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Burger walked off the field in the first innings after bowling 6.1 overs and de Zorzi pulled up in the dying moments of the chase to retire hurt for 17

Firdose Moonda03-Dec-2025

South Africa left-arm seamer Nandre Burger has suffered a hamstring injury that curtailed his participation in the second ODI against India in Raipur and could impact the rest of his season.South Africa suffered another injury scare when Tony de Zorzi pulled up towards the end of their chase and retired hurt for 17 after the 45th over.”It didn’t look too good, to be honest – Nandre not being able to finish his overs and Tony also walking off,” captain Temba Bavuma said at the presentation. “If need be, we do have other guys waiting in the wings come Saturday.”Related

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Burger had started his seventh over when he lost his run-up twice and appeared to struggle to land on his right leg. He held onto his right knee before walking off the field. Aiden Markram delivered the next five balls to complete the over.ESPNcricinfo understands that Burger was assessed and is still experiencing discomfort in his right hamstring. He will continue to be monitored by South Africa’s medical staff. In the immediate term, it affected South Africa in this match, where Markram bowled 5.5 overs in total, and will impact team selection for the third ODI on Saturday. Burger is not part of the T20I squad, where Anrich Nortje will make his return, and he may be called on earlier if South Africa feel they need extra pace. They are already without Kagiso Rabada, who has a rib niggle, and Gerald Coetzee, who was not picked for this tour.Later in the match, South Africa suffered a second injury blow when de Zorzi pulled up as he completed a second run. De Zorzi was on 17 off 11 balls when Corbin Bosch called him through and though he reached the non-striker’s end safely, de Zorzi hobbled the last third of the way. He received treatment on field and decided to continue. But after Bosch hit the next ball for four and de Zorzi had to hop on one leg, he left the field, with South Africa 27 away from victory after 45 overs. De Zorzi walked off unaided, but very gingerly, suggesting the injury is serious. He has an SA20 deal with Durban’s Super Giants.Burger has a long history of injuries, including a lower-back stress fracture which kept him out of the game from October 2024 until September this year. He missed last year’s SA20 but was re-signed by the same team, Joburg Super Kings for this year’s edition for R6.3 million, and they will be sweating on his availability. The tournament begins on Boxing Day, in just over three weeks’ time.

Twenty-four hours after battling through a Test match in England, Zimbabwean lands decisive blow in Pakistan

Danyal Rasool25-May-2025On Saturday evening, Sikandar Raza lunged at one from Shoaib Bashir in Trent Bridge and got out. While the rest of his team-mates reflected on the result following an innings defeat in their one-off Test against England, Raza’s journey – quite literally – had only just begun.In less than 24 hours, his PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars would play the league final in Lahore. Raza’s commitment to Qalandars this year has not been in question; a week earlier, he flew in from England to help secure their place in the knockouts, before flying back the following day to rejoin his national side for Zimbabwe’s first Test in England in over two decades.Now that the Test was over, Qalandars began to work on a surreal plan.He jumped into a friend’s car and was driven to Birmingham, the nearest airport, for the speediest flight to Lahore. With no business-class seats available, he was happy to fly economy to Dubai. A six-hour layover and another change of airport later, he jumped on a flight in Abu Dhabi bound for Lahore; he was still on his way from the airport when Shaheen Afridi announced at the toss that Raza was part of the starting XI.

“I was so mentally and physically drained. All I was saying to myself was ‘just watch the ball’. I was blank out there. I wasn’t predicting or thinking where the ball’s going to be and what I’m going to do. All I said was wherever the ball is hit the best shot”Sikandar Raza

“I am here to do a job, and god forbid, if we happened to lose the game then at least in my heart I knew I was with my brothers,” Raza said following the game, having hit the winning runs in a tense finish. “I know the team truly wanted me here, given the efforts the owners and the captains went through over the last 24-36 hours to get me here. If I tell you, it’s unbelievable.”Bowled 25 overs [in the Test] the day before yesterday, batted for 20 overs yesterday. Had dinner in Birmingham, breakfast in Dubai, drove to Abu Dhabi for lunch, took a flight and had dinner in Pakistan. I guess this is the life of a professional cricketer and I’m truly humbled and blessed to have that life.”Two balls into his spell, Raza took the crucial wicket of Rilee Rossouw, but it wouldn’t be until three hours later that it became clear why Qalandars had moved heaven and earth to have him in their side. At no point all game did Qalandars look as out of the game as at the moment Raza came out to bat. Mohammad Amir was bowling a characteristically clutch death-over which had two balls left to run; he had just sent Bhanuka Rajapaksa packing. Qalandars needed 57 off 20, and Amir had another over to go after that one.Amir dropped the first one short, and Raza got low, smearing it to the midwicket boundary. Beginner’s luck, maybe? Amir went around the wicket to angle a short ball into his body, but Raza’s connection was even cleaner this time, and it flew all the way over that boundary for six more.Related

