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Young captain earns rewards after steering tight-knit team to memorable win at Trent Bridge

Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Sep-2023Lewis Hill has been at Leicestershire for the last 16 years, earned his first professional contract in 2014 and stepped up as club captain this season. If anyone has a full scope of the ups and downs of the county, it’s him. A player who pushed to realise a dream that has, up until now, been punctuated by crises rather than glory.As he sat at a table within the depths of Trent Bridge, Metro Bank One-Day Cup winners’ medal around his neck, guffawing through every answer in his post-match press conference, his joy was infectious, even uncomfortable. While his team-mates were bouncing off the dressing-room walls after a remarkable two-run victory over Hampshire to seal their first trophy since 2011, Hill was almost physically fighting to suppress his emotions to find the words to contextualise the proudest day of his career.He was able to, of course, summoning similar levels of composure that he had displayed in the field as Leicestershire defended their 267 for 7. It was a total built off the back of a remarkable unbeaten 117 from Harry Swindells, and 60 from Sam Evans. Hill’s own 42 should also be registered, stemming the flow after the top-order had been blitzed to leave them 19 for 4 inside seven overs.It helped that Hill’s words were merely variations of a speech he had been giving behind closed doors for a while. Promises made to the squad that had now come to fruition.”I kept saying at the start of the year that we could do something special with the group of players that we had,” Hill said. “We have done that.”We have pictures at Grace Road of T20 Blast wins, and we said at the start of the year: ‘Guys, let’s get up there; 20 years on, when you come to come to watch Leicestershire County Cricket Club, you see the people who won a trophy for the club.’ That means a lot.”Leicestershire’s wall of champions will now get an overdue update, with this group emulating the Blast winners of 2004, 2006 and 2011, while becoming the first team since 1985 to bring a List A trophy back to this corner of the Midlands.Leicestershire celebrate after Josh Hull closed out victory off the final ball•Getty ImagesThat Hill was in this position, not just a winning captain but captain outright, is down to a malaise all too familiar with Leicestershire. A winless County Championship campaign in 2022 was followed by Callum Parkinson declining a contract extension – he departs for Durham at the end of this summer – and brought a change in leadership. Maybe Hill was chosen because he was already a popular figure, maybe because – as per those who know him – he is an empathetic soul, but this season has carried an unfamiliar optimism, even after the departure of head coach Paul Nixon in July.Leicestershire are still just about in a promotion push, though they will rely on other results to go their way in the final two rounds. They came within 16 runs of a successful chase of 499 against Sussex last week, which would have been their fourth Championship win of the season. It would have also repeated their trick in 2023’s Division Two opener when they pulled off a bumper fourth-innings victory over Yorkshire – the first time they had triumphed in a first-class match at Headingley since 1910. Suddenly, a county regularly mooted as an irrelevance, always first for the chop in any blue-sky thinking into the future of the domestic game, were fighting back.”I just wanted to be myself through the whole summer,” Hill said of his approach to leadership. “It has been a lot of man-management because I think that is how you get the best out of your players. We stuck together – obviously we had a bit of a hiccup in the middle of the year – but we really stuck together while the outside world kind of pelted at us a little bit.”To stick together the way we have, I’m really proud of every player, and I’m really pleased for not just the players but everyone associated with Leicestershire – members, supporters, people who have worked there – to see some success. I am really happy that they can see us do this.”It’s worth exploring the man-management element of all this. Leicestershire only lost once in the group stage but were dealt a blow when Peter Handscomb, their leading run-scorer, returned home to Australia after helping them over the line in the semi-final against Gloucestershire. Evans, the designated next man in, having already made two appearances in the competition, knew last week that he would be replacing Handscomb in the final.By contrast, Swindells was only made aware of his call-up on Friday after Matt Sailsbury picked up a hamstring injury. And after deliberating with coaches Alfonso Thomas and James Taylor, Hill reckoned he could cope with just the four seamers and Colin Ackermann’s offspin, and figured giving Swindells the gloves could ease his own workload. It proved an inspired decision and, of course, damn lucky, which is not to detract from Hill’s game-management. Some of cricket’s greatest captains have fortune on their side.Leicestershire have sealed their first List A title since 1985•Getty Images”Do you know what, it’s one of the best innings I’ve seen live,” Hill said of Swindells’ century. “To come in under that pressure, to have not played a game in the competition. Like, to play like that – him and Sam Evans – was absolutely outstanding. And they deserve all of it because they train hard, and I’m over the moon for them.”I don’t have words for it really. To come in and do what he did is a testament to his character, his skill level. It speaks to everything about him; he trains hard. He is a cracking individual on top of being a really fine player. He is a Leicester lad as well, so I’m sure it means as much to him as it does to me and a few others.”Not keeping wicket allowed Hill to pull the strings more effectively in the field. Hampshire botched their chase at crucial junctures, with errors from experienced heads in Ben Brown, Joe Weatherley and Liam Dawson. But the pressure sustained in the ring and well-placed catchers in the deep – in particular setting fine leg back for the Dawson ramp-shot that ultimately clinched the game midway through the final over – was a feather in Hill’s cap. And, of course, those of his attack.Josh Hull was the standout – literally at six-foot-seven. The left-arm seamer was identified during the winter as a unique talent. “This guy has got something good,” Hill recalled himself saying aloud in the off-season when watching the 19-year-old in the nets. That “something” came to the fore at the death.Having removed Hampshire’s own impressive youngster Tom Prest for 51 earlier in the piece, Hull held his nerve for the final over to concede just five when eight was needed. It was all the more impressive given his penultimate over – the 48th – had been taken for 14 to swing the game Hampshire’s way. He finishes the campaign with 17 wickets at 24.23 from nine matches, with an economy rate of 5.45, and a few extra admirers after pushing the speed-gun into the late eighties during a televised game.”He has played loads of games this year, and he didn’t have his best day with the ball until the final few overs, but to come back and bowl like that and to have clear plans like that – he told us what he was bowling, and that is what I want in a young bowler, and he executed really well. I’m really proud of him.Related

