Legspinner Afy Fletcher looks ahead to WI vs England
ESPNcricinfo staff21-May-2025Afy Fletcher, the West Indies legspinner, talks to Valkerie Baynes and Firdose Moonda about her long career, the unique challenges faced by cricketers in the Caribbean and how her side can overcome their World Cup Qualifying disappointment during the tour of England.
Wayne Rooney has slammed Liverpool's 'leaders' after the Reds fell to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White condemned the Premier League champions to a sixth league defeat of the season as their title defence lies in tatters following another subpar showing.
AFPLiverpool enduring a difficult campaign
Liverpool were already eight points off league leaders Arsenal heading into the weekend's action and they needed a victory over Sean Dyche's Forest side in order to kickstart a comeback in the title race. However, they could be 11 points behind the Gunners should Mikel Arteta's men claim all the spoils in the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
The Reds have now lost as many games as newly-promoted Leeds ahead of their meeting with Aston Villa today and the Merseyside outfit are struggling to match last season's expectations that saw them secure a first Premier League title since 2020. The tragic passing of Diogo Jota combined with player upheaval has contributed to a poor opening few months of the campaign.
And former Manchester United and Everton striker Wayne Rooney tore into the Reds on Match of the Day on Saturday night, with the ex-England hero pointing fingers at the club's 'leaders' in the dressing room as a reason behind the poor form.
AdvertisementThe leaders need to pick the players up, says Rooney
In the post-Liverpool vs Forest segment on Match of the Day, Rooney said: "Liverpool are a very good team and they're going through a very difficult moment. They've been going through a tough time all season really. Even at the beginning of the season, they won games, but they were struggling with performance. Throughout the season, it's those leaders in that dressing room that have to pick the players up."
Rooney added that unless the club can sort themselves out in the coming weeks, then they'll be the latest Big Six side to drop down the Premier League table, continuing: "We've seen it over the last few years with Manchester United and we've seen it last year with Tottenham, they can slip down the table."
United endured their worst ever Premier League finish under Ruben Amorim last season, as they finished 15th. Combined with a Europa League final loss to Tottenham, the Red Devils are going through a campaign without any European football of note.
Spurs, meanwhile, ended their lengthy wait for silverware as they beat United 1-0 in Bilbao in May, but the league form suffered as the north London side prioritised the Europa League, which meant they finish 17th on 38 points.
Getty Images SportLiverpool boss Slot laments 'another big disappointment'
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted after the loss to Forest that the result itself was "another big disappointment" with the Reds now on a run of six defeats in their last seven league outings.
"Another big disappointment," Slot started after Saturday's defeat. "We started off quite well for the first half an hour. We conceded the 1-0, and we weren’t able to play the way we did in the first half hour.
"If things go well or things go bad, it’s my responsibility. We weren’t able to create enough. I tried to adjust a few things, but it didn’t work out. We were unable to score a goal. You never know in this stadium, if you score a goal, then things can work out."
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Getty Images SportReds not up to 'battles, challenges, the fight' states Van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also claimed that the club are not up to the "battles, challenges, the fight" as the Dutchman discussed the performance with Premier League Productions.
"We concede too many easy goals," Van Dijk started. "They scored obviously from a set piece again. You can ask if he was in front of Alisson, but it counted, so we’re 1-0 down. We were not good in terms of battles, challenges, the fight, too rushed. It’s a very difficult situation at the moment.
"There was nervousness after we conceded, but not before. We tried to rush things and that’s human when you’re in a difficult moment. We cleared the ones before and in the end, we’re in a very difficult moment. We don’t get out of it by just speaking about it. It will take a lot of hard work.
"It’s a problem. Everyone in the team has to take responsibility as well. Football is a team and everyone has to take responsibility. We have to digest this and take it on the chin. We need to work harder. We have to keep going."
The Reds skipper continued "We concede too many easy goals. They scored obviously from a set piece again. You can ask if he was in front of Alisson, but it counted, so we’re 1-0 down. We were not good in terms of battles, challenges, the fight, too rushed. It’s a very difficult situation at the moment.
"There was nervousness after we conceded, but not before. We tried to rush things and that’s human when you’re in a difficult moment. We cleared the ones before and in the end, we’re in a very difficult moment. We don’t get out of it by just speaking about it. It will take a lot of hard work.
"It’s a problem. Everyone in the team has to take responsibility as well. Football is a team and everyone has to take responsibility. We have to digest this and take it on the chin. We need to work harder. We have to keep going.
"I can’t decide what the supporters are doing if they leave early. I know the fans have been through thick and thin with us. They will be there with us when we come out of this because we will come out of this."
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A Seleção Brasileira tem o seu desafio final na Copa Ouro Feminina contra os Estados Unidos, anfitriãs do torneio. O Brasil está invicto na competição e vai decidir o título com uma das mais consolidadas do cenário do futebol feminino. O confronto vale o primeiro título da Era Arthur Elias, após decepção na Copa do Mundo.
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Para o confronto final, a Seleção chega com força máxima e com a confiança em alta após vencer bem as cinco últimas partidas. A Amarelinha chegou na grande decisão depois de vencer o México por 3 a 0, enquanto os EUA ficaram no empate com o Canadá em 2 a 2 e avançaram nos pênaltis.
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✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
Brasil x Estados Unidos
Copa Ouro Feminina – Final
Data e horário: domingo, 10 de março de 2024, às 22h15 (de Brasília)
Local: Snapdragon Stadium, em San Diego, nos EUA
Onde assistir: ESPN e Star+
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⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
BRASIL (Técnico: Arthur Elias)
Luciana; Antônia, Bia Menezes, Tarciane, Rafaelle Souza; Gabi Portilho, Vitória Yaya, Duda Santos; Bia Zaneratto, Gabi Nunes e Duda Sampaio.
ESTADOS UNIDOS (Técnica: Emma Hayes)
Alyssa Naeher; Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox e Samantha Coffey; Lindsey Horan, Korbin Albert e Alex Morgan; Trinity Rodman, Jenna Nighswonger e Jaedyn Shaw.
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Copa OuroOnde assistirSeleção Brasileira
Australian has extensive experience playing in UK and joins after successful summer with Somerset
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-2025Hampshire have recruited Australia allrounder Amanda-Jade Wellington as one of their overseas players for the 2026 season.Wellington, 28, has previous experience of playing at the Utilita Bowl with Southern Brave in the Hundred – she is the second-highest wicket-taker across five seasons of the competition – and joins after a successful campaign with Somerset in the inaugural women’s Tier 1 season earlier this year.”I’m really excited to join Hampshire for the upcoming season,” Wellington said. “I had a great time at Utilita Bowl in my two years at Southern Brave and I look forward to catching up with familiar faces and making new memories which will hopefully result in trophies come end the end of the summer.”Related
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An attacking legspinner and capable batter, Wellington has played 23 times for Australia across all formats, but not since 2022. She is expected to be available throughout the summer for Hampshire.Regional director of women’s cricket, Adam Carty, said: “We’re really pleased to secure Amanda-Jade for the whole of next season. She’s a friend of the club and a vastly experienced cricketer, who boasts a fine record with bat and ball in England having featured effectively in the Hundred and in Tier 1.”We look forward to welcoming her back to Utilita Bowl in 2026.”
FIFA are all set to push ahead with a major VAR rule change for the 2026 World Cup despite facing initial rejection from stakeholders and members. The new changes in the law will be applicable for VAR checks on corner kicks during the flagship competition. The International Football Association Board convened a meeting in October, where they reached an agreement that VAR could be expanded.
VAR to check corner-kicks
According to , FIFA will aggressively push for VAR to check corner kicks at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, despite facing rejection from domestic leagues to implement across all competitions. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) – the body which determines the laws of the game – met in October, were an agreement was reached that VAR would check incorrectly given yellow cards, which could lead to a read, although the idea to review corner kicks was rejected.
The rejection means that IFAB will now have to conduct extensive trials across the globe before they can implement at the World Cup in North America next summer.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportCollina open to new trials
Legendary former referee Pierluigi Collina, who is now serving as FIFA's head of referees, is a supporter of the change as part of a wider review of VAR protocol. to support his argument, Collina has cited an incident from the Euro 2016 final, when Portugal were wrongly awarded a free-kick in extra time for handball on the edge of the area that almost led to a goal. The IFAB will convene their next meeting in January, where further discussions will be held.
League officials against expansion of usage of the VAR
One major concern for the leagues across the world is that using excessive VAR would lead to more time wasting. The Football Association's chief executive Mark Bullingham, who is also on IFAB's board, had earlier told : "We don't think there's any need to extend the use of VAR. There are regular discussions in IFAB about what VAR should be, and how it should move forward. I think our position is that we're in a good place now. Of course, if someone brings an item forward for Ifab to consider, then as a group we'll consider it. But as a group we don't necessarily think that VAR needs to be extended at the moment. We think there's enough interruptions to the game in the current model."
