New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was seemingly robbed of his eighth home run of the season on Sunday afternoon during his team's 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. After the 32-year-old launched what looked to be a fair ball to deep left field in the top of the 8th inning, the umpire crew ruled the hit foul and, upon further review, upheld it.
Judge's manager, Aaron Boone, ripped the blown call after the game, calling it "remarkable" that they missed it. Judge himself—while bluntly summing up what had happened—decided to take a more measured approach.
"It was a fair ball," he told reporters. "It's just tough in a situation like this, in a Minor League park where the foul poles aren't that high."
For context, the Rays are playing at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field this season due to damage at Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton. The park typically serves as the Yankees' spring training facility as well as the home to the Rays' Single-A affiliate, the Tampa Tarpons.
"They missed it and we're just got to move on," Judge said.
With their win on Sunday, New York moved to 14-8 on the season as they sit in first place in the American League East. They're now headed to Cleveland on Monday to take on the Guardians, with first pitch from Progressive Field set for 6:10 p.m.
O Palmeiras encara o Botafogo nesta quarta-feira (1), no Engenhão, em jogo válido pela 31 rodada do Brasileirão 2023 e o jogo será inédito para o alviverde por um fator muito importante.
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+ Confira a tabela completa do Brasileirão 2023
Será a primeira vez que o Palmeiras jogará no novo gramado do Engenhão, inaugurado nesta temporada e que parece muito o do Allianz Parque.
Acostumado a atuar em um gramado artificial, o Verdão não deve sentir tanta diferença e não deve ter muitos problemas para encarar o atual líder da competição.
Se pra muitos o gramado sintético é um aliado dos clubes que o detém, os últimos jogos não provam que essa tese está totalmente correta.
+ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras
O Botafogo não venceu os últimos quatro jogos que fez no Engenhão, com dois empates diante de Goiás e Athletico-PR e derrotas para Flamengo e Cuiabá.
continua após a publicidade
Na temporada passada, ainda no gramado natural, o Palmeiras bateu o Botafogo no Engenhão por 3 a 1, com gols de Scarpa, Mayke e Dudu.
Em 10 jogos diante do Botafogo no Nílton Santos, o Palmeiras tem três vitórias, dois empates e cinco derrotas, com 12 gols marcados e 15 gols sofridos.
A bola rola para Botafogo x Palmeiras a partir das 21h30 (horário de Brasília) desta quarta-feira (1), e o jogo terá transmissão da Rede Globo e do Premiere FC.
One Ibrox manager target has ruled himself out of contention to return as Rangers boss, the PA news agency understands.
Significant Rangers manager update from Ibrox
Steven Gerrard had been the front-runner to replace the sacked Russell Martin as head coach, but it is understood that after holding constructive discussions with the club, he felt the timing was not right for a return to Ibrox.
PA understands the conversations were positive, and both sides agreed to leave the door open for the future.
Martin was sacked last weekend after just four months in charge, with the team having won just one of their opening seven William Hill Premiership matches.
Gerrard, who left his role in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January, is a hero to many Gers supporters after leading them to the title in 2020-21, which remains the only time they have won the league since their financial implosion in 2012.
Steven Gerrard
Rangers record
Games
192
Wins
124
Draws
41
Defeat
27
He left the club later that year after three years in charge to take over at Aston Villa. In an interview with the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast released this week, Gerrard revealed he had “a bit of unfinished business” in management and wanted “to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.
Rangers star has already admitted he dreams of move away from Ibrox in Gerrard worry
Another concern for the Gers.
By
Tom Cunningham
Oct 11, 2025
Rangers Under-19 coach Steven Smith is currently overseeing first-team training on an interim basis along with B team coach Brian Gilmour, goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo and head of performance Rhys Owen.
Other names to have been touted as potential successors to Martin include Hearts boss Derek McInnes, former Rangers player Kevin Muscat and ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche.
