India’s thrashing of Scotland, with an unbelievable 81 balls to spare, means India are well and truly in the hunt for a top-two finish in the group. With three matches left in the group, three teams are still in contention for the second semi-final spot. Here is a look at how each team can make it.India
In just two games, India’s net run rate has leapt up from -1.069 to 1.619. They still need Afghanistan to beat New Zealand to stand a chance of qualifying, but if Afghanistan pull off that win, then India have an excellent chance of qualifying due to their run rate.For example, if Afghanistan score 160 and beat New Zealand by 30 runs, then India need to defeat Namibia only by 21 runs to stay ahead on NRR. And given that they will play the last match of the group on Monday, they will know exactly what they need to do to qualify. If New Zealand win, though, then India will be knocked out.Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s qualifying chances have taken a beating with India’s big wins in their last two games. As detailed above, even if they beat New Zealand by a healthy margin of 30 runs, India’s target victory margin to stay ahead on NRR is a pretty modest one. Afghanistan will need a really big win to give themselves some sort of a chance: if they score 160 and win by 60, they will want India to win by no more than 48 runs. The problem for Afghanistan is that India play last in the group, which means they will go into that game knowing what is required.Also, knowing that a win by any margin will probably not be enough, might also influence the way Afghanistan approach the game. Of course, their ideal scenario would be to beat New Zealand, and then for Namibia to pull off an upset to beat all upsets.New Zealand
For New Zealand, net run rate isn’t a concern. If they lose, their NRR will stay below that of Afghanistan, so they will be knocked out for sure. If they win, they will move to eight points, two clear of the six points that India can, at best, get to.New Zealand will also have to deal with the challenge of playing three times in five days, at three different venues, while Afghanistan have played their last two in Abu Dhabi, which is also where they will play New Zealand.

Aston Villa chiefs are sensing a transfer opportunity as they look to back manager Unai Emery in the transfer market, with one club ready to consider a low January bid for a star who’d usually cost around £50 million.

Aston Villa face Tottenham in near-certain race for top four

Emery’s fairytale stint in charge of Villa has continued into the 2024/25 campaign, with the Midlands giants appearing near-certainties to be contending for a place in the Premier League’s top four yet again.

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ByBrett Worthington Oct 31, 2024

They’ve also made an impressive start in Europe, beating German heavyweights Bayern Munich 1-0 on a historic night at Villa Park, whilst also clinching victories against Serie A side Bologna and Switzerland’s Young Boys.

While it is still very early days, with Villa to play their tenth Premier League game of the season against fellow potential European contenders Tottenham, it is pretty safe to say that Emery’s side are favourites to be up there with England’s elite once again.

Villa travel to north London on Sunday for a tough test at Spurs, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend. They’ve been very inconsistent this season – winning four, losing four and drawing one – while Emery’s only top-flight defeat so far came at the hands of title-chasing Arsenal back in August.

However, despite their contrasting records, Emery insists that Tottenham are favourites to beat Villa on Sunday.

“Tottenham is playing very well and they deserved more points than they have now,” said Emery ahead of Villa’s trip to Spurs.

“They beat Manchester City at home, playing with lots of players who will play on Sunday. Their style and idea is so, so strong. They have individually brilliant players. They signed Solanke and he is giving them a lot more ways to attack and be stronger than last year.

“They are the favourites in front of us for the season and for the match on Sunday. We are competing and we are really being confident, how we are doing our way. We even lost last year against them. We are trying to use a stronger structure to face them on Sunday. We are very excited and motivated, our fans, myself, the coaches, players and the club how we are increasing our level to be contenders with Tottenham, City, Chelsea and Newcastle. Competing with them to be in the top seven, top six or top five.”

Aston Villa sense opportunity to sign Loic Bade from Sevilla

In the background, transfer chief Monchi and NSWE are looking at ways to improve Emery’s squad with potential new additions.

Some reports claim Villa are prepared to bid for La Liga sensation Christantus Uche in January, while it appears that another Spanish top-flight star has earned admiring glances from Birmingham.

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As per a media source from Spain, Sevilla defender Loic Bade is on Monchi’s agenda. The club wish to strengthen their central defensive options and it is believed that Aston Villa see Bade as an “opportunity” to bolster their defence for both now and the seasons ahead.

It is also claimed that, despite his mainstay status at Sevilla, they could sell for a “low” January offer compared to his £50 million release clause.

Former England captain accepts BBC’s decision to stand him down for the Ashes coverage

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2021

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has told Azeem Rafiq that he is “sorry for the hurt he has gone through”, after speaking publicly for the first time since being implicated in the Yorkshire racism scandal.Vaughan has been stood down from BBC Test Match Special’s commentary team for the forthcoming Ashes, in the wake of Rafiq’s claim that he had once told a group of four Asian players at Yorkshire “there are too many of you lot, we need to do something about it”.However, speaking to BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker, Vaughan insisted once again that he had no recollection of using such words, adding that he had been “proud as punch” to take the field at Trent Bridge in 2009 alongside the homegrown trio of Rafiq, Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad, as well as Pakistan’s overseas player, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.”I don’t [remember saying that],” Vaughan said. “My recollection from that day, as I’ve said, I was a Yorkshire player for 18 years, I was the first player to sign for that club that was not born in the county, so for 18 years we had gone from me being the first to sign for the club, Sachin Tendulkar being the first from overseas, to players being able to sign from other clubs.”It was my last few games and I remember it clearly that I was proud as punch that we had four Asian players representing Yorkshire Cricket Club.”Speaking at the DCMS hearings in Westminster last week, Rafiq had told the parliamentary select committee that it was “important not to make it all about Michael”, adding that he might not have remembered making derogatory comments “because it’s not important to him”.Vaughan admitted that that comment “hurts”, and reiterated his claim that he had never used racist language. However, he acknowledged that, in the course of his 18-year professional career, including ten with England, “I’d be lying if I would sit here now and say that I never heard words or conversations that I would certainly pick out now.”‘That [comment] hurts,” Vaughan added, “because I’ve always felt that every single team that I have been involved in, the biggest praise I ever got as England captain for six years was that I was the kind of person that really galvanized the group, got the team working together as one. I wanted everyone in the dressing room to feel included.”I’m sorry for the hurt that [Rafiq] has gone through,” Vaughan added. “Yorkshire Cricket Club, I believe, is me. It has been my life whether I have been a player or not, I believe that once you have played for Yorkshire you are always a Yorkshire player and I am sorry for all the hurt that he has gone through.”Time can never be a healer but hopefully time can be a way of Yorkshire Cricket Club never going through this situation again, and not putting themselves in a position of denial that they treated the players so badly.”In the course of the interview, Vaughan was read out a number of his tweets, including a complaint that ‘Not many English people live in London… I need to learn a new language’, and a reply to the actor and comedian, Adil Ray, suggesting that Moeen Ali should ask young Muslims if they are terrorists to help make society a safer place.”I look back at my 12 years in social media, I regret many tweets,” Vaughan said. “I apologise deeply to anyone I offended with those tweets.”We all make mistakes and, in my life, I’ve made quite a few mistakes on Twitter. I apologise for that, but I can’t suddenly get rid of it. That’s happened, but I think sometimes through social media, people can presume who you are and interpret who you are because of a tweet or two. I know who I am, and I hope the people around me, who were close to me, know exactly who I am.”Asked if he felt he could rehabilitate his career in light of the controversy, Vaughan conceded: “It’ll take time. I’ve no doubt about that. But I’m sure over time people will see that the true me.”I won’t be doing the Ashes,” he added, in the wake of the BBC’s decision to withdraw him for editorial reasons, although he is at this stage still expected to take part in the Australian host broadcast for Fox Cricket. “I understand the story is all about Azeem Rafiq and racism in cricket. I just hope in time I will have that chance to come back. The one thing I have loved more than anything since retiring is talking cricket, and I hope I can do that again.”

The NBA side rolled out the red carpet for Campana after he signed for the Revolution from Inter Miami

Campana attends Celtics game against San Antonio SpursWhite showcases strong performance in 116-103 victoryCampana signed for the Revolution from Inter MiamiGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Leonardo Campana, the Ecuadorian striker recently acquired by the New England Revolution, made a surprise appearance at TD Garden to watch the Boston Celtics take on the San Antonio Spurs.

Following the Celtics’ 116-103 victory, Campana and Celtics guard Derrick White exchanged jerseys, creating a memorable moment that bridged the worlds of MLS and NBA. Not only that, Campana was spotted signing autographs for Celtic fans.

AdvertisementWHAT THE CAMERA CAPTUREDGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 24-year-old forward signed for the Revs in December from Inter Miami after the two clubs completed a deal worth $2.5 million in GAM plus add-ons. The Ecuadorian had been at Miami since the start of the 2023 season and netted 31 goals for the club before he was traded.

That figure makes him the club’s second-leading goalscorer across all competition and puts him behind only Lionel Messi (34) during the time he spent at the club.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REVOLUTION?

The Revolution endured a tough 2024 MLS season as they finished second last in the Eastern Conference, above only Chicago Fire. To make things even worse, they had the worst goals scored record in the entire league, finishing at the bottom of the table in that regard. It has forced the club’s hand as they’ve made more than a few new signings during the offseason.

That includes bringing in Campana, Maximiliano Urruti, Luis Diaz and Ignatius Gangao to reinforce their roster while also adding a few other pieces across the board to help the team.

It does leave head coach Caleb Porter with a tactical headache to solve before the club kicks off their 2025 MLS season against Nashville SC on Feb. 22.

“I think there will be some negativity from some people about it – I understand that and I get that,” says Smith

Andrew McGlashan26-Nov-2021Pat Cummins had made having Steven Smith alongside him a vital part of his pitch for the Australian Test captaincy in what effectively became a joint ticket for the leadership.While the pair had been the favourites to take their respective roles after a dramatic week that likely saw the end of Tim Paine’s Test career, Cummins almost made it a non-negotiable that Smith would be his lieutenant, even as Australia enter an unknown era of having a fast bowler in charge.After the appointment, Cummins made it clear that he has no intention to rest himself from Tests – he may have to scale back his commitments in other formats – but Smith is now an injury away from captaining Australia again three-and-a-half years after the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa. Even if not officially in charge, he is likely to have a much more active role than previous deputies.Related

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“I think there’s a couple of more unknowns about having a bowling captain and that’s why from the outset I was absolutely determined if I was captain to have someone like Steve as vice-captain next to me,” Cummins said. “I feel like I’ve got quite a lot of experience to draw on. A lot of the problems or potential issues around being a fast-bowling captain I’m sure we’ll be able to work through.”Obviously, it’s not our decision who is captain and vice-captain. I made it pretty clear that if I was given the captaincy that this is how I saw the team running and I tried to bring Steve along for that as well. He’s so central to how I see my captaincy style but [also] how I see the team functioning.”Smith admitted that his return to a leadership role may not be universally accepted. “I think there will be some negativity from some people about it,” he said. “I understand that and I get that. But for me, I know that I’ve grown a great deal over the last three or four years. I’m a more rounded individual and in turn I think it’s turned me into a better leader.”The pair are part of the group of Australian players still in quarantine on the Gold Coast after the T20 World Cup – something that Cummins suggested may have proved helpful during the recent upheaval – and they both discussed the direction they could take the team in before being interviewed by the CA panel earlier this week.Now that it is official, they will start to work on the finer points of the partnership ahead of the start of the Ashes on December 8, and Cummins indicated there may be occasions when he cedes to Smith in the field.

“There’s going to be times where I’m out in the middle, it’s a hot day, I’m in the middle of a spell and I need to turn to people for advice, for tactics, for experience and that’s the main reason, one of the big reasons why I wanted Steve to be vice-captain”Pat Cummins

“There’s going to be times where I’m out in the middle, it’s a hot day, I’m in the middle of a spell and I need to turn to people for advice, for tactics, for experience and that’s the main reason, one of the big reasons why I wanted Steve to be vice-captain,” Cummins said. “How that looks? I think it potentially could look differently to [how] you’ve seen partnerships work in the past. I think that will remain pretty fluid.”A 22-degree day might look differently to a 40-degree day. There will be times on the field where I’ll throw to Steve and you’ll see Steve move fielders around, maybe doing bowling changes, taking a bit more of an elevated vice-captaincy role and that’s what I really want.”That’s what I’ve asked and I’m really glad Steve is happy with that as well. We’ll nut out exactly how that works, but it’s going to be a real collaborative approach. Steve has got such huge strength especially around tactically out on the field.”For his part, Smith will go where his captain asks but hopes that his 34 Tests of experience at the helm can complement the new approach that Cummins will bring.”I’m completely guided by Patrick and whatever he needs on the field,” he said. “If there’s times when Patrick hands to me and wants me to take over and do some different things out on the field I’m there for that. My job is to support Patrick as much as I can.”

The former Nepal coach will return to the position following the resignation of Dav Whatmore

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2021Pubudu Dassanayake has been reappointed as head coach of the Nepal men’s national team, Cricket Association of Nepal announced at the end of their board meeting held earlier today. Dassanayake will fill the vacancy that opened up after Dav Whatmore stepped down from the position in September at the end of Nepal’s ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in Oman.Dassanayake has had a successful run as coach at the Associate level over the years. From 2007 to 2011, he was with Canada, who he represented as a cricketer after migrating from Sri Lanka in 2001. He helped the team qualify for their third straight ODI World Cup, and was then appointed as Nepal coach.”I am simply gratified and blessed that I have got this opportunity to work with Cricket Association of Nepal,” he said after his appointment. “I am hopeful I would be able now to take Nepal cricket to a great height as we have immense talent not only in senior level but also in the junior level.”Related

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He was involved with the Nepal set-up from 2011 to 2016, guiding them from Division Four of the World Cricket League (WCL) to Division One, the WCL Championship, and to their first major ICC tournament, the 2014 T20 World Cup.After that, he served as the head coach of USA for just under three years, before resigning in July 2019. He was in charge as USA moved up from Division Four of the WCL, in November 2016, to ODI status in April 2019 after they secured a top-four finish at WCL Division Two.As a cricketer, Dassanayake, now 51, played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs as a wicketkeeper for Sri Lanka between 1993 and 1994, before Romesh Kaluwitharana became the preferred keeper for the national team. By the turn of the millennium, he was spending his off seasons playing as an overseas club pro for Centurions CC in the Toronto suburb of Brampton. By 2001, he had left Sri Lanka for good.Though he didn’t have hopes of continuing as a cricketer in Canada, his performances with Centurions CC helped him make the Canada team once he had completed his four-year residency requirement. He made his debut at 34 in the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland, where he helped Canada qualify for the 2007 World Cup. He couldn’t take part in the tournament, though, because of his commitments as a duty manager at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club.At 36, after the 2007 World Cup, he took over as the coach of the Canada side, and has been a professional coach since.Whatmore, whose shoes Dassanayake will fill, was appointed to the position in Nepal in December 2020 and took charge in early 2021, with qualification for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia the stated focus. Whatmore, however, decided to step down shortly into his job, and it was understood at the time that his decision was influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, which had made it difficult for him to see his family because of travel restrictions.

Sergio Ramos joined Mexican club Monterrey, setting up a future showdown with his ex-Real Madrid teammate James Rodriguez, who plays for Leon.

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• Ramos set to return to action
• Without a club since Sevilla contract expired
• Will wear the No. 93 shirt at Monterrey

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Spanish icon's move to Liga MX marks a new chapter in his illustrious career after leaving Sevilla last summer. Ramos has chosen to wear the No. 93 shirt at Monterrey, a tribute to his legendary stoppage-time header in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final. That crucial goal in the 93rd minute forced extra time against Atletico Madrid, paving the way for Real Madrid’s historic 10th European title.

  Real Madrid paid homage to their former captain with a heartfelt message on social media, stating:

  "A tribute to all Real Madrid fans, a memory of a moment that changed our history. Always grateful, @SergioRamos. Good luck and success."

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ramos spent 16 years at Real Madrid, having initially joined from Sevilla as a young prospect. During his time at the Bernabeu, he captained the side and led them to four Champions League triumphs and five La Liga titles. His impact was equally significant at the international level, playing a key role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory and their back-to-back European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012.

• WHAT MONTERREY PRESIDENT SAID

  Monterrey had been targeting the Spanish veteran since his departure from Sevilla and club president Jose Antonio Noriega revealed that multiple efforts were made to bring him to Mexico.

  "We have been trying to sign him since last summer, but we did not come to terms and we tried again in this new window," he said.

  "The team needs him, he has quality, enormous experience, enormous personality and he is an undisputed leader."

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• @Rayados
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Ramos' arrival strengthens Monterrey’s squad as they prepare for a historic campaign. The Mexican giants are one of three Liga MX teams set to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer alongside James Rodriguez's Leon and Pachuca. With his vast experience in high-stakes competitions, Ramos is expected to play a crucial role in Monterrey’s pursuit of silverware on both domestic and international stages.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil may have made some interesting signings during the summer, but he was also forced to balance the books too, which meant selling a few of the club’s prized assets.

Max Kilman departed for £40m, joining West Ham United. Pedro Neto, arguably the Old Gold’s most bankable star, joined Chelsea for a fee in the region of £54m. While the defender may be easily replaced, it is clear that bringing in someone with the same sort of qualities that Neto exuded could be difficult.

Pedro Neto’s stats for Wolves last season

The winger enjoyed one of his most productive campaigns for the Old Gold in 2023/24, scoring three goals and registering 11 assists in all competitions.

Neto also created seven big chances, averaged key passes and 1.9 successful dribbles per game in the top flight, showcasing his attacking talents, despite playing just 20 times due to injury.

This form was enough for the Blues to splash out, ensuring Wolves received an impressive profit for the 24-year-old, although they have yet to properly replace him.

Might this change when the January transfer window comes around? As O’Neil is taking a close look at someone who is currently enjoying life in the Championship with Watford this term.

Wolves eyeing swoop for Championship star

As reported by journalist Alan Nixon earlier this week, (via GIVEMESPORT), Wolves are keeping tabs on Watford midfielder Giorgi Chakvetadze ahead of potentially making a swoop when the transfer window opens in a couple of months.

The Georgian international could cost the Old Gold between £15-£20m, but given they raked in massive amounts for Kilman and Neto, money shouldn’t be an immediate concern.

Two months is a long time in the Premier League, but it is evident O’Neil needs to add more creativity into his side, especially with survival vital.

Why Giorgi Chakvetadze could be a dream signing for Cunha

Matheus Cunha has already scored four goals this term and, once again, appears to be the club’s saviour as they seek their first league win.

The Watford man has scored once and grabbed three assists for the club this term, mainly operating as an attacking midfielder. He can play on the wing, however, hence making him a potential replacement for Neto next year.

2.5 key passes per game and five big chances created in the Championship suggest the 25-year-old could fill the void left by Neto, allowing him to create plenty of opportunities for Cunha and co.

Watford manager Tom Cleverly hailed the midfielder for his “sheer class” and there is no doubt he could add some extra attacking dynamism to the current Wolves starting XI.

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5

Total duels won per game

4.3

Much will depend on what happens between now and January concerning the club making a move for him. If poor results persist, O’Neil may well find himself out of a job.

Should results improve, however, the Molineux side may well attempt to bring the player to the Midlands.

Wolves send scouts to watch £20m midfielder as they eye January transfer

Wolves are keeping an eye on a player they are interested in signing in January.

1 ByBrett Worthington Oct 28, 2024

Spot in semi-finals all but firmed up; Sri Lanka will need a near-miracle

Andrew Miller01-Nov-20212:49

Steve Harmison: England held their nerve at crunch times very well

Two days ago in Dubai, we all thought we had seen the very best of Jos Buttler, as he mashed a demoralised Australia with jaw-dropping disdain. But in very different circumstances in Sharjah, the respect that he was obliged to show Sri Lanka was his defining feature this time out, as he completed the set of Test, ODI and T20I hundreds with quite possibly his finest, most versatile innings of the lot.Watch cricket live on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the US. Match highlights of England vs Sri Lanka is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).

On an uncompromising Sharjah surface – slow, low and nigh on impossible to force the pace – Buttler somehow conjured a masterful 101 not out from 67 balls, riding out one of the most fallow passages of play in England’s T20I history to batter 51 runs from his final 22, including the last of his six sixes, a flick off the hips high over square leg to reach his landmark on the final ball of the innings.In doing so, Buttler converted a 45-ball fifty, his slowest in the format, into a team total of 163 for 4, which England defended with outstanding tenacity on a dew-drenched night. Their challenge was made all the more complex when Tymal Mills limped out of the attack midway through his second over with a worrying quad strain. But Eoin Morgan shuffled his resources magnificently, backed by superb fielding, to close out only the fourth victory in this tournament by a team bowling last after losing the toss.England’s innings stuck on red
At the halfway mark of England’s innings, the team’s faces were threatening to look as red as their new-look trousers – a switch from their usual navy-blue due to an ICC kit-clash regulation. After losing their first toss in four games and being obliged to set the tempo rather than chase in the dew, they had dribbled along to 47 for 3, their lowest ten-over total since tournament nadir against the Netherlands in Chittagong in 2014.Sri Lanka’s spinners had applied the handbrake after a misleadingly rambunctious first over, with Wanindu Hasaranga’s second ball pegging back Jason Roy’s off stump to serve England a collective reminder of the dangers of cross-batted strokes. Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow succumbed in the powerplay too, and for one agonisingly dour 33-ball period, right up until the drinks break, England dealt exclusively in dots and ones – 13 of them in fact – as Buttler and Morgan, desperately out of form after a grim run in the IPL, swallowed their pride and focused on batting deep from an awkward 35 for 3.There really wasn’t much that England dared to do to break the shackles. Maheesh Theekshana, flicking the ball out of the front of his hand, offered no width and oodles of stump-threatening skid, backed up by an excellent pitch-battering length from the seamers, which was too short for England to rush down to meet, and bouncing low enough to keep the stumps permanently in play.Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler put on 112 in 13 overs for the third wicket•Getty Images

Post-drinks flourish
A glug of Gatorade, and a thumping drive through the covers, brought Buttler only his third boundary in 31 balls. But it also signalled a fateful shift in Sri Lanka’s approach. As if pre-programmed to go to their pre-set death plans, the seamers began searching for a fuller length, right up to the toes, which suited Buttler’s spring-loaded wrists down to the ground. A brace of half-volleys from Lahiru Kumara were smoked into the stands, before Dasun Shanaka suffered similar treatment in the 18th over, as Buttler laced him for six, six, four, to wrench the contest England’s way.Morgan too joined the party, eventually holding his own in a 112-run partnership with 40 from 36 balls despite at one stage seeming stranded on 10 from 21. A freebie from Hasaranga got him going, a full-toss on the legs flicked through backward square, while Kumara was also in his sights with a classical inside-out bosh over long-off. Hasaranga got his revenge with another googly but not before England’s captain had confirmed his game-brain was still ticking.The search for that century wasn’t Buttler’s overriding concern as he faced up to Dushmantha Chameera’s final over. But after surviving a sprawling chance in the deep and missing out on an attempted reverse scoop, Buttler received the gimme he’d been angling for from the final ball of the innings, a full toss on the legs that he launched into the stands to vault from 95 to 101.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Dew diligence
The fact that England were able to turn on their after-burners may have been linked to the sightings of a few towels for Sri Lanka’s fielders as the evening moisture began to make itself known. It obliged Morgan to get imaginative from the outset of Sri Lanka’s chase. Moeen Ali served up the first over, in which Pathum Nissanka was run out third-ball, but after some rare tap for Chris Woakes from Charith Asalanka, Adil Rashid was swiftly called into action. The change did the trick, two googlies to the left-handers Asalanka and Kusal Perera resulted in a pair of hacks into the covers, as for the first time in their T20I history, England bowled four overs of spin in the powerplay.Still, Sri Lanka kept pressing, with more zip off the bat in the altered conditions, not least for Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who greeted Liam Livingstone with a clout over the sightscreen and then made Woakes regret a bad miss at square leg by slamming him for a six and a four in consecutive balls. But Woakes responded with an offcutter which Roy swallowed in the deep, and at 76 for 5 in the 11th over, England were chipping away at their opponent’s resources.Their own resources, however, received a body blow when Mills limped from the field. Despite their wealth of options, Rashid was already bowled out, and when Woakes surprisingly finished off the final three balls of the incomplete over, he too only had one more up his sleeve. It was time once again for Livingstone to show his mettle, and sure enough, he delivered the killer blow in the 17th over, drawing a rampant Hasaranga into a swipe to wide long-off, where Roy pounced brilliantly with a dive inside the rope, before offloading for the substitute Sam Billings to complete the take.Three balls later, however, there was no longer any doubt which direction the match was headed. That man Buttler pounced from behind the stumps and pinged down the wicket to run out Sri Lanka’s last remaining hope Dasun Shanaka. England had come through their toughest assignment of the tournament with a statement victory and proven that while the conditions are still a massive factor, excellence can yet seize the day.

وصلت بعثة منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، بقيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، إلى المغرب، فجر اليوم الأربعاء، استعدادًا لخوض المواجهة المرتقبة أمام إثيوبيا، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026.

ومن المقرر أن تنطلق تدريبات منتخب مصر، مساء اليوم، في تمام الحادية عشرة، في إطار الاستعدادات المكثفة لهذه المباراة المهمة، التي يسعى خلالها الفراعنة لمواصلة مشوارهم نحو حجز بطاقة التأهل للمونديال.

في حضور اتحاد الكرة.. لاعبو منتخب مصر الأولمبي يشكون تأخر مستحقاتهم لوزير الرياضة

ويترأس بعثة منتخب مصر في المغرب، حمادة الشربيني، عضو مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة، ويرافقه خالد الدرندلي، نائب رئيس الاتحاد، في إطار دعم ومتابعة الفريق خلال هذه المرحلة الحاسمة من التصفيات.

وتضم قائمة المنتخب 24 لاعبًا، بينهم نجوم بارزون مثل محمد صلاح ومحمود حسن تريزيجيه وأحمد سيد زيزو ومصطفى محمد، إلى جانب مجموعة من العناصر الشابة التي يعوّل عليها حسام حسن في تنفيذ خطته وتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أمام إثيوبيا.

ويأمل الجهاز الفني في استغلال معسكر المغرب لتجهيز اللاعبين فنيًا وبدنيًا، مع التركيز على دراسة نقاط القوة والضعف في منتخب إثيوبيا، خاصة أن المباراة تمثل محطة مهمة في مشوار تصفيات كأس العالم.

ويسعى منتخب مصر لتحقيق فوز جديد يعزز فرصه في التأهل إلى كأس العالم 2026، في ظل دعم جماهيري وإداري كبير للجيل الحالي من اللاعبين.