• Ackermann, Hill combine to keep Leicestershire promotion hopes alive

• Swindells century saves the day as Leicestershire seal One-Day title in final-ball thriller

• Dawson seven-for demolishes Warwickshire as Hampshire reach Metro Bank final

• Handscomb, Mulder guide Leicestershire to first county final since 2001

“I have never seen a guy who takes information in so young, so quickly and so well. Honestly, I think he has a massive future ahead of him. He has a cool head on his shoulders, a fantastic family that supports him and has done a lot for him early in his career, driving him around. He is definitely one to watch in the future.”Difficult decisions were made, too, such as leaving out Parkinson and Rehan Ahmed – one of the most talented youngsters going in English cricket – which could have come back to haunt Hill but didn’t. This success was as much about nurturing homegrown talent and arms around shoulders as assuming a more ruthless approach.And if the club are to shed the “little old Leicestershire tag”, it will be through bloodying the noses of the established forces on the field rather than cosying up to them off it. Even in the shadow of the Hundred, the manner of this One-Day Cup run has earned some much-needed respect and given them an extra chip to play in recurring discussions over their merits as an organisation within English cricket.”I’ve been at Leicester for eight or nine years as a professional, starting when I was 16,” Hill said. “I have seen some of the darker times at Grace Road, so it was great to see good times returning – the way we’ve played cricket this year, and this trophy, shows that we’re going the right way. Teams like Leicestershire are needed in county cricket.”

It seems unlikely at this stage that he can return to the tour at any point

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Mar-2021Angelo Mathews will leave Sri Lanka’s tour of West Indies immediately for personal reasons. It seems unlikely at this stage, that he can return to the tour at any point. Even if the “family matter” he is returning to Sri Lanka to attend to finds a resolution before the end of the tour, he will still need to undergo quarantine upon his arrival in the Caribbean.Mathews leaves on the day of the second ODI, having captained the T20I leg of the tour. There are two ODIs and two Tests yet to be played, as well as a practice match ahead of the Test series. He was expected to be in Sri Lanka’s middle order for all of these matches.His departure further depletes an ODI squad that is without the likes of Kusal Perera and Lahiru Kumara, due to injury, and for the second match is also without Dasun Shanaka, whose late arrival due to visa troubles have meant he is available for the third ODI only. Dhananjaya de Silva is in the Caribbean, but is also still in quarantine and is available only for the Test series, as he is making a gradual return to top-flight cricket following a significant thigh injury sustained in December.Sri Lanka lost the T20 series 2-1, and lost the first of three ODIs as well. The likes of Oshada Fernando, Thisara Perera, and Niroshan Dickwella are available to take up Mathews’ place in the XI.

Orion Kerkering is going to have a long offseason.

The 24-year-old Phillies reliever made an all-time boneheaded play during the 11th inning of Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night, and cost his team the game.

Replacing Jesus Luzardo after the Dodgers put runners on first and third, Kerkering entered the game with two outs in the inning and the score tied 1-1. He walked Kike Hernandez to load the bases, then faced the No. 9 hitter in L.A.'s lineup, Andy Pages.

After Pages authored a half-hearted swing out of the first pitch for a strike, Kerkering got exactly what he wanted on the second—a weak ground ball back to him. Then all hell broke loose.

Kerkering bobbled the ball a bit, then, for some reason, he decided to throw the ball home, while catcher J.T. Realmuto was standing right in front of him, pointing to first base. He chucked it past Realmuto all the way to the backstop as Hyeseong Kim crossed the plate.

Had Kerkering simply thrown the ball to first base, he would have had Pages out by a mile, and the inning would have been over. Instead, the Dodgers scored, winning the game 2-1 and ending the series.

The shot below shows how easy the play to first would have been.

