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The 2024/25 season has seen a number of clubs break long-standing trophy droughts. February saw Newcastle United end decades of waiting for a major trophy as they took home the EFL Cup at the expense of would-be Premier League champions Liverpool.

Their 2-1 win over the Reds brought an end to the longest trophy drought of any 2024/25 Premier League club, with the Toon’s previous triumph coming in 1969 when they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the predecessor to the UEFA Cup and Europa League.

Three months later, Crystal Palace created history by securing their first major trophy in the FA Cup final after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, who failed to win any major silverware in a season for the first time since 2016/17.

They join Premier League champions Liverpool as cup winners, with the Reds now having won a major trophy in five of the last seven seasons.

Meanwhile, Tottenham finally ended their wait for major silverware as they lifted the Europa League in May 2025, defeating Manchester United for their first trophy in 17 years.

Rank

Club

Last trophy

Year

Trophy drought

Southampton

FA Cup

1976

Wolves

League Cup

1980

Ipswich

UEFA Cup

1981

Nottingham Forest

League Cup

1990

Everton

FA Cup

1995

Aston Villa

League Cup

1996

Arsenal

FA Cup

2020

Leicester

FA Cup

2021

Chelsea

Club World Cup

2022

West Ham

Conference League

2023

Man City

Premier League

2024

Man Utd

FA Cup

2024

Newcastle

League Cup

2025

Liverpool

Premier League

2025

Crystal Palace

FA Cup

2025

Tottenham

Europa League

2025

Here, we take a deeper look at the longest trophy droughts among 2024/25 Premier League clubs. To qualify for this list, they must have won at least one major trophy, so no room for Community Shields or Intertoto Cups here.

16 Tottenham Hotspur 2024/25 Europa League winners

You can’t say we weren’t warned. Ange Postecoglou ALWAYS wins in his second season at a club – even Tottenham.

However, if their league form was anything to go by – Spurs went into their 2024/25 Europa League final in 17th place – you’d have thought there was no chance of the Lilywhites going all the way in Europe.

But after 17 years and several false dawns – particularly after the 2019 Champions League final defeat under Mauricio Pochettino – the Australian boss finally delivered a trophy to Spurs. Their long trophy drought is no more.

15 Crystal Palace 2024/25 FA Cup winners

Crystal Palace headed into the 2025 FA Cup final looking to win a major piece of silverware for the first time. It was their third FA Cup final since their first in 1990, and after successive defeats to Manchester United at the showpiece event, it was neighbours Manchester City who stood in their way this time around.

Despite being heavy underdogs, a brave, accomplished performance from Oliver Glasner’s side saw Eberechi Eze’s first-half strike prove to be the difference, with City culpable of fluffing huge chances, including a missed penalty from Omar Marmoush.

The result means Palace can join most of their Premier League rivals as trophy winners, and go for more glory next season in the 2025/26 Europa League.

14 Liverpool 2024/25 Premier League winners

While they haven’t officially got their hands on the trophy, Liverpool were confirmed as the new kings of England in April 2025 following a dominant campaign they never looked like slipping up in.

The previous few years have been incredibly kind to the Anfield faithful, winning a raft of honours under the leadership of Jürgen Klopp. A sixth European Cup was won in 2019 before the Reds finally ended a 30-year league title drought by claiming the Premier League.

Many felt Slot would have a difficult time of things during his maiden campaign on Merseyside, but the Dutchman has ushered the club into a new era easier than many anticipated.

13 Newcastle United 2024/25 EFL Cup winners

Eddie Howe truly earned his hero status on Tyneside by ending almost 60 years of hurt with victory in the 2025 EFL Cup final against Liverpool.

Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak handed glory to the Toon at Wembley, securing European football and potentially setting up a new era of challenging at the top end of the Premier League once again.

Now a force to be reckoned with, it would be a huge surprise if they take another 56 years to win another trophy.

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ByStephan Georgiou Feb 8, 2024 12 Manchester United 1 year (last trophy: 2023/24 FA Cup)

Manchester United may be going through their toughest period since Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge, but it hasn’t diminished their ability to win trophies.

The Premier League title has eluded the Red Devils since 2013, but the club have managed to win two League Cups, two FA Cups and a Europa League crown in the previous 11 years – but their defeat in the most recent Europa League final left them trophyless in 2024/25.

11 Manchester City 1 year (last trophy: 2023/24 Premier League)

Until their takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Manchester City had not won a major trophy since winning the League Cup during the 1975/76 season.

However, since 2008, the Etihad outfit have claimed eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups and a coveted Champions League title in 2023 as part of a historic treble.

