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Former England fast bowler is currently club president at Gloucestershire

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2024

David “Syd” Lawrence, the former Gloucestershire and England fast bowler, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).A powerfully built fast bowler, Lawrence played five Tests for England as well as making 280 appearances for Gloucestershire, during which he took 625 wickets for the club. In 2022, he became Gloucestershire’s first black president.His diagnosis, announced by the club on Friday, makes him the latest in a line of sportspeople affected by MND, closely following the death of former rugby league player Rob Burrow from the disease earlier this month.Will Brown, Gloucestershire’s outgoing chief executive, said: “Everyone at the club is devastated to hear of the news from David Lawrence and his MND diagnosis.”David is an icon of the game, a club legend and a trailblazer as the first British-born Black player to play for England. More than that he is the best of people, kind, loving, considerate and an inspiration to all of us here at Gloucestershire.”Working with him since he has been club president has been both an awesome and humbling experience – he has opened doors we didn’t even know were there, helped us learn and become a friend to so many of us. That friendship is a very special thing and one I know we all cherish.”I know I speak for everyone associated with the club in sending all our love to David, Gaynor [Lawrence’s wife] and all of their family and friends.”Lawrence played five Tests and one ODI for England between 1988 and 1992, but suffered what was effectively a career-ending injury aged 28 when he fractured his kneecap as he ran in to bowl against New Zealand in Wellington.He attempted a comeback five years later, playing four first-class games for Gloucestershire before retiring, but he continued to stay fit and took up competitive bodybuilding in later life.In 2021, he spoke about his experience of racism at Gloucestershire, for which the club offered an unreserved apology. He has since been involved with delivering the African-Caribbean Engagement Programme in Bristol.Ian Thomas, managing director of member services at the Professional Cricketers’ Association, said: “The PCA is in deep shock at the tragic news David Lawrence has recently received. David has been an inspiration throughout his cricket and post-cricket career and we have no doubt he will continue to fight and show his determination to fight MND.”The PCA and the Professional Cricketers’ Trust, the players’ charity, will be here for David and importantly, his family, offering the best possible support.”

Glasgow Rangers need a huge summer to ensure that they can bounce back and be competitive in Scotland in the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

There is no way to describe their current domestic campaign as anything other than disappointing, as they are on course to end the year without any trophies to show for their efforts.

The board made the decision to part ways with Philippe Clement and replaced him with the interim appointment of Barry Ferguson until the end of the season.

Rangers have lost two of their last four Scottish Premiership matches under the former Scotland international, who has not done much to suggest that he deserves the job on a permanent basis – beyond beating Fenerbahce on penalties after a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox.

A deal with US investors Andrew Cavenagh and San Francisco 49ers Paraag Marathe has reportedly been agreed in principle ahead of a takeover this summer, which means that there could be plenty of change on and off the pitch ahead of next season.

There could be turnover in the playing staff, as Rangers look to build a team that can compete for the title, but one player who should remain at Ibrox is central midfielder Nicolas Raskin.

Why Rangers must keep hold of Nicolas Raskin

TEAMtalk reported earlier this year that several teams are keeping tabs on the Belgium international ahead of the summer transfer window, having been impressed by his form this season.

The outlet claimed that English sides Aston Villa, who are in the Champions League this term, and Leeds United are both keen on the former Standard Liege star, who is said to be valued at £20m by the Gers.

When the takeover is finalised, Rangers must do everything in their power to fend off interest from down south to convince the Belgian dynamo to remain at Ibrox, because he is a key player for the team moving forward.

Raskin has delivered consistently impressive performances in the middle of the park as a box-to-box midfield player, starring for both Clement and Ferguson in the Premiership this term.

As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old star, who was signed by Michael Beale at the start of 2023, has been a defensive monster for the Gers, winning the majority of his duels and almost making four tackles and interceptions per game.

The Belgian talent has also provided quality in possession, assisting six goals, and been a metronomic figure on the ball with his high pass success rate.

Despite all of this, Raskin is not one of the very top earners at Rangers in the 2024/25 campaign, placing tenth on the wage bill at £19k-per-week.

The top ten earners at Rangers

The former Pro League starlet only just makes the top ten, earning £2k less per week than Ianis Hagi in ninth and £11k less per week than captain James Tavernier at the top of the wage bill.

