Former Arsenal star Tony Adams has backed his old club to win a Premier League and Champions League double this season while aiming a dig at Spurs.
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da aposte e ganhe： Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool are closing in on a "historical" piece of transfer business this summer in hijacking a hugely in demand academy talent.
Liverpool transfer news
da winzada777： It is no surprise to see the Reds being linked with new additions on a daily basis, as Arne Slot looks to hit the ground running as manager, bringing in the right players who can suit his system down to the ground.
Versatile Wolves hero Rayan Ait-Nouri appears to be a strong target for Liverpool in the current transfer window, with the Algerian capable of thriving at left-back, on the left wing and even in more of a central midfield role at times. He could link up with Anthony Gordon down the left flank, should the boyhood Reds supporter complete a move from Newcastle United.
Nico Williams is enjoying a standout Euro 2024 tournament with Spain, proving to be a key starter for his country, scoring and assisting en route to them reaching the semi-finals in Germany. He has also been linked with a move to Merseyside, as Slot looks to potentially add more firepower in wide attacking areas.
There are also a number of current squad players who could depart Liverpool before the start of next season, however, and Nat Phillips is one of them. A bid has been rejected for his services from Trabzonspor, though, with Michael Edwards wanting £8m instead of the rumoured £4m that has been tabled.
Liverpool close in on "historical" signing
According to Romano on X, Liverpool are close to signing 15-year-old Chelsea starlet Rio Ngumoha, in what is considered a "historical" piece of business given it will break the Reds £50,000 per year cap on academy wages.
"Liverpool are closing in on deal to sign Rio Ngumoha (2008) as he’s leaving Chelsea Academy. LFC are set to break historical wage structure for Academy to sign Rio, who’s highly rated by the club. Deal set to be completed soon."
While Ngumoha clearly isn't a household name across the country, given his tender years, it is hard to shake the feeling that this could be a huge piece of business by Liverpool, such is his ceiling as a player.
At just 15, the attacking ace has already played for Chelsea's Under-21s, which is remarkable and shows that he has developed at an incredible speed, and the fact that the Blues are reportedly fuming about losing him also speaks volumes.
On X, journalist Maxi Angelo has outlined the significance of the deal and work that Edwards, Alex Inglethorpe and others have done, saying: "Liverpool steals Chelsea’s biggest talent, a 15 y/o who’s already trained with the first team. One of the biggest talents in the UK. Inglethorpe and academy staff’s work the past few years is terrific. Increased quality level, attracted top talent, got more players to first team."
"He'd be superb alongside Van Dijk": Heskey wants £65m PL star at Liverpool
Emile Heskey was speaking to Football FanCast about Liverpool’s recruitment for the summer window.
ByMatt Dawson Jul 8, 2024
Acquiring the brightest homegrown talent is something that Liverpool should always be looking to do, as was the case with Harvey Elliott, for example, and the hope is that Ngumoha develops into something very special over time.
