All posts by h716a5.icu

Everton are now reportedly keeping close tabs on a Premier League gem who’s been compared to Aston Villa’s Jadon Sancho.

Everton ready to pounce in Zirkzee race

Everton’s January transfer window may well centre around Premier League talent. The Toffees already enjoyed great success in the summer when they welcomed out-of-favour stars Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Now, The Friedkin Group could look to repeat that act of genius.

Despite the fact that Thierno Barry finally scored his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest last time out, it seems as though those in Merseyside still intend to target an attacking reinforcement.

Reports have even gone as far as to claim that they’re ready to pounce in the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United in January. The forward has fallen down the pecking order since the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but could have his season saved by the Toffees.

Zirkzee may have struggled at Old Trafford, but Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall are living proof that a move to Merseyside can quickly revive a career.

Patrick Boyland heaps praise on "brilliant" Everton star who gave Barry first goal

The Toffees made it back-to-back wins.

ByTom Cunningham 6 days ago

Even if Barry now kicks on, David Moyes could do with that extra attacking addition, given that Beto is yet to show signs that he’ll become a viable goalscoring option for Everton.

That’s not to say Zirkzee is their only target, however. Alongside the Man United forward, the Toffees have also reportedly set their sights on signing Chelsea’s young, versatile winger, Tyrique George.

Like Zirkzee, the youngster has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and is now looking to leave Chelsea when the winter window swings open in less than a month.

Everton keeping close tabs on Tyrique George

According to TeamTalk, Everton are now eyeing a move to sign George and have joined Leeds United in the early race to secure the 19-year-old’s signature.

Compared to Sancho by Italian media, George wouldn’t be the first struggling Chelsea star to find life at Everton. His former teammate, Dewsbury-Hall has undeniably thrived since arriving in Merseyside.

Ultimately, fresh faces have forced George down the pecking order in West London, but Enzo Maresca was certainly impressed by the teenager last season.

The Chelsea boss told reporters after George’s display against Man United in May: “Very good. Very good. Brave. He was a threat in behind. Not easy for him because on the other side you have Maguire, you have Lindelof, you have Shaw.

“He was fighting against important defenders. But again, we tried to find a solution with a player from the academy. Overall I think also he had the penalty moment, so he works quite good.”

Whether it’s Everton or Leeds, both would benefit from George’s arrival in the January transfer window and the striker himself desperately needs senior minutes if he is to kick on.

A long-time team-mate remembers growing up and playing with the offspin legend – who gave little indication he would be one

Abhinav Mukund20-Dec-2024I first met Ashwin when I was six and he nine, rocking up on his dad’s Hero Honda CD100. He was big for his age. We were under the tutelage of CS Umapathy, who was a disciplined man. When 6am practice started, for batters it would be all about one thing – judging length. Half-volley: drive. Good length: defence. Short: back foot. It was as monotonous as the wax-on-wax-off drill, but it was our morning routine every day.I didn’t pay much heed to Ash then. We were all just regular kids playing cricket because we loved it. The next time I saw him was at an Under-12 tournament in his school. He was injured and was, in fact, the scorer when I made my first-ever hundred in school cricket. It is a vivid memory because I celebrated once on 90-odd and then I heard applause about ten or so runs later. It was then I realised the scorer had messed up the numbers. My team-mates were relieved I’d completed my hundred and did not throw it away after the first celebration.Ashwin went to a school that was known to produce academically accomplished students. I thought at the time that he was done playing the sport because of his injury and was now focusing on his studies. Little did I know! Mostly I remember thinking, “Couldn’t he have scored properly?”Related

