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USA will want to take down another Full Member nation in what is likely to be their last game at the World Cup

Alan Gardner22-Jun-20241:23

Do England need Jacks for better balance?

Match detailsUSA vs England
Barbados, June 23, 10.30am local timeBig picture – Can USA upset calculations?If this is the end of the road for USA’s memorable T20 World Cup 2024 journey – they could still squeak into the semi-finals, but the odds are very much against them – then what a stage on which to bow out, facing up to the defending champions with one last chance to cause an upset.England and USA have met at both football and rugby World Cups but this will be their first cricketing encounter of the modern age. Jos Buttler’s side have endured a choppy campaign so far, winning three and losing two to go with a no result in their opening match at Kensington Oval. But they return to Barbados knowing that a convincing performance will go a long way to ensuring their title defence continues into the knockouts.Related

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Victory will put them on four points, and a margin of more than ten runs (batting first) will ensure their net run-rate goes above that of South Africa, who then take on West Indies in the final Group 2 game later on Sunday.England’s cushion comes from their convincing win over the other co-hosts West Indies at the start of the Super Eight, and Buttler remained upbeat after his side lost a close game to South Africa in St Lucia. England have rarely been at their best over the last three weeks in the Caribbean but there have been signs that their game is coming together at the right time for a tilt at becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup trophy.Before they get that far, they must avoid a mishap against a USA side that burned brightly at the start of the tournament but has looked to be running low on gas after three defeats in a row against Full Member oppositions. Their success has already put the names of Aaron Jones, Monank Patel and Saurabh Netravalkar in lights. If they can summon one final effort and become the latest former colony to put one over on the mother country, it will add another sprinkle of Hollywood stardust to cricket’s American adventure.Form guideUSA LLLWW
England LWWWLLiam Livingstone nearly took England home against South Africa•ICC/Getty Images

In the spotlight – Aaron Jones and Liam LivingstoneAaron Jones’ six over midwicket to seal a rousing opening-night win over Canada was the shot that was heard around the World Cup. He followed up a career-defining 94 not out by helping secure the tie that eventually led to USA’s Super Over victory over Pakistan, but has found the going tougher since then, with scores of 11, 0 and 11. Taking on the captaincy, in the absence of the injured Monank, has added to his burden. But he has another chance to impress at a ground where he played in four first-class matches for Barbados during his time in West Indies’ domestic system.An innings of 33 off 17 balls in a losing cause might not sound much, but could it turn out to be the spark Liam Livingstone needed? Livingstone’s attempt to get England over the line against South Africa, helping to revive their chase while adding 78 for the fifth wicket alongside Harry Brook, was only the second time he has scored more than 30 in 22 T20 innings this year. His power when taking down Ottneil Baartman at the death was a reminder of what he can do, and suggested that he may be ready to repay England’s faith that he remains the answer in the finisher role.2:19

Stuart Law: ‘If we’re not winning, we’re learning’

Team news – England unlikely to make any changesUSA have been without Monank since their group-stage win over Pakistan, but head coach Stuart Law suggested he was close to returning from a shoulder injury. “He’s getting better, we’re constantly assessing him,” Law said after the defeat to West Indies on Friday. “Unfortunately, he nearly made it for this one. So, we’re constantly assessing it.”USA (probable): 1 Steven Taylor, 2 Andries Gous (wk), 3 Nitish Kumar, 4 Aaron Jones (capt), 5 Corey Anderson, 6 Shayan Jahangir, 7 Harmeet Singh, 8 Nosthush Kenjinge, 9 Shadley van Schalkwyk, 10 Ali Khan, 11 Saurabh NetravalkarEngland may be unchanged for the third match running, having apparently settled on Jonny Bairstow at No. 3 and Sam Curran as the extra bowling/left-hand batter option. Chris Jordan could replace Mark Wood to add further depth to the batting.England (probable): 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (capt & wk), 3 Jonny Bairstow, 4 Moeen Ali, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Chris Jordan/Mark Wood, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid 11 Reece TopleyPitch and conditionsKensington Oval is one of only two venues at this World Cup to have seen a 200-plus score, but generally, the pitches have been on the tacky side. The forecast for Sunday has improved although there is still a chance of rainfall interrupting proceedings.Stats and trivia This will be the first meeting between England and USA with full international status in any format England have played 13 completed T20Is in Bridgetown, winning six (including the 2010 T20 World Cup final) and losing seven Sam Curran needs one more wicket to reach 50 in T20IsQuotes”We’ve just got to win the game. We haven’t played them before so it’ll be a good challenge and we’re looking forward to it. The games come thick and fast now so we’ve got to dust ourselves down and go again. We’ve had a great win against the West Indies, a great game today which was a shame not to win but we’re still in it and looking ahead to the next one.”

“I think every match we play, obviously, representing the country is important. So, we’ll definitely go hard against England and try to finish well. Obviously, we can’t advance to the next round. But as I say, I think every match you play for your country is important. So, we’re definitely going to try to win the game for sure.”

Celtic fans are taking some time to wind down after a hectic campaign, but Brendan Rodgers is already reportedly on the brink of sealing their first summer signing.

Celtic reflect after ending campaign with two trophies

Domestic doubles are a strong marker of success at Parkhead. However, Celtic will feel they let the prospect of a clean sweep in Scotland slip away during an unfateful Scottish Cup final loss to Aberdeen last weekend.

Coming down to penalties, claiming another prize proved to be a step too far for Brendan Rodgers’ men, who ended extra time with an unfamiliar line-up that illustrates their need to strengthen again this summer.

Showing faith in his manager to get it right in the market, Celtic defender Liam Scales has backed his compatriot to bolster squad depth ahead of another long campaign.

He stated: “He always wants the club to improve year on year. Since I arrived four years ago, it seems to keep getting better at every transfer window.

“I think that’s obviously going to be the focus, especially with the Champions League coming up. We need to qualify for that. If we do, we want to be strong going into that as well.”

Jeffrey Schlupp could be set for an extended Celtic stay and is in discussions over signing on a permanent basis at Parkhead. Greg Taylor could make way following six years in Glasgow.

Either way, it is all change at the Hoops ahead of next season, though a familiar face could now be set to return between the sticks.

Ross Doohan to complete Celtic return after signing pre-contract

According to Press and Journal, Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan has signed a pre-contract with Celtic and will return to Glasgow following three years away from his boyhood club.

Labelled “brilliant” by Graeme Shinnie, the former Scotland Under-21 international has kept five clean sheets in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.

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Scott Bain has entered the final year of his deal at Parkhead and is expected to make way this summer, creating the path for Doohan to come in as third-choice behind Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.

In addition, the 27-year-old will help Celtic in their quest to meet UEFA’s squad registration rules, given he is homegrown and also a club-trained asset.

Celtic will make more eye-catching signings this summer, but being able to call on a familiar presence to integrate withing the goalkeeping group at Lennoxtown could be a savvy move.

Doohan spent seven years at Celtic in his first spell at the club. Now, he will have the opportunity to be part of a successful dressing room in the prime of his career.

The 49ers Enterprises must make the next manager of Glasgow Rangers the correct appointment. That is certainly non-negotiable, especially if the Ibrox side are to challenge their Old Firm rivals next season.

Not since Steven Gerrard have Rangers reached the summit of Scottish football and that was way back in 2021.

The process has been drawn out as, despite sacking Philippe Clement in February, the the Light Blues still haven’t appointed a permanent successor.

A new man must be in charge sooner rather than later, especially with the transfer window opening soon.

The 49ers must avoid bringing in someone like a Clement or Giovanni van Bronckhorst type. Someone who excels in Europe but fails domestically.

What went wrong for Clement and van Bronckhorst at Ibrox

Clement led the club into the last 16 during both of his European campaigns in charge of the Light Blues but it was under his predecessor that success was seen on the continental stage

Indeed, Van Bronckhorst will be remembered as the man who led Rangers to the 2022 Europa League final, defeating Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Braga along the way.

While the final ended in defeat, the Dutchman still led the Gers to the Champions League group stages the following campaign, although that ended without a win in six matches.

At the time of his dismissal, Clement had won just 17 of his 27 league games throughout 2024/25.

Van Bronckhorst also had a shoddy league record before he was sacked in November 2022. He won ten of his first 15 games, but his team slipped behind Celtic in the title race.

