Tag Futebol

Both teams have two points each and are looking to add to it in their push to make the knockouts

Sruthi Ravindranath19-Oct-20252:39

Preview – Sri Lanka can’t control their fate

Big picture: SL move from wet Colombo to dry Navi MumbaiBangladesh and Sri Lanka head into their clash with two points each, yet their campaigns couldn’t have been more different. For Sri Lanka, those two points came courtesy washed-out games in Colombo. They have now moved to hot and humid Navi Mumbai, where they will begin their final leg with an outside chance to make the top four.Bangladesh had started brightly with a win over Pakistan, but have struggled since. They have run top sides close, but have fallen short at crucial junctures. Though Bangladesh are yet to beat Sri Lanka in ODIs, they will fancy their chances, given their spin attack has troubled established batting line-ups. The loser of Monday’s fixture will be knocked out of contention for the semi-finals.The two sides have met each other four times in ODIs, with Sri Lanka winning two and the other two being washed out. It will be a long shot for Bangladesh to make the semi-finals, but they can get there if they win their next two games and hope other results go their way. Even a top-five finish will be significant for Bangladesh, their senior spinner Fahima Khatun said on the eve of the match, in what is only their second appearance at an ODI World Cup.While Bangladesh’s batting remains a concern, their bowling, led by spinners, has been their strength. But it was a different story against Australia, who razed down their target of 199 with ten wickets to spare.Sri Lanka have had similar issues. While their batters have often made promising starts, they’ve lost wickets in clusters. But the washed-out match against New Zealand, where they posted 258 before rain had the final say, showed a glimpse of what they can do. In this match, it will come down to how well they operate against Bangladesh’s spinners, while Bangladesh will want to show some of their batting capabilities in their quest for a first win against Sri Lanka in ODIs.Form guideBangladesh LLLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLLLIn the spotlight: Harshitha Samarawickrama and Sobhana MostaryHarshitha Samarawickrama has quickly risen through the ranks for Sri Lanka to become one of their batting mainstays. Since her 53 against India in the tri-series earlier this year, she has not scored a half-century in six innings though she’s got starts. Against England, she looked well set in the chase of 254 with a 58-run stand with Hasini Perera but lost her wicket to Sophie Ecclestone, which triggered a Sri Lanka collapse. Sri Lanka will be expecting more runs from their No. 4 as they look to finish their campaign on a high.Sobhana Mostary has been the most impressive Bangladesh batter in the tournament so far. She has two fifties, both coming against top oppositions in Australia and England. In a tournament where most other Bangladesh batters have struggled, the 23-year-old has stood out at No.5. She is adept at rotating the strike and finding the gaps. Against Australia, she was circumspect against Alana King but took on Annabel Sutherland and Darcie Brown, her 66 not out taking Bangladesh to a respectable 198.1:24

Fahima Khatun: We’ve lost games, but gained a lot of positives

Team news: Marufa Akter set to returnFast bowler Marufa Akter, who was rested for Bangladesh’s previous match against Australia, is expected to return to the side. “Marufa is better now, she has been training hard the last couple of days and I think we will have her fully fit for the next match,” Khatun said at her press conference.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Rubya Haider, 2 Fargana Hoque, 3 Sharmin Akhter, 4 Nigar Sultana (capt & wk), 5 Sobhana Mostary, 6 Shorna Akter, 7 Fahima Khatun, 8 Rabeya Khan, 9 Ritu Moni, 10 Nishita Akter Nishi, 11 Marufa AkterVishmi Gunaratne was on 12 when she was stretchered off the field against South Africa, after being struck by the ball on her left knee while completing a run. She, however, returned to bat and finished with 34 off 33 balls. Sri Lanka head coach Rumesh Ratnayake said she was “okay for selection” against Bangladesh.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Chamari Athapaththu (capt), 2 Hasini Perera, 3 Vishmi Gunaratne, 4 Harshita Samarawickrama, 5 Kavisha Dilhari, 6 Nilakshika Silva, 7 Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), 8 Piumi Wathsala, 9 Sugandika Kumari, 10 Malki Madara, 11 Inoka RanaweeraChamari Athapaththu is one away from 4000 ODI runs•Getty ImagesPitch and conditions: DY Patil Stadium gears up to host its first ODIThis will be the first-ever ODI at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The stadium has hosted 14 Vijay Hazare (List A) games in the last three years. The average first-innings score has been 252 with teams chasing winning nine games. Dew is expected to play a role at the ground.The forecast is clear for the entire day, with temperatures set to hit a high of 36 degrees. On the eve of the match, Bangladesh’s Khatun said she expects it to be a “sporting wicket with batters and bowlers expected to benefit from it”. Sri Lanka coach Ratnayake echoed her views.Stats and triviaChamari Athapaththu is one run away from 4000 ODI runs and four wickets away from 50 ODI wicketsFargana Hoque is 79 runs away from 2000 ODI runsSri Lanka wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani will play her 50th ODI match on Monday.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has been forced to deal with a plethora of injuries since taking over from Ange Postecoglou, with the club’s bad luck in that regard continuing into this season.

