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Arsenal have held initial talks with the representatives of a budding midfield talent after his rapid rise, according to a new report.

Arsenal look to bounce back against bottom-side Wolves

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday evening against bottom-side Wolves at the Emirates Stadium in a classic David vs Goliath encounter.

The Gunners saw their advantage at the summit trimmed to just two points following last weekend’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, where Emi Buendia’s last-gasp strike ended their 18-match unbeaten run.

Man City’s victory over Sunderland has intensified the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side, though Saturday’s late kick-off offers an opportunity to extend the gap to five points before City face Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Arsenal responded impressively to that Villa disappointment with a commanding 3-0 Champions League triumph at Club Brugge on Wednesday evening.

Noni Madueke put in a sensational performance, scoring twice, including a stunning 25-yard strike, while Gabriel Martinelli added another beauty to maintain their perfect European record.

Arteta says "really special" Arsenal star has been so good in training lately

The Spaniard is thrilled with him.

ByEmilio Galantini 3 days ago

The victory all but secured automatic qualification for the knockout stages as one of the seeded teams, but Wolves present an entirely different challenge.

Arriving in north London still searching for their first victory of the campaign, Rob Edwards’ side remain rooted to the foot of the table with just two points from 15 games, sitting an alarming 13 points from safety.

Their Monday night 4-1 home humiliation against Man United extended Wolves’ losing streak to eight consecutive defeats, matching their worst run in Premier League history.

Only QPR in 2012/13 and Sheffield United in 2020/21 have endured longer winless starts to a Premier League season than Wolves’ current nightmare.

Their two points also represent a joint-low after 15 games in top-flight history, highlighting the severity of their catastrophic start.

Arsenal boast an intimidating record against Wolves, winning eight consecutive meetings with an aggregate scoreline of 17-3. The north Londoners remarkably haven’t failed to score against them since February 1979, a remarkable 35-match run, so Edwards’ men are certainly the underdogs heading into this one.

Away from the pitch, sporting director Andrea Berta is continuing his mission to identify top talent for Arteta.

Reports this week suggest that Arsenal have held talks with Yan Diomande’s entourage ahead of a potential move for the teenage RB Leipzig winger, and now the same can be said of Polish sensation Oskar Pietuszewski.

Arsenal hold talks with Oskar Pietuszewski's camp

That is according to TEAMtalk, who report that Arsenal have held discussions with the representatives of Pietuszewski, even if City threaten to hijack their pursuit of the 17-year-old starlet.

Berta dispatched senior Arsenal scouts to Poland on multiple occasions to watch the Jagiellonia Białystok talent in action this season, alongside Chelsea and City, with all three Premier League giants ‘hugely impressed’ by the teenager’s performances.

Arsenal have engaged in preliminary talks with Pietuszewski’s camp as they assess whether to launch a formal bid for one of Poland’s ‘most complete teenage talents in years’.

However, City have intensified their interest by sending their head of emerging talent to Poland, holding their own discussions with Pietuszewski.

Their aggressive approach appears to have positioned them ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea in the three-way battle, but that doesn’t mean Berta should give up.

Pietuszewski has dazzled in the Polish first tier this season, bagging three goals and two assists across 16 appearances, and according to Transfermarkt, he’s now the Ekstraklasa’s ‘most valuable player’ by transfer value.

Primarily deployed as a left-winger, the versatile youngster can operate as a holding midfielder or anywhere across the forward line.

Arsenal have been informed they must pay a minimum of £13m to secure Pietuszewski’s signature, a figure that could rise with performance bonuses and shatter Jagiellonia’s outgoing transfer record.

Born in Białystok, Pietuszewski rose through Jagiellonia’s academy before breaking into the senior squad last season.

His international breakthrough came with four goals in six caps for Poland’s Under-21 side, underlining his rapid ascent.

While open to a Premier League move, Pietuszewski wants first-team minutes. European rivals including Ajax, PSV, Lille, Bologna and Barcelona have also scouted him, so the player could have a long list of suitors knocking at the door very soon.

