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Jamal Musiala has hinted he will sign a new contract at Bayern Munich but that it's better those matters "remain a bit of a mystery."

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Musiala out of contract in 2026 Bayern trying to extend his stayGerman teases 'mystery' over his futureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The German international's contract at the Bundesliga giants runs until 2026 and despite trying to tie him down to a new deal, Bayern Munich director Max Eberl previously admitted it may be hard to achieve that goal. The 21-year-old does seem open to extending his stay with the German giants but the Manchester City-linked player has, arguably, given himself some wiggle room in the negotiating stakes.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT JAMAL MUSIALA SAID

When asked about extending his contract early, he told Sky Germany: "Yes, I can imagine it. There are already talks."

Musiala added that he is "happy" at Bayern and was enjoying his time there.

However, he added: "I can't say much now. It's better to remain a bit of a mystery," and that the process could "take a bit more time".

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The attacking midfielder has become a key player at Bayern, with the youngster scoring seven goals and bagging four assists in just 11 matches this season. The Bavarians want to make him the face of the club, therefore, tying him down to a new contract would be a big boost and make that vision possible.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Musiala, who returned from a hip problem this week and scored a hat-trick against Mainz in the DFB-Pokal, could feature for table-toppers Bayern in their next Bundesliga match on Saturday at home to Union Berlin.

Updates, analysis and colour from the fourth day of the Australia-India Test from Melbourne

Andrew McGlashan29-Dec-20202.50pm: India win by eight wicketsShubman Gill drives down the ground•Getty ImagesBowled out for 36. Virat Kohli goes home. Mohammed Shami out of the tour. Umesh Yadav limps from the attack. India had to overcome so much that their victory at the MCG, achieved midway through the fourth day by eight wickets, will forever have a part in their cricket folklore. Whether it is part of something even greater will depending on the next three weeks, but for now they can reflect on one of great bounce back victories.The early loss of two wickets will have left India grateful – and Australia rueful – that the target wasn’t in three figures, but it never threatened to be become nervy. Australia’s lower order made them work for the final four wickets during the morning session but they could never break free of the stranglehold on their scoring, so by the time R Ashwin wrapped up the innings on the stroke of a delayed lunch the lead stood at only 69. Their final tally of 200 in 103.1 overs was their slowest Test innings on home soil since 1986 and they managed just 10 boundaries.2.05pm: Nerves for India?Australia have taken two early ones. Is that enough to put India on edge? The struggling Mayank Agarwal edged a big drive against Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins claimed Cheteshwar Pujara again. India’s No. 3 played an uncharacteristically loose flat-footed drive which he thick-edged to gully. A small target has just got a little bigger1.00pm: Lunch – Australia 200 all outMohammed Siraj celebrates the wicket of Cameron Green•Getty ImagesIndia will need 70 to level the Test series. It took them all the morning session to work through Australia’s lower order – it was extended with the innings nine down – before R Ashwin wrapped things when Josh Hazlewood shouldered arms and had his off stump clipped. Australia scored at under two-an-over during the innings, a testament to how well India kept control.It was another interesting session for the DRS as well. Mitchell Starc though he was out, caught at slip, off Ravindra Jadeja but the replays showed he had hit his boot as the ball rebounded off the pad and he was able to make a long walk back to the middle having got almost to the boundary rope. Then late in Australia’s innings Starc survived a line-ball lbw decision when beaten by Ashwin’s carrom ball, the tracker showing it to hitting a good portion of the bails but it remained umpire’s call which had been not out on the field.DRS debates will likely rumble on, but barring something extraordinary India should have wrapped this up by tea.12.10pm: India chip awayIndia have made inroads with the new ball, firstly Jasprit Bumrah bouncing out Pat Cummins and then Mohammed Siraj ending a very good innings from Cameron Green when he picked out midwicket with the pull. Australia’s lead is approaching 50, but they have just two wickets in hand. Green innings, in which he faced 146 balls, was very promising and should ensure that his position is not up for debate for the remainder of the series as Australia try to work out what to do with their misfiring batting order.11.30am: Steve Smith on his strugglesSteven Smith has spoken about his lean series to SEN Radio this morning:”At the moment I’m searching for time in the middle; that’s the most important thing for me,” he said. “When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I’ve spent in the middle, during those one-day games.”For me, that’s important. I find a lot of rhythm out in the middle. You can bat as much as you want in the nets but there’s nothing that can replicate what a game can do, so that for me is what I’m searching for at the moment. That can be tough to do, particularly in a Test match when you’ve got some quality bowlers.”And on his battle with Ashwin, he added:”I probably haven’t played Ashwin as well as I would’ve liked; I probably would’ve liked to have put him under a bit more pressure. I’ve sort of let him dictate terms and that’s something I’ve probably never let any spinner do in my career.”I’ve sort of taken it to them, been a bit more aggressive and made them change things. I haven’t allowed that to happen, probably because I’m searching for just being out there for long enough. It’s kind of a two-edged sword in a way, but I think I’ve just got to have the confidence to take it on and play my game.”11.15am: The new ballAustralia have got through the first phase of the day up to the 80-over mark but have only been able to squeeze out 16 runs. They will now have to combat the new ball to have a genuine chance of building a competitive lead. India hustled through their overs, especially R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, building pressure on Cameron Green and Pat Cummins. Both batsmen played quite well – bringing up a fifty partnership – although found it difficult to break the shackles.10.35am: Have your say10.00am: A twist to come?India are on the brink. Australia lead by just two runs with Cameron Green and the bowlers to try and haul the lead towards something defendable. It’s a huge ask. Even if India don’t break through straightaway the new ball is available in 14 overs. Still, stranger things have happened and in this of all years we probably shouldn’t rule out anything. If India do wrap up the game it will have to go down as one of their finest ever victories: bowled out for 36, Virat Kohli goes home, Mohammed Shami injured and then yesterday Umesh Yadav limps off as well.Plenty of questions for Australia to ponder especially around a batting line-up that has completely lost its shape. The return of David Warner can’t come soon enough. They won’t make wholesale changes (for one, the biosecure bubble doesn’t really allow it) but there isn’t really a player in the top six who can claim to have played at the top of their game yet – although a nod to Matthew Wade for how he has adapted to opening.

