England winning an Ashes Test Australia had all-but won or Sri Lanka’s marathon fourth-innings chase against a battling Zimbabwe?
ESPNcricinfo staff06-May-2025Update: This poll has ended. The ENG-AUS 2019 Leeds Test moves to the round of 16.
The greatest heist Stokes pulled – Leeds, 2019
Was it the ending, the unbroken 76-run stand for the last wicket between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach? Or the fact that one of the batters scored 74 (in 45 balls) and the other 1 (in 17 balls) in that partnership? Or that the winners had scored 67 in their first innings and then hit 362 for 9 in the chase in a Test where 246 was the next-best total?Maybe all of the above. But the drama of the Stokes-Leach partnership is what perhaps made it all so memorable.Australia won the first Test and the second was drawn, so England wanted to win this one at Headingley to stay in the contest, harbour dreams of winning the Ashes. But after Australia were bowled out for 179 in the first innings, all England could put up was 67, with Joe Denly top-scoring with 12. Back to Australia, and this time they put up 246.Was the pitch getting better for batting? It didn’t seem so when England were 15 for 2 in their chase of 359, and then 159 for 4 with Joe Root gone, and then 286 for 9. Stokes, the No. 5, was on 61 at the time. Off 174 balls. So 2-0 to Australia? But with last-man Leach for company, Stokes switched something on. He hit four fours and seven sixes from that point, keeping Leach away from the strike as much as possible, before finishing it off with a flay through the covers off Pat Cummins.
Sri Lanka pull off a record chase – Colombo (RPS), 2017
How difficult could Zimbabwe make it for Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in a Test match?Very, as it turned out.Craig Ervine hit 160 in close to six hours after Zimbabwe had opted to bat. They scored 356. Sri Lanka had two half-centurions – Upul Tharanga and Dinesh Chandimal – as they fell ten runs short.Surely Zimbabwe couldn’t do it again against Rangana Herath and everyone else.Yes, they could.Even top it.This time Sikandar Raza was the star, with 127, again in just under six hours, and Sri Lanka had to chase 388. Only four times had a bigger target been chased down in a Test match at that point, and never in Asia.Again, there was no century-maker. Forget that, Sri Lanka were five down for 203, still 185 in arrears. But Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne weren’t done yet. Both scored 80s – Dickwella 81 and Gunaratne 80 not out – and Zimbabwe’s fight eventually fizzled out.
كشف مصدر أن اتحاد الكرة حدد موعد إعلان قراره في أزمة الزمالك، ولاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي الحالي، والأبيض السابق، أحمد سيد زيزو.
وكان زيزو قد حضر إلى مقر اتحاد الكرة، في جلسة استماع رسمية أمام اللجنة القانونية، منذ شهرين، على خلفية الشكاوى المقدمة ضده من الزمالك، بحجة توقيعه للأهلي في فترة غير قانونية.
وقدم دفاع اللاعب مستندات رسمية تؤكد أن توقيعه للأهلي جاء في فترة قانونية لا تخالف اللوائح، كما نفى تماما أحقية الزمالك في الحصول على أي نسب مالية من الإعلانات التي ظهر فيها اللاعب.
طالع.. خاص | كواليس ومفاجآت.. تفاصيل جلسة التحقيق مع زيزو في اتحاد الكرة
أما زيزو فقد قدم شكوى ضد الزمالك، كما حضر والده في الجلسة، وقدم أوراقًا تثبت أن مستحقات نجله المتأخرة لدى الزمالك تبلغ نحو 82.5 مليون جنيه، مطالبا بالحصول على المبلغ كاملًا.
وأكد مصدر باللجنة القانونية لاتحاد الكرة لـ بطولات: “ننتظر أن يقدم الزمالك مستنداته للرد على زيزو، وأعطيناه مهلة حتى يوم 30 نوفمبر المقبل”.
وتابع: “بعد 30 نوفمبر سنتخذ قرارنا، وسيكون لصالح زيزو ولكن لم يتحدد المبلغ الذي سنصدره له”.
