Australian opener joins Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley and Paige Scholfield in top £65,000 salary bracket

Valkerie Baynes12-Mar-2025Georgia Voll has capped a remarkable week by securing a lucrative deal with Birmingham Phoenix in the Women’s Hundred draft.Young Australian opener Voll will make her debut in the tournament after Oval Invincibles, Welsh Fire and London Spirit were forced to use their right-to-match to thwart the Birmingham franchise’s bids for Paige Scholfield, Sophia Dunkley and Heather Knight respectively. All four were retained in the top women’s salary bracket of £65,000.Voll made an impressive international debut in December standing in for Alyssa Healy in Australia’s home series against India. In the past seven days, Voll has scored 55 and 99 not out as a late call-up to WPL side UP Warriorz after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu departed for international duty.Related

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Healy, the Australia captain who has been battling foot and knee injuries since late last year and was forced to miss the WPL to manage her recovery, went unclaimed after entering the draft with a reserve price of £50,000.Voll is one of three Australians making up Phoenix’s overseas allocation alongside allrounder Ellyse Perry, who was retained, and bowler Megan Schutt, a direct signing prior to the draft.Departing Birmingham for London Spirit, however, is fast bowler Issy Wong, who has endured a difficult time since making her international debut as a 20-year-old in 2022. She represented Phoenix, her home franchise, for the first four editions of the tournament, although issues with her run-up led her to be dropped in 2023, when she made just five appearances, and she played for them only four times last year, taking one wicket in each of those seasons.The poster girl for the 2023 Ashes despite not playing in the series as she battled for form, Wong made the last of her 17 appearances for England to date on the tour of Ireland last September which featured a number of fringe international players while the majority of the senior squad was preparing for their ill-fated T20 World Cup campaign. Spirit picked up Wong for £16,000, the third-lowest price bracket in the women’s competition.Southern Brave, the 2023 champions and last year’s wooden-spooners, used their first draft pick at £36,000 to secure Sophie Devine, who opted out of this year’s WPL and New Zealand’s current home series against Sri Lanka to take a wellbeing break. Devine last played a competitive match on January 24 for Wellington in the Women’s Super Smash. Joining her at Southern Brave will be South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon, who returned to the franchise for £20,000.How they stack up: The women’s Hundred squads for 2025•ECBWest Indies star Deandra Dottin will be back at Manchester Originals on £50,000 having played for the team in 2022 and 2023 after an initial stint with London Spirit in 2021. Young wicketkeeper-batter Seren Smale joins her from Birmingham Phoenix for £36,000.Scholfield’s bumper deal to stay at Oval Invicibles could signal an upturn after her international career stalled shortly after it began. Scholfield was selected for England’s tour of South Africa late last year but returned home without playing a game after she injured her ankle in training.Called up to add firepower to England’s middle order after making her international debut on the Ireland tour, Scholfield scored 190 runs in the Hundred last year, striking at 137.68 with a highest score of 71 off 40 balls. She was also the fifth-highest run-scorer in the domestic T20 competition with 259 runs at an average of 43.16 and strike rate of 140.00.Invincibles’ overseas contingent of Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning and Amanda-Jade Wellington was already settled before the draft. Leaving the Oval side this year after four seasons is off-spinning allrounder Mady Villiers, who was drafted by Southern Brave for £16,000.After two seasons each with Northern Superchargers and Birmingham Phoenix, legspinner Katie Levick heads to Welsh Fire after being snapped up in the £12,500 bracket.Richa Ghosh, the India wicketkeeper-batter, went undrafted after entering with a reserve price of £65,000.In all, 110 overseas and 120 domestic players entered the women’s draft for 29 places on offer, including four overseas spots and 25 for domestic players.Each of the eight teams have two places remaining to be filled by wildcards nearer to the start of the competition on August 5. Those places will be in the lowest salary bracket of £10,000.

Throughout the vast majority of the summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur have focused the majority of their attention on new additions within the forward line.

Mohammed Kudus has been the biggest addition in such a department, costing a whopping £55m from Premier League rivals West Ham United back in July.

However, he looks set to be joined by Xavi Simons, after the Lilywhites agreed a €60m (£52m) transfer fee with RB Leipzig for the Dutchman’s signature.

The player has travelled to North London to undergo his medical with Thomas Frank’s men, looking set to complete his own transfer before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Despite the pending big-money addition, other areas are now being targeted for reinforcements, with the new boss evidently wanting further depth in the defensive third.

