Fernando Tatis Jr. got the San Diego Padres off to a hot start in the opening inning against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night, getting things going with a leadoff double.
Tatis didn't put the best swing on the ball––in fact, he barely put any swing on it whatsoever.
The Padres right fielder attempted to check his swing on an inside pitch but ended up making contact with the ball and sent it down the first base line into the outfield. After realizing the ball was in fair territory, Tatis quickly started sprinting down the line and ended up reaching second base with a leadoff double.
Have a look at the bizarre two-bagger from Tatis:
That certainly wasn't the outcome Tatis was expecting when he tried to check his swing, but it ended up working out quite nicely for the 26-year-old, who later came around to score after reaching second base on the unorthodox double.
While that hit won't show up among the Statcast leaders in terms of exit velocity, it got the job done as Tatis accounted for the game's opening run.
Remarkable 10-ball hitting barrage turns game after Joe Root’s 76 put Trent Rockets in control
ECB Media21-Aug-2025
Jordan Cox and Sam Curran’s partnership turned the game•Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Oval Invincibles 173 for 4 (Cox 58*, Curran 54) beat Trent Rockets 171 for 7 (Root 76) by six wicketsA remarkable 10-ball hitting barrage from Sam Curran and Jordan Cox turned the game on its head and drove Oval Invincibles towards a crucial win against table-topping rivals Trent Rockets in The Hundred.Chasing 171 to win, the Invincibles were just beginning to feel the pressure at 70 for 2 with 102 needed for victory from just 40 balls – ten legal balls, one strategic timeout and six sixes later they’d sailed to 121 for 1, with just 51 more required from the last 30.It was a scarcely believable spell of sustained hitting, from Curran in the main, that thrilled the Kia Oval crowd and more or less broke the back of a chase that leaves the home side sitting pretty at the top of the table with two games to go.Cox would end unbeaten on 58, to maintain his fantastic form, and for Curran it was 54 and the acclaim of his home crowd.Before the Curran and Cox show it was another England man who looked set to define the day, Joe Root showing all his usual brilliance to compile a 41-ball 76 in Rockets’ imposing total.Only Root made timing look easy, up to the point the game swung back to the hosts, although South African George Linde did give the fans some crowd-catching practice to preview the later entertainment with an eight-ball 25.It was a vital win for Invincibles in their pursuit of the crucial first place, a finish that would secure passage straight through to the final as they look to win their third title on the bounce.Meerkat Match Hero Sam Curran said: “When the strategic timeout happened, I was on seven off 12 or something like that, so the panic was in! I think the break came at the right time just to have a little sip of water and kind of restart again.”But it was a huge game and a huge win. We looked at the table before this game, and with two sides on 16 points we’re really pleased to get the points tonight.”I think it was 107 off 40 balls, and we knew in T20 or 100-ball cricket, you’re looking at hitting three or four sixes, and then before you know it we got six, seven, eight, and you’re like, ‘Wow, we’re nearly at 70 off 35 balls’.”It’s such a lovely place to bat and the crowd felt electric. It was almost like a game in India where every ball is cheered, it was like – how cool is this?”The schedule’s been pretty intense and that does help when you’re winning. You keep that momentum and you keep coming to the game, turning up to the stadium, full crowd, really high in confidence – but it can go the other way as well. We know we want to come top, but we’ve got two more games left, one away, one at home – and I think it is a big advantage, if you do come top.”