Ex-chairman Daniel Levy got so frustrated with Spurs’ key player absences in 24/25 that he overhauled their medical department for the second year running last summer. Key sports science chiefs Adam Brett and Nick Davies were both shown the door before the start of this season, with Nick Stubbings following Frank from Brentford to join as medical lead.

The Lilywhites were minus Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario for large portions of last campaign, alongside many other key men, which undoubtedly played a role in Spurs’ finishing a lowly 17th in the Premier League table.

This season, they haven’t fared much better.

Soon after Frank was appointed to succeed Postecoglou, Spurs lost playmaker James Maddison to an ACL injury which will keep him out for most of 2025/2026, with the England international on an extensive list of absentees.

Tottenham absentee list	Problem	Estimated return date
Dejan Kulusevski	Knee	22/11/2025
James Maddison	ACL	01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin	Knee	22/11/2025
Ben Davies	Thigh	23/11/2025
Kota Takai	Ankle/Foot	23/11/2025
Yves Bissouma	Ankle/Foot	23/11/2025
Lucas Bergvall	Concussion	23/11/2025
Dominic Solanke	Ankle	23/11/2025
Archie Gray	Calf/Shin/Heel	23/11/2025
via Premier Injuries

The likes of Romero, Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani and Destiny Udogie were also sidelined for periods recently until making their respective comebacks, so Frank will be desperate for this torrid luck to cease as he attempts to guide Tottenham to major silverware and a top four finish.

Luckily for Spurs, electrifying winger and star summer signing Mohammed Kudus is likely to return against Man United this weekend after the Ghanaian confirmed his knock is getting better.

Tottenham hit by injury blow as "promising" youngster Elijah Upson withdraws from England duty

Speaking to Tottenham News, pundit and academy expert John Wenham, who oversees the Lilywhites Rose account on X, says that Tottenham’s injury woes even stretch down to youth level.

Young defender Elijah Upson, who captains Spurs’ Under-18s, was forced to withdraw from the England Under-17s World Cup squad after suffering his own injury, which comes as a crying shame considering the club could have had five youth players representing them for the Three Lions.

The 17-year-old was recently handed a call-up to Tottenham’s Under-21 squad as well, playing the full 90 minutes and shutting out West Brom in a 1-0 win just over a month ago.

The injury comes as more of a blow to Upson’s personal development, with the versatile centre-back/right-back looking to make Johan Lange – who now oversees the academy as one of his many co-director responsibilities – stand up and take notice.

MatériaMais Notícias

O América-MG anunciou, na tarde desta quarta-feira (6), a rescisão do contrato do atacante Everaldo. Relacionado para o confronto com o Goiás, o jogador não compareceu ao treino de terça e publicou uma foto em suas redes sociais dentro de um avião, viajando para os EUA, com a legenda “Férias”. O clube definiu o caso como um ato de “indisciplina grave”.

RelacionadasFutebol InternacionalEverton x Newcastle: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e prováveis escalações do jogo pela Premier LeagueFutebol Internacional06/12/2023Futebol NacionalTradicional clube brasileiro anuncia a contratação de Henrique DouradoFutebol Nacional06/12/2023NotíciasVai escapar? Bahia perdeu quatro dos últimos cinco jogos contra o Atlético-MGNotícias06/12/2023

O América comunica a rescisão do contrato de trabalho do atacante Everaldo.#PraCimaDelesCoelho

— América FC (@AmericaFC1912) December 6, 2023

– O América informa que o atacante Everaldo não compareceu ao treinamento, estava relacionado para a viagem e não se apresentou, o que configura um ato de indisciplina grave, desrespeitando a Instituição e sua torcida – afirmou a assessoria do Coelho.

