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Delhi Capitals’ Australian allrounder opens up about her fielding, her success across formats and levels, and growing up in a cricketing family

Sruthi Ravindranath14-Mar-2025You had an excellent summer with Australia that ended with the Belinda Clark medal. How do you reflect on the season gone by?It feels like it’s been a long summer with lots of cricket, starting with that World Cup [in October 2024 in the UAEI’ve sort of moved series to series, tournament to tournament. There’s so much cricket on so it’s hard to look at it as a whole. Hopefully when WPL [is over] – and we’ve got a couple of games against New Zealand, and then the season’s officially done – I think when there’s a bit more of a break there, then I’ll be able to reflect a bit more. Proud I’ve been able to contribute to especially the Australian team and stand up in different moments, which has been nice.You got going with the ball in the very first match after coming from the Ashes in Australia. What did you have to do differently to adjust to Indian conditions?I don’t think there’s one specific thing. I think I’m quite versatile in terms of the change-ups I’ve got – I’ve got decent pace too – so I think it’s just about assessing the conditions every wicket you play on – even if it’s the same ground, it is a little bit different – and trying to work out what’s working as soon as possible. We’ve got a great bowling attack, very experienced with Kappy [Marizanne Kapp] and Shikha Pandey as well, who often start us off really well and [I] can get some good information from those guys before I come on, sort of more through the middle. But enjoying the challenge of often batter-friendly conditions and trying to navigate through a bowling innings when batters are going hard, and the boundaries are pretty short and the outfield’s fast too.You have an effective offcutter, which you’ve used quite a bit in these conditions.I think [I developed it] early on in WBBL when I was really young. I realised I had to work on a change-up to make it a little bit harder for batters. So I’ve got a couple of change-ups now. The offcutter is my go-to one early.Related

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Given my action, it was probably the easiest one to bank on. But I think I’ve definitely worked on it to make sure no matter what kind of conditions I’m playing in, it can work. I’ve got really good control over length, and I think it’s a big one for me to be able to use it in any condition and any format.Are there any other variations you have an eye on?Not that I’m willing to reveal . I’m always working on different things, but that’s for everyone to see on the field.Your fielding, specifically the catching, once again stood out in the WPL. Is there any specific training you do for catching under lights?It’s probably more about volume, trying to get comfortable under the lights and get used to the conditions. I think every stadium’s a bit different where the lights are at. The ball can get caught in the lights so it’s about just kind of picking up the depth. It can change or vary depending on the ground. So it is also about challenging yourself and not just practicing easy catches. You want to be dropping catches at training because that means they’re hard and you’re going to be ready for the game. That’s how I think about it.What makes Delhi Capitals such a good fielding side?We’re a really athletic team. Even someone like Niki Prasad – she’s young, but you can see how well she moves in the field. She’s taking some really high-quality catches and doesn’t look out of place at all. I think that’s no fluke. Everyone puts in a lot of time as they should, because it’s such a key part of the game, particularly in T20 cricket. It can turn a game and the momentum can shift. We know how important that is. It’s something we pride ourselves on at Delhi Capitals, that we want to be the best fielding team in the competition. I think we’re up there at the moment.How does WPL compare to the challenge of playing in the WBBL?Culturally, there’s a significant difference with the Indian local players. I’ve really enjoyed spending time and getting to know [them], that’s a pretty cool part of playing the WPL. The WBBL has gone for ten years now. I think domestic players [there] are probably a bit more experienced. I think they have a certain level of calmness about them – which I think