Nottingham Forest are now keen on signing a “magical” midfielder after conducting a scouting mission, according to a report.

Forest flying high in the Premier League

With just under half of the Premier League season left to play, Forest are flying high near the top of the table, sitting just six points behind league leaders Liverpool after the 1-1 draw last time out.

It speaks volumes about how much the Tricky Trees have progressed that some members of the squad were left disappointed by the most recent result at The City Ground, with Anthony Elanga saying: “I’ll be honest, it feels like a loss, I feel like it was there for the taking. But we will build on this, and I feel like this mentality shows how far we have come – the fact that it feels like a loss.

Nonetheless, Nuno Santo’s side remain in Champions League contention, and the manager is now weighing up new additions to help his team achieve their ambition of playing European football next season.

Related Nottingham Forest pushing to land £84m-rated star who's better than Luiz

The Nottingham Forest target has a release clause of £84m

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jan 14, 2025

Bringing in a new central midfielder appears to be one of Nuno’s priorities, and internal approval has now been granted over a move for Palmeiras’ Richard Rios.

However, Rios is not the only option Forest have in mind, as reports from Turkey (via Sports Witness) have now revealed they are keen on signing Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara.

Scouts were left impressed after watching Sara in action recently, but there may be competition for his signature, with other Premier League clubs conducting scouting missions of their own.

Any deal is more likely to take place in the summer than January, with the Tricky Trees yet to formalise their interest by making contact with the Turkish club.

Gabriel Sara impressing in Turkey

The Brazilian, valued at €23m (£19m) is enjoying a fantastic debut season in Turkey, picking up two goals and six assists in 16 league outings, while he has also made six appearances in the Europa League.

With Forest in a good position to qualify for Europe next season, Nuno may be keen to bring in players with experience at that level of football, so the 25-year-old fits the bill in that regard.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also tipped the maestro for success in the Premier League in the future, having made a real impact for Norwich City in the Championship.

Nuno may want to bring in another midfielder this month too, in order to aid his side’s Champions League hopes, but signing Sara in the summer certainly looks like it could be a good bit of business.

Unlike last year when all matches were hosted at a single venue, the men’s edition this season will be played in four venues

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2022

Fans will be back once again in the CPL after their absence in 2021•Getty Images

The 2022 edition of the CPL is set to kick off with the inaugural match of the women’s tournament – the WCPL – between Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals on August 31 in St Kitts and Nevis.This match will be followed by the opening game of the men’s edition on the same day at the same venue, where defending champions St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will take on Jamaica Tallawahs.The three-team WCPL – Guyana Amazon Warriors being the third team – will be played across four afternoons in St Kitts and Nevis during double-header days before the men’s fixtures in the evening and will end in a final on September 4. Unlike last year when all the matches were hosted at a single venue, the men’s edition this season will be played in Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and Guyana, with the impact of Covid-19 on the wane.CPL 2022 schedule

Women’s: Aug 31-Sept 4 (St Kitts and Nevis)

Men’s: Aug 31-Sept 4 (St Kitts and Nevis), September 7-11 (St Lucia), September 13-18 (Trinidad), September 21-30 (Guyana)

St Kitts and Nevis will host seven men’s games before the teams will move to St Lucia for eight matches. Thereafter, the competition shifts to Trinidad for eight more fixtures before ending in Guyana with seven league-stage games and the three playoffs, followed by the final on September 30.The 2022 edition will also see fans return to the stadium, unlike the previous edition which was played behind closed doors.”It is very exciting to be able to confirm the fixtures for this season with this announcement being all the more special with the WCPL taking place for the first time in 2022,” CPL CEO Pete Russell said. “We can’t wait to be back travelling around the Caribbean and we are looking forward to welcoming our wonderful fans back into the stadiums across the region.”Related

