Aston Villa are now circling to sign an “unbelievable” Premier League striker in the January transfer window, with his club open to a sale.
Villa "want to sign a new striker" next month
Ex-scout Mick Brown has made it clear his former club are looking to bolster their options at centre-forward this winter, saying: “Aston Villa want to sign a new striker in January,”
“Emery wants somebody to challenge Watkins and score regular goals, because they’ve lacked that so far this season, and they want to do it when the window opens.
“The problem is, there aren’t many strikers available, and the ones that are cost big money.”
While there may not be a plethora of options available, some exciting targets have been identified, with it being revealed Igor Thiago is highly likely to leave Brentford in January, amid interest from Unai Emery.
Bologna star Santiago Castro is another striker of interest to the Villans, with the Argentinian striker outscoring Ollie Watkins this season, although a deal could be on the expensive side at around £44m.
A slightly cheaper centre-forward has also emerged as a target, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Aston Villa are now circling to sign Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee next month, following a new update on the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford.
Although Ruben Amorim wants to keep hold of Zirkzee, in light of his versatility, Man United are now open to sanctioning a departure, and Villa’s Premier League rivals could look to hold out for a fee of around £35m.
A whole host of clubs are in the race for the Netherlands international, however, with the likes of Sunderland, Brighton, Everton, West Ham United, Inter Milan and Juventus also being named as potential suitors.
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ByDominic Lund 5 days ago "Unbelievable" Zirkzee back amongst the goals
The 24-year-old hasn’t had the easiest of rides at Old Trafford, failing to make it off the bench in seven Premier League matches this season, but he has impressed at times, with Sky Sports analyst Statman Dave hailing his mentality earlier this year.
The former Bologna man also returned to form in front of goal at the end of November, scoring the equalising goal to start Man United’s comeback in their 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
That said, Villa should have major reservations about signing Zirkzee, considering his very poor record in front of goal, netting just eight times in 58 outings for Man United, while also receiving heavy criticism from content creator Alex Turk this season.
Namibia have qualified for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup and will be one of the three hosts of the 2027 edition as well
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2025
Gary Kirsten is unveiled as a consultant to Namibia’s men’s national teams•Cricket Namibia
Gary Kirsten has been appointed consultant for the men’s national teams of Namibia and will work with Craig Williams, the former Namibian cricketer who is the head coach of the men’s national team in the build-up to the next T20 World Cup, to be played in India and Sri Lanka in February-March 2026.”It is indeed a privilege to work with Cricket Namibia. I have been thoroughly impressed with the dedication and determination to create a high-performance cricket environment,” Kirsten said in a Cricket Namibia statement. “Their new state-of-the-art cricket stadium is a testament to their commitment to making sure their national teams are competing with the best cricket countries in the world. Their senior men’s national team is performing well, and I look forward to adding value to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in February next year.”Namibia, a team on the rise in men’s T20 cricket, qualified for each of the last three T20 World Cups, in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and are in the mix for the upcoming one too, and will also be one of the three hosts for the 2027 edition, with South Africa and Zimbabwe.”Kirsten’s appointment as consultant reflects Cricket Namibia’s commitment to strengthening its high-performance environment and supporting the existing coaching structure,” a statement from the board said. “His blend of international playing experience, coaching success, and passion for player development brings valuable insight and added depth to the Eagles [men’s national team] setup.”Kirsten, one of South Africa’s best batters from 1993 to 2004, turned to coaching after retiring. He was first part of the team that founded a cricket academy in Cape Town and took up roles at various levels in South Africa before becoming India’s head coach in 2007. Under him, India won the 2011 ODI World Cup. He was subsequently appointed head coach of the South Africa national team and has also held positions with a number of teams across the world in T20 franchise leagues. Most recently, he served in an aborted stint as head coach of the Pakistan men’s team in 2024.
With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo edging closer and closer to calling time on generational careers, it can be easy to assume that football won’t ever be the same. But that crisis quickly becomes short-lived after one glance around some of the world’s best teenage sensations.
It is a generation full of absurd talent, so much so that it’s difficult to squeeze them all into a top ten. Arsenal have 15-year-old Max Dowman in their ranks, for example, who has already featured in a number of first-team games.
The most valuable teenage prospects in football ranked (2025)
Some staggering figures…
ByTom Cunningham Nov 7, 2025
The list of young talents is so stacked that Real Madrid star Endrick misses out for the time being, but there’s good reason why Los Blancos spent over £50m to secure his signature at such a young age. Ahead of his potential loan move in January, he remains one to watch alongside other honourable mentions.
Max Dowman
Arsenal
15
Endrick
Real Madrid
19
Geovany Quenda
Sporting CP
18
Assan Ouedraogo
RB Leipzig
19
Lennart Karl
Bayern Munich
17
10 Rio Ngumoha: Liverpool
There’s a reason why Chelsea were left furious by Liverpool’s move to sign Rio Ngumoha in 2024. The tricky winger is one of the best teenage talents around and became one of the youngest-ever Premier League goalscorers when he netted a dramatic winner against Newcastle United earlier on in the campaign.
It was the stuff of dreams for the 17-year-old, who is now waiting in the wings for further opportunities to shine even as Liverpool struggle under Arne Slot.
9 Rodrigo Mora: FC Porto
Rodrigo Mora for Porto.
Portugal have a knack for producing impressive young talent and Rodrigo Mora looks set to be the next in line. The attacking midfielder, who’s still just 18 years old, has scored three goals for Porto so far this season – including in the Europa League.
Like so many before him, the teenager seems destined for greatness and may well become the latest big-money export out of Portugal sooner rather than later.
8 Ayyoub Bouaddi: LOSC Lille
Speaking of stars playing beyond their years, it’s hard to believe that Ayyoub Bouaddi is still 18 years old. The way he controls midfields is a trait that a player his age does not have very often, but he has it in abundance. The midfielder is a mainstay in Lille’s first-team and arguably one of their key men.
The big challenge for the French side will be keeping hold of their young star. It’s a rare day when defensive midfielders of his technical ability and towering 6’1 figure burst onto the scene.
7 Francesco Camarda: AC Milan
Any Football Manager players will already know exactly what Francesco Camarda has to offer. But for those that don’t know, he is one of the best emerging talents in world football. The 17-year-old became AC Milan’s youngest Serie A debutant at 15 and then did the same in the Champions League.
The forward also managed to bag his first Serie A goal in the current campaign in what is likely to be the first of many in the famous AC Milan colours.
6 Ethan Nwaneri: Arsenal
Although he’s been unable to break into the Arsenal side with the same regularity as last season in the current campaign, Ethan Nwaneri remains one of the most promising talents around. He put Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side to the sword last season and already looks destined to find a role in Mikel Arteta’s team for years to come.
The Gunners will also be well aware that they needn’t rush the 18-year-old’s development like they were forced to do with Bukayo Saka, when they desperately needed a spark.
5 Franco Mastantuono: Real Madrid
Endrick hasn’t made this list but his Real Madrid teammate, Franco Mastantuono has. The Argentine arrived in Spain over the summer and has since shown plenty of flashes of his brilliance.
Having already scored his first goal in Real Madrid colours, the 18-year-old will now have his eye on avoiding the same fate as Endrick, who has been frozen out by Xabi Alonso. Given that Mastantuono has already started a handful of La Liga games, though, it’s clear that the Spaniard rates him.
4 Warren Zaire-Emery: Paris Saint-Germain
Already a Champions League winner at 19 years old, there’s a reason why Warren Zaire-Emery is one of the most highly-rated young talents around. It takes quite the player to break into Luis Enrique’s side these days, but the teenager has done just that on the biggest stages.
In a team which already includes Joao Neves, Vitinha and others, the central midfielder looks destined to become one of PSG’s top stars over the next decade.
3 Pau Cubarsi: Barcelona
You’d be forgiven for assuming that Pau Cubarsi is the senior centre-back in Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side, especially after Ronald Araujo’s reckless red card against Chelsea. The 18-year-old plays with a maturity far beyond his years and has handed those in Spain a key defensive mainstay.
Whilst it’s often attacking stars who steal the headlines fresh from La Masia, Cubarsi is proving that the famous academy is also capable of producing top quality defenders.
2 Estevao Willian: Chelsea
The rest of European football must be scratching their heads, wondering how exactly Chelsea snuck in to win Estevao Willian’s signature. The Blues quietly landed a generational talent, who is already producing on the world stage.
He looked a star ready for the headlines against Barcelona in the Champions League, despite being just 18-years-old. The Brazilian has quickly become one of the fan favourites at Stamford Bridge, and rightly so.
1 Lamine Yamal: Barcelona
Estevao may have stolen the show at Stamford Bridge, but Lamine Yamal remains the best teenager in world football and one of the best players in the world, for that matter.
The Barcelona man is an early contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or and if it’s not next year, then it will certainly be in years to come that he sits on football’s throne. At 18 years old, Barcelona have unlocked yet another generational talent.
The best 15 wingers in world football ranked (2025)
Southampton are now eyeing Russell Martin as a replacement for Will Still, who was dismissed on Sunday night, but there could be competition for his signature from their Championship rivals.
After being relegated from the Premier League last season, the Saints were expected to mount a promotion push, but it has been nothing short of a terrible start to the campaign, having taken just 12 points from their opening 13 matches.
The 2-0 defeat at home to Preston North End was the final straw for Sport Republic, who relieved Still of his duties on Saturday, and Under-21s head coach Tonda Eckert has now emerged as a contender for the first-team manager’s job.
It would be a gamble to appoint Eckert, however, given that he is just 32-years-old and yet to prove himself at senior level, and an external appointment is also being considered…
Southampton eyeing Russell Martin to replace Will Still
According to journalist Alan Nixon (via GiveMeSport) Southampton are now eyeing former manager Martin as a replacement for Still, with the 39-year-old on standby for a swift return to management, having recently been dismissed by Scottish giants Rangers.
The Saints are not the only Championship club that hold an interest, however, with it being revealed that Norwich City are also considering the Englishman, given that there are doubts over Liam Manning’s future.
The Brighton-born manager is available without any compensation, which means he is an appealing option for the two Championship clubs, who could do battle for his services.
In truth, the former Rangers manager’s spell at Ibrox was a complete disaster, being sacked after just 17 games in charge, making him the shortest-serving permanent boss in the Scottish side’s history.
That said, the “exciting” manager, as hailed by analyst John Walker, could still be a good appointment for Southampton, considering the work he did at St. Mary’s previously, guiding them to promotion in the play-off final in the 2023-24 campaign.
The ex-Swansea City boss, who prefers to implement a 4-3-3 system, is also very experienced at Championship level, having taken charge of 138 second tier matches.
Russell Martin’s Championship record
Games
138
Wins
60
Draws
34
Losses
44
Points per match
1.55
That said, it would arguably be a backwards step to appoint Martin, given that he was sacked by the Saints less than one year ago, after being unable to make the step-up to the Premier League, with his side losing 13 of their opening 16 Premier League games.
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كشف أشرف عبد العزيز، محامي رمضان صبحي لاعب نادي بيراميدز، عن تفاصيل جديدة حول قضية اللاعب، مؤكدًا تقديمه شكوى رسمية ضد محامي الطرف الأول عمر هريدي بسبب المسلك غير المألوف الذي اتبعه في القضية، ومشيرًا إلى أن موكله موجود حاليًا في محبسه وينتظر حكم المحكمة.
قال أشرف عبد العزيز، في تصريحات عبر برنامج “الصورة” على قناة “النهار”: “هل تقدمت بشكوى ضد عمر هريدي محامي الطرف الأول في قضية الامتحانات؟ أولًا، هذا الأمر لا يمكن مروره مرور الكرام، لقد تقدمت بشكوى إلى نقابة المحامين ضد المسلك غير المألوف الذي قام به الزميل المحامي دفاعًا عن المتهم”.
وتابع: “ويعد ذلك سابقة غير محمودة في العمل المهني، ولأنني من أبناء نقابة المحامين، فضلت اللجوء إلى نقابتي بدلاً من نشر الشكوى على صفحات التواصل الاجتماعي، حفاظًا على الفصل بيني وبين الزميل، حتى لا يُقال إننا تركنا قول المحاماة وذهبنا إلى الشكاوى، وهذا ما تعلمناه”.
وأضاف: “التحدث في أمور قضية يحضر فيها المدافع عن المتهم الأول، ويأتي بالأقوال والأفعال والبيانات، وهو مس سمعة موكلي وقلل مكانته، فقد وردت ألفاظ على لسانه رغم حضوره في أولى جلسات المحكمة واطلاعه على أوراق الاتهام، لكنه ذكرها وتحدث في اتهامات لمجرد الظهور الإعلامي، وتحدث عن موكلي بأنه يتاجر بالبشر، وهو أمر لم تتضمنه النيابة العامة في قرار الإحالة، وخلط بين الأوراق والاعترافات بشكل غير مألوف”.
طالع أيضًا | بيراميدز: الأهلي أكبر قلعة رياضية في مصر.. وما فعله مع رمضان صبحي ليس غريبًا
وعن غياب عمر هريدي عن الجلسة الماضية، قال: “هو غاب عن القضية، سواء لشعوره بالتعب أو انسحابه، هذه مسألة تخصه هو وموكله ولا تعنيني، في الجلسة الأولى حضرت مع رمضان صبحي، والجلسة التالية كانت مؤجلة من 25-10 إلى 22-11، غيابه أو تأخره لا يخصني، مشكلتي أنه تحدث عن القضية وأفشى أسرارًا محجوزة للحكم بتاريخ 30-12”.
وتابع: “عندما تم التواصل معي وحضر رمضان صبحي إلى النيابة، لم أنطق بكلمة واحدة عن المتهمين أو القضية، فوجئت بأن عمر هريدي يتحدث في القضية، ولولا كونه مدافعًا لكان لا يعرف شيئًا عن تفاصيلها، أنا أتكلم هنا عن مخالفة قانون المحاماة في المواد 69 و70، ولهذا لجأت إلى نقابتي”.
وبخصوص ما أزعجه في تصريحات هريدي: “ما أزعجني شخصيًا ليس الحديث، فأنا محامٍ لا أنزعج، لكن ما أزعجني أنه تحدث عن أقوال واتهامات لم ترد في أمر الإحالة، واتهم موكلي بالاتجار بالبشر، وهو لم يرد في قرار الإحالة، في مخالفة لنصوص المواد 69 و70 من قانون المحاماة، والنقابة العامة هي صاحبة القرار”.
وعن وضع رمضان صبحي الحالي، قال: “المحكمة قررت حبس المتهم على ذمة القضية، والحكم يوم 30-12-2025، ورمضان الآن في محبسه، أتواصل معه بصفتي محاميه ولي الحق في زيارته”.
واختتم: “أشكر الأهلي وبيراميدز على متابعتهما للقضية، لكن قضيتي محجوزة للحكم بتاريخ 30/12، ولا يمكننا فعل أي شيء قبل ذلك، القانون يسير بمسطرة واحدة على الجميع، ولا يمكننا التعقيب على قرار حبسه، فالمحكمة لها الصلاحية الكاملة في إخلاء سبيله أو حبسه”.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is believed to be privately unimpressed with summer signing Xavi Simons.
Simons’ arrival for £52 million in the summer window brought serious excitement with it, especially after James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of 2025/2026 with an ACL injury he sustained in pre-season.
With Dejan Kulusevski also still on the recovery trail from a knee problem, which forced him to miss Tottenham’s Europa League triumph, Simons was viewed as the answer to Frank’s shortage of creative options in the final third.
However, it has been a slow start for the Dutchman.
Thus far, Simons’ only goal contribution has come from a dead-ball situation, with the 22-year-old setting up Pape Sarr to head home from a corner away to West Ham in September.
This was during Simons’ Premier League debut for his new side, but since that glorious moment at the London Stadium, the ex-PSG sensation has largely struggled to make an impact.
His north London numbers are in stark contrast to his final campaign at Leipzig. Simons bagged 17 goal contributions in just 25 top flight outings, all while averaging a solid two shots on goal per 90 minutes.
Appearances
25
Minutes played
2,157
Goals
10
Assists
7
Bookings
5
Shots at goal per 90 minutes
2
Passing accuracy
82.9%
Average match rating
7.32
via WhoScored
Frank has repeatedly stood up for Simons when asked about his dwindling form by the media, with the Spurs head coach even making a comparison to Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz.
There have even been suggestions that Simons isn’t actually a playmaker at all, and Frank apparently needs to realise this sooner rather than later.
Perhaps the forward’s best position is out wide.
Simons played seven of his last 2025 Bundesliga matches for Leipzig on the left — a position which Frank has also utilised him.
The former La Masia gem was used as a winger against West Ham, Wolves, Everton and Villarreal in the Champions League, but again, he struggled to contribute in the final third.
How Thomas Frank really feels about Xavi Simons at Tottenham
In any case, he needs to start delivering sooner rather than later, with Dutch analyst Johan Derksen criticising the attacker on Vandaag Inside this week.
Derksen believes that Simons is “failing” at Tottenham and Frank is “unhappy” with his summer signing, going on to state that he lacks the speed and strength to succeed in England.
There is still plenty of time for the Netherlands international to adapt, and you can make a serious case that all the comments aimed his way are pretty harsh considering he only arrived a couple of months ago.
There is a settling in period for some foreign players, but the same cannot be said for Dominic Solanke.
According to other reports, Frank has seen enough of the experienced Premier League striker, despite Solanke playing just 49 minutes in total since the Dane arrived.
Thomas Frank makes Dominic Solanke decision with January exit possibility revealed Frank now unimpressed by £140k-p/w Tottenham star, may replace him in January
The Spurs boss doesn’t fancy one of his players, who Ange Postecoglou described as “fantastic.”
Manchester United have now moved into pole position in the race for a “sensational” star, and a £30m offer is being prepared.
Ruben Amorim identifies top midfield target
It is becoming increasingly clear that Man United will look to sign a new midfielder in 2026, and Ruben Amorim has now identified Elliot Anderson as his top target, although a deal could be on the expensive side, with a £100m fee being touted.
However, the Red Devils may be forced to move on to alternative, potentially more affordable options, with it recently emerging that the Etihad Stadium is Anderson’s preferred destination.
It would be disappointing to miss out on the Nottingham Forest star, who is now an established England international, having picked up six caps since the start of September.
The 23-year-old is not the only English midfielder of interest to Man United though, according to a report from Spain, which states they are now leading the race for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Spanish club.
Several Premier League clubs have emerged as potential suitors for Gallagher, but United are the frontrunners, and a £30m opening bid is in the works, with the La Liga side willing to sanction a departure for a fee in that ballpark.
With the Englishman not receiving much game time under Diego Simeone, a January move could make sense for all parties, with Man United certainly in need of additional reinforcements in midfield…
"Sensational" Gallagher could be solid addition for Man Utd
Despite not being the flashiest of signings, the former Crystal Palace man could be a solid addition for the Red Devils, who need to sign at least one new midfielder, amid the uncertainty surrounding Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo’s future.
It has now been revealed that United could be willing to let Mainoo leave this winter, should they manage to find a replacement, while Casemiro’s future is under review, with the Brazilian’s contract due to expire in the summer.
As such, two new midfielders may be required, and Gallagher could be a good squad player, having been lauded as “sensational” by journalist John Cross.
Man Utd could break club-record transfer fee to sign "amazing" £100m midfielder
Man United could shatter their transfer record to sign a top target.
ByDominic Lund Dec 2, 2025
The 25-year-old is very experienced in the Premier League, making 136 appearances in the competition, while he has also tested himself in the Champions League, netting one goal in five appearances this term.
£30m feels like a reasonable fee to pay for the 22-time England international, so it makes sense for Man United to pursue a January move, although Anderson should remain their top target.
Bangladesh are on course to take a 1-0 lead against Ireland after dominating the third day of the Sylhet Test. The visitors ended the day on 86 for 5, trailing by 215 runs after a century from Najmul Hossain Shanto, along with Litton Das’ 66-ball 60 helped Bangladesh amass on 587 for 8.Once they declared, Nahid Rana struck the first blow in the fourth over when he cleaned up Cade Carmichael for 5. It was a thundering inswinger that Carmichael couldn’t keep out, as Rana revved up the pace in his first spell.Ireland found a bit of consolidation for the next hour, with Harry Tector and Paul Stirling finding a bit of rhythm. Stirling struck seven fours as he raced towards a second fifty in the match. However, a bit of tardy thinking cost him dearly. After Litton missed a stumping off Taijul Islam, Stirling’s attempt for a single was ill-timed. He couldn’t turn back in time, as he was caught short of the crease, falling for 43 off 59 balls.Tector followed him back swiftly, lbw to Taijul for 18, before Shadman Islam took a brilliant catch at cover to get rid of Curtis Campher towards the end of the day. Murad took that wicket, before also trapping Lorcan Tucker lbw for 9.Earlier, Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored a career-best 171, which is the second-highest score by a Bangladeshi opener. Shanto’s century was his eighth in Tests, and fourth as captain.Mahmudul could add just two runs to his overnight score before Barry McCarthy had him edge behind with a late outswinger. Mominul Haque fell in McCarthy’s next over, undone by a lifter for 82. Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim put on a recovering act with a 79-run fourth-wicket stand.The acceleration came during the Shanto-Litton partnership, when they added 98 runs for the fifth wicket, at 5.49 per over. Litton smacked eight fours and a six, before Tector took a splendid catch running back from mid-on to dismiss him.Shanto, who struck 14 fours, fell to Andy McBrine on the second ball after reaching his century. He was very much leg-side dominant with his boundaries, along with a few straight drives for fours.The 23-year-old left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys was Ireland’s best bowler, taking his second five-wicket haul in his fourth Test. He finished with 5 for 170 while McCarthy picked up two wickets, both on the third morning.
O Fortaleza recebe o Cruzeiro nesta quarta (17), pela 2ª rodada do Brasileirão 2024. A bola vai rolar a partir das 20h (de Brasília), na Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza, com transmissão do serviço de pay-per-view Premiere.
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FICHA TÉCNICA FORTALEZA X CRUZEIRO | 2ª RODADA – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO 2024
Data e horário: quarta, 16 de abril de 2024, às 20h (de Brasília)
Local: Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza Onde assistir: Premiere Arbitragem: Bruno Mota Correia (RJ) (árbitro); Leone Carvalho Rocha (GO) e Carlos Henrique Alves de Lima Filho (RJ) (auxiliares); Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (RJ) (VAR)
PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES FORTALEZA (Técnico: JUAN PABLO VOJVODA) João Ricardo; Tinga, Brítez, Kuscevic e Bruno Pacheco; Zé Welison, Pochettino e Hércules; Pikachu, Lucero e Moisés.
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Desfalques: –
CRUZEIRO (Técnico: FERNANDO SEABRA) Anderson; William, Zé Ivaldo, Neris e Marlon; Lucas Romero, Ramiro, Lucas Silva, Matheus Pereira (Matheus Vital) e Arthur Gomes; Dinenno (Rafael Silva).
Desfalques: –
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New Zealand’s opening batter looks to put the disappointment of a group-stage exit at the home ODI World Cup in 2022 behind her
Valkerie Baynes19-Oct-2024While a T20 World Cup final represents a prime opportunity to inspire young children to start playing cricket, this one in particular carries important meaning for another group – women in their mid-to-late 30s who are not ready to give up on sport. And nor should they, says Suzie Bates.Bates, New Zealand’s 37-year-old opening batter – and sometimes closing bowler, says she is proud to fly the flag for women against “ageist” attitudes.”I probably take it for granted, but the fact that I’m over 35 and still competing and that I’ve never given up on my dream, I think as females you do feel societal pressure to give up on pursuing your dreams,” Bates said. “People expect you to do other things at a certain age, and that is what is so exciting about women’s sport, it is just growing and growing and we are breaking down barriers every single day.Related
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Beyond the big three – doing it despite 'not having it like others'
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the South African sky
“It’s not just the young players, it’s players in our team coming back after having children. I’ve even been in the team with two parents [Amy Satterthwaite and Lea Tahuhu] who are able to have a career and have children. I just think we can be a little bit ageist and even more so with females in terms of what they can and can’t do. So I’m happy to wave that flag.”I keep myself young by hanging out with people who are a lot younger. When I hang out with people my same age, I’m like, ‘oh yeah, that’s right, grow up!’ But there’s a lot of potential to challenge those notions. At the end of the day, age becomes a factor, but as long as you can keep contributing, it shouldn’t matter.”She was speaking on the eve of Sunday’s T20 World Cup title clash in Dubai, where New Zealand will play last year’s runners-up South Africa, guaranteeing a new champion.But throughout almost three weeks of competition, many stories involving players approaching the age of 40 and performing at the highest level have come up.New Zealand have Bates, 35-year-old captain Sophie Devine, and seam bowler Tahuhu, who just turned 34 but whom Bates jokingly considers a fellow “grandma” of the team.Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu all have been playing international cricket for over 15 years now•ICC/Getty ImagesLegspinner Afy Fletcher, who was part of the West Indies side knocked out in the semi-finals by New Zealand, is a 37-year-old mother to a toddler. She ended the tournament with ten wickets, which before the final was equal to Nonkululeko Mlaba of South Africa and just two behind leading wicket-taker Amelia Kerr of New Zealand, drawing praise from coach Shane Deitz for her ability to reinvent herself as a bowler at this point in her career.”Age is just a number for Afy, so we don’t worry about her age,” Deitz said. “Our bowling coach, Ryan Austin, has done a really good job with her. They sat down and had a chat early in the year… he challenged her to be the highest wicket-taker for this year in the team.”She really took that on board and got more variations and she’s worked really, really hard on her fitness and all aspects of her game and batting as well. And now she’s got a few more years left in her, I hope.”Pakistan’s Nida Dar will turn 38 in January, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur is 35 and Sri Lanka have three bowlers – Inoshi Priyadharshani, Inoka Ranaweera and Udeshika Prabodhani – aged 37, 38 and 39 respectively.But age and experience has done nothing to dampen the excitement of taking her team into a first World Cup final in 14 years for Bates, at least not once the tension of an eight-run win over West Indies had eased.
“I keep myself young by hanging out with people who are a lot younger. When I hang out with people my same age, I’m like, ‘oh yeah, that’s right, grow up!’ But there’s a lot of potential to challenge those notions”Suzie Bates
“It wasn’t actually until today when I went and had a swim in the beach that it hit me and I got a bit teary-eyed,” Bates said. “With the adrenaline and everything that’s going on, you’re in a bit of shock.”If you’ve been a White Ferns fan while I’ve been in the team, there’s been a lot of ups and downs, highs and lows, and they’ve ridden that rollercoaster with you. So we’re carrying those emotions, that they’ve got something to celebrate as well as us.”The celebrations are all the sweeter now, not only because New Zealand came into this tournament on a ten-game losing streak, but the fact that they failed to get out of the group stages in their home ODI World Cup in 2022.”When you get one opportunity in a career to have a home World Cup and you don’t quite nail it, that comes with a lot of disappointment,” Bates said. “We had a really great fan base during that World Cup and we had some really tight matches and we were so close to getting through to that semi-final stage, so personally that’s really motivating.Suzie Bates is happy to fly the flag against “ageist” attitudes•ICC/Getty Images”Especially from where we’ve come from, when a team’s been able to bounce back after ten losses in a row, the pride and the resilience that we have as a group makes it so special and we’ve never given up on each other.”And that’s the support staff, [head coach] Ben Sawyer, he’s been through the wringer trying to get this team believing in themselves, and a huge credit has to go to him for just keeping on backing that same group when results weren’t coming our way.”As this will certainly be Devine’s last T20I as captain following her decision to hand over the team to the next generation of leaders, New Zealand’s desire for her to sign off with a title burns bright.”When you play team sport, your goal, your ultimate goal is to be a world champion,” Bates said. “It’s been all those tournaments that have motivated me, and I know Sophie as well. It feels like it’s just all built to this moment and we get one more opportunity tomorrow to have a good dig. The most overwhelming thing about it was it has felt like a really long journey to get back to this point.”New Zealand cricket and women’s sport is all the richer for the fact that players like Bates have stuck around for so long.