Sporting chief Frederico Varandas has hit out at Viktor Gyokeres's agent and warned interested clubs that €70m will not be enough to land the striker.
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Gyokeres angry after Sporting break transfer promise
Club president hits back and slams player's agent
Man Utd sent clear warning over his price
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Varandas has issued an angry statement in response to reports Gyokeres is "furious" with Sporting and willing to go on strike after the club went back on a promise that he could leave for £60 million (€70m) in the summer transfer window. The Sporting president has hit out at Gyokeres' agent and made it clear what interested clubs, chiefly Manchester United, will have to spend if they want to sign the striker.
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WHAT VARANDAS SAID
As reported by , Varandas said: "Sporting will not demand the release clause, but they should know me better by now: threats, blackmail, insults, they don't work with me. I can guarantee one thing: Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m + €10m. He will not leave because I never allowed it, and with this game that the agent is playing, the situation will only get worse. Today is the 11th, what time is it? 11:45? Until today, Sporting has not had a single offer for Viktor Gyokeres, neither today nor last summer. He is a fantastic professional, has zero offers and a three-year contract."
TELL ME MORE
Varandas also offered his version of events about an agreed price for Gyokeres to leave: "In that meeting, the agent wanted to anchor the departure to a value. I said this sentence: 'It's not worth setting a value because I don't know what will happen during the year, if he will get injured, I don't know if he will have a disappointing season, so it's not worth setting a value. I don't know if it will be 40, 60 or 80, it will depend on the performance. What I can guarantee is that I will not demand 100 million, period.'
"From then on, I never spoke to the agent again, I never spoke to the player about leaving or values, 10 months have passed and now I see the agent in the press spewing information here and there. But I want to make it clear: Sporting has good sense and its word and the chairman of Sporting said two things: that he would not demand a clause and that he would adjust the value to Viktor's performance. What was it? 63 goals, 17 assists, runner-up in the Golden Boot, eight games in the Champions League, six goals, fantastic. Surely one of the best to ever step foot on the pitch of Portuguese football. And even so, Sporting will not demand a termination clause."
AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Gyokeres enjoyed a prolific season with Sporting and scored 54 goals across all competitions as his side won the title. His performances have attracted plenty of interest from clubs in the Premier League, and Manchester United have reportedly made an initial approach, but any interested teams will have to spend big to land the 27-year-old this summer.
da bet7： Manchester City have the opportunity to reach a third successive FA Cup final when they take on Nottingham Forest this afternoon at Wembley.
da bet7： Pep Guardiola has won this competition twice, but will still be stinging from the defeat to Manchester United in the 2024 final.
Forest defeated City in the Premier League last month, but the Spaniard may have learned from this loss, and his side could reach another final.
They warmed up for the clash with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, but a few players weren’t quite at their best. İlkay Gündoğan was one, and he could return to the bench this afternoon.
Why Man City must drop İlkay Gündoğan
Guardiola operated with a 4-1-4-1 system against Villa, and Gundogan was one of the four midfielders tasked with providing opportunities for Kevin De Bruyne.
Despite playing for the full 90 minutes, the midfielder failed to register a single shot on goal, while he failed with his only dribble attempt.
Gundogan also lost possession seven times against the Midlands side and won just one of his three aerial duels.
For the semi-final clash against Forest, Guardiola must revert to a 4-2-3-1. Mateo Kovacic will reprise his role at the heart of the midfield, but for this game, winter signing Nico Gonzalez must be brought into the starting XI.
Why Nico Gonzalez must start for Man City
Gonzalez may have cost the club around £50m back in January, but he is already looking like a potential long-term heir to Rodri.
The midfielder has already featured 12 times for City in all competitions, even scoring against Real Madrid in the Champions League, although it wasn’t enough to see his club make it to the next round.
Across his eight Premier League matches for the club, the 23-year-old has averaged a 93% pass success rate, along with making 1.9 tackles, two clearances, and recovering 3.9 balls per game in the top flight.
Furthermore, the Spaniard wins 1.9 aerial duels per game – a success rate of 59% – while averaging 81.9 touches each match for City. These statistics show just how dependable he is at the heart of the pitch, because he rarely gives the ball away and is strong in his physical duels.
