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There was a common theme in the four wild-card series games that kicked off Major League Baseball's postseason on Tuesday. Three of the four winning sides received dominant pitching from their southpaw starters and the fourth benefitted from a very serviceable effort as well.

Detroit's Tarik Skubal got the ball rolling by striking out 14 and holding the Guardians to a single run in 7 2/3 innings. Chicago's Matt Boyd left his start in the fifth inning down 1-0 but the Cubs rallied for a victory. Garrett Crochet matched Skubal's line with three fewer strikeouts during a 117-pitch masterpiece. Dodgers ace Blake Snell put a capper on the night by taking care of the Reds with seven innings of two-run ball.

All told, lefty starters threw 28 2/3 innings while surrendering five earned runs and racking up 36 punchouts. In the cases of Skubal and Crochet, the electricity of their performances were through the roof and a reminder that both have a reasonable case to claim the title of best arm in baseball.

The quartet of performances led MLB Network analyst Chris Young to offer up a take that might be hard to completely fact-check yet seems legit.

"Today was the best day ever that I've seen with left-handed starting pitching," he said.

Young then asked purists to go back through the record books and prove him wrong.

On its surface what he's saying holds some water. Especially if extra weight is given to the magnitude of the games being played. It helps a lot that the baseball playoffs have expanded to the point where there are four games per day in the earlier rounds yet doesn't diminish the accomplishments.

Everything you need to know about Division Two in our Rothesay County Championship preview

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025DerbyshireLast season: 8th in Division Two
Head of cricket: Mickey Arthur
Captain: Wayne Madsen
Overseas: Caleb Jewell, Blair Tickner
Ins: Martin Andersson (Middlesex)
Outs: Sam Conners (Durham), Matt Lamb (retirement)The good news is Derbyshire’s 2024 season was an improvement (of sorts) on the year before. The bad news is, having gone winless in 2023, their one County Championship victory last summer could not prevent them finishing bottom of Division Two.The lead-in to 2025’s campaign has not been smooth. David Lloyd, handed the captaincy upon joining from Glamorgan last year, relinquished it in March, with a view for better returns after posting sub-par numbers with bat (23.47) and ball (31.00). Club legend Wayne Madsen, 41, steps up to reprise the role he had between 2012 and 2016.A lot of pressure rests on Mickey Arthur. Since his arrival in 2021, there has been little by way of tangible progress. And though this summer is the third of a “four-year project” he set in motion in 2022, there will need to be a big uptick to keep that on track. A public vote of confidence from Derbyshire chief executive Ryan Duckett last July summed up the disgruntlement among the county’s fans towards Arthur, who has since taken a “hands off” role as director of cricket at Northern Superchargers.Related

