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The FIFPRO Women's World Best XI was announced at The Best awards on Monday with England and Spain players dominating.

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Seven Lionesses make cutAitana Bonmati and Sam Kerr also includedMorgan the sole USWNT representativeWHAT HAPPENED?

awards ceremony kicked off Monday afternoon, and the top 11 footballers around the world in the women's game were represented in the XI. England and Spain dominated the XI, while Alex Morgan was the sole representative from the USWNT.

AdvertisementGettyWHO MADE THE 2023 FIFA FIFPRO WOMEN'S WORLD 11?

England and Manchester United star Mary Earps was named as the team's goalkeeper alongside team-mates Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Ella Tone, Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo and Lauren James. Spain's World Cup final goalscorer Olga Carmona and Aitana Bonmati were also included, as were Australia hero Sam Kerr and USWNT's Alex Morgan, who is named in the team of the year for the sixth time.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It is no surprise to see the XI dominated by players from England and Spain after the two teams made it to the World Cup final in 2023. Spain went on to lift the crown with a 1-0 win in Sydney. England manager Sarina Wiegman was named The Best FIFA Women's Coach while Earps took home The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper prize.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

England and Spain will hope to build on their excellent performances at the 2023 World Cup when they compete in the 2025 European Championship. The draw for the qualifying phase will take place on March 5 before the competition kicks off in Switzerland in July next year.

A recap of events following Ben Stokes’ arrest in Bristol in September, which led to him being charged with affray

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Oct-2017A spectator at a county game reads about Ben Stokes’ arrest in a newspaper•Getty Images

September 24: England win in BristolStokes cracks his way to 73 off 63 balls before Moeen Ali’s barnstorming century takes England to 369 for 9. Despite an onslaught from Chris Gayle it proves more than enough to earn an unbeatable 2-0 series lead. Afterwards, various England players – including Stokes – let their hair down in the city centre with the next match still three days away.September 26: News of Stokes’ arrest emergesWhat was meant to be the preview day to an end-of-season ODI suddenly changes when details of Stokes’ arrest in the early hours of September 25 emerge. An ECB statement said: “Stokes was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, 25 September, following an incident in Bristol. He was held overnight and released under investigation – without charge – late on Monday and will not join the team in London.” Alex Hales was not arrested but returned to Bristol to help police with inquires.September 27: Ashes squad announcedTwenty-four hours later, the Ashes squad is named as planned but in rather different circumstances to those that the ECB would have hoped. Stokes is included and retains the vice-captaincy while the police begin their investigation into the events in Bristol. It is also confirmed that Stokes suffered a “minor fracture” to his hand during the incident.September 27: Video published, Stokes and Hales made unavailableShortly after England complete victory at The Oval, a video is published in of the Bristol incident which alleges to show Stokes throwing multiple punches. The ECB makes both Stokes and Hales – who is also alleged to be shown in the video – “unavailable for selection until further notice” although the pair remain on full pay while the incident is referred to the Cricket Discipline Commission chaired by Tim O’Gorman.September 28: Police appeal for witnessesAvon and Somerset police put out an appeal for two male witnesses to the events in Bristol to come forward to help with the investigation. “Our enquiries into the disorder in the Queens Road/Clifton Triangle area of Bristol in the early hours of Monday are continuing. We believe there are two specific witnesses, both men, with information about what happened in the moments prior to the disorder who are yet to come forward and we’d appeal for them to do so as soon as possible.”October 6: Finn called into Ashes squad as Stokes replacementStokes’ chances of making the Ashes recede further as he is withdrawn from the Test squad while the police investigation continues. Steven Finn is drafted in instead. “With the Ashes just around the corner, it’s important to give the players, the coaching staff and supporters some clarity around a complex situation,” Andrew Strauss said. “This decision will help us in the weeks ahead and give every player and the whole England set-up the best chance to focus on the challenge ahead in Australia.” Stokes is retained in the ECB’s central contracts list for 2017-18.October 7: Hales not expecting further actionIan Kelcey, the Professional Cricketers’ Association lawyer who is assisting Alex Hales, tells the Observer that it is “reasonable to expect” that Hales won’t face further action over the incident having been interviewed by police and neither arrested or put on bail.October 11: New Balance withdraw sponsorshipNew Balance, the kit and clothing supplier, end their relationship with Stokes, which is estimated to be worth £200,000. On the same evening, Stokes makes his first public comment since the Bristol incident when he tweets an apology to Katie Price and her son Harvey following a video that emerged of Stokes which appeared to show him mocking Harvey.October 12: Stokes’ agent issues statementNeil Fairbrother, Stokes’ agent at ISM, puts out a statement which says that Stokes will give his full version of events in Bristol when the police investigation allows. There is also an acknowledgement of the impact there has been on his team-mates. “He is also concerned about the impact the widespread publicity has on everyone involved including the ECB, his team mates and the game of cricket itself which he loves.”October 16: Police reissue appeal for witnessesAvon and Somerset Police reissue their appeal for the two key witnesses who “were seen leaving the nightclub at 2.19am, walking in the direction of Queens Road with two other men”. The update added extra details of the men’s appearances, including that both were white, clean-shaven, in their mid-20s and approximately 5ft 9in tall.October 28: Two gay men claim Stokes ‘saved them’Kai Berry and Billy O’Connell tell The Sun that Stokes stepped in to rescue them on the night in question after an alleged homophobic attack. “We were so grateful to Ben for stepping in to help. He was a real hero,” O’Connell told the paper. “Kai feared he could be attacked. If Ben hadn’t intervened it could have been a lot worse for us.”November 27: Stokes heads for New Zealand as Ashes frenzy returnsA sighting of Stokes, with full cricket kit, at Heathrow Airport leads to frenzied speculation on social media that he is about to fly out to Australia to reinforce England’s Ashes squad. It later transpires he was heading to New Zealand to visit family and regain his match fitness with Canterbury, but armed with an NOC from the ECB, it is clear he is being readied for Ashes action if he becomes available.November 29: Police file passed to CPSAvon and Somerset police announce that they have completed their investigation and sent a file to the CPS “seeking charging advice”. It is also revealed that a 27-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket in the incident.Ben Stokes bowls on his comeback•Getty Images

