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Beaten in their first three games, Thunder remain seventh on the table but are now back in the hunt after a convincing win over Scorchers

AAP19-Nov-2025Sydney Thunder have breathed life back into their WBBL season, recording their first win of the summer with a convincing nine-wicket victory over Perth.Set 151 to win at Sydney’s Drummoyne Oval, Tahlia Wilson’s unbeaten 55 from 44 balls helped Thunder cruise to victory with ten balls to spare.Phoebe Litchfield then finished the game with a big six to bring up her 35-ball half-century, while Georgia Voll hit 43 from 31 at the top.Beaten in their first three games, Thunder remain seventh on the table but are now back in the hunt ahead of their clash with last-placed Brisbane on Friday.After being given a life early when Freya Kemp put down a sitter when on five, Thunder opener Wilson was clinical from there on.She sat at the other end while Voll was the main aggressor, before taking over the innings when the right-hander was caught behind.Leading run-scorer in the 50-over WNCL last summer, Wednesday’s knock marked only Wilson’s third half-century in 80 WBBL games.Earlier Katie Mack threatened to make the Thunder pay for a missed chance of their own, when the opener was dropped first ball at slip by Heather Knight before reaching 79.She hit Voll for three straight boundaries a few overs later, kicking off an innings where she drove through the covers at will and pulled the ball to the boundary regularly.Signed by Scorchers to offer more support to Beth Mooney, it was Mack that was the lead act on Wednesday night.But no other Scorcher passed 20, with the innings stagnating when Kemp was run out and Paige Schofield trapped lbw in the space of two balls in the 12th over.That ultimately proved decisive with the Scorchers’ 150 for 7 never looking like enough once Thunder got going.

Chelsea start a massive week with a win at Turf Moor, so is momentum starting to build?

On Saturday lunchtime, the Blues proved to be simply too strong for Burnley, prevailing 2-0, with Pedro Neto heading home Jamie Gittens’ cross on the cusp of half time, before Enzo Fernández lashed home the clinching second right at the end.

​​​​​The match was significantly more comfortable than the scoreline would suggest, with the Clarets creating only one big chance and accumulating a miserly 0.44 xG, rarely threatening Robert Sánchez’s goal.

This made it three successive Premier League victories for Enzo Maresca’s side, who’ve now won five of their last six in the league, ahead of a massive week, with both Barcelona and then Arsenal visiting Stamford Bridge over the next eight days.

Despite victory in Lancashire, a few Chelsea players came in for some criticism, one in particular compared to a player who departed for pastures new over the summer.

Why Chelsea sold Noni Madueke

In one of the surprise moves of last summer, albeit this is now a well-trodden path at this point, Noni Madueke departed Chelsea during the Club World Cup to sign for Arsenal for a reported fee of £52m.

Last season, the England international scored 11 goals across all competitions for the Blues, including seven in the Premier League, a tally only bettered by talisman Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, another who was parachuted out.

Thus, it was certainly a surprise that Madueke was the one Chelsea decided to sell, but that has been the business model since Clearlake Capital’s takeover of the club and, having signed him from PSV Eindhoven for £28.5m in January 2023, Todd Boehly and the other owners simply view that as a quick profit.

Nevertheless, on the pitch, it could be argued that Maresca’s side have missed Madueke’s direct running and pace, even if he’s not featured for Arsenal since September due to a knee injury.

Having said all of that, a frequent criticism from Chelsea supporters of Madueke was that he was selfish, often going for goal when passing to a teammate would be the better option.

Well, to support this zeitgeist, Madueke attempted 80 shots in the Premier League last season, behind only Palmer, but had the lowest goals – xG figure of any player in the Blues’ squad, ending up with -2.6.

Meantime, he registered just three assists and created only six big chances, suggesting that perhaps the view of supporters – and Martin Keown – was not too inaccurate.

So now, which current member of the Chelsea forward line showed similar levels of selfishness at Turf Moor?

Chelsea's Madueke repeat at Turf Moor

Since the days of Didier Drogba, Chelsea feel as though they’ve found themselves in a never-ending search for a reliable centre-forward; they even twice signed Romelu Lukaku in an attempt to solve this issue.

This summer, after freezing out Jackson, as already mentioned, they put a lot of faith in Liam Delap, making it not ideal that he then missed six successive Premier League matches due to a hamstring injury, as well as another following a red card at Molineux in the EFL Cup on the day of his return.

Back now, Delap has started the last two Premier League matches either side of the international break, but is yet to score since netting against Espérance Sportive de Tunis during the Club World Cup, for what that is worth, and his display on Saturday did not earn rave reviews, with the numbers underlining why.

As the table documents, Delap did not have much impact on the afternoon’s proceedings at Turf Moor.

He attempted zero dribbles, completed just eight passes and won only two of the eight duels he contested, while, in 67 minutes on the pitch, he touched the ball only 20 times, which is 28 fewer than goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, while only one more than his replacement Malo Gusto.

Simon Johnson of The Athletic noted that it is obvious that “Delap is still not fully up to speed post hamstring injury” while, as noted by Taha Hashim of the Guardian, there were multiple occasions when Delap failed to play the ball to a teammate after an opening had presented itself.

Considering Chelsea’s array of attacking options, when Delap is the centre-forward, one of his key responsibilities has to be facilitating attacks and linking up with teammates, as well as score goals of course, neither of which he is doing at the moment.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

If he continues to be both ineffective and selfish, you can bet your bottom dollar that Delap won’t be in the team much longer, because Boehly will probably just buy three other players in his position in January.

Their next Caicedo: BlueCo have signed a "world-beater" for Chelsea

The sensational talent could become Chelsea’s next Moises Caicedo.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 18, 2025

Ball dominated on the opening day in Hobart as late wickets kept Tasmania in the contest

AAP15-Oct-2025Fourteen wickets fell and Liam Haskett was the surprise spark for Western Australia as they finished day one on top in their Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania in Hobart.Ashes batting contender Jake Weatherald missed a chance to push his case for a Test debut, before Tasmania unravelled when third-change WA left-arm quick Haskett was introduced.Related

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The paceman took 3 for 26 in 10 overs, having Tim Ward flashing an edge behind then spearing deliveries through Caleb Jewell and Nivethan Radhakrishnan.A bright, unbeaten 41 from Jake Doran that included three sixes salvaged things somewhat in an otherwise horror middle session for Tasmania. Australia white-ball allrounder Aaron Hardie also played a key role with three wickets.WA were 107 for 4 at stumps, having missed a chance to be in a more dominant position when the well-set Jayden Goodwin and Hilton Cartwright were late casualties.Riley Meredith found pace and bounce in his eight overs, while former Test quick Jackson Bird took the early scalp of Cameron Bancroft for just 3 when he edged to slip.

A new Southampton manager update has been shared from St Mary’s regarding a full-time move for interim boss Tonda Eckert.

Eckert responds to permanent Southampton job rumours

The Saints made the perfect start to life without Will Still in the week, defeating Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Loftus Road.

Eckert was the man in charge of Southampton following Still’s exit, with second half goals from Jay Robinson and Leo Scienza lifting them above rivals Portsmouth.

The 3-4-2-1 caretaker is once again set to be on the touchline this weekend prior to the international break as St Mary’s play host to bottom side Sheffield Wednesday. Talking ahead of the game, Eckert was asked if he fancied the Southampton job on a permanent basis, to which he said:

“Look, the answer is very easy on this one. My job is to prepare the game today in the best way possible. My job is to prepare the game on Saturday (8th November) in the best way possible. That’s what all my focus is on. It’s going to be three very important days until Saturday. Then we can all take a breath.

“I think the only thing I can do is give energy and give a structure, and prepare them in the best way possible. We’re going to do the same thing for Saturday and hopefully confirm [the improvement] and then we’ll go into a break and go again.”

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Southampton’s position over Eckert.

How Southampton feel about full-time Tonda Eckert move

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Southampton now “consider Eckert a potential candidate for the full-time job” following his winning start in temporary charge.

The 32-year-old’s coaching career has mainly been as an assistant, helping some iconic names such as Patrick Vieira at Genoa and Miroslav Klose at Bayern Munich’s U17 side.

