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Trey Yesavage made history during the Blue Jays’ win in Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers. The rookie, who only made his first MLB start in September and started the year at Single-A, dominated on the road in Los Angeles, striking out 12 batters across a seven-inning outing.

No one was more fired up for the 22-year-old than veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer. After a big double play got Toronto out of the seventh inning, Scherzer could be seen on the bench going ballistic. The 41-year-old was smacking the railing inside the dugout and proceeded to throw his sunflower seeds in excitement.

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Scherzer could then be seen speaking to Yesavage in the dugout, clearly still amped by his impressive performance.

When you have a three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion acting like that in the dugout, you know you’re putting on a show. And that’s exactly what Yesavage did on the mound Wednesday night.

The rookie had all three of his signature pitches working to perfection. His combination of his fastball, slider and splitter, mixed with his unique release point, was a puzzle the Dodgers’ lineup was simply unable to solve.

Scherzer was loving every minute of it from his viewing point in the dugout, and he couldn’t contain his excitement after the inning-ending double play.

Manchester City have entered the race to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, triggering what is expected to become a fierce three-way transfer battle with rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. The 23-year-old has rapidly evolved into one of England’s most complete young midfielders, and interest in him has escalated to the point where Forest now privately value him at £100 million ($132m).

• Premier League heavyweights prepare for bidding war

  According to City’s director of football Hugo Viana and manager Pep Guardiola are understood to be long-standing admirers of Anderson’s game intelligence. Club scouts have attended multiple Forest matches this season, keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s development as he cements himself in the England setup. Forest, for their part, have no intention of allowing him to leave in January. However, senior figures at the City Ground acknowledge that a substantial bid ahead of next summer’s World Cup could force their hand.

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  City’s midfield reshuffle & Anderson’s appeal

  City are targeting wide reinforcements for the January window, with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo under serious consideration at around £65m ($86m). Yet internally, plans for a midfield signing next summer are well underway, and Anderson is at the top of their list. His ability to operate as a No.6, No.8, or even in an advanced midfield role has impressed Guardiola, who sees him as a long-term addition capable of integrating seamlessly into City’s possession-based system. The Englishman’s adaptability is viewed as a major asset, especially with Rodri’s workload increasing and with the club seeking a younger midfielder who can mould into Guardiola’s philosophy.

  Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has been discussed, but insiders now believe Anderson offers a more complete package. Liverpool and United, meanwhile, have been tracking Anderson for months. Both clubs anticipate heavy midfield turnover in the coming windows and regard the Forest star as a cornerstone signing for the next generation.

• Tuchel's glowing praise on Anderson

  Anderson has grown into one of the most dynamic midfielders in the league, earning six England caps since September. Thomas Tuchel, his national team manager, offered glowing praise during the September break.

  "He’s just a very, very good football player," Tuchel said after the 2-0 qualifying win over Andorra. "He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see.

  "I think the team around him made it as easy as possible for him and he had a very strong performance. I think he showed today that he adapts to the situation. Can he show what he showed in training? Can he show what he showed with Nottingham and the under-21s? He played with a lot of freedom. He was very quickly in the flow. I think he has the physicality and he has the mindset to play in more difficult games."

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  Howe regrets Anderson sale

  For Newcastle fans, Anderson’s success elsewhere remains bittersweet. Eddie Howe has openly admitted that selling him was "a decision the club had no choice but to make," and still maintains hope that the midfielder could one day return.

  “I don’t know (if the move will happen), but certainly from my perspective I would love him to,” he said. “It is very regretful a player from the academy who had given so much, and the club had given so much to for him not to be utilised here is a real shame. We had no choice but to make the sale, but it was not one we wanted to do. It didn’t sit right with me then and doesn’t sit right with me today.”

  Speaking about his versatility, Howe added: "It is very difficult to define one position for him. There are not many players I can say that about. He has got unique strengths. He is very good deeper, but I can definitely see him playing higher up as an 8 or a 10, because he is very good in central areas.  But he's also good wide, like he was for us at wide left. He's a very talented technical player and can do anything he wants with the ball. Those players are very precious."

  Despite the noise, Anderson is keeping his head down. Speaking to , he outlined his goals for the season in typical understated fashion.

  "My biggest aim this season is to add some numbers [goals and assists] to my performances, that will probably take me to the next level," he said.  "I’m focusing on the next game and then the game after that, to try and make an impact. But obviously, all eyes are on the World Cup."

Australia Test allrounder Beau Webster took a wicket and got through 12 overs on return from an ankle injury but Tasmania team-mate and Test hopeful Jake Weatherald fell for a duck late on another day dominated by the bowlers at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.Eleven wickets fell on the opening day. Riley Meredith and Gabe Bell took three wickets apiece for Tasmania as Victoria were bowled out for 256 before Weatherald was caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Perry in the last over of the day. Tasmania finished 4 for 1 at stumps following a nasty two-over batting stint in the late evening sun.Weatherald’s untimely duck adds to Australia’s Ashes first Test squad intrigue when other opening contenders Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and Sam Konstas did not get a chance to bat at the Gabba as day one of the clash between Queensland and New South Wales was washed out.Webster’s return, however, was a positive for Australia’s selectors. He has not played a Sheffield Shield match so far this season due to an ankle injury he sustained while training ahead of Tasmania’s first match against Queensland. It had led to some concerns about his readiness for the first Test against England as Australia’s selectors ponder the make up of the top six and the need for two allrounders in the same side.But after chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed Webster was a lock for the squad in Perth, Webster made a solid return with the ball after opening the bowling for Tasmania when the coin fell Jordan Silk’s way.Webster initially bowled a five-over spell with the new ball before picking up the wicket of Marcus Harris in his second spell with a cracking delivery that pitched outside leg and nipped across the left-hander to scratch his outside edge.Beau Webster took a wicket on return•Getty Images

He bowled four spells across the day and finished with figures of 12-4-26-1. He also took a catch at slip but dropped another off Oliver Peake. He was fortunate that didn’t cost more after Peake and Peter Handscomb combined for a 100-run stand to rescue Victoria after Meredith, Bell and Webster had reduced them to 55 for 3.The pair batted exceptionally well in tough conditions. Handscomb continued his outstanding form grinding 48 from 157 while Peake played a gem in the conditions, striking seven boundaries in his 46. Both players opted to play off the back foot predominantly and Peake showcased some excellent cuts and pulls. But shortly after he offered a life to Webster at slip, which was a pretty straight forward chance that Webster would normally hold, Peake fell for a trap holing out to deep square of Keiran Elliott.Meredith then pinned Handscomb with an excellent inducker although the Victoria veteran might have got the 50-50 call go in his favour on height on another day. Meredith bagged two in three balls when Sam Harper meekly popped a catch to short leg.Victoria’s tail wagged with Perry, Will Sutherland and Fergus O’Neill all providing excellent contributions. O’Neill was unorthodox in his unbeaten 35 but he continued to show how valuable a competitor he is for his state.The innings dragged on long enough to frustrate Tasmania but was short enough to leave Weatherald and Caleb Jewell 12 balls to negotiate before stumps. Jewell got through the first six from O’Neill unscathed but Weatherald only survived two from Perry. The third pitched outside his leg stump, back of a length, and darted across him as he tried to work leg side. The thin edge was taken by Sam Harper.

As talks continue with Swansea City, former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos could reportedly be about to face an instant problem if he takes the job in Wales courtesy of the January transfer window.

It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks for Swansea, who are still without a manager after sacking Alan Sheehan before the international break. There’s no escaping the fact that they missed out on their top target, either. It looked as though they were destined to appoint Hammarby’s Kim Hellberg, before Middlesbrough came swooping in to hijack their deal.

Since then, those in Wales have been back to square one in their search and have reportedly held talks with Matos. The former Liverpool coach is currently the manager of Maritime in Portugal’s second division, but could now have the chance to take his first managerial job in England courtesy of Swansea.

It’s undoubtedly a gamble, given the 37-year-old’s inexperience in the dugout, but it’s one that Swansea may still take. And to Matos’ credit, Maritime have only lost four of the 12 games that he’s had in charge, highlighting exactly why he could be on his way to the Championship.

It’s no easy job in England’s second tier, however. Swansea currently sit as low as 18th and seven points clear of the dropzone. If Matos, or whoever it is in charge for the foreseeable future, does not get off to a good start then the Swans will be at risk of dropping down even further.

