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Recent success of NZ and SA amid limited resources meant wholesale change was needed for England to move forward

Vithushan Ehantharajah23-Mar-2025It was in the immediate aftermath of England Women’s dramatic 50-over World Cup final win over India at Lord’s that Heather Knight got a snapshot of how quickly live evolves as a recognisable England captain.Not long after Anya Shrubsole had yorked Rajeshwari Gayakwad to secure the trophy, Knight raced out the Grace Gates to throw up after eating a rogue piece of chicken. Somehow, despite still being in her kit, she managed to do what she needed to do – doubled over next to a fancy car – and re-entered the ground without being spotted.A few days later, dressed in her own clothes at Euston station, nursing a well-deserved hangover, she was stopped by members of the public. They had noticed this fellow commuter, despite her attempts to blend in, happened to be the one losing her mind on the big screens, which were showing replays of that victorious moments and the celebrations that followed.Related

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Despite assuming the captaincy following the seismic axing of Charlotte Edwards the year before, by which point she was an established batter in her own right, it was 2017’s success that propelled Knight as a talismanic figure in the women’s game. One who went on to become a headlining cricketer on the global stage. And, on Saturday, as necessary high-profile collateral following a humiliating 16-0 defeat in the Ashes.After 199 matches in charge, Knight boasts a 67 per cent win percentage, ahead of Edwards’ 64 from a larger sample size. It is a metric that elevates her as England Women’s most successful captain. And yet, that doesn’t quite scratch the surface when assessing her nine years at the helm.Across a period of expanding horizons in the women’s game, Knight moved with the times. Her consistency with the bat throughout, across all formats, reflected as much. A prim and proper base was gradually furnished with flair as she led from the front in pursuit of a more expansive batting from the whole.Through constant tinkering, she incorporated a higher back-lift to improve her boundary-hitting, particularly on slower pitches. Knight’s recent record in T20Is, her weakest international code, showcases the benefits of that graft; since the start of 2020, she has struck 158 fours and 25 sixes in 59 innings, having only managed 73 and 12 in the previous 56.Captaincy, however, took the most work. By Knight’s own admission, she was never the best public speaker and was wary of not possessing the requisite interpersonal skills to knit together a dressing room of varying personalities when she took on the big job in June 2016. She enlisted the help of team psychologists to become a better orator, and went on to undertake a Leadership in Sport course at the University of Buckinghamshire in 2021.The best example of her management skills came in the lead-up to 2017’s success, when she got the squad to confront why England had been found wanting in pressure situations. Such issues had previously been swept under the carpet.They responded well then, and Knight was able to repeat the trick with an altogether different group in 2023, as the Ashes were squared just as Australia were speaking a whitewash into existence. They got their way in the return leg earlier this year.Heather Knight deals with the feeling of defeat•ICC/Getty ImagesA criticism of Knight could probably be that she stopped short of truly imposing herself in the dressing room. Under three different coaches – Mark Robinson, Lisa Keightley and Jon Lewis – she had the scope to mould a team in her image, particularly under the last two.That Knight did not was partly down to loyalty to those coaches, not wishing to impinge on their work. At the same time, she knew her worth; was unafraid to grasp the nettle and disagree with their plans, and not always being diplomatic about it. But a reticence for a more over-arching presence is perhaps a reason why the team felt so lost without her. Even Lewis, who left his role on Friday, tried to rectify this blind spot by attempting to force-feed nous to the rest of the players so they may thrive in her absence.By the end, Knight’s tactical acumen and in-game feel were unparalleled, and that was apparent in 2022’s Commonwealth Games, which she missed with a hip issue, and more so in the Group Stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Needing to beat West Indies to secure qualification to the latter stages, Knight had to retire hurt in the first innings with a calf injury. Not only did it halt England’s momentum with the bat, but a listless performance in the field allowed West Indies to chase down a target of 142 with six wickets and two overs to spare.That England have never won the Ashes under Knight’s watch will jar, 8-8 draws in 2017/18 and 2023 the best it got. The fact her other two final visits – 2018’s World T20 and 2022’s ODI World Cup – resulted in heavy defeats to Australia reflects an ever-growing gap far beyond Knight’s control. The recent success of New Zealand and South Africa from their limited resources a reason why wholesale changes were needed for the English game to move forward.At this juncture, it is worth taking a step back and acknowledging Knight was far more than just a captain. For the longest time, being a women’s cricketer has required a level of ambassadorial stewardship, and the influx of cash and opportunities has only heightened the political requirements involved. Few have led the line on these fronts quite as well as Knight, who just a few weeks ago criticised her own board for the widening pay gap in The Hundred. Since 2020, she has served as vice-chair of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Knight used her role as captain to position herself at the forefront of important conversations, particularly as the women’s game was parked. Balancing the understanding of the economic realities of prioritising the men’s game during the 2020 season, she remained forthright about the sidelining of the women, which included the lack of clarity around her team’s schedule, and the postponement of 2021’s World Cup. That summer, she also signed up to the NHS volunteer scheme, transporting medicine and speaking to those who were self-isolating.As such, the news that Knight will continue on is a boost to all concerned. She remains England’s best batter and one of the most impressive representatives of the women’s game. Her time as captain may have come to an end, but her work as a leader goes on.

