On a pitch better suited, on a day with more luck, he could have bowled exactly as he did on day two and finished with several wickets

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Jun-2025Nahid Rana took 0 for 97 in the only innings he bowled in Galle, has 0 for 54 at the end of day two at the SSC, but if you’re thinking of jumping off the Rana hype train over his Sri Lanka performances, hold up, stay close, this isn’t your stop. Those figures don’t necessarily correlate with his potential. There are things to consider here.Up first on the list of things to consider is the raw pace. Rana is almost certainly the fastest bowler Bangladesh has ever produced. He is not just fast in brief, fresh bursts; he can be fast late on difficult days too. Deep into session three on day two at the SSC, he was still breaching 145kph, still bowling bouncers, still rushing batters, even the supremely well-set. He has also been known to bowl faster than 150kph. Forget Bangladesh, for most of Test cricket’s history, it would not have had a bowler who could consistently bowl that quickly. Even now, around the world, there may only be a handful that fast.There are other virtues. Those bouncers, partly because of the pace, but also because it is one of his more accurate deliveries, can often be truly vicious. Pathum Nissanka, very arguably the batter of this series so far, found this out on 94 when he tried to hook Rana, and discovered the ball was on him already at 149kph – fast for a bouncer. It smacked his helmet hard by the badge, looped so high in the air that Rana could race forward in his follow-through and spring forward to intercept it centimetres above the grass. He appealed for that catch, but on replay, it was clear there was no way the bat could have touched it. The ball was too fast – already in Nissanka’s face by the time he pulled his bat through.Related

• The Taijul light shines bright on Bangladesh's day of gloom

• Kusal Mendis on SL's day three plans: We want to bat as long as possible

• Rapid Rana at the bleeding edge of Bangladesh's seam-bowling tradition

• Nissanka 146*, Chandimal 93 put Sri Lanka in control

Bowling short was a big part of Rana’s day. When he bowled bouncers, he generally forced the batters to duck, or he hit them. There was a short leg in place, plus a catching fine leg, and catchers out to the off side, so balls that skewed off the shoulder or handle of the bat could be gobbled up. In first-class cricket, he had frequently blasted batting orders out this way, averaging 19.81 across 19 innings for Rajshahi Division.The easy critique to make here is that Test batters are not first-class batters, and that you need more than raw pace to get Test batters out, but this is not necessarily the case. Test batters frequently get out to sheer pace and bounce, but this SSC pitch – slow off the deck and with modest bounce and carry – is almost exactly wrong for Rana, so he can only make so much of his height and pace.Pathum Nissanka was pinged in the helmet by a Nahid Rana bouncer•AFP/Getty ImagesOne theory about Rana’s present state is that he is most effective as a third seamer, not as a new-ball bowler. There is evidence to back this up. In his first outstanding Test performance, Rana was the second-change bowler, and took 4 for 44 to seal a historic series win in Pakistan. Three months later – in Kingston – his only five-for came when he was first change. Four of those wickets were with the old ball.On day two at the SSC, he was frequently bowling cross-seam short balls, which is a deeply third-seamer move. Swing bowlers tend to like preserving that shiny side of the ball, for conventional swing first, and reverse swing later. Even spinners like one side of the ball to be in smooth condition, because they can get more drift that way. It is the fast bowlers who revel in the shorter lengths and exploit the chaos, the uneven bounce created by cross-seam deliveries.Nahid beat plenty of cross-batted shots with cross-seam deliveries on day two, but they never took an edge. Both Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal looked most uncomfortable against Rana’s bowling late in the day, but he had been wayward in his two new-ball overs, conceding 20. “Rana didn’t bowl well with the new ball initially, but found his rhythm again and looked good towards the end” is what coach Phil Simmons said.He is 22, and still developing skills, having had no serious cricket coaching till being discovered late in his teens. But pace is pace and height is height, and as long as you stay fit, those things can get you pretty far in a fast-bowling life. On a pitch better suited, on a day with more luck, Rana could have bowled exactly as he did on day two and finished with several wickets.

