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A look back at the five-time IPL champions’ worst days with the bat

Omkar Mankame11-Apr-2025Put in to bat for the first time in IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crumbled against Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) spin-heavy attack at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, slumping to their lowest-ever total at their fortress of many years. Here are the five-time champions’ five lowest totals in the IPL.79 all out vs MI, Wankhede, IPL 2013CSK were riding high on a seven-match winning streak and faced a modest target of 140 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede. But instead of sealing an eighth successive victory, they crumbled to their lowest-ever IPL total. Mitchell Johnson landed the early blows with a triple-wicket over that left CSK tottering at 9 for 3. The collapse continued as they slipped to 18 for 4. R Ashwin’s promotion to No. 6 failed to turn the tide, and CSK kept throwing away their wickets, and eventually folded for a record low.1:36

Bangar: ‘CSK are in tatters at the moment’

97 all out vs MI, Wankhede, IPL 2022MI’s fast bowlers made the most of the lateral movement under lights to dismantle the CSK batting line-up. The slide began with a contentious lbw decision against Devon Conway – one he couldn’t review because of a power failure. Daniel Sams made the early strikes, and the rest of the MI attack kept landing blows, bundling CSK for under 100. Though CSK fought back to reduce MI to 33 for 4, the middle order held firm to complete a five-wicket win.103 for 9 vs KKR, Chennai, 2025Related

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At Chepauk, KKR unleashed their spin trio to dismantle CSK, restricting them to their lowest total at the venue. Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali combined for 12-1-55-6, controlling the middle overs. The home side never got going, crawling to 31 for 2 in the first six — the second-lowest powerplay score of IPL 2025. An out-of-form middle order, including impact player Deepak Hooda, failed to adapt to the sluggish pitch. A last-wicket stand of 24 was all that helped CSK limp past 100.109 all out vs RR, Jaipur, 2008A red-hot spell from Sohail Tanvir – 6 for 14, the second-best bowling figures in IPL history – blew CSK away for 109 in Jaipur. Exploiting seamer-friendly conditions, Tanvir gave Rajasthan Royals (RR) a dream start by dismissing both CSK openers for ducks in the opening over. Albie Morkel came in at 44 for 5 and offered some resistance with 42, but Tanvir returned to clean up the tail and bowl CSK out with an over unused.109 all out vs MI, Chennai, 2019Riding on Rohit Sharma’s 67 at the top, MI set CSK a target of 156. On a tired surface, five of CSK’s top six batters failed to reach double-digits. Lasith Malinga struck early with Shane Watson’s wicket and returned in the end overs to dismantle the lower order with a steady dose of slower balls. The defeat ended CSK’s five-match winning streak at Chepauk and marked their first loss while chasing at the venue since 2013.

Tottenham Hotspur have some painful attacking teething problems under Thomas Frank. Everything is relative, and there are variables at play, but the struggle to impress on the playmaking front is becoming an unwelcome narrative for the club this season.

But that aside, there is also the sense that purses may need to be pulled out for a new centre-forward in 2026. It feels like Richarlison’s days are numbered at number nine, and Dominic Solanke hasn’t fared all that well since his £55m move from Bournemouth last year, too often injured and too often unconvincing.

Both strikers are 28 years old, and while service has proved thin in recent months, Tottenham will need to consider their options in January.

There is another solution, of course. Randal Kolo Muani appears to have replaced Richarlison as Frank’s first-choice frontman, having started two games in a row in the Premier League.

But, unless a formula is discovered to support him, the Frenchman’s season-long loan spell is going to be a forgettable one.

Randal Kolo Muani's opportunity to shine

Tottenham have more than their share of issues at the moment. It’s an interesting one. They are more stable with Frank at the helm, competitive at the upper end of the Premier League and unbeaten on their return to the Champions League, three games in.

But we cannot ignore the depletion of creativity that has left things feeling rather pedestrian, and even with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined since the start of the campaign and a distance away from returning, there is much to improve upon down N17.

Kolo Muani has not scored or assisted across his six outings in a Spurs shirt so far, and the 26-year-old may well feel somewhat aggrieved by the lack of service that came his way against Chelsea, taking only 16 touches across 76 minutes of action, creating a chance and getting stuck in but failing to unleash a single shot (as per Sofascore).

One content creator acknowledged the Les Bleus star for his exciting, progressive efforts when on the ball. However, such efforts were, as stated, few and far between, and he said it “must be absolutely horrible playing up front for this team”.

Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders
Club	Goals Scored	xG
(1) Crystal Palace	13	18.2
(2) Man City	18	17.8
(3) Man United	15	17.5
(4) Chelsea	18	17.1
(5) Arsenal	18	16.9
(=5) Liverpool	18	16.9
(15) Tottenham	16	10.1
Data via FBref

Tottenham don’t create enough chances, and this is impeding Kolo Muani in his desire to get going in white. However, given that he’s only here for the season, it’s unlikely a permanent deal would be explored if things continue as they are.

Especially when the Lilywhites have an exciting up-and-comer making his way toward the surface.

The Spurs talent who could end Kolo Muani's stay

Tottenham have long boasted one of the most efficient production lines in Europe, and Mason Melia is set to make his way as the latest in this long line of hopefuls.

However, while the pathway from youth to professional football is long and treacherous, Melia is regarded as a rising star with the potential to nail down a place under Frank’s wing, with The Athletic’s Connor O’Neill saying he’s “easily the best young talent I have seen in the League of Ireland”.

The 18-year-old striker has already played 98 senior matches for St. Patrick’s Athletic, scoring 25 goals and registering eight assists. Across the 2024/25 campaign, he posted 14 goals and four assists. As a Republic of Ireland U21 international, he has bagged three goals from just four caps so far.

Both confident in front of goal and athletic enough to drive into the danger area himself, not reliant on his creative teammates, Melia could provide a tonic to Spurs’ current tactical pecadillos, lacking as they are in attack.

He is very young, of course, and could hardly be expected to waltz in and prove an instant upgrade on an established European star like Kolo Muani, but Harry Kane proved in the past that a young striker stands a chance of succeeding where senior peers fail.

Tottenham signed the teenager earlier in 2025 for a record-breaking £3m fee, making him the most expensive footballer to leave Ireland’s top flight. However, he has yet to wear the Spurs shirt in a professional capacity, having agreed to leave his homeland in January 2026.

St. Pat’s’ Young Player of the Year last season, he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Irish football, with his touch and speed and awareness in the final third all suggesting he has the bearing of a Premier League-level striker.

Given the paucity of reliable options in the final third at Tottenham right now, and with Richarlison among those slated to leave next year, Melia could find himself fast-tracked under Frank’s wing, earning regular opportunities in the first team and potentially even outperforming someone like Kolo Muani, who must continue adapting to the English game himself.

Tottenham might need to play the waiting game for now, but with Melia set to arrive in just a few months, he may find himself earning a string of opportunities before the end of the campaign.

And should he impress as if talent suggests is within his capacity, then it’s hardly out of the question to imagine that Melia could be leading the line in the not-too-distant future.

Not just Simons: Spurs dud is becoming one of their worst-ever signings

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have got it all wrong with the addition of one first-team member.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 3, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to receive only a one-match ban for his red card against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's penultimate World Cup qualifier. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was sent off after elbowing Dara O'Shea off the ball and was set for a three-match ban for 'violent conduct'. However, FIFA's disciplinary committee has decided to let the 40-year-old off easy.

Ronaldo only gets a one-match ban for O'Shea elbow

Ronaldo was expected to miss one or two of Portugal's opening clashes in the 2026 World Cup in North America after being shown a red card for violent conduct on O'Shea. However, FIFA's disciplinary committee have ruled that the Portugal captain's actions were only worth a one-game ban, which he has already served after he missed Roberto Martinez's squad for the 9-1 win over Armenia. His punishment, however, also holds a two-game suspended ban, which will be triggered if he is found guilty of a similar offence yet again in the next 365 days.

Ronaldo was sent off just before the hour mark, after Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg consulted with VAR, having shown the five-time Ballon d'Or winner a yellow card initially. In the review, it seemed clear to the referee that, in a tussle with O'Shea, Ronaldo clearly elbowed O'Shea in the back without any ball involvement around him.

AdvertisementGettyCR7's first international red card

The red card against the Republic of Ireland was Ronaldo's first of his international career as the Portugal captain has never been sent off in his 226 appearances with the national team. It has been reported that this disciplinary record may have played a massive part in the FIFA disciplinary committee's decision.

However, this wasn't the first time Ronaldo and O'Shea clashed as the Portugal captain and the Irishman had previously clashed, with the Al-Nassr star appearing to slap him all the way back in 2021. While O'Shea had hit the deck at that point as well, the referee and VAR had missed the incident, and Ronaldo had gotten away with his assault on the Ireland star; however, the same was not the case this time around.

Ronaldo's absence raises questions about Portugal squad

Ronaldo's absence for Portugal's 9-1 win over Armenia raised serious questions from fans over the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's spot in Martinez's World Cup squad as Portugal's attacking play seemed a lot smoother. The same was the case during the 2022 World Cup when Fernando Santos played Ronaldo as more of a substitute through the tournament in Qatar with stars like Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix and Diogo Jota starting instead.

However, the quarter-final failure against Morocco eventually saw Santos receive the sacking and Martinez being onboarded as the head coach of the Portuguese national team. The former Belgium coach quickly reintegrated the former Real Madrid man into the squad as he led Portugal to their Nations League triumph last year.

Nonetheless, questions are still being raised as to whether having Ronaldo as the main man in the Portugal squad is the best way forward for the 2026 World Cup as the country look to raise their first-ever trophy on the international stage.

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Getty Images SportPortugal's World Cup opener to feature Ronaldo

Despite all the questions regarding Ronaldo's form at the highest level, it is highly unlikely that Martinez will be altering his squad this close to the World Cup. As such, it is almost guaranteed that Ronaldo will be the first name on the teamsheet when Portugal kickoff their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America.

However, the ill-tempered Ronaldo will have to keep his emotions in check through the tournament, as another sending off or even a violation of FIFA's regulations could see him miss the latter stages of the World Cup.

Arsenal suffered a devastating 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime, surrendering their five-point lead atop the Premier League table in dramatic fashion.

Emiliano Buendia’s stoppage-time winner completed a remarkable comeback for Unai Emery’s side, dealing a significant blow to the Gunners’ title aspirations.

Matty Cash gave Villa a deserved first-half lead with a thunderous finish at the back post in the 36th minute, capitalizing on Arsenal’s struggles to contain the hosts’ energetic pressing.

The right-back’s half-volley from a deflected cross caught David Raya off guard, sending Villa Park into raptures and rewarding the home side’s dominant opening period.

Mikel Arteta responded decisively at the interval, introducing Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres for the ineffective Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino.

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It would be a head turner.

ByEmilio Galantini 7 days ago

The Belgian substitute made an immediate impact just seven minutes into the second half, converting a rebound after Emiliano Martínez could only parry Bukayo Saka’s initial effort. Trossard’s poacher’s instinct at the back post hauled Arsenal level and appeared to shift momentum decisively in the visitors’ favour.

Arsenal dominated possession throughout the second period, creating numerous opportunities to snatch victory. Noni Madueke struck the side netting late on when well-positioned, while Declan Rice orchestrated attacks from deep despite struggling with the calf complaint that troubled him against Brentford midweek.

However, Villa refused to surrender tamely.

Emery’s tactical substitution proved inspired as Buendia replaced Matty Cash in the 85th minute, pushing the hosts into a more aggressive attacking shape with Lamare Bogarde dropping to right-back.

The Argentinian playmaker delivered the decisive intervention deep into stoppage time, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside Arsenal’s penalty area and firing home to secure all three points.

The defeat represents Arsenal’s second loss of the campaign and ends their 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions. More significantly, it allows Man City the opportunity to reduce the gap at the summit to just two points, should they defeat Sunderland later today.

Emiliano Martínez

7.8

Declan Rice

7.7

Matty Cash

7.5

Boubacar Kamara

7.5

Martin Odegaard

7.2

via WhoScored

For Villa, the victory extends their remarkable home form to just one defeat in their last 25 league matches at Villa Park, maintaining their challenge for Champions League qualification while sitting third in the table.

It also begs the question, are Emery’s men now genuine title contenders?

Stuart Pearce says Youri Tielemans stole the show against Arsenal

With that debate now set to rumble on, former England defender Stuart Pearce has picked out one Villa star to thank for an absolutely incredible afternoon for Emery in the Midlands.

Commenting on the game for talkSPORT, Pearce named his Player of the Match — £150,000-per-week midfielder Youri Tielemans.

The Belgian international apparently stole the show against Arsenal, with Pearce calling his display in the engine room ‘outstanding’.

Tielemans, who is out of contract in 2027, has just made a firm case to the Villa hierarchy when it comes to his long-term future.

The 28-year-old returned to full fitness fairly recently after missing six league games with a calf problem and was left out of the starting eleven for Villa’s thrilling 4-3 win at Brighton.

Emery’s decision to start Tielemans today was a masterful decision, and that performance will give the player huge confidence ahead of Villa’s trips to FC Basel and West Ham.

Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman will utilize his player option and opt out of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed in spring training with Boston and will test free agency this winter, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the

The 31-year-old Bregman hit .273 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in his lone season in Boston. The Red Sox are expected to be a major player (and potential favorite) to re-sign Bregman, but Heyman mentioned that he will have other suitors. The Blue Jays and Mariners—the two teams remaining in the ALCS—as well as the Tigers, are expected to be interested in signing the veteran.

Bregman was offered $171.5 million over six years by the Tigers last offseason, which would have reunited him with A.J. Hinch, his former manager in Houston. Instead, Bregman opted for a three-year deal with the Red Sox that included multiple opt-outs.

Take a deep breath.

Game 6 of the World Series is history, as the Dodgers edged out the Blue Jays 3–1 to force the first Game 7 in the event since 2019. Like Los Angeles's 18-inning triumph in Game 3, the game took on an epic character, and wasn't settled until Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas stepped on second base in the ninth inning to double off Toronto right fielder Addison Barger.

If you were left breathless by these events—even if you've never seen the CN Tower's glow or the Pacific Ocean's waves—you were not alone. Fans everywhere took to social media to express their appreciation for a classic—and to look forward to Game 7.

Los Angeles center fielder Justin Dean was celebrated for a game-sealing play.

The Dodgers' unique journey was noted.

Hall of Fame Lakers guard Magic Johnson shared his appreciation for his team's performance.

Los Angeles left fielder Kiké Hernández, a ninth-year Dodger, was saluted for yet another contribution to an eventful game.

On the flip side, many observers castigated the Blue Jays for their poor baserunning.

Toronto now has a Herculean task ahead of it.

The Blue Jays will need help from a future Hall of Fame pitcher.

Fans of Toronto's flagship team, scarred by five decades of struggle, aren't holding their breath.

The build-up has been going for months, some of it at the expense of other series, which reinforces the significance of the next seven weeks

Alex Malcolm21-Nov-20241:54

Malcolm: A big moment for Cummins’ Australia

The wait is finally over, and Pat Cummins might feel a sense of relief that the Border-Gavaskar series has arrived.As far back as August, Australia’s captain stood on the shore of Sydney Harbour on a windy, late-winter day and fielded questions about a Test series that was three months away.He stood on the outfield at the MCG three weeks ago, the day before the start of an ODI series against Pakistan and fielded more questions about the Test side than he did about the one-day team.Related

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All Australia’s captain has been asked about for months has been the arrival of India. Australia’s exit from the T20 World Cup in the Super Eight phase in June passed by relatively quietly at home because it happened in the middle of the night. Australia’s white-ball of the UK tour only made headlines because of the injury to Cameron Green and the ramifications that would have on the Test team.The ODI loss to Pakistan caused a brief storm, ironically because five players were rested to prepare for the Tests. Barely anyone made any complaints when those same players were rested from the following T20I series that only finished on Monday, which was won 3-0 by Australia.For the Australian public, only one thing seems to matter, and that is beating India in a Test series at home this summer.They haven’t done it in 10 years. Australia have won a T20 World Cup, a World Test Championship (this series is vital for their hopes of defending that title) and an ODI World Cup in that time, all away from home. But none of those achievements appear to matter quite as much to Australian cricket fans as back-to-back home defeats to India.”I think for about half the change room we haven’t won the Border-Gavaskar, so it’s kind of one of the last things to tick off I think for a lot of us,” Cummins said on Thursday. “I also think almost every challenge that we’ve had thrown at us over the last few years, we’ve stepped up and done well. I think to do that for another year, another home summer would kind of cement this, rather than just being a two or three season thing, it’s suddenly into a half generation thing. So, yeah, we’re all excited.”The anticipation has reached fever pitch. The back pages of some of Australia’s major papers have been printed in Hindi.While a lot of focus has been on India in the build-up in Perth, due to the questions around their form and the make-up of their XI, this quietly looms as a big moment for this Australian team.4:38

Australia SWOT analysis: Formidable attack, but top-order questions

Cummins’ side has talked a lot about legacy. They want to be known as a great Australian team. But the reality is they haven’t got long left together. Ten of the XI in Perth will be over the age of 30. Usman Khawaja turns 38 on the fifth day of the third Test of this summer. Nathan Lyon turned 37 on Wednesday. Steven Smith is 35. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will turn 35 and 34 respectively in January.Despite strong insistence otherwise from the selectors, there is no doubt Nathan McSweeney’s addition to the side as a makeshift opener is partly due to his age of 25.A third successive home series loss to India would not only tarnish the team’s legacy, it would also spell the end of an era. But Cummins believes there is no extra weight of expectation on his side.”I’m not sure if it’s pressure,” Cummins said. “You always feel pressure playing at home. You want to do well. Us, as Aussies, expect to do really well here at home. So we know they’re a really strong side, and a lot of us were part of those most recent two or three series. It’s a big series. We’re kind of not looking too far in the past. It’s more every summer, whoever we’re playing against, we want to do well.”There are no excuses this time. Australia were missing Smith and David Warner in 2018-19. There was strong discontent within the group around the coach Justin Langer in 2020-21.This time the camp is as settled and as comfortable as they have ever been. Their opponents are the ones under fire. India enter Australia off a 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand. The last time Australia lost three Tests in a home series, in the 2010-11 Ashes, the selectors were sacked, the captain resigned and Cricket Australia commissioned a full scale independent review which led to the coach resigning after he was asked to reapply for his job.Australia have been able to prepare quietly and calmly in Perth. But they know the knives remain sharp if they were to slip up. The saga around Smith’s stint as opener and the mass resting around the ODI series loss to Pakistan was proof that the Australian public are not unwavering in their support. But that decision was all about the big picture. And Cummins was confident it would bear fruit across what looms as a brutal five-Test series.”A Perth ODI, 48 hours after playing Adelaide, we just thought it was kind of high risk for our players to go there and then fly back to Sydney, and then fly back here a few days later,” Cummins said. “Some people might disagree. I think it’s one of those ones that you might not necessarily see the benefits of it right away, but obviously we’ve got five Tests then into Sri Lanka and lots of other cricket. So it might not be until a few months later that you see those extra four days of travel kind of paid dividends.”Australia have timed their preparation to the minute after months of talking. A vulnerable India awaits. It’s now or never to claim the Border-Gavaskar trophy for Cummins and his crew.

Home skipper remains unbeaten on 171 after day one run-fest at Lord’s

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Sep-2025Middlesex 394 for 5 (du Plooy 171*, Cracknell 64*, Geddes 60) vs GloucestershireMiddlesex skipper Leus du Plooy’s 24th first-class hundred gave the hosts the upper hand on the first day of the their final County Championship Division Two clash of the season with Gloucestershire at Lord’s.The South African-born left-hander passed the landmark of the third time this season, remaining unbeaten with 171 in an innings sprinkled with 15 fours as Middlesex piled up 394 for 5.Du Plooy shared stands of 127 with Luke Hollman (55), 121 with Ben Geddes (60), and an unbroken 112 with wicketkeeper Joe Cracknell, who had 63 by the close.Ajeet Singh Dale kept the visitors in the contest with 4 for 88, including wickets with successive balls in the afternoon session, while Graeme Van Buuren bowled a frugal spell of spin to return 1 for 35 from 18 overs.Despite the 10:30am start, du Plooy chose to bat on winning the final toss of the campaign and the hosts made a quick start thanks to some wayward offerings from Gloucestershire’s new-ball attack.It was a similarly innocuous delivery from Singh Dale which brought the breakthrough, a leg-stump half-volley which Sam Robson sent straight to square leg. If that was fortuitous, Singh Dale produced a useful fourth stump ball in his next over that Josh De Caires nicked through to wicketkeeper James Bracey.It would be the last success for some time as the bowlers erred in line and length again and du Plooy and Hollman feasted accordingly. Three Hollman fours in one Matt Taylor over raised the 50, while du Plooy was quickly into stride, driving confidently in the mid-off/extra-cover arc. A back foot drive through cover from the skipper was the shot of the morning and he moved to his half-century from 56 balls shortly before lunch.The hundred partnership came up in the first over following the resumption and while Singh-Dale was finding hints of both swing and seam from the Nursery End, the pair carried the score to 161 relatively untroubled. It took a piece of brilliance from Bracey – who claimed a Gloucestershire record 11 victims against Middlesex in the corresponding fixture last season – to break the stand, grabbing a ball that was dying off the inside edge of Hollman’s bat, giving Singh-Dale a third wicket.Higgins followed to his next ball, harshly adjudged lbw to one heading over the top, but Geddes joined his skipper in the middle as and the hosts quickly regained the upper hand.Geddes, impressive in his first season in Middlesex colours, employed the pull shot to great effect, sending one short one from Singh Dale into the Grandstand, before a square drive took du Plooy to a chanceless century.Van Buuren put the breaks on either side of tea and was rewarded with the breakthrough when Geddes was pinned in front. Du Plooy however, had set his heart on a daddy hundred and while the boundaries briefly dried up he glided his way past 150.Cracknell proved a valuable ally, clearing the ropes with a thunderous pull shot and unfurling some pleasing cover drives in becoming the fourth home batter to pass 50 in the late autumn sunshine.Before the start of play there was a poignant minute’s silence in memory of beloved umpire Harold ‘Dickie Bird,’ who passed away on Monday aged 92.

Home side make a game of it having been 55 for 8 but Bouchier, Devine steer successful chase

ECB Media16-Aug-2025Southern Brave 109 for 4 (Bouchier 42, Devine 41*) beat Trent Rockets 106 (Gordon 32, Corteen-Coleman 4-13) by six wicketsA dominant bowling performance followed by a measured if not nervy run chase saw the Southern Brave to a six-wicket win over Trent Rockets in The Hundred women’s competition at Trent Bridge.Electing to bowl first, Georgia Adams’ decision was justified almost immediately when 17-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman struck two huge blows in her opening set, removing Bryony Smith caught off a leading-edge and Nat Sciver-Brunt brilliantly stumped by Rhianna Southby.Despite a 16-ball 25 from captain Ash Gardner, the Rockets top order faltered miserably. From 36 for 2 at the conclusion of the powerplay, it was complete Brave dominance as Rockets collapsed to 55 for 8.Left-arm spinner Corteen-Coleman bowled brilliantly, also dismissing Heather Graham and Emma Jones – the former another stumping by the impressive Southby – on the way to brilliant figures of 4 for 13. Lauren Bell returned to strike twice in three balls, becoming the first woman to take 50 wickets in the Hundred in the process, finishing her 20 balls with 3 for 16.Alana King and Kirstie Gordon then staged a recovery to keep their side in the game. They shared a record tenth-wicket stand of 50 from 44 deliveries to help the Rockets to 106 and give them something to bowl at.In the run chase, Rockets struck early – Danni Wyatt-Hodge run out by King after a miscommunication with Maia Bouchier. Laura Wolvaardt was then caught by Sciver-Brunt off Gordon to see the score 10 for 2 with two in-form batters back in the shed.Bouchier and Sophie Devine played cautiously against probing bowling from King and Gardner, steadily chipping away at the target as the Brave reached 52 for 2 at halfway with 55 runs still required.Bouchier began to open her shoulders as Brave approached their target, but she targeted King one time too many, running past a wide one to be stumped for 43.Devine was joined by Freya Kemp who, after cracking a huge six off Gordon, went caught on the boundary with eight still required from seven balls. But Devine stayed calm, striking a crucial boundary off Graham as the Brave got home with two balls to spare.Meerkat Match Hero, Corteen-Coleman, said: “It’s been fantastic, such a great team performance. Good to get another win on the board. There’s a bit of a track record of Trent Bridge being a bit slow and having a bit of turn so I thought I might be in the game.”I can’t complain, it’s been a great day. We’re a great group. We’ve been working really hard and obviously off the back of last year I feel like we’ve got a lot to prove and we’re on our way to doing that.”

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