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Aston Villa have a tricky next nine days to navigate in terms of PSR, with the deadline to balance their books looming on June 30, but that isn’t to say Unai Emery won’t be backed this summer.

NSWE and Monchi can only allow the Villans to register a £15 million loss for 2024/2025, with The Athletic calculating this as the maximum figure to avoid any PSR penalties.

£120k-a-week Aston Villa outfielder has now opened talks to join elite club

He could leave with Emiliano Martinez.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

As things stand, they’re projected to be over this limit and must raise cash through player sales before the start of the next football financial year on July 1.

The marquee sales of Moussa Diaby and Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia have helped significantly, alongside their £70 million prize money from reaching the Champions League quarter-finals last season, but another big-name sale is required in the coming week (The Athletic).

Emiliano Martinez is attracting serious interest from Man United as an optional sale to bring much-needed funds to the Villa coffers, while it is reported that left-back Lucas Digne is in talks to join Atlético Madrid as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Much like Newcastle’s roadblock on marquee transfers due to PSR restrictions, Villa are suffering from having to comply with the limits, with top flight sides only allowed to lose £105 million over a rolling three-year period.

It makes the market all the more tricky for Emery’s side to navigate, and their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has come as an almighty blow both on and off the field.

Villa have to settle for the Europa League’s limited prize pool by comparison next term, with Monchi handed the extremely difficult task of both balancing the books and reinforcing Emery’s squad for another season of competing on multiple fronts.

Taking this into account, it makes links to £250,000-per-week Man United attacker Mason Mount all the more surprising.

Aston Villa could make "excellent" move for Man United ace Mason Mount

As per ex-Villa chief scout Mick Brown, in an interview with Football Insider, Emery is a fan of Chelsea’s former star and the Midlands could be a landing spot for him this summer.

Aston Villa could swoop for Mount and offer him an “excellent” move away from Old Trafford, according to Brown, and they want to help the 26-year-old re-discover his past form.

“United have tried to establish whether there is a market for Mason Mount,” Brown told Football Insider.

“Aston Villa have been spoken about and I think they could make a move. People remember Mason Mount at his best, that what Villa want to help him get back to and it looks like he’s back to full fitness now.

“His move to Man United hasn’t been positive by any means, but he’s still a talented player. Villa want to strengthen because they’ve lost Rashford and Asensio, so Mount is on their list.

“Unai Emery is a fan of his and feels he could help him to rediscover his Chelsea form. It would be an excellent move for Mount as well, because Villa are a top club, they’ve got top facilities and they’ll be playing in Europe.“

Given their financial limitations, Villa would surely need Mount to take a big cut on his marquee wages for this transfer to happen, and it would most likely be in the form of a loan deal, or perhaps a loan-to-buy.

They have also retained a host of their experienced domestic players like Russell, Pollard, Narine and Bravo

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2024

Tim David had a middling IPL season•AFP/Getty Images

Trinbago Knight Riders have signed Tim David and Jason Roy for the Caribbean Premier League 2024 season. They have also retained their core of experienced West Indies stars in Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Dwayne Bravo.Akeal Hosein, who recently became the first spinner to register a five-wicket haul for West Indies in T20Is during their T20 World Cup 2024 game against Uganda, has also been retained by Knight Riders, along with seamers Jayden Seales and Terrance Hinds and batters Mark Deyal and Keacy Carty. TKR’s squad currently comprises 15 members and they have space to add two more in the draft in July.Fast bowlers Josh Little and Ali Khan, and left-arm wristspinner Waqar Salamkheil are the overseas players retained by Knight Riders.Related

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St Lucia Kings sign Heinrich Klaasen and Noor Ahmad for CPL 2024

Royals bring back Theekshana, Patriots sign Hasaranga and Stubbs for CPL 2024

While this will be the first stint in the CPL for Roy, David has past experience in the tournament, having made his debut for St Lucia Kings in 2021. He was also roped in as a replacement player during CPL 2023 by Knight Riders.Last year, Knight Riders made the final having finished second in the league stage, but lost to Guyana Amazon Warriors. Knight Riders are the most successful team in the CPL, with four titles. Their last trophy, however, came in 2020. They will begin their 2024 campaign against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Basseterre on September 1.

The representatives of a “massive” striker have reached out to Tottenham Hotspur as they attempt to find their client a new landing spot, with his club now ready to sell.

Daniel Levy targeting new forward for Tottenham this summer

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly on the look-out for new attacking players this summer, even if the club may be forced to adopt a ‘sell-to-buy’ policy over the next transfer window.

Tottenham: Popular £4.2m manager now "top" Levy target after Paratici message

Spurs are serious about him as a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou.

5 ByEmilio Galantini May 16, 2025

While uncertainty surrounds the long-term future of manager Ange Postecoglou, regardless of what happens in the Europa League final next week, the Australian could be joined out of the exit door by a string of surplus Spurs forwards.