the Indian players will keep improving on – given the amount of cricket the Aussie girls have played at that professional level. I think the more you play, the better you get in different pressure situations.Annabel Sutherland has taken eight wickets in as many games going into the WPL final•WPLObviously, the crowds are insane over here. It’s been lots of fun to play in front of some really good crowds with lots of noise at the Chinnaswamy [in Bengaluru]. The last game we played against RCB, it was super loud and we were able to quieten the crowd in our batting innings, which was nice. The crowds are certainly a highlight playing over here.You were part of Australia’s T20 World Cup win at the MCG in 2020. Coming to the Chinnaswamy, would you say the stadium atmosphere was on par? Did you feel intimidated by the crowd at any point?Not intimidated. I think you’re going to embrace it. It’s definitely part of the game, particularly in India. They’re probably louder than 86,000 at the G. They put up pretty good competition for that in terms of noise, but atmosphere-wise, it’s pretty hard to go past the MCG final.With the ODI World Cup coming up in India later this year, how important is it for you to play the WPL, especially in venues like Vadodara and Lucknow?The key part of a World Cup is you’re moving around changing venues. You want to get as much intel as you can before playing the game. I think it’d be at the back of everyone’s minds that [the World Cup] is coming up.As a youngster, what are the pressures of playing in a team like Australia where the standards are so high?I think that’s all external pressure, to be honest. We’ve got a really good environment in our Australian team. We know how hard everyone works, and we set our own standards probably higher than the external people do. That’s all the training and the work we do behind the scenes. I think cricket’s a tough game. We pride ourselves on our standards, so the pressure is kind of external noise.The Australian team’s depth is incredible. Would you say that perhaps puts you under pressure a little bit, that there’s always someone behind you?Yes, I think so. But I think if you’re doing the work, that’s all you can do at the end of the day. It’s a positive sign of where Australian cricket is at. There’s so much depth and our domestic cricket is really strong. We’ve seen with injuries and different things that happen that we’ve got great coverage across the country. Yet, at the same time, you got to be working on your game all the time trying to get better, because there’s people that are knocking on the door who are pretty hungry to play for Australia. That’s why you got to work hard and I know everyone’s doing that at the moment.Annabel Sutherland and Meg Lanning were part of Australia’s T20 World Cup win in 2023•Getty ImagesYou’ve played together with Meg Lanning for Victoria, Australia, Melbourne Stars in the WBBL and now at Capitals in the WPL. Is there anything as too much Meg Lanning? How big is it for you to play alongside her and pick her brains?There’s no such thing as too much Meg. She’s a superstar of the game. Just being able to play under her… she’s had a big impact on me. She’s super competitive. I love the way she plays the game. She would do anything to get the team over the line and get a win. I love that she trusts her instincts. She’s got a real good intuition of the game and more often than not she gets the right call.You grew up with a lot of cricket around you, with your father being involved in the sport and your brother playing professionally as well. How competitive were you with your siblings growing up when it came to cricket? Have you ever hit a saturation point with the game?Having two brothers sort of means everything’s going to be pretty competitive. We all loved sport growing up. In the backyard, there was a lot of competition, a few tantrums – that was all part of it. Cricket was one of the sports we played a lot, and we all love it. That [is why] we are still playing it now. It’s a nice thing to share with my siblings.I think it’s important given how much cricket’s on at the moment to have a healthy balance in terms of when you do get time off, whether it’s days or weeks between tours and tournaments, you need to make sure you have a really good balance of being away from games. I got real good people around me in terms of my friends and family who keep that balance, which is nice.

