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And how many players have made 199 and a duck in the same Test?

Steven Lynch24-May-2022I know Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul’s stand of 210 is an IPL record. But was it the best in all T20 cricket? And how about 50 overs? asked Lalith Ahluwalia from India
That unbroken opening stand of 210 by Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul for Lucknow Super Giants in what turned out to be a nerve-shredding match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Navi Mumbai last week broke the previous record for the highest first-wicket partnership in the IPL, the 185 of Jonny Bairstow and David Warner for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Hyderabad in 2019; only two second-wicket stands between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers for RCB lie ahead on the overall IPL list.There have been four higher opening partnerships in all senior T20 matches, the highest being 236 by Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani for Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in 2018-19. The List A first-wicket record remains an unbroken stand of 367, by Morne van Wyk and Cameron Delport for the Dolphins against the Knights in South Africa’s One-Day Cup in Bloemfontein in 2014-15.Angelo Mathews was out for 199 and then a duck in the recent Test in Bangladesh. Has anyone completed this particular double before? asked Ajit Silva from Sri Lanka
In the first innings of the first Test in Chattogram last week, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the 12th man to be dismissed for 199 in a Test. However, his second-innings duck made him the first to do this particular double.Six men have made 99 and 0 in the same Test: India’s Pankaj Roy (vs Australia in Delhi in 1959-60), Geoff Boycott (England vs Australia in Perth in 1979-80, Andrew Hall of South Africa (vs England at Headingley in 2003, and the Pakistan trio of Mushtaq Mohammad (vs England in Karachi in 1972-73), Misbah-ul-Haq (vs West Indies in Bridgetown in 2017), and Babar Azam (vs Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2018-19). Boycott and Hall both made 99 not out.Mohammed Shami played in all of Gujarat Titans’ games in the IPL round-robin, but didn’t bat – has anyone else managed this? asked Sheik Nazeeb via Facebook
It’s true that Mohammed Shami played in all 14 of Gujarat Titans’ matches in the league phase of this season’s IPL, without being required to bat. In doing so he reprised the feat of fellow seamers Mustafizur Rahman and Mohit Sharma. The “Fizz” played 16 matches for Sunrisers in 2016 – 14 of them in the group stage – without batting at all, while Mohit appeared in all 14 of Chennai Super Kings’ league games in 2014 without batting, but finally got to the crease in one of the playoffs.Dirk Nannes (2009), Ishwar Pandey (2014) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2016) all played 13 matches in an IPL season without batting.Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja have 20 dismissals together in the IPL, the most for a bowler-fielder combo•BCCISurrey totalled 671 last week, with no one making a century. Was this a record? asked Brian Norton from England
The highest score in Surrey’s 671 for 9 against Kent in Beckenham last week was Ollie Pope’s 96; Ben Foakes and Jamie Overton were also out in the nineties. It was indeed the highest first-class total without an individual century, surpassing Namibia’s 609 against Uganda in Windhoek in 2010-11, when the highest score was Ewald Steenkamp’s 87.Madhya Pradesh made 605 against Haryana in Rajnandgaon in 1998-99, with Jai Prakash Yadav scoring 90, while the previous County Championship record was also set by Surrey, in amassing 603 against Gloucestershire in Bristol in 2005; Azhar Mahmood hit 89 and Harbhajan Singh 84.In the recent Surrey innings everyone reached double figures, with seven of them reaching 50. This was the 26th instance of seven half-centuries in a first-class innings – but there has been one case of eight, by the 1893 Australian tourists against Cambridge University Past & Present in Portsmouth. The Australians’ total of 843 was the highest in first-class cricket at the time, being achieved against what Wisden called “a team so far from representative that over a dozen cricketers might be mentioned, any one of whom had better qualifications than those who took the field against the Colonials”. Alec Bannerman, Billy Bruce and Hugh Trumble all scored centuries; Bannerman, a noted stonewaller, batted for more than six hours for 133, with Wisden observing that he showed “a steadiness of defence which might, perhaps, have been necessary had the bowling been that of first-class professionals instead of moderate amateurs”.Which bowler/fielder and bowler/wicketkeeper combinations have recorded most dismissals together in IPL? asked Aniket Chiniwalla from India
There’s a tie at the top here between these two categories. There have been 20 instances of batters being caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off Kagiso Rabada for the Delhi team, while in the field there have also been 20 cases of caught Ravindra Jadeja bowled Dwayne Bravo for Chennai Super Kings. Bravo is the leading wicket-taker overall in the IPL, while Rabada is currently just one short of becoming the 19th bowler to take 100 wickets.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

