Davey Johnson, former Major League Baseball player and manager, died on Friday. He was 82.
Johnson played 13 seasons in the majors, spending the majority of his career with the Orioles, where he was a stalwart at second base. He was a part of two World Series championship teams in Baltimore, in 1966 and ‘70, and was named an All Star four times.
After leaving the Orioles, Johnson spent a few seasons with the Braves, hitting alongside Hank Aaron, before stints with the Phillies and Cubs, as well as a brief stay with the Yomiuri Giants of NPB.
Just six years after his playing career, Johnson got his first shot as a manager, taking over the top job for the Mets in 1984. He found notable success in Queens, including a World Series championship in 1986. He also became the first NL manager in history to lead his team to at least 90 wins in his first five seasons at the helm.
After his time with the Mets came to a close, Johnson briefly led the Reds, Orioles and Dodgers before leaving the game in 2000. He would return in 2011 to lead the Nationals.
The Orioles celebrated the life of Johnson with a statement.
Had Liverpool been dispatched at the London Stadium right now, the calls for Arne Slot’s dismissal would have risen a few decibels, higher than the din that followed successive Anfield defeats against PSV Eindhoven and Nottingham Forest.
But Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over the Hammers in the Premier League, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealing three much-needed points for the struggling Redmen.
Still, the Merseyside outfit have left so much to be desired this term, lacking all of last year’s balance and belief as Slot was crowned king in his first year in charge.
So much has gone wrong, and the forthcoming league fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds United will determine whether a true crisis has been averted.
Much more is needed. The likes of Florian Wirtz and Isak are beginning to show signs of world-class quality, but FSG must feel pretty rueful over their decision to sell Luis Diaz and opt against sealing a like-for-like replacement for the Colombian winger.
How Luis Diaz has performed since leaving Liverpool
In fairness, Diaz was set to enter the penultimate year of his Liverpool contract, and there was no sign of a resolution. The Reds cashed in for a healthy £66.5m sum.
However, the 28-year-old’s blistering performances in Germany this season have underscored the dimension that Slot has lost down the left channel. Moreover, let’s not forget that Diaz played plenty of football as a makeshift number nine last year.
Bayern score a lot of goals, and they are the dominant force in the Bundesliga. However, Diaz is impartial as to who he picks apart, having played some immense stuff in the Champions League too.
His prolificness has catapulted him to a seat at the highest table, marrying his athleticism and electricity with a new sharpness in front of goal.
Most G + A from Europe’s Top 5 Leagues (25/26)
Player
G + A
Total
Harry Kane
24 + 3
27
Kylian Mbappe
23 + 3
26
Erling Haaland
19 + 1
20
Michael Olise
9 + 10
19
Luis Diaz
12 + 6
18
Data via Transfermarkt
This serves as a reminder that the grass is not always greener. Diaz will have no regrets over his summer transfer, but Liverpool desperately miss his speed and energy and potent threat.
And now, FSG are in danger of losing their next version of the versatile forward.
Liverpool star could be "the next Diaz"
Liverpool opted against directly replacing Diaz this summer, hoping to keep a road to the first team for Rio Ngumoha clear from clutter.
But Diaz is an elite player, and he is not easily replaced. Perhaps some of a Liverpool persuasion regret their frustrations directed toward him last season, with the clinical performances coming in pockets throughout the year.
History may repeat itself with Alexis Mac Allister, who has been described by prominent Liverpool fan John O’Sullivan as being “the next Diaz” in that he is being hounded out by some segments for his performances this year.
While it’s true that the Argentina “superstar”, as he has been called by pundit Joe Cole, has been off the boil this season, he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, instrumental for the club’s success since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023.
Few know the byways of the midfield game like Mac Allister, who is combative and creative and cerebral in his performance in the engine room. Not just a steely lieutenant, he is smart and savvy, and that sets him apart.
Alexis Mac Allister in the Prem for Slot
Stats (* per game)
24/25
25/26
Matches (starts)
35 (30)
12 (11)
Goals
5
0
Assists
5
2
Touches*
55.8
49.2
Accurate passes*
35.5 (87%)
33.1 (86%)
Key passes*
1.3
0.8
Dribbles*
0.5
0.3
Ball recoveries*
4.2
3.1
Tackles + interceptions*
3.3
1.6
Clearances*
0.8
0.8
Duels (won)*
4.9 (48%)
2.8 (46%)
Data via Sofascore
Form is temporary, as the old adage goes. Mac Allister will surely bounce back, but if Liverpool are set for a rocky road through the 2025/26 season, the 26-year-old may be considered for sale next summer, though reports suggest sporting director Richard Hughes and the club’s officials want him to stay put.
It’s as clear as day: Mac Allister will thrive if sold to a superpower in Germany or La Liga.
And Liverpool, as with Diaz, will be left rueing their decision as they scramble to find an adequate replacement.
Semenyo upgrade: FSG enter race to sign £88m "superstar" for Liverpool
Liverpool and FSG are getting ready to sign a new forward in 2026.
Kian and Michael Blignaut, twins and sons of former Zimbabwe allrounder Andy Blignaut, also feature in the squad
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2025
Two stadiums in Harare will be hosting the home team’s World Cup fixtures•AFP/Getty Images
Simbarashe Mudzengerere has been named the captain of Zimbabwe’s 15-member squad for the men’s Under-19 World Cup, which takes place from January 15 to February 6.Mudzengerere, a right-hand batter and medium pacer, has captained the Under-19 national side since making his debut for them against Ireland, in Harare, on April 10 this year. He bowled a tidy spell of 1 for 28, before returning to make 37 from the middle order in a successful chase.Their squad also features Kian and Michael Blignaut, who are twins and the sons of former Zimbabwe allrounder Andy Blignaut.The U-19 coach, Elton Chigumbura, said: “We are going in with a winning mindset. This group can compete with, and beat, the best teams. Success will come from executing our processes, staying disciplined and sticking to our roles. If we do that consistently, we give ourselves a real chance to go all the way.”Zimbabwe are co-hosts of the tournament, alongside Namibia. Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Cricket Club in Bulwayo, and the Queens Sports Club in Harare, will be hosting matches played in the country. On the pressures of playing at familiar venues, Chigumbura said: “Playing at home is an advantage – we understand the conditions and we will have great support behind us.”The tournament features four groups, consisting of four teams each, with each side facing the three others as part of their group stage fixtures. Zimbabwe have been placed in Group C: they will be playing Scotland on 15 January, England on 18 January, and Pakistan on 22 January. After a Super Sixes stage, the top four teams then face off in the semi-finals on February 3 and 4, before the winners play in the final at Harare on February 6.Zimbabwe begin their preparation with warm-up matches against United States of America on January 10, followed by New Zealand at Masvingo Sports Club on January 12.Zimbabwe squad for U-19 World CupSimbarashe Mudzengerere (c), Kian Blignaut, Michael Blignaut, Leeroy Chiwaula, Tatenda Chimugoro, Brendon Senzere, Nathaniel Hlabangana, Takudzwa Makoni, Panashe Mazai, Webster Madhidhi, Shelton Mazvitorera, Kupakwashe Muradzi, Brandon Ndiweni, Dhruv Patel, Benny Zuze
Manav Suthar took three wickets and Akash Deep two on the opening day of the Irani Trophy
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2025
Atharv Taide’s century kept Vidarbha in the contest•PTI
Vidarbha opener Atharva Taide scored an unbeaten 118 on the first day of the Irani Cup in Nagpur, putting his team on course for a strong first-innings total against Rest of India. He wasHe began the day alongside Aman Mokhade, who hit four boundaries during his 27-ball 19, before nicking an Akash Deep delivery in the eighth over of the match. Akash Deep – returning to competitive cricket for the first time since his Test tour of England – found success at either end of the day’s play. He was the most economical bowler for Rest of India, going at just 2.50 across his 14 overs.Akash Deep capped off the day by having Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar caught behind for 5 in the 82nd over. Vidarbha were reduced to 275 for 5, and Taide batted out the remaining overs alongside Yash Thakur to take Vidarbha to stumps on 280 for 5.Earlier in the day, Rajasthan allrounder Manav Suthar had threatened to roll them over for much less. Fresh off an eight-for against Australia A in Lucknow, he took back-to-back wickets in his first over – the 23rd of the innings. First, he cleaned up Dhruv Shorey (18) while the batter was playing down the wrong line, before he had Danish Malewar caught behind just three balls later. The latter was the second of three catches Ishan Kishan completed behind the stumps.Akash Deep impressed on his return to competitive cricket•PTI
At 80 for 3, 25-year-old Yash Rathod walked in. He stopped the slide and continued his good form from the Duleep Trophy, where he had scored 374 runs in five innings at 124.67. Rathod and Taide batted through the second session, and looked all set to bat till stumps.However, after having hit Suthar for a six just the previous ball in the 74th over, Rathod skipped down the track for the second time in a row and holed out to mid-off on 91 against the run of play. The dismissal ended a 184-run partnership for the fourth wicket.While Akash Deep snared the fifth wicket before the close of play, Taide’s presence in the middle will be essential to Vidarbha’s hopes on the second day. In case an outright result cannot be achieved over five days, the team with the first-innings lead will be declared the winner.Vidarbha will thus be looking to bat deep in their first Irani Cup outing since the 2018-19 edition, which they won through a first-innings lead as well.
Abject. It is, painfully, an accurate way of summing up Liverpool’s form this season. The Premier League champions will not retain their belt, not like this, not with such deep tactical cracks and incoherent players and non-existent belief in Arne Slot’s plan.
The most concerning part of the recent 3-0 defeat in Manchester against Pep Guardiola’s resurgent outfit is that Liverpool were outplayed across the park. Be it physical, mental or tactical metrics, Manchester City shone, and the Reds were blinded by their opponent’s superiority.
Jeremy Doku stood out, darting this way and that, scoring a stunning goal in the second half after breaking away from Ibrahima Konate. The Belgian winger completed seven of eight dribble attempts and created three chances, as per Sofascore.
Liverpool have got so many problems, and the recent wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid provided only the veneer of a revival as City hit the Merseside club with a sobering reality check.
Among Slot’s biggest concerns is the enduring slump of Mohamed Salah. For so many years, the Egyptian has been an unstoppable force for Liverpool, but, aged 33 and at the front of a sinking ship, he is struggling to recover more than a flicker of his former greatness.
Mohamed Salah is becoming a problem
Will we see the best of Salah in a Liverpool shirt again? There’s every chance that the right winger expended incredible amounts of mental and physical energy driving his club to the league title last season, and across all competitions, he scored 34 goals and supplied 23 assists.
Mohamed Salah celebrates Liverpool's Premier League triumph
Almost three months into the new campaign, Slot’s second in the dugout, Salah has recorded eight goal involvements, but his general play and the accuracy of his shooting have paled in comparison to the many years behind him. Salah is not himself.
This is a worry, to be sure. Not just because Liverpool are playing without their talisman in his groove, but because Slot has shown a hesitance toward unleashing Federico Chiesa right from the start of last season, and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change any time soon.
How much longer can it go on like this? Man City reduced Liverpool’s superstar to half-chances and a role within the defensive press. How many times has Salah picked Pep apart? How often has he been the leading light against this arch-rival of modern times?
Premier League
19
9 (6)
Champions League
2
2 (1)
Community Shield
2
1 (1)
FA Cup
2
0 (0)
Carabao Cup
1
1 (0)
There is, of course, the caveat to all this that Salah would be far better placed in a system of greater fluency. This has been anything but the case for the Anfield side this season.
But Father Time is not on the Premier League legend’s side, and, having penned a new two-year extension worth £400k per week in April, Salah has around 18 months to show that FSG have received more than bang for their buck one final time.
But there’s a very real possibility that Salah is past his prime, and that Liverpool need to find a successor.
An onerous task if ever there was one. However, Liverpool actually have a Kirkby prospect who has what it takes to swipe the icon’s shirt.
The Liverpool teen who can take Salah's #11
Slot needs to find a solution to Liverpool’s current woes, but let’s all take a breather, just for a moment. Liverpool have so much talent. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz will come good. But, more excitingly, there’s a wealth of teenage talent soon to be at Slot’s disposal, with one prospect a cut above the rest.
Rio Ngumoha knew he was headed to the upper crust of the Premier League, and a youth system that has shown itself since Jurgen Klopp came along to be a hothouse for those immensely gifted young stars.
Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha
Chelsea’s loss was Liverpool’s gain. Ngumoha was poached from Cobham in 2024 and made his professional debut against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup midway through his maiden year on Merseyside.
A left-sided winger with incredible speed and dribbling, the 17-year-old Ngumoha has the potential to become a superstar at Liverpool, with his physical, athletic and fierce playing style offering shades of that man Doku, Anfield villain last weekend.
You could say Ngumoha is preternaturally talented. After all, journalist Kieran Gill is among those to have singled him out as a “generational talent”, and he certainly illustrated his potential with an incredible strike on his Premier League debut, netting the winner against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park in August.
Since then, he has featured sporadically for the Redmen, playing seven games in all competitions but only starting in the Carabao Cup, among that youthful group who were brushed aside by Crystal Palace last month.
Ngumoha’s time will come. He is so fast, so sure of himself when on the ball. He is among the youngest goalscorers in Premier League history, and that goal is sure to be the first of many.
1
James Vaughan
16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days
2
James Milner
16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days
3
Wayne Rooney
16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days
4
Rio Ngumoha
16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days
5
Cesc Fabregas
17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days
Time must be afforded to one so young. Take Doku. Criticised often at Man City for being endowed with such ferocity and fleet-footedness, but lacking end product and elite decision-making.
Doku is only 23, and his performance against Slot’s beleaguered lot last weekend was the display of a winger reaching new levels of maturity and technical understanding.
Ngumoha will only get better and better as the years go on, and while he can contribute this season, these foundational years could see him bloom at the end of next term, when Salah supposedly leaves, and he could take his shirt, stepping up as Liverpool’s new wide talisman.
Can Nghumoha reach those heights, take that #11 from Salah himself? You’ll have to stay tuned. But Ngumoha will make it easy to do that. Watching him play football is a treat, and he has the capacity to not just emulate a stylistic peer like Doku but become one of the very best in world football.
More than Wirtz: £36m Liverpool star is becoming a "serious issue" for Slot
Liverpool were condemned to a fifth defeat in six Premier League matches at the Etihad.
Stats highlights from Hyderabad where India racked up their highest ever T20I total
Sampath Bandarupalli12-Oct-2024297 for 6 India’s total against Bangladesh in Hyderabad is now the second-highest by any team in all men’s T20s. The highest also came in a T20I – 314 for 3 by Nepal against Mongolia in the Asian Games last year in Hangzhou. India’s previous highest total was 260 for 5 against Sri Lanka in 2017.232 Runs scored through boundaries by India in Hyderabad, the most by any team in a men’s T20. The previous highest was 216 runs by Punjab against Andhra last year, while the previous highest in a T20I was 212 by Nepal against Mongolia.47 Boundaries by India against Bangladesh – 25 fours and 22 sixes, the most by any team in a men’s T20. The previous highest was 43 boundaries by the Czech Republic against Turkey in 2019 and Punjab against Andhra in 2023.ESPNcricinfo Ltd18 Number of overs in Indian innings that fetched 10-plus runs, the most in a men’s T20 innings, where ball-by-ball data is available. Only seven runs came in the first over and nine in the ninth, both bowled by Mahedi Hasan.1 Sanju Samson is now the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a hundred in a men’s T20I. Ishan Kishan’s 89 against Sri Lanka in 2022 was the previous highest score by an Indian keeper. Samson’s 111 ranks sixth in the list of highest individual scores by a wicketkeeper in men’s T20Is.40 Balls Samson needed for his hundred. It is the second-fastest century for India in men’s T20Is, behind Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball effort against Sri Lanka in 2017.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 Number of ten-over totals in men’s T20Is, higher than India’s 152 for 1 on Saturday (where ball-by-ball data is available). Australia scored 156 for 3 against Scotland in 9.4 overs earlier this year, while Estonia got to 154 for 4 at the end of their tenth over against Cyprus in 2024. India’s previous highest total at the end of the tenth over was 117 for 0 against Sri Lanka in 2017.152 for 2 India’s total in the middle overs (7-16) in Hyderabad. Only one team has scored more runs in middle overs in a men’s T20I, where BBB data is available – 163 for 1 by Nepal against Mongolia in 2023.13.6 Overs needed for India to reach the 200-run mark, the second-fastest any team got there in men’s T20Is, where BBB data is available. The fastest is off 13.5 overs by South Africa against West Indies last year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 India achieved their fastest team 100 in men’s T20Is on Saturday, in only 7.1 overs. Their previous fastest was off 7.6 overs against West Indies in 2019 at the Wankhede.The 82 for 1 they made in the powerplay is also the joint-highest in the format, alongside the 82 for 2 against Scotland in the 2021 T20 World Cup game.22 Sixes by India against Bangladesh in Hyderabad, the most by them in a men’s T20I, surpassing the 21 they hit against Sri Lanka in 2017. The 22 sixes by Indian batters are also the joint third-most by any team in a men’s T20I.37 Number of 200-plus totals for India in T20Is are the most by any team in the format. These are also the most by any team in men’s T20s, going past the 36 by Somerset.Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav clobbered the bowlers to all parts•AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.15.04 Run rate of the partnership between Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, the second-highest for a stand of 150-plus runs in men’s T20Is. The highest is 17.81 by Kushal Malla and Rohit Paudel, who put on 193 off 65 balls for Nepal against Mongolia.5 Sixes hit by Samson in the tenth over against Rishad Hossain. He is only the second batter to hit five or more sixes in an over for India, after Yuvraj Singh, who hit six sixes off Stuart Broadin the 2007 T20 World Cup.133 India’s win margin in Hyderabad is their third biggest by runs in men’s T20Is and the biggest for any team against Bangladesh.It is the sixth instance of India winning by a margin of 100-plus runs. Japan (8), Canada (7) and Malaysia (6) are the other teams with six or more wins by 100-plus run wins in men’s T20Is.
We have a genuine title race on our hands in Scotland.
On Sunday, in a match branded the biggest club game played on Scottish football for generations, it proved to be an afternoon of celebration for those bedecked in maroon.
Heart of Midlothian beat Celtic 3-1 at Tynecastle, a Dane Murray own goal breaking the deadlock in Edinburgh, only for Callum McGregor to equalise soon after, but quick-fire goals from Alexandros Kyziridis and then Lawrence Shankland secured the points.
This leaves Hearts eight points clear, with Celtic having now lost back-to-back league games, also beaten at Dundee a week earlier, just the second time Brendan Rodgers has tasted defeat in successive Premiership games, after December 2023, the second of which back then was also at the hands of the Jambos.
Falkirk will visit Parkhead on Wednesday, before all eyes will turn to next Sunday’s Glasgow derby at Hampden in the League Cup semi-finals, but which players played their way out of contention for that one with a less than impressive display in the capital?
Celtic's centre-back crisis
Last Thursday’s come from behind Europa League victory over Sturm Graz came at a serious cost, considering Kelechi Ịheanachọ and Alistair Johnston were both forced off with injuries in the first half, but the biggest blow of all was losing Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The American international has been a mainstay in the Celtic team since joining the club from Tottenham in 2021, but could be sidelined until March due to an achilles injury.
In his absence, Murray got the nod to start at Tynecastle, this only the 22-year-old’s 29th senior appearance, 20 of which have come for Queen’s Park.
Well, his inexperience was very much apparent when, with only eight minutes on the clock, he lashed a calamitous own goal into Kasper Schmeichel’s top corner.
Given this woeful error, on what was only his third start for Celtic, he may have to wait a little while for his fourth, with Auston Trusty and forgotten man Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who may as well be on Interpol’s missing persons list at this point, surely better options to partner Liam Scales going forward.
However, which other Celtic starter, who has a much higher profile and cost a hell of a lot more money, also did not impress in Gorgie?
Expensive Celtic signing could be back on the bench
Against both Sturm Graz and Hearts, having been part of the midfield trio to start the campaign, Benjamin Nygren has been deployed on the right-wing, largely due to a lack of alternative attacking options.
His header pinched the points in Europe on Thursday, while the Swede was denied a goal at the weekend on the cusp of half time by a smart save from Alexander Schwolow, possibly paying the price for his indecisiveness.
This positional move has opened up a midfield spot, with Arne Engels returning to the starting lineup, but he certainly has not grasped this opportunity with both hands, and the table below documents his miserable afternoon in Edinburgh.
Shots
1
5th
Key passes
Zero
13th
Big chances created
Zero
3rd
Accurate passes
41
4th
Passing accuracy %
82%
9th
Duels contested
11
7th
Duels won
4
13th
Possession lost
24
1st
Touches
77
4th
SofaScore rating
6
29th
As the table documents, the Belgian’s statistics at Tynecastle do not make for good reading.
While only Murray, Scales and Callum McGregor completed more passes than Engels, he did little with this possession, creating no chances, losing possession a total of 24 times, the most of any player on the pitch, while Kieran Tierney, the next highest Celtic man in that ranking, only did so on 16 occasions.
Engels arrived in Glasgow just over a year ago to sky-high expectations, considering he was replacing Matt O’Riley while costing a club-record fee of £11m.
After an up and down first campaign, the 22-year-old had only started three times this season prior to the last two fixtures, yet to score a goal, while both of his assists have been set-piece deliveries.
Also, central midfield is possibly the only area of Rodgers’ squad with genuine depth and competition for places.
Captain McGregor’s name is written in permanent marker on the team sheet, while Nygren, Reo Hatate, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan are all also vying for minutes.
Having been given a chance, Engels may have played his way to the back of the queue for next Sunday’s Old Firm, so it would frankly be a surprise if he was included in the starting lineup for the visit of Falkirk on Wednesday.
Not Trusty: Celtic must replace Carter-Vickers with "exceptional" youngster
With Cameron Carter-Vickers set to be sidelined for 5 months, Rodgers must trust Celtic’s “exceptional” youngster, not Auston Trusty, to start.
She will remain in India and will support Mandhana whose wedding was postponed due to her father’s health issues
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2025India batter Jemimah Rodrigues will miss the rest of the WBBL season, with her club Brisbane Heat agreeing to her request to remain in India.Rodrigues had returned home after playing three games for Heat, the last of which was against Hobart Hurricanes on November 15, as part of a pre-arranged commitment. She was set to be part of her India team-mate and close friend Smriti Mandhana’s wedding last weekend. But the event was postponed at the last minute because of a health issue with Mandhana’s father. Rodrigues will stay back in India to support Mandhana.”It has obviously been a challenging time for Jemi, so while it is unfortunate that she will take no further part in the WBBL, we were more than willing to agree to her request to remain in India,” Heat CEO Terry Svenson said in a statement. “The Heat club obviously wish her and Smriti Mandhana’s family all the best for the future.”Jemi told us she was disappointed not to be coming back and has passed on her appreciation to the club and the Heat fans for being so understanding of the circumstances. She has been in touch with the players and wished them all the best for the rest of their games.”Rodrigues, 25, scored 37 runs at an average of 12.33 and a strike rate of 102.77 in the three WBBL matches, after helping India Women clinch their maiden ODI World Cup title earlier this month.Heat, though, will be bolstered by the return of allrounder Grace Harris for the match against Sydney Sixers on November 28. Harris will replace seamer Lily Bassingthwaighte after she missed the last fixture as part of her workload management plan.Heat are searching for their first win this season, having lost all their six matches so far.
The former Australia captain found her stride after a tricky start and Scorchers fell short in a rain-shortened chase
AAP14-Nov-2025Meg Lanning hit top gear in her 100th WBBL game as Melbourne Stars won a rain-hit clash with Perth in Adelaide by 16 runs.The former Australian captain, dropped on 18, went berserk after a slow start to finish unbeaten on 90 off 55 balls as the Stars reached 173 for 4.A storm hit, reducing Scorchers’ chase to 95 off nine overs in a tweak that could have favoured the chasers. But Stars jumped all over them as they finished 78 for 8.Fresh off a century, Beth Mooney reached 14 off six balls with three boundaries before Kim Garth’s clever slower ball brought her undone.Wickets fell regularly, Annabel Sutherland hitting the top of Sophie Devine’s off stump to further stall momentum. Scorchers kept swinging but were never truly in the hunt, Sophie Day taking 3 for 7 from her only over.Earlier Lanning, coming off a brisk 60 in a rain-spoiled affair earlier this week, made the most of the life given to her when Ebony Hoskin spilled a chance at short third. She cruised to 35 before exploding with three boundaries and a six to go to 50 off 35 balls.The boundaries kept coming – Devine punished in particular – before Lilly Mills pegged Stars back with late wickets that starved Lanning of the strike in the final three overs.”I couldn’t get it off the square in the last two overs, fell off a cliff there,” Lanning, who has retired from international cricket, said. “But I found my rhythm and was nice to be able to go on with it. I’ve got an idea of how much I need to train to be ready and … I’m certainly enjoying myself.”