Alisha Lehmann has scored her first goal for Como Women, allowing her iconic fishing celebration to be broken out. The Swiss took on a new challenge in Italy over the summer after severing ties with Serie A champions Juventus. She is up and running with her new employers, with the tricky forward all smiles after opening her account with a slightly fortuitous strike.
Rutherford and Motie put on a WI record ninth-wicket stand but it was in vain
Andrew Fidel Fernando23-Oct-2024
Maheesh Theekshana and Sri Lanka’s spinners had a great time in Pallekelle•SLC
Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie put on a record-breaking 119-run ninth-wicket stand, before Motie and Alzarri Joseph struck once apiece inside the powerplay. Aside from these stretches of dominance though, Sri Lanka ran away with the game.Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando had sent West Indies crashing to 58 for 8, before that ninth-wicket resistance came. Then, after the loss of two early wickets, Sri Lanka recovered through a 62-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Nishan Madushka, before the in-form Charith Asalanka came in to produce a fluent half-century, and take Sri Lanka to a substantial victory, and another series victory under his fledgling captaincy.Though the pitch for this 44-over match – drizzle had delayed the start by two hours – was exceedingly spin friendly (it was the same track used for Sunday’s game), 190 was always going to be a challenge to defend. Where Sri Lanka’s spinners were able to be consistently menacing, often getting significant turn even off faster deliveries, West Indies’ slow bowlers did not quite have the same impact.Motie was their best slow bowler, conceding only 18 from his nine overs, and taking the wicket of Kusal Mendis. But legspinner Hayden Walsh was underwhelming, guilty of pitching far too short and being picked off – he went for 41 runs off his five overs. Roston Chase was also only moderately effective. In fact it was seamer Alzarri Joseph who collected the innings’ best figures of 2 for 30.Although Hasaranga would go on to get more wickets, it was Theekshana who was the best of Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers, and Theekshana who set the collapse in motion with a gorgeous offbreak that beat the outside of left-hander Alick Athanaze’s bat and clip off stump. The offbreak turned big on this surface, and he threatened both right-handers and left-handers with it, going to the carrom ball only occasionally. The lines Theekshana bowled were mostly impeccable.Later, a big offbreak would sneak between Keacy Carty’s bat and pad and rattle his stumps as well, before a slider beat the wild reverse-swipe that Walsh attempted off Theekshana in the 15th over. He collected figures of 3 for 25 off nine overs.Hasaranga’s googlies were doing their usual damage, with Chase suckered in by one that was flighted beautifully. Hasaranga had to work less hard for the wickets of Romario Shepherd, and Alzarri Joseph, who didn’t fancy picking him. He’d take the final wicket of the innings too, getting Jayden Seales caught and bowled, and took home the game’s best figures of 4 for 40.Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie put on a record 119 runs for the ninth wicket•AFP/Getty Images
Fernando’s 3 for 35 was especially impressive on a track that did not favour him. He dismissed Brandon King with a surprise bouncer that King played at too early, before bowling Shai Hope with a slightly back of a length delivery that the batter dragged on to his stumps. That he broke the big Rutherford-Motie stand was also significant, even if the wicket of Rutherford came off a low full toss.In fact, Rutherford had been struggling terribly before Motie joined him at the crease in the 16th over and provided the early impetus for their partnership. The No. 10 struck important boundaries, off Hasaranga especially, and by the end of the 25th over had 35 runs to Rutherford’s 33, though Rutherford had been there longer and faced more balls.This is the point at which Rutherford began to attack however, having earlier seemed bewildered by every spinner Sri Lanka employed against him. There were suddenly sixes down the ground and on the legside from Rutherford – one hoick over deep square leg off Asalanka’s bowling taking him to his half century, off 57 balls. He continued to hit out until he was caught on the deep square leg boundary in the 35th over, having hit four sixes and seven fours. His 80 off 82 was the highest score in the game.Later, after Samarawickrama and Madushka – both of whom made 38 – had lifted Sri Lanka out of immediate danger, Asalanka’s entry into the game sent them smoothly off towards the five-wicket victory that would eventuate with 34 balls remaining.The hallmark of a good Asalanka innings is his early boundary-striking ability, and so it was here – spotting a full delivery outside off from the opposition’s best seamer second ball, Asalanka creamed it through point for four. In Joseph’s next over, Asalanka crashed him through square leg and drilled him through cover for two more fours, having also slog-swept Roston Chase for a boundary in between. In a flash he was on 20 off 14.Though the tempo slowed, he got to his half century off the 48th ball he faced, and went on to shepherd Sri Lanka home, remaining not out on 62 off 61 balls.