He was praised by football talent scout Jacek Kulig in July 2024, who said: “Nico González – 4 goals in FC Porto’s four friendly games this preseason. Simply superb in the second half of the 23/24. Technique, football IQ, and pure elegance.”
Nico Gonzalez’s stats in the PL for Man City
Metric
Per 90
Passes attempted
77.9
Pass completion percentage
92.9%
Aerial duels won
2.09
Passes into the final third
6.68
Touches
88.33
Via FBref
The move to Manchester hasn’t fazed him, and he now looks like an excellent signing. Settling in throughout the second half of the 2024/25 season appears to be a smart move by Guardiola, as Gonzalez will hit the ground running in August.
Moving back to a 4-2-3-1 system for the FA Cup semi-final could go a long way to seeing City reach yet another final. With Gonzalez and Kovacic at the base of the midfield, the attacking quartet will be given free rein to cause plenty of destruction.
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da dobrowin： Desde que chegou ao São Paulo, no final do mês passado, o rodízio de jogadores do plantel nos 11 iniciais vem sendo uma marca de Dorival Júnior. Entretanto, duas peças que até então tinham aparição constante com o antecessor Rogério Ceni seguem esquecidas: o lateral-direito Nathan e o volante Jhegson Méndez.
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da poker： Nathan começou o ano emprestado ao Coritiba. Entretanto, de uma só tacada, o Tricolor perdeu por contusão ao longo da disputa do Campeonato Paulista suas duas principais opções para a lateral-direita: Rafinha e Igor Vinícius.
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Orejuela, que voltou de empréstimo no final de 2022 e era forte candidato a ser negociado, acabou ganhando uma chance. Também se contundiu.
A solução encontrada pelo São Paulo foi repassar ao Coxa Liziero, outro que não ganharia maiores chances,para ter de volta Nathan. E a cria de Cotia parecia estar se firmando aos trancos e barrancos na posição.
Mesmo com a contratação de Raí Ramos junto ao Ituano após o Estdual, Ceni parecia seguir apostando no garoto. Tanto que o escalou em seu antepnúltimo jogo no comando, o empate sem gols com o time de Itu no duelo de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil. Foi seu oitavo jogo no ano. E o último até agora.
Com Dorival, o jogador sequer vem sendo relacionado em algumas partidas. Rafinha se recuperou de contusão. Orejuela idem. E até o colombiano, constantemente criticado pela torcida, jogou com o novo comandante no duelo de volta com o Ituano na Copa do Brasil.
Méndez chegou ao Morumbi com status de uma das principais contratações do clube para a temporada. Não foi para menos, afinal tinha sido titular do Equador na última Copa do Mundo, no Qatar.
O plano inicial de Ceni era utilizá-lo como segundo homem de meio-campo. Mas o equatoriano, que veio da MLS (liga estadunidense), alegou não ter se adaptado à exigência física do Brasil. Foi atendido e assim logo assumiu a posição de titular da volância, com Luan, Pablo Maia e Gabriel Neves sendo relegados à reserva.
O único momento de contestação da torcida com Méndez foi nas quartas de final do Paulistão, já que o volante perdeu o pênalti decisivo contra o Água Santa que acabou selando a eliminação tricolor na competição.
Mesmo assim não parece ter abalado a confiança de Ceni, que seguiu o utilizando. Foram 14 partidas no total. A última delas na derrota para o Botafogo, na estreia no Brasileirão.
A não-utilização de Méndez foi tema de pergunta a Dorival, que ressaltou os planos iniciais de Ceni de utilizá-lo como segundo homem de meio-campo. Desta vez sem voltar atrás.
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Liverpool have procuded some excellent players from their academy over the years, that are now finding making their way in the first team.
One of those, Curtis Jones, has become a key player under Arne Slot this term, and started the first game of Thomas Tuchel’s reign as England manager.
There are also a few notable academy graduates in defence who have had a part to play in the first team at Anfield; they include effervescent right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Jarell Quansah.
However, the most notable academy graduate in the first-team is Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadly, he could be set to depart the club at the end of the season.
Why Trent has decided to leave Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold has done it all in a Liverpool shirt. In 349 games for his boyhood club, he’s scored 22 goals and grabbed 87 assists, helping his side to their first-ever Premier League title and the Champions League in 2018/19.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
He has been one of the most creative players in Premier League history, notably reaching double figures for assists across three separate top-flight campaigns, registering 12 in 2018/19, 13 in 2019/20 and another dozen in 2021/22.
Yet, he might not add many more things to the incredible legacy he has built at Anfield. The 26-year-old is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid, according to highly reputable journalist David Ornstein.
In a recent report, he explained that Los Blancos are ‘working to close’ the signing of the England international, which will not cost them a transfer fee given his contract will expire at the end of the season.
This would be a seismic loss for Liverpool, who would need to find a way to replace one of their most important attacking outlets. Ornstein reports that Madrid have been tracking the right-back for two years and have been trying since January to convince him to join the club.
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldapplauds fans after the match
So, why is he departing? Well, it’s certainly not for the money. The Liverpudlian currently earns £180k-per-week in Merseyside and according to talkSPORT, he’s set to earn £220k-per-week at the Santiago Bernabeu, only a small raise.
It could also be in an attempt to boost his own profile. Last year the right-back admitted he wanted to win the Ballon d’Or, and Madrid could give him the platform to do just that considering they are serial Champions League winners. Europe’s elite competition is often seen as the catalyst for the game’s top players to be crowned the best player in the world.
But, where did it all begin? Well, in the youth ranks at Liverpool, of course. It was during the infancy of his career that he ran into some of the finest to come through the youth system, although some, as is the case in this scenario, don’t make the grade at Anfield.
Liverpool academy star was ahead of Trent
Liverpool’s academy has always been a rich source of quality players, no more so than when Alexander-Arnold came through the ranks.
Making his Liverpool U21s debut in 2016, a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, the full-back was soon joined in the same side by Ben Woodburn. It was during that 2016/17 campaign where both players started making waves in the academy.
sheyi-ojo-ben-woodburn-liverpool-opinion
Woodburn looked like a serious talent and was already being talked about more regularly than Trent, largely because he’d scored eight times and assisted six goals in just 15 Premier League 2 outings.
It wasn’t long before the Welshman started making an impact at first-team level too, actually making his Premier League debut a month before Alexander-Arnold did, featuring in a 2-0 win over Sunderland, aged 17 years and one month.
So vast was the forward’s potential that he actualy holds a prestigious record at Anfield. He is the club’s youngest ever goalscorer, finding the back of the net against Leeds United in the League Cup at the age of 17 years and 45 days. He beat Michael Owen’s long-standing record in the process.
However, it didn’t work out for the prodigy. In total, the Liverpool academy graduate made just 11 appearances for the club, with his strike against the Whites his only goal for the club. Woodburn’s final first-team appearance came on the final day of the 2017/18 Premier League season.
The Wales international went on four separate loan spells during his time at Liverpool, but never really managed to settle at one club. In 2022, he departed Anfield on a free transfer, where he first played for Preston North End and, most recently, Salford City.
For the Class of ’92-owned club, Woodburn has enjoyed the most successful spell of football in his career. In 26 appearances, he’s scored three goals and grabbed three assists, the same as he got at North End in 64 appearances.
Woodburn record by club
Club
Games
Goals
Assists
Liverpool
11
1
0
Sheffield United
8
0
0
Oxford United
16
1
5
Blackpool
11
0
0
Hearts
30
3
2
Preston
64
3
3
Salford
26
3
3
Stats from Transfermarkt
Sadly, Woodburn did not live up to the expectation of him at Anfield. At one stage, it looked like he could go on to have a long and successful career at Liverpool, just as Alexander-Arnold has done, but it was not to be.
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With Trent Alexander-Arnold edging closer to the exit door, here’s a look at some of his more embarrassing moments.
Arsenal have been contacted by the representatives of a wantaway Chelsea player, and it is believed he could well be tempted by a north London switch.
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The anticipation of new sporting director Andrea Berta’s first summer window at Arsenal is growing and growing.