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We were in the same school in 2004-05. He was in Grade 11 and I in Grade 8. He was a much bigger boy then, who was just coming back from a serious injury. We opened the batting together. He was taller than most boys in that age group and was a very good player of short-pitched bowling, and the matting wickets helped his play. His cuts and pulls were so good. I thought to myself that maybe it was his dad’s fondness for Gundappa Viswanath showing up. Chennai dads have for long been united in their professed love for Vishy. “Play the cut like him!” Ashwin’s and my dad’s generation was no different. Still, I didn’t think Ashwin would go on to be a professional cricketer, because there was nothing extraordinary about his game.Back then he would hardly bowl due to his injury, just some part-time offspin, and we already had two good offspinners playing for our team.But we had a problem. St Bede’s, our school, was close to the beach, and it was extremely windy in the afternoon. The faster bowlers would struggle to control the swing in the first 15 overs and we would just leak extras because of it.So we came up with a temporary fix. Throw the ball to Ash, who would come in with his Harbhajan Singh bowling action, with six fielders on the off side – three behind square for the cut. Not a single ball would turn, but they would drift away at pace. It was impossible for schoolkids to get bat on, and if they did, they would find the cordon of three fielders near point. It was a great strategy for our school team: we found success with Ash at the top, and the other two offies would finish off the middle and death. But even so I thought, “How can an offie who doesn’t turn a single ball make it big?” There is a great bit in his book about this time.We graduated from school and met once again as opponents in league cricket. It was a young Alwarpet side he turned up for, led by D Vasu, another man who could bowl pace and spin. Ashwin got five in that game, but we were a rookie side. The ball was turning, though, and he had his own action by then. I started to take him a bit seriously as he was batting at No. 4 for this team and also churning out those five-fors.

I would be begging Ashwin to turn the temperature up and volume down, so I could sleep. “Please Ash, match ” Things would be quieter for a few minutes and then he would burst out laughing at a scene in the film, much to my annoyance