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Getty Images SportIs expanding of VAR possible?
An important aspect of the Laws of the Game that applies at all levels is that a referee cannot change a restart decision even if they realise it is incorrect after play is back underway. So, once the corner is taken and play is live, the game must continue. Thus if the new laws are implemented at the World Cup next year, every corner will have to be reviewed by the VAR – although in the majority of cases the decision will be obvious.
Fans will be eager to see if and when FIFA gets the nod to bring in the rule changes in VAR. Before that, they must extensively trial the methods to make sure their plan is foolproof.
Bayer Leverkusen stunned Manchester City with a memorable 2-0 Champions League win on Tuesday, punishing Pep Guardiola’s heavily rotated side with a disciplined and fearless performance. Kasper Hjulmand’s team pulled off a surprise victory at the Etihad Stadium as they outplayed the European giants, who were left to reflect on a risky selection that backfired badly.
There has been plenty of speculation over who the next Celtic manager will be at Parkhead since Brendan Rodgers decided to resign from the role last month.
The Northern Irish head coach decided to move on from the Glasgow giants after a defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership left his side eight points adrift of first place.
Rodgers won the league title in both of his seasons back at the club, as shown in the graphic above, and it will take some doing to find an upgrade on the former Liverpool manager.
The latest on Celtic's manager search
The Daily Record claims that interim boss Martin O’Neill held talks with Dermot Desmond on Friday to discuss his future, and that he is willing to stay on longer if required.
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However, the report adds that the experienced manager has told the club that the sooner they find a long-term replacement for Rodgers the better, because of how important the January transfer window will be.
The outlet reveals that Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen was in the running to land the job – he was even reported to be a frontrunner – but that the tactician is now ‘likely’ to sign a new contract with the Norwegian side.
Meanwhile, the Daily Record’s latest update claims that the club are in talks with Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy as their number one target to take the role, with the Hoops hoping to snap him up before the end of the international break.
It was recently reported that Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen is on Celtic’s radar as a possible replacement for Rodgers, and he could be the club’s own version of Knutsen if they decide to go down that route instead of getting a deal done for Nancy.
Why Nicky Hayen would be Celtic's own Kjetil Knutsen
Stripping style of play and formations aside for a moment, the Bodo/Glimt boss would have been an exciting appointment because of his domestic and European success.
Knutsen has won 39 of his 79 games in Europe, per Transfermarkt, and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and the quarter-finals of the Conference League. On top of that, the Norwegian boss has won the Eliteserien title in four of the last five seasons, which shows that he can win titles and progress a team in Europe.
Hayen, meanwhile, qualified for the league phase of the Champions League this season, something Celtic failed to do, and reached the semi-finals of the Conference League in the 2023/24 campaign.
European football
Nicky Hayen
Kjetil Knutsen
Matches managed
30
79
Wins
15
39
Draws
4
15
Losses
11
25
Points per game
1.63
1.67
Best finish
Conference League semi-finals
Europa League semi-finals
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Knutsen and Hayen have a similar record and set of achievements at European level, which suggests that they would both help the Hoops to compete in Europe.
Like the Bodo/Glimt boss, the Belgian tactician has had domestic success with one Pro League title in two seasons, whilst his team currently sit second in the division after 14 matches, per Transfermarkt, in his third campaign in charge.
The 4-2-3-1 manager, who was described as “unbeatable” by one scout on X, also won the Belgian Cup last season and the Super Cup in the current term, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he knows how to win domestic trophies.
Therefore, Hayen could come in as Celtic’s own version of Knutsen because he would arrive with a similar pedigree, as they are both managers who have had similar levels of domestic and European success with their current clubs.
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Whereas, Nancy has only ever managed in the MLS with Montreal and Columbus Crew, which means that he would not bring the same experience and proven track record in European football that Hayen would.
