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The squad features the return of Pulisic, Tim Weah and Sergino Dest, but doesn't include McKennie, Yunas Musah or Matt Turner

Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the future.

After announcing the USMNT's September squad on Tuesday, the manager fielded questions from reporters. Does he already have the spine of a squad in his head for October and November?

"Yes," the USMNT manager answered bluntly, before explaining the planning process. In his head, he has most of this mapped out. There are 60 to 65 players in his database right now. That number will start to shrink after this month. Which means that September is one last chance to give players a look, for those on the outside to show why they should be in.

As a result, U.S. Soccer unveiled a squad for upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan that, in many ways, came with more questions than answers – just 10 months ahead from the 2026 World Cup.

"Now is the time to have different players because we are not going to have the time to be together too much, or train too much," Pochettino said. "We're here to prepare for two games and play. We'll see how they really deal with this level of competition. Now is not the moment to build a group or to work in a different aspect that some people are focused on now. 

"It's about focusing on making sure they know what they need to perform, and what they need to do to be our focus. After that, it's time for us to select the best players to play in the World Cup."

The roster includes 12 players from MLS, including the likes of Diego Luna, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Jack McGlynn and Sebastian Berhalter.

"We need to give MLS the value because competing there, I think the players can show that they can perform in the national team," Pochettino said. "I think it's not necessary to move to from MLS to Europe, because sometimes the MLS – under my assessment – maybe is more competitive than some leagues in Europe. We have some players competing in different leagues that maybe are not so competitive, or in every single week compete in the same way that you compete in the MLS every single week."

How did he choose who would and wouldn't be in camp, one that features the return of Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Sergino Dest but won't include the likes of Weston McKennie, Yunas Musah or Matt Turner?

GOAL takes a look at five key takeaways from the USMNT roster release.

ImagnPulisic returns

It was an obvious first question, particularly after a summer of controversy for Pulisic. Pochettino was always going to have to discuss what comes next between himself and his superstar winger, especially after their chaotic Gold Cup back-and-forth over Pulisic's decision to skip the Gold Cup.

No problems, Pochettino says. It's over.

"I haven't talked with Christian," Pochettino said, "but I think we have nothing to talk about. It's all behind us, everything that happened in the summer. And I think we all need to look forward. We have a plan for every single player, and the plan for Christian now is to call him and to see him in this camp."

The story won't disappear that easily, of course. Pulisic will be asked about it when he arrives for USMNT duty, especially after the topic – and his response to former USMNT critics – resurfaced in his docuseries, PULISIC. Pochettino, though, is eager to move on – and getting everyone back together in camp and on good terms is a good way to start.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSargent's moment arrrives

Josh Sargent was left out of this summer's squad. It was a "football decision" Pochettino said at the time. The choice to include him in this squad was rather obvious – Sargent made himself impossible to deny.

With four goals in four games to start the season at Norwich, Sargent is in incredible form, making him the obvious starting striker in this camp. With Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun both out, recovering from injury, the only other striker in camp is Damion Downs. Given Sargent's form, and his need to prove himself, this will be his best chance yet.

He'll need it. His USMNT goal drought, dating back to 2019, has been widely publicized and, while it doesn't tell the whole story, the Norwich City star does desperately need it to end. In these two games, both against good competition, Sargent will be under immense pressure to show he can translate that fantastic Championship form to the international level.

"All of the players that we are going to call, or have called in the past, have the possibility and the chance to show their quality and convince us that they deserve a place in the national team," Pochettino said. "That is the way we have things, the design and the plan. In every aspect and every detail, we work hard. We work in two different aspects: the collective way and the individual way. That is important, and I think we are happy now.

"I think different players have shown that they want to play and want to perform and want to compete for the World Cup. Looking forward to this camp, it's going to be nice to see not only players that have had chances in the past, but also new players that can perform and show us the possibility of fighting for a place."

