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And who has played the most Tests without ever taking a catch?

Steven Lynch19-Aug-2025Bob Simpson, who died recently, had a ten-year gap in his Test career – was this the longest for Australia, or indeed anybody? asked David McCormack from Australia
Bob Simpson, who sadly died last week at the age of 89, had played 52 Tests when he originally retired, aged only 31, after the 1967-68 Australian season. But he returned to captain them again in 1977-78, when several first-choice players were unavailable as they had joined Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket. Simpson was 41, but scored two centuries against India before captaining in the West Indies (which he had done before, in 1964-65). In all he played 62 Tests, scoring 4869 runs at 46.81. The highest of his ten centuries was his first, 311 against England at Old Trafford in 1964.There was a gap of nine years and 305 days between Simpson’s 52nd Test (against India in Sydney in January 1968) and his 53rd (also against India, in Brisbane in December 1977). That’s the longest such gap for Australia in Tests, but leaves him quite a way down the overall list.The offspinner John Traicos tops the list: he went 22 years 222 days between playing for South Africa in March 1970 and appearing in Zimbabwe’s inaugural Test, against India in Harare in October 1992. George Gunn of England and Pakistan’s Younis Ahmed both went more than 17 years between Test appearances.Simpson missed 71 Test matches during his absence, and lies third on that particular list for Australia, behind Brad Hogg and Tim Paine, who both missed 78. The overall list is headed by the England offspinner Gareth Batty, who was not selected in 142 successive Tests between June 2005 and October 2016.Who has played the most Test matches without ever taking a catch? And what’s the record for ODIs and T20Is? asked Zaheer Ahmed from the United States
I’ve answered this before, but not for a while I think, and it’s worth doing again as Zimbabwe’s Tendai Chatara has (possibly temporarily) joined four other men who have played ten Tests without ever taking a catch. The others are Australia’s Chuck Fleetwood-Smith, Imran Khan of Pakistan (the recent bowler, not the famous captain), India’s Abey Kuruvilla and Jayananda Warnaweera of Sri Lanka.In ODIs, the Pakistan seamer Ata-ur-Rehman played no fewer than 30 matches without ever holding on to a catch: he’s well clear of the next man, Zimbabwe’s Piet Rinke with 18.In T20 internationals, Chirag Suri of UAE has played 31 matches so far without taking a catch, while Hungary’s Ali Farasat has drawn a blank in 22. Australia’s Billy Stanlake has played 19 T20Is without a catch, as has Rwanda’s Yvan Mitari.For the women, Pakistan’s Sharmeen Khan played 26 ODIs without taking a catch and Jiska Howard of Netherlands 21. In T20Is, the Singapore offspinner Haresh Dhavina has so far played no fewer than 49 matches without a catch, and Harjivan Bhullar 43 for Austria.Has any captain ever done less than Mitchell Santner in the second Test against Zimbabwe? He only bowled one over and didn’t bat… at least he took a few catches! asked Christopher McKenna from New Zealand
I don’t suppose Mitchell Santner was too bothered by his slim pickings in Bulawayo, since his side won by an innings and he ended up with two wins out of two as captain! He wasn’t required to bat, bowled one over for four runs, but did take three catches.There are 18 instances of a captain not batting or bowling in a Test, most of them rain-affected matches – it includes successive games for England’s Arthur Carr during the 1926 Ashes, and rival captains Tom Lowry (New Zealand) and Harold Gilligan (England) in a soggy match in Auckland in February 1930. The previous two instances were both in 2023, by Ben Stokes for England against Ireland at Lord’s in June, and the injured Temba Bavuma for South Africa vs India in Centurion in December.There’s one other instance of a captain not batting but bowling just one over in the Test, by Jackie Grant in West Indies’ innings victory over England in Kingston in 1935.Ben Stokes neither batted nor bowled but did take one catch when he captained England to a ten-wicket win against Ireland at Lord’s in 2023•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesOn his Test debut in 2019, George Linde scored the most runs in the match and also took the most wickets for South Africa. Has anyone else done this on debut? asked James King from South Africa
South Africa’s George Linde scored 37 and 27, and also took 4 for 133, on his debut against India in Ranchi in 2019.He was only the second man to make the most runs and take more wickets than any other team-mate on his Test debut, after Roger Blunt, who scored 52 runs and also took five wickets with his legbreaks against England in Christchurch in 1930, in New Zealand’s first-ever Test match.Two other players scored the most runs, and were the equal-top wicket-taker in their first Test: Tinashe Panyangara, with 50 runs (from No. 11) and three wickets for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in Harare in 2004 (Blessing Mahwire also took three wickets), and Alick Athanaze, who top-scored in both innings with 47 and 28 and also took a wicket for West Indies vs India in Roseau (Dominica) in 2023. Athanaze was one of five West Indian bowlers who took a solitary wicket in that match.As a follow-up to last week’s question about Brendan Taylor, did Zimbabwe have the oldest average age for any Test team? asked Anandh Subramanian from India
The team in Bulawayo was Zimbabwe’s oldest in a Test, with an average age of 32 years 111 days: apart from the nearly-40s, most of the others were relatively young. Zimbabwe’s previous-oldest team was against England at Trent Bridge earlier in the year, with an average age of 31 years 133 days (Taylor wasn’t in that one).Buit it’s a long way down the overall list of the oldest teams: there have actually been 156 XIs with a higher average age. The top four places are occupied by England in the four Tests in the West Indies in 1929-30, when their side included two 50-year-olds in Wilfred Rhodes (who was actually 52) and George Gunn, two fortysomethings in Nigel Haig and Patsy Hendren, and 39-year-old Andy Sandham, who scored Test cricket’s first triple-century in the final Test in Kingston, when the team’s average age was 37 years 188 days.The oldest in the current century was Australia’s team in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June 2025, which had an average age of 33 years 156 days – only Cameron Green was under 30.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal has been banished from the Utrecht squad and will be absent for the game against Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday. Utrecht coach Ron Jans has publicly criticised the midfielder following his return from international duty with Iraq, saying that he needs "a reset" before he will be brought back into the team.

