Mitchell Marsh blazed the second BBL century of his career while Aaron Hardie delivered with bat and ball to help Perth Scorchers break Hobart Hurricanes’ winning run on home turf.Marsh, Australia’s T20I captain, flexed his muscle to smash 102 off 58 balls, hours after the T20 World Cup squad was locked in. Marsh hit 11 fours and five sixes. He shared a 164-run partnership – the highest third-wicket stand in BBL history – with Hardie who also fired with a brutal unbeaten 94 from 43 balls with five sixes.The signs were ominous for defending champions Hurricanes early. After Scorchers were sent in, Marsh dispatched the first ball of the innings onto the the hill. He was given some lives by Matthew Wade, who grassed a tough diving chance when Marsh was on 18 and couldn’t glove a fast-flying edge off the spin of Rehan Ahmed when he was on 36. It was a timely knock for Marsh, who had only scored 25 across his first four BBL games.”I’ve actually felt pretty good in the games I missed out in,” Marsh told Fox Cricket. “The key thing for me is when you miss out a couple of times is to stick to your routines. I know what works, certainly in this format, for me to be mentally good to go. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous … you always want to contribute and get going in a tournament.”Hardie went to town in the 12th over when he hit four boundaries and one six off Chris Jordan in an over that went for 26 runs. Hurricanes quick Riley Meredith copped the worst punishment, going for 0 for 61 off four overs while Jordan and Ellis didn’t escape the damage.Hurricanes lost wickets at regular intervals in the chase but Nikhil Chaudhary (31 from 15) and Wade (29 from 14) provided some fireworks at the halfway point. Chaudhary holed out off the spin of Cooper Connolly in the 13th over, before Wade fell shortly afterwards in similar fashion a few deliveries after being bowled off a no-ball.Ashton Agar (3 for 38) finished with the best figures for Scorchers, while Hardie and Joel Paris both picked up two wickets. The result ended Hurricanes’ run of nine wins on home turf and pushed Scorchers to third position on the table midway through their season.
Giorgos Giakoumakis’ name has been doing the rounds in Celtic circles again recently after it was reported that Cruz Azul have put him up for sale.
The Daily Record reported on the news and added that the centre-forward would “love a return” to Parkhead, having left to sign for Atlanta United in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.
He has scored seven goals in 18 appearances in all competitions on loan at PAOK so far this season, per Sofascore, and has scored four goals in his last three appearances for the Greek giants.
Why Celtic should not re-sign Giakoumakis
Despite the prompt from the Daily Record adding that the striker would like to return to the club, Wilfried Nancy should avoid a deal to bring the Greek international back to Parkhead.
Giakoumakis scored an eye-catching 19 goals in 15 starts across two seasons in the Scottish Premiership with the Hoops, per Sofascore, which shows that he was a lethal scorer in limited game time in Glasgow.
However, he has not scored more than seven goals in a league season since he fired in 19 goals in the MLS in his debut campaign with Atlanta in 2023, per Sofascore, which suggests that he is past his best days in front of goal.
At the age of 31, Giakoumakis is now at the wrong end of his career, and Celtic should, instead, be looking for a player who can be Nancy’s long-term number nine, rather than a short-term addition.
Therefore, the Scottish giants should use the upcoming January transfer window to bring in a younger number nine who can lead the line for many years to come at Parkhead.
The Celtic target who could be Nancy's own Giakoumakis
The Hoops have already been linked with several players ahead of the transfer window that opens later this week, and one of them could be Nancy’s own version of Giakoumakis.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It was recently reported that Celtic are leading the race to sign GAIS centre-forward Ibrahim Diabate, who is valued at around £3m by the Swedish side, when the January transfer window opens for business.
The 26-year-old star, who is five years younger than Giakoumakis, has been in impressive form in the Allsvenskan in the 2025 campaign, and could be the clinical centre-forward that Nancy needs at Parkhead.
Giakoumakis scored 19 goals from 16.47 xG in his Premiership career with Celtic, per FotMob. This shows that he was an incredibly clinical marksman for the Scottish giants who rarely turned down a big opportunity to find the back of the net.
So far this season, current first-choice number nine Johnny Kenny has scored four goals from 6.03 xG in the Premiership for the Hoops, per FotMob, which shows that he has been incredibly wasteful in front of goal.
Diabate, who was described as a “super physical” striker by analyst Jan Schultz, has racked up 19 goals in 29 appearances for GAIS in the 2025 league campaign, outperforming his xG of 13.80.