GettyMcKennie and other omissions

There are a number of omissions. Many can easily be explained. Antonee Robinson and Pepi only recently returned from injury. Malik Tillman hasn't yet. Gio Reyna just switched clubs, as did Johnny Cardoso, whom Pochettino said was left off to allow him to focus on minutes at Atletico Madrid.

There are others, though, who are harder to understand. Weston McKennie, one of the notable faces of the program, is among the absences. So, too, is Yunus Musah, one of his midfield partners in Qatar. Tanner Tessmann has been fantastic for Lyon, as has Aidan Morris for Middlesbrough. Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally the Aaronsons – Brendan and Paxten – the list goes on.

When asked specifically about McKennie, Pochettino offered multiple explanations. The first is that, having played in the Club World Cup this summer, Juventus had an odd preseason, leaving McKennie once again fighting for a starting role. The second? He's more than familiar with the midfielder, just as he is with a few of the others who were omitted.

"We want to give him the possibility and all the tools to fight for a place every week and compete," Pochettino said of McKennie, "because that is what is going to put him in his best form. We know him really well and know his talent and we wanted to provide the possibility, in this camp – because I think for us, this is the last camp that we are going to bring in new faces."

Among those newcomers? Noahkai Banks and Tristan Blackmon, who will be looking for their first USMNT caps alongside USMNT veterans Tim Ream and Chris Richards at centerback.

Sean Zawadzki is looking for cap No. 2. Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, Alex Freeman and Damion Downs will be looking to build on their Gold Cup runs, while Alejandro Zendejas, omitted so far in 2025, is back in the group to fight for a wing spot.

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Getty Images SportAn inexperienced goalkeeper group

Matt Freese proved himself as the USMNT's starter during the Gold Cup. He's back in the team. Alongside him? Two inexperienced goalkeepers, which indicates that Freese is going to be the guy again during this window.

Jonathan Klinsmann and Roman Celentano head into USMNT camp with zero caps between them and, while Pochettino will certainly be eager to look at different options in between the posts, Freese is clearly the No. 1 in this group. That's not to say the others can't impress, of course, but Freese seems to be the front-runner to not just start these games, but at the World Cup – at least as of today.

Pochettino, however, wouldn't go that far.

"At the moment, it is open," he said. "I don't have a No. 1. We don't work this way. I think we have full respect for all of the players that can be called in by us and I think we need to feel that there's a possibility to fight for a place if we want the team to be really competitive. They need places to fight… They need to feel that threat from their teammate and they need to defend their place every single time they have the possibility to join the national team."

Freese's chief competition, Matt Turner, was left with his club this window. The New England Revolution are set to play through the international break due to MLS' scheduling quirks, meaning Turner will be able to get much-needed minutes after making the move back to the U.S. in search of playing time this summer.

"It's fair to give some possibilities to players that are performing, playing and playing well," said Pochettino. "I've seen the situation with Matt moving to New England in MLS and it is important for him to start to play with continuity and for us to see different options on the roster at keeper. That is easy to explain: we want to see another player and we think they deserve to be here and now have the possibility to show themselves."

The Canaries manager emphatically dismissed transfer speculation surrounding American striker, saying that it would take an unbelievable offer to sell him

Manning: Only an "unbelievable" offer could prompt Sargent's exitDescribed the American as the "best nine at the level"Manager praised Sargent's leadership developmentGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Following Norwich City's 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers, manager Liam Manning addressed growing speculation about Josh Sargent's future amid rumors of a move away. The Norwich boss firmly rejected suggestions that the striker might leave before the transfer deadline, emphasizing Sargent's commitment to the club was evident. Manning also specifically highlighted Sargent's performance against Blackburn, where the American won and converted a penalty while creating several additional chances.

“It would have to take something unbelievable for anything to be done,” Manning told reporters. “I would never want to throw some words out there that get held against me. So as it stands, there is nothing I am aware of. He showed at the final whistle how all-in he is on the club.

“You see the threat he carries. The movement, the sharpness to get in behind for the penalty. He produces such high-level actions. I gave him a bit of stick because, for me, he missed a couple of other really good chances, which, for the standards I know he sets himself, he'll take in the future. "

AdvertisementWHAT LIAM MANNING SAID

The Norwich City boss also touched upon Sargent’s growth as a leader, alongside veteran central midfielder Kenny McLean, and believes that the American striker is the best No. 9 at this level for him.

"He epitomized everything. I think if you look at him and Kenny [McLean], the leadership that they're developing and showing and bringing to the team was really important. I'm delighted that Sarge has got off to such a good start," he said. 

Manning also praised Sargent's work rate in developing chances for Norwich. 

"He's a constant handful. I think he's so intelligent with the positions he takes up, and he's so sharp over the first metres. He's the best nine at the level for me. We're delighted to have him here, long may that continue.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sargent has emerged as Norwich City's most valuable attacking asset following the summer departures of Gabriel Sara and Jonathan Rowe. After scoring 15 goals in 32 appearances last season despite missing significant time, Sargent has started the season well with six goals in five appearances across all competitions.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Fans of the USMNT will be hoping that Sargent will continue his fine run of form as the American has been called up for the September friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick reportedly locked Marcus Rashford & Co. in the dressing room following their draw with Rayo Vallecano as the Blaugrana boss was left fuming with the dip in standards. After a bright start to the campaign, which saw the Catalan giants secure 3-0 and 3-2 wins over Mallorca and Levante respectively, the draw left Flick seething.

Flick locked players in the dressing roomBarcelona drew 1-1 with Rayo VallecanoFlick demands full commitment from the squadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona started well against Vallecano, with Lamine Yamal giving them a first-half lead through a penalty. However, the momentum slipped away after Fran Perez equalised for Rayo Vallecano in the 67th minute. While the hosts pressed for a winner, Barcelona had Joan Garcia to thank for keeping them in the game. 

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According to Flick was far from pleased with his side’s performance following the draw. His frustration boiled over, leading him to take drastic action by locking his players in the dressing room. This wasn’t just another post-match pep talk; it was a full-on confrontation. He reportedly gave the players the same stern message that he had shared with the media during his press conference, but this time with even stronger language.

WHAT FLICK SAID

Flick’s words to the media were sharp and direct: "The most important thing is that, when the transfer window is closed, everyone who stays is 100 per cent committed to this club. No egos, because egos kill success. Last season, we played as one unit. We have to be like this again now."

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DID YOU KNOW?

It appears that the players received Flick’s message with a sense of understanding. It has been suggested that the squad agreed with Flick’s assessment of the situation, believing that his words were not only fair but necessary.

Arne Slot confirmed that Jurgen Klopp will be back at Anfield for Liverpool's Premier League title celebrations on Sunday.

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Liverpool won their 20th league title in AprilThey will lift the trophy on Sunday Klopp will be in attendance at Anfield during the celebrations Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool clinched the title last month, but the official handover of the silverware has been scheduled for the final matchday of the season. With Crystal Palace visiting Merseyside, the stage is set for a celebration that will resonate with fans across the city.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Klopp, who famously guided the Reds to their 2020 Premier League crown, will grace the occasion, as Liverpool wrap up a memorable campaign under Slot. Club legend Alan Hansen will play a ceremonial role, handing over the trophy to captain Virgil van Dijk, which will be his first public appearance at Anfield since recovering from a serious health issue last year.

WHAT SLOT SAID

“I’ve heard he’s there, yeah,” Slot told reporters. “Nice.”

The Dutchman then took a moment to reflect on the long road to Premier League glory.

“Proud and special, but I think proud sums it up the most," he said. "After working here for a year now, I know how hard it is to win – it’s the hardest trophy to win. Because cup trophies you can, doesn’t have to be, but you can win those by a lucky draw, penalty shootout, and all of a sudden, you arrive in the final.

"But it’s always harder to win the league because it’s 38 games in a period of time where the league has never been as strong as it is. Never been so much competition even for teams to go into the Champions League. Never been a season when 16 and 17th in the Premier League play in a final against each other in the Europa League. That’s what makes it so hard. Definitely a proud moment for me, the players and also the fans. Let’s hope it will be special."