Soumya Sarkar and Mahidul Islam should get into the Bangladesh XI straightaway, while Alick Athanaze is the likeliest replacement for Evin Lewis

Mohammad Isam17-Oct-2025

Big picture: Nothing to separate the two teams

West Indies are wary of the Dhaka pitch, and Bangladesh are trying to get out of their ODI funk as they face each other in the first ODI on Saturday. Ranking points are up for grabs with both teams setting their sights on automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. And there’s little to separate them historically – they have won six bilateral ODI series each over the years.Bangladesh have to sort out a batting puzzle. Soumya Sarkar’s inclusion means Tanzid Hasan will likely have to stay on the bench. Saif Hassan is an automatic choice, though he needs to strengthen his position with a big innings. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s form is still a concern, though he is getting a longer rope than some others have got over the years.Related

• 'Assess, decide and deliver' – West Indies embrace the unknown in Dhaka

• Keacy Carty took the stairs, not the elevator, but he's not complaining

• Patience running thin amid Bangladesh's batting gloom

Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali and Nurul Hasan also weren’t among the runs against Afghanistan. Mehidy Hasan Miraz has scored runs but his strike rate has come under fire in the last two ODI series. The national selectors have added Mahidul Islam to the mix, while Shamim Hossain is another middle-order option.Bangladesh’s only plus point is their bowling. The fast bowlers have been rotated smoothly, and have done well in most conditions. Spinners Rishad Hossain and Tanvir Islam have also been in control of proceedings for the most part. They will be licking their lips with the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch in front of them.It will be the same for Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase, the spin twins who have brought West Indies some success in recent times. They have Shai Hope and Chase for batting experience in Bangladeshi conditions, while the likes of Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze and Amir Jangoo will combine to provide the rest of the batting firepower.Jayden Seales will have good memories from the last time he played against Bangladesh, at the end of 2024. Seales was in great form against Pakistan in West Indies’ last ODI series, picking up six wickets in the third ODI.Tanvir Islam is one of the few undroppable players in the Bangladesh team•AFP/Getty Images

Form guide

Bangladesh LLLLW
West Indies WWLLL

In the spotlight: Tanvir Islam and Keacy CartyTanvir Islam was one of Bangladesh’s rare consistent performers in the Afghanistan series. He took just four wickets but produced good spells in all three matches. His magic delivery to Azmatullah Omarzai in the third game highlighted his improved quality as a left-arm spinner. He is also one of the few automatic choices in the current ODI setup.It’s early days, but Keacy Carty has provided West Indies with stability at No 3. He averages more than 50 with 1100-plus runs at the position. Carty has the shots to keep him finding the boundary regularly, but also has the percentage game. Centuries in Ireland and England are evidence that he can play in different conditions.Alick Athanaze should replace Evin Lewis in the West Indies XI•AFP/Getty Images

Team news: Soumya, Mahidul could enter XI

Soumya and Mahidul might slot into Bangladesh’s line-up after being called up for the series.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Soumya Sarkar, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mahidul Islam, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Nahid Rana, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Hasan Mahmud.Athanaze is the most likely batter to replace Evin Lewis from West Indies’ last ODI against Pakistan in August. They also have Jangoo, Ackeem Auguste and Khary Pierre as allrounders.West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Alick Athanaze, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Roston Chase, 7 Gudakesh Motie, 8 Justin Greaves, 9 Romario Shepherd, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales.

Pitch and conditions

A sneak peek of the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch the day before the first ODI revealed a dark surface, which strongly suggests slow turn and a bit of low bounce. There is light rain forecast on an otherwise warm day.

Stats and trivia

• Only Hope and Chase from the current West Indies squad have played ODIs in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh have lost their last five ODI series dating back to November last year. In that time, they have only won two of their 14 matches.

As Borussia Dortmund prepare for a defining Bundesliga clash against an in-form Bayer Leverkusen, Niko Kovac is confronted with a growing dilemma with the uncertainty surrounding defender Nico Schlotterbeck. With contract talks stalling and interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool intensifying, Dortmund now face the risk of losing their key centre-back.

Kovac hit with Schlotterbeck questions ahead of Leverkusen clash

The defender, whose contract runs until 2027, remains reluctant to sign an extension, pushing Dortmund into a corner as European giants circle. According to reports, the Dortmund defender is being circled by top European clubs with Bundesliga rivals Bayern also pushing to sign him, while Liverpool reportedly have him on a list of targets, with Ibrahima Konate possibly leaving and questions surrounding Virgil van Dijk's form.

Dortmund are determined to convince him to stay, but Kovac admits that the situation is out of his control.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKovac’s honest admission and Schlotterbeck's contract stalemate

During his press conference ahead of the Leverkusen clash, the coach addressed the growing speculation head-on, saying: "I don't know to what extent I can influence things there – other than showing him appreciation. I show him that every day.

