Readiness for floodlit challenge comes in for scrutiny after dropped catches dent tourists’ chances

Vithushan Ehantharajah05-Dec-20251:18

Root jokes England’s ‘wheels would’ve come off’ if he was captain

Joe Root has defended England’s preparations ahead of the second Test after the tourists missed five chances on day two at the Gabba, four of which came in a final session under lights that allowed Australia to establish a crucial 44-run lead with four first-innings wickets remaining.Root’s first century on an Ashes tour had given England a workable total of 334. But they were unable to make it count through wayward bowling and an array of spurned chances. All but one came after sunset, when the pink ball becomes harder to see under the floodlights, allowing the hosts to close on 378 for 6.Travis Head, shifted up to open the batting, was missed badly by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith on 3, and went on to make 33. During the final session, Ben Duckett missed a pop-up at gully that would have removed Alex Carey for a golden duck, and could only palm Josh Inglis away at third slip on 19 – although Ben Stokes bowled Inglis three deliveries later for 21.Related

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Michael Neser was given a life on 6 after slapping Jofra Archer straight to Brydon Carse, who put down a simple effort at cover that split the webbing on his right thumb. Finally, Carey, on 25, slashed between Root (first slip) and Smith, who should have got to it. Carey and Neser eventually walked off together at the close, their unbeaten stand – 49 from 55 deliveries – putting Australia ahead in the match.England chose not to send any of their starters to Canberra for a two-day game against a Prime Minister’s XI that would have given them exposure to day-night conditions. Instead, they underwent a five-day training programme going into the Test, which included two sessions (Monday and Wednesday) under lights, both in the nets and on the outfield of the Gabba to practice fielding in the various scenarios they would come across in this match. Root believes this, unequivocally, was the right thing to do.”We worked as hard as we could in the lead up to this,” Root said. “We had five days of prep and we did a huge amount of catching and making sure we utilised those two sessions under lights well.”You could look at it like that [England could have played in Canberra] but you can’t replicate that surface [at the Gabba], the bounce, the way the nicks come. It’s never going to be exactly the same, it’s never going to be perfect. All you can do is give yourself the best possible chance and I think we’ve done that.”In the lead up to this game we’ve got used to conditions, we’ve got used to the heat, we got used to the surfaces. The nets were at 3mm [grass length], the same as the wicket. We faced our own bowlers, we’ve caught under lights, we’ve caught in daylight and tried to catch in twilight as well. Sometimes they don’t stick and you’re always looking for answers.”Sometimes they just don’t stick and you’ve got to keep applying yourself and wanting the ball so you’re ready when that next opportunity comes.”England did at least have sympathy from across the divide. Jake Weatherald, who struck 72 for a maiden half-century in his second Test, admitted to his own struggles in the field on the evening of day one.”It was definitely difficult,” he said. “We were probably lucky we didn’t get as many catches square of the wicket as them. It is really difficult.”It has been a hard thing to do and it was hard last week for me with the red ball, obviously against the crowds. This week has been another level hard, especially square of the wicket.”I feel for them, I understand how hard it is out there, especially when the ball is being hit hard and there is a bit of dew on the wicket as well. It comes flying at you and it’s not great visuals. It’s a different challenge.”

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke is unconvinced by the need for Usman Khawaja to return to the side in Adelaide, although he believes the selectors will recall him for the third Test.Khawaja was ruled out of the Gabba Test after failing to recover from the back spasms he suffered in Perth, where he was forced down to No. 4 in the first innings and was then unable to bat in the second after a recurrence of the injury. That meant Travis Head partnered Jake Weatherald at the top in the run chase, where they added 75, with the pair continuing in Brisbane where an opening stand of 77 set the tone for Australia’s first innings.”I think the selectors will pick him,” Clarke told ESPN’s . “I think he’ll be back at the top of the order. I don’t know if I would make a change, to be honest.Related