Stats
Diabate (2025 Allsvenskan)
Giakoumakis (21/22 Premiership)
Appearances
29
21
xG
13.80
9.80
Shots on target
28
21
Goals
19
13
Assists
5
1
Aerial duels won per 90
2.91
2.13
Stats via FotMob
His form this season is particularly impressive in comparison to Giakoumakis’ only full season at Parkhead, with more goals, more assists, and more aerial duels won per 90.
Subscribe to the newsletter for smarter Celtic transfer insight Get data-driven transfer and scouting analysis — subscribe to the newsletter to access xG comparisons, physical profiles and tactical fits so you can weigh targets like Diabate versus Giakoumakis and judge Celtic’s long-term striker options.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
His prowess in the air is eye-catching because Celtic have not had a physically intimidating centre-forward for some time. Johnny Kenny and Kelechi Iheanacho are more technical strikers in the current squad, and Kyogo Furuhashi, for all of his qualities, was not a physical presence.
Diabate’s form this year suggests that he has the physical and technical attributes to be Nancy’s own version of Giakoumakis, as a clinical striker who can make the most of his chances whilst also providing the team with an outlet at the top end of the pitch.
Whether or not he can translate that form and physicality over to the Premiership remains to be seen, but his impressive statistics suggest that he is worth taking a risk on in January, as he could be a brilliant addition to Celtic’s squad as the ruthless striker they currently lack.
Not just Ralston: Celtic flop must now never start again under Nancy
Celtic saw off a spirited Livingston following a first-half thriller on Saturday afternoon.
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the suspended IPL franchises, are likely to wait for the proceedings of Sunday’s IPL governing council meeting before finalising their future courses of action.The management of both Super Kings and Royals have been regularly meeting their respective legal teams over whether or not to file a review petition against the Justice Lodha panel’s ruling, which bars them from being a part of the IPL’s next two editions.A Royals insider revealed that they would prefer to wait for the BCCI’s immediate reaction to Tuesday’s verdict before deciding whether to challenge it or not. He also hoped that following Sunday’s governing council meeting, the BCCI would convene a meeting with both the franchise representatives to brief them on how they intend to tackle the impasse.Even the Super Kings management is unlikely to make up their mind before Sunday’s meeting, especially since the India Cements Ltd supremo N Srinivasan is to return to his hometown Chennai from Europe only on Saturday.Justice RM Lodha on Thursday clarified that the BCCI still had the right to terminate franchise agreements of both the franchises, even though the panel’s punishment was meted out on behalf of the BCCI to the two team owners. Legal experts believe terminating both the franchises is the most viable option for the BCCI.Still, the BCCI is unlikely to take a drastic decision in Sunday’s meeting. According to a governing council member, Sunday’s meeting will be more about “taking stock” than “taking hurried decisions”. He revealed that from the discussions he had been having with the BCCI hierarchy, he feels the board is in no mood to act without carefully considering all the legal implications of each of their possible actions.IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, on the other hand, told various media outlets that the BCCI running both the franchises for two years by forming an independent group of former cricketers was an option under consideration. However, multiple BCCI officials ESPNcricinfo spoke to laughed the concept off, saying it was “impractical” and could lead to “numerous conflict of interest” issues.
The future of the West Indies A-team tour of Zimbabwe was thrown into more doubt with a statement from Keith Mitchell, the Grenada prime minister, that in his view it is not safe for the side to travel.”The West Indies A team has many very young players who need to be developed in a nurturing environment. I am not convinced that given the instability existing in Zimbabwe that this tour will provide this kind of environment. I am sure that the parents and guardians of these players will be concerned about them touring Zimbabwe.”Mitchell stated that while he understood the need for the WICB and the ICC to broaden the appeal of cricket by taking games to as many countries as possible, player safety should be one of the most important considerations in deciding on venues.Cricinfo has learned that the WICB is still calling round players trying to get them to join the tour, although given that an announcement of the squad has still not been made, despite assurances last week that it would be, there remain questions as to whether the board has enough players.The mood among the West Indies players is reportedly one of suspicion about the board’s motives, and that was not helped when Bruce Aanensen, the WICB chief executive, described them a few days ago as “incompetent”.
Allrounder Alex Blackwell has been ruled out of Australia women’s forthcoming home series against New Zealand in October due to a knee injury.Blackwell ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during a training session with New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 15. She will undergo surgery next week, and will miss the entire tour, comprising a Twenty20 fixture at Brisbane on October 18, followed by a five-match one-day series.Speaking to reporters, Blackwell admitted that the injury was a huge setback, but added that it would only encourage her to try harder to make a strong comeback.”It’s very disappointing to be injured and know I’m going to be watching from the sidelines as I’ve been training hard over the past three months in readiness for the season,” she said. “My priority now is to go through the rehabilitation process, stay positive and make sure I come out the other side fitter and stronger and ready to play cricket as soon as I can.”Blackwell, a medical student, was recently named the 2005 Australian University Sport Outstanding Athlete of the Year.
Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s latest Australian coach, has been given a wider mandate than his predecessors to revamp the island’s coaching structure at the national and grassroots level, with the aim that Sri Lanka can win the 2007 World Cup and are able to be consistently rated as one of the top three Test nations in the world.Sri Lanka’s previous foreign coaches have had limited input into wider development issues and have often been left frustrated by a general lack of clout over even minor team issues. But Moody, the highest-paid coach in Sri Lanka’s history with a pay packet estimated to be US$150,000 plus expenses, has been assured a freer rein to build for the future.”Tom’s primary focus will be as head coach of the national team but he will also be looking at the structure of our coaching system in the island which we believe needs to be reviewed,” Tryphon Mirando, the interim board secretary, said at a media briefing. “We have already had a very healthy discussion about the long-term future and Tom will be working very closely with everyone so we can be champions again.”Moody produced an accomplished performance in front of the Sri Lanka media for the first time, sidestepping the predictable politically-slanted questions from some journalists relating to the recent cricket board crisis with ease. His theme was building for the future and putting in place the support structures necessary to properly harness the talents of the national team in particular and the island as a whole.”I am very excited and honoured to be Sri Lanka coach,” Moody announced. “I am ambitious and this [an international post] is something that I have been striving for. I am now looking forward to working with some of the world’s best players and taking the side forward. I will be the head team coach but I will also closely monitor the A team and the under-19 team and look into coaching at the grassroots.””Our main focus is the World Cup in 2007 and the journey we are started now is geared towards a successful campaign in the West Indies,” he added. “We will sit down with the senior core of the players when I return to review how the game is being played now and the likely conditions to formulate our strategies. Fortunately, we have plenty of time up our sleeve to come up with strategies that can help us win that tournament. In Tests, our goal is to look at a consistent place in the top three and to do that we need to maintain the side’s home form and improve performances overseas.Moody has also been given the freedom to build a new back-room support staff for the team. CJ Clarke is the current physiotherapist and is contracted until the 2007 World Cup, but there is no fitness trainer any longer after the failure of the previous administration to renew Shane Duff’s contract at the start of the year. A full-time assistant coach – possibly one of the leading local coaches like Rumesh Ratanayke or Roy Dias – is also on the cards.”I am in favour of having a quality support team to give the players the best chance possible of performing at their best,” commented Moody. “It may be worthwhile looking at an assistant coach and that is something we will look at in addition to the physiotherapist and fitness trainer. With regard to specialist batting and bowling coaches, as an experienced allrounder, I feel confident of being able to handle both of those areas. If I feel we need additional support, for example a dietician, we will address that when the need arises.”Moody promised innovation, but not technology for the sake of it: “I am familiar with all the new technologies that are being used now in the game and we will also be introducing new technologies into the coaching process, but it is also important to stick to the basics and we will not cloud the players in technology. If we can use technology to develop the players then fine.”Potentially Moody’s greatest frustration in the coming months could be selection, which has been a recurrent and consistent source of controversy over the years. Moody, who met Lalith Kaluperuma, the new chairman of selectors, on Wednesday afternoon, will not have an official vote but hopes that his opinion will be sought and valued: “It is important that the captain and coach have a close relationship with the selectors as it is important that we get the best XI out of the park.”Moody leaves for England on Thursday afternoon to re-join Worcestershire before returning on June 18 to start training and planning for the home series against West Indies, which starts on July 15.
Match abandoned due to rain ScorecardRain stopped barking and finally took a bite out of the series, with the fourth one-dayer in Dunedin being called off, and a replay scheduled for the next day. The replayed game will be a day game that begins at 12pm local time (11pm GMT).Play looked likely for a while when Graeme Smith won the toss yet again and put New Zealand in to bat. But rain washed the ground minutes before play was to begin. South Africa had their fourth success with the coin, but the rain ensured that there would be another toss tomorrow.South Africa’s inability to use the conditions – and the form of a rejuvenated New Zealand side – has resulted in two losses on the go. New Zealand’s victory in the third ODI came after the bowlers pegged back South Africa during the middle overs, and even inspired batting by Shaun Pollock could only take his team to the precipice of victory. An injury sustained during the game kept him out of today’s team, and Lance Klusener was his replacement.For New Zealand, the third match was an eye-opener. Michael Papps showed everyone what the fuss was about when he scored his first fifty and played a vital role in giving his team its first significant start of the series. And then their bowlers caged the batsmen. South Africa’s bowlers, barring Pollock, were made ineffectual and they failed to live up to the reputation that preceded them to New Zealand. It was a U-turn from previous expectations.
The Western Australian Cricket Association selectors today announced the Western Warriors team to play Tasmania in a Pura Cup match in Hobart on February 5-8.The team is:Justin Langer (Captain), Mike Hussey (vice-captain), Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Murray Goodwin, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Callum Thorp and Brad Williams.The Warriors are in Adelaide this weekend for a crucial ING Cup limited-overs match against the Southern Redbacks on Saturday, February 1.This entire match will be televised live on Channel Nine, from 7am (Perth time) on Saturday.The team travels to Hobart on Sunday morning, February 2, to prepare for the four-day Pura Cup encounter with the Tigers.
While the Indian cricket team trying to shrug off allegations of druguse by some of its members and retaining focus on the Coca Cola Cuptri-series final against West Indies on Saturday, physio Andrew Leipushas come up strongly in defence of his side.Leipus termed the allegations “laughable” and said he felt extremelylet down by the story.A news magazine last week quoted former Indian cricketer and coachAnshuman Gaekwad alleging certain players took performance-enhancingdrugs. Gaekwad had subsequently denied the comments attributed to him.”Personally it puts me in a bad light. All the hard work that I havedone to get the players fitter and better has been washed away withthis allegation,” Leipus said. He categorically stated he had “neverinjected a player except when it is for acupuncture” and denied evergiving a steroid to any Indian player.On the charge that he had imported some “stuff” from Australia for theplayers, the physio retorted, “It is myoplex, a nutritional powder,and it is secured from South Africa and not Australia. Also, it is nota steroid.”Steroids help people in the gym enormously. If you are in to heavyweight training, steroids will help you. But our guys, when in thegym, do not train so hard. Their training is not really intensive.Whoever has done the story has little or no knowledge of thedifference between diet supplements and steroids”, he said.”Fingers have been pointed at us,” said a senior cricketer oncondition of anonymity. “But nobody cared to remember that quite a fewIndian cricketers, like Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble,Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, have played county cricket inrecent past where drug regulations are in place and they have alsobeen repeatedly tested.”The England and Wales Cricket Board and the Australian Cricket Boardare the only two national cricket bodies where drug regulations areenforced and random tests are carried out on cricketers. However,these laws are applied at the first class level and not in theinternational arena.Sunil Gavaskar, who heads the cricket committee of the InternationalCricket Council, says the issue does not fall under the jurisdictionof his unit.”We handle only the technical matters of the game internationally,though I did broach this subject with the chief executive (MalcolmGray) at the executive meeting of the body in Nairobi last October andwork on it is underway,” he said.ICC’s Anti-corruption unit chief Sir Paul Condon also mentioned theallegations of baggage and equipment on tours being used to facilitatemovement of illicit drugs.Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower said it was time the respective cricketboards had a sound drug policy in place. “If everyone feels the gameis clean, why not put in place a sound drug policy to avoid anyrumours gaining ground”.Craig Smith, the long-serving physiotherapist of the South Africanteam, termed the allegations in the magazine as outlandish and farfetched.”A cricketer is not like a sprinter, whose success depends largely onpower. There are so many variables in a game of cricket and a batsmanrelies on technique and timing and a bowler on technique and rhythm.Those are not things you can find in a bottle. A lot of the topplayers take nutritional supplements, such as carbohydrates andproteins, or Creatine, which is legal and advisable, but to say thereis widespread use of steroids, beta-blockers or amphetamines is justan attempt at sensationalising the issue.”It is not the first time though that suggestions have been made on theusage of drugs by Indian cricketers. During the Commonwealth Games inKuala Lumpur in 1998, some leading Indian bowlers were not included inthe team because they were taking cortisone injections to ease bodypains. Cortisone is a taboo as per the International OlympicCommittee’s medical commission.ICC spokesman Mark Harrison said cricket bodies around the world willsoon be forced to submit players to stern drug testing, most certainlyby the 2003 World Cup. The ICC would have, by then, recognised whichdrugs are illegal and which are only energisers, he said.
Despite only managing to steal a point from their home game against Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening, West Ham fans can be encouraged by their teams’ determination, which had been missing in droves during the first part of their campaign.
In a rather uneventful 90 minutes, a Mark Noble penalty helped West Ham back into the game after Christian Benteke had given Palace the lead mid way through the first half. The score remained level throughout the rest of the match but West Ham looked the better of the two sides and had opportunities to take all three points.
One man who particularly impressed for the Hammers was new signing Joao Mario. The Portuguese midfielder, who is valued at £23.4million on Transfermarkt, looked mightily impressive on his Premier League debut, distributing the ball well and contributing defensively too.
After the game, West Ham fans took to Twitter with excitement regarding the performance of their new signing.,.
[ad_pod ]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.