Inspired by Dooley, Melbourne Renegades 'don't f*** it up'

Coming through trials and tribulations, Renegades pulled off a remarkable comeback to claim their maiden title

Alex Malcolm01-Dec-2024On the wall in the changerooms at the MCG on Sunday hung a Melbourne Renegades shirt. It’s a shirt that Renegades had carried with them throughout the entire WBBL and had in part carried them to their first WBBL final.The shirt was Josie Dooley’s. But the wicketkeeper-batter couldn’t wear it this season after suffering a life-threatening neurological disorder in May. She is still in the midst of a long recovery just to get back to a normal life, let alone play cricket again.On the back it had Dooley’s name and her number three. But there was also four words written on it. Renegades had asked Dooley to write an inspirational message for her teammates to read when they left the rooms.Related

  • Helmot at the helm of Renegades WBBL team for three more seasons

  • All-round Matthews leads Melbourne Renegades to maiden WBBL title

The words on the shirt said, “Don’t f*** it up”.They didn’t f*** it up. Renegades won the WBBL title for the first time in the club’s history, having previously been one of the worst performing franchises in the competition.Their coach Simon Helmot has just about seen it all in cricket. He’s an infectious, energic, endlessly positive character who has won trophies all around the world in the men’s game. But after winning the WBBL title, when talking about Dooley and others within Renegades’ family, he broke down.”She came to all the important games,” Helmot said fighting back tears. “I said, ‘Josie we need you here for the team meeting’ yesterday, and she turns up.”Cricket … it’s more than just a game.”It’s about people and their trials and tribulations.”

The club had been through more trials and tribulations than just about any other. And their title-winning captain Sophie Molineux had seen it all. She has been present for all 10 seasons. In the previous nine, Renegades had made the playoffs just three times and finished in the bottom two four times, including in each of the last two seasons.Just moments after holding the trophy aloft as the franchise’s first WBBL-winning captain, she was more stoic than her coach but every bit as proud of what her team had achieved.”We’ve probably had a few really bad seasons,” Molineux said. “To be able to turn that around, and just to be able to do it the way we have, it’s been enjoyable. I feel really proud. It’s been a great season.”There were moments, though, where they thought they might have f****** it up. Renegades started the season 0-2 after finishing last the previous year.Helmot recounted a phone call he had with his star allrounder Hayley Matthews prior to those two losses, one of which Matthews had missed to fly home to Barbados for five days following the T20 World Cup in the UAE.”She rang me to say she’s not going to be here first game,” Helmot said. “I was pretty disappointed at the time thinking, oh my goodness, our overseas pro is not going to be here at the start. But I remember how fatigued she was after the international calendar last season, coming straight into the WBBL. She made all those runs and then didn’t quite work out for us, so we let Hayley have that game off, and she’s repaid us.”Sophie Molineux has been with Melbourne Renegades since the start of the WBBL•Getty ImagesIt was Matthews who starred in the final, producing a clutch 69 off 61 with the bat to hold her team together and help post a total of 141 for 9 before taking two key wickets with the ball and a crucial catch to be named Player of the Match.”Cricket is such a mentally straining game, and I feel like you really do need to refresh,” Matthews said. “Big thanks to Helmo. Obviously, I think he noticed that big time last year, and he gave me the opportunity to get to go home and have a few days where I saw some family and friends and just rested up and come down here as fresh as possible.”Matthews looked nerveless when it could have gone pear-shaped for Renegades in the final. Having not played for eight days after finishing top of the table, they slumped to 23 for 3 after being sent again by Brisbane Heat.Matthews has been there and done it before in big finals, producing match-winning hands in the finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the WCPL and Fairbreak in 2023. But she revealed her nerveless performances are fuelled by intense nerves.”I feel like I am someone who gets really nervous,” Matthews said. “Shaky hands and some butterflies.”I just tried to channel those nerves in the right direction. I feel as though they almost helped me to focus a bit more. And yeah, clearly it seems to be working. So I should probably try getting nervous a bit more often.”There were more nerves to come when Heat captain Jess Jonassen threatened to pinch the game late with a stunning innings. But it was Matthews and Molineux who combined to deliver the last two overs that closed out the game and left Jonassen visibly emotional at the end, after Heat had lost their second consecutive WBBL final by less than seven runs.”I know people say it’s all well and good getting into a final but I think I’ve lost my last six now across franchise cricket, so they’re starting to pile up,” Jonassen said. “It’s been all in the last 12 months, so I think it’s just sort of come to a head.”It would have been nice to be the first team to get those three [WBBL] titles, but obviously, for some reason, it’s just not meant to be right now.”It was meant to be for Renegades. Helmot revealed that the team knew that something was brewing after they recovered from their 0-2 start to record back-to-back nail-biting wins on the first weekend of November.”Both Hayley and Soph said over that weekend, we have the makeup to do something really special,” Helmot said. “And that probably gave me the inspiration to remind the girls that, yeah, it’s been a tough start, zero and two. We got those two wins back at home, and all of a sudden, we made that place a fortress, and only dropped one game after that. It was a fantastic effort.”

