Tino Best has been recalled to the West Indian squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Kingston, as a replacement for his fellow Barbadian Fidel Edwards, who suffered a strained hamstring during their 276-run victory in the first match at Bridgetown.Best is the only change to the side that ended West Indies’ run of 10 defeats out of 12 in all forms of the game this season. Edwards will be sidelined for at least ten days, but Ian Bradshaw has fully recovered from the viral infection which ruled him out of the first match. Dwayne Bravo, meanwhile, is undergoing treatment on an ankle injury.West Indies’ convenor of selectors, Joey Carew said he was “very elated” about the first-Test victory and hoped that it was a sign of better things to come. “The team played hard and got the rewards for their efforts,” he said. “I agree with coach that a lot of work still has to be done but there is a little light at the end of the tunnel.”West Indies squad Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Courtney Browne (wk), Corey Collymore, Daren Powell, Reon King, Ian Bradshaw, Tino Best.
Day 2 of 4Victoria 7 for 252 (Hodge 125, McDonald 51*) trail Tasmania 341 by 89 runs ScorecardTasmania were focused on securing the vital first-innings points against Victoria on the second day of the decisive-round Pura Cup clash at the Bellerive Oval. Victoria were 7 for 252 at stumps in reply to the Tasmanian first-innings total of 341.Two first-innings points would improve Tasmania’s prospects of a final berth against the runaway leaders Victoria. “We would have liked to have taken another wicket today, but at the start of the day we would have certainly taken that score,” said Brian McFadyen, the Tasmanian coach. “Certainly, I think one more wicket will break it open and I would expect that we’d get through the last few really quickly. We do bowl well at the tail, as a rule.”A week out from the Melbourne final, second-placed Tasmania need to fend off a challenge from rivals Queensland and NSW. NSW were 4 for 177 at stumps today at the SCG in reply to Queensland’s 9 for 418 declared, with rain forecast for the weekend.McFadyen said the Sydney showdown was “hard to ignore, but it is certainly not our major focus. I do truly believe that we’ve got the second-best side in the competition so far and I do believe we deserve the opportunity to take [Victoria] on in the final.”Shane Watson did his bit for Tasmania’s finals campaign today when he snared the coveted scalp of Brad Hodge. Hodge posted his fifth hundred of the season en route to 125 before he was dismissed by Watson, who has been cleared to bowl on a daily basis after suffering a debilitating back injury. Watson finished the day with 2 for 57 off 18 overs.The innings started badly for Victoria when their top runscorer of this season, Matthew Elliott, was caught by Dan Marsh at first slip off Damien Wright for 1. It was quite a coup for Wright, who has been receiving injections to deaden the pain of a nagging left-knee injury.Matthew Mott, his fellow opener, was next to go when he fell lbw to Gerard Denton for 10. Andrew Downton, the left-arm fast bowler, nailed David Hussey (7) and Cameron White (2) to achieve the respectable figures of 2 for 51 off 18 overs.
