Brevis, Mhatre and Urvil have given a flagging team some positive vibes

Sreshth Shah07-May-20252:40

Moody: ‘Brevis could be one of CSK’s best signings of the decade’

Wins have been hard to come by for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this season, and reversing a losing trend is rarely straightforward. But adversity often presents unexpected openings. In recent games, the inclusion of Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, and Dewald Brevis has reignited CSK’s batting firepower. The narrow two-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru hinted at a revival, and the emphatic win over Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed it.What makes the turnaround even more remarkable is that none of the trio were part of CSK’s original auction plans. All three were signed as injury replacements after April 15, yet they’ve leapfrogged several players from the 25-member post-auction squad to break into the playing XI. While the franchise had publicly backed its auction strategy in earlier press conferences, there’s since been an implicit acknowledgment that they fell short in identifying emerging talent early on. The initial blueprint – built around Devon Conway, Ravindra Jadeja, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, and the now-injured Ruturaj Gaikwad – failed to click. With playoff hopes extinguished, CSK have shifted their focus toward IPL 2026, though not without showing signs of finishing the current season on a high, if not a triumphant, note.Batting coach Michael Hussey shed light on the thinking behind introducing the new trio.”When it got to a stage where we were going to struggle to make the playoffs, there was an opportunity to maybe look at what our future looks like,” Hussey said after CSK’s third win of the season. “Yes, obviously, we’ve got those players that were picked in the auction, but this was an opportunity to do some scouting, to have a look at some younger talent that was coming through, to inject them into the games and get to see them in pressure situations and see if they can handle the pressure of IPL.”Related

• Brevis cracks counterattacking fifty as KKR's playoffs hopes nosedive

• 'Nothing for me to decide as of now' – Dhoni on his IPL future

Each of the three newcomers has shown, in different ways, that they belong. Mhatre’s 94 against RCB was one of the finest IPL innings by a teenager. Brevis has brought electric energy in the field and backed it up with a blazing 22-ball half-century at Eden Gardens. Urvil, too, lit up his IPL debut with a dazzling 31 off just 11 balls. But beyond their individual numbers, Hussey credited them with lifting the overall mood of the squad.”They’ve had a positive impact on the team,” he said. “They’re highly motivated to do well. They’ve created energy around the group, because when you’re in this position, sometimes the energy of the players can just go downhill very quickly. But this injection of some youth has really invigorated everyone.”It’s not just their runs that have changed CSK’s fortunes, it’s the intent behind those runs. Ahead of the KKR match, CSK had the lowest powerplay run rate this season at 8.1. Their top-order had either batted too cautiously for the modern T20 game or struggled to play with freedom, often leaving the middle and lower-order with too much to make up, whether batting first or second.1:23

Moody: Urvil’s stability at the crease stood out

Against KKR, just like in the RCB game, CSK showed early aggression. Despite losing five wickets, they powered to 62 runs in the first six overs. Brevis then lit up the 11th over, taking down Vaibhav Arora for 30 runs with a sequence of 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4. That onslaught gave CSK the breathing room they needed. The experienced middle order did the rest, with Shivam Dube’s 45 off 40 and MS Dhoni’s 17 off 18 finishing the chase with calm authority.While Hussey admitted that the lack of intent in the powerplay had been a concern, he also pointed to the home conditions in Chennai as a contributing factor. Still, he acknowledged that this stretch might mark the beginning of a tactical transition for CSK.”I mean, we weren’t playing in Hyderabad, you know. We weren’t playing in Delhi where the ground is smaller and the pitch is better,” Hussey said. “But I agree with you, it has been an area that we were below par on, particularly in the early stages of the season. The injection of youth, they bring that, I guess, youthful exuberance, that freedom, that lack of fear.”So yeah, it’s an area that we’re putting a fair bit of time into is that sort of talent identification. Trying to find some gold nuggets, I guess, if you like. Hopefully it pays dividends in the future years to come. Transitions are always difficult to manage, especially in a competition like IPL.”Hussey reserved special praise for Mhatre, even though he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in Kolkata. In ESPNcricinfo’s studios, Tom Moody praised Urvil’s technique and went as far as to call Brevis a game-changing CSK signing for the next ten years.”Mhatre’s a special talent, but he’s also a special young man,” Hussey said. “He’s got a great support network around him with his coach back in Mumbai, his parents. So I feel as though he’s got a great foundation to hopefully have a very successful career, and hope it’s with CSK for a long time.””Brevis could be one of Chennai’s best signings of the decade. He is an exceptionally talented player and he’s just starting to realise his talent. The one blip he will have to overcome is his cricket smarts,” Moody said on Time:Out. “And the thing that stood out with Urvil was his stability in the crease. One of the key things to power-hitting is a stable base, and for a young man to come into his first game and stay true to that and to be able to execute like that tells me a hell of a lot that this guy has a future.”The batting flourish in the last two games has offered CSK enough positives to suggest that all is not lost, even if the points table says otherwise. IPL 2026 may still be a while away, but some clarity around key personnel for the future makes even these small victories feel significant.