واختتم: “موقف الزمالك ضعيف؛ ولكن ننتظر أولًا المستندات التي سيقدمها الزمالك قبل يوم 30 نوفمبر، ثم سنصدر حكمنا النهائي”.
Kellaway, Crane claim three wickets apiece as Lancashire’s slim hopes unravel
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Aug-2025 Glamorgan 261 and 348 for 7 dec (Northeast 132, Carlson 108) beat Lancashire 137 and 318 (Wells 102, Harris 61) by 154 runs Glamorgan extinguished any hope of a record-breaking run-chase from Lancashire as they wrapped up a vital 154-run victory at Emirates Old Trafford which keeps them on course for promotion from Rothesay County Championship Division Two.After a delay for rain, in which 20 overs were lost, the hosts were faced with scoring 247 runs with five wickets in hand off the 76 remaining overs but with Marcus Harris at the crease accompanied by nightwatchman Tom Bailey, the Red Rose still held ambitions that a win could be salvaged from a game in which they had been dismissed for 137 in their first innings.It took just 45 minutes before lunch for Glamorgan to make huge strides towards the victory with Bailey bowled by a brilliant Asitha Fernando inswinging yorker for 16 to make it 259 for 6, with all-rounder Chris Green following 18 balls later, top edging a sweep to Kiran Carlson off Ben Kellaway for 9 to leave the score 270 for 7.With Harris remaining, Lancashire still harboured a glimmer of a chance, and the Australian reached a battling half-century off 89 balls. But when Harris was out for 61, caught at short leg by Carlson off the impressive Mason Crane, the game was well and truly up, with Tom Hartley and George Balderson left with an almost impossible task.Hartley, who had scored his maiden first class century in the previous match, could not repeat his heroics and was out bowled Kellaway, who finished with 3 for 82, for 5, to leave skipper James Anderson joining Balderson in the middle.The England bowling great brought out a few trademark reverse sweeps to elongate proceedings with Balderson also swinging his bat to good effect as the last pair put on 25 for the final wicket.The final act came at around 2.20pm when Anderson missed a sweep to hand Crane his third wicket of innings to finish with match figures of 9 for 126 and leave Glamorgan celebrating a first win at Emirates Old Trafford since 1993.For Lancashire it is a defeat which sees them further adrift in the Division Two promotion race with the result leaving the Red Rose 38 points behind a gleeful Glamorgan with three games remaining.
Maaz Sadaqat, 20, has probably never been searched or spoken about as much as he was on Sunday night.Under the glare of a primetime audience in a high-stakes clash against India A, the youngster from Peshawar delivered two decisive punches. His tidy left-arm spin removed Jitesh Sharma and Nehal Wadhera in quick succession, sparking a collapse that saw India A lose 8 for 45 and crumble for 136 all out with an over left.And as if that wasn’t enough, Sadaqat then opened the chase with a sparkling statement of intent, hitting a robust 31-ball half-century in an exhilarating display of batsmanship, guiding Pakistan A to a commanding eight-wicket win with plenty to spare in their second game at the Rising Stars T20 Asia Cup.This was Pakistan A’s second straight win in the competition, which assured them of a semi-final berth.
Suryavanshi fires early salvo
India A were once again propelled by the precocious brilliance of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the wunderkind who had lit up the tournament with a breathtaking 144 against UAE just two nights ago.On a crumbly surface offering grip and turn, he wasted no time in taking on fast bowler Ubaid Shah, younger brother of Naseem, to give India A the early momentum. His intent helped the team wade through the early loss of Priyansh Arya, who top-edged a pull to mid-on. What stood out was Suryavanshi’s game awareness: he quickly sensed that this pitch wouldn’t suit premeditation, and adjusted accordingly.Vaibhav Suryavanshi did not take much time to tee off•Asian Cricket Council
By holding his shape and trusting his hands, he produced an array of eye-catching strokes: like the crisp inside-out punch over cover, a clean swing over deep midwicket, and a series of razor-sharp pick-ups against spin.His 49-run stand with Naman Dhir ensured India A found a boundary almost every over until the tenth, setting a brisk, early tempo despite the tricky conditions. Suryavanshi even took on left-arm spinner Sufyan Muqeem, before an attempt to launch him over the ropes had him fall for a 28-ball 45.