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The 53-year-old orchestrated a plethora of high-profile deals during his productive 12-year stint at Atlético Madrid, and he’s now transferring that expertise to the Emirates Stadium in a major boost for Mikel Arteta.
Reports in both England and France claim Berta recently reached out to Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams’ agents for talks, so it is clear the Italian is aiming to make a head start on the first summer window, which opens from June 1st to June 10th.
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
Newcastle United (home)
May 18th
Southampton (away)
May 25th
Berta is rumoured to be prioritising the potential signing of a new winger and striker, as well as a new left-back, midfielder and second-choice keeper (GiveMeSport), so we can fully expect some fresh faces to arrive in attack before the beginning of 2025/2026.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard face uncertain long-term futures, according to some reports, while injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have left Arteta desperately short in the centre-forward area.
One player who could actually fill all of their roles, given his versatility, is £195,000-per-week Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku.
The Frenchman has bagged 14 goals in all competitions this term, despite being used more as an impact substitute under Enzo Maresca, and he can play as a second striker, centre-forward, left-winger and even an attacking midfielder when required.
Christopher Nkunku could be tempted to join Arsenal after talks
He appears to be on the way out of Stamford Bridge this summer as well, with Nkunku’s representatives holding some talks with Arsenal and other Premier League sides.
That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who also told The Boot Room that his desire to stay in London could mean that Nkunku may well be tempted by the prospect of a switch to Arsenal.
“His people are touching base with clubs in England,” said Bailey.
“Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all been spoken to in the past few months. Chelsea want to recoup as much of their plus £50m outlay, but that looks difficult at this juncture.
“I am told the player is very happy in London, and so would a move to a Arsenal or Tottenham appeal? I believe it would but as it stands those options are not advanced – but Arsenal and Spurs both have an historic interest in the player. Both want a wide forward, so you could see the fit.
“There is interest back in Germany – Bayern Munich like him, a new deal for Leroy Sane doesn’t rule out them making a move but it is not pressing. Former club RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen also admire him. Atletico Madrid have also shown some interest, as have the Saudi Pro League – who are willing to offer him a pay rise to move.”
The former RB Leipzig sensation was unrivalled during his time in the Bundesliga, and has displayed real quality when given the chance at Chelsea. Nkunku is also a player who could reinforce multiple attacking positions for Arteta, so this could well appeal to the Spaniard, who is known to greatly value versatility.
Fulham have a good chance of signing an “incredible” midfielder this summer, with it now looking increasingly likely he leaves his club, according to reporter Christian Falk.
Cottagers keen to strengthen in multiple areas
The Cottagers have been inconsistent in recent weeks, which has hampered their European push somewhat, but they are likely to look back on this campaign as a success regardless, given that they are on course for a top-half finish in the Premier League.
However, Marco Silva may fancy his side’s chances of qualifying for Europe next season, should he make the right additions to the squad in the summer transfer window, and targets have been identified in a number of key areas.
Amid doubts over Antonee Robinson’s future, Werder Bremen’s Felix Agu could be brought in to bolster Silva’s options at left-back, while Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters has emerged as an option on the opposite side of the defence.
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Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis and AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze are among the targets in attacking areas, with the west Londoners also keen to strengthen in the engine room, according to BILD reporter Falk.
Speaking to BILD, Falk has now revealed Fulham have a good chance of bringing Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha back to Craven Cottage this summer (via Sport Witness), but there could be competition from their London rivals.
Bayern Munich's JoaoPalhinhalooks dejected as he walks off after receiving a red card
West Ham United are also in the race for Palhinha, who is now looking increasingly likely to leave Bayern at the end of the season, given that he has struggled to force his way into the side since completing a €51m (£44m) move last summer.
Falk believes the Portugal international could be keen on a move back to England, adding: “I think he would consider, if an offer comes in, whether it makes sense for him to perhaps return to the British Isles.”
