The Rays beat the Red Sox 7-3 on Sunday as Boston clings to one of the final two wild card spots in the American League. The loss was not due to a lack of effort by Trevor Story who scored on a close play at the plate on a base hit by Romy González in the top of the seventh.
Story hustled home and slid past the plate and into the ankles of home plate umpire Chris Segal. Luckily, no one was hurt and the two exchanged pleasantries multiple times with Story patting him on the leg and then slapping him five when the umpire reached down to offer him help up.
There's just something inherently amusing about a player giving a referee or umpire or official some skin.
It should be noted that this was in fact a low-five and not a high-five. While it wasn't exactly "down low," it was only possible because the throw from the outfield was too slow.
Boston has six games remaining on their schedule and good umpire relations could be a key to holding onto that wild card spot. It's no coincidence that that polite young man Shohei Ohtani plays for a first place team.
O Fluminense informou nesta terça-feira (23) que os atletas John Kennedy, Kauã Elias, Arthur e Aleksander foram afastados em razão de atos de indisciplina cometidos durante a concentração para o duelo diante do Vasco.
continua após a publicidade
➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Fluminense
Formados nas categorias de base do clube, os quatros jogadores não viajarão com o restante do elenco para o Paraguai, onde a equipe comandada pro Fernando Diniz encara o Cerro Portenõ, pela terceira rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores. Além disso, eles também estão fora do jogo contra o Corinthians, em São Paulo, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão.
O quarteto convidou mulheres e organizou uma festa dentro da concentração. A movimentação incomodou algumas lideranças do elenco, que solicitaram a concentração justamente para evitar problemas extracampo. A informação foi inicialmente divulgada pelo Ge e confirmanda pelo Lance!.
continua após a publicidade
Com quatro pontos em duas partidas disputadas, o Fluminense lidera o grupo A da Libertadores. Na próxima quinta-feira (25), o Tricolor encara o Cerro Porteño às 19h (de Brasília), no Estádio La Nueva Olla, pela terceira rodada da fase de grupos da competição continental.
CONFIRA A NOTA DO FLUMINENSE
Os atletas John Kennedy, Kauã Elias, Arthur e Alexsander foram afastados em razão de atos de indisciplina cometidos na concentração do jogo contra o Vasco, e não viajarão hoje para a disputa da partida contra o Cerro Porteño, no Paraguai, e contra o Corinthians, em São Paulo.
“I think just holding on and staying calm is going to go a long way tomorrow,” the SA captain said
Sruthi Ravindranath01-Nov-20253:10
Wolvaardt: ‘Whoever stays calmest in final will come out on top’
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt has said the weight of expectation will rest firmly on India when the two sides meet in the ODI World Cup final on Sunday, in front of what is expected to be a packed home crowd in Navi Mumbai. The message she has for her own team-mates ahead of this “tough” game is simple: “slow down, take a deep breath, and stay calm”.”I think [with] the whole crowd behind India, probably a sold-out stadium, it’s going to be a very exciting opportunity,” Wolvaardt said at the pre-match press conference. “But at the same time, I think it puts a lot of pressure on them as well. They have the whole country behind them, and sort of expect them to win. I think it sort of plays in our favour, hopefully. They’re a very good side. We’re going to have to play some really good cricket to beat them.”Mandla [Mashimbyi, South Africa head coach] normally does the really inspirational stuff, the ‘you’re carrying your country’ type of thing. And then I think I’d just come with a little ‘stay calm, girls’ at the end. There’s going to be a lot of noise, a lot happening, a lot of maybe different routines than you’re used to in a normal game. But at the end of the day, we’re going to have to do the basics for longer throughout the game, and hold the nerve for longer. I think just holding on and staying calm is going to go a long way tomorrow.”Related
Wolvaardt, Kapp sing South Africa's song of ice and fire
Women's cricket prepares to crown a new world champion
It's India's party, but the artistic hunters will come
Although they will be playing their first ever ODI World Cup final, South Africa have made it to the summit clash in each of the last two T20 World Cups. They haven’t been able to take home the silverware just yet but Wolvaardt said the team has learnt from those experiences.”I think for me, personally, I’m really trying not to think about the result,” she said. “I think in those finals – or the first time I was in the final – you automatically think about the trophy and think about winning, and sort of get excited. Now I’m just really trying to stay [in the] present. We still have a really big game ahead of us against a really quality side.1:36
WWC final – ‘The pressure is less on South Africa’
“I’m trying not to think too far ahead; just really sort of slow it down. I think the first time you’re in those finals, it feels like a really big, fast-paced event. We’re going to need to slow down and take a big breath, and hope we’re able to do that as a group.”South Africa’s path to the final has been far from smooth. After a 69 all out against England, they bounced back with five straight wins before another collapse of 97 all out against Australia. A superb comeback in the semi-final against England, where Wolvaardt scored 169 and Marizanne Kapp took a five-for, booked their spot in the final.”I think we don’t just lose our skill or gain our skill overnight. It’s definitely just a couple of games that we had to put behind us, and we were able to bounce back really well from those two games on both occasions,” Wolvaardt said. “I think if we focus too much on that, then it wouldn’t have been a good campaign for us. So I think we took the learnings, put it behind us, and just really focused on the next game that we needed to do well [in].”Wolvaardt believes a World Cup win would be a game-changer for women’s cricket in South Africa.”For us, I think it would just be really special for women’s cricket in the country. I can only imagine what something like a World Cup trophy would do back at home, and just the amount of girls that will be able to see it on TV, that’ll be able to hear that we’re a World Cup-winning nation,” she said. “It’s hopefully very inspirational.”I think we’ve already created quite a lot of noise back at home, and getting a lot of messages from different people who have sort of started watching women’s cricket because of this tournament. So that’s really cool.”
How to bat on this Mirpur pitch is a question that might be baffling both Bangladesh and West Indies ahead of the second ODI, to be played on Tuesday. The Bangladesh batters spent a long time in the middle, visualising, the day before the game, all standing in a circle, with head coach Phil Simmons providing the sermon. West Indies have suggested that they picked up a clue or two by watching their opponents in the first ODI, which produced just 340 runs in 88.4 overs.What’s for certain is that Bangladesh will double down on their spin-to-win strategy after they added Nasum Ahmed to the ODI squad. The left-armer picked up five wickets in three T20Is against Afghanistan recently, a tally bettered only by Rashid Khan in that series. He will complement Tanvir Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain, who took a six-wicket haul this weekend.Related
'I stuck to my process' – Rishad makes light work of dark pitch
Bangladesh, however, are looking for improvement in the batting. They put up a modest 207 in the first ODI, with Towhid Hridoy the only half-century-maker. Newcomer Mahidul Islam also made an important contribution (46 off 76). But, overall, Bangladesh batted slowly. They are yet to get out of the habit of playing too many dot balls and finding too few boundaries.West Indies will also look for batting improvement after getting bowled out for 133. Brandon King and Alick Athanaze went after the spinners in the first game but both of them fell to Rishad, and that was followed by a collapse. There was not much resistance from even the likes of Shai Hope and Roston Chase, the only batters in the line-up to have previous experience of playing ODIs in Bangladesh.The bowlers therefore will once again have to keep West Indies in the contest. Jayden Seales took three wickets while Khary Pierre, playing his first ODI in five years, bowled well for just one wicket. But Chase and Gudakesh Motie have to get among the wickets, especially in these conditions.
Form guide
Bangladesh WLLLL West Indies LWWLLRishad Hossain picked up six wickets in the first ODI•AFP/Getty Images
In the spotlight – Rishad Hossain and Brandon KingRishad Hossain coming to Bangladesh’s rescue both with the bat and the ball in the first ODI is exactly what is expected of him. Six wickets and a quick 26 would be too much to ask of him every day, but a legspinner has to provide breakthroughs where other bowlers fail. Another bag of wickets could bring the ODI series to a favourable end for his team.Brandon King was one of the few West Indies batters to show a positive mindset in the first ODI. He struck boundaries with ease until Rishad had him caught behind for 44 off 60. As long as King was at the crease, West Indies had hope. He added 51 runs for the opening stand with Athanaze, who also attacked the Bangladesh spinners while the ball was new. King, though, carried on for a bit more. The problem was King getting out after getting set, something he can’t afford to do.
Team news – WI lose Shamar, Blades to injuries
Bangladesh usually rotate their fast bowlers every game so Hasan Mahmud or Tanzim Hasan Sakib are likely call-ups.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Soumya Sarkar, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Mahidul Islam, 6 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Mustafizur RahmanA day out from the game, West Indies appeared likely to trust the same batters to do better on this difficult Dhaka pitch. Can they cope with the injury-enforced absences of Shamar Joseph and Jediah Blades? Akeal Hosein and Ramon Simmonds have been added to the squad as their replacements for the remaining two ODIs.West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Alick Athanaze, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt, wk), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Roston Chase, 7 Gudakesh Motie, 8 Justin Greaves, 9 Romario Shepherd, 10 Khary Pierre, 11 Jayden SealesKhary Pierre came away with figures of 10-2-19-1 on Saturday•AFP/Getty Images
Pitch and conditions – complexion of the pitch in focus
There is unlikely to be much change in the pitch, which looked unusually dark, for the second ODI. There is dry weather in the forecast.
Stats and trivia – Pierre returns after five years
Tanvir Islam bowled his most expensive over in international cricket in the first ODI, when he conceded 18 runs.
Bangladesh used just seven (of 39) overs of pace in the first ODI, only the fifth occasion they have bowled seven or fewer overs in a match that they won.
Khary Pierre returned to the West Indies playing XI after missing 73 ODIs since January 2020.
Quotes
“It is a lot of pressure if you don’t do well on these kind of surfaces. I just try to keep it simple and stick to my plans. I think once you put the ball in the right areas and do not go wicket-hunting, I think it will be the best suitable for the wicket. You can leak runs if you try to go wicket-hunting.”
Unfettered attitude to risk and reward both makes and breaks a memorably chaotic innings
Vithushan Ehantharajah22-Jun-2025
A dejected Harry Brook walks back on 99•Getty Images
Harry Brook does not really celebrate centuries. He has always considered that a bit uncouth. Though only 26, he’s an old soul, very much from the “but that’s your job” school of thought when it comes to lauding your output as a batter.Even so, it was hardly surprising that his reaction to missing out on a ninth Test century revealed a cocktail of emotions. Annoyance, as he gave himself a facepalm, head tilted to the sky. Anger, revealed by the dramatic arch of the back, as if about to spit an expletive to the moon.The milestone would have been nice, of course, particularly as one of Yorkshire’s own, and given that he had probably deserved one in front of his home ground when he all but took England home here in the 2023 Ashes. But most of all, you felt his reaction reflected the dereliction of duty he felt, with this current match situation very much in the balance.Related
Bumrah shoulders heavy load to underscore what India will miss
Brook 99 and Bumrah five-for set up one-innings thrash
Bumrah draws level with Kapil Dev; Brook gets lucky again
Pope determined to deliver 'runs after runs after runs' following Headingley ton
England were still 73 behind, but now with only three wickets left to make up that difference. Such is the talent in his hands and feet that many in the England dressing room were quietly wondering about the healthy position they might be in if he were to go on for another hour. But then, Prasidh Krishna dug one in short, and the narrative changed.Brook’s periscope pull felt straight to Shardul Thakur at deep fine-leg. It was an ego pull compared to the idiotic one he had played to midwicket in the last over of day two when on nought, only for it to be scrubbed from the records after Jasprit Bumrah was found to have overstepped. But thankfully for England, this dismissal did not derail the momentum of their innings, as they finished just six behind India’s 471.The novelty of getting out on 99 might grow on Brook, particularly as it is the first time he has been dismissed in the 90s across 322 professional innings. His tenth century across formats for England might not have drawn more than a cursory removal of the helmet and raise of the bat, but Headingley’s congregation had been waiting patiently for their boy’s moment. They had to make do with some cursory applause instead as he slumped off, now aiming any expletives at the ground beneath his feet.Brook’s innings was a helix of brilliance and nonsense, a contradiction of dominant gallops out of the crease and anxiety-reducing risks that contributed to the 13 boundaries that littered his day-three work. It was good without being great, but all the more memorable for the bad bits.5:39
Manjrekar: ‘All possibilities open’ in the last two days
He had every right to feel aggrieved at it being cut short, but Brook already owed a debt of gratitude to Bumrah’s overstep, without which it would have ended after nine deliveries. He breathed again after 62 balls, when a sliver of an edge off Ravindra Jadeja was missed by Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.Brook’s control percentage across his 112-ball innings was 80%, which seems high until you accept that he was technically in control of the shot that brought about his dismissal – ironically, he had rolled his wrists on the shot to keep it down, when the better option might have been to launch it skywards and clear the stands. The deliberate wristy flick off his 103rd ball that broke through Yashasvi Jaiswal’s hands at fourth slip was also executed “perfectly”.Bumrah was the unfortunate bowler for that one. He had sent Brook to bed last night with the stench of leather in his nostrils having fizzed a warning shot of what was to come on Sunday. Brook, though, came with a clear focus – he was not going to get got, he was going to go get.Krishna was pumped square, then dumped into the stands at straight midwicket at the end of the very first over. “Phwoar, where did that come from?” Ollie Pope later revealed he had said to himself, while watching from the other end.When Bumrah showed up again, Brook had two sighters before jumping out of his stance to land the first blow of this round. Having started again on 0 off 12, his first ten balls of the third morning had brought him back up to speed with 19 runs.The calculation of his second-new-ball assault was just that. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were given the honours, and both were treated accordingly. Bumrah was, at least; Brook defended a few, found the odd single, and survived the error of the Jaiswal drop. Siraj, however, suddenly found himself embroiled in a ruckus.A dismissive slap through mid-on, a lash to point and an attempted charge-and-slap that only brought two was followed up with a hard-length ball, a stare and a few words for Brook. It’s worth noting Brook is not much of a talker. “He doesn’t want to chat,” revealed Pope of Brook’s habits out in the middle. “He might want to know which way it’s swinging, but that’s it.” And yet, his response was profound, thumping a ball from outside off so deep into the long-on stand that even Siraj was lost for words. That took him to 91, rounding on the inevitable century that never materialised.It is worth isolating Brook versus Bumrah, even if the bout did not end up affecting the scoreboard meaningfully, in either the runs or wickets column.The catch off a no-ball and that drop off a legal ball came after 28 deliveries in all, with just 11 runs scored. But one of those deliveries – that charging four at the start of the day, Brook’s only boundary off Bumrah – was perhaps his most meaningful. “If I can do this to you,” Brook seemed to be saying, “imagine what I can do to the rest of your attack?”Jasprit Bumrah reacts after Yashasvi Jaiswal reprieves Brook•Getty ImagesBrook didn’t do it again, but the message had been heard loud and clear. Even by Bumrah.”He makes you think as well,” Bumrah said at the close. “You know he can play an aggressive shot and sometimes he can shut shop as well and try to negate if somebody’s bowling a good spell. So yeah, he played really well.”I think fate had decided 99 for him!” he added. “He assessed conditions and, you know, he fancies his game and plays an aggressive style of cricket.”If all that sounds familiar, it is because England’s batters, their captain and their head coach constantly talk about doing exactly that. Rarely, though, do they get it right. And even here, Brook did not.But for a bowler of Bumrah’s ilk to notice the intent, even amid the flaws, speaks to a very real truth. Joe Root is the sole great, Ben Duckett the most expressive, and Ollie Pope their only centurion in this Test so far, but Harry Brook is the totem of this English batting group.
Stokes became only the third player to score over 7000 runs and pick over 200 wickets in men’s Tests
Sampath Bandarupalli26-Jul-20251:25
‘Very few cricketers in history with the ability of Stokes’
669 – England’s total against India in the ongoing fourth Test at Old Trafford is the highest at the ground, surpassing Australia’s 656 for 8 in 1964. The previous highest for England was 627 for 9 against Australia in 1934.England’s 669 is now their fifth-highest total in Test cricket. It is also the highest by any team in England since their 710 for 7 against India in 2011 at Edgbaston.2014 – Previous instance of India conceding a 600-plus total in Test cricket – 680 for 8 against New Zealand in Wellington. Only eight times have India conceded a total higher than 669 in Test cricket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – Men to score a century and take a five-wicket haul as captain in a Test. Ben Stokes achieved the double at Old Trafford to become the first England player ever and the first since Imran Khan, which was also against India in 1983 in Faisalabad. Stokes is only the fourth man with a hundred and a five-for in the same Test for England. Ian Botham achieved this feat on five different occasions.3 – Stokes became only the third player to complete the double of 7000 runs and 200 wickets in Test cricket. Garry Sobers (8032 runs and 235 wickets) and Jacques Kallis (13289 runs and 235 wickets) are the other two.112 – Runs conceded by Jasprit Bumrah in England’s first innings. It’s the first time Bumrah has conceded 100 runs in a Test innings. The previous highest was 99 against Australia at MCG in 2024 while taking four wickets.Bumrah was one of four India bowlers to go past three-figures in England’s first innings – the 25th such instance but the first since the 2015 SCG Test against Australia.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Dismissals by Dhruv Jurel in England’s first innings – two catches and two stumpings. Only three others have claimed four dismissals as a substitute in a Test innings – Younis Khan against Bangladesh in 2001 did it as a fielder, while Wriddhiman Saha and Ollie Pope did so as wicketkeepers, both against Australia at SCG, in 2021 and 2022, respectively.311 – First-innings lead for England at Old Trafford. Only twice have India conceded bigger leads despite topping 300 batting first – 415 against Sri Lanka in 1997 after scoring 537 for 8, and 334 also against Sri Lanka in 2009 after scoring 426.2 – Instances of India losing multiple wickets in the first over of a men’s Test innings since 1998. Chris Woakes dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan on Saturday, while Trent Boult got Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara in Auckland in 2014.
Arsenal sensation Max Dowman has caught the eye yet again with a sensational effort for the Gunners in a big UEFA Youth League win over Bavarian giants Bayern Munich. The 15-year-old brought back memories of club legend Mesut Ozil with a brilliant solo goal to help seal a 4-2 victory for the north Londoners on Wednesday at Mangata Developments Stadium.
Downman scores stunner in Arsenal win
Dowman finished off Bayern in some style to cap an outstanding performance for Arsenal's Under-19s. The youngster cut in from the right and showed off some outrageous skill to beat three Bayern defenders – including a nutmeg and wonderful pirouette – before keeping his composure to dink the ball over the goalkeeper. The goal was Dowman's second of the game, with Kyran Thompson and Ceadach O'Neill also on target, and capped a fine victory for the Gunners as they picked up their first win of their 2025-26 Youth League campaign in impressive fashion.
The 15-year-old wasn't the only youngster to catch the eye during the game. Luis Munoz made history when he arrived as a substitute in the second half. The 13-year-old came on for the final five minutes of the match and became the youngest player ever to feature in the youth competition.
AdvertisementWatch the clip
Dowman on the rise at Arsenal
Dowman's goal against Bayern Munich highlights once again what a talented youngster the Gunners have on their hands. The 15-year-old has already made five first-team appearances this season and became the youngest player to appear in the Champions League when he came off the bench during Arsenal's 3-0 win against Slavia Prague at the age of 15 years and 308 days, breaking the record previously held by ex-Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko. Yet Dowman's appearance for the U19s means that he won't be with the senior squad again for their match against Bayern at the Emirates. Both teams head into the fixture with a 100% record so far in the Champions League, meaning something will have to give in north London on Wednesday night.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
'We have a massive player' – Arteta's praise for Dowman
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke glowingly about Dowman after he made his Champions League debut. He told TNT Sports: "It doesn't get any harder than this competition. Max at 15 takes the ball and straight away starts to take people on and win free-kicks. That shows the personality that these kids have. Really happy to see them with us in this journey, and hopefully they will continue to improve. The way he plays, he attracts a lot of contact. He's so good at timing the right moment to move the ball when the opponent makes the next step. We have a massive player there."
This has been the season of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, of Amad and Senne Lammens – but don’t forget about Manchester United’s ever-reliable skipper, Bruno Fernandes.
While no longer perhaps the star attraction, amid Mbeumo’s rich vein of goalscoring form, the Portuguese playmaker is still quietly pulling the strings from his deep-lying midfield berth, scoring twice and registering three assists from his 11 Premier League outings.
Two rare penalty misses have perhaps been the biggest story of the 31-year-old’s campaign thus far, although it would be foolish to suggest that he has been under-par, again leading the way in the division for chances created (29), as per FotMob.
As he admitted ahead of his 300th United appearance last month, the former Sporting CP star is almost relishing the prospect of someone else taking the limelight – alla Mbeumo and Cunha – having for so long shouldered the creative and goalscoring burden on his own at Old Trafford.
A recent hat-trick hero on the international front, the experienced genius is far from over the hill, albeit with Ruben Amorim already hinting at a potential role change later down the line, suggesting that his compatriot might need to adjust to “rotation” next season, should the Red Devils return to European competition.
Whether Fernandes himself decides to stick around following the World Cup also remains to be seen, with a long-term replacement needed regardless.
Latest on Man Utd's midfield search
Speaking in that refreshingly honest interview to mark his milestone match, Fernandes did confirm that he had been close to joining Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer, before ultimately opting to stay put despite receiving a significant salary offer from the Pro League outfit.
Also the subject of interest from Paris Saint-Germain the year prior, the £300k-per-week talent will certainly have options once again should he choose to depart in 2026, albeit having suggested that he won’t even contemplate an exit until after next summer’s tournament in North America.
With a deal that expires in 2027, however, and lingering concerns over his suitability to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up, Fernandes’ long-term fit in this side is up for debate, regardless of whether he decides to stay or leave, with a young understudy perhaps required.
With that in mind, reports in Spain have suggested that United and INEOS have an offer in the works to sign AZ Alkmaar starlet, Kees Smit, with the 19-year-old said to have ‘caught the eye’ of those in Manchester.
Said to be valued at around €25m (£22m), the report claims that the Old Trafford side are willing to lodge a bid above the Eredivisie side’s valuation, perhaps hinting at their desire to win the race for his signature, amid notable competition.
Compared to Pedri by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman, the teenager – who has also been linked with Newcastle United – could certainly be a worthwhile punt as far as the INEOS regime are concerned.
Why Man Utd could be targeting the new Bruno Fernandes
Since the arrival of the likes of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox, there has undoubtedly been a clear focus on recruiting stars of the future, be it Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, or Leny Yoro and Diego Leon.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Adding Smit into the fold could well help to continue that trend, with the promising Dutchman already earning rave reviews back in Holland, having been hailed as a “supertalent” in the past by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Set to turn 20 in January, the AZ academy graduate has already made 50 senior appearances for his current side, chalking up ten goals and assists in that time, as per Transfermarkt, with 2025/26 proving particularly fruitful thus far.
Largely operating in a central midfield role – but also comfortable in a deeper or more advanced berth, like Fernandes – the £22m gem has scored twice and registered four assists in 19 games in all competitions, four of which have come in just 11 league games.
A player with “superstar potential” – in the view of analyst Ben Mattinson – Smit is particularly adept at striking from range, a trait again similar to Fernandes, with both he and Cunha tied last term for most goals scored outside the box by Premier League players.
Also hailed for his “striker-like finishing” inside the box by Mattinson, Smit does appear to be the complete attacking package, a fact heightened by his likeness to Fernandes in last season’s Europa League.
Indeed, as per FBref, the pair were noted as statistically and stylistically similar players among midfielders turning out in the competition, with the pair both ranking highly for progressive passes and passes in particular.
Smit vs Bruno – 24/25 UEL Ranking
Stat (per 90)
Smit
Bruno
Goals
Top 4%
Top 17%
Assists
Top 1%
Top 14%
Shot-creating actions
Top 48%
Top 2%
Pass completion
Top 30%
Bottom 15%
Progressive passes
Top 4%
Top 2%
Progressive carries
Top 5%
Top 12%
Successful take-ons
Top 4%
Top 46%
Touches in opposition box
Top 10%
Top 7%
Progressive passes received
Top 9
Top 12%
Stats via FBref
Smit’s creative streak has also been evident so far this term, with three big chances created and two key passes averaged per game in the Eredivisie, as per Sofascore. Back in England, for comparison, Fernandes has also created three big chances, while averaging slightly more key passes at 2.6 per game.
Both a goalscorer and provider then, like the Portugal man, Smit would surely be a worthy choice to be a potential deputy to Fernandes in the short-term, before seeking to succeed him in that midfield role later down the line.
Looking very much like a young Fernandes on current evidence, it’s easy to see why the teenager is courting quite so much interest.
INEOS have already signed a "machine" who could end Sesko's Man Utd stay
Manchester United already have an elite-level prospect who could steal Benjamin Sesko’s starting role.
Doggett, who is a good chance of being in Australia’s Ashes squad, claimed six wickets to keep South Australia in the game
Tristan Lavalette29-Oct-2025Cameron Green, playing as a specialist batter, fell for a duck but Western Australia team-mate Cameron Bancroft issued a reminder of his indefatigable approach at the top of the order with a determined century at the WACA.Bancroft’s 122 off 255 balls guided WA into a position of strength against South Australia on day two despite the stirring efforts of spearhead Brendan Doggett who finished with 6 for 48 from 21.2 overs.Related
'I'll be ready' – Doggett waits on an Ashes call after six wickets on Shield return
Australia's top order: What are the selectors' options?
Webster falls cheaply as Perry takes five
Smith puts England on notice with sparkling Gabba knock
Doggett is pushing to be a fast-bowling reserve for the Ashes having been part of the World Test Championship squad earlier this year and originally due to tour West Indies before injury struck.”There has been a little bit of noise, but trying not to think about it,” Doggett said about his potential Ashes chances. “I just want to keep playing for South Australia and keep putting good performances together. I think that’s all I can control at the moment.”After missing the India ODIs due to side soreness, Green had a starring role in the field on day one as he eyes making a bowling return in WA’s next Shield match against Queensland starting on November 11.But Green, batting at his preferred No. 4, lasted just six deliveries after whacking Doggett straight to mid-off. It was left to Bancroft to anchor the innings and he returned to form with steely defence mixed with classical drives.A slow start to the season has seen him slip outside of the Ashes selection mix on the back of making just 344 runs at 26.46 last season compared to an average of 48.37 across WA’s hat-trick of titles.Cameron Green fell for a duck as he builds towards the Ashes•Getty Images
“I’ve had my time at that level, feel really grateful. If an opportunity came to play for Australia, that’s great, but certainly not feverish about it,” said Bancroft, who played the last of his 10 Tests during the 2019 Ashes.After dominating the opening day, WA resumed on 87 for 0 with Bancroft and skipper Sam Whiteman having to contend with far more disciplined bowling from South Australia’s quicks.In his return from a hamstring injury, Doggett had been sluggish late on the opening day but found his rhythm from the get go amid overcast morning conditions. Doggett had Whiteman edging to second slip to break the 93-run opening stand and immediately caused Hilton Cartwright problems by pitching up and targeting the pads.Cartwright was made to dig in as he shifted up the order from his customary No. 4 spot due to Green’s return. With the surface flattening out after notable sharp bounce and carry on the opening day, Bancroft and Cartwright started to take the game away from South Australia as they built a half-century partnership and batted into the second session.Cameron Bancroft drives during his century•Getty Images
With South Australia needing a spark, it was up to Doggett to bend his back and he did exactly that after lunch with a stirring spell that accounted for Cartwright and Green in consecutive overs.But South Australia’s momentum was halted by Cooper Connolly, playing his first Shield match of the season having recently impressed in the India ODI series. Connolly has already proven he’s a three-format player in his fledgling career and seemed set to add a sixth half-century in eight Shield innings as he scored at a run-a-ball pace.Connolly was particularly aggressive against offspinner Ben Manenti and the approach rubbed off on Bancroft with the pair trading sixes as WA powered past South Australia’s first innings total of 215.But Connolly’s cavalier knock ended on 33 when he whacked Nathan McSweeney to extra cover before rain halted play for an hour. On resumption, McSweeney unexpectedly turned the game briefly with the further scalps of Bancroft and Aaron Hardie, who threw away his wicket after miscuing a reverse sweep.WA did finish with a 92-run first innings lead but were unable to make a breakthrough before stumps were called early due to bad light.