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Ben Stokes is back from ODI retirement and Joe Root’s recent form isn’t inspiring. But England remain among favourites

Matt Roller29-Sep-20232:49

Can England defend their World Cup title?

World Cup pedigree: England are in uncharted territory as defending champions, sneaking past New Zealand on boundary count to win their maiden title at Lord’s four years ago. Once the laughing stock of one-day cricket – from 1992 and before the 2019 semi-finals, they hadn’t won a single knockout game at a 50-over World Cup – they are now among the favourites at every limited-overs ICC event.Recent form: This squad’s only meaningful preparation was last month, when they came from 0-1 down to beat New Zealand 3-1. England had only played nine ODIs in the preceding 13 months, and the entire World Cup squad rested during their recent 1-0 win against Ireland. Bilateral results have been considered low priority since Matthew Mott’s appointment as white-ball coach last year; after all, in 2022, his side peaked at the right time to lift the T20 World Cup in Australia.Selection: Ben Stokes returns as a specialist batter after a brief ODI retirement, while Harry Brook was a late replacement for Jason Roy. England have picked six seamers, anticipating niggles and a variety of conditions across their nine group games in eight different cities, while Jofra Archer will travel as a reserve.Related

• England rope in Indian sidearm specialist for World Cup prep

• Jason Roy axed from World Cup squad, Harry Brook included

• Brook vs Malan vs Roy – How three into two couldn't go

• Matthew Mott keeping World Cup reserve options open after show of power from back-up batters

Squad: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (capt, wk), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Harry Brook, David Willey, Reece Topley and Gus AtkinsonKey player: He has hardly played 50-over cricket in the last four years, but Joe Root was England’s leading run-scorer at the 2019 World Cup, and his fortunes as their fulcrum at No. 3 may decide their progress. Root is England’s best player of spin, and spent two months preparing for this World Cup while running drinks for Rajasthan Royals at the IPL earlier this year. Root will hope that tailored preparation can help him overcome a lean run in ODIs, having played just 19 of them since the 2019 World Cup, with three half-centuries and no hundreds.Rising star: Although an established all-format international and already an IPL millionaire, Sam Curran is the second-youngest player in England’s squad at 25, and is more likely to play a significant role than Brook, the designated spare batter. Curran has only played 26 ODIs, and his numbers do not stand out either, but he proved in Australia last year that he revels on the big stage. Expect him to be used in a variety of roles across the tournament.World Cup farewells? Where to start? Only three players in England’s squad are younger than 29, and most members will be in their late 30s by the time the 2027 World Cup comes around. There will almost certainly be a substantial changing of the guard after this tournament, and several members of the touring party are unlikely to feature in ODIs again, including Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes.

Liverpool are now reportedly ready to launch an offer worth over £35m to sign a key defensive addition instead of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in 2026.

Carragher admits it's "crisis time" at Liverpool

Liverpool look out on their feet. Mentally and physically, they have simply not competed in the last month. Defeat against Crystal Palace was a warning sign, before games to forget against Chelsea, Manchester United and now Brentford arrived to compile the Reds’ misery.

Off the back of four Premier League defeats in a row, the Premier League champions no longer look inevitable. They look like one of the most beatable sides in the top flight. It has been an inescapable disaster for Arne Slot in the last month, who couldn’t help but admit that even he’s not sure how to solve his side’s current problems after defeat at Brentford.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher went as far as to say that it’s “crisis time” for those at Anfield: “To see the champions lose 4 games in a row in the Premier League with the expenditure in the summer, I think we’re in crisis time for Liverpool right now.”

Serious questions have now been asked about Liverpool’s summer spending. They finally broke the bank, handing Slot the keys to the kingdom with a spending spree worth over £400m.

They broke records to sign Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz while also welcoming Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez, among others, all arrived. It was, barring Guehi’s collapsed move, the perfect summer.

Yet, months later, and only Ekitike has shown signs of real instant quality and the Reds have seemingly been forced back to the drawing board in need of defensive improvements.

Liverpool ready to launch Ordonez offer

As reported by South American outlet Bolavip and relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are now ready to launch an offer to sign Joel Ordonez ahead of Inter Milan worth over €40m (£35m) in 2026.

Liverpool lining up January move for starting calibre centre-back wanted by Real Madrid

Would this be a dream addition for Arne Slot?

ByHenry Jackson Oct 27, 2025

The Club Brugge defender would act as an alternative to Guehi, who has interest from Anfield and elsewhere ahead of becoming a free agent next summer.

