Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy is reportedly being considered for the vacant Celtic FC job following Brendan Rodgers’ departure last month. The Scottish club has appointed Martin O’Neill as interim boss but is expected to move quickly to secure a permanent head coach. Nancy, who has led Columbus since 2023, is among the names on their shortlist.
The baseball world suffered a huge loss Monday when Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg died at the age of 65 following a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer.
Sandberg played 16 years in the majors, with the final 15 of those coming with the Cubs. He was a legend in Chicago and fans were rightfully heartbroken over the news.
On Tuesday, Sandberg's longtime double-play partner, Shawon Dunston, shared that he and some other former teammates had special conversations with Sandberg before his death.
"The last couple of days, he wanted to speak to me, Andre [Dawson] and Mark Grace," Dunston said during an emotional appearance on the MLB Network. "He told us that he loved us and he loved all you fans too. Go Cubs."
Here's that segment:
The Cubs will celebrate Sandberg with a patch on their uniforms for the rest of the season. The team will be back home at Wrigley on Friday, which will likely be an emotional day for a fanbase and a city that lost a former player that they all loved.
Can Danny Röhl claim a win in his first Scottish Premiership match in charge of Rangers?
Amazingly, eight games into this league season, Rangers have still only won once.
Last weekend, with youth team coach Steven Smith at the helm, they required a late equaliser from James Tavernier to salvage a 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Ibrox.
This makes it the club’s worst start since 1978, excluding seasons they were outside the top-flight, and the Gers have not finished lower than third since 1985/86, which could be a genuine possibility right now.
The Light Blues are eight points behind fierce rivals Celtic but 13 adrift of current league leaders Hearts. The top two face each other at Tynecastle on Sunday, but Rangers are not involved in any title conversation, simply seeking to climb into the European places.
On Thursday night, Röhl did take charge of his new team for the first time, but one would not call it a dream start, given that they were demolished 3-0 by Brann in the Europa League.
In the next fortnight, the Light Blues face Kilmarnock, Hibs, Celtic, and then Roma, which certainly is not an easy set of fixtures, so which summer signing who looks completely “cooked”, so much so that he’s holding back teammates, should Röhl leave out of his team?
Last season, as Rangers endured a generally underwhelming campaign, Nicolas Raskin was named both the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award, as well as Supporters’ Player of the Year award last season, continually excellent even when the team was not.
Thus, one would assume that any new manager would make the Belgian one of the first names on the team sheet, but Russell Martin seemingly had other ideas.
Following a breakdown in the relationship between the pair, the short-lived boss decided to leave Raskin on the bench for crucial Champions League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzeň and Club Brugge, while he wasn’t in the squad at all for home games against Celtic and Hearts.
In the meantime, the 24-year-old has started each of Belgium’s last three outings, scoring against Kazakhstan in Brussels, thereby hoping to feature prominently at next summer’s World Cup, alongside Kevin De Bruyne, who isn’t bad, is he?
Back at club level, following that mini-exile, Raskin has started each of Rangers’ last seven matches, heading home the opener against Hibs in the League Cup quarter-finals, likely to be a central figure as Röhl looks to remould this underperforming team.
However, to truly get the best out of the Belgian, does the new boss need to move on from one of Rangers’ worst-performing summer signings?
Fair to say, the Rangers support have not been won over by a large proportion of their summer signings.
Youssef Chermiti, Jayden Meghoma, Nasser Djiga, and Thelo Aasgaard, to name but a few, have so far certainly not impressed, but Joe Rothwell has been one of the most underwhelming additions.
When he arrived from Bournemouth in July, Kai Watson labelled him an “excellent passer” and “exactly what this Rangers midfield needs”, concluding he would be “a very smart signing”.
Well, so far, that has certainly not been the case, as the table below makes clear.
|
Joe Rothwell’s Rangers statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats |
Rothwell |
Rangers rank |
|
Total minutes |
958 |
7th |
|
Assists |
1 |
2nd |
|
Pass completion % |
95.8% |
1st |
|
Accurate passes per 90 |
28.1 |
8th |
|
Key passes per 90 |
0.9 |
6th |
|
Progressive passes |
4 |
13th |
|
Passes into final 3rd |
3 |
12th |
|
Shot-creating actions |
1 |
13th |
|
Average rating |
6.72 |
12th |
|
Stats via FBref & SofaScore |
||
As the table documents, while Rothwell may rank first in terms of pass completion percentage, he is simply not doing anything with this high volume of passes.
This is emphasised by the fact he’s recorded just 0.9 key passes per game in the Premiership and only four progressive passes in the Europa League, while seven players have notched more accurate passes on a per 90 basis, which isn’t ideal given that this is supposed to be his main attribute.
His lack of mobility in the middle of the park has also come under scrutiny.
Neil McCann, speaking on Sky Sports commentary during August’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren, asserted that he looked completely “cooked”, while Kenny Macintyre, speaking on BBC Sportsound, exclaimed that “Joe Rothwell… has looked knackered in every game”.
In short, the Englishman is offering very little either in or out of possession, which is hindering those around him, given that Raskin is putting in chaotic displays, feeling as though he has to do everything, with Brann’s third goal on Thursday underlining how easy this team are to play through.
So, ahead of a crucial run of games, Röhl will be desperate for Mohamed Diomandé to be fit enough to return, while any of Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron, or the aforementioned Aasgaard should complete the trio, as they’d all offer far more than Rothwell right now.
Röhl has plenty to ponder right now, it would have been a sobering flight back from Bergen this week, but one of his top priorities has to be getting the best out of Raskin, something Rothwell’s continued inclusion is certainly not doing.
Worse than Antman: Rohl must drop Rangers flop who's "nowhere near ready"
Glasgow Rangers manager Danny Rohl should drop this flop who was even worse than Oliver Antman.
By
Dan Emery
Oct 24, 2025
The grey clouds that have been hanging over West Ham United this year might just be starting to shift.
It’s still very early on in Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure, but in the draw away to Everton and, more crucially, the win over Newcastle United, he’s shown enough to excite the fans.
More importantly, though, the win over the Toon suggests that the Portuguese coach might just be able to keep the Hammers in the Premier League.
Another huge positive to come out of that game was the display of Freddie Potts, and it’s already looking like the academy is brewing another talent like him.
Why Freddie Potts is such an exciting talent
Potts had made a few fleeting appearances for West Ham before Sunday’s game, but that was his first competitive start for the club.
However, he’s no inexperienced youngster, as he spent last season on loan with Portsmouth in the Championship, where he made 38 appearances, and the season before that with Wycombe Wanderers, where he made 43 appearances.
That experience clearly paid off against the Toon, as despite them being a Champions League side, the Barking-born ace looked completely unfazed.
Minutes
90′
Key Passes
2
Crosses
2
Passes
33/39
Touches
57
Tackles (Won)
3 (2)
Interceptions
1
Clearances
6
Recoveries
1
Ground Duels (Won)
4 (3)
In fact, he thrived, and from the first minute to the last, he was practically faultless, putting in a perfect all-action midfield performance.
One analyst claimed he had a “similar aura to Rice” and was particularly impressed with his “confidence and ability to create time and space on the ball.”
He was so good, in fact, that he got special attention on Match of the Day, and it feels like it won’t be the only time that happens this season.
In all, while it is still early on in his career, it looks like West Ham have an unreal midfield talent in Potts.
So, fans should be excited that the academy appears to be producing another prospect who could be a lot like him.
West Ham's next Potts in the making
The good news for West Ham and the fans is that there are currently several genuinely exciting players in the academy.
Bowen thinks he's "special": West Ham are brewing a bigger gem than Potts
The incredible gem could be an even bigger star for West Ham United than Freddie Potts.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 3, 2025
For example, Preston Fearon appears to have the potential to become a midfield destroyer one day, Emeka Adiele has been providing assists with ease at left-back, and Josh Landers seems to be a natural centre-forward.
However, another youngster, less well-known but with the potential to be a future Potts-esque star, is Isaac Thomas.
The 16-year-old Welshman made his debut for the club’s U18S over the weekend, and to say he impressed would be an understatement.
The young Hammers beat Ipswich Town 8-2 away from home, and instead of scoring one, a brace or even a hat-trick, the exciting prospect ended up with four goals to his name.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Amazingly, three of his goals were headers, with the fourth coming off his foot in the dying embers of the match. However, what makes the whole thing even more remarkable is that he was playing at centre-back.