It’s a relegation battle that they could certainly do without if they want to keep their top players too, with one of their key men receiving interest from the Premier League.

Premier League clubs interested in Ronald

As reported by ESPN Brazil’s Felipe Silva, Premier League clubs are now interested in signing Ronald from Swansea in the January transfer window, sparking an instant problem for Matos. The winger is considered “one of Swansea City’s key players” and there’s no doubt that his exit would deal their survival chances a major blow.

Reporting the news, Silva said on X: “Brazilian winger Ronald, one of Swansea City’s key players, could leave the team that competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, in the next transfer window. The forward’s strong performances have sparked interest from some Premier League teams and clubs in the Middle East.”

With three goals and one assist to his name in a Swansea side which has struggled for goals in the Championship this season, the Brazilian winger could become his side’s most influential player under Matos.

At just 24 years old, there’s also every chance that the next Swansea manager could take Ronald to new heights in what would provide those in Wales with a much-needed, consistent outlet.

Swansea hold talks to appoint 4-3-3 manager who's worked with Klopp

Grace Harris holds her nerve at the death as Fire make mess of run chase

ECB Media09-Aug-2025London Spirit snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Cardiff to clinch a last-ball thriller against Welsh Fire in the Hundred and maintain their 100% record at the start of this year’s competition.Having been bowled out for 124, Spirit were staring down the barrel with Welsh Fire well set on 73 for 1 in reply, but the home side stumbled as the finish line approached and ultimately fell short.With just 24 runs needed from the last 20 balls, and eight wickets in hand, the result seemed a formality but Sophia Dunkley and Jess Jonassen fell as Spirit inched their way back into the contest, and Grace Harris held her nerve with ball in hand to defend seven runs from the final five balls.That the visitors were in the game at the halfway mark at all, despite having been bowled out, was predominantly due to Charli Knott, who made 47.Knott’s effort – for which she was awarded Meerkat Match Hero – knitted together what was a strange innings, with wickets falling in clusters. Legspinner Katie Levick took two in two and recorded figures of 3 for 26.Levick and her fellow bowlers would have thought they may have done enough, but while Welsh Fire looked favourites for much of the game – with Hayley Matthews and Dunkley classy as ever – they weren’t able to get over the line.It signals a second consecutive defeat for Tammy Beaumont’s side, but for Charlie Dean’s defending champions it’s top place and two from two.Match Hero Knott said: “I was definitely a little bit nervous out on the boundary there at the end. I think we knew we were in the game, Gracie pulled off a great over, and we’re very excited to get the win there.”It was a little bit tough when I started my innings. I tried to just get into my innings and hit the sweepers hard, and then I was able to cash in a little bit at the end. I think the wicket just held up a little bit, and we got caught out playing across the line a little bit so the gameplan was to hit the sweepers hard and it paid off for me in the end.”I think in close games like that everyone just has to try and stay nice and level. I think we knew we were in the game from the start, it wasn’t a road by any means, so everyone was on their toes hunting from the get-go, which was great to see. To pull off a win like that, everyone will be in high spirits, so we’ll take the momentum for sure and hopefully keep rolling through.”

أبدى الثنائي حسين الشحات وياسر إبراهيم لاعبا النادي الأهلي، سعادتهما البالغة بتتويج الفريق ببطولة السوبر المصري على حساب الزمالك. 

وتوج الاهلي ببطولة السوبر المصري على حساب غريمه التقليدي الزمالك، بهدفين دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين على ملعب آل نهيان بالإمارات. 

طالع.. محمد هاني يقدم وعدًا لجماهير الأهلي.. وجراديشار: جئت إلى هنا من أجل البطولات

وقال حسين الشحات في تصريحات على قناة “أبو ظبي”: “بدأت فترة التأهيل من الإصابة وسأكون متواجدًا مع الفريق قريبًا”. 

وأضاف: “عزومة ياسر إبراهيم للاعبي الفريق قبل مباراة الزمالك في الدوري، هذا اليوم فرق معنا وكانت توجد روح جميلة وكنا سعداء بهذا التجمع”.

