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He scaled a peak in Newlands with technique, temperament, and heart in the right place

Firdose Moonda04-Jan-2025Kyle Verreynne has done what no other South African batter has managed this decade: score a fourth Test hundred.That isn’t the most impressive stat on a day where Ryan Rickelton became the first South African to score a double hundred at home in nine years and the second-highest individual score at Newlands but it speaks to two things just as important: consistency and confidence. Verreynne, who has scored three centuries this season, now has both. And it’s thanks to a change in attitude.”Towards the end of that first stint of Test career, I sort of got caught up in technique and what you guys are saying on Twitter,” Verreynne said afterwards. “Since then, I’ve deleted Twitter and now every time I go out there, the only thing I care about is getting runs. I don’t think I’m really scared to get out anymore. I think probably before I got left out, I really put a lot of emphasis on how I look and how I get out and stuff like that. Now I’m not too bothered.”Related

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The first stint he referred was 14 Tests long between June 2021 and January 2023, where Verreynne averaged 28.60 and was best remembered for a second innings 136* in New Zealand. Those runs were not enough to convince Test coach Shukri Conrad to keep Verreynne in the squad when he took over in February 2023. He put Verreynne on what the pair now refer to as a “sabbatical,” amid sweeping selection changes that also included dropping Lungi Ngidi and picking Temba Bavuma as captain over Dean Elgar.Conrad explained his reasoning to ESPNcricinfo before this Test: “I wanted to shake things up a bit, I wanted to see how people came back and I wanted to get a reaction. But I was also very clear in terms of how I wanted to play our cricket and I was always going to go with the devils I know. I didn’t really know Kyle Verreynne.”Conrad knew Heinrich Klaasen and preferred the instinctive way he went about his game and let Verreynne know that. “He was probably the first coach that I’ve had that explained his thinking to me thoroughly,” Verreynne said. “He explained exactly why I wasn’t playing. I went on an A tour to Sri Lanka (with Conrad) after that ever since then, I’ve just really felt backed by him. It was also an opportunity to sort of clear the mind and sort of get back to the way that I normally play.”While Verreynne did not score many runs on that A tour, he had the opportunity to get to know Conrad. After Klaasen only scored 56 runs in four innings against West Indies, it was a no-brainer to recall Verreynne. In the end, “it panned out okay,” Conrad joked. “Kyle has come back really nicely.”Kyle Verreynne played aggressor to Ryan Rickelton’s anchor•AFP/Getty ImagesSo nicely that Verreynne now feels he can play with freedom, as he did on a flat deck at Newlands on Saturday. There were nervy moments upfront, and he survived two Pakistan reviews for lbw when he was on 5 and then on 31; but against an exhausted attack and with almost no pressure on him, he cashed in. Notably, he struck a good balance between being watchful on the off side, especially when Pakistan put two short covers in place and offered width, attacking on the leg-side, where he hit all of his five sixes.Verreynne also played the aggressor role to Rickelton’s anchor to perfection and scored 100 of the 148 runs in his partnership with Rickelton. As an indicator of how quickly Verreynne moved through the gears, he was on 15 when Rickelton got to 200 and reached his century before Rickelton crossed 228.Though Verreynne said there was “no real plan to be aggressive,” he ended up playing that way because the conditions and the opposition allowed it. “When I came in, they had just taken the new ball, so it was quite challenging for that first period and then I got a short ball that I hit for six and that got me ticking a little bit,” he said. “For some reason, it just felt to me like they were going to go short. I premeditated a little bit and just tried to hit it because there’s also a short side of the field.”By lunch, he was on 74 and had started to think of three figures. “I was getting a bit emotional probably when I was on 70-odd. I had a feeling things were going well so I might get there,” he said. “And it’s the first time my mum’s been here to watch me get a Test hundred. Having my mom here and my brother was really, really special for me.”More so because of who was not here. Verreynne’s long-time domestic and current international batting coach Ashwell Prince’s seat in the changeroom was empty after his wife Melissa passed away last Sunday. Much of this week has been spent remembering Melissa and mourning with Ashwell and their three young sons, all of whom are close to Verreynne.”I lost my dad a few years ago (as an adult), so I probably can’t relate to exactly what the three kids are going through. Ashy P was someone who became a father figure to me and helped me through my life for the last couple of years. So, to see what he and the kids are going through is really, really difficult,” Verreynne said. “Every time you step into the changing room and you see that Ashwell’s not there, it’s really hard. We’re just trying to embrace it and do him proud and do that family proud. Hopefully we can get a Test win and sort of dedicate it to that family.”

