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Williamson v Babar Azam. Maxwell v Jadeja v Woakes – our panelists have to work out some tricky picks

Sreshth Shah29-May-202037:36

Who makes it to our current world ODI XI?

In this week’s episode of , our panelists pick an ODI team from among the best players in the world currently. Helping make the decisions are Karthik Krishnaswamy, Alan Gardner and Andrew McGlashan, from three different corners of the world. The major talking points were how deep this team should bat, the number of allrounders it needs, and how the bowling line-up shapes up. Check the video above for the full discussion.4:53

Bairstow? Roy? Hope? Warner?

The opening conundrum
The man with five centuries in the 2019 World Cup was an automatic pick for everyone, but with ODI cricket currently blessed with a wide range of openers, who walks out to open with him? Quinton de Kock’s form has been on the up, Shai Hope has consistently churned out runs, David Warner has been a run machine since the end of his ban, and it’s hard to look past Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy’s form. Eventually, our writers went with the pair that can cause the most destruction.5:30

Who would you pick between Babar Azam and Kane Williamson at No. 4? 

Too many great batsmen, too few batting spots
With every ODI team in the world offering a variety of middle-order batsmen, it came down to who has been the most reliable in the past few years at No. 4. Ross Taylor and Babar Azam have been consistently among the runs, but so has Nicholas Pooran, the swashbuckling West
Indies left-hander. Then there’s the man on his way to being England’s most prolific run-getter of all time – Joe Root, the anchor around whom England’s batting sets itself up – apart from the regular contenders, like Virat Kohli and the last World Cup’s Player of the Series, Kane Williamson. A good problem to have for the panelists.4:54

Which allrounder slots in at No. 7?

Finding the best specialist allrounder
The allrounder is always a tricky pick since that position is often dictated by how the rest of the team stacks up. With secondary spin and pace options already available, it was finally a call on what kind of specialist allrounder balances out the line-up. Ravindra Jadeja, with his accurate left-arm spin coupled with his rocket arm, was one of the frontrunners for No. 8. So was Glenn Maxwell, for his destructive capabilities with the bat at the death. The New Zealand duo of Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme made compelling cases too. However, the panelists finally chose two allrounders who add depth to both the team’s spin and pace departments. Dream Teams,

The New York Mets and Seattle Mariners put on a show Sunday night at the Little League Classic. Young ballplayers competing for youth baseball's ultimate prize got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see their favorite MLB stars up close and a tremendous amount of fun was had per usual.

The Mariners organization and its fans would have had a decidedly worse time had their cornerstone outfielder Julio Rodriguez suffered a significant injury while sledding down a hill on a piece of cardboard, which almost became a reality when a member of security took a spill and nearly landed on his ankle.

Here's the footage, which thankfully ends with everyone invovled getting up and getting on with their day.

That is too close for comfort. And you have to feel for the security person here who was simply trying to hustle to do the job and ended up losing to gravity. Before they were even able to get upright some unhelpful person is joking about a potential Rodriguez ACL injury. It's rough out there.

Rodriguez will be paramount to the Mariners' playoff hopes going forward and their ability to make a deep run if they get there. Plenty of people breathing a sigh of relief realizing this could have been worse.

U.S. international Weston McKennie opened the scoring, and Canada’s Jonathan David added a second as Juventus beat Pafos 2–0 in the Champions League. The win gives the Bianconeri a vital boost in the league stage, taking them to nine points from six games and strengthening Luciano Spalletti and his side's push for the knockout rounds.

McKennie breaks deadlock with a crucial goal

The match remained goalless until the 67th minute when McKennie found the back of the net. The American midfielder capitalized on a well-worked team move, demonstrating his attacking instincts and composure in front of goal. His strike gave Juventus the momentum they needed to control the remainder of the match and put pressure on their Cypriot opponents. His goal was also a landmark moment as it was the 50th goal scored by a USMNT player in the competition and made him the second USMNT player to record 10 goal contributions as well.

AdvertisementDavid doubles the lead to secure victory

Just six minutes after McKennie’s opener, Jonathan David extended Juventus’ advantage with a clinical finish. The Canadian forward showcased his sharpness in the box, converting a precise assist after a breathless counter-attack to make it 2-0. This goal effectively ended any hopes of a comeback for Pafos FC and ensured Juventus took all three points from the encounter.