O time mineiro já não tem mais chances de sobrevivência na elite, tendo já garantido o rebaixamento para a segunda divisão do Campeonato Brasileiro. O adversário desta quarta também disputará a Série B, o que faz com que a partida seja apenas protocolar. Apesar disso, não houve liberação de nenhum atleta ainda vinculado ao clube. Jogadores como Wellington Paulista, Renato Kayser e Paulinho Boia, dispensados pela diretoria, não entrarão mais em campo.

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

OFICIAL: O América rescindiu o contrato do Everaldo.

O jogador viajou para os Estados Unidos invés de viajar com o time para o jogo contra o Goiás. pic.twitter.com/h68gdCYszj

— Curiosidades Brasil (@CuriosidadesBRL) December 6, 2023

A passagem de Everaldo pelo América teve início em 2022. Foram 84 partidas, com nove gols anotados e oito assistências registradas. Dos nove, três tentos foram marcados neste ano.

The Chicago White Sox are having one of the worst seasons in Major League Baseball history. Through 139 games, they are 31-108 and things are not improving. When you dig down into the numbers, the level of futility from the Southsiders is truly insane. What follows is a look at the most mind-boggling stats and facts about the 2024 White Sox.

The White Sox have the three longest losing streaks in MLB this season. Those have consisted of 21 games, 14 games, and their current 11-game skid. If you took away all of those losses, their winning percentage would be .333, which would still be the worst in baseball. The Colorado Rockies (51-87) are second worst at .370.

As a group, the American League Central's teams enter Wednesday's action 32 games under .500. The AL Central has five teams. Four of them are over .500. The Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers are a combined 45 games over .500. Chicago is 77 games under .500.

The 1899 Cleveland Spiders are generally considered to be the worst team in the history of Major League Baseball. They finished that season 20-134. They didn't lose their 108th game until September 7. The White Sox did it on September 2.

The White Sox currently have 31 wins. In baseball history, 124 pitchers have matched or exceeded that number of victories on their own in a single season. Old Hoss Radbourn did it three times!

After a defeat on Monday, Chicago has now lost 20 consecutive games started by Chris Flexen, a streak that has lasted since his last win on May 8. It is the longest losing streak in a single pitcher's starts since 1900. But this certainly isn't all on the Flexen. In 12 of those starts, he has allowed three or fewer runs and the White Sox have won none of them. Flexen is 0-11 with a 5.73 ERA in his last 21 appearances (20 starts) since he won his last game.

The White Sox are anemic offensively. They are currently last in MLB in on-base percentage (.277), slugging (.388) and home runs (109). Their OPS (.615) is the worst in baseball by more than 50 points and they have scored 97 fewer runs than anyone in MLB. They're also 29th in batting average (.219) barely edging the Seattle Mariners (.216).

Things aren't much better on the pitching side. Chicago is 29th in ERA (4.89), WHIP (1.45) and earned runs allowed (661), 28th in home runs allowed (179) and 27th in opponents' batting average (.258).

In their last 45 games, the White Sox are 4-41, which is the worst record in a 45-game span since the 1916 Philadelphia A's.

Those same Philadelphia A's finished with the worst winning percentage in modern MLB history at .235. The White Sox are currently at .223.

Luis Robert currently leads the White Sox non-pitchers in WAR. He has only collected 0.6. Only seven non-pitchers on the roster have produced a positive WAR this season. In all, 33 players have produced a negative WAR for the White Sox this season, 12 of them pitchers.

Chicago currently has a run differential of -301. The worst differential in modern baseball history was the 1932 Boston Red Sox at -349. That number is certainly within reach.

The White Sox won four consecutive games from May 8 through May 11. It is their longest winning streak of the season. They have only had six winning streaks all season.

Chicago has had three winless homestands this season. In their most recent, the White Sox went 0-10 against the Tigers, Texas Rangers and Mets, while being outscored 54-22.

The 1962 New York Mets suffered the most losses in modern MLB history as they went 40-120 in their expansion season. The White Sox are on pace to finish 36-126.

Arsenal’s clash with Fulham was not their most free-flowing of victories but it mattered not. Sometimes you just need to find a way and the Gunners did just that at Craven Cottage.

Fulham’s low-block stifled Mikel Arteta’s men so they turned to their old solution and trusted friend; a set-piece.

It was the classic combination. Bukayo Saka’s inswinging delivery was met by Gabriel but it wasn’t the Brazilian finding the net on this occasion.

His header was glanced on towards Leandro Trossard who was left with a simple finish at the back post.

Arsenal are the set-piece kings and if they go on to win the Premier League title next May, few will have many complaints about that.

