Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been charged by the FA after his furious reaction to being sent off against Newcastle.
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Duran charged by the FAReacted angrily to red card against NewcastleCurrently serving a three-match suspensionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Colombian striker was sent off just past the half-hour mark in Villa's 3-0 defeat at St James' Park after referee Antony Taylor punished him for an apparent stamp on Fabian Schar, though replays suggested the decision was harsh. Duran was left fuming after the red card as he kicked a water bottle while on his way off the pitch.
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The 21-year-old ace was already serving a three-match suspension for the straight red card but on Tuesday, the Football Association charged him for allegedly acting in an "improper manner" and he could now face further punishment. Duran has until January 3 to provide a response to the FA's charge.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
The official statement from the FA read: "Jhon Duran has been charged following the Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa on Thursday 26 December 2024. It’s alleged that the Aston Villa forward acted in an improper manner in the 32nd minute of the fixture, after being sent off. Duran has until January 3 to provide a response."
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While Duran continues to serve his initial suspension, the Unai Emery's team will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Leicester City in the Premier League at Villa Park.
USMNT star Antonee Robinson admitted he has attracted interest from top Premier League clubs as he hinted he could consider leaving Fulham.
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Robinson admitted to transfer interest from top clubsHinted he could leave FulhamProvided two assists against LiverpoolFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The United States men's national team defender has had an impressive campaign with Fulham in the 2024/25 season having contributed with six assists in 16 league outings for the club. In their latest meeting against league leaders Liverpool last Saturday, Robinson provided both assists as the Cottagers held the Reds to a 2-2 draw at Anfield. With that, he became only the second American international after Roy Wegerle in 1993 to provide multiple assists in a Premier League game.
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Robinson's stellar run of form has caught the attention of several top English giants including, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, and the player is aware of their interest. The 27-year-old event hinted that he is prepared to leave Fulham if the right offer arrives. The full-back's current deal is valid until 2028.
WHAT ANTONEE ROBINSON SAID
Speaking to , the USMNT player said: "I'm very happy here. The fact that there is interest from other teams is great. Obviously, it all comes down to whether someone wants me enough to pay what Fulham would ask. So, if the club sees it as a good idea, I would leave."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ANTONEE ROBINSON?
It remains to be seen if any of the top Premier League clubs come up with a sizable offer for Robinson in the upcoming January transfer window. For now, he will be next seen in action on Sunday as Marco Silva's side take on Southampton.
Both sides might be in a dilemma with the potential return of Shikhar Dhawan and Kieron Pollard in their respective XIs
Hemant Brar10-Feb-20221:44
Should India test their bench? Should West Indies rejig their batting order?
Big picture
Since the start of the ODI series against South Africa, India have been talking about building a side for the 2023 World Cup. One of their pain areas in the last couple of years has been the lack of a wicket-taking seamer in the powerplay and middle overs. They changed their strategy in the third ODI against South Africa by picking a tall, hit-the-deck bowler in Prasidh Krishna, and continued with it in the West Indies series too.The rewards are there to be seen. Hitting the short-of-a-good-length area, Prasidh picked up 2 for 29 in the first ODI and 4 for 12 in the second. One would think he has presented a strong enough case to be in the XI even when Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami return. In the batting department, Suryakumar Yadav seems to have made a middle-order spot his own. Now that India have won the series, they might consider trying out even more options in the third ODI.West Indies, on the other hand, have been let down by their batting. Before the series, their captain Kieron Pollard underlined the importance of playing out full 50 overs but his side failed to do that in the first two ODIs. On paper, West Indies have a long batting line-up – Odean Smith came in at No. 9 in the last game – but their batters don’t bat deep. Can the likes of Shai Hope, Darren Bravo and Nicholas Pooran take the responsibility and step up?Related
Prasidh Krishna's hit-the-deck style just what India needs
Odean Smith makes a splash in his maiden outing in India
West Indies might have lost the series, but they would like to avoid a whitewash. In more tangible terms, there are ten World Cup Super League points at stake, and West Indies are currently ninth on that table in terms of percentage points.