Sadaqat’s Act-I
After Suryavanshi’s dismissal, India A went 29 balls without finding the boundary. That lull coincided with the introduction of Sadaqat, whose thrifty left-arm spin tightened the screws almost immediately. Using his angles cleverly, he coaxed the ball to drift, grip and occasionally rear up, while subtle changes of pace denied the batters any rhythm.Jitesh, coming off a blistering 32-ball 83 not out against UAE, miscued a lofted attempt to long-off, and Wadhera was stumped after being lured out by one that drifted away late. Between those two blows, Ashutosh Sharma was unfortunate to be given lbw to a delivery that skidded on but appeared to strike him outside the line.Sadaqat finished with figures of 3-1-12-2, setting the stage for right-arm seamer Shahid Aziz to return and wipe out the lower order. From looking set to score 180, India A collapsed to 136 all out.The Irfan Khan-led Pakistan A struck regularly in the second half•Asian Cricket Council
Sadaqat’s Act-II
On a surface where run-making seemed progressively difficult as India A found out, Sadaqat had clean plans: of taking the attack to the bowlers with the new ball inside the powerplay. And on Sunday, nothing was going to stop him.Reprieved second ball when Wadhera put down a tough chance at backward point, Sadaqat took the attack to left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh in his first over. Then with spin introduced in the fourth, he laid into leg spinner Suyash Sharma, hitting him for back-to-back boundaries.Jitesh persisted with Gurjapneet for a third straight over inside the powerplay, but Sadaqat snuffed out any fight from India A by clobbering him for 18 – including a flat-bat six over long-on as Pakistan A brought up their 50 inside five overs. This turbocharge meant Pakistan A didn’t lose momentum even with the loss of Mohammad Naeem.As good as Sadaqat was in front of square, there was so much more to his batting. He welcomed the offspin of Dhir by reverse-sweeping him for a six, racing to a half-century off just 31 balls.On 54, he top-edged Suyash, only to be dropped by Suryavanshi at point. Then on 56, he swung one over long-on, only for Wadhera to sensationally intercept the ball and throw it back into the field of play for Dhir to take the relay. However, the third umpire ruled it in favour of Pakistan. Strangely though, he did not rule it a six and it was given as a dot ball instead.Those two chances aside, there were hardly moments on the field where India A had any semblance of control. Sadaqat remained unbeaten on 79 off 47 as Pakistan A cruised home in style.
Head swats aside criticism: “Pink ball, white ball, red ball… Who really cares?”
Matt Roller30-Nov-2025
Joe Root will look to make a substantial score for England in the second Test•Getty Images
Joe Root has questioned whether the Ashes should include a pink-ball Test ahead of Thursday’s day-night fixture in Brisbane.The first pink-ball Test was staged a decade ago and the format was initially devised to boost attendances. The second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes between Australia and England at the Gabba this week will be the 25th played with a pink ball and the fourth in an Ashes series, and tickets have sold out for the first three days.But amid huge demand for tickets across the tour, Root queried whether the day-night element was necessary. “I don’t think you need it in Ashes series. Absolutely not,” he said before training at the Gabba on Sunday.”I don’t mind [pink-ball cricket]. I mean, I don’t think it’s as good as traditional Test cricket. But it’s in the schedule: we’ve got to play it, and just got to make sure we’re better than them at it… It’s clearly something that works here for Australia, and they enjoy it.”He added: “It does add to things. It’s obviously very successful and popular here, and obviously Australia have got a very good record here as well. You can see why we’re playing one of those games and ultimately, you know from two years out [that] it is going to be there… A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”Related