Bob Simpson played 62 Tests and would then go on to shape one of the great eras of Australian cricket
Alex Malcolm16-Aug-2025
Bob Simpson was a huge figure in Australian cricket•Fairfax Media/Getty Images
Australian cricket has lost a giant after former Test captain and the first full-time coach Bob Simpson died in Sydney at the age of 89.Simpson is one of the most influential figures in the history of Australian cricket. He played 62 Test matches between 1957 and 1978, averaging 46.81, and claimed 71 wickets while being known as one of the greatest slip fielders of his time. Simpson had made his first-class debut for New South Wales aged 16 and would go on to amass 21,029 runs and picked up 349 wickets with his legspin.He had initially retired from the game in 1968 after an 11-year career as one of Australia’s finest openers, having played 50 Tests and captained in 29 of them. But he then made an extraordinary return as Test captain in Australia cricket’s hour of need after the World Series Cricket schism in 1977. Simpson, at the age of 41, led in five home Tests against India and five away Tests against a full-strength West Indies side then.He finished with ten Test centuries, all of them made as captain, including 311 against England in Manchester in 1964, which was his first hundred in his 30th Test, and two more double-centuries. He averaged 54.07 as captain after not making a century and only averaging 33.67 before he assumed the role from Richie Benaud during the home summer of 1963-64.Simpson formed what remains one of Australia’s most successful Test opening pairings with Bill Lawry with 382 they added against West Indies in 1965 still the record for the first wicket.Bob Simpson had initially retired from the game in 1968 but then made an extraordinary return as Test captain during the World Series Cricket schism•PA Photos/Getty Images
Simpson was again called upon by the then Australian Cricket Broad (now Cricket Australia) in 1986 during the nadir of Australia’s on-field performance as a Test nation, having not won a series for over two years.Alongside captain Allan Border, Simpson was instrumental in instilling a culture of discipline and hard work into a younger group of players that were selected to regenerate Australian cricket, including David Boon, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, Craig McDermott and Merv Hughes.In 1987, he was added to the selection panel that was chaired by Laurie Sawle and oversaw the start of Australia’s next golden generation with Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Mark Waugh, Shane Warne, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting among a host players selected and coached by Simpson until he stood down in 1996.Australia won the World Cup in 1987 and regained the Ashes in 1989, which they would hold until 2005. Australia regained the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1995, a trophy they had not held since 1976, having not beaten West Indies in a series anywhere during that time. That win in the Caribbean gave them the unofficial mantle of world No. 1 Test side.”Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom,” Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said. “Bob’s decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket.”Dean Jones chats to Bob Simpson during the latter’s hugely successful stint as Australia coach•Elizabeth Dobbie/Fairfax Media/Getty Images
Many of the players, including Warne, regarded Simpson as the best coach they ever had and pivotal to their develop as international players after also coming through the Australian Cricket Academy under former wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, which had been established as a breeding ground during Simpson’s early years as Australia coach. Warne credited Simpson for convincing him to bowl around the wicket more often in certain conditions.Simpson was known as a disciplinarian and famously made fitness and fielding a major priority as coach.He was succeeded as Australian coach by one of his former players, Geoff Marsh, as the more senior team shifted their approach to preparation under the captaincy of Taylor after Border had retired in 1994.Simpson went on to coach Leicestershire and Lancashire for short periods in English county cricket. He also worked as a coaching advisor for Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy in India and as a consultant for India’s men’s team during the late 1990s.He coached into his 70s, including with Netherlands through a successful qualification campaign to reach the 2007 World Cup.He was appointed a Member in the Order of Australia in 1978, which was upgraded to Officer (AO) in 2007 for services to the game as a coach, consultant and administrator.He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1965. He is a member of the ICC Hall of fame and the Australian Cricket Hall of fame.
Tottenham have given the green-light for Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange to hold talks over signing a ‘top talent’ from Man City, but it isn’t Savinho, who was heavily linked in the summer.
Tottenham making transfer plans amid Thomas Frank pressure
Cristian Romero delivered a captain’s performance to salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw for Spurs at Newcastle on Tuesday evening, scoring twice, including a stoppage-time overhead kick that temporarily eased mounting pressure on manager Thomas Frank.
The Argentine’s heroics prevented what would have been Spurs’ fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions, with his diving header cancelling out Bruno Guimaraes’ opener before his acrobatic finish in the 95th minute rescued a point.
Tottenham struggled throughout at St James’ Park, managing just two shots on target from eight attempts while Newcastle dominated possession and created significantly better opportunities.
It was a stark reminder that Spurs need more creativity in their side if they’re to challenge for major silverware this season or seal a top four Premier League finish.
Behind the scenes, Tottenham’s hierarchy are actively preparing significant January reinforcements as Frank desperately seeks attacking solutions.
