Chelsea have now reached a verbal agreement for one of their next potential signings of the window, but must wait for Christopher Nkunku to leave before finalising the deal.
The west Londoners are not exactly strapped for cash, and estimate that Chelsea are currently enjoying a profit margin of around £108 million when it comes to their balance sheet.
Enzo Maresca’s side have brought in around £388 million through player sales (£220m), Club World Cup prize money (£87.5m) and qualifying for the Champions League combined (£80m), with around £280 million spent on summer transfers.
This puts them in superb stead when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR laws, but they remain forced to sell players due to their pact with UEFA.
Chelsea reached an agreement with UEFA last month after breaking their separate FFP rules, and, as part of their settlement, it was agreed that BlueCo must produce a positive transfer balance by September – or risk not being able to register new players for their European A-list squad.
Essentially, Maresca’s squad must be balanced out financially with outgoings to make up for their plethora of incomings.
Chelsea are currently in talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, according to widespread reports, so they must make headway when it comes to selling more undesired players pretty soon.
Chelsea completed exit deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu earlier in the window, but more are certain to follow.
Maresca confirmed that Nicolas Jackson isn’t part of the squad for their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace, stating the Senegalese will be allowed to leave Cobham, while Bayern Munich are currently in talks to sign Nkunku, who’s keen to join them.
The Frenchman bagged 15 goals in all competitions last season, finishing 2024/2025 as one of their top scorers, but he struggled to earn a consistent starting place under Maresca despite some impressive showings.
Nkunku displayed flashes of his quality at the CWC too, though his future appears far away from west London, especially since his exit could “unlock” a long-awaited deal for Simons.
Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons
That is according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who wrote on X this week that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign the Dutchman.
Chelsea-Xavi-Simons
However, they’re currently waiting for Nkunku to leave before formalising the deal – making his exit imperative.
The 22-year-old playmaker bagged 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions across 24/25, prompting Leipzig to reward Simons with a £192,000-per-week contract – making him the highest-paid player in their history.
The former PSG ace only made his move there a permanent one in January, but if he has his way, Simons could soon become one of the Premier League’s newest stars.
Com dois tempos distintos, o Fluminense estreou da melhor forma possível no Campeonato Brasileiro ao vencer o América-MG por 3 a 0 no Independência. Em campo, um nome se destacou e fez com que o Tricolor ficasse com os três pontos: o jovem Lelê, que foi o principal destaque do Volta Redonda pelo Campeonato Carioca. Fernando Diniz teceu muitos elogios ao atacante, que marcou um gol e deu uma assistência.
+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro
O comandante também explicou a estratégia de poupar jogadores importantes visando o duelo contra o The Strongest, na terça, no Maracanã, pela Libertadores. De acordo com a visão de Diniz, o time começou bem, mas oscilou com alguns erros e foi se adaptando ao jogo.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFluminenseDe volta ao Fluminense, John Kennedy descreve gol e vitória sobre o América-MG como ‘noite mágica’Fluminense15/04/2023FluminenseCano se torna o segundo maior artilheiro do Fluminense no século ao lado de Magno AlvesFluminense15/04/2023FluminenseApós grande atuação, Lelê celebra primeiro gol pelo Fluminense: ‘Ainda mais feliz pela vitória’Fluminense15/04/2023
– Acho que começamos o jogo bem, a gente tinha uma estratégia de variar o jogo curto e o jogo longo. Logo no primeiro minuto já tivemos uma chance clara com o Pirani. Aí depois teve um lance com o Cano no meio, que ele errou o passe, e acho que aquilo tirou um pouco da confiança do time. A gente sabia que o América ia exercer uma pressão muito forte. A gente foi se adaptando ao jogo. No primeiro tempo, já começamos a jogar um pouco mais com a bola longa. No segundo tempo corrigimos, o jogo estava pedindo um outro tipo de abordagem. Colocamos o Lelê para poder, junto do John Kennedy, fazer um jogo de posse, um pouquinho mais verticalizado. Encaixou super bem, conseguimos fazer três gols. Ainda tivemos o pênalti e outras três chances claras para marcar. Foi um segundo tempo excelente – analisou, antes de completar:
+ATUAÇÕES: Lelê muda a partida com assistência e golaço na estreia do Fluminense pelo Brasileirão
– O Pirani eu acho que começou bem, mas o jogo foi ficando muito físico. A gente estava com dificuldade para fazer as aproximações que treinamos. A partir daí, para o Pirani o jogo deixa de ser interessante. É um jogador muito leve. Ele teve alguns erros que, na minha análise, estavam muito perto do acerto. Ele quase acertava, mas perdia um pouco do equilíbrio, do domínio e acabava perdendo a bola. Na dinâmica do jogo, ele não fez um jogo ruim – disse Diniz.
