Category Uncategorized

Em Arlott and Emma Lamb awarded skills contracts for the first time

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Dec-2025

Linsey Smith has earned her maiden full central contract with England Women, seven years after making her international debut, while Em Arlott and Emma Lamb have been awarded skills contracts for the first time.On the list of 17 full contracts for 2025-26 announced by the ECB, a total of 10 players received one-year deals with a further seven entering the second year of their current two-year terms.Joining Smith on one-year deals are Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn and Freya Kemp.Entering their second year of existing contracts are Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.Related

Linsey Smith: 'I wanted to change the story of England's 50-over cricket'

Kate Cross questions future after losing England contract

Headless chickens come home to roost in England's terminal batting failure

There were no surprises on the list with Kate Cross, England’s long-serving seam bowler, left out, having revealed in September that she was told her contract would not be renewed after an international career spanning nearly 12 years.In commenting on Cross’s omission on Wednesday, Clare Connor, managing director of England Women, said “the door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer” although Cross is yet to make any announcement on her overall playing future.Smith played nine T20Is up to the middle of 2019 before spending nearly five years on the outer before her recall for England’s tour of New Zealand in March 2024. She took a five-wicket haul on ODI debut against West Indies in May.Arlott made her international debut at the age of 27 during that home series against West Indies.Lamb, meanwhile, made her first appearance for England in a sole T20I against New Zealand in 2021 before establishing herself more firmly the following year. She represented her country just twice in 2023 and underwent back surgery last year before returning to favour under new head coach Charlotte Edwards.She and Arlott join Ryana Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong on skills contracts, a rebrand of the development contracts traditionally given to players that the management feel can play a pivotal role for England in the future. Macdonald-Gay and Wong were both on development contracts for 2024-25.Connor said the contracts reflected “our confidence in this group of players” as Engalnd turns its focus to emulating India’s recent 50-over World Cup victory on home soil at next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup, with the final to be staged at Lord’s on July 5.”Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb and Em Arlott have all made important contributions for England across the last year and these contracts are both a reward for what they have achieved and an opportunity to develop their skills further,” Connor said.”Kate Cross misses out on a central contract after years of extraordinary service to England Women’s cricket. The door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer. Consistency in scoring runs and taking wickets in county cricket will always put players in a strong position to be picked in England squads.”We’re all excited about what 2025-26 brings. Witnessing India win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in their own country in front of their own fans is a powerful reminder of the impact that winning major events on home soil can have.”

TNT Sports will rely on rugby union and cycling specialists to lead their Ashes coverage from the UK in an unusual hybrid commentary model which will also involve a team of pundits in Australia.The subscription broadcaster, formerly BT Sport, also covered the 2021-22 Ashes but, on that occasion, it relied primarily on the world feed provided by Fox Sports, supplemented by a studio team in the UK. This time, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn and Graeme Swann will work as on-site pundits in Australia but Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch, two TNT regulars, will lead commentary from home.TNT will also send presenter Becky Ives to Australia for the duration of the series, while Ebony Rainford-Brent will be part of their commentary team from the UK. Their coverage will also include daily highlights shows and a review programme called after each Test in a primetime slot.Scott Young, executive vice president at Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe (which owns TNT), said that Eykyn and Hatch are “huge cricket fans” despite their limited professional experience in the sport. “They will not try to pretend they are part of cricket history,” Young said. “They are great commentators in their own right… who can really drive a narrative.”He added that WDB ruled out the prospect of using the world feed commentary soon after securing the rights, and said that TNT’s coverage should appeal to more general sports fans: “The Ashes is a step above that. TNT Sports is a step above that… Nothing against the world feed, which will be a great production. But we needed to talk about what the Ashes meant to our audience, to TNT Sports.Related

• Joe Root, the Peter Pan of batting, has pulled ahead of Cook and Pietersen. Will he reel Tendulkar in?

• Piers Morgan apologises to Alastair Cook for '38 weasel references'

• Who will be the spear to Usman Khawaja's shield for Australia?

