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What have the ageing stars who helped the franchise reach two consecutive finals been doing in the last 16 months?

Dustin Silgardo15-Sep-2020For the past two seasons, the Chennai Super Kings have defied the belief that T20 is a young man’s game. They have relied on players in their mid-30s and made it to consecutive finals. But with 16 months gone since the last IPL, can their experienced players still deliver? Perhaps a good way to discern whether they have faded is to look at how they have fared in the meantime.MS Dhoni, 39
After several months of mystery, Dhoni announced his international retirement in August this year. He had endured a difficult 2019 World Cup, in which he struggled to accelerate when the team needed him to, and was not named in any India squad in the months after. He also decided against playing any of India’s domestic tournaments in 2019-20. That means when he leads CSK onto the field on September 19, it will be his first professional cricket match in 437 days. Dhoni did attend Chennai’s training camp back in March, where he was met by hundreds of cheering fans, and has been in camp since August 16, ahead of this season.Shane Watson, 39
Watson announced his retirement from the Big Bash League last year, so with his international career already ended in 2016, he is now only playing the Bangladesh Premier League, the Pakistan Super League and the IPL. He had a poor BPL in 2019, with just one score of more than 10 in seven innings for the Rangpur Rangers, who finished second from bottom. He fared better in the PSL earlier this year, scoring at 27.44 and a strike rate of 157.32 for the Quetta Gladiators. He hit two fifties, the second enough to earn him a Player of the Match, but his performances were not enough to take the Gladiators to the playoffs.Faf du Plessis, 36
du Plessis has had a torrid time since the last IPL. He seemed to spend all his time apologising in press conferences as South Africa had a disastrous 2019 World Cup campaign and then suffered sound defeats in Test series in India and England. He eventually stepped down as captain of the national side in February. His own batting remained excellent in ODIs – he has averaged 64.50 in the 50-over format since the last IPL – but his Test form did dip. Things have gone much better for him in T20 franchise cricket: he led Paarl Rocks to the title in the 2019 Mzansi Super League and averaged 27.37 in the tournament.Imran Tahir was the Purple Cap winner in the 2019 IPL season•BCCIDwayne Bravo, 36
It’s been an eventful year for Bravo. In January he played for West Indies for the first time since 2016. After four years of disagreements with the West Indies board, and actually announcing his international retirement in 2018, Bravo returned and is now seeking a spot in the West Indies squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup. During the recent CPL, he became the first bowler to go past 500 T20 wickets. Still, setting the accolades aside, Bravo’s potency as a T20 bowler seems to have dipped. He took just 11 wickets in 12 games in the 2019 IPL and got just nine in ten games in the 2020 CPL. His economy rate of 7.50 in the CPL was unremarkable, considering the tournament was a slow-scoring one in general, though he was part of the title-winning Trinbago Knight Riders side.Imran Tahir, 41
Tahir has not slowed down one bit since he won the purple cap in the 2019 IPL. He has played a remarkable 52 T20s since and has repeatedly finished near the top of wicket-taker charts in various tournaments around the world. He was second in the 2019 CPL and third in the 2020 season, topped the charts in the 2019 Mzansi Super League, was fifth in the 2020 PSL, and sixth in the 2019 Vitality Blast.Ambati Rayudu, 34
It’s been high drama for Rayudu since the last IPL. After being less than subtle in showing his disappointment at not making the India World Cup squad, he retired from all forms of cricket in July, only to retract the retirement a couple of months later. He was named Hyderabad captain for the 2019-20 domestic season but skipped the Ranji Trophy due to apprehensions about corruption in the state’s cricket board. He was back for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and performed mediocrely, getting just two 20-plus scores in seven innings. He has not played any cricket since November 2019.Kedar Jadhav, 35
When he made his India debut in 2017, Jadhav was renowned for scoring quickly, but his strike rate has dropped since. Last season he struck at less than 100 for CSK, and it was his inability to accelerate that cost him his place in the India ODI team after the World Cup, though he did make a comeback during the tour of New Zealand earlier this year. He had an ordinary Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2019, averaging below 25 and striking at 120.65, and a poor Vijay Hazare Trophy, in which he averaged less than 20.

Wrexham made it nine matches unbeaten in the Championship but saw all three points stolen away from them at Deepdale as teenager Harrison Armstrong equalised late on for Preston North End. The Red Dragons had led ever since the fourth minute through a simple Kieffer Moore finish, with James McClean clearing off the line and Arthur Okonkwo making a string of top-class saves before Preston equalised to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw between two sides with play-off ambitions.

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  Wrexham came into the match knowing that a play-off push was within their grasp, just three points outside the top six at the start of play. Their hosts Preston have been in and around the play-off picture for much of the campaign and began the day in fifth, only too aware of Wrexham breathing down their necks.

  The visitors made the perfect start as Moore opened the scoring after just four minutes. James McClean put in a teasing delivery from the left, which was not dealt with by goalkeeper Daniel Iversen as the Dane could only palm the ball to the feet of the grateful Welshman, who tapped gleefully into the net.

  The hosts came quickly back into the match and showed just why they have been so consistent this season, Lewis Dobbin in particular catching the eye. The 22-year-old Aston Villa loanee drove past several Wrexham defenders on a mazy run which was thwarted by a brilliant defensive block.

  Wrexham captain McClean then made a key contribution in his own box just before the half-hour mark, as the 36-year-old used brilliant anticipation to clear an effort by Liam Lindsay off the goal-line. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo had battled hard to keep out a host of balls into the box before McClean appeared in the right place at the right time.

  Moore threatened to get through on goal once again at the other end after a defensive slip as the conditions affected both sides, while Wrexham defended stoutly to hold onto their lead at the break. Okonkwo made his greatest contribution as the 24-year-old made a double save from Thierry Small in the final minutes of the half to stun the home faithful.

  It was more of the same after the break, as Preston drove forward in search of an equaliser and Wrexham held firm. Small struck a volley against the post, while the Red Dragons could have doubled their lead at the other end as Moore and McClean forced a brilliant double save from Iversen. Okonkwo had to be at his best once again to keep out Jordan Storey, before using every inch of his 6ft 6in frame to tip wide a Lindsay header.

  But Wrexham hearts were broken as 18-year-old substitute Armstrong stepped forward to equalise, firing in at the near post at the second attempt to get Preston right back into the game. From there on in it was end to end as both sides searched for a late winner, but the two sides had to settle for a point apiece as Wrexham returned to Wales with a share of the spoils.

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• The MVP

  Though his clean sheet was lost late on, Okonkwo was outstanding for Wrexham as they withstood waves of attack by the home side. Preston have been one of the top sides in the division this season but Okonkwo had the answer for almost everything they threw at him. A first-half double save from Small stood out, as did a late stop from Lindsay, as he made six important saves overall. His handling and bravery when coming out of goal to punch the ball were also admirable, though he will have been disappointed that Armstrong managed to squeeze the ball home from the tightest of angles.

• The big loser

  Certainly outshone by the performance of his opposite number at the other end, Preston shot-stopper Iversen made a poor mistake for Moore's opening goal and almost cost his side in the end. Though he made up for it somewhat with a double save in the second half, Iversen's early mistake was the only glaring error in a fiercely-contested battle between two sides who were both determined to leave everything on the pitch in search of victory.

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  Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐

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Com a conquista do Campeonato Paulista de 2024, Abel Ferreira chegou ao décimo título à frente do comando técnico do Palmeiras e empatou com Osvaldo Brandão como o treinador com mais taças na historia do clube.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Neste domingo (7), o Verdão derrotou o Santos por 2 a 0, no Allianz Parque, e chegou ao tricampeonato do torneio estadual. Treinador do clube desde de novembro de 2020, Abel levantou seu primeiro troféu justamente contra o Peixe, na decisão da Copa Libertadores da mesma temporada.

SAIBA OS CINCO TREINADORES COM MAIS TÍTULOS PELO PALMEIRAS

▪️ Abel Ferreira e Osvaldo Brandão – 10 títulos
▪️ Vanderlei Luxemburgo – 8 títulos
▪️ Ventura Cambon – 7 títulos
▪️ Luiz Felipe Scolari – 6 títulos
▪️ Humberto Cabelli – 4 títulos

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Ao todo, Abel disputou 14 finais pelo Palmeiras e faturou oito delas. Com contrato renovado até dezembro de 2025, o português terá diversas oportunidades para se isolar na liderança da lista de maiores vencedores. Neste ano, o Verdão ainda disputa a Libertadores, Copa do Brasil e Campeonato Brasileiro.

VEJA TODOS OS TÍTULOS DE ABEL FERREIRA PELO PALMEIRAS

🏆 Copa Libertadores: 2020 e 2021
🏆 Copa do Brasil: 2020
🏆 Campeonato Brasileiro: 2022 e 2023
🏆 Recopa Sul-Americana: 2022
🏆 Campeonato Paulista: 2022, 2023 e 2024
🏆 Supercopa do Brasil: 2023

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Abel FerreiraFutebol NacionalPalmeiras

Liverpool have now launched their first approach to sign a much-needed right-back target, who could arrive at Anfield or in North London as a free agent.

Arne Slot admits shock at "ridiculous" Liverpool form

It has been a disastrous run for Liverpool, with their 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest proving to be their most shocking result yet. After eight defeats in 11 games, the champions are on course for one of the worst title defences in Premier League history, despite spending over £400m in the summer.

With PSV Eindhoven up next, Arne Slot has admitted just how shocked he’s been by his side’s form and went onto describe it as “ridiculous” in his pre-match press conference.

The Champions League has often been a saving grace for Liverpool this season. Their victory over Real Madrid last time out proved to be somewhat of a false dawn before their Premier League return, but the Reds now have the chance to pick up where they left off in Europe, at the very least.

They will, however, be without an out-and-out right-back yet again following Conor Bradley’s injury to join Jeremie Frimpong on the sidelines. It is a problem that Liverpool must solve and one that could yet see Zeki Celik arrive.

Liverpool launch approach to sign Zeki Celik

According to TeamTalk’s Rudi Galetti, Liverpool have launched an approach to sign Celik in a transfer battle with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, all of whom have made contact.

The right-back is on course to become a free agent when his contract expires next summer and could yet provide a solution for Slot by finally replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 28-year-old, at the peak of his powers, recently earned the praise of Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella, who told reporters: “He’s the perfect player for any coach.

“Celik is professional, reliable, does his job wherever you play him. In a locker room it is always needed to have guys like him.”

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The AS Roma man is also capable of playing centre-back in what would kill two birds with one stone for Slot, who currently has just three senior centre-backs to choose from which includes the injury-prone Joe Gomez.

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Celtic are currently searching for their permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers, who resigned last month, but there have yet to be any reports that suggest that an appointment is close.

Martin O’Neill has been in interim charge at Parkhead, winning three of his four matches in the dugout, but it remains to be seen whether or not the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership will be his last outing.

Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen, Cardiff’s Brian Barry-Murphy, and Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy are among the managers who have been linked with the vacant job in Glasgow.

However, no deal has been agreed with any of those candidates at the time of writing, which is why it is unclear as to whether or not O’Neill will still be in the dugout after the international break.

Whilst there is plenty of speculation over who the next manager is going to be, and understandably so, there has also been speculation over what the club could do in the January transfer window.

One player who has recently been linked with a possible move to Parkhead is Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson, but it is a move that may not make too much sense for the Hoops.

Why Celtic should avoid a deal for Andy Robertson

It was recently reported that the Scotland international is ‘open’ to the idea of putting pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement with Celtic in January, which would see him sign for the club on a free transfer next summer.

The left-footed star’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, opening the door to a potential exit from Liverpool, and it appears as though a move to Parkhead could be on the cards.

At face value, signing a 31-year-old star who has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, on top of delivering 68 assists in 314 games for the Reds, would be a phenomenal piece of business for the Hoops.

Robertson, who assisted 12 goals in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign (Transfermarkt), is an attack-minded left-back who would bring quality, experience, and creativity at left-back.

However, Celtic already signed Kieran Tierney, who spent six years at Arsenal, to provide those three things when they brought him back to the club earlier this year on a free transfer.

25/26 Premiership

Kieran Tierney

Percentile rank vs FBs

xG

0.67

Top 10%

Goals

1

Top 20%

xA

1.48

Top 10%

Successful crosses

13

Top 10%

Chances created

13

Top 10%

Assists

2

Top 1%

Cross accuracy

52%

Top 1%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the Scottish defender has been one of the best attack-minded full-backs in the Premiership so far this season, which shows that he has provided the expected creativity.

Tierney is three years younger than Robertson and signing another left-back who will want to play week-in-week-out and offer the same qualities may not be a logical move for the Hoops.

Meanwhile, though, the Scottish giants have been linked with another Premier League defender who would be a better signing than the Liverpool full-back.

Celtic offered chance to sign Premier League defender

According to 67HailHail, Celtic have been made aware of the potential availability of three Chelsea players ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that Deivid Washington, Raheem Sterling, and Axel Disasi are all set to move on from Stamford Bridge for the second half of the season, as they do not feature in Enzo Maresca’s plans in London.

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67HailHail adds that there is nothing at this stage to suggest that the Hoops will definitely make a move for any of those three players, but the club have been offered the chance to swoop for the Chelsea outcasts.

Disasi is possibly the most intriguing name on the list because of the long-term injury that central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers recently sustained.

The £80k-per-week France international could come in as an even better signing than Robertson in January, if the Hoops decide to dip into the Premier League to make an addition to their defence.

Why Celtic should sign Axel Disasi

Carter-Vickers suffered an Achilles injury against Sturm Graz in the Europa League and is expected to be out of action for up to five months, which means that he may not return until March.

That has come as a big blow for the Hoops because he is the first-choice right-sided centre-back and it is has left Auston Trusty and Liam Scales, two left-footed players, as the first-choice pairing.

Whilst the Hoops have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premiership, Scales and Trusty struggled in the 3-1 loss to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, as the hosts created four ‘big chances’ and 2.73 xG.

Therefore, bringing in a right-footed centre-back with European experience in January could make a lot of sense for Celtic with Carter-Vickers’ injury situation, which is why Disasi could be an excellent signing.

Whilst the Hoops, for the aforementioned reasons, have little need to push the boat out for Robertson, who is reportedly on £160k-per-week, the Chelsea centre-back could be worth the wages to sign him on loan to fill a glaring hole.

24/25 Champions League

Axel Disasi

Appearances

3

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

Ball recoveries per game

3.7

Dribbled past per game

0.3x

Ground duel success rate

55%

Aerial duel success rate

80%

Error led to shot, goal, or penalty

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Disasi put in a few dominant performances in the Champions League for Aston Villa on loan in the second half of last season, showing that he can compete at the top level in Europe.

The 27-year-old star also made 13 appearances in the Premier League, per Sofascore, and won 62% of his aerial duels, whilst completing 90% of his attempted passes, featuring at both right-back and centre-back.

Disasi, who was described as a “complete” and “dominant” defender by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also put in a performance against Manchester City last year that was heralded as the best Jamie Carragher had seen that campaign, which is further evidence of his potential to deliver high-quality performances at the top level.

The right-footed star, therefore, could be an excellent signing to fill the hole created by the injury to Carter-Vickers because the Chelsea outcast is a Premier League and Champions League-proven defender, who should be in the prime years of his career at the age of 27.

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For whatever reason, possibly due to the volume of players signed by the Blues, Disasi has become available to the Hoops in January and they should take advantage of that, because he would be an even better signing than Robertson, based on the team’s current needs.

Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out of South Africa’s ODI series against England after sustaining a hamstring injury in the first match in Leeds.De Zorzi was fielding on the boundary when he dived to stop a Jos Buttler shot from going for four. While he was successful in reeling the ball in, he hurt his left hamstring in the process. He left the field for treatment and it was quickly confirmed that he would not return and would only bat if required. South Africa were chasing a modest target of 132 and did not need de Zorzi. He will now return home to undergo scans and determine the extent of the injury.No replacement batter has been named as de Zorzi was the reserve and played in place of Matthew Breetzke, who himself had a left hamstring tweak and missed the last ODI in Australia and the first in England. Breetzke has since recovered and is available for selection for the second match on Thursday. He is likely to slot straight back into the No. 4 spot.There is no further update on the availability of South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who missed the ODIs in Australia with ankle inflammation and did not play at Headingley. Codi Yusuf, who has been playing for Durham, was brought into the South African squad, which suggests Rabada may not make an appearance until the T20Is.South Africa’s other concern is captain Temba Bavuma, who is still under a workload-management protocol after hurting his hamstring in the World Test Championship final in June. Bavuma played in two of the three ODIs in Australia and the first match of the England series but is expected to be rested for one of the remaining two.South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0.

Last season Tottenham Hotspur may have won the Europa League but there is no hiding behind the fact that domestically, things were a complete write-off.

Former boss Ange Postecoglou proclaimed that things are always better in season three, but sadly for the craggy-faced Aussie, he didn’t see in his third campaign at the helm.

The writing had been on the wall for a while, really. Spurs were a mess at the back. It’s “who we are, mate” Ange also exclaimed when asked about his philosophy and high line. Yet, those who fail to adapt and change…ahem, Ruben Amorim, often fail.

The truth is that Postecoglou did not change his ways, leading to the concession of 65 Premier League goals, the fifth-worst record in the division last term.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, he made an immediate attempt to improve the backline before anything else and that decision has been vindicated.

Spurs look like a different outfit now. They are more organised, more structured, and the numbers showcase that. They have kept five clean sheets already in 2025/26 across all competitions and have shipped just five goals. Only Arsenal (3) have let in fewer.

While Frank will take a lot of the plaudits, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero’s partnership has looked like one of the best in the division.

Why Van de Ven and Romero complement each other so well at Spurs

Since arriving in north London, Romero has attracted his fair share of criticism.

He’s too hot-headed, too rash, too ill-disciplined to ever be a competent defender. Those were the cries from certain sections of the media and fanbase. Alas, there is a reason that he is captaining the side and there is a reason that Real Madrid have reportedly courted him.

The Argentine is a typical South American defender. He’s brutish, has a never-say-die attitude and when faced with a striker, it’s not often they get the better of him.

Indeed, he’s only been dribbled past 0.3 times per match under Frank so far, winning 65% of his ground duels and another 65% of his aerial duels.

To put those numbers into context, he’s winning more aerial battles than Arsenal’s imperious Brazilian, Gabriel (60%) and a similar number of ground duels to William Saliba (66%).

Romero is the more aggressive of he and Van de Ven, but the Dutchman’s recovery speed and ability to sweep in behind his defensive colleague is why they work so well.

Last term, no player was quicker in the English top-flight than Spurs’ number 37.

Yet despite all of that, the club have a defender in their ranks who stands an excellent chance of disrupting this fine partnership. Step forward Spurs’ new Mousa Dembele.

Spurs have found the defensive version of Dembele

What a player Dembele was in his prime. Part of a very special Spurs team including the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, the Belgian was the glue that held everything together.

In the words of Kyle Walker, “Dembele was probably the best player I’ve ever seen play football” while Eric Dier, now of Monaco, stated that he was “a freak of nature”.

Shots

0.8

Key passes

1.0

Dribbles

2.9

Times fouled

1.1

Tackles

3.6

An all-action machine, it was nigh on impossible to get the ball off Dembele. He was a fine dribbler but he was also a duel monster.

From 2012 to 2019, no player in the Premier League had a better success rate for dribbles than Dembele’s tally of 77.9%. The next best during that time frame was Nemanja Matic on 73.1%.

As for winning duels, during the 2015/16 season, only three players, of which one was N’Golo Kante, won more tackles per match. Dembele won 3.6 while Kante topped the charts with 4.7.

Why is this all relevant now? Well, it looks like Spurs have found another duel machine, someone capable of dominating play in a similar manner, albeit from defensive phases of play.

That player is Luka Vuskovic. Spurs first reached an agreement to sign the centre-back in 2023 for £12m from Hajduk Split when he was only 16.

They had to wait until 2025 for the young Croatian to finally arrive but it was worth the wait. Vuskovic scored in pre-season against Reading and more than looks the part.

Now 18, the teenager has already made a habit of scoring regular goals. At KVC Westerlo in the Belgian top-flight last season, he scored seven goals in 36 outings.

Now on loan at Hamburg in Germany, he’s already showcasing why he’s so highly rated. The youngster has featured on four occasions, scoring once and breaking a little bit of history along the way.

During Hamburg’s clash against Union Berlin last weekend, he won a mind-blowing 18 aerial duels. To sum up just how incredible that statistic is, no player has won more aerial duels in a Bundesliga game across the last ten seasons and he is the first player to win 18 aerial duels in a single match in Europe’s top five leagues over the last five seasons.

While Dembele may not have been as menacing in the air as that, it demonstrates Vuskovic’s imperious duel-winning ability and his capability to overpower his opponents.

When asked what he thought of his teammate, Hamburg full-back Miro Muheim simply described him as a “monster” after the game. Rather apt if you ask us.

But, as the Athletic’s German Football correspondent, Seb Stafford-Bloor, outlines, the Croat is also “good with the ball at his feet”, emulating Dembele with that area of the game too.

Vuskovic has completed 85% of his passes in the Bundesliga so far and has also been successful with 100% of his dribble attempts, according to Sofascore.

Not just a beast physically, he’s technically brilliant, just as Dembele was from further forward. An exciting player no doubt, and one who could well make this Spurs backline even better.

You bet Frank can’t wait to get him back in the fold next season.

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Travis Head says Australia are ‘prepared for anything’ in Barbados in their first Test in seven years without either Smith or Labuschagne in the XI

Andrew McGlashan23-Jun-20251:10

Head not fazed by big-name absences

There are only four members of the Australia squad in the West Indies who were part of their previous Test series here in 2015, and one of those, Steven Smith, is currently recuperating from a finger injury in New York. So it’s perhaps not surprising that there is an element of uncertainty over what conditions they will be confronted with for the opening match in Barbados.Their first training session of the tour at Kensington Oval, an optional one where all the batters attended but all the bowlers sat out bar Matt Kuhnemann, was interrupted by showers on a blustery day with the Test pitch uncovered only briefly. The batters made use of what time was available on the adjacent surfaces but the players have kept an open mind, with the Dukes ball used in the Caribbean – a variant on the English version – adding another layer of intrigue.”I think we’re prepared for anything, really, and prepared for maybe both [seam and spin] in the same game,” Travis Head said. “We could be starting the game and then it could shift into different modes and plans of attack. So, as a batter, you’re just sort of planning for anything at the moment. And then once you get a look at the lay of the land, come up with a plan, and try to cover all bases.”Related

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Marnus Labuschagne dropped, Steven Smith ruled out of first West Indies Test

Australia's batting issues: questions surround Khawaja, Labuschagne, Konstas and Green

Since the 2015-16 tour, Australia’s only visits to the West Indies have been for the Covid-time white-ball tour in 2021 – where Barbados staged the three ODIs – and then last year’s T20 World Cup of which Head was a part. “They [the pitches] spun a little bit here,” he recalled. “They were pretty slow, but I’ve heard different things, especially with the Dukes and what that brings.”Australia will have a deficit of 14,570 Test runs in their top order compared to the previous outing at Lord’s against South Africa owing to Smith’s injury and Marnus Labuschagne’s axing, with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis replacing them. While Smith may return for the second Test in Grenada (and Labuschagne is only one injury away from getting back as the lone spare batter currently in the squad) it is certainly a chance to have an early look at the “reset” that Pat Cummins spoke about after the World Test Championship final.It will be the first time since 2018, when they played India at the MCG, that an Australia Test XI will not feature Smith and/or Labuschagne. The latter was recalled for the final match of that series and Smith returned from his ban for the start of the 2019 Ashes with the pair becoming fixtures together by the Old Trafford Test.”When we get into the game, it’ll be a little bit new look,” Head said. “But guys have already played, so [they have] experience already in a short amount of Test cricket. There’s some guys there that have been a part of the group for a long time now, so it shouldn’t feel too much different.”The batting order has yet to be confirmed, but while coach Andrew McDonald had previously left the door ajar for Head to open should conditions resemble those of the subcontinent, Head considered that an unlikely option with Konstas expected to get three games at the top to settle in alongside Usman Khawaja with an eye on some stability for the Ashes.Sam Konstas is set to open in Barbados•ICC via Getty ImagesThere is a school of thought that as a senior player, Head could move up to No. 4 in Smith’s absence, but it may be that Inglis, who scored a century on debut against Sri Lanka, gets that role in what could be a one-off outing if Smith recovers for the second Test. However, should Inglis take his opportunity as he did in Sri Lanka, then it would certainly put pressure on the selectors to find him a regular home in the batting order.”He can cover so many bases,” Head said of Inglis. “[He’s had] limited opportunity in a long time being in the squad. It feels like he’s played a lot more than he has for Australia. Once he gets his extended stay in the team, I think he’ll excel. He’s already showed great application in Sri Lanka. He’s [been] in some tough roles as well… I think he’s well-adapted and ready to go. He’s been waiting for a long time.”Whereas two years ago Australia went straight into an Ashes series on the back of beating India in the World Test Championship final, this time they have had to reflect on the loss to South Africa, which came after they had the game for the taking on the second day.”It’s unfortunate we put two years of hard work into one week and [it] didn’t quite go to plan,” Head said. “Fair play, the opposition played really, really well.”We’ve got two more years to build, and this is a first look at it. I think if you dwell on it for too long, or if you look back, you forget about what’s moving forward. Of course, we care and, of course, it’s not ideal. But at the end of the day you can’t change it. You have to move on. You have to get back on the horse.”

A “perfect choice” to be the next Rangers manager is now one of the contenders to take charge at Ibrox alongside the heavily linked Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard, Rohl and Dyche linked with Ibrox hotseat

Russell Martin was sacked by the Gers on Sunday evening, with the 1-1 draw away to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership proving to be one underwhelming result too many for the board, leaving them languishing in eighth place in the table.

It was a decision that has been coming for months, with Martin making a poor start to life at Ibrox and never recovering, and it’s now time for the 49ers to nail their successor to the Englishman, with several names already being mentioned.

Former Everton and Burnley boss Sean Dyche is an early contender to come in at Ibrox, as he looks for a fresh challenge after departing the Blues last year, possessing a huge amount of experience.

Meanwhile, a Steven Gerrard reunion also feels possible, having guided them to league title glory in 2020/21, and young German Danny Rohl is appreciated within Ibrox, as he looks for a new club after Sheffield Wednesday.

Russell Martin at Rangers

Matches

17

Wins

5

Draws

6

Defeats

6

Goals scored

21

Goals conceded

24

Points per game

1.24

Rangers eyeing 52 y/o manager who's the "perfect choice"

According to a new claim from Give Me Sport, Kevin Muscat is very much on Rangers’ radar to be their next manager, being seen as a fourth option alongside Dyche, Gerrard and Rohl.

The 52-year-old is currently in charge of Shanghai Port FC, but the Gers may be hoping to lure him back to Ibrox, having played there during his playing career. The obstacle faced by the 49ers is Muscat’s contract in China is believed to be extremely lucrative and tax free, meaning he will have to be seriously tempted by the project on offer at Ibrox to make a move.

Muscat has constantly been named as a potential Rangers manager in recent years, so often being linked with the job when it has become available. In fact, The Rangers Journal believe he has always been the “perfect choice” for the Gers, with the club deciding to hire the likes of Philippe Clement and Martin instead.

Admittedly, Muscat has no European experience in management, which does work against him in terms of knowing the British game well, but if the fans see him as a popular choice, that goes a long way for starters.

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Rangers’ board have to be so careful in their decision-making, not wanting to make a third incorrect appointment in a row, but Muscat stands out as a front-runner, and the fact that he knows the club well from his playing days can only be a good thing.

Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian is being backed to emulate Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard by securing legend status at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian youngster considered to be “unbelievably good”. He has already been likened to iconic countryman Neymar, with big shoes to be filled there, while also earning the nickname ‘Messinho’ (Little Messi) in his homeland.

Meteoric rise: Estevao tipped to reach the top

That goes to show how far the teenager has come in a short space of time. He only made his professional debut at Palmeiras in December 2023 and, less than two years later, is now a senior Brazil international and a Premier League performer being tipped to reach the very top.

A transfer to English football was completed in the summer of 2025 after turning 18 and facing Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup. He admitted when arriving in west London that adjusting to life outside of his comfort zone would be difficult.

Estevao has, however, hit the ground running with Chelsea – opening his goal account in stunning style when netting a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic victory over defending champions Liverpool. He had already been catching the eye prior to that outing.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALNext Neymar: Estevao compared to fellow Brazilian

His quick feet and ability to drift beyond opponents have made him a fan favourite and earned the respect of those who are sat alongside him in the Chelsea dressing room. There is the promise of much more to come, with the hottest of prospects seemingly ready to become the next South American sensation.

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has told : “Estevao has been exactly what I hoped for. I think he could be one of the best. It's a lot to ask of a kid who's 18, but he's got everything, everything you need. Next off the Brazilian production line like Neymar. It's a good solid start, but I'll tell you what underlines it. I was at the Chelsea v Liverpool game just the other week and the ball went out to him and the noise in the stadium is different from every single other player. That is wow, not many can do that. So nice solid start, but he's a kid that can go wherever he likes. He's unbelievably good.”

Chelsea greats: Estevao to follow in iconic footsteps

Nevin went on to say of Estevao following in some iconic footsteps: “Style-wise, Chelsea have got this long list from Gianfranco Zola, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata was much much loved down there. It goes all the way back to Charlie Cooke. Chelsea have got a whole list of these little creative players that they absolutely love.

“Estevao will be one of them. If Chelsea treat him right, if they stick by him, if he doesn't get injured, he will be in that pantheon. There's a couple of ifs in there, but definitely capable. Which one of them is he more like? He's probably closer to Neymar. He's not really like them. But creative, small, playing for Chelsea and could be world class very soon. He's up there and he should be one of them because he's good enough.”

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GettyNext for Estevao? Chelsea return to Premier League action

Another former Blues star, Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo, told GOAL recently when asked how god Estevao can become: “Let’s not overwhelm him with pressure, but he’s going to be a top player! You can see that he is so advanced in his football development.

“I saw him before the international break and he looks like a 15-year-old! You look at him and think ‘you are playing already?’ Amazing skills, technically, he’s fast, unpredictable, can go outside and inside. Very good attitude. He’s quite advanced for his age. Ancelotti loves him in the Brazil national team.

“He’s got a very good family around him as well, his parents have moved over with him. He’s got good management around him so I have no doubt that he’s going to grow and become a top player, a world top player.”

Chelsea have Estevao tied to a long term contract through to 2033, meaning that they stand to benefit from the unlocking of further potential. He was among the goals for Brazil during the international break, netting a brace against South Korea, and will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when the Blues take in a trip to Nottingham Forest.