Richard Thompson insists 100-ball format will not change before end of current rights cycle

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025The tight turnaround between England’s international and the Hundred is a “short-term issue” which ECB chairman Richard Thompson has pledged will be solved for the next TV rights cycle.England’s men played one day before the start and two days after the end of the Hundred this year, leaving all-format players short on relevant preparation for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. The same scenario will play out in 2026, with the Hundred expected to start two days after an ODI series against India and three days before the first Test against Pakistan.New investors in the Hundred will expect their England players to be available throughout the tournament. Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton and Ollie Pope missed London Spirit’s first game of this season, the day after the fifth Test at The Oval, which their incoming co-owner Nikesh Arora described as “disappointing” while calling for “better planning” by the ECB.Thompson acknowledged that the schedule is too crammed, speaking in his capacity as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society during England’s third ODI against South Africa on Sunday. “There are no easy answers, but the reality is we can’t have our cake and eat it,” Thompson told Sky Sports.”We want England players to play. This is our premium white-ball competition and we want England players to play in it. What we have to do is find a way of ensuring the schedule before and after the tournament [is better]. Take this year: the gap was a day or two days… That can’t be right.Related

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“If we’re going to get this level of investment, we’ve got to commit to ensuring our England players are available. We don’t want that to be at the expense of the success of England. We need to find a balance, and ultimately we can look at the schedule and we can try and free up time.”We’ve done this deal in the middle of a rights schedule. Come ’28, when we then cut the next deal for the next four years, we can cut this in a different way. We might have a short-term issue here, but we can overcome that.”Ultimately, if a player feels they’re injured, they’re going to rest themselves. They won’t want to play on an injury. England is still everything here. But we are not prepared to accept that you can’t find a halfway house and work with the owners to ensure that the owner will get what they need, and England will get what it needs.”Thompson also said that the tournament’s format will not change from 100-balls-a-side to T20 during the current broadcast cycle, which runs to the end of the 2028 summer, and denied that the sale of stakes in the eight Hundred franchises equates to selling the month of August to private investors.”I can categorically tell you it’s 100 balls next year,” he said. “I don’t think anything will change in this rights cycle. Sky [the Hundred’s main broadcaster] have bought 100 [balls a side]. Sky are not going to want to change that. It’s up to the owners and the ECB to decide what that might be in the future.”This is not English cricket selling off the family silver. This is English cricket bringing in investors to enable us to have a tournament that could challenge the IPL.”

Back in his first game after 93 days, Bumrah bowled the toughest phases – one in the powerplay and two in the death – and, as expected, came out unscathed

Alagappan Muthu07-Apr-20253:56

Bangar: Bumrah has the experience to deal with injury

For a little while at the Mumbai Indians (MI) training, Jasprit Bumrah was bigger than everybody. Towering over the man that won them multiple titles and soaring above their one-of-a-kind captain. He was put there because someone had hoisted him up into the air.It is not a space Bumrah is used to. He rarely puts himself there. History is littered with fast bowlers who believed they could fly. The trigger is usually when they manage to break a set of wooden sticks that people keep putting 22 yards in front of them. Bumrah is an expert at it and though there are instances where he too indulges, for the most part he prefers being where his feet are.He showed that once more against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), when his first ball after suffering a back injury was so no nonsense. On a length. Threatening the stumps. Forcing the batter to act. It was at 139.5kph. That’s not far off his top speed. He cranked it up when Virat Kohli was on strike: 142kph. But the batter – thanks to a long history of both watching Bumrah on the field and facing him in the nets – knew exactly what he would do. Hit that length again. Keep the stumps in play again. Kohli gave up his stumps and thanks to that bit of bravery he now had the room to smash the ball over midwicket for six.Related

