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Also: What is the record for the most ducks in a Test?

Steven Lynch27-Aug-2024There were 11 ducks in the second Test between West Indies and South Africa. Was this a record? asked Jamie Greaves from England

You’re right that there were 11 ducks in the recent match in Providence, four for West Indies and seven for South Africa (two by Keshav Maharaj, who bagged a pair). That actually equalled the Test record: there have now been 14 cases of 11 in a match, the first in an Ashes Test at Old Trafford in August 1888, and the most recent instance by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Mirpur in May 2022.South Africa’s seven ducks in the match was two short of the Test record. There have been three cases of nine by a team in the same Test: by Sri Lanka against India in Chandigarh in 1990-91, West Indies vs Australia in Brisbane in 2000-01, and Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in Mirpur in 2022.Keshav Maharaj was dismissed three times in the recent Test series in the West Indies without scoring a single run. What’s the most a batter has been dismissed in a series without scoring a run? asked Gavin Truter from England

Keshav Maharaj was the 11th man to bat three times in a Test series and be out for a duck each time. Probably the most surprising name among the others is England’s Ben Stokes, in the home series against India in 2014.Only two men have batted four times in a Test series and been out for a duck each time: Pat Pocock for England vs West Indies in 1984, and Nuwan Pradeep for Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in the UAE in 2017-18. Four others have been dismissed for four ducks in a series: Iqbal Qasim for Pakistan in England in 1978, Danny Morrison for New Zealand in Australia in 1993-94, Phil Tufnell for England in Australia in 1994-95, and Dinanath Ramnarine for West Indies in Sri Lanka in 2001-02. Ramnarine actually batted six times, and had two 0 not outs to go with his four ducks. For the list, click here (note that this includes not-outs).The most ducks by anyone in a single Test series is six, by the Australian fast bowler Alan Hurst in the six-match Ashes series of 1978-79. He did score 44 runs in his other innings in the series though.Did I hear correctly that Milan Rathnayake’s 74 in Manchester was the highest on Test debut from No. 9? asked Anura de Silva from Sri Lanka

I was surprised to discover that it was true: Milan Rathnayake made 74 on his debut for Sri Lanka last week at Old Trafford, beating the previous record of 71 on debut from No. 9, by India’s Balwinder Singh Sandhu against Pakistan in Hyderabad in 1982-83.My slight surprise was because I knew there had been some debut centuries from low in the order, but it turns out that these came from even further down – No. 10! Australia’s Reggie Duff made 104 from there against England in Melbourne in 1901-02, and many years later Bangladesh’s Abul Hasan smacked 113 not out on debut against West Indies in Khulna in 2012-13. New Zealand’s Tim Southee clouted 77 not out – with nine sixes – on his debut, against England in Napier in 2007-08. He’s played 99 more Tests since and has still not beaten that score. Duff was a recognised batter going in down the order – he opened in most of his later Tests – but the others were genuine bowlers.The highest score by a No. 11 on Test debut remains 98, by Ashton Agar for Australia against England at Trent Bridge in 2013. No one else has reached 50 on debut after going in last.Milan Rathnayake’s (left) 74 is the highest on Test debut from No. 9 although there have been two hundreds from debutant No. 10s•PA Images via Getty ImagesI noticed that in the T20 WC final in 2014, all 22 players either batted or bowled, but no one did both. Was this unique? asked Edwin Kimberly Arockiam from India

That’s a good spot! In the T20 World Cup final in Mirpur in April 2014, India made 130 for 4, with only five batters making it to the crease since Virat Kohli was run out from the last ball of the innings. The other six Indian players then bowled as Sri Lanka won by scoring 134 for 4 – but the five players who didn’t bat all bowled.This was unique at the time, but it has happened in three T20 internationals since: the matches between India and West Indies in Chennai in 2018-19, Ireland vs Afghanistan in Belfast in 2022, and New Zealand vs Pakistan in the semi-final of the T20 World Cupin Sydney in November 2022. It has never happened in men’s ODIs, or women’s white-ball internationals.I spotted that Joe Root opened the bowling in three ODIs in 2014, and it set me wondering if he’d opened the batting and bowling in all three international formats. Alas, T20 batting is missing for him, but has anybody else done this? asked Sam Hurst from England

Only six men have opened the batting and bowling in Tests, one-day and T20Is. Three of them – Irfan Pathan of India, Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan and Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka – did it at least once in the same match in all three formats. The other three, who completed the set in different games, are Glenn Maxwell of Australia, Shoaib Malik of Pakistan, and Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe.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

BJ Watling’s successor plays fire-fighter then fire-starter to reduce first-innings deficit

Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Feb-2023Brendon McCullum goes above and beyond to underplay his impression on this England team, particularly when it comes to tactical matters. But on day four of the second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge last summer, he couldn’t hide. Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes were pointing right at him.Broad bowled the ball. Stokes, stationed around the corner at a deep backward square leg position on the 45, took the catch. Tom Blundell, off the back of 106 in the first innings, had to go for 24. McCullum had noted England hadn’t really gone short to the New Zealand wicketkeeper, and noticed he also liked a swivel after making contact to guide the ball behind square. If they could extract a bit of extra bounce on the right line, he could easily hit it through the air.Hey presto, Broad found the channel and Stokes didn’t have to move an inch. And a batter who had been a thorn in their side – Blundell finished the three-match series with 383 runs at an average of 76.60 – was seen off with ease. The two involved turned to the balcony and pointed at their head coach, whose face-obscuring combination of cap and sunglasses were now utterly redundant.A short-ball plan with an unconventional field is nothing new with this England team, but this was one of the first instances of it coming off. When Stokes brought himself on to open the second session on day two of this Test in Mount Maunganui, the hosts trailing by 187 with five first-innings wickets remaining and a pink Kookaburra not playing ball, few were surprised by the field.Nine Tests on from Nottingham, the doubling up along the sightlines of midwicket, square leg and fine leg have been normalised. But there was one different between what was set for the two batters. All behind square for Devon Conway were on the fence. Blundell, however, had an old friend lurking on the 45.There was no reacquaintance. Though Conway’s field had a whiff of preservation, he would be the man to succumb, reaching high and wide outside off stump and tamely diverting to Ollie Pope close in at square leg. The opener had gone for 77, New Zealand – 158 for 6 – seemingly on their way to a first-innings deficit that could prove terminal.That it didn’t was squarely thanks to Blundell, who by then had already decided he was in it for the long haul. He arrived to the crease at 83 for 5 after Daryl Mitchell, a man with whom he combined for 538 runs in that 2022 series for an average 107.6 per stand, had fallen for a duck. This time it was all on him.Blundell acknowledges the ovation for his hundred•Getty ImagesThough stumps came with England 98 ahead early in their second innings, his 138 runs were a godsend, closely followed by the dismissals of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in the final hour’s play. Blundell should have made it three by taking charge when Nighthawk Stuart Broad skied his second ball. Nevertheless, his fifth Test century is why New Zealand aren’t lagging further behind.Did he pack away the pull shot? Quite the opposite: 67 scored off the 58 short deliveries faced, making up 48 per cent of his runs. That’s above his average across 13 fifty-plus scores (41 per cent), and considerably higher than the 28 (Trent Bridge) and 24.5 per cent (against Australia at the MCG) in his two previous three-figure scores.”I love it when it’s short,” smiled Blundell in his press conference, like a chicken who’d been left with the grain. “It works into my wheelhouse a little bit. It felt like when they went bumper plan, we were able to score rather than when they were just hitting nice length it was actually quite hard to score at times. It’s something I pride myself on, playing the short ball.”Of course, it wasn’t all short and it wasn’t quite freewheeling. His first 50 took 96 deliveries, by which point the score was 195 for 7. It was only when Tim Southee fell (247 for 9) that he finally put his foot on the accelerator.The very next over (72nd) was taken for 14: a flat six over midwicket, before finishing with a brace of fours through cover and midwicket. After No. 11 Blair Tickner played out a maiden, a dodgy hack then a deft dab to fine leg moved him to a crisp 100 from 143. From that moment on, he says his aim was simple: “Hit the ball to the moon”.Blundell celebrates his hundred with Blair Tickner•AFP/Getty ImagesThe one that came closest ended up nestling in the hands of James Anderson for a caught-and-bowled to end the innings just 19 behind. The final stand finished on 59, Tickner chipping in with 3 not out off 24 balls thanks largely to Blundell’s protection and advice to “line up nice and straight”. He said: “For him [Tickner] to do that was bloody amazing.”That last-wicket partnership sums Blundell up. You can generally split wicketkeeper-batters into two types: fire-fighters and fire-starters. And while some closer to one side of than spectrum than the other, few sit as close to the middle as Blundell. He is, ultimately, a facilitator.Analysing his method and charting his rise is one of the same given it is almost entirely forged by his experiences. Since a debut in December 2017 – and a century at the first time of asking – it took him three years to earn five caps. Caps four to 11 saw him operate as an opener – a hundred in the first Test of that run, too, against Australia in the 2019 Boxing Day Test – before dropping back to the middle order which he jokes suited him just fine.It’s worth noting here that he used to be an off-spinning allrounder. And it’s especially neat that he fulfilled that role for Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club in the Shepherd Neame Essex League in 2012. Their keeper at the time? England’s Ben Foakes. It was only in the period between then and returning to the club in 2013 he took up the gloves full time.Even the last week, in which he and his partner had their second child – Freddie – offered a bit of extra clarity, even if it prevented him from picking up a bat in between. He was one of the marooned five as the squad arrived in dribs and drabs in the lead-up to this first of two Tests.None of this is a route to success at the top level, even if Blundell described a lot of it as “great”. But the stop-start beginnings allowed him to work out what he needed to do to thrive. So when BJ Watling (fire-fighter) retired after the World Test Championship victory over in the English summer of 2021, the player and person he was could not have been better aligned to what New Zealand needed him to be.Related

• Daryl Mitchell disappointed after New Zealand miss out on 'couple of small moments'

• Ollie Robinson aiming to be 'worthy' successor to Broad and Anderson

• Tom Blundell bludgeons brilliant hundred to keep New Zealand in first Test hunt

• Late England wickets vindicate Stokes' funky declaration

• Brook's one-two punch encapsulates his real-time evolution

It is fitting Watling’s career-best (205) came at Bay Oval against England back in 2019, just as Blundell’s has in 2023. The difference between those knocks acknowledges where those respective New Zealand teams were and are in their life cycle. Watling’s set up an innings victory. Blundell’s, at this juncture, might only have delayed defeat.This is very much a New Zealand team in transition, through reasons ranging from a golden generation moving on or into their final years and a cricket’s rapidly expanding ecosystem diminishing their pull on their own players. Which is all the more reason to cherish Blundell.Underlining his value is the fact Friday’s knock puts him up top, ahead of Tom Latham, as the country’s leading run-scorer since the World Test Championship final. At 32, Blundell’s gratitude at where he is right now is matched by New Zealand’s gratitude that he is where he is right now.

