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Leeds United youth prospect Alex Baird could depart West Yorkshire in the upcoming January transfer window.

At the second time of asking, Daniel Farke led the Whites back to the Premier League last season, ascending as centurions and winners of the Championship. To prepare, the Whites made a number of summer signings, aiming to avoid the fate of all six promoted sides across the past two years, who were immediately relegated.

Unsurprisingly, Leeds have been linked with a number of potential incomings ahead of the January transfer window, in which they can reinforce their squad. Alongside Sunderland and Burnley, the 2025/26 season looks to be one in which, finally, promoted teams can compete in the Premier League once more.

It would appear, though, that the Whites may have to navigate the departure of a promising talent this January.

Baird could leave Leeds this winter

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed that Alex Baird could depart Elland Road for free in the upcoming transfer window. Though he is a promising player, currently in the ranks of Leeds’ Under-18s squad, Baird’s pathway to the first team is unclear.

Ahead of Baird in the youth academy’s pecking order are Darryl Ombang and Rory Mahady. The latter is particularly regarded as a star prospect and both have spent time, in recent months, on loan with clubs in the English football pyramid.

Given that both seem ahead of Baird, it makes sense that the youngster could leave and join a club with a clearer route to first-team football. Not only that, but Leeds are well-stocked in the goalkeeping department at a senior level too.

Illan Meslier, who has not played for Leeds since early 2025, looks set to leave the club sooner rather than later. The fact that Meslier did not, in fact, depart in the latest summer transfer window was rather surprising.

Elsewhere, though, the Whites signed Lucas Perri from Lyon to be their new number one in the summer. Karl Darlow has performed admirably when called upon as a back-up shot-stopper and Alex Cairns, now a veteran who is a Leeds youth academy product, is the club’s third choice keeper.

What Baird goes onto achieve as a player remains to be seen, though it would appear that these accomplishments will not be achieved at Elland Road.

"Indespensable" Leeds star now struggling for form

It is understood that both franchises have spoken to all three players involved

Nagraj Gollapudi09-Nov-202511:36

Sanju Samson – RavindraJadeja trade: shocking, or not?

In one of the most high-profile player trades in IPL history, Rajasthan Royals are set to trade wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange of allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.It is understood that both franchises have spoken to all three players involved but neither franchise confirmed the development when ESPNcricinfo reached out to them.Both RR and CSK have to send an expression of interest naming the three players involved in the trade to the IPL governing council. As per the trading rules, once the players’ written consent comes in, the franchises can have further discussions for a final agreement, which will also be ratified by the governing council.Samson and Jadeja have been with their respective franchises for a long time. Samson has represented RR for 11 seasons, while Jadeja has played for CSK since 2012, barring the two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the franchises were suspended. Samson had indicated after IPL 2025 that he was looking for a change and wanted to be released by RR.Related

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Jadeja was retained by CSK ahead of the 2025 mega auction for INR 18 crore as the second player after captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Along with MS Dhoni, Jadeja has been a constant part of their core. He has been part of three of CSK’s five title wins.Jadeja played a crucial role in CSK’s win in the 2023 final, with his batting heroics in the last over against Gujarat Titans. It was also his best season with the ball as he finished with 20 wickets. He followed the feat with the bat in 2025, scoring 301 runs in the season, including two fifties.Jadeja has played 254 IPL matches, the fifth-most in the tournament behind Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik. With 143 wickets, he is the highest wicket-taker for CSK with best bowling figures of 5 for 16. He has the most Player-of-the-Match awards (16) along with Dhoni too. In 2022, Jadeja was appointed CSK captain, but handed the captaincy back to Dhoni midway after a poor start to the season.Sam Curran was bought back by CSK in 2025•BCCI