It was a full day of absorbing Test cricket at Newlands after South Africa declared at tea on a daunting 620 for seven, and Pakistan fought back to end on 141 for 1.Play began five minutes early to make up for the over lost last night after 70 minutes of overtime, with the home side on 445 for 3 looking to get some quick runs.That was not to be, as the Pakistani fast bowlers bowled on a line and length to slow the scoring down, picking up wickets at regular intervals.Mohammad Sami was the first to strike, forcing Jacques Kallis to go back to one that nipped in from the off to be adjudged lbw in the 6th over of the morning. South Africa were 463 for 4.Neil McKenzie joined Boeta Dippenaar and they batted on carefully, hitting the bad balls. After 100 overs, with Saqlain brought on for the first time, the pair had taken the home side to 476/4.In the 106th over the South Africa 500 came up as McKenzie steered Waqar to fine leg. For the 108th over Waqar took himself off after bowling unchanged all morning, and tossed the ball back to Sami to bowl with Saqlain from the Kelvin Grove End.Waqar rotated his four-man attack well, and the feature for Pakistan was the return to form of Mohammad Zahid.Just before lunch there was some drama when Saqlain Mushtaq got a ball to straighten and all the Pakistan close fielders went up for what looked a certain lbw, but the umpire thought otherwise.Lunch was taken at 531 for four, and in the hour afterwards South Africa scored steadily. The sun came out as McKenzie reached his 50, but Zahid tucked him up getting one to straighten in the 122nd over and he edged it off the face of the bat to the keeper. The partnership had added 85, and everyone was expecting some quick runs from Boucher.Zahid beat him a few times but it was Saqlain who got him, as he went for a huge slog sweep that missed and the ball hit leg stump. Saqlain added Dippenaar’s wicket when he top edged a pull for Kamran Akmal to take it easily, running to short mid-wicket, and South Africa were seven down for 594.Skipper Pollock came in with all expectations for quick runs and a possible declaration at tea. He did not disappoint, and at 620/7 decided to forget getting to a record 622 and declared, wanting to bowl at Pakistan for about 15 minutes. Saqlain had taken three wickets but gave away 237 runs in his 50 overs. Interestingly Mohammad Zahid came good for 2 wickets in 25 overs.South Africa’s score was the joint 3rd highest in a Test Match, only two runs short of their 622 for nine declared against Australia at Durban in 1969/70, four off the 621 for five declared against New Zealand at Auckland in 1998/99, and equal to the 620 all out against Australia at Johannesburg in 1966/67.After tea Taufeeq Umar and Saleem Elahi came out to face Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini. The wicket played straight, and saw out 12 overs playing slowly and carefully.Then in the 13th over Pollock got some extra bounce on off stump and Saleem Elahi was not good enough to cope, steering a catch to Smith in the slips with the score on 36.Younis Khan joined Taufeeq, who took charge with several good looking drives, reaching his fifty in the 22nd over pulling a short one from Kallis. A good knock in 98 minutes laced with 8 fours.Taufeeq and Younis Khan batted out the day to set up a record 105 second-wicket partnership for Pakistan against South Africa, beating the 101 set by Saeed Anwar & Aamer Sohail at Durban in 1997/98. They are still there for tomorrow.Ntini and Pollock bowled well with support from Kallis and Boje. The crowd must have enjoyed the cricket, and at the close after 45 overs Pakistan trail by 479 with 9 wickets in hand.Their chances of saving this Test hinge on the morning session, and centuries are required from their middle order. Taufeeq remains on 85 (129 balls, 13 fours, one six) and Younis Khan on 44 (102 balls five fours).
Sadagoppan Ramesh must be feeling the heat. The left-handed opener from Tamil Nadu is under pressure to perform and would be under keen observation during the first Test against Zimbabwe starting in Bulawayo on Thursday.After a poor performance in the tour-opener against Zimbabwe A,Ramesh did score 42 and 52 in the three-dayer against CFX Academy but his effort in the first innings in Harare was at best scratchy.The latest threat to his opener’s slot has come from his statemate Hemang Badani who made the best use of the opportunity provided to him in the match against CFX Academy.Badani, also a left-hander, scored an unbeaten 112 in the first innings and retired after making an attractive 35 in the second when he was tried as an opener.Badani is yet to play in a Test and should Ramesh not deliver the goods in the first Test, the team management might be inclined to let him make his debut in the second Test as an opener.Ramesh’s opening partner Shiv Sunder Das too failed in the tour-opener at Mutare with scores of 4 and 12 but learnt his lessons quickly, making a stylish unbeaten century against the Academy boys. By deciding not to field Das in the second innings, the team management has almost cleared his name for the first Test.Such is not the case with Ramesh though he is most