After his public spat with Atalanta manager Ivan Juric, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly ready to accelerate their move to sign Ademola Lookman in 2026.

It comes as no surprise that those in North London have identified an attacking target. Thomas Frank’s side have lacked conviction at times this season, with their striker problem recently made worse by Randal Kolo Muani’s injury. Despite initial news indicating that his injury is not serious, reports are now claiming that the Frenchman has suffered a fractured jaw.

The injury comes at a frustrating time for the forward, who is yet to score a goal for Tottenham in a difficult run of form. Even in the middle of that form, however, Frank could do with having Kolo Muani available.

With Dominic Solanke still sidelined, the Dane has just Richarlison and academy graduate Dane Scarlett to call on against Arsenal in his first official North London derby in charge of Tottenham.

It’s an attacking problem that Spurs know they must address and club chiefs have already reportedly set their sights on Rodrygo to do exactly that. The Real Madrid star has an uncertain future in Spain after falling out of favour under Xabi Alonso and Spurs are reportedly willing to spend as much as £70m to secure his signature as a result.

There’s no doubt that the Brazilian would be a statement signing as one of the best wingers in the world, but he may not be the only one that the Lilywhites pursue in 2026.

In an attacking overhaul, those in North London have also set their sights on Lookman and are reportedly ready to step things up in the race for his arrival.

Tottenham ready to accelerate Lookman move

As reported by TuttoJuve, Tottenham are now ready to accelerate their move to sign Lookman in 2026 with the talented forward desperate to move on from the Italian club.

Spurs must sell £22m dud who's one of "the worst players at a big six club"

Tottenham need to make some changes in 2026.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 10, 2025

The former Fulham ace was denied a move away in the summer, despite handing in a transfer request, and has since fallen out with manager Juric and removed Atalanta from his Twitter bio. Ever since he was denied a summer switch, an exit has simply looked inevitable.

As the saga continues, it’s Spurs who are attempting to take full advantage to welcome the Nigerian back to the Premier League. Although the Lilywhites won’t be the only club in the race, the fact that Lookman is represented by the same agency as Mohammed Kudus could provide them with an unexpected advantage in any negotiations.

It’s certainly a transfer race that would be worth winning, too. Before their recent disagreement, Juric went as far as to describe Lookman as “spectacular” and there’s little doubt that he’s still Atalanta’s most important player.

Forget Spence: Frank has a future superstar who can end Porro's Spurs career

India extended their dominance over Pakistan to 11-3 in T20Is with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the first of three possible meetings at the Asia Cup. It was one-way traffic right from the time Hardik Pandya removed Saim Ayub with the first legal ball of the match.India’s superior bowling attack proved to be too much for Pakistan, who were frequently forced to play low-percentage shots to be able to score at a respectable pace. Still, 63 balls went unscored off, the scoring rate went past a run a ball only in the last over of the innings, and 128 was hardly a target for a power-packed India line-up.Related

• Hesson: We were a bit frenzied at the start with the bat and then got squeezed

• Suryakumar: Spinners come well prepared so things move 'on autopilot'

• How Kuldeep and Axar slammed the door shut on Pakistan in middle overs

• Suryakumar: Staying not out at the finish is 'one box I always wanted to tick'

Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel two each, and Hardik and Varun Chakravarthy one apiece in a performance with no let-up.

Hardik, Bumrah strike, but Farhan fights

Taking the new ball ahead of Bumrah, Hardik started with a loose delivery, but Ayub hit him straight to Bumrah at backward point. In the next over, Mohammad Haris tried to impose himself on Bumrah, and managed only to hole out to Hardik at long leg.Sahibzada Farhan, though, went on to do something no Pakistani had ever done: hit a six off Bumrah in an international match. He then hit another in the final over of the powerplay, making him only the sixth batter to have hit more than one six off Bumrah in all T20Is.However, 42 for 2 was still only a strictly fighting score for a powerplay. It was to be Pakistan’s last bit of joy in a long time.