Spurs’ hunt for added defensive reinforcements

Over the last few hours, journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Spurs have explored a deal to sign Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji before the window slams shut.

The Swiss international is said to be free to leave Pep Guardiola’s side before Monday night, leading to a £15m transfer fee being mooted for the 30-year-old’s signature.

However, attention is also being directed the way of Akanji’s teammate Nathan Ake, that’s according to GIVEMESPORT’s latest update on the Lilywhites’ transfer activity.

They claim that Frank’s side have held talks with the Citizens over a move for the 30-year-old, who’s spent the last five years under Guardiola’s guidance at the Etihad.

The report also states that the player himself held face-to-face talks with Spurs representatives last week, after the impressive 2-0 victory in Manchester last weekend.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be a better signing than Akanji

The rumours over potential deals to land new defensive reinforcements have certainly come out of the blue – leading to an exciting final few days of the window for the Spurs faithful.

Akanji has been a key member of the City squad over the last couple of seasons, registering 85 appearances in the top-flight – subsequently winning two titles in the last three years.

However, like the Lilywhites, the Citizens have undergone somewhat of an overhaul during the summer to help Guardiola mount a charge for top spot after missing out to Liverpool in 2024/25.

It appears as though Akanji could be sold, whether that be to Spurs or Galatasaray, but Frank’s men would be much better off pursuing a move for his teammate, Ake.

Given his previous spells at Chelsea and Watford, he’s a more established Premier League defender, offering needed versatility that can see him operate at the centre or left side of the backline.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the recent campaign, the Dutchman has managed to massively outperform Akanji, undoubtedly offering more of a presence should he move to North London.

Ake, who’s been labelled “incredible” by current boss Guardiola, completed more of the passes he attempted, offering Frank’s side an added ball-playing presence at the back.

Games played

10

26

Minutes played

678

2014

Pass accuracy

94%

93%

Tackles won

0.9

0.5

Tackle success rate

67%

64%

Blocks made

0.9

0.4

Clearances made

2.9

2.8

Aerials won

1.7

1.3

Aerial success rate

57%

54%

Out of possession, the Dutchman has also dominated Akanji, winning more of the tackles he entered, whilst also making more blocks – handing the side the added defensive quality to help build on their impressive start in 2025/26.

He has also thrived in the air, winning more of the aerial battles he entered, an asset that could make him a threat at both ends of the pitch in North London.

It’s unclear how much a deal for Ake would set the Lilywhites hierarchy back this summer, but his experience in England’s top-flight could prove to be a valuable asset to Frank’s side.

It also remains to be seen if the player himself is keen on a move to join the Lilywhites, but any move before Monday’s deadline would be a superb signing and one that would hand the side added quality in the defensive department.

He's like Paqueta: Spurs to bid for "exceptional" £22m star after Simons

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ByEthan Lamb Aug 29, 2025

Manchester United have now agreed personal terms with a 109 career-goal striker, with Jason Wilcox driving a move that could transpire in January.

Man Utd searching for striker with jury still out on Sesko

It was always going to take Benjamin Sesko time to adapt to the Premier League after making the move from RB Leipzig, and the Slovenian is yet to make a real impact, failing to score in his first four outings in all competitions.

However, United legend Roy Keane has defended the 22-year-old’s slow start to life at Old Trafford, saying: “When there’s a lot of speculation, some of these lads miss training over pre-season and it maybe just looks like he’s not up to speed yet, but yeah undecided yet, give the kid a chance.”

That said, having joined for the huge fee of £74m, Sesko will need to start scoring soon, especially given that Rasmus Hojlund has now joined Napoli on loan, while Joshua Zirkzee isn’t exactly primed to provide much support, scoring just three league goals in 2024-25.

According to a report from Football Transfers, Man United have already set their sights on a new striker, who could join in the January transfer window, as personal terms have been agreed with Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck is open to completing what would be a remarkable return to Old Trafford at the age of 34, and he has been identified as a low-cost addition to Ruben Amorim’s frontline, with Wilcox said to be the driving force behind the deal.

Man Utd already eyeing "elite" Baleba alternative as soon as window closed

The Red Devils are already looking at January.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

The Englishman’s name was brought up when the Red Devils enquired about Brighton teammate Carlos Baleba, and he is now seemingly being considered as a serious option, with the Seagulls willing to sanction a January departure.

"Amazing" Welbeck could be Zirkzee upgrade

The signing of the Brighton striker is unlikely to get too many fans excited, and in all honesty it is the type of business United should be avoiding, given that he will be 35 by the time a move to Old Trafford is feasible.

However, the 42-time England international, who has amassed 109 career goals at club level, is vastly experienced in the Premier League, and would probably be an upgrade on Zirkzee, having scored 10 league goals last season.

Lauded as “amazing” by former Brighton boss Graham Potter, the veteran striker has also outperformed Zirkzee across a range of key attacking metrics over the course of the past year.

Average per 90

Danny Welbeck

Joshua Zirkzee

Non-penalty goals

0.31

0.20

Assists

0.13

0.10

Shots total

2.39

2.26

That said, outperforming the Dutchman isn’t exactly the hallmark of being a top striker, and United need to be thinking about the future, rather than signing a former player who is arguably in the twilight years of his career.

The Australian opener played nine balls and missed six in a row before edging behind for a duck

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2025

Cooper Connolly nicks one behind after missing six in a row from Mohammed Shami•Associated Press

Cooper Connolly, 21, was playing the Champions Trophy semi-final against India in Dubai because of the injury to regular opener Matthew Short. Opening the innings with Travis Head, he faced nine balls from Mohammed Shami, making contact with only two of his first eight balls before edging behind for a duck. Here’s how the third over of the game played out:2.1 Shami to Connolly: wide outside off, Connolly drives over the top of it…142kph2.2 Shami to Connolly: plays and misses again! Connolly looking to drive, beaten on the inside edge this time as it angles back2.3 Shami to Connolly: 1 wide 140kph, short and wide, Connolly slashes and misses with a square cut but gets the wide call2.3 Shami to Connolly: four in a row! Connolly struggling. This one was nicely bowled, fuller outside off, feet not going anywhere as he pokes at it2.4 Shami to Connolly: make that five! Aims for a square drive on the up, slides past the edge2.5 Shami to Connolly: beaten again, six out of six…drives over the top of it as he targets square through the off side2.6 Shami to Connolly: OUT has he edged it this time?! India are very convinced. Wide outside off, Connolly playing a square drive, was it an under edge? Yes, it’s taken the toe end. They are just checking the ball has carried to KL Rahul. It’s cleanAustralia had chosen to bat after winning the toss in the first semi-final against India. They made two changes to their XI, bringing in Connolly and legspinner Tanveer Sangha for Short and fast bowler Spencer Johnson. India named the same XI that won their last group game against New Zealand, fielding a four-spinner attack.

There has been a real focus from Leeds United to strengthen in attack this summer. The Whites have signed three new forwards, with Noah Okafor the only one they paid for, joining from Milan for £18m. Lukas Nmecha was one of the free signings, and he scored on his debut against Everton from the spot.

The other centre-forward who didn’t cost a penny was Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The England international switched to Elland Road after his Everton contract expired. However, his debut for the club, a Carabao Cup tie defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday, saw him miss a couple of chances and a penalty in the shootout.

Daniel Farke seems to think there is still work to be done in attack, with Leeds looking at signing another forward.

Leeds' new attacking targets

Even though they scored more goals than any side in the Championship last season, the Whites have still focused on bolstering their attack.

Transfer Focus

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

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One name who has cropped up recently is Nottingham Forest winger Jota Silva, with the forward emerging as a target for Leeds.

However, it seems that they could jump ahead of Premier League rivals in the race for another striker. According to a report from TEAMtalk, Farke’s side have ‘swooped in’ to sign Christantus Uche from Spanish side Getafe.

He looked destined to join Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, but an issue agreeing on personal terms has opened the door for Leeds to hijack the move.

West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, as well as Serie A giants Milan, have also shown interest in the £17.5m-rated star, but Leeds are now ‘pushing hard’ to get a deal done.

Why Uche would be a good signing

With Leeds looking to add further depth to their attack, it is no surprise that they have rejoined the race to sign Uche.

The Nigeria international has a unique profile, standing at 6 foot 3, and can play as a striker and a number 10.

Described as a “defender’s nightmare” by football scout Antonio Mango, the 22-year-old certainly showed his threat in the final third last season. In 33 games for Getafe, he bagged four goals and assisted a further six. Not mindblowing numbers by any stretch of the imagination but he caught the eye.

The 2025/26 campaign has begun superbly for Uche. Getafe’s number 10 is already on the board this term and grabbed an assist, with both contributions coming in their season opener against Celta Vigo. The La Liga side won 2-0, with Uche playing a key role in both goals.

The same cannot be said for Calvert-Lewin, who struggled on his debut for the Whites.

His final season as an Everton player saw the 28-year-old find the back of the net just three times in 26 appearances.

Unfortunately, that tough form continued in his first game as a Leeds player. Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Lee Sobot gave him a 5/10 post-match rating and described his night as a “debut to forget”, with WhoScored explaining his missed chances had an expected goals tally of 2.14 xG.

It is easy to see how Uche could be an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin already in Farke’s squad. He has been quick out of the blocks this season, whereas the new Leeds star struggled on debut. On top of that, Getafe’s number 10 outscored him last term.

The stats from the 2024/25 season back up the sentiment. For example, the Nigerian star averaged 0.36 goals and assists and 2.82 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. In comparison, Leeds’ new number nine averaged 0.22 goals and assists and 1.46 shot-creating actions each game.

Uche & Calvert-Lewin 24/25 key stats

Stat (per 90)

Uche

Calvert-Lewin

Goals and assists

0.36

0.22

Goals per shot on target

0.29

0.16

Key passes

1.05

0.39

Shot-creating actions

2.82

1.46

Ball recoveries

3.99

1.96

Stats from FBref

With his effectiveness in front of goal, the unique profile and the versatility that he offers, it is easy to see how Uche would be an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.

Ultimately, Leeds need goals to stay in the Premier League, and will be relying on both to find the back of the net often.

Hijacking this deal for the cheap price of £17.5m would surely be a smart move for the Yorkshire side as they look to beat the drop this season.

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The plot has thickened in the Newcastle United and Alexander Isak saga. The Swedish striker released a statement on Tuesday night, reaffirming his desire to leave the club, saying, “when promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue.” It is easy to see that he is still set on a move away from St James’ Park.

Of course, the Magpies will need to decide soon whether or not to sell their star striker. With less than two weeks left of the transfer window, any deal to leave the club will have to move quickly so Newcastle have time to sign a replacement.

They are constantly linked with new centre-forwards, and could make a move for someone in the coming days.

Newcastle’s striker target

The Magpies have been linked with numerous centre-forwards over the past few weeks and months. Wolves striker Jorgen Strand-Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa have been touted as two of the leading potential targets.

Transfer Focus

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

Yet, a clear option has seemingly emerged, with Football Insider reporting that Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos “is keen to make that move” to St James’ Park this summer.

The North East giants have “been watching him” in action for the Champions League winners, in case a move should materialise.

Indeed, the fact that the former Benfica star is so interested in the move is surely a huge positive for Eddie Howe. This is a deal that could happen in the coming months, “if it all adds up” for Newcastle.

Reports earlier in the window suggest PSG could ask for £56m to sanction a deal this summer.

Why Ramos would be a good signing

Despite limited opportunities for 24-year-old Ramos under Luis Enrique in the French capital, he impressed when he did break into the side. Described as a “future star” by Statman Dave, Ramos has certainly shown glimpses of just how deadly he can be.

Last season, the Portugal international, who scored a World Cup hat-trick in 2022, played 46 games and 1812 minutes, the equivalent of 20 full games. In that time, he managed to bag 19 goals and assist a further six.

His impact was felt in PSG’s first game of the 2025/26 campaign, too. Ramos scored a late equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup, one of just four touches he had in open play, showing how clinical he can be in front of goal.

Well, the word clinical could certainly be used to describe Isak. He was exceptional for Newcastle last season, finding the back of the net on 23 occasions in just 34 Premier League games, assisting six goals on top of that.

There was certainly a case to be made that he was the best centre-forward in the top flight last term, a sentiment Jamie Carragher seemed to share. Last December, he called him the “best striker in the Premier League right now”.

With the sheer number of goals that he scored, it is easy to see why.

If Ramos moves to St James’ Park, Howe would love him to turn into the second coming of Isak. Even in the way they each took the headed goals above, bursting past a defender late on to head home, you can see the instinct they possess in front of goal.

There are stats to suggest the players are very similar, too. For example, Ramos averaged 0.85 goals and 0.51 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes last season. In comparison, the Newcastle striker averaged 0.75 goals and 0.46 goal-creating actions each game.

Whilst £69m is a huge investment to make, especially so late in the window, Newcastle will need to replace Isak if he leaves. There is evidence to suggest that Ramos would be the perfect candidate to do that.

Given his goalscoring rate and some of the underlying statistics, he could be Newcastle’s dream Isak replacement. At the very least, signing a player who wants to represent the club is a huge pull for the Magpies.

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كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية عن تغيير كبير مرتقب في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، بدءًا من الموسم بعد المقبل، أي نسخة 2027/28.

كان الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم قد أجرى تغييرات جذرية في نظام دوري أبطال أوروبا، الموسم الماضي، في دور المجموعات والذي تحول إلى مرحلة الدوري.

ولكن يبدو أن يويفا لا يزال يرغب في مزيد من التغييرات، حيث ذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية أنه بدءًا من موسم 2027/28، سيبدأ دوري أبطال أوروبا بمباراة واحدة فقط، كافتتاحية للبطولة.

وأوضحت أن تلك المباراة ستكون لحامل اللقب على أرضه ضد خصمه، في مباراة وحيدة يوم الثلاثاء، وسيشهد ذلك حفل افتتاح، كجزء من استراتيجية تجارية جديدة من إعداد وكالة ريليفنت الأمريكية لزيادة الإيرادات.

اقرأ أيضًا | ثورة جديدة مرتقبة في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. مباريات نارية ومنصة مجانية

وأوضحت أن اقتصار يوم الثلاثاء على مباراة واحدة فقط يُعد جزءًا من استراتيجية مخطط لها لزيادة الإيرادات، وربما يشهد الافتتاح مشاركة بعض من أشهر الأسماء في عالم الموسيقى، بينما ستُقام باقي مباريات الجولة الأولى يومي الأربعاء والخميس.

وأشارت إلى أن الهدف يتمثل في تحقيق حوالي 4.3 مليار جنيه إسترليني سنويًا من الإيرادات الإعلامية والتجارية، وهو ما يمثل زيادة عن الرقم الحالي البالغ 3.84 مليار جنيه إسترليني.

Australia captain Steven Smith withdrew an appeal against Noor Ahmad in the 47th over of Afghanistan’s innings, after wicketkeeper Josh Inglis whipped off the bails at the striker’s end to catch Noor out of his ground before the over was called.Noor had not been attempting a run – he had drifted out of his crease to meet batting partner Azmatullah Omarzai mid-pitch, mistakenly believing that the ball was dead. The ball is live until the umpire calls “over”, however, and umpire Alex Wharf had not yet called.Replays showed Noor to be well out of his ground, but Smith was quick to signal to the umpires that the appeal should not be considered, despite some enthusiasm from Inglis. Noor had just completed a single after Omarzai struck Nathan Ellis through midwicket and called Noor – the No. 10 batter – through, in order to keep strike for the next over.Although Afghanistan were not attempting to gain an advantage, the rules of cricket are clear. Run-outs are a viable dismissal until the ball is dead. If Smith had not withdrawn the appeal, Noor would have been ruled out, likely by third umpire Chris Gaffaney.

Noor had been on three off three balls at the time, and went to make six off eight. But of more consequence was the fact that Afghanistan would have been 248 for 9 after 47 overs had Smith not withdrawn the appeal. They were less likely to have hit the further 25 runs they managed if they had only had one wicket in hand. Noor was eventually dismissed off the last ball of the innings.Australia have in the past upheld appeals against batters ambling out of their crease, even if they were not looking to take a run. Most famously, this occurred in a Test at Lord’s against England in 2023, when Alex Carey underarmed the ball into the stumps after Jonny Bairstow had wandered down the pitch before the ball was deemed dead.Muthiah Muralidaran had also been dismissed in similar circumstances in a Test in Christchurch in 2006, when he had wandered out of the crease to congratulate Kumar Sangakkara on completing a century before the ball was dead (though that had not been at the end of an over). Brendon McCullum broke the stumps on that occasion, and captain Stephen Fleming upheld the appeal.In the 2011 Trent Bridge Test, India recalled Ian Bell to the crease after he had been run-out in similar circumstances at the stroke of tea on day three, when he ran a three and proceeded to walk down the pitch and towards the dressing rooms, before the fielder Praveen Kumar had had a chance to throw the ball in from the boundary. India captain MS Dhoni agreed to recall Bell after England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower approached him during the tea interval with this request.

A petition calling for footballing authorities to ban brick walls around touchlines has been launched following the death of ex-Arsenal youngster Billy Vigar. The Chichester City FC striker suffered a "significant brain injury" during an Isthmian League Premier Division game last weekend, before later passing away on Thursday. Now, fans want action to make the sport safer..

Football in shock over Vigar's death

The former Arsenal youth player reportedly collided with a pitch-side wall while playing for the non-league team away at Wingate and Finchley last Saturday. The 21-year-old died on Thursday after several days in an induced coma, with his family saying they were "devastated" that this had happened while he was playing the "sport he loved".

"After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put into an induced coma," the family said. "On Tuesday, he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery. Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him, and he passed away on Thursday morning. The responses to the original update show how much Billy was loved and thought of within the sport."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta paid tribute to Vigar and his family and now, football fans have launched a petition to try and make sure something like this can't happen again.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesVigar's law petition continues to grow

Shortly after his death, a petition titled, 'Vigar's Law – Ban brick walls around football pitches' was launched, and has quickly achieved more than 7,500 signatures. Those behind the petition have called on the Football Association to remove brick walls and other hard, immovable structures around football pitches. It adds that this is not an "isolated incident". 

Part of the post reads: "We, football lovers, urgently call for the removal of brick walls and other hard, immovable structures surrounding football pitches. This petition is driven by the heartbreaking death of Billy Vigar, a young and talented footballer whose life was tragically cut short after a collision with a pitch-side brick wall.

"Billy's passing is not an isolated incident – countless players at all levels have suffered serious injuries, including broken bones, concussions, and life-altering trauma, as a result of these dangerous barriers.

"Football is meant to be a sport of passion, skill, and community – not a place where a simple fall or a mistimed run can result in permanent injury or death. Yet many pitches, especially at grassroots and community level, remain bordered by solid brick walls placed only a few feet from the touchline. These walls serve no essential sporting purpose, yet they create an undeniable and avoidable hazard."

Calls for 'urgent action' in football

The petition set out four key pillars and a list of demands going forward. They are: Player safety must come first, preventable tragedies, no justifiable purpose, and duty of care. 

It points out that walls can be "lethal", and collisions with them can cause broken limbs, spinal injuries, and head trauma. They "offer no benefit" that cannot be achieved by "safer alternatives" such as mesh fencing, railings, or padded barriers. 

Moreover, they have called on councils, football associations, governing bodies, and facility owners to: "Immediately assess all football pitches for the presence of brick or concrete walls within the playing vicinity. Remove or replace these walls with safer alternatives (such as mesh fencing or padded railings) within a defined timeframe. Introduce strict guidelines prohibiting the construction of new hard-surface barriers near active playing areas."

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FA to review football grounds' perimeter walls

The FA says it will carry out an immediate safety review of perimeter walls at football stadiums for many non-league sides after Vigar's death. 

An FA statement said: "We will now conduct an immediate review, working with leagues, clubs, and relevant stakeholders across the game, that will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League system. This will include looking at ways we can assist National League system clubs to identify and implement additional measures at their stadiums that they determine will help to mitigate any potential safety risks."

Jensen picked up the injury in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-2025

New Zealand will be without seamer Hayley Jensen for the ODIs against Sri Lanka after she picked up an injury while warming up in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final. She has been replaced by left-arm spinner Fran Jonas, head coach Ben Sawyer said on Monday.”Jensen will be reassessed before the T20I series,” Sawyer said. “Hopefully she can get back in time but it will be up to the physios how she goes. Jonas will fly in tonight and join the team in the morning.”Related

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Penfold ruled out of Sri Lanka, Australia series

Bella James ruled out of Sri Lanka ODIs; Down named replacement

Jensen – who was set to make her comeback to the national side after a two-year absence – becomes the second Otago player to be ruled out of the ODIs against Sri Lanka. Bella James also picked up a hamstring injury during the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield competition, and was subsequently replaced in the ODI squad by Lauren Down.New Zealand are also without Sophie Devine – who has “prioritised her well-being” and taken a break from the game – while Amelia Kerr is set to miss the series due to her Women’s Premier League (WPL) commitment with Mumbai Indians. Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair and Molly Penfold were not available for the ODI series either due to injuries. Suzie Bates is the stand-in captain in Devine’s absence.The three-match ODI series kicks off on March 4 in Napier before the teams move to Nelson for the next two encounters on March 7 and 9. New Zealand are trying to snap a three-game losing streak in ODIs while Sri Lanka want to bounce back after losing their last ODI series against Ireland in Belfast 2-1.