The South Africa captain becomes the club’s pre-draft overseas player
ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2025Laura Wolvaardt will continue her association with Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL after becoming their pre-draft signing on a two-year deal.In 71 matches for Strikers over five seasons, South Africa captain Wolvaardt has made 1726 runs at 27.83 and a strike-rate of 110.92.Strikers were aiming for a hat-trick of titles last season but struggled with just three wins in 10 matches to finish seventh.”The club has become a second home to me, and I’ve made so many incredible memories here, especially our back-to-back championship wins,” Wolvaardt said. “While last season didn’t go as we hoped, I’m incredibly excited about the future and determined to help bring more success to the Strikers and our amazing fans. I can’t wait to get back to Adelaide with the team.”Strikers head coach Luke Williams said: “Laura is a world-class player and a vital part of the Strikers family, so we are ecstatic to have her sign on for two more years.”Her skill with the bat, combined with her leadership and experience, is invaluable. She has consistently performed under pressure and played a huge role in our previous championship successes. We know she will be a key pillar for us as we build towards a strong WBBL|11 season and beyond.”The overseas draft for the WBBL and BBL will be held on June 19. All clubs can pre-sign one player with Melbourne Renegades now the only club not to have filled that slot for the WBBL.
A Rangers player has dropped a pointed update regarding his Ibrox future during the international break, aiming a message at manager Russell Martin.
Martin says no issues with Rangers players
The Gers did at least manage to come away with a 0-0 draw away to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership before the international break, but it has still been a hugely disappointing start to the season.
One individual who played no part in proceedings at Parkhead was Nicolas Raskin, with former Rangers striker Kris Boyd left bemused by what he sees as chaos at the training ground.
Nicolas Raskin
That being said, Martin has played down any issues that may have arisen, saying the relationship he has with his players is healthy currently: “I’d describe my relationship with all the players, all the staff as honest and open.
“I don’t think you can have anything else apart from that. There’s not a breakdown in any relationships here. If it’s honest and open, there can’t be a breakdown in any relationships.”
Rangers ace gives key update on his future
Speaking to the media after representing Belgium on international duty, Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin provided a 12-word update on his Ibrox future, with a short but pointed message to Martin after the manager refuted rumours of a relationship breakdown.
“But it (my future) doesn’t just depend on me, it depends on the coach.”
It is disappointing to see Raskin up in the air about his Rangers future, and clearly not entirely happy at the club, considering what a talented player he is.
The 24-year-old possesses a great combination of quality and fight in the middle of the park, with former striker Rory Loy speaking of his admiration for him earlier this year.
“You’ve seen a side of him, and I’m not saying he never showed it under Philippe Clement, but the consistency he’s shown with it since Ferguson has come in has been quite something. So I do think he deserves credit in terms of the mental side of the game and then we already know he’s got ability. He’s shown that in abundance over the last three months.”
Hopefully, Raskin’s relationship with Martin improves enough for him to remain at Ibrox for the foreseeable future, but the situation doesn’t exactly feel too encouraging currently.
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To leave an international player out of the squad entirely in a huge game against Celtic shows that all is not well, and if things don’t improve, it is hard to see both Raskin and Martin being at Rangers come the end of the season, if not by the time the January transfer window arrives.
Liverpool entered the 2024/25 season with a reputation to uphold.
Arne Slot’s debut campaign in charge could hardly have gone better, with the Reds claiming the Premier League title.
Yet this summer has brought significant change at Anfield, with a reshaped attack, a record-breaking midfield signing, and the arrival of a long-pursued striker.
The summer business was headline-grabbing.
Florian Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, briefly becoming the most expensive player in British football history before that record was broken weeks later by Alexander Isak’s £125m switch from Newcastle.
The squad was further bolstered by Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Geovani Leoni and Hugo Ekitike, while mainstays Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez departed.
Results at the start of the season have been strong – a 4-2 win over Bournemouth, a 3-2 victory at Newcastle, and a 1-0 triumph against Arsenal before the international break.
But behind the scenes, Slot still has questions to answer.
Wirtz's struggles at the start of the season
Signed from Leverkusen after interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Wirtz was expected to light up Anfield.
Instead, the playmaker has endured a difficult start, raising the possibility of tactical adjustments.
Starting all three league matches, he has yet to register a goal or an assist.
While he grew into the second half against Arsenal, critics have noted that his influence does not match the price tag.
This issue has also extended to international duty.
After Germany’s 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying, manager Julian Nagelsmann publicly questioned his players’ commitment.
Wirtz responded days later with a direct free-kick goal against Northern Ireland, showing flashes of quality that hint at his long-term potential.
