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England allrounder stars against West Indies as she eases back into international set-up

Valkerie Baynes05-Dec-2022

Nat Sciver doesn’t want to reach “boiling point” again.Sciver produced a Player-of-the-Match performance on her comeback from a three-month break to care for her mental health and wellbeing, as England defeated West Indies by a whopping 142 runs in their first of three ODIs in Antigua, and announced that she felt happy and comfortable again.That wasn’t the case when she stepped away from the game in early September, missing two home white-ball series against India. She cited emotional fatigue that had built over the previous nine months, which included an away Ashes series and 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, as well as England hosting South Africa and the Commonwealth Games.”It’s a tricky one because obviously, as an athlete representing your country, you don’t want to miss out on anything,” Sciver said. “You never want to say no to something. You don’t want to miss a training session. You don’t want to miss a trip.”Between tours, we have periods where you can have time off and things like that, but there’s always a bit of cricket in the back of your mind, knowing that you’re going to be back in three weeks, four weeks, whatever it is. You need to get back to be in a fairly okay physical state and ready to be training again.”But I think I just got into a place where I didn’t utilise these days, weeks, because I didn’t have the motivation to do things away from cricket. I just had poured all of my energy into that and wasn’t able to spare anything. I guess that’s why it all got to a bit of a boiling point for me. That’s why it’s so important to take the time when you can get away from cricket when you can, to create a bit more longevity in your sport.”Having taken the decision to step back, Sciver hopes that she won’t have to again. Longer term, she expects England Women’s talent pool to deepen which, in turn, will mean more players being able to tour. It’s not an unrealistic prospect, given that England handed international debuts this summer to teenagers Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp, as well as seamers Issy Wong and Lauren Bell, aged 20 and 21 respectively, all of whom have made instant marks on the side.And while Sciver’s ability to say that she needed a break is a positive thing, in the shorter term she has developed a plan she hopes will prevent that need from arising again.Related

Nat Sciver resumes England Women's vice-captaincy

Maia Bouchier, Alice Davidson-Richards added to England T20I squad

Sciver pulls out of India series to 'focus on mental health and wellbeing'

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Sciver, Wyatt and Dean give England a 1-0 lead

“I had a chance to think about that whilst I was off and put it into practice whilst we’ve been training at home,” she said. “For me it was about getting regular contact with someone, either our team psychologist or just the medical staff that have been around our group for a long time, who are part of our wellbeing tea, and catching up with them and making sure I’m voicing things.”Because my character is so sort of steady and there’s not huge highs and lows about me, it can be quite difficult to, I guess, read when I’m not doing so well. But I guess that’s something that I’ve been working on for a while and we’ll continue to do that. I guess it’s about recognising, or trying to recognise, when something’s not right and making sure I get to that early.”Then just being able to do things away from cricket. Obviously I won’t have loads of time in a row to do things away from cricket but making sure I’m ticking things off, a little thing every day, and making time for myself as well.”So far, so good, but we’ll see how it goes. I don’t want to get to a place where I have to take time off again, so I’m doing everything I can.”During her time away, Sciver “didn’t pick up a bat at all, or a ball other than for the dog”. You wouldn’t necessarily know it after she slotted back into her match-winning ways as England set their opponents a big target of 308 in Antigua. The only sad note of the performance was the broken collarbone suffered by Capsey while fielding which ended the tour for one of England’s most exciting prospects.And while she has stood down from the vice-captaincy for the West Indies tour, which continues with ODIs on Tuesday and Friday before five T20Is, Sciver remains part of the team’s off-field leadership group, with captain Heather Knight, acting deputy Amy Jones and senior spinner Sophie Ecclestone.With the T20 World Cup coming up in South Africa in February, Sciver admitted it was hard to know when would be the right time to return to a leadership role in an official capacity.”Playing my first game I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel or react,” Sciver said. “I want to use this trip to get back to enjoying my cricket and being able to express myself on the pitch, as I have done in the past. Having that leadership title was something that I was keen not to be part of, and just try to focus on myself for this trip.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A temida janela de transferências está aí para preocupar torcedores brasileiros, entre eles os do Palmeiras. Mas o clube parece estar se fortalecendo nas finanças para não precisar se desfazer de seus principais jogadores. Isso porque, com as negociações de Gabriel Jesus e Borja próximas de serem concretizadas, o Verdão pode atingir 85% do que foi orçado para venda de atletas nesta temporada.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoEx-Palmeiras, Deyverson terá jantar com torcedores em evento no Allianz ParqueFora de Campo30/06/2022PalmeirasPalmeiras abre pré-venda de ingressos para jogo contra o Cerro Porteño; 21,5 mil já foram vendidosPalmeiras30/06/2022BrasileirãoSaiba onde assistir Palmeiras x Athletico-PR pelo BrasileirãoBrasileirão30/06/2022