Federico Chiesa has not travelled with the Liverpool first team for their pre-season tour in Japan. A minor niggle best treated on Merseyside, so the club say.
But we all know the decision is carried by the undertow of Chiesa’s wretched debut campaign, having been the only man to sign for Arne Slot’s side last summer, arriving from Juventus in a deal worth just £12.5m.
The 27-year-old had just one year remaining on his deal with the Turin side, and FSG sensed an opportunity. Low risk, high reward.
Sadly, the versatile forward’s time on Merseyside has yielded little personal success, though he will leave a Premier League champion, should he depart as expected.
Premier League
6
–
–
104′
Champions League
3
–
1
107′
Carabao Cup
3
1
1
120′
FA Cup
2
1
–
135′
Injuries and Slot’s unwillingness to hand him minutes don’t detract from the fact that a replacement might be needed, especially since Luis Diaz is the subject of Bayern Munich’s vested interest, with a £58.5m bid already knocked back.
How Liverpool are replacing Federico Chiesa
In a sense, Liverpool have already replaced Chiesa, for they have signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for about £30m. The right-sider is a defender and forward both, with the athleticism and monstrous attacking qualities to provide cover for Mohamed Salah.
Replacing Chiesa comes less from a strictly positional standpoint than the addition of one or two signings who can complete Liverpool’s frontline.
With Florian Wirtz signed for a British record £116m fee, steps have already been taken in this regard. More of a playmaker, the German is nonetheless one of the most dangerous attacking players on the globe.
And Hugo Ekitike is in the process of completing his medical before sealing his move to Anfield. Liverpool agreed a £79m total package with Eintracht Frankfurt for the 23-year-old striker.
However, if Diaz is sold, Liverpool would need a new winger, one preferably who could provide support both on the left and on the right.
Liverpool in the race for Premier League winger
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have retained an interest in Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon after being offered the chance to sign the England winger last summer.
Gordon, 24, has been shortlisted along with Lyon prospect Malick Fofana and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as FSG prepare for Diaz’s potential departure.
However, Gordon’s affiliation with Liverpool (who he supported as a child and played for as an academy member until he was 11) and his Premier League experiences could see a bid placed for him.
The Magpies are looking to bank as much as £100m, and Arsenal are also interested.
Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon
Gordon might have been of an Everton persuasion in the past, but Liverpool would hit the jackpot by reeling him back over to Merseyside as a Red.
Fast, furious and threatening with a variety of instruments, Gordon has established himself as a real menace, notching 36 goal involvements across the past two Premier League seasons and winning Newcastle’s Player of the Year award for 2023/24.
Not just a sharp attacking presence, Gordon also gets stuck in and contributes across the park. As per Sofascore, he averaged 1.5 key passes and 4.4 successful duels per game last term, thus illustrating his combativeness and crispness on the ball.
And given that he would be a direct Diaz replacement, it’s only fitting that he should be positionally fluid. In this way, he could in fact cover Chiesa’s position when called upon, also capable of moonlighting as a centre-forward, like Diaz did so expertly last year.
Left winger
124
26
29
Right winger
53
8
8
Attacking midfield
21
13
2
Centre-forward
16
5
1
Gordon’s performances since swapping Everton for Newcastle have seen him spring from the floor, but his ceiling’s higher still.
Declaring himself “a nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, Gordon has the experience to dovetail right into Liverpool’s first team, with his dynamic skills making him an exciting teammate for any forward looking to make their way.
All this is to say that Gordon could actually prove to be an even bigger talent than Ekitike, who has been named “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson but has yet to pass the English top-flight test.
The Frenchman might need a bit of time to bed in, whereas Gordon would be expected to hit the ground running.
That’s not a blight on Ekitike’s skill set. He is indeed one of the most exciting prospects out there, and he could shape into a world-beater for a fluent Liverpool side so rich with quality to ease him into his touted talismanic role.
But Gordon has already hit an astounding level in the Premier League, and joining Slot’s brood, he would be expected to raise his bar once again, taking a leaf from Ryan Gravenberch’s book, from Cody Gakpo’s.