But Liverpool fans are still waiting for that same spark in red.
His numbers underline the paradox. According to FBref, Wirtz ranked highly for creativity and progression last season: 5.02 progressive carries, 6.74 progressive passes, and 5.66 shot-creating actions per 90.
Florian Wirtz scores for Germany
Yet those underlying metrics have not yet translated into output, leaving Slot with a conundrum.
Liverpool's Wirtz solution
This is where Dominik Szoboszlai enters the conversation.
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai
Lauded by journalist Bence Bocsák as “Gerrard-esque,” the Hungarian has quietly been one of Liverpool’s most effective performers this term.
After being criticised by Slot for his part in Bournemouth’s opening goal on the first day, he responded emphatically.
A stunning 30-yard free-kick secured victory against Arsenal, while his stint at right-back in the raucous win at St James’ Park highlighted his versatility.
Szoboszlai has typically been deployed in defensive midfield or even wide to cover injuries, including Jeremie Frimpong’s absence.
But it could be argued that his natural home is in attacking midfield, the very role Wirtz is occupying.
With Alexis Mac Allister struggling for fitness, a space has opened up – and Szoboszlai has the credentials to fill it.
Statistically, Szoboszlai compares favourably in some key areas.
2024/25 Season
Stat
Wirtz
Szoboszlai
Matches Played
31
36
Goals
10
6
Assists
12
6
Progressive Carries
131
72
Progressive Passes
176
131
Source: FBref
His pass completion rate of 84.3% dwarfs Wirtz’s 78.3%, while his pressing intensity and stamina have been widely praised.
He averages 4.73 progressive passes and 4.30 shot-creating actions per 90 – slightly behind Wirtz, but with greater efficiency.
His ability to contribute defensively adds another dimension to Slot’s midfield puzzle.
Wirtz still leads the way for goal involvements last season (22 to Szoboszlai’s 12), and his 198.1 progressive passing distance per 90 shows his ability to advance play.
But Szoboszlai’s adaptability may give him the edge in the short term, particularly in high-intensity fixtures where control and work rate are paramount.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The tactical question, then, is whether Liverpool persist with Wirtz to allow him to adapt, or whether Slot pivots towards a proven performer in Szoboszlai.
With Isak now leading the line and Mohamed Salah and Ekitike offering themselves from wide, creativity from midfield is vital.
Wirtz will almost certainly prove his value at Anfield over the long haul, but Szoboszlai offers a compelling case right now.
His pressing, ball progression, and leadership have been crucial to Liverpool’s perfect start, while his ability to step into Wirtz’s role could provide the spark needed in the months ahead.
As Slot weighs his options, Liverpool supporters may soon see the Hungarian restored to his preferred role – and if he continues to play as he has, the £116m signing could find himself fighting for minutes sooner than expected.
Liverpool have a prodigy who has the potential to hit Wirtz's price tag
Liverpool have enough quality to sustain a lengthy period of illustrious success.
Kevin Thelwell raised more than a few eyebrows when the details of the deal to bring Youssef Chermiti to Glasgow Rangers on a permanent deal from Everton emerged.
Sky Sports reported that the Portuguese striker has joined the club for an initial fee of £8m from the Premier League side, with a further £2m in possible add-ons on top of that.
This means that Chermiti is the most expensive signing the Scottish Premiership giants have made since they paid £12m to sign Tore Andre Flo from Chelsea 25 years ago.
Why Chermiti represents a big risk for Rangers
It is fair to say that Thelwell is taking a big risk by splashing such a huge sum of money on the striker for Rangers, just two years after he signed the same player for Everton for a deal worth up to £15m.
The 21-year-old centre-forward failed to deliver a single competitive goal in two seasons with the Toffees, playing 24 matches in that time, and only scored three goals in 22 games for Sporting in his home country, per Sofascore.
This means that Chermiti has only scored three goals in his senior career by the age of 21. That is not a record that suggests that Rangers are going to get heaps of goals out of him straight away, which you would hope for from the money that they have spent on him.
Market Movers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?
A minimum fee of £8m is, therefore, a risky move by the club because of his unimpressive record, particularly when you consider that Nicolas Raskin is worth a similar amount.
Rangers have hit the jackpot with Nicolas Raskin
The Gers signed the Belgian central midfielder from Standard Liege for a fee of just under £1.5m at the start of 2023, and he has established himself as a star, winning the club’s Player of the Season award last season.
Raskin was left out of the squad to face Celtic on Sunday in the Scottish Premiership, but he remained at Ibrox past the summer transfer window and is expected to hold talks with Russell Martin to clear the air and reintegrate him into the squad.
