aim for a top-half finish.

Adding in a few sprinkles of quality here and there will presumably aid this progression, with rumours already surfacing that the revitalised Old Gold are looking at snapping up the services of Atletico Madrid ace Samuel Lino.

Moreover, further speculation has seen Chelsea outcast Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall be tipped to make a switch to Molineux too, but a new, fresh report from GIVEMESPORT suggests their midfield positions could be enhanced by signing Liverpool product Harvey Elliott instead.

The report states that Wolves are likely to make an enquiry regarding the promising 22-year-old if some big-name departures are sanctioned, considering Elliott is priced around the £50m ballpark.

Transfer Focus

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

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Landing Elliott could see Pereira win his very own Morgan Gibbs-White, with the ex-Wolves youngster never really coming into his own at his boyhood employers, but the Reds target certainly possesses a lot of similar easy-on-the-eye traits in his game when weighed up next to the now £100m-rated gem.

How Elliott can be the next Gibbs-White

Before exploring deeper how Elliott could be Wolves’ next Gibbs-White in the making, it’s only right to look at how much the Stafford-born midfielder’s game has been advanced since stepping away from Molineux.

Amazingly, the 25-year-old would only pick up three goals and one assist from 88 senior appearances in the West Midlands. Now, however, he’s up to a stunning 16 strikes and 27 assists for the Tricky Trees from 115 overall clashes, leading to Manchester City being keen onlookers.

Whilst Elliott hasn’t quite been as front and centre for Arne Slot’s Reds this season as Gibbs-White has been for Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flyers – seen in his 25 games in all competitions next to his counterpart’s 35 – the 22-time England U21 international has still chipped in when needed with four goals and two assists.

Again, much like the Forest number ten, the 22-year-old is also more than capable of playing as a winger away from just lining up centrally.

Indeed, his 144 appearances in the men’s side at Anfield to date – alongside a blistering loan stint with Blackburn Rovers – have seen him take to the pitch in a sizeable six different positions.

Elliott’s career G/A numbers by position

Position played

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

RW

103

18

22

AM

67

5

5

CM

36

4

14

LW

14

2

3

CF

3

0

1

SS

1

0

1

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Previously lauded as “phenomenal” by journalist David Lynch, it will be up to Wolves to ensure they get the most out of Elliott on his arrival, with the versatile young English talent – as Gibbs-White is – surely itching to be a first-team regular in his new location.

If they do manage to get the best out of the 22-year-old, any lingering agony of losing the Englishman prematurely will be fixed by Elliott’s emergence.

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With just five games remaining and three points standing between themselves and the relegation zone, Portsmouth have been dealt another ill-timed injury blow as they look to confirm their Championship safety.

Portsmouth facing crucial run-in

Having achieved promotion back to the Championship last season, it would be an incredible success if Portsmouth managed to stay afloat at the first time of asking. On that front, John Mousinho’s side have still got a job to finish, however. As things stand, they sit 17th and a precarious three points above the dropzone ahead of a crucial few weeks.

Portsmouth’s final 5 Championship games

Date

Portsmouth vs Derby County

12/04/2025

Norwich City vs Portsmouth

18/04/2025

Portsmouth vs Watford

21/04/2025

Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth

26/04/2025

Portsmouth vs Hull City

03/05/2025

Squaring off against two of the eight sides currently below them in the Championship standings ahead of their final five games, Portsmouth will hope to get back to winning ways as soon as possible after losing in the 94th minute against Coventry City last time out.

Mousinho had his say on the devastating last-gasp defeat, telling reporters: “It was a really difficult one. I was going to say what a really good point away from home at Coventry, a very, very solid performance, we caused them problems and nearly caught them at the very back end of the game.

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“The difference between that – the positivity – to where we are now. It’s obviously a solid display and then 10 seconds of madness.We have to be realistic about that. We can’t have those moments in games where we make really, really poor decisions because the ball ends up in the back of the net.”

What certainly didn’t help Pompey was the fresh injury news that they suffered in the build-up to the Coventry game, adding to their list of absentees alongside the likes of Connor Shaughnessy, Rob Atkinson and Ibane Bowat.

Milosevic adds to Portsmouth's injury woes

Now without four central defenders, Mousinho confirmed that Alexander Milosevic is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the build-up to Portsmouth’s defeat against Coventry. Left to call on Connor Ogilvie, who can play left-back or centre-back, and Regan Poole, Pompey are one more defensive blow away from a makeshift backline.

Mousinho confirmed Milosevic’s injury, telling reporters: “Alex picked up an injury in training so we are going to scan that on Thursday and see how he is.”

