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Morkel: Keep your eye on Nitish Kumar Reddy in the series

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

India’s bowling coach also says they’re tracking the injured Gill’s progress on a “day-to-day” basis

Alagappan Muthu20-Nov-20243:38

Morkel: We’re probably under pressure based on recent results

Keep an eye on Nitish Kumar Reddy this series, says Morne Morkel. India’s bowling coach is hopeful that the bowling attack they have brought over to Australia can cause problems, especially with the conditions in Perth.Morkel has had his work cut out over the past few days, overseeing a set of bowlers who haven’t had a lot of experience playing Test cricket. India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah and his usual new-ball companion Mohammed Siraj had a good workout under the sun at the Optus Stadium nets but their support acts – the uncapped duo of Reddy and Harshit Rana along with two-Tests old Prasidh Krishna – have a stiff challenge, replicating the success they have had at the domestic and India-A levels on a full-fledged Test tour. Morkel has been helping bridge that gap by sharing his own experiences of playing in Australia.”It’s great to have them around in the squad,” Morkel said of Prasidh and the other specialist fast bowler in the squad, Harshit Rana. “I think they add a lot of variation to their attack, especially Harshit, who bowls at a good pace, finds a way to also extract some bounce out of the surface.Related

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  • India's likely XI: Rahul to open, Padikkal No. 3, Jurel in middle order

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“It’s their first tour, Prasidh had a bit of experience with India A tour where he had a bit of game time, but for Harshit it’s a bit of an unknown. My message to him was just, when I toured my first time here, playing in Australia, an intimidating place, to listen to the stories, take their advice. But for me it’s just staying in your own bubble and finding those experiences, work them out for yourself.”[Reddy] is one of the young guys that we’ve mentioned, he’s got that sort of batting, all-round ability. He’ll be a guy that can sort of hold that one end up first. He hits the bat a little bit harder than you think. So on these sort of conditions where there might be a little bit of seam movement up front, especially the first couple of days. He’ll be a very accurate wicket-to-wicket style of bowler. It’s a lovely opportunity for him to hold that allrounder spot.”Any team in the world always wanted the allrounder to take that load off your fast bowlers, just to give them an extra bit of breathing time. So how we use him, how Jasprit is going to use him, with maybe the spinner, to give himself, whoever’s going to be the other quicks, time to catch their breath a little bit is going to be important. He’s a guy that is a player you can keep your eye on in this series.”0:56

Perth Test: Who is Manjrekar’s pick for the third quick?

India’s batting may also be reliant on some of their newer players coming through, if Devdutt Padikkal makes it at No. 3 and Dhruv Jurel at No. 6.”It’s going to be great learning for these guys,” Morkel said. “It’s young guys that can come up and front up against a quality Test bowling pack. Australia’s not going to bowl you many bad balls, but in saying that, you know, there’s good leadership within the group that can help and settle the nerves for that. So I think as a group we’re all excited for the challenge, we know what’s sort of to come, we know the wicket’s going to be fast, it’s going to be bouncy, and it’s up to the individual now to formulate their game plans, and get themselves in a mental sort of battle state, that for the next 43 days it’s going to be a tough cricket.”

India waiting on Gill’s fitness

Morkel also said that the fitness of batter Shubman Gill, who hurt his left thumb while fielding in the pre-series intra-squad match, is being tracked on a day-to-day basis.”Shubman is improving every day, obviously picked up a nasty blow in the mock game, in the squad game. I think with him it’s going to be a day-to-day sort of process, fingers crossed for that improvement, but I think they’ll wait, [and not] make a call with him up until the morning of the [match].”Gill was present at training on Wednesday but that was the extent of his participation even as the rest of the squad got in a full workout under the sun. He just hung out with Rishabh Pant for a while and then left. The chances of him playing in Perth in two days’ time are still slim. Padikkal, who has been added to the squad now after being asked to stay back in Australia following his work with the India A team, is shaping up as a stop-gap No. 3 batter.

