All posts by h716a5.icu

Rangers fans will have the opportunity to watch the Europa League final in a fan viewing area at a separate stadium in Seville, but the news has left some members of the Ibrox media bemused.

The lowdown

Rangers are due to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Spanish city on Wednesday as they look to clinch the first major European trophy in their history.

It’s the club’s first continental final since the 2007/08 season, when they lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup showpiece.

It’s no surprise, then, that supporters are expected to flock to Spain in large numbers. The game will be held in Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, which can hold 40,000 spectators.

Rangers have announced that supporters who don’t have tickets for the match will be able to watch it at a screening event at the nearby Estadio La Cartuja, which has a capacity closer to 60,000.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/rangers-news-4/” title=”Rangers news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest

Heart & Hand, Rangers media partners and podcasters, offered their reaction to the development on Friday.

They called it ‘bizarre’ that the fan viewing arena is actually larger than the final venue and admitted that ‘UEFA logic’ had left them baffled in this instance.

The verdict

One report has estimated that 100,000 of the club’s supporters will be descending on Seville, even though UEFA has strongly advised ticketless fans not to make the trip and warned against the risk of counterfeiting.

It’s worth stressing that Rangers have been allocated only around 25% of the seats in the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium (10,000). A further 13,000 spots will be up for grabs in a public ballot, but around nine thousand appear set to go to UEFA partners.

It’s clear that they could have filled out a far larger stadium or indeed a larger allocation with relative ease.

In other news, this Rangers star will leave on one condition. 

On the way to the series win in SL, Nathan Lyon also became the third Australian to 550 Test wickets

Namooh Shah09-Feb-20254 – Australia have clean swept their opponents for the fourth time in a Test series in Asia where they have played at least two matches. The previous instance of that had come back in 2006, when they had beaten Bangladesh 2-0.5 – Number of Test wins by Australia in Galle is the most by a visiting team in Sri Lanka at any venue, going past Pakistan, who have four wins in Galle. Victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka, which concluded on Sunday, also gave Australia their first Test series win in the country since 2011.33 – Number of wins Australia have across the two cycles of the World Test Championship. That takes them past England, who have 32 wins.Related

Smith's triumph: Australia surge to clinical 2-0 series victory

Lyon 'extremely proud' of Kuhnemann's courage

Stats – Smith's record 36th hundred, Carey's new subcontinent high

3 – Australia’s win by nine wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka was only the third instance of a visiting team winning a Test in Sri Lanka with nine or more wickets remaining. The last time it happened was in 2022, when too Australia had won in Galle.43.58 – Difference between the batting and bowling averages in the Test series against Sri Lanka for Australia. It is the highest for Australia in an away series of at least two matches. The next highest of 30.21 had come way back in 1949-50 in South Africa.5 – Steven Smith now has the joint-most Test wins by an Australian captain in Asia, equaling the record of Ricky Ponting.ESPNcricinfo Ltd24 – Number of Test hundreds by Smith in winning causes. He goes past Don Bradman and Matthew Hayden – 23 hundreds each – to become the player with the fourth-most Test centuries in victories. Only Ponting (30), Joe Root (25) and Steve Waugh (25) are ahead of him.200 – Catches taken by Smith is the most by an Australian fielder in Tests. With that, he equals Jacques Kallis, and is only behind Rahul Dravid (210), Root (207) and Mahela Jayawardene (205).553 – Number of Test wickets taken by Nathan Lyon after the completion of the second Test in Galle, where he took seven wickets. Lyon became the third Australian bowler to reach the landmark of 550 Test wickets, after Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563). He also completed 150 wickets in Asia, which is the most by a non-Asian bowler there, having already started the series against Sri Lanka well clear of Shane Warne.

Having had sustained success for Australia and CSK, he appears most likely to start the tournament with Starc and Cummins

Deivarayan Muthu19-Oct-2021Do you remember the time when the Champions League T20 was a thing? Do you remember the time when Sydney Sixers won the title in Johannesburg? Do you remember that time when a certain Josh Hazlewood had the best economy rate (4.70) among bowlers who had bowled at least 15 overs in that tournament?In the 2013-14 Big Bash League (BBL), Hazlewood was the joint-second-highest wicket-taker, with 14 strikes in nine matches at an economy rate of 7.88. He could bounce out batters. He could york them. He could also best them with good lengths. Mumbai Indians, who would go on to become the gold standard of T20 cricket, snapped him up at the 2014 IPL auction for INR 50 lakh. He didn’t get a game at Mumbai in 2014 and he opted out of the next season, citing concerns around his workload.Related

Maxwell confident out-of-form Warner 'is going to turn it around'