Having arrived in March on a free deal, the 33-year-old is yet to make his Portsmouth debut and will now have to wait even longer just when Mousinho may have needed his services most amid an injury crisis.

Those around Fratton Park will simply be hoping to avoid another lengthy absence at a crucial time for the club. With just five games left to play, Portsmouth are so close to Championship safety and confirming that before a nervous game against Hull City on the final day would certainly come as a major relief.

The India captain has been in the spotlight off the field, but his returns on it are dwindling

Shashank Kishore27-Sep-20252:05

Is captaincy affecting SKY’s form?

Suryakumar Yadav’s last act on the field against Sri Lanka on Friday was a punch through the covers to seal India’s victory in the Super Over. But before that moment of assurance at the finish, he had seemed like a man just beginning to be affected by his poor form.During India’s first innings, Suryakumar had chosen to review an lbw decision against him despite knowing that it was almost certainly out. One of T20 cricket’s most feared batters had scores of only 0, 5 and 12 in his last three innings at the Asia Cup.His performance in this tournament is in keeping with a pool of scores that is hard-hitting. In ten innings this year, India’s T20I captain has managed just 99 runs with three ducks, while striking at 110. Go back further, from just after India’s T20 World Cup win in June 2024 to now, his numbers get only marginally better: 329 runs in 19 innings with two half-centuries.Related

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There doesn’t seem to be an apparent weakness or loophole in his game, though his propensity to premeditate – like that pick-up flick he plays nonchalantly – has caused his downfall a few times in this Asia Cup alone. Away from the glare of the game, there seems to be no issue with Suryakumar’s batting. He’s striking the ball sweetly at training, but that fluency has been missing on match days. This lean run has come at a time when the spotlight is on him for different reasons – for his gestures, expressions, comments, press conference quips, and the biggest of them all, handshake-gate. There have been disciplinary hearings off the field and drastic batting-order shuffles on it.On Friday, Suryakumar had an opportunity to find his rhythm in a dead rubber, but he flickered before fizzling out for 12 off 13 balls. An on-the-up cover drive for four off Maheesh Theekshana was as good as it got. He kept getting beaten while playing down the wrong line. A nip backer from Dushmantha Chameera beat his inside edge, and he got a leading edge over point off a slower one.Suryakumar Yadav fell for another low score against Sri Lanka•AFP/Getty ImagesSuryakumar’s first attempt at a sweep also resulted in a leading edge on to the grille of his helmet as he misread the length. He was lbw in the same over, premeditating a sweep against Wanindu Hasaraga, getting caught in a tangle and hit flush on the pad by a full delivery. He walked off tossing his bat, with a rueful look up to the sky.His only significant innings in this tournament was in the group game against Pakistan, when he struck an unbeaten 47, finishing the chase with a six and walking off with his usual gum-chewing swagger. That knock barely registered because the discourse was dominated by handshake-gate.Through all this, his commitment to his team’s needs has not wavered. He’s been the loudest advocate for flexibility in batting roles, that everyone below the openers must be ready to move up or down. Against Oman, Suryakumar chose to push himself down to No. 11, giving the likes of Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav time in the middle instead.Thirteen T20I innings without a fifty is uncharted territory. Suryakumar endured barren series in South Africa and at home against England, but had a blazing IPL before this Asia Cup. He amassed 717 runs at a strike rate of 167.91 for Mumbai Indians, scoring 25-plus in 16 consecutive innings, which is why the continued downturn in international cricket is a surprise.After the Super Four game against Pakistan, Suryakumar made headlines for his proclamation that India vs Pakistan is no longer a rivalry. For all his chatter and quips, nothing will speak louder than runs in Sunday’s Asia Cup final against Pakistan.

And how often has a opener carried his bat in the fourth innings, only to see his side lose?

Steven Lynch30-Jan-2024England won the first Test against India despite a first-innings deficit of 190. How many Tests have been won from a worse position? asked Robert James from England

England came out on top in Hyderabad despite trailing on first innings by 190. They have won only three Tests from a worse position, and one of those was the controversial game The Oval in 2006, when Pakistan forfeited the match despite a first-innings lead of 331.The other big England comebacks were the two Tests they won against Australia after following on – with deficits of 261 at Sydney in 1894, and 227 at Headingley in 1981. This ignores another controversial game, the contrived “leather jacket” win over South Africa in Centurion in 2000, where the official scorecard shows that England were 248 behind on first innings, after declaring at 0 for 0.In all, there have been nine higher leads than 190 overturned to win a Test, including the Oval 331, which is technically the highest, and the Centurion 248: next comes 291, the advantage overcome by Australia (256 and 471) in beating Sri Lanka (547 for 8 and 164) in Colombo in August 1992.India are next, after beating Australia in Kolkata in 2001 despite following on 274 behind. The biggest first-innings lead overturned to beat India at home before this week was just 65, by Australia in Madras in 1964.The first ball Tom Hartley bowled in a Test was hit for six – and then he finished up with a seven-for on debut. How many people have done these things? asked David Carter from England