Ricky Ponting did not hold back in his criticism of hosts Australia, whose major troubles in approach were exposed by a clinical India #AUSvIND

https://t.co/cAiLxmWfJr pic.twitter.com/DEHS5rleKi

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 28, 2020

Finch heads to the beach to freshen up for the tour of New Zealand after a nightmare season with Melbourne Renegades

Alex Malcolm27-Jan-2021Australia’s T20 captain Aaron Finch believes players will need to be rested from tours moving forward as he thinks months on end in Covid-19 bubbles are unsustainable following a nightmare BBL season.Finch will lead Australia’s T20 tour of New Zealand which departs Australia on February 7, one day after the BBL final.The 18-man squad was announced on Wednesday, just a day after the final round of BBL season where his Melbourne Renegades claimed a morale-boosting consolation win over Hobart Hurricanes despite finishing last on the table for the second-straight year.Finch scored just 179 runs at 13.76 from 13 innings and although he took full responsibility for his own form, he did concede the endless cycle of Covid hubs for touring Australian players had taken its toll on him.”I had an absolute shocker with the bat,” Finch said. “The harder I trained the worse I got, which is the opposite to what everyone tells you to do.”My wife worked it out the other day that I’ve had 20 or 21 days since April that I haven’t been in lockdown or in a bubble. I’m going down to the beach for a few days to relax. My kit bag won’t be coming out of my car, I can tell you. It will be locked away.Related

