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Zak Crawley has revealed that he “loved” his role in the timewasting row at Lord’s and sensed “a good chance” to rile India by playing pantomime villain after his 84 laid the foundations for England’s strong response in Manchester.Crawley was told to “grow some f***ing balls” by Shubman Gill, India’s captain, as he successfully ran the clock down on the third evening at Lord’s, and the pair later pointed fingers at one another in a heated exchange. Gill attempted to reignite the tension between the sides by accusing England of breaching “the spirit of the game”, a charge which Crawley shrugged off.”I’ve always enjoyed that part of cricket, to be honest, especially when you’re batting,” he said. “There’s two of you against eleven and they’re desperate to get you out, and they’re chirping you.”Most of the time, I’d probably let it slide, and then other times, I feel like it’s a good chance to put it back on them. I loved that little eight-minute passage. No-one stepped over the line. I thought everyone was in good spirits. It was just competitive cricket, and I really enjoyed it.”Related

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• Pant suffers foot fracture, set to miss remainder of series

Asked whether he had intentionally arrived at the crease late, as Gill suggested, Crawley said: “No, no. Not at all. I sit in my spot [in the dressing room] until the umpires go out. I saw the umpires go, and I walked out. I wasn’t aware that we were 90 seconds late, but fair enough.”Crawley’s 84 on Thursday was his second half-century of the series and came after scores of 19, 0, 18 and 22 in the second and third Tests. He hit 124 against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May, but this was his highest score against a World Test Championship opposition since his 189 against Australia two years ago, also at Emirates Old Trafford.”I have high standards for myself, and I work very hard in my game,” he said. “I always want more for myself, and I’ve certainly wanted more for myself than I’ve got in the last year or so. That’s just an internal thing. I don’t feel that pressure from anyone else.”I just feel like I owe it to myself to have a few more good performances. Days like today make the practice and the tougher times worth it a bit more. Obviously, I wanted more runs today, but I feel like I’ve worked hard and earned those runs.”2:17

Crawley: ‘Owe it to myself to have a few good performances’

Crawley said that he had worked hard on trying to stay “relaxed” at the crease after a series of “half-hearted” dismissals in the series. “Sometimes you’re looking for something a little bit too much… It looks too aggressive, but in my mind, actually, I was like, ‘Too half-hearted.’ I was pleased today that when it was there to hit, I put my hands through it.”He explained that he had taken deep breaths before facing up several times throughout his innings to “take the tension out” of his body, conscious of his poor recent form. “It’s hard: the big crowds, haven’t had loads of runs of late, you get a bit tense. I always play my best when I’m really relaxed,” Crawley said.”There are little things, little triggers that you have in the middle that make you feel relaxed, whether it be walking slower or anything like that… I certainly didn’t do it as well at Edgbaston. I was absolutely knackered when we were batting there, so it was pretty hard to feel sharp. But I did it much better today, and I was happy about that.”Crawley eventually fell to Ravindra Jadeja, well caught by KL Rahul at slip, after adding 166 for the first wicket with Ben Duckett. It was their fifth 100-plus stand as an opening pair and the second of the series, and Crawley said that he was more than happy to let Duckett – who made 94 – be “the leader” of their partnership.”He’s a phenomenal player and he takes a lot of pressure off me,” Crawley said. “He scores at a run-a-ball effortlessly, and it allows you to go about your business. We talk a lot in the middle about how we want to go about it, and obviously our height difference – and being left-right-hand – probably makes it quite hard for the bowlers at times, when we’re both going well at either end.”

Paul Pogba completed one of football’s longest and most scrutinised journeys back to the pitch on Sunday, making his Monaco debut after 811 days away from competitive football. The former Manchester United midfielder stepped onto the grass at Roazhon Park in the 85th minute, greeted by a ripple of applause from travelling supporters who knew how much the moment meant to him.

• An 811-day wait ends in Brittany

  The timing, however, could not soften the scoreline. Monaco were already trailing 4-0 to Rennes, a match derailed by a sloppy defensive display and a red card for captain Denis Zakaria before half-time. Pogba entered knowing the contest was lost, but the symbolism of his return overshadowed the result. Mika Biereth struck a consolation goal deep into injury time, but the 4-1 defeat, Monaco’s second by the same scoreline in consecutive weeks, dropped Sebastien Pocognoli’s side to eighth in Ligue 1. For Pogba, this night was not about the numbers, but about getting to do what he loves the most.

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• AFP
  

  From doping ban to redemption

  Pogba’s comeback comes after a turbulent period that threatened to end his career prematurely. In August 2023, while contracted to Juventus, he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), leading to a provisional suspension and a four-year ban issued in February 2024. Pogba insisted the incident resulted from unknowingly taking a contaminated supplement, a view his legal team argued successfully, leading to the ban being reduced and allowing his return in March 2025. Juventus mutually terminated his contract in late 2024, leaving the 2018 World Cup winner without a club or competitive minutes for more than two years. Monaco took the gamble and now Pogba is back on the pitch. 

  "There were a lot of emotions. I was happy, but there's a bit of sadness with the result," he told

  "We've come a long way. Today was a step to take. I did it, and I'm happy about that. As for the rest, we're a bit gutted to have lost. I feel good; there's been a lot of hard work. I still need time to get fit and play 90 minutes. But that will come with time. We're training for it. We're going to try to help the team as much as possible. It felt strange at first to be back on the plane with the group. I've settled in well. We have a very good group. We're getting back into the right routine."

  According toMonaco’s medical staff will now follow a phased reintroduction: gradually increasing his time on the pitch, with the ultimate goal of reaching consecutive 90-minute matches with only three days’ recovery in between. He still dreams of representing France at the 2026 World Cup, believing that one last chapter with Les Bleus is within his grasp. With 91 caps and 11 goals, Pogba views Ligue 1 as a lifeline to force his way into Didier Deschamps's squad. 

  "The objectives? In the short term, to get back to 100%, play 90 minutes, and contribute as much as possible to my team," he said. "Today, it's about playing with my team. The World Cup is a long way off. Today, there's step 1, step 2. If I were to do the World Cup, it would be a bonus."

• A leader beyond the touchline

  Pocognoli has repeatedly emphasised that Pogba’s value to Monaco extends beyond his passing range or physical power. The Belgian coach sees Pogba as an internal pillar, a mentor and a bridge between young talents and the expectations of elite football.

  "During one of my first internal meetings, I spoke about the club’s legacy. I believe that leaders, like Paul, must pass on their knowledge to the next generation, to the fans, to everyone involved with the club," he stated. "These experienced players must mentor the younger ones. I have to make sure they succeed. The more leaders we have, the more the pressure is distributed. If Paul is used effectively, the group can benefit from his influence."

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• AFP
  

  Pafos challenge up next for Poba

  After 811 days, countless medical tests, legal battles, emotional turbulence and physical frustration, Pogba is back on the pitch. Monaco are currently eighth in the table but are just two points behind fourth-placed Strasbourg. Their next challenge is against PSG in Ligue 1 on November 29, and Pogba will be raring to rack up more minutes under his belt. Pogba added: "It depends on the coach. I'll do everything I can to be there and help the team." The road ahead remains long. But at last, he’s walking it again.

Arsenal star Gabriel aimed a dig at Richarlison on Instagram after the 4-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s North London derby.

The Gunners capitalised on Manchester City’s slip-up at Newcastle United by defeating Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, solidifying their place at the top of the Premier League table by moving six points clear of nearest-rivals Chelsea.

With just under a third of the campaign played, it is still very early days for Mikel Arteta’s side, but they will no doubt be starting to believe they can finally go all the way this season, having finished second for three years on the spin.

After blitzing Spurs at the weekend, the north Londoners are now the joint-highest scorers in the Premier League, while they also have the best defensive record, having shipped just six goals this term, four fewer than any other side.

Gabriel has been key to the solid record at the back, having formed a formidable partnership with William Saliba, although the centre-back was forced to miss the North London derby after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Brazil.

Gabriel takes swipe at Richarlison on Instagram

Despite recently linking up with Richarlison on international duty, with Brazil suffering a 3-2 defeat against Japan, before going on to defeat Senegal 2-1, Gabriel couldn’t resist having a dig at the striker, tagging him in his celebratory Instagram post after the match.

Although the defender was ruled out for Sunday’s game, he had a dig at his compatriot, who was arguably one of Spurs’ better performers, having scored their only goal of the game, catching out David Raya with a strike from distance.

However, that long-range effort was the centre-forward’s only major contribution, having struggled to make an impact on proceedings, completing just five of the ten passes he attempted throughout the match.

Piero Hincapie, on the other hand, looked solid in Gabriel’s absence, making four clearances, one interception and one tackle to keep Spurs at bay, with the visitors being limited to very few chances.

Arteta will no doubt be hoping to have the Brazil international back soon, having recently said: “It’s clearly a blow. It’s our leader in our backline. To miss him is never a positive thing. The good thing is we have some very good options. They need to stand up now.”

However, having recruited well in the summer, signing Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to bolster squad depth, Arsenal should fancy their chances heading into a congested run of fixtures.

Gabriel has been named as one of the best centre-backs in the world The Best 15 Centre-Backs in World Football Ranked (2025)

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly making checks on a Premier League goalkeeper, who could replace the out-of-form Guglielmo Vicario.

Thomas Frank responds to growing Tottenham pressure

There was plenty of hope that Thomas Frank could be the man to take Tottenham to the next level when he arrived in the summer. By all means, it was an appointment which made perfect sense. That initial hope is now beginning to fade away, however, and the pressure is growing on the Dane to turn things around, as names like Marco Silva begin to be name-dropped.

It speaks volumes that it was a Cristian Romero brace, which included a late overhead kick, which saved Spurs against Newcastle United, with Frank’s attackers continuing to struggle.

The pressure doesn’t seem to be getting to Frank, though, who told reporters when asked whether he would get time to make his mark in North London: “Yeah, I’m very confident.

“I think the ownership – of course I’m just starting to know them, but it seems like they’re good guys, intelligent people – know how to run businesses and learning about football, learning more now they’ve become owners. I think when we’re dealing with intelligent people, they can see every successful dynasty, every successful club has taken time.

“Yeah you have one where you maybe win one year or the second year, but you can’t sustain it if you don’t build something sustainable. Impossible.”

That said, even Frank may not be able to deny that something needs to change for too much longer. Where that change comes remains is the big question.

Vicario’s position is certainly up for debate. The goalkeeper was booed by his own fans after a mistake against Fulham and Spurs have since been linked with moves for both James Trafford and Bart Verbruggen.

Tottenham make first contact for Verbruggen

According to TeamTalk, Tottenham have now made initial contact for Verbruggen, making checks on the Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper. He’s someone that ENIC reportedly admire and a player that will make their shortlist if they decide to replace Vicario in the coming year.

Tottenham could prove 'irresistible' to manager who Levy was urged to hire before Frank

He’s on the verge of leaving his current club.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 2, 2025

Alas, they’re not the only ones who admire the Dutchman. Bayern Munich are also reportedly big fans of Verbruggen and see him as a potential replacement for one of the best goalkeepers of all time, Manuel Neuer.

Starts

13

14

Clean Sheets

3

4

Save Percentage

68.9%

72.%

Pass Completion

76.6%

75.6%

Whilst Vicario’s recent mistake turned him into public enemy No.1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, his underlying numbers suggest that he’s likely to turn a corner after that moment of madness.

They also suggest that Verbruggen wouldn’t be a major upgrade, despite Fabian Hurzeler’s verdict that the Dutchman is an “unbelievable character”.

The last thing that Spurs need is to waste more funds on those who wouldn’t provide Frank with much-needed upgrades. Unless the Lilywhites find a goalkeeper who is putting up better numbers than Vicario, then they should show faith in their No.1 for at least the remainder of the campaign.

Spurs star is in danger of becoming Dele Alli 2.0 under Thomas Frank

دافع أحد الصحفيين الإنجليز صباح اليوم الأحد عن نجم نادي ليفربول، محمد صلاح، موضحًا أن الدولي المصري يستحق معاملة أفضل من الريدز ومن الصعب كذلك استمرار اللاعب مع النادي الإنجليزي خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وانفجر محمد صلاح خلال الساعات الماضية، بعد بقائه كبديل مع ليفربول، وأشار إلى أنه لا تتم معاملته بشكل عادل من قبل إدارة الريدز والمدرب آرني سلوت.

وأفاد محمد صلاح أن ليفربول قدم له وعودًا لم يفي بها، موضحًا أنه قدم الكثير من أجل النادي الإنجليزي لكنه لم يشعر بالتقدير.

ويرى هنري وينتر، الصحفي الإنجليزي المعروف، أن محمد صلاح يستحق أن تتم معاملته بشكل أفضل من ليفربول، موكدًا أن الدولي المصري سيبقى محبوبًا بين جماهير النادي الإنجليزي.