RR was the first team Jadeja represented in the IPL as a 19-year-old, and also the first team he won the title with in 2008. Jadeja played for RR for the first two seasons but was suspended in 2010 by the IPL for trying to negotiate a contract with Mumbai Indians directly. After the ban, Jadeja featured for Kochi Tuskers in 2011 before being bought by CSK for USD 2 million in 2012.After an impressive maiden IPL in 2013, when RR finished third as well as runner-up in the Champions League T20, Samson was the youngest player retained at 19 ahead of the 2014 season. That first stint lasted until RR’s two-year suspension in 2016-17 and Samson rejoined the franchise in 2018. He was appointed captain in 2021 and, in 2022, working with Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s team director, led the franchise to the IPL final for the first time since 2008.Samson has led RR in 33 wins and 33 defeats in 67 matches. In 2024, when RR made the playoffs again, he had a 500-run IPL season for the first time, scoring 531 at an average of 48.27 and strike rate of 153.47. He was one of six players retained by RR ahead of last year’s mega auction at INR 18 crore and he also remained captain. However, a side injury ruled him out of the second half of IPL 2025, and RR kept losing matches from strong positions to finish ninth out of ten teams.Samson is RR’s leading run-scorer with 4027 runs, has the joint-most 50-plus scores (25), the joint-highest score (124), and has taken the most catches (149). After he informed RR that he wanted to be released, the franchise initiated trade talks with several teams.Curran began his IPL career at Punjab Kings in 2019 and played for them again in 2023 – when he became the league’s most expensive player at INR 18.5 crore – and 2024. In between, he played for CSK in 2020 and 2021. Curran was bought back by CSK for INR 2.4 crore in the 2025 season, when he finished with 114 runs and only one wicket in five games.

Mhatre’s 65 gave India A a strong start, but they slumped from 90 for no loss to 234 all out to concede a 75-run first-innings lead

Shashank Kishore31-Oct-2025Prenelan Subrayen is, in every sense, a marathon man. How else does one describe a cricketer whose spirit refuses to be dimmed, even after the repeated heartbreak of being reported for a suspect action? Each time he has been forced to rebuild, he has returned with more fire, more resolve, more love for his craft than before.At 32, Subrayen’s career is just two Tests old. Earlier this month in Pakistan, he played the first Test in Lahore, and made way when Keshav Maharaj returned from injury for the second Test in Rawalpindi. Then, last week, he learned of his non-selection for the India tour.Related

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But in his first outing since that disappointment, Subrayen reminded everyone of his qualities. On Friday in Bengaluru, he wheeled away tirelessly, bowling 22 overs unchanged to rip through the heart of India A’s batting order and restore South Africa A’s advantage by stumps on Day 2 of the first unofficial Test. From 90 for no loss, India slumped to 234 all out as Subrayen picked up 5 for 61. Having pocketed a 75-run first-innings lead, South Africa A ended the day 30 for no loss.Subrayen’s five scalps included some noted names. He deceived Ayush Mhatre in flight as he advanced, forcing him to chip to midwicket for 65, the highest score of the India A innings. Devdutt Padikkal mistimed a lofted hit to mid-off as he stepped out, and Rajat Patidar was bowled through the gate attempting to drive against the turn.Subrayen employed as many as four catchers around the bat at most times. Tanush Kotian, who has bailed Mumbai out of tough situations time and again, was out jabbing to one of them, short leg, and Khaleel Ahmed mistimed a slog to long-on to give Subrayen his 13th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.While Subrayen did the bulk of the damage, others had moments to remember too. Okuhle Cele is likely replay his ball to dismiss Rishabh Pant over and over.Midway through the second session, when Pant walked out to bat for the first time since returning from his broken foot, there was a sense of anticipation around the ground among the handful present. He charged down the pitch first ball, and swung hell for leather, only to connect with thin air.Cele then bowled short at Pant, attempting to target his ribcage, not wanting to give him any room to drive or slash. And on 17, the tactic found its reward, Pant jabbing to Zubayr Hamza in the slips while attempting to fend one away.The only India A batter to make an impression with the bat was young Mhatre. He fearlessly drove on the up, played a few delightful straight drives, and took on spin from get-go. All of this brought him a 46-ball half-century. He was eventually out for 65, his knock containing 10 fours.B Sai Sudharsan, his opening partner, was edgy for much of his 94-ball stay. Early on, an attempt to pinch a single to mid-off nearly had him run out on 2; he was saved by a full-stretch dive at the non-striker’s end. Sudharsan alternated between denying himself outside off and poking at deliveries that left him. Eventually, Tshepo Moreki worked him over with an away-going delivery that he nicked behind for 32.This was when Subrayen stepped up and began his marathon spell, which has now put South Africa A firmly in the driver’s seat with two full days remaining.