Just a few years ago, Alek Manoah was a legitimate Cy Young candidate and an All-Star for the Blue Jays. Now, he's been out of the league for the better part of two years, and is officially parting ways with Toronto.

Manoah was designated for assignment on Tuesday, per a team announcement, in what could very well signal the end of his tenure with the organization. Having risen to prominence as a breakout rookie in 2021, Manoah looked like one of the best pitchers in the sport in 2022, when he made the All-Star Game and had a 6.0 WAR with a 2.24 ERA across 31 starts.

He failed to replicate that season in 2023, when he had a -1.1 WAR, a 5.87 ERA and 1.740 WHIP. He last pitched for the Blue Jays in May of 2024, after which he was shelved as he underwent Tommy John surgery. Manoah was finally reinstated from the IL on Sept. 11 and was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, but now looks destined to exit the organization following his latest designation.

Manoah was hopeful of competing for a spot in Toronto's starting rotation in 2026, but will now have a chance to latch on with another organization instead.

The Blue Jays also announced they have activated Anthony Santander from the 60-day IL and placed Ty France on the 10-day IL.

Liverpool have now reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace as the South London club continue their attempts to agree a new deal with the Frenchman.

The Reds could certainly do with an added boost one way or another. They entered the November international break off the back of yet another defeat, this time against Manchester City, and must put their Premier League form behind them against Nottingham Forest this Saturday.

Against Sean Dyche’s side that will be easier said than done, however, and what hasn’t helped Arne Slot is the recent injury news regarding Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz. Both will miss Forest’s visit to Anfield this weekend, with Bradley set to be out for at least three weeks in a major blow.

Slot confirmed the news, telling reporters: “[Andy] Robertson will be with us today. Alisson trained last week and this week so he will be able to play if things work out today.

“We do have some issues after the international break. Conor Bradley is unable to play, Florian Wirtz unable to play. That is far from ideal. Both muscle issues. I don’t expect Conor to be part of the upcoming 22 days, maybe the end unless a miracle happens. Florian maybe should not be that long. Jeremie is out just as long, won’t be available in the next few weeks.”

Without Bradley, the Reds will only have Calvin Ramsay to call on at right-back, unless they decide to pull Dominik Szoboszlai from midfield again. With games coming thick and fast, it’s the last thing they needed.

However, Liverpool’s focus seemingly remains on improving their frontline even further. Despite breaking their transfer record to sign Alexander Isak in the summer, Anfield chiefs have now set their sights on Mateta.

Liverpool eyeing Jean-Philippe Mateta deal

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Mateta, who has also attracted the interest of Arsenal now that he’s almost into the final year of his Crystal Palace contract.

Better signing than Semenyo: Liverpool enter race for £100m "superstar"

Liverpool are weighing up a 2026 bid for one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 21, 2025

The South London club are desperately attempting to tie their striker down to a new deal, but talks are yet to reach a conclusion. The longer negotiations go on, the more encouragement that the likes of Liverpool will have to move in and secure the Frenchman.

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959

632

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3

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2.3

Although there will be some concerns that Mateta has underperformed his expected goals, the threat that he creates is clear. It speaks volumes of his quality that he’s outscored Hugo Ekitike so far this season, who many believe has made a solid start to life at Anfield.

Dubbed “amazing” by Palace boss Oliver Glasner, Mateta has become one of the best strikers in the Premier League in the last two years and may finally earn a big move as a result.

Diaz 2.0: Liverpool prepare £88m bid to sign "the best player in the world"

Stats highlights from the first day’s play at Headingley, where Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored hundreds

Sampath Bandarupalli20-Jun-2025359 for 3 – India’s highest total on the opening day of a Test in England. Their previous best was 338 for 7 at Edgbaston in 2022.India’s 359 is also the highest opening-day total for a visiting team in England since South Africa made 362 for 4 at The Oval in 2003.5 – Indians with a century on captaincy debut in men’s Tests, including Shubman Gill. His unbeaten 127 at Headingley is the third-highest score on captaincy debut by an India batter, behind Vijay Hazare’s 164* against England in 1951 and Virat Kohli’s 141 against Australia in 2014.ESPNcricinfo Ltd3 – Test hundreds for Yashasvi Jaiswal away from home – 171 in Roseau in 2023, 161 in Perth in 2024, and now 101 in Leeds. All three centuries have come in his first Test in these countries. No other player has hundreds in their maiden Tests in the West Indies, Australia and England.23 years 174 days – Jaiswal’s age when he scored his hundred at Headingley. Syed Mushtaq Ali is the only younger India opener to score a Test hundred in England; he was 21 years and 221 days old when he scored 112 at Old Trafford in 1936.ESPNcricinfo Ltd402 – Number of international matches India have played between Karun Nair’s previous Test appearance in 2017 and this one – the most games a player has missed between two appearances for his country. Nair missed 77 Test matches in these eight years. Only Jaydev Unadkat (118), Dinesh Karthik (87) and Parthiv Patel (83) missed more Tests between two appearances for India.1 – B Sai Sudharsan became the first India player to bag a duck on debut while batting at No. 3 in men’s Tests. Only six Indians, including Sai Sudharsan, have bagged a duck in the top three on their Test debut.Sai Sudharsan’s first-class average coming into this match was 39.93, the lowest for a specialist batter on Test debut for India since 1990. Wriddhiman Saha made his Test debut as a batter with a first-class average of 35.59, but was predominantly a wicketkeeper.

Diego Simeone reignited speculation about a future at Inter after admitting "he could imagine" coaching the Serie A giants one day and then beating them 2-1 in the Champions League. However, club president Beppe Marotta has moved quickly to cool the noise, publicly backing Christian Chivu to stay long-term despite back-to-back defeats for the Nerazzurri.

Simeone’s admission fuels Inter talk after dramatic Atletico win

Atletico’s 2-1 victory over Inter in the Champions League on Wednesday sent the Metropolitano into chaos and reignited one of European football’s most persistent storylines. The result, sealed by a 93rd-minute header from Jose Maria Gimenez, keeps Atleti's knockout hopes alive amid talk about Simeone's long-term future.

The Argentine coach sparked headlines even before the match kicked off. During his pre-game media duties, Simeone revisited the emotional bond he shares with the Nerazzurri, a club he represented as a player between 1997 and 1999. His comments immediately resonated across Italy, especially given the timing: Inter had just fallen to a derby defeat against AC Milan and were hoping to maintain their perfect Champions League record.

Complicating matters further is Simeone’s enormous salary, close to a reported €15 million net per season, a figure almost impossible for any Serie A club to match. Yet, romantically and symbolically, the idea of Cholo returning to San Siro refuses to disappear. After the match, Simeone doubled down on his admiration for Inter, calling them Europe’s “strongest team”. That only added fuel to a story that had already taken over the night. With the speculation swirling, it set the stage for the post-match reaction, especially from Simeone himself.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesSimeone speaks openly about his Inter dream

Before the match, the Argentine had been asked directly about rumours linking him to Inter. He responded with unusual clarity, and the comments quickly became the headline of the night. “It doesn’t depend on just me, but in my coaching career I can imagine myself managing Inter one day. I think it will happen one day,” he said, expressing publicly a dream he has carried privately for years.

Simeone then spoke with equal conviction after the win, choosing to highlight the strength of his opponents. “There’s no doubt about it. Inter are the strongest team in the Champions League right now.”

The remarks arrived at a moment when the Italian giants were navigating their most difficult spell of the season and inevitably intensified speculation about whether Simeone could eventually return to his former club.

Inter president Marotta shuts down rumours and backs Chivu

As speculation accelerated across Europe, Inter president Marotta moved swiftly to restore calm. Speaking shortly after the defeat, he addressed the Simeone talk directly while offering full backing to current boss Chivu.

Before delivering his message of support, Marotta framed Simeone’s comments as admiration, not intention. He then made his stance absolutely clear: “Simeone's candidacy? I see it as admiration for a club he knows well and is at the forefront of Europe,” he said to . “We have a young coach like Chivu, and I hope he stays at Inter for many years because he fits the profile we were looking for. The profile is what we were looking for, we're happy with him, and I'm convinced he can stay at Inter for many years.”

Inter’s defeat was their second in a row after losing the Milan derby, and they now find themselves in a tightly packed Champions League group at the top of the table, level on 12 points with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, and three behind leaders Arsenal.

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Getty Images SportInter seek stability as Atletico revive European hopes

The Nerazzurri now enter a decisive stretch that will test both their mentality and Chivu’s leadership. Their next match, a trip to Pisa on Sunday becomes a must-win in order to halt their losing streak before it spreads further across competitions. Los Rojiblancos, meanwhile, breathe new life into a turbulent European campaign. Their late win lifts them to nine points, keeping their knockout-stage hopes alive after an inconsistent start marked by big highs and damaging losses to Liverpool and Arsenal.