Premier League home form table
Team
Wins
Draws
Losses
Points
GD
16. Burnley
2
1
3
7
-1
17. Nottingham Forest
2
1
4
7
-5
18. West Ham
2
0
5
6
-9
19. Tottenham
1
2
4
5
-1
20. Wolves
0
1
5
1
10
Media sources are convinced that a new forward will arrive during the winter window, with Spurs identifying multiple targets, including FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.
The Lilywhites are said to be huge admirers of Aghehowa, who’s free scored in Portugal since the start of last season and was once on the verge of joining Chelsea before he rejected the move.
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Meanwhile, despite stiff competition, Spurs are also intensifying their interest in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, with the 25-year-old available for £65 million during the early stages of January thanks to a release clause in his contract.
There have also been murmurs of Tottenham re-opening discussions over a potential Savinho deal after his move to N17 was blocked in the summer, but amid the uncertainty surrounding Guglielmo Vicario, it is actually another City starlet that Spurs are taking interest in.
Tottenham green-light January talks for Man City keeper James Trafford
That is according to TEAMtalk, who state that Tottenham have green-lit exploratory talks over a January deal for City goalkeeper James Trafford.
The Englishman would come as a potential replacement for Vicario, who has attracted interest from Inter Milan, and Spurs are apparently entertaining the possibility of selling him for £30 million.
Sources say that Spurs view Trafford as an ideal long-term solution between the sticks, offering Premier League experience combined with significant potential.
Trafford’s situation at the Etihad has become increasingly frustrating following City’s signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG for £26 million, relegating the young stopper to backup duty.
The goalkeeper is eager for regular first-team football, making Tottenham’s project an attractive proposition, with a TT City insider quoted saying the Spurs project would be ‘perfect’ for the ‘top talent’.
Vicario arrived from Empoli eighteen months ago for £17 million as Hugo Lloris’ successor, initially impressing with performances that even earned him leadership responsibilities within Frank’s squad.
However, recent performances have declined, with errors costing Tottenham and supporters notably jeering him when Spurs lost 2-1 to Fulham last weekend.
Vicario being caught in no mans land for Harry Wilson’s goal ultimately cost Spurs precious points at home, and Fabrizio Romano has actually confirmed Inter’s interest already, so this could have some legs to it.
Arsenal are believed to be preparing a January bid for Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with sporting director Andrea Berta given some real encouragement that it can be done.
Rodrygo poised for January exit after Real Madrid snubs
Rodrygo is a very familiar name to Gunners supporters.
Berta and co held some talks about signing the Brazil international last summer, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, before opting for Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze instead.
While that door ultimately slammed shut in the last transfer window, Arsenal could yet be given another chance to land the versatile £282,000-per-week forward, who’s steadily falling out of favour under Xabi Alonso.
Rodrygo has started just three out of his last 12 La Liga matches, playing 330 minutes in total, and this is a far cry from how pivotal he was for Carlo Ancelotti.
Scoring 14 goals and registering a further 11 assists over 54 appearances in all competitions last term, Jude Bellingham is also on record calling Rodrygo their most ‘gifted’ and ‘underrated’ player.
Rodrygo’s career at Real Madrid since joining from Santos
Appearances
285
Goals
68
Assists
53
Bookings
12
Red cards
0
Minutes played
16,587
However, Alonso clearly doesn’t see it that way, and credible reports now suggest that a January exit is very much on the cards for Rodrygo as he vies for consistent playing time.
Chelsea and Tottenham have also been linked with the 24-year-old, and it is believed by some that he is ‘on the brink’ of leaving the Bernabeu with England a very viable potential destination.
Arsenal preparing January bid for Rodrygo with Real Madrid stance clear
CaughtOffside now have an update on his future, and it partly concerns Arsenal.
According to their information, Arsenal are preparing a January bid for Rodrygo, and sporting director Andrea Berta, alongside other interested parties like Liverpool, have been informed about Real’s stance.
Los Blancos will consider selling the ex-Santos sensation next month, provided they get a suitable offer, with Real demanding around £75-80 million.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also named as the lead contenders to strike a winter deal, and it could make sense considering the uncertainty surrounding Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
As things stand, both men are out of contract in 2027. There’s also been little in the way of talks over extensions, despite both of their impressive contributions this season.
Rodrygo would be an absolutely stellar replacement for either or both, but given Arsenal are never usually active in January when it comes to big-name, marquee deals, it would also be a very surprise coup midway through the campaign.