Kagiso Rabada’s 17 runs off the final over dragged his side to 165
Firdose Moonda19-Jul-2021
Tabraiz Shamsi bagged four wickets in a T20I for the second time this year•Sportsfile via Getty Images
South Africa dominated Ireland in the first T20I meeting between the two teams despite a performance that would need some polishing with both bat and ball.Their top scorer Aiden Markram made 39 and there were two partnerships in the 30s, but they were reduced to 115 for 5 at one stage and appeared in danger of missing out on a score around 160. Offspinner Simi Singh and left-armer Josh Little were particularly successful in keeping South Africa relatively quiet, but the rest of the attack conceded at least nine runs an over each. However, a strong finish by South Africa’s lower order took them to a competitive total. And even if the visitors were not entirely happy with their score, they had reason to be because Ireland did not look like an outfit that could come close in the chase, despite South Africa’s inability to eventually bowl them out.The hosts were 38 for 4 after the powerplay, before Tabraiz Shamsi, the top-ranked bowler in the format, had even been introduced. Shamsi took four wickets for the second time in his career – also the second time in 2021 – to become the year’s leading wicket-taker in the format so far. He tossed the ball up to bowl Singh, broke through Shane Getkate’s defences with a wrong ‘un, had Mark Adair caught on the long-off boundary and had Harry Tector stumped, as he came down the track to a googly.George Linde provided good support at the start and in the middle of the innings, but South Africa drifted towards the end with Ireland’s last pair putting on 44, their highest of the innings.Openers out? No problem, we have some more
Ireland would have been relieved to see the back of Quinton de Kock after he had faced only nine balls. He did some damage when he hit Barry McCarthy over long-on for the first six of the South African innings and Mark Adair for back-to-back boundaries, before mistiming a drive to mid-off to depart in the third over. But South Africa had another opener in reserve. de Kock’s ODI partner Janneman Malan was in at No.3 and did not get going at all before he hit Adair to Singh at mid-on.Enter a fourth opening batter in Markram, who outlasted Temba Bavuma after the captain under-edged a reverse-sweep, and also starred in the two highest partnerships of the innings. Markam and Rassie van der Dussen put on 35 for the fourth wicket before Markram and David Miller shared 36 for the fifth, and South Africa had a solid foundation to build on. They seem to have identified Markram as someone who can move around the order, and though it leaves no room for Kyle Verreynne or Heinrich Klaasen, it allows them to play all their openers in the same XI.Kagiso Rabada hit 17 off the final over, including four boundaries•Sportsfile via Getty Images
Rabada, the batter
South Africa’s coach Mark Boucher has repeatedly said he believes Kagiso Rabada is selling himself short when it comes to his batting, and Rabada seems to have taken the thought seriously. He showed his potential and his finishing skills by giving South Africa the most profitable over of the innings, which also happened to be the last one. Rabada had faced just three balls and scored two singles before Adair delivered the final six balls, but had seen enough to know what he needed to do.He dispatched a low full-toss through the covers for four, then cleared the front leg to send a full ball through midwicket, after which he drove Adair down the ground and finally pulled a slow ball to deep square leg for a quartet of fours. Doubtless Rabada had a full house of boundaries on his mind, but he was beaten by lack of pace as he tried to heave the fifth one away and finished with a single. He scored 17 off the last over, and was unbeaten on 19 off nine balls to stake a claim for a spot higher in the order.No score for O’Brien
Things are not getting any easier for Ireland’s headline batter. Kevin O’Brien has played six international matches this year and has managed just 27 runs, and followed up his no score against Netherlands last month – in what turned out to be his final ODI – with a duck again today. He was rooted to the crease when he chipped the first legal delivery he faced back to Rabada for a simple catch. O’Brien’s dismissal was South Africa’s second wicket in seven balls after Paul Stirling was bowled by Linde the ball after hitting the first delivery of the innings for six. At that stage, Ireland were 7 for 2 with both openers gone.Drop, drop, catch
South Africa’s fielding standards have not been at their highest on this trip. They dropped four catches in the second ODI to lose to Ireland for the first time, and two again in the powerplay today, though they were of little consequence. First de Kock made significant ground to try and pouch the top edge off Tector’s attempted scoop off the penultimate ball of Lizaad Williams’ first over, but the chance popped out of his hands as his elbows hit the floor.The batters had crossed and Williams had a chance to dismiss Andy Balbirnie with his next ball when the Irish captain smacked the ball to Malan at backward point. Malan dived full stretch to his right but could not hold on. Balbirnie didn’t last much longer, though. After Lungi Ngidi removed George Dockrell with the first ball of his first over, he had Balbirnie caught behind with the first ball of his second. Thus, Williams was the only bowler to go wicketless.
Kola Bokinni is raring to go amid talk of Ted Lasso returning for Season 4, with the AFC Richmond captain saying “whatever happens, I’ll be there”.
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da doce： Tottenham have expressed a real interest in signing one star from Barcelona ahead of 2026, according to a new report.
Spurs shortlist attacking targets with big-names on the radar
da cassino： Spurs are preparing significant investment in attackers for January and beyond, with media sources indicating a new forward or two will definitely arrive at the club next year.
Indeed, Thomas Frank’s side have identified multiple targets as they attempt to revive their campaign.
Tottenham have significant funds available for the right acquisition, with the club willing to test the waters for elite talent. The recruitment team, led by co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, are expected to prioritise signing a wide forward rather than a central striker, though no final decision has been confirmed as they approach the January window.
Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo remains the primary target, with the Lilywhites now intensifying their interest ahead of January.
The Ghana international has seriously impressed this season with his blistering pace and proficiency, which will definitely appeal to Frank as he seeks to add more creative spark.
Semenyo’s new deal also includes a tempting £65 million release clause which will be active early next month, but this has piqued rumoured interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man City as well.
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has emerged as another concrete target, viewed alongside Semenyo as possessing the energy and attacking versatility suited to elevating Tottenham’s forward line.
However, sources indicate Ndiaye is considered more likely as a summer acquisition rather than a January signing.
More ambitious names include Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.
Tottenham tipped to strike Grealish-like deal for player who'd 'jump' at chance to join
Spurs could get him on loan in January.
ByEmilio Galantini 7 days ago
Tottenham are believed to be exploring a potential January deal for Rodrygo, who himself would consider a move to north London as he instructs his representatives to find him a new club.
Aghehowa, who’s been in monstrous form since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid in 2024, also has huge admirers at Spurs, amid reports that they’re also prepared to make a winter move for the Spaniard.
Paratici and Lange appear to be drawing up a shortlist of credible attacking targets as the Lewis family look to kickstart a new era post-Daniel Levy, with Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford now also on their radar.
Tottenham 'determined' to sign Barcelona star Marcus Rashford
Rashford finds himself at a career crossroads following his impressive revival at the Camp Nou, with Tottenham now emerging as serious contenders to lure the forward back to the Premier League.
Despite his outstanding form in Spain, Barcelona remain indecisive about the £30 million purchase option in his loan deal from Man United, creating uncertainty that several English clubs are eager to exploit.
His Barça renaissance has persuaded the Calatans’ hierarchy to at least contemplate activating the permanent deal clause, but their precarious financial situation complicates matters.
While the £30 million fee appears affordable on paper, Rashford’s long-term future hangs in the balance, and Spurs could offer him a route to London.
That is according to Spanish media sources, who report that Tottenham have identified Rashford as the ‘ideal’ profile to rejuvenate their attack.
Spanish newspaper AS, as referenced, claim that Spurs are ‘determined’ to sign the 27-year-old and ready to offer him an ‘immediate leading role’ in the team — though any transfer would have to wait until the summer considering he’s still on loan in La Liga.
Rashford’s wages, reported to be around £325,000-per-week, present a pretty major roadblock for Frank’s side, but his proven Premier League experience and versatility would undoubtedly improve the team.
The United academy graduate, during spells of superstardom at Old Trafford, earmarked himself as an England regular before falling out of favour and impressing on loan at Aston Villa last season.
Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have been blessed with truly world-class players over the years, players who have formed sensational partnerships.
One of the best examples of this has to be Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, who, to many fans, remain the greatest ever to don the Gunners’ famous red and white.
The pair played 216 competitive matches together from the 99/00 to 05/06 season in which they combined for 20 goals, averaged 2.10 points per game and, most crucially, won two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups and two Community Shields.
The dynamic duo were the faces of Arsenal’s most successful era, and it now looks like Mikel Arteta might have created the club’s best pairing since them – and no, it’s not the summer signings of Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
They might not be the pairing in question, nor are they even all that in sync at the moment, but there is every chance that Gyokeres and Eze could become a formidable duo for Arsenal by the season’s end.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
One reason is the Swede’s positioning and the impact he has on opposition defenders.
For example, while he is most certainly still finding his feet in the Premier League and hasn’t quite found his shooting boots, it’s becoming increasingly clear that when he’s leading the line, he drags opposition defenders towards him.
Unlike Kai Havertz’s last season, who liked to drop deep and link play, the former Sporting CP star is playing more like a traditional nine, and thanks to his runs in behind and imposing strength, is stretching defences.
This, in turn, makes space for his teammates like Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Eze, who should become more effective at exploiting that space the more comfortable he becomes playing in the right eight for the Gunners.
Another reason the two summer signings could form a brilliant partnership is down to the Englishman’s ability to move the ball up the pitch.
After all, with Gyokeres spending more time in and around the penalty area than Havertz did last season, the Gunners need to get the ball to him, and that is something a fully up-to-speed Eze should be able to do.
|
Eze’s Scout Report |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Per 90 |
Percentile |
|
Shots Total |
3.31 |
Top 1% |
|
SCA (Shot) |
0.83 |
Top 1% |
|
% of Dribblers Tackled |
100.0% |
Top 1% |
|
Shots on Target |
1.16 |
Top 4% |
|
Pass Completion % |
80.9% |
Top 4% |
|
GCA (Shot) |
0.17 |
Top 4% |
|
Pass Completion % (Medium) |
84.7% |
Top 8% |
|
Successful Take-On % |
58.8% |
Top 8% |
|
Assists |
0.33 |
Top 12% |
|
Through Balls |
0.66 |
Top 12% |
|
Touches (Mid 3rd) |
21.88 |
Top 12% |
|
Passes Attempted (Medium) |
14.09 |
Top 15% |
|
Goal-Creating Actions |
0.50 |
Top 15% |
|
All Stats via FBref |
||
For example, FBref ranked him in the top 8% of players in the league this season for successful take-on percentage, the top 12% for assists and through balls and the top 15% for goal-creating actions, all per 90.
In other words, the former Palace star is someone who can and will get the ball to Gyokeres in dangerous areas this season, and will only get better at it as he further beds into the team.
With all that said, while the summer signings could well become a game-changing pair this season, Arteta already has a truly world-class duo in his side today.
Some impressive partnerships are beginning to form for Arsenal this season, such as Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori, but the best of the lot is undoubtedly the one between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
After all, while the wide players are hugely important to the Gunners, their most significant strength is, without question, their incredible solidity at the back, which stems from the centre-backs more than anyone else.
For example, as things stand, the North Londoners have not conceded a single goal in the Champions League or League Cup, and have let in just three in the Premier League, one of which is that outrageous free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.
If the Gunners keep up their incredible efforts at the back, they stand a brilliant chance of beating Chelsea’s astonishing record of just 15 goals conceded in the 04/05 season.
Also, while the two centre-backs haven’t played all ten league games together this season, they have made eight appearances as a duo.
With that said, what is their overall record when playing together?
Well, across all competitions, the Frenchman and Brazilian have appeared in 126 games alongside one another, in which the Gunners have conceded 115 goals, combined for one goal and averaged an impressive 2.15 points per game.
And if that is not enough, before the Palace game on Sunday, the pair had made 93 league appearances together, during which they’ve conceded 0.78 goals per game, putting them as the sixth-best centre-back pairing in Premier League history.
However, given they’ve taken another massive step forward this season, it doesn’t feel unrealistic that they could eventually replace Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić at the top of that table one day, as their average of 0.71 goals conceded a game isn’t that much better.
|
PL’s Best CB Pairings |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Players |
Games |
Goals Against |
|
Ferdinand & Vidic |
120 |
0.71 |
|
Keown & Adams |
97 |
0.73 |
|
Campbell & Toure |
59 |
0.73 |
|
Terry & Carvalho |
85 |
0.76 |
|
Lescott & Kompany |
58 |
0.76 |
|
Gabriel & Saliba |
93 |
0.78 |
|
Van Dijk & Matip |
72 |
0.81 |
|
All Stats via Transfermarkt (Pre Palace) |
||
Ultimately, with how well they’ve already played together, how much more impressive they’ve been this season and their ages, there is every chance that by the time they leave the club, Gabriel and Saliba could be viewed as Arsenal’s greatest ever duo.
Forget Eze: Arsenal's 8/10 star is becoming Arteta's most important player
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
By
Ethan Lamb
Oct 27, 2025
da betway： Aston Villa are now plotting a £18m bid for a “tremendous” defender, who is also being targeted by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, with Emiliano Martinez a big fan.
Villa keen on strengthening despite resurgent form
da roleta： Villa have made major improvements over the past month or so, having won six of their last seven matches in the Premier League, which has propelled them to fourth in the table, and Unai Emery has been impressed by his side’s recent performances.
After the 2-1 victory away at Leeds United last time out, the manager said: “The second half (was) better, but overall, 90 minutes, I am so happy how we competed. Even the first half, we didn’t play brilliant, but we were always trying to set our gameplan on the field, and progressively we did it.”
The Villans went 1-0 down at Elland Road, with Martinez receiving criticism for his goalkeeping in the build-up to Lukas Nmecha’s opening goal.
However, a second-half Morgan Rogers brace turned the game on its head, with the goalkeeper’s blushes being spared, and Aston Villa have now joined the race for one of the Argentinian’s international teammates.
That is according to a report from Spain, which states Villa are now plotting a €20m (£18m) opening offer for River Plate defender Lautaro Rivero, having tracked the centre-back for months, and Martinez has provided positive feedback on his compatriot.
The Villans believe the 33-year-old’s personal relationship with the River Plate star could give them the edge in the race for his signature, despite rival interest from Man City and Tottenham.
Although the Argentinian has a €100m (£88m) release clause in his contract, River Plate would be willing to sanction a departure for considerably less, and there is a belief he could make an instant impact at Villa Park.
"Tremendous" Rivero has earned big Premier League move
Hailed as “tremendous” by journalist Juan Patricio Balbi, the 22-year-old may now be ready to test himself in England, having performed very well over the past year, placing in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90, compared to other centre-backs, courtesy of averaging 2.27.
Aston Villa make Emiliano Martinez sale decision amid Unai Emery comments
There has been a key update on Martinez’s future, following the goalkeeper pushing for a move during the summer.
ByDominic Lund Nov 19, 2025
Villa are arguably well-stocked at centre-back, with Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa forming a reliable partnership as of late, but Tyrone Mings has been unable to put his injury problems behind him, and is potentially in the latter stages of his career at 32-years-old.
Tyrone Mings’ injury record
Games missed
12/08/23 – 30/10/24
70
Remainder of 2024/25
7
2025-26
17
As such, Emery could do with bringing in a younger centre-back, and having recently received his first cap for Argentina, Rivero could be capable of pushing for a starting spot.
كشفت تقارير صحفية قرارًا جديدًا بشأن مباراة مصر وإيران المقرر إقامتها في بطولة كأس العالم 2026 المقبل.
ومن المقرر أن يلتقي منتخب مصر مع إيران في كأس العالم العام المقبل والتي تستضيفها كندا، المكسيك والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.
ووقع منتخب مصر بقيادة حسام حسن ضمن منافسات المجموعة السابعة بجانب إيران وبلجيكا ونيوزيلندا.
ويسعى منتخب مصر إلى تقديم كأس عالم قوية، حيث تعتبر هذه المجموعة متوازنة بعض الشيء مقارنةً بالمجموعات الأخرى.
وكانت شبكة ESPN البريطانية قد كشفت أن فيفا يخطط لجعل مباراة مصر وإيران في كأس العالم “لقاء فخر” لمجتمع المثليين، في قرار أثار جدلًا كبيرًا.
وكان الاتحاد الإيراني قد أكد على رفضه خوض تلك المباراة من خلال رئيسه مهدي تاج، في تصريحات قوية أكد فيها أنها خطوة غير منطقية، (للتفاصيل).
ووفقًا لصحيفة “ذا صن”، فقد يضطر مسؤولو الفيفا إلى نقل مباراة دور المجموعات لكأس العالم بين مصر وإيران بسبب شكاوى كلا البلدين بشأن تلك الأزمة.
وأوضحت أنه ستستمر فعاليات مباراة فخر كأس العالم في سياتل كما هو مخطط لها على الرغم من شكاوى إيران ومصر بشأن احتفالات مجتمع المثليين والمتحولين جنسيًا.
إذ قال منظمو كأس العالم في سياتل إن الفعاليات التي تحتفل بمجتمع المثليين والمتحولين والمزدوجين (LGBTQ) والتي ستقام بالتزامن مع مباراة بين مصر وإيران ستستمر كما هو مخطط لها.
أكدت اللجنة المنظمة لـ كأس العالم سياتل 2026 أن مباراة الدور الأول من دور المجموعات في 26 يونيو، والتي أطلق عليها محليًا اسم “مباراة الفخر”، ستكون أبرز فعاليات عطلة نهاية الأسبوع السنوية للفخر بالمثليين والمتحولين في المدينة.
MatériaMais Notícias
da realbet： Vasco e Vila Nova empataram em 2 a 2 nesta segunda-feira, em Goiânia, pela 36ª rodada da Série B. Foi o 6º jogo seguido sem vitória da equipe carioca na competição. O 9º consecutivo em que sofreu gols. O time agora tem a 3ª defesa mais vazada do campeonato, tendo ido pegar a bola nas redes 47 vezes. Apenas Brusque, com 54, e Náutico, com 48, tiveram um desempenho pior até o momento
O Vila era a única equipe que ainda não havia marcado sobre os vascaínos nesta Série B – foi derrotado em São Januário por 1 a 0 no 1º turno. Na ida ou na volta, todos os 19 adversários estufaram as redes cruz-maltinas ao menos uma vez na competição. Uma tônica, aliás, da temporada.
Nas 57 partidas que disputou, em 47 teve suas redes balançadas pelos adversários. Batido em 82,4% dos confrontos, o Vasco de 2021 ostenta a sua pior marca do século nesta estatística, tendo sofrido gols de todos os times que enfrentou, incluindo no Carioca e na Copa do Brasil.
O Cruz-Maltino já sofreu 72 gols em 57 jogos disputados, uma média de 1,26 por partida. Mesmo disputando a 2ª divisão, a marca é pior do que nos últimos dois anos, quando esteve na Série A. Em 2019, foram 67 tentos sofridos em 65 atuações (1,03 g/j). Na última, 69 em 60 (1,15 g/j).
Números que dizem muito sobre a permanência do time na Série B.
DESEMPENHO DEFENSIVO DO VASCO NA TEMPORADA
57 jogos
47 jogos sofrendo gols (82,4% – pior marca do século)
72 gols sofridos (1,26 g/j – pior marca dos últimos três anos)
Sofreu gol dos 19 times (100%) que enfrentou na Série B
Sofreu gol dos 33 times (100%) que enfrentou no ano
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County Championship 2026 will be played in three blocks of matches starting in April, June and August
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2025
Haseeb Hameed holds the Championship trophy aloft•PA Photos/Getty Images
Player representatives have reiterated their fear of burnout in the wake of the full fixture release for the 2026 domestic season in England and Wales.Following the announcement of the County Championship and One-Day Cup schedules on Thursday, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) was particularly critical of the period from late August to late September, which comprises six rounds of Championship fixtures and the 50-over final.The 2026 Rothesay County Championship will be played in three blocks of matches – with each side playing a total of 14 times after counties rejected a proposal earlier this year to cut the number of first-class games to 13, a decision which had already raised the ire of the players’ union.Related
Warwickshire retire Birmingham Bears moniker for revamped T20 Blast
Counties reject plan to cut Championship fixtures
Each county will play six matches during the first seven-week block, with all matches during that period starting on a Friday. A mid-summer block will be staged in June with each county playing twice while the third block of matches begins on August 20 with each team playing six times. The final round begins on September 24.Daryl Mitchell, the PCA Chief Executive, said he “feared” for that latter part of the season.”Unfortunately, the County Championship schedule does raise concerns with player burnout with mental and physical dangers attached to an overly intense end to the season following the conclusion of The Hundred,” Mitchell said.”The reduction of just one game could have gone a long way to resolving a period that does not look manageable for the majority. I already fear this section of the season.”This is through no fault of the schedulers, but the decision by the county Chairs to not allow for sufficient minimum standards regarding time between games has meant we have a period of 12 days of Championship cricket in just over two weeks with some lengthy travel for the majority.”Nottinghamshire will open their County Championship title defence at Somerset while Leicestershire and Glamorgan, both back in Division One for the first time in more than two decades, host Sussex and Yorkshire respectively in the opening round from April 3.Nottinghamshire won their first Championship trophy for 15 years and seventh overall when their South African wicketkeeper, Kyle Verreynne, hit a six to secure a batting bonus point and top spot in Division One on the penultimate day of the 2025 season.Lancashire, winners of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup Women’s Competition and the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, will begin their 50-over title defence away to Durham on April 11 ahead of a historic first professional Roses clash with Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford on April 25.Yorkshire, the 2025 Metro Bank One-Day Cup Women’s League 2 champions, begin life as a Tier 1 side away to Somerset after their elevation to the top flight was brought forward by one year following a restructure of the women’s domestic competition ahead of last season.Men’s One-Day Cup champions Worcestershire Rapids will begin their 2026 campaign at home to Derbyshire Falcons on July 24, with groups randomly drawn and each county playing once against every team in their group.Gloucestershire, Kent Spitfires, Lancashire, Leicestershire Foxes, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Notts Outlaws, Somerset, Surrey and Warwickshire make up Group A while Group B comprises Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Essex, Glamorgan, Hampshire, Middlesex, Sussex Sharks, Worcestershire Rapids and Yorkshire.The One-Day Cup Women’s final will be played at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, September 19 followed by both the men’s final at Trent Bridge and the Women’s League 2 Final at Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol the following day.Ellie Threlkeld holds the One-Day Cup aloft•ECB via Getty Images
The second season of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup will involve 37 counties vying for a place on finals day at Emirates Old Trafford on August 29, including inaugural champions Lancashire Thunder.The opening round, from April 26, features 28 counties before the nine Tier 1 counties – Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, The Blaze, Warwickshire and Yorkshire – enter the competition in Round 3 from June 21.Two all-Tier 1 ties have been confirmed for Round 3 with The Blaze at home to Durham and Yorkshire hosting Somerset.The PCA noted favourably a significant reduction in back-to-back games across men’s and women’s T20 fixtures, announced on Tuesday, down from 54 in 2025 to just six next season.Olly Hannon-Dalby, the PCA Chair, believed that holding the men’s Blast Finals Day ahead of the Hundred along with an improved schedule and less travel represented significant progress.”For the first time in a number of years, I feel the men’s Blast will have the energy and priority within the schedule to show everybody just how great this competition is,” he said. “The Vitality Blast lining up on an equal platform with men’s and women’s teams is something I’m very passionate about and is absolutely the right way to grow the game. We’ve seen the success in The Hundred and double headers should be an opportunity to attract bigger crowds for all.”But he echoed Mitchell’s concern over the Championship schedule.”At a time when many counties have threadbare squads, to start six four-day games and a 50-over final in the space of five weeks is so far from optimum it is something that needs addressing,” Hannon-Dalby said.”We will actively be canvassing opinion on how we could avoid this congestion in the future with options such as starting the season slightly earlier or ending it later. Conversations need to continue to prioritise the wellbeing of its players.”