India’s spin strangle

The trio of Varun, Kuldeep and Axar immediately shut out all the scoring after the powerplay. It took Pakistan 31 balls to hit their first boundary after the powerplay. In the intervening period they scored just 12 runs for the loss of two wickets. Both were shots borne out of desperation, resulting in the wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha.2:20

How big is the gulf between India and Pakistan?

These two wickets came off slogs, but Kuldeep now began to go past defensive shots as well, his wrong’un to consign Mohammad Nawaz to a golden duck leaving him on a hat-trick.Pakistan’s struggles were summed up by their best-looking batter, Farhan, going into the death overs on 40 off 43, and getting out off the first ball of that phase. Shaheen Shah Afridi snatched that honour away from Farhan immediately with some clean striking for a personal T20I best of 33 not out off 16 to give Pakistan some hope.

Abhishek, Gill end Pakistan’s hopes

That small ray of hope was snuffed out immediately by Abhishek Sharma, who charged at Afridi first ball and hit it back over his head for four. He then hit the second for a six over long-off. Shubman Gill then hit successive boundaries off Ayub. Even though Ayub got his own back with the wickets of both openers, India had raced away to 41 for 2 in 3.4 overs.India themselves struggled to score freely once their second-best powerplay against Pakistan ended, but the quality difference between the sides was still palpable. Pakistan’s bowling didn’t ask as many questions as India’s did, and India’s batting was able to keep finding runs.The seven overs immediately after the powerplay produced just 39 runs and Tilak Varma’s wicket, but India were still comfortably placed. All it took was a small final push from Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube to seal the win with 4.1 overs to spare.

Marcelo Balboa backed Mauricio Pochettino’s recent comments after the United States’ win over Uruguay, saying the coach is setting firm expectations for the squad. Balboa noted that Pochettino wants every player – including those based in Europe – to match the required intensity and compete for their place, adding that club form alone won’t guarantee a spot.

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  Balboa on Pochettino’s cultural reset

  Balboa framed Pochettino’s comments as an intentional cultural reset: the coach isn’t interested in protecting “regulars” or preserving reputations if players aren’t delivering the energy and standards he wants. 

  “He [Pochettino] is trying to change the culture in this country. He’s saying anytime you represent the U.S. team, that’s the best team we’re gonna put out, that’s the first team. I like that message,” Balboa told CBS Sports. “If I’m a player in Europe, I’m a little worried because I saw the standard of mentality and energy they brought to this game. 

  "There is a clear message. Like, ‘This is what you have to do. These are the parameters I want you to do it under my tactics.’"

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  Uruguay win strengthened the message

  Balboa suggested it will make some Europe-based players nervous about their spot if they can’t match the newly demanded work rate.

  “And if you can’t do that, there is [Sebastian] Berhalter, there is [Alex] Freeman," Balboa said. "There is [Tanner] Tessmann. There is [Max] Arfsten. There are players that can surprise you. It’s not okay anymore to have eight guys that work their ass off and two guys that relax. It doesn’t work like that anymore in international soccer. I love the message he’s sending. This is the standard of what you need to do here.”

  The United States’ emphatic five-goal win over Uruguay gave Pochettino’s message weight, as he dismissed talk of “regular players” and used both the performance and his post-match comments to underscore the standard he expects.

• Selection, competition and the evolving USMNT identity

  Pochettino appears to be rewarding intensity, pressing, and tactical buy-in as much as name recognition or club pedigree. That raises the stakes for Europe-based Americans who aren’t producing regular minutes for their clubs, and it signals to domestic and fringe players that strong showings at club or in camp can leapfrog reputation.

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  Looking ahead

  The U.S. wrapped up their 2025 slate with a strong November camp. The team is reportedly set to play Portugal and Belgium in March, but that has yet to be confirmed by U.S. Soccer. 

A number of injury-related updates came out of the MLB world on Friday afternoon. Here's everything you need to know.