– Ao contrário do Lelê, que tem capacidade de sustentar um jogo físico muito grande, é um jogador de velocidade e de finalização. A partida do Lelê hoje foi excelente, principalmente os 30, 35 minutos do segundo tempo. Depois ele cansou um pouco, tanto ele quanto o John Kennedy. São jogadores de força, de velocidade e que têm boa técnica. Acho que a aquisição do Lelê vai nos ajudar muito, assim como o Pirani – concluiu.
Além disso, Diniz falou sobre o pênalti perdido por Germán Cano quando a partida ainda estava empatada. O técnico ressaltou que foi uma decisão do campo e que o argentino é um dos três melhores cobradores do Fluminense.
– Na realidade, a gente tem três possíveis batedores. O Ganso, o Arias e o Cano, mais ou menos nessa ordem. O Cano estava treinando mais esses dias, é um cara acostumado a bater pênalti e a marcar gols. Então são três possíveis batedores. O Lima também bate muito bem, poderia bater, mas é uma coisa que eles decidiram ali no campo. Poderia ter sido tanto o Ganso quanto o Cano – salientou.
+ Use o cupom LANCEFUT na compra da nova camisa do Tricolor e ganhe 10% OFF
O Fluminense volta a campo na próxima terça-feira, pela segunda rodada do Grupo D da Copa Libertadores. O adversário será o The Strongest, no Maracanã, às 19h (de Brasília). Pelo Brasileirão, a equipe mede forças com o Athletico-PR, no sábado, dia 22, às 16h, também no Maracanã.
If there is one area of the squad Arsenal need to reinforce this summer, it’s the attack.
Despite finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for the third campaign on the bounce last season, Mikel Arteta’s side produced the best defence for the second successive year.
So, while the additions of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga are great, the Gunners really need to add more goals to the squad.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetaduring a lap of appreciation after the match
Fortunately, that seems to be the board’s intention, as reports now link the club to an exciting centre-forward who would be a dream teammate for fellow transfer target Eberechi Eze, and no, it’s not Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal target Eze's dream centre-forward
While Arsenal have been linked with a considerable number of talented internationals this summer, one of the most prominent has been Eze.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
In fact, if reports are to be believed, the Gunners have advanced from being interested in the Crystal Palace star to making an offer worth around £45m for him.
With an abundance of experience playing in the Premier League, the former QPR star will surely be a hit at the Emirates, especially as the club is still in the market for someone who’d be his perfect striker.
At least that’s according to a recent report from Germany, which claims that Arsenal are still very much interested in RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are still in talks with the Bundesliga side over their tremendously exciting poacher, although it does concede that he’s no longer their number one target.
If the North Londoners are intent on signing the Slovenian international, it’ll cost them a pretty penny, with the story revealing that Leipzig want at least €80, which is about £69m.
However, given his ability, potential and attributes, he may just prove worth it, especially as he could be Eze’s dream striker.