However, they do need to find a way to generate more chances for a certain Viktor Gyokeres whose goalless run goes on.

Viktor Gyokeres' performance in numbers vs Fulham

Speaking after the game at the Cottage, Arteta said of his striker: “He was very close today again, two or three times. We were all begging for him to score. The work rate he puts in for the team is phenomenal.”

It’s a fair assessment. During the last month or so, Gyokeres has been improving. He’s running the channels relentlessly, holding the back up with more consistency each game and the chemistry between him and his teammates is improving.

However, Arsenal brought the hulking Swede to score goals. They need goals. No Arsenal player scored double figures in the league last season for the first time since 1923/24.

Arteta’s side may well be top of the table after two months of the campaign but the simple fact of the matter is that Gyokeres needs to start finding the net.

Things started in a positive fashion for the big-money striker. He netted a fine header against Athletic Club in pre-season before bagging twice against Leeds and scoring versus Nottingham Forest.

Yet, that goal against the Tricky Trees – still managed by Nuno Santo at the time – came all the way back on the 13th September. Since then, he has gone nine goals for club and country without scoring.

It’s worrying, for sure. His performance against Fulham was indicative of the struggles he has encountered since returning to England.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

He finds life difficult against low blocks and to be fair, so do a lot of strikers. He’s simply not got the room to run in behind. We saw first-hand the devastation he can cause against Olympiacos in the Champions League when he was afforded space.

That’s not to say he performed badly on Saturday afternoon, though. As Arteta references, Gyokeres did have one or two chances.

Minutes played

96

Shots

3

Shots on target

2

Expected goals (xG)

0.40

Touches

20

Possession lost

8

Ground duels won

3/4

Aerial duels won

1/3

His numbers from the game told the story of his season to date. Physically, he is imperious. Gyokeres certainly won his fair share of duels at Craven Cottage.

Two shots on target is also encouraging but, lest we forget, this is a man who scored 54 times for Sporting in 2024/25.

While there were no expectations he would do the same in the Premier League, it is a worry now that this goal drought is only prolonging.

So, what’s the solution?

Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres solution

Earlier in the week, it was reported that Arsenal staff had been left blown away by Kai Havertz’s approach to rehab.

The German picked up a problem during the opening weeks of the season and still isn’t due back for a number of weeks now. However, there is a sense that he could return earlier than anticipated.

That will hardly be music to the ears of Gyokeres. After all, there is a feeling that Havertz could walk straight back into this team if the Swede continues to misfire.

But, what about in the interim? Well, there are two solutions. One is to bring Mikel Merino back into the fray. The Spaniard is certainly in form, notably scoring twice during Spain’s win over Bulgaria in the recent international break.

For context, only Erling Haaland has scored a higher percentage of his nation’s goals during World Cup qualifying.

The other solution would be to unleash Trossard as the central striker. The Belgian has attracted his fair share of criticism over the last year but he is also a man in decent form, certainly better than Gyokeres anyway.

While the former Brighton man is often seen as somebody who is better as an impact player off the bench, he has issued a timely reminder in recent weeks of why he’s such a valued squad member.

He’s started to make a habit of being an away specialist, scoring and assisting in Bilbao in the Champions League, netting against Port Vale and finding the net this weekend.

Trossard’s finish was a simple one, it must be said, and he did endure a quiet first half, but he’s a reliable figure who pops up in clutch moments.

As Ian Wright once said too, he’s “the best finisher” at the club. Bold words but it’s easy to see why he’s said that. Whether it’s on his right foot or left foot, the Belgium international is usually reliable.

He may not be the same stature as Havertz or Gyokeres but against low blocks, the 30-year-old’s intricacy and close control could be exactly what Arsenal need to open up a defence.

An “incredible” manager has now emerged as a contender to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United, it has been revealed.

Potter's future in doubt after yet another defeat

Potter would’ve been hoping that the surprise 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest before the international break could be a turning point, but his side once again came up short over the weekend, this time falling to a 3-0 defeat at home against Tottenham.

Speaking after his side’s third loss in four Premier League games, the West Ham boss said: “I understand because the scoreline is the scoreline and I understand why people are upset,”

“We are a new team and we have to stick together and focus on the things we’ve done well and see where we can improve.”

West Ham make offer for £14m Tottenham ace with January move now possible

The Hammers have made an approach to sign an “outstanding” player, who is keen on a move to a new Premier League club.