With Ibrahima Konate yet to sign a new deal and Virgil van Dijk approaching his final year, Liverpool desperately need to organize the future of their backline. If they are to miss out on Guehi, then they must go all out on an alternative like the Ecuador international.

Minutes

532

742

810

Progressive Passes

4.83

4.51

6.22

Tackles Won

0.52

1.22

0.44

Successful Aerial Duels

2.41

4.27

5.11

Whilst there should be concerns about Ordonez’s aerial ability, his work in possession would at least help provide a solution for Liverpool, who have struggled to progress play without Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Described as “hyper aggressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 21-year-old will be one to watch if Liverpool miss out on Guehi and Konate departs in 2026.

Wayne Rooney accused Virgil van Dijk of "lazy" defending for PSG's decisive goal as Liverpool crashed out of Champions League on Tuesday night.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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• Rooney blamed Van Dijk for Dembele's goal
• Pointed out Liverpool's defensive errors
• Reds crashed out of Champions League

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool carried a one-goal advantage to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, but Ousmane Dembele was quick to draw the French side level on aggregate as he scored the opener in the 12th minute of the match. The goal proved pivotal for the French champions, who eventually progressed to the quarter-finals after a 4-1 penalty shootout victory.

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• WHAT WAYNE ROONEY SAID

  Ex-Manchester United star and pundit Wayne Rooney was extremely critical of Reds talisman Van Dijk as he claimed that the Dutchman didn't make enough effort to stay with Dembele before his decisive goal. Speaking on , Rooney said: "This goal from Liverpool’s point of view is wrong in so many different ways. They are trying to press the ball, Van Dijk gets lazy. If you watch Van Dijk, he leaves a massive gap [to Dembele]. If you switch off for one second at this level, you get punished."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 39-year-old also claimed that the Ligue 1 giants deserved to progress to the next round as they were the better side over the two legs. "When you lose in a penalty shoot-out, it hurts – it’s cruel when you lose on penalties. PSG, I think, over the two legs, were probably the better team… probably deserved to go through and will be delighted. The penalties were fantastic. You can see PSG have worked on their penalties," Rooney added.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  After the disappointment in Europe, Arne Slot's wounded Liverpool team will aim to bag their first trophy of the season as they take on Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Sunday.

da dobrowin： West Ham United boss Nuno Espírito Santo has swung the axe on midfielder James Ward-Prowse, but one player has impressed him behind-the-scenes at Rush Green.

Nuno making key West Ham decisions in build up to Arsenal

da betobet： The Hammers take on Premier League title contenders Arsenal this weekend, and Nuno could hardly ask for a tougher second game in charge.

Related Harry Redknapp predicts major David Sullivan decision that will transform West Ham

The former West Ham and Tottenham boss is convinced.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Oct 3, 2025

West Ham have looked as soft as butter in all respects defensively, especially when it comes to set-pieces, and threatening from dead ball situations is something that Arsenal seriously specialise in.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Mikel Arteta’s side could have a field day if the Hammers don’t shore up in that regard and quickly, with Nuno looking to build upon his solid 1-1 draw at Everton on Monday.

Further up the field, Nuno has already decided that Ward-Prowse won’t be a part of his long-term plans – just under a year after Nottingham Forest cut his loan spell short with the 51-year-old still in charge – so he clearly doesn’t rate the midfielder that much at all.

Ward-Prowse was axed from the matchday squad for West Ham’s trip to Everton, and credible reports since then have claimed that the 30-year-old is expected to leave in January.

Fabrizio Romano has backed up the Englishman’s potential winter departure too, with journalist Dean Jones suggesting that Ward-Prowse could re-join Southampton as his exit looks nailed on.

However, while Ward-Prowse seems as if he’s being pushed out the door, Nuno has quite the opposite opinion on defender Max Kilman.

Nuno says Max Kilman has absolutely shone in West Ham training

The former Wolves boss worked with Kilman at Molineux for years, and Nuno says that the centre-back has impressed him at Rush Green so far with his work ethic in training.

Nuno’s arrival could be exactly what Kilman needs to rediscover his very best form, as the pair enjoyed a very productive relationship at Wolves.

The 28-year-old seriously credited Nuno for his development when they worked in the Midlands together, telling the Birmingham Mail in 2020 that West Ham’s boss helped him understand the game a lot better.

Interestingly, Kilman stood out as West Ham’s joint-best performer alongside Alphonse Areola against Everton (WhoScored), and supporters will be hoping that will spur on a string of convincing defensive displays.

Gilkes (99), Patterson (73) and Green (38*) took NSW to 288, before Green and Sangha shared eight wickets

AAP20-Sep-2025

Chris Green celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

NSW wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes had been run out for 99 but spinners Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green wreaked havoc in a crushing 131-run One-Day Cup win over defending champions South Australia in Sydney.Gilkes (99 off 107 balls) was run out by a direct hit from Jason Sangha in the 44th over after pushing for a quick single in his quest to bring up his century in Saturday’s clash at Cricket Central.Despite that heartbreak, the bulk of the damage had already been done, with Gilkes and Kurtis Patterson (73 off 84 balls) having combined for a 140-run stand earlier in the innings as NSW posted a competitive 288 for 7.Green added a handy 38 not out off 19 balls in a blistering late cameo that featured three sixes and three fours.In reply, South Australia were skittled for 157 in 36.3 overs after being torn to shreds by legspinner Sangha (4 for 35) and offspinner Green (4 for 25), securing NSW the bonus-point win.The Redbacks were well placed in their run chase at 84 for 1 after 15 overs following a solid knock from opener Mackenzie Harvey (60 off 55 balls). But Sangha’s first wicket, the scalp of Daniel Drew, sparked a collapse of 7 for 30 as the run chase ended limply.Sangha followed up the dismissal of Drew by snaring dangerman Alex Carey for 8. And by the time Green snared a sharp caught-and-bowled chance to send Harvey packing, and then Sangha dismissed Jake Lehmann for a duck, South Australia had slumped to 100 for 6, and it was effectively game over.

Cape Verde have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup, becoming the second-smallest nation ever to punch their ticket into the iconic quadrennial tournament. The African nation, which has a population of just 524,000, beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to seal their progression to the finals next summer, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• Cape Verde punch their ticket

  In one of the most incredible stories of World Cup qualifying, the tiny island nation, which is off the west coast of Africa, have confirmed their progression to next summer's tournament. Managed by Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday, in a game that was watched by almost the entire nation; the national government allowed all workers a half-day, meaning they could pack into the stadium, and crowd around televisions, to watch on. They subsequently become the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. Iceland remain the smallest after playing at the 2018 tournament, failing to progress from the group stage.

  Goals from Dailon Rocha Livramento and Willy Semedo had Cape Verdeans dancing in the stands, before Stopira added a third in injury time to seal a joyous victory, with the president in attendance. 

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• A minnow in the ocean

  Cape Verde, known as the Blue Sharks, sit 70th in the current FIFA world rankings, notably behind the likes of Burkina Faso, the United Arab Emirates, Albania, and North Macedonia. Nevertheless, they will play at the World Cup for the first time in their history. They have finished top of Group D in African qualifying, finishing four points ahead of regular continental heavyweights Cameroon, who simultaneously drew 0-0 with Angola on Monday. The Blue Sharks tied 3-3 with Libya last week in a game that could have sealed qualification, but managed to get over the line this time. 

  Roberto Lopes said: "Traditionally, it's been difficult to qualify for the World Cup, especially in Africa where you had to finish first [in your group] to have a chance. This time, if you finish first, you're in. The motivation to be first and hold on to that has been crucial."

• Bebe to play at a major tournament?!

  Perhaps Cape Verde's most famous player is the former Manchester United forward Bebe. The 35-year-old played (not much!) for the Red Devils between 2010 and 2012, with a total of seven first-team appearances for the club. He is now on the books at UD Ibiza in the Spanish third division, making 24 appearances and scoring eight goals for the club in total. He will hope a final career swansong comes, although his last call-up was back in November 2024. Logan Costa is the only player in the Cape Verde squad who plays in Europe's top five leagues, doing so for Villarreal. 

  There have been two other first-time qualifiers thus far for the expanded 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 teams: Uzbekistan and Jordan are also going to be World Cup debutants. Cape Verde join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana in sealing an African qualifying spot for next year's finals, with three more nations set to join them. Cameroon, Africa's major heavyweights, now face the jeopardy of another round, meaning their qualification is up in the air, as they will first have to navigate the CAF play-offs before entering an inter-continental play-off. 

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  Party in the streets of Praia

  It is fair to say that most Cabo Verdean residents, in the capital Praia and elsewhere, will not be going to bed until the wee hours of the morning as they celebrate an all-time achievement from their football heroes. It remains to be seen if they can make an impact at the tournament itself, but they will aim to, at the very least, compete amongst the very best. Potential clashes with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, England and France will have mouths watering in the African nation, as they bid to pull off some major scalps. There is no harm in dreaming, after all. 

In the tour match against South Africa in Sydney, Phillip Hughes will have the chance to make an impression against the side he began his now flagging Test career against with a bang

Daniel Brettig in Sydney01-Nov-2012At the age of 23, Phillip Hughes grins when recalling his exploits as a 20-year-old. In his first Test series three years ago Hughes laid waste to South Africa’s bowlers in Johannesburg and Durban, fearlessly clouting them to all parts as Australia claimed an unexpected and memorable series victory.Back then, it was a simple game for Hughes, his homespun technique confounding a South African side that now admits to misreading his game. However the years since have brought more days out of the Australian team than in it, and a public examination of Hughes’ technique and character reached its nadir last November when he was caught Martin Guptill, bowled Chris Martin, four innings in a row. That sequence against New Zealand cost Hughes his Test spot, the third time he had been dropped.”It’s hard to put it, how low it really got,” Hughes said. “There have been lots of ups and downs. I’ve been in the international side a couple of times now and had the taste. Back in South Africa was three years ago now, so there has been a fair few low times and there have been a fair few high times as well. It’s about being as consistent as possible and scoring runs is always good for that confidence.”Cricket’s a funny game at times, especially batting up at the top of the order. You nick sometimes, you get low scores. The key is once you get in, you get good scores. I suppose in 2009 I was just going with the flow at that stage. I had confidence behind me, runs were behind me, and I just happened to click on that tour. I was a lot younger then.”It’s the same game. It’s about keeping things very simple. I don’t like complicating things.”Ahead of Australia A’s tour match against the South Africans at the SCG, Hughes is confident once again. Not in the “too young to know better” sense that he took to South Africa in 2009, but in a more mature sense based on a steadily refashioned technique, a so-far-successful move from New South Wales to South Australia and a greater knowledge of what is important in life.”I’m grateful for getting selected in this team,” Hughes said. “It was only four months ago I didn’t get selected in the Australia A team that toured England and that was a disappointing time. I went to Worcester and got an opportunity there. Now, with runs on the board, I see myself in this team and I’ve got a great opportunity ahead of me.”I feel I’ve opened my leg-side play up so I can hit to all areas of the field. A couple of years ago I was probably limited. My strength was the off-side. I feel like now I can play all around the field and I think that’s a big thing in all formats but especially the short format, where you’ve got to open that [leg-side] up.”

“I feel I’ve opened my leg-side play up so I can hit to all areas of the field. A couple of years ago I was probably limited. My strength was the off-side.”Phillip Hughes

South Africa remain intrigued by Hughes, given how confidently he attacked them in 2009. They fared better against him in South Africa last year, though Hughes was still able to craft an important half-century in the first innings of the Johannesburg Test. Dale Steyn said the earlier miscalculations would not be repeated at the SCG.”I think we summed him up badly and he made us pay,” Steyn said. “I think when he came down to South Africa more recently we’d definitely done our analysis a lot better of the Australians, especially him, and he didn’t get away from us. I think we went short and wide [in 2009] and we didn’t realise that he could cut so well.”In the next series we were a lot straighter and we kind of tucked him up a lot more. It was a lot tidier in all honesty. We didn’t give him the freebies that he got in the previous series.”South Africa are much wiser this time around, but so too is Hughes. He will hope that the next three days will be the start of his path back to the kind of Test match glory he experienced at the first time of asking.

سجل المصري مصطفى محمد، هدفًا قاتلاً لصالح فريقه نانت في شباك أولمبيك ليون بمنافسات الدوري الفرنسي.

ويلتقي نانت وليون في إطار مباريات الجولة التاسعة عشر للدوري الفرنسي لموسم 2024-2025.

وسجل مصطفى محمد هدف تعادل فريقه نانت في الدقيقة 90 من عمر المباراة، وجاء الهدف من رأسية.

وشارك مصطفى محمد في الدقيقة 69 من عمر اللقاء بديلاً لزميله هيربا جيراسي.

اقرأ أيضًا | نانت يحدد سعر بيع مصطفى محمد.. وأيام قليلة تحسم مستقبله

وعاد مصطفى محمد لقائمة نانت في هذه المباراة، بعد غيابه عن قائمة المباراة الماضية ضد سانت إيتيان.

وكان ليون تقدم بهدفه الأول، في الدقيقة 10 عن طريق لاعبه إيرنست نواماه، وحسمت المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي بين نانت وليون بهدف لمثله. هدف مصطفى محمد القاتل في مباراة نانت وليون

 

After failing to finish inside the Premier League's top four, Newcastle United could reportedly weaken one of their rivals this summer by landing a fresh face at the heart of Eddie Howe's midfield.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have shown no signs of wasting any time so far ahead of the summer transfer window, with a deal reportedly on the cards to sign Lloyd Kelly on a free deal upon the expiry of his current Bournemouth contract. The centre-back, who can also play left-back, will arrive to add some much-needed depth to Howe's backline, which struggled with injuries throughout the campaign.

It's not just the backline that could see upgrades and reinforcements this summer, however, with the Magpies also in need of an extra midfielder in the coming months, which may see them turn to a Premier League rival.

Howe must cash in on Newcastle man who earns nearly 6x more than Hall

He’s endured a terrible few weeks for Eddie Howe’s side.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 22, 2024

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are interested in signing Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, who may need to sell players to avoid any profit and sustainability trouble. The report suggests that Newcastle, along with Liverpool, could be priced out of a deal for Ramsey, however.

That said, given Ramsey's potential and Premier League experience, this is a deal that those at St James' Park should be going after this summer. What's more, the fact that Ramsey is under the same agent as Callum Wilson should help any personal negotiations, should any deal reach that stage.

It would be a sign of intent, that's for sure, if Newcastle instantly weakened a top four rival ahead of next season.

"Wonderful" Ramsey can partner Guimaraes

Without the suspended Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes was often left carrying the responsibility when it came to creativity and stepping onto the front foot as well as maintaining defensive responsibility in Newcastle's midfield. The arrival of a player such as Ramsey would help ease that responsibility, however, especially as he reaches his peak.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Jacob Ramsey	Bruno Guimaraes
Minutes	853	3,263
Goals	1	7
Assists	1	8
Ball Recoveries Per 90	4.42	6.50
Progressive Passes Per 90	2.95	7.80

Praised by Steven Gerrard in the past, the former Villa boss told TNT Sports: “I know the level of the England players, I’ve been around it, and have enough experience to know it’s only a matter of time, but let’s all be sensible and keep calm about it.

“I want him to make his own headlines with his football. He is a top talent, I’m loving every moment of working with him. He is getting stronger with each game because we’re giving him the platform to express himself. He is in a wonderful place.”

With that said, Ramsey could yet leave his boyhood club this summer to join a rival and ease Villa's PSR concerns once and for all.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bwin： O Santos definiu que continuará com Tomás Rincón para a temporada 2024 por meio de uma nota oficial. Para prosseguir no clube, o atleta venezuelano aceitou uma redução salarial.

da esoccer bet： ➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

Para definir a permanência ou a saída dos seus atletas, o Peixe precisa que muitos jogadores readequem seus salários para prosseguir na equipe do litoral paulista. 

➡️ Juventude tem interesse na contratação de dois jogadores do Santos; confira situação

Na visão da diretoria do Santos, o ato de Rincón aceitar a diminuição do seu salário comprova o ímpeto do atleta com o clube e o projeto esportivo previsto para a próxima temporada do clube, que foca no retorno do time para a Série A do Brasileirão.

Apesar do pouco tempo de casa, a postura do volante venezuelano agrada internamente. O jogador foi titular desde a sua chegada e conquistou a braçadeira de capitão da equipe.

A vontade do atleta de seguir no Peixe não é segredo. Logo após a queda do clube para a Série B, Rincón firmou a vontade de permanecer no time e o ímpeto por ‘resgatar o sorriso do torcedor santista’. Veja a nota oficial do jogador abaixo:

– Procurei dar tudo que tinha com muita dedicação, responsabilidade e comprometimento para ajudar o clube a sair dessa situação, aqui estou mostrando a cara porque infelizmente não conseguimos atingir o objetivo e os 8 milhões de santistas não mereciam passar por isso. Obrigado pelas muitas mensagens de solidariedade e apoio, agora para recuperar de uma nova recaída da lesão e preparar-me para 2024, de cabeça erguida porque dei tudo este ano e porque ainda sinto que tenho um longo caminho a percorrer e realmente quero trabalhar. O Santos voltará a sorrir – declarou o atleta.