Both of these managers won league titles prior to joining Rangers. Van Bronckhorst in the Netherlands and Clement in Belgium. This didn’t exactly lead to success in Glasgow, however.

Now, they must learn from that.

Rangers could be on for a repeat scenario

Brian Priske certainly falls into the same sort of category as the aforementioned managers. The Dane has won league titles in Denmark and the Czech Republic, while also winning domestic cups in both countries.

Well, according to reports, Priske has held discussions about becoming the new manager of Rangers, but would it be a smart move by the board?

He took over at Feyenoord last summer, yet he departed in February, despite beating Bayern Munich 3-0 in the Champions League.

Like Clement and Van Bronckhorst before him, Priske failed to mount a title challenge with the Dutch side, winning only 11 of his opening 21 league games.

The Danish coach tends to use a 3-4-3 formation, which isn’t a style used by previous managers, including Clement, Van Bronckhorst and Gerrard.

He does, however, place a strong emphasis on pressing in the opposition half while expecting his team to be dynamic when they have the ball.

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Given how stale the football was under Clement, this could perhaps offer a refreshing change of mentality indeed.

The Ibrox faithful have been here before, though. A foreign coach with a decent CV on the continent, arriving with much fanfare in Glasgow.

While he might enjoy a decent start to life in Scotland, Priske may well go down the route travelled by several coaches before him.

Something that the supporters don’t want to see again.

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By
Dan Emery

May 25, 2025

It’s been challenging to find the positives for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

Across all competitions, the North Londoners have lost 22 games, only one fewer than they’ve won, and if they don’t get to the Europa League final next month, it could go down as their worst campaign in a generation – or two.

However, there are, in fact, reasons to be optimistic for the Lilywhites faithful, as they have a collection of seriously exciting youngsters already in the senior side and the academy.

In fact, one youngster in particular looks like he could be a real world-beater, even in Tottenham’s answer to Lamine Yamal, if you will.

Spurs' most exciting youngsters

Before we get to the prospect in question, let’s take a look at some of the other sensational talents Spurs have on the books, including one teenager who is already playing senior football, just not in England: Luka Vušković.

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The Croatian wonderkid is one of the most exciting centre-backs around at the moment, as, on top of being labelled a “monster” for his defensive efforts by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, he’s also a serious goal threat.

For example, in just 32 appearances, he has already scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a frankly staggering average – for a centre-back – of a goal involvement every 3.55 games.

A talent far closer to home but no less exciting is Tyrese Hall.

The 19-year-old prospect is enjoying a stellar season in the academy this year and has amassed a tally of six goals and five assists in only 28 appearances.

That means the teenage phenomenon, who Jermain Defoe claims has a “Luka Modric vibe” is currently averaging a goal involvement every 2.54 games, which is certainly encouraging.

However, there is another youngster who is even more exciting, someone who could be the club’s answer to Yamal.

Spurs' answer to Yamal

So, while some of you may be thinking of the incredibly promising Mikey Moore, you’d be mistaken, as the academy gem in question is actually a year younger.

Despite being just 16 years old, Luca Williams Barnett has been causing quite a stir this season, as every week, regardless of the opposition, he seems to deliver.

For example, in just 18 appearances, totalling 1465 minutes, the Luton-born prodigy has scored a whopping 19 goals and provided nine assists.

Appearances

18

Minutes

1465′

Goals

19

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

1.55

Minutes per Goal Involvement

52.32′

That means he is currently maintaining an otherworldly average of 1.55 goal involvements every single game, or in other words, he produces one every 52.32 minutes.

It is this simply sensational rate of return, combined with the kind of hype that has seen Mattinson describe him as “one of England’s best talents,” that makes comparisons to Yamal seem so easy.

After all, the young Spaniard earned his first start for Barcelona when he was 16 years old, and if the Lilywhites’ new superstar in the making continues to put up the numbers he is now, then we see no reason why he couldn’t get his first start next season, also at just 16 years old.

Finally, on top of being a pure output machine, the teenager has also played in several positions on top of his natural attacking midfield role before, including left-midfield, left and right-wing and even up top, which lends credence to Spurs’ expert John Wenham’s description of him as a “cheat-code.”