Hansi Flick 'happy' to put pressure on Real Madrid but regrets 'incredible' Frenkie de Jong suspension as Barcelona run rampant against Celta

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is pleased to 'put pressure' on their arch-rivals Real Madrid after a dominant win against Celta Vigo, featuring a strong yet explosive performance of Robert Lewandowski's hat-trick. However, Flick bemoans the "incredible" suspension of key Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who will miss the next fixture against Athletic Club after the international break.

  • Barcelona's character shines in Balaidos victory

    Celebrating his 50th La Liga game in charge, Flick's side demonstrated a potent attacking display as they ran out 4-2 winners to cut the gap on league leaders Madrid to three points. The match saw three goals from Lewandowski and one more from Pedri for Barcelona, while Celta threatened with strikes from Iago Aspas and Jorgen Strand Larsen.

    The win, which came with eight shots on target from 20 attempts, showcased Barcelona's attacking prowess, contrasting with Celta's four shots on target from six attempts. Despite conceding two goals, Barcelona's control in the second period was evident, maintaining 63% possession and achieving 95% pass accuracy.

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    Flick's focus on continued pressure on Real Madrid

    Speaking after the match, Flick said: "Yes, of course, I'm happy. I think we made more mistakes in the first half than in the second. In the first half we were very good with the ball, and in the second half the team knew how to control the game.

    "In football, the previous match doesn't matter, you always have to look ahead to the next one, but it's good to put pressure on the team above us. The second half gives us confidence. I'm happy for the team."

    The Barcelona coach highlighted the strategic significance of the result, especially heading into the international break. "Pushing pressure on the opponent is good, we did it and I’m happy. Winning before the international break is also very good. I feel happy. We had to look out for ourselves and we applied the pressure well today." 

    This result positions Barcelona on 28 points, three behind Real Madrid's 31, with both teams having played 12 matches.

  • Lewandowski's hat-trick sparks goalscoring resurgence

    The undeniable star of the evening was veteran striker Lewandowski, who netted a hat-trick to take his La Liga tally to seven goals. The Polish international, in his fifth start, demonstrated his enduring quality despite being 37 years old. Flick expressed confidence in Lewandowski's form, avoiding speculation about his future beyond the current season.

    "It’s too early to talk about Lewandowski’s next season. I can say that after his injury, I saw a different Robert, positive, confident. It’s very important for us that he scored three goals," Flick commented, acknowledging the striker's strong return to form. This performance is a significant boost for Barcelona's title aspirations, providing the cutting edge in attack they need to challenge Real Madrid.

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  • De Jong suspension a blow for Barcelona

    While celebrating the victory, Flick voiced regret over the suspension of key midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman received two yellow cards during the match, resulting in a red card in the fifth minute of stoppage time, and will now miss Barcelona's next league fixture against Athletic Club. De Jong's absence will be keenly felt, given his crucial role.

    "I think De Jong controlled the game and is very important for us," Flick noted. "He’s playing at an incredible level. It’s not good that he’ll miss the next game because he’s important for us, but we’ll have to manage it. When we return from the break, I hope to have Pedri, Raphinha, and Joan [Garcia] available. We’ll see."

    De Jong’s influence on possession and pass accuracy is considerable, and his ability to dictate the tempo of games is vital for Barcelona. His suspension comes at a challenging time, especially with the team striving to maintain pressure on the league leaders.

Nine Royals Pitchers Combine for Historic MLB Feat Not Seen Since 2016

The Kansas City Royals used a whopping nine pitchers on Wednesday in their 1-0 shutout win over the Atlanta Braves in a 10-inning game.

This is only the second time in MLB history in which nine pitchers were used in a shutout win, with the Cleveland Guardians achieving the feat back in 2016 in another 10-inning game. The Royals tied the record on Wednesday. They are the first team to have a shutout game in which all the pitchers logged at least one inning each, Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg reported.