وكتب وينتر عبر حسابه الرسمي على “تويتر”: ”لن يرحل محمد صلاح وحيدًا أبدًا، فهو محبوب جدًا من جماهير ليفربول لما حققه على مدار تسع سنوات و420 مباراة، و250 هدفًا، و113 تمريرة حاسمة، وثمانية ألقاب، منها لقبان في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ودوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأضاف وينتر: ”محمد صلاح لديه ذكريات لا تنسى وأشياء كثيرة في كتب التاريخ. لن يرحل محمد صلاح وحيدًا أبدًا، فهو محبوب جدًا من جماهير ليفربول لما أظهره من تألق في تمثيل النادي داخل الملعب وخارجه”.

وأوضح: ”كان الحزن هو رد الفعل الفوري على رحلة صلاح الحتمية نحو مغادرة أنفيلد، والتي لم تكن بمحض إرادته، هناك حزن كبير، كان صلاح سيرحل عاجلًا أم آجلًا، ربما إلى السعودية، في مرحلة ما وقد تراجع مستواه منذ فترة، يبلغ من العمر 33 عامًا وما يثير الحزن أكثر هو طريقة رحيله الظاهرية”.

وأردف: ”من المحزن أن نرى الوضع مشوبًا بمثل هذا الحقد والتوتر مع مدربه وعلى ما يبدو مع إدارة ليفربول، لاعب ورجل استثنائي كهذا، أحد أعظم لاعبي ليفربول صاحب التاريخ الطويل الحافل بالألقاب، يستحق وداعًا خاصًا، أنفيلد عليه أن يقف صفًا واحدًا ويحيي ذكرى أسطورة وهو يرحل، ربما يكون ذلك في يناير”.

أقرأ أيضًا .. رد فعل قوي من ليفربول على تصريحات محمد صلاح الهجومية

وتابع: ”من الصعب أن نرى صلاح باقيًا بعد تلك الكلمات الصادقة، وإن كانت مؤثرة في ملعب إيلاند رود الليلة الماضية، على أصحاب النفوذ في ليفربول دعم آرني سلوت وإلا ستسود الفوضى، على أصحاب النفوذ في ليفربول دعم مبدأ اختيار التشكيلة بناءً على الأداء وإلا ستصبح الأمور عبثية، كان خطأ صلاح في تعليقاته هو استحقاقه حق الاستمرار في التشكيلة الأساسية، الرياضة لا تسير بهذه الطريقة”.

وواصل: ”يمكن لمشجعي صلاح الكثيرين مع بعض الشرعية، الإشارة إلى الأداء الضعيف لجاكبو وكوناتي والتساؤل عن سبب استمرارهما في التشكيلة الأساسية”.

واستكمل: ”مشكلة صلاح هي مساهمته المتواضعة عندما لا تكون الكرة مع ليفربول، هذا أمر جيد عندما يكون الفريق فائزًا ويسجل بكثرة، لكنها مشكلة عندما يعاني الفريق كما هو الحال حاليًا، لم يفاجأ الكثير من مشجعي ليفربول أو المحللين بجلوس صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء”.

واختتم: ”لا يستحق صلاح أي معاملة خاصة في مركزه لكنه يستحق معاملة خاصة في طريقة تعامل ليفربول معه الآن، إنه نادي عظيم يلعب فيه شخصية عالمية بارزة مثله، إذا رحل صلاح وهو لم يطلب ذلك، فلنأمل أن يتم ذلك بالاحترام الذي يستحقه لما قدمه لنادي يفخر بكونه ناديًا لا يسير وحيدًا أبدًا”.

Navgire finished on a 35-ball 106 for Maharashtra against Punjab in the Women’s T20 Trophy on Friday

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2025Kiran Navgire, the India and Maharashtra opener, has smashed the record for fastest hundred in women’s T20s. She hit her record-breaking blitz in the Women’s T20 Trophy on Friday, hammering a 34-ball century while finishing on a 35-ball 106. It helped Maharashtra crush Punjab with eight overs to spare in Nagpur.Navgire broke Sophie Devine’s record for the previous fastest women’s T20 century, in 36 balls. That came in Wellington’s ten-wicket win over Otago in January 2021 where Devine scored 108 not out in 38 balls. An incredible strike-rate of 302.86 makes Navgire’s performance the only women’s T20 century to have a 300-plus strike-rate.It was all one-way action from Navgire’s bat. In the unbeaten 103-run second-wicket partnership, No. 3 Mukta Magre needed to contribute only six runs as Navgire plundered 14 fours and seven sixes. Maharashtra’s team total of 113 for 1 – the chase completed in eight overs – is now the lowest total to include an individual hundred in women’s T20s, going above the previous lowest of 123 in a CSA T20 game where Annerie Dercksen scored 106 not out.