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After another trophyless season for Mikel Arteta, there are several factors for those at Arsenal to blame.

The endless red cards and injuries halted their progress significantly but they have still been good enough for a second-placed finish in the Premier League and a Champions League semi-final.

Why didn’t they get over the line? Well, their recruitment in the last year or so hasn’t been great.

Last summer, Arsenal brought in David Raya permanently and also welcomed in Mikel Merino, somebody who’s become quite the cult hero of late for his performances as an emergency centre forward. No one will forget his goal against Real Madrid in a hurry.

There was also the addition of injury-prone Riccardo Calafiori and a loan move to bring in Raheem Sterling. The less said about him, the better.

Then, when it came to January, Arsenal clearly needed a new forward and did not sign one. Just days after the window slammed shut, Kai Havertz was ruled out for four months with a hamstring injury, only just returning in the recent 1-0 win over Newcastle at The Emirates.

For the most part, Arteta’s recruitment since being given the job has been strong, stronger than some of the business done in the later years of Arsene Wenger’s tenure, that’s for sure.

Arsenal's biggest mistakes in the transfer market

It’s safe to say that Arsenal have made a number of howlers in recent years; the biggest of which is the decision not to sign a central forward.

In that time, they’ve let America international Folarin Balogun leave while Mika Biereth, now teammates with Balogun at Monaco, has quickly become one of the most prolific forwards in Europe.

Following a successful loan spell at Sturm Graz last summer, the Austrian side signed him permanently for £4m, and after a goal-laden time of it in the Bundesliga, he headed off to Monaco.

Over the course of this campaign, the Dane has found the net on 27 occasions in 44 games. In 2025, he’s scored 13 times, making him the fourth highest scorer in Europe’s best leagues this calendar year.

1. Kylian Mbappe

19 (17)

2. Serhou Guirassy

15 (18)

3. Ousmane Dembele

13 (14)

4. Mika Biereth

13 (16)

5. Mateo Retegui

13 (18)

6. Patrik Schick

12 (19)

Cast your minds back further, and the disappointing exit of Serge Gnabry will most definitely sing

The German scored in the Champions League against the Gunners last season and while he’s not always been a regular starter this term, his numbers at Bayern Munich speak for themselves, registering 152 goal involvements across 280 outings.

Gnabry, who wasn’t good enough for Tony Pulis during a loan spell at West Brom, has only gone from strength to strength since then.

Now 29 years of age, the Arsenal academy graduate is a six-time league winner with Bayern, having also won a solitary Champions League and taking home a Club World Cup amid a plethora of domestic cup successes.

But, despite the sincere number of goals being outlined here, they arguably aren’t Arsenal’s biggest mistake; that remains Harry Kane.

Why Harry Kane left Arsenal

“Harry Kane, he’s one of our own.” That’s the song adoring Tottenham Hotspur fans used to sing in the direction of their beloved striker.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Yet, was this statement ever really true? Perhaps not.

While Kane grew up playing in the Spurs academy, Arsenal was his very first club. There’s a remarkable image of the attacker dressed in a red and white jersey as a child, but it never quite happened for him at the Gunners.

It was at the age of 12 that he left the red side of London behind, and the club’s former academy manager, Roy Massey, has since revealed why.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Massey noted: “To release Harry Kane [from Arsenal], we don’t have a crystal ball. If we did then we would be successful in every youngster that we take on.

“Harry was a lovely young player. He was quiet, shy, didn’t have what we thought it would take to become a professional footballer and so we were totally mistaken.

“Although I’ve got to say that when Harry was released when he was 11 or 12 years of age, he did go to play for his Sunday league club for the next three years so no other club picked him up in that age group.”

Well, he’s certainly proven Massey wrong during what has been a remarkable career at club and international level.

How Harry Kane compares to Thierry Henry

The biggest club legend of them all, as far as Arsenal are concerned, is the great Thierry Henry. Titi, as he was affectionately known, signed for the Gunners in a deal worth just £11m. Of course, that was over 20 years ago now but it remains one of the biggest bargains we’ve seen.

Signed as a left winger, Wenger crafted his fellow Frenchman into an elite centre forward, quickly breaking records and becoming one of, if not the best foreign import we’ve seen in the Premier League era.

Henry won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup three times, was a league Golden Boot winner on two occasions and eventually left Highbury and the Emirates behind having scored a phenomenal 228 goals in 377 games, making him the club’s record goalscorer.

Arsenal

377

228

101

AS Monaco

141

28

4

New York Red Bulls

135

52

40

Barcelona

121

49

27

Juventus

20

3

2

Over the course of his career, the World Cup winner bagged 411 goals for club and country, but Kane, as astonishing as Henry was, has now surpassed that figure.

