A look back at the five-time IPL champions’ worst days with the bat

Omkar Mankame11-Apr-2025Put in to bat for the first time in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crumbled against Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) spin-heavy attack at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, slumping to their lowest-ever total at their fortress of many years. Here are the five-time champions’ five lowest totals in the IPL.

79 all out vs MI, Wankhede, IPL 2013

CSK were riding high on a seven-match winning streak and faced a modest target of 140 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede. But instead of sealing an eighth successive victory, they crumbled to their lowest-ever IPL total. Mitchell Johnson landed the early blows with a triple-wicket over that left CSK tottering at 9 for 3. The collapse continued as they slipped to 18 for 4. R Ashwin’s promotion to No. 6 failed to turn the tide, and CSK kept throwing away their wickets, and eventually folded for a record low.1:36

Bangar: ‘CSK are in tatters at the moment’

97 all out vs MI, Wankhede, IPL 2022

MI’s fast bowlers made the most of the lateral movement under lights to dismantle the CSK batting line-up. The slide began with a contentious lbw decision against Devon Conway – one he couldn’t review because of a power failure. Daniel Sams made the early strikes, and the rest of the MI attack kept landing blows, bundling CSK for under 100. Though CSK fought back to reduce MI to 33 for 4, the middle order held firm to complete a five-wicket win.

103 for 9 vs KKR, Chennai, 2025

Related

• Outdated CSK near a point of no return

• Edge or no edge – MS Dhoni lbw stirs up debate

• Dhoni's demands: 'A bit more partnerships, a bit more runs, a bit more application'

• CSK suffer fifth loss on the trot as KKR register monster win

At Chepauk, KKR unleashed their spin trio to dismantle CSK, restricting them to their lowest total at the venue. Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali combined for 12-1-55-6, controlling the middle overs. The home side never got going, crawling to 31 for 2 in the first six — the second-lowest powerplay score of IPL 2025. An out-of-form middle order, including impact player Deepak Hooda, failed to adapt to the sluggish pitch. A last-wicket stand of 24 was all that helped CSK limp past 100.

109 all out vs RR, Jaipur, 2008

A red-hot spell from Sohail Tanvir – 6 for 14, the second-best bowling figures in IPL history – blew CSK away for 109 in Jaipur. Exploiting seamer-friendly conditions, Tanvir gave Rajasthan Royals (RR) a dream start by dismissing both CSK openers for ducks in the opening over. Albie Morkel came in at 44 for 5 and offered some resistance with 42, but Tanvir returned to clean up the tail and bowl CSK out with an over unused.

109 all out vs MI, Chennai, 2019

Riding on Rohit Sharma’s 67 at the top, MI set CSK a target of 156. On a tired surface, five of CSK’s top six batters failed to reach double-digits. Lasith Malinga struck early with Shane Watson’s wicket and returned in the end overs to dismantle the lower order with a steady dose of slower balls. The defeat ended CSK’s five-match winning streak at Chepauk and marked their first loss while chasing at the venue since 2013.

The Yankees were riding high on Memorial Day, as the club held a seven-game lead in the American League East. Since that point, the Yankees have been decidedly mediocre, playing to a 39-40 record, falling in the standings to the second wild card spot in the American League, and at times, not passing the eye test as a playoff-caliber club while making puzzling mistakes on the base paths and in the field.

Of course, it's the New York market, so everything—good or bad—will be dissected ad nauseum under the microscope. And the prognosticators have largely determined that this Yankees team doesn't measure up as a World Series contender.

Just don't tell that to Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Chisholm, following the Yankees' 10-4 romp of the White Sox on Thursday, was asked if winning the division is still a target goal in the eyes of he and his teammates.

"We're never satisfied with second place or third place," Chisholm said. "We just lost the World Series last year—that's second place and we still wasn't satisfied so I don't think we're gonna be satisfied with coming in second or third in the division. That would be even more upsetting than losing the World Series.

"We're gonna go out and win that [the division] and then we're gonna go and win the World Series."

Bold words from Chisholm, but the confidence is admirable. In order to achieve the first of Chisholm's goals, the Yankees will need to do something they thus far haven't been able to do: beat the teams ahead of them in the division, the Blue Jays and Red Sox.

