Las Águilas will host Tigres Saturday in Matchday 13 of the Clausura 2025
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Unplayable quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc tore through Pakistan’s batting order with vicious reverse swing late on day three to engineer Australia’s stunning fightback and power them into unexpected control of the series deciding third Test.After being in a strong position at 214 for 2, Pakistan collapsed against torrid bowling from Cummins and Starc, who claimed nine wickets between them in a remarkable turnaround as Australia gained a 123-run first innings lead.A shocked Pakistan lost 7 for 20 in 10 overs to be dismissed for 268 with Cummins finishing with 5 for 56 and Starc 4 for 33 to turn the match on its head.Openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner survived three tricky overs before stumps as Australia gained a stranglehold in the decider of the historic series, the first played between the teams in Pakistan since 1998.Few could have predicted the late flurry of wickets after Pakistan had mostly blunted Australia’s disciplined bowling for more than two sessions. Wickets had been few and far between for Australia but they toiled hard and were rewarded when Starc produced firecrackers to clean bowl Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, who had so memorably defied the tourists on the last day in Karachi.After a sedate first hour after tea, Fawad’s slump continued after being clean bowled by a cracking delivery from his nemesis Starc. While the rest of Pakistan’s specialist batters have struck tons in this batting-dominant series, Fawad has mustered just 22 runs from three innings after missing out on a hit on the flat Rawalpindi surface.Starc then produced an even better delivery from around the wicket to knock over Rizwan’s off stump and expose Pakistan’s longer tail with the hosts having entered the match with a five-pronged attack.Sensing Australia’s moment to gain a stranglehold, Cummins quickly snared the wickets of Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali and Hasan Ali to become the first quick in the series to claim a five-wicket haul. He was well supported by Starc, who had struggled with his rhythm on day two but was much better from the onset and reaped the rewards in spectacular fashion later in the day.Babar Azam continued his fine form but was part of the collapse•AFP/Getty Images
In a flash, punctuated by losing their last four wickets for no runs, Pakistan’s grip on the match had eroded as they had no answers to the scintillating reverse swing conjured by Cummins and Starc. Captain Babar Azam, who had played sweetly before the carnage, was left ashen-faced as he watched from the other end. Even Babar, who was coming off a herculean 196 to save the second Test, couldn’t thwart a red-hot Starc and he was the ninth wicket to fall leaving Pakistan’s hopes of a Test and series victory in tatters.After two topsy-turvy days, where little separated the teams, day three loomed as pivotal in the outcome of the historic series, which remains deadlocked after draws in Rawalpindi and Karachi.It had seemed like Pakistan were moving into a strong position after losing just two wickets in the first 47 overs of day three. The hosts had threatened to take the game away from Australia with Azhar Ali and in-form Abdullah Shafique combining for a 150-run partnership as they batted through the first session.Australia, however, kept toiling and spinner Nathan Lyon – who provided a lot of the heavy lifting during the second session – finally broke through after lunch with a faint edge off Shafique that was originally given not out after only Travis Head at silly point had appealed initially.Having wasted a review earlier and with just one left, Cummins gambled correctly as Shafique fell just short of a ton for the second straight innings.In front of his family in the terraces, an unmovable Azhar appeared to be marching towards his 20th Test century and first on his home ground before he fell for 78 late in the second session to a brilliant return catch by Cummins, who athletically clutched a one-hander while tumbling in his follow-through.Knowing the stakes, Cummins celebrated wildly and flung the ball in the air while Azhar’s dejected son watching on could only hang his head in disappointment. In his 94th test, Azhar fell short of an emotional hundred in the first Test played in Lahore since 2009 but did cross 7000 Tests runs to become the fifth Pakistan batter to reach the milestone.After some resistance from Babar, Cummins and Starc then lit a fuse under the match as Australia stormed into a commanding position to leave a previously festive crowd utterly shell-shocked.On Pakistan Day, Australia’s spearheads spoiled the party in an astonishing turnaround that has the tourists well poised for a series victory.
Glasgow Rangers recorded a stunning 4-1 away victory against OGC Nice in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Can this result prove to be a catalyst for the Light Blues ahead of the busy festive season?
There is no doubt Philippe Clement is still under pressure despite the win, as more consistency is required amid a run of dismal results and performances.
Indeed, the club have won only two of their previous five Premiership fixtures, which has seen them slip out of contention, currently occupying third place in the league table, 11 points behind Celtic at the summit.
Change is required urgently. The announcement of Patrick Stewart as the new CEO is a step in the right direction.
Rangers' appointment of Patrick Stewart as new CEO
It is no secret that the club’s problems start from the very top. James Bisgrove left his role as CEO in May and Stewart’s arrival on December 16 is the first of the club replacing him.
This lack of hierarchy has clearly impacted the running of the club in recent months. Hopefully, the new appointment will be the start of something new.
Rangers’ Interim Chairman, John Gilligan, praised the incoming CEO, saying: “On behalf of the board, I’m delighted to welcome Patrick to the club as CEO.
“Patrick comes with an excellent reputation and background, bringing extensive experience of operating at senior levels during his 20-plus years in football.
“The board continues in discussions with several excellent candidates for the role of Chairperson and expect to make an announcement of an appointment in the coming weeks.”
Stewart spent a large portion of his career at Manchester United, working with Sir Alex Ferguson, first as a General Counsel and Company Secretary, before joining the board of directors in 2019.
This culminated in Stewart becoming the CEO of United last year, and it appears as though the Light Blues have managed to secure a major coup by appointing the Scot.
He faces a massive challenge to turn around a faltering side, however. With the January transfer window opening soon, will he be able to work his magic?
Who Rangers must sell in January
Having spent millions during the summer transfer window, if Clement wishes to bolster his squad for the second half of the season, a few players must be moved on.
Kieran Dowell is a prime candidate. His contract expires in 2026, which means January is the last real chance for the Gers to properly cash in on the midfielder, who has played just ten times for the club this term.
Perhaps more of an unrealistic option, but could James Tavernier also be moved on in the winter window? The captain was dropped to the bench for the fourth time in six games for the away clash against Nice.
Dujon Sterling was outstanding in his place. Like Dowell, Tavernier’s deal expires in 18 months, which could suggest cashing in at the start of the year is the most logical option.
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s Rangers signings
Player
Club signed from
Rabbi Matondo
Schalke
Ben Davies
Liverpool
Antonio Colak
PAOK
Ridvan Yilmaz
Besiktas
John Souttar
Hearts
Malik Tillman
Bayern Munich (loan)
Tom Lawrence
Derby County
Via Transfermarkt
One plyer that must be sold, however, is Rabbi Matondo, who has spent more time on the treatment table than out on the pitch for the Ibrox side.
Rabbi Matondo's start at Rangers
The Light Blues were coming off a season which saw them not only win the Scottish Cup but also reach the final of the Europa League, losing on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.
To build on this, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst spent millions on signing Antonio Colak, Ridvan Yilmaz and Ben Davies to improve his squad.
Another player brought in was Matondo, who joined from Schalke for a fee in the region of £3m having shone for Cercle Brugge during 2021/22.
His move to Rangers was praised by fellow Welshman and former Celtic striker John Hartson, who was speaking on Go Radio, saying:
High praise indeed. Considering he was only 21 upon his arrival in Glasgow, the winger had plenty of potential to be a future star for the club.
Two and a half years later, things haven’t quite worked out as planned…
Rabbi Matondo’s Rangers statistics
The Welshman struggled with injury during his first season, a theme that continues to this day, as he made only 28 appearances, with 11 of them coming from the starting XI.
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He registered five assists in those games, but it was hardly the form of someone who cost £3m to bring in.
It looked like Michael Beale was ready to move him on in the summer of 2023, but he looked rejuvenated during the first few weeks of the season. He scored against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and this goal looked like it could be the start of something impressive.
A few weeks later, he suffered a knee injury which kept him out for several weeks, but he did net a stunning last-gasp equaliser against Celtic at Ibrox in March.
While he may be able to produce moments of magic, the consistency levels simply aren’t there for the player to shine regularly for the Light Blues.
This season, for example, Matondo has scored twice and registered three assists in just six matches, which, on the surface, is superb.
However, a hamstring injury suffered a few months ago has kept the player out since the beginning of September, and it looks like he is still a couple of weeks away from returning.
For this reason, Stewart should be actively looking to cash in on the 24-year-old when January comes around. If they can secure a decent fee for the winger, then it could give Clement some funds to improve other areas of the team.
Stewart’s task is a tough one, but if he gets off to a good start, then his appointment could be the start of something good for Rangers.
Rangers star who was sold under GvB is now worth £8m more after leaving
Rangers sold a player two years ago who has seen his value skyrocket…
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Glasgow Rangers booked their place in the final of the League Cup for the second time under Philippe Clement after they beat Motherwell 2-1 at Hampden Park on Sunday.
The Light Blues claimed the victory after going 1-0 down to a goal from former Gers man Andy Halliday, which left them with plenty of work to do after the break.
Cyriel Dessers levelled the score just five minutes into the second half, with a neat finish from Connor Barron’s pass, before Nedim Bajrami secured the win with a deflected finish inside the box.
Despite the eventual win for Clement’s men, there were a few players who either struggled with their performance or had moments to forget, one of whom was Jefte.
Jefte's performance against Motherwell
There is no getting away from the fact that the Brazilian full-back made a huge error in judgement for the opening goal from Motherwell in the first-half.
Jefte is completely unaware of Halliday’s run across him, despite checking his shoulder moments before, and starts to run towards the corner, presumably thinking that the cross is going to sail past him and towards the left-back position.
Instead, the ball gets past Leon Balogun, who potentially could have communicated with Jefte, and Halliday runs in to find the back of the net, whilst the full-back is sprinting away.
However, the young defender was still trusted to play the full 90 by Clement and produced a solid display aside from that error, with some neat touches in possession and a good link-up with Bajrami down the left flank.
The Rangers star who was even worse than Jefte
James Tavernier, meanwhile, was even worse than Jefte and the Belgian head coach must, now, ruthlessly ditch him from the starting XI for the upcoming clash with Olympiacos in Greece.
Like the Brazilian, the veteran right-back was partially at fault for the opening goal. Journalist Joshua Barrie stated that the Englishman was “far too slow” to get out to the crosser and described his defending as “passive”.
That was exactly the word to describe his performance – passive. Too many loose passes and crosses with no real intention, other than to play the ball into an area, which led to him conceding possession back to Motherwell on a consistent basis – particularly in the first-half.
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Tavernier was then withdrawn from the action in the 67th minute, well before the winning goal from Bajrami, and this suggests that the manager did not believe that he was the right man to help win the game for Rangers, which is a telling moment in of itself.
GlasgowWorld handed him a dismal player rating of 5/10 for his performance at right-back, whilst Jefte earned himself a very respectable score of 7/10, despite his mistake.
The Scotsman, meanwhile, awarded the captain a dismal score of 3/10 and described his display as ‘lamentable’, suggesting that the pressure on him at the moment contributed to his struggles.
This backs up that the former Newcastle United defender was even worse than the summer signing, who did well enough away from his mistake to earn a solid rating.
Quite simply, Tavernier did not perform and was substituted by Clement with the score at 1-1 because of that, and it turned out to be the right decision because the Light Blues went on to win the match.
The Rangers manager must, now, make another big call on Thursday night by dropping him from the starting XI for the visit to Olympiacos, as Sunday was not the first time that the defender has struggled this season.
James Tavernier's performances this season
Tavernier has been far from his best in a Gers jersey this term, after an impressive return of 24 goals and 12 assists in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign.
Instead of carrying that form into the current season, the English dud has managed one goal and three assists in 17 matches for the Scottish giants in all competitions.
That is far from a terrible return for your average right-back but the bulk of Rangers’ attacking play goes through the defender, who also takes his share of set-pieces, and he has been wasteful with his use of the ball.
In the Scottish Premiership so far this season, Tavernier has lost possession a whopping 20.5 times per match on average, 205 times in ten games, and contributed with zero goals and two assists.
No other Rangers player has lost the ball more than 16 times per outing in the league on average, which speaks to how wasteful the skipper has been, when you consider his lack of direct goal involvements to go alongside that.
Appearances
3
Assists
0
Big chances created
0
Pass accuracy
73%
Possession lost
41x
As you can see in the table above, the 33-year-old dud has struggled in the Europa League this season, losing possession a whopping 41 times without creating a single ‘big chance’ for his teammates.
This shows that his struggles on the ball have not been limited to domestic action, after his poor showings in possession in the League Cup and in the Premiership, as he has been sloppy in Europe.
With a clash away at Olympiacos coming up on Thursday night, and pressure growing on the captain, it could be the right time for Clement to do him a favour and take him out of the spotlight for a match.
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Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo are both natural alternatives to the Englishman at right-back and either of them could come in to take his place at the back, alongside John Souttar, Leon Balogun, and Jefte, in Greece.
Hopefully, being dropped to the bench will give Tavernier the kick he needs to bounce back and get back to his best in a Rangers shirt, because his incredible record last season shows that there is still a quality player there to be unearthed, if he can recapture his finest form.
Leeds United centre-forward Mateo Joseph is a good example of how difficult it is to translate regular goalscoring from academy level to the first team.
The 21-year-old ace, who joined from Espanyol at the start of 2022, scored an eye-catching 19 goals in 33 games for the Whites at U21 level.
However, the Spain U21 international has only found the back of the net five times in 47 appearances for the club since his rise to the first-team, with two goals in 15 Championship games this season.
He has made the step to the senior team, though, and has time on his hands to fulfil his potential, which was not the case for one former Leeds youngster who initially arrived with plenty of hype around him.
Leeds' mini Luis Suarez
Leeds swooped to sign a teenage centre-forward from Barcelona in the summer of 2017 after he had scored 30 goals in 30 league games for the Spanish giants at academy level in the 2016/17 campaign.
If you haven’t guessed already, that player was none other than Kun Temenuzhkov.
The Guardian named him as one of the 60 best young talents in world football in 2017 and wrote that the striker had ‘the same predator’s instinct’ as former Barcelona and Liverpool sensation Luis Suarez, who was idolised by the youngster and scored 195 goals in 283 games for the LaLiga outfit.
It is not hard to understand why that comparison was made after such an incredible year of goalscoring for the Spanish side in the previous season.
After playing for the Leeds’ U18 side for 18 months, Temenuzhkov made his first-team debut for Leeds against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup in January 2019, with an 11-minute cameo off the bench under Marcelo Bielsa.
Given his extraordinary goal record for Barcelona’s youth teams, his comparison to Suarez, and his senior bow under Bielsa, you could forgive the Whites for thinking that they had their own version of the Uruguayan hero on their hands.
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Unfortunately, though, after loan spells with CF La Nucía and Real Union during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns, the Bulgarian centre-forward was released by the Whites in the summer of 2022, having failed to live up to the hype.
How Kun Temenuzhkov is performing in 2024
The young marksman made the move to join Navalcarnero in the fourth tier of Spanish football and scored eight goals in 29 league games during the 2023/24 campaign.
He then spent six months with Zamora CF, scoring just one goal in ten games, before moving to Lincoln FC in Gibraltar at the start of 2023.
Temenuzhkov produced six goals and three assists in 15 appearances for Lincoln during the second half of last season, before a free transfer to Moscardó in the summer transfer window earlier this year.
It was the fourth free transfer since the start of 2022 for the 24-year-old attacker, who has been unable to enjoy more than one season with a club since his exit from Leeds.
Moscardó currently play in the fourth tier of Spanish football and the ex-Whites and Barcelona man has had a difficult start to the campaign, with zero goals and one assist in eight league matches.
Temenuzhkov is yet to replicate his sensational goalscoring output at academy level in his first-team career and Leeds will now be hoping that Joseph, who has already played 46 more times for Leeds than the Bulgarian forward did, fares better in his development over the coming years.
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MatériaMais Notícias
Após uma estreia ruim no Campeonato Paulista, Mauricio Barbieri e Bragantino se recuperaram ao bater o Guarani, no Nabi Abi Chedid.