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It is remarkable, given the gifts that Bumrah has, how much he values the basics of fast bowling. He hits the pitch hard. He makes sure the seam is upright. He asks questions that are entirely textbook. Just that they feel out of syllabus sometimes because of his bowling action and crucially that hyperextended elbow, which shrinks the length of the playing surface. It is perhaps this adherence to the tried and tested that makes it possible for him to return to cricket after 93 days in rehab and be the only bowler who isn’t smashed all around the park.The difference in his economy rate (7.25) and the next best (10) was once again startling. Doubly so given it’s only been days since he’s been cleared to bowl after the back injury that denied him a full participation in the Sydney Test earlier this year. People expected him to be rusty. At least a little bit. And he was. There have been 19 other instances in the IPL where the difference between his economy rate and the next best was higher (only bowlers who had finished their quota of overs were considered.)As ever, he bowled the toughest phases. One in the powerplay and two in the death. He came on for the 18th over after his captain Hardik Pandya had been hit for 24 runs in the previous one. At the time, it felt like the ball had taken leave of the earth’s gravity, intent only on flying through the air. Bumrah, though, brought it back to where his feet were. Six runs in six balls. A set batter and a finisher shut all the way down. Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma couldn’t line him up. His slower balls worked. His back-of-lengths gave them no room. His full tosses – he bowled seven – might have actually surprised them. Nobody expects Bumrah to miss his mark. He might hold fire, like he did when he jogged up to collect the ball and then feign a throw at Kohli’s stumps. The two players shared a big old laugh after that.With more games behind him, he will start to trust his body and those fast-twitch fibers will make sure the attempted yorker count goes down and the executed yorker (three) count goes up. Soon he will be back to his best. A man worth more than anybody else in the MI dugout. A star who turned a two-time T20 World Cup winner into a preening fan boy. “Welcome Mufasa,” Kieron Pollard said. Bumrah came down shaking his head. He really doesn’t like getting carried away.

Liverpool made sweeping changes in the summer transfer window, going where no team had gone before in spending more than £400m in a single transfer window.

A multitude of sales meant the total net spend fell behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, but the scale of Liverpool’s transformation cannot be understated, with FSG breaking the British transfer record twice.

First, Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, and the world-class playmaker has been one of the most worrying parts of Arne Slot’s side’s struggles this season, yet to score or assist in the top flight.

Alexander Isak has been a concern too, signing on deadline day for £125m. The former Newcastle United striker was called “the best striker in the Premier League” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher last year, but injuries and a struggle to click under Slot’s wing have left him with one goal and one assist across all competitions so far.

These players have to come good. Surely they will. These are two of the world’s finest, after all. However, the blunder of the Darwin Nunez deal serves as a cautionary tale that FSG perhaps haven’t heeded.

Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez

Nunez is one of the biggest and most frustrating enigmas of recent times at Liverpool. A maverick of a forward, the 25-year-old was horribly inconsistent across his three years at the club, only scoring 25 Premier League goals in total and missing so many more golden opportunities.

Given that he signed from Benfica for what would have been a club-record £85m fee (not reached due to clauses being left unmet), Nunez can only be considered a flop of a signing, never able to string together the prolificness needed to lead the line at Liverpool.

The likes of Wirtz and Isak will be worried that they face assuming similar reputations, no doubt, although both have arrived at Liverpool from a higher station than Nunez, who was sold to Al-Hilal this summer.

In any case, Nunez will be remembered fondly for his efforts and, for the most part, tenacity in a Liverpool shirt, but it’s clear that had Liverpool’s fortunes been bleaker across his years at the club, he would have faced more scathing rebuke.

And that might be the case for one new Redman. This player arrived this summer for a hefty fee and looks utterly lost in Slot’s system. In this, he is in danger of falling into a similar category.

The Liverpool star in danger of becoming Nunez 2.0

Signed from Bournemouth this summer for a £45m fee, Kerkez arrived at Liverpool with a weight of expectation and a reputation as one of the most exciting young left-backs in the world.

He was breathtaking in Andoni Iraola’s team last year, but Kerkez has fallen by the wayside across the opening months of his move to Merseyside.

Kerkez’s transfer fee might come in at less than half of that of someone like Nunez, but this is still a pretty penny for a full-back, and he faces a plummet into similar territory as the Uruguayan if he fails to hit a consistent vein of form.

There’s no question that this young man has what it takes to thrive at Liverpool; he was included in the 2024/25 PFA Team of the Year, after all.

However, Kerkez has really struggled across these opening months in Liverpool, a shadow of that south coast star.

Erratic and at odds with the tactical role that has been provided for him, the 22-year-old has lost his place in the starting line-up in recent weeks, unable to effectively add to the build-up.

Last season, Kerkez ranked among the top 12% of Premier League full-backs for progressive carries per 90 (2.86), but this has been reduced under Slot’s wing, ranking among the bottom 36% this year, with a 1.55 average (data courtesy of FBref).

But the wider shift of Kerkez’s tactical role is more clearly understood when looking at the wider scope of his malaise since that big-money transfer to Liverpool.