Moreover, the fact that Liverpool’s interest stretches back to last summer makes a rather interesting comment on the depth of their intrigue, and indeed how the powers that be appear to be in concert: this is a player that the club need to sign, for he could not only replace Diaz but rise to a level above the Colombia star.
Ekitike is a talented player, but Liverpool know that he is a work in progress. Gordon may well be too, but he would be expected to lead with confidence, all the while reaching a level which might truly blow the Merseyside fanbase away.
Better deal than Ekitike: Liverpool preparing £45m bid for "monster" star
Liverpool are still planning to make several more signings in the summer transfer market.
ByAngus Sinclair Jul 21, 2025
Newcastle United haven’t quite got going in the summer transfer window, but Eddie Howe has a plan and is beginning to put it into action.
Despite missing out on a host of top targets, the Tynesiders will be confident that they can make something meaningful out of a transfer window that is preceded by the Magpies’ success in winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.
They will need to recover from the slew of setbacks which has seen them miss out on Dean Huijsen, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro.
And things are gathering pace on that front.
Newcastle looking to kickstart transfer window
Newcastle have reportedly launched a fresh attempt worth £50m + to sign Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga and their pursuit of new talent isn’t going to stop there.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is also anticipated to be on the verge of joining the St. James’ Park ranks, having been hailed for his “world-class” level by manager Scott Parker earlier in 2025.
With a goalkeeper and a new winger potentially ticked off, it’s over to the midfield. While it isn’t regarded as the highest priority by Howe and Co, the opportunity to sign Matteo Guendouzi might be too good to resist.
As per reports in Italy, translated by Sport Witness, Newcastle have joined Aston Villa and rivals Sunderland in preparing a bid for the Lazio midfielder, who is valued at €50m (£43m).
Guendouzi, 26, is a valued member of Maurizio Sarri’s squad, but financial concerns may force them to cash in.
Why Newcastle want Matteo Guendouzi
France international and former Arsenal star Guendouzi never hit his finest form when cutting his teeth as a Gunner, however, he was always regarded as a “monster in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
He completed 66 fixtures under Unai Emery’s wing before moving back to his homeland. A stint with Marseille led to rehousing in the Serie A with Lazio, where he has now performed for the past two campaigns, featuring prominently.
His combative and progressive mix of qualities, hardened by his time in Italy, suggests he could be Howe’s next version of Sandro Tonali, who served as an inimitable maestro for Newcastle last season.
Guendouzi, indeed, ranked among the top 10% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 19% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.
Press-resistant and confident in their roles, Guendouzi would add competition for the Italian, who was so instrumental for Newcastle’s incredible resurgence last term.
Indeed, with Sean Longstaff potentially being sold, the need for such a signing is underscored.
Matches (starts)
36 (28)
37 (37)
Goals
4
1
Assists
2
3
Touches*
53.4
68.3
Pass completion
86%
91%
Big chances created
4
3
Key passes*
0.8
1.2
Dribbles (success)*
0.6 (59%)
0.4 (60%)
Ball recoveries*
4.9
4.7
Tackles + interceptions*
2.3
1.9
Duels won*
3.7 (54%)
2.8 (50%)
Both players operate so fluidly in the middle of the park, and Guendouzi could add the perfect bit of depth to ensure Newcastle pull their weight across domestic and continental competitions in 2025/26.
Newcastle have already hit the jackpot with one midfield signing brought over from the Italian scene; might they strike gold once again?
Next Ben Arfa: Newcastle set to bid £50m for "electric" Elanga alternative
As Newcastle chase Anthony Elanga, should they instead go for an “electric” winger, one who is reminiscent of former fan’s favourite Hatem Ben Arfa?
ByBen Gray Jul 3, 2025
With a medical now scheduled, Crystal Palace are reportedly set to get their summer transfer business underway by signing a Champions League-level free agent.
Crystal Palace awaiting Europa League verdict
It looked as though Crystal Palace could be in for arguably their most exciting summer ever after qualifying for the Europa League by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. That joy has quickly turned into potential heartbreak, however, with John Textor’s involvement in the club throwing the Eagles’ European place into doubt.
