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Having made his first-class debut back in 2009, Afridi, now 38, dismissed de Zorzi and Brevis in successive overs, proving he can cut it at the top level in these conditions

Danyal Rasool21-Oct-2025At 38 years, Asif Afridi knows he doesn’t have much time left in international cricket, but he doesn’t let it hurry him. He came on to bowl in the 13th over of South Africa’s innings, but struggled to make an early impact in Rawalpindi. Aiden Markram charged at him eighth ball and deposited him back over his head for six. If Asif wanted to show he wasn’t just the relief bowler for when Sajid Khan or Noman Ali needed a break, he would have to prove it.But Asif has spent more time than Markram, South Africa, or indeed any of his team-mates on these surfaces. He made his first-class debut in this very city 16 years ago, before any player on either side had played international cricket. The wickets would come, but they’d be no use if they came too late. And so he ensured what Markram had done to him would not happen again.In the next over, he came around the wicket, and found a length that spat the ball up and away from Tristan Stubbs, who was only too grateful not to have settled in well enough to get too close. Soon after, he came around the wicket to the in-form, albeit newly arrived, Tony de Zorzi, spinning it away from off stump and clipping him above the knee roll. Pakistan, distracted by the appeal for a catch, did not review, though the technology suggested it would have given Asif his first Test wicket.And still his patience didn’t waver. He made sure he was finding the right lines, starving the South Africans of runs even if the wickets column remained barren for now. When Shan Masood finally took him off after an 11-over spell, he’d given away just 19 runs, the most economical bowler in the game.Related

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“Asif has so much experience, and we see how he uses it,” Saud Shakeel said after the second day’s play. “At one point he’d given away just 19 runs in 11. His control was indicative of someone who has played and had a lot of success in domestic cricket. When someone has built that base in domestic cricket, they don’t find it too difficult at this level.”But as the gulf between domestic and international cricket widens in Pakistan, Asif would have been keenly aware of how he’d be perceived if he walked away without making an impact on surfaces designed to give fingerspinners assistance. He looked set to be condemned to that fate as the shadows lengthened and stumps loomed, but still Asif held his lines, kept to the plan that may well have been hatched when he made his debut in 2009. He came around the wicket to de Zorzi, in that zone where neither using his feet or the sweep were realistic options.Asif Afridi became the second oldest to make his Test debut while playing for Pakistan•Getty ImagesAnd then, in the 58th over, cricket finally threw him a bone. He found a dent in the strip and the ball swooped on de Zorzi, hitting him halfway up the shin. Even now, this sport found a way to keep him waiting for just that little bit longer, with the umpire denying his anguished appeal. Mercifully, Pakistan reviewed this time. Asif’s wait would finally end among team-mates who mobbed him in congratulations, all appreciative of the journey he took, none quite able to understand just how bleak it can sometimes be.But Asif made sure his solitary Test wicket couldn’t just be put down to the bounce of a ball. Before the day was out, he had himself a picture-book orthodox spinner’s dismissal, four balls after he had sent de Zorzi packing. Dewald Brevis accounted for the turn and played accordingly, but Asif had found just a little bit more. It kissed his outside edge, and first slip made no mistake.Shakeel knows the feeling of falling to Asif’s wiles. “I’m very happy for Asif ,” he said. “It’s very late but at least he’s got to play Test cricket. When I play him in domestic cricket, I find it very difficult to handle him. In a Garde 2 match against FATA recently, I faced against Asif and got out to him in the first innings. Whenever we play against him he causes us problems.”By the end of the day, that Markram six was little more than a footnote. Of the 90 deliveries he sent down, 74 had been dot balls, his final economy rate nearly half that of the next best bowler. But Asif had trusted his plan, guided by his blind belief it was the right way to find success. That quixotic idealism is often not a natural fit in Pakistan cricket, but on this afternoon in the Pindi twilight for a man who in the sunset of his career, it was.

The search for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ new manager goes on.

The Old Gold sacked Vitor Pereira last week after picking up just two points all season, as they look to salvage the campaign and avoid relegation to the Championship.

There have been a few names bandied about when it comes to who could replace Pereira in the hot seat at Molineux.

Former manager Gary O’Neill, who was only sacked last December, came under consideration, but pulled out of the race. There are also suggestions that Erik ten Hag and Michael Carrick are two options for the club.

However, a new contender has emerged in recent hours.

The latest manager to be linked with Wolves

It was clear that Wolves needed to bring in a new manager, with Pereira struggling to get the best out of his squad.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

However, his replacement is something they must get spot on, as they look to get their first win of the season.

Well, according to Football FanCast sources, the higher-ups at Molineux have sounded out a move for former Benfica boss Rui Vitoria.

The West Midlands outfit is said to be a job that the 55-year-old would be open to taking over.

Vitoria has not been out of a job long, having managed Panathinaikos most recently, who sacked him in September.

Why Vitoria would be a good appointment for Wolves

It is perhaps a bit of a red flag for Wolves fans that Pereira has struggled in his last three jobs. The Portuguese manager, who hails from just outside of Lisbon, has had three jobs in the last four years.

One of those was as head coach of the Egyptian national team. He coached them in 18 games and was sacked after crashing out of AFCON at the round of 16 stage. The role before that was at Spartak Moscow, where he lasted 26 games, and his latest job at Panathinaikos saw him manage 43 matches.

Yet, the 55-year-old has seen success at previous clubs. Said to favour an attacking 4-3-3 formation, his best spell came as Benfica boss, where he won four major honours. That included back-to-back Portuguese top-flight titles in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 campaigns.

One man who thought highly of Vitoria’s reign was Pep Guardiola, who said his team was “worthy of Arrigo Sacchi,” the legendary former AC Milan manager.

The pair met in the Champions League when Guardiola was in charge of Bayern Munich, and although Benfica were knocked out 3-2 on aggregate, Vitoria clearly left a strong impression.

Indeed, his record at Benfica was certainly impressive. He took charge of 183 games for the club and had an excellent win rate of 68%. That saw him lead his side to victory on 125 occasions.

Games

183

Wins

125

Draws

27

Losses

31

Win rate

68%

Goals for

388

Goals against

161

It is easy to draw comparisons between the potential new Wolves boss and one of their best from the FOSUN era, Nuno Espirito Santo.

Now at West Ham United, the ex-Old Gold manager took charge of 199 games at Molineux and was a huge success story.

Nuno was adored by the Wolves faithful. Not only did he guide them back to the Premier League in 2017/18, but he even led them to the Europa League. He certainly brought happier times to Molineux during his time there.

Like Vitoria, the former Wolves manager learnt his craft in his native Portugal. He began at Rio Ave, and then managed FC Porto, with a spell at Valencia in between, before moving to Molineux and starting his dynasty.

Well, via a few more clubs, that is a similar route to what Vitoria will be taking if he gets the job at Molineux. Making a name for themselves in Portugal is something the two managers have in common, and Vitoria will be hoping he can earn the same level of adoration Nuno got at Wolves.

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And among openers who have played at least 50 Tests, who has the highest average?

Steven Lynch03-Dec-2024Jacob Bethell batted at No. 3 for England on his Test debut in New Zealand. When was the last time England had a debutant No. 3 who had not scored a first-class century? asked Nick Stephens from England
The 21-year-old Warwickshire left-hander Jacob Bethell made his Test debut at No. 3 against New Zealand in Christchurch last week – and hit the winning run as England won by eight wickets.Bethell was the first specialist batter to play a Test for England before scoring a first-class hundred since Mike Gatting in Pakistan in 1977-78. But Gatting (who eventually scored 94 first-class tons) went in at No. 5 then. It’s quite rare for an England debutant to bat at No. 3: as far as I can see, England have never before selected someone without a first-class century to his name to bat at No. 3 in their first Test. The use of nightwatchers means that occasionally the person who actually went in at No. 3 did not have a three-figure score at the time – fairly recent examples of this are Ian Salisbury in 1992 and Neil Williams (who never did reach three figures) in 1990 – but no specialists.For the full list of England debutants who batted at No. 3, click here. Several of them went in as nightwatchers, so were not selected to bat there.India won the Perth Test by 295 runs. Was that their biggest win away from home? asked Ricky Dooley from Scotland
India’s win in the first Test against Australia in Perth last month was their third-biggest by runs away from home: they beat West Indies by 318 runs in Antigua in August 2019, and walloped Sri Lanka by 304 in Galle in July 2017. Their previous biggest win in Australia was by 222 runs in Melbourne in 1977-78.India have also had 12 innings victories away from home, the biggest by an innings and 239 runs over Bangladesh in Mirpur in May 2007, while they beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 171 in Pallekele in August 2017. They have also won three away Tests by ten wickets.Kraigg Brathwaite played his 86th successive Test in Antigua. I think I heard that this was a record – who did he beat? asked Misha McKenzie from Barbados
The Barbadian opener Kraigg Brathwaite has been ever-present in the West Indies team since June 2014, and the second Test against Bangladesh in Kingston was his 86th in a row (he had played a few before this run started, so now has 96 in all). The record he broke was the most consecutive Tests for West Indies without missing one, previously held by an even more distinguished Barbadian, Garry Sobers, who did not miss any of their 85 Tests between April 1955 and April 1972. Desmond Haynes played 72 successive Tests for West Indies, and Brian Lara 64.Brathwaite has a long way to go to match the overall record: Alastair Cook played 159 successive Tests for England between May 2006 and his international retirement in September 2018. Five other men have played 100 or more consecutive Tests.Herbert Sutcliffe averaged 61.10 as an opener, the highest of all openers who have played at least 50 Tests•Getty ImagesOpening is considered to be the most difficult batting position, and having an average above 50 for a Test opener is rare. Who are the top openers from a minimum of 50 Tests? asked Nikhil Dugar from India
You’re right that it’s a difficult place to bat: only 28 men who opened in at least 50 Tests have an average of 40 or more when doing so. Top of the list is the England opener of the inter-war years, Herbert Sutcliffe, who averaged 61.10 from 54 matches. He’s ahead of two other England greats, Len Hutton (56.47) and Jack Hobbs (56.37). Of those who played in the current century the leader is Australia’s Matthew Hayden (50.73). Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag of India both also averaged over 50.I thought 50 Tests was rather a lot, so tried lowering the qualification to 20. Sutcliffe stays top on that list, but the obdurate South African Bruce Mitchell (56.90) pushes Hutton and Hobbs down a place. And the leading “modern” becomes Australia’s Usman Khawaja, who averaged 52.25 from 34 matches as opener before the second Test against India.Ivory Coast were bowled out for only seven by Nigeria in their T20 international the other day. Was this the lowest completed team total in any international? asked Madhav Gokhale from New Zealand
Ivory Coast made a reasonable start to their reply to Nigeria’s 271 in their recent match in Abuja – they had four runs on the board before the first wicket went down, but the rest managed only three between them. There were six ducks (and a 0 not out) in the final total of 7, which is a new low for men’s T20Is: there had previously been two cases of 10 all out, by Mongolia against Singapore two months previously, and the Isle of Man vs Spain in February 2023. The lowest by a Test-playing nation is West Indies’ 45 against England in St Kitts in March 2019.This was not, however, the lowest score in all international cricket. In women’s T20Is, Mali were skittled for 6 by Rwanda in Kigali in June 2019, and six months later Maldives matched that with 6 all out against Bangladesh during the South Asian Games in Pokhara (Nepal). As this list shows, Maldives were bowled out two days later for 8 by Nepal, while the Philippines were skittled for 9 by Thailand in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) in May 2023.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez faces a major selection dilemma as Portugal heads into decisive 2026 World Cup qualifiers without injured star Nuno Mendes, a player the coach calls "the best in the world". With the Paris Saint-Germain full-back sidelined, Martinez admits there’s “no natural replacement” and turns to Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo to fill the void.

Roberto Martinez calls Nuno Mendes irreplaceable

Mendes suffered a left knee sprain during PSG’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in midweek, ruling him out for two crucial international fixtures. The 22-year-old has been central to Portugal’s defensive structure, combining pace, defensive stability and an ability to drive attacks down the left flank.

“My assessment of Nuno Mendes is subjective, he’s like a son,” Martinez said. “There’s no other left-back who can defend one-on-one, make overlapping runs, and play inside or outside with the ball. He's a complete player, he can play centre-back. He's a decisive player for his club and for me, right now, he's the best in the world. Other coaches don't have to agree with me."

With Nuno Tavares also sidelined, the absence leaves Portugal without a natural left-back, forcing Martinez to turn to tactical adjustments and versatile defenders.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMartinez calls Dalot and Cancelo to share the load

To address the gap, Martinez is expected to deploy Dalot and Cancelo in hybrid full-back roles. Dalot, thriving at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, has evolved into a reliable two-way defender known for his composure, fitness and ability to play on either flank. Dalot was earlier the go-to left-back for Portugal but has since dropped in the pecking order with a loss in form and Mendes rise at PSG last year. Dalot has played 32 matches for Portugal across all competitions.

Cancelo, meanwhile, offers Portugal creative flair and width. A natural right-back at Al-Hilal, he often drifts inside to dictate play, operating almost like a midfielder. While his offensive instincts differ from Mendes’ balanced profile, Cancelo’s experience and versatility make him vital to Portugal’s adaptability. Cancelo has played 62 games for Portugal across all competitions and has also scored two goals in the competition.  

