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Sophie Devine made a fifty and Amelia Kerr made 40 off 67 for the White Ferns in Bengaluru

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Sep-2025India chased down 237 to beat New Zealand by four wickets in their second Women’s World Cup warm-up match in Bengaluru after a heavy loss to England in their first match.After a solid start, where they reached 54 for 0 in the eighth over, India lost Pratika Rawal and Uma Chetry to leave the score at 71 for 2. Harleen Deol (74) and Harmanpreet Kaur (69) then put on a 132-run third-wicket partnership, guiding India towards the target. Despite a late collapse from 203 for 2 to 230 for 6, India held on to win with ten balls to spare.Earlier, after a rain delay, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat. India struck early, reducing them to 38 for 2 by the eighth over. Sophie Devine’s 54 and Amelia Kerr’s 40 steadied the innings, taking New Zealand to 132 for 3. They finished on 232 for 8 in a 42-overs-a-side contest.For India, N Shree Charani claimed three wickets, while pacers Kranti Goud and Arundhati Reddy – back in action after suffering a blow to her leg in the previous match – each took two.

The Blue Jays are one win away from their first trip to the American League championship series since 2016.

After hammering the Yankees 10–1 in Game 1 of the AL division series on Saturday, the Blue Jays were back at it on Sunday, racing to a 12–0 lead before holding on for a 13–7 win. Toronto’s bats were a big part of the story in Game 2, but rookie righty Trey Yesavage stole headlines with an incredible performance on the mound.

The Yankees failed to show up in either game north of the border and now find themselves with their backs against the wall, trailing 2–0 in the best-of-five series. Here’s a look at three takeaways from Toronto's big win on Sunday.

The Blue Jays Aren’t Intimidated

Toronto came out firing in Game 1, and that continued in Game 2. A 10–1 victory on Saturday led to a 13-run outburst that included a 12–0 lead by the fifth inning. The Blue Jays are not scared of what the Yankees have thrown at them, even with Bo Bichette sidelined.

After scoring eight runs on New York’s bullpen in Game 1, Toronto lit up Yankees ace Max Fried, scoring seven runs on eight hits in three-plus innings. Perhaps most importantly, the Blue Jays’ big bats came to play. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a monster grand slam to drive in four. Daulton Varsho had two bombs, George Springer also went deep and Alejandro Kirk drove in a run after hitting two home runs in Game 1.

The Blue Jays had one of MLB’s best offenses all season. Even with Bichette watching from the dugout, Toronto hasn’t missed a beat.

Trey Yesavage Earned His Spot

A lot was made about Toronto’s decision to give top prospect Trey Yesavage the start in a critical spot on Sunday. It turned out to be a phenomenal call. The rookie righty showed he’s the team’s top prospect for a reason.

In 5 1/3 electric, shutout innings, Yesavage held the Yankees without a hit, walked one and struck out 11, which was a Blue Jays postseason record. He sat in the mid-90s and garnered a ridiculous 18 whiffs, 11 of which came on his devastating splitter. He was excellent all afternoon and fed off the raucous crowd at Rogers Centre.

The 22-year-old is Toronto’s No. 1 prospect, and MLB Pipeline ranks him at No. 26 overall. The 20th pick in the 2024 MLB draft, Yesavage rose quickly through the minor league ranks this season, earning a call-up in mid-September after 25 outings.

Yesavage went 1–0 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in three big league starts before the playoffs. He struck out 16 and walked seven in 14 innings. It was a gamble to give him a start in such a big spot, but he stepped into the spotlight and owned the moment.

Toronto’s starting rotation ranked 23rd in baseball with just 8.5 fWAR, and it was 24th in FIP (4.46), so there was plenty of room to add another piece. Yesavage is an elite talent that elevates the rotation when he’s locked in. He’s earned that rotation spot after Sunday’s immaculate performance.

It’s Getting Late Early for the Yankees

The Yankees entered the 2025 season looking to finish what they started in 2024 when they fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. They got past the Boston Red Sox in the wild-card round after losing Game 1 and winning the next two, but now find themselves on the brink again.

In two games against Toronto, New York has been outscored 23–8. At one point, it was 22–1 before the Yankees got two runs in the sixth inning on Sunday, then followed that with five more in the seventh. That only came against the back of the Blue Jays’ bullpen after the Yanks dug themselves an insurmountable deficit.

New York’s staff has allowed 23 runs in 16 innings so far in this series, which works out to a brutal ERA of 12.94. Part of that has been Toronto’s relentless offense, but it’s also the Yankees’ pitchers not executing. The franchise didn’t give Fried $218 million to watch him allow seven runs in three-plus innings during a key playoff game. The lefty delivered 6 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of the wild-card series but now has a 9.64 ERA in his last five playoff starts dating back to 2022.

Now the series heads to Yankee Stadium, where Carlos Rodón will face Shane Bieber on Tuesday night. The 32-year-old lefty allowed three runs in six innings against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the wild-card series, so he’s already pitched in an elimination game this postseason.

Rodon will need to be at his best because the Yankees already find themselves on the verge of a very long vacation.

Mayank underwent back surgery post 2025 IPL and was among the most critical questions LSG had to deal with during the retention exercise

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Nov-2025Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to retain India fast bowler Mayank Yadav but will release legspinner Ravi Bishnoi, South Africa batter David Miller and India fast bowler Akash Deep.It is understood that LSG have also decided to retain most of their core set of players including Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Ayush Badoni. Among the bowlers set to be retained are mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi, who finished as LSG’s highest-wicket taker in his maiden IPL. The retention list is also set to include India fast bowler Avesh Khan along with uncapped batters Abdul Samad and Himmat Singh along with India allrounder Shahbaz Ahmed. Among the uncapped bowlers to be retained are left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav and M Siddharth.Mayank, who underwent back surgery post 2025 IPL, was among the most critical questions LSG had to deal with during the retention exercise. The Delhi fast bowler, who forced his way to get an international debut last year, with his ability to shoot speeds in the vicinity of the 150kmph-mark consistently, was among the three players LSG had retained ahead of the 2025 mega auction, for INR 11 crore. Mayank, who bagged two Player-of-the-Match awards in IPL 2024, though, played just two matches in the 2025 season before a back injury ruled him out.Related

• SRH set to trade Mohammed Shami to LSG

• Maxwell among players Punjab Kings set to release

Mayank, 23, is currently doing his rehab and is understood to resume bowling soon and is expected to bowl at at least 85% capacity by next February with the aim of getting fully ready come IPL. For LSG his lack of bowling was the critical question, but the think tank, which includes Tom Moody (director of cricket), Justin Langer (head coach) and former India bowling coach Bharat Arun (head of talent), is understood to have agreed it was worth retaining Mayank.Bishnoi, 25, was originally picked by LSG before IPL 2022 for INR 4 crore as an uncapped player. In 2022, when LSG made the playoffs, Bishnoi picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate of 8.44. A year later, now an international, Bishnoi bagged 16 scalps at an economy rate of 7.74 and played a role in LSG reaching the playoffs once again.Bishnoi was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2025 mega auction for INR 11 crore. However, in the last two seasons, Bishnoi returned below-par bowling figures. In 2024 he took 10 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 8.77; in 2025 he bagged just nine wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 10.83. Overall for LSG, Bishnoi picked 48 wickets in 53 innings at an economy rate of 8.80 while never winning once the Player-of-the-Match award.It is learnt that it was his inability to develop into a consistent match-winner is what prompted the LSG think tank to release Bishnoi. The legspinner, who has featured in 42 T20Is for India, is understood to have been offered as a trade option to several franchises by LSG, but there were no takers.The decision to release Akash Deep and Miller, who were bought by LSG at the 2025 auction for INR 8 crore and 7.5 crore respectively, comes after their poor returns. Miller, known for his power-hitting and finishing skills, scored 153 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 127.49 in the last IPL season. Akash Deep, who missed the first half of IPL 2025 due to an injury he suffered during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, played six matches, picking three wickets at an economy rate of 12.05.

It was the 15th straight win for Australia in ODI World Cups, while South Africa registered their lowest ODI total against Australia

Namooh Shah25-Oct-2025

Alana King ran through South Africa•Getty Images

15 – Consecutive wins for Australia at the Women’s World Cup since their defeat against India in the 2017 semi-final. They have equalled their own record of 15 straight wins across the 1997 and 2000 editions, which was ended by New Zealand in the final of the 2000 edition.97 – South Africa’s lowest total against Australia in women’s ODIs. Their previous lowest was 105 in Adelaide in 2024.24 – Overs in which South Africa were bowled out in Indore, the fourth-shortest innings in women’s ODI World Cups. South Africa feature three times in the top four entries, which includes the 69 all out in 20.4 overs in their first game against England in this tournament.Related

• There are legspinners, and there is Alana King

• King's majestic seven-for sets up semi-final with India

7 for 18 – Alana King’s bowling figures on Saturday against South Africa are the first seven-for in the history of the women’s ODI World Cups, breaking a long-standing record of 6 for 10 by Jackie Lord of New Zealand in 1982.King’s returns were also the best for an Australian in women’s ODIs. She is the third Australia bowler to take a seven-for in women’s ODIs after Shelley Nitschke and Ellyse Perry.21 – Balls King took to complete her second ODI five-for. This is the fastest recorded five-for in women ODIs, breaking the record of Ireland’s Aimee Maguire, who did so in 23 balls against England in 2024.39 – Wickets by both Marizanne Kapp and Megan Schutt in ODI World Cups, the joint-second most in the tournament history, equaling Lyn Fullston and only behind Jhulan Goswami with 43 wickets.

Lionel Messi delivered a moment of magic to secure Inter Miami their first MLS Cup title, ending a two-and-a-half-year wait to lift the league's biggest prize.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Andres Cubas learned what opponents of Lionel Messi have been tormented by for over two decades. It only takes one moment for the legendary Argentine to effectively put an end to a match. 

Messi capitalized on an errant pass from the Vancouver Whitecaps' star defensive midfielder and in a split second, delivered an incredible, perfectly-weighted killer pass on a plate to a forward charging Rodrigo De Paul, who converted with ease in front of a roaring supporter's section at Chase Stadium to put Miami ahead 2-1. With Vancouver denying Messi space, the scoring chances that are typical for the forward weren't on the table. But it didn't matter; time after time, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner punished them with his passing, helping secure Inter Miami's first title with a 3-1 victory. 

Messi didn't take long to have his impact felt. Within the opening 10 minutes, he weaved through two Vancouver defenders to find Tadeo Allende in space. The forward then squared a way a ball into the penalty area, which Edier Ocampo unfortunately converted into a own goal for the Herons in their opener. Vancouver made things interesting in the second half, though. Inter Miami had no answers for Emmanuel Sabbi on the flank and Canadian international Ali Ahmed took advantage of a goalkeeping lapse from Rocco Rios-Novo to level in the 60th minute. From that moment, it looked as if Thomas Muller and Co. would have the greater impetus in the match. Jesper Sorensen's side largely dominated possession against the home side, with 65 percent of the ball. Yet, just 10 minutes later, Messi delivered the game's defining moment. 

But Inter Miami weren't done yet. Allende, who entered the game tied for the postseason goal-scoring record with eight, would break it to ensure the victory for Javier Mascherano's side in extra time. And of course, it was Messi who again delivered the assist. The match also served as a fitting end for the careers of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who are both retiring after this season.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium….

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Rocco Rios-Novo (5/10):

  Brilliant first half, painful second. Novo made some critical point-blank saves in the opening 45 minutes as Vancouver chased the game, but let Ali Ahmed's chance slip through his fingertips on a must-save chance. 

  Ian Fray (8/10):

  Far and away, Inter Miami's best defender on the day, with x defensive contributions. He largely kept Ahmed and Muller at bay at times, but he'll rue his positioning on the goal Miami conceded. 

  Noah Allen (6/10):

  Largely quiet outing for the usually effective Herons' defender. He did make some key clearances, though, especially with Vancouver having the lion's share of possession. 

  Sergio Busquets (5/10):

  Outside of a brilliant pullback move in the first half, he was more of a liability playing at center back than he was an asset. Struggled to be his accurate best when it came to what he does best, too, connecting on a low by his standards at 78 percent. 

  Maximiliano Falcon (6/10):

  Erratic, but weirdly effective at the same time. Falcon channeled his inner David Luiz, at times reckless with his positioning, but also winning the ball at key moments up the pitch as Miami struggled to retain possession. 

  Jordi Alba (4/10):

  Was tormented multiple times by Emmanuel Sabbi,  with the Spaniard not able to stay in front of the pacey American winger. With Alba having to constantly play catch-up, it likely played a factor in his ineffectiveness on the other end of the pitch. He was abnormally inaccurate with his passing, connecting on just 78 percent of his attempts and didn't create a single chance. Not a memorable game for arguably the best attacking left back in football history. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

   Baltasar Rodriguez (4/10):

  Ineffective. Ran 57 minutes of cardio before being pulled off. 

  Rodrigo De Paul(8/10):

  Let's be fair, the high rating is largely a participation award here, but the star Argentine midfielder didn't fluff his lines when Messi delivered an all-world pass. Otherwise, by De Paul's high standards, Vancouver largely curtailed his effectiveness. The goal changed everything. 

  Mateo Silvetti (5/10):

  Didn't offer much, but he was largely kept on due to being one of Miami's fastest players. Was removed in the 78th minute for Yannick Bright as Mascherano wanted to preserve a 2-1 advantage. 

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Lionel Messi (10/10):

  This was the Messi show, despite not having many chances. He played a composed game and masterfully made his impact felt by being a facilitator. He played a role in all three goals for Miami, assisting the final two. Miami doesn't win this game with Messi's performance Saturday. He was that good. 

  Tadeo Allende (9/10):

  The owner of MLS's postseason scoring record with nine goals, continues to be an underrated cog for the Herons. It will be interesting to see if the team is able to keep the Celta loanee for next season. 

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• Subs & Manager

  Telasco Segovia (6/10):

  Was stronger than Rodriguez, but that isn't saying much. Provided an injection of pace and spacing. 

  Yannick Bright (6/10):

  Brought on to keep the lead intact and did his job. 

  Marcelo Weigandt(NA):

  Came on to relieve Fray. Played one minute. 

  Javier Mascherano (8/10):

  Really grew into his own this postseason and showed he is a young manager on the rise. Unlike earlier in the season, he was unafraid to make adjustments where needed. He had unbelievable pressure this season and more than delivered on sky-high expectations. This could be the start of lenghty and potentially successful coaching career for the former Barcelona star

While there were a few wobbles towards the start, it would be fair to say that Nuno Espírito Santo’s time in the West Ham United dugout has largely gone well so far.

The Portuguese coach has lifted the East Londoners out of the Premier League relegation zone and picked up some impressive results against Newcastle United, Manchester United, Everton and Burnley.

One of the players who seems to have benefited most from his arrival is Callum Wilson, who rediscovered his goalscoring form.

However, it might not be enough in the eyes of the club, as West Ham are now being linked with a striker who would represent an upgrade on the Englishman, a striker who once finished in a Jarrod Bowen-esque way.

West Ham linked with Wilson upgrade

The transfer window reopens in under a month, and, as is the case with most other clubs, West Ham have already been linked with a plethora of exciting players.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, Toulouse’s highly rated English defender, Charlie Cresswell, has once again been touted for a move to the London Stadium, as has Nuno’s old number one, Jose Sa.

However, while both players would certainly have a positive impact at West Ham, neither one could be described as a Wilson upgrade, unlike Santiago Giménez.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, the Hammers are among several clubs that have been offered the chance to sign the AC Milan forward next year.

If the East Londoners do want to take up the offer, either on loan or in a permanent deal, they will have to get moving, as the report also states that Leeds United are the team with the most concrete interest in the player.

It could be a complicated transfer to get done for West Ham, but considering Giménez’s ability and goalscoring record, it’s one they should fight for, especially as he could be an upgrade on Wilson and arguably finished like Bowen in the past.

Why Giménez would be an upgrade on Wilson

There are a few reasons why Giménez would represent an upgrade on Wilson, and the first is their respective output.

Now, it is undoubtedly the case that the Englishman is actually outdoing the Mexican international in this regard so far this season, scoring four goals in 12 games compared to his one goal and two assists in 11 games.

However, when you take a step back and look at his form last season, and especially when he was playing in the Netherlands, it becomes clear that the former Feyenoord star is the more dangerous striker.

For example, while the former Newcastle United star scored only once in 22 appearances last year, the Resistencia-born marksman scored 22 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances.

Moreover, the season before that saw the Coventry-born ace do pretty well, scoring ten goals and providing one assist in 26 games, but his potential competition still did better, scoring 26 goals and providing eight assists in 41 games.

With all this in mind, it’s clear that the “insane” Milan forward, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is the far superior goalscorer, and considering he is left-footed, there is a Bowen-esque way to how he often curls the ball into the net.

Now, on top of the output, the 46-capped Mexican ace also has age on his side, coming nine years younger than the veteran 33-year-old Englishman.

Finally, the £78k-per-week game-changer also has fitness on his side, as he’s only had one season in his career in which he’s missed more double-digit games through injury, compared to Wilson, who has had seven.

Ultimately, while it might not be the club’s top priority, West Ham should go out and sign Giménez as soon as possible, as he could supercharge their attack.

West Ham are brewing another Potts and he finishes just like Jarrod Bowen

West Ham United could have another Potts-esque academy gem on their hands who could be the next Jarrod Bowen.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 3, 2025