UEFA has rules in place against owners holding stakes in multiple clubs in the same competition. This means that Textor’s share in both Lyon and Palace could see the South London club given the boot. As per the rules, they could also be refused a place in the Europa Conference League due to David Blitzer’s share in both Brondby and Crystal Palace.
It has sparked quite the debate and one that Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest have attempted to weigh in on by writing to UEFA about potentially taking Palace’s Europa League place. The Midlands club qualified for the Europa Conference League but would move up to the Europa League if Palace were to lose out.
Those at Selhurst Park are insisting that they are an entity which operates individually and Textor, himself, has reiterated just how little involvement he has at the club in the past, saying: “As proud as we are to have been a part of the resurgence of Crystal Palace, it remains true that Crystal Palace is an independent club, run by a man with a steady hand, who has achieved a level of sustainability that is incredibly uncommon in today’s Premier League.”
Crystal Palace now ahead of Leeds in race to sign £20m Championship ace
Crystal Palace are now leading the charge to sign an attacking midfielder from the EFL.
ByBrett Worthington Jun 12, 2025
Nonetheless, with or without European football, the Eagles have reportedly pushed on in pursuit of their summer targets and look likely to commence their business in the face of potential heartbreak.
Crystal Palace set to sign Walter Benitez
According to The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam, Crystal Palace are now set to sign Walter Benitez on a free transfer following the end of his contract at PSV Eindhoven this summer. The Argentina goalkeeper is reportedly set to undergo a medical at the South London club, who have managed to fend off late interest from Everton to get their business underway.
A veteran shot-stopper who was playing Champions League football just last season, Benitez is expected to provide backup for Dean Henderson and could even challenge the Palace No.1 for his starting place next season.
The Argentine’s arrival follows Matt Turner’s return to Nottingham Forest to end his loan spell at Selhurst Park. Opening a space for a new option to deputise Henderson, Palace have chosen experience rather than an up-and-coming option.
At 32 years old, meanwhile, Benitez is set to step into the Premier League for the first time and could even get the chance to feature in the Europa League if Palace win their ongoing battle.
It’s been coming. Liverpool have enjoyed the most incredible of campaigns, FSG hitting the jackpot with their appointment of Arne Slot, but in keeping with the yearly routine, the season has produced a bitter pill for the fanbase to swallow.
Last year, it was a tired Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down after nearly nine illustrious years at the helm. 12 months earlier, Liverpool waved goodbye to Bobby Firmino, with the core of Anfield’s midfield all departing too.
Now, Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract this summer, and while it hasn’t been set in stone, he will sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool journey has been synonymous with the club’s ascension under Klopp’s wing. The German gaffer birthed Trent onto the senior stage, handing him his debut across every competition for the Reds.
He’s won it all, but the 26-year-old’s decision to leave Liverpool and the peak of their (and his) powers is something that many fans aren’t going to be able to accept.
|
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool Career by Competition |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Competition |
Apps |
Goals |
Assists |
|
Premier League |
257 |
18 |
67 |
|
Champions League |
60 |
2 |
13 |
|
FA Cup |
13 |
1 |
3 |
|
Carabao Cup |
10 |
0 |
6 |
|
Europa League |
5 |
0 |
2 |
|
Club World Cup |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
CL Qualifying |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Community Shield |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
UEFA Super Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
FSG did everything in their power to keep him on the books, reportedly offered him a healthy upgrade on his £180k-per-week contract, showcased an ambitious plan led by Slot, whose tactical grasp Trent has been dazzled by.
In the end, he just wanted to leave.
We could pick at it all day but the truth is that Alexander-Arnold feels he has given two decades of his life to his football club and won the lot. He believes that this is the right time for a change, and Real Madrid usually get what they want.
Sky Sports have even suggested that playing in Los Blancos white is something of a lifelong ambition for the England international, whose sights have likely been set on a move for a few years now, in one way or another.
Sporting director Richard Hughes will take his time in working with Slot and deciding on the best route forward at right-back. For now, though, he is looking to sign another defender nice and swiftly.
The Premier League champions are gearing up for a big summer, and the perfect way to put Alexander-Arnold’s decision in the background would be to win the race for Dean Huijsen.
Bournemouth’s star centre-back has been one of the breakthrough stars of the season, thriving on the South Coast. He has a £50m release clause in his contract and is being pursued by all of England’s heaviest hitters.
Certain reports have suggested Chelsea have the edge but according to Fabrizio Romano, the race is very much on, and Liverpool are in need of a new up-and-coming defensive star.
Huijsen hasn’t been in the Premier League for long, but he’s already being head-hunted by the best of the best and this is all down to his performances on the pitch.
How Juventus must regret their decision to sell the 20-year-old to Bournemouth in a £15m deal last summer, for he has featured prominently in a Cherries side chasing Europe, with journalist Henry Winter even noting that he “shackled [Alexander] Isak on ground and in the air” back in January.
Sofascore record that Huijsen has won 61% of his aerial battles in the Premier League this season, also averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, so it’s clear he’s able to produce the goods against the best of the best with consistency. One analyst has already declared that he’s going to be “world-class” in the coming years.
His latest showstopping game, a 2-1 win over Arsenal away from home, highlighted many of the qualities that have piqued the interest of so many clubs, notably scoring the equalising goal.
It was a statement display, not just the architect of the Emirates fall through his headed goal, but an all-round display that negated much of the Gunners’ attacking play.
A big-game player, dynamic as they come, Huijsen is already demonstrating an ability that could see him slot right into Liverpool’s starting line-up, fostering his talents over the coming years to eventually become an even bigger star than Alexander-Arnold.
With some suggesting that he has everything he needs to become “the ultimate modern-day centre back,” Huijsen could actually rise to an even higher level than Alexander-Arnold, should he make the move to Liverpool.
That’s not actually to detract from the Three Lions star’s skill set: Trent is a one-of-a-kind player, with a celestial range of passing that has been so important across a sustained period of success at Anfield.
But Huijsen, too, is showing himself to be a unique player. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of defenders in the Premier League this season for goal contributions, the top 16% for progressive passes, the top 13% for progressive carries, the top 6% for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for blocks and clearances per 90.
It’s not difficult to see why Liverpool (and all the rest) have a vested interest in securing his services as he steps toward footballing maturity.
Surpassing Alexander-Arnold’s legacy would take quite an effort from a young Spaniard like Huijsen (born in the Netherlands), but the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have already arrived as foreigners and established themselves as heroes for the ages.
Huijsen could repeat the trick, outstripping Alexander-Arnold in doing so.
Better than Rogers: Liverpool could see £65m bid accepted for 18-goal star
Liverpool are in the market for new forwards this summer.
By
Angus Sinclair
May 5, 2025
From afar, the intense battle for automatic promotion in the Championship is an enthralling spectacle to watch.
But, for those locked deep in it, there is nothing more nerve-wracking, with one minor misfire squandering your chances of an instant path up to the Premier League.
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United have found out the hard way how cruel the tense promotion fight can be, with the one-time leaders now out of the top two after two humbling losses on the spin.
Time is still on their side to atone for these missteps, but Wilder will need to be more cutthroat with his team selections and drop underperformers, with Ben Brereton Diaz’s first-team spot on shaky ground.
Why Brereton Diaz needs to be dropped
The Chilean attacker won’t be deemed as a blunder in the transfer market, however, with Brereton Diaz boasting a mildly impressive three goals and three assists from 14 encounters since joining on loan in January.
But, to the dismay of the Blades faithful watching on alongside his manager, the usually potent forward was largely anonymous in the last two defeats against Oxford United and Millwall.
Minutes played
59
45
Goals scored
0
0
Assists
0
0
Shots
0
2
Touches
20
21
Accurate passes
7/10 (70%)
9/14
Possession lost
7x
6x
Looking at the table above, it’s clear that Brereton Diaz has been massively underperforming to the detriment of his promotion-chasing side, with only two shots registered in total across a combined 104 minutes versus the U’s and Alex Neil’s visitors.
Moreover, his wastefulness on the ball as a right winger has killed many an attacking opportunity, with possession given up a high seven times at the Kassam Stadium, despite only mustering up a weak 20 touches of the ball.
Wilder substituting off the Southampton loanee at the half-time interval versus Millwall could mean he’s willing to drop the 25-year-old completely for his side’s mammoth trip to Plymouth Argyle later on, therefore, which might potentially gift this exciting winger the chance to nail down a starting spot on the right subsequently.