This is despite Raskin being more integral to the Rangers team in the Premiership than many of the players who currently earn more than him at Ibrox.

As you can see in the table above, only three of the nine players above Raskin on the wage bill have started more games than him in the Premiership – one being a goalkeeper, one being the captain, and the other being a loanee.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

The new ownership should look to ruthlessly ditch some of the duds who are among the top earners at the club despite not contributing much on the pitch, and that is why Rangers must move on from Danilo this summer.

Why Rangers should sell Danilo

The Light Blues swooped to sign the Brazilian forward from Feyenoord in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £6m in an attempt to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

To date, Danilo has racked up 12 goals and nine assists in 42 matches in all competitions, which is far from a horrendous return in front of goal, but he has failed to establish himself as a regular starter at Ibrox.

Part of that has been down to his consistent injury issues. The 26-year-old forward has missed a staggering 53 matches through injury since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

This has hampered his Rangers career so far and played a part in him only starting 11 games in the Premiership during his time at Ibrox, which suggests that the club have not got value for money out of the £6m they paid for his services, as well as his reported £26k-per-week.

His lack of minutes, and contributions, on the pitch in almost two years in Glasgow has led to his market value plummeting by millions over the past 18 months or so.

As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian centre-forward is currently worth £2.6m less than the £6m fee that the Gers paid Feyenoord for him back in the summer of 2023.

He is a depreciating asset who is not offering much in return on the pitch for the wages that he is earning at Ibrox, which is why the club must ruthlessly ditch him from the squad in the summer transfer window.

Ferguson must finally drop Rangers flop who was worse than Diomande

Rangers must finally drop the flop who was even worse than Mohamed Diomande.

1

By
Dan Emery

Apr 6, 2025

The Light Blues must explore their options to see if there is any interest in him in an attempt to recoup some of the money that has been drained by the former Ajax starlet.

A dramatic game came down to the final ball, with South Africa’s captain taking on India’s key death bowler, and there could be only one winner

Srinidhi Ramanujam20-Jun-2024Imagine being in Laura Wolvaardt’s place.Wednesday night. Bengaluru. A young captain, she had been on the field for more than seven hours – first marshalling her troops on a sunny afternoon and then getting all the gear on and batting through the chase of 326.After 99 overs on the field, the job – her job – was not done yet. It looked like it would be, though.South Africa needed 11 runs to pull off the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs and stay alive in the three-match series against India. The memories of the landmark Potchefstroom game, where she made 184 not out and yet ended up losing after a Chamari Athapaththu epic, must have been fresh in the mind. But, in Bengaluru, she was all set to rewrite the record books. She was on the cusp of something special.Related

• Despite defeat, Kapp focuses on learnings with ODI World Cup in India next year

• Stats – Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Wolvaardt, Kapp combine to break ODI records

• Mandhana and Harmanpreet top Wolvaardt and Kapp in landmark 646-run contest

• Arundhati Reddy 2.0 – stronger, calmer, ready for all formats

It had looked improbable at the halfway stage with South Africa at 120 for 3. But Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp took the game deep, both scoring centuries.Coming into the final over, Wolvaardt was on 134 off 133 balls – after scoring 46 off her first 66 deliveries. Kapp was gone, for a 94-ball 114. They had brought the team here from 67 for 3 in the 15th over. It was 315 for 4 with one over to go. Wolvaardt had to finish the game.And she might have, too…The final over from Pooja Vastrakar, India’s key death bowler, captured the seesawing emotions of one of the most dramatic women’s ODIs.Vastrakar, who had conceded 15 runs in her previous over – the 48th – began with a juicy full toss. Wolvaardt would have and should have put that away for a boundary. All she could do was squeeze it out to deep midwicket for a single to give strike to Nadine de Klerk. At this stage, de Klerk had hit a six and a four in her 20-ball stay. She had done it before, including at the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last month, where she had blazed an unbeaten 106.Wolvaardt could trust her.Vastrakar bowled another full toss, and de Klerk backed away on the drive, and got a thick edge past the keeper. With short third inside the ring, the ball raced away to the boundary. The crowd was stunned into silence. It was still a thriller, but it wasn’t going the way of their team.South Africa were on top. But Vastrakar took pace off, bowled it full and outside off stump, and de Klerk fell into the trap. She couldn’t get the timing right and ended up dragging it straight down to long-on where Arundhati Reddy completed the catch.Twist in the tale. A dot too.Nondumiso Shangase was out there next. All she had to do was take a single and give the strike back to Wolvaardt for the last two balls. Dab and run. Vastrakar went with a back-of-the-hand slower ball, short and wide, and with no pace to work with, Shangase made contact high on the bat while looking for a cut shot and the ball looped straight to Harmanpreet Kaur at cover point.The previous wicket hadn’t done enough, but this did. Not because it was a wicket, but because it was a dot. The Bengaluru crowd now found its voice.Wolvaardt was still at the non-striker’s end. Stranded. Watching it go up in smoke.Laura Wolvaardt became the fourth batter to score a century in the game, but couldn’t take South Africa over the line•BCCIWolvaardt had to get on strike. She walked up to Meike de Ridder, the new batter, a debutant, and told her what she expected from her.In came another slower delivery. De Ridder was looking for a reverse lap but failed to connect. Wolvaardt had already started running. Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh took a bit of time to collect the ball and throw it at the striker’s end, and Wolvaardt had scrambled home by then.After 437 minutes of riveting battle, it all come down to this, the last ball. Vastrakar. Wolvaardt. Five (or six, really) for a win and four for a tie. Anything less wasn’t enough.Vastrakar ran in for one last time. Wolvaardt waited.Would it be the yorker that she had missed twice earlier in the over? Or one of the short balls Vastrakar bowls at the death? Or another slower one?It was a short-of-a-length slower, wide of off stump. Wolvaardt swung hard. She missed.A moment’s hush, and then the Chinnaswamy crowd and the Indian team erupted.Wolvaardt was distraught – from the moment she knew she had failed.Harmanpreet ran out of India’s huddle to shake her hand. Wolvaardt had now been on the wrong end of a brutal chase twice, first in Potchefstroom and now in Bengaluru.It was one of the greatest ODI games in recent times, with four extraordinary centuries and 646 runs. Smriti Mandhana picked up a wicket off her first over in ODIs. India posted their highest ODI total at home. There were many records. And that last over. And the last ball.But imagine being in Wolvaardt’s place. That would have been an emotional rollercoaster like no other.

Royal Challengers have now lost nine playoff matches, the joint-most in IPL history

Sampath Bandarupalli27-May-20224 Centuries for Jos Buttler in IPL 2022, the joint-most for any player in a T20 series or tournament. Virat Kohli also scored four centuries during the 2016 edition of the IPL.2 Players to score more runs in a T20 competition than Buttler’s 824 runs in this IPL season. (And he still has one more innings left) Kohli and David Warner scored 973 and 848 runs, respectively, in the 2016 IPL.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 Hundreds by Buttler in the IPL, including one in 2021. He is one of three players with five or more centuries in the IPL. Kohli also has five hundreds, while Chris Gayle tops the list with six.195 Runs scored by Buttler in the playoffs this season, a new IPL record, surpassing Warner’s tally of 190 in 2016. Rajat Patidar is third on the list with 170 runs across the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.Most hundreds in IPL•ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 Buttler’s hundred is only the second in an IPL playoff match, while chasing. Shane Watson scored an unbeaten 117 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 final. It is also only the sixth century recorded in an IPL playoff match and the first for Rajasthan Royals.8 Hundreds in IPL 2022, including the unbeaten 106 by Buttler on Friday. This is also a new tournament record, surpassing the seven that were made in 2016.ESPNcricinfo Ltd31 Sixes conceded by Mohammed Siraj, the most by a bowler in any edition of the IPL. Wanindu Hasaranga is second (30) on this list; both Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers going past Dwayne Bravo, who held the record previously with the 29 sixes conceded in 2018.10.07 Siraj’s economy rate this year is the worst for a bowler across IPL history (min 50 overs). Siraj is also only the third bowler to finish with an economy rate in excess of ten in any T20 tournament (Min: 300 balls).9 Playoff losses for Royal Challengers, the joint-most in the IPL. Chennai Super Kings have also lost nine playoff matches, although they played 11 more than the Bangalore franchise. Delhi Capitals have lost nine out of 11. Royal Challengers have lost 11 playoff matches in all T20s, also the joint-most defeats for a team.

