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England allrounder discusses hopes of starting a family in future with wife Katherine

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2024England allrounder Nat Sciver-Brunt has revealed that she missed the first T20I against Pakistan after having her eggs frozen with a view to having a family.Sciver-Brunt was not involved at Edgbaston last weekend, due to what was described as a “minor medical procedure”. She has now spoken publicly about the process in a conversation with her wife, former England seamer Katherine Sciver-Brunt, on the PCA’s Under The Lid podcast.”In the period between getting back from New Zealand [where England toured in April] and this [series], I thought it was a great time to go through the egg-freezing process, creating embryos and putting them in the freezer for future use,” she said.”Katherine and myself would love to start a family but I’d also like to continue playing cricket. We are lucky in that there are more options than one. We’re just working out the best way for us to go about it. I’d like to carry a baby when I finish playing cricket and I think Katherine wants to carry a baby as well.”England have been really good. The sports science and medical department are really supportive and have helped me along the way, making sure coming back to cricket has been smooth. After the procedure you’re wiped out for quite a few days.”On missing the first T20I, she said: “I’d only just started back to exercise, so wasn’t quite ready [to play].”She is expected to be involved in the second match against Pakistan, to be played in Northampton on Friday evening.Katherine, who retired last year, said they had begun to explore the process because “there is a timeframe on how fertile you can be”, with Nat, 31, hoping to being involved in the 2028 Olympics before making any further decisions on when to have children.”If Nat was 24 she might want to have a child, then come back and play. At 31, it’s on the verge,” Katherine said. “Freezing the eggs now and having healthy eggs to come back to – it’s great to be able to have that choice because it’s not cheap and very invasive.”

South Africa are headed for their busiest summer ever, with the pressure of a World Cup and a new T20 League looming; they will need their captain to nail his targets

Firdose Moonda26-Sep-20172:24

‘It’s a new beginning for us’ – Rabada

You’ve heard of five-year plans and ten-year timelines to live your best life, but Faf du Plessis will have to make do with less. Having often spoken of the 2019 World Cup as a logical end-point for him, du Plessis’ may be a three-year tryst with the South African captaincy, which is approaching its most important period now.The middle season of du Plessis’ leadership sees South Africa embark on their busiest home summer in history. They host four teams – Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, India and Australia – and will play 10 Tests, (pending the ICC’s approval of the four-day, day-night match against Zimbabwe as a Test) nine ODIs, and five T20Is, against the backdrop of distraction their domestic T20 league will bring.The inaugural Global T20 promises to add glamour and gravitas to the South African calendar and du Plessis, who is part of it as captain of the Stellenbosch Kings, will have to make sure his men stay focused on the national cause despite the excitement of the new event.Luckily for South Africa, in his first year in charge, du Plessis showed he could demand focus. South Africa won four out of five Test series to climb from No.7 on the rankings to No.2 and achieved their first-ever 5-0 ODI whitewash of Australia. They did all that while dealing with uncertainty on several fronts: from the future of the coach, Russell Domingo, to the commitment of the former captain AB de Villiers.As speculation sprouted on both subjects, du Plessis was the one person who could be counted on to be honest. He was steadfast in his support for Domingo and said both he and the team wanted Domingo to stay on. When they didn’t get that, du Plessis immediately sought information on the new man, Ottis Gibson, from the England changeroom and began to build a relationship with him.Faf du Plessis with Russell Domingo•Getty ImagesAt the same time, du Plessis was the one revealing de Villiers’ difficulties in managing his time playing both international cricket and in T20 leagues while also trying to prioritise his young family, Du Plessis did not expect de Villiers to avail himself to the Test side again; he probably also didn’t expect de Villiers to step down as one-day captain and hand him the full set of captaincies.It is now du Plessis’ job to lead South Africa in all three formats and he knows that means it his job to win the World Cup. Though still 21 months away, it will be talked about incessantly and annoyingly, the way a child talks about Christmas toy in January. It will be analysed until all there is left to analyse is the analysis itself. And it will be coveted, because until South Africa get their hands on the trophy, they will desire it with everything they have. If there is one man who understands how much of a toll that will take, it’s du Plessis.In the aftermath of South Africa’s failed Champions Trophy campaign, du Plessis was as much at a loss as anyone else but he was also the only person who accepted personal responsibility – he was involved in two run-outs in the must-win game against India. South Africans appreciated that. As angry as they were in the team’s inability to exorcise the ghosts of tournaments past, they could see genuine disappointment and hear an admission of guilt from du Plessis. They couldn’t fight with that. All they could do was hurt with him.In essence, that’s what allowed du Plessis to win friends and influence people in the year he has been captain. He is just plain likeable.Faf du Plessis waits to lead South Africa out•Getty ImagesHe has the backing of the change room – like during the ball-tampering allegations in Australia – and of the country. While Graeme Smith had faced the wrath of nation when he missed the homecoming press conference after the 2011 World Cup because he travelled to propose to his girlfriend, du Plessis found himself wrapped in support when he opted out of the Lord’s Test to spend a few extra days with his wife following the difficult birth of their first child. Sure, South Africans have grown up a little and come to see their sportsmen as people; but the sportsmen have grown up too, and see themselves as part of the people, not above them.This is also true of the way du Plessis interacts with opposition. He is well-respected across the cricket world, from Australia where Steven Smith backed him over ball-tampering, to Pakistan, where du Plessis was picked to captain the World XI earlier this month. Du Plessis is trusted for his maturity, which he will need as South Africa embark on the second year of his leadership.Foremost in du Plessis’ mind will be adapting the team to the style of the new coach, Gibson, and integrating the Barbadian into their values. But beyond the philosophical, there is also the real stuff. Du Plessis will have to play a role in managing players over the course of the next six months, particularly bowlers, of whom South Africa are already carrying four wounded ones. He will want to plough into the talent pool to find some of the missing pieces for all the international sides – batsmen, especially batsmen of colour, for the Test XI, death-bowlers in limited-overs cricket and players with big-match temperaments.Against Bangladesh, du Plessis may have a relatively gentle easing in, but things will get tougher as the summer unfolds. Against India, South Africa have a point to prove. It was only two years ago that South Africa were humbled on Indian dust-bowls, and with talk of green mambas ready to bite, the series should be filled with fireworks that a calm captain will have to have a careful watch over. After that, when fatigue may be setting in, South Africa host Australia, a side they have not had a home Test series win over since readmission.Faf du Plessis tries to nail his targets•Getty ImagesImportantly, du Plessis is not in this alone. His successor is being groomed under his nose and that’s no bad thing. South Africa have learnt from the mistake they made when they settled so deep into a comfort zone under Graeme Smith that they barely gave a thought to who would be next. That complacency cost them because it took more than three years after Smith stepped down in March 2014 to find out.Aiden Markram, the 2014 under-19 World Cup winning captain who was put in charge of the Titans franchise last week, is widely expected to become the next national leader and he will have a decent apprenticeship. Markram’s international career will start in two days’ time, when he opens the batting for Test team against Bangladesh. If all goes well, Markram will have ten Tests to bed in and may even find himself in a limited-overs’ side as the season develops.All of that should be encouraged because the more Markram can learn from du Plessis, the better. The more Markram can become part of the du Plessis era, the easier the transition will be.For now, its du Plessis’ team to mould and make a success of. Though he has already had some, du Plessis’ has most recently dealt with disappointment. The England tour, especially the Tests, were blighted by injuries and absentees but South Africa’s return home with nothing was a cause for concern. It suggested there is a need for a more serious introspection than the one South Africa had last winter, just before du Plessis took over, when they outlined goals. Now, they need clear plans and they need to find a way to stay competitive while dealing with myriad challenges – from a packed calendar to Kolpak. They need calm heads. They need to remember to have some fun too.They need du Plessis’ three-year plan to take shape.

Man United boss Ruben Amorim has already shared Sporting CP starlet Geovany Quenda’s one major weakness, with Chelsea now putting pen to paper on a £42 million deal for the winger.

Chelsea reach agreement to sign Geovany Quenda for 2026

News broke early this morning that Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Quenda from Sporting, but he is set to remain in the Primeira Liga next season before eventually making the switch to Stamford Bridge in 2026.

Enzo Fernandez stance on joining Real Madrid as Chelsea eye £67m replacement

The club captain is attracting Carlo Ancelotti’s serious interest.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 14, 2025

The Portuguese is also expected to sign a seven-year deal at Chelsea as BlueCo add yet another very promising youngster to their books (Kaveh Solhekol), and one who has even drawn comparisons with Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka.

“Geo is so demanding with himself in the defensive moments,” said former Sporting academy coach, Fabio Roque, to Sky Sports.

“To close, to recover fast, to win the defensive duels for his teammates. It reminds me of Bukayo Saka at the beginning of his career when he played as a full-back.

“There is only one Geovany Quenda. He is different from any other player I trained. He can create a mark on football that is totally different. We are talking about, with Lamine Yamal and Estevao Willian, probably the best players in that generation born in 2007.”

This is high praise indeed for the 17-year-old, who’s been a mainstay for his side throughout 2024/2025 with an impressive 43 appearances in all competitions, despite being at such a young age.

In that time, Quenda’s racked up 10 goal contributions (two goals, eight assists), and he was given the starting nod in almost all of Sporting’s Champions League games before they were knocked out by Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea also hijacked Man United’s expected deal for Quenda, with the Red Devils missing out on his signature to their English rivals.

What Ruben Amorim thinks about new Chelsea signing Quenda

However, he is by no means the finished product, and Amorim has already shared the one main weakness in Quenda’s game.

Speaking in an interview with O Jogo late last year, Sporting’s ex-head coach explained that the teenager really needs to work on his end product, as he has a very real tendency to shoot over the crossbar.

“I’ve already said everything I had to say about Quenda,” said Amorim. “He’s a very talented kid, very strong physically, very focused, with his feet firmly on the ground. That’s very important for a young player.

“I didn’t know he was the youngest ever to score. Congratulations. I think he has to improve a lot in his finishing. The amount of times he comes inside and shoots over the bar. He doesn’t put the ball in the goal well, that’s a detail he has to improve.

“He showed up well there. But that’s what I said at the beginning of the season. He had the opportunity and there was no chance to take him away, to have doubts, nothing. I think he’s going to be a great player, but let’s give it time.”

The Portugal Under-21 international can play on both wings and is seen by many as the “biggest wonderkid” in his country right now (Joao Paiva), but this bad habit of blazing the ball over will need to be worked on if he is to be successful in the Premier League.

So you know his average and that he was dismissed for a duck in his last innings, but do you know what his favourite subject was in school?

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Aug-2017

Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud and left-arm spinner Hasan Murad were left out

Mohammad Isam18-Mar-2024Bangladesh have called up pace sensation Nahid Rana for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Sylhet. Rana is among three changes in the squad that also includes uncapped fast bowler Musfik Hasan and Litton Das, who returns to the Test squad after skipping the previous series against New Zealand.The 21-year old Rana has only been around for three seasons in domestic cricket, but already he has taken 63 wickets at 21.92 bowling average in first-class cricket. It includes three five-wicket hauls.The selectors have also included Musfik, who earned a call-up against Afghanistan last year. Musfik has 55 first-class wickets at 21.16. It will also be a chance for Litton to get back in the runs after having a horrid time in the white-ball formats against Sri Lanka recently.Related

• Hasaranga suspended from playing Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Tests

• Shanto lauds 'important' Rishad: 'A player like him makes life easier for a captain'

Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, fast bowler Hasan Mahmud and left-arm spinner Hasan Murad were left out from the squad that played against New Zealand in November.The first Test starts in Sylhet on March 22.Bangladesh squad for first Test against Sri Lanka: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Litton Kumer Das, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Mushfik Hasan, Nahid Rana

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to test the water with an offer to sign a potential replacement for exit-linked forward Richarlison, and it is believed the Spurs target is keen on a big move elsewhere this summer.

Tottenham prepared to sanction cut-price Richarlison sale

The Brazilian was linked with a move away from N17 last summer, with clubs in Saudi Arabia displaying a public interest, but Richarlison opted to remain in north London and fight for his place under Ange Postecoglou.

£35m Premier League forward wants to join Tottenham after talks

Spurs are convinced.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 6, 2025

Richarlison was adamant that a move to Saudi didn’t interest him at the time, but the forward has since struggled with injuries and a lack of opportunities to establish himself as a star player under Postecoglou as a result.

Reports suggest this could be the South American’s final season at Spurs, with Everton said to be planning talks to sign Richarlison early on in the summer window as they prepare for life in a state-of-the-art new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is apparently prepared to take a £20 million loss on the 27-year-old’s sale this summer as well. Tottenham are willing to sanction Richarlison’s sale for £40 million, far beneath the £60 million they paid to sign him from Everton in 2022, according to GiveMeSport.

With Everton lurking in the background for Richarlison’s signature, there are now reports emerging of the Lilywhites scouring for possible replacements. As per CaughtOffside, Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is firmly in Spurs’ thinking.

Tottenham set to bid £34 million for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo

According to their information, Semenyo is one of Tottenham’s priorities to replace Richarlison, following his excellent campaign under Andoni Iraola at the Vitality Stadium.

It is also claimed in the report that Spurs are set to test Bournemouth’s resolve with a £34 million bid for the 25-year-old, who will actually face off against Postecoglou’s side later today, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.

In the build up to this game, Semenyo has bagged nine goals and five assists across 30 appearances in all competitions, with his performances also attracting attention from Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle and Serie A title chasers Napoli.

It is added that Semenyo is keen on a big move elsewhere this summer, which could hand Spurs a boost. The former Bristol City star has also been praised for his top flight performances this season, especially by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“He’s a lovely footballer to watch”, said Redknapp on Premier League productions earlier this term.

“The manager’s taken him to another level, he obviously has that capability because you saw it with Solanke. I’m just seeing him elevate his game right now, we’ll talk about why does that happen, a lot of it is purely on confidence.

“He looks like he’s enjoying his football, his shoulders are back, he’s relaxed, every time he gets it, he plays with a bit of a swagger. He’s actually a joy to watch right now.”

Man City star Vivianne Miedema has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad due to a fitness issue, just a month before the European Championship begins.

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• Miedema withdraws from Netherlands squad
• Comes after season ended early with injury
• Euro 2025 is just one month away

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Miedema has had a tough time with injuries as of late, beginning with a devastating ACL rupture suffered in December 2022. She's had two more subsequent knee surgeries and then, just as she was hitting a rich vein of form, saw her 2024-25 Women's Super League season end early because of a hamstring issue.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, Netherlands boss Andries Jonker called the forward into his squad for this international break, as the Dutch prepared to face Germany and then Scotland in their final two group games in the Nations League. The first game came on Friday, with Miedema not included in the matchday squad for a 4-0 loss, and the 28-year-old has now withdrawn from the camp altogether ahead of the clash with Scotland on Tuesday.

• WHAT THE NETHERLANDS SAID

  A statement released by the Netherlands team on Monday simply read: "Vivianne Miedema is not fit enough to take part in the match against Scotland on Tuesday. She has left the training camp."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The news will be of concern to fans of the Netherlands, as it comes exactly a month before Euro 2025 begins. The Dutch are in a very difficult group, with France, England and Wales, and will hope their talismanic forward is available to help them progress to the knockout stages when the tournament comes along.

Alisha Lehmann has delivered another nod towards critics of her supposedly showbiz lifestyle by saying that she could play for another 10 years.

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• Serie A title winner in Italy
• Preparing for 2025 Euros
• Fully committed to football

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Switzerland international is currently on the books of Italian giants Juventus. Her debut season with the Bianconeri delivered Serie A title glory, with the decision to leave WSL side Aston Villa in 2024 being vindicated.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lehmann has continued to face questions of whether she is as committed to her chosen profession as she could be, with off-field endorsements flooding in after becoming one of the most recognisable figures in the women’s game.

• WHAT ALISHA LEHMANN SAID

  The 26-year-old forward has always sought to silence any doubters, with the Swiss star adamant that football is her life. She has told : “I love it. I could literally play every day.

  “So when I have some holidays, I just go to the beach and play football. And this makes me the happiest. When you play a sport or you do something you love, you enjoy it so much that you don’t need anything else.”

• @alishalehmann7 Instagram
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Quizzed on whether she could spend another decade in the professional game, taking her well into her 30s, Lehmann added: “Maybe, yeah, I don’t know. I mean, that’s a long time. Football is something that I will always do. I want to play as long as I can.”

Western Australia won’t be able to call on their big-name international allrounders but have reached the decider largely without them

Tristan Lavalette14-Mar-2024Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green won’t be part of Western Australia’s push for a third straight Sheffield Shield title due to IPL commitments.After playing pivotal roles in Australia’s 2-0 Test series victory over New Zealand, Marsh and Green as expected will head to India ahead of the IPL starting on March 22. WA will host the five-day Shield final against Tasmania starting on March 21 at the WACA.Having stunningly resurrected his Test career with a century at Headingley during last year’s Ashes, Marsh has become a key all-format player for Australia and his heavy workload meant he did not play any domestic cricket this season.Related

• Australians at the IPL: Green's World Cup bid, Starc returns, Langer at Lucknow

• What India need from the Indian Premier League

• Green set to focus on red-ball preparation ahead of India Tests

• Wade to miss start of IPL in order to play Sheffield Shield final

• Western Australia surge to home Sheffield Shield final in quest for hat-trick of titles

Marsh will play from the outset with Delhi Capitals, whose first match is on March 23 against Punjab Kings. The IPL will be important T20 preparation for Marsh, who is almost certain to captain Australia at June’s World Cup in the Caribbean and United States.Green played two Shield matches this season, highlighted by an unbeaten century against Tasmania, but will be eyeing a berth in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad with strong performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore.A no objection certificate from Cricket Australia was required for players to skip the Shield final and play in the IPL.Jhye Richardson and Ashton Turner are also expected to feature in the IPL as they work their way back from serious injuries. Luckless Richardson, who was picked up by Capitals in December’s IPL auction, suffered a left side strain during the BBL and was ruled out of the subsequent ODI series against West Indies.Richardson has started bowling at full intensity, but will be on a management workload during the IPL given his injury history.Turner has not played since the early stages of the BBL after undergoing knee surgery. But he has made a full recovery and will be able to fulfil his IPL commitments having secured a deal worth AU$178,000 with Lucknow, where he will be reunited with his former coach Justin Langer.Lance Morris won’t be fit for the final against Tasmania•Getty Images

Marcus Stoinis, who has not played a first-class match since February 2023, and Jason Behrendorff, who has become a white-ball specialist after being plagued with back issues, are also IPL bound.Lance Morris will not play in the Shield final as he makes a cautious return after a left side strain during last month’s ODI series against West Indies.He had been carefully managed through the early part of the home season to be fit for the Pakistan Test series, but has yet to make his Test debut. Morris is expected to target playing opportunities ahead of the T20 World Cup.WA’s main selection issue appears to be whether allrounder Aaron Hardie will be able to bowl following his recent calf injury. He played as a specialist batter in WA’s pivotal win against Victoria at Junction Oval.If Hardie can bowl, WA might call up D’Arcy Short or emerging spinning allrounder Cooper Connolly. Quicks Liam Haskett or Charlie Stobo could unluckily miss out after solid performances against Victoria.Tasmania’s bid to end an 11-year title drought has been boosted by Matthew Wade missing the start of the IPL season with Gujarat Titans so he can play in the final.Wade may only miss the first game against Mumbai Indians on March 25, with Titans’ next game against Chennai Super Kings taking place two days later. He has played the past two Shield matches for Tasmania as an opener, but only averaged 14.25 from four innings, and did not take the gloves.Quick bowler Riley Meredith is set to return after being rested in Tasmania’s home defeat to South Australia, which cost them hosting rights for the final.Nathan Ellis, who is fighting for a berth as a back-up quick in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, is unavailable due to his IPL commitments, but he hasn’t played a first-class match since early last year.

Griffiths battles with 92, including century stand with Scrivens, before Gregory seals victory

ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2023Tazmin Brits’ blistering 66-ball hundred headlined South East Stars’ 19-run win over Sunrisers at Beckenham.The South Africa international hit 10 fours and five sixes on her way to an unbeaten 112 off 72 deliveries as the Stars put up 290 for 9.Sunrisers looked well-positioned to chase down the target after an opening stand worth 143 between Cordelia Griffith and Grace Scrivens was followed by some fine hitting from captain Dane van Niekerk. With 10 overs left, 80 runs were required for victory with nine wickets still in tow.But leg-spinner Danielle Gregory, not introduced into the attack until the 37th over, took four wickets in the space of three overs to turn the tide and end the Stars’ three-match losing streak in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Brits’ blast came after the Stars’ openers had established a fine base, with Alexa Stonehouse and Kira Chathli putting on 111 together.The 19-year-old Stonehouse had some fortune, surviving two dropped chances, but she was the first to fifty, which came off 65 deliveries.A fifty for Chathli arrived in the 23rd over, but Stonehouse departed for 51 from the very next delivery, smacking spinner Jodie Grewcock straight into the safe hands of van Niekerk at mid-off.Chathli impressed with her ball-striking down the ground to spin but saw Bryony Smith dismissed for 2 from the other end; attempting to clip Grewcock through the leg-side, the right-hander lobbed a simple catch to van Niekerk at mid-off.The Grewcock and van Niekerk combination struck again in the 29th over when Chathli also couldn’t beat mid-off, her knock ended on 71.Brits had already entered the fray by this stage and enjoyed some fortune, dropped on 1 by Florence Miller in the deep. She found her flow, though, a pair of boundaries in a Grewcock over followed by a six over long-on off Amu Surenkumar.She was given another reprieve on 44 off the final ball of the 35th over and went on to reach her half-century off 41 balls.The 32-year-old then went on to thump her compatriot van Niekerk for two sixes off consecutive legitimate deliveries, and her century arrived in the 48th over.Wickets tumbled from the other end as the innings came to a close, but Brits reverse-swept the final ball for four to finish with a flourish.Griffith and Scrivens then set about eclipsing the opening partnership that Stonehouse and Chathli had put together. The pair brought up 50 in the 13th over of the innings before two brief interruptions of rain followed, the second one taking two overs off the innings and revising the target to 282.Griffith was the more aggressive of the pair, her half-century taking 64 balls while Scrivens took 87 deliveries to get to her fifty. The latter seemed ready to up her rate, hitting Smith down the ground for four off the first ball of the 32nd over. But an attempted reverse-swat two balls later saw her bowled for 59.Van Niekerk was in next, showing her power down the ground and through cover with four boundaries off one Ryana MacDonald-Gay over.Gregory then arrived to made a crucial breakthrough; Griffith was adjudged lbw on 92 as she missed out on a flick off the pads. The leggie struck again in her next over, with Mady Villiers’ attempted cover drive resulting in a thick edge that lobbed up to Kalea Moore at third man. Grewcock was Gregory’s third, but the most vital delivery was the one to remove van Niekerk, the batter sweeping hard but into the hands of short fine leg for 44.Amara Carr hit a quickfire 29 but Gregory’s intervention was a match-winning one.