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Proof will be in the final result but long game earns slender lead despite England fightback

Andrew McGlashan28-Jul-20231:43

‘One-innings shootout’ to decide tight fifth Test

Not for the first time in this series, Marnus Labuschagne could barely drag himself away from the crease. Having been virtually scoreless since the start of play, he nibbled at a length ball from Mark Wood and the edge was spectacularly held by Joe Root at first slip.It was gloomy at the time and Labuschagne appeared less than impressed. He departed for 9 off 82 balls. His innings was part of a morning session in which Australia made 54 runs off 26 overs, and that was boosted by a brief flurry when Steven Smith arrived at the crease. After 47 overs, they were 96 for 2 – and with 21 of those being byes and leg byes, just 75 runs had come off the bat.Smith later said he was not aware of any specific gameplan for Australia to bat at such a tempo, but it has been the visitors’ method to try and grind down the England attack, particularly in the first two Tests where they secured the victories which have ultimately enabled them to retain the Ashes. They were also batting in conditions that have undone many previous Australia sides in England.”The clouds were in, there was a bit of swing around,” Smith said. “They might have bowled a little bit short, not given us too many scoring options, they didn’t give us many drives, so the guys were able to leave a lot of balls. Obviously, you want the scoreboard to be ticking over quicker than that. But guys are allowed to bowl well, it’s Test cricket, and you are allowed to block and leave a few, absorb some pressure.”Even if not an overall team tactic, there was logic in trying to do so here against an England attack without their spinner, as Moeen Ali remained off the field with a groin injury, and consisting of four quicks aged 33 or above. It may yet prove its worth in the second innings when Australia are chasing a target.Todd Murphy and Pat Cummins added vital lower-order runs•Getty ImagesHowever, during the afternoon it appeared that Australia could have dug themselves a hole. The danger with only absorbing pressure for long periods and barely scoring – something that stands out even more when contrasted with England’s approach – is that if wickets fall, the scoreboard hasn’t moved very far and the bowling side can get back in the game.That’s what started to transpire when Stuart Broad removed Usman Khawaja (who took his tally of balls faced in the series over 1000, comfortably the most of any batter) and Travis Head in quick succession. James Anderson then claimed his first wicket for more than 35 overs when Mitchell Marsh – after a monstrous six down the ground off Broad that went against the trend at the time – inside-edged onto leg stump.With Smith watching from the non-striker’s end, he was let down by the shot selection of Alex Carey, whose form with the bat in this series has steadily diminished, and Mitchell Starc. When the seventh wicket fell, Australia were still 98 behind and there were plenty of similarities to how the corresponding Oval Test in 2019 panned out for a weary visiting team when, on that occasion, they could not match England’s 294.That, though, was where the storylines diverged a little, although it remains difficult to call the conclusion with any certainty, as Australia secured a small lead. In a series of fine margins, it could be that the borderline run-out call which went in Smith’s favour, when third umpire Nitin Menon ruled the bail was not fully out of the groove before the bat crossed the line, has a huge bearing.Related

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Smith forged a stand of 54 with Pat Cummins, who was then able to add another 49 with Todd Murphy as he belied his position at No.10 by three times hooking Mark Wood into the stands. It was as these partnerships developed that there was a glimpse into what Australia could have achieved with their long-game approach as England’s quicks were forced into further spells with the second new ball. However, they did not have the batting left to truly make the most of it.”They stuck to the style of play that has been very successful for many years,” Broad said. “Ultimately Australia are World Test Champions, won every game in their summer, [they are] not going to change their style of play just because we are playing a different style.”That is the way the Aussies play, they try to see off the new ball, grind you down, and see off a huge number of overs. At 40 overs, it looked like that could happen, but we had to keep our patience and we felt there was enough in the pitch that you could get a quick bang-bang like happened yesterday. That is how the day did turn out.”So it’s 283 all out off 54.4 overs versus 295 off 103.1 overs. Two contrasting methods to get to a very similar position, as it was in the opening game of the series at Edgbaston. Australia are desperate to leave with their first series win in England since 2001. It’s now down to a one-innings shootout to see if they can achieve it.

One of the weakest batting line-ups fielded for years left England facing embarrassment

George Dobell12-Jun-2021Had the England team barged into a wedding, knocked over the cake and shouted “she’s a goat!” they could hardly have pooped the party any more.The Saturday of the Edgbaston Test was meant to be a celebration. A chance for England supporters to rejoice in the company of their fellow fan and revel in the chance to watch the national side at the ground they call their “fortress” for the first time in almost two years.Instead, it became something approaching a wake. As England subsided to the brink of their first home Test series defeat since 2014 and their first against New Zealand this century, the dancing and chanting that filled the ground for the first couple of hours of the day gave way to shocked muttering and disgusted tutting.It surely wasn’t the party the throng of punters in fancy dress had anticipated. Instead we were treated to the surreal sight of a superfluity of nuns (presumably in fancy dress, it seems high risk to ask) sipping their pints in quiet reflection with some subdued lobsters (again, presumably fancy dress, though you do see some odd things floating about in Birmingham’s canals). Still, nobody’s fancy dress was less convincing than the England team. Some of them came as batters, after all.Related

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There is some mitigation for England. It’s not so much that they are without three first-choice players – New Zealand made six changes for this match, remember – or that this is an unusually young batting line-up. The side at Lord’s included England’s youngest top seven ever assembled for a home Test.It’s more that they are up against opponents who are simply better than them. New Zealand are terrific. They have enviable depth in their seam bowling, they put a high price on their wickets and they can catch the wind in the slip cordon. It is no disgrace to be beaten by them.So, those in the Eric Hollies Stand chanting “Who are you?” as the New Zealand players not required for this game made their way back and forth to the training ground (yes, England have been thrashed by something approaching an A side), will hopefully know by now: they’re a top side who, with a fraction of the resources available to England, have just given them a lesson in how to play Test cricket.It’s the hubris that’s most grating with England. The hubris that thinks they can compete – and sell tickets, of course – with one of the best Test teams in the world while resting players having prioritised limited-overs cricket. The hubris that talks of their scouting system as if every eventuality has been considered and then picks a keeper who looks faintly astonished each time he manages to cling on to the ball. The hubris of a coaching system that, these days, allows batters to “work it out for themselves” and has resulted in some of the most technically deficient players to ever bat together in an England team.There’s a touch of hubris about having a coach for every discipline, too. That includes a spin-bowling coach for a side without a spinner and a fielding coach for a side that can hardly catch the bus. Statistics shown by Sky midway through the afternoon session showed that no Test team has a lower percentage of chances taken in the slips over the last three years. Given that England’s keeper and fine leg fielder also dropped chances on Saturday and a picture emerges of a side that has been consistently poor in this regard.You feel for England’s bowlers. While for an hour or so on Saturday morning, even they lost the plot for a while – the first hour of the day was arguably England’s most ragged in the field for a couple of years – they are generally admirably threatening and consistent.But they are being given no chance by a batting line-up as fragile as poppadoms and, to bowling attacks around the world, just as easy to gobble up. It gives no time for James Anderson and co to recover between innings and no reasonable totals to try to defend. This England side contains two of the greatest seamers the country has ever produced and also perhaps its fastest ever bowler. Their efforts are being wasted by what may be the weakest batting line-up England have put out in many, many years.Dom Sibley edges one to slip•Getty ImagesIf that sounds like an exaggeration, take a look at the career averages and compare it to other low points in their Test history. Apart from Joe Root, the one undisputed world-class batter in the side, nobody else averages as much as 34. Even when England were being thrashed 5-0 by West Indies in 1984, or Australia in 2006-07 and 2013-14, their line-ups contained several fine batters. Even when they lost to New Zealand in 1999 it looks stronger than this. You can take a look at the scorecards and names to make up your own mind.The ECB knows the reasons for the fragility of the batting. Everyone one reading this knows the reasons. While the board continues to disrespect domestic first-class cricket – be it with the schedules, the regulations or the prioritisation of the limited-overs games – they will continue to struggle to produce batters with the skills and discipline for Test cricket. This is not rocket science; the ECB will reap what it sows.There is no future in England pretending that the return of Ben Stokes will cure all ills. Of course he is a fine player who would boost any side. But the Top five England fielded here was the top five they have pencilled in to take-on India and Australia. It is unreasonable to expect Stokes to keep producing the miracles we saw at Leeds and Lord’s to mask the deficiencies of his team-mates.To be fair to England’s selection, you can understand why they felt they needed an extra batter. They probably needed a dozen extra batters. And you can see why they didn’t feel they needed a spinner on the fourth or fifth day. There’s hardly going to be any play.But there are very few positives to take from this performance. Not only is a proud home record about to be lost, but the arrival of India provides a real challenge in the next series. Australia won’t be looking on with a chuckle any more; they’ll be looking on worried that the Ashes is going to be uncompetitive. And if there’s one thing English cricket hates more than Australian derision, it is Australian sympathy.

ذكرت تقارير صحفية أن سيرجيو راموس تلقى عرضاً للانضمام لأحد عمالقة الدوري الإنجليزي للانضمام في صفقة انتقال حر.

وبحسب ما نشرته “كادينا سير” الإسبانية، فإن مانشستر يونايتد قدم عرضاً للتعاقد مع سيرجيو راموس بعد رحيل أسطورة ريال مدريد عن صفوف مونتيري المكسيكي.

وخاض راموس مباراته الأخيرة بعمر 39 عاماً مع النادي المكسيكي أمام تولوكا يوم 7 ديسمبر، وترددت تقارير صحفية أنه مهتم بالعودة لأوروبا.

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ويعطي راموس الأولوية للعودة لقارة أوروبا، ويسعى لخوض تحد أخير قبل اعتزاله، ويعتبر مانشستر يونايتد الأقرب لضمه، ولا زالت المفاوضات مع ذلك في مراحلها الأولية ولم يتم التوصل لاتفاق نهائي.

ولا تعد هذه هي المرة الأولى التي يسعى فيها عملاق الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لضم راموس، حيث سبق لمانشستر يونايتد الدخول في مفاوضات لإغراء اللاعب بالانضمام في 2015 وقدم عرضاً بقيمة 28.6 مليون جنيه إسترليني.

John Campbell, Brandon King, Shai Hope and Roston Chase offered resistance for West Indies, but they slipped from 153 for 3 to 205 all out

Sreshth ShahUpdated on 10-Dec-2025

Stumps New Zealand’s patchwork fast-bowling attack delivered a strong show on the opening day of the second Test in Wellington, dismissing West Indies for 205 inside 75 overs at Basin Reserve. But the sight of Blair Tickner being stretchered off late in the afternoon with a suspected dislocated left shoulder took some sheen off their day of dominance.Tickner, playing his first Test in two years and leading the bowling with 4 for 32, was central to turning a bright West Indies start into yet another collapse, while Michael Rae, the 30-year-old debutant drafted into a severely depleted pace unit, complemented him with 3 for 67 in an energetic outing that gave New Zealand the bite they had lacked in the opening hour. That bite mattered because the first hour had belonged entirely to West Indies despite losing the toss, in a match where the hosts announced five changes and the visitors three.On a pitch far milder than the traditional green seamer, John Campbell and Brandon King put on 66 for the opening wicket. Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes, burdened with heavy workloads from the first Test after the injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith in Christchurch, bowled honest but ineffective spells that allowed scoring opportunities.Campbell drove through the line, King played compactly, and West Indies looked assured.Michael Rae picked up three wickets in his first innings in Test cricket•Getty Images