How Wilder can replace Brereton Diaz
After all, if the Blades do decide to go all gung-ho on their travels to Devon, they could gain a lot of joy from a leaky, relegation-doomed side in the Pilgrims, considering Plymouth have given up a high 81 goals in league action.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could be licking his lips at the prospect of a start at Home Park, consequently, with the Crystal Palace loanee gifting his side a lot more on the right flank last time out than the out-of-sorts Brereton Diaz.
Across his bright 45-minute stint on the Bramall Lane turf, Rak-Sakyi managed to tally up three more shots than his poor counterpart, on top of also twisting and turn Millwall shirts for fun with three successful dribbles, as per Sofascore.
Winning 100% of his ground duels too, the 22-year-old attacker would have been kicking himself that he didn’t add to his growing goal and assist tally for the club in the unfortunate 1-0 defeat, having picked up six strikes and two assists away from this second successive loss.
Hailed as a “remarkable” player by former Eagles boss Roy Hodgson, Rak-Sakyi would love to close out his memorable stint in South Yorkshire with a promotion on his fledgling CV.
With double the amount of strikes compared next to Brereton Diaz’s league output – on top of his promising cameo against Millwall – the time could be right to hand the entertaining youngster a start, as Wilder attempts to roll the dice subtly to get his team’s stuttering promotion push back on course.
Wilder must axe Sheffield United man earning more than Cooper & Campbell
Chris Wilder could soon ditch this Sheffield United high earner.
ByKelan Sarson Apr 8, 2025
Two of India’s best young players ticked off a few records in the second Test against West Indies in Delhi
Sampath Bandarupalli11-Oct-20255 Test hundreds for Shubman Gill in 2025, the most by a player in the year they first began captaining their country. Gill also equalled the Indian record for most Test hundreds as a captain in a calendar year, held by Virat Kohli with five tons each in 2017 and 2018.12 Innings for Gill to score five hundreds as Test captain. Only two players took less time to get to this mark – Alastair Cook (nine innings) and Sunil Gavaskar (10). In terms of matches, Gill took the same as Don Bradman (seven) to score five Test hundreds as captain, while Cook (five) and Gavaskar (six) got there quicker.ESPNcricinfo Ltd84.81 Gill’s average as captain, second only to Bradman’s (101.51) among those who have led their teams at least seven times in Test cricket. This Test against West Indies in Delhi is Gill’s seventh Test as captain.5 Number of 150-plus scores for Yashasvi Jaiswal in Test cricket. Only Bradman (8) had more 150-plus scores before turning 24.7 Hundreds for Jaiswal in his 26-match Test career, the joint-most by an opener before turning 24. Graeme Smith also had seven tons as an opener before his 24th birthday.Overall, only Bradman (12), Sachin Tendulkar (11) and Garry Sobers (nine) scored more than seven hundreds in Test cricket before turning 24.Yashasvi Jaiswal has turned five of his first seven hundreds into 150-plus scores•AFP/Getty Images2 Number of players before Jaiswal to convert five of their first seven Test hundreds into 150-plus scores – Bob Simpson and Brian Lara.3 Instances of India having a fifty-plus stand for each of the first five wickets in a Test innings. The previous two instances were against England in 1993 in Mumbai and against Australia in 2023 in Ahmedabad.518 for 5 India’s first-innings total in Delhi is the highest in Test cricket without a bye or leg bye. The previous highest such score was 513 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in Chattogram in 2018.ESPNcricinfo LtdIndia’s innings featured only two runs through extras – both being wides – the second-fewest in a Test total of 500-plus. Australia’s 549 for 7 against South Africa in 1950 featured only one extra run, a bye.318 Balls were bowled by West Indies’ pace bowlers in India’s first innings without taking a wicket. Only twice before had West Indies’ pacers gone wicketless in a Test innings despite bowling 300-plus balls – against New Zealand in 1972 at Georgetown (540 balls*) and against Pakistan in 2016 at Dubai (432 balls).*Sobers, who bowls spin and seam, bowled 42 wicketless overs in addition to the 540 balls at Georgetown
All the ODI records that were broken in Australia’s innings of 367 for 9 against Pakistan in Bengaluru