Kyle Finnegan Lands on 15-Day Injured List

The Detroit Tigers will be without relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan for more than a week as they hope to close down prime positioning in the MLB playoff race. Finnegan is 12th in MLB in saves with 24, and has yet to give up an earned run (14.1 innings, 12 games) since joining the Tigers midseason via trade.

The injury is an adductor strain, retroactive to September 1 according to Tigers public relations, so hopefully the stint will allow him to rest up before the postseason.

At the moment, the Tigers have the second-best record in the American League, and hold a commanding 9.5-game lead over the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.

Aaron Judge Returning to OF

Aaron Judge last took the outfield for the Yankees on July 26. An elbow injury put him on the injured list for a stint, and since returning he's only been capable of serving as the team's designated hitter. Tonight, the word is he'll be back in right field, with his elbow ready enough to handle throwing.

At one point, manager Aaron Boone hinted there could be a world where Judge might not be able to play outfield the rest of the year. He quickly clarified those comments, walking them back, but it's great news for New York to see him actually playing the field for real now.

MLB reporter Brian Hoch was among the first to relay the news to fans.

It's important timing, with the Yankees and Blue Jays booting up a three-game series Friday, with New York three games behind Toronto in the AL East.

In the interim, Aaron Boone has been forced to use Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield, who the team would prefer to have occupy the designated hitter slot, given Judge is unquestionably the better defender between the two. If nothing else, it gives manager Aaron Boone more lineup and positional flexibility right when he needs it.

Tyler Glasnow Scratched, Shohei Ohtani a Surprise Friday Start

After Shohei Ohtani was scratched last minute earlier this week ahead of a scheduled pitching start, he'll now step in for the last-minute scratch of Tyler Glasnow. David Vassegh was on the report first, with no immediate reason given by the Dodgers for Glasnow missing the start.

Ohtani's absence earlier in the week was due to an illness that hindered his pitching preparation. He did not miss a game on the offensive side of the ball.

Great for L.A. to see Ohtani back, but disconcerting to see another pitcher miss his start in the same week.

حجز فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الجونة، بطاقة التأهل إلى دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس مصر بعد الفوز على فريق بترول أسيوط.

وواجه فريق الجونة نظيره فريق بترول أسيوط في تمام الثانية والنصف عصر اليوم، على ملعب خالد بشارة بالغردقة، في دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس مصر. 

طالع.. فيديو | حرس الحدود يهزم الإسماعيلي بثلاثية ويتأهل لدور الـ 16 من كأس مصر

وتمكن فريق الجونة من تحقيق الفوز على فريق بترول أسيوط،، بهدفين مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين عصر اليوم الخميس. 

وأحرز هدفي فريق الجونة، كلا من أحمد عبد الرسول في الدقيقة 56، ومحمد النحاس في الدقيقة 72، بينم اقلص فريق بترول أسيوط النتيجة في الدقيقة 80 من الشوط الثاني. 

وبهذه النتيجة، يلحق فريق الجونة بالمتأهلين إلى دور الـ16 من كأس مصر، بينما يودع فريق بترول أسيوط البطولة.  أهداف مباراة الجونة وبترول أسيوط في كأس مصر 

MatériaMais Notícias

A multinacional de análise de dados esportivos, Sportradar, não encontrou indícios de manipulação de resultados no Campeonato Brasileiro de 2023. Segundo o CEO da empresa, o alemão Carsten Koerl, não houveram anomalias na rede de apostas esportivas que apontasse alguma suspeita.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

“Entendo que não foi o resultado preferido para o dono de um time. Mas nosso sistema não detectou evidências de manipulação”, disse o executivo em entrevista ao jornal Folha de S. Paulo.

O assunto voltou à tona depois de John Textor, dono da SAF do Botafogo, afirmar ter provas que esquemas de manipulações ocorreram no campeonato nacional. Por isso, foi instalada uma CPI (Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito) para apurar qualquer indício de fraude no torneio.