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Sikandar Raza plays PSL final after landing from England ten minutes before toss

“I tried to take the emotions out,” he said. “I think all the journey and the Test match helped me because I was so mentally and physically drained. All I was saying to myself was ‘just watch the ball’. I was blank out there. I wasn’t predicting or thinking where the ball’s going to be and what I’m going to do. All I said was wherever the ball is hit the best shot.”He wouldn’t get much of the strike for the next couple of overs, but Kusal Perera was doing a superb job at the other end. Even so, in the decisive final over, Gladiators had marginally inched ahead once more, and with Raza facing, his side needed a further eight off three.Faheem Ashraf attempted a wide yorker, and didn’t miss the mark by much. But he was bowling to a man who had spent the previous day somehow doing what needed to be done. So Raza found a way to get underneath it, generating phenomenal power at the end of his range to scythe it to, and over, cover point for six. Faheem missed the yorker next delivery and by now, destiny appeared to have laid out the red carpet for Raza. He whipped it to the midwicket boundary, smoke from the ensuing fireworks engulfing the Gaddafi Stadium as the Qalandars’ squad poured in and hoisted the Zimbabwean on their shoulders.”This is what it’s all about,” Raza said. “We played three knockout games. Which team’s going to be more prepared than us? We had a final we won off the last ball two years ago. If I had to pick one, [it’d be this one] just because of the story of how we got here. There was so much drama going on in this game, and to get a victory like this is unbelievable. I’ve got no words at the moment.”His actions, you would think, have spoken loud enough for him not to need any.

One Chelsea star has been critiqued for his performance in their game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Robert Sanchez having more touches than him at Stamford Bridge.

In what was Chelsea’s final Premier League game ahead of the November international break, the Blues played host to a Wolves side who, after 10 games, were still without a win in the top flight.

Enzo Maresca’s side struggled to do much with the chances they generated in the first half against Wolves, frustrating the home support at Stamford Bridge. Soon after the half-time break, however, the Blues broke the deadlock.

Malo Gusto opened the scoring with what was his first-ever senior goal just minutes into the second half. This lead was doubled just after the hour mark when Joao Pedro smashed a deflected Estevao cross beyond Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The game was put beyond any doubt when, with less than 20 minutes to go, Pedro Neto scored against his former club. The win moved Chelsea to second in the table. However, one Blues player was slammed for his performance against the relegation-threatened side.

Delap failed to make mark against Wolves

Signed in the summer from Ipswich Town, Liam Delap has endured a tough start to life at Chelsea. An injury saw him sidelined for weeks to open the 2025/26 campaign, missing almost two months. Upon his return, against Wolves in the Carabao Cup, Delap was sent off for accumulating two yellow cards after coming off the bench.

Delap, who reportedly signed a contract worth £100,000 per week, made his first start for Chelsea since returning from injury against the Old Gold, but failed to make an impact. Simon Johnson, who works for The Athletic, was critical of what the striker produced, noting that he did not appear at match fitness and said he was “struggling”.

As per SofaScore, within 64 minutes of football, Delap had just one shot on target. He was dispossessed on three occasions and by having just 15 touches in the game, had less time on the ball than Sanchez.

Delap is still a young player, one coming back from a relatively long set-back no less. His performance against Wolves, though, can simply not be the level that he consistently operates at going forward.

Chelsea weighing up move for England international

Angry Roberto De Zerbi raged at Mason Greenwood and his Marseille team-mates after the French giants' defeat against Lille on Friday in a Ligue 1 clash. Marseille suffered their fourth league defeat of the 2025-26 campaign as their four-game unbeaten run across all formats finally ended. Former Manchester United star Greenwood had a rare off day on the pitch which did not go unnoticed by his manager.