We assess the chances of the teams in Group One in our County Championship preview

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-2021Derbyshire Matt Critchley consults with captain Billy Godleman•Getty ImagesLast season: 2nd in North Group
Head of cricket: Dave Houghton
Captain: Billy Godleman
Overseas: Billy Stanlake
Ins: Brooke Guest (Lancashire)
Outs: Tony Palladino, Ravi Rampaul (released)
Few clubs embraced the euphoria of last season’s Bob Willis Trophy quite like Derbyshire. The glee of release was two-fold in their case, from the constraints of lockdown on the one hand, but also from their pre-ordained struggle for survival on the other, as they unleashed a hungry crop of youngsters on a host of Test-match grounds in the North Group, and were still in the hunt for a Lord’s final berth ahead of their final-round loss to Lancashire.
The retention of the conference system for 2021 gives Derbyshire another dart at the big time this year – with champions Essex among their rivals in Group One – and if Billy Godleman can coax similarly ambitious displays from his squad, then there’s no reason to think they can’t strike a few similar blows.
Certainly, Dave Houghton has moulded a squad with many of the punch-above-weight attributes of the Zimbabwe team of his playing days. Wayne Madsen, Derbyshire’s captain when they last confounded expectations to earn promotion in 2012, remains a pivotal figure at the age of 37, while the balance that Luis Reece offers while opening the batting and bowling with his left-arm angles is invaluable.
Among the coming men in Derbyshire’s ranks, Leus du Plooy and Fynn Hudson-Prentice both made strides in the BWT, while Matt Critchley’s emergence as a legspinning allrounder did not go unnoticed either. No Derbyshire bowler fared better than his 17 wickets at 26.88.
One to watch: If he can stay fit – and, sadly, it has been a big ‘if’ in recent years – then Billy Stanlake could prove to be one of the signings of the summer. His 6ft 7in cloud-snagging action offers natural attributes that make him a threat in all conditions, and his desire to prove his stamina in red-ball cricket gives an eye-catching focal point to a seam-bowling attack that was arguably Derbyshire’s weak link last summer. Andrew Miller
Bet365: 33-1DurhamPaul Coughlin is one of a number of Durham returnees•Getty ImagesLast season: 6th in North Group
Director of cricket: Marcus North
Coach: James Franklin
Captain: Scott Borthwick
Overseas players: Will Young (April-May), Cameron Bancroft (May onwards)
Ins: Scott Borthwick (Surrey)
Outs: Scott Steel (Leicestershire), James Weighell (Glamorgan), Sol Bell, Josh Coughlin, Gareth Harte, Nathan Rimmington, Ben Whitehead (all released)
Scott Borthwick’s return north as Durham’s Championship captain will further inspire hopes that Durham are on the up, the after-shocks of their near-bankruptcy in 2016 now departed. The regional loyalties that are at Durham’s heart are also exemplified by the recent return of two bowling allrounders, Ben Raine and Paul Coughlin, but when all is said and done it is cricketing statistics that matter. Departures of two top-order batsmen, Gareth Harte and Scott Steel, have been presented as blows but Harte had a first-class average under 30 and Steel, only 21, had only played two first-class matches. Far more important is that David Bedingham, the former South Africa U-19 batsman, builds on an excellent maiden season in 2020 and that Jack Burnham, Ned Eckersley and Sean Dickson address the poor returns that saw them make only two half-centuries between them last season.
Durham look a seam bowler light so Chris Rushworth, who is 23 wickets shy of becoming Durham’s most prolific first-class bowler, needs Matty Potts to take his T20 form into the four-day stuff. And then there is Borthwick’s unpredictable legspin: as captain, at least he can bring himself on at the right time. Durham’s toughest fixtures are up first – away trips to Nottinghamshire and Essex with the opener at Trent Bridge particularly intriguing.
One to watch: Matty Potts, a Sunderland-born seamer, became the latest homegrown product to catch the attention with a strong Vitality Blast last season and he will now hope to make a more regular impact in the Championship. David Hopps
Bet365: 50-1EssexAlastair Cook and Tom Westley will be key figures once again•Getty ImagesLast season: 1st in South Group, BWT winners
Coach: Anthony McGrath
Captain: Tom Westley
Overseas: Simon Harmer, Peter Siddle
Ins:
Outs: Rishi Patel (Leicestershire)
Defending County Champions from 2019, Essex also pocketed “the Bob” during last year’s truncated season and will go into the summer as the team to beat in red-ball cricket. The strategy that underpins their success is deceptively simple: a largely homegrown squad, blending youth and experience, spearheaded by one of the most potent attacks on the circuit. Over the last four seasons of Championship and Bob Willis Trophy cricket, no bowlers can touch Simon Harmer (250 wickets) and Jamie Porter (208) at the top of the tree; Sam Cook and Aaron Beard, two 23-year-olds, provide sharp support and the return of Peter Siddle, once his involvement with Tasmania in the Sheffield is concluded, will add further cutting edge.
Stability has also been a key feature of their success. Tom Westley succeeded Ryan ten Doeschate as captain last year, but of the group that won the 2017 Championship, the only significant departures have been Ravi Bopara (now at Sussex) and James Foster (retirement). Alastair Cook continues into the third year of his contract post-England, Dan Lawrence will be looking to burnish his Test credentials after showing glimpses of his ability on the winter tours of Sri Lanka and India, and the familiar outlines of Nick Browne, Westley and ten Doeschate will help fill out the batting order. Worryingly for the rest, their appetite to extend the title-winning dynasty at Chelmsford seems as strong as ever.
One to watch: Feroze Khushi received unwanted attention after having beer poured over him during last year’s Bob Willis Trophy celebrations (Khushi is a Muslim), but the 21-year-old batsman had caught the eye with a couple of attractive innings in victories over Kent and Surrey, and will be looking to force his way into Essex’s settled top order. Alan Gardner
Bet365: 11-2NottinghamshireBlast champions Notts are looking to regain that winning feeling in red-ball cricket•Getty ImagesRelated

