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The allrounder is not worrying about how selection pans out but hopes he and Cameron Green can play Tests together in the future

Tristan Lavalette29-Nov-2023Incumbent allrounder Mitchell Marsh admitted he’s unsure over his Test position, but vowed to continue batting aggressively if selected for Australia’s opening Test of the home summer against Pakistan in Perth.Marsh, 32, was part of Australia’s memorable World Cup triumph, where he made 441 runs with two hundreds including an unbeaten 177, on the back of reclaiming his Test spot during the Ashes and hitting a rapid century at Headingley to make the most of an injury to fellow West Australian Cameron Green.Related

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He was preferred in the fifth Test over Green, who subsequently only played three matches at the World Cup and has seemingly succumbed to a taxing schedule where he has spent much of the year overseas.But Green, 24, has signalled his intention to win back his Test position by playing in Western Australia’s current Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the Gabba and next week’s Prime Minister’s XI four-day game against Pakistan in Canberra.It’s a contrast to Marsh, who is currently having a breather ahead of the first Test starting on December 14. The battle between the allrounders appears to be Australia’s biggest selection headache, but Marsh – much like his attacking batting – was taking a positive approach.”I’m past battling, I’m here to enjoy my cricket and have fun,” Marsh told reporters in Perth. “I absolutely love playing for Australia. I worked really hard to get another opportunity during the Ashes and my attitude is ‘what will be, will be’, so I’ve done everything I can.”We have a lot of options. Whoever plays will do the job.”Mitchell Marsh has promised to keep taking the game on•Clive Mason/Getty Images

While they vie for the No. 6 spot, Marsh hoped he could play alongside Green as they did in the fourth Ashes Test when Green batted at No. 7 and Australia uncharacteristically went in without a specialist spinner.”He’s a special talent. We’ve got a great relationship. We’re super close on and off the field,” Marsh said of Green. “I always joke that there’s probably not a lot I can teach him on the cricket field, but he knows I’m always there for him and hopefully we can play a lot of cricket together.”If he does get the nod, Marsh was excited about the prospect of taking on Pakistan’s quicks on an expected bouncy surface at Optus Stadium. It will be the fourth Test match at the 60,000-seat venue, which is on the opposite bank of the Swan River to the WACA, but the first for Marsh on a ground he has starred many times for Perth Scorchers in the BBL.”The way I’m going to bat won’t change. I feel like I’ve found my most consistent method over the last couple of years and that’s allowed me to really enjoy my cricket.” he said. “I haven’t played a [Test] match here at Perth Stadium, so obviously, if I’m selected, I’m super excited for that.”There will be particular intrigue over the surface which played sedately in the corresponding fixture last summer when Australia beat West Indies in a match that went well into the fifth day.The drop-in wicket last week was moved into the stadium’s playing surface having been curated at Optus Stadium since February. It contains the same local clay and grass species as the surfaces at the WACA ground in a bid to replicate its famous pace and bounce.”I often say this is the best wicket in the world, I truly mean that,” Marsh said. “It’s fast, it’s bouncy, it brings both batters and bowlers into the game. That’s what you want, an even contest. It’s a great place to play.”

There was a major Gold Cup upset Sunday as one of the tournament's favorites went down in a penalty shootout

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Guatemala win in shootoutCanada, with 10 men, fall in quarterfinal roundUSMNT to take on Costa Rica in final quarterfinalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱ImagnWHAT HAPPENED?

MINNEAPOLIS – Guatemala are through to the Gold Cup semifinals after stunning Canada, 1-1 (6-5) in penalties at U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday. It is one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history as Jesse Marsch's were one of the favorites for the tournament.

Canada took the lead midway through the first half, although it did come amid controversial circumstances. In the 27th minute, it was deemed that Guatemala fullback Aaron Herrera took down Tani Oluwaseyi, leading to a Jonathan David finish from the penalty spot that gave the Canadians a 1-0 advantage.

It certainly wasn't smooth sailing from there, though, as Canada went down a man just before halftime after Jacob Shaffelburg picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.