ByDominic Lund Sep 14, 2025

However, having been in charge since January and been given the opportunity to bring in his own players in the summer, it remains to be seen how much longer the Englishman can last, considering his record up to this point is extremely poor.

The 50-year-old has averaged just 0.96 points per match, and has the second-worst Premier League win percentage of any West Ham manager at just 27.3%.

As such, the Hammers’ hierarchy are now starting to run the rule over potential replacements, according to reporter Alan Nixon (via GiveMeSport), who states David Sullivan is an admirer of former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nuno was a huge success at The City Ground, meaning he has now emerged as a contender to replace Potter at West Ham, but they may have to move quickly, given that the 51-year-old is likely to be attracting interest courtesy of the job he did at Forest.

"Incredible" Nuno could be an ideal Potter replacement

At this stage, the Hammers are looking like serious relegation candidates, having lost three of their opening four games, which leaves them 18th in the Premier League table.

Consequently, it would make sense to bring in a manager with a proven track record of being able to transform struggling sides into European contenders, and that is exactly what the former Forest boss managed to do in his last job.

After taking over a Forest side that only narrowly avoided relegation the season prior, the Portuguese coach led them to the Europa League, and he was praised for the “incredible” job he did by Sky Sports’ Sam Obaseki, while also receiving plaudits from Fabrizio Romano.

Nuno could be an excellent appointment for West Ham, given that he is vastly experienced in the Premier League, having also managed Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Sullivan should move swiftly to ensure he wins the race.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras sofreu uma nova derrota no Campeonato Brasileiro, no sábado (5), ao ser batido por 2 a 1, pelo Fluminense, no Maracanã. O resultado deixou o time um pouco mais longe da liderança, mais precisamente 13 pontos atrás do Botafogo. Há quem diga que com a fase aguda da Libertadores e a distância na tabela do Brasileirão, apenas uma competição será priorizada. No entanto, dentro do clube o foco pode até estar em uma, mas sem perder a outra de vista.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasJoão Martins recebe punição do STJD por fala sobre o ‘sistema’ e vai desfalcar o PalmeirasPalmeiras07/08/2023PalmeirasTorcida do Palmeiras prepara corredor alviverde para decisão contra o GaloPalmeiras07/08/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras tem retrospecto positivo quando vence o jogo de ida no mata-mata da LibertadoresPalmeiras07/08/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Nesta quarta-feira (9), o Verdão recebe o Atlético-MG, pela partida de volta das oitavas de final da Libertadores. No primeiro jogo, em Belo Horizonte, vitória alviverde por 1 a 0. Agora, no Allianz Parque, basta um empate para garantir a ida para as quartas de final da competição. Embora o resultado fora de casa tenha sido bom, a concentração é total para que a classificação não escape diante do Galo.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

Por isso, Abel Ferreira e sua comissão técnica levaram a campo um time misto contra o Flu. Dudu, Raphael Veiga, Piquerez e Zé Rafael nem viajaram ao Rio de Janeiro. Enquanto Rony, Mayke, Artur, Murilo e Gabriel Menino ficaram no banco de reservas. Apenas Weverton e Gustavo Gómez atuaram no Maracanã. A escalação e a derrota podem indicar que o clube já não conta mais com o Brasileirão, mas não é verdade.

continua após a publicidade

Internamente, o clube assume que a partir do momento que o Botafogo disparou, o campeonato ficou mais difícil. Isso é algo que o próprio Abel Ferreira já declarou em entrevistas coletivas. Ao mesmo tempo, o pensamento é de que o Palmeiras está no “bolo” daqueles que vêm logo atrás do Fogão e estariam em uma briga caso o líder começasse a oscilar. Lembrando que ainda resta um turno inteiro para o término da competição.

+ O erro que o Palmeiras não pode repetir se quiser passar pelo Atlético-MG

Mesmo se o título ficar impossível, ainda assim há uma luta que promete ser forte pelas três posições restantes do G4 da tabela, que garantem vaga direta na fase de grupos da Libertadores de 2024. Na mesma faixa da classificação estão equipes que disputam outros torneios e, caso sejam eliminados, se voltariam exclusivamente ao Brasileirão. Ou seja, não há como “tirar o pé” totalmente do campeonato.

continua após a publicidade

Na Libertadores, em teoria, restariam mais seis partidas para ser campeão, ainda que a preparação para cada uma delas seja realmente “jogo a jogo”, pois pelo caráter eliminatório eles podem nem acontecer. Enquanto no Brasileirão a tabela mais longa permite que um planejamento seja feito com antecedência, considerando os duelos em que jogadores serão poupados ou não.

