She will remain in India and will support Mandhana whose wedding was postponed due to her father’s health issues

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2025

Jemimah Rodrigues played three games for Brisbane Heat this season•Getty Images

India batter Jemimah Rodrigues will miss the rest of the WBBL season, with her club Brisbane Heat agreeing to her request to remain in India.Rodrigues had returned home after playing three games for Heat, the last of which was against Hobart Hurricanes on November 15, as part of a pre-arranged commitment. She was set to be part of her India team-mate and close friend Smriti Mandhana’s wedding last weekend. But the event was postponed at the last minute because of a health issue with Mandhana’s father. Rodrigues will stay back in India to support Mandhana.”It has obviously been a challenging time for Jemi, so while it is unfortunate that she will take no further part in the WBBL, we were more than willing to agree to her request to remain in India,” Heat CEO Terry Svenson said in a statement. “The Heat club obviously wish her and Smriti Mandhana’s family all the best for the future.”Jemi told us she was disappointed not to be coming back and has passed on her appreciation to the club and the Heat fans for being so understanding of the circumstances. She has been in touch with the players and wished them all the best for the rest of their games.”Rodrigues, 25, scored 37 runs at an average of 12.33 and a strike rate of 102.77 in the three WBBL matches, after helping India Women clinch their maiden ODI World Cup title earlier this month.Heat, though, will be bolstered by the return of allrounder Grace Harris for the match against Sydney Sixers on November 28. Harris will replace seamer Lily Bassingthwaighte after she missed the last fixture as part of her workload management plan.Heat are searching for their first win this season, having lost all their six matches so far.

Manchester United have now expressed in signing an “outrageous” striker, who’s been “on fire” this season, scoring a brace against Paris Saint-Germain.

Man Utd keen on new striker amid doubts over Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee may have scored his first Premier League goal of the season in the 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace at the end of November, but the striker’s goalscoring record since arriving at Old Trafford leaves a lot to be desired.

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Goals

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49

7

2025-26

9

1

Despite the Dutchman’s struggles in front of goal, Ruben Amorim wants to keep hold of him, as he values the forward’s versatility, but the manager is at odds with the club, who are open to sanctioning a January departure for a fee of around £35m.

Aston Villa are named as potential suitors for Zirkzee, alongside a whole host of other clubs from England and Italy, meaning United will have a decision to make in the January transfer window.

Should the Netherlands international move on, Amorim may want to bring in a replacement, considering Benjamin Sesko wasn’t exactly tearing up the Premier League prior to his recent injury, scoring two goals in 11 games.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Man United have now expressed an interest in a striker who has been much more prolific in front of goal this season, namely RC Strasbourg star Joaquin Panichelli.

The race for Panichelli’s signature is heating up, with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Aston Villa also being credited with an interest, but Chelsea are currently in pole position, given that Strasbourg are a part of BlueCo.

That relationship gives the Blues an advantage in the race for the centre-forward, who has put in some top-quality performances since his arrival at Strasbourg in the summer…

"Outrageous" Panichelli "on fire" in Ligue 1

Scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the Argentinian for the impact he’s made in France, having only arrived from Spanish side CD Mirandes during the summer.

The South American is now on ten goals in 19 matches in all competitions, with perhaps his best performance coming in Strasbourg’s 3-3 draw against PSG back in October, during which he bagged a brace.

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Man United are now in the race for a “special” player

ByDominic Lund 6 days ago

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior may be reluctant to part ways with the 23-year-old, given just how highly he spoke about his talisman earlier this season, saying: “He is a top player, we’ve done quite a bit of work with him during the pre-season to try to make him run less.”

The French club are under no immediate pressure to cash-in, with Panichelli contracted until 2030, but it could be worth Man United testing the waters with an offer, considering Zirkzee’s struggles.

Liverpool and Arsenal are now both reportedly eyeing the chance to sign a Paris Saint-Germain attacker in 2026.

Salah's rant compiles Liverpool misery

Ao Tanaka’s late equaliser was the last thing that Liverpool needed. The Reds only had themselves to blame after going from comfortable 2-0 leaders to level at 2-2 then throwing their 3-2 lead away at the death. In 99 minutes of action, the Premier League champions had their problems laid bare for all to see.

For a third-consecutive game, meanwhile, Mohamed Salah watched on from the bench. And for the second time in those three games, the Egyptian didn’t even get on the pitch. When Liverpool needed a goal, last year’s Golden Boot winner and top playmaker was forced to watch on and to say he wasn’t happy would be an understatement.

The Anfield icon went rogue at full-time, unleashing an explosive rant about Arne Slot’s recent decisions, saying: “After what I have done for the club it really hurts. You can imagine, really.

Liverpool join race to sign "aggressive" gem who's been compared to Szoboszlai

The Reds could deal Newcastle another blow

ByTom Cunningham Dec 6, 2025

“After going from home to the club and you don’t know if you are starting. I know the club too well, I have been here many years. Tomorrow [Jamie] Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine.

“I have been at this club, scoring more than anyone in this generation since I came to the Premier League, I don’t think anyone has scored more goals and made more assists than me. In the whole Premier League. If I am somewhere else, everybody would go to the media and defend the players. I am the only one in this situation.”

It doesn’t get much more damning than that for Liverpool, who could now have a decision to make. Do they back Salah or do they back Slot? That’s the question and if the manager wins the war then they must find a replacement for one of their best-ever players.

Liverpool battling Arsenal in Barcola race

According to Le10 Sport in France, as relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are now a very active contender to sign Bradley Barcola alongside Arsenal, as the PSG winger continues to deliberate over signing a new deal in Ligue 1.

As things stand, his deal doesn’t run out until 2028 but PSG have been attempting to secure new terms to avoid any potential exit in the coming years. Barcola, however, is still hesitating to put pen to paper on a new contract – potentially leaving the door ajar for Liverpool.

Minutes

760

1,118

Goals

5

4

Assists

0

2

Key Passes

18

27

If Liverpool’s search for a Salah replacement has just become more urgent then Barcola should be on their list of candidates. The Frenchman has outscored the Egyptian in less minutes so far this season and is destined to get even better at just 23 years old.

Described as “one of the best wingers in Europe” by European football expert Zach Lowy, Barcola’s contract situation is one to watch, especially if Liverpool come calling next year.

"Annoying" Liverpool star showed why FSG have to sign Semenyo

Stand-in skipper pleased with Michael Neser’s maiden Test five-for, says Alex Carey keeping performance “one of the best” he’s seen

Alex Malcolm07-Dec-2025Australia’s stand-in captain Steven Smith has described Michael Neser’s performance as exceptional and Alex Carey’s keeping display as one of the best he’s ever seen as the duo combined to help Australia take a 2-0 Ashes lead following an eight-wicket triumph in Brisbane.Neser took his maiden five-wicket haul on Sunday, finishing with 5 for 42 in the second innings having broken the key partnership between Ben Stokes and Will Jacks that had given England hope on day four.Stokes and Jacks batted through the entire first session and produced the longest partnership by any pair in the series to-date, grinding for 36.4 overs to add 96 against a disciplined Australia attack and raised hopes of England setting a fourth-innings target that might trouble the home side.Related

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Neser comes back from the brink to leave England on the edge

But Neser snuffed it out with an outstanding spell with a 69-over-old pink ball. He had Jacks superbly caught by Smith at slip before Carey took a less dramatic but no less difficult catch off Stokes up the stumps to dash England’s hopes within three overs.”What he [Neser] did today and in the first innings, was exceptional, I think,” Smith said at the post-match presentation.”He offers something different to the other guys. We can bring the keeper up to the stumps and change the game that way. And the way he bowled today and last night was exceptional. Really pleased for him to get his first five. He’s been on a lot of tours. He’s worked really hard.”He obviously made our batting a little bit longer as well at number eight.”Smith also heaped praise on his wicketkeeper Carey who was flawless across the match. He took three catches in the first innings, including a stunner back with the flight while being interfered with by Marnus Labuschagne. He also nearly stumped Harry Brook off Scott Boland, showcasing some sharp takes up the stumps from both Boland and Neser.Carey’s glovework was impressive across the match•Getty ImagesCarey made a crucial 63 with the bat, sharing a 54-run stand with Neser that got Australia through the night session on day two and into the daytime to allow player of the match Mitchell Starc and Boland to combine for two hours in the daylight when batting was at it’s easiest.In the second innings he completed four catches, including an incredible catch up to the stumps off Neser to remove Stokes.”He’s a freak,” Smith said. “Honestly, up to the stumps, the ball just seems to end up in his hands. It hits the batter’s pad or something, and still ends up in his hands. He’s got no fear up there. He moves so well, and his gloves are just sensational. That was one of the best keeping performances, I think I’ve ever seen.”Smith wasn’t to be outdone in the field, though, and rated his slip catch off Jacks was among the best he had ever taken. Smith took three catches in the innings and four in the match to equal Rahul Dravid for the second-most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper.”It’s got to be up there, I reckon,” he said. “They’re pretty tough when you got a pink ball, the lights are on, I’m blindsided by Alex. I’m standing quite wide because Alex covers so much room and then, yeah, just fortunately saw it late and got down to it and it’s stuck. It was obviously at a crucial time to break that partnership. So, yeah, I’ll remember that one.”

