On Saturday he edged to slip five short, and on day three he could only make four runs before falling to Prasidh Krishna

Andrew McGlashan05-Jan-2025For the second time in two days, Steven Smith fell agonisingly short of reaching the 10,000-run landmark.On Saturday he edged to slip five short. Then 24 hours later, with a crowd approaching 40,000 watching on during Jane McGrath Day of the Pink Test in Sydney, Prasidh Krishna made a delivery climb from short of a length as Smith advanced down the pitch and he could only fend it into the gully. He became the second batter after Mahela Jayawardene to fall on 9999 runs.Smith will now have to wait until the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle later this month for his next opportunity to become the 15th batter to join the 10,000 club.Often termed the best since Bradman, Smith will be the fourth Australia batter in the group after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. Ahead of this SCG Test, Border paid tribute to Smith and where he stands among the game’s greats.”Averaging 57 or so is in the top echelon ever, if you take one certain bloke [Bradman] out of it and he’s right up there with the very, very best,” he told newspapers. “As far as Australia’s concerned, we’ve had Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, those sorts of players.”But now Steve [Smith] ranks equally with that group, no problems whatsoever. I’m a huge fan of Tendulkar and Lara, they were phenomenally good cricketers, but Steve is definitely up with that lot, for sure.”It has felt like a run-scoring feat that Smith was destined to achieve – he was the fastest to 8000 Test runs and second fastest to the 9000 mark – although the final climb to the summit has taken longer than expected after a relatively lean 2023-24 season which included a brief spell as opener following David Warner’s retirement. Back-to-back centuries in Brisbane and Melbourne left him on the brink, but now the wait goes that big longer.Smith is likely to captain Australia on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka where Pat Cummins is expected to miss at least one Test for the birth of his second child.

Tottenham players have been assigned small three-digit numbers, which are printed on the back of their shirts. The numbers are unique to each player and they have been sporting them since 2023. After finishing 17th in the Premier League in a dismal 2024-25 campaign, Spurs have made a strong start to the new season, sitting third in the table after five matches.

Spurs players wearing unique three-digit numbers

Every Spurs player has been given a unique three-digit number, which is printed just below the collar on the back of their shirts (except summer signing Kota Takai, who has yet to be assigned one). The players have been carrying those numbers on their shirts since their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in 2023.

AdvertisementAFPWhy Tottenham stars have small numbers on their back

The small three-digit numbers on the back of the players' shirts are called "legacy numbers". The numbers are assigned once they make their competitive debuts for the Premier League side. Tottenham started the initiative to commemorate the contributions of every player who has represented the club. 

Simons & Kolo Muani latest to be assigned legacy numbers

New signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani were the latest Spurs stars to be assigned the "legacy numbers". While Simons was given 898 on his debut in their recent win over West Ham, Kolo Muani got 899 when making his bow in their Champions League clash against Villarreal.

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Getty Images SportUp next for Spurs: Doncaster then Wolves

After a thrilling 2-2 draw against Brighton at the weekend, Thomas Frank's Spurs side will now turn their attention to a clash with Doncaster in the Carabao Cup third round. Tottenham are due back in Premier League action at home to Wolves three days later.

Steven Smith sent an emphatic reminder of his T20 worth, smashing a masterful 121 not out to hit the Sydney Sixers to a 14-run win over Perth Scorchers.In one of the best BBL innings, Smith launched an astonishing seven sixes in front of 31,165 fans at the SCG on Saturday afternoon in a 64-ball innings for the ages as the Sixers cantered to 220 for 3 – their highest total in the competition.Related

• How Mitch Owen became Hobart Hurricanes' century-making opener

• Smith's assist in Connolly's selection, ten years on from childhood photo

• Tim David smashes Thunder as Hurricanes extend streak

Sean Abbott then celebrated his call-up to the Australian Test squad for Sri Lanka with 4 for 43, keeping Sixers second on the ladder and with one foot in the finals.And while Scorchers provided some fireworks of their own, this was a day for Smith.The century marked his third in the BBL, drawing him level with Ben McDermott for the most in the tournament’s history. Smith has played 32 matches for his three tons, compared with McDermott’s 100 games.Globally, Smith has been something of a forgotten star in T20 cricket, compared with his status as Australia’s best Test batter since Sir Donald Bradman with a return to runs this summer.The 35-year-old has not played a T20I for Australia since last February, and was overlooked for the World Cup squad last year. He has also been brushed in the past four IPL auctions, featuring only in the Major League Cricket last year of all overseas franchise leagues.Sean Abbott played a key role with the ball•Getty Images

But in the BBL Smith continues to prove his worth, with this his third century in his past seven games. And it may have been his best yet. Smith’s last 95 runs came off 40 balls, after Sixers were particularly patient early and 24 for 1 after five overs.Smith regularly targeted the short boundary at the SCG, while also cutting behind point with glee when Scorchers went too wide outside off to try to counteract him.Two of his sixes came off switch-hits to the short rope, and another was a crisp flick off his pads from Jhye Richardson that sailed into the Bill O’Reilly Stand.Still, Smith’s shot of the day went to the long boundary, picking up a full and wide ball from AJ Tye and hitting it inside out over backward point for six.Tye copped the brunt of the damage for Scorchers, going for 0 for 62 from his four overs while also being taken to by Ben Dwarshuis.Richardson also went for 0 for 51 from his four overs, as Smith and Moises Henriques took him for 24 from the first over of the power surge during a 113-run partnership.This was a day when everything Smith touch turned to gold, including being caught in the deep in the last over before replays fielder Nick Hobson had put a foot on the rope.In reply, Scorchers faced an uphill battle from the moment Abbott took back-to-back wickets in the fourth over. Ashton Turner hit 66 from 32 balls to give the Scorchers a late hope, but 23 from the final over proved too much as they stayed fifth on the ladder.

Queensland left-arm seamer makes use of UK passport to sign as a local player

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2025

Northamptonshire have signed Queensland left-arm seamer Liam Guthrie on a three-year contract. Guthrie, 27, holds a UK passport and will be registered as a local player.His arrival follows that of new head coach, Darren Lehmann, who described Guthrie as a “genuine pace” option who can swing the ball. The pair worked together previously during Lehmann’s time coaching Queensland and Brisbane Heat.”I’m truly excited about the opportunity to play for Northamptonshire.” Guthrie said. “Competing in the UK has always been a goal of mine, and I am eager to embark on this new chapter.Related

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“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with Darren Lehmann, whose influence on my cricket has been significant since our time working together in Queensland.”Guthrie, 27, made his first-class debut for Western Australia in 2018 but struggled for regular opportunities. He made his Big Bash League debut for Brisbane Heat in 2021, subsequently winning a state contract with Queensland.In 18 first-class matches, he has taken 50 wickets at 37.82, to go with 27 at 27.62 in List A cricket and six at 34.00 in T20s.Lehmann said: “We’re really excited about Liam joining us as a local player for the next three years. He brings left arm swing, genuine pace and having worked with him at Brisbane Heat and Queensland, his attitude is excellent and he has real wicket-taking abilities.”He’ll fit right in with the group who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with so far.”

Nepal scripted a seven-wicket win over Malaysia with Puja Mahato starring with ball and bat

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jan-2025Pakistan signed off from the Women’s Under-19 World Cup with a win over Samoa as the winless teams from the group stage of the tournament played for ranking spots in Johor on Friday.The batters did it for Pakistan, though they were helped along by indiscipline on the part of the inexperienced Samoa bowlers, who conceded 21 extras, including 18 wides, after opting to field. The major contributions for Pakistan came from opener Maham Anees, who scored 28 in 42 balls, and Fatima Khan, who hit 25 in 14 balls with three fours and a six from No. 6. Three other batters also got in double-digits as Pakistan stopped at 136 for 8.For Samoa, Norah Salima, the medium pacer, picked up three wickets and only went at five runs an over, but some of the other bowlers were less effective.Samoa, who had scored 16 (against South Africa) and 40 (against New Zealand) in their two completed matches earlier, put up an improved show with the bat even though they had lost three wickets by the end of the third over. Haniah Ahmer, who ended with 4 for 17, picked up two of those wickets in the same over.Indeed, Samoa kept pace with the asking rate for the first half of their innings, but they got to the ten-over mark with five batters gone. But with contributions – none bigger than opener Verra Farane’s 19 – from around the batting line-up, they got to 84 before they were bowled out. A little more discipline with the ball, and it could have been much closer.Puja Mahato top-scored in Nepal’s chase•ICC/Getty Images

Nepal, meanwhile, made sure hosts Malaysia‘s campaign ended as it had gone all along as they eked out a seven-wicket win in the later match in Johor. Captain Puja Mahato was the standout performer for Nepal, first picking up four wickets with her medium pace and then top-scoring in the small chase.Malaysia, who came into the match after putting up scores of 23, 31 and 59 in the group stage, only managed 45 in 16.5 overs this time after being asked to bat. Nuriman Hidayah was the only batter to get into double-digits as she scored 15 from 23 balls, with Mahato (4 for 9) and left-arm spinner Rachana Chaudhary (3 for 5) doing most of the damage.The chase was straightforward, and Nepal got there in 11 overs for the loss on three wickets, with Mahato scoring a 32-ball 23 not out. Marsya Qistina Binti Abdullah, the left-arm spinner, picked up all the wickets to fall.

The 42-year-old is hoping for his first deal in the competition after year extension with Lancashire

Matt Roller03-Mar-2025James Anderson wants to play in the Hundred this summer and has registered his name for next week’s draft, ESPNcricinfo has learned.Anderson has not played professionally since his final Test appearance against West Indies last July and has been working for England as a consultant coach this winter, including at the Champions Trophy. But he signed a one-year contract with Lancashire in January to cover the 2025 season, and is now eyeing a first appearance in the Hundred.It is nearly six years since Anderson played white-ball cricket, and over a decade since his most recent T20 appearance, but he hopes to play in the T20 Blast for Lancashire this year. Anderson has entered the draft – which will be held on March 12 – without a reserve price and could still feature in the Hundred as a wildcard or injury replacement if he does not find a suitor.Related

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The batch of balls used in the Hundred last summer moved prodigiously off the seam and through the air, prompting Anderson to say at the time: “Watching the Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there.” He even registered for December’s IPL auction, though went unsold.Anderson will turn 43 shortly before the Hundred starts on August 5, and would become the tournament’s second-oldest player after Imran Tahir (in 2022) if he plays this year. Michael Hogan and Wayne Madsen have previously appeared in the Hundred in their 40s, and Faf du Plessis will be 41 when he plays for Southern Brave this season.More than 300 male overseas players have registered for the draft and will be competing for 10 spots across the men’s Hundred teams, with 14 already retained or recruited directly. There are availability doubts for most active international players due to clashes with bilateral series, while a two-week clash with Caribbean Premier League will rule most West Indies players out of contention.Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis are among the Australians to register for the draft despite a looming clash with a white-ball series against South Africa in August, while David Warner – who has retired from international cricket – has also signed up. New Zealand’s players are expected to be available for the majority of the Hundred, with Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra all registered for the draft.Noor Ahmad has entered the draft with a £200,000 reserve price•SA 20Noor Ahmad, the Afghanistan spinner, has signed up with a reserve price of £200,000, the Hundred’s highest salary. He is expected to sign for Manchester Originals, having played for their new co-owners RPSG Group’s SA20 team (Durban Super Giants) earlier this year. London Spirit have the first pick of the draft, and are thought to be interested in signing Jamie Overton after he left Originals.Jason Roy and Dawid Malan are among the domestic players who have entered the draft with a reserve price, and may consider playing overseas if they are not picked up. Mark Wood, who is yet to play in the Hundred, has a £200,000 reserve price and is only likely to feature in the tournament as a late replacement.Other recent England internationals expected to attract interest include Rehan Ahmed, Zak Crawley, George Garton, Lewis Gregory, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Reece Topley, David Willey and Luke Wood. Several recent England Under-19 internationals also feature in the longlist, including Rocky Flintoff, Ben McKinney, Harry Moore and Archie Vaughan.The ECB confirmed last week that Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes will be the designated ‘central contract’ players at London Spirit and Welsh Fire respectively this year, as revealed by ESPNcricinfo. Both players have previously turned out for Birmingham Phoenix.

Lauren Hemp has spoken about a surprising and amusing routine she does before games, fake tanning in the buildup to be freshly bronzed out on the pitch. Speaking to ex-England internationals Karen Carney and Jill Scott, the Lionesses winger joked that she can't always be bothered do it properly and the Manchester City star laughed it off as 'a ritual of mine'.

Hemp's surprising pre-match tanning routine

During a lighthearted appearance on the podcast, Hemp shared her quirky tanning habit before matches. She explained that she often only tans her quads, leaving her calves – usually covered by socks – untouched, which has led to some amusing looks in the past. Both Carney and Scott teased her, but Hemp stood by the routine as something she always does.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesHemp shares the details behind her 'tan'

Explaining her approach, Hemp revealed: "Oh, I can't be bothered to do, like, my whole body. I just do, like, half and half. If I forgot, then I'll just do quads. I fake tan before every game? I just think, 'I'll do the bit people can see,' and then I leave the rest."

She went on to add with a smile: "That [tanning] is a ritual of mine. I can't really think of many other things I have. It's funny really, because you'd expect me to be talking about football preparation, but this is actually one of my matchday habits."

Hemp currently out injured for Man City

Hemp's jovial admission comes amid injury concerns at Manchester City. The winger was forced off in the first half against Tottenham with an ankle problem, leaving in a protective boot. Head coach Andree Jeglertz confirmed that she will likely miss the clash with the London City Lionesses, as she did in the Women's League Cup against Everton on Wednesday.

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Getty Images SportMan City continue to focus on WSL campaign

Manchester City will be monitoring Hemp's recovery closely as they continue their Women's Super League campaign against the ambitious London City Lionesses. The club will hope the injury is not as serious as last season's knee issue, which sidelined her for over five months. Supporters will be eager to see her return soon – tan ritual and all.

Bangladesh’s top order has to stand up and be counted for the side to have any chance against New Zealand, head coach Phil Simmons feels.Bangladesh were soundly beaten by India in their first game, and this is perform or perish for them.Simmons said Bangladesh had given the game away to India with their poor starts with both bat and ball. “We lost in batting in overs one to ten, and the same in bowling. We have to make sure we win in those areas,” Simmons said ahead of the New Zealand game. “We need to assess and put together our batting better in the first ten overs. The middle and lower order have done really well so it is up to our top-order batsmen to put things together in the first ten or 15 overs, especially.”Related

• BCB to talk to Simmons to continue as Bangladesh head coach

• New Zealand aim for semi-finals; Bangladesh aim to stay alive

• Jamieson climbs back from 'bottom of the cliff'

Bangladesh had slipped to 35 for 5 in the ninth over in that game in Dubai. Soumya Sarkar fell in Mohammad Shami’s first over before captain Najmul Hossain Shanto gave Virat Kohli a catch at cover in the second. Tanzid Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz didn’t last too long either, while Mushfiqur Rahim fell for a golden duck.Simmons said that the openers must assess conditions quicker and that Bangladesh should take inspiration from all the big scores in the tournament, especially Australia’s chase of 352 against England. That game was in Lahore, Bangladesh take on New Zealand in Rawalpindi, the first of this tournament’s matches at the venue.”This is a big-scoring ground. We saw the score in Lahore yesterday. We are looking at 300-plus here,” Simmons said. “In the last five matches, we made 300 a couple of times. So we have the ability to do it. We didn’t start well in the last game, but still we got to 200 [231]. If we start well, we will get there [300].”Bangladesh are facing a familiar opposition in New Zealand – they have faced them most frequently in bilateral cricket than anyone else since 2015. “All the games in this tournament are pressure games. These are the top-eight teams in the world, and you expect every game to be hard,” Simmons said. “They [New Zealand] are definitely playing well but tomorrow is a new day. We will try to make sure that they don’t play as well as they have been playing.”New Zealand won their first game in convincing fashion against Pakistan and if they win here, they will be through to the semi-finals alongside India.”The way the guys have been planning and netting and stuff has all been good stuff”•ICC via Getty Images

Their captain Mitchell Santner said his batters’ form in the last couple of weeks has given the dressing room a lot of confidence. “I think obviously the lead-in we had with that tri-series [against Pakistan and South Africa], it was a good time for guys to get time in the middle. I think at different stages of every game we have played, different guys have stepped up, which is probably the most pleasing thing.”I think the guys took a lot of confidence in that going into that first game against Pakistan, but then also here into Bangladesh. Again, it’s probably a reset, it’s a different surface, a different team. But I think the way the guys have been planning and netting and stuff has all been good stuff.”Bangladesh are waiting on the fitness of Mahmudullah who missed the first game owing to hamstring issues, having injured himself during training. He batted in the nets in Rawalpindi ahead of the New Zealand game.Simmons hoped Bangladesh would be motivated about being in Rawalpindi, the scene of their 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan last year. “I hope it does [inspire the team]. To come into Pakistan and beat Pakistan is not an easy thing. I hope it has a significant bearing on how they think about this ground.”

Third-placed NSW needed to win to have any hope of reaching the final

AAP15-Mar-2025

Jordan Silk struck an unbeaten 94 to give Tasmania the first-day honours in their pink-ball Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at Bellerive Oval.Silk (94 not out off 186), Tim Ward (64 off 158), Caleb Jewell (45) and Jake Doran (39) all chipped in to lift Tasmania to 309 for 7 before rain brought the opening day to an early finish.Third-placed NSW entered the match knowing they needed to win to have any hope of reaching the final, which will be hosted by South Australia.The strong first-innings total by Tasmania means NSW have plenty of work ahead of them to get a positive result.Tasmania slipped to 44 for 2 after Jake Weatherald (nine) was caught a slip and Nivethan Radhakrishnan (10) was trapped lbw by Ben Dwarshuis.But a 65-run stand between Ward and Jewell, followed by a 82-run stand between Ward and Silk put Tasmania into a strong position.Silk has the chance to post his 12th first-class century when play resumes on Sunday.Tasmania sit in last spot on the table and are no hope of reaching the final.But it’s all on the line for NSW, who must beat Tasmania and then rely on second-placed Queensland failing to get a win against ladder leaders South Australia.South Australia went to stumps on day one at a dominant 359 for 4 against Queensland, giving NSW even more incentive to turn the tables on Tasmania when play resumes.The match also represents another opportunity for NSW opener Sam Konstas to put his name up in lights ahead of Australia’s Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.Konstas made a stunning Test debut against India in the Boxing Day Test, but his topsy-turvy form of late has been a big talking point.The 19-year-old rebounded with an important half-century in last week’s Shield draw with WA at the WACA, and his performance against Tasmania will be highly scrutinised as Australia’s selectors mull over who should partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski. The Guinea international, who is under contract with Dortmund until 2028, has been offered to several clubs across Europe, with Barcelona reportedly targeting him next summer. However, president Joan Laporta is reportedly not enthusiastic about the idea of bringing Guirassy in.

• Flick’s courtship of Guirassy and Laporta’s disapproval

  According to German outlet , Barcelona are discussing a potential move for Guirassy, a transfer that could cost the Spanish club around €100 million (£87m/$115m). The striker, who is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2029, currently earns a salary of €9m.

  However, Barcelona president Laporta is reportedly not particularly keen on the move, as he prefers a higher-profile signing and considers Guirassy to be a relatively small name.

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• AFP
  

  Why Flick wants Guirassy

  Guirassy joined Borussia Dortmund from Stuttgart in the summer of 2024. He enjoyed a prolific 2024-25 campaign, scoring 34 goals and providing six assists across all competitions. The striker has carried that form into the current season, already registering nine goals and one assist, further showing Hansi Flick that he could be a reliable successor to Lewandowski as Barcelona’s main source of goals.

• Guirassy’s release clause

  Guirassy is said to have a €70m (£60m/$82m) release clause in his contract, which is applicable to clubs outside Germany. However, Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, refused to confirm or deny whether such a clause exists and insists that the club had not received any offers for the striker.

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  Barcelona's temporary solution for this season

  With Lewandowski now 37, Barcelona are expected to seek a permanent solution at centre-forward next season. For the moment, Hansi Flick has relied on Ferran Torres, who has scored four goals in La Liga, while also looking to Marcus Rashford, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to share the burden in front of goal.