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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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.

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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.

Thomas Frank confirms injured Tottenham star won't be back for a "long time"

The timeline is unclear.

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Emilio Galantini

3 days ago

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.

MatériaMais Notícias

Torcedores do Corinthians com viagem marcada para Belo Horizonte relataram problemas para chegar a capital mineira, onde o clube alvinegro encara o Cruzeiro nesta quarta-feira (10), no Mineirão, pelo jogo de ida da semifinal da Copa do Brasil.

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Ao longo desta manhã e tarde, sete voos que partiriam do Aeroporto de Congonhas, em São Paulo, com destino ao Aeroporto Internacional de Belo Horizonte foram cancelados. As operações afetaram três companhias aéreas, Gol, Azul e Latam.

Ao todo, 50 chegadas e 71 partidas no Aeroporto de Congonhas foram canceladas até 17h30 (de Brasília). Os cancelamentos foram provocados por um ciclone extratropical que atingiu São Paulo nesta quarta-feira (10). A capital paulista registrou ventos de até 98 km/h, e o fenômeno, considerado incomum pela Defesa Civil, também afeta regiões do Sul, Centro-Oeste e Sudeste do país.

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A Aena, que opera o terminal, informou que as decisões partiram das companhias aéreas e recomendou que os passageiros negociem diretamente com elas.

– A Aena informa que o Aeroporto de Congonhas está aberto para receber pousos e decolagens. Ainda assim, por decisões operacionais das companhias aéreas por causa dos ventos fortes com rajadas de mais de 90 km/h, determinação do controle de tráfego aéreo e ajustes da malha aérea das empresas, houve 50 chegadas e 71 partidas canceladas até às 17h30. A Aena recomenda que os passageiros com viagens programadas entrem em contato com as companhias aéreas para saber a situação do seu voo – declarou a empresa, em nota.

continua após a publicidadeVoos cancelados de Congonhas (SP) para Confins (BH)06h20 — Gol 10h35 — Azul 11h05 — Latam 12h20 — Azul 14h05 — Latam 15h15 — Azul 16h10 — Gol

A reportagem entrou em contato com as companhias aéreas e aguarda resposta sobre os casos. Diante das ocorrências, as próprias empresas têm buscado ressarcir os clientes com a realocação em outros voos para Belo Horizonte. Entretanto, a remarcação pode demorar mais de um dia, pois depende da disponibilidade de assentos. O incidente gerou reclamações entre os torcedores.

Problema nas estradas

Também foram registrados problemas na BR-381, a Fernão Dias, que liga São Paulo a Belo Horizonte. A distância entre as duas cidades é de aproximadamente 580 a 590 km, e o trajeto costuma levar entre sete e oito horas de carro.

Torcedores que viajaram na quarta-feira (10) também enfrentaram dificuldades. Cerca de quatro acidentes ocorreram na rodovia, o que aumentou significativamente o tempo do percurso. Uma torcedora ouvida pelo Lance!, que está em uma caravana, como são chamadas as viagens organizadas por torcidas, relatou que saiu às 2h e só chegou às 17h, totalizando 15 horas de viagem.

A Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais espera aproximadamente 40 ônibus de torcidas organizadas do Corinthians. Os torcedores serão recebidos pela Polícia em Extrema, cidade mineira onde passarão por revista, antes de seguirem escoltados até o local da partida.

– Vamos contar com a escolta dos ônibus das torcidas organizadas da cidade de Extrema até Belo Horizonte. O acesso será pela BR-262, vão entrar na avenida Antônio Carlos, pela Santa Rosa até o Mineirinho, onde receberemos todos os torcedores do Corinthians. Serão recebidos pelo Batalhão de Choque – disse o capitão Ricardo Gomes, do 34º Batalhão da Polícia Militar de Minas Gerais.

Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

Decisão

Foram disponibilizados 3,2 mil ingressos para a torcida do Corinthians no Mineirão. A quantidade equivale a 5% da capacidade total do estádio, conforme acordo entre as diretorias. Todos os bilhetes foram adquiridos antecipadamente. A bola rola às 21h30 (de Brasília) e a partida de volta será no domingo (14), às 18h (de Brasília), na Neo Química Arena

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansFutebol Nacional

أبدى جلين جونسون، مدافع ليفربول السابق، رأيه في الجدل الدائر حول مستقبل محمد صلاح مع ليفربول، مشيرًا إلى أن ذلك قد يؤثر سلبًا على فريق آرني سلوت.

وتم استبعاد صلاح من مباراة ليفربول وإنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا والتي حقق فيها فريقه الفوز بهدف دون مقابل، وجاء القرار بعد تصريحاته التي أعرب من خلالها عن عدم يقينه بشأن مستقبله مع الفريق، مشيرًا إلى توتر علاقته مع المدرب سلوت.

وفي حديثه، ذكر صلاح الانتقادات التي يتعرض لها من الإعلام وبالتحديد من جيمي كاراجر، المحلل الرياضي في سكاي سبورتس ونائب ليفربول السابق، الذي ردّ عليه بوصفه بأنه “عار”.

وفي تصريحات لصحيفة “ليفربول إيكو”، قال جونسون: “حسنًا، هذا مبرر، عندما يُطلق شخص تصريحات تؤثر على الكثيرين، فعليه أن يرتدي خوذة الصدمات لأنه سيواجه ردودًا مضادة، سواء كان ذلك سيحسن الموقف أم لا، فأنا لا أعتقد أنه يفعل”.

وأضاف: “لكن يمكنك أن تفهم تمامًا سبب إحباط الناس، ويعود ذلك أيضًا إلى الاحترام الكبير الذي يكنّه الناس لمحمد صلاح، فالأمر ينبع من القلب أكثر من كونه رغبة في توجيه انتقادات لاذعة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | كاسانو لـ كاراجر: اغسل فمك قبل الحديث عن محمد صلاح.. كنت تلعب وأقدامك معكوسة

وأردف: “لذا، هو وضع غريب حقًا، فمن الواضح أن كل من له صلة بكرة القدم، وبالتأكيد ليفربول، يحب محمد صلاح، لذلك أعتقد أن الأمر مؤلم شخصيًا أكثر من كونه مجرد رغبة في التدخل وتوجيه انتقادات لاذعة”.

وأشار جونسون إلى أن صلاح أساء التعامل مع هذا الموقف، وكان من الأفضل عدم الإدلاء بتصريحات للإعلام: “لا أعتقد أن مثل هذه الخلافات يجب أن تُثار علنًا، مهما حدث بين اللاعبين المحترفين والجهاز الفني وجميع من في غرفة الملابس، فليتحدثوا بحرية، وليقولوا ما يشاؤون، وليحدث نقاش حاد في غرفة الملابس، لكن في النهاية سيخرجون كزملاء في الفريق”.

واستطرد: “كما تعلمون، قولوا ما ترونه مناسبًا، وسيحظى الآخرون بفرصة الرد، ثم تهدأ الأمور وتستأنفون اللعب، يبدو الأمر وكأنه الملاذ الأخير عندما يُنشر على الملأ، في النهاية، هناك زملاء آخرون في الفريق، وهذا هو الموضوع الوحيد الذي يتحدث عنه الناس حاليًا”.

وأكد: “عندما لا يُفيد هذا التصرف زملاء الفريق، فإنه لا يُفيد النادي، ولا يُحسّن أداء الفريق بالتأكيد، لا أُحبّذ أن يتم ذلك بهذه الطريقة علنًا”.

McCullum and Stokes have deferred the decision to unleash an all pace attack in the first Ashes Test

Vithushan Ehantharajah19-Nov-20252:28

Why England could risk Wood for first Ashes Test in Perth

England have deferred their decision on whether to hit Australia with an all-pace attack in the first Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium after confirming a 12-man squad featuring both Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir.Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum still have designs on letting their fast bowlers loose on what is expected to be the fastest pitch of the series. Wood is deemed fit, having recovered from a tight hamstring sustained in the warm-up match with the Lions last week. While he is expected to make the final XI, England are giving themselves time before deciding whether to go all-in with their seamers.Wood bowled for 40 minutes at the Perth nets during Tuesday’s training session, and sent down just two overs on Wednesday afternoon, before taking part in light fielding drills on the outfield with physical preparation coach Pete Sim. He then had a long look at the pitch with stadium curator Isaac McDonald.Wood would be one of five players in the XI with previous Test experience in Australia, along with Stokes, Joe Root, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. The 35-year old was also the standout quick on the 2021-22 tour, taking 17 wickets at 26.64.Related

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That includes a career best 6 for 37 in the last Test of that tour, a day-nighter in Hobart, when England also opted to field an XI without a specialist spinner. It was the second time they had done so in that series after the second Test in Adelaide (also a pink-ball match), which was acknowledged as an error in hindsight when seamer Ollie Robinson resorted to sending down a few overs of offspin.You have to go back to Boxing Day 1998 for the last time England fielded an XI for a red-ball match in Australia without a specialist spinner. They also did not field one in their last Test in July, against India at the Kia Oval, with Bashir out with a finger injury and Liam Dawson, his replacement for the fourth Test, dropped.Bashir’s characteristics – a high release point and knack of overspin – suits Australian pitches, something Stokes and McCullum raved about when bringing him into the set-up at the start of 2024 for the tour of India.It is worth noting that Nathan Lyon averages 20.86 at this ground, with 29 dismissals from five Tests, though is obviously a far more accomplished and seasoned operator than Bashir, whose 68 dismissals have come at 39.00 in his 19 Tests so far. The 22-year old struggled during the match between England and the Lions, bowling in three of the four innings and returning figures of 2 for 151 from 24 overs.

England squad for Perth Test

Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood

Chelsea’s opening goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday should have been disallowed under IFAB Law 11.

Arsenal unable to take all three points against ten-man Chelsea

With Moises Caicedo being shown a straight red card after fouling Mikel Merino in the first half, the Gunners would’ve been expecting to pick up what could be a crucial three points at Stamford Bridge, but the hosts refused to lie down.

In fact, Trevoh Chalobah opened the scoring for Enzo Maresca’s side just after half-time, although the north Londoners were ultimately able to come away with a point, as Mikel Merino was able to level things up just over ten minutes later.

Speaking after the game, Maresca made it clear he had no problem with Caicedo being given his marching orders, although he did question why Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur was not sent off for a similar challenge last month.

However, Mikel Arteta may have complaints of his own, with VAR being accused of going “completely blind” and missing Enzo Fernandez in an offside position during Chalobah’s opening goal.

IFAB’s Law 11 describes offside offences, and Fernandez’s position battling against Cristhian Mosquera certainly meets the criteria for ‘interfering with an opponent’.

A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:

interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or interfering with an opponent by: preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

However, the goal stood and Maresca’s side managed to hold out for a draw, despite having ten men for most of the game, so Arteta arguably has a right to feel aggrieved the Gunners were unable to extend their lead at the top.

Arsenal should have taken three points regardless

Although there is a case to be made that Chalobah’s goal should’ve been ruled out, Arsenal will be kicking themselves, given that Caicedo’s early red card presented them with a golden opportunity to pick up a victory.

Arteta concurs that it was two points dropped, saying after the game: “I think overall it’s been a really positive week because the difficulty was immense.

“But I have this flavour that today we should have and we could have won the game and we haven’t. That’s a learning point from it.”

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That said, the north Londoners shouldn’t be too disheartened, as getting a point at Stamford Bridge is still a good result, and they have a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table, currently sitting five points clear of Man City.