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For the second time this year in an ICC final, Travis Head took on India’s vaunted bowling attack to decisive effect

Shashank Kishore19-Nov-20231:39

Where does this rank among Australia’s World Cup wins?

Virat Kohli is chirping away. He implores the crowd to join him. He waves his hands at them and then asks them to up the noise. Right on cue, the crowd responds. Travis Head hasn’t quite middled anything yet, and Australia are three down. A contest is brewing.Head’s methods have been to detonate attacks in the powerplay, irrespective of the nature of the surfaces. Here, there’s all the more reason for him to go hard. Australia are mindful of not ceding control to India by the time their spinners come on.Six weeks ago, Head had been at home in Adelaide, nursing a broken hand, as he watched Australia’s top order collapse against sustained hostility by a skilled pace attack in Chennai. By the time the spinners came on, Australia were properly under the pump. Anything from there on was merely an effort in damage limitation. Here, in the World Cup final, Head wasn’t going to be dictated similarly.Related

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India lost to the conditions, but could they have been braver with the bat?

So what does he do? He decides to be brave and takes on India’s bowling frontman, Mohammed Shami. The man who could do no wrong. Match after match, he’s come on, made the ball talk, coaxed it to do his bidding. Shami has already dismissed David Warner and is beginning to bowl with fire.At the other end, Jasprit Bumrah has sent the crowd into a tizzy, having sucker-punched Steven Smith with a deceptive cutter. At his best, Bumrah is capable of getting into the heads of batters, having them second guess his methods. Here, Bumrah doesn’t hide his plans. He means business. He’s going on all-out attack.As a batter, the situation can throw you in two minds. It’s at this point that Head decides he needs to take the game head on. It’s risky, no doubt, but because Head trusts his methods and plays a game without half-measures, it seems like a risk worth taking.Maybe it’s the confidence of form, even though at that moment, he has just scrapped to ten off 23 balls. It’s just the tenth over, and another wicket can really open the floodgates. But Head seems unperturbed. He dabs a nip-backer from Shami between a wide slip and short third for four. He plays it really late; he’s allowed the ball to do its thing, in moving back in. The bowler has no inkling of the shot until Head brings his bat down very late. It gets him going. Shami now goes fuller and slower. Head bludgeons it down the ground. Suddenly, he’s up and running.It’s all that is needed to ignite him. It frees him up to go on the attack. And because India are attacking, too, their margins for error have diminished to the point that a half-good hit over the ring is almost guaranteed to give full value. Head, though, doesn’t do half measures. He’s going after them.Kuldeep Yadav bears the brunt when Head clobbers a slog sweep over deep midwicket to stun the crowd that was bubbling only a while earlier. Head knows a thing or two about silencing crowds. He did it against India at a packed Oval in June in the WTC final, racing away in the afternoon session against an attack that had briefly switched off. By the time India woke up and realised going short into the body was the way to go, he had ransacked a hundred on the opening day . He’s doing something similar now, after a slow, somewhat iffy start.

“Trav just epitomised everything I want out of a cricket team. He takes the game on, he plays with a smile, he just puts the pressure right back onto the opposition”Pat Cummins on Travis Head

Three nights agoin Kolkata, head had taken the attack to the South African pacers in a small chase, in a manner similar to this. That night, Australia’s start was fuelled by Warner. Here, Head has made the bold move. You didn’t realise how, but by the time India considered a better plan against him, he had raised a fifty. Marnus Labuschagne, meanwhile, quietly slips into the background, playing risk-free cricket, milking singles and simply ensuring he’s there.Head isn’t your definition of pleasing-on-the-eye. At the same time, he isn’t ugly. Somewhere in between the artist and the industrious lies a method unique to him. One of a hunter, preying on loose deliveries, pouncing at the slightest sniff. It’s what he does to Bumrah immediately when Rohit turns back to his trump card after realising that spin isn’t going to be as profitable as he expected it to, especially under lights.Head whips Bumrah through midwicket and follows that up with a wallop down the ground. They are fours in the score book but is a crushing blow to a bowler’s ego. Even for a bowler like Bumrah, these are the sort of blows that can hurt. And because the full balls have been dispatched, Bumrah goes short, in an attempt to tuck him up. Only Head is fully aware. He stays upright and nails the pull.You look at the scorecard and go “wow”! Here he was, struggling to middle the ball early on, perhaps a tad edgy. And then at the slightest hint of India erring, he has found his gears and is moments away from a hundred in a World Cup final. It can’t get sweeter, considering he nearly didn’t make it here. Until a night prior to Australia’s squad announcement, he didn’t know if he would be ruled out by that broken hand.2:56