He was called up to the Ranji side towards the end of 2006 and led Tamil Nadu to a famous win over Baroda in a must-win game when we were fighting relegation. The TN team was going through a transition at that point, after several players went to the Indian Cricket League. They handed over captaincy to Ash for the MJ Gopalan Trophy game against Sri Lanka. He had just played four first-class games till then, and this match was one where five of us, myself included, were making our first-class debuts. We got hammered by a strong Sri Lankan side by an innings, but what stood out for me in that game was how Ashwin had matured into a thinking offspinner, one who wasn’t scared to innovate. Michael Vandort was an unusually tall opener – he would plant his front foot forward and block the good balls. For him, Ashwin placed me at an unconventional silly point/mid-off very close to the pitch, and Vandort ended up blocking one straight into my hands. It was the beginning of a fruitful partnership with Ashwin for me under the helmet.By 2008 we had become team-mates in club cricket, turning out for Vijay CC. The three years from 2008 through 2010 were some of the best we had as a club. Looking back, I was thankful I never had to face him anywhere other than in the nets – not then and not at other times in my career.We were room-mates as well, when playing for TN during that period. I remember once we were playing a semi-final in Nagpur against UP, and the night before the game, Ashwin pulled his diary out and had a long conversation with his mother about his plans for the next day. Once the clock struck eight, the TV went on, and he settled down to his favourite routine: watching the 8pm Tamil movie on TV. The AC would be on full blast, and between that and the loud noise of the TV, I would be begging Ashwin to turn the temperature up and volume down, so I could sleep. “Please Ash, match ” [There is a game tomorrow.] Things would be quieter for a few minutes and then he would burst out laughing at a scene in the film, much to my annoyance. He was always the good student who was over-prepared for a game and wanted to take it easy the day before the game by going through his movie routine.That actually got him in trouble quite a lot. He just wouldn’t show up for the optional practice sessions the day before the game. For a young cricketer, that kind of thing gets you questioned about your work ethic, and can be interpreted as slacking off. Ash wouldn’t budge despite all that. His only response would be: question me if I don’t perform in the game. This says so much about his stubbornness and will to perform. I don’t think any cricketer I have seen in the last decade was always on the “could be benched” list throughout his career like he was.Eventually when Ash became captain, he would turn up for optional practice sessions to help the other guys out but never for himself. And his brain was in overdrive throughout. You could never keep him quiet.During long bus rides when travelling for the Ranji Trophy, he was always a back bencher. He would put together a bunch of guys and play a ridiculous game called Mafia – a simple game of deduction, where he would be the moderator and watch the action unfold.I also remember during our early years in club cricket, sitting in the dressing room with him and he would bring a pen and a paper and we would do these mock auction picks and drafts for every IPL team, and plot how the sides would balance out.The boys in yellow: Ashwin, Srikkanth Anirudha, Mukund and Robin Uthappa (from left) in CSK yellow in 2012•Prashant Bhoot/SportzpicsThat restless intelligence means he never fails to surprise you every time you speak to him. For instance, I called him during the last IPL and he went on for 45 minutes about neural networks and AI and how it was making an impact in the shortest form of the game. He texted me just before the auction, sending me ESPNcricinfo’s Impact numbers list split for the two halves of the IPL season.His many interests have created multiple avatars. There is the cricketer who keeps his notes handy, the guy who runs a YouTube channel, the coach at his academy, and I am sure he keeps up to date on the latest movies while every now and then enjoying an old classic at 8pm. (I’m glad he didn’t take up cricket scoring, though!)About three months ago, Dinesh Karthik, Ashwin’s dad and I were chatting, watching the Test at Chepauk. India were 144 for 6 against Bangladesh when Ash walked in, and you could suddenly see some tension working its way across his face. DK and I said to his dad, “Uncle, this is your son’s day. If he hangs around, he is definitely going to score big.” And it wasn’t said lightly. Ash at Chepauk brings his A game, and he is at his best when batting on red-soil pitches, which suit his natural game of cut and pull. I thought to myself then of how the D Stand crowd of future generations might talk about the innings the way our dads used to talk about the great GRV’s 97 not out.I met him after that Test, in which he made his fastest Test hundred with his family watching from the stands. I ordered a cup of coffee and his wife ordered a coconut water for him. I teased him, saying, “Do you need the electrolytes, old man?” He just smirked before going back to asking his daughters about their day. They said the best part was how their dad looked up to them when he celebrated the hundred. You could tell that meant more to Ashwin than the century itself – that family time meant more to him than achievements on the field, which is why I know he has been thinking about retiring for months now, and it wasn’t a hasty decision. No journey to the top is easy but I know his life has been tougher than most, both physically and mentally. The many long days spent in hotel rooms alone with his thoughts will have influenced his decision to call time.I’ll say again that I never expected Ashwin to become what he is today. He wasn’t genetically gifted like an Usain Bolt or a Michael Phelps. He was just a middle-class boy who had the smarts to become a doctor or an accountant – or the engineer he eventually became. He had no business becoming an elite athlete and one of the best at that. It meant taking the road less travelled, using every inch of an advantage he could get, and trying to innovate and adapt all the time. I said this once on commentary: R Ashwin is like your latest smartphone; his software is always up to date.Speaking of phones, his ringtone for the longest time was a Tamil song that went “” Which loosely translates to: I am going ever upwards, the earth is under my feet. Quite apt now, looking back at his career. Ashwin is a flagbearer for millions of middle-class boys and girls in the country who aren’t hugely physically or technically gifted, telling them to make the most of what they have by working hard and smart; to follow their dreams and achieve greatness.We grew up idolising movie stars in Tamil Nadu and a common first-day ritual for any big movie there is a , borrowed from a religious ritual where a deity is bathed in milk. Only, in this case, it is a life-size cutout of the movie star that is bathed in milk. I am sure there is one waiting for Ash as he embarks now on a journey with CSK.