The five names who could hit higher notes in the fifth season of the tournament

Deivarayan Muthu19-Feb-2020Fabian Allen (Multan Sultans)On his day, Allen can clear the boundaries from the get-go lower down the order. He is an electric fielder. He can also chip in with quick-ish left-arm fingerspin. Allen is the kind of T20 package that every franchise desperately wants and he is already a superstar in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He had cracked 177 off 79 balls between overs 16 and 20 in CPL 2019 at a strike rate of nearly 225. His big-hitting didn’t miss the eyes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, who snapped him up for INR 50 lakh as they look to fill the Shakib Al Hasan-sized hole in IPL 2020. Allen is currently in action for West Indies in Sri Lanka and is set to join the Multan Sultans roster after that tour ends on March 6.Ali Khan (Karachi Kings)A fast bowler who can hit speeds north of 140kph, Khan was among the breakout stars in CPL 2018. Incidentally, PSL 2020 will be a homecoming of sorts for Khan: he was born in Pakistan before he migrated to the USA and forged a career there.Khan had claimed 16 wickets in CPL 2018 at an average of 20.81 and economy rate of 7.80 in Trinbago Knight Riders’ run to an unprecedented third title. Khan’s form somewhat tailed off in CPL 2019, but his raw pace and ability to bowl yorkers have paved the way for stints in the Bangladesh Premier League, Global T20 Canada and T10 League.ALSO READ: Top-order batting key for Gladiators; Islamabad’s strength is in their solid coreSeekkuge Prasanna (Lahore Qalandars)Khan’s Knight Riders team-mate Prasanna could be the middle-overs enforcer for Lahore in an attack that is packed with quicks like Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Shinwari, Dilbar Hussain and David Wiese. Prasanna doesn’t have a big-turning legbreak, but he often gets his wrong’un to skid into the batsman. He has also evolved into a power-hitter, something that was on bright display during the second CPL qualifier last year. Prasanna smote a 27-ball 51 during which he launched slower-ball specialist Harry Gurney out of the Brian Lara Stadium. The Sri Lankan allrounder has been a regular in the BPL and T20 Blast over the years, but this will be his maiden PSL stint.Phil Salt gave the Strikers an excellent start•Getty ImagesPhil Salt (Islamabad United)A bruising batsman at the top, Salt has had an eventful few months. The day before the CPL 2019 final, the Sussex batsman was holidaying in Miami, and he received a call-up from the Barbados Tridents as a replacement for the injured JP Duminy. Just about 24 hours later, Salt was a CPL champion with the Tridents although he had bagged a duck. He then went to the Big Bash League, where he led the way for the Adelaide Strikers at the top.Salt can be brutal against pace when the bounce is true but hasn’t been as effective against top-quality spin. Tackling the slower bowlers is among the challenges Salt is likely to face in his second stint with Islamabad. In 2019, he had made only 94 runs in six innings at an average of 15.66 and strike rate of 128.76.Lewis Gregory (Peshwar Zalmi)Peshawar have a surfeit of allrounders in their squad, but with Kieron Pollard on international duty for the early half of the season, they might look to trial England seam-bowling allrounder Gregory instead. The 27-year old had struggled as England’s finisher in New Zealand last year, but in a new role at No. 4 in the BPL, he scored 262 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 140.10 for the Rangpur Riders. He also contributed with the ball, picking up 15 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.64. If he follows it up with a productive PSL, he can be in with a chance to return to England’s T20 World Cup mix.

A long-standing Lionel Messi record at Barcelona has finally fallen after Pedri etched his name into Blaugrana history during a La Liga win over Osasuna. The 23-year-old became the youngest player ever to reach 150 La Liga appearances for the Catalan side, surpassing Messi, while once again pulling the strings in midfield under Hansi Flick in a 2-0 win.

• Pedri breaks Messi's record in 2-0 win over Osasuna

  Barcelona continued their La Liga title charge on Saturday with a hard-fought victory over Osasuna, a result that allowed the Catalan giants to strengthen their grip at the top of the table. Goals from Raphinha secured all three points for Flick’s side, who were seeking to move seven points clear of Real Madrid ahead of their rivals’ fixture the following day. While the Brazilian forward provided the decisive moments in attack, much of Barcelona’s control stemmed from midfield.

  Pedri was handed a starting role at the base of Flick’s double-pivot system, a position that has increasingly become his natural role this season. The Spain international dictated tempo throughout the contest, offering calmness and structure during periods when Osasuna threatened to disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm. His involvement ensured that Barcelona maintained territorial dominance and managed the game intelligently despite the tight scoreline.

  Beyond his influence on the match itself, Pedri’s appearance carried historic significance. As per Opta, at just 23 years and 18 days old, he reached 150 La Liga appearances for Barcelona, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. In the process, he surpassed a record previously held by Messi.

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  Pedri receives praise from Garcia and Flick

  Pedri’s record-breaking milestone highlights his remarkable consistency and durability at a club where young players are often burdened with enormous expectations. Reaching 150 league appearances at such an early age places him in rare company and reinforces Barcelona’s long-term commitment to building their midfield around him. That he overtook Messi’s record only adds weight to the achievement, given the Argentine’s central role in shaping the club’s identity for over a decade.