West Indies had their own struggles on a tough day in Barbados, but Australia’s next-gen batting remains a long-term gamble

Andrew McGlashan26-Jun-20253:33

Shamar Joseph: ‘One of the best deliveries I’ve bowled in my life’

Things may yet turn out alright on the night for Australia in Barbados in terms of the result – although that remains far from certain – but the opening day of the series shone a further light on the task of reshaping the top order with an eye to the future.Firstly, a qualifier: these were not comfortable batting conditions. Travis Head, who produced the most dominant innings, said that Australia had been taken by surprise with how tough they were, but Jayden Seales suggested West Indies had an inkling of what to expect after the pre-series training camp here.Still, Australia’s 22 for 3 – and a later collapse of 7 for 69 – followed on from the difficulties they had in the World Test Championship final against South Africa when they couldn’t find a way through tricky periods. West Indies had struggles of their own, but it was a reminder that the next generation of Australia batting could be a longer-term project riddled with uncertainties.Related

• 'Enough chances being created' – quicks could call the shots on third day in Barbados too

• Seales, Shamar scythe through Australia before quicks return fire

• Cummins backs Green as 'long-term' No. 3 amid Australia's batting reset

You only need to show Shamar Joseph an Australia batting line-up for him to put on a display. He had not quite hit the heights of the Gabba since that heady day (although, after his struggles in England last year, the numbers had been far from dire) but this brought back memories of Brisbane.His opening spell, and specifically the dismissal of Sam Konstas, set the tone for a well-planned West Indies bowling performance which held its nerve as Head and Usman Khawaja forged the best stand of the day, 89 runs, although it could have been better with safer catching.Konstas was beautifully set-up by Joseph, falling in a manner that has been seen before at Australia Under-19 level and in his early domestic days with the ball shaping back at him.”I think I set it up perfect towards him; a few outswingers, and then get the ball to nip back, because he’s just looking to get beaten outside off and then to nip back through the gate,” Joseph told ESPN’s , while speaking of the importance of the work he had put since the white-ball tour of the UK.Cameron Green lasted just 21 balls•Associated PressJoseph followed by giving Cameron Green a working over at No. 3, having him dropped second ball in the gully before he edged low to second slip. Ahead of the match, Pat Cummins said he saw Green as a long-term option at No. 3 but, while he’s had some tough conditions to face – firstly Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s and now another good pace attack – he will need a more convincing second innings to quieten the debate.The best of the lot, though, was saved for Beau Webster who was completely turned around by a magnificent delivery that took the top of the stumps. “That’s probably one of the best deliveries I’ve ever bowled,” Joseph said.Without Steven Smith (albeit temporarily) and Marnus Labuschagne, this batting order is without nearly 15,000 Test runs and it was something West Indies had taken note of.”We spoke about it,” Seales said. “We knew that coming into the Caribbean, pitches are a lot slower than what they were accustomed to in Australia. And especially this pitch, with the grass being how it is and the colour of the pitch, we knew that there was vulnerability within the batting line-up and more so with the pitch, so we just tried our best to exploit it.”

‘I don’t think there’s one solid way of going about things on those sort of wickets. You’ve just got to double down on your plan and your blueprint and what you play best’Travis Head

It took Australia 16 overs – and three wickets – to find the boundary, but Head defended the approach of the top order, backing each player to work out their own method.”I thought Usman applied himself really well in the partnership and batted completely different to what I did, and both were as effective as each other,” he said. “Guys will want to learn, you always want to try to adapt to the conditions the best way we can. We battled hard against a really quality attack, so on another day, you hope you get through it.””I don’t think there’s one solid way of going about things on those sort of wickets. You’ve just got to double down on your plan and your blueprint and what you play best. Naturally, I like to try and put as much pressure back on and there’s going to be times where it works and not.”Seales, who had claimed his first wicket when he removed the recalled Josh Inglis to a pull shot, was able to beat his team-mate to a five-wicket haul. He termed it the “most special” of the three he has bagged because he never quite felt at his best, but ensured Joseph took the acclaim as he left the field.”I think that’s what opened the game right up for us,” he said of Joseph’s early spell. “Blowing away the top order is the most important thing in Test cricket and then that made it a lot easier for us in the middle and in the back end of the innings.”Between them, their nine wickets left Australia needing the bowlers to keep them in the contest which, for the final 20 overs of the day, they did commendably as they so often have. But all eyes will be on that top order again come the second innings.

Stats highlights from the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi

Shubh Agarwal23-Oct-20253 – Number of Test wins for South Africa in Pakistan. Their previous two wins came in Faisalabad in 1997 and in Karachi in 2007. Since then, South Africa had lost three Tests in Pakistan.1 – Instance of two South Africa spinners taking five-wicket hauls in the same Test. Keshav Maharaj dismantled Pakistan in the first innings with 7 for 102. Simon Harmer then took 6 for 50 in the second innings, his best figures in Test cricket.7 for 102 – Maharaj’s first-innings figures are the best by a South Africa bowler in Pakistan. Left-arm wristspinner Paul Adams had the record with 7 for 128 in the Lahore Test in 2003. It is also the second-best figures by a South African spinner in Asia. Maharaj also holds the top spot with his 9 for 129 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2018.Related

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• Harmer's six-for helps South Africa ease to series-levelling win

4 – Number of South African bowlers to complete 1000 wickets in first-class cricket. Harmer reached the milestone in the second innings in Rawalpindi when he dismissed Noman Ali. Only Mike Procter (1417), Allan Donald (1216) and Charlie Llewellyn (1003) have more first-class wickets among South African bowlers.38 years and 299 days – Asif Afridi’s age at the start of the second Test, making him the oldest debutant to take a five-wicket haul. England’s Charles Marriott was 37 years and 332 days old when he picked up 5 for 37 on debut against West Indies in 1933.3 – Maharaj, Asif and Harmer picked up five-wicket hauls in Rawalpindi; it was the first time that three bowlers over the age of 35 took five-wicket hauls in a Test.35 – Number of wickets picked up by South Africa’s spinners in the two Tests, the most in a series for them in the 21st century. South Africa’s spinners took 17 wickets in Rawalpindi, the second most for them in a Test.ESPNcricinfo Ltd71 – Kagiso Rabada’s score is the highest by a South African No. 11. It was also his maiden first-class fifty.15.2 – The difference in batting average for Pakistan between their first and second innings in Test cricket since 2023. They average 34.49 in the first innings and only 19.29 in the second. The difference is the highest among all Test nations in this period.786 – Number of days without an international hundred for Babar Azam. His last century came against Nepal in the 2023 Asia Cup.Babar has now gone 75 innings without an international ton. Among Pakistan batters to bat in top four, only Kamran Akmal (76 innings) and Mohammad Rizwan (82) have had a longer streak without a hundred in international cricket.