+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada
O desempenho do Massa Bruta foi satisfatório e o time conseguiu pressionar o adversário em grande parte do jogo.
Na coletiva de imprensa, o treinador elogiou a postura dos seus jogadores ao longo dos 90 minutos.
‘Gostei principalmente do rendimento da equipe. Acho que ficou uma grande diferença em relação ao primeiro jogo, conseguimos ser uma equipe muito mais próxima daquela que nós nos habituamos’, afirmou.
Agora, o Massa Bruta volta a campo na próxima quinta-feira, quando encara o São Paulo, em casa.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a confidence-boosting point against Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend. The result was made even more remarkable considering the Old Gold trailed 2-0 until the final few minutes, coming back to nab a share of the spoils.
Gary O’Neil isn’t out of the woods yet, but the fight his players showed against a team shining under Fabian Hurzeler illustrates that the Molineux side are battling hard to secure their first Premier League win of the season.
If the same team starts against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the drought may come to an end.
Matheus Cunha & Rayan Ait Nouri's stats vs Brighton
Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri were the saviours for O’Neil on the weekend, scoring the goals to rescue a point away from home.
If the duo can stay fit over the next few months, they will be imperative to keeping Wolves in the top flight. Not only did the Brazilian score the equaliser, but he also succeeded with three of his five dribble attempts, made four key passes, created a big chance and was fouled twice.
Elsewhere, Ait-Nouri completed 92% of his passes and attempted seven dribbles – succeeding with four – while also winning six ground duels during the game, offering plenty of support to Cunha down the left flank.
If they continue this form, it may be hard to keep them at the club. Cunha earns £60k-per-week, while Ait-Nouri is reportedly earning only £10k-per-week. Both will be able to earn significantly more if they move to another club, no doubt about that.
One of the club’s highest earners is taking home more per week than the duo combined, yet has barely had an impact this season…
Why O’Neil must now sell Pablo Sarabia
Last season, Pablo Sarabia was impressive under O’Neil. Across 36 games in all competitions, not only did he score four times, but the former Paris Saint-Germain gem chipped in with ten assists, helping his side finish away from the relegation zone.
This season has been a different story. Despite Pedro Neto leaving in the summer, the Spaniard has made zero starts in the Premier League, playing only 73 minutes in total.
Sarabia has created zero big chances during his time on the pitch, averaging only one key pass per game and losing possession eight times per game, despite averaging just 28 minutes per outing in the top flight.
Sarabia has been a decent signing since joining the club in January 2023, but it is clear he isn’t contributing as much as he should, especially given how much he earns.
Player
Weekly wage
Goncalo Guedes
£90k-per-week
Pablo Sarabia
£90k-per-week
Nelson Semedo
£80k-per-week
Hee Chan Hwang
£70k-per-week
Mattheus Cunha
£60k-per-week
Indeed, the 32-year-old is currently taking home £90k-per-week at Molineux, which is more than Cunha and Ait-Nouri combined, a staggering total for a player who doesn’t seem to be in O’Neil’s plans.
The January window is not far away, with rumours already rife that the veteran is seeking a winter exit amid his lack of game time. If the manager can move Sarabia on, it could free up a big chunk of the wage bill, that’s for sure.
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He’s started the season in superb form.
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Chelsea chiefs seriously rate a player in Enzo Maresca’s squad and hold him in very high esteem, but that apparently won’t stop a potential exit from happening in January.
Chelsea players who could be sold or loaned out in January
Maresca has been ruthless in telling his players whether or no they have a future under the Italian, as highlighted by his treatment of England international duo Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell over the summer.
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Sterling eventually sealed a season-long loan move to Arsenal, but Chilwell failed to find a new home despite links with Premier League rivals Man United. As he candidly explained to the press around that time, Maresca didn’t fancy either player, and he was up front with them about that despite their big-name status.
“I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer a different kind of winger,” said Maresca on Chelsea players who are not in his plans, speaking in late August.
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures
Date
Liverpool (away)
October 20
Newcastle (home)
October 27
Man United (away)
November 3
Arsenal (home)
November 10
Leicester City (home)
November 23
“We have a big squad and it is impossible to give all of them minutes, so probably it is better to leave. Brutal? I just try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the City game and said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us.
“Chilwell is a lovely guy, but because of his position he is going to struggle with us.”
More men are set to follow Sterling out of the door. Regardless of Maresca re-introducing Chilwell to the senior squad – handing him 45 minutes in a recent 5-0 EFL Cup win over Barrow – the consensus is that the 27-year-old is still a firm candidate for the exit door.
Chelsea ready to offload Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka in the winter window, as the latter attracts interest from both AC Milan and clubs in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, defensive duo Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi will be sold by Chelsea if the right buyer comes in with an offer.
Then, there is of course the future of winger Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukraine international, who has been relegated to a cup player by Maresca so far this season, appears to be battling for his immediate future in west London.
Chelsea really rate Mudryk but he could still leave in January
According to GiveMeSport, Chelsea chiefs actually still believe Mudryk is a “top-level talent”. Those within the club highly rate the 23-year-old, but his lack of form and opportunities means Chelsea may still choose to secure him a move away in January – potentially on loan to hand him more regular minutes.
The report even hints that Chelsea are optimistic he could challenge for a regular first team place next season, if he impresses on a temporary spell away, so it is clear that Todd Boehly and BlueCo envisage a future for the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk sensation under Maresca.
Signed for an initial £62 million, which could go up to as high as £89 million if add-ons are met, supporters will be praying that Mudryk can rediscover his very best and eventually contribute in this new era for the club.
There are reports that Chelsea could also decide to cut ties with Mudryk completely, so these next few months could be make or break for the forward.
Invincibles produce magic moments in the field to defend below-par total
Valkerie Baynes20-Aug-2021
Tash Farrant and Dane van Niekerk exchange high fives•Getty Images
A stunning bowling performance from Tash Farrant sent Oval Invincibles into Saturday’s Women’s Hundred final against Southern Brave.Farrant’s tournament-best 4 for 10 off 19 deliveries put her top of the wicket-takers’ list with 18 and allowed Invincibles to defend what looked like a below-par total in the Eliminator against Birmingham Phoenix, who lost their last six wickets for 13 runs. Phoenix captain Amy Jones top-scored for her side with 35 off 25 balls and shared a 52-run partnership with Erin Burns but it was all in vain with Farrant’s hand in both dismissals, including a brilliant catch to account for Burns amid a near-flawless showing in the field by the home side.Marizanne Kapp played an excellent supporting role to Farrant in Invincibles’ hour of need, top-scoring with a run-a-ball 37 and taking 3 for 21.Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, the Birmingham side’s ability to take wickets at key moments ensured Invincibles’ innings never really got going. Indeed, it looked like the home side would struggle to post a triple-figure total for only the second time in the tournament but in back-to-back matches after they were bowled out for 85 in a 30-run defeat at the hands of Southern Brave on Monday.After just 17 balls, Invincibles had lost both their leading run-scorers to that point, captain Dane van Niekerk and Georgia Adams, with just 15 runs on the board. Teenager Alice Capsey leap-frogged Adams into second place on that list with 26 off 20 balls and her 54-run partnership with Kapp gave their bowlers something to defend.Phoenix, without opener Shafali Verma who has returned to India ahead of their tour to Australia, started brightly enough but once Jones – who had looked in excellent touch striking six fours – fell to Farrant’s bowling, their run-chase fell away swiftly.Doff your Kapp