Connolly, Beardman keep Scorchers' finals hope alive

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Scorchers needed to chase 162 in 18 overs to leapfrog Renegades and they did it relatively easy at the end

Tristan Lavalette18-Jan-2025Before he departs for his first Test tour, Cooper Connolly stepped up under pressure as Perth Scorchers’ unlikely bid for finals remained alive after a tense victory over Adelaide Strikers.The finals hopes of both teams were remarkably revived after Melbourne Renegades’ improbable victory earlier over Brisbane Heat. Scorchers needed to chase 162 in 18 overs to leapfrog Renegades and they did it relatively easy at the end with Connolly slamming consecutive sixes to finish the job in the 17th over.In front of 41, 878 at Optus Stadium, Connolly rose to the occasion once again and finished unbeaten with 39 from 21 balls to end Strikers – and Renegades – season.But Melbourne Stars can leapfrog Scorchers and claim fourth spot if they beat Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL season-finale at the MCG on Sunday.

Connolly guides Scorchers over the line

Finn Allen has been boom or bust this BBL season. He was Scorchers’ x-factor and the fans hoped he could replicate Jake Fraser-McGurk’s earlier fireworks.After a couple of early boundaries, it was an anti-climax with Allen hitting to midwicket before Aaron Hardie and Sam Fanning combined to get Scorchers back on track.Hardie has been out of form with a top-score of 34 this season, but looked in a determined mood and started with a boundary. He stroked another down the ground and whacked a short delivery into the crowd.But the match turned in the eighth over when Fanning was run out after a horrible mix up before Hardie moments later was stumped after failing to connect a flighted delivery from legspinner Lloyd Pope.Connolly, however, was composed as he kept Scorchers on pace. The nerve-jangling chase had shades of the classic BBL 12 final and, fittingly, he stepped up under pressure again.He slammed consecutive sixes off D’Arcy Short to guide Scorchers to a memorable victory that has, for now, kept their season alive.

Strikers lack penetration

Strikers needed to win by at least 15 runs to keep their finals hopes alive. But they were always up against it and will rue a couple of pivotal moments. Connolly, on 6, was adjudged lbw to Pope, but it was overturned after ball-tracking had it pitching outside the line.Turner was dropped on 9 by Brendan Doggett, who ran in from long off only to grass a regulation catch.Needing wickets, D’Arcy Short was given the ball when the power surge was taken in the 13th over. It was a gamble by captain Matt Short and it looked to backfire when Turner slammed a six down the ground but fell two balls later attempting to repeat the dose.But Strikers’ lack of firepower with the ball was evident as their season came to an end.

Beardman steps up in his second BBL match

After a disastrous defeat to Thunder in Sydney, where they were routed for 97, Scorchers’ season looked done. They looked ashen-faced returning home amid rumblings that numerous veterans were on the outer and set to leave the club at season’s end.Mahli Beardman starred with three wickets•CA/Getty Images

Their final home game, with a bumper crowd tipped for weeks, appeared likely to be a dead-rubber. But, remarkably, four results went their way and Scorchers were still alive.After Scorchers elected to bowl, spearheads Lance Morris and Jason Behrendorff – who have gone off the boil in recent games – were pumped up but perhaps overeager.Normally so reliable in the powerplay, they sprayed the new ball and were rattled by the ultra-aggressiveness of Matt Short and Alex Carey.But Scorchers were able to take regular wickets as Connolly, in his last match before he departs for the Sri Lanka tour, dismissed Short for 40 with a fuller and quicker delivery.It was 19-year-old Mahli Beardman who stole the show in his second BBL game. He has been preferred over experienced quicks Andrew Tye and Matt Kelly, as Scorchers start transitioning their list, and he justified the faith with three wickets.Beardman made a name for himself at last year’s Under-19 World Cup with rapid bowling and he showcased his innate fire with speeds hitting 140 kph.He claimed his first BBL wicket after knocking over the leg stump of Alex Ross, whose attempted ramp went horribly wrong. Beardman then bowled a sizzling short delivery first ball to Harry Manenti before dismissing him shortly after. He added the wicket of D’Arcy Short to cap Scorchers’ comeback.In good signs for the Australian national team, Hardie – who is in the Champions Trophy squad – bowled for the first time this BBL. He finished with 0 for 14 off two overs.Hardie had not bowled since taking a three-wicket haul against Pakistan in a T20I in November as he ramps up his bowling loads. He had played as a specialist batter having recovered from a nagging quad injury.Liam Scott’s brisk fifty lifted Adelaide Strikers to 161•Getty Images

Scott has breakout as Strikers go extra hard

With Renegades having lifted their net run rate, Strikers decided to go all out attack in good batting conditions. Alex Carey, promoted to open, went for broke and decided to hit hard. It was an effective strategy as he started his flurry by whacking Behrendorff down the ground for six before enjoying the extra pace of Morris.He raced to 22 off 6 before being late on a rampant Morris delivery and hitting straight to third man. Short continued to put the foot on the gas as Strikers pummelled 56 in the powerplay, with Morris conceding 37 of the runs.But the risky approach proved the downfall for numerous batters as Strikers were pegged back in the middle overs. It was left to 24-year-old Liam Scott to lift Strikers in the second half of the innings and he rose to the occasion with a maiden BBL half-century.He continued Morris’ hapless night with a couple of mighty blows into the crowd before his 43-ball 67 ended in the 17th over.

BCCI set to limit families' presence on India's tours

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The new protocols will also mandate that all players travel in the team bus to and from practice and matches

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-2025The BCCI is all set to implement stricter protocols with the Indian cricket team which include limiting the time players spend with their families on tour and barring independent transport for players while commuting for practice and matches.On tours of 45 days or more, players’ immediate families – partner and children – can be with them for no more than 14 days and not at all during the first two weeks of the tour. On shorter tours, families can accompany players for up to a week.These directions have been part of player contracts but were relaxed during the Covid-19 pandemic when players were given the option to make their families part of the team bubble, keeping their mental health in mind.India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar met the BCCI office bearers in Mumbai on Saturday for the first time after the tour of Australia. The team leadership was informed of the return to the earlier protocols.Part of these protocols will also mandate that all players travel in the team bus, a time-honoured practice which is said to be have been flouted by some players in the recent past.As things stand, the BCCI pays for the families’ accommodation on tour but not their travel. There will be no change made to that policy provided the duration and the timing of the stay meet the protocols.Sports associations have long grappled with the issue: should players’ partners and children be allowed to travel with them and for how long? Chennai Super Kings in the IPL is an example of the families’ presence working for the team, but there have been countless examples of teams banning partners at the team accommodation. Brazil won the 2019 Copa America when partners’ visits were banned. Then there is the case of Australia’s swimmers, who openly criticised a similar ban during the 2012 Olympics, complaining of loneliness and demotivation.Indian cricket has had no set answers to this question. The last time the presence of families was discussed was in 2018, when the then captain Virat Kohli was reported to have requested relaxing the norms.The current coach, Gambhir, told then: “The player opinion varies. Only an individual can say because the individual has to play a Test match. Some want family to be there for the whole tour while others want little family time and they try to concentrate. Whatever the decision, it should be taken in the best interest of Indian cricket.”

Mumbai spin great Padmakar Shivalkar dies aged 84

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He is often twinned with Rajinder Goel for the misfortune of being great left-arm spinners in the time of Bishan Bedi

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-20253:10

Manjrekar’s tribute to Shivalkar: ‘He wore the crown’

Padmakar Shivalkar, the champion left-arm spinner who is counted among the greatest Indian cricketers to never play for India, has died at the age of 84. He died in Mumbai on Monday and is survived by his wife, son and daughter.Shivalkar is often twinned with the Haryana left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel – the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy history – for the misfortune of having careers that coincided with that of Bishan Singh Bedi.”One of the regrets I have is that, as the then captain of the Indian team, I could not convince my fellow selectors to pick Goel and Paddy to play for India,” Sunil Gavaskar told when the BCCI awarded Goel and Shivalkar the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award in 2017. “They were born in the same era as the greatest left-arm bowler I have seen, Mr Bishan Singh Bedi. Else they too would have played plenty of Tests for India.”Related