Form guide
India WWLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) West Indies LLLLW
In the spotlight
Since his last ODI hundred, Virat Kohli has made ten half-centuries in 20 innings in the format. However, in the last few weeks, the narrative has shifted from Kohli-not-getting-a-hundred to Kohli-needs-a-break. In the first ODI in this series, he played a strange four-ball knock where he seemed to be in a hurry. In the second, he was more measured but a loose shot outside off stump ended his stay on 18. On Friday, the question will once again be: will he get his 71st international hundred?West Indies will expect more from their opener Shai Hope•BCCI
Among those who have scored at least 1000 ODI runs for West Indies, no one averages higher than Shai Hope’s 51.13. He doesn’t have a great strike rate (74.70), but it’s his ability to play the anchor’s role that makes him a valuable asset in this West Indies line-up. He has an excellent record against spin too. With the team struggling to last 50 overs, West Indies will expect more from their opener. He wasn’t as tidy behind the stumps in the second ODI, so eyes will be on his wicketkeeping as well.
Team news
After the second ODI, Rohit Sharma had said Shikhar Dhawan would be back for the final match. That means either Suryakumar or Deepak Hooda will have to sit out; this, despite Suryakumar doing well in his limited ODI appearances, and Hooda providing India with the sixth bowling option. Therefore, it is also difficult to see Shreyas Iyer getting a game, even though he is out of isolation now after testing positive for Covid-19. In the bowling department, India could play Kuldeep Yadav.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 KL Rahul, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Deepak Hooda/Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Mohammed Siraj, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal/Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Prasidh KrishnaSmith was impressive with both bat and ball in the second ODI. So if Pollard returns, West Indies will have a tough call to make. Can they retain Smith and leave out Bravo, who has had scores of 1, 18, 18, 0 and 2 in his last five innings?West Indies (probable): 1 Shai Hope (wk), 2 Brandon King, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Shamarh Brooks, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Kieron Pollard (capt), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Fabian Allen, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Kemar Roach
Pitch and conditions
The pitches so far have helped both seamers and spinners, and it will not be a surprise if that’s the case on Friday as well. The temperature is expected to hover around mid to late 20 degrees Celsius for the majority of the match. There was no dew during the second ODI, and it could stay that way for the third as well.
Stats and trivia
Prasidh has an economy rate of 2.15 in the series.
Since 2020, Rahul has had an average of 67 and a strike rate of 109.23 in the middle order in ODIs.
West Indies have failed to last full 50 overs in the last seven ODIs where they batted first.
Quotes
“I have been striving to get more consistent. When I started, I used to get excited and have too many emotions running through me. But over time, I have had my plans and I have been very clear on what I needed to work on.
England might be forgiven for considering themselves unfortunate after the first day of the Headingley Test. But great teams do not trust to luck, they shape their own fortunes.
George Dobell02-Aug-2012England might be forgiven for considering themselves unfortunate after the first day of the Headingley Test. They might bemoan the dropped chances, the catch from a dead ball and the lack of assistance they found from the green-tinged surface on which they inserted the opposition. They might curse that fact that Alviro Petersen got off the mark with a four edged past the slip cordon, that the sun came out shortly after South Africa started to bat and that the alignment of Jupiter in the house of Orion made this a tough day for bowling.But great teams do not trust to luck, they shape their own fortunes.So, while it may be tempting to curse their luck, England would be ill-served in the long run by doing so. It is not poor luck to drop catches; it is not poor luck to select an unbalanced side; it is not poor luck to gamble on inserting the opposition and then wasting any assistance that might have been available because some of your bowlers have failed to maintain a good line. And it not poor luck for a leading bowler to go into a Test match with a flaw such as bashing into the stumps that might be considered an accident waiting to happen.Indeed, England might consider themselves fortunate to have ended the first day of this game just about still on level terms. They might consider themselves flattered by the close of play scorecard and fortunate to have taken as many wickets as they did. After all, one (Graeme Smith) came from an innocuous leg stump delivery, one came from a run-out (Hashim Amla) and another came when a bastman (Jacques Kallis) cut to slip. England would be deluding themselves if they hid behind excusesIt all combined to leave the game just about in the balance. But England will know that, for long periods, their bowling was again rendered close to innocuous – they had, taking into account their experience at The Oval, spent three minutes over 10 hours in the field without claiming a wicket when Smith clipped the ball to square leg – and that the problems with their slip catching are now too frequent to be dismissed as an aberration.It was not all negative from an England perspective. James Anderson bowled tidily, Steven Finn added a degree of hostility to the attack and, in the last hour or so, Stuart Broad finally