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The presentation of American and National League championship memorabilia is steeped in history—both leagues predate the World Series, after all. However, it can be a bit awkward for the Fall Classic's losing team.

Take, for instance, the New York Yankees, who won a dramatic five-game ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians last October—only to fall flat in an equally action-packed five-game World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On Thursday morning, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com published a story documenting the Yankees' mixed reactions to their AL championship rings—the 41st such honor in team history.

"This isn’t the one we wanted, boys," designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton said to his teammates. "The one that we want is in front of us. I’d better not see any of you guys wearing these around."

“You think of the celebrations, the guys on the team that aren’t here anymore. But at the end of the day, I just put it away. I don’t need to see it again," shortstop Anthony Volpe said.

“It was cool. It would be cooler if it was a World Series ring,” pitcher Tim Hill said.

Less diplomatic were pitchers Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodon, who dismissed the keepsake as "a participation trophy" and "first loser," respectively.

New York has the second-best record in the AL at the moment, so adding another league championship ring doesn't seem out of the question. The question is whether it can take the big prize beyond that.

Bayern Munich are reportedly planning a very bold swoop for one of Enzo Maresca’s key Chelsea stars, with the Bavarians repeatedly talking about him in behind-the-scenes meetings.

Chelsea seek first December win against Everton

Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, desperately searching for momentum after enduring their worst run of recent form under Maresca this season.

The Blues have gone four consecutive matches without victory across all competitions, slipping to fifth in the Premier League table and falling eight points behind leaders Arsenal.

Since their impressive 3-0 Champions League triumph over Barcelona last month, Maresca’s side have struggled to recapture that dominant form.

Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Atalanta also dealt a significant blow to Chelsea’s hopes of automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16, leaving them 11th in the league phase standings and two points outside the crucial top eight positions with just two games remaining.

Joao Pedro’s opener proved insufficient as the Italian side turned the contest around through second-half strikes from Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere.

Chelsea’s domestic struggles have been equally concerning.

Chelsea set to sign "next-gen Yaya Toure" after reaching "full agreement"

They’ve won the race for his signature.

By
Emilio Galantini

4 days ago

A 3-1 loss at Leeds United followed their hard-fought 1-1 draw with ten men against Arsenal, before a lifeless goalless stalemate at Bournemouth extended their winless streak.

Maresca’s side have dropped more points from winning positions at home than any other Premier League team this season, with eight points surrendered after taking leads at Stamford Bridge.

Everton arrive in buoyant spirits having won four of their last five Premier League matches, keeping clean sheets in all four victories.

David Moyes’ resurgent side currently sit seventh, just two points behind Chelsea and firmly in contention for European qualification.

Consecutive away wins at Man United and Bournemouth will have their tails firmly up, and the Toffees will draw more confidence from Chelsea’s vulnerability right now.

That being said, Everton haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since November 1994 and remain winless across their last 35 visits in all competitions.

Moyes has personally never won there in 20 attempts, so it’s been quite a sorry hunting ground for the Scotsman.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returns to face his former club having flourished since his summer departure, scoring three goals in his last four appearances, and the midfielder will be determined to haunt his former employers.

For Chelsea, vice-captain and star engine room man Enzo Fernández will be tasked with containing him.

The Argentine has been key for Maresca ever since his appointment last year, bagging seven goal contributions in a more advanced midfield role this season alone.

Fernandez’s excellent form has attracted interest from Real Madrid, and now Bayern are among the elite European clubs circling for his signature.

Bayern Munich prepare £105m bid for Chelsea star Enzo Fernández

According to reports from Spain, Allianz Arena chiefs have been ‘constantly’ discussing the World Cup winner in recruitment meetings, with Vincent Kompany’s side planning to make a marquee bid.

Indeed, it is believed that Bayern are now preparing a £105 million offer to sign Fernandez from Chelsea, but the west Londoners’ stance on selling their star man is crystal clear.

While a bid that size could get Chelsea contemplating the 24-year-old’s future, the current noise is that they have absolutely no desire to part company.

Fernandez is tied down with a long-term contract until 2032 as well, meaning BlueCo have complete control over his future.

Kompany believes that Fernandez’s arrival would seriously upgrade the team and complement Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the park, so Bayern are the ‘most determined’ to open talks ahead of 2026.

However, Chelsea’s public stance is that he’s not for sale, even if Bayern are ready to make ‘initial contact’.

Regardless of the potential proposal on Maresca’s doorstep, Chelsea made over £314 million in player sales last summer and actually registered a net spend of just £18 million.

Financially, there is absolutely no pressure whatsoever to entertain any offer for Fernandez, so Bayern may need to look somewhere else.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has left the door open to a potential future move to Liverpool, admitting that while he is focused on his current role, "you never know what can happen" in football, amid intense speculation linking him with a return to Anfield. The coach's response comes amid claims he is in danger of being sacked, while questions have been asked of Arne Slot's future at the Merseyside club.

• Alonso and Slot under pressure

  The former Reds midfielder has found himself at the centre of a managerial merry-go-round rumour mill. While Slot is currently feeling the heat at Liverpool due to his side languishing in 10th place in the Premier League despite significant summer investment, Alonso is navigating his own storm at the Santiago Bernabeu. Following a chaotic 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, the Spaniard is facing a defining week, with a Champions League clash against Manchester City looming.

  However, despite the immediate pressure in the Spanish capital, questions about a potential switch to the Premier League have persisted. Alonso reportedly turned down the chance to replace Jurgen Klopp in order to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, before eventually taking the Madrid job in the summer.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Madrid boss addresses his future

  When asked directly about the possibility of managing in England, specifically regarding a return to his former club Liverpool, Alonso offered a tantalising response that stopped short of a full denial.

  "For sure, it's something to consider with the English clubs, with my former club," Alonso admitted. "But for now, this is the place that I want to be, and in the future, you never know what can happen."

  Slot's situation grew even worse as the coach finds himself in a dressing room rift involving talisman Mohamed Salah, who sensationally criticised the Dutchman after their 3-3 draw against Leeds at the weekend. Alonso remained diplomatic, however, when asked about the situation.

  "Those are decisions they have made at Liverpool. No doubt we're missing a lot of details. So it's not for me to give an opinion on that," he said.

• Two giants in crisis

  The comments come at a fascinating juncture for both clubs. Liverpool's title defence has crumbled spectacularly, leaving Slot on the brink. The Dutchman's relationship with Salah has fractured, with the Egyptian forward omitted from the squad to face Inter this week.

  Meanwhile, at Madrid, Alonso is fighting to keep his own tenure on track. The defeat to Celta has left Los Blancos trailing leaders Barcelona by four points, and reports suggest a heavy defeat to Manchester City could be fatal for his prospects.

  "The next one is the best one. I think I know myself, and the fans know Manchester City very well from facing them many times in recent years, but I see it as an opportunity more than anything," Alonso said.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next?

  Alonso also touched upon his own player management challenges, drawing a parallel between the Salah situation and his handling of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian forward reacted poorly to being substituted against Barcelona earlier in the season, a flashpoint that Alonso insisted he would not handle differently in hindsight.

  "I would not change anything," he noted, reinforcing his stance on discipline – a trait that German legend Lothar Matthaus recently highlighted as a potential point of friction with Madrid's creative stars.

  "It’s not about changing, it’s about adapting. I knew pretty much what it was, that’s why Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. You need to adapt to it, to learn from it. After you have to perform, you have to have that interaction with the players. Some days are good, some days are not so good. But from every game, we take steps, and we are in this position now, and we have to face it with good energy, positivity, that’s the only way to turn it around."

Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, having made his first pitching appearance since 2023 earlier in the week. He only went one inning in his Dodgers debut on the mound, but he was toeing the rubber again on Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

After failing to record a strikeout in his season pitching debut against the San Diego Padres, he fanned two Nationals batters in the top of the first inning on Sunday, and as such, recorded the first two strikeouts of his pitching career with the Dodgers.

Here's a look at his first punch-out, in which he sat down Luis Garcia Jr. with a nasty breaking pitch:

Garcia wasn't able to check his swing as the pitch from Ohtani dropped down and in on the left-handed batter. Ohtani then ended the inning by striking out Washington first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

The first strikeout of his career with the Dodgers was a long time coming. Ohtani served exclusively as the team's DH in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He continued as the DH for the first two months of the season and is now in the process of being stretched out on the mound in order to fully return to his duties as a two-way star.