Australia must get the balance right to end T20 trophy drought

Marsh's No. 3 success could force Smith into middle order

Inglis receives some Dutch intel

He made it to Australia’s squad in the 2016 T20 World Cup, but for the next four years, he didn’t play any competitive T20 cricket and went on to become a Test-match phenom. After he wasn’t selected in Australia’s 50-over World Cup squad in 2019, a hurt Hazlewood returned to where it all started for him, bowling thrifty spells for Sixers in the BBL. Hazlewood’s accuracy in the BBL attracted the attention of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. In 2021, he became a regular for Australia in T20Is and Super Kings in the IPL, in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.Sure, hitting heavy lengths with a high-arm action is Hazlewood’s traditional strength, but there’s more to him. He can now bowl slower offcutters into the pitch, cross-seamers, and even has a knuckle-ball in his repertoire.He made a telling contribution for Super Kings in the IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders last week in Dubai. In his very first over, he found extra bounce and the edge of Venkatesh Iyer’s bat, but MS Dhoni dropped a fairly straightforward catch. In his next over, he drew another mis-hit, this time from Shubman Gill, but Shardul Thakur missed a more difficult chance in the infield.Thakur, however, brought Super Kings back with a double-strike in the 11th over. In the next over, Dhoni matched up Hazlewood with Sunil Narine and the seamer bashed a heavy length, having Narine holing out on the pull. He then had Eoin Morgan holing out with a similar short ball. His 2 for 29 in four overs was also vital to Super Kings pinning down Knight Riders after they had surged to 91 for 0 in the 11th over, chasing 193.Hazlewood had also played his part in the first qualifier against Delhi Capitals, returning identical figures. Earlier against Mumbai Indians, Hazlewood had got a full ball to skid into Kieron Pollard and trapped him lbw.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn the first leg of the IPL in India, Pollard had knocked the living daylights out of Super Kings – and Lungi Ngidi – in Delhi, walloping an unbeaten 87 off 34 balls as Mumbai mowed down 219. Hazlewood, who had opted out of the India leg of the tournament, was specifically picked to counter Pollard in Dubai and he did his job, swinging the game Super Kings’ way.”Working on a range of things [in T20 cricket],” Hazlewood told during the IPL. “Probably it’s about putting it into practice at the right time in these situations and every game throws up something different. They [the opposition] can come hard at the start, through at the middle or in the end. It’s just about reading the play, I think, and I guess what you’re working on training, implementing that at the right time and executing it.”I think it [Test-match] length can work at certain times and the batter is probably going to use his feet or get deep in the crease or try something. You got to sort of be ready for that and try and pre-empt that I guess.”That Test-match length has worked for him in the powerplay, but it will become a slot length in the slog overs, a phase in which Hazlewood has conceded 9.62 runs an over since the 2016 T20 World Cup. Kane Richardson, in comparison, has gone at only 8.81 runs an over in T20 cricket during this phase. Richardson also brings with him more experience and hence could be a more compelling option at the death along with Mitchell Starc, the leader of the pack.It would be a tough call for the team management but having had sustained success for Australia – and Super Kings – in recent times, Hazlewood appears most likely to start the T20 World Cup with Starc and Pat Cummins.

To thwart them, England will have to register their first victory at home against India in eight completed Tests

Sampath Bandarupalli14-Jun-2021The India women’s team will be donning a Test jersey for the first time in nearly seven years, when they take on England at the Bristol County Ground later this week. Apart from being India’s first Test appearance since November 2014, it is also the first non-Ashes women’s Test in more than six years.ESPNcricinfo LtdTest cricket after 2000-plus days for India
Mithali Raj’s team will be returning to Test cricket after a break of 2401 days. It is the third-longest gap between two Tests for India Women, with two of the top three intervals coming in the last 15 years. India toured England in 2014 for a one-off Test and hosted South Africa for a Test the same year. Those are the only matches for India Women in Test cricket in the past 14 years, by far the fewest they have played in any decade.ESPNcricinfo LtdBoth Raj and Jhulan Goswami have featured in only ten Tests despite not missing any since jointly making their debuts in 2002. After the Bristol Test, the duo will jointly have the third-longest career span in women’s Tests in terms of duration, but their total number of Test matches is not even in the top five for India Women, showing how the frequency of women’s Tests has greatly decreased.ESPNcricinfo LtdWill Bristol throw up a result? What history says…
Historically, only one-third of women’s Tests have produced a result. However, there has been a steep decline in the percentage of draws since 2000, with only 46.67% of matches in this period ending in a draw. Until 1999, 68.18% of women’s Tests were drawn, with only 35 out of 110 producing a result.Who has more experience with long-format cricket?
England will start as the more experienced side in Bristol, having played Test cricket more often than India. Only eight players in the India squad have played a Test, compared to 11 in the hosts’ side. England have played three Tests matches since India last played, all against Australia as part of the Women’s Ashes. However, India players have played more multi-innings cricket than England. Four editions of the domestic inter-zone women’s multi-day competitions took place in India between 2015 and 2018.ESPNcricinfo LtdSixteen of the 18 players in the India squad have played at least four first-class matches since India’s last Test appearance. Shafali Verma and Indrani Roy are the exceptions, as they are yet to make their first-class debuts. Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Goswami have not played any first-class games since March 2015 due to international commitments. Interestingly, no player from the England squad has featured in a first-class match other than Tests.India edge the head-to-head
India hold the edge in the head-to-head record (13 completed games) between the two teams in women’s Tests. India won their two most recent meetings against England and have lost only once, by two runs in 1995. England have hosted eight completed women’s Tests against India, not winning any of them.ESPNcricinfo LtdSix of those eight matches ended in a draw with India winning the remaining two. India’s record in England is the second-best on the list of most women’s Tests in a country without a loss. England in New Zealand tops that list, having not lost any of their ten Tests there, winning five.ESPNcricinfo LtdIndia’s chance at record-breaking win
If things go their way in Bristol, India will break the record for the most consecutive wins in women’s Tests. They have won their last three, two against England in England and one against South Africa in India. That has them level with Australia for the most consecutive Test wins. A win in Bristol will also leave India one series shy of equalling the record for the most consecutive series wins in women’s Tests, also held by Australia.

Manchester United are now believed to be increasing their efforts to complete the signing of Palmeiras and Brazil centre forward Vitor Roque.

The Red Devils made significant additions to their attack in the summer transfer window, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all coming in as big-money signings.

Mbeumo and Cunha have particularly caught the eye, with former Watford striker Troy Deeney heaping praise on the impact they have made for United.

“I wanted to put Matheus Cunha in but Mbeumo got that second goal. You can see he’s found his feet now, he’s comfortable, the shirt is not a problem, playing at Manchester United is not a problem. Him and Cunha are the reason they are going to be able to fly up the league.

“Both of them are talented, both of them are exceptional. The two goals Mbeumo scored were magnificent. When it got a little bit ropey towards the end, that chance fell to him and I don’t think anyone thought he was going to miss. Huge from him, huge for Manchester United.”

Despite this, United still need to be eyeing further attacking signings, especially with doubts surrounding the futures of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, and they have again been linked with a move for Roque.

Man Utd planning fresh £42m bid for Roque

According to a new transfer update relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United and INEOS are willing to increase their offer for Roque to £42m, having already seen a £29m bid turned down.

He only moved to the Brazilian club from Barcelona in February of this year, but the Red Devils are hoping to entice him back to European football.

It is easy to see why United consider Roque such a strong option, not least the fact that he has been compared to former Liverpool attacker Luis Suarez.

Man Utd in pole position to beat Man City to Jeremy Monga signing

The Red Devils could land one of England’s finest youngsters in a cheap deal due to a key reason.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 3, 2025

The Uruguayan is understandably disliked by Red Devils fans, but there is no denying his brilliance as a footballer, and if Roque can reach somewhere close to his level, United would have a gem on their hands.

He has recently been called up to international duty with Brazil, highlighting his good form, and he has been described as “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Still only 20 years of age, Roque would join United as a young striker with huge potential, battling Sesko for playing time and providing healthy competition, with both Hojlund and Zirkzee possibly moving on permanently.

A Real Madrid star has also been linked with Man Utd move

As expected, Juan Soto is commanding the news cycle as winter meetings draw nearer. The superstar, who took up residence with the New York Yankees this past season, is expected to get a massive contract across over a decade.

At just 26 and having helped bring the Yankees to their first World Series in 15 years last season, wants him.

The Boston Red Sox held an informational session with Soto to pitch him on coming to play for the Red Sox in Southern California on Thursday night. The meeting was three hours long and described as productive by Sean McAdam of MassLive. Soto was described as "impressed."

During the meeting, Soto inquired about three things in particular, according to McAdam: The team's commitment to winning, how it evaluates players, and Fenway Park and its facilities.

The last item is particularly noteworthy since it could be viewed as a big advantage or disadvantage to the Red Sox, depending on Soto's perspective. Fenway Park is the oldest stadium in MLB. If you value tradition, that's great. If you want modernity, well, you can only put so many fresh coats of paint on a 110-plus-year-old park. The locker room was revamped ahead of 2023.

It's a factor that also implicates the Chicago Cubs, whose Wrigely Field is just two years younger than Fenway Park. It's unclear how engaged the Cubs will be, if at all, on Soto in free agency, but they haven't appeared in any reports to this point.

Lord’s-based team will stick with Spirit name but new branding expected for 2026 season

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Aug-2025The Lord’s-based Hundred franchise will continue to be known as London Spirit following the sale of a 49% stake to the Silicon Valley consortium known as the “Tech Titans”, with former England performance director Mo Bobat announced as the incoming director of cricket.MCC has been in discussions with its new equity partner for some time and is expected to unveil new team branding – possibly including the club’s famous egg-and-bacon colours – ahead of the 2026 season. But they have opted to keep the name as part of an identity that reflects “the capital’s energy, diversity, and cricketing heritage”.Bobat’s appointment is the first significant move by any of the Hundred teams after six of the eight equity sale deals were signed off by the ECB last month. Bobat, who will retain his role in the IPL as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s director of cricket, is set to join up with Spirit from October.Related

Andy Flower replaces Justin Langer as London Spirit head coach

Titans land at Lord's as London Spirit sink to new low

Warner, Spirit take spoils despite Bairstow fire

“It’s an honour to join London Spirit at such an exciting time,” Bobat said. “The opportunity to shape the cricketing future of this franchise, working with MCC and our new partners, the Tech Titans, is incredibly exciting. I’m looking forward to building something special – on and off the field.”London Spirit chairman, Julian Metherell, said: “Today marks a significant moment for London Spirit. Mo Bobat brings unmatched expertise and vision to the role of Director of Cricket, and we’re thrilled to welcome him. At the same time, retaining the London Spirit name reflects our belief in the identity that’s been built – one that resonates with the capital, our fans, and our values. We now look ahead to a new era, with fresh energy and clear purpose.”London Spirit men, currently coached by Justin Langer, lost their opening game of the 2025 season after being bowled out for 80 in front of their new owners – but bounced back to record victory against Welsh Fire at the weekend.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and those in attendance at loanDepot Park on Thursday night were able to properly celebrate Shohei Ohtani notching an important piece of MLB history—all thanks to veteran umpire Dan Iassonga.

Ohtani, of course, became the first player in MLB history to tally at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season when he blasted his second of three dingers in the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 20–4 win over the Miami Marlins.

As he crossed home plate, crew chief Iassonga dusted off home plate to give Ohtani a few extra moments to celebrate. He also killed some time by chatting with the Marlins' bat boy, and later waved off a pitch clock violation so the Dodgers could have enough time to congratulate their teammate.

Iassonga very well could have called an automatic strike on the next batter, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, to keep the game moving, but he recognized the situation and let Ohtani have his moment.

Nice job, blue.

Iassonga is in his 22nd year as an MLB umpire. He's been a full-time umpire in the big leagues since 2004 and has worked three World Series over his career in 2012, '17 and '22. And now, the 55-year-old can say he was on the field for one of the biggest baseball milestones of the 21st century.

Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips gave it their best shot, but the Washington Freedom batting didn’t have enough firepower to overhaul MI New York’s 180

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2025It went down to the last over: 12 to get from six balls for either MI New York or Washington Freedom to win their second MLC title. Rushil Ugarkar, a 22-year-old USA medium pacer who has never played international cricket, had the ball. Across him, Glenn Maxwell, to start with, and Glenn Phillips. Two white-ball superstars. But all Ugarkar conceded was six. And he sent back Maxwell with a slower offcutter, allowed Phillips strike for just one ball, and won MINY the title when everything was stacked against him.Till that over started, the momentum was very much with Freedom and it was chiefly down to Phillips. At the end of the 17th over, in which Trent Boult had conceded just seven runs to Phillips and Maxwell, and Phillips was 25 from 27, the asking rate was upwards of 13 an over. But Phillips targeted Tristan Luus and Boult in back-to-back overs. He took Luus for two sixes in the 17-run 18th over, and Boult for one more in the next, which went for 12, making it a potentially gripping last over. But he got to face just one ball from Ugarkar, who bowled a set of six cutters to spark the celebrations in the MINY camp.The result completed a remarkable turnaround for MINY, who qualified for the playoffs as the fourth-placed team on the league table, with three wins from ten games, and have since beaten San Francisco Unicorns (Eliminator), Texas Super Kings (Qualifier 2) and now Freedom in the final.The chase started with Boult picking up two wickets in the first over of the innings to dent Freedom. However, to be fair, despite opener Rachin Ravindra scoring 70 from 41 balls after early jitters and Jack Edwards chipping in with 33 from 22, the Freedom innings didn’t seem to find the next gear they needed till Phillips got going. Maxwell, not for the first time this tournament – he largely struggled apart from when he scored 106* in a win over Texas Super Kings back on June 17 – couldn’t get the scoreboard moving at the rate required. And three MINY bowlers, including Ugarkar, went at eight an over or fewer, with Tajinder Singh’s three overs costing just 18 runs.

Rushil Ugarkar, you are a hero! He held his nerve against some of the world’s best and delivered when it mattered most. A brilliant performance and well-deserved Stake Player of the Match! @StakeIND x @stakenewsindia pic.twitter.com/GKNUZWdO6Z

— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 14, 2025