Sampath Bandarupalli20-Oct-2023259 – Partnership runs between David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, the second-highest opening stand in men’s ODI World Cups. The highest is 282 between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga against Zimbabwe in 2011.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – The Warner-Marsh partnership is the first 200-plus runs stand against Pakistan at the men’s World Cup. The previous highest was the unbeaten 175-run opening stand between Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes in 1992.The 259-run stand is also the second-highest for Australia at World Cups, behind the 260 partnership between Warner and Steven Smith for the second wicket against Afghanistan in 2015.367 for 9 – Australia’s total in Bengaluru is now the highest by any team against Pakistan at men’s ODI World Cups. Sri Lanka’s 344 for 9 earlier in the tournament in Hyderabad was the previous highest. It is also the second-highest ODI total for Australia against Pakistan, behind the 369 for 7 in the 2017 Adelaide ODI.4 – Consecutive ODI hundreds for Warner against Pakistan. He is only the second batter with four straight ODI tons against an opponent, joining Virat Kohli, who did it against West Indies.5 – Hundreds by Warner in ODI World Cups, the joint-most for Australia, alongside Ricky Ponting. Only two batters have scored more than five hundreds at men’s ODI World Cups – Rohit Sharma (7) and Sachin Tendulkar (6).3 – Number of 150-plus scores by Warner at ODI World Cups. No other batter has more than one. He scored 178 against Afghanistan in 2015 and 166 against Bangladesh in 2019. Warner now has seven 150-plus scores in ODIs, only one behind Rohit’s eight.ESPNcricinfo Ltd19 – Sixes by Australia on Friday are the joint-most they have hit in an ODI innings. They also struck 19 sixes against India in 2013 during an ODI at the same ground.These 19 sixes are the most that Pakistan have conceded in an ODI innings and also the joint-second by any team in a men’s ODI World Cup game, only behind England’s 25 sixes against Afghanistan in 2019.18 – Total sixes struck by the Australian openers – nine each by Warner and Marsh. These are the most sixes hit by opening batters in an ODI innings, surpassing the 16 by India (all 16 by Rohit) against Australia in 2013 and West Indies (all 16 by Chris Gayle) against Zimbabwe in 2015.1 – Warner’s 163 is the highest individual score against Pakistan at men’s ODI World Cups. The previous highest was Andrew Symonds’ 143* in the 2003 edition in Johannesburg. Warner is also the first batter with two hundreds at World Cups against Pakistan, as his first (107) came in 2019.2 – Batters with a century on their birthday at men’s ODI World Cups, including Marsh, who turned 32 on Friday with his 121. Ross Taylor was the first to score a World Cup hundred on his birthday – 131* against Pakistan in 2011 when he turned 27.
The second-most overs faced, the second-best lead and other dizzying records
Sampath Bandarupalli04-Jan-2022176.2 – The number of overs Bangladesh batted in their first innings at the Bay Oval. These are the second-most they’ve batted in a Test innings, behind the 196 overs they batted out against Sri Lanka in Galle, 2013. This is also only the second instance of Bangladesh batting 150-plus overs in a Test innings outside Asia – 152.0 overs against New Zealand in Wellington in 2017.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2009 – The last time a visiting team batted for more than the 176.2 overs in a Test innings in New Zealand. Pakistan battled out 193.2 overs during their second dig to draw the series at the McLean Park.ESPNcricinfo Ltd130 – Bangladesh’s first-innings lead in this match, the highest New Zealand had conceded in a home Test since the start of 2017. England’s lead of 101 at the Seddon Park in 2019 was the only instance of a visiting team claiming a 100-run first-inning lead across the 22 home Tests against New Zealand in this period.1 – Only once before have Bangladesh bagged a higher first-innings lead than the 130 they did here, in an away Test. That was the 192-run first-innings lead they pocketed against Zimbabwe in Harare last year. It is also the second-highest first-innings lead for Bangladesh when batting second in a Test, behind the 295-run lead against Zimbabwe in 2020.8 – Each of Bangladesh’s top eight batters faced 50-plus deliveries in their first innings against New Zealand. It is the first instance for Bangladesh in Test cricket where their top eight batters survived 50 or more balls in the same innings.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – The number of times Bangladesh have posted scores of 400 or more in an innings in New Zealand. All of them have come since the start of 2010. No visiting team has had more such totals in New Zealand in this period. Australia also had four 400-plus total in New Zealand since 2010, including three totals over 500.890 – The number of balls bowled by New Zealand’s pacers in the first innings. These are the most by a team’s pacers while taking all ten wickets in a Test innings since 2000. The 890 balls they bowled were also the most by a team’s quicks in a Test innings since 2007.