Paul Skenes Provides Explanation for Deadpan Facial Expression That Became a Meme

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes burst onto the scene in 2024, quickly becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball upon his midseason call up to the big leagues from the minors.

Skenes, who was widely regarded as a can't-miss prospect, proved to be every bit of the pltcher the scouts were imagining he would be when he arrived to Pittsburgh's big league club. Skenes won National League Rookie of the Year, started the MLB All-Star Game for the National League and was named a finalist for the Cy Young Award after posting an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 133.0 innings pitched.

Skenes also became a bit of a meme on social media thanks to his deadpan reaction to news that he was the National League Rookie of the Year. Skenes, who was staring dead into the camera, didn't have much of a reaction while his girlfriend Livvy Dunne reacted with excitement.

Skenes cleared up the viral moment in an appearance on

"Yeah I think people mistook the facial expressions and all that for indifference. I would say it was composure for sure," Skenes said with a smile.

Skenes will be on the cover of when the video game hits stores in March, and is certainly in for a big second season as he enters 2025 as one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Former A's Closer Slams Owner's Letter to Oakland Fan Base: 'Be an Adult'

Former Oakland Athletics reliever Trevor May didn't hold back Monday after he read owner John Fisher's letter to the fan base ahead of the franchise's final series at the Oakland Coliseum.

In the letter sent via email Monday, he apologized to A's fans for moving the franchise out of Oakland and saying that the ownership "tried" to work something out in the East Bay. Starting next season, the A's will play their games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento as a temporary home as the franchise aims to relocate to Las Vegas by 2028.

"With all due respect, which is more than you likely deserve, save it," May wrote on social media. "Be an adult. Get in front of a camera and say it with your chest. Releasing a letter, clearly written by someone else, and including a bunch of names you DEFINITELY do not know, is just disrespectful to those that love the team.

"'We tried.' lol. The fact that you STILL think that anyone cares about that at this point shows, once again, your lack of understanding of WHY people love the game. You love owning stuff, just not your actions. Either stand up with pride or keep hiding. Pick one, we're tired."

May signed a one-year contract with the A's ahead of the 2023 MLB season. In 49 games (46 2/3 innings) for Oakland, May registered a 3.28 ERA and a team-high 21 saves in 24 opportunities. He officially retired from baseball in October 2023, wrapping up a career that spanned 10 years with the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, and A's.

Since his retirement, May has spoken out against Fisher attempting to relocate the A's.

“Sell the team, dude," May said of Fisher last October on a Twitch stream. "Sell it, man. Let someone who actually, like, takes pride in the things they own, own something. There’s actually people who give a s— about the game. Let them do it. Take mommy and daddy’s money somewhere else, dork."

Fisher, 63, purchased the A's in 2005 along with minority partner Lewis Wolff. Last summer, Fisher secured $380 million in Nevada taxpayer money to build a $1.5 billion ballpark in Las Vegas he hopes will open in 2028, but construction still has yet to begin in Southern Nevada.

VÍDEO: Dudu se emociona em primeira entrevista pós cirurgia no Palmeiras

MatériaMais Notícias

Visivelmente emocionado, Dudu concedeu entrevista na Academia de Futebol nesta segunda-feira (11) e falou pela primeira vez após a cirurgia no joelho direito.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras inicia semana diferente com atividade na Academia de FutebolPalmeiras11/09/2023PalmeirasEntrosamento de Veiga e Jesus na Seleção agita torcida do Palmeiras na webPalmeiras11/09/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras leva ‘baliza zero’ a sério e resultado mais comum na temporada é com placar intactoPalmeiras11/09/2023

O Verdão comunicou em seu site oficial que o atacante ficará longe dos gramados de nove a doze meses.

Australia ahead after Cummins, Rabada and Ngidi dominate pulsating second day

For two hours in the middle of day two, Australia had one hand on the WTC mace after taking a 74-run first-innings lead at Lord’s. For the next two, South Africa did their utmost to prise their fingers from it, and for the one after that, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc fought them off with a 61-run eighth-wicket partnership. As things stand, Australia still have a few fingers on the mace after a gripping day of Test cricket.It was, once again, a day for bowlers. Fourteen wickets fell on day two, the same number as the first day, for a total of 28 wickets in six sessions.Related

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  • Stats – Captain Cummins in a league of legends feat. Benaud, Imran and others

Pat Cummins stole the early headlines when he became the first visiting captain to take a five-for at Lord’s and then went on to pluck his 300th Test wicket. Then it was over to Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who had Australia 44 for 3 before Lungi Ngidi, back in the Test side after ten months and coming off a poor first innings, redeemed himself with three wickets in a nine-over spell that broke Australia open.Where things stand at the end of the day is that South Africa will already have to pull off the fourth-highest successful chase at Lord’s, and do it against Australia’s unrelenting attack. That means it’s probably still advantage Australia after a breathless seven-and-half-hours in a final that has hit fast-forward.South Africa resumed the day on 43 for 4, 169 runs behind Australia’s 212, and on a go-slow. Temba Bavuma had laboured his way to 3 off 37 overnight as South Africa’s innings ground to a halt, but he showed more initiative on the second morning. He struck two glorious lofted drives in Mitchell Starc’s second over of the day and looked to be finding his touch. Bavuma was on 17 before he was given out lbw off a Josh Hazlewood delivery that nipped in and struck his back pad, and he reluctantly reviewed. To everyone’s disbelief including Bavuma’s, Snicko showed an inside-edge. Bavuma went on to drive Hazlewood and Starc over the covers and pull Cummins into the stands for six in what looked like an increasingly authoritative stay at the crease.1:46

‘South Africa got to keep their foot behind the line’

His partnership with David Bedingham grew to 64 and it took a moment of magic in the field to separate them. Bavuma drove Cummins in the air and to the right of Marnus Labuschagne, who dived full length at cover and pouched it with both hands.Bavuma’s dismissal sent South Africa back into their shell. Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne scored 17 nervy runs in the next 52 balls and both looked vulnerable: Bedingham was drawn into a false stroke by Hazlewood and Verreynne was on 1 when he edged Beau Webster just short of Smith at second slip. But the moment of controversy came when Bedingham edged Webster onto the flap of his pad. Alex Carey moved towards him in an attempt to take a catch and the ball bobbled into and then out of Bedingham’s pad flap. At that moment, Bedingham reached for the ball and dropped it close to his foot. Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith began appealing for obstructing the field, and there was some excitement before it was decided the ball was dead. Bedingham responded by hitting the next ball, a half-volley, for four and South Africa went to lunch on 121 for 5, 91 runs behind.More drama ensued after the break when Cummins hit Verreynne on the pad as he shuffled across, and the ball deflected to fine leg. Verreynne attempted a run, Cummins turned to appeal, and the pair collided, by which point a throw had come in and there was also the chance of a run-out. Cummins asked for a review on the lbw and replays suggested the ball would have gone on to hit leg stump. Three balls later, Jansen handed Cummins a simple return catch, and at 126 for 7, South Africa were in disarray.Cummins completed his five-for when he had Bedingham caught behind off a thin edge three overs later and then got his 300th when Rabada nailed a pull to Webster at deep square. Cummins finished with 6 for 28 in a final analysis that included six maiden overs out of 18.1 and barely a bad ball. Crucially, he gave Australia an important lead that could still have a decisive say on this game.1:26

Bedingham: ‘Way I picked up the ball came across dodgy’

The same could be said of South Africa’s collapse. They lost 5 for 12 in 35 balls; Australia had lost 5 for 20 at around the same time on day one.South Africa came out looking flat as Labuschagne took Rabada’s opening over for seven. Rabada and Jansen bowled three no-balls in the first four overs, but started to find their rhythm when Rabada hit Labuschagne on the pad in his third over and then induced an outside edge.In the next over, Jansen thought he had Khawaja caught behind and Bavuma burned a review to see daylight between bat and ball. It took until the 11th over for things to start happening for South Africa. For the second time in the match, Rabada struck twice in an over, against the same two batters. Khawaja was caught behind poking outside off and Cameron Green edged to third slip. Smith sought to restore order with a straight drive that went for four. Australia went to tea on 32 for 2, 106 ahead.As was the case on day one, the evening session could only be described with one word: mayhem. Jansen bowled a marathon spell either side of the break and was into his eighth over when he offered Labuschagne a full one that was just short of driving length, and he nicked off.2:11

Should Khawaja’s pattern of dismissals worry Australia?

Khawaja, Labuschagne and Green had collectively scored 49 runs in this match, the worst return by an Australian top three since 1890.Then came Ngidi. After three unspectacular overs post-tea, he went fullish and straight. Smith missed and was hit on the back pad and Bavuma was convinced to review again and was successful this time. Ngidi then hit Webster on the back pad with a ball that tailed in and the No. 6 reviewed unsuccessfully. In the next over, Wiaan Mulder beat Travis Head’s inside-edge and the ball ricocheted off his pads onto the stumps, and then came the delivery of the evening: Ngidi’s yorker to Cummins. It thudded into middle and off and Australia were 73 for 7.But just as South Africa may have started to sniff something special, their momentum drained away. Carey and Starc put on 61 for the eighth wicket at a good clip – 4.31 runs an over – before Rabada had one last word on the day. He got the ball to move back into Carey from around the wicket and had him out lbw in an over peppered with no-balls. All told, Rabada bowled five on the day and six in the match and South Africa have overstepped 19 times.They’ll worry about that as much as what could have been in the final over when Jansen dropped Starc at gully, off Mulder, off the third-last ball of the day. By then, South Africa had moved the fielders behind the bat closer in, as several balls had dropped short, and Jansen’s attempts to juggle were not as successful as they had been on the first day. Australia go into the third day with a lead of 218 runs and two wickets in hand.

Arteta 2.0: Man Utd now targeting "best coach in the PL" & it's not Glasner

Manchester United’s poor start to the 2025/26 season has once again cranked up the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim, with uncertainty now emerging around his future.

The 40-year-old took the reins last November, but was unable to catapult the Red Devils up the Premier League table – subsequently ending the year in a record-low 15th place.

However, after £200m worth of new additions during the off-season, he’s been unable to transform the side, already losing 50% of their top-flight outings to date.

His side even got knocked out at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup, losing to League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties, something which has no doubt pushed him closer to the exit door.

Despite constant reports that no change of manager is expected in the immediate future, numerous managers are being lined up to potentially take the reins at Old Trafford.

Man Utd’s manager hunt to replace Amorim

Over the last couple of days, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been hugely linked with the role at United – understandably so given his recent form at Selhurst Park.

The Austrian has led the Eagles to an 18-game unbeaten run, beating Liverpool at the weekend and subsequently adding to their recent FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

However, he’s not the only boss currently in their sights at present, with the Red Devils hierarchy considering a move for Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, according to The Sun.

Their report claims that the United board are hugely impressed with his work at the Vitality and could be tempted to make a move should Amorim be given his marching orders.

It also states that he’s part of the club’s current shortlist to replace the 40-year-old, currently sitting alongside Glasner, but it remains to be seen if they are set to pursue either of the aforementioned candidates.

Why United’s latest target would be their answer to Arteta

Whilst Arsenal are a club very few United fans are content with, many of the supporters must be feeling an ounce of jealously in the direction of the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard is nearing six years in charge at the Emirates, only winning one major trophy, but he’s transformed the side into consistent Premier League title contenders.

His side have finished as runners up in each of the last three years, but could go one further this time around, subsequently showing glimpses of a successful side – as seen by their late comeback against Newcastle United.

The 43-year-old has given the fanbase a reason to be proud of their club, something which Iraola has also done with the Cherries – but certainly on a different level to his compatriot.

He took charge of the South Coast outfit back in the summer of 2023, but has taken the club to new heights – achieving their best ever top-flight finish by ending the year in 9th last time around.

However, he’s certainly faced adversity in recent times, losing key players like Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi to many of Europe’s giants during the recent summer.

Despite the departures, he’s led the Cherries to 6th place after the first six outings, with their only defeat coming against Liverpool on the opening day at Anfield.

In the words of journalist James Horncastle – via John Brewin of the Libero podcast – he is the “best coach in the Premier League”.

Iraola, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one journalist, has achieved a 40% win rate at the Vitality, winning 38 of his 94 matches in charge – subsequently doing so on a shoestring budget.

There’s no doubt he would have a huge amount of money to play with at United, which in turn could allow him to make the desired changes to try and battle with his compatriot, who’s in charge of the Gunners.

Games managed

82

Wins

31

Draws

22

Losses

29

Goals scored

120

Goals conceded

120

Points won

115

Points per game

1.40

Win percentage

37.8%

The similarities to Arteta are there for all to see, with both being the same age and making a huge impact in England’s top-flight after their respective appointments.

Both also came from the Basque Country, with United having the chance to appoint an incredible manager should they decide to pursue a move for Iraola in the months ahead.

His stint at Bournemouth has made him one of the most talented young managers in Europe, but it’s unclear how much the Cherries would demand for his signature in the months ahead.

It remains to be seen if Iraola would be open to the job at Old Trafford, but if he can replicate such talents with the Red Devils – there’s no reason as to why they can’t rise up the table under his guidance in the future.

This season's Rashford: Man Utd star is now a big "problem" for Amorim

There is much for Ruben Amorim to fix at Manchester United.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 29, 2025

Carey, Lehmann, McAndrew shatter Queensland's finals hopes

Centuries from Alex Carey and Jake Lehmann and a devastating spell from Nathan McAndrew have destroyed Queensland’s Sheffield Shield final hopes

AAP16-Mar-2025Sheffield Shield leaders South Australia have shattered Queensland’s hopes of making the final, driving home their advantage at Karen Rolton Oval.After centuries to Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Jake Lehmann, the home side declared on Sunday at an imposing 614 for 7. Opening bowler Nathan McAndrew then tore through the Queensland top order to leave the visitors in tatters at 13 for 3.Henry Thornton claimed the key wicket of Test No.3 Marnus Labuschagne to compound the Bulls’ problems and at stumps on day two they were in deep trouble at 110 for 5.Queensland started the last round in second place, but New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria have the same number of wins and less than five points separate the four teams on the ladder. Barring a miracle over the next two days, Queensland appear out of title contention.SA resumed on Sunday at a healthy 359 for 4, with Carey and Lehmann at the crease. Carey posted his third Shield ton of the summer and Lehmann scored his second in as many innings to pile the pain onto Queensland.When Carey was dismissed for 104 from 100 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, he and Lehmann had put on 175 for the fifth wicket. Carey would have been frustrated to fall to Labuschagne’s medium pace, chipping a catch to mid-off.Lehmann finished on 130 not out off 182 deliveries, with 14 fours, after combining with Ben Manenti (49) and McAndrew (41) to further bolster SA’s imposing first innings total.Already in dire straits, Queensland had the worst possible start to their innings when McAndrew trapped openers Lachie Hearne and Matt Renshaw lbw in his first over. He also removed Jake Clayton the same way from around the wicket to end the day with 3 for 36.With Labuschagne at the crease, Queensland still had faint hope of a counterattack. But Thornton (2-32) had him caught by Manenti at second slip for 23, before removing Ben McDermott (35) through a skied pull shot that was pouched by Carey.Jimmy Peirson and Michael Neser are the not-out batters, with the visitors still more than 500 runs behind with two days to play.

'Clear and unambiguous!' – Ousmane Dembele beat Lamine Yamal to 2025 Ballon d'Or by 'wide margin', confirms France Football editor-in-chief

France Football's editor-in-chief Vincent Garcia has confirmed that Ousmane Dembele beat Lamine Yamal to the 2025 Ballon d'Or by a "wide margin". Dembele and Yamal were the last men standing among the 30 nominees but it was the Paris Saint-Germain star who ultimately claimed the award after a historic 2024-25 season.

Dembele beat Yamal to Golden Ball

The 2024-25 campaign proved to be the best season in Dembele's career so far as he won the Ballon d'Or for the first time after leading PSG to a treble. The French giants won every major trophy on offer, except for the Club World Cup, while the Frenchman scored 35 goals across all competitions and provided 16 assists. Yamal also shone with Barcelona as Hansi Flick's side bagged three domestic trophies, but the teenager missed out on the Golden Ball in the end.

AdvertisementGetty'Ousmane won it by a wide margin'

Garcia, who is in charge of the France Football organisation that presents the Ballon d'Or every year, has clarified that the final vote was not close this time around, with Dembele the "clear" winner. He said after the ceremony: "There was no match. Ousmane won it by a wide margin. On all continents, Ousmane Dembele's Ballon d'Or is clear and straightforward. It's a Ballon d'Or that is authoritative for our judges."

Yamal' father triggers controversy

Following his son's defeat in Paris, Yamal's father Mounir Nasraoui stirred up controversy by branding Dembele’s Ballon d’Or win as the “greatest moral harm” in football. He further claimed that Yamal was "by far the best player in the world" last season. 

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Getty ImagesWhat's next for Dembele and Yamal?

Dembele missed PSG's rescheduled Ligue 1 fixture at Marseille on Monday as he is yet to recover from the injury that he sustained during the international break, but the winger is hoping to feature for Luis Enrique's side in their next outing against Auxerre on Saturday. Yamal, meanwhile, is also working his way back from injury and may not be ready to feature when Barca take on Oviedo on Thursday in La Liga.

Sold for £28m: Levy hit gold axing Spurs flop now worth less than Bissouma

Tottenham Hotspur’s business within the transfer market this summer has been impressive, to say the least – subsequently handing boss Thomas Frank the tools he needs for success in the role.

Former chairman, Daniel Levy, backed the new manager with the funds to make the desired changes, leading to over £100m being spent on new additions in North London.

Mohammed Kudus was the biggest addition, costing £55m from rivals West Ham United, with Xavi Simons also making the move in a £52m transfer from RB Leipzig.

Such moves have offered the Lilywhites further quality and depth in the final third – strengthening their chances of being competitive in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.

However, they’ve already made numerous departures, offloading players who are no longer in the manager’s plans and or below the levels needed for success in the near future.

Spurs’ departures throughout the summer window

Winger Heung-min Son ended his decade-long Spurs career this summer, leaving the club in a £20m deal to join MLS side Los Angeles FC earlier in the window.

The South Korean international racked up over 450 appearances for the Lilywhites, ending his tenure in North London as the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer in their history.

Heung-min Son – timeless record

Yves Bissouma is another player who was constantly touted with a move away from the club – after Frank axed him from his squad for multiple disciplinary reasons.

The Malian international has also failed to appear in a single matchday squad since the Dane’s arrival, prompting huge rumours about an exit away from North London.

With the Saudi and Turkish transfer windows still open, the 29-year-old could yet leave the club, ending his three-year spell in the side – after joining from Brighton in a £35m deal back in 2022.

The former Spurs star who’s now worth less than Bissouma

Given his absence from the first-team squad, it would be a surprise to no one to see Bissouma depart Spurs in the coming days – putting a sour end to his time at the club.

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma

However, his spell with the Lilywhites has been littered with various incidents, previously being suspended after being caught inhaling nitrous oxide during the Ange Postecoglou reign.

Despite scoring two goals and often having a positive impact, it’s his off-field antics that have negatively affected his time at the club – with the hierarchy needing to cut loose in the weeks ahead.

The hierarchy could still command a decent fee for the midfielder, similarly to the departure of former attacker Steven Bergwijn, who left the club back in the summer of 2022.

The Dutchman arrived in a £27m deal from PSV back in January 2020, with the attacker making an immediate impact after his big-money transfer to England.

He scored a superb effort in a 2-0 triumph against Manchester City in North London, but it’s safe to say his career at the club never took off after such a spectacular moment.

Bergwijn only managed to score eight goals in his 83 appearances for the Lilywhites, subsequently returning to the Netherlands after just 18 months at the club.

He subsequently rejoined Dutch outfit Ajax in a £28m deal in the summer of 2022, leading to one content creator labelling his spell at the club as “woeful”.

The winger, who now plies his trade for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, is now valued at £9.3m by FootballTransfers – showcasing the decline he’s endured over the last couple of years.

The cost of Steven Bergwijn’s Spurs move

Statistics

Tally

Transfer Fee

£27m

Wages (Total)

£75k-per-week (£9.4m)

Appearances

83

Cost per Appearance

£439k

Goals

8

Cost per Goal

£4.5m

Assists

9

Cost per Assist

£4m

Goal Involvements

17

Cost per Goal Involvement

£2.1m

Stats via Transfermarkt & Capology

Such a figure is lower than that of Spurs outcast Bissouma, with the Malian still valued at £15.7m despite his recent antics and lack of first-team action in North London.

Given the value of Bergwijn, there’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right call in allowing the attacker to depart the club after his unsuccessful stint in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur's Steven Bergwijn celebrates

As for Bissouma, it’s crucial that the board replicate such a deal in allowing him to depart, subsequently avoiding losing him for nothing when his contract expires next summer.

Not just Tel: Spurs dud who's like a "pub player" is finished under Frank

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to part ways with numerous players in the near future.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 4, 2025

Wellalage dropped, Rajapaksa retained in Sri Lanka T20I squad for New Zealand tour

The rest of the squad for the three-T20I series wears a familiar look, with Dinesh Chandimal getting another go

Madushka Balasuriya18-Dec-2024Sri Lanka have named a largely unchanged 16-man T20I squad to travel to New Zealand later this month. Only Dunith Wellalage misses out from the squad that faced the same opposition at home last month. The team is expected to leave for New Zealand on December 20.While no reason has been cited for Wellalage’s omission, it is likely that his spin-bowling attributes would have been less useful in New Zealand’s more seam-friendly conditions. Wellalage is currently taking part in the Lanka T10 tournament for Jaffna Titans.Apart from Wellalage, Sri Lanka’s team – led by Charith Asalanka – has a familiar feel. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis and Asalanka comprise the primary batting options, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe is in line to play a more prominent role than on recent tours as the sole seam-bowling allrounder.NZ vs SL, T20I series

Dec 28 – 1st T20I in Mount Maunganui
Dec 30 – 2nd T20I in Mount Maunganui
Jan 2 – 3rd T20I in Nelson

Notably, Bhanuka Rajapaksa retained his position in the squad despite middling performances in the recent Abu Dhabi T10, as well in Sri Lanka’s last series against New Zealand. While another curious retention is Dinesh Chandimal, who, despite being named in recent squads, last played a T20I in February 2022.Wickramasinghe will supplement a varied seam attack consisting of Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando. Spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay round out the squad.The first two T20Is will take place in Mount Maunganui on December 28 and 30, before the action moves to Nelson for the final match on January 2.Sri Lanka squad for T20I series in New ZealandCharith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando

Parsons wickets, Laura Harris' power help Brisbane Heat to 2-0 start

Brisbane Heat legspinner Grace Parsons starred in just her second WBBL match in a history-making 28-run win over Melbourne Renegades.The 21-year-old snared 3 for 22 in four overs to turn the game after Renegades started fast in pursuit of the Heat’s 169 for 8 at Allan Border Field.The win marked the first time in WBBL history that Heat had started a season with consecutive wins.Related

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Renegades made a blistering start courtesy of West Indies gun Hayley Matthews (35 off 28) before Parsons captured two wickets in her opening over, her first victims in the WBBL.It got better for Parsons when allrounder Deandra Dottin was controversially given out lbw after the ball had deflected off her glove and onto the pad. Dottin called for a review but there was no DRS in this match, although 33 out of 43 WBBL games this season will feature the review system.Renegades fell apart with opener Courtney Webb run out and skipper Sophie Molineux both falling in the 10th over as the visitors slumped to 71 for 5 after being 51 for 0.Heat turned the screws with seamer Shikha Pandey continuing her excellent start to the season to restrict Renegades despite a quickfire 38 from Naomi Stalenberg.Parsons suffered a shoulder injury last year and missed the entire WBBL season after she was Queensland’s leading wicket taker in the WNCL.Such is her talent she recently won Australia A selection against India ahead of what looks set to be a fruitful career.She said learning off former Heat legspinner and New Zealand’s T20 World Cup star Amelia Kerr had helped with her craft.”Learning off Amelia the last three years has been really special because she is the best to do it,” Parsons told AAP. “Our spin bowling coach at the Heat is Cameron Boyce and he is amazing at what he does and it has been really cool to pick his brain.”It was a long countdown to Big Bash but I got here in the end and it was super special to play my debut game at Allan Border Field.”Earlier, experienced Heat duo Georgia Redmayne and Lauren Winfield-Hill added 66 from 46 to set the innings up. Redmayne was savage square of the wicket and pulled her first four boundaries stylishly.Winfield-Hill rotated the strike while punishing anything loose. One stylish reverse sweep rocketed to the fence of spinner Georgia Wareham before the Englishwoman was well caught at mid-wicket.Charli Knott, player of the match against Adelaide Strikers in the season opener, holed out for just one before Dottin drew an edge from Redmayne and the hosts slipped to 86 for 4.Swashbuckling Laura Harris (31 off 16) upped the ante as only she can with a quickfire innings during the power surge that included a cut over point for six.Heat skipper Jess Jonassen finished unbeaten on 25 to get the Heat to a competitive total.

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