كشف بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لنادي مانشستر سيتي، عن موقف نجم الفريق من المشاركة أمام فولهام ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

مانشستر سيتي سوف يحل ضيفًا على نظيره فولهام يوم غدًا الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في لقاء صعب على السيتيزن.

ويسعى نادي مانشستر سيتي إلى الفوز على فولهام، من أجل البقاء في سباق المنافسة على لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويحتل مانشستر سيتي المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 25 نقطة، وبفارق 5 نقاط عن آرسنال المتصدر.

وتحدث جوارديولا خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص باللقاء، والذي نقله موقع مانشستر سيتي الرسمي عن مدى جاهزية رودري لمواجهة الغد.

وأكد جوارديولا أن رودري لم يتعاف بعد من إصابته، حيث قال: “ليس جاهزًا بعد، لا أعرف ما إذا كان سيشارك أمام سندرلاند أم لا”.

أقرأ أيضًا .. لاعب ريال مدريد حديث الساعة في مانشستر سيتي.. والنادي الإسباني يحدد موقفه

وعن احتمالية إيقاف حارس مرمى مانشستر سيتي، جيانلويجي دوناروما، حال حصل الدولي الإيطالي على بطاقة صفراء أخرى أضاف جوارديولا: “الأمر كما هو وعلينا التعامل معه”.

وأثنى جوارديولا على قوة فولهام ومدربه ماركو سيلفا، حيث أوضح: “ماركو كان هناك لسنوات عديدة، ودائمًا ما كانت مباراة فولهام صعبة للغاية”.

وأردف المدرب الإسباني: “ستكون مباراة صعبة. تنظيم فولهام استثنائي، وفي كل عام مع الكرة يتحسنون أكثر”.

واختتم جوارديولا في حديثه: “فولهام خصم صعب للغاية، شاهدت مبارياتهم ضد تشيلسي وأرسنال وسندرلاند ودائمًا ما يكون من الصعب على الخصم اختراق دفاعاتهم. لطالما الأجواء تكون جميلة في هذا الملعب في لندن”.

Liam Scott had the finest day of his cricket career, scoring a maiden first-class century and helping South Australia to a commanding position over Tasmania.After team-mate Jake Lehmann also made a ton, Scott plundered 147 as the home side surged to 426 and a first-innings lead of 231 at Adelaide Oval.Tasmania then went to stumps at 73 for 3 in reply, still trailing by 158 runs at the end of day two after being all out for 195 on Friday.A win would be vital for South Australia, who entered this round in fourth spot on the ladder, just behind Tasmania.And their dominance was best summed up by Scott’s innings, with the bowling allrounder having shown talent with the bat since his debut in 2019-20.The 24-year-old fired from the moment he arrived at the crease, attacking Billy Stanlake and cutting him for five separate boundaries. He also took to the spinners, bringing up his century and pumping the air in joy after one of two slog-sweeps that went for six off Ruwantha Kellepotha.Another six came when he used his feet and hit Nivethan Radhakrishnan back down the ground, before he later took Jackson Bird and Gabe Bell over the legside boundary.Scott’s innings came with Lloyd Pope (36) offering support in a 76-run ninth-wicket stand that completely took the game away from Tasmania.It came after Lehmann reached his second century of the summer, continuing on a late-career resurgence that began at the end of last season.He reached 100 from 96 deliveries, before being bowled next ball when chopping onto his own stumps off Brad Hope.After being put to the sword in the field Tasmania then slumped to 42 for 3 early in their second innings, with Jordan Buckingham removing both Radhakrishnan and Hope.

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O técnico Luis Zubeldía deve promover mudanças no ataque do São Paulo que vai encarar o Cruzeiro na noite deste domingo (2), às 18h30, no Estádio do Morumbis, pela sétima rodada do Brasileirão. Isso porque o treinador não poderá contar com Luciano que, assim como Igor Vinícius, cumprirá suspensão e é desfalque.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

As melhores e mais variadas ofertas para o Brasileirão estão no Lance! Betting! Abra já a sua conta!

A vaga de Luciano ainda está aberta. Na frente, Calleri pode fazer dupla com Erick, Ferreira ou André Silva. Na lateral-direita, no entanto, a tendência é de que Moreira seja o substituto.

A provável escalação do Tricolor tem: Rafael; Moreira, Arboleda, Alan Franco e Welington; Alisson, Bobadilla e Nestor; Lucas, Calleri e Erick (Ferreira ou André Silva).

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Faça as suas apostas na Libertadores 2024: quem será o campeão? Vem pro Lance! Betting!

No último treinamento da equipe no CT da Barra Funda, os trabalhos foram de posse de bola e agilidade. Houve ainda um aperfeiçoamento de bolas paradas, com cobranças de falta.

O São paulo é o quinto colocado na tabela de classificação, com 10 pontos em seis jogos, a três do líder Athletico-PR. O Cruzeiro, por sua vez, tem o mesmo número de pontos, mas com um jogo a menos.

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Arne Slot has moved to quell mounting anxiety around Alexander Isak’s rocky start at Liverpool, insisting that comparisons to Erling Haaland are pointless and that the club must work harder to create meaningful chances for their record signing. The Reds paid a staggering £125 million ($167m) for the Swedish international last summer, but his first months at Anfield have been defined by injuries, sporadic appearances and a visibly disrupted rhythm.

Isak's fitness woes and stalled momentum

Isak’s difficulties began well before he pulled on a Liverpool shirt. His future dominated the summer transfer window narrative as he pushed to leave Newcastle, refusing to take part in the club’s pre-season tour of Asia and making clear that he would not play for the Magpies again if they blocked his departure. Newcastle eventually relented, but only after securing German forward Nick Woltemade, allowing the move to Merseyside to proceed for what became the biggest fee in British football history.

Slot and his staff were always aware that Isak would require time to adjust following a turbulent summer. The 26-year-old arrived short of match sharpness and was restricted to limited minutes in the early weeks of the season. Just as he began to build rhythm, disaster struck again as he picked up an adductor issue during Liverpool’s emphatic 5-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in October. The setback forced him into another stop-start spell, limiting his impact further. Since then, Isak has managed only one goal in all competitions. Slot, however, is adamant that the numbers alone do not tell the full story.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSlot defends struggling Isak

Slot refused to single out his new No.9 for criticism, instead pointing out that elite strikers often have to operate on minimal service in the modern game.

"I think he is not the only one, the only number nine that suffers in some games from not getting as many chances," Slot said. "I watched the second half of Leeds against City and I watched the whole game against Chelsea and it is not like, at this level, the No.9 is involved in eight, nine, 10 chances every single half. But it is obvious and clear to me we, as a team, want to bring him more often into threatening situations."

Slot did acknowledge, however, that Liverpool must improve their ability to supply Isak in areas where he is most effective. And in doing so, he drew a clear line between his striker and Manchester City’s Haaland.

"It is more important for them to touch the ball in the right time than to touch it so many times," he reasoned. "We have to make sure, because this is a complete difference between Haaland and Alex, that Haaland touches it a lot more in moments where it matters. There we have to improve, that’s clear and obvious. We and he as well."

Isak not happy with his performance

Isak himself remains unflinchingly honest about his performances. The Swede says he has never been one to shy away from self-analysis and admitted that he has not yet reached full physical capacity.

"I expect to do much more of course, I always do that. Even when I do really well, I want more, so that's not a problem for me. But yeah, I'm trying to stay positive, trying to work to do better and that's what we're looking to do," he said. "Yeah, of course. I think obviously I'm the first one to know and I know best when I'm doing good and when I'm not doing good. So I don't need anyone to tell me how I'm doing, so that's not a problem for me."

Yet he insists that injuries cannot become an excuse. He added: "I would probably say no, physically. I probably haven't felt at my best. But yeah, that's not really the way I judge myself either. When I'm on the pitch, I want to do well anyway. But yeah, obviously, there's more of me."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next?