likely to play the first Test during which his performance will be critically examined.Coach John Wright has a very clear mind regarding what he expects from his openers. “We need a bit of consistency in that position. I would be very happy if we could go to lunch with only one or two down in the first session,” he said. “Just get through this session and see the new ball off and we have got the middle order to take advantage of that situation.”Ramesh has generally struggled outside his off-stump and has this in-built habit of pushing at deliveries. On wickets with bounce and a bit of seam movement, it is suicidal. He also appears uncomfortable against short, rising balls. But Wright said he was not worried about his style as long as he delivered.”Everyone has his own style. At the end, it is runs on the board whichcount. If he has it on the board, he has done his job for the team. I am not the one to object. People can play their own game and as long as they are consistent in their own way, and have done their job, that’s okay,” he said.Ramesh has so far aggregated 1125 runs from 15 Tests and 29 innings at an average of 40.18. He has two centuries and seven fifties to his credit but in the three Tests this year he has tallied just 61 runs.His partner Das, who made his debut against Bangladesh last year, has 396 runs from six Tests averaging 39.60 with a hundred and two fifties.The two are just beginning to find their feet in Test cricket and share a good understanding between themselves, a factor which Ramesh emphasises is very important for opening partners.”Unlike any other batting pair in the team, the openers start their innings together all the time. They need to spend good time with each other to develop a good understanding. We are doing it and it is beginning to reflect in our batting,” says Ramesh.”We start with the basic advantage of a right and a left-handed opening pair. There is another advantage which comes with our batting techniques. While Das is defensive, I tend to go for my shots. It doesn’t allow bowlers to quite settle down.”Off the field too, the differences arising out of the different regions they come from, are fast disappearing. They had shared the room during the Kolkata Test against Australia earlier this year and Das says he is quite happy being together with Ramesh.Wright conceded it were still early days for the pair and they had been working very hard. “Both are very talented and are the ideal left and right-handed pair. Yet it is early days, particularly for Das. Ramesh has impressive performances but it will be important how he does overseas, particularly in South Africa and England where the ball moves around and that’s a bit of a challenge, for both of them.”Indeed, Ramesh should treat it as a warning, what with Badani breathing down his neck now. Badani has proved himself a dependable bat in the one-dayers and is waiting for an opportunity in the Tests. What is more, he can also roll over his wrists and is a brilliant close-in fielder, certainly an asset to a team that goes into a Test with only four frontline bowlers and is at best an average fielding side.
After losing four Premier League games in a row, it was vital that Daniel Farke made changes to his Leeds United squad to give the side the best chance of survival.
The 3-2 defeat against Manchester City saw the German switch to a 3-5-2 formation, something which the side have stuck with in each of the last three outings.
The Whites have remained unbeaten in such fixtures, even claiming a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Elland Road at the start of December.
Draws against Liverpool and Brentford have moved the club three points clear of the relegation zone, with their fate now firmly in their own hands going into the Christmas period.
However, it could well be the end for one player in Yorkshire, especially considering the lack of action he’s endured over the last couple of weeks amid the formation change.
Brenden Aaronson’s struggles under Farke in 2025/26
Brenden Aaronson generated huge excitement at Leeds back in the summer of 2022, after the Leeds hierarchy forked out a reported £25m for his signature.
The American international has now racked up over a century of appearances in the White of the club, but he’s massively fallen below expectations in many of his outings.
He’s racked up nine starts in England’s top-flight this campaign, but has failed to start in any game in which the manager has utilised the new 3-5-2 formation.
The 25-year-old has only featured for a total of 43 minutes across the last four matches, with all of his first-team action coming off of the substitutes bench.
Aaronson featured for just 17 minutes in the recent clash, completing just six passes and failing to complete any of the crosses he attempted – showcasing his struggles in forward areas.
He also lost 100% of the duels he entered, whilst also committing a foul, with his small frame arguably a luxury rather than a necessity in the club’s hunt for survival.
The midfielder’s time on the pitch is no doubt likely to continue declining over the coming months, which could potentially lead to a winter exit away from Yorkshire.
