The ICC’s trophy tour of the Champions Trophy will begin on Saturday from Islamabad in Pakistan but will not go to Muzaffarabad in the first leg of its journey. The BCCI had objected to the trophy’s original route, which included Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan administered Kashmir, a territory disputed by the two countries.The objection caused the delay in finalising a new route, raising the prospects of the tour being delayed altogether. The PCB had announced the launch and route of the tour on its social media channels on Thursday, catching the ICC by surprise; as it is an ICC event, the protocol is that the global body announces those details.But an alternative route was finalised late on Friday, allowing the tour to begin, as originally planned and announced by the PCB, from Saturday. Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will accompany the trophy on the first day as it is displayed at well-known landmarks in the capital, including Daman-e-Koh, Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument.From Islamabad the trophy will go to schools, colleges and landmarks in Abbottabad, Murree and Karachi in the opening leg before heading off on an international tour, taking in the seven other countries who are part of the Champions Trophy.The trophy then returns to Pakistan on January 27, three weeks before the scheduled start of the tournament, with another tour of venues around Pakistan.Less than a 100 days before the start of the tournament, however, there remains no clarity about how much of the event will be played in Pakistan. The BCCI has told the ICC its government will not allow the team to play in Pakistan, raising the possibility of a hybrid model tournament that sees India playing its games outside of Pakistan. The PCB has stood firm against that possibility, however, and insists the entire tournament is played in Pakistan.The PCB has written to the ICC asking the BCCI to put down in writing the exact reasons for its inability to visit, as well as asking the ICC when they were informed of the BCCI’s decision.
Chelsea have a number of players they wish to get off the books before deadline day on September 1, with Blues boss Enzo Maresca set for a few key decisions surrounding high-profile first-team stars.
£50m "game-changer" would now love to join Chelsea despite Arsenal approach
The Blues have been handed a boost in their pursuit of an attacker.
By
Dominic Lund
Jul 21, 2025
Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Nicolas Jackson, João Félix and Alfie Gilchrist have all been linked with the Chelsea exit door in recent weeks.
Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season
Average match rating
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
Benoit Badiashile has also hinted that he could leave Chelsea this summer, with The Athletic’s Simon Johnson reporting they’ll consider offers for Trevoh Chalobah too, despite his heroics during the second half of 2024/2025, so Maresca could oversee a major reshuffle of his defence.
Chelsea have already sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Djordje Petrovic and Mathis Amougou for an estimated total fee of around £100 million, but they remain under pressure from UEFA to balance out their squad.
Failure to do so could even result in Maresca not being able to register new players for their Champions League campaign next season (Kaveh Solhekol), even if Chelsea are currently making a profit after also winning the Club World Cup and taking home £87.5 million.
Financially, Chelsea are in a very good position to carry on signing players, and that is certainly their intent towards the latter stages of this transfer window (Simon Phillips), but they’ll need to seal more departures.
Unofficial swap deals could be a key method that Chelsea utilise to both bring in upgrades and trim their bloated squad (Simon Phillips), with £195,000-per-week forward Christopher Nkunku a potential sacrifice in this regard.
Reports earlier in the window suggested that Chelsea and Man United have explored an exchange involving Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho, and journalist Simon Phillips has now shared an update on the Frenchman’s future.
Chelsea looking to replace Christopher Nkunku as Newcastle eye "surprise" move
Writing via his Substack, the reporter claims that Chelsea are actively looking to replace Nkunku, and Newcastle have emerged as “surprise” suitors for him.
Eddie Howe’s side have expressed an interest, and even though it hasn’t advanced further than that right now, the Magpies are believed to be considering a swoop for the former RB Leipzig sensation.
This follows other audacious claims from Spain that Chelsea offered Nkunku to Real Madrid as part of a two-player swap deal for Rodrygo, but it is unclear whether the west Londoners would propose the versatile attacker for any Newcastle player.
Nkunku, despite not being a firm fixture in Maresca’s starting elevens, still managed double digits in terms of goals scored in all competitions last season, and most recently put in some impressive displays at the CWC.
“Yeah, he’s a top player, we all know his quality, how he is as a player,” teammate Felix told the media about Nkunku last campaign.