Perhaps a little unsurprisingly, Thomas is not a natural defender, but stepped in to play there for the team regardless.
It’s this ability to be something of a utility player so young that makes him feel similar to Potts, as he, too, played at the back for the U21s and U18s on occasion.
Furthermore, if the “brilliant” teen, as dubbed by his coach, Lauris Coggin, possesses both the tactical awareness to play in defence and the technical ability to score four goals in a game, there is no reason he couldn’t eventually thrive in the middle of the park.
Ultimately, it is still so early in his career, but in Thomas, West Ham look to have another hugely promising talent, much like Potts.
Liverpool have had their fair share of special European nights over the years, with the famous comeback win against Barcelona back in 2019 in the Champions League – which saw the Reds overturn a 4-0 deficit – still sticking out as the Premier League giants at their thrilling best.
The entertainment levels weren’t through the roof in a similar fashion mid-week when Arne Slot’s men got the better of Barca’s arch rivals Real Madrid by a single goal, but the impressive all-round display would have definitely pleased the Anfield masses watching on.
Indeed, away from Alexis Mac Allister grabbing the winner, faces such as Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah also stood out, when they have otherwise failed to get going this season, with the heavily scapegoated German covering a staggering 11.37km in total.
To make the win even sweeter on Europe’s grandest stage, Liverpool managed to get one over on ex-star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who would only come on for the final few exchanges for Los Blancos.
Yet, despite a chorus of boos greeting his every touch, it’s clear – when analysing Liverpool’s wobbles this season – that they have desperately missed the creativity of their former homegrown product from the right-back spot.
Why Liverpool have missed Alexander-Arnold
Of course, all of the animosity directed towards the former number 66 comes from a place of pain that he deserted his hometown club for a shot in La Liga.
Being able to replace the creativity Alexander-Arnold possessed in spades at Anfield instantly was also going to be an extremely tough ask, with his ability to burst forward and cut open a defence for Liverpool, dubbing him a “dream for strikers” by Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Alexander-Arnold would become a modern-day icon at Liverpool, with a mighty 23 goals and 92 assists falling into his lap on Merseyside.
Liverpool had their work cut out for them in the summer to try and find an attacking full-back of the same calibre as the Englishman; therefore, with the Anfield giants presumably thinking they’d hit the jackpot with the capture of Milos Kerkez.
Unfortunately, the former AFC Bournemouth star – who amassed five Premier League assists last season – has no assists next to his name for Liverpool in league action, leading to him being branded as “out of his depth” by journalist Tim Spiers.
Thankfully, Conor Bradley showed the Liverpool masses why he could be in with a shout to be a long-term fix for Trent deserting the building.
He was phenomenal against the Spanish giants, dealing with the effervescent Vinicius Junior with an energetic display, seeing him win eight duels against Xabi Alonso’s visitors.
But, there was another standout performer on Wednesday night, who could be a surprise shout to be Slot’s next Trent-style figure.
Liverpool's new Trent is in midfield
Liverpool haven’t just experienced a crisis in the full-back areas this season, with the aforementioned Mac Allister struggling in the midfield areas in patches this campaign, too.
He does look to have exited his slump now, with the winning goal against the visitors from Madrid. Dominik Szoboszlai, on the other hand, has only gone from strength to strength this season, even as meltdowns have occurred around him.
The Hungarian would live up to his reputation for being a dead-ball specialist – which saw him hammer home a glorious free-kick against Arsenal earlier this season – against Alexander-Arnold’s new employers, with Mac Allister ultimately thankful for the 25-year-old’s incisive eye for an assist.
The two-time Premier League title winner would, time after time, also come up trumps when taking his very own corner kicks and corners at Anfield, with Szoboszlai now taking on this role expertly, as seen in him already picking up three Champions League assists for the campaign.
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Touches
54
Shots
5
Accurate passes
30/39 (77%)
Key passes
3
Accurate crosses
3/3
Ball recoveries
6
Back in the bread and butter of the Premier League, Szoboszlai is in a league of his own in terms of progressive carries and crosses attempted.
Two standout characteristics of Alexander-Arnold’s expansive game in England, the Hungarian has registered 26 carries and 25 crosses already in 2025/26. That’s more than any midfielder in England’s top-flight this season.