Why Sesko would be perfect for Eze
As you’d expect with most strikers, one of the first positives to Sesko is his output, as while he’s not on a par with the absurd numbers Gyokeres is capable of producing, he’s still an effective attacker.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
For example, in 45 appearances for Leipzig last season, totalling just 3258 minutes, the 22-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Eduardo Hagn, was able to score 21 goals and provide six assists.
In other words, the former RB Salzburg gem averaged a goal involvement every 1.66 games, or every 120.66 minutes.
Appearances
45
Minutes
3258′
Goals
21
Assists
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.60
Minutes per Goal Involvement
120.66′
Moreover, you have to take into account the competitions in which forwards play in, as, according to Opta, the Bundesliga is the fourth-best league in the world, while the Portuguese league comes in as the eighth best – behind the Championship and Belgian Pro League.
The second reason the Palace star would love playing alongside Sesko is that he looks ready to develop into a truly complete striker.
For example, he’s 6 foot 5, can hit speeds of 35.69 km/h and is incredibly effective with the ball at his feet. being great with the ball at his feet.
Don’t just take our word for it though, as FBref ranked him in the top 8% of forwards in the Bundesliga for percentage of successful take-ons and the top 11% for outright successful take-ons last season, all per 90.
Furthermore, by looking at his heat map from this season, we can also see how comfortable he is playing deeper or in the penalty area, suggesting he’d be able to help in build up as well as finish chances.
Ultimately, while he might cost a king’s ransom, Sesko looks like he could be something seriously special, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing what they can to sign him, especially as Eze would love him.
Saka's dream CAM: Arsenal submit bid for £45m superstar & it's not Madueke
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Phoenix lose 6 for 12 in 25 balls as Ben Duckett’s 92 goes in vain
ECB Media03-Aug-2024Southern Brave went top of the table after a dramatic Birmingham Phoenix batting collapse at Edgbaston. Chasing 170 after James Vince’s unbeaten 90, Phoenix were well-placed at 92 for 1 after 49 but then lost 6 for 12 in 25 balls to slip to defeat.Both sides went into this match at Edgbaston with two wins from three, but Brave’s 169 for 2 – the second-highest score of the season – proved more than enough, despite Ben Duckett’s 92 for the Phoenix: none of his team-mates managed as many as 12.After Phoenix captain Moeen Ali won the toss and opted to bowl, Vince and Alex Davies got the visitors off to a solid start, posting 31 off the Powerplay, and then putting the hammer down to reach 81 off 45 balls after one Sean Abbott set of five went for 22.Southern Brave turned the tide with regular wickets•Getty ImagesDavies was caught by Jacob Bethell off Benny Howell and Leus du Plooy could only muster nine off nine before he was also caught by Bethell, but from then on Vince and West Indian man mountain Kieron Pollard set about the bowling. Vince scored 90 from 47 balls with six fours and six sixes, and Pollard crashed 38 from 22.In reply, it looked like Duckett had designs on winning the game on his own, racing to a 21-ball half century as Phoenix reached 92 for 1 from 49 balls and the game absolutely in the balance.But ignited by a tight Chris Jordan set which culminated in Liam Livingstone slicing a high catch to du Plooy at point, Brave took five wickets for five runs in 18 balls to effectively seal the match, their stellar attack of Jordan, Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, Akeal Hosein and Tymal Mills proving too good.While Duckett hit eight fours and five sixes, the rest of the side hit just four fours between them.”It was a nice pitch, particularly up front,” Vince said. “Their bowlers bowled well at the back end and it was tricky to get the ball away at the death. Chris Jordan was fantastic, and once we got into a rhythm, we squeezed them really well. It’s a fantastic group of players and people are performing at the right times.”
Leeds United have held talks to sign a £5m Premier League defender who shares the same representation as current goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Meslier’s Leeds future up in the air after promotion
The Whites enjoyed a brilliant Championship campaign in 2024/25, winning the title in stoppage time on the final day at Plymouth Argyle.
Daniel Farke’s side reached 100 points from their 46 games, but that tally could have been so much more without errors from Meslier. His injury-time blunder away at Sunderland, shaky display against Hull City and mistakes against Swansea City cost Leeds six points.
Farke dropped the Frenchman for the final seven games, with Karl Darlow coming in as Leeds won six of their last seven, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Meslier’s future at Elland Road is thought to be in doubt, with Leeds on the search for a new first-choice keeper and will offer the Frenchman to other clubs during the summer transfer window.
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The likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone have been linked with moves to Leeds to replace Meslier, but by the looks of things, Leeds are talking to the goalkeeper’s Gol International agency about another client – Alex Moreno.
Leeds open talks for Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno
According to Football Insider, Leeds have opened preliminary talks to sign Aston Villa left-back Moreno this summer.
The Whites have made contact over a transfer, with Villa ready to move the 32-year-old on following his loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 24/25.
The Spaniard made 19 appearances for Forest last season, and a new left-back is among the top priorities at Elland Road with Junior Firpo on course to re-join Real Betis following the expiration of his Leeds contract.
Moreno has been valued at £5m by Villa, and clubs in Spain are also working to land the left-back ahead of Leeds.
He actually made his Villa debut under Unai Emery against Leeds back in 2023, and the Villa manager has described the full-back’s speed as his best attribute.
Regular game time at left-back appears to be on the cards at Leeds with Firpo on course to leave, so that could be something that appeals to Moreno.
Former Glasgow Rangers chairman Dave King has confirmed that a takeover of the club is expected to be finalised in the middle of June, ahead of the summer transfer window.
The US health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises are poised to take control of the Light Blues in just over a month, which will mark the start of a new era at Ibrox.
Results on the pitch in recent seasons suggest that a new direction and new leadership have been a long time coming, as Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership title in each of the last four seasons.
The Light Blues, who held their rivals to a 1-1 draw last time out, are going to end the 2024/25 campaign without a single trophy to show for their efforts, and with Barry Ferguson in interim charge after Philippe Clement was dismissed earlier this year.
Rangers will be on the lookout for a new manager to lead the club into a new era under the 49ers, and there are already plenty of names being floated around.
One popular suggestion has already been ruled out as a contender, though, as it has been revealed that Steven Gerrard will not be the new Rangers manager.
Why Steven Gerrard will not be the next Rangers manager
The English head coach is currently a free agent, having left Al-Ettifaq earlier this year, and this means that the Gers would not have to pay any compensation to bring him back to Ibrox.
Steven Gerrard
Despite being an attractive target, having also won a Premiership title for the Light Blues during his previous spell as the manager in Glasgow, the 49ers will not be pursuing a deal for the English boss.
TEAMtalk recently revealed that the new owners want to appoint a manager who does not have any links to the club, as they want a fresh face to build a new philosophy and way of playing to lead the team forward.
Nathan Patterson, Steven Gerrard
The report claimed that the 49ers are planning to build the club gradually, and their first move is going to be to appoint a manager who can lead a long-term project at Ibrox.
TEAMtalk’s article does not explain outright why they do not want anyone with prior experience at Ibrox, but it could be to avoid complacency and to avoid emotions dictating decisions.
It is the kind of ruthless decision that suggests that they could also be ruthless with underperforming players in the summer transfer window, particularly when it comes to the ones who are near the top of the wage bill.
The top ten earners at Rangers
Rangers have failed to win the league title in each of the last four seasons. This means that they have underperformed for several years, and suggests that the squad is not good enough.
James Tavernier, who has registered four goals and ten assists in the Premiership and the Europa League this season, is reportedly the top earner at Ibrox on a weekly wage of £30k.
As the captain and a regular starter who contributes with goals and assists on a regular basis, it is hard to argue that he does not provide value for money at this moment in time.
James Tavernier
£30k
Vaclav Cerny
£27k
Cyriel Dessers
£27k
Danilo
£26k
Jack Butland
£25k
Rabbi Matondo
£23k
Dujon Sterling
£22k
Tom Lawrence
£22k
Ianis Hagi
£21k
Nicolas Raskin
£19k
As you can see in the table above, though, there are some players who are not performing well enough this season to justify them being among the top earners at the club.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Jack Butland is one of those players who have not done enough on the pitch in the 2024/25 campaign to make his £25k-per-week wages worthwhile for the Light Blues.
The 49ers should, now, be ruthless in the summer transfer window by attempting to move on from the former England international, so that he is not part of the new era at Ibrox, as will be the case for Gerrard.
Why Jack Butland should not be a part of the 49ers era at Rangers
Rangers will need to make brutal decisions on players in order to improve the squad and to ensure that they can compete for major trophies next season, which means that they will have to make some bold calls on stars who have not hit the heights they once reached.
Jack Butland
Butland enjoyed an excellent debut season with Rangers after his move from Crystal Palace on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, as he kept 25 clean sheets in 58 appearances in all competitions for the club.
The current campaign has not gone as smoothly for the experienced shot-stopper, though, as he is currently the second-choice behind Liam Kelly and has only kept 14 clean sheets in 42 appearances.
Unfortunately, errors, like the one in the clip above, have become too commonplace for Butland, who was once described as “error prone” by journalist Luke Hatfield.
The English goalkeeper conceded 1.32 more goals than expected, based on the xG of the shots against him, and kept two clean sheets in his ten outings in the Europa League this term.
Appearances
38
26
Save percentage
71%
67%
Clean sheets
18
10
Error led to shot
1
2
Error led to goal
0
2
Penalties committed
0
1
As you can see in the table above, Butland’s form in the Premiership has also declined after his impressive debut season in Scottish football between the sticks, as he has been an unreliable presence in goal for the Light Blues with his mistakes.
He has been far too ‘error prone’ in the top-flight, with five errors that have led to shots, goals, or penalties for the opposition, and has kept eight fewer clean sheets, which has led to him losing his place to Kelly.
Jack Butland
Therefore, the club must be ruthless with Butland and attempt to move on from him in the summer transfer window because his performances suggest that he should not be a part of the new 49ers era at Ibrox, as his performances have not aligned with his place in the wage bill.
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It is now down to the new owners, once they are in place next month, to make that call and to recruit an upgrade on him before the start of next season.
While there is certainly more than one issue at Manchester United, much of the current problems can be centred around the long-standing woes of one key position – centre-forward.
Since arriving from Atalanta on a £64m deal back in 2023, Rasmus Hojlund has just scored 24 goals in 88 games in all competitions. Another Serie A import, Joshua Zirkzee, scored just seven times during his injury-curtailed debut campaign in Manchester.
Rasmus Hojlund
Prior to Hojlund’s arrival, Erik ten Hag had been forced to rely on an injury-prone Anthony Martial for much of 2022/23, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s hasty exit, a fact that led to the shock, short-term signing of two-goal loanee, Wout Weghorst.
The January addition of the Dutchman marked the lowest ebb in United’s search for a stop-gap, short-term striker – following the days of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Odion Ighalo – while the desire for more long-term acquisitions, like Hojlund and Zirkzee, has also backfired.
Season
Player
Goals
2024/25*
Bruno Fernandes
8
2023/24
Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund
10
2022/23
Marcus Rashford
17
2021/22
Cristiano Ronaldo
18
2020/21
Bruno Fernandes
18
2019/20
Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial
17
2018/19
Paul Pogba
13
2017/18
Romelu Lukaku
16
2016/17
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
17
2015/16
Anthony Martial
11
2014/15
Wayne Rooney
12
2013/14
Wayne Rooney
17
2012/13
Robin van Persie
26
That latter pursuit has sparked speculation surrounding the capture of Ipswich Town’s 22-year-old talisman, Liam Delap, although Ruben Amorim’s side need a proven, ready-made goal machine to arrive through the door this summer.
The latest on Man Utd's striker search
Alongside the desire to bring in a new number ten, in the form of Matheus Cunha, the latest reports indicate that the Red Devils are also ramping up their pursuit of Delap, with the Englishman available for £30m this summer, amid Ipswich’s imminent return to the Championship.
The former Manchester City academy graduate has enjoyed a fine season regardless of the club’s collective woes, after scoring 12 Premier League goals, although such a move would still represent a risk, considering he scored just eight times for Hull City in the Championship last term.
With that in mind, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is among those seemingly under consideration as a potential upgrade, while The Mirror have only recently reported that Amorim and co are keen on a deal for Napoli’s Victor Osmihen.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to the report, the Old Trafford outfit are ‘pushing’ to strike a ‘cut-price’ deal for the Nigerian sensation, with Amorim said to have made the on-loan Galatasaray man his ‘top striker target’.
The belief is that United are keen to strike a bargain £40m deal with the Serie A side, capitalising on the fact that the 26-year-old is set to enter the final year of his current contract back in Naples.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhenreacts
Amorim is said to ‘favour’ a move for Osimhen, ahead of Delap, and it’s easy to see why…
Why Osimhen could be the best signing since Bruno Fernandes
It has been made clear that INEOS are keen on pursuing a youth-centric approach to transfer dealings, a fact showcased with the recent signings of Patrick Dorgu (20) and Ayden Heaven (18), during the January transfer window.
That desire to plan for the future is all well and good, but United are crying out for figures who can instantly hit the ground running in Manchester. No longer can Amorim and co afford to play the waiting game.
Going down the route of signing the likes of Hojlund simply hasn’t worked, with the Old Trafford hierarchy needing to snap up players entering their peak years – much like with the capture of Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.
From his Man of the Match performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on debut, the Portuguese playmaker has looked every bit a Manchester United player. Fast forward just over five years, and the now-30-year-old boasts 96 goals and 85 games in all competitions for the club.
It could be argued that bringing in Osimhen would represent a signing of similar ilk, with the former Lille man having ripped it up wherever he has been, as evidenced by his career tally of 144 goals in 258 club games.
Previously the driving force behind Napoli’s Scudetto success in 2022/23 – in which he scored 26 league goals – the towering striker is currently thriving out in Turkey, having only recently powered to 30 goals for the season across all fronts.
Lauded as the “best striker on the market” by Statman Dave, Osimhen looks like a centre-forward at the peak of his powers – much like Fernandes represented in his final full season at Sporting CP.
Games (starts)
24 (22)
33 (33)
Goals
21
20
Goal frequency
89mins
147mins
Big chances missed
21
7
Big chances created
10
9
Assists
4
13
Key passes*
1.1
3.2
Pass accuracy*
67%
75%
Successful dribbles*
0.6
0.9
Possession lost*
7.7
22.8
While yet to sample Premier League action, Osimhen has proven himself in France, Belgium, Italy and now Turkey, with it unlikely that he’ll find the jump too great a challenge next term.
In the case of Hojlund, United can hardly be too surprised by his current woes, considering he scored just ten goals for Atalanta prior to moving to Manchester. The promising Dane is a player of potential, but in Osimhen, Amorim could find the real deal.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhenis picture wearing a protective face mask
Indeed, with club legend Gary Neville stating that Fernandes is the only signing of the last decade who has “done more than I thought he would”, perhaps the Napoli outcast could be the best addition since the Portugal star’s arrival.