He wanted to continue batting but was taken off the field by India A coach and the physio

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2025Rishabh Pant gave India a brief injury scare ahead of next week’s first Test against South Africa in Kolkata by having to retire hurt while batting for India A against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.During the first session of the third day, Pant was struck three times – on his body and helmet – by fast bowler Tshepo Moreki, forcing him to retire hurt on 17 off 22 balls in the 34th over of India A’s second innings.However, he allayed fears of serious injury by returning to bat in the final session, after Harsh Dubey put on 184 for the sixth wicket with Dhruv Jurel, who made an unbeaten 127. Pant took on the spinners, racing to a half-century before declaring India A’s innings on 382 for 7. He was dismissed for 65 when he top-edged a slog sweep off left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds to the wicketkeeper.Pant had walked out to bat at No. 5 in the third over of the day after overnight batter KL Rahul was bowled for 27 – he added just one to his overnight score – by an inducker from Okuhle Cele. Pant didn’t take long to get going, his first three scoring shots were 4, 4 and 6 – all off Cele – but a series of short deliveries left him wincing in pain.Related

Dhruv Jurel makes case for India Test spot with twin hundreds against South Africa A

Kamboj, Suthar take India A home after Pant 90

Rishabh Pant returns to India's Test squad

While Pant was keen to continue batting, he had to be taken off by India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and the physios as a precautionary measure. He was grimacing in pain every time the ball thudded into his bat, and his range of motion was limited due to some taping on his elbow after being hit there.The first blow Pant suffered was to the helmet when he attempted a reverse pick-up shot off Moreki, who had bowled a short ball from around the stumps. Pant was off balance at the point of impact and immediately fell to the ground, forcing the physios to conduct a mandatory concussion test. Once cleared, he pulled out from his stance to take his helmet off and gather himself before taking strike.The second blow had Pant groaning as the ball thudded into his right elbow as he shaped to play a short-arm jab. This time, the physio administered some pain-relief spray and taped the elbow. The third blow to the abdomen from a delivery that cut back in off the seam eventually forced the management to take Pant off the field.Having proved form and fitness with a 90 in the second innings of the first four-day fixture that India A won last week, Pant has had a more challenging time in the second game. In the first innings, he was rapped on the glove by a short ball from Moreki and caught at slip for 24.At the toss of the second game, Pant had kept an exact count of the number of days he’d been away for – 98 – while recovering from a fractured toe after being hit by Chris Woakes during the fourth India-England Test in Manchester in July.He spent two months in rehab at the Centre of Excellence following surgery, and resumed training in early September before playing for India A to get some match time ahead of the South Africa Tests. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel kept wickets during the two home Tests against West Indies as well as the fifth Test at The Oval, which India won to level the five-Test series at 2-2.India play two Tests against South Africa from November 14 in Kolkata, and then from November 22 in Guwahati, a city that will be hosting Test cricket for the first time. India are currently third in the World Test Championship table with 61.90% points; South Africa, meanwhile, are fifth with 50% points.

Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has been hit with a four-game suspension and a £15,000 fine after the FA found him guilty of spitting at or towards Leeds United supporters during October’s six-pointer Premier League clash. The Tunisia international admitted the charge, with an independent commission issuing the ban as Burnley continue fighting to escape the drop zone.

Burnley's Mejbri handed four-game suspension

Mejbri has been suspended for four matches following an FA misconduct charge relating to a spitting incident during Burnley’s 2-0 win over Leeds United on October 18.

Burnley have now lost Mejbri at a critical stage of the season, with the club sitting 19th in the Premier League after a run of five straight defeats. The 22-year-old will miss league fixtures against Newcastle, Fulham, Bournemouth and Everton, ruling him out until the end of December. Mejbri has made over 50 appearances for Burnley since arriving from Manchester United in 2024, but this latest setback adds pressure to a club already battling for survival.

The midfielder’s ban also comes during a period in which Burnley desperately need stability, having struggled to replicate last season’s Championship-winning form. With just three wins from their first 14 matches, they are locked in a relegation fight where discipline and consistency are more valuable than ever. Mejbri’s absence will force manager Vincent Kompany to reshape his midfield amid growing scrutiny over results.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFA reveal Mejbri admitted to the allegations

An FA regulatory commission outlined the misconduct charge in a formal statement, explaining: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their Premier League game against Leeds United on Saturday, 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted in breach of the laws of the game and/or in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters around the 67th minute.” The statement confirmed that Mejbri had admitted the allegation and accepted responsibility for the incident. It added that “the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 fine following a hearing,” and that written reasons for the decision will be published in due course.

