The visitors secured a huge victory in the opening Test against Sri Lanka but there are some key achievements Lyon still wants to tick off

AAP03-Feb-20252:48

Steven Smith: ‘A near-flawless performance’

Nathan Lyon has warned Australia could still be years away from Test greatness, despite continuing their blistering summer with a record-breaking rout of Sri Lanka.Australia claimed their biggest ever win on the subcontinent, thrashing Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the Galle series opener, only weeks after sealing their first series defeat of India in a decade.Related

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The Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph confirmed Australia’s spot in a second consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final, with the ICC’s top-ranked side winning more Test matches in the past cycle than any other team.Elder statesman Lyon saw signs of greatness in the win in Galle, where Australian appeared in control from a first over that featured three fours off Travis Head’s bat. But Lyon does not feel the current crop of Australian players can yet lay claim to being a truly great side.”We want to become a great Australian team. We’re on that journey, we’re not there yet. That’s our end goal,” he said. “Part of that journey is making sure that when we close the window, we nail it shut. It’s all about being ruthless and doing our best thing for long periods of time.”The win in Galle ensured Australia would continue to hold every bilateral trophy for which they are eligible, alongside the ODI World Cup and the WTC trophy.But Lyon was quick to point out that Australia had drawn and not won the past two Ashes series played in England, last winning outright on the road in 2001. Australia have also not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India since Ricky Ponting’s side took out the four-match series 2-1 in 2004.Nathan Lyon took seven wickets in the first Test•AFP/Getty Images”There’s a few things [Australia needs to achieve],” said 37-year-old Lyon. “This is only me and my thoughts as well. We’ve got some great players within that change-room, there’s no point hiding behind that. “Australia will have to wait until 2027 for chances at away series wins in India and England. The country’s greatest ever offspinner, Lyon said he “100 percent” hoped to play on that next trip to spin-friendly India as a 39-year-old.Sri Lanka may be the last time before then that Lyon has the chance to bowl in tandem with fellow offspinners Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann.The trio took 17 of Australia’s 20 wickets in Galle, but the team does not have a subcontinent Test tour planned between the ongoing two-match series and India in 2027.”We’re going okay, but I still feel like we’ve got a lot of improvement to do. That’s about being ruthless,” Lyon said of the offspinning trio. “We’re three totally different bowlers with three totally different mindsets as well. I feel like I’m learning off Todd and Matt, and I feel like they’re pushing me to try and get better as well. Hopefully I’m passing on a little bit of knowledge here and there.”Lyon is mostly free of a left hip injury he suffered in the summer, though he is still in pain if he falls on the area.”But I didn’t have to land on it today, so all good,” said Lyon, who took match figures of 7 for 135 in Galle. “Apparently I ripped the deep tissue off the fascia [hip muscle], whatever that means. Apparently there was a bit of excess blood or something in there. Not ideal, but all good now.”

Elisabeth Terland was at her clinical best on Thursday night to fire Manchester United into the Women's Champions League proper for the first time, her hat-trick haunting former side Brann and giving the Red Devils a 3-0 win which rendered last week's 1-0 loss in Bergen meaningless.

A lack of ruthlessness condemned Marc Skinner's side to defeat in Norway but there was no such concern in the home leg, with Terland scoring twice inside the first 13 minutes to ease the nerves and put United in total control early on. The first was a gift from Ingrid Stevenik, the Brann defender who scored the only goal in Bergen, but the second was all about Terland's quality header – and the equally brilliant corner delivery by Julia Zigiotti Olme.

It looked like a hat-trick was going to elude Terland, though. She hit the base of the post just before half time and then had a goal ruled out shortly after the resumption, though the call of a foul against her certainly looked harsh. No matter, as the Norwegian certainly wasn't going to give up and she got her reward just past the hour mark, when another excellent finish made it 3-0 and ensured United will be in Friday's league phase draw, ready to make their debut in the Women's Champions League proper for the first time next month.

GOAL rates Man Utd's players from Leigh Sports Village…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (6/10):

Had very little to do for the most part, but was assured on the ball and in collecting crosses.

