Rawal made contact with Filer and Ecclestone in two separate incidents during India’s successful chase against England
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2025India opening batter Pratika Rawal has been fined 10% of her match fee and handed one demerit point for “avoidable physical contact” during the first ODI against England on Tuesday, which India won by four wickets.Two separate incidents took place during India’s chase, which came in for scrutiny by the match officials.The first was when Rawal played a ball off Lauren Filer in the 18th over and went across for a single. While approaching the non-striker’s end, she made contact with the bowler. Then, in the next over, after being bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for a 51-ball 36, Rawal made contact with Ecclestone on her way back to the dressing room.Related
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Rawal pleaded guilty to the Level 1 breach of the ICC’s code of conduct, which relates to “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play”.”It [the collision with Filer] was not intentional; I was just running in my way,” Rawal said ahead of the second ODI at Lord’s*. “And the shoulder barge thing was also not deliberate. I don’t think there is [need to have] any reaction to it or [make] any fuss about it.”While she was in the middle, Rawal stitched together partnerships of 48 with Smriti Mandhana for the first wicket and 46 with Harleen Deol for the second wicket, setting up the chase of 259, which India completed comfortably thanks to a 90-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues (48) and Deepti Sharma (62*) for the fifth wicket.England, meanwhile, were fined 5% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate. They were found to be one over short of the target in the time allotted for completing their overs, though they didn’t have to bowl all 50, India getting over the line with ten balls in hand.England and India will meet each other for the second ODI on Saturday, at Lord’s, before the last game of the tour, the third ODI in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. India had earlier won the T20I series 3-2.* 1300 GMT Updated with Rawal’s qoute
A week after being left out of the T20I squad for the tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, Devon Conway has earned a recall as a replacement for the injured Finn Allen. Allen sustained a foot injury while playing for San Francisco Unicorns at MLC 2025.Conway hasn’t played a T20I for over a year, but he has remained active in the franchise circuit. Most recently, he turned out for the Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket, scoring 135 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 127.35.”We’re really gutted for Finn,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said. “I was looking forward to working with him and to see him continue his form from the MLC but unfortunately injuries happen. We’re lucky to be able to call on someone of Devon’s quality to replace Finn.”Related
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Allen out of MLC playoffs and Zimbabwe tri-series with foot injury
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The other additions include batters Mitchell Hay and Tim Robinson, and allrounder James Neesham. The trio will join the squad as additional cover for Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra – all of whom will be featuring in the MLC final on Sunday.”We knew there’d be a possibility that a handful of players could be involved in the MLC final, so we’re bringing in Mitch, Jimmy and Tim as possible replacements.”New Zealand will be led by allrounder Mitchell Santner as Walter begins his stint as the new coach, with Luke Ronchi, Jacob Oram and James Foster part of the support staff. The team is without a number of key players, including Kane Williamson, who made himself unavailable for the tour.While Williamson is currently playing for Middlesex in the county circuit in England, fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been rested as part of his workload management. Kyle Jamieson has opted out of the tour as he awaits the birth of his child, while tearaway quick Ben Sears is out with a side strain.New Zealand open their campaign on Wednesday against South Africa. Each team will play the other two in a double-round-robin format, with the top two teams playing the final on July 26. All the matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club.
New Zealand squad for tri-series
Mitchell Santner (capt), Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchel, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Mitch Hay, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson
Are Manchester City rediscovering the form that made them simply unstoppable not so long ago?
In the Champions League, the Sky Blues have now accumulated seven points from nine matches, following Tuesday night’s commanding 2-0 victory over Villarreal; Erling Braut Håland and Bernardo Silva on target during the first half at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Meantime, in the Premier League, having collected 13 points from the last 15 available, the Citizens have climbed up to second, looking to continue their winning streak at Villa Park on Sunday.
Some may argue that Pep Guardiola’s team are over reliant on one player, although what a player to be reliant on, but could the return of an “extraordinary” talent make the goalbot himself truly unstoppable?
How Erling Haaland compares to Europe's best
We all already knew that Håland was a goal-scoring machine, but he may be taking this to a whole new level this season.
He has netted in each of his last nine international outings, scoring 17 times across these matches in total, while Tuesday’s opener in Spain took his tally to 15 club goals for the campaign already.