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Both Cricket Australia and the ECB were happy to play the game as a pink-ball Test, since home boards need the agreement of their opponents before the ICC grant approval for Test matches to be played as day-night games. The 2pm start time in Brisbane means that the final session will be played in primetime for domestic TV audiences, and in daylight hours in the UK.Travis Head, who scored 123 off 83 balls in the series opener in Perth to put Australia 1-0 up, dismissed Root’s comments. “We’ve embraced it,” he said. “We’ve been able to put out a good product, and been able to play really, really well with it. Pink ball, white ball, red ball… Who really cares?”It’s a great spectacle. We’re going to have huge crowds again. [We’ll] look forward to the week and, look, if you win, you think it’s great, and if you lose, maybe not. Both teams might have differing opinions by the end of it… It still works the same way. It’s still five days, it’s just with a slightly different ball.”Mitchell Starc took 6 for 9 with the pink ball in Australia’s most recent day-night Test•Associated Press
Root has played in each of England’s seven previous day-night Tests, captaining in six of them, and said that England must be aware of “how quickly the game can change” under floodlights. “At different phases of the day, it can feel quite placid and you can feel out of the game with the ball, and things can turn around,” he said.”Similarly, with the bat, [it is about] recognising those moments and utilising them as best you can: when to put the foot down and maximise the good batting conditions; similarly, being able to maximise it when it changes and how quickly it changes.”The sun will set during the second session of play in Brisbane this week, which Root highlighted as a difference to England’s recent day-night Tests.”It looks like we’ll have half of a day under floodlights. The twilight phase is in the middle session, when usually that comes around the back end of the second session and the start of the last session.”There will be different elements to contend with, but that is all part of the fun, right? Can we be skilful enough and brave enough to be better than Australia in those big moments?”Australia’s only defeat in their 14 previous pink-ball Tests came against West Indies at the Gabba early last year, but England have a dreadful record in Brisbane, last winning there in 1986-87.”It is a chance to make a bit of history,” Root said. “It will make it all that bit sweeter if we can get over the line here. I’ve played at other venues where we’ve got terrible records, then come out and won; it’s a great feeling. That’s the carrot dangled in front of us.”
Currently, it feels like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract last year and sign for Real Madrid has benefitted nobody.
The Spanish giants have yet to find a starring role for the right-back in Xabi Alonso’s system; Trent is out in the cold vis-à-vis Thomas Tuchel’s England; Liverpool keenly miss their starboy’s creativity and flair.
All of this is premature. Much can change, and it has only been three months since the 2025/26 campaign kicked off. But Arne Slot’s Liverpool are lacking ideas at the moment; and just as importantly, they cannot find the answers to their opponents’ tactics.
Slot sought to reorient Liverpool’s creative focus to a more typical area, working with Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for what stood as a record-breaking £116m fee for a few months.
Now, Liverpool are looking into new attacking midfielders to rival Wirtz for a place in the Reds’ starting line-up.
Why Liverpool are looking to sign Wirtz rival
Liverpool have landed a generational talent in Wirtz. The 22-year-old proved across years of age-defying quality in his homeland that he is destined for greatness.
However, we cannot deny it’s been a rocky road since the start of the season.
Wirtz is yet to register a goal involvement in the Premier League and he has not scored in any competition. However, his struggles stand against the backdrop of Liverpool’s wider issues this season. Slot’s side are worryingly imbalanced and sapped of confidence, having lost five of their past six top-flight fixtures.
But Wirtz has demonstrated his skill for Germany during the current international break, with analyst Raj Chohan saying his “creative passing has been insane”.
Florian Wirtz’s International Break
Match Stats
vs LUX
vs SVK
Minutes played
90′
77′
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
2
Shots (on target)
4 (2)
2 (0)
Accurate passes
46/56 (82%)
72/77 (94%)
Chances created
1
6
Crosses
0/5
2/5
Dribbles
5/6
1/3
Recoveries
5
9
Ground duels
8/10
3/5
Data via Sofascore
But, with Harvey Elliott struggling out on loan with Aston Villa and bound to depart for good in the near future, Liverpool have lined up 19-year-old midfielder Kees Smit as a potential rival for Wirtz in Slot’s system.
According to Soccer News, the AZ Alkmaar talent is emerging as a serious candidate for a transfer to Liverpool, and FSG are further drawn to the player after Slot’s personal advocacy, having worked with the young prospect during his stint with AZ back in 2019/20.