The centre-forward position at Celtic has been a tricky one for Brendan Rodgers to deal with for a long time now, possibly stretching back to January 2024.
Adam Idah was brought in to compete with Kyogo Furuhashi in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, before they battled it out again in the 2024/25 season.
Both Idah and Kyogo left the club this year, the latter in the summer and the former in January, and Kelechi Iheanacho is currently the first-choice number nine at Parkhead.
Why Celtic may sign another striker in January
Iheanacho has scored three goals in six matches for the Hoops in all competitions since his move to the club on a free transfer from Sevilla, but two of those three goals came from the penalty spot, per Transfermarkt. One goal from open play in six matches is not an ideal return for the Nigeria international.
Celtic bid £10m to sign Kasper Dolberg from Anderlecht on deadline day, only to miss out on his signature to Ajax, which suggests that there is cash in the bank to spend on a striker when the January window rolls around.
This means that the Hoops may dip back into the market to sign a striker in the hope of bringing in a reliable goalscorer who Rodgers can trust to deliver consistent quality.
The arrival of a new centre-forward at Parkhead in January could spell the end of Johnny Kenny’s time at Celtic, as he has not kicked on in Glasgow this year.
Why Johnny Kenny is on borrowed time at Celtic
The Irish number nine returned to the club in January after a loan spell with Shamrock Rovers to play a supporting role in the second half of last season.
Kenny scored one goal in eight appearances in the Scottish Premiership as a back-up to Idah and was only handed one start by Rodgers. This did not suggest that he was likely to kick on and become a regular in the 2025/26 campaign.
English League One side Bolton Wanderers had a bid of £500k turned down by the Hoops during the summer transfer window, as they decided to keep him as part of their squad for the first half of this season.
Appearances
8
3
Starts
1
0
Unused substitute
6x
2x
Goals
1
1
Big chances missed
2
3
Big chances created
1
0
Assists
1
0
As you can see in the table above, Kenny has only made three appearances as a substitute in the Premiership so far this term, which shows that Rodgers does not trust him to play regular minutes.
At the end of last season, former Fulham and Leeds star Ross McCormack suggested that he needed to go to League One or the Championship in England.
McCormack said: “I would imagine you’re probably looking at maybe a loan down south somewhere, bottom end of League One or top end of the Championship and see how he goes.”
Bolton are currently ninth in League One in England, so not quite the bottom end of League One. They were willing to pay £500k to sign the Irishman from the Hoops in the summer, and that would have given him an opportunity to go away and play regular minutes to develop as a player.
Instead, Kenny is rarely getting on the pitch for Celtic. His development is stalling by not gaining experience in a competitive environment, which is why he should be looking to move on in the next window to take the next step in his career.
Rodgers must sell Celtic flop who's now worth even less than Adam Idah
Celtic must sell this flop whose value has dropped millions and is now worth less than Adam Idah.
ByDan Emery Oct 14, 2025
When you take that and the idea that Celtic may want to enter the market to sign another striker in January, the Irishman may be on borrowed time at Parkhead, as moving away from the club could be the best for all parties involved.