He will “join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative”

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Apr-2021Devdutt Padikkal, the Royal Challengers Bangalore opener, is in quarantine at his home in Bengaluru after testing positive for Covid-19 on March 22.Padikkal, 20, is “feeling well” and will “join the RCB bio-bubble once his RT-PCR tests are negative,” the franchise said in a statement. “The RCB medical team is in touch with Devdutt ensuring his safety and well-being.” The rest of the squad is in the biosecure bubble in Chennai.The news means Padikkal is all but set to miss the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s first game of IPL 2021, the tournament opener against the Mumbai Indians in Chennai on April 9. The Royal Challengers’ second match is on April 14, against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.Padikkal was the leading run-scorer for the Royal Challengers in IPL 2020, his debut season, scoring 473 runs at an average of 31.53 and a strike rate of 124.80. Coming into this season, he had a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy too, where he tallied 218 runs in six innings at an average of 43.60 and a strike rate of 134.56.Padikkal’s is the third case of an IPL player testing positive come to light. Apart from Padikkal, the Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel and the Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana too have tested positive for Covid-19.Patel had checked into the team hotel in Mumbai on March 28 after arriving with a negative Covid-19 report, but returned a positive test after that. Rana, meanwhile, has tested negative and joined the team training sessions after an extended 12-day quarantine, also in Mumbai.

Luton Town have condemned racial abuse aimed at Elijah Adebayo, labelling one individual's behaviour "cowardly".

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Adebayo received racist message on InstagramLuton have reported to the police & MetaReleased a strong statement condemning the abuseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The racially charged message was sent to the 26-year-old footballer on Instagram following Luton Town’s 2-1 loss to Sunderland in the Championship. Luton Town confirmed that the abuse has been reported to the police and to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, in an effort to ensure proper investigation and justice.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident for Adebayo. Over the past few years, the Luton striker has faced repeated instances of racial abuse, both online and in person. In October 2022, Luton Town first spoke out against the ongoing harassment directed at Adebayo, calling for an end to discrimination after the player was targeted in three separate racist incidents in less than 12 months. The club issued another statement later that same month following Adebayo’s receipt of racially abusive messages after a 1-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Further reports of abuse followed shortly after a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

WHAT LUTON SAID

In their latest statement, titled "Is it ever going to stop?", Luton expressed frustration and anger at the continued racial abuse aimed at their player.

"At 8.28 pm BST on Wednesday evening, an account in the UK on Instagram messaged Elijah with a racist comment," they wrote.

"After Elijah notified us following last night’s game with Sunderland, in which he scored his first goal of the season, we reported the incident to the Police and to Meta. It is now being investigated. Just like we said a year ago, and just like we will do WHENEVER a player or staff member is subjected to abuse, we will stand by and support Elijah unequivocally.

"To the individual who cowardly dropped into Elijah’s DMs: We know who you are and you know who you are. You’re not a faceless account, one which we have sadly become accustomed to reporting in recent years. But as if you have the balls to come to Kenilworth Road and say it to his face. We dare you. If you do, you’ll be faced with everyone at Luton Town Football Club, standing side-by-side with Elijah. Abuse of any kind is unacceptable. But does everyone know that? It’s why we are doing our bit to educate everyone that racism and all forms of abuse is abhorrent and unacceptable."

DID YOU KNOW?

Luton Town has not been passive in the fight against discrimination. The club outlined several initiatives they have undertaken to address racism and raise awareness. Earlier in the week, players Jacob Brown and Mads Andersen led an anti-discrimination workshop at a local school, further demonstrating the club’s proactive stance on the issue.

"Only last week Jacob Brown and Mads Andersen visited Ferrars Junior School in Luton to take part in an anti-discrimination workshop, put on by the Luton Town Community Trust as part of the EFL’s Together Against Racism campaign. We published the video below on Wednesday," they said.

"We are all Luton and we will continue to support and champion these initiatives until such time that the message gets through to the ignorant minority. But the question remains: how much longer will our players, our heroes – fellow human beings for crying out loud – be targeted because of the colour of their skin? There is NO room for racism."

Can England finally do it? Will Football 'come home' at Euro 2024?

The anticipation is building ahead of the Three Lions' opener against Serbia on Sunday evening, with Gareth Southgate's men seeking to banish the demons of three years earlier and their cruel, Wembley defeat to Italy.