Tottenham’s majority owner ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family Trust, has injected £100million of new capital into the club.

The announcement on Thursday morning is the latest statement of intent by the Lewis family Trust, which invited Daniel Levy to step down as chairman on September 4 in an effort to achieve more on-field success at Spurs.

Three expressions of interest in buying a stake in Premier League club Tottenham have been “unequivocally rejected” during the last month by the Lewis family Trust and further funds are available to help Thomas Frank, the PA news agency understands.

A source close to the family gave PA an exciting 5-word update that implies further investment is on the way.

They continued: “As the club’s management decides what’s needed to deliver success, more money will be available. The Lewis family is committed to backing the club to be successful.”

A statement on the official club website claimed “this equity injection will further strengthen the club’s financial position and equip the club’s leadership team with additional resources to continue the focus on driving long-term sporting success”.

New Spurs boss Frank has made a strong start to life in north London, winning six of his opening 11 matches in charge and guiding the club to third in the Premier League going into the October international break.

Peter Charrington, who was named non-executive chairman in the wake of Levy’s sudden departure, said: “As I stated a few weeks ago, our focus is on stability and empowering the management team to deliver on the club’s ambitions.

“I know the Lewis family are also ambitious for the future. Today’s capital commitment reflects that ambition and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support.

“We will continue to do all we can to ensure that Vinai (Venkatesham, CEO) and his team are supported in the best way possible to take this club forward.”

The ENIC plan that "weakened" Levy before he was "pushed" out of Tottenham

The Lilywhites chief announced his shock exit on Thursday.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 5, 2025

أكد نافع الرفاعي المتحدث الرسمي باسم الجيش الملكي المغربي، إن إدارة النادي اتخذت قرارًا بإيقاف الفئة التي أحدثت شغباً أمام الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وكان الأهلي قد تعادل مع نظيره فريق الجيش الملكي بهدف لكل منهما، في الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع.. محمد رمضان: كنت أريد أن أجعل من كهربا “عبرة”.. وثنائي الأهلي وقع على بياض

وقال الرفاعي في تصريحات على راديو ميجا إف إم: “الجيش الملكي يعاني من التحكيم هذا الموسم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وتعرضنا لظلم تحكيمي واضح أمام يانج أفريكانز التنزاني في الجولة الأولى”. 

وأضاف: “نتعجب من عدم تواجد تقنية الفيديو في دور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا، ونتمنى تطبيقها في المباريات المتبقية من دوري أبطال افريقيا”.

وتابع: “قدمنا اعتذارًا مباشراً إلى الأهلي عقب المباراة، وإدارة الاهلي تفهمت ذلك الأمر ونتمنى عدم تطبيق عقوبات ضد الجيش الملكي من كاف أو تكون عقوبات خفيفة”.

وواصل: “اتخذنا قرارا بمنع الجماهير التي أحدثت الشغب في مباراة الأهلي والجيش الملكي، ومنعهم من دخول المباريات، وهؤلاء دخلوا لمضايقة النادي الأهلي ولكن الأمور سارت على ما يرام”.

تحدث مدحت عبد الهادي، لاعب الزمالك السابق، عن رأيه في أداء الأبيض تحت قيادة أحمد عبد الرؤوف المدير الفني.

وقال مدحت عبد الهادي، عبر قناة “MBC مصر 2”: “أحمد عبد الرؤوف غير مقنع بالنسبة لي، والزمالك يحتاج إلى مدير فني أجنبي”.

طالع.. محامي رمضان صبحي: عقوبة إيقافه 4 سنوات من المحكمة الرياضية لن تخفض

وتابع: “عبد الرؤوف نجح في فترته المؤقتة، لكنه غير قادر على إدارة فريق كبير مثل الزمالك في بطولة إفريقيا والمباريات المقبلة لا نريد أن نظلم، لأن في النهاية المظلومين هم جماهير الزمالك”.

وأكمل: “أما عن إيقاف رمضان صبحي بسبب المنشطات، فقبل أن تكون هذه ثقافة اللاعب، يجب أن تكون ثقافة الجهاز الفني أو الطبي المسؤول عن اللاعبين، وبالأخص الطاقم الطبي بالكامل”.