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The festivities will extend well beyond the pitch on Sunday. Once the trophy is in hand and the lap of honour completed, the squad will attend a private event at a Liverpool nightclub to mark their achievement with close friends and family. Then on Monday, the city will unite in celebration with a victory parade beginning at 14:30 BST. The route mirrors the one taken in 2019 and 2022, when the club celebrated Champions League and domestic cup triumphs, respectively. It will conclude at Blundell Street, where thousands of fans are expected to greet their champions.

They scored 213 for 5, the highest total in the competition’s history, ahead of their semi-final match against either SA or NZ

Tristan Lavalette21-Feb-2023England smashed the highest ever women’s T20 World Cup total in a record 114-run thrashing of Pakistan in Newlands to complete an unbeaten group phase.Electing to bat in sunny conditions, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt hit blistering half-centuries to propel England to 213 for 5, an almost flawless performance ahead of the semi-finals.After Wyatt powered England to a fast start, Sciver-Brunt took over with an unbeaten 81 from 40 balls and she combined in a century stand with Amy Jones to destroy Pakistan’s short-handed attack.England were just as ruthless with the ball to secure top spot in Group 2 and they will face South Africa or New Zealand in the semi-finals.England obliterate Pakistan attackIn what was essentially a dead rubber, England were determined not to ease up and they eyed a formidable total against a weakened Pakistan attack with just one seamer.England have batted fearlessly under coach Jon Lewis, but this belligerent effort took them to new heights with a sustained assault through the innings.Wyatt kicked it off by smashing left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal for six and a four in the first over. She unleashed a range of strokes, including several sweet blows over cover, to reach her half-century off just 29 balls.It was a return to form for Wyatt, who had only scored 27 runs in England’s three previous matches this tournament.Sciver-Brunt, however, entered with confidence and played aggressively from the get go even though England wobbled at 33 for 2. She used her feet with authority against Pakistan’s spinners and scored at will all around the wicket.Sciver-Brunt and Jones took advantage of an increasingly ragged Pakistan attack and smashed 88 runs off the last six overs as England became the first team to post 200 in a Women’s T20 World Cup match.Nida Dar finished with 1 for 47 from four overs•ICC via Getty ImagesDar becomes women’s T20I highest wicket-takerWith Pakistan captain Bismah Mahroof missing due to a groin injury, Nida Dar grabbed the reins for the first time as she eyed breaking the record for most wickets in women’s T20Is.She entered tied with West Indian Anisa Mohammed on 125 wickets and had been in good form with her accurate offspin snaring four wickets in her previous matches against West Indies and Ireland.But Dar struggled to find her length after coming into the attack in the sixth over and was immediately under fierce examination from Sciver-Brunt, who hit a boundary through cover first ball.A rattled Dar leaked 25 runs off her first two overs before returning in the 13th over to claim opposite number Heather Knight, who holed out. It was enough for her to re-write the record books but proved the only moment of joy. Dar finished with 1 for 47 from four overs.England tear through Pakistan’s batting orderEngland had been searching for a complete performance and were keen to complement their earlier effort with the bat.They did exactly that with Katherine Sciver-Brunt dismissing recalled opener Sadaf Shamas on the second ball of the innings. She also claimed Omaima Sohail to leave Pakistan 15 for 3 with the result a foregone conclusion.The wickets kept tumbling with Pakistan spiralling to 54 for 7 before Tuba Hassan and Fatima Sana mustered some belated fight with a 37-run partnership. But the disastrous run-out of Tuba symbolised Pakistan’s abject performance as they suffered the biggest defeat in women’s T20 World Cup history.