Håland is currently averaging a goal every 63 minutes in Manchester City colours this season and, at this current rate, he’ll bag 52 in the Premier League alone, annihilating his own single-season record of 36 set in 2022/23.
Across a top five European league and the Champions League, he is actually not the top scorer, level with Kylian Mbappé who also has 15, but both are being outshone by a certain Harry Kane, who is currently on 17.
Nevertheless, Håland’s importance to Manchester City is underlined by the fact he has scored 65% of their Premier and Champions League goals this season, while no other player at the club has scored more than a solitary goal across the two competitions.
So, one could certainly argue that Man City are overly reliant on Håland’s goal but, if you’ve got to be reliant on one player, he isn’t a bad choice.
So now, which forgotten sky blue star could make the Norwegian truly unstoppable?
Manchester City's new "extraordinary" talent
In 2025, Manchester City have spent around £385m on 11 new signings, the majority of whom have made little impact so far.
Omar Marmoush did impress after arriving in January, Gianluigi Donnarumma has instantaneously proved why he is considered to be a world-class goalkeeper, while Tijjani Reijnders has been a useful addition to midfield.
However, could Rayan Cherki, who joined from Olympique Lyonnais in June for £34m, prove to be the best of the bunch?
Since the start of this season, the Frenchman has seen just 80 minutes of action due to a thigh injury, but has come off the bench towards the end of the last two matches against Everton and Villarreal as he eases back to full fitness.
Having joined hometown club Lyon at the age of seven, Cherki has been touted as a talent to watch for many years, making 185 appearances for les Gones, scoring 29 goals and registering 45 assists, despite still only being 22 years old.
Last season was certainly his most productive in Ligue 1, as the table below documents.
Cherki Ligue 1 stats 2024/25
Stats
Cherki
Ligue 1 rank
Goals
8
25th
Goals – xG
+3
7th
Assists
11
1st
Expected assists
11.7
1st
Key passes
75
2nd
Big chances created
22
1st
Passes into area
77
1st
Progressive passes
206
5th
Shot-creating actions
146
1st
Goal-creating actions
20
2nd
Progressive carries
106
10th
Carries into final third
91
2nd
Stats via FBref & SofaScore
As the table highlights, while he is a goal threat and a high-quality dribbler, Cherki is primarily a creator.
In Ligue 1 last season, he ranked first in all sorts of metrics to support this, namely assists, expected assists, big chances created, passes into the opposition penalty area and shot-creating actions, second only to Désiré Doué in terms of goal-creating actions.
Following his arrival in the summer, Gillian Kasirye of Total Football Analysis asserted that Cherki is the natural heir to Kevin De Bruyne’s throne as Manchester City’s primary chance creator, ahead of existing players, namely Phil Foden.
Meantime, after the Sky Blues’ 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day of the season, the Frenchman marking his Premier League debut with a goal, Guardiola asserted that his talent is “unbelievable”, adding that his “creativity in the final third [is] extraordinary”.
Well, if this rocket against Spain during June’s Nations League semi-finals in Stuttgart doesn’t underline what Cherki is capable of, nothing will!
Thus, following an injury-blighted start to life in Manchester, the Frenchman, on his way back to full fitness, will be looking to start making a serious impact.
For now, he’ll probably become a mere member of the fabled “Pep rotation” alongside Foden, Jérémy Doku, Oscar Bobb, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Omar Marmoush and others.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Nevertheless, based on his talent, Cherki should be right at the front of the queue for starting minutes and, if he rediscovers last season’s creative numbers, Håland will become truly unstoppable, if he isn’t already.
100% dribbles, 5 key passes: 8/10 Man City star showed he's "Sane-esque"
Manchester City beat Villarreal 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and one of Pep Guardiola’s stars underlined that he is Leroy Sané-esque.
Tottenham Hotspur have now expressed an interest in signing a “world-class” forward, who Thomas Frank approved signing during the summer transfer window.
Spurs looking to sign new forward amid Tel and Odobert concerns
Frank strengthened his forward line during the summer transfer window, with Mohammed Kudus arriving from West Ham United, and the 25-year-old has emerged as a key player so far this season, chipping in with one goal and five assists in the Premier League.
However, there are concerns about the performances of some of the players who were already at the club, with journalist Andreas Vou particularly critical of the decision to bring in Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, rather than making one statement signing in attack.
