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Linsey Smith and Chloe Tryon also had a big part to play against Hurricanes

Andrew McGlashan10-Nov-2023Sydney Sixers continued their mid-season resurgence to keep themselves in contention for finals with a 57-run victory over Hobart Hurricanes.Important contributions from Ash Gardner, Chloe Tryon and latterly Suzie Bates, in her new middle-order role, lifted the home side from an uncertain 39 for 3 after Heather Graham had struck twice.On what was a relatively low-scoring day by North Sydney Oval standards, it proved more than enough. Hurricanes were unable to get a foothold in the chase and were three down shortly after the powerplay.Ellyse Perry claimed the key scalp of Lizelle Lee and Lauren Cheatle’s one-handed return catch removed Nicola Carey for a first-ball duck leaving them 19 for 3. Their problems mounted when Tryon, the hero with the ball against Melbourne Stars two days, removed Bryony Smith.Linsey Smith had sent down nine dots in two powerplay overs and claimed Elyse Villani and then she returned to add Heather Graham to leave Hurricanes reeling on 51 for 5.Naomi Stalenberg briefly threatened but there was far too much for them to do. The result meant Sixers leapfrogged Hurricanes into fifth spot.Gardner and Tryon had plundered 73 in seven overs to revive Sixers’ innings but they then lost 3 for 2 in six balls during the power surge which threatened to derail them.Graham claimed her third when she removed Gardner then Ismail, who earlier needed lengthy treatment in a finger injury after dropping a return catch in her first over and later did not bat, dismissed her former South Africa team-mate Tryon and Mathilda Carmichael in the space of three balls.But Bates’ experience came to the fore as she ensured against a lower order collapse. She put on a vital ninth-wicket stand of 31 off 15 balls with Kate Peterson who contributed just a single. Bates hit six boundaries in the last 10 deliveries she faced.

Spain started their Euro 2025 campaign with a dominant display over Portugal, running out 5-0 winners in this Group B clash.

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Spain 2-0 up within 10 minutesWorld Champs finish with 71% possessionLa Roja keep first clean sheet of 2025Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE

Spain showed zero mercy, as they ran roughshod over their Iberian neighbours. Any chances of Portugal frustrating their rivals were out of the window by the second minute, with Spain taking the lead after Ester Gonzalez bundled an Olga Carmona pass past poor Ines Pereira. The lead was quickly doubled; Vicky Lopez latching on to a delightful cross from the classy right boot of Mariona Caldentey.

Portugal were industrious and game for the middle section of the half, perhaps jolted into action out of embarrassment or fear of humiliation. However, La Roja continued to hammer home their superiority, stringing together neat passing moves at the edge of the box that beguiled their opposition and captured the imagination of a sell-out crowd in Bern. Lopez, Alexia Putellas, Claudia Pina and Caldentey were linking up at will, an ominous sign that soon the floodgates would truly open.

In the 41st minute, Caldentey picked the ball up on the halfway line and was given all the time in the world to pick up her head and find the darting run of Putellas. The Barcelona legend chested the ball down, cut past the desperate slide of Diana Gomes and buried past Pereira. A beautiful goal. Two minutes later, Spain proved they can score scrappy ones too, as Gonzales bundled in her second after a cross from Pina rebounded off the inside of the Portuguese post.

The second half started in a similar fashion, Spain camped in the Portugal half looking for a breakthrough. Always looking for an extra pass, perhaps La Roja would have been better served taking more shots rather than searching for the perfect goal. Portugal's brief skirmishes into the Spanish half were driven by solo lung busting runs by the rapid Ana Borges.

Ultimately, Spain were able to keep those brief excursions at bay, and appeared to content leave the game with their first clean sheet this calendar year. However, they had to have one last laugh, as substitute Cristina Martín-Prieto powered home a headed effort in injury time.

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Spain dominated their rivals in every facet of the game. They finished with 71% possession, 20 shots on goal to their opponents' seven, and had 50 touches in the opposing box to Portugal's five.

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This gong could have gone to any number of the Spanish players, but Arsenal maestro Caldentey demonstrated her immense technical abilities in setting up two of Spain's first half goals. She looked so dangerous when drifting off the right flank and picking out devastating pass after devastating pass to Pina and Putellas in the opposite channel. What a player.