Will more penalty heartbreak lie ahead for this youthful and daring squad in Germany, or can Southgate and co finally go one better after so many years of hurt?

All is set to be revealed over the coming weeks, although for now, the debate rages as to the strength of the travelling party, amid a handful of sizeable omissions from the 26-man roster.

What Ray Parlour has said about Southgate's selections

Out with the old, and in with the new has seemingly been Southgate's motto this time around, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, James Maddison, Jack Grealish and an injured Harry Maguire all failing to make the cut, with bold nods given to rising stars Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton.

This fresh approach looks like the final roll of the dice for a manager who might be set for his last tournament in charge, with the question now as to whether it'll pay off.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of NetBet Casino, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has given his verdict on the make up of the group, revealing a few key reservations over Southgate's selection decisions.

Euro 2024 tournament guide: Teams, matches, dates, TV channels, odds & more

Football FanCast has put together a guide for all things Euro 2024, with venues, fixtures, tables, stadiums and more all covered here.

ByStephan Georgiou Jun 11, 2024

Asked who he was most surprised to see on the plane to Germany, the ten-time England international told FFC: "It has to be Adam Wharton. He has good years ahead of him and has impressed at Crystal Palace, but I thought he may miss out and Grealish be in. But he has his chance and it’s a great experience for him to be in the squad and aim to get on the pitch.

"Mainoo as well was another one who ended the season well, but I was a little surprised to be included as Maddison misses out."

In the case of Wharton, the 20-year-old – who is one of four Crystal Palace stars named in the squad – only made his first Premier League start back in February, although the former Blackburn Rovers man seemingly did enough to catch Southgate's eye after a dazzling late cameo against Bosnia last week.

As Parlour stated, that inclusion for the young playmaker – alongside FA Cup final goalscorer, Mainoo – may have come at the expense of the likes of Grealish, with the 36-cap maverick having been ruthlessly culled from the initial 33-man provisional squad.

What Ray Parlour has said about Jack Grealish's England snub

The Manchester City maestro – who racked up two assists from five outings at the last European Championships in 2021 – had previously been a shoo-in under Southgate in recent years, although the rise of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, among others, has seemingly nudged the 28-year-old down the pecking order.

Will that bold call backfire, however? Well the Romford Pele certainly thinks so.

Asked who the Three Lions could regret omitting from the squad, Parlour outlined his shock at the decision: "Yes, it has to be Jack Grealish. He hasn’t had an outstanding season for City, but you just have to look at the talent City have in their squad.

"But, Jack was influential in the Euros and has plenty of experience in the big games and is a player who can change games and you need this in the knock out stages and I think England will regret leaving him out when it comes to the big games."

The former Gunners hero also outlined the loss that Maguire's absence could be, with the 31-year-old having been unable to shake off a calf injury that had abruptly ended his season at Manchester United.

"Harry Maguire was another player who should have made the squad as you look at his partnership with [John] Stones for England and they rarely have let the team down, plus he is dangerous from set plays."

With questions lingering over who will partner Stones at the back – and with new game-changers needed off the bench in the absence of Grealish, Maddison and Rashford et al – there are certainly a number of issues to be resolved as the tournament progresses.

Euro 2024 Group C: Teams, players, fixtures and venues

Everything you need to know about Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia and England ahead of Euro 2024.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 9, 2024

Queensland will face South Australia at the recently redeveloped ground as they bid to host the Shield final