Group-stage implications for Juventus

The victory represents Juventus’ second win in the Champions League league phase, a timely boost as the competition reaches its decisive rounds. Securing three points here improves their standing in a competitive pool and gives Luciano Spalletti’s side breathing room. They’ve now got two wins, three draws and one loss from six games in the Champions League league stage.

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AFPMomentum, rotation and European schedule

Juventus will look to carry this momentum into their remaining group fixtures and juggle rotation as domestic duties pile up. The Old Lady will face Bologna next in the Serie A on Dec. 14 before hosting AS Roma on Dec. 20 as they look to climb up the Serie A table.

يواصل الفرنسي كيليان مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد الإسباني، تألقه في مباراة أولمبياكوس اليوناني، بمنافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، وسجل سوبر هاتريك.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على أولمبياكوس ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة لمرحلة الدوري ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وسجل مبابي الهدف الرابع لصالح ريال مدريد في الدقيقة 60 من عمر المباراة، وهو الهدف الرابع له خلال اللقاء.

اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد سوبر هاتريك مبابي في مباراة ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس

وقام البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور بمجهود فردي مميز ثم مرر عرضية إلى مبابي الذي استقبلها وسدد في شباك أولمبياكوس ليسجل الهدف الرابع.

وكان مبابي أحرز ثلاثية لصالح ريال مدريد في الدقائق 22، 24، و29، فيما سجل أولمبياكوس هدفين في الدقيقتين 8، و52. هدف مبابي الرابع في مباراة ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس

He might not have the big trophies just yet, but Mikel Arteta has already achieved a lot at Arsenal.

He has taken a club that was spiralling into competitive irrelevance and turned them into serious contenders for the Premier League and Champions League.

Furthermore, on several occasions, he has helped revitalise the careers of players most considered to be done at the very highest level.

He has done the same this year, with someone who only last year received some particularly scathing criticism.

The best career revivals at Arsenal

When it comes to redemption stories at Arsenal, the one everyone will think of first, and rightly so, is Granit Xhaka’s.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

The Swiss international famously fell foul of the Emirates faithful in late 2019 when, as he was being jeered, he threw the armband and his shirt to the floor while swearing at the supporters.

At the time, it looked like his time in N5 was up, and were it not for the Spaniard, it probably would have been.

The midfielder would later tell the press that “my suitcases were packed, but I had a meeting with Mikel when he came” and that “he [Arteta] is the reason why I’m still at this football club.”

Over the next few years, the passionate international would slowly win the fans back onside, and by the time his final game came at the end of the 22/23 season, the entire Emirates was singing his name, and seemed desperate for him to stay.

Another player whose career has been revived in N5 is Kai Havertz.

The German wasn’t taken particularly seriously when he made his surprise move to the club in 2023, and the fact that he struggled to have an impact in the first half of that season certainly didn’t help.

In fact, just a month into the campaign, former professional Gabby Agbonlahor described the former Bayer Leverkusen man as a “joke.”

However, a move up front completely changed the game for the struggling player, and in 18 starts as a centre-forward, the “magnificent” ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored eight goals and provided seven assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.20 games.

Starts

32

18

Goals

6

8

Assists

0

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.18

0.83

Then last season, despite being ruled out halfway through, he still managed to score 15 goals and provide five assists in 36 games.

In all, Havertz might not be Arsenal’s best player, but his revival under Arteta is undeniably impressive, and now another player previously written off is starting to show his best form again this season.

The Arsenal star who is now undroppable

The good news for Arsenal is that there are more than a handful of players who are currently undroppable, although few would have expected Leandro Trossard to be among them at the start of the season.

Now, the £90k-per-week Belgian is an undeniably talented player, but it would be fair to say that he underwhelmed last season.

While it took him just 46 games to produce 20 goal involvements the previous year, it took 56 games to produce the same number last season.

Moreover, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star was simply having less of an impact on games, unless, of course, you include the red card he picked up against Manchester City, for which Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville blasted him. The latter notably labelled the situation as “ridiculous.”

The 30-year-old was such a disappointment that by the end of the season, fans seemed alright with moving him on to sign someone more dynamic, and based on reports, it looked like that might have been the club’s plan.

However, such a move never transpired, and fans should be delighted about that, as so far this season, he has been utterly superb.

