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The recalled opener hopes that a combination of technical work and a fresh mental approach will result in better returns this time

George Dobell at Headingley30-May-20181:12

Jennings skips exam to be at Headingley

Keaton Jennings hopes a more relaxed approach can help him make a successful return to “one of the toughest jobs in Test cricket.”Jennings, who has been recalled for a second stint as Alastair Cook’s opening partner, knows full-well the challenges of the job and refers to a “dark period” around the time he was dropped previously. But he hopes that a combination of technical work and a fresh mental approach will result in better returns this time.His recall is, in some ways, quite a surprise. While he has scored centuries in his two most recent first-class innings, they are the only time he has reached 50 in 22 first-class innings since he was dropped last August. In that period, he has averaged just 26.18 in the first-class game after 22 innings realised 576 runs. All of which is hard to square with the coach, Trevor Bayliss, stating that “averaging 40 isn’t enough” for county players trying to force their way into the team. Jennings averaged 24.50 in his first six Tests as an England player but, after a century on debut in India, suffered six single-figure scores – including three ducks – in his next 11 innings.He does, at least, come into this game after those two centuries. While the first game on a flat pitch at Old Trafford, the second was in a low-scoring match at Trent Bridge and against a strong attack that included Stuart Broad, Jake Ball, Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney.Whatever happens, Jennings is determined to enjoy the experience. He hopes to not only block out any criticism but not be too critical of himself. And, most of all, he wants to simply focus on the pleasure of playing Test cricket.”It might be the last Test that I play,” he admitted. “So I really want to enjoy the feeling and the five days of tough, hard cricket. I want to play with a free, happy heart and take in every moment I can.”I’m always determined and I’m never the sort of guy to take things for granted. I’ve never taken my foot off the gas in life. If anything, I’ve pushed the gas too hard to try to make things work. That’s why I stress that I want to enjoy this week.”It’s special being here, special being in front of a variety of cameras and people and playing in front of big crowds and big viewerships. I’m in a really privileged position.”While he admits he has tinkered with his technique since he was dropped – and various England coaches, including Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe continued to work with him – he suggests that the more important progress came in his mental approach and his determination to see cricket as just one aspect of his life.Keaton Jennings prepares in the nets•Getty Images”The England team management give you as much support and assistance as you need,” he said. “The support is there. I’ve worked pretty closely with Andy Flower and my dad – Ray Jennings – is always a big supporter. And my uncle is a sports psychologist.”Opening the batting is one of the toughest jobs in Test cricket, especially in England. The new ball is obviously a crucial phase of four-day cricket and Test cricket. That’s what makes Alastair Cook invaluable to our environment. But it’s tough, hence the fact there’s been a lot of guys rotated around him.”I’ve tried to address as much as I can. At the end of the week, I suppose there’ll be more talk about anything technical and if changes have worked and if there are runs on the board that’s great. If not, there’s more addressing to be done. I suppose that will only be answered at the end of the week. You will only get judged on the amount of runs you score.”I’d like to think I’ve addressed certain issues, but I won’t come out and start batting right-handed. I won’t suddenly start triggering or moving around because the product I’ve had for the last 25 years has worked. It’s about fine-tuning to try to better myself. I’ve looked at myself personally and addressed bits and pieces in my life to get better.”I don’t think we sometimes realise that cricketers are people. There’s a lot of things that impact your performance. With cricket, you can do everything right and things just don’t work out sometimes. So, I’m really excited for this week. I want to play with a happy heart and a big smile on my face.”One of those things he has continued to involve himself in away from cricket is a degree in accountancy. Indeed, with this call-up coming as something of a surprise, he was forced to miss an exam in London on Wednesday afternoon. And for the first time, either; he confesses he has been pursuing the degree for eight years.”It seems to be taking forever to complete,” he said. “I’m really trying to get it finished.”I’ve tried to focus on myself and my own internal processes and belief systems. I’ve moved to address certain things, not just technique but also in my life and the way I go about things. I’ve tried to not read things or be on Twitter and really enjoy my cricket again. Having moved to Lancashire over the winter, I’ve really found that flow and that enjoyment around it.”How did I cope with the scrutiny last time? You try and lean on your support structure; lean on people you trust. You lean on anybody at the time that you feel is going to make a difference and pull you through that dark period. That’s one of the things I’ve tried to address: the way I deal with media and when I walk into a room with 25 cameras. There’s a variety of things that come with being in the position I’m in right now.”But this is a special moment and I want to enjoy it.”While Pakistan’s Wednesday training session was badly hit by rain – they were forced into the indoor nets – England enjoyed a long outdoor session in the afternoon. As well as Jennings, other familiar faces returned to training, including Ryan Sidebottom, who is now on the coaching staff at Surrey, and Ant Botha, who is on the coaching staff with Nottinghamshire.