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“We’ve got 14-days of quarantine and training once we get to New Zealand. That plenty of time. For me personally, it will be maybe four or five hits once I’m there and that should be good enough. I know what I need to do to get ready. Just a clear mind. That’s the most important thing.”Trevor Hohns, the national selector, was confident Finch would be able to emerge from his slump on the New Zealand tour. “He’s been a bit out of nick or out of runs, whatever they like to say these days, and he’ll be concerned about his form but let’s face it on the international stage he’s very well credentialed and one of the best players in the world.Australia will send two separate squads overseas to New Zealand and South Africa at the same time. The selectors have picked a first-choice Test squad for the tour of South Africa while Finch has a T20I squad without the experience of David Warner, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood among others, but featuring some exciting prospects who had starred in the BBL.But in the new post-Covid world where biosecure hubs are the new norm, Finch conceded that Cricket Australia may need to adopt England’s model of forcing multi-format players to rest from certain sections of certain tours, as England have done with the upcoming tour of India, in order to keep players fresh and at their best to avoid the type of form slump Finch has experienced.”I think if you’re playing a few formats of the game, there’s going to need to be a chop-out from selectors and from Cricket Australia,” Finch said. “You notice what England is doing with their squads at the moment, there are guys that aren’t travelling for the first two Tests [against India], and then coming in.”If the Covid bubble and hubs continue for a long time, that will be something that would be looked into, no doubt. The welfare of players is paramount and being locked up for months is pretty unsustainable I think, when you’re away from your families and your families can’t travel.Aaron Finch will be back in Australia colours at the end of February•Getty Images”That will be individual as well. Some guys who are married with kids will find it tougher than a young single guy, for example. I think you just have to monitor everything in that regard.”Australia allrounder and Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques, who was selected in the Test squad to tour South Africa has endured an unusual summer by comparison to Finch. He has been in hubs since October but has hardly played while being a squad member for the entirety of Australia’s four-Test series against India.”To be honest, I don’t feel like I haven’t played much,” Henriques said. “When you’re away in that set up, when you’re away with the Australian team there’s a lot of external noise that you take in mentally. You’re constantly preparing to play each day and then you train. You don’t really have too many days off.”I think a couple of days off here and there always helps the mind and the body. The other thing you’ve got to remember as well is for the last 10 years I’ve almost played cricket for 11 months of the year anyway. I think it’s almost a matter of a mindset personally. If I can reframe how I see things and how I want to look at things, it really determines whether or not I feel fresh or not.”But Henriques was keen to stress that the players were well looked after in the various hubs and they did have the chance to opt-out at any stage.”They’re all decisions that at the end of the day are mine,” he said. “If I am feeling fatigued or tired or whatever I don’t have to go on those tours if I really don’t want to. We’re not forced to go anywhere. It’s always the player’s decision. If I’m feeling exactly how I’m feeling now I’ll be welcoming any opportunity that comes my way.”

It's been an unusual transfer window for Tottenham Hotspur this summer as, unlike plenty of their Premier League rivals, they did make a significant signing during the Euros in the shape of Archie Gray.

However, in the weeks since, there have been few tangible movements, although there have been plenty of links to exciting players, some more believable than others.

One of the strongest links has been to Crystal Palace sensation Eberechi Eze.

While he would be an incredible addition to the Lilywhites' lefthand side, he wouldn't be the most valuable player there.

The latest on Eze to Spurs

According to recent reports, Spurs are still firmly in the race for Eze's signature this summer and are, in fact, leading, with their closest competitor, Manchester City, waiting to see what will happen with Kevin De Bruyne before making any moves regarding the Palace ace.

While this is certainly good news for the North Londoners, there is still the small obstacle of his transfer fee, which, according to a BBC Sport report back in April, stands at around £60m.

While that's undoubtedly a lot of money, it's not unjustified.

For example, in just 31 appearances last season, the "incredible" 26-year-old, as dubbed by teammate Joel Ward, scored 11 goals and provided six assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.82 games.

This impressive haul would have seen him rank as the second most productive member of the Lilywhites' squad last season, with only Son Heung-min producing more goal involvements at 17.

In all, were Eze to join Postecoglou's revolution this summer, he'd be an incredible asset to play either in the middle of the park or out on the left, although, in the case of the latter, he'd be playing alongside a teammate worth even more than him.

Destiny Udogie's valuation in 2024

Yes, the player in question is young left-back Destiny Udogie.

The talented Italian cost Spurs just £15m plus bonuses in August 2022, and after a loan spell in his home country, he joined up with the North Londoners last summer before taking the Premier League by storm.

In all, the "masterclass signing", as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, has scored two goals and provided three assists in 30 first-team appearances for the North Londoners – all of which have been starts – meaning he has averaged a goal involvement every six games from the full-back position.

Appearances

28

2

1

Goals

2

0

0

Assists

3

0

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.17

0.00

0.00

The Verona-born dynamo has been such a revelation in England that he became Tottenham's first player ever to be nominated for the Premier League's Young Player of the Season Award in May, and while he didn't win it, the nomination just cemented his place among the most exciting prospects in the country.

