Pitcher Cade Horton has been one of the Cubs' most consistent performers in recent months, but Chicago will not be able to start the rookie against the Padres in the National League wild-card series.

The Cubs are putting Horton on the 15-day injured list with a right rib fracture, they announced Saturday afternoon. Per Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Horton would potentially be able to return for Game 5 of the NLDS should Chicago make it there.

Horton, 24, has gone 11–4 with a 2.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 118 innings this season. More specifically, he's 7–3 with a 1.28 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings since Aug. 1.

The Cubs are scheduled to play San Diego in the teams' second-ever playoff matchup next week, though its location is still to be determined.

Chicago is hosting the Cardinals in a three-game set this weekend; Jameson Taillon is starting Saturday while Sunday's starter is to be determined.

The Athletics will complete their first season in their temporary home of Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., against the Royals on Sunday.

Between their departure from their longtime home in Oakland and the move into their new stadium in Las Vegas expected by 2028, Sacramento is home. It may not feel that way, though, as they became known simply as the "Athletics" this season. The franchise's stopgap home is set to feel a bit more natural next season as they unveiled new alternate uniforms Sunday that proudly read Sacramento across the chest.

The new jerseys will seemingly replace the team's current gold alternates with the "A's" logo on the left chest. According to MLB.com's Martín Gallegos, the A's plan to wear their new Sacramento gold uniforms for every home Saturday game next season.

Just one of two MLB franchises without a City Connect uniform, the new jerseys are a no-brainer to further relate to their new city even if they will only be there for a couple more years. The Athletics' '25 campaign will come to a close Sunday as they finish the regular season near the bottom of the AL West with the Angels. There's plenty to be excited about, though, with strong rookie campaigns from Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, plus the deadline deal where they acquired top prospect Leo De Vries by sending Mason Miller and JP Sears to the Padres.

Manchester United find themselves fighting to climb into the Champions League slots and now appear to be closing in on the signing of a midfielder to help their aspirations of competing with their rivals.

The Red Devils have taken time to get going this season, and Ruben Amorim has needed to face his fair share of criticism amid scrutiny when results haven’t gone in the favour of the Old Trafford outfit.

Still, a run of five Premier League matches unbeaten before the international break has been enough to restore confidence among an expectant fanbase, who appreciate that the former Sporting boss is trying to implement a complex system that will take time to fully perfect.

With Lisandro Martinez nearing a return to full fitness, Amorim was asked before his side’s clash with Everton whether the Argentinian defender could be an unlikely solution to step into the breach. However, he moved to play down any notion that he could fill the vacant hole in the engine room.

He said: “A smart, intelligent football player can play in a lot of positions, but it is not the right position for him. I feel Licha is becoming close to be ready able to play. We need to be careful, but he is clearly in a better position.”

Come January, it feels likely that Manchester United will look to find a long-term solution with Casemiro coming towards the twilight years of his career.

Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba is a long-term Red Devils’ target, albeit his £115 million valuation is likely to put their pursuit of the Cameroon international to bed.

That being said, Manchester United and INEOS could now be willing to go in a different direction as they close in on the arrival of another talent from the English top-flight.

Man Utd in advanced talks to sign Joao Gomes from Wolves

According to Trivela, Manchester United’s discussions to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes have progressed to advance stages in recent days as they look to complete a deal in January that could be worth in the region of £44 million.

The Brazilian star could put the cat among the pigeons regarding Kobbie Mainoo’s long-term future at the club if he were to come in after registering a solitary assist in 15 appearances this campaign.

Five similar players to Joao Gomes (FBRef)

Djaoui Cisse

Rennes

Thomas Partey

Villarreal

Ilaix Moriba

Celta Vigo

Junior Mwanga

Nantes

Kevin Danois

Auxerre

Rob Edwards is keen for the 24-year-old to stay in the West Midlands despite Wolves staring down the barrel at relegation to the Championship, something that a move to Old Trafford could alleviate if he were to seek a new career challenge.

Dubbed as someone who gives “everything” by Vitor Pereira, he would represent a younger upgrade on some of Amorim’s current crop in midfield, albeit it remains to be seen whether they can push a deal over the line once the window opens.

Man Utd now make approach to sign exciting gem who shone at U17 World Cup

South Africa A finished the day on 299 for 9 despite a 100-run partnership between Hamza and Jordan Hermann

Shashank Kishore30-Oct-2025Rishabh Pant spent an entire day on the field, seemingly untroubled by his foot, as he returned to action after more than two months in rehab for a foot injury sustained while batting during the fourth Test in Manchester.N Jagadeesan wasn’t as lucky, after B Sai Sudharsan’s spikes got stuck into his right hand during a training session on match eve. The selectors were forced to summon Ishan Kishan as cover. Jagadeesan’s injury meant an opportunity at the top of the order for Ayush Mhatre, the Mumbai opener, who was originally set to play only the second four-day fixture.All eyes were on Pant when he arrived early and began the day with warm-ups, timed sprints and a batting hit prior to the toss, which he won to put South Africa A in to bat. On a green surface at the Centre of Excellence, which offered plenty of seam movement and swing, the decision seemed justifiable. But gritty efforts from Jordan Hermann and Zubayr Hamza drove South Africa A to 299 for 9 at stumps. Nonetheless, they will be disappointed with the total, because there was the promise of a lot more earlier in the day.India A’s efforts in the field were led by Tanush Kotian, the offspinning allrounder, who picked up four wickets. He wheeled away for much of the second and third session, and was complemented by Manav Suthar, who was unlucky to have only two wickets next to his name at the end of a day where he got the odd ball to turn sharply, and jump up at the batters, whenever they seemed indecisive.Jordan Hermann used sweeps to great effect•PTI

Among the fast bowlers, Gurnoor Brar was potent but had just one wicket to show after 15 overs of toil himself. But the wicket he prised out – of Hamza for 66 – exhibited the virtues he’s been picked for. Gurnoor can hit hard lengths, hustle batters for pace, and have them hopping. This was exactly how Hamza fell, when he tried to evade a well-directed short ball to break a 130-run second-wicket stand.But Hamza had several moments he will look back on fondly from his innings. His manner of tackling spin against Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar will stand him in good stead, if he gets an opportunity to feature in the two Tests that follow later this month. He didn’t let Kotian settle down, and used his feet superbly to hit him over mid-off repeatedly in his first two overs.Then, Hamza drove Kotian against the turn through extra cover, with Pant keen on leaving cover open to try and trap him into a false stroke. Against Suthar’s left-arm spin, he used his feet well to step out and cover the line to flick him against the turn through midwicket. One such stroke brought up his half-century.Hermann was more sedate after a fiery start. He began with square drive off Khaleel Ahmed, and was quick to pounce on anything short. Once Hamza took charge, however, Jordan slipped back into a more tempered pace, playing himself into the innings. Along the way, he was challenged by Brar’s pace and late movement.India A attacked with close-in fielders before stumps•PTI

Once spin came on, Jordan eased himself against Suthar by playing the lap sweeps and paddles, one of which had him fall over in a manner reminiscent of Pant’s red-ball pyrotechnics. He also played the shot of the afternoon – a sumptuous flick through midwicket, off Khaleel, in the first over after lunch. But he was eventually dismissed on 71, lbw while stuck on the crease to play Kotian against the turn.Shortly prior to his wicket, captain Marques Ackermann perished to Kotian when he tried to step out and flick, unable to get to the pitch and chipping one straight to Suthar. This dismissal briefly brought together Jordan and his older brother, Rubin Hermann, to the crease.The latter did a fine job, after it looked at one point as if India A would run through the lower middle-order, when Rivaldo Moonsamy fell just after tea to leave them 197 for 5. Ruben drove through the line fearlessly as Khaleel went searching for some reverse in the final session, and had a slice of luck when Sai Sudharsan put him down at deep backward square leg on 38.But it didn’t cost India A much as he was out soon after. He was bowled by Kotian for 54, to a delivery that kept low after he was too early into a pull shot. Shortly after, Kotian scalped up a classic offspinner’s dismissal, when he bowled Prenelan Subrayen through the gate, to claim his fourth towards the end of the day’s play.As stumps approached, Pant employed as many as six fielders around the bat, with South Africa A’s lower order at the crease. The tactic worked when Tiaan van Vuren’s top-edge off a slog sweep was lapped up by Devdutt Padikkal. India A then enjoyed the perfect finish to the day, when Khaleel trapped Lutho Sipamla lbw, to help them take the honours on the opening day.

The Australian retired from ODI cricket after producing several moments of brilliance

Alex Malcolm02-Jun-2025How do you sum up Glenn Maxwell’s ODI career? Mercurial, magnificent, marauding, mind-blowing, maligned, and maddening, perhaps.But even those words feel like they barely scratch the surface.The numbers don’t sum it up either. His 149 games across 13 years seem an oddly low number. His 3990 runs at 33.81 places him jarringly between Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor at 19th on Australia’s all-time ODI run-scoring list.He took fewer ODI wickets than two other batting allrounders in Steve and Mark Waugh, who turned 60 on the day of his retirement.Maxwell’s ODI legacy can’t be measured in totality. A Statsguru search for the greatest ODI players by conventional metrics won’t spit out Maxwell’s name anywhere near the top except, significantly, for his strike-rate.Highest strike rates in men’s ODIs•ESPNcricinfo LtdIt’ll be measured by the moments of sheer jaw-dropping brilliance that he produced more often than he’s given credit for.Mumbai 2023 was his masterpiece. No matter how many times you look at the scorecard, it will never make sense. But again, the numbers aren’t the story.Watching it live it made no sense. Re-living it on replay, it still makes no sense. The entire innings – 201 not out off 128 – was preposterous from start to finish for myriad reasons. He did something that simply no other player could do.But to suggest that was his one great high in an ODI career that featured plenty of lows would be unfair. He was often maligned for his inconsistencies and there is a perception that Maxwell would go missing in key moments.His record suggests otherwise. The key moments when Australia were in the most trouble was when Maxwell often shone brightest. Mumbai is the greatest example. Manchester is another. In a long-forgotten ODI series played in a bio-bubble in front of empty stands, Maxwell and Alex Carey made centuries as Australia chased 303 for a series victory against the defending ODI World Champions having been 73 for 5.Maxwell’s double-hundred in the World Cup 2023 was an innings for the ages•ICC via Getty ImagesMaxwell’s successful chasing habits started early. In just his fourth ODI he made an unbeaten 56 from 38 balls to guide Australia through a tricky pursuit against Pakistan. His unbeaten 44 in the face off in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final is often forgotten behind Steven Smith and Shane Watson’s tussle with Wahab Riaz, but it was no less critical.In 2016 he made 96 off 83 against India as Australia chased 296 with three wickets to spare. Just 17 months before his Mumbai masterpiece he pulled off a stunning chase in Pallekele against Sri Lanka with a mind-bending 80 not out off 51 balls, adding 54 with No. 9 Ashton Agar and No. 10 Jhye Richardson who contributed just four runs between them, to win with two wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Overall in the ODI World Cup, he averaged 47.42 with a strike-rate of 160.32.As recently as his penultimate ODI innings, at the Champions Trophy earlier this year, he walked out with Australia needing 70 off 50 balls chasing 352 against England and smashed 32 not out off 15 to end the game alongside Josh Inglis with 15 balls unused.Glenn Maxwell averaged 47.42 with a strike rate of 160.32 in World Cup cricket•AFP/Getty ImagesHis ability to translate T20 batting into ODI cricket is unparalleled. In 34 successful ODI chases, Maxwell averaged 56.40 at a strike-rate of 127.89. The list of ODI players who average 50 or more in winning chases striking at 90 or more is illustrious, and Maxwell sits in the rarest air.Maxwell’s outstanding chasing record is instructive about his mindset. For all the moments you wondered ‘how did he do that’, there were just as many thoughts of ‘why did he do that’ when the game was set up for him.Something about chasing near impossible targets simplified the game for him as he explained to ESPNcricinfo last year.”Sometimes the feeling of, oh, there’s no way back that can sort of free you up a bit, so you sort of take the pressure off yourself,” Maxwell said. “It makes it a bit more simple in front of you.”Where sometimes if you’re on top of the game, or level with the game, it can be a bit complicated, where you think we don’t need to go too hard, or we need to only go at four an over and we’re under no pressure. You can be a bit more tentative.”Glenn Maxwell played a huge role as a bowler too in Australia’s World Cup winning campaigns in 2015 and 2023•AFP/Getty ImagesHe thrived in pressure moments with the ball and in the field, too. His bowling record does not leap off the page, but his role in Australia’s two World Cup titles was crucial. In 2015 he played as the lone spinner on home soil and did a sterling job, taking the key wicket of Martin Guptill early in the final after Mitchell Starc had rattled Brendon McCullum’s stumps in the opening over.His wicket in the 2023 final silenced 100,000 people and broke 1.6 billion hearts. With Rohit Sharma flying, Maxwell was asked to bowl the last over of the first powerplay. Rohit clubbed him for six and four off the second and third balls taking his career ODI record against Maxwell to 161 from 127 balls for one dismissal. Maxwell held his nerve, changed the pace and trajectory and forced a mistake to change the complexion of the match.His figures of 1 for 35 from six do not adequately reflect how brilliant that delivery was in that one moment.The rollercoaster of his onfield displays matched the rollercoaster of his life off it. But it is amazing how well he has endured and has kept meeting the moment, despite form slumps, mental health challenges, a broken leg, a golf cart concussion and being hospitalised with severe dehydration at another golf day.He is mercurial in every sense of the word. And he is not done yet. If his ODI record undersells his brilliance, his T20I record emphasises it. Despite another lean IPL ending in injury, you wouldn’t put it past him to produce a special performance at next year’s World Cup.That is the magic of Maxwell. If you can’t handle him at his worst, you don’t deserve him at his best. Not every Australian regime got the best of Maxwell all of the time in ODI cricket, but he produced high points under each of them across a 13-year career.His best will be irreplaceable. That is without question. Seeing it was a privilege, every maddening and magnificent moment of it.