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“I think I’ve said before, normally with senior players like that and certainly when you get to that age, you’re selected for big tournaments, either a World Cup or an Ashes series, and at the end of those, your time is done.”Australia are 2-0 up. We’ve got someone at the top of the order that scored an unbelievable hundred. I don’t know if they need to go back to that now. I know that might be hard on Uzzy because he’s had a wonderful career and been a big player.”His spot wasn’t spoken about before a ball was bowled in this this series, but things have changed. Australia’s dominating, their style of play is working, so I don’t know if I would go back to that.”Greg Blewett argued that Australia should stick with the current opening combination. “I’m keeping the batting order the same,” he said. “I think that functioned really well up there for the second Test match so I’m not touching that, although if Usman Khawaja’s fit then they may bring him back, but I’m not touching it.”While Khawaja had long been locked into Australia’s plans at the top of the order, there had been scrutiny over his form with a downward trend since the 2023 Ashes. He is averaging 31.84 since that series with one hundred in 45 innings.One option that has been floated is Khawaja returning in the middle order with coach Andrew McDonald saying “he does have flexibility.” When Khawaja made his comeback in early 2022, he batted No. 5 at the SCG and scored twin hundreds before quickly moving up to open.Usman Khawaja has had an interrupted start to the Ashes series•Getty Images

Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw said that Khawaja would be able to take on any role offered to him.”Uzzy is a world-class player,” Renshaw told SEN Radio. “He can slot in anywhere – he’s an unreal player of spin and can face fast bowling. Head has been doing an amazing job as opener, so there is absolutely a role for Uzzy to play at five and he averages 250 [238] batting at five in Test cricket.”However, former Australia batter Mike Hussey believes that if he is passed fit, Khawaja should return to his opening role and partner Weatherald in what was the original plan for the series.”If you think about it, before the Ashes series started, Khawaja was at the top of the order,” Hussey told . “Would that one innings change the whole mindset of the selectors? From him being locked in as the opener for the Ashes series, to one innings later suddenly he’s just out of the team. In my mind, no.”Just thinking about [the Perth Test] pragmatically, it wouldn’t change my thinking that much.”

Neymar is all set to visit the 'miracle doctor' in Brazil in a bid to overcome injury and make it to Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad in North America next summer. Neymar has struggled for fitness throughout the calendar year; however, he saw a late resurgence into the season as he scored and helped Santos avoid relegation, finishing 12th in the Brazilian top division league.

• Neymar's late resurgence at Santos

  In his final four games for Santos at the business end of the Brazilian Serie A season, Neymar scored five goals and provided one assist as his boyhood club won their last three matches of the campaign and successfully saved relegation. The late resurgence included a hat-trick for the Brazil icon, which came in Santos' 3-0 win over Juventude.   

  However, Neymar is still recovering from his chronic injury issues and is now planning to work on his condition to get fully fit and earn a recall in the Brazil squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer.

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  Neymar to consult 'miracle doctor'

  Neymar will soon undergo a partial arthroscopic meniscectomy on his left knee. further reports that the 33-year-old will soon consult a famous Brazilian physiotherapist, Eduardo Santos, who is known as 'Dr. Miracle' for his ability to treat patients in record time, often using unconventional methods.  

  Graduated from PUC (Pontifical Catholic University) in Belo Horizonte, Santos holds a master's and doctorate in sports medicine, and for years, he headed the medical department of Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG. He has also worked at Vitesse in the Netherlands and Zenit in Russia.

  Some of his high-profile patients include Hulk, Oscar, Philippe Coutinho and, more recently, Manchester United's Matheus Cunha and Vanderson. Santos is currently in England,  working closely on the recovery of Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz. In 2015, after former Brazilian defender David Luiz was ruled out for eight to 10 weeks, Santos miraculously made him play his next match within 10 days. 

• Ancelotti's warning to Neymar

  Despite Neymar working hard to regain his full fitness ahead of the World Cup, Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti recently issued a warning to all Selecao stars. The Italian coach said: "There are many players who are very good, I need to choose players that are 100%. It's not just Neymar, it could be [Real Madrid forward] Vinicius. If Vinicius is at 90%, I'll call up another player who is at 100%, because it's a team that has a very high level of competence, especially up front. Up front, we have really many good players." 

