Zinedine Zidane will become the next France boss, taking over from Didier Deschamps, according to Les Bleus and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
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South Australia paid the price for dropped catches on a rain-hit opening day of the pink-ball contest
AAP23-Nov-2024Jayden Goodwin struck a defiant half-century to lift Sheffield Shield holders Western Australia out of an early hole and finish a rain-hit day one well placed against South Australia.WA recovered from 62 for 3 to reach 211 for 4 when stumps were belatedly called on a stop-start day-night encounter at Adelaide Oval. Goodwin ended the day unbeaten on 87 in a gritty 199-ball knock.WA skipper Ashton Turner hit an impressive 79 under the lights in a 133-run fourth-wicket stand with Goodwin.South Australia were made to pay for some poor catching with Goodwin dropped twice and Turner once.Ninety minutes were lost to start the day following morning rain while the middle session also saw a lengthy break in play.The players took the field donning black armbands as part of Cricket Australia’s two-week commemoration to mark the 10-year anniversary of former Test and South Australia batter Phillip Hughes’ death.Spencer Johnson and Liam Scott came into the side for the injured Nathan McAndrew and Henry Thornton respectively.Acting South Australia skipper Ben Manenti, deputising for Test call-up Nathan McSweeney, won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat. Such were the conditions South Australia began with a five-man slip cordon.Cameron Bancroft’s shocking form continued being dismissed to the first ball of the match, adjudged to have tickled a Johnson delivery to wicketkeeper Harry Nielsen much to Bancroft’s displeasure.Considered a Test contender at the start of the season, the opener has now compiled just 52 runs at an average of 4.7 from 11 innings, including five ducks.T20 star Johnson, playing just his sixth Shield match and first in nearly nine months, immediately looked dangerous with the pink ball and could have had Goodwin out early only for Nielsen to spill the catch.Brendan Doggett, whose good form earned a recent Australia A cap, was soon into the action and had opener Sam Fanning caught at third slip for 7. Hilton Cartwright chopped a Liam Scott delivery onto his stumps to be dismissed for 18.WA began a lengthy final session under lights at 95 for 3 and enjoyed lucky breaks with Turner dropped on 19 and Goodwin spilled on 50 at first slip off Manenti. Doggett returned to have Turner caught off a top edge in the deep.Western Australia will be optimistic about their chances of success with the ball as quicks Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris lined up for Shield action for the first time since November 2023.The former’s most recent visit to Adelaide Oval was a five-wicket haul in the second Test of the 2021/22 Ashes series.
Leeds United could be in the market for further reinforcements in the attacking areas of the pitch before the summer transfer window officially slams shut.
Lukas Nmecha, who signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, is the only attacker to have joined the squad so far, and the Whites are set to miss out on a deal for Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao.
Their pursuit of the Brazilian dynamo suggests that they are in the market to sign a new left winger, after Manor Solomon returned to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season.
The Whites are also looking for a new centre-forward to lead their line in the Premier League, as Football Insider reported earlier this summer that the club have doubts over Joel Piroe’s ability to make the step up.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Leeds are looking to cash in on wantaway forward Mateo Joseph in order to fund a new bid to sign Fulham centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz.
The Brazilian striker could bring a proven presence at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League, as he has been there and done it in the division with Fulham.
Muniz has showcased his ability to find the back of the net efficiently in the league in the last two seasons, outperforming his xG in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns for the Cottagers.
|
Rodrigo Muniz (Premier League) |
23/24 |
24/25 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
26 |
31 |
|
Starts |
18 |
8 |
|
xG |
8.72 |
5.81 |
|
Goals |
9 |
8 |
|
Minutes per goal |
179 |
121 |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
1 |
|
Duel success rate |
39% |
52% |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, the striker has not yet hit double figures for goals in a Premier League season, but he has rarely been a starter for his side.
The 24-year-old star would not need any time to adapt to the league or the country, as he is a proven quantity, and that could appeal to Leeds in their search for a new number nine.
However, Muniz has never scored more than nine goals in a single league season in his career, and there may be doubts over his ability to deliver consistently over the course of an entire campaign.
That may be why the Championship champions are now reportedly looking at an alternative centre-forward option, who could be even better than the Fulham marksman if they can get a deal over the line.
According to RomaPress, Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Roma number nine Artem Dovbyk this summer.
The report claims that the Whites and fellow Premier League side West Ham United are both lining up moves to sign the Ukraine international to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It adds that Roma are looking for a fee within the region of £30m in order to part ways with the left-footed centre-forward, although it remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are prepared to spend that much on him.
