Jamie Smith joins Ben Duckett in sitting out T20Is with World Cup just six months away

Matt Roller08-Sep-2025England will go into their T20I series against South Africa without both Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith this week, prompting head coach Brendon McCullum to concede they must learn how to cope better with their busy international schedule.Duckett, Smith and Harry Brook have been ever-present for England across their 15 international fixtures to date this summer, and all spent August playing in the Hundred. All three players will miss next week’s brief tour to Ireland, and McCullum has prescribed an additional week’s rest for his ODI openers so they can “freshen up” ahead of a busy winter away.It means that Duckett and Smith will miss consecutive T20I series less than six months out from a World Cup in the format, when better planning would have seen them skip the ODIs instead. In their absence, Phil Salt – who missed England’s most recent T20Is on paternity leave – looks set to open the batting alongside either Tom Banton or Will Jacks.Related

• South Africa beat England and the rain to leave Cardiff 1-0 up

• ECB chair says crammed Hundred schedule is 'short-term issue'

• Bethell admits he 'probably should have played more' this summer

• Bethell, Root tons, Archer four-for see England hand out record thrashing

England face a tight turnaround between the Ashes and the T20 World Cup this winter, interspersed with white-ball tours to New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Rob Key, England’s managing director, claimed last year that their upcoming schedule was “easing” when expanding McCullum’s role to cover white-ball cricket but it shows few signs of doing so.A one-day gap after the Hundred final meant that England’s players did not train together as a full squad ahead of Tuesday’s first ODI in Leeds, in which they were thrashed by seven wickets. ECB chair Richard Thompson acknowledged the crammed fixture list was an issue on Sunday, but admitted that it is unlikely to change significantly within the ongoing broadcast rights cycle.”The scheduling isn’t ideal,” McCullum said after England’s consolation win in Southampton. “That’s just the way it is and it’s not going to change, so we’re going to have to find ways to deal with it… We’re just going to have to find ways to be able to hit the ground running a bit quicker than what we did in this one.”I spoke to [Duckett] and I said, ‘I think you need to freshen up. You’ve played so much cricket and you’re such an influential player for us over the next few months.’ He’ll have a decent break at home, as will Jamie Smith… It gives the other guys opportunities, and it’s exciting, too. If we just rely on 11 players, then we’re not really going to be competitive.”One of those “other guys” is Sam Curran, who will bat in the top six against South Africa after winning a recall through his performances for Surrey and Oval Invincibles. McCullum has never previously picked Curran for one of his teams, and told him in an “honest conversation” over breakfast earlier this summer that he needed to “bang the door down” as a batter.”The message to Sam was that a lot’s come to you quickly and you’ve had a lot of success and a lot of fame, and a lot of things have fallen your way,” McCullum said, “but, of late, your performance had just tailed off a bit… With us resting both Jamie and Ben, it gives us the opportunity to bring Sam in and he’ll get his chance to bat in the top six.”England are expected to stick with the spin-heavy strategy they trialled against West Indies in June for this week’s series as they prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Curran will likely be their third seamer, with Jacob Bethell and Jacks supplementing Adil Rashid and either Liam Dawson or Rehan Ahmed as spin options.Bethell and Jacks acted as England’s fifth bowler in the ODIs against South Africa but their combined 10 overs in a tight defeat at Lord’s were hammered for 112 runs. McCullum said it was “really hard” to balance the side without a genuine allrounder, but has already spoken to Brook about how to give his part-time options “slightly more in their favour”.”We’ve just got to be a bit smarter with it… Utilising the big side of the ground, or also trying to set slightly more defensive fields,” McCullum said. “They don’t need to take 3 for 30 off 10 overs. They’ve just got to find a way to be able to create pressure and hold for a period so that our attacking guys can come in.”We won’t always be married to that [balance] but at the moment, we want to make sure that we’ve got that familiarity within our batting group – particularly in the middle order, as they adjust to some new roles so that they get more and more comfortable with how each of them is going to play.”McCullum said that England’s record 342-run thrashing in Southampton had provided them with “an incredible blueprint” in ODIs during an “oscillating” series. “We got hammered in the first one, we were within one blow in the second, and we dished out a pretty good performance in the third… It shows that there’s not a huge gulf between the two teams.”