Liverpool have now reportedly set their sights on hiring a Premier League manager, who Pep Guardiola called “incredible”, in a fresh concern for Arne Slot.

Carragher delivers "honest" Liverpool verdict after PSV defeat

Before the international break, Liverpool could at least fall back on the excuse that much of their bad form came on the road. Anfield, for the most part, remained a fortress. Just weeks later, however, and that fortress has been set ablaze by humiliating defeats at the hands of Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.

Not everyone is ready to call time on Slot’s time at the club, however, and Anfield legend Jamie Carragher sent a timely reminder on punditry duty that Liverpool aren’t a sacking club, historically speaking.

He said: “Liverpool is not a sacking club, Liverpool, I think, are different from almost every club in European football where the manager is the king, you know, the managers get time.

“Liverpool have never sacked a manager who’s won the league, never in the history. They’ve all, you know, after a few years they’ve gone, they’ve resigned.

Slot must drop 3/10 Liverpool flop who was just as bad as Konate vs PSV

Arne Slot must now axe this Liverpool flop after he put in an extremely poor display at Anfield against PSV Eindhoven.

1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 27, 2025

“I couldn’t believe over the weekend that people were talking about the manager’s job when I spoke to Liverpool supporters after losing at home to Nottingham Forest.

“It’s only going to amplify now and I’ve always been in the camp of you stick with the manager because I’m angry with the players if I’m being totally honest, I’m really angry with the players but it does get to a stage with any manager at any club where I always use this word untenable, where it almost feels like it can’t go on any longer.”

Whether Liverpool chiefs share that view is the big question. Recent reports linking them to the likes of Andoni Iraola certainly suggests that they’re at least preparing for life without Slot.

Liverpool eyeing Andoni Iraola move

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now eyeing a move to hire Iraola from Bournemouth if they decide to sack Slot. The Cherries boss is someone that Richard Hughes knows well, given that the sporting director hired the Spaniard during his time on the South Coast, and could now turn to him for a second time.

Iraola is one of the most well-respected managers in the Premier League these days. He’s taken Bournemouth to new heights and transformed the likes of Antoine Semenyo, who’s attracting interest from Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been one of the many figures around English football to hand the Bournemouth boss praise, telling reporters earlier this season: “Andoni is an incredible, well-respected manager in Spain and did an incredible job in Rayo Vallecano.”

It doesn’t get much better than praise from the Man City boss, and Iraola could yet get the chance to become one of his biggest rivals if Liverpool make their move.

Gravenberch upgrade: Liverpool ready record bid for "best CM in the world"

The story of how South Africa won one out of their first five Tests and then remained unbeaten in their next seven

Firdose Moonda07-Jun-20256:55

Philander: ‘SA will put up massive fight against favourites Australia’

1st Test vs India, Centurion: won by an innings and 32 runsDean Elgar’s daddy hundred in his penultimate Test set up a massive victory for South Africa, ensured they could not lose the series and that the country remained India’s final frontier. Elgar’s 185 came after South Africa’s decision to go in all-pace paid off as Kagiso Rabada’s 14th five-for left India splintered around KL Rahul’s second hundred at Centurion. Elgar had support from David Bedingham, who scored 56 on debut and Marco Jansen, who scored 84 at No. 7, and South Africa took a 163-run first innings lead.It proved enough as the combination of Rabada, left-arm seamer Nandre Burger (also on debut) and Gerald Coetzee dismissed India for 131, with Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill the only second innings batters to get into double figures. South Africa did lose something: their captain, Temba Bavuma to a hamstring injury.Jasprit Bumrah shared the Player-of-the-Series award with Dean Elgar•Gallo Images/Getty Images2nd Test vs India, Cape Town: lost by 7 wicketsThings went from the sublime to the ridiculous as Newlands played host to the shortest Test – which lasted just seven overs more than a full ODI – and South Africa were bowled out for their lowest total in a hundred years. Mohammed Siraj took 6 for 15 in the first innings as all but two South African batters – Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne – got past ten.India’s response showed signs the surface was improving and led by Kohli’s 46, they scratched together 153. Against the run of play, Aiden Markram produced his seventh Test hundred but Jasprit Bumrah’s 6 for 61 made a mess of South Africa and left India a target of 79. They reached in 12 overs, after lunch on the second day, to share the series spoils. The pitch later received an unsatisfactory rating from the ICC.Rachin Ravindra smashed his maiden Test double century in just his seventh innings•Getty Images1st Test vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui: lost by 281 runsAnd then from the ridiculous to the barely believable when South Africa took a squad with seven uncapped players to New Zealand as almost all their frontliners were engaged with their new T20 tournament: the SA20. Six made their debut in this Test and it was evident how deep the gulf was between them and New Zealand.A century from Kane Williamson and a career-best 240 from Rachin Ravindra saw New Zealand pile on 511. They bowled South Africa out for 162 and, as if to make a point, batted again. Williamson scored a second-innings ton too and New Zealand left South Africa a humongous 529 to chase. At 5 for 2, it was clear what the outcome would be. South Africa were bowled out for 247 in what can only be described as an embarrassing state of affairs.Kane Williamson became the quickest (number of innings) to 32 Test centuries•Getty Images2nd Test vs New Zealand, Hamilton: lost by 7 wickets A more competitive South African side had moments where they looked as though they would pull off an upset for the ages when they took a 31-run first innings lead over New Zealand and then set them a target of 267. The notable performances came from the more established names – Dane Piedt, on comeback from the United States, who took 5 for 89 in the first innings and eight wickets in the match – and Bedingham, who shunned the SA20 for a chance at an international career and scored his first, and to date only, hundred.But there was no stopping Williamson, whose 133* saw New Zealand home and earned them their first series win over South Africa. South Africa’s coach Shukri Conrad binned the tour as an aberration, which he likened to “when Burnley went to Anfield,” and it has been referred to in those terms ever since.Keshav Maharaj picked eight wickets for the match•AFP/Getty Images1st Test vs West Indies, Port of Spain: drawnA stung South African side – some of whom had just lost their first ICC white-ball final – regrouped in the Caribbean with a herculean task on their hands. They had to win seven of their eight remaining Tests to have any chance of qualifying for the WTC final. Bavuma returned and scored 86 in the first innings in Trinidad before Rabada and Keshav Maharaj combined to take seven wickets and leave South Africa in control with a 124-run first innings lead. With rain around and victory on their minds, South Africa declared on 173 for 3 and left West Indies 298 to chase. At 64 for 3, South Africa would have sensed victory but despite Maharaj’s best efforts, time and 92 from Alick Athanaze denied South Africa and left their campaign hanging by a thread.Wiaan Mulder put up an all-round show•AFP/Getty Images2nd Test vs West Indies, Guyana: won by 40 runsBeing bowled out for 160 in their first innings – thanks largely to Shamar Joseph’s 5 for 33 – could have been enough to make that string snap, but the stirrings of a comeback began when South Africa bowled West Indies out for 144. Markram’s 51 and Verreynne’s 59 held together a second innings effort of 246 and left West Indies 263 to chase. They were 104 for 6 when Gudakesh Motie and Joshua da Silva put 77 for the seventh wicket and things seemed to be getting away from South Africa. But, Maharaj broke the stand and took three of the last four wickets to give South Africa a tense win and put them back on track.Kyle Verreynne is all smiles after getting to his second Test century•AFP/Getty Images1st Test vs Bangladesh, Mirpur: won by 7 wickets Bangladesh were stunned by a South African attack with two frontline spinners (Piedt had been retained from the wreckage of New Zealand) who bowled them out for 106 but responded strongly to leave South Africa 99 for 5 in the reply. A lower-order rescue act between Verreynne, who scored his second century, and Wiaan Mulder saw South Africa score 308 and hold the advantage. Rabada left Bangladesh reeling with a second six-innings 6 for 46 but Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 97 and Jaker Ali’s 58 kept South Africa in the field for a ball short of 90 overs. Bangladesh scored 307 and, in poetic synchrony, set South Africa 106 to win. They got there with a few jitters, and without Bavuma. He had re-injured his elbow, after it was a concern in 2022, and Markram led the side.Tony de Zorzi celebrates his maiden ton•AFP/Getty Images2nd Test vs Bangladesh, Chattogram: won by an innings and 273 runsTony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder all scored their first Test centuries in an innings that marked the rebirth of South Africa’s batting prowess after a dearth of hundreds. They declared on 565 for 6, confident they had more than enough. Rabada took a second successive Test five-for in Bangladesh’s first innings, where they made 159, and followed-on. Maharaj claimed 5 for 59 in the second innings as he and Rabada bookended both South Africa’s bowling experience and their success. The match was over inside three days as South Africa claimed a first series win in the subcontinent in more than a decade, since beating Sri Lanka in 2014. Many members of the squad, including Maharaj, have identified this as the turning point that gave South Africa the belief they could go all the way.Marco Jansen finished with 11 wickets for the match•AFP/Getty Images1st Test vs Sri Lanka, Durban: won by 233 runs South Africa’s home summer began with great expectation as Bavuma was back from injury and initially, a sense of dread. He top-scored with 70 in Durban but South Africa were bowled out for 191 against a Sri Lankan side with more pace variety than had toured this country before. Then, as though a spell had been cast on Sri Lanka’s batters, they played a baffling array of poor strokes as Jansen ran through them. He plucked career-best figures of 7 for 13 and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 – their lowest Test score. Stubbs scored a second Test hundred and Bavuma a redemptive third as South Africa set Sri Lanka an academic 516 to win the game. They were bowled out for 282 against an attack that lost two members – Gerald Coetzee to a groin strain and Mulder to a broken finger.Dane Paterson picked seven wickets in the Test•AFP/Getty Images2nd Test vs Sri Lanka, Gqeberha: won by 109 runsWith Mulder out, Ryan Rickelton got an opportunity and made it count with a workmanlike debut century at St George’s Park. Bavuma contributed with 78 and Verreynne thrilled with a 133-ball 105 as South Africa’s first innings reached 358. Sri Lanka replied with guts and temperament, led by Pathum Nissanka’s 89 but they had no other milestones to record as Dane Paterson plugged away. At 35 years old, Paterson had proved the worth of his time in the county circuit and the value of having someone with over 500 first-class wickets in the squad as he gave South Africa a 30-run lead. On a good batting surface, they then scored 317, with Bavuma scoring another half-century. Sri Lanka needed 348 to win and things hung in the balance on 205 for 5 after four days. Maharaj took 5 for 76 to seal the series and South Africa’s fifth successive win.Kagiso Rabada roars in satisfaction after making 31 off 26 to take South Africa home•Associated Press 1st Test vs Pakistan, Centurion: won by 2 wickets Stop. The. Press.South Africa didn’t need to win this match and at times seemed to be doing their best to lose it as they were faced with chasing 148 in the fourth innings and needed a ninth-wicket partnership of 51 to do it. The precursor to all that is that Paterson took 5 for 61 and Pakistan were bowled out for 211 in the first innings. Then Markram scored 89, Khurram Shehzad and Naseem Shah shared six wickets between them, and debutant Corbin Bosch scored an unbeaten 81 to give South Africa a 90-run lead.Jansen then took 6 for 52 as Pakistan were dismissed for 237. South Africa should have won at a canter but were 27 for 3 overnight on day three and Mohammad Abbas had all three. He added three more then next day at 99 for 8, South Africa were about to head into 2025 needing to win their last Test. Amid the devastating news of the death of batting coach Ashwell Prince’s wife, Melissa, the result barely mattered by lunch on day four until Rabada and Jansen formed the unlikeliest of alliances, nudged, nurdled, edged and smashed their way to the most thrilling of victories. South Africa qualified for the WTC final with a game to spare.South Africa celebrate their 2-0 victory against Pakistan•AFP/Getty Images 2nd Test v Pakistan, Cape Town: won by 10 wickets The job was done and Newlands was a riot as South Africa saved their batting best for last. Rickelton scored the first double-hundred by a South African opener since Graeme Smith in 2013 and the first double by any South African since Hashim Amla in 2016. Bavuma brought up a fourth century and second in the campaign and Verryenne scored his first hundred at home in a first innings domination. Pakistan were bowled out for 194 and 478, and 19-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka played his first game, and South Africa needed just 58 to win. They completed a magical summer with a clean sweep.Seven Tests wins is their second-longest streak (after nine in 2002-03) but they won’t be chasing that necessarily. One more has been the mantra through the campaign and the next one is Lord’s.

Nat Sciver-Brunt scores her first England century since becoming a mother and celebrates it, with partner Katherine and son Theo in the stands, with a baby-rocking gesture

Valkerie Baynes12-Oct-2025″For Theo”. As Nat Sciver-Brunt celebrated her match-winning, tenth ODI century – and first as a mother – by rocking her bat like a baby, there was no doubt about the dedication.A run-a-ball 117, also her first international century as England captain, allowed Sciver-Brunt to set up a thumping 89-run win against Sri Lanka and keep her side unbeaten from three games at the World Cup.Somewhat unexpectedly, her wife, the former England seamer Katherine, and their six-month-old son Theo, were in the stands to see it all after the family were reunited in Colombo.Related

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“For Theo, that one,” Sciver-Brunt said of her century celebration. “I had sort of spoken about it a little bit with Katherine, but you never know if you’re going to get another hundred, I suppose. It was in the back of my mind a little bit. They’ve come out to Sri Lanka to watch me, so I thought I’d give back to them for supporting me.”Sciver-Brunt thought she would be saying goodbye to her family for the duration of the tournament and she spoke to ESPNcricinfo about her trepidation over being apart for so long. But, given the logistics of flying from Guwahati to Colombo to Indore to Visakhapatnam through the group stage with a baby, it made sense.They managed to spend England’s pre-tournament training camp in Abu Dhabi together before Katherine and Theo returned to England, but then a previously unplanned trip to Sri Lanka meant they were all in the right place at the right time on Saturday.”It was a really nice bonus for her to be able to come out here,” Sciver-Brunt said. “She had to take on the flight alone with Theo. It was a lot for her to commit to. I’m glad I made it worth their while.

“In terms of leading the team, I probably don’t think about that so much when I’m batting. I may pick up things here and there about the wicket and what would be best for our bowlers and thinking in that way but when I’m a batter I’m a batter and I really have worked on trying to focus on that, on one thing at a time”Nat Sciver-Brunt

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster in terms of missing them. I obviously got a bit more sleep when they were at home but it’s really nice to have them here and to tour the world with your family, it’s really, really special.”Sciver-Brunt was the difference that allowed England to post a respectable total of 253 for 9 after the top three of Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight failed to convert starts and no one else reached 20.Dropped on 3, Sciver-Brunt made Sri Lanka pay, striking nine fours and two sixes in the face of a threatening home spin attack led by left-armer Inoka Ranaweera’s 3 for 33.Another left-arm spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, sealed the result for England with brilliant 4 for 17 from her ten overs, accounting for four of Sri Lanka’s top five – including Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who shared a spirited 58-run partnership while Chamari Athapaththu was off the field battling cramp – and Athapaththu herself with a gem that enticed the drive and slid between bat and pad to rattle the stumps.3:19

Sri Lanka undone by Sciver-Brunt’s masterclass

The victory sent England to the top of the table on the eve of Sunday’s heavyweight clash between India and Australia, while Ecclestone’s performance placed her on top of the wicket-takers’ chart with nine at an average of 6.66.Sciver-Brunt is the second-highest run-scorer so far with 149, between New Zealanders Sophie Devine with 260 and Brooke Halliday’s 142. She also collected 2 for 25 from five overs against Sri Lanka as she continued her comeback after a six-month layoff from bowling because of an Achilles tendon injury. Offspinner Charlie Dean, Sciver-Brunt’s newly appointed vice-captain, also picked up two wickets.”In terms of leading the team, I probably don’t think about that so much when I’m batting,” Sciver-Brunt said of her developing ability to compartmentalise her roles as captain and allrounder. “I may pick up things here and there about the wicket and what would be best for our bowlers and thinking in that way but when I’m a batter I’m a batter and I really have worked on trying to focus on that, on one thing at a time.”With the bowling, that’s a little bit different and that’s where I can lean on Charlie a little bit more as vice-captain when I’m bowling to make sure I am clear. There is a lot to think about with captaincy but it’s something I’m enjoying so far.”

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has warned his players of the challenges that come with Tuesday's Champions League visit to Bodo/Glimt's Aspmyra Stadion. The former Italy and Napoli manager admitted that the visitors will be at an obvious disadvantage due to the adverse weather and pitch conditions, while also reassuring that his team will improve with time.

Juve face daunting trip to Bodo/Glimt

Juventus will visit Norwegian heavyweights and giant killers Bodo/Glimt on matchday five of the Champions League on Tuesday. It will be an extremely tricky challenge for the Bianconeri, given the adverse weather and pitch conditions on offer at the Aspmyra Stadion. 

Located north of the Arctic Circle, the Aspmyra Stadion is among the northernmost footballing venues in the world, located at 67 degrees latitude. Situated on the west coast of Norway, it is a hotspot for tourists and locals to experience the enchanting Northern Lights (or aurora borealis). Weather forecasts for Tuesday indicate temperatures sitting at an icy 1°C, along with potential snowfall. 

However, it's not just the unforgiving weather conditions visiting teams have to deal with. Aspmyra Stadion uses an artificial pitch, a surface that often challenges visiting teams. The likes of Jose Mourinho and Ange Postecoglou have often called Bodo out for their use of the "plastic" field. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSpalletti aware of the task at hand

Speaking to at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Juve boss Spalletti acknowledged the challenge of playing at the Aspmyra Stadion and conceded that the hosts will head into the clash with an obvious advantage.

"Not the ideal climate for a football match? It's a very tough match. We were joking with the players and I told them it's tougher than they expected," said the ex-Napoli boss. "I've had to deal with these temperatures on these pitches, and it's a different experience, breathing in this cold air. Sometimes you can't even keep your eyes open. But there's always the thrill of the challenge."

Spalletti also addressed the team's recent string of unconvincing displays, reassuring that the best is yet to come.

"I think it's premature to completely overturn everything right now. We haven't done well, but we haven't done badly either," he explained. "We're in that middle ground where, with some new things, we can raise the bar. We have a bit of everything here, but we need to recognise them and deploy them at the right times.

"These guys are perfect; they're eager to participate and show off their skills. Tomorrow I'll change something, otherwise we risk losing confidence, and then we need to analyse things properly.

"In the camp, there's no longer the rigidity of roles that seems like disorder but is actually freedom. In that freedom, you have to find balance. This constant rotation of roles and the search for a position is an advantage."

'Pitch and climate a disadvantage' for Juve, admits Spalletti

Spalletti went on to highlight the biting cold and artificial turf at Bodo, a far cry from the traditional grass pitches found in Europe’s elite leagues. 

"Did you mention the weather? Let's address one thing first, because it seems like we've had a bit of a disaster," he added. "But the players haven't performed as badly as people pretend. I was the first to say we needed to do more, and we need to get them out there, we need to use the horses we have and all our qualities. I've seen the desire in this team, and you either face responsibility or you lose. 

"The pitch and the climate are a disadvantage, because I've been fortunate enough to work abroad, and the air you breathe is different. It's all a matter of habit, and it's different from ours. Our desire to perform must make up for this gap. They're also good at selecting players, and not just for the pitch and the cold; in an international comparison, they have a significant value.

"[Playing at the Aspmyra Stadion] is a real difficulty, due to habits and rebounds. We'll certainly pay something for this, but we'll face it. We all had fears, then after facing them we adapted, but this can give us some satisfaction. The pitch bothers us, but we want to perform our best."

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AFPSpalletti's Juventus reign not off to an ideal start

After beginning his spell with the Old Lady with a 2-1 win over Cremonese, Spalletti's side have slumped to three straight draws. Their European campaign stands at risk of collapsing if they fail to come away with maximum points from Norway on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Juve sit in seventh position in Serie A, seven points off the pace. However, Spalletti has assured that his troops will fight for the Scudetto until the end.

Chelsea have reportedly reopened talks to sign Mike Maignan from Serie A giants AC Milan when his contract expires at the end of the season. However, the Blues must first free up some space in the squad and are considering offloading Filip Jorgensen. The 23-year-old is yet to make a single Premier League start for Enzo Maresca's side and could be on his way at the end of the season.

• Maignan ready to move on from Milan

  Maignan is expected to move on next summer as he will not sign a new contract with AC Milan, as reported by . Chelsea are aware of Maignan's intentions and are therefore ready to step up their interest in the stopper. Jorgensen may be sacrificed to make room for Maignan, with the Blues "seriously" considering trying to find an exit for the Denmark international. Maignan would be keen to head to the Premier League and is open to talking to Chelsea. Turin giants Juventus are also believed to be keen on the goalkeeper and are also in the running for his signature.

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  Jorgensen sent warning about Chelsea future

  Jorgensen arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2024 on a seven-year contract in a deal worth €24.5m (£20m). Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City were also linked with a move for the goalkeeper but he ended up heading to Stamford Bridge instead. Yet he has only made one appearance for the Blues so far this season and has been warned he needs to be playing more regularly if he is to be No.1 for Denmark at World Cup 2026. Denmark missed out on automatic qualification for next summer's tournament in North America but are in the play-offs and will take on North Macedona in March. Victory in that game would bring up a final against Czechia or Ireland.

• Why do Chelsea want Maignan?

  Maignan has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe during his time in Milan. He's also the No.1 for France and wore the captain's armband back in October in the absence of injured skipper Kylian Mbappe. France boss Didier Deschamps explained why he went with his goalkeeper. He said: "Mike is a leader. Against Azerbaijan, when Kylian came off, Mike took over the armband. The fact that he has been able to play so many matches means that he is solid. He is a great competitor, even in training. He is a workaholic, sometimes a little too much in my opinion. But that's how he is."

  The stopper also does not lack for confidence. When asked if he is the best goalkeeper in the world, he told GQ Italia: "I’m not going to say, no. There are a lot of great goalkeepers around. I only focus on myself. I know my potential. I believe in myself. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am. I don’t feel I’m a spectacular keeper. I try to do things in the simplest way possible.”

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• Maignan to take over from Sanchez?

  If Maignan does arrive at Chelsea, then he would be expected to take over from current No.1 Robert Sanchez. The 28-year-old signed from Brighton in August 2023 but has come in for plenty of criticism during his time at Stamford Bridge. This season has also brought more scrutiny on the stopper. He was heavily criticised after being caught out by Lucas Paqueta's long-range strike for West Ham at the start of the season and then made unwanted history when he was sent off against Manchester United. Sanchez's red card was Chelsea’s earliest in the Premier League era and also the third-fastest dismissal for a goalkeeper in the history of the competition.