In what might be their last game in Australia, the two Indian greats brought out their greatest hits

Andrew McGlashan25-Oct-20252:03

Chopra: Kohli and Rohit keep adding confidence

There was precisely nothing about events at the SCG that hadn’t been seen before. A crowd with the majority of support for the visiting side, India playing an excellent game of ODI cricket, a century for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being unbeaten at the end of a run chase.But in some ways, it did feel different. Quite where the final lap of international cricket ends for Rohit and Kohli remains uncertain but, barring remarkable events, this was a final visit to Australia. For Kohli, especially, it is a place that has played a central role in his storied career across formats: the stunning 133 not out against Sri Lanka in 2012, the 2014-15 tour de force, the 2018 Perth century and captaining a series win, and the MCG in 2022 to name a few.Both players looked short of a hit in Perth when Australia’s new-ball excellence did for them in their first matches since the IPL. In Adelaide, Rohit battled his way to 73 as the ball again nipped around, but Kohli was pinned lbw for another duck by a delivery the bowler, Xavier Bartlett, admitted was meant to be another outswinger. Indian fans had packed both grounds, but the most Kohli could offer was a little wave of the glove as he walked off Adelaide, a city close to his heart.India lost both matches, so Sydney had nothing riding on it in terms of the series, but the game had been a sellout days in advance. By the end, the crowd had ticked over 40,000, any late arrivals no doubt hastened as they saw the shape of India’s scoreboard in the run chase and, for the majority, the closing stages felt like a bit of a party.Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rolled back the years•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesBut well before Kohli batted, there was a deafening roar in the 23rd over of Australia’s innings. Anyone who might have had their back to the action, perhaps getting a coffee, may have wondered what had happened. Kohli had held a sharp catch at square leg to remove Matt Short.Related

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Rohit’s neat take at slip to claim Mitch Owen was also well received, although an even bigger roar was saved for Kohli’s regulation take at long-on in front of a stand where fans held large cut outs of his head and rose to acclaim him whenever he turned to face them. It was nothing like the more hostile reception in the Test series earlier this year when Kohli had, not for the first time, become a villain for squaring up to Sam Konstas.However, it was the runs they really wanted. Or, to start with, a run for Kohli. But more on that shortly.India’s chase was soon up and running. Rohit flicked Mitchell Starc through the leg side and bludgeoned a drive through the covers. He had to be alert to get his head out of the line of a Josh Hazlewood delivery that jumped from a short of a length, a barer patch on the pitch which corresponded to the centre circle for Australian Rules Football.A dismissive pull by Rohit off Hazlewood in the ninth over brought up India’s fifty, but even their supporters seemed conflicted, caught between cheering the boundaries and chanting “Kohli, Kohli.” Quite how they would have greeted a 10-wicket win, we’ll never know.In the 11th over, Shubman Gill, the new captain of the ODI side and slotted on the batting card between these two icons, nicked a good delivery from Hazlewood. The cheers grew as he began his walk, because of who was coming down the steps of the historic SCG away dressing room.Virat Kohli walks out to bat in front of a packed SCG•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesKohli’s first-ball single towards mid-on was greeted by a deafening roar. Credit to the man himself for playing his part, too, with a smile and a little raise of the glove. A late cut against Adam Zampa followed a top-edged pull against Hazlewood. Then something from the best-of package: a straight drive off Starc.Not long into the stand between Rohit and Kohli, there was a sense of inevitability about the chase. It was a matter of how many each would make. Many opposition teams have had that feeling over the years. Rohit’s fifty came first, then Kohli’s, then Rohit went to his hundred from another 42 deliveries. Acceleration has always been a notable feature of his game.”They’ve been doing this for the past 15 years for us and to be able to watch them play like this and get the team through unbeaten is really a treat to watch,” Gill said. “Seeing the ball fly off their bats and just hearing the sound that comes off their bat is something that tells you how good of a nick they’re both in.”For Rohit, it was his fifth hundred against Australia on their turf in ODIs, but his first in a winning cause. That included an unbeaten 171 at the WACA in 2016 which ended in defeat although, in 2008, he made one of the early marks of his career with 66 at the SCG in the first of the tri-series finals where India would take the tournament. Seventeen years later, he’s still going.Rohit Sharma made his fifth ODI century against Australia in Australia•AFP via Getty Images”I think everyone got what they wanted tonight,” Matt Renshaw said with a hint of a smile in the press conference. “But it was amazing to see them. I’ve never played against them in one-day cricket, and to see the way they went about things tonight, it could have been a tricky chase but they just took the game out of our control.”The way that they got boundaries when they needed, got off strike when they needed to… as someone who’s new to the ODI frame, watching two of the greatest go about it was actually a really good lesson for me to take notes in those middle overs.”When Rohit was here earlier this year, he withdrew himself from the Sydney Test amid a form slump that ultimately ended his career. There was much more at stake on that occasion than however this match played out, and his rather subdued acknowledgment of his century was that of someone not getting carried away.”I don’t know if we’ll be coming back to Australia, but it was fun all these years that we played here,” Rohit said to the host broadcaster. “A lot of good memories, bad memories, but, all in all, I’ll take the cricket that I played here.”As Rohit and Kohli walked off together, they had taken their partnership runs tally to the third-most in ODI history. “I’ve really enjoyed batting with Rohit, and, yeah, good to know we’ve scored a few together,” Kohli said.Whether the pair make the 2027 ODI World Cup no one really knows, perhaps even the players themselves. But for those cheering them on from the stands on Saturday night, and millions more on television, that was a question that could wait for another day.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has said there will be further investigation into Usman Khawaja’s back issue in the lead-up to the Brisbane Test and admitted the selectors have “a lot to consider” around the batting order after Travis Head’s match-winning performance as a stand-in opener.Australia’s players and staff flew to their home cities on Sunday after the first Ashes Test finished inside two days in Perth.Khawaja’s back spasms have become a major talking point, with the 38-year-old unable to open in both innings and only able to bat once in the game. He also dropped a catch at slip before leaving the field in England’s second innings.Related