+ Torcida do Palmeiras prepara corredor alviverde para decisão contra o Galo

Assim, o entendimento palmeirense é de que foco será total na Libertadores quando houver jogos da competição, mas sem perder o Brasileirão de vista, pois o título ainda não é impossível e há outras disputas que precisam ser encaradas com atenção. Sem contar que, se uma eliminação acontecer na Liberta, o Brasileiro será o único torneio a ser disputado até o final do ano. Portanto, nada de “jogar a toalha” no nacional.

Departure follows dismal T20 World Cup and Women’s Ashes campaigns

Valkerie Baynes21-Mar-2025

Jon Lewis has left his role as England Women’s head coach•Getty Images

Jon Lewis has left his role as England Women’s head coach.Amid a review of England’s 16-0 Women’s Ashes defeat in Australia, which followed their group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup in October, the ECB announced on Friday that Lewis had left his position.”I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as England Women’s head coach,” Lewis said in a statement. “Unfortunately I won’t be able to finish this incredibly challenging but enjoyable job of developing this young team, whilst winning and growing the women’s game in this country.”I have worked tirelessly with this group of young players to develop their skills and understanding of modern-day white ball cricket, whilst still making good progress in 2024, winning 83% of all our games.”I am proud that we have seen unprecedented bumper crowds in 2023 and 2024 and I am determined to continue to help drive women’s cricket forward in whatever comes next for me. I wish all the players the best and thank them for letting me be part of their journeys.”Related

Jon Lewis appointed London Spirit Women's head coach

Jon Lewis returns to Gloucestershire as new director of cricket

'Like the English Graeme Smith' – Grace Scrivens, future England captain?

Heather Knight's captaincy ends but her work as a leader goes on

Knight's inglorious exit exposes limits of England women's evolution

Clare Connor, ECB managing director, England Women, and deputy chief executive officer – who announced the review in the immediate aftermath of the Ashes whitewash – said: “I’d like to thank Jon for all he has given in his time as head coach.”He came into the role after a very challenging period for cricketers during the pandemic, and one of his priorities was to create the right conditions for the team to flourish and develop. Under his leadership the team held off Australia to draw a thrilling 2023 Women’s Ashes – attracting record crowds with an entertaining brand of cricket – while the team’s consistent success in bilateral cricket included a remarkable eight consecutive ODI series wins for which he should take real credit.”While the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and Women’s Ashes in Australia have been disappointing, there is no doubt about the talent we have available and we will look to appoint a successor shortly. We must be ready for an exciting summer of international cricket and to challenge for two World Cups over the next 15 months, including the T20 World Cup in this country next year.”Lewis had been in charge since November 2022, during which time England Women won 52 of their 73 matches.He has just finished his third season as coach of UP Warriorz, who finished bottom of the WPL table in the 2025 season.While the drawn 2023 Ashes series, in which England won both white-ball legs, was seen as a mark of progress for the team, they took a backward step when a hapless fielding performance against West Indies cost them a place in the knockout phase of the T20 World Cup and the recent Ashes drubbing brought Lewis’s position under intense scrutiny, particularly once the review was announced, details of which are yet to be made public.Charlotte Edwards is a potential successor for Jon Lewis•Nathan Stirk/ECB via Getty Images

Speaking immediately after the Ashes Test at the MCG, which Australia won by an innings and 122 runs to keep England winless for the entire multi-format series, Lewis said he felt “I haven’t finished the job that I came here to do”, indicating a desire to stay on in the role.His comments earlier in the tour raised eyebrows when, after England had slumped to their fifth defeat of the tour in the second T20I, he suggested that Australia’s active, outdoors lifestyle was more conducive to producing athletes.The England team had already become embroiled in controversy after former team-mate turned commentator Alex Hartley had said that a handful of players were “letting the team down” with their fitness levels. Lewis repeatedly defended the squad’s training efforts, although Connor said all aspects of their preparation – including physical and mental – would be examined in the review, which has sought input from players.The ECB said it would provide an update on plans to appoint a new head coach “in due course” with visits by West Indies and India looming, followed by the 50-over World Cup in India and a home T20 World Cup next year.Charlotte Edwards stands out as a potential successor, having just coached Mumbai Indians to their second WPL title in three years.Edwards, the former England captain, offered to help the ECB in its review while not ruling herself out from taking over as head coach should the role become available.Having initially said she was interested in taking the England Women’s job in 2022, Edwards decided against applying, choosing to focus on her burgeoning franchise coaching career with Southern Brave in the Women’s Hundred and WBBL side Sydney Sixers, as well as leading Southern Vipers in the domestic women’s competition, which included a T20 competition named in her honour.Edwards has led Southern Vipers to five titles, including two Charlotte Edwards Cup victories – the second as part of a domestic double in 2023 – and Southern Brave to three Women’s Hundred finals, winning the 2023 edition. She also led Sydney Sixers to the WBBL final in her first season in charge in 2022-23. She has been appointed head coach of Hampshire Women under the new domestic structure in England and Wales beginning this season.Before becoming England Women’s head coach, Lewis had been ECB’s elite pace bowling coach since 2021, working alongside the England Men’s Test and white-ball teams. He was previously head coach of the Young Lions, having joined the ECB from the coaching staff at Sussex. As a player, Lewis took more than 1,200 professional wickets in a 19-year professional career at Gloucestershire, Surrey and Sussex, and played 15 times for his country.