  The midfielder’s influence did not go unnoticed by his teammates, with Eric Garcia offering a light-hearted but telling assessment after the match. Speaking to the media, Garcia said, "We knew it was going to be a very tight game. We lacked rhythm in our passing. In the end, against these teams, if you don’t move the ball quickly, it’s tough. In the end, I’m happy with the three points." He then added, "When you play before your rivals and increase your lead, you have a relaxed Sunday at home. When things get complicated, give the ball to Pedri, and he solves everything."

  Head coach Flick was equally emphatic in his praise, singling Pedri out despite Raphinha’s two-goal contribution. The German said: "Pedri is a fantastic player, top class. What can I say about him? He’s an absolutely amazing player."

• Pedri slowly turning into Barcelona's new age midfield legend

  Pedri’s rise at Barcelona has been nothing short of extraordinary since his arrival from Las Palmas in 2020. Thrust into the first team almost immediately, he became a regular starter during the 2020–21 season, amassing 52 appearances and playing a key role in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey triumph. That campaign laid the foundation for what would quickly become one of the most intense early-career workloads in European football.

  His performances on the club stage were mirrored internationally, with Pedri shining at Euro 2020, where he was named Young Player of the Tournament, before going on to represent Spain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Those efforts earned him both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy in 2021, confirming his status as the most highly regarded young midfielder in world football. Comparisons with Andres Iniesta soon followed, driven by his composure, close control, and ability to glide through crowded midfields.

  In recent seasons, injuries have provided the main obstacle to Pedri’s sustained momentum. A series of muscle issues disrupted parts of the 2022–23 and 2023–24 campaigns, forcing Barcelona to carefully manage his minutes. However, under Flick, he has re-emerged as a central figure, once fit, already surpassing 220 appearances in all competitions by the age of 23 and continuing to shape games with maturity well beyond his years.

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  Pedri will be crucial to Barcelona season plans

  Barcelona now turn their focus to maintaining their advantage at the top of La Liga as the season enters a decisive phase. With Pedri once again available and influencing matches, Flick’s side look better equipped to manage the demands of both domestic and European competitions.

  For Pedri personally, breaking Messi’s record is unlikely to be an endpoint, but rather another marker in a rapidly expanding legacy at Camp Nou. With assists in three consecutive league games and a growing leadership role in midfield, his influence continues to increase with each appearance.

Salary pots increased significantly across men’s and women’s competitions in wake of equity sale

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Oct-2025The Hundred will switch from a draft system to a player auction for the 2026 season, imitating the long-standing method for squad-building in the IPL, while the overall salary pot for the men’s and women’s competitions will be significantly hiked, by 45% and 100% respectively, according to changes agreed in the wake of this year’s equity sale, which raised more than £550 million for the ECB.The maiden auction is set to take place in March 2026, and is one of several significant changes that were ratified by the Hundred’s Board on Thursday, as part of the ‘reset’ process to launch the first season in which the eight teams will be either co- or fully owned by private investors.In a bid to attract the best available players for the tournament, the total amount that men’s teams can spend per season will rise from the present level of £1.2 million to £2.05 million, while the women’s figure will rise to £880,000 per team. The base salaries for the lowest-paid women’s players will increase by 50%, from £10,000 to £15,000.According to the ECB, there will be salary caps in place, but also salary collars – a minimum spend per team per season – and the option of multi-year contracts will also be introduced. As flagged by ESPNcricinfo last year, the number of overseas players per squad is set to rise, from three to four – subject to Home Office clearance – with a total of 16-18 players permitted per squad.There will be no right to match, but direct signings will be permitted: up to two overseas players and two centrally-contracted England players. The window for such signings will extend from mid-November to mid-January, while the Hundred Board has also approved the retention of the wildcard system which will allow two players per franchise to be selected from the T20 Blast, via a player draft in June 2026.ESPNcricinfo LtdAs a consequence, a cumulative pre-auction deduction will be factored in for each franchise, which will reduce the spend permitted at the auction depending on the number of players picked up beforehand.For the men’s competition, this will equate to: £350k (1 signing), £650k (2 players), £850k (3 players), £950k (4 players). For the women’s competition, the figures are: £130k (1 signing), £240k (2 players), £310k (3 players), £360k (4 players).Vikram Banerjee, the Managing Director of the Hundred, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the Hundred. These changes will help us make the competition even better, ensuring we get the best players in the world and improving the standard of cricket and level of entertainment further again.Related