Last weekend brought a ray of light for Liverpool and Isak, who finally registered his first Premier League goal in the win against West Ham. He followed that with 86 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, another step towards full fitness, even if the result deepened concerns about Liverpool’s faltering title defence. Whether that progress is enough for Slot to start him again on Saturday evening at Elland Road against Leeds United remains uncertain.

Michail Antonio is reportedly training with Championship side Leicester as he seeks to make a sensational return to professional football. The 35-year-old forward has been without a club since being released by West Ham in the summer of 2025. No fresh terms were offered there on the back of Antonio suffering a near-fatal car crash in December 2024. He is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

• Lucky stars: Antonio underwent surgery after car accident

  Antonio's vehicle collided with a tree after leaving Hammers training. He had to be cut from the wreckage and was airlifted to hospital. Once in medical care, the veteran frontman underwent emergency surgery on his broken leg.

  It was suggested at the time that Antonio may struggle to walk again, never mind kick a ball around. He was, however, able to make remarkable progress in his recovery and returned to international action with Jamaica in June 2025.

  The former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest winger severed ties with West Ham shortly after those outings, with the Premier League giants not allowing matters of the heart to rule their head.

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  On trial: Antonio at Leicester after training with Brentford

  Antonio has continued to work on a fitness programme since then, with time spent at Brentford after accepting an invitation from Bees boss Keith Andrews. As a proven top-flight performer that registered 83 goals for West Ham through 323 appearances, his vast experience can be put to good use somewhere.

  That may be in the East Midlands, with John Percy of reporting that Antonio had been at Leicester's training ground on Thursday for talks, though nothing officially has been finalised.

  Leicester suffered relegation out of the Premier League last season and have found the going tough back in the Championship – with talismanic title-winning captain Jamie Vardy moving on to Italian outfit Cremonese as a free agent.

  There may be a role for Antonio to fill in their attack, with Jordan James currently the Foxes’ top scorer in 2025-26 with five efforts to his name. Marti Cifuentes’ side sit 13th in the second tier table – three points adrift of the play-off places.

• Antonio reveals first question he asked in hospital

  Antonio would certainly appear to boast the hunger required to join the ranks at King Power Stadium. He told recently of wanting to land another contract: "I wasn’t done with football and I didn't want my career to be finished literally in a car crash.

  "The very first thing is, as soon as I could speak to the doctor, the first thing I said to him was, ‘Am I going to play again?’, and from him saying to me, ‘Yes’, that was me, no problem, that’s all I need to know. I knew I had more in me and I knew I’ve still got more in me."

  Antonio made three appearances for Jamaica at the CONCACAF Gold Cup over the summer, taking him to 24 caps, and remains determined to get back on the goal trail.

  He added on his experience with the Reggae Boyz: "I was back on the pitch within six months. I played a couple of games for Jamaica in June. Still to this day it burns me.

  "The first time I get on the pitch, there was a time where a player at Jamaica, he’s gone through, I’m standing open goal, all he needed to do was roll me the ball. I was screaming at him. Let me have this moment, first game back, comeback story, it’s written in the stars. He missed and you know the worst thing about it? He missed it and it goes half a yard behind me. I’m stretching my leg, I’m stretching my leg so much just to get a touch but it goes behind me."

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  Pundit work: Antonio playing waiting game

  Antonio is now fully recovered from his accident – an incident that his brain has blanked out as he remembers nothing – and has cut his teeth as a pundit while waiting on an enticing offer that takes him back onto the field.

Shohei Ohtani started his sixth game of the season on Monday night, striking out three batters in three innings pitched. Ohtani surrendered a season-high four hits and allowed his first earned run since his first start back in the middle of June as he allowed a lead-off home run to Byron Buxton.

While he did not earn a decision, the Los Angeles Dodgers did beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2, thanks it part to Shohei Ohtani who hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 1st.

Facing a 2-1 count with lead-off man Mookie Betts on first, Ohtani crushed a home run to centerfield to give the Dodgers a lead they would never relinquish.

Ohtani also threw in a casual, but effective bat flip to celebrate giving himself some early run support.

Ohtani has now homered in three straight games to raise his season total to 35. He's fourth in MLB in home runs and just three behind Cal Raleigh who has not hit a home run since the Derby.