It may have taken six years, but Tarik Skubal has finally found his money pitch. And the Guardians were feeling it in Game 1 of the divisional round on Tuesday.

These Guardians know Skubal well. In addition to facing him three other times this season, they faced him just days ago in a crucial Tigers loss, one that helped cement Cleveland’s huge comeback to secure the AL Central title that, at one point, Detroit had a 15.5-game lead on Cleveland. 

So, it was reasonable to wonder whether Skubal’s pitching would be effective Game 1, or whether the Guardians would have him figured out. 

"It means a lot to take the ball in Game 1," Skubal said to a scrum after the game. "To have the trust of our whole organization, teammates, coaching staff, it means a lot."

Ultimately, he rose to the challenge of that honor, helping secure Detroit's 2–1 win. Skubal held Cleveland to a single earned run in 7.2 innings of work with a career-high 14 strikeouts. Propelled by his pitch, Skubal brought a strong body of work.

Skubal’s changeup to thank for huge Game 1 victory

Skubal’s changeup has emerged gradually year over year as a proportion of his pitching profile, with it finally overtaking his four-seam fastball as the most-used pitch he threw in a season in 2025 (31.4% frequency). 

Here's a look at just how long this pitch has taken to emerge as his most used and most dominant:

Tarik Skubal changeup usage, run value

So it was only right that on Tuesday, in an important Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, the majority of his 14 strikeouts came on the changeup, now his best pitch, dialed in over a number of years. 

Tarik Skubal's strikeout pitches in Game 1 vs. Guardians

Seven—of half of his total strikeouts—came on the changeup. Twelve out of the 23 times he threw the pitch resulted in a swinging strike, with it being hit in play just three times. 

"I was just kind of worried about executing each pitch and trying to do my best to live pitch-by-pitch… getting ahead and getting guys into leverage," Skubal said of his performance after the game.

The changeup went for a hit twice in the game: One was a soft ground ball by Angel Martinez, the other a line drive hit 105.5 MPH off the bat by Kyle Manzardo. Overall, the Guardians managed a single quality hit on the pitch all afternoon. 

Tarik Skubal's slider was important, too

The changeup is, of course, a pitch that seldom gets the job done on its own. As a slower pitch, it’s one that catches hitters off guard after the pitcher has shown them something faster in the repertoire. 

Skubal most frequently used the slider as his immediate setup pitch (the pitch right before the strikeout pitch) in Game 1. The slider was his strikeout pitch, but it served a clear purpose, forcing Guardians batters into seven foul tips and overtraining them to the ever-so-slight speed difference from the changeup.

Tarik Skubal pitch counts, ALWC Game 1

Skubal strikeout on Tuesday was a swinging strikeout, proving just how well his deception worked as a result of the sequencing, for which catcher Dillon Dingler deserves credit for as well. Neither of the two hits off the changeup came with the slider as the setup pitch.

Asked about the slider usage after the game, Skubal laughed and said, "Is Dingler coming in here? Yeah, I don't know, he calls it and I throw it. That's kind of it. That's kind of how all of it goes. There's like two shakes a game and the rest are him calling it, and I just try to throw it."

Notably, his curveball, thrown just four times, was set up by a slider the lone time it baited a Cleveland batter to swing at it, and miss, on Tuesday.

It was a strong afternoon at the office for Skubal, putting the Tigers just a game away from advancing and finally putting the 2025 Guardians in their rearview.

Daniel Farke is battling to keep his job at Leeds United and a fresh update has now dropped regarding his future at Elland Road.

The Whites now sit 18th in the Premier League table, having lost five of their last six games in the competition, heaping the pressure on Farke with Leeds already linked with new managers such as Brendan Rodgers.

Former scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that 49ers Enterprises were even looking to make a change during the summer.

He wants to join: Leeds choose number one manager candidate as Farke nears sack

The Whites have a Premier League-experienced boss ready to come in at the expense of Farke.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 24, 2025

Opinion is split amongst Leeds fans about Farke’s future and what the next steps should be, with Adam Pope providing insight on the situation this week.