“We already saw him doing amazing things at Leipzig. And yeah, I like to play with him. I think we think the game kind of like the same way. So I think he already know what I’m going to do, and I know what he’s going to do. I think it’s pretty easy to play with him. I think we connect very well.”
يستعد عشاق الكرة الفرنسية لمواجهة مرتقبة مساء اليوم الإثنين، والتي سوف تجمع بين نادي باريس سان جيرمان ونظيره أوليمبيك مارسيليا، في اللقاء المعروف بالكلاسيكو ، وذلك لحساب قمة الأسبوع من بطولة الدوري الفرنسي.
ويسعى باريس سان جيرمان إلى الفوز على مارسيليا من أجل تعزيز صدارته لبطولة الدوري الفرنسي، في اللقاء الذي سوف يلعب على ملعب فيلودروم.
اقرأ أيضًا .. رودري يكشف عن ترشيحاته للفائز بالكرة الذهبية 2025
وسوف تقام مباراة الكلاسيكو الفرنسي في نفس وقت حفل الكرة الذهبية، مما أثار الكثير من الجدل حول موعد اللقاء.
وفي هذا السياق، صب الصحفي الفرنسي المعروف، دانيال ريولو، جم غضبه على إدارة باريس سان جيرمان في ظل عدم احترامها لمواجهة الكلاسيكو أمام أوليمبيك مارسيليا.
وذكرت صحيفة سبورت ، أن مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان ومارسيليا قد تم تأجيلها إلى اليوم الإثنين، بعدما كان من المفترض أن تلعب يوم أمس الأحد، في ظل خطر هطول أمطار غزيرة على مارسيليا والتي تعتبر مدينة ساحلية وتقع في جنوب فرنسا.
وأضافت الصحيفة، أنه وفقًا للوائح رابطة الدوري الفرنسي في حال تعذر إقامة اللقاء في موعده يتم تأجيله إلى موعد لاحق، أو يتم استثناف اللقاء من لحظة توقفه بسبب سوء الأحوال الجوية.
وأوضحت الصحيفة، أن غضب ريولو من باريس سان جيرمان يعود إلى سعي الفريق الفرنسي إلى محاولة جعل المباراة تلعب في الساعة 3 أو 5 مساءً، حرصًا على حضور لاعبي باريس والجهاز الفني حفل الكرة الذهبية الذي سيقام في مسرح دو شاتليه في باريس مساء اليوم.
ووصف ريولو موقف باريس سان جيرمان من تغيير موعد المباراة بأنه قلة احترام للجماهير وللكلاسيكو.
وقال ريولو: ”إلى أي مدى يمكن لباريس سان جيرمان أن يصل؟ اللعب في الثالثة أو الخامسة مساءًا! من المؤسف اقتراح هذا، إنه قلة احترام مطلقة وهذا يعني أنك لا تهتم إطلاقًا بقيمة هذه المباراة ولا يهمك إن كان جمهور الفريق الذي يستضيفك سيتمكن من الحضور أم سيضطر لأخذ يوم راحة لأنه ليس الوقت المناسب بالنسبة لك كناد”.
واختتم: ”تقديم هذا الاقتراح يعني أن باريس سان جيرمان لا يكترث لهذه المباراة وأن كل ما يهمهم هو حفل الكرة الذهبية، هذه هي الرسالة التي بعث بها باريس بهذه المقترحات. على أي حال أعتقد أن أولمبيك مارسيليا لم يكن ليقبلها أبدًا احترامًا للجماهير. نعم يأتي حفل الكرة الذهبية في وقت غير مناسب وهكذا هو الوضع، لكن هذا لن يمنعنا من رؤية ديمبلي وهو فائز بالجائزة، حيث هناك احتمال كبير أن يحصل عليها وسيكون احتفالًا كبيرًا”.
Arsenal are ready to splash the cash in a serious show of ambition this summer, with Mikel Arteta and co desperate to end the club’s long wait for a Premier League title, which has spanned over 20 years.