The FA communication reiterated that the independent panel had reviewed the full evidence before determining the sanction applied. The FA emphasised that incidents involving spitting at or towards spectators fall under serious misconduct within the governing body’s disciplinary framework. 

Leeds fans' reported the incident to Lancashire Police initially

The episode comes at a difficult moment for Mejbri, who joined Burnley from Manchester United in a deal worth up to £9.4 million and had quickly become a feature of the club’s midfield. Before this suspension, he had made 53 appearances in all competitions for the Clarets and established himself as a hard-working, combative presence in central areas. His disciplinary record had not been a major concern previously, making this misconduct charge a notable departure from his otherwise steady development.

The investigation into the incident began after a Leeds supporter in the away section reported the matter to Lancashire Police, who reviewed footage and statements before passing it into the FA’s jurisdiction. While the police did not proceed with charges, the FA concluded that the laws of the game had been breached and handled the matter independently through sporting disciplinary channels. Burnley were fully informed throughout the process, though the club has made no public comment on the suspension.

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Getty Images SportMejbri will return to action on December 30

Burnley will now prepare for a defining stretch of fixtures without Mejbri, needing to find solutions that stabilise their form ahead of the new year. The midfielder will be sidelined for four key matches, against Newcastle United, Fulham, Bournemouth and Everton, that could shape the club’s survival prospects heading into January. Mejbri will be eligible to return against the Magpies on December 30 in the return clash of tomorrow's clash at St. James' Park.

It was a night to remember at the dish for New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, who belted three home runs for the first time in his career in his club's 11-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at Yankee Stadium. But Bellinger's three-homer night was very nearly a four-homer night.

After homering twice, Bellinger stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning and drove a sinker from Cubs lefthander Jordan Wicks to the right field wall. The ball looked to be his third homer of the game, but Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker leaped in the air and snatched the ball in his glove before it traveled over the wall.

But Bellinger indeed got his third homer of the game in his final at-bat in the eighth inning, a ball that a Yankees fan snagged in his glove just out of reach of Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. After the game, Bellinger said he had met the young fan, whom he thanked for keeping the ball out of the park.

"I didn't know," Bellinger said when asked if he wasn't sure if his last homer was leaving the yard. "I've seen PCA rob so many homers. He's a freak athlete out there. I just met the kid who caught it, I just gave him some love to take it out of PCA's glove right there. I think he would have had it."

Bellinger said he got the career milestone ball back from the young fan, who also gave the Yankees outfielder bragging rights in the dugout.

"It feels great," Bellinger said of his three-homer game. "Yeah I knew I didn't have one [a three-homer game]. The boys were giving me a hard time after he [Tucker] robbed it. Booney [Aaron Boone] was giving me a hard time. So, my next at-bat, not trying to do too much. I'm glad the fan caught it before PCA could grab it."

Kagiso Rabada’s performance at Lord’s was exactly what is expected of a big player in a big match

Firdose Moonda11-Jun-20251:11

Steyn: Why Rabada proved key to Australia’s collapse

Kagiso Rabada insisted he would not be “Mr I Apologise too much” after his recreational drug ban and showed he has nothing to be sorry about when it comes to his bowling. His performance at Lord’s was exactly what is expected of a big player in a big match: intimidating, incisive, and laced with unplayable deliveries that cut through the opposition.In the immediate aftermath of day one of the WTC final, you may read that line and think it’s more suited to the Australia attack given the way things ended, but save some headspace for a nod on how it started.Rabada set the tone with the very first ball. It jagged away from Usman Khawaja and beat his outside edge. For the next three overs, Khawaja did not even attempt to score a run as Rabada tested him with “pace, bounce and movement”, the three things the man himself says are his best attributes. The trick is not simply having them, it’s “doing those things consistently”, as Rabada put it in the post-match press conference.Related