And the photo below shows Kerkering's reaction to the play.

Let's just be real here: Kerkering completely panicked in a spot where he couldn't afford to. It's genuinely sad. He's a 24-year-old who was put in a high-leverage spot and didn't come through.

He'll have to think about that all offseason, which is horrible to think about.

The Dodgers have advanced to the NLCS for the second season in a row and the fourth time in six seasons.

Bayern Munich have reportedly decided to offer veteran goalkeeper and club legend Manuel Neuer a contract extension for another year, which would see him remain at the Allianz Arena until June 2027. The 2014 World Cup-winning custodian has reiterated that he wants to take his time before reaching a decision over his future, however, with the club set to hold talks in December.

• Neuer going strong at Bayern in his final year of contract

  The 39-year-old has managed to retain his place in the starting lineup under head coach Vincent Kompany, proving week in week out that he is still among the best in the business despite having entered the twilight of his career long ago. Despite his horror blunder in the 2-2 draw against Union Berlin last weekend, which saw Bayern's 16-game win streak come to an end, there are no doubts Neuer is still the man for the No.1 spot. Neuer has played in 14 of the 17 games the Bavarian giants have played this season.

  But Neuer will not stay at Bayern forever. The legendary goalkeeper is set to turn 40 in March next year and is into the final seven months of his deal. According to a report from , Bayern have reached a decision over the future of their iconic player. The report claims that the club are keen on extending Neuer's contract by another year, until June 2027. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Neuer keen on taking his time amid retirement talks

  Bayern are determined to ensure Neuer stays at the club beyond next summer, with contract talks set to intensify sometime in December. The club are extremely happy, not only with his performances, but also with the significant changes he has incorporated into his daily routine to prevent further injury setbacks. mention that Neuer consults the physiotherapist everyday and undergoes weight training ahead of every team training session. What's more, his main workout sessions are followed by an extra 30-minute weight lifting sessions twice a week. 

  With Neuer walking the extra mile with respect to his fitness, it may seem like he aims to prolong his career. However, the Gelsenkirchen-born goalkeeper is not spending any time pondering over his future, preferring to take it one day at a time instead. 

  "I’m totally relaxed about it. The most important thing is what we do with our team," Neuer told reporters ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. "I already hinted at this in the mixed zone, that my well-being will also be important. I'm taking my time and being totally relaxed, at least over the winter. Many factors come into play. It's a question of health, fitness, and motivation. But also, what happens with the club next season. I can't answer that myself because it's still far too early. Then, of course, we can always talk. Everything plays a role."

• Urbig motivating Neuer to push himself

  There's belief at Bayern that they will reach an agreement with Neuer to extend his contract. At the same time, they are also relaxed about the future of second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who has made just 15 appearances since joining Bayern from Cologne in January earlier this year. Per , Neuer is motivated by his heir apparent; he understands that his colleague is a highly-promising goalkeeper and hence, he is not taking his current status as the undisputed first-choice for granted at all. 

  Urbig, for his part, is embracing the experience of learning from experienced goalkeepers like Neuer and Sven Ulreich. He is not paying attention to whether Neuer extends, he says. “These are things I don't really concern myself with,” he told recently. “Because it's not my place to comment on the decisions Manu makes, or the club makes. I concentrate on the day-to-day work with Manu, the goalkeeping team, and the squad. Our relationship is good; we work well together. It’s important to me to emphasise that we have a good relationship within the entire goalkeeping team. Manuel and Sven simply have an incredible amount of experience, which I can learn a lot from.”

  Still only 22, Bayern believe Urbig can further develop behind Neuer in the 2026-27 season, should the latter potentially opt against retiring.

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• AFP
  

  A return to Germany on the cards?

  Whether Neuer retires or not also probably hinges on whether he comes out of international retirement. Reports over the past few months have mentioned that Germany could urge Neuer to consider re-joining the national team in light of the uncertainty faced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona. 

  Speculation also suggests that authoritative figures within the German Football Federation (DFB) are trying to persuade head coach Julian Nagelsmann to allow Neuer to return. However, the final decision will rest with the former RB Leipzig and Bayern head coach. 

  also mentioned that DFB sporting director Rudi Voller reportedly held conversations with Neuer to ask him if he was willing to return to the national team, with the World Cup set to take place next summer.