Sometimes, you just don't have a good day at work. We've all been there. Such a day unfortunately came for future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw on Sunday during the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Milwauke Brewers. Kershaw cruised through three innings and looked to be on track towards earning a victory after the Dodgers spotted him a 3-0 lead.

But the wheels fell off in the top of the fourth inning.

The Dodgers defense let Kershaw down, committing a pair of errors that led to to the Brewers plating three runs. In the top of the fifth, Kershaw exited the game after hitting a batter, then allowing a single, after which the Dodgers committed another error.

The southpaw kept his cool on the mound in the midst of the errors but let his frustrations out when he got back to the dugout.

These have to be among the most frustrating days for a starting pitcher. The win is seemingly within the team's grasp, and then, because of circumstances out of the pitcher's hands, the lead disappears.

We feel your pain, Kershaw, we feel your pain.

This season has started about as poorly as it could have for West Ham United.

As things stand, the East Londoners are stuck in the Premier League relegation zone, and while Nuno Espírito Santo earned a point in his first game, he’s overseen three losses since.

However, there is a chance for the Hammers to steady the ship at home to Newcastle United this weekend, in a game that’ll see Lucas Paqueta take one of his closest friends in Bruno Guimaraes.

West Ham would love a player of his quality in their side, and while that is a pipe dream, they might have the next best thing.

Paqueta & Guimarães' relationship

Speaking ahead of the game, Paqueta did the usual of telling the West Ham website that the team are “all ready for a big battle,” but he also went on to explain his relationship with Guimarães.

Chalkboard

He revealed that the two of them are “like brothers” and that, thanks to their time on and off the pitch together, they are “best friends.”

It’s not all that surprising that the pair are so close, as on top of representing Brazil, they also spent time playing for Lyon.

In fact, between the 20/21 and 21/22 seasons, the duo made 42 appearances for the French side, in which they combined for one goal, but maintained a healthy average of 2.00 points per game.

On the international front, the duo have played 24 matches with both of them on the pitch, in which they’ve combined for two goals.

However, with 13 wins, six draws and five losses in those games, they’ve only averaged 1.88 points together.

You can only imagine how much better West Ham would be if Bruno were starting just behind Paqueta.

However, while that is a dream, the club might have found their own version of the Toon star who could end up forming a similar relationship with Paqueta.

Paqueta's new Guimarães

While there are some talented midfielders in West Ham’s squad, like Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa, it’s Mateus Fernandes who could end up being Paqueta’s new Guimarães.

Now, while he isn’t Brazilian, there are a few reasons why he fits the bill, with the first being that, like the Newcastle star, he is more than comfortable playing in central midfield.

Therefore, while he can play in the ten, he’d be just as happy to sit that bit deeper and allow the Hammers’ Brazilian maestro to remain as the most attacking midfielder.

However, the most concrete reason why the “exceptional” former Southampton star, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, could become the new Guimarães is that he was one of the most similar players to him last season.

Yes, according to FBref, the Toon ace was the ninth most similar midfielder to the Irons’ summer signing in the entire Premier League last season.

To gain a better understanding of how such a conclusion was reached, it’s worth examining some of the underlying numbers that led to the pair ranking so closely.

In this instance, these include specific attacking metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals, shots, shots on target, crosses into the penalty area, switches, and more, all per 90 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, given that they are both central midfielders, they also rank closely for more defensive metrics, such as interceptions, aerial duels won, and shots blocked per 90.

Now, with all that said, it would be foolish to expect the former Saints ace to match the performances of the Newcastle star, but the fact that they are so similar, and he’s six years younger, is certainly encouraging.

Ultimately, it may take some time for them to build a proper understanding, but so long as Nuno plays them both, there is every chance Paqueta could develop a similar understanding with Fernandes that he has with Guimarães.

How Jarrod Bowen really feels about leaving West Ham after £53m Tottenham claim

The England winger is reportedly attracting interest from north London.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 31, 2025

Essex have now won four matches in a row and could yet sneak into the latter stages

ECB Reporters Network supported Rothesay 24-Aug-2025Essex 289 (Westley 92, Taylor 5-61) beat Gloucestershire 159 (Bracey 37, Critchley 3-27) by 130 runsTom Westley continued his late-summer purple patch of run accumulation with a well-crafted 92 to inflict the first defeat of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign on Gloucestershire and enhance Essex’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.The Essex captain has now racked up 443 runs in seven innings in this season’s competition, including a century and three fifties. Add in three red-ball centuries in June and July’s matches and he has scored 905 runs in just two months. His latest knock encompassed 103 balls and included eight boundaries.Gloucestershire were already through to the knockout rounds – they wait to see if they are straight into the semi-final as Group A winners – but after six successive wins this was an underwhelming performance against an Essex side who have now won four games in a row. The visitors were dismissed for 159 with 89 balls to spare with Matt Critchley hastening the 130-run defeat with 3-27.Essex had looked set for a bigger total score while Westley was at the crease. But from 182 for 2 they lost eight wickets in 15 overs, subsiding to 289 all out, to a Gloucestershire spin attack that found turn and grip on a worn Chelmsford wicket. Jack Taylor led the way with his leg breaks for career-best List A figures of 5 for 61.Like Westley, James Bracey had also been in scintillating form in the competition, with 431 runs from his first six innings. His wicket, heaving across the line against Simon Harmer for 37 at 77 for 4, opened the door for Essex and they duly burst through.The loss of opening partner Cameron Bancroft, caught behind jamming his bat down to a ball of full length from Jamie Porter, did not inhibit Bracey. He was soon finding gaps in the field and pulled Shane Snater for six over fine leg. However, he contributed to the exit of the becalmed Ollie Price, his drive being deflected on to the stumps by Porter, following through.Ben Charlesworth lofted Westley for a straight six, but in attempting a second next ball was well held on the boundary. Jack Taylor followed Bracey when he squirted Luc Benkenstein to short third man to reduce Gloucestershire to 88 for 5 before the halfway point.Graeme van Buuren prodded unconvincingly at Westley and was caught behind and Miles Hammond’s careful 30 was undone when he lunged forward and was bowled by Matt Critchley. Three balls later Tommy Boorman was caught behind and the leg-spinner had a third wicket when Zaman Akhtar was caught and bowled.At the start of the day, Matt Taylor extracted some early life from a green-tinged pitch used for all four of Essex’s home 50-over games and got one to go away from Robin Das. Bracey took the catch at full stretch behind the stumps.Things looked went well for Essex for the next 30 overs or so as Westley put on 103 for the second wicket with Critchley and 75 for the third with Charlie Allison. The innings went downhill once Allison departed.Critchley had just brought up the century partnership with Westley inside 18 overs with his seventh boundary when Ollie Price got the next ball to turn late and rapped his left pad. He departed for 64 from 66 balls.Allison’s enterprising 40 from 43 balls ended when he sliced to short extra cover off Jack Taylor to precipitate a collapse with three wickets in 23 balls. The Gloucestershire captain quickly accounted for Luc Benkenstein, caught at long-off, and brother Matt had Curtis Campher cross-batting to long leg.The wickets did not stop there. Westley’s 135-minute stay ended when he was bamboozled by one from van Buuren that kept low. Quick hands by Bracey had Simon Fernandes stumped chasing a wide one from Price and Snater perished launching Jack Taylor to long legSome belligerent late hitting from Harmer, including two huge sixes off, took him to fifty from 36 balls before he gave a tame return catch to Jack Taylor, who wrapped up the innings by having Charlie Bennett claimed at long-off.

Jon Lewis picks over the wreckage of failed campaign as Australia loom in the new year

Valkerie Baynes12-Nov-2024England will be seeking the ultimate response to their shock early T20 World Cup exit when they travel to South Africa for a multi-format series from the end of November.Last month’s failure to reach the knockout phase of a tournament where they were considered title contenders is still raw, but Jon Lewis, England Women’s head coach, has been unpicking what went wrong during a six-wicket defeat to West Indies in their final group-stage game in Dubai.The loss of captain Heather Knight once she retired hurt with a calf injury while in the midst of a free-flowing 21 off 13 balls emerged as a key factor at the time. With the exception of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 57, no other batter reached double figures after Knight’s exit as England collapsed to 141 for 7.Then, with Sciver-Brunt standing in as captain, England couldn’t contain a century opening partnership between Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph – the latter put down a staggering five times en route to 52 – and looked increasingly rattled in the field with every boundary and dropped catch.Related

