Already, Nuno Espirito Santo feels as if he is deep in must-win territory occupying the West Ham United hot seat.

The Hammers’ fortunes have not turned around since ditching Graham Potter, with the East Londoners yet to pick up a win since the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss took over the reins.

As ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara put it after the dismal 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford, they’re “sleepwalking” towards relegation, with a concerning seven defeats picked up from nine Premier League clashes this season, three of which have come under the new management.

Nuno will be scratching his head as to what could spur his dire side into improving, as they face off against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon, with the 51-year-old now potentially weighing up the prospect of getting rid of Lucas Paqueta up top as one major alteration.

Paqueta's decline at West Ham under Nuno Santo

When Potter was still holding onto the West Ham post precariously, at least Paqueta was shining bright in spurts.

Indeed, a penalty kick put away coolly by the enigmatic Brazilian at the City Ground in late August handed Potter a much-needed 3-0 win, while Paqueta also raised a rare smile among the London Stadium masses the match before, as he hammered home a delightful effort amid a 5-1 drubbing to Chelsea.

Games played

4

Minutes played

360

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Yellow cards

2

Unfortunately for Nuno, though, West Ham’s usual star man has become awfully quiet under the new tenure to date, with a worrying zero goals or assists collected from four games under the ex-Nottingham Forest manager’s guidance.

He did win a lively 12 duels against Leeds United last time out, but Nuno will want far more from Paqueta in an attacking sense. He registered just one shot at Lucas Perri’s goal during the 2-1 loss in West Yorkshire.

With reports also now stating that Paqueta wants to leave West Ham behind in January for pastures new, it could be time for Nuno to look at what other limited options he has to lead the line, having even praised reserve striker Callum Marshall for his “energy”, while lamenting Niclas Fullkrug being sidelined.

The out-of-sorts number 10 isn’t the only senior Hammers figure who will be worrying about his short-term future in the starting XI, though.

West Ham's other big change

Despite spending £124m in the summer on new recruits, West Ham are now starting Andy Irving week in, week out, who was never getting a look in under previous regimes.

The Scotsman is very clearly out of his depth in the bright lights of the Premier League, with just one paltry duel won against Leeds not exactly making him a feared opponent to come up against on the night.

But, alongside him for the clash at Elland Road, Tomas Soucek also looked noticeably weak.

Obviously, Soucek is still regarded as a modern-day hero at the London Stadium for his past exploits from the centre of the park, with the Czech enforcer now up to a mighty 42 goals for the Hammers, having made a colossal 252 appearances.

However, putting sentiment to one side, it’s also clear that the 30-year-old is declining in front of everyone’s eyes at the moment, with his lacklustre performances across October not too dissimilar to that of Irving’s no-shows, which have garnered the 25-year-old a lot of stick.

Minutes played

71

65

Goals scored

0

0

Assists

0

0

Touches

43

39

Shots

1

1

Accurate passes

18/31 (58%)

26/32 (81%)

Possession lost

14x

7x

Tackles won

1

0

Total duels won

5/10

4/9

The once energetic “machine” – as he was previously labelled by ex-West Ham teammate Darren Randolph – has now left the building, with just nine of his 19 duels being successfully won against Brentford and Leeds.

On top of that, Soucek also only managed to fire a limp two shots at either goal, despite previously being seen as a saviour in the attacking areas when West Ham were in spots of bother.

For his sake, the West Ham midfield department needs a refresh and soon, with youthful faces such as Mateus Fernandes and Freddie Potts potentially being given the nod over the 30-year-old shortly, as Irving also ponders whether he will be axed, too.

It will be very intriguing to see what side takes to the field against the Magpies, with a selection surprise here and there perhaps catching Newcastle out, as Nuno still hunts down his first victory at West Ham.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 1, 2025

As is the case with every club of their size, Arsenal have had some truly special players represent them in the Premier League era.

The likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pirès terrified defenders, while Sol Campbell and Tony Adams did the same to opposition attackers.

The Gunners have also been blessed with some incredible midfielders over the last 25 years or so, such as the legendary Patrick Vieira.

Nobody has quite been able to live up to the Frenchman since, but there is one player in Mikel Arteta’s side who’s starting to emulate him.

Arsenal's best midfielders in the Premier League

As the list of Arsenal’s best Premier League midfielders could be a long one, this top three includes only central and defensive midfielders.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Additionally, the players must no longer be at the club, as currently, Arteta’s side are yet to win anything significant.

With that out of the way, coming in at number three has to be the incredible Gilberto Silva.

The Brazilian monster joined the club in the summer of 2002 and went on to make 244 appearances over the next five years, scoring 24 goals and providing 14 assists.

Once described as the man who “carried the piano for Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo to play their tunes on” by the outlet Veja, the often underappreciated titan carried out a similar role in North London that saw him leave with one league title, two FA Cups and two Community Shields.

Just pipping Gilberto into second place is Cesc Fàbregas, as while he was no stranger to playing higher up the pitch, he spent most of his time in North London playing centrally.

The Spaniard may have left on poor terms, but he did so with an incredible record of 57 goals and 95 assists in 303 games, in which he won one FA Cup and one Community Shield.

Finally, first place simply had to be for Captain Fantastic himself, Vieira.

Arriving from AC Milan in the summer of 1996, the French international would go on to help transform the Gunners’ midfield and leave as a bona fide legend.

In addition to captaining the side during the Invincible season, the monstrous midfielder eventually left the club after making 405 appearances, during which he scored 32 goals, provided 47 assists, won three league titles, five FA Cups, and three Community Shields.

The Arsenal star becoming Arteta's Vieira

While they need to win something significant first, there are several stars in this Arsenal team who could easily become legends in their own right over the coming years.

However, when it comes to the player who could, and looks like they will become Arteta’s own Vieira, it has to be Declan Rice.

The Gunners’ £105m has been a brilliant player for them since his mega money move in the summer of 2023, but over the last year, and especially this season, he has really stepped it up and is now starting to emulate some of the Frenchman’s best qualities.

For example, while he is no longer an out-and-out six, he remains a defensive and physical powerhouse and someone who is more than happy to throw his weight around to disrupt opposition attacks.

For example, Fbref still ranks him in the top 16% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for the percentage of aerial duels won per 90 minutes.

Moreover, while he does not have the armband for the club, he is still one of the most vocal players on the pitch and is one of the five players in the manager’s leadership group.’

Finally, in addition to possessing the attitude and physical characteristics of the Gunners legend, the former West Ham star is also comparable in terms of footballing ability.

Whether it’s a dead-ball situation or during play, the Englishman is one of “the best in the world,” per Thomas Frank, and has the ability to ping the ball exactly where he wants it, and over the last couple of campaigns has become far more of a goal threat.

Both of these traits were on full display against Burnley at the weekend and will undoubtedly be again for the next game.

Ultimately, while the comparison won’t be truly appropriate until he lifts a title with Arsenal, it is clear that Rice is becoming Arteta’s own Vieira.

Better than Rice: Arsenal "colossus" is having a Ballon d'Or level season

Just like Declan Rice, the incredible Arsenal star is having an unreal season under Mikel Arteta.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 3, 2025

Chelsea’s brilliant run of results, which saw them beat the likes of Benfica, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, came to a screeching halt on Saturday afternoon.

Instead of picking up another Premier League win against the recently promoted Sunderland, Enzo Maresca’s side managed to lose 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Chemsedine Talbi.

What is most frustrating about the game, though, is that while the West Londoners were not anywhere near their best, they still had chances to win, taking seven shots on target to the Black Cats’ four.

Unfortunately, they just didn’t have their shooting boots on, although with the striker situation at the club, that is hardly surprising.

So, there is an argument that Maresca should look to drop Marc Guiu and start one of Cobham’s most exciting prospects, a striker compared to the legendary Didier Drogba.

1

Goals

2

68%

Possession

32%

16

Total Shots

10

7

Shots on Target

4

629

Passes

293

10

Shots in the Box

7

8

Tackles

14

Chelsea's striker situation

In the summer, Chelsea decided to sell Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan and João Félix to Al-Nassr, while also loaning out David Datro Fofana to Karagümrük and Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Now, while these weren’t necessarily bad moves for the club, they did only sign Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to replace the leaving players, and when the latter went down with a hamstring injury earlier this season, they were forced to recall Marc Guiu from his loan with Sunderland.

Moreover, while nobody can question Pedro’s ability, it has become increasingly clear that his best position is just behind another striker, either as an advanced ten or a classic second striker.

In other words, due to their business and the injury to the former Ipswich Town star, Maresca has been forced to either use Pedro out of his best position, start the young Tyrique George up top when he’s a natural winger, or, as he has done recently, play Guiu.

To give the former Barcelona gem his credit, he did score against Ajax in the Champions League, but against the Black Cats on Saturday, he was poor.

In fact, the Spaniard was so underwhelming that the Standard’s Sam Tabuteau gave him just a 4/10 match rating, writing that he showed ‘plenty of energy but not a lot of finesse.’

In short, Chelsea really need another option up top this season, and while it would be a risk, it looks like Cobham might have the player for them – a player compared to Drogba.

Chelsea's future Drogba

Now, it should really go without saying that comparing a youngster to Drogba is not something that should be done lightly.

After all, the Ivorian icon was one of the best strikers to ever play in the Premier League and is most certainly a massive Chelsea legend.

With that said, there is plenty of excitement building around 18-year-old Shim Mheuka, so much so that one analyst has made the bold comparison, calling him “the new Didier Drogba.”

So then, what makes him such an exceptional talent, and one worthy of a proper run in the first team?

Well, simply put, he is starting to look like a real goal machine and potentially one of “Cobham’s finest” prospects, per talent scout Jacek Kulig.

For example, despite being just 16 at the start of last season, he ended the campaign with 11 goals and three assists to his name, 30 appearances across the U18S and U21S.

Moreover, he also got a few run-outs in the first team, making five appearances totalling 118 minutes across the Conference League and Premier League.

Appearances

59

Goals

31

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.66

This season, he has taken another leap forward, and as things stand, he has already scored ten goals and provided two assists in just ten appearances, totalling 883 minutes for the U21S and Youth League sides.

That works out to an average of 1.2 goal involvements every game, or one every 73.58 minutes, and if that’s still not enough, he has also racked up a tally of ten goals and three assists in 18 appearances for England’s U19S.

Ultimately, while it is still so early in his career, it is becoming increasingly clear that he is a lethal goalscorer, and while he might not reach the level of a Drogba, he might be able to have a significant impact on the team this season.

Chelsea now looking to sign "outstanding" £168k-a-week CB who's won 11 trophies

The Blues want to bring in a new defender, having struggled defensively at times this season.

ByDominic Lund Oct 27, 2025

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has clarified whether he will be joining the cast of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here contestants in 2025. The ex-England international saw his wife Coleen star on that show last year, with her stock soaring after a runner-up finish, and it has been suggested that Wayne could tread a similar path to the Australian jungle.

Packed schedule: Why Rooney has never appeared on I'm A Celeb

Rooney has never previously been in a position to accept an offer from ITV due to his commitments in professional football. After representing the likes of United and Everton as a player, he moved into coaching with Derby when retiring in 2021. He has since spent time in the dugout with D.C. United, Birmingham and Plymouth.

He was calling the shots at Home Park when Coleen headed Down Under in 2024 – leaving him watching on from afar as she was subjected to Bushtucker Trials. Rooney left that role in December 2024 and has since returned to punditry duty with Match of the Day and Amazon Prime.

AdvertisementGettyAngryginge & Aitch: Rooney would have fun in Australian jungle

He could now be lured to Oz, having seen what his wife had to go through, with close friends Angryginge and Aitch reported to be among the contestants being lined up for an I’m A Celeb stint in 2025. Rooney is, however, adamant that he will not be heading to New South Wales on this occasion.

Speaking on , he said of potentially joining YouTube star and passionate United fan Angryginge in the jungle: “I spoke to him last night and he was still in England so I don't know if he is… No, Ginge is a great lad and I've seen who's linked as well, so if he is in there I'm sure he'll be really entertaining. If he's in it and Aitch is in it as well, I'm gutted that I didn't go in because I think the three of us could have been real fun in there.

“I'd be all right with the food situation, but I get bored and some of the challenges, you know, the snakes and there was one a few years ago with the big ostrich. I wouldn't like that. I love the show and obviously Coleen was in it last year and maybe at some point but not this year, unfortunately.”

Would Rooney like to appear on I'm A Celeb?

Rooney has previously said of stepping out of his comfort zone and into the world of reality TV: “Definitely not Strictly! I can’t dance. But, no, (I’m A Celebrity) is something I would never say no to, of course.

“I think I said on the after show when Coleen was in the jungle, that was the one we’ve always watched and the one we both said if there was anything we’d do it’d be that. So, you never know in the future, but I’ve got other things I’m looking at at the minute.”

Coleen is benefitting from her time in Australia, having won a new legion of followers, with one of the most famous WAGs in English football now considered to boast greater marketing appeal than her legendary husband.

Celebrity and PR expert Chad Teixeira has told : “If she continues to play her cards right, the next five years could see her earning up to £40 million across various ventures. She’s no longer just ‘Wayne Rooney’s wife’ – she’s a brand in her own right.”

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Getty/GOALPunditry & Disney documentary: Rooney's immediate future

That rise to prominence has allowed the Rooneys to sign a reported £10m ($13m) deal with Disney+ for an ‘At Home With’ documentary series. Wayne will be stepping in front of the cameras there, with an insider telling : “They could be bigger than not just the Beckhams, but the Kardashians. Obviously, Wayne’s work as a manager hasn’t gone as they’d have hoped, but they’re seeing this as a new chapter. There’s been so many rumours and so much drama around them, they’re going to set the record straight on a few things too.”

With that production still to come, and match coverage duty to contend with during the current Premier League campaign and 2026 World Cup, it looks like being at least 12 months before Wayne considers a bid to better Coleen’s efforts on I’m A Celeb.

Emma Lamb top-scores for new team with 55 as Phoenix get off to winning start

ECB Media08-Aug-2025

Runs from the in-form Emma Lamb and impressive bowling from wristspinners Hannah Baker and Millie Taylor saw Birmingham Phoenix to an 11-run win over Trent Rockets despite a defiant 64 from Nat Sciver-Brunt.Birmingham Phoenix posted 148 for 5 from their 100 balls, a fine half-century from Lamb (55 from 32) leading the way at the top of the order.Electing to bat first, Phoenix started slowly, reaching 16 for 0 from their first 15 balls. They were 36 for 0 after the 25-ball power play and by the halfway mark, in front of a growing Edgbaston crowd, the home side were 78 for 1, having lost Georgia Voll (19) bowled by Australia legspinner Alana King.Lamb brought up her half-century from 28 balls with eight boundaries, eventually falling with the score on 89, flat-batting Ash Gardner’s offspin into the hands of King at deep midwicket.Emma Lamb swings leg-side•Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images

In reply, economical bowling from the home side then stifled the Rockets’ run chase throughout, Ellyse Perry’s 20 balls conceding just 17 runs as the Phoenix captain led from the front.A lofted drive off Baker saw Sciver-Brunt reach 1,000 career runs in the Hundred, becoming the first woman or man to reach the milestone, reaching the landmark at an average of exactly 50.She brought up her half-century with a violent six off Em Arlott over midwicket and followed it up with a straight four to see the equation to 37 required from 15 balls. Another boundary off Megan Schutt’s final ball then made the equation 27 from 10 balls.Left-arm wrist-spinner Taylor (1 for 22) bowled the penultimate five, conceding just seven to leave 20 runs for Arlott to defend from the final set, and then pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at short fine-leg to see the back of Sciver-Brunt.Arlott finished with figures of 2 for 38 and Baker 2 for 18 from 15 balls as the Rockets closed on 137 for 6.

أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، قائمة اللاعبين المسافرين ظهر الأربعاء إلى زامبيا، استعدادًا لخوض المواجهة المرتقبة أمام باور ديناموز، ضمن منافسات دور المجموعات لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويستضيف الفريق الزامبي نظيره بيراميدز، حامل لقب النسخة الماضية، في السادسة مساء السبت المقبل على ملعب ليفي مواناواسا بمدينة ندولا، وذلك ضمن الجولة الثانية من مباريات المجموعة الأولى.

وكان بيراميدز قد استهل مشواره في المجموعة الأولى بفوز كبير على ريفرز يونايتد النيجيري بثلاثية نظيفة، اعتلى بها صدارة المجموعة، ويسعى للعودة من زامبيا بانتصار ثانٍ يعزّز موقعه في القمة ويقربه من التأهل للأدوار الإقصائية.

طالع أيضًا | رابطة الأندية تحسم موقفها من تأجيل مباراتي بيراميدز في الدوري بسبب منتخب مصر الثاني قائمة بيراميدز لمباراة باور ديناموز في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي – محمود جاد – زياد هيثم.

خط الدفاع: علي جبر – أحمد سامي – محمود مرعي – محمد حمدي – كريم حافظ – محمد الشيبي – طارق علاء – أسامة جلال.

خط الوسط: بلاتي توريه – وليد الكرتي – أحمد عاطف “قطة” – إيفرتون داسيلفا – أحمد توفيق – محمود دونجا – محمود زلاكة – محمد رضا بوبو – مصطفى زيكو – عبد الرحمن مجدي.

خط الهجوم: فيستون ماييلي – دودو الجباس – مروان حمدي.

Holder’s 44 helped St Kitts and Nevis Patriots fight in a chase of 232, as they ended only 12 short

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Aug-2025Colin Munro enjoyed a triumphant return to the Trinbago Knight Riders, scoring a record-breaking century in his first game back with the CPL team he had represented for seven years until 2022. He smashed 120 off 57 balls – no TKR batter has made more – to set up a total of 231, which paved the way to a 12-run victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.Munro, who has retired from international cricket but continues to be a force in T20 leagues the world over, made his first T20 century in four years, and celebrated it by tossing his bat and punching the air with both fists. He was last seen in the CPL two years ago, playing for the St Lucia Kings, and practically matched the work he did in six games for them (172 runs) with just one innings here.Munro was at his attacking best, hitting 14 fours and six sixes which constituted over 60% of TKR’s 33 boundaries. His opening partner Alex Hales gave him good support with 47 off 27 balls. The start they got – 77 runs in the powerplay, and the hundred up in 47 balls – allowed TKR to cruise to their third-highest total in the CPL.Patriots made a good go of the chase, with Kyle Mayers and Andre Fletcher hammering 80 runs in less than eight overs. But once their partnership was broken, so was the rhythm of the chase. TKR used their spinners to good effect, with Akeal Hosein picking up 1 for 25 in his four overs, and Usman Tariq landing crucial blows, in particular breaking a rampaging first-wicket stand, and finishing with 4 for 33.Patriots captain Jason Holder fought with 44 off 22 balls despite wickets falling around him. His side was left to score 43 runs off the last over, which eventually went for 30. Terrance Hinds started by giving a single to Dominic Drakes, before Naseem Shah hit a six. Five wides followed, and Hinds went off the field clutching his right side.Munro replaced Hinds, and started with a beamer. Naseem then got 4, 6, 1, and Drakes finished with another six. Patriots nearly chased 232 down.

Both teams have one RTM card available at the auction, and multiple options to consider using it on

Dustin Silgardo13-Nov-2024What is the right-to-match (RTM) rule?Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, each team was allowed to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five capped players and a maximum of two uncapped Indian players.The eight teams that did not use all of their six retentions can now use right-to-match options on players from their 2024 squads to fill up the remaining slots. The limits of five capped and two uncapped players still apply, so teams that have retained five capped players can use their RTM option on only one uncapped Indian player. And if a team has retained two uncapped players, they can use their RTM options on only capped players. If a team uses an RTM option on one of their former players at the auction, the last bidder will be allowed to raise their bid one final time, and the choice of whether to continue with the right-to-match option and match the bid then lies with the team using the RTM option.

Chennai Super Kings

Players retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni
Purse remaining: INR 55 crore
Right-to-match option: 1 (capped or uncapped)
Since CSK have retained four capped players and one uncapped – Dhoni, who is classified as uncapped since he has not played international cricket for more than five years – they can use their remaining right-to-match option on either a capped or uncapped player. Among the capped players they will be looking at are Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande and Maheesh Theekshana.Conway, 33, had a huge season for CSK in 2023, scoring 672 runs and winning Player of the Match in the final. His fellow New Zealander Ravindra made less of a splash in 2024 but has been excelling across formats and, at 24, is an investment for the future. He also bowls left-arm spin, though CSK already have Jadeja to play that role. Another choice among the overseas players is Theekshana, whose mystery spin has been effective both at Chepauk and away. He has taken 25 wickets in 27 matches for CSK and has gone at 7.66.Related

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Chahar has been a crucial part of CSK’s squad since 2018, providing consistent powerplay wickets. He has won three titles with CSK. The only thing that may count against Chahar is his injury record and his age, 32. If they cannot buy him back, they may go all out for their other Indian pacer, 29-year-old Tushar Deshpande, who has been with CSK since 2022 and has taken 38 wickets across the past two seasons.Given their preference for continuity, CSK will probably look to buy back several of the players mentioned. Who they use their right-to-match option on could be decided by who comes up first in the auction list and is available at the right price.Given the number of capped players in the mix, it is unlikely CSK will use their right-to-match option on an uncapped player, but if they still have it when death hitter Sameer Rizvi’s name comes up, they may consider it.Akash Madhwal is among the players MI may consider•Associated Press

Mumbai Indians

Players retained: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma
Purse remaining: INR 45 crore
Right-to-match option: 1 (uncapped)Since Mumbai Indians have retained five capped players, they can only use their one RTM option on an uncapped Indian player (so they can’t use it on Ishan Kishan or Tim David). There are four interesting options: Nehal Wadhera, Akash Madhwal, Naman Dhir and Piyush Chawla.Wadhera, 24, had a breakthrough season in 2023, playing 14 games and hitting two fifties. In 2024, he played less of a role, only getting six games and striking at less than 130. What may count against him is that MI already have three specialist batters among their retentions. Like Wadhera, Madhwal, 30, impressed in 2023, going at less than nine an over and developing a reputation as someone who could restrict and take wickets at the death. His incredible figures of 3.3-0-5-5 in the Eliminator put MI in the second qualifying final. The 2024 season was a difficult one for Madhwal: he went at 11.28 an over as MI struggled.In his debut season, 24-year-old Naman Dhir impressed with his ability to score quickly from the off, striking at 177.21 across his seven innings in 2024. With his tall stance and high backlift, Dhir drew comparisons with Hardik Pandya. What also makes him an attractive option as an RTM is that he bowls offspin. Having not played for India for more than five years, Piyush Chawla is now classified as uncapped, meaning MI can use their RTM option on him. While his age – he is 35 – may make MI reluctant to buy him back, he has been consistent over the past two seasons, taking 22 wickets in 2023 and 13 in 2024.

West Indies captain Shai Hope has bemoaned his side’s inability to put together a complete game with the bat after they were swept 5-0 by Australia in the T20I series.The visitors completed a three-wicket victory in the final match in St Kitts, after West Indies had been bowled out for 170 – the lowest total of the series. They reduced Australia to 60 for 4 inside the powerplay, and Akeal Hosein later took 3 for 17, but the loss of Alzarri Joseph to injury one ball into his third over removed a vital part of their attack.The first three matches of the series had been characterised by West Indies being unable to build on promising starts. In the opening match in Jamaica, they were 123 for 1 in the 13th over but managed just 189. In the second, 63 for 0 became 172 for 8. When the series moved to St Kitts, Hope and Brandon King put on 125 for the first wicket, but the middle order couldn’t flourish.Related

• Maxwell expects opening role will be short-lived

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In the last two matches, they somewhat overturned their poor starts – 67 for 4 became 205 and 9 and 32 for 3 became 170 – but on all occasions, Australia were able to get home with room to spare.”I just didn’t think we put together a proper batting display,” Hope said at the post-match presentation. “We either started well and finished poorly or the other way around. When you’re playing against quality opposition like Australia, you’ve got to put things together for a more complete game.Alzarri Joseph was injured one ball into his third over•Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

“As a batting group, we didn’t really give ourselves the best chance to put a big score on the board consistently. And that’s probably where we fell short… We’ve always been one step behind the eight ball.”Hope wore a rueful smile when asked about the fact that his team didn’t get the chance to chase once in the series as Mitchell Marsh won all five tosses.”I think here in the Caribbean, we all know the stats show chasing is always the better thing to do,” he said. “Whether it’s the dew factor, wind factor, you always have that scoreboard in front of you, so you have an idea of how to go about the chase. But it’s something that I can’t control. Unfortunately, I didn’t win any [tosses]… It’s just one of those things for us.”However, despite the scoreline, Hope did see signs of encouragement from his bowling attack as the series developed: Jediah Blades, the young left-arm seamer, took three wickets in the fourth match. Alzarri Joseph’s pace made an impact in the final game too, before he was forced off the field. Hosein impressed after a belated entry with the ball on Monday.Jediah Blades struck crucial blows in the final match•Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

“We understood the struggles of bowling spin here on this ground and surface,” he said. “But [Hosein] is a quality bowler and we just backed him to come and do the job, and he did exceptionally well for that four-over spell. Just unfortunate that, again, we didn’t have as many runs on the board as we would have liked.”I still must commend the guys for the effort that they showed in the back end, to give ourselves a chance to win the game. But once you don’t have that many runs on the board, then you [have] got to hope everything goes perfectly in the field. It just didn’t happen for us.”There is not much time for Hope and his team to reflect. West Indies face a quick turnaround before they play Pakistan in the first of the three T20Is in Florida on Thursday.”I think that we’re a little bit clearer in the bowling unit,” Hope said of what can be taken from this series. “We certainly executed a lot better than we did in the first few games. We’ve got to put this one behind us, and look ahead for the Pakistan series, and see where we can get that combination and that success going.”

Maharaj, who last held the spot in November 2023, returned to the top following his five-for in the first ODI against Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2025South Africa left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has displaced Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana as the No. 1 men’s ODI bowler, following his five-for in the first ODI against Australia in Cairns.Maharaj, who last held the spot in November 2023, returned to the top after gaining two places to move ahead of Theekshana (second) and India spinner Kuldeep Yadav (third). The 35-year-old picked up career-best ODI figures of 5 for 33 which gave South Africa a 98-run win and a 1-0 series lead.Among the South African batters, Aiden Markram moved four spots up to No. 21 and Temba Bavuma five spots to No. 23 following their respective half-centuries in the first ODI.Related

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Following the recently concluded ODI series against Pakistan, West Indies captain Shai Hope jumped two spots to No. 9 on the batters’ list. Hope finished as the top run-scorer in the series with 207 runs, helping West Indies win the series 2-1. His team-mate Jayden Seales moved 15 places up to 18th in the bowling rankings following his ten wickets in the series.Following the T20Is between Australia and South Africa preceding the ODIs, fast bowler Nathan Ellis entered the top ten among bowlers, moving three places up to No. 9. Ellis picked up 3 for 31 in the third T20I to help Australia seal the T20Is 2-1. Josh Hazlewood, who picked up the most wickets for Australia in the series, rose two spots to 18th.South Africa’s hard-hitting batter Dewald Brevis jumped nine spots to equal 12th on the list for T20I batters following his superb efforts in the series. Brevis scored 125 not out off 56 in the first T20I and followed it up with 53 off 26 in the second.