GALERIA
> Confira os públicos do Palmeiras no Allianz Parque em 2022

TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui

> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

Em seu orçamento para 2022, publicado no site oficial, o Verdão planeja arrecadar R$ 132,728 milhões, o que podemos arredondar para R$ 133 milhões. Uma quantia alta, que significa boa parte das receitas do ano, mas o fato é que até abril mais da metade desse valor já estava nos cofres alviverdes, mais precisamente R$ 76,177 milhões, que significam 57% do total previsto pelos dirigentes.

Tais valores são procedentes de negociações como a de Patrick de Paula para o Botafogo, Borja ao Junior Barranquilla, percentual de Fernando que saiu do Shakhtar Donetsk para o Red Bull Salzburg, e Pedrão, negociado em definitivo com o Portimonense, além de quantias relacionadas a negócios anteriores que pintam na conta.

Mas a tendência é que o montante não pare por aí. Resta, por exemplo, somar a prorrogação do empréstimo de Lucas Esteves ao Colorado Rapids, que ainda não havia caído na conta do clube. Mas a bolada que virá mesmo será das concretizações das negociações de Borja com o River Plate, e de Gabriel Jesus, com o Arsenal. Dois jogadores que não fazem parte do elenco, mas rendem valores.

Em relação à transferência de Gabriel Jesus, o Palmeiras tem direito a 5% do negócio, mais 2,09% do mecanismo de solidariedade da Fifa. O Arsenal deve pagar 45 milhões de libras (R$ 286 milhões) ao Manchester City para ficar com ele, e o Verdão teria acesso a 7,09% disso, ou seja, cerca de 3,19 milhões de libras (R$ 20,3 milhões).

A negociação de Borja com River Plate é um pouco diferente, já que quando o Palmeiras vendeu o colombiano ao Junior Barranquilla, manteve 50% dos direitos do jogador. Assim, com a transferência saindo na casa dos 6,5 milhões de dólares (R$ 34 milhões), o Verdão ficaria com 3,25 milhões de dólares (R$ 17 milhões) em seus cofres.

Com mais esses R$ 37,3 milhões que podem chegar referentes a Jesus e Borja, o Palmeiras atinge cerca de R$ 113,5 milhões arrecadados com transferências de atletas em seis meses do ano. Isso significa aproximadamente 85% do total orçado pelo clube para esta temporada (R$ 133 milhões). Em outras palavras, o Alviverde precisaria vender somente mais R$ 20 milhões para “fechar a conta”.

Isso é, de certa forma, um alívio para o torcedor, já que não parece haver necessidade de negociar os principais nomes do elenco, a não ser que a proposta seja irrecusável e o jogador deseje muito sair. Além disso, esses R$ 20 milhões podem ser acumulados por outras vendas indiretas e valores antigos que devem chegar nos cofres palmeirenses. O Verdão faz dinheiro sem mexer no elenco.