Shortly after the Mets suffered a season-ending 4–0 loss to the Marlins on Sunday, slugger Pete Alonso announced he will opt out of his current contract and enter free agency this offseason.

Alonso was a free agent last winter but never landed the long-term deal he was seeking. In February, he signed a two-year, $54 million contract with New York that included a player option for '26.

Alonso didn't rule out re-signing with the Mets again this offseason when pondering his future on Sunday.

"Playing for this organization, this city—they've continued to believe in me," Alonso said. "I've loved playing here. There's some great guys in the clubhouse; there's some great people on staff. Every single day, it's been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue. I've really appreciated it and been nothing but full of gratitude every single day.

"Nothing is guaranteed, but we'll see what happens. I love being a Met. So hopefully they've appreciated me the same."

Alonso didn't land the free-agent contract he was looking for last offseason because of a down year in 2024. In 162 games that season, Alonso batted .240/.329/.459 with 34 homers and 172 strikeouts—adding up to a career-worst .788 OPS. He bounced back in '25, batting .272/.347/.524 with 41 doubles, 38 homers and 126 RBIs in 161 games.

The five-time All-Star will be one of the most talented bats available on the open market. But after the Mets and their $341 million payroll missed out on the postseason by one game in 2025, will they be willing to empty their pocketbooks for Alonso?

تحدث جازيكا ميندييتا، أسطورة منتخب إسبانيا السابق، عن مستوى لامين يامال، نجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة وسبب تراجعه الفترة الأخيرة.

وشارك لامين يامال في فوز برشلونة الأخير على حساب أتلتيكو مدريد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

واستضاف ملعب “سبوتيفاي كامب نو” مباراة برشلونة وأتلتيكو مدريد أمس، الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات الجولة 19 المقدمة من الدوري الإسباني، والتي انتهت بفوز البلوجرانا بثلاثية مقابل هدف.

وسُئل ميندييتا، عن سبب تراجع مستوى يامال الفترة الأخيرة خلال حوار أجراه مع صحيفة “آس”، وأجاب: “من الصعب علينا تحديد ما إذا كانت عدد دقائق لامين يامال في اللعب مفرطة أو لا”.

وأضاف: “من الواضح أن لديهم كل الدقائق والإحصائيات اللازمة لمعرفة عدد دقائق لعبه، أعتقد أن عضلة الفخذ ستلعب دورًا هامًا في تحسين أدائه وتحديد عدد دقائق لعبه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رومانو يزف نبأ سارًا لجماهير برشلونة بشأن مستقبل نجم الفريق

وأردف: “أعتقد أن الفريق لم يكن يؤدي في أفضل حالاته من الناحية التكتيكية ومع عدم عمل العديد من الأشياء كما فعلوا في الموسم الماضي، أجبرته بطريقة ما على اللعب أكثر مما كان ينبغي”.

وتابع: “لكن هذه هي كرة القدم، لا أعتقد أن هناك الكثير من اللاعبين الذين لا يشعرون بأي شيء وعليه أن يتكيف مع الوضع الذي يواجهه”.

وأردف: “يبدو أن برشلونة يلعب بشكل أفضل خاصةً في المباراة الأخيرة وهذا جيد للفريق وللاعب، كما أن إصابة رافينها تعني وجود العديد من العوامل التي أجبرت لامين بطريقة ما على اللعب وهو مصاب بدلًا من الانتظار للتعافي كاملًا”.