Slot has even chucked the “unbelievable” number 8 – as he has glowingly labelled him – into the right-back spot on occasion this season, with their similarities almost becoming eerie at this point.
However, as was evidenced on Wednesday night, the 25-year-old can still be an influential figure – like the number 66 – from a number ten position.
More wins will no doubt be collected this season, off the back of Szoboszlai’s “genius” alone, as his former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp also labelled him.
Arne Slot has just unlocked Liverpool's new Coutinho vs Real Madrid
Liverpool may have unearthed their next Philippe Coutinho after getting the better of Real Madrid 1-0.
ByKelan Sarson Nov 5, 2025
Football is a fickle game, but the feel-good factor has certainly returned to Manchester United in recent weeks, with Ruben Amorim’s men now in the midst of a rare three-game winning run in the Premier League.
While the prior win at Anfield may have been the cliched ‘statement’ performance, the subsequent display against Brighton provided even greater reason for encouragement.
Like the red arrows – or Sir Alex Ferguson’s beloved geese – United swarmed the Seagulls on Saturday night, with the frontline, in particular, simply proving too hot to handle.
This much-debated 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 set-up has no doubt had its critics, but the weekend triumph showcased what it can look like in full flow, with so many avenues available to hurt the opposition.
If it’s not Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, it’s Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro making an impact, with even the high press of the backline working to emphatic effect amid Luke Shaw’s involvement in the opening two goals.
Where Amorim’s machine currently looks at its best, however, is on the right flank, making it all the more troubling that the Portuguese will soon be without the dynamic duo of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.
How many games Amad and Mbeumo could miss due to AFCON
There was a moment on the opening weekend that seemed to illustrate everything wrong with Amorim’s approach, with the left-footed pair of Amad and Mbeumo getting in each other’s way inside the area against Arsenal.
With both men looking to come in onto their favoured left foot, they had been occupying the same areas in the early weeks of the season. That has all changed since Sunderland, however.
There were shades of Yorke and Cole about the two men against the Black Cats, while they also combined again to devastating effect against Liverpool, with opposite number Milos Kerkez enduring a torrid day at the office.
As Amad has himself spoken of, there is a fluidity emerging regarding United’s right-sided duo, with the pair comfortable alternating between a no.10 or right wing-back berth mid-game.
Mbeumo, signed for a total fee of £71m this summer, now boasts five goals already for the Red Devils, while Amad has created two ‘big chances’ and provided one assist in the Premier League thus far, as per Sofascore.
Frustratingly, this developing partnership is set to be halted in the near future, with the upcoming African Cup of Nations set to kick off on 21 December. Amad and Mbeumo will be representing Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, respectively.
While festive fixtures are yet to be totally confirmed by broadcasters, United currently face Aston Villa (21st), Newcastle United (27th) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (30th) in late December, with further fixtures at risk in January should their nations progress.
Possible games without Amad & Mbeumo
Opponent
Provisional date
Bournemouth
15th December
Aston Villa
21st December
Newcastle*
27 December
Wolves*
30th December
Leeds
3rd Jan
Burnley
7th Jan
FA Cup 3rd round
10th Jan
Man City
17th Jan
*look certain to miss
There should be no pressure applied for the pair to forego their international commitments, however, with Amorim and co instead needing to find international solutions to help fill that double-barreled void.
How Man Utd can replace Mbeumo and Amad
As per journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the impending departure of the two widemen will likely see United block potential January exits, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee having been tipped to depart in the New Year.
In truth, the club’s attacking options are light as it is following the summer exits of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony, with Amorim unable to afford his frontline getting any weaker.
Thankfully, an obvious solution to the Mbeumo absence would be Mason Mount, with the Englishman – who was named on the bench last time out – comfortable either in a left-sided or right-sided number ten role.
That would then leave Cunha and Sesko to complete the attacking trio, with the likes of Zirkzee and Mainoo in reserve – while a surprise chance could emerge for academy sensation, Shea Lacey.
If Amorim is looking for a more natural replacement for either Mbeumo or Amad, however, it might be Patrick Dorgu who he turns to, with the left footer able to provide another “explosive” presence down the right flank – as U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him.