Hanuma Vihari confirmed for Warwickshire stint after Pieter Malan deal hits visa snag

Borthwick's return as captain marks Durham's levelling up

Vihari lined up for Warwickshire stint after Malan deal hits visa snag

Last season: 4th in North Group
Director of cricket: Mick Newell
Coach: Peter Moores
Captain: Steven Mullaney
Overseas players: Dane Paterson
Ins: Brett Hutton (Northamptonshire), Lyndon James (academy), Toby Pettman, Dane Schadendorf
Outs: Chris Nash, Jack Blatherwick (Lancashire)
June 23, 2018 is etched into the minds of Nottinghamshire members: the date they last felt the joy of victory in a first-class match. They are winless in 27 fixtures since that victory at Chelmsford, and as a result, any optimism for the 2021 season should be cautious in the extreme. There were glimmers of hope in the BWT last summer, with runs for recent recruits Ben Slater, Haseeb Hameed, Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke – who are likely to form the top four at the start of this season – but they were unfortunate with the weather and lacked a ruthless streak in crunch moments, most notably in the defeat against Derbyshire.
The club have built a deep pool of seamers too, both homegrown and imported. Zak Chappell and Jake Ball were both in the wickets last summer and Stuart Broad is likely to play a handful of early-season fixtures. Dane Paterson – eventually signed as an overseas player after 12 months in limbo – looks like a smart pick-up, while the underrated Brett Hutton has returned from Northants. For all the club’s white-ball success during the Peter Moores era, the first thing to tick off this season will be that elusive four-day victory.
One to watch: Samit Patel has not officially retired from red-ball cricket, but is not expected to feature in the Championship this season unless injury strikes. As a result, there is a vacancy for a left-arm spinner who can hold a bat, and Liam Patterson-White is the ideal candidate to fill it. He will play a holding role in the early rounds, but a pre-season five-for against Warwickshire suggests he will have no trouble running through the tail when required. Matt Roller
Bet365: 8-1WarwickshireOlly Stone breaks through for Warwickshire•Getty ImagesLast season: 3rd in Central Group
Director of cricket: Paul Farbrace
Coach: Mark Robinson
Captain: Will Rhodes
Overseas: Pieter Malan
Ins: Danny Briggs (Sussex), Manraj Johal, Jacob Bethell (both academy), Jacob Lintott
Outs: Jeetan Patel, Ian Bell, Tim Ambrose (all retired), Liam Banks (released)
This is the start of a new age at Warwickshire. With a host of familiar faces – Bell, Ambrose, Patel, Jim Troughton and Jonathan Trott among them – having departed in recent years, there is a new look to the playing and coaching staff. So, while some experience has been brought in – Pieter Malan (or Hanuma Vihari) should add some solidity to the batting, Danny Briggs the bowling and Tim Bresnan a bit of both – there is still a green look to the batting, in particular. But Warwickshire, a club whose youth system has underachieved for a long time, feel that in the likes of Dan Mousley, Rob Yates and Matt Lamb they have the nucleus of a team that could build into something pretty exciting.
At full strength, the seam department boasts impressive pace and promise. But Henry Brookes, Ryan Sidebottom and Olly Stone will rarely play together so Briggs, the man charged with replacing Patel, and Oliver Hannon-Dalby will be relied upon to hold things together.
There’s a new head coach in Mark Robinson and a nearly new captain in Will Rhodes, too. So while Warwickshire will hope to improve on some pretty modest Championship form over the last few years – they have only won one Division One or BWT match at Edgbaston since September 2016 – it will probably pay for supporters to retain modest ambitions in the short term. This is a rebuilding process that could take a while.
One to watch: Dayle Hadlee famously once described Ian Bell as “the best 16-year-old I’ve ever seen”. Well, now it’s Bell’s turn. He has described Jacob Bethell as “the best 17-year-old” he has ever seen. A Barbadian, Bethell’s primary skill is his batting but his left-arm spin is highly rated, too. He might have to wait for an opportunity, but he really is an exciting prospect. George Dobell
Bet365: 14-1.WorcestershireJake Libby enjoyed a prolific Bob Willis Trophy•Getty ImagesLast season: 2nd in Central Group
Coach: Alex Gidman
Captain: Joe Leach
Overseas: Alzarri Joseph
Ins: Alzarri Joseph, Gareth Roderick (Gloucestershire)
Outs: Wayne Parnell (Northants), George Scrimshaw (Derbyshire), Ben Twohig, Olly Westbury (both released)
Worcestershire go into the Championship season with a bit to prove. Although they had a decent BWT, they finished ninth in Division Two in 2019. Even without Josh Tongue and Pat Brown, who are unlikely to feature before May as they come back from injury, they look to have an impressive seam attack with Alzarri Joseph, available for the first seven Championship games, adding pace with the ball and the prospect of lower-order runs. Adam Finch, who impressed on loan at Surrey, should challenge some more established seamers for a place, too.
The spin bowling is less strong. With Keshav Maharaj having pulled out of a deal and Moeen Ali’s availability severely limited, Brett D’Oliveira will be required to provide the spin option and avoid over-rate fines. The club may well recruit an overseas spinner later in the campaign.
Gareth Roderick, who is expected to bat at No. 3, should add some solidity to a batting line-up that was noticeably improved by the recruitment of Jake Libby last year. The likes of Jack Haynes and Rikki Wessels, in the last year of his contract, may be fighting it out for the final batting spot, though the number of bowling allrounders – Leach, Joseph and Ed Barnard among them – should provide lower-order runs.
While qualifying for Division One will, no doubt, be the aim, reaching Division Two would probably represent a season of progress.
One to watch: Kane Williamson and Morne Morkel were among those impressed by Dillon Pennington’s first season in 2018. And while a foot injury appeared to rob him of his outswing and slow his progress the following year, he has looked back to his best in pre-season. Strong, sharp and blessed with an ability to move the ball away from the right-hander, he has the potential to enjoy a long career. GD
Bet365: 12-1