Pope makes new claim about Farke succession plan

Speaking on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast [via MOT Leeds News], Pope shared an update on Farke’s position at Leeds. While the BBC journalist stated the 49ers do not currently have someone “waiting in the wings”, he was then asked if they have someone they’re “looking at”, providing an intriguing response.

This now feels like a critical period for Farke, with Leeds’ results simply not good enough after some better ones earlier in the season, leading to them sliding into the relegation zone.

The German will know that improvements have to happen or 49ers will have to make a big decision, but unfortunately for him, next up is a trip to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon, which is nearly as tough as it gets.

He's a lot like Bielsa: Leeds could sack Farke for "special" 4-2-3-1 manager

Leeds United could finally dismiss Daniel Farke and replace him with their next Marcelo Bielsa.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 24, 2025

An ugly scoreline at the Etihad would crank up the pressure to new heights, and it would be a surprise if the Whites weren’t eyeing up potential replacements for Farke, with Rodgers perhaps the most likely given his status as a free agent with top flight experience.

He wants to join: Leeds choose number one manager candidate as Farke nears sack

From overhead kicks, last-gasp winners and routine thumpings, the November international break was full of moments of jubilation. But, in between that jubilation, came the heartbreak of missing out on a place at the 2026 World Cup.

For many players, it was their final opportunity to reach football’s biggest stage, only to see it snatched from their grasp once more. Whilst Scotland may still be in party mode and Ireland preparing for the playoffs after Troy Parrott heroics, the likes of Hungary and Nigeria have been left to wonder what might have been.

With the tournament fast approaching, some of the world’s most impressive stars have now had their fates sealed and face the heart-wrenching task of watching on from home as their club teammates do what they can only dream of next summer.

From Victor Osimhen to Dominik Szoboszlai, we’ve taken a look at the best XI of players set to miss out on a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Goalkeeper and defence

GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia & Atletico Madrid) – Part of Slovenia’s disastrous qualification attempts, Jan Oblak could do nothing but watch on as his side earned just four points from six games in a group with Switzerland, Kosovo and Sweden.

By the end of qualifying, the standings weren’t even close as Kosovo’s 11 points were enough to finish second and leave Slovenia in third to sum things up.

RB: Ola Aina (Nigeria & Nottingham Forest) – If Oblak’s situation was frustrating then Ola Aina’s was on a whole new level over the international break. The right-back could only watch amid his recent injury woes, as Nigeria crashed out of qualifying in a disastrous penalty shoot-out.

The Super Eagles’ manager, Eric Chelle, limited his penalty options by taking off attacking players to hold on for the shoot-out, before suffering the consequences.

CB: Willi Orban (Hungary & RB Leipzig) – As Parrott wheeled away in celebration for Ireland, Willi Orban was one of several Hungary players suffering the heartbreak of late defeat.

They had their World Cup fortunes in their grasp, only for it to be snatched away in the most harsh way possible. Now, the RB Leipzig man, at 33 years old, may never get the chance to feature in the tournament.

England 2026 World Cup Squad Tracker

Who is in line to make Thomas Tuchel’s 26-player squad?

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 13, 2025

CB: Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia & Nottingham Forest) – It makes Serbia’s struggles all the more confusing, the fact that they also had a defender of Nikola Milenkovic’s calibre at their disposal, but it sums up his season. The Nottingham Forest star has struggled to replicate last season’s form at club level and took that form into the international break.

LB: Milos Kerkez (Hungary & Liverpool) – It’s been a difficult season for Milos Kerkez. The left-back has failed to hit the ground running at Liverpool and recently lost his place back to Andy Robertson. Now, he’s had his World Cup dreams shattered to coincide with his dream move slowly but surely becoming more of a nightmare.

Midfield

CM: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon & Brighton) – Carlos Baleba is undoubtedly destined for big things, but the world stage will have to wait for his presence as Cameroon crashed out of qualifying against DR Congo. At 21 years old, the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder will still have more opportunities in his future and those may yet coincide with an impressive move at club level.