Using nine pitchers was part of the strategic plan the Royals had to use on short notice after the team lost starting pitcher Kris Bubic for the rest of the season with a left rotator cuff strain. Royals manager Matt Quatraro planned to utilize the bullpen during Wednesday's game, and it worked out in their favor.

Angel Zerpa, normally a relief pitcher, started in the first inning and saw one batter in the second—the Braves had one hit on him. Jonathan Bowlen was next, pitching through the third and striking out three batters and walking one. John Schreiber came in for the fourth, striking out another three batters. Taylor Clarke entered for the fifth, striking out one, then Hunter Harvey came in for the sixth and had two hits on him. Steven Cruz was next, striking out one batter in the seventh. Lucas Erceg gave up one hit in the eighth. Carlos Estevez pitched the ninth. Then, finally, Sam Long threw two strikeouts and gave up one hit in the 10th inning.

Thankfully for the Royals pitching staff, Salvador Perez hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th to end the game.

The Royals bullpen is going to need to rest on Thursday before their three-game series against the Blue Jays starting on Friday.

Record-breaking Root arms England with control of Manchester Test

Root’s 150, Pope and Stokes’ fifties leave India playing catch-up

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jul-20254:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

This is the way Joe Root would have wanted to ascend to No. 2 on the Test run-scoring charts. With an immaculate 150, his 38th century, which did not just certify England’s command of this fourth Test – and, thus, the series – but took it out of India’s reach. They closed day three on 544 for 7, leading by 186 on a deteriorating surface. An innings victory for an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the series is not out of the question.At Old Trafford, a sellout crowd hung on every tuck, flick, dab and drive as England’s greatest batter confirmed, statistically, he was the second greatest of all time. Illuminated by Manchester’s generous Friday sun, Root moved past the greats Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to sidle up next to Sachin Tendulkar. And though Tendulkar still commands an imposing lead at the summit, England’s own little master is coming for him.It will take time. Certainly longer than it took to knock off three legends in one go. Upon moving to 31, Root snuck past Dravid (13,288) and Jacques Kallis (13,289), bumping the latter off the podium to join Tendulkar and Ponting. And, four minutes before the end of the second session, he walked down to open the face for a single down to third to move to 120, knocking Ponting (13,378) down a peg. The legendary Australian sung Root’s praises on Sky Sports upon being usurped.

Root did little more than raise a thumb to his skipper, Ben Stokes, with whom he shared a 142-run stand before Stokes was forced to retire hurt for the first time in his Test career, on 66.It was here at Old Trafford that Stokes was carried off during the Hundred, suffering the first of two hamstring tears in six months. This, though, was just cramp in his left leg, shaken off 13.1 overs later to return to see out the day. Stokes wanted to embrace Root when he moved to 13,379 runs, as they had done for the century, after Root tickled his 178th delivery around the corner for his 12th boundary. Instead, turned down by the thumb, he applauded from his end.Root’s hundred, by the way, was also noteworthy on the all-time charts, going level-fourth with Kumar Sangakkara on 38. It was also Root’s 12th century against India, the most by any player, now ahead of Steven Smith. And as if that was not enough, he became the first player to reach a 1000 Test runs at this venue.Root would make it to 150, his 16th time to that score – another one over Ponting – before being stumped off Ravindra Jadeja. It was the third of four dismissals affected by Dhruv Jurel, the stand-in wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, and the only man on the field in Indian whites who could claim to have had a decent day.Joe Root and Ollie Pope looked immovable in the morning session•Getty Images

Much of that was on Root, who had taken England to a 141-run lead by the time he had finished, more than flipping the deficit of 133 that existed on Friday morning. Both he and Ollie Pope ticked through a wicketless first session, with Pope registering his 25th 50-plus score before Root punched the card for his 104th from 99 deliveries.Their stand of 144 was their sixth century partnership, putting them ahead of any other pairing under Stokes’ tenure. They ran brilliantly throughout, toying with the outfield, with just one moment of real alarm when Root was on 22.With Root reeling from a Mohammed Siraj delivery that leapt off a length, Pope charged down while calling his partner through, forcing Root to head to the bowler’s end. Jadeja’s throw from point was off target, but both he and Siraj were furious that neither mid-off nor mid-on had taken the initiative to come up to the stumps. The single brought up the fifty-run stand for the third wicket.Pope might have also been dismissed before his final score of 71, though his edge on 48 off Anshul Kamboj was as tough a chance as they come for Jurel, standing up to the stumps to keep the batter in his crease. Just when it looked like he might register two hundreds in a series for the first time after bagging one at Headingley, he edged his first ball after lunch through to KL Rahul at first slip. A repeat of his error at Lord’s, when a patient first-innings 44 was given away with the first ball after tea.Washington Sundar picked up two quick wickets after being introduced late•Getty Images

