WAshes

What a thrilling end to the first and only Women’s Ashes test match last week - a clash that far surpassed any of the men’s fixtures for drama and intrigue throughout. 

Chasing a record 257, England looked set to take the game but after losing six wickets for just 26 runs, Australia closed in on a win that would have seen them retain the Ashes.

When two wickets fell with just three overs to go, number 11 Kate Cross came to the crease and faced 12 balls at the end, blocking out the final over.

England fell 12 runs short of their target but at least ensured the four points on offer for the Test were shared.

It was a huge moment for women’s cricket, and one that put the game front and centre of fan’s attention.

Sadly though, it was the only test match of the series, and the only one in the calendar for a long time. 

Women’s test matches provide huge exposure - and help to grow the game exponentially. As we continue to work with cricketers across the world, we hope that the ICC and respective boards can continue to do more to bring women’s test cricket to the masses and we’ll support each and every athlete that takes part.

F1 Sets a Precedent 

Over to motorsport now, and Formula One have announced that all personnel, both working with F1 and those at respective teams (including drivers), will require a vaccine passport to take any part in the sport from next season.

It’s a strict line from the global race organisers, and one that is somewhat unprecedented. While other sports have worked hard to help promote the vaccine, they’ve stopped short of mandating it to their staff and players. 

It’s not clear if anyone in F1 is against the vaccine, or hasn’t yet had it, and you’d imagine that F1 would know the status of their top stars before making such a big decision - but a big decision it remains, and one that will impact the careers of countless team and league staff. 

But such is the situation we are living in, and F1 have positioned themselves as leaders moving forward. We’ll see how many follow suit. 

From the Bernabéu to the Bull in the Barne

And to close, the bizarre story this week that Brazil, Real Madrid, and freekick specialist Roberto Carlos would be coming out of retirement at the age of 48… for Shropshire pub team The Bull in the Barne.

The team won the services of Carlos in a 'dream transfer raffle' on eBay meaning he will appear as a substitute at one of their Shrewsbury & District games in February.

"You pay £5 to enter the raffle for a chance to have a pro sign for your team. One of our lads said in a group chat 'let's just give it a go' and we ended up winning it," striker and club secretary Matthew Brown told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"On Friday afternoon, our manager, Ed Speller, sent a message to say we won the competition and none of us believed him. We thought he was having us on.”

From winning the FIFA World Cup in 2002 to turning out in the Shropshire lower leagues, we don’t want to hazard a guess at the insurance implications involved if he comes up short in a tackle against the local pub landlord!