“If that’s what is needed to win a Test match and if that’s what’s required then, yeah, I’m fine with it,” Travis Head says

Matt Roller30-Nov-20253:17

Smith: Travis Head’s batting incredible to witness

Travis Head is “happy” to continue opening the batting after his match-winning century in the first Ashes Test, echoing Pat Cummins’ view that batting orders are “over-rated”. His comments come amid continued uncertainty over Usman Khawaja’s fitness and his future as an international cricketer.Head has been Australia’s first-choice No. 5 for the last four years but deputised at the top of the order in the second innings in Perth last week, with Khawaja off the field following back spasms. His stunning 123 off 83 balls helped Australia chase down a fourth-innings target of 205 in just 28.2 overs, taking a 1-0 lead into Thursday’s second Test at the Gabba.Khawaja, who turns 39 next month, has been retained in Australia’s 14-man squad and said this week that he “should be right” to play. But he has been given no guarantees over his place by selectors, and has come under significant scrutiny after averaging 31.84 in the last two years with a single century.Related

• 'I'll be wearing them' – Smith commits to anti-glare tape in day-night Test

• Cummins a chance for Gabba as Australia delay naming XI

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• Root unperturbed by 'challenge' of facing pink-ball master Starc

• Root questions need for pink-ball Ashes Test

Australia’s squad assembled in Brisbane on Sunday and Head said before their training session that his role for the second Test had not yet been discussed. But he made it clear that he was open-minded about staying at the top of the order. “I’m happy,” he said. “If that’s what is needed to win a Test match and if that’s what’s required then, yeah, I’m fine with it.”I’m preparing for anything at this stage… There’s a fair bit to work through. I’ve just got here. We haven’t really had many conversations over the last week. It’s been about just spending some time out of the game as much as you can. You don’t get much time to chill out in a massive series like this, where it’s pretty full-on every single day.”Andrew McDonald revealed after the Perth Test that his Australia side had previously considered using different openers in each innings of a match, and Head said that he was “open” to the idea. “We’ve talked about that a lot: how you get there, and what personnel we have to be able to potentially do that and the personalities in the line-up,” he said. “You’ve seen it a little bit in the T20 team as well, where we’re trying to push the boundaries in power-hitting, and [asking] do we take singles at certain stages… I feel like I can play in any role, so I’m open to it, and it’s just trying to work out in-game and in moments when that may come out and when you may use that.”All options are on the table and have been for a long period of time about where this team can potentially get better, and where there’s opportunities to potentially win games of cricket in moments. It’s always been on the table.”Head was in agreement with Cummins, who is set to miss the second Test in Brisbane because of his ongoing back stress concerns, saying, “I agree with Pat. I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways and whatever ways that is to win games of cricket.”We’ve seen it in red-ball [Tests] but particularly probably pink-ball [Tests] as well. Non-traditional stuff, with double nightwatchmen, how you use orders, and how you use players in certain situations. So I agree with Pat that I think they’re slightly over-rated… It’s ever-evolving, and we’ll see where we get to.”

There is no getting away from the fact that Chelsea have not had the start to the season they would’ve been hoping for.

Enzo Maresca’s side lost their opening game of their Champions League campaign, and with their defeat against Manchester United on Saturday, they have amassed just eight points in the Premier League.

Fortunately, the Blues’ League Cup clash away to Lincoln City tonight provides them with a chance to bounce back with a convincing and entertaining win.

With that said, the manager should also use it as an opportunity to play some of the younger players in the squad, like Estevao and another Cobham product.

The Chelsea youngsters who should start with Estevao

Starting from the back, tonight’s game surely gives Maresca the perfect opportunity to hand Jorrel Hato another competitive start in Blue.

The Dutchman may still only be a teenager, but he’s already got an enormous amount of experience, making 111 appearances for Ajax before leaving this summer.

Moving into the middle of the park, the manager should bring Andrey Santos into the team from the start.

The young Brazilian was brought on in the 21st minute for the West Londoners on Saturday, and all things considered, did rather well, completing 100% of his dribbles, completing 51 passes and earning a 7/10 match rating from the Standard’s Simon Collings.

Then, when it comes to the wide players, one of them has to be Estevao, who was taken off early at Old Trafford due to Robert Sanchez’s ridiculous red card.

The dynamic attacker might not have scored his first competitive goal for the club yet, but he provided a brilliant assist in the game against West Ham United and has generally looked a threat whenever he’s been on the pitch.

However, he’s not the only youngster who should be given the chance in attack tonight.

The Cobham ace who should start vs Lincoln

While every game is important for Chelsea, especially in cup competitions, the level of tonight’s opposition provides the club with an opportunity to give some academy talent a proper runout.

In The Pipeline

Therefore, Maresca should bring Shumaira Mheuka back into the squad, and not only that, but hand him what would be just his second start.

Yes, the young Englishman did get a few runouts in the first team last season, including a start against FC Copenhagen, but given his age, it would have been unfair to expect too much of him.

So with that said, why should he come back into the team tonight?

Well, simply put, because he is on fire this season.

For example, in just six appearances, totalling 523 minutes, the Birmingham-born goal machine has put the ball in the back of the net seven times for the youth sides.

In other words, the 17-year-old gem is averaging 1.16 goals every game this season, or one every 74.71, which makes it easy to see where talent scout Jacek Kulig is coming from when he describes him as “the next big thing from Cobham!”

Finally, it’s not just at club level where the youngster is flying, as in 16 appearances for England’s U19s, totalling 970 minutes, he has scored eight goals and provided three assists.

