Chelsea have received a massive Liam Delap boost as the striker is set to make a swift recovery from his shoulder injury. Delap looked set for more time on the sidelines after being forced out of last weekend's game against Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Amex Stadium with a shoulder injury. The English forward landed heavily and looked to be in real pain in the first half of the game.
SLC said that the decision was taken “after careful consideration of the broader requirement of preparing well in advance” for next year’s T20 World Cup
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2025
Drones form the Lanka Premier League (LPL) logo at the LPL final in 2024•NurPhoto via Getty Images
The 2025 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will not take place this year as was originally planned, SLC has announced. In a press release, SLC said that the decision was taken “after careful consideration of the broader requirement of preparing well in advance” for next year’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.The 2025 LPL was originally slated to be held between November 27 and December 23 across three venues – Colombo, Kandy and Dambulla. SLC, however, has now decided to move the tournament to another window, in order to allow “full focus on ensuring comprehensive venue readiness ahead of the World Cup.”As per ICC guidelines, all venues for the upcoming 20-team World Cup are meant to be in perfect condition to meet the demands of hosting a major international tournament. Accordingly, SLC said they needed the time to upgrade and enhance the infrastructure in and around the grounds.The R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo, which is one of three venues in Sri Lanka, had temporarily paused its renovation work to host 11 matches in the ongoing Women’s World Cup. SLC confirmed that the ground will resume development work immediately upon the completion of its scheduled games.The last two seasons of the LPL took place during July and August, however this year, with the 2026 T20 World Cup set to begin in February, SLC had initially felt the later window better suited their needs.ESPNcricinfo had also learnt that talks are underway to incorporate a sixth team into the LPL. The first five editions saw five teams representing Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna compete. Earlier this year, Jaffna Kings – formerly the longest-standing franchise, having joined in the tournament’s second edition – and Colombo Strikers were terminated by SLC for “failure to uphold contractual obligations.” As a result, the LPL currently has no franchise owners with a history stretching back beyond 2024. New owners for both the Jaffna and Colombo teams are yet to be announced.
An analysis of the trends formed in IPL 2025
Shubh Agarwal05-Jun-202514:45
IPL 2025: Do both Pandya brothers get picked in the team of the tournament?
:Indian batters on top
The dominance of Indian batters was one of the most prominent aspects of IPL 2025. Not only did they score over 16000 runs, they also achieved that at a 150-plus strike rate – both were firsts for Indian batters in an IPL season. Their average of 29.76 is also the highest in a season.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhat makes it more noteworthy is the contribution from the uncapped batters. As many as nine uncapped Indian batters scored over 250 runs. The 2023 and 2024 seasons had six uncapped batters each doing so, which was the previous record.Related
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IPL 2025 showed the might of the uncapped Indian batter
Prabhsimran Singh became only the second uncapped Indian batter to accumulate over 500 runs in a season, after Yashasvi Jaiswal in 2023. Prabhsimran’s opening partner, Priyansh Arya, scored over 450 runs in his debut season. The 14-year-old IPL debutant Vaibhav Suryavanshi broke the record for the youngest batter to score a T20 hundred.Most impressively, the uncapped batters stood their ground against bowlers with international experience. There were 10 entries of an uncapped batter scoring over 20 runs against international bowlers at a strike rate of over 200 without getting out, the most in a season.This pattern played a vital role in deciding the top four sides. Delhi Capitals’ (DC) two home wins came in Vishakhapatnam; in five matches in Delhi, they lost four and won a Super Over to garner two points from a tied game against Rajasthan Royals (RR). Chennai Super Kings won only one of their six matches in Chepauk. In total, seven of the 10 teams lost more than 50% of their home matches.Bowling offspin against left-handers as a match-up did not prove effective this season. Left-handed batters faced only 25.54% of offspin, the lowest in a season. In this match-up, they conceded 8.87 runs per over, only the third IPL season when they went at more than eight per over against left-handers, after 2008 (8.50) and 2018 (8.26).ESPNcricinfo LtdWhere were the close games?
IPL 2025 was a season that the faint-hearted would have enjoyed without many complications, as there were only a few nailbiters. While the 200-plus run chases were exciting to watch, five of them were finished as contests before the start of the final over. None of the 37 successful chases went to the last ball. Only six matches were decided with a margin of less than 10 runs. Throughout the season, only four matches were effectively alive on the final delivery, including the Super Over contest between DC and RR.ESPNcricinfo LtdOverall, only 21.13% of matches were close (with the margin under 10 runs or less than six balls to spare having less than three wickets in hand in a successful run chase). Only 2011 had fewer close games – 20.83%.Even the playoff qualification was quite straightforward, with the top four decided after the 63rd league game. That is seven matches before the league stage was over, the earliest the top four have been confirmed in a season.
He is bowling fuller than he has before, the numbers in IPL 2025 so far aren’t great, but his smile says he knows what he is doing
Alagappan Muthu08-Apr-20251:55
Chopra: ‘Zip is missing for Rashid’
Rashid Khan loves a battle. Even now, when he’s not winning many of them, he comes to the bowling crease with an I’m-gonna-get-you grin.The Gujarat Titans (GT) legspinner is averaging 143.00 in IPL 2025. In each of the last three years, he has suffered a bowling spell where he conceded over 50 runs. Last week, he came within one run of equaling his worst figures in the tournament.Rashid has not appeared worried by any of this. It’s almost like he has other things on his mind. There might have been a glimpse of it when he bowled to Nitish Kumar Reddy on Sunday. The ball was reverse-swept for four, but he still had that smile on his face, polluted only slightly by wryness, as he re-enacted what had happened. A legbreak that had popped up in the air and then plummeted down to earth.He has been chasing that. There has been a 14% increase in the number of full deliveries he’s bowled over the last two years.
This pursuit, though, has not been without a little bit of pain. A bowler who once had a balls-per-six ratio as high as 43 has seen it dip to 15 in 2023 and 13 in 2024. Now it’s less than eight. He’s become hittable. Teams are clearly making use of the longer batting line-ups they have been afforded thanks to the Impact Player rule.
Almost all of Rashid’s success as a T20 bowler is the result of being unconventional, from his action – a bowling arm too close to the perpendicular and similar releases for both the legbreak and the googly even though only one of them should be coming out the back of the hand – to his principles – a desperation to contain runs. An indifference to taking wickets. Stump-to-stump. Into-the-pitch. If Shane Warne wrote the classical legspinner’s code, Rashid remixed it.There is a cute little story from Mike Hussey about how he thought he’d picked up a cue in the Afghan’s bowling action and sent it across to the rest of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team only for it to backfire spectacularly. MS Dhoni saw the email. He went out to bat with it in mind. He got bowled for 9. At his best, even the most experienced players, with the benefit of a cheat sheet, were still unable to see through Rashid’s deception.Maybe driving the ball into the pitch over and over has got harder and harder after his back injury in 2023; maybe, he wants to be able to deceive batters in the air too; maybe he’s just doing it all on a dare. Whatever the reason, one of spin bowling’s greatest freestylers has developed a compulsion for convention.Only Rashid will know why he is bowling fuller now and whether it is worth the trouble. His team still trusts him. GT had a slip for him deep into the third over of his spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He had Heinrich Klaasen caught in the crease with a ball that he could never hope to reach on the front foot and one that wasn’t short enough to go on the back foot to. Uncertainty ruled the batter’s mind as he moved to protect his stumps. His outside edge saved him from an early shower. And Rashid had that smile again. That knowing smile. He knew he had come close.Funny thing is, had that gone past Klaasen as it was intended to, it would only have been the second wicket of a right-hand batter that Rashid has taken with his stock ball – the legbreak – in the last two IPLs.
All bowlers have ups and downs and four games is still too early in the season to make an informed opinion. Not when we’re talking about a bowler who has over 600 T20 wickets. What we can say is that Rashid is trying something new and he might need a little time to get it right.
Richarlison could now make a sensational return to Everton in the January transfer window amid reports that The Friedkin Group are ready to back David Moyes this winter.
The American owners went all in on the Everton boss in the summer, spending big to welcome Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish and making Tyler Dibling their second most expensive signing of all time. It was a summer fit for a side about to enter a grand new home.
But Friedkin aren’t done there. Reports are now suggesting that they’re looking to solve Everton’s striker problems in 2026 following the struggles of both Beto and summer arrival Barry.
The £27m striker has particularly disappointed. After scoring 19 goals in all competitions at Villarreal last season, he is yet to find the back of the net at Everton. His struggles have also been made worse by Beto’s poor performances.
The towering forward has scored twice in 11 games to once again highlight the Toffees’ struggles in that role. It’s something that Friedkin must solve if they want Moyes’ side to compete in the top-half.
To that end, a number of names have emerged as potential options. Everton’s scouts were reportedly in attendance for Galatasaray’s recent Champions League clash against Bodo/Glimt and watched on as Victor Osimhen netted a brace. There’s no doubt that the Nigerian would hand them the ultimate solution to their problems.
Everton's £45k-p/w talent is now giving "Pienaar 2.0 vibes" under Moyes
Everton have already hit the jackpot on this talented first-teamer.
ByAngus Sinclair Oct 29, 2025
Ivan Toney has also been in the headlines. The Al-Ahli forward is aware that he’ll likely need a January switch to the Premier League if he is to get into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad and reportedly wants to work with Moyes. Whether those at the Hill Dickinson Stadium are willing to match his hefty salary is another question, however.
Instead, a familiar face could yet be on his way back to Merseyside.
How Richarlison feels about Everton return
According to TeamTalk, Richarlison would now jump at the chance to join Everton in the January transfer window in what would be quite the return. The Tottenham striker has been forced to watch on from the bench in the last three Premier League games and may need to move on if he wants consistent minutes.
That’s where Everton could come in. Friedkin are ready to go all in for Moyes in January and he desperately needs an impressive striker to lead the line – something Richarlison has been for the Toffees in the past.
Richarlison
Everton record
Appearances
152
Goals
53
Assists
15
Whether Spurs boss Thomas Frank will be open to losing his forward is another question, however.
The Dane told reporters after Richarlison got off to an excellent start earlier this season: “Fantastic he is scoring. The first one is definitely easier to score without being easy, but I have a striker that takes those two chances and helps us win the game.
“He deserves a lot of praise. He was very good against PSG and today he was exceptional, with his work-rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating and then the two finishes.
“So happy on his behalf and again performance department, medical department did a top job to build him.”
Everton's most expensive sales
Manchester City have now reportedly offered Real Madrid a shock swap deal in an attempt to sign a young player that Pep Guardiola loves.
Man City targeting Real Madrid star
The big concern that Man City had in the opening weeks of the Premier League campaign was their list of goalscorers. When it wasn’t Erling Haaland, it was difficult to pinpoint just who would step up for Guardiola’s side. As we approach Christmas, however, to say that is no longer an issue would be an understatement.
Phil Foden has particularly stepped up as of late and even defenders such as Josko Gvardiol are getting in on the act, scoring twice in City’s last three Premier League games.
Full of praise for Foden after yet another excellent display on Saturday, Guardiola told reporters: “Phil is incredible.
“He is scoring a lot of goals. He came to me after the game and said he didn’t feel well today and look what happened how he runs, in behind, regain the ball. When he is in this momentum and this mood, he is a gift and a diamond. He is top.”
City have now cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to just two points as they look to make up for last season and get back on top in English football.
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ByTom Cunningham 6 days ago
With 2026 around the corner too, several rumours are beginning to surround the potential business that the Citizens could complete and that includes a shock Real Madrid star.