rediscovered some of the intent that had made him such a dangerous bowler over the last year or so. Every one of the attack bowled appreciably better after tea when South Africa added 99 runs in 35 overs for the loss of two wickets.In some ways, though, that just rendered so much of what went before all the more frustrating. Why did it take a second new ball and an increasingly daunting scoreline to summon the best out of Broad? And, while Finn’s pace was an asset, he still conceded close to four-an-over which was the reason he was dropped from the side after the Adelaide Test on the Ashes tour of 2010-11. England, who for so long have made consistency their greatest strength, are suddenly becoming inconsistent.Afterwards Anderson insisted that England were “pretty pleased” with their day, though he confessed to having “no idea” why England’s slip catching had deteriorated.”We created chances all day,” Anderson said. “They played a missed a lot against the new ball and we had a few catches go down. We were pretty pleased with the way we fought all day and the new ball burst by the two big lads could have swung it back our way.”We didn’t really get frustrated. We knew there was a lot more encouragement in this pitch than there was at The Oval. We knew if we stuck at it, the wickets would come. We didn’t really let them get away and we created some pressure.”I really can’t explain the issue with the slip catching. We’ve put a few catches down, but our work ethic with our slip catching is as hard as ever. We work flipping hard at it. We worked on it on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. But we’re putting chances down and it’s really frustrating. We’ll be striving very hard not to do it in future.”Anderson appeared to distance himself from the decision to omit Graeme Swann, however, underlining how unusual it was for England to enter a Test without a speiclaist spinner. The last occasion was also at Headingley in 2003.”Obviously the captain and the coach thought the pitch lent itself towards four seamers and didn’t think spin would play a massive part on it,” Anderson said. “I imagine it was a very difficult decision. He – Graeme Swann – has been an integral part of team for a couple of years now. It’s not often you see a team going into a Test without a spinner.”
Needing to defend seven in the one-over shootout, Shepherd conceded only four to complete Amazon Warriors’ league double over the defending champions
Sreshth Shah01-Sep-2021 Guyana Amazon Warriors win the one-over eliminatorThe match belonged to Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Romario Shepherd. He first took 3 for 24 to restrict Trinbago Knight Riders to 138 for 9, then hit a nine-ball 18 to take Amazon Warriors to the same total, and finally conceded just four runs in the Super Over to help his side do the league-stage double over the defending champions.Defending six runs in the Super Over, Shepherd first had Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard hole out first ball. Then he did not allow Colin Munro or Tim Seifert to hit a boundary off the other five balls. His all-round effort justifiably earned him a Player-of-the-Match award too.Nicholas Pooran’s Amazon Warriors needed just 139 to win after Shepherd and offspinner Mohammad Hafeez picked three wickets each to restrict Knight Riders to a below-par total. Shepherd made the most damage in the first innings’ death overs removing Pollard, Denesh Ramdin and Isuru Udana. Hafeez had made the early inroads by dismissing opener Sunil Narine, No. 3 Tion Webster and an off-colour Tim Seifert.Colin Munro, who struggled with a 47-ball 40 in his team’s last CPL match found his form to anchor the innings with a 28-ball 32. However regular wickets never allowed the Knight Riders to push for a big total, and if it wasn’t for Udana’s nine-ball 21 in the slog overs, the Amazon Warriors might have been chasing a much lower total.However, the Knight Riders fought back with the ball in the second innings powerplay. Chandrapaul Hemraj and Odean Smith fell in the first two overs to Ravi Rampaul’s deliveries that had a tendency to snake into the stump line after pitching. Shimron Hetmyer and Hafeez then began a rescue act, but the Pakistan international eventually perished for a 30-ball 16. Narine then had Hetmyer and Shoaib Malik caught behind in quick succession, and after Rampaul picked off Pooran and Brandon King in consecutive balls, it looked like the Knight Riders were going to win the contest.It however needed the Amazon Warriors’ Nos. 9 and 10 to take them to a tie. Shepherd tonked two sixes and a four to score 18, and then Naveen-Ul-Haq hit a five-ball 13. Amazon Warriors needed two off the final ball to seal a one-wicket win, but a run out while searching for the double dragged the game to overtime.
One of the biggest debates in English football is which club has the best academy. Manchester United’s esteemed Carrington academy is one that has produced some legendary players, and some of the Premier League’s top players at the moment revived their footballing education there.
Three of the most notable academy players currently on United’s books are Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Rashford has represented the Red Devils on 402 occasions and has scored 131 times so far. Garnacho and Mainoo both won the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and just two years later were both goalscorers as United lifted the FA Cup at Wembley over Manchester City.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
In fact, the Citizens are another academy that can boast some excellent products. The most notable two are Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. Both represented Pep Guardiola’s side, with Palmer now plying his trade at Chelsea and Foden still a key player at the club.