We’re not for one minute suggesting the England captain is a better player but it speaks volumes of his remarkable progression in the senior game.

From that rejection at Arsenal as a 12-year-old, since making his senior bow, he has now found the net on a whopping 449 occasions for club and country. He is England’s top goal scorer in history and he’s now finally a trophy winner too.

Kane ended his hoodoo this term, lifting the Bundesliga title above his head a few weeks ago. He’s been nothing short of a sensation for Bayern Munich, scoring 82 goals in 91 appearances.

He is a true modern phenomenon, perhaps the best finisher in world football. Arsenal let that depart at the age of 12.

Their own Haaland: Arsenal set to make major move to sign £59m "monster"

The prolific international could be the difference between glory and disappointment for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 20, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now in the race for an “unbelievable” England international, but they may need to qualify for the Champions League to compete for his signature, according to former goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Spurs' season hinges on Europa League triumph

The 5-1 battering at Anfield on Sunday afternoon was the latest extremely disappointing performance from Tottenham, in a season where there has been no shortage of poor results, but ultimately the loss is of little importance.

Spurs’ season now hinges entirely on their Europa League campaign, and they should be in a very strong position to reach the final in Bilbao, given that they are set to come up against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the semi-final.

A Europa League triumph would end the Lilywhites’ long wait for a trophy, while also granting them access to next season’s Champions League, which should place them in a strong position to bring in some top players this summer.

Tottenham now in position to seal "bargain signing" of "interesting" striker

They’re “well-placed” to do a deal.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 27, 2025

In a recent interview with Football Insider, Robinson has now provided an update on a player Tottenham could target this summer, although he believes they will only be able to compete for his signature if they win the Europa League.

The former goalkeeper said: “Tottenham are in the race for Marcus Rashford; but without Champions League football, without the Europa League trophy, and Tottenham 17th in the Premier League? Sorry, you’re not in the conversation.”

As Rashford’s relationship with Ruben Amorim has “broken down”, the England international is expected to leave this summer, with a move to Barcelona potentially on the cards, while a permanent switch to Aston Villa remains a possibility.

The 27-year-old is not the only England international Spurs have their eye on, however, with a recent report revealing they are also serious contenders to sign Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.

"Unbelievable" Rashford impressing at Aston Villa

After falling out with Amorim, it was clear the left-winger needed to leave United in January, and he has started to look more like his former self since moving to Villa, picking up four goals and six assists in 17 matches.

Having once been lauded as “unbelievable” by Harry Maguire, it is clear the £300k-per-week forward has bags of talent, but United has been a graveyard for top players in recent years, and it is good to see him reignite his career elsewhere.

Should Tottenham manage to win the Europa League, a move to north London could be attractive to Rashford, but the signs are not good heading into their crucial semi-final against Bodo/Glimt.

Spurs have lost their last three Premier League games on the spin, and even if they manage to reach the final, it will be a very difficult task to beat Athletic Bilbao in their own stadium, or three-time Champions League winners Man United in a European final.

Australia’s shock loss to West Indies could prove crucial in the WTC with eyes now turning towards their tour of New Zealand

Andrew McGlashan29-Jan-20242:16

What did Australia’s home season tell us?

Josh Hazlewood’s off stump flies out of the ground. He stands almost motionless, as does Steven Smith at the non-striker’s end having carried his bat for 91. Shamar Joseph and his delirious team-mates are somewhere over at deep midwicket. The home season for Australia’s men’s Test team had come to the most extraordinary conclusion – their first home defeat under Pat Cummins and the first to West Indies since 1997.Australia have played some excellent cricket at times this season, finding ways to produce hard-fought wins, but there was also a fallibility that is not often on show on home soil (at least, that is, unless India have been the visitors in recent times). The white ball now takes over for the next three weeks before the Test team comes back together in New Zealand. After a season that produced far more drama than had been expected, here are some key talking points.

Time to worry about the batting?