December 3: Stokes comeback ends in three-wicket defeat Stokes makes 2 from seven balls and fails to take a wicket in an underwhelming return to action for Canterbury against Otago at Rangiora. Though he would later find his form with a powerful innings of 93 from 47 balls against the same opponents a fortnight later, with England sliding to defeat in the Ashes, speculation of a recall ends with his return to England for Christmas.December 4: Hales cleared for return by policeHales, a key witness given his own involvement in the Bristol incident, receives confirmation from Avon and Somerset Police that he is no longer under investigation, and is given clearance to play his playing return in the inaugural T10 tournament in the UAE.December 23: ECB won’t stand in Stokes’ way over IPLTom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, indicates that Stokes will not be denied an NOC for the IPL, and will be free to return to the tournament regardless of both the CPS decision and any subsequent internal disciplinary proceedings. He adds that, should Stokes be charged, it could take between six months and a year to resolve the situation.January 13: Stokes named as top base price for IPL auctionAfter attracting a bid of USD 2.16 million in the 2017 IPL auction, and justifying that sum with the MVP award in that year’s event, Stokes is among the 36 players who have listed their base price at the maximum of INR 2 crore (USD 315,000 approx) ahead of the IPL auction on January 27 and 28.January 15: Stokes charged by CPS with affray Stokes vows to clear his name after being charged by the CPS with affray. He will face trial at Bristol Magistrates’ Court at a later date, along with two other men, Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26.January 17: Stokes cleared for England returnAfter the ECB Board meet following the charge against Stokes, he is made available for an England return and is expected to be part of the squad for the T20 tri-series in New Zealand. “The Board agreed that it would not be fair, reasonable or proportionate for Ben Stokes to remain unavailable for a further indeterminate period,” a statement said. Stokes tweeted: “I’m extremely delighted to be given this opportunity to do this again. I can’t wait to get back out on a pitch with the three Lions on my chest.”January 18: Court date clashLess than 24 hours after being cleared for selection, Stokes’ first court date is set for February 13 – the day of England’s T20 against New Zealand in Wellington which had initially been earmarked for his return.February 13: Stokes pleads not guiltyDuring a brief appearance at Bristol Magistrates Court, Stokes enters a not guilty plea – along with his two co-defendants – and the case is moved to Crown Court with the first hearing set for March 12. However, it is confirmed Stokes does not need to attend in person and the ECB say he will fly to New Zealand to join up with the squad.

Everton may be plotting a move for Boulaye Dia if they can shift Neal Maupay to Serie A.