The allrounder dedicated the win to her mother, who played a crucial role in her rise as a cricketer

Zenia D'cunha16-Mar-2023 [The only thing in my mind was that I want to win this match.] It feels normal to me [playing against the big names], I don’t feel pressure.”There was a dazzling smile on 20-year-old Kanika Ahuja’s face when she walked into the press conference room after powering Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first win in the Women’s Premier League. She spoke with confidence, about talking with Virat Kohli and trying to imitate the 360-degree shots of Suryakumar Yadav.It was her first press conference, Ahuja said later, but why would there be nerves? She had just stepped up and done what no veteran in her team had – handled pressure and got those first points. Ahuja’s 46 off 30 balls is the highest score by an uncapped player in the WPL so far, and it came at a crucial time – in a must-win match after five straight losses.Royal Challengers were chasing only 136 but had lost their big three – Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry – when Ahuja began her innings in the seventh over. Heather Knight was dismissed soon after, with Royal Challengers needing 76 off 66 balls and in the middle of an all-too-familiar batting crisis.How does Ahuja respond? By sticking to her game, finding the boundary, and keeping the asking rate in control. “The target was small so there was a chance to take my time and play, that’s what I did,” she said. “I waited for the loose balls and the only thing in my mind was that we have to win.”UP Warriorz’s Australian allrounder Grace Harris said Ahuja had played a smart innings. “She played the conditions and bowlers very well,” Harris said. “She saw pace on a couple of times and ramped [scooped] us, I thought that was very clever. She has got a good bat swing and as a left-hander, she can get under the ball.”Kanika Ahuja’s 46 off 30 balls had some 360-degree strokeplay•BCCIAhuja had already shown glimpses of her potential in the match against Mumbai Indians, where she scored 22 off 13 balls. “Everyone told me my intent was good but that I can do better. I regretted that I got a chance and got out early.” Against Warriorz, she missed a half-century by four runs but there were no regrets; her team had finally won and that’s all that mattered for now.Ahuja dedicated the moment to her mother, her strongest support. “There was a time when my mother used to push me to play. Now, she is not doing well physically and I am playing here for her, playing because she is watching me.”Cricket was initially a way for her mother to get Ahuja out of the house as a child, but soon it meant more and it was her mother who stood by this decision.”I used to mainly go because my mother would tell me to go out and play and not trouble her at home. If I was at home, I would fly kites on the roof so she would push me to go out and play,” Ahuja said with a laugh. “My family didn’t even know that there is cricket for girls… My father told me to focus on my studies as there is nothing in cricket, but my mother would say go and play.”That initial push to play and the continued support has brought Ahuja to the DY Patil Stadium, where thousands of fans chanted her name on Wednesday night. “I was enjoying it, it felt very good to hear ‘Kanika, Kanika’. It’s the dream of every player that people cheer for them, it didn’t feel like pressure at all.”Ahuja is known for her big-hitting skills. In September, she scored 305 not out off 122 balls for Patiala in Punjab’s inter-district women’s senior one-day tournament. But to do it in your home state is different from nailing your shots in the WPL, irrespective of boundary sizes.But again, what is pressure to one so cool? “Virat sir said that it’s not pressure, it’s pleasure.”Kohli had met the Royal Challengers women’s team on the morning of their game against Warriorz. “He motivated us, some of his words stuck with me and it helped,” Ahuja said. “When you are playing, don’t take it as pressure, it’s a pleasure that you are playing. Some people don’t get the chance.”Kohli is not the only India men’s cricketer that Ahuja looks to for inspiration. You can see some of Suryakumar’s 360-degree range in her strokeplay. She also has an infectious energy on the field, as evidenced by Devine literally sweeping her off her feet after taking a catch.A left-handed power-hitter who bowls as well, Ahuja is a prospect for the future, and the WPL is a platform built for players like her. Despite their poor results this season, Royal Challengers have the system to be a finishing school for players like Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil, who scored the winning runs against Warriorz. “This is a great experience as a domestic player to play against international players,” Ahuja said. “If we prepare now, it will help the Indian team ahead.”Playing for India is her ultimate dream and Ahuja is on course to achieve it.

In Bumrah, Rohit and Jadeja, India had players who could do what the hosts could not

George Dobell06-Sep-2021The gas holder still stood one side of the ground and Archbishop Tenison’s School to the other, but something surely had changed.This was the surface on which England’s bowlers had laboured for almost 150 overs in India’s second innings, after all. It was the surface on which James Anderson, one of the most skilful bowlers the country has ever produced, said he had tried everything to gain some movement but to no avail. It was the surface on which Jasprit Bumrah – who came into the game with a career average of 4.81 – had driven Chris Woakes through extra-cover with a confidence that suggested even batters of modest pretensions had nothing to fear on this wicket.But now it looked different. Now, as England lost four wickets for six runs, as four of their middle-order contributed seven between them, as India’s spinner choked the scoring and India’s seamers found late movement, it looked almost unrecognisable. In less than 24 hours, it seemed a pitch transported.That’s nonsense, of course. The truth is, in Bumrah India had a bowler with the pace and skill to extract life from the surface and the ball which was almost completely absent to his England counterparts. His figures of 2-27 do no justice to an outstanding spell of fast bowling which highlighted a key difference between the sides: he was able to hit the pitch harder than anyone in the England side and he was able to gain movement that England could not.But it wasn’t just about Bumrah. In Rohit Sharma, India had the one batter in the match to convert a start into a match-defining score, while in Ravindra Jadeja they had a spinner who could apply pressure and threaten. It is telling that his economy rate was 1.66 per over and his opposite number on the England side, Moeen Ali’s, was 4.54. Ultimately, India were just better than England.Related

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There is no disgrace in losing to this India side. Even with Virat Kohli enduring a prolonged run of modest form, even with their long tail, even without R Ashwin, they are a formidable side blessed with the talent and temperament to beat the best. Throughout this series, either with their top-order batting or their seam bowling, they have given England a lesson in playing in their own conditions. While it’s true this series could yet be drawn, it is worth remembering that, but for poor weather in Nottingham, the score line in this series would probably be 3-1 at present. Again, India just look the better side.With that acknowledged, perhaps we have to temper our criticism of England. And maybe they may consider themselves a little unfortunate, too. Perhaps the warmer weather over the last couple of days had helped the playing surface dry out and offer some reverse. Perhaps the footmarks outside the left-hander’s off stump had grown, too.But England had benefited from helpful conditions when they bowled first and reduced India to 127 for 7. You can’t have it both ways. They must know they played a part in their own downfall. They might accept that their catching, so poor for so long, is an accident waiting to happen. They might accept their first innings total of 290 was, perhaps, 100 fewer than they could have scored had they taken a more ruthless approach to their batting. And they might accept that, in losing 10 for 110 in their second innings, they showed a fragility that had become wearingly familiar. Joe Root, who has scored six Test centuries this year, won’t always be able to bail them out. The rest of his team have one between go them.England’s options for Emirates Old Trafford are not plentiful. Anderson, Woakes and Ollie Robinson looked exhausted long before the end of the India second innings and may all be considered high-risk options for Manchester. While Mark Wood will freshen up the seam attack, Saqib Mahmood and Brydon Carse are the latest options to have been struck by injury and Craig Overton sustained a nasty blow on the elbow which must render him a doubt. Two spinners might be one option, but Sam Curran and Gloucestershire’s David Payne could also win call-ups.Dawid Malan after being run-out, as Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant celebrate•AFP/Getty ImagesIt won’t make any difference who England pick if they cannot hold their catches, though. Six chances were squandered in this game, with Rohit reprieved on 6 and 31. It’s hardly surprising England’s seamers look tied: they’re effectively required to claim 25 wickets a game. The ECB scouting network holds vast amount of data, we are told. It seems incredible that an ability to field in the slips doesn’t appear to have been included in such calculations.Equally, Jonny Bairstow has now gone 18 Tests (that’s 34 innings) and almost three years without a century. In that time, he is averaging 21.40 with a top score of 57. This was his sixth duck in that period. It doesn’t say much for the production line of county cricket that he has been able to retain his place.It must also be recognised that England are without Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler – who is expected to return for the final Test having celebrated the arrival of a daughter – all of whom might be considered first-choice picks. But coping with injuries comes with the territory in sport. And maybe Stokes, in particular, has masked England’s deficiencies for too long. Perhaps it will, in the long-run, do them no harm to be exposed.For England are now facing the prospect of losing two Test series in a home summer for the first time since 1986. Given that they recently lost in India and next face the mother of all challenges in Australia and the possibility of four consecutive series defeats is real. The positions of captains and coaches are bound to come under question. But it’s far higher up the food chain, where decisions about scheduling and priorities are made, that questions should really be asked.That’s not the say the management do not have questions to answer. For too long, England have relied on Anderson and Broad to do the bulk of their seam bowling, in the knowledge they will utilise the Dukes ball and the English pitches very well. As a result, there has been little forward planning and almost no acknowledgement of the statistics that suggest that Anderson, in particular, is now struggling to back up performances in the second innings. It sometimes seems that the personalities involved are so powerful, nobody in the team management has the courage to make tough decisions.In the greater scheme of things, there was a fair bit to celebrate from The Kia Oval. We had a sell-out crowd for five days in succession, after all and, on the last day in particular, when tickets were priced at £20, there were many families and children in attendance. Let’s never forget how wonderful it is that, at cricket at least, the supporters of both sides (and it appeared as if there was a pretty even split of India and England supporters) can sit side-by-side for hours without falling out. We have a fantastic sport.But, in retrospect, it seems naive to have thought England could have pulled off a record run-chase against this India side. Akin to thinking Frank Bruno could beat Mike Tyson after he caught him with that left hook. In general, they have looked outgunned and outplayed. They have it all to do to pull-off a series-levelling victory at Emirates Old Trafford.

Aaron Judge is a matchup nightmare for virtually any pitcher in MLB. At some points, teams are better off simply not pitching to him. That has been the case relatively often in 2025, as Judge was intentionally walked twice on Thursday night against the White Sox, bringing his tally to 36 on the year.

That's an American League record, as no player in the AL has been walked as many times in a single season. Of course, it still pales in comparison to Barry Bonds's 2004 campaign in which he was intentionally walked an absurd 120 times.

Judge was intentionally walked in both the second and sixth inning on Thursday, though the Yankees still came away with a 5–3 win, keeping their hopes of winning the AL East alive.

Judge has led MLB in intentional walks in each of the last two seasons. He received 20 free passes in 158 games last year, and is now at 36 in just 149 games in 2025. He has 104 intentional walks in his career.

Trailing Judge in the category this season are Jose Ramirez (22), Shohei Ohtani (20), Cal Raleigh (17) and Juan Soto (13).

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O Corinthians anunciou, nesta sexta-feira (17), que o clube e o goleiro Cássio chegaram a um acordo amigável para a rescisão antecipada do contrato. O ex-capitão corintiano irá atuar no Cruzeiro, onde já possui acordo verbal para assinar um contrato por três temporadas — até o fim de 2027.

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Para antecipar a sua saída do Corinthians, Cássio e Carlos Leite, representante do atleta, abriram mão de alguns valores que tinham a receber da equipe do Parque São Jorge.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

Cássio ainda tinha algumas pendências referentes a direitos de imagem, enquanto o empresário tinha quantias a serem pagas por conta da intermediação de algumas renovações do profissional com o Corinthians No total, a dívida incluindo os dois, ultrapassa R$ 10 milhões.

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O valor abatido pela liberação não será integral e, portanto, o Corinthians seguirá tendo pendências com a dupla. Cássio esteve no CT Joaquim Grava nesta sexta-feira (17), mas não treinou em campo. O goleiro fez apenas um trabalho leve na academia.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

Com 712 jogos disputados com o manto alvinegro – sendo o goleiro que mais atuou –, Cássio é um dos maiores ídolos da centenária história do clube. Ao todo, foram nove títulos conquistados: quatro Paulistas (2013, 2017, 2018 e 2019), dois Brasileiros (2015 e 2017), uma CONMEBOL Libertadores (2012), um Mundial de Clubes FIFA (2012) e uma CONMEBOL Recopa (2013).

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Cássio Roberto RamosCorinthians

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is poised to be without a key man for their upcoming Champions League clash against Barcelona, with the Italian facing a selection headache.

Maresca has already been forced into 93 first team rotations this season, the highest number of any team in the Premier League, and it is safe to say his squad depth has been stretched to the bare bones at times.

There were major worries surrounding fitness repercussions after Chelsea’s involvement in the Club World Cup last summer, which saw them play a grand total of 65 matches in a 53-week season.

This was an unprecedented number of matches for the Blues, with Chelsea also reaching the Conference League final beforehand and going on to win Europe’s third-tier tournament.

While they became the first club in history to win all five UEFA club competitions, and took home north of £80 million in prize money from the CWC, their extensive schedule appears to be having a dire effect on the players.

So far, Chelsea have lost Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong to injury or suspension at various points this season, and a few absences have been seriously felt.

This all being said, Maresca deserves praise for navigating this storm of injuries and guiding Chelsea to third in the Premier League table, where they’re just six points off league leaders Arsenal and could be considered outside contenders for the title this season.

One player they will be very eager to welcome back at the earliest opportunity is superstar forward Palmer, who’s been battling a niggling groin injury all campaign.

The England international hasn’t featured at all since he limped off in a 2-1 defeat at Man United nearly two months ago, with Maresca stating back in mid-October that he’d be out for another six weeks.

Optimism then followed that he could actually be back and ready to start against Barcelona next week, but according to journalist Simon Phillips, hopes of a return against the La Liga champions have all but diminished.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer now likely to miss Barcelona through injury

According to Phillips, via his Substack, Palmer is now likely to miss Chelsea’s clash with Barça, and a more realistic timeframe for his return could be their London derby at home to Arsenal at the end of this month.

The 23-year-old has been cut and above their superstar man since joining from Man City for what now feels like an absolute bargain fee.

Gus Poyet and others have even tipped Palmer for an eventual Ballon d’Or, highlighting his meteoric rise since leaving Eastlands.

Palmer spearheaded Chelsea to a double (CWC and Conference League) and Champions League qualification with 18 goals and 14 assists in 52 appearances for the west Londoners last season, and once he returns, the forward will provide Maresca with an almighty boost.

However, it appears they could now have to cope without him for one of their biggest games of the season so far against Hansi Flick’s Spanish giants.

Xolos, Juárez, Pachuca and Pumas step into the spotlight on Thursday as the Apertura 2025 Play-In round finally unfolds, a mini-bracket that will decide who gets a shot at Tigres and reigning champions Toluca. The format has drawn plenty of criticism, leaving both top seeds staring at nearly 18 days without a competitive minute.

AFPThe play-in format

The Xolos-Juárez winner will move on to face Tigres, while the Pachuca-Pumas victor meets the loser of that matchup to determine Toluca’s opponent. On paper, both Play-In winners will enter the Liguilla as clear underdogs against the season’s two strongest teams.