While predominantly deployed on the left flank following his January arrival from Leece, the young Dane has been ousted from that role of late, with Diogo Dalot slotting in at left wing-back in each of the last three victories.
It would seem bizarre to have a right-footer on the left, and a left-footer on the right, although that approach is working currently, ensuring Dorgu might be the man to fill that Amad-Mbeumo-shaped hole.
Indeed, prior to moving to Manchester, the versatile 21-year-old had regularly lined up as a right winger in Italy, with three of his five Serie A goals coming from a right-wing or right midfield berth, as per Transfermarkt.
An impressive ball carrier, like Amad and Mbeumo, Dorgu currently ranks in the top 7% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carriers per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 – highlighting his willingness to get forward.
Too often, the £30m signing produces a wayward attempt when cutting onto his right foot from the left, with there the chance that he might well benefit from being able to cut in onto his preferred foot instead from the opposite flank.
Noted as a statistically similar player to Amad in this season’s Premier League, as per FBref, Dorgu might well be the man to replace the Ivorian in something of a new role, having only featured on the right a handful of times to date under Amorim – namely on debut against Leicester City.
The ten-cap Denmark international will have big shoes to fill over the Christmas period, but he might just be the international solution that Amorim is in need of.
Not Cunha or Mbeumo: Man Utd gem is becoming one of the "best in the world"
Manchester United have yet another world-class star on their hands under Ruben Amorim.
2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025
Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus for a much lower price than expected.
Particularly last season, much was said about Man United. The club endured what was, in terms of points return and league finish, their worst-ever Premier League campaign. Many of the club’s attacking options, such as Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, struggled for form.
This, no doubt, contributed to their business ahead of the 2025/26 season. In what marked their first summer transfer window with Ruben Amorim as manager, the Red Devils signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in what was a complete renovation of their attack.
The trio have since secured their places in the first team at Old Trafford, helping Man United record three successive Premier League wins for the first time under Amorim’s guidance before the draw at Nottingham Forest.
It would appear, however, that the Red Devils may look to further reinforce their attacking line in the upcoming January window.
Man United show interest in Vlahovic
As per TEAMtalk, Man United could pursue a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this winter. Such a transfer, however, would only be explored if there is first a departure. Zirkzee could leave, having lost his place in the first team due to both new signings and poor form.
Vlahovic, who reportedly earns £375,000 per week in Turin, will become a free agent in July if he does not depart Juve at an earlier date, having been unable to negotiate a contract extension with the club. Were Vlahovic to remain, he would seemingly have to take a pay cut.
Having been called a “superstar” for his ability, Vlahovic would be available for just £17.5 million according to TEAMtalk, in no doubt due to his contract situation. Were Zirkzee to depart permanently, it would presumably provide Man United with the adequate funds to pursue Vlahovic. Even if the Dutchman left only on loan, it would free up a position within their first-team for the 25-year-old.
Given his lack of minutes so far this season, it can be presumed that Zirkzee has fallen down the pecking order. In Vlahovic, Man United would be signing competition for summer signing Sesko which, in turn, could benefit the Slovenian international.
Reportedly, Man United are “informed” of Vlahovic’s situation, but “that does not mean they will necessarily pull the trigger on the move” and whether a transfer materialises remains to be seen.
"Deadly" Man United academy star is another Bruno Fernandes
Everton spent a lot of time spinning their wheels with Farhad Moshiri at the head of the table, but David Moyes is working well within the Friedkin Group’s parameters, and there’s a new sense of belief on the blue half of Merseyside.
There’s no question the Blues have improved since the Scotsman’s exciting return, almost 12 years after closing the door on his dynasty and succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but more is needed to hit that elusive next level: contending for a seat at the European table.
While there may be an acceptance that the Toffees need external solutions, there’s one player plying their trade elsewhere who’s guaranteed a shot in Moyes’ squad next season, given that they are contracted to the Hill Dickinson Stadium already.
Indeed, Harrison Armstrong’s loan spell with Preston North End is drawing many plaudits, suggesting he is destined for success in the Premier League.
Armstrong, 18, has been at Everton since he was five years old. He is young and raw, but the talent has been clear from the get-go, with Sean Dyche featuring him three times in the league last season.
This season, the athletic, progressive centre-midfielder racked up two assists for Everton as they beat Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup second round, ahead of his season-long switch to Preston in the Championship.
He’s making good progress in the second tier. The 18-year-old was praised for a statement showing against Sheffield United recently, winning six of eight contested ground duels and completing both of his dribbles.
There was much to like on loan at Derby County last year, but Armstrong has evolved and developed since the summer, and that bodes well for his future in the Premier League.
Preston fans are certain Armstrong “will play for England one day”, and Everton must ensure they keep him on the books and help nurture him to the fore.
And the same must be applied to one of the youngster’s Toffees teammates, a rising star who might even be a bigger talent.
This summer, Moyes oversaw sweeping changes as Everton moved house. Among the most high-profile and exciting deals was the £42m signing of Tyler Dibling from Southampton, the teenage talent having broken out on the south coast last term.
The 19-year-old only scored four goals and provided three assists across all competitions last season, but Southampton were in a dire state and he was a shining light throughout, blending pace and power and potency down the flank.
This season, Dibling has featured only four times in the Premier League, hooked at half time during his only start, the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
It’s been a slow start, but he’s immensely talented and has the potential to outstrip all his teammates in Moyes’ system.
With a natural ease when carrying the ball that will only develop over the coming years, Dibling is also positionally dynamic and has effortless balance.
Output and effectiveness are two facets he needs to keep working on, but there’s no question that Everton have a gem on their hands, potentially an even bigger talent than someone like Armstrong.
|
Southampton 24/25 – Expected Assists (xA) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Assists |
xA |
|
Mateus Fernandes |
4 |
3.64 |
|
Ryan Manning |
1 |
2.80 |
|
Yukinari Sugawara |
1 |
2.46 |
|
Kyle Walker-Peters |
2 |
2.30 |
|
Tyler Dibling |
0 |
1.46 |
|
Data via Sofascore |
||
Despite entering the professional scene for the first time, despite trying to find success as a creator in a, frankly, dismal Saints side, Dibling showcased his quality, backing up the claims of his former youth coach Andy Goldie that he is a “world-class talent”.
Given Everton paid a hefty figure for the teenager’s services, and that he has a full Premier League campaign under his belt, it’s certainly not unjust to suggest that Dibling is a bigger talent than Armstrong, who may be thriving at Deepdale but has even further to climb if he wishes to successfully wedge his way into Moyes’ plans.
In any case, this all serves as an exciting nod toward the future for the Merseysiders.
Everton's £45k-p/w talent is now giving "Pienaar 2.0 vibes" under Moyes
Everton have already hit the jackpot on this talented first-teamer.
By
Angus Sinclair
Oct 29, 2025
Manchester Originals miss chance to close gap on table-toppers as they slump to 16-run loss
ECB Media24-Aug-2025Manchester Originals missed the chance to take a big leap towards qualifying for The Hundred Eliminator next Saturday after falling to a 16-run defeat to lowly Birmingham Phoenix at Emirates Old Trafford and slipping out of the top three.The Originals, who have never progressed beyond the group phase of the women’s competition, looked strong favourites after restricting the visitors to 111 for 3 but Aussie seamer Megan Schutt (3 for 14) spearheaded an inspired performance with the ball after Ellyse Perry’s second successive half-century and a sparky knock from Sterre Kalis had given them something to defend.Both Originals openers were dismissed for ducks, Kathyrn Bryce run out by Emma Lamb and Beth Mooney falling to a superb running catch by Marie Kelly off Schutt, before Em Arlott snared Alice Monaghan to leave the hosts 14 for 3.That became 14 for 4 two balls later when 19-year-old off-spinner Phoebe Brett had Amelia Kerr caught at mid-on by Arlott. Deandra Dottin and Seren Smale steadied the ship somewhat before Hannah Baker snared the former, caught at long-off as she tried to up the ante.Smale dug deep for her 34-ball 29, eventually caught at short fine-leg by Brett to give Schutt her third wicket, and Lauren Filer struck three boundaries in her unbeaten 19, but the Originals were eventually dismissed for 95 from the final ball of their innings.Earlier, Phoenix skipper Perry had chosen to bat after winning the toss but her team were soon in trouble, Georgia Voll falling for a four-ball duck after picking out Monaghan at deep square-leg off Mahika Gaur.The Originals’ high-class bowling attack was relentless, the visitors crawling to 15 in 24 balls when Lamb offered a simple chance to Dottin off Sophie Ecclestone before Amy Jones succumbed to Dottin to leave the score 17 for 3.Perry (55 not out from 48) and Kalis mounted a rescue operation, the Aussie legend reaching her half-century by dispatching Bryce for six over mid-wicket and Kalis unbeaten on 43 from 39 when the innings concluded on 111 for 3.It didn’t look like being enough against an Originals side which had won their three previous matches but Phoenix prevailed to move up to seventh in the table and push their opponents down to fourth, behind London Spirit on net run rate.The Originals now face a crucial final group match against Northern Superchargers on Tuesday, with the Spirit visiting Oval Invincibles tomorrow.Kalis, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “It was obviously a tough start; the pitch was doing quite a bit. When I got in, it was a tough situation because we’d lost some early wickets. But Perry and I rebuilt, and I thought it was a good score on that pitch. It was definitely the kind of surface where, once you got in, it became a bit easier to score.”In the end, it was a brilliant win. We had to play really good cricket to defend a low-ish total, and we knew early wickets were going to be key and we got them. Obviously it’s been a bit of a tough campaign for us but what we can do now is play our best cricket and today, we showed what kind of team we are. It was a brilliant effort.”