Ultimately, while it’s still very early in his hopefully long career, Williams-Barnett looks like he has everything needed to be a genuine superstar in the future. Who knows, maybe he’ll be talked about in the same way Yamal is now in a few years.

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Aston Villa have now made an offer to sign a “generational talent”, and they have moved ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester City in the race for his signature, according to a report.

Aston Villa gearing up for Paris Saint-Germain clash

Villa are hitting a rich vein of form at the perfect stage of the season, with a 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest last time out boosting their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League considerably.

However, tonight’s game could be the Villans’ toughest of the season so far, as they are faced with the daunting task of travelling to Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Paris Saint-Germain (a)

April 9th

Southampton (a)

April 12th

Paris Saint-Germain (h)

April 15th

Newcastle United (h)

April 19th

Manchester City (a)

April 22nd

These kinds of nights are what fans have dreamed about for decades, and Unai Emery will no doubt be fully focused on the task at hand, but the manager has also been stepping up his summer transfer plans as of late.

A new centre-back is of particular interest, and £50m will be enough to seal a deal for Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, while Emery has also personally requested the signing of Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero.

Defence is not the only area in which Aston Villa are looking to strengthen, however, with a report from GiveMeSport stating they have now made an offer to sign Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan.

Arsenal have also made an approach for the 18-year-old, with signing for the Gunners or the Villans deemed to be more likely than a move to Manchester City, despite interest from Pep Guardiola’s side.

There is also fresh competition for Nypan’s signature from Borussia Dortmund, with the transfer battle now hotting up, and there is a feeling any deal could amount to a fee of around £12.5m.

"Generational talent" Nypan could have "huge future ahead"

The teenager has already established himself as an important player for Rosenborg, displaying his attacking prowess by amassing 14 goals and 11 assists in 62 appearances for the Norwegian club.

Not only that, but the starlet has been hailed as a “generational talent” by a Norwegian scout, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig believes he has a “huge future ahead”.

The Norwegian midfielder’s performances for Rosenborg indicate he could soon be ready to make the step up to the Premier League, so it is exciting news that Aston Villa have now made an opening bid.

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However, it may be difficult to win the race for Nypan’s signature, given the interest from Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, with the Gunners now in a very strong position to reach the Champions League semi-final after a 3-0 victory over Real Madrid yesterday.

Only once before has more runs been scored in a women’s ODI, while this is the first instance of four women scoring centuries in an ODI

Sampath Bandarupalli19-Jun-2024325 for 3 – India made their first 300-plus total in women’s ODIs at home. Their previous best was 298 for 2 against West Indies in 2004.2 – Number of times India have scored more than their 325 for 3 in ODIs. Their highest is 358 for 2 against Ireland in 2017, and the 333 for 5 against England in 2022 is the second-highest.It is also the fifth-highest ODI total against South Africa, with the top four scores all recorded by England.Related