But there’s a twist.

With Toluca and Tigres staring at nearly three weeks without competitive action, the clubs emerging from these midweek fights could arrive sharper, fitter, and far more in rhythm. That opens the door – at least a crack – for an upset.

Realistically, none of the Play-In sides have the firepower to match two teams widely tipped as finalists. Yet this is exactly where Liga MX chaos tends to thrive. In this league, the last team to slip into the postseason can catch fire overnight and send a favorite home early.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNo. 7 Tijuana vs No. 8 FC Juárez

Tijuana enter the play-in as the slight favorite thanks to home-field advantage, even though both border teams had nearly identical tournaments. finished just one point above FC Juárez, and each side managed only six wins throughout the Apertura 2025. Neither arrives in great form, either: Sebastián Abreu’s squad closed the regular season with just one win in their final six matches, while Martín Varini’s side also collected only one victory over the same stretch. Both teams dipped in level down the stretch, but they still find themselves one win away from the Liguilla – though the “reward” would be facing Tigres, a team that finished more than 10 points ahead of them.

Xolos – Key to Success:
Tijuana have the stronger roster, a better attack, and a more solid defense than FC Juárez. The formula shouldn’t change at home: score first and protect your goal. If Abreu can contain Juárez’s forwards and break down their defensive block, Xolos should have a real chance to advance. That said, single-elimination games are unpredictable, and Varini won’t hesitate to take this match to penalties if necessary.

Xolos – Player to Watch: Gilberto Mora
It’s still unclear how many minutes Mora will play on Thursday, as he remains with the Mexican national team, and his physical readiness is uncertain. The expectation is that the 17-year-old midfield sensation could come off the bench in the second half, since Javier Aguirre wants to evaluate him for El Tri. Even in limited minutes, Mora could be decisive for Xolos.

FC Juárez – Key to Success:
Juárez need to disrupt Tijuana’s rhythm and keep them uncomfortable. They know they’re visiting a tough venue with artificial turf, so Varini’s team must keep a clean sheet, force Xolos to push higher up the pitch, and look to strike in transition.

FC Juárez – Player to Watch: Óscar Estupiñán
The striker finished the tournament with eight goals in just 13 games, making him Juárez’s primary scoring threat. If FC Juárez hopes to cause damage, Estupiñán will need to deliver.

GOAL Pick:
Xolos take it 2–0 and book their place as the seventh team in the Liguilla.

Getty Images SportNo. 9 Pachuca vs No. 10 Pumas

The matchup between Pachuca and Pumas is expected to draw far more attention than Xolos vs. FC Juárez. , who will host on Thursday thanks to their higher finish in the table, made a drastic move by dismissing former Mexico national team coach Jaime Lozano and bringing in Esteban Solari specifically to guide them through this play-in. On the other sideline is another manager under pressure: Efraín Juárez. His job security has been questioned all season, and although Pumas kept their hopes alive with a crucial win over Cruz Azul in the final week, a loss on Thursday could close the door on his return next tournament.

Pachuca – Key to Success: Pachuca must adjust quickly to Esteban Solari’s ideas. The new coach has already held a tune-up match to evaluate his squad, but the team closed the tournament with a five-game winless streak – a slump that ultimately cost Lozano his job. The Tuzos arrive in shaky form but hope the managerial change injects new energy.

Pachuca – Player to Watch: Enner Valencia

Although the Ecuadorian striker struggled this semester – scoring just three goals in nine matches – he remains a veteran built for knockout-style games. Solari is counting on him to lead the attack in a match where the winner stays alive and the loser’s season ends until next semester.

Pumas – Key to Success: Juárez must keep his composure and somehow guide Pumas to a difficult win at Estadio Hidalgo, leaning on the grit and resilience that have kept them alive this long. The scored seven goals across their last two matches, so maintaining that attacking rhythm will be key to troubling the home side. They will also miss José Juan Macías, who suffered a knee injury and is out until next year.