Son Heung-min

7.05

Pedro Porro

6.98

James Maddison

6.98

Dominic Solanke

6.88

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil don’t appear to have a long-term future in north London, having spent the 2024/2025 campaign out on loan at Leeds United and Girona respectively, while it is also believed Richarlison could be put up for sale by Tottenham as well.

As such, Postecoglou or any new manager would need attacking reinforcements in the event all three depart Hotspur Way.

Tottenham have expressed an interest in Ipswich Town starlet Liam Delap, who will be available for just £30 million thanks to their relegation to the Championship, with Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst also on Spurs’ radar after his impressive season in the Bundesliga.

Levy is also keen to make Mathys Tel’s stay at Tottenham permanent, as per Sport Bild this week, so recruitment plans are in full flow ahead of the first summer window’s opening on June 1.

According to GiveMeSport, Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic could emerge as a target for Spurs as well, with the Serbia international out of contract in 2026 and could be available for an affordable fee this year.

Dusan Vlahovic's agents hold talks with Tottenham

Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has weighed in with an update of his own on the 25-year-old’s future.

Writing for The Boot Room, Bailey reports that Vlahovic’s agents have contacted Tottenham over a potential move to the Premier League, alongside other interested sides, and Juventus are prepared to sell him for around £25 million.

The ex-Fiorentina star hasn’t enjoyed the best second half of 2024/25, scoring just two Serie A goals this calendar year, but Vlahovic does boast 14 in all competitions with four of them coming in big Champions League games.

He can be a truly devastating centre-forward when at his very best and consistently reaches double figures in a season. However, Levy will be very keen to negotiate a salary far beneath his rumoured £320,000-per-week take-home at Juve, which would make him Tottenham’s highest-earner by miles.

“I’ve been saying it for a long time. He’s strong, massive, he fills up front, he’s a reference, he’s a ‘left-footer’ full of courage,” said ex-Juve striker Roberto Boninsegna about Vlahovic.

“A good centre-forward. I also like Retegui from Atalanta, he scores easily.”

Aston Villa may not end the 2024/25 season with a trophy, but Unai Emery could still lead them back into the Champions League courtesy of a top-five finish in the Premier League.

The Spaniard now needs to add some depth to the current Villa squad this summer, especially if they do reach the promised land once again.

Securing a permanent deal for Marcus Rashford – now out for the season through injury – and Marco Asensio could be an excellent way to start his summer business.

It is another Premier League midfielder who Emery has recently targeted, however, and this could be a game-changer.

Why Aston Villa want to sign Kevin De Bruyne

According to Sky Sports last week, Villa have held internal discussions regarding a sensational move for Kevin De Bruyne once his Man City contract expires in a few weeks.

He wouldn’t cost a penny, therefore it could be one of the best bargains of the summer should a potential move go ahead.

After 11 years at City, where he won six league titles and the Champions League, the Belgian is now looking for a new challenge.

He will be 34 by the time the 2025/26 season begins, yet according to Transfermarkt, he is still valued at €27m (£23m) after registering 13 goal involvements this term.

It’s safe to say he’s been one of the most elite playmakers we’ve ever seen in the English top-flight.

A six-time Premier League winner, a Champions League winner and the assister of 121 goals in the Premier League, few have been better when it comes to supplying chances and creating magic than the Belgian.

This is the type of quality Emery needs. Although there is someone who plays in his position that is valued nearly twice as much as the Belgian.

Aston Villa's very own De Bruyne

When Villa spent just £15m on bringing a certain Morgan Rogers to the Midlands from Middlesbrough in the 2024 winter transfer window, it was deemed a signing for the future.

Three goals and an assist in his first 13 top flight games, however, cemented Rogers as one of the finest young talents in the Premier League.

Goals

8

4

Assists

8

2

Big chances created

13

5

Key passes per game

1.3

1.3

Successful dribbles per game

1.8

1.6

This season couldn’t have gone any better for the Englishman who is now following in the footsteps of De Bruyne, creating and scoring goals aplenty while shining on the European stage too.

Across 50 matches so far, he has amassed 27 goal involvements – 14 goals and 13 assists – with seven of these coming in the continent’s premier club competition, the Champions League.

The former Man City starlet even made his England debut against Greece towards the end of 2024 and was called up for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad for the games against Albania and Latvia.

Following his display against the latter, Glenn Hoddle hailed the midfielder as “wonderful” and his future at both club and international level looks bright indeed.

He ranks 14th for big chances created (13) and eighth for successful dribbles per game (1.8) in the Premier League this season, just rubberstamping those comparing to De Bruyne.

These displays have, unsurprisingly, seen a staggering rise in his market valuation over the previous 12 months.

As per Transfermarkt, Rogers is now valued at €50m (£43m) and this is nearly double what De Bruyne is worth at the time of writing.

If Emery does persuade the City dynamo to join Villa, hopefully it won’t be to the detriment of Rogers, who certainly has the number ten position locked down with a string of excellent performances.

Worth 330% more than Nypan: Aston Villa struck gold with "unstoppable" star

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a move to sign Sverre Nypan.