"He knows what we have in him. But he also knows what he has in the club. I'm optimistic, but only time will tell. I'm not a fortune teller. Let's wait and see."

Schlotterbeck’s hesitation stems from a mix of sporting and strategic concerns. Despite being offered a major salary increase and even the possibility of inheriting the captain’s armband, the defender remains unconvinced about Dortmund’s long-term title prospects and playing style. He previously stated the team “needs to play more football,” making his expectations clear.

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl reaffirmed Dortmund’s stance that they want the contract situation to be resolved by the Christmas.

"We are trying to provide conditions that offer Schlotti an attractive environment… Ultimately, a decision will have to be made," said Kehl.

Bayern’s push, Liverpool’s interest, and the market pressure

The tension around Schlotterbeck’s future has been amplified by Bayern's situation. Dayot Upamecano’s contract renewal has hit a wall due to a large gap in signing-fee demands. Should Bayern fail to extend him, Schlotterbeck becomes their prime target.

That possibility has already been reported by , which claims the defender is seriously considering a switch to Munich. His second preferred destination is reportedly the Premier League, with Liverpool monitoring the situation closely.

Dortmund’s next few matches, including consecutive Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal encounters against Leverkusen, are seen as pivotal. If the club falters while Leverkusen and Bayern accelerate, Schlotterbeck may conclude that his ambitions cannot be met in Dortmund’s current trajectory. After becoming one of the Bundesliga’s top defenders and playing a central role in Dortmund reaching the Champions League final, he now wants to compete consistently for titles.

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AFPThe wider picture for Dortmund

Dortmund's form has fluctuated in recent weeks with an emphatic 4-0 Champions League win over Villarreal which followed a sharply contested last-minute league draw against Stuttgart. Leverkusen, meanwhile, are thriving under coach Kasper Hjulmand, winning six of their last seven Bundesliga games and coming off a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite the swirling speculation around Schlotterbeck, Kovac was determined to keep the team focused on football first. He praised Leverkusen’s pace and unpredictability, acknowledged Dortmund’s improvements, and urged realism while still keeping ambitions alive.

“We need to prepare everything now to be in the mix at the end,” he said, noting the club’s strong Champions League run and potential on all fronts. His assessments of players like Julian Brandt, Fabio Silva, and young defender Aaron Anselmino highlighted the internal progress being made.

But the truth is unavoidable. Schlotterbeck’s decision will shape Dortmund’s defensive future. If he stays, he could become the team’s highest-paid player and its next captain. If he leaves, Dortmund may be forced into a complete reconstruction of their back line.

Barcelona full back Jules Kounde has revealed that he chose to sign for Barcelona over Chelsea because he preferred then Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez’s approach compared with then-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. The French defender, who was at Sevilla at the time, had been the subject of a transfer battle between the two clubs. Kounde explained that he enjoyed his discussions with Xavi and that time flew by, noting that he liked the legendary former midfielder's natural style of speaking.

• Barcelona vs Chelsea: The battle for Kounde

  Kounde joined Barcelona in 2022 after an impressive spell with Sevilla, where he notably won the 2019-20 Europa League. Known for his defensive solidity, tactical awareness, and ability to play out from the back, Kounde quickly became an integral part of Barcelona’s defence and has helped the club secure two La Liga titles. 

  Before joining Barcelona, Kounde was heavily pursued by Chelsea, sparking a transfer battle between the two clubs. Ultimately, Barcelona secured his signature as Xavi’s vision and project convinced Kounde more than Tuchel’s Chelsea. Since arriving, he has been an essential figure in stabilising the defence and contributing to Barcelona’s domestic and European ambitions.

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  Kounde explains transfer decision

  Kounde has revealed that Xavi’s approach impressed him more than Tuchel’s, highlighting the Spaniard’s natural way of speaking when discussing football. This played a key role in his decision to join Barcelona over Chelsea.

  “I enjoyed our conversation," he said. "Time flew by, and that's always a good sign when you're talking so naturally. We mainly talk about football, which is what I like talking about most, especially with the manager, Xavi, who was one of the best players ever.”

  He added: “I spoke to Tuchel and felt that he wanted me to go, but I simply preferred Xavi's approach.”

  Kounde also favoured Barcelona because they planned to use him as a centre-back, unlike Chelsea who wanted him as a full back, saying: “I chose Bara because I know that most of the time I will play in this position [centre-back].”

• City's interest in Kounde

  In July of this year, reports suggested that Manchester City were interested in Kounde as they looked to strengthen their defence. The French centre-back had been one of Barcelona’s standout performers the previous season, playing a key role in their league-winning campaign and even scoring the decisive Copa del Rey final goal against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, City endured their toughest season under Pep Guardiola since 2016–17, finishing without a major trophy and struggling defensively. Speculation ended, though, when Kounde signed a contract extension with Barcelona, keeping him at the club until 2030. 

  Barcelona sporting director Deco confirmed that City did check on Kounde’s availability in July, saying: "No, there was no offer. The only thing I do know is that City, and now there's [new director of football] Hugo Viana and before that there was Txiki [Begiristain], were looking for a full-back, and of course they asked us if Koundé was on the market. And we told them no. So, there was no offer or any negotiation."

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  Barcelona back to winning ways vs Bilbao

  With Kounde signing an extension until 2030, committing his future to Barcelona, his decision to join the Catalan club has paid off handsomely. He has won multiple titles with the club while competing at the highest levels in Europe. Barcelona returned to winning ways with a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in their first game at the Camp Nou since renovations. 

  Barcelona sit 11th in the Champions League with seven points from four matches, five worse off than leaders Bayern Munich and Arsenal. The Catalan club come up against Kounde's former suitors Chelsea on Tuesday aiming to prevent the German and English clubs, who will face each other on Wednesday, from moving further ahead. Then, on Saturday, they return to La Liga action with a game against Deportivo Alaves. Sitting just one point behind Real Madrid, who have drawn two in a row in the division, they are gunning for another league crown under coach Hansi Flick.

A goalkeeper’s role in football has evolved from just being a brilliant shot-stopper. Nowadays, ‘keepers have to be just as good with their feet, with plenty of managers opting to play out from the back, meaning their No 1s are their first point to build an attack.

But with coaches demanding so much more from their number ones, who takes the crown as the best goalkeeper in world football?

Ranking factors

To help rank the goalkeepers in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their teams’ performances Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others say about them

Top 15 goalkeepers in the world

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Gianluigi Donnarumma

26

Man City

Italy

2

David Raya

30

Arsenal

Spain

3

Thibaut Courtois

33

Real Madrid

Belgium

4

Alisson

33

Liverpool

Brazil

5

Jan Oblak

32

Atletico Madrid

Slovenia

6

Unai Simon

28

Athletic Club

Spain

7

Emiliano Martinez

33

Aston Villa

Argentina

8

Diogo Costa

26

FC Porto

Portugal

9

Gregor Kobel

27

Borussia Dortmund

Switzerland

10

Yann Sommer

36

Inter Milan

Switzerland

11

Manuel Neuer

39

Bayern Munich

Germany

12

Mike Maignan

30

AC Milan

France

13

Joan Garcia

24

Barcelona

Spain

14

Jordan Pickford

31

Everton

England

15

Mile Svilar

26

Roma

Serbia

15 Mile Svilar Roma and Serbia

Mile Svilar had a standout 2024/25 season, recording 16 clean sheets and the highest save percentage in Serie A which has seen him join the rankings for the first time.

The Serbia international, who joined Roma in 2022, is now 26 years of age and appears to be entering his prime for the Italian giants.

Mile Svilar: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Liga Portugal

2019

Belgian Pro League

2017

Belgian Super Cup

2017

14 Jordan Pickford Everton and England

Everton’s No.1 Jordan Pickford has been first choice for England for almost eight years now, and he has impressed in recent weeks for the Toffees ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Pickford starred in the 1-0 win at Old Trafford and has been a consistent performer who arguably goes under the radar when it goes to being labelled as one of the best in the world.

13 Joan Garcia Barcelona and Spain

Joan Garcia was a goalkeeper in demand during the summer of 2025 following his eye-catching performances for Espanyol.

The Spaniard looked as if he was heading to Arsenal to link up with compatriots Mikel Arteta and David Raya, however, Barcelona came in and secured a deal.

It has proven to be a smart decision, with Garcia first choice when fit, and he’s under contract at the Nou Camp until 2031.

12 Mike Maignan AC Milan and France

Mike Maignan’s impressive displays in Italy with AC Milan have resulted in recent rumours of a move to the Premier League, with the France No.1 linked with Chelsea and Man Utd.

Now captain of Milan, Maignan has made more than 150 appearances for the European giants and has won the Goalkeeper of the Year award in France and Italy during his career.

At the age of 30, Maignan appears to be approaching the prime of his career, and he has been hailed by Kylian Mbappe for his penalty-saving bailout following his Nations League heroics for France.

Mike Maignan: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Ligue 1

2021

Serie A

2022

Nations League

2021

Italian Super Cup

2025

11 Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich and Germany

Despite turning 39 years of age in March, Manuel Neuer is still one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. He’s won everything there is to win in the game and has made more than 550 appearances for Bayern Munich.

The German icon has suffered with some injury issues over the last 12 months, but when fit, continues to be first-choice at the Allianz Arena. He’s also still under contract until 2026, so it looks as if he’ll continue playing into his forties.

Manuel Neuer: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Bundesliga

2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

World Cup

2014

Champions League

2013, 2020

FIFA Club World Cup

2014, 2021

UEFA Super Cup

2013, 2020

German Cup

2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020

German Super Cup

2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022

U21 European Championship

2009

10 Yann Sommer Inter Milan and Switzerland

Another highly experienced shot-stopper who appears to be getting better with age is Yann Sommer.

The 36-year-old moved to Inter Milan in 2023 to replace Andre Onana and has starred in Serie A, keeping clean sheets in more than half of his appearances for the club in all competitions.

Approaching 100 caps for Switzerland as well, Sommer is another example of ‘keepers hitting their prime in the latter stages of their career, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he too ends up continuing for a long while yet.

Yann Sommer: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Bundesliga

2023

Serie A

2024

Swiss Super League

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Swiss Cup

2007, 2012

Italian Super Cup

2024

Liechtenstein Cup

2008

9 Gregor Kobel Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland

Transfermarkt has €40m Gregor Kobel as the joint-most valuable keeper in the world today, with the Swiss shot-stopper waiting patiently to take over from Sommer as his nation’s No.1.

The 27-year-old has been an ever-present figure for Borussia Dortmund since 2021, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl calling him ‘a goalkeeper of world-class calibre who has attracted the interest of many top clubs in Europe’.

Under contract until 2028, it’ll be interesting to see if Dortmund can keep Kobel at the club in the years to come.

Gregor Kobel: Personal honours

Honour

Years won

Bundesliga Team of the Season

2023, 2024

Champions League Team of the Season

2024

8 Diogo Costa FC Porto and Portugal

Diogo Costa, a Portugal international, made a name for himself at Euro 2024, saving three penalties in a shootout over Slovenia and has continued to impress with FC Porto.

Mikel Arteta has also hailed Costa’s consistency in recent years, and right now, he is the joint-most valuable ‘keeper according to Transfermarkt.

7 Emiliano Martinez Aston Villa and Argentina

A champion with Argentina, Emiliano Martinez has continued to star years on after helping his country to World Cup glory in Qatar.

With Aston Villa, Martinez played a key role in helping them into the Champions League and has been called a “more mature” and “better goalkeeper” by Unai Emery. Named as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper in 2024, Martinez has dipped slightly in 2025.

Emiliano Martinez: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

World Cup

2022

Copa America

2021, 2024

FA Cup

2015, 2017, 2020

Community Shield

2014, 2015, 2020

6 Unai Simon Athletic Club and Spain

Athletic Club had the best defence in La Liga for the 2024/25 season, with goalkeeper Unai Simon playing his part in a solid backing under Ernesto Valverde by recording the best save percentage in the league at more than 77%.

Despite missing the first half of the season through injury, Simon has been a regular in 2025 and has now made more than 200 appearances for his current employers.

Unai Simon: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

European Championship

2024

Nations League

2023

Spanish Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2020

Kane Williamson’s availability for New Zealand’s home summer will take a little longer to lock in. However, head coach Rob Walter is content to give a player of his standing the extra time.Williamson, who is one of the group of players to hold a casual contract with NZC, made himself unavailable for the three-match T20I series against Australia, having previously missed the tour of Zimbabwe to play county cricket and the Hundred.The next part of New Zealand’s home season sees them play England in T20Is and ODIs before an all-format visit by West Indies in November.”Kane, we’re still in conversations as to what the summer is going to look like,” Walter told reporters after the Australia series. “He will play, no doubt about that. Just what and where is still in discussion.Related