RomaPress also note that fellow Italian outlet Leggo have reported that Turkish giants Besiktas have made contact with Roma to discuss a potential deal for Dovbyk.
It is now down to the 49ers and Daniel Farke to push to beat the likes of Besiktas and West Ham to his signature this summer, because he would be an even better signing than Muniz.
The 28-year-old attacker is a striker who has the potential to deliver goals at an impressive rate in the Premier League, as a star who has proven his quality in multiple top European leagues.
Dovbyk, who was described as “dominant” in the air by analyst Ben Mattinson, has impressed in both LaLiga and the Serie A since he moved away from Ukraine in the summer of 2023, after scoring 38 goals in 47 games in his last two seasons in the Premier Liga.
The £30m-rated star has hit double figures for goals five times at league level throughout his career, including in each of the last four seasons, whilst Muniz is yet to do it once.
Dovbyk has also scored 24 goals in a league season twice in his career, once in Ukraine and once in Spain, which suggests that he has the potential to be an incredibly prolific figure in front of goal for Leeds if he can adapt to English football.
|
Artem Dovbyk |
23/24 LaLiga (Girona) |
24/25 Serie A (Roma) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
36 |
32 |
|
Starts |
32 |
27 |
|
xG |
24.29 |
12.25 |
|
Goals |
24 |
12 |
|
Minutes per goal |
109 |
203 |
|
Big chances created |
10 |
5 |
|
Assists |
8 |
2 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, the Ukraine international has scored 36 goals in Europe’s top five leagues in the last two seasons, whilst Muniz scored 17 goals for Fulham in the Premier League in that time.
Muniz also managed just three ‘big chances’ created and two assists in the league in that time, which suggests that Dovbyk is also more likely to provide a big threat as a creator, based on his 15 ‘big chances’ created in the last two campaigns.
These statistics suggest that the Roma star has the potential to offer far more to the team than the Fulham centre-forward, as he has delivered more as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the last couple of years.
It would be a bit more of a gamble for Leeds to take, as he has yet to prove himself in the Premier League, but they can be assured by the fact that he has scored goals at an impressive rate in the Spanish and Italian top-flights already.
49ers lining up Leeds swoop for £17m star who's as exciting as Paixao
Leeds United are eyeing up a £17m-rated winger who could be just as exciting as Igor Paixao.
By
Dan Emery
Jul 30, 2025
Therefore, if it gets to a point where the club have to decide between pursuing Muniz or Dovbyk, they should look to swoop for the Ukraine international to lead the line for Farke next season.
After three successive years of finishing in second place in the Premier League, Arsenal fans will undoubtedly be getting tired of their inability to end their drought without a league title.
The Gunners have now gone over two decades without a Premier League triumph, with patience potentially running thin among the fanbase should Mikel Arteta fall at the final hurdle once more.
The hierarchy have already backed the manager in his quest to reach the next level at the Emirates, spending upwards of £200m on new additions, subsequently improving various areas of the pitch.
Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi have already been added to the midfield department, adding key depth after various departures earlier this summer.
However, despite the huge funds already splashed on various new additions, countless other options are still being considered by the club in an attempt to further their ambitions of finishing top of the pile.
The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for new additions this summer
Despite the addition of Noni Madueke this summer, Arsenal are targeting the addition of Real Madrid star Rodrygo in an attempt to bolster the attacking department.
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However, any deal for the Brazilian would see them face competition from various sides, such as Manchester City and North London rivals Tottenham, for his signature.
He’s not the only attacker currently in their sights between now and the end of the window, with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze also high up on their shortlist, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that an agreement is close between the Gunners and the Eagles over a ‘blockbuster’ £55m deal that would see the 27-year-old move to the Emirates ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
It also states that Oliver Glasner’s side are resigned to losing the England international this summer, but a deal will have to be put on hold until his side land a replacement.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Why Arsenal’s latest target would be as exciting as Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres is undoubtedly Arsenal’s most high-profile addition during the current window, which is no surprise given his goal tally at Sporting CP.
The Swedish international netted 97 goals in his 102 appearances, having the ability to transform the club’s form in the final third if he can replicate such levels in England.
However, he will have a huge price tag to live up to, after the hierarchy forked out £63.5m, including add-ons, to secure the services of the 27-year-old this summer.
The fanbase are already all aboard the hype train of Gyokeres, after the forward netted his first goal for the club in the recent pre-season triumph against LaLiga side Athletic Club.
