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We count down the best female players of the last 25 years

27-Sep-20241:21

Nat Sciver-Brunt builds her ultimate cricketer

Everyone loves a ranking list, right? Following on from our colleagues in ESPN, who have been running lists of the top athletes of the century on their platforms, we thought the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup was a good time to look back over the 21st century so far and select the top 25 female cricketers.Will the player you expect to finish No. 1 finish here? Will a player be ranked too high? Will your favourite player be ranked too low or not make the list (sorry if that’s the case). Here are the final five.A group of ESPNcricinfo writers came up with a longlist of 50 names, which were then put into a voting system that played off pairs against each other. Once that was completed, a smaller group then assessed the list for anomalies or glaring omissions.Here are Nos. 25-16 and 15-6</a.Note: only achievements posted after January 1, 2000 are taken into consideration, even if the athlete’s career ran either side of the millenniumStats for 2000 and beyond
Test batting | Test bowling | ODI batting | ODI bowling | T20I batting | T20I bowling | All T20 batting | All T20 bowling

5: Jhulan Goswami (India)

Jhulan Goswami walks out to a guard of honour from her team-mates at Lord’s•ECB/Getty ImagesGoswami’s rise and the way she made a place for herself at the very top of the women’s game is a celebration of the potential that lies in India’s small towns and villages. Her two-decade long career was studded with several milestones, none bigger than her record for most ODI wickets. In 2017, she was part of a team that nearly brought home India’s first world title.Until her retirement, which fittingly came at Lord’s, also the scene of her (and India’s) biggest heartbreak, her career was marked by deep commitment, an abiding quest for perfection, and a willingness to fight the odds. She prevailed over injuries to her back, heel, shoulder, ankle and knees.Goswami was among the quickest bowlers on the women’s circuit. Her height allowed her to extract steep bounce, and her ability to nip the ball off the seam, alongside her unerring accuracy made for a potent combination. Ask Meg Lanning, to whom she bowled arguably the women’s cricket version of Shane Warne’s “ball of the century” to Mike Gatting’, at the World Cup semi-final.In her post-retirement career, Goswami is actively involved in coaching, at the grassroots in Bengal, and as bowling coach for inaugural Women’s Premier League champions Mumbai Indians.

4: Alyssa Healy (Australia)

Alyssa Healy has often been at her best in World Cups•Getty ImagesBig players, they say, own big moments, and that makes Healy – ironically nicknamed Midge – a giant of the game. Her 170 in the final of the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup set Australia up for their seventh title in the 50-over format, and underlined their status as pace-setters of the sport. Healy was the leading run-scorer at the event and her 509 runs were also the most by a batter in any single edition of the tournament.Healy has been part of two ODI World Cup-winning teams and six T20 World Cup champion sides, and has been a major contributor in those wins. She was the leading run-scorer at the 2018 T20 World Cup, the second-highest at the 2020 tournament and the fourth-highest in 2023.Her unbeaten 148 against Sri Lanka in 2019 was the second-fastest century in women’s T20Is, and at the time, the highest score in the format. Healy’s ability to take the game away at clutch moments was best demonstrated against India in the 2020 T20 World Cup, in front of more than 86,000 people, where she struck 75 off 39 balls to all but decide the title. The move to permanently opening in ODIs in 2017 was a gamechanger for her: from that point on Healy has averaged 44.92 with a strike-rate of 99.25.Healy won the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year title in 2018 and 2019. She is one of six Australians to have scored more than 3000 ODI runs and is the second-highest run-scorer for them in T20Is. She also is their most-capped T20I player and has the most catches in women’s T20Is: 61. She was named Australia’s all-format captain in December 2023, replacing the retired Meg Lanning, having led them to Ashes retention earlier that year.Perhaps the only thing missing from her CV is a Test hundred, but she has come as close as it gets, with 99 in her last outing, against South Africa.

3: Meg Lanning (Australia)

Meg Lanning’s trademark•Getty ImagesNothing about Lanning, a non-muscular, 5’6″ tall slim-built woman resembles a butcher. Except when she plays the cut shot to pierce the smallest gaps at backward point.Lanning had an incredible international career, spanning over a decade, in which she scored a plethora of runs and rewrote captaincy records. Thrust into the top job at 21, she led Australia to one ODI World Cup and four T20 World Cup titles during her ten-year tenure. Australia won a record 24 consecutive ODIs under Lanning’s captaincy, the longest winning streak for a captain across genders in the format. She grew in her role as captain and formed a potent combination with head coach Matthew Mott, making Australia the world-beaters they became after the disappointment of the 2017 ODI World Cup.Apart from the raw numbers, Lanning’s ability to step up in key moments and deliver notable performances made her stand out. Her stunning 152 not out in the 2017 ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka in a tall chase was an example. Or her unbeaten 133 in a T20I during the Women’s Ashes of 2019. Her ability to drag the team through to winning positions from tight corners calmly was remarkable; her consistency while doing it made her achievements all the more incredible.Lanning’s retirement last November was something of a shock; at only 31, there was a feeling she had a lot more to give at the top level. But perhaps it speaks of the demands placed on her in a decade where the women’s game grew exponentially. Opportunities on the T20 league circuit mean the world will get to see moer of Lanning, even if it is not in the familiar Australian yellow.

2: Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)

Nat Sciver-Brunt has developed into one of the game’s leading players•ICC via Getty ImagesSciver-Brunt’s value to any team she plays in is there for all to see. England’s win percentage in T20Is when she is playing is 75.21% compared to 58.82% when she isn’t in the side. In ODIs it’s 74.47% when she’s playing versus 46.25% when she’s not.But it is useful to look beyond numbers to gauge her influence on England. Team-mates have repeatedly spoken of the calm, quiet, lead-by-example impact she has as a player, vice-captain, and at times stand-in captain.It’s also worth taking a qualitative approach over a purely quantitative one when considering her on-field performances. Twin unbeaten centuries in what turned out to be futile chases against the Australians at the last 50-over World Cup, including in the final, and two more hundreds on the ODI leg of the 2023 Ashes for one defeat and one series-levelling win show what she can do when the stakes are highest.England faced a stretch of time without her, when she took a mental-health break in 2022, which helped pave the way for other players to feel comfortable saying they need to take time out – relevant amid the rapid growth of women’s franchise cricket.Sciver-Brunt was Player of the Match when her Mumbai Indians side won the inaugural WPL last year, and she was the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer and eighth-highest wicket-taker, having drawn the joint-highest bid for an overseas player in the auction. She also topped the run charts in the 2024 Women’s Hundred.Sciver-Brunt missed the start of England’s home summer in 2024 after undergoing an egg-freezing procedure but ended Pakistan’s visit by scoring another unbeaten ODI century and taking 2 for 11 from five overs; she was making her bowling comeback after a long-term knee injury. Sciver-Brunt’s candour about her brief absence and her return to prominence afterwards can surely open another door for women and highlight her trailblazer status in the game.

1: Ellyse Perry (Australia)

There isn’t much that Ellyse Perry hasn’t achieved in the game•Getty ImagesPerry is the complete cricketer. She was Australia’s youngest international at 16, and having begun with bowling as her primary weapon, developed into one of the game’s greatest allrounders. Her landmarks include a Test double-century and Australia’s best ODI bowling figures, 7 for 22. It was after that haul during the 2019 multi-format Ashes that former England captain Charlotte Edwards hailed her as “the greatest female player we’re ever going to see”. Early the following year she was named the ICC’s Women’s Cricketer of the Decade.Perry’s career is rife with numerous highlights and match-winning displays. They include a nerveless 3 for 18 in the 2010 T20 World Cup final, where she intercepted the final delivery with a right boot, serving as a reminder of her dual-international status: she scored at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Then there was an injury-defying performance in the 2013 ODI World Cup final, with 3 for 19 against West Indies.One of her most iconic moments was the double-hundred against England in 2017, her first hundred in international cricket. Two years earlier she had taken nine wickets in the Ashes Test, including 6 for 32 in the second innings. Perry’s Ashes Test batting average is 67.25 and bowling average 19.11.There was agony in 2020 when a severe hamstring injury ended her T20 World Cup on home soil, but she fought her way back, and having lost her place in Australia’s T20I, side she quashed talk about whether the format was moving ahead of her by bringing a new level to her batting. If someone does eventually challenge Edwards’ claim about Perry, she will be a remarkable player. ESPNcricinfo’s top 25 women cricketer’s of the 21st century: Nos. 1-5 | 6-15 | 16-25

Death-overs menace, middle-order rock, and a champion in crisis, the Australia allrounder has enjoyed a defining World Cup

S Sudarshanan29-Oct-2025No one at Women’s World Cup 2025 has taken more wickets in the last 10 overs than Annabel Sutherland. She has nine of them, nearly twice as many as the next-most-prolific bowler in this phase, Deepti Sharma (5).The bulk of Sutherland’s death-overs wickets have come courtesy one of the most deceptive weapons in the women’s game, her deadly back-of-the-hand slower ball. Even set batters have struggled to read it. Take for example Sophie Devine, who had scored a fine century in New Zealand’s run-chase against Australia in Indore. Looking to heave Sutherland over the leg side, Devine was far too early into her shot, the ball beating her for lack of pace to hit middle stump.Related

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• Tactics board: Mandhana's level-up, Sutherland's steady hand

• Navi Mumbai gears up for India-Australia epic, but will Healy play?

“I know my game pretty well and can read the batter,” Sutherland tells ESPNcricinfo in Navi Mumbai, on the eve of Thursday’s semi-final against India.”It’s a bit of cat and mouse, trying to disrupt the batter’s swing as much as possible and make it really hard for them to get a read on what I’m going to be delivering. It is more about game awareness and trying to just disrupt the batter’s swing. That’s the main part of it.”You could see this happen in Visakhapatnam, where Sutherland’s slower ball made Jemimah Rodrigues lose her shape and spoon a catch to mid-off just when India seemed set for a final-overs explosion.And two other things make Sutherland’s slower ball especially tricky to handle. One, her pace-on delivery is a weapon too; not too long before she dismissed Richa Ghosh and Rodrigues with the slower one, she had prised out Pratika Rawal with a sharp bouncer that cramped the well-set opener for room and got her hooking straight to long leg.And the change-up, when she does bowl it, comes with little to no change in Sutherland’s bowling action.”It sort of comes pretty natural to me,” she says. “[I am] pretty lucky that I’ve got enough mobility to be able to get my arm around and, sort of, bowl it right at the back. I’ve been bowling it for a number of years now, so it comes pretty naturally, which is nice.”Sutherland’s unbeaten 98 against England was one of the innings of the tournament•Getty ImagesSutherland’s five-wicket-haul in Visakhapatnam was a major factor in Australia hauling India back; they only scored 43 runs in their last seven overs, ensuring Australia had to chase 331 rather than something truly gargantuan.And she had made an impact before the death overs too, with a first spell of four overs that cost just 16, and a second of three overs for eight, including the wicket of Rawal in the 31st over. Here, the key weapon was Sutherland’s control of length.”It’s more of a feel thing, to be honest, and it’s your responsibility as a bowler to work out what’s working, what the conditions are, trying to assess really quickly,” Sutherland says about finding the right lengths. “It’s different in every game. Bowlers in ODIs that can really settle in early on the right areas are the ones that are successful consistently. It’s something we’ve spoken about as a team and really trying to hone in on that length. That’s my strength as a bowler and then I’ve got variations to mix in with that.”Sutherland would already be having a spectacular World Cup if all she’d done so far was take 15 wickets at 13.33, putting her second on the wicket-takers’ chart. But she’s also played one of the innings of the tournament, against England in Indore.In that match, Australia were 68 for 4 in a chase of 245. The seamers had found movement with the new ball. The spinners were getting the ball to hold on the surface. Sutherland was unfazed, stitching an unbroken 180-run partnership with Ashleigh Gardner, and finished 98 not out as Australia romped home with nearly 10 overs to spare.’At the end of the day, I’m a competitor and I just really enjoy getting out there and playing a role, whatever that looks like on the day’•Getty Images”Those big moments are why you do all the work and all the training, long pre-seasons, and put in the hours really to try and be best prepared to be able to stand up in the big moments,” Sutherland says. “I certainly put a lot of time and effort into my preparation whether it’s planning with a bit of tactical stuff or your mental mental skills and your physical prep as well.”At the end of the day, I’m a competitor and I just really enjoy getting out there and playing a role, whatever that looks like on the day and putting my hand up for the team, whether it’s with the bat or ball. I really enjoy the moments under pressure as well.”Sutherland is no stranger to India. She has toured the country for international series at the turn of 2023-24 and just before this World Cup. She has been a constant in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) set-up in the WPL. She was a vital cog in their reaching the final of WPL 2025; only Jess Jonassen (13) and Shikha Pandey (11) took more wickets than Sutherland’s nine for DC. Exchanging notes with the likes of Ellyse Perry in the Australia dugout and Marizanne Kapp at DC have also helped round out her skills and awareness.”One of the things I pride myself on is always trying to find ways to get better and learn,” Sutherland says. “Whether that’s leaning on different coaches or players in franchise cricket that you get the chance to play alongside or in different conditions. All those different experiences really add to your game.”Australia go into Thursday’s semi-final on a run of 15 straight wins in ODI World Cups. Their line-up is full of multiple World Cup winners, and Sutherland has one in her bank too, but there’s one thing she hasn’t done yet. She played six matches in the 2022 edition but wasn’t a certainty in Australia’s XI, and when Perry returned for the final after missing the semi-final win over West Indies with back spasms, it was Sutherland who made way.Sutherland will be determined to make up for that now, but there’s one other hurdle to cross first. India, watch out.

The Mets ended their losing streak in fashion on Tuesday night, beating the Braves 13–5. New York came into the game having lost 11 of their last 12 and broke out with six home runs, including two from Pete Alonso as he became the franchise's all-time leader in the category.

The Mets hit so many home runs that the crew at Citi Field didn't have enough fireworks to celebrate them all properly. By the time Brett Baty hit the team's sixth homer of the game to tie the franchise record for home runs in a home game, the Home Run Apple appeared too tired to rise.

If only Baty had waited a couple pitches so the apple could catch its breath. Things got so bad that Citi Field had to put an announcement on the scoreboard apologizing for running out of fireworks.

In addition to Alonso and Baty, Francisco Alvarez added two of his own and Brandon Nimmo hit the other home run.

The Mets record for home runs in a game remains eight.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are looking at signing a Manchester City player in the January transfer window, it has been revealed.

Edwards calls Wolves return a “dream”

Rob Edwards’ return to Molineux as Wolves manager was sealed during the international break, with the 42-year-old costing around £3m in compensation from Championship side Middlesbrough.

The former Old Gold defender, coach and interim head coach has signed a deal in the Midlands until 2029 and is now preparing his side for a Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Talking to Wolves’ official media, Edwards revealed that a return is a “dream” and that he is “ready” to try and take the club off the bottom of the table.

“It means a lot. This club’s really special. It’s special anyway, but it’s special to me because it’s where I’ve spent most of my professional career and where I played most of my football.

“Then to have done a lot of the roles that I’ve done, I’ve got to be honest, this job was always my aim. This is the dream.

“I know the situation that we’re in right now, but this is just something that I’ve always wanted, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready for the challenge, I’m up for it, and it’s been great getting around everybody, seeing so many faces that I know, and new faces as well.

“The staff are all up for it and we’ll meet the players next week when everyone arrives back, and I know the lads will be as well.”

To help Wolves try and avoid the drop, Fosun are ready to back Edwards in the January transfer window with the necessary funds to make new signings.

Now, another transfer target has emerged for those in the Midlands.

Wolves looking to sign Kalvin Phillips from Man City

According to Football Insider, Wolves have set their sights on signing Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

It is claimed that Wolves ‘will explore both loan and permanent deals’, with Edwards ‘eager to add some top-flight nous to his ranks’.

Phillips, on £150,000-a-week at the Etihad Stadium, looks set to leave Pep Guardiola’s side in the New Year after failing to get a move away in the summer.

He has been called a “monster” in the past and has the experience of a relegation battle with Leeds United, avoiding the drop with the Whites in the 2021/22 season before earning his move to Manchester.

However, nearly four years on, the England international could be set for a permanent return to a side battling at the bottom, rivalling the likes of Andre, Joao Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Marshall Munetsi for a starting role in Edwards’ side.

Wolves offer for "world-class" Real Madrid player, want deal done quickly

Tottenham Hotspur are now closely monitoring Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, viewing him as an ideal fit in Thomas Frank’s system.

Frank has set out to improve Tottenham’s defence since succeeding Ange Postecoglou as manager in the summer, with Gary Neville claiming they have made improvements at the back after the recent 3-0 victory against Everton.

Neville said: “They did things certainly last season they weren’t capable of doing, and that’s being reliable when they’re not playing well.

“Can they withstand pressure? Can they soak up teams putting balls into their box? They did that today. I think they defended really well.”

Spurs are faring much better than last season in the Premier League, despite the 1-0 loss against Chelsea on Saturday, having taken 17 points from their opening 10 games, and Micky van de Ven has caught the eye, scoring a brace against Everton.

However, Van de Ven is now attracting attention from elsewhere, which could pose a problem for the north Londoners, who have set a minimum asking price of £88m amid interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Tottenham closely monitoring Jarrad Branthwaite

With their captain being linked to other clubs, Tottenham are now looking to sign a new centre-back, and a report from Caught Offside has revealed they are closely monitoring Branthwaite, viewing the defender as an ideal fit in Frank’s system.

The Toffees are extremely reluctant to sanction a departure, but they have set an asking price of £70m, which means a deal could be possible if Spurs are willing to break their existing transfer record.

The 23-year-old, who remains under contract until 2030, is happy at Everton for the time being and not pushing for an exit, but interest is growing, with Manchester United also in the race for his signature.

Injuries have hampered the Englishman as of late, meaning he is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League this season, but he has certainly caught the eye in the past, notably putting in a top performance against Spurs in 2024.

The Carlisle-born defender is now very experienced in the Premier League, having made 75 top-flight performances, and he averaged a 7.02 SofaScore match rating last term, the fifth-highest of any Everton player to feature in at least 50% of their matches.

Branthwaite is at a good age to be a long-term success at the Tottenham Hotpsur Stadium, but £70m would be a lot to spend on a player who hasn’t proven himself at the highest level, with the centre-back yet to play for England or in the Champions League.

What Thomas Frank said after snub from van de Ven and Spence

What Frank said on snub from van de Ven and Spence after Tottenham loss

It was an evening to forget for Spurs.

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 2, 2025

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Os torcedores do Botafogo que estavam presentes no Estádio Metropolitano, na Colômbia, foram retirados do estádio 15 minutos antes do término do confronto contra o Junior Barranquila, na Fase de Grupos da Libertadores, pela polícia local.

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”O Botafogo vai relatar à CONMEBOL o tratamento imposto aos seus torcedores por parte da Polícia de Barranquilla, que os retirou do estádio cerca de 15 minutos antes do término da partida. O Clube aguarda providências e lamenta o desrespeito. O Botafogo agradece a cada um dos alvinegros que estiveram presentes na Colômbia”, diz o comunicado divulgado pelo Botafogo.

Artur Jorge lamentou o ocorrido, em coletiva de imprensa.

”Fico desiludido pelo o que os torcedores passaram aqui na arquibancada e tiveram que abandonar o jogo faltando 15 minutos, quando era o momento que precisávamos deles. Foram exemplares hoje. Poderiam ter sido importantes para a parte final da partida”, disse o treinador.

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تحدث مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد، دييجو سيميوني، في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم قبل مباراة الفريق أمام برشلونة ببطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويحل أتلتيكو مدريد ضيفًا على برشلونة، في مباراة مقدمة من الجولة التاسعة عشر للدوري الإسباني، وتقام غدًا الثلاثاء على ملعب “سبوتيفاي كامب نو”.

وافتتح سيميوني الحديث بشأن كلمات فليك مشيدًا بأتلتيكو مدريد، وقال في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “لا أعلق أبدًا على آراء الآخرين؛ لكلٍّ رأيه الخاص، نواصل العمل على التحسين كفريق، لدينا مجال أكبر بكثير للتحسين مما أظهرناه”.

وأضاف: “المباراة التي نتوقعها واضحة جدًا، لديهم هجوم مذهل، وأسلوب لعب قوي جدًا، وعلينا أن نكون أقوياء للمنافسة، علينا أن ندفع المباراة إلى أقصى حد ممكن لنتمكن من إلحاق الضرر بهم”.

وإذا كان برشلونة هو المرشح الأوفر حظًا، رد: “إنه فريق أثبت جدارته، لا يغيرون استراتيجيتهم الهجومية وخط دفاعهم المتقدم، لديهم خيارات متعددة”. 

اقرأ أيضًا | هاجمه ريال مدريد.. حكم مباراة برشلونة وأتلتيكو مدريد في الدوري الإسباني

وسُئل سيميوني عن الدرس المُستفاد لفريقه من مباراتي آرسنال وليفربول بدوري الأبطال، وأجاب: “إنها مبارياتٌ مختلفة، ولكلٍّ منها أسلوبه الخاص، سنرى كيف سنؤدي غدًا”.

وكان أتلتيكو مدريد تعرض لهزيمة من ليفربول بنتيجة 3-2، وتلقى هزيمة برباعية دون رد من آرسنال.

وأشاد بلاعبه خيمينيز، مؤكدًا: “إنه لاعب بالغ الأهمية بالنسبة لنا، أتمنى أن يحافظ على مستواه”.

وعن دي بورجوس، حكم مباراة الغد، رد سيميوني باقتضاب: “لا أعلق عادةً على الحكام، أحترمهم كثيرًا، وأحاول مساعدتهم”.

وبشأن صورة فليك ورافينها عقب مباراة برشلونة وألافيس، أتم: “هذا طبيعي، فنحن بشر ولدينا مشاعر، من السهل أن نرى ونطلب أشياءً من على مقاعد البدلاء، اللعب ليس سهلاً، ولعب مباريات متتالية أمرٌ معقد، من وجهة نظرنا، نسعى دائمًا للأفضل”.

Haris and Nawaz bring some respectability to Pakistan’s first-innings performance in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-2025Bangladesh seemed to have one foot in the Asia Cup final, for which India have already qualified, after keeping Pakistan to 135 for 8 on a used Dubai surface. Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain shared the spoils for Bangladesh.It was Taskin, who had been rested for Wednesday’s match against India, who had struck in the very first over when he had the in-form Sahibzada Farhan carving a catch to point for a run-a-ball 4. In the next over, Saim Ayub holed out to mid-on off Mahedi Hasan, who was also back in the team, bagging his fourth duck in six innings at the Asia Cup. In all, it was Ayub’s ninth duck in 45 T20I innings; only Umran Akmal has bagged more ducks (10 in 79 innings) for Pakistan in the format.Fakhar Zaman was going nowhere in the powerplay – he managed only 12 off 18 balls during this phase. Then, when he tried to hit his way out of trouble, he sliced Rishad to wide long-off for 13 off 20 balls. In his next over, Rishad removed Hussain Talat with a wrong’un, leaving Pakistan at 33 for 4 in the ninth over.After taking two catches, Rishad had struck twice with the ball, having the Bangladesh fans in the crowd dancing to his tunes. Rishad could’ve also had Afridi, who was dropped twice off him in the 12th over. Rishad gave away just a single boundary, finishing with figures of 4-0-18-2.Afridi hit the first six of the innings in the 13th over and struck one more in the next over before miscuing a knee-high full-toss off Taskin to the keeper. The fast bowler came away with figures of 4-0-28-3 and along the way became only the third Bangladesh player, after Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, to 100 T20I wickets.That Pakistan crossed 120 was down to late cameos from Mohammad Haris (31 off 23 balls) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15 balls). Eleven runs off the final over pushed Pakistan past 130, but it was still Advantage Bangladesh at the halfway stage.Regular captain Litton Das, who missed a second game in two days with a side strain, knew it and warmly welcomed back his bowlers.

Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the League Cup on Wednesday night when they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

Although it was a difficult away match against the defending champions of the competition, there was an opportunity for Thomas Frank to provide some young players with an opportunity to impress.

The Danish tactician had the likes of James Roswell, Luca Gunter, and Dane Scarlett on the bench, but did not hand a single minute to an academy graduate on the night.

Meanwhile, their local rivals, Arsenal, started four academy graduates in their 2-0 win over Brighton, with Max Dowman starting on the wing at the age of 15.

Tottenham's most valuable former academy players

Bringing through academy talent can save the club millions of pounds, as a young star emerging from the U21s prevents any need to buy a player in their position.

How much would it have cost to sign Kane, who scored 280 goals for Spurs, in his prime? Transfermarkt suggests his value peaked at £132m, which illustrates how beneficial it can be to provide young players with an opportunity to shine.

Harry Kane

£66m

Noni Madueke

£44m

Troy Parrott

£14m

Mikey Moore

£14m

Kyle Walker-Peters

£13m

As you can see in the table above, there are not too many valuable players who have come through the Spurs academy and gone on to establish themselves at the elite level.

Madueke is the other most notable example, other than Kane, and he did not play a single game for Tottenham at first-team level before his moves to Chelsea and Arsenal.

Frank, now, can help Spurs to find their next big academy graduate by making Luca Williams-Barnett his own Max Dowman this season.

Why Williams-Barnett can be Tottenham's own Dowman

The Tottenham youngster is not quite as young as the Arsenal forward, as he turned 17 at the start of October, but he is still an incredibly young and promising talent.

In The Pipeline

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Williams-Barnett, who was dubbed “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, played eight minutes off the bench against Doncaster in the League Cup earlier this season, but Spurs were already 2-0 up against the League One outfit when he came on.

A real show of faith in academy talent is to put them in difficult situations and positions to see how they fare; 15-year-old Dowman starting against Premier League side Brighton in the League Cup for Arsenal on Wednesday, for example.

Williams-Barnett, per Transfermarkt, has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 11 games in all competitions for the U21s this season.

Meanwhile, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison are the top goalscorers in the first-team at Premier League level, per Sofascore, with three goals each.

Williams-Barnett, who analyst Ben Mattinson claimed “scores bangers”, also plundered 20 goals and 12 assists in 23 matches in all competitions at academy level in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.

These statistics show that the 17-year-old attacking midfielder, who can play centrally or out wide, has the potential to deliver goals and assists for the first-team if he can carry his performances over to senior level, which may be needed given that Van de Ven is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League.

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However, it is down to Frank to unearth his talent by unleashing him in the senior side this season, as Mikel Arteta has done with Dowman, to throw him in at the deep end and see if his ability allows him to swim.

The Padres were bounced out of the playoffs by the Cubs on Thursday night in particularly frustrating fashion. A controversial call by the home plate umpire led to a high-intensity confrontation in the visiting dugout after the final out. Not long after that, Padres players had to once again answer questions about their season ending far quicker than they hoped.

Jake Garegnani, a sports reporter for CBS San Diego, attempted to get Manny Machado to assess the season and got an interesting response.

Safe to say Machado was not impressed by the line of questioning.

"What type of question is that, my dude?" Machado said. "My guy. How do I assess the season? We just lost. How do you think I assess the season? How do you think I assess it? You tell me. What's a loss? We lost. How do you assess it? It's a loss. We lost. Come on, dude. I mean, you could ask better questions than that. Let's go. Come on."

Machado did have a bit of a smile on his face as he chose his words for what it's worth. But then when the gaggle at his locker broke up he had one more question for the reporter.

"You're going to wait for the last second to ask that question?"