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• Williamson to miss Australia series under NZC casual agreement

“I think the reality is we’re dealing with all the guys on casual contracts, actually in different positions from a playing point of view. Kane is one of those and he deserves the opportunity to sit and talk about what the rest of his year will look like. But I keep coming back to the most important thing, [which] is that he wants to play for his country, and so nutting out exactly what that looks like can take an extra week or two, but surely, he deserves that.”Walter confirmed that New Zealand would continue to be without Finn Allen (foot) and Adam Milne (ankle) for the visit of England while Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) and Glenn Phillips (groin) were unlikely to be fit.However, he was hopeful that white-ball captain Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra, who was a late withdrawal from the Australia series after suffering a facial injury colliding with the boundary boards at training, will have recovered in time for the series which starts on October 18 in Christchurch.Walter was unperturbed about not being able to get his full-strength T20I side together in the build-up to next year’s World Cup.Mitchell Santner is likely to be available again•ICC via Getty Images

“I think we don’t live in an ideal world and so that’s part and parcel of it,” he said. “I’ve been part of a World Cup campaign [with South Africa] where the team assembled at its full strength three days before our first game and that team managed to make a final.”For me, it’s just the way it works. I think what’s more important is the environment and the team culture that sort of assimilates together when it needs to. We do know that by the back end of the India series [in January] prior to the World Cup, that’s when our full World Cup squad will be together.”For me, as long as the guys are playing competitive cricket, that’s important, and almost everyone has been part of the environment at some point so I would assume that they can fit seamlessly back into it.”Should all players be fit and available for the World Cup, there will be some selection squeezes, especially around the pace bowling and top-order batting. Tim Robinson took his chance after Ravindra’s injury to make an impressive hundred in the first match against Australia, while Jimmy Neesham claimed a four-wicket haul in the third game.Australia won the T20I series against New Zealand•Getty Images

“Ultimately when things are operating the way they should, everyone’s not fighting for their position, but understands that competition for places is there,” Walter said. “Ultimately you want your best crop of players in the park and in the squad.”They’re all quality players. At the end of the day, there’s going to be a quality player that’s left out, whoever that may be. As you’ve heard me say many times before, the stronger the player that’s left out, the better the system.”Reflecting on the Australia series, Walter was encouraged by the way his side fought back from 6 for 3 in the opening match and forced a collapse with the ball in the second but conceded they had areas that needed improving before facing England.”There’s little bits [of positives] here and there but, to be fair, we were a little bit off our best game and when you do that against [Australia], who’s won 25 of their last 30 T20 internationals, you’re going to find yourself on the wrong end of the result,” he said.”Some of the areas that we weren’t competitive in are actually quite easy fixes, [they] just require a little bit of extra time on our part…like any loss there’ll be some positives most of the time and then some stuff that you walk away with and understanding that you have to do better as we move forward.”With England arriving, you’ve got a team that’s going to play very similar to how Australia played in the series. So again, we get to check out if we actually have improved in the areas that we’ve identified and spoken about.”

The 2024/25 campaign was truly one to forget for everyone involved with Manchester United, as the club registered their worst-ever Premier League finish.

Ruben Amorim’s side ended the year in a measly 15th position, sitting just three spots above the relegation zone, with various issues rearing their head throughout the season.

The Red Devils had a real goalscoring issue during their top-flight campaign, as seen by their measly tally of just 44 goals in their 38 outings – an average of just 1.15 per game.

However, at the other end, things were just as disappointing, as they shipped 54 goals in just 38 matches, ultimately leading to a total of 18 league defeats in 2024/25.

Many of the failures that season were directed that way of one man, with Amorim desperately needing to make the right call on his future during the recent summer window.

The stats behind Andre Onana’s failures for United in 2024/25

After David de Gea’s departure from United back in the summer of 2023, former boss Erik ten Hag decided to delve into the transfer market to bolster his ranks – landing the signature of Andre Onana.

As a result, the Dutchman decided to fork out a reported £47.2m for the Cameroonian’s signature – a deal which could go down as one of the worst in the club’s history.

Upon Amorim’s arrival last November, he decided to stick with the former Inter Milan shot-stopper between the sticks, but he was unable to match the confidence shown in him by the boss.

The 29-year-old featured 50 times across all competitions last campaign, but made nine direct errors that led to goals, many of which came in key moments.