علق تركي آل الشيخ رئيس هيئة الترفيه بالمملكة العربية السعودية، على انضمام أحمد سيد زيزو إلى صفوف الأهلي خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية، والظهور في إعلان أحد الأفلام السينمائية.

وكان الأهلي قد أعلن اليوم الجمعة عن إتمام التعاقد مع أحمد سيد زيزو في صفقة انتقال حر بعد انتهاء عقده مع الزمالك.

طالع.. خاص | زيزو في طريقه إلى أمريكا للانضمام إلى الأهلي في كأس العالم للأندية

ونشر تركي آل الشيخ عبر صفحته الرسمية على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”: “زيزو مش في الفيلم.. زيزو في الأهلي”.

ويستعد زيزو للانضمام إلى صفوف معسكر الأهلي بالولايات المتحدة الأمريكية استعدادًا لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

ومن المقرر أن تنطلق بطولة كأس العالم للأندية خلال الفترة من 14 يونيو حتى 13 يوليو بمشاركة 32 فريقًا لأول مرة في التاريخ، بمشاركة الأهلي كممثل للكرة المصرية.

ويتواجد الأهلي في المجموعة الأولى ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، رفقة أندية إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، وبورتو البرتغالي، وبالميراس البرازيلي.

Manchester United are now involved in a sensational transfer battle with Real Madrid for the signing of a “special” talent from Madrid’s biggest rivals, according to a new report.

Man Utd injury news

The Red Devils ended their losing streak in the Premier League after coming from two goals down to rescue a point at Goodison Park against Everton on Saturday lunchtime. The result doesn’t do much for United in the league, but Ruben Amorim will have been pleased to see his side show some fight and desire to get back into the game.

Related Amorim suffers injury scare as £135k-p/w Man Utd ace set to undergo test

United and Amorim are sweating on the fitness of one key player ahead of their game against Ipswich Town.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Feb 24, 2025

However, it wasn’t all good news for the Portuguese as it’s been revealed that Noussair Mazraoui picked up a knee injury in the draw and is set to undergo tests. The defender seemed to have a problem in the second half, and he was replaced after 70 minutes by Leny Yoro. He is now set to be assessed before a decision can be made as to whether he can feature against Ipswich Town on Wednesday evening.

United have already struggled with injuries in recent weeks, with Amad Diallo being ruled out for the rest of the season, along with Lisandro Martínez. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set to miss the next few weeks and there is still no sign of Mason Mount or Luke Shaw returning to the matchday squad.

Man Utd set to battle Real Madrid for the signing of £26k-p/w gem

As Amorim tries to keep as many players fit as possible, INEOS are already turning their attention to the summer, as according to Spanish media reports, relayed by 90min, Man United have made contact with agent Jorge Mendes over the possibility of signing Lamine Yamal from FC Barcelona.

The report states that United, along with Liverpool, Real Madrid and other European heavyweights, have made enquiries over the availability of the young sensation.

Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues mean they will be looking to sell players in the summer, and while they will of course not want to lose Yamal, there is no doubting he would bring in a massive cash pile for the Catalans to get on the right side of FFP.

The Red Devils, Man City and Liverpool are said to be putting the most pressure on Mendes, but the report adds that all “big clubs” would be looking to strike a deal. Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing Yamal as they continue their search to replace Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid are the surprise name to be mentioned, given their links to Barca, but they have contacted Mendes over a possible deal. While Mendes has reportedly reacted negatively to Madrid’s interest, there has been no response to the interest from the Premier League or PSG.

Lamine Yamal’s 24/25 La Liga stats

Apps

22

Starts

20

Goals

5

xG

5.91

Shots per game

3.5

Assists

11

xG

5.93

Big chances created

19

Key passes

1.8

Touches per game

58.4

Yamal is under contract at Barca until the summer of 2026, but his earnings at the club, which see him earn €32,115 a week (£26,594), are restricted as he doesn’t turn 18 until July. The Barca forward has significantly impressed since breaking into the first team, with midfielder Frenkie De Jong stating Yamal has “something special”.

أعلن نادي الوداد المغربي، اليوم السبت، بشكل رسمي، عن ضم لاعب جديد، لتدعيم صفوفه قبل خوض غمار منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

الوداد المغربي يستعد للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية التي تقام في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، خلال الفترة من 15 يونيو حتى 13 يوليو 2025، بمشاركة 32 ناديًا.

طالع.. خاص | مدرب مصري على أعتاب قيادة الوداد المغربي

الوداد يتواجد في المجموعة السابعة من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، بجانب أندية مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي ويوفنتوس الإيطالي والعين الإماراتي.

ومن المقرر، أن يستهل فريق الوداد مبارياته في دور المجموعات، بمواجهة مانشستر سيتي، يوم الأربعاء 18 يونيو في تمام الساعة 7 مساءً.

ووفقًا للصحفة الرسمية لنادي الوداد، كشف الفريق المغربي عن التعاقد بشكل رسمي مع المدافع البرازيلي جويليرمي فيريرا، في إطار تعزيز صفوفه استعدادا لخوض غمار كأس العالم للأندية 2025.

وجاء التعاقد مع اللاعب البرازيلي قادما من نادي فيلجيراس البرتغالي، بعقد إعارة لمدة شهر واحد مع إمكانية الشراء، ووفقًا لموقع البطولة المغربي.

وأشار الموقع المغربي، إلى أنه يُنتظر أن يلتحق اللاعب بفريق الوداد في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، بعد إتمامه الإجراءات الإدارية اللازمة في البرازيل، ومنها الحصول على تأشيرة الدخول إلى الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

CA chief says “Rashid will always be welcome in the BBL,” after the Afghanistan legspinner threatened to withdraw from the league

AAP13-Jan-2023

Cricket Australia has hit back at criticism of its decision to pull out of an ODI series against Afghanistan, with chief executive Nick Hockley declaring “basic human rights is not politics”.Australia’s decision to withdraw from the three-ODI series against Afghanistan in UAE this March has been met with fierce condemnation, including a threat from Rashid Khan to pull out of the BBL.One of the tournament’s most popular players, Rashid claimed he was “strongly considering” his future in the BBL over the issue.In making the announcement on Thursday, CA cited the Taliban’s ban on university education for girls in Afghanistan. But the Afghanistan Cricket Board labelled the decision as “pathetic” and is set to complain to the ICC over Australia “prioritising political interests over the principles of fair play and sportsmanship”.Related

Pakistan not withdrawing from series against Afghanistan

Women's cricket in Afghanistan: Lack of progress 'a concern' for ICC

CA withdraws from scheduled ODIs against Afghanistan in March

Rashid Khan threatens to pull out of BBL over Australia's refusal to play Afghanistan

It also said Australia was “undermining the integrity of the game and damaging the relationship between the two nations” and would rethink allowing players to feature in the BBL.But Hockley was adamant on Friday that CA could not be accused of putting politics above sport.”It is clearly a very challenging and sad situation. We did not take this decision lightly and consulted widely including with our government,” Hockley said. “We were hopeful of playing the series and have been in regular dialogue with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.”However announcements by the Taliban in late November and late December signalling the deterioration of basic human rights for women in Afghanistan led to our decision to withdraw from these games. Basic human rights is not politics.”Hockley also stressed his organisation had no issue with Rashid or other players such as Sydney Sixers quick Naveen-ul-Haq, who also threatened to boycott the tournament.”We acknowledge and applaud Rashid Khan’s and other Afghanistan cricketers’ comments at the time condemning the Taliban’s decision to ban women from universities. Rashid will always be welcome in the BBL.”Hockley was backed by Australian cricketers Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa over the decision. But Rashid was emphatic in his anger.”I take great pride in representing my country, and we have made great progress on the world stage,” Rashid said in a statement. “This decision from CA sets us back in that journey.”If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition.”In a tweet to the accounts of Cricket Australia, the BBL and ACB officials, Rashid added: “Cricket! The only hope for the country. Keep politics out of it.”If Afghan players do pull out of the BBL, it will leave a big gap to fill as players like Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Qais Ahmad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Izharulhaq Naveed and Naveen-ul-Haq have distinguished themselves in recent years.CA had previously cancelled an Afghanistan fixture over the Taliban government’s policies towards women, a one-off Test scheduled in November 2021.

After a memorable night in Belgium, Aston Villa are on the cusp of the Champions League quarter-finals.

On Tuesday night, the Villans beat Club Brugge 3-1 at Jan Breydelstadion in the first leg of their round of 16 tie; Leon Bailey broke the deadlock, before a late own goal from Brandon Mechele, followed by a Marco Asensio spot-kick, secured victory.

Unai Emery’s team are now likely to face Liverpool, following the Reds’ win in Paris, in the quarter-finals, taking confidence from their recent 2-2 draw with the Premier League champions-elect.

So, the Claret and Blue Army certainly have a strong side to get behind, but would Villa be even more impressive had they been able to hold onto one of their most highly-rated young prospects, once described as the next Jack Grealish?

Jack Grealish's post-Villa career in numbers

Given that Jack Grealish joined Manchester City for £100m in August 2021, a then British transfer record, he made the move with sky-high expectations.

Well, his time at the Etihad has been ultra-successful, winning three successive Premier League titles, the Champions League, an FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

However, the fact the 29-year-old has scored just 16 goals in 151 appearances for the Citizens has led to Sam Lee of the Athletic describing his performances as ‘underwhelming’, adding that both this season and last have been ‘hampered by injuries’.

Grealish himself has admitted this has been the “most difficult year of my life”, struggling for form and fitness, leading to him being left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for last summer’s European Championships.

As noted by Oliver Kay in the Athletic, Grealish went over 12 months without a club goal, describing his form across the last two seasons as ‘beyond disappointing’, while Richard Jolly of the Independent believes he is ‘wasting his talent’, having gone from being ‘one of the most exciting attacking players’ in the world to ‘someone who is neither exciting nor attacking’.

However, have Villa since had an even more exciting young talent on their hands, one that, like Grealish, is finding out that the grass isn’t always greener away from Villa Park?

Grealish 2.0 finding form away from Aston Villa

Carney Chukwuemeka joined Aston Villa’s academy as a 13-year-old, going on to make 16 appearances for the first team, before being sold to Chelsea for a ginormous £20m fee in August 2022.

Prior to his departure, Alex Dicken of Birmingham Live labelled him the ‘next Jack Grealish’, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believed him to be Villa’s “next big thing”.

Well, despite making 32 appearances for the Blues, these have totalled just 746 minutes, his time in West London blighted by a knee injury.

He scored his only Premier League goal for the club at West Ham soon after arriving, a day soured by the fact the Blues were beaten 3-1, and the fact Chukwuemeka suffered an injury at the London Stadium that required surgery.

So, having featured only five times this season, all in the EFL Cup or Conference League, the 21-year-old joined Borussia Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the season in February, hoping to become the latest Englishman to star at Westfalenstadion.

Englishman to play for Borussia Dortmund

Players

Arrived for fee

BVB appearances

Sold for fee

Jadon Sancho

£8m

158

£73m

Jude Bellingham

£25m

132

£88m

Jamie Gittens

€90,000

95

Current player

Carney Chukwuemeka

Loan

3

Current player

All information courtesy of Transfermarkt

Speaking on the Totally Football Show, German football expert Seb Stafford-Bloor described Chukwuemeka’s Bundesliga debut for die Schwarzgelben as ‘absolutely sensational’, adding that his 15-minute cameo during the 6-0 demolition of Union Berlin is as good as you’re ever likely to see in such a short period of time.