• Greenwood and Co's nightmare outing

  After enjoying a fine debut campaign in Ligue 1 in the 2024-25 season, where he scored 21 league goals in 34 matches, Greenwood has picked up from where he left off in the current campaign. The forward has already scored 10 Ligue 1 goals in 14 appearances and provided three assists.

  The clash against Lille, however, proved to be a rare off day for the ex-United winger. Marseille players hardly turned up in the match and looked scrappy as Ethan Mbappe's 10th-minute goal was enough to secure three points for Lille. Marseille wasted an opportunity to go above reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain as they now sit third in the Ligue 1 table behind Lens and PSG.

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• Getty Images
  

  De Zerbi slammed Greenwood and Marseille stars

  De Zerbi was understandably furious with his team's lacklustre performance as he told reporters after the match: "We played badly and we deserved to lose. We didn't string three passes together. We lost every second ball. Even with dribbling, we couldn't beat anyone. Defensively, we were never as aggressive as we usually are. We were passive from the first minute to the last. One shot on target for a player like Greenwood isn't enough for him. Shooting so infrequently isn't sufficient."

  He added: "Yes, it's true, I'm very angry, I didn't expect us to play like that. Bad, bad. I take it personally, but everyone has to take it personally. When you play for OM, you can't play like that. I have no other explanation."

• Greenwood credited De Zerbi for his form revival

  Greenwood, who was banished from United in 2023, has thrived in France with Marseille and established himself as a key piece for De Zerbi.

  The 24-year-old recently credited his manager De Zerbi for hepling him shine in France, as he told Telefoot: "I’m in a really good place thanks to the coach and my teammates. I feel good and I hope to improve, to win more awards this season. Roberto De Zerbi? He’s the brains of the team, the architect of our game. He helps me understand football much better, he helps me improve every day."

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  Can Greenwood make England comeback?

  After reviving his career in Ligue 1, Greenwood is reportedly considering a return to the England national team, despite being blacklisted by the FA and manager Tuchel, according to . 

  Former Watford forward Troy Deeney has also backed the ex-Red Devils star to make his return to the Three Lions side as he wrote in : "Football cannot be a place where people are written off after mistakes, alleged or not, in their younger years. This is not to dismiss the seriousness of those allegations. Greenwood will live with them forever. In truth, he does not owe an explanation to football supporters. It is his friends and family he must prove himself to. But, if he wants an England return, he must address it in public – prove he is worthy of wearing the England shirt, show he can be trusted. Rebuilding trust is the only way this can ever happen and it is an incredibly hard thing to achieve. It would be taxing on Greenwood himself having to face such justified scrutiny. If Greenwood can face that and come through it. He deserves a second chance with England. If there were to be no way back whatsoever, the game is setting a dangerous precedent. Sending a message that any mistake in your personal life rules you out for good."

Tottenham are finally looking to "fill the void" left by club legend Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich as they target a new striker. Kane left his boyhood club in the summer of 2023 in search of a new challenge as he joined the Bundesliga giants for a record fee. The England international has enjoyed a purple patch since moving to Germany and also won his maiden trophy of his career when Bayern lifted the Bundesliga title in 2025.

Tottenham yet to replace Kane

Tottenham have not yet filled the gaping hole left in their attack when Kane exited for Bayern in 2023. They did sign a few attacking players, with Dominic Solanke joining the club last year, while Randal Kolo Muani was signed on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the last transfer window. In between they also lost Heung-min as another Spurs legend exited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after his contract expired in the summer. Thomas Frank also has Richarlison in his ranks but the Premier League side have not found an ideal replacement for the England captain, who used to score for fun during his time in north London.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSpurs eye move for nine-goal striker

In a search for a prolific scorer, Spurs are ready to explore the transfer market once the January window opens. According to , the English side are keen on signing FC Porto star Samu Aghehowa. The youngster is widely considered to be one of the brightest prospects in Europe. Aghehowa enjoyed a stellar debut campaign in Portugal last season as he scored 27 goals across all competitions and provided three assists. In the 2025-26 campaign, the 21-year-old has scored nine goals in 15 appearances in all competitions.

In Frank's system – a manager who has a reputation for nurturing quality forwards, as he did at  Brentford with Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins – Aghehowa is considered to be a perfect fit and someone who can end their attacking woes as Spurs finally look to replace Kane in their frontline. 

