England Lions tour offers opportunity to leap back into Test reckoning, three years after solitary cap

Vithushan Ehantharajah31-Oct-2025For the last few weeks, Matthew Fisher has been working out how to bowl to his good mate, Harry Brook. The pair came through the ranks at Yorkshire’s Academy a year apart. Their first meeting took place in the Headingley indoor nets, when a 14-year-old Brook played Fisher’s bouncers with annoying ease.”He played it fine, and he started pissing me off,” remembers Fisher. “So I started properly bumping him, and he still played that all right.” Fisher, 15 at the time, had already made his List A debut for Yorkshire.They will lock horns again in Lilac Hill, Perth, on November 13 when, as part of their Ashes preparations, Brook and the England Test squad will take on Fisher and the England Lions in a three-day game. With the Lions on hand to supplement the main squad, on a tour that will run alongside the first two Tests, Fisher – as the most experienced seamer in the group – knows a strong impression in that crucial warm-up match could reap immediate rewards.”In the exact setting four years ago, I bowled lovely and we saw what happened at the end of the winter,” Fisher says, referencing the Test cap he was awarded on the West Indies tour in 2022, after showcasing his skills against England for the Lions in the build-up to the 2021-22 Ashes. “So I know first-hand what bowling in those games can do.”You do have sleepless nights when you dream about bowling at my mate Brooky at the minute. It is good stuff because you’re trying to get out people who you want to impress, so it is quite good that I’m already thinking about how to get him out.”It is over three years since that one Test. Fisher took a solitary wicket – John Campbell, with his second ball – on an unforgiving Bridgetown surface. That appearance came as England sought to move on from James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Unsuccessfully, as it would turn out.England’s then-selectors had leant towards Fisher due to his high release point, as a six-foot-two seamer, and a knack of dismissing accomplished batters. It was a pre-cursor to the preferences that Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have since put front and centre of their recruitment. Unfortunately for Fisher, he spent the first Bazball summer of 2022 nursing a stress fracture of the back.Matt Fisher claimed 11 wickets for Surrey in this season’s Championship title decider against Nottinghamshire•Getty Images for Surrey CCC”I never felt like I (had the shirt) – playing one game, being on a tour, trying to follow Broad and Anderson,” admits Fisher. “I never felt like that was mine.”On the Lions trip before that trip, I felt like I was building into a Test bowler. But unfortunately you can’t control having a stress fracture sometimes. For anyone who’s had a stressie, it doesn’t just take the time for your back to heal, it’s the time to then trust your body again and think that every time you feel your back, it doesn’t have to be your worst-case scenario.”But in those two years, anything you feel you are worried, because it is such a long injury that you don’t want it to happen again. In terms of intensity and snapping through your action, you’re not quite there, which we all know – if you’re down on that – it makes you half the bowler. It has been nice to build that back up naturally. The lads in that [Ashes] squad are incredible bowlers, but it’s about being ready when an opportunity does come.”Though it’s only a Lions call-up, Fisher, at 27, sees this selection as a reward, and vindication for the moves he has made. He bulked up heading into 2023, and the following year ended what had been a life-long association with Yorkshire to sign for Surrey.Related