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Com base em um relatório de inteligência artificial da empresa Good Game!, que analisa o comportamento de atletas e árbitros, o bilinário apontou que houve manipulação em uma série de jogos, incluindo a Série A do Brasileirão. Em depoimento à CPI, o americano afirmou que a manipulação no futebol é uma realidade mundial:

– O que nós descobrimos não é nada diferente do restante do mundo, Bélgica, França, toda a Europa. A manipulação de resultados [no futebol] é uma realidade.

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➡️ Veja o depoimento de John Textor, dono do Botafogo, na ‘CPI da Manipulação de Jogos’

Parceira da CBF desde 2018, a Sportradar tem parceria com entidades como a Conmebol, Uefa e até mesmo a FIFA. Em relatória entregue a Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, a análise apontou suspeita de manipulação em 109 partidas realizadas no país no ano passado, porém nenhuma delas no Campeonato Brasileiro e na Copa do Brasil.

Dos jogos analisados, 15 são de competições organizadas pela CBF: um pela Série B do Brasileiro, 13 pela Série D e um pela Copa Verde, segundo a reportagem da Folha. A Sportradar analisa movimentações atípicas em sites de apostas que possam indicar fraudes. A investigação é feito com ferramentas de inteligência artificial, mas tem a condução de profissionais que fazem uma checagem após a indicação do sistema.

Tudo sobre

BotafogoBrasileirãoFutebol NacionalJohn Textor

Kraigg Brathwaite, Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge have been excluded in the latest announcement by Cricket West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2025Cricket West Indies (CWI) has made three changes to their list of men’s international retainer contracts for 2025-26, with former Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge missing out. Justin Greaves, Sherfane Rutherford and Jomel Warrican have been added to the 15-player roster in their place.In their list of women’s international retainers, seamers Jannillea Glasgow and Shawnisha Hector have been added to the 13-player roster, while Shamilia Connell, Cherry Ann Fraser, Chedean Nation and Rashada Williams are not part of the list.The core group remains in place. Among the men, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales have all been retained, while the women’s list continues to feature Hayley Matthews, Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle. The contracts commence from October 1, 2025.Miles Bascombe, CWI’s director of cricket, said that the retainers were given out keeping in mind “current performance and long-term potential, while keeping a close eye on our broader strategy of building towards major global tournaments”. These decisions, he said, aligned with the pathways designed for West Indies’ cricket’s long-term success.Starter (development) contracts were also offered for Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Johann Layne, Jahzara Claxton and Realeanna Grimmond. Additionally, academy contracts were given out to 15 men’s cricketers and 14 women’s cricketers.West Indies – more so in men’s cricket, but also in women’s cricket – are looking to regain their identity after a string of disappointing performances. The women’s team failed to qualify for the ongoing ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka although they beat South Africa in a T20I series in June. The men’s team was blanked in the Test series against Australia at home in July – with the 27 all out in the last innings the lowest of lows – and was followed by an “emergency meeting”, but then went down 2-1 to Nepal in a T20I series in late September. They did win an ODI series against Pakistan at home in August but lost the corresponding T20I series.West Indies men’s contracts 2025-26
Senior men: Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Jomel Warrican.
Starter contracts: Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Johann Layne.
Men’s academy: Ackeem Auguste, Ryan Bandoo, Jediah Blades, Rivaldo Clarke, Mavendra Dindyal, Giovonte Depeiza, Nathan Edward, Damel Evelyn, Amari Goodridge, Mbeki Joseph, Johann Layne, Zishan Motara, Kelvin Pittman, Renico Smith, Carlon Tuckett.West Indies women’s contracts 2025-26
Senior women: Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Jannillea Glasgow, Shawnisha Hector, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews, Ashmini Munisar, Stafanie Taylor, Karishma Ramharack.
Starter contracts: Jahzara Claxton, Realeanna Grimmond.
Women’s academy: Abigail Bryce, Asabi Callender, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Shabika Gajanbi, Brianna Harricharan, Trishan Holder, Djenaba Joseph, Nyia Latchman, Samara Ramnath, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, Shunelle Sawh, Steffie Soogrim, Kate Wilmott.

Marc Cucurella has cheekily claimed that Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer fractured his toe after angrily reacting to a "loss on FIFA". The England international was set to resume first-team training last week after two months out with a groin injury. But the 23-year-old had a slight setback due to hurting his toe when he stubbed it on a door.

• Palmer suffers freak injury

  Shortly after he fractured his toe on his favoured left foot last Wednesday, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca lifted the lid on the matter.

  The Italian said at a press conference last week: "He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure, or Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won't be back in the next week. I wake up many times during the night – I hit my head, my legs, my everything – so it can happen."

  Ahead of the Blues' Champions League clash against Barcelona on Tuesday, the former Leicester City manager provided a more positive update on Palmer.

  "Yes, Cole is wearing a [protective] boot. We don’t know when he will be back but for sure it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball and the feeling [for him] is good," said Maresca. "At the moment, we are only looking at tomorrow’s game. It’s a Champions League game against Barcelona, that is our focus and then we will look ahead to Arsenal. I don’t think he will be available for these two games, but he is doing well."

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• Cucurella pokes fun at Palmer

  While many would have felt sorry for Palmer for this latest setback, Chelsea left-back Cucurella has alleged that this new injury was quite unavoidable. 

  He told reporters on Monday: "To be fair, I don't believe it. It is true that these things can sometimes happen. I have had this a couple of times but I'm stronger than them, so I don't feel anything. It's a big upset for us because he's getting closer to playing with us, to train with us, and then now he needs to rest. But this is part of life, a part of footballers' lives, we have personal lives, and we have these kinds of problems, so hopefully he can recover fast."

  When asked what he was doing, Cucurella replied: "I don't know. He's running because I think he lost a FIFA game or something like this, I think!"

• Season of frustration

  In some ways, 2025 has been a trying year for Palmer. After a superb year or so at Chelsea following his move from Manchester City, the England star has struggled with injuries and goal droughts. He couldn't stop scoring in his first 12 months or so at Stamford Bridge but things weren't quite going his way this year. For instance, this season, a troublesome groin problem has limited him to just four appearances in all competitions. 

  Back in late September, Maresca said: "We need to protect Cole for sure, 100%. Not only Cole in my personal view because as I said now because of the Club World Cup or because we never stop, we need to manage and protect different players. The solution with Cole, I don’t know, now we have a meeting with the medical staff and we decide the best solution for him. But it’s also a kind of injury that is not like black and white. It’s an injury that someday you can be better. It’s not that you have pain and tomorrow disappear. Sometimes you can be better, sometimes you can be worse. That’s why we need to manage day by day."

  He scored two goals in just over 230 minutes of action but the Blues could have been an even better place with him in their attack. Chelsea fans will hope he returns to action as soon as possible.

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  Crunch games for Chelsea

  The FIFA Club World Cup champions had a little wobble earlier this season but after three straight wins, they are up to second in the Premier League. This week, however, could potentially be a season-defining one as they host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night, before entertaining London rivals and table-topping Arsenal on Sunday. Win both of those and that could do wonders for the players' confidence. If it goes the other way, their outlook may be much bleaker.

Over recent years, Manchester United haven’t been shy to splash the cash on new additions in an attempt to help various managers lead them up the Premier League table.

Since the summer of 2022, over £800m has been spent on signings, with the expectation that more funds are needed to take the Red Devils back to their former glory.

Erik ten Hag spent three quarters of the aforementioned figure, but his inability to provide sustained success has handed Ruben Amorim the responsibility at Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old himself has already splashed over £200m in the transfer market, with more additions expected during the upcoming January transfer window.

