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SA’s wicketkeeper has backed her team to bounce back after they folded for 69 against England

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-20252:03

Jafta: ‘We were a bit rushed against England’

South Africa’s wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta has welcomed the change in venue – they have moved to Indore – after being skittled for 69 against England in Guwahati on Saturday. South Africa will meet New Zealand in Indore on Monday, nearly a year after the teams had faced each other in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Dubai. New Zealand have already played a game in Indore in this World Cup.”We always knew coming into a tournament like this, games like this happen,” Jafta said. “Because it’s such a long tournament, we just have to accept what has happened. Laura [Wolvaardt] capped it off nicely and said, we don’t become a bad batting unit overnight. Obviously, homework was done, and now we’re just looking forward to the next one.”We had to leave the town [Guwahati] behind us. When you look and you’re coming into Indore, the people have been fantastic. For us, it’s like a fresh perspective. We saw the first game they had – it was a high-scoring day. For us as a batting unit, it’s just to knuckle down and bat. Don’t think too much about the outcome. Just take it one ball at a time.”Related

Wolvaardt: 'We are much, much better than 69 all out'

New Zealand and South Africa meet after a year with both teams needing a pick-me-up

While Jafta admitted that South Africa had erred with their approach against England, she said her team “won’t dwell’ on the batting collapse.”We were a bit rushed,” Jafta said. “We weren’t really present in that moment. When I went back, I realised I wasn’t really present in the delivery I went out. It wasn’t a good day, but we won’t dwell on it. We’ve got another opportunity.”That opportunity comes against a New Zealand side, which is also coming off a defeat, against Australia. Jafta said that South Africa will not underestimate New Zealand whom they have not faced in an ODI since October 2023.”You have the likes of Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine – players who’ve been playing for a really long time,” she said. “But also, you’re not underestimating your Georgia Plimmer, your [Maddy] Greens, your Izzy Gaze – she came off. For us as a bowling unit, it’s about being very disciplined in how we go about our things.”Laura Wolvaardt tunes up for the match against New Zealand in Indore•ICC via Getty ImagesExecution, Jafta said, will be crucial, something the team has focused on during their recent tours of the subcontinent. South Africa won a T20I series 2-1 in Pakistan before the World Cup and took part in a tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka in Colombo, where they lost three out of four matches, in May.”We’ve been playing in these conditions – it’s nothing new,” she said. “I always make a joke, we’ve probably faced all of these deliveries in net sessions. Why can’t we just go into a game and execute? We had a blowout, but we’ve got New Zealand ahead of us.”We know that when it comes to being tactical, they [New Zealand] are probably high up there, so we have to bring in full intensity. Coach has said, ‘Leave everything behind. Tomorrow is another opportunity.’ A lot of different individuals will put up their hands in tomorrow’s game.”

Mikel Arteta has shared his belief that Chelsea deserve to be in the Premier League title race, ahead of Arsenal's showdown with the Blues on Sunday. The Spanish manager reiterated his admiration for Enzo Maresca's side, sharing that he enjoys watching them play in his pre-match press conference. The Gunners head to Stamford Bridge with a six point lead over the London rivals.

Arteta praises Chelsea ahead of London derby

Arteta has not been shy in heaping praise over one of his club's fiercest rivals. When the sides last met in March, the 43-year-old described Chelsea as the "best attacking team in the league by a mile", despite the Gunners coming out on top with a 1-0 home win. 

Those comments were put to Arteta in his pre-match press conference earlier today. The FA Cup winning manager reiterated his assessment of his next opponents', while also confirming the Blues as credible contender to the Premier League crown this term. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportArteta: Chelsea "deserve" to be in the title race

When asked if Chelsea are worthy title challengers, Arteta said: "I think we are all there, and they are there because they fully deserve what they have done in the last few years. I think the squad that they assembled, the numbers that they have, the quality that they have, the number of coaches they have it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive and they deserve to be there."

In reply to a question about whether he still views Chelsea as the league's best attacking force, he replied: "They were [the best last season], the sample now this season is early so it's difficult to say.