For example, in just 14 appearances, totalling 832 minutes, the Waterschei-born “little magician,” as dubbed by Arteta, has scored four goals and provided four assists.

In other words, he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 104 minutes, which is a rate of return not even Bukay Saka can match at the moment.

It’s not just his raw numbers that have improved, though; he is also having far more of an influence in games.

For example, while his thunderous effort against Sunderland caught everyone’s attention, he played brilliantly throughout.

Ultimately, it’s early in the season, but as things stand, Trossard is utterly undroppable and looks like another player Arteta has revived.

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MatériaMais Notícias

A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), junto à Prefeitura do Rio, anunciou nesta quarta-feira (29) a instalação de um novo Centro de Treinamentos para o futebol feminino e árbitros. Além disso, irá transferir a CBF Academy, escola de formação de gestores e treinadores de futebol, para um novo terreno na Barra da Tijuca, na Zona Oeste da cidade.

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

– A CBF tem um terreno na Barra em que a ideia é fazer um super centro de treinamentos para árbitros e futebol feminino, que é cada vez mais importante em nosso país – disse o prefeito do Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, após encontro com o presidente da CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, no Palácio da Cidade, em Botafogo.

– Vamos fazer no terreno que a CBF possui na Barra uma Escola Nacional de Árbitros para a padronização da arbitragem e também para receber o nosso futebol feminino. E vamos instalar também a CBF Academy para capacitar cada vez mais a gestão do futebol brasileiro – destacou Ednaldo Rodrigues.

A CBF Academy é a unidade educacional da entidade esportiva, onde já se formaram mais de dez mil alunos. Atualmente, disponibiliza mais de 50 cursos para a formação de profissionais do futebol. Para erguer o Centro de Treinamentos, a Prefeitura do Rio vai realizar obras de infraestrutura de acesso, a exemplo das que já fez para os CTs de Fluminense e Vasco, e a CBF erguerá o complexo.

West Ham United face a familiar struggle for goals this season and now appear to be taking steps in an effort to rectify the problem come the January window.

West Ham offer youth a chance in hunt for goals

Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson are both experienced heads in front of goal and Jarrod Bowen is a permanent threat for the Hammers. However, there has been a frustrating lack of goals dispersed throughout their side lately, contributing to their Premier League struggles.

In surprise fashion, Northern Ireland international Callum Marshall earned his top-flight debut as West Ham chased a way back into the match in their defeat away to Arsenal, leading Nuno Espirito Santo to talk up his potential post-match.

He stated: “What I’ve been seeing in training sessions, his energy, he’s a good finisher, good mobility, he can recognise the gaps in the space, he has a good chance. Even though he’s not a strong boy against a very tough centre-half, he managed to get the header, so I think we have something that we can use.

“We’re going to have three strikers available: (Niclas) Fullkrug, Callum Wilson, and Marshall. We’re going to need all of them, different players, that are going to give us different solutions and options moving forward.”

Scottish youngster Josh Landers is another candidate to bolster West Ham’s forward line after 14 goals in 19 matches last term. Nevertheless, it feels likely that Nuno will turn to the transfer window after his side’s return of six goals in seven matches.

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Desperate times call for desperate measures and the new regime will have designs on evading the relegation zone and building momentum, and they may look for a helping hand in the form of an out-of-favour striker.

West Ham ask to keep informed on Joshua Zirkzee

According to TEAMtalk, West Ham have asked to keep informed on Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee as the Netherlands international continues to be out of favour at Old Trafford. Intermediaries will run the rule over potential options for the forward, with both loan moves and permanent arrangements set to be explored and the player open to joining another English club.

Joshua Zirkzee’s tally at Manchester United

Appearances

53

Goals

7

Assists

3

Zirkzee believes he can succeed in the Premier League and would be open to remaining on English soil, albeit Juventus and AC Milan have previously shown interest in bringing the 24-year-old back to Serie A following his exploits with Bologna.

Coming in as a caveat, the Schiedam-born man isn’t a conventional number nine and has come off the frontline to link play regularly since his £36.5 million move to Manchester United last summer.

Either way, his talent would undeniably improve West Ham’s shrinking pool of options if they were to convince him that the London Stadium is the best place to take his next career step, though only time will tell whether that scenario can become a reality.