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-2021Australia will get a new first-class venue on Tuesday when Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane hosts the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and South Australia.There had been various changes made to the schedule in recent days with the match initially relocated to Allan Border Field, but it has been returned to Ian Healy Oval due to the impact of recent rain with the new venue having better drainage than AB Field – that drainage is likely to be tested with considerable rain forecast for the opening day.Queensland’s previous Shield match against Victoria managed just 76 overs on the first two days before the second half of the game was abandoned.Queensland are currently top of the table in a tight race with New South Wales in what appears the likely pairing for the final next month. The side that finishes top of the regular season earns hosting rights. The two teams face each other at North Dalton Park in Wollongong in the final round of matches over Easter weekend.Last season’s final did not get played due to Covid-19 ending the competition early and New South Wales were awarded the title.Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane•Queensland CricketQueensland have brought fast bowler Billy Stanlake into their squad in place of Mark Steketee who has a side injury. Jack Wildermuth, who was ruled out of the abandoned Marsh Cup game against Victoria with a quad strain, has recovered to be included.South Australia, who are bottom of the table and have not won a game in any format this season, have included the uncapped Sam Kerber who has been prolific in Premier Cricket. Wes Agar could also be in line for a recall after a 10-wicket haul for his club last week.Ian Healy Oval is part of the A$18.6 million National Cricket Campus project with the next and final stage to redevelop Allan Border Field which will include increasing the boundary size to reach international standards and improved drainage. Work is due to start in June and last into early next year.Queensland squad Usman Khawaja (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Bryce Street, Jack WildermuthSouth Australia squad Travis Head (capt), Alex Carey, Wes Agar, David Grant, Henry Hunt, Sam Kerber, Jake Lehmann, Joe Medew-Ewen, Harry Nielsen, Liam Scott, Jake Weatherald, Nick Winter, Daniel Worrall

No shortage of allrounders in the final XI and perhaps a controversial call or two

Andrew McGlashan26-Oct-2024Ahead of the tenth season of the WBBL we thought it would be fun to select an all-time XI. The aim was to try and pick a balanced side with players as close to their usual positions as possible, or a role that they could fill. There are a few particularly notable omissions, with the top-order and spin options especially stacked.Beth MooneyThe leading run-scorer in the competition’s history heading into the tenth season, Mooney’s consistency has been remarkable. Only twice has she averaged under 42 for a season; one of those was the first year of WBBL in 2015-16 and the other was 2018-19 when she was still able to score a hundred and then play the defining innings in the final for Brisbane Heat. Her most prolific campaign was 2019-20 with 743 runs at 74.30 – she has followed that with four more seasons of over 500 runs following her move to Perth Scorchers.Related