Pumas – Players to Watch: Jorge Ruvalcaba and Keylor Navas

Both were central to Pumas’ campaign. Ruvalcaba earned a call-up to the Mexican national team after scoring five goals during the Apertura 2025, so his availability remains uncertain – though the club hopes to have him back quickly once El Tri wraps up its camp. Navas is also on international duty with Costa Rica, but as a goalkeeper, he is expected to make it back in time for the match.

GOAL Pick: Pumas will advance either by a narrow scoreline or in a penalty shootout.

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Getty Images SportPlayoffs ahead..

The highly anticipated Apertura 2025 Liguilla will kick off next Wednesday and Thursday, shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions in recent years. With Ángel Correa leading Tigres, Sergio Ramos anchoring Monterrey, and América boasting stars like Alejandro Zendejas and Allan Saint-Maximin, the playoff field is loaded with talent. Cruz Azul, under Nicolás Larcamón, look like a genuine contender, while Toluca – guided by Antonio Mohamed – enter as defending champions after finishing the regular season atop the table, powered by Paulinho’s third straight scoring title.

Only one team will lift the trophy in a tournament filled with heavy investment and sky-high expectations. Chivas, revitalized under Gabriel Milito, hope to extend their impressive form and knock Cruz Azul out of contention. But the full list of eight playoff participants won’t be confirmed until the weekend, as the Play-In winner looks to crash the party and deliver a surprise of its own.

The Toronto Blue Jays have added a veteran ace to their starting rotation.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Thursday that the Blue Jays are signing right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer to a one-year deal worth $15.5 million.

At 40 years old, Scherzer was one of the top remaining starting pitchers available in free agency.

Scherzer battled injuries all season long with the Texas Rangers in 2024. He underwent back surgery in the offseason, worked through a thumb issue and returned to the mound in June before a shoulder injury sidelined him again. In all, Scherzer logged a 3.95 ERA and 40 strikeouts in nine starts for the Rangers.

Over 17 seasons, Scherzer has logged a 216–112 record with a 3.16 ERA while winning three Cy Young awards, two World Series titles and earning eight All-Star nods. He has proven to be durable in the later years of his career, making 30, 23 and 27 starts the three years prior to '24 before he ran into injury issues.

Scherzer now bolsters a talented rotation in Toronto, joining Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis. The Blue Jays' rotation was in the middle of pack last year, registering a 3.95 ERA, which ranked 14th in baseball.

Toronto has been in the mix to sign just about every notable MLB free agent this offseason, including Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Now, the Blue Jays finally landed one of their targets as they look to rebound from a disappointing 74–88 season.

Unbeaten innings from stand-in skipper ensures Kent’s winless run continues

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Jul-2025

Glamorgan 327 (Kellaway 90, Ingram 87, Agar 4-58, Parkinson 4-103) and 189 for 5 (Carlson 89*, Parkinson 4-82) beat Kent 155 (Bell-Drummond 55, van der Gugten 3-27, Harris 3-35) and 360 (Finch 68, Stewart 63) by five wicketsStand-in captain Kiran Carlson lifted Glamorgan into promotion places with a five-wicket win over Kent at Sophia Gardens.Kent’s winless run in the Rothesay County Championship continued for an eighth match after setting just 189, which they were unable to defend on a sun-beaten day four in Cardiff. The visitors remain bottom of Division Two with their last win coming in April while Glamorgan move up to second ahead of Derbyshire.Carlson eliminated any concerns of defeat from 25 for 2 with an nerveless 89 not out, negating a tireless spell from Matt Parkinson who claimed 4 for 82.Nerves would’ve been in both dressing rooms after Kent dominated day three albeit to only give themselves half-a-chance. Glamorgan had a full day to find 164 with eight wickets in hand in sunny conditions with a Kookaburra ball that would age.Glamorgan’s openers faltered on the previous evening under dim light and a brutal spell from Wes Agar, which left Carlson and nightwatcher James Harris to resume the innings.A drop at slip from Daniel Bell-Drummond with Carlson reverse-sweeping on 9 could’ve been a turning point as the Welshman took full advantage of the life.Harris wasn’t as fortunate with his edge to slip off Parkinson, which brought Billy Root to the crease. The left-hander, playing in his first game this season, showed innovation against the vast turn from Parkinson’s legspin, looking to sweep or defend as his only options – including getting off the mark first ball with a reverse-sweep for a single.While his brother was passing Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid in Test folklore at Old Trafford, Root was playing a vital role in taking Glamorgan to a promotion-chasing victory with 30 from 31 balls in a 68-run partnership; a potentially key innings for his Glamorgan future, lifting his side from a precarious position.Carlson took a leaf out of Root’s book as the certainty of victory increased, reversing and hard sweeping to go with his typically elegant open-faced guides and back-foot punches to accumulate with ease.Root’s dismissal brought about another twist, with 81 still needed when Colin Ingram strode out. Glamorgan’s leading run-scorer this season demonstrated his status with a fearless attack of the bowlers to leave 20 runs needed after lunch with a second 50-plus stand of the session.The South African was unable to see home the win with his captain after being dismissed first ball of the afternoon but No. 7 Ben Kellaway ensured no concerns for the Welsh county as the progressed to victory.

Teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been promoted to first-team training at Manchester United, with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim eager to take a look at the exciting 15-year-old. The hottest of prospects, who has been dubbed 'Kid Messi', is being tipped to enjoy a bright future. United do, however, have a fight on their hands when it comes to retaining his services.

• Exit fear: Can Man Utd retain the services of Gabriel?

  There remains the threat of Gabriel being prised out of United’s clutches at some point before a professional contract can be signed. The Red Devils are, however, doing everything they can to convince the highly-rated playmaker that he is in the best possible place for his future development.

  A rival academy scout recently told the : "United is a big club, a huge club, and it fits JJ’s profile and JJ fits United’s profile, he’s something they haven’t got at all. But United have to be careful they don’t get things wrong with him. They know they are in a fight to keep him."

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  Ronaldo advice: CR7 used as an example for 'Kid Messi'

  Gabriel was invited to attend United’s opening Premier League game of the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford, alongside his family. He was given tickets to the directors’ box, allowing him to cast an eye over the Red Devils’ senior stars as they lined up against Arsenal.

  While forming part of the Red Devils’ youth system, Gabriel was recently introduced to head coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese was already aware of the talented teenager and how much hype he is generating.

  Amorim is said to have spoken to Gabriel about his efforts to become a senior star, with Cristiano Ronaldo – a former team-mate of United’s current boss – being used as an example of how hard work is integral to any success. 'Kid Messi' is considered to already boast the mindset of a professional footballer, with no stone being left unturned in his bid to unlock full potential.

• Big break: Amorim welcomes Gabriel into Man Utd first-team fold

  That ongoing quest has been offered another boost, with Gabriel revealing on Instagram that he has been working with United’s first-team squad. According to BBC Sport, he took part in a full 11 versus 11 practice match at the Red Devils’ Carrington training base.

  There is no word on how he fared in the company of Bruno Fernandes and Co, but the expectation is that he will have held his own. Gabriel has already been likened to Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo and Brazilian superstar Neymar.

  A source has told the : "He’s going to end up like Ronaldo. Just goals, goals, goals.” Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel’s specialist one-to-one coach, added: “He was very raw but he was very competitive. When he first started training, those were the standout attributes.

  "I’ve coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time – four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts – and JJ is the best I’ve ever seen. He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn’t even be close."

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• History maker: Man Utd & Premier League records that Gabriel can break

  Speculation is already rife regarding a potential senior debut for Gabriel that could break all kinds of records. As things stand, Angel Gomes (16 years, 263 days), Shola Shoretire (17 years, 19 days) and Chido Obi (17 years, 79 days) are the youngest players to make a Premier League appearance for United.

  Gabriel could rewrite the history books at Old Trafford, and in the English top-flight as a whole. He only turned 15 on October 6, meaning that time is on his side when it comes to bettering the efforts of Arsenal starlets Ethan Nwaneri (15 years, 181 days) and Max Dowman (15 years, 235 days) – who are the youngest players to grace a Premier League fixture.

  United will not want to rush Gabriel, but competitive game time would help to convince him to stay put and offer supporters a glimpse of what the future will look like as the inconsistent Red Devils work through another rebuilding project.

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