"But it is one of the teams that I enjoy the most watching and they have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threat, they have a lot of individual talent, they are very clear what they want to do and that's why they are very tough."

Arteta provides injury update ahead of Chelsea game

The Spaniard was also pushed on the current injury status of a number of his squad. 

Leandro Trossard is awaiting another test of a calf problem he sustained in the Gunners midweek win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz's return could depend on the results of repeat scans on hamstring and knee issues respectively. 

Asked whether either of those attacking options returned clear scans, Arteta replied: "Clear, not yet, but they are getting closer and closer. We are very positive with both of them and that's it."

The Arsenal boss also gave an update on the return of Gabriel Jesus. tofirst team action. The Brazilian striker took part in a behind-closed-doors game at Arsenal's training ground against Watford on Thursday. Jesus had not played since undergoing knee surgery in January.

While Arteta said the 29-year-old was "very close" to return to first team action, he addedd: "We see every single day how he's reacting to the change that he had in load and then he needs to get into the chemistry of the team, understanding the things on match time which are very different to anything that he tried to replicate in training obviously and those gaps try to make them as short as possible."

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Getty Images SportChelsea and Arsenal in white-hot form ahead of crucial London derby

The depth of Arsenal's squad has allowed them to weather a mini-injury crisis over the past few weeks. Arteta heralded his players preparation after their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday. That triumph was the most impressive win in a 16-game unbeaten run that dates back to their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool back in August. 

Chelsea also enjoyed a statement win in Europe this week, beating Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The Blue have quietly asserted themselves over the past few weeks, scoring eight goals and conceding goals in their past three games in all competitions. 

Sunday's game feels like a crucial juncture in the title race. If Chelsea can play up to Arteta's assessment, it could trigger a three-way title race with Pep Guardiola's side also entering the fray. However, if the Gunners can take all three points, they will establish a nine point gulf. With the league's best attacking and defensive record, that's an imposing lead even with so much football still left to play. 

Almost everyone knows about Baseball Hall of Famer and New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter's iconic, walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series.

Jeter hit his fateful dinger after the clock struck midnight on November 1, making it the first time the Fall Classic spilled into the 11th month on the calendar. The clutch homer earned Jeter the nickname “Mr. November” and forever became a part of baseball lore.

The homer also forever changed the life of former Yankees vendor Neil Dunleavy, who caught the ball. He told his amazing story to ESPN's Jeff Passan in a story published on Friday.

Dunleavy's story includes one nugget that baseball fans may not know about. Jeter, rather than keep the ball for himself, autographed it and returned it to Dunleavy.

On the night of Game 4, nearing the end of his shift selling programs across Yankee Stadium, Dunleavy perfectly positioned himself in the right field corner, where he knew Jeter's inside-out swing tended to deposit balls. As Jeter connected on his swing in the bottom of the 10th inning, Dunleavey was busy organizing hundreds of dollar bills he had gotten from fans in exchange for programs throughout his shift, and had to sacrifice the currency to dive for the ball. Thankfully, a nearby security guard was able to recover the cash he had tossed aside for a bigger prize.

Once he retrieved it, he left the ballpark that night planning to give the ball to Jeter the next day. He met with a Yankees ballboy and, thinking it would be the last time he ever saw that infamous ball, handed it over. But the ballboy returned with the 'Mr. November' ball, which Jeter had signed, dated and added the No. 2, his jersey number with the Yankees.

"Had I known I was going to get it back," Dunleavy told Passan. "I would've given him a better pen."

Dunleavy went on to pursue a career in the medical field, but held onto the baseball. Now 43 years old, married and with three children, he has decided to sell the ball, believing he could find a better purpose for the memento.

After connecting with the auction house Goldin and authentication company JSA, Dunleavy now has the baseball on sale, with bidding set to close on June 14. The bidding is up to $120,000 and counting.

Not only did Jeter's classy gesture ensure that the baseball was authentic—thus providing Dunleavy and his family the chance for a large return in the souvenir's sale—but the Yankees legend also provided the now-orthopedic surgeon with memories and feelings he'll never forget.