• Bethell bids for NZ highlights reel to stake Ashes claim

• Warner backs Konstas for Ashes, prefers Labuschagne at No. 3

“That’s why we’re bringing many of our sports broadcasters into the fold. It’s about bringing the football, rugby, even fight-sports fan-base, and making them aware of the Ashes as a moment in time. This is not just a cricket Test, it’s the Ashes. If we can get people who are not normally going to watch cricket for a day or a Test, then that’s very much part of the TNT Sports ethos.”Last year, TNT sent Cook, Finn and presenter Kate Mason to Sweden to cover England’s Test series in India remotely, citing a lack of availability of studio space in London. The unusual arrangement came after they secured the UK rights at such short notice that Matt Floyd presented their coverage on his own for the first Test, without studio guests.TNT has gradually expanded its rights portfolio to the extent that it will broadcast all three England men’s bilateral tours this winter, with white-ball series in New Zealand and Sri Lanka either side of the Ashes. However, Sky Sports remains the exclusive UK rights-holder to broadcast England’s home internationals and ICC events.Young also claimed that viewers “won’t know” where commentators are during live action, even if they are 10,000 miles away from one another. “There are different ways we will do it,” he said. “Our play-by-play team will be here. The pundits will be here, or on-site. The way it works is that you won’t know where they are, the way the commentary booths are set up.”Graeme Swann commentates at the 2025 IPL•R Param/BCCI

Cook and Finn are both regulars on the BBC’s but have signed exclusive deals with TNT for the series, so will not appear on radio coverage. At the launch of TNT’s coverage at The Oval on Tuesday, Cook said that England have “a really good chance” of winning the series if “a few things” go their way.”Certainly, they’ve got more chance than sides previously going down,” he said. “I think we’d all be naive to say that Australia aren’t favourites, just with the history of the sides and the fact that [England] haven’t won a Test match [in Australia] since 2011. However, you start looking at the way this England side play, and you actually think, ‘Yeah, they’ve got a really good chance.'”I won’t say they’re fearful of England, but everyone who plays England now knows that if you’re not on it for every minute, this side has the ability – which not many other sides have – to change games in an hour or two, and make such a big impact. That’s the way that [Ben] Stokes and [Brendon] McCullum want to play, and they’ve got the players which are capable of doing it.”Cook believes that England’s hopes rest on making a strong start to the series, citing their resilience in the drawn Brisbane Test during their 2010-11 triumph in Australia. “[The fans] started respecting how we played cricket and how good that team was and it definitely helped, and they put Australia under pressure.”Remember, Australia don’t lose many Ashes series at home. If England can be in this series after three games, that pressure switches massively onto Australia… The challenge is can they stay in it well enough, and play good enough early on, that they start making Australia doubt their style, and getting their public to doubt their team?”The traditional media phoney war has stepped up in recent days. David Warner joked on Monday that England are playing for “a moral victory” and predicted a 4-0 Australia win, to which his old nemesis Stuart Broad responded that Australia’s side is the weakest it has been since England’s victory in 2010-11.Watch TNT Sports’ live exclusive coverage of the Ashes on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Aston Villa's Europa League clash with Young Boys was disrupted by ugly scenes on Thursday night at Villa Park. Donyell Malen was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd after scoring his side's opening goal of the match, while the game had to be halted for several minutes just before half-time after violence broke out in the stands among the away supporters.

Getty Images SportUgly scenes at Villa Park

Malen headed Aston Villa into the lead on 27 minutes but was pelted with missiles from the crowd as he celebrated his goal. One of objects hit Malen on the head and appeared to have caused a cut. The Dutch star bagged another goal just before half-time which brought more ugly scenes and caused the game to be stopped for several minutes as trouble broke out in the away end. Television footage showed seats being ripped up and fans clashing with police. Young Boys captain Loris Benito was seen running over to the stands to plead with fans to behave, with the game eventually restarting after a five-minute delay.