وأتم: “إنها إصابة يصعب أن تختفي تمامًا بسرعة، لذلك فهي عملية طويلة حيث يتعين عليك أن تتعلم كيف تتعايش معها”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico do Fluminense, Fernando Diniz, discutiu feio com o atacante Luciano, do São Paulo. A briga da dupla, que trabalhou junta no próprio Tricolor entre 2020 e 2021, aconteceu durante o confronto entre os times no Morumbis, nesta segunda-feira (13), pelo Brasileirão. Confira o momento da expulsão do treinador no vídeo acima!

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➡️ As melhores e mais variadas ofertas para o Brasileirão estão no Lance! Betting! Abra já a sua conta!

O zagueiro Manoel sentiu uma lesão na reta final do primeiro tempo e jogou a bola para lateral. Luciano tentou cobrá-lo rápido, sem demonstrar atitude de “fair play”. Diniz se revoltou, discutiu e recebeu cartão vermelho.

Fernando Diniz foi flagrado reproduzindo fortes palavras direcionadas a Luciano, durante o duelo entre São Paulo e Fluminense. “Você acabou para mim”, “Você é muito burro” e mais xingamentos foram proferidos pelo treinador.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Fluminense

Após o ocorrido, o meia-atacante tricolor recebeu cartão amarelo. Diversos jogadores de ambos os times precisaram intervir na discussão.

Além de trabalharem juntos no São Paulo em 2020, Luciano e Diniz foram companheiros no próprio Fluminense, em 2019. O treinador, inclusive, foi um dos principais responsáveis pela chegada do atleta ao Tricolor do Morumbis.

Tudo sobre

Fernando DinizFluminenseLucianoSão Paulo

Tottenham’s unbeaten Champions League run came to a dramatic end at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night against PSG, but there were positives to take from the thrilling encounter.

The European champions were rocked by Thomas Frank’s plucky Spurs side, who gave Luis Enrique a real nightmare, with PSG mounting two separate comebacks to secure a pulsating 5-3 victory.

Midfielder Vitinha claimed a memorable hat-trick, with PSG having to rely on moments of sheer quality just to overcome the north Londoners in France.

Frank’s men stunned the home side by taking a deserved lead on 35 minutes through Richarlison, who headed home from close range after brilliant build-up play involving youngsters Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray. The Brazilian’s opener looked set to give Spurs a halftime advantage, but Vitinha crashed in a spectacular 25-yard equaliser via the crossbar just before the break.

Randal Kolo Muani

8.7

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

8.4

Vitinha

8.4

Willian Pacho

8.1

Joao Neves

8.0

via WhoScored

Tottenham regained their lead five minutes into the second period when Randal Kolo Muani fired home against his parent club, converting the rebound after Gray’s effort was cleared off the line. However, PSG responded immediately with a devastating 13-minute blitz that turned the contest decisively in their favour.

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Vitinha curled home his second goal after being afforded excessive space to cut inside, before Fabian Ruiz completed the turnaround six minutes later following a costly turnover from Pape Matar Sarr outside his own penalty area. William Pacho then extended PSG’s advantage to 4-2 after Tottenham failed to clear Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s corner adequately.

Kolo Muani bundled his way through to drill home his second goal with 18 minutes remaining, briefly offering Spurs hope of salvaging something from the match. Those aspirations were dampened moments later, when Cristian Romero’s handball gifted PSG a penalty, which Vitinha confidently converted to complete his hat-trick and seal all three points.

The loss was Tottenham’s first in nine Champions League matches and leaves them sitting 15th in the league phase standings. Despite showing attacking intent and twice taking the lead, Frank’s young side were ultimately undone by defensive lapses during crucial moments in the second half.

Kolo Muani’s man of the match display against PSG, a club he’s still under contract with, gave Spurs major hope that they could have the answer to their striking problems after all.

The Frenchman, who’s suffered repeated injury setbacks since joining on loan, bagged his first goals for the Lilywhites and proved a real mence against one of the continent’s top sides.

However, Kolo Muani wasn’t Tottenham’s only bright spark on the night.

Thomas Frank praises "very impressive" Archie Gray in Tottenham loss to PSG

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Frank reserved special praise for Gray, who linked up with Bergvall for Spurs’ opening goal of the contest and provided real energy in midfield.