Numerous areas of the pitch are subject to investment, as seen by the attacking department in the summer, but the winter window presents the perfect chance to bolster the midfield.

United’s hunt to land a new midfielder in January

Given the lack of depth in United’s central midfield department, a new number six has been seen as the priority in the January market, leading to numerous names being touted with a big-money transfer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes has been one of the latest players linked with a transfer to Old Trafford, with the player himself open to a potential winter move.

The Red Devils’ interest has led to a £44m price tag being mooted in recent days, but at present, there have been no conversations between the clubs or the player.

However, he may be seen as a potential back-up option in the coming months, with rumours picking up over a move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

According to The Athletic, Amorim’s men have made the 23-year-old their primary target for the next window, but any deal could cost a pretty penny for INEOS.

The report also states that Sean Dyche’s side are reluctant to lose their star man during the midway point of the season, leading to a £100m asking price being quoted.

Why United’s primary target would be the best deal since Bruno

Back in January 2020, United did spend big to improve their first-team squad, subsequently forking out a reported £47m for the signature of midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

At the time, the Sporting CP star would have been an unknown quantity to many, but nearly six years on, it’s safe to say such a move was one of the club’s best in recent times.

The 31-year-old has since racked up a total of 303 appearances for the Red Devils, even managing to net his 100th goal for the club in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea back in September.

However, he’s also been a provider for those around him, as seen by his tally of 86 assists, with the Portuguese international current averaging 0.62 goal contributions per 90.

United have tried to replicate such deals in years gone by, completing moves for the likes of Patrick Dorgu, but the Dane’s move has been merely unsuccessful.

The aforementioned star has found minutes hard to come by, even struggling to perform when given the chance, which could lead to an early departure despite only joining 12 months ago.

However, a deal for Anderson would certainly follow the Bruno trend, with the Red Devils potentially getting themselves one of the division’s best talents at present.

The Englishman has taken his game to the next level in 2025/26, with his stellar performances cementing his place as an international regular within Thomas Tuchel’s England side.

His tally of two combined goals and assists in the Premier League may not seem impressive, but it’s his underlying stats which have made him such a sought-after talent.

Anderson, who’s been labelled a “warrior” by Ben Mattinson, has regained possession the most of any player in the league this season – with such an asset filling the club’s hunt for a dominant ball-winner.

Such a feat is made all the more impressive by his other tallies out of possession, with the Forest star winning 2.8 tackles and 7.2 duels won per 90 – further reaffirming his dominant nature.

However, with the ball at his feet, he’s been just as effective, as seen by his remarkable tally of 8.3 progressive passes completed per 90, with 8.2 of his efforts being made into the final third.

To top off the 23-year-old’s incredible numbers in 2025/26, he’s completed 1.5 key passes per 90 to date, with 1.3 of his passes being into the opposition’s penalty area.

A deal for Anderson would be yet another huge piece of business conducted by INEOS, but it’s one that would certainly solve one of Amorim’s biggest issues at Old Trafford.

Should the £100m man get anywhere near the levels produced by Bruno at the Theatre of Dreams, it would be a phenomenal addition, and one that could allow the side to finally compete for titles once again.

Joao Gomes upgrade: INEOS ready Man Utd talks for "out of this world" star

Manchester United look set to make another move for a central midfielder ahead of the January window.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 28, 2025

Allrounder produced composed half-century in rare opportunity, but couldn’t set up victory

Valkerie Baynes18-Jul-2025Doing her own thing served Alice Davidson-Richards well in her comeback to the England Women’s ODI squad, even if it didn’t serve those back at HQ quite so well at the precise moment of her recall.Davidson-Richards scored a half-century in a 106-run stand with Surrey team-mate Sophia Dunkley in the first of three ODIs against India on Wednesday night.Their fifth-wicket partnership rescued England from 97 for 4, but it wasn’t enough to win the game, India prevailing off the back of Deepti Sharma’s unbeaten 62 to make Saturday’s match at Lord’s a must-win prospect for the hosts.Related