AdvertisementWatch the clip

Malen in great form for Villa

Malen's goals continue his fine form for Aston Villa. He now has six goals so far this season for Unai Emery's side, three of those have come in the Europa League and the other three in the Premier League. Emery had hailed Malen before the game, telling reporters: "Everything he's achieving now you can see it before in the training session. He is helping the team in the structure we have, tactically to do our tasks. He is very important for us."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportAston Villa enjoying Europa League life

Aston Villa have certainly been enjoying life in the Europa League this season. Emery's side came into Thursday's game having won three of their four matches in the tournament so far. After taking on Young Boys, Villa wrap up their group phase with fixtures against Basel, Fenerbahce and RB Salzburg.

One of the positions Manchester United have struggled to find the correct solution for under Ruben Amorim is at wing-back.

On the right flank, things seem more settled. Amad has put in some good performances this term, locking down his place on that side and forming a good partnership with summer arrival Bryan Mbeumo.

The left-hand side has been more problematic. Last January, the Red Devils bought in Patrick Dorgu from Lecce to operate out there, but at just 21 years of age, he is still inexperienced and has rightly had his game time managed.

That has meant Diogo Dalot has operated out there a lot.

Dalot's concerning form at left wing-back

26-year-old Dalot is becoming one of the most experienced players in United’s squad. The Portuguese defender has played 219 times for the club and offers excellent versatility, able to operate at both left-back and his natural right-back.

It is that versatility that Amorim has leaned into this season. Of course, the Red Devils boss infamously plays with wing-backs, and he has tasked Dalot with that this season. The United number 2 has operated at left wing-back more often than not in 2025/26.

In nine appearances across all competitions, the former FC Porto star has played five times at left wing-back. In his last four matches in the Premier League, Dalot has played on that flank.

Touches

42

43

Pass accuracy

83%

88%

Crosses completed

0/0

0/2

Duels won

3/5

3/8

Chances created

1

0

He does offer something going forward, at times. Last season, he chalked up this impressive assist against Fulham in the FA Cup from the left flank, with Bruno Fernandes firing home to cap off a good move.

Yet, United fans do seem to be losing patience with Dalot. Content creator Dev Bajwa said the Red Devils’ number two has “got to be dropped” and said his teammates are “carrying” him.

Well, a solution might well present itself for Amorim if he does decide to drop Dalot.

The Man United star who can replace Dalot

United certainly have options on the left flank. Dalot, of course, has been Amoirm’s first-choice in recent games, and Dorgu is another player who could slot in there.

However, one man who is yet to operate in that role this season is Luke Shaw.

Well, that is because the England international has played a starring role on the left of United’s back three. Of course, he is a left-back by trade, but has shone at left centre-back. That could all change soon with the imminent return of Lisandro Martinez.

The Argentine is close to returning to action after being sidelined since February with a knee injury. He is, however, a trusted lieutenant of Amorim when fit, and has started all 16 possible games under the Portuguese manager.

Martinez is now back in full training and could feature against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. If he does come into the side, it could see a reshuffling of the pack for Amorim.

With the 2022 World Cup winner set to slot into the back three on the left, Shaw would be able to move to left wing-back.

It is a role he has only done 15 times in 297 games for United. He’s also played there for England, and scored the opener in the Euro 2020 final, a goal Three Lions supporters will not forget in a hurry.

Shaw once described Martinez as a “monster” so unleashing the £48m defender when he is back to full fitness makes sense. It also offers Amorim a chance to change things up, with Dalot struggling for his best form at left wing-back.

Playing Shaw high and wide, allowing him to get crosses into the box on his strong foot, is a move that seems to make sense for the manager. With the disappointing form and general misprofiling of Dalot by Amorim, replacing him with Martinez could make the Red Devils a more well-rounded team. It could finally spell the end for the Portuguese in United colours.

Carreras 2.0: INEOS have signed an LWB who can end Dalot's Man Utd career

Diogo Dalot is under pressure at Manchester United.