Former British Gymnastics performance director named as successor to Gavin Larsen

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Feb-2025Warwickshire have raided English football’s Premier League to fill their vacant performance director position. James Thomas, who is currently director of performance services at Manchester City, will make the move into cricket in June, succeeding Gavin Larsen in the role at Edgbaston.Thomas, who played rugby union professionally, was previously performance director at British Gymnastics for five years, and oversaw the sport’s push for medals at the Tokyo Olympics.His appointment comes in the wake of Warwickshire carrying out a high-performance review during the offseason, which led to the departure of men’s head coach Mark Robinson. In a new integrated structure, Thomas will have overarching responsibility for Warwickshire men, Bears women and the Birmingham Phoenix teams.Related

Birmingham Phoenix appoint Shane Bond as men's head coach

Robinson departs role as Warwickshire coach

Larsen to step down as Warwickshire performance director

Warwickshire’s chief executive, Stuart Cain, said that Thomas’ expertise would be utilised to “create something special” at the club.”James is recognised in high performance sport as a real talent and has demonstrated ability to cross sports and quickly grasp what’s important in order to deliver success,” Cain said.”We wanted someone with real strategic experience of creating world-class, successful performance environments. He’s done that in football, arguably one of the toughest performance environments in world sport, and been equally successful with individual athletes in high-pressure Olympic sports.”He’s proved that he can move in to a new sport and quickly create a successful performance environment that leads to medals and trophies by developing the facilities and structures needed to create world-class players and teams.”The cricket leadership team has more than 200 years of technical cricket experience and 75 years’ experience of being a Bear. Combining this with James’ expertise will create something special.”He knows how to build teams as well as individuals that can handle high-pressure situations and deliver success. This was one of the areas of improvement identified in the recent high performance review.”Having worked globally, he also understands the impact of other leagues on domestic structures, something we really need to get our head around as franchise cricket develops.”The review also demonstrated our need to modernise the way we recruit and prepare for games with greater use of data and analysis. James has some really interesting ideas and plenty of experience in this space which will help us build more accountability and structure in to how we bring in and develop players, as well as create winning teams.”He’s also used to working with multiple coaches working across different disciplines in men’s and women’s sport. Another important consideration as he will be accountable for success across three different teams playing four different formats of the game.”I think James’ desire to become a Bear illustrates how the world of cricket is changing and professionalising as a global sport to rival football.”Although Thomas does not make the switch to Edgbaston until the summer, Warwickshire said he would spend time with the men’s and women’s squads in pre-season “as well as other leading names from the world of cricket” to prepare him for the role.Thomas said: “I am delighted to take on the role of performance director at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Throughout the recruitment process I was impressed by the club’s desire to retain and celebrate its proud Bears culture, whilst embracing the opportunity to evolve and build a high-performance environment that’s capable of achieving sustained, long term success.”I am excited to meet the players, coaches and wider staff, as we look to work together to achieve extraordinary cricket performances in the future.”

Leeds United made the perfect start to life back in the Premier League on Monday night with a 1-0 win over Everton under the lights at Elland Road.

Lukas Nmecha, who signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg this summer, came off the bench to score the winning goal from the penalty spot on his debut for the Whites.

Daniel Farke went with Joel Piroe, who scored 19 goals in the Championship last season, as the main number nine from the start against the Toffees, but the Dutchman did not enjoy much success.

