A restructured FairBreak has promised to create “the Wimbledon of cricket” in partnership with Saudi Arabia, which will see 90 women’s players from both Full Member and Associate teams compete at an elite level in a multi-team T20 event. The tournament, which has its roots in the FairBreak Invitational, has, through Saudi Cricket, applied for ICC sanction and will run for five years starting in 2026.”It’s an event played in one city, one stadium, with one hotel where everybody stays and it’s over in two weeks,” Ramasamy Venkatesh, FairBreak’s MD, told ESPNcricinfo. “It means that every day at breakfast, women across different countries and teams will be mixing, chatting, and forming relationships. Then you get players contacting their heroes like Shabnim Ismail and Katherine Sciver-Brunt and asking them questions as they continue playing. That kind of relationship-building and feedback is invaluable.”FairBreak, which was founded in 2013 by former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar and her manager Shaun Martyn, seeks to champion the cause of gender equality in cricket and democratise the space for women across the playing spectrum. After several invitational fixtures, it launched its first tournament in 2022, which included six teams.Related

• Saudi Cricket, FairBreak announce new Women's World T20 Challenge

• ICC launches Emerging Nations Trophy for women

• Women's World Cup 2029 to have ten teams

What makes it distinct from other franchise competitions is that there is no auction and squads are decided by a panel of between four and six selectors. Each squad composition is the same, with half the players coming from Full Members and the other half from Associates. Players are paid across four salary bands ranging from US$20,000 for category A to US$5,000 for category D (category B players earn US$15,000 and C players US$10,000). These signature features will remain in place for the upcoming event.All six teams will be owned by FairBreak, with the option to partner with a corporate sponsor for brand rights. Previous sponsors included the Barmy Army, and FairBreak intends to procure others, especially as that could impact players’ remuneration.”Our interest is always to increase the compensation to the women to make it more remunerative for them because we want the girls to be paid equally as men. That’s our long-term vision,” Venkatesh said. “If we get enough sponsorships to support an increase in pay, the first thing we’ll do this time is to increase the pay for the women.”The event has previously featured players from 35 countries, but none from India as the previous editions clashed with domestic tournaments in India. With FairBreak eyeing a September-October window that will fall after the Women’s Hundred and before the WBBL – both events that Indian players participate in – it is hoped there will be no obstacles to Indian players taking part this time. While only retired Indian men’s players can get NOCs to play in overseas leagues, active Indian women’s players have been involved in T20 leagues around the world, and FairBreak and Cricket Saudi are hopeful of achieving the same for this tournament.Chiefly, FairBreak’s focus is on casting the net as wide as possible to involve as many ICC members as they can. That will include Saudi Arabia, where there is a significant expat sporting community and women mostly play tape-ball cricket. “Right now, Full Member nations are getting a good amount of cricket, especially India, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia,” Venkatesh said. “Our aim is to make sure Associate nations can also take the step up to the higher levels. Today, women’s cricket is the fastest growing segment of cricket.”Shizuka Miyaji of Japan also played in the FairBreak tournament•FairBreak Global

Recognition of this growth is growing after the ICC launched an Emerging Nations Trophy for women last month and confirmed the expansion of the Women’s ODI World Cup. FairBreak, while not part of the ICC, works in the same area of development and aims to continue to partner with member countries to raise the profile of the women’s game, especially as their organisation has come through a period of uncertainty to find stability.After their inaugural event in 2022 in the UAE, FairBreak held a second tournament in 2023 in Hong Kong and appeared to be growing. They were due to hold a third event in 2023 in the USA which was initially pushed back to 2024 and then postponed indefinitely. Venkatesh explained that the logistical challenges of hosting the 2024 event with the Women’s T20 World Cup in October that year and several other tours prompted the organisation’s decision to hold off as they also faced internal changes.In 2026 too, the new FairBreak tournament will face the challenge of a calendar clash with the women’s Asia Cup, which is also scheduled for mid-September to early October as of now, along with bilateral tours such as England touring Ireland for six white-ball matches in September and West Indies hosting Zimbabwe for eight white-ball matches mid-September onwards.Martyn stepped down in January 2024 and Venkatesh, who is also the founder of a multi-national healthcare group Gencor and an ICC Development Panel umpire, was confirmed the MD in September this year. By that time, talks on another tournament were in full swing and FairBreak had identified the Middle East as a potential region for an event. They began negotiations in the first quarter of 2025 and believe they have signed a deal that will ensure their “sustainability” into the future.