"Incredible" Palhinha could reignite career at Fulham
The 29-year-old may have struggled to make a name for himself in the Bundesliga, but he put in some top performances during his time at Craven Cottage, with journalist Kyle Bonn once comparing him to Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
Silva knows he can depend on the 6-foot-3 colossus, given their time working together, and he has continued to impress at times when given the opportunity at Bayern, ranking highly across some key defensive metrics over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90
Tackles
3.70 (97th percentile)
Blocks
1.74 (90th percentile)
Aerials won
1.96 (92nd percentile)
It is promising news that Fulham could stand a good chance of signing Palhinha this summer, and they should be well-positioned to beat West Ham to his signature, given that they have vastly outperformed their London rivals in the Premier League this season.
وجه مروان عطية، لاعب النادي الأهلي، رسالة إلى زميله ياسر إبراهيم بعد اعتراض الأخير على جائزة رجل مباراة حرس الحدود، التي أقيمت بين الفريقين اليوم الثلاثاء.
وفاز النادي الأهلي على حرس الحدود، بنتيجة 3-2، ليحقق فوزه الثاني على التوالي في بطولة الدروي ويرتقي إلى المركز الرابع في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع|أول رد من ياسر إبراهيم على اعتراضه بشأن جائزة رجل مباراة الأهلي وحرس الحدود
وكان مروان عطية قد فاز بجائزة رجل مباراة الأهلي وحرس الحدود بعد انتهاء اللقاء.
وبعد المباراة، تحدث ياسر إبراهيم مع مسؤول رابطة الأندية عن اختيار رجل المباراة، قائلًا: “بتخاروها على أساس إيه؟”، بعد تتويج مروان عطية لاعب وسط القلعة الحمراء بها.
وبعدها نشر ياسر رسالة عبر حسابه على “إنستجرام”، قائلا: “مبروك لأخي مروان عطية وسعيد ليك، أنا لا أقصد من حديثي مروان نهائيًا، حديثي ليس لمروان، أنا أوجهه لأشخاص أخرى، ومبروك لجمهور النادي الأهلي وربنا يكرم في القادم إن شاء الله”.
وعلق مروان على رسالة زميله في الأهلي، قائلا عبر حسابه على “إنستجرام”: “أخويا ياسر الرجولة مبروك يا حبيبي المكسب والهدف وفعلا كنت تستحق رجل المباراة وأنا وأنت واحد”.
Packed stadium, lesser known domestic talent stepping up, capped players trying to be relevant – the RCB vs DC clash is tantalizingly poised
Shashank Kishore16-Mar-20243:10
Mandhana recalls being awestruck by Lanning
Big Picture: A celebration of talentRaging debates about the need for a tournament like the WPL feel all too recent.They said there wasn’t enough talent depth to split into enough teams to form a league and captivate audiences. On Friday evening, 25,000 fans packed into the Arun Jaitley Stadium to witness Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.On Sunday, the same crowd will turn fanatical in their support for Delhi Capitals, who will have a second shot at WPL glory. Last year, they let nerves get the better of them against Mumbai. Things may turn out differently this time with a stadium full of people cheering them on.Related
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Capitals have got here on the back of a dominating run in the group stage. Twice in two seasons now, they’ve made the finals directly by topping the pool. RCB’s journey has been bumpy. Having opened with two wins, they suffered a mid-season slump, before putting it past the defending champions twice to make it here.Not surprisingly, the history of both these sides, in the IPL, has been brought up quite a bit. Capitals and RCB have part of that tournament since 2008 but neither of them have won anything – Capitals have made only one final previously, RCB three. So this much is for sure: one of them will be making space for a first trophy.Both teams have invested heavily in their scouting system. Asha Sobhana’s nerveless final over on Friday night to dethrone Mumbai was a ringing endorsement of this. At 33, it’s possible she would have been a mere footnote in several domestic scorecards if not for an opportunity at the WPL.Capitals have identified a core group of young Indian players to drive them forward. Arundhati Reddy and Radha Yadav, who hadn’t been in the conversation as far as the Indian team goes, are part of this. Compelling performances here, a byproduct of fierce backing from Meg Lanning and the coaching staff. Now, a national call-up won’t seem so surprising.Shafali Verma’s chats with Lanning about becoming ruthless and consistent and adding new gears to her game are bound to have a ripple effect. Minnu Mani’s smile and Lanning’s embrace after she spun one past Ash Gardner’s defence told you of how a team culture that empowers young players to discover themselves and grow as individuals has already reaped dividends.2:51