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 23, 2025

The Afghanistan wristspinner has lofty goals and at just 26 years old he has time to achieve them

Nagraj Gollapudi07-Feb-20252:13

Rashid Khan: ‘DJ Bravo called me to congratulate on the feat’

In a batter-friendly format you have managed to create this record – that must give you incredible satisfaction?Definitely, it does. Especially when I look at my career, it’s not that long, where I feel like, say I played 15-20 years and this record has been broken and it’s under my name now. It is just nine years. And that’s how long DJ Bravo held that record for (eight years). But it’s a massive, massive achievement for me because if I look back in 2014-15, I never ever thought that I will play T20 Internationals and (franchise) leagues all around the world. I never ever had that in my mind. I’ll only try my best to continue (growing) and make it as bigger as possible.Has DJ messaged or called you?Yes, we spoke. He messaged me as well. He was so happy and said: “(I know) you are the one who (would) break this record. You totally deserve all this.” He’s always been very supportive and we had some great times and in (2024) T20 World Cup as well when he was Afghanistan bowling coach.Your climb to the top has been incredibly quick. At the end of 2016, your second year in competitive cricket, you had 38 wickets when Bravo was the leading wicket-taker in T20s with 367 wickets. By end of 2024 you had 622 wickets, only nine behind Bravo who retired last year. You did not take the staircase, you are on the escalator.I was thinking the same couple of days back. I was just checking my records: how many wickets DJ Bravo had when I debuted and how much I have now. I read that since I debuted, while I got 600-plus wickets, the difference between me and the next best bowler with most wickets in this period was nearly half (229 – South African legspinner Imran Tahir has 403 wickets). Like I said, it’s hard to believe. What makes it more special for me is the record now belongs to someone from Afghanistan.You should read the piece we did after you surpassed Bravo…I would love to. And keep an eye on which records I could break in the future (chuckles).There’s one you are withing touching distance: you are three wickets short of going past Tim Southee to become the highest wicket-taker in T20Is.That I already have in my mind. I tried my best to cross that in the Zimbabwe series recently, but I took only nine wickets. But hopefully in Asia Cup (scheduled later in 2025)Rashid Khan’s phase wise numbers•ESPNcricinfo LtdLast IPL when we met, you mentioned you have reached this far by sticking to that simple mantra – bowling in the right areas. As you evolve you will continue to stick to that?You never let your strength go away from you. That’s my strength and that’s why I’m more effective when I’m bowling there (points to the spot he wants to pitch) and that’s where batsmen struggle as well. As soon I start bowling here and here (away from the spot intended), maybe it becomes more easier for them. It’s more about that length, that line and that’s what makes it very hard (for the batter). Sometimes as a bowler, if you think a lot, like what will happen if I bowl there, then we forget to bowl in the right areas, then we forget what is our strength.

Every ball I’m bowling I want to take wicket, I want to bowl the best ball, I want to put the batter in trouble. As soon as you have that in the mind, wickets will comeRashid Khan about his mindset

I have seen so many bowlers, especially at the death, bowling the length ball and they are still hard to hit. I will give you an example of Mohammed Shami – he is bowling length balls at the death and still it’s hard for the batters to go after him because he is pitching on the right line and right length. [Jasprit] Bumrah is the same. He bowls the best yorkers, but at the same time also bowls the length ball which is equally hard to hit. Because he is pitching where he wants it and where he thinks it is hard for the batter to hit. For me it’s the same: it’s just the length and line and as long as I stick to that I don’t think I should change much. Yes, I can think about varying the pace and the grips, but not about change my line and length.Do you still use the bottle tops to sharpen your accuracy and consistency?Yes, sometimes when I face bit of a challenge, when I’m not hitting the right areas consistently, I bring them (bottle tops) and that really helps me. But nowadays when you are playing too much (T20) cricket and back-to-back games, it becomes harder to keep doing that all the time. But yes, in a longer format I still keep train (with bottle tops) like in ODI and Test cricket and it comes handy.I recently played a Test against Zimbabwe. The earlier part of my first spell was harder for me, around the first five overs. But as soon I got used to the rhythm, I pitched the ball in the right areas and I just enjoyed and I just wanted to bowl and bowl. I bowled 55 overs, but I still felt like I hadn’t bowled much. I should have bowled more than that. So that’s how I enjoy my bowling and that’s how I am focussing on hitting the right areas consistently, by challenging myself: can I hit that area now? Can I hit that area with this ball, with a leggie, with the straighter one?Batters have charged you and then played safe. As you have evolved, is your basic aim still taking wickets or you want to ensure you attack by being defensive?Taking wickets is thinking about how it’s going to happen. You can take a wicket on a full toss or on a back-of-length ball as well. But what you have in the mind is important, about how I’m going to get the wicket and that mentality you must have: if I’m bowling the wrong ‘un, because I want to hit him on the pad. Why I’m bowling legspin? Because I want to beat him, I want to get him caught behind, I want him caught in the slip. You need to have that wicket-taking mindset every ball unless you are bowling in death when you are bowling wide yorkers, wide slower ones, when you just need to try and deliver a dot ball. But your mentality should be taking wickets each and every ball. And that’s something which I mostly have in my mind: every ball I’m bowling I want to take wicket, I want to bowl the best ball, I want to put the batter in trouble. As soon as you have that in the mind, wickets will come, dot balls will come and good spells will come.Rashid Khan says making the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup in 2024 is one of the biggest moments of his life•ICC/Getty ImagesPersonally, can you talk about few top spells from your T20 career?I will name three. One was against Bangladesh in the last T20 World Cup where I got four wickets (4 for 23) where we were defending 115. That was a very crucial spell for me. Yes, I got four wickets against New Zealand (4 for 17) as well in the same World Cup, but that was different game and this was different game. Against Bangladesh, I’m defending only 115, which was a tough situation hence I felt that’s why this is a little bit higher. Another is against KKR in IPL 2018 in Qualifier 2 (3 for 19) which totally changed the game. The other I got 6 for 17 for Adelaide Strikers in BBL because bowling in Australia is something harder.Rashid Khan: If I look back in 2014-15, I never ever thought that I will play T20 Internationals•ACBAfghanistan reaching the semi-finals in the 2024 T20 World Cup – was the biggest moment of your T20 career so far?It is 100% one of the biggest moments of my career, in my life, to get to the semi-finals. And I still feel and I still think about that match. How we were (so) near to the final, we could have played the final. I still feel so bad whenever I remember that day that I thought if it was a better wicket, both teams could have done much, much better and it would’ve been one of the best games for us as a team. You know that ground (in Tarouba), we came two, three times for practice and we cancelled the practice because of the wickets.Currently 410 of your overall T20 wickets have come in leagues. You are leading MICT. You also play for two other MI franchises – in ILT20 and MLC. MI now also have acquired another franchise, Oval Invincibles, in the Hundred. From a player’s viewpoint, do you reckon it might be beneficial to you to stick to one franchise across leagues?Yes. It’s something which makes it so easy for you. You already know the set-up, the management, the environment, you feel like you know history of the franchise, how good it is and their mindset on cricket. I feel like that in future you just stick at one place. And that’s something for me personally, it’s quite important. I’m happy to be representing them (MI) all over: New York, here, Emirates. It plays a good role where it doesn’t allow you that okay, if I go a new set-up, how it’s going to be, how I’m going to adjust. But with this set-up, it becomes easier for you that you can adjust yourself quickly and you start focusing and start performing from the day one.This SA20, Paarl Royals became the first team to bowl 20 overs of spin. Do you reckon teams will bowl more spin as T20 evolves?Well, it depends on conditions as well. To be honest, I don’t think so (bowling spin for 20 overs). I still feel in the last few overs, you can still manage to hit one or two boundaries off the spinner in an over unless it’s a very, very, very slow wicket and/or a turning wicket. I feel you still need those skills of fast bowlers to bowl at death, those skills of fast bowlers to bowl with the new ball, swing the ball both ways, I will love to see the ball reverse, I still love to see fast bowlers bowling slower ones, wide yorkers. That is the beauty of this game, of the short format, and it shouldn’t go away. It shouldn’t be taken away where people think about, okay, let’s just go with (only) spinners and it’s easy. No, I don’t think so. It’s going to affect the game and the beauty of the game may just go away.You are 26 and already you are inching towards 700 wickets. If you keep your fitness, guess 1000 wickets is a milestone you might want to work towards?That’s the target (breaching the 1000-wicket barrier). It’s going to be massive to get 1000 wickets. Yeah, if I’m fit and I’m doing well, that’s something which will be a biggest achievement to take: 1000 wickets in T20s. And I can only just think about it, how good it would be and how it will be to have those four digits of wickets. That’s something which is going to be unbelievable. But yes, hopefully, hopefully I’m fit. I feel like if I (continue to) play the cricket I’ve been playing next three-and a-half-to-four years, I feel like I can get there.

We take at look at all eight women’s squads ahead of the second edition of the competition

Alan Gardner and Matt Roller10-Aug-2022Phoenix produced a group effort to reach the eliminator•Getty Images

Birmingham Phoenix

Last season: Eliminator
Coach: Ben Sawyer
Captain: Sophie Devine
Overseas players: Devine, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Deepti SharmaKey player: Sophie Devine takes the reins from Amy Jones after missing the first season and is one of the competition’s biggest drawcards. She was the second-highest run-scorer at the Commonwealth Games, marshalling New Zealand to a surprise bronze medal, and should have the licence to attack from the start in a Phoenix side with a long batting line-up and no shortage of all-round ability.One to watch: Phoenix’s signing of 15-year-old batter Davina Perrin was significant, and not just because she will be the youngest player involved in the tournament. Perrin has been involved with the African Caribbean Engagement programme in the west midlands and is already highly rated, featuring for Central Sparks in this year’s T20 and 50-over competitions.Verdict: Phoenix scraped into the knockouts last year with a late charge but should finish in the top three more comfortably this year, with a strong domestic core now supplemented by some of the biggest stars in the global game. Ellyse Perry will have a point to prove after losing her place in Australia’s best side. Matt RollerPossible XI: 1 Sophie Devine (capt), 2 Eve Jones, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Amy Jones (wk), 5 Deepti Sharma/Sophie Molineux, 6 Gwen Davies, 7 Georgia Elwiss, 8 Issy Wong, 9 Emily Arlott, 10 Kirstie Gordon, 11 Abtaha MaqsoodLondon Spirit will need their domestic players to stand up•Getty Images

London Spirit

Last season: 4th
Coach: Trevor Griffin
Captain: Charlie Dean
Overseas players: Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Beth Mooney, Megan SchuttKey player: Beth Mooney has been a constant source of runs at the top of the Australia order in T20 internationals for a number of years and her 61 off 41 balls in the Commonwealth Games final proved to be a match-winning innings. Spirit have lost their three highest run-scorers from last year in Heather Knight (injured), Tammy Beaumont (Welsh Fire) and Deandra Dottin (Manchester Originals) so will need their big new signing to fire.One to watch: Allrounder Grace Scrivens did not bat or bowl in her two appearances last season but has had an impressive domestic season for Sunrisers and should play a bigger role in 2022. She is only 18 but has already been involved with the England A set-up, and the fact she bats left-handed marks her out as a player with an unusual skillset in the domestic women’s game.Verdict: Knight’s withdrawal due to injury is a significant blow and Spirit will have to rely heavily on their overseas players if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. Charlie Dean, her replacement as captain, and Freya Davies will use the tournament as an opportunity to show England they deserve more regular T20 opportunities. MRPossible XI: 1 Beth Mooney (wk), 2 Naomi Dattani, 3 Sophie Luff, 4 Amelia Kerr, 5 Grace Scrivens, 6 Dani Gibson, 7 Charlie Dean (capt), 8 Amara Carr, 9 Megan Schutt, 10 Freya Davies, 11 Grace BallingerLizelle Lee is back in black with Originals•Getty Images

Manchester Originals

Last season: 5th
Coach: Paul Shaw
Captain: Kate Cross
Overseas players: Deandra Dottin, Lizelle Lee, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea TahuhuKey player: Lizelle Lee retired from international cricket in controversial circumstances last month, alleging that she feared CSA would deny her a No-Objection Certificate for the Hundred unless she lost weight. As a result, she has a point to prove and will hope for more support from the middle order, after carrying Originals’ batting line-up last summer.One to watch: Emma Lamb struggled to make an impact last year, making 135 runs across her seven innings, but has flourished in an England shirt this year in 50-over cricket. She was surplus to requirements for the T20 squad at the Commonwealth Games and can stake a case for inclusion through the Hundred – while her offbreaks will come in useful on spinning pitches at Emirates Old Trafford.Verdict: Originals should be in contention for the play-off spots but their batting line-up looks top-heavy and they will be hugely reliant on their top three for runs. They struggled to adapt to conditions at home last year and will need to use Old Trafford’s slow pitches and huge boundaries to their advantage. MRPossible XI: 1 Lizelle Lee, 2 Emma Lamb, 3 Deandra Dottin, 4 Cordelia Griffith, 5 Georgie Boyce, 6 Sophie Ecclestone, 7 Kate Cross (capt), 8 Lea Tahuhu, 9 Ellie Threlkeld (wk), 10 Phoebe Graham, 11 Hannah JonesJemimah Rodrigues returns for Northern Superchargers•Getty Images

Northern Superchargers

Last season: 6th
Coach: Dani Hazell
Captain: Hollie Armitage
Overseas players: Alyssa Healy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura WolvaardtKey player: Alyssa Healy has had a horror run in T20Is over the last 18 months, making 100 runs with an average of 9.09 and a strike rate of 72.99 since the start of 2021. But she remains one of the most destructive white-ball openers in the world on her day, and will be looking to hit her way back into form in the Hundred – not least at Headingley, one of the fastest-scoring grounds in the country.One to watch: Katie Levick was the leading wicket-taker in the Charlotte Edwards Cup this year and had a solid first season in the competition as part of a spin-heavy Superchargers bowling attack. At 31, she is a veteran of English domestic cricket and will look to play a leadership role in support of new captain Hollie Armitage after Lauren Winfield-Hill’s departure to Oval Invincibles.Verdict: Superchargers started the Hundred with three wins and a no-result last year but tailed off badly to miss out on the knockout stages. Their all-overseas top three is among the best in the competition but they will need their domestic players to step up if they are to be in contention by the end of the group stages. MRPossible XI: 1 Alyssa Healy (wk), 2 Laura Wolvaardt, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Hollie Armitage (capt), 5 Alice Davidson-Richards, 6 Bess Heath, 7 Jenny Gunn, 8 Beth Langston, 9 Linsey Smith, 10 Kalea Moore, 11 Katie LevickMarizanne Kapp was Invincibles’ match-winner in the 2021 final•Getty Images

Oval Invincibles

Last season: Winners
Coach: Jonathan Batty
Captain: Dane van Niekerk
Overseas players: Suzie Bates, Shabnim Ismael, Marizanne Kapp, van NiekerkKey player: Dane van Niekerk was the tournament MVP in its opening season, leading the run-scoring charts and bowling plenty of sets, too. She has not played competitively since November, missing South Africa’s tour of England and the Commonwealth Games as she recovered from a fractured ankle, and Invincibles’ defence may hinge on her fitness.One to watch: If you somehow missed her last year, Alice Capsey is still the teen sensation to keep an eye on in the women’s game. Capsey will turn 18 on the first day of the tournament – when Invincibles take on Northern Superchargers – and has already been capped by England, as well as scored her first international fifty. Will get stuck in with bat and ball.Verdict: Invincibles have lost five players who were virtually ever-present last season – two to rivals Southern Brave – and will once again lean heavily on their South African contingent. The absence of Tash Farrant, due to a back stress fracture, could be most significant. Alan GardnerPossible XI: 1 Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), 2 Dane van Niekerk (capt), 3 Alice Capsey, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Aylish Cranstone, 6 Grace Gibbs, 7 Mady Villiers, 8 Danielle Gregory, 9 Sophia Smale, 10 Eva Gray/Ryana McDonald-Gay, 11 Shabnim IsmailCharlotte Edwards will be aiming for Southern Brave to go one better this year•Getty Images

Southern Brave

Last season: Runners-up
Coach: Charlotte Edwards
Captain: Anya Shrubsole
Overseas players: Smriti Mandhana, Tahlia McGrath, Molly Strano, Amanda-Jade WellingtonKey player: Australia allrounder Tahlia McGrath has been on the scene for several years, but has recently taken her game to another level – particularly in the shortest format. She made her T20I debut in October and currently averages 93.75 with the bat and 13.66 with the ball. So good has McGrath been that Ellyse Perry has barely had a look in.One to watch: One of two 17-year-olds to make a positive impression on England’s Commonwealth Games (the other being Capsey), left-arm seamer Freya Kemp has the skill – and variations – to thrive on the Hundred stage. Claimed nine wickets at 17.66 for champions Southern Vipers in this year’s Charlotte Edwards Cup.Verdict: The standout side during the group stage last year, Brave fell at the final hurdle – but they will again be the team to beat after coming back with what looks like an even stronger squad. McGrath more than covers for the loss of Stafanie Taylor, while Kemp is a bright talent and the likes of Georgia Adams, Jo Gardner and Paige Scholfield add to their considerable depth. AGPossible XI: 1 Danni Wyatt, 2 Smriti Mandhana, 3 Sophia Dunkley, 4 Tahlia McGrath, 5 Maia Bouchier, 6 Amanda-Jade Wellington, 7 Anya Shrubsole (capt), 8 Carla Rudd (wk), 9 Tara Norris, 10 Lauren Bell, 11 Freya KempKatherine Brunt will look to fire up Rockets again•Getty Images

Trent Rockets

Last season: 7th
Coach: Salliann Beams
Captain: Nat Sciver
Overseas players: Mignon du Preez, Alana King, Elyse Villani, Kim GarthKey player: The loss of Meg Lanning, who has opted to take a break from cricket on the eve of the tournament, will only increase the demands on Nat Sciver. England’s star allrounder led the Rockets’ run-scoring in 2021 and helps balance a slightly lop-sided XI, while Rockets have also added Kim Garth, the Australia-based former Ireland allrounder, to their squad.One to watch: Alana King was an uncapped legspinner at the start of the year, but has enjoyed a meteoric rise: Australia debuts in all three formats, a 50-over World Cup winner’s medal, gold at the Commonwealths – where she claimed 4 for 8 against Barbados but was denied a hat-trick by Lanning’s drop at slip.Verdict: Rockets were among the sides worst hit by withdrawals in the inaugural campaign and have been hit again by Lanning’s late withdrawal. They still look strong in paper, and should be a good bet for the knockouts – particularly if Katherine Brunt continues to rage against the dying of the light. AGPossible XI: 1 Bryony Smith, 2 Elyse Villani, 3 Nat Sciver (capt), 4 Mignon du Preez, 5 Katherine Brunt, 6 Sarah Glenn, 7 Abbey Freeborn, 8 Kathryn Bryce, 9 Alana King, 10 Georgia Davis, 11 Sophie Munro/Alex StonehouseHayley Matthews was Fire’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in 2021•PA Images/Getty