• The Khawaja debate: for and against his Test career continuing

• Inglis hammers rapid ton amid Australia batting order debate

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• Head: 'It's not going to get much bigger than this'

McDonald confirmed that the medical staff would look into the injury further as Khawaja has never suffered a back spasm of that nature in his lengthy career.”There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we sort of first anticipated,” McDonald said on Monday. “So we’ll work through that. We’ll get a squad together. We’ll step through everything that we normally step through.”We get to camp in six days’ time. It’s a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then, and hopefully Usman is fit and available for selection.”I think anytime you spasm, it’s a result of something going on in your back. So I think that further investigation is just due diligence around that. You spasm for a reason. He hasn’t had it before, so that’s what will probably entail a bit more further investigation.”My gut feel is that it should be okay, but as I said, we’ll wait for that information to present.”McDonald dismissed Khawaja’s age as a reason for the back issue flaring up. Khawaja did play 18 holes of golf on each of three days leading into the Test match (54 holes in total), something he had done previously leading into a Test without issue. But McDonald, like CA chief executive Todd Greenberg, reiterated that it had never caused a problem before.”These things can happen,” McDonald said. “And I don’t think you can join the dots to something around his age. I think it’s just one of those things that’s happened.”Travis Head smashed his way to an extraordinary 69-ball century•Getty Images

McDonald was asked whether Head’s extraordinary performance in the second innings, where he made 123 off 83 balls to win the Test match, would cause a rethink about a permanent change at the top of the order.”We’ve got a lot to consider,” McDonald said. “Batting orders are always debated heavily over a period of time. Middle order players haven’t been sort of the ones that have been the popular ones to open the batting. So we’ll discuss and work through what it looks like.”I think it gave us a little bit of a lens potentially to the future in terms of adjusting batting orders in second innings, which is something that we have discussed. To be able to put different people in different positions with the scenario that was presented. So this one happened probably through a bit more chance and obviously the unfortunate injury to Usman. But I think it really probably opens up that discussion more than, more than anything else for us.”Australia’s selectors do not have a history of making a change off a sample size of one innings. Steven Smith made 91 not out in an unsuccessful fourth innings chase in his fourth innings as an opener but the experiment was shelved after he averaged 28 across eight Test innings in the role.The impact Head had on the pink-ball Test in Adelaide last year, where he made a match-winning century at No. 5 in Australia’s first innings having been shielded from batting in a difficult period under lights on the first night, will also be a key factor in any decision to move him permanently to the top for Brisbane. Head had looked reasonably good in the first innings in Perth when he entered in the 16th over before shovelling a pull shot to mid-on.The potential to be flexible with Head looks more appealing to the coach.”We’ve sort of hypothesized around a middle order player going up to the top order if the second innings happened to flatten out,” McDonald said. “In particular, if we needed quick runs, and the wicket was going to deteriorate. So in our strategy and our planning, we have tabled that from time to time.”We’ve had a conversation around Travis opening the batting for a long period of time, and Trav’s has been on the record this week and previously around that also. I suppose, now that it’s out there, yeah, happy to talk about it. Will we do it? If it presents at the right time, potentially.”

Manchester United’s system under Ruben Amorim has led to huge questions being asked about the manager and his ability to lead the side forward in the future.

The 40-year-old has consistently used a 3-4-2-1 system at Old Trafford since his appointment last November, but the formation hasn’t worked as many would have expected.

He could only lead the Red Devils to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season, whilst also suffering a defeat in the final of the Europa League to Tottenham Hotspur.

The recent defeat against Everton on home soil led to further questions being directed his way, especially after refusing to move away from his tactics and push more attacking players forward.

However, the manager has desired additions of numerous players ahead of the January transfer window, with the midfield department one that looks set to be bolstered.

Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder in January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have ramped up their pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson ahead of a potential move in the January window.

It’s been reported that the Red Devils are willing to complete a deal in the coming weeks for the England international after his remarkable start to the current campaign.

However, bitter rivals Manchester City have also now entered the race for the 23-year-old’s signature, which could lead to a huge battle for his services in the months ahead.

He’s not the only Premier League option currently in their sights at present, with Bournemouth star Tyler Adams another player being considered by INEOS ahead of January.

According to the Daily Mail, the hierarchy have held internal talks over a deal to land the American international who has started every Premier League game this season.

It also states that he’s seen as a cheaper option to improve the midfield department, but it remains to be seen if the Cherries would sanction his departure during the winter.

Why United’s latest target would end Mainoo’s stay

Just a couple of years ago, it appeared as though Kobbie Mainoo would be a crucial first-team member for United for many years to come, but it appears as though his time at the club could be coming to an end.

The midfielder has gone from a regular starter and an England international, to now being a player who has been massively restricted to substitute appearances off the bench.

His tally of nine league appearances, none of which were from a starting position, showcases the lack of faith the 40-year-old currently has in the 20-year-old sensation.

Unsurprisingly, the player has grown frustrated at the Red Devils in recent weeks, which has led to the player himself even requesting a move away ahead of January.

If the manager is simply refusing to utilise the youngster, it’s crucial he makes the next step in his career to continue his development and get back onto his recent trajectory.

It remains unclear whether the hierarchy will sanction a move away from Old Trafford for Mainoo, but his career at the club would be all but over with a move for Adams.

Should the American join, it would push him further down the pecking order, with the Bournemouth star producing some incredible numbers over the last couple of months for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Adams, who’s been labelled a “monster” by journalist Tomi Oladipo, has completed 88% of the passes he’s attempted, at an average of 45 per 90 – with both ranking him in the top 25% of all midfielders in the division.

Such numbers showcase his composed nature in possession, but that’s also reaffirmed by his tally of 0.3 times dispossessed per 90, which ranks him in the top 15% in the league.

Games played

14

Goals scored

2

Pass accuracy

88%

Passes per 90

45

Times dispossessed

0.3

Tackles won

2.6

Interceptions made

1.6

Duels won

52%

However, out of possession, he’s been just as impressive, as seen by his phenomenal tallies of 2.6 tackles won and 1.6 interceptions made per 90 to date.

Despite his small frame, the American has also won 52% of the duels he’s entered, whilst completing 48% of the dribbles he’s attempted – further highlighting his all-round talents at the heart of the side.

It’s unclear if his current employers would sanction a departure in the coming weeks, but it’s evident that United would be getting themselves an incredible Premier League talent.

As for Mainoo, it appears to be the end at his boyhood club given his recent lack of action, with the player needing a move to reignite the spark in his professional career.

Cunha 2.0: INEOS to fast-track Man Utd bid for 'best winger in England'

Manchester United look set to make a huge move for one player in the upcoming January window.

ByEthan Lamb 6 days ago

Assistant coach says England will continue to target victory despite precarious overnight position

Andrew Miller06-Dec-20251:32

Trescothick: Trying to play the way we want to play

Marcus Trescothick, England’s assistant coach, insisted that the team would continue to stick to their principles, and “remain focused on how we try and win the game” despite a gruesome day with bat and ball at the Gabba that has left them on the brink of a 2-0 deficit in the Ashes.Speaking to TNT Sports shortly after the close of the third day’s play, Trescothick said that the team remained “fairly philosophical about what we’re trying to do”, but added that they were “not quite operating as we need to at the moment”, after a collapse of 6 for 80 in the floodlit evening session had torpedoed their hopes of overturning a 177-run deficit with wickets in hand.As had been the case in the first Test at Perth, England’s collapse came after a strong start to their second innings, and was largely of their own making. After reaching the dinner interval on 48 for 0, Ben Duckett was unlucky to be bowled by a ball from Scott Boland that kept low, but Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley then departed while driving on the up to Michael Neser – precisely the flawed shot selection that had left to a match-turning collapse of 3 for 0 in the series opener.It ran counter to the call from England’s first-innings centurion Joe Root, for his team-mates to “express themselves in the right way”, and whereas he’d salvaged the innings from 5 for 2 on the first day, this time he had no response. Mitchell Starc had been successfully negotiated by the openers but returned to prise Root out for 15, and when Harry Brook and Jamie Smith were extracted before the close, England still trailed by 43 runs with just Ben Stokes and Will Jacks of their recognised batters remaining.”They’ve been better than us today, and they’ve dominated today,” Trescothick said. “They’ve put us under a lot of pressure, and it’s always challenging when that happens.”We’re trying to score as many runs as we can. We’re trying to take wickets when we can. In certain areas, we probably haven’t been as good as we need to be, for long enough. And we’re trying, obviously, to do that and trying to put that right all the time.”Trescothick’s phlegmatic response to a catastrophic day was in keeping with England’s bid to maintain a positive team environment, and echoed similarly outlandish professions of optimism in previous contests – perhaps, most notably, spin coach Jeetan Patel’s insistence, on the eve of Ollie Pope’s astonishing 196 to beat India in Hyderabad in 2024, that “nothing was impossible” for this team and their self-belief.However, Pope will be back in the spotlight once again this evening, and for less glorious reasons. For the second match running, his skittish display when well set was the root cause of England’s collapse – in Perth, his inability to keep the score moving after a fast start resulted in a loose drive that cost him his wicket; here, with the conditions at their toughest and the onus on keeping wickets in hand until the morning session, he survived two wild drives in three deliveries that nearly went to hand off Brendan Doggett, before poking a return catch to Michael Neser in the very next over.Related

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Trescothick, however, refused to point fingers, and held back from criticizing the decision-making that had undermined England’s chances.”Of course, we work with them as coaches,” he said. “Myself, Baz [McCullum] will talk with them about what we’re trying to do, and the principle of our game, and how we’re trying to play our style of play.”When we get it right, sometimes we really dominate and we put pressure on oppositions, and at times we don’t always get it right, and we play bad shots, and potentially, of course, that gets highlighted.”But it is what it is. You’ve got to have some way of trying to play the game. Of course, we’ll look back on it, and every game, every innings, and talk with batters and discuss what we’re trying to do. And we’ll say, yeah, keep going … stick with trying to work out how we’re going to make it better for next time. We’ve got to stick to our principles and what we’re trying to do.”The irony is that Australia’s entire team offered a demonstration in how to build an innings on a cracked Gabba surface that, as Duckett discovered, can offer a few rogue deliveries but broadly speaking has played very true throughout. Every Australian from No.1-11 reached double-figures, for the first time since 1992, while none of them faced fewer than 30 balls.”Once the guys have been in the field for a period of time, like they have in the heat, and then you’re starting to lose a couple of wickets, it’s always tough,” Trescothick said. “We’ve been good in parts. We’ve had periods in the game where we’ve been sustained pressure, and put Australia under that the scrutiny that we needed to, it’s just maybe they’ve then fought back.”They’ve got through the periods of the new ball well, and made it tricky for us, so fair play to them. It’s not just necessarily things that we’ve done wrong. I think Australia have been pretty consistent in what they’ve tried to do.”It’s pretty obvious what they’re trying to do. They’re just trying to smash away on a good length, especially Boland from the far end … there’s a big crack just outside the channel of off stump, we’re all aware of that. They’ve hit consistent areas, and they’ve put us under pressure.”England arrived in Australia with high hopes of competing for their first series win in the country since 2010-11, and their first Ashes victory since 2015. Right now, however, they are racing towards their 15th defeat in their last 17 Tests, and arguably their most humiliating yet, given the chances they’ve had to dominate, and the relative weakness of a team that has been lacking three all-time great bowlers in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.”When momentum gets in their favour and they do get on top of you, it’s obviously always a challenge.” Trescothick said. “We are strong enough, we are good enough to challenge with it at times and put a bit pressure back on, if you like. It’s just not quite happened today.”We’re trying to work that out ourselves,” he added, when asked how England had let so many strong positions slip away. “We can be a bit more consistent in the style and in the momentum of the game, and try and keep on top of it when we need to be. And potentially, we haven’t quite matched up to that when we needed to be. But you’ve got to try and remain focused and positive on what you’re trying to do.”We’ve still got an opportunity here. Yes, we’re behind still in the context of the game. We’ve got to come out tomorrow, try and get a partnership going with the last few wickets that we have, and get a total on the board that we can maybe have a little dart at.”The guys are disappointed, but we’re still trying to remain focused on how we try and win the game.”

South Africa had plans for Virat Kohli, but they unravelled as he raced to a 52nd ODI century

Alagappan Muthu30-Nov-20254:46

Takeaways – Kohli in comfort zone; Jansen, Kuldeep and Rana sparkle

It’s there. He builds it every time he gets up to bat. The bubble. Inside it, he’s king.South Africa had a plan to break into it. In the first 10 overs, they had their fielders right up. Mid-on, mid-off and cover were 10 yards in from the 30 yard circle. The idea was to cut off the singles that fuel his risk-free run-scoring.It fell apart. Because reality inside Virat Kohli’s bubble and reality outside it are often different. From inside, he could see that the pitch had the pace to hit through the line. From inside, he could see the bowlers were spraying it around. From inside, he could see other options to score runs.Sixes. He had two of them as part of his first 10 scoring shots.An entire career’s worth of information went straight down the drain for South Africa with less than an hour on the clock. Kohli was playing his 294th innings in ODIs. Only twice has his sixes count risen as high as two inside the first 25 balls. And never when batting first.Related

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Ranchi 2025 joined Jaipur 2013 and Pune 2017. The other two were chases. Australia and England had put on 350-plus and he ran them down with a vengeance. South Africa dared him in other ways. At least their fielders did. The bowlers were out of sync.In the first 10 overs, when Marco Jansen, Nandre Burger, Corbin Bosch and Ottneil Baartman hit a good length, they gave up only 29 runs at a strike rate of 66. When they missed it, they were thrashed for 51 at a strike rate of 243.Kohli made a play. He got India ahead of the game. From there, the reality inside his bubble dictated the reality outside of it. The only accommodation he made was for his batting partner.In the 14th over, Kohli nudged one to midwicket, waited for the ball to pass the fielder, then knowing it was a slower delivery that he had hit softly to one of the longer boundaries, he began sprinting. He believed there was three. Rohit Sharma knew he believed there was three too. That’s why he had his hand up even as he brought his bat down to complete the second run. Sunday marked the 20th time they put on a hundred-run partnership. Only Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have more.Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shared a 136-run stand•AFP/Getty ImagesSouth Africa began to pull the run rate back in the middle overs. They found their lengths against Ruturaj Gaikwad and Washington Sundar and by doing that they managed to starve the set batter of strike. The third and fourth-wicket stands were 55 balls long. Kohli faced only 22 of them and hit just one four. The other end managed one six. The crowd got antsy. They were here to watch Kohli at home in India blue for the first time since February. They wanted the century.Kohli didn’t bat an eyelid. He did other things. Run between the wickets so hard the picture seemed incomplete without smoke flying off his heels. Practice chopping an imaginary short ball down onto the pitch so that the next time he faced one, it bounced over Dewald Brevis still close in at point. Note the gaps in the field and expend only the energy needed to find them.That’s how he moved from 94 to 98. Midwicket was up. Square leg was back. The ball was dug in and though it didn’t climb it was cramping him for room. Kohli was now so cozy inside his bubble that he arranged his body for a short-arm jab with a horizontal bat, knowing the outfield would take care of the rest.On 99, he took his guard again. Stretched his back out – finally a sign of what this innings against quality opposition was taking out of him. Recognised the ball wasn’t there. And just kept it out. By now the crowd was going wild… because everyone was blocking everyone else’s shot. Eventually, the glide to the deep third boundary, the jump, the punch, the scream, the kiss of his wedding ring and the raise of his bat all began to flood social media.It was a beautiful moment. No. 52. The only one Kohli spent outside his bubble. It is sacred to him. Especially now. He wants to make the 2027 World Cup. But he’s 37. That number – as much as any other from his legendary ODI career – looms large enough that every innings he plays from now until the squad is picked could be scrutinised. Even though the selectors have said otherwise.The surest way Kohli can realise his goal is to prove over and over that even in the twilight of his career he is twice the player anybody else is. He ticked that box on Sunday evening. And it will need ticking again. The pressure that must bring feels unimaginable. The way he ignores it and just goes about his business is incredible.

CA’s medical staff will look into Khawaja’s back spasm and the coach says the batting order will be discussed leading into the Brisbane Test after Head’s heroics

Alex Malcolm24-Nov-2025

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has said there will be further investigation into Usman Khawaja’s back issue in the lead-up to the Brisbane Test and admitted the selectors have “a lot to consider” around the batting order after Travis Head’s match-winning performance as a stand-in opener.Australia’s players and staff flew to their home cities on Sunday after the first Ashes Test finished inside two days in Perth.Khawaja’s back spasms have become a major talking point, with the 38-year-old unable to open in both innings and only able to bat once in the game. He also dropped a catch at slip before leaving the field in England’s second innings.Related

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Head adds to career catalogue of mind-blowing knocks on the biggest stage

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Head: 'It's not going to get much bigger than this'

McDonald confirmed that the medical staff would look into the injury further as Khawaja has never suffered a back spasm of that nature in his lengthy career.”There was discussions around further investigation to whether it was more serious than what we sort of first anticipated,” McDonald said on Monday. “So we’ll work through that. We’ll get a squad together. We’ll step through everything that we normally step through.”We get to camp in six days’ time. It’s a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then, and hopefully Usman is fit and available for selection.”I think anytime you spasm, it’s a result of something going on in your back. So I think that further investigation is just due diligence around that. You spasm for a reason. He hasn’t had it before, so that’s what will probably entail a bit more further investigation.”My gut feel is that it should be okay, but as I said, we’ll wait for that information to present.”McDonald dismissed Khawaja’s age as a reason for the back issue flaring up. Khawaja did play 18 holes of golf on each of three days leading into the Test match (54 holes in total), something he had done previously leading into a Test without issue. But McDonald, like CA chief executive Todd Greenberg, reiterated that it had never caused a problem before.”These things can happen,” McDonald said. “And I don’t think you can join the dots to something around his age. I think it’s just one of those things that’s happened.”Travis Head smashed his way to an extraordinary 69-ball century•Getty Images

McDonald was asked whether Head’s extraordinary performance in the second innings, where he made 123 off 83 balls to win the Test match, would cause a rethink about a permanent change at the top of the order.”We’ve got a lot to consider,” McDonald said. “Batting orders are always debated heavily over a period of time. Middle order players haven’t been sort of the ones that have been the popular ones to open the batting. So we’ll discuss and work through what it looks like.”I think it gave us a little bit of a lens potentially to the future in terms of adjusting batting orders in second innings, which is something that we have discussed. To be able to put different people in different positions with the scenario that was presented. So this one happened probably through a bit more chance and obviously the unfortunate injury to Usman. But I think it really probably opens up that discussion more than, more than anything else for us.”Australia’s selectors do not have a history of making a change off a sample size of one innings. Steven Smith made 91 not out in an unsuccessful fourth innings chase in his fourth innings as an opener but the experiment was shelved after he averaged 28 across eight Test innings in the role.The impact Head had on the pink-ball Test in Adelaide last year, where he made a match-winning century at No. 5 in Australia’s first innings having been shielded from batting in a difficult period under lights on the first night, will also be a key factor in any decision to move him permanently to the top for Brisbane. Head had looked reasonably good in the first innings in Perth when he entered in the 16th over before shovelling a pull shot to mid-on.The potential to be flexible with Head looks more appealing to the coach.”We’ve sort of hypothesized around a middle order player going up to the top order if the second innings happened to flatten out,” McDonald said. “In particular, if we needed quick runs, and the wicket was going to deteriorate. So in our strategy and our planning, we have tabled that from time to time.”We’ve had a conversation around Travis opening the batting for a long period of time, and Trav’s has been on the record this week and previously around that also. I suppose, now that it’s out there, yeah, happy to talk about it. Will we do it? If it presents at the right time, potentially.”

The last few days have been a whirlwind at Manchester United. The Red Devils suffered another disappointing result at Old Trafford, drawing 1-1 against relegation-threatened West Ham United.

Ruben Amorim’s side struggled to create many substantial chances and could only earn a point against the Hammers.

It was another game where Kobbie Mainoo didn’t play, either. The United academy graduate, a true gem of Carrington, has only played 171 minutes in the Premier League this term.

His lack of minutes has certainly upset United fans, with club legend Paul Scholes even saying on a now-deleted social media post that he is “being ruined.”

However, the 20-year-old’s talent cannot be forgotten.

Mainoo’s rise from the academy ranks

It has been a long time since the Red Devils had an academy graduate as exciting as Mainoo, perhaps as far back as Marcus Rashford all those years ago. The midfielder represents what the club stands for: youth, courage, success.

Mainoo’s rise to the top was nothing short of astronomical. He made his first Premier League start back in late November 2023.

Less than 12 months later, he was a starter for England at the European Championships, playing from minute one against Spain in the final.

In his first tournament, key England midfielder Declan Rice was full of praise for Mainoo. The Arsenal star said his midfield partner “has that leadership and the way he takes the ball and is comfortable,” which is high praise just months into his professional career.

United embrace the academy; it has been the heartbeat of the club for decades upon decades.

Mainoo has done Carrington proud in his 82 appearances so far, with the highlight no doubt his FA Cup final winner in 2024. That is what the Red Devils are all about.

Mainoo’s lack of minutes this season is frustrating, but his talent must be celebrated. Incredibly, United have an academy star who might be even more talented than their number 37.

United’s best academy talent

The Red Devils’ long history of success can largely be attributed to their academy. The Busby Babes, the Class of ‘92, graduates from the 2010s such as Rashford, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, all contributed to silverware.

Perhaps the next great academy graduate from Carrington will be JJ Gabriel.

Despite being just 15 years of age, he is already one of the most highly rated academy players and has been described as potentially being already “better than Premier League players.”

Indeed, Gabriel has shone for the Red Devils’ under-18s this season, playing under the tutelage of Darren Fletcher. In just 11 appearances, he’s found the back of the net ten times and has grabbed one assist.

Those numbers speak for themselves, but given that he is playing three years up, it becomes an even more impressive feat.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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The versatile attacker, who can play up front or as a winger, is not only consistent but also cashes in when he does score.

He’s bagged two goals in a game once, and a hat-trick twice, including one against Liverpool under-18s last weekend. He also grabbed eight goals and assists in August and September.

Gabriel form in August & September

Opponent

Scoreline

G/A

Everton (A)

0-1

0

Middlesbrough (H)

5-0

2G

Derby (A)

0-4

3G

Burnley (H)

1-0

0

Wolves (A)

0-4

1G, 1A

Man City (H)

2-4

1G

Stats from Transfermarkt

In terms of his technical ability, Gabriel is rated incredibly highly. Alfie Brooks, the youngster’s one-to-one coach, said he could go into a Premier League dressing room and “technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn’t even be close.”

He has bags of tricks, a low centre of gravity and a good footballing brain.

Mainoo’s talent is doubtless, but Gabriel might well be an even bigger prospect. To receive the sort of praise he has is a testament to his quality, and the numbers he puts up on a weekly basis show how talented he is.

The attacker is someone United fans will hope to see break into the first team in the coming years, playing alongside Mainoo week in, week out.

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Tottenham secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening, strengthening their bid for automatic Champions League qualification with a commanding performance.

Thomas Frank’s side also extended their 100 per cent home record in Europe with their third consecutive N17 victory, all without conceding a single goal in that time.

Spurs have now climbed into a coveted top eight place as a result, and there were a few star performers on the night.

David Zima’s bizarre own goal opened the scoring on 26 minutes, with the Czech defender inexplicably heading Pedro Porro’s dangerous corner past his own goalkeeper after Cristian Romero’s initial flick-on.

The opening period proved slightly chaotic, with Tottenham dominating possession yet struggling to convert superiority into clear-cut opportunities against Slavia’s resilient defence.

Richarlison should have given Spurs the lead within 45 seconds, heading Wilson Odobert’s excellent cross straight at goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek from point-blank range.

Slavia threatened sporadically, with Stanek producing several outstanding saves to deny Tottenham’s attack. The Czech international frustrated Mohammed Kudus and substitute Mathys Tel — who was named in the squad despite being left out of their original 22-man list — with exceptional saves.

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However, two second-half penalties then secured Tottenham’s victory.

Kudus converted their first spot-kick before Xavi Simons completed the scoring after being fouled inside the area, though Slavia’s Igoh Ogbu escaped a second yellow card for the challenge that conceded the penalty.

In some bad news, Micky van de Ven received a booking that rules him out of the crucial Borussia Dortmund clash, representing the evening’s only negative for Frank.

Ben Davies made his first appearance of the campaign during stoppage time, providing a sentimental moment with Son Heung-min watching from the stands following his emotional farewell visit to North London.

The victory maintains Tottenham’s remarkable 22-match unbeaten run at home in European competitions whilst extending Slavia’s winless streak to six Champions League games. The Czech champions also remain without a goal across their last four European matches.

Tottenham now need just four points from their remaining fixtures against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt to guarantee at least playoff qualification, with top-eight automatic progression firmly within reach.

A lot of the noise has centered around yet another convincing performance from Simons, his second on the bounce after Brentford last weekend, but according to Hargreaves, it was another man who stole the show.

Owen Hargreaves praises 'exceptional' Mohammed Kudus

While the media have lavished Simons’ 9/10 display, it was Kudus who attracted serious praise from TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves.

Speaking after the match, Hargreaves told TNT that Kudus was Tottenham’s ‘best player by far’ and put in a truly ‘exceptional’ display.

The Ghanaian will be facing off against England at the World Cup, potentially Djed Spence, who jokingly said that he was going to pocket his teammate in the States.

However, if we were Spence, we’d certainly be worried.

Kudus has been Tottenham’s standout attacking star by some way this season, and it’s hard to imagine where Frank’s side would be without the former West Ham sensation, who crossed the London divide in July.

The 25-year-old, on top of his nine goal contributions in all competitions this season, has also averaged more successful take-ons per 90 than any other player in the Premier League — marking himself out as England’s most devastating dribbler (WhoScored).

Last night was yet another example of the excellent business done by Spurs to tempt Kudus to north London, and the best could still be yet to come.

The baseball postseason—and specifically the World Series—has a habit of creating heroes from the most unlikely sources. This time, unlikely hero Addison Barger navigated some extenuating circumstances to help power the Blue Jays to an 11–4 win over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night.

Addison Barger makes World Series history

Barger went from a pull-out couch, to the Blue Jays bench to the plate, where he belted the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, blowing the game open and extending Toronto's lead to 9-2 in its eventual win.

"His family is coming in, came in tonight," Blue Jays outfielder Davis Schneider said after the game. "He needed someone. He was staying with Myles [Straw] and then stayed with me last night. My girlfriend is here so like, he’s like, ‘Can I sleep in the bed with you guys.' "

According to , it is not uncommon for Blue Jays players to stay at teammates' houses during the season, and some have looked to stay closer to Rogers Centre to beat World Series-related traffic.

So Schneider offered to have Barger sleep on his pull-out couch, though it may not have been the best night's sleep for the 25-year-old Barger.

"So I was like ‘No,’ sleep on my couch. Sleep on the pullout.' It’s a pullout, yeah. But it was squeaking all night. Yeah, it was so funny. I looked over and I just see him sleeping there in the middle of the night. He’s a headcase, but he’s fun."

Barger slept on the couch again?

Barger, as Schneider's sister Madeline pointed out on X, slept on the couch once again following the World Series victory. At this point, it's either that Barger genuinely likes sleeping on the squeaky pull-out couch, or he and the Blue Jays aren't messing with what could be good superstition.

Game 2 of the World Series begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.

Walt Weiss was named the manager of the Braves, the team announced Monday. Atlanta parted ways with Brian Snitker after a disappointing season in 2025, and it opted to promote from within when homing in on his replacement.

Weiss has been the Braves’ bench coach since 2018. He had a 14-year playing career that spanned from 1987 to 2000, and spent his final three seasons in Atlanta. A shortstop, Weiss was a starter at the All-Star Game in 1998 and had 1,207 hits in his career. He won the World Series in 1989 as a member of the Athletics, and also won it with the Braves as the bench coach in 2021.

He’s previously served as the manager of the Rockies, where he was at the helm from 2013 to ‘16. He had a winning percentage of .437 in Colorado, failing to make the postseason in any of his four seasons with the team.

Weiss is the 49th manager in Braves’ franchise history, and he’ll inherit a talented roster that he’s plenty familiar with. The team has made the postseason in seven of the last eight years, and is just four years removed from a World Series title.