Jayde Riviere (7/10):

Did plenty of good work at both ends of the pitch.

Maya Le Tissier (7/10):

Great on the ball and made one of the most crucial interventions any United defender needed to on the night, intercepting a good pass from Gaupset just before it put Eikeland through on goal.

Dominique Janssen (7/10):

Good in possession and positioned herself well to be relatively untroubled defensively.

Anna Sandberg (7/10):

Got forward plenty to be a real asset in attack. Covered well when needed, too.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Julia Zigiotti Olme (8/10):

Ran the show in midfield with a classy display.

Hinata Miyazawa (7/10):

Did a lot of work off the ball that can go under-appreciated but is so important.

Ella Toone (6/10):

Sometimes hesitated with her final decision but most of United's best attacking moves went through her in the first half.

Getty Images SportAttack

Jess Park (6/10):

Had some lively moments in another encouraging performance.

Elisabeth Terland (9/10):

Deadly in front of goal and fully deserving of her hat-trick.

Melvine Malard (6/10):

Quieter than most would've expected her to be, given her excellent form, but did cause Brann some problems still.

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Gabby George (6/10):

Slotted in at left-back solidly as she builds her minutes back up after a knock.

Fridolina Rolfo (7/10):

A really lively introduction, with her nearly creating one goal and scoring another just minutes after being introduced.

Lisa Naalsund (N/A):

Injected energy into the game and filled in admirably at right-back as United saw the game out.

Rachel Williams (N/A):

Made her injury return in the final minutes, replacing Terland to allow the Norwegian to have the ovation she deserved, too.

Marc Skinner (7/10):

Didn't change much after what was actually a good performance in the first leg and his XI delivered the result he trusted them to. Subs injected new life into the game to squash any momentum for Brann.

With James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson and Arnaud Kalimuendo already through the door, Nottingham Forest have now reportedly made contact to sign a defensive addition.

Nottingham Forest closing in on Luiz agreement

The Tricky Trees may have taken time to truly get going this summer, but they’re now in no mood to stop spending as the Premier League campaign gets underway and transfer deadline day approaches. Evangelos Marinakis has welcomed a flurry of arrivals as of late, and Douglas Luiz looks destined to be the next to be welcomed by the Greek owner.

The midfielder will arguably be Forest’s most impressive signing of the summer if he puts pen to paper as expected. The former Aston Villa midfielder has endured a nightmare spell at Juventus, but will be remembered most by Premier League fans for how he helped Unai Emery’s side into the Champions League two seasons ago.

Now set to return to the Premier League to play for Aston Villa’s Midlands rivals, Luiz will have the chance to restore his reputation in a World Cup year. Given how emphatic Forest were on the opening day against Brentford too, the addition of Luiz is only likely to improve a side that is already firing on all cylinders.

More prolific than Wood: Nottingham Forest chasing £25m "physical beast"

As Nottingham Forest seek to add even more attacking firepower, could they sign a “physical beast” worth £25m who outscored Chris Wood last season?

ByBen Gray Aug 19, 2025

Even after the Brazilian potentially arrives to make it a fourth signing in the last two weeks at the City Ground, however, Marinakis is reportedly not done there in the transfer window. Reports are now indicating that Forest have launched an opening move to sign a Championship defender.

Nottingham Forest make contact to sign Fisher

As reported by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Nottingham Forest have now made an opening enquiry to sign Kellen Fisher from Norwich City. The 21-year-old has caught the eye of those at the City Ground after breaking into the Canaries’ senior squad last season and since keeping hold of his place under Liam Manning in the current campaign.

Earning plenty of praise from Johanes Hoff Thorup last season, the former Norwich manager explained why Fisher has the ability to play an inverted right-back role as well as in the natural full-back position – telling reporters: “He can do it because he has the technical abilities. He’s a great crossing player, and he’s a great technical player.

“When you have that as one of your skills, then you can cover more and different positions. It’s just praise to him. He’s doing well, and it also creates a little bit more rotation in the team because now he has tried more positions.”

Seemingly doing enough to earn the interest of the Premier League, the young defender could go from Bromley in 2022 all the way to Nottingham Forest in the space of three impressive years.