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Gavaskar shared a dressing room with Shivalkar when Bombay (now Mumbai), the most successful team in the Ranji Trophy, enjoyed their greatest period of dominance. Shivalkar featured in ten of Bombay’s victorious Ranji Trophy campaigns from 1965-66 to 1976-77 – they won the title in every season barring one in that time – and was part of the squad that reclaimed the crown in 1980-81. Incredibly, he made a comeback seven years later at the age of 47 and played two matches during the 1987-88 season.His first-class debut had come all the way back in April 1962, when he was picked in a Cricket Club of India President’s XI against an International XI that was making a world tour. Against that team, which included luminaries such as Bob Simpson, Tom Graveney, Colin Cowdrey, Everton Weekes, Richie Benaud and Sonny Ramadhin, Shivalkar took 5 for 129 and 2 for 44 in a drawn game.In all, Shivalkar took 589 wickets in 124 first-class matches at an average of 19.69. Of those wickets, 361 came in the Ranji Trophy. No Mumbai bowler has taken more wickets in the competition. Shivalkar’s best figures of 8 for 16 came in the 1972-73 final against Tamil Nadu, when Bombay won in two days and one ball on a vicious Chepauk turner.Former India medium pacer and current BCCI president Roger Binny said in a statement, “Indian cricket has lost a true legend today. Padmakar Shivalkar’s mastery over left-arm spin and his deep understanding of the game made him a revered figure in domestic cricket. His exceptional career and selfless contribution to Mumbai and Indian cricket will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Another fine spinner from the 1970s who never played for India, V Ramnarayan, watched both Goel and Shivalkar closely and wrote this about them: “Quite possibly the best attribute of their cricket was their utter dependability. With them in the side, their captains only had to worry about their supporting bowlers.”Both were tireless, with their smooth actions demanding the minimum of effort – or so it seemed. Yet it was their unstinting work in the nets that made their seeming effortlessness in match situations possible.”If a comparison must be made between them, it must be to state that there was hardly anything to differentiate them, except the possibility that with his flight and subtle variations, Shivalkar posed a more attractive proposition on good wickets, with Goel perhaps more destructive on crumbling surfaces.”Shivalkar’s favourite mode of dismissal, perhaps, said something about the kind of bowler he was. “I used to enjoy getting the batsman stumped,” he told in 2017. “With my command over the loop, batsmen would step out of the crease and get trapped, beaten and stumped.”

Nathan Smith's six-wicket haul hands Surrey thumping win over Worcestershire

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Third win of the season keeps Surrey firmly in line for a fourth straight Division One title

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 24-Jun-2025Nathan Smith’s exceptional six-wicket haul inspired Surrey to a dominant Rothesay County Championship win inside three days, as the reigning champions made light work of lowly Worcestershire.Surrey dismantled Worcestershire for just 125 in their second innings, taking the home side’s final five-wickets for just thirteen runs, as Matt Fisher continued to impress with 4 for 47.Requiring just 49 to win at Visit Worcestershire New Road, Surrey just needed 15 overs to secure an emphatic nine-wicket victory.A third win of the season keeps the Kia-Oval based outfit firmly in the hunt for a fourth straight Division One title, as Worcestershire’s relegation woes deepen.After surviving the late Surrey barrage on day two, Worcestershire pair Adam Hose and Ben Allison started the morning in buoyant fashion, adding 66 for the fifth wicket.Smith continued his memorable return to New Road, picking up the wickets of both Allison, 27, and Hose, 40, in consecutive overs, as Surrey strengthened their grip on the match.When Matt Fisher feathered the top of Ethan Brookes’ off-stump and trapped Tom Taylor lbw 11 balls later, Worcestershire were floundering at 133 for 7 with a lead of just 36.Smith made light work of the final two Worcestershire wickets, as his ruthless performance saw him finish with exceptional figures of 11-2-38-6.Ably supported by Fisher, who helped himself to seven wickets in the match, Surrey’s seam duo swept aside Worcestershire.Surrey lost Dom Sibley during the chase, but Ryan Patel and Rory Burns led their side to a dominant win, collecting 20 points in the process.

Gill: 'We are a gun team, and we have gun players'

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Siraj took three of the last four wickets on the fifth morning to seal an epic win at The Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Aug-20255:30

‘Such moments make you feel that the journey is worth it’

India captain Shubman Gill has said his team was “pretty confident” of taking the remaining four wickets on the final morning at The Oval to square the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.Late rain on day four dragged the game into the fifth day, leaving England needing 35 runs and India four wickets. Mohammed Siraj picked up three of the four to seal a stunning win.”Yeah, we were pretty confident,” Gill said at the post-match presentation. “Even yesterday, we knew that they [England] are a little bit under pressure. We just wanted to make sure that they’re feeling the pressure throughout. Pressure makes everyone do things that they don’t want to, and we just wanted to make sure that they’re feeling the pressure throughout.Related