His experience in England came during 18 months as an assistant at Barnsley, with Eckert taking charge of Southampton’s U21s in the summer.

1.FC Koln U17

Assistant manager

2013-2016

RB Salzburg YL

Assistant manager

2016-2017

RB Leipzig YL

Assistant manager

2017-2019

FC Bayern U17

Assistant manager

2019-2020

Barnsley

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2020-2022

Genoa

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2022-2025

Saints gem Moses Sesay has been impressed under Eckert, saying he is an “experienced” coach who “demands a lot” in training and is “big on detail”.

“I’ve enjoyed working with him. I took some time to get a good connection with him, because he was new, but I really like him. He’s a good coach. He’s very experienced. He demands a lot from us in training, but I like that as a player. He knows what he wants, which is good.

“Comparing Calum McFarlane (former under-21s boss) with Tonda, I think Cal was maybe a little bit more technical, but there hasn’t been much of a difference.

“Tonda is big on detail. He’s a very good coach. We’ve had good results since he came in and went a few games unbeaten. It’s been good under him.”

Positive words indeed, and if Eckert makes it two from two on Saturday, his stock could continue to rise.

Their own Lampard: "Very intelligent" coach now wants the Southampton job

Taskin starred with the ball, Litton led the way with the bat, and comeback man Saif contributed a fine all-round display

Abhimanyu Bose30-Aug-2025

Taskin Ahmed, Saif Hassan and captain Litton Das played starring roles as Bangladesh eased to an eight-wicket win over Netherlands in the first T20I in Sylhet.Taskin took four wickets and Saif, playing his first T20I since October 2023, bagged his first two T20I wickets as Bangladesh restricted the visitors to 136 after asking them to bat. Saif completed his comeback with a quickfire cameo to support Litton’s brisk half-century as Bangladesh won with 6.3 overs to spare.Taskin keeps Netherlands quietMax O’Dowd started well for Netherlands, driving and flicking Shoriful Islam for three fours in the second over. He then launched Mahedi Hasan, who opened the bowling, for a six down the ground in the third.But Taskin struck with his first ball, getting O’Dowd to spoon a catch to cover off a leading edge.Netherlands managed just nine more runs from the 2.5 remaining overs in the powerplay, with their only boundary coming through another leading edge from Teja Nidamanuru that just evaded a leaping cover fielder.Then, Taskin struck again with the first ball of his second over, the eighth of the innings. Vikramjit Singh looked to switch gears and go down the ground, but could only pick out long-on.Saif ends Netherlands counterattackNidamanuru counterattacked, pulling Taskin for a six later in that over before squeezing one past short third for four. That began a stretch that brought Netherlands 27 runs off just 11 balls, before Saif nipped the counterattack in the bud with his maiden international wicket.Netherlands captain Scott Edwards tried to sweep the offspinner but couldn’t get distance on his shot, and Jaker Ali ran to his right to take a brilliant diving catch at long leg. Two balls later, Saif had Nidamanuru holing out to deep midwicket.Mustafizur Rahman got on the board when a short ball drew a top edge from Shariz Ahmad’s attempted pull to leave Netherlands five wickets down in the 13th over.Taskin picked up two more wickets in his remaining two overs, and Netherlands added just 52 to their score over their last eight overs.Saif Hassan struck twice in an over•BCB

