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Salah moves clear of Lampard in PL scoring charts
Mohamed Salah has risen to sixth in the Premier League's all-time goalscoring charts after scoring a brace during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Egypt forward put Arne Slot's table-topping team in front with a 30th-minute penalty before curling a glorious effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga with 15 minutes to go at the Vitality Stadium.
Salah's 177th and 178th goals in the Premier League saw him leapfrog Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, one week after he moved past eighth-placed Thierry Henry with his strike against Ipswich Town.
His second goal on Saturday was the 300th of his career. (Liverpool: 235, Roma: 34, Basel: 20, Fiorentina: 9, Chelsea: 2)
The 32-year-old is three goals clear of Manchester City's Erling Haaland and four from Newcastle United's Alexander Isak in the race for the golden boot this season. The forward has also contributed 13 assists.
Salah is the second highest scoring overseas player in the competition's history, behind only Sergio Agüero (184). Alan Shearer is the Premier League's all-time top scorer with 260 goals.
Salah is in the final six months of his contract on Merseyside and is free to negotiate with non-English clubs with the view of signing a pre-contract agreement that would see him join a new team one day after the expiry of his deal.
His Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are in an identical situation.
Information from ESPN's Global Sports Research contributed to this report
Sources: Rashford nears Utd exit with Villa loan
Aston Villa are close to agreeing on a loan deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, sources told ESPN.
ESPN reported on Friday that Unai Emery's team had expressed an interest in signing the England international, and it now looks likely that Rashford could join them.
Rashford is set to move to Villa Park until the end of the season. Villa have agreed to cover a substantial part of Rashford's wage, and other performance-related bonuses have been built into the deal.
Villa have been looking at options to bolster their attacking line after agreeing to let striker Jhon Durán leave for Al Nassr.
There is also an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
If Villa do not take up their option, Rashford will be expected back at Old Trafford in the summer.
Rashford, 27, is available after being frozen out by United head coach Ruben Amorim.
A source told ESPN that his preference was to move to Barcelona. However, the LaLiga side's financial constraints made a deal complicated.
Borussia Dortmund have also expressed interest in Rashford, but his weekly wage of around 350,000-a-week ($434,000) is proving to be a major stumbling block.
Liverpool opened up a nine-point lead in the Premier League title race as Mohamed Salah continued his sensational season with both goals in a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Arne Slot's side rode their luck at times against a side unbeaten in 11 league games but Salah once again proved the difference as he took his league tally to 21 this season.
Salah rifled home a penalty after half an hour and then curled home an exquisite second in the 75th minute.
Bournemouth, who remain seventh, hit the woodwork twice -- through Antoine Semenyo when it was 0-0 and then Marcus Tavernier shortly before Salah wrapped up the points.
Liverpool have 56 points from 23 games, with second-placed Arsenal and Nottingham Forest on 47. Arsenal host Manchester City, who are fourth with 41, on Sunday.
Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth had beaten the other three members of the top four at home this season and there was huge expectation that they might slow Liverpool's march.
But Slot's side showed the clinical edge that allows them to keep accumulating points even when not in top gear and with 15 games remaining, they look indestructible.
Salah's second goal, a nonchalant left-footed curler from the right side of the penalty area, lifted the Egypt international into sixth place on the all-time Premier League scoring list with 178 goals, ahead of former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.
Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
It was a cruel blow for Bournemouth who moments earlier had seen substitute Tavernier's left-footed thud against the post with Justin Kluivert firing the rebound wide of a gaping goal.
Bournemouth had begun full of energy and visiting goalkeeper Alisson was called into action after 15 seconds to save a shot by the dangerous Semenyo.
Semenyo then thumped an effort from tight-angle against the frame of the goal with Alisson beaten for pace.
But Liverpool, with captain Virgil van Dijk his usual calming influence in defence, gradually began to exert some authority and went ahead when Bournemouth's Lewis Cook inadvertently clipped Cody Gakpo in a sprint inside the area and Salah dispatched his penalty in ruthless fashion.
Bournemouth thought they had levelled in the 37th minute as Semenyo played in the over-lapping Milos Kerkez down the left and his cross found David Brooks to fire home.