This rapid rise from relative obscurity to star has understandably seen his transfer value skyrocket as well, and according to the CIES Football Observatory, he is now worth up to €83m, which converts to around £70m, or £60m more than the Palace ace will cost.

Ultimately, signing Eze this summer would be an excellent idea for Spurs and help improve the team's quality in midfield and on the wings, but the club should remember that their most valuable left-sided player is the youngster at left-back, Udogie.

Exit expected: Spurs target £25m Porro rival who could be Ange's own White

The impressive full-back could add a lot of quality to the Lilywhites.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 24, 2024

Vinicius Junior hosted Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper and singer Maluma for dinner at his house as the Real Madrid star showed off his trophies.

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Vinicius Jr hosts Cooper and MalumaGifted them Real Madrid kitsLos Blancos next face AC Milan on TuesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Hollywood actor Cooper and Colombian singer Maluma turned up at the Real Madrid star's home in the Spanish capital and joined him for dinner. Afterwards, Vinicius Jr. gave his guests a tour of his house, showed off his trophy cabinet and gifted them a pair of Real Madrid away jerseys. The gathering took place a week after the Brazilian was snubbed for the Ballon d'Or as Rodri bagged the award.

AdvertisementWHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Sharing some photographs from the get-together, Maluma wrote on Instagram: "This combo is separating me. Shall we take them on tour?"

GettyTHE GOSSIP

Vinicius' defeat to Rodri at the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards sparked a lot of controversy, with the Real winger having been the favourite for the prize until the day of the ceremony. Los Blancos learned about the final verdict ahead of time and decided to boycott the ceremony, cancelling their planned trip to Paris as a mark of protest.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Carlo Ancelotti's side will take to the field on Tuesday night for the first time since their humiliating defeat in El Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona, as they take on AC Milan in a Champions League clash.

The champions of England didn't look back after the Lionesses' star's early goal, with Wieke Kaptein also on the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge

Watching Chelsea's 3-0 win over Celtic at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, it was hard to believe the English champions only just got past their Scottish opponents seven days prior. In Glasgow, Celtic actually took the lead against Sonia Bompastor's side and only lost 2-1, putting up a valiant effort despite being massive underdogs. The reverse fixture in the Champions League group stage was quite different though, as Chelsea eased to a victory that not only sent them through to the quarter-finals, but also knocked Celtic out of the competition.

There were just two minutes on the clock when the tone was set, as Lucy Bronze connected brilliantly with a Catarina Macario cross to break the deadlock with a volley that Celtic shot-stopper Kelsey Daugherty will know she should've kept out. Another well-worked corner produced the second goal of the day, too, as Guro Reiten this time provided the delivery and teenager Wieke Kaptein applied the headed finish. It was all capped off in stoppage time, when Bronze's cross struck a hand in the box and Eve Perisset added some late gloss to the scoreline from the penalty spot.

Chelsea by no means bombarded the Celtic goal in this game, but they didn't really need to. Dominating possession and restricting their opponents to very little, having already taken an early lead, the Blues did what was necessary to come out with all three points, secure their place in the knockout stages and maintain Bompastor's 100% start to life at the club – a perfect record that runs through 11 games now.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Zecira Musovic (6/10):

Had little to nothing to do. Reliable on the ball.

Lucy Bronze (8/10):

Got forward well and created chances. Great connection for the opening goal.

Maelys Mpome (6/10):

Performed well in her duels and kept the ball well, though was under little pressure throughout.

Millie Bright (6/10):

Near-flawless in possession and mopped up at the back where necessary, albeit, again, without being tested much.

Ashley Lawrence (7/10):

Supported the attack and battled well, winning all-but-one of her tackles.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Oriane Jean-Francois (7/10):

Another promising performance from a young midfielder whose future looks extremely bright.

Wieke Kaptein (7/10):

Capped a solid all-round display with a great header.

Sjoeke Nusken (7/10):

A really busy game from the midfielder, with her popping up in all departments to contribute. Movement was great.

Getty ImagesAttack

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):

Not as dangerous in attack as she usually is, though wasn't for a lack of effort. Still had some moments.

Catarina Macario (7/10):

Held the ball up well and provided a pinpoint assist, but didn't receive much service in 45 minutes which will be important to rebuild her fitness after injuries.

Guro Reiten (7/10):

Brought plenty of positive energy out wide and delivered a great ball for Kaptein's header.

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Subs & Manager

Mayra Ramirez (7/10):

Replaced Macario at half-time and instantly set about making her presence felt, showing real directness whenever she got the ball and a knack for creating something out of nothing.

Erin Cuthbert (6/10):

Came on just before the hour and kept things ticking over nicely in midfield, without stealing the show.

Eve Perisset (6/10):

Slotted in nicely at left-back for the final 20 minutes, allowing Lawrence to push on even more. Cool as ice from the penalty spot.

Lola Brown (N/A):

Days after signing her first professional contract, the 17-year-old made a memorable Chelsea debut in the final few minutes.

Julia Bartel (N/A):

Also on for the final five minutes on so, replacing Nusken.

Sonia Bompastor (8/10):

Put out a well-judged XI which gave plenty of fresh faces a chance to impress, but avoided over-rotation and kept some balance and consistency. The calm nature of the team performance showed how correct her decisions were, especially after last week's nervy win.

“We were all satisfied with how we went about our planning. It just comes down to an execution thing”

Alex Malcolm23-Feb-2021Jhye Richardson said Australia’s bowlers will be looking to improve their execution in the death overs after missing their lengths in the heavy defeat to New Zealand at Hagley Oval in the first T20I of the five-match series.New Zealand had slumped to 19 for 3 in the Powerplay after being sent in to bat, with Daniel Sams and Richardson bowling superbly upfront.However, Australia’s bowlers conceded 76 runs in the last six overs of the innings and 33 off the last two, as Devon Conway produced a stunning 99 not out to lift New Zealand to a winning total of 184 for 5.Richardson was the pick of Australia’s quicks claiming 2 for 31 on his return to the T20I side. He only bowled one over in the last four, picking up the wicket of James Neesham, but he did admit he didn’t quite hit his lengths, conceding a six each to Conway and Glenn Phillips in his four overs.”I think from a personal point of view I certainly missed my length,” Richardson said. “I think they batted really well. The outfield was exceptionally fast. It got a little bit dewy at the end so we found the ball was probably skidding on a little bit more at the end as to the start of the innings which probably helped them a little bit, just in terms of slower balls not sticking into the wicket as much as they were earlier.”If we missed our length we got punished. I think the planning and everything from that aspect was fine. We were all satisfied with how we went about our planning and the decisions made out there. It just comes down to an execution thing.”Australia were then surprised that the ball swung as prodigiously as it did for New Zealand under lights after the dew had settled in with Trent Boult and Tim Southee ripping through the top order to leave them 19 for 4.”They just kept it really simple, didn’t they?” Richardson said. “How often do you see three slips in a T20? We probably didn’t expect the ball to swing for that long and that much, to be honest. [It] didn’t really swing too much in our innings.”It was a little bit of a surprise but knowing that now, it’s something we’ll keep in the back of our mind going into the next game. [Boult and Southee are] two class bowlers and we saw them keep it really simple while the ball was swinging, just bowling a really nice line and length and making us make mistakes.”Richardson was pleased to be back playing at the international level. It was just his second appearance for Australia since his shoulder injury in 2019, and his first in 12 months after missing Australia’s tour to England and the ODI and T20I series against India before Christmas.He spoke in the build-up about trying to take some pressure off himself after struggling with the weight of his own expectations at the end of the BBL.”I think I had plenty of time between the end of the Big Bash and now to think about how I was going about my last few Big Bash games, putting myself under a lot of pressure,” Richardson said.”I had a lot of time to think and reflect on that and went into the game really wanting to enjoy myself and not put myself under so much pressure because I know what I’ve done to get to this point. I can trust that.”I just went out there yesterday with the sole focus of just trying to enjoy myself and certainly did.”

With West Bromwich Albion set to kick off their Championship campaign this weekend with a trip to QPR, the Baggies are in the market for a new midfielder to replace an outgoing star.

West Brom suffer a number of big name exits

Whilst outgoings were always expected at the Hawthorns this summer, the last seven days have seen a number of senior players call time on their West Brom careers. Okay Yokuslu was one of the first to depart with the Turkish midfielder returning to his home country in a move to Trabzonspor.

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The 30-year-old was a pivotal part of Carlos Corberan's side last season, featuring 48 times in all competitions as West Brom lost out to eventual winners Southampton in the playoff semi-finals. The loss of Yokuslu will leave a massive hole at the base of the Baggies' midfield.

Joining his Turkish teammate in departing the Hawthorns was attacking talent Brandon Thomas-Asante. The Ghanaian forward had been West Brom's top scorer for the last two seasons but decided to move away from the club as he entered the final 12 months of his deal at the club.

Whilst Hull City long looked to be Thomas-Asante's chosen destination, Coventry City swooped in at the last minute to hijack the deal and keep the player in the Midlands. The 25-year-old has penned a four-year deal with his new club as he looks set to line up against the Baggies next season.

Despite things looking somewhat bleak going into the start of the season, there is some good news for the Hawthorns' faithful as West Brom appear linked to a number of new players. The most recent rumours have seen the club table a bid to sign Callum Styles from Barnsley.

With the higher ups at the Hawthorns facing a mammoth task to get West Brom's side ready to compete for the playoffs again, it appears that the Baggies are making moves to sign a new midfielder.

Baggies make offer for North Macedonian midfielder

As reported in the Swedish press and relayed by Sport Witness, West Brom are showing an interest in Djurgårdens IF midfielder Besard Sabovic. The outlet claims that the Baggies have even tabled an offer for the 26-year-old who is set to enter the final six months of his deal with the Allsvenskan side.

In spite of Djurgårdens' apparant reluctance to sell Sabovic this summer, it would be the club's last chance to fetch a fee for the player before he walks for free at the end of his contract. As the Swedish season kicked off back in April, Sabovic has already made 21 appearances for his side during this campaign, scoring five goals in the process, and his club are desperately trying to extend his deal.

With the departure of Yokuslu leaving a massive void in the Baggies' midfield, West Brom could take advantage of Sabovic's contract situation and bring in a replacement for the Turkish talent at what could be a bargain price if he does not pen an extended contract.

Unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 112 in 9.3 overs between Krunal and KL Rahul rescues India’s innings

Alan Gardner23-Mar-20212:42

What makes Shardul Thakur so effective?

An ODI of fluctuating fortunes eventually went the way of India by a comfortable margin, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The home side were grateful to a pair of fine debuts from Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna, alongside vital contributions from several senior hands, as England collapsed after a dominant start to their chase had seen them reached 135 without loss in the 15th over.Like Shikhar Dhawan earlier in the day, Jonny Bairstow fell narrowly short of a century – though the openers enjoyed success via starkly different methods. Dhawan set himself to bat for much of the innings, and helped lay the platform in partnership with Virat Kohli, although India needed the spark provided by Krunal’s 26-ball fifty and an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with KL Rahul that yielded 112 from 57 at the death.Bairstow, meanwhile, epitomises England’s ultra-aggressive approach. He and Jason Roy had seemingly broken the chase by the time the first wicket fell, as the openers hared off to post their 12th century opening stand in ODIs. But England imploded spectacularly in the face of a renewed India bowling effort, led by Krishna and Shardul Thakur, both of whom recovered from expensive initial spells to share seven wickets between them.Related

Iyer taken for scans after shoulder injury; could be in doubt for IPL

Krishna’s dismissal of Roy triggered a period in which England lost two wickets and scored just two runs from the next 17 balls, with Bairstow starved of the strike. It would have been worse had Kohli held on to an outside edge coaxed by Krishna from Eoin Morgan’s first delivery; the India captain immediately acknowledged his mistake by unsuccessfully trying to run out his counterpart, who had seemingly already begun to make his way back to the dressing room.It was not to prove costly, as England slumped further when Thakur had Bairstow caught splicing a hook towards the deep-midwicket boundary six runs short of a century. Two overs later, Morgan and Jos Buttler were dismissed in the space of four balls from Thakur to leave England 176 for 5 – still well ahead of the required rate, but short on batsmen available to knock them off.Moeen Ali and Sam Billings patched things up with a stand of 41 before Krishna struck again. There had been doubts about Billings’ continued participation after he left the field with a “sprained collar bone joint” during the India innings, and although passed fit to bat he was unable to reprise his finisher role from the 2020 summer as he chipped tamely to extra cover.Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul pushed India’s scoring at the death•BCCIWith night-time dew taking effect and Ali finally benefitting from some time in the middle – his only previous England outing all winter had come in the second Chennai Test – England were still in contention. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar extracted Ali with a sharply seaming lifter and Krunal collected a wicket to go with his batting cameo as the tail were rounded up cheaply.India’s chief concern come the end was a shoulder injury suffered in the field by one of their own, as Shreyas Iyer walked off in obvious pain after getting his hand to a powerful Bairstow drive. Rohit Sharma, too, played no part during England’s innings, having sustained a blow on the elbow from Mark Wood while batting.The differences in approach to ODI cricket between these two sides were typified by the opening pairs. Dhawan and Sharma have scored almost 5000 runs together at the top of the order for India, but their success has been based upon steady accumulation early on before cracking on once set. Here, after being inserted, they settled for a period of reconnaissance against the new ball, with 15 runs coming from the first six overs, and 39 without loss in the powerplay.By contrast, after allowing a few sighters from Kumar, the England openers opted for their big spoons. Bairstow was particularly belligerent, accelerating from 6 off 18 as England plundered the powerplay for 89 runs; he greeted the arrival of Kuldeep Yadav in the 12th over by clubbing him for four and six, raising a 40-ball fifty and England’s 100 from consecutive deliveries.India had taken until the 24th over to reach three figures, and they pushed a see-sawing innings beyond 300 only thanks to the efforts of Krunal and Rahul, who came together with the team on 205 for 5. The elder Pandya struck five of his first 14 balls for fours and added a couple of towering sixes for good measure on the way to the joint-fastest fifty on ODI debut – a milestone he celebrated with a thump of the helmet and a look to the skies.Krunal’s cap had been presented before play by Hardik Pandya and the brothers, who lost their father and mentor in January, shared another emotional embrace at the mid-innings interval.India had seemingly ground their way into the ascendancy at 169 for 1, with Dhawan and Kohli motoring along ominously during a century stand. But the return of Wood, who had bowled a sharp opening spell, saw Kohli taken on the deep-midwicket boundary – making it 42 innings (and 16 fifties) since his last hundred – as England re-established their early stranglehold.Stokes, who was playing his first ODI since the 2019 World Cup final, claimed three wickets including that of Dhawan, who pulled low into the hands of midwicket with his hundred beckoning. Iyer also departed attempting to hit Wood over the top, and with Hardik Pandya steering Stokes to slip India were in danger of falling short on a good surface.England were largely excellent in the field, bar Ali dropping a straightforward chance in the deep offered by Dhawan on 59, as India lost 4 for 36 just as they were looking to press on. But the death bowling went awry in the face of some savage hitting, Rahul clearing the ropes four times in 62 from 43 as India’s explosive finish ultimately proved enough to thwart their fast-starting opponents.

Real Madrid's official team coach was spotted in a crash on the M40 motorway a day after the loss to Liverpool in the Champions League.

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Madrid coach spotted in crash on M40Appears to have hit back of lorryIncident happened day after loss to LiverpoolFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Madrid's week went from bad to worse as only a few hours after losing to rivals Liverpool in the Champions League, the team bus was spotted in an accident on the UK's M40 motorway. The video online showed the branded coach in the back of a lorry, with slow-moving cars trundling past and getting a good look at the crash. It appeared that only minor damage was done to both vehicles, with no one being harmed in the incident.

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The bus collision coming so soon after Madrid's car-crash performance at Anfield is reflective of the season they are having under Carlo Ancelotti. They have been marred by big injuries in recent weeks, losing Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo and remain at serious risk of crashing out of the Champions League if they do not get their act together for the final three games. The team, alongside their bus, is in desperate need of repairs ahead of the busy Christmas period.

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The Madrid players would not have had any problem getting back to Spain as they prepare for Getafe on Sunday. As for the bus driver, he may be getting a slap on the wrist but the repair price is not something that will concern the European giants.