New Cantona & Berbatov: Man Utd on the verge of signing £90k-p/w "maverick"
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All the big numbers from the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup
Sampath Bandarupalli20-Oct-20244 New Zealand became only the fourth team to win the Women’s T20 World Cup. Australia have won six of the nine editions of the tournament, while England (2009) and West Indies (2016) are the other teams to win the trophy.3 New Zealand are now only the third women’s team to complete the double of winning the World Cup across both the ODI and T20I formats. New Zealand’s lone ODI World Cup win came back in 2000. Australia have won seven of the 12 Women’s ODI World Cups, while England have won the other four.10 Consecutive T20I defeats for New Zealand coming into this World Cup. It is the longest losing streak for any team coming into a World Cup that they eventually won (ODI or T20I, by men or women).ESPNcricinfo LtdAustralia’s men’s team went into the ODI World Cups in 1987 and 2007 on the back of five-match losing streaks in ODIs, while the Australia women’s team lost five T20Is in succession ahead of the 2010 T20 World Cup.158 for 5 New Zealand’s total in the final against South Africa. It is the second-highest total in a Women’s T20 World Cup final behind Australia’s 184 for 4 against India in 2020.15 Wickets for Amelia Kerr in this World Cup, the most by any player in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. She surpassed Anya Shrubsole (2014) and Megan Schutt (2020), who took 13 wickets each. Nonkululeko Mlaba is next on the list, with 12 wickets in 2024.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 Kerr became the first woman to score 40-plus runs and take three or more wickets in a T20I knockout match. She is now only the sixth player with 40-plus runs and three-plus wickets in a Women’s T20 World Cup game.35y 49d Sophie Devine’s age coming into the final, making her the oldest captain to win a Women’s World Cup. Belinda Clark was the previous oldest, at the age of 34 years and 212 days when she won the Women’s ODI World Cup title in 2005.The previous oldest captain to win a Women’s T20 World Cup was Meg Lanning, at the age of 30 years and 338 days in 2023.Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu are the top three oldest players to be part of a Women’s T20 World Cup final win.ESPNcricinfo Ltd48 Wickets for New Zealand’s bowlers across six matches at this World Cup. These are the most wickets by one team’s bowlers in a Women’s T20 World Cup, surpassing the 46 taken by Australia in the 2018 edition.334 Matches played by Bates in international cricket – 163 ODIs and 171 T20Is. She is now the most capped woman in international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj’s tally of 333 appearances.
Former Pakistan captain talks to Osman Samiuddin about his upcoming autobiography ‘Sultan’
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Nov-2022In the latest episode of , Wasim Akram sits down with Osman Samiuddin ahead of the release of his new autobiography and talks bout his post-career cocaine addiction, the Qayyum report, the 1996 World Cup quarter-final, and when the “Greek God” Imran Khan ordered a pint of milk at a nightclub in Sydney.
Bowling Australia out for 195 was a superb effort, but now the batsmen have to back it up
Sidharth Monga26-Dec-2020Not the Summer Of 36. It is the Summer Of 195 without Ishant Sharma. Of another possible under-200 without Ishant and Mohammed Shami. You have to believe it deep inside to even try it. And that’s what India kept saying. That they had seen the Australian batting, and if they kept doing the same things they did with the ball in the first innings in Adelaide, they could give themselves a chance again.This belief does not come from motivational speaking or mind control or hypnotherapy. It comes from knowing that they have done it before. That the newcomers coming in are coming in through the right supply chain of domestic cricket followed by A-team cricket. It comes from having in their attack two bowlers who will end up among the two or three greatest Indians of all time at their respective disciplines.And yet you also know that in the absence of Shami and Ishant, you don’t have the kind of relentless pace battery Australia have. So you know you will have to manoeuvre and not barge through, or as R Ashwin often repeats, skin the cat your own way. New captain Ajinkya Rahane has to play his part. The selection is a bit of a hedge: you have to play a fifth bowler to cover for the absence of two first-choice bowlers, so you muster the batting from elsewhere.R Ashwin was excellent even though it was only the first day of the Test match•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesOn the morning of the Test, after losing the toss, he goes to R Ashwin in the first hour, only the second time he is being used as an attacking option before a third seamer in a Test outside Asia and the West Indies. The regulation captain, Virat Kohli, did it the other time, at Edgbaston in 2018. The primary reason is the same: there is early moisture that can aid turn, a left-hand batsman in sight and they expect him to use these conditions better than the third seamer. What makes it even more sensible to bowl Ashwin early is that it allows debutant Mohammed Siraj time to play himself in and if Ashwin can get one wicket, he gets to bowl at Steven Smith over whom he has the wood in recent times.Ashwin sees Matthew Wade is not trusting his defence against him so he keeps a man back for his sweep and keeps playing with his trajectory. In the first five balls he faces from Ashwin, Wade nails one hard sweep but gets just a single because of the sweeper, plays one paddle for four, and is beaten on another sweep. Ashwin just keeps hanging it there, and on the sixth ball his dip does in for the advancing Wade.However, it is against right-hand batsmen that Ashwin shows his mastery especially when the moisture begins to dry out. On a day one pitch he bowls with a 6-3 field and a leg trap of two short legs, a catching midwicket – at times two – and a boundary rider behind them. He is getting bounce but he is not bowling what is thrown at him often as the “aggressive” line outside off.R Ashwin takes off on a celebratory run after dismissing Steven Smith•Getty ImagesAshwin often says that in away matches, especially on the first day, he has the unenviable dual task of holding one end up and also taking wickets. So he can’t afford to get cover-driven. So he bowls straight lines and tries to work for his wickets there with delightful changes in pace, trajectory and seam position on the release. Smith lasts just two balls, caught at backward short leg this time. Ashwin has now got him both on the inside and the outside edge in this series.The cat-and-mouse with Marnus Labuschagne is delightful. He doesn’t want to play the forward-defensive to rising offbreaks with close-in fielders on the leg side. On one occasion he stays back seeing flat trajectory, but Ashwin beats him in the flight with a real full ball. On another he sees a shorter ball – and thus runs – only to discover it is an arm ball that beats his outside edge. Ashwin keeps tying the feet of Cameron Green and Tim Paine down, drawing forward-defensive after forward-defensive. Paine’s wicket, caught at backward short leg, is only to be expected.At the other end, though, Rahane remains less ambitious. He breaks the rule of thumb at the start of the second session after a dominant first one. He doesn’t open with the two likeliest bowlers to get him a wicket. Instead he chooses this time to give Siraj a first bowl. He probably is wary of bowling his spearhead into the ground. This hour is perhaps the only time the batsmen look comfortable at the wicket. Labuschagne and Travis Head add 42 runs in 12 overs just after the break. Most of them are bowled by Siraj and Umesh Yadav.Mohammed Siraj celebrates his maiden Test wicket•Getty ImagesEventually, though, Rahane goes to Bumrah, and he does his thing to prey on Head’s looseness outside off. Siraj comes back for a better spell with the old ball now moving for him. His straight lines bring Labuschagne’s wicket at leg gully before he sets up Green with an outswinger after outswinger only for the inswinger to trap him lbw. The plans and the fields are again spot on. There is a vicious bouncer that hits Labushagne. He is not quite Shami yet but India have found three good men in a five-man attack.People have stepped up in crisis. Ashwin and Bumrah are as much captains as Rahane. Ashwin offers pep talks in the huddle. He bowls 24 overs for just 35 runs allowing Siraj and Bumrah to stay fresh. Between them they share nine wickets.There is reason to rejoice but there is also a note of caution. India have not been relentless. Australia’s bowlers put them through a torturous task with the new ball. India are lucky they are just one down after the first two overs of high-quality seam and swing bowling. Judge a pitch after both sides have batted and bowled on it. Now you look at Umesh’s 12 overs for 39 and that first hour after lunch with more significance.India enjoyed some desperately needed luck in that early inquisition. In the first 11 overs, they played and missed nine times, the same number as the whole 36 all out innings of 128 balls. When the edge is taken it is dropped. Another one falls short. A run-out is missed. The score is 36 again. For one. After Australia have been bowled out for 195. There will be more runs. Each one of those will have to be earned. They will have to work harder than Australia’s batsmen did. But then again there are different ways to skin the cat.