Jose Mourinho blamed his grey hairs on a former Chelsea and Real Madrid star who went on to play for a club which no longer exists.

During the special one’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, during which he won the Premier League twice, Mourinho signed a young nimble midfielder from French club Le Havre, who have produced talents such as Paul Pogba and Dimitri Payet down the years.

That man was Lassana Diarra, who would later go on to play for the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG, also earning 34 caps for the Franch national team.

Diarra’s list of admirers includes Mourinho, who called him “amazing” during their time at Chelsea, and France manager Didier Deschamps, who brought him back into the national team set-up in 2015.

“He has intelligence, he has everything and in such an important strategical position,” Deschamps told TF1.

“It’s so good to have the choices I have. Lass is a top player, a top-class performer who has experience.”

Despite his talent, Diarra only made 13 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, many of which were out of position at right-back, before he was sold to Arsenal as he sought more playing time.

And Mourinho has since revealed in a chat on John Obi Mikel’s podcast that both Diarra and his agent were a nightmare to deal with.

And leave he did, with one year left on his contract, Diarra left for Arsenal, where again he would make just seven top flight appearances before swapping North London for Portsmouth.

After a successful 12 months at Portsmouth, the midfielder earned his big money move – €20 million – to Real Madrid, where he would win La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup between 2009 and 2012.

Le Havre

2004-05

Chelsea

2005-07

Arsenal

2007-08

Portsmouth

2008-09

Real Madrid

2009-12

Anzhi Makhachkala

2012-13

Lokomotiv Moscow

2013-14

Marseille

2015-17

Al Jazira

2017

PSG

2018-19

He later joined a string of high profile players, including the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos, in signing for Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. Their quest to dominate Russian football was short-lived however, as the club struggled to maintain the high wages on offer and sold the likes of Diarra shortly after, eventually losing their license to operate as a professional club in Russia in 2022.

Sunderland have made an excellent start to the 2023/24 campaign and remain in contention to secure a play-off place for the second season in succession.

The Black Cats are fourth after 11 matches, in spite of their 4-0 loss to Middlesbrough last time out, and nine points off Ipswich Town, who are second as it stands.

Tony Mowbray's side lost to Luton Town in the play-off semi-finals last season and will now be hoping to go one better to secure promotion to the Premier League next year.

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman dipped into the market to bolster the manager's squad throughout the summer transfer window in an attempt to bolster the club's chances of doing so.

Jenson Seelt, Jobe Bellingham, Nectarios Triantis, Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Semedo, Bradley Dack, Timothee Pembele, Adil Aouchiche, Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn, and Nathan Bishop were all brought in either on permanent or loan deals.

Their fourth-placed position, as it stands, suggests that the club's business has had the desired effect so far but they are reportedly looking at another deal ahead of the January transfer window.

What's the latest on Amad Diallo to Sunderland?

TEAMtalk recently revealed that the Black Cats are plotting a swoop to bring the Manchester United youngster, who would come in as a dream partner for Jack Clarke, back to the Stadium of Light at the start of next year.