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“I think the way both the teams played in the entire series, every day coming on day four, day five, and never really knowing which team is going to win… it shows that both the teams came up with their A game and very happy to get over the line in this one.”Joe Root had said that the use of a heavy roller would benefit England on the fifth morning, but Siraj and Prasidh Krishna worked in tandem to give no respite to Jamie Smith and the tail.”When bowlers like Siraj and Prasidh are bowling like that then 35 runs is also too much,” Gill said at the post-match press conference. “As a batsman, you are under pressure as you feel the ball is doing something and it takes just one ball. And that is what we were reminding them about frequently. If the conditions are like this and the momentum is with you, then 30-35 runs is enough, then you know it is a matter of one or two balls falling in the right place and the game will get over there and then.”Gill said that India never thought about taking the second new ball, considering the movement both his strike bowlers had been getting since day four. “Also, we had the wicket-taking option on this wicket,” Gill said. “If they had to make the runs, they would need to score boundaries. We knew they were under pressure because in such a position the batting team is under pressure because it is matter of one ball.”Having been left heartbroken after he was the last man dismissed in the Lord’s Test last month, Siraj finished the game this time with the ball, when his pinpoint yorker uprooted Gus Atkinson’s off stump. Siraj put in a big shift, with his 30.1 overs in the fourth innings bringing him five wickets.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“Yes, definitely, he’s a captain’s dream”, Gill said of Siraj. “Coming in five Test matches, every ball, every spell that he bowled gave his all out, and every captain, every team wants a player like him. We are very fortunate to have him in our team.”While Siraj won the Player-of-the-Match award, Gill was chosen as India’s Player of the Series by the opposition coach Brendon McCullum for his chart-topping 754 runs in ten innings at an average of 75.40. Gill’s series aggregate is the second-highest for a captain behind Don Bradman’s 810 against England in the 1936-37 Ashes. No other batter has scored more runs in a series between England and India, going past Graham Gooch’s 752 runs in 1990.”Feels very rewarding,” Gill said. “I worked pretty hard before the start of the series. There were certain things that I wanted to work on as a batsman, and it was my goal to be able to be the best batter of the series. And to be able to accomplish that goal feels very satisfying and very rewarding.”I think once you are sorted mentally, you would be in a good space. But you’re only sorted mentally when you’re feeling technically correct. So, I think they’re both kind of correlated. If you feel like you’re getting in good positions, you’re always mentally more stable.”3:49

Bangar: Series result proves India is growing in stature

‘We want to be looked as a gun team’

Having started the new WTC cycle with a series-levelling win, India are currently third on the table with 28 points in five matches. “This series was very important for us because the kind of maturity every player would feel [at] the end of the series would really help us in the long run in this WTC cycle,” Gill said.Asked if he would have felt the same had England chased the target, Gill admitted that his “feelings would definitely be slightly different”.”I think the scorecard of the series could not have really depicted what kind of cricket we played,” he said. “But this scorecard of the series that we have right now really shows how both teams played. This win was important for us to be able to get that morale high, especially after the kind of cricket that we have played over the course of two months.”When Gill’s India had landed in the United Kingdom in June, there were several questions asked – whether his team had the experience and the personnel to challenge Ben Stokes’ men. Two months later, India depart with the series shared. Gill credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for building the confidence of the team.”At the start of the series Gauti [Gambhir] said: ‘yes, we are a young team, but we don’t want to be looked as a young team; we want to be looked as a gun team’. And the way we played it today showed us that why we are a gun team, and we have gun players like him [Siraj] in our team and that’s what makes this team so special.”

Green set to bowl in Shield cricket, will 'wait and see' if he's at No. 3 in the Ashes

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Cameron Green says he could play Shield cricket instead of ODIs and T20Is in the lead-up to the Ashes to build his bowling loads on return from his back injury

Alex Malcolm21-Aug-2025Australia allrounder Cameron Green is unsure if he will bat at No. 3 in the upcoming Ashes series, but confirmed his return to bowling is likely to come in Sheffield Shield cricket in the lead-in rather than at the ODI or T20I series against India that comes before into the Test summer.Green, 26, has been Australia’s No. 3 in each of their last four Test matches across the World Test Championship final and the three-Test tour of the Caribbean, which he played as a batter-only as he continues his rehabilitation from back surgery in October last year.He looked increasingly assured in the No. 3 role after a very difficult start, making scores of 4, 0, 3, 15, 26, 52, 46 and 42. While the overall returns appear lean, the last four innings were highly valued within the Australia camp, especially the 46 and 42 in Kingston, which were the second- and third-highest scores in a game where there were only four individual scores higher than 24.Related