Sussex’s mid-season slump continues with quarter-final place in jeopardy
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Jul-2025Michael Pepper’s pyrotechnical 87 off 47 balls led Essex to their first home Men’s Vitality Blast victory in exactly a year, as Sussex Sharks’ quarter-final hopes took a new battering.The Eagles hadn’t won at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground in a T20 since downing Kent Spitfires on July 11, 2024, after a dismal beginning to this season.Mohammad Amir’s three tight for 16, backed by two-fors for Simon Harmer, Sam Cook, and Shane Snater, rolled the visitors for 145 – with a lively 52 from John Simpson the only bright spark for the Sharks.Essex would have almost certainly won the reverse fixture had rain not intervened, and Pepper’s season-best made sure they weren’t thwarted again to give them just their second win in the competition.Sussex have lost three of their last four Blast matches to slip into mid-table, with Sunday’s clash with Hampshire Hawks crucial to their hopes of a quarter-final spot.Barring Simpson’s fifty, the Sharks’ innings was a catastrophe from start to finish, having chosen to bat first in the sunshine.Daniel Hughes got away with an edge to slip off the third ball of the match and, despite rushing to 27 off 15 balls, gave Snater a hanger at deep square leg.The left-hander-heavy top order struggled to deal with Harmer spinning the ball away from them as the Eagles skipper returned two for 25 – lefty James Coles offered him a caught-and-bowled while right-hander Danny Lamb slapped to backward point when he returned later in the innings.Amir and Snater were super-accurate to back up their captain as Sussex spluttered to 76 for four at the halfway point, with Tom Clark falling to Cook.Simpson was the antidote to the carousel of wickets with a smart half-century in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 25 balls – decorated by three sixes down the ground and another on the sweep.He put on 39 with Tom Alsop and 42 with Lamb but neither foundation built skyscrapers in the run-rate graph.And the last five wickets dissolved in 16 balls, with the last three falling in the space of four deliveries.Lamb was the first of the quintet to fall, before Simpson didn’t get hold of a hook, Amir bowled Ollie Robinson and had Tymal Mills caught in successive balls and the innings was rounded off by Nathan McAndrew holing out.Paul Walter and Jordan Cox gave Sussex hope by come and going inside three overs but once Pepper got motoring as every delivery to him felt like cannon fodder.Bowling to Pepper proved to be a nightmare as he mixed power with innovative flicks to hammer his third fifty of the season in 22 balls.Charlie Allison helped take a huge bite into the chase with a 69 stand, before the youngster tried for a third six in five balls and picked out deep midwicket.It began a 20-ball boundary dry spell, with Lamb in particular hard to get away, but the run-rate was in Essex’s favour and despite Matt Critchley hitting down deep square’s throat, Pepper and Luc Benkenstein made sure of the four points with an unbroken 54 run stand.Pepper confirmed the emphatic victory by carting his 14th four to win with 23 balls to spare.
Despite being one of the biggest clubs in the country, Arsenal have not always been a great source of significant England internationals.
In fact, before Mikel Arteta took over, there was a point when no players from the club were in an entire international squad, a situation Per Mertesacker described as “a failure.”
Fortunately, the situation today is entirely different, with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice being some of the most critical players in the Three Lions’ starting lineup and the likes of Noni Madueke and Myles Lewis-Skelly likely to make it to the World Cup next summer.
Moreover, there will almost certainly be more Arsenal players who become stars for the country in the coming years, including one who has been compared to Jack Wilshere.
How Saka did this international break
It’s been a bit of a stop-start season for Saka so far this year, as he missed the last international break and three club games due to another hamstring injury he picked up against Leeds United.
Fortunately, he appears to be getting back to his very best, as he followed up goals against Olympiacos and West Ham United with another impressive international break for England.
Thomas Tuchel opted to start him on the right in the friendly against Wales last week, and to say he repaid the German’s faith would be an understatement.
Just 20 minutes in, the Hale Ender scored the sides’ third goal, whipping the ball into the far corner with real venom.
On top of that, he played a key pass, won 50% of his duels, was accurate with 87% of his passes and took 48 touches, which just goes to show that he can offer far more than just goals.
Off the back of this showing, the manager kept the 24-year-old in the starting lineup for the World Cup qualifier away to Latvia.
While he didn’t get on the scoresheet in Riga, the Gunners’ talismanic number seven was just as effective, providing an assist for Harry Kane, taking two shots, completing 100% of his shots, playing three key passes, completing 42 passes in the opposition’s half and more.
Saka’s game vs Latvia
Minutes
60′
Assists
1
Key Passes
2
Shots
2
Dribbles (Completed)
2 (2)
Passes in Opp’s Half
42/51
Duels (Won)
5 (4)
Clearances
2
Recoveries
2
All Stats via Sofascore
Granted, the opposition was not exactly top quality, but Saka looked back to his best for England over the last week, and that can only bode well for Arsenal’s upcoming run of games and his own place at the World Cup next year.
However, looking beyond next summer, the Gunners could have another one of their homegrown stars become a superstar for England, someone who has been compared to Wilshere.
Arsenal's future England superstar
Someone who could potentially fit this description and certainly feels destined for club and international greatness is Max Dowman.
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However, at just 15 years old, it really could be several years at a minimum before he is regularly playing games for the senior England side, which probably won’t be the case for Ethan Nwaneri.
Now, at 18 years old, the fellow Hale Ender is still on the young side, but he made his senior debut for the club over three years ago, made quite the splash last season, and is already a regular for the country’s U21 side. He’s also valued at a pricey £74m by CIES Football Observatory.
Therefore, it feels far more likely that the Gunners’ next superstar for the Three Lions will be the Enfield-born monster, especially with comparisons to former international Wilshere.
The comparison came from Arteta himself, who claimed the teenager “has the ability to take the ball in tight areas and to escape a little bit like Jack Wilshere used to do.”
This is something fans might get to see more of this season if he’s played in more central areas, but even then, his performances last year more than proved he has what it takes to become a genuine world-beater.
For example, the “phenomenal” prospect, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, managed to score nine goals and provide two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes.
Nwaneri in 24/25
Appearances
37
Minutes
1378′
Goals
9
Assists
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.29
Minutes per Goal Involvement
125.27′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which would be incredibly impressive if he were a seasoned professional.
Ultimately, it might take a year or two before he gets into the team, but Nwaneri’s talent is undeniable, and it feels like he could emulate Saka and become a superstar for England one day.
Arsenal star is "biggest talent in England" & he could take Saka's #7 shirt
The incredible Arsenal gem could become Mikel Arteta’s future Bukayo Saka replacement.
Former WBBL title-winning captain moves into high performance role after time as a broadcaster and Queensland Cricket director
Alex Malcolm20-Jun-2025
Kirby Short worked as a broadcaster after her playing career•Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Former Brisbane Heat WBBL title-winning captain Kirby Short has been appointed as Cricket Victoria’s new head of female cricket.Short, 38, captained heat to back-to-back WBBL titles in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and played 67 matches in the WBBL as a spinning allrounder. She also captained Queensland Fire in a lengthy WNCL career. She takes over as Victoria’s new head of female cricket under general manager of high performance Graham Manou after Sharelle McMahon resigned from the job last year to return to netball in a high performance role.Short retired as a player in 2020 but has remained in the sport as a director with Queensland Cricket and a commentator with Fox Sports and Channel Seven. Despite being a Queenslander, Short said she is excited to join Victoria where she has a family connection.”My grandfather, Mick Harvey grew up in Fitzroy and was a proud Victorian, so it seems very fitting that I have the privilege of contributing to the advancement of women’s cricket in this state,” Short said. “Victoria has a rich history in the sport, and I’m eager to take on this new challenge in Melbourne, working with the talented players and dedicated staff to build on that legacy.”Manou was pleased to get a person with such a strong leadership record into the role to oversee the women’s programs within the state.”We’re pleased to welcome Kirby to Cricket Victoria for what is a critical role in our cricket performance program,” Manou said. “Kirby’s leadership qualities, combined with her extensive experience in elite cricket, will be invaluable as we continue to invest in and elevate women’s cricket in our state.”
Pep Guardiola has been urged to leave Manchester City and seek a new challenge by one of his most trusted confidants. The Catalan coach has enjoyed remarkable success since moving to England in 2016, lifting 18 major honours during the greatest period in City’s history, and is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.
Guardiola and City have dominated English football
After achieving incredible success in both Spain and Germany with Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively, Guardiola and City have dominated English football since joining forces nine years ago. Under the 54-year-old’s stewardship, City have won six Premier League titles – including an unprecedented four in a row – as well as two FA Cups and four League Cups. City also lifted their first Champions League crown as part of only the second treble-winning season in English football history in 2022-23.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPlanchart believes time has come for a new challenge
And after presiding over what has been the golden spell in City’s history, Guardiola has now been told he should look for new mountains to climb. In an interview with Spanish publication Carles Planchart – who worked alongside Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern and City as a performance analyst – believes the time has come for his close friend to seek a fresh challenge.
Planchart said: “It’s a personal decision he’ll (Guardiola) have to make. I think a project should last five or six years, no more. But not for him, for everyone. Afterwards, you have to regenerate. As a friend, I would tell him to look for a new project because he still has a long way to go.”
Pep wants to manage a national team at a World Cup
What a new project would look like for Guardiola remains to be seen. The manager has previously expressed his desire to manage a national team at a World Cup before he calls time on his illustrious coaching career, saying in February 2024: "I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that.”
When pressed if he had a preferred national team in mind, Guardiola added: "I don't know who would want me! To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club."
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Getty Images SportEmotional Barcelona return ruled out
Guardiola has categorically ruled out completing an emotional return to Barcelona, however. Having built one of the greatest club sides in football history during his first stint as Blaugrana boss between 2008 and 2012, he insists he has no intention of managing the Spanish giants again.
In an interview with in July, Guardiola said: “It's over. It's over forever. It was very beautiful, but it's over now.”
And when pressed on a potential presidential post at Camp Nou, Guardiola added: “No! I'm no good at this.”
Barcelona sporting director Deco has explained why the club moved for Roony Bardghji despite the winger’s recovery from a serious injury. The 19-year-old, dubbed the ‘Swedish Messi’, was signed to provide depth behind Lamine Yamal, with Deco comparing the pair’s profiles while stressing the deal was a long-monitored opportunity.
Barca’s ‘Swedish Messi’ gamble
Barca’s summer transfer strategy included an unexpected move for the 19-year-old winger, who joined from Copenhagen despite concerns about his recovery from a major injury. Speaking in a detailed interview with , sporting director Deco confirmed the signing was not a rushed decision but part of a longer scouting process. The Swede, who has already debuted at Montjuic, has been labelled a player with “similar” qualities to Lamine Yamal, capable of linking play and bringing creativity to the attack.
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'similar to Lamine' – Deco explains Barca's decision
Deco dismissed the idea that Barca were taking an emotional risk, instead framing the signing as a market opportunity. “Roony was a player we've been monitoring for a while,” Deco said. “Our idea isn't to go to the market if we already have the players at home. But we apply a work-based approach, not an emotional one. We agreed with the manager that we needed a young player for that position.” He went on to compare the winger to Barcelona’s teenage star, adding: “We had Dani Rodríguez for that position, but Dani got injured, and he's a different profile than Roony, who's more similar to Lamine, who comes in and links up.”
A talent spotted early
The Barca director stressed that Bardghji had been tracked before his injury setback. Deco revealed: “He was a player we were monitoring, but he got injured and returned to action in March. He hadn't played much, but he was a talented player, and it was a market opportunity. We knew the agent, and since his contract was almost up, it was a simpler deal. Plus, he's only 19 years old and has a lot of potential.” This insight highlights that Barcelona were convinced by his technical profile and the reduced cost of the deal, which made the move possible despite his fitness history.
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Bardghji's early impressions, but tough challenge ahead for Barca
Bardghji has already felt the intensity of Barcelona’s stage, featuring in the league clash against Real Sociedad at Montjuic. The Kuwaiti-born forward, often compared stylistically to Lionel Messi in his youth, admitted to being impressed by the atmosphere and expectations surrounding the team. For now, however, Hansi Flick has rotated other players ahead of him, underlining the adaptation process required for a teenager stepping into elite-level football.
Barca’s immediate focus is the Champions League showdown with Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, a clash that could define their European campaign. For Bardghji, the road ahead will involve proving himself as a reliable deputy for Yamal while gradually earning Flick’s trust. With Deco insisting the signing was part of a long-term vision, the Swede remains a player earmarked for future impact rather than instant stardom.
Manchester United are now planning to smash their transfer record for a £100m “powerhouse” in 2026, having identified him as their prime target for Ruben Amorim’s system.
INEOS' decision to appoint Amorim questioned by Carragher
It has been far from an ideal start to the new season for Man United, having been dumped out of the EFL Cup by Grimsby Town, and won just one of their first three Premier League games, and Jamie Carragher has now questioned the decision to appoint Ruben Amorim.
Speaking on a new edition of The Overlap (47:39), the Liverpool legend claimed the board are to blame for hiring Amorim, given that they always knew he was going to instill a three-at-the-back system.
Carragher said: “So Manchester United right now, let’s say they’re a team in the middle of the table quality-wise, so they get asked questions defensively, at this moment the manager can’t answer. It’s too easy to play against.
“That’s my thing, but he’s never gonna change. So when we keep saying change, and I do think Manchester United have the players to play 4-3-3 more, you’re asking a manager who doesn’t believe in something to do something. That’s his thing – the guy that brought him in, it’s his fault.”
Man Utd agree personal terms with 109 career-goal striker wanted by Wilcox
The Red Devils are making progress in their pursuit of a new centre-forward.
ByDominic Lund Sep 3, 2025
The three-at-the-back system clearly isn’t working, with Amorim averaging just 1.37 points per match since arriving at Old Trafford, but INEOS are continuing to search for players who they believe would be a perfect fit in the formation.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Man United are now planning to smash their existing transfer record with a £100m+ move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in 2026.
Baleba has been identified as a prime target to enhance Amorim’s system, and the Red Devils made contact in the summer to ensure Brighton are well-aware their interest is concrete, with the £100m+ asking price failing to deter them.
"Powerhouse" Baleba would be statement signing for Man Utd
Despite their struggles last season, United had no trouble competing for some highly sought-after players in the summer, winning the race for Benjamin Sesko, despite Newcastle United being well-known to hold an interest.
As such, Amorim’s side may still stand a chance of being able to sign the Brighton star, who would be a real statement signing, having made a name for himself with the Seagulls over the past three seasons.
Journalist Ryan Adsett was left particularly enamoured by the 21-year-old’s performances in the 2023-24 campaign, saying: “Carlos Baleba isn’t a Moisés Caicedo replacement. He’s very different – an agile powerhouse in midfield. Very entertaining watch, strong in the tackle and more than comfortable on the ball.”
With United identifying Baleba as an ideal fit in Amorim’s system, it is little wonder they are planning to make a huge bid, but it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese manager can make it to the January transfer window…
Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Dusan Vlahovic ahead of his contract expiry as the Catalan side eye him as Robert Lewandowski's potential successor. The Blaugrana are desperate to find a long-term replacement for their Polish goal machine, whose deal runs out next summer, and the Serbian sharpshooter has become an option.
From Juve outcast to hot property
Only months ago, Vlahovic’s Juventus future looked dead and buried. After refusing to extend his contract on reduced wages, the club slapped him on the transfer list. But with no serious bids forthcoming, he was forced to stay put in Turin. Now, Vlahovic has exploded into form this campaign, smashing in four goals and providing an assist in just four outings, including a jaw-dropping brace against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League opener. His resurgence has transformed him from a cast-off into one of Europe’s hottest properties.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportAtleti & United join the chase
According to Barcelona aren’t alone in the hunt. Atletico Madrid already tested the waters in the summer, enquiring about the striker’s availability in case either Julian Alvarez or Alexander Sørloth had packed their bags. While both stayed, Diego Simeone remains a keen admirer and could reignite his interest.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s striking situation continues to be a merry-go-round. The club is crying out for a consistent No.9, with Joshua Zirkzee failing to fully convince. Old Trafford chiefs are keeping tabs on Vlahovic as a marquee fix for their frontline.
Barcelona's clock is ticking
For Barcelona, the urgency is even sharper. Lewandowski turns 38 in August 2026, and the Catalan club knows his reign at the top can’t last forever. With his contract winding down, Joan Laporta and Deco are scouring the market for a figurehead who can lead their line for years to come.
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Getty ImagesPremier League dream & price tag
Vlahovic’s heart is set on a move to the Premier League when the transfer window opens next summer. The striker’s camp is reportedly demanding a whopping €10 million annual salary plus a €10m signing bonus to sweeten the deal. That price tag alone may narrow the field to England’s financial heavyweights. But Barcelona, struggling with their economic headaches, will need creativity and possibly sacrifice to pull off such a signing.
Jayden Goodwin continued his outstanding game after Joel Paris had claimed five wickets to earn a good lead
AAP25-Nov-2024
Cameron Bancroft made his first half-century the season•Getty Images
Cameron Bancroft emerged from a horror form slump with an unbeaten half-century to steer Western Australia to a powerful position against South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match.Bancroft, who was overlooked for Australia’s team for the first Test against India, was unbeaten on 72 as WA reached 185 for 2 at stumps on day three of the pink ball day-night fixture at Adelaide Oval.Related
SA opener Henry Hunt earlier completed his 10th first-class century, posting 106 as the home side was all out for 253 – a first innings deficit of 120 runs.Bancroft and WA’s first innings centurion Jayden Goodwin then turned the screws, taking the visitors to a lead of 305.Bancroft failed to press his Test claims with a wretched run of Shield scores: 0, 0, 8, 2, 12, 11 and a golden duck. He also made just 0, 16, 3 and 0 for Australia A against the touring Indians before the Test squad was selected. But on Monday he struck three fours and a six in a 206-ball knock.Goodwin, who made a polished 139 in the first innings, continued his fine fixture with a 139-ball innings featuring nine fours before falling to Harry Conway. Bancroft and Goodwin put on 132 runs for the second wicket after SA quick Spencer Johnson had Sam Fanning caught behind for a second-ball duck.Earlier, SA’s Hunt banked his century and acting skipper Ben Manenti was 73 not out in an innings when Harry Nielsen was the only other batsman to pass 10.The home side struggled to combat WA pacemen Joel Paris, who claimed 5 for 34 from 20 overs, and Jhye Richardson who had come through an injury scare on the second day.