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Century stand for second wicket books reigning champions a return trip to Finals Day

ECB Reporters Network05-Sep-2024

Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore added big runs for Somerset•Getty Images

Somerset 215 for 3 (Banton 75, Kohler-Cadmore 63) beat Northamptonshire 198 for 5 (Willey 57) by 17 runsTom Banton smashed 75 off just 43 balls to set up a Somerset victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks and book the reigning champions a place at Vitality Blast Finals Day.Banton made hay against an often-wayward Northamptonshire attack, hitting five sixes and six fours as Somerset racked up an intimidating 215 for three at a sold-out Wantage Road.Banton was the dominant partner in a stand of 125 in 11.3 overs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore who at first struggled to get going before finding his groove and registering 63 off just 43 balls with two fours and five sixes.Steelbacks captain David Willey led a spirited run chase, contributing 57 off just 39 deliveries (two fours, four sixes), finding good support from Saif Zaib, Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad to keep the hosts in the hunt. But with Somerset’s skipper Lewis Gregory taking three wickets for 35 the target ultimately proved beyond their reach as they closed 17 runs short..Earlier Willey struck in the second over having Will Smeed (6) caught behind, but both Willey and Ben Sanderson gifted Somerset free runs as they sent down a series of wide legside deliveries.Banton showed early intent, smashing Willey through the covers, but nearly holed out as the ball held up in the wind. Next ball though he crunched one down the ground and hit the next over deep point, Somerset ending the powerplay on 49 for one.With strong winds making it difficult to judge high catches, Gus Miller failed to get into position to take a straightforward chance off a leading edge from Kohler-Cadmore on 7.Banton though had no problem locating the boundary, punishing a loose Freddie Heldreich over with consecutive sixes over deep midwicket, reaching his half-century off 31 balls.Kohler-Cadmore finally hit his stride with a big six over long-off followed by two further boundaries as Australian overseas spinner Ashton Agar conceded 23 off an expensive over. Kohler-Cadmore added two further sixes off the next over, Justin Broad in the firing line this time.Banton’s departure came thanks to some excellent fielding on the boundary as he attempted to hit Saif Zaib for six. First Broad held onto the ball before tossing it to George Bartlett to complete the catch as he stepped over the rope.Kohler-Cadmore survived a strong appeal for a stumping, the third umpire deeming the delivery a no ball because the keeper’s gloves were in front of the stumps. The batter duly put the free hit away for a six, going on to reach his half-century off 38 balls before muscling Agar out of the ground for yet another maximum. It took a spectacular diving catch from Zaib at deep midwicket to finally remove the Somerset man, Sanderson finally getting one in the wickets column.Sean Dickson (33) and Lewis Gregory (20) shared a stand of 44 in the last 3.4 overs, the skipper ending proceedings with an audacious reverse ramp off White for six.Northamptonshire began their innings in persistent rain, losing George Bartlett in Craig Overton’s opening over with a chip to midwicket.Willey though showed real intent against Josh Davey, smashing him down the ground for four and depositing him over long-off for six.Despite a broken hand, Vasconcelos was manoeuvring the ball nicely, ramping Jake Ball for six as Northamptonshire finished the powerplay on 52 for one. Willey got the crowd singing by pummelling Overton straight for six and swinging Gregory over fine leg into the gardens on Wellingborough Road.Vasconcelos (30) was caught at fine leg off Gregory, but after a slow start, Broad (29) hit his straps, scooping Ben Green for six and four off consecutive balls and pulling the next delivery for another boundary.The Steelbacks reached 92 for two after 10 overs ahead of Somerset, but still behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern equation.Broad reverse swept Roelof van der Merwe for four and six to keep the scoreboard ticking but fell in tame fashion giving Gregory a straightforward return catch.Zaib (32) picked up the baton, sending a Green delivery over fine leg and dissecting the field with great precision, while Willey brought up his half-century off 35 balls.Northamptonshire started the last five overs needing 79 to win and despite taking a blow to the helmet, Zaib swung Gregory high over fine leg for six before becoming Gregory’s third wicket when he skied a catch to mid-on.Willey continued to press, hitting Ball down the ground before he was caught on the cover boundary.Agar (28*) smashed a four and consecutive sixes off the final over but it was in vain as Northamptonshire fell short by 17 runs.