Chelsea in race to sign Aghehowa

Earlier this month, reported that Chelsea are also keen on signing the striker and will provide Tottenham with fierce competition to secure the youngster's transfer. The Blues were linked with a move for the Spanish hitman in the summer of 2024 and had even agreed to pay £35 million ($44m) to secure his transfer, but the move collapsed at the last moment after Aghehowa failed his medical test, after sustaining an ankle injury. The youngster returned to Atletico Madrid before being shipped off to Porto, where he has thrived.

The report further added that former Chelsea manager and current Porto president Andre Villas-Boas is ready to sanction a move for Aghehowa. His current deal at the Liga Portugal side runs until 2029 and has a €100 million (£88m/$116m) release clause. However, Villas-Boas could let him leave for €80m (£70m/$92m) as he considers it to be an "irresistible deal". The report also claims that Porto are ready to sell the striker in the upcoming January transfer window due to financial pressure, and the club believes that is is well covered in the centre-forward position and feels that the management will be able to find a suitable replacement for Aghehowa within the roster.

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Getty Images SportSpurs' nightmare in north London derby

Frank's side suffered a shocking 4-1 loss at the hands of eternal rivals Arsenal on Sunday as they slipped down the Premier League table. Eberechi Eze, who was also linked with a move to Spurs in the summer before Arsenal hijacked the move, scored a brilliant hat-trick.

The Spurs boss was understandably unhappy at the end of the game as he said: "That [lack of creativity] has been an ongoing theme that we are working hard to improve. It doesn't look good today or against Chelsea. We need to keep working on it. There were a lot of things in this game we need to do better. We are four months into it and they are further in their journey as a team and that was very obvious today. Of course, there will be noise. We played against our biggest rivals and we lost badly. But we keep noise out and we focus. I know this tam is very competitive. I know this team is competitive and we showed that against Man City and PSG. Of course, it looks bad today and it was not good enough."

Pakistan coach feels they have “lost a bit of momentum” at the top after they were reduced to 83 for 7 against India

Danyal Rasool15-Sep-20251:13

Wahab: Kuldeep always one step ahead of batters

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson has acknowledged that they were “outplayed” on Sunday in their seven-wicket defeat against India. Speaking after the game, Hesson said Pakistan struggled to come up with answers to India’s spinners, who ended up “squeezing” them, and that Pakistan would have to play better cricket to stay competitive against the best sides.”We were outplayed today,” Hesson said at the press conference. “I don’t think we can hide from that. We didn’t bat well enough. We left ourselves probably 20 or 30 [runs] short, and we all know through those middle overs we got squeezed. Lots to work on against a good bowling attack, but I was pleased the way the guys fought hard in the field albeit with a score that wasn’t enough.”For much of the innings with the bat after Pakistan opted to set a target, they looked as if they might struggle to get to three figures. They found themselves on 83 for 7 in the 17th over, before a cameo at the end from Shaheen Afridi took them to 127.Related

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“Up until the last few matches, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub had averaged 40 opening the batting, and had done particularly well,” Hesson said. “Saim is a key player for us, and it’s important for any side that we get off to a good start. Four games ago, we were doing quite nicely at the top; we’ve lost a bit of momentum there, but I certainly have confidence in those two to turn it around quickly.”There was a touch of mayhem about the first two overs with the bat for Pakistan. Ayub sliced to point off the first legitimate delivery he faced in what was his second successive golden duck. The incoming Mohammad Haris lashed at Jasprit Bumrah right from the outset, and skied his second ball to square leg. Fakhar Zaman was nearly undone by a yorker later that over, surviving on review after the ball was found to have pitched outside leg stump.”With the bat, we were a little bit frenzied at the start,” Hesson said. “The ball held in the surface, as we expected, but we didn’t respond as well as we would have liked. We were in the game at the end of the powerplay, and then we got squeezed.”2:20

How big is the gulf between India and Pakistan?

