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South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in this World Cup talks about her early years in the game, and why she watches a lot of cricket these days

Firdose Moonda27-Oct-2025Many, if not most, elite sportspeople turn their passion into their profession but occasionally things work the other way. Nonkululeko Mlaba is an example of someone for whom cricket was a job first, and the joy came later.Mlaba grew up in the township of KwaMashu, north-west of Durban, in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal on South Africa’s east coast. Like many of the areas the apartheid government demarcated for black Africans, KwaMashu was densely populated and severely under-resourced, and residents were deprived of access to good-quality housing, roads or sports facilities. Democracy arrived in 1994, and Mlaba, born in 2000, grew up with a certain level of hardship.As a child, she “didn’t even know there was a sport called cricket”, but once she was introduced to it, she got involved casually. She played at Lindelane Cricket Club in the neighbouring township of Ntuzuma, where she bowled pace until her coach, Sandile Caluza, turned her into a spinner.”I didn’t understand it at first and I was so mad,” Mlaba says, “but I started to enjoy it more because I didn’t have to run to bowl. I could just walk in and bowl.Related

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“But it wasn’t easy. When I first started bowling spin, my fingers were sore. I felt like the webbing was going to split and it was really hard.”In her teens, Mlaba trained at one of Cricket South Africa’s hubs, development facilities established across the country to unearth talent outside the elite schooling system. The one Mlaba was at, the INK hub, which served Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu, is among the most successful. It was where offspinner Nondumiso Shangase, who is also part of the World Cup squad, and allrounder Andile Simelane, who has played nine T20Is for South Africa’s men’s side, emerged. The hub continues to do its job of talent-spotting, but the more pressing question is what comes next.Mlaba had just completed her schooling when the Kwa-Zulu Natal union expressed an interest in her making the step up to provincial cricket. Though KwaMashu is only 16kms from Kingsmead, the difficulties in using public transport and the dangers of travelling at certain times of the day meant she was unlikely to be able to devote as much time to training as she would have liked. The gap had to close.The board stepped in, and in partnership with corporate sponsors, funded an apartment for Mlaba and Shangase to live in in the upmarket suburb of Musgrave, and also provided them with a monthly stipend. Much closer to Kingsmead, their new base was convenient and secure. It was also a golden ticket to building a career, as they effectively now had jobs. If that hadn’t been offered to her, what else could Mlaba have done?”I don’t know,” she says. “At that phase of my life, there was pressure. I was out of school, I needed to try and get a job, provide for my family. For most people, you study and then you work. Cricket really helped us a lot. It helped us to not really focus on trying to do other things, and money they gave us, we gave to our families to buy groceries. Because you know with black tax…”

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Hosts face a tricky path to 2027 ODI World Cup while Pakistan will bank on their returning big names to fire

Danyal Rasool07-Aug-2025So, this is the series that might not have happened. The PCB didn’t try too hard to conceal their displeasure at being dragged out to Trinidad to play out a three-match ODI series after T20Is in Florida; an additional few short-form games in the US would have suited them just fine. Their opposite number felt a tour of the West Indies ought to at least include setting foot in the West Indies, and that once Pakistan made it there, they might as well play the 50-over games the two had mutually agreed upon.And West Indies really do think it’s about time people stopped trying to keep them from playing ODI cricket. They missed out on the two most recent ICC tournaments in the format, qualification defeat in 2023 locking them out of both that year’s World Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy. Three games apiece against Ireland and England comprise the sum total of ODIs West Indies have played in 2025, with just one win to show for it.West Indies need to turn that around quickly if they’re to avoid missing a third successive 50-over ICC event. They are ranked 10th, with qualification for 2027 only guaranteed to the top eight teams aside from hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe; with Zimbabwe well outside the top eight, West Indies realistically need to finish within the top nine – one place higher than they are – to secure automatic passage at the cut-off date. A series win against Pakistan, ranked six places above them, would help significantly.Related

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Pakistan may be favourites for this series, but you wouldn’t know it from their recent ODI form. Their win-loss record this year is worse than the hosts, their solitary win sandwiched between seven defeats. It included an ignominious tournament as hosts of the Champions Trophy, where they were knocked out within the first five days, and exited without winning a game at the bottom of their group.Even so, as the rankings reflect, this is probably Pakistan’s best format. In its current state, that’s a bit like the straightest line in a Picasso painting, but it isn’t like Pakistan are producing masterpieces anywhere else. Before they timed their horror run with devastating precision at the most important juncture of the year, Pakistan had come into 2025 on a wave off ODI optimism. Three consecutive away series wins – in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa – made them look a formidable side with a set template that worked consistently. Saim Ayub was in the form of his life at the top and Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf each were among the top wicket-takers for fast bowlers in 2024.Saim Ayub is back to full fitness and back to the Caribbean, where he has had success in the CPL•Associated PressWhile all of that was to vaporise in the wake of Ayub’s injury in Cape Town, the core of Pakistan’s side remains similar to the that one. And Ayub is now back to full fitness, as well as nearing his best form. The bowling is led by Shaheen and Naseem Shah, while wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan captains the side.Babar Azam, No. 2 in the ICC ODI rankings, also returns. But in the wake of Fakhar Zaman’s injury, it remains to be seen if Pakistan replicate their cack-handed strategy of throwing him up to open the batting in the Champions Trophy, inspired by Aqib Javed and random hope rather than any evidence of its wisdom.West Indies’ squad is not dissimilar to the one that had toured England over the summer, though Shimron Hetmyer continues to be unavailable with a side strain. Brandon King and Evin Lewis have shaken off injuries to form part of the squad.While Trinidad & Tobago, where all three ODIs will be played, has a reputation for turn, information on conditions at the new venue in Tarouba is harder to come by. The Brian Lara Cricket Academy has only hosted one ODI, a game where India beat West Indies in by 200 runs. Barring weather playing spoilsport with Trinidad in the peak of its wet season, the three upcoming games will clarify if West Indies’ decision to go in with just one specialist spinner alongside Roston Chase was judicious.This series may not have a lot going for it commercially. It’s the wrong format, in the wrong time zone, between the wrong sides, in the wrong season. But for West Indies, it could prove the difference between the life support of an ICC World Cup berth or the financial oblivion of missing out once more.For the visitors it is a chance to show themselves as much as anyone else they still have the quality to be world-class at a time when Pakistan cricket is less marketable than it has ever been. If a measure of a series’ value is what’s at stake for it, then perhaps there’s not much wrong about the games that will unfold in Trinidad this week.

Crystal Palace are now targeting Brendan Rodgers as a long-term replacement for Oliver Glasner, whose contract is set to expire next summer.

Palace fans will still be holding out hope that Glasner will opt to extend his contract, and there was recently a positive update, with Steve Parish confirming that talks over a new deal have already taken place.

The chairman said: “We’ve had some early conversations. “We would love to keep Oliver, we’re building something. I think for Oliver it’s about the conditions being right.”

“It’s about everything being in a way that he enjoys his work and he finds the conditions favourable to achieve. Oliver wants to win things, he makes no secret of that. That’s what he’s in football for.

“So if we can align those interests then hopefully we can make something happen.”

However, having led the Eagles to their first major trophy in history and a remarkable 19-game unbeaten run, it will be no surprise if the Austrian attracts interest from some top clubs, with Manchester United being touted as a potential destination earlier this month.

With Ruben Amorim turning the corner, having won three games on the bounce, United’s interest may have cooled, but there will no doubt be other clubs keen if Glasner continues to overachieve.

Crystal Palace targeting Rodgers as Glasner replacement

As such, according to a report from The Boot Room, Crystal Palace have now started to make contingency plans for life after Glasner, having identified Rodgers as a target for next summer.

Journalist Graeme Bailey reveals Palace are doing their “due diligence” by identifying potential replacements for their manager at the end of the season, and Rodgers is on their “long list” of targets.