The teenager is valued at around £22.5m, and Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the circling sharks.
What Kees Smit would offer Liverpool
Smit is young and inexperienced, but the word on the Dutch streets is that he is one of the nation’s most exciting up-and-comers. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has acknowledged Smit for his “superstar potential”, not just naturally gifted but intelligent, industrious and strong in defensive phases.
The Netherlands U21 star has made 50 senior showings already, scoring four goals and supplying six assists. Increasingly important in the Eredivisie, he’s started all 11 matches this term, notching two goals and two assists apiece while completing 88% of his passes, creating two chances on average each game and recovering six balls a match.
He’s so energetic, mobile and athletic while bearing the shrewdness to apply himself in the correct phases, never over-exerting. This is a rare trait for one so young, and emphasises the midfielder’s potential for success in the Premier League.
As per FBref, Smit ranks among the top 14% of midfielders in the Dutch top flight this season for pass completion and successful take-ons, and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90.
Should Wirtz be worried for his starting berth? While all of the above is true, stepping into the harsh English footballing climate is no easy task. Wirtz would testify for that argument.
But Smit is less of an out-and-out attacking midfielder than his older counterpart, and in this, he could be a glove-tight tactical fit under Slot’s management, instilling more creativity while adding to the steel and compactability of the engine room.
His more balanced approach differs from Wirtz’s own. The new Merseyside recruit has faced criticism for a perceived lack of physicality in the Premier League. Some pointed fingers regarding this matter have been unfair, but there’s no question that Wirtz needs to be more active in the duel, more combative when pitted against defenders.
The aforementioned Mattinson has singled Smit out as a “duel monster”, further underlining his potential in Slot’s Liverpool set-up.
The Reds have options in midfield, and they have creative players too. But it doesn’t take someone with Slot’s football-tuned mind to conclude that something isn’t working for the Premier League champions, who need to find a way out of this present rut, else a concerning start will devolve into a disastrous campaign with far-reaching ramifications.
If Liverpool succeed in sealing Smit’s signature this winter, there’s every chance that the perfect dimension would be added to ease the offensive issues at the club.
Who knows, perhaps the competition would help Wirtz grow into his Liverpool skin and begin to show that ability that was promised when Liverpool spent a staggering sum on bringing him over from Germany.
But if not, Smit has the potential to stand proud as one of the world’s best, and this could give Liverpool’s German maverick cause for concern.
Forget Ngumoha: 19-year-old star is Liverpool's new Luis Diaz in the making
Liverpool could now be brewing their next Luis Diaz in this rising 19-year-old star.
As part of the centenary celebrations, NZC has designed a special logo and will unveil an all-time Plunket Shield XI
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2025
The special logo for the 100th season of the Plunket Shield•NZC
The 2025-26 edition of the Plunket Shield, New Zealand’s domestic first-class tournament, will start on November 18, with the eighth and final round scheduled from March 27. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that it would be the 100th season of the competition.The Plunket Shield was introduced in 1906, originally competed for on a challenge basis. But it was not until 1921-22 that the tournament was contested over a round-robin format by all New Zealand first-class teams.CLICK HERE FOR PLUNKET SHIELD SCHEDULE”The Plunket Shield was first awarded in 1906, by the Governor of New Zealand, Lord Plunket, and was given to Canterbury as the association with the best record that season,” NZC statistician Francis Payne said in a release. “The 1921-22 summer was the start of the men’s domestic first-class competition as we know it, with the Plunket Shield competed for on a seasonal basis featuring four of today’s six major associations, with Central Districts (1950-51) and Northern Districts (1956-57) later additions.”The competition was suspended for five seasons during World War II (1939-1945), thus making the 2025-26 its centenary season. Central Districts play Auckland, Wellington take on Otago, and Canterbury face defending champions Northern Districts in the opening round this season.Wellington fast bowler Michael Snedden has a very strong connection with the history of Plunket Shield as he is a fourth-generation first-class player. His father Martin, grandfather Warwick and great-grandfather Nessie have all played in the past, with Nessie playing the inaugural season in 1921-22.”It’s been said before and I agree, our domestic competitions are the equal of any others in the world, and the Plunket Shield is the jewel in that crown,” NZC CEO Scott Weenink said. “The basis for the Black Caps side that won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship and achieved that wonderful piece of history in India last year is the Plunket Shield. It continues to produce international-ready Black Caps and demonstrate its relevance, more than 100 years on from when it began”.As part of the centenary celebrations, NZC has designed a special logo and will unveil an all-time Plunket Shield XI.
