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And who has the highest individual score on IPL debut?

Steven Lynch04-Apr-2023Mark Wood took five wickets in his first IPL match the other day. Was this a record? asked Brian McMaster from England

The England fast bowler Mark Wood took 5 for 14 – his best figures in all T20 cricket – for Lucknow Super Giants against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow last weekend. However, it wasn’t Wood’s IPL debut – he played one match for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians in 2018 (he failed to take a wicket, and his four overs cost 49).In any case, the best figures on debut in the IPL are 6 for 12, by the West Indian Alzarri Joseph for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad in 2019. Those are actually the best figures overall in IPL history: Wood currently sits joint eighth on that list.There was one notable record though: Wood’s figures were the best by an English bowler in the IPL, beating 5 for 25 by Dimitri Mascarenhas for Kings XI Punjab against Pune Warriors in Mohali in 2012.Has anyone made a higher score in the IPL season curtain-raiser than Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 92? asked Nilu Banerjee from India

That six-packed 92 from Ruturaj Gaikwad for Chennai Super Kings against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad the other day was actually the third-highest individual score in the opening match of an IPL season. Back in April 2008, in the very first IPL game of all, Brendon McCullum lit up the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru with an undefeated 158 (still the second-highest in IPL history) for Kolkata Knight Riders against RCB. And in 2015, Rohit Sharma made 98 not out in the opening match for Mumbai Indians against KKR in Kolkata.Kyle Mayers hit 73 in his first IPL match the other day. What’s the highest score on IPL debut? asked Joseph Findlay from Barbados

Kyle Mayers hit 73 in his first match for Super Giants against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow at the weekend. That’s the highest score on IPL debut by anyone since the Brendon McCullum innings mentioned above – 158 not out for KKR against RCB in Bangalore in 2008, in the very first IPL match of all.Two others have made higher scores on IPL debut than Mayers’ 73 – both Australians, and both also in that inaugural season of 2008. The day after McCullum’s blitz, Michael Hussey hit 116 not out for CSK against Kings XI in Mohali, and a few days later Shaun Marsh made 84 not out for Kings XI vs Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad. So Mayers’ 73 was the fourth-highest individual score on IPL debut, and the highest since the first season.Travis Head is one of three batters to make five hundreds at home and none away•Getty ImagesI noticed that Mayank Agarwal has scored four Test centuries, all of them in India. What’s the most that one batter has made without any away from home? asked Devang Patel from India

At the moment there are three men who have scored five Test centuries, all of them on home soil: the old England captain Stanley Jackson, whose five hundreds all came against Australia, India’s Chandu Borde, and the current Australian batter Travis Head, who will no doubt be hoping to escape this particular list during the Ashes series in England later this year.Mayank Agarwal is one of five batters whose four Test centuries all came at home, along with Joe Hardstaff junior of England, Zimbabwe’s Guy Whittall, and the Sri Lankan pair of Roshan Mahanamaand Arjuna Ranatunga.What’s the lowest highest score in a completed Test innings? asked Jamie Lewcock from Ireland

If I’ve understood the question correctly, the answer is 7 – when South Africa were bowled out by England for 30 at Edgbaston in 1924, the highest individual contribution was 7, by their captain Herbie Taylor.The only other completed Test innings to include 11 single-figure scores was India’s 36 against Australia in Adelaide in 2020-21, when the biggest contribution was Mayank Agarwal’s 9.There have been several instances of ten batters failing to reach double figures in a Test innings. It includes Australia’s 35 for 8 at Old Trafford during the 1953 Ashes series.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

The governing body, in order to win a contracts dispute, has compromised team unity and here’s how

Andrew Fidel Fernando16-Jul-20211:11

Dasun Shanaka: I’m ready for my ‘new duty’ as Sri Lanka captain

Dasun Shanaka, 29 years old, is Sri Lanka’s newest men’s limited-overs captain. He is a cricketer of significant promise, and one that has previously captained Sri Lanka (in a stand-in capacity) to a 3-0 victory over Pakistan in T20s, so you hope he will make a fist of it. Better yet, that he can inspire a team that has lost seven of the eight completed ODIs they’ve played in 2021, and 12 of their last 13 T20 internationals. But can he?Shanaka has not been a consistent member of the Sri Lankan XI for the past three years. In ODIs, he has 28 appearances, 611 runs, and 10 wickets. In T20Is, those numbers are 43 games, 548 runs and and 11 wickets. These are not particularly encouraging statistics.There is a train of thought within the Sri Lanka team that Shanaka has only been made captain because he cut a deal with either the cricket board or its technical advisory committee in agreeing to sign the tour contracts the board was offering. This is after Sri Lanka’s cricketers had spent months defying the contracts on offer. After it was clear that the deadlock between the board and and the players had been broken, but long before SLC officially announced Shanaka’s captaincy, his team-mates knew the announcement was coming. Whatever the exact nature of Shanaka’s relationship with the board, whatever his own motivations, he is now due to lead a team that does not fully believe he is in charge for purely cricketing reasons.But it is natural for players to be ambitious. Commendable, even. Innumerable sports people across history, have coveted their team’s captaincy. But it is rarer that a governing body acts with such self-serving shortsightedness, that in order to win a contracts dispute, it chooses a course of action that would inevitably sow discord within an already-ailing team. No one can be surprised, though. Diplomacy, tact, basic competence – these have long been imperiled resources among the top brass at the SLC.This is, after all essentially the same set of administrators that over the last five years, presided over the change of ODI captains from Angelo Mathew to Upul Tharanga (in mid-2017), from Tharanga to Thisara Perera (in late 2017), from Thisara back to Mathews (in early 2018), from Mathews to Dinesh Chandimal (in late 2018), from Chandimal to Lasith Malinga (in early 2019), from Malinga to Dimuth Karunaratne (just ahead of the 2019 World Cup), from Karunaratne to Kusal Perera in early 2019, and now from Kusal to Shanaka. Some captains have come in promising discipline. Others commitment in the field. One has championed sensible batting. Another batting fearlessly. During all this, since July 2016, Sri Lanka have lost 60 ODIs to the 26 they have won.Shammi Silva, the SLC president•SLCSri Lanka have not just rifled through captains, searching desperately for results no one could deliver given the paucity of the country’s domestic cricket, it’s the same with coaches. There was Graham Ford, then Nic Pothas (though briefly), then Chandika Hathurusingha, and now Mickey Arthur (there are already rumours the board is fixing to replace him). Meanwhile, Shammi Silva has been either vice-president or president of SLC (elected uncontested this year for his second two-year stint as head honcho) since late 2015, and Ashley de Silva has been CEO for the better part of a decade.It is possible that over the next few weeks, these two men – who along with others such as Thilanga Sumathipala and Nishantha Ranatunga have overseen the galling decline of Sri Lanka’s top-flight cricket – will take their places on a dais, and wearing their grumpiest expressions, hand out lengthy suspensions to Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella, for their breaking of the bio-bubble during the England tour.The absence of those three players, along with Kusal Perera’s shoulder injury, means the most experienced player in Sri Lanka’s 25-strong first-choice ODI squad is Dhananjaya de Silva, who has played 50 matches. Shikhar Dhawan, the captain of India’s second-string team, has played 142 ODIs. India have also been training for weeks in Sri Lanka; the hosts have only been able to come out of isolation over the past few days.Can Shanaka pick his team-mates up, help devise world-class game plans against better drilled opposition, show tactical acuity in game-breaking situations, communicate effectively, and raise his team’s performance by, I dunno, a 1000%? Although this team’s decline has been almost staggering since 2015, the one thing you could still say about Sri Lanka is that they do occasionally do a good line in miracles.If they lose, SLC’s board members will likely blame the team or its coach. They may question commitment, they may cast aspersions on discipline. If they keep losing, the captain could be under threat again. For the third time in succession, a coach may get sacked by the same people who hired him.But if they look like winning, oh man, what a party: a call will go out to the broadcasters, a camera will be trained on the front row of the board president’s box, allies in commentary who are happy to criticise players but almost never turn the spotlight on administrators will recite their names on air, and the bum-patting carousel of middle-aged men in suits will go on until the nation is nauseated.

Could this World Series end any other way? The Dodgers forced a Game 7 with a thrilling 3–1 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre Friday. Toronto nearly pulled off a miraculous ninth-inning comeback when Addison Barger hit a controversial ground-rule double to left-center field after the ball was wedged between the warning track and the padded wall.

The ground-rule double took a run away from the Blue Jays as Myles Straw would have easily scored from first base, but he was put at third with the call. After Barger’s extra-base hit, the Dodgers went to Tyler Glasnow (who was due in the rotation to start Game 7) to work themselves out of the jam with no outs and two runners in scoring position.

Glasnow remarkably needed just three pitches to record the save and have the Dodgers escape with the win. Game 6 ended with a wild double play off a liner from Andrés Giménez where outfielder Kiké Hernández played shallow and was able to make the catch and double off Barger at second.

Following the game, the Jays’ right fielder admitted he didn’t read the ball well off the bat, which caused him to drift closer to third and get caught on the base paths.

“I was pretty surprised he got to it,” Barger said postgame via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. “Off the bat, I thought it was going to go [right] over the shortstop's head. I didn't think it was going to travel that far. It was kind of a bad read.”

It was a smart play by Hernández and maybe even a better scoop by second baseman Miguel Rojas. This year’s Fall Classic continues to deliver. It’s only right it ends with a Game 7, with first pitch scheduled 8 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre Saturday.

The MP captain will be available from the third round of SMAT matches on November 30

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2025Rajat Patidar has recovered from a left-knee niggle and been cleared to play by the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. He will rejoin the Madhya Pradesh squad in Kolkata on Friday and be available from the third round of matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from Sunday (November 30).Patidar, who is the MP captain, hasn’t played competitive cricket for four weeks. Following his appearance for India A in the first unofficial Test against South Africa A (on October 30), he missed the last two weeks of the Ranji Trophy due to persistent knee pain, which he first experienced during the MP’s first round Ranji fixture against Punjab on October 15.ESPNcricinfo understands Patidar completed a 10-day rehabilitation programme, and was given the RTP certificate (return to play) by the CoE’s medical team. He has resumed batting.Related

Mhatre breaks records for Mumbai, Shaw shines on captaincy debut

Patidar hails spinners Kartikeya and Jain in Duleep Trophy victory

Patidar to lead MP across formats after IPL, Duleep Trophy success

Patidar was in excellent form prior to picking up the niggle. He started the Ranji season with a double century against Punjab, also scoring two centuries and two half-centuries during the course of a title-winning run as Central Zone captain in the season-opening Duleep Trophy.SMAT 2025-26 will be his first white-ball games since the conclusion of IPL 2025, where he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden title. Since then, Patidar has been elevated to all-format captaincy for his state side, replacing Shubham Sharma.MP were runners-up in the previous SMAT season, with Patidar contributing significantly to their campaign. He was the second highest run-getter, hitting 428 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 186.08. Patidar’s 27 sixes were the most that season.

England have a 6-2 superior record against South Africa in the tournament

S Sudarshanan02-Oct-20252:05

Sciver-Brunt: WPL experience will benefit us

Big picture: England’s strong record vs SAEngland have been South Africa’s banana peel in the Women’s ODI World Cup. They have a 6-2 superior record in the tournament heading into the clash in Guwahati on Friday. While South Africa beat England in the group stages in 2022, they lost to England in the semi-final. The result was the same in the 2017 semi-final as well.”I feel like we’ve beaten them in the group stages in the past World Cups and then lost to them in the semi-final. So we know as a group, we can beat them, especially in the group stages,” South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said on Thursday. “We have played some good cricket recently. We’ve been batting really well. We’ve been bowling better and better. I think all of us know that if we really stick to our plans and are really clear with what we want to do, we can beat them tomorrow.”South Africa enter the World Cup on the back of a solid run of games. They played a tri-series with India and Sri Lanka, then played Pakistan in Pakistan. They have been in action regularly with the same set of players, high on confidence. While the women made it to successive T20 World Cup finals in 2023 and 2024, the men ended the drought of ICC titles with the World Test Championship win this year.”It’s been amazing to see how the country has supported them and how excited everyone was back at home and united to support them in that trophy,” Wolvaardt said. “Hopefully we have the chance to do something similar to really get the country behind us in this tournament.”England have had a contrasting run in this regard. Their leadership group underwent a change after the Women’s Ashes. Under head coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, England played just the two series – winning comfortably against West Indies and losing to India, both at home.Sciver-Brunt, however, was okay with the team’s preparation away from internationals. They had a ten-day camp in Abu Dhabi, where they acclimatised to the conditions they would encounter at the World Cup. Plus, there are eight players in the England squad with WPL experience.”We got some great time out in the middle in really hot, humid conditions where in England it’s not like that,” she said. “So preparing physically in that way was really good. That is going to be a massive part of our tournament, making sure that we are adapting as quickly as we can.”During the India vs Sri Lanka match at the ACA Stadium, spin played a part in the middle overs while it was easier to face pace at the start. That is a template that Sciver-Brunt backed England to follow.”That’s a blueprint that we work with, especially when we’re bowling, making sure the spinners in the middle are doing a really good job for us and making it really hard for people to get away. I think that has been a really good strength of ours for a number of years. We’ve got a brilliant spin attack.”Form guideEngland LWLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
South Africa LWWWWIn the spotlight: Nat Sciver-Brunt and Marizanne KappIn her first World Cup match as captain, the spotlight will be firmly on Nat Sciver-Brunt. She is England’s leading run-scorer since the 2022 World Cup and only Amy Jones has more than her so far this year. That is in addition to her 20 wickets in the last three years. With a view to manage her workload, she hadn’t bowled since the WPL but resumed duties with the ball at the warm-up games. With Heather Knight returning from a hamstring injury, Sciver-Brunt will draw from her WPL experience to navigate the side at the ACA Stadium, where the track could be slightly two-paced.This will be Nat Sciver-Brunt’s first World Cup as captain•Getty Images

A like-for-like, South Africa allrounder Marizanne Kapp is at the peak of her powers. Give her the new ball, she’ll dry up the runs and pick up wickets. Send her in with South Africa in a spot, she will not just arrest the slide but also transfer the pressure back on the opponents. A WPL regular for Delhi Capitals, Kapp is into her fifth World Cup and would want her team to cross the finish line this time. “The amount of experience that she has is invaluable,” Wolvaardt said on match eve. “She knows every player going around. She’s bowled to basically all of them.”Team newsSciver-Brunt will bowl at the World Cup, which means England could play an extra spinner or an extra seamer. But she said on match eve that she would “like to select seven batters to go into this tournament” which opens the door for Alice Capsey, who also bowls offspin.England (probable): 1 Amy Jones (wk), 2 Tammy Beaumont, 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Sophia Dunkley, 6 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 7 Alice Capsey, 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Charlie Dean, 10. Em Arlott, 11 Lauren BellAyabonga Khaka bowled full-tilt on the eve of the game. She could shoulder duties with fellow seamers Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk and Annerie Dercksen. Karabo Meso had a long batting stint ahead of Sinalo Jafta, who is South Africa’s preferred wicketkeeper.South Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Annerie Dercksen, 6 Chloe Tryon, 7 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Nondumiso Shangase, 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba, 11 Ayabonga Khaka

Pitch and conditionsRain washed out England’s pre-game practice session, while South Africa managed to get theirs done under lights. Showers are expected on Friday as well with IMD issuing thunderstorm alerts. A washout isn’t on the cards, though.A fresh pitch will be used for the game. Expect spin to come into play as the game goes on, as was the case during the India vs Sri Lanka contest.Stats and trivia No opening pair has scored more runs than Laura Wolvaardt-Tazmin Brits in ODIs since January 2023. They have 1536 runs at an average close to 60. The next best is Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal with 1316 South Africa have won only two of their last six ODIs against England Marizanne Kapp has dismissed Heather Knight five times in 15 innings, Nat Sciver-Brunt three times in nine innings and Tammy Beaumont five times in 13 innings Charlie Dean has got Laura Wolvaardt out three times in seven innings for only 65 runs and Sune Luus three times in four innings for just 19 runsQuotes”She obviously has a lot of experience. I think it would be stupid of me not to listen to her. She’s a hugely valuable person in our side, whether it’s with the bat or just that tactical thinking. She’s got a brilliant brain for cricket. So, yeah, I’m encouraging her to be as vocal as she wants to be.”
“The biggest learnings in that series are probably just how to play spin, especially being nice and proactive with the bat against the spinners in that middle phase. We generally get off to good starts, and I think we had really good death overs with the bat in that series in Sri Lanka, but probably could have done a bit more in that middle phase.”

Saturday afternoon saw Leeds United suffer yet another defeat in the Premier League, condemning them to a spot in the relegation zone this week.

The Whites lost 3-2 away to Manchester City, after a late Phil Foden goal managed to secure the three points for Pep Guardiola’s side late on.

Despite the result, there were some positives to take from the game. Daniel Farke’s side defended with plenty of heart, with two of City’s goals coming inside the first minute and stoppage time. It was also good to see both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha on the scoresheet.

Yet, not all of their attackers shone. Daniel James did not put in his best performance, continuing his tough start to the season.

Dan James' season in numbers at Leeds

It was certainly a disappointing showing from James against Guardiola’s men. Normally such a direct presence in attack with his electric pace, the Welshman perhaps did not have the impact he or Farke may have hoped.

The former Manchester United star really struggled to get into the game, having just 12 touches of the ball, failing to create a chance and not having a shot. Journalist Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post gave him a 5/10 for his performance and said he did not “get to do too much” going forward.

Indeed, that has been the theme of this season for the former Manchester United winger who has not really managed to get a good run of games together. He’s featured ten times in the Premier League, but has only played 352 minutes, the equivalent of 3.9 full 90-minute games.

He is off the back of good form for Wales, too. In the November international break, he helped his country reach the World Cup playoffs, assisting against Liechtenstein and scoring against North Macedonia.

James’ future at Leeds is arguably up in the air, given his lack of game time this season and poor performance against City. Leeds have an attacker out on loan who could leapfrog him, too.

Leeds are brewing a Dan James replacement

This summer, the West Yorkshire side loaned out some good players, perhaps coinciding with their attacking additions of Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor. Largie Ramazani is one example of an attacker out on loan.

Another is currently plying his trade for Yorkshire rivals Hull City. It has been a superb season for a certain Joe Gelhardt, who has shone for the Tigers in the Championship. The versatile forward has played as a number 10 and on the right so far this term.

He’s done that to great success in the 2025/26 campaign. The Liverpool-born attacker has nine goals and two assists to his name in 18 second-tier appearances this term. The most recent one of those strikes was a winner away to Stoke City in the 90th minute this weekend.

Indeed, Gelhardt’s attacking numbers this season are impressive. He’s averaging 0.72 goals and assists and 0.53 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, which rank him in the top 6% and 19% of Championship forwards, respectively. He is extremely efficient in the final third.

Goals and assists

0.72

94th

Shots on target

1.58

99th

Goal-creating actions

0.53

81st

Take-ons completed

1.9

81st

Ball recoveries

4.99

82nd

This sort of form is surely pleasing to see for Farke and Leeds. A player like James has struggled to have an impact in the first team this term, and with Gelhardt’s form and output, it is easy to see how he could leapfrog the Welshman.

The former Wigan Athletic star has played senior football at Elland Road. Whilst he only has 10 goals and assists in 57 games, the signs of his talent are there. Jamie Carragher has even described the 23-year-old as a “special” player in the past while long-time Merseyside Boys’ manager Tim Wyatt even said that Gelhardt caught the eye just as much as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney did when they were all 14 years of age.

Looking ahead to the future, it is easy to think that the forward could break into Leeds’ squad and have a real impact. James has underwhelmed this term, and it is quite conceivable that he could be overtaken by Gelhardt.

He’s not played a first-team game for the Whites since last October when he appeared as an eight minute substitute against Norwich in the Championship. It would be some turnaround if he could work his way back into Leeds’ plans.

Leeds eyeing move for 4-3-3 Farke successor who has admirers at Elland Road

The Whites are struggling for form in the Premier League and could now change tact in the dugout.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 28, 2025

Southampton have been granted permission following a managerial application ahead of Championship action returning, it has been revealed.

Southampton fan pundit calls for “experienced” manager

The Saints and Sport Republic have taken their time in regards to appointing Will Still’s permanent successor after sacking him at the beginning of the month.

A number of bosses have been linked with the St Mary’s vacancy, but it is interim manager Tonda Eckert who has been catching the eye after back-to-back wins against QPR and Sheffield Wednesday prior to the international break.

There have been suggestions the 32-year-old is in line to receive the permanent Southampton manager job, however, the pressure is on Sport Republic after a number of failures in recent times. Southampton fan pundit Ray Hunt even stated that supporters “want to see an experienced manager” come in.

“Sport Republic have appointed five permanent mangers in their three full seasons in charge. During that period, they have overseen two relegations from the Premier League, and one promotion with their only success, Russell Martin, but failed to give him the tools needed to succeed in the top flight.

“Moving forward, fans will want to see an experienced manager, who’s widely respected with a clear structure. We cannot repeat mistakes from the past. It is a huge task they simply have to get right. Take your time, give Tonda time in that interim, but ultimately make the right decision. The fans won’t tolerate another failure.”

Meanwhile, it has been added that Eckert is set to get the next three Championship fixtures to increase his chances of landing the role.

Now, it has been revealed the lengths the Saints have had to go to for Eckert to be in the dugout over the coming weeks despite already being employed as U23 coach.

Southampton apply for new visa to keep Eckert in charge

According to Sport 1, ‘Southampton applied for a work visa for Eckert for the upcoming matches so they could continue working with him’. It is claimed that the Saints ‘already received this visa for the next few games – meaning Eckert can continue’.

Tonda Eckert’s coaching career

Role

Years

1.FC Koln U17

Assistant manager

2013-2016

RB Salzburg YL

Assistant manager

2016-2017

RB Leipzig YL

Assistant manager

2017-2019

FC Bayern U17

Assistant manager

2019-2020

Barnsley

Assistant manager

2020-2022

Genoa

Assistant manager

2022-2025

Southampton U23

Manager

2025

Southampton

Interim manager

2025 – present

Eckert had a different visa as U23 coach, with the situation labelled ‘complex’ as ‘England’s employment law is extremely complicated, especially in football’, with clubs needing to ‘provide detailed justifications to the authorities as to why they prefer a foreign coach to an English candidate’.

Should Eckert get another positive result at The Valley this weekend and then again at home to Leicetser City and away to Millwall, then the speculation surrounding him landing the job on a long-term basis will only increase.

Southampton told to appoint new manager over Eckert who "ticks every box"

A new update has emerged regarding Vitor Pereira’s potential replacement at Wolves, with the club eyeing a cheap alternative option to him if he is sacked.

The Old Gold have suffered a dire start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, picking up just two points from nine matches and sitting rooted to the bottom of the table. Their only points have been draws away to Tottenham and at home to Brighton.

After a promising period in charge last season, Pereira now finds himself battling to save his job, with the manager having to be dragged away from the supporters after last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley, and asking for their support after the game.

“We understand the frustration of the people and supporters but what I must say, if we fight united with them, we can win games and compete and achieve our targets – without them, it is impossible. If we win two or three games in a row, things will change.”

Potential replacements for Pereira have already been mentioned, including Brendan Rodgers, who left Celtic earlier this week after a disappointing start to the season, and who may like the idea of a return to the Premier League.

On Saturday afternoon, Wolves make the trip to Fulham, with defeat at Craven Cottage potentially proving to be the final nail in the coffin for the Wanderers boss.

Wolves have cheap managerial plan to replace Pereira

According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Wolves “would hope to find an out-of-work manager” to replace Pereira in charge, should he be relieved of his duties in the near future.

The Premier League strugglers “will be looking for a cheap option” instead of “poaching a manager from another club”, and Wanderers “would prefer not to pay the compensation fee needed to release a working boss from their current contract”. That’s partly due to Pereira getting a big payout if he is sacked.

There is plenty of sense in this approach by Wolves, rather than bringing in a manager who is already in charge elsewhere, immediately making it a more expensive venture.

Wolves targeting Brendan Rodgers amid doubts about Vitor Pereira

The Old Gold have made a very poor start to the season.

2

By
Dominic Lund

Oct 29, 2025

Ideally, though, Pereira will turn things around at Molineux, overcoming this dreadful start to mastermind a great recovery as the seasons goes on.

Wolves targeting Brendan Rodgers amid doubts about Vitor Pereira

Sadly, that feels unlikely at the moment, with Wolves’ performances so disappointing on a regular basis, and the fact that a chunk of the fanbase has already turned on him feels like the writing is on the wall.

In Rodgers, Wolves could have a good option to bring in, with the Northern Irishman proving himself in the Premier League in the past, not least coming so close to winning the title with Liverpool back in 2013/14, playing some stunning attacking football along the way.

Manchester United are keen to kick on under Ruben Amorim and could now be set to target a defender as part of a two-pronged solution to bolster their ranks.

Man Utd look to tie Harry Maguire down to contract extension

Harry Maguire was the man of the hour for the Red Devils last weekend after scoring the decisive goal in their victory over Liverpool at Anfield, though there is still a question mark over his future with the New Year now approaching.

The England international earns around £9.8 million annually at Old Trafford and has more than proved his worth. With that in mind, former chief scout Mick Brown made it clear to Football Insider that the defender appears primed to extend his stay.

He explained: “As long as he’s still got an important role to play, for Manchester United, I still feel there’s a willingness from all parties to get a new contract done.

“Maguire is very much open to staying at Man United. There’s been talk of reported interest from the Saudi pro league, but Maguire would prefer to stay at Manchester United as long as the terms are right.”

Leny Yoro appears to be a natural long-term heir once Maguire moves on. However, there is still a collective realization that further defensive reinforcements are needed to ensure the Red Devils can challenge for major silverware under Amorim.

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BySean Markus Clifford Oct 24, 2025

January promises to be another significant milestone during his reign, and new blood will be imperative if aspirations of qualifying for continental football is something that is on their agenda.

With that in mind, Amorim may now have turned his attention towards a star who could solve one of his key concerns at Old Trafford.

Man Utd could kickstart January transfer spree with Ousmane Diomande

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are keen to land Sporting star Ousmane Diomande, who has a release clause deemed to be in the region of just under £70 million.

Nevertheless, there is belief that he could be attainable at the £43.6 million mark, and Amorim views the Ivorian, previously labelled “assured” by Goncalo Tristao Santos, as someone who could fit perfectly into his complex tactical set-up.

Intruigingly, the youngster profiles as the next Thiago Silva from a statistical standpoint, ranking similarly to the PSG and Chelsea legend in goal threat, passing ability and aerial prowess.

Most similar players to Ousmane Diomande – (FBRef)

Thiago Silva

Fluminense

Sergio Ramos

Monterrey

Nehuen Perez

Porto

Jeison Palacios

Nashville

German Pezzella

River Plate

Athletic Club midfielder Oihan Sancet has also been budgeted for in what could be a combined spend on both players of almost £105 million. However, Diomande would be an impressive arrival due to his ability to play out from the back and willingness to take on responsibility.

Making four appearances acros all competitions this season, the 21-year-old is currently suffering from a muscle injury, though it is believed that his relationship with Amorim could see a swift transition into starting matches at Old Trafford.

The mid-season window is nearing and Manchester United appear to be preparing their strategy in plenty time, which will delight supporter as they aim to keep pace with the Premier League’s big-hitters.

Maxwell finishes with 149 ODIs and two ODI World Cup titles after conceding his body could not handle ODI cricket any more

Alex Malcolm02-Jun-2025Glenn Maxwell, the architect of arguably the greatest ODI innings ever played, has announced his retirement from the 50-over international format effective immediately but he will remain available for T20 internationals and looks set to continue until next year’s T20 World Cup.Maxwell, 36, joins fellow two-time ODI World Cup winner Steven Smith in ODI retirement after Australia’s semi-final exit from the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Maxwell has not formally retired from Test cricket yet but is unlikely to be selected to play red-ball cricket again.Related

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Maxwell announced his retirement in a long-form interview on the on Monday and revealed that the physical toll of ODI cricket had become too much on the back of his broken leg in 2022, having pulled up sore after matches during the recent Champions Trophy.”I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions,” Maxwell said. “I had a good chat with [Australia chair of selectors] George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward.”We talked about the 2027 World Cup and I said to him ‘I don’t think I am going to make that, it’s time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own’. Hopefully they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.”I always said I wasn’t going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn’t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.”They are moving in such a clear direction so this give them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is.”Maxwell bows out with an extraordinary record in ODI cricket although his raw numbers of 3990 runs at 33.81 and 77 wickets at 47.32 from 149 games do not do him justice.By his own admission Maxwell was promoted to Australia’s ODI team well before he was ready, having played in just 14 List A games for Victoria before making his ODI debut in 2012. But in just his sixth game for his state he made the fastest 50 in Australian domestic one-day cricket in 2011, off just 19 balls. It was a record that stood until 2023 when Jake Fraser-McGurk broke it on the way to the fastest List A century of all-time.But it was a portent of things to come for his ODI career. Besides Andre Russell, no player in the history of ODI cricket has a higher strike-rate than Maxwell’s 126.70, and of the players with more than 2000 runs no one strikes at better than 117.05.Maxwell maintained that strike-rate whilst averaging 33.81 as a finisher and scored four centuries including his stunning 201 not out against Afghanistan in Mumbai during the 2023 World Cup, which was the first double century by an Australian in an ODI and the first by any player in a chase. It was also the first double-century by any non-opener and he did it from No. 6 after Australia had slumped to 91 for 7 chasing 292.”I’m extremely fortunate that I was able to have my moment,” Maxwell said of his greatest innings. “Everything that you’ve worked hard for, the peak of your powers, being able to put it in front of the world to see and it’s almost like saying, this is the best of me, you can either take it or leave it, but this is all I’ve got.”Maxwell earlier posted the fastest ODI World Cup century, off just 40 balls, against Netherlands in Delhi in the same tournament. He also owns the fourth fastest ODI World Cup century off 51 balls which he made in the 2015 World Cup against Sri Lanka in Sydney.Maxwell’s other ODI century came in a successful chase at Old Trafford against England in the Covid affected 2020 series when he and Alex Carey combined to pull off a remarkable pursuit of 303 after Australia has slumped to 73 for 5.”I think that was probably one of my favorite memories,” Maxwell said. “Being out there with Alex Carey, he had had a bit of a tough start to his innings, but once he started to get the get the ball in the middle about a few times, it was great fun out there. And to be a part of his first one-day hundred out there, and to play a huge role in winning that series with everything that went on over the [previous] few months, not playing cricket for a long time, and having everyone in a bio-secure bubble and doing quarantine non-stop, it just made it all worth it.”Beyond his centuries he played a multitude of other vital innings at key times in ODI cricket. In his second last ODI innings he made 32 not out off 15 balls as Australia chased a Champions Trophy record of 352. He made an unbeaten 44 in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final against Pakistan after taking two key wickets with the ball.Two-time ODI World Cup winners – Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh – strike a pose with the trophy•ICC/Getty ImagesHis bowling contributions for Australia are far greater than his numbers suggest. He played as Australia’s lone spinner in the 2015 World Cup win, taking six wickets at 36.33 and an economy rate of 5.70, and the second spinner in the 2023 triumph. He conceded just 4.81 per over in the 2023 World Cup in India in 68.3 overs across the tournament and bowled a key spell in Australia’s vital first win of the campaign against Sri Lanka and took the key wicket in the final to halt a charging Rohit Sharma inside the powerplay and help set Australia on course for victory. He also famously bowled a double-wicket maiden in the final over of an ODI against Pakistan in 2014 to win the game when defending just two runs.Maxwell will also be remembered as one of the best all-round fielders for Australia having been positioned in key positions in the ring and the outfield throughout his career.”Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories,” Bailey said. “His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.”Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the World Cup early next year.”Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said Australia was indebted to Maxwell for what he achieved in the format.”Congratulations to Glenn on what has been one of the most exciting and influential one day international careers in the format’s history,” Greenberg said. “Glenn’s ballistic batting has lit up the cricket world and been one of the cornerstones of Australia’s continued success in the 50 over game, including his heroic role in the 2023 World Cup triumph.”As with other greats of the game, crowds have flocked to grounds just to watch Glenn bat and children have been inspired to pick up a bat after seeing him put opposition attacks to the sword with a breathtaking array of shots.”Australian cricket is indebted to Glenn for his ODI exploits and excited that he will now focus on our quest to win the ICC T20 World Cup next year.”Maxwell is currently recovering from a broken finger he suffered during the IPL but is expected to be fit for the start of Major League Cricket in the United States in less than a fortnight and looks set to be part of Australia’s T20I squad for the five-match tour of the Caribbean which starts on July 20 following the three-Test series.