Guatemala attempted to pile on the pressure, largely to no avail, until finally breaking through in the 69th minute. A fantastic cross from Oscar Santis landed right on the head of Rubio Rubin, and the MLS veteran headed home to send a largely pro-Guatemala crowd wild. Canada held strong, though, ultimately playing their way into a penalty shootout.

Once there, Canada blinked first after each team took and made four shots. Cyle Larin was Canada's fifth taker, but fired his penalty straight into the hands of Guatemala goalkeeper Kenderson Navarro. Given the chance to win it for his side, though, Jose Carlos Pinto skied his spot kick, sending the shootout into the sixth round.

In Round seven, Luc De Fougerolles smashed his shot off the crossbar, giving Guatemala another chance to win it, which was taken by defender Jose Morales. They sealed a spot in the Gold Cup semifinals.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Guatemala's win makes them the second team to advance to the semifinal on a shootout, both notable upsets. On Saturday, Honduras edged Panama in a shootout to book their own date with Mexico.

Now, Guatemala will await the winner of Sunday's U.S. men's national team's clash with Costa Rica, having taken down one of the powerhouses of this summer's Gold Cup.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

With the win, Guatemala are through to the Gold Cup semifinals for the first time since 1996, when they finished the tournament in fourth place. This is only the fourth time in 11 tournaments since that one that they'd reached the knockout rounds.

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WHAT NEXT?

Guatemala will meet either Costa Rica or the USMNT on Wednesday in St. Louis, with the winner going on to play Honduras or Mexico in the Gold Cup finale in Houston on July 6.

Australia 225 for 7 (Labuschagne 80*, Agar 48*, Coetzee 2-44, Rabada 2-48) beat South Africa 222 (Bavuma 114*, Hazlewood 3-41, Stoinis 2-20) by three wicketsMarnus Labuschagne responded to being left out of Australia’s World Cup squad and their XI in the first ODI in Bloemfontein as only he can: with a hugely influential performance as a concussion substitute. Much like the impression he made during the 2019 Ashes, when he replaced Steven Smith halfway through the Lord’s Test before going on to top the series run charts, Labuschagne gave the selectors a timely reminder of what he can offer in the 50-overs format.He replaced Cameron Green, who was sconed by a Kagiso Rabada bouncer in the sixth over, and got to the crease with Australia on 72 for 5 in their chase of 223. They slipped to 113 for 7 before Labuschagne and Ashton Agar put on an unbroken 112 in 145 balls, a record for the eighth wicket in Bloemfontein, to seal a comprehensive win.Their efforts trumped Temba Bavuma’s third ODI hundred in six matches this year and successive centuries in Bloemfontein as he stood man alone. Bavuma was dropped on 2 and 88, scored only 30 runs off his first 50 balls, had only one partner who stayed with him for longer than 10 overs – Marco Jansen – and saw South Africa slip to 185 for 9, but dragged them past 220 with an unbeaen 114 off 142 balls. He became just the second South African to carry his bat in an ODI innings after Herschelle Gibbs in Sharjah in March 2000.But his efforts were in vain and also left an unanswered question for the rest of the series and the World Cup that follows. Bavuma suffered from cramp towards the end of his knock, on a not especially hot day in early spring, and was only in the field for a short while during Australia’s chase with T20I captain Aiden Markram making most of the tactical decisions on field.Australia have now won four matches in a row on this tour, and have now also snapped a run of five successive ODI defeats to South Africa.Cameron Green went off with a concussion after being hit by a Kagiso Rabada bouncer•AFP/Getty Images

Thinking caps were needed on a Bloemfontein surface that did not play to its reputation as laden with runs. The surface was slow and had evidence of variable bounce, which evened out as the match grew long.Australia’s chase started just before sunset, when there was still a little something in the surface. But the pitch had nothing to do with David Warner’s dismissal. He tried to crack a wide Marco Jansen ball through point but played on instead and was dismissed for a duck.Rabada started out off-colour and missed his lengths in his first two overs but roared back to take two wickets in two overs and Green out of the match with a concussion. With the first ball of his third over, Rabada managed to find late away swing and Mitchell Marsh’s leading edge as the Australian captain tried to hit him through midwicket. Marsh was caught behind. Two balls later, he fired in a 140kph bouncer that angled in from off stump and hit Green on the left ear flap as he turned his head to the offside. There was swelling behind his ear which was visible immediately and he left the field for treatment. In Rabada’s next over, he offered some fuller deliveries before going back of a length and Josh Inglis inside-edged him onto his stumps.Lungi Ngidi was brought on at the other end and, after a T20I series in which he went wicketless, had Travis Head caught at square leg by Rabada. Australia finished the Powerplay on 69 for 4.Gerald Coetzee was brought on the 12th over to bowl his first international delivery in his hometown and thrilled the locals with a wicket with his first ball. He beat Alex Carey’s flick, made a mess of the stumps, and pulled out a vein-popping celebration. That brought Labuschagne to the crease, with Australia in need of a partnership. Marcus Stoinis did not help him provide one. He was rushed by Coetzee’s pace and his pull shot found Heinrich Klaasen at midwicket.Coetzee’s emotions were only matched by those of Keshav Maharaj, who made his ODI comeback after recovering from a ruptured Achilles sustained in March while celebrating a wicket in a Test against West Indies. His third ball spun past Sean Abbott’s bat onto his off stump and Maharaj pulled out a fist pump but did not set off on a victory run. That was where South Africa’s success stopped.Australia’s scoring rate in those first 16.4 overs, thanks in large part to Head’s 28-ball 33, was seven an over, well above the required 4.46. That meant there was little pressure on Labuschagne and the lower order to score quickly, and they did not have to take many risks. He and Agar punished anything that erred on length but were also happy to go 13 overs without a boundary from the 23rd to the 37th over, as South Africa applied something of a squeeze. They were unable to stop the strike rotation, though, and that’s how Australia wore them down. Labuschagne eventually found four off Rabada and Australia only needed 15 runs in the last 13 overs. They got there with 9.4 overs to spare.Temba Bavuma became the second South African to carry his bat through an ODI innings•AFP/Getty Images

South Africa’s innings was played in exactly the opposite way. They started slowly, with only 25 runs in the Powerplay – the lowest at this venue – and the loss of Quinton de Kock. Bavuma was fortunate to survive after he edged Abbott’s first ball to point but Agar went for the catch with one hand and put it down.Rassie van der Dussen was run out cheaply when he Abbott straight to mid-off and hesitated before deciding on the run while Bavuma was ball-watching. Van der Dussen motored towards the non-striker’s end and by the time he turned back, the ball was on its way to Carey who broke the stumps.Aiden Markram looked more composed and managed two signature cover drives before he top-edged Green miles into the bright blue sky. A sunglass-less Carey judged the catch well. Heinrich Klaasen was bowled by a Stoinis delivery that kept low and David Miller nicked off second ball to open up the lower order with only 100 on the board.Jansen is the only genuine allrounder in South Africa’s World Cup squad and he showed why he deserves that tag. He put on 57 with Bavuma and looked in control until he played a Josh Hazlewood delivery onto his stumps. Coetzee, Maharaj and Rabada fell within 17 runs of each other to leave Bavuma with the No.11, Ngidi, for 6.4 overs. Bavuma farmed the strike and even refused runs and reached his hundred off the 136th ball he faced before adding 14 more to his name. In total, he scored 114 runs of South Africa’s total while the rest of the line-up contributed only 88.

James Rew notched his fourth LV= Insurance County Championship century of the season to help Somerset complete a 399-run rout of Nottinghamshire inside three days at Taunton.The 19-year-old wicketkeeper hit a career-best 123 not out as his side ran up 514 for 8 declared in their second innings to set their opponents an unlikely victory target of 492. George Bartlett, unbeaten on 109 overnight, fell for 134, just three short of his career-best score, while Kasey Aldridge weighed in with 50. Lyndon James had the best bowling figures for Notts with 2 for 64 from 18 overs.The visitors then slumped to 92 all out in their second innings, Josh Davey taking 4 for 17, to suffer the heaviest Championship defeat by a margin of runs in their history. They took three points from the game, while their opponents claimed 19.Somerset began the day on 268 for 4, knowing that the second new ball was just an over away. Any hopes Notts had of using it to reestablish their first day advantage soon disappeared.Bartlett and Rew, who set out on 17, batted confidently through the opening hour, taking few risks and eliminating the errors that had cost Somerset dear in their first innings. They had taken their fifth-wicket stand to 89 and the total to 320 when Bartlett, who had begun his innings with his team 43 for 2, was bowled by Dane Paterson, having faced 265 balls and hit 14 fours and a six.Rew has demonstrated a passion for batting long in red-ball cricket since first breaking into Somerset’s side last season. The young left-hander reached a typically unflurried fifty off 105 deliveries and played through the morning session without alarm.By lunch, he had moved to 60 and the lead was 342. Aldridge was on 17 and the afternoon session saw the pair build another substantial stand. Rew unleashed sixes over long-on and midwicket off Matt Carter, whose offspin posed as little threat as the seamers on what was looking a very flat pitch.Aldridge took the lead past 400 with a cover-driven boundary off Brett Hutton before Rew brought up the fifth first-class hundred of his short career off 172 balls, with 10 fours and 2 sixes.Aldridge has grown in confidence with the bat this season. He went to fifty off 88 balls, but was then bowled by James, having hit 5 fours. By then Somerset had posted 447 for 6 and their lead had grown to 424.It was then just a case of when skipper Tom Abell would choose to declare. By the time he did, Craig Overton and Matt Henry had warmed up for their bowling duties with some lusty blows, Henry clearing the ropes twice, while the ever-vigilant Rew had extended his rock solid innings to span 216 balls and just over four-and-three-quarter hours.Tea was taken before Notts began their mammoth task. It became even more mountainous when Haseeb Hammed was run out without scoring, sent back attempting a single to backward point and undone by Bartlett’s direct hit.It was 2 for 2 when Henry, bowling around the wicket, jagged one into left-hander Ben Slater’s pads to pin him lbw and 10 for 3 when Matthew Montgomery edged a defensive shot off Overton to Aldridge at second slip.Notts captain Steven Mullaney found himself walking to the crease at 14 for 4 after Joe Clarke had been snapped up at second slip by Overton to give Henry his eighth wicket of the match.The extra pace of Somerset’s opening bowlers was making the pitch look very different. And when Josh Davey replaced Overton, his first over saw James edge a drive to Tom Lammonby at third slip. Henry, whose bowling on the second morning had changed the course of the game took a rest having taken 2 for 19 from eight overs and his replacement, Aldridge, soon had Mullaney caught behind for 23 to make it 62 for 6.Hutton sportingly walked when inside-edging Davey to wicketkeeper Rew, who claimed another victim when Tom Moores, on 24, nicked a ball from Aldridge. Davey then cleaned up Jake Ball and Dane Paterson to spark joyous celebrations among home supporters.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em demonstrativo financeiro que indicou lucro de R$ 43,9 milhões no segundo trimestre de 2022, o Flamengo informou os valores nas principais transferências realizadas no período. O goleiro Santos foi o principal reforço pelo valor total deR$ 17,547 milhões. Ao Athletico, foram pagos R$ 15,563 milhões, além de R$ 1,984 milhões em custos.

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Diante disto, o goleiro foi o reforço mais caro do clube na primeira metade do ano. Isso porque Everton Cebolinha, contratado em julho, assumiu o topo do ranking, uma vez que foi comprado junto ao Benfica (POR) por 13,5 milhões de euros, cerca de R$ 73 milhões.

No primeiro trimestre, o clube já havia investido nas chegadas de Pablo, Fabrício Bruno e Marinho e nas renovações de Thiago Maia e Arrascaeta. Relembre os valores de cada operação clicando aqui.

Nas últimas semanas, Arturo Vidal Guillermo Varela e Erick Pulgar também chegaram ao Ninho do Urubu para reforçar o Rubro-Negro.

Por outro lado, a diretoria rubro-negra também confirmou o valor da venda de Hugo Moura ao Furacão. Pelo volante formado no Ninho do Urubu, o Athletico, em junho, desembolsou1,2 milhões de euros, ouR$ 6.595 milhões de acordo com a cotação cambial do momento.

Neste primeiro semestre de 2022, a diretoria do Flamengo também negociou cinco atletas: Bill (Dnipro-1), Kayque (Shabab Al Ahli), Max (Colorado Rapids), Michael (Al Hilal) e Piris da Motta (Cerro Porteño).

Enzo Maresca has quickly implemented his system at Chelsea, already showing clear patterns of how the Italian wants his side to play, building through the thirds at a slower pace, keeping players in closer proximity by doing so and looking to suffocate teams in their own half.

The importance of wingers in this system is huge. They are often given the most freedom to be direct with their actions, looking to make something happen.

In an ideal world, these wide players are able to go both ways (inside and outside) in order to cause the opposition fullbacks a variety of different problems throughout a game.

Maresca’s ideal winger is one who can beat his man consistently in 1v1 isolations, deliver balls into the box with a variety of techniques such as cutbacks and clipped crosses to the back post, but also has the ability to be a goal threat, cutting inside and getting shots off.

The Blues perhaps had the perfect player for this system all the way back in 2004. A certain Arjen Robben was a winger who could beat his man to go towards the byline, but more importantly, possessed one of the most deadly weapons when cutting inside and shooting on his left foot.

Arjen Robben's Chelsea career in numbers

Chelsea made the signing of Robben back in 2004, with the Dutch winger joining the Blues from PSV Eindhoven for a fee of around £12m.

The Dutchman made 106 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 19 goals, providing 21 assists and totalling 6,632 minutes played.

He developed something of a signature move, cutting inside from the right-wing, having the ability to bend the ball into the far left corner, cutting in on his stronger left foot.

This was seen in his early days at Chelsea, but even further developed in his years at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich after leaving London, going on to become one of the very best in the world.

Robben would have thrived in Maresca’s system, constantly being put in 1v1 isolations to attack the full-back with the license to be creative and vary his actions between attacking the byline and moving inside.

As it happens, it looks like Chelsea may have already sold someone who could have provided that same two-way threat from the wing back in 2023.

Chelsea may have already sold the new Robben

Chelsea sold a certain Callum Hudson-Odoi to Nottingham Forest in the 2023/24 summer transfer window.

The Tricky Trees only paid a measly £3m to secure the services of the young winger, with a potential £2m of add-ons to bring the total to £5m. It’s safe to say that deal has bitten Chelsea in the backside with his form after leaving soaring to new heights. Now, in 2025, the Cobham graduate is in the form of his career.

Goals

0.15

0.23

Assists

0.20

0.09

xG

0.26

0.11

xAG

0.22

0.12

Progressive Carries

5.68

5.10

Progressive Passes

4.75

2.67

Shots Total

1.71

1.69

Goals/Shot

0.09

0.14

Key Passes

2.30

1.83

Shot-Creating Actions

5.47

3.91

Successful Take-Ons

1.65

1.49

Indeed, since moving to the City Ground, Hudson-Odoi has made 61 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals, and providing four assists, seven of which have come in 2024/25.

Whilst his per 90 metrics are mostly down, playing in a lower possession side, his effectiveness has clearly risen, with the 24-year-old now having a 0.14 goals/shot ratio, showcasing his increase in efficiency.

So, where does the comparison to Robben stem from?

Well, much like the great Dutchman, Hudson-Odoi is now making it something of a trademark of cutting inside. Right-footed – as opposed to Robben’s left – he’s had great joy by chopping inside from the left and curling the ball into the far right corner.

As a result, it’s likely that, considering his form and the small £3m fee, Chelsea will regret the sale of their academy “star boy” as he was described by Forest teammate and ex-Chelsea defender, Ola Aina.

Chelsea can replace Colwill with "elite" 19-year-old who's like David Luiz

He’s on the cusp of making his mark in Enzo Maresca’s first team at Chelsea.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 10, 2025

تعادل محمود حسن تريزيجيه، للنادي الأهلي وسجل الهدف الأول، أمام باتشوكا المكسيكي، في المباراة الودية المقامة بين الفريقين حاليًا.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع باتشوكا، وديًا، في إطار الاستعدادات لمشاركته في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025 التي تقام في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وسجل تريزيجيه هدف الأهلي الأول في الدقيقة 50 بعدما قام بمراوغة رائعة لمدافع فريق باتشوكا وسدد في المرمي، لتصبح النتيجة 1-1. هدف الأهلي الأول أمام باتشوكا.. تريزيجيه

طالع | عماد متعب: طالبت مسؤولي الأهلي بضم لاعب الفريق الحالي منذ 8 سنوات

وكان اللاعب جون ﻛﯿﻨﯿﺪي، سجل هدف فريق باتشوكا الأول أمام الأهلي في الدقيقة 11 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة.

ويتواجد الأهلي في المجموعة الأولى ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، رفقة أندية إنتر ميامي الأمريكي وبورتو البرتغالي وبالميراس البرازيلي.

ويفتتح الأهلي بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، بمواجهة إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، صباح يوم الأحد 15 يونيو 2025، في الثالثة فجرًا.

With England now virtually playing knockout cricket at the T20 World Cup, assistant coach Paul Collingwood has backed Ben Stokes to come the fore after an indifferent start to the tournament as questions linger about his position in the side.Stokes made 2 off 4 balls against Afghanistan in Perth, and then was cleaned up by a wonderful delivery from Ireland’s Fionn Hand at the MCG for 6 off 8 as England fell to a shock defeat which left their tournament on a knife-edge.Related

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Stokes, who was rested from the seven-match series in Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, was unconvincing in the lead-in matches against Australia too, although he hit a quickfire 36 in the warm-up against Pakistan in Brisbane, the scene of their crunch game against New Zealand on Tuesday.Overall, Stokes’ T20I record is comfortably the least impressive of the three formats. In 33 innings, he averages 18.57 with the bat and a strike-rate of 132.02 although he has rarely had a settled position or role in the team, which is one of the reasons he was given certainty by being locked in for the No. 4 job before this tournament.Ben Stokes gears up to bowl at training•Getty Images

“I guess the one person that you want in your team when the pressure is on is Ben Stokes,” Collingwood said. “We all know what he’s capable of, and not just match-winning innings, but match-winning innings under serious amounts of pressure. I know well that if it comes down to the crunch that you want a man like Ben Stokes walking out.”Stokes has been given a new role with the ball in this tournament, opening the attack to try and exploit early swing before returning later in the innings, and has claimed three wickets in the two games. He is also an asset in the field as he showed against Australia in Canberra with a stunning boundary-saving flick back.”Not just what he gives with the bat, [it’s] the options with the ball, and the skill level he brings into the field as well.” Collingwood said. “It’s not always just the runs that he makes, but it’s everything else that he gives. But I’m pretty confident there’s an innings just around the corner, and now we’re coming into the crucial part of the World Cup, and it’s almost a knockout stage for us, it’s must-win games, you always see Ben come to the fore in those situations.”For England to win, however, they need to get on the field and the forecast isn’t overly promising for Brisbane on Tuesday, although there is a chance that the worst of the rain could clear through earlier in the day. That won’t be much consolation for Afghanistan if they get their third washout in a row when they face Sri Lanka in the first game of the day. Shared points would not be curtains for England, but it would leave them needing favours elsewhere.”In World Cups you want to see sides competing against each other, the best sides competing against each other in an equal game,” Collingwood said. “Hopefully tomorrow night the rain stays away and we can manage to do that.”

Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka has been named in a Sri Lanka men’s T20 squad for the first time, while Dinesh Chandimal, seamer Asitha Fernando and middle-order batter Ashen Bandara make their return to the squad for the Asia Cup. Also making comebacks are allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay who was not part of the squad that played Australia in June. Round-arm seamer Matheesha Pathirana has been picked as well.Chandimal was part of the T20 squad that toured Australia and India earlier this year, but was then dropped for the T20Is at home against Australia in June. He returns for the Asia Cup largely on the back on strong performances in Test cricket against Australia and Pakistan.Left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan, fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, and allrounders Ramesh Mendis and Lahiru Madushanka were left out of the squad.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Seamers Binura Fernando and Kasun Rajitha, who were strongly considered for the squad, were ruled out by injury. But even among those who have made the squad, there is one major injury concern: key fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera’s ankle is understood to not have completely recovered from a recent injury. He will likely be given as much time as possible to regain match fitness at some point in the tournament.The names of Asitha Fernando and Pramod Madushan have been sent to the Sports Minister of Sri Lanka for approval as replacements for Binura Fernando and Kasun Rajitha.The injuries mean there will be additional pressure on what is an inexperienced seam bowling unit. Aside from the uncapped (in T20Is) Fernando, the 21-year-old Madushanka and the uncapped 19-year-old Pathirana, Sri Lanka have only allrounders Chamika Karunaratne, and Dasun Shanaka as seam options. Fernando, however, did top the wicket charts with 10 dismissals while maintaining an economy rate of 6.87 in the recent SLC Invitational (domestic T20) tournament.Related

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The spin department appears more settled, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Praveen Jayawickrama being joined by Vandersay. While Vandersay did not play in the T20Is against Australia in June, he had been in decent bowling form in the ODIs, and claimed 3 for 12 in a recent domestic match.Bandara, meanwhile, gets back into the squad on the back of good performances in that domestic tournament. Batting at No.5, he hit 134 runs across four innings, albeit at a strike rate of 117.54. He last played for Sri Lanka in July 2021.On the batting front, there is no room again for Niroshan Dickwella, who had a decent run in the domestic tournament, and Kusal Mendis (who topped run charts), Danushka Gunathilaka, and Pathum Nissanka will vie for the top-order spots. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is likely to appear in the middle order.

Celtic are believed to be “in the running” to sign a new target man in the January transfer window, according to a fresh update regarding their upcoming business.

Latest Celtic news

The Hoops are still being linked with possible new signings in the coming weeks, in order to give Brendan Rodgers’ side the best possible opportunity to not only win another Scottish Premiership title, but also go as far as possible in the Champions League.

BK Hacken attacker Zeidane Inoussa has been backed to join Celtic, with the 22-year-old registering 15 goal involvements (nine goals and six assists) in 29 appearances for his current club.

Meanwhile, the Hoops are said to be considering making an offer for Real Valladolid winger Raul Moro, who has netted three times in La Liga this season. A versatile attacking option, he is someone who could provide the reigning Scottish Premiership champions with even more quality in the final third.

Celtic have also reportedly made an enquiry about the availability of Aston Villa forward Louie Barry, who could look for a move away from Villa Park this month, in order to enjoy more regular playing time with a temporary loan deal.

Celtic "in the running" to sign 6 foot 2 striker

According to a new report for Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Celtic are “in the running” to sign Lille striker Mohamed Bayo in January, as he looks to seal a move away.

His current club are reluctant to allow him to leave, however, in what is described in the update as a “tug-of-war” situation involving the 26-year-old Guinea international.

Bayo could be an excellent signing for Celtic in January, with his compatriot Souleymane Youla talking up a move to Parkhead: “If he has to leave Lille, Scotland would be the best destination for Bayo, because Celtic play in the Champions League in the same way as LOSC. And above all, it is one of the best clubs in the country, present every year in Champions League and the Scottish championship is not so bad.”

At 26, Bayo is at a perfect point in his career to come in and make an immediate impact for Celtic, picking up enough experience in his career, but unlikely to peak for several years still.

Celtic now eyeing bid to sign tricky new 22 y/o forward – reliable reporter

A new name is on the Parkhead radar.

ByCharlie Smith Jan 17, 2025

He has scored eight goals in 27 caps for Guinea, highlighting his pedigree at international level, while 37 strikes in 80 appearances during his spell at Clermont Foot further outlines how prolific he can be.

Bayo looks like a perfect option to come in and provide healthy competition for the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah at Celtic, so it is hopefully a move that gets done before the end of the current transfer window.