Keith Dudgeon has Kent stint cut short by knee injury

Leicestershire sign Shan Masood on all-format deal

Shoaib Bashir set for loan spell with Glamorgan

Harry Conway joins Northamptonshire on four-match deal

Kent sign seamers Kashif and Dudgeon to cover for Agar absence

Reinforcements have been made, with Australian Caleb Jewell and Kiwi Blair Tickner on hand for all formats for the entire season, reinforcing the batting and bowling, respectively. Allrounder Martin Andersson has joined permanently from Middlesex, and will need to hit the ground running to supplement the likes of Madsen, Anuj Dal, Luis Reece and Zak Chappell, who shouldered more than their share of responsibility last time out.One to watch: The excitement around 17-year-old Harry Moore can be gauged by his winter, spending both sides of the New Year in South Africa, first training with England Lions and then impressing on an U19 tour, before rejoining the Lions for a bowling camp in the UAE last month. Very much part of England’s fast-bowling future, he was picked up by Birmingham Phoenix for £41,500 in last month’s Hundred draft. At 6ft 7in, with an imposing action that generates exciting bounce and nip off the pitch, Moore has been likened to Morne Morkel. Oh, and he can bat, too. Vithushan EhantharajahBet365: 25/1New Zealand’s Blair Tickner returns for Derbyshire•Getty ImagesGlamorganLast season: 6th in Division Two
Director of cricket: Mark Wallace
Head coach: Richard Dawson (interim)
Captain: Sam Northeast
Overseas: Colin Ingram, Asitha Fernando (April-May)
Ins: Ned Leonard (Somerset), Shoaib Bashir (loan, April)
Outs: Harry Podmore, Prem Sisodiya (both retired)The sacking of head coach Grant Bradburn in January had the potential to rock Glamorgan, particularly given the nature of his dismissal. But the county have worn it well, not least because of their swift dealing with the situation. In the months that followed, they came to an agreement in principle with Washington Freedom owner Sanjay Govil for 50% of Welsh Fire, securing a significant windfall. But perhaps the most beneficial deal for Glamorgan on the field came with the acquisition of Richard Dawson as interim head coach.Dawson is highly regarded, which made it a little odd that the ECB was happy to part ways with the 44-year-old at the end of last year. Nevertheless, England’s loss (for now) is Glamorgan’s gain, and with former England white-ball head coach Matthew Mott returning to the club to work part-time, the Cardiff brains trust is in rude health.As for the squad, it is one of the more peculiar in the Division. For all its mix of experience – led by 39-year-old South African Colin Ingram – seasoned talents and up-and-comers, success has been sporadic, even taking into account 2024’s One-Day Cup win. A solid Welsh core has sated local desire for better attachment to the county, and meaningful success does not feel far off. The acquisition of offspinner Shoaib Bashir for the first three games of the season as cover for the injured Mason Crane brings plenty of English interest, too. There remains uncertainty around how much they will see of Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne.One to watch: A batting allrounder, whose ability to bowl both left-arm and right-arm orthodox is more than just a gimmick, Ben Kellaway will get the chance to establish himself in Glamorgan’s middle-order this season. His 12 wickets in 2024 came at an average of 22.50 from four matches and exceeded his exploits with the bat (80 at 13.33). With the county keen to explore the option of playing two spinners in their XI, he’ll get the chance to improve on the latter. VEBet365: 11/1GloucestershireLast season: 7th in Division Two
Head coach: Mark Alleyne
Captain: Cameron Bancroft
Overseas: Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green (April-May)
Ins:
Outs: Zafar Gohar (Middlesex)Nothing could take the shine off Gloucestershire’s 2024, as they lifted the domestic T20 trophy for the first time. But while they made progress in Championship cricket, too, it was only incremental – up a place to second from bottom, having finished with the wooden spoon the year before.They showed fight in early season encounters with Yorkshire and Sussex, both of whom eventually won promotion, before winning their first red-ball game since September 2022 when crushing Northants by 256 runs. There was also the drama of salvaging a tie against Glamorgan off the final ball at Cheltenham, just when the visitors seemed poised to pull off a world-record chase of 593. The batting was strong, led by James Bracey’s 1089 runs at 60.50, but draws predominated and their only other victory came in the last month of the season at Lord’s.The man who hit the winning runs that day, Zafar Gohar, has since decamped to Middlesex as a locally registered player, adding to the sense that Gloucestershire are under-resourced with the ball – albeit a pace attack of Ajeet Singh Dale, Zaman Akhter and Marchant de Lange is among the quickest on the circuit (if they can all stay fit).One to watch: The signing of Australia’s Cameron Green, funded by an unnamed benefactor, for a five-game spell at the start of the season was eye-catching, but for local flavour look to loose-limbed seamer Archie Bailey. An academy product, Bailey has only played two first-class games but 4 for 30 on debut helped set up Gloucestershire’s surprise win over promotion-chasing Middlesex. Alan GardnerBet365: 20/1Cameron Green will attempt to push his case for an Australia recall with Gloucestershire•Getty ImagesKentLast season: 10th in Division One
Director of cricket: Simon Cook
Head coach: Adam Hollioake
Captain: Daniel Bell-Drummond
Overseas: Wes Agar (May-July), Kashif Ali, Keith Dudgeon (both April-May)
Ins: Chris Benjamin (Warwickshire)
Outs: Hamidullah Qadri, Arafat Bhuiyan (both released)Adam Hollioake joked that he didn’t know how he’d ended up at Kent, given that the fans all “hated” him during his legendary stint as Surrey captain, but after a self-imposed 20-year exile from English cricket, Kent’s new head coach is back as one of the most fascinating appointments imaginable.He arrives at a club that could hardly be more down on their luck. Last summer’s Championship relegation was compounded by a rock-bottom finish in the T20 Blast South Group, but such is Hollioake’s force of personality, it encourages the belief that he can instil the same sort of mindset shift that Brendon McCullum achieved with England’s Test team.It could prove to be quite the cultural shock at Canterbury, however, with Hollioake’s renowned backstory meaning there’ll be no room for self-pity among his charges – including Zak Crawley, one of Bazball’s ultimate acolytes, whose form across formats has fallen off a cliff this winter, and whose alarmingly plumb second-ball duck against Loughborough UCCE was not the most auspicious of starts to 2025.Already Hollioake has taken aim at basic standards, such as the management of the club’s practice balls, as an example of the one-percenters that he hopes can get the club punching above its perceived weight. “We need to respect ourselves and expect more from the club,” he told ESPNcricinfo last month. “If that message is helping them, then great. If it’s not, then they’ll learn.”One to watch: The sky ought to be the limit for Tawanda Muyeye, a sumptuous strokemaker with a compelling backstory, whose career has just begun to click into a higher gear in recent seasons, including bit-part roles in Oval Invincibles’ two title-winning campaigns. His challenge is to add more substance to his style, and as templates go, his superb 211 against Worcestershire last August is hard to better. Andrew MillerBet365: 9/2LancashireLast season: 9th in Division One
Director of cricket: Mark Chilton
Head coach: Dale Benkenstein
Captain: Keaton Jennings
Overseas: Marcus Harris, Anderson Phillip (April-July), Ashton Turner (May-July)
Ins: Michael Jones (Durham)
Outs: Steven Croft (retired), George Lavelle (released)James Anderson’s highly anticipated career extension beyond the age of 43 hit pause on the eve of the Championship amid news the ex-England stalwart had suffered a calf niggle, expected to keep him sidelined for the first three games. During that time, Lancashire will be looking to start well in their bid to bounce straight back into Division One following their relegation at the end of last season, their fourth demotion since they last won the title in 2011.Captain Keaton Jennings again looks to be key after amassing 1006 runs at 45.72, including an unbeaten 187 in a draw with Nottinghamshire. He and Josh Bohannon are set to be bolstered at the top of the order by Australia’s Marcus Harris. Lancashire’s bowling stocks will be boosted by the return of another Anderson, West Indies quick Anderson Phillip, who is available for the first 11 games after taking 15 wickets from the last three matches of 2024.One to watch: Rocky Flintoff, the son of England legend Andrew who turns 17 on the final day of the opening round, has already drawn attention to himself with four outings for Lancashire last season. With a highest Championship score of 32 so far, a century for England Lions against a Cricket Australia XI in a four-day game in January and a maiden half-century for Lancashire in last year’s One-Day Cup suggest he is ready to build on his considerable pedigree. Valkerie BaynesBet365: 7/4James Anderson is back for another season with Lancashire•Getty ImagesLeicestershireLast season: 5th in Division Two
Director of cricket: Claude Henderson
Head coach: Alfonso Thomas
Captain: Peter Handscomb
Overseas: Peter Handscomb, Logan van Beek, Shan Masood (May-Sept)
Ins: Ian Holland (Hampshire)
Outs: Sam Evans (released)Leicestershire solidified their midtable position in Division Two – the first time they had avoided the wooden spoon across two consecutive seasons of the County Championship since 2007-08 – but it was nevertheless a turgid campaign for the Foxes, with 10 draws and only one win from their 14 games. Notably there was a lack of incision among the bowling, with no one averaging below 30; their best performer was Scott Currie, with 29 at 31.17, but he has returned to Hampshire after a season on loan.Nevertheless, Alfonso Thomas still has credit in the bank after overseeing the club’s feelgood One-Day Cup success in 2023 – a competition in which Leicestershire also reached the semi-finals last year. While Lewis Hill resigned the captaincy after a tough season in which he averaged 20.52, Australia international Peter Handscomb, the club’s leading run-scorer last term, is back to take the reins. He will be supported from the end of May onwards by Shan Masood, who averages 64.27 in the Championship across spells at Derbyshire and Yorkshire.Chris Wright’s availability should provide a lift after the veteran seamer missed most of the 2024 summer serving a doping ban. If Rehan Ahmed and Josh Hull can live up to their billing as England wildcard picks, Leicestershire’s prospects of upward mobility will only increase.One to watch: At 6ft 7in (“and still growing” according to his most recent interview on the Leicestershire website), teenaged fast bowler Alex Green is the latest Foxes academy product to get tongues wagging. He has made rapid strides at age-group level, playing for the Young Lions at 16 and England Under-19s at 17 – bagging a five-for in his second appearance. Green only turned 18 in February but is already on a three-year deal with his county. AGBet365: 10/1MiddlesexLast season: 3rd in Division Two
Director of cricket: Alan Coleman
Head coach: Richard Johnson
Captain: Toby Roland-Jones
Overseas: Kane Williamson (May-Sept), Dane Paterson (April-May), Josh Little (May-Sept)
Ins: Ben Geddes (Surrey), Zafar Gohar (Gloucestershire, UK passport)
Outs: Martin Andersson (Derbyshire), Ethan Bamber (Warwickshire), Mark Stoneman (Hampshire), Thilan Walallawita (released), Robbie White (retired)The existential angst hangs heavy over St John’s Wood, where Middlesex’s stark financial hardships have been an especially awkward look given the vast sums of money that their landlords MCC are about to rake in from the Hundred equity sale. But, even if the club’s long-term future is hard to gauge, the short-term outlook seems unusually upbeat, after a near-miss 2024 in which their third-place finish wasn’t quite enough for an immediate return to the top flight.That mood-boost is thanks, in part, to London Spirit’s largesse. Middlesex forewent an overseas player in 2024, but Kane Williamson will be rocking up this summer for at least five County Championship fixtures ahead of his role in the Hundred, while Dane Paterson’s arrival from Nottinghamshire is a valuable signing too – with South Africa set to play at Lord’s in June’s World Test Championship final, it’s a win-win for all parties as he seeks to get to grips with the ground’s renowned dimensions.Ireland’s Josh Little will take the overseas mantle thereafter, to provide quality seam support to a hard-toiling attack that will led once again by Toby Roland-Jones but has a big hole to fill following Ethan Bamber’s departure to Warwickshire. Zafar Gohar – the former Pakistan spinner who now has a UK passport – has arrived from Gloucestershire too, a big signing that takes pressure off Josh De Caires, who had been the club’s frontline spinner almost by default in recent seasons.One to watch: Middlesex’s batting has been notoriously flaky in recent years, and Mark Stoneman’s departure for Hampshire robs them of further experience. However, Ben Geddes’ arrival from Surrey is a potential coup. At the age of 23, his eight first-class matches to date have been spread across four seasons, but include two hundreds in 2022. The chance for a regular starting berth will be a step-up from his bit-part opportunities at The Oval. AMBet365: 7/2The Middlesex squad line up for their Championship photo-call•Getty ImagesNorthamptonshireLast season: 4th in Division Two
Head coach: Darren Lehmann
Captain: Luke Procter
Overseas: Matthew Breetzke (April-July), Harry Conway (May), Yuzvendra Chahal (June-Sept)
Ins: Dom Leech (Yorkshire), Liam Guthrie (Queensland, UK passport)
Outs: Emilio Gay (Durham), Jack White (Yorkshire), Alex Russell, George Gowler, George Weldon (all released)It is not often a coaching appointment ranks as one of the highest-profile moves ahead of a County Championship season. But the big job at Northamptonshire now belongs to a big name (and personality) in Darren Lehmann.The former Australia head coach has already proclaimed his hatred for draws, which is just as well given his side played out nine of them last term. Without Jack White, converting those into wins will prove harder, but the bowling has been reinforced by an array of acquisitions from beyond these shores, including sprightly left-armer Liam Guthrie who has used his British passport to sign a three-year deal at Wantage Road from Down Under. Factor in Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal for the last four months of the season and South Australian Harry Conway’s four-match stint in May, and there is a well-rounded attack brewing. They have also yet to see the best of George Scrimshaw after injury restricted him to two appearances in 2024 following his move from Derbyshire.As ever, Luke Procter will operate as the lynchpin of the side, the skipper leading the club run-charts last summer while also contributing 21 wickets with his wrong-foot wobblers. Coping for the loss of Emilio Gay will require others to step up with the bat in meaningful ways. That they’ve managed to keep hold of Ricardo Vasconcelos is a huge boost, particularly if Lehmann can liberate the classy left-hander. Likewise James Sales – son of Northants legend David – who is a real talent.One to watch: When Phil Rowe was academy coach at Wantage Road, he regarded a 16-year old Saif Zaib as one of the most gifted batters he had seen at that age. Ten years on – Zaib turns 27 in May – it is fair to say that potential has yet to be fully realised. And yet, while he only has three first-class centuries to his name, there remains a sense of excitement around the left-hander. Classy to watch, tidy with his left-arm orthodox and one of the club’s better fielders, he will need a statement summer. Gay’s depature leaves a vacancy for a reliable stylist that Zaib has the wares to fill. VEBet365: 6/1

