Category Uncategorized

Jalaj Saxena parts ways with Kerala after nine seasons, moves to Maharashtra

by csb10.top Uncategorized

Allrounder Jalaj Saxena has decided to part ways with Kerala after nine seasons. *He will now turn out for Maharashtra in the upcoming domestic season.”It is a matter of great pride for me to join the Maharashtra cricket team,” Saxena said in a statement. “Maharashtra cricket has a rich legacy and I am fully prepared to contribute my best for the team. It is an honour to play alongside players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw, Ankit Bawne as well as many talented newcomers…I sincerely thank the Maharashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity.”After making his domestic debut for his home state, Madhya Pradesh, in the 2005-06 season, he moved to Kerala ahead of the 2016-17 season and represented them through the 2024-25 season for a total of 125 matches.”It’s never easy to put my feelings into words, but today I want to share something close to my heart,” he wrote on his Instagram post. “I have played my last game in Kerala colours, and that thought still feels surreal. Saying this brings a strange mix of emotions – gratitude, pride and a little ache. Over the years, this team has given me more than just cricket. It gave me brothers, friends and a family that stood by me through every high and low.”I’ve given blood, sweat, and tears – everything I had – for this journey, and in return, it gave me memories and bonds that will last a lifetime.”Related

  • 'My emotions, heart, everything is with first-class cricket'

Saxena amassed 3153 runs for Kerala and claimed 352 wickets across formats. Among these, in 58 first-class matches, he scored 2252 runs, including three centuries, and took 269 wickets at an average of 20.68, with 23 five-wicket hauls. During the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season – when Kerala fell short in the final against Vidarbha – he became the first player in the tournament’s history to achieve the double of 6000 runs and 400 wickets. His 269 wickets are also the second-most by any player representing Kerala in first-class cricket behind KN Ananthapadmanabhan’s 310.Across his entire first-class career, Saxena has accumulated 7060 runs and 484 wickets, with 34 five-wicket hauls.”To each and every teammate – thank you for making the dressing room a place of laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories. To the KCA, coaches, support staff, and the unsung heroes – the groundsmen who work tirelessly so we can have our game – my deepest respect and gratitude. None of this journey would have been possible without your support,” he said.”Cricket has taught me that every ending is just a new beginning. My heart will always beat for Kerala, and I’ll always carry these memories with me whenever I go.”Despite being one of the most consistent performers in the Indian domestic circuit in the last two decades, the national team cap has constantly eluded Saxena.

موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة النصر واستقلال دوشنبه اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا 2

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

يخوض الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي النصر مواجهة قوية أمام نظيره استقلال دوشنبه، ضمن مباريات دور المجموعات ببطولة دوري أبطال آسيا “2”.

ويحل النصر ضيفا على استقلال دوشنبه في مباراة تقام على ملعب هيسور المركزي، في الجولة الخامسة من بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا “2”.

طالع|فيديو | رونالدو يسجل “هدف عالمي” والنصر يمطر شباك الخليج برباعية ويواصل صدارته للدوري السعودي

ويدخل النصر المباراة من أجل حسم التأهل بشكل رسمي عن المجموعة، إذ يحتل المركز الأول برصيد 12 نقطة ويكفيه التعادل أو الفوز للتأهل.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، فإن استقلال دوشنبه يسعى لاستغلال عاملي الأرض والجمهور لحصد النقاط الثلاث والمنافسة على التواجد بين المتأهلين. موعد مباراة النصر واستقلال دوشنبه في دوري أبطال آسيا “2”

تقام مباراة النصر واستقلال دوشنبه في دوري أبطال آسيا 2، اليوم الأربعاء في تمام الساعة الرابعة إلا الربع بتوقيت القاهرة، الخامسة إلا الربع بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة النصر واستقلال دوشنبه في دوري أبطال آسيا “2”

تنقل مباراة النصر واستقلال دوشنبه عبر قناة beIN SPORTS HD 2 بتعليق عبدالله الغامدي.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

Wood, Ferdinands, Kandamby and Wijetunge to work with SL's national side on 'rotational basis'

by csb10.top Uncategorized

Sri Lanka Cricket has clarified that the appointments of Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands as national batting and bowling coaches will not impact the continued roles of Thilina Kandamby and Piyal Wijetunge within SLC’s coaching structure, and that each coach will link up with the men’s national side on a “rotational basis”.”All these coaches, they are not being specified to say that they would be working with the national team,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said. “They work as the national coaches, but that does not mean they should work [solely] with the [men’s] national team.”Across the board, there are national teams, no? So on a rotational basis, tour by tour, we will decide who will be joining the teams. That’s how the high-performance centre operates now. That does not mean each person would only work with a particular team. Other than the head coach and a few other members, the rest of them would be rotated.”Related

  • SL appoint Wood and Ferdinands as batting and spin-bowling coaches

This sort of rotational set-up is unusual in world cricket, with the closest equivalent being that of South Africa, who have a batting and bowling lead – Imran Khan and Paul Adams – who occasionally get deployed to national sides across the board, though most of their work is done in the high-performance centre.Wood had been brought on board on a one-year contract following a week-long “power-hitting programme” earlier this year with various national squads. The players – both men and women – are understood to have been impressed with Wood’s input. Ferdinands, a biomechanics expert, also has a hefty pedigree, having previously worked with the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy and as a biomechanics consultant with New Zealand Cricket.Kandamby has been Sri Lanka’s batting coach since December 2023, while Wijetunge has been a fixture at SLC, having been a spin-bowling coach since February 2006. Their roles had come under scrutiny after Sri Lanka’s T20I series defeat to Bangladesh in July, but de Silva was clear in establishing their continued role within the national set-up.”They work in the organisation, [it is] not that their contracts have been terminated,” he said. “It doesn’t matter wherever they have been assigned; they should be prepared to work.””Even they [Wood and Ferdinands] have been designated the same way, so they would be working across the board. Depending on the tours, we, the ExCo [executive committee] will decide who should go on tour.”Sri Lanka’s next touring assignment is an ODI series in Pakistan in November, followed by a T20I tri-series there involving Zimbabwe. According to de Silva, no decision has been taken as yet on which coaching pair will accompany the side on the tour.

Reds Rookie Chase Burns Accomplished Pitching Feat Not Seen in 50 Years in MLB Debut

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Imagine making your MLB debut as a starting pitcher. Imagine the best possible way that evening could start out. Reds rookie Chase Burns basically did exactly that.

Burns got his call up to the bigs after just 13 games in the minors, where put up a 1.77 ERA over 66 innings pitched, throwing 89 strikeouts along the way.

Burns had a tall order in his debut, facing off against the New York Yankees. The third batter he faced in the majors was maybe the greatest hitter we’ve seen in two decades.

He struck out the first two batters he faced, and then struck Aaron Judge out too.

Burns wasn’t done there. He would strike out the next two batters he faced in the second inning, and then after giving up his first hit, stuck out Anthony Volpe, making it two straight innings without relying on his defense for an out.

Per OptaStats, Burns became the only rookie in the past 50 years to strike out the first five batters he faced in his MLB debut.

Burns is only a few innings into his major league career, but he’s already shown he has some serious power in his arsenal, and the baseball world took notice.

As Paul Skenes proved in his rookie season last year, if you have got the stuff, it doesn’t take long to establish yourself as an ace in the majors, and it looks very possible that Burns does indeed have the stuff.

The Ashes gave Khawaja a 'fairy tale' but can he write another chapter?

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The opener enjoyed a glorious run from early 2022, but in recent times the runs have become much harder to come by

Alex Malcolm13-Nov-2025Usman Khawaja is intent on running his own race as far as talk about the end of his Test career goes.There are plenty who think that race has already been run and his career should have ended before this summer. But right now, that decision appears to be in his hands and he’s not giving any hints as to when he may finish.That can change quickly. Australia’s selectors have recently been accused, rightly or wrongly, of shirking the tough calls. They may face one of their toughest as a panel midway through the Ashes if Khawaja struggles early and Australia struggle more broadly.Related

  • Khawaja: 'I was just getting Bumrah-ed'

  • Weatherald's 'pinch me' moment after long route to Test selection

  • England and Australia Ashes squads compared: who comes out on top?

  • Switch Hit x Final Word: Ashes story time special

Khawaja finds himself at a full-circle moment. He is already the oldest opener to play for Australia in over 70 years, at 38. He will be the oldest player to represent Australia in 40 years if he gets to the third Test in Adelaide, when he will turn 39 on day two.He might not have been given the opportunity to play Test cricket so deep into his 30s if not for an extraordinary sliding-doors scenario.In August of 2019 he had been dropped for the sixth, and what he thought was, the final time from the Test team, having played the previous 20 Tests as a permanent member of Australia’s top three.The summers of 2019-20, 2020-21, and early 2021-22 were spent batting at No. 4 for Queensland and dominating the Sheffield Shield. Then Travis Head tested positive for Covid on the eve of the 2022 New Year’s Test against England at the SCG. Khawaja was recalled at age 35 and scored twin hundreds in the match batting at No. 5.Usman Khawaja soaks in the SCG’s ovation during his stunning 2022 comeback•Getty Images”Looking back on it, it seems like a fairy tale,” Khawaja said. “It literally does. I wasn’t supposed to play.”The circumstances for me actually just to play were bizarre enough. But then to actually go out there and score a hundred in the first innings and then somehow to back it up in the next innings too. It’s such a rare feat to do, particularly in an Ashes.”It was the best individual cricketing moment of my life. So it’s very special, something I’ll never forget. I’m very grateful it happened.”Since that moment, Khawaja has not missed a Test match and has been statistically Australia’s best batter over the four-year period, scoring more runs at a higher average than any other.He was Player of the Series in Pakistan in 2022, made his highest Test score against South Africa in Sydney, made a century in India and was the leading run-scorer on either side in the 2023 Ashes. He was ICC Test player of the year in 2023 and a pivotal part of the 2023 World Test Championship title.

He has also become one of the team’s best-ever openers despite being recalled initially in the middle order. Only three Australian openers have scored more runs at a higher average than Khawaja. His success and versatility may partially explain the selectors’ belief that batting positions don’t matter.Khawaja credits his time away from the Test team as a major reason for his late-career renaissance.”I realised that my life didn’t have to be good just because I was playing cricket for Australia, which was nice to know,” he said. “I think the last four years, it’s allowed me to just play, just enjoy it, whether I’m playing well, whether I’m not, whether we’re winning, whether we’re losing.”Just have a bit of perspective that nothing lasts forever either. So it has helped coming back. I’ve really enjoyed my last four years probably more so than I enjoyed any time before then, because it was the feeling, the vibe, my mentality was probably a little bit different. So, very lucky that I got to experience the last four years and enjoy playing the game that I love.”When it comes to Khawaja trying to stretch his career beyond his 39th birthday, no one can begrudge him wanting to do so, having missed multiple years of Test cricket despite being one of Australia’s best six batters for most of that time.Usman Khawaja’s double-century against Sri Lanka this year is his only hundred in his last 43 Test innings•Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty ImagesBut there is a debate as to whether he still sits in that category.He bristles at such questions, often citing that he is Australia’s leading run-scorer over the last four years and that he was ICC Test player of the year. But there is a clear dividing line between his performances in 2022 and 2023 and his last two years.Since the end of the 2023 Ashes he has passed 50 just four times in 35 innings. Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne have both made more 50-plus scores in the same period and both have been dropped.The pitches Australia have played on have not helped. Khawaja has been vocal about how difficult they are, and he’s not wrong. His average over the last 18 Tests is 32.78. Head, regarded by many as one of Australia’s best batters right now alongside Steven Smith, has only averaged 34.16 in the same period but has two more centuries.Khawaja also felt he had been Jasprit Bumrah-ed last summer, and Australia’s hierarchy believed that was his one and only problem.There’s evidence to support that argument. Facing the non-Bumrah division of pace bowlers over the last two years, Khawaja averages the same as Smith and Head, seven runs per dismissal more than Labuschagne and more than twice as many as Sam Konstas.

But there’s also evidence to suggest there are other issues against high-calibre pace bowling. While Bumrah dismissed him six times at an average of 5.66, Matt Henry, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammed Siraj have all knocked him over three times in the last two years. He averaged 31 against Siraj and under 24 against the rest, including 13 against Henry. Kagiso Rabada also bowled 28 deliveries at Khawaja in the WTC final and dismissed him twice while conceding just one run.There is a very clear plan of attack to Khawaja now. In the last two years, fast bowlers have dismissed him 19 times from around the wicket, at a cost of just 19.47, including his last eight dismissals in a row, compared to eight dismissals at 40.87 from over the wicket.That is a huge shift from the first 12 years of his career, where he averaged 48.08 against pace bowlers from around the wicket, and 42.30 from over.It is those numbers, combined with the threat of Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in particular, given the latter’s exceptional record against left-handers, that has led to concerns about Khawaja’s position in the upcoming series. But chair of selectors George Bailey rebuked those concerns last week.”If you look at when he goes back and plays Shield cricket, he still stacks up very well,” Bailey said.”There’s a very clear method, he’s an experienced player, it’s a big series in terms of the intensity of spotlight, I think his experience at the crease and the other players around him can be complementary to the rest of the team.Usman Khawaja started the 2025-26 season with solid returns for Queensland•Getty Images”We’ve spoken a lot about the challenges of some of the wickets that the guys have played on. And I think when he goes back and he gets on the good batting surfaces, I think we’ve seen some good performances.”Khawaja has been the only Sheffield Shield opener over the past two years to average above 50. Campbell Kellaway (46.38) and Khawaja’s potential new Test opening partner Jake Weatherald (45.11) have been the only others to average above 38.There are parallels with the end of Ricky Ponting’s career. Ponting struggled at Test level in his final summer of 2012-13 but he finished that same season as the Shield’s leading run-scorer, with 911 at 75.91.The enduring image of Ponting’s final days in the Test arena was that of him, Australia’s all-time leading run-scorer, on all fours in the middle of Adelaide Oval having slipped while being clean bowled by a 129kph outswinger.As was the case with Ponting, nothing lasts forever. The end can come quickly, even when there’s evidence to the contrary at the level below.Khawaja’s faith in himself, and the selectors’ faith in him, has been unshakeable over the past four years. Something that cannot be said for his first ten in Test cricket.How long that faith lasts is up to Khawaja if he wishes to end the race on his own terms.

Rangers “passenger” has been so bad that he makes Dowell look good

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has confirmed that winger Oliver Antman is expected to be out of action for around eight weeks after he suffered a muscle injury in recent days.

The Finland international, signed from Go Ahead Eagles in the summer, started on the right wing against Falkirk on Sunday, and is now set to be out until 2026.

Antman is not the only Rangers player who will be unavailable during the festive period, though, as a couple of players are set to go to the African Cup of Nations with their respective countries.

Rohl is expecting Nasser Djiga and Mohamed Diomande to be unavailable whilst they play in the tournament, which means that there will be several positions that will need to be filled in the coming games.

With these absences, on top of the likes of Mikey Moore, Derek Cornelius, and John Souttar being out with injuries, some of the lesser-seen members of the squad may need to step up.

As unpopular as it may be, Kieran Dowell is one of the players who could step up and benefit from the lack of options available to the manager before the January window opens.

Why Danny Rohl should give Kieran Dowell a chance

After being subbed on in a 1-1 draw with Dundee under Russell Martin, a section of the Gers support, but not all of them, booed the English attacking midfielder’s introduction to the game.

Commenting on the incident, Martin said: “That surprised me. I’m not on any social media or anything like that, so I don’t really know what the narrative is around Kieran. I don’t think it helps him, I don’t think it helps the rest of the guys. That’s how I feel about it really.”

Dowell has not played a league match since that draw with Dundee in August, due to injury, but he recently played for the club’s U19s alongside Dujon Sterling and Clinton Nsiala as he looks to return to full fitness.

Given the reaction to his last league outing for Rangers, playing the left-footed midfielder may not go down as a popular decision with some fans, but the Gers look set to be in a position where it could be needs-must with the players due to be unavailable.

Appearances

19

Goals

5

Big chances created

9

Key passes per game

1.5

Assists

4

It is also worth remembering that Dowell, as shown in the table above, shone out on loan at Birmingham City in League One in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he is capable of being productive in the right environment.

Unfortunately, as evidenced by a return of two goals and three assists in 38 appearances for the club, the Englishman has not found that environment at Ibrox yet.

Since joining on a free transfer from Norwich City in 2023, the 28-year-old flop has not established himself as a key player for the Light Blues, but the injury and international call-up situation could provide him with an opportunity to finally do so under Rohl.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

One of the other reasons why Dowell could end up with a chance to revive his Gers career is that Thelo Aasgaard currently looks like an even worse signing for the Scottish giants.

Why Aasgaard makes Dowell look good for Rangers

The Gers did not have to pay a transfer fee to bring the former Everton and Norwich star to Ibrox in 2023, as his contract at Carrow Road expired, but that was not the case with Aasgaard.

Rangers reportedly splashed out a fee of £3.5m to sign the Norway international from Luton Town in the recent summer transfer window, which shows that the club had to spend significantly more money to bring him in than they did with Dowell.

Unfortunately, the Liverpool-born playmaker has not shown enough on the pitch to suggest that he was worth paying £3.5m for, as he has made Dowell look like a good player by comparison.

Aasgaard has as many red cards (one) as goals (one) for Rangers in all competitions so far this season, per Transfermarkt, with one goal and one assist in 21 appearances for Rangers.

Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar recently posted that he “would gladly never see him again”, referring to Aasgaard, and described him as a “passenger” at the end of November.

It is, unfortunately, hard to argue with the harsh criticism of the Norwegian attacking midfielder, because his performances at Scottish Premiership level make him look even less effective than Dowell.

Appearances

26

11

Starts

8

8

Goals

2

1

Key passes

20

9

Big chances created

4

0

Assists

2

1

As you can see in the table above, Aasgaard has already started as many games in the Premiership as the former Norwich man, yet has created 11 fewer chances and has yet to create a single ‘big chance’.

Dowell’s Rangers career has not been good enough to this point, as evidenced by his aforementioned goal contributions, but he also arrived on a free transfer and his creative output looks good in comparison to the club’s £3.5m signing.

That is not to say that the left-footed star should be considered a good signing or that he is the answer to Rohl’s current problems at the top end of the pitch, but it does suggest that those who jeered his introduction against Dundee earlier this season were too harsh on him.

As well as highlighting that maybe Dowell was not as bad a signing as has been made out, this also highlights how underwhelming Aasgaard has been for a player who was signed for £3.5m.

Rohl can unearth his own Igamane by unleashing Rangers star in new position

Danny Rohl could unearth his own Hamza Igamane by playing this Rangers star in a new role this season.

ByDan Emery Dec 2, 2025

The caveat, of course, is that the Norway international only joined in the summer and still has plenty of time left ahead of him to turn things around and prove people wrong, but the signs so far have not been encouraging.

Forget Anderson: Man Utd in talks to sign "world's most underrated footballer"

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Manchester United’s work in the transfer market over the last couple of months has been hugely directed towards the central midfield department to bolster the options at Ruben Amorim’s disposal.

Other areas of the pitch have previously been improved by the hierarchy, with the attacking department transformed during the summer transfer window.

Over £200m was spent on new talent in the final third, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko tasked with leading the Red Devils up the Premier League table in 2025/26.

A new goalkeeper was also firmly on the agenda, but Senne Lammens’ arrival from Royal Antwerp has ended the need for added reinforcements between the sticks.

As a result, the midfield department remains the last one that needs work conducting to it, which has seen various players being touted with a move to Old Trafford in January.

The latest on Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder in January

Elliot Anderson has been United’s most talked-about target over the last couple of days, with the Englishman firmly in their sights ahead of the January window.

The 23-year-old has starred for Nottingham Forest over the last couple of months, even becoming a full England international as a result of his tremendous rise to stardom.

However, Amorim’s side have been quoted a fee in the region of £100m for his signature at present, but it’s unclear if the hierarchy would be willing to pay such a fee in the winter window.

He’s not the only player in their sights at present, with Portuguese international Ruben Neves a player they’re considering, according to one Spanish outlet.

Their report claims that the Red Devils have already made an approach to Al Hilal over a deal for the 28-year-old, who wants to return to the Premier League after previously playing for Wolves.

It also states that Newcastle United are also in the race for his signature, but the player hasn’t currently given his preference over which team he would want to join this winter.

How Ruben Neves compares to Elliot Anderson

Given his displays in the Premier League this season, many United fans will have Anderson as their top target this January – especially after his display against them earlier this month.

The 23-year-old featured for the entire contest at the City Ground, creating three chances and completing 100% of the dribbles he attempted – subsequently showcasing his talents in possession.

Without the ball, he was just as impressive, as seen by his 100% tackle success rate and 14 recoveries made – with the latter the highest of any player on the pitch.

He’s featured in every minute of the Premier League campaign for the Reds to date, undoubtedly being one of their key men, with the £100m price tag reflecting his importance to Sean Dyche’s men.

The Red Devils will have to match such a few to prise him away, but the hierarchy will no doubt be targeting other alternatives to try and improve the midfield department.

Neves is just one player who is on their radar, with the 28-year-old potentially offering a more experienced and cheaper option for Amorim’s current squad.

He made 177 appearances for Wolves before his switch to join Al Hilal, but could be available for as little as £20m this summer, with the player himself open to a return to England.

His stats from the Saudi Pro League this season showcase his talents, certainly backing up the praise he’s received from one analyst in the last few years.

Neves has completed 91% of the passes he’s attempted, subsequently creating 1.4 chances per 90 – which has led Raj Chohan to label him as “the most underrated player in world football”.

Ruben Neves – stats in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

8

Goals scored

3

Passes completed

91%

Chances created

1.4

Touches per game

97

Times dispossessed

0

Duels won

59%

Recoveries made

5.1

Stats via FotMob

The former Wolves star has also averaged 97 touches per 90 this season, whilst being dispossessed zero times in his eight league appearances this campaign – further showcasing his talents in possession.

Without the ball, Neves has been just as impressive in recent months, subsequently winning 59% of his duels per 90, whilst also making 5.1 recoveries per 90 at present.

His box-to-box nature could allow Amorim’s men to finally end their pursuit for a new number six, which could see Anderson sounded out until the summer at least.

Neves’ Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes is already one of the starting midfielders in the squad, with the pair able to take the club to the next level if they can replicate their success at international level.

Casemiro 2.0: Man Utd make £79m bid for "one of the best DMs on the planet"

Man Utd’s midfield could be improved grealty with this signing

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 20, 2025

Moyes could unleash the new Iwobi in Everton "revelation" & it's not Ndiaye

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Everton need to win against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a strange thing to say, almost. Clubs seek victory each time they enter the field, but after just one win across seven recent top-flight outings, David Moyes’ side need to return to form at the Hill Dickinson and pause for the November international break on a high.

Crucial in achieving this will be the availability of talisman Iliman Ndiaye, who was withdrawn after an hour against Sunderland on Monday evening with a suspected knock, limping off the field.

The latest on Iliman Ndiaye's fitness

In short, Ndiaye has been cleared to play. The Senegalese winger has been nothing short of brilliant this season, with his return of four goals and an assist across ten matches.

But that hardly paints the full picture. It was the goal that counted at the Stadium of Light, but the manner in which the 25-year-old skipped his way into the box, wrongfooted one man, two, and then struck so sweetly past Robin Roefs, who was not wrongfooted but frozen in place.

He’s fast, furious and clever in his decision-making. So guileful. There has been concern that he will sit this one out, but Moyes revealed on Friday morning that the winger had trained as usual and is ready to play.

Given that Moyes has been so reluctant to start the 19-year-old Tyler Dibling this season, Ndiaye’s availability is crucial, not least because Fulham are a resilient and well-structured outfit, and his maverick nature could unlock that backline.

However, he’s not the only one who has the skillset to shine. Pitted against Everton at the Hill Dickinson will be their former star Alex Iwobi, and Moyes has found the Toffees’ new version this season.

Moyes must unleash Everton's new Iwobi

Iwobi was a trusty servant across his four years on Merseyside, and it was under Frank Lampard’s wing that he was resfashioned from an electric winger into a robust central midfielder.

Here the Nigerian’s creativity has been allowed to flourish, hitting 15 goal involvements in the league last year. Everton have missed this kind of player, but in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Moyes might have signed the solution.

Dewsbury-Hall, 27, joined the club from Chelsea for a £28m fee this summer and he has impressed across his nine Premier League starts, scoring one goal, assisting one more, and creating four big chances. Sofascore record that he won 55% of his ground duels and completed 71% of his dribbles, too.

This is a complete midfielder, and while he doesn’t shirk from defensive responsibilities, Dewsbury-Hall’s bread and butter is his passing, and this makes him the perfect solvent of Iwobi’s talent, for he could overpower him in his number ten role.

The pair are considered statistically similar players in the Premier League this season by data-led platform FBref, and the £90k-per-week Dewsbury-Hall could now prove his worth by stepping up and leading the Toffees toward three points.

Premier League 25/26 – Dewsbury-Hall vs Iwobi

Stats (per 90)

KDH

Iwobi

Goals

0.11

0.11

Assists

0.11

0.22

Touches

43.93

57.59

Pass completion (%)

77.2

79.2

Progressive passes

5.19

6.24

Shot-creating actions

3.50

3.56

Through balls

0.56

0.45

Crosses

4.63

2.67

Progressive carries

1.36

4.46

Successful take-ons

1.13

0.56

Ball recoveries

3.05

4.23

Tackles + interceptions

1.47

1.34

Data via FBref

Playing balls in behind is Dewsbury-Hall’s speciality. He has the athleticism to dribble the ball forward, but is designated as the Blues’ conduit between midfield and attack, passing through the spaces and creating for his teammates.

Iwobi has probably enjoyed the better season so far, as the statistics will tell you above, but this is a chance for Everton’s summer recruit to properly announce himself and become the “revelation” that former boss Brendan Rodgers said he was at Leicester City.

Fulham are a tough team, and they thrashed lowly Wolves last weekend after skidding to four successive defeats. One point and one place behind Moyes’ side, they will be hungry to cause an upset.

If Dewsbury-Hall turns up, he could not only stand out and overshadow his opposite number in Iwobi but also take Everton back into the win column.

Everton flop "failed a succession of managers", now he's saving Moyes

This Everton veteran is proving to be the unlikely signing of the summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 7, 2025

Kelly and Carter to lead young New Zealand A squad in South Africa

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Ten New Zealand internationals have been named and will hope to further their credentials under coach Daniel Flynn

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Aug-2025Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will captain a young New Zealand A squad touring South Africa this month, with the team set to play three one-dayers and two four-day matches.Kelly, who will take charge of the white-ball side, and Carter, set to lead in the red-ball fixtures, head a 15-player squad with an average age of just 25. The squad includes ten New Zealand internationals.Among the most notable names are Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Bevon Jacobs, and Rhys Mariu – all of whom have impressed on the international stage over the past six months.Related

O'Rourke out for at least three months with back stress fracture

Adithya Ashok turns to Tamil roots while spinning a future with New Zealand

Hay, Abbas among fresh faces on New Zealand contract list

'Outstanding' Foulkes savours record debut performance

Foulkes starred on Test debut in Zimbabwe, taking a record-breaking 9 for 75 – the best figures by a New Zealander on debut. Abbas set a record in March for the fastest half-century on ODI debut, smashing one in 26 balls against Pakistan.Wicketkeeper-batter Hay was a regular feature in New Zealand’s white-ball squads last summer, setting a T20I world record with six dismissals in a single innings and rescuing New Zealand with an unbeaten 99 in an ODI against Pakistan in Hamilton.Jacobs and Mariu have both impressed in limited international appearances, with Jacobs hitting an unbeaten 44 on T20I debut and Mariu scoring an ODI fifty in just his second game.Two changes have been made from the New Zealand A squad that toured Bangladesh earlier this year, with Jacobs and Test quick Matt Fisher coming in. Auckland pacer Simon Keene and Jacobs are the only players in the squad yet to appear for New Zealand A.Joe Carter will lead in the red-ball fixtures•Mallikarjuna/KSCAKeene, 22, has impressed in domestic cricket with a first-class century and three five-wicket hauls in just 21 matches for Auckland.One player missing from the squad is Northern Districts allrounder Kristian Clarke, who was unavailable for selection after suffering a side strain during a recent New Zealand A camp.The team will be coached by Northern Districts assistant coach Daniel Flynn, who takes on the head coach role for the first time. He will be supported by NZC high-performance coaches Bob Carter and Graeme Aldridge.Flynn, a former international himself, is relishing the opportunity to lead a side filled with both emerging and established talent.”It’s an exciting blend,” Flynn said. “We have guys who’ve already had a taste of international cricket, and experienced domestic cricketers who are trying to push their case for that next level. “While development is a key focus, Flynn stressed that the team is also heading to South Africa with a strong emphasis on performance. “We’re obviously going there to perform and win games of cricket,” he said. “But we’re also conscious of balancing that with the development of the guys and the opportunity the tour presents for them.”The squad departs for South Africa on August 24, with the tour set to begin on Saturday, August 30.New Zealand A squad: Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Joe Carter (red-ball captain), Josh Clarkson, Matt Fisher, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Bevon Jacobs, Simon Keene, Nick Kelly (white-ball captain), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Dale Phillips.

'Stripped back' Labuschagne takes leap towards Ashes recall with 160

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

He had a couple of lives, on 61 and 98, but Labuschagne played with impressive fluency against Tasmania

AAP06-Oct-2025Marnus Labuschagne credited Steve Smith’s influence for helping him rebuild his game after he was dropped from the Australian Test team.Labuschagne took a major step towards reclaiming his berth for the first Ashes Test by top-scoring for Queensland on Monday in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Allan Border Field.Related

Labuschagne launches with a century: 'Nothing else matters but runs'

Weibgen feels wait was worth it: 'I've got to know my game'

Renshaw, Khawaja, Labuschagne pile up runs against Tasmania

While his 160 was not perfect, Labuschagne clearly won round one of the informal Shield bat-off for top-order spots ahead of the Ashes opener from November 21 in Perth.After a mammoth first innings of 612, Queensland were well-placed at stumps on day three, with Tasmania 62 for 1 in their second innings and trailling by 171.Labuschagne was dropped for the Test series in the West Indies after Australia’s World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa in June. While he starred in the Bulls’ Shield opener, on the other side of the country incumbent Test opener Sam Konstas notably failed again for NSW in their match against WA.Labuschagne said after Monday’s play that Smith had loomed large in his thinking after he lost his Test berth.”It’s always nice to score a hundred and to get the team in a position where we can win the game on day four, it’s always a good thing,” Labuschagne said. “I felt good out there. It felt like I was reading the conditions well. I took the game on at certain times.”I feel like I’ve really stripped it back and my focus is just scoring runs – it’s not really too technical … just what I need out there to score runs. The nice thing is, over the last six or seven years, I’ve played with one of the best players in the world and learned a lot from him.”So having a technique that’s adjustable and something that I can just use, rather than work out what’s the exact, perfect way to play – just going back to find a way to score runs.”Labuschagne also scored a domestic one-day century last month.National selector George Bailey was present in Brisbane as Labuschagne flourished after taking 12 balls to get off the mark.His big innings was not flawless – he was dropped on 61 and nearly blew his century with a wild swipe on 98. Labuschagne went down the wicket to spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan and wicketkeeper Jake Doran could not take the chance. It was either a dropped catch or a missed stumping. The ball ricocheted off Doran’s glove and landed clear of Jackson Bird at first slip.Soon afterwards, Labuschagne brought up his 33rd first-class century with an all-run four. Labuschagne hit 17 fours and two sixes and only faced 206 deliveries.Queensland took control with their huge first innings, with opener Matt Renshaw also putting his hand up for a Test recall and current opener Usman Khawaja impressing.The pick of the Tasmanian attack was legspinner Nikhil Chaudhary, the Indian-born allrounder who plays for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. Making his first-class debut, he finished with 5 for 108.He found out only two days before the match that he was playing. “Nothing can get better than having a five-for on debut,” Chaudhary said.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus