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Greaves and Roach stayed put for 68.1 overs to deny New Zealand and eke out a miraculous draw

Abhijato Sensarma06-Dec-20251:01

Chase: Roach is a modern-day legend

Strong winds make impressions on the sweaters worn by New Zealand’s players. Creases on their foreheads make a bigger one. The sun is out, shadows lengthen, and they are being made to sweat.Cricket’s most aesthetic miracles end in victory against the odds – Kolkata 2001, Edgbaston 2005, Gabba 2021 to pick three from this century. High drama and tense finishes. Christchurch 2025 is different.West Indies are 72 for 4, chasing 531, before tea on the fourth day. Defeat appears inevitable. Shai Hope and Justin Greaves survive until stumps. Normal service resumes when Hope and the No. 7 Tevin Imlach fall quickly on the final morning. Kemar Roach joins Greaves. They begin to bat, and bat.Related

• Justin Greaves: 'Test cricket a massive step up from first-class cricket in Caribbean'

• Greaves 202*, Roach 58* anchor West Indies to epic draw

• Greaves' fourth-innings double and WI's marathon

• Greaves: 'Special, special day for me; special day for the team'

For the next session and a half, they survive on a pitch without much jeopardy. The odds of a draw increase ever so gradually; the faintest glimmer of a shot at victory. West Indies need 132 in the final session of the final day, but are one wicket away from it all crashing down. A crowd of a few hundred around the lush banks at Hagley Oval is watching.Across the Tasman, thousands are watching Test cricket in fast-forward at the Gabba. If Bazball is aesthetic for some, Australia are responding with their own brand of break-neck batting. Roach, however, has not scored for 72 balls. At some point during this passage of play, he survives an appeal for caught behind to a Michael Bracewell delivery spinning away from off stump, and is saved because New Zealand have no reviews left. Soon, a ball from Zak Foulkes rises at him. He gets inside the line – almost in a tangle – and somehow pushes it to mid-on.Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach helped West Indies pull off an epic draw•Getty ImagesNew Zealand will not be breaching his defences today.At some point in the final session, as the rest of the cricket world begins to wake up to the possibilities in Christchurch, it becomes evident West Indies are playing for a draw. Like the summit of a mountain, 531 is within sight, but it’s farther and more fraught with risk than it appears to those on the outside. Fatigue is physical and mental, and focus is fragile.Roach deadbats deliveries. The pitch is placid but once in a while a ball rips in from the footmarks outside off to threaten the stumps or the edge, forcing the batter into coming forward to block. At other times, he contorts into positions that keep the bat face tilted down, knocking the ball into the pitch.Defence becomes an all-encompassing routine: eyes on ball, move your feet, keep head still, pat it down, repeat. No matter whether you need one run to win, or a couple hundred, you defend the same. The ball yields no result beyond an annotation for itself: it’s a , an acknowledgment of the inability to – or intent not to – score off it.Turbo-charged batting influenced by white-ball formats has contributed to some memorable Tests in recent years, but this match has entered a meditative space unique to the five-day format – the aesthetic of attrition. Roach is on 53 for the longest time… and suddenly, 54. He keeps meeting the ball with the full face of the bat anyway. His contortions do not matter as much as the fact that he is running down the overs.1:36

Did West Indies think of going for the win on the last day?

At the other end is Greaves, taller, with a higher back-lift, and a more solid defence, inching towards a double-century. New Zealand’s bowlers pull back their lengths. Greaves plays with a long stride, and brings his bat down with flair, almost like a full-frontal chop.He too has pared back his scoring options as the overs go by. New Zealand start bringing fielders in as the danger of defeat recedes. For Roach, there are four close catchers on the corners of the small box around him. Once in a while, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ are heard: a close chance at short leg, a ball drifting in padded away, the faint hopes of a fainter edge.The final hour begins. West Indies are 96 away with four wickets in hand. Greaves on 185, Roach on 53. No Bazball batting here. Spectators stroll beyond the boundary, a child stretches out on his father’s shoulders, and out in the middle they block.After another incidental run, an announcement is heard that West Indies have achieved the second highest fourth-innings total in Test history – 452. It’s received with a ripple of applause. Greaves and Roach gently bump fists in the middle. They have climbed a summit no one else has this century.Justin Greaves scored his maiden double hundred in Tests•Getty ImagesGreaves gets to his own landmark in the penultimate over of the match – off a rare full delivery, sliced over backward point. For once, the ball means something beyond survival. He takes off his helmet, bumps fists with his partner, and acknowledges his dressing room. He’s only the seventh man to make a double hundred in the fourth innings of a Test.They remain unbeaten for 68.1 overs. Greaves for 388 deliveries, Roach for 233. West Indies finish 74 short of the target, but their victory is in 163.3 overs survived.Let’s stay with them for this one last ball. Rachin Ravindra jogs in. His delivery is short of a length, sliding across off. Greaves moves back, head still, eyes on the ball, offering the full face of the bat for one final time.The shadows are now long in Christchurch. Greaves and Roach take off their helmets and gloves and embrace near the pitch. It’s still a sunny evening. A strong wind makes impressions on their jerseys. And as they begin walking towards their team-mates in the dressing room, the creases on their foreheads are gone.