Emon starts strong, Litton continues the momentumParvez Hossain Emon got Bangladesh off to the perfect start with two fours and a six off the first three balls of the innings, from offspinner Aryan Dutt. He put away two shortish balls either side of point, and when Dutt went fuller, Emon slog-swept him over midwicket.Tanzid Hasan also started with a boundary, clipping Kyle Klein through backward square leg, but Dutt applied the brakes next over when he slid a quick one through Emon’s defences.Litton, however, ensured Bangladesh didn’t let the pressure build. In the fifth over, he drove Dutt through point before flicking him over midwicket next ball. In the last over of the powerplay, Litton crashed left-arm spinner Daniel Doram through the covers before launching him down the ground for his first six.Tanzid did a good job in a support role while Litton kept going after the bowling. He welcomed Shariz Ahmad with back-to-back boundaries in his first over, and punished Klein for straying onto his pads, whipping him fine on the leg side for another six.By the time Tanzid picked out long-on off a full toss in the tenth over, Bangladesh needed just 45 off 65 balls.Saif completes perfect comebackLitton brought up his 13th T20I half-century, off just 26 balls, in the 11th over. Then Saif, having got his eye in while scoring seven off nine balls, let loose, coming down the track to loft Tim Pringle over long-on.Saif then swung Paul van Meekeren into the leg side for a four before sealing the win with back-to-back sixes off Vikramjit in the 14th over.Litton contributed just 10 runs to an unbroken 46-run stand for the third wicket, with Saif finishing unbeaten on 36 off just 19 deliveries – a knock that will encourage the returning batter, whose career T20I strike rate jumped from 81.25 to 106.02after this match.

Lionesses star Chloe Kelly limped off with an injury in England's clash with Ghana on Tuesday night, casting doubt over her availability moving forward as Arsenal prepare to enter a very important part of their season. The Gunners have two huge Champions League games coming up this month, as the holders bid to qualify for the knockout stages, but they could well have to take on those challenges without Kelly.

Kelly injury concern: Lionesses star limps off in Ghana friendly

There were less than 20 minutes on the clock when Kelly reached down to grab her right knee, after an attempted cross off that wing was blocked. The 27-year-old tried to carry on but after playing a short pass a few seconds later, she went to ground and, once seen to by the Lionesses' medical staff, would gingerly walk off the pitch and be replaced by Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead, ending her night very prematurely.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBad luck continues: Knee issue continues as Wiegman reacts to 'sad' Kelly injury

That it appeared to be Kelly's right knee troubling her will be of concern to many, and of frustration for the player herself. That's because after missing Arsenal's game against West Ham, their second Women's Super League fixture of the season, Kelly had visible strapping on that knee for around six weeks, until early November.

The disappearance of that support seemed to signal Kelly had come through the issue, as did her first Arsenal start for six weeks, handed to her by Gunners boss Renee Slegers just before this international break began in the win over Real Madrid. "She missed the West Ham game and a couple of training sessions but since then she's been building back, and some things take a little bit longer than others, but she's fully fit," her manager said the day before that game.

While the specifics of the issue Kelly was clearly nursing remain unclear, it will not have been encouraging for anyone to see her limp off on Tuesday because of what appeared to be a problem with that same knee she has sported noticeable support on for a large portion of this season, even if the injury itself on the night didn't come across as a bad one.

"She felt something with her knee that didn’t feel right," England boss Sarina Wiegman said, asked about Kelly after the 2-0 win over Ghana. "She could walk but it just didn’t feel right. For her it’s sad because she had a start and she was playing and then she had to go off. Of course you want to be available at all times and you don’t want to have those niggles but that’s just the way it is now and what she has to sort out is: What is it? And just assess that and try to get back as soon as possible and get consistency. That’s what she wants too, but you have to take it as it is."

Searching for rhythm: Kelly's start to the season disrupted again

To have to be subbed off will have been even more frustrating for Kelly because this felt like a potentially big night for her and her season. After an outstanding 2024-25 season saw her star in Arsenal's Champions League triumph before stealing the show as the Lionesses won the 2025 European Championships, that niggling injury has prevented Kelly from really getting going in the 2025-26 campaign, as she's only been able to make three starts so far.

To get the nod against Ghana in England's final game of 2025, then, felt like a good platform for the winger to be able to build on that start for the Gunners just before this camp and start to generate some form and rhythm. Unfortunately, she wasn't allowed to do so.

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Getty ImagesArsenal's next fixtures: Kelly now a doubt for big WSL and Champions League games

The good news is that Kelly's injury didn't appear to be particularly bad in the moment and Arsenal will hope that is a sign of it not being a knock that will keep her out for long, because the Gunners have some big games before the winter break. The reigning European champions are currently 10th in the Champions League table, six places and three points off the automatic qualification spots for the knockout stages with two games to go. Those two games come later this month, at home to Twente and away at Leuven.