It certainly looked ominous for Lancashire’s Tom Hartley when his first delivery in that absorbing Test match in Hyderabad was hit for six by India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal. There was another six a few balls later, and Hartley’s first spell of nine overs cost 63.Hartley was the fourth bowler whose first ball in Test cricket is known to have been hit for six. The first was India’s WV Raman, whose first ball against West Indies in Madras (now Chennai) in 1988 was hit for six by Winston Davis.The other two came in the space of a few days in November 2012: first Bangladesh’s Sohag Gazi was hit over the ropes by West Indies’ Chris Gayle in Mirpur (uniquely, this was also the first ball of the Test), then Faf du Plessis of South Africa saw his first delivery to Australia’s David Warner soar out of the ground in Adelaide. Note that there are a few Tests, mostly early ones, for which we do not have full ball-by-ball details, so this list may not be complete.Hartley recovered to take 7 for 62, the second-best by any England spinner on Test debut behind the 7 for 56 of James Langridge, another slow left-armer, against West Indies at Old Trafford in 1933. Hartley’s match figures of 9 for 193 are the best on debut by any England slow bowler since Bob Berry – yet another left-arm spinner, and also from Lancashire – took 9 for 116 against West Indies at Old Trafford in 1950.Pat Cummins declared behind in Brisbane – and lost! How rare is this? asked Mik Kochinsky from Australia

Pat Cummins’s declaration in Brisbane – 22 runs behind, in a match ultimately lost by eight – was the seventh time a captain has declared his first innings when behind the opposition’s total and lost the Test. Leaving aside the “leather jacket” win in the South Africa-England Test in Centurion in 2000, there have been only two occasions when declaring behind paid off with a win: by England against West Indies on a rain-affected pitch in Bridgetown in 1935, and by Australia against West Indies in Bridgetown in 2012. There have also been 22 draws.Steven Smith is the eighth opener to carry his bat in the fourth innings a losing cause•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesSteve Smith carried his bat through the fourth innings of the Brisbane Test, but ended up losing. How rare is this? asked Davey Harrison from Australia

During his valiant innings in Brisbane, Australia’s Steve Smith provided only the ninth instance of an opener ending up on the losing side despite carrying his bat through the final innings of a Test.It’s something of an Australian specialty. Bill Woodfull did it twice – against England in Brisbane in 1928, and again in Adelaide during the Bodyline series in 1933. Bill Lawry did it in an Ashes Test in Sydney in 1971, and David Warner carried his bat in vain against New Zealand in Hobart in 2011 (Australia lost that one by seven runs).The non-Aussies are Glenn Turner, for New Zealand against England at Lord’s in 1969; Geoff Boycott, for England vs Australia in Perth in 1979 (he finished with 99 not out); Mark Dekker, for Zimbabwe vs Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 1993; and Dean Elgar, for South Africa vs India in Johannesburg in 2018. For the list of those who carried their bat in a men’s Test, click here. That shows all of them: to find the fourth-innings instances, look down the third column of figures.Has anyone had a higher first-class batting average after eight matches than the Belgian-born Zimbabwean Antum Naqvi? asked Nick Gordon from England

An undefeated triple-century in his eighth match, for MidWest Rhinos against Matabeleland Tuskers in Harare earlier this month, meant that Antum Naqvi – who was indeed born in Brussels – had a first-class average of 102.14 after eight matches (715 runs, nine innings, two not-outs).I had to mobilise the twinkling fingers (and bulging first-class database) of Andrew Samson for this one, and he kindly informed me that no fewer than seven players have had higher averages after eight matches. The most famous of them is Bill Ponsford, who went on to average close to 50 in 29 Tests for Australia: after eight first-class games he had piled up 1,360 runs at 113.33, including innings of 429, 248 and 162; in his ninth match he made 110 and 110 not out. There’s also a recent Test player in Bahir Shah of Afghanistan (103.27). Top of the pile is the Indian Shantanu Sugwekar, whose eight-match average of 164.40 included 299 not out for Maharashtra against Madhya Pradesh in Pune in 1989. Six of his 11 innings were not-outs.Naqvi came down to earth somewhat in his ninth match, scoring 41 and 1, which meant his average dropped to 84.11.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

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

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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.

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.

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.

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

Tristan Lavalette05-Nov-2025

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.