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Alyssa HealyIn this XI, Healy forms her international opening combination with Mooney. It won’t always be about volume of runs for Healy – the way she plays means low scores are part of the risk – but when things click she can be unstoppable. She has the most centuries (five) in WBBL history and the second-highest strike rate of those with at least 1000 runs. In 2019, during which she added a tournament-record stand of 199 with Ellyse Perry, and then 2020, Healy had the eye-watering strike-rates of 155.69 and 161.44. The following two seasons were less productive (albeit including 107 off 64 balls against Perth Scorchers) and the dog-bite incident meant she missed all but one game last summer.Grace HarrisOne of the WBBL’s most iconic figures. Harris’ three centuries all come with great stories: she struck the first in the competition’s history, then made the fastest off 42 balls and last season surged to 136 off 59 balls with one of her sixes coming with a broken bat. “Stuff hit, I’ll hit it anyway,” was the viral quote. As with a number of players in this side, there is a high level of risk vs reward and there will be lows amid the highs. But Harris can win a match on her own.Sophie Devine has regularly made an impact with bet and ball•Getty Images Sophie DevineThe most formidable allrounder in WBBL – and there’s good competition for that title. An ever-present across the nine seasons, split between Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers, things started a little slowly for Devine in the first year but then she found lift-off with 103 not out off 48 balls against Hobart Hurricanes. Barring a tough 2022 season, she has remained ultra consistent. The 2019 edition was a stunning one where she averaged 76.90 with the bat and claimed 19 wickets. She remains the only player in the tournament with a half-century and a five-wicket haul in the same game.Ashleigh GardnerIt’s possible to argue that Gardner has underperformed overall with the bat in the WBBL. But her strike rate remains in the top 10 for those with at least 1000 runs, and in the middle order it’s about the impact a player can have over a shorter period. Initially it was Gardner’s batting that led the way – including the magnificent 114 off 52 balls against in 2017 – but the last two seasons has seen her offspin excel. In the 2022 edition she managed to bring both aspects together with a player of the tournament return where she averaged 28.25 with the bat, alongside a strike rate of 150.66, and claimed 23 wickets.Marizanne KappKapp gets into the side for her bowling, which includes the stand-out economy rate of 5.59 – the second best in WBBL history with a minimum of 200 overs – while providing a middle-order safety net with the bat. Until last season, where she admitted she had a torrid time at Sydney Thunder, Kapp had been the epitome of consistency. Her peak all-round seasons came in 2019 and 2020 when she averaged 32.61 with the bat and 19.82 with the ball across the two editions for Sydney Sixers. Then, having moved to Perth Scorchers for the 2021 season, she was player of the match in the final against Adelaide Strikers.Amanda-Jade Wellington has produced some remarkable figures•Getty ImagesJess JonassenThe leading wicket-taker in the competition, Jonassen has been an ever-present for Brisbane Heat. She has never had a poor season and peaked with a brilliant all-round double of 419 runs at 38.09 (strike rate 133.01) and 21 wickets at 19.19 in the second of their back-to-back titles in 2019. In the last two seasons she has taken a combined tally of 70 wickets across 46 games.Sammy-Jo JohnsonThe pace-bowling allrounder has been a key figure in two tournament deciders for two teams: in 2019 she broke open Heat’s run chase with 27 off 11 balls against Adelaide Strikers, then in 2020, having moved home to Sydney Thunder, took 2 for 11 off her four overs to set-up victory over Melbourne Stars to take the title. That capped a season where she was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. In the 2018-19 edition, the first of Heat’s back-to-back titles, she produced a memorable all-round display with 260 runs and 20 wickets, becoming the first player to complete a 250 run/20 wicket double for a season. Last summer she joined the century of wickets club.Amanda-Jade WellingtonIt’s a tough race to be the legspinner in this team. In another era, Wellington would have played a lot more for Australia. Few bowl a harder-spun leg-break. Instead, she has been an integral figure for Adelaide Strikers with the last few seasons seeing her game go to another level. Across Strikers’ back-to-back titles she has taken 46 wickets. For 12 months she held the best figures in the tournament’s history with 5 for 8 against Heat in the 2021 Eliminator final, a return she matched against Renegades a year later, and she was player of the match in the 2023 final. Across all nine seasons only once (2016-17) has she not taken at least 10 wickets.Molly StranoLike Wellington, Strano is unfortunate not to have played more international cricket. She led the way from the WBBL’s launch, initially for Melbourne Renegades, and was the first bowler to reach 100 wickets. In 2019-2020 she was the leading wicket-taker in the season with 24 and only once has taken fewer than 13 in a campaign. Her best figures of 5 for 15 came in the first season of WBBL against Melbourne StarsMegan SchuttAs one of the leading pace bowlers in the world for a number of years, it’s little surprise that Schutt is the most successful quick in the WBBL although it is over the last two seasons where her wicket-taking numbers have really exploded including the 6 for 19 which are the best figures in the competition. While she wasn’t always a prolific wicket-taker, her economy rate has often been a standout: as low as 5.06 during the 2016-17 season never higher than 6.46 in any edition.

The last seven days could not have gone better for Arsenal fans.

Sunday saw them utterly dominate Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Then, if that wasn’t enough, the Gunners took on and, in the second half anyway, quite comfortably beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Things do not get any easier this weekend, though, as Arsenal travel to second-placed Chelsea, and if Mikel Arteta wants to ensure his side collects all three points, he should make one ruthless change to the lineup.

Arsenal's record against Chelsea

Sunday’s game will be the 212th competitive meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea, with the first being a Division One game in November 1907, which the Blues hosted and won 2-1.

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However, since then, it’s the Gunners who have generally had the better luck in this fixture, winning 85 games, drawing 60 and losing 66.