From Shaun Marsh to Vaibhav Suryavanshi, here are all the non-internationals to score centuries in the 18 years of the IPL

Omkar Mankame11-Apr-2025 • Updated on 29-Apr-20254:33

Bishop on Suryavanshi’s record: ‘That was mind-blowing’

Shaun Marsh, 115 in IPL 2008Match scorecardMarsh, who went on to play in all three formats for Australia between 2008 and 2019, set the first edition of the IPL alight with 616 runs in 11 matches that made him the first Orange Cap winner. He was not picked for the first four matches but got off to a blazing start with 84* on debut. The century came later in the tournament, when his 69-ball 115 powered Kings XI Punjab (KXIP, now Punjab Kings – PBKS) to a 41-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a top-of-the-table dead rubber in Mohali. Marsh made his debut for Australia within a month after the IPL.Manish Pandey, 114* in IPL 2009Match scorecardA member of the Under-19 World Cup-winning side of 2008, Pandey made headlines by becoming the first Indian batter – capped or uncapped – to hit an IPL century. Opening the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against the long-defunct Deccan Chargers, the 19-year-old Pandey batted through the 20 overs and finished unbeaten on 114, off 73 balls, with Roelof van der Merwe’s 23 the second-highest score. His innings powered RCB to a 12-run win and the No. 3 spot on the points table. Pandey has played 68 times for India but not since 2021.Paul Valthaty lost form and fell out of favour soon after his memorable innings•AFPPaul Valthaty, 120* in IPL 2011Match scorecardValthaty was one of the stars of IPL 2011, the unbeaten 120 for KXIP against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) the highlight in his 463-run season. Valthaty was a surprise promotion to the opening slot, instead of Shaun Marsh, and he answered the call with a blistering start. He led the 189-run chase with his unbeaten century but played only seven more games in the competition, losing form and falling out of favour quickly after an injury that derailed his professional career. He never played for India, one of three people in this list, including newcomer Arya, to not play international cricket.Devdutt Padikkal, 101* in IPL 2021Match scorecardPadikkal finished IPL 2020 as RCB’s top scorer in what was his debut season. He carried that form into IPL 2021, where he tore through the RR attack in Mumbai with a dazzling 51-ball century. With Virat Kohli (72*) for company, Padikkal helped RCB chase down 178 without losing a wicket with 21 balls to spare. He brought up 400-plus runs in this season, and earned his India cap soon after.Rajat Patidar wasn’t even in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad when IPL 2022 started•PTI Rajat Patidar, 112* in IPL 2022Match scorecardPatidar was not even part of the RCB squad that season; he replaced the injured Luvnith Sisodia, and in the Eliminator, he went on to have the kind of day batters dream of. He scored a sensational unbeaten 112 off 54 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to propel the team into the second Qualifier. The highlight of his innings came in the 16th over, bowled by Ravi Bishnoi, where Patidar went 6, 4, 6, 4, 6.Yashasvi Jaiswal, 124 in IPL 2023Match scorecardJaiswal defied a sluggish pitch at what was his home ground in domestic cricket at the time to hammer 124 off 62 balls, laced with 16 fours and eight sixes. The next-best score for RR was 18 off 19, from Jos Buttler. Jaiswal’s innings featured the second-highest percentage (90.32%) of runs in boundaries in all men’s T20s. Within months, he was opening for India in both Tests and T20Is.Prabhsimran Singh soaks in the applause as he walks back after his century•BCCIPrabhsimran Singh, 103 in IPL 2023Match scorecardIn demanding batting conditions, PBKS opener Prabhsimran, who had started the season with a highest IPL score of just 16, not only survived but thrived in a way no one else could. On a pitch where none of his team-mates crossed 20 and only two others scored at better than a run-a-ball, he thumped 103 off 65 balls. His century delivered a knockout blow to Delhi Capitals’ (DC) IPL 2023 campaign.Priyansh Arya, 103 in IPL 2025Match scorecardArya, the 24-year-old opening bat, announced himself in style with a 39-ball century – the joint-fourth-fastest in IPL history earlier this season. Arya made the most of two reprieves from the CSK fielders and got to his hundred in the 13th over, hammering 6, 6, 6, 4 off Matheesha Pathirana to get there. He finished with 103 off 42 balls in a bizarre scorecard where the rest of the top six managed just 23 runs off 25 balls between them.Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 101 in IPL 2025Match scorecardA 14-year-old boy, younger than the IPL, took on a bowling attack of Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Karim Janat and R Sai Kishore and smashed them for 101 runs in 38 balls that included 11 sixes. By getting to the three-figure mark in just 35 balls, he notched up the second-fastest century in the IPL and became the youngest man to score a century in T20 cricket. His blitz powered RR in their 210-run chase and took them home in just 15.4 overs, snapping a five-match losing streak in spectacular fashion.