• Alice Davidson-Richards stars with ball and bat as Surrey cement top spot

• Kate Cross wants England to focus on 'being calm under pressure moments'

• Deepti digs deep to deliver India's four-wicket win

• Deepti the batter makes a quiet statement

• Rawal pulled up for 'avoidable physical contact' in first ODI

It was Davidson-Richards’ second innings for England since 2023, having played twice against West Indies earlier this season, although she was only required to bat once and scored 7 not out in a series dominated by the home side’s top-order.She said she had been so focused on playing for Surrey that, when England Women’s head coach Charlotte Edwards came calling, Davidson-Richards was in another world.”I had six missed calls,” Davidson-Richards said. “Lott was like, ‘where you’ve been?’ I said, ‘I was in a theatre with no signal, pal.'”They were waiting for the email for the squad to go out and I hadn’t got a signal, so I hadn’t found out yet. It was a bit of a surprise to come out and have all the missed calls and then speak on the phone with Lott, it was a pretty epic evening.”Davidson-Richards also said she hadn’t let Edwards’ edict that domestic performances would have greater influence on international selection into her mind too much, as she amassed 289 runs in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at an average of 48.16 and strike rate of 102.84, with a highest score of 100.She was also instrumental in cementing Surrey’s position at the top of the T20 Blast table with an unbeaten 28 and 3 for 11 against Warwickshire earlier this month.She credits working with Surrey sports psychologist Louise Byrne and head coach Johann Myburgh with helping her through nearly two years on the fringes of England selection. Now, her recall has come at an opportune time for Davidson-Richards, with the World Cup in India just over two months away.

“For me it’s always been a goal. It’s never gone away, but the focus on just myself and trying to win games for – then it was South East Stars and now it’s Surrey – became the main focus”Davidson-Richards on playing for England

“The main thing for me has being trusting my game and trusting myself and the skills that I do really well,” Davidson-Richards said. “I’m quite an up-and-down human at times, so trying to stay as level as possible and keep trusting myself as the games go on.””For me it’s always been a goal,” she added of her desire to play for England. “It’s never gone away, but the focus on just myself and trying to win games for, then it was South East Stars and now it’s Surrey, became the main focus.”When I started focusing on those sorts of things first, and the little things, then the stuff further along the line tends to come along.”Dunkley, who has batted up and down the order at international level in recent years, showed her own comfort at No. 5 with a top score of 83 in the opening ODI against India, where she enjoyed being reunited with Davidson-Richards.”I’ve batted with her loads at Surrey,” Dunkley said. “We’ve batted together in a lot of different partnerships, she’s great to bat with, really calm and really good at ODI cricket so it’s nice to bat with her.”I really like batting in the middle. I’ve batted all different places and I think I’ve settled in that role, batting four for Surrey and now batting five. It suits my game quite well and hopefully I can impact the game more going forward there.”The immediate task will be keeping the series alive at Lord’s, the scene of Deepti’s run-out of Charlie Dean while backing up, which sealed a 3-0 sweep of the corresponding series in 2022.Deepti and Dean have since played as team-mates at London Spirit in the Hundred, with Deepti telling ESPNcricinfo she had parked the dismissal as an “in-the-past” thing.If, at the time, the incident had represented India asserting themselves at the home of cricket, then they have gone a step further on this tour. India’s 3-2 victory in the T20I series was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests, comprising three emphatic wins against two last-ball thrillers that went England’s way, including the dead-rubber fifth match. They have since gone on to win a scrappier affair at Southampton that left both sides with clear areas for improvement.For India, their fielding came under the microscope amid a rash of dropped catches, as did a top-order which failed to capitalise on starts and relied on a fifth-wicket stand worth 90 between Deepti and Jemimah Rodrigues to keep a modest target in sight.England found themselves at least 20 runs short upon batting first and will be looking for more from the top order which crushed West Indies at the start of summer.