Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke will surely be incredibly frustrated by his side’s lack of quality in the final third after what happened at the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Football Insider last month, journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed that the German boss wanted two additions to the squad that never came to pass.

The reporter said: “There will be a hint of frustration for Daniel Farke – they missed out on some targets. They are still lacking a bit up front, Leeds and he fears for them on that front – not getting the deal done for Manor Solomon will be a blow to Farke and the Leeds fans, because he had such a great impact there on loan last season.

“They tried to sign Harry Wilson on deadline day from Fulham and weren’t able to get that deal over the line as well, so they were looking to add some creativity in the final third.”

Instead of landing Manor Solomon, who scored ten goals on loan at Elland Road last season, or Harry Wilson, the club were unable to land any additional attacking signings in the final days of the window.

That recruitment failure from those above Farke has left the manager in a position where Jack Harrison is starting in the Premier League, which is a tough position to be in.

Why Leeds need to move on from Jack Harrison

The English winger returned to Elland Road in the summer after spending the previous two seasons on loan with Everton, which meant that he did not take part in the club’s two Championship campaigns.

Harrison’s form with the Toffees did not suggest that he was likely to return to Thorp Arch to improve their options at the top end of the pitch, as he struggled badly last term.

In the 2024/25 campaign, the left-footed dud scored one from 3.52 xG and failed to provide any assists in 34 appearances and 24 starts in the Premier League, per Sofascore, which shows that he was incredibly ineffective in the final third.

Appearances

7

Starts

1

Goals

0

Big chances missed

1

Key passes per game

0.1

Assists

0

Successful dribbles per game

0.4

Cross accuracy

13%

As you can see in the table above, Harrison has offered very little in possession on the pitch this season, with no goals and just one chance created in seven appearances in the Premier League.

The £90k-per-week flop’s form for Everton last season suggests that he is unlikely to improve much from this point, which is why the club should be looking to move on from him in the summer.

Farke wanted Wilson and Solomon at the end of the window, which suggests that he was not happy with his wide options, and it has been reported that the club will go back in for Wilson in January.

A move for the Fulham forward, who has scored seven Premier League goals since the start of last season (Sofascore), could leave Harrison surplus to requirements.

The English winger is not the only player in the squad who may be on borrowed time ahead of the January transfer window, though, as there are others who have struggled to adapt to the top-flight.

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

Brenden Aaronson is one and as as much as this may not be a popular thing to point out, there is a case to be made that central midfielder Ao Tanaka may not be suited to playing in the Premier League.

Why Ao Tanaka may be on borrowed time at Leeds

The Japan international was a star for the Whites when they won the Championship title last season, using his ability on the ball to dominate matches for Farke. After all, his manager described him as “unbelievable” for his performances.

He ranked within the top 7% of midfielders in the division for passes attempted per 90 (72.43) and for progressive passes per 90 (7.03), per FBref, which shows that he excelled in possession in the second tier.

The 27-year-old star also scored five goals from a central midfield position to help Leeds on their way to winning the tite with a staggering 100-point haul.

However, the step up to the Premier League has meant that Leeds have had to alter their style of play as they are unable to dominate matches with the ball as much as they were able to do in the Championship, which has been bad news for Tanaka.

Journalist Graham Smyth raised concerns over the midfielder’s physicality last month, saying: “My concern with Tanaka was physicality in the Premier League. He got run over a few times towards the end of the last season. I worried a little bit, against the most elite athletes in the Premier League.”

The central midfielder’s form in the top-flight so far this season backs up the reporter’s concerns, as he has struggled in his duels across his six appearances so far.

Burnley

0% (0/0)

Spurs

67% (2/3)

Bournemouth

20% (1/5)

Wolves

0% (0/0)

Arsenal

0% (0/6)

Everton

29% (2/7)

As you can see in the table above, Tanaka has only won more than 29% of his duels in one of his six outings in the Premier League this season for the Whites.

Per Sofascore, he has lost 76% of his duels in total, including 80% of his ground duels, and this shows that opposition players have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

This may be why Farke has preferred a midfield trio of Ethan Ampadu, Sean Longstaff, and Anton Stach, as all three of them have won over 50% of their duels in the top-flight, per Sofascore.

Tanaka is a brilliant technician, as evidenced by his aforementioned form in the Championship, but the physical nature of a relegation battle in the Premier League seems to have rendered him ineffective in the middle of the park.

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If these issues persist until January, there may be a decision to make on his short-term future at Elland Road in the next January transfer window.

Following the news of Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, Celtic have reportedly added Robbie Keane to their shortlist of managerial candidates. The former Leeds United coach joins the likes of Ange Postecoglou as the Bhoys seek a new permanent boss.

It’s been a dramatic week for those at Celtic Park. First losing 3-1 and conceding an eight-point gap to surprise Scottish Premiership leaders Heart, those in Glasgow then received Rodgers’ shock resignation – sparking a managerial search and a brutal statement from majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Accusing Rodgers of being “self-serving” and “divisive”, Desmond didn’t hold back. Whether the manager, himself, soon has his own say is now the big question.

In the meantime, the show must go on at Celtic, who have hired veteran manager Martin O’Neill on an interim basis. Keeping the seat warm, O’Neill will be expected to steady the ship as soon as the Old Firm derby against Rangers this week. The Bhoys meet their rivals in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.

The longer their search for a manager goes on, however, the more questions that will be asked at Celtic. So far, names such as Postecoglou and former Borussia Dortmund man Edin Terzic have both been mentioned, with the former a particularly strong candidate thanks to his previous experience in Glasgow.

The Australian could certainly do with a return to Scotland too, following a disastrous 39-day spell at Nottingham Forest. But he’s not the only one on Celtic’s shortlist, with Keane also among the reported options.

The change of style that Robbie Keane would bring to Celtic

As reported by journalist Ben Jacobs, Keane has now made the shortlist at Celtic as they search for their next manager.

The 45-year-old is currently in charge of Hungarian side Ferencvaros and has had previous experience at Maccabi Tel Aviv as well as in an assistant role at Ireland, Middlsbrough and Leeds United.

Some may question Keane’s experience, or more the lack of it, but his style of football is something to keep an eye on. The former Liverpool and Celtic attacker told reporters in 2020 that he likes to play energetic, pressing football, which could finally unlock the Bhoys’ free-scoring talents once again.

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Daizen Maeda would arguably benefit the most from the change in style from Rodgers’ slower, possession-based approach. The forward scored 33 goals in all competitions last season, before struggling with just three in 13 in the current campaign.

What’s more, the fact that O’Neill already knows Keane well from his playing days could help his case. The current interim boss once even praised his former forward as “terrific” during his time on the pitch.

Celtic linked with manager who nearly joined Rangers

With Ruben Amorim set to keep hold of his job at Old Trafford, Manchester United are reportedly preparing a January offer to sign a midfield star who he loves.

Ratcliffe defends making Man Utd staff cuts

After revealing that he’s willing to give Amorim as long as three years to make his mark at Man United, INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has defended his decision to make a number of staff cuts earlier this year. The British billionaire insisted that profitability is key to any success and used United’s recent record revenue as an example.

Alas, even as results begin to improve off the pitch, they’ve remained woeful on the pitch. Amorim’s side have won just twice in seven Premier League games and are yet to even win back-to-back league games under the former Sporting Club manager.

Alarm bells have been ringing all season, but Amorim maintains the faith of INEOS. In fact, instead of sacking the manager, the minority owners are reportedly prepared to back him in the transfer market once again and could even welcome a midfielder that he loves in 2026.

Man Utd preparing Hjulmand offer

According to reports in Spain, Man United are now preparing a €60m (£52m) offer to sign Morten Hjulmand from Sporting Club. The Denmark midfielder thrived under Amorim at Sporting and could now become the first player from his former side to complete a move to Old Trafford in 2026.

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Amorim has never shied away from praising the 26-year-old, either. The Man United boss told reporters after his final game in charge of Sporting, in which Hjulmand scored in a 4-2 victory: “It was a great goal by a fantastic player and captain who arrived at Sporting a year ago.”

The leader that the Red Devils are arguably lacking, Hjulmand would slot straight into Amorim’s midfield next to Manuel Ugarte – allowing Bruno Fernandes to move back to an advanced role in the process.

Minutes

720

626

Progressive Passes

50

61

Tackles Won

13

7

Ball Recoveries

50

43

When compared, it’s the Dane’s defensive traits that stand out and those traits would allow one of the best midfielders in the world to play in his best role under Amorim. If United can secure his signature for just £52m, then Hjulmand would simply be a no-brainer.

One of the best players in the world over the last 12 months has been former Leeds United star Raphinha. The Brazilian has shone for Barcelona, and scored 34 goals and assisted 26 in just 57 games under Hansi Flick last term.

His exceptional performances were certainly seen by people across the world. The culmination of Raphinha’s success last season saw him finish fifth in the Ballon d’Or race, with Lamine Yamal the only Barca player ahead of him.

Injury has slowed his season down in 2025/26, but he has five goals and assists in six La Liga games.

Leeds fans will never forget his contribution in his final season at the club.

Raphinha’s importance during the 2021/22 season

Brazil international Raphinha only spent two campaigns at Elland Road. The first season was behind closed doors due to COVID, but he had already established himself as a fan favourite.

The second campaign was excellent too, and incredibly important.

The Whites avoided relegation by the skin of the teeth on the final day of the 2021/22 season.

It would turn out to be Raphinha’s last appearance for the West Yorkshire side, and he scored a crucial penalty in their 2-1 win away to Brentford, which helped keep them in the Premier League.

It was more than just that spot kick at the Gtech Community Stadium that signified Raphinha’s importance. He bagged 11 goals and assisted three across the season, including a run of seven goal involvements in ten games between October and January.

His pivotal contributions did not go unnoticed by fans and ex-players alike. One man who could not praise Raphinha enough was Noel Whelan, their former striker. He said the Brazilian “gave everything to keep Leeds United in the Premier League,” showing just how much it meant to the club.

In their promotion campaign last season, Leeds had a player vital to their success, although he has rapidly fallen out of favour at Elland Road.

The Leeds star now out of favour

A few players under Daniel Farke this season have fallen down the pecking order after a busy summer transfer window. Illan Meslier and Joel Piroe are two examples of players who were crucial to earning promotion but have had little or no involvement this term.

Well, someone else who fits that category is Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka. He is a player who Farke clearly rates, and called him an “outstanding” player last season. Summer signings have meant he is struggling to get into the team this term, though.

Last season, the 34-cap Japanese international was a key man in the centre of the park for the West Yorkshire side.

He played 43 Championship games, chipping in with five goals and two assists, including a late strike against promotion rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

It was that sort of form which has led to Tanaka being hailed as the club’s best signing since Raphinha. It is easy to see why, too, with the contributions from midfield helping the Whites to return to the Premier League.

After starting the first couple of top-flight games this season, Tanaka picked up an injury and has since been out of the team. Farke has built momentum in the midfield with Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, meaning Tanaka can’t get into the lineup.

Ethan Ampadu

6

519 (5.7)

Anton Stach

8

680 (7.5)

Sean Longstaff

8

566 (6.2)

Ao Tanaka

6

190 (2.1)

Ilia Gruev

4

193 (2.1)

Perhaps Tanaka is on borrowed time at Elland Road. Once someone so important to the club, he now can’t get a game under Farke, and with the continuity we are seeing in the middle of the park, it is hard to see where his next start comes from.

Given his crucial role last term, the 27-year-old might well decide to consider his future if the situation doesn’t improve.

After showing his importance, just like Raphinha did a few years ago, his career has certainly gone the other way than how things panned out for the Brazilian.

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أجرى توماس توخيل مدرب منتخب إنجلترا مؤتمراً صحفياً للحديث عن استعدادات الأسود الثلاثة لمواجهة صربيا غداً في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

وسئل توماس توخيل حول إذا كان وقت التجارب قد انتهى، ورد في تصريحات نشرتها “بي بي سي” البريطانية :”لم أشعر أننا كنا نجري تجارب في آخر معسكرين ولن نبدأ في هذا المعسكر، نهتم بالأمر، هذه تصفيات كأس العالم على أرضنا ونريد البناء والمواصلة”.

وأضاف عن ماركوس راشفورد وحول إذا كان يشعر بالقلق من تراجع حالته النفسية مع نهاية إعارته لبرشلونة: “لا نحن في نوفمبر الآن، إنه في برشلونة لأنه يستحق ذلك، عليه أن يثبت جدارته كل ثلاث أيام هناك، هذا أمر جيد لنا وعليه أن يثبت جدارته في معسكراتنا وهذا أمر طبيعي وصحيح، لا يزال أمامنا وقت طويل، لم أصل بعد لكأس العالم، نحن نتعامل مع كل شيء عندما يتعلق الأمر بذلك، إنه في وضع جيد الآن، هو تنافسي ولهذا السبب هو هنا، عليه أن يثبت جدارته في المباراتين القادمتين”.

وواصل عن بيلينجهام: “عودته رائعة، لقد سادت أجواء رائعة خلال اليومين الماضيين والجميع سعيد بالتواجد في المعسكر، الجو تنافسي والأجواء هادئة والجميع سعيد بالتواجد في المعسكر، الروح المعنوية والطاقة في الملعب التدريبي هذا ما نطمح له، لدينا جلسة تدريبية أخرى غداً لنكون أكثر تنافسية، بيلينجهام جزء من هذه التدريبات”.

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وتحدث عن خطته وتشكيله الأساسي: “لا أعرف الكثير عن الغد، لكنني لا أعرف الكثير في مايو ويونيو، أمنع نفسي من معرفة الكثير أو التظاهر بذلك، لأن الكثير وارد، لا أحد يريد الإصابات لكنها واردة، وقد ينسحب اللاعبون وقد يتراجع مستواهم وقد يكون آخرون في أفضل حالاتهم لذا أنا منفتح جداً، لا أشعر بالضغط أو رغبة كأس العالم حالياً، أشعر فقط بالحماس والضغط قبل الغد، الأمر يسير خطوة بخطوة والخطوة التالية هي صربيا غداً”.

وسئل عن فكرة الاعتماد على فودين وبيلينجهام معاً: “فودين وجود لم يتدربا كثيراً حتى أمس، سيعودان للملعب اليوم، لكن لأول مرة وبكامل طاقتهما، من الرائع دائماً وجود فودين، هو شخص لطيف ومثل بيلينجهام، هو جزء من الفريق وأنا سعيد بتواجدهما معاً”.

وحول رأي توخيل في صربيا إذا كانت تغيرت منذ آخر مباراة: “ما زلت أعتقد أنهم كانوا فريقًا رائعًا يملكون سجلًا رائعًا في بلجراد، الفضل يعود لنا في عدم السماح لهم بإظهار جودتهم، ويعود ذلك لجودتنا، لم نسمح لهم بالتنفس أو الدخول في أجواء المباراة، الآن لديهم مدرب جديد بطاقة جديدة ونفس المجموعة القوية وعلينا أن نكرر ذلك، لا يجب إساءة تفسير المباراة السابقة أنها مباراة سهلة ويتعين علينا بذل الكثير من الجهد غداً، هو اختبار كبير لنا للتكيف في المباراة وضغطنا وتشكيلتنا اعتماداً على ما يقدمه الخصم ولا نعرف ما سيحدث في هيكلهم ويمكننا فقط التخمين والافتراض، ليس لدينا أي دليل على أن الفريق والمدرب يلعبان معاً”.

وأكمل توخيل عن توقعاته من فودين وبيلينجهام: “أتوقع ما يظهرانه، أن يكونا جزءاً من المجموعة مباشرة، كنا نحقق المستويات المطلوبة بدونهما، نحن ملزمون بتحقيق معاييرنا الخاصة وبناء على ما يمكننا بنائه، فقد عادا ومن مسؤوليتهما المساهمة في هذا وهذا ما يفعلانه، المعايير واضحة”.

واختتم عن جاهزية لاعبيه: “الجميع يتدربون باستثناء جويهي، إصابته مؤلمة للغاية، يعاني من ألم ومن المحتمل أن تتحسن حالته بشكل ملحوظ من يوم لآخر، لذا نعمل بواقعية استعداداً للمباراة القادمة، إذا لم يتدرب الجمعة ولم يتدرب السبت، فلن يسافر معنا وسيحصل على الراحة والعلاج، نريده أن يبقى معنا وقريباً منا لأنه أحد قادتنا ولاعب مهم، هو حلقة وصل بين العديد من اللاعبين ومن الجيد أن نراه يبذل قصارى جهده للمشاركة في المباراة القادمة وسنقيم حالته يومياً”.

Juventus are reportedly ready to sell star forward Jonathan David in January, just months after his summer arrival, according to Sky Sports. The Canadian has scored just once in 11 games, with his team now contacting major clubs like Tottenham and Bayern Munich. With new boss Luciano Spalletti snubbing him, a "quick exit" is now being considered by the Bianconeri.

• David's struggle to adapt to Serie A

  Juventus have placed David on the transfer market and are considering a shock January exit, just months after he joined the club, according to a report from Sky Sports.

  The 25-year-old striker has struggled significantly to establish himself in Turin following his summer switch from Lille. His entourage has reportedly been in constant contact with several major European clubs, with Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich both inquiring about the conditions for a potential winter transfer.

  David arrived at Juventus with a prolific reputation, having scored 25 goals and provided 12 assists in 49 games for Lille during the 2024-25 campaign. However, he has failed to replicate that form in Italy.

  According to Sky Sports, David has featured in 11 matches for the Bianconeri but has played only 51 per cent of the available minutes. His statistical return has been minimal, registering just one goal and one assist. That lone goal came in the season's opening fixture against Parma in August, and he has failed to find the net since. This lack of output has alarmed the Juventus hierarchy, prompting them to explore a "quick exit."

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  Tottenham lead chase amid attacking crisis

  Tottenham have emerged as a primary suitor, driven by a desperate need for attacking reinforcements. Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Spurs have made a formal inquiry regarding the conditions for a January deal.

  The North London club are reeling from a long-term injury to striker Dominic Solanke, which has left their frontline severely depleted. Head coach Thomas Frank is overseeing a dismal run of form that has seen Spurs win just one of their last five matches across all competitions. Most worryingly, they have failed to score in three of those five games.

  The club's current backup strikers, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel, have been unable to step up, managing just one goal between them all season. This has forced the club to seek an immediate solution in the winter market, with David's potential availability seen as a timely opportunity.

• Bayern Munich also monitoring situation

  Spurs are not the only European giant monitoring the situation. The report states that David's representatives have also reached out to Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions have similarly inquired about what it would take to sign the Canadian, as they assess their own forward options heading into the second half of the season.

  The involvement of both Spurs and Bayern suggests a competitive market could form if Juventus formally commit to a sale, despite David's poor run of form.

  Any hope that a change in the dugout would immediately revive David's Juventus career appears to have been misplaced. The club dismissed Igor Tudor last week following a disastrous eight-game winless run.

  New manager Luciano Spalletti was appointed on Thursday and oversaw his first match on Saturday—a nervy 2-1 away win against Cremonese. David's role in the victory was minimal, as he was left on the bench until the 85th minute, coming on for just five minutes to help see out the result.

  Spalletti’s starting XI sent a clear message, preferring a front three of Dusan Vlahovic, Lois Openda, and Filip Kostic. This selection indicates that the former Italy boss currently views David as "impact cover" rather than a key part of his starting plans.

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• Juve 'open' to sale as free transfer guarantees profit

  From the Bianconeri's perspective, a January sale is financially appealing. A report from Gazzetta dello Sport claims Juventus are "open" to letting David leave.

  Crucially, David arrived on a free transfer during the summer after his contract at Lille expired. This means any fee received for the 25-year-old would represent 100 per cent profit on the club's balance sheet.

  Despite his struggles in Turin, David’s market value is still estimated to be around €45 million (£39m/ $52m), a valuation reflecting his stellar record at Lille, where he scored 109 goals, provided 30 assists, and won a Ligue 1 title in 232 games. This financial incentive may outweigh the sporting desire to wait for the player to find his form.

MatériaMais Notícias

Sem Calleri, que só deve retornar para a temporada 2024 por conta da cirurgia no tornozelo, Erison terá um desafio pela frente. Nesta temporada, ‘El Toro’ chegou com uma função: ser uma segunda opção no elenco justamente para a posição na qual o argentino ocupa.

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Mas com contrato até o final do ano, a temporada não foi das melhores para Erison. Isso porque o jogador sofreu bastante com lesões, o que causou uma perda de espaço na equipe. Em abril, sofreu um estiramento na coxa esquerda. O tratamento atrasou também por conta de um estiramento na fibrose pouco tempo depois.

Após três meses, retornou aos gramados, em um jogo contra o Bahia. Lá, deixou a partida chorando ainda no primeiro tempo ao sentir dores na mesma coxa que tinha lesionado. Nesta temporada, Erison atuou por oito partidas, mas desde o jogo contra o Bahia em julho, não entra mais em campo.

Mas quais os planos do São Paulo para o jogador? Como dito anteriormente, seu contrato com a equipe termina no final do ano. Com o retorno dos jogos após a Data Fifa e o período de convocações, Erison pode surgir como uma opção para o atleta. E por este motivo, esse período de ‘testes’ deve acontecer.

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A ideia é buscar um centroavante no mercado. Mas caso Erison mostre que está correspondendo, uma renovação pode ser feita. Tudo depende de como irá se desenrolar nos próximos jogos. O diretor de futebol do São Paulo, Carlos Belmonte, esclareceu a situação do jogador, comparando com o mesmo que deve acontecer com David – que vive um cenário parecido.

– Assim como o Erison, ele teve alguns problemas de contusão ao longo da temporada e ele acabou não tendo grandes sequências. Queremos ver um pouco mais até o final da temporada para decidir se vai fazer a aquisição, se vamos tentar novo empréstimo. O que eu posso dizer tanto do David quanto do Erison é que são excelentes profissionais, comprometidos – explicou sobre os jogadores em entrevista ao ‘Globo Esporte’.

O São Paulo volta a jogar na quarta-feira (18), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, contra o Goiás. O jogo será às 21h30 (de Brasília), no estádio da Serrinha.

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Alex Malcolm26-Jul-2025

Cameron Green struck an unbeaten half-century•Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

Another composed unbeaten half-century from Cameron Green and some stunning hitting and catching from Glenn Maxwell helped Australia post a fourth straight win over a deflated West Indies in Basseterre.Green made an unbeaten 55 from 35 to steer Australia home to a target of 206 with three wickets and four balls to spare following a middle-order collapse. The chase had earlier been set up by 51 off 30 from Josh Inglis while Player-of-the-Match Maxwell smashed 47 off 18 at the top of the order. Second-gamer Jediah Blades briefly threatened to be the hero with an outstanding spell of 3 for 29 but West Indies’ fielding once again let them down.Related

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Australia, by contrast, were flawless in the field with Maxwell taking two catches and combining with Green to complete a stunning catch on the rope to back up an excellent bowling performance. With Ben Dwarshuis and Tim David rested, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett grabbed their chance, taking 2 for 24 and 2 for 39 respectively, including three powerplay wickets to restrict West Indies. Nathan Ellis was sensational again bowling four overs for 21 runs while Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott also took five wickets between them.West Indies became the first team in T20I history to score 200 without anyone scoring more than 34, with Sherfane Rutherford top-scoring with 31.Bartlett and Hardie take powerplay wicketsAs well as Australia have bowled in this series, they had only taken one powerplay wicket in the first three games. The selection of Bartlett and Hardie changed that. Both men had success with hard lengths rather than swing up front. Bartlett cramped both Brandon King and Shai Hope on consecutive deliveries in different overs while Hardie benefitted from Maxwell’s superb catching at mid-on. Having caught Hope diving forward on the circle, he casually stretched up with the one hand to pluck a Roston Chase drive off Hardie.Jediah Blades struck crucial blows•Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

West Indies kept hitting despite the regular loss of wickets. Rutherford, Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer clubbed six sixes and seven fours between them. But none of them passed 31 as they all holed out with miscues. Mitchell Owen continued Australia’s fine catching with a brilliant diving effort running in from deep backward point to remove Hetmyer. When Powell holed out to hand Hardie his second, West Indies were 119 for 6 after 11.1.Mind-blowing Maxwell changes the gameShepherd and Jason Holder were unperturbed by the scoreboard. Shepherd’s hitting showed he could well be used as a full-fledged allrounder in this West Indies line-up. He mixed power and touch to maul Abbott. He lifted West Indies beyond 150 before the end of the 15th over but his dismissal summed up the difference between the two sides.Maxwell not only robbed Shepherd of a certain six but he ended his innings with the same stunning act. Shepherd clubbed Zampa flat to long-on and it looked to have easily cleared Maxwell. But he defied gravity and logic to jump as high as he could at full stretch to catch it with two hands and land on his left leg, which is still full of hardware from his fracture in 2022, before flicking it back to the waiting Green while momentum carried him over the rope. Maxwell’s two catches on the scorecard will be an unjust historical record of his contribution to the match.Australia’s death bowling was superb again, conceding just 41 from the final five overs which took an additional 55 minutes to complete due to a long rain delay between Ellis’ second ball of the final over and his third.Inglis and Maxwell cause déjà vuThere was a brief moment when West Indies’ fortunes defending a total might have taken a different turn. Blades found swing first up and pinned Mitchell Marsh lbw second ball. Marsh’s decision not to review it despite ball-tracking showing it pitched outside leg might have been the luck West Indies needed.Early swing for Blades and Holder saw a circumspect Australia score just 12 off the first two overs. But as soon as the swing disappeared, déjà vu set in. Inglis smashed seven boundaries in the next 11 balls. He added a four and a six off Matthew Forde’s first over of the series to raise a 50-run stand with Maxwell who contributed one run. Inglis reached his 50 off 28 balls and ended up facing 29 balls in the powerplay before holing out to deep square off a full toss outside leg.The lack of strike did not concern Maxwell nor did the field spreading outside the powerplay. He launched six sixes in typical Maxwell style, including three in three balls, to put Australia miles ahead of the required rate and briefly threatened to match Tim David’s record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Australian less than 24 hours after it was set as Australia cruised to 129 for 2 after 10.It’s the hope that kills youA Maxwell miscue off Akeal Hosein sparked a collapse and gave West Indies a chance at victory. Blades loomed as the unlikely hero. He made Owen miscue to deep cover point and Cooper Connolly to mis-hit one to mid-off in the space of three balls. He then had Hardie dropped twice in two balls, with Shai Hope spilling a catch down the leg side before Blades failed to grasp a return offering himself.But Green held his nerve to post his third half-century of the series. Every time West Indies bowlers threatened to close out a boundary-free over, he cleared the rope to ease the pressure. He reached his 50 off 30 balls with the required rate well under a run-a-ball despite Australia being six down. He offered a chance late with 11 to win, but Rutherford dropped a catch at deep midwicket to continue West Indies’ nightmare series.

Hobart Hurricanes started poorly in the 168 chase, but got close because of a big stand between Nabi and Allen

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jul-2025A 113-run partnership for the fourth wicket between captain Tom Bruce and Curtis Heaphy, and a strong bowling performance led by Ajaz Patel and Blair Tickner took Central Districts past Hobart Hurricanes. That earned Central Districts their first points in GSL 2025.Having chosen to bat after losing their first and second matches in the competition having opting to field, Bruce got in after another poor start, with Central Districts losing Dane Cleaver and Will Young by the end of the powerplay, which came with 37 runs on the board.It soon became 40 for 3 in the eighth over, bringing Bruce and Heaphy together. And they were unseparated for 12 overs, batting through to the middle of the last over of the innings and scoring quickly. Their 113-run stand came in 73 balls, with Bruce being the aggressor by contributing 61 in 35 balls, and Heaphy 50 in 38. When Bruce fell, to Odean Smith, Central Districts had 153 on the board, and Matthew Forde went 6, 6 and 2 off the last three balls to take them to 167.The reply from Hobart Hurricanes was poor. They were two down in the powerplay, like Central Districts, and three down for 38 by the end of the eighth over. It got worse, as the wickets kept falling, and six batters were back in the dugout by the end of the 15th, with just 84 runs on the board. Ajaz had two of those six, and ended with figures of 4 for 18.That Hobart Hurricanes put up a fight and got to within 16 runs of matching their opponents was down to Mohammad Nabi, and his 65-run stand with Fabian Allen for the seventh wicket. Nabi scored a 25-ball 43, and Allen an unbeaten 36 from 16 deliveries with five sixes.The defeat meant all three of Hobart Hurricanes, Dubai Capitals and Central Districts are on two points from three games each. But Hobart Hurricanes are at No. 3 on the five-team table, followed by Dubai Capitals and Central Districts, who are at the bottom, based on their net run rates.

Northamptonshire 126 for 4 (McManus 39) trail Middlesex 625 for 8 dec (Holden 151, Williamson 114, du Plooy 105*, Cracknell 73, Robson 57) by 499 runsKane Williamson and Leus Du Plooy scored centuries as records wanted and unwanted were set on day two of Middlesex’s Rothesay County Championship clash with Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors’ School.Former New Zealand Test skipper Williamson’s 114 came on his Championship debut for the Seaxes, while Du Plooy’s unbeaten 105 was his first in four-day cricket this season.Williamson and Max Holden (151) took their mammoth second wicket stand to 239, so eclipsing the 222 of Sydney Brown and Bill Edrich at Lord’s in 1949 and, with Joe Cracknell adding a blistering 73 Middlesex totalled 625 for 8, their highest ever score against the Steelbacks.Saif Zaib took 3 for 70 amid the run-fest, but fellow spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned 0 for 175 – the worst return by a Northamptonshire bowler without taking a wicket in Championship history – all on his 35th birthday.Needing 476 to avoid the follow-on, Northamptonshire reached 54 without loss before stumbling to 126 for 4 by the close, Lewis McManus top scoring with 39, Ryan Higgins taking 2 for 17.Williamson moved smoothly from his overnight 88 not out to a century completed with two runs into the leg-side. Day one centurion Holden looked a little scratchy before two boundaries took him past 150. However, no sooner had he reached the landmark when Ben Sanderson trapped him lbw on the back foot.As so often with huge stands both protagonists fell in quick succession, Williamson pinned in front by Liam Guthrie in the next over.Despite the double strike, the hosts hardly missed a beat, Higgins and Du Plooy sharing a stand of 67 in only 13 overs. Higgins drove the ball crisply to make 35 before Zaib struck twice in two balls, first removing the all-rounder leg-before and then trimming Ben Geddes’ off-bail.Any Northamptonshire hopes of getting the hosts for under 500 were quashed either side of lunch with Cracknell, who made 100 in the reverse fixture a month ago playing a gem of a knock.The wicketkeeper/batter, in the wilderness until the recent arrival of Dane Vilas, twice cleared the ropes and cut and swept with authority, playing the dominant hand in a stand of 124 with skipper Du Plooy. He eventually fell hooking one from Dominic Leach to Guthrie at long leg and when Zafar Gohar and Toby Roland-Jones fell cheaply there were fears Du Plooy would run out of partners before reaching three figures.Du Plooy, who’d earlier thrashed a full-toss from Chahal back over the bowler’s head for six, looked unperturbed, driving stylishly and stroking the ball into the gaps. His 10th four brought him to 100 in the shadows of tea.Tom Helm provided great support with two huge sixes in a sprightly cameo, allowing the hosts to declare at the interval.Northamptonshire began brightly, McManus unfurling a flurry of boundaries, Middlesex’s left-arm seamer Noah Cornwell on the receiving end of the flack.He and Ricardo Vasconcelos rattled up a 50-stand, but the left-hander played a little skittishly before edging Higgins to Du Plooy at slip, who clung on at the second attempt.Aadi Sharma was dropped on nought by Holden at long leg to deny Higgins a second wicket, but his response was to trap McManus lbw with his next delivery.Gohar soon found the edge of James Sales’ bat, and though Sharma threatened to make the most of his reprieve with some wristy cuts and fluent drives he too fell to Roland-Jones in the death throes of the day.