Welsh Fire

Last season: 8th
Coach: Gareth Breese
Captain: Tammy Beaumont
Overseas players: Nicola Carey, Rachael Haynes, Hayley Matthews, Annabel SutherlandKey player: Welsh Fire sometimes seemed a one-woman team in 2021, which might account for why they ended up bottom. But Hayley Matthews, the West Indies allrounder, could not be faulted for her efforts after scoring 221 runs and taking 11 wickets – well above her team-mates in both disciplines.One to watch: Katie George was capped by England at 18 but, four years on, has not added to a handful of limited-overs appearances. Injuries have played a part, and the left-arm seamer did not bowl a ball in last year’s Hundred despite playing all eight games; an innings of 74 off 43 balls in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last month hints at allrounder potential.Verdict: Fire appear to have recruited well, despite losing Bryony Smith and Sarah Taylor (who took up a coaching role in the men’s Hundred). New captain Tammy Beaumont has a point to prove after being left out of England’s Commonwealth Games squad, while Fran Wilson was a title-winner with Invincibles. Expectations will be low but they could spring a few surprises. AGPossible XI: 1 Tammy Beaumont (capt), 2 Hayley Matthews, 3 Fran Wilson, 4 Rachael Haynes, 5 Fi Morris, 6 Nicola Carey, 7 Georgia Hennessy, 8 Katie George, 9 Sarah Bryce (wk), 10 Alex Hartley, 11 Nicole Harvey

A consistent run in Pakistan’s Test team has led to a stark improvement in results for the opener

Danyal Rasool in Rawalpindi08-Feb-2020Minutes after play was called off for bad light a few overs early, Shan Masood walked into the press conference. If anything, he shuffled in, though having scored the hundred that put Pakistan in command of the first Test against Bangladesh, he would have been well within his rights to allow himself a strut. Instead, he spent most of his time in much the same way as he had when at the crease, circumspect and patient, placing the same weight on his words as he does on his wicket.The winter sun had barely begun to stamp its authority on a crisp February morning when Abid Ali slashed at a wide ball in the second over, the tickle off the bat comfortably pouched by wicketkeeper Liton Das. It only added to the pressure on Masood’s shoulders; looking to see off the new ball had been one of the goals Pakistan had set out before the game began.”When we won the toss, we wanted to assess what a good score on this pitch would be. Here, the ball wasn’t moving much in the air, but moving off the deck quite a bit, so the newer the ball, the greater the chance of a bowler picking up wickets. The older and softer the ball, the easier batting would be. The heavy roller was used on it yesterday, and used today as well, so it was easier to bat on today.”But this is Test cricket. At one point when we were 90-odd for one, it looked as if runs were coming quickly, but when Azhar Ali got out, even Babar Azam struggled in the first few overs. We needed to bat with discipline, and when we stuck to our plans, we came through and we’ve put up a good score.”Masood speaks with the authority of a senior player, and just 13 months on from Boxing Day, 2018, when he was tossed into the Pakistan side at Centurion following a late injury to Haris Sohail, that’s exactly what he has become. He has now played eight Tests on the trot – a far cry from the 12 he played in five different stints across more than half a decade. And it’s easy to see why, from a bit-part player who was, at best, a part-time international cricketer for Pakistan for so long has suddenly become among the first names on the team sheet in red-ball cricket.

“When you play 15 Test matches in over six years as I did, you don’t get the chance to familiarise yourself with the game at this level. It always seems like each match is your debut.”SHAN MASOOD

This unbroken eight-Test run has accounted for over half his runs in Test cricket, as well as three of his six half-centuries and, thanks to the 100 he added to his burgeoning tally, two thirds of his three-figure scores. The susceptibility to the short ball that cost him his place so often in the early part of his career is a worry that keeps him up less and less, while the price he put on his wicket today is a microcosm of how he has gone about approaching Test cricket since that serendipitous return to the national side in South Africa. In addition to the bloody-minded determination that everyone who has worked with Masood at some point singles out for praise, the 30-year old insists feeling secure in the side is key to success.”Off field work is our job. That’s our profession, just as someone who has an office job needs to go to work from 9-5. But when you play 15 Test matches in over six years as I did, you don’t get the chance to familiarise yourself with the game at this level. It always seems like each match is your debut, and that selection depends on your next two performances. 8 Test matches – which I’ve played consecutive now – is a fair chance, and in Test cricket, preparing a batsman requires this sort of investment.”If you look at our best batsmen currently – Babar Azam – it took time even for him to acclimatise to Test cricket. When we give our players more opportunities, they will bring results, and that’s being borne out in Babar’s performances right now. The rest have only reached the level they have by getting the opportunities to play at this level. In Test cricket, you need that little bit more time than the other formats.”When at the crease today, Masood looked like he had that little bit more time. He leant into drives, he stayed back for punches through the covers, and the Bangladesh bowlers, admittedly not the quickest in the world, were made to look all the more sluggish. For Masood had time on the ball, spent time at the crease, and, should this uptick in form prove representative of his real abilities, plenty of time left in an international career that has, at long last, burst into iridescent bloom. And who knows, while he’s adding things to his repertoire, he may even incorporate the strut into his gait one day.

On Friday, the rumors became official: Wrigley Field will play host for the MLB All-Star Game in the near future.

After a few months' worth of reports connecting the famous ivy wall to All-Star festivities, commissioner Rob Manfred announced at the ballpark that the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field would host the 2027 All-Star game. It is an exciting time for the city and especially the fans who will get to enjoy Wrigleyville throughout the All-Star week.