At various times across the five home Tests, Australia had suffered collapses of 6 for 68, 4 for 16 and 5 for 10 before the match-defining slump of 8 for 94 at the Gabba. On other occasions the top order had been left in uncertain positions against visiting attacks that defied lowly pre-tour billing. There were just two individual hundreds – David Warner at Perth and Travis Head in Adelaide – albeit Mitchell Marsh fell twice in the 90s and Smith was close to a brilliant century in Brisbane.Related

• Cummins reassures Bancroft and Harris over Test futures

• Stats – WI's first Test win in Australia since 1997

• A fairy-tale day in the life of Shamar Joseph

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Still, it’s a low return on home soil. In a home season of at least five Tests, not since 1996-97 have they scored as few centuries. Head became just the third Australian to bag a king pair in Test cricket – and collected another first-baller in Melbourne – to counter the superb Adelaide century. There is a belief, backed up by numbers, that batting has become tougher in Australia in recent seasons although conditions have not been unplayable.”First and foremost you don’t want to put yourselves in those [difficult] positions, no doubt about that,” head coach Andrew McDonald said. “Think the context around that is the wickets have been a little tricky. No doubt, we want to get better at that as well. Some batters that will sit in the rooms, looking back on the summer and a few missed opportunities. Was it decision making? Was it good bowling? These guys have an appetite to improve the whole time.”Travis Head was one of only two Australians to score a Test ton this home season, and only the third from his side to bag a king pair•Associated PressMarnus Labuschagne made just 19 runs in four innings against West Indies, having ended the Pakistan series suggesting he was finding his best form again. He fell hooking in Adelaide and was then challenged outside off stump in Brisbane. Overall, a Test average which stood at 63.43 is now at 50.82.”I think the positive within that [is that] the law of averages suggests that he’s due for a couple of bumper Test matches and series,” McDonald said. “So we’ve got full trust and faith in the way that he goes about his preparation, the way he goes about his innings.”He’s been undone by certain plans at times, so there’s no doubt that we will get into that he does get busy and get back to work. We’ve got full confidence in his ability to rebound. He’s a quality player. There’s no doubt that you’re going to go through some lulls of form if you want to call it that.”

Cameron Green’s next stage

Nathan Lyon did little to dampen the expectations around Cameron Green. “I actually enjoy seeing him bat at No. 4 and I feel like he could be the next Jacques Kallis of international cricket at number four,” he said after the third day at the Gabba.Much of the focus was on Smith’s move up the order, but with an eye on the longer-term future of Australia’s top order Green’s return at No. 4 was equally significant. It has always been viewed as his natural home, although it was largely thought it would come with Smith’s retirement. The desire to get Green back in the side was central to the debate around replacing Warner.There were promising signs in the second innings at the Gabba before he played on against Shamar Joseph’s extra bounce to begin Australia’s collapse. It followed his work with the ball on the oppressively hot third day, with McDonald and Cummins singling him out as the pick of the attack. “Felt like it could have been anything,” McDonald said of his return of 1 for 37, during which he was particularly impressive round the wicket to the left-handers.”Think if you’ve watched his innings at international and Shield level, he can start slow, there’s no doubt about that, and it’s something he’s working on,” McDonald added on Green’s batting. “Takes him a while to get his movements in sync at times. That’s no different to any other batter, but once he’s up and going it’s a pretty good sign.”

A new pecking order

Among the debates around the post-Warner future has been the referencing to Australia’s best six batters and the hierarchy that now follows. Matt Renshaw is inked in as the seventh having been preferred in the squad to face West Indies ahead of Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft. He is now in pole position to replace Usman Khawaja when that moment arrives, although it could still be a few years away.It has left Harris and Bancroft in limbo, particularly the latter after his success at Sheffield Shield level. Cummins contacted the pair directly to reassure them that they had a Test future. But it also felt significant that chief selector George Bailey name-checked Aaron Hardie and Nathan McSweeney as players they were impressed by. After the way the West Indies series finished, there will be some added scrutiny on the incumbents, but this new order will be given a chance to settle.”We’re not in the in the mood to change the batting order. We feel like as a collective that that unit will be able to have success over multiple Test matches,” McDonald said. “I suppose if you look at the irony of it all, the question marks were on Steve Smith and Cameron Green and they were our two best-performed batters [on Sunday]. But we see our batting as a collective. There’s going to be people that fail within that at times, there’s going to be people that succeed. It’s all hands on deck, but we feel as though that order with the way it is, they complement each other.”

The big four have touched greatness

Each of Australia’s four frontline bowlers enjoyed a landmark this season: Lyon’s 500th, Cummins and Hazlewood reaching 250 Test wickets and Mitchell Starc going past 350 to close in on Dennis Lillee. They are a great bowling attack and, at times, had to paper over some cracks in the batting. But there remains the lingering question about when those in reserve will get their opportunity. It’s not beyond the realms that this quartet complete seven Tests in a row by playing the two games in New Zealand.Each of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood has played all the Tests for Australia this home season•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesScott Boland averages 12.21 in home Tests although struggled more during the Ashes in England. The selectors know what they will get from him if and when they need to call him back. In terms of the future, it’s Lance Morris who many are waiting with bated breath to see unleashed in Test cricket. He will feature in the ODIs against West Indies but the selectors are happy to wait for a spot to naturally open up in Test cricket.”Think the bowling unit getting five Test matches in, getting through and they’ve all pulled up well again, that’s an incredible success for the same attack to play throughout the summer,” McDonald said. “That bodes well for New Zealand.”

What comes next?

The Test series against New Zealand begins in Wellington on February 29. It will be Australia’s first Test trip across the Tasman since 2016 and contests between the two always come with an edge (even if the head-to-head is heavily in Australia’s favour), but they now take on added significance. If New Zealand beat an understrength South Africa 2-0 – and recent days have told us not assume anything – then the series could be key to the World Test Championship standings. Australia would not have factored dropping points at home this summer.”We’ve dropped one [match] at home which means we probably need to make one up overseas,” McDonald said. “That’s the wonderful part about the World Test Championship.”Following the New Zealand series, there is a long break in Australia’s Test schedule until next November and the arrival of India. There is a lot to play out before then, but it is shaping as another epic tussle. The last few days at the Gabba has given it a lot to live up to.

The 23-year-old left-arm quick bests Capitals’ captain with a clever change in length

Nagraj Gollapudi01-May-20222:13

What’s Mohsin Khan getting right? Ben Cutting explains

In just four deliveries on Sunday, Mohsin Khan created the turning point which paved the way for Lucknow Super Giants disrupting Delhi Capitals’ surge towards their target of 196. In those four deliveries, which unfolded in the 13th over of the Capitals innings, Mohsin bowled with intellect and showed why he has been one of the stories of this IPL.Capitals needed 83 runs from 48 balls when Mohsin returned to the attack. Rishabh Pant was on strike. At the other end was Rovman Powell. Two of the hardest hitters of the ball. Pant had started mercilessly attacking all bowlers: he had raced to a 9-ball 27 to help Capitals recover from 13 for 2 after three overs to 66 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. Powell, too, had started aggressively, scoring an 11-ball 22.When Mohsin was recalled for the one-over second spell, he also had to factor in the shorter boundary, which was to Pant’s off side and the leg side for Powell. Pant had already used the short boundary to cut ruthlessly while Powell has shown this IPL that no boundary is too long for his power-hitting. Mohsin could not afford any margin for error.The four deliveries we are talking about were all to Pant. The first ball was pitched short of length, on the fourth-stump line, which Pant tried to pull but missed. The next ball was on length, slower, but wider of off stump and called wide. Next ball Mohsin once again banged on the hard length, sticking to a similar wide line. It was a dot ball again. Pant was getting impatient. He had been charging at the bowlers but failed to find the boundary, which was the only thing he wanted to deal in, despite the inherent risk involved. His dot-ball percentage increased. Mohsin grasped that quickly. The next delivery, too, was just short of length, on the off stump which Pant picked a single off. Against Powell, Mohsin attempted a short-pitched delivery, but the ball did not rise above the hips, allowing the Capitals’ batter to pull an easy four. Two balls later, Pant was back on strike.Mohsin Khan celebrates the wicket of Shardul Thakur•BCCIExpecting another length ball Pant skipped out of the crease. His intention might have been to slog over the midwicket. Except Mohsin had a totally different plan to the first part of the over. Mohsin pushed the length fuller. And pushed the accelerator to nearly 145kph on that delivery, the last ball of the over. As Pant charged out, the ball seamed in upon pitching and rushed through to break the stumps. An embarrassed Pant jogged past Mohsin, who was on his follow through, back to the Capitals dugout.Pant had played out just two dots in the powerplay. But in the middle overs, where he played 21 balls, he managed to score just 17 runs ,including 11 dots. Mohsin, thus knew, that he had the advantage to impose the pressure on Pant and dry up the runs. One key factor to do was to cut down on the speed, forcing to batter to go hard instead. And if he was successful in doing that, then he could go for the kill. He did that exactly by improvising his lengths and then surprising Pant. Mohsin later revealed that the plan to pitch the ball fuller to Pant was suggested by Super Giants’ captain KL Rahul. Pant was one of the four wickets Mohsin took, but he said the Capitals’ captain was his favorite wicket only because of the “set-up”.This is the second match in a row where Mohsin has picked up the big opposition wicket. If it was Pant on Sunday, Mohsin had outfoxed Liam Livingstone in the previous match against Punjab Kings.Rahul explained why Mohsin is a dangerous bowler. “[I] played him in the nets for the first time a month ago. Didn’t want to face him,” Rahul said during the post-match briefing with the host broadcaster. “Seriously. He was sharp. He is scary at times in nets. It’s not just the pace. He has good brains, has a bit of skill as well. Has a great slower one and knows when to use it. Eager to learn. Eager to play. He has been a confident guy even under pressure. He has bowled some really big overs for us.”By choice and instinct, Mohsin said he is a pure fast bowler. But he is also becoming a good listener.