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4 – Number of batters to score a hundred in the Bengaluru ODI – Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Kapp and Wolvaardt, in that order. This is the first instance of four batters scoring centuries in a women’s ODI – it’s happened thrice in men’s ODIs.There has been only one instance of three centurions in a women’s ODI previously – a game between England and South Africa in 2018 in Hove – Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Taylor and Lizelle Lee got to the milestones then.15 – Number of sixes hit on Wednesday – eight by India and seven by South Africa. These are the most sixes hit in a women’s ODI, surpassing the 14 between Australia and New Zealand in 2012 at North Sydney Oval.646 – Runs scored in the game, the second-highest in a women’s ODI. The highest aggregate is 678 runs between England and South Africa in Bristol during the 2017 World Cup.321 for 6 – South Africa’s total is the highest by any team in a chase in women’s ODIs. The previous highest was South Africa’s 305 for 9 in an unsuccessful chase against England in 2017 and 305 for 4 by Sri Lanka while chasing South Africa’s 302 earlier this year.Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt put on an 184-run stand•Getty ImagesThe total of 321 is also the third-highest for South Africa in women’s ODIs and the third-highest by any team against India.87 – Number of balls Harmanpreet needed to bring up her century. It is the fastest recorded hundred by an Indian in women’s ODIs, bettering her own 90-ball effort against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final.1 – Mandhana became the first India batter to score hundreds in successive innings in women’s ODIs. She joined nine other women in achieving this feat with only Amy Satterthwaite scoring more than two in succession – she made four in a row in 2016-2017. Beaumont is the only batter with successive centuries on separate occasions.7 – Number hundreds for Mandhana in ODI cricket, the joint-highest for India alongside Mithali Raj. Harmanpreet is next on the list with six, all while batting at No. 4 or lower.ESPNcricinfo Ltd8 – Sixes hit by India in this game, their highest in a women’s ODI. Their previous highest was seven.These are also the most sixes any team has hit against South Africa in a women’s ODI, surpassing the six by New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup.136 – Mandhana’s score, the highest for India in a women’s ODI at home. Her 117-run knock on Sunday in the first ODI was the previous highest.2 – Partnerships of 150-plus runs between Mandhana and Harmanpreet in ODIs. They are only the third pair with multiple 150-plus partnerships for the third wicket or lower in women’s ODIs.118 – Runs scored by India in their last ten overs in Bengaluru with 14 fours and five sixes. India started on a slow note, scoring only 47 runs in their first 15 overs, with just five fours. They faced 72 dot balls in that period.A total of 15 sixes were hit in the game•BCCI2 – Mandhana and Harmanpreet are only the second pair to score hundreds twice in the same women’s ODI innings. The two hit hundreds against West Indies in the 2022 World Cup.Beaumont and Taylor are the other such pair. They both scored hundreds against South Africa at the 2017 World Cup and in 2018 at Hove.85 – Balls Kapp needed for her hundred, the quickest for South Africa in women’s ODIs, bettering Lee’s 86-ball effort against Australia in 2016.2 – Kapp has hit three ODI hundreds, and two have come while batting at No. 5 or lower. Kapp is the first batter to score multiple hundreds from No. 5 or lower in women’s ODIs.Her 114 against India is also the first century scored by a batter from No. 5 or lower in a women’s ODI chase.

The country has for long had the potential; with the IPL, it has been translated into performance

Ian Chappell07-May-2022Apart from the massive financial boost and enormous increase in fan interest, India’s biggest gain from a highly productive IPL competition has been the huge improvement in playing depth.About 20 years ago, India’s overseas reputation was an improving one, especially under the captaincy reign of a competitive Sourav Ganguly but the pace of that ascent gradually increased when the IPL began 15 seasons back, in 2008. The quietly thoughtful MS Dhoni – who is still exerting an influence – built on Ganguly’s reputation, which was then improved upon by the highly competitive leadership of Virat Kohli.The firmly established IPL is now seen as the most important part of India’s enviable depth in international cricket.Related

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To thoughtful players, as far back as the 1970s, Indian cricket had the potential to be a major power. It was felt even then that if India ever capitalised on its enormous population advantage and decided to select its best teams, eventually size would prevail. That notion crystallised when the IPL gathered worldwide popularity. India’s overseas results initially were creditable, and then – especially in Australia – by the 2020s, they were the most feared team in the Test competition. Not only did India under Kohli, ably assisted by Ajinkya Rahane, win internationally, but in 2021 they also achieved an incredible series victory over Australia that confirmed their player depth. This was an Indian team not only ably led but also displaying ample resolve and being competitively better than the previously almost impregnable Australia in home conditions.India have always had individual stars. In the past there were outstanding batters like Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin. The allrounders were headed by the extremely athletic and successful Kapil Dev, and earlier, Vinoo Mankad, who too held a special place among his peers.Spinners there were plenty but the big three – Erapalli Prasanna, Bishan Bedi and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar – headed the list of past greats.However, India, who had produced the odd faster bowler, lacked a pace conglomerate. Then the IPL began to bare its teeth, and now we have the current generation of fast bowlers to round out a versatile attack, which accompanies a strong batting line-up and a decent catching combination.Nowadays India’s enormous depth in pace bowling is the envy of most countries. The development of star quick bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj has been instrumental in India’s improved overseas reputation. There is also a depth below that group, in the successful Ishant Sharma, the underrated Umesh Yadav, and handy back-up in Shardul Thakur.India have evolved from a team that had a reputation where some players treasured the blazer, sweater and cap more than actual selection in the Test side, to one that was extremely difficult to beat under any conditions.In addition to the enormous increase in pace-bowling power, the improved fielding culture – boosted by the international flavour of the IPL – has helped advance India’s reputation. Years ago in a documentary on Indian Test cricket, former captain “Tiger” Pataudi spoke of how “the batsmen used to go into the slips and drop all the catches”. This comment elicited a guffaw from the audience but it was a valid point the influential Pataudi, who was a brilliant cover fielder himself, was making.India’s pace-bowling revolution shows no sign of abating, and the name on IPL watchers’ lips is currently that of the pacy Umran Malik. In the past India has displayed patience in developing its fast-bowling group but the genuine pace of Malik will be hard to ignore.In a world where fast bowling is a valuable commodity, India are now a shining light. However, as England have displayed recently, thoughtful captaincy isn’t easy to uncover, but India seem to be doing a good job in this regard too, thanks again to the extremely competitive IPL.India are currently a dominant international side and if they continue to show the required resolve, will continue to be a leading team. That is an envious position and India can thank the highly successful IPL for much of their lofty reputation.