Washington Sundar was the man with the breakthrough – the first of the day – and he followed it up four overs later with Harry Brook for 3. A hint of drift forced the right-hander into a defensive block that ended up on the wrong line. Jurel had the bails off in a flash and Brook was stumped for the first time in Test cricket.It was peculiar that India captain Shubman Gill had not turned to his offspinner earlier than the 69th over of the innings, which came 22 into the morning session. Washington’s 4 for 22 in the third Test had given them a short in the arm. The energy in the field upon his double strike here felt too little too late.Jolted but only trailing by nine, England did not look back. Stokes walked out to join Root and, five wickets already in his back pocket from India’s first innings, looked at ease before cramp set in.A relatively subdued half-century – just three boundaries, taking 97 deliveries, and his first since last November – took him to an exclusive club of his own. He is now one of three England captains to notch a five-for alongside at least a fifty in a Test.It was during the 108th over, reverse-sweeping Washington that Stokes started to feel discomfort in his left calf. Seven overs later, his running had become so laboured that England physiotherapist Ben Davies came out to investigate. Stokes would last just one more over before deciding to momentarily call it quits, limping off and up the stairs to the home dressing room, as Jamie Smith replaced him.Jasprit Bumrah took his first wicket of the Test in his 24th over•Getty Images

Naturally, there were fears of something serious, as Stokes’ previous issues of a dodgy left knee and two right hamstring tears came to the forefront of people’s minds. And the fact that his 129 overs so far are the most he has bowled in a single series.But shortly after 6pm, after Smith had become Jasprit Bumrah’s first wicket of the innings and 50th in England, and Chris Woakes had been bowled by one that kept low from Siraj, out walked Stokes. The ovation was akin to a hero’s return, joining Liam Dawson, who was batting in Tests for the first time since 2017. Stokes rests on 77, his highest score in ten innings.Both lasted through to stumps, even though Bumrah and Siraj tried to unsettle them late in the day with some short stuff. India’s premier quicks looked spent as they walked off, themselves struggling with injuries throughout the day.Bumrah only managed one over with the second new ball – taken in the 91st over – before leaving the field. Siraj then limped off before tea and showed his typical guts to return late in the day and take the last of the five wickets India managed in 89 overs. Bumrah had rolled his ankle going down the stairs while Siraj rolled his foot in one of the footholes, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel would reveal later.Saturday is set to bring more toil, and not even the forecasted rain will be long enough to spare them in a meaningful way. While this day will go down as one when Root ascended the second step of Test cricket’s podium, it was also the day this series was taken out of India’s control.

Arsenal lost 'one of the world's best', now he's outperforming Saka & Eze

The international break is often an unwelcome distraction for Premier League fans, but Arsenal supporters had something to celebrate last night.

England boss Thomas Tuchel started Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, and then brought on Eberechi Eze midway through the second half of the World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

It wasn’t the most memorable of games, but the Gunners’ trio of stars all played brilliantly, especially Saka and Eze.

Yet, so far this season, the pair of them are being outperformed by another former Hale Ender who left the club as a youngster.

Saka & Eze's England performances

Alongside Rice, Saka started for England on Thursday night, and once again reminded everyone why he should, and will, be one of the first names on the teamsheet come the summer.

The Hale End icon was a constant threat for the Three Lions, and opened the scoring just 28 minutes in with a sensational volley from a fair distance out.

It was the kind of goal that a lesser player would be wholly incapable of replicating, as proven in the second half when a Serbian player attempted and failed to do just that.

He didn’t just score the goal and then fade into the background, though, as in his 94 minutes of action, the 24-year-old played one key pass, took three shots, completed 100% of his dribbles, made one clearance, won 66% of his ground duels and recovered the ball five times.

Not to be outdone by his teammate, Eze entered the fray in the 64th minute and was an instant threat, hitting the woodwork and then scoring a goal of his own in the 90th minute.

It wasn’t just any goal, though, as it was another superb strike that nestled in the top corner, giving the Serbian keeper no chance of saving it.