  He added: "If we talk about Neymar, we have to talk about other players. We have to think about Brazil, which can be with Neymar or without Neymar, with other players or without other players. The definitive list we will make after the FIFA date in March. I understand very well that they are very interested in Neymar, I want to clarify that we are in December, the World Cup is in June, I will choose the team that will go to the World Cup in May. If Neymar deserves to be, if he is well, better than someone else, he will play in the World Cup and period. I don't owe anyone a debt."

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  Neymar cast doubts on Santos future

  After Santos' final game of the season, Neymar told reporters that he is not certain whether to continue at the club after his current deal expires in a few weeks. The Brazil star said: "I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me. I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I need to rest and then we will have this knee surgery. I do not know, really. I don’t know. I need some days now, I need to rest, disconnect then decide my future. For sure my priority always goes to Santos."  

Cardiff City have released a passionate and powerful statement in relation to the passing of Emiliano Sala. The 28-year-old lost his life when travelling to Wales to complete a transfer in January 2019. A seven-year legal battle is now drawing to a close, with the Bluebirds taking aim at Nantes and Sala’s representatives for the role that they played in “a tragedy that could and should have been avoided”.

Sala tragedy: Plan crashed when travelling to Wales

Argentine striker Sala died when the private plane carrying him from France to Cardiff crashed into the Channel. He was in the process of completing a £15 million switch from Ligue 1 side Nantes. He lost his life alongside pilot David Ibbotson, with the flight having been organised by agent Willie McKay and his son Mark. The journey was unlicensed and a legal dispute has dragged on for several years.

AdvertisementHow much are Cardiff seeking in damages?

Cardiff are seeking £105m ($140m) in damages. They were a Premier League side when agreeing a deal for Sala, but suffered relegation out of the top flight at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

David Anderson, who helped to organise the flight in question, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in the tragedy. On December 8, 2025, proceedings will begin at the Nantes Commercial Court as Cardiff state their case.

The presiding French judge will consider whether Nantes are liable for the financial losses being claimed by Cardiff. If the Bluebirds are successful, then a decision will be made on how much they are owed.

Cardiff City condemn Nantes & McKay in statement

The Welsh outfit have said in a strongly-worded statement: “Nantes' commercial court will finally hear the substance of Cardiff City Football Club's case against FC Nantes. We want FC Nantes to be held accountable for the faults committed by Willie McKay, FC Nantes' true agent. This tragedy, which began nearly seven years ago, cost Emiliano Sala his life.

“It is a tragedy that could and should have been avoided, had the people involved in the transfer on FC Nantes' side not relied on the services of a banned agent, who went on to organise illegal flights to get the deal done. On the eve of the hearing, however, there is hope.

“The hearing marks another step towards uncovering the truth and establishing more accountability in football. This case isn't about harming football: it's about protecting its integrity. This is about ensuring higher standards across our sport, especially surrounding transfers. Because Emiliano Sala deserved better. Because football deserves better.”

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Getty Images SportSala case: When is a verdict expected?

At the hearing in France, the judge will open proceedings – which get underway at 4pm UK time – by delivering an initial summary of the case. All documents submitted by both clubs have been reviewed. Legal teams from each party will then present their respective arguments.

While the matter is now in court, after almost seven years, a final verdict is not expected until the spring of 2026. That means full closure remains some way off, but an end to the lengthy saga is now in sight.

Sala’s body was found in the wreckage of the plane transporting him to the United Kingdom on January 21, 2019. The aircraft in question went down near the Channel Island of Guernsey. Ibbotson’s body was never recovered.

While they were a Premier League outfit at the time of the transfer for Sala being agreed, Cardiff now find themselves in the third tier of English football. They are top of the League One table through 17 fixtures in 2025-26.

We're approaching the midway point of the 2025 MLB season, and this year's Cy Young races have begun to take shape with less than a month to go until the All-Star break. Some of the league's top starters have already taken the mound as many as 15 times, and plenty of contenders for the award honoring the league's most outstanding pitcher have emerged.

Tarik Skubal claimed the American League Cy Young for the first time in 2024, and he’s on track to repeat the feat after a magnificent start to his '25 campaign. Chris Sale won the award for the National League last year, and despite having a strong follow-up season so far with a 2.79 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings, he's not currently among the top contenders to repeat. That speaks to how stacked the competition is.

Let’s take a look at the top three candidates in both leagues, as well as some honorable mentions. All stats are updated entering Tuesday.

American League Cy Young Candidates3. Max Fried, New York Yankees

MLB has used PitchCom since 2022 so pitchers and catchers can transmit calls instead of visually giving signs. The transmitters have helped with the pitch clock, too, since pitchers now have less time to shake off signs. But have you ever heard what the system sounds like in a player's ear?

Well, SNY and New York Mets field reporter Steve Gelbs gave us a walkthrough on Thursday night of the sounds that are passed directly into the ears of MLB stars as calls are made. The default English setting sounds like a generic, almost Siri-like voice spewing pitch types and locations. You can watch the fun segment and hear it for yourself below:

Gelbs mentioned there are default Spanish sounds, too, which includes all pitches and calls except for "sweeper" because, well, there isn't a Spanish word for sweeper.

The device is customizable allowing you to record your own calls or in other languages, which some players and clubs have had fun with before. This isn't the first time we've seen a PitchCom demo at the MLB level as the Colorado Rockies went through how they use the devices last season.

Still, it's a great inside baseball segment that probably helped a lot of fans figure out why pitchers are always messing with their hats or covering their ears with their gloves.

One mystery still stands, though—who is the mysterious PitchCom voice? Gelbs asked that question and didn't get a clear answer, but he did provide a prime suspect—the PitchCom founder, which could either be John Hankins or Craig Filicetti.

Josh Inglis scores 77-ball hundred as Australia nail highest successful pursuit in ICC ODI events

ESPNcricinfo stats team22-Feb-2025356 for 5 – Australia’s total against England is now the highest by any team at the Champions Trophy, surpassing England’s 351 for 8 in the first innings. The previous highest total in the competition history was New Zealand’s 347 for 4 against USA in 2004.77 – Josh Inglis smashed his maiden ODI ton off 77 balls to revive Australia’s run chase and take them home. He also leveled with Virender Sehwag for the fastest Champions Trophy hundred. Sehwag’s 77-ball ton (126 off 104 balls) also came against England – in Colombo in 2002.ESPNcricinfo Ltd352 – Target that Australia chased down against England is the highest successful chase in the history of ICC ODI tournaments, bettering Pakistan’s 345 against Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup. It is also only the second time Australia have successfully chased down a 350-plus total in ODIs. In 2019, they scaled a target of 359 against India in Mohali which remains their highest chase in ODI cricket.8.52 – Economy rate of England’s pace bowlers, who conceded 226 runs in 26.3 overs, their worst in a men’s ODI, where they bowled 25-plus overs.The Australia quicks, on the other hand, who came into the match with only 14 ODI caps between them, fared much better on a placid track, having conceded 171 in 27 overs, at an economy rate of 6.33.158.90 – Australia’s batting strike rate against the short and short-good lengths by England pacers. They scored 116 runs off 73 deliveries, hitting 16 fours and five sixes off them. Inglis scored 39 runs off 20 balls facing those lengths, with seven boundaries including three sixes.ESPNcricinfo Ltd165 – Ben Duckett’s sublime knock for England the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. He went past Nathan Astle’s unbeaten 145 against USA in 2004, while Andy Flower also scored 145 against India in 2002.ESPNcricinfo Ltd50 – Duckett scored 50 runs off 36 balls against Adam Zampa during his record-breaking knock. These are the joint-most runs any batter has scored off Zampa in an ODI, levelling with Heinrich Klaasen’s effort of smashing 50 off 17 balls against the legspinner.With his flawless batting against Zampa, Duckett played a big part in taming the threat of Zampa, who conceded 64 in his ten overs. All other England batters combined scored only 12 off 25 balls, at a strike rate of 48.43.88 – Percentage of England’s total scored in boundaries on Saturday – 154 out of 351. England batters hit only 28 fours and seven sixes, but 174 runs came through running between the wickets – 137 singles, 17 twos and a three.