ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-2019Well into a World Cup year, and missing a number of their senior members, Australia have sent a different-looking squad to face India on their home turf. A number of them have made their name in the Big Bash League, and are staking their claims for World Cup berths. There’s a John Cena doppelganger, Aussie Rules footballers, a tennis champion, and a late bloomer who’s making it big in the shorter formats. How well do you know them? Take our quiz and find out.
After being on the fringes of the Test side for some time, Inglis took his opportunity with both hands
AAP31-Jan-2025
Josh Inglis celebrates his debut Test century•Getty Images
Josh Inglis was like a “kid on Christmas morning” when he learned he’d be making his Test debut – and then he batted like Rudolph guiding Santa’s sleigh.On day two of the series opener against Sri Lanka, Inglis became the first Australian in a decade to score a century on Test debut, his 102 from 94 balls helping Australia to an imperious 654 for 6 declared.It had been a tremendous debut years in the making for Inglis, a 55-time white-ball international routinely stuck behind wicketkeeper Alex Carey for Test opportunities.Related
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But a strong start to the Sheffield Shield summer increased the 29-year-old’s chances of being called up as a specialist batter for the two-match series in Galle. When he heard a knock on his hotel room earlier this week, Inglis knew the wait was finally over.”I thought, ‘This could be ‘Dod’ [selector Tony Dodemaide], I think the cleaners have already been’,” he explained at stumps on Thursday. “[Partner] Megan was in the room with [son] Oscar and I went out into the hallway and he told me. I ran in like a kid on Christmas morning to Megan and told her the good news. It was nice.”After Usman Khawaja (232) was dismissed, Inglis brought up his century on the 90th ball he faced – the second-fastest century by a debutant in Test history. He punched Nishan Peiris to deep extra cover to reach triple figures in the second session and gestured to his family in the Galle crowd. Walking down the wicket, Inglis embraced batting partner Carey, who has had a box seat to the West Australian’s long journey for a first cap. “It was nice to share that moment with him,” Inglis said.A member of the ODI team that won the 2023 World Cup in India, Inglis looked comfortable in the conditions from the outset. He notably struck Jeffrey Vandersay for four to mid-on on the first ball he faced, unfazed that the legspinner had trapped legendary Steven Smith (141) lbw the previous delivery.Just after lunch, Inglis became the third Australian in a row to bring up a half-century in his first Test knock after Sam Konstas and Beau Webster did the same in the India series. But he was not done there, whacking Vandersay over long-on for six to move into the 80s, and finishing that over with a four through the covers.”I just tried to be really proactive and put the bowlers under pressure when I could and tried to get down the other end,” Inglis said.By the time he hit Prabath Jayasuriya to cover, Inglis had become the 21st Australian – and first since Adam Voges in June 2015 – to score a century on Test debut.His promotion to the XI had not been without controversy, given it came at the expense of star teenager Konstas – dropped to allow Travis Head to move to the top of the order. But Inglis has now given selectors a headache, with Head likely to slot back to No. 5 in home conditions and Konstas vying for a recall at the top.For now, he just seems content to take the moment in. “I’m just really happy, it probably hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said.
BCB president Faruque Ahmed held discussions with the team owner and several players on Monday, but the deadlock remains
Mohammad Isam15-Jan-2025
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the cheques of some of Rajshahi’s local players bounced on January 9•Durbar Rajshahi
Durbar Rajshahi cancelled their training session in Chattogram on Monday after their Bangladeshi players protested for remaining unpaid by the BPL franchise. Several of the players, seeking anonymity, confirmed that they took the stance after Rajshahi owner Shafique Rahman shifted the payment date several times.The players informed the team management of their reluctance to go to training on Monday morning, following which the franchise informed the media that “the team decided to opt for a rest day today”. News spread soon afterwards that Rajshahi’s local players forced the management into this decision after spending the last two weeks without payment. The overseas players and coaching staff, however, have been paid 25 per cent of their total fees after the team’s fourth match of the season, against Fortune Barishal on January 6.Related
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After hearing of the incident on Monday, BCB president Faruque Ahmed spoke to the board directors before holding discussions with Rajshahi owner Shafique Rahman, captain Anamul Haque, and several other players. The deadlock, however, remained at the time board director Manjur Alam briefed the media in Chattogram on Monday evening.”I am speaking on behalf of the BCB president,” Manjur said. “The board president called an emergency board meeting on Zoom. I was physically present, the other directors were online. Negotiations are in process. Hopefully we can come to a solution tomorrow. The president spoke directly to the team owners, captain and players. We have a positive vibe from all parties. They will attend practice tomorrow, which is the most positive part of the negotiation.”The BPL governing council have set the payment schedule for the franchises to pay all players 50% of their total fees before the start of the tournament, 25% during the tournament, and the remaining 25% after the tournament.The BPL governing council had also instructed the teams to give the BCB a bank guarantee of BDT 8 crore (USD 657,000 approx), but the franchises requested that this sum be brought down to BDT 3 crore (USD 246,000 approx). Even then, Fortune Barishal are the only team to have paid the BCB the bank guarantee.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the cheques of some of Rajshahi’s local players bounced on January 9. This lead to the players threatening to pull out of their January 10 game against Khulna Tigers. Team owner Shafique Rahman told the players they would be paid on January 14, but that didn’t come through either.The latest breakdown in communication led to the players pulling out of Monday’s training session in Chattogram. A number of them have said they will not play Rajshahi’s next game, against Sylhet Strikers on January 17, unless all the local players are given 50% of their payments.ESPNcricinfo has also found out that Rajshahi have been irregular with their daily allowance payments. The players have had to bear their own costs from January 5 to 11, the last time they were contacted by ESPNcricinfo.Anamul had sounded out the payment problem as early as December 30. In the post-match press conference following Rajshahi’s tournament opener against Barishal, Anamul had said the players were yet to be paid their first installment.”We haven’t been paid our wages. None of us have,” he said. “The BPL has just started so we don’t want to raise a negative image of the tournament. Everyone around the world is keeping an eye on BPL.”The players have been reluctant to speak on record on the payment issue after that, but the mood inside the Rajshahi camp is one of unease.
He made an unbeaten 182 in Galle and helped Sri Lanka move to a commanding position
Andrew Fidel Fernando27-Sep-2024Kamindu Mendis became the fastest batter to 1000 Test runs in 75 years, as he hit an unbeaten 182 in Sri Lanka’s first innings against New Zealand in Galle. Having got there in 13 innings, Kamindu equalled Don Bradman’s pace to the milestone. The two of them are now third-equal fastest in Test history, with only Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes having achieved the feat in fewer innings (both 12).He got there in style too, launching the left-arm fingerspin of Rachin Ravindra for six down the ground to move past the score of 178 that he needed to move to a career tally in the quadruple figures. What is extraordinary about his achievement is that 634 of his current 1004 runs have come from a batting position of No. 7 or lower. This particular innings, however, came from No. 5, with Kamindu having moved up the order starting with this series.Kamindu not only averages 91.27, he’s also scored relatively quickly, maintaining a strike rate of 65.02. Nine times in his 13 innings he’s crossed 50, five times he’s crossed 100, and twice he’s gone past 150 – this 182 not out being his highest score. His average is highest at home, but he has now hit hundreds across three different series this year, in three different countries – Bangladesh, England, and Sri Lanka.Related
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By getting there in 13 innings, Kamindu has easily bettered the Sri Lanka record, previously held by Roy Dias, who had achieved it in 23 knocks. Last year, Yashasvi Jaiswal had become the fastest batter of the 21st century to 1000 runs, getting there in 16 outings.Sri Lanka moved to a commanding position in the Galle Test, thanks in part to Kamindu’s innings. Though he was the top scorer, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis also scored a century each.
Erik ten Hag has decided to do away with his preferred back-four setup after being convinced to stick with Xabi Alonso’s system at Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen to stick with 3-2-5 shapeWing-backs key to structured creativityTen Hag expected to tweak, not overhaulFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ten Hag has abandoned his trusted back-four philosophy just weeks into his Leverkusen reign, embracing the 3-4-2-1 system made famous by former Leverkusen boss and now Real Madrid manager Alonso. Following strategic talks with sporting director Simon Rolfes, the Dutch coach has begun testing the Alonso setup in training, aiming to maintain tactical continuity in a squad still built around the Spaniard’s philosophy.
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With key figures like Jonathan Tah, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz gone, the Dutchman must rebuild a new core without dismantling the structure that delivered Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023-24 under Alonso. Switching back to a 4-3-3 or signing traditional wingers like Raheem Sterling would have required major squad upheaval. Instead, Ten Hag has chosen to adapt and evolve, with squad versatility now a central part of his rebuild strategy.
WHAT ROLFES SAID
Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted he nudged Ten Hag toward the three-at-the-back setup used under Alonso.
“I believe it's a good system. We have great stability in it and the players for it. It makes sense to put many of the players on the pitch,” he told .
XABI TACTICS EXPLAINED
Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system evolved into one of the most fluid and devastating attacking setups in European football, which was also proved with the results. On paper, it resembled a 3-4-2-1, but in possession, it often became a 3-2-5, a formation designed to dominate territory, control tempo, and stretch opponents from side to side. At the base, a back three ensured defensive security and smooth build-up from deep while two midfielders acted as a double pivot ahead of the defence. The system's width came from the wing-backs, who constantly pushed high up the field.
Glamorgan kept their perfect record in this year’s Metro Bank One Cup in tact thanks to a remarkable one-wicket win over Sussex Sharks at the Gnoll in Neath.Sussex had reached a total of 200 all out thanks to a brilliant eighth-wicket stand between Archie Lenham and Bertie Foreman and the two youngsters were also remarkable in tandem with the ball as Sussex came so close to claiming a thrilling win.Glamorgan’s chase had started brightly but a top-order collapse brought Sussex back into it. Eddie Byrom made the highest score of the match with his 51 and Billy Root made 48 batting with the tail. But it was the last-wicket pair of Andy Gorvin and Jamie McIlroy who took them home.Glamorgan now sit at the top of Group B with four wins out of four and Sussex remain winless in this year’s tournament having lost by one wicket for the second time this season.As was the case with Wednesday’s match on this ground against Notts Outlaws, Glamorgan won the toss and chose to bowl. And once again the Glamorgan seamers were on top from the very start of the match. It took 23 balls for Sussex to score their first runs as Timm van der Gugten and McIlroy got appreciable movement with the new ball.Van der Gugten has been extremely miserly in this competition so far, with 11 of his 37 overs being maidens. He made the first breakthrough when he had Tom Clark caught behind for 14. That wicket brought together Tom Haines and Henry Rogers, who put on 59, the highest stand of the Sussex innings.Haines fell for 44 off the bowling of Dan Douthwaite and that began a collapse that saw Sussex lose five wickets for 15 runs. It was Douthwaite and van der Gugten who were the chief destroyers as they claimed seven Sussex wickets between them. Douthwaite’s return of 4 for 44 was the second best in his List A career.When Daniel Ibrahim was caught at slip off a ball from Ben Kellaway that the ambidextrous spinner sent down with his left arm Sussex had stumbled to 130 for 7.The partnership of 51 between Lenham and Foreman brought some respectability to the total before another cluster of wickets saw Sussex bowled out for 200.The Glamorgan innings started brightly, and they made steady progress towards their target with the first 10 overs bringing 65 runs for no loss. Byrom, who made a career best 123 not out on this ground on Wednesday, raced past 50 from just 41 balls as he looked to attack an inexperienced Sussex attack.It looked as if Glamorgan would be heading towards a straightforward win and with drizzle in the air they were a long way ahead of the DLS score.As was the case in Sussex innings, a flurry of wickets changed things. Glamorgan lost five wickets for 42 runs with Ibrahim bowling Tom Bevan and Kiran Carlson from consecutive balls the moment when this contest became very interesting.Billy Root took on the responsibility of holding things together for Glamorgan in the face of some excellent spin bowling from Lenham and Foreman. The pair combined for 20 overs that went for 60 runs and claimed four wickets and they were the ones who kept the pressure on throughout this Glamorgan innings.When Root fell for 48 the match was on a knife edge and it took a nervy last wicket stand between McIlroy and Gorvin for Glamorgan to sneak over the line.
A heart-wrenching incident stole the spotlight during the Club World Cup quarterfinal between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, as Jamal Musiala suffered a horrific injury late in the first half. The young German midfielder had to be stretchered off the pitch after a painful collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
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Musiala seemed to twist his ankle
Had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment
Donnarumma shared a message for Musiala on Instagram
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WHAT HAPPENED?
As Musiala raced to the byline, he found himself sandwiched between PSG defender Willian Pacho and the onrushing Donnarumma. In an attempt to secure the ball, the Italian goalkeeper launched himself forward, but in the process, Musiala’s leg was caught awkwardly underneath Donnarumma’s body.
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As Musiala hit the ground, his foot appeared to be unnaturally twisted at the ankle, a sight that left the players terrified. Medical personnel rushed to the scene while Bayern players stood frozen in disbelief.
Perhaps no one was more emotionally affected than Donnarumma himself. The 26-year-old goalkeeper appeared devastated by the accidental nature of the collision. Cameras captured him on one knee with tears streaming down his face, his gloves covering his expression as team staff tried to console him on the sidelines.
WHAT DONNARUMMA SAID
Shortly after the match, Donnarumma took to Instagram to extend his heartfelt support.
"All my prayers and well wishes are with you @jamalmusiala10 🙏🏽," he wrote.
Getty Images
WHAT NEXT FOR DONNARUMMA?
While PSG ultimately claimed a place in the semifinals with a gritty performance, the match result seemed like a footnote to the seemingly awful injury to Musiala that followed. They will next face the winner of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the last four on July 9. On the other side of the bracket, Brazilian outfit Fluminense is set to meet Chelsea a day earlier.
Barcelona may be forced to delay Joan Garcia's registration as Marc-Andre ter Stegen weighs up surgery on a recurring back injury.
Ter Stegen weighing up second back surgeryBarca could unlock funds via injury exceptionJoan Garcia’s registration depends on captain’s decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona are waiting on a crucial medical decision from club captain Ter Stegen that could impact their transfer activity. The German goalkeeper is still struggling with recurring lower back problems and could undergo another surgery, which would sideline him for up to four months. The 33-year-old, who previously underwent a similar procedure in December 2023, has not trained during pre-season and is set to miss the club's tour of Japan and South Korea. With pre-season underway and the La Liga opener approaching, coach Hansi Flick is keen to have clarity over who will be his starting goalkeeper and whether Joan Garcia can be included in the squad.
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If Ter Stegen opts for surgery and is ruled out for the long-term, Barca would receive around €2 million in compensation from FIFA and be allowed to use 80 per cent of his annual salary for a replacement under La Liga’s injury exception rule. That would allow the club to register new goalkeeper Garcia, formerly of Espanyol, who is still awaiting clearance. Barca are currently outside La Liga’s 1:1 rule, meaning they must balance income with outgoing contracts and sponsorships before registering new signings.
Wojciech Szczesny, who recently signed a new deal, is also pending registration but does not qualify under the injury exception rule due to him signing a new contract after his previous one had expired. Barca would need to free up additional funds through sales, sponsorship income, or by activating a new financial lever, such as the VIP box revenue transfer currently under audit by Crowe.
DID YOU KNOW?
Barca used the same injury exception mechanism last season to register Dani Olmo after Andreas Christensen was ruled out. The club hope to include new VIP seat revenue in the audit to boost their financial fair play margin and allow them to register other players.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
All eyes are now on Ter Stegen’s decision now, if he agrees to surgery, Barca can move quickly to register Garcia for the upcoming campaign. However, if the captain delays or avoids surgery, the club will need to pursue alternate methods to get Garcia and Szczesny on the books. Either way, Barca's ongoing financial struggles and salary cap limitations will continue to shape their transfer window strategy.
Thomas Partey was due to get married on Saturday – the day after he was charged with rape by the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Midfielder got engaged last year
Janine Mackson gave birth to their daughter in 2024
Couple due to wed in Spain
WHAT HAPPENED?
Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault on Friday following an investigation spanning more than three years. The charges are related to complaints from three women. The announcement from the CPS came just four days after Partey's contract with Arsenal ran out and he formally left the club following unsuccessful talks to sign a new deal. And GOAL understands it comes just one day before he was due to get married in Spain.
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Partey got engaged to English model and influencer Janine Mackson in the summer of 2024. Mackson gave birth to the couple's daughter earlier in 2024. At the end of the 2023-24 season, when Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City, Partey was seen introducing Mackson and their daughter to coach Mikel Arteta. Mackson posted pictures last month on Instagram of what appeared to be a bachelorette party in Ibiza, captioning the post 'A weekend full of love'. The post was liked by Partey. GOAL has contacted Arsenal and Partey's representatives for comment although neither immediately responded. It was not clear whether the wedding would go ahead although it is understood Partey was in Spain on Thursday.
WHAT WAS SAID?
A defence lawyer for Partey told : "Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further."
DID YOU KNOW?
Partey was first arrested on suspicion of rape in July 2022. It was announced at the time that an unnamed Premier League footballer had been arrested. However, his identity was quickly revealed online. As a result, Partey was booed on many occasions by opposition fans, most notably when he came off the bench in extra-time of the Gunners' FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United in January.
da esoccer bet： Rangers are now considering a move for an “ultra-positive” manager as a replacement for interim boss Barry Ferguson this summer, according to a report from Sky Sports.
Gers' manager search heating up
da lvbet： There are just two Scottish Premiership fixtures remaining this season, and with the Gers sitting 17 points behind Celtic, it is evident their new manager will have a huge job on their hands trying to bridge the gap to their bitter rivals.
As such, it could be wise to bring in a manager with top-level experience, and an offer has now been submitted for Real Madrid coach Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo, who has been a part of 12 trophy wins across spells with the Spanish side and Bayern Munich.
That said, it could be a risk to appoint the Italian, given that he has been an assistant throughout his career to date, and there are a number of other options on the shortlist, including former Southampton boss Russell Martin and Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl.
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Sky Sports have now dropped a new update on Rangers’ manager search, revealing the Scottish side are now considering a move for former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards, who has been out of work since leaving the Hatters by mutual consent in January.
CEO Patrick Stewart is eager to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible, with the squad set to return to pre-season training in June, and Edwards has now emerged as a target, but there are plenty of other options on the shortlist.
Luton Town managerRobEdwards
Steven Gerrard, who won the Scottish Premiership title during his previous stint at Ibrox, is also under consideration, alongside former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil.
"Ultra-positive" Edwards could be interesting appointment
The 42-year-old’s spell with Luton didn’t end the way he would’ve liked, leaving the club in January before their relegation from the Championship, but there are some signs he could be a good appointment for the Gers.
The young manager, who most often utilises a 3-4-2-1 formation, led Luton to a surprise promotion to the Premier League in the 2022-23 campaign, and he received high praise from ESPN football writer Mark Ogden during his time in the top flight.
Ogden described the manager as “ultra-positive”, while also adding: “It’s not just about tactics being a manager, it’s about managing relationships and also being a motivator. He’s been absolutely brilliant this season.”
Jamie Redknapp also praised the ex-Luton boss for the job he did in the Premier League, despite having a weak squad at his disposal.
Having been described as a “great man manager” by Derry City midfielder Sadou Diallo, Edwards deserves another chance in management, despite his struggles with Luton last season, but it would be a risk for Rangers to appoint him, given his recent failures.