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But speaking in Mackay on Thursday ahead of the second ODI against South Africa, Green said he was unsure if he would continue at No. 3 for the first Ashes Test in Perth in November as the make-up of Australia’s top three remained uncertain.”You never know,” Green said. “I think there’s certainly a lot of guys that can fill that role. I’m really proud that I was able to do a role up there. But, yeah, wait and see.”If he does not bat No. 3 in the Ashes, it would completely change the dynamic of Australia’s top six.With Steven Smith and Travis Head locked in at four and five, allrounder Beau Webster has noted that his spot at No. 6 would come under pressure when Green’s is back to bowling. Usman Khawaja appears certain to open in the Ashes but Sam Konstas knows his place is far from guaranteed with Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald “in the mix” according to chairman of selectors George Bailey, while all eyes are on Marnus Labuschagne to see if he can regain to some form ahead of the Ashes.The scrutiny on Konstas has come following a torrid tour of the Caribbean, but Green said there wasn’t a lot to glean from the West Indies series given the nature of the pitches.”It was such tough wickets, especially for the batters, so to try and get out the series unscathed I think was a good effort,” Green said. “There wasn’t much to take away from that. I think it was just trying to survive, really, and find a way to score some runs. Yeah, I don’t think we’ll be playing on many wickets quite like that.”Green is set to be available to bowl in the Ashes. He has slowly been building his bowling loads back up at training since June after having not been allowed to bowl following his back surgery.He has not been available to bowl in either of the T20I series against West Indies or South Africa, and is also playing as a batter-only in the current three-match ODI series.Australia’s next international assignment after the third ODI on Sunday is not until October 1 when they will play a three-match T20I series in four days in New Zealand. Thereafter, Australia play three ODIs against India at home from October 19 to 25 before starting a five-match T20I series against India that runs from October 29 to November 8 with the Ashes starts on November 21.Green said it was more likely that he would focus on red-ball cricket in the lead-up to the Ashes series with Western Australia set to play three Sheffield Shield matches starting on October 4 against New South Wales at the WACA Ground, October 15 against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval, and October 28 against South Australia.Cameron Green has not bowled since injuring his back on the ODI tour of England in 2024•Getty Images

“In the past, it’s worked really well when I focused on Shield cricket,” Green said. “So I think that potentially might be the way to go down, especially with working my way back with bowling. Potentially get a few more overs over a few more days might be the best way to go about it.”I’m not quite certain on what match [I’ll return to bowling], but I’m feeling really good, in a really good spot. It’s exciting being back bowling at a reasonable intensity.”It’s been a long road back.”WA host Queensland in a fourth Shield game on November 11 but it is unlikely Green would play that close to the start of the Ashes. Green had success in 2024 when he was held out of a T20I series in New Zealand ahead of the Test series in order to remain in Australia to play Shield cricket. He scored a century for WA against Tasmania in a game that coincided with Australia’s three T20Is in New Zealand before making his highest Test score of 174 not out in the first Test in Wellington.Meantime, Green and Australia’s batting are searching for some runs ahead of the second ODI in Mackay on Friday. Green was one of five Australia batters spun out by Keshav Maharaj in game one in Cairns. But Green said the team had not dwelt on the dismal batting display.”Obviously Maharaj bowled beautifully, a couple of their batters batted really well,” Green said. “We didn’t want to debrief it too much. I think we know we’re a good team. We’ve had a lot of success the last few months. So to deep dive into it is probably not the right way to go about it. There’s certainly things we need to improve on. I think we just had a reasonable off day, but there’s plenty of one-day cricket coming up, so hopefully we can turn that around.”