وأتم: “الجهاز الطبي عليه وعي كبير جدًا بالنسبة للاعبين، فاللاعب ليس ملك نفسه”.

Newcastle United now hold strong interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has received high praise from England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Alan Shearer recently spoke about just how happy he is Anderson has been able to kick on since leaving his boyhood club due to PSR issues, saying: “It was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR.

“But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now [from getting in Newcastle’s midfield], I agree with that.”

With the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to choose from, Eddie Howe has some quality midfielders at his disposal, but it will no doubt be frustrating to have lost their academy graduate, who has since gone on to attract attention from a number of Premier League clubs.

The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the Whitley Bay-born midfielder, and reliable reporter John Percy has now dropped an update on his future at Forest…

Newcastle hold strong interest in signing Elliot Anderson

According to Percy, Newcastle now hold strong interest in signing Anderson, but would-be suitors will have to spend big to get a deal done, with the Tricky Trees looking to hold out for over £100m, including installments.

Sean Dyche’s side are unwilling to sanction a departure this winter under any circumstances, meaning a move will have to wait until next summer, at which point the central midfielder will be in high demand, with Man United also very keen.

The Telegraph report also relays comments from England boss Tuchel, who said: “Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,

“He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, that’s why he is with us and starting for us.

“He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent.”

The 23-year-old has emerged as an important player for the Three Lions as of late, recently putting in a solid display as Tuchel’s side cruised to a 2-0 victory against Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier.

As such, while it will sting to shell out around £100m for a former youth player, Newcastle should definitely pursue Anderson next summer, particularly considering there are now doubts over Joelinton’s future…

Newcastle hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns Newcastle now hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

The Magpies are looking to upgrade their midfield, as there are now doubts over the Brazil international.

1 ByDominic Lund Nov 5, 2025

Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce have made a significant amount of money in their respective careers—about $176 million combined in salary.

And yet! Even they couldn't help but gawk during Wednesday's episode of their podcast at the 15-year, $765 million contract the New York Mets handed to right fielder Juan Soto this past Sunday.

"Arguably the most ridiculous f—ing contract I've ever heard of in my life," Travis said.

Both Jason and Travis were shocked by the longevity and sheer size of the deal, with Jason calling it "a big gamble."

The ex-center then called on NFLPA to step up its game.

"The baseball union… I don't know how they've finagled this stuff, but wow. NFL union's gotta get their stuff together," Jason said.

The Kelce brothers have a number of baseball loyalties, having pledged allegiance at points to both their hometown Cleveland Guardians and their respective NFL teams' city-mates.

Soto's heroics against the Guardians didn't stop Travis from praising him, however.

"Congratulations, Juan Soto," Travis said. "That dude is a f—ing beast."

It was only the second time in Test cricket (since ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data is available) for a bowler to take three wickets in the opening over of an innings

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2025

Mitchell Starc came in red-hot with the pink-ball in the fourth innings of the Kingston Test between Australia and West Indies.Taking the new ball, he struck in the first ball of the innings, and then proceeded to take two more to leave West Indies 0 for 3 after six deliveries. It was only the second time (since ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data is available) of a bowler taking three wickets in the first over of an innings. This is how our ball-by-ball commentator described the spell of play.
caught behind first ball! 137kph, perfect length and line, angled into off, it nips away off the seam, John Campbell has to defend on the front foot, gets a thin nick as it veers off the seam and it’s a simple catch for Inglis.
139kph, bouncer way down the leg side. Athletic take from Inglis.
good length, angled way wide of off, 139kph, he leaves
good length, middle and off, he defends on the front foot
plumb lbw! No shot offered and it would have hit middle. Anderson walks. No he doesn’t. He reviews at Louis’ urging. He knows this is out. Full, swinging back into middle, he was early to leave thinking it would veer across and it swerved back into the front shin. Ball-tracking has it hitting the middle of middle. No idea why Mikyle Louis encouraged that review. That was ridiculous. Anderson knew the moment it hit him that the dismissal was plumb.
bowled him! Three in the over! 143kph, swinging back, inside edge onto leg stump! Another beauty right on the money. Perfect length, shaping back into off, he has to play and drives hard at a length that’s not full enough to drive, it swings back sharply, catches the inside edge and crashes into leg.