However, despite the recent excitement around the move, the club could land a star just as impressive as the Swede should they complete a deal for Eze in the coming weeks.
The 27-year-old would provide a versatile all-round option in the final third, able to feature out wide or in the number ten position – not to mention his experience in England’s top-flight.
His stats from the most recent campaign highlight the ability he possesses in the final third, able to create for others whilst also having the tools to thrive individually.
Games played
34
Goals & assists
16
Progressive passes
3.4
Successful take-ons
2.4
Key passes made
2.1
Passes into final third
1.8
Carries into final third
1.7
Shots taken
3.5
Eze, who’s been labelled “sensational” by talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings, completed 2.4 take-ons per 90, whilst making 1.7 carries into the final third – having the tools to offer fresh impetus to the side in attacking areas.
He also registered 16 combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight last season, having the tools to provide an end product to his mazy runs into the opposition’s penalty area.
Such tallies highlight his ability to provide for others whilst being able to find the net himself, which is hardly a surprise given his tally of 3.5 shots per 90 – which ranks him within the top 6% of all players in the division.
If he can replicate the levels he’s produced at Selhurst Park in recent times, it would be a superb addition that would further improve the options at the manager’s disposal.
The prospect of Eze linking up with Gyokeres in attacking areas is one to be excited about, potentially catapulting the club to new levels of success in the near future.
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Better signing than Zubimendi: Arsenal plot late move for £78m "monster"
The international superstar would be a game-changer for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta…
ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 11, 2025
The MET office has delivered an update amid fears Liverpool's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid could be postponed due to extreme weather. A yellow weather warning was issued ahead of the match warning of gusty winds that could disrupt travel and cause power outages.
Harsh weather condition in Merseyside
The MET office's initial forecast carried a warning of strong winds interrupting road, rail, and ferry travel, with coastal communities put on alert for spray and waves as the weather front moved in. The forecast was put in place from Sunday evening to Monday, which raised concerns over the midweek Champions League game at Anfield.
AdvertisementAFPFresh update from MET Office
Fortunately for Liverpool and Atletico fans, the MET Office has issued a new update confirming that severe weather conditions will subside before the ball is kicked at Anfield on Wednesday evening. The heavyweight European encounter is expected to go ahead as planned with no further formal warnings issued.
Liverpool protecting perfect record
Arne Slot's Liverpool side have begun their Premier League title defence with four consecutive wins, including a narrow 1-0 victory at Burnley last time out. In stark contrast, Diego Simeone's Atletico have only won one of their opening four La Liga matches and are currently down in 11th in the table.
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GettyAtletico missing key players
Atletico will head to Liverpool without star striker Julian Alvarez and USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso. While the former Manchester striker suffered a knee injury in the club's 2-0 win against Villarreal at the weekend, Cardoso picked up a sprain during Monday's training session, and both men were left out of Simeone's final 22-man squad.
He matched Gujarat’s Urvil Patel for the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2024
[File photo] Abhishek Sharma now has the most centuries in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy•Associated Press
Abhishek Sharma has matched Urvil Patel for the second-fastest T20 century, reaching the landmark in 28 balls in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match for Punjab against Meghalaya. Urvil had got there last week, when he scored 113 not out in 35 balls for Gujarat against Tripura in the same tournament. The record belongs to Sahil Chauhan, who scored a 27-ball century for Estonia against Cyprus in June this year.This was also Abhishek’s fourth century in the tournament, making him No. 1 on that list, ahead of Unmukt Chand, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, who have three each.Opening the batting in Punjab’s chase of Meghalaya’s 142 for 7 in Rajkot, Abhishek finished with 106 not out off 29 balls. Punjab got to their target in just 9.3 overs thanks mainly to Abhishek’s swashbuckling innings. The win was Punjab’s fifth in seven Group-A matches and the net-run-rate boost as a result of the speed of their win keeps them in the fray for progressing to the knockouts.Abhishek, who formed a destructive opening combination with Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, was retained by the franchise ahead of the upcoming season for INR 14 crore (US$1.67 million approx.).Earlier in the day, Baroda broke the record for the highest team total in men’s T20 cricket when they posted 349 for 5 against Sikkim in Indore.
MatériaMais Notícias
O Palmeiras derrotou o Corinthians por 2 a 1 na noite deste sábado (29), no Allianz Parque, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Na zona mista após o Dérbi, o meia Zé Rafael comentou sobre a desempenho do Verdão na partida, reconhecendo a queda de rendimento da equipe na segunda etapa.
> ATUAÇÕES: Em retorno “de gala”, Veiga é decisivo em vitória do Palmeiras no Dérbi pelo Brasileirão
A nossa equipe respeitou o adversário. A gente sentiu no segundo tempo um pouco de desgaste, porque o primeiro tempo foi muito intenso. O jogo estava de certa forma controlado, então a nossa equipe realmente acabou baixando um pouco a competitividade e acabou facilitando para o Corinthians em alguns momentos do jogo. A nossa equipe fez um grande jogo, poderia ter sido mais eficiente, o que facilitaria na sequência do jogo, mas paciência e parabéns a todos pelo grande jogo que a gente fez – disse Zé Rafael.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasVídeoVÍDEO: Os melhores momentos da vitória do Palmeiras sobre o Corinthians pelo BrasileirãoVídeo29/04/2023CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Róger Guedes e Paulinho são os melhores na derrota do Corinthians no DérbiCorinthians29/04/2023Fora de CampoAuxiliar do Palmeiras coloca fita na boca para protestar contra a arbitragemFora de Campo29/04/2023
-Nos preparamos sempre pra enfrentar um grande adversário. A gente sabe que do lado de lá tem jogadores com muita qualidade e eu acho que o fator casa às vezes é determinante para nós. A gente consegue novamente no Allianz fazer um jogo muito superior ao nosso adversário e a nossa equipe tem se preparado muito, tem sido muito forte mentalmente para que a gente consiga controlar alguns jogos e fazer prevalecer o nosso futebol.
Além disso, o camisa 8 destacou a importância do apoio da torcida palmeirense no clássico, que bateu recorde de público na história do Allianz Parque: 41.457 torcedores.
– A nossa torcida em casa é um fator muito importante para nós, a gente sente o apoio deles. No clássico, eu acho que é ainda maior a gente sentiu já desde o início do jogo que a nossa torcida ia apoiar justamente por ser um jogo que é um campeonato à parte. Para nós, é importante que a torcida entenda isso, que a gente sempre está dando o nosso melhor.
> Dudu celebra vitória do Palmeiras no Dérbi e elogia os garotos da base: ‘Já são realidade’
Zé Rafael também valorizou o trabalho intenso da equipe comandada por Abel Ferreira, dando ênfase para a preparação da mentalidade dos atletas.
– Trabalho firme, preparação intensa e mentalidade forte. A nossa equipe tem se preparado durante esses anos para que a gente possa fazer um ano consistente e regular, e continuar disputando os campeonatos. Enfrentar os nossos adversários em clássicos faz parte dessa rotina. Estamos sempre preparados para fazer um grande jogo, independente contra quem seja – concluiu o meia.
It wasn’t long ago that those of a Newcastle United persuasion were itching for something to happen in the summer transfer market, and rightly so at that.
Well, plotlines have been gathering apace on Tyneside over the past several weeks, but maybe not in the manner which the club or indeed the fanbase had anticipated.
Newcastle have missed out on a range of their top targets, and while Eddie Howe has welcomed Anthony Elanga to his squad for a £55m fee, it’s clear that much needs to happen over the coming weeks, with the Premier League campaign looming large.
With Alexander Isak brooding in the background and defensive targets such as Marc Guehi and Malick Thiaw appearing priorities for the Magpies, it’s easy to forget that Howe wants a new central midfielder, but that too remains one of the club’s most important transfer objectives.
Newcastle plan to sign central midfielder
Last month, Newcastle sold homegrown midfielder Sean Longstaff to newly-promoted Leeds United in a deal worth £12m. Longstaff, 27, played a bit-part role fro his boyhood club and only started eight Premier League matches last term, the last of which came a week into December.
More depth is needed in the engine room, though, and Aston Villa’s John McGinn has been earmarked as an alternative. Everton have already seen a bid knocked back this summer, and Unai Emery doesn’t want to part with his captain.
In which case, United might turn to Ajax talent Kenneth Taylor, with NUFCBlog revealing inside information that confirms Taylor has been added to the shortlist.
The 23-year-old Ajax midfielder has been valued at £25m, and was also the subject of a formal offer from Portuguese giants Porto last month.
Why Newcastle want Kenneth Taylor
Ajax left something to be desired in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, but Taylor confirmed the strength of the club’s revered academy once more, claiming the Player of the Season award after winning the Marco van Basten award the year prior, acknowledging the outfit’s most exciting up-and-coming talent.
Having graduated from the youth ranks and made his first team debut back in 2020 as an 18-year-old, Taylor has only gone from strength to strength over the past four years as a senior in his homeland, having made 165 appearances in total and earned his first five caps for the Netherlands.
Last term, though, he truly came into his own, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists for his teammates across 52 matches in all competitions, operating across the different areas of midfield.
Though McGinn would add some industriousness, energy and spirit to Howe’s project, Taylor’s Dutch verve and hunger to impress at the highest level could make him the perfect alternative, perhaps even a better signing, bringing a sharp potency in front of goal that might be needed, should the matchless Isak be playing in different colours over the looming campaign.
League Stats 24/25 – Bruno Guimaraes vs John McGinn
Stats (* per game)
Taylor
McGinn
Matches (starts)
33 (29)
34 (27)
Goals
9
1
Assists
6
4
Touches*
46.1
34.9
Pass completion
83%
87%
Big chances created
7
6
Key passes*
1.1
0.9
Dribbles*
0.4
0.6
Ball recoveries*
2.5
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.6
1.4
Duels won*
3.5
4.1
Data via Sofascore
As you can likely draw from the table above, Taylor is more of an able force in the final third than McGinn, placing an emphasis on pushing into dangerous positions and striking on goal.
Moreover, Taylor finished the 2024/25 campaign ranked among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe for goals scored, the top 7% for through balls and the top 2% for goal-creating actions, with his energetic and forward-moving style leading data-driven site FBref to liken him to Newcastle’s Joelinton.
This exciting mix of strong athleticism and creativity is exactly what Newcastle need to complete their set in the middle of the park.
Though McGinn has a wealth of Premier League experience and is a natural-born leader, Howe has carefully wrought a dynamic and hardy engine room that could do with a touch of youthful exuberance to complement the commanding Bruno Guimaraes, the elegant Sandro Tonali, and, indeed, Joelinton’s raging intensity.
McGinn would be a credit to Newcastle’s team, to be sure, but it’s unlikely that he would nail down a starting berth from the outset, given the strength of the Magpies’ existing options.
Further, the 30-year-old earns £120k per week at Villa Park, and whether the Newcastle chiefs would feel it a prudent move to make a bid for such a player when they would play a utility and squad-rousing role is a pertinent question, especially as the Lions would expect to bank a figure in excess of £30m for their stalwart.
Taylor, however, would be content with joining the club and absorbing the fruits of his impressive midfield peers’ craft. He’s only 23 years old after all, and has plenty of mountainous heights left to scale before reaching the level that his skill set suggests is attainable.
While Howe will be determined to address the more prominent points of concern at St. James’ Park, signing a defender and a goalscoring forward, he will also be aware that the new campaign will bring the added expectation and intensity of a return to the Champions League.
With Longstaff gone, a player of Taylor’s playmaking and progressive quality could prove a certain success for the long-term stability of Howe’s project.
McGinn, of course, would be a shrewd and impactful signing, but in five year’s time, Taylor could be among the finest midfielders across the continent, whereas the Scotland international will be staring at his career twilight.
Better signing than Sesko: Newcastle agree terms with £30m "monster"
Newcastle desperately need to kick on in the summer transfer market.
ByAngus Sinclair Aug 7, 2025
Even as the Perth Test was coming to a close, some of Australia’s reserves had begun training for the day-night Test in Adelaide. That might come in handy now, especially for Scott Boland, as he contended with the first day of the practice game between the Prime Minister’s XI and the Indians struggling to get underway. Boland, who got the call about Josh Hazlewood’s side strain “a couple of days ago”, is favourite to make the XI in Adelaide next Friday and play his first Test since the early part of the Ashes in July 2023.”Obviously I haven’t played a heap of cricket in the start of this season, but I feel like I’ve played enough cricket to feel like I’m in a really good spot,” he said on Saturday afternoon. “My body’s feeling really good now. I had a couple of niggles that were a little bit sore, but knee and foot are feeling really good and I’m confident how the ball’s coming out.”Our last net session in Perth was for me and Josh Inglis, we went pink ball for quite a few overs. So getting it in the hand then and then obviously the overs we can get in probably tomorrow by the look of this weather will be valuable as well. Then Adelaide on Monday, then just a normal prep before a game. So have a good bowl two days before the game and then just prepare to play.”Related
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Australia’s defeat in Perth has set off alarms on the outside – their top-order batters folded pretty quickly in both innings and the bowling was unable to stop India from piling on the runs the second time around. While Boland admitted a need to go back to the drawing board, he said they wouldn’t be making wholesale changes.”There’s definitely not panic stations in our change rooms,” he said. “There’s obviously going to be some chats around individual performances and everyone wants to perform really well every game they play. But yeah, it’s like, we’ve lost one game. It’s not toys out of the cot, I don’t think.”We’ve spoken as a team about our plans for all the different Indian batters. I won’t tell you those, but we’ve got pretty set plans. They might have a little bit of a tweak after the guys have seen them again from Perth, because obviously [Yashasvi] Jaiswal batted really well there. KL Rahul batted well in the second dig as well and really digged in. So we’ll probably have a chat over the next week and our plans might slightly change, but I’m pretty confident what we did in the first games was good.”There was also a suggestion that the workload Australia’s bowlers had to get through made a difference in the outcome of the Perth Test. “I think our bowlers bowled really well as well,” Boland said. “Maybe the only difference was that the Indian bowlers got a really nice long break between their first innings and second innings where our break wasn’t as long.”