Two London academies, Chelsea’s Cobham and Arsenal’s Hale End, have also produced some excellent players. The best current examples include Mason Mount, a Cobham graduate, and Bukayo Saka, who came through at Hale End.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka
In total, United boast nine academy graduates in their squad. However, rumours have been circling this week that one of those could depart Old Trafford during the transfer window.
Man Utd academy graduate could leave
The Carrington graduate in question here is Scotland international Scott McTominay. The 27-year-old midfielder has played an important role under Erik ten Hag so far during his time as manager but could leave the club this summer.
According to CaughtOffside, the Red Devils could cash in on McTominay this summer. The report suggests that one club in England and another in Europe are interested in signing the Scot.
One is West Ham United, who are rumoured to be preparing to 'open talks again' for the United number 39. The club in Europe are believed to be Galatasaray, who would prefer a loan move for the midfielder.
Recently, their vice-president Ibrahim Hatipoglu confirmed the club’s interest, explaining that Galatasaray 'are interested in a player from the Premier League and Manchester United'.
McTominay’s transfer value in 2024
In 43 games in all competitions last season, McTominay found the back of the net on ten occasions, registering three assists along the way.
Premier League
32
1892
7
1
Champions League
6
502
2
1
FA Cup
5
381
1
1
In the words of Danny Murphy, he has been "a nightmare to play against" at times, scoring some vital strikes in 2023/24. That included two in stoppage time against Brentford to help United come from behind and win 2-1 and first-ever Champions League goal away to the club that now wishes to sign him, Galatasaray.
As a result, his transfer value has spiked considerably. According to reports, the Scotland international is now valued at £29m by his club. Interestingly, that is more than one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfielders Adam Wharton.
The young Crystal Palace midfielder is worth slightly less, at £17m as per Football Transfers, a few months on from when the Eagles signed him from Blackburn Rovers.
Why is this relevant? Well, the newly-capped England international has been linked with United in recent days and could coincidentally arrive as McTominay's dream replacement, sliding in alongside the equally as talented Kobbie Mainoo. The teenager is now valued at £20m by Football Transfers, although it's safe to say both players would fetch a bit more than that when accounting for inflation in the modern game.
Although Wharton would be a superb signing for the Red Devils, there is no doubting the unique profile that McTominay brings to the squad. Described as a "physical monster" by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he's certainly more of a box-crasher, as evidenced by his goal tally for Ten Hag's side last term.
Despite that, selling him represents pure profit, given he is an academy graduate. That money could be reinvested into other areas of the squad – such as the Palace midfielder – who would better fit the manager's game model and ideas.
For a potential fee of around £29m, it is perhaps too good of a deal for United to turn down. There is no doubt that McTominay has been a wonderful servant to United, but his sale could help improve the squad for the season ahead. They have already struck gold by raising an academy graduate to regular first-team football but a big sale wouldn't go amiss.
Man Utd want "outstanding" England ace who could be their own Rice
Manchester United are focusing on midfield recruits.