The India fast bowler was one of the main reasons the fifth Test entered its final morning, and he put in a match-winning performance

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Aug-20253:04

Bangar hails ‘Herculean effort’ from Siraj

Mohammed Siraj is a massive Cristiano Ronaldo fan. His “siu” celebrations make that quite clear. So, on the final morning of the fifth Test against England, it was CR7 who was on Siraj’s mind after he woke up restless at 6am instead of the usual 8am.In a way, Siraj was responsible for the Test entering the final day; he had caught Harry Brook at long leg but stepped on the boundary to concede six on Sunday. Brook went on to score a century and have what seemed like a match-turning partnership with Joe Root. But Siraj was also responsible for the match being poised on a knife edge, delivering two long and amazing spells of fast bowling on tired legs with an old ball.So, with England needing 35 to win the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, and The Oval colosseum filling rapidly despite it being Monday morning, the gladiator in Siraj wanted to leave his mark. England had four wickets in hand, albeit one was Chris Woakes with arm in sling, but Siraj had belief.Related

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“I usually wake up at 8am, but today I woke up at 6am. I told myself I can do it today. I went on Google and searched for this image,” he said at the press conference after the match, raising his phone to show Ronaldo’s picture with “BELIEVE” written above it. “I downloaded the image, and made it the wallpaper. So belief is very important.”Belief is what allowed Siraj to bounce back from the mistake of reprieving Brook on 19. He said it was a “game-changing moment” when Brook got away and went into T20 mode to nearly take the Test away from India. But Siraj did not let that setback defeat him. “But I’m a senior bowler. I will not let my shoulder drop.”He told himself things happen, and moved on quickly. Shubman Gill, his captain, sitting next to him at the press conference after India’s win, quipped that if Siraj had held the catch, he could have saved everyone a lot of stress.”Also, if you had taken the catch, [I’m] thinking [it] would have been too easy for us,” Gill said as Siraj broke into a chuckle like the rest of the room.5:30

Gill on Oval win: ‘Makes you feel the journey is worth it’

Belief underpins the Siraj story, which started with a tennis ball in his late teenage years before he was spotted, nurtured and developed by former India quick and fast-bowling coach Bharat Arun. Combining belief with skill, Siraj has, along with Jasprit Bumrah, quickly grown into India’s most dependable fast-bowling duo in the longest format. For the second successive day, Siraj showed his sharp bowling intellect. He applied pressure from the first ball, delivering mostly outswingers, pitching on a good length and on the fifth- or sixth-stump line, and moving the ball away to challenge the England batters to take a risk.The batter’s problems were exacerbated by Siraj’s ability to cut the ball sharply into the pads with the wobble seam: to play him as a swing bowler, or a hit-the-deck bowler, which Siraj, in a chat with Dinesh Karthik on Sky Sports, said he was? He did not relent even for a minute until he had knocked back Gus Atkinson’s off stump with a 143kph yorker – just like he had hit Zak Crawley’s off stump with a similar ball to end play on day three.Siraj, who won the Player-of-the-Match award for his nine wickets at The Oval, bowled 185.3 overs in the series to finish as the leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets. After the win, Siraj bounced around the ground with the ball in hand, thanking the fans, and arrived at the press conference flashing a big smile. High on dopamine, he showed no trace of the toil he has had for the last two months.5:16