Matches (starts)

38 (38)

10 (9)

Goals

2

1

Assists

5

0

Touches*

59.6

50.8

Accurate passes*

28.6 (80%)

27.5 (86%)

Chances created*

1.0

0.5

Dribble (success)*

0.6

0.3

Recoveries*

4.7

2.7

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

1.6

Clearances*

2.6

3.4

Duels won*

4.0 (54%)

3.7 (61%)

Errors made

4x

2x

The £75k-per-week talent is no longer making those overlapping runs into the box, and neither has he found fluency and balance in his creativity this season. Given that he has been branded a “nervous wreck” by pundit Jamie Redknapp, it’s hard to see what he is offering his new club at this present moment, and that is why he has been benched for the Reds’ past two matches in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Of course, it is far too early to write Kerkez off, and this argument has been formed to underline the need for improvements on Kerkez’s part, but also with the hope for patience. This is a young and talented left-back who is struggling to perform in a system that has malfunctioned across the past several months.

Let’s not forget how Robertson struggled to adapt in Klopp’s team after joining from relegated Hull City for about £8m in 2016. Imagine if Liverpool had sold the Scotsman after that up-and-down maiden year, written him off before he ripened.

Equally, we cannot ignore the depths of Kerkez’s struggles since joining Liverpool, so incongruent on the flank of Slot’s system.

Given the coach’s need for hearty contribution from his full-backs in the build-up, it’s somewhat confusing that Kerkez has been signed for a big-money fee; he is an athletic, touchline-hugging kind of player, darting up and down and getting involved in attacks and stretching the width of his side.

Whether Liverpool fashion a superstar out of this young Hungarian is anyone’s guess at this stage, but we know he needs to do more, lest he fall into a similar category as Nunez before him, signed for a big fee after hitting heights in a smaller sphere but ultimately tripping up when heading down Anfield Road and putting on the heavy Liverpool shirt.

More than Wirtz: £36m Liverpool star is becoming a "serious issue" for Slot

Liverpool were condemned to a fifth defeat in six Premier League matches at the Etihad.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 10, 2025

It would have been easy to miss amid all of the excitement generated during arguably the most dramatic international break of all time – but some very big transfer news broke earlier this week. According to the very reliable David Ornstein, Antoine Semenyo has a £65 million ($85m) release clause in his Bournemouth contract that can be triggered during the first two weeks of the winter window.

Given the Ghana international is arguably one of the most exciting wingers operating in Europe right now, the revelation has unsurprisingly sparked widespread speculation over Semenyo's immediate future, with the presumption being that a January move away from the Vitality Stadium is now inevitable.

The 25-year-old won't be short on offers, that's for sure. Indeed, Semenyo has been linked with every member of the Premier League's 'Big Six'. But which club would actually suit him best: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United or Tottenham? GOAL ranks Semenyo's options:

• Getty
  

  6Chelsea

  Chelsea love nothing better than signing wingers, so one can be sure that the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge have at least discussed signing Semenyo – particularly as he's available at such an attractive price. However, even accounting for the Blues' wild approach to squad-building, it's difficult to envisage them bringing in another wideman in January unless one leaves – and that appears highly unlikely as it stands.

  Jamie Gittens may be struggling at Stamford Bridge but he only joined during the summer – just like fellow left winger Alejandro Garnacho, who has been showing signs of life in recent weeks. As for the right-wing options, Pedro Neto remains one of Enzo Maresca's more productive players, while Estevao is unquestionably a superstar-in-the-making – as he illustrated with his performances for Brazil during the international break.

  Basically, Chelsea have no need for Semenyo, who would be wise to avoid getting caught up in the revolving-door approach to recruitment in west London. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  5Manchester United

  Manchester United reportedly offered Bournemouth £50m for Semenyo last January  – and it was easy to understand why. As a strong, pacey, hard-running, two-footed attacker, he looked an ideal fit for one of the inside-forward positions in Ruben Amorim's precious 3-4-2-1 formation.

  Semenyo still does, in fairness, but after getting a deal done for Matheus Cunha shortly after the summer transfer window opened, United also eventually managed to persuade Brentford to part company with Bryan Mbeumo, who's been one of their better players so far this season.

  Of course, all three are multi-talented footballers capable of playing pretty much anywhere across the frontline, so Amorim could, at least in theory, move Cunha into the central striking role (where he's been used by Brazil) to make room for Semenyo. After all, it's not as if Benjamin Sesko is looking like the answer to United's long-running search for a world-class No.9.