And Dunleavy plans to pay it back to Jeter. He intends to donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale to Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation.

Tottenham Hotspur are starting to make headway under Thomas Frank’s stewardship. However, the Danish coach’s side have been inconsistent since he arrived in the summer, and he has confirmed he will be in the market for transfers in January.

Though the defence have encountered some problems throughout the campaign, Spurs’ attacking play has drawn plenty of criticism, with xG (expected goals) recording a total of just 14.8 from 15 fixtures, as per FBref.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have both been sidelined since the summer, while Dominic Solanke has suffered more issues of his own, but there’s a sense that Heung-min Son’s potency in the final third has been missed.

ENIC Group appear to have recognised this, with plans drawn to sign an attacker next month.

Spurs' January search for a forward

Tottenham are 11th in the Premier League but only trail fourth-place Chelsea by four points. With a bit more flair and precision up front, Frank’s side could start playing with the consistency that has been missing.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is on the London club’s shortlist, but Liverpool and Manchester City are also interested in striking a £65m deal this winter.

With six goals and three assists in the league this year, the 25-year-old could restore the Son-like presence to Spurs’ side, but he’s not the only one on Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici’s radar.

According to TEAMtalk, Kenan Yildiz is on Tottenham’s radar as one of their ‘dream’ targets, having been bumped up ahead of Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.

Juventus’ financial problems mean they would be open to parting with one of their most coveted players, who has started the season in fine form.

His signature won’t come cheap. Arsenal have also been linked with the Turkish international, with Juve reportedly demanding £88m.

What Yildiz would bring to Spurs

Yildiz is one of the brightest attacking midfielders in the world. The 20-year-old became a regular presence in Juventus’ first team last season, posting 20 goal contributions in all competitions.

This year, he’s cranked his efficiency in the final third up a notch, already with six goals and six assists apiece across 20 matches.

European football writer Danny Corcoran has observed that the versatile attacker has “Mbappe-like ability” when running with the ball, and he ranks among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe for shot-creating actions and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90.

Matches (starts)

13 (12)

Goals

5

Assists

3

Touches*

51.5

Shots (on target)*

2.4 (1.1)

Accurate passes*

26.8 (85%)

Chances created*

2.2

Dribbles*

1.4

Recoveries*

3.4

Tackles + interceptions*

0.7

Duels won*

3.8

Eight goal involvements from just 12 Serie A starting appearances underline how Yildiz could grow into one of the most prolific forwards in Europe, so such an ambitious bid on Tottenham’s part could land a blistering new goalscoring star to replace Son.

The South Korean, 33, left the Lilywhites from Los Angeles this summer after winning the Europa League in May, ending a decade of service with a trophy.

While the likes of Mohammed Kudus have been in promising form this season, he lacks the old captain’s clinical edge in front of goal, something Yildiz could add to Frank’s side.

Son scored 127 goals from 333 Premier League outings, and Yildiz might just have natural goalscoring ability to replace him, just as competent out on the left wing as he is playing off the central striker.

Any dynamic forward who shares some of Real Madrid superstar Mbappe’s athletic and physical attributes has a chance at making it big in the Premier League, and this could be the spark that Frank’s team need to kick on and challenge for a place in the top four while pushing deep in cup competitions too.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has said that the fleet-footed Turk is “translating his ability into consistent numbers” this season, and if he could continue that trend down N17 in the Premier League, Tottenham may just crack this attacking nut that has been holding Frank’s vision back this season.

ENIC could fund the Semenyo move by selling Spurs' £55k-p/w "liability"

Tottenham are planning to get rid of some of the deadwood this January.

ByAngus Sinclair 2 days ago

Unseasonal weather in Western Australia, and a relatively new venue, means surface characteristics are unknown

Tristan Lavalette19-Nov-2025Given the hyperbole, with unseasonal weather adding another layer of drama, there is much intrigue over an expected fast and bouncy Perth Stadium surface ahead of the first Test.However, Australia quick Mitchell Starc remains pessimistic of a pitch which the local tabloid newspaper, in its latest effort to needle England ahead of the series has dubbed a ‘Green Monster’.The teams in recent days have been preparing in the nets behind the massive ground, with the practice sessions notable for sharp and rapid bounce. Whether conditions can be replicated on a drop-in surface that was put in just four weeks ago remains unknown, although the groundstaff do remain hopeful.”The wickets out the back have had a bit of sideways, and up and down,” Starc told reporters. “I’m not going to pretend I know how to read wickets until they’re played on.”A fair bit has been made about the colour of it and that it’s going to be a green mamba. I think it’s probably ready to go now, so I don’t expect to see it do as much as you all anticipate it to do.”Having opened in 2018, and missing two international cricket seasons due to Covid, Perth Stadium is still a relatively new Test venue with no consistent trend established yet.In last year’s India Test, similarly played in late November, both first innings were over within four sessions before the pitch then flattened on days two and three, before unevenness started to come through via large cracks. The year before, against Pakistan, batting was treacherous in the fourth innings thanks to those same cracks, although that Test was played in the oppressive conditions of mid-December.While the WACA’s lore has been rekindled at times, Perth Stadium has been the best batting surface in Australia across the last four years since the new Kookaburra and greener surfaces have made conditions much more difficult on the east coast. Only five overseas batters have scored centuries in Australia in that time and three of them have come in Perth”We’ve had five different wickets in the sense,” Starc said of surfaces at Perth Stadium over the years. “We got a pretty slow, flat wicket against the West Indies [in 2022 which went deep into day five].”The first Test here [in 2018] was one where it cracked up and played a bit like the WACA used to. Last year saw all those wickets on the first day and then it got pretty flat.”You can look at trends and you can look at what’s happened. In the end you got to play what’s in front of you.”Related

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Adding to the intrigue, there has been some stormy weather in the metropolitan area in recent days, while rain is forecast this weekend on the back of a wetter winter and spring in Perth.Wet weather in Perth this deep into spring is unusual, with the famously sun-drenched Western Australia capital usually almost totally dry from November through to April.But WA Cricket head curator Isaac McDonald does not believe the elements will change the expected characteristics of the surface.”You look historically at every Test through both venues here in the west, pace and bounce is a mainstay, and that’s not going to change any time soon,” said McDonald, whose on-field press engagement was pushed back due to lightning strikes close to the ground.”This forecast has been hit and miss. The temperatures have been varying by a few degrees here and there every day. Taking lessons learned from last year, we started prep a day earlier…..really trusting to get our moisture and firmness right.”McDonald said 9mm of grass is currently left on the drop-in pitch, a similar amount to recent Tests at the ground. “The cracks will be present later in the game. What I’ve really knuckled down this preparation is ensuring the pace and bounce is spot on for day one, to ensure an even battle,” he said.”Previous years, I think we’ve been on the flatter side. But last year, being the exception, we were probably a day early in preparation.”So we tried to tackle that with giving ourselves an extra day in preparation to try and even out that balance.”

The United States Men's national team have been handed a major injury boost ahead of the 2026 World Cup as star defender Antonee Robinson finally returned from his knee injury and started for Fulham in their Premier League clash against Burnley on Saturday. Robinson has remained sidelined for the majority of the current season due to a persistent knee problem.

USMNT boost

Robinson's injury occurred last fall during one of the USMNT's friendlies, where he sustained a "dead leg" on the top of his knee. That ended up splitting his tendon, leading to severe pain beginning in November. He played through the rest of the season with Fulham, but wasn't deemed fit enough for March's Nations League Finals and, he ultimately missed the Gold Cup after undergoing surgery. 

Ahead of the October international break, when Mauricio Pochettino unveiled his USMNT roster, Robinson's name was on it for the first time in 2025, although he did not appear in any of the matches, as Pochettino had acknowledged that his minutes would need to be managed this camp.

Robinson also acknowledged that he wasn't at his best in terms of attaining full fitness, as the full-back had said: "I'm still getting used to post-surgery. I'm doing all right. I've been in full training and been in full contention to play matches back at Fulham. I had a few spells coming on here and there and played 90 minutes in a cup game and got through it pretty well. I'm still not feeling 100 percent on it or how it felt a year ago before the injury first happened, but I'm getting there slowly."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRobinson plays full 90 minutes against Burnley

For the first time in the 2025-26 campaign, Robinson survived the full 90 minutes on the pitch as Fulham edged out Burnley in a five-goal thriller in the Premier League on Saturday. Robinson's return to action will be a massive boost for Pochettino and the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil next summer.

Before the tournament, the co-hosts will are scheduled to play four international friendlies and Robinson will look forward to impress the manager during that period and earn his place back in the USMNT starting lineup.

'Mentally, it's been nearly a year away from national team'

Robinson also opened up on the mental toll it took to be away from the national team for over a year as he added: "It was really difficult, to be honest, especially because we had some disappointments this year with not winning the Nations League and the Gold Cup. They're trophies that we take pretty seriously, so not being able to bring them home was disappointing. The fact that you have to watch and can't contribute, I'd always rather be here and be the one taking responsibility on the field, win or lose, then to have to watch and not help out. Mentally, it's been nearly a year away from the national team after not missing too many camps and being with the national team for so long. It was very difficult."

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Getty Images SportRobinson eyes regular game time

For now, Robinson's primary focus will be to feature in Marco Silva's starting lineup regularly to gather game time and attain perfect match fitness before he can prove himself in front of Pochettino in the national team. The American full-back will be back in action on December 17 for the Cottagers as they take on Newcastle United in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash. 

Tottenham Hotspur have experienced all the emotions over the past several years, and the plan is that Thomas Frank will instil stability and a winning culture over the years at the helm.

However, the Danish coach has been through some turbulent waters across his first several months in the dugout, with attacking play far from fluid.

Creativity has been at a low ebb in the Premier League, and while neither James Maddison nor Dejan Kulusevski has kicked a ball this season due to injury, Frank will be expected to spark more fruitful playmaking returns going forward.

(1) Man City

2nd

29.1

(2) Man United

6th

26.8

(3) Arsenal

1st

25.4

(4) Chelsea

5th

24.7

(5) Crystal Palace

4th

24.3

(17) Tottenham

11th

14.8

We have seen green shoots in recent weeks, Spurs currently riding a two-match winning run, but the squad need to kindle some new talismanic figures, with the absence of the likes of Heung-min Son keenly felt.

Why Spurs are missing Son

Tottenham have markedly failed to replace Son and Harry Kane after the respective superstars’ sales in recent years, and though the South Korean was on the decline last year, he still posted 23 goal contributions across all competitions.

That’s natural potency you just can’t teach, only guide in the right direction. The 33-year-old is now playing over the pond for Los Angeles FC, but Frank could certainly do with a new superstar to emerge and prove themselves in Son’s stead.

His leadership and devastating ability were something shared with Kane, but stripping it further back, Christian Eriksen too.

For sure, the Lilywhites would benefit from the Dane’s creative flair right now, especially with Maddison and Kulusevski both out of action. Eriksen notched 69 goals and 88 assists across 305 games for the north London club, and former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy marvelled at his “world-class” quality while at White Hart Lane.

It would be easy to turn toward the transfer market for solutions, and though Frank needs to find a formula that creates a natural well of creativity and coherence in offence, he may actually have two new recruits who are well on their way to emulating the likes of Son and Eriksen before them.

Spurs' new Son and Eriksen duo

Eriksen and Son were instrumental parts in creating a Tottenham team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, that was among the most feared and entertaining on the continent.

It was always going to be a struggle to replace such players, but in Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons, Frank might just have the tools to resculpt the aforementioned.

Simons, 21, has endured a tough start to life down N17, but with two goals from two matches, the Dutch number ten is beginning to show why ENIC Group paid north of £50m to bring him over from RB Leipzig during the summer, beating Chelsea in the transfer battle.

He has been hailed as a “superstar” of a talent by analyst Ben Mattinson, and he ranks among the top 3% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, emphasising that Eriksen-esque passing range that will only develop further over the months and years.

Kudus might not be cut from the same cloth as Son, but he certainly has that wow factor about him, capable of doing things with a football that those around him and against him simply can’t match.

Mohammed Kudus

14

6

Bruno Fernandes

15

6

Rayan Cherki

10

5

Jeremy Doku

15

5

Seven players…

n/a

4

The fact that the former West Ham winger sits as the Premier League’s joint-top assist maker this season says much of his ability. Analyst Raj Chohan has even hailed Simons’ “game-changing” ability, suggesting he has more in his locker than the still-impressive Kudus.

Perhaps the most exciting part is that the best is yet to come. After all, Son took a while to get going after joining Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, while Eriksen needed Christmas to come and pass before uncovering a Midas touch in the final third in 2013/14, when he joined from Ajax.

We must be patient, but there’s no denying that Tottenham have signed several forwards with the capacity to stand out not just among their peers but against anyone in the Premier League.

Tottenham haven’t clicked into gear yet this season, but there have been plenty of positives to take as Frank navigates through the first months of this post-Ange Postecoglou era.

And with Simons coming into his own and Kudus showing off his skilful qualities, the Londoners have all the tools they need to reach the next level when the different parts all come together.

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Frank is expected to be backed in the upcoming transfer windows by Tottenham owners ENIC Group.

ByAngus Sinclair 4 days ago

Ireland ended the day six down, still another 333 runs from the target with one day to go

Mohammad Isam22-Nov-2025Bangladesh are four wickets short of a series sweep against Ireland, on the day Taijul Islam overtook Shakib Al Hasan as the hosts’ highest wicket-taker. The visitors went to stumps on the fourth day on 176 for 6 in pursuit of an improbable 509, with Taijul having taken three wickets in the innings so far.Taijul took his 247th wicket to lead Bangladesh’s Test bowling charts when he trapped Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie lbw for 13 as the first wicket of the chase in the sixth over. Paul Stirling, the other opener, also fell to Taijul, caught at short leg where Mahmudul Hasan Joy took a simple catch. Hasan Murad trapped Cade Carmichael for 19 in the 20th over and Ireland were 77 for 3 just before tea.Mushfiqur’s memorable 100th Test•ESPNcricinfo LtdHarry Tector struck three fours off Taijul after the break and brought up his fifty off 78 balls but he handed a catch to Mushfiqur Rahim, who ran in from the deep. Three overs later, Khaled Mahmud had Lorcan Tucker, who was unbeaten on 75 in the first innings, edge one behind for 7 and Ireland were in trouble at 127 for 5.Bangladesh then went on to drop Stephen Doheny three times, leaving the small crowd in Mirpur frustrated. Murad first dropped him at short midwicket on 2 before wicketkeeper Litton Das couldn’t latch on to a sharp chance when Doheny was on 13. Ebadot Hossain also put down a chance when he couldn’t hold on to a catch running in from deep square leg when Doheny was on 14. Taijul finally removed him on 15, when he missed an arm ball.Earlier, Mominul Haque’s dismissal on 87 led to Bangladesh’s declaration shortly after the lunch break on 297 for 4. Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 53, having already struck a century in the first innings.Mominul struck 10 fours in his 118-ball knock, as he continued to look for a century since Kanpur last year. The openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul also struck fifties, as they added 119 runs and Mahmudul had fallen on the third evening for 60. Shadman’s was the first wicket to fall on the fourth morning when he was lbw to Andy McBrine for 78 and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto who handed a catch to gully for Jordan Neill’s first Test wicket. Mushfiqur joined Mominul and the duo put on a brisk century stand of 123 from 167 balls to power the lead past 500.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has admitted coaching Harry Kane and Cole Palmer in the England setup gave him imposter syndrome. Cole is now a full-time coach in the England setup and previously served as assistant to Lee Carsley during his interim stint in charge of the Three Lions while also working with the U21s, having previously worked with Birmingham City.

Getty Images SportCole was 'anxious' about coaching world class talent

Cole left his position with Birmingham City last month to focus solely on his role with the England squad having initially joined the national team setup on a part-time basis in 2021. Cole was brought in to support Carsley and was part of the management team that lifted the U21 European Championship in Georgia in 2023.

However, Cole was briefly promoted to the senior squad prior to Thomas Tuchel's appointment after Gareth Southgate left the England head coach role following their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain last summer. It was with the men's side that Cole worked alongside Carsley to help coach the likes of Kane, Palmer and Bukayo Saka among others.

During his time with the senior squad, though, Cole has confessed that he questioned whether he was worthy of coaching the world class trio. Indeed, the 44-year-old was aware that many of the players he works with are coached by elite managers that made him anxious about whether he was in a position to tell them how to play.

AdvertisementCole claims 'you can shrink' when coaching elite players

In an interview with , Cole stated: "Even when you are talking to Under-21s you are still talking to players who are coached by Pep Guardiola, and all these top managers, so you do have to find some confidence and authenticity. You can shrink.

"There were times I was thinking, ‘I am telling Cole Palmer that’s not good enough but Pep allows him to do it’. It’s that connection and finding that relationship with the players."

Cole, however, added that his greatest thrill was seeing these talents carrying out his instructions, adding: "They have been coached by top managers. Now I am saying to them, ‘That is not enough, you’ve got to do this’. And they were amazing towards me. They were trying to work me out – do I know what I am talking about?

"Everything I spoke to them about in the team meetings I saw on the pitch. I’m telling Harry Maguire to do this and I’m telling Harry Kane to do that. To see it (on the pitch) was amazing for my confidence."

Getty Images Sport'I acted like an idiot at times' says Cole

Cole also added he has matured since his time as a player. The former England international routinely made headlines for his antics off the pitch, admitting that he acted like 'an idiot at times', stating: "I am not saying what I did was right. I acted like an idiot at times but I was a kid.

"We have all made mistakes and 20 years down the line we are telling our kids, ‘Don’t do that’. It really made me understand life, people, respect, in a different way. I have come out of that bubble. I have just matured. My drive is something different."

Additionally, Cole claims he now wishes to be remembered better as a coach rather than a player, adding: “I want people now to say, 'Ashley Cole, the coach’. Not, ‘Ashley Cole, the footballer’. It has been quite hard but I think I have done enough on the training pitch.

"Ashley Cole the player is done. But Ashley Cole the coach, he is doing alright, or whatever it looks like."

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England learn 2026 World Cup fate

Cole is expected to be part of the England coaching staff in North America for the World Cup next summer. The Three Lions learned their 2026 fate last week having been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana.

England kick off their World Cup campaign with a game against Croatia on 17 June, before they take on Ghana on 23 June. Thomas Tuchel's men then round off the group stages against Panama on 27 June.

The Dodgers built a comfortable lead over the Reds in Game 1 of their National League wild-card series and hung on for a 10–5 victory. Shohei Ohtani blasted a titanic home run and Blake Snell was dominant through seven innings. But a trio of pitchers—Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez and Jack Dreyer—were very shaky in an eighth inning that resulted in three Cincinnati runs.

And Colin Cowherd thinks that's a very bad sign for a team expected to valiantly defend their World Series crown.

"Last night's a prime example of why they're not going to win the World Series," Cowherd said on his show Wednesday. "

"Dave Roberts doesn't trust the bullpen," he continued. "Dodger fans don't trust the bullpen. The Dodger bullpen doesn't trust the bullpen. They're going to push their starters as long as they can go."

Cowherd believes Los Angeles need to get great starting pitching and have their big bats deliver. Which sounds like a lot but is the same challenge almost every team in the MLB playoffs is hoping to receive. So there's no need to panic, especially with that lineup.

There is also the possibility that razor-sharp focus wasn't there in an 8–0 game and the effort could be better with more on the line.

"It feels good," Cowherd said of the opening triumph. "But this is how they're going to have to win."