Tottenham Hotspur fell to an embarrassing 4-1 defeat against bitter North London rivals Arsenal this afternoon, with the result heaping more pressure on Thomas Frank.
The Dane’s side came into the encounter unbeaten away from home in the Premier League, but such a record has been wiped out after the demolition job at the Emirates.
He switched to a 5-2-2-1 system against Mikel Arteta’s men, but it quickly backfired, with the Lilywhites already three goals down after just 47 minutes of the clash.
Former transfer target Eberechi Eze netted a hat-trick in the humbling defeat, further rubbing salt into Spurs’ wounds after their failure to land his signature in the summer.
Numerous players also failed to rise to the occasion across the capital, with the manager desperately needing to drop numerous players from his first team squad in the weeks ahead.
The Spurs players who massively struggled against Arsenal
Despite not scoring since the middle of September, Frank decided to stick with Richarlison at the top end of the pitch against Arsenal, with the Brazilian finally ending his goal drought despite the loss.
His 50-yard strike wasn’t enough to gloss over his struggles in North London, as the 28-year-old registered the least amount of touches of any player with his total of just 24.
He was dominated aerially, losing 100% of his battles at the Emirates, with the former Everton man unable to offer the hold-up play needed to release some of the pressure placed on the Lilywhites.
Djed Spence was given the responsibility of starting at right wing-back, but the England international struggled to match the huge expectations he’s set for himself in recent months.
He featured for 78 minutes before being withdrawn, but his substitution was warranted after completing none of his attempted dribbles, whilst also failing to find a teammate with any of his crosses.
Neither of the aforementioned players managed to rise to the occasion this afternoon, which could put their starting positions at risk ahead of the Champions League clash with PSG.
The Spurs player who’s now looking “non-league” level
There is little denying that today’s performance from Spurs was one of the worst of the Frank era, with the manager needing to take huge responsibility for the defeat.
His decision to switch to a back five will no doubt have contributed to their inability to create opportunities in the final third, resulting in a total xG created of just 0.07.
The withdrawal of Kevin Danso at the break no doubt signalled that he made the wrong decision to start with such a negative system against their bitter rivals.
However, it wasn’t the only decision that proved to be the wrong one, with the Dane deciding to start the clash with Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur as a double pivot at the heart of the side.
The pair have previously showcased that they can’t play progressively alongside one another, further highlighting the negative approach taken by the manager in North London.
Bentancur has constantly come under scrutiny for his lack of positive impact, something which has become apparent once again after the clash against Arsenal.
The Uruguayan international featured for 66 minutes but failed to prevent the onslaught from Arteta’s men – resulting in 100% duels lost and the player picking up a yellow card.
Rodrigo Bentancur – stats against Arsenal
Statistics
Tally
Minutes played
66
Touches
26
Passes completed
16
Passes into final third
0
Duels lost
100%
Tackles won
0
Dribbled past
2
Fouls committed
1
Stats via FotMob
He also failed to win any of the tackles he entered, whilst being dribbled past twice and unable to provide the ball-winning presence Frank would have craved with the double pivot.
Other figures, such as 26 touches of the ball and zero passes into the final third, also demonstrate his lack of quality when in possession, resulting in some hugely vocal criticism of his display.
After his dismal showing at the Emirates, one content creator labelled Bentancur as a “non-league” footballer, further showcasing his dismal form for the Lilywhites.
As a result, the manager desperately needs to exclude the Uruguayan international from his first-team plans, with it being clearly evident he’s not at the level required for success.
His continued struggles make the decision to extend his contract in North London an even more baffling one, with other options desperately needing to be utilised after the embarrassing Derby Day loss.