Leeds United are now set to bring a new striker to the Premier League after agreeing a move with both the player and club, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed.

Marathe expects more arrivals at Elland Road

With chairman Paraag Marathe looking to give Leeds the best possible chance of avoiding the drop, there have already been a plethora of new signings this summer, and Lukas Nmecha got off to a perfect start against Everton on Monday evening.

Nmecha scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot, with the Whites triumphing over the Toffees 1-0 in front of a raucous Elland Road crowd.

However, it is important not to get carried away, with 37 games left to play, and Marathe is still planning to make more additions to the squad ahead of the September 1st deadline.

One area in which Daniel Farke is particularly keen to strengthen is attack, with it recently being revealed that a deal for AC Milan’s Okafor is now edging closer to completion, and there has now been a new update on the pursuit of the winger.

Taking to X, Plettenberg revealed that Leeds are now set to sign Okafor, with the 25-year-old agreeing to join and the “deal to be finalised soon”. The Milan forward, who won Serie A during his time with Napoli, will undergo a medical on Wednesday this week and join for around €20m (£17m).

Related ​​​​​​​Leeds contacted over deal to sell £30k-p/w ace to his "boyhood club"

The Whites have already signed his replacement.

Posts ByCallum Kemp Aug 17, 2025 "Magnificent" Okafor needs to leave Milan this summer

The Switzerland international was held back by a number of injury setbacks in the 2024-25 campaign, and struggled to make an impact on loan at Napoli, featuring for just 36 minutes across four Serie A appearances.

As such, the Binningen-born winger needs to move on this summer, and his previous exploits suggest he could make a real impact at Elland Road, performing particularly well for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Season

Bundesliga appearances

Goal contributions

2020-21

18

10

2021-22

21

18

2022-23

21

10

Former coach Mauro Lustrinelli has also praised the Swiss forward in the past, saying: “We already knew that he had magnificent technical qualities, speed, and power. Over the past few months, he has also grown mentally, even though he is a very sensitive player, and it shows on the pitch.”

Consequently, it would be fantastic if Leeds were able to get a deal over the line, and a move to Elland Road may now be a more attractive proposition after the victory over Everton.

Bengaluru and Lucknow are the other two venues for the five-team tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2025

WPL 2025 will begin on February 14, a week later than earlier planned, with Gujarat Giants hosting defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the newly built BCA stadium in Vadodara. As ESPNcricinfo had reported earlier, Lucknow is the other new venue for the upcoming season, with Mumbai and Bengaluru to host matches as well.After the first six games in Vadodara, the tournament will move to Bengaluru for the next eight matches. Lucknow will then host four games before the last leg in Mumbai. Mumbai will also stage four games, including the Eliminator on March 13 and the final on March 15 – all at the CCI stadium.RCB will play four games at their home venue, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which drew boisterous crowds last season. As for the UP Warriorz, they will play three games at their home base, Lucknow. Delhi Capitals are the only team who don’t have home games in the five-team tournament.Related

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Just like the previous season, all matches will be single-headers.In the new women’s FTP, a separate window has been allocated for the WPL, the most lucrative women’s franchise league.The WPL 2025 auction, which was held in December last year, turned out to be a big deal for uncapped Indian players, with Simran Shaikh, the Mumbai allrounder, fetching the highest bid of NR 1.9 crore (USD 223,000 approx).RCB had clinched their first WPL title in 2024 after beating Capitals by eight wickets in Delhi.

Iconic Premier League manager Rafael Benitez wants to make a managerial comeback in England's top-flight before formally ending his illustrious coaching career. The Spanish head coach managed four different English clubs in the last three decades, including his maiden stint at Anfield, where he guided Liverpool to their fifth Champions League title.

• Benitez last managed Everton in England

  Benitez returned to England in 2021 and took charge of Liverpool city rivals Everton on three-year deal but his stint was abruptly cut short as he was relieved of his duties in January 2022 after a series of poor results at Goodison Park. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Benitez admits he is still active as manager

  The 65-year-old Spaniard, who has won mutiple trophies in England, including two European trophies with Liverpool and Chelsea, has clarified that he is still active as a manager and would love take up a new job in England or any of the top European leagues.