Worcestershire close second day five down after Tongue takes out top three in fiery burst of 9-1-24-3

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay09-Sep-2025A searing burst from Josh Tongue put Nottinghamshire back in the box seat after Worcestershire fought back well on the second day of their Rothesay County Championship match at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Nottinghamshire’s first-innings lead was restricted to 25 after they were bowled out for 207. Freddie McCann defied for 56 (106 balls) but Tom Taylor took 4 for 70 and Ben Allison 3 for 41 while wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick took five catches.The game had evened right up but Worcestershire closed the second day on 93 for 5 after Tongue took out the top three in a fiery burst of 9-1-24-3. With the pitch still helping seamers, Nottinghamshire won’t want to chase many in the fourth innings, but are well-placed to push for a win to keep them on the shoulders of leaders Surrey ahead of their mouth-watering meeting at The Oval next week.Nottinghamshire resumed on the second morning on 46 for 1 to find the pitch still lively. Allison soon produced a perfect away-cutter that Ben Slater edged to Roderick.McCann and Joe Clarke added 50 in 17 overs before McCann, having gritted out a valuable half-century, drove at a wide ball from Matthew Waite and Roderick accepted another catch. The slip cordon remained on high alert. Jake Libby, at second, pouched Jack Haynes off Allison. Clarke dug in for 122 minutes before nicking a waft at the same bowler.From an uneasy 121 for 5, the title-chasers were rebooted by Lyndon James’ punchy 42-ball 35 but Taylor ended the counter-attack by inducing another nick and pinned Liam Patterson-White lbw two balls later. Kyle Verreynne steered his side in front then edged Taylor to second slip.Former Pears pair Dillon Pennington and Tongue added a handy 23 before falling in five balls, the former lbw to Allison and the latter supplying Roderick with his fifth catch, off Waite.With the game so evenly-poised, a mammoth evening session – 49 overs – promised to be pivotal. Only 36 were possible before bad light intervened but Nottinghamshire made serious inroads.Tongue trapped Rehaan Edavalath lbw and dismissed Libby, caught at second slip, with a lifter so brutal it invoked comparison with Allan Donald, Curtly Ambrose and Percy Jeeves. Catching of similar quality followed from McCann, a one-handed, diving grab at second slip to remove Dan Lategan off James that invoked comparison with Graham Roope, Rikki Clarke and Ashley Giles.Tongue then knocked out Kashif Ali’s off-stump and James hit Brett D’Oliveira’s. At 68 for 5, Worcestershire were in danger of speeding to a defeat which would pretty much seal their relegation but Roderick and Ethan Brookes stayed firm until the light closed in to keep this fascinating match very much alive.

“The final is the biggest stage, that’s the game that matters,” Chinelle Henry says ahead of the WCPL final, where her team, Barbados Royals, will be looking for their third title

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2025The Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) is in its fourth season, with the final lined up on Wednesday morning in Providence, and we will have the familiar sight of Barbados Royals in the middle, gunning for their third successive title. It’s a competition with just three teams, but Royals have been the dominant power, making all four finals, so “there was a lot riding on it,” when the WCPL began and Royals had to cope with the loss of regular captain Hayley Matthews. A shoulder injury left her on the sidelines and Chinelle Henry in the hot seat.”When she [Matthews] called me and asked me to be captain [because] she wasn’t going to be available, it was quite like, ‘yeah, just give me a moment to think about that’,” Henry said before taking on Guyana Amazon Warriors, the only team not to have won the title. Trinbago Knight Riders were the inaugural champions in 2022.”But I guess when [Matthews] asked, she was like, ‘you probably could be that person, because you have been around the team all the seasons before, as a senior player in the squad’, [despite] all the overseas players that we’ve had and even the captain in her own right in Chamari Athapaththu, who’s been brilliant helping me in the field in terms of decision-making and stuff like that.”Hayley is a big character, both on and off the field, and she has done a lot for us as a franchise. I think the girls have really stepped up. We’re in our fourth final, so that’s really something to talk about.”So far, the way we have been in the group games, there’s still a few areas to tighten up, but I think we are ready to compete in that final.”Royals have made the final winning all their four games this year, including the two against their opponents in the final, giving them a clear upper hand in the title fight.”Over the years, we have had a majority of the same girls playing on the team, so when it comes to culture, we already know what that’s like in terms of the players that we already have and the overseas players that we try to get into the squad,” Henry said. “Once they come in and get a feel of what the girls are about, everybody just fits right in and that’s what’s been the core thing for us this season.”Yes, Hayley’s not here, but how we play, how we come together as a group… she was here a few days ago, she had a few words for us, she will talk to me to say what she thinks, give a bit of advice, but it’s never anything to question my ability to lead the team. And that’s where she is really that person that trusts and believes in players and believes that players can step up when they need to. And, having done that, leading the Royals this season, it was just stepping into that spotlight and still playing my game.”The big star for Royals has been Athapaththu, who is 15 runs clear at the top of the run-scorers’ list with 169 runs in four innings, to go with seven wickets (second only to Amazon Warriors’ Laura Harris who has eight). Henry and Qiana Joseph have done their bit with the bat, but it has, at times, been a one-woman show.Chinelle Henry has played her part with the bat in Royals’ winning streak•CPL T20/Getty Images