Thus, as reported by Yannick Hüber, Jonas Ortmann and Jörg Weiler of Bild, Dortmund intend to make Chukwuemeka’s move permanent for €30m in the summer, albeit their option to buy clause is only active if they qualify for the Champions League or Europa League, currently on course for neither, languishing in tenth.

Of course, the 21-year-old has only made three appearances in the famous yellow and black so far, sitting out Tuesday’s Champions League draw with Lille due to, as manager Niko Kovač put it, a “small incident” suffered against St. Pauli on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Chukwuemeka is unquestionably a high-quality player, described by Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl as “extremely talented”, so will Villa live to regret allowing him to depart?

Related Worse than Rashford: Emery must drop 3/10 Aston Villa star after Brugge

Unai Emery should drop this Aston Villa star from the starting XI instead of Marcus Rashford.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Mar 5, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

A chegada em massa de técnicos estrangeiros ao futebol brasileiro faz os clubes passarem a exigir cada vez mais dos profissionais brasileiros. Até por isso, técnicos brasileiros recém formados no curso da CBF Academy buscam espaço nas principais divisões do país. Um desses exemplos é o ex-zagueiro Vagson Ribeiro, que, como jogador, atuou ao lado de nomes como Kaká e Denílson na base do São Paulo, além de passagens por Grêmio, Corinthians e futebol asiático.

Aos 41 anos, o gaúcho de Pelotas, que já tem no currículo, como auxiliar técnico, a conquista do Campeonato Gaúcho do interior Sub-20, com o Brasil de Pelotas, entendeu que a busca por conhecimento é a única maneira de furar a bolha e se apresentar como uma boa opção para o mercado nacional.

– Não tem outro caminho. Precisamos buscar conhecimento e nos colocar em condições de fazer um grande trabalho quando a oportunidade aparecer. Eu já vivenciei tudo dentro de campo, agora estou me aperfeiçoando e me especializando fora dele. Eu concluí a Licença B da CBF, estou cursando Gestão de Clube empresa, já que a SAF é uma realidade no Brasil. Tenho formação em categorias de base, entre outros cursos que estou fazendo e aqueles que pretendo cursar. Tudo isso me coloca em condição de entregar resultado”, disse o treinador que fez questão de lembrar das suas referências quando era atleta profissional.

– Eu tenho grandes referências como treinador, e busco me inspirar neles para realizar o meu trabalho. O Telê Santana além de ter sido um mestre taticamente, fora de campo era um paizão. Trabalhei com o Vanderlei Luxemburgo no Corinthians, era um técnico enérgico cobrava muito do nosso grupo que tinha o Marcelinho Carioca, Ricardinho e Luizão além de outros. Hoje o Vanderlei é um amigo. No Grêmio tive a oportunidade de trabalhar com o Cléber Xavier que é auxiliar do Tite na seleção brasileira, então busco trazer todo esse ensinamento que tive como jogador para o trabalho como treinador.

Suryakumar, Wadhera hit fifties as Mumbai win with 21 balls and six wickets to spare