Elwiss responds with fighting 87 in lost cause for The Blaze
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jul-2025
Freya Kemp smacked her maiden career century•Getty Images
England starlet Freya Kemp smacked her first career century as Hampshire reclaimed top spot of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition from The Blaze with a bonus point win.Kemp turned around Hampshire’s batting having arrived at the crease at 34 for three to dispatch 109 in 92 balls, with Nancy Harman celebrating her PB of 77 after a 136-run partnership.In reply to 291, The Blaze hung their hopes around Georgia Elwiss’ impeccable 87, but exciting quick Daisy Gibb’s three for 21 and Ellyse Perry’s farewell three for 40 trumped her as Hampshire won by 80 runs.It ended a downbeat four days for The Blaze having lost in the Eliminator of the Women’s Vitality Blast on Sunday.The Blaze, and more specifically Cassidy McCarthy, dominated the powerplay after Hampshire had chosen to bat first.The former Utilita Bowl-based seamer ripped through the top three, taking three for 17 in the first 10 overs.Rhianna Southby couldn’t keep down a bouncer to square leg, Maia Bouchier was caught at mid on, and Perry – on her last Hampshire appearance – was wonderfully caught by Kathryn Bryce at midwicket.Kemp came to the crease at 34 for three, and immediately went into recovery mode with her captain Georgia Adams.They ticked along without taking risks and set the platform which allowed Kemp and Harman to fire Hampshire to a good score in the second half of the innings.They put on 80 before Adams was stumped by the incredibly fast hands of Sarah Bryce, with Abi Norgrove lbw to give Elwiss a quick-fire brace of wickets.But from there, Kemp found a fluency that brought boundary after boundary, while Harman ran hard to keep up.Kemp past 50 for the second time in a week, and fourth time in her last five List A innings, in 48 balls before securing her best score with back-to-back sixes, as the century stand zoomed up in 86 deliveries.Her maiden hundred came up in 86 balls before she fell with 22 balls to go to end a 136-run alliance with Harman.Harman, now with Linsey Smith in tow, had already reached her maiden half-century but made sure those last 3.4 overs went for 36 runs to take the momentum into the second innings.It worked as Gibb dislodged both Blaze openers within the first five overs.Marie Kelly cut straight to point, before Georgie Boyce swung uppishly to extra cover to give Hampshire an ideal start.But Kathryn Bryce and Elwiss recentred the visitors’ innings with a 98-run partnership, with the latter notching a 53-ball fifty at her former home.Just as they looked the favourites, Hampshire went bang-bang as Kathryn Bryce clothed to mid on, before Gibb’s return had Sarah Bryce stumped.Elwiss’s classy innings ended when she was bowled for 87 by Bex Tyson and then Ella Clarridge was castled by Perry as The Blaze were choked for runs.The Australian then had Kirstie Gordon caught scooping and Josie Groves comprehensively bowled, with Smith picking up Lucy Higham caught at mid off.Smith finished things off with 31 balls to spare when McCarthy slapped down the ground.