Ultimately, given the level of the opposition tonight and his recent form, Maresca should look to start Mheuka for Chelsea against Lincoln City.

Chelsea ready to open agent talks to sign "spectacular" £61m Arsenal target

The Blues are preparing to make a move for a new forward, who is also being targeted by the Gunners.

By
Dominic Lund

Sep 22, 2025

Spinner feared career was over after release by Middlesex, now he’s back with a point to prove

Matt Roller26-Aug-2023Nathan Sowter remembers sitting in the away dressing-rooms at Billericay Cricket Club last September, thinking his professional career had just come to an end.He had just played his final game in a Middlesex shirt, for their 2nd XI, and did not have a contract lined up for the following summer. “I was pretty much by myself, with a sense that it was probably all over,” Sowter recalls. “You’re packing up your kit and thinking about how you got to that situation.”A year on, he is sitting in the Bedser Stand at The Oval, speaking to ESPNcricinfo ahead of the biggest game of his life. After landing a contract with Durham during the English winter, Sowter has had the most prolific summer of his career and will play for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred final on Sunday night – at his old home ground, Lord’s.”Playing in a final at Lord’s is something you dream of, isn’t it?” Sowter says. “I’m going there with full confidence, and no excuses. I know how to bowl at Lord’s. I did it for eight seasons with Middlesex, so I feel very confident that, whoever we come up against, I can hopefully have a good day out.”Related

• End of the beginning as change looms for the Hundred

• Jacks, Sowter clinch Oval Invincibles' Men's Hundred three-peat

• Nathan Sowter heads for Middlesex exit after joining Durham on loan

• Billings leads Invincibles into final with ruthless 76*

• Could Sam Curran be England's next white-ball captain?

But last season, Middlesex saw things differently. They decided to use the Blast to give opportunities to Luke Hollman and Thilan Walallawita, and Sowter was told a week before the tournament that he was surplus to requirements. He joined Durham on loan, and left Middlesex at the end of his contract.”I just got phased out,” Sowter explains. “That was obviously their decision, and a difficult period of my career. At the time, I was the second leading wicket-taker in Blast history for them. Maybe I didn’t have the success that I wanted in red-ball cricket, but they kind of froze me out a bit.”The person I was five years ago would’ve kicked up a bigger storm: I’d have gone down with a blaze of glory. But obviously by releasing me, they’ve given me the opportunity to show what I can do. I like it when I’ve got my back against the wall and I can show my true character.”In November, Sowter learned that Durham were offering him a deal for 2023 after an impressive loan spell in the Blast; a few days later, he got a call from Tom Moody, Oval Invincibles’ coach, offering him a retention for the third season of the Hundred, despite playing only four completed games across the first two years.Sowter was Middlesex’s second leading wicket-taker in Blast history when the club ‘froze him out’•Getty ImagesAnd he has quietly been a revelation in both the Blast and the Hundred. Across the two competitions, Sowter has taken 34 wickets this summer – the most of any spinner, and the equal second-most of any bowler. “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” he reflects.His favourite scalp in the Hundred is Jos Buttler – “it always tastes a bit sweeter when you get the big dogs out” – and he has been used as a strike bowler by Sam Billings. At Edgbaston, he was thrown the ball in the Powerplay, and had Ben Duckett caught as he lined up the short leg-side boundary.You might not guess that Sowter was a professional athlete if you bumped into him in the street. He is short, slim and wiry, and fidgets throughout our conversation. He is part of an Invincibles dressing-room with an unmistakable Surrey strut, and concedes: “I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t struggle a bit with that in the first couple of years.”Yet he is one of seven players who has featured for Invincibles in all three seasons. The pedigree of the other six – Sam and Tom Curran, Billings, Will Jacks, Sunil Narine and Jason Roy – shows just how highly Sowter is regarded by the management and his team-mates.

The worst thing that can happen is they hit you for six, isn’t it? And if they hit you for six, someone’s cheering in the crowd; at least I’ve made someone else happySowter on managing his anxiety in big matches