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THE BIG LOSER

Diana Gomes' attempt at stopping Putellas' brilliant goal was a microcosm for an entire performance. The Portuguese defenders did not know whether to get tight or sit off Spain's brilliant attackers. Ultimately, they did neither and compounded their misery trying to play on their own 18-yard line. A frazzled effort in the face of excellence.

Laura Wolvaardt has been confirmed as the full-time captain, while Ayanda Hlubi and Eliz-Mari Marx have earned their maiden national-team call-ups

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2023South Africa have handed T20I call-ups for the first time to Ayanda Hlubi and Eliz-Mari Marx for the three T20I at home against Bangladesh. Marizanne Kapp, playing for Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, has been rested for the T20Is but will return for the ODIs that will follow.Injuries will force fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka (knee), and allrounders Chloe Tryon (groin) and Nadine de Klerk (side) to miss out altogether.Meanwhile, as reported by ESPNcricinfo earlier this month, Laura Wolvaardt has been confirmed as the full-time captain of the team, taking over the reins from Sune Luus. Wolvaardt had earlier led South Africa in their away assignment in Pakistan and at home against New Zealand in an interim capacity.Related

Lata Mondal back in Bangladesh squad for South Africa tour

Wolvaardt to take over as full-time South Africa captain

“Having Laura Wolvaardt as the official captain, together with a blend of young and experienced players bodes well for our succession planning,” Clinton du Preez, convenor of selectors, said. “It will also assist within the excitement we have around the squad in giving young players an opportunity and therefore we are looking forward to seeing them put up their hand and make impactful performances in this upcoming tour.”Hlubi is a seamer and was part of South Africa’s squad at the Under-19 T20 World Cup earlier this year, and returned three wickets in four matches in the competition. More recently, she began the CSA Women’s Division One T20s with two wickets in two outings at an economy of 4.56.Marx is part of the South Africa emerging side’s tour of Zimbabwe, and has picked up three wickets in three matches and has a strike rate of 103.57 with the bat. She is also Titans’ leading wicket-taker in the domestic T20s this season with four strikes.”The inclusion of Ayanda Hlubi and Eliz-Mari Marx gives great confidence to rewarding performances at the professional level,” du Preez said. “They have been instrumental with their domestic performances in the past season for their respective provinces.”Marizanne Kapp will take a break after the WBBL and link up with the team for the ODIs•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesFollowing impressive outings on the emerging tour and in the domestic T20s, seam-bowling allrounder Annerie Dercksen also returned to the 15-member side after completing full recovery from the finger fracture that kept her out of the Pakistan tour.”For the T20Is, this is where we are going to look, where possible, to blend in youngsters and give an opportunity to expose them at this level to keep growing the base,” head coach Hilton Moreeng said. “Overall, we have a lot of good youngsters coming through and the squad is becoming stronger and stronger every day with a more challenging environment, so we as a team are looking forward to that.”It’s another opportunity for some of these youngsters to show what they can do while not losing sight of what we want to achieve overall when it comes to the entire tour.”The three T20Is will take place in Benoni and Kimberley between December 3 and December 8, with the three ODIs to be played between December 16 and December 23 in East London, Potchefstroom and Benoni respectively.South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca claimed that winning the Club World Cup would be considered more prestigious than lifting the Champions League title in the coming years. The Italian coach also revealed his game plan that helped Chelsea thrash Paris Saint-Germain in the final at New Jersey on Sunday and win their second trophy of the 2024-25 campaign.

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Maresca claimed winning CWC more prestigious than UCLExplained tactics that helped Chelsea beat PSGBlues won their second title of 2024-25 campaignFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Maresca had a dream debut campaign at Stamford Bridge as he led the Blues to their second trophy of the 2024-25 season in the US on Sunday. Chelsea were on a roll in the final against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain as Cole Palmer scored twice and provided an assist for Joao Pedro's third to secure the Club World Cup title for the Premier League giants.

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Speaking to reporters after the triumph at MetLife Stadium, the Italian coach said: "I consider this competition, the truth is that one day I said to the guys inside that I have the feeling that this competition is going to be as important, if not more important, than the Champions League. I was lucky three years ago to be part of the coaching staff when we won the Champions League [at Man City].