Iqbal's dismal time at Utrecht

Iqbal, after an unsatisfactory tenure at United, left the club in 2023 to join Eredivisie outfit Utrecht. To date, he has featured 47 times for them across all competitions, recording just a single goal. This season, the central midfielder has made five Eredivisie appearances, having returned to the senior team after a brief stint with the reserves as he recovered from a knee operation. His last appearance came against AZ on October 26, and now the player, who started both of the recent World Cup qualifying games against United Arab Emirates, has been removed from the squad ahead of their crucial away game in the Europa League against La Liga side Betis on Thursday. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportUtrecht boss outlines why Iqbal has been left out

Speaking to , Utrecht coach Jans has clarified on his stance about the midfielder. He said: "Zidane then had a bad training week. He has shown little dedication, also around and after the matches. He was in disappointment all the time. You can have that for a day, sometimes for two days, but not longer. It needs to be reset."

The 67-year-old has not identified a potential return date for the youngster, but it is reportedly said that he might be suspended for more games than the Betis one.

Iqbal was frustrated at United too

Last season, Iqbal had revealed that he was not satisfied at United as well. He secured 35 appearances for the U-21 side but just one for the senior team – a one-minute cameo against Young Boys in the Champions League. He wanted to show his prowess to then-head coach Erik Ten Hag. However, opportunities were hard to come by and he soon opted to accept the Dutch side's offer. 

"I was supposed to start a cup game against Charlton," he later lamented. "I was in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training. I was starting as a 10 and Lisandro Martinez came up to me and said: 'Now's your chance'. He talked to me and said: 'All of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you're a good player. We're going to fight for you, make sure you're ready to fight'. It motivated me and it was nice from him, an aggressive leader in the team, a big player. I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my chance. Then I got to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and didn't see my name. I was gutted. Then I thought I'd come off the bench. Nothing. That was the turning point for me. I didn't feel the manager respected me enough to play me."

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Getty Images SportIqbal feels respected at the national team

Despite his struggles at club level, Iqbal has enjoyed a more prosperous national team career so far. He has 22 caps to his name and could even secure a place at the World Cup, with Iraq set to face either Bolivia or Suriname in an inter-confederation play-off tie in March to decide whether or not they will be at the tournament in Canada, United States and Mexico.

Iqbal feels he is valued by the manager, telling : "For Iraq, the manager Graeme Arnold and his assistant, Rene Meulensteen, told me of my importance to the team. They told me to be ready and as soon as we conceded the first goal, the gaffer just pointed at me and said: 'You're coming on'."

The 22-year-old also reflected on his struggles with injuries that spilled over from last season into this one, adding: "Having no pre-season was tough as that’s where you gain your fitness. So I came back and everyone else had a pre-season and rhythm, while I was trying to pick up minutes. It's tough coming back from injury but I think I'm coming back to myself more. And I think I had a positive impact on the game. I'm just ready to give 100 per cent, whether they need me in the first minute, the last minute, whether I start or I'm off the bench making an impact."

Arya and Prabhsimran are among the pairs to have delivered strong starts for their teams this season


Omkar Mankame30-Apr-20255:32

Aaron: Sai Sudharsan ‘definitely’ in if there’s vacancy in India’s T20I side

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan (GT)Last year, in Wriddhiman Saha’s absence, GT briefly tried out Sai Sudharsan to open with Gill, and it worked. The pair crossed fifty in all three innings they opened together. Building on that, GT have stuck with the same opening combination this season and it’s paid off.A standout feature of their campaign has been the ability of the openers to bat deep. Only once this season have both fallen inside the first ten overs. While the duo may not be ultra-aggressive in their approach, their consistency has been key to GT’s success in IPL 2025.Phil Salt and Virat Kohli have been consistent this season•Getty ImagesVirat Kohli and Phil Salt (RCB)Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, RCB released their captain and opener Faf du Plessis and invested INR 11.5 crore in bagging Salt. The move paid immediate dividends. In the season opener, Salt and Kohli stitched together a 95-run stand off just 51 balls, taking the sting out of Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) 175-run target. While they’ve occasionally been separated early, the duo has consistently provided rapid starts, often putting RCB in commanding positions within the powerplay.Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, the uncapped PBKS wunderkinds•AFP/Getty ImagesPriyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)Two uncapped Indians walking out to open an IPL innings is usually the result of an emergency – injuries, loss of form, or last-minute reshuffles. But PBKS placed their trust in Prabhsimran, a retained player, and Arya, an IPL debutant, and they have been vindicated. Though their aggressive style has often led to brisk but brief partnerships, they did demonstrate impressive composure in a rain-affected clash against KKR. On a slow Eden Gardens wicket, the duo stitched a 120-run stand off 72 balls, pacing their innings smartly and choosing their moments to attack.Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram have been dominant up top•Associated PressAiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh (LSG)LSG went into IPL 2025 with an overseas-heavy top order. Marsh, despite having limited experience as an IPL opener, was up and running as he scored more fifties in his first five outings this season than he did in his previous eight campaigns combined. Markram took a few matches to find his rhythm but has since added four fifties to his name. While their scoring rate has been modest, the duo has brought a measure of reliability to LSG’s top order.Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma haven’t found their golden touch from last season•AFP/Getty ImagesAbhishek Sharma and Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad)It was the ‘Travishek’ pair that transformed SRH’s fortunes in IPL 2024. They picked up from where they left off with a 45-run blitz in just 19 balls in their season opener this year. But over the next four games, oppositions have found early breakthroughs, dismissing one of them inside the first three overs. A glimpse of their last year’s form came against PBKS at home, where they put on a 171-run stand off just 75 balls during a chase of 246. Outside of such flashes, they’ve struggled to produce consistent partnerships this season.

Ben Charlesworth top-scores as experience counts at Guildford

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Aug-2025

Ben Charlesworth hits over the top•Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Ollie Sykes struck a defiant 97 off 94 balls but Surrey were still overpowered by a far more experienced Gloucestershire at Guildford in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Ben Charlesworth hit four sixes and top-scored with an 83-ball 80 in Gloucestershire’s 293 for 9, before Josh Shaw spearheaded an excellent collective display with ball to restrict Surrey to 208 all out in reply.Fast bowler Shaw produced a five-over new ball spell of 3 for 19 as Surrey slumped initially to 33 for 3, but 20-year-old Sykes – in just his eighth List A game – belied his youth to counter-attack with two sixes and 12 fours and add 99 for the fourth wicket with Josh Blake.Blake top-edged Graeme van Buuren’s slow left arm to short fine leg on 26 to leave Surrey 155 for 5 in the 31st over and Sykes’ departure four overs later made it just a matter of time before Gloucestershire wrapped up the lower order.Ollie Sykes (file photo) fell just short of three figures•Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Van Buuren and Ollie Price, bowling his offspin cannily, had built pressure on Sykes for several overs and their reward was a charge down the pitch to what became a legside wide from van Buuren and an easy stumping for keeper James Bracey.Surrey’s innings had begun with Ryan Patel skying a catch to backward point off Shaw, who then saw Tommy Boorman fling himself to his right at short fine leg to cling on to a full-blooded flick off his pads by Rory Burns.Burns made 15, Patel 16 and debutant Nikhil Gorantla was soon gone for a third ball duck, athletically caught and bowled by Shaw in his follow through inches from the turf.Adam Thomas was then held in the cover roles for 6 and Shaw finished with 3 for 29 and Jack Taylor, who cleaned up Surrey’s tail, 3 for 16.Gloucestershire’s total, a decent effort on a used pitch, was built around Charlesworth’s superbly-judged innings, which ended when he was fifth out in the 39th over.At halfway, on 125 for 3, there was a danger that Gloucestershire would post a below-par score for a ground with such short square boundaries but Charlesworth was joined in a timely 54-run partnership in ten overs by van Buuren once Jack Taylor had been brilliantly caught in the outfield by a diving Thomas off Steel.Van Buuren’s 33 was then followed by further useful late-innings knocks from Boorman (22), Daz Ahmed, who launched two sixes in a 21-ball 29, and Matt Taylor’s hard-hit 27 from 11 balls.Taylor thumped a six and four fours in the closing overs, topping off an innings which had begun with Bracey driving Yousef Majid’s left-hand spin for two straight sixes but which looked like losing its way once Bracey (24) had been spectacularly caught by a sprawling Gorantla at backward point.Cameron Bancroft was bowled for 18 by a beauty from James Taylor, Surrey’s stand-out bowler with 3 for 42 from his ten overs, and Price fell for 26 when he was bowled by Majid.

Strasbourg captain Emanuel Emegha, who is set to join Chelsea in the summer, has been handed a one-match ban by his current club and will miss their next game against Toulouse in Ligue 1. Strasbourg have issued a statement explaining their decision is due to the player's recent failure to "respect the club's values, expectations and rules".