The 19-year-old has spent most of this season out with a calf injury so far, and before that, found it hard to get consistent first-team minutes with Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr and Bergvall all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Much like last season, Gray responded with a solid performance when called upon last night, and it could be time for the Englishman to earn Frank’s starting nod much more often.

The former Leeds United sensation was given a baptism of fire under Ange Postecoglou last season when asked to play multiple unfamiliar roles during Spurs’ 24/25 injury crisis, and he’s done arguably done enough to earn the club’s favour.

With the 2026 World Cup just round the corner, Gray will be hoping that he can potentially stake his claim in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, but he’ll need Frank’s faith with more game time.

Cameron Green will feature for WA after his minor side injury while Brendan Doggett returns for South Australia

Andrew McGlashan26-Oct-2025Matt Renshaw will make a short turnaround back into Sheffield Shield action for Queensland in a bid to push for Ashes selection in the round of games which will determine Australia’s squad for the first Test against England.Renshaw, who scored a maiden ODI half-century at the SCG on Saturday, flew back home the day after the game and was due to train with his state on Monday before facing a New South Wales side that will include Steven Smith as he ramps up his Ashes preparation and Sam Konstas, who has one game left to save his Test spot.Renshaw began his Shield season with a century against Tasmania before missing the second round due to his ODI call-up. While not a frontrunner, he could still force his way into the Test squad, particularly with the versatility he provides as a batter.Related

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Against NSW, he will likely open alongside Usman Khawaja, who plays his third Shield match of the season. Meanwhile, Michael Neser, who could well play a role in the Ashes, is being rested for this round leaving Queensland with a depleted attack due to injuries.”I’m ready for Tuesday… I think it’s the same cricket ball, it’s just a different colour,” Renshaw said, downplaying the Ashes chat. “My batting, if I’m showing good intent, whatever format that may be, it’s obviously the different shots that you need to play in red ball.”My feet are feeling really good against the quicks, spin is feeling good. So hopefully I can score some runs in the next Shield game and win a game for Queensland.”Currently, Renshaw’s Queensland team-mate Marnus Labuschagne, who will also face NSW, is favourite to open against England after a prolific start to the summer although much still depends on Cameron Green’s status as a bowler and the knock-on impact to Beau Webster’s role.There will be much interest in Cameron Green’s bowling loads over the next few weeks•Getty Images

Green is set to play for Western Australia against South Australia at the WACA having missed the India ODIs due to side soreness. Selectors were quick to downplay concerns over Green’s fitness but it remains to be seen how much he bowls against SA having sent down just four overs so far this season, 12 months after undergoing back surgery.Further interest in the Perth fixture will come with the presence of Brendan Doggett, who will play his first game of the season after a hamstring injury. He is firmly in contention as a fast-bowling reserve for the Ashes having been part of the World Test Championship squad earlier this year and originally been due to tour West Indies before injury.Another significant match takes place at Junction Oval in Melbourne where Jake Weatherald will be looking to back up his excellent 94 against WA, which kept his name in the frame for a maiden call-up. He won’t have to battle Scott Boland, who is being rested for this round, but will still face a strong Victoria attack.Webster will also feature for Tasmania after overcoming the ankle injury which kept him out of the first two Shield matches. He has been assured of his place in the Test squad by chair of selectors George Bailey and the uncertainty over Green increases the likelihood of him retaining his spot. Being omitted would be harsh for a player who has started with four half-centuries in seven matches in a variety of tricky batting conditions.Among others who will be part of the Test squad, Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood remain with Australia’s T20I side to face India. Hazlewood, who suffered a cut finger late in the third ODI at the SCG, will drop out after the first two matches in Canberra and Melbourne to prepare for the Shield match against Victoria in Sydney ahead of the first Test. Mitchell Starc, who has retired from T20Is, will also play that match in his build towards Perth.Queensland squadMarnus Labuschagne (capt), James Bazley, Jack Clayton, Benji Floros, Lachlan Hearne, Hayden Kerr, Usman Khawaja, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Sam Skelly, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Hugh WeibgenNew South Wales squadJack Edwards (capt), Ollie Davies, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Ryan Hicks, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon, Kurtis Patterson, Ross Pawson, Will Salzmann, Steve Smith, Charlie StoboWestern Australia squadSam Whiteman (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Joel Curtis, Albert Esterhuysen, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Matt Kelly, Corey RocchiccioliSouth Australia squadNathan McSweeney (capt), Jordan Buckingham, Brendan Doggett, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Conor McInerney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry ThorntonVictoria squadWill Sutherland (capt), Sam Elliott, Harry Dixon, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Blake MacDonald, David Moody, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Mitch PerryTasmania squadJordan Silk (capt), Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jake Doran, Kieran Elliott, Bradley Hope, Caleb Jewell, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Riley Meredith, Tim Ward, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

Could he be more productive? Should he be more selfish? Beauty of Test cricket is there’s always room for more of both

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Jun-20253:26

Harmison: Not sure India believed they could get Duckett out

As a batter, the beauty of Test cricket is that it is a code of the sport where individual success has a greater onus on the team’s success.Such traits do exist in white-ball cricket. But the way line-ups are pieced together, with precise skillsets required for clearly defined roles, batters can bat too long, too short, and face strike too little or too much to knock whole plans out of joint. In the red-ball game, however, when you are, let’s say, faced with a chase of 371, greediness is welcome. Where Test history is concerned, the one with themselves in mind can be king.And so there was Ben Duckett, about half-an-hour after the 6.29pm finish, metaphorical crown on his head, very real magnum of bubbly in his hands. A sixth Test hundred – 149, his third-highest score – had him as Player of the Match after England’s second-highest successful chase. Greed had served him well, siphoning off almost 40% of the runs for himself, and standing out in a Test with five other centurions, one of whom had two.Related

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Duckett 149 lays the foundation as England hunt down 371

England were cruising while Duckett was at the crease. The initial contrast with his opening partner Zak Crawley was clear. A stand of 188 in which Crawley, the one with the license to thrill, provided just 65, having posted his slowest half-century from 111 deliveries while Duckett had taken just 55 for the second half of his full one.The sketchiness when he departed, however, underlined his bombast and brilliance, having left just 118 for the rest to clear. As he watched on from the balcony, it was akin to the sporting equivalent of earwigging your own funeral. The situations beyond his innings confirmed the scale of its quality.Ben Stokes’ approach to playing the reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja – half of his 16 shots botched, just eight runs from the shot – highlighted just how good Duckett had to be to score 31 from 12 attempts. There were six boundaries among them, including the four that took him to three figures from 121 deliveries, and a ludicrous flat six over cover point. Tuesday was the seventh time Stokes has been dismissed by Jadeja. Duckett has not only avoided such a fate but boasts the highest strike rate of anyone to have faced the left-arm spinner.The reverse sweeps might not have come through for Stokes, as he scuffed one to opposition skipper Shubman Gill at short third. But it was more effective than his neither forward nor back approach before tea, which produced the odd pop up to keep the close fielders interested. As it happens, the shift in method came after seeking inspiration from Duckett, who by now had showered, got into his training gear and was settling in to enjoy the culmination of a chase he never lost faith in. This was Stokes’ manor in 2019 and here he was six years later, asking someone else for directions.Ben Duckett rolls out a reverse-sweep•Getty Images”I actually spoke to him when we came off for that tea break,” revealed Stokes later. “He’s one of the best in the world at reverse sweeps, sweeps, a fantastic player of spin, particularly on really tricky surfaces. I had a little word with him about what he thought I could potentially look at doing a little bit better, to give myself a better chance.”Part of Stokes’ desired hurry-up was related to the eventual return of Jasprit Bumrah, with 102 still to get in the final session. Duckett was the only one to not just sit on him, though he blocked – and even left – some of the 33 dots of the 49 deliveries exchanged. But among the other 16 was a four punched down the ground – something which no one else had done. Partly it was because the Indian great thought pushing for the stumps was a tactic, because other avenues had been exhausted. So came a flick through midwicket. A retaliation bumper, pulled off the nose, all-but ended Bumrah’s threat with the first ball.The 31-year-old bowled three more overs with it after Duckett had chipped Shardul Thakur to cover. Stokes and Joe Root bunkered down, taking just two singles. Part of that was down to lacking the hold Duckett seems to have over Bumrah, which, since the start of 2024, amounts to scoring more runs against him – 110, off 170 deliveries, for three dismissals – than any other batter.But the lack of intent to Bumrah was also because England were ahead of the game, and risks were unnecessary. Duckett had taken them all for himself. His dismissal as the third wicket came midway through the 55th over with 253 on the board. It meant India needed snookers to protect as much of the remaining 118 to ensure they could make the second new ball count.3:52