However, VAR confirmed that Kerkez had been fractionally offside before his assist.
Bournemouth were always a danger while it was 1-0, but Salah condemned them to a first league loss since late November.
Spirited South Africa look to end mighty India's dominance in final clash
Big Picture: Unbeaten sides, solid bowling units
It might only be edition number two, but India have asserted themselves as the team to beat in this competition. They have outclassed every team in their path to the finals, and have looked stronger than the title-winning squad in 2023 with two capped internationals under Shafali Verma.
That South Africa's story in World Cups has moved from falling short of finals to falling short in finals might be considered progress in itself.
After two consecutive senior women's T20 World Cup final appearances in as many years, and just as many heartbreaks, South Africa have set their sights on the Under-19 women's team to bring home a first women's title, just as India did in 2023.
Form guide
India WWWWW (last five completed games, most recent first)
South Africa WWWWW
In the spotlight: G Trisha and Jemma Botha
Botha might have been competing for similar honours had South Africa's batters batted more than the 26.5 overs they did in the entire tournament leading up to the semi-final. Her 37 off 24 with five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 154 in the semi-final against Australia gave South Africa a crucial head start that proved to be decisive in what could have been a tricky chase.
Team news
Both teams are likely to stick with the same XIs from their respective semi-finals.
India (probable): 1 G Trisha, 2 G Kamalini (wk), 3 Sanika Chalke, 4 Nikki Prasad (capt), 5 Ishwari Awasare, 6 Mithila Vinod, 7 Aayushi Shukla, 8 VJ Joshitha, 9 Shabnam Shakil, 10 Parunika Sisodia, 11 Vaishnavi Sharma
South Africa (probable): 1 Jemma Botha, 2 Simone Lourens, 3 Kayla Reyneke (capt), 4 Karabo Meso (wk), 5 Fay Cowling, 6 Mieke van Voorst, 7 Seshnie Naidu, 8 Luyanda Nzuza, 9 Ashleigh van Wyk, 10 Monalisa Legodi, 11 Nthabiseng Nini
Pitch and conditions: Spin to win
The Bayumeas Oval in Kuala Lumpur has two surfaces prepared with soil imported from Darwin, Australia, and another two with local red soil. Matches have been played on both pitches in the tournament, with the red-soil pitches offering more turn, like the game between India and Sri Lanka. The Australian soil pitches (numbers 2 and 3) have been conducive for run-scoring and yet sporting, like pitch No. 2 was for Friday's semi-final. Pitch No. 3 will be used for the final, and should play similarly.
Regardless of the pitch, India's three left-arm spinners have been outstanding, having taken 35 wickets between them, including all eight in the semi-final. South Africa will need to find a way to score down the ground against them, given the success that Aayushi Shukla, Parunika Sisodia and Vaishnavi Sharma have had against batters sweeping. South Africa's batters are the second-best team after India against spin, averaging 20.3.
South Africa's spinners also accounted for six of the eight Australian wickets in the first semi-final, with Reyneke (10) leading their wicket-takers list at an average of 5.50.
While rain has been around all tournament, more so in Johor and Kuching than in Kuala Lumpur, the forecast for Sunday's final is clear with temperatures reaching a high of 32 degreesCelsius and humidity around 60%. There is a reserve day for the final.
Stats and trivia
- Together, G Trisha and G Kamalini have scored approximately 75% of India's total runs. Sanika Chalke is the only other batter to have faced more than 20 balls, leaving the middle order largely untested.
Raunak Kapoor is deputy editor (video) and lead presenter for ESPNcricinfo. @RaunakRK
BCB forms independent inquiry body to help probe BPL corruption allegations
The BCB has formed an independent inquiry body to support its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) in ongoing investigations into the BPL. The announcement follows a swirl of corruption allegations in the BPL over the last couple of weeks.
"As part of its ongoing efforts, the BCB is in the process of establishing an Independent Inquiry Body to further support the ACU in its investigations," a BCB press release said. "The BCB remains dedicated to ensuring a fair and transparent cricketing environment, and will continue to take all necessary actions to safeguard the integrity of the sport in Bangladesh."
The press release said that there have been media reports on potential corruption incidents during the tournament. The reports have named players and matches, although the allegations have not been corroborated by the BCB's ACU.
"The BCB has also come across media coverage regarding potential anti-corruption concerns about the BPL. The Board reiterates its firm commitment to upholding the integrity and spirit of the game," the release said. "The BCB strictly adheres to the ICC Anti-Corruption Code for Participants and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in any form. The BCB anti-corruption unit is continuously monitoring all matters relating to integrity within Bangladesh cricket, addressing them with due confidentiality and discretion."
This is the first time since 2013 that the BCB has announced an investigation into corruption allegations at the BPL. It comes as another hit to the league in a season when there has already been issues over player payments and ticketing.
Tendulkar receives BCCI's lifetime achievement award
Tendulkar became the 31st recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was instituted in 1994 in honour of India's first Test captain CK Nayudu. Tendulkar retired from international cricket having played for more than two decades after debuting as a 16-year-old against Pakistan in 1989. His 200 Test and 463 ODI appearances are the highest for any player in the game's history, as are his runs tally in both formats: 15,921 in Tests and 18,426 in ODIs. He also played one T20I, India's first ever, against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006.
Bumrah, who was also named the ICC Cricketer of the Year earlier this month, was India's standout bowler in the awards period. He played a pivotal role in the team lifting the T20 World Cup in June, taking 15 wickets in eight games at an economy of 4.17. Apart from that, he was also instrumental in India's Test series win against England at home.
Mandhana, who was named the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, was India's best woman batter across formats. Apart from scoring 149 against South Africa in the one-off Test in Chennai, she notched up 117, 136 and 90 in successive ODIs against the same opponents.
Ashwin receives special award
Length, more than pace, key to Australia spinners' success, says Smith
"I just think he bowls nice balls consistently," Smith said of Kuhnemann. "Left-arm spinners to right-hand batters - it just works in the subcontinent.
"He did a wonderful job when he bowled in India [where he took nine wickets across five innings in early 2023], and he bowled beautifully again in this game. It's a pretty good effort."
Australia, unusually, played only one frontline seam bowler. Mitchell Starc has an outstanding record in Sri Lanka, but spin nevertheless claimed a bulk of the Sri Lanka wickets to fall in this Test, leaving just three for Starc.
"I thought all the spinners worked really well together, and that's the beauty of having three frontline spin bowlers," Smith said. "You can sort of chop and change them, and as soon as one's not looking quite as effective, and the batter gets a bit of a read on them or they get a little bit tired, you put the next one on and wait to see what's happening."
"If you can consistently hit a good length, then regardless of what's going on, you're going to be in play"
Steven Smith
But, while Australia's spinners took 17 wickets in the Test, Sri Lanka's spinners managed only the six.
"For me, for [the] spinners it's more length than pace," Smith said. "If you can consistently hit a good length, then regardless of what's going on, you're going to be in play. If you can get the ball to skid or one to rag - the length where they're lunging forward and can't get back to it or they can't drive at that length. If you're hitting that consistently, your pace is kind of irrelevant, I think."
Australia scored 654 for 6 declared in the first innings. This is generally a position from which teams tend not to lose, and Australia felt especially confident, considering how quickly the pitch was deteriorating.
"I think they lost 7 for 17 [7 for 15] across the day today at one point. It was one of those where it was really tough to start on, and as soon as we got a breakthrough, we always felt we could get another one quickly."
O'Rourke, 23, has played all formats for his country with impressive returns since first being capped in 2023. In all T20 cricket, he has taken 35 wickets at an average of 24.94 and an economy 7.82.
His stint with Yorkshire will be his first in domestic cricket outside of New Zealand, and he spoke to Kane Williamson, who played for Yorkshire between 2013 and 2018, about the move.
"I spoke with Kane [Williamson] about the prospect of signing for Yorkshire and he was effusive in his praise for the club and the Yorkshire supporters," he said. "Everyone around the world knows of Yorkshire CCC and I'll be proud to wear the white rose when I arrive."
Anthony McGrath, Yorkshire's head coach, said that O'Rourke, at 6ft 4in, would provide a "point of difference" to the team's attack in T20.
McGrath said: "As soon as we were aware that there was potential to bring Will into the club, we knew we wanted to confirm it as soon as possible.
"With his frame and height, he has a release point which will provide a key point of difference for our attack. He's young, hungry to succeed and able to extract both pace and bounce from all types of pitches."
Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire's general manager of cricket, said: "Signing a player of Will's calibre is signal of our intent for this season. He was one of the standout stars of the last year and he showed his ability against England over the winter.
"A bowler like Will who can hit the deck hard complements the rest of our squad well. This is a signing that should really excite all our members and supporters, and I'm delighted he will be joining us this year."
Sources: Retooling Sun send Carrington to Wings
The Connecticut Sun are trading guard DiJonai Carrington, the WNBA's Most Improved Player in 2024, to the Dallas Wings, sources confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
Dallas also receives the No. 12 pick in April's draft and the rights to swap picks with Connecticut in the second round of the 2026 draft.
The Sun receive guard Jacy Sheldon, who was the No. 5 pick in the 2024 draft, and the No. 8 pick in the 2025 draft.
Carrington was the No. 20 pick in 2021, but she has turned out to be one of the best players of that draft class. She had a career season in 2024, averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She is considered one of the top on-ball defenders in the WNBA and was on the league's all-defensive first team last season.
Carrington will be reunited with Dallas general manager Curt Miller, who drafted her to Connecticut, and Wings coach Chris Koclanes, who was an assistant in Connecticut when Miller was the head coach and GM there.
Carrington spent her first three seasons at Stanford then finished her college career at Baylor.
Sheldon, a former Ohio State standout, appeared in all 40 games last season, starting 26 and averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Connecticut, under new coach Rachid Meziane, now has had four of last season's starters -- Carrington, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and Tyasha Harris -- depart this year either via trade or free agency. Thomas is now with Phoenix, Jones with Atlanta and Harris with Dallas, where she and Carrington will team up again.
DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut's other starter from 2024, is an unrestricted free agent.
News of Carrington's trade was first reported by Winsidr.
ESPN's Alexa Philippou contributed to this report.
More accusations against Ravens' Tucker emerge
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ravens kicker Justin Tucker faces more allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior, as three additional massage therapists have accused him of misconduct, The Baltimore Banner reported Saturday.
In total, nine massage therapists in the Baltimore area have accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior. All the incidents reportedly occurred from 2012 to 2016, which were Tucker's first five seasons in the NFL.
In the latest accusations, one woman produced what she said was an internal report from 2015 about her experiences with Tucker. She told the Banner that Tucker stroked her inner thigh during a massage, would expose himself, and left what she believed to be ejaculate on the table.
She had reached out to a reporter about her allegations in 2015 but didn't continue over fears of retaliation.
The latest allegations come from three massage therapists who worked at the same downtown Baltimore men's spa. Through an attorney, the owner of the spa told the Banner that he was unaware of any complaints against Tucker.
In response to the new accusations, Tucker's lawyers told the Banner to refer to the kicker's social media post Thursday, when Tucker called the allegations "unequivocally false."
Tucker wrote that the Banner article "takes innocuous or ambiguous interactions and skews them so out of proportion that they are no longer recognizable. ... This is desperate tabloid fodder."
The Banner first reported allegations of misconduct against Tucker on Thursday after it spoke to six massage therapists about Tucker's behavior. Tucker's conduct, according to the article, caused some therapists to refuse to work with him again and resulted in two spas banning him from returning.
Tucker could be subject to discipline under the NFL's personal conduct policy.
"We first became aware of the allegations from the reporter investigating this story as they were not previously shared with the NFL," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Thursday. "We take any allegation seriously and will look into the matter."
On Thursday, the Ravens issued a statement saying, "We take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation." Three years ago, Ravens coach John Harbaugh referred to the team's zero tolerance policy for domestic violence when asked about Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension following accusations of sexual misconduct with massage therapists.
Tucker, 35, is a seven-time Pro Bowler who is the most accurate kicker in NFL history. He is the longest-tenured player on the Ravens and the last remaining player from their Super Bowl championship team in 2012.
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