DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – American Flat Track and Yamaha Motor Corp. have announced an official partnership for the remainder of the season.

This partnership comes just two weeks after a historic night for the Atlanta and Southern California-based industry leader.

Yamaha-backed Estenson Racing AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines competitor JD Beach triumphed at the Law Tigers Arizona Super TT presented by RideNow Powersports on April 27 – giving the brand its first AFT Twins win since 1981 and creating buzz around the powerful Yamaha MT-07 DT.

To boot, the Roof Systems AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneyspodium bolstered two Yamaha pilots: the No. 132 of Jesse Janisch and Estenson Racing’s lead AFT Singles rider Ryan Wells, who earned a solid third place finish.

Both competitors rode impressively aboard the lauded Yamaha YZ450F machine.

“Yamaha has occupied a special place in the history of American Flat Track ever since Kenny Robert’s successes in the 1970’s and the near-folklore status of the TZ750 he rode,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “We are very pleased to welcome Yamaha as an official partner during this period of rapid growth for the series and to coincide with the first win for the brand since the early 1980’s, in our flagship AFT Twins class.”

Fans will recognize Yamaha’s presence at all remaining rounds of the American Flat Track season with signature trackside branding.

“Yamaha’s history with flat track racing makes up a large part of the competitive heritage that exists within our company, and we’ve been working on the details for supporting American Flat Track since the Dixie round earlier this year,” said Steve Nessl, Marketing Manager of Yamaha Motorsports. “The timing of JD Beach’s win on the MT-07 in Arizona two weeks ago couldn’t have been better, and we are really excited to be on board as a sponsor of AFT racing action through the rest of the season.”

INDIANAPOLIS – DeliverEnd has joined Harding Steinbrenner Racing as an associate partner on Colton Herta’s No. 88 Honda for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500.

Indianapolis-based DeliverEnd provides on-demand transport services which cater to consumers buying and selling on consumer-to-consumer marketplaces and in private sales.

“I’m really happy to have DeliverEnd on the car for the 103nd Indianapolis 500 this month,” said team co-owner Mike Harding. “DeliverEnd offers a safe and secure mindset for consumers in the private marketplace which is very important on the race track as well. Looking forward to giving them a good result next weekend.”

DeliverEnd will launch their application to the public on race day, May 26. The application can be found on the iPhone App store and Google Play Store.

“We are ecstatic to announce our partnership with Harding Steinbrenner Racing and look forward to seeing DeliverEnd’s logo on car No. 88 this month” said DeliverEnd founder Nick Turner. “This is our first time being a part of the annual race festivities and we could not ask for a better team to represent and partner with.”

“We are excited to have DeliverEnd join us for the Indianapolis 500.” added team co-owner George Michael Steinbrenner IV. “They provide a unique service that protects individuals who are looking to make consumer-to-consumer transactions, and they will bring that service to the track and our team this weekend.”

Last year, Herta completed a May sweep in Indy Lights competition, winning two races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and then also winning the Freedom 100 on the 2.5-mile oval as well.

This year, Herta hopes to win the Greatest Spectacle in Racing as a rookie, like Alexander Rossi did three years ago during the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.

“I’m very happy that DeliverEnd on board the No. 88 GESS Capstone Honda,” said Herta. “They’re in for a treat this month as this is the most exciting time of year and I’m excited to bring them a good result.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Hulman & Company, owners of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, announced Wednesday the sale of Clabber Girl Corp. to B&G Foods of Parsippany, N.J.

The sale’s important to motorsports? Clabber Girl created the Hulman Family fortune in the late 1800s until today that made it one of the wealthiest families in Indiana.

Clabber Girl allowed Tony Hulman to purchase the dilapidated and shuttered Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Eddie Rickenbacker in November 1945. Hulman went on to build the Indianapolis 500 into the world’s largest single-day sporting event, beginning in 1946.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909 and began hosting the Indianapolis 500 beginning in 1911. With the exception of skipping a year during World War I, it ran every Memorial Day until World War II shut down the facility from 1942-45.

“The Hulman-George family takes great pride in the Clabber Girl brand’s success, history and critical role in the development and rich cultural fabric of Terre Haute,” said Anton Hulman “Tony” George, Hulman & Company’s Chairman of the Board. “Clabber Girl will always be a cherished and celebrated part of our legacy, and we’re excited we’ve found a strong steward for its very bright future.”

B&G Foods Inc. is a leading manufacturer, seller and distributor of shelf-stable and frozen foods across North America.

“Our core focus is the pursuit of world-class motorsports competition and entertainment,” Hulman & Company President & CEO Mark Miles said. “This decision positions us to fully focus on the continued direction and growth of INDYCAR, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions. It also provides Clabber Girl with a well-prepared owner ready to use its vast expertise and considerable resources to accelerate the growth of the newest member of its impressive portfolio.”

Like Clabber Girl, B&G Foods has spent more than a century in the food business. The company maintains more than 50 brands and 2,500 employees across North America.

That lineup includes Ortega, Green Giant, Cream of Wheat, Mrs. Dash, and Back to Nature.

“We are excited to join the B&G Foods family as we add our iconic Clabber Girl brand to its impressive portfolio of brands that consumers both recognize and trust,” Clabber Girl President and COO Gary Morris said. “Clabber Girl will benefit from the knowledge and reach B&G Foods will provide as a seasoned food manufacturer and distributor. Together, we will continue to grow this historic business.”

Guggenheim Securities LLC acted as Hulman & Company’s financial advisor for the transaction.

Charles Glenn feels it in his joints as he walks through the concrete concourses of Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The staircases make his hips ache in ways they hadn't until a few years ago. But when he steps out in front of upward of 18,000 fans at St. Louis Blues home games, those agonies fade to the shadows, displaced by the task at hand.

"You're the person who sets the energy. You're setting the mood and the atmosphere for what's about to happen," said Glenn, 64, who has been singing the national anthems at Blues games for 19 years.

His rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is soulful. It has moments when Glenn hits a note with such bluster that it threatens to blow the doors off their hinges. When he reaches the word "free" near the end, he stretches it out as the fans roar, giving the song the zenith it demands before the home crowd adds its own twist.

"The players get excited, the fans get excited," Glenn said. "And know you've done your job if you can feel that energy, hear that 'home of the BLUUUUUUUUES' at the end."

When the energy subsides, Glenn feels those aches again. It has been seven years, going on eight, since Glenn was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system by disrupting the connection between the brain and the rest of the body.

"When you do a sporting event, in an arena or a stadium, there's a lot of walking, and a lot of walking on concrete," he said. "Every year it got a little more difficult for me. So this year, I decided there were other things I wanted to do."

Glenn decided back in January that this would be his final season singing the anthems for the Blues. At the time, St. Louis was a last-place team. He figured he'd sing through their regular-season finale, and that would be that.

Then the Blues won 11 games in a row in February. They found a rookie goalie in Jordan Binnington, who helped save their season. They went from worst in the conference to a playoff spot to postseason series wins over the Winnipeg Jets in six games and the Dallas Stars in seven games.

"And here we are in the [Western Conference] finals, against San Jose. I didn't see this coming at all," Glenn said.

The longer the Blues play on in the postseason, the longer Charles Glenn gets to sing the anthem.

Glenn isn't sure if this run by the Blues, and the impending end of his run as the anthem singer, are somehow cosmically related. Or at least he's not willing to admit he's thought as much. "I don't know. They've been playing awfully hard lately. They skate by me and give me a wink, and I'm like 'OK, OK ... I'll take that,'" he said, laughing.

The unpredictability of life is something Glenn has come to appreciate through the years, from the way he fell into this anthem gig ... to getting body-slammed by a man named Meat Loaf.

Around 1984, Glenn was singing with his band in St. Louis when another band walked into the club and heard them. It was the backing band for Meat Loaf, the mountainous singer behind the momentous album "Bat Out Of Hell," which has sold more than 43 million copies since its release in 1977. They heard Glenn, and asked if he'd like to open for them the following night.

"But they said, 'We're not going to tell him, but you're going to walk on stage during a song. And then you're going to sing with him. If he likes you -- well, he's going to love you. But if he hates you, well, he's going to pick you up and body-slam you. Right on stage.'"

Glenn agreed to the terms, fully aware of the size disparity between himself ("That was 100 pounds ago," joked Glenn) and a former football player known as Meat Loaf. So as the band did a cover of "Brown Sugar" by the Rolling Stones, Glenn came out to sing a verse before Meat -- his friends call him "Meat" -- challenged him to a sing-off.

"He hit a note, and then he asked me to hit a higher note. And let me tell you that he's a phenomenal singer. So he hits a really, really high note, and the crowd goes crazy. And then I hit a note that's higher than that, and the crowd goes even more nuts," Glenn said.

Meat Loaf's reaction?

"He picked me up and body-slammed me," he recalled, laughing heartily. "Then, as I'm walking off the stage, he grabs me by the arm and says, 'C'mon, you're finishing this night up.' And after the show, we sat backstage just talking. He was such a sweet man. But yeah, I got body-slammed."

It wouldn't be the only time someone attending his club gigs would present him with an exceptional opportunity.