There's also two WSL fixtures on the calendar before Christmas, with Arsenal needing to rack up wins to get back into the title race after a sloppy start, and a League Cup quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace. Given all that is on the line, the Gunners will desperately hope they have Kelly, and her knack for turning up in the big moments, available to them.

A bludgeoning display from captain Mitchell Marsh powered Australia to a comprehensive victory in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee T20I series in Mount Maunganui after Tim Robinson had compiled a superb century to haul New Zealand out of early trouble.New Zealand slid to 6 for 3 in the second over with Ben Dwarshuis putting himself on a hat-trick. But Robinson overcame the sticky start against the new ball to compile score his maiden T20I century from 65 balls in a match where he likely wouldn’t have played had Rachin Ravindra not suffered a series-ending facial injury in training yesterday.Despite Robinson’s best efforts – and Australia offering him five lives – the home side struggled to accelerate during the second half of their innings. An opening stand of 67 in 5.3 overs between Marsh and Travis Head broke the back of the chase inside the powerplay.Even with Australia missing Cameron Green, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell, the outcome of the chase never felt in doubt after that start, although Marsh couldn’t quite see it home himself, falling 15 runs short of a century. It was only the second time a chasing side had won a T20I at the venue.Robinson’s brilliant rebuild, with a little helping handIt was a dire start for New Zealand after Marsh continued his preferred route of bowling first, despite ground data suggesting a bat-first venue. Marsh has never batted first when winning the toss in a T20I. Josh Hazlewood struck in the first over when Tim Seifert picked out mid-off then Devon Conway’s drive was beaten by Dwarshuis’ swing. Mark Chapman next tickled one down the leg side which Australia successfully reviewed.Initially it was Daryl Mitchell who counter-punched with a combination of the edge and middle of the bat. Robinson, in contrast, laboured to 10 off 14 balls before striking a flat six off Marcus Stoinis in the final over of the powerplay. A terrific strike over the off side against Xavier Bartlett followed and he skipped to a 31-ball fifty. The fourth-wicket stand with Mitchell was worth 92 in 55 deliveries.The first of Robinson’s reprieves came on 55 when Matt Short couldn’t hold a return catch above his head and he was spilled twice by Head (at short third and backward point) on 62 and 74. Between those moments, Alex Carey missed a stumping chance when Robinson was beaten by Adam Zampa. A fifth life followed on 76 when Tim David spilled a catch at long-on in what became a ragged display from Australia.With two balls of the innings remaining, Robinson had strike on 96 when he flicked Dwarshuis to fine leg then signed off with a six over the leg side.Tim Robinson celebrates his maiden T20I century•Getty Images

Zampa defies conditions as Australia squeezeDespite their early trouble, New Zealand had reached 93 for 3 at the 10-over mark. By then, Zampa had sent down two overs for 18, which was already a fightback after his first delivery, a long hop, had been launched for six by Robinson.The cold, windy conditions were fiendishly difficult for a legspinner, with the added challenge for Zampa that he has Raynaud’s syndrome which means he loses feeling in his fingers during colder weather (and even on some warmer days).But Zampa conceded just nine off his last two overs – the 13th and 15th of the innings – which was a key part in New Zealand struggling to find lift off. He twice should have dismissed Robinson wicket on those two overs. After the first-ball six, he conceded 21 off 23 deliveries.Overall, Bevon Jacobs’ struggle was particularly notable as he made 20 off 21 balls before being brilliantly run out by teamwork. Stoinis, running around the backward-square rope, flicked the ball between his legs to Head who then provided a bullet return to Carey. The partnership for the fifth-wicket was 64 off 47 balls, but with Robinson also losing some impetus it meant Australia never really lost control.Marsh muscles itNew Zealand’s bowlers – much like West Indies and South Africa of recent months – felt the force of Australia’s top order. Four of the powerplay overs went for double figures and when Head picked out midwicket against Henry it was barely a blip. After the powerplay, Australia had struck 12 fours compared to New Zealand’s 11 overall.There had been a few questions being asked of Marsh’s returns with the bat while most of his team-mates flayed away in the recent series, but he made a half-century in the final match against South Africa which he carried into the ODIs that followed. Now across the Tasman he put on a brutal display of his power.He had four fours and a huge straight six by the end of the third over, with his driving down the ground and over the off side particularly eye-catching. He brought up a 23-ball fifty with a second consecutive six off Zak Foulkes, then in the 11th over was able to send Matt Henry over the off side for six from the back foot.There was a chance of maiden T20I hundred, but he picked out cover. Short made an encouraging return with 29 off 18 balls until missing a full toss from Kyle Jamieson before David swiftly ended the game.

Cruz Beckham has fiercely defended his father David after Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he was physically superior to the retired Manchester United legend. The Al-Nassr star is still playing at the age of 40 and boasts an impressive physique, an area he feels he has the beating of Beckham. But the ex-England captain's youngest son has hit back at the Portuguese in savage style.

Ronaldo puts down Beckham's 'normal' body

The Portugal icon spoke with journalist Piers Morgan about his career, his future, and much more during a lengthy chat earlier this month. In that conversation, ex-Man Utd and Real Madrid man Beckham, 50, was also briefly brought up. Ronaldo was asked who he thought was the better-looking of the two, with the veteran striker not mincing his words. 

"His face is beautiful, yeah, handsome face," he said. "The rest is normal, like it's normal. I'm not normal. I'm perfecto. For me [good] looking is not only the face but the whole package. Imagine Cristiano and a normal guy with red speedos on the Copacabana, you think I am not going to have a chance with nobody."

When asked who would get more attention walking across the Copacabana, Ronaldo boasted: "Me, 100 per cent," before adding, "He's [Beckham] looking good. I like him, he is a guy who speaks good, I like him."

The former Juventus star also suggested he is the most famous person on the planet.

"We'll do a debate for the world: who's the most famous? Me or President Donald Trump? I think, in the world, even in small islands, they know me more than him," he said.

AdvertisementCruz sticks up for father David Beckham

In response to this, the 20-year-old Cruz referenced Ronaldo's "rest is normal" comments and put together a side-by-side shot of the Portuguese when he signed for United as a teenager in 2003; in addition to one of David in his 20s. In that image, Beckham appears to have the edge.

Instagram

Beckham still got it

A few months before he turned 50, Beckham was on the front cover of Men's Health. The Inter Miami co-owner revealed that to this day, he still does two exercises: push ups and pull-ups. But it wasn't always something he enjoyed. 

He told the magazine in February: "I hated pull-ups with a passion. I could literally only do two or three – three at most. Bob decided to focus on press-ups and pull-ups. I hated both, and now we do them most days. I didn’t have pecs until I met (trainer) Bob [Rich]. You could say I’ve gone up a few cup sizes as a result. I never really had a desire to, either. I wanted to be as lean as I could. But since retiring, I’ve put a bit of meat in my pecs."

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Getty/GOALWhat comes next for Ronaldo and Beckham?

Aside from physique wars, Beckham will be focusing on Inter Miami's Major League Soccer Eastern Conference final clash against New York City on Saturday, which will see Lionel Messi take centre stage once again. Ronaldo, meanwhile, will be hoping his Al-Nassr side can beat Istiklol in the AFC Champions League 2 on Wednesday.

Youngster struggled for form after watching from the sidelines during India Tests

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025Jacob Bethell has admitted he “should have played slightly more” domestic cricket while he was England’s spare batter during their Test series against India.Bethell, 21, played only four matches – three in the T20 Blast, one in the County Championship – between the start of the Test series in June and his call-up for the fifth Test at The Oval, which began on July 31. He faced only 85 balls across those matches, and looked noticeably short of rhythm when scoring 6 and 5 during England’s narrow defeat after Ben Stokes was ruled out through injury.Specifically, he could have played some role in Warwickshire’s Championship fixtures against Sussex (which overlapped with the second Test against India) or Worcestershire (which clashed with the fourth), but decided in conjunction with England’s management that he should stay with the Test squad instead.Related

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Baker wins first England call-up, Bethell to captain in Ireland