Spurs have their own Saka & he’s “one of the biggest talents in Europe”
Tottenham Hotspur have a star who could rival Bukayo Saka in the North London derby this weekend.
Although it’s not time to breathe a sight of relief just yet, reports have suggested that one Sheffield Wednesday candidate has travelled to Hillsborough and a bid for the club is expected.
The Dejphon Chansiri era is officially over, but the Owls entered administration as a result and were handed a 12-point deduction to turn their Championship survival push into their very own mission impossible.
The good times, however, are on their way. Fans flooded to the club shop when Chansiri’s exit was confirmed, before they packed out Hillsborough in a 1-1 draw with Norwich City. This is, at long last, a club pulling in the same direction from top to bottom and co-administrator Kris Wigfield took time to thank supporters earlier this week.
Timeline for Sheffield Wednesday takeover as candidates move to next stage
A positive sign for the Owls.
ByTom Cunningham Nov 6, 2025
The Begbies Traynor managing partner said: “Ahead of the Norwich game, we wanted to give a brief update as best we can to keep fans informed.
“Whilst we are bound by confidentiality for much of this process, it is worth saying that the fantastic support of the fans through attending matches and buying merchandise from the club shop has been vital to running the club and the ground day-to-day – this includes paying the wages of employees and players.”
Regarding prospective buyers, there’s been plenty of interest in Sheffield Wednesday. Several parties have reportedly presented proof of funds worth £50m and the likes of John McEvoy and former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley have been mentioned.
Administrators have set an loose deadline of November 21 for when they want new owners through the door and the latest update suggests that they are on course to meet that deadline this month.
Sheffield Wednesday takeover candidates take Hillsborough tour
As confirmed by Wigfield, an unnamed Sheffield Wednesday takeover candidate has now travelled to Hillsborough for a tour of the stadium and a look at other facilities such as the training ground. Other parties are set to follow suit and opening bids are expected to commence as the Owls move closer and closer to welcoming new owners.
The 12-point hit dealt Sheffield Wednesday an undeniable blow but with Chansiri finally gone, things are beginning to look up at Hillsborough.
Liam Cooper alert to transfer possibility as Sheffield Wednesday hold EFL talks
Manchester United are now rivalling Liverpool for the signature of a “brilliant” forward, who has been in impressive form so far this season.
Man Utd eyeing new forward ahead of January
Man United’s recruitment has been questionable over the years, but Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have certainly made promising starts to life at Old Trafford, with Paul Merson singling them out for high praise earlier this season.
The former Arsenal man said: “Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha look good. Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole used to be an unbelievable partnership and these two could become a success like that duo at Manchester United.”
“Mbeumo and Cunha will always create problems for opponents, it’s just that they have to do it consistently.”
With Ruben Amorim’s side looking to get back into Europe next season, however, they may need to bring in additional options in attack, and they are now looking to sign a Liverpool target.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Man United have now joined the race for RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, who is being targeted by a whole host of Europe’s top clubs, and Jurgen Klopp is a big fan.
With Liverpool scouts pushing for FSG to get a deal done, United may have to move swiftly to secure his signature, and it could be very expensive, with the German club set to demand the full £87m release clause included in his contract.
A TEAMtalk source adds: “In terms of talent level, Red Bull has not experienced an interest like this since Erling Haaland. The ceiling for this kid is that high.”
“However, it has to be pointed out there is no for sale sign attached to him – Leipzig do not want to let him leave.”
Man Utd submit £24m bid for "powerful" midfielder with shades of Adam Wharton
United have now made an opening offer for a new midfielder.
By
Dominic Lund
Dec 4, 2025
"Brilliant" Diomande impressing for club and country
Scout Jacek Kulig was full of praise for the Ivorian earlier this season, praising the impact he has made for both club and country.
The 19-year-old is certainly making an impression in his first season in Germany, having already chipped in with eight goal contributions in all competitions, while he has also showcased his defensive qualities.
That said, £87m would be a huge fee to shell out on a player yet to prove himself over a sustained period of time, especially considering Man United are planning to shell out over £100m on a new midfielder.