Pep Guardiola has transformed the side into a winning machine, and despite enduring a poor season by their high standards, City will always be in the hunt for silverware.

However, their 2024/25 campaign came to a disastrous conclusion when they failed to take home any major trophy, with defeat in the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace rather summing up their season.

It marks their first trophyless campaign since Guardiola’s first in 2016/17, when they finished third and only made the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Nobody expects their ‘drought’ to last long, though it does leave the team in an incredibly unfamiliar position.

10 West Ham United 2 years (last trophy: 2023 Conference League)

Due to West Ham United winning the Conference League in 2023, their ‘drought’ is only a single year. David Moyes had led his club to the semi-finals of the Europa League a year prior, but they went one step further in Europe’s third-tier competition.

Can Graham Potter lead them back onto the continental stage? Only time will tell.

9 Chelsea 3 years (last trophy: 2021 Club World Cup)

Chelsea’s two-year trophy drought must feel like a lifetime for the supporters, especially due to the problems they have endured on the pitch since the start of the 2022/23 season.

Their last trophy came in February 2022, with the Blues taking part in a pandemic-delayed edition of the Club World Cup following their 2021 Champions League triumph.

Chelsea are now on their fourth permanent manager since August 2022, but signs do look positive that Enzo Maresca will eventually get the club back in the winner’s circle.

Much will depend on whether he is given the time required to build his team into one that can return to the Champions League. If so, the Stamford Bridge side could prove to be challengers at the top once again.

8 Leicester City 4 years (last trophy: 2021 FA Cup)

Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League title triumph in 2016 was their first major trophy since winning the League Cup in 2000.

Indeed, with the money involved in the game these days, the likelihood of a club like the Foxes claiming the Premier League title is as unrealistic as ever.

Five years after this triumph, the club won the FA Cup courtesy of a 1-0 win over Chelsea, winning the competition for the first time in their history after losing four finals on the spin.

7 Arsenal 5 years (last trophy: 2020 FA Cup)

For all that Mikel Arteta has done since taking over Arsenal at the end of 2019, the FA Cup won in August 2020 remains his only trophy.

The Gunners have made strides in the top flight, finishing second in the previous two seasons – the first time they have managed back-to-back top-two finishes for 20 years.

Liverpool ran away with the title this season, but the club appear to be on the right trajectory having qualified for the Champions League once again and been one match away from the final in 2024/25.

Wrexham are one of the most exciting clubs outside the Premier League as the League One side has plenty of ambition to surge up the English football pyramid.

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became the owners of the club back in February 2021, and the club have been on the ascendancy ever since.

The 2022/23 season saw them win the National League to finally escape the division, 15 years after slipping out of the Football League.

Last term, Wrexham made it back-to-back promotions as they finished second in League Two to secure their place in the third tier of the pyramid for the first time since 2004/05.

The onus is now on them to achieve promotion to the second tier – though this is unlikely to be the final aim, especially with the money that Reynolds and McElhenney have injected into the club.

With just a few months left of the campaign, Wrexham will need to be at their very best to secure either a first or second-place finish, thus making the move into the Championship.

Birmingham City have now been confirmed as champions, and Wycombe Wanderers are their main rivals for the final automatic promotion spot.

Will promotion be achieved this year, or will they require another year in League One? Here, we analyse the latest results and fixtures along with delving into whether they can achieve promotion this season.

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ByStephan Georgiou May 7, 2024 How League One works

There are 24 clubs in League One, with all teams playing each other twice for a total of 46 league matches across the campaign.

This is the same number of games as in League Two and the Championship, should they get that far – but there are some notable differences between the bottom two divisions of the EFL.

In League One, there are only two automatic promotion spots, compared to the three on offer in the division below.

Teams who finish between 3rd and 6th will qualify for the play-offs. There are also four relegation spots compared to two in League Two.

Last season, sixth-placed Barnsley earned 76 points to qualify for the play-offs, while Portsmouth and Derby County – who were promoted automatically to the Championship – both accrued over 90 points during the 2023/24 season.

At the other end of the table, Burton Albion survived with 46 points, just two more than relegated Cheltenham Town.

Can Wrexham get promoted from League One?

Wrexham will be making history if they secure promotion to the Championship, as three successive promotions has never happened at this level of English football.

Due to their financial backing, Wrexham were tipped as one of the favourites to secure a third promotion in a row before the season started.

The club started rather well in the third tier, taking 10 points from their first four matches, which included a win over promotion rivals Wycombe.

Now in the thick of the run-in, just a point separates Wrexham from the Chairboys, with automatic promotion in the Welsh side’s hands with four games remaining.

