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Leeds United are reportedly tracking Real Zaragoza striker Ivan Azon ahead of a possible summer move.

The Lowdown: Azon profiled

Azon is just 19 years of age and is an out and out centre-forward who has been a professional with Zaragoza since 2020. [Transfermarkt]

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He has scored 12 goals during his club career so far and is valued at £2.25m by Transfermarkt, with his contract in Spain running until 2024.

The teenager has been a regular in La Liga 2 this season, and has seemingly caught the eye of Victor Orta, who has an ‘extensive structure of Spanish scouts’ at Elland Road.

The Latest: Leeds interest

Sports Witness relayed an update from Heraldo, who linked Leeds with a move for Azon.

They claim that the Whites began scouting Azon over two years ago and are ‘monitoring’ his development, with his name underlined ‘in red’ ahead of a potential move.

The Verdict: Attacking reinforcements needed

Azon has been described as a powerful striker who is good in the air and ‘ideal’ for English football. Leeds are in real danger of dropping back down to the Championship, which is known as a more physical league over the Premier League, so he could be a shrewd signing as the Whites continue to look to bring a number of young stars to Yorkshire.

Of course, there is still a chance of Premier League survival this season, but whatever division Leeds find themselves in next year, attacking reinforcements appear to be needed.

Leeds have three centre-forwards – Patrick Bamford and 20-year-olds Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood – so throwing Azon into the mix could well be on the cards, especially if the club drop down to the second tier.

In other news: Deal agreed: First Leeds summer exit now finalised as Orta signing jumps ship. 

As of now it wouldn’t be unfair to label him too good to limit himself to one or two formats

Sidharth Monga24-Dec-2023There are so many twists of fate in this story that there is no room left for what-ifs. It is too hectic to even attempt a re-telling but at this juncture we must filter out the KL Rahul bits.It was the summer of 2021 in England. An injury to Shubman Gill had brought Rahul back into the Test squad, a good two years after he last played one. He was strictly a back-up batter, probably selected only because he was versatile enough to provide cover for more than one slot. On the eve of the first Test, though, a delivery from Mohammed Siraj injured Rahul’s good friend and the incumbent opener, Mayank Agarwal.It brought together Rahul and Rohit Sharma, two batters still looking to find their bearings in Test cricket, in conditions that were supposed to be their kryptonite, against the new ball, the toughest time to play in England. In testing conditions through the series, the two put on an exhibition of leaving the ball. India’s openers aggregated 784 runs between them in that series, among the top 10 for a travelling side to England.Related

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Later that year, Rahul came back from an injury to complete the set of centuries in Australia, England and South Africa, only the second opener from Asia to do so since South Africa’s readmission. In the next year, he went on to captain India.And yet, two Tests after his captaincy stint, and six after his superlative century in South Africa, Rahul found himself out of the side. At that time, it seemed a horses-for-courses thing in a team that had room only for five batters given their consistent focus on taking 20 wickets by playing an extra bowler. By the time the course changed, though, Rahul had injured himself during the IPL and was in a race against time to make it to the World Cup. In his absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a century on debut, Gill moved down to No. 3, and where was the room for Rahul?So here we are, back to the site of Rahul’s century in Centurion, but with the most probable way for him to get into the XI being taking on wicketkeeping duties despite having started in only one first-class match as a designated wicketkeeper before. This could also mean batting in the middle order for only the second time in his 47-Test career. Not only does it not upset the top three, it also allows him some break after keeping wicket for a whole Test innings.KL Rahul scored 123 in his last Test in Centurion•AFP/Getty ImagesThere are two ways to look at this arrangement, both of them valid. First is to say what a sacrifice Rahul is making for the team in Rishabh Pant’s absence. That he is always ready and willing to do what the team needs him to do. There can be sympathy for a batter of such high skill and ability to have to double up in order to play for India.None of that is misplaced sentiment but Rahul also averages 33.44 after 47 Tests. It is not like Rahul hasn’t been given chances: since his debut, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are the only batters to have played more Test matches for India. We must make allowance for the increasingly difficult conditions Test cricket is played in, especially wherever India travel. The average of openers in the Tests that Rahul has played is 31.24. So while a century every seven Tests might not satisfy everyone, he has only been slightly better than the average opener in the conditions he has played in.This is where you wonder if Rahul has spread himself too wide. Rahane and Pujara were Test specialists. Kohli is the only India batter of this era who has managed to master both Tests and ODIs for more than a decade, and also have a long T20 career. It won’t be inaccurate to say that it hasn’t even been three years since Rohit finally figured Test cricket out.It has been argued previously that Rahul’s shift to a more conservative brand of T20 cricket might have resulted in better performances in Test cricket upon the comeback in 2021.Rahul is only 31 so there is a while to go before a final assessment can be made on his career, but as of now it wouldn’t be unfair to label him too good to limit himself to one or two formats but not quite in that Kohli category to have mastered two of them for so long. Starting with the newest chapter in Centurion, Rahul, already one of the best in the world in the ODI middle order, will want to prove he is good enough to master two of them at the same time.

There are six Indians in the XI, reflecting their dominance in the tournament, but who else made the cut?

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2023
He started the tournament slowly, bowled by Haris Rauf for 10 in India’s opening game, but had just one poor outing after that – 19 against Sri Lanka. Outside of that, his scores read 67*, 58, 121 and 27*. That century in a losing cause against Bangladesh was his fourth in ODIs this year. Gill ended comfortably at the head of the scorers’ chart. His strokemaking was gorgeous as usual, and he often ensured he batted deep.Related

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Rohit Sharma (capt)
Not a huge tournament by Rohit’s standards, but he strung together three consecutive half-centuries: 74* vs Nepal, 56 vs Pakistan, and 53 vs Sri Lanka. Marking a departure from India’s strategy in the last World Cup, Rohit also showed more intent in the early overs, and helped get India away quickly. Having led India to the title, he’s the obvious choice for captain.Kusal Mendis displayed uncharacteristic consistency during the Asia Cup•AFP/Getty ImagesKusal Mendis
Mendis was only behind Gill in the scorers’ chart, and – importantly – showed the consistency he has often lacked. He scored three half-centuries in the Asia Cup, all from No. 3, and two of them were big ones: 92 vs Afghanistan and 91 vs Pakistan – the game they won off the last ball to get into the final. He was Sri Lanka’s designated keeper too, and finished with nine dismissals.KL Rahul (wk)
Mendis can keep too, but we’ll go with Rahul for his better dismissals-per-match record at the Asia Cup. He didn’t do badly with the bat either. Drafted into the India XI just a little while before the toss in the Super Four game against Pakistan after Shreyas Iyer had to opt out with back spasms, Rahul hit 111 not out in 106 balls and put together an unbroken 233-run stand with Virat Kohli for the third wicket.ESPNcricinfo LtdCharith Asalanka
Asalanka is Sri Lanka’s one-of-a-kind rescue package, and never was that quality more evident than when he took Sri Lanka home in a chaotic last-ball finish against Pakistan, which secured Sri Lanka’s passage to the final. He starts quickly, is an effortless rotater of the strike, and consistently contributes – all good qualities for a batter still in the early phase of his international career. Though rarely called upon to bowl, he also took four wickets on a big-turning surface, against India.Shakib Al Hasan
It wasn’t a particularly great tournament for Bangladesh, but they had their moments, such as the first-round game against Afghanistan. Shakib, captaining a side without some key players, led from the front in their other win at the Asia Cup – against India. Shakib was the star of the show, even if debutant Tanzim Hasan cornered a plenty of deserved attention. Shakib first scored 80 in 85 balls and then bowled out Suryakumar Yadav.Hardik Pandya played his part whenever he was called upon to do so•Associated PressHardik Pandya
Hardik bowling regularly is what Indian cricket fans have been waiting for, and he is putting in the overs now, in time for the ODI World Cup. At the Asia Cup, he performed the role of the third seamer superbly, and his six wickets came in just 20.2 overs of bowling, including the last three Sri Lankan wickets in the final. He played his part with the bat too, especially in the first-round game against Pakistan, when Ishan Kishan and he revived India from a precarious 66 for 4 to take them to 266. Hardik ended with 87 in 90 balls.Dunith Wellalage
Looking back, Wellalage might well have been the biggest story to emerge from the tournament. A 20-year-old (okay, almost 21) whose bowling is threatening on turning decks, whose batting is fearless, and whose fielding is excellent, shapes as an asset heading into the World Cup, even after the return of Wanindu Hasaranga to the Sri Lanka side. He linked up with Maheesh Theekshana to give Sri Lanka’s innings the finishing kick against Afghanistan, picked up wickets each time he bowled bar in the final when he just got two overs, and put in one of the best all-round performances of the tournament when he ran through India’s top order to return 5 for 40 and followed it up with a solid 46-ball 42 not out.Shaheen Afridi picked up at least a wicket in every match•AFP/Getty ImagesShaheen Shah Afridi
Another bowler who picked up at least a wicket each time he bowled, but Afridi has made a name for that, hasn’t he? His best – don’t forget he is still kind of coming back from a long injury layoff – was easily that first-round game against India, when he did exactly what he is a champion at, blasting out the top order. On that occasion, he had Rohit in the fifth over and Kohli in the seventh, and came back later to remove Hardik and Ravindra Jadeja for 4 for 35.Kuldeep Yadav
Back-to-back returns of 5 for 25 (vs Pakistan) and 4 for 43 (vs Sri Lanka) made Kuldeep irresistible for the specialist spinner role. He has a straighter run up now, with improved pace, and greater accuracy, and he picked up the Player of the Tournament trophy with these new adjustments. Along with Wellalage, Kuldeep was the standout spinner in the tournament. His economy was especially impressive.Mohammed Siraj
Matheesha Pathirana would have been in this XI for his chart-topping 11 wickets, but for perhaps the most exciting spell of fast bowling in the tournament, in the final, where Siraj blew Sri Lanka away with his 6 for 21: it included four wickets in an over and five in ten balls. He is a wicket-taker, and with conditions helping his swing, he was pretty much unplayable on Sunday afternoon. And an opening combination with Afridi does make the mouth water, doesn’t it?

If Hall of Fame right fielder Reggie Jackson was Mr. October and Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter was Mr. November, Baltimore Orioles right fielder Tyler O'Neill is Mr. March.

On Thursday, O'Neill deposited a 2-1 offering from Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios over the right-field wall—marking the sixth straight Opening Day on which he has homered.

The three-run shot gave the Orioles a 5–0 lead, and extended O'Neill's MLB record. He broke the mark for most consecutive Opening Days with a home run last year; he'd shared it with catchers Yogi Berra, Gary Carter and Todd Hundley.

O'Neill's offensive acumen has fluctuated wildly this decade—he has seasons with oWARs of both 5.1 and 0.4, per Baseball Reference—but one part of the equation has remained the same.

The British Columbia native has topped 30 home runs twice—first in his fantastic 2021 campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals, and then again in 2024 with the Boston Red Sox.

Italian national team coach Gennaro Gattuso has apologised to fans after Italy’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Norway. The coach believes the match was split into two distinct halves, with Italy performing well in the first but collapsing in the second due to fear and fragility. Italy now wait for the draw to learn who they will face in the play off in March.

Norway's historic qualification to the World Cup finals

Italy entered their decisive qualifier against Norway needing a near-impossible 9-0 victory to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Despite the daunting task, they made a promising start when Pio Esposito opened the scoring, giving Italy a 1-0 lead that they held until half-time. However, the match dramatically shifted after the break.

Norway responded with authority as Antonio Nusa equalised, before Erling Haaland struck twice to put the visitors firmly in control. Jorgen Strand Larsen added a fourth, sealing a dominant 4-1 win for Norway at the San Siro. The result confirmed Norway’s return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

The match also saw a tense incident involving Italian defender Gianluca Mancini, who provoked Haaland, prompting the Norwegian striker to react angrily. Haaland had to be restrained by his club teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma before the situation escalated.

Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma commented on the loss, believing that Italy switched off in the second half when he said “the big problem was that we stopped playing in the second half.” 

He added: “It was a totally different match in the first half, we never let them out of their own half. We’ve got to do that for 95 minutes rather than 45, that is for sure.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesGattuso's apology to the fans

Earlier, Gattuso criticised the travelling supporters who protested against the Italian team after their late 2-0 win over Moldova. However, following Italy’s 4-1 loss to Norway, Gattuso apologised in the post-match press conference. He said: “We must apologise to our fans because 4-1 is a heavy defeat. It's a shame because we had a very good first half, where we played as a real team.

“There were two games. In the first half, the team played very well, We lacked distance, we were more compact in the first half, we never gave them any space.

“In the second half, we struggled enormously. We gave our opponents space, we let them into our area.

“There is a lot of disappointment. The lads deserved a different evening, but instead we got everything wrong and they hurt us.”

Gattuso also pointed to the turning point of the match, noting that Norway’s goal immediately after  the restart created fear. He said: “The game changed when they had their first shot on goal in the first 30 seconds of the second half.

“In the second half we conceded a goal after 30 seconds [two goals within 30 seconds] and then our fragility came to the fore.”

He then outlined how Italy must improve ahead of the play off in March 2026. He said “Matches last 95 minutes, and in this one our flaws came to the fore. If we concede a few goals, we start to panic. We'll face up to it, take responsibility, and in March we'll need 95 minutes like the first half. There's not much time between now and March, we need to work on our weaknesses.”

Italy's qualification scenario

For Italy, the defeat means they must once again face the pressure of the play offs. The Azzurri will learn their path to the 2026 World Cup when the European play off draw takes place on Thursday, and they are assured of being one of the top seeds. Despite this advantage, the stakes remain high. Italy have not appeared in a World Cup since 2014, suffering painful play off exits to Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022. The upcoming play offs therefore represent a crucial opportunity for the national team to finally return to the sport’s biggest stage and end over a decade of absence.

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GettyGattuso prepares for the playoffs

Gattuso will use the coming months to carefully assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses, aiming to develop tactical solutions that give the Azzurri the best chance of returning to the World Cup.

Manchester United are now fighting one of their Premier League rivals for the signature of Christian Pulisic, who has recently entered talks over a new contract at AC Milan.

Ruben Amorim is keen to bring in a new forward, despite both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo making encouraging starts to life at Old Trafford, being praised by Gary Neville, who said: “With Cunha and Mbeumo, the risk of those signings was removed because in the sense they had played in the Premier League before and they had the hunger to deliver at a different level.

“Mbeumo looks like he belongs. He looks hungry and that he wants to score goals.

“Cunha and Mbeumo will win a lot of matches for Manchester United.”

Indeed, the two summer signings had already proven themselves in the Premier League, which meant they were low-risk additions, unlike Jadon Sancho, who flattered to deceive despite tearing it up with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

However, it has now been revealed that United are in the race for a forward who didn’t exactly set the world alight during his previous stint in England.

Man Utd fighting Aston Villa for AC Milan star Christian Pulisic

According to a report from Spain, Man United are now fighting Aston Villa for the signature of Pulisic, despite the forward recently entering talks with AC Milan over a new deal to extend his stay at the San Siro.

The Red Devils are keen to improve their forward options even further, despite adding Mbeumo, Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in the summer transfer window, and there is a belief the American could help them in their push for Europe for this season.

The 27-year-old’s contract situation is the ‘biggest obstacle’ for Amorim’s side to overcome, given that he is currently tied down until 2027, with an option to extend, and the Italian club are eager to keep hold of one of their key players.

The 82-time USA international was unable to establish himself as a Premier League star during his stint with Chelsea, registering just three goal contributions in all competitions during his final season at Stamford Bridge, but he has since taken his game to the next level.

Former USA defender Alexi Lalas has been left particularly impressed by the winger’s performances since moving to AC Milan, saying: “What is world class? Well, you’ve got your definition, I have my definition. But if you want to know what world class is, it’s Christian Pulisic.

“I think he’s playing his best soccer of his career. And I’m telling you right now, Christian Pulisic at this moment is one of the top 25 players in the world. He just happens to be American.”

Having already picked up eight goal contributions in all competitions this season, Pulisic could be ready for another crack at the Premier League, and he could be a real difference-maker for Man United in their push for Europe.

Man Utd set to make £52m bid for "the best winger in the country" An Mbeumo repeat: Man Utd to make £52m bid for "best winger in the country"

Manchester United look set to make another huge bid for a new attacker for Ruben Amorim.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

Seamers share eight wickets as table-toppers face awkward final day at Grace Road

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Sep-2025If Leicestershire’s vision was to clinch promotion to Division One with a resounding victory, it looks unlikely to come to pass this week after a truncated third day of their Rothesay County Championship match left them trailing Gloucestershire by 150 runs.Shan Masood compiled a typically elegant 111 to mark his first-class debut for the county with the 30th hundred of his career but Leicestershire then lost their last six wickets for 22 to trail by 140 on first innings, bowled out for 342 as Gloucestershire seamer Matt Taylor finished with five for 70, backed up by new-ball partner Ajeet Singh Dale’s three for 78.Gloucestershire – who need a victory to keep their outside chance of promotion alive – were eight without loss from four overs in their second innings before a three-hour interruption due to rain, adding just two runs before a resumption at 5.30pm was curtailed after just 13 deliveries due to bad light. With earlier rain having delayed the start by 70 minutes, just 30 overs and one ball were bowled in all.Even if a win eludes them, Leicestershire’s lead in the division is so large that a top-two finish can still be confirmed this week if this match ends in a draw and the clash between third-placed Derbyshire and fourth-placed Middlesex at Lord’s is also drawn.Masood faced 176 balls and hit 13 fours on the way to his eighth first-class hundred in county cricket, having previously made them for Derbyshire and Yorkshire. The left-hander will be 36 next month but retains the capacity to produce moments of sublime skill at the crease, which he underlined with some beautiful strokeplay in this innings.After his 152-run partnership with Lewis Hill on Tuesday had seemed to set up Leicestershire for a substantial reply, there seemed little to suggest that would not happen as a second batting bonus point was secured in a morning session reduced to 50 minutes with Masood and Steve Eskinazi, also making his Championship debut for a new county, having added 82.But that all changed with the last delivery of the session, which resulted in Masood being given out leg before, the former Pakistan Test captain’s body language leaving no doubt that the decision did not meet with his approval.Masood’s dismissal was the catalyst for an unseemly collapse from 320 for four to 342 all out, with the follow-on only just avoided.Having put off taking the second new ball until after lunch, Gloucestershire took it immediately after the break and needed only 10 overs’ use of it to claim the remaining five Leicestershire wickets.Taylor, who had three wickets overnight, beat Ben Cox for pace and had Ben Mike nicking behind to complete his first five-wicket haul in two years.New-ball partner Singh Dale, bound for Lancashire at the end of the season, gained deserved rewards as ex-Middlesex batter Eskinazi’s county debut innings ended on 34 with a catch at second slip. Logan van Beek and Chris Wright became the fourth and fifth batters in the innings to fall leg before, Wright having at least hung around long enough to ensure that the visitors would bat again after the ninth wicket had gone with still one run needed.

The New York Yankees solidified the back end of their bullpen for 2025 with the acquisition of closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month.

Williams, who has established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the game, was excited about the trade to the Yankees, but said heading to New York was never on his radar.

"To be honest, I didn't really think so," Williams said, when he was asked if he thought being traded to the Yankees was a possibility. "I thought…I kinda thought I would be going to L.A. [Dodgers]. That's what I was being told and you know, the Yankees snuck in there under the table and got the deal done."

Williams was traded to the Yankees on Dec. 13 in a package that included pitcher Nestor Cortes, second baseman Caleb Durbin and cash considerations heading to the Brewers.

What the Yankees got was a premier reliever, who in a shortened season coming off a stress fracture in his back, posted a 1.25 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 14 saves over 21.2 innings pitched in 2024.

When healthy, the 30-year-old Williams is one of the most reliable bullpen arms in the sport, and will certainly solidify the New York bullpen next season.

Manchester United remain unbeaten in their last five Premier League games under Ruben Amorim, but the Red Devils have been told they are no better by a former Chelsea star who has delivered a savage verdict on their resurgence. The Portuguese coach marked his one-year anniversary at Old Trafford this month, but not everyone is celebrating, as former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has poured cold water on United’s apparent revival, insisting that, despite the recent upturn in results, the ship is still not in steady waters.

A run of promise overshadowed by doubt

United had been enjoying a welcome burst of momentum after picking up consecutive victories over Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. The bright run of form sparked optimism that Amorim’s ideas were finally taking hold. But back-to-back 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham halted their surge and reopened old questions about consistency and mentality. 

AdvertisementHasselbaink raises questions on United's revival

Those doubts came roaring back when Hasselbaink, speaking on , bluntly rejected the suggestion that United are moving forward.

"I don’t think they have improved, I’m sorry," he began. "Where, where have they improved? They have not scored more goals, they have not had less goals against, they have not won any trophies. Yes, they have been in a final in Europe but lost against a poor side – Tottenham were a poor side last year. He has got a lot of work to do, a lot of work. I don’t think they are creative enough, not like they used to be."

It’s not as if United haven’t backed their manager. The club spent more than £200 million ($264m) last summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in an attempt to erase memories of their disastrous 2024/25 campaign. They finished 15th in the Premier League, racked up just 42 points, the lowest tally since their relegation in 1974, and a defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final killed all hopes of a European campaign in 2025/26. Amorim has amassed 21 wins, 14 draws and 19 losses in 54 matches, numbers that suit a mid-table club but not a Premier League giant with significant financial muscle. 

Inside Old Trafford: Optimism growing

Despite the criticism, those inside Carrington and Old Trafford insist that the mood has shifted for the better. The recruitments are now more aligned with a long-term strategy, and Amorim has earned respect for staying true to his footballing beliefs even during the club’s darkest periods. It is believed that the INEOS hierarchy is hoping to see the club back in Europe and Amorim continues to enjoy the complete backing of the owners. His interview with last week captured what many inside the club admire about him.

"During my career as a manager, most of the time I was winning," he said. "When you are winning, you can say that you have convictions and you are loyal to your ideas, but you learn when you lose, when you are under pressure and I learned that when I’m under pressure, I’m stronger on my ideas and I keep with my ideas. Of course, it’s really important to feel the support of everyone in the club, especially the fans that help you, to give you that confidence to continue on your path, but that was the biggest learning point: when I’m under pressure, I can stick with my plan."

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AFPRoom to improve for United

Saturday’s match against Tottenham brought the same old sting for United supporters as they saw another lead surrendered and another chance to climb into the top four missed. Speaking to after the game, Amorim did not attempt to sugarcoat the frustration.

"During the game we felt like the three points were there to take home," he admitted. "But then with everything that happened, Harry Maguire and Casemiro coming off and conceding two goals…we scored again and it's a point. When you cannot win you don't lose, once again we did that. We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game.

"We need to look at ourselves, we were not pressing with the same intensity, we felt comfortable but we need to understand that if we had more bravery we kill the game. But sometimes this happens, you have a better first half than second. We believe in our capacity to score goals until the last minute. It's a little frustration, but also pride at the response of the players at the response to second goal of Tottenham. This is the tip of the iceberg, we are at the beginning of becoming a strong team, so we have a lot to do."

United return to Premier League action at home to Everton after the international break, and after that, comes a tricky trip to Crystal Palace, where Oliver Glasner's men will push their limits.

Jason Gallian to take charge for final weeks of difficult first season for Tier 1 team

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Sep-2025Andy Tennant has stepped down as Essex Women’s head coach after less than a season in the role. Tennant was appointed last year to take charge of the club’s first fully professional women’s team after Essex were awarded Tier 1 status, but departs with a record of five wins across all competitions.Despite securing a maiden trophy for Sunrisers in the final season of the regional women’s structure, he was unable to produce the same success with a group at Essex featuring many of the same players. They are out of contention in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, with one win and eight defeats, and finished second from bottom in the Vitality Blast group table. Essex were also knocked out by Tier 2 Yorkshire in their only game in the T20 County Cup.”With the break in the fixtures for the Hundred, it has been an opportunity for both the club and myself to reflect and look ahead to next season,” Tennant said. “Following those conversations, it feels like now is the right time to step aside and seek my next opportunity.Related

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“I am proud of what we have achieved together as a group and I would like to thank Essex for giving me the opportunity to continue the job we started with the Sunrisers three years ago. I wish the club well and I am confident this outstanding group of young female athletes will continue to develop and go from strength to strength.”Danni Warren, Essex Women’s performance director who worked alongside Tennant at Sunrisers, will continue to oversee the team, with Jason Gallian, chair of Essex’s cricket committee, leading the coaching staff for the final month of the season. Essex’s hunt for a new women’s head coach will begin during the off season.”I have built a strong working relationship with Andy since he joined the Sunrisers in 2022, which culminated in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy triumph during our final season in 2024,” Warren said. “The transition of the group to Essex has been an exciting challenge, and Andy’s hard work in ensuring this process was as seamless as possible has been hugely important to the progress we have made on and off the field.”He should be proud of what he has achieved during his time at the club, which has also included many individuals starring in this year’s Hundred competition and representing their country at international level. We all wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavours within the game.”