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He didn’t concede a run until his 20th ball when Marnus Labuschagne managed to tuck him away to square leg. Next ball, Rabada squared Khawaja up, drew his edge, and David Bedingham took a fine catch at first slip. Rabada was away. Three balls later, Cameron Green went the same way and South Africa, through Rabada, were bossing the early exchanges.The wickets are what will get him on the honours board but it was some of the deliveries in between that really wowed. In the second over of his second spell, Rabada bisected Beau Webster with a ball that hit the seam, snuck through his bat-pad gap, and passed just over the top of the middle stump. Then there was the wicket which should have been. Full and fast, Rabada hit Webster, on 4, on the back pad and half-appealed with no support.South Africa must have heard a hard sound, as Webster hit his own pad, and thought it was an inside edge. They didn’t push the issue but replays showed it was plumb.Rabada found out moments later. “Corbin Bosch came down to fine leg and he said it was out and I was like, ‘oh man’. It is a bit annoying,” Rabada said. “He didn’t start off too well there. It looked like he was going to get out any ball, but his positive intent got him through. Cricket’s a funny game.”1:45

‘Pretty cool to have it in the home changeroom’ – Rabada on his 5-fer

In the next over, Rabada beat Webster’s inside and outside edges and he’s right in saying it looked as though a nick-off was imminent. It came, but only much later. That Webster survived that spell from Rabada makes his 72 even more deserving and asks questions of whether the change bowlers in South Africa’s attack, especially Lungi Ngidi, backed up their new-ball pair well enough.Ngidi’s eight overs cost 45 runs and he looked rusty. That South Africa picked him over Dane Paterson, who came off an excellent home summer and has 180 wickets at an average of 23 for Nottinghamshire, remains questionable but Rabada was never going to be the one to answer for that. Asked if he’d have any advice for Ngidi, he said he would, “just tell him to have a good night’s sleep, have a nice steak and a nice milkshake, watch a movie and come back tomorrow”.Rabada didn’t say it, but he and Ngidi will hope they don’t have too much to do on the second day. If they do, they will want to do it more like Rabada did.ESPNcricinfo LtdHis final riposte was to run through the Australia tail with precision. He got one to straighten on Pat Cummins, who exposed his off stump and was bowled, removed Webster, and bowled Mitchell Starc to complete his second successive five-for at Lord’s.Rabada was received by former captain Graeme Smith, who is working as a commentator, on the boundary edge and was hugged before he was interviewed. The emotion was obvious. Rabada described his achievement as “really special” and quickly deflected the attention off himself and on to the bigger picture. “It means a lot for me to play for South Africa, I give my all each and every time.”Does it mean more than equalling Allan Donald on South Africa’s Test wicket-takers’ list? Though Rabada called Donald “a legend” when speaking to Smith and said afterwards that he was “inspired by those who’ve come before”, there is a distinct sense that this will mean a lot less if South Africa don’t walk away with something from this game. Especially as they got themselves off to an excellent start and sent hope soaring in what felt like a home crowd.Kagiso Rabada acknowledges the crowd’s support after his five-for•ICC via Getty ImagesWith South Africans filling the stands, Rabada received applause and his own version of the Seven Nation Army chant. Ninety minutes later, there was silence as Wiaan Mulder and Temba Bavuma barely scored a run. That swing in South Africa’s fortunes has already made this Test gripping.”In Test cricket there’s always nerves,” Rabada said. “Dealing with it is about understanding what the bottom line is, and the bottom line is if you’re a bowler, try to bowl a good line and length; as a batter, it’s about keeping the good ball out and scoring off it or scoring off balls that are not quite there and missed executions from the bowler. That’s the bottom line. So everything else is just noise.”South Africa’s bottom line at the end of day one is that even after Rabada did Rabada things, they were 169 runs behind and four of their top five have been dismissed. The captain and the lower-middle order have a massive task on their hands on a surface that is doing a lot, and seemed to do more once the clouds had cleared. All Rabada can do now is look for reasons that might change, for his batters’ sake.”The ball was nipping quite a bit and at times moving off the slope quite a lot, but I still felt like batters could get in,” he said. “If you just bowled well and got more balls in the right area for a long period of time, then that’s when you could create chances. But with this ball getting older, hopefully we can score some runs.”

This week has been a strangely newsy one for the Montreal Expos, a Major League Baseball team that has not taken the field since 2004.

The release of a Netflix documentary examining the team's demise—entitled —was long planned. However, the filmmakers probably didn't count on Canada's younger MLB team—the Blue Jays—reaching the World Series and throwing an even bigger spotlight on baseball in the Great White North.

Like many of baseball's more famous relocations—the Dodgers', the Giants', or (more recently) the Athletics'—the Expos' defection to Washington to become the Nationals marked the culmination of a long and arduous process. It was also unique in that it involved a quasi-ownership "trade" that influenced the fate of a franchise thousands of miles away from Quebec.

Here's a look at how Canada's second-largest city lost its team.

How did Jeffrey Loria buy the Expos?

Liquor magnate Charles Bronfman and five partners founded the Expos in 1969—a time when Montreal was still widely known as Canada's cultural capital (Toronto wouldn't jump it in population until Canada's 2001 census). The Expos found sledding tough in their early years, making just one playoff appearance (1981) despite numerous winning seasons. Bronfman sold the team to Claude Brochu in 1991, and after a tumultuous decade, Brochu sold a controlling stake to art dealer Jeffrey Loria in 2001.

How did Jeffrey Loria get out of his deal with the Expos?

For much of Montreal's existence, the team faced one overarching question: how would the team replace Olympic Stadium? The oft-derided building long overstayed its welcome for the 1976 Summer Olympics, and Loria quickly sought public funding for a new park. As attempts to replace Olympic Stadium dragged, MLB attempted to fold the Twins and Expos—a move only stopped by a successful court challenge. Amid this turmoil in Montreal, Loria sold the team to MLB and used the money to buy the Marlins—taking the Expos' resources with him.

How did the Expos get to Washington?

MLB's purchase of the team was effectively the ballgame for Montreal, but the years leading up to the team's relocation produced a slew of interesting what-ifs. First, in 2003 and 2004, the Expos split their home games between Montreal and San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium—routinely drawing better in Puerto Rico than in Canada. Along with San Juan, several non-Washington cities circled the Expos, with Charlotte and Portland discussed as contenders. Ultimately, the American capital won the Expos sweepstakes, and the team took on the name of several early Washington teams—the Nationals.

What is the legacy of the Expos' final years?

For many years, the legacy of the Expos' messy relocation seemed to be MLB's eagerness to avoid a repeat—but the Athletics' widely reviled, slow-motion departure from Oakland appears to have scuttled that. Montreal retains an appetite for baseball, as the Expos live on as a nostalgia item—"The DNA is still here even though they’re gone," documentary director Jean-François Poisson told 's Matthew Roberson Thursday. If expansion one day brings baseball back to Quebec, the Expos—as ever—will likely need to do something about Olympic Stadium, which somehow still stands on the eve of its 50th anniversary.

Aaron Boone called upon relief pitcher Fernando Cruz to get the Yankees out of a bases-loaded jam against the Red Sox on Tuesday night—and he did just that, leading to quite the fired-up reaction.

After taking over for starter Carlos Rodón in the top of the seventh with runners on first and second, Cruz retired three of the four Boston batters he faced—finishing the frame by forcing Trevor Story into a pop out to deep center field.

The inning-closing out had Cruz understandably fired up. Take a look at how he celebrated:

Boone's decision to leave his starter in Rodón in the game for as long as he did nearly backfired, but Cruz saved his manager's you-know-what. One question remains, however. Where'd his hat go?!

The Yankees and Red Sox are tied 3–3 in Game 2 as they enter the ninth inning from the Bronx. The winner of the American League wild-card series will move onto the divisional round, where they'll take on the Blue Jays.

If Father Time is truly undefeated, he was nowhere to be found Thursday night.

During a busy night on the jam-packed October sports calendar, it was a trio of athletes in their 40s who shined the brightest. It felt like 2012 again on when 40-year-old Joe Flacco and 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers battled head-to-head in a tight game between the Steelers and Bengals. Over in the ALCS, the Blue Jays handed the ball to 41-year-old Max Scherzer in a game they needed badly on the road.

The result: One of the most fun nights of prime-time sports in recent memory. Maybe these guys play forever?

Joe Flacco, Bengals quarterback

Tributes poured in from around the world as Sana Mir, the former Pakistan captain, called time on her 15-year international career

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-2020

Thank you Captain @mir_sana05 pic.twitter.com/QaibiZyHsl

— Bismah Maroof (@maroof_bismah) April 25, 2020

Thank you @mir_sana05 . pic.twitter.com/0JMGS2qP8j

— Javeria Khan (@ImJaveria) April 25, 2020

Congratulations Sana on an amazing career with Pakistan and for everything you have done for cricket in your country and globally. You have been an inspirational leader to many and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you https://t.co/qZ1tZgW9Lk

— Suzie Bates (@SuzieWBates) April 25, 2020

You have worked hard for Pakistan !! It was an honour playing under your leadership. Lots of prayers for the new journey.
Bigger achievements ahead.. IA
Thank you for serving Pakistan in the amazing way you did
We are proud of you. https://t.co/XxdIRKW3ZH

— Kainat Imtiaz (@kainatimtiaz16) April 25, 2020

A true stalwart of Pakistan cricket today announced her retirement in @mir_sana05 but what a fantastic career it was. A career which saw many high

Wish you all the best in your next chapter legend

— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) April 25, 2020

Congratulations on an amazing career @mir_sana05 but as they say, all good things come to an end! You served the nation with pride and passion and achieved many great things for the nation. Happy retirement!

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) April 25, 2020

Congratulations #SanaMir on a wonderful career. It was always a pleasure playing against you. A true ambassador of women's cricket across the globe and someone who inspired a generation of cricketers to take up the sport. Wishing you good luck on your next innings. @mir_sana05

— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) April 25, 2020

Congratulations @mir_sana05 & Bravo . U must be proud what u achieved for beloved country . U inspired many so Well done & Best wishes for future endeavours Stay Blessed https://t.co/Rzg6e5t5jt

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) April 25, 2020

Thank you @mir_sana05 for a splendid cricketing career and more importantly, for being an ambassador for millions of young girls!
You made proud with your performances that lead you to the ICC ODI ranking#BackOurGirls #ShaanePakistan

pic.twitter.com/odibYWaNTq

— Quetta Gladiators (@TeamQuetta) April 25, 2020

Congratulations on an incredible career @mir_sana05 Few people in sport have done more to break down barriers for those coming behind them and been such an ambassador for cricket and Pakistan. Looking forward to seeing what comes next! pic.twitter.com/piKRUPQmXv

— Isobel Joyce (@izzyjoyce) April 25, 2020

Incredible career @mir_sana05 https://t.co/ks5LJnN4NH

— Ebony Rainford-Brent (@ejrainfordbrent) April 25, 2020

Congratulations on a fantastic career @mir_sana05 ! All the best for your future endeavours #TrueAmbassador

— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) April 25, 2020

A super career and a legend of Pakistan cricket happy retirement @mir_sana05 a true inspiration for many around the world

— Hassan Ali (@RealHa55an) April 25, 2020

Congratulations on a fantastic career! You are a legend and will miss watching you play. But I cannot wait to see your next adventure
thank you for everything you have done https://t.co/oYgi41oXw8

— Natalie Germanos (@NatalieGermanos) April 25, 2020

Congrats Sana on a stellar career. Well played!!! Best wishes for all your endeavours @mir_sana05

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) April 25, 2020

Congrats on an incredible career @mir_sana05 and all the best for the future! https://t.co/ke3CnNBwPy

— Danevn81 (@Danevn811) April 25, 2020

Much admiration for you @mir_sana05, and have always appreciated your straight talking in interviews as well. Congratulations on your achievements, will look forward to seeing what you do next https://t.co/hecCbyc7r9

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) April 25, 2020

Congrats on a wonderful career @mir_sana05 https://t.co/TO6SkAMYoD

— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) April 25, 2020

Congratulations on a great career, @mir_sana05! Legend!!! https://t.co/5AgcQWMas9