• Lewis: Staying on a roll poses biggest challenge as England Women scatter

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It all pointed to an inability to withstand the pressure of things not going their way, a scenario England had rehearsed throughout their home summer, even leaving Knight out of a match to simulate what turned out to be their worst-case scenario.Speaking on Tuesday from England’s high-performance base in Loughborough where he was working with the South Africa touring party – minus those in Australia playing in the WBBL – Lewis highlighted the difficulty of training for tournament cricket, despite that being a challenge for teams universally.”Yes, we have done a lot of work around how we how we work under pressure, and we’ve done a good amount of ‘what if’ planning, if our captain’s not around and so on,” Lewis said. “It’s not back to the drawing board, but it’s a continuation of that work, and to make sure that, rather than going, ‘oh, what we’ve done hasn’t worked, we can’t do this, and we can’t do that’, it’s, ‘okay, what is it we need to tweak, to improve, to make sure that if that situation ever happens again, we’re able to cope with it better than we did last time?’Once England are joined in South Africa by their WBBL players – including Knight, who is among the competition’s leading run-scorers – Lewis said attention could turn fully to moving forward.”When we get to South Africa, we’ll be doing some work around that and how we respond to those sorts of situations,” he added. “The tricky thing is, to recreate those situations is incredibly tough in training. However, we’ll just continue to plan, talk and think and develop, because we are a developing side with a lot of young players… with a young group of players, there’s a chance that they will make mistakes when the pressure goes up. The key bit is about what they learn from that, how they reflect on it.”England dropped five catches against West Indies•ICC/Getty ImagesOf the eleven players on the field in that game against West Indies, seven were aged 25 or younger. But, of those seven players, only two in allrounder Dani Gibson and seam bowler Lauren Bell had played fewer than 30 T20Is.Sophie Ecclestone, the spearhead of England’s four-pronged spin attack, has played 90 T20Is despite being just 25 years old, while legspinner Sarah Glenn is the same age and has played 68. Alice Capsey, England’s youngest player at just 20, has 37 T20I caps and was one of the busiest franchise players in the world in 2023-24 – she has made 124 T20 appearances in all during her relatively short career.Lewis said “I 100% don’t agree” with suggestions in the aftermath of that defeat that his team weren’t fit enough. Instead he highlighted – along with the youth of his team – inconsistent bowling and skill execution with regards to the dropped catches as reasons behind the World Cup exit. He also felt the side “became a little safer at times in our decision-making” and wanted to see a return to the more fearless approach of last year’s drawn Ashes, especially with a return series looming in Australia in January.”There’ll be some real strong group reflection when we get to South Africa,” he said. “I would expect a real response from the T20 team in particular in this series against South Africa. What I would like us to do is to go back to how we were playing last summer against the Australians, how fearless we were.Related

• Lewis: Staying on a roll poses biggest challenge as England Women scatter

• Sloppy fielding and low energy deflate England's campaign

• Alice Capsey omitted from T20Is as England name South Africa tour squads

• Kapp, Khaka rested for England T20Is; Naidu to skip for school exams

“What I’ve been able to do here with the players, in terms of one-to-one reflection, they’ve all been really honest and really understanding of what they got right and what they got wrong, and they’re all really clear about what the next steps are for them moving forward. And so the work begins now to put that right in terms of getting better at our skills and being braver with our skills, and then moving the team forward.”One player who won’t be part of the South Africa tour, which begins with the first of three T20Is on November 24 is Capsey, who was dropped as one of just two changes to the T20I squad, the other one enforced after Gibson underwent surgery on a knee injury sustained in the field against West Indies. Paige Scholfield has been brought in to add firepower with the bat at No. 6 or 7 and quick Lauren Filer returns after missing the World Cup where seam bowling played a bigger role than many teams had anticipated.Capsey’s omission comes amid an extended form slump in which she managed a top score of 19 in three World Cup innings and has made 64 runs in seven innings – with just two double-figure scores – for Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL. But, given that Lewis identified bowling as an issue at the World Cup, making her the only omission seems a one-dimensional response.Alice Capsey was dropped for the South Africa tour•ICC/Getty Images”The reason for leaving Alice out of the T20 squad was her inconsistency over a period of time, not just at the World Cup,” Lewis said. “Alice’s form has been trending downwards for probably the last eight to nine months. I felt that it’s a really good time for us and her to have a reset in how she goes about what she does, and give her a little bit more time to work out the issues that she’s having within her game and then come back stronger.”The most important thing from my point of view, in that position at No.3, is that she continues to try and impact the game and play the way that we’d like her to play, but we would also like her to be a little bit more consistent in that space. What I do know about Alice is that she’s incredibly strong-willed and really determined to be the best player she can be. There’s no doubt in my mind that, over time, she will play lots and lots of games for England in all formats but at the moment, she’s just trending in the wrong direction, and we just need to have a little reset.”Lewis also said there had been lessons learned off the field, especially with the optics of players posting on social media from a yacht trip during a day off in Dubai. While he was “really confident” in players’ off-field behaviour, he acknowledged that such posts could further arm critics.”I think that’ll be a sharp learning curve for the players involved in that,” he said. “What I would say is, I really trust our players and they train incredibly hard, but the female game particularly was getting a lot more scrutiny than ever before. Unfortunately for the players, that’s something that they’re going to have to think about and understand the consequence of those things, of the misconception of what they are doing and how people can misconceive a social media post.”I’ve got an incredibly diligent and incredibly hard-working group of players who I feel get the balance really right in terms of relaxing and having fun and being able to turn off from the high-pressure jobs that they do. I feel that they get it just about right. They won’t always get it right, because young people make mistakes, but I would say the vast majority of the time, they get it very right.”In South Africa, England face opponents sifting through World Cup disappointment of their own, having reached a second consecutive T20 World Cup final, only to lose it, this time to New Zealand. And their task won’t be any easier in the new year against Australia, the defending champions who were sensationally beaten in the semi-finals by South Africa.With so much to play for over the next two-and-a-half months, the trajectory of England’s education is sure to remain steep.

