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Em alta na temporada e na parte de cima da tabela, RB Bragantino e Atlético-MG se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (25), às 19h, no Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid, pela 29ª rodada do Brasileirão. O duelo reune o quinto melhor mandante contra o terceiro melhor visitante da competição.

+ Acompanhe o dia dos atletas brasileiros no Pan-Americano de Santiago

O Massa Bruta defende uma invencivilidade de nove jogos e aposta na boa fase do atacante Eduardo Sasha, que participou dos últimos três gols da equipe no Brasileirão, para seguir na caça do líder Botafogo.

O Galo junta os cacos após perder o primeiro clássico mineiro disputado na Arena MRV e quer os três pontos para entrar no G6. O técnico Felipão aposta na dupla Paulinho e Hulk, que juntos somam 21 gols no Brasileirão, para reverter a impressão deixada contra o Cruzeiro.

+ Veja tabela e simule os resultados do Brasileirão

RB BRAGANTINO X ATLÉTICO-MG
29ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Local: Arena, Cuiabá (MT)
Data e hora: quarta-feira, 25 de outubro de 2023, às 21h30 (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro: Marcelo de Lima Henrique (CE)
Assistentes: Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correa (FIFA-RJ) e Marcia Bezerra Lopes Caetano (RO)
Árbitro de vídeo: Rodolpho Toski Marques (FIFA-PR)
Onde assistir: Premiere e no tempo real do Lance!

RB BRAGANTINO

Cleiton; Aderlan, Realpe, Léo Ortiz e Juninho Capixaba; Raul, Eric Ramires e Lucas Evangelista; Vitinho, Matheus Gonçalves e Eduardo Sasha. Técnico: Pedro Caixinha

Desfalques: Matheus Fernandes (suspenso) e Lucão, Lucas Cunha, Eduardo e Nathan Camargo (lesionados)

Pendurados: Realpe, Aderlan, Vitinho e Matheus Gonçalves

ATLÉTICO-MG

Everson; Saravia, Bruno Fuchs, Jemerson (Igor Rabello) e Guilherme Arana; Rodrigo Battaglia (Cristian Pavón), Otávio, Igor Gomes (Pedrinho) e Alan Franco; Paulinho e Hulk. Técnico: Felipão

Desfalques: Maurício Lemos e Zaracho (suspensos) e Mariano (lesionado)

Pendurados: Bruno Fuchs e Alan Franco

Marcus Rashford could be thrust into the starting line-up for Barcelona for the highly-anticipated El Clasico clash on Sunday following another damaging injury to a key Barca star just hours before the match. The England international has made an excellent start to his loan spell at Barcelona, bagging five goals and six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.

Barca's patched-up side head to Bernabeu

Barcelona head to the Santiago Bernabeu with a significantly depleted squad and assistant coach Marcus Sorg has now confirmed that forward Raphinha will also miss the game, as the Brazilian has not recovered from a leg muscle injury. Sorg will be in the dugout for the defending champions after Hansi Flick was sent off during the recent clash with Girona. 

Raphinha joins a long list of high-profile absentees, which includes Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and goalkeepers Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The Catalans are firmly up against it, but there was some good news as key players Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Frenkie De Jong all participated in Saturday's training session. And now Rashford could line-up against his Three Lions team-mate Jude Bellingham.

AdvertisementAFPRashford feeling the love at Barca

The England international has thrived under coach Hansi Flick where his performances have been a key factor in the Catalan giants’ positive start to the season, and he has expressed his strong desire to make the loan move permanent.

When asked if he would like to stay at the Catalan giants, Rashford told Barcelona's YouTube channel: "I'm really enjoying my time in Spain. The weather is the best part. It’s a very big change. I’m learning every day, I’m really enjoying it. I hope to be here for a long time. I get along really well with Roony (Bardghji), as well as Jules (Kounde) and Frenkie (De Jong). It’s a team where we all blend together. We’re united. The team is fantastic. I just have to be in the right position. I’ll keep trying to do this. We have to keep going like this to be our best. We have a lot more to do this season." 

He added: "I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game so to play here is an honour. I just believe that things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It’s not the first time I spoke with Barcelona about potentially coming here, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen in the past, and now is my opportunity to make it happen. I feel like there’s no time like the present now."

Raphinha rocked on eve of El Clasico

Sorg said: "Any team would miss Raphinha, but the situation is what it is. He is injured. We'll see if Ferran (Torres) starts, we'll decide tomorrow. Jules Kounde also trained this morning and may play. I still have no idea about the starting eleven."

Sorg also spoke about Flick’s absence, he said: "Flick will always be missed because he's one of the most important parts of the team. I think to have Flick on the sidelines, because the players trust him, he gives them confidence. His absence does have an influence. But Flick is in a good mood, positive, motivated."

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AFPYamal stirs up the tension

The war of words ahead of El Clasico shows no sign of abating with Madrid captain Dani Carvajal planning to confront Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal at the end of the match over what he sees as "disrespectful" remarks in the build-up to the hotly-anticipated clash between the Spanish giants. Speaking on a Twitch stream ahead of the game, Yamal stoked the ill-feeling between the two sides, saying: "They (Real) steal, they complain, and they do things". 

Andres Iniesta has shared his thoughts on the situation and isn't too concerned by Yamal's words. He said: "It’s a comment to add a little spice to the Clasico. Beyond the comments or not, it will be a spectacular match. We'll see what happens. A lot of importance is always given to what is said, especially if it's before a match like this. I'm not very up to date with the news either. Some people will say it's to warm up the match and others won't like it, but what really matters is what happens in those 90 minutes."

Arsenal and Man City have developed a fierce on-field rivalry over the years, and they could now be involved in a “surprise” transfer saga away from the pitch too.

Andrea Berta's priorities after busy Arsenal transfer window

Sporting director Andrea Berta made a real splash during his debut summer window as sporting director, overseeing a £250 million-plus spend on eight major signings to bolster Mikel Arteta’s title challenge.

This outlay made Arsenal one of the Premier League’s most lavish spenders, and they recorded the highest total net spend when factoring in their lack of significant player sales.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

5.

Sunderland

£183.4m

£42m

-£141.4m

4.

Tottenham

£171.2m

£17m

-£154.2m

3.

Manchester United

£232.4m

£61.7m

-£170.7m

2.

Liverpool

£446.5m

£228.1m

-£218.4m

1.

Arsenal

£267m

£10m

-£257m

The arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres were arguably worth the Gunners’ massive outlay, and before even considering any January recruitment plans, Berta is working on new deals for some of Arsenal’s key stars.

Arsenal were gifted an almighty boost by William Saliba’s agreed contract extension, which will keep him at the club until 2030, and Berta is swiftly lining up a new contract for winger Bukayo Saka as well.

Saka is expected to put pen to paper before Christmas, according to Football Transfers, and his prospective fresh terms could bring him in line with Arsenal’s highest earners.

The 24-year-old is poised to earn around £250,000-per-week once he signs, but this number could go even higher to smooth negotiations over.

Once both Saliba and Saka are tied down for the foreseeable future, Berta can turn his attention back towards the transfer market, with journalist Pete O’Rourke sharing that the Arsenal recruitment team have their eyes on one of Germany’s rising stars.

Arsenal and Man City eye "surprise" Nathaniel Brown move

That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who told Football Insider that both Arsenal and Man City are targeting Eintracht Frankfurt star Nathaniel Brown.

The German Under-21 international left-back penned a new contract himself earlier this year, keeping him at Eintracht until 2030, so the Bundesliga side are in a very solid position to demand good money.

What’s more, Arsenal have Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back already, something not lost on O’Rourke, but he insists that Berta is looking at a “surprise” move for Brown at some point over the coming transfer windows.

The 22-year-old bagged three goals and seven assists from 26 Bundesliga appearances last season, featuring both as a left-back and left-midfielder, so Brown has more uses than simply filling in on the left side of defence.

He’s already off the mark for Eintracht this season too, and Arteta may well be taking note of his attacking capabilities amid the uncertain futures surrounding super subs Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

According to WhoScored, only Omar Marmoush averaged more key passes per 90 in the final third than Brown for Eintracht last season, with the youngster finishing 24/25 as their third-best performer overall behind the Egyptian and Liverpool star Hugo Ekitiké.

On the face of it, Brown isn’t a major requirement right now, but it is clear as day why Arsenal are taking note of his exploits in Europe.

Jack Grealish couldn’t resist giving himself a cheeky pat on the back after firing home a comical late winner that sealed Everton’s 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace. After a turbulent final year at Manchester City, Grealish has rediscovered his spark, and his trademark grin, under David Moyes’ revitalised Everton side.

• New club, new energy – the rebirth of Jack Grealish

  It’s safe to say the blue half of Merseyside is smitten. Since joining on a seaoson-long deal this summer, Grealish has been electric. Nine appearances, four assists, and now his first goal, it’s been a perfect redemption arc for a player written off by many as past his prime. His dazzling August displays even earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award, proof that the 30-year-old’s talent is still as sharp as ever. Moyes has handed him freedom on the left wing, and Grealish has responded with the kind of form that made him one of England’s most exciting players back in his Aston Villa days.

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  The winner that brought the house down

  Sunday’s victory over Palace was pure theatre. With the game finely balanced at 1-1, a fortuitous Grealish popped up in the dying moments to rebound a misplaced clearance into the net – a moment of chaos that sent the Everton bench into raptures. Taking to Instagram, he joked: “Nah what a one-touch finish that was man!!! Unbelievable day that was for you the Toffees! What a group of lads well done my brothers.”

• Left out in the cold by Tuchel – but Grealish won’t give up

  Despite his resurgence, Grealish’s form wasn’t enough to earn him a recall to the England squad named by Thomas Tuchel last week. The Three Lions boss opted to leave him out once again, a decision that raised plenty of eyebrows among fans. But rather than sulk, Grealish has taken it on the chin. He revealed he’s already spoken to Tuchel about the situation and made it clear that his ambition to return to the national setup burns stronger than ever.

  Grealish said: "First of all, you want to play well for your club, because that’s what we do every week. But, obviously, you want to be in the England squad. But I do understand it. I spoke to the manager there, and I understand that there’s a lot of competition, especially in that left-wing spot at the moment. Rashy’s [Marcus Rashford] flying, Eze, Anthony Gordon, you know, everyone’s doing so well. I can’t really complain, it is what it is. Hopefully, I can just keep performing and keep influencing games."

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  On the road back to the top

  With his trademark swagger back and the Hill Dickinson Stadium chanting his name, Grealish is fast becoming Everton’s new poster boy. Under Moyes, he’s become the heartbeat of the side, driving attacks, creating chances, and now popping up with match-winners. He may not be in Tuchel’s England plans right now, but if this form continues, that door will swing open again soon.

England off spinner will begin the County Championship season at Sophia Gardens with opportunities limited at Somerset

Vithushan Ehantharajah20-Mar-2025England Test off spinner Shoaib Bashir is set to join Glamorgan for the start of the County Championship season on a short-term loan from Somerset, ESPNcricinfo understands.With Bashir behind Jack Leach at Somerset, and the emergence of off-spinning allrounder Archie Vaughan, the county were happy to let Bashir leave Taunton on a temporary deal. The ECB helped facilitate the move to Glamorgan as Bashir is currently on a one-year central contract, and are keen for the 21-year old to get more playing time to hone is raw talent. The stint is understood to be for the first three matches of the season, starting at Sophia Gardens against Leicestershire on April 4, before away fixtures against Gloucestershire and Middlesex.The move allows Glamorgan to cover for leg spinner Mason Crane who will miss the first three rounds with a shoulder injury. The acquisition of Bashir in the absence of Crane, who was due to partner Ben Kellaway – who bowls both left- and right-arm orthodox – allows the club to adhere to a plan of playing two spinners in their XI at the start of their Division Two campaign.Related

Shoaib Bashir on fast track as Ashes mission begins in earnest

Shoaib Bashir joins Worcestershire on short-term loan from Somerset

Bashir emerged as Ben Stokes’ go-to spinner last year, with 49 wickets across 15 Tests, and will use the move to tune-up for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge which begins on May 22. The 21-year-old undertook a similar loan spell at Worcestershire last season – an arrangement Glamorgan were also interested in at the time – in what was a breakthrough 2024.Propelled onto the international scene for the Test tour of India despite just six first-class appearances to his name, Bashir impressed with 17 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, in his first three caps. He soon usurped Leach as England’s primary slow-bowling option for the home summer and marked that ascension with career-best red-ball figures of 5 for 41 in the second Test against West Indies, bowling England to victory at Trent Bridge.Challenging series followed against Sri Lanka (six dismissals at 49.33) and in the winter against Pakistan (nine at 49.55) and New Zealand (eight at 51.75). And after taking just four wickets in three matches on England Lions’ tour of Australia, including 1 for 74 in the unofficial Test against Australia A, the chance to start the summer with first-team cricket at Glamorgan will be vital given the high-profile engagements that lie ahead.Bashir will hope to lock horns once more with India in this summer’s five-match Test series, leading into the Ashes at the end of the year. At six-foot-four, his high release point, and a natural ability to impart overspin on the ball are regarded as vital characteristics for success on Australian pitches, something he was able to work on as part of Andrew Flintoff’s Lions squad at the start of the year, with assistance from Lions spin-bowling coach Graeme Swann.To date, just 11 of Bashir’s 27 first-class appearances have come in the County Championship, and his current deal at Somerset is set to expire at the end of the summer, along with his central contract.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo at the start of the year, Bashir underlined a desire to improve his consistency and ability to hold up an end without shirking his wicket-taker responsibilities. “I’m 21 years old, right? I’m still learning. I’ve only played professional cricket for about, what, two or three years? It’s just a work in progress.”Even in the short-term, a move to Glamorgan will aid that development given their propensity to operate with an out-and-out spinner. Last year, Crane played 11 of a possible 14 matches in Division Two, bowling 304.2 overs, the second most in the squad after James Harris’ 309.5, with 29 dismissals. Bashir can also call on the expertise of ex-England spinner Richard Dawson, who was appointed interim-head coach at Glamorgan in January.

Real Betis opened their Europa League account with a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The Andalusian outfit had Antony to thank as his late equaliser denied Forest all three points. Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo hailed the Brazilian's impact and even went so far as to say that the Manchester United flop might be the club's most important signing ever.

• Betis blushes saved after Antony heroics

  Antony has picked up right where he left off at the end of last season, continuing his strong form by rescuing Real Betis in their opening game of the Europa League on Wednesday. The score was 2-1 in Forest's favour – thanks to a brace from Igor Jesus after Antony's assist set up Cedric Bakambu to break the deadlock in the 15th minute – as the game approached full-time. The ex-United winger, though, proved why him and Betis are a match made in heaven, as he scored the important equaliser in the 85th minute.

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  'Antony is the most important signing in Betis' history'

  After the game, Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo couldn't contain his euphoria after witnessing Antony's exploits at the Benito Villamarin. "I am 100% sure that maybe Antony is the most important signing in Betis' history," Fajardo told news agency

  "Everything [about the signing] because the talent, the level of the player, the level of the club as Manchester United – a big team, a big project, so I am 100% sure that Antony is the best signing in Betis' history.

  "When players like Antony come to Betis, it's very, very important. It helps Betis to continue growing in Europe. Last season since Antony arrived, we got to play in a European final.

  "Antony, players like Gio [Lo Celso] and Isco, are very, very important because they are the example that Betis continues growing, that we are a serious club in Europe and players in the top level want to come to play in Betis."

• Fajardo explains how Betis signed Antony from Man Utd

  After stunning during his loan spell at the club in the second half of the season, Antony pushed hard for a permanent move to Betis. The love he received from the Betis faithful and the confidence shown by head coach Manuel Pellegrini meant that he was unwilling to entertain a switch to any other club. With United demanding €40 million (£35m/$46m), Betis' hopes of signing Antony diminished due to their inability to fork out that amount. However, United and Betis agreed on a cut-price €25m (£22m/$29m) fee, which saw the Brazil international return to Seville on a five-year deal. 

  Fajardo provided insights on how the two clubs reached middle ground after intense negotiations. "We started to discuss with Manchester about Antony in May, June because we needed a lot of time for convincing Manchester," Fajardo said. "But Antony, the agent, his family were convinced to come to Betis again.

  "In the first moment we spoke with Manchester United for Antony to stay in Betis one year more on loan. But for Antony, for Manchester it was very, very important to recover the investment, so for Betis it was not easy. The move was too much for us [from a financial standpoint].

  "But Manchester United made a big effort, Betis made a big effort, Antony made a big, big effort to play here again. Maybe in that situation that was the secret.

  "For Betis it is not easy to sign players from Premier League, because the difference in respect to the salary between the Premier League and La Liga is too big. But when a player like Antony, for example, wants to come to Betis it's easier. Antony only thought to play in Betis again, so when you have a negotiation with a big club in Manchester United, a club that paid a big amount for Antony, it's not easy. But the player wants to play in Betis."

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  When will Antony and Betis play next?

  Antony is off to a flyer with his new side, while Pellegrini's men are just two points behind the top four in La Liga. The left-footed right-winger will be expected to lead Betis' attack once again when they welcome Osasuna on Sunday.

Trevor Bayliss has left his role at London Spirit in the Hundred after his men’s team finished bottom in 2024. Bayliss replaced the late Shane Warne as men’s coach ahead of the 2022 season, when Eoin Morgan captained them to the play-offs, but his team have won only three games and lost 11 in the last two years since Morgan’s retirement.Bayliss’ side were particularly poor in 2024, losing seven of their eight matches with a scrappy three-wicket win over Welsh Fire the only exception. Their top picks at the draft, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell, managed 216 runs between them, and Dan Lawrence was unable to get them out of a rut as captain.The Spirit’s struggles in the men’s Hundred were only emphasised by the success of their women’s team, who won the title for the first time under Heather Knight and Ashley Noffke. Noffke has since signed an extension for the 2025 edition, though has lost assistant Ali Maiden to Birmingham Phoenix.”We’d all like to thank Trevor for his considerable efforts across the last three seasons,” Fraser Stewart, London Spirit’s general manager and the MCC’s head of cricket, said in a statement. “He initially joined us in difficult circumstances and led the side to a strong finish in 2022, but the team hasn’t been able to replicate that success since.”As a group, we’re desperate to see London Spirit competing at the right end of the table and we think a new approach may be of benefit to our chances. Trevor leaves Lord’s with our best wishes and our gratitude.”Related

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Bayliss’ stock has fallen as a coach of late, five years on from his England side’s triumph in the 2019 50-over World Cup. He was replaced as Punjab Kings coach by Ricky Ponting earlier this year, though has been retained as Sydney Thunder coach for the upcoming Big Bash League season despite overseeing their last-placed finish in 2023-24.London Spirit have already advertised for Bayliss’ replacement, with a first-round deadline of December 11. James Foster and Paul Collingwood are both potential contenders, having spent time working under Bayliss as assistant coaches, and an appointment appears likely to take place before the completion of the Hundred’s ongoing sales process.The second-round deadline for bids from private investors (for 49% stakes in the Hundred’s eight teams) is December 9, with London Spirit expected to attract the highest offers. Interested bidders for the Spirit are understood to include at least two IPL franchises in Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, as well as the Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer.

Everton are now said to have entered the race to complete the signing of a “talented” midfield player during the summer transfer window.

Everton make call to sign star winger

The Blues still have over a month to bring in new signings, ahead of an exciting era at the club, with PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko emerging as an eye-catching target.

Everton are believed to be among a host of clubs who have “called” about a potential move for the 22-year-old Belgian, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Bakayoko is far from the only young target for the Blues, however, with talks reportedly taking place with Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee over a move to Merseyside.

He played a key role in England’s Under-21s winning the European Championships earlier this summer, and could be a fantastic long-term option for Everton, providing so much guile and quality.

Everton make contact sign "talented" midfielder ahead of Roma

Now, according to a fresh report from TEAMtalk, Everton have “joined the race” to sign highly-rated Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui this summer ahead of AS Roma.

The 24-year-old is valued at £26m by his current club and there could now be a tug of war between two teams who have the same owners in The Friedkin Group. Everton have been in contact over a deal by recently asking for information regarding a transfer.

El Aynaoui could be a strong addition for Everton, at a time when midfield reinforcements are important, given the fact that Abdoulaye Doucoure has moved on and Idrissa Gueye is now well into his 30s.

The Moroccan operates mainly as a box-to-box midfielder, but is also adept at taking up a more disciplined role in the middle of the park, with journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter describing him as a “highly talented” player.

Last season, Aynaoui scored eight goals in just 17 starts in Ligue 1, highlighting the level of end product he is capable of from his midfield role, but he also averaged 1.6 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game at the same time, showing that he can be a force both in and out of possession.

Everton battling to sign Italian midfielder who's lined up for England move

The Toffees will be keen to win the race…

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 13, 2025

That is exactly what Everton need this summer, and at 24 years of age, the Lens ace is likely to have his peak years ahead of him, which David Moyes would no doubt love to see happen under his management. It feels like a deal that is very much worth pushing hard to get over the line.

Daryl Mitchell says that issuing of NOCs for overseas tournaments may need to be more sparing

Matt Roller02-Oct-2024

Counties will be increasingly discerning in issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players as the number of franchise leagues “encroaching” on the English summer grows. That is the view of Daryl Mitchell, the interim chief executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) which represents the interests of English players.The number of overseas leagues clashing with the English summer has grown significantly in the last five years. English players have featured in leagues in India, Sri Lanka, the US, the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands and Zimbabwe this year, while a late start to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will add to the logjam next season.Fourteen English players made appearances in PSL 2024, including white-ball specialists Sam Billings, Alex Hales and David Willey who are all likely to return in 2025. But other players will not be available, with the tournament running parallel to the IPL for the first time, and with counties reluctant for their players to miss the start of the season.Liam Dawson, who has featured in five PSL seasons, will not play in the tournament next year. “I’ll be playing for Hampshire at that time,” Dawson said at Tuesday night’s cinch PCA awards, where he was named men’s player of the year primarily for his performances in the County Championship.Alec Stewart, Surrey’s departing director of cricket, told the on Wednesday that the ECB should take the lead. “Money talks, and if they are earning five times what they earn at our place, their heads will get turned,” Stewart said. “We need the ECB to stand firm on this and not say, ‘It’s up to the counties’, and to bring in regulations.”As things stand, counties have the power to withhold or withdraw NOCs for players who are not centrally contracted – as Surrey did earlier this year, to pull Jamie Overton out of the PSL. But others believe that if they do not meet players’ demands in the middle, then they will lose them altogether – either to other counties, or to the franchise circuit.”The global landscape and how things are shifting there is obviously pretty important to our members – or at least, the top 20% of our membership, who go around playing global tournaments,” Mitchell said. “NOCs are always on the agenda as well, and how that’s going to look moving forwards.Related

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October 31 set as deadline for IPL teams to finalise retentions

“It’s a challenge, isn’t it? That’s something we are going to have to work through. It’s a bit too early to say what that will look like by the time we get to April next year. The challenges are there. Obviously there’s a lot of tournaments that encroach onto our season now, and we have to work through that, possibly on an individual basis, to see how that aligns.”Daniel Gidney, the Lancashire chief executive, said last month that NOCs and standard county contracts have been “diluted” over the last decade and criticised player agents, saying they “don’t care” about the Championship. Mitchell said he was “confused” by the criticism: “Some of that didn’t actually make sense, particularly around the NOCs.”Instead, Mitchell predicted that counties will increasingly look to wield their power to ensure that the best English players are available throughout the season, rather than skipping Championship games in order to play overseas.”At the moment, they’ve got the right to [deny NOCs] within the summer months – and actually, for some of the smaller competitions in the winter as well… They probably haven’t used their rights as much as they could have done, which is obviously to the benefit of some players when they do go away.”It’s up to the counties, and their discretion… The global landscape is shifting so quickly and the game, players, counties, the ECB – we have to evolve with it and try to find the best fit that works for everyone.”Mitchell said that the PCA’s other main focus during the English winter will be lobbying on the players’ behalf in a bid to resolve the long-running debate around the domestic schedule, with an ambitious aim to have a plan in place for the 2026 season by the start of next summer. “The debate needs to start pretty quickly, in truth,” Mitchell said.”Counties ideally would like to know exactly what they’re playing for. If there are going to be any structural changes come 2026, they want to know what they’re playing for in ’25, I would imagine. It’s really challenging. There’s loads of moving parts in there, and ultimately, the counties will decide what they want the structure of the county season to look like.”Recent changes to the IPL’s regulations are likely to encourage a swathe of English players to enter the mega-auction for the league’s 2025 season. Where, previously, players have been able to pick and choose whether they will enter a certain season, the BCCI have now stipulated that a failure to register for a mega-auction will make that overseas player ineligible for the following season too.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has broken a finger in his left hand at training and has been ruled out of at least the T20I series against India. Dilshan Madushanka comes into the squad as his replacement.*Team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Thushara’s injury was sustained on the non-bowling hand. Nevertheless, it is severe enough for him to be ruled out. Halangoda said the injury had occurred late on Wednesday, when Sri Lanka were training under lights. Thushara had been at fielding practice.He is the second Sri Lanka fast bowler to be ruled out of the series. Just on Wednesday, Sri Lanka announced that Dushmantha Chameera was out with illness, and replaced him with Asitha Fernando.Thushara had consistently been part of Sri Lanka’s T20I XI this year. He had been among their best bowlers at the T20 World Cup, taking eight wickets in the three matches Sri Lanka played. Earlier this year, he had also taken a T20I hat-trick on his way to figures of 5 for 20 against Bangladesh.The first T20I between Sri Lanka and India is scheduled for Saturday.*