Seamers Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger will make their return to international cricket after eight and 11 months respectively in South Africa’s T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe next month. Coetzee was sidelined by a hamstring and then a groin injury over the home summer while Burger has been out with a lower-back stress fracture. Both are currently in action at the Major League Cricket tournament in the USA.South Africa are without regular captain Aiden Markram, batters Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller, allrounder Marco Jansen, pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (who will lead the Test side in Zimbabwe). Anrich Nortje has a stress-related injury of the back and was unavailable for selection. Tabraiz Shamsi, who like Nortje is no longer contracted to CSA, has also not been included. Head coach Shukri Conrad revealed that he will have a conversation with wristspinner in the next week or so to determine his plans with the national side going forward. Heinrich Klaasen has retired from international cricket.”The all-format guys have been rested. If you go back to what their last couple of months have looked like, they played Test Series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan back home, then they had SA20, then they went straight from there into an IPL, and the IPL went on for a bit longer.Then we had the World Test Championship Final. Their last couple of months have been chock-a-block. If you cast your eye on what the next few months look like for us, starting with this series and then a couple of days after we go to Australia and England, we felt it was the best thing for them to freshen up,” Conrad said from Zimbabwe. “That was the big thing for me, for them to get a really good break away from cricket and freshen up. Then also use this opportunity to look at guys that potentially could stake a claim to make that T20 World Cup squad. Our sights are firmly now on what that T20 World Cup squad could look like.”Related
A tri-series of transitions for SA, NZ and Zimbabwe
Injured Nortje out of action, recovery timelines unknown
Conrad confident SA players will prioritise national duty over T20 leagues
Glimpse into South Africa's future: Young squad set for Zimbabwe challenge
In Markram’s absence, Rassie van der Dussen will captain the side, having also done so on South Africa’s tour to West Indies before last year’s T20 World Cup. There is experience in the form of Reeza Hendricks and Lungi Ngidi and four uncapped players. Exciting left-handed batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who is also in the Test squad, is in line for a T20I debut alongside Rubin Hermann, left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and allrounder Corbin Bosch.On Pretorius, Conrad said: “He’s a special breed. He’s come up, played in the U19 World Cup, did really well there, debuted in the SA20 and was phenomenal there. Then he played first-class cricket for the Titans, scored a hundred on debut, and a hundred in the final, so that says that there’s something special about him. We’re obviously excited to have him and some of the other younger bucks in the set-up and to see what his journey is going to look like going forward.”The series is the first white-ball assignment for Conrad, who has already been in charge of the Test side since 2023 and will take on the extra workload until 2027. On appointment in May, Conrad stressed that he expected to field squads that are as close to full strength as possible outside of major tournaments but his first rodeo as white-ball coach has not panned out that way.Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who topped the run-charts in the SA20, has been handed a call up•SA20
With next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in mind, South Africa have included three spinners in Muthusamy, George Linde and Nqabayomzi Peter. Linde was among the top 10 wicket-takers at the SA20 while Peter played for South Africa in tours towards the latter end of last year. “Having three quality spin options gives us a great deal of variety, especially in conditions like Harare,” Conrad said in a statement.The batting line-up is headlined by the return of Dewald Brevis, who played two T20Is for South Africa against Australia in 2023 and scored five runs collectively. Then, Brevis was being fast-tracked onto the international scene after topping the run-charts at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup. He has since had two full domestic seasons and impressed across formats, including finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer at the SA20 last summer. Brevis also had an eye-catching stint as a replacement player for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025.”Dewald has matured nicely,” Conrad said. ” From the last I worked with him at the Under-19 World Cup, there’s a certain level of maturity. He’s got experience under his belt now with regards to first-class cricket. He’s obviously played a lot of T20 cricket around the world – IPL and he had a stint with Hampshire, so I think in terms of that, the level of experience is a lot bigger. We certainly don’t want guys to come here now and start changing things because they feel it’s international level. Whatever they’ve got, we want to enhance that and we want them to showcase that.So exciting times for him.”Hermann was the fifth-leading run-scorer at the SA20 and Pretorius topped the charts. All three have been called up on the back of those performances.South Africa’s pace department includes left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka, who is also in the Test squad, and allrounder Andile Simelane, who has played five T20Is. “Kwena has spent time at the IPL, he’s been involved with the SA20, he’s played one or two games for South Africa so he’s only going to get better for that,” Conrad said. “He’s definitely one that we’ve got our eye on in terms of not only now but the future as well. I think it’s a bright future. He needs to play as much first-class cricket as he possibly can, just so that he continually understands and his body gets used to the rigours of playing first-class cricket.”The tri-series, which starts on July 14, also includes New Zealand, who will be coached by South Africa’s former white-ball coach, Rob Walter. All seven matches will be played in Harare.