Lanning: Mandhana is starting to get the ins and outs captaincy
Shreyanka Patil, a find of WPL 2023, has come on leaps and bounds from there. She fought through a hairline fracture, resisting the idea of rest to prevent aggravating her injury to play Friday’s Eliminator and delivered a clutch performance.Stories of hope, inspiration and glory will once again play out on Sunday evening on the biggest stage of them all. And it will culminate in the WPL having a new winner. It feels fitting.Form guideDelhi Capitals: WWLWW (Last five games) Royal Challengers Bangalore: WWLLWIn the spotlight: Asha Sobhana and Jemimah RodriguesTwice this season, Asha Sobhana has helped RCB complete a sensational last-over defence. She defended 10 runs in the opener against UP Warriorz. Against Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, she defended 11. That she has been preferred ahead of regulars like Renuka Singh reflects the confidence Smriti Mandhana has in her. At 33, Asha is not a newbie, but her exploits could put her in contention to be in India’s T20 World Cup squad in Bangladesh later this year.After a slow start, Jemimah Rodrigues has hit form towards the business end. She has scored 38*, 58, 17 and 69* in her last four innings. Unlike last year, where she was largely an accumulator, Rodrigues has added a robust power game to help finish off innings. This versatility gives her a massive edge in India’s World Cup plans.5:43
Rodrigues: I’ve learnt from Kohli how to hit sixes while hitting in the gaps
Likely XIsDelhi Capitals: 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Alice Capsey, 4 Jemimah Rodrigues, 5 Jess Jonassen, 6 Marizanne Kapp, 7 Minnu Mani, 8 Taniya Bhatia (wk), 9 Radha Yadav, 10 Arundhati Reddy, 11 Shikha PandeyRCB: 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Sophie Devine, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Disha Kasat/S Meghana, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Sophie Molineux, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Shreyanka Patil, 9 Renuka Singh, 10 Asha Sobhana, 11 Shradda Pokharkar/Ekta BishtPitch and conditions: Something for the bowlersA fresh pitch, right in the centre, will be used. Delhi has ensured decent bounce and carry for seamers, while the absence of dew has helped spinners also have a say. Toss hasn’t been as big a factor, with teams happy to bat first, like RCB did in the Eliminator.Stats and trivia: RCB have never beaten Capitals Ellyse Perry’s 6 for 15 in the final league game against Mumbai are the best figures in WPL’s short history. Lanning has never been out in single digits in 17 WPL innings. But two of her lowest scores have come against RCB. Marizanne Kapp’s economy rate of 6.50 is the best among those who’ve bowled at least 15 overs this season. Out of the five T20 finals she has played since 2021, Kapp was Player of the Match in the Hundred in 2021, WBBL 2021 and Hundred 2022. Seven out of ten matches in the Delhi leg of this WPL have been won by the side batting first. Shafali’s 17 sixes are the most by a batter so far this season. Mandhana is next best with 10. RCB have never beaten Capitals in four attempts so far.Quotes”We were just thinking we’re only two seasons into this, so let’s not take too much stress about what has happened over the last 15 years or correlating with similarities [to the men’s team].” “It is a nightmare having a 40-meter boundary on one side. That is one thing I haven’t necessarily enjoyed as a captain. There’s so much more power and strength in the game now that people are clearing the ropes pretty easily.”
And how many players have made their first-class debut in their first Test?