Labuschagne eyes Test return: I thrive on proving the doubters wrong

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Dropped in West Indies, Australia’s long-time No. 3 has switched his focus on what he can do to be playing the Ashes

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Aug-20251:01

Super-sub Labuschagne produced direct hit run-out

Marnus Labuschagne is feeling primed to start his push for a Test recall in time for the Ashes amid the ongoing debate about how Australia’s top three will shape up come Perth in late November.Labuschagne was dropped from the Test side for the first time since 2019 at the start of the recent series in West Indies having averaged 27.82 with one century over the previous two years.There had been some consideration given to him leaving that tour early in order to play either county cricket or for Australia A, but he ended up staying throughout, training extensively with the coaching staff, something he has continued since getting home to Brisbane.Related

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“This [being left out] has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, ‘Marnus has got to go’,” Labuschagne told in his first interview since losing his spot.”I mean that’s part of the game. There is a tipping point but it’s something I thrive on… proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way. Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to back and think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there’.”After the West Indies Tests, head coach Andrew McDonald said Labuschagne’s absence from the side “wasn’t going to be a huge gap.” He could make a return to Australia colours in the ODI series against South Africa later this month having been retained in that squad then will have three Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland before the Ashes side is named in mid-November.Should he make a compelling case for a recall, there remains the question of where he would return in the order with Cameron Green finishing strongly at No. 3 against West Indies in tough batting conditions although there is a scenario where Green drops back down the order should he be available to bowl.Labuschagne’s last Test before his omission saw him pushed up to open in the World Test Championship final against South Africa where he made 17 and 22 and he would gladly take on the role again should that provide his route back.”I would be happy to do that – I would love to,” he said. “If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that’s fine. If you had asked me where I prefer to bat obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don’t get a choice.”I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I batted quite well. I got in but did not go on with it.”

Manchester United fans react to Fellaini departure

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

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Manchester United have confirmed that Marouane Fellaini has left the club to join Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, via a statement posted on their official website.

The Belgium international joined the club in 2013 under David Moyes, with United paying £27.5million to Everton to secure his signature, per BBC.

Per Transfermarkt, Fellaini made 177 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the Community Shield and the Europa League.

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

He fell out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, however, after the Norwegian replaced former boss Jose Mourinho.

Fellaini’s last United appearance came in December as he played three minutes in the 5-1 thumping of Cardiff City.

He was subsequently on the bench for wins over Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth but was left out of the squad for games against Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley – missing the latter three due to a calf strain.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Suggested Solutions: Bargain summer signings Arsenal can make for total of £40m

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

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As reported by The Mirror, Arsenal boss Unai Emery will have just £40m to spend on reinforcements in the summer after a cash-strapped January window in which Financial Fair Play restrictions limit their spending.

In this day and age, that transfer kitty will get you no more than one top-class player if that, so the north London club need to be shrewd with their transfer dealings if Unai Emery is to amend the Gunners’ problems and stay within his budget.

Arsenal are in desperate need of defenders, as Stephan Lichtsteiner is the wrong side of 35 and has looked well out of his depth this season, whilst Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal need replacing.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

In midfield, Arsenal could also be very light come the summer as Aaron Ramsey is set to join Juventus, whilst the out-of-favour Mesut Ozil could depart.

In light of this, Football Fancast take a look at how Emery can make his £40m go as far as possible…

Sign Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer

The France international is soon to be out of contract in Paris, and has attracted interest from a number of top clubs such as Barcelona, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Liverpool as well as Arsenal.

Rabiot has reportedly rejected a new contract with the Parisians, and would be an excellent signing to offset the loss of Ramsey and the potential loss of Ozil.

The 23-year-old is a classy operator in the middle of the park, and if the Gunners could beat the aforementioned clubs to his signature, it would send out a real statement of intent.

Sign Alejandro Grimaldo 

With Nacho Monreal set to turn 33 at the end of February, and Sead Kolasinac still looking slightly unconvincing albeit improved, Arsenal should look to the market for a dependable left-back – even Granit Xhaka has had to play in the position at times this season.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are interested in Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo – Emery should spend the bulk of his budget on the Spaniard, who Transfermarkt value at £25.2million.

Sign Fernando Calero 

With the remaining £15m or so, Emery should look to sign a centre-back. One name that has already been mentioned in association with the Gunners is Real Valladolid defender Fernando Calero, who was the subject of interest in January – the Spaniard has a €11m (£9.63m) release clause.

The centre-back was also of interest to Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, but remained at Valladolid. However, he is almost certainly going to be under the transfer spotlight yet again in the summer.

With Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny 30 and 33 years of age respectively, a move for 23-year-old Calero for that price would be excellent business.

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