The Blue Jays' Game 7 win in the ALCS on Monday night confirmed one thing: Shohei Ohtani is, in fact, headed to Toronto.

The Dodgers will face the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night in what's expected to be a thrilling postseason battle between the NL and AL champs. On one side, the Dodgers trounced the Brewers in the NLCS and enter the World Series as heavy favorites to claim their second straight title. On the other, the Blue Jays downed the Mariners thanks to George Springer's three-run homer in Game 7 and punched their ticket to their first Fall Classic since 1993.

While both teams are aiming to make some history this October, what's in the past doesn't always stay in the past. Ahead of the Dodgers–Blue Jays series, a notorious tweet from MLB Network's Jon Morosi about Ohtani flying to Toronto during 2023 free agency has recirculated on social media and elicited many (perhaps too many) jokes.

Before Ohtani signed his then-record-breaking contract with the Dodgers in December '23, the two-way star was linked to the Blue Jays, who were considered very serious contenders in the Ohtani sweepstakes and reportedly went to great lengths to try to recruit him. Ohtani ended up picking the Dodgers, but not before Morosi shared a now-infamous post about Ohtani being "en route to Toronto" that in turn sparked a hilarious bit of plane-tracking chaos.

With Ohtani now boarding a plane for Toronto for Game 1 at Rogers Centre, MLB fans couldn't resist making the same joke:

Arsenal made it six wins from six in the Champions League on Monday night as Mikel Arteta’s men secured a 3-0 win over Club Brugge.

The Gunners tasted defeat against Aston Villa only a few days ago, but a much-changed team responded in emphatic fashion, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli both on the scoresheet.

Madueke scored a fierce opening goal, running through the heart of the Brugge team before unleashing a devastating effort from outside of the box that crashed in off the bar.

His second, a header from close range, was a lot simpler but there was nothing simple about Martinelli’s strike.

The Brazilian cut inside from the left and bent the ball into the far corner to cap off a phenomenal 3-0 win on the road in Europe.

Understandably, Arteta was delighted with what he saw from his players.

Arteta raves over Arsenal's attacking performance

Martinelli and Madueke have both struggled with injury this term but certainly made their chance count in Belgium on Wednesday night.

Speaking to the press after the game, Areta waxed lyrical over the two wingers, saying: “Madueke and Martinelli were outstanding today, the level of threat and two finishes spectacular. Jesus back after 11 months, to see him perform in the manner he did was really positive.”

Perhaps the biggest positive for the Gunners was Gabriel Jesus’ return to the side. The Brazilian hasn’t been seen in the first team since suffering a horrific ACL injury against Manchester United back in January.

While the striker didn’t score, he managed more touches than the man he replaced, Viktor Gyokeres, despite playing just half an hour.

Arteta was ecstatic to see the forward back in action, saying: “For 11 months, he’s been fighting against another very difficult injury and to see him back with that smile, with that energy and with that quality in his first performance back with us is really impressive and we’re all delighted for him.

“You can see how much we love him! If he continues to perform in that manner, he will bring something else to the team and I am really happy to see that.”

Arteta praises underrated Arsenal star

While the forward line grabbed the headlines in Brugge this week, praise must be handed to the lesser-spotted Christian Norgaard.

The Danish midfielder has barely kicked a ball since signing from Brentford in the summer but more than took his chance on Wednesday, albeit in an unfamiliar role.

Due to injuries to Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera, Norgaard played at centre-back and looked very solid, helping his team keep a clean sheet.

The manager was delighted with his performance, stating: “Christian Norgaard is someone who probably prepares the best out of all of them. He is somebody who makes us better every day. Any position, any condition, his attitude is always immaculate.”

Arsenal star was playing like Saka, now he's being treated like Smith Rowe

The incredible Arsenal talent could end up following Smith Rowe’s trajectory instead of Saka’s.

3 ByJack Salveson Holmes 5 days ago

The Los Angeles Angels wanted no part of Aaron Judge on Wednesday night.

With Yusei Kikuchi on the mound, Aaron Judge came to the plate in the top of the first inning. Rather than pitch to Judge with a runner on second, Angels manager Ron Washington made the call to issue an intentional walk, giving the New York Yankees' slugger a free pass to first base.

Fans from both teams were miffed by the cowardice from the Angels, and the team was showered with boos from the stands as Judge took first base.

Judge has been a pitcher's worst nightmare this season, and he's particularly lethal with runners in scoring position. As Michael Kay said on the YES Network broadcast, the 33-year-old is hitting 18-for-40 (.450) with runners in scoring position this season, and that's not a statistic the Halos were eager to add to.

The decision didn't exactly pay dividends for L.A., as the Yankees were still able to take an early 1–0 lead in the first inning after Anthony Volpe plated Paul Goldschmidt with a sacrifice fly.

Judge came back to the plate in the second inning, and once again, Washington called for an intentional walk to let him on base.

Judge has been off to a historic start through the first two months of the 2025 season, slashing .395/.488.746 with 18 home runs, 47 RBIs and 36 walks in 54 games.

Mikel Arteta has provided a window into the ongoing contract negotiations between Arsenal and star winger Bukayo Saka. The Gunners boss said he is confident the 24-year-old will "leave a legacy" at his boyhood club. Saka is under contract with Arsenal until 2027, but is expected to sign a new deal as the club looks to lock down the core of its title-challenging squad.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Arteta provides update on Saka contract

  The Spanish manager was speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's north London derby clash with Tottenham on Sunday. 

  When asked if he was confident the winger would sign a new deal with the club, Arteta shared that Saka has expressed his desire to remain with Arsenal going forward. He described the relationship between the England international, his representatives and the club's hierarchy as "very healthy and powerful". 

  Saka signed his current deal in May 2023. The four year deal is set to expire at the end of the 2026/27 season, prompting the likely re-opening of talks over the past few months. 

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• Arteta: Saka wants to "leave legacy" at Arsenal

  Arteta was asked if he was confident in Saka's desire to stay with the club and replied: “I prefer that word, I think it is confidence.

  “What Bukayo has transmitted to me and the club, and Emeka (Obasi, Saka’s agent) as well, is that they want to continue to be here. I think it’s a very healthy and powerful relationship.

  “The journey that he has had at the club and what he has become is something we want to maintain. I think that is something that is going to leave a legacy at this football club and he needs to fulfill that role.

  "What I’m very aware of is that he wants to continue with us, that he’s very happy and that he’s in the place that he wants to continue to be and achieve everything that we want to achieve together.

  “When that (a new contract) happens and how it happens, I leave that to Andrea [Berta] and the club to figure it out.”

• Arsenal lock down title-challenging squad

  The north London club have systematically looked to secure the futures of a number of their best performers over the past few months. Saka's fellow academy graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri penned new deals in the summer, locking them down until 2030. 

  Real Madrid's reported interest in William Saliba was staved off with a new deal; the Frenchman is under contract until 2030 too. His defensive partner Gabriel — who was recently ruled out for a month after sustaining an injury on Brazil duty — extended his deal with the club until 2029. 

  Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard and David Raya also improved the terms of their respective agreements with the Gunners. 

  Speaking on the club's proactive approach to managing their players' futures, Arteta said: “It’s been a very clear vision and route on how we want to do things.

  “Ownership has been incredibly supportive and determined to make sure that we can continue the journey with these players and maintain the core of the team. That is the efficiency of everybody that works upstairs, starting with Andrea (Berta) and all the team to get things done because at the end there are always three parties and it’s never an easy thing to get done.”

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  Saka's growing Arsenal legacy depends on lifting trophies

  There is scant evidence to suggest that Saka views his future outside of north London. Since breaking through into the first team as a left back in the 2018/19 season, the Gunners' 'Star Boy' has developed into one of world football's most consistent right wingers. He has made 277 appearances for the club, scoring 76 goals in all competitions. That form has seen him bloom into a trusted player at international level. Saka has won 48 caps, scoring 14 times for England. 

  For the 24-year-old to leave a true legacy at such a massive club will depend on his ability to drive Arsenal on to more silverware. Saka has lifted just one majour honour in his career, the 2019/20 FA Cup, which the Gunners won during Arteta's first season with the club. Three straight second place finishes in the Premier League will have only further fuelled his ambition to win more. Arsenal's push for their first league title in more than 20 years continues with that north London derby on Sunday. 

Ibrahima Konate has revealed the cheeky motivational message he sent to new Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike after the French striker joined in a £79 million summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt. The defender admitted to giving the 23-year-old a “hard time” during training sessions as he pushed him to prove his worth at both club and international level.

• Ekitike teased by Konate at Liverpool training

  Liverpool summer signing Ekitike has made an immediate impact since his blockbuster move from Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Frenchman has also found himself on the receiving end of some friendly teasing from compatriot Konate. The defender revealed that he once gave Ekitike a "hard time" during a post-training session at the AXA Training Centre, using humour to test the young striker's mentality and work ethic.