The Leeds star who could now be on borrowed time under Farke
After spending over £100m on new additions during the summer window, it was always going to be a case of numerous players from the promotion-winning campaign dropping down the pecking order.
Joel Piroe is arguably the biggest example, with the Dutchman ending the previous campaign on 19 goals – the highest of any player within England’s second tier.
However, he’s featured in just eight league games this season, with only two of which coming from a starting role, subsequently highlighting his decline in minutes throughout 2025/26.
The striker isn’t alone in that department, with central midfielder Ilia Gruev another player who has been unable to replicate his best form from the previous year.
The Bulgarian joined the Whites in a £5m deal from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2023, subsequently racking up 60 appearances in his first two years in Yorkshire.
Whilst he struggled with injuries last season, he still managed to make 25 league appearances in 2024/25 – even managing to register two assists in the process.
However, like Aaronson and Piroe, the investment in his position has made competition for places that little bit harder, with the manager still now opting with a three-man midfield.
The arrivals of Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff have only pushed Gruev further down the pecking order, as seen by his recent lack of action under Farke in the Premier League.
Ilia Gruev – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
8
Matches started
4
Minutes played
389
Duels won
3.7
Aerials won
33%
Dribbled past
1.2
Interceptions made
0.9
Chances created
0.4
Stats via FotMob
He’s only started four times to date, but has also made four substitute appearances in such time, subsequently taking his tally of minutes this season to just 389.
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It’s a huge contrast from the previous season, especially after the manager himself labelled the 25-year-old as a “top player” – but ultimately, Farke has to do what’s best for the club.
When Gruev has had the chance to impress, he’s often struggled to match expectations, as seen by his measly tally of just 3.7 duels won per 90 – subsequently ranking him in the bottom 18% of midfielders in the league.
Other tallies, like 0.4 chances created and 1.2 times dribbled past per 90, showcase his all-round struggles in England’s top-flight, with the manager no doubt making the right call in dropping Gruev.
With January on the horizon, it would be a surprise to no one if the Bulgarian international were to depart Elland Road in the hunt for more consistent first-team minutes.
He and Aaronson could well find themselves closer to the exit door in the coming months, with both players evidently not at the level required for success in the Premier League.
Leeds star is fast becoming their best bargain since Pablo Hernandez
Leeds have now stumbled across their best bargain since Pablo Hernandez in this exceptional performer at Elland Road.
Chris Rogers dominated Victoria on a warm opening day in Perth as the visitors’ decision to bowl first at the WACA backfired. The Bushrangers wanted early wickets in their push for an outright win to move away from New South Wales, who they will meet in the final, but Rogers punished them with 166 and the Warriors posted a commanding 7 for 362.Allan Wise captured the early wicket of Justin Langer for 14, but the pitch did not offer the bowlers much assistance and Rogers combined with Shaun Marsh in a partnership of 146 that set up the innings. Marsh edged behind to Shane Harwood for 53 before Rogers reached his 24th first-class century on the way to his highest score of the season.Bryce McGain, who is being mentioned as a national spin candidate after Brad Hogg’s retirement, struggled in his first six-over spell, which went for 28, but he returned to remove Rogers, who struck a full-toss to Cameron White at midwicket. Rogers’ heavy scoring included 26 fours and one six and he managed to operate at a strike-rate of 75.11 from his 221 balls.McGain struck again when, four balls after Andrew McDonald had Marcus North lbw for 42, he confused Luke Pomersbach (13) with a short ball and trapped him in front. He picked up 2 for 60 from 15 overs and out-bowled White, who went for 29 from four.Harwood’s second wicket came with his first delivery with the second new ball when Luke Ronchi drove to Brad Hodge at gully and the Warriors had lost 4 for 37. Adam Voges (27 not out) was out-scored by the bowler Steve Magoffin, who picked up 30 before slipping four overs before stumps.
The State Championship final between Canterbury and Northern Districts was intriguingly poised at the end of the fourth day at Hamilton with all four results still possible on the final day. Michael Papps struck 96 to lead Canterbury to 249 for 6 in the second innings before a declaration left Northern Districts with a target of 374. At stumps, they were 65 for 1, another 309 runs away from victory.Canterbury began the day on 19 for 2 with an overall lead of 143. Papps and Brandon Hiini added 96 for the third wcket before Hiini was caught off Bruce Martin for 30. Papps fell just four short of scoring hundreds in each innings when Martin breached his defences with the score on 166. Chris Harris rallied with an aggressive 54 off 64 balls to boost Canterbury to 249 for 6 before the declaration came.Northern began their chase of 374 cautiously. Bradley-John Watling played 26 balls for four runs before Hiini trapped him leg before. Brad Wilson and Alun Evans remained unbeaten on 22 and 24 to see Northern Districts through to stumps.
Chris Silverwood, the former England fast bowler, has been released from his contract with Yorkshire by mutual consent and has signed for Middlesex.Silverwood made his debut for Yorkshire in 1996 and was one of a battery of fast bowlers which the county produced in the late 1990s. Darren Gough, Ryan Sidebottom and Steve Kirby all learned their trade at Yorkshire but have since moved on, leaving the club worryingly bereft of experience in their pace attack.Yorkshire’s loss is Middlesex gain, however, and Silverwood will play a crucial role for the London club who themselves have lost a number of important fast bowlers in recent years.”We are very excited that Chris Silverwood has joined Middlesex,” John Emburey, Middlesex’s coach, told the club’s website. “He gives our bowling squad the aggression that we have lacked in recent years and his experience will be of huge benefit to the younger players on the fringe of the first eleven.”He is still ambitious and believes that a good season with Middlesex could lead to him getting back into the England side,” he added. “At 30 he still has several good years in him and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Bangladesh have picked three uncapped players in their 16-man squad for the upcoming tour of England. Habibul Bashar has been retained as captain for the tour, in which they will play two Tests before competing in the one-day NatWest Series against England and Australia.Shahadat Hossain, the fast bowler, Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, a middle-order batsman, and Mushfiqur Rahim, the reserve wicketkeeper, were the three new players picked. The rest of the squad was on expected lines, with Mohammad Rafique and Enamul Haque junior picked as the main spinners.The naming of the squad came a day after Dav Whatmore signed a new deal that extended his contract by another two years, up to the 2007 World Cup. Faruque Ahmed, the chief selector, felt that Whatmore’s experiences with coaching Lancashire will hold the team in good stead during the trip: “The tour will be a tough experience for our boys because of the completely different conditions in England,” Ahmed told the Sky Sports website. “But we are now spirited by having our coach for another two years.”Bangladesh squad Nafis Iqbal, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar (capt), Mohammad Ashraful, Rajin Saleh, Aftab Ahmed, Khaled Mashud (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shahriar Nafees Ahmed, Mohammad Rafique, Enamul Haque jr, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Tapash Baisya, Anwar Hossain, Talha Zubair, Shahadat Hossain.
Ben Cameron, the 23-year-old batsman, has been added to the South Australian squad for the Pura Cup match against Victoria at the MCG next week. With Andy Flower still unavailable because of a broken finger, Cameron was the only change to the side which lost outright to the Bushrangers at the Adelaide Oval.Cameron has been in good form for his club side Tea Tree Gully, scoring 448 runs this season at an average of 64. He has also scored 371 runs at 46 for the South Australian second XI. He comes into the squad to replace David Fitzgerald, who was omitted.A South Australian Cricket Association spokeswoman said recent x-rays on Flower’s injured finger showed the fracture had not completely healed. “The splint is expected to remain in place for up to a further two weeks,” she said.Squad Darren Lehmann (c), Shane Deitz, Greg Blewett, Ryan Harris, Ben Cameron, Graham Manou, Mark Cleary, Mick Miller, Mark Cosgrove, Paul Rofe, John Davison, Shaun Tait (12th man to be named).