The duo were benched for the 3-0 victory against Everton on Sunday, having picked up just one top-flight goal between them this term, and the Lilywhites have now set out to sign another new forward.
That is according to a report from Spain, which reveals Tottenham have now expressed an interest in signing Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, who has been put up for sale by the La Liga club ahead of the January transfer window.
Kubo is now expected to leave Real Sociedad this winter, which could open the door for a move to N17, and there is a feeling he could now be available for the relatively affordable fee of €40m (£35m).
Manchester United and Everton are also in the race for the winger, and there are indications that Frank could be keen too, having already approved a move back in the summer transfer window.
"World-class" Kubo may need fresh start
The Japanese forward is clearly very talented, having received plaudits from former Barcelona boss Xavi in the past, who said: “(Takefusa) Kubo is a world-class footballer. Not just with the ball, but also without it.”
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The 24-year-old has also impressed at times over the past year, particularly catching the eye with his dribbling ability, ranking in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.
That said, there may be concerns about some of the Japan international’s recent performances, given that he has provided just one goal for Real Sociedad in La Liga this term, while failing to pick up a single assist.
Kubo may simply need a fresh start in a new league, having been in La Liga since the 2019-20 campaign, so a move to Tottenham could be ideal, although his recent form means he would be a risky signing.
Manchester United have made an enquiry about the signing of a “world-class” player with six league titles and a Champions League win to his name.
Sesko promises more to come at Man Utd
The Red Devils secured a vital 2-0 win at home to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, easing some of the pressure on Ruben Amorim in the process.
It was a good day for Benjamin Sesko, who scored his first Old Trafford goal, and speaking after the game, he said there is hopefully much more to come from him at United.
“It feels amazing. It feels even better because I’ve helped the team to come to the end and to win the game. In the end, it’s important to win the game, trying to help the team as much as possible. The goal, the atmosphere afterwards was unbelievable. It’s something that I’ve been dreaming about, jumping high at the stadium like that, and yeah – [my] dreams came true.
“In the end, this is my job; trying to score as many goals as possible, trying to win the games, trying to help the team in every single situation, and hopefully [there are] more moments like this [to come].”
United’s win was a much-needed boost for anyone linked with the club, but that’s not to say that new signings aren’t needed, with one world-renowned player now mentioned as a potential target.
Man Utd make enquiry for "world-class" ace
According to Sport in Spain, Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have enquired about signing Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Tottenham also in the mix to sign him.
The 33-year-old German is out of favour under Hansi Flick, meaning a move elsewhere is likely, with a loan option to buy possible in the January transfer window.
FC Barcelona's Marc-AndreterStegenlifts the trophy with teammates afterwinning LaLiga
Ter Stegen has arguably been one of the leading ‘keepers of his generation, winning six La Liga titles and one Champions League crown during his time with Barca, also being lauded by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann.
“We have made the decision (Neuer will start in goal). Unfortunately Manu got injured but it’s just a strain and he will only be out for ten days, so I won’t be changing my decision. I also said in a conversation with Marc [Andre Ter Stegen] that I’m happy that we have two world class goalkeepers. I explained to him that it was important that he was there for the two games.”
Ter Stegen’s key trophy wins
Season
Champions League
2014/15
La Liga
2014/15
La Liga
2015/16
La Liga
2016/17
La Liga
2017/18
La Liga
2020/21
La Liga
2024/25
Admittedly, Senne Lammens produced an encouraging performance for United against Sunderland, not least keeping a clean sheet, but if the chance of signing a player of Ter Stegen’s calibre arrives, the Red Devils should take it.
Man Utd's future "£100m plus footballer" could steal the #8 from Fernandes
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1
By
Ethan Lamb
Oct 6, 2025
At 33, he is still far from old for a goalkeeper, and he will be desperate to prove his worth before the 2026 World Cup, having lost his place in Barca’s starting lineup after injury problems.
West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo oversaw a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Everton during his debut game in the Hammers dugout, and he’s now being told that there’s another world-class player in his new squad to rival Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham set for change under new boss Nuno Espírito Santo
Chairman David Sullivan followed the advice of fellow boardroom member Karren Brady, who was a big supporter of Nuno, and appointed the Portuguese on a three-year contract immediately after sacking Graham Potter last Saturday.
Potter was a popular figure among senior members of the West Ham squad and had significant backing behind-the-scenes, according to credible reports.
However, a string of poor results, not to mention the club’s second-worst win percentage of the Premier League era behind Avram Grant, forced Sullivan and co to pull the trigger.
9. Sam Allardyce
30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui
30%
11. Gianfranco Zola
27.8%
12 Graham Potter
26.1%
13. Avram Grant
18.9%
via StatMuse
Nuno wasted no time stepping into Potter’s shoes, with Tottenham’s former boss overseeing first-team training at Rush Green the very same day that Potter was sacked, as he prepared his team for a looming trip to Merseyside.
The tactician noticeably omitted midfielder James Ward-Prowse from his first ever West Ham matchday squad – a player he didn’t fancy at Nottingham Forest either – and it’s since been reported that the 30-year-old is resigned to leaving in January (GiveMeSport).
Wolves midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
Ward-Prowse has already been told that he has no future at West Ham under Nuno, with the ex-Al-Ittihad coach wasting no time in stamping his authority on the team amid reports that Sullivan is also ready to back him in January.
There are suggestions that West Ham are prepared to bid up to £43m for AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, though it is highly debatable that the USA international would leave a potential Serie A title challenge midway through the campaign.
In any case, the squad is going to look slightly different under West Ham’s new manager.
That being said, alongside the obviously undroppable Bowen, summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf is already making quite an impression.
West Ham told El Hadji Malick Diouf might be the best left-back in the world
The 20-year-old, who joined West Ham in July for around £19 million from Slavia Prague, is already looking like an absolute bargain.
Malick Diouf’s marauding pace down the left-hand side has already wreaked havoc at times, with the Senegal international bursting past two Everton players before putting in a delightful cross in the build up to Bowen’s equaliser at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
The defender undoubtedly sent a message to Nuno with that moment of sheer quality, and members of the media are convinced that he could be something special.
YouTuber and football content creator ‘CaniSports’ told West Ham they might have the best left-back in world football, while Sky presenter Joe Thomlinson has already called Diouf “one of the finds of the season”.
Elsewhere, presenter Jamie Boyce branded the African a “special” player amidst a tongue-in-cheek verdict that Diouf could be one of the best players to ever wear Claret and Blue.
Meanwhile, journalist Muhammad Butt has already called Diouf “massively superior” to Man United’s Patrick Dorgu, hailing West Ham’s often criticised recruitment team in the process.
It is still very early days, and a lot of these verdicts may be deemed excitable to say the least.
However, what is clear is that Diouf has stood far above West Ham’s newest recruits so far, and Nuno will be hoping that is set to continue.
Parte da torcida do Palmeiras está furiosa com os dirigentes do clube, especialmente a presidente, Leila Pereira, e o diretor de futebol, Anderson Barros. Mas se depender da mandatária, essa parceria ainda vai durar um bom tempo, algo que não se pode garantir sobre Abel Ferreira, que tem contrato somente até o fim de 2024 e ainda não deu sinais de que vai renovar.
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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Em entrevista coletiva nesta quarta-feira (11), na Academia de Futebol, Leila admitiu que quer contar com Abel até o fim de seu hipotético segundo mandato, que seria de 2025 a 2027. Ela afirmou que já conversou com o treinador sobre esse desejo, mas que até agora o português tem ficado em cima do muro.
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– Sobre o Abel, ele tem contrato até dezembro de 2024, eu já conversei com ele, que é um desejo que eu tenho que ele fique comigo até o final do segundo mandato. Ele não fala nem que sim, nem que não. Mas eu vejo que o Abel está muito feliz, ele fica chateado que algumas pessoas tem a memória muito curta. Não tenho dúvida que o Abel é o maior da história do Palmeiras, mas ele não tem obrigação de vencer todos os campeonatos.Ele fica chateado com todo esse problema da violência. Ele tem mulher, tem filhas, e se isso chega na presidente, ele tem receio que chegue nele.
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+ Leila Pereira aumenta o tom contra organizada do Palmeiras: ‘Câncer do futebol brasileiro’
Por outro lado, Leila Pereira consegue garantir a permanência de outro personagem do departamento de futebol: o diretor Anderson Barros. No entanto, isso não deve agradar muito o torcedor, que está insatisfeito com o trabalho do profissional. A avaliação da mandatária, porém, é completamente diferente e a ideia é manter Barros até que ela deixe o clube.
– O Anderson chegou em dezembro de 2019 e em toda essa trajetória dele no Palmeiras conquistou nove títulos, sendo duas Libertadores. Ele é o responsável direto da contratação do maior treinador da história do Palmeiras. Eu não tenho dúvida que o Anderson é um profissional que qualquer clube gostaria de ter e nós temos a sorte de tê-lo por aqui. Eu tenho profundo orgulho de tê-lo ao meu lado. O Anderson é um dos grandes responsáveis por esse sucesso. Enquanto eu estiver aqui, o Anderson será o meu grande parceiro.
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+ Leila Pereira revela quantos reforços quer trazer para o Palmeiras em 2024
Leila Pereira, Anderson Barros e Abel Ferreira já estão trabalhando no planejamento para a temporada 2024 do Palmeiras. Na mesma entrevista coletiva, a presidente declarou que pretende trazer de três a quatro reforços para a comissão técnica, e que esses nomes já estão com o departamento de análise para avançar nas contratações.
Newcastle United have been sculpted into a force over the past four years. Eddie Howe has been the architect of this staggering rise, qualifying twice for the Champions League inside three seasons and, last year, beating Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup.
The summer transfer window was a testing one for many reasons, but United have assembled a group of players ready to compete at the highest level once again.
But there’s no question that there’s work to be done. After all, the Toon sit 14th in the Premier League, and new signings are still bedding in.
But there’s so much world-class talent at Howe’s disposal, and the manager and his side’s success in tying down Sandro Tonali to a new contract is evidence of how mighty St. James’ Park is becoming.
Sandro Tonali's new contract at Newcastle
It has come to light that Tonali secretly signed a contract extension at Newcastle during his betting ban, meaning his new deal runs until 2029, with the club holding the power to activate a one-year extension.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali
The Italy international is now set to star at Newcastle for many years to come, and if interest does heat up, the Toon will hold all the cards concerning a player who has blended athleticism with intelligence and technical grace to become “one of the best footballers to ever play for Newcastle”, according to one prominent online supporter.
The bond he has forged with Bruno Guimaraes in the centre of St. James’ Park is a thing to behold. Together, they are supercharging Howe’s system, piecing together this next stage in Howe’s project, so the recent success will not be remembered as a flash in the pan.
Though the 25-year-old suffered through some adversity at the start of his career in England, he has since repaid the £55m investment and then some, good enough to become the next £100m+ sale.
The loss of Alexander Isak to Arne Slot’s Premier League champions? That one stung. But Newcastle banked a record-breaking £125m cheque for the departure of their former talisman.
And, whisper it quietly, but the Sweden striker’s sale has been cushioned and then some by the redirection of the funds.
Howe's latest Newcastle superstar
He’s the talk of the Toon. Despite raising eyebrows upon their club-record £69m acquisition of Nick Woltemade, the German striker is proving his worth and then some at the front of Howe’s system.
The 23-year-old is quickly climbing up to the high ground on which Tonali stands, and he could enter a similar £100m ballpark with a continuation of the resounding early performances in black and white.
Already, Woltemade has scored five goals for Newcastle, having only played eight times.
When fellow forward signing Yoane Wissa pulled up with a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo after completing his £55m transfer from Brentford to the north east, fears were heightened.
Isak had departed, had he not? And Wissa was the free-scoring, Premier League-tuned striker. But Woltemade has allayed concerns and then some with his displays over the past few months.
Howe and his analytical staff will have known all about Woltemade’s quality, but it’s hard to imagine they expected such a fast and seamless start to life in a new land.
BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan has even said that “there’s no striker on the planet who moves the ball like Woltemade.”
He’s not Isak, but that’s the beauty of it. Newcastle have signed a player with the potential to emulate elements of the 26-year-old’s game while adding his own flair and personality to the front of Howe’s system.
Goals
0.68
0.61
Assists
0.08
0.20
Shots taken
2.29
3.00
Shot-creating actions
3.74
2.79
Touches (att pen)
7.12
6.06
Pass completion (%)
72.9
75.4
Progressive passes
2.53
3.17
Progressive carries
1.41
2.52
Successful take-ons
1.37
1.36
Ball recoveries
2.61
1.84
Aerial duels won
2.05
0.89
The forwards’ comparable strength in directly taking on their opponents with the ball at their feet demonstrates their technical level. It absolutely accentuates Woltemade’s individual talent. Isak is more of an unrelenting runner, and he’s faster besides, but Woltemade arguably has neater close control.
Moreover, the Germany international’s technical skill has been picked up in his recent weeks on Tyneside, with reporter Andy Sixsmith hailing him for flair, saying the phenom’s “link-up play is mesmerising”.
The transfer chatter, would you believe it, has already started up. German publication BILD have recently revealed that Bayern Munich, who had earmarked Woltemade as a summer transfer target, are still keeping a watchful eye on the lanky forward, with the report going on to suggest he dreams of returning to his homeland and signing for Die Roten one day.
That’s nice, but if the Isak saga tells us one thing, it’s that Newcastle will only let their prized pieces leave if they get bang for their buck.
And if Woltemade has started as he means to go on for the Tynesiders, he’s not going to be going anywhere for a figure beneath that which saw Isak book a one-way trip to Anfield.
It’s early days yet, and the rangy talent must now work on building consistency in the final third. But the early readings are oh-so promising, and Woltemade is already shaping up to be the real deal and perhaps the biggest star since Tonali blossomed.
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Tottenham ace James Maddison has announced the birth of his second set of twins alongside partner Kennedy Alexa. The couple had their first child, Leo, in 2021 and in the summer of 2023, twins Delilah and Rome were born. Now, the England international and Kennedy have their fourth and fifth kids, with Maddison saying their five-a-side team is now "complete".
Maddison family grows again
On Monday, the former Leicester City midfielder announced that Jensen and Frankie Maddison had been born on October 30, while praising his partner as a "superwoman". Incidentally, it is very rare to have twins, let alone two sets. In fact, the odds are a huge one in 50,000.
AdvertisementHeartwarming social media announcement
In addition to sharing photos of his latest newborns, he wrote in a heartwarming post on Instagram: "Jensen & Frankie Maddison. 30.10.25. Five a side team complete. You’re a superwoman @kennedyalexa."
Maddison on road to recovery
Maddison has been short of luck with injuries in recent years, the latest of which came in a pre-season game against Newcastle United where he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. The Englishman is expected to miss the majority of this season but the birth of his latest set of twins will no doubt lift his spirits.
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Getty Images SportWhat comes next?
While Maddison is still on the sidelines, in addition to looking after his young family, his Tottenham side take on Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Spurs then return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host in-form Manchester United.
Batter takes over from Roland-Jones and Eskinazi as club continues to undergo mid-season upheaval
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-2025Leus du Plooy has been named as Middlesex’s captain for their County Championship and T20 Blast campaigns, in a continuation of the club’s mid-season upheaval that has also involved the departure of head coach Richard Johnson and batting consultant Mark Ramprakash.Du Plooy, 30, joined Middlesex from Derbyshire ahead of the 2024 season and has since made 1,601 runs in 36 appearances across both formats.He will take over as T20 captain from Stevie Eskinazi, who has stepped down for personal reasons, and his first match in charge will come against Hampshire at Merchant Taylors’ School on Wednesday.Du Plooy will also take over from Toby Roland-Jones as Middlesex’s red-ball captain, with the club currently second-from-bottom in Division Two, and a long way adrift of their pre-season hopes of an immediate return to the top flight. Though his own form has been decent, with 28 wickets at 27.92 and a best of 5 for 33, Roland-Jones has left the role by mutual consent.”I am extremely proud to have been asked to captain Middlesex in both formats and am very much looking forward to a strong finish to this season and to working with the leadership group ahead of 2026,” Du Plooy said in a statement on the club website.”I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the Middlesex playing squad since the start of last season and have high hopes for what this talented group of players can achieve.”Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s director of cricket, thanked Eskinazi and Roland-Jones for their efforts in leading the club through a difficult period that has included tight constraints in light of the club’s well-documented financial issues.He also welcomed du Plooy as captain, saying he had been a been a key voice in the senior playing group, a natural leader, and a “terrific influence on the young members in our squad”.”Appointing Leus as captain allows us to build for the long-term, as we look to develop this group of players and continue to build a successful and winning team in all formats.”