Emegha in the spotlight at Strasbourg

Emegha has come under the spotlight in Strasbourg for his recent behaviour. The captain first raised eyebrows with comments made after the team's recent 2-0 victory over Lille, a match in which he scored both goals. After the game, it was pointed out to Emegha that the win was Lille's first against top opposition and he replied by joking that it was because he had missed his team's fixtures with Monaco, PSG, Lyon, and Rennes, according to .

The report claims that the 22-year-old also riled the club during an interview with when he said he thought Strasbourg was in Germany before he joined the French club two years ago.

Emegha has since spoken to the club's management, including coach Liam Rosenior and sporting director David Weir, and the decision has been made to sanction the captain for his behaviour and remind him of the team's values.

AdvertisementAFPStrasbourg issue statement on Emegha

A statement from the club read: "Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace has decided to suspend Emmanuel Emegha for its next Ligue 1 match, this Saturday December 6 in Toulouse. This decision was taken following the player's recent failure to respect the club's values, expectations and rules. Racing reaffirms its commitment to the essential principles of exemplary conduct and respect for the collective framework. Emmanuel remains an important member of our team, who has always given his all for the club on the pitch. He will be reintegrated into the squad after this match. No further comments will be made."

Emegha heading to Chelsea in 2026

This does look to be Emegha's last season at Strasbourg as a deal has been agreed for the striker to move to their sister club Chelsea in 2026. Emegha will sign a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge in a move that has already generated controversy.

Strasbourg fans turned on their striker earlier this season when the deal was announced, booing him during a fixture against Le Havre and holding up banners that read: "megha, pawn of BlueCo. After changing shirt, give back your captain's armband." 

Manager Rosenior admitted afterwards that Emegha had been left "devastated" by the fans' strong reaction to the news.

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'Everybody knows my personality'

Emegha has previously spoken about his decision to swap Strasbourg for Chelsea. He told reporters: "Strasbourg gave me the opportunity to develop and to get to the level that I am today, and I’m not finished developing or growing. I’m really grateful to the club and the supporters for everything they have done for me. I just want to focus 100% on Strasbourg until the end of the season, and then I will leave. I don’t want there to be rumours or distractions for my team or for me, so I think this is the best decision to bring it out now.

"Everybody knows my personality. It’s not because people know I’m leaving that I will change my behaviour or my work ethic. I’m someone who gives 100% every day for the team and for the club, and I’ll keep doing this until the end.

"I had opportunities to go to other European top clubs that play in the Champions League. I spoke with Chelsea, with Strasbourg and with BlueCo about what would be best for my career. We had open discussions and agreed that the best decision was for me to stay in Strasbourg for one more year, to lead the team in Europe, to write another piece of history here, and then go to Chelsea."

Glenn Maxwell played some of the most spectacular ODI innings in the last decade or so, none more than the cramping, limping double-century against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup

Andrew McGlashan02-Jun-2025

56* vs Pakistan, Sharjah, 2012

An early indication of what Maxwell could offer, he guided Australia to victory in just his fourth ODI with 56 not out off 38 balls. They were 159 for 5 in the 36th over needing 256 when Maxwell joined the experience of Mike Hussey. The duo took the chase most of the way and then Maxwell sealed the game with his third six. “To hit the ball like that on a pitch where the ball was dying was something,” Hussey said.

60 vs India, Bengaluru, 2013

This innings came in defeat, but it was a glimpse into how Maxwell could change the momentum of a game. He entered at 74 for 4 with Australia chasing a huge 384, struck his first ball for six, and collected six more on his way to an 18-ball fifty, equalling the Australia men’s record, before falling to Vinay Kumar after just 22 balls. It left him with a series tally of 248 runs at a strike rate of 152.14.Related

• Maddening and magnificent – Maxwell walks off into the sunset

• Maxwell retires from ODI cricket, available for T20 World Cup

2 for 41 vs Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2014

Maxwell made 20 off 22 balls and the bowling figures don’t leap off the page, but somehow he managed to produce a double-wicket maiden to defend just two off the final over. Sohail Tanvir swung at and missed the second delivery, and then Mohammad Irfan played three dot balls before carving a catch to cover off the final delivery. “Wasn’t going too well until the last over,” Maxwell said.

95 and 4 for 46 vs England, Perth, 2015

In the final of a tri-series which acted as a World Cup warm-up, Maxwell produced a dominant all-round display. His 95 was central to Australia recovering from 60 for 4. “Maxwell went from sensible to sensational,” ESPNcricinfo’s match report said. He followed that up by running through England’s middle and lower order with four wickets. It was just the sixth occasion of an Australian scoring a fifty and taking four wickets in an ODI and there hasn’t been one in the men’s game since.His heroics with the bat often overshadowed his bowling, but Glenn Maxwell often chipped in with key wickets•Getty Images

102 vs Sri Lanka, SCG, 2015

Maxwell’s maiden international century was a barnstorming display as he monstered a 53-ball 102 to ensure Australia’s home World Cup continued towards the knockouts. Maxwell had a solid base to build on when he arrived at 175 for 3 in the 32nd over and he took full advantage. He dominated a stand of 160 with Shane Watson, reaching his hundred from 51 deliveries which at the time was a record for Australia’s men.

70 and 1 for 45 vs Pakistan, Dubai, 2019

This was a matchwinning all-round performance from Maxwell. He took advantage of the work done by the top order, then being given a life first ball, to flay 70 off 33 deliveries to ensure Australia passed 300. They needed most of them, too, as Haris Sohail struck a century in reply but Maxwell also had a vital part to play with the ball as he took 1 for 45 off his ten overs.

108 vs England, Old Trafford, 2020

In an empty ground during the depths of Covid, this innings wasn’t cheered on by thousands in the stands, but it was worthy of great acclaim as Maxwell slotted into the finisher’s role at No. 7 that would be a large part of the latter stages of his ODI career. The series against England marked his first ODIs since the 2019 World Cup, having missed the previous home season while taking a mental health break. Australia were long-odds for victory when Maxwell entered at 73 for 5 chasing 303 but forged a magnificent stand of 212 with Alex Carey. His own century came from 84 balls and included more sixes (seven) than fours (four). It enabled Australia to clinch the series 2-1.Glenn Maxwell was among the people who changed the grammar of white-ball batting•AFP/Getty Images

80* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2022

It had been 18 months since Maxwell’s previous ODI and he produced a superb innings to ice a demanding chase in conditions where Sri Lanka’s spinners had threatened to turn the game. When he was joined by No. 10 Jhye Richardson, Australia still needed 28 off 26 balls and he farmed the strike and got the job done with consecutive sixes. Although separated by considerable time, the innings capped an impressive run for Maxwell where he passed fifty in five out of seven innings

106 vs Netherlands, Delhi, 2023

It wasn’t the strongest attack Maxwell had ever faced, but it was a ferocious display of strokeplay as he raced to a 40-ball century, setting a new record for the fastest hundred at a men’s ODI World Cup and breaking his own landmark for the fastest for Australia’s men. “I’m very aware of balls faced,” Maxwell said. “I love the fastest 50, fastest 100 records. I think they’re pretty cool records. Sometimes to the detriment of myself, I’ve always probably pushed the boundaries a bit too much.”

201* vs Afghanistan, Mumbai, 2023

The innings that cemented Maxwell’s legacy. Battling oppressive conditions that left him cramping so badly he could barely move, so much so that next batter in Adam Zampa was ready to replace him, Maxwell turned what appeared an impossible chase into a stunning victory. Australia were 91 for 7 (Maxwell himself had walked in on a hat-trick) when he was joined by captain Pat Cummins and produced something extraordinary. The pair added 202 for the eighth wicket of which Cummins contributed 12 while Maxwell launched ten sixes. With 21 needed off the final four overs for Australia’s win and Maxwell’s double-hundred, he went 6, 6, 4, 6 against Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who had earlier dropped him on 33. “It’s got to be the greatest ODI innings that’s ever happened,” Cummins said in the aftermath.

Both teams suffered heavy defeats in their opening games of the World Cup

Srinidhi Ramanujam05-Oct-20252:24

A case for Annerie Dercksen’s return?

Big picture – Who will bounce back?New Zealand and South Africa meet for the first time since they contested the 2024 T20 World Cup final in October last year, under rather different circumstances. Both teams began their Women’s World Cup campaigns with heavy defeats and there’s little to choose between them as they face off in Indore on Monday.New Zealand’s 89-run defeat to Australia laid bare familiar concerns with the bat; they crumbled in a chase of 327 despite a century from Sophie Devine. Since the start of 2024, they have lost ten of 15 ODIs – a result of their inconsistency with both bat and ball. To add to their challenges, they entered this World Cup without playing a single ODI in the six months leading up to it.While there have been individual performances, the batting unit will be eager to click collectively. New Zealand have scored 250-plus only twice since 2024. In the bowling department, they have a mix of youth and experience with Lea Tahuhu, the Kerr sisters – Jess and Amelia – along with Bree Illing and Eden Carson, forming a unit capable of making a difference.South Africa had a disastrous start against England in Guwahati, where they were bowled out for 69. They will look for a reset in Indore. They remain a top-heavy side, with Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp scoring the bulk of their runs. But their last two ODI defeats – including a 115 all out against Pakistan – have been due to severe batting collapses. A third in a row will be difficult to come back from in this tournament.Form guideNew Zealand LWWLL (last five completed matches)
South Africa LLWWWSophie Devine made a hundred against Australia•Getty Images

In the spotlight – Brits and BatesTazmin Brits has hit peak form in 2025. In ten ODIs this year, she has scored four centuries and one half-century, averaging 81 at a strike rate of 93.91. Known for her power game, Brits has made noticeable improvements against spin. With the in-form Laura Wolvaardt at the other end, the pair forms a strong right-hand opening combination capable of dictating terms. If they get going, South Africa could get the platform they’ve lacked in recent ODIs.Suzie Bates will make her 350th international appearance for New Zealand on Monday – a landmark in the women’s game. The veteran remains a key presence in a top order featuring Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr. Although she fell for a duck against Australia, Bates has scored three half-centuries in her last seven ODI innings. As New Zealand aim for their first win of the tournament, Bates will be eager to mark the occasion with a defining innings.Team newsSouth Africa may reconsider their XI after leaving out allrounder Annerie Dercksen – one of four batters to make a century for them since the start of 2024 – for Anneke Bosch, who has neither been a regular nor scored a fifty since December 2023.South Africa:1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Anneke Bosch/Annerie Dercksen, 6 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klaas, 10 Ayabonga Khaka, 11 Nonkululeko MlabaLeft-arm spinner Flora Devonshire was ruled out of the World Cup with an injury to her bowling hand and seamer Hannah Rowe was named her replacement. However, New Zealand are unlikely to change the side for their second match in Indore.New Zealand: 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (capt), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Graze (wk), 8 Jess Kerr, 9 Lea Tahuhu, 10 Eden Carson, 11 Bree IllingPitch and conditionsIndore rolled out a flat track for the opening game and Australia piled on 326 batting first. A different surface will be used for the second match, but weather could be a factor. It rained heavily the day after the first game there and conditions are expected to be overcast with hazy sunshine. As Suzie Bates put it, “It’s all about who adapts the best tomorrow because it is a different wicket, and it can play differently.”Stats and trivia Suzie Bates, the third highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs, is 104 short of 6000 Marizanne Kapp is two away from breaking into the top five wicket-takers in women’s ODIs. She has 169 scalps from 154 matches.Wolvaardt and Brits have scored nine ODI hundreds between them since 2024.New Zealand have not scored a 300 in ODIs since the start of 2024.Quotes”Yeah, I think it’s a huge advantage. It’s not only playing in the same conditions, but not having to travel after that game.”
“For us as a batting unit is to just literally just knuckle down and just bat. Don’t think too much about the outcome. Just take it one ball at a time.”

As far as Arne Slot’s Liverpool are concerned, there hasn’t been much to write home about this season.

It’s been difficult, for a great number of reasons, and the Reds have slumped to five defeats from six matches in the Premier League. They say it’s too early to make such calls at this stage of the campaign, but Liverpool simply cannot be considered as title contenders unless something significant shifts in the coming weeks and months.

Physicality and control. Two central tenets of any Premier League midfield worth their salt, and especially so for Liverpool. However, Slot’s side have lacked both in equally concerning measure for much of the term so far.

And with that in mind, we can’t help but recall the days of Gini Wijnaldum in the middle of the park, for the Dutchman is very much missed right now.

Why Gini Wijnaldum left Liverpool

Wijnaldum has plied his trade away from Anfield for four years now, and it’s perhaps fair to say that Liverpool have not replaced his profile in the years since. The 35-year-old was very distinctive in his style for the Reds.

Liverpool signed Wijnaldum from Newcastle United in 2016 after their relegation from the Premier League. Wijnaldum was among the standout Magpies that year.

He was an attacking midfielder and had put four past Norwich City early in the campaign, a bright flicker in a dark year on Tyneside. However, Jurgen Klopp fashioned the Dutchman into an industrious, press-resistent central midfielder, part of an energetic centre that charged Liverpool’s glittering success of the past decade.

Though Wijnaldum didn’t score often for the Merseysiders, he came up trumps on a few occasions, alright, and scribed his name into the record books when bagging a brace off the bench on that night against Barcelona.

So cool and composed and calm on the ball, Gini was the metronome in the middle. To think that he played in advanced roles with consistency during his days with Newcastle and PSV Eindhoven before that is a marker of Klopp’s tactical brain, successfully reshaping into something that produced fewer show-stopping moments but contributed more greatly to the Liverpool project.

Liverpool miss him, for sure, but there’s a member of Slot’s squad who is beginning to show signs of the Netherlands man’s former qualities.

Liverpool's new version of Wijnaldum

Slot’s own ‘version’ of Wijnaldum might not be stylistically the same, but he’s playing a versatile and yet singular role for the Anfield side this season.

Enter Dominik Szoboszlai, the shining light of Liverpool’s dreary campaign so far.

The Hungarian has been hailed by reporter Lewis Steele as being Liverpool’s “player of the season” so far. Admittedly, the bar isn’t high, but Szoboszlai ranks highly across the whole of Europe in regard to individual efforts, having matured into a leader as well as a tireless source of energy and a technically proficient technician.

To say that he’s come on leaps and bounds would be quite the understatement, and this with Liverpool struggling to muster any kind of form.

Klopp oversaw the £60m signing of RB Leipzig’s talented playmaker in 2023, beating Newcastle to his signature. Szoboszlai has ebbed and flowed in a Liverpool shirt, criticised at times for his lack of end product. At the end of Klopp’s reign, Szoboszlai fell out to the fringes, starting only one of the final six Premier League fixtures of the term, and was hooked at half-time during a miserable home defeat to Crystal Palace before that.

Dominik Szoboszlai under Arne Slot (Prem)

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

36 (29)

11 (11)

Goals

6

1

Assists

6

1

Touches*

46.1

82.6

Accurate passes*

29.6 (86%)

52.1 (87%)

Key passes*

1.6

1.5

Dribble (success)*

0.6 (55%)

0.8 (60%)

Recoveries*

3.7

6.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.4

2.7

Clearances*

0.4

2.5

Duels (won)*

2.8 (43%)

4.2 (51%)

Data via Sofascore

Since Slot has taken to the dugout, Szoboszlai’s role has changed some, and that has become crystal clear this season, for he has never been more involved, never more entrusted with a starring role in the side, hailed as a “proper leader” and Liverpool’s star man by content creator Jonathan Morley.

Szoboszlai is a player whose skill and tenacity out of possession, his intelligence and vision and ability to do the right thing at the right time, make him a unique and priceless part of a system. Wijnaldum-esque, perhaps.

Gini was, after all, lauded as being “irreplaceable” for Liverpool by correspondent Richard Jolly. He wasn’t a vocal leader on the field, but the former Netherlands international provided a calming presence, redefined once he settled in on Merseyside and then became a central part of one of the glittering outfits of their age.

Liverpool may not be at the races this season, but there’s a long road still ahead, and with Szoboszlai shaping into an all-action midfielder of the highest class, Slot’s own version of Wijnaldum, there will be hope that the rest of these talented players can recover their levels and match Szoboszlai’s commitment and desire.

His free-kick against Arsenal, sealing victory against Mikel Arteta’s title challengers toward the start of the season, his Man of the Match performances on a number of occasions already, Szoboszlai is the real deal, alright, and when Liverpool do return to form, he might just reach even loftier levels under Slot’s wing.

Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout player this season, and though this has been tempered by the otherwise miserable performances, solace can be found in the knowledge that Slot has unearthed the club’s latest superstar.

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Manchester United now hold an advantage in the race to sign Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand, with the midfielder being targeted as a replacement for Casemiro.

Casemiro has repaid Ruben Amorim’s faith in him with some fantastic performances this season, most recently picking up a goal and an assist in the 4-2 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, while also making a number of other important contributions.

Statistic

Number completed

Tackles

3

Interceptions

2

Ground duels (won)

6 (4)

The Brazilian was lauded by Amorim after the match, with the 40-year-old suggesting he should be a role model for the other United players, saying: “I think he gives a lot of experience,

“He’s so important for us. Today he run a lot. He had to press so high and then return, and he’s doing that. So, I’m really pleased with him. And the other guys need to look at Casemiro.”

However, the 33-year-old’s long-term future at Old Trafford remains up in the air, given that his contract is set to expire next summer, and the Red Devils are now lining up moves for new midfielders, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson emerging as a target.

A deal for Anderson could be on the expensive side, however, with it being reported Forest could hold out for £120m, and the England international is not the only target on the shortlist…

Man Utd hold advantage in race for Hjulmand

According to a report from Football Insider, Man United hold an advantage in the race for Sporting CP midfielder Hjulmand, given his links with Amorim, with the Portuguese manager signing the Dane from Lecce back in 2023.

The central midfielder has a £70m release clause in his contract, but there is now a feeling he could be available for the cut-price fee of £50m, which will also be welcome news for the Red Devils.

Amorim is known to be a big fan of the 26-year-old, but there may be competition for his signature, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City also in the race.

With it also being revealed that United don’t plan to trigger the extension clause in Casemiro’s contract, the Sporting star could be brought in as a replacement, and he may be a solid option, having impressed for club and country.

The Denmark international displayed his ball-striking ability with a fantastic goal against England at Euro 2024, and there are signs he could have a positive influence in the Man United dressing room, having been dubbed a “leader” by sporting boss Rui Borges.

It would be a shame to see Casemiro depart, but the 33-year-old is on massive wages, raking in £350k-a-week, so it could make sense to sign a younger midfielder this summer, and Hjulmand, who’s made 12 Champions League appearances, may now be ready to test himself at a top club.

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ByDominic Lund Oct 28, 2025

They have had their moments in most games, but still find themselves at the bottom of the points table

Sruthi Ravindranath25-Oct-2025Almost. It’s the word that has defined Bangladesh’s campaign at the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup. They almost defended 178 against England. They almost beat South Africa but dropped catches under pressure. They almost chased down 203 against Sri Lanka.The what-ifs are many, but for a team playing only its second ODI World Cup, Bangladesh have punched above their weight. Yet, despite the fight, they find themselves at the bottom of the points table – even below winless Pakistan – level on number of wins with New Zealand and Sri Lanka, all three teams having split points because of washouts.The gulf between bat and ball has been evident throughout their campaign, and it surfaced once again against Sri Lanka. After their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 203, Bangladesh’s batters stumbled, dragging the chase deep but falling short in the final over. After that match, captain Nigar Sultana had admitted to her side’s struggles in crunch moments but refused to attribute their narrow losses to luck.Related

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“It’s really heartbreaking, definitely, because we came here to win,” she had said. “This kind of match, I think we played three games against England, South Africa and now Sri Lanka. I think we need to think about it and we have to learn so many things. [In] this kind of situation, [we should learn] how we should calm our nerves and how we should get runs. And definitely, the young players have been playing in the middle at crucial moments. So, I think they should learn.”It’s definitely our mistake. It’s not just one match; this is the third time it’s happened like this. I think we’re failing to finish properly in the final moments. We shouldn’t need to take it to the last over while chasing this kind of target. That’s our fault. Maybe there were some miscalculations, and we couldn’t use some bowlers properly in the middle overs.”Bangladesh’s batting has shown promise in patches – five different players have scored fifties, including Nigar’s fighting 77 against Sri Lanka – but frequent collapses and a glut of dot balls have proved costly. Their dot-ball percentage of 66.6 is the second-highest in the tournament, underlining their struggles.They began their campaign by comfortably chasing down 130 against Pakistan, but fell in a heap against England, New Zealand and Australia to post totals below 200. Against South Africa, Shorna Akter’s 35-ball 51 – the fastest half-century in women’s ODIs for Bangladesh – took them to 235, but they dropped several chances in the end to lose the match. Against England, they got their catching right, but the third umpire’s decision to reprieve Heather Knight proved costly in the end.There have been a few heartbreaks for Bangladesh at this World Cup•ICC/Getty ImagesOne of the factors behind the inconsistency has been their limited preparation. Since early 2024, the only top-ranked side Bangladesh have faced is Australia, back in March last year. Apart from the World Cup qualifiers in April, their build-up featured no international cricket, only domestic training camps. Nigar stressed the need for more exposure against top-ranked opposition. In the current FTP running from 2025-29 though, they are set to face India, Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand across formats.”The more competitive cricket you play, the sharper your skills get,” she said. “In ICC tournaments, we face new situations that we don’t often see in bilateral series, where we play the same opponents again and again. A stronger domestic setup or league system would help a lot. If we get to play more competitive games at home, our chances of losing tight matches will go down for sure.”But there have been other positives too, with their young bowling attack standing out. Fast bowler Marufa Akter, just 20, whose hooping deliveries troubled batters in the powerplay, has impressed many. Their spin department, led by veteran Fahima Khatun, has also shone through the performances of youngsters Rabeya Khan (20) and 18-year-old Shorna, who together have taken more wickets than Khatun. Against Sri Lanka, both youngsters were preferred over Khatun – a call that paid off, as they shared five wickets between them.”Among the eight teams in this World Cup, we’re the only one with three legspinners and all three are different types,” Khatun had said before the Sri Lanka match. “As a senior, I always try to collaborate with them and encourage them. They’re very young and crucial for our team. I often tell them, ‘You’re better than me; I have a lot to learn from you.’ Having three different kinds of legspinners is a big advantage for us.”Shorna Akter have been one of the standout players for Bangladesh in the tournament•ICC/Getty ImagesAt home, Bangladesh’s players feature in two main domestic tournaments, the Women’s Dhaka Premier League and the National Cricket League, both often played on spin-friendly, low-scoring pitches. On the eve of the India game, batter Sobhana Mostary acknowledged that while the level of competition can vary, the domestic structure is slowly improving.”Last ODI World Cup in 2022, only Pinky [Fargana Hoque] scored fifty but in this tournament, you can see around six or seven fifties,” she said. “So, I think that’s an improvement. Scoring a fifty is not easy; I also got my first fifty in this World Cup. If I can keep this consistency, it will help me in the next series. Similarly, [Sharmin Akhter] Supta has been performing well for a long time.”Now our domestic tournament is going good. In [Dhaka] Premier League among ten teams, six teams are good enough but four teams are like 50 – 50. Five years ago, two-three teams were good. But now five to six teams are good. Before, most players came from North Bengal, but now we have players from Chattogram and Sylhet as well. Maybe their parents are also watching the matches now. I think most people in Bangladesh are following this World Cup, which is a great inspiration for us. It motivates us to fight against stronger teams. That’s it, everyone is watching and supporting us, and that means a lot.”Bangladesh are yet to see one of their players feature in either the WBBL or WPL. Mostary hopes that changes soon.”In WPL, every time we send our name, they are not [okay to] pick a Bangladeshi. But we are thinking about this tournament – like Marufa [is] doing very good in Indian conditions. And Rabeya is also very bowling good this tournament. So maybe in the upcoming WPL they are [picked].”Bangladesh will leave the tournament with more heartbreaks than wins, but also with signs of growth. Among bottom-ranked sides, few have shown as much promise, or left as many almosts behind.