Jill Hahn, a season-ticket manager for the Blues, would see Glenn's band at a local jazz club. One day she called him to let him know that the team was holding auditions for a new anthem singer, but that they were invitation-only. So her advice was to head to the arena and just say he was there for auditions, because why else would someone be there were they not invited, right?

Glenn walked up to the arena at around 4 p.m., and that's exactly how he got into the audition. "We all sat right behind the penalty box. There were about 35 of us. And they start by asking how many of us knew the Canadian national anthem. About 12 of us raised our hands. And they told everyone else to leave," said Glenn, who learned "O Canada" for a gig at an insurance convention in Quebec City.

Glenn was the eighth singer to audition that day, and was convinced he wasn't getting the gig. His mic cut out five words into "The Star-Spangled Banner," though he kept on performing. When the mic was repaired, he asked if he should sing the Canadian anthem, and they told him he was done.

Glenn soon found out it wasn't that he was that bad, but rather that he was that good. He received a call from the Blues two days later asking him to perform at their home opener.

He would go on to perform the anthems for 19 years.

But in 2011, he noticed something was amiss. Glenn was walking inside the arena when he took a nasty fall down a flight of stairs. "I'm clumsy. I know I'm clumsy. But it was unlike me to fall down the steps like that. And I had prior instances of falling. Just losing my balance and falling," he recalled.

Taking the advice of many concerned people in his life, Glenn went to his doctor, who did some physical tests and suggested that he see a specialist, who did a CAT scan, an MRI and a spinal tap.

"After those tests, the doctor called me and asked me to come in," said Glenn, whose concern levels spiked when the specialist added, "and bring your wife with you."

The doctor found six lesions in his head, and told Glenn that medication could slow the progress of their growth. He used the words "multiple sclerosis" for the first time, and left the Glenns alone to discuss the diagnosis.

"What are we going to do?" Charles asked his wife Nikki.

"We're going to keep going. You don't know anything about it. I don't know anything about it. But we're going to fight this together," she replied.

Glenn worked through the symptoms for the next several years, but decided that this season needed to be his last after talking it over with Nikki and his daughter Elizabeth, 32, who was formerly a member of the team's Blue Crew.

"I had given the Blues 19 years. I thought now was the time to throw in the towel. Not give up, but that part of my life has to stop," Glenn said.

So he told the Blues he was done, thinking it was obvious that the state of his health necessitated a change. "And they told me, 'We don't want you to go,'" he recalled.

"But I told them that I have to."

Brad Lee is a St. Louis Blues fan who has published "Game Time," an independent game program, for 24 years. He has seen his share of good times and much more lean times during that span.

"When the team was near the bottom of the standings from 2005 to 2008, hearing Charles was one of the highlights of the game because he always brings emotion to it," he said. "He is a celebrity of his own right, and we make it a point to be in our seats before the anthem, because it's a part of the game experience that simply can't be missed."

At the team's regular-season finale, Lee noticed what many noticed about Glenn's performance: That his silken vocals were overpowered by raw emotion.

"He got a huge ovation before the last regular-season home game. Blues fans knew the team and he would be in the playoffs, but I think fans wanted to say thanks and show him support. And if you listen to the video, his voice breaks on the first line, but he's professional. He got through it, strong as ever, and then said, 'I love you St. Louis' at the end," Lee said. "We love him, too."

These outpourings are everywhere, Glenn said. Wherever he goes, there's inevitably a Blues fan wishing him well. "Everybody has been giving me love. They say they're praying for me, giving me hugs," he said.

That includes the Blues themselves.

Forward David Perron, who has played on and off for the Blues since 2007, would run into Glenn in the bowels of the arena when rehabbing from an injury. He'd say hi, give him a pat on the back for encouragement.

After the Blues won Game 7 of their conference semifinals series at home against the Stars, Perron realized that their loss would have meant Glenn's final performance. And that got him thinking about all the members of the organization, on and off the ice, that have given their all to the team.

"Obviously in St. Louis, we haven't won a championship yet," Perron said. "We don't always realize how many people invest their life into an organization and don't always get rewarded."

Ask Charles Glenn how he feels about the team, and he's quick to declare "I bleed Blue." He always will, whether or not he's singing before their games. But the more they win, the more he sings, until he doesn't anymore. Then he'll focus on his health, his family and Voices For The Cure, an event for emerging singers that Glenn has held locally and intends to take on the road, with proceeds benefiting the fight against MS.

But he also has one more responsibility when the singing stops: Helping to find his successor for the Blues.

"And I'm going to be a tough judge," said Glenn, laughing. "I'll pick 'em up and body-slam 'em."

