Celtic got a glimpse of what life could look like after club captain Callum McGregor moves on from Parkhead when he was absent for the loss to their city rivals last weekend.

The Hoops were beaten 3-2 by Rangers at Paradise in the Scottish Premiership, cutting their lead at the top down to 13 points, and it came with Belgian starlet Arne Engels in the number six position.

An attack-minded midfielder by trade, the former Augsburg man did not control the game in the middle of the park – losing four of his five ground duels in total.

McGregor has won 58% of his ground duels and completed an eye-catching 94% of his passes in the Premiership this season, which suggests that the Hoops missed his presence against the Gers as Engels failed to offer the same mixture of strength and composure.

Brendan Rodgers may look to address that position in the summer transfer window to ensure that he has competition and depth in that area, potentially looking to replicate what his squad looked like during his first spell.

Between 2016 and 2019, Celtic had a younger McGregor as well as impressive defensive midfielder Nir Bitton at the base of the midfield as an option.

Why Nir Bitton was an important player for Rodgers

The Israel international made 67 appearances in less than three seasons under the Northern Irish head coach, but he was not signed by the former Liverpool and Leicester City chief.

Celtic signed him from FC Ashdod in the summer of 2013 and got nine years of service out of the versatile star, who caught the eye under several managers – including Rodgers.

The 6 foot 4 colossus made 39 appearances in all competitions in Rodgers’ first season at Parkhead in the 2016/17 campaign, starting all of his matches as a defensive or central midfielder.

Interestingly, however, all 16 of his starts in the following season came as a centre-back – even starting in that role against Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

As you can see in the table above, Bitton had plenty of experience as both a defensive midfielder and a centre-back during his nine-year stay in Glasgow.

This shows that the towering titan offered positional and tactical flexibility to Rodgers because he could play as part of a midfield three or two, or in the defence in a four or a three. This allowed the manager to change the system and tactics mid-game without making any substitutions, because Bitton could alter his role on the pitch due to his versatility.

The Celtic boss could, now, find his next version of the Israel international by swooping to sign a player the club are reportedly targeting this summer.

Celtic targeting defensive midfield star

According to Football Insider, the Scottish Premiership leaders are planning to bolster their options in the middle of the park in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Hoops are plotting a ‘busy’ summer of business because Rodgers has called on the owners to improve the squad in order to push the team to the next level in the 2025/26 campaign.

Football Insider reveals that Guingamp defensive midfielder Kalidou Sidibe is one of the names on their shortlist, as they plot a swoop for his services later this year.

Rodgers is eyeing the 26-year-old star in what could be a ‘cut-price’ deal due to his contract situation with the French club. The former PSG midfielder’s current deal with Guingamp is until the summer of 2026, which means that he will only have a year left on it at the end of this season.

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This means that the Ligue 2 outfit could be tempted to cash in on the French colossus this summer unless they can agree to fresh terms with him, which could open the door for the Scottish giants to swoop in with an offer.

Why Kalidou Sidibe would be the next Nir Bitton for Celtic

Rodgers must push for the club to get a deal done for Sidibe when the summer transfer window opens for business because he has the quality and the versatility to become the manager’s new Nir Bitton at Parkhead next season.

Firstly, the 26-year-old star has a similar physical frame and could offer the same presence at the base of the midfield, as he stands at a staggering 6 foot 7, even taller than the 6 foot 4 former Celtic titan.

Secondly, Sidibe has started 88 times as a defensive midfielder and 20 times as a centre-back in his club career to date, which suggests that he shares Bitton’s positional flexibility.

This means that Rodgers, as he did with the Israel international, could use him in a multitude of ways as part of a midfield or defensive structure, thanks to his ability to play in either role.

Finally, his performances in Ligue 2 for Guingamp this season suggest that he has some excellent attributes that could make him an interesting stand-in for McGregor when needed next term and beyond.

As you can see in the table above, Sidibe has outperformed McGregor in several categories this season, winning more duels and making more tackles and interceptions, despite being dribbled past less often.

This suggests that the French colossus could offer more defensive security in that role when required, as he does not get beaten by opposition players as easily in duels and makes more defensive interventions each match.

Therefore, Sidibe could become Bitton 2.0 for Rodgers by offering a similar option in the squad as a versatile and towering defensive midfielder who can step in for McGregor, or alongside him, when needed.

It is now down to the recruitment team to ensure that they win the race to land the 6 foot 7 titan when the summer transfer window opens for business later this year.

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MatériaMais Notícias

A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) alterou a data e o horário da partida entre América-MG e Corinthians. O jogo, válido pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão, seguirá no Independência, mas mudou para um domingo, 18 de setembro, às 18h.

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+ GALERIA – Confirao balanço da janela de transferências do Corinthians

Anteriormente, o duelo estava marcado para 17 de setembro, no sábado, às 19h. A mudança já consta no site da CBF, que alegou ajuste de tabeladevido a publicação dos jogos das semifinais da Copa do Brasil.

A data e o horário foram alterados em virtude do art. 25 do Regulamento Geral de Competições (RGC) da CBF, já que este afirma que ‘os clubes não poderão disputar e os atletas não poderão atuar em partidas por competições coordenadas pela CBF sem observar o intervalo mínimo de 66 horas’.

O Timão recebe o Fluminense, no confronto de volta da semifinal do mata-mata nacional, no dia 15 de setembro, às 20h, na Neo Química Arena.

+ TABELA – Timão ou Flu na Copa do Brasil? Simule as semifinais

O Corinthians é o terceiro colocado do Campeonato Brasileiro, com 39 pontos em 22 jogos disputados. Já o Coelho ocupa o nono lugar, com 31 pontos.

No primeiro turno, as equipes se enfrentaram na Neo Química Arena e empataram por 1 a 1. Aloísio ‘Boi Bandido’ abriu o placar, e Gustavo Mosquito igualou o marcador aos 37 minutos do segundo tempo.

Opener backs up Test-match double-century to cement her team’s place at top of table

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2023England’s Test match double-centurion Tammy Beaumont top-scored with 83 from 62 balls as East Midlands regional women’s team The Blaze crushed defending champions Northern Diamonds by nine wickets to consolidate their lead at the mid-season point in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Diamonds won the toss but were bowled out for a disappointing 185, failing to make the most of in-form opener Lauren Winfield-Hill’s 56. Sophie Munro’s three for 35 made her the stand-out bowler for The Blaze, with ex-Southern Vipers seamer Cassidy McCarthy impressive on debut with two for 17.Despite the absence of their ex-South Africa international Nadine De Klerk as well as their other two England stars, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sarah Glenn, The Blaze rushed to victory in less than half of the 50 overs available to collect four points plus a bonus point and maintain their unbeaten record in the 2023 season, Sarah Bryce backing Beaumont up with an unbeaten 53 from 61 balls in an unbroken second-wicket stand of 156.Diamonds conceded a shocking 37 runs in extras, including 25 wides.With regular new-ball bowlers Grace Ballinger (injured) and De Klerk missing, The Blaze initially struggled to contain Winfield-Hill as Diamonds backed up their decision to bat first on what looked a good pitch with a brisk start. With the ball racing across a lightning fast outfield at the pretty Queen’s Park ground, the England international hit seven of her nine boundaries in the first five overs.Yet The Blaze quickly found a way to stem the runs, with McCarthy – her debut delayed because of ankle surgery – conceding only 12 in an tight five-over opening spell. McCarthy was unlucky to see Hollie Armitage dropped on four, but left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, back leading The Blaze after her England A stint, cashed in at the other end, having Sterre Kalis snapped up at slip for 11 before Armitage was caught at mid-off.Winfield-Hill, fresh from an unbeaten 116 against South East Stars, completed a fourth fifty of this year’s competition but was bowled by off-spinner Lucy Higham, who had also removed Emma Marlow via a thin edge to the keeper.Diamonds were 131 for four at the halfway stage of their innings and lost two more wickets without further score as Munro returned at the pavilion end with two wickets in two balls, having the dangerous Bess Heath well caught at long leg for a 19-ball 25 before bowling Phoebe Turner for a golden duck.Unable to build any momentum, the Diamonds lost Lizzie Scott to a Munro slower ball, after which McCarthy gained deserved reward as Leah Dobson (24 from 28 balls) was pouched on the square leg boundary and Katie Levick caught behind, leaving the visitors 147 for nine in the 33rd before Grace Hall and Jessica Woolston frustrated Blaze with a 13-over stand that added 38 more to the chase.Nonetheless, with a required rate of under four runs an over to complete a fifth win of the season, The Blaze were comfortably placed at 62 for one after the ten powerplay overs, Marie Kelly the only casualty when she bottom-edged leg spinner Levick into her stumps.Beaumont and Sarah Bryce needed only seven overs to rack up a fifty partnership, with the target down to less than 100 by the 14th over with opportunities to find the tree-lined boundary being offered all too frequently by the Diamonds attack, who were also guilty of handing their opponents a steady supply of gift runs in wides and leg-byes.The England opener’s half-century came off 49 balls soon after she had lofted a ball from Woolston back over the bowler’s head for the first six of her two sixes with The Blaze looking to make sure the win came with the bonus point for recording a scoring rate of 1.25 or more times that of their opponent.Fittingly, it was Beaumont who finished the job in the 25th over with her 11th four to go with the two sixes.

Through to the Europa League quarter-finals but with little hope of salvation through the Premier League, the international break perhaps came at the right time for Tottenham Hotspur.

Look, 13th in the standings with just nine games left to play, it would take a miracle for Ange Postecoglou to fashion qualification. However, just two rounds lie between the Lilywhites and a European final. It’s doable, for sure.

However, with rumours simmering concerning Ange’s future at the helm, there’s little question that Spurs need an upswing, one that goes beyond that of the current campaign and is sustained across a number of seasons.

Spurs transfer news

Whatever happens, Tottenham are going to aim for reinforcements in the transfer market this summer. In fact, plans have already been drawn up, with AfricaFoot reporting Spurs have initiated contact with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the potential transfer of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

While Daniel Levy’s outfit have proposed a £30m offer, it has been rejected by the Old Gold. Nonetheless, it makes a comment on Tottenham’s strategy, with things set to change at the rear.

Indeed, if Ait-Nouri is to sign for the Lilywhites, it’s going to spark something of a shake-up within Postecoglou’s defensive flanks. There’s one man in particular who will be sweating, especially after his recent performance with his country in the Nations League.

Spurs' 4/10 star struggles once again

Plenty of Tottenham players have struggled to get going this season, with injuries and subsequent struggles for lasting form ravaging Postecoglou’s second season in charge.

Pedro Porro epitomises the issues, albeit having avoided fitness problems. Instead, he’s been played with immense regularity, and it’s taken a toll, with defensive struggles now seeping onto the international stage in Spain’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday evening.

Minutes played

90′

Touches

58

Accurate passes

40/51 (78%)

Key passes

0

Possession lost

15x

Dribbles

1/1

Tackles + interceptions

1

Clearances

1

Duels won

5/8

Having allowed Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo space to drive a low equaliser after Nico Williams’ early opener, Porro set himself on unsteady footing. His defensive frailty was clear, with creativity also at a low ebb, losing the ball 15 times without creating a single key pass.

GIVEMESPORT certainly weren’t impressed, handing the 25-year-old a 4/10 match rating and noting his lack of physicality.

With Tottenham ramping up efforts to sign Ait-Nouri, Djed Spence is surely going to see more game time on the right flank going forward, and with that in mind, perhaps Porro’s place in the starting line-up is beginning to look somewhat uncertain, especially as he’s been linked with a move away from N17 this season.

Porro has been a mainstay through the Postecoglou era, showed promise before. But it’s all unravelled this season and a summer sale is beginning to look like a real thing.

His performance for Spain left plenty to be desired, but with Tottenham getting ready to sign Ait-Nouri, Spence is surely going to be returning to the right flank of the backline.

What does that mean for Porro?

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Only one wicket fell in the 30 overs possible as Australia edged towards retaining the Ashes

Andrew McGlashan22-Jul-20231:08

Labuschagne’s ‘terrific’ century for Australia holds up England

A gloomy Manchester allowed more cricket than many thought would be possible on the fourth day, but England only managed one wicket in 30 overs in their push to send to the series to a decider as Marnus Labuschagne made his first away Ashes century before falling to Joe Root.Root was only bowling because the umpires had told Ben Stokes that it was too dark for pace, a decision which did not appear to impress the England captain. However, after initially proving costly as Labuschagne moved towards three figures with a brace of sixes, both Root and Moeen Ali caused problems late in the session with turn and bounce and the former broke through shortly before tea.That was as far as play got as steady drizzle returned and played was called off shortly before 6.30pm. The forecast for Sunday is bleak, with warnings for heavy rain in place for the northwest of country including Manchester, but England will hold onto the belief that they could still force victory with a small window of opportunity.The second new ball is nine overs way – although now the umpires have taken a light reading that could become a factor – and Australia are still 61 behind. Were they to get into the lead, that would be another element to take out time. A draw will see them retain the Ashes, taking a 2-1 lead to The Oval where the best England could achieve would be a shared series. Labuschagne’s century at least earned Australia the right to take it to the fifth day.The rain had lashed down during the morning, but the biblical forecast improved as the hours wore on and a gap emerged long enough for the clean-up operation to being and play to start at 2.45pm. However, England struggled to replicate the intensity of the previous evening when Mark Wood had made sizeable inroads, with Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh making relatively comfortable progress.Labuschagne, who made his first half-century of the series on the opening day, was the more aggressive, taking advantage of anything loose as England’s quicks searched for any modicum of assistance with the old ball that, by and large, refused to do much – perhaps hindered by becoming damp over the outfield. Marsh, while playing second fiddle in what became a stand of 103 in 31 overs, did produce one cracking cover drive off Stuart Broad.Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his rearguard century•Getty Images

England were able to get the ball changed in the 58th over but James Anderson was only able to bowl four deliveries with it before the umpires, Nitin Menon and Joel Wilson, ruled it was getting too dark just as Stokes prepared to bring Wood back into the attack.He summoned his spinners and there were soon signs that they could be a threat as one delivery from Moeen popped into Marsh’s gloves but landed safely. Labuschagne took the positive route, dancing down to Root and twice sending him into the stands as he motored through the 90s.But, on 93, he had a scare when Root sent down one of his alternative seam-up swinging deliveries which took the outside edge and flew too high and fast for Zak Crawley at slip. In the next over Labuschagne nudged Moeen into the off side and scampered the single that took him to his 11th Test hundred, his first in 24 innings and just his second overseas.He didn’t advance much further, though, as another slingy delivery from Root bounced as Labuschagne attempted to cut and the top edge was well held, after a rebound, by Jonny Bairstow. It was not given on-field by Menon although England reviewed in an instant and Labuschagne immediately indicated he knew he was out, tossing the bat frustratedly in the air.Four balls later Root nearly had Marsh as well when he pushed with hard hands and got an inside edge that flew low to Harry Brook’s left at short leg. Brook could not quite channel Abdullah Shafique and hold on.England were excited again with the last ball of the session when an uncertain Cameron Green, who looks short on confidence with the bat, lunged forward and the ball ballooned to slip. England reviewed again, but this time there was no inside edge involved before it took the pad. That was the last action of the day. Once again, the two teams were left to nervously watch the weather forecasts.

كشفت تقارير صحفية موقف استمرار الدولي الإسباني فيران توريس، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، مع الفريق بالموسم المقبل 2025/2026.

ويبدأ النادي الإسباني أولى حصصه التدريبية تحت قيادة الألماني هانز فليك، استعدادًا للموسم المقبل يوم الأحد المقبل الموافق 13 يوليو.

ويرغب نادي برشلونة في مواصلة النجاحات التي حققها بالموسم الأول تحت قيادة فليك، واعتلاء منصات التتويج بعد الاكتساح المحلي الذي حققه بالفوز بالدوري وكأس الملك والسوبر.

وفي وقت سابق، أفادت تقارير صحفية سابقة عن رغبة نادي أستون فيلا في التعاقد مع فيران توريس، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية، بمبلغ 50 مليون يورو.

اقرأ أيضًا | لاعب برشلونة قريب من الانتقال إلى أستون فيلا في الميركاتو

الإسباني أوناي إيمري، كان قد أبدى رغبته في التعاقد مع مواطنه لتعزيز الفريق الإنجليزي للموسم المقبل في ظل الرغبة الكبيرة لتعويض عدم النجاح في التأهل لدوري أبطال أوروبا 2025/2026.

وبحسب صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، فإن توريس، لا يرغب في مغادرة نادي برشلونة الموسم المقبل ويرغب في حجز مقعد أساسي له في تشكيل فليك خاصة مع بلوغ روبرت ليفاندوفسكي 37 عامًا.

ووفقًا للصحيفة الإسبانية، فإن المدرب الألماني لا يريد التفريط في المهاجم صاحب الـ 25 عامًا نظرًا للجودة العالية التي يتمتع بها وسيتم الاعتماد عليه الفترة المقبلة.

وتألق فيران توريس، الذي ينتهي عقده في عام 2027، الموسم الماضي مع برشلونة وسجل 19 هدفًا وقام بصناعة 7 آخرين.

Ex-Manchester United star Ander Herrera was sent off after clashing with a security guard during Boca Juniors' Club World Cup opener against Benfica.

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Tempers flared in Boca & Benfica clashHerrera was sent off after being subbedThree red cards were flashed during the gameFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The incident unfolded just before halftime at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Referee Cesar Arturo Ramos had paused play to review a potential foul involving Boca defender Carlos Palacios and Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi. As the Mexican official awarded a penalty following a check on the VAR monitor, an enraged Herrera, who has been substituted due to injury, attempted to charge toward him, bypassing security and breaking protocol. His aggressive actions prompted officials to intervene, and referee Ramos promptly showed the midfielder a red card after being informed of the altercation.

Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream nowAdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The match itself continued to deliver fireworks. Following the penalty call and Herrera’s dismissal, Benfica capitalized on the shift in momentum. Angel Di Maria and Otamendi spearheaded a second-half comeback that saw the Portuguese side level the score at 2-2. However, as tensions escalated, the referee had more work to do. Boca defender Jorge Figal and Benfica striker Andrea Belotti both received red cards in the second half as tempers continued to flare until the last minute.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

The draw in Miami leaves Group C of the Club World Cup wide open. Benfica and Boca Juniors now sit behind Bayern Munich, with Auckland City also part of the group. Boca will face the German champions in their next outing on June 20, but will be without Herrera and Figal.

Nottingham Forest fans have been handed a new contract update on Nuno Espírito Santo ahead of their return to top flight action after two weeks off.

Forest keen to land new striker as summer planning begins

It has been an exceptional season for Forest and star striker Chris Wood, but the New Zealand international is not getting any younger, and if European football is secured for next season, then he is going to need some help at the top end of the pitch.

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The Reds are already scouring the market for potential options to strengthen their forward line, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa a player they wanted to sign in January and remain interested in heading into the summer. Wissa may be considered a cheap option for Forest, as he could be available for just £20 million this summer.

Meanwhile, the Premier League highflyers continue to be linked with a move for Matheus Cunha, who now looks set to leave Wolves after this campaign. Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres have also emerged as surprise options in recent weeks, as well as Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez, who Forest have reportedly made a £50 million offer to sign.

The Reds believe he can be a key player at the City Ground despite the fact he is not wanted at Anfield anymore.

Marinakis doing everything to secure Nuno contract extension

The Reds are already putting plans in place for the summer transfer window and next season, and part of those plans will include a new deal for Nuno. According to Football Insider, Nottingham Forest are desperately trying to agree a new contract as he nears the final year of his deal.

The report states that Forest are ‘desperate’ to agree to a new deal with Nuno, as he will enter the final year of his deal at the City Ground this summer after signing two-and-a-half-year terms when he arrived in 2023. It goes on to add that Marinakis and the club are ‘doing everything they can’ to sign Nuno to a long-term deal.

It has been an excellent campaign for Forest so far this season, and it has the potential to get even better, as the Reds are in the FA Cup semi-finals and have a great chance of securing a place in next season’s Champions League. Nuno has been at the heart of the success, and it is only right that the club look to secure his long-term future before a club comes sniffing around the Portuguese tactician.

If a new deal is secured, it can lay the foundation that Nuno is committed to the cause, and therefore, current players should be, as they also look to agree a new deal with Neco Williams.

It doesn’t state how long the deal will be, but given how well the season has gone, it could be a three-year deal at the very least. The Forest boss will hope the speculation around his future won’t derail their campaign, as they still have work to do in the league.

Premier League fans went berserk after learning that there might not be any matches on Boxing Day in the 2025-26 season.

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• PL fixtures announced on Wednesday
• No matches currently scheduled on Boxing Day
• Fans angry for scrapping age-old tradition

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Premier League announced the schedule for the 2025-26 campaign on Wednesday. The season will kick off on August 15 with reigning champions Liverpool taking on Bournemouth. The highlight of the opening game week, however, will be the high-octane clash between Manchester United and Arsenal on August 17. Once the schedule was out, fans were quick to spot that not a single game was scheduled for Boxing Day, contrary to tradition.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE EXPLAINATION

  Explaining the lack of games, the Premier League reiterated its commitment to giving players ample rest during the busy month of December, although it did hint at shifting a couple of fixtures to December 26 for live broadcast. A statement from the league read: "In keeping with our commitment to providing a greater rest period over the Christmas and New Year period, no club will be requested to play less than 48 hours between Match Rounds 18 and 19 (December 27 and December 30).

  "Matches in Round 18 (December 27) are available for movement to Boxing Day for live broadcast selection. Each club has a home match on either 27 December or 3 January, with travel reduced on 27 December and 30 December."

• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  Fans vented their frustrations at the decision on social media, with the age-old tradition of a packed Boxing Day schedule effectively scrapped.

  X handle HLTCO wrote: "The game actually is gone this time."

  Billy Dunmore posted: "This is quite honestly and sincerely a f*cking massive disgrace."

  A fan with the handle @Salahenjoyer11 wrote: "Na my beautiful sport is gone."

  Manchester United fan Mark Goldbridge wrote: "No Boxing Day fixtures in the Prem this year….they're changing the game. Another tradition gone."

  Ade Met wrote: "Hope it gets moved. It’s actually irritating to have two home fixtures within a few days after Xmas. My daughter will miss both and she’s gutted!"

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Two Premier League sides, Chelsea and Manchester City, are currently in action in the Club World Cup in the US. The Blues began their journey earlier this week with a 2-0 win over LAFC. City, on the other hand, are currently in action against Wydad AC.

Australia pick two spinners as Agar returns from injury to partner Zampa. Green to bat at No.4 and Inglis to play as a specialist batter

Alex Malcolm07-Sep-2023

Australia have confirmed that David Warner and Travis Head will open in the first ODI against South Africa in Bloemfontein. Mitchell Marsh will bat at No. 3 and Cameron Green at No. 4 in the absence of Steven Smith in a side featuring two spinners in Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar.Australia have named their XI for the first of five matches in South Africa with Marsh to captain in an ODI for the first time while Pat Cummins is still unavailable due to his wrist injury. Marsh made a triumphant debut as Australia’s interim T20I captain with a 3-0 series sweep of South Africa last week.One of the debates surrounding Australia’s ODI side heading towards the World Cup was whether or not Warner and Head would remain together at the top of the order after Marsh’s phenomenal series against India earlier this year when he opened in all three games. Marsh only opened because Warner was recovering from a fractured elbow and missed the first two matches. When Warner returned for game three he was forced to bat at No. 4 for the first time in his ODI career, and not open for just the second time, as Australia stuck with the combination of Head and Marsh who had dominated the series to that point.Related

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'Probably got to be a bit smarter' – Maxwell's ankle adds World Cup uncertainty

Agar excited by return to India amid rollercoaster year

But Australia have returned to their trusted pairing of Head and Warner. The duo have only opened together in seven ODIs, three coming after the retirement of long-time captain Aaron Finch late last year, but have compiled three partnerships of 284, 147, and 269 across those seven games. They also have another century fifth-wicket stand and average 85.07 as a pair in the format overall.Marsh will instead bat at No. 3 where has been dominant in T20Is over the last couple of years but he may slide further when Smith returns for the India series and the World Cup that follows the tour of South Africa, although Australia are hoping to be fluid with their top order depending on their needs with Marsh’s power in the 10-over powerplay keen to be utilised at times if the surfaces require it.”There’ll be potentially a few moving parts with our squad throughout these five games, I’m guessing it’ll be the same as South Africa,” Marsh said on Wednesday. “It’s a heavy schedule, building to the World Cup. So we’ll have certain guys batting in different areas, but I’ll start at three.”Green has been named to bat at No. 4 for the first time in his ODI career in a sign ahead of the World Cup that he could move higher up the order having batted at Nos. 6-8 in 11 of his 12 ODI innings to date. Four is by far his best position in List A cricket having made two centuries in seven innings there including one for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in Colombo last year.There is no room for Tim David in game one despite Australia being keen to use him at some stage in this series with concerns remaining over Glenn Maxwell’s fitness ahead of the World Cup. Josh Inglis is named to bat at No. 5 and could play as a specialist bat at times in the World Cup after being named in the 15-man squad even though Alex Carey is the first-choice wicketkeeper.Australia will play seven batters and four bowlers, including two spinners in Bloemfontein. It is one of three combinations they are likely to use in the World Cup and likely to be the one they need on spinning pitches like Chennai where they will play their opening match against India on October 8. It is the structure they used with success against India in Chennai back in March to close out their last ODI series. Agar is returning from a calf injury but will leave the touring squad at the back end of the South Africa series to return home for the birth of his first child, hence the selectors’ keenness to play the two spinners in combination in game one in Bloemfontein in preparation for the World Cup.Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood will play as the lone specialist quicks in the absence of Cummins and Mitchell Starc (groin). Abbott edged out Nathan Ellis for the final spot in the provisional 15-man World Cup squad on the back of some outstanding recent form.Australia’s other team combinations likely include playing seven batters, three quicks and one spinner, or playing eight batters and just three specialist bowlers, with four allrounders batting in the top eight provided Marsh, Green, Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are all fit to bowl to make up at least 20 overs of bowling.Australia XI for first ODI vs South Africa: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood