Category Uncategorized

The Central American side edged Suriname 4-3 in a dramatic Gold Cup opener with thrilling comeback

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Costa Rica blew an early 2-0 lead and trailed 3-2They now face the Dominican RepublicThe group stage finale will be against MexicoFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

Miguel “Piojo” Herrera made his return to the Gold Cup – this time on the bench for Costa Rica – and did so with a rollercoaster victory. In his tournament debut with , the Mexican manager saw his team claim a wild 4-3 win over Suriname in a match full of momentum swings.

Costa Rica jumped out to a 2-0 lead, only to fall behind 3-2 before salvaging the win with a stoppage-time penalty in the 90+13 minute on Sunday night.

True to his trademark confidence, Herrera didn't hold back after the match, saying, "We have a team capable of winning the tournament. We’re here to win it. The dream is alive, and it’s up to us to make it real. We have a squad that can compete with anyone.”

AdvertisementAFPWHAT MIGUEL HERRERA SAID

Herrera emphasized that his belief in winning the Gold Cup is based on what he’s seen from his players so far, adding, “I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t see it reflected on the pitch. Technically, we’re in a good place. If we stay focused, we can go all the way.”

AFPDID YOU KNOW?

The 2025 Gold Cup features three Mexican head coaches. In addition to Javier Aguirre, who leads the Mexican national team, and Miguel Herrera, now at the helm of Costa Rica, Guatemala is coached by another familiar name in Mexican football – Luis Fernando Tena.

The veteran manager guided Guatemala to the quarterfinals in the 2023 edition of the tournament and currently has the team in contention for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

WHAT NEXT FOR COSTA RICA?

Costa Rica will face the Dominican Republic Wednesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, before closing the group stage with a much-anticipated clash against Mexico on June 22 – a match likely to decide the top spot in Group A.

Play was held up in bizarre circumstances during the second Australia-Pakistan Test at the MCG because the third umpire Richard Illingworth got stuck in a lift.Players returned to the middle after the lunch break on Thursday, in time for the scheduled 1.25pm start to the second session. But in unusual scenes, the two central umpires wouldn’t allow a ball to be bowled because Illingworth was unable to return to his post in the grandstand.It left Australian batters David Warner and Steven Smith waiting to resume, with the hosts stuck on 6 for 2 in their second innings with an overall lead of 60.After a few minutes the fourth umpire, Phil Gillespie, ran from the boundary into the third umpire’s box so that play could resume and Illingworth made his way a few moments later, giving a light-hearted wave as he sat down. Cricket Australia and the MCG both produced light-hearted responses to the peculiar delay, which lasted seven minutes.”The game is delayed because the third umpire…is stuck in the lift,” Cricket Australia’s social media arm posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.The MCG was quick to reply: “Sorry.”Channel Seven host Mel McLaughlin was also in the lift that became stuck and said that it took about 10 minutes for them to be left out.Meanwhile, a busy afternoon for fourth umpire Gillespie continued later in the session when he was briefly called on to stand in the middle alongside Michael Gough when Joel Wilson needed to leave the field for an over.

Chelsea are preparing a pre-summer offer to sign one striker for Enzo Maresca, with his club already looking at replacements if they’re forced to sell him.

Chelsea play FC Copenhagen in Conference League second leg

Tonight, the west Londoners are favourites to overcome Danish minnows FC Copenhagen and stride into the Conference League quarter-finals after their 2-1 first leg win last week.

£250,000-per-week player "could be set" for surprise exit from Chelsea

The Blues are already looking at other options.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 12, 2025

Goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernández handed them a crucial advantage heading into tonight’s face-off at Stamford Bridge, while Gabriel Pereira clawed one back for the visitors and ensured that Copenhagen could still be in with a shot of causing a major upset.

Arsenal (away)

March 16th

Tottenham (home)

April 2nd

Brentford (away)

April 5th

Ipswich Town (home)

April 12th

Fulham (away)

April 19th

Chelsea have won their last three games in all competitions, slightly lifting the spirits around Cobham after a real mid-season slump in form, and Maresca will be keen for his side to make an electric start to the 90 this evening.

“I was surprised, as I said last week because I watched many games, they were off the ball always defending with a line of four and then against us, they were in a line of five,” said Maresca on FC Copenhagen’s performance against Chelsea last week.

“Even in their game two days ago, they were again a line of four. The reason why we were a little bit surprised was because of that, but then we tried to adapt.

“To be honest, I do not know if they are going to be in one way or another way. We will see.”

During his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Maresca also shared an update on striker Nicolas Jackson, and when the Senegalese could be back from injury.

“He could be back, probably after the international break,” said Maresca on Jackson’s recovery. “Him and Noni also. This is good news. Before the international break, we have two games, tomorrow and Sunday, and then we have international break, we can recover energy, recover players and then go for the last [bit of the season].”

Jackson’s return after the international break will be a welcome boost for Maresca, given his lack of available out-and-out centre-forwards, but it is believed Chelsea are planning to sign a new striker to partner him ahead of next season.

Chelsea ready to make £50m offer for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap

According to The Boot Room, Ipswich Town star Liam Delap remains very high on Chelsea’s shortlist of potential alternatives to Jackson and Christopher Nkunku after previous links to the former Man City forward.

The outlet and journalist Graeme Bailey report that Chelsea want to sign Delap as soon as possible, and are very eager to finalise a pre-summer deal for the Englishman, as they grow very wary of rival interest for him.

They’re also said to be planning a £50 million offer for his services as they look to secure his services before the next window, but Ipswich are in no rush to reach an agreement given the potential bidding war for Delap, despite already working on potential replacements for their star striker.

The 22-year-old is Chelsea’s top summer target alongside RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko, but £50 million may not even be enough, as other reports suggest his valuation could shoot up to £60 million.

Delap has scored 10 goals in 27 Premier League appearances for Kieran McKenna’s relegation-threatened side this term, including one against Chelsea back in December.

A club are believed to have entered negotiations with Rangers over a permanent deal to sign an Ibrox player who has recently been transformed.

Rangers manager and takeover latest

The Gers have had an eventful start to 2025, to say the least. A shock Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park was the beginning of the end for Philippe Clement, who was sacked in February after 16 months in charge.

The club decided to bring in former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson on an interim basis until the end of the season, and the Scot guided Rangers to an impressive 3-1 win in Turkey over Fenerbahce last week.

A place in the Europa League quarter-finals is firmly in Rangers’ grasp as a result, and there is also the ongoing process of a takeover involving a group of US investors.

The 49ers Enterprises have agreed a deal in principle to take charge in Glasgow, with Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe and health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh leading the bid.

They are hoping a deal will be completed ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and one of their first tasks will be to bring in a new permanent manager.

Key figure in Rangers takeover impressed by young coach who wants Ibrox job

Would he be the perfect choice for the Gers?

ByHenry Jackson Mar 10, 2025

Steven Gerrard has been linked with a return to Ibrox, whereas Rafa Benitez is thought to be the preferred target for the 49ers. Russell Martin has also responded to rumours linking him with the Rangers job on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, and whoever comes in ay not be able to work with one specific player going off a recent exit update.

Rangers in talks to sell Cifuentes for less than £3m

Rangers midfielder Jose Cifuentes is currently on loan at Aris Thessaloniki, who have the option to buy the Ecuadorian in the summer for around £3m.

The 26-year-old has made 25 appearances in all competitions over in Greece in 2024/25, but there were rumours he could have returned in January after some early poor performances and turning up late for training towards the end of 2024.

However, as per reports relayed by Herald Scotland, Cifuentes has been transformed under manager Apostolos Mantzios and Aris Thessaloniki want to make his loan move permanent over the coming months.

There is a catch, though, with the club entering negotiations with Rangers to lower the £3m figure. The Scottish giants signed Cifuentes from Los Angeles FC for around £1.2m, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Gers do lower the £3m fee.

Appearances

20

Goals

0

Assists

2

Yellow cards

0

Red cards

1

Minutes played

1,247

A move looks set to be one to watch following this update, but with Cifuentes turning things around in Greece, a permanent exit could make sense for all involved.

MatériaMais Notícias

da premier bet： A venda de ingressos para a primeira partida do Corinthians no Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 foi iniciada nesta terça-feira. O duelo, contra o Flamengo, será disputado na sexta-feira (3), às 20h, no estádio do Canindé.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansZagueiro quer atuação ‘digna de Corinthians’ na estreia do Brasileirão Sub-20Corinthians28/02/2023CorinthiansCorinthians pede, e Barletta não jogará a Copa do Brasil pelo São BernardoCorinthians28/02/2023CorinthiansRóger Guedes explica escolha pelo Corinthians e crava: ‘Quero renovar’Corinthians28/02/2023

da wazamba： + Renato Augusto é novamente o destaque do Corinthians; Giovane destoa contra o Santos

O ingresso mais barato, sem o desconto do Fiel Torcedor, custará R$15 na arquibancada, enquanto a entrada mais cara para o duelo custará R$ 20 na numerada coberta.

CONFIRA ABAIXO OS PREÇOS (sem descontos do Fiel Torcedor)
ARQUIBANCADA – R$ 15,00
NUMERADA COBERTA – R$ 20,00

+ Veja as movimentações do mercado da bola no LANCE!

Os ingressos já estão sendo vendidos tanto para membros do Fiel Torcedor (no site www.fieltorcedor.com.br) como para torcedores em geral (na plataforma www.ingressoscorinthians.com.br).

Membros do programa Fiel Torcedor devem imprimir o QR Code de seus ingressos para entrar no Canindé. A partidanão contará pontos para os planos dos sócios-torcedores.

+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Campeonato Paulista

continua após a publicidade

Newcastle United fans will already be excited about the upcoming Carabao Cup final, despite Eddie Howe’s men going through a bumpy patch of form as of late.

A choppy February saw the Magpies lose three Premier League contests to lose ground on the race for a top-four finish, whilst March was also kicked off in grim fashion with an FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Still, there is that silver lining of a Wembley final, but Howe will be without the ever-improving and England hopeful Lewis Hall for this showdown versus the Reds in yet another blow to Newcastle’s ever-thinning confidence.

The latest on Lewis Hall's injury situation

Hall did not feature in that clash against the Seagulls, instead replaced by Tino Livramento on the left as Kieran Trippier featured from the right.

Sadly, the club’s worst fears have now been confirmed with it now being revealed that the ex-Chelsea youngster will be out for the rest of the campaign due to a foot injury, which was coincidentally picked up against Liverpool at the back-end of last month.

This will be a kick in the teeth for Newcastle with Hall a consistent bright spark for the Toon from the left-back spot this season, leading to four assists being picked up in all competitions.

Moreover, this could result in the Toon having to rely on Matt Targett in games to come, with a lack of other options at Howe’s disposal away from the reserve defender.

However, as Newcastle’s successful track record with youngsters is evident in the current make-up of the senior side – with William Osula and Lewis Miley given opportunities routinely – it could be time for the Magpies manager to bump up an exciting starlet to add depth to Hall’s depleted position.

Newcastle's next rising star could profit from Hall's injury

There a number of top talents in the Newcastle U21 ranks just waiting for a senior shot, with 19-year-old striker Ben Parkinson up to seven strikes this season in Premier League 2, alongside his midfield teammate Alfie Harrison helping himself to a stellar five assists.

Undoubtedly they will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Toon sensation Lewis Miley and former Magpie Elliott Anderson in rising to the top of the game.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

But, away from the standout forward areas, there is a left-back in the U21 camp who could soon be fast-tracked to the senior side, with Dylan Charlton perhaps now the chosen starlet.

After all, Charlton is already known to Howe when the Magpies boss gave the teenager some minutes in a post-season friendly versus Tottenham Hotspur back in May 2024, with the 18-year-old, ironically, replacing Hall on that day out in Melbourne.

Completing all eight of his passes from his 13-minute cameo, Charlton will hope his further progression in the U21 ranks this season stands him in even more good stead for a senior chance soon, especially with the former Chelsea man now occupying the St James’ Park treatment room.

24/25

14

0

1

23/24

27

1

0

22/23

26

0

2

21/22

6

0

0

Much like Hall, Charlton has shown throughout his time on the youth pitches at Newcastle that he has an eye for an assist from the full-back spot, with three picked up from 75 appearances lining up for the U18s and U21s.

His patience to keep performing competently in youth sides could now pay off, with Howe unafraid to gift academy products senior chances too, considering Miley became the club’s youngest-ever Premier League debutant under his regime.

Further, Hall is only 20 years of age himself, meaning a route into the first team isn’t out of the question for the Gateshead-born defender whatsoever, as the St James’ Park masses crave another homegrown gem.

88 goals since leaving Newcastle: Toon flop is now on par with Gordon

This former Newcastle United attacker would get first team opportunities if he was back on Tyneside.

ByKelan Sarson Mar 4, 2025

Salt admits disappointment to slipping down pecking order but keen to seize opportunity

Matt Roller21-Sep-2023A sodden Headingley outfield delayed its arrival by three days, but England’s latest white-ball opening partnership will stride out to the middle together at Trent Bridge on Saturday with an opportunity to show that they are not just a stop-gap, but a viable long-term option at the top of the order.Phil Salt and Will Jacks were due to open the batting against Ireland before Wednesday’s ODI was abandoned without a ball bowled and both men know that this series is about much more than results. Instead, it represents a chance for them to show that they should be part of a regenerated England side after this World Cup.Salt and Jacks have batted together before, though only six times and all in T20s, rather than 50-over games. They opened together in one of England’s seven T20Is in Pakistan this time last year, and were also opening partners for Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 in January. That they were due to open, with Zak Crawley in the middle order, confirms their status as the next men in.In style, they are similar to the Jason Roy-Alex Hales prototype, the opening pair that launched England’s white-ball revolution. Jacks, like Hales, is the taller of the two, and particularly strong through the covers; Salt, like Roy, is slightly shorter, but a powerful, leg-side dominant player. Unlike Roy and Hales, they both offer secondary skills: Jacks bowls useful offbreaks, while Salt can keep wicket.After England’s humiliating group-stage exit at the 2015 World Cup and ahead of their next full series against New Zealand, Roy and Hales were given an extended run at the top of the order, given licence to fail as long as they played in the team’s new attacking style. Salt and Jacks could be in a similar position – even if England’s white-ball teams are now in a very different place.There is healthy competition between Salt and Jacks. Salt turned 27 last month, Jacks’ 25th birthday is in November, while Salt has 30 international caps and a T20 World Cup winners’ medal to Jacks’ 10. But Jacks was picked ahead of Salt to open the batting in last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, with England keen to give him a run of games.”I was disappointed, I can’t lie to you,” Salt said. “I had a good IPL, but I didn’t do myself justice when I came back for the Blast. Playing for England is where I want to be… if anything, it’s given me motivation to get back in the team and reclaim my place.” He sought feedback from Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler, who explained there had been “a little shift around in the pecking order.”With Hales now retired from international cricket and Roy’s World Cup omission likely to draw a line under his England career, there will soon be spots up for grabs. “I’d like to think so, yeah,” Salt said when asked if he saw himself taking one of them. “There’s a lot of guys in my position also thinking the same thing.”Will Jacks made his T20I debut as Salt’s opening partner•Getty Images

Of course, there is no guarantee that there will be dual vacancies at the top of the order. Buttler recently cautioned against what he sees as an English obsession with age, saying: “We are always looking for the next thing… If people are still performing, age is irrelevant.” After all, England will likely head into next year’s T20 World Cup with Buttler and Jonny Bairstow as their openers.But in ODIs, England will start building towards the 2027 World Cup – and the 2025 Champions Trophy – when they travel to the Caribbean in December. Their fringe players have lined up that tour for further potential opportunities and will make themselves available even if it means limiting their time for franchise cricket; both Salt and Jacks are in demand worldwide, and are likely to be retained for next year’s IPL.”Playing for England is a priority,” Salt said. “There’s a lot of franchise opportunities out there, but every game I can get in an England shirt, I want to take the opportunity with both hands. Some people are at the stage of their career where they are prioritising earning money… [but] right now, I just want to play as many games as I can for England.”After those three fixtures against West Indies, which are followed by five T20Is, England will not play another ODI until September 2024, when they host Australia at the end of the summer. With the country’s leading white-ball cricketers involved in the Hundred rather than the One-Day Cup, the ongoing Ireland series provides rare exposure to 50-over cricket.”It is slightly strange: you’ve got to remember the rules,” Jacks joked on Wednesday. “I’ve barely played [50-over cricket]: I’ve played two games in the last five years.” Salt believes that most players are able to adapt: “The fundamentals and the basics are very, very similar. It’s just spread out over a bigger period of time.”More immediately, they will just hope to get on the pitch: mercifully, Saturday’s forecast for Nottingham suggests they should at least manage that.

Liverpool aren’t supposed to be miles clear at the top of the Premier League.

With Jurgen Klopp stepping down from his manager’s role at the end of the 2023/24 campaign after missing out on the biggest prizes, rivals tittered as Arne Slot took the German’s baton and prepared himself for failure.

These might be echoes of misguided opinion, but Liverpool have been nothing short of mesmerising in their professional brilliance this season, sitting pretty at the top of the division with an 11-point lead over second-place Arsenal.

Into the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United and preparing for a two-legged showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League, there’s plenty to play for. The high-flying Reds are firing on all cylinders.

Well, maybe not all cylinders – Darwin Nunez has been something of a conundrum since signing for the Merseysiders in a deal worth £85m (a club record), and he’s facing a summer departure after failing to kick on under Slot’s management.

Darwin Nunez's inevitable departure

This was supposed to be Nunez’s season. Liverpool hadn’t signed a striker last summer to kickstart the Slot era, leaving Diogo Jota and the Uruguay international as the two recognised senior options.

It’s nearly March, and Dominik Szoboszlai’s triumphant performance at the Etihad, moonlighting as a centre-forward as Nunez sat cold on the bench, epitomised the saddening situation he finds himself in.

He’s effectively fourth in the pecking order, behind Jota, Luis Diaz and now Szoboszlai. Cody Gakpo would be picked ahead of him too, were the Dutchman not performing so well on the left flank.

How has this happened? Retired striker Dwight Yorke remarked earlier this season that there is a “monster of a player” dwelling somewhere within Nunez’s recesses, but he hasn’t come out for more than flashes of promise across three years as a Red.

Perhaps the most concerning part is he’s having a comparatively effective season in front of goal. And even so, just four Premier League goals to his name, six from 35 appearances across all competitions.

It’s simply not good enough, especially with Jota missing 15 matches so far this term. He’s fit at the moment but has only scored eight goals, playing 22 times.

When you realise there’s a former Liverpool centre-midfielder who was offloaded on a free transfer, you begin to see how concerning Liverpool’s central striking options are in the long term.

The former Liverpool midfielder who's outscoring Nunez

Liverpool have hit the mark with the majority of their signings over the past decade, hitting with greater consistency than certain domestic rivals.

It’s not just about the big-money additions, but Klopp and Michael Edwards’ almost unerring ability to pick out players who had not yet established themselves at the top of the European game.

Take Gini Wijnaldum, for example. Relegated with Newcastle United in 2015/16, the Dutch ace joined Liverpool that summer in a move worth £25m.

Best-known across Europe for that moment in the Champions League, Wijnaldum was far more than an off-the-bench brace, even if it was one of the most significant cameos in Liverpool’s history, helping the injury-hit Reds on to an incredible 4-3 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the semis.

Wijnaldum, now 34, was described as an “irreplaceable” part of Klopp’s dynasty by correspondent Richard Jolly, playing 237 times. He only scored 22 goals, and only placed 17 assists, but then Wijnaldum’s role was one of control and fluency in the middle of the field, fashioned into an industrious workhorse after principally playing on the left flank with the Magpies.

He saw out his £75k-per-week contract on Merseyside, never once renewing. When Liverpool failed to tie him down to fresh terms in 2021, he was snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain, though failed to really kick on in the French capital and left for the riches of the Saudi Pro League in 2023, joining the now-departed Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.

Klopp had actually gone on the record in November 2020 to state that he “would be happy if he would stay here,” but the impasse failed to find a resolution and Liverpool’s midfield perhaps didn’t look quite the same over the next two years, with Thiago Alcantara routinely injured.

The versatility of the Netherlands man could have been utilised over those next few years, perhaps even stabilising Liverpool in 2022/23, when they fell off a proverbial cliff as several members foundered.

He’s certainly showcased as such with his current outfit, playing across the midfield this season. Despite being fielded as an anchoring presence for the bulk of the term, Wijnaldum has still managed to fire nine goals home across 21 matches, recently claiming a brace in a 3-2 win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Central midfield

31

7

7

Defensive midfield

14

2

0

Attacking midfield

7

7

2

Right winger

2

0

0

He’s still got it alright. That impressive dynamism has been on full show in Saudi Arabia, with his natural-born clinical edge even seeing him outscore Nunez and Jota for Liverpool this year.

The goalscoring engine is a man of many parts, and while his ship has now sailed over on the banks of the River Mersey, his continuing success serves as a rueful reminder of the talent that supercharged Klopp’s squad in its pomp, and the inverse of that, that his goalscoring form underscores just how flimsy Liverpool’s central strikers have been – either on the fitness front or in the final third themselves.

Wijnaldum will turn 35 before the end of the year and, in this twilight stage, perhaps no longer has the athleticism and crispness to withstand the rigours of Premier League football.

However, a prime Gini may well find a starting spot in this current Liverpool midfield, underscoring the value he had under Klopp’s management. The fact he’s still got enough in the tank to outscore the likes of Jota and Nunez, nearly four years after leaving, suggests that maybe his departure was premature.

Liverpool can save millions with academy grad who's like a £150m star

This Liverpool academy star could go the full mile if he lives up to his potential.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 24, 2025

Sri Lanka ahead in race, Zimbabwe need a win, Scotland and Netherlands face a steeper road

S Rajesh01-Jul-2023

Sri Lanka beat Netherlands in their Super Six fixture•ICC/Getty Images

Sri Lanka
A win against Zimbabwe on Sunday will ensure qualification for Sri Lanka as only one out of Zimbabwe or Scotland can reach eight points, as they are playing against each other. Even if Sri Lanka lose to Zimbabwe, they can still qualify if they beat West Indies in their last match on July 7. Zimbabwe and Scotland can also finish on eight points, but Sri Lanka should go through, given their excellent net run rate of 1.832.However, if Sri Lanka lose both their matches, then they can be knocked out, as Zimbabwe and Scotland can both finish above them on eight.Related

Batting collapses 'a bit of a concern' for Sri Lanka

West Indies fail to qualify for 2023 ODI World Cup

A Caribbean calamity – how West Indies botched their ODI WC chances

Shai Hope: 'We can't just wake up one morning and be a great team'

Zimbabwe
Like Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe have taken all the points on offer from their three games so far, but their run rate isn’t as high as Sri Lanka, which leaves them more susceptible on NRR. For instance, even if they beat Sri Lanka, a defeat to Scotland could leave Zimbabwe in danger of missing out if Scotland win their last match and finish on eight, and if Sri Lanka beat West Indies.Zimbabwe’s NRR is currently 0.752, but if they beat Sri Lanka by a run and lose to Scotland by 40 (with first-innings scores of 300), then their net run rate will drop to 0.281, which can be overhauled by Scotland. However, if they beat Scotland on Tuesday, then they will qualify for sure, regardless of the result against Sri Lanka on Sunday.Scotland
Scotland have kept themselves in the hunt with the convincing win against West Indies. Not only have they added two points to their tally, but they have also improved their NRR to 0.188. Wins in their last two games will lift them to eight points, which will ensure qualification if Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe on Sunday. If Zimbabwe win that game, then all three teams could finish on eight, bringing run rates into play.Their next game, against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, is a must-win for them. A defeat will mean they can’t catch up with Zimbabwe on points, and Sri Lanka will almost certainly finish higher on NRR even if they lose both and stay on six points.Netherlands
Netherlands need to win both their games by fairly significant margins and finish on six points and then hope that several other results go their way. Their best bet will be for Sri Lanka to qualify, and for the second place to be a three-way battle among them, Zimbabwe and Scotland.To give an idea of result margins involved, if Netherlands win their last two games by a combined margin of 90 runs, and if Zimbabwe lose their last two by the same combined margin (with first-innings scores of 250), then Netherlands will sneak ahead of Zimbabwe on NRR.

