Despite making a big blunder, Miguel Rojas does not want to be blamed for the Los Angeles Dodgers' loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the NLDS.
On Wednesday, Rojas took to Instagram to blast fans blaming him for the team's loss. He hopped into the comments on the account @lajayshow after a video on the account blamed him for the team losing 6–5.
The user complained the shortstop kept a Padres second-inning rally alive by attempting to take a ground ball to second by himself instead of flipping it to second baseman Gavin Lux. Rojas rushed to the base instead and was beaten by Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill. Rojas's throw to first was also late and beaten out by Xander Bogaerts. Instead of a double play, the Padres had first and second with no outs. David Peralta followed with a two-run double, giving San Diego a 3–1 lead.
Rojas jumped in the comments section, replying with the following:
"You think you guys are the only ones who wants to win this sh–, every single one of the players and ppl in this clubhouse are doing everything to f—ing win, it's not bc of the f—ing effort we doing everything possible if that's not enough to you guys I understand all you guys want is a victory after the final out. Nobody in this s— is lost we playing to win not to be the reason for the f—ing L."
He followed that up with another comment:
"Yeah one f—ing mental mistake I wish I would of pass the ball and get one out but my f—ing sorry a– was trying to do everything possible to get two f—ing outs !!! Yeah I f—ed that decision up and you can blame the f—ing reason of the L."
Rojas and the Dodgers are up against it, facing elimination in Game 4 of the NLDS. He is also dealing with an injury to his adductor and had to leave Game 3 as a result. He is out of the lineup for the elimination game, with Tommy Edman replacing him at shortstop.
Stokes said that given the quick turnaround, he didn’t want to risk any of his frontline bowlers getting injured
Shashank Kishore27-Jul-20251:19
Harmison: ‘A little bit farcical towards the end’
India’s decision to bat on and not call off the game at the start of the mandatory final 15 overs was a decision left to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, India captain Shubman Gill said after India secured a hard-fought draw in Manchester to keep the series alive at 1-2.Jadeja was unbeaten on 89 and Washington on 80 at the start of the last hour with India on 386 for 4, when Ben Stokes offered to shake hands for a draw. India, however, decided to bat on. “It was up to the boys,” Gill said when asked whose decision it was to stay on. “I thought they both batted brilliantly, both were in their 90s. We thought they deserved a century there.”The game was called off as soon as both batters brought up their hundreds. This was Jadeja’s second in England and Washington’s first in Tests; the pair put on an unbroken 203-run stand for the fifth wicket to secure a draw.Related
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“Very pleased with the batting effort,” Gill said. “The past couple of days, we’ve been put under a lot of pressure. The way we responded after losing two early wickets, it’s never easy but it was a very brave effort.”India head coach Gautam Gambhir agreed with Gill. “If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, wouldn’t they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off if someone from England side would’ve been batting on 90 or 85? If someone has the opportunity to get his first Test hundred, wouldn’t you allow him to do it? They weather the storm. It’s up to them. If they want to play that way, that’s up to them. I’ve got nothing more to say. I think both those guys deserve a hundred and fortunately they got it in the end.”Stokes, meanwhile, said that given the quick turnaround between the Tests, he did not want to risk his frontline bowlers getting injured as the reason behind offering to shake hands once the last hour began.”We were willing to take it as far as we possibly could and throw everything at them that we did, but it got to that point where there was obviously only one result left on the table and I wasn’t going to be risking any of my frontline bowlers in a situation like that, especially when we’ve got a quick turnaround,” Stokes told the . “The only other person who actually has any bowling workload in them is Harry Brook.3:12
‘Would they have walked off?’ – Gambhir on Stokes’ draw offer
“He does actually work on that kind of stuff, but I did have to say to him, ‘please don’t do anything stupid’. We’ve been out in the field for 200-and-whatever overs, we’ve got a quick turnaround, so just do what needs to be done. I said don’t do anything daft: don’t pull a side, don’t pull a hamstring. We knew what was going on there.”While appreciating Jadeja’s and Washington’s knocks, Stokes said the “10 more runs” the duo wanted to get for their respective centuries wouldn’t have changed the fact that they got their team out of a tricky situation.”The knock that those two played was very, very good,” he said at the press conference. “The situation that India found themselves in there, with us opening the game slightly, that partnership was massive. You hold your hands up – they played incredibly, incredibly well. And I don’t think there would’ve been too much more satisfaction from walking off a hundred not out, getting your team out of a tricky situation, than walking off at 80, 90 not out. That’s what you’ve done for your team. You know, the 10 more runs or whatever it was ain’t gonna change the fact that you’ve managed to get your team out of a very, very, very tricky situation and almost saved your team from a series defeat before the last game.”India resumed the final day on 174 for 2, still trailing England by 137 runs, with KL Rahul and Gill having got together in the first over on day four with the score reading 0 for 2. Gill said the plan was “about taking the wicket out of the equation.””Day five wicket, something keeps happening, every ball is an event,” he said. “We wanted to play ball by ball, take the game as deep as possible. That’s what we spoke about.”On asked about his learnings as a Test captain four games in, Gill said, he’d learned “a lot of things.””Every match going up until the last session of the last day … so many learnings,” he said. “Each Test match teaches you something different, four matches as a group has also taught a lot. Hopefully, we can draw the series if we win the next match.”
Following Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury blow, Liverpool have been handed a key boost in pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Leoni injury hands Liverpool centre-back problem
For all of Liverpool’s excellent spending in the summer, they are now just one injury away from having two senior centre-backs at their disposal. The Reds went all in on Marc Guehi at the end of the transfer window, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug on his move at the last moment. Now, Leoni’s ACL injury has left Arne Slot short of defensive options.
For now, it’s a problem that Liverpool must solve internally. Whether that sees Wataro Endo become an emergency centre-back or the likes of defender Rhys Williams receive the most unexpected recall is a question that, in truth, Slot will not want to face before January arrives.
Meanwhile, when the January transfer window does swing open, it will be all eyes on Guehi. Slot has not tried to hide how close Liverpool were to signing the Crystal Palace defender and another attempt could yet be on the cards.
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The Dutchman told reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him. That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.“
The injury to Leoni has potentially added more urgency to Liverpool’s position and Sky Sports have just shared an update on the Reds’ pursuit of Geuhi.
Sky Sports share "big news" about Guehi
Live on air, Sky Sports journalist Tom White shared “big news” that Crystal Palace have accepted that Guehi’s time at the club is coming to an end – be it in January or at the end of his contract next summer.
White revealed: “We’ve got some news just into us. This is big news regarding Marc Guehi, because we are told that Crystal Palace realistically accept that Marc Guehi’s time at the club is coming to an end.”
The ball is now arguably in Liverpool’s court. The Reds could look to solve their centre-back problem by attempting a cut-price deal to sign Guehi just six months before his contract comes to an end this January. Or, they could wait to land the ultimate bargain at the end of his deal next summer.
A alternância entre goleiros que vem marcando a luta do Botafogo por títulos foi proporcionada por uma peculiaridade. O técnico Bruno Lage revelou que a opção por revezar entre Lucas Perri e Gatito Fernández foi uma forma de contornar um dilema.
Lucas Perri vinha atuando no “sacrifício” há cerca de um mês. O problema aconteceu, coincidentemente, no dia da apresentação oficial de Bruno Lage. Enquanto isso, na Argentina, sob o comando de Cláudio Caçapa, Perri lidou com uma situação desafiadora.
+ Veja a tabela do Brasileirão e simule resultados
– Lucas Perri no primeiro jogo com Patronato (vitória por 2 a 0 do Glorioso), lesionou-se com alguma gravidade do joelho. Mas não quis sair da equipe. Felizmente o Gatito (Fernández) estava recuperar dessa situação. Entendemos que o Lucas Perri continuasse a atuar uma vez por semana. Eu, departamento médico e o jogador. Sendo assim, o Gatito ficou disponível para a Sul-Americana – disse Lage.
Na primeira partida do novo comandante na beira do campo, o paraguaio ocupou a meta pela primeira vez na temporada. Com sua vivência no clube e um reencontro com a torcida no Niltão, o Alvinegro garantiu sua vaga ao empatar em 1 a 1 diante do Patronato.
Posteriormente, Perri foi titular nos jogos contra o Santos e Coritiba. No dia 6 de agosto, o camisa 12 foi bastante exigido para assegurar o empate em 0 a 0 com o Cruzeiro. E, na reta final da partida, fazia movimentos que indicavam o fato de estar com dores em seu joelho. Ao ser perguntado, Perri sinalizou como é sua postura.
– Estou sentindo, mas está tudo certo. Tem nada que vai me tirar do jogo não, só se eu estiver com a perna quebrada – afirmou, ao Premiere.
Gatito Fernández, por sua vez, seguiu como titular na Sul-Americana. O ídolo do Glorioso entrou em cena em agosto, para ajudar os botafoguenses a assegurarem a vaga, despachando o Guaraní, do Paraguai.
E, no dia 23, tornou a ser titular no empate em 1 a 1 com o Defensa Y Justicia, da Argentina, no primeiro jogo das quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana. O camisa 1, porém, descarta o posto de “goleiro de copas”.
– Não sei… Fico feliz em poder ajudar o grupo, a portar dentro de campo minha experiência. Fico feliz de somar minutos nesse elenco tão bom que a gente tem – disse.
Em meio a este “rodízio”, Bruno Lage destaca a maneira como o Botafogo conseguiu passar por apuros.
– Contra o Bahia, vocês puderam ver o Perri fazer o tiro de meta depois de muito tempo. Agora, portanto, ele está recuperado da lesão. Eu não poderia dizer isso publicamente porque abriria chance para os adversários pensarem: “então vamos chutar mais ao gol”. As coisas são assim. Estamos muito fortes, unidos – afirmou.
Com Gatito Fernández na meta, o Botafogo vai à luta nesta quarta-feira (30) para o segundo jogo das quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana. Mas confiante de que tem Lucas Perri firme para a sequência alvinegra do Brasileirão.
Tottenham are unrelenting in their pursuit of fresh additions right now, and are looking to maintain their momentum after hijacking Chelsea’s deal for Xavi Simons in the early hours of Friday morning.
Simons, who can play out wide in Son Heung-min’s previous position, and as a central playmaker to combat the losses of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison through injury, has arrived at N17 with bags of potential.
Mohammed Kudus
£55 million
Kota Takai
£5 million
Mathys Tel
£30 million
Joao Palhinha
Loan
Kevin Danso
£21 million
Xavi Simons
£52 million
After Tottenham agreed a £52 million deal for the ex-La Masia gem from under Chelsea’s nose, following “overnight” talks (Fabrizio Romano), Simons now dons the iconic number 7 shirt previously worn by Son.
The Netherlands international spent a fair portion of early 2024/2025 out with ankle ligament damage, but still managed 14 goal contributions over his final 18 Bundesliga appearances for Leipzig last season.
Simons’ proven quality, versatility and experience for his age (nearly 140 senior appearances in total) makes him a statement last-minute signing for Spurs, not to mention a much-needed one after their botched deals for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.
Following on from their move for Simons, it is believed that Tottenham want to sign another attacking player and centre-back before the Monday 7pm cut-off.
Tottenham make £17 million bid for Man City defender Manuel Akanji
According to Sky Italia, Tottenham and AC Milan’s race for Man City defender Manuel Akanji has taken a twist.
As per their information, while the Rossoneri have made an offer for the 71-cap Swiss international, who scored against Portugal at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it is Spurs emerging as favourites for his signature.
For one, Akanji would prefer to remain in the Premier League. And two, Tottenham have made the highest offer for Akanji to City, amounting to around £17 million and trumping Milan’s opening proposal of £13 million plus bonuses.
Milan are working to reach an agreement with the player, but it appears they have some groundwork to cover if they’re to beat Frank’s side to Akanji’s signature.
Interestingly, if Milan fail to win this transfer against the Lilywhites, they’ve identified former Spurs defender Juan Foyth as an alternative.
While Pathirana replaced Nathan Ellis for CSK, Bhuvneshwar came in for Rasikh Salam
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Mar-2025Toss Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opt to bowl vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)Amid loud cheers ringing C-S-K, C-S-K, home captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to chase. Gaikwad said the pitch was going to be a little better than the first game when 155 was chased down in the last over.Both sides welcomed back their main fast bowlers. For CSK, Matheesha Pathirana replaced Nathan Ellis, who made an impressive CSK debut. Sam Curran was retained, which underlines CSK’s love for allrounders. He will need to be better than he was in the first game. Shivam Dube was expected to be their Impact Player in the chase.RCB brought in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who missed the last game with a niggle. He replaced Rasikh Salam in the XI. They retained Devdutt Padikkal, who is not the best out there against spin. Legspinner Suyash Sharma was their likely Impact Player for the defence.That made RCB captain Rajat Patidar the key batter. Him against spin is the contest that could direct the whole match. Noor Ahmad started off beautifully for CSK with figures of 4-0-18-4 against MI. RCB are a team of pace-hitters. If Patidar can attack Noor, he can set the cat among the pigeons, which could even result in Ravindra Jadeja not bowling out. If Patidar gets out early, CSK could choke RCB.RCB haven’t won a single game in Chennai against CSK ever since the first IPL in 2008. Even overall, their record stood at 11-22 against CSK.Chennai Super Kings: 1 Rachin Ravindra, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Deepak Hooda, 5 Sam Curran, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 MS Dhoni (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Matheesha Pathirana, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Khaleel AhmadSubstitutes: Shivam Dube, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, Shaik RasheedRoyal Challengers Bengaluru: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Phil Salt, 3 Rajat Patidar (capt), 4 Devdutt Padikkal, 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Tim David, 8 Krunal Pandya, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Yash DayalSubstitutes: Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh
Leeds United have now made late contact to sign a 63-cap international before the transfer deadline alongside Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
Leeds in talks to sign Harry Wilson
The Whites have been looking for attacking reinforcements in the final days of the transfer window after missing out on Brighton winger Facundo Buonanotte.
Leeds thought they were close to signing the Seagulls gem on loan, however, Chelsea came in at the last minute and hijacked any Elland Road deal.
With targets and time running out, Leeds have also failed with a loan offer to sign Emi Buenida on loan from Aston Villa. However, they are now in a race against time to sign Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
The 49ers Enterprises could eventually manage to grant Farke’s wish for further attacking reinforcements after the Leeds manager urged the club to bring in more quality.
“I don’t play any games. Everyone in the club says: ‘OK, we want to try everything to give us the best possible squad’. Everyone wants to add, in the offence, some more quality players. If not, we also won’t raise the white flag and say, ‘OK, that’s it’.
“We have shown we are competitive in the first three games, but it will be difficult (thereafter). There’s also no moaning, but, until the last hour of the window, we have to try everything to bring some more quality in.”
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With a potential addition in attack, another signing in defence could be on the cards.
Leeds make contact for Albania international Berat Djimsiti
According to reports from Markaj News on deadline day, Leeds have been in contact over a deal for Atalanta defender Berat Djimsiti.
Capable of playing anywhere across the back four, Djimsiti stands at 6 foot 2 and is under contract with the Serie A side until 2026.
The 32-year-old has also won 63 caps for Albania, but considering Leeds and Farke want attacking additions, signing Djimsiti would be a real surprise.
As their first Premier League test against Manchester United awaits, Arsenal are now reportedly favourites to sign a young South American defender for Mikel Arteta.
Arteta reiterates Arsenal "consistency"
The Premier League title has been just out of Arsenal’s reach for the last three seasons in the most frustrating fashion for all involved in North London. First, it was Pep Guardiola’s historic Manchester City side in their way and then, even as they struggled for the first time in four years, Arne Slot came to town to turn Liverpool back into English champions.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetalooks dejected after the match
The problem was clear last season, however. The Gunners simply lacked goals in the most important moments. They desperately needed consistent, almost guaranteed goalscoring and, as such, welcomed the clinical Viktor Gyokeres to solve that problem this summer. Now, at the fourth time of asking, Arteta will be hoping to see his side turn their “consistency” into long-awaited glory.
Meanwhile, as the work commences on the pitch, it may well continue in the transfer market. New sporting director Andrea Berta has already welcomed Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga in an impressive summer, but may yet have more on the way.
In the final two weeks, reports suggest that the Gunners could yet turn towards another defensive reinforcement.
Arsenal now favourites to sign Benedetti
As reported by journalist Diego Firmino and relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal are now considered favourites to sign Luis Benedetti from Palmeiras. The impressive 19-year-old already reportedly has Arteta’s approval and those in North London could now make their move.
Whilst the centre-back is one for the future, he could quickly follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Martinelli, who swapped Brazil for Arsenal as an unknown star in the early days of his career.
When watching Vitor Reis, who eventually secured a move to Manchester City last January, analyst Ben Mattinson also shared praise for Benedetti – describing the teenager as an “aggressive defender”.
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Whether that “aggressive” nature has convinced Arsenal to make an official move when they get the chance is now the big question. Arteta’s side is already full of young talent and the addition of Benedetti would only add to that.
After welcoming a wrath of new signings to Anfield already, Liverpool are not showing any signs of slowing down in the transfer market.
If you thought the arrival of Florian Wirtz for a Premier League record fee of £116m was a big splash, then think again. The Reds could be set to break the British record again before transfer deadline day.
With Darwin Nunez reportedly on his way out of Merseyside, Liverpool’s desire to sign a new striker has been no secret.
Their admiration for a certain Alexander Isak is no secret either, and that move looks as though it’s now gathering momentum.
The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool
What a move this would be, and despite the obstacles surrounding a deal, it does look more likely than it ever has done now.
Indeed, on Tuesday afternoon, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Liverpool have made an approach to sign Isak from Newcastle.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A formal offer has yet been made and the Toon’s stance remains that they do not want to sell him this summer. Alas, the Reds have signalled their intention to do a deal at £120m.
While the fee certainly complicates things, so does Hugo Ekitike. Newcastle submitted their first bid for the Eintracht Frankfurt attacker on Monday and the word on the street is that he wasn’t going to be an Isak replacement, but someone capable of playing alongside the Swede.
The trouble is, Liverpool are also interested in Ekitike and, according to Fabrizio Romano, Arne Slot’s men will likely look towards signing the Frenchman if they cannot get their hands on Isak.
Liverpool pursuing Isak alternative
With that situation a rather sticky one as far as Liverpool are concerned, perhaps they will look elsewhere in the Premier League.
Reports from French outlet Foot Mercato reported at the start of the week that Liverpool reps have flown to Paris to speak with the agents of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
While the likes of Isak and Ekitike will cost a shedload, any deal for Mateta is likely to be considerably cheaper, with the report stating that he could be sold for something between £43m-£52m if he leaves Selhurst Park this summer.
So, if all else fails, he’d be a great signing right? Well, he certainly stacks up well to Mr Isak.
How Mateta compares to Alexander Isak
Of course, Isak is the dream signing this summer, the Toon’s main man always has been. You don’t score 23 Premier League goals in a single season without catching the eye of other clubs.
Yet, we must not turn our noses up at Mateta either. In the words of the Sportsman he is a “goal-scoring machine” and as Reds writer Ben Bocsak notes, he is one of the “best finishers in the Premier League.”
Indeed, during the 2024/25 campaign, only Isak (25%) and Bryan Mbeumo (24.3%), registered a better season in terms of goal conversions than Mateta’s 23.3%. Mo Salah, for context, delivered a goal conversion rate of 23%. The Eagles centre-forward is already in the conversation of being among the division’s elite attackers.
He ended that term with 14 league goals in 37 outings and has been one of the top-flight’s leading figures in the last two seasons, notably bagging 16 in 35 during 2023/24.
The French sensation is not just a goalscorer either. Like Isak, he’s a proven bagsman in England’s top-flight, but like Isak, he’s also capable of the extraordinary, something we saw when Mateta travelled to the Emirates Stadium and scored an audacious lob against Arsenal.
Isak might be more of a direct runner but they’re both powerful and some statistical similarities can be drawn upon.
Assessing the data, via FBRef, it becomes clear where the key similarities and differences lie.
Shots
2.31
3.10
Shots on target
0.99
1.34
Shot on target %
42.6%
43.2%
Shot distance
15.6 yards
14.5 yards
Key passes
0.99
1.34
Passes into final 3rd
1.16
1.14
Touches
25
33
Successful take on %
43.5%
46.2%
There are obvious differences in the way they beat a player. Isak is more fleet-footed, possessing that dangerous burst of pace to get beyond the defensive line. Mateta, on the other hand, is more likely to outmuscle a centre-back and hold the ball up.
He’s like an “old-fashioned” striker as Thierry Henry once said. Yet, they are actually involved in the play at a similar rate.
Crystal Palace's Jean-PhilippeMatetacelebrates after the match
They touch the ball a similar number of times per 90 minutes, register a similar number of shots on target and shoot from a similar distance, just beyond the penalty spot. On that evidence, they’re not just out-and-out poachers; they offer goals from distance too.
Isak would be an unbelievable signing for the Reds but in Mateta they could sign a Premier League-proven forward with a similar conversion rate for a fraction of the price. Just imagine what he could do in a team where more chances are created. This move feels like a no-brainer if Ekitike and Newcastle’s number 9 are off the table.
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Liverpool could sign another marquee player this summer.
Nick Hockley has announced he will step down as Cricket Australia chief executive in March 2025 after five years in the job.Hockley, who has worked in the Australian game in various positions for 13 years, initially came into the role in an interim capacity early in the Covid-19 pandemic after Kevin Roberts resigned following unrest at CA’s initial handling of crisis which included a mass stand down of staff.He was appointed full time in May 2021 having helped the game navigate the 2020-21 season amid border closures which included successfully hosting the Test series against India that ensured the game was able to survive financially.”This was a difficult decision, however following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge, while giving the Board plenty of time to find its next CEO to build on the strong foundations now in place,” Hockley said.”This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focussed on the season ahead and supporting the Board on succession and a smooth transition.”Hockley’s final season in charge of CA will again see India visit, this time for a five-Test series, as well as the hosting of the Women’s Ashes in January.Alongside the pandemic, the major challenges on Hockley’s watch included an associated stand-off with broadcaster Channel Seven who pushed for a discount. Relationships were later repaired to an extent that Seven has remained a long-term broadcast partner, although the new seven-year deal signed with them and Foxtel in 2023 did not produce a significant uplift in value.However, he was able to oversee a much smoother MoU agreement compared to 2017 which included large pay increases in the women’s game.Hockley had to contend with the controversial departure of Tim Paine as Test captain on the eve of the 2021-22 Ashes, although the transition to Pat Cummins eventually proved smooth and successful, and an ugly split with head coach Justin Langer.Hockley also attempted to have David Warner’s lifetime leadership ban overturned although that fell apart in late 2022 when Warner angrily withdrew his case amid pressure from an independent panel to relive what happened at Newlands in 2018.He has been in charge during a period of significant on-field success which has included the men’s and women’s teams winning T20 and ODI World Cups plus the men claiming last year’s World Test Championship and the women gold in the Commonwealth Games. Significantly, in 2022 the men’s team also toured Pakistan for the first time since 1998.One of the major projects he has led in recent years has been the implementation of CA’s Multicultural Action Plan which aims to improve participation and attendance among the South Asian communities.”As CEO, Nick navigated the sport through a period of unprecedented challenge during the pandemic and has delivered significant growth and stability,” CA chair Mike Baird said. “Under Nick’s leadership, several major deals are now in place – many for the next seven years – and the game is set up for continued success.”As Nick says, his full focus is on delivering another successful summer for our fans, players, broadcasters, partners and the whole of Australian Cricket and there will be time to celebrate his legacy and achievements when he steps down from the role next year.”Prior to his hasty elevation into the top CA role, Hockley had been chief executive of the 2020 T20 Women’s World Cup committee that had staged the record-breaking tournament in Australia. Before that, he had worked on the 2015 Men’s World Cup, having also previously been involved in the London Olympics.CA will search globally for Hockley’s successor although Todd Greenberg, the current CEO of the Australia Cricketers’ Association, will likely be a frontrunner if he is interested in the job.