حسم نادي الترجي التونسي، تأهله إلى دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا للموسم الحالي 2025-2026، بعد الفوز على فريق رحيمو من بوركينا فاسو.
والتقي فريقا الترجي التونسي ورحيمو البوركيني، اليوم الأحد، في مواجهة الإياب لدور الـ32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وحقق فريق الترجي الفوز بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، سجلها حمزة جيلاسي وفلوريان دانهو وأشرف الجبري في الدقائق 33 و51 و72.
طالع | الفرق المتأهلة إلى دور المجموعات من دوري أبطال إفريقيا (محدث باستمرار)
وبذلك، يتأهل فريق الترجي التونسي إلى دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بمجموع المباراتين 4-0، حيث كان قد فاز في لقاء الذهاب 1-0.
ويعد الترجي التونسي الفريق رقم 13 المتأهل إلى دور المجموعات من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد الأهلي، باور ديناموز الزامبي، الهلال السوداني، سانت إيلوي لوبوبو من الكونغو الديمقراطية، يانج أفريكانز التنزاني، ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري، بترو أتلتيكو الأنجولي، شبيبة القبائل الجزائري، الجيش الملكي المغربي، سيمبا التنزاني، الملعب المالي وصن داونز.
ومن المقرر أن يجري الاتحاد الإفريقي “كاف”، قرعة دور المجموعات، يوم الإثنين الموافق 3 نوفمبر 2025 في مدينة جوهانسبورج في جنوب إفريقيا.
This season feels like it could be a brutal one for West Ham United.
The board have made a few good signings, such as Mads Hermansen and El Hadji Malick Diouf, but with Callum Wilson being their only attacking signing, it feels like they have left themselves short.
Moreover, it now looks almost certain that Edson Alvarez will be leaving the London Stadium before the window shuts, leaving the squad even lighter on quality.
Edson Alvarez.
Fortunately, reports have linked the club to a midfield talent who’d be a brilliant addition to the side and a significant upgrade on the Mexican.
West Ham target Alvarez upgrade
When West Ham signed Alvarez from Ajax in the summer of 2023, there was a lot of understandable excitement around the deal.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
After all, the Mexican international won two league titles with the Amsterdam outfit and left with 147 appearances under his belt.
However, instead of coming in and making up for the loss of Declan Rice, the 27-year-old has struggled with the pace and intensity of English football, and now looks like he could leave the club this summer, either on loan or permanently.
Interestingly, the East Londoners are now being linked with an up-and-coming talent who could come in and replace Alvarez.
At least that is according to a recent report from Sky Sports’ Tim Vickery, who has claimed that West Ham are interested in Andrey Santos.
It’s not the first time the Hammers have been credited with an interest in the exciting Brazilian, as reports from earlier this month claimed that they have already seen an offer of around £42m rejected.
It remains to be seen whether this is a transfer that could happen, but if there is any chance at all, West Ham have to take it, as Santos would be an excellent signing and a massive upgrade on Alvarez.
How Santos compares to Alvarez
So, the first thing to point out is that while Santos is certainly a midfielder who can get forward and attack, and is more inclined to do so compared to Alvarez, he has still spent almost half of his playing career in the six position.
Andrey Santos
Moreover, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has gone as far as calling him a “duel monster” for the tenacious way he wins the ball off opposition players and argues that this, combined with his “top tackling ability”, helps to make him “brilliant at screening the backline.”
In other words, the 21-year-old is no pushover when it comes to the defensive side of playing in the middle of the park.
With that, how do the pair stack up against one another when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers?