Anderson winds back the clock and de Kock impresses with the gloves as a sell-out Texas crowd welcomes the league

Ashish Pant17-Jul-2023The firsts…Lockie Ferguson nabbed MLC’s first-ever wicket, off his first ball no less, getting rid of Faf du Plessis for a golden duck. But fittingly, it was Ali Khan, perhaps the most recognisable American star and a Texas local, who delivered the first ball of the tournament. It did not take him long to feature in the wickets column either as he took out Lahiru Milantha, but not before the batter smashed the first six of the competition. Devon Conway hit the first four and became the first man to notch up a fifty in MLC, much to the delight of the local TSK fans, of whom there were plenty on the opening night.Related

Saurabh Netravalkar flies the USA flag in North Carolina

Nosthush Kenjige: 'We have a responsibility to do the right things all the time, even when nobody is looking'

Kieron Pollard: 'A lot of people are sprinting through those franchise doors'

Texas brings the vibe and welcomes franchise cricket to America

Cricket through the eyes of two baseball fans in America

Anderson winds back the clock, gets back-up from ShadabCorey Anderson has a habit of announcing himself in style. Not many can forget his maiden ODI ton when he broke a 17-year-old record for the fastest century in the format’s history. The former New Zealand international, who is now vying for a place in the USA national team, got his MLC career going in style against MI New York, a franchise he has been a part of in the IPL previously.Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 91 was too hot for MI New York•MLCWith San Francisco Unicorns struggling at 22 for 3, which soon became 50 for 4 in seven overs, Anderson was at it from the get-go and found an ally in Shadab Khan. The duo added a 58-ball 129 for the fifth wicket to take SF to 215 for 5, the only 200-plus total so far in MLC. Anderson made an unbeaten 91 off 52, his innings laced with four fours and seven sixes, while Shadab hammered 61 off 30, with four fours and five sixes. MI NY could only manage 193 for 5. Allen slouches, de Kock stunsQuinton de Kock hasn’t fired with the bat yet, but the same can’t be said about his wicketkeeping. He plucked a hat-trick of catches in the 18th over of Seattle’s game against SF, the highlight being the final take which helped his side continue their spotless record. Cameron Gannon got a back-of-a-length ball to rise up sharply at SF’s No.11 Carmi le Roux, who fended at it and seemed to get enough bat to clear de Kock. But the wicketkeeper flung to his right, one-handed with the ball almost behind him to complete a stunning take.Finn Allen made the highlight reel as well, though for entirely different reasons. Chasing 178, SF were off to a flyer, reaching 41 in three overs, thanks largely to Allen taking down Wayne Parnell for 22 in the third over. A couple of balls into the fourth, he tucked a Gannon back-of-a-length ball to the right of midwicket, only to amble across what he felt was an easy run. But Shehan Jayasuriya sensed a chance as he swooped across and fired a throw at the non-striker’s end. Allen was caught off-guard and in response, tried to plonk his bat in, only for it to stick into the turf. The ball hit the stumps and Allen was sent packing. SF’s chase continued to slide thereon.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED

Was this the only way Finn Allen could get out tonight?

HEADS-UP play and a BEAUTIFUL throw from Shehan Jayasuriya!

pic.twitter.com/GZk5bkYG4Q

— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 16, 2023