Three-team Women's CPL to run alongside men's edition in 2022

Hasaranga, Theekshana, Brevis set for maiden CPL stints

Chris Gayle opts out of CPL 2022, turns focus to 6ixty

CPL to launch inaugural T10 tournament 'The 6ixty' in August

The CPL, now in its tenth season, will start just after Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) new competition 6ixty ends on August 28. The 60 ball-per-side tournament, predominantly a T10 match but with several notable differences, will feature matches between all six men’s franchises and the three women’s teams. Recently, Chris Gayle opted out of CPL 2022, and said he will instead turn his focus to 6ixty.Knight Riders are the most successful team in the competition, winning three of the first nine seasons. Royals and Tallawahs will be looking to win their respective third titles in CPL 2022 while Patriots will be aiming to defend their maiden win in 2021. Warriors and Kings are yet to win a CPL championship.

Former WA opener was chairman of selectors between 1984 and 1995 and played a part in shaping Australia’s golden generation

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2022Former Australian chairman of selectors and Western Australia opening batter Laurie Sawle has died at the age of 96.Sawle played a significant role in shaping Australia’s great teams of the 1990s and 2000s, having been a national selector for 13 years between 1982 and 1995, acting as chairman for 11 of those years.He played a part in the recruitment of Bob Simpson as national coach in 1986 and then was a key figure in the selections of Australia’s golden generation, including Steve and Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne among many others. He was also an influential figure in the development of Australia’s Under-19 programmes and the Australian cricket academy in the late 1980s and 1990s, where a number of those players honed their craft.Related

The Colonel reflects

Sawle was nicknamed “Colonel”. He was born in East Fremantle in 1925 and served in the 7th Australian Infantry Battalion during World War II. He enlisted in January 1944 and fought in Bougainville as a teenager.He made his first-class debut for Western Australia at the age of 29 and played 35 matches, scoring 1701 runs at 28.83, including one century. He opened alongside one-Test batter John Rutherford while both were working as teachers at Kent Street High School.Sawle retired from playing in 1961 and applied to be a Western Australia selector in 1962, a role that he held until 1980. It was during this time that Western Australia won six Sheffield Shield titles, having won just one prior to that. Western Australia also won four 50-over titles in that period.Sawle was part of a selection panel chaired by Allan Edwards that fostered the careers of Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh, Kim Hughes, Terry Alderman and John Inverarity, who formed the backbone of some of those sides, with Lillee and Marsh becoming two all-time greats of Australian cricket.During Sawle’s time as Australia’s chairman of selectors, he served as the tour manager on the 1989 Ashes tour of England. He was credited with handpicking and rearranging the top six that secured a 4-0 series victory.Jack Clarke presents Laurie Sawle with a medal•Mark Dadswell/Getty ImagesSawle retired from the selection panel in 1995 but remained a devoted cricket watcher at the WACA until late in life. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1992 for his services to cricket administration. He was awarded the ICC Volunteer Recognition medal in 2009. Sawle is also a member of WA cricket’s gallery of greats and WA cricket’s best male player each year is awarded the Laurie Sawle medal. WA cricket CEO Christina Matthews paid tribute to Sawle after his passing on Tuesday night.”Laurie Sawle was enormous to the fabric of cricket in Western Australia for decades,” Matthews said.”He was an incredibly talented and devoted administrator who was prepared to back himself and others in, and his passion for cricket never waned. Even years after his retirement, we’d regularly see him at the WACA Ground cheering WA on.”The fact our highest individual men’s award is named after him speaks volumes about the type of character he was, and the legacy he left.”We were incredibly lucky to have him, and remain grateful for everything he achieved.”The WA Cricket community sends its thoughts to his three children Maryanne, Carmel and Mark and close friends in this difficult time.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo venceu a Universidad Católica nesta quinta-feira, por 3 a 2, em duelo suado e válido pela terceira rodada do Grupo H da Libertadores, onde o time do Paulo Sousa está com 100% de aproveitamento. O técnico comentou sobre as substituições feitas ao longo do segundo tempo, em que o Rubro-Negro sofreu uma considerável pressão dos chilenos, em Santiago.

