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It has not been the start to the season that Leeds United might have hoped for. Daniel Farke’s side picked up some points early on, but they have soon been sucked into a relegation battle.

The Whites have won just one of their last five games.

Despite the poor form, the Leeds head coach has seemingly settled on his first-choice midfield. Sean Longstaff has been one of their key creative components and is currently creating an average of 2.3 chances per 90 minutes. Summer signing Anton Stach has featured in all ten Premier League games, too.

However, it is Ethan Ampadu who has arguably been the key man in midfield

What makes Ampadu so important for Leeds

Since moving to Elland Road back in 2023, Wales international Ampadu has become a key player for Leeds. There is certainly a strong argument to suggest that he is Farke’s most trusted player in their squad.

Indeed, the Chelsea academy star has played eight times in the Premier League this season, missing two games at the beginning of the campaign due to injury. Of those eight appearances, he’s played 90 minutes six times.

The 25-year-old has operated at the base of the midfield this season, forming that trio with Stach and Longstaff. However, part of what makes him so crucial for the Whites is his versatility.

Ampadu can also play at centre-back, offering excellent flexibility to Farke should he wish to change shape during a game.

It is not just versatility that makes Ampadu so important to this Leeds side, but also his leadership, which has previously been described as “impressive” by the manager.

As club captain, Ampadu guided Leeds to promotion last season and has skippered them in all eight top-flight games he’s played in 2025/26.

Interestingly, Leeds might have their homegrown version of Ampadu shining in the academy.

Leeds could have a homegrown Ampadu

Not only is Ampadu an exceptional footballer, but the versatility he possesses and the leadership qualities he brings to the squad make him a huge part of the Leeds project under Farke.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Well, it is exciting that the Whites could be replicating that, in the form of Alfie Cresswell. The 18-year-old has shone for the academy side at Elland Road this season and is certainly showing similarities to Ampadu.

One of those is the versatility he offers to the Leeds under-23s. This term, Cresswell has operated as a number six more often than not. He’s impressed in that role, too, scoring four times in nine appearances.

However, like the Leeds first-team skipper, Cresswell can operate in defence, too.

In fact, that is a role he’s played more often than not for Leeds’ academy sides, 26 of his appearances coming from centre-back.

Cresswell stats by position for Leeds academy

Position

Games

G/A

Centre-back

26

3

Defensive midfield

22

7

Right-back

6

1

Central midfield

2

0

Right midfield

1

0

Stats from Transfermarkt

It is already easy to see the comparison between Ampadu and Cresswell. Having that level of versatility certainly increases his chances of a first-team opportunity, because Farke can rely on him in different positions. In fact, the youngster has already trained with the senior side at Leeds.

The similarities between Ampadu and Cresswell, whose brother Charlie and dad Richard have played for the club, do not stop there. The 18-year-old has also captained Leeds’ academy side, doing so six times this term.

His leadership is something that has stood out to arguably the most important person, Farke. The Leeds manager has complimented Cresswell for having “brilliant character,” which is certainly something you need to become a successful skipper, while suggesting he could be an example of saving the club from having to dip into the market.

It really does feel like the Whites are brewing the heir to Amapadu’s thrown in the academy. His profile is identical to Leeds’ number four, being a versatile defender who has played as a number six this term and captained the side.

It will be fascinating to see how Cresswell’s career develops from here, and if there are going to be any first-team opportunities in a matchday squad this season.

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Posts ByDan Emery Nov 7, 2025

The Thomas Frank revolution continues at Tottenham Hotspur. Gone are the days of chaos and confusion under Ange Postecoglou. There is an evident fight and spirit about the Lilywhites in 2025/26.

While the north Londoners were far from their free-flowing best away to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon – nor have they been yet under the Danish coach – once again they found a way to win, having run out deserved 2-1 victors at Elland Road.

In what was a hard-fought contest in Yorkshire, the visitors surged ahead following Mathys Tel’s deflected strike, before Noah Okafor levelled things up just nine minutes later, prodding home at the backpost after Guglielmo Vicario’s initial save.

With the game finely poised, up stepped summer signing Mohammed Kudus to nudge Spurs into the lead with his own deflected effort from range, with the Ghanaian’s 57th minute effort ultimately proving the difference as the away side held on for a fourth Premier League win of the campaign.

Spurs' key performers vs Leeds

In wet and windy conditions, the performance from those in black was hardly perfect, yet there was plenty to be encouraged by all across the park, with the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven again looking rather imperious – the latter man notably winning all of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps the most notable place for positivity was in the forward line, however, with Frank unleashing marquee addition Xavi Simons in his preferred number ten berth. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint.

While there was perhaps the odd trick too many, including his attempted rabona pass after the break, the ex-RB Leipzig playmaker showcased glimpses of his sky-high potential, picking out the advancing Pedro Porro late on with a deft dink over the Leeds defence.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, the decision to give young Tel the nod in attack over man of the moment Richarlison certainly paid off, with the lively Frenchman netting his fourth goal since initially joining the club on loan back in January.

Equally, there were also signs of life from Wilson Odobert down the left flank, with the former Burnley starlet beginning to find his feet following what’s been a muted first year or so in Lilywhite.

Leeds vs Spurs – Key stats
Stat	Highest ranking
Touches	Ampadu (91)
Pass accuracy	Struijk (95%)
Duels won	Kudus (10)
Successful dribbles	Kudus (6)
Key passes	Longstaff (5)
Possession lost	Porro (26)
Shots on target	Kudus (2)
Stats via Sofascore

There may not have been much end product, but a 95% pass accuracy rate highlights the Frenchman’s promising outing.

Rounding off that dynamic quartet was, of course, that man Kudus, with the £55m man continuing his stunning start to life at Spurs with another electric performance off the right flank.

The Spurs star who looked like prime Gareth Bale

Comparisons, particularly at such an early juncture in the season, can appear somewhat over the top, although there truly was something Gareth Bale-esque about Kudus’ performance on Saturday, with the 25-year-old already taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings.

Bale at his best, like in 2012/13 when he plundered 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, was a vision of speed and power, along with an end product to match, with the Welshman regularly wreaking havoc off the left or when cutting in centrally.

With blistering pace and the ability to weave his way past defenders with ease, a prime Bale truly was a sight to behold, with few figures in Lilywhite having ever come close to reaching such lofty heights.

There’s been Harry Kane and Heung-min Son since those times, and now Kudus is the latest to join the party, with the former West Ham United maverick taking his tally to one goal and five assists in just seven Premier League games under Frank’s watch.

Having been booked early on for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson, the fleet-footed forward subsequently slid in Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act himself just before the hour mark.

Cutting in from the right in trademark Bale fashion, Spurs’ number 20 may have enjoyed a fair bit of luck with his eventual strike, although that goal was just reward for what was an all-round stellar performance in attack.

As noted by Sofascore, he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles, having also won ten of his attempted duels, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in and out of possession.

As already stated, this wasn’t Spurs at their most potent, yet once again Saturday’s win highlighted the growing importance of and reliance on Kudus to steal the show for Frank’s side.

Like football.london’s Alasdair Gold put it at full time, when handing the winger a 9/10 match rating, he ‘gave Leeds’ defenders nightmares throughout’.

Long may it continue.

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Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one player to depart the club under Daniel Levy.

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Ethan Lamb

Oct 4, 2025

Skipper falls short of hundred as visitors finish opening day in ascendancy at Headingley

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-May-2025Captain Jonny Bairstow made a sparkling 89 and Adam Lyth passed fifty for the sixth time this season, but Yorkshire squandered a promising position on the first day against Surrey.For the 16th Rothesay County Championship game in a row at the Kia Oval the side who won the toss bowled first, but at 203 for five just before tea, with Bairstow at his attacking best, Yorkshire were in the ascendancy on a typically green-tinged pitch offering some seam movement and good carry.Matthew Revis had helped Bairstow put on 49 but former Yorkshire teammate Matt Fisher had Revis caught behind off the last ball before the interval and after tea Surrey took control.Bairstow was cruising towards a hundred when he top-edged a sweep and although Yorkshire’s tailenders did secure a batting point their last five wickets fell for 52 in a total of 255. In 13 overs before the close Surrey openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley reached 46 without loss.Bairstow is expected to miss next week’s game against Nottinghamshire so he can join Mumbai Indians, and some of his shots would not have looked out of place in the IPL including a sumptuous straight drive off Nathan Smith – his tenth four – which brought up a 63-ball fifty in front of an appreciative crowd of more than 5,000.Three more boundaries followed and having passed 50 for the fourth time this season he looked odds-on to convert it into a hundred. Surrey turned to off-spinner Dan Lawrence and he made the breakthrough when Bairstow top-edged a sweep to deep backward square leg, an anti-climactic end to a fine innings.As the situation demanded, Lyth’s approach was more circumspect but his was still a crucial contribution in the first half of the day.The left-hander and opening partner Fin Bean were relatively untroubled as they put on 52 in 75 minutes before Bean, who’d been dropped at leg gully by Lawrence on eight, drove at Tom Lawes and Kurtis Patterson, the Australian batter making his Surrey debut, took a good catch at third slip.Lawes and Jordan Clark shared six wickets and were the pick of the Surrey attack. Clark’s extra bounce undid James Wharton while Lawes benefitted from Ben Foakes’ athleticism when Jonny Tattersall fended the ball off his hips and the Surrey keeper dived full length to his left to hold the catch.Lyth reached his fifty off 117 balls (5 fours) and it took an outstanding ball to remove him, a brutish lifter from New Zealander Smith which he gloved to Foakes.George Hill edged to second slip where Sibley held a juggling catch to give Clark his second wicket, but in the hour before tea Bairstow and Revis were caused few alarms.One they departed in the space of nine overs, however, Surrey made short work of Yorkshire’s lower order. Lawrence, diving to his right, took a fine return catch to dismiss Ben Coad while Jordan Thompson played well for his 30 before a top-edged pull, expertly held on the long-leg rope by Jason Roy, gave Lawes his third wicket. Clark needed only four deliveries with the second new ball to pin Jordan Buckingham on the boot and finish things off.

The new BCB president Aminul Islam wishes to play a “quick T20 innings” in his limited time as the board chief, by using his vast coaching experience. Aminul had to take leave from working as an ICC development manager in Melbourne as he was elected as the 17th BCB chief by the rest of the board of directors during a meeting at the headquarters in Dhaka on Friday.Aminul, the former Bangladesh captain who is also Bangladesh’s first Test centurion, takes over from Faruque Ahmed, who was removed from the role after the country’s sports ministry cancelled his directorship late on Thursday evening. Aminul was reportedly contacted by the sports ministry last month when they offered him a position at the BCB, which ESPNcricinfo understands is for a limited time, mainly to oversee the next board elections. Aminul didn’t comment on the duration of his role, but said that he wants to use his time to raise the standard of Bangladesh cricket.”I have been elected as the BCB president, but it’s not for three months,” Aminul said. “As you know that I have worked in the ICC, where I learned a lot of things in management. They willingly told me to work for my country, so I am thankful to them. I don’t have any deal with the ICC that I will be away for two or three months. I will work here (as BCB president) based on my need. There’s no time frame.Related

• Faruque Ahmed removed as BCB president

• Aminul Islam elected new BCB president

“Tests are of five days, ODIs are seven hours. I am here to play a quick T20 innings. One that you will remember. I want to make the statement that cricket is for everyone.”Aminul said that his vast work experience of working with top cricketing nations and with the Associate and Affiliate teams will be useful in his effort to take cricket far and wide in Bangladesh. He reminded that decentralisation of cricket was one of Bangladesh’s first promises to the ICC when they got the Full Membership in 2000.”My skillset is a package,” he said. “I have worked in places like India and Pakistan, as well as Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. I want to bring my experience from the Associate world [to the BCB], to do things like decentralisation of Bangladesh cricket. I will try to bring a young guy from a village to mainstream cricket with the confidence and belief.”Our first priority is to spread cricket around the country. It was our promise to the ICC when we got the Test status in 2000. We will have regional cricket bodies. The framework is ready, and we will discuss it at the board. We will have countrywide robust coaching system. We will try to bring competitiveness in every level of cricket to bring natural, raw talent.”Aminul further said at the press conference that he will work with the other board directors. His predecessor Faruque was reportedly instructed by the government high-ups to not engage the BCB directors, who were holdovers from the older Nazmul Hassan era.”I don’t have to work as hard [as a coach], but I will have to give directions,” he said. “I will have the help of the experienced directors. I will know more about cricket in Bangladesh, not just Bangladesh cricket. We are a team. I want to use everyone’s energy and experience to go forward. I believe that a cricket nation does well when it works together.”Aminul also said the board will investigate financial misappropriations that took place in the past, stressing on the need to have a chief financial officer. “We want to appoint a CFO, and keep our financial transactions as transparent as possible. BCB’s earning is for cricket; it is for the boy or girl who will be born after ten years. We want to use our funds in a better way. End of the day, we will definitely investigate [financial misappropriations],” Aminul said.

You could forgive Liverpool supporters for having been concerned that Jurgen Klopp’s departure in the summer of 2024 would lead to a period of decline at Anfield.

The German led the club back to glory during his spell that lasted more than nine years, winning the Premier League and the Champions League during his tenure.

You only have to look at Arsenal and Manchester United since the departures of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson to see how an exit like that can be tough to recover from, as neither of those clubs have won a Premier League title without Wenger or Ferguson.

However, Arne Slot arrived from Feyenoord to replace Klopp in the dugout and hit the ground running by winning the league title in his first year at Anfield.

The Dutch head coach was a breath of fresh air in the Premier League last season with his side’s gung-ho approach to matches. They were incredibly fun to watch.

One of the players who has benefitted the most from the managerial change from Klopp to Slot is defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who has been transformed over the past 18 months or so.

How Arne Slot saved Ryan Gravenberch's Liverpool career

Liverpool signed the Netherlands international from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 to bolster their options in the middle of the park, but he endured a frustrating first season at Anfield.

Gravenberch only started 12 of his 26 appearances in the Premier League under Klopp and mainly played as the left-sided central midfielder, tasked with getting forward to support the attack.

It was a role that did not suit the Dutch midfielder and his performances in that position led to his future at Anfield being thrown into doubt. Turkish giants Galatasaray were even linked with a move for his services in April 2024.

However, Slot’s arrival at the club later that summer saved Gravenberch’s career at the club, because the head coach correctly profiled where he would be best, at the base of the midfield as a number six.

Ryan Gravenberch (Premier League)

23/24

24/25

Appearances (starts)

26 (12)

37 (37)

Pass accuracy

83%

89%

Assists

0

4

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.5

3.4

Clearances per game

0.4

1.5

Ground duel success rate

47%

56%

Aerial duel success rate

42%

65%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman started all 37 of his appearances in the Premier League after being moved to a defensive midfield role, and his statistics show that it was a tactical move that paid off in a big way.

Gravenberch started all 49 of his appearances in the 2024/25 campaign for the Reds and earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year for his performances as a number six.

The 23-year-old star looks set to be a key player for Slot and Liverpool for many more years to come, after a strong start to the 2025/26 campaign with two goals and two assists so far, per Sofascore.

As well as having the man himself, Liverpool also have an impressive teenage central midfielder who has the potential to be a homegrown version of Gravenberch in the future.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Trey Nyoni started in the middle of the park for the Reds against Championship side Southampton on Tuesday night and the contrast in his performance in the first half to the second half was akin to Gravenberch’s development throughout his career at Anfield.

Why Trey Nyoni may be Liverpool's next number eight

As an academy graduate who plays in central midfield, the 18-year-old star may have his eyes set on grabbing the number eight shirt from Dominik Szoboszlai in the future.

The Hungary international is the star who currently wears it, but it was academy graduate Steven Gerrard who really gave it meaning with his 186 goals in 710 matches for the club in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Nyoni has mainly donned the number eight shirt at youth level for Liverpool, which suggests that he is a fan of the number, and as a homegrown talent from the academy, he may want to emulate even a small percentage of what Gerrard achieved with the number eight shirt at Anfield.

Despite this, it is the number six position where Nyoni’s future may lie after what he showed on the pitch against Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

The England U19 international started the game as a number ten behind Alexander Isak, but did not look suited to playing that position. However, when Curtis Jones came off for Conor Bradley after 57 minutes, Nyoni dropped deeper and took control of the game.

Vs Southampton

Trey Nyoni

Minutes

90

Pass accuracy

96%

Passes completed

43/45

Key passes

0

Duels won

2/4

Clearances

3

Blocks

1

Tackles + interceptions

3

Dribbled past per game

0x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, his statistics looked much more like what you would expect from a defensive midfielder than a number ten, playmaker, type.

Nyoni did not register any shots on target or create any chances for his team whilst playing as a number ten, but his defensive contributions and reliability as a passer when dropped into a deep-lying role proved that he has a future as a number six.

As Liverpool-focused writer Lewis Bower noted after the match, the 18-year-old talent looked far more “influential” when he dropped into a deeper midfield position, rather than as an attacking midfielder.

His metronomic passing in the middle of the park coupled with his defensive strength suggests that he may have the potential to develop into the next Gravenberch in the future, as he is five years younger than the Dutchman.

Gravenberch’s Liverpool career took lift-off after being moved from an attacking or central midfield position to being a number six. Nyoni’s attributes suggest that a similar positional change could forge a future for him in the first-team at Anfield.

That could, therefore, set him on his path to earn the number eight shirt at Liverpool, as he looks to follow in Gerrard’s footsteps from the academy to first-team fame.

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Posts ByDan Emery Sep 24, 2025

She had taken a break from domestic cricket and withdrawn from the WPL previously to “prioritise her well-being”

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Feb-2025

Sophie Devine skipped the WPL too•BCCI

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine will not be available for their ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka as she continues to “prioritise her well-being.” She had earlier pulled out of the Women’s Super Smash midway and also opted out of the WPL for the same reason after “receiving professional advice.””We are fully supportive of Sophie’s decision to not take part in the upcoming series,” Liz Green, New Zealand Cricket’s Head of Women’s High Performance, said in a statement on Monday. “Player well-being is our highest priority and it’s important Sophie feels fit and well before returning to professional cricket.”Since winning the T20 World Cup with New Zealand in October 2024, Devine, 35, had been part of the ODIs against India, played in the WBBL for Perth Scorchers, and also played the ODI series against Australia in late December. She was last seen in action in the Super Smash, where she picked up 5 for 13 against Canterbury on January 24. Her team, Wellington, went on to win the domestic T20 title with Amelia Kerr putting on a stellar show with bat and ball.New Zealand are set to play three ODIs against Sri Lanka, starting March 4 at home, followed by three T20Is that begin on March 14. A full squad is set to be announced later this month. They are also scheduled to face Australia for three T20Is in a series that starts on March 21. These are New Zealand’s first T20I assignments since their T20 World Cup triumph where Devine led them to a maiden title.

Parth Vats, the 20-year-old legspin allrounder whom Haryana picked over Yuzvendra Chahal in their squad, starred with bat and ball in a 72-run win against Bengal that took them into the quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.In his maiden List A season, Vats helped Haryana rebuild their innings from 98 for 3 in the 17th over. He scored 62 off 77 balls and put on 84 for the fourth wicket with Nishant Sindhu, another 20-year-old allrounder who scored 64 and also contributed with the ball.Vital contributions from the lower order – an unbeaten 32-ball 41 from Sumit Kumar and 29 from Rahul Tewatia – powered Haryana to 298 for 9.Mohammed Shami, who is in line for an India comeback if he can maintain fitness, was wayward in his first spell for Bengal, conceding 27 in three overs without a wicket. He came back strong to finish with 3 for 61 in ten overs, with two wickets at the death as Haryana were aiming to accelerate.Another player of interest from a national team perspective, Abhimanyu Easwaran, was key to Bengal’s chase. With openers Sudip Gharami and Abishek Porel putting on 70 in 12.5 overs for the first wicket, Abhimanyu had the opportunity to steer Bengal’s innings, but the rustiness of having spent two months on India’s Test bench in Australia showed.Having survived a close stumping appeal, Abhimanyu attempted to break free with a succession of reverse sweeps. Eventually, the pressure of not being able to score fluently got to him, and he was out attempting a slog sweep against mystery spinner Amit Rana.Porel kept Bengal alive with a half-century but played conservatively for large parts of his 57 off 78 balls. His dismissal exposed Bengal’s brittle middle order in the 28th over and Vats dismissed Anustup Majumdar, Karan Lal and Shami to help Haryana wrap up the chase for 226 in 43.1 overs.Haryana play their quarterfinal against Gujarat in Vadodara on January 12.

Celtic will be playing Europa League football this season after they were beaten 3-2 on penalties by Kairat Almaty in the Champions League play-off clash on Tuesday night.

The Hoops had drawn 0-0 at Parkhead last week, failing to make the most of home advantage, and then failed to get the job done in normal time or extra-time away from home, which led to a loss on penalties.

Adam Idah, Luke McCowan, and Daizen Maeda all missed from the spot for Brendan Rodgers, and it will not have done Idah’s confidence any good after a disappointing start to the season.

Why this will knock Adam Idah's confidence

The Ireland international is yet to get off the mark with a goal this term. In four games in all competitions, the former Norwich City marksman has missed three ‘big chances’ and failed to register a goal or an assist for the team.

He has not proven that he has what it takes to be the main number nine for Celtic as a regular starter, and this latest performance against Kairat will not have helped his confidence.

In his defence, though, his performance after coming off the bench before the penalty shoot-out was not horrendous. He created two chances for his teammates and won two of his three aerial battles to provide an outlet for the team, per Sofascore, but then the striker missed from the spot in the shoot-out.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Despite his penalty miss, though, Idah was not the worst performer for the Hoops on the night. One other player who should be dropped from the team because of their showing is Hyun-jun Yang.

Why Rodgers must drop Yang for Celtic

Rodgers must ruthlessly ditch the South Korea international from the starting XI for the clash with Rangers on Sunday because he put in a poor display on Tuesday evening.

The 23-year-old winger was selected to play off the left flank for the Scottish Premiership giants, with Maeda through the middle and James Forrest on the right, and failed to do enough on or off the ball to impress.

Yang played the opening 70 minutes of the match and did not register a single shot or goal, nor did he create a single chance for his teammates at the top end of the pitch. Whereas, as aforementioned, Idah created two chances for the side after he came off the bench.

Minutes

70

50

Dribbles completed

1/3

0/0

Pass accuracy

61%

77%

Key passes

0

2

Duels won

3/15

2/6

Duel success rate

20%

33%

Possession lost

20x

7x

As you can see in the table above, the South Korean flop performance was even worse than Idah’s in general play before the penalty shoot-out miss from the striker, as he performed worse in duels, gave the ball away way more, and was less creative.