  Ekitike, who joined Arne Slot's new-look Liverpool side in a deal worth up to £79 million ($105m), has been a key attacking threat this season. His six goals and one assist in 16 appearances across all competitions have helped the Reds remain in touch with the top of the table amid their struggles. Yet for all his promising form, Konate admitted he wanted to make sure the forward understood the expectations that come with representing both Liverpool and France, using a simple but pointed message to keep him motivated.

  The light-hearted exchange reportedly occurred before the international break when the pair were due to join up with the France squad. While Ekitike appeared fatigued after an intense training session, Konate's playful challenge proved effective and highlighted the close bond the French duo have already built within the Liverpool dressing room.

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  Konate admits he gave Ekitike a 'hard time'

  Speaking to , Konate lifted the lid on the humorous but motivational moment: "Once, I gave him a bit of a hard time, but it was funny. We had to go to the gym after one of the training sessions, and the intensity we put into training, it's true, it's very tough. And he was tired. I went to see him and I said, 'Come on, let's go to the gym now.' And he said to me, 'I'm knocked out, I'm dead.'"

  Konate continued: "Actually, we don't have to go to the gym, but it's better to go because we’re kind of 'called up.' I looked at him and for two seconds, I didn’t speak to him. And I said to him, 'Do you want to go to the French national team or not?' A minute later, he was in the gym."

  The defender added with a smile: "The anecdote is a bit funny, but afterwards he quickly understood how it worked. In terms of work, he is someone who is very diligent and who will progress, I have no doubt about that."

• Ekitiek already thriving at Liverpool

  Ekitike's transfer to Liverpool in July 2025 was one of the summer's biggest stories, with the striker rejecting late interest from Manchester United to sign a six-year contract. The 23-year-old's start to life in England has been impressive. He scored on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth and quickly became Slot's preferred No. 9, edging out £125m signing Alexander Isak, whose pre-season fitness struggles delayed his integration. Ekitike's physical presence, movement, and intelligent link-up play have made him a natural fit in Slot's pressing system.

  His performances have also caught the eye of France head coach Didier Deschamps, who rewarded the forward with his first senior international call-up in August. Since then, Ekitike has made four appearances for Les Bleus and is pushing to secure a regular place in the squad ahead of next year's World Cup.

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  Could the Ekitike-Konate duo be broken soon?

  For Liverpool, both Konate and Ekitike are expected to play key roles in the months ahead as Slot continues to shape his project at Anfield. Ekitike's battle with Isak for the starting striker role will likely intensify as the season progresses, with Slot keen to find a tactical formula that allows both high-profile forwards to thrive together.

  Konate's situation, however, is more complicated. The 25-year-old defender's contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, and negotiations over a new deal have reportedly stalled. With Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich monitoring developments, Liverpool face a dilemma over whether to meet his salary demands or risk losing him for free next year.

They came together at 84 for 5 and put on a partnership of 271 and it’s still going strong

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2025

Harry Brook brought up his first Test century against India•AFP/Getty Images

Tea Harry Brook picked off his ninth Test century in an afternoon session bossed by England, with India still smarting from Jamie Smith’s astonishing 80-ball hundred on day three of this second Test at Edgbaston.Both Smith (157) and Brook (140) went into tea unbeaten and dominant, the hosts 355 for 5, still trailing India by 232 but bossing matters ever since Mohammed Siraj removed Joe Root and Ben Stokes in consecutive deliveries. That left England 84 for 5 in the 22nd over, still trailing in their first innings by 503.They have not looked back since Smith walked out and drove the hat-trick delivery for four down the ground. The keeper-batter went into lunch unbeaten on 102, his second Test hundred, with 17 boundaries. Brook, meanwhile, still had nine runs of his own to pick off for his century.He’d get there four overs into the second session, guiding the ball through the cordon, between gully and second slip, off Prasidh Krishna for his 13th boundary to take him to three figures off 137 deliveries. It was Brook’s first century against India, and only his second at home, having fallen for 99 in his first innings of the series at Headingley.Mohammed Siraj struck twice in an over early on day three•Getty Images

Smith had polished off his three-figures in one session, joint-third fastest on deliveries by an Engishman, and now has his second-highest first-class score. The keeper-batter was more or less a-run-a-ball up until he locked horns with Krishna in the over before the drinks break. With Shubman Gill chasing the match earlier than he needed to, Krishna was ordered to bounce Smith, who cashed in handsomely with four fours and a six smashed high over fine leg, taking the over for 23.Having reached his hundred with back-to-back fours off Ravindra Jadeja in the final over of the morning, both he and Brook played the afternoon steady. Only 106 was added in the 28 overs between lunch and tea, with the collective slowdown evident in the fact it took 101 deliveries for this sixth wicket stand to move from 200 to 250.Now at 271, it is the third-highest partnership for the sixth wicket and lower against India. The second new ball, which is just five overs away, feels like India’s only hope of splitting Smith and Brook, though Nitish Kumar Reddy did find Smith’s edge on 121, but Rishabh Pant could only get fingertips to the chance.

Celtic’s dominance in Scotland has continued under Brendan Rodgers, and the Northern Irishman has worked with a number of star players at Parkhead during his two stints as manager who have gone on to bring in huge transfer fees for the Hoops.

But who is the club’s record departure? Here’s a look at Celtic’s most expensive sales in their history, as per Transfermarkt, with a detailed look at the top 10.