ByMatt Dawson Nov 3, 2025

South Africa are juggling Rabada’s fitness, an unpredictable pitch, and a stack of selection dilemmas as they chase a rare series win in India

Firdose Moonda20-Nov-20253:30

Botha: New ball should play a role with early start to the Test

At least no one knows what to expect.With Guwahati playing host to its first Test, conditions are a mystery for everyone, and South Africa will hope to read them right as they go there in search of a first series win in India in 25 years. The first big decision they’ll have to make is team selection, which will depend largely on what they think the surface will do, while leaving open the possibility of being completely surprised, like they were in Kolkata.There, variable bounce from the first over set the tone for a low-scoring match. South Africa, in fact, said it actually became slightly better to bat on the third morning. In Guwahati, they anticipate run-scoring to be less hazardous but not necessarily easy. “What we heard is that it tends to be a good batting wicket up front, and it becomes a spinning wicket later on in the game,” Piet Botha, South Africa’s bowling coach said.Even if there is a bias to spin, South Africa’s first choice would be to have their premier seamer Kagiso Rabada back, if available. Rabada is still recovering from the rib injury that kept him out of the Kolkata Test and there remains uncertainty over his availability. He has not bowled since sustaining the injury in training last Tuesday in Kolkata. He did not train on Wednesday in Guwahati either, and the medical staff is expected to “make a call in the next 24 hours,” Botha said.Related

• Mystery pitch adds to intrigue in Guwahati's Test debut

• Gill ruled out of Guwahati Test, Pant to lead India

• Bavuma, Harmer and Jansen script sensational South Africa win at treacherous Eden Gardens

• Ngidi added to South Africa squad for second Test against India

• Gill set to miss Guwahati Test against South Africa; Pant to stand in as captain

If Rabada is fit, the question facing South Africa is whether he would be a straight swap for Corbin Bosch, who replaced Rabada in the first Test. Or, given how well Bosch batted, if they would look to tinker with the makeup of the team. One option would be to leave Wiaan Mulder out, given he only bowled five overs at Eden Gardens, and move Tony de Zorzi to No.3. de Zorzi was initially picked in that position but hasn’t batted at No. 3 since the Cape Town Test in January 2024. He has spent most of his short Test career as an opener, but most recently batted at No. 5.The more interesting question is what South Africa will do if Rabada is not available, because the options are many, starting with the simplest: change nothing. There’s logic to sticking with a winning XI, especially one that came back from the brink of a big defeat to pull off a win like South Africa did last weekend. But if conditions are going to be different, an unchanged eleven would also go against Shukri Conrad’s horses-for-courses approach.Botha feels the early start will bring “a little bit moisture” to the red soil surface, which generally means more bounce on offer. Albeit still two days out from matchday, the pitch also has healthy grass covering, which makes Lungi Ngidi an obvious contender. Ngidi has not played a Test since the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, where he was picked specifically because he offered more pace than South Africa’s other choice, Dane Paterson, and for his ability to generate extra bounce. Though Ngidi had an expensive first innings, he returned to take 3 for 38 in the second. In the end, it was not bounce but seam movement that he exploited for his returns.It won’t worry South Africa that Ngidi’s last ball red-ball match was five months ago, because they put faith in Ngidi against Australia when he hadn’t played a Test for 10 months and it paid off. He has also been in action in other formats recently, and played in South Africa’s white-ball matches in Australia, England and Pakistan, alongside a domestic match at home. Should he be picked, Ngidi is likely to replace Bosch, though that would leave South Africa a batter short.Wiaan Mulder might be dropped if South Africa can do without his bowling services•Getty ImagesAnother choice, especially if there is significantly less grass by the time the match starts – paired with an expectation of bounce early, and then a crumbling surface later – would be to include an extra spinner. South Africa have left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy, who was player of the series in Pakistan, in the squad. Muthusamy could either replace Bosch or another of the batters, potentially Tristan Stubbs, who continues to struggle for form. With nine first-class hundreds to his name and a career-best of 89* in his last Test, Muthusamy is a solid lower-order batting option. Unlike Ngidi, he also would not shorten the line-up.The challenge with including Muthusamy is that South Africa may be wary of more of the same, with Keshav Maharaj already providing left-arm spin. India’s slew of left-handers would make another offspinner handy, so they may use Aiden Markram more – with Simon Harmer also in hand – and leave Muthusamy out.All that said, there is also no harm in South Africa considering a tinker to the batting line-up, which was heavily reliant on Temba Bavuma and the lower order in the first Test. The jury is still out on the best No.3 option. Mulder currently occupies the spot, and while he is technically solid, he is perhaps too defensive, and his bowling may not be required anyway. Stubbs was initially given the spot and played five successive Tests at No. 3 last year. He could move up or out of the side altogether.South Africa have a reserve batter in Zubayr Hamza, who Conrad said was “close to” playing in Pakistan but just missed out. Hamza comes off a good run of form for South Africa A, against India A in a pre-Test tour in Bengaluru, where he scored two half-centuries in two matches. He has batted at No.3 in Tests in four matches between 2019 and 2020, including the 2019 tour of India, where he scored a half-century in Ranchi.A top six made up of Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Hamza, Bavuma, de Zorzi and then either Stubbs or Mulder is one option. Otherwise, South Africa might look at a specialist top five, with Kyle Verreynne at No.6, and a lower order that can simultaneously score runs and provide plenty of bowling options.