Simeone will turn his attention to domestic matters next, as Atleti return to La Liga action with a home fixture against Real Oviedo on Saturday. With momentum back on their side, the victory over Inter could prove a turning point in their season even as the questions about Simeone’s future refuse to disappear.

Play was halted for 15 minutes while the field was fumigated but the effect seemed to be temporary

Andrew Fidel Fernando05-Oct-2025

Bugs stopped play after 34 overs•ICC/Getty Images

The India v Pakistan fixture in Colombo was stopped for 15 minutes while the playing area at Khettarama was fumigated, to clear it of a swarm of insects. Play had been paused once before this, as less intensive insect-clearing methods were tried.The fumigation appeared to work only briefly. The insects – likely a variety of winged termite attracted to the stadium floodlights – seemed to return less than 10 minutes after play resumed. They continued to cause delays in play. Pakistan offspinner Rameen Shamim appeared to need to have an insect picked out of her eye in the 38th over.The bugs had begun to appear roughly 20 overs into India’s innings, just as the sun was setting. The insects were seen causing problems for the India batters and the Pakistan bowlers, with Nashra Sandhu particularly irked by the swarm. Five balls into the 28th over of the innings, Sandhu and captain Fatima Sana called for what appeared to be bug spray, and they applied it around the bowling crease, and on parts of their clothing.The drinks break was taken early during that first insect-related stop, but the insects continued to swarm near the centre of the playing area.After 34 overs, play was stopped, the cricketers left the field, and a man wearing a gas mask entered the playing area with a fumigation machine (fogging machine). Within minutes virtually the entire playing area was covered with anti-insect smoke. Play resumed after the smoke had cleared.”To be honest, you had to concentrate a lot more,” Jemimah Rodrigues said after India scored 247. “Couldn’t see much when the bugs were coming through.”Insect-related stoppages are uncommon in Sri Lanka, but are not unknown. Some species of termite swarm after rains, and during the wetter months of the year. This ground had seen rain on Saturday, when the Sri Lanka v Australia fixture had been washed out without a ball being bowled.

Mayank underwent back surgery post 2025 IPL and was among the most critical questions LSG had to deal with during the retention exercise

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Nov-2025Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to retain India fast bowler Mayank Yadav but will release legspinner Ravi Bishnoi, South Africa batter David Miller and India fast bowler Akash Deep.It is understood that LSG have also decided to retain most of their core set of players including Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh and Ayush Badoni. Among the bowlers set to be retained are mystery spinner Digvesh Rathi, who finished as LSG’s highest-wicket taker in his maiden IPL. The retention list is also set to include India fast bowler Avesh Khan along with uncapped batters Abdul Samad and Himmat Singh along with India allrounder Shahbaz Ahmed. Among the uncapped bowlers to be retained are left-arm fast bowler Mohsin Khan, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav and M Siddharth.Mayank, who underwent back surgery post 2025 IPL, was among the most critical questions LSG had to deal with during the retention exercise. The Delhi fast bowler, who forced his way to get an international debut last year, with his ability to shoot speeds in the vicinity of the 150kmph-mark consistently, was among the three players LSG had retained ahead of the 2025 mega auction, for INR 11 crore. Mayank, who bagged two Player-of-the-Match awards in IPL 2024, though, played just two matches in the 2025 season before a back injury ruled him out.Related

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Mayank, 23, is currently doing his rehab and is understood to resume bowling soon and is expected to bowl at at least 85% capacity by next February with the aim of getting fully ready come IPL. For LSG his lack of bowling was the critical question, but the think tank, which includes Tom Moody (director of cricket), Justin Langer (head coach) and former India bowling coach Bharat Arun (head of talent), is understood to have agreed it was worth retaining Mayank.Bishnoi, 25, was originally picked by LSG before IPL 2022 for INR 4 crore as an uncapped player. In 2022, when LSG made the playoffs, Bishnoi picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate of 8.44. A year later, now an international, Bishnoi bagged 16 scalps at an economy rate of 7.74 and played a role in LSG reaching the playoffs once again.Bishnoi was retained by the franchise ahead of the 2025 mega auction for INR 11 crore. However, in the last two seasons, Bishnoi returned below-par bowling figures. In 2024 he took 10 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 8.77; in 2025 he bagged just nine wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 10.83. Overall for LSG, Bishnoi picked 48 wickets in 53 innings at an economy rate of 8.80 while never winning once the Player-of-the-Match award.It is learnt that it was his inability to develop into a consistent match-winner is what prompted the LSG think tank to release Bishnoi. The legspinner, who has featured in 42 T20Is for India, is understood to have been offered as a trade option to several franchises by LSG, but there were no takers.The decision to release Akash Deep and Miller, who were bought by LSG at the 2025 auction for INR 8 crore and 7.5 crore respectively, comes after their poor returns. Miller, known for his power-hitting and finishing skills, scored 153 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 127.49 in the last IPL season. Akash Deep, who missed the first half of IPL 2025 due to an injury he suffered during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, played six matches, picking three wickets at an economy rate of 12.05.