Ruben Amorim has heaped praise on Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha as a "maverick" who "has an aura about him," praising the Brazilian's fearless style and mental edge since joining from Wolves. The United boss believes Cunha's unpredictable brilliance and psychological impact on opponents have transformed his side's attacking play during a promising start to the season.

• Man Utd's new attacking signings helping Amorim

  Cunha has quickly established himself as one of Manchester United’s standout performers following his £62.5 million ($82m) summer move from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 26-year-old Brazilian has become a fan favourite at Old Trafford, with his blend of flair, aggression, and creativity earning him comparisons to former club icon Eric Cantona. While his goalscoring numbers remain modest, with one goal in 10 games so far, his influence on matches has been undeniable, sparking the Red Devils’ offensive setup.

  Amorim has built his front line around Cunha and fellow new arrival Bryan Mbeumo. The pair have injected final-third dynamism into United’s attack, helping the team recover from an inconsistent start to the season. Amorim’s tactical setup has given Cunha the freedom to roam between the lines, link play with midfielders, and exploit gaps between the defensive line 

  Cunha’s performances have also coincided with a noticeable improvement in United’s pressing and transition play in the last month. His relentless energy and willingness to press from the front have added a new dimension to Amorim’s system.

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  Amorim hails 'maverick' Cunha and Mbeumo

  Speaking to the media network, Amorim was full of praise for his summer signing’s influence. "Cunha is a maverick who does things that are hard to find in some players," the United boss said. "He plays with the ball, but he has an aura that can do something to the opponent's heads. And that is really important."

  Amorim went on to explain that Cunha’s unpredictable qualities bring something unique to his side’s attack. "It’s not just about scoring goals – it’s about the energy and the confidence he gives the team. Players like him make everyone around them believe they can do something special."

  The Portuguese coach also highlighted the mentality of his other major summer signing, Mbeumo, crediting the pair for their elite work ethic and tactical awareness. "Bryan is really direct, and we missed that last year," Amorim continued. "You can sense when the ball is going to our defender; he is already running to position. This kind of small thing that people don't see is massive to turn our team into a more dangerous team."

• Cunha and Mbeumo arrived as part of offensive overhaul

  Cunha and Mbeumo's arrival at Old Trafford was part of a wider summer overhaul under Amorim aimed at reigniting United’s attacking identity. The Brazilian forward was viewed as the invigorating spark and psychological presence the club had been missing. Meanwhile, the Cameroonian's signing was aimed at solving the Red Devils' lack of creativity and chance creation.

  While Cunha's goal tally might not yet reflect his influence, the underlying numbers tell a different story. Cunha ranks among United’s top players for dribbles completed, shots taken, and chances created this season, underlining his role as both creator and catalyst. His physicality and technique have allowed him to thrive in Amorim’s pressing system.

  Off the ball, his presence has been equally impactful. Cunha’s work rate and willingness to engage defenders create space for teammates like Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to exploit. In many ways, he embodies the mentality Amorim has sought to instil since his arrival.

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  Man Utd in fight to return to Europe

  The challenge now for United lies in sustaining the momentum their new attacking core has generated. With Cunha and Mbeumo leading the line, Amorim’s side has rediscovered its rhythm after a stuttering start to the campaign, climbing steadily up the Premier League table.