From parried shots against Lyon to misjudging Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort against Nottingham Forest – it truly was a regular occurrence for Onana to drop numerous clangers.

His only appearance for the Red Devils this season came in the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two Grimsby Town – a game that would signal the end of his first-team place at Old Trafford.

Amorim decided to ship Onana out on loan to Turkish Super League side Trabzonspor, with the hierarchy backing him with a new goalkeeper on Deadline Day.

Man Utd have another Onana-esque liability

As a result of Onana’s departure, Senne Lammens was the man chosen to fill the void in the goalkeeping department for United, with the Belgian joining from Royal Antwerp.

At just 23, such a move may have been a daunting task to many, but the youngster has wasted no time in cementing the number one shirt as his own at Old Trafford.

He’s made six appearances for the Red Devils to date, keeping one clean sheet, but his goal prevented xG of 0.2, showcases his immediate impact between the sticks.

Lammens is also yet to register an error leading to a goal after his big-money transfer, with his arrival already solving one of the glaring issues in the squad from last season.

However, not all the new additions have slotted in as seamlessly as the goalkeeper, with full-back Patrick Dorgu unable to be as successful at Old Trafford.

The Dane arrived from Italian side Lecce back in January for a reported £30m, with such a move seeming to end the hierarchy’s hunt for a long-term left wing-back.

However, nearly a year on from his transfer, it’s evident that the 21-year-old simply isn’t at the level required and is now becoming a huge liability for Amorim’s men.

Dorgu has only started seven out of a possible 12 league games to date this campaign, with his latest showing highlighting why he’s been an inconsistent figure in 2025/26.

He featured for 58 minutes in the defeat against Everton on home soil, before being replaced by Diogo Dalot after struggling to make the desired effect at both ends.

Patrick Dorgu – stats against Everton
Statistics	Tally
Minutes played	58
Touches	40
Passes completed	75%
Tackles made	1
Aerials lost	100%
Crosses completed	0
Possession lost	11x
Dribbled past	1
Stats via FotMob

The youngster was labelled “unreliable” by one analyst, after only winning one tackle, and losing all four of the aerial duels he entered – offering a lacklustre option out of possession.

Even with the ball, Dorgu struggled to impress, only completing 75% of his attempted passes, losing possession a staggering 11 times whilst failing to complete a single cross.

As a result, he’s massively becoming a liability under Amorim, arguably the biggest one since Onana’s lack of form for the club back in the 2024/25 season.

A solution for all parties is desperately needed before the January transfer window, with the club potentially needing to reinvest in the market to solve the problem at left wing-back.

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By
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Nov 25, 2025

She added that “reaching a couple of semi-finals in the [recent] past just gives us more confidence”

S Sudarshanan24-Oct-20252:11

The big question – Is Healy fit for South Africa clash?

South Africa were the second team to qualify for the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025, and did so with two league games still to play. They have been on a remarkable run in ICC tournaments in recent years – reaching the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup in 2017 and 2022, and of the T20 World Cup in 2020 and 2023. They were also runners-up at the T20 World Cup last year.Batter Anneke Bosch felt that the recent experience of making the knockouts puts South Africa in good stead to make their maiden ODI World Cup final. They will play their last league game of the competition against Australia at the Holkar Stadium on Saturday. The winner will head to Navi Mumbai for the semi-final against India, while the losing team will face England in Guwahati in the first semi-final.”We’ve been really good at being consistent in big tournaments, and different players doing well at different stages of the tournament,” Bosch said. “It’s just something that works for us when we get to tournaments like these and motivates us to do well. Reaching a couple of semi-finals in the [recent] past just gives us more confidence.Related

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“But now obviously we want to take it one step further because in the ODI World Cup, we haven’t [reached the final] before. So, it would mean a lot to us – and that’s what you compete for and what you’re here for – to make it to the final and, hopefully, lift the trophy. The fact that we have participated in a couple of semifinals now just helps us to deal with that pressure.”What has helped South Africa continue to perform well is a settled core. Twelve players in the current World Cup squad have been part of the T20 World Cup squads in 2023 and 2024. Bowlers Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune and Nonkululeko Mlaba have been consistent fixtures in the national side since the 2022 ODI World Cup.And it’s not just the senior women who have enjoyed success at World Cups. The men’s team reached the final of the T20 World Cup last year and the semi-final of the Champions Trophy earlier this year. The Under-19 women’s side were runners-up at their T20 World Cup earlier this year, while the men’s Under-19 team made the semi-finals in 2024.”It’s a combination of a lot of things,” Bosch said of the winning culture. “We are a massive sporting nation and we love to play for the country, and make the country and the people back at home proud. [A key factor is] our resilience and the way we come together as a country in big tournaments like these. We play for each other and we play for people back at home.”South Africa’s road to a first Women’s ODI World Cup title starts with a tough assignment against Australia in their final group-stage match. They have beaten Australia just once in 18 ODI meetings. With a solid core and the belief to go where they never have before, they’ll be aiming for a second ODI win against the defending champions.