The report claimed that a knee injury sustained during pre-season ruled out a summer exit from Old Trafford for the former Atalanta prodigy.

However, the talented gem is now ready to secure a move away from the Premier League side and Sunderland are hoping to land a loan deal for his services for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

It is also stated that the Red Devils are prepared to sanction a temporary transfer for the ex-Rangers loanee, which suggests that he is not in Erik ten Hag's immediate first-team plans at this moment in time.

TEAMtalk's report also added that there is confidence that Speakman and Mowbray will be able to bring him back for a second spell on Wearside, after his impressive performances for the club last term.

However, it remains to be seen how many other teams would be interested in signing Diallo and what level of football he could play instead of dropping back down to the Championship, which means that it is far from guaranteed that the young ace will be back in the red and white.

How many goals did Diallo score for Sunderland?

The 21-year-old whiz racked up 14 goals in all competitions for the Black Cats during his loan spell in the 2022/23 campaign under Mowbray's management.

It was the most goals he has ever scored in a single season in his first-team career to date as Sunderland were able to get the best out of the United loanee.

He arrived at the Stadium of Light off the back of an underwhelming spell with Rangers in Scotland. Diallo produced three goals and zero assists in 13 appearances for the Light Blues.

The Black Cats took a gamble on the 5 foot 8 youngster in spite of his lack of form for the Scottish giants and it was a move that certainly paid off for the English outfit.

Diallo went on to enjoy a phenomenal campaign for the club last term and was nominated for the Championship's Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season, which was ultimately won by Bristol City's Alex Scott.

The Ivory Coast international, whose talent was lauded as "exceptional" by journalist Josh Bunting, contributed with 14 goals and three assists in 29 league starts for Sunderland, which made him the side's top scorer for the 2022/23 campaign – with four more than any of his teammates.

He ranked within the top five performers for the Black Cats for shots taken (1.9), chances created (one), and dribbles completed (1.9) per match last season, which illustrates how important he was in all aspects of the attacking set-up.

How many goals has Jack Clarke scored this season?

Speakman could secure a dream partner for Sunderland's current top-scorer Clarke, who has plundered seven league goals, by striking a deal for Diallo in January.

The 22-year-old whiz is the joint-top scorer in the Championship so far this season and has caught the eye with 2.1 key passes and three 'big chances' created in 11 appearances.

His exceptional form this term has come after a return of nine goals and 12 assists – five more than any of his teammates – across 46 starts throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

These statistics show that the former Tottenham Hotspur ace has the quality to provide goals and assists on a regular basis at this level, which makes him a significant threat for teams to deal with.

The English dynamo knows how to create opportunities for his teammates week-in-week-out at this level and the Manchester United starlet has the finishing quality to make the most of them.

Should Sunderland sign Diallo?

Therefore, the Black Cats must sign Diallo in January as he could strike up a fearsome partnership with Clarke at the top end of the pitch and cause constant problems for opposition defences.

He played the majority of his matches as a right winger for the club last term and, as aforementioned, was Sunderland's top-scorer with 14 strikes.

Whereas, Mowbray's current right winger, Patrick Roberts, has failed to contribute with a single goal or assist in nine Championship games so far this season.

Clarke has created 23 opportunities and three 'big chances' for his teammates and Roberts has not been able to make the most of the talented whiz's creativity on the flank.

The former Manchester City attacker has already missed three 'big chances' this season and has not offered any tangible threat at the top end of the pitch for the Black Cats.

This is why Sunderland must sign Diallo as the £29k-per-week magician has already proven himself to be capable of scoring goals at an impressive rate for the club at this level.

He could, therefore, slot straight back into the side under the same manager with a number of the same teammates, including Clarke, and re-form his lethal pairing with the former Spurs youngster on the flanks for the second half of the campaign.