Farhan, who had watched the carnage from the other end, found the odd big shot, but it was interspersed with long streaks of dot deliveries. He struck Bumrah for two sixes in the powerplay – the only player to have hit Bumrah for more than one six in a T20I. But 23 of the 44 balls he faced were dots, and as the spinners began to tighten their grip on the game, his effectiveness was diminished.”The more big games you play, the more trust you have in your own game,” Hesson said. “We’ve certainly got some players who’re finding their feet. They want to be in the battle, and we’ll come back stronger in a few days’ time.”Pakistan will have to do that. If results fall the way it is likely, Pakistan’s match against UAE will be almost a knockout game for them to advance to the Super Fours stage. Progression for Hesson’s side will mean another meeting with India next Sunday.”We’ll turn up in three days’ time. We need to play better than we did today with both ball and bat,” Hesson said. “We need to be more disciplined with the ball early on. I was actually really pleased with the way we fought in the field, where we showed a huge amount of character. We’re going to need a lot more of that on Wednesday. If we do that, we’re hopeful of having another crack in the Super 4s, where we’re going to have to play better cricket than we did tonight. I’ve certainly got confidence in this group.”

Manchester United have now submitted a £26m opening offer for a former Premier League striker, who has been in impressive form this season.

Man Utd looking to sign new striker amid Sesko's slow start

Benjamin Sesko’s Man United career is yet to truly take off, having scored two goals in his first 11 Premier League games, and the Slovenian striker has missed the last two matches due to a knee injury, with Joshua Zirkzee leading the line against Crystal Palace last time out.

With Zirkzee ending his goal drought in the 2-1 triumph against the Eagles, it remains to be seen whether Sesko will be able to force his way back into the side upon his return, but the Dutchman could be on the move in the January transfer window.

West Ham United are now planning to sign Zirkzee this winter as a replacement for Niclas Fullkrug, with AS Roma also being credited as potential suitors, and the 24-year-old departing would exacerbate the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new centre-forward.

According to a report from Spain, Man United have now submitted an offer of around €30m (£26m) for Real Betis striker Cucho Hernandez, who has emerged as an important player for the Spanish side under the helm of Manuel Pellegrini.

The bid is said to be ‘financially attractive’ to Betis, but the La Liga side now have a big decision to make, given that Cucho could be the key to them having a successful season, and it would be difficult to replace him.

United are looking to bring in forwards capable of providing ‘energy, mobility and goals’, and they have decided the 26-year-old fits the bill, off the back of an impressive 2025-26 campaign thus far…

Cucho impressing in La Liga and Europa League

The Colombian recently scored his first Europa League goal of the season in Betis’ 2-1 victory against Utrecht, and he has also put in some eye-catching displays in La Liga, chipping in with five goals and two assists in 14 games.

The former Watford man has some Premier League experience too, scoring five goals in 25 matches for the Hornets in the 2021-22 campaign, during which time Claudio Ranieri said: “I love him, because always during the training session he gives 100 per cent. He wants to score, he wants to shoot. He is a fighter. I love these kinds of people.”

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By
Dominic Lund

Dec 3, 2025

Man United should have reservations about signing Cucho, given that the centre-forward wasn’t exactly prolific during his previous stint in England, but he could be a decent back-up option for Sesko, should Zirkzee move on this winter.

Newcastle United are in an unusual position at the moment, as Eddie Howe’s long-standing position as manager is now under threat.

Howe has been in the Magpies’ hot seat since October 2021, when the hugely unpopular Steve Bruce was ditched, and it’s fair to say the 47-year-old has been a resounding success, for the most part, finished twice inside the Champions League places and securing an EFL Cup triumph.

Still, with just three wins from 11 in Premier League action this season in isolation, it’s right that the beloved Toon boss is facing scrutiny currently.

Nick Woltemade could well be the man to guide Newcastle up the league in the coming weeks to keep Howe situated on Tyneside, though, with the 6-foot-6 goal machine continuing on his fine run of goalscoring form in England on the international stage for Germany during the break.

How Woltemade can save Howe's job

Off the back of bagging three goals for Germany during the recent stage of World Cup qualifying, the £69m summer recruit is now up to a stunning ten goals this season for both club and country.

If he keeps up this blistering form, the results will turn in the Toon’s favour in time, with Woltemade’s 12 goals for Stuttgart last season pushing them far away from the lower reaches of the Bundesliga and into European conversations.

On top of being clearly potent, which will hopefully stand the underachieving Newcastle in good stead during tense matches to come, Woltemade was also purchased this summer for that high amount for how he stylishly links up with teammates around him.

That was seen in him cleverly flicking a ball through to Harvey Barnes to score in the Champions League in October.