What’s the latest on Boulaye Dia to Everton?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Salernitana are interested in a move for Maupay, which could open up the possibility for both clubs to do business given the Toffees' interest in the Senegalese.

It is understood that Dia has a release clause of around €25m (£22m), but a deal could be made simpler if it involved a player plus cash.

The report details that Maupay is looking for a change of scenery and is open to a move to Italy.

Football Insider revealed that a new number nine is a key priority for Sean Dyche, with the Toffees scoring the second-lowest number of goals in the league last season.

Would Boulaye Dia be a good signing for Everton?

Described as “incredible” by journalist Josh Bunting, Dia has enjoyed a phenomenal season in Italy. In 27 Serie A starts, the 2022 African Cup of Nations winner bagged 22 goal contributions.

This impressive record meant he was the division’s third-highest scorer, despite playing for Salernitana, who finished in 15th position. This potency meant he netted more than the likes of Dusan Vlahovic, Romelu Lukaku and Olivier Giroud at a commendable rate of 0.57 goals per 90.

Dia is probably not especially popular across Campagna, as his fizzing left-footed strike stalled Napoli’s title celebrations as he earned his side a 1-1 draw. In that affair at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, the forward recorded 3/3 successful dribbles, won five ground duels, managed 81% accuracy, and of course netted that stunning equaliser.

Across the continent, the 25-cap international has also tremendously excelled, ranking within the best 22% for successful take-ons, pass completion, assists and non-penalty goals per 90.

This signing could finally give Dwight McNeil someone to constantly look out for. Last season in the Premier League, the winger averaged the most dribbles per game (1.5) and the second-most key passes per game (1.4) in the Everton squad to show is an instrumental figure within offensive sequences.

Furthermore, the former Burnley livewire created the second-most chances in the squad, with 48 made in 39 outings, and was also the top goalscorer with seven goals.

Back in 2019, Dyche tipped the “outstanding” attacker to have a huge future, saying: “That young man's got a massive chance of being a top, top player in my opinion.

"He continues to grow. Every time I wonder whether I should leave him out, I think, 'No, keep the boy playing'. It's good for him and it's good for us.

"If he keeps his head down and keeps working like he is doing, he's got a massive future."

You can argue that Dyche’s prophecy has been somewhat fulfilled as McNeil now finds himself as one of Everton’s most important performers. His two goals in the unexpectedly emphatic 5-1 win over Brighton in the latter stages of the season were one of the principal reasons for the Merseyside outfit’s survival.

Therefore, the possible arrival of Dia would take the goalscoring burden off McNeil, whilst also drastically improving the Toffees' current striking options.

R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 as India completed a 3-0 whitewash with an innings win in Pallekele

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy14-Aug-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details7:19

‘Mathews, Tharanga and Chandimal need to set an example’

At 2.46 pm on Monday, when Lahiru Kumara played down the wrong line of an R Ashwin carrom ball, India achieved something they had done only once before. Until then, they had only once won three Tests in an away series, back in 1967-68, when they beat New Zealand 3-1.Now the scoreline was even more impressive, a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, each Test won with a fearsome victory margin: 304 runs, an innings and 53 runs, and now, inside three days, an innings and 171 runs. Plenty has and will be said about the lack of quality in Sri Lanka’s squad, and plenty of that is true, but India’s dominance had just as much to do with their growing into a truly formidable side, with all bases covered, even – in this respect differing from previous Indian sides – on the bowling front.The last day of the series showcased India’s attack at its relentless best, in particular Ashwin and Mohammed Shami, who finished with combined second-innings figures of 43.3-12-100-7 to hasten Sri Lanka’s defeat.After a solitary over from Kuldeep Yadav to start the day, Shami and Ashwin bowled in tandem right through the first hour of day three, setting the tone for a day with no respite for Sri Lanka. Ashwin struck in his first over of the day, removing Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka’s second-innings specialist. Karunaratne might have been fresh off a hundred in the previous Test, but managed to pick neither the line nor length of the second and third balls he faced from Ashwin.This was one of those days when the ball just comes out perfectly from Ashwin’s hand, when batsmen cannot predict with any sense of certainty where it will land. First up, a big offbreak beat Karunaratne’s outside edge by a long way, his front foot planted down the wrong line thanks to the drift into him. Then, stuck on the crease to a quicker one that took off from a length, he was caught at slip off the shoulder of his bat.Dimuth Karunaratne had his outside edge pouched by Ajinkya Rahane at slip•AFPAt the other end, every ball from Shami looked likely to dismiss the nightwatchman Malinda Pushpakumara, with the TV producers lingering on slow-motion replays of his perfectly upright seam. Having beaten him four times with balls that held their line after angling into the fourth-stump channel, Shami finally found his edge through to Wriddhiman Saha in his fourth over of the day.Kusal Mendis, the other centurion in Sri Lanka’s second-innings resistance at the SSC, was jittery at the crease right from the start, getting himself into tangles in the effort to put the bowlers off their rhythm. Predictably, he tried sweeping Ashwin as often as he could, but this time he wasn’t as successful in picking up the offspinner’s changes of pace and trajectory. On one occasion, he adjusted to the dip, collapsing his back knee and leaning backwards to manufacture room for a swipe through backward square leg. On another, he had to hurriedly change his shot and play a defensive jab into the leg side instead.Mendis was stuck at Ashwin’s end for the first 16 balls of his innings. Finally, facing Shami, he received a rare bad ball – a short, wide one – that he slapped away to the point boundary. The next ball, though, he paid the price for trying to manufacture a scoring opportunity. Spotting his shuffle across the crease, Shami went wide of the crease and fired one in, full and straight. Rod Tucker gave him out as soon as Shami began appealing, penalising his across-the-line shot as much as anything else, with the line suggesting the ball may have carried on past leg stump. Mendis did not review, and ball-tracking returned an umpire’s-call verdict.Chandimal had been the most assured Sri Lankan batsman in the first innings, especially against pace, and a couple of flowing drives through the off side off Umesh Yadav gave the same impression in the second innings too. He was less certain against Ashwin, though, and in one over had two lbw appeals turned down, the ball beating his sweep both times, with his long front-and-across stretch saving him.Chandimal and Angelo Mathews saw Sri Lanka through to lunch, and for a further 8.2 overs after the interval, putting on 65 for the fifth wicket in 27.4 overs. Having survived those lbw shouts, Chandimal put away the sweep, and began instead to use his feet to the spinners. He didn’t always get to the pitch against Ashwin, and a couple of inside edges flew dangerously close of short leg.A catch at short leg eventually sent Chandimal back, though off Kuldeep rather than Ashwin, turn and bounce cramping him as he went back to flick. Then Mathews, looking to sweep a full ball off the stumps, missed, and Ashwin had his second wicket. He soon had his third too, Dilruwan Perera slogging him to deep midwicket.With Sri Lanka seven down, the quicks returned to try and finish things quickly. Lakshan Sandakan top-edged a cut off Shami, and then Niroshan Dickwella, who top scored with a typically punchy 41, fell to a stunning reflex catch from Ajinkya Rahane at gully, when he middled an open-faced slash to his left off Umesh. Shami could have had a fourth, when Vishwa Fernando chipped one straight back at him, but the one-handed effort fell to the floor, leaving Ashwin to return and take the last wicket, swelling his series-topping tally to 17.

The former India captain, who is part of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators to oversee the BCCI, believes certain members of the board have not been pleased with the recent success of the women’s team

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Aug-2017

The BCCI is a “male chauvinist organisation” that continues to look down upon women’s cricket in India, according to former India captain Diana Edulji. Speaking at a private event, Edulji, who is part of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators that oversees the BCCI, also claimed that certain members within the board were not pleased by the impressive performances of the team at the recent Women’s World Cup in England.”I’ve always been a BCCI basher, right from the day women’s cricket came into the BCCI fold in 2006,” Edulji said, at an event organised by the Indian Express Group. “BCCI is a very male chauvinist organisation. They never wanted women to dictate terms or get into this thing. I was very vocal right from my playing days, from when I started. Even now, I would still say that it is not yet well accepted within BCCI that women’s cricket is doing well. It is very difficult for them (some BCCI members) to accept the fact that this team has done very well.””[In 2011], When Mr [N] Srinivasan became president, I would like to say that I went to congratulate him at the Wankhede Stadium. He said, ‘If I had my way, I wouldn’t let women’s cricket happen’.”India’s success at the Women’s World Cup, where they lost a tense final to England, will spur more interest and development in women’s cricket, according to the team’s batting sensation Harmanpreet Kaur, whose 171* in the semi-final against Australia propelled India into the final.”When I was young I would have to beg the girls to play with me so that we could form a team of 11 players. Eventually, I would have to gather girls who were good at other sports,” Harmanpreet said. “When I started, there wasn’t a single academy in Moga (Kaur’s hometown). My coach started one just for me. Now, there are three exclusively for women.”Kaur also expressed her enthusiasm for a women’s IPL in the near future, an idea that has been doing the rounds after India’s recent performances. “I hope we don’t end up saying many years later that ‘we also used to hit sixes during our time,'” she said. “So, I feel if IPL starts now, then it’s great.”

Alastair Cook’s impressive form in the Royal London Cup has earned him an automatic spot in next year’s North v South one-day series.Cook, who was sacked as England’s one-day captain shortly before the 2015 World Cup, scored 503 runs in Essex’s group stage campaign, from which they secured a home semi-final. That tally put him third in the PCA’s MVP rankings, thereby qualifying him for the pre-season series. Only England-qualified players are eligible to play for the North and South with four spots in each side determined by the MVP rankings. The rest of the names are decided by the England selectors.The matches are billed as a chance to push for England selection with the PCA release saying they will be “watched closely by the England selectors and management in their planning for the 2019 ICC World Cup.” But while Cook has never officially retired from ODIs, it would be far-fetched to suggest he will come into the reckoning.It is also possible that the North v South contests – which this year were held in the UAE in late March – will clash with England’s Test series in New Zealand, set for the end of March. Although Cook stepped down as Test captain in January, barring an unlikely sequence of events or injury he will be involved in those Tests which follow the Ashes in Australia.The other players to qualify through the MVP rankings for the South are Hampshire’s James Vince, Kent opener Daniel Bell-Drummond and Essex allrounder Ravi Bopara.The North are set to include Test batsman Keaton Jennings, Sam Hain from Warwickshire, Yorkshire captain Gary Ballance and Derbyshire allrounder Shiv Thakor. However, as with Cook, England commitments could impact the availability of Jennings and Ballance.Jennings, Hain, Bell-Drummond and Vince were involved in the first North-South series. Batsmen have dominated those qualifying automatically from this year’s group stage in what has been a high-scoring competition. Last year, seam bowlers Matt Coles, Tim Groenewald and Harry Gurney earned automatic selection alongside left-arm spinner Graeme White and allrounders Tim Bresnan, Lewis Gregory and Liam Dawson.

Leeds United are still without a manager after suffering relegation from Premier League almost a month ago, but progress is starting to be made at Elland Road.

The 49ers have confirmed their full takeover of the club, buying Andrea Radrizzani out of his majority stake and taking full control in the last few days, which has been further boosted by the arrival of interim football advisor Nick Hammond.

Hammond was the sporting director at Reading, director of football operations at Celtic and most recently worked on a consultancy for Newcastle United, so has plenty of experience to provide Leeds with a much-needed expert to support in the summer transfer window during a difficult chapter for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Indeed, the main priorities for Leeds at present are the acquirement of a quality manager who can quickly reinstate their Premier League status and figuring out which players in the current squad will make an exit and who will stay to compete in the Championship next season.

However, with many Leeds players already speculated with a move away from the club this summer, identifying key targets who can replace and revive the team next season will be absolutely essential for a successful season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer is Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks, who has just spent a year on loan in the Serie A with Sampdoria.

Would Harry Winks be a good fit for Leeds?

It is no secret that Leeds will struggle to keep a number of their talents ahead of their Championship campaign and finding the best way to approach that will be essential for Hammond during his time at the club.

In midfield, the Whites have already lost Weston McKennie as he returns to Juventus after his loan spell, whilst Tyler Adams has been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs following relegation to the second tier, so there is definitely an opportunity to bolster the centre of the pitch this summer.

As a result, the signing of Winks – who had a £22m buyout clause as part of his temporary deal – would be a major coup for Leeds if they could convince him to make a move and would definitely soften the blow of losing some of the key players in midfield.

Over 20 Serie A appearances this season, the 27-year-old Englishman – hailed "amazing" by Mauricio Pochettino in the past – has tallied up an 85% pass completion rate and successfully completed 78% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 1.2 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, one clearance and 3.2 duels won per game, displaying strong ball-winning capabilities and ability to look after the ball in possession.

One of Leeds' biggest issues in the top flight last season was their defensive consistency with no other team in the Premier League conceding more goals over the 38-game campaign (78), so bringing in players who can improve the defensive presence and being more efficient in possession would be advantageous.

With that being said, if Hammond could secure the services of Winks it could massively improve the performances in midfield next season and help Leeds to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

New MLS and Inter Miami signing Lionel Messi has claimed that he doesn't care about winning the Ballon d’Or anymore.

How many times has Messi won the Ballon d’Or?

The Argentine has won the personal accolade on seven different occasions between 2009 and 2021, with old adversary Cristiano Ronaldo second on the all-time list with five awards to his name.

This combined with the fact that he has now essentially completed football – having won the 2022 World Cup last winter – means many feel as though Messi is the greatest footballer of all time.

And at 35 years of age, it appears as though we are sadly coming towards the very end of his career as the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man has decided to leave the European game and head to America.

Even so, he departs having still delivered the goods over the past season, most notably with Argentina in Qatar, and so could possibly win the Ballon d’Or for pulling off such a remarkable achievement.

However, it seems as though Messi is not particularly interested in the prize anymore as he made clear in a recent interview (via @AlbicelesteTalk on Twitter).

|ndeed, he told the press: "Does Ballon d’Or matter to me? No, at this stage in my life, it is no longer important to me.

"I’ve always said, the individual prizes are not what matters to me, but the collective ones are the most important to me. The most important prize at the moment is the World Cup. This is the greatest prize for me."

Who will win the 2023 Ballon d’Or?

Unsurprisingly, Messi clearly cherishes his World Cup win above anything else he's achieved on a personal level over the course of his career.

Even so, his numerous Ballon d’Or wins will help future generations understand just how special he was as a player. With that in mind, the award does still hold real value and it will be interesting to see who it will go to win it in 2023, if not Messi.

As per Goal, they still rank the Argentine as the favourite at this moment in time. After that, Erling Haaland of Manchester City – with 53 goals, nine assists, a Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup under his belt – is in second.

While Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Kevin De Bruyne make up the rest of the top five.

ScorecardFile photo – Siddhesh Lad scored his fourth first-class hundred•AFP

A century from Siddhesh Lad and his fifth-wicket stand of 105 with Aditya Tare rescued Mumbai after Chama Milind had rocked them with three early wickets. Having chosen to bat first at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Mumbai were 34 for 4, with both Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav back in the dressing room, when Lad joined Tare.The pair batted for the next 40.3 overs, before Tare, Mumbai’s wicketkeeper-captain, fell for 73 (148b, 14×4) to the medium-pacer Mohammed Siraj, who picked up his second wicket. That would be Hyderabad’s last wicket of the day, as Lad batted through to go to stumps on 101 (196b, 15×4, 1×6), having added an unbroken 111 with Abhishek Nayar (46*, 79b, 7×4) for the sixth wicket.
ScorecardFile photo – Lunch was taken early due to concerns over the pitch that arose when Parthiv Patel was struck on the arm by an awkwardly rising ball•AFP

Unbeaten half-centuries from Chirag Gandhi and Rush Kalaria rescued Gujarat after Odisha sent them in and reduced them to 71 for 6. The two added an unbroken 126 for the seventh wicket in 48 overs as Gujarat went to stumps 197 for 6, with Gandhi on 62 (161b, 6×4) and Kalaria on 59 (136b, 6×4, 1×6).Lunch was taken 47 minutes early at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, with Gujarat 39 for 2, due to concerns over the pitch that reportedly arose when Parthiv Patel was struck on the arm by an awkwardly rising ball. Play resumed after ground-staff re-rolled the pitch, and Gujarat slumped further against the medium-pace of Deepak Behera, Basant Mohanty and Biplab Samantray, before Kalaria joined Gandhi at the end of the 31st over of their innings.
ScorecardFile photo – Shahbaz Nadeem picked up his 12th first-class five-wicket haul•KCA/Ranjith Peralam

Shahbaz Nadeem’s 12th first-class five-wicket haul ensured Haryana did not extend the advantage of winning the toss on a day of unconverted starts at the Moti Baug Stadium. In 30 overs of left-arm spin, Nadeem took 5 for 75 as Haryana went to stumps 251 for 7, with all their batsmen getting into double figures but none of them managing a half-century.Chaitanya Bishnoi (41) and Rajat Paliwal (42) were the day’s highest scorers, the two of them adding 83 for the fourth wicket to take Haryana to 154 for 3, before Nadeem dismissed both off successive overs. Haryana slipped further, to 195 for 7, before Sanjay Pahal (38*) and Harshal Patel (22*) saw them through to stumps with an unbroken stand of 56 for the eighth wicket.

The Blues' two summer signings have made a flying start to life with the club, but can they be the solution to Mauricio Pochettino's No.9 problem?

Many would argue that pre-season performances should not be used as a barometer for what is to come when competitive action resumes, but Chelsea have very recent evidence to suggest that this preparatory period should not be taken for granted. Their woeful results on tour last summer foreshadowed a disastrous 2022-23 campaign, but now there is renewed optimism.

Two games into their run of fixtures in the United States this time around and things are going swimmingly under Mauricio Pochettino's tutelage – two wins from two, nine goals scored and just three conceded (although, granted, one of those games was against League Two Wrexham).

One aspect of their displays has been particularly pleasing, if unfamiliar: Chelsea's strikers have been on song. New signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have hit the ground running, but is this a sign of things to come long-term?

• Finally, some finishing ability

  A striker's job, first and foremost, is to score goals – something Chelsea dearly lacked last season in particular, although they have had a dearth of prolific output for some time. Given the profligacy Blues followers and coaches alike have become accustomed to from their forward players in recent years, it has been striking just how comfortable Nkunku and Jackson have looked in front of goal.

  Unburdened by the weight of weeks and months of misfiring from goalscoring opportunities in a blue shirt, and indeed the pressure of the season proper, the two new signings have looked free and easy when chances have presented themselves.

  Nkunku has two goals in fewer than 90 minutes on Chelsea's pre-season tour, ruthlessly firing into the roof of the net after rounding the goalkeeper against Wrexham, and producing an instinctive flick to net against Brighton. Jackson has scored once, sweeping a finish into the top corner on the run against the Seagulls, but has been a creative force elsewhere.

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• Getty
  

  A surprise package, a physical presence

  It's Senegal international Jackson who has caught the eye in particular. There was probably some expectation that Nkunku would hit the ground running, but Jackson – who would have been an unknown quantity to anyone who hadn't followed La Liga in any great detail – has been a surprise package.

  The 22-year-old has oozed confidence in his brief time in a Chelsea shirt, seemingly still riding on the wave of his prolific end to the 2022-23 campaign with Villarreal, where he scored nine goals in as many games. He has effortlessly generated an understanding with his colleagues in the attacking third, and the early signs are good as he contributes goals and assists already.

  Granted, one of his the striker's appearances came against Wrexham, but there is no doubt that Jackson's combination of attributes could stand him in very good stead in the Premier League; a rangy 6'2 frame, pace, a fine first touch and devastating finishing ability – he could become a problem.

  Given Chelsea's dearth of options up front, he could well be their starting striker as the new season edges ever closer. That will of course be the real test, but his form so far in pre-season and at the back end of 2022-23 suggests he could well be up to the challenge.

• Impressive link-up

  Indeed, that immediate synergy with his team-mates has been the most impressive thing about Jackson's start to life at Chelsea. He had his first assist for the club two minutes into his debut against Wrexham, completing a winding run by laying the ball off to Ian Maatsen to finish.

  Against Brighton, he helped Mykhailo Mudryk to finally get off the mark for the club, exchanging passes with the winger with a cute one-two before the Ukrainian crashed a fine strike beyond the goalkeeper. He showed close control to provide a scruffy assist for Conor Gallagher later in the game, too.

  Jackson's laid-back personality is clearly strengthening those bonds. Speaking on the club's U.S. tour, he said: "I get on with everyone. I talk to everybody. We chill out together. We’re playing cards, playing games when we are not training."

  Nkunku, too, has shown his ability to drop deep and link play – exemplified by his strike against Wrexham. His deft layoff to Cesare Casadei in the build-up was sublime, before he turned on the afterburners to get on the end of the Italian's pass and round the goalkeeper.

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  Intelligent movement

  Even in isolation, that burst of pace through the lines was refreshing to see. Although there is some responsibility on the player playing the pass, Chelsea followers have grown apathetic having witnessed countless aimless runs or wasted darts into space by the likes of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner in recent years.

  Jackson's movement and assist against Wrexham were impressive, too, and he could well have profited from his interchange with Mudryk as he created space by rolling away from his marker. The Senegal international's run between two Brighton defenders was also immaculately timed in the lead-up to his goal. Pochettino and Chelsea will hope this is all a sign of things to come.