• "Don't want people to think I am finished"

  Speaking to , Benitez said: "Sometimes to be described as ‘a legend’ is very nice, but also complicated. It is bad for a coach to be seen as retired. People still ask me, ‘Do you want to coach?’ For sure, I do, particularly in England and Europe. I do not want people to think I am finished. I am still evolving."

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• AFP
  

  What is Benitez doing now?

  At the moment, Benitez is back in Merseyside and will attend Sunday's derby clash between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield.

The pending departure of Heung-min Son to LAFC is one that will leave a huge hole in the final third for Tottenham Hotspur, with the South Korean one of the best attackers in the club’s history.

He’s racked up over 450 appearances during his decade at the Lilywhites, scoring 173 times, with 11 of which coming during the 2024/25 campaign, helping the club end their 17-year wait for a trophy.

There’s no denying that at 33, it’s the right time for a move, but such a departure will leave Thomas Frank and the hierarchy with a huge task to replace his constant attacking threat.

Further additions will need to be made between now and the end of the transfer window to ensure the new boss has all the options he needs at his disposal to be competitive in the Premier League.

Daniel Levy has already commenced work to potentially make top-level additions, especially if the latest updates coming out of North London come to fruition.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new attackers this summer

Over recent days, Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss has emerged as a potential option for Spurs this summer, with his £22m relegation release clause becoming active.

It was confirmed that the Lilywhites hierarchy are preparing an official approach to land the Moroccan, who registered six combined goals and assists last campaign.

However, he’s not the only forward-thinking player currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another player they’re chasing, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER.

They claim that Frank’s side have prepared a €60m (£52m) bid to land the Brazilian forward this summer, potentially being the perfect replacement for the outgoing Son.

It also states that the 24-year-old is hoping for a Premier League move during the current window, after being told he’s free to depart the LaLiga giants ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Why Spurs’ £52m target would be Frank’s answer to Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé has cemented himself as one of Europe’s leading talismen over the last couple of years – undoubtedly being a player every fan wishes played for their side.

The Frenchman burst onto the scene as a baby-faced teenager at Monaco back in 2017, before a huge move to PSG that secured his place as one of Europe’s elite.

He registered a staggering 256 goals in his 308 outings for the Parisians over an eight-year period, breaking the record for the most goals scored by a player in the club’s history.

However, he would depart the Ligue 1 side on a free transfer last summer, joining European giants Real Madrid – a move which has seen him continue his excellent talents in front of goal.

The 26-year-old found the net 44 times in his 59 outings across all competitions throughout 2024/25, having a debut campaign to remember at the Santiago Bernabéu.

A player of his calibre would cost a pretty penny in today’s market, but Spurs could be about to land a player of his level – that’s if they complete a deal for Rodrygo this summer.

The Brazilian has been labelled as a similar player to Mbappé by FBref, managing to outperform his teammate in numerous key areas during the most recent season in LaLiga.

Rodrygo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by analyst Ben Mattinson, registered more progressive passes and carries per 90, handing Frank the attacking threat he craves upon Son’s departure.

He also managed to complete more key passes and more passes into the final third per 90, able to allow fellow new addition Mohammed Kudus to also hit the ground running in North London.

Rodrygo’s dominance over his teammate is further reflected in his higher pass completion rate, whilst completing more crosses per 90, showcasing his impeccable nouse for creating chances in attacking areas.

He certainly won’t be a cheap addition for Spurs this summer, but the Brazilian has showcased that he has the ability to provide a real threat for the club within the final third.

If he can transfer such a skill-set over to England ahead of 2025/26, he could become the club’s main man in their ambitions of being successful in the Premier League in the near future.

Perfect Maddison replacement: Spurs preparing bid for "sensational" talent

Tottenham Hotspur have wasted no time in making a move for a player to replace James Maddison.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 5, 2025

Newcastle United are believed to have made an approach for a recent Champions League finalist, with the Magpies also receiving a reply from his current club.