Reports have claimed that Man City are targeting a move to sign Arda Guler from the Spanish giants, despite Foden’s recent resurgence. The Turkish midfielder has been one of few players to benefit from Xabi Alonso’s arrival in Spain and those at the Etihad are now reportedly ready to sacrifice one of their own stars to secure his signature.
Man City offer Real Madrid shock swap deal
According to reports in Spain, Man City have now offered Rodri in a swap deal to sign Guler from Real Madrid in 2026. Guardiola is reportedly a huge fan of the 20-year-old and could bid farewell to one of his most important players to get the deal over the line.
It would undoubtedly be the most unexpected deal of the year. Rodri may still be recovering from his ACL injury, but there is still no one better in his position when he is 100%. Would Man City really sacrifice their Ballon d’Or winner?
What’s more, the question must also be asked as to whether City even need Guler? With Foden and Rayan Cherki competing for that No.10 role, finding a place in their side for the Madrid star would arguably be fairly difficult. That said, he has been billed as “the next Kevin De Bruyne” by one journalist.
Nonetheless, it is a deal that Real Madrid are not willing to take at this time, and that should come as little shock after Alonso told reporters: “With his (Guler) quality, he’s a mix between Özil and Guti.
“Guti had that vision and finesse to link play or operate closer to goal, and with Mesut I enjoyed football so much. Arda has that something special — that natural talent you can’t teach.”
Man City willing to launch £100m+ bid to sign 18-y/o star who's been compared to Yamal
Play was halted for 15 minutes while the field was fumigated but the effect seemed to be temporary
Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Oct-2025
Bugs stopped play after 34 overs•ICC/Getty Images
The India v Pakistan fixture in Colombo was stopped for 15 minutes while the playing area at Khettarama was fumigated, to clear it of a swarm of insects. Play had been paused once before this, as less intensive insect-clearing methods were tried.The fumigation appeared to work only briefly. The insects – likely a variety of winged termite attracted to the stadium floodlights – seemed to return less than 10 minutes after play resumed. They continued to cause delays in play. Pakistan offspinner Rameen Shamim appeared to need to have an insect picked out of her eye in the 38th over.The bugs had begun to appear roughly 20 overs into India’s innings, just as the sun was setting. The insects were seen causing problems for the India batters and the Pakistan bowlers, with Nashra Sandhu particularly irked by the swarm. Five balls into the 28th over of the innings, Sandhu and captain Fatima Sana called for what appeared to be bug spray, and they applied it around the bowling crease, and on parts of their clothing.The drinks break was taken early during that first insect-related stop, but the insects continued to swarm near the centre of the playing area.After 34 overs, play was stopped, the cricketers left the field, and a man wearing a gas mask entered the playing area with a fumigation machine (fogging machine). Within minutes virtually the entire playing area was covered with anti-insect smoke. Play resumed after the smoke had cleared.”To be honest, you had to concentrate a lot more,” Jemimah Rodrigues said after India scored 247. “Couldn’t see much when the bugs were coming through.”Insect-related stoppages are uncommon in Sri Lanka, but are not unknown. Some species of termite swarm after rains, and during the wetter months of the year. This ground had seen rain on Saturday, when the Sri Lanka v Australia fixture had been washed out without a ball being bowled.