فيما قال ياسر إبراهيم مدافع الأهلي على قناة “أبو ظبي”: “الفوز على الزمالك كان مهمًا للجميع والمنظومة بالكامل، فوز أتى في وقته”. 

وتابع: “شعرت أن اللاعبين يحتاجون إلى التجمع بعيدًا عن الكرة، لذلك قمت بتنظيم عزومة لهم قبل مباراة الزمالك بالدوري، كانت توجد ضغوط ولاعبون جدد انضموا للفريق ولم يدخلوا للأجواء بشكل سريع، اقترحت العزومة وتحدثت مع وليد صلاح الدين والشناوي”.

Brandon King, Kevlon Anderson and Johann Layne have earned maiden call-ups to the West Indies Test squad

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jun-2025There was no place for Kemar Roach in West Indies’ squad for the upcoming home Test series against Australia, although the hosts have strengthened their batting by bringing back Shai Hope and John Campbell. They have also given a maiden call-up to Brandon King and Kevlon Anderson, while the fast-bowling attack has a new face in Johann Layne. Anderson Phillip has been retained.The third and final Test of the series in Jamaica, which kicks off the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both teams, will also be a day-night Test. It will be the third day-night Test in the West Indies and the second at Sabina Park.Roach played West Indies’ last Test, in Pakistan, where he picked up two wickets in a 120-run win that squared the series. Only four wickets fell to quick bowlers in that game in Multan. Roach was in decent form in the Test series in Bangladesh prior to that, picking up nine wickets in two games. He has since played in the first-class West Indies Championship for Barbados and, more recently, for Surrey in the County Championship.WI vs Australia schedule

June 25-29 – 1st Test in Barbados
July 3-7 – 2nd Test in Grenada
July 12-16 – 3rd Test in Jamaica (day-night)

“Despite being under consideration, veteran pacer Kemar Roach has not been included and has been duly informed,” Cricket West Indies (CWI) said about the 36-year-old in a press statement.Layne, a 21-year-old fast-bowling allrounder from Barbados, came into the 16-man squad after picking up 63 first-class wickets in 17 matches. Trinidad & Tobago’s Phillip last played Test cricket in December 2022, the last of his two appearances, but was in the squad in Pakistan and has a five-wicket haul in the ongoing unofficial Test for West Indies A against South Africa A in Gros Islet.The lead spinners in the side are captain Roston Chase and vice-captain Jomel Warrican, while Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are the main quicks.The batting suggests a fresh start for the team after they finished one off the bottom – Pakistan were last – in the nine-team WTC 2023-25 table with three wins in 13 games.

“Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings”Daren Sammy

Campbell is back as an opening option after last playing a Test in June 2022, having served an anti-doping violation in the interim period. He was in good touch at the WI Championship to finish as Jamaica’s top-scorer – and seventh-highest overall – with 517 runs from 11 innings. Campbell and Anderson scored three centuries apiece in the competition.Anderson was one of the stars of the tournament, scoring 573 runs in 11 innings to finish as the third-highest run-getter overall, and Guyana’s best. King, a white-ball star who has turned out for West Indies in 52 ODIs and 63 T20Is so far, played four WI Championship games for Jamaica, scoring 242 runs in eight innings.Hope, an experienced Test-match player with 38 Test caps and a batting average of 41.85, last played a game in November-December 2021.Related

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“I’m excited about the inclusion of young prospect Kevlon Anderson, who comes in after solid seasons in our domestic competitions to help provide stability in the top order, while the return of Shai Hope is welcomed given his consistency in white ball cricket.” head coach Daren Sammy said in a statement. “Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings.”We analysed what the top teams in the world are doing and what is needed for us to bridge the gap. We have identified a direction, along with the group of players and resources to give us the best advantage as we seek to take the team up ladder and challenge the best in the world.”Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach and Mikyle Louis make up the rest of the squad, adding heft and experience. Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo, Kavem Hodge, Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair are the players to have been dropped from the squad that played in Pakistan. Da Silva, the wicketkeeper-batter, has been ignored despite finishing the WI Championship as it’s second-highest scorer (583 runs in ten innings), while another senior cricketer, Jason Mohammed, was overlooked despite topping that table with 679 runs in ten innings, inclusive of four centuries. Mohammed, 38, has never played Test cricket.Kemar Roach, 36, has been left out of the Test squad in favour of younger fast bowlers•AFP/Getty Images”The start of the [WTC cycle] is critical to building positive momentum as we strive to work our way up the rankings. Beginning with a strong showing against a team like Australia would be ideal in our quest to bring West Indies back to the helm of Test Cricket”, CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said. “It was imperative that we sought to put a squad together that was well equipped, in both and the batting and bowling departments, to manage the ebbs and flows of this format of the game, while possessing the ability to apply pressure in key phases, through disciplined, purposeful play.”Sammy, asking for patience from fans towards the players and the team, promised exciting cricket in the series.”I am truly looking forward to this series because we want to start off strongly and make our home turf a fortress during this cycle, while having our passionate and proud fans behind us,” he said. “The matches will be challenging but I believe in this core of players, and they are eager to wear the maroon and make our fans happy.”West Indies squad for Test series against AustraliaRoston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales

انتقد كيكي سانشيز فلوريس، مدرب نادي أتلتيكو مدريد وإشبيلية السابق، تصرفات نجم نادي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، خلال لقاء الكلاسيكو أمام برشلونة يوم الأحد الماضي بالدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، موضحًا أن ما فعله الدولي البرازيلي خلال تلك المواجهة قد أضر بصورة الميرنجي.

فينيسيوس أثار الجدل خلال لقاء ريال مدريد وبرشلونة بالدوري الإسباني يوم الأحد الماضي بالليجا، حيث اعترض وبشدة على تبديله في شوط المباراة الثاني ولم يصافح المدرب تشابي ألونسو، قبل أن يعود مرة أخرى للتواجد على دكة البدلاء.

ولم يكتف فينيسيوس بهذا التصرف، وإنما دخل في شجار مع جناح برشلونة، لامين يامال، عقب نهاية المباراة، قبل أن يتدخل لاعبو الفريقين لفض هذا الشجار.

وقال فلوريس في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”: ”قضية فينيسيوس شاملة، وتصل إلى إدارة النادي نظرًا لتأثيرها على صورة ريال مدريد، إنها تضر بصورة النادي أمام ملايين الناس، ويجب اتخاذ إجراء”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. لاعب برشلونة السابق مدافعًا عن لامين يامال: ركزوا معه في أرض الملعب

كما انتقد فلوريس رد فعل فينيسيوس مع زميله رودريجو والذي دخل بدلًا منه إلى أرض الملعب في الكلاسيكو، حيث أضاف: “التجاهل تجاه رودريجو الذي يدخل بديلًا والذي تتشارك معه كل شيء يوميًا ودائمًا، يؤثر على اللاعبين، وهذا أمر يجب على القادة أو اللاعبين في ريال مدريد حله”.

وأوضح: ”هناك قلة احترام للمدرب تثير التساؤلات ليس فقط حول التبديل بل حول كل ما سيحدث بعده، لأنه لو كان كوندي قد سيطر على الكرة جيدًا وسجل، لكانت النتيجة 2-2، وكان ذلك سيخلق انقسامًا حول ما إذا كان تشابي أو فينيسيوس على حق”.

واختتم فلوريس في حديثه: “ريال مدريد على عكس برشلونة لا يفقد التواصل مع اللاعبين أبدًا، وهذا فرق كبير بين الناديين، لأن برشلونة حتى وقت قريب جدًا، كان يفقد التواصل مع اللاعبين. لا يوجد شيء أفضل من أن يتم التواصل باستمرار بين اللاعبين والنادي”.

Playing his first match since October 2024, the highest speed he worked up against MI was 142.7kph

