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South Africa got onto the points table while New Zealand slumped to their second straight loss in Indore

Shashank Kishore06-Oct-2025

Tazmin Brits walked back to a rousing ovation in Indore•ICC/Getty Images

Tazmin Brits is having a year like no other. Her fifth hundred in 2025 – the most-ever by a woman in a calendar year – studded South Africa’s dominance as they got onto the points table with a crushing six-wicket win over New Zealand, who slumped to their second straight loss in Indore.Four nights after being bundled out for the second-lowest score in World Cups, South Africa showed authority and intent in chasing down 232 in 40.5 overs. This somewhat helped cover up for a massive net run rate dent from their embarrassing loss to England in Guwahati.That South Africa had only these many to chase was largely thanks to left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, whose 4 for 40 triggered an alarming slide after Sophie Devine and Brook Halliday threatened a jailbreak. After the pair had added a quickfire 86 for the fourth-wicket, New Zealand were coasting at 187 for 3 in 38 overs when Mlaba made big dents.Related

• From 69 all out to statement win – South Africa restore World Cup credentials

• Bates: 'After the game Sophie and I will reminisce on how far we've come'

Halliday contributed 45 off 37 in a terrific exhibition of sweeps and reverse-sweeps, before falling to one hit too many when she top-edged a slog-sweep off Mlaba at the start of the 39th. During her stay, she briefly gave South Africa the shivers, like she had in last year’s T20 World Cup final in Dubai.South Africa hit back quickly after Halliday’s dismissal, with Mlaba next sending back Maddy Green to an ill-advised reverse sweep as she picked out backward point. Amid the collapse, Devine held out hope for New Zealand, like she’d done in hitting a valiant 112 against Australia in their opener.Nonkululeko Mlaba opened the floodgates with Brooke Halliday’s wicket•Getty Images

Devine helped shift gears after Georgia Plimmer struggled to hit the ball off the square in a painstaking 31 off 68 balls. Devine was largely measured, taking 66 deliveries to bring up a half-century, her 17th in ODIs, before shifting gears, as she fed off Halliday’s form and enterprise.Halliday and Devine raised their half-century stand off just 41 deliveries, and New Zealand looked set for a lift-off. But Devine’s dismissal for 85, attempting to work a full delivery into the leg side, had a deflating effect. Ayabonga Khaka then cleaned up the lower order, as New Zealand lost 7 for 44 to be bowled out for 231, leaving 13 deliveries unused.All told, it was an innings of contrasting fortunes. New Zealand played themselves into a hole, consuming as many as 72 dots in the first 15 overs to leave the middle order with too much to do, after Suzie Bates fell for a second straight duck off the first ball of the match and Melie Kerr for 22. Then Devine and Halliday bailed them out, but in having a terrible back 10, New Zealand undid all the good work through the middle overs.To make a fist of the target, New Zealand needed early wickets, and they had one when Laura Wolvaardt, who plucked a stunner to end New Zealand’s innings, was out lbw playing around her front pad to Jess Kerr. But that was as much joy as they were to derive over the next two hours as Brits put on an exhibition, with Sune Luus for company.Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus left New Zealand without hope in the chase•Getty Images

Brits’ was a high-tempo innings full of stunning shots, and it included a thrilling takedown of Melie Kerr early in the innings to offset any threat South Africa had. Having begun the innings steadily, Brits went into overdrive after the 10-over mark, at one point hitting five boundaries in nine deliveries, en route to a 44-ball half-century, her fastest in ODIs.Brits equally punished Eden Carson, the offspinner, muscling a six to bring up the 100 partnership off 111 deliveries. Brits’ use of her feet to negate any turn and bludgeon spinners repeatedly down the ground made for thrilling viewing. And while she was flying, Luus was fighting for survival.Unlike Brits, Luus struggled for timing, but the reward for all that tenacity for a fight was a half-century that she raised off 76 balls. Brits’ counter-attack gave her the rare luxury of finding her feet as the ball spun and jumped, merely underlining how ridiculously easy Brits had made batting look.Brits fell soon after getting to her century, bowled attempting to pull a skiddy length ball off Lea Tahuhu to leave South Africa briefly wobbly, as they lost two more wickets in an attempt to raze down the runs. But even through that, the result was a foregone conclusion.Luus raised the winning runs with a lofted hit over extra cover, finishing unbeaten on 81 to ensure South Africa ride a wave of confidence when they meet hosts and table-toppers India come Thursday in Vizag. New Zealand will hope for a change of luck when they travel to Guwahati to play Bangladesh the following day.

Patrick Dorgu’s Manchester United career so far was summed up in one moment on Monday evening against Everton.

A rare piece of attacking quality saw Joshua Zirkzee flash a ball across the box in the first half, and with Dorgu perfectly positioned at the backpost, the chance was there for the 21-year-old to fire home his first goal for the club following his January arrival from Lecce.

Just days on from cooly converting in Denmark’s eventual 4-2 defeat to Scotland in World Cup qualification, the young wing-back could not repeat the feat, instead lashing his attempt wide in what has, unfortunately, almost become trademark fashion.

Like against Manchester City – where Dorgu had more touches in the opposition box than any other player (12) – he routinely gets himself into promising openings, although is simply unable to make the most of it, having registered just two assists in 32 games under Ruben Amorim to date.

In truth, the left-footer is drifting into Rasmus Hojlund territory as a promising, but raw Danish arrival from Serie A who has almost been made first-choice in his position too soon, with little in the way of competition.

Thankfully, Amorim might well have an in-house solution, although it will continue to irk supporters that £30m was splashed out on Dorgu, while a certain Alvaro Carreras departed for just £5m a year earlier.

How Dorgu & Carreras compare this season

One of the most head-scratching decisions of the Erik ten Hag reign remains the choice not to hand an opportunity to Carreras at senior level, with the young Spaniard never actually making a first-team appearance before his eventual departure – initially on loan – to Benfica in January 2024.

Despite notably claiming Preston North End’s Young Player of the Year award following a standout 2022/23 season in the second tier, Ten Hag repeatedly overlooked the academy asset, even amid the long-term absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

In 2023/24, for instance, the Dutchman tried numerous, makeshift options at left-back, ranging from Sofyan Amrabat to Victor Lindelof, making it all the more puzzling that Carreras remained out in the cold.

Still only 22 years old, the Real Madrid youth product is now flourishing back at the Bernabeu, having re-joined his former employers on a £42m deal over the summer.

Comfortable at left wing-back or left-back, Carreras has started 16 of Madrid’s 17 games in LaLiga and the Champions League this season, scoring a belting effort in the 4-0 win over Valencia.

Notably likened to new teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold for his attacking, creative quality from the flanks, the Ferrol-born starlet looks like a real upgrade on Dorgu on current evidence, with United left looking red-faced over their handling of him.

Initially signed as a 16-year-old in 2020 – the same time in which Alejandro Garnacho arrived from Atletico Madrid – Carreras will seemingly remain a case of what might have been as far as the Red Devils are concerned.

Hopefully, a similar scenario doesn’t occur under the new INEOS regime.

Man Utd's "stream train" can derail Dorgu's Man Utd stay

Question marks remain over the midfield unit and number nine berth at Old Trafford, but perhaps the biggest issue for Amorim – and INEOS – is at wing-back, not least on the left.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The fact that the Portuguese frequently opts to deploy Diogo Dalot in that role is both damning on the club’s squad building, but also on Dorgu, with the more natural option hardly pulling up any trees down that side.

Dorgu isn’t even a year into his Old Trafford stay, but questions are beginning to be asked of his suitability and quality for Premier League football, with his woes highlighted by the fact that he ranks in the bottom 8% of top-flight full-backs for pass completion, as well as in the bottom 3% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

It simply isn’t working right now on that left flank, hence why a chance could arise for 18-year-old summer arrival, Diego Leon, with the Paraguayan still waiting for his first chance at senior level in Manchester.

Like Carreras, Leon has been plucked as a promising teenager with one eye on the future, with a deal having initially been struck with his former club Cerro Porteno in January.

Signed for a fee of around £6m, the bulldozing defender has featured in matchday squads this season, albeit without getting onto the pitch, having largely operated for the U21 side to date.

There is a danger that he could follow in Carreras’ footsteps as an almost forgotten figure in the academy set-up, yet much like in Ten Hag’s tenure, there is a left-sided issue to be solved – Amorim needs to be brave.

Leon, of course, is unproven and untested in English football, but he’s no stranger to life in the first-team, having scored four times in just 33 games back in his native Paraguay.

Already capped at senior level for his country too, the teen full-back appears to have the physical capabilities to be able to thrive in the Premier League, with analyst Ben Mattinson suggesting that he runs “like a steam train”.

That pace and power was evident during Leon’s stunning, solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur’s U21 side, picking the ball inside his own half and driving into the opposition box to convert.

Also described by Mattinson as a “physical, explosive, marauding” left-back who is “similar to a Patrick Dorgu type”, Leon will hopefully showcase the best of what Dorgu has to offer, but with far greater end product.

The over-reliance and burden on Dorgu has gone on too long, with the ex-Lecce man having seemingly regressed rather than progressed under Amorim’s watch.

Time is on his side, but with an even younger, high-potential talent like Leon waiting in the wings, he might already be on borrowed time.

Mainoo 2.0: Man Utd can axe Ugarte for one of England's "best young players"

Manchester United’s midfield needs an overhaul – thankfully Carrington has the solution…

By
Robbie Walls

Nov 22, 2025

After smashing his 400th career home run on Saturday night, Angels right fielder Mike Trout shared an emotional message for his family, friends and fans on social media on Sunday.

"400. Last night was surreal," Trout said, alongside a special video montage. "Blessed to play this game I love. Thank you to my teammates, family, and the fans for all the support. Let's keep it rolling!"

Check that out below:

The 11-time All Star's 400th career dinger, which was his 22nd of the season, came in the eighth inning of Saturday's game against the Rockies: a 485-footer to left-center field off a 98-mph pitch from Colorado reliever Jaden Hill. Later, Trout played catch with the fan who caught the ball.

"It's one of the things coming into the season that was on the list," Trout said of the achievement, per ESPN. "I'm just happy it's over. I'm enjoying it, obviously. It sucks the family wasn't out here, but they watched it on TV. My boys back home, my two sons, and my wife got to see it on TV. My buddies back home and my family back home in Jersey, they can stop texting me to hit the 400th. It means a lot to me."

Although the Angels won 3-0 on Saturday (a fitting present for Trout), they still finished the three game series 1-2, as the Rockies proved victorious on Friday and Sunday.

Next up, L.A. will host the Royals starting Tuesday, when Trout could add another homer or two to his already impressive tally.

Robinson spoke to GOAL about his USMNT comeback, his life in Cincinnati, and the bigger questions shaping the way he sees the world.

PHILADELPHIA – Miles Robinson spends a lot of time thinking about the future – not just his own, but the big-picture stuff. Smartphones, wealth disparity, happiness, and greed. Topics most footballers never touch in an interview, but Robinson drifts there naturally.

"One thing that I'm passionate about is trying to envision the future and create a better life for people in need," he tells GOAL from the USMNT's hotel in Philadelphia. "I feel like this country is way too rich in general to have so much poverty. I feel like a lot of people stray away from tough conversations and don't want to talk about what's actually important in our society right now.

"Like, for example, I'm at peace, mostly, when I'm off my phone. Sometimes I feel like we're slaves to it, and that's where I feel the future is going. It's just about making sure that all of these massive influences around us are giving us a positive outlook on life, nothing hateful or negative."

"That's just what I'm on right now," he adds with a laugh.

Those are the big-picture questions he lets his mind wander toward. His future, though? He doesn’t spend much time on that anymore. How could he? There was a moment in his life when Robinson thought he had everything mapped out, when his trajectory felt certain. And then, in an instant, it all disappeared. After that kind of shock, looking too far ahead gets harder – even with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

Robinson, by all accounts, should have been at the 2022 World Cup. Leading up to the tournament, he was one of the U.S. men's national team's go-to center backs, a player whose combination of athleticism and game-reading had made him one of the best in MLS. Then, just six months before the World Cup, his Achilles snapped. With it went his World Cup dream.

Now, six months before another World Cup, Robinson is back in the mix. He's playing regularly for the USMNT and is back to being one of the best in MLS with FC Cincinnati. His future, though? That's for someone else to think about. Robinson can't bear to do that just yet, knowing what happened last time.

"I'm just happy to be here right now," he says. "I'm happy to be healthy right now. I'm not one to really look that far ahead into the future. I think the last World Cup is the reason I can't do that in general. It's all just trying to put my best for forward, but I promise that, in my head, I'm just super motivated."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'I wasn't trying to sit back and sulk'

  In many ways, Robinson's life changed on May 7, 2022. The change happened out of nowhere. He had 18 USMNT caps over the prior year-and-a-half. He'd also scored three goals, including the dramatic trophy-winner against Mexico in the 2021 Gold Cup final. Robinson wasn't just pushing to be on the World Cup roster; he was making his case to start in the world's biggest tournament.

  That was until Atlanta United's clash with the Chicago Fire. Just 14 minutes into the game, Robinson went down, pointing at his left leg. Following the match, then-Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda revealed it was a "bad injury". Shortly after that, the worst was confirmed: Achilles rupture. Surgery incoming.

  “We are devastated for Miles,” then-USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said at the time. “He had established himself as a top performer throughout last year and World Cup Qualifying. We will be thinking of him and wishing him a successful recovery process.”

  The USMNT moved on without him, of course, but, as the player going through it, Robinson could do little but relive it. In an instant, his World Cup dreams were gone. They were replaced with a long road back, one that didn't guarantee he'd ever really be back to his old self.

  "It was sad," he says now, three years later. "It was a moment where so much was going on in my life. It was a lot to even think of or fathom happening all at once. It was just one of those moments where you go, 'Damn'. I knew it right away. I knew I wouldn't be able to play at the World Cup, and it was just from a normal kind of motion that happens to everyone. 

  "Then, you have to just be like 'Okay, there's too much to be grateful for'. I can't complain. In reality, that's what I stand on. Whatever conflicts there are in my life, there's too much for me to be grateful for to let this stop me."

  That wasn't just talk, either. Instead of Qatar, Robinson spent the World Cup with friends and family. He was able to watch and enjoy the tournament while occupying some space between fan and teammate.

  "Man, I was outside watching that sh*t,"  he says with a smile. "We were partying, watching, cheering on my guys. I really wanted to experience that real-life energy because that's who I am. I wasn't trying to sit back and sulk. You just want them to succeed. You want them to do well. At the end of the day, yeah, you're still a little bit salty that you're not a part of it, but you recognize that they're now the ones putting in the work. You're rehabbing, and they deserve it, too."

  It took some time for Robinson to truly return from injury. He's back now, though, and he's once again one of the best in American soccer.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Finding his way with Cincy

  Rehab went well, Robinson said. He was quick to give credit to the team in Atlanta for getting him back onto the field. It wasn't until he left Atlanta, though, that he really felt he'd regained what he lost.

  Ahead of the 2024 MLS season, Robinson made the big decision to sign with FC Cincinnati as a free agent. It was, at the time, somewhat controversial. At 26, Robinson was entering his prime and could have gone to Europe. Instead, he chose to continue his career as part of a rising Cincy project. He didn't just choose Cincinnati, though; the club chose him, too. They believed that he'd be able to get back to what he was before the injury.

  "I felt like explosive, even early on," he says, "But for me to really get back into the game and feel like I was competing at an elite level, it was like over a year, maybe even 16 months. It's one thing to be able to play, but a whole other thing to be able to play your best. You have to be very quick, very sharp. It's crazy movements."

  He was back to his best this season. Robinson was selected as an MLS All-Star this summer, returning to that game for the first time since his injury.

  “He's elite at so many things when it comes to defending, and I think he continues to improve,” FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright said of Robinson in September. “The number of plays that don't happen when Miles is on the field, you never realize. You never realize what doesn't even have to happen, or someone that doesn't have to cover because he can just put out so many fires by himself. There are only so few players in the world that have that elite athleticism and dueling ability, and he's in that category."

  Cincinnati, meanwhile, finished second in the Eastern Conference, only one point behind the Supporters' Shield winners in the Philadelphia Union. Robinson then helped lead the Cincy defense to a triumph against the rival Columbus Crew, winning two out of three games to advance to the next round of the postseason.

  "I think the mood in the locker room is like, when we play at our best, no one's touching us," he says. "Straight up, when we're at our best, we will win any game. It's about, 'Listen, We've got three games left, let's be at our best every moment of these games, and we can lift a trophy.'"

  In between the club's MLS Cup run, though, was a two-game stint with the USMNT as Robinson continues to pursue that World Cup dream.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'His philosophy on life is something that I relate to'

  Robinson’s defining injury struck roughly six months before the 2022 World Cup. Now, almost exactly six months from the USMNT naming its 2026 roster, he’s back in a familiar place: the pressure rising, the competition relentless, and the center back depth chart as crowded as it’s ever been.

  Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards feels like the only true lock right now, and that’s about where the certainty ends. Robinson is part of a crowded group that includes Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream, Toulouse’s Mark McKenzie, and Celtic’s Auston Trusty, all of whom were in camp in November. Youngster Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg) is clearly in the mix, too, and a veteran like Walker Zimmerman can’t be written off. Factor in the possibility of Joe Scally or Alex Freeman serving as a third center-back, and the picture becomes clear: it’s going to be a fierce fight for places.

  Robinson has been in and out of that picture since his recovery. He returned to the USMNT in 2023, earning seven caps. He made three appearances in 2024 but, notably, led the U.S. U-23s into the Olympics as one of three overage players. Now, in 2025, he's been something of a regular under Mauricio Pochettino, starting in January camp, playing in the Gold Cup, and featuring in the fall friendlies to amass eight caps in this crowded center back group.

  "I think it's just about understanding the group we have," Robinson said. "A lot of us have known each other for a long time, so it's about competing, yeah, but we're still boys off the field. We all still want what's best for each other.

  "Obviously, I'd love to be a part of that group. It's just trying to chip away at the moment. I just try to be the best in training today and then in the games. Hopefully, if I stay healthy, I'll put myself in a good position to be part of that group."

  That decision, ultimately, falls to Pochettino. A former center back himself during his own playing career, the Argentine will likely push that competition right on down to the wire. Following a November camp that saw wins over Paraguay and Uruguay, the race for spots at the World Cup is fiercer than ever. Robinson believes that Pochettino wants it that way.

  "I think he's good at giving players confidence, which I definitely like and think is very important," he says. "In general, he's very clear with his messages, whether it's tactical or recognizing that we need to be better at this. We need to fight like our lives depend on it. Some of these players who come from other countries, this is their way out; they had nothing. He recognizes, 'Hey, that's not how most of you guys grew up, but we're going to have to beat them with our hearts, our minds, and other ways'. He's super truthful. His philosophy on life is something that I relate to."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Being optimistic about the future

  Following FC Cincinnati's playoff win over the Columbus Crew, Robinson was in full-on celebration mode. He celebrated so hard, in fact, that he ended up with a sword in his hand somehow.

  "This guy was begging me to take the sword. Alright, man, let me just grab it and do something with it," he reflects. "Maybe I created a new tradition. I don't know, but it was pretty cool!"

  With USMNT camp in the rearview, Robinson’s focus shifts to a very different challenge: Inter Miami. Lionel Messi and Co. are next up for FC Cincinnati, and that alone is enough to sharpen the senses. A duel with the GOAT, with a place in the Eastern Conference finals on the line? That’s a real test.

  Robinson isn’t looking past it – how could he? Not with that level of talent on the other side, and not with everything he’s already been through.

  That doesn’t mean he’s without ambition. He has goals, both for his career and for his life, some short-term, some big-picture. But his future – as it has always been – remains uncertain. Maybe this time, though, it will break his way and he will line up for the World Cup. Maybe this time, that steady optimism he carries will give him what he’s chasing. But he won't let that define him, one way or another. 

  "I think only about a few weeks or maybe a few days at a time," he says. "I definitely have bigger goals that I look into or maybe create a vision board or some sh*t like that, but there are definitely short-term goals. Some are based in reality, and some are almost impossible. I just strive for crazy sh*t. If that happens, let's go. If it doesn't, I'll probably still do something pretty cool, right?"

Pumas are now reportedly happy to let manager Efrain Juarez join Celtic, who could take full advantage of their former star’s secret release clause at the Mexican club.

The Bhoys once again struggled on the European stage in midweek, losing 3-1 against Midtjylland, as Martin O’Neill saw their problems in full for the first time. The interim boss has continued to distance himself from the permanent job, despite recent reports suggesting that he could yet be the next man to take the hotseat.

For now, the 73-year-old is set to remain in the dugout for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership clash against Kilmarnock this weekend, but Parkhead chiefs are continuing their search.

Recent reports have claimed that Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna is now open to joining the Scottish giants, but it remains to be seen whether he’d leave Portman Road in the middle of a campaign which has so far been disappointing.

Meanwhile, Nicky Hayen is also a reported candidate. The Club Brugge manager knows all about beating the top clubs in Scottish football, having smashed Rangers 9-1 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers earlier this season and defeated Celtic last season. Now, he could be on his way to the home dugout in Glasgow.

Once again, however, luring him away from Club Brugge will not be an easy task. Instead, the Hoops may have no choice but to turn towards former player Juarez, who has previously shared that he dreams of managing the club.

Pumas happy to let Juarez join Celtic

As reported in Mexico and relayed by Sport Witness, Pumas are now happy to let Juarez join Celtic, who could trigger a release clause that allows the 37-year-old to leave for free when a European club comes knocking.

Celtic discover extent of Callum Osmand injury that has "never happened to him before"

More bad news for the Bhoys.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 7, 2025

It would save Celtic a transfer fee and it would welcome someone who knows the standards of the club, given that Juarez played for the Bhoys between 2010 and 2012. Whether he has the right managerial experience for the role is another question, though, and the Scottish club may find that out after reportedly scheduling an interview over zoom.

The former player, who uses a 4-2-3-1 system, has taken charge of just two sides and is yet to even reach 100 games as a manager. At this point in time, it should be questioned whether Celtic can afford to take such a gamble.

Juarez’s time at Pumas hasn’t exactly been the greatest success, either. The Mexican has lost more games than he’s won and averaged just 1.3 points over 33 games in charge. It suddenly makes the club’s willingness to let him leave make all too much sense for Celtic to make their move.

For the time being, those at Celtic Park should trust O’Neill with the job until a suitable candidate emerges.

Celtic schedule first interview with Efrain Juarez

He hit a 39-ball century against CSK in just his fourth IPL match

Omkar Mankame08-Apr-2025.

Chris Gayle – 30 balls

175* vs Pune Warriors India, Bengaluru, 2013
It was the day on which Gayle rewrote T20 record books at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. His unbeaten 175 remains the highest individual score in the format, and his 30-ball century is the fastest in IPL history even after 12 years. After a watchful first over, Gayle took 21 off Ishwar Pandey and 28 off Mitchell Marsh to bring up a 17-ball fifty. Aaron Finch’s 29-run over only added to the charge and Gayle brought up his century in the ninth over. Of his first 103 runs, 98 came in boundaries. He finished unbeaten on 175 and later returned to pick up two wickets, capping off a surreal day.

Yusuf Pathan – 37 balls

100 vs Mumbai Indians (MI), Brabourne, 2010
Pathan teed off when Rajasthan Royals (RR) needed 143 off 57 balls to chase down MI’s 212. He hit 54 off his next 11 deliveries, including three successive sixes off Ali Murtaza and 24 in the following over from R Sathish. The carnage continued as he brought up what was then the fastest century in the IPL with a towering six. He was run out the very next ball, leaving RR with 40 to get from 17 balls – a bridge too far in the end. However, his captain, Shane Warne, described it as the best innings he had ever seen.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

David Miller – 38 balls

101* vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mohali, 2013Miller’s 38-ball century rescued Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS) from 64 for 4 and powered them in a jaw-dropping chase of 191, with 99 runs coming in the last five overs. It began with a flurry of boundaries off Vinay Kumar before he tore into RP Singh for 26 in a single over. With three runs needed and Miller on 95, he launched a length ball straight over the sightscreen to bring up his century in style. After the match, Miller shared his father’s advice: “If it’s in the V, it’s in the tree. If it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park.”

Travis Head – 39 balls

102 vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Head had already signaled their intent with a 277-run blitz earlier in the season. In Bengaluru, they went one better. Head had set the tone with a powerplay assault that saw SRH race to 76 for 0, bringing up his fifty along the way. By the time he was dismissed in the 13th over for a 41-ball 102, SRH had rocketed to 165. They eventually finished on 287 – the highest total in IPL history.Priyansh Arya – 39 balls103 vs CSK, Mullanpur, 2025PBKS picked 24-year-old Delhi opener Arya for INR 3.8 crore after a bidding war at the auction and he’s already showing why. After a 23-ball 47 on debut, Arya delivered on his potential against CSK. He began the innings with a first-ball six and didn’t let the fall of wickets at the other end disrupt his intent. He later smacked Matheesha Pathirana for three consecutive sixes and a four to bring up a stunning maiden IPL century in just the 13th over of the innings.

Manchester United find themselves building something worthwhile under Ruben Amorim and could now be set to outstrip their rivals to sign Leicester City sensation Jeremy Monga.

While having to settle for a draw at the City Ground last Saturday may have been a frustrating outcome, there were plenty of positives on show as the Red Devils came from a goal down to claim a point at Nottingham Forest.

Four Premier League matches unbeaten may not have the same ring to it as five wins in a row. However, there is undeniable progress being made at Old Trafford, and Amorim’s side are starting to find consistency in time for the festive run of fixtures.

Still, the former Sporting boss is keen to seek more improvement, pointing out that his side suffered from lapses of concentration that ended their hopes of another victory on the road.

He said on Match of the Day: “If I think about game, we lost control for five minutes. I feel in the recent past if we had had this situation, going from 1-0 up to 2-1 down, we would’ve struggled so much more than we did today.

“My feeling is that we played well but we dropped a little bit of energy. When we are full of energy, we are the better team. My players are giving everything but we have the potential to do better and sometimes we have these moments.”

There is a feeling that the best is still to come under Amorim. His reign has taken time to get off the ground, but the January window and beyond offers another chance to shape his team with key reinforcements.

With that in mind, the Red Devils are feeling some optimism that they could beat bitter rivals Manchester City to sign a top talent.

Man Utd looking to beat Man City to sign Leicester City star Jeremy Monga

According to Football Insider, Man Utd hold optimism that they can sign Jeremy Monga from Leicester City, and they could land him for as little as £2 million due to the fact the 16-year-old isn’t yet eligible to pen a professional deal at the Foxes until he turns 17.

Coming under the bracket of nominal compensation, the Red Devils’ target has registered a solitary strike and an assist in 12 appearances this campaign, breaking Jude Bellingham’s record as the Championship’s youngest ever goalscorer against Preston North End.

Compared to Ousmane Dembele by Ben Mattinson, he came close to joining Manchester City and Liverpool earlier in the year, and the Red Devils see Monga as the next in a line of poaching elite talent from other clubs following their additions of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi Martin.

Manchester United are keen to back Amorim over the coming years, and securing prodigious stars who can potentially go on to become worth millions is an effective way of breeding squad improvement, factoring in financial limitations.

Man Utd are also preparing a big-money bid for a star from South America

That process will take time and effort, granted, though profiling players like Monga is the way to go if the Red Devils have designs on eventually rejoining the Premier League elite.

Chelsea have reportedly thrown their full support behind Enzo Maresca's heavy rotation policy despite growing scrutiny following a 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League. Club executives insist the Italian is managing a young squad exactly as intended and believe his strategy will deliver long-term success despite short-term inconsistencies.

• Blues boss continues to make changes

  Per , Chelsea have publicly and privately backed Maresca’s approach to squad management following another heavily rotated lineup in midweek European action. The Italian made seven changes for the 2-2 draw with Qarabag, extending his streak to five consecutive matches with at least seven alterations to his starting XI. Despite surrendering points to the Azerbaijani side, who claimed their first-ever draw against English opposition, senior Chelsea figures remain convinced that Maresca’s methods are both necessary and effective for the long term.

  The decision to shuffle personnel so frequently has been met with mixed results; Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Wolves and a 1-0 triumph at Tottenham showed the policy can yield results, but defeats like the 2-1 loss to Sunderland and the midweek stalemate have prompted external questions about rhythm and chemistry. Internally, however, there is little concern. Chelsea’s leadership view rotation as a key part of their strategic plan to protect the fitness of their young, evolving squad and to manage a demanding schedule across four competitions.

  Wednesday’s draw in Baku again highlighted both the benefits and risks of such an approach. A rotated side, averaging just 23 years of age, struggled for cohesion early on, falling behind before Alejandro Garnacho salvaged a point.

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  Club understand importance of building long-term cohesion

  Chelsea’s hierarchy have made it clear that Maresca’s management style aligns with the club’s modern footballing strategy under co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. Their vision is centred around youth development, tactical adaptability, and minute management to avoid burnout across a gruelling schedule that includes the Champions League, Premier League, Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, and all these commitments come after a summer of Club World Cup action.

  The policy also serves a practical purpose. With a squad rebuilt around players aged 18 to 25, many of whom are in their first or second Premier League seasons, the coaching staff are deliberately pacing their development. Maresca’s willingness to rest stars like Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Reece James, even for high-profile fixtures, is viewed as responsible rather than reckless. The club’s analytics department has reportedly provided strong data in support of the approach, suggesting fewer long-term injuries and improved physical output among regular starters.

• Chelsea continue to build-up fringe players' fitness

  The Qarabag draw may have tested that belief, but the context provides insight into Chelsea’s thinking. The fixture came just three days after a draining Premier League win at Tottenham and required a 5,000-mile round trip to Baku, an intense turnaround that left several players nursing minor knocks.

  Romeo Lavia’s early injury meant Caicedo entered after just eight minutes, while Fernandez was introduced at halftime to stabilise a shaky midfield. Still, there were flashes of Chelsea’s potential amid the chaos. 18-year-old Estevao, now the club’s top scorer this season, struck early, and Garnacho’s late equaliser salvaged a point in an otherwise uneven performance. Chelsea’s rotation-heavy approach has also yielded positives across the wider campaign, including increased game time for promising prospects like Tyrique George, Jorrel Hato, and Jamie Gittens, all of whom are expected to form part of the club’s long-term core.

  Critically, Maresca’s relationship with Chelsea’s multi-director structure has been described as strong and communicative. He is said to meet weekly with the sporting leadership team to align on squad planning and player workloads, ensuring that decisions around selection are made collaboratively.

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  Likely to rotate against Wolves as well

  Chelsea’s immediate focus turns back to domestic competition, where they face Wolves at Stamford Bridge this weekend. The club expects Maresca to continue with his rotation-heavy model, albeit with tweaks to ensure balance and stability as the team pursues Champions League qualification. The coaching staff believe that once key players regain fitness and younger stars find rhythm, results will begin to mirror performances more consistently.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler is out of the All-Star Game Tuesday, and a first-time selection will replace him.

San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon has been named to his first All-Star team to replace Wheeler, Major League Baseball announced Friday afternoon.

Morejon, a 26-year-old Havana native who defected from Cuba in 2015, will participate in his first All-Star Game in his seventh year in MLB. He has been a rock for the Padres' bullpen this season, going 7–3 with a 1.71 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 42 innings.

San Diego now has five All-Stars; Morejon will join pitcher Jason Adam, third baseman Manny Machado, pitcher Robert Suarez, and outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

Wheeler, the National League's 35-year-old strikeout leader, had been due to make his third All-Star appearance amid his continuing late-career success.

Morejon's Padres are currently 50–43, third in the NL West division and 5.5 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit…

"It was the toughest game," said Gerard Pique after Barcelona's seemingly unremarkable 3-0 victory over Las Palmas in October 2017. That was because the match coincided with an all together more important event in the world-class defender's life. On that Sunday, Pique was thinking about something even more important to him: the referendum that was supposed to secure Catalunya's independence from Spain, in which Pique himself had cast his vote a few hours earlier.

"It was a tough day. I am and feel Catalan, today more than ever. I am proud of the behaviour of the people of Catalunya. Voting is a right that must be defended," said Pique through tears.

As a precaution, the match at Camp Nou was played behind closed doors, while outside dramatic scenes were unfolding as the Spanish police took violent action against what was deemed to be an illegal referendum.

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  Face of a movement

  Although around 90 percent of voters were in favour of independence, the autonomous community in the north-east of the country remained part of Spain because the nation's government did not recognise the result. For Pique, who calls himself not only a proud Catalan but also a Spaniard, this was a bitter outcome.

  In the run-up to the referendum, the defensive giant had campaigned intensively to get as many people as possible to vote, increasingly becoming one of the faces of the Catalan independence movement. Pique, however, felt the painful consequences to his reputation immediately after the referendum.

  During a public training session for the Spain national team in preparation for a World Cup qualifying match against Albania in early October 2017, the then-Barca star was not only booed by some spectators, but also insulted. 'Pique, get out' was written on one of the signs directed towards the defender, and after only about 20 minutes, the session had to be stopped because the atmosphere became so hostile.

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  Between two worlds

  The previous day, Pique had tearfully offered his resignation to Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, who declined it, and the day after the training session was cut short, Pique appeared at a press conference to signal unity while emphasising that he had quickly dismissed thoughts of an early end to his career with La Roja.

  "I've been playing for Spain for almost 10 years now. I'm not going to disappear through the back door," said the then-30-year-old while refusing to publicly take a stand on Catalunya's independence: "We footballers are global figures, we can't take sides. In this difficult political situation, dialogue is the only way forward, otherwise things will get even worse. Who cares how I react? I can and am allowed to have my opinion. Many want independence – many don't."

  Nevertheless, Pique often found himself caught between two worlds in the national team environment. The tensions between the proud Barca icon and the stars of his counterparts from the Spanish capital ran too deep, and not just because of the well-known club rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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  Key to two dynasties

  "Every victory against Real Madrid is symbolic," said Pique after a Clasico triumph in March 2019, and it was clear to everyone that he was also referring to the political tensions between the two clubs. He also endured a love-hate relationship with Blancos legend Sergio Ramos, as the pair came together for the national team despite being rivals at club level.

  "I defend my colours, Pique defends his. And when we defend the same thing, we do it together. But don't expect me to hug him after a Clasico," Ramos once said of his international team-mate.

  Although they obviously never got along particularly well, Pique and Ramos celebrated huge successes togther. They were fixtures in Spain's defence during the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship titles, playing a decisive role in the Iberians' most successful era.

  At club level, Pique, who grew up in Barca's famous La Masia academy, left the Blaugrana at the age of 17 to join Manchester United. But after failing to make his big breakthrough at Old Trafford, he returned to Barcelona in 2008 and became a cornerstone of their successful era under Pep Guardiola.

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  Off-field headlines

  Pique combined resolute tackling, heading ability, outstanding positioning and elegance on the ball, thus setting the style for the ideal Spanish centre-back. However, even around the time of his first major tournament, the 2010 World Cup, he was also making headlines off the pitch.

  After all, it was then that he laid the foundation for his long-term relationship with singer Shakira, with whom he has two children. The Colombian singer performed 'Waka Waka', the official song of the tournament in South Africa, and after meeting her during his brief appearance in the accompanying music video, Pique went on the offensive.

  "I told her that we had to get to the final so that I could see her again – she performed at the final," the Spaniard later revealed .

  Both plans worked out. Spain reached the final, where they crowned themselves world champions with a victory over the Netherlands, and Pique won Shakira's heart. Their relationship lasted 11 years before, in the summer of 2022, the couple announced their separation. Pique is alleged to have cheated on Shakira, and in the months following the break-up, a public mudslinging match took place.