Unfortunately for the Mexican international, it’s an incredibly one-sided affair, as the former Vasco da Gama gem outperforms him in practically every relevant metric, including things like expected and actual non-penalty goals, progressive carries, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles, blocks, interceptions and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.27
0.06
Non-Penalty G+As
0.41
0.05
Progressive Carries
4.70
4.31
Progressive Passes
0.91
1.22
Shots
1.45
0.61
Shots on Target
0.50
0.05
Passing Accuracy
88.2%
85.8%
Key Passes
0.85
0.61
Shot-Creating Actions
1.77
1.42
Goal-Creating Actions
0.19
0.10
Tackles Won
2.33
1.37
Blocks
1.45
1.17
Interceptions
1.01
0.91
Ball Recoveries
5.93
4.47
These numbers help to paint the picture of an all-action midfielder who is dynamic and dangerous in attack, but also robust and solid enough in defence.
Finally, on top of everything else, the Blues ace is able to transform his impressive attacking numbers into real output.
In 34 appearances for Strasbourg last season, the 21-year-old phenom scored 11 goals and provided five assists and was praised by Mattinson for the way he “crashes the box.”
Ultimately, while it might require a massive fee, West Ham should be going all out to sign Santos this summer, as not only would he be a huge upgrade on Alvarez, but he’d help elevate the entire team.
Sheringham 2.0: West Ham in race to sign Premier League "proven goalscorer"
The vastly experienced goalscorer could be a brilliant signing for West Ham and Graham Potter.
Manchester United now have only the weapons at their disposal until January after Monday’s transfer deadline, but that doesn’t mean clubs elsewhere aren’t looking to snap up their own assets, with some windows around the world not yet closed.
Manchester United look ahead after promising transfer window
Results haven’t been too kind to Ruben Amorim this season, but there have been flickering signs that performances at Old Trafford are beginning to come together after some high-profile signings during the transfer window.
Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Senne Lammens, and Benjamin Sesko took Manchester United’s summer spending spree to around £225 million, illustrating a level of ambition from INEOS to help the Red Devils challenge at the top end of the Premier League.
Ultimately, four points from nine available in the top-flight and a shock cup exit to Grimsby Town is unlikely to win any favour among supporters. Still, there is no doubt that this is a transitional season for Amorim’s men as they recover from an unfateful 2024/25 campaign.
Now, the focus is on integrating new faces for an important run of upcoming fixtures, starting with an away trip to rivals Manchester City after the international break, before a home clash with Chelsea.
After sustaining an injury against Burnley, former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Cunha confirmed via social media that he will be back sooner rather than later, stating: “What an incredible environment, it’s great to be here. I’ll be back soon, always with joy and gratitude. Thanks for all the messages.”
Sold for £5m: Man Utd must rue selling £43m star who'd get Sesko firing
Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing one player to depart Old Trafford in recent times.
1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 5, 2025
With the window now over in Europe, fans could be forgiven for thinking the Red Devils’ squad is now settled for time to come, but clubs are already scouring the market for players who may become of interest, and in some cases the window is still open…
Harry Maguire attracting interest from Saudi Pro League
According to The Sun, two Saudi Pro League clubs want to sign Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, with their window open until September 23. The player himself is considering the move, but only at the end of this season, which is perhaps a hit to INEOS and a boost for Amorim, as the Red Devils will lose out on a transfer fee but the manager keeps a consistent starter this season.
Indeed, the £190,000 per week earner is committed to remaining at Old Trafford until his contract expires in the summer of 2026, but this looks like one to watch once his deal ends when he could receive a massive pay hike.
Becoming a pillar of the Red Devils’ backline in recent years, Maguire has registered 16 goals and nine assists in 249 appearances for the club. He will be 33 by the time his Manchester United contract comes to an end, and it is clear that he has plenty of options open if he wants to seek a new career challenge elsewhere – or generational wealth.
TEAMtalk report that Manchester United could look to extend his contract, citing Amorim’s belief that he is a ‘crucial’ part of the dressing room, but it appears he could now be set to follow Andre Onana amid interest from Saudi clubs in the Cameroon international.
After a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw Manchester City finish third, a distant 13 points behind champions Liverpool, Pep Guardiola knows something must change in midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne’s exit on a free transfer has left a creative hole that no one has yet been able to fill.