CM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary & Liverpool) – Szoboszlai was lost for words after Parrott’s late winner. When his side took the lead before half-time, the Hungary captain would have had his sights set on the World Cup.

Just 45 minutes later, however, he saw his dreams torn apart in cruel fashion. A rare standout for Liverpool this season and often dragging Hungary to victory, Szoboszlai has certainly been hard done by.

RM: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon & Man Utd) – Like his international teammate and potential future club teammate, Belaba, Bryan Mbeumo will be missing the 2026 World Cup.

At the peak of his powers and with everything beginning to come together at Old Trafford, there would have been plenty of hope around Cameroon that the winger could drag them through the qualifiers. Ultimately, though, he struggled to land a mark on DR Congo.

LM: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia & PSG) – As talented as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is, Georgia were always likely to be underdogs in World Cup qualifying. They finished third in Group E and won just once in six games, as Spain and Turkey took the top two spots, and they were forced to settle for third ahead of Bulgaria.

Attack

ST: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria & Galatasaray) – The biggest stage has continuously passed Osimhen by in recent years. Since falling out with Napoli, he’s played much of his club football at Galatasaray, despite endless rumours linking him with some of Europe’s biggest clubs and leagues. Now, he’s set to miss the World Cup and didn’t even get to take a penalty for Nigeria as they crashed out after he was substituted off.

ST: Serhou Guirassy (Guinea & Borussia Dortmund) – Serhou Guirassy is quietly one of the most impressive strikers that European football has to offer. He’s consistently starred in the Bundesliga in recent years, yet won’t get the chance to do the same for Guinea next summer. His side finished fourth in Group G, despite losing just three of their 10 games.

2026 World Cup groups predicted by AI

We have a full slate of MLB games set to take place today to wrap up the week so as we always do on Rounding the Bases, I'm going to give you my pick for every single one.

Let's finish the week on a high note!

Dodgers vs. Tigers Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Dodgers +112

It's a bit shocking to see the Dodgers set as underdogs to the Tigers, but you can understand it when you realize Tarik Skubal (10-3, 2.37 ERA) gets the start for the Tigers. Still, I like Los Angeles as an underdog with James Paxton (7-2, 4.24 ERA) on the mound. The Dodgers have a significant offensive advantage in this battle of lefty starters. They rank second in the Majors in OPS vs. lefties at .801 while the Tigers rank 25th at .659.

Athletics vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Athletics +235

I'm going to take a shot on the Athletics as significant underdogs in Philadelphia tonight. It seems crazy, but the A's offense has been respectable against left-handed pitchers this season, ranking 12th in OPS against lefties at .729. They also have Hogan Harris on the mound, who has a solid 3.22 ERA. The A's are more live in this game than the odds would seem to indicate.

Guardians vs. Rays Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Rays -144

As I've said for the past couple of days, it's time to buy low on the Rays. Their offense has been bad for the first half of the season, but they've finally started to turn things around and are now ninth in MLB in OPS over the past 30 days.

Yankees vs. Orioles Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Orioles +106

Gerrit Cole enters tonight with a 6.75 ERA through his first handful of starts this season and now he has to pitch against arguably the best offense in baseball in the Orioles. I won't hesitate to back the O's as home underdogs in this AL East battle.

Rockies vs. Mets Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Mets -240

Tanner Gordon of the Rockies allowed eight hits and five earned runs in his first start in the Majors. I won't consider betting on the Rockies when he starts for them until he proves he can succeed at the Major League level.

Marlins vs. Reds Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Reds -158

It's tough to find any reason to justify a bet on the Marlins. They're dead last in the Majors in OPS over the last 30 days at .623.

Royals vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Red Sox -102

The Royals offense got off to a hot start but has been struggling of late. They're now 26th in the Majors in OPS over the last 30 days while the Red Sox rank third over that stretch. I'll jump all over Boston in this one.

Rangers vs. Astros Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Rangers +136

Andrew Heaney is due to get a couple more wins on his record. He has a 3.80 ERA but a record of just 3-9. Keep an eye on the Rangers, they may start to get hot in the next few weeks.

Nationals vs. Brewers Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Brewers -220

In a pitching matchup between Jackson Rutledge (9.00 ERA) and Freddy Peralta (3.95 ERA), backing Peralta and the Brewers is an absolute no-brainer.

Pirates vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick

• Pick: White Sox -156

The White Sox offense may be bad, but they can win games with Garrett Crochet (3.08 ERA) on the mound. Let's also remember the Pirates are 25th in OPS over the last 30 days, only slightly better than the White Sox.

Cubs vs. Cardinals Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Cardinals -196

How is Kyle Hendricks still a part of this Cubs rotation? He has a 1-7 record and a 7.53 ERA. If you're brave enough to back him by betting on Chicago, best of luck to you. I refuse to go down that road. Give me the Cardinals as sizable home favorites.

Mariners vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Angels +124

My take that the Mariners are going to regress soon hasn't worked out the past few days, but I'm sticking to it. Despite scoring 11 runs last night, they're still batting just .211 over the past 30 days. I'm sticking to my guns and backing Los Angeles as a home underdog.

Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Diamondbacks -126

It's tough to back the Blue Jays with how they've found ways to lose games lately. The Diamondbacks offense has been significantly better this season and the Jays bullpen is always susceptible to blowing a lead.

Braves vs. Padres Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Padres +100

The Braves offense has been struggling of late, ranking 19th in OPS over the past 30 days. The fact Spencer Schwellenback and his 5.02 ERA gets the start for them tonight doesn't help their chances. I'll back the Padres as home underdogs.

Twins vs. Giants Prediction and Pick

• Pick: Twins -142

The Twins offense has been the best in baseball over the past month, leading the Majors in OPS over that time frame at .891. I see no reason to stop betting on them.

Looking to wager on some prop bets for the Sunday action in Major League Baseball?

There are several games in the later slate to dive into – including the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball – but I’ve narrowed things down to two pitchers that I’m willing to fade on July 7. 

We’re backing a troubling trend for a young starter in the Yankees-Red Sox matchup as well as fading a veteran who has to take on one of the best teams in baseball. Let’s dive into the picks. 

Best MLB Prop Bets Today (Sunday, July 7)

Luis Gil OVER 2.5 Walks Allowed (+140)Dallas Keuchel OVER 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (-160)Luis Gil OVER 2.5 Walks Allowed (+140)

New York Yankees rookie Luis Gil got off to a torrid start this season, but he’s cooled off a lot as of late. His ERA has ballooned from 1.82 on June 4 to 3.41 heading into this start with the Boston Red Sox, and a major reason for that has been his lack of control.

Gil was a great target early in the season with his walks prop, and that seems to be the case once again, as the youngster has allowed 13 walks over his last four starts. 

He has at least two walks in each of those games, including four free passes over five innings in an outing against Boston. 

At this price, I think Gil is worth a shot to allow three more walks on Sunday night.  

Dallas Keuchel OVER 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (-160)

Veteran lefty Dallas Keuchel has bounced around Major League Baseball the last few seasons, landing with the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2024 campaign. 

Through his first two starts, Keuchel has a 6.75 ERA, allowing five runs in four frames against the Texas Rangers before giving up two runs in 5.1 innings against the Colorado Rockies. 

Milwaukee has somehow won both of those games, but things are going to get a lot tougher on Sunday against a Los Angeles Dodgers offense that is No. 1 in MLB in OPS against left-handed pitching.

The Dodgers are simply one of the best hitting teams in baseball – even without Mookie Betts – and I expect them to jump all over the soft-throwing Keuchel in this matchup. 

Since even the lowly Rockies were able to muster two runs against the veteran, don’t be shocked if baseball’s best offense against lefties gets three or more.

They have bought two new keepers and Niki Prasad, India’s captain at their recent U-19 T20 World Cup triumph

Hemant Brar11-Feb-20252:02

Chopra: Delhi Capitals have no apparent weakness

Where Delhi Capitals finished in WPL 2024

For the second time in a row, Delhi Capitals finished as the runners-up. After topping the league stage again with six wins from eight games, they came undone against Royals Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

What’s new in WPL 2025?

Two wicketkeeper-batters: Sarah Bryce and Nandini Kashyap. With incumbent Taniya Bhatia hardly contributing with the bat – she scored five runs in five innings across two seasons – DC went for an upgrade at the auction. Since Bryce comes from Scotland, an Associate team, DC can have her in the XI as the fifth overseas player. While both Bryce and Kashyap are better batters than Bhatia, they prefer batting at the top of the order, which will not be possible at DC, so they will have to move down.DC also bought Niki Prasad, India’s captain at their recent Under-19 T20 World Cup triumph in Malaysia. The other new face in the squad is 20-year-old left-arm spinner Shree Charani. Both Prasad and Charani are likely to start on the bench, though.

Delhi Capitals’ likely XI

1 Shafali Verma, 2 Meg Lanning (capt), 3 Alice Capsey, 4 Jemimah Rodrigues, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Nandini Kashyap (wk), 7 Jess Jonassen, 8 Minnu Mani, 9 Shikha Pandey, 10 Arundhati Reddy, 11 Radha YadavOther players: Annabel Sutherland, Sarah Bryce (wk), Titas Sadhu, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Niki Prasad, Shree CharaniMeg Lanning led Delhi Capitals to two consecutive finals•BCCI

Key players: Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp

The opening pair of Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma has played an instrumental role in DC making back-to-back finals. They are by far the most prolific pair in the WPL, their partnership tally of 868 – at 9.43 runs per over – is more than 300 runs clear of the next best. Given DC’s lower-middle order looks slightly weaker, they would want Lanning and Shafali to set the tone once again.Marizanne Kapp is among the leading allrounders in world cricket. With the ball, she can trouble the best of the batters. With the bat, depending on the situation, she can be the anchor or the aggressor with the same efficiency. That quality becomes even more important given Kapp, likely to bat at No. 5, will be the link between a world-class top four and a somewhat inexperienced lower order.

Young one to watch: Nandini Kashyap

Kashyap, 21, is an uncapped, diminutive wicketkeeper-opener. She plays for Uttarakhand in India’s domestic circuit and was one of the most consistent batters during the 2024-25 season. In ten 50-over games, she scored 550 runs at an average of 55.00 and a strike rate of 81.48. In T20s, she took it a notch higher, tallying 579 runs at 57.90 with a strike rate of 131.89. The challenge for her will be the step-up on the big stage and adjusting to a likely middle-order role.

Delhi Capitals’ league fixtures

DC are the only team with no home games this season. They are also one of two teams – Mumbai Indians are the other – with two back-to-back games. On February 28, they face Mumbai Indians and the next day they play RCB. That they finish their league games before anyone else is another disadvantage if it comes down to a last-minute NRR race.

The Mariners left All-Star pitcher Bryan Woo off their AL Division Series roster ahead of Game 1 against the Tigers Saturday.

Woo hasn't pitched since Sep. 19 as he's dealt with pectoral inflammation, which will now keep him out of Seattle's first postseason series. Should the Mariners get past the Tigers and advance to the AL Championship Series, he'd be able to return if he's ready to go.

Woo's absence is a big blow for Seattle as the righthander started 30 games and had a 15-7 record in the regular season, earning his first All-Star nod along the way. He has a team-best 2.94 ERA among starters and also leads the team with 198 strikeouts.

Seattle hosts the first two games of the series and will give the ball to George Kirby in Game 1 as Luis Castillo is expected to start Game 2 against Detroit's ace Tarik Skubal. Castillo made 32 starts this season with a 18-11 record, 3.54 ERA and 162 strikeouts. Kirby started 23 games, notching 12 wins and striking out 137 batters with a 4.21 ERA.

First pitch between the Mariners and Tigers to open their ALDS matchup is slated for 8:38 p.m. ET Saturday at T-Mobile Park as Troy Melton toes the rubber for Detroit before Skubal gets the ball Sunday.

TORONTO —  There is a laundry list of problems the Seattle Mariners will take into Game 7 of the American League Championship Series tonight. They have struck out almost twice as many times as the Blue Jays (62–34). They don’t win when they don’t hit a home run (13–30 in 173 games this year). And they must win in the toughest place to win this year in the AL.

None of those issues are their biggest problem. The Mariners have a Vlad problem.

To go to their first World Series, they must figure out how to pitch to a smoking hot Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is having a postseason for the ages. So hot is Guerrero that the best course of action for Seattle pitchers is to swallow their pride and pitch around him in any spot with a smidgen of meaning.

No offense to Alejandro Kirk, who is swinging a hot bat behind him right now, but there is no way the Mariners can go home allowing Guerrero even a chance of beating them. You pitch to him every time in Game 7 as if there are two outs and first base open. He is that good and that hot.

In a too-easy 6–2 victory over a tight Seattle team Sunday (three errors, three double plays grounded into and 13 strikeouts), Guerrero’s night went like this:

Popped out for only the second time this postseason.Grounded out on a slider on one of the seven hardest hard balls he has hit all year (116 mph).Ripped a curveball for a home run.Shot a classic “how-dare-you” look at the Mariners’ dugout upon scoring after they hit him with a pitch.Hit a sinker twice for a single—once as it broke his bat on the handle and again, on the carom, with his barrel.

“He came in the dugout and said, ‘I hit that twice,’” said Toronto center fielder Dalton Varsho. “That’s how hot he is. He knew he hit it twice.

“It’s amazing to watch this.  He’s hitting everything right now. It doesn’t matter where they pitch him—in, out, up or down—and what they pitch him. I mean, he’s so hot right now they flipped him a curveball out of nowhere and he’s on time and hits it out.”

The Mariners have thrown him 77 pitches in this series. Only two have been curveballs. He smoked one for a double and whacked the other for a homer to end the night of a wholly ineffective Logan Gilbert, Seattle’s Game 6 starter.

India have gone unbeaten in 11 straight youth World Cup games, spanning two editions of the tournament

Bharath Seervi04-Feb-20201 – India’s 10-wicket victory against Pakistan in the semi-final in Potchefstroom is the first by such a margin by any team in knockout matches at the Under-19 World Cup. Before this, there have been two nine-wicket wins in the knockout games – one each by Australia (2006) and South Africa (2014).4 – Number of ten-wicket wins for India in U-19 World Cup matches. All four wins have come in the last two editions – two in 2018 and two at this year’s World Cup. India had defeated Japan by 10 wickets in their second match of this tournament.11 – Number of consecutive wins for India in U-19 World Cup matches. Their last defeat was in the final of 2016 edition against West Indies. Since then they have won all their games – six in 2018 and five in 2020.ESPNcricinfo Ltd156 – Yashasvi Jaiswal’s average in this tournament. He has scored 312 runs in five innings and has been dismissed only twice. At present he is the highest run-getter of this year’s edition, with scores of 59, 29*, 57*, 62 and 105*. His average is the highest by a batsman in an U-19 World Cup tournament (minimum 300 runs scored).9 – Batsmen to have scored centuries in the semi-final or final of U-19 World Cups. Incidentally, the last five batsmen to do so have all been Indians – Cheteshwar Pujara (2006 semi-final), Unmukt Chand (2012 final), Shubman Gill (2018 semi-final), Manjot Kalra (2018 final), and now Jaiswal. Overall, six of the nine batsmen who have scored hundreds in the semis or final of U-19 World Cups have been Indians.176* – The partnership between Jaiswal and Divyaansh Saxena – it is the second-highest for any wicket for any team in knockout matches at the U-19 World Cup. The only bigger stand was 177 by Imam-ul-Haq and Sami Aslam for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2014 quarter-final. For India, it is the second-biggest opening stand at the Under-19 World Cup and the fourth-highest opening partnership in U-19 ODIs.5-5 – Results between India and Pakistan in U-19 World Cup matches. India have won the last four games between these sides, from 2012 onwards, while the four matches before that were all won by Pakistan. In their previous game before today, the 2018 semi-final, India had won by 203 runs.

