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With security forces tied up in the month of October, the governing council is considering postponing the tournament to January next year

ESPNcricinfo staff16-May-2018The Bangladeshi general election, to be held later this year, could result in a postponement of the 2018-19 season of the Bangladesh Premier League. The tournament was originally expected to begin in October this year. But Ismail Haider Mallick, member secretary of the BPL’s governing council, said on Wednesday that providing security would be challenging, as most of the country’s forces would be busy at the time. They are now instead eyeing the January window.”Just before the election, it would be tough to provide security to the seven teams in three venues,” Mallick told “If we don’t get sufficient security, we will have to hold the tournament after the elections. We can arrange it in January.”Some of the BPL team owners will be directly involved in the elections. Owners of Khulna Titans, Rajshahi Kings, Sylhet Sixers and Comilla Victorians are Members of Parliament or ministers in the current government, but Mallick said that team’s security is more important to them.”Some of the franchise owners will be involved in the election, but we are more focused on the security. If we cannot provide every team with enough police or security forces, it becomes hard for us. I think we will take a decision in a week, but there’s likelihood of a delay.”A delayed BPL will have an effect on Bangladesh’s international calendar, with Zimbabwe scheduled to tour the country for three Tests and three ODIs in January. That could now be pushed to October, although Zimbabwe will be in South Africa till at least mid-October.

England’s batting once again malfunctioned in tough seaming conditions, and against a quality Pakistan attack

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando24-May-20184:36

#PoliteEnquiries: Pakistan brilliant or England poor?

Pakistan 50 for 1 trail England 184 (Cook 70, Abbas 4-23, Hasan 4-51) by 134 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGreen pitch underfoot, grey skies overhead, Joe Root chose to bat first and then… oh dear… a collapse. Pakistan’s four-man seam operation seized on the helpful conditions, bowling relentlessly full lengths, darting the ball in each direction, and ultimately sending the hosts plunging to 184 all out, just after tea.It was one of those rare days in which Pakistan may be described as clinical. They held their catches, including two outstanding takes by Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Amir. They made good DRS calls, overturning one lbw decision. Even when England threatened to recover, Alastair Cook and Jonny Bairstow putting on a 57-run stand at one stage, the seamers continued to attack and the pressure they imposed never dissipated.England’s effort on the first day of their Test summer, meanwhile, was riddled with error. Root’s decision to bat first appears foolhardy, for a start. As does the loose drive that cost him his wicket. The bottom half of the batting order offered too little resistance, the last six wickets falling for 35 runs. Late in the day, they also grassed a chance behind the wicket, Ben Stokes reaching across from third slip to attempt a catch that would have been much more comfortably taken by second slip.There were several outstanding spells from Pakistan’s quicks, but three dismissals in particular stand out. Mohammad Abbas had set Pakistan’s day off in sublime swinging fashion, and it was his dismissal of Mark Stoneman that began England’s slide. Having harassed Stoneman outside off stump for nine scoreless deliveries, Abbas pitched one straighter, and whipped it back at the batsman. Stoneman was in such a poor position to play that ball, the gap between his bat and pad wasn’t really a gate – more a wide-open hangar door.Hasan Ali claimed the big wicket of Joe Root for 4•Getty ImagesAfter lunch, Faheem Ashraf – who had bowled a fine spell in support of Hasan Ali earlier – removed Jonny Bairstow with a ball that seamed up the slope. Angling the delivery into Bairstow, Ashraf moved it away off the pitch, beating the batsman’s prod, but not missing the the top of off stump. Mohammad Amir’s ball to get Cook, though, was perhaps the best of the day, the ball again angling into the batsman but jiving into the top of off stump, the ball having also curved before it pitched. It ended England’s best innings of the day by far. Cook’s 70 off 148 balls not only protected his team from total ignominy, it was also a satisfying innings on a personal level. His previous five scores were 14, 2, 2, 5 and 10.From there, England unraveled quickly. Ben Stokes was trapped in front by Abbas, the umpire having initially ruled not out before DRS intervened. Jos Buttler’s post-IPL season began poorly, when he flashed at a Hasan delivery, and managed only to send the ball quickly to second slip, where Shafiq made a sharp overhead grab. No one in the tail managed double figures – the last three wickets falling inside six balls. Each of Pakistan’s quicks had played their part, but fittingly, it was Abbas who came away with the best figures, taking 4 for 23 off 14 overs. Hasan also took four.Pakistan were cagey in response, Azhar Ali especially reticent as he laboured to 18 off 72 balls. But in moving to 50 by stumps, they had calmed some nerves – even by the evening session this pitch looked very green and the weather had not cleared. England’s quicks beat the bat regularly, but only one could claim a breakthrough. Stuart Broad trapped Imam-ul-Haq in front for 4 in the sixth over, DRS again required to overturn the decision. They could have had Pakistan two-down had that catch off Haris Sohail been held, but even if he had fallen, this was still emphatically Pakistan’s day.

West Ham United are back in action in the Europa League tonight, as the Hammers embark on the second game of the group stage against SC Freiburg.

David Moyes’ side will hope to replicate the highs that they achieved on the continent last season, as they claimed their first European prize since 1965 by winning the Europa Conference League.

The Irons got their Europa League campaign off to a strong start last time out in the competition, coming from behind at the London Stadium to beat Serbian outfit Backa Topola 3-1.

What is the latest West Ham United team news?

With four wins from their opening seven league games, the east Londoners have started the season in fine fashion on the back of their relegation-threatening form throughout the last term.

In terms of team news, Aaron Cresswell is expected to be the only player definitely absent from the action due to injury.

As relayed by the Evening Standard, Moyes’ star man Jarrod Bowen is suspected to have suffered a knock during the Hammers’ Premier League win against Sheffield United last weekend.

The manager is yet to confirm the extent of the reported injury, with the hope that it’s a case of a minor niggle rather than a pending absence.

The hero last time out in the competition was summer signing Mohammed Kudus, who scored his first goal for the club against Backa to inspire the hosts’ comeback to begin their European campaign with three points.

Should Mohammed Kudus start against Freiburg?

While the Ghanaian was signed for £38m from Ajax in the summer, he’s had a slow start to life with the Irons, with him yet to start a Premier League match from his opening four appearances.

The 2023/24 campaign has been encouraging for the 23-year-old so far, with him already netting five goals in nine appearances in all competitions, representing both West Ham and his former club.

Once lauded as “electric” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the versatile forward could once again be the difference maker for Moyes’ side in the Europa League, with the opportunity there for him to add to his tally in the tournament.

Last time out in the Premier League, the Ghana international replaced Michail Antonio to lead the line for the Irons, a position that he could occupy this evening to add to the threat going forward to damage Freiburg.

The danger that Kudus can exert on the opposition is highlighted by his numbers over the past year, with FBref ranking him in the top 1% of those in his position in competitions comparable to Eredivisie for his rate of expected goals (xG) and successful take-ons.

Averaging 0.48 non-penalty xG and 4.56 successful take-ons per 90, the £90k-per-week forward poses a far higher threat going forward than Antonio, who averaged 0.29 non penalty xG and 1.56 successful take-ons per 90 over the past year.

Moyes could give his progressing side a big advantage by getting another win on the board, in a match that could be testing considering that Freiburg also won their group opener.

Tonight is the ideal opportunity for the manager to test the waters to discover Kudus’ best position in claret and blue, in a match that could allow him to showcase his talents to the benefit of all but Freiburg.

The American goalkeeper saved three penalties and scored one of her own to set up a final meeting with Brazil on Sunday

For a few minutes there, it looked like Alyssa Naeher was going to leave this one with regrets. On a rain-soaked night in Southern California, the U.S. women's national team was just moments away from navigating one of the most surreal games in program history. They'd gotten the goals they needed, sliding through puddle after puddle to get them, and just needed to see it out.

Then the foul happened. Naeher was the culprit, allowing Canada back into the game, with seconds to spare. What happened next, though, was something superhuman.

Behind Naeher's heroics, the USWNT topped Canada 3-1 in a shootout following a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes. Naeher, by the end of it all, was the hero. In addition to three saves in that shootout, she stepped up and scored a penalty of her own. After suffering through the USWNT's World Cup exit in a shootout against the Netherlands, Naeher took things into her own hands in a way we've never seen before.

The USWNT goalkeeper wasn't the only star, though, even if she was the biggest one. Jaedyn Shaw proved that even the rain couldn't stop her as she continued her ascendence with the opening goal. Sophia Smith got on the scoresheet, too, scoring a much-needed goal to quiet any rumblings about her spot in the team.

In the end, it was a chaotic, rain-soaked mess of a game, one that was always going to go down in USWNT lore. Instead of the Rain Game, though, Wednesday's clash will be remembered as the Naeher Game, and what a game it was.

GOAL rates USNWT players from Snapdragon Stadium…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defense

Alyssa Naeher (8/10):

Her foul gave Canada the penalty, but when you follow it up like , you're the hero. Three saves a goal of her own in the shootout? Insane performance.

Jenna Nighswonger (6/10):

Going through an impromptu slip-and-slide will be one of the lasting images of this game. Struggled a little bit one-on-one at a few points, but it happens.

Naomi Girma (8/10):

Absolutely fantastic as always. Shut down any hopes Canada had whenever they did get forward.

Tierna Davidson (7/10):

Nealy gave away a penalty, but got away with it. Otherwise, totally solid as she furthered her case for an Olympic spot.

Emily Fox (5/10):

Somehow, was able to dribble a few times despite the weather, which would normally get her some good bonus points. Was posturized on the Huitema goal, though, which hurts her score.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Korbin Albert (6/10):

Another solid performance. Work-rate was there, which is all too important in games like this. Missed her penalty, but her teammates picked her up

Sam Coffey (8/10):

Had a really good game. Set pieces were dangerous and she was defensively solid, both of which were key in a game where passing was super difficult.

Lindsey Horan (6/10):

Not her best game. Missed a headed chance and got caught trying to play actual soccer a few too many times. Effort was there throughout, though.

Getty ImagesAttack

Jaedyn Shaw (8/10):

Saw her efforts rewarded with the goal. In any other game, that opportunity never falls her way. It did on Wednesday, though, simply because Shaw had the intelligence to chase it.

Alex Morgan (6/10):

Had a few good moments, but was largely kept quiet. Caught the worst end of the rain in the first half of Canada's final-third.

Trinity Rodman (7/10):

Covered more ground than anybody. Had one good breakaway killed off by a puddle, which was unfortunate because that would have been a guaranteed goal on any other night.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Casey Krueger (5/10):

Struggled a bit. Had some issues defensively that made things a bit nervy.

Lynn Williams (6/10):

Definitely added a bit to the game as her energy, pace and effort helped the U.S. a ton as the game wore on.

Sophia Smith (8/10):

How big a finish was that?!? Smith needed it and the USWNT did, too, as the Portland Thorns star scored a massive goal for both herself and the group.

Rose Lavelle (8/10):

Her flicked-on header is what sprung Smith. That was her primary highlight, but there were plenty of bright moments for the midfield star

Emily Sonnett (7/10):

Got the hockey assist on the Smith goal, although that was more luck than anything. Helped the U.S. kill of the game after that, even if her run to the corner flag was a bit premature.

Twila Kilgore (7/10):

Any tactics she may have had planned went out the window the second it started reaining. Got her subs totally right, though, which helped the U.S. win the game.

Interim coach plays down importance of four-match spell in charge of T20 team, but earmarks long-term role

George Dobell at Edgbaston26-Jun-2018It says something for England’s strength in depth at present – in limited-overs cricket, at least – that players as accomplished as Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales can no longer be considered automatic picks in the T20I side.Before this match, there were already three men – Jason Roy, Bairstow and Hales – competing for the role of opener. News that Jos Buttler is to open the batting for England, with Roy confirmed as Buttler’s opening partner – means Hales and Bairstow are pushed into a middle-order that is already overcrowded. By the time Ben Stokes returns – and he is expected to play in at least one of the T20 matches against India – the England selectors will have some tricky (and perhaps unpopular) decisions to make.Buttler’s promotion makes sense. He seems to have reached a stage in his career when he is able to unlock his undoubted talent on something approaching a consistent basis and, as Paul Farbrace points out, if you only have 120 balls in an innings, why leave your most gifted striker until there are only 20 of them left?But much the same could have been said about Bairstow, who has made four centuries as opener in his last eight ODI innings. Or Hales, who has scored three of the top scores (and the only century) made by England players in T20I history, all as an opening batsman. And, if either of them are pushed to No. 3 or No. 4, where does it leave Root? And, indeed, Eoin Morgan? Once Stokes returns, one of them could be as low as No. 7.For the next few days, at least, it seems Hales will bat at No. 3, with Root and Morgan to follow and Bairstow pushed to No. 6. That would leave Moeen Ali, once a feature of the top three in limited-overs cricket, at No. 7. Once Stokes returns, someone has to make way. And it could be that Root requires his bowling skills to retain a place.”You need to get your best players in,” Farbrace said as he explained the decision to promote Buttler. “With 120 balls, you need your best players facing as many balls as possible. If you get 60 or 70 in the first six overs you give yourself a great chance of winning any T20.”This idea of people being finishers I don’t necessarily agree with. The stat – and I don’t know if it still holds true – is that in international T20 cricket, the No. 7 faces on average seven deliveries. The chances are the No. 6 won’t face too many, either. There is danger when you have six quality batters in your top six you are almost wasting a batter.”The question might be asked: if England have such depth, why are their recent T20 results so modest? The answer, in part, is that it has been the format of the game to suffer as they have looked to rest and rotate. With no World T20 tournament until 2020, the team management have used recent series to give players a break and trial fringe candidates. They have slipped to No. 5 in the world rankings as a consequence but they could, if they win all their games in the next two weeks and see other results go their way, go back to No. 1. It probably pays to take those rankings with a pinch of salt.It was noticeable that Root, for all his pedigree as a player, was one of those over-looked in the IPL auction. He has played relatively little in the format of late – his last T20I was in September – simply as the England management have chosen to rest him given his importance to the Test and ODI sides. So while Farbrace gave a robust defence of Root’s T20 credentials, he did accept that the game could have “moved past him”.”The key thing with that is that this is probably the first time for a couple of years that we have had all of our many players available,” Farbrace said. “We have rested people. With this series of four games in 10 days this is a great opportunity.”The one thing about Joe is that he is so adaptable. You don’t have to keep hitting sixes: you can hit fours as well and Rooty has shown he is quite capable of hitting boundaries. He has got the deft touches and flicks, too. You don’t want everyone playing the same way. His hundred in the World Cup in Mumbai [it was actually an innings of 83] was as good as any T20 innings we have seen in the last few years. I think he is thoroughly looking forward to playing in these four games.”It would be tempting to credit Farbrace – who has taken the head coach position in an interim capacity – for the decision to promote Buttler. But it’s not quite that simple. The team management – including Trevor Bayliss and Morgan – met on Monday to make the decision, noting both Buttler’s success in the IPL and his previous stint in the role for England. In the one T20I in which Buttler has opened – against Sri Lanka in Southampton in July 2016 – he made an unbeaten 73 and finished as man of the match. Which rather begs the question: why has it taken so long to repeat the experiment?”We actually talked about him opening before the World T20 in India,” Farbrace said. “And then went away from it as we didn’t want to make a change before the tournament – we’ve learned that mistake – so it’s something that’s been talked about for a while. And there are one or two others in our top six who wouldn’t mind having a go at the top of the order as well.”Chief of those, you expect, is Bairstow.”There is an argument for him opening the batting,” Farbrace said. “He is in unbelievable form and striking the ball brilliantly. T20 is about picking people in form, on top of their game and being really confident. And we have a few in this group like that. You only need one – maybe two – to come off and you’re getting a decent score.”But equally, if he strides out to the wicket with eight overs to go, then he’s quite capable of winning the game in those eight overs himself. Jonny could bat anywhere and he’s proved that. He’s nailed down the opening spot in ODI cricket and he’ll be desperate whatever opportunity he gets to show he should be as high up the order as he can be.”No match against Australia requires extra context but, with Stokes to return within days, England’s batsmen have a lot to play for in these next couple of matches.

Nottingham Forest are the kings when it comes to flexing their muscles in the transfer market and their return to the Premier League in 2022 only accentuated that claim.

To readily equip themselves for a battle against relegation, the Reds sought to sign 30 new players across the summer and January window.

Although there were some success stories, namely Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, Serge Aurier and Keylor Navas, most of their signings have rarely featured since joining the club, or have already departed.

Jesse Lingard, for instance, was Forest's third-highest earner on £80k-per-week, as per Capology, but the hype surrounding him proved to weigh too heavy on his shoulders as he failed to register a single goal contribution in the Premier League and has since been released by the club.