Real Madrid turned in a solid performance but made some key defensive mistakes to suffer a 2-1 home loss to Manchester City in a Champions League loss that will put further pressure on Xabi Alonso. Los Blancos took the lead, but threw it away and were unable to mount a second half comeback to drop their second game in a row.

The game simmered for the first 30 minutes. Madrid thought they had a penalty early when Vinicius was tripped by Matheus Nunes – but VAR ruled that the foul was outside the box. Otherwise, the home side were happy to dig in and defend. Los Blancos were rewarded for their rearguard efforts after 28 minutes, though, with Rodrygo giving them a 1-0 lead thanks to a tidy finish from a tight angle. 

But City charged back. They got their first off a corner. Thibaut Courtois spilled the initial effort and Nico O'Reilly tapped home the loose ball. The second came from the spot. Antonio Rudiger dragged Erling Haaland in front of a gaping net. Haaland appealed. VAR determined he was fouled. The Norwegian dutifully finished from 12 yards. 

Madrid had a clear chance immediately in the second half, but Jude Bellingham lifted over with the goal gaping. There were further looks, too. Vinicius had two of them, putting a free header wide before volleying over off a corner. But they simply couldn't find an equalizer – and Alonso could be in trouble. 

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Santiago Bernabeu…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

At fault for the first goal, made some vital saves after, but was beaten from the spot. 

Federico Valverde (5/10):

Had a rough time against Doku, and didn't get forward loads. Can't be faulted for his effort, though. 

Raul Asencio (5/10):

Absolutely torched by Jeremy Doku. Won his headers but was burned in transition over and over. 

Toni Rudiger (5/10):

Gave away an entirely meaningless penalty, and never looked particularly steady at the back. Should have picked up a second yellow. 

Alvaro Carreras (8/10):

Immensely effective. Shut down his wing and scampered forward down the left. 

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Dani Ceballos (6/10):

A surprise inclusion. Brought in for some midfield control but never really got in the game. 

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Effective when the game slowed down but was complete torched on the break a few times. 

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

Allowed to be the main man in midfield. In on all the action and very impressive… until he missed a sitter. 

GettyAttack

Rodrygo (8/10):

Handed a start on the right. Then moved to the left. Absolutely excellent throughout, both as a goalscorer and creator. 

Gonzalo Garcia (6/10):

A bit mixed. Did well as a focal point at times, but didn't get involved enough. Can't be blamed. 

Vinicius Jr (6/10):

Never stopped running at his man, but City doubled up on him effectively. Missed a couple of good chances, too. 

GettySubs & Manager

Arda Guler (6/10):

A decent 30 minutes, but never fully got involved. 

Brahim Diaz (6/10):

Barely had a kick. 

Endrick (N/A):

No time to make an impact. 

Xabi Alonso (5/10):

Oversaw a pretty good performance, but this is a results based business and Madrid should have gotten one here. Can he survive another week?

“I feel such things [about Kohli making it to the 2027 World Cup] shouldn’t even be spoken about after the way he plays and performs,” Sitanshu Kotak says

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-20252:15

Kotak: We don’t need to talk about Kohli’s future

Virat Kohli has the most centuries in ODI history, and yet, each time one sees him bat in the only format he is still active in internationally, thoughts turn to the 2027 World Cup. Kohli is 37 now. Will he still be playing two years on? For Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, “there’s no point talking about all this” and fans should stay in the moment.”I don’t know why we need to look at all this – he’s really batting well, and I don’t see any reason we need to talk about his future,” Kotak said after Kohli’s 135 from 120 balls took India to victory in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday.”Just the way he’s batting, it’s just brilliant. The way he’s performing, [and] his fitness – there are no questions about anything,” Kotak said. “I feel such things [the 2027 World Cup] shouldn’t even be spoken about after the way he plays and performs. That is something which is two years away. There’s no point talking about all this. For us, once the team arrives and we start practice, we just enjoy.”Related

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Kohli, Harshit, Kuldeep star to give India 1-0 lead

Stats – Kohli and Rohit smash records in Ranchi run-fest

Kohli dictates South Africa's reality from within his bubble

Vastly experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who is a year older at 38, add value to the dressing room even otherwise, Kotak pointed out. And it’s not like they aren’t performing. Rohit’s last three innings in ODIs have been worth 73, 121* and 57.”Obviously, they do share their experience with others,” Kotak said. “I don’t think we’re talking anything about the 2027 World Cup. They are just brilliant, and they are performing. They are contributing to the team, which is a great thing for us.”Like Kohli, Rohit is also active only in ODIs internationally. That leaves both of them with very limited game time. But, despite that, for the second successive match, Kohli and Rohit showed good form while stitching together a match-winning century stand.After adding an unbeaten 168 against Australia in Sydney last month, they had a stand of 136 in the first ODI against South Africa. While Kohli followed 74* in Sydney with 135 in Ranchi, Rohit scored 57 at better than a-run-a-ball against South Africa after hitting 121* in a win over Australia.”They are such experienced players; it’s always great to have them,” Kotak said. “The way they bat – like today also, that partnership – it makes a huge difference. Obviously, they batted really well.”

The India opener’s takedown of Pakistan fast bowler has shaped the results of their previous two matches at this Asia Cup

Shashank Kishore27-Sep-20252:53

Chopra: Abhishek vs Shaheen could decide the game

Abhishek Sharma has been India’s spark plug at the Asia Cup, his fearlessness in the powerplay providing his team enough momentum to make up for the rustiness in the middle order.The 25-year old is on a hot-streak of back-to-back half-centuries against Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka; each of those innings so devastating that it deflated the opposition. His consistency – he made thirties in three matches preceding the half-centuries – is an upgrade on his previous hit-or-miss aggression.Shaheen Shah Afridi is also 25, though he has been around for much longer than his opponent on Sunday. He’s been successful against every team at this Asia Cup except India, against whom he’s bled 63 runs for no wicket in 5.5 overs across two games. In his two previous matches leading into Sunday’s final – both must-win fixtures for Pakistan – he took six wickets, having rediscovered the magic that made him new-ball royalty.Once renowned for his ability to strike in the first over of a T20, Afridi has come under attack from Abhishek. In their first meeting on September 14, Abhishek charged at Afridi first ball and hit a full toss back over his head. The next one disappeared over extra cover for six. Abhishek scored 31 off 13 balls, taking a sizeable chunk extremely quickly out of the target of 128.The sequel had even more heat in the wake of handshake-gate. Words were exchanged and Afridi’s temper frayed. When wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris suggested standing up to the stumps – to prevent Abhishek from stepping out – Afridi waved him away, his frustration visible. The first ball was a bouncer with a fine leg on the boundary; Abhishek hooked him for six right there anyway.After the first two bouts, the scoreline is 2-0 to Abhishek, his head to head with Afridi reading 31 runs off 14 balls with three sixes and two fours. For the India opener, round three on Sunday is perhaps his most high-pressure game yet.Related

Salman Agha: 'If you deprive a fast bowler of their aggression, then what's left?'

An India-Pakistan final that carries more weight than a title

Morkel downplays Hardik, Abhishek fitness concerns

How can Pakistan turn it around against India in the Asia Cup final?

He did play the IPL 2024 final, when he ran into Mitchell Starc who, despite struggling for most of the season, produced a six-ball burst that proved too good for Abhishek and Sunrisers Hyderabad. It’s that kind of big-match impact Pakistan hope Afridi will be able to summon too.Afridi did it once against India right here in Dubai, dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with lethal inswing in the first over of their encounter in the 2021 T20 World Cup. It helped Pakistan beat India for the first time in a men’s World Cup game.The new-ball contest between the two has been fiery – in action and words•Getty ImagesSince then, Afridi has struggled against India. At the MCG in 2022, he came under Virat Kohli’s wheel. At the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afridi dismissed Shubman Gill in Ahmedabad to silence a crowd of 120,000 but India were on course for victory by then.At his best, like he was that night in 2021, Afridi is box office. His run-up is quick and has the crowd bristling with anticipation. And when the breakthrough arrives, his celebration is a statement: arms aloft with kisses blown into the skies.His 22 wickets in the first over of T20Is are the joint most by a bowler from a Full Member nation. In all T20s – including franchise competitions – he’s second.His last two outings proved that Afridi hasn’t lost his new-ball magic. He dismissed Kusal Mendis second ball against Sri Lanka, and Parvez Hossain Emon with his fifth against Bangladesh. Sunday’s final is likely to be a charged contest, and it’s hard to see Abhishek approach Afridi in any other way.”Shaheen is obviously an aggressive bowler that will try and knock you over,” said India’s fast bowling coach Morne Morkel ahead of the game. “And Abhishek is not going to hold back. I think so far, every time these two went head-to-head, we all as cricket supporters and fans are on the edge of our seats, and that’s great for the game.”Whether Abhishek is able to dominate once again, or whether third time pays for all for Afridi, could chart the course of the 2025 Asia Cup final.

Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. wasn't included in New York's starting lineup for their playoff opener against the Red Sox Tuesday. He entered late in the game as a defensive substitute for Amed Rosario who started at second base.

The Yankees fell to the Red Sox 3–1 as they were unable to convert with bases loaded and no outs in the ninth. After the game, Chisholm was asked about manager Aaron Boone's decision to leave him out of the starting lineup, but he didn't seem too interested in discussing the matter.

"I mean I guess, yeah," Chisholm said with his back to the camera in the locker room on whether he was surprised with Boone's decision. "It's a little conversation. Not much, but yeah, just move forward after it."

Chisholm said that Boone relayed the decision to him in a text message Monday night. "I mean, got to do whatever we got to do to win, right? So, that's how I look at it," he said.

Before the game, Boone mentioned the decision was a matchup call to play the right-handed-hitting Rosario against the Red Sox' lefty ace Garrett Crochet, according to NJ.com. Righthander Brayan Bello is Boston's planned starter for Wednesday's Game 2, so Chisholm will presumably be back in the starting group.

He had one at-bat Tuesday night, hitting a flyout out in the ninth inning as the Yankees' comeback attempt fell short. Chisholm received his second All-Star appearance this year as he slashed .242/.332/.481 with 31 home runs, 80 RBIs and 31 stolen bases over the regular season. He slashed .248/.322/.411 with six homers and 19 RBIs against lefties this year.

علق محمد فضل لاعب الأهلي السابق على خروج منتخب مصر الثاني من كأس العرب بعد الخسارة من الأردن بثلاثية في ختام دور المجموعات.

وودع منتخب مصر كأس العرب من دور المجموعات بعدما حصد نقطتين فقط من تعادلين وهزيمة.

وقال فضل في تصريحات لقناة “أون سبورت”: “الأمس كان يومًا سيئًا على الكرة المصرية وهذا ليس طبيعيًا، دائمًا أقول إن الناس يأخذون النتيجة وينسون البداية”.

طالع.. شوبير: لاعب واحد أشفق عليه في منتخب مصر بكأس العرب.. ويرد على مُبررات طولان

وتابع: “من المسؤول؟ وزير الشباب أم رئيس اتحاد الكرة أم رئيس الرابطة أم المدير الفني أم اللاعبين أم المحللين؟ لماذا لم يتم التخطيط ويتم التركيز على الجزء الأخير؟”.

وكشف: “هناك عدم تنسيق بين حسام حسن وحلمي طولان، مصر لو لاحظت لغة الجسد ستفهم أنه ليس هناك تنسيق بينهم، لم أحدثك عن الشعب المصري ولكن أحدثك عن المغتربين المصريين الذين ينتظرون أي مصري”.

وعن أداء منتخب مصر في كأس العرب: “سيئ من أول البطولة، ليس لك شكل وحلولك قليله جدًا، والحارس محمد بسام تم اكتشافه بالصدفة، ومروان حمدى مسؤول ويحاول بشكل جيد جدًا وإسلام عيسى مفاجأة، عنده ثبات جيد وغنام جيد جدًا”.

وواصل: “منتخب مصر ضمن أكبر معدل أعمار في البطولة، والأرقام الكلية سيئة جدًا في الفرص الضائعة والاستحواذ”.

واختتم: “لم ينجح أحد في المنظومة الفترة الماضية من المدربين لأن المعطيات سيئة جدًا، وهناك مدير فني أجنبي للاتحاد يتم النظر في تعيينه، ولكن هل هناك مدربين مؤهلين أو لاعبين أو ملاعب مؤهلة؟، الحل هو وضع خطة من المسؤولين عن الرياضة بشكل عام وإن كانت الخطة طويلة الأمد”.

The Tigers' offense woke up just in time to avoid elimination as they scored all nine of their runs unanswered to secure a 9–3 victory over the Mariners in Game 4 of their American League Divisional Series. Javy Báez, one of the few Detroit batters to show any signs of life this postseason, put things out of reach by blasting a two-run homer on a hanging slider that sent Comerica Park into a frenzy.

It was a no-doubter from the moment it left his bat, but Fox Sports' A.J. Pierzynski still deserves credit for putting it on the board before Baez had even completed his swing. Listen to him nail the call in record time.

"And now, two more" Pierzynski said before the ball had even sailed over the infield.

Even better, he quickly got out of the way for his partner Adam Amin to narrate the moment with some context, saying this was Báez's first playoff homer in eight years. That one came as a member of the World Series-winning Cubs.

Pierzynski has seen a lot of baseball and knows what a pitch like that can result in, but still some incredible speed on the processing there.

MatériaMais Notícias

Campeão da Libertadores em 2023, o Fluminense pode alcançar mais um marco histórico nesta temporada. Se não for derrotado nesta quarta-feira (29), às 21h30, pelo Alianza Lima, no Maracanã, o Tricolor chegará a 14 jogos de invencibilidade na competição, empatando com o River Plate e entrando no Top-10 de maiores invencibilidades da história da competição.

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O Fluminense não perde pela competição desde a derrota por 2 a 0 para o River Plate, na Argentina, em 2023. Desde então, são oito vitórias e cinco empates.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Fluminense

Ranking completo1º Palmeiras – 18 jogos1º Atlético-MG – 18 jogos3º Flamengo – 17 jogos3º Sporting Cristal (PER) – 17 jogos5º Palmeiras – 16 jogos5º Corinthians – 16 jogos7º América de Cali (COL) – 15 jogos8º Cruzeiro – 14 jogos8º Newell’s Old Boys (ARG) – 14 jogos8º River Plate (ARG) – 14 jogos11º Fluminense – 13 jogosEstatísticas de Fluminense e Alianza Lima

As equipes se enfrentaram apenas uma vez na história, justamente na fase de grupos deste ano da Libertadores, quando empataram por 1 a 1, no Peru.

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Já com o primeiro lugar da chave garantido, resta ao Flu tentar ser o melhor classificado da fase de grupos, mas não depende apenas de si. Além de vencer, precisa torcer por tropeços de Palmeiras, Talleres, River Plate e Atlético-MG.

O técnico Fernando Diniz espera que Samuel Xavier, Douglas Costa, Marquinhos e Manoel também possam jogar depois de lidarem com lesões.

➡ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Na lanterna da chave com quatro pontos, o Alianza Lima ainda tenta avançar na Libertadores. Para se garantir nas oitavas de final, precisa vencer e torcer para que Cerro Porteño e Colo-Colo, que têm cinco pontos cada, empatem.

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Os números do Fluminense na Libertadores, até aqui, são os seguintes: tem 2419 passes certos, 161 errados, 14 finalizações certas, 28 erradas, 28 desarmes certos e 7 errados, 15 escanteios, e uma média de 60,51% de posse de bola.

O Alianza Lima tem 1012 passes certos, 209 errados, 15 finalizações certas, 38 erradas, 58 desarmes certos e 9 errados, 6 escanteios, e uma média de 41,78% de posse de bola.

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

Fluminense: Fábio; Guga (Marquinhos), Manoel, Felipe Melo, Marcelo (Diogo Barbosa); Martinelli, Lima, Paulo Henrique Ganso; Keno, Arias, Cano.

Alianza Lima: Franco Saravia; Garcés, Carlos Zambrano, Juan Freytes; Huamán, Arregui, Jesús Castillo, Sebastián Rodríguez, Ricardo Lagos; Cecilio Waterman, Hernán Barcos.

Tudo sobre

FluminenseLibertadoresSTARPLUS

Usman Khawaja will have his sixth opener partner since the retirement of David Warner

Tristan Lavalette20-Nov-2025Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett will debut for Australia in the first Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, with Beau Webster losing his place in the XI.Cameron Green’s successful return to bowling had been a key final piece to the jigsaw. There had been a thought that the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood could still make the selectors consider additional bowling resources, but they have backed four frontline options supported by Green who got through 16 overs in the last Sheffield Shield round.The latest batting reshuffle sees Green drop back down to No. 6 where he began his Test career, having batted No. 3 in West Indies and at No. 4 before the back injury that ruled him out of last season.Related

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“I think we’re pretty versatile with our order and the way we can go about it,” Smith told reporters. “And Greeny obviously played exceptionally well at three in some tough conditions in the West Indies.”But with him bowling and taking that load, we feel that six is a good position for him right now. It doesn’t mean in the future that he’s not going to slide up the order but, for right now, number six suits this team.”Marnus Labuschagne will return to the side in his favoured No. 3 position after a prolific start to the season with Queensland while Nathan Lyon is also recalled having been left out in Jamaica when Australia fielded an all-pace attack in the day-night Test.”Marnus, when he’s batting at his best at No. 3, makes us a very, very good cricket side,” Smith said of Labuschagne, who has hit five hundreds for Queensland across formats so far this domestic season.Jake Weatherald prepares himself for his Test debut•Getty Images

“We couldn’t really leave him out after he came back and did exactly what was told of him. The way he’s batted in Shield and one-day cricket for Queensland in the last couple of weeks has been amazing.”When he’s batting well it’s tough to leave him out and hopefully he can bring that to the Test arena now.”It will mark the first time since 2019, when Kurtis Patterson and Jhye Richardson made their debuts against Sri Lanka at the Gabba, that Australia will hand out two new caps in the same Test and the first time in an Ashes encounter since Usman Khawaja and Michael Beer debuted at the SCG in the 2010-11 series.Doggett’s debut, as a replacement for the injured Hazlewood, means that Australia will field two Indigenous players in a Test XI for the first time. Doggett, 31, has been in excellent form for South Australia since returning from a hamstring injury earlier in the season with 13 wickets at 14.69Smith vaguely recalled batting against Doggett in a Shield match some time ago, but has faced him in the fast and bouncy Perth Stadium nets in recent days. He did not reveal whether Doggett or Scott Boland would share the new ball with Mitchell Starc.”He gets the ball down at nice pace, stands the seam up,” Smith said. “His lengths are really good, everything you need for a surface like that out there. Hopefully he can get the ball in the areas we know that he can and if he does that then I’m sure he’s going to create plenty of chances.”Weatherald, meanwhile, becomes Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since the retirement of David Warner in early 2024. On Thursday morning, Weatherald did some visualisation and shadow batting in the middle of Perth Stadium then had another hit during Australia’s final optional training session.”I watched him batting in the nets pretty closely the last few days,” Smith said of Weatherald. “They were pretty tricky nets, fast, bouncy and a lot of seam. He’s got a lot of courage, he just goes in there. I don’t think he faces any of the sidearms or anything. He wants to face bowlers the entire time.Cameron Green slips back down to No. 6 as the allrounder•Getty Images

“The guys were charging in bowling fast, he took it on. He was getting in really good positions and he goes about it a certain way. He’s been selected for his performances over the last 18 months, hopefully he can bring that to the Test arena. I think he’s going to compliment Uzi [Khawaja] pretty well up top.”Weatherald has never played international cricket in any format before, ensuring plenty of scouting for England’s hierarchy. “When you’ve not played against someone before, you’ve got a vague idea of strengths, maybe potential areas you can expose them,” captain Ben Stokes said.”We’ve got all the info on Weatherald so we’ll just have to see how it goes and hopefully he’s another Australian batter we can keep quiet throughout the tour.”Webster, a team-mate of Weatherald with Tasmania, can count himself unlucky to lose his spot after making four half-centuries in seven Tests since his debut against India at the SCG earlier this year, all coming in tricky batting conditions. He had two lean outings in the Sheffield Shield but claimed eight wickets against South Australia last week.”Very tricky,” Smith said of the decision to leave out Webster. “I think he’s come into international cricket and lit it up immediately. It’s a really tough one on him.”Josh Inglis, will play for the CA XI against England Lions while the first Test is taking place, and Michael Neser are the other two players left out from Australia’s 14-player squad.Australia XI for first Ashes TestUsman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (capt), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

Morkel also said it was good to have Kohli and Rohit in the ODI team as India look to move on from the Test series loss against South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2025Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are well on the road to recovery, with India bowling coach Morne Morkel looking forward to both players rejoining the team soon.Gill suffered a neck injury two weeks ago during the Kolkata Test, and Iyer has been missing since he lacerated his spleen on the tour to Australia last month.”I think the best is for the medical [team] to give that [update],” Morkel said in Ranchi on Friday. “I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him and he is recovering well. So, that is pleasing to hear.Related

'Look forward to enjoying responsibility' – Rahul steps into the hot seat

Shreyas Iyer discharged from Sydney hospital, 'is now stable and recovering well'

Gill hospitalised after suffering neck spasm

“Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. The good thing is that they are healthy and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team.”Gill’s place in the ODI side will likely go to Yashasvi Jaiswal, but the identity of who might replace Iyer at No. 4 remains unclear, with Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma in contention.India are under severe pressure, having relinquished their air of invincibility at home. They come into this ODI series having lost five of the last seven Tests. Morkel said the team has had time to reflect on what went wrong and insisted that a switch to the white-ball format will help the team refocus.”Look, it’s a change of colour by clothing and it’s a change of ball which always brings a different energy,” Morkel said. “But I feel you know the South African team, they have that momentum with them and a confident Protea team is a dangerous team. It will be important to start well, for us to play good cricket over the next week or two, because they’re here to win.”Luckily, we have got some good experience ahead now in the team. For us, it is now focus for the next two days. Give ourselves the best opportunity to prepare well and go out there and put the last couple of weeks behind us and really focus on playing solid cricket.”Virat Kohli gets ready for a net session•PTI The good experience that Morkel mentioned comes from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who will play international cricket in India for the first time since they retired from Tests earlier this year. Their goal now appears to be making the 2027 ODI World Cup”I feel that their bodies can do that. It is still a long way away. The World Cup, by all means,” Morkel said. “I have played many games against them. I have had sleepless nights bowling to them. So, I know as a bowler what goes through your preparation playing against them. So, for me, definitely on board with that.”India’s training on Friday took place either side of two covered pitches at the centre of the ground. One of them will be used on match day. The practice wickets offered good pace and bounce, with the ball coming on nicely to the bat. So there may be a toss-up between fast bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and spin-bowling allrounder Washington Sundar.”I think we will have to look at the wicket,” Morkel said. “Honestly, I just walked past it now and it looked like a very good surface. Almost South African-like. So, I think the discussions will happen tonight in terms of what combination they look to start off with. So, we will have to wait and see after training.”