India haven’t had a perfect game yet, and they head into Vizag bracing for a battle of resilience

Vishal Dikshit08-Oct-20254:10

Two wins in two, but scratchy start for India?

Big Picture

When close to 800 runs were scored between India and Australia 10 days before the start of the World Cup, this tournament was being billed as the biggest run-fest of them all. But since then, we have seen South Africa bowled out for 69, India suffer two collapses, the 275 mark breached just once, and even Australia collapse to 76 for 7.The action now moves to Visakhapatnam, the fourth venue of this World Cup, where the Indian team held preparatory camps in the lead up to the tournament, and where five women’s ODIs have been played before, the last in 2014, but none involving South Africa. They arrive here after contrasting results in their first two games, but they have the personnel in terms of batters, spinners and quicks to adapt to whatever the damp conditions in Visakhapatnam throw at them.India’s first two wins were far from their “perfect game,” as Jemimah Rodrigues put it on Wednesday, and with this fixture, they head into a 10-day period of big clashes against South Africa, Australia and England, which could well decide their fate in this home World Cup. South Africa were the ones who had knocked India out of the semi-final race in the last ODI World Cup but they have since been beaten 5-0 by India, including the three ODIs last year in India and the two in the Sri Lanka tri-series earlier this year.With some rain around in this city too, both teams will be desperate to continue their winning ways.Related

• Brits and Gardner enter top five in women's ODI batters' rankings

• Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana to have stands named after them at Vizag stadium

• From 69 all out to statement win – South Africa restore World Cup credentials

• Stats – Tazmin Brits fastest to seven hundreds in women's ODIs

Form guide

India WWLWL (last five completed matches, most recen first)
South Africa WLLWW

In the spotlight

Between them, Tazmin Brits and Smriti Mandhana have scored nine of the 29 centuries this year by players from teams in this World Cup. Brits’ five are the most centuries in a calendar year, with Mandhana right on her heels with four. Mandhana, meanwhile, has played five innings more than Brits’ 11 this year and has 959 runs against Brits’ 749. And if Brits recently became the fastest to seven ODI hundreds (in 41 innings), Mandhana had recently smashed the second-fastest ODI century, against world champions Australia.Thursday will see a clash of not just two of the most prolific ODI openers but batters in recent times, who have been rewriting one record book after another. While Brits’ 101 against New Zealand got South Africa their first points, India will hope Mandhana follows on Brits’ footsteps having started the tournament with two low scores.3:04

‘South Africa can’t afford to drop points from here’

Team news

India were without Amanjot Kaur for the Pakistan game because of a fever and she will likely be back for this game, having bowled and batted in the nets at length on Tuesday evening. How they slot her back is the question because her replacement Renuka Singh bowled tidily with the new ball and sent down a maiden to finish with 0 for 29 from her 10 overs. India will also wonder if their five-bowler strategy will be good enough against a side that scored 234 in under 41 overs a few days ago. The only way to add a sixth bowler is by dropping a batter, which isn’t straightforward at all.India (possible): 1 Smriti Mandhana, 2 Prtika Rawal, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Amanjot Kaur, 9 Sneh Rana, 10 Shree Charani, 11 Kranti GoudSouth Africa may not feel the need to change their winning XI from the New Zealand match in Indore although conditions in Visakhapatnam may not be as flat. But the pressure is mounting on Anneke Bosch at No. 5 who has scores of 0, 6 and 10 in her last three ODIs, and South Africa have so far kept out pace-bowling allrounder Annerie Dercksen, being seen as Marizanne Kapp’s successor.South Africa (possible): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luss, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Anneke Bosch/ Annerie Dercksen, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wkt), 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klaas, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba

Pitch and conditions

There was a brief shower two days before the game and a slightly longer spell the day before, but neither too threatening to pose a threat of a washout on game day. There are some spells expected on Wednesday afternoon too, but not as bad as the one in Colombo for Australia vs Sri Lanka. While keeping with the theme of the other venues of this World Cup these two teams have played at – Indore, Guwahati and Colombo – Visakhapatnam is going to be muggy too, with temperatures capping in the early thirties, but could feel a lot worse. Rodrigues said on match eve a score around 270-odd could be competitive at this ground.Richa Ghosh was in a cheerful mood during India’s training session•ICC via Getty Images

Stats and trivia

Wolverhampton Wanderers have made contact to sign a £30m star for Rob Edwards, and the Old Gold feel he “fits the profile perfectly” at Molineux.

Wolves transfer rumours after Edwards appointment

Fosun and Wolves are ready to back Edwards in the January transfer window as they look to climb up the Premier League table and out of the relegation zone in 2026.

However, before the Old Gold can make any new additions, they’ll have to navigate eight top flight fixtures, starting this weekend at home to Crystal Palace.

By the time the winter market opens, the Premier League season will be 50% complete, and with Wolves currently nine points away from safety, Edwards is facing a tough test.

It looks as if Wolves want to bolster all over the pitch following their poor start to the season as well.

A loan-to-buy bid for Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas is thought to be in the pipeline, whereas an offer is also in for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.

Domestically, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Everton winger Dwight McNeil are two more 2026 targets, and another Etihad Stadium first-team player is on the radar at Molineux.

Wolves make contact for James Trafford

According to reports from TEAMtalk, Wolves and Fosun have made their first move to sign Man City goalkeeper James Trafford.

After returning to the club in the summer, Trafford has already dropped down the pecking order following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, arguably the best goalkeeper in world football.

City are open to a loan-with-obligation or permanent exit in January for Trafford, valuing him up to £30m.

Wolves are firmly in the race to sign the Englishman and have even made contact, with one source from Molineux telling TEAMtalk:

However, unfortunately for Wolves and Edwards, Trafford isn’t so keen on a move the Midlands. He appears to prefer a transfer to Newcastle United instead, with the source adding:

“James wants guarantees of game time, but above all he wants to play for a club pushing upwards, not one looking over its shoulder.”

Wolves now want to sign £20m set-piece specialist compared to Declan Rice

He’s been likened to the Gunners star at dead ball scenarios.

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 19, 2025

Wolves are clearly after a new first choice shot-stopper with Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa, who are both 32 years of age, sharing the Premier League load so far. Johnstone has made seven appearances, conceding 14 goals, whereas Sa has turned out four times, letting in 11 goals.

But with Trafford preferring a move to St James’ Park where European football is on offer, perhaps Wolves may go for Mandas.

Wolves now in advanced talks to sign maestro who could be Edwards' first signing

Sophie Devine made a fifty and Amelia Kerr made 40 off 67 for the White Ferns in Bengaluru

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Sep-2025India chased down 237 to beat New Zealand by four wickets in their second Women’s World Cup warm-up match in Bengaluru after a heavy loss to England in their first match.After a solid start, where they reached 54 for 0 in the eighth over, India lost Pratika Rawal and Uma Chetry to leave the score at 71 for 2. Harleen Deol (74) and Harmanpreet Kaur (69) then put on a 132-run third-wicket partnership, guiding India towards the target. Despite a late collapse from 203 for 2 to 230 for 6, India held on to win with ten balls to spare.Earlier, after a rain delay, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat. India struck early, reducing them to 38 for 2 by the eighth over. Sophie Devine’s 54 and Amelia Kerr’s 40 steadied the innings, taking New Zealand to 132 for 3. They finished on 232 for 8 in a 42-overs-a-side contest.For India, N Shree Charani claimed three wickets, while pacers Kranti Goud and Arundhati Reddy – back in action after suffering a blow to her leg in the previous match – each took two.

