Harry Brook and Corbin Bosch have been the first casualties in this game of cricket chicken, and no one is safe

Alan Gardner16-Apr-2025It’s Trade Wars Szn, apparently, and while cricket won’t register high on the import/export ledger in either China or the US, that doesn’t mean the game is short on geopolitical posturing. Witness the PSL opting to go toe-to-toe with the IPL during the global T20 circuit’s premium window.What does it all mean, apart from a brightly coloured smorgasboard of short-form frippery swamping the airwaves just when the County Championship is looking to remind everyone it still exists? Inevitably there are clashes and conflicts, although the legal shemozzle threatened by the ECB, attempting to limit the global supply of James Vince, was resolved amicably enough in the end.Others have not been so fortunate. The T20 ecosystem is now so complex that we’re seeing the introduction of what economists call non-tariff barriers (Pakistan players might suggest these have existed, at least where the IPL is concerned, for some time). Hence Corbin Bosch, having broken an agreement with Peshawar Zalmi in order to run the drinks for Mumbai Indians, can now expect to be impounded on the spot should he step into Pakistan at any point over the next 12 months.Related

'It's not harsh' – Moeen on Brook's potential two-year IPL ban

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James Anderson to sit out April but refuses to bow out yet

This, of course, mirrors the sanction imposed by the IPL on those players who bail out of lucrative contracts at short notice. (Who are these ingrates? Do they think they have free will?) Although you suspect that if, say, new England white-ball captain Harry Brook were to triumphantly lift the T20 World Cup at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium early next year, his two-year ban would be rescinded as quickly as the first team owner could say “Hey, maybe this guy can play spin after all…”Because if the Light Roller has learned anything about trade wars, it’s that they boil down to strategy, brinkmanship and holding your nerve. That and rewriting the regulations whenever is convenient, which the BCCI surely has in its locker.

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Could the man to unite the warring parties be TikTok teddy bear David Warner? Australia’s former attack dog is now off the leash, negotiating the gig economy as a T20 freelancer. And while he found himself surplus to requirements in the IPL mega auction, he landed safely in the arms of the PSL, picked in the platinum category and given the Karachi Kings captaincy to boot. He has already showcased his diplomatic skills by playing down the idea that he has received any stick from Indian fans after crossing the aisle – though this might be business savvy as much as his innate feel for subcontinental relations. With his 2min 50sec cameo in Tollywood flick he stands to be one of the few cricketers to be putting bums on seats in both India and Pakistan over the next few weeks.Scowl’s honour: Jimmy Anderson would be playing till the cows come home if it wasn’t for the damned calf•Getty Images

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James Anderson may have been rejected by the IPL, but that has not dimmed his enthusiasm for a 24th English domestic season with Lancashire. By which we mean he turned up to the team’s media day in Manchester looking moodier than Tom Moody in a muu-muu morosely mooching around Morrisons in search of a mango mousse on a mizzly Monday morning, before declaring himself fitter than he’s ever been (but also injured and unavailable to play for the first month). England, of course, decided to pension Anderson off last season, and he’s all set to be given a knighthood – but nothing could keep him from the county grind. Except a dodgy calf.

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Speaking of heritage cricketers, it has come to the Light Roller’s attention that MS Dhoni is still playing at the highest level – almost five years since we last made a joke about the ongoing circus around his retirement. You can understand why CSK are clinging on. Dhoni has won games for them purely on his aura, or at least a well-judged wink at the right opposition bowler. Which is fine, but being able to run might also help. “His knees aren’t what they used to be,” admitted Stephen Fleming, in tones that are usually reserved for discussing grandpa’s trips to the supermarket. One day, no doubt, there’ll be a statue of Dhoni up at Chepauk, but for now it sounds like the Whistle Podu crew are having to make do with a still life.

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Fan engagement, that’s what every sporting organisation wants to drive these days. Although perhaps not of the kind that Khushdil Shah attempted during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. Khushdil had to be held back by security after two spectators, allegedly Afghans, started shouting “anti-Pakistan slogans” – something you’d think the Pakistan players might have to start preparing for back home after being beaten by a combined 7-1 scoreline across white-ball formats. Still, it could have been worse. At least no one called Khushdil a potato.