  However, questions remain about the team’s consistency in front of goal. While Mbeumo’s tally of five goals and an assist has provided much-needed end product, Cunha’s finishing still needs refinement if he is to reach the next level.

  As United prepare for a demanding winter schedule, the importance of maintaining squad fitness and tactical sharpness will be crucial. Mbeumo’s expected absence during the Africa Cup of Nations could further elevate Cunha’s responsibility as United’s attacking talisman.

Napoli have entered the winter transfer market with urgency after injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Zambo Anguissa forced Antonio Conte to rethink his midfield structure. Feyenoord captain Quinten Timber has emerged as a prime target, with his contract running down and multiple clubs circling. But Napoli now face fierce competition from Arsenal, where his twin brother Jurrien Timber already plays.

• Why Napoli are eyeing a winter move for Timber

  According to CalcioNapoli24, Napoli’s interest in Timber comes at a moment of necessity and opportunity. The injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa have left glaring gaps in Antonio Conte’s midfield which he has centred around power, transitions and constant vertical threat. Conte’s teams are at their best when the midfield can win duels, initiate forward bursts, and maintain tactical discipline, and Timber fits that profile with remarkable precision.

  Timber’s blend of physicality, technical comfort and relentless work rate is exactly what Napoli currently lack. His ability to tackle high up the pitch, break lines with confident passing, and contribute directly to goals makes him a rare multi-phase midfielder. In Feyenoord’s title-winning seasons, he excelled in both defensive recoveries and attacking progression, ranking among the best in Europe in attacking. Conte sees him as the ideal player to restore balance in a midfield disrupted by injuries, capable of playing as a box-to-box engine, an aggressive ball-winner or even a third man arriving late in transitions.

  Most importantly, his contract expiry in 2026 gives Napoli a strategic advantage. Feyenoord cannot afford to lose their captain for free next summer, making January the most realistic window for a deal.

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  Quinten Timber's rise to prominence

  Timber’s rise has been steady, substantial and built on consistent excellence. Since signing for Feyenoord in July 2022 for a club-record €8.5 million, he has transformed into one of the Eredivisie’s standout midfielders. His breakout came in the 2022–23 season, where he became central to Feyenoord’s first league title in six years. He scored his first goal soon after arrival, and by the following campaign, his contributions soared with him directly involved in 16 goals in 2023–24.

  His maturity was rewarded in 2024 when he was appointed club captain. Even after a knee injury in 2025, his pre-injury form kept him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite. His defensive numbers place him among the top percentile for tackles and interceptions, while his passing security and ball progression have made him indispensable for Feyenoord’s build-up.

  This explains why clubs across Europe, including Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, Manchester United and now Napoli and Arsenal, are pushing to secure him.

• Arsenal's interest in Timber and why Napoli needs to act decisively

  Arsenal’s interest in Timber adds a compelling twist to the transfer chase. Mikel Arteta has been tracking him closely, attracted to his intelligence in possession and comfort playing multiple midfield roles. What strengthens Arsenal’s position is the presence of his twin brother, Jurrien, who has already integrated seamlessly into Arteta’s system. The prospect of reuniting at a club known for developing young talent is naturally an emotional and attractive factor for Quinten, and Arsenal are well aware of the pull this creates.

  But Arsenal’s midfield is stacked with competition with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimeni and Mikel Merino all competing for central spots. Timber may be used primarily as a rotation option in Arteta’s possession system, gradually adjusting to the speed and physicality of the Premier League. Yet the pathway to consistent starts would be slow and heavily dependent on adaptation.

  This is where Napoli hold an advantage. Serie A’s tactical environment suits Timber’s development, and Conte is prepared to make him an immediate starter due to the injury crisis and the demands of the system. Napoli can offer guaranteed minutes, a defined role, and the chance to play Champions League football while becoming a central pillar in a title-chasing side. 

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  An important winter market for Napoli

  The January window will be pivotal for Napoli as they attempt to reinforce their squad and sustain their Serie A title defence. Timber is a priority, but Conte’s plans extend well beyond midfield. Injuries to key figures have exposed depth issues, particularly in defence, where the absence of Alessandro Buongiorno has forced tactical reshuffles, and at right-back, where Napoli are pushing hard for Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez. A new centre-back and full-back remain essential to stabilise the back line.

  With 22 points from their first 11 league matches this season, Napoli stand 4th and two points behind the top spot. But to stay competitive, Conte’s January decisions will shape the club’s trajectory for the rest of the campaign.