Stokes: Always try and keep everyone calm in chases

In the end, it was used for just two overs, bowled by Mohammed Siraj and Jadeja. As Jamie Smith blitzed the stands to confirm the win with Bumrah left grazing on the leg-side boundary, England’s joy was enhanced. The three “Bumrah Tests” were always going to be that little bit more important. This opening victory came with a welcome sense that the next two may not be as treacherous as first feared after a wicketless 19 overs when he was needed most.There’s a strong argument that Duckett is the best multi-format batter in the world right now. The problem is such debates tend to elicit the kind of tedious back and forth that last long enough for a drop in form.But fresh from what ranks as his greatest knock, in one of England’s best wins, let’s lay a few things down. Like the fact that, since his return to the Test side for 2022’s tour of Pakistan, only Root has been more productive. And yes, while England do play a lot of Test cricket, Duckett’s average in that time – 47.37 – is higher than both Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja, who have played as many as his 30 matches.There’s also the fact that he is now averaging more as an opener (44.98) than Alastair Cook (44.86). One of Brendon McCullum’s favourite lines is that opening the batting in England is so hard that the last two to do it well – Cook and Andrew Strauss – were knighted.1:53

Did we see a refined version of Bazball?

From another Sir dumping a drink over his head on the 2017-18 Ashes tour (James Anderson), to sword-on-the-shoulder numbers, Duckett’s journey to this point has not been straightforward. Time coming back from a chastening first go in Tests, time on the naughty step, time under the knife for a ring-finger injury in 2018, and time reworking a grip corrupted by an early return to action have been drivers towards this incredible purple patch. If ever there was someone who was not going to take any of this for granted and make up for what he might have lost, it is him.Which brings us to the drop on 97. A genuinely hair-raising moment for English observers when Siraj was hooked out to Yashasvi Jaiswal at deep square-leg, it signified that Duckett may not be greedy enough.Even with 167 on the board, the focus was on building a bigger platform and further demoralising an India attack for his team-mates’ benefit. An attack that was gradually realising the consequences of its own errors with the bat in the first and second innings.Could he be more productive? Should he be more selfish? The beauty of Test cricket is that there is always room for more of both, hand in hand. Right now, though, Duckett is not just doing more than most, he’s doing it better than some of the best, and on the path to joining them outright.

Christian Benteke has publicly thanked D.C. United and its supporters after the club declined his contract option for 2026, he said in messages to fans. The club had previously indicated it was in talks over a potential new deal, but the 34-year-old Belgian – who has spent three seasons in the nation’s capital – posted a farewell note, signaling his departure.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Thank you to D.C. United'

  Although D.C. United had hoped to negotiate a new deal, the Belgian star and 2024 MLS Golden Boot winner used his farewell message to signal he is moving on. Benteke thanked teammates, staff, and supporters for their backing since his arrival in 2022, acknowledging the relationships he built in the capital and making clear that his time at Audi Field has come to a close.

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• Benteke’s impact during three seasons in MLS

  Since joining from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2022 Benteke has been a focal point for D.C.’s attack, scoring regularly and earning individual honours including MLS All-Star nods and a Golden Boot campaign. Across his D.C. United tenure he has contributed to 47 goals and 10 assists which includes a 30 goal MLS regular season campaign during the 2024 season.

• Impact on D.C.

  Benteke appeared an odd fit on a largely rebuilding team, considering his veteran status and production. D.C. last year finished last in the Eastern Conference with 26 points. 

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  Looking ahead for Benteke

  As Benteke contemplates the next phase of his career. With free agency looming and talks ongoing, Benteke now has several options: Sign elsewhere in MLS, or explore moves abroad.