Sidharth Monga27-Apr-20251:30

Mayank Yadav’s variations impress Anil Kumble

Playing his first competitive match in six months, tearaway quick Mayank Yadav came back a much slower bowler. He returned figures of 4-0-40-2, bowled the first over of a T20 match for only the second time in his career, and took his first T20 wicket off a slower ball in matches that have a ball-by-ball record. The slower balls were the standout feature of his comeback; he has never bowled more in a single T20 match than the eight he sent down at the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.Eyes train on the speed gun whenever Mayank runs in to bowl. It was his high pace – a high of 156.7kph – and accuracy that excited the selectors, who gave him a special fast bowler’s central contract. But the high pace came at a cost: frequent injuries that hardly let him play longer formats. Eighteen of his 36 representative matches are T20s, and only one first-class.Mayank was primarily recovering from a back injury, and missed the entire 2024-25 domestic season. He was recovering at the BCCI’s Centre Of Excellence (CoE, formerly NCA) in Bengaluru. His return to action had been pushed back by “a week or two” when he stubbed his toe against his bed, and subsequently picked up an infection, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer had said in early April.It was apparent immediately that Mayank was going to ease himself back in after his latest injury cost him six months. The quickest ball he bowled against MI was 142.7kph, which often used to be his slowest pace. He added the smarts, though: after getting pulled for two sixes in the third over by Rohit Sharma, he slipped in a wide slower ball that gave him Rohit’s wicket.Despite that, Mayank remained costly, going for 13 runs in his second over, and 15 in his third over. However, he made a stellar comeback in the 16th, getting Hardik Pandya out bowled top of leg stump with a reversing delivery, and then tying up Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir with slower balls. His final over conceded no boundary.”It’s going to take a while,” Anil Kumble said of Mayank’s journey to be the bowler he once was, “But very impressed. For a first game, after a long time, especially against a really good batting line-up, Mumbai Indians, a good surface, Wankhede, you know as a bowler, irrespective of when you are playing at the Wankhede, you don’t have too many margins of error. So knowing all of that and coming back from injury, he was very impressive.”He picked up two important wickets, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. I thought the lengths that he bowled and the variations that he provided, was really good.”If Mayank has found himself a more sustainable bowling action, he can work on his strength to add a few clicks to his early 140ks on his comeback. However, there is a big difference between the early 150s and mid-140s, which will call for much more accuracy, control and movement to be effective at the top level.

Captain says the league will help players fine-tune their game and improve their fitness in the free window after the tournament

Vishal Dikshit05-Feb-2025India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes the upcoming WPL will “play a very big role” in the lead up to the home ODI World Cup later this year, as the T20 league will help the India players fine-tune their game and “raise” their fitness levels in the free window after the tournament. This year’s World Cup will be the first time Harmanpreet will lead India in the 50-over tournament.The five-team WPL will run from February 14 to March 15 across four cities in India for 20 league matches and two knockout games. The India players will then have a gap of over three months before they head to England for five T20Is and three ODIs. They will then have another gap for nearly two months. As per the FTP, their next assignment will be of three homes ODIs against world champions Australia in late September and then the 50-over World Cup at home in October.Related

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Some of the India players are nursing injuries and could also use the WPL to regain and prove their match fitness.”I think this WPL is going to play a very big role because this year we have ODI World Cup,” Harmanpreet said at a press conference in Mumbai. “After the WPL, we have a very good window where we can work on our fitness and raise our fitness level. I think that gap will really help us to work really hard on ourselves.”India had failed to make the semi-finals in the last ODI World Cup, in early 2022 in New Zealand, under the captaincy of Mithali Raj.Harmanpreet was asked about India’s busy schedule at the turn of the year when they played back-to-back series against Australia (away), West Indies (home), and Ireland (home) and if that might have played a role in players having to manage their workload.Harmanpreet herself sat out of two of the three T20Is against West Indies followed by the three ODIs against Ireland. India also played all those series, after the T20 World Cup, without the injured Pooja Vastrakar whose fitness is being monitored by Mumbai Indians for her participation in the WPL. Some other players such as Yastika Bhatia, Shreyanka Patil and Priya Punia had also missed the West Indies games in December because of injuries, and have not played since then. Like Harmanpreet, India had also rested their lead fast bowler Renuka Singh for the Ireland ODIs last month.”See, as a cricketer, we really want our schedule to be packed and injuries are something which is part of the game and sometimes these are not under your control,” Harmanpreet said. “But as a cricketer, we don’t want to miss any tournament. But really happy [with] the way we are getting our schedule really packed and playing back-to-back cricket and that is something as a player, as a captain I’m enjoying. And good to see the last series went really well.”A few young players got opportunity and they did really well, played very impressive cricket. This season and this year is going to be very exciting because [of the] home World Cup and then we have really exciting cricket in front of us after the WPL. Hopefully we gel well as a team and do what a team requires and play some good cricket.”