Big Picture: Who will strike gold on the coast?

It’s not often an India series is overshadowed but, in many Australian cricket circles at least, this T20I series is not the major talking point, although it is far from insignificant for those involved. The day before the fourth match, with the series locked at 1-1, the Ashes squad dropped and it will likely continue to be picked over in the days ahead.There are even fewer links in Australia’s squad for this series to the upcoming Ashes with Travis Head and Sean Abbott having been released. Josh Inglis, who will have a quick turnaround into Sheffield Shield cricket after the series is done, is the only one who remains who is among those to be involved in Perth.Related

• Short outlines clear pathway to next T20 World Cup

• Arshdeep, Sundar help India level the series against Australia

• Arshdeep's career highlights the balancing act T20 cricket imposes on India

• Head leaves T20I squad for red-ball Ashes preparation

India were excellent in leveling the series in Hobart. The chase was an example of their immense batting depth in T20 cricket. Only Tilak Varma had a strike-rate below 125, Washington Sundar, playing his first game of the series, hurried the game to a conclusion with some powerful strokeplay and Jitesh Sharma played with confidence having also come into the team.Tim David batted brilliantly for Australia, a continuation of his evolving role higher up the order which has the makings of a critical change to the team’s T20 plans heading into the World Cup. His 74 off 38 included one of the biggest sixes seen. However, the home side couldn’t quite recover from losing Mitch Marsh (who had only faced 14 balls by the eighth over) and Mitch Owen in consecutive deliveries against Varun Chakravarthy, although Marcus Stoinis’ well-constructed 64 was another positive for them.For Australia the last two matches of this T20 series played across Thursday and Saturday bring an end to an intensive run in the format. They are the last before the selectors will need to name a T20 World Cup squad although BBL form may yet play a part.

Form guide

Australia LWWWW
India WLWWWBen Dwarshuis brings left-arm variety to Australia’s attack•Getty Images

In the spotlight: Ben Dwarshuis and Abhishek Sharma

Left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis put together an impressive run of games against West Indies and South Africa earlier this year, but has had some niggly injuries the past month which has limited him to one T20I out of the last six. But he is back in the squad for the final two games against India, replacing Abbott, and will bring valuable variation to the attack. With Mitchell Starc having retired from T20Is and Spencer Johnson working through a long-term injury, Dwarshuis is the leading candidate to fill the left-arm pace role at the World Cup.If Abhishek Sharma hasn’t tried to hit every ball for four and six, then he’s come close. On a more serious note, he did show the layers to his game with the superb 68 at the MCG in tough conditions. He is the only India batter with over 100 runs in the series and they have come at a strike-rate of 167.16. However, in Hobart he was out-thought by Nathan Ellis’ bouncer. He needs 39 runs for 1000 in T20Is. If Abhishek reaches the mark in this match he would equal Virat Kohli’s record of 27 innings as the fastest for India and he would become the fastest globally balls faced. Suryakumar Yadav is currently the quickest from 573 balls; Abhishek has currently faced 500.

Team news: Eyes on Maxwell, Reddy may be ready

Head’s departure from the series creates a vacancy for Matt Short to return to his favoured opening position. Glenn Maxwell wasn’t quite ready to return from his wrist injury in Hobart but it’s understood he is expected to be available. Dwarshuis would appear a logical addition to the pace attack unless Mahli Beardman is handed a debut.Australia (possible): 1 Matt Short, 2 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 3 Josh Inglis (wk), 4 Tim David, 5 Mitch Owen, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Ben Dwarshuis, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Matt KuhnemannIndia may consider the role Shivam Dube is currently playing after an expensive three overs in Hobart although they have all bases covered with their plethora of allrounders. Nitish Kumar Reddy may be available again after injury. “He did all his work that was needed or expected of him in fielding, batting, and bowling,” bowling coach Morne Morkel said. “He ticked all of that, so we will find out now after assessment where he is at.”India (possible): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Axar Patel, 6 Washington Sundar, 7 Jitesh Sharma, 8 Shivam Dube, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

Pitch and conditions

There have only been two previous men’s internationals at Carrara – and one became a 10-over game – so previous evidence is limited. In the BBL the ground has the sixth-highest batting strike of venues to have hosted at least 10 matches.

Stats and trivia

• Glenn Maxwell needs one wicket for 50 in T20Is, Marcus Stoinis needs two. They could each be the first Australia men’s player to complete the 1000 runs/50 wickets double in T20Is.
• Nathan Ellis needs three wickets for 50 in T20Is.
• Tilak Varma needs nine runs for 1000 in T20Is.

Quotes

“You need to have options available. Every team across the world are playing around with options. In this game, you need to be adaptable and where certain players can give you options in different roles.”

Big picture: Can New Zealand salvage some pride?

There is very nearly nothing on the line. If England win, they finish No. 2, which does not change their semi-final tie – they will play South Africa regardless. But that little bump up the table will certainly help them progress if the Guwahati knockout is subsequently rained out.New Zealand leave themselves at risk of slipping down to No. 7 or 8 if they lose, but even that is unlikely – Bangladesh having to beat India by a significant margin. The White Ferns will nevertheless be intent on salvaging a victory from an otherwise disappointing campaign. They had had to endure two washouts in Colombo, but have only beaten Bangladesh in their completed matches, going down comfortably to South Africa, India, and Australia.It is also Sophie Devine’s last match in the ODI format, with New Zealand’s captain having announced her retirement at the end of this World Cup. Devine is 36. Team-mate Suzie Bates, who is 38, could also be playing her last World Cup match, though she has not herself announced a retirement.England, meanwhile, may use this as an opportunity to tune up ahead of the final. They have consistently put up the same XI most of the way through the campaign. Perhaps they will give some tired bodies a rest.New Zealand have lost eight of their last nine ODIs against England•ICC/Getty Images

Form guide

England: LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand: LWLLW

In the spotlight: Sophie Devine and England’s spin trio

One-hundred-and-fifty-eight matches, 4,256 runs, 110 wickets – whichever way you slice it, Sophie Devine‘s numbers are immense. She had been the form batter of the tournament weeks ago, when she hit 112 against Australia, 85 against South Africa, and 63 against Bangladesh. The back-to-back washouts might have broken a litttle of her rhythm however. Can she regain it for her final ODI innings?Between Sophie Ecclestone (11), Linsey Smith (9), and Charlie Dean (7), England’s frontline spinners have 27 wickets in the tournament. None of these bowlers have gone at more than five an over (Dean has been by a distance the most expensive, with an economy rate of 4.73). They’d mostly had a quiet game in the loss to Australia. They will attempt to reimpose themselves.

Team news: Will England rest key players?

England may ring in the changes. With Sophia Dunkley not having made a major impact this tournament, could Danni Wyatt-Hodge come in? Could legspinner Sarah Glenn give one of the frontline spinners a rest?England (possible): 1 Amy Jones (wk), 2 Tammy Beaumont, 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Sophia Dunkley/Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 6 Emma Lamb, 7 Alice Capsey, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone/Sarah Glenn, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren BellFor New Zealand, there’s a little scrutiny on the place of Eden Carson, who has taken two wickets in the tournament.New Zealand (possible): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine, 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Jess Kerr, 9 Rosemary Mair, 10, Lea Tahuhu, 11 Eden Carson4:19

Healy, Knight, Mandhana, Devine, Dottin – analysing the best six-hitters

Pitch and conditions: Can the rain please stop?

You won’t believe this, but there are rains forecast for Visakhapatnam on Sunday, with a cyclone supposedly brewing in the Bay of Bengal. So far this venue has seen medium-to-high scores during this World Cup, with India and Australia both having made more than 330 here in one match.

Stats and trivia: NZ’s poor record vs England

• Sophie Ecclestone has taken at least one wicket in every match she has played so far this World Cup.
• Although she’s played only four innings, Devine is still among the tournament’s top five run-scorers, with 266 runs at an average of 66.50.
• New Zealand have lost eight of their last nine ODIs against England – a stretch that goes back to September 2021.

Daniel Farke, manager of Leeds United, has provided an update on injuries within his squad ahead of their Sunday clash with Nottingham Forest.

Last season, at the second time of asking, Farke led Leeds back to the Premier League as centurions and winners of the Championship. After 10 games in the top flight, the Whites have picked up 11 points as, alongside Sunderland and Burnley, the newly-promoted teams have enjoyed promising starts to the campaign.

Leeds are certainly at their best when at home, having lost only to Tottenham Hotspur in five games at Elland Road. On the road, however, Leeds have just one win, which came against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Not only have they lost the other four matches, but excluding the win over Wolves, Leeds have not scored away from home.

The Whites are next in action on Sunday when they travel to face Forest, who have not won in the Premier League since their opening day victory against Brentford.

Sean Dyche oversaw a victory against Porto in the Europa League on his debut as Forest manager, having since lost to Bournemouth as well as draws with Man United and Sturm Graz.

Ahead of their visit to the City Ground, Farke has revealed which of his players have faced fitness setbacks.

Farke reveals Leeds pair are struggling with injury

Signed for just over £5 million in the summer from Wolfsburg, Sebastiaan Bornauw was recruited to serve as depth to pre-existing centre-back options Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, along with fellow summer addition Jaka Bijol.