The defending champions secured a big win in a rain-reduced game with the captain leading from the front

AAP20-Oct-2025Defending one-day champions South Australia claimed a nine-wicket win over Queensland, banking a bonus point in their rain-marred victory.As rain restricted the match to a maximum 25 overs each, Queensland were bowled out for 128 in 23.5 overs at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. The hosts were set 120 to win under the DLS method and won with with 47 balls to spare.Related

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SA, the holders of the Dean Jones Trophy, now have two wins from four games – the same as Queensland.Their run chase was given early impetus by Jake Fraser-McGurk, who blasted six fours in making 27 from 14 balls. Fraser-McGurk’s cameo ended when bowled by a superb off-cutter from James Bazley.But opener Mackenzie Harvey and captain Nathan McSweeney then set about the chase with the bonus point in mind.South Australia needed to win inside 20 overs and Harvey and McSweeney easily reached that goal with an unbroken 80-run partnership.Earlier, Queensland slipped to 13 for 2 inside five overs before a lengthy rain delay. On return, only veteran Jimmy Peirson managed an innings of substance, smacking three sixes and three fours in making 42 from 83 ballsThe only other Queenslanders to reach double-figures were Bazley, Hugh Weibgen and Max Bryant. The visitors failed to bat out their 25 overs as SA skipper McSweeney claimed 3 for 12 from 3.1 overs with his offspinners. McSweeney had initially brought himself on when Wes Agar couldn’t complete his second over.Liam Scott and Lloyd Pope also enjoyed multiple success and paceman Nathan McAndrew returned figures of 1 for 7 from four overs.

Leeds United’s stance on recalling Joe Gelhardt from Hull City in January has now been revealed.

Gelhardt starring at Hull on loan from Leeds

The Whites have been struggling in front of goal in the Premier League this season, with only bottom of the table Wolves scoring fewer than Daniel Farke’s side.

The 49ers Enterprises arguably failed to bolster the final third as well as they should’ve, with free transfers Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined by Noah Okafor as Leeds’ only attacking additions.

They did decide to loan out Gelhardt to Hull once again, and the 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Tigers in the second tier.

In 15 Championship games, Gelhardt has already scored seven goals and provided two assists, coming in for praise from manager Sergej Jakirovic.

“When I watched him in last season’s games, I begged Mr Chairman (Acun Ilicali) to bring him back here.

“He likes playing here and he wanted to come back here. He has a completely different profile to the players we have. He has the quality to play in a number of positions and is able to pass, shoot and has speed, which is special.

“He’s 23 years old and maybe he can reach the Premier League. But, right now, he’s made the difference.”

As a result of Gelhardt’s form, there has been speculation over a potential recall in the New Year to help Leeds in their Premier League survival push.

The forward played his part in the 2021/22 season as a teenager to help the Whites remain in the top flight, scoring a memorable winner against Norwich City and providing a late equaliser for Pascal Struijk against Brighton in the penultimate league fixture.

Hull want Harry Gray

However, according to TEAMtalk, ‘Leeds have no plans to bring Gelhardt back to Elland Road’ in the New Year.

The Whites are happy for the forward to remain with Hull until the end of the season and Gelhardt’s form could help the 49ers sell him for £4m, which would result in a 300% profit following his move from Wigan in 2020.

As well as keeping hold of Gelhardt, Hull also have their eyes on a potential loan move for Harry Gray after the Leeds teenager penned his first professional contract in Yorkshire.

Gray, 17, is yet to feature under Farke in 25/26 after being handed his debut on the same day Leeds won promotion to the Premier League. He’s also being eyed by Charlton Athletic, Derby County and Swansea City.

Leeds are considering allowing Gray to leave for the second half of the season so he can get regular senior game time, but when it comes to Gelhardt, don’t expect to see him in a Leeds shirt in the New Year.

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