  However, times are tight at Old Trafford (though maybe not as tight as Sir Jim Ratcliffe likes to make out), meaning United are unlikely to spend a significant sum of money on a position that doesn't necessarily need strengthening.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  4Arsenal

  Who wouldn't want to play for Arsenal right now? The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League and have won all four of the games in the Champions League. Semenyo would probably jump at the chance to move to north London, too, given he's an Arsenal fan and even had a trial with the club as a teenager.

  However, it would arguably be a case of the heart ruling the head, because, at 25 years of age, Semenyo wants to be playing first-team football for a top team – and there's no guarantee of regular game time at the Emirates these days.

  Mikel Arteta is in possession of arguably the strongest squad in England and that's partly down to the fact that Arsenal brought in two more attackers during the summer in Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze. Arsenal have been reportedly tracking Semenyo for some time – he even scored against the Gunners last season – but they're hardly lacking in options on the left wing, while Bukayo Saka remains a certain starter on the right.

  So, while this is definitely the most romantic option for Semenyo, it doesn't actually make much sense from a purely sporting perspective. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  3Tottenham

  Just like United, Spurs were heavily linked with Semenyo during the summer. And just like United, they ended looking elsewhere after he extended his contract with Bournemouth until 2030. 

  However, while Mohammed Kudus was a smart signing for the right-hand side, Spurs are still lacking a penetrative force down the left flank because Netherlands attacking midfielder Xavi Simons is better suited to a central role and if anyone thinks that Richarlison is the answer, they've not understood the question. It would, thus, be a massive surprise if Spurs are not seriously considering at least speaking with Semenyo and his representatives to establish the full cost of any potential deal.

  Of course, Spurs will be acutely aware that a buy-out close doesn't make a transfer a formality. They thought they had a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White wrapped up during the summer, only for Nottingham Forest to dig their heels in and convince the England international to sign a new deal at the City Ground.

  However, Bournemouth have been very open about the fact that they will not stand in Semenyo's way if he wants to join a Champions League club, meaning a January exit is now looking very likely indeed. Whether Arsenal fan Semenyo would really want to join Spurs is a different story altogether, though – particularly as there will almost certainly be other, more exciting options available to him…

Tottenham Hotspur are adjusting to a more pragmatic tactical style under Thomas Frank. This has caused several contentious talking points to spring up over the past several months.

Yes, Spurs are imperfect, and improvements are needed. But they are also fifth in the Premier League after 11 matches, and have lost only three times.

Goals are being scored, albeit with underlying attacking metrics emphasising the work is needed in creative departments. But then, even this comes with the caveat that Tottenham have been without Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, arguably the two most creative outlets at the club, since before the start of the season.

Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders

Club

Position

xG

1. Chelsea

3rd

20.4

2. Crystal Palace

2nd

19.4

3. Man City

10th

19.0

4. Arsenal

1st

18.8

5. Man United

7th

18.2

15. Tottenham

5th

11.0

Data via FBref

Yes, more is needed. And Frank will consider across the next two international-break-filled weeks his options across the park, and how he can water the roots of his philosophy while growing his Tottenham garden into something viewed as new and growing, rather than negative and Nuno-esque.

The changes Frank needs to make at Spurs

Tottenham showed spirit and resolve against Manchester United last weekend, and though Richarlison’s late strike was cancelled out at the death by Matthijs de Ligt’s header, the hosts did not crumble but responded after a wretched first half.

That’s a glass-half-full way of looking at it, sure, but Tottenham must take the positives – as Frank did.

However, the Danish tactician needs to iron out the many creases in this squad, and one sure-fire way to start that process is by forgoing the decision to field Djed Spence and Richarlison as a left-sided partnership. Width and dynamism are needed down the flanks, and the out-of-position Spence and technically limited Richarlison don’t work well together.

When Destiny Udogie and Wilson Odobert connected in the second half, things changed.

Likewise, there must be a wider shift in regard to mentality and confidence. Over the past year, Tottenham have played 20 home games and they have won only three. Much-improved away results and a tougher framework from head to toe have scrubbed away the bitter lower-table position of last year, but there remains a need for more positivity, more fluency and enterprise on the ball.

The forwards need to much do more, yes, but the midfielders have flattered to deceive from this perspective this season, and it’s time for Frank to consider parting with one player who lacks the nuance in his role to thrive and make the system tick.

Frank must drop struggling Spurs star

When Tottenham signed Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus in January 2022, initially on loan and then for a fee just shy of £22m, they knew they had landed a talented and multi-faceted midfielder.

And yet he’s falling by the wayside in Frank’s system. The 28-year-old hasn’t fallen, not yet, but his performances are becoming a concern, with analyst Raj Chohan even describing him as a “candidate for worst centre-midfielder at a big six club”.

The conundrum here is two-fold: Bentancur has just signed a new contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, raising his salary considerably to around £120k per week.

But the other angle here is that the Uruguayan just doesn’t work alongside Joao Palhinha, a player who has been regarded by many as one of the best Lilywhites players so far this season, having arrived on a loan deal from Bayern Munich in the summer.

So, if Palhinha has to play, his tough-tackling, protective presence in the middle, Frank must start playing a deep-lying midfielder beside him who can drive play forward with surgical passes. Instead, two pragmatic midfielders have been yoked together in a midfield lacking creativity under a manager who is facing criticisms for a pragmatic style of play.

It is not that difficult to identify the potential problem here, especially when bringing Xavi Simons into the equation, the playmaker yet to adapt to the rigours of the English game, and then addressing again the duel absence of Kulusevski and Maddison.

Rodrigo Bentancur in the Premier League

Season

Apps

Minutes played

25/26

10

659′

24/25

26

1,653′

23/24

23

1,007′

22/23

18

1,506′

21/22

17

1,365′

Data via Transfermarkt

As per data-led platform FBref, Bentancur actually ranks among the bottom 39% of Premier League midfielders this term for progressive passes per 90, underscoring the issues presented in the build-up. Palhinha, unsurprisingly, does not rank highly himself (bottom 11%).

The decision to start Bentancur from the bench against Man United – ending the South American’s run of six successive Premier League starts – tells of Frank’s awareness about all this, but then Pape Matar Sarr wasn’t at his best on that day in any case, albeit growing into the game after a shaky start, his energy and optimism a nice counterpoint to Palhinha’s ruggedness.

Much to chew on. Lucas Bergvall has the progressiveness to forge a protean partnership with Palhinha in the centre, but the teenager has not yet nailed down a prominent role under Frank.

Bentancur might have signed a new contract recently, but that does not mean he is unsellable. Conversely, this could provide an insight into a longer-term plan; this summer, Atletico Madrid were among those interested in an experienced midfielder whose stock has now risen from a financial vantage.

If Tottenham are to persist with the anchoring presence that is Palhinha, it might not be a bad thing to ship Bentancur and his limitations out. When the injured parties return, the picture will become a whole lot clearer, and Bentancur may well be absent from the view.

Related Spurs flop who's been "swallowed in the PL" must be dropped for Odobert

Thomas Frank can unleash Wilson Odobert by ruthlessly dropping this Spurs flop.

Posts 2 ByDan Emery Nov 10, 2025

Phil Foden has been warned that he's the attacking midfielder most likely to lose their England World Cup spot, with Jude Bellingham backed to be on the plane. The Real Madrid man's omission from October's squad cast doubt over his place in Thomas Tuchel's setup. His November recall, and especially his starting role against Albania, eased those concerns.

Bellingham dug out after being subbed

Bellingham showed clear disappointment when his number went up during the 2-0 win in Tirana. He didn’t erupt, sulk, or storm off, but he didn’t disguise his frustration either. Tuchel admitted afterwards that he hadn’t even noticed it during the match.

"I’ll have to review it," he said with a shrug. "We're about standards, commitment and respect to each other. We'll not change our decision just because someone is waving their arms." 

While all eyes were on Bellingham’s every gesture, Foden was dealing with his own storyline. The Manchester City star had not played for England since March, and his return produced a mix of bright moments and quiet frustration. He delivered an assist for Eberechi Eze in the win over Serbia and injected flair against Albania. But he also began both matches from the bench which is an unfamiliar role for one of the Premier League’s standout performers. 

The surprise was amplified by Tuchel’s promise that both Foden and Bellingham were being brought back to play central roles. Yet even with that assurance, Foden didn’t start. The manager has openly expressed reluctance to field Foden, Bellingham and Harry Kane together, believing all three operate best in central pockets of the pitch. Against Albania, he relented, but for only 22 minutes. The question now is how long Foden will accept being a rotation option when the World Cup begins. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFoden's patience could be tested in 2026

Former England forward Emile Heskey has delivered one of the bluntest assessments yet of England’s creative logjam. Asked which attacking midfielder is most vulnerable, he didn’t hesitate.