The Boston Bruins are on a six-game winning streak, and after a 2-1 victory on Tuesday, they are just one win away from a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. The Carolina Hurricanes? They'll need to conjure up something special to keep their Cinderella story going.

Here's a recap of last night's action (check out replays of every playoff game on ESPN+) and what to watch for tonight, in today's edition of ESPN Stanley Cup Playoffs Daily:

Jump ahead: Last night's game | Three stars
Play of the night | Today's game | Social post of the day

About last night ...

Game 3: Boston Bruins 2, Carolina Hurricanes 1 (Bruins lead the series 3-0)

Carolina was hoping to recapture some energy at home, and the first period could not have gone better from a strategy standpoint. The Canes had a 33-9 edge in shot attempts. According to Natural Stat Trick, that made their expected goals rate 2.49. But they just couldn't get one past Tuukka Rask. Boston's goalie came up with save after beautiful save. If this game doesn't win over all Rask skeptics in Boston, nothing will.

Goals by Chris Wagner and Brad Marchand turned out to be all the offense the Bruins needed. Carolina is now in desperation mode and can't rely on its power play, which is 1-for-12 this series (8.3 percent) and 5-for-50 this postseason (10.0 percent). Coach Rod Brind'Amour summed up the Canes' night: "That sucked. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Felt like you got kicked in the you know where. Stings for a while. But you show up tomorrow."

Three stars

1. Tuukka Rask, G, Boston Bruins. Rask was clearly the difference in Game 3, which continues a trend this month. According to Natural Stat Trick, he has saved 29 of 30 high-danger chances at even strength in May, good for a .967 save percentage on those shots. (He's at .944 overall at even strength this month.)

2. Chris Wagner, RW, Boston Bruins. After the Bruins emerged unscathed from Carolina's dominant first period, Wagner opened the scoring after a seeing-eye pass from Joakim Nordstrom:

.@chriswags23 opens the Game 3 scoring! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/M4prxu8s4Z

- NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) May 15, 2019

3. Calvin de Haan, D, Carolina Hurricanes. There have been a lot of firsts this postseason for the Canes, and de Haan's second-period goal was his first career playoff tally in 27 contests.

Play of the night

To be honest, there are about 10 different Rask plays we could have highlighted here.

Tuukka Rask is good pic.twitter.com/1seB7zkyf4

- Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 15, 2019

Dud of the night

Justin Williams engaged in a running battle with Torey Krug, took three penalties in the first period and sneaked some punches to David Backes' head in a scrum. Not the best look for the captain. (Remember, after being baited into a penalty by Brad Marchand in Game 2, Williams said he was old enough and ought to know better.)

For the record, Williams said he didn't think his emotions got the best of him on Tuesday night, quashing that question with a simple: "Nope." Brind'Amour defended his captain, though he couldn't defend the high hit on Krug that earned one of the two-minute minors.

"Willy got a little high on a hit," Brind'Amour said. "That's not characteristic. The other ones are just battling."

On the schedule

San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues, Game 3, 8 p.m. ET (series is tied 1-1)

With Nathan MacKinnon eliminated, this is an unimpeachable fact: Logan Couture is the most dominant forward remaining in the playoffs. He now has 13 goals -- four more than any other player -- and 19 points in 16 games. This could be the postseason that finally elevates his profile, to be mentioned with the elite forwards in the game.

Another takeaway from Game 2? No matter how dominant the Sharks' offense has been this postseason, it's way too early to discount Jordan Binnington. He has been especially impressive following losses. St. Louis made some defensive switches, which gave them a boost. Not helping their cause? Special teams. The Blues were 0-for-5 on the power play (and 7-for-47 in the postseason) and gave up a short-handed goal to Couture. It was the third shortie St. Louis has allowed these playoffs, most of any team.

Social post of the day

#FlowBrothers pic.twitter.com/veSxS1hJCX

- Stormy (@NHLStormy) May 14, 2019

We'll just leave this here.

Quotable

"Thanks for coming, Chuck."

Both Tuukka Rask and Charlie McAvoy were asked to go to the podium after the Bruins' win. The media had a lot of interest in Rask. Not so much for McAvoy, who was asked exactly zero questions.

.@tuukkarask was a popular man at the postgame podium.#ThanksForComingChuck pic.twitter.com/u0eTiybPcr

- Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 15, 2019

With another Premier League season having come to an end, it is time for the end of term reports cards. Was your team delightful or dismal? Fantastic or frustrating?

Here is how this TV commentator graded all 20 Premier League clubs from "A" (superb) to "F" (awful) in terms of how they measured up against preseason expectations.