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Paulo Sousa sacouGomes (no intervalo), Everton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique (na mesma janela, com 20 minutos da etapa final), Marinho, Pedro e Lázaro (na última janela de alterações, com 37’/2ºT). A fim de evitar polêmicas por ter tirado peças importantes, o Mister justificou caso a caso na coletiva:

João Gomes: “Em relação ao João e a todos os volantes, dentro do nosso jogo já uma necessidade física muito grande e uma necessidade de clareza mental no jogo. Não podemos esquecer que o João vem com muita minutagem acumulada a desgaste físico, e também com algumas queixas musculares, exatamente pelo volume de trabalho. A gente precisava de mais intensidade e frescor (na equipe), por isso tomamos a decisão por colocar o Andreas, que ultimamente vem tendo menos participações, para poder trazer mais intensidade. São posições que exigem muita intensidade e necessitam de frescor. Foi por isso que fizemos (a alteração).”

Everton Ribeiro: “Foi sobre tudo por opção física. O Everton tem vindo nos ajudar, tem vindo a recuperar, mas tem fortes dores musculares na panturrilha e está procurando recuperar para poder nos ajudar. Hoje foi um jogo difícil para ele, com muita pressão, muito jogo de costas, muita marcação.”

Arrascaeta: “O Arrascaeta teve uma contusão no músculo também, vim apresentando algumas dificuldades em termos de disponibilidade”.

Bruno Henrique: “Com o Bruno, a gente tinha pensado até mesmo em colocá-lo menos tempo do que ele jogou, pois a equipe precisa dele. Temos que seguir com cuidado com ele, para que ele fique o maior tempo possível a nível competitivo”.

Gabigol: “No final da partida, precisamos de alguém para ajudar no jogo aéreo e nas bolas paradas, como foi o Pedro, e que também desse alguma profundidade para fazer chegas as linhas mais próximas, de forma que a gente pudesse estar mais próximo da baliza do adversário do que da nossa baliza”.

> Fla 100%! Veja a tabela na Libertadores

Com a vitória em Santiago, o Flamengo segue com 100% de aproveitamento e tem a classificação encaminhada no Grupo H. O Rubro-Negro volta a campo, pela Libertadores, na próxima quarta, em Buenos Aires, contra o Talleres. No domingo, enfrenta o Altos, em Teresina, pela Copa do Brasil.

Liverpool were a day late and a dollar short in the Premier League last season, and in hindsight, the great Jurgen Klopp’s decision to stand down looks to have been the correct decision.

Arne Slot is thriving at the helm, lifting a gifted group of players and pushing them toward a top-flight title challenge and perhaps a shot at the Champions League trophy too.

FSG are stuck with a bit of a reputation for being overly wary in the transfer market, something that was reflected through Federico Chiesa being the only addition to Slot’s project thus far (he’s suffered with injuries and has only started one match).

But January. Ah, January. It’s a month for action, as far as the Anfield bosses are concerned.

Liverpool's best January signings

In recent years, Liverpool have pounced on multiple winter opportunities to strengthen their frontline, bringing in Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo in successive January windows. Both have been staples for Slot’s team this season.

Way further back, though, you’ll find the £23m deal to sign Ajax’s Luis Suarez was pulled off on deadline day in January 2011. The Uruguayan might not have lifted any silver but he’s an iconic Redman, one of the very best.

Of course, no January acquisition can confidently claim that they have been better, more transformational, than Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool’s all-powerful captain left Southampton for Merseyside in a £75m deal at the 2017/18 campaign’s midpoint, proving the catalyst for illustrious success.

One of the greatest defenders of his generation, the Netherlands titan is still starring for title-chasing Liverpool and is undoubtedly one of their most iconic players.

Now, Liverpool are eyeing up another exciting winter recruit in Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Liverpool's perfect Kvaratskhelia alternative

Paris Saint-Germain are looking to complete a deal for the Serie A leaders’ wantaway winger this month, but numerous sources – including The Athletic – report that Liverpool are attentive to the situation and could seek to hijack the deal.