Have a debut, Zach Cole.

The Astros called up the outfield prospect Friday to help provide a spark to their offense, according to the . He did just that as he hit eighth and played left field in his first game with the team.

Cole wasted no time recording his first hit and home run as he took the first pitch he saw in the big leagues out of the park against the Braves. He turned on a 93-mph cutter up in the zone from Atlanta starter Hurston Waldrep and took it 423 feet over the right-field wall at Truist Park.

His family was in attendance sitting just beside Houston’s dugout and they couldn’t believe it. Pure bliss:

Cole spent most of his season in Double A Corpus Christi and his teammates went wild for the massive swing as they watched on TV from their locker room:

He was promoted to Triple A Sugar Land just last month and quickly impressed in his 15 games played with a slash line of .353/.459/.745 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. The hot start in his MLB debut didn’t end with the third-inning homer which put the Astros on the board. He ended the night 3-for-4 with four RBIs and the one long ball in an impeccable first showing.

He may just be the offensive spark the Astros needed as they sit with a half-game lead over the Mariners in the AL West with just 14 games left in their regular-season schedule.

Tensions have quickly risen in Thursday afternoon's rubber match between the Cleveland Guardians and Toronto Blue Jays, with two of the game's stars being plunked by pitches within the game's first four innings.

In the top of the third, Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was struck by Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. He left the game with what the team is calling a "forearm contusion." X-rays have since came back negative for a fracture.

Then, just an inning later, Guerrero's teammate Kevin Gausman seemingly retaliated by beaning Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez with the first pitch of the frame. The slugger also left the game with a bruised forearm.

"And now with the first pitch Kevin Gausman hits Jose Ramirez," play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman said on the Sportsnet broadcast. "And that will tell you everything you need to know about how the Blue Jays feel about Guerrero getting hit."

Both benches were warned following the altercations. The Blue Jays took a 3-0 lead over the Guardians into the ninth inning.

Lancashire have confirmed Steven Croft as their new head coach after a successful period in the interim role.Croft stepped up after the departure of Dale Benkenstein in May. Lancashire did not win a game during the first half of the County Championship season, but rallied to finish fifth in Division Two, as well as reaching T20 Blast Finals Day.”It means so much to have the honour of being named head coach of this great club,” Croft said. “Lancashire has been a huge part of my life – from joining the academy as a young player, to captaining the team, and now stepping into this role off the field.”I’m incredibly proud of how the lads responded last season, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. We have a talented, driven squad who are passionate about representing the Red Rose and I believe there is much more to come.”My focus now is on building on the second half of last season’s progress, helping each player improve, and bring success back to the club for our members and supporters at Emirates Old Trafford.”Croft, 41, was part of the team when Lancashire last won the Championship in 2011. He retired in 2023 after playing more than 600 times for the club.Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, said: “We are thrilled that Steven has accepted the role permanently after making such a strong impression this summer.”Taking over during a challenging period in May, Steven displayed outstanding leadership throughout this summer. His passion for Lancashire Cricket, knowledge and understanding of the game, and ability to connect with players made him the outstanding candidate.”He will take a hands-on role in the leading of day-to-day coaching of the first team and will be supported by a restructured cricket department – including assistant coach Will Porterfield – with further appointments to follow.”