Dravid says that he had no plans to continue as India head coach after the ODI World Cup final defeat, but a call from his captain changed his mind

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-20242:07

Rahul Dravid on what went into India’s planning for the T20 World Cup

Rahul Dravid was done as India head coach after his initial two-year term ended at the end of last year’s ODI World Cup, where the team finished runners-up to Australia. Then came a call from Rohit Sharma, and everything changed.”Ro, thank you very much for making that call to me in November and asking [me] to continue,” Dravid, whose tenure ended after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 title win, said in a video posted by the BCCI.”I think it’s been such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each and every one of you, but Ro, also thanks for the time. There is a lot of time we have to chat, we have to discuss, we have to agree, we have to disagree at times, but thank you so very much.”Related

Good luck finding another Rahul Dravid

Dravid: Win a 'great testament to the fight in the team'

As coach, apart from winning the T20 World Cup, Dravid was in charge when India got to the World Test Championship final in June 2023 and the ODI World Cup final in November 2023.In his moment of glory as coach, Dravid said he didn’t believe in “redemption stories”. That was in response to a question on whether it was particularly satisfying to lift the World Cup on the same shores where India were dumped out of the ODI World Cup in the first round in 2007 with Dravid the team’s captain.”I’m not usually short of words but on a day like today, for me to be part of this, I could not be more grateful,” Dravid said. “For the respect, for the kindness, for the effort that each and everyone of you have shown to me, to my coaching staff, to my support staff.”All of you will remember these moments. We always say, it is not about the runs, it is not about the wickets, you never remember your career but you remember moments like this, so let’s really enjoy.”Dravid was hoisted by the entire team on the field during the victory celebrations, with Virat Kohli and Rohit leading the way. Dravid and the selectors were responsible for bringing back the two senior players to the T20I side earlier this year despite them having not featured in the format for a long time.8:43

Rohit Sharma: ‘This has to be my greatest achievement’

As they celebrated together, Dravid had a small message for Kohli: “All three whites ticked off. One red to go. Tick it.” The reference being to India’s wins in the ODI World Cup in 2011, the Champions Trophy in 2013 and now the T20 World Cup, all of which Kohli was a part of, and the Test championship, which India haven’t won yet despite reaching the final on both occasions so far.Dravid’s successor is expected to be named soon. VVS Laxman is coaching the second-string side that will play a series of five T20Is in Zimbabwe starting July 6, and Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has said that the next coach will be named ahead of the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in late July. Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner to be named head coach.Last month, prior to the start of the T20 World Cup, Dravid had cited the packed calendar as a major reason for not reapplying for the job. “Unfortunately, just the kind of schedules [that are in place in international cricket] and where I find myself in this stage in my life, I don’t think I’ll be able to reapply,” he had said upon India’s arrival in New York.

A place in the Super Eight in 2024 guarantees direct qualification for the 2026 edition of the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2024

Who’ll be competing for this trophy in 2026? We’ll know 12 of the 20 teams by the end of June•ICC via Getty

Teams still chasing spots in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 have extra motivation to get the job done: a spot in the top eight guarantees direct qualification for the next T20 World Cup, in 2026.The next edition will also have 20 teams like this one, with 12 automatic qualifiers: the two co-hosts – India (who have made the Super Eight) and Sri Lanka (who have not) – as well as the other teams in the Super Eight in 2024 (that’s seven, excluding India), and the three highest-ranked teams outside of these on the ICC’s T20I rankings as of June 30, 2024. That’s 12. The remaining eight spots will be decided through the ICC’s regional qualifiers pathway.Related