أشاد ليونيل ميسي نجم الأرجنتين ونادي إنتر ميامي، بمدرب بلاده، ليونيل سكالوني، موضحًا أن الأخير شخص رائع ويتعامل مع اللاعبين بشكل مثالي.

سكالوني يعمل كمدير فني لمنتخب الأرجنتين منذ عام 2018 وحتى الآن، وقد حقق مع التانجو ثلاثة ألقاب وهم كوبا أميركا في مناسبتين، وكذلك كأس العالم عام 2022.

ويأمل ميسي رفقة سكالوني في الفوز مرة أخرى بكأس العالم العام المقبل، والذي سوف يقام في كندا والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والمكسيك.

وقال ميسي في مقابلة مع شبكة ”ESPN”: “أعتقد أنه منذ اليوم الأول غرس فكرة، وأفضل ما فعله بغض النظر عن تجربته في اللعبة أو إعداده للمباريات، هو قربه من المجموعة”.

وأضاف: “طريقة تعامله مع اللاعبين وتواصله مع كل واحد منهم، لأنه يعرفهم كأشخاص ويعرف كيف يتحدث مع كل واحد منهم، لأنه بنى هذا الفريق بنفسه وضم لاعبين جدد، حتى لاعبين غير معروفين في كرة القدم الأرجنتينية”.

وأوضح: “بغض النظر عن الفريق الذي يلعبون فيه فهو يأخذهم في الاعتبار، هذا يبقي اللاعبين الأرجنتينيين متحمسين، لعلمهم أنه في أي لحظة قد يتم استدعاؤهم إذا قدموا أداءً جيدًا في ناديهم”.

وأردف: “إنه حافز إضافي، سكالوني هو من حقق كل ذلك، كان شخصية مميزة كلاعب، الآن أصبح أكثر جدية وتغيرًا لكن كزميل في الفريق، كان مختلفًا تمامًا”.

أقرأ أيضًا .. ميسي يختار أفضل مدرب في التاريخ.. ويكشف عن طموح الأرجنتين في كأس العالم

وتابع ميسي في حديثه: “كان دائمًا يمزح ولم يتوقف أبدًا، بالنسبة لنا نحن الأصغر سنًا كان دائمًا قريبًا منا”.

وواصل: “أنا دائمًا ما أمزح معه، أخبرته أنه في كأس العالم عام 2006 قد ركلني في كل مكان، ثم قال لي هذه كذبة، ثم قلت له أنت لا تتذكر، لكنك تعرف كم ركلتني بقوة”.

وقال: ”لقد جئنا من تلك الفترة معًا وكما يقول، كان قريبًا منا حتى عندما كان مع خورخي سامباولي، كان زميلًا في الفريق وبفضل شخصيته كان قريبًا من المجموعة، كان يتحدث مع الجميع وكان يعرفنا جميعًا”.

واستكمل: ”منذ توليه منصب المدرب ظل تواصلنا كما هو، نتحدث كثيرًا وهو كذلك مع الجميع، هذه هي أفضل صفاته أن يكون على سجيته مباشرًا ويقول ما يريد قوله لكل فرد”.

وأضاف: ”علاوة على ذلك، فهو مدرب ممتاز في تحضير المباريات ودراسة نقاط ضعف الخصوم، ومعرفة مواطن قوتهم، هو مذهل”.

وعن أفضل سنة في مسيرته الكروية أوضح ميسي: ”الأمر صعب. في عام 2012 سجلت حوالي 91 هدفًا، لا ألعب من أجل ذلك، لم أهتم به أبدًا”.

واختتم ميسي في حديثه: ”لم يكن في ذهني تقديم تمريرة حاسمة لمجرد تحطيم رقم قياسي أو تجاوز لاعب آخر، من الصعب اختيار عام واحد، لحسن الحظ مررت بالعديد من الأعوام الجيدة جدًا”.

The Detroit Tigers limped out of the gate following this week's All-Star break, dropping its first two games at the Texas Rangers by a combined score of 6–1. The first-place team had struggled entering the break as well, dropping four consecutive games to the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners before the break. With Sunday night's game featured on the national ESPN broadcast, the Tigers handed the ball to Tarik Skubal for his first start since he toed the rubber to begin the All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Detroit's ace didn't disappoint.

Skubal had some of his best stuff, striking out 11 Rangers across 6.2 innings, allowing four hits but no walks. After he departed in the bottom of the seventh inning, with two runners on base and 105 pitches under his belt, the Tigers surrendered their only run of the game on a wild pitch by reliever Tyler Holton—an unearned run to Skubal's ledger that nevertheless stripped him of his ability to pick up the win. Detroit would respond in the next frame, taking a 2–1 lead on a Matt Vierling RBI single that would stand up, as Holton and Will Vest combined to close out the rest of the game.

Skubal had struggled a bit in his last outing before the break, allowing four earned runs in five innings in a 12–3 Tigers loss to the Mariners. He wasn't sharp in his All-Star Game start either, allowing two runs in his one inning of work.

Sunday's game showed just how nasty Skubal is at his best, though, and fans tuning in to the national broadcast were as blown away as the 11 Texas batters he fanned on the day. The stats back up just how dominant he's been as well.

The Tigers move to 60–40 on the season with the win, and are the first team in baseball to reach the 60-win mark.

The two starting pitchers for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game have officially been announced, and the choices aren't really surprising to anyone.

Reigning NL Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young award favorite Paul Skenes will start for the National League. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace leads MLB with a 2.01 ERA with four wins and eight losses. He's pitched 121 innings so far this season, and posted 131 strikeouts, with 82 hits, 27 earned runs and six home runs hit on him.

It's Skenes's second year in a row starting the All-Star Game, and since it's only his second year in MLB, it means he's started in every All-Star Game he's appeared in. That's quite an impressive feat.

On the American League side, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will make his second-straight All-Star appearance. It will be his first All-Star start, though. Like Skenes, Skubal is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award.

Skubal's posted a 2.23 ERA with 10 wins and three losses. He's pitched 121 innings and thrown 153 strikeouts, the second most in MLB this season. He's given up 84 hits, 30 earned runs and nine home runs.

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game beings at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nova Iguaçu e Internacional se enfrentam no Estádio Mané Garrincha, em Brasília, nesta quarta-feira (13), às 20h, pela segunda fase da Copa do Brasil. A classificação será decidida em jogo único e sem vantagem do empate a nenhum dos lados. Ou seja, caso não haja um vencedor no tempo normal, a decisão será nos pênaltis.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O Nova Iguaçu vem surpreendendo na temporada e está na semifinal do Campeonato Carioca, enquanto o Internacional encara o Juventude na semifinal do Campeonato Gaúcho.

Confira abaixo todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
Nova Iguaçu x Internacional
COPA DO BRASIL – 2ª FASE

Data e horário: quarta-feira, 13 de março de 2024, às 20h00 (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio Mané Garrincha, em Brasília (RJ)
Onde assistir: Prime Video

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⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
NOVA IGUAÇU (Técnico: Carlos Vitor)
Fabrício; Yan Silva, Gabriel, Sergio Raphael e Maicon; Índio e Albert; Xandinho, Bill e Yago; Carlinhos.

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Eduardo Coudet)
Anthoni (Rochet); Bustos, Igor Gomes, Vitão e Renê; Aránguiz, Mauricio, Bruno Henrique e Wanderson; Alan Patrick e Enner Valencia (Lucas Alario)

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➡️ Veja os grupos e datas dos confrontos no Paulistão

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilInternacional

Despite yet another season filled with turmoil under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United went into the international break on the back of a win. The Red Devils ran out 2-0 winners over Sunderland last time out, thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.

United supporters will be hoping this can be a catalyst for their season to get underway. Things have still never really got going under Amorim, who has struggled to make an impact in almost a year in charge.

With Liverpool their next opponent after the international break, United will be looking to win back-to-back games under their Portuguese boss for the first time.

As is so often the case, Bruno Fernandes will be someone they will heavily rely on.

Fernandes’ biggest moments under Amorim

As you might expect, United’s talismanic midfielder has been one of Amoirm’s key players during the 11 months or so he’s been at Old Trafford.

Often deploying Fernandes in a pivot in midfield has meant he is further away from goal, causing some controversy, with Paul Scholes claiming “he’s not got the discipline” to play there.

Yet, the United number eight has still managed to put up some impressive goal and assist numbers under his countryman, despite the deeper role.

In 43 games with Amorim as United’s boss, their captain has 17 goals and 12 assists to his name.

It’s hard to pinpoint his best contribution during Amoirm’s tenure. In European football, he scored and assisted ten goals in 11 games as United reached the Europa League final last term.

That included a magnificent hat-trick against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, to guide United into the quarter-final.

He was one of the best creators in that competition last season, too. Fernandes’ 3.09 key passes and expected assist tally of 0.36xA saw him rank in the top 2% of attacking midfielders in the Europa League.

United will need someone to share that goalscoring and creative burden with Fernandes, but they signed someone of the same ilk this summer.

The new United star who's looking like Fernandes

It was certainly an expensive summer for the Red Devils, with INEOS willing to splash the cash. They spent roughly £200m to improve their front three.

Sesko has already scored twice, and Matheus Cunha has suffered an injury, but impressed when he’s played.

However, the most exciting of United’s new forwards this season would surely have to be Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian star joined the Red Devils from Brentford for a fee reportedly worth £65m up front.

It has been a fast start to life in Red for the attacker. Playing as one of Amorim’s number 10s in the infamous 3-4-2-1 system he deploys, the 26-year-old has scored twice and assisted once in eight appearances so far.

His first Premier League strike for the Red Devils was against Burnley before the last international break.

It is easy to see how the former Brentford star can shoulder the burden of creativity and goals at United and become the new Bruno-style player in Amorim’s side.

As Statman Dave said, he is the “complete package” going forward, and offers so much to the Mancunian giants in attacking areas. Like Fernandes, he is an “output machine”, in the words of content creator Ronaldo Brown.

The other way to tell just how similar Mbeumo will be to his captain is by looking at his underlying stats from the 2024/25 Premier League.

For example, last term he averaged 1.85 key passes for the Bees, which put him in the top 6% of Premier League forwards.

It has been hugely important for United to assess the lack of attacking prowess in the squad, aside from Fernandes’ contribution.

Loaning Marcus Rashford to Barcelona drastically reduced their threat in the final third, especially with how well he’s performing in La Liga.

Yet, the addition of Mbeumo has been a huge benefit. The United number 19 can help shoulder some of Fernandes’ attacking, and has already hit the ground running in that famous Red shirt.

The new Yorke & Cole: Man Utd's "superb double-act" could save Amorim's job

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By
Ben Gray

Oct 7, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have now expressed an interest in signing a “world-class” forward, who Thomas Frank approved signing during the summer transfer window.

Spurs looking to sign new forward amid Tel and Odobert concerns

Frank strengthened his forward line during the summer transfer window, with Mohammed Kudus arriving from West Ham United, and the 25-year-old has emerged as a key player so far this season, chipping in with one goal and five assists in the Premier League.

However, there are concerns about the performances of some of the players who were already at the club, with journalist Andreas Vou particularly critical of the decision to bring in Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, rather than making one statement signing in attack.

The duo were benched for the 3-0 victory against Everton on Sunday, having picked up just one top-flight goal between them this term, and the Lilywhites have now set out to sign another new forward.

That is according to a report from Spain, which reveals Tottenham have now expressed an interest in signing Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, who has been put up for sale by the La Liga club ahead of the January transfer window.

Kubo is now expected to leave Real Sociedad this winter, which could open the door for a move to N17, and there is a feeling he could now be available for the relatively affordable fee of €40m (£35m).

Manchester United and Everton are also in the race for the winger, and there are indications that Frank could be keen too, having already approved a move back in the summer transfer window.

"World-class" Kubo may need fresh start

The Japanese forward is clearly very talented, having received plaudits from former Barcelona boss Xavi in the past, who said: “(Takefusa) Kubo is a world-class footballer. Not just with the ball, but also without it.”

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Spurs have taken the lead in the race for an “intelligent” midfielder

ByDominic Lund Oct 26, 2025

The 24-year-old has also impressed at times over the past year, particularly catching the eye with his dribbling ability, ranking in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

That said, there may be concerns about some of the Japan international’s recent performances, given that he has provided just one goal for Real Sociedad in La Liga this term, while failing to pick up a single assist.

Kubo may simply need a fresh start in a new league, having been in La Liga since the 2019-20 campaign, so a move to Tottenham could be ideal, although his recent form means he would be a risky signing.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras bateu o Vitória por 1 a 0 neste domingo (14), no Barradão e estreou com três pontos no Brasileirão 2024.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

Após a difícil vitória, Abel Ferreira falou sobre a partida e não deixou de criticar o gramado do Barradão, que segundo o técnico, foi determinante para a performance do Verdão na partida.

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– O gramado aqui é muito pesado, duro e muito alto, é difícil, eu prefiro o sintético, sinceramente. Já aviso que vai nos trazer problemas para o próximo jogo, vocês viram a dificuldade de quem entrou e de quem jogou, alguns tiveram dificuldade de tirar a roupa. É um tipo de gramado que deixa marcas nos jogadores, mas pronto, quero dar os parabéns aos meus jogadores pelo esforço – disse Abel.

Abel ainda fez questão de elogiar a arbitragem da partida, pedindo jogos com menos faltas e que os árbitros deixem o jogo correr.

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

O Palmeiras se reapresenta nesta segunda-feira (15), e já inicia a preparação para encarar o Internacional, na Arena Barueri, pela 2ª rodada do Brasileirão 2024.

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صنع محمد صلاح ثاني أهداف ليفربول أمام برايتون، على ملعب آنفيلد، خلال المباراة التي تجرى حالياً بينهما في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة عشر من الدوري الانجليزي.

وكان محمد صلاح قد شارك بديلاً للمصاب جو جوميز في منتصف الشوط الأول، ونال تصفيق وهتافات جماهير ليفربول التي رددت أغنيته الشهيرة محتفلة بدخوله الملعب وبعد إزالة الخلاف بينه وبين آرني سلوت.

وجاء هدف ليفربول الثاني عن طريق رأسية هوجو إيكتيكي في الدقيقة 60 من أحداث الشوط الثاني بعرضية من ركلة ركنية للنجم المصري محمد صلاح.

اقرأ أيضاً.. بي بي سي: هتافات مدوية لـ محمد صلاح أمام برايتون.. وارنوك: عليه فعل شيء واحد

وبحسب “سكواكا” للإحصائيات فقد ساهم محمد صلاح بشكل مباشر في 277 هدفاً مع ليفربول، مقارنة بأي لاعب آخر مع فريق واحد في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي.

وحطم محمد صلاح رقم واين روني القياسي، حيث أحرز 188 هدفاً وصنع 89 تمريرة حاسمة خلال 302 مباراة، بواقع 276 هدفًا.

ويستعد محمد صلاح بعد هذه المباراة للسفر للحاق بمعسكر منتخب مصر تحت قيادة حسام حسن استعداداً للمشاركة في منافسات كأس الأمم الأفريقية.

Days after the Astros traded with the Twins to bring Carlos Correa back to Houston in order to replace the injured Isaac Paredes at third base, the team offered a pretty big update on Paredes's injury status.

Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters on Monday that Paredes has a severe hamstring strain but chose to forego season-ending surgery, and instead rehab the injury in hopes of making a return in the 2025 season, 's Chandler Rome reported. Paredes received a PRP injection and will rest for quite some time before the team can re-evaluate his chances of returning this year.

If Paredes had elected to undergo surgery, the recovery time would've been six months, meaning he would be out until the 2026 season.

Paredes last played on July 19 when he suffered the hamstring strain while running to first base after hitting a single. He was then placed on the 10-day injured list.

The Astros then traded for Correa on July 31 and chose to start him at third base for the first time in his MLB career. He had previously only ever played shortstop. It was a reunion for Correa in Houston, as he spent his first seven seasons there before he landed with the Twins in 2022. He waived his no-trade clause in order to go back to the Astros.