The former Swansea player showed some nice touches at times when he dropped deep to get involved, but his lack of mobility and physicality were issues against James Tarkowski and Michael Keane.

Piroe lost all three of his ground duels and lost four of his five aerial battles in the match, per Sofascore, which speaks to his lack of quality in physical tussles.

It will now be interesting to see what happens with the number nine position in the weeks to come, especially after Nmecha made a fast start to life in West Yorkshire.

What Lukas Nmecha's role could be this season for Leeds

The former Germany international was an interesting signing when he arrived from Wolfsburg earlier this summer, because he has struggled for form and fitness in recent seasons.

Nmecha has not scored more than four goals in a single season since the 2021/22 campaign, per Sofascore, and only managed three goals in 20 appearances last season for Wolfsburg.

Injury issues played a significant role in that, as the 26-year-old striker has missed 64 games due to injury over the last three years, according to Transfermarkt, which impacted his ability to deliver consistently on the pitch.

The former Manchester City academy graduate’s performances in the Bundesliga when he was fit and available in the 2024/25 campaign also left plenty to be desired.

Nmecha struggled in front of goal, as a finisher and a creator, and did not produce performances that made a move to the Premier League seem very likely for this summer.

Appearances

19

Starts

3

xG

4.54

Goals

3

Big chances missed

5

Big chances created

0

Assists

0

As you can see in the table above, the German forward underperformed against his xG, missed five ‘big chances’, and did not create any ‘big chances’ for his teammates in his 19 appearances in the division.

Despite his underwhelming goalscoring form and persistent injury issues, Farke opted to take a gamble on him this summer, and it is one that is already starting to pay off after his debut goal.

However, Nmecha’s time with Wolfsburg in recent seasons suggests that the role he played against Everton is most likely to be his main one at Elland Road – coming off the bench to make an impact when needed.

Leeds in the mix to sign new striker

The Championship champions are reportedly interested in adding another striker to their squad, despite having Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and Piroe.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to El Chiringuito TV, Leeds United are one of the sides that are competing to sign Villarreal centre-forward Karl Etta Eyong before the end of the summer transfer window.

Supporters may recognise his name because the 21-year-old marksman scored against the Whites in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road earlier this month, nodding in from a couple of yards out in the 62nd minute.

This latest report claims that Leeds, Rangers, and Levante are all in the race to sign the Cameroonian forward, who currently wants to stay at Villarreal.

It adds that the Spanish side have already rejected a loan offer from Championship outfit Swansea, but it is unclear as to whether Farke’s team are keen on a loan or permanent deal for the striker.

Why Leeds should sign Etta Eyong

Leeds should push to convince Etta Eyong to want to move on from Villarreal this summer because he could arrive at Elland Road as a very interesting addition to the squad.

As aforementioned, Piroe may not have the physicality, as backed up by his performance against Everton, to be very effective in the Premier League, and there are still a lot of question marks over Nmecha.

Etta Eyong could come in as a striker who is an even better option than Nmecha to start games in the top-flight for Leeds, to provide serious competition for Calvert-Lewin as the main number nine for Farke.

The 21-year-old attacker, who was described as a “powerful” star by analyst Kai Watson, does not have heaps of senior experience under his belt, but he has shown plenty of promise in his short career to date.

Etta Eyong earned his place in the first-team at Villarreal towards the end of last season and scored three goals in seven games in pre-season, including goals against Arsenal and Leeds, per Sofascore.

Appearances

5

Starts

1

Minutes

136

xG

0.74

Goals

2

Duels won

5

Pass accuracy

80%

As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old talent has shown plenty of promise in the very limited minutes he has been given in LaLiga, scoring two goals from 0.74 xG in just 136 minutes of football.

Prior to his emergence in the first-team with Villarreal, Etta Eyong also scored 18 goals in 30 matches for the B team in the third tier of Spanish football, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.

Unlike Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, the promising talent also has a clean injury record, with no notable injuries in his career, per Transfermarkt, which suggests that he is more likely to be available week-in-week-out.

This could make him a more valuable centre-forward option than Nmecha for Farke, purely because of his potential to be available for more matches in the Premier League.

Better than El Khannouss: Leeds chasing move for "outstanding" EFL star

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a Championship star who is even better than Bilal El Khannouss.

3 ByDan Emery Aug 17, 2025

Putting all of this together, Etta Eyong could be even better than Nmecha for Leeds because of his fitness record and his potential as a goalscorer, having caught the eye in a major European league after delivering prolific performances for Villarreal’s B team.