— Poonam Yadav (@poonam_yadav24) April 25, 2020

West Indies quick talks about how he never takes his spot for granted, Patriots’ chances in the CPL and more

Matt Roller12-Aug-2020He has played in every one of their last 20 T20Is, but Sheldon Cottrell admits that he still doesn’t feel like an automatic pick in the West Indies side in the shortest format.Cottrell, the left-arm seamer, is one of the few automatic picks in West Indies’ first-choice T20I bowling attack as things stand, with back-to-back World Cups coming up in 2021 and 2022. But heading into the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where he will represent St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Cottrell feels that he cannot simply rest on his laurels.”What I’ve gotten my success in the West Indies team from is saying to myself that my spot is not sure,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “That mentality keeps me fighting. I’m always going to fight.”I wouldn’t say that I’m a sure pick, no. Performances speak for themselves, so once I put them in, I’m going to keep my place.”For Cottrell, the dream of playing in a T20 World Cup final and helping West Indies defend their title feels within touching distance. Back in 2016, when they beat England in the final, Cottrell had only a handful of international caps to his name, and was at home watching with his family.”I was in my living room with my family, TV on loud,” he recalled. “I’m the one who has to teach my family about the game, and when Carlos [Brathwaite] hit the first six, everyone erupted like the game had been won.”Me being a fan of the game, I was sitting there like: OK, I know this can change in the blink of an eye. But when he hit that last six? Oh my god. Everyone erupts. We were drinking, laughing – it was like we were there.”I can imagine being in a final, and I would think about the fans, looking back at how happy my family and I were at the time. All those emotions and all that happiness would be a joy for me to bring to all of them. Winning that would be beyond my dreams.”

“I’m the type of person who creates his own energy. Most times, the fans don’t matter to me on the field, because I’m so focused and zoned in on my job and what I have to do.”Sheldon Cottrell

Cottrell returned to small-group training in Jamaica a month or so ago, and soon got over the initial aches and pains that came after a long break. He will be leading the attack for Patriots in the CPL, with significant expectations on his shoulders after they were hit by the withdrawals of Fabian Allen (missed flight), Rassie van der Dussen (travel difficulties), Dennis Bulli (Covid-19 positive) and Sunny Sohal (family reasons), plus a late change to their coaching staff.”I’ve had a lot of rest, so my mind is in a wonderful place right now,” Cottrell said. “Jamaica’s a beautiful place and I haven’t been at home for this long for the past two or three years. I’ve had the chance to explore and relax my mind – just set my mind into a good place.”I’ve been more disciplined in my training, mainly in areas that I haven’t had a chance to work on while playing. This is one of the positives of all this – I’ve gotten to strengthen some areas that the time wasn’t there for while playing.”During the lockdown, I’ve been thinking about things that I can do and since I’m back bowling now, I’m going to put them into play. I’ve got a couple of deliveries I’ve been working on – I don’t want to give too much away. But even if I start with the new ball, I’ve got a few things up my sleeve.”Following the CPL, Cottrell will travel to the UAE to fulfil his $1million contract with Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, a tournament that he describes as “every modern-day cricketer’s dream”. He admitted that it would be strange in both tournaments to play without fans, but thinks that he can “create his own energy” to avoid any dip in performance.”How am I going to feel? Playing without spectators is something new for most international cricketers, but I’m the type of person that’ll put in 110% no matter what, so I’m not too worried about that.”I’m the type of person who creates his own energy. Most times, the fans don’t matter to me on the field, because I’m so focused and zoned in on my job and what I have to do. Whenever I salute, it’s all about passion and respect for my military colleagues: I didn’t start out doing it for the fans.”And as for the Patriots’ chances? “It’s a well-rounded team. I’ll be realistic: we’re pushing for the top four and will take it from there, but we have a strong team with the inclusion of Chris Lynn and Ish Sodhi.”Alzarri Joseph too, he’s a cool customer. There’s nothing too hype about him, but he’s gone from strength to strength. With what he’s been through in his personal life, I feel for him, and I can see that he’s a strong person. He’ll be trying to put his hand up.”