Starc is available to play up to three matches plus finals depending on how he recovers from the five-match Ashes series
Alex Malcolm09-Oct-2025Mitchell Starc is set to play his first BBL match in 11 seasons in January after signing with the Sydney Sixers but remains adamant that any changes to the competition should not come at the expense of Test cricket.Starc played six matches in the first season of the BBL back in 2011-12, the same summer he made his Test debut for Australia, including taking two wickets in the final which Sixers won. He played four more games over the next three editions but has not featured since, having long prioritised the international summer with Australia.Related
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But after retiring from T20I cricket this year, Starc will not have any commitments with Australia following the completion of the fifth Ashes Test on January 8. It presents an opportunity for Starc to play upwards of three BBL matches on January 11, 16 and 18, depending on how he has recovered physically after a gruelling five-Test series, as well as the BBL finals if Sixers qualify.”I’ve got no cricket scheduled between the fifth Test and the IPL at this stage,” Starc said.”An opportunity to play some BBL cricket, I’ve obviously been a part of the small part of the Sixers throughout the 15 seasons, so it’s nice to return to potentially a playing role. Obviously, we’ve got the five Test matches to focus on, first and foremost. But post that, it’s obviously my intention to be available to play some part if called upon.”While Starc was excited about the possibility of returning to play with the Sixers, he was adamant that Australia’s Test summer should remain untouched regarding any future scheduling decisions to do with the BBL which are likely to come amid the privatisation discussions.”I’m fine with BBL windows,” Starc said. “The only view I have on it is the Test cricket schedule is not to be touched. Test cricket is the pinnacle. I don’t think Test cricket should make way for T20 cricket at all. Whether it’s the BBL, the IPL, anything, the Test summer is the Test summer. I would hate to see that change for domestic cricket.”So that is not a snipe at anyone. That’s just my opinion of Test cricket and where it sits on my priority list. Whether you move the Big Bash into a smaller window and play back-to-back, it’s T20 cricket. It’s not as physically demanding as Test cricket. I know they’ve shortened the schedule already. I think that’s been a positive impact.”Starc’s signing is another significant boost for the BBL in what is expected to be a massive season for the competition. Former India spinner R Aswhin is set to play the whole season for Sydney Thunder and there is a potential that Ashwin, Starc, David Warner, Steven Smith and Pakistan batter Babar Azam (provided the PCB’s NOC suspension is overturned) could all play in the same match on January 16 between Sixers and Thunder at the SCG.The Sydney Sixers with the inaugural BBL trophy•Getty ImagesHead of the BBL Alistair Dobson was thrilled that Starc had made himself available for the BBL. “To have Mitch signing off for Sixers it just shows that it’s still a comp that everyone wants to play in,” he said.Despite Starc’s retirement from T20I cricket, his availability in the BBL may be short-lived because Australia have Test commitments in January of 2027 in India, with Starc on record saying he wants to push his international career through until the 2027 ODI World Cup.The BBL is still yet to create a clear window for Australia Test players to be available, which has been a key talking point among potential investors interested in being involved in the league as Cricket Australia continues to investigate the possibility of allowing private investment into the competition.”Global scheduling is a really challenging topic,” Dobson said. “It’s only getting more complicated. And the ability, not only for the BBL to grow, but the Australian team to continue to play great cricket around the world, is really important. How you combine all those things is part art, part science and a little bit of luck probably along the way. So the future FTP is a little way away, but as we look at the future of the BBL it will be part of those discussions.”
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has issued a concerning update on Arsenal star Kai Havertz. The German forward has not played for the Gunners since picking up a knee injury in a training session following their season opener against Manchester United. Havertz subsequently underwent surgery, but no firm return date has been set, and his recovery could take longer than expected after this new setback.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is making his seventh All-Star Game appearance on Tuesday night in Atlanta, and he showed up rocking quite the dazzling accessory.
When the American League starters were announced at Truist Park on Tuesday, Judge was seen wearing a diamond chain of a gavel, paying homage to his last name. Turns out, this chain was a gift from his Yankees teammate Giancarlo Stanton. And, it cost a whopping $20,000, according to the .
The piece of jewelry isn't just of a plain gavel. The chain includes 14-karat white gold, 12 carats of diamonds and three bands of amethyst. Additionally, the chain has details of Judge's daughter's name Nora, and her birthday on it, his wife Sam's name and the names of his two dogs Gus and Penny. It also has "2x" written on it to honor Judge's two MVP awards. What an extremely generous gift.
When Judge first revealed the present Stanton gave to him in June, he shared that he's been wearing it every day. Showing off the chain at the All-Star Game was no different.
Let's see if the gavel brings Judge good luck during the All-Star Game.