Elsewhere, Wrexham suffered penalty shootout heartbreak in the EFL Trophy, with a late Peterborough United comeback denying the Red Dragons a place in Wembley’s final.

The season is now at the business end, and every point counts. It appears that Wrexham or Wycombe will take the final automatic promotion place, though Charlton Athletic – who have to play both clubs before the end of the campaign – could yet have a say.

There is no doubt that Wrexham have acquitted themselves well in the third tier. The question now is whether they can make one more step on their journey to the Premier League.

Wrexham fixtures, results and standings

Rank

Team

P

GD

PTS

Birmingham City

40

+44

Wrexham

42

+27

Wycombe Wanderers

42

+30

Stockport County

41

+24

Charlton Athletic

41

+19

Reading

41

+8

Bolton Wanderers

41

+4

Huddersfield Town

41

+13

Leyton Orient

41

+16

Blackpool

41

+10

Via BBC Sport (last updated 12th April, 3pm)

As it stands, the table suggests the fight for promotion could go down to the wire – with the final round of matches taking place on Saturday 3rd May.

Birmingham City secured promotion and were confirmed as champions following Wrexham’s goalless draw at Wigan, but the Red Dragons are still in control of their destiny heading into the last four games.

Despite dropping points, Wrexham remain a point ahead of Wycombe, who grabbed a late winner to defeat Stevenage and heap the pressure on Phil Parkinson’s side.

Their final four opponents are mostly mid-table outfits, with their clash on the penultimate weekend against Charlton the trickiest on paper, particularly with the in-form Addicks harbouring promotion hopes of their own.

Date

Competition

Opposition

H/A

Kick-off (GMT)

Fri 18th Apr

League One

Bristol Rovers

H

3pm

Mon 21st Apr

League One

Blackpool

A

3pm

Sat 26th Apr

League One

Charlton

H

5.30pm

Sat 3rd May

League One

Lincoln

A

3pm

Via BBC Sport

Overall, Wrexham have been in solid form, losing just one of their last 10 matches and keeping eight clean sheets in that run. But with Wycombe breathing down their necks, they may need to win all four of their remaining fixtures to secure promotion to the Championship.

However, they may be encouraged by the Chairboys’ fixture list, with all of their remaining opponents inside the top nine ahead of kick-off on Saturday.

Date

Competition

Opposition

Result

Sat 12th Apr

League One

Wigan

D 0-0

Sat 5th Apr

League One

Burton Albion

W 3-0

Tue 1st Apr

League One

Cambridge

D 2-2

Sat 29th Mar

League One

Exeter

W 2-0

Sat 22nd Mar

League One

Stockport

W 1-0

Via BBC Sport

With just four games to go, it is all about getting over the line for Wrexham. With a point advantage, four wins will be enough to secure Championship football for next season, though one slip-up could let Wycombe in, particularly as the Chairboys have a better goal difference as it stands.

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ByCharlie Smith Dec 30, 2024

Liverpool are cruising to the Premier League title under Arne Slot and have now sent scouts to watch a clutch of potential summer targets, per reports.

Liverpool's summer activity begins to gain traction

The Reds have managed to put themselves in pole position to claim the Premier League, but what comes next after celebrating their second top-flight triumph of the modern era?

Slot appears on the surface as a man who won’t be keen for any complacency to creep in, though he has serious work to do regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s contract situations.

Taking internal matters to one side, Liverpool have Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman on their radar as experience on the flanks becomes a priority to bolster depth across the Reds’ front four positions.

Vasco Da Gama star Rayan Vitor could also be en route to Anfield. Nevertheless, his prospective arrival is likely to be categorised as a long-term commitment while he develops at his own pace.

Darwin Nunez could make way for a new centre-forward amid his frustrating campaign through the middle. Diogo Jota and Luiz Diaz have been ahead of the Uruguayan in the pecking order at times, which hasn’t exactly helped his case in trying to win over Slot.

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BySean Markus Clifford Apr 6, 2025

Exploring options to add extra firepower will stand Liverpool in good stead for next season. Salah’s uncertain situation may create a need for someone to fill his goalscoring boots, so it is only fair the champions in waiting do their due diligence on potential targets.

Now, Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on a quartet that could be on their way to Anfield after the Merseyside giants carried out a scouting mission.

Liverpool watch four Premier League stars, one scores under their nose

According to The Boot Room, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Liam Delap score for Ipswich Town against Wolverhampton Wanderers as the England Under-21 international netted under their nose in a 2-1 defeat for the Tractor Boys.

Intriguingly, the visiting side had Joao Gomes, Andre and Rayan Ait-Nouri under observation from the Reds. The latter doesn’t have a release clause in his contract at Molineux despite previous suggestions to the contrary.

Liverpool’s next five fixtures – Premier League

West Ham (H)

Anfield

Leicester City (A)

King Power Stadium

Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Anfield

Chelsea (A)

Stamford Bridge

Arsenal (H)

Anfield

Rated at £50 million in some quarters, Ipswich striker Delap has become a standout in the top-flight after putting forward a return of 12 goals and two assists in 30 appearances.

Ait-Nouri is a target who Liverpool have had eyes on for a while, and Andre has been scouted previously as the club weigh up midfield additions to elevate their exciting talent portfolio.

Heading into the window, it is interesting to see where Liverpool feel they can find value for money on the market. The Premier League is a difficult industry to get plates spinning in, though the fact they will head into 2025/26 as reigning champions bodes well for business.

Also: What is the most deliveries a batter has consumed in the nineties before going on to make a hundred in a Test?

Steven Lynch24-Dec-2024What is the most number of balls a batter has spent in the nineties before going on to make a hundred in a Test? And what’s the longest time someone has spent on 99 before reaching 100? asked Ben Cox from Australia
This is one of those questions that is difficult to answer definitively, because we lack ball-by-ball data for a lot of early matches – and the increased rates of scoring these days means, according to the Australian statistician Charles Davis, that records for slow scoring are more likely to be incomplete as they are more likely to involve the older matches for which we don’t have full details.Given that, the longest spell known for a batter in the nineties is 75 balls, by the England opener Cyril Washbrook, in the third Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge in 1950. Remarkably enough, Washbrook is also in third place on this list, as he’d warmed up in the previous Test at Lord’s by spending 68 balls in the nineties. Charles warns: “For him the number of balls could be plus or minus two or three owing to unmarked leg-byes in the scorebook.”In between comes Jack Hobbs, with 72 balls in the nineties for England against Australia at Lord’s in 1926. Another England player, Michael Vaughan, spent 68 balls in the nineties against Sri Lanka in Kandy in 2003. The leading non-Englishman is Bruce Mitchell, with 67 balls in the nineties against England in Cape Town in 1949.In Kandy, Vaughan spent 87 minutes in the nineties, a time that looks to have been exceeded only by Saqlain Mushtaq, who was in the nineties for around 98 minutes (66 balls, including 17 on 99) while approaching his only Test century, against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2001.When Glenn Turner reached the first of his twin centuries for New Zealand against Australia in Christchurch in 1974, he spent only 43 balls in the nineties, but a record 36 of them came while he was on 99. England’s Derek Randall was stuck on 99 for 28 balls against New Zealand in Wellington in 1984. The New Zealand opener John Wright spent 17 balls on 99 against England in Christchurch in January 1992, being stumped off the last of them and not reaching his century.At the other end of the scale, Ben Stokes uniquely spent just one ball in the nineties against Australia at Lord’s in 2023, going from 88 to 100 with successive sixes off Cameron Green.R Ashwin not only took 537 wickets in Tests but also scored six centuries. Who’s the next-highest wicket-taker with six hundreds under his belt? asked Gawtham Patel from India
You’re right that R Ashwin finished his Test career with 537 wickets and six centuries (and a total of 3503 runs). Another Indian, Kapil Dev, finished with 434 wickets and eight hundreds in Tests, while Ian Botham ended up with 383 wickets and 14 centuries.In all, eight men who scored six or more Test hundreds also reached 200 wickets. The figures of Jacques Kallis are pretty remarkable – 292 wickets and 13,289 runs, with no fewer than 45 centuries!Yashasvi Jaiswal has reached 100 four times in Tests now, and gone on to 150 each time. Is this a record? asked Nikhil Shrestha from India
You’re right that Yashasvi Jaiswal has converted all four of his Test centuries to date to 150s: he started with 171 on his debut, against West Indies in Dominica in 2023, and has added 209 against England in Visakhapatnam in 2024, an undefeated 214 in the next match in Rajkot, and 161 in the first Test of the current series against Australia in Perth.The only other man to do this was another left-hand opener, South Africa’s Graeme Smith. His first four Test centuries were 200 against Bangladesh in East London in 2002, followed by 151 against Pakistan in Cape Town in 2003, and innings of 277 at Edgbaston and 259 at Lord’s in the first two Tests against England in the summer of 2003. Smith’s run was broken when he was out for 132 against West Indies in Johannesburg in 2003: Jaiswal’s run is still ongoing.Graeme Smith converted his first four Test hundreds into 150s, three of which were double-hundreds•Getty ImagesHas anyone younger than Sam Konstas opened the batting for Australia in a Test? asked Davey Moore from Australia
If he makes his Test debut for Australia against India in Melbourne on Boxing Day, the precocious New South Wales batter Sam Konstas will be 19 years 85 days old. There have been only three younger Australian Test players: Ian Craig (17 in 1953), the current captain Pat Cummins (18 in 2011), and Tom Garrett (18 in the first Test of all, in 1877). But none of them opened the batting as teenagers: at the moment the youngest man to go in first for Australia remains Archie Jackson, against England in Adelaide in 1929 – and he marked his Test debut with a memorable 164. So if Konstas plays – and opens – in Melbourne, he will indeed be the youngest to do so for Australia.Overall, he is quite a way down the list. The youngest man to go in first in a Test match is Mohammad Ashraful of Bangladesh, who was 17 years 188 days old when he opened in the second innings against Pakistan in Dhaka in 2002. Four other 17-year-olds have opened in Tests: Vijay Mehra and Parthiv Patel for India, Hanif Mohammad for Pakistan, and Ibrahim Zadran for Afghanistan.How many people have been out for 99 in their first Test? And anyone in their last? asked Andrew Lucas from England
Only three men have been out for 99 on their Test debut. The first was Arthur Chipperfield, for Australia against England at Trent Bridge in 1934, and he was followed by Robert Christiani of West Indies, also against England, in Bridgetown in 1948. The most recent case was by Asim Kamal, for Pakistan against South Africa in Lahore in 2003. Chipperfield and Christiani did later reach three figures in a Test, but the unfortunate Asim never did.Only one woman has fallen for 99 on her Test debut: Jess Jonassen, for Australia against England in Canterbury in 2015.The only man to be out for 99 in his final Test was the South African Bruce Mitchell, against England in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in March 1949. Alyssa Healy was out for 99 in her most recent Test, for Australia against South Africa in Perth in February 2024, but she will presumably play again.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

The pitches there are more sporting than the slow, low ones in Dhaka, and could assist their World Cup prep

Mohammad Isam25-Mar-2023With the ODI World Cup set to be played in India later this year, Bangladesh have moved away from the slow, low pitches in Dhaka to the more sporting ones in Sylhet and Chattogram to prepare for the tournament. After completing the 2-0 ODI series win against Ireland in Sylhet, the first white-ball matches in the city in three years, the T20I series will be played in Chattogram, where Bangladesh have already played an ODI and T20I against England earlier this month.Sylhet and Chattogram are known for offering the best batting conditions in a country which has the lowest scoring rate in T20Is in the last four years. The ODI scoring rate in Bangladesh during the same period is also in the bottom half among countries that have hosted at least 40 innings.This is largely down to the pitches at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, which aren’t usually friendly for batting or pace bowling. The BCB treats this venue as their fortress and only spinners have thrived here, particularly in the last seven years.The pitches in Chattogram, though, have provided relief to the batters and aided strokeplay. As for Sylhet, it has offered pace and bounce, assisting both the fast bowlers and batters. In fact, the Bangladesh team got almost everything they wanted from the Sylhet conditions over the past week.Their 349 for 6 and 338 for 8 in the first two ODIs are now their highest totals in the format. Bangladesh put up such big totals, despite the ball moving and bouncing considerably during the first powerplay in both games. After seeing off the early movement and bounce, the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy cashed in with quickfire knocks and big partnerships.Related

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Captain Tamim Iqbal has said that Bangladesh were willing to risk giving a bit of familiarity to the Ireland bowlers in return for the opportunity to keep playing on sporting pitches. He also said that they are trying to stick to this plan, with preparation for the ODI World Cup in India being their top priority.”I said during the England series that we will play on these wickets in the near future,” Tamim said. “That one ODI in Chattogram was a step. There was a good amount of live grass on this wicket. Normally we don’t play a lot on grassy wickets. But since there’s a World Cup and series in other conditions later this year, we decided to play on this type of wicket. Bear in mind that it also becomes an even contest at home on these wickets. The opposition’s pace attack is familiar with such conditions. But we took on the challenge, and the players reacted exceptionally well.”Bangladesh’s fast bowlers have also impressed on these pitches. They picked up 16 of the 20 wickets that fell in the two completed matches. Their average of 10.93 is their best as a collective in home conditions.Allan Donald, Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach, was particularly delighted with the pitches in Sylhet and said it even reminded him of the ones in South Africa.”The curator here has produced a belter of a wicket,” he said. “It is a wicket that has more pace and bounce. Good consistent carry. It brings the quicks right in it. Batters have been piling on the runs as well. The pitches here are a great preparation for [three ODIs against Ireland in] Chelmsford in May.”There we will get the same type of wickets where the ball will come on. It won’t spin much. It is awesome preparation for the next series where there’s points at stake. For me it is almost like a South African type of surface, where it comes on. It slides on even better at night when there’s dew around. It quickens up. It allows for good strokeplay. If you get in here, you have to fill your boots”Allan Donald backs the Bangladesh players to develop their games in Sylhet•AFP/Getty ImagesDonald also explained further as to why Bangladesh need to play more regularly in Sylhet. He reckoned that the pitches in India may not offer a lot of help to the spinners, something he experienced during the last 50-over World Cup in the country in 2011. Donald was New Zealand’s fast-bowling coach at the time.”I have been to the 2011 World Cup in India,” Donald said. “I can tell you not many wickets in the World Cup spun. So we need to play on wickets like [Sylhet], so that you don’t have to change the mindset and mentality. The wickets [in India] will be like here. They are all very good pitches made for high scores.”From here to Chelmsford to [the home series against] Afghanistan and New Zealand, and then the Asia Cup. The wickets in Pakistan will be absolutely gun, so we know our approach. It is going to be fine margins in the World Cup”Playing on turners in Dhaka will not be ideal preparation for the World Cup in India. It wasn’t in 2021 when they beat Australia and New Zealand at home, 4-1 and 3-2, but went to the T20 World Cup that followed and lost all the Super 12s matches in the UAE.Bangladesh’s obsession with the Shere Bangla National Stadium is not new. It has always come at a price. Bangladesh’s struggles with the bat since 2016, at home and abroad, has a lot to do with the volume of cricket they play in Dhaka. It not only hosts most of Bangladesh’s home international matches, but also most of the BPL matches.A move from Dhaka to Sylhet and Chattogram makes sense, at least for 2023. Bangladesh will host Ireland for the one-off Test in Dhaka, but later in the year and before the World Cup in October, they will also host Afghanistan (in June and July) and New Zealand (in September).Most of these are white-ball fixtures, so Sylhet and Chattogram will be in the mix once again. The two grounds are relatively unused at other times, while the Shere Bangla National Stadium hosts plenty of domestic one-day matches. Playing on overused pitches isn’t advisable, especially in the lead-up to a World Cup, so Bangladesh need to make smart choices.

Alex Carey also remains in Australia’s Test plans, while Matthew Wade may yet play the T20 World Cup

Andrew McGlashan23-Apr-2021Earn promotion

This was the over-riding message, especially when it comes to the Test batting line-up. Standout candidates are not obvious for a couple of positions, so the race will be on ahead of the Ashes next season. That means there are vacancies yet for an opening partner for David Warner – although you could argue that despite another injury, Will Pucovski couldn’t have done much more to be first-choice opener – and the No. 5 spot while assuming Cameron Green has locked himself in at No. 6, which him being given a contract suggests.Travis Head can probably feel a little hard done by despite being dropped against India. He had been in the squad for the originally scheduled South Africa tour although he wasn’t a certainty to make the XI, and scored 893 Shield runs for South Australia. But the move to clearly say batting positions are open should give the start of next season an edge.Related

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Matthew Wade and Joe Burns see Test hope fade
Wade made an irresistible case for a Test recall – which came for the 2019 Ashes – but did not make an irresistible case to be retained. In the two Australia seasons prior to his return, he averaged 52.34 with part of that coming when the Test side was shorn of Warner and Steven Smith. There was a school of thought that the recall could have come earlier. And when it did, he made two centuries against England and has played every Test since, but an overall return of 31.60 – with just one other score over fifty – was not enough. The writing was on the wall when he was left out of the squad for the postponed South Africa tour, with a loss of contract confirming the slide.And although Burns is two years younger than Wade but will need a very big start to the next season to push himself back into the frame, especially if Pucovski’s recovery goes to plan. However, as he showed with his brilliant 171 against Tasmania, at his best he remains a very fine opening batter.Matthew Wade captained Australia in a T20I during the 2020-21 home season•Getty ImagesAustralia will need far more than 17 players
Despite not being on today’s list, Wade is among a number of players who we are still very likely to see in Australia squads over the coming months. Touring parties are going to need to remain large due to Covid-19 restrictions and along with Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, Wade is an incumbent in the T20I side where he has been vice-captain – and briefly captain – in Pat Cummins’ absence.All three stand a very good chance of being in the squad for the West Indies tour in July. There could also be plenty of others: the likes of Josh Philippe, Daniel Sams and Riley Meredith, who were all in New Zealand, will be pushing for T20I spots even when the first-choice players who missed that trip are available.Rotation back on the agenda
Australia fielded the same bowling attack throughout the four Tests against India and although the loads were relatively light in the first two games, by the end of the Gabba Test, there were some tired bodies. With six Tests likely in less than two months next season – one against Afghanistan and five against England – chief selector Trevor Hohns suggested another look at workload.”That comes back to the management of our fast bowlers and we’ve seriously got to have a look at it,” he said. “Sure, they may feel okay in themselves but we’ve really got to monitor that a little bit harder I think.”Mitchell Swepson has made a strong case for a chance at Test cricket•Getty ImagesOn the fringe
Two players who featured in the recent Sheffield Shield final will wonder what next season holds. Michael Neser and Mitchell Swepson were always unlikely to gain central contracts, but they have certainly made strong cases for a chance at Test cricket. Neser has been an ever-present in Test squads over the last two years, while Swepson has just completed the season of his life. Hohns indicated that James Pattinson remains the next in line of the quicks – so Neser may need a couple of players to make way, especially if and when they are rested or rotated – but he had a strong endorsement of Swepson.”He can certainly challenge Nathan [Lyon], whether he’ll ever take his place while Nathan is fit who knows,” Hohns exclaimed. “Mitch is going very nicely and it’s quite exciting to see a legspinner emerge and someone with the talent Mitch has, I can certainly see a bright future for him. He’s still only 27, and as far as a spin bowler goes, is coming into his best years.”Alex Carey’s standing
Carey is only in possession of a place in one of the three formats for Australia – the ODI side – but retains a contract. He lost his spot in the T20I side to Wade against England last year and wasn’t able to reclaim it against India. Carey then missed out on the New Zealand tour after being included in the Test squad for South Africa.That latter position confirmed he is next-in-line behind Tim Paine, but it is an interesting year coming up for Carey if, in 12 months’ time, Paine will have brought the curtain down on his career. No doubt he will be eager to get back into the mix for the T20 World Cup, but it could work in his favour if he stays out of the set-up because it would allow him a run of Sheffield Shield cricket early next season. Watch out for Josh Inglis coming up on the inside as well.

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Seleção brasileira se prepara para os amistosos internacionais, contra Inglaterra e Espanha, respectivamente. O primeiro confronto acontecerá no estádio de Wembley, em Londres, na Inglaterra, no sábado (23), às 16h (Brasília). O segundo, por sua vez, será realizado no estádio Santiago Bernabéu, em Madrid, na Espanha, terça-feira (26), às 17h30 (Brasília).

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The Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres kicked off a weekend series at Petco Park on Friday.

With one out in the bottom of the 5th inning, Trenton Brooks hit a ball off the wall in right field. Right fielder Adolis Garcia fielded the ball off one bounce and made a good throw to second base, but Brooks beat the tag of Corey Seager.

Then he popped up.

The Rangers challenged the play and it was confirmed that Seager had kept the tag on him as he levitated above the bag. It almost doesn't seem fair when you consider middle infielders are allowed the latitude of the "neighborhood play," an unwritten rule widely accepted to the point where MLB.com has a page defining it.

This is the second time this happened this season. In April a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers ended when Wyatt Langford stole second, but was called out because he popped off the bag.

Sunderland fans will be hurriedly counting down the days now until their beloved Black Cats do battle again in the Premier League.

In an ideal reality, those of a Wearside persuasion love to have seen their high-flying team continue to play during the international break, instead of having to take an enforced pause.

Indeed, Regis Le Bris’ men find themselves in an uncharted fourth position in the Premier League table at the time of writing, which is some feat, considering the Frenchman has only just guided the Black Cats back up to the big time.

A huge part of their whirlwind success story so far has been Granit Xhaka, who is already being viewed as one of Sunderland’s most cherished figures of recent years.

How Xhaka compares to other Sunderland captains

Before delving deeper into Xhaka becoming an instant fan favourite at the Stadium of Light, he isn’t the only notable recent captain who plied his trade on Wearside.

Just last season, Luke O’Nien would bravely battle for the Black Cats all campaign long, donning the armband, with Sunderland’s former number one goalkeeper in Anthony Patterson, even going out of his way to hail him as a “leader.”

With three goals and 16 clean sheets under his belt, it’s clear why he was described in such glowing terms, with O’Nien arguably as important to his side’s promotion efforts, as Xhaka has proven to be in punching above their weight in the league above.

Other notable faces who have been given the weighty pressure of the Black Cats armband in recent years include John O’Shea, who made 256 appearances for the Wearside outfit, all of which came in the Premier League.

Of course, there was also the no-nonsense approach of Lee Cattermole, but not even his full-bloodedness for the cause, nor his six-goal contributions in the big time, could keep Sunderland from eventually slipping down to League One.

This is where Sunderland has undoubtedly hit the jackpot with Xhaka, with his £13m arrival through the door in the summer raising the standards of everyone around him, so much so that relegation already feels very unlikely.

The Swiss has also singlehandedly been a force to get Sunderland over the line in tense matches, too, with a goal fiercely put away against Everton at the start of November, securing a 1-1 draw, which was also collected off the back of the ex-Arsenal warrior, winning five duels to keep the Toffees at bay.

The concern will be that Xhaka, despite looking like a fine wine now, is 33 years of age, meaning he won’t be a long-term captain option.

Thankfully, Le Bris may already have a future captain on his hands.

Sunderland's future captain

While the majority of the talk so far this season has centred on the number of brand-new signings that have made the step-up to the Premier League look effortless, Le Bris should also be commended for what he’s managed to get out of stars who have been there since the club’s Championship days.

Wilson Isidor is already up to four Premier League goals after bagging 13 in the second tier last season. Moreover, Daniel Ballard has looked formidable in the heart of Le Bris’ defence when handed opportunities to shine, having been noted as a “diamond” for how much he puts his body on the line, early into his Sunderland career by his former Stadium of Light boss in Tony Mowbray.

In the here and now, much like Xhaka, he has become a dependable warrior for Le Bris to trust in, with the Northern Ireland international firing home that effort past David Raya last time out in league action to hand the hosts a shock one-goal advantage over top-of-the-table Arsenal.

His underlying numbers aren’t that far off the 33-year-old’s either, with his similar fight and passion, as Sunderland try to gain as many early-season victories as possible, standing him in good stead to succeed the midfield veteran as the Black Cats’ next dominant and assured captain.

Ballard vs Xhaka in 2025/26

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

Ballard

Xhaka

Games played

9

11

Goals scored

2

1

Assists

0

3

Touches*

42.2

70.4

Accurate passes*

24.3 (83%)

44.9 (83%)

Clearances*

6.6

3.8

Total duels won*

6.6

6.1

Stats by Sofascore

Amazingly, despite starting just six Premier League games this season, owing to injury problems popping up, Ballard has trumped Xhaka notably in terms of duels won per match, with a mighty six won just against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

He isn’t a million miles away in other areas, either, with Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley highlighting Ballard’s sharp rise to become a Premier League-calibre defender as “phenomenal”.

For the time being, the Black Cats will continue to rely on the experience and know-how of their Basel-born midfielder.

Still, the commanding number five is definitely a worthy heir to Xhaka’s intimidating throne.

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Nov 10, 2025

Rumoured Celtic manager target Craig Bellamy has shared praise for one Hoops player who has impressed under Martin O’Neill.

Celtic linked with shock Bellamy move

The Hoops are yet to appoint Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor, with O’Neill steadying the ship with wins over Falkirk and Rangers.

The Irishman booked Celtic’s place in the Scottish League Cup final at the weekend and there have been class he could stay on until the end of the current campaign due to his relationship with Dermot Desmond.

Wales boss Bellamy has been one of numerous managers linked with the full-time vacancy, though, with those at Parkhead even weighing up contact at the end of October.

Celtic can make Tierney completely unplayable by hiring 4-2-3-1 manager

Bellamy has even spoken out on the rumours of a move to Glasgow, saying: “It’s not on my radar – and it won’t be on my radar. I can understand the links because I played there, [now] I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the links.

“But to me, I love what I’m doing at this present moment. I have to be honest, I’m completely focused on what’s to come. It looks it’s going to be a play-off in March, we know that and to me, that’s all I’m focused on and I know it’s a little bit cliched, but it’s the honest truth.

“I couldn’t want for anything more than what I have at this present moment and that’s where it lies with me.”

Bellamy shares praise for Celtic teenager Callum Osmand

Bellamy also expressed his disappointment that he could not consider Celtic teenager Callum Osmand for Wales selection after a change in the rules around the eligibility of players from the Channel Islands.

Jersey-born forward Osmand was capped by Wales at Under-16 and Under-17 level when players from the Channel Islands were able to represent any of the four Home Nations.

But a change in the rules means players from the Channel Islands – British Crown Dependencies who are not full FIFA or UEFA members – are now only eligible to play for England, and Osmand’s Wales career is at an end as he has no Welsh heritage.

Osmand made a dramatic impact since Celtic interim managers O’Neill and Shaun Maloney came in.

He made his senior debut in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Falkirk and netted his first goal for the club in Sunday’s 3-1 Hampden victory over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final. The 19-year-old has even been added to Celtic’s Europa League squad.