Browsing: Spirit

And so the revamp of The Hundred begins, the sign of what the competition may be like following more than £500m of investment.

The consortium that paid most for a stake in any of the eight teams, the Tech Titans, have poached the most sought-after coach on the franchise circuit. In doing so, they reunite Andy Flower with Spirit director Mo Bobat, the pair that finally delivered the Indian Premier League title to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The last two of the eight investment deals were due to be completed this week and an announcement is thought to be imminent.

The Ambani Family, owners of IPL outfit Mumbai Indians, have paid around £60m for a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles. Cain International, co-founded by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, is spending about £40m for the same share in Trent Rockets.

Flower’s move could be the tip of the iceberg for players and coaches. The man he is replacing at Spirit, Justin Langer, would seem a natural fit for Manchester Originals, who have sold a majority stake to the owners of Lucknow Super Giants, Langer’s IPL team.

In the men’s competition in particular there is expected to be a huge shake-up of playing squads, with an auction then used to select players.

Franchises might be allowed to retain as few as four of their current playing group, possibly adding a limited number of direct signings before the auction. This would particularly impact the Invincibles, who have won the past three men’s Hundred competitions.

Greater investment in The Hundred is expected to attract big name men’s overseas players and one star attraction who could be involved in 2026 is Ravichandran Ashwin.

Whereas Indian men are barred from overseas leagues so long as they are playing international cricket or the IPL, legendary off-spinner Ashwin has retired from both. The 39-year-old is due to play in Australia’s Big Bash this winter.

Ashwin’s arrival could signal the arrival of other Indian megastars. Rohit Sharma is another who could be coming to the end of his time in international cricket and the IPL. Virat Kohli has a home in London, and London Spirit have just strengthened ties to his RCB.

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It’s Sunday, and another round of NWSL action is in the books, which means it’s time for ESPN’s Power Rankings.

Who’s climbing the table? Who’s in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 22 to come up with this week’s order of all 14 teams in the league. Let’s dive in.

Previous ranking:1
Next match:Monday Oct. 6 vs. Angel City FC, 10.30 p.m. ET

Kansas City could’ve rested after clinching the NWSL Shield last week, but didn’t in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Stars. That it felt so “ho-hum” is a testament to how excellent the Current have been this season. Debinha started the party in the seventh minute with a finish from near the penalty spot, and the lead was two in the 51st minute when Bia Zaneratto surged forward after a pass from Temwa Chawinga and finished in the box. The Current did concede in the 58th minute, ending an NWSL record 870 minutes without allowing a goal. But they were right back with two more goals and stay 16 points clear at the summit.

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Previous ranking:2
Next match:Sunday Oct. 5 vs. San Diego Wave, 1 p.m. ET (Stream LIVE on ESPN+)

Welcome to the playoffs, Spirit. The D.C. squad clinched their spot in the postseason emphatically with a 4-0 win over the Houston Dash that saw Gift Monday score the fastest hat trick from the opening whistle in NWSL history. The Nigerian forward had goals in the 18th, 21st and 36th minutes. Remarkably, the best goal may have been the fourth, with Sofia Cantore scoring an improbable backheel to cap a gorgeous team move. The Spirit haven’t lost in a dozen matches including in Concacaf W Champions Cup play, which they return to with a midweek trip to Gotham.

Previous ranking:3
Next match:Sunday Oct. 5 vs. Seattle Reign, 4 p.m. ET

Goals from Midge Purce, Rose Lavelle and Katie Stengel paced Gotham to a 3-0 victory over the Portland Thorns on Friday. It was the second week in a row that Lavelle has scored, and she also added an assist, setting up Stengel with a sweet back-heeled pass. It was one of three chances created, hinting at Lavelle approaching her best as we near the business end of the season. The Champions Cup game Wednesday against the Spirit looks enticing.

Previous ranking:4
Next match:Sunday Oct. 5 vs. Washington Spirit, 1 p.m. ET (Stream LIVE on ESPN+)

This is getting concerning for the Wave, whose 2-1 home loss to the Orlando Pride is the sixth match in a row in which they’ve been unable to secure three points. Dudinha struck back immediately after San Diego conceded the opener, but the Wave allowed a soft equalizer. They’re still in the postseason places, but the margin for error is getting increasingly small. Next weekend’s trip to the Washington Spirit doesn’t look any easier, either.

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San Diego Wave FC vs. Orlando Pride – Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from San Diego Wave FC vs. Orlando Pride, 09/27/2025

Previous ranking:5
Next match:Saturday Oct. 4 vs. Bay FC, 10 p.m. ET

Some of the Thorns’ biggest struggles were on display in a 3-0 loss at Gotham FC. The side’s only shot in the box was a 51st-minute header from a corner kick, and the only other shot on target of the night was Deyna Castellanos’ midfield chip attempt in the fourth minute. At the back? Well, it was the first time since April the Thorns conceded three.

Previous ranking:7
Next match:Friday Oct. 3 vs. Houston Dash, 8 p.m. ET

The nine-match winless skid in league play is over, with the Pride beating the San Deigo Wave 2-1 in Friday’s nightcap. With so many injuries in attack, getting record signing Jacquie Ovalle up and running was key. She scored the opener in the match, and Carson Pickett put in the winner on a ball from right back Oihane Hernández that looked like it would beat everyone until it was put into the net. Next up? The Pride head to Mexico City for a showdown with Club América in Champions Cup play.

Previous ranking:10
Next match:Sunday Oct. 5 vs. Gotham FC, 4 p.m. ET

The Reign took a huge jump in the standings with a 2-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage in Sunday’s weekend finale. After conceding first, the Reign scored two unanswered to leap into fourth place and have an inside track not just on the postseason, but a home playoff contest thanks to an own goal and a slick finish from Maddie Dahlien.

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Seattle Reign FC vs. North Carolina Courage – Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Seattle Reign FC vs. North Carolina Courage, 09/29/2025

Previous ranking:6
Next match:Friday Oct. 3 vs. Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. ET

The Dash didn’t really answer the bell in Washington D.C., falling 4-0 to the Spirit. Monday scored a hat trick in the first half, while Houston didn’t have its first shot on goal until after the half-time break. Friday’s visit from Orlando will be critical for playoff hopes.

Previous ranking: 8
Next match:Saturday Oct. 4 vs. NC Courage, 7.30 p.m. ET

A 1-0 win over Angel City at home helped Racing Louisville keep pace in the playoff hunt. Sarah Weber slid to connect with Emma Sears’ 66th-minute cross for the winner, ending a four-match winless skid for the hosts. If anyone knows it’s still possible to finish just outside the top eight it’s Racing fans, but three of the final four matches of the season are against teams currently on the outside looking in.

Previous ranking:9
Next match:Saturday Oct. 4 vs. Racing Louisville, 7.30 p.m. ET

Things can turn on a goal, and turn they did for the Courage in a 2-1 defeat in Seattle. Dahlien’s winner for the Reign meant the Courage went from in the top eight to out of the playoff places. Next weekend’s match against Racing Louisville looms mighty large with both teams uncomfortably close to the line.

Previous ranking:12
Next match:Sunday Oct. 5 vs. Chicago Stars, 4 p.m. ET

It may be too little, too late, but the Royals continued their charge up the table — and these rankings — with a 2-0 road win Saturday over Bay FC. It’s the third win in a row for Jimmy Coenraets’ squad and the seventh game undefeated, a club record. Utah sits four points off of last year’s points total thanks to the late surge.

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Bay FC vs. Utah Royals – Game Highlights

Watch the Game Highlights from Bay FC vs. Utah Royals, 09/28/2025

Previous ranking:11
Next match:Monday Oct. 6 vs. KC Current, 10.30 p.m. ET

Angel City had plenty of the ball in a 1-0 loss to Racing Louisville, they just weren’t able to do much with it when it came to finishing. The visitors ended the night with two shots on target, both taken from just outside the box. It’s the 10th loss of the season and makes a playoff place look very complicated. The next three matches are at home, but the opposition isn’t easy.

Previous ranking:13
Next match: Saturday Oct. 4 vs. Portland Thorns, 10 p.m. ET

It’s an 11th match in a row without a win for Bay FC, falling 2-0 to the Utah Royals. Earlier in the week, the club announced Brady Stewart is no longer the team’s president and CEO, the latest in a number of roles the club needs to fill in the offseason to set up for future success.

Previous ranking:14
Next match: Sunday Oct. 5 vs. Utah Royals, 4 p.m. ET

You’ve had to look hard for bright spots in the Stars’ season, and there was a small one Friday with Nádia Gomes making the most of her starting role by scoring against the KC Current. It came in a 4-1 loss but was the first goal any team scored against the league leaders in almost 900 minutes.

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Kevin He netted the shootout winner as the Niagara IceDogs pushed past the Saginaw Spirit 5-4 on Friday night in Ontario Hockey League action.

Ethan Czata scored twice, while Ryan Roobroeck and Hayden Reid contributed the rest in regulation for Niagara (2-1-0). Charlie Robertson made 33 saves.

Nikita Klepov, with two goals, Jacob Cloutier and Carson Harmer scored for Saginaw (1-0-1-1). Stepan Shurygin stopped 17 shots.

Czata scored both of his goals — on the power play and short-handed — in the final 2:30 of the second period to put the Icedogs ahead 4-3 entering the third period.

But Harmer netted the tying goal 2:11 into the frame to eventually send it to overtime.

GREYHOUNDS 5, FRONTENACS 4 (SO)

KINGSTON, Ont. – Quinn McKenzie scored the shootout winner as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds outlasted the Kingston Frontenacs 5-4.

Jordan Charron, with two goals, Brady T Smith and Noah Laus scored in regulation for Sault Ste. Marie (3-1-0). Noah Tegelaar made 22 saves.

Tyler Hopkins scored twice, while Jacob Battaglia and Landon Wright added the others for Kingston (1-1-0-1). Gavin Betts stopped 21 shots.

KITCHENER, Ont. – Tanner Lam scored twice as the Kitchener Rangers used a four-goal third period to down the Erie Otters 5-2.

Jack Pridham, Haeden Ellis and Luca Romano added the others for Kitchener (3-0-0), which went 3 for 6 on the power play. Christian Kirsch made 23 saves.

Callum Hughes and Tyler Challenger put Erie (0-3-0) on the board. Noah Erliden kicked out 21 shots.

LONDON, Ont. – Gabriel Chiarot knocked in the game-winning goal at 9:53 of the third period as the Brampton Steelheads edged the London Knights 2-1.

Julian Demiglio netted the game-tying goal at 5:44 of the third period for Brampton (2-1-0). Zach Bowen stopped 15 shots.

Jared Woolley opened the scoring 9:49 into the first period on the power play for London (0-2-1). Aleksei Medvedev kicked out 23 shots.

GUELPH, Ont. – Jaden Cholette made 48 saves, Owen Griffin and Luke Posthumus each scored twice and the Oshawa Generals downed the Guelph Storm 7-1.

Jalen Lobo, with a goal and three assists, Ben Cormier and Sam Roberts also contributed for Oshawa (1-2-0).

Hunter McKenzie scored for Guelph (1-1-0). Colin Ellsworth surrendered three goals on eight shots in the opening period and Zachary Jovanovski stopped 15 of 19 shots in relief.

SARNIA, Ont. – Liam Beamish had a goal and an assist as the Sarnia Sting cruised past the Sudbury Wolves 6-1.

Ryan Brown, Beckham Edwards, Jordan Bax, Jacob Reese and Ryder Simpson provided the rest of the offence for Sarnia (1-2-0). Patrick Quinlan made 27 saves.

Hudson Chitaroni scored for Sudbury (0-3-1). Owen Leonard stopped 24 of 28 shots, while Jason Tremblay surrendered two goals on two shots.

NORTH BAY, Ont. – Jasper Kuhta had a goal and an assist as the Ottawa 67s defeated the North Bay Battalion 3-1.

Shaan Kingwell and Ondrej Ruml also scored for Ottawa (2-0-0), while Ryder Fetterolf made 21 saves.

Arseny Pronin had the lone goal for North Bay (2-1-0), which got 27 stops from Mike McIvor.

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September 15, 2025 | Alan Lane

The Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre came alive yesterday as players of all ages and abilities took part in the latest Ping Aspire Series event – a celebration of fun, friendly competition and the power of table tennis to bring people together.

From complete beginners to returning players, everyone had the chance to test their skills, make new friends and enjoy a buzzing day of matches. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with one player summing it up simply: “All of it – I loved every moment!â€

Inclusive, fun and inspiring
One of the standout aspects of the Aspire events is their inclusivity. Martin, who usually plays at a Parkinsonâ€s table tennis group, was thrilled to join in:
“Iâ€ve only been playing a year, and mostly socially, but I wanted to see how my game stood up against people without Parkinsonâ€s. I won a couple, lost a few, and made it through to the second round – which might have been a mistake because Iâ€m being battered! But Iâ€m learning loads. Itâ€s terrific to see the talent in these youngsters. Itâ€s been good fun and quite inspiring – makes you want to whoop!â€

Jonathan, who discovered the tournament through the Northants Table Tennis Facebook page, praised the balance of competition:
“I was expecting to completely lose a lot, but itâ€s great to see all the different levels here – anything can happen! The second stage, where you play people closer to your level, was especially fun and helped me think more about my style and decisions. Itâ€s really good experience.â€

For Pran Fernando, the event rekindled a passion from childhood:
“I played table tennis at school and university, then stopped for years. I got back into it recently with my local club, and entering this was perfect practice before the new season. Itâ€s definitely worthwhile if youâ€re new and looking to meet people and play at your own level. Huge thanks to Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre for a wonderful venue.â€

Strong competition across the board
The event wasnâ€t just about fun – the standard of play was impressively competitive, with thrilling rallies and plenty of surprises. Event sponsor Bribar generously provided vouchers for the winners and runners up.

Section 1 winner: Ben Stoneman
Runner-up: Jonathan Lane
Section 2 winner: Zachary Cliffe
Runner-up: Jack Burke
Congratulations to all the winners, and to every player who brought their best game and their best smiles.

A winning formula
Survey results from the day told the story loud and clear – with the majority of players giving Aspire top marks for enjoyment, organisation and inclusivity. Comments included “playing against different people I donâ€t usually face,†and “everybody was nice and friendly – Iâ€ll definitely recommend it to my friends.â€

The Aspire Series continues to grow in popularity, offering a perfect mix of fun, fairness and community spirit. Whether youâ€re picking up a bat for the first time, returning after years away, or sharpening your competitive edge, thereâ€s a place for you.

Ping Aspire is all about connection, competition and having a great time – and Milton Keynes was proof of just how magical that mix can be.

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