Speaking exclusively to , Heskey admitted: "It’d probably be Foden. In my eyes, I think it’ll probably be between Foden and Cole Palmer. Cole Palmer hasn’t played much, so he needs to start playing to get that fitness up, especially for a manager who’s all about aggressive running and intensity, so it’ll be out of them.

"I think Jude will go [to the World Cup], if I’m honest with you. I don’t know too much about the camaraderie and the governance within the camp that everyone keeps talking about, but if you’re just going off play, I would say Jude has to go because he comes up with vital goals at pivotal times as well."

But the former striker also highlighted another rising contender in Morgan Rogers, as Heskey could barely contain his admiration for the Bournemouth attacker.

"But then, I think Morgan Rogers is brilliant," he said. "I love the way that he plays. I love the enthusiasm that he plays with. I love the positions that he gets into. He makes intelligent runs off the ball because he creates space for others as well with his runs. I definitely think he’s pushing as a starter, not just a squad player. I think he’s brilliant in that sense. I just think he gives you so much on and off the ball with intelligent runs, and he’s having a good season for me."

Can England cope if a big name misses out?

Heskey believes England could afford to leave one, or even two, high-profile No.10s at home and still challenge for the trophy.

"Yeah, definitely. They’ve got a togetherness anyway as a squad," he said. "They’ve got some fantastic players. They’re the cream of the crop for me. I can’t see them all not being there, but I could see probably one of them not being there, or one or two of them not being there."

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Getty Images SportThe battle ahead for the Three Lions

England’s fight for creativity is a full-scale power struggle between some of Europe’s most gifted footballers. Tuchel has insisted the World Cup squad will be built on "standards, commitment, and respect."

England spinner knows he’s not the finished article but Lions tour of Australia could be a major step in his development

Vithushan Ehantharajah14-Jan-2025The last time Shoaib Bashir was in Australia, he was turning out for Lindfield Cricket Club in the Sydney suburbs during the 2022-23 season.Two years on, he is back with the Lions as England’s first-choice spinner, embarking on a fact-finding mission ahead of next winter’s Ashes. For those familiar with Sydney’s cricket system, that alone gives an indication of Bashir’s remarkable rise.Lindfield play in the Shires Competition, which runs parallel to Sydney’s more vaunted Grade Competition. The club’s own website states that Shires First Grade “is equivalent in standard to play conducted in SCA Second Grade Cricket”. As such, there was great pride at Bashir’s ascension to Test cricket a year later. Three of his Lindfield clubmates hot-footed it to Visakhapatnam to witness his debut against India.The Lions tour culminates in Sydney with a four-day unofficial Test against Australia A, and Bashir intends to drop in to see a few old friends. “I will try and try and get down there, give the boys a bit of a surprise” he tells ESPNcricinfo from Brisbane, where the squad are based for their first two matches against a Cricket Australia XI. His fondness for the club remains strong. Even for the borrowed Saab that occasionally left him in the lurch.”There was a club car that I had and I reckon it broke down on me about five times.”One particular time, I was driving on like a dual carriageway and [the car] slowed down and down, with cars behind me and everything – it was just a nightmare. But it was good times, good memories.”It is fair to say 2024 featured no such hindrance. Bashir sat exclusively in the fast lane as he notched 15 Test caps across the year, with 49 wickets – more than any other spinner in the world – including three five-wicket hauls. He overtook Somerset team-mate Jack Leach as England’s primary spinner, despite the county plumping for the left-armer as their No.1, and clocked a staggering 524.3 overs at the top level in what was essentially his second full year as a professional. All of this emanated from a social media clip that piqued the interest of Test captain Ben Stokes.Bashir featured in four of England’s five Tests in India•BCCI”It has been pretty surreal,” says Bashir. “Obviously I’m very, very grateful for what happened.”There was not much time to dissect it all. He spent barely 10 days at home over the Christmas period between returning from New Zealand (his fifth series in 11 months) and heading back across the globe on January 3. But there was enough room for reflection.”I did go through a few memories in the old book – looking back to my cap presentation (from Leach) and that video of me getting Rohit Sharma out as my first wicket (caught around the corner at leg slip) was a massive highlight. I’ve watched that many times.”Taking my first five-for (5 for 119 in his second appearance at Ranchi). Every series, every game, every innings. Playing Test cricket for England, it doesn’t get any better than that. That’s one thing I try and remind myself is that I’m playing for England, so just enjoy every moment, you know?”Related

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• 'To get Rohit as my first wicket was very, very special' – Shoaib Bashir

• Shoaib Bashir 'let emotions fall out' after shock England call-up

That enjoyment has been abundantly clear in this first stanza of Bashir’s international career. So, too, the talent England are investing in and the rawness of a spinner learning on the front line.Bowling England to victory with 5 for 41 against West Indies – the first spinner in 18 years to take as many at Trent Bridge – along with four on day one of the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval were nods to the former. Cues to the latter, such as a lack of control and no apparent go-to stock ball have been littered throughout. They were particularly apparent in series at home to Sri Lanka (six dismissals at 49.33) and away in Pakistan (nine at 49.55 despite spin-friendly conditions for the final two matches).The culmination of the Crowe-Thrope trophy was similarly difficult, albeit in seaming conditions. After 4 for 69 from 20 overs on the opening day of the series, he was 4 for 345 from 67 overs for the remainder.Head coach Brendon McCullum made a note of lauding the 21-year-old as a “tough kid” during his post-tour media briefing, ceding “the statistical element, it doesn’t read great”. Both he and Stokes have pushed Bashir to see beyond the stats. They will be buoyed to hear his current average of 40.16 does not bother him.”To be honest, not really,” he says when asked if that number jars. “I feel like stats played a huge part when I was growing up, and that was how you are selected. But it’s seen differently within this team.” Spoken like a player who earned his first call-up despite averaging 67 from just six first-class games.Bashir has leapfrogged Jack Leach as England’s first-choice spinner•Getty Images”I’m 21 years old, right? I’m still learning. I’ve only played professional cricket for about, what, two or three years? It’s just a work in progress.”Yet the motivation to lower that number is clear. Work around game-time – even ahead of a day’s play – has been a prominent feature of his time as a Test cricketer. Over the coming weeks, the guidance of England assistant coach Jeetan Patel will be replaced by Graeme Swann, reprising a relationship struck up on a previous Lions camp in 2023 which rubber-stamped that maiden call-up for the India tour.Bashir appreciates the need to hone his skills quickly, particularly an ability to hold up an end given England do not tour Asia again until their visit to Bangladesh in February 2027. Maintaining a threat while stemming the run flow, to allow the quicks a chance to catch their breath, is now top of the agenda. It is a trait spinners groove with experience.”I think it’s something I’ve got better at and am still working on,” he says of the job.”I’m still looking to take wickets, but that might be in the form of caught, caught at midwicket or caught at mid on instead of bowled through the gate. It’s like a game of chess, just trying to figure out what the batsman wants and shut down his options.”

“I’m that sort of guy who takes things day-by-day and tries not to worry too much about what the future holds. If it’s written, it’s written.”

Though India await for the home summer after a one-off Test with Zimbabwe, it is not lost on Bashir that being in Australia puts the focus on how he might fare in the Ashes. Even if he will not experience any of the five Test venues on this trip.When McCullum approached Bashir with the idea of touring with the Lions, he saw it as a no-brainer, agreeing “straightaway”. He already has some loose notes on what spin bowling in Australia entails.Bashir watched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with interest, initially via YouTube highlights given the start of that series ran parallel with the New Zealand tour. Nathan Lyon’s subdued role was registered, along with his own experience with the Kookaburra ball this winter.”Nathan Lyon didn’t bowl that much, but it was nice to gauge what it’s like to bowl spin out there. [Now] I’m out here playing, playing cricket as well, I just think I’m going try and find a method of bowling in the first and second innings.”I feel like the ball [Kookaburra] wears away quite quickly. We bowled with it in Pakistan and New Zealand, but I do enjoy it. I feel like when it’s harder, it’s quite easy to go over the top.”I’ve already noticed that I get a lot more bounce out here than I do anywhere else, which could play a massive factor.”Ben Stokes’ faith in Bashir has been a key factor in his rise•Getty ImagesThat ability to impart over-spin from a high release point is why Bashir was plucked from relative obscurity. Coming into a new year, the resilience the England management have seen in him so far reinforces the belief they are backing the right horse.Australia has chewed up and spat out many an English fingerspinner. Leach managed just six dismissals at 53.50 here in 2021-22, Moeen Ali just five at a grim 115.00 in 2017-18. Even Swann, one of England’s greatest, averaged 52.59 across eight appearances Down Under. Bashir, however, does not even consider the prospect he might be added to that list.”I’m that sort of guy who takes things day-by-day and tries not to worry too much about what the future holds. If it’s written, it’s written.”Even the most creative mind would have found Bashir’s 2024 too far-fetched to write – an England Test team throwing the ball to a novice spinner and letting him keep it no matter what. Now the first year of his Test career has closed, the pen is in Bashir’s hand to script an even more remarkable chapter in 2025.