“We have a lot of big characters in this group, and she is very passionate, and she loves what she does,” Henry said of Athapaththu. “To be the opener for this team and constantly coming up with runs for us and in the middle, when we are bowling, you can call on her and be like, we need to break a partnership or something, which happens, you know.”She is that person, you know, whenever you call on her, she puts up her hand and is ready to perform and is ready to do her all for the team. With somebody like her, a lot of us, a lot of the younger ones that we have, we really look to her in terms of advice, how she plays, how she thinks when she goes out, and she keeps it simple.”Going by the form Royals have shown in the earlier games this season, they are runaway favourites for the final.”The final is the biggest stage, that’s the game that matters. If we go into that game with a calm and clear mind, things that we have to do as a team and, I have said in a previous interview, we still haven’t got all the areas that we want to tick, all three boxes, the final will be the game to do that,” Henry said. “We know that and we have that in the back of our minds, and we go into Wednesday’s game with everything that we have and the girls are ready to fight. We’ve been in the finals and we know what it feels like to win finals, and we want to make it another one for us, so we go into the final with no complacency, we’re just going out there to fight and bring that trophy back home.”

The Sheffield Shield leaders were blown away in the night session after Bartlett had also made vital runs

AAP25-Nov-2025Queensland quicks Xavier Bartlett and Gurinder Sandhu starred with bat and ball to secure a seven-wicket win over previously undefeated Victoria.Bartlett struck a bold and brisk 72 off 91 deliveries, his highest first-class score, before bowling with venom and control to claim 4 for 35 on day three of the day-night pink-ball clash at the Gabba.Related

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Player of the match Sandhu, who had made 33 in a 69-run eighth wicket stand with Bartlett, bowled a magnificent spell highlighted by three wickets in one over where he removed the dangerous Matt Short and then Fergus O’Neill and Will Sutherland for ducks.The tall right-arm seamer got the ball to talk under lights and his 5 for 23 was just reward for what was a lethal exhibition of pace in the top of the table Sheffield Shield showdown.Queensland resumed day three on 352 for 7 before a fierce storm took the players off. They were all out for 430, a first innings lead of 112, before ripping through Victoria for just 143.Victoria were 114 for 4 before Bartlett and Sandhu ignited a collapse with the last six wickets falling for just 29 runs.The drama wasn’t over as Queensland lost three quick wickets before reaching their target after the umpires extended play beyond 10.30pm (AEST). That was after an hour had already been added for the rain delay.  The match finished at 10.46pm, the latest Queensland officials could remember in the past 20 years.Bartlett was full of appreciation for Sandhu after the win.”He’s obviously a seasoned campaigner and knows how to keep his cool. That was probably one thing that sticks out when we were batting and bowling together,” Bartlett told AAP. “It was an amazing spell from him, the triple-wicket maiden was unbelievable.”I love bowling with him. He always keeps the scoreboard down and creates pressure and that makes my job at the other end easier. I love my batting too and try and add wherever I can in all facets of the game, so I want to keep improving that.”Burgeoning allrounder Bartlett, fresh from scoring 50 against Western Australia, struck seven boundaries and one towering six over midwicket in an innings that justified his No. 7 position in the batting order.He made 57 in the corresponding day-night match against Victoria last season, displaying the batting acumen that he has fine-tuned in club cricket for Gold Coast Dolphins, where he has scored centuries.It was with the ball that Bartlett fired up after he was the last man out. He dismissed Campbell Kellaway with a leg-side strangle before a cracking late swinging delivery trapped Peter Handscomb in front.His opening spell of 2 for 10 off seven overs, with four maidens, showcased the high quality seam that has made him one of Australia’s standout performers in ODI and T20Is.Victoria slumped to 11 for 3 in the twilight zone when batting was at its most difficult. Marcus Harris summed up how tough batting was when he went to the short break on 2 from 47 deliveries. He was given a working over by Sandhu, who eventually dismissed him for a torturous 14.