Stats – New Zealand's biggest win in men's T20Is

India and Australia in same Super Eight group

Pakistan knocked out of T20 World Cup 2024 in first round

That means, USA – who took a vital point from their washout against Ireland in Lauderhill – have booked a spot in their second successive T20 World Cup.* Scotland, should they get past Australia – even one point would do, but the weather forecast is clear – in Gros Islet, are still very much in the running. Afghanistan, too, have confirmed their spot for 2026, while Netherlands are in a race with Bangladesh for the same, albeit with Bangladesh firm favourites.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

However, this does not spell doom for some Full Members who have already been knocked out of contention this year. Sri Lanka automatically qualify as co-hosts, while England – should they lose out to Scotland – will still make the cut based on the ICC rankings. The same goes for Pakistan and New Zealand. Currently, England, New Zealand and Pakistan are ranked Nos. 4, 6 and 7 respectively, well clear of the other teams who might need to rely on the rankings. Depending on how other results go, Ireland, at No. 11, could also get through via the rankings.The first of the ICC’s qualifier tournaments for 2026, the Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier, is currently on in Italy.*

Tottenham Hotspur are first in line for a highly-rated player this summer, thanks to a special agreement struck by chairman Daniel Levy, with the man in question set for the final say on a move to north London.

Tottenham break record for most Premier League losses in a season

On Sunday, a brace from Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze doomed Spurs to a 2-0 defeat at home and subsequently handed Ange Postecoglou an unwanted record.

Manager "would accept" £190k-per-week contract to join Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou’s future remains up in the air.

ByEmilio Galantini May 11, 2025

Following the loss to Oliver Glasner’s side, Tottenham have now broken their all-time record for most defeats in a single Premier League campaign, with the Lilywhites chalking up a miserable 20 top-flight losses on Postecoglou’s watch.

Son Heung-min

7.05

Pedro Porro

6.98

James Maddison

6.98

Dominic Solanke

6.88

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“Yeah, look, I get it and people are banging the drum about this record with defeats, but if people don’t see there is a correlation between the two, I am not going to sit here and…it’s not exactly Pythagoras’ theorem,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s unwanted record of defeats and their looming European final.

“It’s quite simple to understand we would have had much better results if we didn’t have to navigate this. So, either you understand or you don’t and beat us over the head, I get it.

“I am not happy with the way we performed today, so that’s what I look at.”

While Spurs find themselves in the Europa League final, and could well save their tepid season with a first piece of major silverware in 17 years, not to mention qualification for the Champions League next season, 20 defeats in the league is simply inexcusable for a big six side.

Tottenham’s manager was forced to deal with a historically bad injury crisis midway through the campaign, which undoubtedly crippled his chances of success, but some reports suggest Postecoglou is set to leave Spurs at the end of the season – regardless of their success in the Europa League.

Whoever Levy lands on to succeed the Australian, it is crystal clear that the north Londoners are in dire need of strength in depth, even if the club face a challenging transfer window where they could be forced to adopt a sell-to-buy policy (The Telegraph).

Competition is set to be rife for the continent’s most in-demand targets, with Tottenham among the contenders to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who is attracting serious interest from all of their elite Premier League rivals and Europe’s top sides.

Johnny Cardoso set for decision over joining Tottenham after £21m agreement

However, one player who Spurs have the upper hand for, over any other side, is Real Betis star Johnny Cardoso.

Last summer, as part of the deal which saw Giovani Lo Celso join Betis, Levy struck a first-option agreement to sign Cardoso this summer for around £21 million – which they can choose to activate or not.

However, while this puts Postecoglou’s side in pole position above their competitors, his potential transfer to N17 isn’t as cut and dry as the clause.

As per El Desmarque, while this first option becomes valid next month, Cardoso is set for the “last word” over joining Tottenham, so he’s set for a crunch decision as the 23-year-old remains uncertain over his future.

Man United and Atlético Madrid could also come in with offers of their own, while Cardoso’s entourage apparently state he’s very happy in his current surroundings.

He would undoubtedly bolster Tottenham’s midfield given his impressive La Liga performances, but they’re dependent on Cardoso’s last say if a move is to materialise.

Manchester United are now in pole position to sign one of European football’s most in-demand players after holding positive initial talks, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

United falter once more against Wolves

After what has already been one of the most dismal campaigns in the club’s history, Manchester United’s season hit a new low on Sunday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. A spectacular free-kick from Pablo Sarabia proved the difference, taking Wolves’ winning streak to five and moving them level on points with United in the Premier League table.

The loss also confirmed a grim milestone for the Red Devils: even if they win all of their remaining five matches, they will still end the season with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally – unable to surpass the 58-point finish recorded under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick in 2021/22.

Speaking after the defeat, Amorim reflected on United’s struggles, telling BBC Match of the Day: “This season is going to end like this, so we need to take the positives and work on what we need to improve.”

The Portuguese manager also hinted at significant changes ahead during the summer transfer window, indicating that recruitment will be a key focus.

Amorim must axe Man Utd dud who makes them look like they’re playing with 10

Manchester United fell to yet another Premier League defeat against Wolves this afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 20, 2025

“We have to look at everything — our squad, what we have to do in the market. We will see,” he said. “We talk every day about next season, and with time, we will get what we need to improve the team.”

United lead race for Wolves star Cunha

One player who could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer is Wolves’ very-own Matheus Cunha. While the Brazilian didn’t find the net in Wolves’ win over United at the weekend, he’s been the standout performer at Molineux this season. His 14 Premier League goals — many of them stunning long-range efforts — along with four assists, have been instrumental in keeping Wolves clear of relegation trouble.

Games played

26

Goals

14

Assists

4

Progressive carries

95

Progressive passes

119

Pass accuracy

71%

Take-ons completed

55

Despite signing a new deal with the club back in February, Cunha’s eye-catching form has put him firmly on the radar of several top-flight clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, however, it’s United who currently lead the chase for his signature.

Writing on X on Monday, Romano revealed that initial talks between Cunha and United have been positive, with personal terms already being discussed. He also noted that United are fully aware of growing interest from other clubs — as well as Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause.

Speaking about Cunha back in November, former Premier League defender turned pundit Micah Richards described him as “absolutely sensational”.

The likes of de Kock and Charles need to find form ahead of the World Cup in this series of three T20Is

Firdose Moonda22-May-2024A trio of T20Is the week before a T20 World Cup seems like a good idea except, perhaps, if half your squad is unavailable.That’s the situation facing both West Indies and South Africa, who are without many players from their tournament squads, including their captains.Rovman Powell and Aiden Markram are both at the IPL, as well as Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph for West Indies, and Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada for South Africa. While they are not all still at the IPL some, like Pooran and Hope, are being rested and others, like Rabada, are recovering from illness.Related

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Markram is not the typical SA captain (and that's a good thing)

Nortje returns in Markram-led South Africa T20 WC squad

That makes this series an exercise that’s part warm-up, part experimentation as the T20 World Cup co-hosts face off against perennial major tournament hopefuls in the first of three engagements they will have in the next three months. South Africa will return to the Caribbean in August to play two Tests and three more T20Is, which will have far less riding on them than these matches, where there are statements to be made. Especially by the following:Openers need to find some formJohnson Charles has re-established himself as a first-choice opener alongside Brandon King (cue the monarch jokes) since making a comeback to the West Indies T20I side in South Africa last year, where he scored a 46-ball 118 to announce his return. The trouble is that he hasn’t done much since. In eight T20I innings after that, Charles has been dismissed in single figures four times and gone past 30 only once. There are signs that could change, though. He was West Indies A’s leading run-scorer on a recent tour of Nepal, and will want to build on that form ahead of the T20 World Cup.In the opposition camp, South Africa have concerns around Quinton de Kock, who has had three poor T20 league campaigns on the trot since retiring from ODI cricket last November. He was particularly out of sorts at the BBL, where he scored 104 runs in six innings, and then made 213 runs in 12 innings at the SA20 and 250 runs in 11 innings at the IPL, though that did include three fifties. At least his numbers have improved slightly at each tournament. De Kock was selected in the World Cup squad on reputation, not form, at the expense of at least two other candidates – Matthew Breetzke and Rassie van der Dussen – and in what could be his last international assignment, he will want to come good.Obed McCoy is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is this year, but not in West Indies’ World Cup squad•Getty ImagesDiscards with a license to dreamThe ICC only expects confirmed squads on May 25, so there’s a tiny bit of time (and perhaps one game) left for those looking to force their way into the final squads or, if that isn’t possible, just make a point about what their teams might be missing.Kyle Mayers has to be one of them. He scored no T20I fifties in 11 innings since touring South Africa in 2023 and was dropped thereafter, but made 243 runs in six innings at the BPL and boasts a T20 strike rate above 150 this year and above 143 from 40 matches last year. With power-hitting among the most talked-about attributes of top-order batters, this is his chance to show he still has it.The same will be in the back of Rassie van der Dussen’s mind. Despite being the second-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket this year, behind Babar Azam, van der Dussen could not find a T20 World Cup place ahead of de Kock, Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton, but accepted the role of stand-in captain for this series, and will want to lead from the front in all aspects of his game.There are also some bowlers who might feel aggrieved at their omission. Such as Obed McCoy, who is one of the highest wicket-takers in T20Is this year but found no space in a squad that has Alzarri and Shamarh Joseph, Russell, Holder and Shepherd. He has an opportunity to show what he can do in home conditions. And Lungi Ngidi, who recovered from a lower back injury which kept him out of the IPL and made a decent comeback at the CSA T20s, will also want to prove the worth of his variations in the Caribbean. Ngidi took eight wickets in eight matches in South Africa’s domestic competition but Anrich Nortje, who conceded at more than 13 runs an over in the IPL, was preferred over him for pace.Matthew Forde’s T20I debut didn’t go too well, but he has shown promise•Associated PressNew kids on the blockSeamer Matthew Forde faced a baptism by fire when he made his T20I debut in December against England, finishing with figures of none for 54 in three overs.But he has shown that he has what it takes to be international quality. In the ODI series that preceded the T20Is then, Forde took 3 for 29 in the series decider with all three strikes in the powerplay to reduce England to 49 for 5. West Indies went on to win the series and Forde will hope to build on that promise.From South Africa, legspinner Nqaba Peter earned his first international call-up after just one season in the domestic top tier, where he took 20 wickets in the Lions’ run to the T20 title at an average of 9.50. Peter bowled exceptionally in the big moments, including taking 4 for 18 in the semi-final, and could provide South Africa with an attacking slower bowling option in the future.

The batter laid into Natarajan and went on a boundary-hitting spree to give Sunrisers the jitters

Vishal Dikshit18-May-20222:01

Vettori: Tim David should bat at No. 4 for Mumbai

There are a few things that make Tim David a big and powerful hitter of the ball. One is his height. Another is his strong base at the crease. And two abilities he has worked on over the last few years are his “freakish” hand speed and hand-eye coordination.It was no surprise then that he was snapped up by Mumbai Indians for INR 8.25 crore (USD 1.1 million approx) at the mega auction in February purely for his six-hitting. The surprise came during the IPL. After giving him just two chances, in which he scored 12 and 1 at the start of the season, Mumbai dropped David from the XI. Mumbai and their captain Rohit Sharma are known to give their players a long rope before dropping them which made this move even more baffling.Related

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David, Singapore's most famous cricketer, might be the IPL's (and Australia's) next star

Is David ready to take the baton from Pollard for Mumbai?

David, however, waited out for his next chance as Mumbai lost one game after another. He might have been prepared for such a scenario because of the stiff competition overseas players face for a spot in the XI, and David used the time to hone his power-hitting further.”I was sitting out after the first couple of games and during that period it was an opportunity to train really hard, do as much work as I can in the nets and in the gym, bowling and be ready for when an opportunity came,” David said a day before the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. “It’s an opportunity to get used to the conditions and see how other teams are stacking up, what is effective in these conditions in the IPL. So that was a good period for me to work really hard and get ready to come back in the team when that opportunity came.”The opportunity came after nearly a month by when Mumbai had lost all their eight games. He scored a couple of unbeaten knocks, struck four sixes in his 44 not out off 21 against Gujarat Titans, but the innings that really showcased his prowess came on Tuesday against Sunrisers.2:45

Tim David: ‘I spend a lot of time in the nets trying to hit sixes’

He came in to walk when Mumbai needed 67 off 35 in a chase of 194. In the 18 balls he faced, he struck three fours that weren’t as spectacular, but he laid into T Natarajan in the 18th over when Mumbai needed 45 from 18.On the first ball, David planted his strong base in front of the stumps and clubbed Natarajan’s full toss with a big swing of the arms over long-off. Two balls later, Natarajan missed another yorker, this time on middle, and David swung him square for another six. Next ball Natarajan tried a yorker again but ended up bowling another full toss and David dispatched him over square leg again, this time raising the decibel level further at Wankhede. Natarajan went for the blockhole yet again next ball and David smoked him over long-on for a monstrous six, the second biggest of IPL 2022, at 114 metres.”I spend a lot of my time in the nets trying to hit sixes,” David had said in a virtual press conference before the match. “It’s about putting pressure on the bowler and recognising the right situations for when you can try that in a game. There might be different pitches or grounds that suit power hitting for particular bowlers, you got to pick those moments. It’s about maintaining confidence for the season and trusting your ability which you can get through training, lots of practice, make sure you’re hitting the ball well and you can take that into the game and be fresh-minded.”How much of mental preparation comes in power hitting then? “You do all your work outside of the game in the nets and in the gym to make sure you’re feeling strong, and you are hitting the ball well, and then once it’s in the game it’s all mental if you’re…I think it’s the same for all batters, you’ve got to go in clear-minded. If you don’t, if you’re carrying things into the game, it often impacts your performance. So it’s trying to get into that state where you can try and be as consistent as possible mentally and then if you trust your process and stick to it then it will most often bring the best results.”David’s team-mate Ishan Kishan said at the post-match press conference that David puts in a lot of work behind his game.”He makes sure that he’ll hit the ball according to where it pitches,” Kishan said. “He speaks to the coaches also about it. The best part is he’s not someone who mainly hits to the leg side or only targets a certain kind of ball. He’s good on the back foot, he has very good power. So even if bowlers miss their yorkers, he’s very good at converting them into sixes.”Despite bringing the equation down to a gettable 19 off 13, David ran himself out when he tried to steal a single by bunting the last ball of the over back to Natarajan, who did well to take the bails off at the non-striker’s end to catch David short. With David gone, Mumbai also fell short, but after witnessing whom they had invested the 8.25 crore in.

Meanwhile Rupganj, who had seven Bangladesh international in their line-up, lost to Old DOHS in Savar