Harmison: Siraj never looked like running out of steam

“Body is fine right now because it is almost 187 overs,” Siraj said when asked whether he felt exhausted. “But [when] you play for the country, you give everything. Don’t think too much [whether] you bowl the sixth over or you bowl your ninth over. I don’t care. I believe you bowl every ball for your country, not for yourself. [When] you play for the country, give it everything. Rest doesn’t matter.”Siraj had coped with an extremely heavy workload during India’s previous five-Test series too – the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. India lost that series 3-1 despite Bumrah’s record-breaking numbers, as he took 32 wickets. But Siraj, who had bowled 157.1 overs in that series, the most for India, also took 20 wickets at an average of just over 31. Siraj said his role in Australia was different to that in England, where he was the leader of the attack with Bumrah playing only three of the five Tests.”In Australia, while Jassi [Bumrah] was performing, my only job was to bowl in partnerships and build pressure, and not try something else – because then there is a potential to leak runs, and that could build pressure on us,” he said. “As for my improvement, I always believe in my bowling that I can take a wicket in any situation. I don’t mind whether I am bowling the first spell or eighth. I just need to give 100%. I have never run after results. Rather [I’m] focused on the process of how to build pressure by bowling in partnerships.”3:04

Bangar hails ‘Herculean effort’ from Siraj

Siraj has been part of several memorable moments in Indian cricket. He was part of the team when Ajinkya Rahane’s India triumphed at the Gabba in 2020-21 to win the series in Australia 2-1. He felt this drawn series in England would be ranked slightly higher, though.”I will rate it higher because [of] the way we have fought throughout this series, with each Test going into the fifth day,” he said. “There was a lot of belief in this dressing room, and everyone believed this morning [that] we would win this match.”The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been a series full of unforgettable moments. Two of its defining images are of Siraj: one on his haunches at Lord’s after being bowled by Shoaib Bashir, and another of him covering his face in the fading light on an overcast Sunday at The Oval after letting Brook off.”I don’t know why I am in these moments,” he said. “At Lord’s, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish. But the almighty clearly had something good written for me in his mind, and that’s why I am here at this moment, and I could take the wickets in the end.”Siraj knows exactly why he is where he is – bowling India to one of their most famous victories, and their narrowest, by a margin of six runs.”Stay honest to your game,” he says. “Believe in yourself. Without belief, nothing can happen.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans would have been largely encouraged by their side’s first 45 minutes post-Vitor Pereira, as the Old Gold were holding Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to a tense 0-0 stalemate.

However, after Malo Gusto opened the scoring for the Blues early into the second half, it ended up being one-way traffic as the West Londoners picked up their sixth Premier League win of the season, which, in turn, consigned the lowly visitors to their depressing ninth defeat of the campaign.

Journalist Nathan Judah stated at the final whistle that the West Midlands outfit are “destined” to be in the Championship next season, and it’s hard to dispute this claim, with Wolves still stuck at the bottom of the unforgiving division on just two points.

It will be up to Rob Edwards to somehow steer the sinking ship back on course, with their replacement for Pereira ditching the luxuries of being in a promotion race in the EFL with Middlesbrough, for an intense relegation dog-fight in the top-flight.

Interim manager James Collins did state that he thinks Wolves can stay up, despite their pitiful start, after the dust had settled on the 3-0 defeat, as Edwards assesses what players he will stick by and what players he will ditch after the Saturday night loss.

Edwards' immediate selection dilemmas at Wolves

Watching the Chelsea defeat in great detail, the former Luton Town manager will surely stick with Sam Johnstone in between the sticks.

Without Johnstone in goal, Wolves would have been on the receiving end of a far worse battering, with five saves in total picked up by the ex-West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper. He had become Pereira’s first choice over Jose Sa, and that looks unlikely to change.

Hwang Hee-Chan might find his starting spot is on shaky ground, though. He didn’t register a single shot on Robert Sanchez’s goal, with Edwards hoping that his strike partner on the day, Jorgen Strand Larsen, finds his goalscoring mojo again when he enters the Molineux dug-out, as another goalless display passed him by.

While the forward line desperately needs to improve, something needs to drastically change with the backline in front of Johnstone, with Wolves now conceding a horrific 25 goals after the Chelsea defeat, making them the leakiest team in the entire division.

In particular, this ropey Old Gold defender could already be on borrowed time heading into the brand-new Edwards’ era, even with previous shouts from Gary O’Neil, stating he is an “incredible” talent to work with.