Not to be pragmatic, but PSG are in control of the race as things stand, and anyway, Liverpool might be better off launching a bid for a Premier League star instead.

Indeed, as per Sky Sports this month, Liverpool have been monitoring Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and might be tempted into completing a deal, though the Bees would look to claim at least £50m for their prized forward.

Sky Germany have recently revealed that Arsenal have shortlisted the French forward and Newcastle United are known admirers too. If Liverpool have the funds to spend on such a player, why not act now?

Why Liverpool should sign Bryan Mbeumo

Mbeumo has gone from strength to strength under Thomas Frank this season, scoring 13 Premier League goals – a haul bettered only by Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.

Premier League – Top Scorers 2024/25

Rank

Player

Goals

1.

Mohamed Salah

18

2.

Erling Haaland

16

3.

Alexander Isak

13

3=

Bryan Mbeumo

13

3=

Cole Palmer

13

Stats via Premier League

Kvaratskhelia is the bigger name, to be sure, but Liverpool’s shrewdness might just pay off, should they move for Mbeumo. Analyst Ben Mattinson has actually hailed the French ace for emitting “Mane at Southampton vibes,” practically begging for a high-profile suitor to come along and place him in a more prominent position.

The 25-year-old has his prime years ahead of him, as did Mane when Liverpool snapped him up from the Saints for a £34m fee in June 2016, when he was 24.

Mane scored 120 goals and added 42 further assists across 269 appearances for the Anfield side, winning the whole gamut and being described as a “machine” in the final third by Jurgen Klopp.

Principally playing off the left, the Senegal superstar’s positional flexibility has been one of his main strengths throughout a storied and successful career, something that Mbeumo could emulate as his belated natural successor.

Mbeumo could further mimic the now Al Nassr player by arriving from a ‘lesser’ Premier League club and becoming one of Europe’s superstars, very much in line with the way in which FSG like to conduct themselves in the transfer market.

Moreover, Slot has shown that he’s partial to shuffling his forwards about, with Luis Diaz in particular playing regularly and with great success at number nine. This is something that Jurgen Klopp did with Mane, and Slot could now follow suit.

Mbeumo has properties that are well-suited to the striker’s department and boasts an impressive record when Frank has shifted into the number nine spot. Let’s not forget that Ivan Toney left last summer and took all his potency with him, but it’s scarcely been felt with Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa combining emphatically.

Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford Stats by Position (PL)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

60

22

17

Centre-forward

28

10

3

Attacking midfield

29

2

1

Stats via Transfermarkt

As per FBref, the £45k-per-week ace ranks among the top 5% of Premier League positional peers this season for goals scored (0.65) and the top 13% for crosses made (4.92) per 90.

He’s athletic and balanced in the execution of his attacking qualities, with the positional flexibility and, of course, innate goalscoring ability perhaps giving the claim that he’s got Mane-esque talents some substance.

Liverpool are looking for a new forward, with Kvaratskhelia as the name in circulation right now. However, Mbeumo might be the better pick, with the skills and style to make him Slot’s very own version of Mane.

Related PL club want him: Liverpool face their own Palmer disaster with "magic" ace

This Liverpool player has been linked with an exit and it would be a disaster for Slot’s project.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jan 10, 2025

Celtic dropped points in the Scottish Premiership for only the second time in 16 matches when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Dundee United at Tannadice Park on Sunday.

Their only other draw came against Aberdeen, a match that finished 2-2 after they went into the break at 2-0 up, and they remain nine points clear at the top of the table.

Brendan Rodgers was without some of his players for the clash with Dundee United, though, as Nicolas Kuhn, Auston Trusty, and Cameron Carter-Vickers all missed out through injury.

Celtic’s defensive record has been outstanding this season and that has been, in part, thanks to the likes of Trusty and Carter-Vickers at the heart of the defence.