Journalist Adam Clery would even go out of his way to state that the much-loved German “made this entire goal” with this ingenious bit of skill, with this unselfish approach perhaps getting the best out of the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga down the line to rise the league standings.

Of course, he isn’t superhuman, with Woltemade frustratingly amassing no shots on goal against Brentford and West Ham United in back-to-back defeats when managing just 45 touches of the ball.

So, perhaps a different manager could get even more out of the clinical marksman if Newcastle were to replace Howe. After all, Toon reporter Craig Hope has already noted that ‘a 6ft 6in striker who plays with his back to goal & drops so deep was never the plan.’

Why a new manager can get more from Woltemade at Newcastle

The Mirror has speculated who could come in for Howe if he is to be relieved of his long-standing duties very soon, with the likes of Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner named.

But, if Newcastle want a manager in the same mould as the 47-year-old, they could look to hire Kieran McKenna, with the Ipswich Town boss making a name for himself from a very young age in the main management game, much like Howe did when managing AFC Bournemouth.

McKenna would transform the Tractor Boys’ faltering fortunes when taking them up all the way from League One to the Premier League via back-to-back promotions, leading to former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt lauding the ex-Red Devils coach as “one of the best coaches” in England.

Woltemade would surely love to work alongside the 4-2-3-1-focused manager if he were to swap Suffolk for St James’ Park, with his Ipswich sides over the years centring on some explosive, yet team-oriented attackers, much like the German has already shown in spades at his new home.

Indeed, from 188 games in charge of the Tractor Boys, McKenna has overseen 88 wins with a mighty 348 goals scored along the way.

Up in the Premier League last season, the Northern Irishman would turn Liam Delap into a Chelsea-bound centre-forward, having got 12 top-flight strikes out of the ex-Manchester City striker from 40 games, even as his side languished near the drop zone all campaign long.

Therefore, with Delap also coming in a slick, yet imposing presence like Woltemade at a 6-foot-2 frame, it’s intriguing to see what McKenna could do to Woltemade if he were handed the Newcastle reins, having further got an impressive haul of 73 goals out of Conor Chaplin and George Hirst in the EFL and above.

The worry here would be that McKenna’s only Premier League season to date as a manager resulted in relegation, but having been previously tipped to go to “the very top” by podcaster Dave Hendrick, this could be the 39-year-old’s chance of becoming an established boss in the big time.

With his glittering track record with strikers, Woltemade could come even more into his own under his fresh set of ideas if he does surprisingly succeed Howe, as the powers that be at Newcastle continue to ponder whether a change is the correct call right now.

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Newcastle need to add some more quality to Eddie Howe’s side in 2026.

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Angus Sinclair

Nov 18, 2025

On paper this series was between two evenly-matched teams. Two Tests in, Stokes and Co have ensured it’s been anything but

Vithushan Ehantharajah08-Dec-2024The build-up to this second New Zealand-England Test focused on 2023’s dramatic one-run win on the final evening of day five at this same venue.Locals streaming in, school kids cutting class, converging on this gorgeous roundabout in Mount Victoria to bear witness to a finale for the ages. This time around, they were headed the other way. Locals back home, schoolkids with black caps wishing it was Monday already.England’s emphatic 323-run victory was secured on Sunday, but set in motion well before that. All that was left to do when they arrived in the morning with a 533 lead were the polite formalities, like raise the curtains and load the shotgun.Related