"I lived all these moments, but the truth is that this competition is one of the best in the world. We value it as the Champions League, if not more so, because it has really been a great triumph for us, and to allow the fans of Chelsea to have the chance for the next four years with this badge, the truth is that for us it is an honour."

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Maresca further revealed his plan that helped Chelsea pip 'favourites' PSG as he added: "Yeah, as you said, there are three midfielders, two of them were in charge of Reece [James] and Moi [Caicedo] this point, and Vitinha was in charge of Enzo [Fernandez]. Analysing them, we saw that it was a good opportunity to exploit that space, and we scored a goal on that side.

"It was just a game plan, as we said many times, we tried to use different game plans, and we tried to help the players to be in a position where they can give everything. Today, it worked quite well. But overall, I think, as I just said, it has been the effort from all the team, all the players, and I'm very happy, especially for them, because they deserve this moment."

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The West London side will be back in action next month as they are scheduled to play a couple of friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan before kicking off the 2025-26 campaign formally on August 17 with their season opener against Crystal Palace.

Zimbabwe had their moments with the ball, but were up against it by the time the weather intervened

Sreshth Shah06-Jan-2024Match abandoned Charith Asalanka’s dazzling century and Dilshan Madushanka’s double-wicket maiden had given Sri Lanka the advantage over Zimbabwe after 54 overs of cricket, but persistent evening rain in Colombo meant the first ODI ended without a result.Rain threatened through the afternoon, finally arriving four overs into the chase. At the time, Zimbabwe, chasing 274 for victory, were reeling at 12 for 2 after Madushanka’s new-ball spell had just removed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Craig Ervine for ducks.But Asalanka’s 95-ball 101 was the standout performance of the day, not only for his shot-making but also for the patience he showed. With batters regularly falling around him and no real partnerships taking shape, Asalanka had to adjust his tempo and rein in his aggressive instincts till he eventually felt the time had come.He was on 52 when the No. 8 Maheesh Theekshana joined him with 13 overs to go, and he built a partnership of 23 with Theekshana and 52 with Dushmantha Chameera by rotating the strike smartly and picking the right balls to attack. All four of Asalanka’s sixes came in that period, and he took Sri Lanka to a respectable 273 for 9.Dilshan Madushanka bowled two maiden overs, picking up two wickets in the second of those•Ishara S Kodikara/AFP via Getty ImagesBefore Asalanka stole the show, it was left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava and Zimbabwe’s spinners who impressed. Ngarava operated on that nagging off-stump channel and, with the new ball, accounted for Avishka Fernando for a duck and Sadeera Samarawickrama for 41.Offspinner Tapiwa Mufudza – the highest wicket-taker in Zimbabwe’s recent Pro50 tournament – found turn through the afternoon to finish his ten-over spell with none for 37 on ODI debut. Sikandar Raza got an arm ball to bowl Theekshana and also controlled the middle overs as he claimed 1 for 41. Raza’s direct hit to run Kusal Mendis out for 46 was also crucial in pegging Sri Lanka back on a surface that promised big runs at the start.Blessing Muzarabani produced a strong spell to finish with 2 for 62, using his height to hurry Sri Lanka’s lower-order batters and add the dots. Faraz Akram, on ODI debut too, was wayward with his medium-pace, but sent back fellow debutant Janith Liyanage (24) and Sahan Arachchige (11) against the run of play to ensure Sri Lanka never ran away with the game.With many of Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggling to cope with the conditions, Ryan Burl was used as a fill-in, but his 3.2 overs went for 32, with Asalanka pouncing on the opportunities at the death before being run-out in the last over looking to get back on strike.The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Monday.

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri is confident that Luka Modric's addition will bolster the club’s drive to return to Europe’s elite competition.

Modric joins Milan after 13 seasons with Real MadridAllegri prioritises Champions League qualificationSquad rebuilding ongoing under returning coachFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Allegri has highlighted the Croatian legend's role as pivotal to Milan’s objectives for the upcoming season, saying he will "raise the technical level" of the squad as they target a return to the Champions League. He further acknowledged that being limited to one match a week allows increased focus on training and tactical development, but described missing Champions League nights as a drawback.