England blown to bits-and-pieces as part-timers' bowling strategy backfires

Ahead of Sunday’s ODI in Southampton, Bethell had only faced 387 balls across the English summer, compared to 1,480 in the 2024 season. His lack of cricket has been discussed incessantly in the media in recent months, with suggestions he should have returned from the IPL early, or played for Warwickshire in the Metro Bank Cup instead of the Hundred.”There’s been a little bit of noise but I don’t listen to it much,” Bethell told Sky Sports. “If I’m honest, I probably should have played slightly more when I wasn’t playing in the Test matches, but that’s something that I’ll take and I’ll learn from that.”Even though I didn’t play much in that Test series, I was around the group for a lot of it, and just to watch a high-octane Test series like that was unbelievable. I got a chance in the last Test and unfortunately couldn’t go on there and put in a performance, but I’ve loved [the summer]. Playing for England is a dream come true and hopefully I can do it for a long time to come.”Bethell will play in England’s T20Is against South Africa next week before becoming their youngest-ever captain in Ireland a week later. He is then likely to be part of their white-ball tour to New Zealand, before travelling to Australia as the spare batter for the Ashes, and heading to Sri Lanka then India for a white-ball series leading into the T20 World Cup.”Now I’m looking at what I have ahead and there’s a lot of cricket, so that little gap where I didn’t play actually might be quite nice for me,” Bethell said.Marcus Trescothick, who will deputise as England coach in Ireland, said on Saturday that Bethell had a “great opportunity” to gain captaincy experience at a young age.”We’re very clear that he can step into that role and be very comfortable with that,” Trescothick said. “The attention has been outside of our circle. There’s been some media scrutiny around him playing and doing this job [captaincy], but within our circle that’s never been the case. We manage it accordingly and we’re not going to put anyone in a position that is not suitable to their character or their calibre.”

According to sources, he has told the franchise he doesn’t mind parting ways with them if he doesn’t fit their plans

Sidharth Monga11-Aug-2025Chennai Super Kings (CSK) allrounder R Ashwin has asked his team for clarity on how they intend to use him in IPL 2026, ESPNcricinfo has learnt. According to sources, he has told the franchise he doesn’t mind parting ways with them if he doesn’t fit their plans.Ashwin, who was acquired by CSK at the mega auction last year for INR 9.75 crore, played nine of 14 matches in a year that was seen as a homecoming. He was with the team that represents his city after eight seasons of playing elsewhere. This year’s IPL was the first time since 2009, Ashwin’s first season, that he played fewer than 12 games in a season. It was also his costliest year as he went for 9.12 runs an over, the first time that his economy went past 8.49.The deadline for releasing players usually depends on when the auction takes place, which hasn’t been finalised for IPL 2026 yet. The mega auction takes place every three years, but there is a mini auction every year. It is usually held anytime from November to February. If there is to be a player trade – as Ashwin did say jokingly in his interview with Sanju Samson – it can take place up to one week before the auction.Related

Samson asks to be released by RR ahead of IPL 2026

Dhoni expects Gaikwad's return to fix CSK's batting problems

“I played three years for RR,” Ashwin said on his Youtube show. “After my 1st year, I got an email from the CEO saying this is your performance, this is our expectation and we’re renewing your contract. It’s one plus one plus one – the contract renewal. After every season, it’s the responsibility of the franchise to communicate to the player if they’re retaining or releasing him.”With regard to news about me or Sanju – obviously a player has the right to express interest [if he wishes to be retained or no]. Every player seeks clarity. As things stand, it’s not in my hands. I’ve just asked for clarity. The situation we’re in, all the news floating around, none of it is coming from the players. Even with Sanju’s news, it’s rumours or it’s coming from the franchise’s side. I don’t know who is making this news.”Ashwin is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL. He started with CSK, and went on to represent the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, before returning to CSK in 2025.CSK have other calls to make as well, including captaincy, which MS Dhoni took over mid-season after Ruturaj Gaikwad injured himself. The franchise has always tended to wait for Dhoni to provide them with clarity on his availability when he starts training towards the end of the year. Last year, CSK named Gaikwad as captain even in the presence of Dhoni, which should be the case next year as well, even if Dhoni continues playing.