The social media account for the ballpark released a video celebrating the occasion shortly after Manfred's announcement.

The 2027 game will mark the fourth All-Star Game the Cubs have hosted, with the three previous occasions coming in 1947, 1962 and 1990. Chicago's game will come on the heels of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia hosting the 2026 All-Star Game.

Fans and players both have much to look forward to in 2027, as one of MLB's most historic ballparks plays host to All-Star festivities.

The New York Yankees are looking to add some punch to their lineup and it appears they may have their preferred target.

Last week, it was revealed that New York believes Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s best position is second base and the team is attempting to add a third baseman before the MLB trade deadline. That would allow Chisholm to move back to second in place of the struggling DJ LeMahieu.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Yankees have their eyes on Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suarez to fill the spot.

Nightengale claimed Suarez is getting a ton of attention from around the league, with the Yankees and Seattle Mariners leading the charge. That isn't surprising. Through 87 games, the 33-year-old is slashing .255/.322/.569 with 28 home runs, 73 RBIs, an OPS of .891 and 2.6 WAR.

Suarez is set to be a free agent after the season, so he'd be a pure rental and far less expensive than, say, Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon. The question will be how much the Yankees are willing to surrender to upgrade their infield.

Big picture: Series win beckons Afghanistan

Afghanistan are on the cusp of a third consecutive ODI series win against Bangladesh. They won the last two series in 2023 and 2024, as these two sides have become frequent bilateral opponents. Afghanistan’s five-wicket win on Wednesday was also a breath of fresh air after they lost their last five international matches.Azmatullah Omarzai was the all-round star in the game, taking three wickets and scoring an important 40 in the chase. His ODI stocks have been on the rise for the last few years. Rashid Khan also had a strong outing, picking up 3 for 38 and going past 200 ODI wickets.Afghanistan’s win this week also highlighted their other strengths. Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a mature knock under pressure, curbing his natural flair for the sake of the team’s stability. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi continued as the background guys, keeping the batting line-up in shape in tricky chases. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote was another unsung hero, conceding just 31 runs in his full quota, taking Saif Hassan’s wicket. It is these percentage performers that keep the Afghanistan team going in ODIs.That isn’t the case for Bangladesh, who are having a hard time finding any consistent performers in this format. They are now lurching from one defeat to another in ODIs, having won just two games in the last 12 months. It was evident on Wednesday why they are no longer an ODI force. Bangladesh threw away a good start with soft dismissals and despite a recovery through a 101-run fourth-wicket stand, the rest of the batters succumbed to Rashid’s accuracy. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali and Nurul Hasan were all lbw to Rashid, which might have kept the head coach Phil Simmons busy in the lead-up to Saturday’s match.Bangladesh also need to figure out the Abu Dhabi conditions better. Afghanistan picking four spinners may have a lot to do with their confidence in the likes of Kharote and AM Ghazanfar, but Bangladesh missed out on playing Rishad Hossain. Bangladesh won the T20I leg of the tour 3-0. They’ll need some of that form seeping into the one-day leg if they are to keep the series alive.

Form guide

Afghanistan: WWLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LLWLLNajmul Hossain Shanto needs to turn his form around•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Rahmat Shah and Najmul Hossain Shanto

Rahmat Shah goes undetected in the Afghanistan line-up of star allrounders and mystery spinners. But he leads the engine room – the middle-order – from where he has scripted many match-winning efforts. The latest was against Bangladesh, when he scored an invaluable half-century, in a 78-run third wicket stand with Gurbaz. It provided the foundation for Omarzai to thrive later on. Rahmat is the accumulator, and without him in the background, the Rashids, the Nabis and the Omarzais wouldn’t be able to grab the limelight.It has been a quiet few months for Najmul Hossain Shanto. Captain of Bangladesh in all three formats even last year, Shanto has taken a step back to work on his batting. Except that too hasn’t worked out well, after making just 37 runs in Bangladesh’s last ODI series against Sri Lanka. He came into this Afghanistan series with a single fifty in four matches for Rajshahi in the domestic T20 tournament. The format is different but Bangladesh need more from their No. 3 batter.

Team news: Bangladesh need extra spinner

Afghanistan are likely to be unchanged for the second ODI.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 AM Ghazanfar, 10 Nangeyalia Kharote, 11 Bashir AhmadBangladesh could bring in Rishad to bolster their spin attack.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions: Another slow pitch awaits

Abu Dhabi will continue to dish out slow pitches, so it is up to the batters to find ways to increase their scoring rates. The weather will be hot throughout the evening.

Stats and trivia: Bangladesh struggling

• Bangladesh have won just two ODIs in the last 12 months, which has left them at No 10 in the ICC ODI Team Rankings.
• Rahmat took 119 innings to become Afghanistan’s first batter to reach 4000 runs in ODIs. He is now two runs short of reaching 5000 runs in all international formats.
• Bangladesh played out 168 dot balls, which represented 57.34% of the balls faced in the first match. Afghanistan meanwhile played 53.36% dot balls in their reply.