Arsenal convinced they can seal "huge signing" after "showdown talks"
The Gunners are growing in optimism.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 5, 2025
Sporting director Andrea Berta has already sealed deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter two unofficial but confirmed by multiple reliable media sources.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
25/26 – summer
£5m
Arsenal will pay around £56 million for Zubimendi, with all documents regarding the Spaniard’s transfer signed and finalised, while Norgaard has apparently undergone the first part of his medical in N5.
Berta has shown a tendency to spin many plates at once when it comes to transfer targets, with Arsenal also believed to be after two new wide players. Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Chelsea forward Noni Madueke have all been linked this week, but signing a right and left-winger could depend on whether Berta sells one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli.
In any case, Arsenal have been working on deals for Eze and another star for the left-hand side (Fabrizio Romano), all while actively seeking their desired new striker – which could be one of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal are advancing talks for Sesko and Gyokeres, before deciding which one would best suit the club’s needs both in a financial sense and on the field.
However, one player who’s likelier to arrive before any of the aforementioned attackers is Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Arsenal enter "decisive" phase of talks for Cristhian Mosquera
As per CaughtOffside, Arsenal have entered their “decisive” phase of talks for Mosquera, who’s already agreed personal terms over a move to the Emirates.
The versatile centre-back could come as a like-for-like replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who mutually shook hands on a contract termination this week following his Arsenal injury hell.
Real Betis' Vitor Roque in action with Valencia'sCristhianMosquera
Arteta’s side have seen a £12 million offer rejected for Mosquera, but are planning to go back in with a new bid which could be as high as £26 million, including bonuses and add-ons.
The Spaniard is said to be very keen on joining Arsenal and even snubbed a new contract proposal from Valencia, with Berta said to be edging closer to a full agreement.
The move could be sealed pretty soon, and barring any unexpected twists, Mosquera appears poised to become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window.
Footall Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes him as an “elite” young player, with Mosquera playing more minutes than any other player under 21 in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
It’s all changing at Tottenham Hotspur at the moment.
Ange Postecoglou may have led the club to their first trophy in a generation, but a 17th-place finish in the Premier League was enough for Daniel Levy and Co to send him on his way.
In his place, former Brentford manager Thomas Frank has been tasked with dramatically improving the club’s domestic form next season, and one way to make that happen is by adding genuine quality to the squad.
Fortunately, recent reports suggest the North Londoners may be closing in on a signing who’d be a more exciting addition to the team than Mathys Tel.
Tottenham transfer news
The transfer window may have only just opened again, but Spurs have recently been linked with many talented attackers, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa, who thrived under Frank’s management.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Moreover, to ensure the squad aren’t left short on numbers in attack next year, Levy and Co have also re-signed Tel on a permanent transfer.
The young Frenchman did well enough in spells last season, and the potential is certainly there, but based purely on what we saw from him this year, it’s hard to describe his £30m signing as particularly exciting.
The good news is that the Lilywhites now appear to be advancing in talks to sign someone who certainly would be an exciting signing: Antoine Semenyo.
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Spurs are incredibly interested in the Bournemouth star and are ‘growing in confidence in striking a deal’ with the South Coast side.
The report does not mention how much the Ghanaian international could cost the North Londoners, but reports from earlier this month claim that a fee of up to £70m should be enough.
Now, that is certainly a lot of money, but given Semenyo’s ability and experience, it’d be worth it for Spurs, especially as he’d be a more exciting signing than Tel.
Why Semenyo would be a more exciting signing than Tel
Okay, so the first thing to address is that Semenyo has an inherent advantage here in that the newest attacking signings are going to be more exciting than a club re-signing someone they’ve had on loan before purely for the fact that they’ll represent something fresh and relatively unknown.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
However, while this is undoubtedly the case here, there are other significant reasons why the Bournemouth star would be a far more exciting addition to the team than Tel, starting with their output.
In 20 appearances for the North Londoners, totalling 1257 minutes, the Sarcelles-born attacker was able to score three goals and provide a single assist, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every five games, or every 314.25 minutes.
In stark contrast, the Cherries ace scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 42 appearances, totalling 3562 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 178.1 minutes.
Moreover, while the Frenchman can play off the left or up top relatively easily, the Chelsea-born ace can play off either flank, up top or even in midfield, thanks largely to the fact he’s ambipedal.