Celtic's outstanding defence

The Hoops have only conceded four goals in 16 league matches, keeping 13 clean sheets, as Kasper Schmeichel has enjoyed a sensational start to his career at Parkhead.

Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and Trusty have all started at least nine league matches for the Scottish giants so far this term, and have all played important roles in the fantastic defensive record.

Appearances

Liam Scales (14)

Tackles per game

Auston Trusty (1.8)

Interceptions per game

Cameron Carter-Vickers (1.6)

Clearances per game

Liam Scales (4.6)

Blocks per game

Auston Trusty (0.8)

Aerial duels won per game

Liam Scales (6.1)

As you can see in the table above, all three of those centre-backs have excelled in different areas and Rodgers does not have one player in that position who has been a standout in every defensive situation, which illustrates the strength in depth.

However, there is one central defender in the squad who should finally be ditched when the January transfer window opens for business – Stephen Welsh.

Why Stephen Welsh should be sold

The Scottish defender started and helped Celtic to keep a clean sheet, albeit against a toothless Dundee United side, on Sunday but that was his first league outing of the season.

He had been an unused substitute in 13 of his last 14 appearances in the matchday squad, with his only other start coming against lower league side Falkirk in the League Cup.

This does not suggest that Celtic are getting value for money from Welsh, when you consider that he is reportedly earning more per week (£8.6k) than Scales (£5k), per Salary Sport.

Welsh, who is also worth 10 times less (€800k) than Trusty (€8m), per Transfermarkt, has only made 11 league appearances and started six games since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, whilst Scales has started 46 in that time.

Anthony Joseph recently reported that KV Mechelen have made a loan bid to sign the defender, who wants regular game time, and that Celtic are open to offers for the rarely-seen dud.

The Hoops must, now, push for it to be a permanent deal, or for them to cover all of his wages, as his lack of minutes on the pitch over the last 18 months shows that they are not getting value for money, given that Scales has been far more important to the team and reportedly earns less.

As well as Yang: Rodgers must drop Celtic man who lost the ball 23x

The Celtic star failed to make the most of his opportunity to impress Brendan Rodgers.

ByDan Emery Dec 23, 2024

Hopefully, a move away from Parkhead will also allow Welsh to play regular football and kick on his career, whilst also saving Celtic plenty of money in wages.

MatériaMais Notícias

O futebol nacional teve o noticiário tomado por uma treta entre dois dos principais atacantes do país. Primeiramente, Gabigolfoi irônico e disse quais seriam as consequênciascaso fosse ele o responsável pelo pontapé dado por Hulk no jogo contra o Coritiba, no último sábado. E Hulk respondeu de forma ácida, também nas redes sociais, citando até o “nível mundial” de ambos.

RelacionadasBrasileirãoGabigol ironiza e diz que iria ‘direto para delegacia’ se fizesse falta como a de Hulk; veja o lance!​Brasileirão25/04/2022BrasileirãoAntonio Mohamed diz que empate contra o Coritiba serve como aprendizado no Atlético-MGBrasileirão24/04/2022

– Quando congela a imagem, o ângulo pode parecer mais do que realmente é. Falta clara e na minha opinião, do árbitro e do VAR foi lance para amarelo. Meu foco é aparecer para mídia dando o meu melhor dentro de campo e ajudando minha equipe e não pegar embalo em alguém que tem muito mais moral que eu em nível mundial para aparecer! – respondeu Hulk, via Instagram.

E Gabigol não perdeu tempo. Novamente em seu perfil no Twitter, o atacante do Flamengo acredita que tenha faltado “interpretação” para o astro do Atlético-MG:

-Interpretação de texto não está tendo – escreveu o camisa 9 do Fla.

Interpretação de texto não tá tendo 😂 https://t.co/qBBm1muK6c

— Gabi (@gabigol) April 25, 2022

> Veja a tabela do Brasileirão

O lance que gerou todo o entrevero virtual ocorreu durante o segundo tempo do jogo entrerealizado Atlético-MG e Coritiba, emMinas Gerais, encerrado em 2 a 2, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.Hulk deu um pontapé em Willian Farias, por trás, e não foi punido com cartão vermelho pelo árbitroSavio Pereira Sampaio (levou o amarelo, considerado justo pelo atacante atleticano).