There is no doubting the quality that he provides the team on the pitch after his impressive performances last season. He racked up five goals and 11 assists in all competitions, per Sofascore, on his way to winning the Player of the Season award.
His market value has soared beyond the initial fee of £8m that the club have paid for Chermiti to reflect his impressive showings in Glasgow in recent seasons.
January 2023
£1.5m move to Rangers
June 2023
£6.5m
December 2024
£6.9m
March 2024
£6.5m
May 2024
£5.6m
June 2025
£8.7m
As you can see in the table above, Raskin is currently valued at £8.7m by Transfermarkt, which is more than the fee that has been paid for the Portuguese striker and significantly more than the rough fee of £1.5m that was paid to Standard Liege for the Belgian talent.
Rangers' Leon Balogun, James Tavernier and NicolasRaskincelebrate after the match
This shows that the midfield star, who was once described as a “pitbull” by reporter Bob Faesen, has developed and progressed brilliantly since his move to Ibrox over two years ago.
Rangers have hit the jackpot with the Belgium international, who is now one of their most valued assets, and they will be hoping that he can kick on and be a key player again after his upcoming talks with Martin.
Martin cost Rangers the win by playing star who was worse than Aasgaard
Russell Martin may look back on this tactical decision with regret after his underwhelming display.
Heung-Min Son is loving life in the United States after bidding farewell to Tottenham, with the South Korean superstar netting his first MLS hat-trick for LAFC. After 10 years in north London, the 33-year-old forward now finds himself in California. He has made an immediate impact there, with another match ball being added to his collection against Real Salt Lake.
Severed ties with Spurs after trophy triumph
Son walked away from Spurs after a decade of loyal service. He signed off on a high, having captained the Premier League outfit to Europa League glory in 2024-25. Said success brought a 17-year wait for major silverware to a close.
AdvertisementSon net his first hat-trick for LAFCChasing American dream alongside Messi
A new challenge is now being embraced, with Son deciding – like Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi before him – to go chasing the American dream. He finds himself in Los Angeles, with his arrival there causing quite a stir.
While Son remains a marketing dream, he does have to deliver on the field. He has been doing just that, with a first hat-trick of his stint in the States being recorded in a 4-1 win over RSL. Two clinical finishes were produced, before sliding in his third after being teed up by Denis Bouanga.ENJOYED THIS STORY?
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GettyMLS warned: Son says he can get better
Son believes that he can get even better, telling reporters: “I think I'm still adapting [to] this league, but I think I still can play better than where I am at for sure. I think it's a lot of communication with the players, and I think I have a very, very close relationship with everyone.
“It's been five weeks, six weeks, I would say, but everybody just welcomed me so well and been communicating a lot of things. Also off the pitch, I think it's very important culture-wise. There's still other things in this league and then still understanding players each other more, but I think it quite works really well at the moment.”
Alagappan Muthu30-Nov-2024The first day of the two-day pink ball game between India and the Prime Minister’s XI was washed out due to persistent rain.Chances of play were remote with a steady drizzle bedding in from almost 10am right through to about 5.30pm during which time the covers stayed firmly on. The Indian team did come over to the ground but there wasn’t much reason for them to stick around.The rain did stop, briefly, late in the day, and there was a flurry of activity, with the covers being peeled off and members of both teams’ support staff being briefed by the two umpires. But when the groundstaff restored the covers, packed up and left at 6.30pm, it was clear that there would be no cricket. Much heavier rain came through at 7pm.The game is expected to resume as a 50-over affair starting from 2.40pm on Sunday. Tickets for Saturday’s play will be refunded.The day-night match was going to be India’s only chance of getting any game time with the pink ball under lights, especially or India captain Rohit Sharma who joined the squad after missing the first Test in Perth, which India won by 295 runs. Sunday could also be the return for Shubman Gill, who missed the first game because of a thumb injury and had returned to the nets in Canberra on Friday.The second Test is a day-night game from December 6 in Adelaide, where India were bowled out for 36 in their last outing there.
India’s hopes briefly arose. New Zealand could perhaps feel a sense of déjà vu. Pakistan themselves threatened to do the unthinkable. Only for all of it to come crashing at the end of it all.New Zealand crushed Pakistan in their final group game to qualify for the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since 2016. Batting first, they could only finish on 110 for 6. India needed Pakistan to beat New Zealand for them to make the semi-final. Pakistan themselves needed to hunt down the score anywhere inside 11.3 overs to qualify for the last four at the expense of India and New Zealand. In a bid to do so, they were bowled out for 56, their lowest all-out total in T20 World Cups.Nashra Sandhu led Pakistan’s charge with the ball, picking up three wickets to pull the plug on New Zealand’s scoring. But Amelia Kerr returned with three of her own, following Eden Carson’s strikes up top as New Zealand completed a remarkable comeback having come into the competition on the back of a record ten-match losing streak.
Bates, Plimmers and a start
When Suzie Bates drove the second ball of the game down the ground to beat mid-off, it looked as if New Zealand’s decision to bat first was vindicated. An over later, both Georgia Plimmer and Bates managed to hit a four apiece off Fatima Sana before Plimmer bisected the gap at extra cover in the fourth over. By the end of five overs, New Zealand had hit five fours and looked good for more, despite a slightly higher number of dot balls faced.Only when Omaima Sohail was brought on for the final over of the powerplay, did there come a sign of what was to follow.
Pakistan drop catches, NZ drop scoring
Nida Dar’s first over, the fifth of the game, gave an indication of her fortunes for the day. Bates attempted a reverse lap on the second ball against Dar, only to deflect it to the wicketkeeper. But Muneeba Ali failed to hang on. That was the first of five dropped chances Pakistan missed off Dar’s bowling alone. In the sixth, Bates pulled Sohail straight to midwicket but Sandhu could not hold on. A ball before, Plimmer had survived a run-out chance.Plimmer and Bates could not make those chances count. With New Zealand’s score on 41, the former skewed a top edge off Sandhu towards cover, where Sana fumbled before hanging on. In Sandhu’s next over, Bates hit one down long-on’s throat. Sohail had grassed a tough caught and bowled chance when Amelia Kerr was on nought but manage to have her caught at the deep midwicket ropes cheaply.Boundaries were hard to come by. Sophie Devine tried using her feet to counter spin but to no avail. She was also given a life when she was on 13. Pakistan dropped five catches in the last three overs. Despite that, New Zealand could hit only seven fours – the last two coming off Brooke Halliday’s bat – and were restricted to a total that seemed very gettable at the halfway mark. Sandhu finished with 3 for 18 while Dar, Iqbal and Sohail also picked up a wicket apiece.
Pakistan’s attacking ways play into NZ’s hands
Pakistan knew they had to hunt down the 101-run target inside 12 overs for a semi-final place. Their intentions were clear when they sent Aliya Riaz up to open the batting alongside Muneeba. It was only the second time that Riaz had walked out to open in a T20I, the first time since 2014. Her stay lasted only three balls as she miscued offspinner Carson to cover. Muneeba began solidly, first skipping down to loft Carson straight back and then pulling Lea Tahuhu through deep backward square leg – aided by a misfield. But Tahuhu got one to seam in, past the inside edge, to make a mess of Muneeba’s stumps.That was the start of a massive collapse from Pakistan. They lost five wickets inside the powerplay to be 28 for 5. A massively reworked batting order – that saw Dar bat at No. 7 – did not bear the desired result. Dar and Sana’s 24-run partnership for the sixth wicket was Pakistan’s best. But once their most experienced allrounder fell in the tenth over, Pakistan folded as quickly as New Zealand started. They lost their last five wickets for just four runs in 11.4 overs, the exact over mark by when they had to complete the chase to qualify.
Celtic have now submitted an opening bid for a forward who was regularly among the goals in the 2024-25 season, a report has revealed.
Hoops keen on new forward amid Maeda uncertainty
In Kyogo Furuhashi’s absence from January onwards, Daizen Maeda well and truly stepped up last season, providing 16 goals and seven assists in the Scottish Premiership, while also scoring seven goals en-route to the Scottish Cup Final.
As such, it is little wonder the Japanese forward is attracting attention from elsewhere, with Everton recently joining fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the race for his signature.
Brendan Rodgers recently dropped an update on the situation, in which he confirmed the 27-year-old has remained professional, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
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After being impressed by Maeda’s performance in the 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle United, Rodgers said: “I don’t think there have been any developments on that, but he’s a professional and his focus is very much on here.
“Yeah, all the players, all the players had a real good focus, and I’ve always said there’s not a friendly game when you play for Celtic. There are always tests for you, but the players came through really, really well. Daizen, all the guys, they worked really well.”
Daizen Maeda in action for Celtic.
However, with the forward’s future very much up in the air, Celtic have now set their sights on a new winger, namely Go Ahead Eagles’ Jakob Breum, with a report from The National revealing they have submitted an opening offer of £1.5m for his services.
However, the bid was way below Go Ahead Eagles’ asking price of £5m, meaning it was knocked back, with club director Jan Willem van Dop saying: “There has been a bid for Jakob Breum from a foreign club,
“We are so far apart there. You have to stand your ground. He may have to realise that it could be very good to stay with us at least until the winter break, just like Oliver Edvardsen.”
Breum regularly among the goals in the Eredivisie
The 21-year-old enjoyed his best campaign to date last season, amassing a total of 17 goal contributions for Go Ahead Eagles across all competitions.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Eredivisie
26
10
5
KNVB Beker
3
1
0
UECL Qualifiers
2
0
1
As such, the versatile forward, who is capable of playing on both wings and in attacking midfield, could be an exciting signing for Celtic, although, given that the 2024-25 season was his first real eye-catching season numbers-wise, it is clear to see why they’re unwilling to pay £5m.
Consequently, it could be wise to move on to alternative targets, of which there is no shortage, with it recently being revealed the Hoops are now stepping up their pursuit of Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who has 46 goal contributions in 141 games for Royal Antwerp.
أعلن باريس سان جيرمان دخول الإسباني لويس إنريكي، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي إلى قسم الطوارئ بعدما تعرض لحادثة أمس الجمعة.
وافتتح إنريكي الموسم بالفوز ببطولة كأس السوبر الأوروبي على حساب نظيره توتنهام هوتسبير بركلات الترجيح بعدما انتهت المباراة في الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل الإيجابي 2/2.
وشهد الموسم الماضي 2024/2025 تألقًا كبيرًا لصالح الفريق الفرنسي من خلال قدرته على التتويج ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا لأول مرة في تاريخه بعد الفوز على إنتر بخماسية نظيفة.
وأعلن النادي الفرنسي عبر حساباته الرسمية على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي أن لويس إنريكي، تعرض لحادث دراجة هوائية مساء أمس، الجمعة.
المدرب الإسباني المتوج ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مرتين تعرض لسقوط قوي وتم نقله إلى قسم الطوارئ حيث سيخضع لعملية جراحية خلال الساعات المقبلة.
ولم يحدد الفريق الباريسي في بيانه مدة غياب إنريكي، لكن تشخيص الإصابة التي حدثت هي كسر في عظمة الترقوة.
كما أعرب باريس سان جيرمان عن دعمه الكامل لمدربه وتمنى له الشفاء العاجل وسيقدم فريق الدوري الفرنسي المزيد من المعلومات حول الحادثة وحالة لويس إنريكي خلال الساعات المقبلة.
Following a cycling accident on Friday, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique was treated by the emergency services and will undergo surgery for a fractured collarbone. The Club expresses its full support and wishes him a swift recovery. Further updates will be shared in… — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 5, 2025
Mayers is expected to link up with the West Indies squad on Saturday
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2024West Indies opening batter Brandon King has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup 2024 due to a side strain he suffered during West Indies’ Super Eight loss against England on June 19.Left-hand opening batter Kyle Mayers will replace King in the squad for the rest of the tournament. Mayers is likely to link up with the squad on Saturday.Having been sent into bat by the England captain Jos Buttler in Gros Islet, King smashed 23 off just 12 balls, which included a 101-metre six off Reece Topley in the third over. But, on his 13th ball, King, in a bid to charge down the track to smash Sam Curran through cover, injured himself. He received treatment from the medical staff but failed to carry on and retired hurt on 23 with West Indies eventually going down by eight wickets.Related
West Indies wait on King scans after 'worrying' side strain
King did not field in the run-chase with Shimron Hetmyer filling in for him. He travelled to Barbados for West Indies’ Super Eight fixture against USA on Friday, as he awaited the results of his MRI scans, but has failed to pull through.”The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has approved left-handed batter Kyle Mayers as a replacement for Brandon King in the West Indies squad,” an ICC release read. “Mayers, who has played 37 T20Is, was named as a replacement after King was ruled out due to a side strain. Mayers is expected to join the squad on Saturday.”King’s absence is a big blow to West Indies’ fortunes. He has been the team’s leading run-scorer in T20Is since the start of 2023, with 651 runs in 23 innings, which includes four fifties. He was also the highest run-scorer in their 3-0 T20I series sweep over South Africa heading into the tournament.The 29-year-old didn’t set the T20 World Cup alight though managing just 86 runs in five innings with a highest score of 34 against Papua New Guinea.His replacement Mayers was widely considered unfortunate to miss the initial cut having had a decent 2024. In 11 T20 games this year, the left-hander has scored 367 runs, striking at 155.50. He has also picked nine wickets with his medium pace.West Indies won four out of four games in the group stage but started the Super Eight with a loss. After their USA fixture on Friday in Barbados, they will play South Africa on Sunday in North Sound, Antigua.