Wolves defender is on borrowed time under Edwards

O’Neil was chosen as the first immediate name to replace Pereira, only for advanced talks to go awry last minute.

No doubt, if his return to the Molineux hot-seat did come true, he would have stuck by Toti Gomes, based on his prior adoration, with the Portuguese centre-back also shining under Pereira’s reign in flashes.

During the early days of Pereira’s stint, as Wolves-based content creator Ryan Leister put it, the Old Gold were a far “better side” with him placed in the starting XI.

Indeed, this is backed up by some mightily impressive numbers, with Gomes winning a commanding 18 duels at the end of December last year against Leicester City and Manchester United to secure Pereira his first two league victories in the West Midlands.

In the here and now, however, Gomes looks a shadow of his former self, as the £25k-per-week defender let Gusto have all the time in the world to head the Blues into a one-goal lead, among other shoddy moments from his lacklustre day at the office, which also saw him win no tackles or aerial duels.

Toti Gomes’ decline at Wolves
Stat (* = per 90 mins)	24/25	25/26
Games played	30	8
Goals scored	0	0
Assists	1	0
Touches*	68.1	53.6
Accurate passes*	46.5 (87%)	37.6 (87%)
Tackles*	2.0	1.0
Ball recoveries*	3.7	3.3
Clearances*	4.7	2.6
Total duels won*	4.8	3.0
Clean sheets	8	0
Stats by Sofascore

With Edwards priding himself on making his former Luton side more “difficult” to break down – as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta put it – he is likely to want to axe Gomes based on his porous performances so far this season, regardless of his impressive showings under previous regimes, and when Pereira was at his peak in the Molineux dug-out.

Of course, that isn’t to say Gomes will be completely written off, as Edwards attempts to get a tune out of those who are visibly faltering and can do better.

But, it might be beneficial for the underperforming number 24 to be removed from the starting XIs initially when Edwards enters the building, as the 42-year-old attempts to inject some much-needed fight into his downtrodden troops.

Manager's future takes twist after advanced Wolves talks and "dramatic U-turn"

He held discussions with the Molineux side.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 8, 2025

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared an injury update on his squad, and they could be without one of their players until after the new year.

The Blues made light work of London rivals Tottenham in their last outing, cruising to a 1-0 win on enemy turf, and Thomas Frank’s side hardly laid a glove on them.

It was a much-needed victory for Maresca’s men, who were dispatched by newly-promoted Sunderland in their previous Premier League clash the weekend prior.

The loss at home to Regis Le Bris’ side sparked major outrage after what was a very disappointing performance, with reports in the aftermath suggesting that Maresca’s long-term Chelsea future is far from certain amid interest from Juventus.

Luckily for the Italian, Chelsea have responded to that defeat in good fashion — knocking Wolves out of the Carabao Cup via a dramatic 4-3 win at Molineux to then claim the London derby spoils.

It has been a mixed start to 25/26 for Chelsea after what was a stellar summer, having won both the Conference League and Club World Cup earlier this year, but Maresca is believed to be dissatisfied with the squad at his disposal overall.

Chelsea ended the last summer transfer window as one of England’s most lavish spenders, investing nearly £300 million in new recruits, but the west Londoners failed to shore up their centre-back options or bring in a world-class goalkeeper.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

20.

Bournemouth

£136.7m

£202.5m

+£65.8m

19.

Brighton

£67.7m

£127.5m

+£59.8m

18.

Brentford

£92.8m

£152m

+£59.2m

17.

Wolves

£105.6m

£126.5m

+£20.9m

16.

Chelsea

£296.5m

£314.4m

+£17.9m

BlueCo are reportedly ready to prioritise the signing of a centre-back for Chelsea in January, but Maresca hasn’t exactly been helped by injuries and suspensions either.

Summer signing Liam Delap was missing for weeks with a hamstring problem and couldn’t play against Tottenham last weekend after his red card at Wolves.

Malo Gusto was also suspended recently, with Trevoh Chalobah, Robert Sanchez, Joao Pedro and Delap all sent off in the last 44 days alone.