Sowter now feels at home at The Oval, but has battled with anxiety for several years. “I definitely still deal with it,” he says. “I was getting my hair cut yesterday [Wednesday] and was sitting there fretting over the final. The game’s not until Sunday! But when you have that time to think, you get all this nervous energy that starts building.”A couple of games ago, everyone else was warming up and I just sat in the middle of the ground, just having to take a few deep breaths with the physio to reset myself, and make sure I was ready to go and perform at my best. It’s an ongoing battle; it’s not something I’ll ever really get over. But I’ve got things in place that mean I can control it.”He has made a conscious effort to throw himself into the changing-room. “This year, I’ve come in and I’ve been quite loud,” he says. “I like getting in amongst it. That’s one of my coping mechanisms: I can kind of withdraw myself, or I can get really stuck in as well. The boys have been really good at understanding my situation too.”I’ve tried to take the pressure off myself: the worst thing that can happen is they hit you for six, isn’t it? And if they hit you for six, someone’s cheering in the crowd; at least I’ve made someone else happy. I know I’ve got the skill: I just need to let loose and take the shackles off to allow myself to perform.”Sowter’s challenge is to take that mindset into a final on Sunday. His dad is preparing to wake up at 3am in Sydney, where Sowter grew up – “He’s already got his lounge-bed set up, with all his snacks; I think he’s more nervous than I am” – and his girlfriend’s family will be in the crowd at Lord’s.”I’m trying to see everything as a bonus,” Sowter says. “Twelve months ago, I didn’t think I’d be playing cricket, let alone preparing for a final at Lord’s.” Casting his mind back to Billericay in September, he reflects: “The feeling will be a lot different on Sunday evening when, hopefully, we hold that trophy aloft.”

Celtic return to action in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday as they prepare to travel away from Parkhead to take on Motherwell at Fir Park.

The Hoops could head into the match this weekend with a five-point gap to first place as Rangers play before them, on Saturday, but they could also have a chance to move to the top of the table if their rivals drop points.

Brendan Rodgers' side provided the Gers with a chance to go top after they dropped points against Kilmarnock last time out in the Premiership.

A stoppage time equaliser from David Watson in Glasgow was enough to secure a point for the away team, after Kyogo Furuhashi had given the Bhoys the lead during the first half.

One player who struggled against Kilmarnock last weekend was Japan international Daizen Maeda, who must now be ruthlessly ditched from the starting XI to make way for January addition Nicolas Kuhn.

Daizen Maeda's performance against Kilmarnock in numbers

The 26-year-old forward was selected to play on the right side of the attack, with Luis Palma on the left and Kyogo and Adam Idah through the middle, but failed to make much of an impact on the match.

Rodgers decided to haul Maeda off after 68 minutes following an unimpressive performance from the winger, who recently returned from international duty with his country.

Out of possession, the opposition found it a little bit too easy to get the better of the right-footed lightweight as he lost four of his six ground duels, and one of his two aerial battles, throughout the game.

He did little to help Anthony Ralston at right-back as the attacker came off the pitch with zero clearances, tackles, interceptions, or blocks in 68 minutes.

To go along with his weak play off the ball, Maeda also failed to produce much in the way of quality at the top end of the field to win the match for his team.

As you can see in the table above, the Japan international did not threaten the opposition goal. He did not provide the goalkeeper with anything to deal with and did little to help his teammates to put pressure on Will Dennis between the sticks.

Unfortunately, this was not a one-off bad performance from Maeda as he has rarely made a big contribution in the final third for Celtic in the Premiership so far this season.

Daizen Maeda's season in numbers

The Hoops number 38 has been underwhelming as he has not produced goals or assists on a regular basis on the wing for the Scottish giants.

His finishing has left a lot to be desired as Maeda has only scored three goals in 19 league appearances, whilst the dud has missed eight 'big chances' in front of goal.

This shows that the forward has not made the most of the chances that his teammates have created for him, as the wasteful attacker has more than twice as many big chances missed as goals scored.

He has not made up for his poor finishing with outstanding creativity. The Japanese gem has only provided two assists in those 19 Premiership appearances, and four of his fellow attackers have registered more in the division.

Maeda has only made 0.5 key passes per game in the Scottish top-flight so far this season, which places him joint-20th within the Celtic squad.

This shows that the 26-year-old flanker rarely makes passes or whips crosses into the box that provide his teammates with an opportunity to test the goalkeeper or score a goal.

Overall, these statistics suggest that the Ange Postecoglou signing has struggled to find consistency in the final third, as a scorer and as a creator, throughout the Premiership season so far.

That, coupled with his poor showing against Kilmarnock last time out, is why Rodgers must ruthlessly ditch him from the starting XI for this clash with Motherwell.

Why Nicolas Kuhn should start over Maeda

The Northern Irish head coach should unleash Kuhn from the start ahead of Maeda as the January signing has the potential to offer more at the top end of the pitch.

Celtic signed the 24-year-old magician from Austrian side Rapid Wien during the last transfer window, after he enjoyed a terrific first half of the season in the Bundesliga.

Across 16 appearances, the German gem created 11 'big chances' and made 1.8 key passes per game for his team and was rewarded with five assists for his creative efforts.

This return is considerably more impressive than Maeda's return of four 'big chances' created and 0.5 key passes in 19 Premiership games for Celtic.

Therefore, the former Ajax and Bayern Munich youngster could provide more quality as a creator, which could then lead to more chances being created for the likes of Kyogo and Idah to find the back of the net.

Kuhn, who was hailed as a "dynamic" player by Rodgers, also showcased his potential as a goalscorer in just his second appearance for the Hoops – off the bench – against Aberdeen in January.