England coach unconcerned by form of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root ahead of must-win Ranchi Test

Vithushan Ehantharajah19-Feb-20242:15

Miller: Dropping declining Bairstow ‘not an option’

Jonny Bairstow has been backed to rediscover his form by England coach Brendon McCullum. Bairstow made 0 and 4 in the 434-run shellacking in Rajkot, continuing an awkward fourth tour of India in which is he averaging 17.00 from six innings.Ben Stokes predicted big things for Bairstow at the start of the series. With Ben Foakes taking the gloves, the England captain believed a role exclusively as a batter could unlock a Bairstow purple patch akin to the summer of 2022 when he became the original Bazball poster boy. “We saw what we managed to get out of him, and I don’t want him to worry about anything other than batting at five, getting runs and what’s in front of him in the here and now,” Stokes said. It has not worked out as planned.With England trailing 2-1 in the series there will be selection decisions to ponder ahead of the fourth Test in Ranchi, which begins on Friday, but McCullum gave a strong indication Bairstow will retain his place in the XI for what would be his 99th Test cap.Related

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“You know I can’t answer that, I haven’t even seen the wicket,” McCullum said when asked about Bairstow’s position. “But I’d anticipate Jonny would be playing, yes.”Dan Lawrence is the only spare batter in the squad, having replaced Harry Brook who pulled out of the tour for a family matter and is unlikely to return. Lawrence, however, is yet to feature under McCullum and Stokes.England want to give Bairstow every chance to access the explosiveness of two summers ago. He struck four centuries in Stokes’ first six matches, including twin hundreds in the one-off Test against India at Edgbaston. His 681 runs were scored at a rate of 96.59, and an average of 75.66.He has struggled to match those numbers upon returning from a broken ankle that kept him out of the final Test against South Africa and the 2022-23 winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. Since the start of the 2023 summer, his 424 runs have come at 30.28, with just three fifties albeit one an unbeaten 99 against Australia at Old Trafford.His first-innings duck at Rajkot was his eighth against India. But it is worth noting his dismissal second time around – lbw missing a sweep off Ravindra Jadeja – was the first time he has been out playing an attacking shot. That, McCullum feels, is the problem.Jonny Bairstow fell lbw attempting to sweep Ravindra Jadeja•Getty Images”Yeah look, he’s not scored the volume of runs he would have wanted and a couple of times he’s got out kind of mildly for someone who’s got the power game Jonny’s got,” he said.”I don’t have concerns over him. I’m not blind but he’s done so well for us and he’s had such an impactful career. We know that a top-quality Jonny Bairstow is as good as anyone in any conditions. So from our point of view, we’ve got to keep on giving him confidence and block out a lot of the external noise as well and keep him really present and focused on what he’s trying to achieve, and I’m sure Jonny will come good.”Over the coming days, McCullum will opt for a more human touch with someone he describes as “a little bit different… but that’s in a good way”. Doing right by the person above the player has worked well for Stokes and McCullum thus far, and the 2022 Bairstow – who they encouraged, emboldened, and, at times, reassured – is a testament to that.By contrast, McCullum will take a hands-off approach with his other out-of-form senior batter, Joe Root. Another set of low scores has England’s second-highest Test run-scorer nursing 77 runs at an average of 12.83. McCullum could not be less concerned. “It’s Joe Root, crikey. I mean, seriously? The law of averages suggests he’ll fill his boots in the next two.”McCullum also defended Root’s ramp shot in the first innings, which triggered a collapse of 8 for 95 on day three. England relinquished a position of 224 for 2, giving up a first innings lead of 126 to India, who were without R Ashwin at the time. It was a critical passage of play.McCullum also took aim at those who say the new approach is not suited to Root. The start of the series has seen his career average drop under 50, and his average under Stokes to 50.12. It is still greater than during his captaincy (46.44) but has now dipped below the 52.80 he managed in the first four years of his career under Alastair Cook.”I think he’s averaged about 50 with that shot [previously 60, now 30], plus what’s happened after he’s played that shot previously. He’s got out twice doing it. You can get nicked off defending one or trying to drive one through the leg side. I don’t know if it is as high risk shot in the modern game as what it appears in the previous game.Joe Root is currently averaging 12.83 for the series•Gareth Copley / Getty”I would say that his statistics in the last 18 months or so, whilst people see a shot like that and they go ‘oh, Joe Root is struggling to deal with this new regime’ – but have a look at the numbers. He’s averaging higher. He’s striking at a higher rate. His impact on the game is still very, very significant.”Imagine if this becomes the norm for Joe as well, with the talent that he possesses and the history that he’s got. And then what’s the ceiling? So this is a point: do we want just a normal Joe Root, or do we want a Joe Root that is even better. How many games are we going to win if that happens?”Two more would do for now. Having recovered to square the Ashes after defeat in the second Test at Lord’s in similar circumstances to Rajkot – a first-innings collapse of 9 for 137 after Nathan Lyon was ruled out with injury – England do have previous for coming from behind in five-match series. But McCullum was clear he was happy with the method and believes focusing on the mistakes here and last summer would be counter-productive.And though many hope the lessons from this defeat will lead to a more defensive approach, the team will double-down for a must-win game in Ranchi.”That’s not a conversation we’ve ever had because then you’re starting to put peripheral thoughts into guys’ minds and the whole idea is to free them up to allow them to make good decisions in the moment, to be totally present, and to be able to then adjust their games to be able to do so. To me that almost puts a limitation on what you can achieve.”Ultimately, if you’re going to beat India in India you’ve got to be able to be good enough against every single one of their bowlers regardless of if they are a man down or not. I wasn’t against the method that they took, that we went out there with. It obviously didn’t work on this occasion and we’re going to cop that sweet, but it might work next time.”If you have got one crack at life you may as well enjoy yourself and remain positive throughout things, there’s lots of people who see the grey sky not the blue. And to me that’s not necessarily how you go about things, and it’s certainly not how you want to play as a cricket team when you’ve got this much talent that sits amongst it.”Yes, we will get it wrong at times. Guys in their own way will process that and be able to smooth out some of those rough edges. But a general conversation among the group about, ‘we didn’t do this right, we need to do this next time’ – it’s detrimental to what you’re trying to achieve and you need conviction in your methods.”We’ve got to cop this one sweet but we look forward to the opportunity.”