The Hoops winger did not offer anywhere near enough in any phase of the game to justify his continued inclusion in the starting XI, particularly with a clash against Rangers away from home in their next match in the Premiership.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha is reportedly closing in on a move to Celtic from Royal Antwerp to bolster Rodgers’ options on the flanks, and this means that the manager may have another player to pick from on Sunday.

With this in mind, the Northern Irish boss should ruthlessly drop Yang from the line-up after his dismal showing on Tuesday, to potentially throw Balikwisha in at the deep end this weekend.

Idah upgrade: Celtic set to make offer for "incredibly prolific" £5m star

Celtic are reportedly preparing to make an offer for a star who would b an upgrade on Adam Idah.

ByDan Emery Aug 27, 2025

West Indies will welcome back Akeal Hosein, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell for their T20I series against England after they were named in a 15-man squad for the first two games, to be played in Barbados on Saturday and Sunday.The quartet missed West Indies’ previous T20I fixtures, in Sri Lanka last month, for personal reasons. Hetmyer was then recalled for the ODIs against England.The squad is otherwise largely the same as that which lost 2-1 to Sri Lanka. Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, Fabian Allen and Shamar Springer were the players to drop out, while the uncapped Terrance Hinds kept his place. Matthew Forde comes in as cover after Alzarri Joseph received a two-match suspension for walking off the field in the third ODI.Related

• Holder: England's frequent tours are 'boosting WI's survival'

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Romario Shepherd was fit to be included despite having to depart mid-over in the deciding ODI against England after suffering from cramps.”The T20 team is our most settled team with lots of experienced players,” West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said. “However, the difficulty will be picking the XI, as every single player is challenging for a spot. As we face a very good England team, I am confident that the selected squad will continue to play a brand of cricket that allows us to win games, and this ‘Rivalry’ series.”After the Barbados leg, the teams will move on to St Lucia, with West Indies due to confirm their squad for the remaining three games.

West Indies T20I squad for first two T20Is vs England

Rovman Powell (capt), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

The move is to safeguard the mental health of individuals against content such as hate speech, harassment, and misogyny

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2024

Social media follows you no matter where you are•ICC/Getty Images

The ICC has launched a new software as part of a social media moderation programme for the Women’s T20 World Cup to help protect the cricket community from “toxic content” to safeguard the mental health of individuals and “ensure a safer, kinder and healthier online community for the sport.”An ICC release issued on the morning of the opening day of the T20 World Cup stated the programme was to “promote a more positive and inclusive online experience for teams and players” and that over 60 players had already opted for it.The ICC has engaged GoBubble, a software company from UK, to provide a combination of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and human resources to monitor and moderate comments on the ICC’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, as well as those of players who have signed up for this. “The cutting-edge technology is designed to identify and hide from public view toxic content such as hate speech, harassment, and misogyny, helping to create a safer and more welcoming space for fans to engage with the World Cup,” the ICC release said.Players who participate for this can have harmful comments hidden from social media accounts.”We are dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all participants and fans of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, it’s been great to see so many of the players and teams embrace our new initiative,” ICC head of digital, Finn Bradshaw said.South Africa wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta said players getting this kind of protection from social media was “very big”.”For me with social media protection I think it takes a lot of weight off players, especially at World Cup campaigns as that is the worst of it,” she was quoted saying in the release. “There is nothing worse than opening up your phone after a loss – or after a victory – and regardless of what side you find yourself there is always some degrading comment about your personality.”With the youngsters coming in you tell them ‘please don’t look’, but what are they going to do? It is literally their thing.”That protection for me is very big because players get to share their life with the world without the fear of being judged or criticised. I am looking forward to seeing the changes, people just being free and players can just show the world who they really are.”The 10-team tournament starts on Thursday in Sharjah at 2pm local time (10am GMT) with Bangladesh taking on Scotland before Pakistan face Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka in the evening game starting at 6pm local time, at the same venue. The final is slated in Dubai on October 20.