Finally, on top of everything else, the 25-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, also comes out way on top when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
For example, he comes out on top in almost all relevant metrics, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, shot and goal-creating actions, key passes, successful take-ons and many, many more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty G+As
0.45
0.23
Progressive Passes
3.06
2.31
Progressive Carries
3.93
2.62
Shots
3.51
2.47
Shots on Target
1.12
0.85
Passing Accuracy
73.4%
74.4%
Key Passes
1.29
1.15
Passes into the Final Third
1.38
1.31
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.26
1.38
Live Passes
29.5
27.8
Shot-Creating Actions
3.71
2.47
Goal-Creating Actions
0.37
0.31
Successful Take-Ons
1.94
1.62
Ball Recoveries
4.44
3.62
Aerial Duels Won
1.85
0.38
Ultimately, while Tel is a talented player who could develop into something special, Semenyo is streaks ahead of him and would be a far more exciting signing for Spurs.
A better signing than Mbeumo: Spurs enter talks to sign "unbelievable" CF
Tottenham Hotspur could be about to make a move to land an attacker who could star in North London.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta are now clashing over the Gunners’ top target for a key area of the squad, with both men wanting different players.
Arsenal tipped for crucial transfer decision this summer
The north Londoners lost out on a place in the Champions League final to PSG, despite battering 15-time European champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, and fell miles behind Liverpool in this year’s Premier League title race.
Arsenal in advanced talks to sign "exciting" 24 year-old after Zubimendi
The Gunners are seen as favourites.
ByEmilio Galantini May 15, 2025
Injuries and a lack of potency in the final third took their toll on an Arsenal side, with Arteta’s men drawing more games than any other Premier League side in the top 12 so far (14), which highlights their serious issue when it comes to finishing teams off.
2. Arsenal
68
3. Newcastle United
66
4. Man City
65
5. Chelsea
63
6. Aston Villa
63
7. Nottingham Forest
62
Only Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea have created more big chances than Arsenal this season, as per official stats from the Premier League, but their shortage of wins in comparison to Arne Slot’s side in particular strongly indicates a struggle to fully capitalise on these opportunities.
As such, critics have pinpointed the absence of a prolific number nine as the main cause of this.
Arsenal's KaiHavertzscores their fourth goal
Mikel Merino has been forced to deputise as an emergency striker for much of the campaign, following Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz’s serious long-term injuries, with Berta prioritising the signing of a centre-forward for Arsenal this summer to help provide more potency in the final third.
“Arsenal have got a bit of a problem,” said former Premier League scout Mick Brown to Football Insider recently.
“Arteta has to decide what type of centre-forward it is that he wants to lead the line. And it’s a huge decision for him because it’s one they have to get right. If you’re a team that, for the majority of the time, has the ball and you’re playing in the opponents’ half, you’re playing in a congested area.
“So are they looking for somebody who has a bit of physical presence who can bully defenders, get on the end of crosses and you can bounce things off him? Or do they want a clever, ball-playing type who will drop in to link play with the likes of Odegaard?
“The names that are being spoken about seem to be a bit all over the place – they have to make a decision about the type of forward they want.”
Arteta and Berta in Arsenal disagreement over signing Sesko or Gyokeres
According to reports from Portugal this week, specifically A Bola, Arsenal are making significant progress on a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who’s bagged 52 goals over another prolific campaign in the Primeira Liga.
Meanwhile, as per other media sources, RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko remains in the picture as a target following his own career-best season in the Bundesliga.
The prolific duo are both expected to depart their clubs for under £70 million, with Sesko’s release clause currently standing at around £62 million and “machine” Gyokeres commanding a price tag of £63 million.
Either would be a stellar option, going by their excellent campaigns abroad, but there appears to be an ongoing debate over who Arsenal should try and sign behind-the-scenes at N5.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack, Arteta and Berta are in an Arsenal disagreement over whether they should sign Sesko or Gyokeres.
Arteta personally wants the former at Arsenal next season, while Berta actually prefers they go for the latter.
“Mikel Arteta wants Sesko at Arsenal, but Andrea Berta prefers them to go for Viktor Gyokeres,” wrote Phillips.