Mohammad Isam15-Mar-2020Mushfiqur Rahim gave defending champions Abahani Limited a perfect start in the Dhaka Premier League, after his century helped them to a comfortable 81-run win over Partex Sporting Club at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.Batting first, Abahani had lost both openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim for ducks. From there, they further slipped to 67 for 5 in the 22nd over, before Rahim helped rebuild the innings completely. He added 160 runs for the sixth wicket with Mosaddek Hossain, who made 61 off 74 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.Mushfiqur finished on 127 off 124 balls, hitting eleven fours and four sixes. Mohammad Saifuddin smashed five sixes in his unbeaten 15-ball 39 to take Abahani to a strong total.Partex were then bowled out for 208 in 48.4 overs with left-arm quick Mehedi Hasan Rana taking four wickets.Old DOHS Sports Club beat the big-moneyed Legends of Rupganj by 25 runs in BKSP.Rupganj, who had seven Bangladesh international in their line-up, were bowled out for 205 with three wickets each for Abdur Rashid and Avishek Das, who played in the Under-19 World Cup final. Das’ Under-19 teammate Rakibul Hasan also took two wickets.Earlier, Old DOHS reached 230 in 49 overs with Anisul Islam hitting 59 and Rakin Ahmed 48. Offspinner Sohag Gazi took three wickets.Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club edged out Brothers Union by eight runs in a close finish in Fatullah. Batting first, Doleshwar reached 238 for 7 in 50 overs, thanks to Taibur Rahman’s second List-A century.He made 110 off 94 balls, hitting five sixes and seven fours. In reply, Brothers were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs, with Junaid Siddique making a fighting 97 off 125 balls. Medium-pacer Rejaur Rahman finished with four wickets for Doleshwar.

Edwin Díaz is returning to free agency after turning down the qualifying offer from the Mets, which was worth $22 million. As such, he’ll be free to sign with any team entering his age-32 season.

Díaz could return to the Mets, where he’s played since 2019, but there will certainly be other teams in the mix to sign the talented reliever on the open market. After all, Díaz is a three-time All-Star and a two-time Hoffman Reliever of the Year award winner, and he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his career.

In turning down the qualifying offer, Díaz is signaling that he’s in the market for a long-term deal. He could be in line to make close to, if not more than Tanner Scott received from the Dodgers last offseason, when he signed a four-year, $72 million deal.

So, where could Díaz end up signing? Let’s take a look at a few fits for the veteran reliever.

New York Mets

A return to Queens would make plenty of sense for both sides. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Díaz turned down the qualifying offer, but that is in no way an indication that he doesn’t want to continue playing in New York.

The Mets’ bullpen would be relatively barren without Díaz owning the ninth inning. As it stands, the team has just three relievers under contract for the 2026 season: A.J. Minter, Richard Lovelady and Brooks Raley. They’ll certainly address the position in the offseason, and Díaz will be at the forefront of their scope.

Díaz has had a somewhat up-and-down tenure with the Mets, but he had a 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts and 28 saves last season. And with Steve Cohen still desperate to assemble a winner in Queens, letting Díaz walk doesn’t seem like a move that would help the organization achieve its goal of winning a World Series.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays made a run to the World Series with Jeff Hoffman at closer. Díaz would be a significant upgrade over Hoffman, who blew seven saves in 2025 and had a 4.37 ERA. Díaz is one of the most established closing pitchers in MLB, with 253 saves in his career. The 31-year-old didn’t blow a single save last season, and having him out of the bullpen in Game 7 could’ve been exactly what Toronto needed against the Dodgers.

Spending big hasn’t been a concern for the Blue Jays, who have been willing to dole out hefty contracts in order to compete with likes of the Dodgers and Yankees, among others.

Hoffman is still under contract for another two years, but it may make more sense for him to return to the setup role in which he’s previously excelled. In 2023 and ‘24 with the Phillies, Hoffman was one of MLB’s best relief pitchers. He logged a 2.28 ERA across 122 appearances and even earned a trip to the All-Star Game in ‘24.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers will likely be in on a number of this offseason’s biggest free agents as they look to continue their reign. The bullpen was by far their biggest cause for concern in 2025, and bringing in the reliable arm of Díaz would instantly help to alleviate their woes.

Of course, that would mean the Dodgers have nearly $40 million allotted to two relievers annually in Scott and Díaz. If Scott can return to form after leading MLB with 10 blown saves last year, Los Angeles would have the league’s most formidable one-two punch to handle the late innings, in addition to their top-tier starting rotation.

If money isn’t an issue, and it isn’t, the Dodgers should not balk at the idea of bringing Díaz to Hollywood. The idea of competing for championships alongside some of the biggest stars in MLB is anything but a tough sell, so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Díaz pitching at Dodger Stadium in 2026.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have plenty of relievers hitting free agency this offseason, so they’ll certainly be in the market for new bullpen arms. The tandem of Danny Palencia and Andrew Kittredge was effective in 2025, but they could elevate the bullpen in a big way by bringing Díaz on board.

Palencia and Kittredge could work out as setup men, getting Chicago to the ninth inning for Díaz to shut the door on opponents.

The Cubs haven’t had a stable closer since Craig Kimbrel in 2018. They’ve tried to swing big at closer in the past, but the results haven’t been there. They landed Ryan Pressly in a trade with the Astros ahead of the ‘25 season, but he quickly lost the closer’s role and struggled in his lone year in Chicago. Diaz could be the long-term solution to their long-standing problem out of the back-end of the bullpen, though he’d come at a significant cost.

Vote for the best individual Border-Gavaskar Trophy performance by an Indian in Australia since 2000

Alagappan Muthu12-Nov-2024Update: The fan voting exercise has ended. Rahul Dravid’s Adelaide 2003 performance has been picked as the winner.ESPNcricinfo LtdRahul Dravid celebrates a famous win at Adelaide Oval in 2003•AFP via Getty Images

Rahul Dravid – 233 and 72* in Adelaide, 2003

India win by four wickets, lead series 1-0Long before Rahul Dravid was immortalised for revealing that he too had the ability to yell his head off, he was immortalised for having the ability to yell his head off and also punch the air. The image of him doing so as he hit the winning runs in Adelaide almost 20 years ago is part of Indian cricket history. It was only the fourth time they had ever won a Test match in Australia – and their first victory since 1981 – and they had to come from behind to do it. From way behind, 556 runs to be exact. But Dravid kept whittling away at it, wearing Australia down not once but twice. Finally, after 12 and a half hours at the crease, scoring more runs than he has ever done or will ever do in a single Test, it made perfect sense that he would be there at the end, soaking in the Adelaide sunshine, teeth gritted, arms up high, the personification of triumph.Dravid’s heroics in that match gave India a 1-0 lead, in a series they went on to draw in Australia for the first time since 1985.Round of 16: Dravid’s 233 & 72* beat R Ashwin’s 3-57 & 3-92.Quarter-final: Dravid’s 233 & 72* beat Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* & 60*.Semi-final: Dravid’s 233 & 72* beat Jasprit Bumrah’s 6-33 & 3-53.Watch the highlights of these performances on the Star Sports network at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm IST, from November 12 onwards.

Rishabh Pant – 89* in Brisbane, 2021

India won by three wickets, and the series 2-1All the things that didn’t make sense on this tour – India all out for 36, their three jillion injuries, the hassle of cricket in quarantine – found meaning when Rishabh Pant began to play the innings of a lifetime. He was 23 and he helped obliterate a record that had stood for way longer than he’d been alive. Australia’s undefeated streak in Brisbane was 32 years old when it was finally laid to rest. “This is one of the biggest things in my life right now,” Pant said after a performance that proved just how dangerous a batter he could be when he adopts even the smallest bit of restraint.Chasing 328 at the Gabba – 324 on the final day – India still needed 161 runs with about 43 overs to go when Pant walked in at No. 5. He got going, and kept going, even as wickets fell and the overs ticked by. Eventually, with only minutes left on the clock, he lashed Josh Hazlewood down the ground to accomplish one of the greatest series wins in Test history.Round of 16: Pant’s 89* beat Ajit Agarkar’s 6-41.Quarter-final: Pant’s 89* beat VVS Laxman’s 167.Semi-final: Pant’s 89* beat Virat Kohli’s 115 & 141.Voting closes at 11am IST on November 17. The winner of this match-up will be decided by the total votes cast on polls conducted across ESPNcricinfo, Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar platforms.