“We need to find solutions, to find balance on the wing, with Cancelo and Dalot,” Martinez explained. “We need to build on the chemistry we already have, there’s no time for drastic experiments before two important games.”

Portugal will miss Mendes' impact

Before his injury, Mendes had been a cornerstone of Portugal’s qualifying campaign. Featuring in all six matches, he provided crucial defensive stability and attacking thrust. His pinpoint assist to Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2-2 draw against Hungary not only saved a point but also helped the forward set the record for most goals in World Cup qualifying history with 41 goals.

Mendes’ influence extended beyond numbers. His pace in recovery, ability to overlap in transition, and composure under pressure have been essential to Martínez’s system. Portugal have yet to lose with Mendes on the pitch in these qualifiers, which speaks volume about why the manager didn't really have to bother with an alternative in that space.

His injury arrives at a delicate moment, with Portugal needing positive results against Ireland and Armenia to secure top spot and automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

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Getty Images SportPortugal’s road to qualification and the test ahead

Portugal enters the final stage of World Cup qualifying unbeaten, with four wins and two draws from six games. They top Group F with 10 points, comfortably ahead of their nearest rivals Hungary. Ronaldo continues to lead by example being their top-scorer in the competition with five goals.

Despite their strong position, Martinez acknowledges the challenge ahead: “We must adapt quickly and stay focused. Every player knows their role, we can’t depend on one individual, no matter how special he is.”

As the team faces Ireland in Dublin on November 13 and Armenia on November 15 in Porto, Portugal’s depth and resilience will be tested. All eyes will be on Dalot and Cancelo to maintain Mendes’ standards, ensuring Portugal’s fluid wing play and defensive strength remain intact.

Davidson-Richards continues fine form as Durham are outplayed in DLS loss

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Sep-2025 Surrey 290 for 7 (Spence 68, Davidson-Richards 65*, Jones 47, Monaghan 45) beat Durham 138 (Gregory 3-24) by 86 runs (DLS)A fine career-best 68 off 63 balls from teenager Jemima Spence in only her second senior innings of 2025 featured in a rainy Surrey win as they confirmed their Metro Bank One-Day Cup semi-final place at the expense of Durham at the Banks Homes Riverside.Surrey sealed a fourth-placed finish – a position they held at the start of the day with a three-point advantage – and prevented either Durham or fellow chasers Somerset from leapfrogging them, winning by 86 runs on DLS.Nineteen-year-old Spence, batting at No.6, shared a 112 partnership for the fifth wicket with England’s Alice Davidson-Richards, who also contributed an unbeaten 65 off 61 to Surrey’s commanding 290 for seven from 48 overs.The third rain delay came with Durham 14 for one in the third over chasing a revised 276 in 41. The target was further revised to an overall 225 in 29, and the hosts were bowled out for 138 inside 23 overs. Davidson-Richards added two wickets with her seam.Vitality Blast champions Surrey will travel to face table-toppers Hampshire in the semis on Wednesday.A Surrey win would guarantee qualification, while a defeat would have eliminated them. In the end, a No Result would have also been enough. But a sixth win did it.A Durham win would have given them a good chance, though a big Somerset success over the Bears left them needing a bonus point win at the start of their chase. They finished sixth in the table.Having been inserted, Surrey started impressively as Alice Monaghan shared in first and second-wicket partnerships of 55 and 69 with Bryony Smith and Emma Jones.Monaghan and Jones both played nicely for 45 and 47 – the latter particularly so as she latched onto anything short and hit a couple of eye-catching boundaries down the ground.At 121 for one in the 22nd over, Surrey looked set to dominate. But Durham took three cheap wickets, reducing the score to 149 for four in the 27th.Scotland off-spinner Katherine Fraser had Monaghan caught at long-on with a full toss and a pulling Jones bowled off her thigh.Rain briefly interrupted play at 180 for four in the 33rd over, with Spence and Davidson-Richards now set. And upon the resumption, they kicked on superbly, sharing their century stand in 18 overs.While Davidson-Richards was classy, Spence mixed power with invention and was first to her fifty off 56 balls. Her more experienced partner followed her there off 55.Durham were disrupted by having to change wicketkeepers because of a finger problem for Bess Heath. Mia Rogers took over. They also lost key seamer Phoebe Turner to a groin injury having only bowled three overs. She slipped in the outfield.Rain returned to cut short the Surrey innings at 1.55pm.When play resumed at 3.15pm, chasing that 276 in 41 overs, Durham would have been aware that Somerset had won with a bonus point. So they had to do the same given the counties started the day level on points.But that never looked realistic.Rogers pulled Phoebe Franklin’s seam to midwicket in the first over before rain intervened again at 14 for one in the third.Durham had approximately 20 overs in which to achieve their target for the bonus point, and they started in solid fashion when needing to be spectacular.Captain Emma Marlow and Hollie Armitage shared 53 for the second wicket.But when both fell inside three overs for 27 and 31 – bowled by Kalea Moore’s off-spin and caught behind off Alexa Stonehouse’s seam – Durham were 85 for three in the 14th over and out of contention.Stonehouse struck again as the end came quickly, with Davidson-Richards bowling Bess Heath and Trudy Johnson. Leg-spinner Dani Gregory struck three times. Injured Phoebe Turner didn’t bat.

UEFA is facing separate legal battles worth a total of €4.5 billion as Real Madrid and A22, the company behind the European Super League, are suing the governing body in the wake of a court ruling. A22 have also sent a letter to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, demanding the controversial project be given full approval.

The €4.5bn lawsuit

According to , the European Super League’s organisers and Madrid are launching separate lawsuits against UEFA, arguing that the organisation's actions caused substantial financial harm to the divisive project. Attempts to block the competition, which aims to challenge the Champions League by pitting the continent's strongest teams against each other, were dashed when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) determined in 2023 that UEFA and FIFA acted unlawfully by blocking the creation of the Super League. Then, in October, the Provincial Court of Madrid dismissed appeals lodged by UEFA, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), upholding the earlier judgment. 

In a new letter to UEFA, A22 warned of legal consequences should they refuse to adhere to that ruling and grant official approval within two months. 

"Despite our substantial concessions, no agreement has been reached," it read. "Consequently, we hereby reiterate our request for UEFA's formal acknowledgement of our proposal (amended to reflect the negotiations mentioned above) as soon as possible and, in any event, no later than eight weeks from the date of this letter."

Meanwhile, Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed at the Annual General Meeting that the club will file their own lawsuit, which will take the entire claims against UEFA to €4.5bn.

AdvertisementAFPThe new proposed format

The Super League was originally launched with 12 founding clubs as a closed competition, immediately sparking backlash across Europe. Following intense criticism and negotiations with UEFA, the organisers introduced several major reforms to reshape the project into a more open and competitive model. The revised format proposed expanding the competition to 36 clubs, divided into two groups of 18 in a “Super-Champions” style league, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stages. Governance reforms were also put forward, including a new board composed of participating clubs, UEFA or the European Football Council, and player representatives. Significantly, three player delegates would have voting power on crucial matters such as revenue distribution and competition format. A22 additionally suggested creating a unified digital platform called 'Unify' to stream free football content to fans worldwide. 

Despite these amendments, UEFA ultimately rejected the proposals, sparking further action from Madrid and A22.

Madrid left alone in the fight

The Super League project, launched in 2021 by giants such as Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, collapsed almost immediately under massive fan protests and strong pressure from football authorities. The English clubs withdrew within days, leaving Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus as the project's remaining supporters. Over time, however, Juventus and Barcelona’s stances shifted. With UEFA introducing a new Champions League format that promises higher revenues, improved competitiveness and several structural adjustments, the Italian side pulled out in June 2024, three years before the other teams withdrew, and Barcelona followed in October this year. The Catalan side's exit leaves their Clasico rivals as the last remaining team still publicly advocating for the Super League.

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Getty ImagesMadrid looking to get back to winning ways

UEFA will look to find common ground with A22 and Madrid before granting official recognition to the revamped Super League. Fans will hope that a solution emerges that serves the broader interests of football. Meanwhile, Madrid are set to host Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Los Blancos aiming to return to winning ways after suffering a loss and two draws in recent games against Liverpool, Rayo Vallecano and Elche.

Brendan Doggett took 6 for 48 and 1 for 38 in his first Shield game of the season for South Australia and looks set to be added to Australia’s Ashes squad for the first Test

Alex Malcolm04-Nov-2025Brendan Doggett says he’s been waiting on an Ashes call for a long time and believes he is ready to go if Australia’s selectors add him to the first Test squad which is likely to be announced on Wednesday.Doggett, 31, appears all but certain to be included in Australia’s first Ashes Test squad after a successful return to Sheffield Shield cricket following a minor hamstring injury, but even with Pat Cummins ruled out of the first Test, Doggett is unlikely to make his Test debut in Perth as he is set to be a reserve for Test incumbents Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.Speaking in Adelaide on Tuesday, Doggett said he had yet to hear from the national selectors but said he was waiting by the phone having been part of Australia’s Test squad for the WTC final and the West Indies tour in the winter before being withdrawn because of a hip injury.Related