Sunderland have laughed off the doom mongers who pointed out the fact that the last six teams to earn promotion to the Premier League have all been instantly relegated.

The Black Cats are, remarkably, sixth in the top-flight after 13 games, ahead of Man United and Liverpool, after a 3-2 win over Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Summer signing Granit Xhaka was, once again, vital with an impressive assist for Bertrand Traore’s goal, in what has been a phenomenal season for the Swiss star so far.

Where Granit Xhaka ranks among Sunderland's summer signings

Sunderland paid £13m to sign the experienced midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, and they have got their money’s worth from the left-footed star in the Premier League.

With 297 games for Arsenal under his belt, per Transfermarkt, the Black Cats knew what they were going to get from Xhaka as a proven performer in the top-flight.

The 33-year-old star has delivered one goal and four assists, per Sofascore, whilst winning 63% of his defensive duels across 13 appearances in the Premier League this season, which shows that he has made an impact in and out of possession.

1

Robin Roefs

2

Granit Xhaka

3

Nordi Mukiele

4

Noah Sadiki

5

Omar Alderete

As you can see in the table above, we have ranked him as the second-best signing made by the Black Cats in the summer, only behind the incredibly impressive Robin Roefs, who leads the league in goals prevented (3.28), per Sofascore.

Xhaka has stepped straight into the team as a regular starter and shown that he can be relied upon week-in-week-out, like Roefs has, which is why he has been one of the best signings made for Regis Le Bris’ team.

Whilst Sunderland should be delighted with their current position and the signing of Xhaka, they once had a star on loan who is now even more exciting than the Swiss ace and is one of the best players in the Premier League.

The Sunderland loanee who is now one of the Premier League's best

In January 2020, Antoine Semenyo signed for the club on loan from Bristol City for the second half of the season, and manager Phil Parkinson cited his “pace and power” as two of his main attributes.

Appearances

7

Starts

1

Goals

0

Key passes per game

0.4

Big chances created

1

Assists

0

Unfortunately, as shown in the table above, the Black Cats loanee was unable to use his pace and power to cause many problems for opposition defences, as he ended his time on Wearside without a single goal contribution.

After that, Semenyo went on to establish himself at Bristol City in the Championship before a permanent move in January 2023 to Bournemouth, which is where he has flourished in the Premier League.

The same player who struggled in League One with Sunderland has now scored 17 goals and provided nine assists in the top-flight for the Cherries since the start of last season, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he has been effective as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

In the Premier League this season, only Erling Haaland (15) and Igor Thiago (11) have more combined goals and assists than Semenyo (nine), per FotMob, which is an impressive statistic when you consider that he plays out wide.

Earlier this term, former Spurs and England star Chris Waddle dubbed Semenyo “the best winger in the country (England) right now”, and that still rings true, as he has at least two more goal contributions than any other winger in the top-flight, per FotMob.

This is why he is currently an even better and more exciting player than Xhaka, because the Ghana international has, statistically, been one of the most impactful players in the league with goals and assists to earn his team points.

Sunderland star who Speakman was "excited" to sign is the new Jeremain Lens

This summer signing by Sunderland is on his way to becoming the new Jeremain Lens.

ByDan Emery Nov 30, 2025

He may not have shown his potential during his brief time at the Stadium of Light, but it is clear to see, now, that Semenyo would be the club’s best player on current form.

ACA added that “suspension will continue till the final outcome of the investigation, and/or any further decision of the association”

PTI12-Dec-2025

Getty Images

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA), on Friday, suspended four players – Amit Sinha, Ishan Ahmed, Aman Tripathi and Abhishek Thakuri – following their alleged involvement in corrupt practices during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.The ACA has also lodged an FIR at the state police’s crime branch against the four players, who have represented Assam at various stages.They are being accused of influencing and attempting to instigate some of the Assam players who took part in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.”After the allegations came to light, the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ASCU) of the BCCI conducted an enquiry. The ACA has also initiated criminal proceedings. Prima facie, there appears to be their involvement in serious misconduct, affecting the integrity of the sport,” Sanatan Das, the ACA secretary, said.Assam’s SMAT league matches were held in Lucknow from November 26 to December 8, and the team did not progress to the ongoing Super League stage.”They have been suspended to curtail any scope of further deterioration of the situation,” Das said. “ADuring the suspension period, these players are barred from taking part in any state-level tournaments or matches conducted by the ACA, its district units or affiliated clubs.Participating in any cricket-related activity, including officiating as match referee, coach, umpire etc., are also banned while under suspension.Das said all district associations have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order, and to inform clubs and academies under their jurisdiction of the ACA’s decision.

Sri Lanka have never beaten Australia in ODIs but they have the advantage of playing at home

Madushka Balasuriya03-Oct-20252:44

Can the Australia batting juggernaut be stopped?

Big picture: Sri Lanka need to up their gameIf there were even the faintest doubt about who the favourites for the 2025 Women’s World Cup were, they were put to bed as swiftly as an Ashleigh Gardner blade swing after Australia’s dominant win over New Zealand in their tournament opener.In Indore, Australia started fast and stumbled, but like an unrelenting force, they just kept coming. In the end, their victory was less about outplaying New Zealand and more about brute-forcing the result. As far as early tournament markers go, it was an impressive one.Against India in their opener, Sri Lanka too set an early marker of the sort of side they are. They had India reeling at 124 for 6 but then proceeded to drop each of the next four chances that came their way to let the hosts claw themselves back into the contest and register a fairly comprehensive win eventually. Discipline followed by indiscipline; bad undoing the good.Related

'Good to start with best teams' – Sri Lanka's Athapaththu ready for Australia after India

Sri Lanka have not played an ODI against Australia since 2019, but they know what they need to do. Resilience has been a buzzword for Chamari Athapaththu, and in that sense it’s clear that any lingering hang-ups from that opening defeat will be well behind them come Saturday. But execution might be the more pertinent declaration if they’re to show their best selves against the defending champions.With free entry being granted to the stadium, Sri Lanka will also be hoping for substantial home support. They’re also very familiar with the Khettarama surface, as the high-performance centre where the national players train is located there. So while Sri Lanka have never beaten Australia in an ODI, the conditions for an upset are nevertheless in place.Form guideAustralia WWLWW (last five ODIs most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWWVishmi Gunaratne’s form is a concern for Sri Lanka•ACC

In the spotlight: Ashleigh Gardner and Vishmi GunaratneLike the surprise manifestation of a final boss’ second health bar after you think you’ve finally got them beat, Ashleigh Gardner sits spearheading Australia’s lower middle order. Her 115 off 83 against New Zealand served to highlight not just the resilience of this Australian outfit, but their entire aura. While her role is a challenging one, it’s invaluable in that it affords the licence for those above her to play with freedom, while allowing her to provide guidance to those below her. And it means that while she is at the crease, Australia are never beat.In August 2024, Vishmi Gunaratne struck her maiden ODI hundred against Ireland. Her three innings in the lead-up to that read 40, 50, 44. But in ten innings since then, she has not been able to cross 36. While Athapaththu would be the obvious pick for this section, if Sri Lanka are to challenge Australia, they need the rest of their batting to chip in in a big way. Gunaratne has been out of sorts, but Sri Lanka will be banking on her rediscovering her groove even though it’s her first ODI against Australia.Team news: Brown or Schutt?Australia are unlikely to make any changes to the batting, though it remains to be seen if Darcie Brown continues in place of Megan Schutt.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Sophie Molineux, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Alana King, 11 Darcie BrownSri Lanka played their first-choice XI against India, and it’s unlikely there will be any changes.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Hasini Perera, 2 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 3 Harshitha Samarawickrama, 4 Vishmi Gunaratne, 5 Kavisha Dilhari, 6 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 7 Nilakshika Silva, 8 Sugandika Kumari, 9 Inoka Ranaweera, 10 Achini Kulasuriya, 11 Udeshika PrabodhaniAshleigh Gardner scored a brilliant hundred against New Zealand•Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Rain could play spoilsportThe pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium has traditionally offered up an even contest between bat and ball. However, efforts have been made recently to make it more batting-friendly, so there may not be as much in it for the spinners as usual. As for the weather, there is a distinct chance of rain in Colombo throughout the afternoon.Stats and trivia: Australia 11-0 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka have lost each of their 11 ODIs against Australia. Athapaththu is 80 runs away from 4000 ODI runs. Gardner’s 51 wickets are the most by an Australian since the 2022 World Cup. They are the joint-third-most in that period among all players.Quotes”The beauty of a World Cup is you play every different side and you have to prepare. You don’t really get time to learn. You’ve got to come out firing. But I think our group’s got some awesome heads on our shoulders and we are able to assess conditions and adapt to whatever’s thrown at us.”
“We’re playing against the best team. The world champions. But if we can execute the right plan at the right time, I know we can beat any team. But execution is the most important thing, rather than the skill and the mindset. So we’ll have to play our best game tomorrow.”

Hampshire 154 for 3 (Albert 37*) lead Surrey 147 (Sundar 3-5, Abbott 3-27, Fuller 3-46) by seven runsSurrey were rolled out for 147 to all but snuff out their Rothesay County Championship title-winning hopes, as Hampshire boosted their chance of remaining in Division One.The defending champions went into the last round 14 points behind Nottinghamshire – whom they lost to last week – but after they collapsed, their hopes of a fourth successive crown dwindled further.Kyle Abbott led the rout with three for 27 – taking his 50th Championship scalp of the season in the process – with James Fuller and Washington Sundar also picking up three-wicket hauls.Hampshire had eased themselves into a first-innings lead, picking up three vital bonus points in their fight for safety.Surrey chose to bat first and gave 17-year-old Ralphie Albert his first-class debut. The all-rounder wasn’t even born when Hampshire’s Liam Dawson made his professional bow.Surrey were massively depleted with Gus Atkinson, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Tom Curran, Jordan Clark and Cam Steel all unavailable, but even still their display was surprising.Dom Sibley had already been dropped at second slip before he was lbw to Abbott, before the South African drew a loose drive out of Ryan Patel to celebrate his 50th wicket of the season.It is the sixth Championship campaign that Abbott has reached the landmark, and he would later add No. 51 when he bowled Albert.Fuller also grabbed three wickets to gut the rest of the top order, as Rory Burns wafted to a juggling Sundar at first slip before Ben Foakes was bowled by a nip backer and Dan Lawrence skied an attempted pull – the latter walked before the ball was caught having scrapped hard for his innings-high 36.The back end of the innings saw wickets fall to spin. Indian international Sundar was particularly wily in his 20 balls, in which he only conceded five runs while taking three wickets.Ollie Sykes went back to one that skidded into his stumps, Matt Fisher was undone by a stunner that ripped across him and into off stump, while compatriot Rahul Chahar guided to first slip. In the middle of it, Tom Lawes was caught and bowled by Dawson.Surrey were bowled out for 147 inside 44 overs – their lowest total of the season at the least opportune moment as the title slipped away from them.The pitch had offered a fair amount of movement, but not excessive, and wickets were mostly down to batting errors and high-quality bowling rather than the elements.Hampshire further suggested a poor pitch wasn’t to blame as Ali Orr glided through the opening overs.He smashed 18 of the second over of the innings and by the fifth over had already secured a partnership higher than anything Surrey had managed in their innings – their best being the 32 between Lawrence and Sykes.Orr’s fast start was undone by a careless swing down leg side but Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins put on 50 to set the sort of foundation that the visitors couldn’t lay.Both the bowled Gubbins and leg-before Middleton fell to Lawrence – who ended the day with two for 12 after an exceptional nine-over spell of off-spin.But Hampshire avoided any serious wobble as Toby Albert and Ben Brown stayed cautiously positive to take them to close with a lead – despite 13 wickets falling on the opening day.

While West Ham United have certainly signed some real talents over the last few years, they’ve unfortunately made more than their fair share of poor signings.

For example, the likes of Andy Irving, Mads Hermanssen, and Gianluca Scamacca are either failing to make the grade or have already failed, and that’s just from the last few summers.

Yet, perhaps the most disappointing addition the East Londoners have made in recent years is Niclas Füllkrug.

Fortunately, it looks like the German could be moving on sooner rather than later, although West Ham should make sure they get rid of another flop at the same time, someone former manager David Moyes was particularly excited about.

Füllkrug's West Ham disaster

When West Ham splashed £27m on Füllkrug last summer, there was a fair deal of excitement from some in the fanbase, as while he was certainly on the older side, he had just come off a stellar season for Borussia Dortmund in which he reached the Champions League final and chalked up 15 goals and provided ten assists in 43 appearances.

As if that wasn’t enough, he had also just spent the summer playing for Germany in the Euros.

Unfortunately, even those with the lowest of expectations for the veteran striker have since been disappointed with his efforts in East London.

In his first campaign with the club, injuries limited him to just 20 appearances, totalling 877 minutes, in which he scored just three goals and provided two assists.

This season has not been much better, as before his current injury, the 32-year-old had failed to score a single goal or provide a single assist in seven appearances, totalling 385 minutes.