Shashank Kishore09-May-20232:29

Moody: RCB will be shattered as a bowling unit

If ever you needed an example of a team walking home in a 200 chase without any stress, this was it. And in doing so, Mumbai Indians fired their IPL 2023 campaign into orbit as they made a stunning climb from No. 8 to No. 3 after razing Royal Challengers Bangalore in another six-fest at the Wankhede.At the forefront of their march were Suryakumar Yadav and Nehal Wadhera, who put together 140 off just 64 balls in a sensational spell of on-demand boundary hitting that had seasoned bowlers such as Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel searching for answers.From 101 needed off 60, Suryakumar’s pyrotechnics that brought him his IPL best – a 35-ball 83 – brought the equation down to 8 off 26 when he walked off to a standing ovation. It was his fourth fifty-plus score in his last six outings, marking a sensational turnaround in fortunes after a cold first half.Suryakumar’s partner for much of that innings, Wadhera, made the most of his promotion up the order in Tilak Varma’s absence due to a niggle. The ferocity of their partnership had a deflating effect on RCB, who now join a cluttered mid-table that has four teams on 10 points with a possibility of a fifth joining there on Wednesday night. Behrendorff’s powerplay act Long before there was an inkling of what was to come, Jason Behrendorff set the stage alight at Wankhede by stinging his former team with the wickets of Virat Kohli and Anuj Rawat. Kohli was out giving him the charge off his fourth ball, nicking a heave that was overturned through DRS, while Rawat’s top edge to an attempted scoop landed in Cameron Green’s lap as he ran back from slip.Prior to the double-strike, Behrendorff could’ve also had du Plessis first ball if Wadhera hadn’t dropped him at midwicket. Du Plessis, though, made them pay along with Glenn Maxwell as the pair quickly offset RCB’s early losses to fire them from 16 for 2 to 56 for 2 after six overs. The Maxwell-Faf show RCB’s soft middle order has been a cause for concern all season, but Maxwell and du Plessis weren’t going to die wondering. In fact, du Plessis took two fours off Chawla and continued the attack against Green. On the other side of the powerplay, Maxwell welcomed Chris Jordan – Jofra Archer’s replacement in the XI – by pumping him for two sixes in his very first over to raise the half-century of the partnership off just 25 balls. As it turned out, it was just the start of the mayhem that was to follow.Du Plessis was all muscle, backing away to swing cleanly if he wasn’t lofting through the line on instinct. Maxwell was a mix of the inventive and the ridiculous, switch-hitting, slog-sweeping, scooping and reverse-ramping his way, treating the bowling with such disdain that you wondered if Mumbai were in for a target in the vicinity of 230. The pair had put on 120 off just 60 balls when Maxwell dragged one across the line to deep midwicket for a 33-ball 68.Suryakumar Yadav celebrates after bringing up his half-century off 26 balls•BCCI

The RCB slowdownRCB would lose Mahipal Lomror and du Plessis, for a 45-ball 61, in the next two overs to expose that brittle lower middle order. It’s at this point that RCB decided to summon their Impact Player by bringing in Kedar Jadhav. It was now on him and Dinesh Karthik to give the finishing kick.Karthik struggled for rhythm, but flicked a switch from 8 off 7, to slam Kumar Kartikeya’s left-arm spin in the 18th over. But his dismissal with 11 balls left had RCB shortchanged. Akash Madhwal, the rookie seamer, delivered an excellent final over, only his second in the game, that went for six as RCB finished with 199; the last five had just brought them 48 runs. The Kishan turbocharge Five runs, four innings, two ducks.Rohit Sharma shredded that with a ferocious flat-bat off Hazlewood first ball. Ishan Kishan followed Rohit’s cue to take the attack to Mohammed Siraj, flicking and whipping his way to sixes. In trying to sustain his onslaught against spin, he was out to Hasaranga after hitting him for a four and six. Two balls later, Rohit was out lbw to a delivery he tried to nudge against the turn to one that didn’t turn as much as he expected. Mumbai were up against it at 52 for 2 in five overs. SKY takes over Over the next five overs, Suryakumar and Wadhera kept up with the asking rate by playing risk-free cricket, before the flick was well and truly switched on. Hasaranga’s return to deliver the 11th with Mumbai needing 101 more led to a torrent as both batters picked a six apiece.Du Plessis now went back to Hazlewood to stifle the scoring, especially with Harshal Patel struggling for rhythm. But Suryakumar’s grand hitting behind the V, where he used pace to takedown Hazlewood and Siraj for sixes behind square on either side, left everyone awestruck. He brought up his half-century off just 26 balls, and then raised the tempo even more by nonchalantly lofting a slot-ball from Siraj into the second tier down the ground.By now, Suryakumar was seeing it like a football, so big that even a beamer aimed at his body was swatted away for six like it was child’s play. His dismissal to Vyshak Vijaykumar in a double-wicket over was somewhat of an anti-climax at the end, but by then the result was a foregone conclusion.Wadhera fittingly finished it off with a lofted six over cover to bring up a second-straight fifty. By then, Mumbai had razed down the fastest 200 chase in IPL history – with 21 balls to spare – and the second-fastest overall.

When Ange Postecoglou joined Tottenham Hotspur last summer, one of the first things he did was set up his leadership group.

The Australian named Son Heung-min as the club captain but also made the somewhat bold decision to name new-signing James Maddison as one of his understudies, alongside the incredibly passionate Cristian Romero.

Then, at the start of this season, the manager decided to add goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to that group, which, given his undeniable importance to the team, makes a lot of sense.

However, with Son much nearer the end than the beginning of his career, Maddison inconsistent, and Romero constantly linked with an exit, there is a question over whom the team’s long-term future captain could be, although one of Postecoglou’s best signings could be the perfect candidate.

Spurs' future captain candidates

So, should Maddison be able to play an entire season at near his best, or the club can tie Romero down to a new deal in the next year or so, those two players are more than likely going to take the armband from Son when he eventually gives it up.

However, if that doesn’t happen, then there are several other options Postecoglou could turn to, and before we get to the player in question, it’s worth examining a few candidates, including Dominic Solanke.

Now, that might seem like a rogue choice, but even though he’s a recent addition to the squad, he is 27 years old, has plenty of experience, positive and negative, to draw from and, just as importantly, has been one of the club’s best players when fit this year, producing 19 goal involvements in 33 games.

Moreover, if Harry Kane was able to lead from the front at points, why couldn’t the former Bournemouth star?

Another star who could take the armband in the future is Dejan Kulusevski, who may have been a little out of form prior to his recent injury but has undoubtedly been one of Spurs’ best players this season.

The “world-class” star, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored ten goals and provided ten assists in 42 appearances, and as he does for the national team, has led by example at times, such as away to Manchester United.

However, when it comes to the long-term future captain of Tottenham, one youngster signed by Postecoglou stands out to us.

Kulusevski’s 24/25

Appearances

42

Starts

31

Minutes

3054′

Goals

10

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

152.7′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Spurs' future captain is lying in wait

There are several exciting youngsters Postecoglou signed last year, from the exceptionally talented Lucas Bergvall to the dynamic Wilson Odobert.

However, when it comes to being the club’s future captain and leader, our thoughts go straight to Archie Gray.

The former Leeds United gem joined the North Londoners for around £30m in the summer and, despite still being just 19 years old, has already established himself as an important member of the first team.

The Durham-born maestro might be a midfielder by trade, but constant injuries to the Lilywhites’ defence this season have seen the teenage sensation given far more game time than anyone would have expected.

So far, the “outstanding” prospect and “future £100m” player, as dubbed by respected football analyst Ben Mattinson, has made 19 appearances at centre-back, 12 at full-back, three in defensive midfield and come off the bench another three times.

Gray’s positional versatility

Position

Appearances

Centre-Back

19

Right-Back

7

Left-Back

5

Defensive Midfield

3

Other

3

All Stats via Transfermarkt

This ability to come into the team with no fuss and play whatever role is asked of him to a high level helps to demonstrate his impressive understanding and ability to read the game.

Moreover, even though he’s young and had to play in the backline of a team who have struggled this year, the England U21 ace has not once let his emotions get the better of himself, showing that he already has the temperament to be a captain, alongside the undeniable technical ability.

Finally, when he does move back into the middle of the park, the “future £100m” star, as dubbed by Mattinson, will be perfectly placed to lead his side, being close enough to help martial the backline as well as being close enough to instruct the attack.

Ultimately, it’s going to be quite some time before it happens, but from everything we have seen of Gray this season, he looks destined to become the captain of Spurs one day.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 15, 2025