Chelsea’s current disciplinary issues are a real conundrum for Maresca to solve, and it’s the last thing he needs considering their troubles with fitness issues this campaign.

Right now, Pedro Neto, Benoit Badiashile, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo are all unavailable through injury, and Maresca might not welcome back the latter until 2026.

Chelsea could be without Dario Essugo until January

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of their Champions League clash with Qarabag, Maresca suggests that Essugo could be out injured until January.

Essugo, who’s been called a ‘frightening’ player by members of the media like journalist Antonio Mango, hasn’t been able to showcase his best since joining Chelsea in the summer, and it’ll be a while before he gets to do so.

That being said, there is some good news.

Chelsea’s manager believes that star forward Palmer, who’s been battling a niggling groin problem since the start of the season, could return for their blockbuster European showdown against Barcelona.

Chelsea play their last game before the next international break against Wolves this weekend, and their Barça clash is scheduled to take place around three days after they return to action away to Burnley on November 22.

Her 159-run partnership with Sune Luus against NZ is the highest for SA for any wicket in Women’s World Cups

Namooh Shah06-Oct-2025

Tazmin Brits got to seven ODI hundreds in 41 innings•ICC/Getty Images

232 – The target chased down by South Africa on Monday is the highest by any team against New Zealand in the women’s World Cup, going past their own record – 229 in Hamilton in 2022.101 – The runs scored by Tazmin Brits, which makes her the third South Africa batter to score a hundred in the women’s World Cup. Linda Olivier in 2000 and Marizanne Kapp in 2013 are the other two.5 – Hundreds by Brits in 2025, the most by any player in a calendar year in women’s ODIs. She went past Smriti Mandhana, who scored four hundreds in 2024 and also has four so far in 2025.Brits has also scored four hundreds in her last five ODI innings.1 – Brits took 41 innings to score seven ODI hundreds. That is the fewest by a batter in women’s ODIs, bettering the record of Meg Lanning, who took 44 innings to get there.Brits took 87 balls to complete her seventh ODI hundred, which is the fastest by her, and the fourth-fastest by a South Africa batter in women’s ODIs.2 – Brits now has 749 runs in ODIs in 2025, the second-most for a South Africa batter in a calendar year. She is only behind Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 882 runs in 2022.159 – The partnership between Brits and Sune Luus for the second wicket, is the highest for South Africa for any wicket in women’s World Cups. They went past a long-standing record of 128* between Dane van Niekerk and Kapp in 2013.It is also South Africa’s third-highest partnership for the second wicket in women’s ODIs (where ball-by-ball data is available).1 – Lea Tahuhu dismissed Brits to take her 30th wicket in ODI World Cups and with that became the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in the tournament. Tahuhu went past Catherine Campbell, who has 29 wickets.350 – Suzie Bates became the first woman to play 350 international matches across formats. Harmanpreet Kaur is next on the list with 342 international caps.

Kane Williamson has announced his retirement from T20 internationals after months of speculation about his playing future, but has reaffirmed his focus on playing for New Zealand in Test cricket, starting with their three-match series against West Indies in December.Williamson, 35, has featured in 93 T20Is for New Zealand since his debut in October 2011. However, he opted out of their three-match series against Australia at the start of the month, then missed the subsequent 1-0 loss to England with a groin injury.He returned to action for this week’s 3-0 ODI series victory over the same opponents – his first appearances for New Zealand since the Champions Trophy final against India in March – but had flagged beforehand his shifting priorities, telling NZC of the “delicate balance” between time with his young family and committing to the team of which he has been a part for 15 years.Related