With several senior players rested, and Maharaj to lead, rising stars like Brevis, Breetzke and Pretorius eye key roles in the road to 2027

Firdose Moonda26-Jun-2025South Africa’s young squad to play in Zimbabwe in a two-Test series starting on Saturday provides a window into their next-best, with regular captain Temba Bavuma out injured and five other regulars being rested. They will be without their top order as Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs have been given time off and their new-ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, while Lungi Ngidi will only join the squad for the second Test.That presents an opportunity for those just on the fringes of selection for the first XI to make their case to play for the Test champions, ahead of a tough next cycle. These matches do not form part of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship (as Zimbabwe are not a WTC-playing country) so South Africa’s title defence starts in October with an away series in Pakistan, followed by a two-Test series against India in India in November. They will not play home Tests until they host Australia in October 2026. The cycle also includes home series against England and Bangladesh and two Tests in Sri Lanka. Coach Shukri Conrad has cast the net wide as he seeks to build depth, starting in Zimbabwe. So who are the new and newish faces? We’ve got the cheat sheet (and what a possible XI could look like, in batting order) here:1. Tony de Zorzi or Lesogo Senokwane The regular opener for the bulk of the last WTC, Tony de Zorzi suffered a thigh injury ahead of the New Year’s Test this year, where Ryan Rickelton scored 259, lost his place in the final. In isolation, that would seem an unfortunate set of circumstances which should see de Zorzi back in the frame as the incumbent but he will have to work to get his spot back. Before the niggle, de Zorzi had scored 44 runs in six innings, a deflating return at home after his career-best 177 in Chattogram. His dismissals have exposed a defensive shortcoming, especially against the full ball on the drive and he will want to show that has tightened up. Another option would be to use Lesogo Senokwane in his preferred opening spot. Senokwane was the fourth-leading run-scorer in the first-class competition and could make his debut in Zimbabwe.Related

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2. Matthew Breetzke or Lhuan-dre Pretorius With one Test (and no runs) to his name, but a reputation for aggressive stroke play, this is Matthew Breetkze’s opportunity to show what he can do at the top of the order. He is 83 runs away from 3,500 in first-class cricket, including eight hundreds. So the pedigree is there but he may also be looking over his shoulder at the likes of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who could leapfrog him in the national plans. At just 19 and with only seven first-class caps to his name, Pretorius is being fast-tracked but not without proof. He scored three hundreds in seven first-class matches last summer, including an under-pressure knock in the final.3. Wiaan Mulder or Zubayr Hamza This is the least certain position in South Africa’s Test XI and Wiaan Mulder did not appear a convincing solution in the WTC final. His 50-ball 27 in the second innings has repeatedly been described by Conrad as crucial to stabilising South Africa’s chase but there’s little doubt more will be expected of him in that position going forward. Either Mulder will be given the Zimbabwe series to try and make the spot his own or it will be given to a more traditional No.3, like Hamza, who played eight Tests between 2019 and 2024, and averages 46.73 in the spot.4. Dewald Brevis Arguably, the most exciting of the batting prospects, it is a matter of when, not if, Dewald Brevis will play for South Africa. He made good on the reputation he carried from finishing as the leading run-scorer in the 2022 under-19 World Cup last summer when he was the second-highest run-scorer in the first-class competition, where he averaged 47.75 and appears ready for the next step. Sidenote: He (and we) have dropped the “Baby AB” moniker as Brevis looks to make his own name.Dewald Brevis appears ready for the next step•Titans/ Gallo Images5. David Bedingham Much like Mulder, this is the series for Bedingham to really take ownership of his spot. He scored a composed 45 in the first innings of the WTC final and was there, on 21, at the end but a Test average of 35.55 with one hundred does not do justice to his first-class numbers. Bedingham has over 8,400 runs at an average of 50.38 and with extensive experience on the county circuit, is seen as someone South Africa can build a batting line-up around.6. Mulder/Senokwane/Pretorius One of the top-order batters may have to move down to No.6, where they will have to play a slightly different but equally challenging role. Mulder may be the most likely, especially if he has a big workload with the ball and is being considered for a spot lower down the order in the next WTC cycle.7. Kyle Verreynne South Africa’s regular wicketkeeper was not given the series off and comes in as a senior player. With 25 Test caps, he is second only to Keshav Maharaj in experience and also the most in-form batter of the squad. Verreynne scored three centuries in the last WTC cycle and hit the winning runs in the final and heads to Zimbabwe with major confidence.8. Keshav Maharaj Bavuma’s unavailability has opened the door for Maharaj to captain South Africa, a lifelong dream for the left-arm spinner. He has led his domestic team, Dolphins, in seven matches and South Africa in seven ODIs and five T20Is and though it’s unlikely he will ever do the job long-term, it reinforces his role as part of the leadership core. Maharaj will have a massive role to play in the subcontinent in this cycle and this series is a good tune-up.Prenelan Subrayen has been preferred over Senuran Muthusamy•SA209. Prenelan Subrayen With the number of matches in the subcontinent in mind, offspin-bowling allrounder, Subrayen has been picked ahead of Senuran Muthusamy. Subrayen has 242 wickets at 27.94 and was the second-highest wicket-taker in the first-class competition in the 2024-25 season. He took 34 wickets in seven matches at 23.17, including two five-fors and will play a part in South Africa’s next WTC cycle.10 and 11. Corbin Bosch or Kwena Maphaka or Codi Yusuf Zimbabwe, and especially Bulawayo, is known to be slow and low and difficult for pace bowlers so whoever South Africa pick can expect to be challenged. Corbin Bosch has played one Test and was part of the WTC final squad and is likely to play. He brings express pace (140kph plus) and will lengthen the batting line-up. Kwena Maphaka, who is 19 and also has a Test cap, offers the left-arm angle South Africa are missing with Jansen out but his workloads will have to be managed, especially as he is expected to feature heavily across formats. Codi Yusuf is certain to debut, and could play both matches, after a breakthrough home summer. He was joint-fifth in the first-class competition bowling charts and has taken 17 wickets in four matches for Durham in the County Championship, including two four-wicket hauls.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been given a boost in their pursuit of a new goalkeeper, amid claims of an offer being made by Fosun.