If you’d given South Africa a 2-0 Test series sweep and an opportunity to win the T20I rubber with a game to spare before they’d set off for West Indies, they would have taken it in a heartbeat. This team landed in the Caribbean low on confidence, positive results and trophies but they could leave having turned around all three.South Africa can wrap up the series on Thursday and take an unassailable lead into the final match on Saturday, a result that will give Temba Bavuma and Mark Boucher their first series successes in T20I cricket as captain and coach and some breathing room to play with team balance. So far, it seems South Africa have yet to get it exactly right, with a middle-order that appears a batter short and an attack that lacks sixth and seventh bowling options.The only way to change that is to include more allrounders, but South Africa are reistsing that and want to see this combination play together a little longer. If it works, who can argue? Especially if it gives them their first T20I series win in seven series. Yes, it’s been that long. Since September 2019, South Africa have drawn a series against India and lost to England (twice), Australia and Pakistan (twice). While they have had a tough 18 months in all formats, the shortest one is what they most urgently need to get right, ahead of the T20 World Cup.West Indies, the defending champions, also have one eye on the tournament and packed their squad with superstars. For the most part, they have not really come off. Chris Gayle and Andre Russell have not had any stand-out moments in the series so far, Kieron Pollard’s form is a concern and while Dwayne Bravo has been excellent with the ball, he is batting too low in the line-up to make an impact. The flip side of all that is that it has allowed the younger players to blossom.Obed McCoy and Kevin Sinclair and Fabian Allen have shown the depth in the West Indies ranks. If the big-names can fire alongside them, West Indies will be even more difficult to beat.Obed McCoy’s versatility means he can bowl at any stage of a T20I•AFP/Getty Images
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) West Indies LLWWL South Africa WWLLL
In the spotlight
Left-arm seamer Obed McCoy is the leading wicket-taker (seven) in the series so far and is displaying the kind of skill that South Africa’s attack has lacked. Not only does McCoy have the advantage of a different angle (South Africa have Beuran Hendricks in reserve if they want to try that) but he has also mastered variations of pace. His back-of-the-hand slower ball has had the better of the opposition batters and he poses a threat throughout the innings, making him a versatile option for captain Pollard. McCoy is certain to feature in West Indies’ major tournament plans and would want to do his bit in helping them in pressure situations like the next two matches.It’s worth remembering that Imran Tahir has not retired from T20I cricket and South Africa could still call on him for the T20 World Cup if they want to, but Tabraiz Shamsi has given them enough reasons not to. Shamsi has established himself as the first-choice white-ball spinner with the dual ability to strike and hold an end. Shamsi put in his most economical performance in Tuesday’s match, which set South Africa on course for victory, and his overall numbers make him the most miserly bowler in the series. In 12 overs so far, Shamsi has conceded at a rate of 4.66 to the over and is the only bowler from both sides to give away less than six runs an over.It’ll all be on the line on Thursday as far as this series is concerned•AFP/Getty Images
Team news
Jason Holder, who was used at No. 3 in the previous game, has been rested as part of his workload management which could create room for the return of Chris Gayle and the retention of Shimron Hetmyer. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein replaces Sinclair in the squad as the selectors assess various options.Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis formed a relatively good pairing at the top of the order but the experiment of promoting Jason Holder to No.3 and using Shimron Hetmeyer at No.4 in the last game did not work. Gayle may find his way back in the team for this must-win game and more will be expected of Pollard and Nicholas Pooran.West Indies (probable): 1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Chris Gayle, 4 Shimron Hetmeyer, 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 7 Andre Russell, 8 Dwayne Bravo, 9 Fabian Allen, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Obed McCoySouth African benefitted from having an extra bowling option in their XI even though Aiden Markram’s primary focus should be adding impetus to the middle-order. Apart from finding a spot for Kyle Verreynne, there’s not much else South Africa can do to try and get more batters in but they may still want to consider a seam-bowling allrounder in place of one of the specialist quicks.South Africa (probable): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Temba Bavuma (capt), 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Aiden Markram, 6 David Miller, 7 George Linde, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi
Pitch and conditions
After blue skies and sunshine on Tuesday, the wet weather is back with rain predicted throughout Wednesday and Thursday. That may mean a more sluggish outfield, as we saw in the first two matches, and a little less in it for the spinners. The first-innings scores in all three matches so far have been under 170, though both teams seem to think 180 would be par so if the line-ups can get their middle-orders firing, we may see more runs.
Stats and trivia
The last time South Africa won a T20I series was against Sri Lanka in March 2019.
West Indies have won two of the last three T20I series, both against Sri Lanka.
Quotes
We went death from the 10th over to the 20th over, so that was really good. And there are positives with our batting. We started well in the Powerplay. We lost that game for ourselves. It’s not like we are being beaten badly. We need to stay confident and positive. We play way too much cricket for me to keep up with everything. Probably at a point in my life when I am closer towards the end of my career, maybe then (I will count milestones). The article was updated with West Indies team news
A look at the qualification chances of the seven teams which are still in contention for a place in the playoffs
S Rajesh13-May-20253:27
What’s brought about the resurgence of spin in IPL 2025?
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans (GT) are just one win away from making the playoffs – 18 points will assure a team of a top-four finish. However, if they lose their three remaining games they could get knocked out as four teams can still finish on 17 or more points. Titans have a favourable itinerary too, with their last two games scheduled at home in Ahmedabad, where they have a formidable 4-1 record so far. Their net run rate is currently second only to Mumbai Indians (MI), which could help them with qualification or a top-two finish.Related
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Like GT, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are also one win away from securing their place in the playoffs. RCB can also make the top four with 16 points if other results go their way. However, two wins will not yet guarantee a top-two finish as two other teams – GT and Punjab Kings (PBKS) – can still finish with 20 or more points. GT currently have a better NRR, while PBKS can finish on 21 if they win all three remaining matches.RCB are second on the points table•BCCIPunjab Kings
PBKS need two wins to be certain of qualification. At the moment, 17 points won’t assure qualification as five teams can get to 17 or more: if, for instance, they beat Rajasthan Royals (RR) but lose to Delhi Capitals (DC) and MI, and if DC beat GT but lose to MI, then RCB, GT, MI, DC and PBKS can all finish on 17 or more points. However, PBKS can qualify with 17 points if they beat DC and lose their other two matches, as in that case only one of MI or DC can finish on 17 or more points, since they play each other.PBKS can sneak through even if they lose all three matches and stay on 15, but for that to happen DC will have to lose their two other matches, so that they stay on 15, and LSG will have to win no more than two of their three games. It’ll then come down to run rates between PBKS and DC (and Kolkata Knight Riders, if they win both matches) for one spot.Mumbai Indians
Despite the loss to GT, MI are still in control of their destiny, as wins in their last two matches will ensure a place in the playoffs. For them to go through on 16 points, though, they’ll need help from other results, while defeats in their two remaining games will eliminate them. MI also have an excellent net run rate of 1.156, which could yet be crucial if qualification comes down to that.Delhi Capitals
KKR are on the brink of elimination as the maximum they can finish with is 15; there are already two teams who have more than 15, while PBKS are on 15 with three games to go.Assuming that those three teams go through, KKR will have to hope that MI lose their two remaining matches and stay on 14. Since one of their matches is against DC, who are currently on 13, that will take DC to 15. The fourth spot will, in that scenario, come down to an NRR battle between KKR and DC.On the other hand, if PBKS lose their three remaining matches, then MI will go past 15, while DC, PBKS and KKR could all be on 15 points, fighting for the fourth spot.However, any washed-out game will see them eliminated.Lucknow Super Giants
LSG are struggling for momentum, having lost three in a row, and four of their last five. The best they can do now is win their three remaining matches, finish on 16 points, and hope that one or more of the in-form teams suffer a sudden reversal of fortunes. If they lose another match, though, they will be eliminated. Their terrible NRR of -0.469 doesn’t help their cause either.
Harry Kane has praised new Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany as he reveals his dream is to win the Champions League this season.
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Kane reveals his admiration for Kompany
Wants to win the Champions League this season
Bayern take on Aston Villa on Wednesday
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Kane has been on fire so far this season, having scored 10 goals in all competitions already as Bayern Munich are yet to taste defeat. The English striker credited new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany for creating an excellent atmosphere in the dressing room which has greatly contributed to the team's success.
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WHAT HARRY KANE SAID
Speaking to Sport BILD, the Three Lions captain said, "I've had an incredible season so far and I'm loving every minute. You can see that not only in my performances on the pitch but also in the performances of the team. There is a special atmosphere again at the dethroned record champions. I have the feeling that I am in the right place. This is mainly due to coach Vincent Kompany. I really like him as a coach. He is a great personality as a leader and coach."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The former Tottenham star also revealed his long-standing dream of winning the Champions League and hoped that the Bavarian club could bag the trophy this time.
Kane added, "Of course, I would like to reach the final and win the Champions League title. The Champions League is the biggest competition. If we can somehow get our hands on the trophy, it would be a fantastic season, even more so if we win it in the Allianz Arena. It will be a tough journey in the new league format until the final on May 31, 2025, in Munich, but one that I am prepared for."
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WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?
The forward suffered an ankle injury during the club's Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. However, Kompany remains hopeful that the star attacker will be able to take the field against Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been banned for eight years after being charged with – and admitting to – five breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code, including accepting a payment in bitcoins from a potential corruptor.Streak, Zimbabwe’s greatest fast bowler, had been under investigation for an extensive list of games through 2017 and 2018, during his post-playing career as a coach, from his time in international cricket – with Zimbabwe from 2016 to 2018 – as well as stints in T20 leagues including the IPL, the BPL and the Afghanistan Premier League (APL).The charges paint a picture of Streak as a facilitator of approaches by a corruptor to people within teams he was a part of. But they also include one charge of disclosing inside information pertaining to matches during a 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a Zimbabwe-Afghanistan series in 2018, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.Streak was also charged with facilitating or attempting to introduce four players – including a national captain – to a potential corruptor. The three other charges revolve around his failure to disclose receiving gifts or payment in lieu of this facilitation, the failure to disclose potentially corrupt approaches in the 2017 BPL, and, in 2018, the PSL, IPL and the APL. Those gifts include accepting two bitcoins – converted eventually into US$ 35,000 – from the potential corruptor identified in the ICC’s investigation as Mr X. At the APL, Streak was also gifted a new iPhone for this wife, both of which he failed to disclose to ICC anti-corruption investigators.Although he is believed to initially have contested the allegations, Streak eventually admitted to the charges and agreed to the sanctions. He is now banned from all cricket activities and would be free to resume his involvement again on March 28, 2029.”Heath Streak is an experienced former international cricketer and national team coach, who had participated in numerous anti-corruption education sessions and was fully aware of his responsibilities under the Code,” the ICC’s anti-corruption head Alex Marshall said in a statement. “As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game. He breached the Code on several occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also sought to obstruct and delay our investigation.”The offences did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches and Mr Streak has agreed to assist the ICC anti-corruption education programme for which we are grateful. He has also expressed his remorse and contrition and entered this agreed sanction decision to avoid the need for a full disciplinary process. The sanction reflects this cooperation.”Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, members of the Zimbabwe cricket-playing community expressed their shock and sadness at the update, with reactions ranging from “I’m blown away” and “I am genuinely shocked”, to “It’s a kick in the teeth for Zimbabwe cricket and the current crop of players – not only that, but now to regain trust is lengthy process.”David Coltart, the former Zimbabwe sports minister, also expressed his anguish on Twitter, saying “there can be no excuses for this type of behaviour”. ‘Darkest day in Zimbabwe cricket’Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), meanwhile, welcomed and endorsed the ICC decision, calling it a “very sad and shameful episode that might well go down in history as the darkest day in Zimbabwean cricket”.”Streak was a powerful figure adored by many and held up as an idol for future generations of cricketers. In doing this, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game,” a statement, signed by ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, said. “But, as we and the rest of the world now know, Streak was also a corrupt, greedy and selfish character who regrettably abused his status and position in pursuit of dirty benefits.”He has let cricket down. He has let down the teams and players he coached. He has let the nation down. He has let down the fans – including impressionable children – who loved and idolised him.”While we have been left to pick up the pieces from the damage, it is our hope that the punishment meted out on Streak will help to reinforce the measures that the ICC and ZC have been taking to root out any wrongdoing in cricket. The integrity of ZC and the sport itself is of paramount importance and, therefore, the need to maintain high levels of honesty and professionalism at leadership and all levels of the game cannot be overemphasised.”Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s sports and recreation commission has requested the country’s national prosecuting authority to “ascertain whether any of the criminal laws in Zimbabwe, particularly those relating to corruption, have been breached by Heath Streak in order that appropriate action is also taken locally”. Saying that the body has zero-tolerance for corruption in sport, the commission has “fully supported and endorsed” the action on the part of the ICC.The sanctions will come as a shock to many given his status as one of the greatest players Zimbabwe has produced. He was a major figure in the national sides of the mid-to-late 90s, a period in which they enjoyed their greatest successes. He remains the only Zimbabwean bowler with more than 100 Test wickets (he has 216) and the only Zimbabwean with over 200 ODI wickets (237). Streak captained Zimbabwe as well in the 2000s, during a difficult period when a number of players withdrew from the national side and as relations between the board and team hit rock bottom.He has since remained in cricket as a coach, with stints as bowling coach of Bangladesh and multiple stints with Zimbabwe. He was also bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.One of Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketers, Heath Streak ended with 216 wickets in Tests and 239 in ODIs•EMPICS via Getty Images
The charges
2.3.2 – disclosing inside information under both the ICC code and various domestic codes, in circumstances where he knew or should have known that such information may be used for betting purposes. In particular, he disclosed inside information in relation to matches in the 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan series in 2018, the IPL 2018 and the APL 2018.
2.3.3 – directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach the code. In particular, he facilitated or attempted to facilitate the introduction of four different players, including a national captain, to someone he knew, or should have known, may have wanted to approach them to provide inside information for betting purposes.
2.4.2 – failing to disclose the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the code or that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.
2.4.4 – failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the code including in relation to international matches, matches in the 2017 BPL, the 2018 PSL, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.
2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption code.