His first inning on Sunday was certainly an encouraging sign for what's to come.

India batted for just 52 overs in Kanpur, but just as crucial to their against-the-clock win was the fact that their bowlers picked up 20 wickets in just 121.2 overs

Alagappan Muthu01-Oct-20241:26

Manjrekar: India dished out ‘fair pitches’ and came out on top

There is always noise at a cricket ground. Horns blaring. Drums beating. The occasional flirting. “!” A lot of this is just the fans having fun. Often enough, it has no connection to what’s going on in the middle.And then he gets the ball.All of a sudden there is a hush around Green Park. They wait for him to reach the top of his mark. Tap, tap, tap comes the sound of the bat hitting the ground as Mehidy Hasan Miraz takes strike. Twenty-thousand pairs of eyes turn towards Jasprit Bumrah as he starts his run-up. The silence is about to shatter. And this time it’s not just noise. It’s music.”Whoooooohhhhhhhh” goes the crowd as Bumrah begins to accelerate. “Oooooooohhhhhh” they sigh as Mehidy reacts well and dabs the ball to point. They don’t need distractions to keep themselves occupied now. Gautam Gambhir is right. This guy has become a cultural phenomenon.Related

• Bangladesh walked into India's trap and couldn't find a way out

• Stats – India extend dominance at home, at breakneck speed

• India beat the weather and the clock to sweep Bangladesh 2-0

• Rohit: 'We were ready to get bowled out for a low score if it meant forcing a result'

Five weeks ago, Bumrah was at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai for freshers day and they cooked for him. His reveal on stage was pretty much on par with anything the movies do with mass heroes. He was sat on a throne. It faced the wrong way. The whole place went dark. The number 93 started flashing. The whole place started to shake. The throne spun, in slow motion, and there he was, sat like a king. A sheepish one.It is because of people like Bumrah that India could believe a result was possible in Kanpur. At the start of the fourth day, the first innings was still going on. India had laid out plans to push the game forward but there were no guarantees that it would all work out. Rohit Sharma, at the post-match presentation, said they were prepared to be 200 all out. They weren’t, of course. They scored 285 and declared in 34.4 overs. Then they picked up two second-innings wickets before stumps, to add to the seven from earlier in the day. India played the fourth day full throttle. The fifth – towards the end especially – became about soaking in all that they had managed to do.R Ashwin leaves his post at mid-on to come over and put his arm around Bumrah as he returns to his mark. It looks like a very one-sided exchange. In order to make it end, Bumrah brings both his hands up, palms pressed to each other rather like how people say hello or goodbye. Ashwin doesn’t listen. He continues to hype his bowling partner. From mid-off, Axar Patel chimes in as well. Both of them clap Bumrah on right through the 37th over when it’s becoming very clear that the improbable result India had set their sights on was within reach.”Whoooooohhhhhhhh” goes the crowd as Bumrah begins to accelerate again. Mehidy is unable to deal with this one and ends up caught behind. Bumrah tests the newcomer Taijul Islam with a couple of short ones and sneaks a full one in between, and then collects his cap to walk back to his fielding position. As he looks up, he sees Ashwin slow-clapping him. He offers him a salute in return. This is a special day for India. They are doing special things. The extent to which they had beat the odds makes it all the more fun for them. They seem joyous. Mischievous.Jasprit Bumrah finished Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s resistance•Getty ImagesRishabh Pant spends the final few seconds of the drinks break hanging around by the stumps, fiddling with something. A little red light flashes. He was fiddling with the bails. He had flipped them to see if that might change India’s luck. The first hour of play had only offered one wicket. The next one yields seven. Perhaps it’s the bails that did it. Or perhaps it has something to do with Ravindra Jadeja’s introduction to the attack.He was the last bowler India turned to in every innings of this series. Bangladesh being a left-hander-heavy side might have had something to do with it. Jadeja takes one of them out with his second ball. It breaks a period of play where Bangladesh made 55 runs in 13.4 overs and heralds one where Bangladesh lose seven wickets for 55 runs. India are doing so many amazing things in this game. Scoring at almost 9 runs an over. Taking a first-innings lead in three hours of batting. Breaking the taboo of bowler vs batter match-ups.Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets in three overs•AFP/Getty ImagesJadeja goes on to dismiss another left-hander, Shakib Al Hasan out tamely, caught and bowled. But see, that ball, it has all the hallmarks that make it hard to face Jadeja, no matter your orientation. Sure, you’re able to hit with the turn if you’re left-handed, but he complicates that by bowling around the wicket. He creates an angle that is going against you. Also here, he managed to get the ball to dip on Shakib so all of a sudden there’s distance between a bat that is pushing forward to milk a single to long-on and the ball. That’s where all the magic happens. The dip allows for the grip that turns a shot without no risk into one that will now attract ridicule. Shakib is left in utter disbelief at what he has done; or maybe what he has been made to do. The rest of Kanpur erupts. Horns blaring. Drums beating.A Test-match win after only 52 overs of batting and 121.2 overs of bowling. That’s something to savour and savour they do.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that he expects the team to be active at the trade deadline as the team looks to upgrade its rotation, bullpen and infield ahead of the second half of the season.

As the Yankees are expected to be buyers, one team potentially looking to sell at the deadline would make an excellent trade partner for New York. Multiple MLB insiders, including ESPN's Jeff Passan, MLB Network's Jon Morosi and MLB.com's Bryan Hoch have linked the Yankees with a potential swoop for a pair of Arizona Diamondbacks standouts.

Passan wrote Thursday that he considers third baseman Eugenio Suarez to be the "main target" for the organization and noted that the team could look to solve two of its needs by also attempting to trade for starting pitcher Zac Gallen, or even Merrill Kelly.

Those thoughts were echoed by Morosi on Thursday's episode of when he called Gallen a "really strong fit" with the Yankees. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch said all three D-Backs players would "make sense" for New York to pursue, too.

Suarez, 33, has a .883 OPS with 29 home runs (tied fourth in MLB) and 75 RBIs (tied for fifth in MLB). Gallen, 29, has struggled a bit this year with a 5.15 ERA, but has a great track record and has only had an ERA over 3.65 in one other season of his career. Kelly, 36, has a 3.41 ERA across 19 starts with 107 strikeouts in 111 innings.

All three are on expiring contracts, and with Arizona sitting at 46–47 in a crowded National League, they may look to recoup some value for the veterans at the deadline. And if they're selling, expect the Yankees to be among the teams looking to buy.

For all the concerns surrounding Newcastle United’s lack of cutting edge this season, their defence has remained reassuringly reliable.

Eddie Howe’s side may still be searching for rhythm in attack, but defensively they’ve been among the Premier League’s most resolute outfits.

They’ve kept six clean sheets already this campaign and boast the second-lowest expected goals conceded (4.9) in the division, behind only Arsenal.

That solidity has been essential in keeping Newcastle within touching distance of the top four, particularly given their Champions League commitments.

Malick Thiaw, signed from AC Milan, has seamlessly filled the void left by Fabian Schär’s injury, forging a composed, ball-playing partnership with Sven Botman at the heart of defence.

Calm on the ball and dominant in duels, the German has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers so far.

Yet, just as things were settling, Howe has been hit with significant defensive injuries.

Both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall – the club’s two starting full-backs – have suffered setbacks that will sideline them for an extended period.

Their absence leaves Newcastle light in wide defensive areas, forcing a reshuffle that may test the depth of the squad during a congested autumn fixture list.

For a side competing on multiple fronts, rotation is vital.

But with natural full-backs out and makeshift options stepping in, the coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle’s defensive solidity can withstand the strain.

Hall and Burn's success at Newcastle

Few players symbolise Newcastle’s progress under Howe more than Hall.

Still only 19, the left-back has made the position his own since arriving from Chelsea, blending energy with composure in possession.

His overlapping runs and delivery from wide areas have been key to Newcastle’s attacking transitions, while defensively, his pace allows the team to hold a high line.

However, Hall’s hamstring injury – which Howe has confirmed “won’t be short-term” – is a major blow.

It leaves Newcastle without their first-choice full-back during a period when they face high-pressing, counter-attacking sides both domestically and in Europe.

In his absence, Dan Burn has been tasked with filling the void.

The 6 foot 7 defender has long been a fan favourite for his commitment and leadership, but left-back is far from his natural role.

Burn’s experience and aerial dominance make him a solid stopgap, yet his lack of recovery pace can be exposed, particularly when facing quick, direct wingers.

One-on-one duels and balls played in behind remain areas of weakness.

Howe’s tactical adjustments have tried to compensate, with Botman often covering wider to protect Burn.

But upcoming fixtures present new challenges.

Newcastle’s next league outing sees them travel to Brighton, where Yankuba Minteh’s speed and trickery could test Burn’s positional awareness.

Stronger sides than Nottingham Forest – who rarely exploited the left channel in Newcastle’s last league match – will certainly target this imbalance.

There’s also the question of whether Newcastle could turn to the free-agent market for temporary cover.

While Howe is reluctant to disrupt squad chemistry, the defensive injuries are stretching his options thin.

With both full-backs unavailable and Champions League fixtures piling up, the pressure is mounting for a new solution – perhaps one that already exists within the club’s own ranks.

Newcastle's academy left-back solution

Enter Leo Shahar, the 18-year-old full-back who many within Newcastle’s academy believe is ready to make the leap.

A natural right-back who is also comfortable on the left, Shahar joined from Wolves last year after a decade in their youth system, where he was regarded as one of the most technically gifted defenders of his age group.

Since arriving at St James’ Park, he has quietly impressed at youth level.

Shahar has already made four Premier League 2 appearances this season and featured twice in the UEFA Youth League, scoring once.

His consistency and versatility have earned him a growing reputation, and his development was rewarded when he made his first-team debut in pre-season against Atlético Madrid.

Internationally, Shahar’s rise has been just as rapid.

Having represented England across multiple youth levels, he made his under-19 debut in September, capping off a year of steady progress.

Youth coach Thomas Hammond has described him as a “promising talent,” words that suggest he may soon be trusted with senior minutes.

Tactically, Shahar fits the modern mould Howe demands from his full-backs: quick, comfortable in tight spaces, and adept at playing out from the back.

His natural balance on either side of the pitch could be invaluable as injuries continue to bite.

And unlike Burn, he offers the pace and agility to handle one-on-one duels – an attribute that Newcastle have missed in Hall’s absence.

With Newcastle set for a gruelling run that includes Champions League clashes and key Premier League fixtures, Howe may have little choice but to dip into his academy talent.

It’s a risk, but one with potential reward. Giving Shahar his chance now could accelerate his development while easing the load on an injury-hit squad.

Newcastle’s long-term vision under Howe has always been about building sustainably – blending elite signings with homegrown talent capable of stepping up when needed.

Leo Shahar might just be the next example of that philosophy in action.

Anderson 2.0: Newcastle have "next young English superstar" on their hands

Newcastle sold homegrown talent Elliot Anderson for PSR reasons – now he’s starring for England

By
Will Miller

Oct 10, 2025

Edwin Díaz is headed to Los Angeles to join the reigning champion Dodgers.

His decision in free agency reportedly came down to the Dodgers and Mets, the latter of whom were in on the 31-year-old until the very end, before he ultimately chose to join the super team in Hollywood.

According to MLB insider Joel Sherman of the NY Post, New York put forth an offer to Díaz worth $66 million over three years, which included deferred money. Despite being shy just $1 million per season, Díaz opted to take the Dodgers deal, which was a three-year, $69 million contract.

Mets fans had been hoping to bring Díaz back on a new contract, but despite the push from owner Steve Cohen, they were unsuccessful in winning the bidding war. Now, an already-loaded Dodgers team gets even stronger, putting a patch on what was its only weakness in 2025.

It’s not as if the Mets haven’t made a splash this offseason, however. They already fortified the bullpen by signing ex-Yankees and Brewers reliever Devin Williams to a three-year deal. The team was hoping to pair him with Díaz as the late-innings options, but that plan didn’t come to fruition.

Where New York goes from here remains to be seen, but they’d certainly like to further upgrade their bullpen even after missing out on Díaz.

In 2025, Díaz owned a 1.63 ERA across 62 appearances and racked up 28 saves and 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings.

The Red Sox will rue losing Game 2 of their wild card series Wednesday against the Yankees, 4–3, because for one night they failed the test of fundamentals. Here are the two crucial seventh-inning plays when the Red Sox let pass their opportunity to advance to the ALDS.

1. Ceddanne Rafaela fails to execute a sacrifice bunt

In a 3–3 tie, Boston had runners at first and second thanks to wildness from Yankees starter Carlos Rodon (who from the first pitch of the inning could not command the ball and kept looking at his hand as if compromised). Red Sox manager Alex Cora called for the right play: a sacrifice bunt. Boston could take the lead with two outs: a bunt and a fly ball.

Rafaela did have three bunts during the regular season. Each time he squared early and properly. This time he stabbed so poorly at the first pitch from Fernando Cruz, it made you think to take the bunt off, especially with the crashing corner infielders opening holes.

Cora kept the bunt on. Rafaela stabbed again. He popped it up to Cruz. Two attempts to bunt. Both poorly executed. Worse, both attempts were on pitches out of the zone. Chasing on bunts? Not good.

2. Nate Eaton hesitates at third base

Eaton stood on second base and Jarren Duran at first with two outs as Masataka Yoshida batted. The count went to 3-and-2.

The runner at second should remind himself not only that he is running on the pitch but also that he should be prepared to continue running on any ball hit in play—not just get to third base. The third base coach also has the responsibility to remind the runner to think two bases, not just one, with the head start. 

On Tuesday we saw Angel Martinez of Cleveland score from second base on an infield hit with two outs—running on contact and never stopping.
Yoshida hit a ground ball that second baseman Jazz Chisholm stopped with a dive. Chisholm bounced his throw to first. The play was close enough that first baseman Ben Rice tried to catch it on a short hop. It bounced off his glove and trickled away.

Eaton should have been well on his way to home. He wasn’t. He stopped around third to read the play. By the time he located the ball, he thought about restarting but it was too late. The moment was gone. The Red Sox would have no more chances. They failed Bunting 101 and Baserunning 101.

The usual routine is that it gets harder to bat in the second innings, but it’s a little different here

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Wellington19-Feb-2020Try as they might, India won’t forget their last Test match at the Basin Reserve. They bowled New Zealand out for 192 on the first day, then took a 246-run first-innings lead, then reduced New Zealand to 94 for 5 in their second innings.And then, well, they had to wait 123 overs to get their next wicket, as Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling put on 352 runs together.Almost every series since then has thrown up a comparable second-innings rearguard. On the same ground less than a year later, against Sri Lanka, Watling joined Kane Williamson in a similar situation, and they put on an even bigger partnership, an unbroken 365 that turned the match on its head. Then, in successive Tests, there were Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls in Christchurch, and Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis batting through an entire day’s play in, once again, Wellington. At the start and end of 2019, we saw, in Hamilton, a rollicking double-century stand in a losing cause, between Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar, and match-saving centuries from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor against England.Test cricket in New Zealand is like Test cricket in no other part of the world. Wickets tumble quickly in the first innings, but by the time the second innings rolls around, something happens to the pitches, and instead of deteriorating and becoming unpredictable in terms of pace and bounce, they simply get better to bat on.Since India’s last tour of the country at the end of the 2013-14 season, the average first-innings wicket in New Zealand has cost 34.79 runs – that’s solidly in the middle of the pack, when you line up first-innings averages across the nine countries that have hosted at least 10 Tests in this period.The average second-innings wicket in New Zealand, meanwhile, has cost 36.09 runs. That’s more than anywhere else on the planet, by a distance, with Australia coming in next at 29.56. New Zealand is the only country where it’s been harder to take wickets in the second innings than in the first.In India, for comparison, a first-innings wicket has fallen with every 36.88 runs added to the scoreboard, and a second-innings wicket with every 24.23 runs. That more or less fits in with the traditional expectations of how pitches are expected to behave. New Zealand? It’s just different in New Zealand.