تواصل إدارة نادي الزمالك، تحركاتها المكثفة لحسم ملف المدير الفني الجديد للفريق الأول لكرة القدم، في ظل اتجاه قوي لإجراء تغييرات شاملة، على الجهازين الفني والإداري، خلال الساعات المقبلة.

ويُنتظر أن يشهد اجتماع مجلس الإدارة، المقرر عقده مساء اليوم، حسم العديد من القرارات المصيرية التي ستعيد تشكيل المنظومة الكروية بالكامل داخل النادي.

وعلم بطولات، أن أيمن الرمادي بات المرشح الأوفر حظًا لتولي القيادة الفنية للزمالك خلفًا للبرتغالي جوزيه بيسيرو، الذي اقترب من الرحيل، وذلك بعد تعثّر المفاوضات مع طارق مصطفى نتيجة تمسك إدارة نادي البنك الأهلي باستمراره وعدم السماح برحيله في هذه المرحلة المهمة من الموسم.

طالع أيضًا | رسالة غامضة من ممدوح عباس بعد تعادل الزمالك مع البنك الأهلي

ومن المنتظر أن يُسفر اجتماع اليوم عن الإعلان رسميًا عن اسم المدير الفني الجديد، مع اتخاذ قرارات تغيير جذرية في الهيكل الفني والإداري للفريق، حيث يتجه المجلس للاستغناء عن الجهاز المعاون الحالي، بالإضافة إلى إجراء تعديل على منصب مدير الكرة الذي يشغله عبد الواحد السيد.

ودخل الثنائي عبد الحليم علي وأحمد عيد عبد الملك بقوة ضمن الترشيحات لتولي منصب مدير الكرة في المرحلة القادمة، في إطار خطة إدارة الزمالك لإعادة ترتيب الأوراق وتجهيز الفريق بأفضل شكل ممكن قبل انطلاق الموسم الجديد.

The visitors are likely to test their bench strength as they target a 3-0 win in the ODI series

Mohammad Isam15-Jul-2022Big pictureBangladesh may have won the ODI series with an unassailable 2-0 lead, but Tamim Iqbal’s men will be determined to end a tough tour of the Caribbean – they lost the Tests and the T20Is – with a clean sweep in the 50-over format. For West Indies, the third ODI is an opportunity to break a ten-match losing streak against Bangladesh in the 50-over format.The visitors were precise in their planning and execution in the first two games. Tamim won both tosses and put West Indies in, after which his bowlers piled on the pressure by bowling a large number of dot balls in the first 20 overs. It forced the West Indies batters into playing big shots in the middle overs, and Bangladesh caught most of their chances to restrict the hosts to low totals.While they had allowed a late flurry of runs in the first game, Bangladesh shut down West Indies for 108 in 35 overs in the second ODI. Bangladesh’s bowlers have been clinical in the series so far: Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nasum Ahmed led the attack with superb spells, while Shoriful Islam took a four-wicket haul in the first game. Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed have also supported the unit well, and so has Mosaddek Hossain who opened the bowling in the second game.The Bangladesh batting hasn’t been tested like it was in the Tests and T20Is. Tamim provided quick starts in both games, while Najmul Hossain Shanto also contributed with runs. They haven’t had to set a target yet in this series, and the challenge of batting first is one to watch out for.West Indies, on the other hand, struggled twice while batting first. Shai Hope, who has a particularly great record against Bangladesh, looked out of sorts, and that has hurt the hosts. Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran have also been unable to contribute, despite having made runs in the Tests and T20Is earlier on this tour.Captain Pooran has a fight on his hands. West Indies have lost 10 out of 14 ODIs this year, and they haven’t beaten Bangladesh in this format since December 2018.Form guideWest Indies LLLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Bangladesh WWWLWIn the spotlightShai Hope’s ODI average against Bangladesh dropped from 94.75 to less than 80 after his low scores in the first two ODIs. Hope was the backbone of the West Indies batting in the previous two series against Pakistan and the Netherlands, and the hosts will hope that he returns to form to help them avoid a 3-0 drubbing.Shai Hope is bowled•AFP/Getty ImagesOffspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been the leader of Bangladesh’s bowling attack in this series. Ranked No. 6 in the world with an average of 19.00, Mehidy is Bangladesh’s top ODI wicket-taker since 2020. He’s Tamim’s go-to bowler in tight situations, and he’s also a handy batter and a gun fielder.Team newsThere could be an opening for 25-year-old batter Keacy Carty, who played against Pakistan recently, in the West Indies middle order.West Indies (probable): 1 Kyle Mayers, 2 Shai Hope, 3 Shamarh Brooks, 4 Brandon King, 5 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Akeal Hosein, 8 Keemo Paul, 9 Romario Shepherd, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Gudakesh MotieTamim Iqbal said that Bangladesh would look to give the players on their bench some game time, so Taskin Ahmed, Anamul Haque and Ebadot Hossain are likely to get their chances.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal (capt), 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Litton Das, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Afif Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Mosaddek Hossain, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Ebadot HossainPitch and conditionsA pitch in Providence is expected to offer turn for the spinners once again, like in the first two ODIs, and there is the threat of rain as well.Stats and triviaBangladesh’s only nine-wicket wins in away ODIs have both come this year: the first was against South Africa in Centurion in March and the second was against West Indies in the second match of this series. Bangladesh have won their previous ten ODIs against West Indies, dating back to December 2018.West Indies played a total of 177 dot balls in the first 20 overs of the first two ODIs in this series.Quotes “The most important thing is to test our bench strength. We don’t do it often in the Bangladesh team. I think it is completely fine for me to miss a match. If we don’t test our bench strength now, then when will we do it?”
“We are very disappointed. We can’t make any excuses. We have to find a way to counteract these spinners. The boys are trying, but it is very important to find a way to go forward. We got one more game to play, we continue to learn.”

The first-ever professional soccer team from Maine beat the USL Championship side against all odds in the U.S. Open Cup

• Hearts of Pine overcame red card and late deficit to force penalties
• Jake Keegan's dramatic chip in extra time saves the day
• Goalkeeper Hunter Morse plays hero role in shootout victory

• WHAT HAPPENED

  In a thrilling match that went the distance, Portland Hearts of Pine defeated Hartford Athletic 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time. The USL League One side overcame adversity, including a red card to Azaad Liadi in the 95th minute, to secure their place in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup. Hearts of Pine's success story is part of a broader trend in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, where lower-division and amateur clubs are making waves against professional opposition. That includes amateur side El Farolito, Virginia Dream FC, and Little Rock Rangers who’ve beaten professional sides to make it into the third round.

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• WHAT PORTLAND HEARTS OF PINE POSTED

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Portland Hearts of Pine secured a dramatic victory over Hartford Athletic in the U.S. Open Cup second round, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time. Hartford took the lead in the 107th minute through Jordan Jeff Chad-Ray Scarlett. Despite being down to 10 men after Azaad Liadi's red card in the 96th minute, Hearts of Pine equalized with a stunning chip from Jake Keegan in the 120th minute. Goalkeeper Hunter Morse then became the hero in the shootout, saving two penalties to secure the upset win for the USL League One side against their USL Championship opponents.

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• WHAT’S NEXT?

  Following their penalty win over Hartford Athletic, Hearts of Pine return to league football next as they face Spokane Velocity on April 5 next on the road. After that, they play another away game against South Georgia Tormenta FC on April 12 in an attempt to climb back up the table. The Hearts of Pine sit 12th on the league table, having earned one point from their only league game of the season so far.