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Now he has opted to call time on the shortest format, just months before the next T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February. He retires as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 2,575 runs at an average of 33.44, 18 fifties and a highest score of 95. He captained the team in 75 of his matches, including T20 World Cup semi-final appearances in 2016 and 2022, and one losing final in 2021.”It’s something that I’ve loved being a part of for a long period of time and I’m so grateful for the memories and experiences,” Williamson said. “It’s the right time for myself and the team. It gives the team clarity for the series moving forward and ahead of their next major focus which is the T20 World Cup.”There’s so much T20 talent there and the next period will be important to get cricket into these guys and get them ready for the World Cup. “Rob Walter, the New Zealand head coach, said: “You get to different life positions and the game does require a lot and demand a lot. So, understandably, Kane decided to step away from T20 internationals. And we’re now looking to the Test series at the end of the year and that will be our primary focus now.”I don’t think you can underestimate [his] value in all aspects,” Walter added. “Obviously, performance is one thing, but I think it’s probably the lesser of all the things that he brings to the team. A magnificent team man.”He’s a real sounding board for the guys in the team. He’s experienced a hell of a lot. He’s delivered incredible performances under pressure in World Cup finals. There’s a whole package there that obviously the team loses, but respectful of his decision.”Williamson had already handed over the white-ball captaincy to Mitchell Santner, while his No. 3 berth in the T20I team had been taken over by Rachin Ravindra, with the likes of Tim Seifert, Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman challenging for regular berths.”Mitch is a brilliant captain and leader – he’s really come into his own with this team,” Williamson said. “He really has such a great understanding of the game and this format having played for a long time and has done incredibly well. Now he has got the reins and he’s excited for the opportunity. I am looking forward to watching him. It’s now their time to push the Black Caps forward in this format and I’ll be supporting from afar.”In a statement, NZC said that Williamson’s next competitive fixture was likely to be for Northern Districts against Auckland in the Plunket Shield, starting November 26, as preparation for the first Test against West Indies, which begins at Christchurch on December 2, which indicated he would miss the upcoming ODIs against West Indies.Kane Williamson’s last T20I came at the 2024 World Cup•Getty Images

“I’ve got such deep care for this team,” Williamson said. “The Black Caps is a special place and one you want to give yourself to, and get the most out of yourself for. It’s a journey and a pursuit, and that’s what I love about the international game and this environment.””I’ll continue to keep the lines of communication open with Rob [Walter] and NZC who have given me a huge amount of support throughout.”Scott Weenink’s NZC’s chief executive, said he respected Williamson’s decision and saluted his contributions to the T20I team.”Kane’s performances as a player and his service as captain of the T20 side have been nothing short of immense,” he said.”His runs in all conditions around the world reflect the world class batsman that he is and are equally matched by the influence of his leadership on and off the field.”His knock of 85 in the T20 World Cup final [in 2021] was one of the more special T20I innings played by a New Zealander, albeit in a losing course. The T20 team experienced great consistency and success under Kane’s watch and he certainly leaves the team in good health.”Speaking last week, Williamson had acknowledged that his continued involvement with New Zealand would require an ongoing dialogue with Walter and the board, but Weenink insisted that he had earned the right to decide how he finished his ODI and Test careers.”We’ve made it clear to Kane he has our full support as he reaches the back end of his illustrious career,” he said. “We would, of course, love to see him play for as long as possible, but there’s no doubt whenever he does decide to finally call time – he will go down as a legend of New Zealand cricket.”With Kane committed to play the West Indies Test series in December, I’d encourage all Kiwis to take the opportunity to get out and witness one of our greatest ever cricketers play.”He will continue to play T20 franchise cricket, having spent much of the English summer just gone playing for London Spirit and Middlesex in an extended tie-up.

Manchester United and INEOS are now reportedly stalling on a new contract for Kobbie Mainoo, as doubts over his Old Trafford future continue.

Mainoo’s fall from grace has been sad to see of late, considering the midfielder emerged has one of the most emerging youth products in years with the Red Devils, even starting for England at Euro 2024 last year.

The 20-year-old has been limited to just 138 minutes of Premier League action across seven cameo appearances this season, with Ruben Amorim not considering him a key man.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Mainoo, but journalist Simon Stone gave his thoughts earlier this week, suggesting his time at Old Trafford may still have legs.

Mainoo contract talks stall with transfer ruled out

Now, speaking to Football Insider, journalist Pete O’Rourke provided an update on Mainoo’s Manchester United future, claiming talks over a new deal have stalled with INEOS, but that they won’t let him leave.