New York's upcoming schedule will give them an opportunity to do just that, as they'll take on Toronto and Boston in a particularly tough stretch of games to begin September.

أثار لامين يامال، نجم نادي برشلونة، الجدل حوله واعترف أنه يحب كثيرًا أن يكون نجمًا على أرض الملعب، موضحًا أنه ليس مهووسًا بتحقيق الأرقام القياسية في كرة القدم.

يامال يعتبر من أكثر اللاعبين إثارة للجدل حول العالم، لكنه في المقابل يقدم مستويات رائعة للغاية مع نادي برشلونة وكذلك مع منتخب إسبانيا.

وأدت مستويات يامال المميزة مع برشلونة الموسم الماضي، إلى ترشحه لجائزة البالون دور حيث احتل المركز الثاني هذا العام خلف نجم باريس سان جيرمان، عثمان ديمبلي المتوج بها.

وقال يامال في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة سبورت : ”أصف نفسي كلاعب مرح وأعتقد أن هذه هي الكلمة الأنسب، في النهاية، الهدف هو أن يستمتع الناس بكرة القدم”.

وأضاف يامال في حديثه: ”هدفي ليس تحطيم جميع الأرقام القياسية أو تسجيل مليون هدف، أو لعب مليون مباراة، أنا رياضي أحب الاستمتاع  وآمل أن يرغب الأطفال في أن يكونوا مثلي”.

وأوضح: ”أود أن أغير يوم الناس، إذا كان أحدهم حزينًا ويشاهد مباراتي فأريد أن يتحسن مزاجه، أريده أن يعود إلى منزله أسعد مما كان عليه”.

وأردف: “لم أكن يومًا من أولئك الذين ينزلون إلى الملعب ويقولون أريد تسجيل أربعة أهداف، إذا كنت أريد الاستمتاع وأفعل ما تعلمته بالأمس، وما اعتدت فعله في الحديقة، فأنا أريد أن يستمتع الناس وأريد أن أستمتع مع زملائي، وبالطبع، إذا سجلت الكثير من الأهداف فسيكون أفضل، لكن كرة القدم تتجاوز ذلك”.

وتابع يامال: “في كل مرة أواجه فيها ثلاثة مدافعين لا أعتقد أنهم سيأخذون الكرة مني، مع أن هذا يحدث لي كثيرًا، أحاول دائمًا مواجهة الخصم لأن هذه هي لعبتي ولن تكون كذلك إذا مررت الكرة في كل مرة يأتي فيها مدافعان أو ثلاثة لإيقافي، أفكر في إيجاد الحلول بأفضل طريقة ممكنة”.

وواصل: “لو كنت ظهيرًا لما أحببت تلك الطريقة، لو أفلت مني لاعب أفضل طوال الوقت ومر مني، لطلبت منه أن يبطئ قليلًا، وإلا سوف يسخر مني أصدقائي”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. ديكو يفسر معاناة نجم برشلونة في ناديه السابق: كنا نبحث عن لاعب مثله

وعن المقارنة مع أسطورة برشلونة ومنتخب الأرجنتين، ليونيل ميسي استكمل يامال: “أحترمه لما كان عليه ولما يمثله لكرة القدم، وإذا التقينا يومًا ما على أرض الملعب فسيكون هناك احترام متبادل، إنه الأفضل على الإطلاق وكلانا يعلم أنني لا أريد أن أكون ميسي، وميسي يعلم ذلك، أريد أن أسلك طريقي الخاص”.

وعن تعرضه للانتقادات استطرد اللاعب الشاب: “كنت أقول لهم على سبيل المثال، إن كان لديك وظيفة ويسألونك إن كنت تريد أن تكون المدير هل ستوافق أم لا، هذا هو جوابي”.

واعترف يامال بمعاناته قليلًا من حياة النجوم في سن صغيرة، حيث قال: “يخرج الأطفال من المدرسة ويعودون إلى المنزل، بينما أذهب إلى التدريب فأجد أربعة مصورين باباراتزي على بابي يسألونني عن حياتي”.

وأضاف: ”أفتح التلفاز وأرى نفسي هناك، أسير في الشارع، فأرى شابًا يرتدي قميصي، أخرج لشرب مشروب ولا استطيع لأن الناس يمنعونني، لذلك أحاول دائمًا القيام بأبسط الأشياء مثل لعب ألعاب الفيديو، أو زيارة والدتي، أو قضاء الوقت مع أخي، لكن بصراحة لا أعتقد أنني سأصبح مراهقًا عاديًا أبدًا، لأن الناس لا يرونني طبيعيًا ولن أتمكن من التصرف بهذه الطريقة”.

كما اعترف يامال بتأثير والدته الكبير في حياته الشخصية ، حيث أوضح: “عندما عدت من العطلة واضطررت للذهاب إلى منزل والدتي، كنت غائبًا عن المنزل لأيامٍ عديدة، وكان ذلك كافيًا ليخبرني بأي شيء”.

ووصف يامال والدته بالملكة وأنها تساعده كثيرًأ على تقبل الكثير من الأمور، إذ أردف: “السؤال هو من أستمع إليه؟ الإجابة أمي، لا تبالي بتسجيلي للأهداف، هي من تدير أموري وأنا سعيد بذلك”.

وتابع يامال: “في حيي، كانت هناك جدران يجلس عليها الناس ولم يكن هناك شعور أفضل من أن أجعل الجالسين هناك يقفون تقديرًا لما أفعله بالكرة، أعتقد أنه أفضل شعور في العالم، وأتذكر ذلك عندما ألعب في الملعب ويقف المشجعون ويفاجأون باللعب الذي ألعبه”.

وعن ضغط حمل مسئولية برشلونة على كتفيه قال لامين: “إنه أمر نفسي لم أشعر به إطلاقاً، ولا أعتقد أنني أشعر به لأنني لم أختبره قط، لا أشعر بضغط لعب كرة القدم وأنا واثق من قدرتي على تحقيق ما أريد”.

واعترف يامال بأنه لن يقوم بتغيير شخصيته حيث أضاف: “هذه شخصيتي وهذا ما يساعدني على تجنب الانهيار، لم أخلد إلى النوم يوماً غارقاً في الحزن أو الإرهاق، بل أفكر دائماً أن غداً سيكون يوماً آخر”.

وواصل يامال: ”سأذهب إلى التدريب وسأكون أفضل، وستكون عطلة نهاية الأسبوع على ما يرام، هذا يساعدني على الصمود في هذا العالم الصعب”.

وعن فرص إسبانيا في بطولة كأس العالم العام المقبل اختتم لامين: “أصل إلى كأس العالم وأنا في قمة مستواي.، أعتقد أن إسبانيا ستبقى فريقًا عظيمًا لفترة طويلة، البلاد متحمسة وأنا أتطلع بالفعل للمشاركة في البطولة”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo tem jogo contra o Bahia neste domingo (5), pela quinta rodada do Brasileirão. A bola vai rolar a partir das 18h30 (de Brasília), no Nilton Santos (Rio de Janeiro), com transmissão do SporTV e do Premiere.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ A maior cobertura do futebol brasileiro. Aproveite 30 dias grátis e assine o Premiere para assistir ao Fogão!

➡️ Fogão embaladão! Aposte R$50 no Lance! Betting e leve R$595 se o Botafogo bater o Bahia por 1 a 0

Confira todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre Botafogo e Bahia (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Botafogo

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
BOTAFOGO X BAHIA
BRASILEIRÃO – 5ª RODADA

🗓️ Data e horário: domingo, 5 de maio de 2024, às 18h30 (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Estádio Nilton Santos, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
📺 Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere
🟨 Árbitro: Rafael Klein
🚩 Assistentes: Rafael da Silva Alves e Tiago Augusto Kappes Diel
🖥️ VAR: Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Artur Jorge)
John, Damián Suárez, Bastos, Lucas Halter e Hugo; Danilo Barbosa, Marlon Freitas e Eduardo; Júnior Santos, Savarino e Luiz Henrique.

continua após a publicidade

BAHIA (Técnico: Rogério Ceni)
Marcos Felipe, Gilberto, Gabriel Xavier, Víctor Cuesta e Luciano Juba; Caio Alexandre, Jean Lucas, Thaciano, Everton Ribeiro e Cauly; Everaldo.

Tudo sobre

BahiaBotafogoBrasileirãoOnde assistir

A matter of days after Kevin Thelwell was relieved of his duties as Rangers’ sporting director, a former Premier League winger has revealed exactly why he rejected a move to Ibrox.

Cavenagh reveals reasoning behind Thelwell's Rangers exit

Thelwell’s exit looked on the cards as soon as he appointed Russell Martin. The sporting director instantly failed to win the fans over after a disastrous summer of decisions and has now paid the price alongside chief executive Patrick Stewart.

Revealing the news, chairman Andrew Cavenagh said: “Paraag and I have analysed the club’s needs, and as we reflect on what the club needs today, and where Kevin and Patrick are, we think we need something different.

“Our focus the first part of this season, the first part of our ownership period, has been on the sporting side and that’s where all of our attention went to for obvious reasons.

“With Danny coming in, he has started to improve the on-pitch performance, and that has created the space to allow Paraag and I to look at other parts of the club with new eyes and assess what we need going forward.”

Rangers dud is rivalling Chermiti for being one of Thelwell's worst signings

This Glasgow Rangers flop has been as bad of a signing as Youssef Chermiti was by Kevin Thelwell.

ByDan Emery Nov 25, 2025

It’s a major decision from the 49ers, who have seen Rangers get back on track on the pitch since Danny Rohl’s arrival. The German has won all four of his Scottish Premiership games, but his side still sit nine points behind shock leaders Hearts to highlight the damage done by Martin’s time at the club.

Thelwell’s downfall can be pinpointed to his decision to hire Martin, but also his transfer decisions, including times when he missed out on top targets like Carlos Forbs.

Carlos Forbs reveals "one conversation" before Rangers rejection

Speaking to Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg, Forbs revealed why he rejected Rangers and Thelwell in favour of a move to Club Brugge in the summer.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee had quite the decision to make in the summer and Thelwell just couldn’t lure him to Rangers in what was a sign of things to come.

Since then, the now-former sporting director failed to get deals over the line to hire the likes of Steven Gerrard, before finally turning to Rohl. From appointing Martin, to missing out on Forbs and then Gerrard, the clock was always ticking on Thelwell’s time in Scotland.

"Rotten" Thelwell signing is Rangers' biggest waste of time since Dowell

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been at the centre of reports that he could leave the Bernabeu mid-season following a lack of game time under Xabi Alonso, and Tottenham are believed to be among the contenders for his signature.

Rodrygo finds himself at a career crossroads as his situation at Madrid continues to deteriorate.

The Brazilian, once considered a crucial part of Los Blancos’ attacking plans, has seen his role dramatically diminish since Alonso’s appointment, sparking widespread speculation about a potential January departure.

Rodrygo has played just 359 minutes this season, having started just two out of a possible 10 La Liga games, and is firmly behind Vinícius Júnior in the pecking order for his preferred left-wing position.

The 24-year-old, who was regularly linked with a summer exit, including to Spurs, has struggled for opportunities despite his previous contributions to the club’s success.

Rodrygo’s career at Real Madrid since joining from Santos

Appearances

283

Goals

68

Assists

53

Bookings

12

Red cards

0

Minutes played

16,512

ESPN Brasil have backed up the possibility that Rodrygo could leave in January, stating that the ex-Santos sensation is “dissatisfied with his situation” and “maintains the option” of leaving as early as the next transfer window.

This has put a host of Premier League sides on alert, including Tottenham once again, and there are suggestions that the north Londoners could go all out for his signature.

Now backed by the Lewis family as they attempt to usher in a post-Daniel Levy era, the club, led by co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange are apparently prepared to pay a club-record £70 million for Rodrygo, according to reports from Spain.

The £283,000-per-week star would be a statement signing for the Lilywhites, and reports suggest that Real are prepared to slash his asking price from their original £88 million summer valuation down to around £53 million, amid rival interest from Arsenal and Chelsea (TEAMtalk).

This means that Spurs’ mooted £70m stance would be more than enough, but none of this means anything without the player’s approval.

Indeed, Rodrygo has now moved to speak out about his Madrid future, attempting to quell the noise surrounding his unrest in the Spanish capital.

Rodrygo breaks silence on Real Madrid future amid Tottenham interest

Speaking to the media, Rodrygo has hinted at his unhappiness surrounding game time right now, but also suggests he has no fears when it comes to inclusion in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad.

While the attacker appears to be presenting the front of ‘I’ll work hard for the manager’, behind-the-scenes whispers tell a different story, and we wouldn’t at all be surprised if a Premier League club manages to tempt him across the channel.

Meanwhile, football finance expert Stefan Borson is convinced that Tottenham could sign Rodrygo on loan.

Tottenham take on Arsenal in a mouth-watering North London derby clash this weekend, with all eyes on that and the looming January window as Frank looks to put his stamp on the squad.

Captain says he needs at least four weeks of bowling in the nets to prepare for a Test match and he has only just started running again following his back injury

Alex Malcolm12-Oct-20257:05

Advantage England if Cummins misses first Ashes Test?

Australia captain Pat Cummins says he is “less likely than likely” to play in the first Test against England as he begins running for the first time following his back injury with less than six weeks to go before the series starts in Perth.Cummins’ back has been almost a daily talking point in Australia since it was revealed he has a lumbar bone stress issue in early September. He has not bowled a ball since Australia’s last Test series in the Caribbean in July.Speaking at Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket Launch in Sydney on Monday, Cummins was sober about his chances of playing in the first Test in Perth against England on November 21.Related

Confidence growing that Cummins will play 'major part' in Ashes

Pat Cummins might miss the first Test after being abducted by aliens

Cummins 'running out of time' as Perth D-day looms but Ashes hopes alive

Boland's MCG heroics more relevant than 2023 Ashes blip

Bethell bids for NZ highlights reel to stake Ashes claim

“I’d say probably less likely than likely,” Cummins said. “But we’ve still got a bit of time.”I’m running today and running kind of every second day, and each runs a little bit longer, and then we get into bowling prep next week. So I’m probably a couple of weeks away before actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on the turf. But it’s been a good couple of weeks. Each session feels better and better.”Cummins was asked how long he would actually need to prepare his body to play in a Test match.”You’d want probably at least a month in the nets,” he said. “If you are to play in a Test match, you want to make sure you are right to bowl 20 overs in a day and you don’t have to think about it. Four weeks is pretty tight, but I think somewhere around that mark.”Cummins added his back was feeling better having taken a long time to settle after the lumbar bone stress was initially diagnosed.

“Some days I’m kind of annoyed because it’s the Ashes, and it’s a big summer and then other days I’m kind of realistic. I’ve had the last seven or eight years of almost uninterrupted home summers, so I felt like I’ve had a really good run as a fast bowler. Someone like Josh [Hazlewood], he’s been a little bit more unlucky, so maybe it’s my turn.”Pat Cummins on the timing of his back injury