‘Travis Head has matured over the last two years across all formats’ – Tom Moody

Pat Cummins admitted to having a sleepless night at the prospect of having to see Head miss the bus. But his relief knew no bounds when George Bailey, the chief selector, and Andrew McDonald, the head coach, decided to take a punt.”He had a broken finger, a broken hand for the half of the tournament, but to keep him in the squad was a huge risk,” Cummins said at the post-match press conference. “And the medical team were fantastic, obviously, to get him into a place where he could perform. So that was a big risk. I think we could have been made to look really silly if that didn’t pay off, but you have got to take those risks to win a tournament.”And Trav, the player we’ve seen in Test cricket, he just epitomised everything I want out of a cricket team. He takes the game on, he plays with a smile, he just puts the pressure right back onto the opposition and he’s just great fun to be around. So, I couldn’t be happier for Trav.”When the century arrives, off a scampered single that he’d given up on, you can’t quite be sure if his hand gestures towards the dressing room means he needs a change of gloves or if it’s a message to someone. What you do know is, as he holds his arms aloft and looks up at his team-mates wildly cheering for him from the dugout, there’s realisation of a job well done.The hunter had hunted down the nemesis, on the grandest stage. The occasion fitting enough to complete a chapter in a memorable year he’s having. As a batter, you dream of playing and winning one world title in your career. Head has won two, within a span of six months. And both times, he was at the front and centre of his team’s performance. It’s the stuff dreams are made of.

The New York Yankees nearly made MLB history on March 29 in their second game of the 2025 season.

In a 20–9 rout of the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium, New York hammered nine home runs, including three from two-time AL MVP Aaron Judge. The Yankees started the ballgame with a bang, hitting three homers on the first three pitches they saw, and the bats didn't quiet down the rest of the afternoon.

So, how close did the Yankees come to making history in that game? Let's take a look:

MLB Record for Most Home Runs in One Game

The all-time record for homers hit in a single game (since 1901) is 10—set by the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18–3 win on Sept. 14, 1987. Ernie Whitt blasted three dingers himself that game, and teammates Rance Mulliniks and George Bell knocked two bombs apiece.

With Oswald Peraza's two-run shot in the seventh inning, the Yankees became just the third team in MLB history to mash at least nine homers in one game.

The only other team in MLB history to hit more than eight homers in a single game is the 1999 Cincinnati Reds, who pummeled nine long balls in a blowout win over the Phillies on Sept. 4 of that year.

Thirty other teams have hit eight homers in a single game, most recently the Oakland Athletics in an 18–3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on July 14, 2024.

TEAM

DATE

HOMERS

FINAL SCORE

Blue Jays

Sept. 14, 1987

10

Toronto 18, Baltimore 3

Reds

Sept. 4, 1999

9

Cincinnati 22, Philadelphia 3

Yankees

March 29, 2025

9

New York 20, Milwaukee 9

30 teams

—

8

—

It’s the news Manchester United supporters were dreading, but boss Ruben Amorim has confirmed £74 million summer signing Benjamin Sesko will endure a lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the draw with Tottenham before the international break. And in a worrying update, Sesko is in a race to return before fellow United striker Bryan Mbeumo heads off to play at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Misfiring start to life at Old Trafford

The Slovenian striker joined Man Utd from RB Leipzig in August, opting for Old Trafford over other interested clubs like Newcastle. The 22-year-old is seen as a key part of the future project under manager Amorim, possessing a rare combination of pace and physical dominance, but has scored only twice in 12 appearances. 

However, his early impact was hampered when he sustained a knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Spurs earlier this month. Sesko came on as a second-half substitute but was forced off prematurely following a hefty challenge from Micky van de Ven, leaving United with 10 men as they had used all their substitutes. Initial fears of a serious, long-term injury, such as an ACL tear, were allayed by scans, but the injury ruled him out for several weeks. 

Amorim confirmed Sesko would be sidelined for "a few weeks" but expected him to return around the same time other forwards leave for the Africa Cup of Nations in December.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportAmorim: 'I don’t want to say for sure'

"He is going to be a few weeks out," the United boss said. "Not that serious, we have to be careful. He is feeling better." And on whether Sesko will be back before Mbeumo heads off to play at AFCON, he added: “It’s going to be more or less the same time – I don't want to say for sure but when they are going to the camp I expect to have Ben back." 

And Amorim provided an update on Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo, saying: "Maguire is not ready. Kobbie didn’t train today but I think we could see Kobbie tomorrow so we’ll see. There is an opportunity for other players like the Under 21s. We will see it is not ideal. They are so important in our team."

'Cash in' on Fernandes

While Amorim remains desperate for his star striker to return, the club have been told that they should not ignore any "stupid" transfer offers from the Saudi Pro League for Bruno Fernandes. Interest from that part of the world was shown in the Portuguese midfielder over the summer, but the Portuguese decided to stay at Old Trafford. 

Former United defender Wes Brown said: "He’s getting to that age now where he still wants to be part of it, but you can’t just dismiss everything because that’s not how the world works. I don’t think anyone would take it too personally if that did happen. He’s done everything he can to try and help the team. At some point it will come to that crunch if someone comes in – probably talking Saudi with that money. If that happens again, whatever happens you can’t blame Bruno. You have to accept that he did right by what he needed to do and then move on again."

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Getty Images SportMonday showdown with Everton

United can extend their five-match unbeaten run when they host Everton on Monday. After a patchy start to the season, the Red Devils have found form under and sit seventh in the Premier League table, just a few points off the Champions League places and in-form forward Mbeumo, who has four goals in his last four league games, will be crucial to United's attack. Everton are winless away from home since August, and United are strong favourites to secure a vital home victory.

West Ham United have a proud history of developing and promoting some brilliant youngsters from their academy system.

The most recent one to really make his mark on the team and then be sold on for a massive fee was Declan Rice.

Freddie Potts looks like he could be the Hammers’ next homegrown superstar after his sensational Premier League displays before the international break.

However, while the club try their best to keep hold of their most promising talents, they aren’t always able to, and one youngster they may rue losing more than any other looks like he could be a bigger prospect than Potts and a future England star.

West Ham's next academy star

While Potts is the current academy product getting the attention and adulation from fans and pundits alike – justifiably so – he could soon be joined in the first team by another of Rush Green’s best: George Earthy.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Now, the 21-year-old has made four appearances for the first team and even scored a brilliant goal against Luton Town in the Premier League a couple of years ago, but due to loan moves and injury, those four appearances have amounted to only 36 minutes.

In other words, most fans aren’t really thinking about the youngster, and those that occasionally do aren’t sure what sort of player they’ll be getting when he returns from his hamstring injury.

Well, firstly, even though his primary position is attacking midfield, the Havering-born gem has and can play in several positions across the pitch.

Second, he’s as comfortable scoring goals as he is providing assists, and has a seriously impressive record from his time in the academy.

For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Appearances

60

55

Minutes

4804′

3618′

Goals

25

18

Assists

18

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.71

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

111.72′

113.06′

Then, during his time with the u21s, he scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3618 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 113.06 minutes.

Finally, while he’s not played much for the Hammers, he has gained a decent amount of first-team experience from his time on loan with Bristol City last season, where he was named Young Player of the Season.

In all, so long as he can remain fit, West Ham have another superb homegrown talent on their hands in Earthy, which should help make up for them losing another, arguably more promising talent last year.

The Academy gem West Ham will rue losing

One of the most exciting talents to come through West Ham’s academy in the last five years or so was undoubtedly Divin Mubama.

During his time in West London, the Englishman was utterly unstoppable for the junior sides, racking up a staggering tally of 40 goals and five assists for the u18s and then 18 goals and two assists for the u21s.

This brilliant output saw him get a chance with the first team, and over the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons, he made 18 senior appearances, totalling 431 minutes.

West Ham

18

1

1

WH U21s

34

18

2

WH U18s

57

40

5

Man City

2

1

0

Man City U21s

9

8

4

Stoke City

15

5

1

However, in August 2024, then Premier League champions Manchester City came knocking, and despite their best efforts to keep him, Julen Lopetegui and Co had to make do with a measly £1.2m as he joined the Citizens.

To nobody’s surprise, the goalscoring machine continued his fine form in the North West, and ended the 24/25 campaign with 16 goals and four assists in 14 appearances for City’s u21s.

Moreover, Pep Guardiola gave him two run-outsrun-outs in the first team, and on his debut in an FA Cup game against Salford, he scored his first senior goal for the club.

Coming into this season, it was crystal clear that the 21-year-old is too good to play in the youth sides, and so he was sent out on loan to Stoke City in the Championship, where he has done a reasonable enough job.

For example, even though it’s his first season of regular first-team football, the “powerful” strike, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored five goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances.

In addition to making his way in the club game, the Newham-born monster has also been in incredible form for England’s u21s.

In five caps, the game-changing marksman has already scored five goals and provided one assist.

Ultimately, it’s not West Ham’s fault, but if Mubama continues to develop in the way he has over the last year or so, they could really come to rue losing him.

West Ham given January greenlight to sign forward who Nuno called "unique"

The Hammers boss is a big fan.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 20, 2025

Just one offseason after stunning the sports world by signing Shohei Ohtani to a then-North American sports record, $700 million contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers followed it up by spending more than $450 million in guaranteed money this offseason to upgrade a roster that won the 2024 World Series with a class of free agency imports headlined by two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.

The Dodgers have more than $2 billion worth of guaranteed money tied up in just seven players on its roster, an unprecedented half of which the franchise has decided to dole out in deferred payments through 2046. The Dodgers' wealth—they possess MLB's highest payroll by a wide margin—and strategy of deferred payments has allowed the club to stockpile talent, while also irking the fanbases of smaller market teams.

Speaking to reporters at MLB's spring training media day in Phoenix, Ariz., on Tuesday, Manfred addressed such concerns while defending Los Angeles's spending.

"The Dodgers have gone out and done everything possible, always within the rules…to put the best possible team on the field," Manfred said. "I think that's a great thing. That type of competitive spirit is what people want to see."

And yet, perhaps the most jarring representation of baseball's haves and have-nots is the fact that the Dodgers' $1 billion in deferred payments amounts to more money than the is worth. No other team has more than $50 million deferred. Opposing fanbases wonder how any team can compete with Los Angeles, whom they feel is exploiting a broken system.

"It’s clear we have fans in some markets that are concerned about the ability of the team in their market to compete with the financial resources of the Dodgers," Manfred continued. "If we’ve been consistent on one point, we try to listen to our fans on topics like this. And I have heard people, believe me."

In the eyes of Manfred, MLB's commissioner since 2014, the problem is bigger than the Dodgers.

"If I’m going to be critical of something, it’s not going to be the Dodgers," he said, via Jack Harris of . "It's going to be the system."

Clinical home performance sees Fire succumb to their heaviest defeat of the women’s competition

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 07-Aug-2025Northern Superchargers 141 for 4 (Armitage 34*, Wareham 29*, Mathews 2-18) beat Welsh Fire 94 (Beaumont 36, Wareham 2-14) by 47 runsNorthern Superchargers got their campaign in The Hundred off to the perfect start with a comprehensive win over Welsh Fire at Headingley.Under the new leadership of former England Women’s Head Coach Lisa Keightley, Superchargers batted first and made 141 for 4. In reply, Tammy Beaumont’s Welsh Fire were bowled out for just 94, much to the delight of the 7,208 Superchargers fans in attendance.The team in purple have kept all three of their Australian overseas stars, and there were runs for both Annabel Sutherland (28) and Georgia Wareham (29*), but it was captain Hollie Armitage who top-scored, with an unbeaten 34.Welsh Fire have enjoyed two successful seasons in The Hundred, with visits to The Eliminator and The Final to their name across the last two years, and much of their success has been down to their batting – but when Sophia Dunkley and Hayley Matthews found themselves back in the pavilion with the score still in single figures, they faced an uphill task.Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss tried to undo the damage but the home side possess a balanced attack and they utilised it well, chipping away throughout Fire’s reply to maintain control at all times. It was in the end an easy win, spinners Linsey Smith and Wareham snaffling two wickets apiece, with a couple also for Grace Ballinger.Welsh Fire will have the opportunity to turn it around very quickly, hosting their first game in Cardiff on Saturday. For Superchargers it’s a visit to Trent Rockets on Sunday, where they’ll look to go two from two.Meerkat Match Hero Wareham said: “It felt like a really good hit out for the girls, it felt like we were really clinical in all facets which showed up on the scoreboard for us.”I think [when batting with Hollie Armitage] it was just about being really calm at the time, and knowing that there were actually quite a few balls left. It’s always pretty calm out there with Hollie, she keeps things pretty level. As a team we’re talking about taking the game on, and being brave through different phases of the game, which I think all the batters did really well today.”With the ball, we wanted to keep the stumps in play as much as we possibly could. The change of pace worked really well for Welsh Fire so we took that into play for us, as well, and as it showed we hit the stumps as often as we could.”