“I’m sure it’s (handing Mainoo a new contract) something that Man United would definitely be interested in doing. They’ve been in talks with Mainoo for a while now over a new contract. Suggestions are now that contract talks have been put on hold because of his uncertain future at Old Trafford.

“We know Mainoo was interested in a move away in the summer window as he knew he wasn’t going to be playing in Ruben Amorim’s side. I don’t think he’s started a Premier League game so far this season.

“For United, on their part, they don’t really want to lose Kobbie Mainoo, and that’s why they blocked the move in the summer window and obviously I think they’d be reluctant to let him go in January as well because United want to be competing in that top four, if they can.”

To lose Mainoo so early in his career would be a negative for United, given his vast potential, so the hope is that Amorim and INEOS’ stance on him changes.

Granted, he has endured a year of struggles, not helped by injury problems, but he is a special young footballer with the natural ability to be a star, as he has already shown in his career.

Antoine Semenyo chooses between Man Utd and Liverpool

What a signing this could be…

1 ByHenry Jackson Nov 22, 2025

Hopefully, a contract extension is agreed, but ultimately, if the manager and the club don’t value Mainoo enough, a move away could be best for everyone, sad as it would be.

49ers keen on signing Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo for Leeds

His 5 for 53 and career-best 4 for 58 for Noah Cornwell help Middlesex in enforcing the follow-on

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Sep-2025

Zafar Gohar took his best figures for Middlesex•Getty Images

Gloucestershire 286 (Bracey 60, Gohar 5-53, Cornwell 4-58) and 39 for 1 trail Middlesex 634 for 9 dec by 309 runsBad light held up Middlesex’s victory charge after they forced Gloucestershire to follow-on on the penultimate day of the Rothesay County Championship Division 2 season at Lord’s.Zafar Gohar returned 5 for 53, his best figures in a Middlesex shirt, and there was a career-best 4 for 58 for Noah Cornwell as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 286 despite 60 from skipper James Bracey which took him past 1,000 first-class runs for the season.Forced to follow on 348 behind, the visitors lost Ben Charlesworth in reaching 39 for 1 second time around before the light closed in with 31 overs left un-bowled.Gloucestershire began the day 488 in arrears under leaden grey skies, meaning there was seam movement for opening bowlers Toby Roland-Jones and Ryan Higgins.Bracey made light of the conditions, punishing any erring in line, in contrast to Ollie Price, who was scratchy, taking 45 minutes to add a single to his overnight score of 11. That was as far as he got, Cornwell’s introduction bringing his downfall via an edge to gully.Graeme Van Buuren, who signed a new contract earlier this week to remain at Gloucestershire until 2027 got underway with a cracking cover drive, bettered only by the one which took Bracey to 50, the wicketkeeper-batter raising his seasonal landmark in the process.Van Buuren didn’t stay long though, bowled trying to cut one too close to him which cannoned off the inside edge, while Cornwell’s third wicket came courtesy of a poor umpiring decision, Jack Taylor adjudged caught behind, despite a chasm between bat and ball.Bracey batted untroubled through until lunch but fell soon after the resumption as Gohar, switched to the Nursery End, found a fraction of turn to force a thin edge through to wicketkeeper Joe Cracknell.Ajeet Singh Dale came and went before Marchant de Lange and Matt Taylor entertained with a brisk stand of 44 for the ninth wicket, the former clubbing one from legspinner Luke Hollman over the ropes and twice hitting Gohar back over his head.Gohar gained revenge by having him stumped to complete a five-for, leading to Daz Ahmed, hampered by a side strain while bowling, coming in with a runner to play his maiden first-class innings. Cleary in considerable pain he batted out two overs from Gohar before Matt Taylor hooked Cornwell down the throat of long leg to end the innings.Middlesex enforced the follow-on and soon removed Charlesworth caught behind off Roland-Jones but Joe Phillips and Ollie Price, the latter looking more at ease than he had earlier in the day, batted through until tea without further mishap.Only one further over was possible before the murky light sent the players off, giving Gloucestershire hope of batting out a draw on the final day.