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It was shortly before 5pm that New Zealand were put out of their misery at the Basin Reserve. The margin as humiliating as the fact it only took three days to establish.Success over here for England was not guaranteed. Their last series win away in New Zealand came in 2008. Four failed attempts since spoke of the need for graft and respect for the opposition. The latter was guaranteed considering they had swept India in India a few weeks prior. In the end, Ben Stokes’ side have moved to an unassailable 2-0 lead off the back of an eight-wicket win in Christchurch and a demolition job in Wellington. Two of New Zealand’s historic venues sullied.These last exchanges of a brief Test containing all sorts amounted to a glorified box-ticking endeavour. At points it felt like England were looters coming back to see what was left from their initial ransackings across Friday and Saturday.Joe Root found a routine century, moving level with Rahul Dravid’s tally of 36, who sits above him in fourth on the all-time Test run-scorer charts. Even the use of his patented reverse scoop off Will O’Rourke’s bowling to take him to three figures from his 127th delivery felt like an indulgent side-quest. It was the first time he had used the shot to move to three figures.Reverse scoop to get to a hundred? Sure•Getty Images”I thought it was amazing,” beamed Stokes, who was batting with Root at the time, and raised his arms at the non-striker’s end at the sheer audacity. “He [O’Rourke] had the man down there all morning, then he brought him up and he [Root] thought it is a good idea to scoop a 6ft 9in giant who was bowling rockets!”An epic target of 583 allowed more grooving of Shoaib Bashir, who was unused in the first innings and finished unbeaten on nought from two deliveries with the bat on day one. Stokes informed Bashir he would be bowling all day, and initially cordoned off 17 overs from the Scoreboard End for the offspinner.Having navigated the wind at the Hagley Oval during the first Test, Bashir had earmarked the Basin Reserve’s top end as the place to apply those fresh learnings, particularly holding strong in his action. Alas, he was met with a far more challenging gust than anticipated.The results were expensive, with 102 conceded from that long spell, including seven sixes, all gone with the wind. But Stokes was willing to spend frivolously to buy the 21-year-old Test dismissals No. 46 and No. 47 in the form of Glenn Phillips (bowled with decent turn and skid) and centurion Tom Blundell (fortuitously pocketed by a quick-thinking Ben Duckett off a wretched ball down leg).A captain both wise and tactically astute? Done•Joe Allison/Getty Images”You don’t get Test wickets if you’re not bowling, Bash, do you?” Stokes said to Bashir after Blundell’s demise. In any other situation, under any other captain, Bashir would have been pulled out of the attack earlier. But the luxury of England’s advantage, and Stokes’ desire to stuff him full of experience saw him uninterrupted, eventually conceding 110 from 19 overs, 70 of which came in boundaries.Even Stokes was able to get a little something for himself. With New Zealand seven down, he tagged to take on the elements, swapping Bashir to the other end. He claimed the last three wickets, the first time he has taken as many in an innings since September 2022.While there is no jeopardy for the end of this series as a live contest – World Test Championship points at Hamilton next week aside – it is important to reiterate England earned their canter. Their approach to tough conditions in the first innings when Tom Latham asked them to bat first, scoring 280 inside 54.4 overs, allowed them to sway the match, eventually gaining total control after dismissing New Zealand for 125.Stokes wanted to bat first based on the 2023 meeting here, which took turn as the game extended beyond England’s expectation and into New Zealand’s wildest dreams. And while this might look like a nightmarish result on Latham’s side, by this point they were calmly put to sleep, accepting and powerless.Blundell’s first century in 20 months brought a modicum of Kiwi joy. The appearance of the retiring Tim Southee, coming out to the middle as No. 10 for his penultimate Test appearance brought a standing ovation from the few who had remained.A crowd that had been diluted by the rain that brought an early lunch had been spread thinner by the near-gale that warned of an impending storm. An apt allegory for a series many thought would be competitive but has already been decided in five days out of a possible 15.On paper, this was supposed to be an even match-up. New Zealand perhaps even favourites off the back of their historical tour, and fuelled by the added motivation of reaching a second WTC final in three cycles. Two defeats – and an over-rate deduction – has put that out of reach.While there is pride to play for next week, including giving Southee a fitting farewell, New Zealand have been roughed up. It has been a mismatch, and nothing typified that more than the final throes.

The Tigers' offense woke up just in time to avoid elimination as they scored all nine of their runs unanswered to secure a 9–3 victory over the Mariners in Game 4 of their American League Divisional Series. Javy Báez, one of the few Detroit batters to show any signs of life this postseason, put things out of reach by blasting a two-run homer on a hanging slider that sent Comerica Park into a frenzy.

It was a no-doubter from the moment it left his bat, but Fox Sports' A.J. Pierzynski still deserves credit for putting it on the board before Baez had even completed his swing. Listen to him nail the call in record time.

"And now, two more" Pierzynski said before the ball had even sailed over the infield.

Even better, he quickly got out of the way for his partner Adam Amin to narrate the moment with some context, saying this was Báez's first playoff homer in eight years. That one came as a member of the World Series-winning Cubs.

Pierzynski has seen a lot of baseball and knows what a pitch like that can result in, but still some incredible speed on the processing there.