Making his first move as sporting director, Ross Wilson and Newcastle United have now reportedly agreed a deal to sign a young defender ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Eddie Howe backs "great" Ross Wilson appointment

With the focus now firmly back on domestic football after the conclusion of the October international break, Eddie Howe has had his say on Wilson’s Newcastle arrival.

The former Bournemouth boss, who has worked with both Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell at the club, has now backed the new sporting director ahead of the Magpies’ trip to face Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

The former Nottingham Forest man arrives to calm the storm in Newcastle’s transfer department, which endured the most chaotic summer window. Whether that means reinforcements for Howe remains to be seen.

Having broken their transfer record to welcome Nick Woltemade and replace one of the world’s best strikers in Alexander Isak, PIF certainly proved that they’re willing to spend without PSR issues in the way and that has reportedly seen Wilson spring into action from the off.

Newcastle agree deal to sign Kenchington

According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle have now agreed a deal to sign Josh Kenchington from Barnsley in Wilson’s first move as sporting director. The England U15 centre-back also had interest from Tottenham Hotspur, but is seemingly set to make the move to Tyneside in the near future.

Likened to Manchester City star and multiple-time Premier League winner John Stones by Hope, Kenchington now has the chance to follow in the England international’s footsteps from Barnsley to the top flight.

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Comfortable on the ball and already over 6ft, there is understandable excitement around the young defender’s arrival. Those at St James’ Park aren’t afraid to hand young players opportunities when they’re ready, either, with the likes of Lewis Miley already benefitting from that.

Although he is unlikely to be in and around Howe’s first-team for a few years yet, Kenchington is certainly one to watch at youth level. If he proves to be anywhere near as talented as England star Stones, then Newcastle will have an undeniable gem on their hands. As first moves go, Wilson may have just pulled off an inevitable bargain.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s son has earned a maiden call-up to the Portugal U16 squad, with the talented teenager continuing his impressive rise through the youth ranks with club and country. Cristiano Jr is, like his superstar father, currently on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Eye-catching performances in the Middle East are allowing international selections to be earned.

• Tournament action for Ronaldo Jr

  Ronaldo Jr could have been forgiven for wanting to steer clear of professional football, given the exploits of his legendary dad. He will forever be following in the most illustrious of footsteps, with inevitable comparisons becoming impossible to avoid. The 15-year-old is, however, ready to tread his own path.

  The youngster, who is known as Cristianinho in Portugal, is one of 22 players to have been called upon for the upcoming Federations Cup. That competition, which will have an U16 event, is due to take place in Antalya, Turkey, between October 30 and November 4. It will be the second tournament that Ronaldo Jr has graced.

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• Getty
  

  Ronaldo Jr played alongside Kai Rooney at Man Utd

  He made his international bow at the Vlatko Markovic Tournament in Croatia after being included in Portugal’s U15 squad for the first time. He made quite the impression there, bagging a brace in a final showdown with the host nation. Cristianinho is seemingly happy to operate under the brightest of spotlights.

  He lined up for Portugal in Croatia on the left wing – which is a position that his father operated in for Sporting and Manchester United before being transformed into arguably the greatest goalscorer that the world has ever seen.

  Ronaldo Jr also sported the No.7 shirt, with his dad having worn the same jersey with distinction across spells with United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr – while also filling it on a regular basis while earning 225 caps for Portugal and scoring 143 goals.

  Cristianinho has followed his father around the world, forming part of academy systems at Juve and Al-Nassr. He also once lined up alongside Wayne Rooney’s son Kai in the fabled youth ranks at Premier League giants Manchester United. There are high hopes for both of those hot prospects.

• No pressure! CR7 allowing son to tread his own path

  Ronaldo Snr has tried to avoid putting too much pressure on his eldest child, with it important that he learns from his own mistakes and naturally develops the hunger to succeed. CR7 has said: “He’s a good kid. The other ones are more tougher, the small ones at home. This one is no problem. When I was his age, he is a little bit bigger and stronger. I was smaller. I think he will be bigger than me. Let’s see if he has the hunger. The hunger is the most difficult.”

  Ronaldo added during a discussion with ex-United team-mate Rio Ferdinand: “Right in this moment, Cristiano wants to be a football player but I don't make big pressure, I make a little. He has pressure already to be the son of Cristiano [senior]. Let him do his own mistakes, but I hope that in the future he can be a professional player. If he doesn't become a player, maybe another job, but I will always support him. We cannot put pressure on our sons because we are famous.”

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• Getty/Instagram
  

  Will Ronaldo play alongside his son before retiring?

  Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has not ruled out playing alongside his son at some stage. He is now 40 years of age, but has committed to a new two-year contract at Al-Nassr, which could put him in contention to figure in the same game that sees Junior make his professional debut.

  CR7 has said: “I would like it, I would like it. It's not something that keeps me up at night, but I would like it. We'll see. It's more in his hands than in mine. The years are starting to pass and obviously Cris will have to, one day, leave football, because the years I'm extending… There will come a time when it's no longer possible. Not only physically but psychologically.

  “But I also don't see it as an obsession. He will follow his path, his trajectory. I will be a proud father, I will be proud of whatever he wants to do. If he plays, 'top'. If he doesn't play, we tried. At least his father tried hard. But it won't be a problem either, in my opinion.”

Marcus Rashford has reportedly been made aware of the key flaw that he must overcome in order to earn a permanent transfer to Barcelona. The loan deal which took the England international away from Manchester United and over to La Liga includes the option for a £30 million ($40m) deal to be pushed through in the summer of 2026. Rashford does, however, have much to prove before an extended stay in Catalonia can be considered.

Permanent deal: Terms of Rashford transfer to Barcelona

The proposed agreement for Rashford includes an initial £25m ($33m) fee and a further £5m in add-ons. With Barcelona experiencing much-publicised financial struggles, they need to be truly convinced before parting with such funds. The 27-year-old’s salary at Old Trafford, which comes in at around £325,000-a-week, would also be difficult for the Blaugrana to absorb – meaning that a compromise needs to be reached there.

Rashford has made a bright start to his spell in Spanish football, with three goals and five assists being recorded through 10 appearances. He netted a stunning brace for the Blaugrana when returning to English soil for a Champions League clash with Newcastle United.

He has, however, been informed that his “biggest career nemesis” must be overcome in order to remain alongside Lamine Yamal and Co. Consistency has been an issue for Rashford since 2021 – with one 30-goal season being sandwiched by three campaigns in which he has failed to reach double figures.

AdvertisementGettyWhat Rashford must do in order to earn Barcelona stay

has pointed out what needs to be done in order for a transfer in 2026 to become “inevitable”. They report that: “At Barca, Rashford has found the perfect environment to relaunch his career. His immediate impact, his commitment, and his connection with [Hansi] Flick have made him one of the biggest draws of the season. If he maintains this level of form, paying the 30 million euros could cease to be an option and become an inevitable decision.”

It is being suggested that Rashford finds himself in the “last chance saloon”, with Aston Villa opting against taking him on a permanent basis over the summer following a productive loan spell in the West Midlands.

, however, claims that bosses in Barcelona have been impressed by what Rashford has to offer. They were concerned at first as to why United were prepared to part with such a player, but now believe that they could have a bargain on their hands.

A source has told : “Barcelona had an issue with signing Marcus initially, which was the club’s financial situation. But they also thought United were playing a game because they were willing to let him go. They thought it was too good to be true — there must be something wrong with him. His brother Dwaine persuaded them there was nothing wrong — and that he wasn’t going to mess them about. Barca are now really shocked that they could sign him for what they see as a bargain.”

No decision: Barcelona yet to make future call on Rashford

Barca’s sporting director Deco has been quick to point out that it is still far too early to discuss long-term plans for Rashford. He has said: “It's too early to talk about decisions for next season but what matters is that we're happy with him.”

A source inside Camp Nou added: “We're all delighted and thrilled with him and his performance, Deco, Flick, and his team-mates. Marcus is also happy with us, with his team-mates and with the city of Barcelona. It's obvious that if he continues to develop like this, there's a very good chance that this will be the case [a permanent deal]. But we're only at the beginning of the season and it's still too early to talk about this.”

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GettyRashford contract: Terms at Man Utd but seemingly no clean slate

Rashford’s contract in Manchester is due to run until 2028, but there appears to be little future for him there. He fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim and was ushered through the exits. Another managerial change at Old Trafford has been mooted, which would deliver clean slates, but the Red Devils appear to have moved on from another home-grown graduate of their fabled academy system.