Steven Lynch19-Jun-2018West Indies made 414 in the first Test against Sri Lanka, but only one man passed 50. Was this the highest Test total with only one score of 50-plus?asked Abhishek Srivastav from England
West Indies’ 414 for 8 declared in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Port-of-Spain recently owed much to Shane Dowrich, who made 125 not out: the next-highest was Shai Hope’s 44. There have been six higher Test totals that included only one score of 50 or more, the highest of all being South Africa’s 491 against Australia in Johannesburg in 1935-36, when Dudley Nourse made the little matter of 231, and the next best score was 45.The biggest with only one score between 50 and 99 is England’s 363 against Pakistan at Headingley earlier this month, in which the highest individual score was Jos Buttler’s 80 not out. That beat the old record, India’s 358 against West Indies in Kolkata in 2002-03, when Sanjay Bangar made 77. And the highest with no half-centuries at all is South Africa’s 313 against England in Johannesburg in 2015-16, when Dean Elgar top-scored with 46: everyone else made double figures, with eight of them reaching 20.Mujeeb Ur Rahman made his first-class debut in Afghanistan’s inaugural Test. How many others have done this?asked Daniel King from England
During that rather brief inaugural Test against India in Bengaluru last week, Afghanistan’s youthful spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman became only the sixth player since 1900 to make his first-class debut in a Test match.The most recent one was Nazmul Hossain, for Bangladesh against India in Chittagong in 2004-05. Before that, Yasir Ali (Pakistan v Bangladesh in Multan in 2003), Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh v Zimbabwe in Dhaka in 2001-02), Ujesh Ranchod (Zimbabwe v India in Delhi in 1992-93) and Graham Vivian (New Zealand v India in Calcutta in 1964-65) all made their maiden first-class appearances in a Test.Before the turn of the 20th century, some 28 players made their first-class debuts in a Test, including South Africa’s entire team in their inaugural match, against England in Port Elizabeth in 1888-89, which was also considered the country’s first official first-class game. Most of the others featured in privately raised tours that included matches eventually given Test status.At 17 years 78 days, Mujeeb was the youngest Test player since Nazmul Hossain, who was five days younger when he made his debut in the 2004-05 match in Chittagong mentioned above. Only 14 players younger than Mujeeb have ever appeared in a Test: for the full list, click here.Has anyone – man or woman – ever scored a double-century and taken five wickets in the same one-day game before Amelia Kerr last week?asked Derrick Paul via Facebook
That amazing performance by New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr against Ireland in Dublin last week, when she followed 232 not out with 5 for 17, was a first for international cricket. Only three men have scored a hundred and taken a five-for in the same ODI: for the list, click here. But there has been one similar instance in men’s List A games: in the NatWest Trophy in 1984, Alvin Kallicharran hit 206 for Warwickshire against Oxfordshire at Edgbaston, then took 6 for 32 with his rarely seen offbreaks.Kerr’s score was the highest in women’s one-day internationals, eclipsing Belinda Clark’s unbeaten 229 for Australia against Denmark in Mumbai during the World Cup in December 1997 – nearly three years before 17-year-old Kerr was born.The male cricketer to come closest to Amelia Kerr’s 232 not out and five-for in an ODI is Alvin Kallicharran, who made 206 and took six wickets in a List A game in England in 1984•Getty ImagesHas Calum MacLeod now scored more ODI centuries than any other non-Test player?asked Graham Browne from Scotland
Calum MacLeod’s unbeaten 140 in Scotland’s stunning win over England in Edinburgh last week was his seventh century in one-day internationals. Only 64 batsmen have scored more (for the list, click here). The only one above MacLeod who has not played a Test match is Australia’s Aaron Finch, who now has ten ODI hundreds (and one in a T20 international). But William Porterfield’s 11 ODI hundreds all came before he captained Ireland in their inaugural Test last month.How many brothers and sisters have played Test cricket?asked Jamie Palmer from Ireland
I answered this one in a recent column, after Ed Joyce joined his sister Isobel as a Test player, during Ireland’s inaugural Test at Malahide last month.At the time I thought there was only one other brother/sister combination (Terry and Denise Alderman of Australia), but since then I’ve been told of another. Kent’s Bryan Valentine played seven Tests for England, scoring 136 on his debut, in Bombay in India’s first home Test, in 1933-34. And his sister, Carol Valentine, toured Australia in 1934-35, playing in the inaugural women’s Test match, in Brisbane.The fact that they were related doesn’t seem to have been generally known: it’s not mentioned in three books about women’s cricket that I consulted. Until recently, we didn’t even know Carol’s date of birth – but, thanks to some diligent digging from researcher Michael Jones, we now know it was November 26, 1906, and that her married name was Thorp.Leave your questions in the comments or use our feedback form