Jordan Clark took the first Roses hat-trick for 50 yrears as all around him there was bedlam on a pumped Roses first day at Old Trafford

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford22-Jul-20182:03

Clark’s stunning Roses hat-trick stuns Yorkshire

Yorkshire 192 (Lyth 70, Clark 5-58) lead <b<Lancashire Lancashire 109 (Davies 51, Coad 3-28) by 83 runs
ScorecardIt is doubtful if many of those attending the 272nd first-class Roses match arrived at Emirates Old Trafford talking of the contribution Jordan Clark might make to the match. It is unlikely if by mid-afternoon anyone was discussing anything else.Yet by the end of the day even Clark’s hat-trick and his career-best figures were becoming vague memories of a mad Sunday on which both sides had been bowled out, supporters of each team had called for everyone to resign and Lancashire’s captain, Liam Livingstone, had broken his thumb. Yorkshire ended the day comfortably in the ascendant, as they so often do in Roses matches, but the means of their ascent made the Hinterstoisser traverse look facile.For on a day which began in the thick-furred gloom of a Mancunian morning yet ended in the crystal sunlight of this treasured summer Clark became only the second Lancashire bowler to take a hat-trick in this fixture since the County Championship was properly constituted in 1890. And when he bowled Ben Coad for 15 to end Yorkshire’s innings for what seemed a plainly inadequate 192, Clark had taken 5 for 58, his finest figures for Lancashire.The quality of Clark’s hat-trick victims was even more bewitching than the feat itself. Those who had hoped to see Joe Root make runs had to be content with five fluent boundaries before the England captain pushed half forward to Clark and was leg before. Enter Kane Williamson, who was caught helplessly on the crease by Clark’s first delivery to him. Exit Williamson and enter Jonny Bairstow, whose nervous prod edged a catch to Jos Buttler at third slip. Yorkshire 59 for 4.Having dismissed the batsmen ranked second, third and 16th in the world, Clark indulged in an aeroplane impersonation and sprinted towards The Point, caught in the exultation of the moment. He was followed by his team-mates and the game was reduced to a Benny Hill sketch. The black comedy awaited us.In the pavilion most of the former players attending their Lancashire reunion watched these events happily and one hopes they showed Clark’s celebrations appropriate indulgence. After all, none of them could talk about their hat-tricks in Roses matches. The only man to share Clark’s honour was Ken Higgs, who passed away in 2016, although one could argue that playing for Lancashire and taking a Roses hat trick are two of the few things the pair have in common.Clark looks like an athlete whereas Higgs, as his obituary in obituary pointed out, had “an arse which crossed two postcodes”. Clark has a straight run-up whereas Higgs had a curving approach and rumbled to the wicket like an irate landlord in hot pursuit of a chiseler. Clark’s diet is strictly controlled and probably owes much to energy supplements and isotonic refuelling. Higgs more or less lived on fish and chips.Jordan Clark claimed a Roses hat-trick for Lancashire•Getty ImagesBut both men know, or knew, how to compel the shot and move the ball late, albeit that Higgs’s virtues earned him 1536 first-class wickets whereas Clark has so far picked up 75. And neither man had to be born in Lancashire in order to pledge their loyalty. Clark is a Cumbrian; Higgs was born in Staffordshire. They also serve who hail from Whitehaven or Kidsgrove.So great was Clark’s apparent dominance of this day – he also ran out Tim Bresnan for nought when he got a hand to a fierce straight-drive by Adam Lyth – that it was sometimes difficult to understand that other cricketers were playing well too. Old Trafford may not be Lyth’s favourite ground; indeed, expressing such an opinion may be something of a heresy in Yorkshire. But it is one on which he has scored a lot of runs and the opener’s fluent 70 was vital in ensuring his side posted what became an eminently defendable total. When Bresnan was out, Yorkshire were 86 for 6 but Lyth helped Steve Patterson put on 45 before both fell to slip catches by Keaton Jennings, Lyth being James Anderson’s only victim.But what had appeared to be a bottomless Harrod’s hamper of a day for Lancashire rapidly became a soggy packed lunch. The most serious long-term blow was struck when Liam Livingstone fractured his left thumb when attempting to take a slip catch off Lyth. He is likely to be out of action for some time.Perhaps in solidarity with their captain, Lancashire’s batsmen then inflicted some blows on themselves and they should be fatal for their chances in this game. Yorkshire’s four seamers bowled superbly, no one better than Ben Coad, who took three wickets in an over as the home side lost four wickets for no runs in eight balls.By then, though, Haseeb Hameed had been dismissed for the fourth successive innings when playing no shot, a dismissal followed two balls later by Dane Vilas’s departure, leg before on the back leg to Patterson. Alex Davies made 51 and put on 46 for the first wicket with Keaton Jennings, who was brilliantly caught one handed by Root at short midwicket off Bresnan. Jennings was blameless but many other Lancashire batsmen were deeply culpable. God knows what the former players thought of it but one doubts it harmed bar takings.

