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Eye-catching innings in defeat augurs well as opener reaffirms his potential for England

Aadam Patel27-Jan-2022After the English summer, Tom Banton took a much-needed break from the game to “live a bit of a social life” and “see friends and family”. More than a year of quarantines and bubble fatigue had taken its toll and Banton insisted that he needed some time away from cricket.Such was the mental effect that, in Abu Dhabi in November, Banton admitted that he hadn’t done anything cricket-related throughout the whole of October. In Bridgetown in January, he was back in England colours, over a year after his last England appearance, showing exactly why England had given him a debut before his 21st birthday.After a disappointing dismissal in the first T20I for just four, Banton failed to capitalise on a good start in the second T20I as he reverse-swept his way to 25 before stunning a drive straight back to Fabian Allen. Such was the quality of Banton’s strokeplay that Mark Butcher on commentary stated that his reverse sweep “comes almost as naturally as a forward defence would have come to Geoffrey Boycott”.On Wednesday evening in Barbados, a fine innings of 73 off 39 deliveries – his highest in an England shirt thus far – nearly helped England pull off an improbable chase of 225 after Rovman Powell’s pyrotechnics at Kensington Oval. It was a bittersweet feeling for the 23-year-old as his superb knock, which included six sixes, ultimately came in a losing cause. For Banton, just being back in England colours is a feeling unlike any other.”Getting the chance to walk out at Kensington Oval in front of a full house… it’s probably just the best feeling in the world,” Banton said. “It’s just so good to be here, playing for England is what everyone wants to do and doing it in front of a full house was amazing.”With Sam Billings out due to illness, Banton was handed the gloves and perhaps had the best ticket in the house to witness Powell hit his first ever T20 century, as West Indies posted 224 for 5, the highest T20I score at Kensington Oval (England’s reply of 204 for 9 came in at second).As much as he was impressed with the way the hosts batted, Banton admitted that England must execute their plans better with the ball if they want to win the series. England’s bowlers are currently ranked 11th from all the ICC Member nations in terms of T20I economy rate at the death.Tom Banton: “There was an option to go to Pakistan after this, but I’m going to go home and make sure I’m ready for the summer”•Getty ImagesHe said: “They’re such good strikers of the cricket ball. I remember I was keeping last night and just seeing how far they hit it, it was pretty scary to be honest. I think maybe we just have to be a little bit clever with our bowling plans. I think the bowlers had great ideas, but they probably didn’t execute as well.”Speaking after Paul Collingwood’s frank assessment of bubble life. Banton agreed with the view of England’s stand-in coach for the Caribbean tour, and admitted that he, himself, had struggled with the experience.”I think people won’t actually understand it till they’ve done it,” Banton said. “I remember having to go to IPL in Abu Dhabi and having to isolate myself for eight days in my hotel room and then I was allowed out. After a time, it just takes its toll. I was like, ‘I want to be able to also live my life and not just be stuck in a hotel. I want to see my friends and be at home, see my family, as well as playing cricket.’ Just in the end, it was too much for me.”Related

• No longer a bad rap as England hopefuls line up for IPL mega-auction

• Collingwood: England players 'deserve medals, not criticism' after getting through Ashes series

• Resilient Powell serves up lethal T20 cocktail to leave England feeling punch-drunk

• Phil Salt savours Barbados homecoming despite England defeat

• Eoin Morgan ruled out of T20I series after sustaining quad injury

He added that for his own mental health, pulling out of the Big Bash last year “was the best thing to do” and that after his own experiences over the past two years, he is now making reasoned decisions that allow him to play cricket, enjoy the game and also provide him with sufficient time to spend with his friends and family.Banton has not entered the IPL auction after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders last season and also declined the opportunity to play in the PSL, after a torrid experience last season where he contracted Covid-19, which led to 10 days of isolation in Karachi, followed by 10 more back home.”There was an option to go to Pakistan after this trip, but I’m just going to go home and make sure I’m ready for the English summer,” Banton said.Asked about whether those decisions were made with a focus on red-ball cricket, Banton believes that it is the right route for him to take at this time of his career, although the IPL is a pathway which he’d still like to go down in the future.”I think it is, but I don’t think it really matters what colour of ball it is, it’s just important for me now to keep playing and also I’ll be in England and I’ll be at home – I won’t be sat in a hotel the whole time so I’ll be able to go out and live a normal life as well.”If I’d have gone to the IPL, I probably wouldn’t have played. But yeah, that’s still one of the things I want to do all the time, to go to the IPL, but I think at the moment it’s the right decision for me to stay at home.”

Dodgers reliever Brock Stewart is done for the season, as he's set to undergo season ending shoulder surgery, manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Friday.

The injury news about Stewart being shut down was hardly a surprise. The righty hasn't pitched since the middle of August due to his sore shoulder.

Stewart will undergo a debridement procedure, and will be on the shelf for at least six months. L.A. general manager Brandon Gomes said that the franchise does not expect him to be ready for spring's Opening Day, but that he could return sometime in the first half of the season if all goes well.

Stewart was acquired by the Dodgers from the Twins at the trade deadline, and finishes the season with a 2.63 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. Stewart's injury is the latest blow to a Dodgers bullpen that has been up-and-down during the second half of the season.

Altercations in Brisbane and Adelaide continue theme of intense media scrutiny on Ashes tourists

Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Dec-2025

England’s security staff were involved in altercations with local media in Brisbane and Adelaide on Saturday as the touring party continued to feel the heat ahead of a make-or-break third Ashes Test.The first incident took place at Brisbane airport, with security confronting a Channel 7 camera operator. Footage from the broadcaster shows the security guard pushing away the camera operator as he looks to get up close to the players, who had driven down from Noosa where they had been enjoying a mid-series break. The trip itself had been the subject of derision after England went 2-0 down in the Ashes following their defeat at the Gabba last week.After the group touched down in Adelaide, where the third Test will begin on Wednesday, a local journalist tried a copycat stunt only to be given short shrift by Ben Stokes and managing director Rob Key before security again intervened.

Bangladesh fought hard through the game, but missed chances under pressure as de Klerk sealed another chase

Andrew Miller13-Oct-20253:33

Review: SA find ways to win under pressure

South Africa 235 for 7 (Tryon 62, Kapp 56, de Klerk 37*, Nahida 2-44) beat Bangladesh 232 for 6 (Shorna 51*, Sharmin 50, Mlaba 2-42) by three wickets For the second match running, Nadine de Klerk produced the crucial winning hand – an unbeaten 37 from 29 balls, albeit with several huge slices of late luck – as South Africa outmuscled a spirited Bangladesh to seal a thriller by three wickets and with three balls to spare in Visakhapatnam.The final result mirrored their previous win over India on this same ground on Thursday, but the manner in which it was secured was significantly less assured. Against a potent attack led by Nahida Akter and Ritu Moni, Chloe Tryon produced a priceless knock of 62 from 69 balls, with Marizanne Kapp also chipping in with a hard-fought fifty. However, the final difference between the teams came down to Bangladesh’s fielding under pressure with a succession of crucial chances going down in the fraught final overs.The most crucial of those came with just ten runs needed from eight balls. De Klerk miscued a drive off Rabeya Khan to long-off where Shorna Akter, 18 years old and fresh from a breakthrough innings of her own, looked set to seal a match that she deserved to make her own. Instead, the chance slapped off her palms to the turf, and with eight still needed in the final over, de Klerk capitalized with a four and a decisive six in three balls.Bangladesh were crestfallen at the conclusion, and little wonder. After winning the toss in an overcast Visakhapatnam, their captain Nigar Sultana had chosen to stare their shortcomings in the face by batting first despite a previous tournament highest total of 178, rightly assessing that a score on the board of any description was the best means to give her bowlers “a chance”, as she had put it at the toss.And so it came to pass, though perhaps not in the manner that many would have predicted. South Africa created few out-and-out chances in their bowling display, as each of Bangladesh’s top four reached at least 25. Sharmin Akhter anchored the innings with 50 from 77 balls. But for the first 30 overs of the innings, South Africa scarcely needed to make breakthroughs, such was the safety-first attitude of a batting line-up that conceded 126 dot-balls, or more than four per over, across that period of the innings.By degrees, however, Bangladesh turned South Africa’s lack of penetration to their advantage, and when Nigar holed out to cover to bring Shorna to the crease at 150 for 3 with 9.5 overs of the innings remaining, the stage was set for a transformative onslaught.Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni shared a 37-run stand off just 18 balls•Getty Images

Shorna cracked three fours and three sixes, each of them over long-on, in her 34-ball fifty, the fastest by a Bangladeshi in women’s ODIs. It was hitting with power and purpose, unrecognizable from the defensive fare that had preceded it. She was joined in her up-tempo approach by Moni, who lashed each of her first three balls for four off a previously parsimonious Kapp, to seal a flying finish with 19 not out from eight balls, as 37 runs came from the final three overs.A target of 233 was probably 60 runs more than South Africa had been bargaining for after Bangladesh’s moribund start, and their anxieties were heightened in the second over of their chase. With five ODI centuries in 2025, Tazmin Brits is arguably the in-form batter in all of 50-over international cricket, yet now she registered back-to-back ducks – and back-to-back caught-and-bowleds – after meeting her first ball with a tentative back-foot push that Nahida grabbed in front of her face.Brits’ latest dismissal wasn’t quite as spectacular as Kranti Gaud’s one-hander in last week’s India contest, but it needed to be held all the same … as Rabeya went on to demonstrate three overs later. This time, Laura Wolvaardt – on 11 – pushed through the line off the back foot, but Rabeya couldn’t close her hands around on a near-identical chance off her fourth ball.It looked like being an innings-turning let-off. Anneke Bosch got herself up and running with a brace of boundaries before Wolvaardt punished Rabeya with back-to-back fours square of the wicket, and as the pair pushed through to a 55-run stand inside the first 15 overs, the chase seemed to be entirely under control.Then, however, calamity struck out of the blue. On 30, Wolvaardt nudged the legspinner Fahima Khatun off her pads but failed to commit fully to a potential second run. Fargana Hoque tracked the ball down at midwicket, and as the batters hesitated mid-pitch, an accurate return to the keeper left South Africa’s skipper stranded.Rabeya Khan celebrates after bowling a ripper•ICC/Getty Images

Bosch thumped her next ball through the covers to hint that all was still well. But one ball later, she too was gone, caught on the edge of the ring by Sobhana Mostary for 28, as she failed to connect with an ambitious launch through the line.At 62 for 3, and with two new batters yet to face a ball, a big rebuild was required. Instead, Annerie Dercksen and Kapp managed two scrambled singles in their next 17 balls, before the former was extracted by the ball of the match, and arguably the tournament to date – an inch-perfect legbreak from Rabaya that drifted in and gripped just enough to kiss the outside edge of the off stump, and leave Dercksen utterly bamboozled as she turned to the square leg umpire to determine whether she was out.Four overs later, Sinalo Jafta also lost the top of her off stump, although there were no such doubts about her dismissal, as Fahima skidded a high-kicking topspinner through her back-foot push, like a latter-day Anil Kumble.At 78 for 5, South Africa had lost 4 for 20 in 44 balls, and their challenge was in tatters. It could have been even worse when Kapp, on 15, climbed across a short ball from Shorna and under-edged a tough half-chance that the keeper Nigar couldn’t gather.Chloe Tryon did not let the momentum slip for South Africa•Getty Images

Marufa Akter returned to the attack in the 27th over, but her extra pace was much more to South Africa’s liking, as Tryon cuffed a brace of cuts through point – the first of them being her side’s first boundary for 43 balls. Though Bangladesh quickly reverted to spin, that 12-run over had just loosened the shackles a fraction, and Kapp’s subsequent sweep for four off Fahima brought up a fifty stand for the sixth wicket from a relatively brisk 62 balls.Speaking at the toss, Wolvaardt had said she’d be happy to chase given the likelihood that dew would be a factor at the back end of the second innings, and sure enough there was a lengthy break at the final drinks break to run a rope around the outfield. Nevertheless, the spinners held their threatening full lengths, stretching the required rate past 7.5 per over until Kapp seized on a rare full-toss from Shorna to club the first six of the innings over long-on and bring up a 67-ball fifty.She was unable to push on, however. With 71 required from the final ten overs, Kapp stepped into a drive off Nahida, and picked out Shorna, who coolly made amends, ten metres in from the rope at long-off.Bangladesh celebrated wildly as South Africa’s mainstay departed for 56, but after de Klerk had announced herself with an immaculate second-ball sweep for four, Tryon set about ripping the contest back towards her team, although not without a big slice of luck. On 40, she found an under-edge off Moni that raced through the keeper’s legs for four. Then on 46, she wound into a slog-sweep to deep midwicket, but the substitute Sumaiya Akter ran through the chance without laying a hand on it.Tryon then cashed in with a huge leg-side six to make it 16 in the over, but once again, Bangladesh found a means to battle back – this time via a sharp shy from Moni at backward point, which caught Tryon inches short to send her on her way for 62 from 69.With the run-rate nudging eight an over, Masabata Klaas brought up the 200 with a streaky single to mid-off, which would also have been run-out had Fahima’s shy found its target. De Klerk then walked across her stumps to hoist a priceless boundary through backward square, and when Fahima served up an untimely front-foot no-ball, she stepped back to lift the resulting free hit over the covers.Even then the anxieties weren’t done. With 11 still required, de Klerk top-edged a full-toss into the gap at square leg – and nearly ran herself out in the confusion – but two balls later, she received the decisive let-off. A miscued slap to long-off, where Shorna was waiting to complete the heroics she had begun. The chance went begging, and so too did Bangladesh’s hopes. For South Africa, however, their wild campaign marches on, with three wins in a row, and one foot firmly planted in the semi-final standings.

تحدث جيمي كاراجر، محلل قنوات سكاي سبورتس، عن خسارة ليفربول أمام بي إس في آيندهوفن الهولندي ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستضاف ليفربول نظيره آيندهوفن، مساء الأربعاء، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب آنفيلد”.

وخسر ليفربول بقيادة مدربه آرني سلوت برباعية مقابل هدف أمام آيندهوفن في مفاجأة كبيرة للغاية حدثت بين لاعبي الريدز ووسط جماهيرهم، والتي تعتبر أول هزيمة أوروبية على آنفيلد هذا الموسم.

وقال كاراجر، في تصريحات عبر موقع ليفربول: “بدأ ليفربول بقيادة يورجن كلوب مسيرته الرائعة في عام 2018، ثم جاء سلوت وبعد 7 أو 8 سنوات، كان أليسون وفان دايك وصلاح هم العمود الأساسي لليفربول في بداية تلك المسيرة”.

وأضاف: “أليسون يعاني من الكثير من الإصابات الآن لذلك فهو لا يلعب كثيرًا لكنك تشاهد فان دايك الآن، ليس نفس اللاعب، ومحمد صلاح الذي سجل خمسة أهداف في 18 مباراة يبدو وكأن ساقيه قد أصيبت”.

اقرأ أيضًا | فرص ليفربول في التأهل إلى دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد الخسارة أمام ايندهوفن

وأكمل: “لا أحب انتقادهم، وأعتقد أن بعض الانتقادات الموجهة إليهم هذا الموسم كلاعبين كانت قاسية، دائمًا ما يبحث اللاعبون عن قادة في الفريق ليتدخلوا عندما لا تسير الأمور على ما يرام”.

وحول ما يريده من صلاح: “أريده أن يخرج ويجري مقابلة الليلة ويتحدث إلى جماهير ليفربول حول ما سيفعله اللاعبون، وما يحدث في غرفة الملابس، ويمنح المشجعين الأمل في أن الأمور ستتحسن”.

واستطرد: “أقول إن ليفربول يختلف عن معظم أندية كرة القدم الأوروبية، المدرب هو الملك كما تعلمون، يحصل المدربون على وقتهم”.

وأتم عن مستقبل سلوت: “لم يسبق لليفربول أن أقال مدربًا فاز بالدوري، لم يحدث ذلك في تاريخه، جميعهم بعد بضع سنوات رحلوا واستقالوا، لم أصدق نهاية الأسبوع أن الناس كانوا يتحدثون عن وظيفة المدرب”.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a fair few talents that have been underappreciated over the years, but none more so than central midfielder Mousa Dembélé.

The Belgian joined the Lilywhites in a £15m deal from Fulham back in the summer of 2012, with many supporters unaware of the quality he possessed prior to his switch to North London.

He racked up a total of 249 senior appearances during his seven-year spell at the club, arguably cementing himself as one of their best ever midfielders.

From dazzling runs with the ball at his feet to dominant physical displays out of possession, the talent cemented himself as a key player during his spell in the Premier League.

Since his move to Guangzhou City in 2019, the Lilywhites have massively lacked a player of his quality, with Thomas Frank unable to rely upon one player to be his own version of the Belgian.

Why Bentancur has struggled with Spurs in 2025/26

After Frank’s arrival in the summer, there was a huge question mark around what system the Dane would operate with at Spurs after utilising various formations at Brentford.

However, it appears as though the 52-year-old has settled on a three-man midfield in a 4-3-3 system, which has seen Joao Palhinha operate at the base, with two box-to-box players ahead of him.

Rodrigo Bentancur has been one of the most utilised players in such an area, as seen by his tally of 10 appearances out of a possible 11 in the Premier League to date.

However, the Uruguayan has struggled to impress in those outings, even being benched against Manchester United in the final game before the ongoing international break.

The 28-year-old’s underlying stats from the 2025/26 season showcase his struggles of late, which could see him drop down the pecking order further in the months ahead.

He has only created 0.6 chances per 90 this season, which ranks him in the bottom 25% of all players in the division – often struggling to make a huge impact when in possession.

Such a skillset is vital when playing with Palhinha at the heart of the side, with the Portuguese international known to break up the play and allow those around him to provide the creative spark.

However, out of possession, Bentancur has also struggled under Frank, only making 0.5 interceptions per 90, which also places him in the lower quarter of all midfielders in England’s top-flight.

The aforementioned figures highlight his all-round struggles in North London, which could certainly put his long-term future at the club in jeopardy – that’s despite penning a new deal earlier this campaign.

The Spurs star who’s already showing 'shades of Dembele'

Top-level midfielders in the modern game cost a small fortune, with numerous clubs in the Premier League often forking out mammoth sums to land world-class talents.

Four teams in England’s top-flight have spent £100m or more on a midfielder in the last five years, with Chelsea doing so on more than one occasion, with deals for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.

However, Spurs are a club that unfortunately aren’t in a position to willingly fork out such funds in the market, with more of a focus being directed to younger prospects.

Dominic Solanke remains the club’s record addition at £65m back in the summer of 2024, with no midfielder in Frank’s current first-team squad being bought for over £55m.

The likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr both cost a combined £22m, with both now managing to establish themselves as key first-team members in 2025/26.

However, the academy system is another avenue for clubs to go down, with the Lilywhites desperately needing to put faith in youngster Tyrese Hall in the years ahead.

The midfielder joined the club at the age of just eight, subsequently spending 12 years in the youth ranks, before making the move to join Notts County on loan in the summer.

Such a move came after the youngster registered six goals and seven assists in 28 U21 appearances in 2024/25, with such a move being his first taste of senior football.

However, whilst it may appear a daunting task to many, Hall has taken it all in his stride, as seen by his impressive numbers at Meadow Lane over the past few months.

Tyrese Hall – Career Stats by Position

Season

Apps

Goals (assists)

Central midfield

30

6 (5)

Defensive midfield

19

3 (4)

Attacking midfield

18

5 (3)

Centre-forward

6

3 (2)

Left midfield

3

1 (1)

Right midfield

1

1 (0)

Stats via Transfermarkt

The 20-year-old has already found the net on six occasions, with his latest strike proving to be the winner in the affair with Cheltenham Town at the beginning of the month.

Whilst he’s operated in a more advanced role with the Magpies, Hall has previously featured slightly deeper – even playing as a number eight for the Lilywhites in a post-season friendly back in 2024.

The youngster was brought on as a substitute in such a fixture and even impressed, with one of the commentators that day claiming he was showing “shades of Mousa Dembele”.

Such praise is huge given the levels produced by the Belgian during his own time in North London, with real hope that Hall can match such levels if given the opportunity.

At 20, he still has bags of time to reach his full potential, with his loan spell at Notts County undoubtedly helping him in his quest in the professional game.

However, Frank will need to keep a close eye on his progress and potentially hand him the opportunity to impress him in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Related Dream Simons replacement: Frank has "one of England's best talents" at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur already have an elite-level prospect on their hands in North London.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

The biggest bullet point on the New York Yankees' offseason checklist is retaining Juan Soto by giving him a new deal.

The Yankees took the first step by meeting with Soto on Monday in California, which included him speaking with chairman and managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and senior adviser Omar Minaya. Steinbrenner said it was a "good meeting" that had "very honest back-and-forth dialogue." He didn't offer many other details. Soto told the Yankees how he thinks the team could improve in the future.

But it sounds like Steinbrenner and the rest of the Yankees front office hope to have Soto return to the Yankees lineup in 2025.

"Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York," Steinbrenner said, via ESPN's Jorge Castillo. "He's definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series. I've got ears. I know what's expected of me. So, look, it's been a priority. We wouldn't have gone out to the West Coast if it wasn't."

Steinbrenner said he had "no idea" if the Yankees were confident in retaining Soto, but that "we'll be in the mix. I'll leave it at that."

The Yankees aren't the only team vying for a chance to sign Soto this offseason. Soto has met with the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. He is expected to meet with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers this week, and the Philadelphia Phillies are also interested in meeting with him.

Rangers are continuing their search for a new manager at Ibrox, with an “amazing” 36-year-old now impressing club chiefs as an interesting option.

Rangers snubbed by manager target after Ibrox talks

The Gers sacked Russell Martin last weekend, following a hugely unconvincing spell in charge, and it’s now a case of nailing his successor.

Steven Gerrard has stood out as a leading option to come in, having guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title back in 2020/21, but a new update claims that the Liverpool legend has decided not to take the job, looking elsewhere instead.

The Gers will now have to turn their attention elsewhere, and with both Martin and Philippe Clement struggling during their respective tenures, it is vital that the club avoid a third disappointing reign in a row.

Supporters are likely to be split over whether they want another young manager like Martin, or a more proven figure in the mold of Sean Dyche, but a boss who falls into the former category has now been linked with the job.

"Amazing" manager impresses Rangers bosses

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Rangers have been left impressed after talks with Danny Rohl, who is looking for a new job after leaving Sheffield Wednesday earlier this year.

Rohl stands out as an exciting option for Rangers, considering he is still only 36 years of age and impressed at Wednesday, pulling off a hugely laudable escape act in the Championship in 2023/24, often deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation.

It is added elsewhere that in discussions, Rohl has made it clear in talks he is ready to take the job and is already considering various ex-Rangers players who could be part of his backroom staff should he be appointed.

The German’s ability wasn’t lost on Owls legend Chris Waddle, who heaped praise on the job he was doing during his time at Hillsborough.

“I like this style of his tactics he got with the players he had, I think it was very limited, he didn’t really have a budget. You know, it was a lot of free transfers, there was a lot of players who played in League One with that team. I thought he got them organised, he got them together. The players obviously rolled their sleeves up and gave it 110%, and he got his reward. You know, at one stage, we were talking about getting in the playoffs, which was amazing.”

Related Significant Rangers manager update shared out of Ibrox after positive talks

It emerged on Saturday evening.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Oct 12, 2025

Rohl’s teams try to play good football, but in a less risky manner to Martin, and if they do miss out on Gerrard, as appears to be the case now, the young German feels like an exciting option to bring in.