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“Working alongside our new partners we’ve been exploring how we can take The Hundred forward and we’ve decided that moving to an auction will allow us to improve the competition. For a competition that has always been proud to innovate, we’re delighted to be holding the first auction in major UK sport.”In making this decision, we have stuck to three key principles: i) ensuring The Hundred attracts the best players in the world, ii) maintaining a competitive balance between the squads, iii) guaranteeing whatever changes we make work across the men’s and women’s games. “The decision to increase the men’s salary pot by 45% has been taken because market forces in the men’s game necessitate a more significant uplift to ensure we’re able to attract the best players in the world.”The salary pot for the women’s competition in the first year of The Hundred was £120,000, with the top-earning players earning £15,000 – the pot has risen for the third year in a row. With the pot now £880,000, top-earning players are set to earn in the region of £130,000, as well as a significant increase in salaries for those at base price.”Salaries in The Hundred women’s competition are very competitive, and they compare favourably with other franchise cricket competitions and across the landscape of women’s sport.”It’s been fantastic to work alongside our new partners, they’re already bringing energy and expertise and I know that together we can make The Hundred even better, for fans and players alike.”

Ed Barnard battles back for Warwickshire but hosts edge opening day at The Oval

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Tom Lawes took three for six in a five-over spell to lead Surrey’s response with the ball as Warwickshire replied with 132 for four after earlier bowling out the county champions for 246 despite fine half-centuries from Ryan Patel, Rory Burns and Ollie Pope.Leading second-placed Nottinghamshire by nine points with three matches to go in the Rothesay County Championship season, Surrey were particularly indebted to Patel’s superb unbeaten 72 from 67 balls after being put in by Warwickshire at the Kia Oval.And Lawes then whipped out Alex Davies, Sam Hain and Zen Malik in quick succession – all leg-before to fast, swinging deliveries – after Dan Worrall had Rob Yates well held at third slip for seven in his third over with the new ball.Davies made 22, Hain a first-ball duck and Malik eight and, at 47 for four, Warwickshire were in some trouble with 21 overs still to be bowled on day one.But Ed Barnard then joined Will Young, who was dropped on 10 at second slip off Matt Fisher, in an unbroken stand of 85 that meant honours were shared fairly evenly at the end of a gripping first day.Barnard reached stumps on 48 not out, with Young unbeaten on 35 and Surrey’s quicks needing to come back strongly on the second morning. Both batted with great spirit to rally their team after Lawes’ triple strike.Hunting a fourth successive championship title, Surrey were initially powered to 104 for one as Pope hit an eye-catching 50 off 55 balls and Burns reached 52.But Warwickshire, who like Surrey fielded a five-man pace attack, hit back either side of lunch to reduce Surrey to 188 for eight before the left-handed Patel counter-attacked in thrilling fashion and was joined by Fisher in a ninth wicket stand of 58.Patel struck 11 fours and a six pulled over wide mid-wicket off Michael Booth, who finished with two for 52 as Warwickshire’s seam quintet shared all ten wickets.Nathan Gilchrist, on his debut for the county as a loanee ahead of a permanent winter move from Kent, claimed three for 51 while Ethan Bamber took two for 47 and Barnard two for 42.Pope’s aggression provided Surrey with crucial early momentum after the loss of Dom Sibley, well held at third slip off Bamber for six in the morning’s third over.Both he and Burns enjoyed their fair share of good fortune against the moving ball but they also deserved the rewards of their positivity in a second wicket stand eventually worth 97 in just 17 overs.Pope, in particular, knocked Warwickshire’s seamers off their stride with the quality of his strokeplay while Burns produced a number of trademark pulls and square cuts to help to keep the scoreboard moving.At one stage, soon after Burns had thick-edged Gilchrist through a puzzlingly vacant third slip position for a boundary to take him to 38, the Surrey pair took six consecutive fours from the final four balls of a Booth over and then the first two deliveries of Gilchrist’s next over.Pope drove Booth straight and through mid off at the start of this sequence – the shots of the morning – and he had only just reached a 54-ball fifty when he fell to his 55th ball, edging Ed Barnard’s medium pace low to first slip on the stroke of noon.Barnard then nipped one back off the seam to have Ben Foakes leg-before for 11 and beat the new batsman Dan Lawrence with his next ball before Surrey reached lunch on 127 for three.Lawrence, on five, was badly dropped by keeper Davies off Bamber, who bowled a testing spell immediately after the interval and removed a disbelieving Burns soon afterwards when the Surrey captain pulled him straight to deep mid wicket where Malik took an excellent catch tumbling forward.Patel’s arrival kick-started the innings again, while Lawrence continued to struggle at the other end. The pair added 34 but Lawrence, having just punched Gilchrist through mid on for four to reach 20, was leg-before to the next ball as he shuffled across his stumps.Jordan Clark square cut his first ball for four but Gilchrist then made it two wickets in three deliveries when a thick edged carve flew to Young’s left at first slip.And Surrey slid to 188 for eight as Gus Atkinson (6) and Lawes, who bagged a fifth ball duck, nicked Ollie Hannon-Dalby and Gilchrist to second and third slip respectively.Fisher’s resistance, however, helped Patel to haul Surrey up well beyond 200 although they fell agonisingly short of a batting bonus point. Fisher, on 18, was pinned leg-before by Booth, who then produced a beauty next ball to hit the top of Worrall’s leg stump and leave Patel out of partners.

كشف الجهاز الطبي للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك عن حجم الإصابة التي تعرض لها عبد الله السعيد لاعب وسط الفريق خلال مباراة زيسكو الزامبي الأخيرة في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

وكان الزمالك فاز على زيسكو الزامبي، بهدف دون رد، مساء الأحد الماضي، في أولى مواجهات دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

طالع| قائمة الزمالك لمباراة كايزر تشيفز في الكونفدرالية

وأكد الجهاز الطبي أن الأشعة والفحوصات التي خضع لها عبد الله السعيد أثبتت إصابته بتمزق في العضلة الخلفية، وبدأ اللاعب في تنفيذ برنامجه التأهيلي منذ اليوم.

وسيغيب عبد الله السعيد عن صفوف فريق نادي الزمالك، في مباراة كايزر تشيفز، التي تقام السبت المقبل، للإصابة.

وتغادر القاهرة في الحادية عشرة مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، بعثة الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك متجهة إلى جنوب أفريقيا، استعدادًا لخوض مباراة كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي، في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، ويترأس البعثة أحمد خالد حسانين عضو مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك.

ويحل الزمالك ضيفًا على كايزر تشيفز الجنوب أفريقي في الجولة الثانية لدور المجموعات في الثالثة عصر السبت 29 نوفمبر الجاري باستاد بيتر موكابا بمدينة بولوكواني.

In a surprising turn of events, Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are reportedly exploring a way to bring Jadon Sancho back to the club. Currently on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, the winger has struggled to get up and running again after a miserable couple of years, but Dortmund are reportedly interested in a January transfer.

• Sancho back to Borussia Dortmund?

  Ever since his fallout at Manchester United, where he clashed with former coach Erik ten Hag and was subsequently loaned to Chelsea last season, Sancho's form has recovered to the level he enjoyed before his move to Old Trafford in 2021. According to a report in , United are not interested in keeping Sancho after the ongoing season. The winger's contract expires next year, and the Old Trafford-based side won't hesitate if an offer or two arrives in January, months before Sancho eventually leaves the club for free.

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  No room for Sancho at United amid Villa struggles

  Last season, Sancho spent the entirety at Chelsea, winning the Conference League under head coach Enzo Maresca. But his 15 goal contributions in 42 games across all competitions did not excite United supremo Ruben Amorim and he was allowed to leave in the summer. This season, he has yet to fire at Villa, and the Villans are also disappointed with his output. Dortmund are currently monitoring his situation and analysing how this could be a sensible transfer from their perspective. 

• Sancho still a fan favourite at Dortmund

  Sancho stunned during his first spell at Borussia Dortmund, earning a reputation as one of Europe's most promising players before United snapped him up. He failed to get up and running under Ten Hag, though, and was loaned to Dortmund in January 2024. He went on to play 21 times and recorded three goals and assists, taking his entire tally for the club to 53 goals in 158 matches. 

  Having failed to make an impact so far at Villa, he is aware that this will be his last opportunity to revive his drowning career and is reportedly ready to take a pay cut in order to seal another transfer. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl and CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke remain admirers of the 25-year-old, but the main problem lies in his integration into the squad. The last time Sancho appeared in the Black and Yellow, Edin Terzic was the head coach. Now, under Niko Kovac, it is not yet known how Sancho will be deployed since the 54-year-old Berlin-born mentor is not a fan of classic wingers. Moreover, the club are yet to figure out Sancho's physical condition.

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  When will Sancho play again?

  Sancho has just four appearances in the Premier League, all from the bench. But Unai Emery has entrusted him with marauding the flanks in the Europa League, where he has started in two games. Placed sixth in the Premier League table, Villa's next assignment would be an away game at Elland Road against Leeds on November 23. It is yet to be decided if Sancho plays a part in that fixture, as on three occasions, he wasn't called up for action in the English top flight. Either way, he might find a place in the starting starting XI four days later, when the Villans host Swiss club Young Boys at Villa Park. Successive fixtures after the international break might also help the English winger gain more playing time, though that would depend on the impression he creates with the limited minutes he achieves in the upcoming fixtures. In order to secure a move to Dortmund, he would need to prove his value to Kovac and his men by performing at his best for Villa in the next couple of months. 

While Keshav Maharaj was in tears, his team-mates could hardly believe the win as well

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-20251:22

Hayden: Beating Australia at Lord’s a ‘phenomenal result’

Temba Bavuma, captain: “[Sum up your emotions] It’s been a special couple of days. At some point, it felt like we were back in South Africa with all the support in the stands. We’ve prepared hard for this, we’ve worked hard for this moment. We came here with a lot of belief, I think also with a lot of doubters, and we’re happy that we were able to play well enough to get that type of result. It’s been a special moment for us as a team, a special moment for all the people back home. Probably it will really sink in in a couple of days, but yeah, it’s been special.”[On the feelings of a WTC final and the heartbreaks] Definitely the energy was there. I think us as a team, we’ve been wanting this. We’ve been knocking at that door, being relentless, getting ourselves into positions where we can be in the finals. We’ve gone through the heartache, we’ve gone through the disappointment, and seen it with past players who’ve come before us. The sun is on us at the moment and that responsibility, we’ve been carrying it and hopefully this is one of many.”[On Kagiso Rabada] Yeah, KG [Rabada] is a massive player. A couple of days ago, I went to the ICC Hall of Fame meet. I think in a couple of years, KG will be one of those guys. When he came into the game, there was controversy behind him. He was motivated to do what he needed to do, and like a champion, he came and did what he did. [On Aiden Markram] Unbelievable. A couple of months ago, people were asking why Aiden is in the team. I think stats are important, but character is something that we look at. A guy like Aiden, he carries all those traits. We knew in the second innings we were going to have to come out and play and he led it in true Aiden fashion. Again, another massive player for us. Character has been a big thing for us as a team and those two guys are the ones who carry that.”[Significance of this moment] I think us as a team, we got ourselves into the final. There were doubts as to the route that we took, supposedly playing weaker teams. We’re happy that we were able to perform like this, and hopefully that kind of squashes that. I think for us as a country, here’s an opportunity for us to… as divided as we are at times, to forget all of that, rejoice in this moment and just be one. I’m sure the people back home will be celebrating it with us, and you can trust that we’ll be celebrating it massively as well.”Temba Bavuma of South Africa lifts the ICC World Test Championship Mace in celebration with his team•ICC/Getty ImagesAiden Markram (Player of the match): “Weird how things work out if you get a duck in the first innings and you come into the second innings with quite a few concerns. Ultimately, you need a bit of luck here and there and spend some time in the middle and find some runs. I’m just really grateful it worked out nicely. Lord’s is the place every Test cricketer wants to play. Playing a final here is incredibly special with all the members there, but also plenty of South African fans that made the trip and plenty at home as well that have supported us through it. It was one of the most special days.”It’s always one side of the sword, I guess. You either absorb and bank on yourself scoring later, but I think when you look at the wicket and the quality of bowling, you’ve probably only got x amount of balls out there to face and it’s about maximising scoring out of those balls. Everyone played with their intent, and it certainly helped in the second innings.”I had plenty of bits of banter with him (Nathan Lyon) on the field, and I just kept saying to him he’s one of the best in the world, and if this thing keeps spinning on day four and five, he’d have been an absolute handful. So, always great to play against some of the best in the world, and not just only him, but plenty of the players on that side. Really chuffed for our boys to have got over the line, of course.”To be very honest, a lot of it came from him (Bavuma). He’s always led from the front for us. He’s been incredible for us, specifically in this campaign in this last two, three years. He was never going to give up and found a way to score runs, really important runs, and build an important partnership for us to get close, and those sort of knocks are something that I think a lot of people end up remembering.”Kagiso Rabada: “Oh man, I can’t describe it in words how I feel at the moment! Obviously, just extremely happy throughout the entire season. I think we’ve played really well, we’ve worked really hard, and I think we deserve to get into this position. There were people saying that we weren’t playing a good enough opposition, but I think that’s rubbish. We came here, and we played the best team.”Australia have been magnificent all season, and we had to be in our A game to beat them. Thank you for your support. Today, or rather these last four days, felt like a home game. So thank you guys for turning out, and keep turning out.”1:53

Steyn on SA’s WTC win: ‘We saw the biggest of the biggest come through’

Keshav Maharaj: “It’s special. I think tears won’t even describe what we feel right now. It’s just a privilege and honour to be able to lift the cup and the title, and to be a part of it. For everyone out here and everyone back home, it’s super special for us and the boys. It’s just what our country’s about, to see the unity over the last five days and throughout the season. It’s super special and we’re very grateful as a team, as a nation and as our proud country.”100% [special to see so many South Africa supporters at Lord’s]. I think without the crowd here today, we probably wouldn’t be in this position over the last four days. So we’re grateful and thankful to everyone that’s here and from abroad that’s supporting us. Thank you very much.”I don’t think that far ahead. But there was an opportunity that could have closed this out, but I think the emotions will have probably squared me into the right direction. Just like I said, thank you to everyone that’s here, back home, to everyone around the world that’s been supporting us, to adversity, we’ve stood strong as a team, and here we are today to raise the trophy that’s eluded us for a number of years.”But we honour those before us, to those that are here, and to those that have come, we love you, appreciate you, and continue supporting us. We’re doing good things as a team and as a country, and may this just be the stepping stone of better things to come.”Marco Jansen: “[Feelings] I don’t know what to say. I was sitting there just praying and then luckily we got the job done. They made us think twice there, but I’m just happy that we got the job done. [Feeling in the changeroom] Yeah, in the change room there were a lot of nerves. A lot of guys [were] quiet, myself included. To have the fans here, to hear them cheer us on every single ball, every single run – you can’t ask for anything more, and obviously the families are here as well.”We’re just happy we could do it. [A few words on Aiden Markram?] I can’t say that exactly… but unfreaking believable. What a player, what a guy to have on your team. He’s a fighter, Temba – both of them, fighters to the nail. I think that’s what dreams are made of. Dreams are meant to be achieved. We’re going to celebrate really, really well.”An emotional Keshav Maharaj celebrates the win with Lungi Ngidi•ICC/Getty ImagesShukri Conrad, head coach: “Yeah, I think mine [eyes] are worse than Kesh’s, but they are so thrilled, really ecstatic for these guys. Something we don’t talk about often is the bigger picture of South Africa, but this was for South Africa and everything that goes in my country. To be able to deliver something like this, truly special.”I think we obviously got the best of the batting conditions, 280 was always going to be a stiff task. But when our two senior pros, Aiden and Temba put that big stand together, I felt that was obviously where the game was won for us. I was the one to say Temba shouldn’t keep going [because of the injury]. I was the one to say, ‘No, I think Temba should stop’. But both of them, the partnership was critical. It didn’t matter what the flow was. They always know better than the coaches anyway.”Lungi Ngidi: “[Emotions right now] Yeah, look, I’m speechless right now. The other evening, obviously with that spell, it was to try and break the game open. A lot of excitement at the time as well, which is probably what kept me going throughout that spell. But right now, I’ve got no words for how I feel, to be honest with you.”I’m very proud of what the boys have achieved today. It’s been a long journey. It’s been a lot of hard work as well. The blood pressure is really high right now. But most I’m very proud of what the guys have been able to achieve today.”David Bedingham: “[Feelings] Amazing. Obviously nervous, but the way that Aiden and Temba went about it made us calm. I didn’t feel calm going into the innings. Thank goodness we got over the line. [On the wicket] The sun plays a massive factor here, and I think we got luckier with the conditions, but we’ll take it. It’s been 27 years, and I am so thankful we got over the line. I am so thankful for everyone watching here and back home.”Kyle Verreynne: “I am just relieved. I was sitting there watching the first morning… well, the morning session and kept thinking, ‘please, I don’t want to go bat, I don’t want to go bat’. Obviously, Aiden did beautifully well. When I walked out to the middle, I was the most nervous I have ever been. I have my partner with me [David Bedingham] and we got over the line.”[What does it mean to SA?] Means a lot. You can listen to the whole ground singing. While we were on our way back last night, and you see the guys in the street singing songs, it is incredible. Probably getting a little emotional now. We had a tough time as South African cricketers. It’s incredible.”

Salford's game against Oldham on Saturday was disrupted by pitch invaders carrying England flags as a protest against Gary Neville. Neville criticised the "negative" use of the flag earlier this month as people in some communities hang Union Jack and St. George's cross flags from lampposts. The Sky Sports pundit believes the intent of those flying the flag is to sow division.

Getty Images News'Division created by angry, middle-aged white men'

Neville has questioned the intent of those hanging flags from lampposts, believing they are looking to sow division in communities at a time when when immigration is a major political issue. "I love my country, I love Manchester, I love England," Neville said in a video that was posted to social media earlier this month.

"But I've been building in this city for 15-20 years and nobody has put a Union Jack flag up, so why do you need to put one up now? Quite clearly, it's sending a message to everybody that there's something you don't like."

Neville also questioned whether the flags are a true representation of patriotism, adding: "I just kept thinking as I was driving home that we're all being turned on each other. And the division that's being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they're doing."

"The Union Jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live, but I think we need to check ourselves, check ourselves and start to think about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because we’re being pulled right and left and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all."

Advertisement'There's nothing to be ashamed of about it'

However, Neville's comments didn't go well with a number of members of parliament, with Conversative leader Kemi Badenoch heavily critical of the former Manchester United defender. "I think that that's just disgraceful. The flags are the things that bring us together," she said.

"I love the Union flag. Everybody should be able to feel that the flag represents their home country. There's nothing to be ashamed of about it. It shouldn't be taken down. But that's Gary Neville."

Reform leader Nigel Farage echoed Badenoch's sentiments, and suggested he should be sacked by Sky Sports, adding: "I tell you what, this Gary Neville is so detached from reality, so detached from the average football fan, it is not true. I’m amazed that Sky Sports keep him on."