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Arsenal: B+ (if they win the Europa League), C+ (if they lose)

The jury is still out. Winning a first European trophy in 25 years in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 29 against Chelsea would fire the Gunners back into the Champions League next season and make Unai Emery's first campaign into a highly satisfactory one. But if they lose that final, the mood will be far more subdued with the club missing its top-four target and facing another year of Thursday night football. Either way, Emery needs to improve a suspect defence and terrible away record.

Bournemouth: B

Sixth in October, it looked as if Eddie Howe might take his Cherries into Europe. But despite the excellence of young David Brooks, Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson, a leaky defence and a run of nine successive away defeats saw them fade in to the bottom half. Never in a moment's relegation trouble and usually worth watching.

Brighton & Hove Albion: D

Sacking the likeable Chris Hughton is like shooting Bambi. He took them to the Premier League and kept them there, despite this season's close shave late with relegation. The club clearly want more adventurous football. We will see how this firing turns out next May.

Burnley: B-

Burnley's July start trying to qualify for the Europa League threatened to derail the entire campaign, and relegation looked a real threat at Christmas. It was a measure of Sean Dyche's management skills that he engineered a defiant revival, barely changing his team of mostly British foot soldiers.

Cardiff City: C+

Everyone's tip for relegation, Neil Warnock's team fought tenaciously but -- with only minimal investment after promotion -- lacked the quality required. We will never know if the signing of Emiliano Sala, who died tragically in a plane crash before ever playing for the Bluebirds, would have provided the goals to keep them up. The club handled the tragedy with the utmost class and dignity.

Chelsea: B

Manager Maurizio Sarri got a rough ride from the club's supporters, despite leading the club back into the Champions League and into two other finals. It seems "Sarriball" is not their favourite game, but he can argue back it is "mission accomplished." It looks like Eden Hazard is leaving, and with a transfer ban looming, there are tricky times ahead.

Crystal Palace: B+

Roy Hodgson's team of counter-attackers were happiest away from home, even winning 3-2 at Manchester City helped by a goal of the season nominee from Andros Townsend. But this could be the summer where they decide to finally cash in on the tricky and in-demand Wilfried Zaha. Comfortably mid-table, so the the Eagles campaign has to be considered a success.

Everton: B

Finished with a flourish and not far away from a European spot. Marco Silva, after a tricky start, seems to be providing the sexier football that the Goodison fans quench. Can they gatecrash the top six next season with some clever investment? Significant progress stylistically.

Fulham: F

Were expected to grace the Premier League after passing their way to promotion with a refreshing and free-flowing style. But they bought badly and changed a winning team too much, leaking goals with reckless abandon and going through three managers. Relegated.

Huddersfield Town: F-

Not the worst team ever seen in the Premier League (that was Derby County in 2007-08 with 11 points), but not far off it. They were nowhere near good enough, despite their excellent fans and community work.

Leicester City: B

Sacked Claude Puel and became much easier on the eye under Brendan Rodgers, who has seemingly rejuvenated striker Jamie Vardy. They currently have a team capable of making a top-six challenge next season, but can they hold on to Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell, and Wilfred Ndidi? Bear in mind they had to cope with the tragedy and trauma of helicopter crash at the ground which tragically claimed the life of Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Liverpool: A

Winning the Champions League would ease the pain, but the wait for that elusive Premier League title goes on. Jurgen Klopp added steel to silk with spectacular results this season, and the recent comeback against Barcelona probably goes down as the greatest night at Anfield to date.

Manchester City: A

The first team in a decade to retain the title, amassing 198 points in the past two seasons under Pep Guardiola. Smooth, lethal, hungry and relentless, they are on the verge of an unprecedented domestic treble -- although the Champions League remains elusive.

Manchester United: F-

A calamitous season which ended with no trophy, no Champions League place and with major surgery needed on a squad of players who need to take a long look in the mirror. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sparked a midseason revival after the surly reign of Jose Mourinho ended, but soon enough he, too, was doubting the mentality and quality of the players at his disposal. United are miles off the team their legions of fans crave.

Newcastle: B+

Kept out of trouble by the clever coaching of Rafa Benitez, and the vibes seem to indicate he will be staying. But that will surely only happen with the investment the fans crave to get the Toon back to where they were in the days of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson. A good start would be splashing the cash to secure Player of the Season Salomon Rondon. Probably overachieved considering what they have, but can they take a step forward next season?

Southampton: C

An inspired decision to appoint Austrian Ralph Hasenhuttl saved a season which was heading for the rocks. Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse in particular, looked different players, and Shane Long at last found his scoring touch. Previously poor.

Tottenham: B+

Finished in the top four despite losing their way and falling to 13 league defeats. None of that matters though, as Spurs defied the odds to dramatically reach their first Champions League final while also doing enough in the league to secure a place in the competition again next season. That achievement masks a need for investment if Spurs are to contest the title.

Watford: A-

Tough and talented, this was their best season since finishing runners-up under Graham Taylor in the 1983. It could get better in the FA Cup final next Saturday, where victory for Javi Gracia's team against Manchester City would take them into Europe.

West Ham: C-

Maddeningly erratic as a club in Manuel Pellegrini's first season; Felipe Anderson was classy, Declan Rice a revelation and Marko Arnautovic a pain. Unsung keeper Lukasz Fabianski was one of the signings of the season, but it was a disappointing campaign considering they are capable of better.

Wolves: A

One of the best promoted teams ever, playing sweet football and often shocking even the top six teams. A well-deserved seventh place will mean European football for this famous old club if Manchester City win the FA Cup. There were several stars, but Raul Jimenez's goals were crucial

Antoine Griezmann will have plenty of suitors now he's announced his departure from Atletico Madrid this summer: Manchester United tried hard to sign him in 2017 but need him now more than ever, while he would amplify the trophy chances of PSG, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid without any question.

Even if you are cynical about a guy who drew out the "is he or isn't he?" saga for an eternity a year ago before using the daft "The Decision" video to announce that he wasn't going anywhere, you have to understand why there will be a queue of the world's leading clubs now the French World Cup winner is on the market.

However, it would be a big surprise if his final destination was not Barcelona.

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While Bayern need a short-term strike partner and long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, and United's misplaced faith in Alexis Sanchez has them looking for new blood, it's tough to understand why they would be Griezmann's first choice. Ditto Juve who, despite their dominance of Serie A, don't look equipped to win the Champions League and may be about to enter a summer of upheaval whether coach Massimiliano Allegri departs or stays.

The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter and PSG could undoubtedly present their need for the brilliant, hard working, ambitious Frenchman who, until he announced his exit, was loved at Atleti. But Barcelona offer a special package.

If the Catalans are willing to deposit his €130m buyout clause on July 1 and persuade Griezmann to reject other offers, then Messi is jewel in the crown.

To play next to arguably the greatest footballer of all-time, to learn from him, to benefit from his largesse and to accompany him onto the podium to lift trophy after trophy -- well that's a legitimate dream for any elite footballer, not just a guy like Griezmann.

Luis Suarez has been Messi's best-ever strike partner for a number of reasons. His hunger, total commitment to winning relentlessly, additional goal power, and centre forward play which complements the Argentinian's need to flit around the spaces which emerge when a No. 9 is on the ball.

Suarez is a hugely intuitive, genuine and generous "amigo" for Messi to play with, but at 32 he's not getting any younger and his record of failing to score away from home in the Champions League for three-and-a-half years isn't just atrocious it's an indication that things will never get better again on that front.

I'd say it's a good bet that Suarez is off to David Beckham's Inter Miami FC project in a year at the latest. He's not going to be offered a new contract and the supreme domestic form we've witnessed this season does not suggest that there's not room for someone to challenge, and eventually replace, him.

Indeed, the way in which Griezmann happily feeds Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata, or even his French international team partners, indicates that there's a potential dovetail with Messi. Others have tried and succeeded, or failed, to relative degrees -- but the evidence is that a Messi-Griezmann axis is, hypothetically, perfect.

But for his "Decision" they could have been playing together this season already. Last summer it was only a massive wave of emotion and loyalty to his then-home, Atleti, the Metroplitano, his great friend Diego Godin, and to Diego Simeone, that made him turn down what looked like a shoo-in move to Camp Nou.

Barcelona had been whispering sweet nothings in the ear of Griezmann's representative, his sister, and it wasn't until Atleti surged to their Europa League victory, until Godin cautioned him to be patient rather than rash, and until the rabidly enthusiastic Atleti fans gave him a taste of their potential ire if he should move, did the striker abandon his plans to move north.

But the nectar of Barcelona's entreaties stayed with him. Atleti may have finished second in La Liga this season but their humiliation in Turin against Juve, being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by (now) relegated Girona and the clear evidence that Los Colchoneros are either in decline or a period of huge renovation -- or both -- were chastening facts for the ambitious Frenchman to chew on.

The fact that Godin is leaving this summer, for Serie A and Inter Milan, isn't a coincidence. He was Griezmann's mentor and his impending absence removed an anchor, something to tie the principal striker to a club where, frankly, it's just as feasible to suggest that they go a couple of trophyless seasons as it is that Simeone and Mono Burgos put things right with a big summer in the transfer market and a twist of their coaching magic from July onwards.

Having tasted World Cup glory last summer, having won the Europa League and having watched Barcelona do their "close but no cigar" act in the Champions League again, I'd imagine that if Griezmann is not yet fully committed to the Blaugrana then (a) he should be soon and (b) if they miss him again then heads will roll in the Camp Nou offices.

Barcelona have jumped through hoops for a player before, of course. In summer 2006 they'd spent the best part of a year convincing Thierry Henry, Arsenal and the French World Cup winner's agents that he should move to Camp Nou. But the way in which his then-team, Arsenal, lost the 2006 Champions League final to Barca meant that Henry, in his fury, ripped up the tentative deal.

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A year later, he changed his mind. Henry arrived from the Premier League, took a season to acclimatise and, with the arrival of Pep Guardiola as first team coach, played a massive role in Barcelona winning their first Treble -- culminating in a Champions League final victory in Rome against Manchester United.

Henry was 29 when he made the move, Griezmann is 28 now and it must be a huge part of Barcelona's calculations that the Frenchman isn't just the right age, has the right mentality and the right talents -- he's a guy who's hungry for bigger prizes and plays in a way which might fit with Messi. They would certainly forgive the embarassment of last summer if the Champions League was returned to Camp Nou once again next season.

As for Atleti -- it's adios, I think, not "see you later." The club's fans don't take it well where heroes leave in any other fashion than Godin just did -- retired after honourable duty, moving to another country and walking out the exit door with the feeling that there's nowhere more special to them than the Majadahonda training ground or the Metropolitano stadium.

Griezmann ending up at Barca would only be trumped if he crossed the city, as Hugo Sanchez once did, and signed for Real Madrid. But I don't believe he would do that. Real may be on the long list of suitors, but a move to Barcelona seems like a match made in heaven.

Over the last three ICC tournaments, no one has scored more runs than Shikhar Dhawan's 1113 in 18 innings. Two of those tournaments, the Champions Trophy 2013 and 2017, took place in the UK, where the upcoming World Cup will also be held. With the form and confidence from one of his best IPL seasons to date, the opening batsman is confident about repeating his success in the country.

"People tell me about my record in ICC events, but frankly speaking, the intent has always been the same. It's not that the effort is less than 100% ever," Dhawan told Press Trust of India. "The focus as always is on the process. I am confident that I will have another good ICC tournament."

Dhawan, also the quickest to 1000 runs ICC ODI tournament history, is part of arguably the most dominant ODI opening pair in recent years, with Rohit Sharma, a partnership of a stature similar to what he used to share with David Warner at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Ahead of the 2019 season, though, Dhawan was traded to Delhi Capitals where, as a senior player, he was expected to play more of a lead role than a complementary one. Like most challenges he's had in limited-overs cricket, Dhawan came through, finishing fourth on the run-scorers' list.

The presence of Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly in the Capitals' leadership as he navigated this new, more aggressive, role helped. "Both Ricky and Dada were successful international captains because they had the ability to create champions. Obviously their experience helps." Dhawan said. "They told me that there is no problem with my technique.

"Mera jazbaa aaj bhi utni hi hai [My passion is still the same as it was when I started]. I have shut out negativity, primarily because I am a happy-go-lucky person.

"Before I made my Test debut, I had played nearly nine years of first-class cricket. Had I not been passionate and hungry, I couldn't have performed for India after nine years of domestic cricket. Now I have played six years of international cricket. It has been a great journey."

Innings Ireland 292 for 8 (Stirling 130, Porterfield 94, Jayed 5-58) v Bangladesh

Paul Stirling's eighth ODI century helped Ireland to 292 for 8 in 50 overs, a stern test for an experimental Bangladesh line-up. Stirling made 130 off 141 balls as he played the role of the enforcer through the first Powerplay, controlled the scoring in the middle overs and then again went after the bowling at the death. The only man to resist Ireland was Abu Jayed, who took 5 for 58 in his second ODI.

Stirling, who was Jayed's fourth wicket in the 47th over, was helped on the way by captain William Porterfield, whose 94 was his first half-century since March 2018. They added 174 in a record third-wicket stand for Ireland. It was a pivotal stand that took the home side to the above-average total.

Bangladesh also contributed to Ireland's big score by dropping Stirling twice off successive balls at the start of the third-wicket stand. They had also picked Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain and Rubel Hossain to have a final look at their form and fitness before the World Cup, although Jayed stood out; he is the first Bangladesh pace bowler to take a five-for in ODIs since November 2015.

It was, however, Rubel who gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough, when he forced James McCollum to be caught at slip one ball after Stirling had slammed him for a huge six over long-on, in the fourth over.

Andrew Balbirnie struck four boundaries early in his innings, taking off from where he had finished during his 135 against West Indies in the previous game, but just when he had unfurled a beautiful shot off Abu Jayed, the seamer had him strangled down the leg side, Mushfiqur completing the grab. But replays were not conclusive, and Balbirnie looked distraught.

But Stirling, who had struck two fours and two sixes till that point, didn't let Bangladesh settle down as he reached a second consecutive fifty. Soon afterwards, he was dropped twice in consecutive balls too, on 57 and 58, when Sabbir Rahman, racing in from long-off, couldn't hold on to an inside-out drive. Next ball, Mohammad Saifuddin dropped a sitter at point off Shakib.

Porterfield, going through his own demons, then took a liking to Shakib, as he struck him for a boundary in each of his next four overs. But it wasn't until Stirling reached his century, in the 42nd over, did they go after Bangladesh's bowling.

Porterfield cracked Mashrafe for two big sixes over midwicket, and a four through cover, in the 43rd over, before slapping Jayed straight down sweeper cover's throat in the 45th over, six short of his century. Jayed had removed Kevin O'Brien earlier in the over, before getting Gary Wilson's wicket to complete his five-wicket haul.

Saifuddin, having recovered from a slight back injury, took two wickets in the last over as Ireland couldn't quite reach the 300-run mark, which would have given them a psychological boost. But the 98 runs the hosts picked up in the last ten overs would keep the momentum with them.

Legspinner Shadab Khan was left tense and frustrated after learning that he was suffering from hepatitis, two days after being picked for the Pakistan squads for the tour of England and the World Cup.

A blood test had revealed Shadab was suffering from hepatitis, and was subsequently replaced by Yasir Shah in the squad for the England series, while the PCB arranged an appointment with a London-based gastroenterology and hepatology specialist. While Shadab recovered from the viral infection over the last month, his health was still a concern, with his chances of playing the World Cup at risk. But now he has been declared fit and is set to join the squad after the England series.

"When you suddenly get to know that you have a viral [infection] in your blood, naturally I got frustrated but my team-mates and friends have been very supportive," Shadab said. "I have a strong belief that whatever happens, happens for a reason and for good. I was tensed up on the first day but then I told my friends that whatever happened was in the past. If anything good is to happen, it will happen. So I asked them to avoid talking to me about it."

Shadab was given a two-week course of medication and was prescribed complete rest. He was declared fit after undergoing another round of blood tests in Lahore earlier this week and is set to leave for England soon.

"I was always hopeful because the viral infection was found at its initial stage," Shadab said. "With two weeks of medication, it's out of my blood. Now I am heading to the World Cup. We [Pakistan] have been going there [to England] regularly over the last three years so it isn't really difficult to acclimatise. All I have to do is to get in my rhythm otherwise I am mentally prepared for the challenge."

Shadab has been Pakistan's key strike bowler in the middle overs for the last two years, and his return is a boost for the side. His replacement, Yasir, hasn't made an impact as Pakistan have struggled with their bowling in the ongoing ODI series against England. Yasir's ODI form has been a far cry from the quality that has marked him out as an elite Test bowler, and he was left out of the third ODI against England on Tuesday after conceding 60 runs in seven overs during the second ODI in Southampton last week.

Pakistan have taken only seven England wickets in the last two ODIs, after the first match was washed out. The hosts scored 373 in the second ODI and on Tuesday, chased down 359 with 31 balls and six wickets to spare. Shadab who has a knack of picking wickets in the middle overs, believes the Pakistan bowlers are not in rhythm.

"Nowadays you have to take wickets because cricket has become very fast and even 350 isn't a par score," Shadab said, reflecting on Pakistan's performance in England so far. "Yes we have been struggling with the ball in the middle overs, but the way the batting is performing is a good sign. No doubt we lost the games but we put up a good fight and played competitive cricket, which gives a lot of boost to the team. Pakistan, anyway, still have the ability to win the remaining games.

"I have already played in a competitive tournament, in the 2017 Champions Trophy, which we won. Victory indeed has its own taste. Even though we lost a few games, I know how to adapt in a big tournament. Our team has 100% skills to do well in the World Cup. Yes, they are struggling but so are the other teams in many ways. They are playing good cricket overall. Yes, the bowlers are not doing well, they are actually not in the rhythm required but once they start clicking, we will start winning the games. Overall, when you are missing four key players [Shadab, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik] it becomes increasingly tough. But there is a difference between pressure for a series and the World Cup, so I am optimistic about our chances there and we will try to win the World Cup."