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“Absolutely. [I’ve] been waiting for this for a long time,” Doggett said. “I feel like if I do get a call to join that squad, I’ll be ready. And then we’ll see what happens.”Doggett took 6 for 48 and 1 for 38 in his first Shield game of the season for South Australia, against Western Australia at the WACA ground in Perth last week. It was his first first-class game since May and only his second game of any form in that period. He had missed the opening two Shield rounds after suffering a minor hamstring injury while batting in South Australia’s opening One-Day Cup match of the season on September 20, and both South Australia and Cricket Australia’s medical staffs, in conjunction with the national selectors, were ultra cautious with his return given his importance to Australia’s pace-bowling depth for the upcoming Ashes series.”To get injured batting is unlike me,” Doggett said. “It was unfortunate. There’s not much I can control in that. So it was just about getting my rehab right and trying to get back as soon as I could to play for South Australia”I guess the timing is perfect to take a six-for but obviously I was just really happy to get back on the park and contribute.”Doggett has risen in the ranks to be Australia’s next fast bowler in line behind the big four, particularly on flatter Test surfaces, given his ability to swing the new ball in combination with his extra pace and height.Brendan Doggett celebrates a wicket•Getty ImagesHe starred in last year’s Shield final on a flat surface at Karen Rolton Oval and took 11 wickets for the match to help South Australia to their first title in 29 years. He played three County Championship matches for Durham immediately following that in April and early May and took nine wickets in his first two before a minor injury saw him withdrawn, with Australia’s selectors wanting him fit and on standby for the WTC final and the West Indies tour.”I really enjoyed my time in Durham,” Doggett said. Unfortunately, I got injured halfway through my stint. I had probably a bigger finish to our domestic season, obviously with the Shield final, I got through 50-odd overs [46.5] in that I think, so it was big finish for me to head straight over and play over there.”But I really enjoyed it. The conditions are so different, and it was just a really good learning curve for me. And the whole purpose of that was to sort of try being in and around that World Test Championship squad, which I was fortunate enough to be included in. I really enjoyed it, and I’d probably love to go back if I had the opportunity.”Doggett has long been regarded as a possible Test option having first been picked in an Australia Test squad back in 2018 after starring in the 2017-18 Shield final when he was playing for Queensland. But injuries and a move to South Australia had seen him drop down the pecking order as the likes of Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser and Boland all made their debuts in the years immediately after that. Australia have not had a new fast bowler debut in a Test match since Boland was picked for the third Ashes Test on Boxing Day in 2021.Doggett returned to the Test squad for the first time in six years for the second Test of last summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series following his 6 for 15 for Australia A against India A in Mackay. That was the first of four six-wicket hauls he has taken in his last 12 first-class matches along with two other five-wicket bags. He has 57 wickets at 20.40 in that time at a staggering strike-rate of 39.5.Doggett’s rise has coincided with former Australia Ashes hero Ryan Harris taking over as South Australia coach.”Rhino has had a big impact for me, especially, probably in the last 12 months,” Doggett said. “More than anything, he sort of just given me a lot of confidence and just passed down his knowledge and the way he goes about coaching, he’s really passionate and he just wants the best for us as his players.”It’s probably just nailing my strengths. Being able to go out and feel backed and feel confident to try and swing that new ball, or bowl aggressively and try and bowl quick and just probably do whatever the team needs.”

Manchester United’s work in the transfer market over the last couple of seasons has certainly been brought into question, amid the big money spent and lack of impact produced by some players.

The Red Devils hierarchy have spent upwards of £800m on new additions since the summer of 2022, but the signings have been unable to catapult the club to any Premier League glory.

Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try his luck in the role at Old Trafford, with the 40-year-old already spending just shy of £250m in his first 12 months at the Theatre of Dreams.

Big names like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu have all arrived under his guidance, but it’s evident that the manager still wants added reinforcements.

With January now just around the corner, he’s already started to rack up a shortlist of talents, with more transfer business expected to take place in the coming months.

United’s early work ahead of the January transfer window

Over recent weeks, United have been linked with a plethora of new options in multiple areas of the pitch to try and sustain their positive start to the season.

A new forward could well be on the cards for Amorim, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo just one player they’re said to be considering at present.

However, he will cost a pretty penny this winter, with his current employers currently demanding a fee in the region of £65m to part ways with the Ghanaian international.

Semenyo isn’t the only attacker being eyed up by Amorim, with Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi another option that’s being discussed ahead of the winter window.

According to German outlet BILD, the 23-year-old is said to be unhappy with the lack of progress in contract talks, which could open the door to a move to Old Trafford.

The report claims Amorim’s side are closely monitoring the situation at present, but like Semenyo, it could cost a small fortune, with the Bundesliga setting a £70m asking price for his signature.

Why United’s £70m target would be a Sesko repeat

During the summer transfer window, United finally ended their pursuit for a new talisman, after forking out a reported £74m on the signature of Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian international arrived from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, with such a move generating huge excitement within the fanbase – no doubt due to the nature of the transfer fee.

However, his start to life in Manchester has been far from ideal, with the 22-year-old only able to find the back of the net twice in his first 11 top-flight appearances.

It’s safe to say he’s presented an inconsistent figure at the top end of the pitch, often struggling to make the desired impact after his mammoth transfer to Old Trafford.

He will certainly need time to settle into life in England, but as seen with Rasmus Hojlund, the professional game is a cutthroat business and it can be unforgiving.

However, they could be about to land a similar talent in Adeyemi this winter, with the German replicating Sesko in joining the Red Devils from a Bundesliga side.

The winger is also an inconsistent figure, as seen by his tally of two goals in ten appearances, with both of his efforts coming back-to-back, just like Sesko managed in the Premier League.

Adeyemi is a rapid forward who loves to get in behind the opposition backline whenever possible, which has led to former boss Edin Terzic labelling the 23-year-old as a “roadrunner”.

His underlying stats do showcase his quality at present, even resulting in analyst Ben Mattinson dubbing the youngster “world-class” despite his inconsistent nature.

Games played

10

Goals & assists

3

Pass accuracy

75%

Successful dribbles

2.3

Touches in opposition box

6.8

Shots taken

2.8

Duels won

5.9

Aerial success rate

60%

The forward has completed 2.3 dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga to date, whilst also notching 6.8 touches in the opposition’s box per 90 – highlighting his all-round threat in attacking areas.

Adeyemi has also registered 2.8 shots per 90 this campaign, showcasing his ability to add the end product to his mazy runs when taking on the opposition.

The prospect of the German linking up with Sesko at Old Trafford is certainly an exciting one, with the pair potentially able to aid one another and transform the club’s frontline.

£70m would be another huge investment, but it’s one that could prove to be worthwhile if he can replicate his recent numbers produced in the Bundesliga this campaign.

Their new McTominay: Man Utd in talks to sign £25m future "superstar"

Manchester United look set to make a move for a star who could emulate Scott McTominay.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 21, 2025

Which was the better Test – Sri Lanka beating South Africa in Colombo in 2006 or India thwarting Australia in Kolkata in 2001?

ESPNcricinfo staff22-May-2025Update: This poll has ended. The IND-AUS 2001 Kolkata Test moves into the quarter-finals.Sri Lanka come out on top after final-day drama – Colombo (PSS), 2006The Test swung this way and that, till it came down to Farveez Maharoof, more than competent with the bat, and Lasith Malinga, not quite as adept, needing to score two runs to win the Test. They did, to earn Sri Lanka a one-wicket win and make it 2-0 for the series.South Africa chose to bat – who would want to bat last on a Sri Lankan pitch? And they got the biggest total of the match, 361. The fifth-wicket stand between Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers, worth 161, made it possible, despite Muthiah Muralidaran’s five-for.Sri Lanka didn’t stop too far away, at 321, but they had the century stand for the eighth wicket between Maharoof and Chaminda Vaas to thank for it even as Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini combined for nine wickets.When South Africa batted again, Muralidaran got seven, and South Africa got to 311, setting Sri Lanka 352 to win.Then, in a Test where all four innings crossed 300, Mahela Jayawardene scored the only century. But when he fell, Sri Lanka still had 11 runs to get, with three wickets in hand, but hope since Maharoof and Vaas were around. Vaas and Muralidaran fell, though, and then it was over to Maharoof to get the scores level, and Malinga to avoid a tie. He did. Driving Nicky Boje, who had taken four wickets in the innings, down the ground to finish the job.Australia fall at the Eden final frontier – Kolkata, 2001If someone came up with a script detailing this Test before it happened, it would have probably been rejected for being too unrealistic.A Test hat-trick against the world’s top side at the age of 20. A follow-on. A historic partnership to turn the tables. A record individual score by an Indian. And a thrilling end in front of packed stands to level the series and end Australia’s streak of 16 wins.But all of it did transpire.After Harbhajan Singh hurt Australia with a hat-trick on the first day, Steve Waugh scored his maiden Test century on Indian soil to lead his team to a strong 445. In reply, India were bundled for 171 and asked to follow-on.They were then 232 for 4 – still 42 behind – when VVS Laxman was joined by Rahul Dravid and the two of them played out the entire fourth day with strips of iced towels around their necks to beat the heat and humidity; they still needed attention from the physio from time to time.The two ended up seeing off nine bowlers with innings that were instantly stamped in the game’s history. Laxman’s 281 lasted ten-and-a half-hours, and Dravid’s 180 nearly seven-and-a-half. They set Australia a target of 384. Australia succumbed on the last day against India’s spinners as Harbhajan finished with a tally of 13 for 196.