City moved last summer to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £30m, but the Frenchman is yet to pull on a shirt in the Premier League.
Lucas Paquetá, so heavily linked with City last year, seemed a logical solution before allegations of betting rule breaches halted a potential move.
Although Paquetá has since been cleared and is reportedly available for £30m, City’s attention appears to have shifted.
According to reports from Spain last week, they are now considering a bid for a 22-year-old midfielder, already being dubbed by many as the new Andres Iniesta.
Why Man City could be chasing the new Iniesta
Fermin López is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy – the same finishing school that honed teammates Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pedri.
After Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Sevilla in 2023, Planet Football described López as “an Iniesta regen,” while respected talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled him a “genius.”
Those comparisons are not unfounded. López is technically sublime, boasting a silky first touch, a powerful engine, and an uncanny sense of space.
Last season, he played 46 games for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists.
That kind of production is impressive, particularly for a player who only started eight matches in the league.
He thrives as an advanced midfielder but can also operate off the left wing, where his sharp movement and awareness of space can be especially dangerous.
His influence extends beyond club football.
López was a central figure in Spain’s Olympic gold medal win last summer, starting every match and finishing with six goals and two assists in six.
Barcelona, however, are reluctant to let him go.
While his contract is valid until 2029 with a colossal €500m buy-out clause, reports suggest the Catalan club might listen to serious offers around £52m.
Given Barcelona’s well-documented financial issues, City could sense an opportunity to secure a player uniquely suited to Guardiola’s system.
Why Lopez could be Pep’s new midfield maestro
A deeper dive into López’s metrics makes a persuasive case for why City are so interested.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Statistically, according to FBref, he ranks in the 95th percentile for assists per 90 (0.42) and the 91st percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.39).
This is a player who doesn’t just move the ball well; he directly contributes to scoring opportunities and even finishes them himself.
His pass completion rate of 82.2% (88th percentile) suggests composure under pressure, while his progressive passing numbers are also strong – 4.96 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 74th percentile.
Crucially, he ranks in the 91st percentile for passes into the final third per 90 (4.12), reflecting a player capable of breaking lines and unpicking compact defences.
FC Barcelona'sFerminLopezin action with Las Palmas' Stefan Bajcetic
López is active beyond just attacking numbers.
His involvement is consistent, with 59.33 touches per 90 (84th percentile), and he offers defensive contributions with 4.65 ball recoveries per 90 (80th percentile), which is crucial to Guardiola’s counter-pressing approach.
These figures paint the picture of a complete midfielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball, matching City’s demands for work rate, positional intelligence, and technical skill.
In profile, López is similar to other multi-functional, creative players like Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala, or Michael Olise.
Spain'sDaniOlmo, Marc Cucurella and Fermin Lopez celebrate with the trophy after winning the final
He can carry the ball, link short combinations, and accelerate the game when needed.
That hybrid skillset is precisely what Guardiola values most – someone who can help dominate possession but also break lines and score goals.
For City, Fermín López could represent a long-term successor to De Bruyne. The Belgian’s departure has left a gap not just in terms of output but in leadership and a sense of decisive creativity.
López, with his La Masia education and fearless big-game mentality, could inherit that responsibility.
There are still elements to refine – he will need to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physicality – but his technical base gives him a solid platform.
Of course, the question is whether Barcelona will really cash in.
The club remains under financial pressure, which means a serious bid from City could get their attention despite the €500m release clause.
And with López under contract until 2029, it may take persuasive negotiations, and a hefty offer, to bring him to the Etihad.
While the Paquetá rumours have resurfaced thanks to his clearance, City fans may be more excited by the idea of López: younger, and with a trajectory that mirrors some of Spain’s most legendary midfielders.
If Pep Guardiola does get his wish, Manchester City supporters could soon be watching a player built in the image of Iniesta, but wearing sky blue.
There’s, however, rain in the forecast on all five days around North Sound
Mohammad Isam21-Nov-2024
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Bangladesh stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz with the series trophy•Cricket West Indies
Big picture: Bangladesh return to dreaded AntiguaBangladesh will get their usual Caribbean welcome. They will play the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, where they have opened the two previous tours with scores of 103 and 43 all out. This time, the visitors are also without two of their best batters, Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, so the job to tackle West Indies’ pace and bounce will become that much harder for an under-par batting line-up.Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph have the returning Alzarri Joseph to form a lethal attack. Kemar Roach is also in the squad, and given his superb record against Bangladesh, a four-man attack could be the way West Indies go. Add Anderson Phillip in the mix, and Bangladesh’s problems are likely to amplify.West Indies, on the other hand, would like their batting unit to fire. The likes of Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty and Justin Greaves are relatively new to the scene but it has been a year of promise for this batting line-up. They hold the key for the future, but their top seven have the lowest batting average among all teams this year. West Indies have won just one out of the seven Tests in 2024 so the batting, despite its lack of experience, must now step up.Their opponents are also undergoing a batting nightmare. South Africa brushed aside Bangladesh at home in a 2-0 defeat that will rankle for a long time. Bangladesh’s overall batting has been ordinary, and now without Mushfiqur and Shanto, these West Indies Tests will feel like an uphill climb.Two misfiring batting line-ups and impressive fast bowling attacks could produce a tight contest. It will be up to the likes of Kraigg Brathwaite and Mominul Haque to get their respective batting line-ups in order. The fast bowlers meanwhile will want to ensure that the runs come at a premium.Form guideWest Indies LDLLL Bangladesh LLLLWShamar Joseph has had a breakthrough 2024•Gallo Images/Getty Images
In the spotlight: Shamar Joseph and Mehidy Hasan MirazShamar Joseph will be licking his lips at the prospect of having a crack against an inexperienced Bangladesh line-up. He has the opportunity for a big finish in the last Test series of his breakthrough year. Joseph started 2024 with a stunning five-wicket haul on debut in Adelaide, followed by his famous 7 for 68 in Brisbane. While he didn’t have a great time against England, having the red ball back in his grip could fire up Joseph.Mehidy Hasan Miraz will now have to step up as captain•AFP/Getty Images
Few would envy Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s job at the moment. Appointed vice-captain ahead of the Test series, Mehidy has to now step up as captain following Shanto’s injury. Mehidy led the side in the last ODI against Afghanistan, but it will be a taller order against West Indies minus Mushfiqur and Shanto. Mehidy also has been off-colour with the ball recently, but the team will look up to him for his 2024 batting heroics.Team news: Who will fill the big boots of Mushfiqur and Holder?Justin Greaves and Alzarri Joseph are likely to replace Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie as West Indies look to bolster their batting and fast bowling attack.West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Alick Athanaze, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Justin Greaves, 7 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Jomel Warrican, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Shamar JosephLitton Das will return to the side but there’s going to be debate about who will get the other batting spot in the absence of Mushfiqur and Shanto.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Zakir Hasan, 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Shahadat Hossain, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Nahid Rana, 11 Hasan MahmudPitch and conditions: Rains and PaceThe pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium traditionally favours fast bowling. There’s, however, rain in the forecast on all five days around North Sound.Kemar Roach has a stunning record in Antigua•Associated Press
Stats and trivia: Roach’s backyardWest Indies with 309 caps have a slightly more experienced squad than Bangladesh (301) in this series. Nine members of the Bangladesh squad haven’t played in the CaribbeanRoach has a stunning record at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium: 50 wickets in nine Tests at 17.44Roach is also on top of the wicket-takers list among fast bowlers against Bangladesh. He has taken 44 wickets at an average of 20.79No Bangladesh batter has struck a century in the West Indies since Mushfiqur Rahim’s 116 in Kingstown in 2014