Wolves’ search for new goalkeeper after Sa and Johnstone struggles

No club has conceded more Premier League goals than the Old Gold this season, with both Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa being used by former manager Vitor Pereira.

In the 11 top flight fixtures to date, Johnstone has made seven appearances, conceding 14 goals, whereas Sa has turned out four times, letting in 11 goals.

New manager Rob Edwards will have a decision to make ahead of his first game in charge against Crystal Palace on Saturday, but looking further down the line, it looks as if he is after a new first choice shot-stopper.

Two names have been mentioned since Edwards arrived from Middlesbrough, one of which is Manchester City’s James Trafford.

Down the pecking order just months after returning to the Etihad from Burnley, Wolves are one of numerous clubs keen on signing the £30m Englishman.

City are open to a loan with an obligation to buy or a permanent exit in the New Year, with one Wolves insider telling TEAMtalk: “We need a keeper who can grow with the team. Trafford fits the profile perfectly.”

An enquiry has even been made by the Old Gold, although Trafford has his eyes on a move to Newcastle in 2026.

Meanwhile, Lazio’s Christos Mandas is another option for Wolves and Fosun as they look for a new ‘keeper, with Wolves ‘offering an initial loan deal with an option to buy’ for the Greece international which could be worth up to £8m.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Mandas’ future, which looks likely to be away from Lazio if he gets his wish.

Wolves given boost in pursuit of Christos Mandas

According to a report from La Lazio Siamo Noi, Mandas is becoming a man in demand and has actually asked to leave Lazio in 2026.

La Liga side Getafe are in the race for the shot-stopper, alongside Wolves and their Premier League rivals West Ham and Bournemouth.

Mandas is expected to leave in search of more game time as he is yet to make an appearance in 2025/26 after featuring 18 times last season, nine of which came in the Europa League.

His agent Diego Tavano heaped praise on Mandas last year, calling him a “strong” and “great player”.

“Mandas is a strong player who had several suitors in Italy. Lazio were the fastest to act and he believed it was the right choice. Initially, the club considered sending him back to OFI Crete on loan, but then Sarri decided to keep him. He is a great player who has now established himself and I’m happy because it was not easy to fit in – he has been great this season.”

Wolves could be the club to offer him regular first-team football given Johnstone and Sa’s struggles and the fact Trafford doesn’t fancy a move to the Midlands.

Wolves now in advanced talks to sign maestro who could be Edwards' first signing