Christian Pulisic had cause for frustration after scoring his ninth goal of the season in AC Milan’s 4-2 win over Slavia Prague in the Europa League.

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American on target at San SiroRossoneri in control of the tieGave Czech opponents hopeWHAT HAPPENED?

The Rossoneri are in control of their continental last-16 encounter after registering four goals on home soil. Olivier Giroud, Tijjani Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were all on target before half-time, after seeing El Hadji Malick Diouf sent off for the visitors in the 26th minute, while Pulisic wrapped up the scoring five minutes from time.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT PULISIC SAID

Despite claiming a commanding first leg lead, USMNT star Pulisic told of giving 10-man Slavia hope: “At the end it felt a bit disappointing because even with 10 men they managed to score two goals and obviously that hurts – we can’t allow that to happen. Sure we have to give them credit, they were great finishes, but I think we can be a bit smarter and close the game out. We’re still winning, two goals in front, so we have the advantage, but of course there is that feeling of we could have done more.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Pulisic registered his second goal of 2024 when netting late on, and his first in the Europa League. He added on his contribution in the final third: “Of course it’s nice to get a goal, this is my job and I have to continue to put pressure on their defenders and cause problems and help us to try and score goals. I can be happy, but we would like to win with more goals.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC & MILAN?

Milan have a home date with Empoli to take in on Sunday, as they battle to claim second place in Serie A, before heading to the Czech Republic next Thursday for the return leg of their European showdown with Slavia.

Nothing comes easy for Durham but they keep winning and now find themselves top of North Group

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2018
ScorecardDurham Jets moved back to the top of the Vitality Blast North Group courtesy of a 14-run win over the Leicestershire Foxes at Emirates Riverside.The Jets battled their way to a total of 156 from their 20 overs on a slow wicket thanks to a half-century from captain Tom Latham along with James Weighell, who provided late impetus with three sixes.Leicestershire struggled from the off, losing five early wickets. Colin Ackermann did his utmost to keep his side in contention with a fine innings of 74, but it proved to be in vain as the Jets closed out the win to move within touching distance of a quarter-final berth.Ackermann said of a defeat that left Leicestershire ever more adrift of the top four: “Obviously it’s disappointing. I thought we gave them too many in the field. It has been our Achilles’ heel this season, our fielding. It’s something that we have to improve on.”Durham won the toss and elected to bat, Latham and Clark ensured that their side once again made a solid start. The home side approached fifty before the powerplay before Zak Chappell produced a fine delivery to bowl Clark for 23. Paul Collingwood lasted just two balls when he was run out by Gavin Griffiths going for an ambitious second.The Jets continued to struggle to time the ball off the middle. The hero of their win over Lancashire Liam Trevaskis had a tough time, scoring eight off 12 before being stumped off Mohammad Nabi. Latham made a solid fifty, but was forced to work hard for his runs, reaching the milestone in 45 deliveries.The New Zealander fell for 52 to Callum Parkinson, being bowled attempting a reverse sweep. Will Smith kept the scoreboard ticking off with a decent knock of 26. The spark was provided by Weighell late in the innings, with the left-handed crashing three sixes over the rope to take Durham over the 150-run mark. He was run out off the penultimate ball, but Ryan Davies scampered a three off the final delivery to reach 156.Leicestershire’s reply got off to a poor start against the off-spin of Smith. Neil Dexter miscued his drive straight to Weighell, while Ben Raine followed to Chris Rushworth’s first ball, edging to Collingwood at slip. Nathan Rimmington compounded the Jets’ advantage, bowling Mark Cosgrove for seven before having Ateeq Javid caught behind to leave the visitors 22-4 in the fifth over.Nabi fell to the leg-spin of Ben Whitehead to continue the procession of Leicestershire wickets. Foxes skipper Ackermann offered resistance, playing a well-crafted innings to score a fifty off just 36 deliveries. He combined Ned Eckersley to reach a partnership worth 50 in 40 balls to keep the visitors in contention.The run rate continued to climb despite the efforts of Ackermann and Eckersley. Leicestershire’s captain fell five short of his career best for 74 in the penultimate over to Rimmington, who claimed his third wicket. Chappell had a late dart, but the Jets were able to close out the victory by 14 runs.