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Crystal Palace should make a groundbreaking move for Villarreal starlet Samuel Chukwueze, who is currently one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe and is taking La Liga by storm.

What’s the word, then?

The Eagles could seriously do with some attacking reinforcements to freshen up what is becoming a stale, unadventurous and predictable strike force at Selhurst Park.

£30m man Christian Benteke hasn’t found the back of the net from open play since January of this year, and not at all since April when he scored from the penalty spot against Leicester – couple that with the fact that he struggles with injuries quite often, and you have a man that you simply can’t rely on.

The other strikers at Selhurst Park aren’t any more reliable, if not at all. Norwegian forward Alexander Sorloth has just one goal for the south London club since signing back in January. On-loan Jordan Ayew hasn’t even looked like scoring since arriving from Swansea, and Connor Wickham is only just returning from a two-year injury absence.

Who is Chukwueze and what can he offer?

The Nigerian winger is an exciting prospect who has been dubbed as the ‘reincarnation of Robben’, such are his similarities to the Dutch legend.

19-year-old Chukwueze has three goals and an assist in just seven starts across both La Liga and the Europa League, and possesses a magical wand of a left foot that has opposition right-backs trembling with fear. The teenager loves to cut inside from the flank and try to test the keeper, or deliver a cross to a teammate – he is always looking to make something happen going forward.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below...

His potential arrival at Selhurst Park would freshen up the area in which Andros Townsend plays in, another man who enjoys cutting in on his left foot from the right flank. Also, it would give Roy Hodgson’s frontline, one that is having to play star man Wilfried Zaha out of position, some much needed extra firepower.

Manchester United kept their ambitions of putting forward a title charge this season alive at the weekend by beating Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s.

The Old Trafford outfit continue to look far from the finished article in the final third, but the introduction of Anthony Martial is clearly a real positive for Louis van Gaal’s men.

Despite the extortionate transfer fee that United shelled out to bring the young French forward to Manchester still being questioned, the potential and current ability that the ex-Monaco man has displayed is there for all to see.

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Having scored three goals in two games, playing a considerable role in back-to-back wins for his side, Martial has quickly fired himself to become United’s top scorer for the campaign.

However, potentially the biggest plus point that the gifted youngster could be set to bring to United is helping to get the best out of Wayne Rooney.

The club captain has had a decidedly slow start to the new campaign and looked way off the pace against the Saints, with Martial’s goals papering over the cracks of the Englishman’s performance.

But, more importantly, the Frenchman’s presence means that Rooney can now move position and play in a deeper role where he can exert more influence.

In Van Gaal’s 4-2-3-1 formation, the former Everton prodigy was being deployed as the furthest man forward and charged with leading the line.

This is a position that Rooney has successfully occupied in the past, but it appears that as time ticks on the veteran is more suited to a support role.

The England international does not possess the pace off the mark to threaten in behind opposition defences and as such United’s attack becomes more predictable as a result.

Martial is bursting with acceleration, which will naturally lead to United’s opponents dropping slightly deeper to cope with the 19-year-old’s potential for getting through on goal.

Rooney will be the chief protagonist to benefit from Martial playing on the last line, as space will become available in front of the opposition rearguard for him to utilise.

The United captain’s versatility has been an impressive element of his time at Old Trafford and there is no doubting that he still can play as a traditional number nine – Van Gaal would not have let Robin van Persie leave the club otherwise.

But, as the Red Devils’ lack creativity and incision in the final third, Rooney could well be the man to inspire his side from the number ten role, floating in behind Martial and picking the ball up in pockets of space.

This position arguably suits Rooney best as it affords him the opportunity to both create and score, leaving Martial to chase lost causes, harry centre-halves and stretch defences.

Form is temporary and class is permanent; United fans will be confident that Rooney will be back to his best soon.

However, it is Martial’s presence as a mobile and purposeful centre forward that can help to unleash Rooney in a deeper role as United strive forward in their quest for silverware.

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The time has come  for another awful international break where a very average looking England side beats a European minnow in one of the least entertaining fixtures you are ever likely to watch.

Roy Hodgson has named his squad for the two upcoming games and, as per usual, his squad reflects the style of football England have become accustomed to – dull and average.

After years of dismal displays in major tournaments, it is about time the England manager took some risks and added a bit of excitement to the squad in the hope of changing the fortunes.

He needs to pick players that will look to press on the front foot and trouble opponents, rather than boring them into submission like many of the current crop.

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One man who is certainly capable of this and should be taken to the European Championships next summer is Norwich midfielder Nathan Redmond.

Since breaking through into the Birmingham City first team at the age of 17, the midfielder has rapidly progressed to become one of England’s hottest prospects.

He is a rapid attacking midfielder with a big bag of skills that can cause a nightmare for any defender. The player has fast become a vital member of the first team at Carrow Road.

More importantly the player has started to develop a decent end product, thanks largely to the guidance of current manager Alex Neil, who manages to get the best out of the player.

Since Neil took charge of Norwich in January, the youngster has been in great form and has managed to score seven goals and provide a further eight assists. Two of those strikes have come in the very early stages of this season’s Premier league campaign.

Redmond is always looking to press forward in attack, which is highlighted by the fact only Huddersfield’s Jacob Butterfield created more chances last season (120) than the 117 the England U21 international did.

His impressive campaign was capped off by more high quality performances in the U21 European Championships, where despite England’s poor showing, he made the team of the tournament.

Current Raheem Sterling is the stand out attacking midfielder for England, largely because he is the only one of the current crop who actually starts on a regular basis.

England cannot be expected to compete with the best countries when some of the most important members of the squad can’t even get a game for their club sides.

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are in and out of the Arsenal team every week, how can they be expected to get into good form without a run of games?

The same can be said for many of other wingers that come into consideration. Aaron Lennon, Andros Townsend and Ashley Young, for example.

This has to strengthen the case for Redmond. He is involved in positive moves at Carrow Road playing every single week. At only 21, he has a massive future ahead of him and will continue to improve every week with the more top flight minutes he gets behind him.

He deserves his chance with the main England squad next summer and could become a real asset.

One thing is for certain, if Roy Hodgson sticks with the type of squads he has picked in recent internationals, then England may as well save themselves a trip to France.

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Overtaken by Theo Walcott, vilified by fans of both club and country and made into a punchline by a media who simply think he’s more of a pretty boy than a top class striker, life cannot be easy for Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman’s a bit of a heartthrob, but that shouldn’t prevent him from being a top class striker. It may not be fair that he has the looks and the skill, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

The truth is that Giroud is a top class striker. He hasn’t got lightening pace or even brute strength, but, in a phrase made awkward by the gorgeousness of the man, he has a good body and knows what to do with it. Last season’s 17 goals in 25 appearances in a campaign that also included a broken leg shows that he really is a good player.

But the most important thing about Giroud is that he is a confidence player. It’s unsurprising that a man who spends just that much time on his hair would have a confidence issue, really. He seems to score frequently whenever he’s amongst the goals.

Most strikers are the same. They get a taste for blood when the ball hits the back of the net, and they can sniff it out after that. And this week against Denmark, Giroud started up front for France and within four minutes had found the net twice.

Not bad for a man who was booed off the pitch by his fellow countrymen after a poor performance in September’s international break.

But these two goals were gifts given to him by Leicester City stopper Kasper Schmeichel, who was in goal for Denmark that night. He inexplicably let Giroud’s first shot past him and it dribbled into the goal. Then he flapped at another shot and pushed it right into the path of the Arsenal striker to give him his second of the game.

France, since they are the hosts of Euro 2016, can only play friendlies until the summer, but were placed into a group so that they’d play in friendlies with the other teams in that group who were, in all the other games, playing for points. So it might not be the greatest of feats, scoring two goals that should never have been scored in a friendly against Denmark. But nevertheless he scored them.

The goals aren’t what should matter to Arsenal fans, though. It’s the confidence. What Wenger should be looking for from Giroud is a man whose knack for scoring goals takes him to all the right positions in the box, just as he did at the weekend for France.

Theo Walcott is not a natural finisher, but he has pace and a dribbling ability that Giroud could only dream of. What Giroud has, by contrast, is a finishing ability and a classy way of getting amongst the goals. These two things taken together are heaven sent for the Gunners because it means that they can make changes up front based on the game. Most teams don’t have that combination of qualities up front, but Arsene Wenger is able to completely change the way his team plays by making one sub up front. In other words he has the ability to turn the game on its head in one swoop.

But none of that is possible without confidence. When you have two strikers like that who can get amongst the goals, it’s hard to keep confidence high in both, certainly if you’re only playing with one striker. Egos are bruised by being placed on the bench.

But the confidence should be high in both Giroud and Walcott after the international break, and Wenger will be tasked with keeping both men happy. If he can, Arsenal are sitting in a good position for a title challenge, and there will be goals in their team.

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Recently I was asked about the website FantasyYIRMA. “What the hell does it mean?” is typically the first question I get (About Us) and after I had spent a few moments explaining what the site was and the drunken back story, came the more difficult question to answer, which is effectively:

“Why Bother??”

It’s a question I am asked repeatedly on a Saturday afternoon, typically when the Mrs wants to go to B&Q and I explain that I’d rather watch Soccer Saturday to find out if a defender from a team I don’t support keeps a clean sheet away from home. It’s a difficult paradigm to explain because in all honesty, I ask myself the same question at times.

The increase in interest in Fantasy Football in recent years has been immense. Even if we look at the playing figures for just the official Premier League game, a record 3.5m people currently play the game in the 2015/16 season, up a substantial 40% on the 2.5m as recent as 2012/13.

So, perhaps it’s because my four appearances for the local U16 team during my youth didn’t quite satisfy my urge to prove myself on the global stage as the next George Best. Perhaps it’s the involvement and interaction the game provides. Perhaps it’s both in my case, it’s hard to say.

I’ve played the game in some form or another for well over a decade. I remember writing out lists of potential players, agonising over player selection and posting off my team only to forget about it a month later. I think the historical mainstream approach has been to get excited in July/August only for the appeal to die down as the season progresses.

That will always be the case for some people, and fair enough, but the landscape is different now. There are multiple sites catering for fantasy fans providing regular information with previews, tips and discussion forums to chat with people from across the world ranging from who to transfer in, who to Captain, to my 2014/15 favourite – why Hull’s Andrew Robertson could average more points per game than Man Utd’s Luke Shaw (and other First World problems).

The growth in online popularity has changed the game for the better. Social media and the interaction afforded from Twitter and Facebook means that the competitive element of the game never loses its focus. Mini-Leagues keep their edge so in addition to your office mini-league becoming more competitive, you can now be part of something on a global scale.

The FY mini-league has 5000+ players this season (and ranked 3rd overall in the world!) however, I remember when it was still 20 folk and I enjoyed it just as much. Therein lies part of the beauty. The competitive buzz of beating your mates or climbing the league is infectious.

In 2009/10 it was Chelsea who won the Premier League trophy but from a Fantasy perspective I’ll remember that season for a long time.

I was in Leamington Spa catching up with friends and watching Manchester United vs Hull, and the lasting memory of that game is standing behind the bar, half intoxicated and using the Pub landlord’s laptop to win a £10 bet with a mate that, with Rooney as my captain, his four goals would push me above 140 points for the Gameweek.

The final day of that same season saw Chelsea play Wigan at Stamford Bridge. The mini-league had a good few playing in those days but by GW38 it was down to the grudge match between me and my main rival “Jack N. Hoff” for first place. I’d like to say team names have improved over the years – but they haven’t!

He had a six point lead and Frank Lampard, I had Didier Drogba as captain, and by half-time it was 2-0 Chelsea including a Lampard penalty. By this stage the text messages where flying and the ‘friendly’ abuse was in full flow. I distinctly remember saying to my mate that I pretty much needed a Drogba hat-trick in the last 45 minutes to stand any chance – if I’m honest, I don’t think either of us thought that would happen.

Then… that happened exactly.

“The second half was exhibition stuff with Salomon Kalou and Anelka on target again before Didier Drogba added the Golden Boot to Chelsea’s title with a rapid-fire hat-trick to take his total to 29 in the league this term. Ashley Cole’s crisp strike for number eight on the stroke of full-time provided a fitting finale.” BBC Sport archive.

Even Ashley Cole scored that day. A great defender but by no means a prolific goal scorer, averaging one goal every 70 games for Chelsea.

And with that the fantasy Mini-League celebrations ensued. I may even have bought a round that day – who knows, it’s a bit of a blur in all honesty!

There are loads of stories like this and everyone has one, whether it’s the player they left on the bench or the captain that they swear blind they clicked save on, to the head-to-head victories and narrow mini-league defeats.

People can relate, discuss, share their own experiences and, most importantly, get involved.

Watching Match of the Day last season saw another Chelsea player score a hat-trick, with Diego Costa making a barnstorming impact on the Premier League in his debut season (Less said about this season the better). The three goals he scored against Swansea were impressive but it was the commentary from the legend John Motson that will stay with me…

https://vine.co/v/OaTapvqJ7AL/embed/simple

“Those people who put him in their Fantasy league team must be well pleased.”

This for me highlights the increase in Fantasy Football popularity and I think that sums up the original question perfectly.

That feel-good factor… that buzz… that excitement… that’s “Why!”

We’d like to hear from you also – what’s the best/worst memory you have of Fantasy Football??

Written by Ryan

For his sins, Founder of FantasyYIRMA.com

FantasyYIRMA.com established in 2012, is a niche Fantasy Football site focused on providing news, views and insight for the English Premier League. Solid gameweek articles and Club features in addition to a top ranked free to play mini-league makes #FY a must read Fantasy source!

Find us on twitter @FantasyYIRMA

Welcome back to our cover of Fantasy Premier League captain choices, in which we dwelve into which players could return us with a high amount of double points if handed the armband.

But before we start, let’s take a look at last week’s five and see how well they did.

1. Harry Kane (10)

2. Sergio Aguero (16)

3. Dimtri Payet (2)

4. Riyad Mahrez (1)

5. Olivier Giroud (2)

Unlike the previous gameweek, the average score this time around was much higher at 46 points, mainly due to many picking either Harry Kane or Sergio Aguero as captains. And the two were the most obvious choices, with both players playing smaller teams on their own patch.

The rest were unable to muster more than two, but the main concern is that Riyad Mahrez has missed his second penalty in succession. So despite Leicester City’s home game against Stoke City, is he still in consideration?

Without further ado, here are FIVE Fantasy Premier League Captain Choices ahead of Gameweek 23.

Sergio Aguero

He’s back fellas.

Sergio Aguero (13.3) is one of (if not the) best finishers in the league, and he showcased his class with two goals and one assist in their 4-0 triumph over Crystal Palace last weekend.

And although West Ham are a stronger team defensively than Palace, Aguero is capable of scoring a hattrick against any side in the division and the Hammers’ rearguard may not be able to handle the Argentina star.

Avoid captaining him at your peril.

Romelu Lukaku

After missing out last time, Romelu Lukaku (9.2) has the opportunity to find his goalscoring touch after two matches without attacking returns when struggling Swansea City visit Goodison Park this weekend.

Lukaku is having his best season thus far with 15 goals to his name already, and with the Toffees’ fixtures easing up after draws against Tottenham, Manchester City, and Chelsea, the Belgium international is on track to break the 20-goal mark and could start another run on Sunday.

Jamie Vardy

Not long ago, Jamie Vardy (7.3) was one of the most owned players in the Fantasy Premier League, but has been sold by the truckload recently in trade for Sergio Aguero.

However, Leicester face Stoke City at the KingPower Stadium, and with the Foxes only winning one of their last five games, Claudio Ranieri’s men will be extremely focused on keeping up with leaders Arsenal against an unpredictable Stoke side.

Vardy only featured from the bench in their 2-0 FA Cup loss to Tottenham on Wednesday, but he will be expected to start against the Potters in order to add to his 15 goals so far this term.

Wayne Rooney

What a difference a New Year makes!

Ever since the clock turned from 2015 to 2016, Wayne Rooney (10.0) has been on a goal-scoring spree with four strikes and one assist in his last three league games… amassing 33 points in that period.

And his form could continue this weekend against Southampton at Old Trafford, with the Saints losing their last four away games in succession.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane (10.0) may have been outshone by Christian Eriksen (8.3) last weekend against Sunderland, but the England striker still scored and provided an assist in a 10-point haul giving those that trusted him with the armband over Aguero some relief.

And it looks as if the HurriKane could continue his goalscoring exploits against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with the Eagles on a three-game losing streak having not scored in their last five.