But once New Zealand turned to Tickner and Rae – fresher workload-wise, and sharper in pace – the difference was visible. They operated either full or short but always at the stumps or the body, and the tone of the innings shifted dramatically.Tickner was the first to strike when he prised out King in the 17th over. King, playing the Test after Tagenarine Chanderpaul picked up a side strain on the eve of the Test, and opening for only the second time in his Test career, was pinned lbw when Tickner’s delivery from a short-ish length jagged in and hit him on the pad. One over later, Kavem Hodge was undone for a duck by a fuller ball from Tickner that tailed in late and struck him in front of middle and leg. The double-blow helped New Zealand quickly erase an indifferent start heading into the lunch break.Rae, who had leaked runs in his first spell in Test cricket, made an impact after lunch. Coming around the wicket, he angled a full ball across Campbell, who leaned into a drive with firm hands and edged to first slip, and at 93 for 3, West Indies’ position was slipping.Shai Hope and Roston Chase attempted to restore stability with a 60-run stand for the fourth wicket. Hope scored freely but never convincingly; Tickner and Rae repeatedly hurried him with the short ball, and he took two blows to the helmet with concussion checks following as the afternoon surface grew livelier. Hope reached 48, but Tickner finally cracked him with another rising delivery that he tried awkwardly to fend off, gloving a catch to Kane Williamson at third slip. That, Tickner’s third wicket, had seemed almost inevitable given the sustained discomfort he had caused the batters, and Chase followed soon after, cramped by a Tickner delivery that jagged in sharply to catch the inside-edge on to leg stump for 29.Justin Greaves, West Indies’ double-centurion in Christchurch, lasted 52 balls before Rae drew a faint outside edge with a tight off-stump line. Mitchell Hay completed the catch behind the stumps, leaving West Indies’ lower order exposed. Rae then trapped Kemar Roach lbw with a fuller delivery that kicked enough to beat the bat and straighten into middle stump, and at 184 for 7, the innings was in freefall.Blair Tickner had to be stretchered off after he hurt his shoulder•Getty Images

But New Zealand’s mood would sour dramatically in the next over. Tickner sprinted across from fine leg to stop a boundary-saving flick from Tevin Imlach and dived full-length near the rope. He landed awkwardly, stayed down, and the players signalled urgently as medical staff from both New Zealand and the venue rushed to him. After several minutes of treatment, he was stretchered off – sitting up, but in pain – to warm applause from the Basin Reserve crowd. He later left the ground in an ambulance, with early indications pointing to a suspected dislocated shoulder.Glenn Phillips, the most prolific wicket-taker in New Zealand’s XI with 31 strikes coming into the game, then removed the last recognised batter, bowling Imlach with a fuller ball that straightened just enough to beat the inside edge.Anderson Phillip was run out soon after attempting a risky single – first surviving a throw from Devon Conway but then succumbing when an alert Kristian Clarke broke the stumps on the rebound. Duffy ended West Indies’ innings by having Ojay Shields edge to third slip to end the innings at 205. West Indies lost their last seven wickets for just 52 runs.New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Conway batted nine overs before stumps, with West Indies’ seamers asking questions occasionally and inducing a couple of edges that didn’t carry to the slip cordon. The 24 runs they added before stumps gave New Zealand the firm upper hand, now behind by only 181 behind going into the second day where batting promises to be easier.

Liverpool are now expected to launch a 2026 offer to sign a key defensive reinforcement, who pocketed Cody Gakpo in the Champions League earlier this season.

Salah set to be excluded from Liverpool squad

Just days after his stunning rant, Mohamed Salah is set to be left out of Liverpool’s squad to face Inter Milan, according to reports. The Egyptian left no stone unturned, claiming that the club have thrown him under the bus and revealing that he no longer has a relationship with Arne Slot.

In many ways, he left Slot with no choice but to exclude him. However, Liverpool are still reportedly keen to keep hold of Salah and see his omission as a logical step rather than a punishment.

What happens next is the big question. The arrival of AFCON should at least take the headlines elsewhere, but when Salah returns Liverpool have a problem on their hands.

The 33-year-old is arguably the best player to ever play for Liverpool in the Premier League, but Anfield chiefs are unlikely to pick any star over their manager at this stage.

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1 ByTom Cunningham Dec 8, 2025

There is reported interest from the MLS and the Saudi Pro League, coupled with Liverpool’s own interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, which could result in a big January shake-up.

Alas, the Reds also have other problems to solve. They’ve been far below expectations this season, it’s not just been Salah. Far from it, in fact, and have already set their sights on welcoming the likes of Wilfried Singo as a result.

Liverpool expected to launch Wilfried Singo offer

According to Fotomac, as relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are expected to launch an offer to sign Singo worth as much as €43m (£38m) in 2026.

The Premier League champions could reportedly offer €28m (£25m), plus a maximum of €15m (£13m) in potential bonuses. It would, therefore, be a hefty offer but one they should pursue to solve their right-back problem.

Slot should be well aware of the 24-year-old’s quality too, given that he pocketed Gakpo in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray earlier this season.

The right-back made four recoveries, four clearances and won over half of his ground duels. Gakpo, meanwhile, was hooked after 62 minutes, having failed to take a single shot.

Whilst concerns surround Salah’s situation and Liverpool’s need for a centre-back, the right-back position has also become a problem. Neither Conor Bradley nor Jeremie Frimpong have truly claimed it thanks to form and injuries, with Dominik Szoboszlai often filling in, and Slot needs a permanent fix.

Liverpool join race to sign Konate replacement who's "an insane centre-back"

They’ve had a few disappointing results, but this season is shaping up very nicely for Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca’s side are second in the Premier League, with a chance to cut Arsenal’s gap to three points on Sunday, and have just demolished Barcelona in the Champions League.

The Blues were superb on Tuesday night, and while being a man up certainly helped, they were without a doubt the better side.

One of the most impressive performers for Chelsea was Estevao, who outshone fellow wonderkid Lamine Yamal, and so fans should be excited that they have someone on loan showing shades of the Brazilian in their game.

How Estevao outshone Yamal

While it felt early to be comparing Chelsea’s new wonderkid to someone who just finished second in the Ballon d’Or, that was exactly what was happening before Tuesday night’s game.

However, that added pressure certainly didn’t seem to bother Estevao, as he was sensational throughout the encounter and put in a far better performance than Yamal.

For example, on top of scoring the all-important second goal for the hosts, the 18-year-old didn’t give the visitors’ backline a moment’s rest.

In his 83 minutes of action, he created one big chance, played three key passes, produced an expected assists figure of 0.35 and completed two dribbles, one of which led to the goal.

On the flipside, the Spaniard looked nothing like the superstar winger fans have become so accustomed to seeing.

He was practically anonymous for most of the match, and when he did try to do something, he was more often than not locked down by Marc Cucurella, who was named Man of the Match.

By the time the Barça star was taken off, he had failed to score, lost the ball 21 times, played just two key passes and come out looking second best in the battle of the teenage wonderkids.

In all, it looks like Chelsea have a truly special talent on their hands in Estevao, and in even more good news, they’ve got another stellar prospect out on loan with shades of the Brazilian in his game.

The Chelsea gem with shades of Estevao to him

The scary thing for opposition fans and teams is that Chelsea’s bet on young, up-and-coming talent is starting to pay off, and it could see them really kick on in the coming years.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Estevao is obviously going to be a huge part of that, but another youngster who could be right there with him, and even has shades of the Brazilian to his game, is Kendry Páez.

The Blues signed the Ecuadorian gem over two years ago, but, due to rules on players under 18, he couldn’t join the squad until the summer.

However, instead of keeping him on the bench or in the youth side, the club opted to send him out on loan to Strasbourg for the season, where he has played 531 minutes of first-team football across 14 appearances so far.

Now, it’s important to say that, given Estevao’s extraordinary talent, it’s unlikely that the Guayaquil-born prospect will be as good as him.

However, he certainly shares some traits with him and could still develop into a world-class player.

For example, despite being so young, the “pure quality talent,” as dubbed by Jacek Kulig, racked up a tally of eight goals and five assists in 41 first-team appearances for Independiente del Valle last season.

Appearances

70

Starts

43

Minutes

4062′

Goals

13

Assists

6

Points per Game

1.84

Furthermore, in the words of respected analyst Ben Mattinson, the 18-year-old is “a left-footed magician who can play as a 10 or RW and has the intelligence to control and decide games,” which certainly sounds like the former Palmeiras gem.

Likewise, while he is capable of playing a killer pass or recycling possession to help the team, Mattinson also points out that he’s more than happy to “take on a couple players and get off shots.”

Finally, like Brazil’s next great superstar, the Strasbourg ace has already established himself on the international scene, amassing 23 senior caps for Ecuador, in which he’s scored two goals and provided three assists.

Ultimately, while he might not quite reach the level of Estevao, Paez has the potential to get incredibly close, and that would still make him a world-class player for Chelsea.

Liam Delap says Chelsea have a youngster who's "so raw" but "so exciting"

The striker made the comments after the Blues’ 3-0 rout against FC Barcelona in the Champions League.

ByDominic Lund Nov 26, 2025

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will take on each other to begin the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2025 on Saturday. By knocking Afghanistan out of the tournament in the penultimate group-stage game in Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka ensured they progressed to the next round unbeaten, along with Bangladesh from Group B.India and Pakistan had confirmed their spots from Group A after Pakistan’s win against UAE on Wednesday. That means the second India vs Pakistan game in the tournament will be played on September 21 in Dubai. India had beaten Pakistan in their group-stage fixture in Dubai and are undefeated ahead of their game against Oman, which will close out the first round.Pakistan will get a day’s break before they take on Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. But Bangladesh will have play on consecutive days as they take on India on September 24 and Pakistan the next day. Both matches are in Dubai.India and Sri Lanka will conclude the Super Four stage on September 26 in Dubai. The two teams topping the table will play in the final on September 28, also in Dubai. The teams will not carry any points from the group stage into the Super Four round.

The FIFPRO Men's World 11 was revealed Monday, with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele highlighting the side, but there no place for Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for just the second time in nearly 20 years. Five players from PSG's Champions League winning team, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, were named to the squad, which is voted for by players.

FIFPROA squad full of talent

The 2025 squad is composed of some of the brightest talents in Europe, and features representatives from four of Europe's big five leagues:

GoalkeeperGianluigi DonnarrumaPSGDefenderAchraf HakimiPSGDefenderVirgil Van DijkLiverpoolDefenderNuno MendesPSGMidfielder VitinhaPSGMidfielderPedriBarcelonaMidfielderJude BellinghamReal MadridMidfielderCole PalmerChelseaForwardLamine YamalBarcelonaForwardOusmane DembelePSGForward Kylian MbappeReal MadridAdvertisement(C)Getty imagesPSG lead the way

The Parisians, unsurprisingly, lead the way, with five of the club's starting XI of the Champions League winning side honored. They might have had more, too. Centerback Marquinhos and midfielder Joao Neves were both nominated – but neither cracked the side.

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a surprise omission from the list of nominees, which was released in October. Barcelona and Real Madrid were next on the list, with two players apiece, voted in by their peers.

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal became the youngest-ever player named in the Men’s World 11, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer is one of six debutants.

"Being part of the FIFPRO World 11 is obviously a great honor and to be voted by the other players is a nice feeling," said Palmer. "They know what it takes, obviously, to play the game at a high level, so to be voted by them is the best feeling."

Getty Images SportNo room for Lionel Messi

The headline omission was Messi. The Argentine missed the 2024 squad, as well, after making it for 17 straight years. He figured to have an outside shot after being nominated and shortlisted this year, but was unable to crack the team.

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AFPCristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah among high profile omissions

Other absentees were perhaps more surprising. Mohamed Salah wasn't included in the World 11, despite leading the Premier League in both goals and assists – and also leading Liverpool to the title.

Cristiano Ronaldo received a nomination, but was not in the team. Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold and Raphinha – despite being considered a Ballon d'Or candidate for much of the season – also missed out. 

Both sides could hand out debuts during the series as they look to firm up combinations ahead of next year’s main event

Andrew McGlashan19-Jul-2025Big picture: T20 World Cup preparation begins amid a farewellThis series marks the beginning of something – the build towards next year’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka – but the first two matches are also an ending: Andre Russell will retire from international cricket after the Jamaica leg of matches, another member of the powerhouse West Indies T20 era who has called time.Russell was part of both the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup triumphs for West Indies, one of finest hours coming in the latter of those when he made vital runs against India and claimed nine wickets in the tournament. It took a while for Russell to click in T20Is: until the end of 2015 he averaged 11.52 with the bat (strike-rate 122.01) and 48.90 with the ball from 33 matches. Since then, in 49 matches, he has averaged 28.63 with a strike-rate of 177.11 and claimed 50 wickets at 26.56.Related

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But he won’t be around for an attempt at a third World Cup title, instead opting to bow out on his home ground at Sabina Park where he can expect a hero’s welcome over the next few days.For two matches, Russell will be part of a West Indies’ batting order that, on paper, looks more formidable than the Test line up that recently crumbled for 27 albeit they are also without Nicholas Pooran who recently ended his international career. However, they have won just two of their last 16 T20Is including 3-0 sweeps against Bangladesh and England.Meanwhile, Australia have been light on T20s since the last World Cup with just nine schedule matches (one of which against England was abandoned) but this series begins a run of 16 fixtures leading into the next edition. This isn’t a full-strength squad with Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc rested – all of whom will likely feature in the World Cup – but it retains many of the key T20 personnel and is an important opportunity for captain Mitchell Marsh to bring the side together.4:10

Russell: I want to win and finish on a high

Form guideWest Indies WLLLL
Australia WWWLWIn the spotlight: Evin Lewis and Mitchell OwenMoving away from Russell for a moment, Evin Lewis will have some fond memories of Sabina Park. In the only other T20I he has played at the venue he hammered 125 not out off 62 balls against India in 2017. His most recent T20I innings brought 91 off 44 balls against Ireland. In four matches against Australia, which all came in 2021, he has made 139 runs at a strike-rate of 182.89 – his highest against any side he has faced more than once.Mitchell Owen has been confirmed for his international debut. There will be a lot of interest in how he performs following a standout BBL last season which included his breathtaking century in the final. A squeeze for batting spots at the top of the order means his chance will come in the middle order. “Just looking at the top order and the talent and the skill and the experience that we have there. If I get given an opportunity, I don’t really care where it is. I’m just happy to be playing for this team,” Owen said.Eighteen-year-old Jewel Andrew is in West Indies’ squad•Global Super League via Getty ImagesTeam news: Race from Guyana for WI players; Owen to debut Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades are uncapped at T20I level while Matthew Forde will become Russell’s replacement. Seven members of the squad have been playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Global Super League, the final of which only finished on Friday night, and it’s understood their journey to Jamaica may involve a private jet so they can reach on Saturday.West Indies squad: Shai Hope (capt), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario ShepherdMatt Short has been ruled out of the series with a side strain and Tim David sits out the opening match as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Jake Fraser-McGurk, a late addition to the squad, gets the chance to open and Cooper Connolly slots into the middle order.Australia: 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Josh Inglis (wk), 4 Cameron Green, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Owen, 7 Cooper Connolly, 8 Ben Dwarshius, 9 Sean Abbott, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsIt remains to be seen how the white ball reacts under the Sabina Park floodlights compared to the pink one, but there is unlikely to be as much grass left on the pitch as there was for the Test match. There is the chance of a shower or two.Stats and trivia These are the first day-night T20Is at Sabina Park following the recent installation of the floodlights which enabled it to host the pink-ball Test. The head-to-head between the teams in T20Is is all square: 11-11. However, West Indies have won only one of the last six. Former captain Rovman Powell needs 25 runs to overtake Chris Gayle as West Indies’ second-leading run-scorer in T20Is