Getty Images SportProtests and arrests made at Salford game

And on Saturday, three men invaded the Peninsula Stadium pitch in protest aimed at Salford co-owner Neville. The men in question were wearing 'Gary Neville is a traitor' hoodies and waving England flags, while one tried to plant an England flag in the centre circle, before they were removed by stewards and police officers, and subsequently arrested by Greater Manchester Police. 

Far right group Britain First have claimed responsibility for the incident, posting on X: "This afternoon, Britain First teamed up with local Salford patriots to protest the treachery of Gary Neville at a football match between Salford and Oldham." Neville was not in attendance for the game against Oldham.

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Salford returned to winning ways

Despite the incident on Saturday, Salford managed to claim a 1-0 win over Oldham on home turf. Daniel Udoh's 14th-minute strike was enough to claim all the spoils as Salford ended a three-game losing streak.

Will Sutton was sent off for Oldham midway through the second half as the Ammies moved up to seventh in the table, and are now just four points behind league leaders Walsall, who lost at home to Barrow.

Neville, alongside former Manchester United teammates Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, agreed a deal to purchase Salford in 2014, before selling a 50% stake in club to Peter Lim. Lim left in 2024, while Neville and David Beckham led a consortium that completed a full takeover of the League Two side back in March.

Salford will hope to make it back-to-back league wins when they face Gillingham next weekend. The Gills are level on points with Salford, but above Karl Robinson's side on goal difference, after their 1-0 defeat at Grimsby on Saturday, a result that means they are now winless in four to further derail their promotion push.

Dani Gregory scrambles a single off the last ball to seal result

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay14-May-2025A stunning finish at Beckenham saw Surrey tie with The Blaze in the Metro Bank Cup, after Dani Gregory scrambled a single off the last ball.Georgia Elwiss, who top-scored with 82 and took 3 for 35, looked to have handed the visitors victory but a superb 125 by Alice Capsey dragged Surrey back from the brink.When Capsey was out, Surrey’s last-wicket duo of Alexa Stonehouse and Gregory needed 40 from 29 balls. They got the target down to nine off the last over and two off the last ball, but with the No. 11 Gregory on strike they could only manage one, leaving both sides unsure if they should laugh or weep.The visitors had dominated after being put in, with Amy Jones hitting 80 and Kathryn Bryce 56. Gregory had Surrey’s best figures with 3 for 66.Surrey got Tammy Beaumont for just 8, when she pulled Stonehouse straight to Ryana MacDonald Gay at backward square, they struggled to contain Jones and Bryce.They put on 113 for the second wicket and Jones looked poised for a century until Gregory had her caught behind.Bryce also looked well set until she missed a straight one from MacDonald-Gay and was bowled middle stump.Sarah Bryce had made 34 when she edged Stonehouse and Chathli took a sharp one-handed catch.Gregory slowed The Blaze’s progress by bowling both Maddy Green and Ella Claridge in successive overs for 21 and seven respectively, but Elwiss and Kirstie Gordon responded with a stand worth 63 that was only broken when the latter was run out by Paige Scholfield for 26.Davidson-Richards took two wickets in as many balls in the final over, with Scholfield snaring Elwiss on theboundary and MacDonald-Gay reeling in Cassidy McCarthy at mid-off, but Grace Ballinger just avoided getting caught and bowled off the hat-trick ball and Groves finished with a flourish, hitting an unbeaten 10 from five, including a six over mid-wicket.Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on 57 for Surrey’s opening wicket, but the former was caught behind for 20 off McCarthy.Capsey was on six when she was dropped by Elwiss on the midwicket boundary off Kathryn Bryce, but Bryce struck in the same over to get Wyatt-Hodge for 43, caught at backward square by Groves.Scholfield went on the attack, smashing Gordon back over her head for six, then sweeping her for another maximum over cow corner, but she went for 37 of 31 balls when she miscued Elwiss and Kathryn Bryce took a diving catch at deep midwicket.Davidson-Richards made a single, smashed a Groves delivery into her own foot, hobbled back to the crease and was caught and bowled off the next ball.Elwiss then got Chathli for five, caught on the boundary by Sarah Bryce and Phoebe Franklin for 17 after Groves took a steepling catch at backward square.Moore went for 10, caught by Gordon off McCarthy but Capsey made her maiden List A century by sweeping Gordon for four after hitting the previous delivery for six. She hit the next ball for another six. Elwiss at dropped Capsey again at extra cover off Ballinger, but she held on to catch MacDonald-Gay for 27 off the next ball and when Capsey skied Ballinger to Gordon the game seemed up. Yet Stonehouse still managed to hit sixes off Ballinger and Kathryn Bryce to leave Surrey needing nine from the last over.Stonehouse hit Ballinger’s first ball for four, then took a single. The third was a dot, the fourth and fifth singles, leaving Gregory on strike. She straight drove Ballinger who couldn’t break the wicket before the single was completed, leaving the scores tied.