Lionel Messi helped to inspire Inter Miami to a historic MLS Cup triumph, but the Argentine GOAT was not really in a party mood when wild post-match celebrations were taken in. Club co-owner Sir David Beckham formed part of those, as he led a conga line, but Messi – who has enhanced his status as the most decorated player of all-time – looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

Historic win: Inter Miami land MLS Cup in 2025

The Herons have savoured MLS Cup glory for the first time, with impressive progress being made over the course of five years since becoming another expansion franchise in 2020. Acquiring eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in 2023 represented a notable coup for the club.

He helped them to Leagues Cup success a matter of weeks after arriving in South Florida, before claiming the Supporters’ Shield in record-breaking style last season. Inter Miami have now landed the ultimate prize, with Vancouver being seen off in the 2025 MLS Cup final.

AdvertisementWatch Messi forced to join Beckham's conga line

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The contest took place at Chase Stadium, as the Herons prepare to bid farewell to that venue and move into a new purpose-built home for 2026. They delivered the perfect send-off when overcoming Thomas Muller and the Whitecaps.

Messi was not among the goals in a 3-1 win over Vancouver, but delivered Golden Boot-winning exploits during the regular season – finding the target on 43 occasions across all competitions.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker now has 47 major titles to his name. He was full of smiles after hoisting the MLS Cup aloft as captain of Inter Miami. Beckham was on hand – alongside wife Victoria – to join in with those celebrations.

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Getty ImagesBack for more: Messi under contract through 2028

The party carried on long after confetti had been cleared from the field, with Inter Miami’s squad getting the chance to let their hair down alongside friends and family. Beckham was front and centre again, with the Manchester United and England legend leading players in a conga as drinks flowed.

Messi was dragged into that performance, seemingly against his wishes. The evergreen 38-year-old looked less than impressed at being forced to parade alongside Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul.

While not really being in the party spirit, Messi will be back for more with Inter Miami next season. He has committed to a new three-year contract that will take him through 2028. The all-time great also has a World Cup title defence with Argentina on his agenda, with the expectation being that he will form part of the Albiceleste’s plans for the major tournament that is heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

Travis Head’s remarkable century in Perth, and his comments that it’s a role he has talked about doing, is posing a tough call for selectors

Andrew McGlashan28-Nov-20252:24

Head innings should not give England an ‘out’

Khawaja – the argument forIf Khawaja was one of the best two opening options before the first Test, then, if he has overcome the back problems, surely he still is a few days later. It was unfortunate timing to get a bad back, but he’s not the first player to suffer that. He got a very good ball from Brydon Carse in the first innings in Perth, which he could only feather to the wicketkeeper.Related

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England are not panicking – yet

Could this be a case of being careful what you wish for? There was a clamour to move David Warner aside before he left the Test stage in early 2024, and since then, Australia have been on a merry-go-round of openers. Clearly, Khawaja does not have masses of time left as a Test cricketer, but you need to be sure before jettisoning his experience: 6055 Test runs at an average of 43.56.Since the 2023 Ashes, it has been more of a struggle for Khawaja. He averages 31.84 in this period, but he’s doing the toughest role in Test cricket. While the runs may not have flowed freely – and let’s not erase that 232 against Sri Lanka from his record, otherwise a lot of players’ performances need to be questioned – he has still been able to soak up valuable time in the middle.For example, in the West Indies earlier this year, he faced over 300 balls – and only two batters survived more in the series. If part of the aim of the top order is to take the sting out of the new ball, start to tire England’s bowlers, and lay a base for the likes of Travis Head to flourish, there’s a role Khawaja can still play.Usman Khawaja averages 50.08 in first-class cricket at the Gabba•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesIt wasn’t as though he had come into the series in poor domestic form: his scores for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield were 69, 46, 0 and 87. Another factor to consider is Khawaja has an excellent record at the Gabba, where he averages 50.08 in first-class cricket at his home ground, and, significantly, 50.20 against the pink ball.It’s also one thing playing the way Head did when there’s a final target to focus on, rather than setting up a Test on the first day or in the first innings. There is also no doubt about Head’s destructive and match-winning abilities at No. 5.There is a middle ground to this. Head could move up to open, and Khawaja could slot in at No. 5, the spot where he returned to Test cricket with twin hundreds against England at the SCG in early 2022. There is also the notion of the flexible batting order, where, for example, Khawaja could open in the first innings but perhaps not in the second, depending on the game situation.Khawaja – the argument againstSometimes there is a course of events that makes an irresistible case. You could easily say that happened with Head’s innings in Perth, especially when the man himself said he had been offering to take up the role since Warner’s retirement.While Head’s innings finished in a flurry of shots, some verging on outrageous, it was the early stages that set things up for him, and suggested he has the game to do it for the longer term. Head was on 3 off 14 balls at one stage, before whipping Gus Atkinson through midwicket for the first of his 16 fours; his first really adventurous shot came when he ramped Carse over the slips in the eighth over. He hadn’t just come out swinging from ball one.Travis Head flourished with a century as opener in the Perth Test•Getty ImagesThere are currently more viable candidates for middle-order roles in the Australia Test side than there are for opening. Two of them, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis, are in this squad – one who was very unlucky to lose his place in the first place, and another who has just scored a rapid century against England Lions. You can throw Mitchell Marsh into the mix as well, even before delving deeper into the Sheffield Shield.So moving Head up to the top does not have to be a case of weakening a strength to strengthen a weakness. Arguably, it is creating an opening where there are stronger options to choose from. Khawaja’s form has left the door ajar, too: one century in 45 Test innings, even when it is a double hundred, is a questionable record.The notion of Khawaja moving to the middle order? That could be seen as kicking the can down the road. Only a few weeks ago, Steve Waugh had criticised selection chair George Bailey for not taking the tough decisions.Khawaja himself knows how sliding-door moments can play out. His window to return to the Test side came when Head caught Covid-19 before the SCG Test in the 2021-22 Ashes. On that occasion, Khawaja made such a compelling case that Australia found a way to keep him in the side. Marcus Harris, who opened at the SCG and made 76 on a tough MCG pitch the game before, has not played a Test since.

Abhishek Sharma’s 12-ball half-century is the joint-third-fastest in all men’s T20 cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2025Abhishek Sharma has smashed a 12-ball half-century, playing for Punjab against Bengal in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in Hyderabad on Sunday. It is the joint-third-fastest fifty and joint-second-fastest by an Indian in men’s T20 cricket.Opening the batting with Prabhsimran Singh, Abhishek took apart a bowling attack headlined by Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, scoring at well over 15 runs an over against both of them as well as Saksham Choudhary and Writtick Chatterjee. Abhishek hit five fours and five sixes to get to his fifty, conceding just one dot ball in the 12 balls he had faced to get to the landmark.Though he never really threatened to run the record for the fastest century in men’s T20s close – Chauhan’s, in 27 balls – Abhishek did get to the mark in 32 balls before finishing on 148 in 52, with eight fours and 16 sixes. Abhishek, however, already has the record for the joint-second-fastest T20 century, off 28 balls, the same as Urvil Patel, who scored it for Gujarat against Tripura, also in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, last season.Punjab finished with 310 for 5 in their 20 overs, Prabhsimran smashing 70 in 35 balls, but his innings put in the shade by his partner. Punjab’s total was the second highest in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, behind Baroda’s 349 for 5 against Sikkim in Indore in December 2024. They went on to win the game by 112 runs.The fastest fifty in men’s T20s was scored by Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee, against Mongolia during the Hangzhou Asian Games in September 2023. India’s Ashutosh Sharma is at No. 2 on the list for his 11-ball fifty for Railways against Arunachal Pradesh in the 2023-24 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Abhishek is now the fifth batter to record a 12-ball fifty in the format. Yuvraj Singh was the first, with his innings at the 2007 T20 World Cup against England, which included six sixes in an over against Stuart Broad. Chris Gayle achieved it in the BBL, for Melbourne Renegades against Adelaide Strikers in January 2016. In October 2018 then, Afghaniostan’s Hazratullah Zazai matched it playing for Kabul Zwanan against Balkh Legends, featuring Gayle, in an Afghanistan Premier League game in Sharjah.The last instance was when Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan got there against Cyprus in an international match in Episkopi on his way to an unbeaten 41-ball 144.