Also: what is the record for sixes by a team in one innings in an ODI, and a T20 international?

Steven Lynch22-Sep-2020How often have wickets fallen to the first two balls of an ODI innings? asked Robin Jackson from England

That Mitchell Starc double at Old Trafford last week – he dismissed Jason Roy and Joe Root – was the fourth time the first two balls of an innings have produced wickets in one-day internationals.It also happened in Brisbane in 1988-89, when Australia’s Terry Alderman bowled Ramiz Raja and Aamer Malik of Pakistan with the first two balls of the day, then Pakistan turned the tables in Durban in 2012-13, when Mohammad Irfan accounted for Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram with his first two deliveries.But the top prize goes to the Sri Lankan left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas, who took a hat-trick with the first three balls of Bangladesh’s innings in Pietermaritzburg during the 2003 World Cup, dismissing Hannan Sarkar, Mohammad Ashraful and Ehsanul Haque. After a four and a wide, Vaas removed Sanwar Hossain with his fifth legal delivery to leave Bangladesh reeling at 5 for 4. It was the only time the No. 6 batsman has faced a ball in the first over of an international match.Have Nos. 6 and 7 ever scored centuries in the same ODI before, as Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell did the other day? asked Michael Carter from Australia

That double by Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell during the entertaining final ODI of the English season at Old Trafford last week turns out to be the second time this has happened in official one-day internationals. The other occasion was an unusual one, during the Afro-Asia Cup in Chennai in June 2007. The Asian XI were struggling at 72 for 5 before No. 6 Mahela Jayawardene was joined by MS Dhoni – but they both scored centuries, and put on 218. The eventual total of 331 proved just too steep for the Africa XI.Dane Cleaver scored 201 and made nine dismissals in a recent match in New Zealand. Has any wicketkeeper ever scored a double-century and taken more dismissals in the same match? asked Kenneth Malcolm from Australia

The Central Districts wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver achieved this remarkable double – 201, eight catches and a stumping – against Northern Districts in Napier in February 2020. No wicketkeeper has ever scored more than 200 in a match (even counting both innings) and made ten dismissals – but, remarkably, a non-keeper has. Playing for Gloucestershire against Surrey in Cheltenham in 1928, Wally Hammond made 139 and 143, and also took ten catches, eight of them off slow left-armer Charlie Parker.Eoin Morgan hit a record 17 sixes in his 71-ball 148 against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup•Getty ImagesWhat is the record for sixes by a team in one innings in an ODI, and a T20 international? asked Riz Naik from India

England set the record for the most sixes in a one-day international innings during last year’s World Cup, when they crashed 25 against Afghanistan at Old Trafford. That included 17 by Eoin Morgan, the individual record. England held the previous best, too – four months earlier, in February 2019, they had clobbered 24 sixes against West Indies in Grenada – which broke the week-old record of 23, set by West Indies in Bridgetown, in a match they still lost.In T20Is the record is 22 sixes in an innings, hit by Afghanistan against Ireland in Dehradun in February 2019. That beat the old mark of 21, which has happened three times now.The recently retired Ian Bell took 100 catches in Tests. Is he the only one with this round number? asked David Adele from Kenya

Ian Bell, who has just retired from first-class cricket at the age of 38, took 100 catches in his 118 Tests. He is indeed the only man to stick on exactly 100, although South Africa’s Jacques Kallis took 200, four of them for the World XI. David Boon took 99 for Australia. Two wicketkeepers also took 99 catches – Nayan Mongia of India, and Junior Murray of West Indies. Mongia also made eight stumpings, and Murray three. One of Murray’s catches came in the field.Viv Richards and Sourav Ganguly both took exactly 100 catches in one-day internationals.Use our feedback form or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions