A renewed approach to life has helped Ishant Sharma grow as a bowler, he said after taking a five-wicket haul in India's first day-night Test. It was his first five-for in India since his first home match in 2007 against Pakistan.

Ishant has more or less become a permanent member of this Indian team over the last two years, and is central to the pace attack that has progressively improved as India firmly established themselves in the No. 1 spot in Tests. This permanence and the recent bursts of improvement have not been enough to make Ishant consistently challenge for a limited-overs spot. But 12 years and 96 Tests later, he is not wasting time feeling sorry for himself.

"In some sense [it hurts], yes. But I'm at a stage of my life where I've stopped worrying about these kind of things. I'm 31 now, I can't keep worrying now about which format my name has been picked for." Ishant said at the press conference in Kolkata. "Whether I play for India, whether I play Ranji Trophy - I just want to be playing at this point. It's a simple thing. If you desire to keep playing, you'll do well. Cricket's given us everything. If we keep cribbing about small things like these, we will never improve."

Just before Sri Lanka's tour of India almost exactly two years ago, Ishant had taken 212 wickets at 36.93 in 77 Tests. Since the start of that series, he has taken 76 wickets in 19 games. His career average has gone up by a dramatic four runs per wicket and is presently at 32.94. That is precisely the average at which Zaheer Khan finished his career. If he plays in four more Tests, Ishant will be first frontline fast bowler since Kapil Dev to go past 100 Tests for India. These are all feats that were improbable some five years ago. What changed?

"I think I'm enjoying my cricket now," Ishant said. "Earlier I used to put pressure on myself about performing - that I need to take wickets, that I'm only beating the batsman…a lot of things used to run on my mind. Now I don't think too much about those things, just how to take wickets. Obviously I'm experienced so I can assess conditions and adjust my lengths quickly, that makes it easy."

Ishant Sharma interview on The Cricket Monthly: 'If I don't take wickets even in one innings, I think my career for India is over'

Another feat Ishant achieved on Friday was that he bowled India's first delivery in a day-night Test. Bowling with the pink ball, he said, was not the same.

"It was very different. In the start you must have seen that when we bowled a normal length, it wasn't swinging that much. After that we realised what lengths we need to be hitting in order to get some more help. So the three of us [fast bowlers] communicated about hitting the right length," Ishant said.

Regardless of that rustiness, India managed to be consistent enough to have Bangladesh six down by lunch. The fall of those wickets began with Ishant trapping Imrul Kayes lbw. And it came with a ball he only started developing during the second day in the previous Test.

"You must have seen that normally I used to swing it away from the left-hander," Ishant said, talking of his new incoming delivery. "So I needed to add a variation. Your game only improves when you bring variety to it, and build confidence to bowl those in the match. So I was trying to bowl more of that in practice. In this match, the first wicket that I got - Imrul Kayes lbw - I got him with that ball. The two bowled wickets I got were also that ball. The ball lands and stays straight, it doesn't go away from the batsman."

On the flip side of this contest, Bangladesh have struggled to show any resistance, in any innings, against this Indian attack. While neither of the pitches have particularly difficult to bat on, Bangladesh's top-order has crumbled in the face of relentless pressure. At the same time, their bowlers haven't come as close to troubling India. But even as they face a grueling period, head coach Russell Domingo was optimistic, citing Ishant's steep rise as a potential inspiration for his own bowlers.

"I don't want to keep comparing the two sides but if you think of the number of Tests their pacers have played, and compare that with Ebadat's fourth Test match, we have a very inexperienced bowling line-up.," he said.

"Look at the way Ishant started, and the way his career is now. It takes a bit of time for these young fast bowlers to find the length and the discipline it takes to bowl to guys like Rohit, Virat or Pujara. It is a steep learning curve at the moment."

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The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with Jose Abreu, the team announced Friday.

Abreu, who made his third All-Star team in six seasons with the White Sox, led the American League with 123 RBIs in 2019 while batting .284 with 33 home runs.

"This is a dream come true for me and my family," Abreu said in a release by the team. "To the fans, I told you I would come back. I never doubted it. Everybody knows the group of talented players that we have, and I want to help guide them and together make the Chicago White Sox a championship team."

The first baseman/designated hitter, who will turn 33 in January, showed he can still catch up to fastballs as he ranked among the leaders in overall exit velocity, but he struggled with breaking pitches and rarely walks.

Abreu signed a one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer last week, choosing to forgo free agency before agreeing to the new contract with the White Sox.

In an interview after the season, he told the team's website: "I always look at [Derek] Jeter's story and I look at Mariano [Rivera]'s story, who played their whole career with one team. I haven't been here that many years, but I want it to be that way for me, with the Chicago White Sox. That's why I say if they don't sign me, I'll sign myself. I'll play for free."

Under the new deal, Abreu will receive a $5 million signing bonus, $11 million in 2020, $16 million in 2021 and $18 million in 2022. Abreu also has a full no-trade clause in 2020 and a limited one in 2021, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by ESPN.

Chicago is deferring $4 million of his 2022 salary, payable in equal installments each July 1 from 2023 through 2026.

"From the moment he stepped into the major leagues, Jose Abreu has been a leader on the field and in the clubhouse," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "He has consistently delivered run production at a historic pace, and with each passing season, his leadership role within our clubhouse -- with both American-born and Latin-American players -- has repeatedly grown. It's certainly no surprise that both Jose and the White Sox were comfortable with a multiyear commitment moving forward."

Abreu's signing is the second big move of the offseason for the White Sox, who announced Thursday that they had agreed to terms on a four-year, $73 million contract with All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal.

Both Abreu and Grandal have a rewards package that would earn them a $100,000 bonus if they are voted AL MVP. They could also get $90,000 for finishing second, $80,000 for third, $70,000 for fourth and $60,000 for fifth. They would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, $75,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $50,000 if selected an All-Star by The Sporting News, $25,000 each for starting an All-Star Game or winning a Gold Glove, and $15,000 apiece if named an All-Star reserve or winning a Silver Slugger.

ESPN's Jeff Passan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Seattle Mariners and first-base prospect Evan White have agreed to a six-year, $24 million contract with three club options, sources familiar with the deal confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday.

White, 23, spent all of last season at Double-A with the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League. No player at that level has ever received a long-term extension.

In 2018, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Scott Kingery, who had played a full season at the Triple-A level, to a six-year, $24 million deal that could max out at $42 million combined.

White's deal with the Mariners can max out in the mid-$50 million range, sources told Passan. Barring a disastrous spring training, White is expected to be Seattle's first baseman on Opening Day.

MLB.com was the first to report White's agreement with the Mariners.

A non-roster invitee to spring training last year, White had a .293 batting average with 18 home runs and 55 RBIs in 92 games while being named to the Futures Game last season.

White, the 17th overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Kentucky, also was a Double-A All-Star selection by Baseball America.

In three minor league seasons, White has a .296 batting average with 32 home runs and 133 RBIs.

Bath winger Joe Cokanasiga faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after returning from England's World Cup campaign with a serious knee injury.

The 22-year-old only featured once for Eddie Jones' side in Japan.

Cokanasiga started the pool stage win over the United States, scoring two tries as he played the full match.

A statement on Bath's website said Cokanasiga's injury "will result in him being unable to begin a competitive campaign for the club".

Cokanasiga has won nine caps since making his England debut against Japan in November 2018.

"We must manage him very carefully in the coming months to allow for the issues he has come back from Japan with to begin to be resolved," Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said.

The Premiership club's medical department are "enlisting the services of world-leading specialists" in order to "deliver an optimal pathway to recovery".

Meanwhile, prop Henry Thomas will miss the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered against Wasps earlier this month.

Back row Zach Mercer is also set to see a specialist to determine the extent of the knee injury he sustained in the Champions Cup defeat by Ulster on Saturday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bluegreen Vacations Corp., a leading vacation ownership company, has been named the entitlement sponsor for the 150-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

The races will be known as the Bluegreen Vacations Duel At Daytona. Scheduled for Feb. 13, the pair of 150-mile qualifying races will finalize the starting lineup for the 62nd annual Daytona 500, the season-opening event for the NASCAR Cup Series.

“The qualifying races for the Daytona 500 have been an integral part of Speedweeks since the inaugural Great American Race in 1959,” said Daytona Int’l Speedway President Chip Wile. “The qualifiers’ history is rich and now we’re beginning a new chapter of that history, thanks to Bluegreen Vacations.”

“The Bluegreen Vacations Duel At Daytona will continue one of our cherished traditions,” Wile said.

Based in Boca Raton, Fla., Bluegreen Vacations markets and sells vacation ownership interests and manages resorts in top leisure and urban destinations.

“Having just been a sponsor of the Bluegreen Vacations 500, a thrilling semi-final race of the 2019 NASCAR season, we are proud to be title sponsor of the highly anticipated kick-off duels for the 2020 season,” said Ahmad M. Wardak, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Bluegreen Vacations. “We are pleased to be a proud supporter of NASCAR and look forward to sharing more of these experiences with our vacation owners.”

DIRIYAH, Saudi Arabia – Sam Bird sped to victory in the opening round of the Formula E season on Friday at the Riyadh Street Circuit.

BMW i Andretti Motorsport’s Alex Sims pulled away in the lead from the pole, leaving Mercedes-Benz EQ drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries in second and third.

After five minutes, the Attack Mode activation zone opened up, with all 24 drivers now able to pass through the Attack Mode activation zone – located off the racing line – in order to pick up a 35kW power boost during the race.

Disaster soon struck for Nissan e.dams’ Sebastien Buemi, who stopped on track while the grid passed by. Unable to restart his car, the Swiss driver retired from the race.

After a number of attempts from Envision Virgin Racing’s Bird to pass Rokit Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara and move towards a podium finish, the Brit passed the Swiss driver with 30 minutes left on the clock.

Leading the way, Sims kept the two Mercedes drivers at bay in his BWM as the German powerhouses battled for the win. Close behind was Bird in his Audi-powered Envision Virgin Racing challenger, followed by TAG Heuer Porsche’s Andre Lotterer in fifth.

With 17 minutes left in the race, reigning champ Jean-Eric Vergne retired, returning to the pits with damage to the front wheel of his car.

Coming off the start/finish straight, a patient Vandoorne made his move on race leader Sims, taking the lead through turns 18 and 19. At the same time, Bird attacked, passing Sims to move into second. Dropping back further still, Lotterer moved into third, knocking Sims off the podium.

Not content with a second place finish, Bird attacked Vandoorne with 10 minutes remaining. Taking the lead in his Audi-powered car, the Brit handed it to new entrants Mercedes and Porsche as Lotterer remained in third.

After working his way up the grid, Nissan e.dams’ Oliver Rowland advanced past Sims to fourth, passing the BMW driver with six minutes to spare. Coming into turn five, Audi’s Daniel Abt failed to stop his car after a collision with Antonio Felix da Costa and was left stranded after colliding with the wall.

With three minutes left, the BMW i8 Safety Car was deployed while the German’s car was collected until the race restarted with just over a minute to go.

Bird, maintaining his lead, held out to collect his first win of the season. Trailing the Brit was Porsche’s Lotterer in second, followed by Mercedes’ Vandoorne in third.

“I felt confident going into the race. Envision Virgin Racing gave me an amazing car,” Bird said. “Last year was difficult and I went through a sort of transformation involving plenty of thinking and mental stuff. It’s very special to win today. There are 23 other amazing drivers out there, so to come out on top means a lot. It’s a great start to the year, but the hard work doesn’t stop. We have another race tomorrow. There’s potential in the car so we need to maximize what we can.”

Rowland was fourth for Nissan, followed by Bird’s teammate Robin Frijns.

The finish:

Sam Bird, Andre Lotterer, Stoffel Vandoorne, Oliver Rowland, Robin Frijns, Nyck de Vries, Edoardo Mortara, Alex Sims, Jerome D’Ambrosio, Mitch Evans, Pascal Wehrlein, Felipe Massa, Lucas di Grassi, Antonio Felix da Costa, Oliver Turvey, James Calado, Neel Jani, Maximilian Guenther, Brendon Hartley, Ma Qing Hua, Daniel Abt, Jean-Eric Vergne, Sebastien Buemi.

Chelsea's in-form forward Christian Pulisic has shaken off a hip problem and will be available for Saturday's Premier League game at Manchester City, manager Frank Lampard said on Friday.

Pulisic sustained the injury in Chelsea's 2-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month and missed the United States' CONCACAF Nations League matches against Canada and Cuba during the international break.

The 21-year-old former Borussia Dortmund player has been in superb form for third-placed Chelsea after a slow start to his career at Stamford Bridge, scoring five goals in his last three league matches.

"He didn't go [to the U.S. camp], he was struggling against Palace. He has been training and is in contention," Lampard told a news conference on Friday.

Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is a doubt for the match due to a hamstring issue he picked up on international duty with England.

Lampard said that he was pleased with the understanding between his midfielders N'Golo Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic with all three players fit and playing well ahead of the clash with the defending champions.

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"I want it to be a positive issue... it is great for me. It is something we have done pretty well. We have had fluidity in our midfield. We can use them all collectively," Lampard added.

"You have to give Jorginho the freedom to leave his position. He has a perception for the press."

Former Chelsea midfielder Lampard, who ended his Premier League career with a season at City, said he was looking forward to facing City who are one place below his side.

"The levels they have reached have been incredible. For us to be in that position, I am pleased with. But I want more," Lampard added.

"It's not the end story, they are a strong outfit. I won't make huge judgements on tomorrow, our story is three months in the making.

"I had a great year at City, I go there with nothing but good feelings. But I am Chelsea manager and I want to win."

Colin Ackermann, Leicestershire's white-ball captain, has signed a new three-year deal that will keep him at Grace Road until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Ackermann's new deal followed an impressive 2019 season, the improbable highlight of which was his world-record T20 return of 7 for 18 against Birmingham Bears.

"I am very pleased to have extended my contract by another three years," Ackermann said. "I have really enjoyed my time here at the Fischer County Ground over the last three years so long may that continue."

It was a tough season for Leicestershire, who finished bottom of their respective tables in each of the three county competitions. However, Ackermann is adamant that better things are in prospect for the club.

"There have been quite a few [personal highlights] in the T20 side of things, and we have had a few good victories over Notts [Outlaws] in the last few years," he said. "We have definitely shown that we can beat the top teams in our North Group, which is fantastic to see.

"We are a young squad and it is fantastic to see the local and younger guys to have that opportunity to make a name for themselves."

Ackermann is the fifth Leicestershire player to sign a new deal in the off-season, after Dieter Klein, Harry Swindells, Sam Evans and Harry Dearden. "It shows that the club is putting a lot of faith in the younger group of lads, which is fantastic," he said.

"It is obviously not all going to come together right now but, in a year, or two's time with the likes of Harry Dearden and Sam Evans having another year under their belt - it bodes well for the future."

Ackermann made 675 runs at 35.52, and took 12 wickets in the County Championship. He also made 428 runs at 61.14 and took five wickets in the Royal London One-Day Cup, as well as 342 runs at 28.50 and 12 wickets at 6.04 in the Vitality Blast.