=1

Matt O’Riley

£25m

Brighton

2024

=1

Jota

£25m

Al-Ittihad

2023

=1

Kieran Tierney

£25m

Arsenal

2019

4

Moussa Dembele

£19.7m

Lyon

2018

5

Nicolas Kuhn

£16.5m

Como

2025

6

Odsonne Edouard

£14m

Crystal Palace

2021

7

Kristoffer Ajer

£13.5m

Brentford

2021

8

Virgil van Dijk

£13m

Southampton

2015

9

Victor Wanyama

£12.5m

Southampton

2013

10

Jeremie Frimpong

£11.5m

Bayer Leverkusen

2021

=11

Liel Abada

£10m

Charlotte FC

2024

=11

Kyogo Furuhashi

£10m

Rennes

2025

=11

Josip Juranovic

£10m

Union Berlin

2023

=11

Fraser Forster

£10m

Southampton

2014

15

Aiden McGeady

£9.5m

Spartak Moscow

2010

=16

Stuart Armstrong

£7m

Southampton

2018

=16

Mark Viduka

£7m

Leeds

2000

18

Stiliyan Petrov

£6.5m

Aston Villa

2006

=19

Ki Sung-yueng

£6m

Swansea City

2012

=19

Adam Idah

£6m

Swansea City

2025

Here's a detailed look at Celtic's top 10 sales… 10 Jeremie Frimpong £11.5m to Bayer Leverkusen, 2021

Jeremie Frimpong has had one of the more impressive post-Celtic careers, as his £11.5m move to Bayer Leverkusen has certainly worked out for the Dutchman.

Frimpong was a key part of the Leverkusen side which went unbeaten in their double-winning season in 2023/24, as well as reach the Europa League final, which proved to be their only defeat of the campaign.

Not only did Celtic receive a handsome fee following Frimpong’s departure, but they also had a 30% sell-on fee is in his Leverkusen contract, where he was sold to Liverpool for £30m in 2025.

9 Victor Wanyama £12.5m to Southampton, 2013

Celtic really found a gem in powerful central midfielder Victor Wanyama, making a huge profit on the fee they paid Beerschot in 2011, with Southampton paying £12.5m to take the Kenyan to the Premier League.

Wanyama made more than 90 appearances for Celtic in his two-year stay, starring in the Champions League before moving to the south coast.

8 Virgil van Dijk £13m to Southampton, 2015

Yet another player to depart for Southampton in the top 10 list is Virgil van Dijk, who is now regarded as one of the best centre-backs of the modern era.

The Hoops signed Van Dijk in 2013 from FC Groningen, and after winning back-to-back titles in Glasgow, he caught the eye of the Saints, who were managed by fellow Dutchman Ronald Koeman.

The south coast side paid £13m to lure Van Dijk to St Mary’s, before they received a then-world-record fee for a defender when Liverpool came calling in late 2017.

7 Kristoffer Ajer £13.5m to Brentford, 2021

Signed as a teenager after a trial with Celtic in 2016, Kristoffer Ajer grew into one of the best defenders in the Scottish Premiership.

The Norway international won three trebles in a row with Celtic between 2018 and 2020 before leaving the club in 2021 for London and Brentford. The Bees spent an initial £13.5m to bring him to the Gtech Community Stadium.

6 Odsonne Edouard £14m to Crystal Palace, 2021

One of Celtic’s record signings, Odsonne Edouard scored goals for fun at Parkhead after joining permanently from PSG.

In total, Edouard scored 87 goals in 179 games for the Hoops and was too good for the division when he left for Crystal Palace on deadline day in the summer of 2021, with the Eagles sealing a £14m deal.

5 Nicolas Kuhn £16.5m to Como, 2025

Nicolas Kuhn was Celtic’s high-profile transfer saga in the summer of 2025, with the Hoops not exactly splashing the cash despite receiving £16.5m for their star winger.

Serie A side Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, struck a deal with Celtic for Kuhn, who spent just £3m on the forward in January 2024.

4 Moussa Dembele £19.7m to Lyon, 2018

Another free-scoring French striker who brought in plenty of money was Moussa Dembele, who left three years before Edouard in 2018.

Dembele netted 51 times in 94 Celtic appearances and went on to be successful in a Lyon shirt. The Ligue 1 side paid close to £20m for the striker, with Celtic making a handsome profit in the process having signed him for around £500,000.

3 Kieran Tierney £25m to Arsenal, 2019

Kieran Tierney holds the record as Celtic’s joint-most expensive sale, as well as the outright record for an academy player, with the boyhood Hoops fan bringing in an eye-catching £25m in his move to Arsenal back in 2019.

The left-back fell out of favour at the Emirates and made the surprise move back to Celtic Park in 2025 on a free transfer.

2 Jota £25m to Al-Ittihad, 2023

After a memorable loan spell from Benfica, Celtic activated their option-to-buy clause to sign Jota in 2022.

However, after another impressive campaign at Parkhead, the Portuguese winger attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, with Al-Ittihad making him their club-record signing for £25m. Things didn’t work out for Jota with Al-Ittihad, signing for Rennes a year later before re-joining the Hoops.

1 Matt O’Riley £25m to Brighton, 2024

Also top of the charts as Celtic’s most expensive sale is midfielder Matt O’Riley, who cost the Hoops a tiny fee in comparison to what they sold him for this past summer.

Signed from MK Dons, O’Riley starred at Celtic Park and won his first caps for Denmark as a result, with Brighton spending £25m on his signature in 2024.