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Though Surrey were unable to make it four County Championship titles in a row, Fisher had his most productive first-class summer to date. His 31 dismissals in 11 appearances were the second-most for the club, of which 11 came against Nottinghamshire at the Kia Oval in a thrilling title decider that Surrey lost, ultimately handing their opponents the Division One crown.”I would give all those wickets for us to have won the title, but it was nice personally to click into gear. It was out of the blue.”The chats I had, it was such a difficult decision to move. But everything I’ve moved for – and the reasons – getting selected on this is kind of why I did it.”It was to have a fresh environment, fresh coaches, fresh players – different perspectives. As we know, the strength of Yorkshire is that it thinks it knows what it’s doing, which is great. But there is also a weakness to that sometimes; there is a real DNA to Yorkshire, which is brilliant, and I am proud to have played there, proud to have been capped by Yorkshire.”I still look out for all the lads. But I think sometimes when you broaden your reach, you realise that you hadn’t thought about it like that. Going into a different gym, having gone into the same gym for 12 years, it’s kind of good. It’s been great.”That Fisher excelled during this season’s Kookaburra-ball rounds – 10 wickets in his three goes with it – undoubtedly helped his cause for a spot in Australia. Previous experience using it on Lions and development tours gave him an edge.”It’s a mindset thing for me. That was one of the conversations that we had at Surrey: yes, there’s a stigma around it in English cricket, and the pitches don’t allow for it to have good games of cricket sometimes. But it is also a case of how you become more rounded as a bowler. The purpose of what the ECB brought in and why they brought it in, we are seeing why it happened.Fisher’s early promise was hindered by a back stress fracture•Getty Images”We felt like getting tighter to the stumps was better because, if you think about the science behind it, [the ball] has to do less if you’re in tight. I definitely think that my experiences in the Lions bowling with it in the last four or five years has made me better with it. It’s one of those where, if you’re open to it, commit to it, bowl more with it, you get better at it. It’s like anything in life.”Fisher’s enhanced performances have come through a lot of hard work, and a greater appreciation of his body. Lions head coach Andrew Flintoff and men’s performance director Ed Barney have been impressed with his drive at Loughborough these past few weeks, often in as early as 7am to do strength and mobility work in the gym ahead of bowling sessions later that day.Though Fisher has always been willing to put the work in, an extra motivation came when he lost his pace bowling development contract in 2023.”Keysy [Rob Key, managing director] spoke to me at the end of that contract and said they wanted me to stand on my own two feet for a year and see how I get on. It was nice to get stuck into everything at Surrey last winter after a few winters with the Lions and get to know everyone. I feel like that really helped me settle for the summer. The goal in the back of your mind is to get picked for higher honours, so it was a nice surprise.”

If I am a good county bowler for the rest of my career, I am fine with that as a baseline. Anything else above that is perfect for what I want to achieve.Fisher on his ambitions after switching from Yorkshire to Surrey

He has enjoyed working with Flintoff, who he believes can take him from a decent county bowler to the next step. “Maybe going to a place that I’ve not been before”, as Fisher himself puts it. “What Fred is really good at is trying to get the last five or 10 per cent out of people. I think that’s something he can help me with.”He may well have to access that this winter if a further promotion comes. Friends and family have encouraged him to dream of barging his way into the Ashes squad this winter. But Fisher, through his own experiences, wants to keep his feet on the ground.”From 17 (when he made his first-class debut for Yorkshire) to 23, I was probably obsessed about playing for England. Because I achieved stuff quite young and people were talking about it, you get obsessed with it.”I have got to the point of accepting that, if I am a good county bowler for the rest of my career and hopefully win a couple of Championships with Surrey, then I am fine with that as a baseline. Anything else above that is perfect for what I want to achieve.”Accepting that as a baseline is not me not pushing boundaries to make myself better. I think it’s a healthier way of looking at it.”

Tottenham Hotspur improved their chances of securing automatic qualification from the Champions League table after a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague.

Thomas Frank’s men produced a dominant display in North London last night, as seen by the incredible stats behind the three-goal triumph over their Czech opponents.

The Lilywhites registered a total of 10 shots on target during the victory, subsequently achieving an xG of 2.56 and having five big chances fall their way in front of goal.

Frank’s side also registered over 50 passes than the visitors, whilst notching nearly double the amount of touches in the opposition box – reaffirming the dominance during the win.

The result was an excellent team performance, one that was certainly needed after the last European outing against PSG, with two players massively shining in the win.

How Simons & Kudus downed Slavia Prague

After scoring against Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend, Xavi Simons was rewarded with another start for Spurs – something which he took full advantage of.

The Dutchman featured for 90 minutes in the triumph, impressing throughout and managing to get on the scoresheet for the second successive match.

His underlying stats further highlighted his superb showing, with the 22-year-old completing six passes into the final third, whilst being fouled three times – the most of any player on the pitch.

He wasn’t alone in starring in North London against Jindrich Trpisovsky’s men, with Mohammed Kudus having yet another night to remember for the Lilywhites.

The Ghanaian international started for the fourth successive match and managed to net his second goal for the club, after tucking home a penalty in the 50th minute.

Like Simons, he also produced some magnificent figures, subsequently completing two successful dribbles, whilst registering six touches in the opposition box – offering a constant threat to the visitors.

Spurs star is becoming a future £100m talent

Spurs have a plethora of young talents on their hands who can certainly make a huge impact on their chances of success between now and the near future.

Simons is no doubt a player who can thrive for many years to come in North London, especially if he can adapt to the demands of the Premier League after his big-money transfer.

Kudus is another player who has the quality to be a leading talent for the Lilywhites, with his tally of eight combined goals and assists in 21 matches evidence of the levels he’s capable of producing.

Frank has already assembled a young and promising squad, especially after forking out a reported £100m for the aforementioned duo during his first window.

However, numerous other youngsters were already on the books before the Dane’s arrival, with Archie Gray one player who has had to patiently wait for his chance to shine for the Lilywhites.

The 19-year-old joined in a £40m deal back in the summer of 2024, but has often had to bide his time under Frank, with the Englishman finally getting the run he deserves in the first-team.

He’s now started the last two games in a row, just like Simons, with the teenager now deserving of an extended run as a regular starter to help aid his development.

Gray’s showing against Slavia Prague was yet another example of the talent he possesses, but it’s safe to say he’s only going to get better as he progresses in his career.

He featured for 59 minutes against the Czech opposition, but managed to produce numerous incredible figures which should keep him in the side at the weekend.

Minutes played

59

Touches

34

Passes completed

92%

Tackles won

2

Long ball accuracy

100%

Recoveries made

2

Duels won

75%

Interceptions made

1

The youngster completed 92% of the passes he attempted, whilst posting a 100% long ball accuracy rate – showcasing his incredible ability with the ball at his feet.

He also won two tackles, made two recoveries and came out on top in 75% of the duels he entered, even managing to dominate without the ball despite his tender age.

Gray’s 34 touch display wasn’t one that will set the world alight, but it’s one that should certainly keep his starting position at the base of Frank’s side in the months ahead.

He’s previously been labelled a “future £100m” star by Ben Mattinson, which is certainly a bold statement, but one that can come true if he continues on his current trajectory.

Simons and Kudus will no doubt get the majority of their credit after their respective goals, but Gray is also deserving of massive credit for his recent form – especially after barely featuring in the early months of the season.

Frank's new Mbeumo: Paratici set to make Spurs bid to sign "world-class" CF

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to land a new talisman in the upcoming January window.

ByEthan Lamb 3 days ago

Millie Bright had one of the best seasons of her career in 2024-25. Sporting the captain's armband, the Chelsea star guided the club to an incredible domestic treble in which they didn't lose a single game in the Women's Super League, FA Cup or League Cup, lifting all three trophies and breaking plenty of records along the way. In the last few weeks, though, as the Blues have endured a surprising run of just one win in five games, the former Lionesses defender has found herself on the outside looking in.

It didn't feel like a big deal when, for the first time since January, Bright was an unused substitute as the Blues' took on Champions League minnows St Polten last month. But after being hooked at half-time in the subsequent 1-1 draw with Liverpool, the side bottom of the WSL, the defender hasn't played a minute, sitting on the bench for last month's blockbuster showdown with Barcelona and Sunday's defeat to Everton – that Chelsea's first WSL loss under Sonia Bompastor, in her 35th game in charge in the competition.

With Bright's contract expiring at the end of the season, albeit with an option for an extra year included in the deal, her recent absences have raised questions about her Chelsea future. Can she battle back to retake her place in this team? Or are we watching a changing of the guard in the Blues' backline?

Getty Images SportAll for Chelsea

When Bright called time on her England career back in October, it felt like a huge boost for Chelsea. One of the team's most important players, as both a footballer and the captain of the club, was going to be able to put all her energy into representing the Blues. It could be massive, especially as their quest for that elusive Champions League title ramped up another notch.

"That's crucial, having a player like Millie who will be now 100 per cent focused on the club and all the trophies we are competing for," Bompastor said at the time. "It's really, really important. I know she is a player who is always, on the pitch, first thinking about the team. She will always give 100% and even more to the team.

"I think she just leads by example and having this type of leader, this type of captain in the team, is the best thing you can have when you are a manager, so I'm grateful for that and I know she will bring all the good energy to her team-mates, to the players on the pitch, to make sure we achieve the best season possible."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesUnfamiliar situation

But the situation appears to have changed a little in the two months since, and especially in the last four weeks, during which Bright has found herself watching on from the sidelines for three of Chelsea's last four games.

Prior to the first instance, that 6-0 thumping of St. Polten, Bright had been an unused substitute just three times in the last 53 games she had been available for, with one of those occasions only occurring because the defender had just returned from five months out due to a knee injury. She wasn't ready to take to the pitch at that point, but Chelsea were facing Barcelona in another Champions League semi-final and then-manager Emma Hayes wanted her captain in the squad for her leadership.

Take that instance out, and only count games where Bright was fit enough to play minutes, and the 32-year-old hadn't been called upon on just three occasions in her last 72 Chelsea games prior to the St. Polten win, a run that stretched back to December 2022.

Getty ImagesConcerning selections

For the clash with Barcelona, a huge game that Bright would have been desperate to play in, Bompastor instead opted to pair Naomi Girma with Nathalie Bjorn, whose fantastic partnership with Bright was the bedrock of Chelsea's success last term. Girma became the most expensive player in the history of the women's game back in January when the Blues secured her services for a fee that, for the first time in the sport, surpassed the $1 million mark, though niggling injuries prevented her from making a serious impact on the team in the second half of last season.

This term, it always felt like she would emerge as a key starter, because of her world-class quality and how highly Chelsea clearly rate her, as evidenced by the transfer fee, and the pecking order at centre-back would be different. As such, Bompastor's team selection for that Barca clash wasn't particularly shocking, even if it was one that "frustrated" Bright, the manager admitted. "That's normal," Bompastor added. "That's the reaction I expect from her."

But Sunday felt different. With Bjorn missing from the squad, many might've expected Bright to return to the starting line-up as Chelsea hosted Everton. However, Bompastor went in a different direction entirely, choosing Lucy Bronze, a right-back, to partner Girma while Bright sat on the bench for the entire game.

Bronze's main task was to keep tabs on Kelly Gago, Everton's imposing centre-forward. It was the kind of individual battle that Bright tends to relish. For her manager to choose Bronze for the challenge here, though, felt like the most worrying sign yet for Bright, her status in the team right now and, ultimately, her future at the club.

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Getty ImagesCompetition aplenty

Centre-back is one of Chelsea's deepest positions. As well as Bright, Bjorn and Girma, the Blues can count on the adaptability of players like Bronze and Ellie Carpenter, they have an extremely exciting young prospect in Veerle Buurman, the 19-year-old Netherlands international, and they will hope to have Kadeisha Buchanan, a five-time Champions League winner, back from injury soon. It's a position where players have to perform in order to earn minutes, and there have been some questions and criticisms of Bright's form this season, with the 32-year-old also lacking the pace of some of her fellow centre-backs.

That said, from a statistical perspective, while Bright is down on some of her numbers from last year, with her tackle win percentage one of the most notable ones, she is also up on a lot of them, including her aerial duel win rate and the number of interceptions, tackles and blocks she is making per 90 minutes. Chelsea not being quite as secure at the back this year, and thus seeing their defenders called into action more often, could be a factor to consider, but it is interesting to note nonetheless.

Senne Lammens has been hailed as a "massive upgrade" on Andre Onana after a "dominant" start to his Manchester United career. The Belgian was brought in from Royal Antwerp over the summer and has since made the No.1 shirt his own, with the error-prone Onana shipped off on loan to Trabzonspor after losing the faith of head coach Ruben Amorim.

• Lammens helps transform United’s fortunes

  Lammens, a relatively obscure arrival from Royal Antwerp for £18 million ($24m) on transfer deadline day, has shifted the mood around Old Trafford. Initially signed with modest expectations, he has quickly cemented himself as the most assured goalkeeper the club has fielded in years. His emergence comes after Onana endured a calamitous run of high-profile errors before being sent on loan to Trabzonspor. Altay Bayındır briefly stepped in, but the Turkey international also struggled under the intensity of Premier League scrutiny. With United drifting and in need of a spark, Lammens was thrown into the spotlight and has responded with composure far beyond his experience, helping Amorim's side re-emerge as contenders for Champions League qualification.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  Paul Parker lavishes praise on Lammens

  Former United defender Paul Parker delivered an uncompromising assessment of the club’s goalkeeping transformation, insisting Lammens represents a massive improvement. 

  In an interview with Parker said: "Lammens have definitely made a big difference for Manchester United. He is a massive upgrade from Onana. He looks confident and Man United wouldn’t be where they are if they hadn’t brought him in. He is communicating a lot better than Onana, and the most important thing is that he actually looks like a goalkeeper. He can actually use his hands and make saves, which should be the most important thing for a goalkeeper, but Onana couldn’t do that."

  Parker, once a key part of United’s early Premier League dominance, added that Lammens’ youth only heightens the excitement.

  "He is still very young, so he has a lot of room to grow as well, but I have been really surprised with the way he has come in and dominated in goal," he said. "For me, he has been one of the best signings of the season, and combining that with his potential, I think Man United made the right decision by signing him and letting Onana go."

• Sir Alex Ferguson adds his approval

  Lammens’ impact has not gone unnoticed by the greatest manager in United’s history. Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking to , highlighted the 23-year-old's maturity between the sticks. 

  He said: "There are signs, the manager has had some good signs. Particularly the goalkeeper has been outstanding, he’s only played three or four games and he’s looking really good. Of course, Mbeumo and Cunha, the new players from Wolves and Brentford, they’ve added to it. I hope the manager gets a bit of success because at United you need to have success – the signs are getting better."

  United supporters have embraced their new number one with gusto. During the 2-0 victory over Sunderland, which delivered the club’s first clean sheet of the season, the Stretford End chanted:

  Lammens, smiling but modest, dismissed the comparison.

  He told United's website: "It was really nice to hear it already in the first game [against Sunderland]. I think it is a sign that the fans are happy with me. It feels really good that I can give them that trust."

  While fans are already dreaming, head coach Ruben Amorim has cautioned against premature hype.

  He said in October: "The first impression in this club is really important; to maintain the level is even more important and is really difficult.

  "He’s not [Peter] Schmeichel yet. He’s a young guy with talent. He showed a lot of composure, and the fans liked it. But again, that is in the past; we need to prove in the next game."

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  Bournemouth test awaits next

  United climbed to sixth in the Premier League table after their 4-1 victory over Wolves. Amorim will look to build on the positive result and get another win when they host Bournemouth next on December 15. 

The opening match of the Ashes series was one of the shortest Tests in history

Andrew McGlashan27-Nov-20250:38

Finch: You are allowed to leave the ball

The pitch for the two-day Ashes Test at Perth Stadium has been given the highest rating by the ICC.The surface, which produced 19 wickets on the opening day and a result late on the second as Travis Head flayed 123 off 83 balls, was graded as “very good” in the official report from the match referee Ranjan Madugalle.Under the ICC’s four-tier ratings system, “very good” reflects a pitch with “good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match, allowing for a balanced contest between batters and bowlers”.Related

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At 847 deliveries it was the second-shortest completed Test in Australia and the shortest Ashes Test by balls bowled since 1888.Pace bowling dominated across the first three innings with Mitchell Starc taking 7 for 58, although England had been 160 for 5 before a late collapse before tea on the first day. The visiting attack was then relentless in reducing Australia 123 for 9 at the close with Ben Stokes claiming five.On the second day, England had extended their lead to 105 with nine wickets in hand before Scott Boland cut through the middle order.Set 205, Australia raced to their target inside 29 overs after Head was promoted to open the batting in place of the injured Usman Khawaja. Indications were that the pitch was approaching its best stage for batting, similar to how last season’s Test against India transpired after a clatter of opening-day wickets.England collapsed twice in Perth•Getty Images”This wicket, it kind of gets better I think at the end of day two, it’s probably at its best for the game late this evening … we saw similar last year as well,” captain Steven Smith said.The Perth Test came shortly after another rapidly-moving, low-scoring contest between India and South African in Kolkata which had prompted significant debate over the surface. The rating for that pitch has yet to be made public.The early finish in Perth is expected to cost CA somewhere in the region of AU$3-4 million.”The match referee’s “very good” rating justifies our belief Perth Stadium produced a pitch that provided a fair balance between bat and ball,” James Allsopp, Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, said. “The dominance of some brilliant pace bowling from both sides and the frenetic nature of the contest meant the match lasted only two days.”This was disappointing for fans holding tickets for days three and four, but we saw some incredible moments which captivated huge viewing audiences and will inspire even more kids to pick up a bat and ball this summer.””As always, we want to ensure pitches across Australia have their own characteristics and we’re looking forward to another enthralling contest under lights at the Gabba starting next Thursday.”There will be much intrigue into the pitch in Brisbane for the day-night Test which starts next Thursday although curator Dave Sandurski is confident it will provide a fair balance.”All indications are there is a bit of heat around,” he told AAP earlier this week. “The wicket will dry out a lot quicker so you’ve got to make sure you keep enough moisture in it to last five days.”We try and make our wickets pretty much the same for four and five-day cricket. The aim is to provide a wicket where all players get a chance to perform their skills so hopefully all facets of the game come into the match.”The Gabba staged a two-day Test against South Africa in 2022-23 when too much grass was left on the surface and was rated “below average” under the ICC’s previous ratings system which earned the venue a demerit point. However, there have been no issues with the pitches for the two Tests that have followed against West Indies and India.The West Indies match in 2023-24 is the only day-night contest Australia have lost while last year’s match against India was spoiled by the weather.

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