Shohei Ohtani continues to make history.

In Game 3 of the World Series Monday, the Dodgers' two-way superstar hit two home runs and two doubles, becoming the first player with four extra-base hits in a World Series game since 1906. He now has eight homers over the postseason, which ties Corey Seager for a franchise record as Ohtani continues his tear at Dodger Stadium.

Monday brought the first game of this year's Fall Classic in L.A. after the Blue Jays and Dodgers split the first two games in Toronto. During the Blue Jays' Game 1 win, the fans at Rogers Centre perfectly chanted "we don't need you" toward Ohtani after their franchise's infamous failed attempts to successfully court the superstar in free agency.

Well, Game 3 gave the Dodgers the chance to fire back, which their social team did ever so perfectly.

"Don't need Shohei? Don't worry, he's ours," the Dodgers wrote on X after Ohtani's second homer of the game.

Breaking out the chant in Game 1 after Ohtani put together one of the greatest performances ever in his previous game was certainly a choice. You have to take opportunities when they present themself, though.

Dodgers fans, and their social media team, certainly won't forget the chant any time soon. Especially as Ohtani continues his incredible postseason. Sure, you don't need him, Toronto. If only he was on any other team besides your opponent in the World Series.

Arsenal are a little bit good, aren’t they? Heading towards the final weekend of November, Mikel Arteta’s charges sit at the top of the Premier League.

Not just in cracking form domestically, defeating rivals Spurs 4-1 last Sunday, they are also more than up to the task in Europe.

Following five match weeks in the Champions League this season, they are top of the table there as well and they are the only team with a 100% record left in the competition.

Their recent win was perhaps one of their most special of the Arteta era. Arsenal dispatched Bayern Munich, unbeaten Bayern this season, winning 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

But, how did they do it?

Arsenal's squad depth reigns supreme against Bayern

What was made all the more impressive about Arsenal’s win against Vincent Kompany’s men was the fact that the Gunners were not at full strength.

No Gabriel? No problem. Jurrien Timber will score from a corner instead. No recognised number 9? Fear not, Mikel Merino will knit things together.

No Martin Odegaard? Well, Eberechi Eze will keep things ticking over. After scoring a stunning hat-trick against Spurs, he registered an assist on Wednesday evening.

No Bukayo Saka? Well, that doesn’t appear to be a problem now either. Saka did start the game but was not at his best against the German giants and while he was still dangerous with his actions, it was the winger’s substitution just after the hour mark that tipped things in Arsenal’s favour.

The first half had been pretty even but the second period was all in favour of the hosts and they really came to the fore once Saka was subbed. In previous seasons, Arteta would rarely dare to take the club’s talisman off but Andrea Berta’s work in the summer transfer window has ensured that we no longer need to worry about that.

Saka went off and before you knew it, Noni Madueke was firing home at the back stick to make it 2-1. The goal had been created by another sub, Riccardo Calafiori, who galloped down the left-hand side like a prize race horse and swung in an inch-perfect delivery.

The third and final goal was tucked home by another substitute in the form of Gabriel Martinelli. Eze clipped a ball over the top and the Brazilian was left with an easy finish after he knocked the ball past an onrushing Manuel Neuer, who did not cover himself in glory at all.

So, it was a win for Arsenal and a win for Berta who fought tooth and nail to spend a shedload on improving the club’s depth. That work could well be decisive as they aim to win both the Premier League and Champions League.

That said, it wasn’t a positive night for everyone in red and white.

Arsenal's biggest concern after Bayern

Seeing Leandro Trossard, a man in the form of his career right now, limp off with an injury in the first half wasn’t ideal but ultimately the quality of Arsenal’s depth shone through. Madueke and Martinelli came on to get Arsenal over the line.

Equally, Calafiori came on and gave Arsenal far more than a certain Myles Lewis-Skelly had given during his 68 minutes on the field.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For supporters, there have been concerns about the form and minutes of the teenager this season. Last term, he burst onto the scene in incredible fashion.

With Calafiori out injured, Lewis-Skelly was the main man at left-back and as a consequence, he became a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. He even scored on his debut for the Three Lions.

There was that goal and that celebration against Manchester City too. He was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Season as well.

Yet, 2025/26 has been more difficult for Lewis-Skelly. The 18-year-old featured in the first couple of England camps but was told during the November break by Tuchel that he simply needed to be starting more games. Fair enough, right?

He was not dismissing the fact that Lewis-Skelly is a good player, but you simply aren’t going to make it in a World Cup squad if you aren’t playing football.

There have still been some positive performances from the Hale Ender this term. There was that stunning assist for Martinelli’s goal against Atletico Madrid in the earlier stages of the Champions League. It was a piece of play that showcased exactly what he’s all about.

Yet, against Bayern, we saw a player lacking in first-team minutes and ultimately a player lacking in confidence.

Lewis-Skelly’s night wasn’t disastrous but he did endure a more challenging evening than his teammates. The England international was caught out by a brilliant ball in behind from Joshua Kimmich that led to Bayern’s equaliser.

Former Gunner, Serge Gnabry, got in behind the youngster and then laid the ball on a plate for 17-year-old Lennart Karl to score. In a battle of the teenagers, it was the German who triumphed on this occasion.

Lewis-Skelly spent most of the night rather uncomfortable with The Standard handing the full-back a 5/10 match rating, having endured a ‘tough evening against Michael Olise’.

In fairness, few will enjoy a comfortable night against a player of Olise’s calibre but Calafiori’s influence off the bench only served to show why Arteta has preferred the Italian this season.

Lewis-Skelly’s night was made all the worse by his lack of impact in possession. Usually an area that’s so impressive in his game, he had fewer touches of the ball (25) than David Raya (45) while he only completed seven passes. Only 33% of his passes in the opposition half were accurate.

So, this was a rare off night for a kid usually so captivating and so full of energy. He struggled. So what? Yet, he will have to improve if he wants to earn more regular minutes. For now, expect Calafiori to come back into the starting lineup for Chelsea at the weekend.

Arteta now has an even better duo than Gabriel & Saliba at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has created an Arsenal team full of incredible partnerships, including one better than Saliba & Gabriel.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 27, 2025

In the Mariners' 10th-straight win on Tuesday night, a 12–5 victory over the Royals, American League MVP hopeful Cal Raleigh had a truly historic performance.

Raleigh notched his 55th and 56th home runs of the 2025 season. With the first homer, he surpassed the legend Mickey Mantle for the most home runs by a switch hitter in a single season. Raleigh's second homer of the night tied him with Ken Griffey Jr. for the most home runs hit by a Mariners player in a single season. That's pretty good company to join on both regards.

MLB Network interviewed Raleigh after his monumental performance, and he acknowledged that it hasn't fully sunk in how historic this game was for him.

"My name shouldn't be in the same sentence with those guys, Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr.," Raleigh said. "I don't really have words for it, I don't really know what to say. I'm sure one day it will set in."

Raleigh has led MLB in home runs for the majority of the season, and he now holds a three-homer lead over the Phillies' Kyle Schwarber as of Tuesday night.

There's still time left this season for Raleigh to continue increasing his home run total and etching his name in even more history books.

Southampton have been urged to appoint a 52-year-old manager instead of giving interim boss Tonda Eckert the job on a full-time basis.

Southampton on course to appoint Eckert on a permanent basis

The Saints are preparing for a return to Championship action this weekend and look set to be under the leadership of caretaker manager Eckert once again.

The 32-year-old has won both of his matches as interim boss so far, defeating QPR and Sheffield Wednesday to take Southampton away from any relegation trouble.

A trip to Charlton Athletic is next on the agenda for Eckert, and recent reports have suggested that he is set to be given the Southampton job on a permanent basis.

Following the sacking of Will Still at the beginning of the month, a plethora of available and in work managers have been linked with the job. However, Sport Republic are yet to appoint a permanent successor.

Eckert appears to be in pole position after his start to life at St Mary’s with the first team, and he has impressed Finn Azaz, who said:

“Since his first meeting, I was really impressed. It hasn’t been drastic changes. He’s been able to watch from outside and tweak a few things. He has been able to instil his message and new energy and his drive and a new voice. As I say, it hasn’t been drastic changes.

“We are playing in the same shape almost. We went out there with similar personnel, [there were] just a few tweaks. I would like to thank him. He’s been top level.”

However, Southampton and Sport Republic have been urged to consider another rumoured target.

Southampton urged to move for Brendan Rodgers

Talking to Football League World, Southampton pundit Martin Sanders urged the Saints to appoint Brendan Rodgers.

Now out of work after leaving Celtic, Rodgers was linked with the St Mary’s vacancy at the beginning of November, although it doesn’t seem as if Sport Republic have made a move for the Northern Irishman who they admire.

Sanders said that Rodgers “ticks every box” and a move would “show real ambition”.

Rodgers has previous Championship experience with Swansea City, winning the playoffs with the south Wales side in 2011, and almost 15 years later, a return to the second tier could be what a number of Southampton fans would welcome.

Southampton can end Eckert experiment by hiring "insanely talented" manager

Siddique and Simranjeet picked up seven wickets between them for UAE

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2025
UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique picked up 4 for 18 while left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh took three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 146 for 9 in a must-win game for both teams in the Asia Cup.That Pakistan reached 146 for 9 was down to Shaheen Afridi’s late burst: he thrashed an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls, including two fours and six in the last over.Related

• PCB clears Pakistan to play UAE; says Pycroft apologised

The start of the match was delayed by an hour. PCB cleared the Pakistan team to play after the board claimed that match referee Pycroft had apologised to their players for his actions during the India-Pakistan game on Sunday.Siddique vindicated UAE’s decision to bowl first on a grassy surface by sending Saim Ayub back for a third consecutive duck. Sahibzada Farhan survived an lbw appeal, which was overturned on DRS but fell soon after top-edging a pull to long leg as Pakistan slipped to 9 for 2 in three overs.Fakhar Zaman and Salman Agha had the most profitable stand for Pakistan, adding 61 off 50 balls for the third wicket. Fakhar was the aggressor in the partnership as he smashed offspinner Dhruv Parashar for back-to-back sixes, reaching his half-century off 35 balls.Pakistan, however, lost wickets regularly. Agha, looking to go inside-out over covers, sliced Parashar to deep cover before Simranjeet picked up two wickets in an over. Fakhar fell soon after his half-century, caught off a leading edge at short extra cover, while Hasan Nawaz was trapped lbw. Siddique picked up his third wicket when he dismissed Mohammad Nawaz and then removed Haris with a legcutter.

Draca, who took 11 wickets in the 2024 Global T20 Canada and is on MI Emirates’ roster, is in the longlist for the IPL mega auction

Deivarayan Muthu06-Nov-2024.

Who is Draca and what does he do?

A tall, nippy, right-arm fast bowler, Draca has the ability to hit the splice of the bat, and can also get the ball to skid off the pitch. These skills were on display during the 2024 Global T20 Canada, where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker for Brampton Wolves, with 11 strikes in six games at an economy rate of 6.88. Only West Indies’ Romario Shepherd (14) and UAE’s Junaid Siddique (14) picked up more wickets than Draca in the tournament.Related

• ILT20 2025: Are MI Emirates favourites again? Who are the players to watch out for?

• IPL 2025 retentions: Pant, Rahul head to auction; Russell retained by KKR

• IPL 2025 mega auction to be held on November 24, 25

Just a month before his breakout performance in Canada, Draca had made his T20I debut for Italy, in June earlier this year against Luxembourg in the Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Europe Qualifier, where he bowled with the new ball and claimed figures of 4-0-15-2.

Where does Draca figure in the auction pool?

Draca has been listed at No. 325 and has set his base price at INR 30 lakh. This longlist of 1574 players will be trimmed further before the auction, so it’s uncertain whether he will make the final cut.

How about a little more about his GT20 Canada stint?

Draca had hit the ground running in Canada, taking 3 for 18 in his first game against Surrey Jaguars. His victims included allrounders Sunil Narine and Terrance Hinds, who was recently called up to West Indies’ T20I squad in Sri Lanka.

wickets from just games!

Italian Fast Bowler Thomas Draca has announced himself in style at the GT20 Canada powering the Brampton Wolves into the qualifiers. #GT20onFanCode pic.twitter.com/ObGWlVAPXh

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 9, 2024