The World Series matchup is set.

After 2,430 total regular season games and 40 postseason games, the Dodgers and Blue Jays are the last two teams standing. The Dodgers defeated the Brewers in the championship series with a four-game sweep, while the Blue Jays outlasted the Mariners in Game 7 of the championship series. Both teams will now look to add another World Series title to their collections.

Before the World Series gets underway on Friday, here is a look at the postseason schedule.

When do the 2025 MLB playoffs start?

The 2025 MLB playoffs began on Sept. 30, just two days after the regular season ended on Sept. 28. The World Series will begin on Oct. 24, and could run to Nov. 1 if the series takes seven games.

How are the MLB playoffs structured?

A total of 12 teams make the MLB playoffs each year, with six teams each from the National League and American League. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds from both leagues get byes through the wild-card round. In the wild-card round, the No. 4 seed faces the No. 5 seed while the No. 3 seed takes on the No. 6 seed.

The wild card is a best-of-three format and the division series is best-of-five games. Both the Championship Series and World Series are best-of-seven game series. In each round, the higher seed hosts at least the first two games of the series.

Full 2025 MLB playoff schedule

Wild Card SeriesTuesday, Sep. 30

Game 1: Tigers 2, Guardians 1
Game 1: Cubs 3, Padres 1
Game 1: Red Sox 3, Yankees 1
Game 1: Dodgers 10, Reds 5

Wednesday, Oct. 1

Game 2: Guardians 6, Tigers 1
Game 2: Padres 3, Cubs 0
Game 2: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
Game 2: Dodgers 8, Reds 4

Thursday, Oct. 2

Game 3: Tigers 6, Guardians 3
Game 3: Cubs 3, Padres 1
Game 3: Yankees 4, Red Sox 0

Division SeriesSaturday, Oct. 4

Game 1: Brewers 9, Cubs 3
Game 1: Blue Jays 10, Yankees 1
Game 1: Dodgers 5, Phillies 3
Game 1: Tigers 3, Mariners 2

Sunday, Oct. 5

Game 2: Blue Jays 13, Yankees 7
Game 2: Mariners 3, Tigers 2

Monday, Oct. 6

Game 2: Dodgers 4, Phillies 3
Game 2: Brewers 7, Cubs 3

Tuesday, Oct. 7

Game 3: Mariners 8, Tigers 4
Game 3: Yankees 9, Blue Jays 6

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Game 4: Tigers 9, Mariners 3
Game 3: Cubs 4, Brewers 3
Game 4: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 2
Game 3: Phillies 8, Dodgers 2

Thursday, Oct. 9

Game 4: Dodgers 2, Phillies 1
Game 4: Cubs 6, Brewers 0

Friday, Oct. 10

Game 5: Mariners 3, Tigers 2

Saturday, Oct. 11

Game 5: Brewers 3, Cubs 1

Championship Series

Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 were played in Toronto for the ALCS, while. Games 3, 4, and 5 were in Seattle for the ALCS. Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS were held in Milwaukee, while Los Angeles hosted the final two games of the series.

ALCS: Mariners vs. Blue Jays

Game 1: Mariners 3, Blue Jays 1
Game 2: Mariners 10, Blue Jays 3
Game 3: Blue Jays 13, Mariners 4
Game 4: Blue Jays 8, Mariners 2
Game 5: Mariners 6, Blue Jays 2
Game 6: Blue Jays 6, Mariners 2
Game 7: Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3

NLCS: Dodgers vs. Brewers

Game 1: Dodgers 2, Brewers 1
Game 2: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
Game 3: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
Game 4: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1

World Series: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays

Games 1, 2, 6 and 7* of the World Series will take place in Toronto, while Games 3, 4, and 5 will be held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. All games will begin at 8 p.m. ET.

Game 1: Blue Jays 11, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 1
Game 3: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 5
Game 4: Blue Jays 6, Dodgers 2
Game 5: Blue Jays 6, Dodgers 1
Game 6: Dodgers 3, Blue Jays 1
Game 7: Dodgers 5, Blue Jays 4