While the careers of centre-back Guilian Biancone and Andre Ayew followed a similar narrative on Trentside, there were a few big money deals who haven't repaid that price tag with their performances and are still on the books at the club.

Emmanuel Dennis is the biggest name that springs to mind.

How much did Nottingham Forest sign Emmanuel Dennis for?

Watford were relegated from the Premier League in 2022, but Emmanuel Dennis did his best to keep the Hornets afloat, chalking up an impressive ten goals and six assists in the 2021/22 campaign.

While his efforts to single-handedly rescue the Hertfordshire side would ultimately be in vain, the Nigerian did draw superlatives from all corners of the footballing world, as Michael Owen praised the clubs' hierarchy for unearthing him from Club Brugge following their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

He said: "Dennis, what a player, what a signing he’s been in the Premier League this season, great finish again from him.”

The plaudits didn't stop there as his own manager, Claudio Ranieri, previously confessed to the club's official website that they had missed the qualities of the Super Eagle during his suspension.

“[Dennis] is a very talented player. He’s fast, has good skill, always runs straight to the goal – I love these kinds of players.”

On the back of his impressive debut season in the top flight and the heaps of praise directed towards him, several clubs were interested in his signature – including Brentford and Crystal Palace – but it was Nottingham Forest who managed to win the race and land him for a fee believed to be in the region of £20m.

Forest acquired Dennis when his stock was at its highest and therefore paid him £40k-per-week in wages, accumulating to just over £2m across his first year at City Ground.

How many goals did Emmanuel Dennis score for Forest?

When combining his wages with his transfer fee, the Reds shelled out £22m in one season for Dennis, and it's fair to say – they would want to recoup that money in a heartbeat.

With Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Awoniyi predominantly occupying positions in the forward areas, the 25-year-old was instantly frozen out of Cooper's plans, but he still had a chance to feature for the club regularly if his effort and application was there. Unfortunately, it was severely lacking.

Accustomed to being the main man at Watford alongside Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, Dennis wasn't used to being an outcast and having to work hard for his placing in the starting XI, so when his opportunity eventually did arise, he didn't take his chance and was slammed for his performance after a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United.

In a particularly toothless display against the Red Devils, in which Awoniyi and Dennis failed to register an attempt on goal across the match, the latter's 27-minute cameo was criticized by journalist Lee Clarke who said in an article: "Dennis shouldn't play for Forest again".

Across his debut campaign on Trentside, the former Watford man featured on 25 occasions for Steve Cooper's side, but he only managed to score two goals, costing the club a staggering £12.5m per goal.

Currently on loan at Turkish Süper Lig outfit Istanbul Basaksehir, he is on a path to resurrect his career as he aims to put an end to his disastrous spell at the City Ground. That said, it would be surprised if we ever saw him in Garibaldi Red again.

Sunderland's rise from being held by the clutches of League One to now launching an assault towards the Premier League is a remarkable turnaround in such a short space of time.

Aside from being punished 4-0 by North East rivals Middlesbrough last time out, the Black Cats have been firing across all cylinders this term and that is down to their strong spine consisting of goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, centre-back Daniel Ballard, central midfielder Dan Neil, attacking midfielder Jobe Bellingham and winger Jack Clarke.

While that list of impressive young talent have become instrumental to their early promotion bid, other individuals in the squad perhaps haven't eclipsed last season's form and one of those is the talented Patrick Roberts.

How has Patrick Roberts performed this season?

Roberts was a key figure in Sunderland's play-off campaign last term with Tony Mowbray labelling him as a "natural talent" for showcasing his abundance of skill and trickery.

The 26-year-old's five goals and seven assists from the right flank were the most goal contributions he'd managed in a single campaign for an English club, perhaps an inclination that Roberts was threatening to reach the ceiling of his Premier League potential.

Praised by former manager Alex Neil for being a "little magician", the Englishman has failed to back up that claim and sprinkle some more magic this season.

The fleet-footed winger has impressed with his stunning approach play, dazzling defenders with his precise dribbling and quick acceleration, ranking in the top 16% for progressive carries against his positional peers in the Championship this season, top 5% for successful take-ons and top 1% for carries into the final third, as per FBref.

However, when it comes to the bread and butter of any attacking player – producing an end product to match the build-up – Roberts has fallen short, missing three big chances, only creating one, firing just 0.4 shots per game and accumulating zero goal contributions, via Sofascore.

Compare that to Amad Diallo, who was devastating in the final third last season, and the Manchester United youngster is levels ahead.

Fortunately, reports claim that Sunderland could take him back on loan in January and if that is the case, he could replace Roberts in the starting XI and fire them to promotion.

How good was Amad Diallo last season?

Diallo's impact in the Championship was devastating. The 21-year-old unleashed his exceptional attributes with regularity, including his searing pace, press resistance when carrying the ball, fleet-footed dribbling and an end product to match.

Not only did Diallo rank in the top 6% for progressive passes in the second tier last season, top 8% for shot-creating actions, top 12% for successful take-ons and top 15% for progressive carries, but he also showcased maturity with his decision-making in the final third, as per FBref.

Adored by his Sunderland teammates for the impact he made at the Stadium of Light and dubbed by Luke O'Nein as "incredible", the Ivory Coast international produced stellar numbers and performances to demonstrate why Manchester United paid Atalanta a whopping £37m for him in January 2021.

In 39 Championship appearances, the explosive winger served up 14 goals and three assists from wide as defenders quickly found out that he was near impossible to stop when fashioning space to cut in on his left foot.

Although Roberts is undoubtedly talented, if Diallo were to return in January, he would see him push the Englishman out and deliver the devastating performances that were so crucial in Sunderland's charge into the play-offs last term.

It appeared Fran Wilson was taking Western Storm towards victory, but she lost strike towards the end of the chase while the Stars’ bowlers held their nerve

ECB Reporters Network27-Aug-2018
ScorecardCaptain Nat Sciver led from the front as Surrey Stars reached the final of the Kia Super League after they beat defending champions Western Storm by nine runs at Hove.Sciver made an unbeaten 72 then took 2 for 21 as Surrey recovered from 72 for 5 to post 162 for 5 after being put in. Sciver also marshalled her bowling resources effectively when it looked as if Fran Wilson, who made an unbeaten 58, and Heather Knight were taking Storm to their third successive final.”I thought the girls were outstanding. It was a good pitch but we got a score we felt was defendable,” Sciver said. “Fran and Heather played well but we knew if we could get one of them out we could build pressure at the end. I was delighted to get a score out there. My form has been pretty good and it was nice to contribute in a big game such as a semi-final.”Surrey were struggling for momentum halfway through their innings. They were 62 for 4 after ten overs and then lost Sophia Dunkley in the 12th when she was bowled by Knight.But Sciver and South African Marizanne Kapp pulled things around in a stand of 90 in 9.5 overs. Sciver took her competition aggregate to 322 runs with her second half-century as she equalled the record score on Finals Day, with 11 fours from 43 balls faced. Kapp’s ball-striking was equally impressive as Stars plundered 58 off the last five overs.In the absence of India’s Smitri Mandhana, the leading run scorer in the tournament with 421 runs, Storm needed a big contribution from Knight and after the early loss of pinch-hitter Anya Shrubsole and Rachel Priest the England captain she put on 33 with Stefanie Taylor before forging what looked like being a match-winning stand with England hopeful Wilson.They added 54 in 7.1 overs with Knight prepared to adopt the supporting role as Wilson played impressively all around the wicket.When Knight was bowled sweeping legspinner Dunkley in the 15th over, Storm needed 45 off 31 deliveries but no one was able to give Wilson the support – or enough of the strike – to get Storm over the line. Wilson’s runs came off 45 balls and included nine fours.Dane van Niekerk had Sophie Luff superbly caught by Kapp running in from the midwicket boundary in the 17th over and when Sciver bowled Naomi Dattani off the first ball of the final over, which began with Storm needing 14 to win, the game was effectively won.”We thought it was a total we could chase on what was a decent wicket. When Fran and I were out there we just wanted to keep it down to under nine or ten an over and we were doing that when I got out,” Knight said. “Fran played really well but we just struggled to pick up the momentum again at the end. It’s a shame but I’m really proud of how we’ve done in the tournament, the girls have played exceptionally well and it’s a shame we have just come up short.”

MLS side LAFC are in advanced talks to sign AC Milan star Olivier Giroud on a free transfer this summer.

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Giroud linked with MLS moveAC Milan man in talks with LAFCOut of contract in summerWHAT HAPPENED?

The 37-year-old forward could link up with ex-international teammate Hugo Lloris in Hollywood, with the 2022 MLS champions looking to bolster their attack, according to The Athletic. Despite his age, Giroud is still scoring at a prolific rate in Europe, with 12 goals and eight assists across 26 matches in Serie A this season.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

LAFC have made the past two MLS Cup championship games, winning in 2022 and falling just short in 2023. With Giroud in their ranks, alongside reigning Golden Boot-winner Denis Bouanga, their attack would be one of the most prolific across the league.

Giroud helped France reach the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup finals, winning the former against Croatia, and falling just short against Lionel Messi and Argentina in Qatar.

However, nothing is set in stone at the moment, with the report claiming that the Rossoneri themselves could still look to extend Giroud's stay in Milan beyond the 2024 campaign. If he doesn't reach an agreement with LAFC, options in the Middle East are available – along with other European teams, too.

DID YOU KNOW?

Giroud has 56 goals in 129 caps for France – making him Les Bleus' all-time record scorer. Across his entire career he's netted 332 times for club and country since 2005.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR GIROUD?

Currently with the France national team during the international window, Giroud is lining up to participate in a pair of friendlies against Germany and Chile. At club level, he will return to the pitch with Milan on March 30 against Fiorentina.

Matt Critchley smashed 22 off the final over from Tim Bresnan to give Derbyshire Falcons a dramatic five-wicket win over Yorkshire Vikings

ECB Reporters Network28-Jul-2018Derbyshire 170 for 5 (Godleman 71) beat Yorkshire 166 for 8 (Willey 55, Rampaul 4-19) by five wickets
ScorecardMatt Critchley smashed 22 off the final over from Tim Bresnan to give Derbyshire Falcons a dramatic five-wicket win over Yorkshire Vikings with one ball to spare in the Vitality Blast game at a wet and blustery Chesterfield.The Vikings were favourites going into the last over with the Falcons needing 19 to chase down 167 but Critchley hit two sixes and two fours to pull off a shock victory.Billy Godleman played his part with an an unbeaten 71 and Ravi Rampaul took 4 for 19 to restrict the Vikings to 166 for 8 with David Willey top-scoring with 55.Rain had delayed the start by 35 minutes and Tom Kohler-Cadmore took 14 off the first three balls from Wayne Madsen but in the next over, he was brilliantly caught low down at cover by Critchley.Adam Lyth straight drove Lockie Ferguson for a big six but he was finding it hard to pierce the field and was caught behind for eight trying to lift Rampaul over the wicketkeeper.The slow nature of the pitch was making timing difficult but Kane Williamson improvised by flicking Alex Hughes over his shoulder for four and then stepping inside to drive him for six.After 10 overs, the Vikings were 91 for 2 and Willey launched Rampaul for a huge six into the trees on his way to a 37-ball 50 but the Falcons made a much-needed breakthrough in the 13th over when Williamson pulled Wahab Riaz to square leg.Gary Ballance carved Riaz over cover for six but Willey miscued to mid off in the same over and Derbyshire’s tight bowling was rewarded when Hughes bowled Ballance.Bresnan drove Hughes for six but Jonathan Tattersall was bowled swinging at Viljoen and after a brief rain break, Bresnan was caught behind pulling Rampaul and Liam Plunkett lost his middle stump to the next ball.The Falcons had done well to restrict The Vikings to 64 off the last nine overs and began the chase by taking 17 from the second over by Bresnan which included a six over long on from Godleman.But Azeem Rafiq had Calum MacLeod caught at deep midwicket in the fourth and in the next over, Madsen was run out for two after a mix-up with Godleman.Anuj Dal ramped Plunkett for six but was lbw in Adil Rashid’s first over and the game was in the balance with the Falcons needing 91 from the last 10.Wilson drove Rashid for six but was stumped advancing at Rafiq in the 13th over and Rashid beat Viljoen’s big swing with the last ball of the 15th.The big over the Falcons needed came when Godleman and Critchley took 15 from Plunkett to reduce the target to 27 from 12 balls but Steven Patterson responded by conceding only eight from the penultimate over.Bresnan was given the last over but Critchley swung him for six, drove the next for four and then pulled another six before driving the winning boundary to complete a remarkable victory for the Falcons.