Moreover, since taking the job in December 2019, Arteta has had a sensational record against the West Londoners.

Of the 13 competitive games he’s managed against them, the Spaniard has masterminded a victory eight times – including in the 2020 FA Cup Final – settled for a draw three times and lost just twice, the last time being in August 2021.

The last game between the sides was in March of this year at the Emirates, and it would be fair to say it’s not one that has lived long in the memory, as the hosts ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Mikel Merino header.

In all then, while this Sunday will be a tough test for Arsenal, Arteta and Co shouldn’t be too worried as they have an exceptional record against Chelsea.

With that said, on top of the enforced changes in attack, the manager should ruthlessly drop another of his starters from Wednesday to ensure it’s another win in the books.

The Arsenal star Arteta should drop

While the performance against Bayern on Wednesday was one of Arsenal’s best in a long time, there was one player who struggled somewhat: Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Hale Ender, who is valued at £39m by Transfermarkt, started just his fifth game of the season, and it was really quite clear that he wasn’t as sharp as some of his teammates.

For example, while he wasn’t the only one at fault, he could have dealt with the pass that led to the visitors’ goal, and as the match went on, Michael Olise gave him more and more trouble.

Equally, as per Sofacore, his woes were evident as he lost the ball nine times from just 25 touches, or once every 2.7 touches.

However, even though he struggled, there can be no doubting his immense ability, potential and attitude, and so, while it’s a long way away, club insider Hand of Arsenal’s claim that he’s a “future captain” does not sound all that far-fetched.

With all that said, for the good of the team and to ensure they have an easier time collecting all three points at the Bridge, Arteta should replace the youngster with Ricardo Calafiori.

The Italian international has been nothing short of sublime this season.

Whether it’s in defence or going forward, the 23-year-old seems able to do it all with ease, and not only that, but he does it with a certain style as well.

Described as a “wild horse” of a full-back by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean and “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” by journalist James Benge, the former Bologna man pops up all over the pitch and causes nightmares for opposition defenders.

Moreover, on top of the four goal involvements he’s produced this term, the Rome-born monster has some unreal underlying numbers to his name.

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.16

Top 2%

Shots Total

1.58

Top 2%

Goals + Assists

0.41

Top 4%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.46

Top 4%

Aerials Won

1.89

Top 5%

Goals

0.15

Top 7%

Shots on Target

0.41

Top 8%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals and total shots, the top 4% for goal-creating actions, the top 5% for assists and aerial duels one, and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, with Sunday’s game being hugely crucial for Arsenal, it would make sense for Arteta to bring Calafiori back into the team in place of Lewis-Skelly.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 28, 2025

James McAtee dedicated both his goals for England's under-21s to former team-mate and "special person" George Baldock following his shock death.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Baldock found dead in his poolMcAtee scores brace for England U21sDedicates goals to "special" BaldockFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

McAtee became good friends with Baldock as he spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United. Two days after the 31-year-old was found dead in his pool in Greece, the Manchester City player paid tribute to his old team-mate during his brace against Ukraine's under-21s. The emotional 21-year-old also revealed Baldock "looked after him" during his time with the Blades.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT JAMES MCATEE SAID

He said: "I've been speaking to some of my old team-mates and it's been hard to talk to them to be honest. Even when I left [Sheffield United] he was still texting me, asking if I needed anything. When I was there he welcomed me with open arms, he looked after me. I played for him and for what he gave me. Everyone knows that he's a special player and a special person. I'm really emotional right now and wishing his family the best. It's been a tough week."

He added: "I was desperate to score. When I did it was in honour of George. Luckily I've been here with my mates with England but I've been keeping him in my mind."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The football community has been rocked by the passing of Baldock, with tributes abound for the Greek international. The Panathinaikos defender was due to fly back to England for his son's first birthday but drowned in the pool – making this even more tragic.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Baldock's body is expected to be flown back to the United Kingdom this weekend following his shock passing. The right-back made more than 400 appearances in English football and spent seven seasons with Sheffield United.