The last 15 months have been frustrating for Boland, kept on standby for Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood all through the summer, and then suffering an injury in the winter, which cut his county cricket stint at Durham down from four months to just one day.There aren’t many teams that are unable to fit in a fast bowler capable of holding a line and length all day long. Boland averages 20.34 from ten Test matches – but those ten Test matches are only a fraction of what Australia have played (31) in the time since his debut in December 2021.”Obviously those guys [the big three Australia quicks] have been so resilient, they don’t miss too many and no one must give up their spot at any stage,” Boland said. “And they’re so dominant, so last summer they weren’t bowling a heap of overs, but we’re still able to win most of those games.”So yeah, I probably thought maybe the opportunity had passed, but I’ve worked really hard in the off-season to get my body in a spot where I’m confident that if I get another chance I’ll be able to perform it for Australia again.”I just knew if I put the conversations I had with Ron [Andrew McDonald, the head coach] and George [Bailey, the chief selector] over the pre-season – when I was rehabbing a lot was to try and get my body in the right spot – that I didn’t want to rush anything and then re-injure something and then push my return to play back date a while. So we took it pretty slow with my rehab.”Boland’s run-in to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy included a Sheffield Shield game, where he took 3 for 104, and the Australia A vs India A game, where he took 1 for 87 across two innings.”Played the second game for Victoria and then I’ve missed a couple and then played the ‘A’ game. So I’ve had a pretty good prep and then now it’s just about building up, getting the intensity up in this game here and then in the night sessions as well before Adelaide.”
Boland’s primary skill – getting the ball to nip off the seam – lends itself to pink-ball cricket, especially when conditions start to turn really helpful as day goes to night. He averages 13.71 from two day-night Tests.”Usually there can be two different games in the one game,” he said. “You can bowl during the day when the sun’s out and it doesn’t do a whole lot, and then you get to the night session and the ball starts moving around a bit. So I think it’s just for the bowlers, we just communicate really well together about what the ball is doing and how the pitch is playing and then just sort of flicking between those modes as quick as you can.”Strategy can sometimes be shaped by the pink ball as well. “I feel like the teams that bat first can sort of time when they want to bowl, if they bat really well on their first day, because if you get a newish ball at night, it can be pretty lethal,” Boland said. “If batters are coming in, they’ve batted through the daytime, they get through to the night session. I think it’s been a couple of instances where the ball hasn’t dominated the bat. I think maybe last year at the Gabba [against West Indies] we took the new ball and didn’t get as many wickets as what we would have hoped in that night session.”But now back to Adelaide, I think they produce a really good cricket wicket that really suits the pink ball and helps it last a bit longer because it does get a little bit softer after 30, 40 overs compared to a red ball.”
أعلن النادي الأهلي، عن إصابة أحد لاعبي الفريق الأول للكرة، خلال مواجهة الزمالك، التي أقيمت ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وحقق الأهلي، الفوز على الزمالك بهدفين مقابل هدف مساء يوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع | عماد النحاس يوضح حقيقة طلب زيزو المشاركة أمام الزمالك.. ويصرح: الفوز يُخفي الكثير من الأمور
وأوضح أحمد جاب الله، طبيب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، تفاصيل تعرض طاهر محمد طاهر، للإصابة خلال المباراة.
وأشار إلى أن اللاعب شعر بتقلصات في العضلتين الأماميتين وأن الشكوى من الآلآم كانت وراء استبداله خوفًا من تفاقم الإصابة.
وأكد أن طاهر سيخضع لفحص طبي من أجل الاطمئنان على إصابته وتحديد حجمها ووضع البرنامج المناسب له.