Joao Pedro has promised to do one thing for Chelsea team-mate Moises Caicedo after he helped end his nine-game goal drought in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Tottenham.

Summer recruit Pedro started life at Stamford Bridge with two goals in his first three Premier League games, but had failed to find the net since August before his 34th-minute winner in north London.

Pedro, who was thwarted on three other occasions by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, was indebted to Caicedo after he won back possession from Micky van de Ven and teed up the Chelsea forward to fire home.

Caicedo was later described as two of the best defensive midfielders in the world by boss Enzo Maresca along with Manchester City’s Rodri.

Pedro's plans for Caicedo after Chelsea winner

Brazil attacker Pedro echoed that sentiment and reflected on the importance of his goal in a period where he has struggled to train due to unspecified fitness problems and plans to take Caicedo out for dinner following his assist.

Chelsea’s fifth straight win at Tottenham helped them bounce back from a shock 2-1 home defeat to Sunderland on October 25.

It helped rebuild momentum for Maresca’s talented but youthful squad ahead of a midweek trip to Qarabag in the Champions League and Saturday’s visit of bottom-of-the-table Wolves.

Pedro added: “I think it was a big game, a derby and we know they are a good team.

“We knew we had to do 100 per cent to win this kind of game and we did. We won the game and now we need to look forward.”

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank has major issues to solve in attack after they registered an XG (expected goals) figure of 0.05 – the lowest the club has recorded since records started in the 2012-13 season.

Maresca must drop Chelsea star who had fewer touches than Sanchez vs Spurs

What will not help Frank’s cause is the likely absence of Lucas Bergvall for Tuesday’s visit of Copenhagen after he was forced off with suspected concussion early on during the loss to Chelsea.

“That was a concussion, so he totally couldn’t stay on and I think the medical team did a good job in that aspect,” Frank reflected.

“And even if he wanted to stay on, it’s the right decision.

“Of course, we would have loved to have him continue. That’s why we picked him in the starting XI.

“Unfortunately, that couldn’t happen. So others will step in. Xavi (Simons) knew the game plan.”

He says he was bowling a lot at that time and was “so tired”

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2025Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has revealed that he had been bowling with an illegal action “a little bit intentionally” when he was reported for a suspect action and subsequently suspended after his county stint with Surrey in 2024.Shakib had been suspended from bowling in all competitions organised by the ECB after his action was found illegal at an independent testing at Loughborough University in December last year. As per the ICC’s regulations, his suspension was automatically enforced in international cricket.”I think I was doing it a little bit intentionally because I bowled more than 70 overs [in one match],” Shakib told the podcast. “I never bowled 70 overs in my career in a Test match. I was playing that four-day match for Surrey against Somerset in Taunton. I was so tired.Related

'I am officially not retired from all formats' – Shakib reverses Test and T20I retirement

Shakib suspended from bowling in all top-level cricket

Shakib suspended from bowling in ECB-run cricket

“I played back-to-back Test matches in Pakistan. We won that series and then I went to play those four-day matches. The only thing I was thinking the umpire could have done was just warn me first, at least. But it is in the rules, so they had the right. I didn’t complain.”I went to do the test, I failed. And then I saw my test. I was like, ‘okay, so these things are happening’. Then I had to train for a couple of weeks so I went back to Surrey again and they were kind enough to help me. I did two sessions and I was back to normal. I was like, ‘it’s so easy’.”Shakib played just one game for Surrey last season and bowled 63.2 overs, split into 33.5 and 29.3 overs across the two innings. He was later cleared to bowl earlier this year after he gave his third bowling assessment test at Loughborough University in the UK. In the meantime he had failed a second bowling test in Chennai, after which the BCB selectors didn’t pick him for the Champions Trophy, even the board had clarified he was available to play as a batter in all forms of domestic and international cricket.