In all, it wasn’t a great night for England, but an excellent one for the Arsenal contingent, who continue to perform for both club and country.

With that said, both Saka and Eze are being outperformed by another former Hale Ender who left the North Londoners as a child.

The former Arsenal gem outplaying Saka & Eze

The unfortunate reality is that every club, let alone one as large as Arsenal, will inevitably miss out on more than a few incredibly talented youngsters over time.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

It is notoriously difficult to predict how good a prospect will really be, and even if a team wants to keep them, they aren’t always able to.

That is what seems to have happened in the case of Michael Olise, who opted to join Chelsea’s youth setup and leave the Gunners’ as a youngster.

However, he wouldn’t make an appearance for the Blues, and after moving a couple more times, would find himself at Reading, where he’d make his senior debut and eventually secure an £8m move to Crystal Palace.

It was at Selhurst Park where the young Frenchman would make his name, as in 90 appearances he’d racked up a tally of 16 goals and 25 assists, which was enough to tempt Bayern Munich to splash £50m on him last summer.

To describe the Hammersmith-born star’s first season in Germany as a success would be a colossal understatement, as in 55 appearances, totalling 3842 minutes, he scored 20 goals and provided 23 assists.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.27 games, or every 89.34 minutes, and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down this year.

For example, he has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in 17 appearances, totalling 1358 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.21 games, or every 97 minutes.

With outrageous numbers like these, it’s easy to understand why Oliver Glasner described the Frenchman as being “one of the best talents in the world.”

Olise vs Saka vs Eze

Player

Olise

Saka

Eze

Games

17

14

15

Starts

15

11

11

Minutes

1358′

963′

973′

Goals

7

6

2

Assists

7

0

3

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For comparison’s sake, Saka has scored six goals in 14 appearances this season, and Eze has produced five goal involvements in 15 games so far.

Ultimately, Arsenal fans understandably wouldn’t want to swap their talismanic number seven for anyone in the world, and the former Crystal Palace star is starting to pick up steam. However, a team with them and Olise in it would surely be almost unstoppable.

Carragher gave Arsenal star a grilling last season, now he's undroppable

The international star has rediscovered his form for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal this season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 14, 2025

'Unbelievable' Archer primed for Ashes impact, says McCullum

England coach claims team for Perth undecided after Jacob Bethell pushes case in ODIs

Matt Roller08-Sep-2025Brendon McCullum expects Jofra Archer to be a “huge player” for England in Australia this winter and described the upcoming Ashes tour as “the biggest series of all of our lives”. England’s coach also hinted that Jacob Bethell still has time to force his way into their side for the first Test in Perth after his maiden hundred on Sunday.Archer set up England’s world-record thrashing of South Africa with a new-ball spell of 4 for 10 in seven overs in Southampton. He made his Test comeback against India in July, taking nine wickets in two appearances, and McCullum said that his injury-free summer has vindicated England’s cautious approach with his return.”That was an unbelievable spell,” McCullum said. “It was box-office bowling…[It’s] not just his pace, but his skill, his ability to shift it both ways and to test batters with the steep bounce he gets. He’s a proper cricketer, hence why we’ve taken our time with him to make sure that we give him every chance to be in the biggest series of all of our lives.Related

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“It’s always a delicate balance. Sometimes you need to keep bowling and you need to keep ticking over. I think a lot of injuries happen when you almost down the tools completely, not that I really understand how that works. But we’ve just got to make sure we work to the plan.”We’ve had a good plan with Jof over the last little while and he’s rewarded us for the type of planning that we’ve had with performances like tonight. He’s going to be a huge player when we get to Australia, as a number of others are. But I don’t think we’ll wrap him up [in cotton wool] per se. We’ll just keep working with him on how he’s going and work out what’s best for him.”Bethell is likely to travel to Australia as England’s spare batter but was in sparkling form against South Africa, following his 58 at Lord’s with 110 off 82 balls in Southampton, and could yet put pressure on incumbent No. 3 Ollie Pope ahead of November’s first Test in Perth. McCullum claimed that he does not yet have a team in his head for the series opener.”We will work that out when we get to Australia,” he said. “We’ve got a few other fish to fry before we get there. We’ve said about Jacob since we introduced him that he’s got a huge future in front of him. He’s very quickly taken to international cricket, and things have come really quickly for him as well.”He’s going to have some life: 21 years of age, and being able to play like he does… I want to celebrate the fact that his first ever professional hundred has been scored in the England jumper at the age of 21. I think [David] Gower’s the only other one [to score an ODI hundred for England at 21], and he was a pretty good player. We’ll see where Jacob ends up.”McCullum also said that Mark Wood and Ben Stokes are “progressing well” ahead of the Ashes, with England set to name their squad towards the end of September. Wood is set to play for Durham in the County Championship later this month, while Stokes is unlikely to play competitively before the first Test in Perth.”Stokesy will be training his arse off as he always does, and making sure he gets as fit as what he possibly can… The last series we saw from Stokesy is probably the best series he’s had as captain, so that’s a good sign. We know that for us to be competitive down in Australia, a fit, firing and motivated Ben Stokes is going to give us every chance.”

Richardson: 'I'd love to play Test cricket again'

Perth Scorchers quick is taking wickets in all formats after an injury-ravaged few years but believes international cricket is still ‘unrealistic’ in the short term

Tristan Lavalette16-Dec-2024As his latest comeback gains further steam, quick Jhye Richardson chuckled at a rather amusing question from a reporter before he pondered.Having last month had a scare with his troubled shoulder after animatedly celebrating a wicket against South Australia in his long-awaited Sheffield Shield return, Richardson was asked whether he could still high-five teammates.”I think I just got caught in a funny position over there in Adelaide, probably just got a little bit too excited and decided to slap a few hands a little bit too hard,” a grinning Richardson told reporters after starring with 3 for 19 in Perth Scorchers’ six-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars in the BBL season-opener at Optus Stadium.Related

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But given his horror run with injuries, including shoulder and hamstring surgeries, Richardson paused in his response and then struck a serious tone.”I mean, it does sound silly, but … maybe we’ll stick with the low fives instead of the high fives,” he said. “But that’s just another thing that we deal with. I’ve dealt enough with my shoulder over the last few years. It’s just another thing to add to the basket.”Richardson is wise to take any precautions, no matter how innocuous they might seem to be, given his cursed luck over the years. He is still unable to throw from deep in the outfield due to the shoulder issue and instead has to bowl the ball in or underarm it if he’s closer in.

“Test cricket is obviously the goal. I’d love to play Test cricket again. I think it’s difficult having had a taste of it and then having that sort of ripped away.”Jhye Richardson

Richardson’s been limited to just three Test matches since debuting against Sri Lanka in January 2019, with the last being a pink-ball game in Adelaide in 2021 when he took his maiden Test five-wicket haul against England.The succession of injuries means Richardson, 28, has spent plenty of time on the sidelines and become a somewhat forgotten player in Australian cricket.But Richardson’s been bowling without interruption since his return in this year’s IPL and his improved fitness saw him return to first-class cricket earlier than expected.Richardson had match figures of 4 for 85 from 29 overs against South Australia in the Shield following four One-Day Cup matches and a couple of second XI games for Western Australia.Jhye Richardson made a dramatic Shield return last month•Getty ImagesEntering the BBL fit and firing, Richardson issued a reminder of why he’s one of the country’s most highly-rated quicks with a spectacular performance against Stars on a bouncy Optus Stadium surface.Bowling fast and finding swing, he claimed Joe Clarke and Sam Harper in a devastating new ball spell before finishing with the wicket of Beau Webster in the backend of Stars’ innings.”It felt a little bit different coming into this game, just purely actually having some cricket behind me over the last few months,” Richardson said. “I know last season, I sort of changed my run-up and had all of that I was dealing with and hadn’t played many games before actually coming into the tournament.”I remember last year feeling probably the most nervous I’ve ever felt on a cricket field before my first ball.”Today was probably the polar opposite. It felt like I could go out there and actually do what I’m used to doing, which is bowling a cricket ball.”While Australia’s frontline attack of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, along with back-up quick Scott Boland, have been remarkably consistent and resilient, Richardson offers valuable pace depth and could figure prominently – if he stays fit – amid an expected transition in the coming years.”Test cricket is obviously the goal,” Richardson said. “I’d love to play Test cricket again. I think it’s difficult having had a taste of it and then having that sort of ripped away.”I think it’s nice to have goals, but I’m obviously not there at the moment, so it would be unrealistic for me to think about international cricket. What’s realistic is what’s in front of me right now, and that’s playing Big Bash cricket and domestic cricket for WA.”But I’m hoping to get back there.”

Cristhian Mosquera supported Arsenal as a boy due to 'aura' as Gunners' newest defensive hero opens up on 'totally intense' Mikel Arteta talks

Cristhian Mosquera has revealed he grew up supporting Arsenal because of the Gunners' 'aura', and has gone on to become one of Mikel Arteta’s newest breakout stars in defence. The 21-year-old, signed from Valencia in 2025, says the Gunners boss played a crucial role in convincing him to join, with his trademark intensity shining through from their very first conversation.

  • Mosquera impresses at Arsenal on debut season

    Mosquera has enjoyed a rapid and impressive start to life at Arsenal after arriving in the summer of 2025. Brought in initially as a rotational option behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, he quickly found himself stepping into high-pressure fixtures earlier than anticipated due to injuries. Despite the Premier League’s notorious learning curve for young defenders, he has handled the challenge with remarkable composure and confidence.

    Those performances have earned him strong internal praise and growing external recognition, marking him as one of the most astute value signings of the season. Arsenal spent around £13 million to secure his services, a fee that already looks like a bargain given the quality he has displayed.

    While Arsenal’s original plan may have been to ease him into the intensity and tactical complexity of Arteta’s system, his form has forced a rethink. Instead of waiting years to develop, Mosquera has placed himself directly into the first-team conversation. His early success has not only boosted squad depth but also strengthened Arsenal’s long-term future at the heart of their defence.

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    Mosquera opens up on Arsenal's 'aura' and 'intense' Arteta

    Mosquera openly admits that Arsenal were already part of his football identity growing up. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “I always watched the Premier League. In fact, my team was Arsenal. The players, the shirt. I saw them as a bit different: they had something, an aura.”

    He revealed the decisive moment in choosing the Gunners came after talking with Mikel Arteta: “Before I had decided, someone in my camp said: ‘The moment you speak to Mikel, there’s no way he won’t convince you.’ And that’s exactly how it happened. When the call finished, my destination couldn’t have been clearer.”

    Mosquera also described Arteta’s famous personality and coaching style: “Yes, totally, totally. He really lives for football, he was raised on it, experienced everything. You see that when he talks. He loves the detail, sees things other eyes might not. I’m so happy with him. He’s an incredible person and he’s helping me a lot. The staff have made it easy. Arsenal is an incredible club.”

    He then gave insight into his swift settling-in period in London: “I’ve settled super fast, which I didn’t expect before I came but I could see it in the first few days. What I’ve most liked about London is that you get there and the myth about the English being cold isn’t true at all. You’re immediately convinced you’ll settle, not just because of the team and coaching staff but the people at the club who don’t get seen from the outside and are fundamental. I was in a hotel but with their help I’ve got a house.”

  • Mosquera had been courted by multiple clubs before Arsenal move

    Mosquera’s signing marked a major coup for Arsenal in the 2025 market, as he was being closely monitored by top clubs across Europe. Having earned an Olympic gold medal with Spain and emerged as one of La Liga’s standout young defenders at Valencia, his availability sparked immediate interest. However, Arsenal’s early groundwork and Arteta’s personal pitch ensured his move to north London happened smoothly.

    The 21-year-old’s versatility has already shown its value as he has filled in on either side of central defence while maintaining a strong level of performance. Ability on the ball has always been a requirement for defenders under Arteta, and Mosquera fits that profile perfectly; able to carry possession forward or initiate attacks through progressive passing lanes. His integration has been so successful that there has been no noticeable drop-off in Arsenal’s system when he plays.

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    Mosquera could start again following Gabriel's injury

    Arsenal’s first-choice partnership remains Saliba and Gabriel, but Mosquera has put genuine pressure on that hierarchy. With a packed fixture schedule and potential rotation required in upcoming marquee matches, more opportunities are inevitable for the young Spaniard. His ability to step up without hesitation ensures he is no longer considered merely backup, but real competition.

    With Gabriel's recent injury on international duty with Brazil, Mosquera may bag another start for Arsenal when they take on Tottenham on November 23. The Spaniard could also feature against Bayern Munich in the Champions League next midweek.

Shohei Ohtani and Agent Sued Over $240 Million Real Estate Project in Hawaii

Shohei Ohtani and his agent are being sued by a Hawaii real estate investor and a broker who were fired from a $240 million luxury housing development, according to the Associated Press.

Some very expensive homes are being built on Hawaii's Big Island on the Hapuna Coast at the Mauna Kea Resort and Ohtani bought one of those homes for about $17 million. He was apparently asked to get involved because of his "celebrity and promotional value." Reports of his buying one of the homes first surfaced in April 2024.

According to the lawsuit the Dodgers star and his agent, Nez Balelo, are accused of "tortious interference and unjust enrichment." Balelo allegedly kept asking for concessions until the point where developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto were both pushed out.

In a statement emailed to on Tuesday, Kingsbarn Reality Capital called the allegations “completely frivolous and without merit.”

“Kingsbarn takes full responsibility for its actions regarding Kevin Hayes and for removing Tomoko Matsumoto as the project’s broker. The Mauna Kea project is world class, and we look forward to welcoming our final group.”

You can check out the area and some of the houses on the project's website.

According to the Associated Press, Ohtani plans to live there in the offseason and will "construct a small hitting and pitching facility for preseason training."

Chelsea have already signed another exciting star who's "just like Estevao"

Sometimes a win is just that, but other times it feels far more consequential, as was the case for Chelsea on Tuesday night.

Enzo Maresca’s side were handed the challenging task of hosting Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League and blew them away.

The Blues emerged 3-0 winners, but so dominant was the display that they could have probably scored another three on a different night.

It also felt like a statement performance from the young Estêvão, so fans should be delighted that the club have already signed another prospect who could be just like him.

Estêvão's statement performance vs Barcelona

As he started Saturday’s Premier League game against Burnley on the bench, there were question marks over whether Estêvão would be given the nod in what should have been such a challenging game.

Fortunately, Maresca opted to hand the youngster his third Champions League start on the bounce, and it was in part thanks to him that the match was so one-sided.

The former Palmeiras gem was a constant threat for the Blues, darting out wide and into the middle with ease, making life particularly nightmarish for Alejandro Balde.

Moreover, it was the 18-year-old who scored the club’s all-important second goal to take the game well and truly away from Hansi Flick’s ten-man side.

It was a sensational effort as well, one that saw him get the better of two defenders with quick footwork before burying the ball into the roof of the net.

However, the “ridiculous talent,” as dubbed by one content creator, did more than just score a goal.

In his 83 minutes of action, he produced an expected assists figure of 0.35, played three key passes, created one big chance, was accurate in 100% of his long passes, took 47 touches, completed two dribbles, and recovered the ball four times.

Estêvão’s game v Barça

Minutes

83′

Expected Goals

0.13

Goals

1

Expected Assists

0.35

Big Chances Created

1

Key Passes

3

Long Balls

1/1

Shots

2

Touches

47

Recoveries

4

All Stats via Sofascore

In all, it was the sort of performance that felt like a statement, as if Estevao was announcing his presence on the world stage and as someone who will be considered among the best in years to come.

So, fans should be delighted that Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become the next Estêvão.

Chelsea's next Estêvão

It’s no secret that Chelsea have been spending big on some of the most exciting young talents from around the world in recent years.

Chalkboard

The likes of Deinner Ordonez, Kendry Páez and Dastan Sätpaev, for example, could all develop into serious players for the Blues over the next decade or so.

However, arguably the most exciting of the lot, and the one who feels like he could start emulating Estêvão the quickest, is Geovany Quenda.

The West Londoners signed the 18-year-old for an eye-watering sum of £44m in March of this year, and so to say that there are high expectations for him would be an understatement.

Fortunately, the Portuguese gem, whom respected talent scout Jacek Kulig describes as “one of the most exciting teenagers in World football,” already looks on his way to meeting them.

For example, so far this season, he has scored four goals and provided seven assists in 19 first-team appearances, totalling just 1078 minutes.

Moreover, the incredible talent also amassed 11 goal involvements for the senior side last season, and, as journalist Bobby Vincent points out, is on his way to “emulating CR7” at the Lisbon side.

Quenda’s 25/26

Appearances

19

Starts

10

Minutes

1078′

Goals

4

Assists

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.57

Minutes per Goal Involvement

98′

Points per Game

2.32

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In fact, he actually took Ronaldo’s record of being the youngest player to score in the country’s top flight when he opened his account last year.

Finally, despite being just 18, the game-changing winger has already won 12 caps for Portugal’s U21 side, during which he’s scored five goals and provided five assists.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his career, but Quenda looks like another world-class talent and, in the words of one Chelsea content creator, it’s easy to imagine him having an impact “just like Estêvão” next season.

As good as Estevao: £60m star is on his way to becoming "a Chelsea legend"

Estevao was the star of the show as Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 26, 2025

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