“So there is a disagreement there at the moment.”
With both men heavily linked, this is a very intriguing aspect of Arsenal’s search for a new forward, as it appears Berta and Arteta have different ideas on how to improve the squad.
Leeds United are now weighing up whether to make a £3.5 million bid to sign a 26-year-old defender who will likely replace Maximilian Wober, according to a recent report.
Leeds already planning exits ahead of new arrivals
Daniel Farke’s men moved a step closer to the Premier League over the weekend, as a win over Preston North End moved them five points clear of third-place Sheffield United. The Whites now know they need just eight points from the 12 possible to secure a place in the top flight.
Ruthless from Farke: Leeds feel £85k-p/w duo aren't Premier League quality
Leeds want to replace the pair this summer.
By
Barney Lane
Apr 14, 2025
So as the Premier League dream moves ever closer, Leeds are already looking ahead to the summer transfer window. There are a number of positions that Farke will want to strengthen, as signing a new goalkeeper has become a priority given the poor form of Illan Meslier this season. The Frenchman may soon be on his way out of Elland Road, but he may not be alone, as according to Football Insider, Leeds want to sign a new striker as they believe Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe are not good enough for the Premier League.
There are doubts at the club about the pair, and therefore, they could be moved on in the hope they can find a better striker in the transfer market.
The departures may not stop there, as Leeds United News states that defender Max Wober is expected to leave the Whites at the end of this campaign. The 27-year-old has had a terrible season with injuries, playing just seven games in the Championship, and despite being under contract until 2027, he could be moved on by Farke, especially if a replacement is found.
Leeds now considering £3.5m bid for Modibo Sagnan
So, given Wober is heading towards the exit door, signing a new defender has become a priority, and according to Africa Foot, Leeds are now considering a move to sign Modibo Sagnan from French side Montpellier.
The report states that several teams are interested in signing the centre-back, who can also play left-back, with the Whites already identifying the 26-year-old as a recruitment priority. It states that Leeds chiefs will have already made contact with Sagnan’s entourage over a possible move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window. Leeds are considering making an offer for the defender, worth €4 million, which is roughly £3.5 million.
Montpellier find themselves in relegation trouble towards the end of this season, and should they be relegated to Ligue 2, it could benefit Leeds when it comes to negotiating a transfer for Sagnan.
Modibo Sagnan’s 24/25 Ligue 1 stats
Apps
26
Goals
2
Clean sheets
0
Interceptions per game
1.1
Tackles per game
2.2
Dribbled past per game
0.8
Clearances per game
4.4
His potential arrival would see him join Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, who have been Leeds’ main centre-back pairing in this campaign. The Whites are already incredibly short at centre-back, so if Wober does leave in the summer, Sagnan arrives as an important player and one who could play a lot in the Premier League.
The battle to partner Usman Khawaja in Perth begins with an Australia A series in India ahead of three Shield rounds before the first Ashes squad is picked
Alex Malcolm14-Sep-2025Sam KonstasIt can be easy to forget that 19-year-old Konstas is actually the incumbent Test opener. It is also worth remembering that his name was not on anyone’s lips when a similar debate was happening 12 months ago around who should open in the Border-Gavaskar series, which proves how quickly things can change and how redundant this list of contenders may be come November.Konstas gets the opportunity to throw down an early marker in India as the only one of the true contenders to be sent on the Australia A trip, which is more of a development tour for 2027 and beyond than truly Australia’s second best XI. Bailey said in August that conditions in Lucknow will likely have no “great read through” to the Ashes and that Shield runs will be of more value. But a century or two, particularly against Mohammed Siraj in game two of the series, will do Konstas no harm.However, given his performances in the Caribbean and his overall first-class record, he would need to do a lot in the first three Shield games against WA at the WACA, Victoria at the Junction Oval and Queensland at the Gabba to prove that he is the right choice for the Ashes. The repeatability of his method and the tempo of his batting will again be examined closely as much as the runs he scores.Related
Who will be the spear to Usman Khawaja's shield for Australia?