Boyhood Manchester United fan Cole Palmer has been backed to join the Red Devils one day – despite his long-term contract at Chelsea.

Palmer grew up supporting Man UtdBacked to join Red Devils one dayDespite long-term Chelsea contractFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former United coach Rene Meulensteen says he can't see why Palmer wouldn't head to Old Trafford in the future, even though his Chelsea deal runs until 2033. The Dutchman, who was a first-team coach at the Premier League giants between 2007-13, also lamented how the England international evaded the clutches of the Red Devils when he was growing up.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT MEULENSTEEN SAID

He told Grosvenor Casino: "It’s almost a public secret that Cole Palmer is a Manchester United fan, what surprised me is how he slipped through the fingers of United with him being at Manchester City and then getting his chance at Chelsea. He is a player that can make a difference, could he play for United in the future? Yeah, I can't see why not. Obviously he's got a long-term contract with Chelsea, but sometimes things don't work out and players and clubs fall out, then United would be interested and it could be a really good destination for him. He is a United fan after all and he is a player that would bring United back to a higher level."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Palmer, 23, is one of England's best players right now and has been a revelation for Chelsea since his 2023 move from Manchester City. The Blues have tied a number of their players to long-term deals but it is unlikely that they will be at the Blues for the duration of those contracts – perhaps giving United fans hope that childhood fan Palmer could sign for them one day.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Palmer, who played a starring role in Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph in the United States earlier this month, is currently enjoying a well-earned summer break, before returning for pre-season training in the coming weeks.