Idah held the ball up well inside the box and teed up the winger to fire in a fierce shot that went into the bottom right corner, via the help of a deflection, to secure a point for the Bhoys on the day.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo only scored two Bundesliga goals for Rapid Wien but did produce quality in front goal in his younger days, with 24 goals in 35 matches for RB Leipzig's U17s.

Rodgers will be hoping that he can unlock Kuhn's goalscoring potential as well as his creativity on the right flank, cutting inside on his favoured left foot to cause chaos in the final third.

Regular minutes on the pitch could help the young dynamo to find his feet in Scotland as he gains valuable experience with his new teammates and against Scottish opposition, which is another reason why the talented whiz should start.

Maeda's underwhelming performances and Kuhn's exciting quality at the top end of the pitch is why Rodgers must make that change to his XI on the wing on Sunday.

Nadine de Klerk smashed an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls to hand India their first defeat in the World Cup

Firdose Moonda09-Oct-2025

Nadine de Klerk’s whirlwind half-century blew India away•Getty Images

Nadine de Klerk’s career-best 84* trumped Richa Ghosh’s counterpunching 94 in the battle of No.8s as South Africa emerged victorious in the Women’s World Cup’s first thriller. South Africa completed the fifth-highest successful chase in World Cups and their eight highest in women’s ODIs in a match where the advantage changed sides several times and overflowed with tension.Put into bat, India started well when they scored 55 in the powerplay before South Africa stormed through the next 16 overs and reduced India to 102 for 6. Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur put on 51 for the seventh wicket before Ghosh and Sneh Rana, who produced a cameo of 33 from 24 balls took India to a competitive total. In their last 10 overs, India scored 98 runs which may have knocked the wind out of South Africa’s sails.It seemed that way as their reply started poorly. They were 81 for 5 in the 20th over and looked all but out of the game. Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon put on 61 for the sixth wicket, Chloe and de Klerk shared a stand of 69 but when Tryon was dismissed, South Africa still needed 41 runs off 25 balls. De Klerk scored 39 runs off the next 15 balls she faced to take South Africa to victory with seven balls to spare. South Africa moved up to fourth on the points table, level with England and India but with a lower net run-rate.Having chased 275 against India at the 2022 World Cup, South Africa would have known what’s possible but they were off to the worst possible start. Tazmin Brits was dismissed for the first duck of her ODI career when Kranti Gaud pulled off a stunning return catch, reacting in a time of 0.5 seconds to grab the ball with her left hand. Sune Luus reviewed successfully when given out lbw to Amanjot but went fishing at a wide ball in the next over and nicked off. India thought they had Kapp six balls later but it bobbled out of Rawal’s hands at point.Kapp and Wolvaardt recovered decently with a 39-run third-wicket stand but were separated by a magic ball from Rana which held its line as Kapp played inside and was bowled. Anneke Bosch’s wretched run continued and she popped a return catch to Deepti to extend her run of scores under 20 to eight ODI innings. SInalo Jafta continued to look convincing at No.6 but was the first South African done in by left-arm spin. She was lbw to Shree Charani as she shuffled across and missed a flick.Through all that Wolvaardt was stoic and patient. She reached fifty off 81 balls, by which point Tyron was on five off 22. The pair worked well together, Tryon found some scoring rhythm and their partnership grew to 61 before Gaud was brought back for a second spell. Her fifth ball was full and straight and Wolvaardt could not keep it out as it smashed into middle stump.Richa Ghosh rescued India’s innings again•ICC/Getty Images

Tryon kept things going with de Klerk and South Africa entered the last 10 overs needing 81 runs. What they didn’t have was a player with Ghosh’s power. Tryon may be as close as it comes but she struggled with a calf niggle that was protected by a compression sock and then required heavy strapping. They needed 60 off the last six overs. Tryon tried to get Amanjot away but it was de Klerk who got a short, wide ball away for four and she found her touch at the right time.In the next over, she hit Rana for six and four before taking a single to put Tryon on strike. She came down the track and was hit on the pad and given lbw and a review could not save her. Then, it was all de Klerk. She took on Gaud and sent her over midwicket and down the ground for back-to-back sixes – the first got her to fifty – and then made room to carve her away for four. At that point, Ghosh went down needing treatment on her hamstring a la Rishabh Pant in the T20 World Cup final. Then, South Africa lost their heads. This time, de Klerk kept hers.She took a smart single to keep strike. 23 needed off 18. The game was all but done but de Klerk still needed to stay there. She hit two fours off Deepti, over square leg and covers and then South Africa needed 12 off 12. De Klerk finished it off with two sixes over deep midwicket and long-on as Wolvaardt fist-pumped and a small contingent of South African fans sang louder than the several thousand home crowd.Earlier, India started well as boundaries came easily in the opening exchanges with two off Kapp’s first over and five in the first five overs. Pratika Rawal hit all of them and survived an lbw shout off Kapp after the South African overstepped. Smriti Mandhana struggled for fluency but hit a glorious shot in anger when she advanced on Khaka and hit her back over her head for six. With that she become the batter with the most runs in ODIs in a calendar year, going past Belinda Clarke.After a solid powerplay, Mandhana became the first to fall when she went after Nonkululekho Mlaba’s second ball and toe-ended it to Luus at long-on. Mlaba and de Klerk dried up boundaries, with only one between overs 10 and 17 and then Mlaba struck again. She spun the ball past Harleen Deol’s outside edge, bowled her and waved goodbye for good measure.South Africa’s fourth seam option Tumi Sekhukhune was brought on in the 18th over and immediately found a good length. In her second over, she foxed Rawal with a slower ball. Rawal was too early on the stroke and got a leading edge that went up high enough for Brits to comfortably make her way from midwicket to take it.Wolvaardt departed after a valiant fifty•ICC/Getty Images

That brought Jemimah Rodrigues to join Harmnapreet Kaur. But they were only together for just an over. Rodrigues was dismissed for her second duck in three matches when she attempted a sweep against Tryon and missed. She was given out lbw and reviewed unsuccessfully, making it the third time in the tournament she has been dismissed by left-arm spin. Overall, India are the team that have been most susceptible, with 11 dismissals in the tournament to left-arm spin.Harmanpreet laboured her way to nine off 24 balls before she tried to force Tryon away on the off side but top-edged and Kapp took a low catch at backward point. With India 100 for 5 at the halfway mark, Wolvaardt went for the kill and brought back Kapp. Deepti followed her down leg and was caught behind but reviewed in vain. India were 102 for 6 but Amanjot and then some to come.After digging India out of a similar hole – 124 for 6 against Sri Lanka – Amajot recovered from the fever that kept her out of the Pakistan match and found herself needing to do it again. Ghosh almost deserted her when she nearly popped a return catch to Kapp but then hit Tryon over mid-on for four for the first boundary in 14.3 overs. A rare Luus misfield gave Ghosh a second four off Khaka and it was clear she would become the senior partner. She swept Tyron and Mlaba, hit Sekhukhune over long-on for six and contributed 36 runs in a stand of 51 with Amanjot. By the time Amanjot was ready to get going, Tryon was delivering her last ball and Amanjot mis-hit her over mid-off. Luus ran backwards to take her 56th international catch, equally Dane van Niekerk for the most outfield catches by a South African in ODIs.India lost Amanjot with the last 10 overs looming but Ghosh provided momentum. She picked up a de Klerk slower ball and hit it for six and got back-to-back boundaries off Mlaba and reached her seventh ODI fifty off 53 balls. Ghosh reverse swept Mlaba, hit Kapp over cover for four and then took on Khaka, taking 19 runs off seventh over. She entered the 90s when she hit de Klerk over her head for four and then moved to 94 with a slice past point. She hit the next ball to long-on but reviewed for a no-ball and ball tracking showed the ball would have passed her 4cm below her waistline. South Africa finished with two wickets in two balls which may have been crucial to their victory march.

“Saha has also always rescued the team; so why are you taking away his batting confidence?”

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2020Sandeep Patil, the former India batsman and selector, has expressed surprise at India preferring Rishabh Pant over Wriddhiman Saha in the Tests in New Zealand, which the visitors lost 2-0 in February.Despite Saha playing all five Tests during the home season against South Africa and Bangladesh, he was replaced by Pant for the New Zealand Tests, where the left-hander averaged 15 across four innings.”You are promoting Rishabh Pant, but playing with the career of Wriddhiman Saha,” Patil was quoted as saying by . “Saha will always be my first choice as wicketkeeper simply because you need experience and he is more experienced.”Saha has also always rescued the team; so why are you taking away his batting confidence? I know what Saha is capable of; I was in the West Indies when he scored that hundred,” he added, referring to Saha’s 104 in Gros Islet.A few months later, Saha got his career-best 117 against Australia in Ranchi.Injuries since 2018, though, led to Saha losing his place as Test wicketkeeper. He first suffered a hamstring strain on the tour of South Africa in January 2018 before injuring his shoulder and thumb in the subsequent months.In Saha’s absence, Pant became the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit Test centuries in England and Australia in the 2018-19 season. However, his form gradually went south and Saha was brought back after the tour of the West Indies in 2019.It was as recently as October 2019 – before India played their first Test of the home season against South Africa – that captain Virat Kohli had called Saha the “best in the world”.”He’s played well for us whenever he’s got a chance, with the bat also, and it was unfortunate that he was out for such a long period because of an injury, and according to me he’s the best keeper in the world, so in these [subcontinental] conditions, with what he’s done in the past, he starts for us,” Kohli had said.But the general consensus within the management has been that Pant is a better batsman than Saha, and in overseas conditions where spinners don’t have as much of a role to play as at home and therefore the ask of the wicketkeeper isn’t as much, the younger keeper is more useful.