Ashes tracker: Labuschagne shines as Konstas stumbles
Maxwell named for 50-over return for Victoria despite ODI retirement
Australia's next opener? Weatherald enjoying cricket 'like I did as a kid'
Australia's pace depth: Who's in the Ashes mix if Cummins and co run aground?
Marnus LabuschagneIt is hard to believe that a 31-year-old with a Test average of 46.19 and 11 centuries from 58 Tests is not an automatic starter in Australia’s XI for Perth. But Labuschagne’s decline has been alarming and it is the reason he was left out in the Caribbean. He has not scored a Test century since July 2023 and has not scored a century in any of his last 42 international or domestic innings across all three forms. He has just one half-century in his last 16 which was in the Shield final in March.He has been scoring centuries and half-centuries in club T20 and state 50-over practice matches in the last fortnight. It is likely he has the least to do to prove his case for the Ashes. The selectors and coaching staff need only to see a version of the old busy and reliable Labuschagne in the early Shield rounds and or the ODIs against India. A couple of two-hour-plus innings, showcasing the technical work he did with batting coach Michael Di Venuto during the Caribbean tour, could be enough to get him picked in the first Test.There will be no concerns with him opening rather than batting at No. 3 despite limited experience. He has more first-class opening experience (17 innings), and as many hundreds (two) in the position, as both Konstas and Nathan McSweeney did when they were selected to open against India last year. The main concern may come with pairing he and Khawaja together in terms of their respective scoring rates. There is a world where Labuschagne could also return to No. 3 but that would probably require he and another contender to be in red-hot form, Cameron Green to be flying with the ball and Beau Webster’s batting form to tail off significantly before the first Test.Jake Weatherald is the most in-form uncapped domestic batter in Australia•Getty ImagesJake WeatheraldThe left-hander has the best chance of any uncapped player to earn a debut in the Ashes. He has been the most in-form domestic batter, let alone opener, in first-class cricket in Australia over the past 12 months. At 30, he is playing the best cricket of his life and enjoying it more than ever after experiencing significant ups and downs both on and off-field in his first decade as a professional.Unlike Konstas and Labuschagne, his game is not in a state of flux. Weatherald is well past tinkering with his technique, method, and preparation. He is also scoring at the fastest rate of his career, having struck at 67.23 in his last 20 innings while piling up 1143 runs, including four scores of 145-plus. From a tempo and style perspective, he is the perfect fit in a top four that has a tendency to absorb rather than put pressure back on the bowlers. A continuation of his spectacular form last summer in the early Shield rounds against Queensland, WA and potentially a Scott Boland-led Victoria attack would make him difficult to ignore.Marcus HarrisHarris is a perennial contender and remains in the selectors’ thoughts despite not playing a Test match since the 2021-22 Ashes and only averaging 25.29 from 14 appearances. There are several factors in his favour. The selectors know the cauldron of the Ashes won’t be an issue for him. He played four of the five Tests in 2021-22 and top-scored with 76 in his third last Test innings on the worst pitch of the series at the MCG against James Anderson, Mark Wood and Ben Stokes. He is also coming off scoring 1027 runs at 60.41 in the County Championship for Lancashire, including three centuries and five half-centuries.Factors counting against Harris are that he is 33 and all of those Championship runs came in Division Two batting at No. 4 and 5. He has also averaged just 34.20 in 55 Shield innings since his last Test appearance, with three of his four centuries coming at the Junction Oval. He averages less than 32 at all of Australia’s Test grounds in that time. His strike-rate has also dropped to 46.49 over that period, compared to his career rate of 53.09. Harris would need to return to the fluent, high-scoring player that he was when first selected in 2018-19 in order to jump to the top of the queue. There is a chance he may bat at No.3 for Victoria but that is unlikely to affect his chances should he score heavily.