“I think it was just a little game awareness that we missed out,” Hardik says

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-2024Four balls. Four singles. It’s this passage across two Axar Patel overs to Tilak Varma just before the halfway mark of Mumbai Indians’ mammoth chase of 258 that might have cost them two crucial points against Delhi Capitals, in Hardik Pandya’s opinion.Axar, the left-arm spinner, came on to bowl in the eighth over with MI 72 for 3.He bowled six of his twelve deliveries to Tilak, a left-hand batter and, therefore, with a favourable match-up with Axar. The first four balls Tilak faced, he got singles with shots that didn’t signal any attacking intent. Tilak then hit six and four off the last two to take MI to 115 for 3 at the ten-over mark. With Tilak batting till the last over in MI’s ten-run loss, Axar didn’t come back to bowl.Related

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“Axar bowling to a left-hander [Tilak], the better option could have been to go after him,” Hardik said on the official broadcast after the game. “I think it was just a little game awareness that we missed out. At the end of the day, that cost us the game.”Axar conceded 24 in his two overs. Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wristspinner, went for 47 in his three overs. In his first two overs, he bowled four balls to Tilak and, again, there was no shot in anger as Tilak collected four singles. Tilak, however, took him on in his third, and last, over, the 15th of the innings, and sent him for two sixes and two fours.”The way the games are going and how the bowlers are under pressure throughout the competition, we backed ourselves to do it, the self-belief [was there],” Hardik said of MI’s hopes of pulling off the big chase. “But if I have to pinpoint, a couple overs in the middle, we could’ve taken some extra chances.”Hardik: Fraser-McGurk was ‘quite amazing’That MI had to chase such a steep target was primarily down to Jake Fraser-McGurk’s electric 27-ball 84. McGurk’s strike rate of 242 in his first ten balls is the highest among batters to have faced at least 50 deliveries in IPL 2024. In all, he hit 11 fours and six sixes. It was his third fifty of the season, which takes his overall runs tally to 247 in five innings at a strike rate of 237.50.”It was quite amazing the way he batted,” Hardik said. “He played very calculated shots. It was a smart innings. He uses the field very well; he was trying to chip the ball if it wasn’t in his arc.”He was fantastic, he showed the fearlessness of youth, coming in and enjoying the sport. Very exciting, though.”

Records tumble at Sydney

Kanishkaa Balachandran07-Jan-2006

Ricky Ponting’s unique double © Getty Images
When the Number 11 never ventured out
South Africa is only the second team in history to lose a Test match after declaring both innings. The first such instance was in 1967-68 when West Indies lost the fourth Test against England at Trinidad. However, in 1986, Australia’s decision to declare both innings nearly backfired in the famous Tied Test against India at Madras.A record spread over 106 years
Australia achieved the highest successful run chase at the Sydney Cricket Ground when they chased 287 set by South Africa in the third Test at Sydney. Australia figure in all the run chases above 200 runs in the fourth innings at this venue. The complete list is given below.

Highest run chases at Sydney

Final score Target By Against Year

288/2 287 Australia South Africa 2005/06 276/4 275 Australia England 1897/98 275/8 274 Australia England 1907/08 260/6 260 Australia New Zealand 1985/86 275/8 274 Australia England 1907/08219/4216AustraliaEngland1979/80214/5214AustraliaEngland1946/47Ponting’s run riot
Ricky Ponting set a world record for being the first batsman to score centuries in both innings of his 100th Test. Ponting hit 120 and 143* respectively and his match aggregate of 263 runs is also the highest for a batsman playing in his 100th Test match. Inzamam-ul-Haq is next on the list when he aggregated 215 runs (184 and 31*) against India at Bangalore in 2004-05.

The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket

Steven Lynch25-Sep-2006The regular Monday column in which Steven Lynch answers your questions about (almost) any aspect of cricket:

It rained sixes from Mark Boucher’s bat at Potchefstroom © Getty Images
That great knock by Mark Boucher has certainly sent some shivers up bowlers’ spines. Ten sixes … I remember a knock by Jayasuriya and one by Afridi, where the ball was flying like NASA’s new invention, but what’s the record – who has hit the most sixes in an ODI? asked Amitabh Kumar from Germany
You’ve actually mentioned the two record-holders: both Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi hit 11 sixes in an ODI innings, beating Mark Boucher’s amazing effort at Potchefstroom last week by one. Jayasuriya’s 11 sixes came for Sri Lanka against Pakistan at the Padang ground in Singapore in April 1996. He finished with 134 off 65 balls, reaching his century in 48, which was a record for about six months, until Shahid Afridi blazed to 100 in 37 balls in his first ODI innings (it was his second match, but he hadn’t batted in the first one) for Pakistan against Sri Lanka at the Nairobi Gymkhana. One of the bowlers who suffered during Afridi’s onslaught was Jayasuriya, whose 10 overs cost 94 runs. Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India also hit 10 sixes during his 183 not out for India against Sri Lanka at Jaipur in 2005-06. For a full list of the most sixes hit in an ODI innings, click here.Was Boucher’s score the highest in an ODI by a wicketkeeper? asked Johan Visser from Cape Town
Rather surprisingly, Mark Boucher’s undefeated 147 at Potchefstroom last week is only fifth on that particular list. Leading the way is the innings of 183 not out mentioned above by Mahendra Singh Dhoni for India against Sri Lanka at Jaipur in 2005-06. Then come a couple of Adam Gilchrist specials – 172 for Australia against Zimbabwe at Hobart in 2003-04, and 154 against Sri Lanka at Melbourne in 1998-99. And just ahead of Boucher is Dhoni again, with 148 against Pakistan at Visakhapatnam in 2004-05. Rahul Dravid made 153 for India against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999-2000, but he didn’t keep wicket in that game. For a full list of the highest individual scores in ODIs, click here.What is the highest score ever made by an Englishman? asked Omkar Naik from India
The highest score made by an Englishman in first-class cricket is 424, by Archie MacLaren for Lancashire against Somerset at Taunton in 1895. That was the first quadruple-century in all first-class cricket – there have been nine more since (including Brian Lara’s 501 not out in 1994), only one of them by an England Test player, Graeme Hick’s 405 not out for Worcestershire against Somerset, also at Taunton, in 1988. The England Test record is Len Hutton’s 364 against Australia at The Oval in 1938, while the England one-day international record is 167 not out, by Robin Smith against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 – in a match England still managed to lose.Who played the most one-day internationals without appearing in a single Test match? asked Ganesh Abhyankar from India
The current record for a Test-playing country is 73 one-day appearances without playing in a Test, by Australia’s Ian Harvey. India’s Dinesh Mongia has now played 52 ODIs without winning a Test cap, while Vikram Solanki of England has played 51. These records exclude Kenyan players, who have not yet had a chance to play Test cricket: Steve Tikolo has played 77 ODIs, Tom Odoyo and Kennedy Otieno 76, Martin Suji 64, Hitesh Modi 63, Maurice Odumbe 61 and Tony Suji 51. Andrew Symonds played a record 94 ODIs before he finally won a Test cap for Australia. This territory was covered in a recent edition of Cricinfo’s The List column.Which cricketer was known as the “Big Ship”? asked Andy Moorhouse from Doncaster
This was Warwick Armstrong, the allrounder who captained a very strong Australian team to a 5-0 victory over England at home in 1920-21, then rounded off his career by winning 3-0 in England in 1921. Armstrong owed his nickname to his size – by the end of his career he was over 20 stone in weight, but was still nimble enough to score three centuries in the first four Tests of that 1920-21 series. In all he played 50 Tests, scoring 2863 runs and taking 87 wickets, while in first-class cricket he averaged nearly 47 with the bat and less than 20 with the ball. Gideon Haigh wrote an acclaimed biography of Armstrong – called, naturally, The Big Ship – in 2001.Something I have never understood is the bonus-point system in ODIs. Can you explain it for me? asked Raj Kishore Nayak from India
The bonus-point system is used in one-day tournaments involving three or more countries, and is designed to reward sides that win easily. The bonus point is awarded to a side which achieves a run rate 1.25 times that of the opposition. It means it’s quite simple to work out how the team batting second gets a bonus point – in an uninterrupted 50-over match they just need to reach their target before the end of the 40th over. It’s more complicated to work out whether the team batting second has avoided conceding a batting point – they need to finish with 80% of the first team’s score to do that. I hope that explains it – but if not, you can find the full regulations on the ICC’s official website at www.icc-cricket.com.