The Chicago Cubs gave team president Jed Hoyer a multi-year extension on Monday, just days before MLB's trade deadline, Marquee Network's Taylor McGregor reported.

Hoyer's five-year deal as the Cubs' president would've expired after the 2025 season. He took over the role from Theo Epstein in 2020. Hoyer previously was the team's general manager from 2011-20.

Hoyer and Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts both released statements shortly after the news dropped.

The Cubs are tied for the second-best record in MLB right now with a 62-43 record, sitting just one game back from the league-leading Mets. Chicago is tied with the Brewers for second place, and the two NL Central teams happen to begin a three-game series against each other on Monday. There will be some shake-up in the standings based on who wins those matchups.

Hoyer's extension was the Cubs' first big move ahead of the trade deadline on Thursday. The team is expected to make some moves this week, so we'll see what Hoyer and the rest of the organization agrees on. Here's some possible options for the Cubs to sign.

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O Bahia recebe o Vitória nesta quarta-feira (20), pela sexta rodada da fase de grupos da Copa do Nordeste. A bola rola a partir das 21h30 (de Brasília), na Arena Fonte Nova, com transmissão do SBT, DAZN e canal Nosso Futebol.

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✅FICHA TÉCNICA
Bahia x Vitória
6ª rodada da fase de grupos da Copa do Nordeste

Data e horário: quarta-feira, 20 de março de 2024, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA)
Onde assistir: SBT, DAZN e canal Nosso Futebol

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

BAHIA
Marcos Felipe, Gilberto, Kanu, Victor Cuesta e Luciano Juba (Rezende); Caio Alexandre, Jean Lucas, Cauly e Everton Ribeiro; Thaciano e Everaldo. Técnico: Rogério Ceni.

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VITÓRIA
Lucas Arcanjo, Zeca, Camutanga, Wagner Leonardo e Patric Calmon; Willian Oliveira, Rodrigo Andrade e Matheusinho; Osvaldo, Mateus Gonçalves e Alerrandro. Técnico: Léo Condé

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BahiaCopa do NordesteFutebol NacionalOnde assistirVitória

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير حقيقة ما تردد خلال الساعات الماضية بشأن تلقّي لاعب الأهلي إمام عاشور عرضًا من الدوري الأمريكي، وموضحًا موقف اللاعب داخل الفريق في المرحلة الحالية.

وقال شوبير في برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأحد: “سألت عن موضوع إمام عاشور والعرض الأمريكي وما يُقال حوله، وقيل لي: لم نسمع شيئًا من هذا الكلام على الإطلاق، أؤكد أن آدم وطني نفى وصول أي عرض”.

وأضاف: “على العكس تمامًا، إمام بدأ يعود بشكل جيد جدًا، والأمور أصبحت جيدة بالنسبة له بنسبة 100%، واللاعب سعيد للغاية بمشاركته التدريجية في المباريات، سواء عشر دقائق أو ربع ساعة، حتى يستعيد فورمته ومستواه”.

طالع أيضًا | عمرو السولية يعترف: استخدمت “كوبري” من أجل الأهلي.. ولست نادمًا على واقعة الميدالية

وتابع: “إمام لاعب رائع ولا غنى عنه، والجميع في النادي سعداء به، والجهاز الفني كذلك سعيد بأدائه وبالتزامه”.

واختتم: “إمام لم يتحدث في أي شيء خاص بالرحيل، وكل اهتمامه الأول والأخير هو استعادة مستواه بالكامل، وأي شخص يقول إن إمام تلقّى عرضًا الآن.. قُل له إن الأهلي نفى ذلك تمامًا، قد يأتي عرض لاحقًا، الله أعلم، لكن هذا هو الموقف الحالي”.