Matt RenshawRenshaw would need a lot to go right to be in the Ashes mix but Australia’s selectors have not put a line through him given he was picked for Australia A’s white-ball team in the winter, albeit he was not considered for the red-ball games against Sri Lanka A. At 29, Renshaw could be experiencing a strong sense of both deja vu and empathy watching Konstas’ journey from afar. His early career arc was eerily similar. He was a similarly speculative pick to open in Test cricket off limited first-class experience as a 20-year-old. He made 184 in his sixth Test innings against Pakistan, but then a severe form slump saw him left out of the 2017-18 Ashes and that started a rollercoaster career that has seen him twice picked and dropped by Australia since.He has also lost his place for Queensland and batted down the order at times with a lot more success than he has had opening. In his last two Shield seasons he has averaged 34 and 29 respectively. His List A 50-over form by contrast has been outstanding and he is very close to cracking Australia’s ODI team as a middle-order option. Several big Shield scores opening for Queensland at the start of the summer would attract attention.Cameron BancroftTwelve months ago Bancroft was in the same position Weatherald is in now. He had scored 2021 runs at 54.62 from his last 42 Shield innings with nine centuries and the was the public favourite to open against India. But he then endured a torrid run with returns of 0, 0, 8, 2, 0, 16, 3, 0, 12 and 11 before the first Test which led to the selection of McSweeney.Bancroft’s coming off an excellent winter for Gloucestershire where he scored runs in all forms, but would need to pile up some big scores at the start of the season to put himself realistically in the frame. However, his WA captain and opening partner Sam Whiteman believes he is capable of playing Test cricket again. “He’s been a prolific run scorer for the past decade so as a good mate, I’d love to see him get one more crack at Test cricket because I feel like he’s such a better player now than he was when he was playing,” Whiteman said.Campbell Kellaway is viewed as one of the bright stars of the next generation•Getty ImagesThe long shotsCampbell Kellaway had a great finish to the domestic season last summer and will likely open alongside Konstas in India. Some big scores for Victoria at the start of the season would put him in the conversation if others falter.McSweeney will also feature in India and can’t be discounted after being selected last year but he needs some runs at No. 3 for South Australia.Josh Inglis’ name is continually raised publicly but it seems highly unlikely he would be considered to open in Test cricket in Australia. He would be one of the first picked for a middle-order role if an injury were to occur as it did with Smith in the Caribbean.Kurtis Patterson was selected for Australia A last summer and during the winter after an excellent return to form for New South Wales. He is seen more as a middle-order option but more runs at No. 3 for NSW won’t be ignored if others aren’t performing.The likes of Whiteman, Tim Ward, Caleb Jewell, and even Jayden Goodwin would have to do something spectacular at the start of the Shield season to vault into contention. But Konstas was in the same position 12 months ago, so the door is very much ajar for anyone to step through.
India levelled the series thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics in the second Test. Alan Gardner, Andrew Miller and Vish Ehantharajah sat down to discuss
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2024England’s attempts to Bazball their way to a record fourth-innings chase in India fell short – but have their methods got the home side spooked? In this week’s podcast, Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Vithushan Ehantharajah to pick over another close-fought Test. Topics up for discussion included Jasprit Bumrah’s genius, how England’s young spin attack held their own, and what’s ailing Joe Root?
Five days of hard graft in Antigua reveal the character of the combatants
Cameron Ponsonby12-Mar-2022It’s funny how things are framed. Going into this Test match, England made six changes (one enforced) from their previous XI and it was evidence of a complete reset. On the other hand, West Indies made four and captain Kraigg Brathwaite commented ahead of the game that “we’ve had these guys together for quite a long period, so it’s pretty much the same feeling in the camp”.England’s Operation Red-Ball Reset has been viewed with a healthy pinch of cynicism by many and not without justification. Why are we prioritising learning over winning? This is Test cricket not Duolingo.But there is cause for riposte. England were/are in a rut and needed to manufacture a way to create the illusion of a new beginning; they have said themselves the reset is as much mental as anything else. This plays into a phenomenon known as the Fresh Start Effect, which argues that we measure our lives through a series of arbitrary benchmarks: our childhood home, this job, or that relationship. And each time something changes, it makes it that little bit easier for us to reinvent ourselves a touch and adopt new behaviours.And so we set new year’s resolutions, start new diets on a Monday, and leave 1,177 Test wickets at home. It’s far from a guarantee of success, and can smack of desperation, but it’s a start. Digging your own starting blocks into the sand.”I’m really proud of the team,” Joe Root, England’s captain, said. “I thought the attitude throughout the whole week was just fantastic. We threw everything into the game and, to be in the position we were [at 48 for 4] after that first hour, to respond as we have done since it’s been a really pleasing performance on what turned out to be a very docile wicket, which didn’t offer a huge amount for anyone. But the way we applied ourselves and went about it was really pleasing and very encouraging going into the rest of the series.”So what have England learnt from the first Test?The major positive was Jack Leach, as he put in one of his best performances in an England shirt. The major doubt surrounding Leach beforehand was his ability to play the holding role for England when part of a four-man attack, a role he had yet to perform. But in 43 first-innings overs he went at just 1.8 rpo before performing the attacking role we know he can in the fourth innings. He may have only taken five wickets in the match but, were it not for a number of umpire’s-call decisions going against him – and one notable non-review against Jason Holder – he could well have spun England to victory.Joe Root and Nkrumah Bonner shake hands on the draw•Getty ImagesLeach has been handed more responsibility on this tour as part of a wider move by the England management to share around duties, and emphasise the new feeling of seniority among some of the more familiar faces. He’s been asked to give a team-talk; Zak Crawley gave the speech congratulating Jonny Bairstow on his century, and Bairstow himself presented his former Yorkshire team-mate Alex Lees with his cap. This is a changing room genuinely attempting to turn a page and start a new chapter.Centuries from Bairstow, Crawley and Joe Root were another major positive. The pitch may have been flat, but the runs had to be scored. And given the frailties of this England batting line-up, which were duly exposed on the opening morning, those are positives worth taking.”It’ll definitely do a lot of the guys a lot of good,” Root said. “Leach was incredible throughout the whole game, there were runs at the top of the order for Zak [Crawley], Jonny [Bairstow]’s innings and some other contributions around him as well under pressure, and the way Dan [Lawrence] played today was brilliant. It gave us the opportunity to get that declaration a little bit sooner and really give us a sniff of trying to get a few extra overs out there.However, the learnings weren’t all positive. England had the use of three new balls across two innings in this Test, and failed to pick up a single wicket. The first ten overs of West Indies’ innings were particularly bad, as Chris Woakes and Craig Overton didn’t simply fail to threaten but were positively charitable. West Indies’ hadn’t had a fifty-run opening partnership since the last time England toured in 2019, but in Antigua they went two from two.”It’s very difficult for the seamers but they held things together very well under great pressure in that first innings,” Root added. “The guys worked extremely hard and Ben [Stokes] is somewhere near his best again, which is always very exciting and very promising. So I think there’s a lot of good things to take into next week.”You look at this wicket and it wasn’t really a new-ball wicket,” Root added, insisting that the first hour of the match, in which West Indies had ripped out four prime wickets, was the exception to the rule. “It assisted the seamers more with reverse-swing so it’ll be a completely different scenario when we get down to Barbados.”Related
After ten-year wait, Nkrumah Bonner scripts a nine-hour epic
Zak Crawley makes his mark to begin his repayment of the faith
Nkrumah Bonner, Jason Holder dig for draw as Windies resist bold declaration
Mark Wood elbow injury rules him out of action in Antigua
Fewer lessons were learned for West Indies, but that’s because their players, for the most part, performed with the character – good and bad – for which they are already known. Exciting young seamer Jayden Seales was exciting; skilful Kemar Roach bowled with skill. The excellent Jason Holder was excellent, their premier batters Brathwaite and Nkrumah Bonner scored the bulk of their runs, and their wildcards, John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood, performed as erratically as you’d expect, with both men falling to wild hacks on the final day when trying to save the game.The major question mark for West Indies will be that of their spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who went wicketless across the match and was played with ease in the second innings as England cashed in at over five runs an over. Though he performed well in Sri Lanka recently, Permaul hadn’t played a home Test since 2015, and may find himself under renewed pressure from Rakheem Cornwall for the remainder of the series. Among his many attributes, Cornwall offers more with the bat too.”England have come here to play a hard-fought series, and they’ve shown that they’re not going to lie down and give us the series,” Phil Simmons, West Indies’ head coach, said. “It was good to see the fight from them, and we know the other Test matches are going to be just as hard.”