Tottenham Hotspur have a "really" powerful young star in their ranks who is "absolutely superb", says former Premier League defender Matthew Upson.

Spurs form under Postecoglou

Going by their sensational start to the season, this is promising time to be a Spurs supporter. Ange Postecoglou's arrival at N17 has brought a real sense of positivity and renewed optimism with it, coming after former boss Antonio Conte's regrettable last hurrah in charge. Conte's public rant lambasting the club's culture and those in charge feels like a lifetime ago, as Tottenham currently sit top of the table after their unbeaten start.

It's the Lilywhites' best opening to a top flight campaign since the 1960/1961 season, where they went on to win a domestic double. There have even been some suggestions that Spurs could challenge for the title, but it may be too early for those sorts of statements. Nevertheless, Postecoglou has guided his new club to six wins from a possible eight in the league while cementing himself as one of Tottenham's most popular managers of recent years.

Star players like James Maddison and Son Heung-min have dazzled on-lookers in the process, with other members of the squad like Destiny Udogie also proving themselves excellent contributors. The Italy international starlet has already been praised by Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who said his performances have been going under the radar.

"You know someone who has to get some love as well for going under the radar, Udogie," explained Wright (as relayed by Spurs Web).

"You watch Spurs and they have put together some players that you look at and think it’s a team that are shutting up everything. He has given them a stability and a progression of the ball that is very impressive. The man is going under the radar. I cannot wait to see this guy, I can’t wait to see him live.”

Destiny Udogie

The 20-year-old youngster recently got the Italy nod by Luciano Spalletti and impressed during their 3-1 defeat away to England. Udogie, as a result, has been at the centre of more praise from pundit Upson, who told BBC Radio 5 Live that Postecoglou has a "really" powerful gem on his hands.

Speaking on the left-back's role in Italy's build up to their only goal of the game, Upson told The BBC (as transcribed by The Boot Room):

"Udogie, the way he goes forward, the athleticism this lad has is absolutely superb. He plays a one-two deep in the left-back position. He then runs past Bellingham as the ball’s laid inside. He’s got the power to burst up the pitch.

“There aren’t many better from what I’ve seen than Udogie in going forward in those situations. He really is a powerful player. Great speed. And he’s very direct when he runs. When he makes his mind up, he fully commits.”

Likes to dribble

Likes to play short passes

Likes to tackle

Udogie has linked up with Spurs after spending the 2022/2023 season on loan at Udinese, and could prove invaluable for Postecoglou as the season goes on.

Cristiano Ronaldo will “never get tired” of his iconic ‘Siuuu’ celebration, with that routine still tingling spines at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

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Portuguese superstar still going strongNo sign of slowing down at age of 39Goal routine continue to thrill supportersWHAT HAPPENED?

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains a prolific source of goals at 39 years of age. He is showing no sign of slowing down in the Middle East following his stunning move to Riyadh in 2023 that paved the way for many more household names to tread a similar career path.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo grabbed another match-winner for Al-Nassr in his latest appearance, as he converted the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in an eventful clash with Al-Ahli. After hitting the back of the net, the Portuguese superstar gave those in attendance the celebration show that they had come to see.

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Al-Nassr have echoed the sentiments of millions around the world when posting a video on their official social media channels alongside a “never get tired of doing it” message – with a GOAT emoji thrown in for good measure.

The matches are part of a five-year plan by Cricket West Indies to have cricket in North America every year to develop the game further

Peter Della Penna23-Aug-2018West Indies are planning to host India in Florida next July, immediately after the 2019 World Cup, as part of a long-term strategy to play a minimum of two T20Is in North America every year until 2022.”There’s full board support as part of our strategic plan over the next five years to bring regular games into the Americas,” Cricket West Indies CEO Jonny Grave told ESPNcricinfo during the Caribbean Premier League matches in Florida. “So not always talking about USA, we’re talking about Canada and other parts to try to grow the sport. The whole ICC strategic plan is around growing the game and we’re huge advocates of Associate cricket.”We want to grow the game. We’re big advocates of playing in the Olympics even though one might argue that’s quite complicated because effectively we’d be playing as the separate sovereign countries of the West Indies – but we don’t have a problem with that.”Since the USA Cricket Board is yet to be fully ratified, Grave said CWI will seek the ICC’s permission directly to host the matches. They are expected to be prime-time affairs, starting as late as 9pm in Florida in order to accommodate Indian television market, while also ensuring the comfort of the people coming to the stadium. The T20Is between India and West Indies from two years ago were played at 10.30 am under heat that Grave felt was “unbearable”.”That would be our aim,” Grave said. “Clearly we have to discuss that with sponsors and broadcast partners, but realistically when you’re playing India in the Caribbean you have to play either very late at night or very early in the day. If you’re playing India, the passion of the India fans, they’ll turn up whether you play at 11am or 9pm at night.”England are touring the Caribbean from January to March 2019 and sources in Florida suggest they may also play some T20Is at Central Broward stadium. Grave, however, wasn’t very keen on relocating these matches.”England fans love coming to the Caribbean,” he said. “Even though we have a big England tour of three Test matches, five ODIs and three T20Is, that would be a big decision to take matches out of the region, whereas the traveling India fan is [coming from the USA] and it’s a growing market so it’s less of a risk to our region to have the England games in the Caribbean and the India matches [in Florida].”India and West Indies have already played at the venue earlier•Getty ImagesIndia will start their 2019 tour with T20Is at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, before travelling to the Caribbean to play ODIs and Tests. According to the FTP, New Zealand (2020), South Africa (2020) and Pakistan (2021) are also scheduled to tour the region while India will visit again in 2022. Bangladesh have already come and gone.The PCB and CWI had tentatively agreed to play T20Is in Florida after the West Indies toured Pakistan this past April, but Grave said finding a window outside the FTP has been difficult. When asked if a tri-series in Florida would be possible involving Pakistan and India, he said that playing that many matches at the same venue could be problematic.Mid-week games scheduled in Lauderhill have had notoriously poor attendance. When Sri Lanka and New Zealand played the first T20Is on US soil in May 2010, the series, originally scheduled for three games, was reduced to a two-match weekend only affair since only 200 tickets were sold for a fixture on a Thursday. However, Grave indicated that in the future West Indies would be open to playing T20Is against Canada or USA on weekdays as build-up to matches against Full Member sides on weekends.Meanwhile, CWI extended an annual invitation for USA and Canada to play in the Regional Super50 competition, which begins in October, with Grave also hoping the women’s teams from both countries would be open to playing domestic cricket in the West Indies.”We’re not here to make a fast buck, that’s probably the bottom line,” he said. “This isn’t just about economics. This is a five-year plan and in five years we think we can start to make a difference to support USA and Canada and that’s just the next two best teams in the Americas.”We want to develop cricket in the whole region, but the next two sides have the ability to break into the 16-team T20 World Cup. Through CPL, playing in our Under-19 tournament, the Super50 and making sure this stadium maintains its status as an international ground can only help USA Cricket. We’ve been pretty vocal and been big advocates about how good the quality of the cricket was in the World Cup Qualifiers and how we need to expand the game and not shrink the game.”CWI had also played a part in helping Canada run their Global T20 tournament in June and July.

There are plenty of iconic football stadiums in the world, and a good chunk of them are right here in England, but one might just be the most iconic of them all: Manchester United's Old Trafford.

The home of the Red Devils has seen plenty of historic moments in its long history and still serves as one of the best places to watch the beautiful game anywhere in the world.

With that in mind, Football FanCast has everything you need to know about Old Trafford.

History

The construction of Old Trafford was completed 113 years ago in 1910, and despite several renovations, the stadium still stands on the same piece of ground all these years later.

The stadium came to be thanks to then-club chairman John Henry Davies and Scottish architect Archibald Leitch. Davies chose the plot of land in which the stadium would be built, fronted up the £60,000 cost and allowed Leitch to complete what would become one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.

Interestingly, the original plans would have seen the capacity reach 100,000, but costs meant that it had to be reduced to 80,000.

The first game played at the stadium took place in 1910 against Liverpool, but the visitors emerged 4-3 winners. Similarly, the first international game was played against Scotland, and once again, the visitors came out on top, this time winning 1-0.

Since its opening, Old Trafford has seen United lift 19 titles, two Second Division titles, 11 FA Cups, six League Cups, 21 Charity/Community Shields, three Champions Leagues, one European Cup Winners Cup, one UEFA Europa League, one UEFA Super Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, and one Intercontinental Cup – not bad going, really.

With all that success, it's not surprising that Sir Bobby Charlton called the place The Theatre of Dreams.

Old Trafford capacity

With Old Trafford housing arguably the biggest team in world football, it only makes sense for them to have the biggest stadium in the country.

Wembley Stadium is the only football stadium with a bigger capacity than the Theatre of Dreams. In fact, Old Trafford can fit over 10,000 more fans in than the next biggest stadium – the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Wembley Stadium

90,000

2007

Old Trafford

74,031

1910

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

62,850

2019

London Stadium

62,500

2012

Emirates Stadium

60,704

2006

How to get to Old Trafford by train

If you are travelling to Old Trafford from outside of Manchester, then getting the train into Manchester Piccadilly is your best option, and from there, you can get the tram to the Old Trafford tram stop and walk past the cricket ground. Alternatively, you can travel to Pomona, which is just a 15-minute walk from the stadium's entrance.

There are also frequent buses from Piccadilly Station to Chester Road, which will leave you with a five-minute walk to the entrance.

How to get to Old Trafford by car

Driving to Old Trafford from Manchester Airport will take around 20 minutes, while it will take approximately ten minutes from Manchester Piccadilly and around four hours from central London. However, these journeys will likely take far longer on matchdays, so you should look to leave far earlier than usual.

While you can park at the ground for free on non-matchdays, you'll need to book car parking tickets from here when the game is on.

If you cannot get tickets for the car park, then you can try Salford Quays Lowry Mall, which is just a ten-minute walk away from the stadium and should be much cheaper than street parking – if there is any available.

How to get away tickets at Old Trafford

If you're coming to Old Trafford to watch your team take on Manchester United, you'll have one of the 3,000 tickets allocated for away fans.

You'll be sat in the southeast corner of the stadium in the Lower South Stand and South East corners, which have very good views of the action with no seats being obstructed.