Records, major milestones and opportunities to shape the future headline this week’s Team of the Week.
Maia Bouchier played a starring role as England set a new record for their highest ever chase in women’s ODIs, London City Lionesses continued to raise the bar with the biggest front of shirt sponsorship deal in the women’s game, Lionel Messi brought his remarkable international career with Argentina to an end, and Lando Norris launched a new driver development programme to help create opportunities for the next generation of Formula 1 talent.
Maia Bouchier
England batter breaking records
A new era of white ball for cricket began in style for England with a dominant win over Ireland, including a record chase of 282 in the first ODI. The side secured a comfortable series win in the second day, but it was that chase in the first ODI that has everyone talking. England and Hampshire star Maia Bouchier scored an incredible 104 from 95 balls to secure England’s highest ever chase in women’s ODIs.
Lando Norris
Creating future opportunities
Lando Norris has recently announced that he is starting a driver development programme to “try to find the next true Formula 1 champion”. Norris came through the traditional route of F4 and F3 before heading to F1, but now, using his own money, he wants to give others who may not have had access to these routes the opportunity to follow the same path.
Lionel Messi
Argentina’s best
The GOAT has finally called time on his international career with Argentina after scoring 125 goals in 207 appearances for the South American giants. Messi, now aged 39, recently missed out on a second FIFA World Cup trophy after an agonising loss to Spain, but that will be considered a small blemish on a remarkable international career that produced one of the best commentary lines of all time: “The little boy from Rosario, Argentina on behalf of every little boy wearing his shirt. Messi on a million backs, Messi for a million flashbulbs.”
London City Lionesses
That Nike deal
The largest in the women’s game, and bigger than some in the Premier League, London City Lionesses continue to raise the game to the next level with their Nike deal. The club’s new shirt sponsorship deal with the sports brand and has been confirmed by London City owner Michele Kang as "the largest women-only front-of-shirt deal."