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The Rossoneri endured a challenging 2024–25 campaign, finishing eighth in Serie A and missing out on European competition. The appointment of Allegri, a returning Scudetto winner, underlines Milan’s determination to restore past glories. The club moved decisively in the transfer window, landing 39-year-old Modric after his trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid. Allegri confirmed there is "total synergy" with the club's transfer market efforts, and noted the focus should shift to the future, insisting that past achievements are irrelevant to the task ahead. The team's immediate goal is to be fully prepared for the competitive opener on 17 August.

WHAT ALLEGRI SAID

Allegri told reporters: "Modric will be important for us; he's a champion and will raise the technical level. The goal is to return to playing in the Champions League , which won't be easy because there are very well-equipped and competitive teams."

Asked how the lack of midweek matches for much of the season will impact his team, Allegri added: "The positive aspect is that playing once a week gives you more time to work, assimilate concepts, and become more of a team. The negative aspect is that by not playing in the Champions League, you don't get to play the big games everyone would like to play. I look at the glass half full: we have to work hard so that Milan can return to the Champions League next year. I've come back here with enthusiasm and desire. I'm focused on the final objective, which is to qualify for the 2026-27 Champions League , which is crucial for the brand and for the club financially."

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Allegri’s immediate focus is on building cohesion within the group before the first competitive fixture on 17 August. The club continues to seek further reinforcement in the transfer market, aiming to be "competitive for all three objectives by 31 August". Modric is expected to be integrated as a key technical leader, with Milan's efforts firmly set on regaining a Champions League place in 2025–26 and rebuilding financial and sporting stature.

Premier League legend Sol Campbell has named his favourites to become the next invincibles – and it is not Mikel Arteta's side.

Campbell names next invinciblesChooses rivals over GunnersClear message to Arteta Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Campbell was part of Arsenal's 2004 invincible team and knows what it takes to win, so it might hurt Gunners fans to hear that he has named Liverpool as the most likely to replicate Arsene Wenger's side's achievement.

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Speaking to BetSelect, he said: "Never say never. It’s very, very hard, but I think it’s doable. If you look at the talent in that Liverpool squad now, they’d be the most likely for me to go on to be the next Invincibles."

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Only one side have come close to matching Arsenal's famous achievement from 20 years ago – and it was the Reds themselves in 2018-19. They did not even win the league that term, losing out to Manchester City in that instance.

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J.LEAGUEWHAT NEXT?

Liverpool will be looking to claim back-to-back Premier League titles under Arne Slot and would love to go one better than their 2019 side and finish the campaign unbeaten. They kick off their new season against Bournemouth on August 15.

Seccombe decided to step away after his contract was not immediately renewed despite coaching Heat to their first BBL title in 11 years

Alex Malcolm20-Mar-2024Brisbane Heat BBL title-winning coach Wade Seccombe has quit his roles with Heat and the Queensland Bulls after being asked to re-apply for both jobs following an end-of-season review.Seccombe was out of contract at the end of the season but despite guiding the Heat to their first BBL title in 11 years, Queensland finished last in the Sheffield Shield for the first time in his seven-year tenure and second last in the Marsh Cup.Seccombe had previously coached Queensland to two Shield titles in 2017-18 and 2020-21. But after being asked to re-apply for the two roles he has decided to step away.”Winning the BBL was huge goal of mine as a coach and a massive achievement for the club, and that is something that I will look back on with great pleasure down the track,” Seccombe said in a statement released by Queensland Cricket on Wednesday night.”I said when I was reappointed a few years ago that there were several coaching goals I had set myself, with a BBL title and a chance to work with the Australian team again or internationally among the challenges that lay ahead for me.”My family and I will take stock on things from here and see what opportunities may present themselves in the future. I am eternally grateful for their support and the success I have been fortunate to experience as a coach is due to them.”Brisbane Heat won their second BBL title under Wade Seccombe•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesQueensland Cricket appointed Joe Dawes as new General Manager of Elite Teams, Performance and Pathways, during the season in a role that had been vacated last winter by long-time Queensland Cricket General Manager Bennett King.They had restructured their men’s coaching set-up three years ago to bring the Heat and Bulls programmes under one head coach with Seccombe taking over from Darren Lehmann in a coaching model that mirrored the success that Western Australia and Perth Scorchers have had under both Justin Langer and Adam Voges.Dawes said in a statement it is likely Queensland Cricket will continue to combine the roles after Seccombe’s departure.”Wade informed us that he would not be seeking a new contract, and he was upfront about his intentions once he had completed the various post-season reviews with players and staff,” Dawes said.”We will now go to market for the role of head coach of the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls and are very confident that such a prime coaching role will attract some outstanding candidates who will relish the chance to work in this exciting programme.”Queensland Cricket thanks Wade and his family for their commitment on and off the field and we certainly wish him every success in his future endeavours. He will no doubt look back on the BBL title win this season with the satisfaction of a job well done.”The news comes just 24 hours after the Queensland government announced its intention not to rebuild the Gabba despite a report into Queensland’s stadium infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games suggesting the Gabba was no longer fit for purpose.That decision does guarantee Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia will be able to play at the Gabba in the immediate future up until the 2032 Games with no need to relocate but what happens with the facility beyond that remains to be seen.