But he outlined that even going from low level running to bowling is going to be a slow process as he needs to do specific gym work to reactivate his bowling muscles and see how his back responds before heading to the nets.”It’s kind of a little bit stiff, just probably a little bit from the injury but then also because it hasn’t been used for a while,” Cummins said. “Each session you do a little bit of run and make sure you pull up alright. So I’m actually feeling really good at the moment. A few of the symptoms hung around for a little bit longer than I would have liked but they’re all gone now. I’m just trying to kind of increase the workload and make sure body’s responding.”Some of the gym work becomes a bit more bowling prep work. So you do a lot more kind of getting your muscles ready, side holds to try to simulate that. Maybe some med ball work, but trying to kind of transition before you actually go into the nets and start bowling.”Pat Cummins says ‘he’s less likely than likely’•Associated PressAustralia coach Andrew McDonald said last week that a decision on Cummins’ availability for the first Test would likely be made on Friday following a week of increased running and gym work. But the coach was confident his skipper would play a part in the Ashes even if he wasn’t ready for the first Test. Cummins was cautious about specifying how many Tests he could play in the series.”I think it’s a bit early to know,” Cummins said. “With these things it’s pretty hard to go from not bowling or anything at all to suddenly playing five Tests. First steps are trying to kind of give us a shot at being right, and then we’ll work it out a bit closer to time.”Cummins admitted he had some level of frustration surrounding the timing of the injury and the prospect of missing part of the Ashes series.”Some days I’m kind of annoyed because it’s the Ashes, and it’s a big summer and then other days I’m kind of realistic,” Cummins said. “I’ve had the last seven or eight years of almost uninterrupted home summers, so I felt like I’ve had a really good run as a fast bowler.”Someone like Josh [Hazlewood], he’s been a little bit more unlucky, so maybe it’s my turn. But it’s such a big summer ahead. Obviously, you want to be in a mix, even with the India One-Day series and T20 series, I wish I was part of that. But it’s not to be. It’s part of cricket. You’re going to get injuries.”Cummins was confident that the injury would not affect him long term given Australia has huge period of cricket looming in 2026 and 2027 beyond this summer’s Ashes and T20 World Cup.”It’s a back injury that I haven’t had for about seven or eight years, and I’ve played a lot of cricket between that,” he said. “So if anything looking back when I was, say, 20 years old and I had this injury, I was a bit worried about what my body could actually handle. But I know in myself that if I get it right, do it properly, when I come back I shouldn’t have to worry about it all. And hopefully I can play as much, even more cricket than I had previously in the last few years.”

Tottenham have been given a clear path to sign Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo following an update from reliable journalist David Ornstein.

The 25-year-old, who has marked himself out as one of the Premier League’s most devastating forwards these last 12 months, is attracting serious interest from across England and beyond, with Spurs believed to be firmly in the mix for his signature.

Semenyo’s been involved in nine of Bournemouth’s 11 total goals scored in the league so far, contributing to 81 per cent of their total attacking output, which is the highest percentage of any Premier League player this season (The Analyst).

The African also boasts 10 goals from his last 18 top flight appearances going back to April, with a total of six goals and three assists this season alone thus far. Man City boss Pep Guardiola is among the experts to laud Semenyo’s “extraordinary” form, and Tottenham recruitment chiefs are said to be massive fans of his too.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

29/11/2025

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

Mohammed Kudus

Knock

23/11/2025

Randal Kolo Muani

Jaw

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 former Bristol City star signed a brand-new contract earlier this year, which quashed hopes of Tottenham or any other Premier League giant tempting him away from the Vitality last summer.

Semenyo extended his deal until 2030, giving the Cherries plenty of negotiating power to demand a club-record fee for their star player.

However, while reports have suggested that Bournemouth value him at around £75 million, Spurs could now sign him for significantly less in January.

Tottenham given clear Antoine Semenyo path as David Ornstein update leaves Bournemouth exposed

That is because Semenyo’s new deal, according to Ornstein on X, contains a £62.5 million release clause which becomes active for a limited time when the transfer window reopens.

In Ornstein’s words, the clause leaves Bournemouth ‘powerless’, and could allow Tottenham or any other interested suitor to bypass negotiations with Andoni Iraola’s side and head straight to Semenyo’s representatives — giving the north Londoners an obvious route to his signature as early as the winter.

The links to Spurs are nothing new, and Frank has already made his feelings about Semenyo pretty clear when speaking to reporters about the player last season.

Semenyo’s potential arrival holds even greater appeal due to the fact he won’t be competing at the African Cup of Nations this season, with Ghana failing to qualify for the tournament in what is a serious boost for Frank, considering the Dane also gets to keep hold of Mohammed Kudus.

The prospect of Semenyo playing on the left and Kudus playing on the right is a very exciting one, but it is worth noting that they’ll have to contend with a host of rivals for his services as well, perhaps even more so after the news of a tantalising release clause.

She’s now the No. 1 allrounder, the No. 2 batter and No. 3 bowler in the ICC rankings

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2025

Two explosive hundreds at the World Cup have propelled Ashleigh Gardner six slots up the ODI batting rankings•Getty Images

Ashleigh Gardner’s storming Women’s World Cup 2025 has put her at a level seldom, if ever, attained by any allrounder, of any gender, in any format, in the history of the sport. She sits, following the latest update to the ICC rankings, among the top three batters, bowlers and allrounders in Women’s ODIs.Full rankings tables

Click here for the full team rankings

Click here for the full player rankings

Gardner has been one of the most important drivers of Australia’s unbeaten run in the tournament so far, scoring 265 runs at an average of 88.33 and a strike rate of 128.01, and taking seven wickets with her offspin at 30.00. Four visits to the crease have brought her two hundreds, both coming in tense situations.When she walked in against New Zealand, Australia were 113 for 4, which soon became 128 for 5. She smashed 115 off 83 balls to lead them to a total of 326.Then, in a chase of 245 against England, Gardner entered with Australia 86 for 4. She scored an unbeaten 104, off just 73 balls, and put on an unbroken 180 with Annabel Sutherland to clinch victory with a whopping 57 balls to spare.Those knocks have propelled Gardner up six slots, from No. 8 to No. 2, in the latest update of the ICC’s ODI rankings, with only India’s Smriti Mandhana above her. Gardner has, meanwhile, kept hold of her top spot among allrounders and the No. 3 spot among bowlers.England’s Sophie Ecclestone sits on top of the bowlers’ chart with Australia legspinner Alana King, who took a World-Cup-record 7 for 18 against South Africa, in a career-best second place, having shot up five spots.

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt appeared to question manager Ruben Amorim's tactics after the Red Devils' embarrassing loss to 10-man Everton on Monday. The defeat ended a five-game unbeaten streak for United in the Premier League and sent them tumbling to 10th in the table, 11 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and De Ligt pulled no punches after the final whistle.

Getty Amorim's tactics under the microscope

Everton played the game with 10 men for more than 80 minutes after Idrissa Gueye was bizarrely sent off for clashing with team-mate Michael Keane They also saw right-back and captain Seamus Coleman forced off the pitch with an injury in the 10th minute. However, despite the early setbacks, the Toffees took the lead on the half-hour mark through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and defended resiliently thereafter to frustrate United.

The hosts did not make their numerical advantage count. Instead of making runs from deep, United kept sending long balls and crosses and relied on set pieces. Amorim's side attempted 38 crosses in the game and won nine corners but none of those mattered in the end as the tall Everton defenders comfortably dealt with the aerial threats. Benjamin Sesko's injury-enforced absence up front did not help the home team. 

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'A bad night for us'

Dutch centre-back De Ligt was understandably frustrated with the team's performance and seemed to point the finger at Amorim for the defeat. He told : "It’s quite clear. A bad night for us. 70 minutes more or less 11 vs 10, conceded a goal and not creating many chances. A few but not enough for a match against 10. A disappointing night. From our side, we didn’t do enough. Didn’t make the runs or bodies into the box. They are strong in the air so we didn’t have the players to score from that.

"We basically played to their strengths. These are the main aspects, but we have to look at ourselves and it’s not good enough. We’ve been away and trained for a while together. I just think we lacked a bit of urgency in several situations. They get punished if you lack this urgency. If you don’t score, you lose this game. We lacked this hunger to make a difference on the most important moments."

Amorim makes 'afraid' admission

Amorim admitted that United "deserved to lose" against the Toffees and challenged his players to issue an immediate response. The Portuguese coach told reporters: "I think they were a better team with 11. They then worked really well with 10 men for 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn't play well. We didn't play with the right intensity. I know which point we are in the moment. So we are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do, and we need to be perfect to win games. We were not perfect. 

"I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together. We are going to work together. I'm not going. The players are trying, but we need to be better so we have training tomorrow, and we are going to prepare the next one."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportUp next: Palace test at Selhurst Park

United could have moved into the top five with a win over Everton as their closest rivals dropped points, including Manchester City and Liverpool. Instead, they are now way off the pace in the race for a top-four finish and cannot afford anymore slip-ups.

Another tough test awaits Amorim's men at Selhurst Park against Oliver Glasner's high-flying Crystal Palace on Sunday. Another loss would pile more pressure on the Portuguese coach.