Kapp came in with her side in terrible trouble at 15 for 2 and things didn’t look much brighter when Fran Wilson – reaching double figures for just the third time in eight innings – fell for 21 off 17. But Kapp, who had missed a large chunk of Invincibles’ campaign through injury, lifted them off the floor with her battling knock and fifty stand with Capsey.Then, with Invincibles staring down a big task to defend such a middling total, Kapp struck twice in six balls to keep them in it. Katie Mack, who moved up the order to replace Verma, fell third ball when Kapp lured her in with a full outswinger and drew an edge that went through to keeper Sarah Bryce. Then, having waited until the 13th ball of the innings to face her first delivery, opener Eve Jones fell immediately when Kapp found another edge which Bryce took well low to the ground.Amy Jones struck the first ball she faced off Kapp to the boundary through the off side and in no time she helped herself to two more off Shabnim Ismail and Kapp, as Phoenix looked to make good use of the Powerplay in a small chase.Tash magic
To top off Kapp’s contribution, Farrant produced a piece of sheer brilliance in the field to give Kapp her third wicket from just 15 deliveries. Having put on 52 runs with Amy Jones, Burns lifted Kapp wide of extra cover and Farrant, running from mid-off launched herself to her left to pluck the ball from the air, letting out a huge roar in celebration as she leapt to her feet.Returning to the attack on the very next ball, Farrant then claimed the prize wicket of Amy Jones, her slower ball enticing a drive which went straight to extra cover, where van Niekerk claimed a straightforward catch. With Phoenix needing 49 off as many balls, Invincibles had a spring in their step as Jones sat stony faced, her helmet still on, in the dugout.van Niekerk claimed a much more difficult chance, not quite on the scale of Farrant’s but sharp all the same and no less important, with an excellent return catch to dismiss Marie Kelly, who had struck the ball hard back at the bowler.When Farrant deceived Gwen Davies with another slower ball that went straight up above Bryce, the keeper collected, making up for dropping Burns on 16 in possibly the only blemish on Invincibles’ otherwise immaculate fielding for the day. Then Capsey chimed in with a wonderful caught-and-bowled, taking the ball high above her head to remove Georgia Elwiss.But the best was yet to come for Invincibles’ cause when Farrant claimed the final two wickets in the space of three balls. She had Emily Arlott comfortably caught by Ismail at long on and then it was Kapp who caught Kirstie Gordon smartly at cover to seal victory and best bowling figures for the tournament for Farrant.
Kimber strikes 53 off 28 balls as Foxes recover from 80 for 5
ECB Reporters Network22-Jun-2021
Louis Kimber scored a maiden Blast fifty•PA Images via Getty Images
Louis Kimber’s maiden Vitality Blast fifty helped Leicestershire Foxes to a 42-run win over Derbyshire Falcons in the North Group match at Derby.Kimber struck 53 off 28 balls as the Foxes recovered from 80 for 5 to post 174 for 8 with Scott Steel scoring 46 and skipper Colin Ackermann 37.Matt Critchley’s 2 for 23, combined with 2 for 30 from George Scrimshaw put Derbyshire in a good position until Kimber’s late charge set a challenging chase.Derbyshire were well placed at 60 for 0 but they collapsed against the Foxes’ spinners to 132 all out with eight balls to spare.Callum Parkinson, Ackermann and Steel shared six wickets to seal a second successive win while Derbyshire have now lost six matches.Leicestershire began slowly against disciplined bowling and then faltered just when Steel was pressing on the accelerator. He ramped Logan van Beek for six and pulled Fynn Hudson-Prentice over the ropes after Josh Inglis had carved to mid-off.Scrimshaw and Critchley gave Derbyshire momentum and halted Leicestershire’s by taking four wickets in four overs with Steel skying a pull to mid-on.Critchley’s second over was a big one as Rishi Patel missed a sweep and Lewis Hill drove to long-off.It left Ackermann and Kimber to rebuild carefully before launching an onslaught that brought 47 from the last three overs.Kimber drove Conor McKerr for six and although Ackermann failed to clear long-on, Kimber twice launched Hudson-Prentice into the stand as 19 came from the final over.It left Derbyshire a stiffer chase than had looked likely but they began well with Harry Came taking three fours from a Gavin Griffiths over. Luis Reece drove and pulled Griffiths for six to take Derbyshire to 55 without loss at the end of the powerplay.Parkinson made the breakthrough in a maiden over in which Came was bowled and Reece was run out for 19.Derbyshire needed 104 from 10 overs but the pressure exerted by the spinners told as Billy Godleman was lbw to Steel and Leus du Plooy drove Ackermann to long-off.When Critchley fell in the same Ackermann over, Derbyshire had lost five wickets in six overs to slide to 85 for 5, a position from which they never recovered.