Barcelona reportedly have a new plan for Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United loanee becoming a No.9 option for Hansi Flick.

England international on loan at La Liga giantsSigned as an option to operate on either flankCould provide striker cover for LewandowskiFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Having accepted that they did not have the funds required to complete permanent transfers for Luis Diaz or Nico Williams, La Liga's champions found themselves exploring more budget friendly targets.

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Rashford quickly registered on their radar, with the England international having spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after tumbling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

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Barca viewed him as a wide attacker that can operate on either flank, allowing Brazilian Ballon d’Or contender Raphinha to take a rest when required. According to , Rashford is now viewed as a central striking alternative for Flick.

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Robert Lewandowski, at 36 years of age, is incapable of playing 60 games a season across all competitions. Ferran Torres is another option to lead the line, but Rashford is – after training and matches during a tour of Asia – now in that conversation.

His 79-run stand with Sunil Narine on Monday has made them the most successful opening pair this season

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Apr-20242:27

Review: Varun, Arora or Salt, who was KKR’s biggest star?

Phil Salt brought up his fourth half-century at Eden Gardens in IPL 2024 to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) roll over Delhi Capitals (DC) by seven wickets with 21 balls to spare in Monday night.Salt smashed 68 off just 33 balls, with 60 of those runs coming in the powerplay. During that phase, he clubbed seven fours and four sixes as KKR raced to 79, which was the fifth time this season that they posted 75 or more in the first six overs.”It is high-risk at times, but it is also about putting the odds in your favour and not taking the risks you don’t want to,” Salt told the host broadcaster after the game. “That’s the sort of balance that every opening batter tries to strike. Sometimes you can miss the boat a few innings in a row, but you just got to keep backing yourself and sort of taking those right options.”Related

Varun and Salt star in comprehensive KKR win

Salt picked his targets against DC: Lizaad Williams, off whom he plundered 15 off the 23 runs in KKR’s first over, and Khaleel Ahmed, who he took down for three fours and a six in the final over of the powerplay. Salt faced 28 of the 36 balls when the fielding restrictions were on, while his opening partner Sunil Narine played second fiddle.They brought up their fifth fifty-plus opening stand in IPL 2024 off just 26 balls, continuing their successful season as an opening pair with a 79-run partnership. Across nine innings, Salt and Narine have now added 485 runs, which is the most by any pair for the first wicket this IPL. Their scoring rate of 12.43 is also the second-highest for any pair to have opened the batting at least five times.”We’ve dovetailed nicely this competition, [and] that’s because if one of us gets going, then you feed the strike to that person,” Salt said. “When I get going, he feeds me the strike, and vice-versa. It’s good that we are on the same page like that.”Asked about the nature of his conversations with Narine, Salt said, “Off-field, we have a laugh generally. On-field, there’s not too much. We normally do all the talking the day before. Sunil keeps it very simple, but he’s a deep thinker of the game. With all his experience, he’s really good to lean on. We normally just have a good time. He brings a lot of experience to the partnership.”The Narine-Salt duo has made the job of KKR captain Shreyas Iyer a lot easier.”Phil, he comes for the team meetings and also gives his inputs,” Iyer said. “That guy is completely engrossed in the game. He wants to learn what’s happening, and every time [he is] coming up and giving such kind of performances and brilliant starts. It’s just pure bliss to see him coming and performing the way he has been.”