Füllkrug’s West Ham career

Season

24/25

25/26

Appearances

20

7

Minutes

877′

385′

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.00

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.4′

N/A

All Stats via Transfermarkt

So, with the former Dortmund star being both woefully ineffective and injury-prone, most fans weren’t too upset when news broke of his desire to leave the club in the winter window.

It now looks like such a move will occur, with several Bundesliga sides readying offers to take him off the Hammers’ hands.

Füllkrug will probably end up doing alright back in Germany, but his departure would be best for all parties involved, which is also the case for another West Ham dud Moyes once thought would be a success.

The West Ham star who must be sold

Aside from Füllkrug, the West Ham player most in need of being sold in the winter window is, unfortunately, James Ward-Prowse.

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.

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The expectations around the Englishman’s £30m move in the summer of 2023 were even higher than for the German’s arrival, with then-manager Moyes highlighting his “leadership qualities” as a reason why he could become a “big voice” in the dressing room.

Now, to his credit, the former Southampton captain didn’t have the worst of starts during his time in the capital and actually ended his first campaign with a reasonable enough tally of seven goals and 12 assists in 51 appearances.

However, the wheels very quickly came off the following season as new manager Julen Lopetegui didn’t fancy him in his midfield and sent him away on loan to Nottingham Forest.

Unfortunately, Nuno, who was in charge of the Tricky Trees, also quickly realised he did not want the Englishman in the heart of his midfield and barely gave him any game time.

So, the Irons recalled the 31-year-old, and under Graham Potter, he once again became an important part of a team.

However, whether it was age, poor form or something else entirely, the former Saints star came back and looked miles off it and continues to look off the pace into this season.

He simply didn’t have the physicality or athleticism to do the defensive work required of a central midfielder, and he also became far more ineffective going forward.

So when Nuno was appointed manager in September, it was not a surprise to see the Portsmouth-born ace left out of the squad entirely.

Since the Portuguese manager has been in the dugout, the 11-capped international has not even featured in a match-day squad, and it is therefore fair to say his time at the London Stadium is well and truly over.

Therefore, like with Füllkrug, West Ham should sell Ward-Prowse as soon as possible.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 11, 2025

Second day of England-India Test would have been former England batter’s 56th birthday

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jul-2025

Graham Thorpe’s headband, captured in a mural outside the Kia Oval, will be a theme of the “Day for Thorpey”•Matthew Chattle/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Graham Thorpe, the former England and Surrey batter, will be remembered and celebrated with a “Day for Thorpey” during the fifth Test between England and India at the Kia Oval next month, almost a year to the day since he tragically took his own life at the age of 55.The event will help to raise funds and awareness for the mental health charity Mind, including through the sale of specially designed headbands – co-designed with Graham’s wife Amanda and daughters Kitty and Emma – in a nod to the trademark look that he sported during his 100-Test career.The day will take place on August 1 – day two of the fifth Test – which would also have been Thorpe’s 56th birthday.Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Amanda said: “That day will be very powerful. We want to celebrate him and his memory. His light was so bright. He’ll go on.”Kitty added: “Death and grief in general isn’t talked about enough, considering it happens to everyone. It surrounds us. When you add the layer of death by suicide, that makes it even more taboo.”I understand it’s difficult to talk about – people don’t want to say the wrong thing. That doesn’t help tackle the stigma around it. We need to change the way we’re addressing the topic. That’s why we’re working with Mind to do something to help that.”Thorpe finished his career as one of England’s modern batting greats, making 6,744 runs at 44.66 in his 100 Tests. In 1993, he had become the first England batter for 20 years to make a century on debut, against Australia at Trent Bridge.After retirement, he turned to coaching, including as part of England’s back-room staff on the 2021-22 Ashes. However, he was released in the wake of the team’s 4-0 loss, which had taken place under Covid restrictions, and though he was subsequently named as head coach of Afghanistan, he never took up the role after a first suicide attempt in May 2022.”Working in the Covid bubbles, he found that tough,” Amanda said. “He wasn’t great at following rules at the best of times.”It was all very stressful and he wasn’t great on that trip. Then he came back, and, as happens, his job ended, then he got offered another job. It was hard for him, probably harder than we knew. He got a lot worse then, very quickly, actually.”The family are also supporting “Thorpey’s Bat and Chat”, an initiative from Mind designed to support mental health through cricket. First launched in Burton-on-Trent, the intention is to roll out such sessions across the country using funds raised from the day at The Oval”My dad was quite a private person, so for us to share his and our experience is important to help other people who have gone through similar things,” Emma Thorpe said. “To start a conversation, to reduce the shame and stigma there are around these conversations.”