Yet to make his Premier League debut for the Whites, Bornauw has played just once for the club, when he featured against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. Farke has now revealed that the Belgian is struggling with a new injury suffered behind closed doors.

Elsewhere within the team, it will be a “late call” whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin can play against Forest. The former Everton striker has been brilliant for Leeds, giving them a physical outlet up front that has allowed them to compete in the Premier League.

Lukas Nmecha is a serviceable back-up option, but Leeds will hope that both Bornauw and Calvert-Lewin are not absent for too long. Given that, including Joel Piroe, no Leeds striker has been a consistent goal threat this season, it may be that Farke could soon turn to some younger options within his squad.

"Dangerous" striker could be open to Leeds switch in January

The India A coach says Abhimanyu “stays very motivated to challenge himself,” as he has been on the fringes of Test cricket for years now

Daya Sagar16-Sep-2025Abhimanyu Easwaran first turned out for India A in July 2018. Over the years, he has played 30 first-class matches for India A – KS Bharat is second with 21 – but the Test cap has not come his way yet, despite being in five Test squads, including the one in England earlier this year. He is back with India A, for the two four-day games against Australia A, and back to the grind, which can’t be getting easier at 30. But Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the India A coach, expects Abhimanyu to “stay very motivated to challenge himself,” as always.”Abhimanyu is an experienced player. He has captained Bengal and played a lot of cricket at the higher level. So there isn’t much need to say a lot to him because he knows how cricket is played,” Kanitkar said at a press conference ahead of the first four-day match in Lucknow.”It was not a big challenge to talk to him because he is already prepared. He knows what to do if opportunities don’t come. One good thing is that he stays very motivated to challenge himself, push himself, perform well. And if he gets a chance at the higher level, do well there too. He is mentally very strong, prepared, and is also playing well.Related

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“He is batting well. He is in good form and in good touch. He is a very, very good player who has done it [for India A] many times. So I think he is ready for the challenge now. He is in a good place right now in terms of batting and the way managing his cricket.”Lucknow is a city that will evoke fond memories for Abhimanyu. He has played three first-class matches there, and has scored a century each time to average 117.75, with a total of 471 runs in five innings.Last year, while playing in Lucknow for Rest of India in the Irani Cup match against Mumbai, Abhimanyu scored 191 while opening the batting. Ten days later, he played a Ranji Trophy match at the same ground for Bengal against Uttar Pradesh and scored an unbeaten 127. The call-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad followed.No one in India has possibly been on the fringes of Test cricket for this long without making the cut. But now, with India A again, Abhimanyu will walk out to open and will be expected to play the same sort of calm, responsible, long innings he has made a name for, and hope the Tests at home against West Indies next month are the ones he had been waiting for.

When Arne Slot spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United, it was pretty sobering for the head coach to suggest that the focus is on securing a place in next year’s Champions League proper, and not battling to defend their hard-won Premier League title.

Slot’s right, of course, with Liverpool so far removed from last year’s indomitable success that talk of mounting a challenge against high-flying Arsenal would be scoffed at by even the most ardent supporters.

Among Liverpool’s biggest problems this season has been a struggle in the build-up, especially on the right side. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence is keenly felt, and sporting director Richard Hughes is looking to replace the former vice-captain’s creativity.

Liverpool looking to replace Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have technically replaced Alexander-Arnold already, signing Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m this summer. However, neither Frimpong or Conor Bradley boast the same playmaking ability as the 27-year-old, who plies his craft for Real Madrid after leaving Anfield at the end of his contract in June.

The £116m signing of Florian Wirtz was meant to help the passing of the creative torch, but Wirtz’s struggles have been well-documented this season, and, as analyst Raj Chohan puts it, “the build-up combination is horrible” on Liverpool’s right-hand side this season.

Those around him know Wirtz has world-class potential in the Premier League and could become a superstar playmaker, a poster boy. However, he doesn’t really operate down the right lane, and this is where Slot and Hughes need to fix Liverpool’s progressive passing.

Perhaps that’s why FSG are showing an interest in signing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, having shortlisted the France international this week, according to German outlet BILD.

Olise, 23, has only gone from strength to strength since swapping Crystal Palace for the Allianz Arena in 2024, and if Liverpool want to secure his signature, ostensibly as Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement, they will need to pay over £100m.

BILD believe that Liverpool have placed Olise back onto their shortlist despite Bayern’s not-for-sale stance.

What Olise would bring to Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold’s influence at Liverpool cannot be understated. Quite simply, he is a one-of-a-kind type of player, and his departure to Santiago Bernabeu was always going to be more than just a blow to the Anfield side’s pride.

Olise might not be a right-back, but he would prove the perfect Salah replacement at right wing in that he would not try to mimic the Egyptian’s clinical output, and instead bring his own flavour to Merseyside.

At Bayern, the former Palace star has posted 29 goals and 34 assists across 76 matches. He is regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Serge Gnabry.

Physical and athletic, Olise is also near matchless when it comes to creating for his peers, setting up passing patterns and adding pressure in the final third with unplayable passing.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90.

That is not to say he’s a one-trick pony, with fearsome ball-striking qualities that the Premier League’s many defenders and goalkeepers know only too well.