Newcastle continue to push for Wissa signing

The Magpies are still trying to keep hold of Alexander Isak beyond the end of the summer transfer window, with the saga surrounding the 25-year-old remaining complex.

Isak is training alone currently, playing no part in Saturday’s 0-0 draw away to Aston Villa in Newcastle’s Premier League opener, and while their fans will hope things blow over eventually, replacements need to be looked at in case he seals a move to Liverpool.

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has emerged as a primary target for the Magpies, perhaps even regardless of whether Isak stays or not, and a new update claims that they are set to see a bid for him accepted.

Wissa is far from the only player linked with a move to Newcastle this month, however, with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Villa star Ollie Watkins mentioned in recent weeks, but now a new update has dropped regarding a player in a different area of the pitch.

Newcastle make approach for Italy midfielder

According to Gazetta dello Sport, Newcastle have made an approach for Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi, but have been rebuffed in their efforts to sign him.

The Serie A giants are keen on keeping hold of the 25-year-old beyond this summer, potentially looking to offer him a contract extension in the process.

Frattesi, who was previously valued at £30m, is a popular figure at Inter, having gained a reputation for scoring important goals, not least the dramatic winner against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals last season.

The midfielder is also an eight-goal and 29-cap Italy international, outlining his pedigree, and Marco Tardelli has heaped praise on his influence for club and country.

“There are very few players like him. Inzaghi has several top players, and the three players he goes with in midfield are virtually a certainty: Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan. I can’t tell Simone who to play or not to play, obviously. But what Frattesi is doing with the national team is now there for all to say.”

Better than Ramos: Newcastle set to see bid accepted for "outstanding" CF

Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign a Premier League forward to bolster their squad.

1 ByWill Miller Aug 17, 2025

For now, it looks as though Newcastle could miss out on yet another transfer target, as has been the case throughout this summer, but if things change and a second bid is accepted, Frattesi could be a great addition to Eddie Howe’s midfield.

Bowling allrounder Corbin Bosch has been named as the replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje in South Africa’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan later this month.The 30-year-old Bosch made his ODI debut against Pakistan in December, returning figures of 1 for 69 in nine overs, but was one of the standout seamers in SA20 champions MI Cape Town’s campaign. Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has also been added to the squad as a travelling reserve. They are already without Gerald Coetzee, ruled out with a groin issue, while Beuran Hendricks and Lizaad Williams have been recovering from injuries too.Related

• Youthful Maphaka finds – and gives – joy on challenging debut

• Back injury rules Nortje out of Champions Trophy

• SA's rash of injured quicks hints at systemic issues for CSA

• Champions Trophy 2025 FAQs

Bosch and Maphaka, along with opener Tony de Zorzi, depart for Karachi on Sunday to join the squad for the remainder of the tri-nation ODI series against Pakistan and New Zealand.Meanwhile, former Pakistan allrounder Yasir Arafat has joined the South Africa men’s support staff as a consultant for both the tri-nation series and the Champions Trophy.

South Africa’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad

Temba Bavuma (capt), Corbin Bosch , Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen

The seamer underwent surgery last week and will be sidelined for up to three months

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Feb-2025

New Zealand seamer Molly Penfold has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury meaning she will miss the series against Sri Lanka and Australia.Penfold, 23, sustaining a torn meniscus to her left knee while playing in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield earlier this month and has undergone surgery with a recovery time of up to 12 weeks.Related

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“We’re all gutted for Molly,” Ben Sawyer, the New Zealand head coach, said. “It’s a really unfortunate way for her summer to end, especially after strong contributions during the Rose Bowl series. The positive is that her recovery timelines should see her fit for our winter training schedule.”Penfold has taken nine wickets in 14 ODIs and seven in 10 T20Is. In the ODI series against Australia last December she took a career-best 4 for 42 in the second match at the Basin Reserve.New Zealand will also be without Sophie Devine for the Sri Lanka matches as she continues her break from the game with her participation against Australia yet to be confirmed.New Zealand play three ODIs and three T20Is against Sri Lanka next month followed by three T20Is against Australia.Chamari Athapaththu will leave the WPL early to take part in the tour but Amelia Kerr will remain in India.