Returning to England is regarded as the Northern Irishman’s “number one priority”, having recently resigned from his post as Celtic manager, amid a poor relationship with the club’s hierarchy.

In an ideal world, Glasner will put pen to paper on a new contract before too long, but if the 51-year-old chooses to seek pastures new, the ex-Celtic boss could be a fantastic replacement, having received high praise from former footballer David Meyler in the past.

The 52-year-old has won 13 trophies across his managerial career, two of which came at Leicester City, guiding the Foxes to an FA Cup triumph in the 2020-21 season, before going on to lift the Community Shield months later.

In his last five managerial roles, the Carnlough-born manager has maintained a solid point per match record, guiding Swansea City to Premier League promotion, with his three-year stint at Liverpool his only unsuccessful period.

Club

Matches

Points per match

Swansea City

96

1.55

Liverpool

166

1.77

Celtic

169

2.24

Leicester City

204

1.59

Celtic

123

2.19

As such, should Glasner depart, Rodgers could be an ideal replacement, but there is a good chance a manager of his quality gets snapped up before next summer.

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A concern for the Eagles.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

Manchester United’s run of five games unbeaten in the Premier League is evidence that Ruben Amorim is certainly starting to get the best out of the current crop of players Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old’s stint in England has been nothing but plain sailing, as seen by his inability to lead the club to a respectable finish in 2024/25 – subsequently ending the year in 15th place.

However, the hierarchy have shown faith in the former Sporting CP boss, as seen by his £200m spending spree during the recent summer transfer window.

The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have all joined the Red Devils in the last few months, with the latter of the trio already scoring six combined goals in England’s top-flight.

Despite the mammoth investment within the attacking department, the manager is still craving a new central midfielder to help take his side to the next level in the years ahead.

Man United’s hunt for a new central midfielder in January

Over the last couple of weeks, Elliot Anderson has been the name on the lips of all United supporters, with rumours rapidly starting to circle over a move for his signature.

The Nottingham Forest star has risen to stardom over the last 12 months, with the 23-year-old featuring in every league game in 2025/26, even earning him a spot in the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.

It’s been reported in recent days that the Red Devils have already reached out to the Reds over a potential deal for the youngster, but have been quoted a fee in the region of £100m for his services.

However, Anderson isn’t the only midfielder currently in their sights, with the hierarchy also closely monitoring German star Angelo Stiller ahead of the upcoming window.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men are preparing an offer in the region of €60m (£53m) for the Stuttgart star, with Real Madrid also interested in a move for his signature.

The report claims that his current employers don’t want to lose the 24-year-old in the near future, but they could be forced to if an acceptable offer is presented by the likes of United.

Why Stiller target would be their own Anderson

United fans have seen first-hand the talents that Anderson currently possesses, after the Forest star managed to run the show in the recent meeting between the sides at the City Ground.

He featured for the entirety of the contest and thrived in and out of possession, as Sean Dyche’s men secured a 2-2 draw against the Red Devils in the East Midlands.

The 23-year-old managed to create three chances for his teammates – offering a threatening option with the ball – whilst also making 14 recoveries and preventing Amorim’s men from extending their winning run.

Anderson’s ability to complete 100% of his dribbles and register 15 passes into the final third further showcases his phenomenal talents – with such a performance leaving the United fanbase demanding his signature.

However, English talents are always more expensive in the modern transfer market, as seen by the current £100m price tag that has been placed on his head at present.

Given the money spent in the summer, it’s unclear if the United hierarchy would splash such a sum, with a potential deal breaking their club-record transfer fee set by Paul Pogba in 2016.

As a result, a move for Stiller could prove to be a more realistic proposition, but that’s not to say he’s a lower quality talent than England international, Anderson.

The German has been labelled as a similar player to the 23-year-old by FBref in the Europa League this season, with the Stuttgart star even bettering him in numerous key areas to date.

Stiller, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by one analyst, has completed more key passes per 90, whilst also making more passes into the opposition box per 90.

Games played

10

11

Goals & assists

4

2

Progressive carries

2.2

1.3

Pass accuracy

86%

83%

Key passes

2.1

1.3

Passes into opposition box

2.3

1.2

Interceptions made

1.1

0.9

Clearances made

1.4

0.8

Take-ons completed

73%

50%

Such numbers are no mean feat, especially considering Anderson’s talents in possession, subsequently showcasing the phenomenal talent that the Stuttgart talent currently possesses.

He’s also registered more progressive carries per 90, whilst achieving a higher take-on success rate, with such figures highlighting his dominance over the Forest star with the ball at his feet.

Stiller has managed to provide key talents out of possession too, even bettering the Englishman in terms of interceptions and clearances made per 90 in 2025/26.

The aforementioned figures could certainly make the German the perfect number six in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, which could finally end the club’s hunt for a new midfielder.

Anderson may remain as many supporters’ number one choice for the role, but ultimately, his current asking price is way above the range United would spend in January.

As a result, Stiller could offer a cheaper yet more effective option to the Red Devils, potentially helping the side make a top four push come the end of May.

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Emi Buendia struck with the last kick of the game to earn Aston Villa a 2-1 win against Arsenal and condemn Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders to a first defeat in 19 games in all competitions. It looked like the Gunners had battled back to claim a hard-earned point when Leandro Trossard came off the bench to cancel out Matty Cash's first-half opener, but substitute Buendia was on hand to fire in a dramatic winner in the final seconds of stoppage time to move Villa to within three points of the top of the table.

It was an absolute sickener for Arsenal, who found themselves behind at half-time after Cash nipped in front of the ball-watching Eberechi Eze and fired a first-time effort through the legs of David Raya and into the net.

A clearly frustrated Arteta made a double change at the break, with Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres replacing Eze and Mikel Merino, and the changes made an immediate impact, with Trossard turning the ball in from close range after Martinez had saved from Bukayo Saka.

There were then chances for both teams to go in front, with Saka having one effort cleared off the line and substitute Donyell Malen firing wide at the other end. But as the clock ticked down it looked like both would had to settle for a point before Buendia's last-gasp heroics sent the home fans wild.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Villa Park…

AFPGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (7/10):

Made one superb save when Watkins looked certain to score. Bit unlucky with Cash's goal, which fizzed through his legs from close range. So unlucky to be beaten late on.

Ben White (7/10):

Bright performance. Maybe not as eye-catching as he was against Brentford, but more positive signs as he gets more minutes in the bank.

Jurrien Timber (7/10):

You can see he's adjusting to the centre-back role. There was a tendency for him to drift towards the right-back spot at times, but still put in a real shift.

Piero Hincapie (6/10):

Good battle with Watkins. Was aggressive and on the front foot. Should have cleared his lines late on instead of putting the ball out for a throw, that proved costly as Villa scored soon after.

Riccardo Calafiori (7/10):

Arsenal's best player, even in the first half when the team was really poor. Good defensively and typically impressive going forward. Looked shattered as the second half wore on.

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Martin Zubimendi (7/10):

Solid as always. Did well in the heart of the midfield in a pretty chaotic game.

Declan Rice (7/10):

Produced one fabulous block in the first half when the score was still at 0-0. Had one shot just before the break that he should have done better with. Ran himself into the ground as always.

Martin Odegaard (6/10):

Had a good chance early on that he put straight at Martinez. Saw plenty of the ball, but often from deep positions. Good run and pass for Saka in the build-up to Trossard's goal.

Getty Images SportAttack

Bukayo Saka (7/10):

Had some good moments, but was unusually poor in possession at times. Far from his best, but did pop up with a crucial bit of play to set-up the equaliser. Unlucky to then not score himself, but his shot was cleared off the line.

Mikel Merino (5/10):

Has been so good of late, but was ineffective this afternoon. Never looked a threat and his link-up play just wasn't there. Replaced at half-time.

Eberechi Eze (4/10):

Bit of a passenger throughout. Never really got into the game and was caught ball-watching for the goal. Disappointing. Off at half-time.

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Leandro Trossard (7/10):

Immediate impact. Introduced at half-time and popped up with the equaliser. Such a crucial player for Arteta.

Viktor Gyokeres (6/10):

Another half-time introduction which sparked an improvement. Just gave the Villa defence something extra to think about and stretched them with his runs.

Gabriel Martinelli (N/A):

On for the final few minutes.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (N/A):

Replaced Calafiori late on.

Mikel Arteta (6/10):

His half-time changes worked and so will be so disappointed by that crushing late goal.

Since taking the job almost six years ago, Mikel Arteta has got an awful lot right at Arsenal.

He’s completely transformed the culture of the club and shown a level of tactical flexibility that most managers could only dream of.

Something else he perhaps doesn’t get enough credit for, though, is how he has kept the team ticking over and evolving.

Arteta’s first Arsenal XI

Bournemouth vs Arsenal Dec 2019

GK

Bernd Leno

RB

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

CB

Sokratis Papastathopoulos

CB

David Luiz

LB

Bukayo Saka

CM

Lucas Torreira

CM

Granit Xhaka

RW

Reiss Nelson

CAM

Mesut Özil

LW

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

ST

Alexandre Lacazette

The makeup of his team has changed multiple times since December 2019, and he has pretty consistently found upgrades and replacements for players like Aaron Ramsdale, Granit Xhaka, Kieran Tierney and even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It now appears that he and the club are planning for the long term as well, with reports suggesting they are closing in on an incredible youngster who could be Bukayo Saka’s eventual heir.

Arsenal close in on Saka heir

Arteta has built a squad full to bursting with international superstars at Arsenal, some of whom people would consider world-class. Yet, when it comes to the club’s most important player, it’s hard to look past Saka.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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After all, on top of already having a frankly ridiculous tally of 76 goals and 73 assists in 280 games, the Hale Ender is the talisman of this side and has become the face of the project.

In other words, the club are going to need an extraordinarily special talent to come in and be his long-term heir when Saka does eventually call it a day.

Fortunately, it looks like the North Londoners might have just found that special prospect.

At least, that is according to a recent report from ESPN, which has revealed that Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle for the incredible winger Edwin Quintero and his twin brother Holger.

The two 16-year-olds are reportedly in London at the moment to iron out the details of the move, with an official announcement to come at a later date.

However, due to rules around foreign-born youngsters, the pair won’t actually join up with the squad until August 2027.

Even so, Arsenal fans should be excited about the development as both teenagers are very highly thought of indeed, and Edwin Quintero looks like someone who could become Saka’s successor.

Why Edwin Quintero will be Arsenal's next Saka

Now it should almost go without saying that, due to Saka being the player he is and Quintero still only being 16, there is little to no chance that the youngster would come in to instantly challenge the Englishman in 2027.

However, as the years progress, he could start getting more minutes in the first team, and then, when he’s in his early to mid-20s and the Hale Ender is in his 30s, there could be a real battle there.

That might sound absurd at the moment, and like far too much pressure to be putting on someone so young, but based on what those in the know are saying, Quintero could be something really quite special.

For example, respected analyst-turned-Como scout Ben Mattinson has described the teenager as someone with “the ability to run games and create something out of nothing,” as well as “the vision to pick out runners”, which sounds quite a lot like the Gunners’ talisman.

Moreover, U23 scout Antonio Mango has described the winger as an attacker who “is always looking to make a difference”, who “Likes to play with short pass-and-move principles”, but can still be incredibly “dangerous from distance.”

Then, just to take the hype surrounding the prospect to another level, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has stated that the 16-year-old is “one of the most exciting prospects I have seen in recent years,” labelling him as a “huge talent” in the process.

Now, while it’s clear that his passing, vision and ability to change games make him appear like a younger Saka, he does also have more of one trait than the Englishman: flair.

In fact, this is something Mattinson has pointed out, claiming he “is so skilful and constantly uses flair to fool defenders”, and Mango has also highlighted his “excellent close-control.”

Ultimately, Saka is and will likely remain Arsenal’s most important attacker for quite some time, but the club look like they have found his long-term heir in Quintero.

Related Hale End have given Arsenal a future superstar who's like "a young Saka"

The incredible young talent could follow in Saka’s footsteps and become a superstar for Arteta and Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 1, 2025

Over the last couple of weeks, Tottenham Hotspur have massively struggled to deliver within the final third, which has resulted in numerous disappointing results.

Thomas Frank will no doubt have huge questions to answer in the near future, with the Derby Day defeat against Arsenal the latest failure in his tenure after taking the reins in the summer.

The Dane made a bold decision to switch to a 5-4-1 system at the Emirates to try and nullify the threat posed by Mikel Arteta’s side, but ultimately, it was ineffective as seen by the 4-1 scoreline.

Such a decision also restricted the Lilywhites massively within attacking areas, as Richarlison’s long-range effort was the only moment of note in the final third.

Numerous figures from the club’s recent Premier League outings highlight the struggles in attacking areas, with an immediate solution desperately needing to be found by the manager.

The stats behind Spurs’ recent struggles in attacking areas

As previously mentioned, Sunday was an afternoon to forget for all Spurs supporters, with the defeat arguably the worst of Frank’s tenure after his appointment in June.

The defensive setup massively nullified their own attacking threat, resulting in an embarrassing 0.07 xG produced, with only one shot on target registered, excluding the goal.

In total, the Lilywhites only managed to notch a total of three shots, whilst also registering just four touches in the Gunners’ 18-yard box during the 90-minute contest.

However, the club’s struggles have also been evident in other outings, with the defeat to Chelsea on home soil at the start of the month also showcasing their struggles in front of goal.

Frank’s men failed to find the back of the net in the London derby, again only notching one shot on target and amassing a total xG of just 0.10 in the loss.

No player in the squad was able to complete a cross against Enzo Maresca’s men, which no doubt would have contributed to the lack of quality within the final third.

The Spurs star who can solve Frank’s attacking woes

Spurs’ lack of quality in front of goal has undoubtedly produced a cause for concern, especially given the numbers produced under Ange Postecoglou last season.

The Lilywhites managed to score 64 goals in the Premier League during 2024/25, an average of 1.7 per 90, despite recording a measly 17th-placed finish in England’s top-flight.

Such a tally was the sixth best in the division, but Frank’s men have been unable to replicate such levels over the last couple of months of the new season.

His men have netted 20 goals in the 12 league outings to date, an average of 1.6, with Richarlison sitting as their top scorer on five goals – a quarter of the whole team’s tally.

However, the manager could find an immediate solution to the Lilywhites’ issues in attacking areas by unleashing Brennan Johnson over the next few weeks.

The Welsh international netted 18 goals across all competitions last campaign, but has often struggled for starts under the Dane after the investment from the hierarchy.

Mohammed Kudus arrived in a £55m transfer from West Ham United, which has seen the Ghanaian international often fill the void on the right-hand side of the attack.

However, Johnson is deserving of a recall to the starting eleven, with his numbers from last campaign showcasing the threat he carries within the final third.

His goalscoring tally from 2024/25 was by far and away the highest of any player in the first-team squad, with his underlying figures reflecting his all-round quality.

The 24-year-old achieved a total xG and xA per 90 of 0.51, the third highest in the squad, which further highlights his ability to star alone or find a teammate in dangerous areas.

Johnson, who’s been labelled “impossible to defend” by one analyst, also ranked fourth in the first team for chances created – which could provide Richarlison with the ammunition to improve his own tallies.

Other tallies, such as 1.4 crosses completed per 90 and how dribble success of 56% both placed him in second position, with the winger having the all-round quality Frank’s men have hugely lacked.

There’s little denying that Johnson is a player who has divided opinion in North London, but his figures from last season highlight the quality he does possess with the ball at his feet.

If Frank is to find an immediate short-term solution to his side’s struggles, he may need to recall the Welshman back to his starting eleven against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

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Nov 25, 2025

Allrounder claims two wickets before anchoring 301-run chase with unbeaten hundred

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 24-Aug-2025A sublime unbeaten 141 from Ed Barnard gave Warwickshire’s qualification hopes in the Metro Bank One Day Cup a boost as his side beat Durham by four wickets, despite a magnificent century from Alex Lees. Consistent wickets plagued Durham’s innings, but the reliable Lees displayed a mix of grit and fluency to pick up a List A best of 148 and was well supported by Ben Raine (46) to get the home side to a total of 300 for eight.Warwickshire got off to a shaky start, but skipper Barnard and Hamza Shaikh combined for a partnership worth 106 to give them the edge.Shaikh was dismissed, but Barnard continued the charge and along with Michael Booth he took his side home with 14 balls to spare.The visitors put Durham into bat at an overcast Banks Homes Riverside and they got their first early on as Ollie Robinson attempted to pull an Ethan Bamber short ball, but he mistimed it and Kai Smith made no mistake with the catch.Will Rhodes then departed for 15 as he attempted a pull shot to a Bamber ball, but he got a nick on it and Smith clung on to it behind the stumps.Emilio Gay should have been walking back to the pavilion early on, as he top edged a Booth short ball but a running Bamber couldn’t cling on to it.Gay then played a couple of delightful cover drives, but he then went for 26 as he pulled an Ed Barnard ball straight to Alex Davies on the boundary.Lees remained solid in the face of consistent wickets and he swept a Taz Ali ball for four to reach fifty from 73 balls.The opener then crunched consecutive Booth deliveries for four to build some much-needed momentum for the hosts.Durham’s struggles against the short ball continued as Colin Ackermann tried to lift a Booth short ball over Smith’s head, but he didn’t get enough on it and was caught behind for 23.Youngster Robbie Bowman then went for one, as Taz Ali produced a beauty to dislodge his off-stump, while George Drissell went for seven caught behind off a Barnard ball.Ben Raine came in and showed some intent, picking up 10 runs from two Rob Yates balls and Lees reached his century from 117 balls at the other end.Lees then moved into T20 mode as he launched back-to-back Booth balls for six and Raine followed that up by smashing an Ali ball down the ground.Raine departed at the hands of Hannon-Dalby for an entertaining 46, while Lees was run out on the last ball for an excellent 148 to take his side to 300 for eight.Warwickshire started their chase of 301 with Barnard and Yates tasked with starting their chase.Barnard played a lovely shot through point off the bowling of Mitch Killeen for four to put pressure on the hosts.Raine got Yates for nine as the opener chopped one on to his off-stump, but Barnard continued to look good as he heaved a Sam Conners ball for six.Malik then backed that up with a lovely lofted straight drive for four off Raine, but the Durham bowler struck back as Malik pulled a short ball straight into the hands of Conners.Warwickshire then found themselves in a bit of trouble when Killeen got Davies LBW for seven.That brought Hamza Shaikh to the crease and he hit Archie Bailey for two boundaries early on and Barnard brought up his half-century from 48 balls at the other end.Barnard steadied the ship and punished a ball from Drissell, launching it down the ground for six and Shaikh got his first maximum as he heaved one over the long-on boundary.The England Under-19s man then reached his fifty from 67 balls, but Raine got him caught in the deep next ball for 51.It became a double salvo for Durham as Killeen got Smith for five, but Barnard notched up his century from 96 balls.However, he was running out of partners as Vaansh Jani was removed by Drissell for 15.Barnard was determined to bring the points back to Birmingham and he scooped a Conners ball for six to take them closer to the target.Booth smashed a Raine short ball for six to give the visitors momentum and he backed that up with a four off Conners, he then won it with a six off the same bowler.