He has proven himself to be a superstar in the English game, and since levelling up in Germany, Olise has fostered the playmaking brilliance that would see him reinvent Slot’s right flank and rekindle the presence of Trent at Anfield.

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Arne Slot’s Liverpool frontline is not quite right this season.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

7 days ago

Leeds United are now set to make an imminent bid for Real Madrid star Gonzalo Garcia, following involvement from manager Daniel Farke.

Leeds have been urged to sign a new striker, having failed to score in five of their 11 Premier League matches up to this point, with Clinton Morrison saying: “If Leeds want to survive, they need to bring in an out-and-out goalscorer that’s going to get them the 10 to 15 goals to keep them in the Premier League, which is going to be difficult.

“Because in the Premier League. You’re only as good as your strikers. But I hope Leeds do stay up because it’s going to be difficult.”

Farke would’ve been hoping Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be the man to fire his side to safety, but the centre-forward has recorded an xG of just 2.02 in the Premier League so far this season, with his only goal coming in the 3-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in September.

With Joel Piroe goalless, Farke is short on top-quality options to rival Lukas Nmecha for a starting spot, and the West Yorkshire outfit are now set to make a move for a new striker ahead of the January transfer window.

Leeds set to make imminent bid for Gonzalo Garcia

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds are now set to make an imminent bid for Real Madrid forward Garcia, with a formal £17m offer ready, and the Spanish club are willing to sanction his departure for a fee in that ballpark.

Farke has managed to convince the 49ers the 21-year-old could propel the Whites to Premier League safety, which means the board have now sanctioned a move, but there could be competition from rival Premier League clubs.

Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also preparing moves of their own, with Brighton and Sunderland also being named as potential suitors for the Spaniard, who has been unable to force his way into the Real Madrid starting XI this season.

Hailed as “world-class” by journalist Zach Lowy, the youngster has impressed when given the opportunity by Xabi Alonso, finding the back of the net four times in six outings at the Club World Cup, while also grabbing an assist in the Champions League this season.

Unfortunately for the five-time Spain U21 international, however, he is behind some global superstars in the Real Madrid pecking order, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo all vying for first-team spots, which means he is at risk of his development being hampered.

As such, Garcia should seek a move in the January transfer window, and he would become an instant cult hero at Elland Road if he were able to fire Leeds to safety…

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ByDominic Lund Nov 19, 2025

At Manchester United, there is a newfound sense of hope and optimism. Much has changed in recent weeks for Ruben Amorim, who has overseen a five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and is knocking on the top four door.

The Red Devils have strengthened their spine, core players reborn in an alliance of security and stability stretching down the Old Trafford pitch.

But something is still lacking, and it’s clear that the Old Trafford side need a centre-midfielder to take their resurgence to the next level.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is among those at the top of INEOS’s shopping list.

Man Utd's interest in Adam Wharton

The engine room bears one of the most glaring holes in Amorim’s Manchester United squad. Casemiro has been resurgent this season, but the Brazilian is 33 and new deep-lying midfielders must be signed.

That’s where Wharton comes in.

It has been felt for a number of months that the 21-year-old Three Lions star ranks high on United’s list of targets, and he would certainly open up avenues in the middle of the park, ranked among the top 10% of midfielders across Europe for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for through balls per 90, as per FBref.

This is an up-and-coming superstar who is never content with where he is. By completing a transfer to the Theatre of Dreams, he could at least take a giant step toward the very top of the European game.

However, Palace will not let their prized prospect leave easily, and have actually priced him at around £100m as interest continues to swell.

While Wharton would be a credit to the Red Devils project, Amorim actually has his own version of the England international, and he must start unleashing him.

Amorim must unleash his "future £100m" star

If it’s not clear already who the man in question is here, Kobbie Mainoo will no doubt feel that he has what it takes to nail down a regular starting role in Amorim’s Man United project. But he’s got a long way to go.

While the thought of adding Wharton to the ranks is exciting, United might have their own version in Mainoo, with the 20-year-old out of favour right now but having been hailed by former teammate Rasmus Hojlund after winning the FA Cup – and scoring against City in the final – as being a “generational” talent.

Paul Scholes noted that watching the powerful star on the ball and in his groove was “poetry in motion”.

But there’s no question that he has regressed since Amorim took to the dugout, left out in the cold all too often by a manager who has not been won over by his skillset.

Matches (starts)

24 (24)

25 (19)

Goals

3

0

Assists

1

0

Touches*

49.0

46.0

Pass completion

87%

87%

Big chances created

0

4

Key passes*

0.6

0.6

Dribbles*

1.3

0.9

Ball recoveries*

4.0

3.5

Tackles + interceptions*

2.9

2.6

Duels (won)*

5.0 (52%)

4.4 (45%)

This season, the England international’s statistics are not worth collating, having been reduced to seven cameos in the Premier League, averaging out at 22 minutes per match.

Amorim does not have a vendetta against Mainoo, and rather, harbours concerns over the Carrington graduate’s intensity and tactical suitability within the system.

But he’s shown that he has what it takes, and with a little fine-tuning over the coming months, Mainoo’s technical quality and natural athleticism could see him win the head coach over and cement a position of prominence under the Theatre’s spotlights.

After all, the homegrown hero has been hailed as a “future £100m+ footballer”, and so the last thing United want is for him to slip through their fingers.

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2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025