Queensland managed a small first-innings but could face a tough chase in conditions that continue to aid the bowlers
Alex Malcolm04-Mar-2019
Daniel Hughes plays through the off side•Getty Images
A critical unbeaten half-century from Daniel Hughes gave New South Wales a chance to put up a challenging fourth-innings total after giving up a first-innings lead to Queensland at the Gabba.The Blues began their second innings on day two 35 runs behind Queensland after the Bulls’ tail wagged courtesy of Jimmy Peirson and Mark Steketee.Hughes lost his opening partner Nick Larkin in the third over of the innings, with only five runs of the lead erased, when Michael Neser made the breakthrough having Larkin caught behind.Hughes was joined by Kurtis Patterson and the pair chipped away at the lead and put the Blues in front with a 48-run stand before Luke Feldman struck.After five wickets in the first innings, including finding the outside edge of Patterson, Feldman nipped one back off the seam from around the wicket to find Patterson’s inside edge and Peirson took an excellent catch to his right.Hughes pressed on to his 13th half-century in Sheffield Shield cricket from 137 balls. He played with the patience required in conditions that continued to swing and seam. Moises Henriques was fine support, finishing 23 not out from 60 balls to leave the Blues 68 runs in front with eight wickets in hand.Earlier, Peirson and Steketee both made 41 as the Bulls climbed out of a hole at 7 for 104 to establish a lead. The pair added 50 for the eighth wicket before the breakthrough came via the unlikely source of batsman Jack Edwards as he had Peirson caught behind for his first wicket in first-class cricket.Steketee swung hard and found the boundary five times in his unbeaten 41, his equal second-highest score in Shield cricket. He added 30 with No. 10 Feldman before Sean Abbott and Trent Copeland finished the innings with wickets in consecutive overs to bag three scalps apiece.
Jose Mourinho hailed Cristiano Ronaldo for opening the door to Saudi Arabia and revealed whether he would consider managing in the Saudi Pro League.
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Mourinho refused to rule out Saudi move Had earlier turned down Al-Shabab Explained why he had been frequenting Saudi Arabia GettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Mourinho reportedly engaged in discussions with Al Shabab's sporting director just a week after parting ways with Roma. While the media speculated on his rejection of Al Shabab's offer, Mourinho clarified that he had received multiple proposals from Saudi clubs, including Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli earlier in the campaign. Despite the tempting financial incentives, Mourinho opted to remain committed to Roma, for the love and respect for the Serie A outfit.
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Mourinho's recent presence in Saudi Arabia, marked by appearances at sporting events like Anthony Joshua's boxing match and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, fueled speculation about his future in the Middle East. However, Mourinho clarified that his current visits to Saudi Arabia are primarily recreational, indicating that he is not rushing into any managerial commitments.
WHAT MOURINHO SAID
In an interview with , Mourinho said: "Cristiano opened the door in terms of believing that it is possible to be there and live there, to enjoy the development of a country that wants to be a different country with football that has a passion but is not developed.
"When I had the proposal, of course economically it was important because it was more important for me with Roma, European football and commitment. If you ask me in the future, experience has told me never say never."
While explaining his recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Mourinho said: "If you ask me why I’m travelling to Saudi, I’m travelling today to Saudi, because I’m going to enjoy three days, watching boxing, watching Formula One and being with some friends, not because I’m going sign contracts, because now I have time until the end of the season to make the right decision for me."
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Saudi Arabian outfits will face competition from Chelsea and Newcastle United as the Premier League duo wants the Portuguese to take charge and give them a new direction. European competition has always intrigued Mourinho and it remains to be seen if he turns down Saudi Arabia for the third time to continue in Europe.
Leeds United have yet to make any new signings during the January transfer window to aid Daniel Farke’s attempts to secure promotion from the Championship at the second attempt.
However, outgoings have already taken place, with the likes of Charlie Crew and Joe Gelhardt both leaving in loan moves for regular game time, joining Doncaster Rovers and Hull City respectively.
Wilfred Gnonto is another player who could join the pair out the door at Elland Road before the end of the month, with the Italian constantly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.
It would be a huge loss selling a player who’s registered nine goal contributions in 2024/25, but money talks, which could see the hierarchy be tempted to cash in should a big offer fall their way.
Such a departure would leave a huge hole in the Whites’ attack, potentially seeing the German pursue a move for a player who’s recently popped up on their radar.
Leeds target January move for Championship star
According to Football Insider, Leeds are plotting a move for Cardiff City winger Ollie Tanner before the transfer deadline in just a couple of weeks time.
However, the Whites are not alone in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, with Burnley, Leicester City, and Southampton all also in the race for the youngster’s signature.
The report claims that his current side are reluctant to lose the winger, with the aforementioned quartet all lining up offers to land the attacker this month.
Tanner has starred for a struggling Bluebirds outfit in recent months, scoring twice and registering two assists – in what has been a real break-out year for the former Bromley talent.
It’s unclear how much any deal would set Farke and the club back this window, but it would allow the star to form an exciting partnership on either flank with one player currently plying his trade in Yorkshire.
Why Tanner would star alongside James for Leeds
Winger Dan James cost the Whites a whopping £30m during their days in the Premier League, a figure that was seen to be slightly on the pricey side at the time.
He struggled to make an immediate impact at Elland Road, but has recaptured his excellent form over the last 18 months, subsequently playing a huge role in their promotion ambitions.
The Welsh international has registered 32 combined goals and assists across all competitions since the start of last season – often being the shining light in Farke’s side in recent months.
His frightening pace and direct nature are a nightmare for any Championship defender who tries to get in his way, with potential new addition Tanner also possessing a similar skill set.
When delving into the Cardiff winger’s stats from the ongoing campaign, it’s clear why the club are pursuing a move for the 22-year-old, having the tools to provide the difference in their title charge over the coming months.
Ollie Tanner’s stats for Cardiff City in the Championship (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
23
Goals & assists
4
Shots taken
2.3
Successful dribbles
1.6
Dribble success rate
52%
Duels won
6.2
Touches in the opposition box
3.5
Stats via FotMob
Tanner, who’s previously been dubbed “sensational” by presenter Jason Mohammad, has managed to complete 1.6 dribbles per 90 at a completion rate of 52%, highlighting his direct nature with the ball at his feet.
The Cardiff star has also registered 3.5 touches in the opposition box per 90, producing 2.3 shots – having the attacking quality to produce the goods in the final third, offering an added threat to Farke’s side.
Such quality may cost the club a pretty penny this window, but it’s evident that he has the potential to allow the supporters to forget about Gnonto should he depart this month.
However, given the interest from elsewhere, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to avoid missing out on the talent, allowing him to star on the opposite wing to current star man James.
Farke's next Buendia: Leeds lining up swoop for "sensational" EFL star
Leeds United have been linked with an interest in Emiliano Buendia during the January window.
A surprise report has shared why Arsenal could try to sign Bayern Munich superstar and England legend Harry Kane “this summer”, in what would be a surprise move considering his connection to their cross-town rivals.
Arsenal identify striker targets for this summer after uneventful January
As is becoming the norm with Mikel Arteta’s side, the Gunners have already been linked with a host of high-profile strikers for the next transfer window later this year, after they decided not to bring in a new centre-forward mid-season.
Arsenal can sign once-£130m striker in emergency deal after Havertz blow
The German will miss the rest of this season.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 13, 2025
The club confirmed this week that Kai Havertz will miss the rest of this Premier League season, after the German injured his hamstring during their warm-weather training camp trip to Dubai, while Gabriel Jesus has also played his last game of 2024/2025.
Leicester City (away)
February 15th
West Ham (home)
February 22nd
Nottingham Forest (away)
February 26th
Man United (away)
March 9th
Chelsea (home)
March 16th
These injuries have decimated Arteta’s attacking options, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka also on the treatment table heading into Arsenal’s next game against Leicester City this weekend.
Havertz’s injury has drawn criticism aimed at Arsenal’s failed recruitment in January, and Arteta will be seriously looking to avoid a similar scenario next season ahead of another potential title challenge.
RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko is believed to be a top target for Arsenal this summer, after the Slovenian rejected a move to the Emirates last summer in favour of remaining in the Bundesliga for at least one more term (Fabrizio Romano).
Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been tipped by some critics to launch a shock swoop for Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer, Kane.
The 31-year-old’s maintained his phenomenal goalscoring record in Germany this season, since he swapped north London for the Allianz Arena in 2023, with Kane scoring 73 goals in 74 appearances for Bayern across all competitions in total.
Why Arsenal could try to sign Harry Kane "this summer"
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal could try to sign Kane from Bayern “this summer”. It is explained that they view the £400,000-per-week frontman as Arteta’s “missing piece”, and someone who offers a superior finishing rate compared to crocked duo Jesus and Havertz.
That being said, while there may be some intent, it is very debatable whether Kane would green-light this move considering his obvious ties.
Harry Kane for Bayern Munich
This season, the striker boasts 29 goals and 10 assists from 29 appearances, with Arsenal icon Paul Merson even urging them to make a move for the Three Lions star recently.
“Arsenal will buy him,” said Merson on Sky. “Why not? £64m, why not. Sol Campbell did [make the move]. People will go ‘oh he’s this age and that age’ but Arsenal need now.
“If Arsenal haven’t won the League, you’ve got to take a chance. You’ve got to take a chance, buy someone that’s proven. I wouldn’t be surprised, and when you’re Harry Kane, and you’ve been told you can go for £64m, there’s only a couple of teams who could buy him.”
أعلن الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، بقيادة البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، تشكيل مباراة وادي دجلة الودية اليوم.
ومن المقرر أن يلعب الزمالك أمام وادي دجلة، بعد قليل على ملعب نادي النادي بالعاصمة الإدارية، في إطار الاستعداد للموسم الجديد.
طالع| عضو الزمالك يوضح تطورات أزمة أحمد فتوح ويطالب بمعاقبته
وتم الاتفاق بين الفريقين على أن تكون مدة كل شوط 60 دقيقة، لمنح فرصة لجميع اللاعبين للمشاركة لفترة أطول في اللقاء.
ويواصل الزمالك، استعدادته للموسم الجديد، بإقامة معسكر في العاصمة الإدارية، ولعب خلاله مباراتين وديتين أمام رع والشمس، ويخوض المواجهة الثالثة اليوم أمام وادي دجلة. تشكيل الزمالك اليوم أمام وادي دجلة
في حراسة المرمى: محمد صبحي.
الدفاع: عمر جابر، محمود حمدي “الونش”، حسام عبد المجيد، هاني ياسر.
الوسط: نبيل عماد دونجا، سيف جعفر، عبد الله السعيد، ناصر ماهر.
da esport bet： Leeds United are set to sign an “incredible” new forward player for Daniel Farke before the deadline, according to one report.
Farke outlines three positions Leeds could strengthen
da supremo： The Whites and the 49ers Enterprises are yet to make a signing in 2025, with the club’s only pieces of business being loan exits for Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew.
Sky Sports: Leeds "interested" in signing £6m "machine" who Liverpool love
RB Leipzig are also keen.
ByCharlie Smith Jan 24, 2025
On the pitch, things are going to plan, with Leeds five points better off than they were at this stage last season after 29 Championship games. There is still time for the club to add to their squad before the February 3 deadline, though, and Farke said a centre-back, attacking midfielder and centre-forward are positions Leeds could still strengthen in.
“There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit more calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.
“I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group.
“Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us. But we might have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role.
“If there is a solution for a creative midfield player it definitely make sense to stay awake. In all the other areas we are covered. The only two [positions] we have to stay awake in my head is the centre-back position… and perhaps a bit in the striker position.”
In attack, Patrick Bamford continues to be out injured, leaving Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph as the options for Farke. One attacker who has been loosely linked is Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho, and it looks as if a move has gathered pace.
Leeds set to sign Kelechi Iheanacho, report claims
According to a report from Score Nigeria, Leeds are set to sign Iheanacho before the transfer deadline.
Kelechi Iheanacho warming up for Leicester City.
Akor Adams is set to join Sevilla from Montpellier which will allow Iheanacho to move back to England and Elland Road. The report doesn’t mention if a transfer will be loan or permanent, with things not going to plan for the former Leicester City striker in Spain.
Iheanacho’s career stats
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Leicester City
232
61
34
Manchester City
64
21
7
Sevilla
11
3
0
Nigeria
56
15
8
The 28-year-old, who has scored once against the Whites during his career, was brought to Sevilla by former Leeds chief Victor Orta, but it hasn’t been a move that has gone to plan, scoring just three times in 11 appearances.
Iheanacho, dubbed “incredible” by Brendan Rodgers, netted five times in 23 appearances in the Championship as the Foxes lifted the title, so he may have his eyes on another second-tier crown with Leeds in the final months of the season.
Arsenal have now made an approach over potentially signing a South American sensation, as manager Mikel Arteta holds behind-the-scenes transfer meetings with the club’s hierarchy about how the team can be improved before February 3.
Mikel Arteta shares January transfer update at Arsenal
Speaking in his latest pre-match press conference this afternoon, Arteta shared an update on their January transfer plans, and fresh faces remain a real possibility.
Arsenal now considering January loan deal for £42m ex-Man City player
He’s a very familiar name to Arteta.
ByEmilio Galantini Jan 10, 2025
The Spaniard has consistently refused to rule out incoming transfers this month, but it will depend on opportunities and whether they can seriously upgrade Arsenal’s current options. Arteta has also confirmed discussions with Emirates Stadium higher-ups over recruitment, hinting there have been internal N5 conversations over possible January deals.
“We always have discussions with the ones above about how we can improve the team,” said Arteta on the January window, ahead of their FA Cup clash against Man United this weekend.
Tottenham (home)
January 15
Aston Villa (home)
January 18
Wolves (away)
January 25
Man City (home)
February 2
Leicester City (away)
February 1
“It’s always a possibility, if it’s somebody that is going to make us much better. We have certain limitations, and we have lots of gaps and things you have to cover.
“It’s also about the players and whether you can afford them. I have so much support from the board, I continue to have it. To win the maximum amount of football matches in the way we want to play.
“That support continues to be there, but we have our limitations.”
Arsenal manager MikelArtetacelebrates after the match
Arsenal are weighing up new wide options they could sign in January, with star forward Bukayo Saka out until March after undergoing hamstring surgery. There are also some suggestions that interim sporting director Jason Ayto has his eyes on new strikers, with an Arsenal enquiry allegedly made for Aston Villa starlet Jhon Duran (CaughtOffside).
Thomas Partey and Jorginho are also out of contract at the end of this season as well, as things stand at least – motivating Arsenal to scour the market for potential new midfielders.
Arsenal make contact over signing Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes
Wolves star Joao Gomes, who has performed superbly at Molineux over the past 24 months, is rumoured to be on their agenda.
Since signing for Vitor Pereira’s side for £15 million from Flamengo in January 2023, the Brazilian has earned his first international caps in the famous yellow, green and blue jersey – whilst also starting 32 Premier League games and averaging more tackles per 90 than any other Wolves player last season (WhoScored).
The 23-year-old’s stellar form has put him on the radar of elite English sides, and according to journalist Rudy Galetti on X, Arsenal have made an enquiry over signing Gomes to ask for information on a potential transfer.
The starlet is rumoured by other media outlets to command an asking price of around £50 million, according to other reports, but Galetti’s sources state that it would take a mammoth offer to sway Wolves into doing business this month.
Gomes has been called a “super talent” by former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, and he’s also said to be attracting interest from Tottenham, Man United and Liverpool.
كشف الهولندي لويس فان جال، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب هولندا، عن احتمالية عودته للتدريب مرة أخرى بعد شفائه من مرض السرطان.
وفي حديث أجراه خلال ظهوره في برنامج “هومبرتو”، تحدث عن معاناته مع مرض السرطان وابتعاده عن الملاعب وسبب عدم تفضيله لتدريب الأندية خلال الفترة الماضية.
وقال مدرب برشلونة الأسبق في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: ” لم أعد أشعر بالقلق بشأن المرض، أخضع للفحص كل بضعة أشهر والأمور تسير على ما يرام، أصبحت أكثر لياقة الآن”.
وأكمل: “على الرغم من مرضي، تلقيت العديد من العروض لتدريب أندية خلال العامين الماضيين، لن أدرب أي نادي لأني لا أشعر بالرغبة في العمل يوميًا”.
اقرأ أيضًا | موقف جالطة سراي من التعاقد مع تير شتيجن في انتقالات الصيف
وأضاف: “أنت مدرب للمنتخب الوطني 8 مرات في السنة، ولكن من يرغب في مدرب يبلغ من العمر 73 عامًا ومصاب بسرطان البروستاتا؟ ربما كوراساو أو ما شابه”.
وأردف: “لن أوافق على تدريب منتخبات صغيرة، أي أنني لن أفعل ذلك إلا مع دول مثل إنجلترا وألمانيا”.
وعن معاناته مع مرض سرطان البروستاتا أتم: “قبل عامين خضعت لعدة عمليات جراحية، كان كل شيء يسير بشكل خاطئ، كنت أعاني من مشاكل في التبرز والحفاضات، كان شيئًا سيئًا للغاية لأنني شخص نظيف”.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over at Chelsea, there has been a lot made about their spending, with many pundits talking about their “1.2bn spent”, and criticising the Blues transfer model that has undergone a rebrand since the new ownership took charge.
However, they have also sold many players, bringing in an astronomical amount of income from player sales. In fact, two of their summer windows (2023/24 & 2024/25) since the new owners took over, are ranked in the top ten for “biggest incomes from player sales in a single transfer window for English clubs”.
According to Transfermarkt, €271.30m (£224.1m) was the fee Chelsea recouped from player sales in the 2023/24 summer window, with plenty of big names leaving the club in order for the Blues to kickstart their rebuild, replacing them with younger talents from around the world.
Chelsea's 2023/24 summer window
The Blues spent around £383m in the 2023/24 summer window, bringing 12 new players to the club, including Moises Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson. Of course, spending this amount of money in one transfer window attracted a lot of attention, especially the £115m fee for Caicedo, joining from Brighton.
Cole Palmer in action for Chelsea
However, the reason they were able to spend such a high amount of money was due to the recouped fees from player sales, with 14 players leaving permanently, and four leaving the club on loan (with small fees involved).
Kai Havertz
£65m
Mason Mount
£55m
Mateo Kovacic
£24m
Kalidou Koulibaly
£19m
Christian Pulisic
£17.1m
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
£15.2m
Edouard Mendy
£15.2m
Ethan Ampadu
£6.6m
Callum Hudson-Odoi
£2.8m
N’Golo Kante
£0
Cesar Azpilicueta
£0
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
£0
Tiemoue Bakayoko
£0
Abdul Rahman Baba
£0
One of the biggest sales, and most surprising given the context of his Chelsea career beforehand, was Mason Mount, who joined Manchester United for a fee of around £55m. The English midfielder made 195 appearances for the Blues, scoring 33 goals, providing 35 assists and totalling 13,959 minutes played.
Mount was voted as the Chelsea POTY for two seasons in a row (2020/21 and 2021/22), won the Champions League with the club in 2020/21 (providing the winning assist), won the FIFA Club World Cup (2022), and won the UEFA Super Cup (21/22).
Some other Chelsea academy graduates were sold in this window, with Callum Hudson-Odoi (who made 126 appearances for Chelsea) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (who made 155 appearances for Chelsea) both being sold in this window for relatively low fees.
But the biggest departure of the 2023/24 summer window was none of these names and was instead a player signed back in the 2020/21 season for around £66m, who went on to score one of the most important goals in the club’s history.
Kai Havertz's time at Chelsea
Kai Havertz joined the Blues in 2020, with Marina Granovskaia stating that “Kai is one of the best players of his age in world football”. At the time, excitement was high for the 21-year-old with many expecting the German to play as an attacking midfielder, ghosting into the box to score goals and providing creativity around the box.
Instead of playing in midfield, Havertz played the majority of his time as a centre-forward at Chelsea, featuring 70 times upfront, 53 times as an attacking midfielder, ten times from the right-wing, and once from the left-wing. In his 139 appearances for the Londoners, the German scored 32 goals and provided 12 assists.
Chelsea's Saul Niguez with Kai Havertz, AndreasChristensenand Marcos Alonso applauds fans after the match.REUTERS/David Klein
One of those 32 goals was one of Chelsea’s biggest ever, securing a 1-0 victory against Manchester City in the 2020/21 Champions League final to obtain their second Champions League title, the first coming back in the 2011/12 season.
That being said, the German hadn’t worked out for the Blues, not scoring enough to nail down the starting number nine spot for years to come, but also not doing enough to play as one of the creators behind the striker.
This led to his sale in 2023, joining Arsenal for a fee of around £65m, whilst Chelsea went on to secure the signing of new striker, Nicolas Jackson, in a deal worth £32m.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.
Kai Havertz vs Nicolas Jackson comparison
Since Jackson joined in the 2023/24 summer transfer window, he has made 60 appearances for the Blues, scoring 26 goals, providing nine assists and totalling 4,755 minutes played. Enzo Maresca has made it clear the forward is a key figure for his side, for both his work on and off the ball.
So far this season, the 23-year-old striker has made 16 appearances, scoring nine goals already (all in the Premier League), whilst also providing three assists. In comparison, Havertz has made 23 appearances so far this season, scoring ten times (five in the Premier League) and providing two assists.
Goals
0.50
0.69
Assists
0.12
0.23
xG
0.40
0.65
xAG
0.15
0.14
Progressive Carries
1.30
2.14
Progressive Passes
3.10
1.22
Shots Total
2.70
3.13
Goals/Shot
0.17
0.22
Key Passes
1.10
1.07
Shot-Creating Actions
2.55
2.67
Aerial Duels Won
3.10
0.61
Jackson ranks ahead of Havertz in seven of the 11 metrics analysed, creating more for his side in terms of assists and shot-creating actions, having a better conversion rate and shot volume, and, of course, scoring more frequently.
The one area Havertz does stand out is aerially, winning 3.10 aerial duels, using his 6 foot 4 frame to bully defenders and allow Arsenal the chance to play directly. This is something Chelsea are trying to address, by signing another striker profile alongside Jackson, in order to have a broad skillset within their squad.
Chelsea struck gold by selling Havertz at the right time, however, recouping the money they paid for him back in 2020, and reinvesting it into a new forward who has gone from strength to strength since joining.
Chelsea looking at "massive" £58m signing who'd brilliantly rival Jackson
Chelsea continue to look for perfect Jackson competitor with this “massive” star
Keegan Petersen’s participation in South Africa’s Test series in Australia could be in doubt after the batter was stretchered off the field in the CSA T20 Challenge final.Petersen was fielding on the deep square boundary in the sixth over of Titans’ innings and sprinted to deep midwicket to cut off a Theunis de Bruyn flick. He prevented the boundary but went down immediately, clutching his left hamstring and grimacing. He was taken off the field and left the ground in an ambulance.Earlier, Petersen scored a 51-ball 63 and added 115 for the second wicket with JJ Smuts as Dolphins set Titans a target of 163.South Africa’s three-match Test tour to Australia starts on December 17. The first round of South Africa’s domestic red-ball matches starts later this week, though Dolphins are only due to play their opening match from November 17. There will be three rounds of fixtures before the Test team departs for Australia, and those matches would have been vital for Petersen, who had a poor tour of England. Petersen scored only 122 runs in five innings at 24.40 in England, and is still without a Test century after ten matches.Should Petersen be unavailable for the Australia Tests, South Africa will need a replacement at No. 3. Rassie van der Dussen, who broke his right index finger in the second Test in England, is expected to be fit and could slot into the role. South Africa’s batting will also be boosted by Temba Bavuma, who missed the England tour with an elbow injury, and they have back-up options in Ryan Rickelton and Khaya Zondo.The series will be the team’s first international engagement post the Mark Boucher era. Boucher resigned from his post as head coach to take up a role at Mumbai Indians. Malibongwe Maketa has been named interim coach to take South Africa to Australia.